The Black Plague

How the Plague Started

The disease can be traced back to Asia.

Traders traveled along sea routes (through the Black sea) and the silk road to Asia in order to collect much desired Asian goods to bring back to Europe. Sometimes they brought back plague infested rats with them.

Fleas living on the blood of infected rats then transferred the disease to people.

Due to trade, port cities around the Mediterranean sea were first exposed to the disease

Look at the map showing the Black Plague in Europe during the 1300s. A) According to the map, where did the plague originate?B) How do you think that the plague spread so far in such a short time?

Map of Spread in Europe

Symptoms

• Aching limbs

• Vomiting blood

• Lymph nodes begin to swell (glands found on your neck, armpits and groin)

• Sores appear on the body.

• Lymph nodes burst.

• Skin appears dark in areas (spots)

“Black Death” Symptoms

Death from the plague was horrible but swift. The Italian writer Boccaccio explained, “ victims of the plague ate lunch with their friends and ate dinner with their ancestors in paradise.”

By Peter Brugel

Ring Around the Rosie: The Gruesome Truth!

A ring, a ring o' roses,A pocket full o’posies-Atishoo atishoo we all fall down.

"The sneezing and falling down in modern English versions of this nursery rhythm have led people to believe that the rhyme dates back to the Great Plague. A rosy rash, they alleged, was a symptom of the plague, posies of herbs were carried as protection and to ward off the smell of the disease. Sneezing was a final fatal symptom, and 'all fall down' was exactly what happened. The line Ashes, Ashes in alternative versions of the rhyme is claimed to refer variously to cremation of the bodies, the burning of victims' houses.

• Doctors thought the plague was spread from bad air. They would fill the beaks of the masks with herbs that “filtered” the bad air and smell.

• Even though doctors really had no idea what was causing it. This costume may have worked….Why???

How many people died from it?

Approximately 50% of Europe’s population from 541-700

100 million people across the world

Key Concept: How do you think this my have affected the Feudal Manor System?

Plague clip

http://montage.ca.sduhsd.net/SAFARI/montage/play.php?keyindex=1895&location=local&chapterskeyindex=12257&play=1hp?keyindex=2781