I took the year 774 AD and searched for disruptions, which might indicate a successful society experiencing a sudden intense struggle for survival. Famine during the Dark Ages was an all too common occurrence. However, when a very successful nation-state experiences political upheaval, it’s most often due to a protracted famine like these researchers insist would follow a supernova, or a CME.
The fascinating results include the demise of the Viking founded nation of Lombard, which recorded ten years of unprecedented instability beginning in 774 AD and ending only when Charles the Great, Charlemagne, the First Holy Roman Emperor took control of Lombard. Why does this matter to you and I living during the 21st Century? Without the defeat of the hardy Viking Kingdom of Lombard and the rise of Charlemagne there might never have been a Roman Catholic Church and the Renaissance might look a whole lot different to us today. Charlemagne, most importantly secured the safety of the Papacy in Rome for all time. The rise of the Judeo-Christian West was assured and Almighty God is still in complete control of His-story!
I decided to do some research on Charlemagne and volcanoes, and the history of the period.
732 Arab defeat at Tours by Charles Martel
742 Charlemagne born in Aachen
753 Pepin the Short, his father, defeats Lombards bothering the pope.
754 Pepin the Short crowned by the pope
768 Pepin dies leaving Charlemagne and brother Carlman in charge
At some point Carlman died and Charlemagne engaged in various conquests
774 our target year — Charlemagne responds to the Pope who is under attack by neighbors. He is subsequently crowned by pope and becomes Holy Roman Emperor
814 Charlemagne dies
Then I looked at volcanoes to see if their was any influence there. Source - Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, Editor Haraldur Sigurdsson. These were listed for Japan as no other data goes back that far except in Europe which had no major volcanic events then. Some time ago I had read that there were over 30 famines in the 100 years following the death of Charlemagne which explained why the Carolingian renaissance faded away. Some of these famines lasted several years.
There were only 3 significant volcanoes (VEI-4 or more) for the period around the 774 event except ones in 751, 764, and 800. For the period during the 100 years after the death of Charlemagne in 814, we have 838, 874, 885, 886, 887, and 915, clearly a busier 100 years.
I would conclude that the 774 event was not caused by volcanoes, but the 100 year famine might have been influence to some extent. Another cause was wheat and rye spoilage cased by introduction of the barberry bush, and it’s rust, used in Arab cuisine, and wheat rust. Colder weather caused by increased volcanic cooling could have interected with these crop pests.