In her book "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Barbara W. Tuchman argues that the financial burdens associated with funding wars inflicted greater harm on 14th-century society than the wars themselves. The economic strain caused by raising money for military conflicts led to societal disruption and suffering that often exceeded the devastation brought on by physical battles.

Tuchman's perspective highlights the profound impact of financial decisions on the fabric of society during this tumultuous period. Instead of merely assessing the damage inflicted by warfare, her analysis encourages a deeper understanding of how the necessity of financing such endeavors compromised social stability and well-being.