The terrible effects of the Black Death are vastly known to most Europeans. The effects of simple bacteria brought out the worst in Europeans and pushed medieval society to its breaking point. In this paper, I will examine the spread of the Black Death and explain the people’s reactions to the plague that hit Europe in the 1300s.
In the mid 1300s, people’s movement were everywhere around Europe. During that time, the seaside towns of Italy were one of the busiest places in Europe. In the autumn of 1347, sailors who were returning from the black sea came with the disease (McKay p 15–40). Italy was the first that was hit by the disease and the frontline for the disease. Within a few months, 20-30% of the population died of the disease that spread from one household member to the whole family.
After realizing that there was no cure for the disease, people turned to their faith in God and the Church. They avoided going near people lying sick in houses. Even doctors, friends, priests and friends hid from the sick. Brothers abandoned their brothers. Parents also avoided their children. The sick were avoided with all their properties. There was nobody to keep control since the people in authority were also dying from the plague. People believed that God was punishing humanity with the plague. The disease later followed trade roots. The flagellants marched from town to town, whipping their backs and hurting themselves to make God take pity on them (McKay p 48-90). Christians believed that the Jewish denial of Jesus’ reality was responsible for the punishment and blamed them for causing the disease.
When the plague eventually reached England, the peasants died and the survivors inherited property of the dead. The surviving peasants were the only working population left, therefore, they asked for higher wages and cheaper rents (McKay p 101-134). The plague threatened the upper class socially and economically. The Black Death caused the death of 20 million people in three years spreading to the edges of Europe. Europe slowly recovered from the plague and learned to live with the sick.
Work Cited:
McKay, John P. A History of World Societies 8th Ed Vol 1. London: Macmillan Higher Education, 2010.
