LibGuides: Middle Ages: Black Death

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The Black Death impacts society

The Black Death and Peasants' Revolt

In the mid-14th century, the catastrophic plague known as the Black Death hit Europe, and swept through the continent rapidly. It would eventually kill between a third and half of the population. These huge death tolls sparked off a chain of events that would redefine the position of the peasant in England. Due to the fact that so many had died, there were far fewer people to work the land: peasants were therefore able to demand better conditions and higher wages from their landlords. Many advanced to higher positions in society. Thus the Black Death was ultimately responsible for major shifts in the social structure.

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Medicine in the Middle Ages

Medicine in the Middle Ages
The practice of medicine in the Middle Ages was rooted in the Greek tradition.

Podcasts

BBC Radio In Our Times: The Black Death
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how the Black Death influenced the structure and ideas of Medieval Europe. It killed over a third of Europe’s population in 4 years – young and old, rich and poor, in the town and in the country. When it stopped in 1351 it left a continent ravaged but transformed – the poor found their labour to be valuable, religion was both reinforced and undercut, medicine progressed, art changed and the continent awash with guilt and memorialisation. (45 minutes, 2008)

The Black Death

The Black Death, 1348
The plague started in China and made its way west across Asia to the Black Sea by 1347.
BBC The Black Death
The Black Death was an infamous plague causing an estimated 20 million deaths in Europe. Its spread and impact is disputed, but it does give an insight into a medieval way of life.
East Smithfield Plague Cemetery - Medieval Black Plague Burials
Interesting article which focuses on primary source material when talking about the Black Death.
The Black Death: The Worst Event in European History
Information about the spread of the disease, the death toll and the consequences for society.
Italy during the 17th century pandemic
This recently published article looks at what it was like for the people of Italy at the time of the Black Death and the similarities with the lock-down to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Focus Questions

What were the key causes of your event?
What were the key stages/moments and locations in your event?
How, when and where did it happen?
What were the impacts of your event on medieval society (both short-term and long-term) i.e. how did your event change the structure or ideas of society.
In your opinion was the impact of this event largely positive, negative or both?
Explain with reference to at least two different historians’ opinions.

Middle Ages: Black Death

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