the first recorded famine in czech lands occurred from 1272 until 1282 and was caused by warfare and weather, which decreased the volume of crops harvested in the region. this first instance of famine caught inhabitants off guard and caused 600,000 deaths, mostly through endemic plagues, although there were some occurrences of cannibalism. local famines also transpired in czech regions in 1318, caused by warfare; and then in 1361 and 1366, caused by crop shortage and failures.