The Black Death



The Black Death: Summary

What was the Black Death?

• The Black Death was a terrible plague, which had reached England by travelling across Europe from Asia along the world’s trade routes.

• It was probably a mixture of bubonic plague which caused the swellings (buboes) and pneumonic plague.

• The plague was carried by fleas which lived on black rats. If the flea bit a human, the human caught the Plague.

What were the symptoms of the Black Death?

• Fever and pains

• Difficulty sleeping

• Black spots developed

• Sores develop and burst

• Death usually within 5 days

What did people in the Medieval Ages think caused the Black Death?

• Jews or nobles poisoned the water

• Punishment from God

• Poisonous vapours from an earthquake in January 1348

• The close position of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in 1345

How did people in the Medieval Ages try to avoid or cure the Black Death?

• Shut yourself away from everyone and drink only milk or wine

• Flog yourself to show you are sorry for your sins

• Leave the towns and flee to the countryside

• Cover your mouth with a mask or carry herbs

• Carry on as normal and hope for the best

What were the results of the Black Death?

• The population of England fell from 5 million to 2.5m million. It did not reach 5 million again until 1650.

• A strange group of monks, called Flagellants appeared. Flagellants were people who travelled about whipping each other. They believed that the Black Death was Gods punishment. They punished themselves in order to beg forgiveness and travelled around, singing hymns and saying prayers

• Medieval people became very obsessed with death.

• Many peasants died and complete villages were abandoned.

• The Lords of the Manor found there was a shortage of peasants to work their land.

• The peasants realised this and demanded higher wages. Wages rose by up to 50%.

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