1. The Black Plague
Time Period
Scope of Damage
Social Disruption

2. Black Plague Plague outbreaks common in Europe
Black Death- refers to outbreak of 1347
arguably contributed to anxiety, social tension

3. Outbreak- 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.”

4. Agnolo 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.

5. Population figures 1100: 48 mill. 1200: 59 mill 1300: 70 mill

6. Mortality 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 %

7. Map

8. Plague cycle

9. The Culprit

10. Bubonic 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

11. Pneumonic 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

13. Cures? No concept of contagion medicine: astrology & humours
lancing boils ineffective
flagellation and prayer

14. Flagellants

15. Contemporary 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)

16. Dance of Death
Hans Holbein 1538

19. Alphabet of death (Holbein)