1340
Years:
1337 1338 1339 - 1340 - 1341 1342 1343Decades:
1310s 1320s 1330s - 1340s - 1350s 1360s 1370sCenturies:
13th century - 14th century - 15th century
Events
Europe has about 74 million inhabitants.- January 26 - King Edward III of England is declared King of France
- June 24 - The Battle of Sluys is fought between the naval fleets of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. The former was under the command of Edward III of England and the later under those of Admiral Hue Quiéret and Treasurer Nicholas Béhuchet assisted by Genoese Mercenary galleys serving under Egidio Bocanegra. The battle ends with the almost complete destruction of the French. Both their commanders were among the casualties. However the mercenaries manage to escape.
- A son of deceased King Christopher II of Denmark is elected to the throne following eight years of Interregnum. He will reign as Valdemar IV of Denmark.
Births
- June 24 - John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (died 1399)
- November 30 - John, Duke of Berry, son of John II of France (died 1416)
- Philip van Artevelde, Flemish patriot (died 1382)
- Enguerrand VII de Coucy (died 1397)
- Feofan Grek, Russian painter (died 1410)
- Geert Groote, Dutch founder of the Brethren of the Common Life (died 1384)
- Narayana Pandit, mathematician (died 1400)
Deaths
- March 31 - Ivan I of Russia
- December 4 - Henry Burghersh, English bishop and chancellor (born 1292)
- William Melton, English archbishop