Final answer:
Conrad of Megenberg wrote during the 14th century amidst the devastation of the Black Death, which precipitated the early Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conrad of Megenberg wrote his book 'Buch der Natur' during the turbulent times of the 14th century, particularly in the context of the Black Death pandemic.
This catastrophic plague caused immense human death and led to profound social and economic transformation, fueling the early beginnings of the Renaissance. During this period, the traditional privileges of clergy and nobility began to be questioned as Europe started to recover and restructure itself, paving the way for changes in various aspects of society, science, and art.