The Black PlagueThe Black Plague

• Time Period

• Scope of Damage

• Social Disruption

Black PlagueBlack Plague

• Plague outbreaks common in Europe

• Black Death- refers to outbreak of 1347

• arguably contributed to anxiety, social tension

Outbreak- anonymous accountOutbreak- anonymous account

• “Realizing what a deadly disaster had come to them, the people quickly drove the Italians from their city. But the disease remained, and soon death was everywhere. Fathers abandoned their sick sons. Lawyers refused to come and make out wills for the dying. Friars and nuns were left to care for the sick, and monasteries and convents were soon deserted, as they were stricken , too. Bodies were left in empty houses, and there was no one to give them Christian burial.”

Agnolo di Tura of SienaAgnolo di Tura of Siena

• “The mortality in Siena began in May. It was a cruel and horrible thing. It is impossible for the human tongue to recount the awful truth. Indeed one who did not see such horribleness can be called blessed. The victims died almost immediately. They would swell beneath the armpits and in the groin, and fall over while talking. Father abandoned child, husband wife. None could be found to bury the dead for love or money. And they died by the hundreds both day and night, all were thrown in ditches and covered with dirt. All believed it was the end of the world.

Population figuresPopulation figures

• 1100: 48 mill.

• 1200: 59 mill

• 1300: 70 mill

• 1347: 70 mill

• 1352: 50 mill

Mortality ratesMortality rates

• In five years, 25 million died

• 1/3 of the population of Europe

• Paris 800/day• Vienna 600/day• Pisa 500/day• Across Europe death rates from 10 - 100%

MapMap

Plague cyclePlague cycle

The CulpritThe Culprit

Bubonic Plague - by contactBubonic Plague - by contact

• black swelling size of apple under armpit and in groin

• pus and blood oozes from buboses

• spreading of boils over body

• black blotches on skin from internal bleeding

• severe pain

• death within 5 days

Pneumonic plague - air bornePneumonic plague - air borne

• no bubos or boils

• fever, spitting of blood

• coughing and heavy sweating

• death comes within 24 hours

• recorded instances of people going to bed well, and dying by morning

Cures?Cures?

• No concept of contagion

• medicine: astrology & humours

• lancing boils ineffective

• flagellation and prayer

FlagellantsFlagellants

Contemporary accountContemporary account

• “While the plague was still active and spreading from town to town, men uprose and began a new sect on their own authority. Stripped to the waist, they gathered in large groups and bands and marched in procession through the crossroads and squares of cities and good towns. They formed circles and beat upon their backs with weighted scourges, rejoicing in loud voices and singing hymns. They flogged their shoulders and arms, scourged with iron points so zealously as to draw blood.” (Jean de Venette)

Dance of DeathDance of Death

• Hans Holbein 1538

Alphabet of death (Holbein)Alphabet of death (Holbein)