Black Death

Question 1

When was the black death?

Answer 1

Severe outbreak of disease from 1348-1350.

Question 2

How was it spread?

Answer 2

Spread by fleas carried by black rats

Question 3

How did it come to UK?

Answer 3

Originated in Middle East brought to Europe on boats

Question 4

How many people died?

Answer 4

Killed about 1/3 of the population, 1.5 million people died.
200 million died in Europe

Question 5

Why did so many people die?

Answer 5

Everyone was affected, old, young, rich and poor.
People lived in primitive conditions and had very poor hygiene- no toilets or waste disposal

Question 6

What did they know about the Black Death at the time?

Answer 6

• Most people in 1348 were literate and knew little about the cause of disease.
• Many people thought disease was a punishment from God.
• Popular idea was that this was end of the world coming and that disease was spread by bad air. (tried sitting victims near large fire to kill bad air)
• Plague doctors tried placing sweet smelling herbs over mouth to stop bad air entering their body.
• Also tried dried toads and leeches to remove poison
• They put figs and butter on the swollen lumps to soften them

Question 7

What were the symptoms of the Black Death?

Answer 7

• Began with flu symptoms, coughing and high temp
• Then large lumps appeared usually on arms and legs. Lumps were first red, full of blood, then black as blood dried out
• Blotches appeared all over the body
• Most people who caught the plague died within 5 days.

Question 8

What were the Social Effects of Black Death?

Answer 8

• Whole villages and towns were wiped out.
• Population in England dropped by one third in two years
• People left towns and went to country to try and avoid it
• Foreigners and non-Christians were attacked as some blamed them for disease.

Question 9

What was the Economic Impact of Black Death?

Answer 9

• With fewer peasants much agricultural land was unused.
• Peasants left their fields and livestock died.
• Food supplies ran row and prices rose
• As fewer peasants and craftsman in town, those left could demand higher wages.
• Villeins began to refuse to work on their lord’s land for free.
• Lords offered Villeins left more money and food to work the land, so those that survived were better off.