The Influence Of The Black Death In Medieval Europe

The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. It began in south-western Asia and spread to Europe by the late 1340s, where it received its name Black Death. The Black Death, spread to many countries throughout the world and still lingers today. The bacteria Yersinia pestis carries disease in three forms: the bubonic, septicaemic and the pneumonic plagues. In the middle ages no one was safe from the plague, everyone was a target, including the rich and wealthy. The impact of this disease changed the way Europeans of the time lived their lives and their beliefs.

The changes to people's lives in Medieval Europe were severe and widespread. The people of medieval Europe were extremely afraid of the Black Death due
Even before the Black Death arrived in Europe almost all things, especially elements of daily life, were under the influence of the church. “Even boiling an egg took “the time to say a prayer”.” (Black Death and Church, 2008). Initially people turned to the church for answers to this awful plague, but since priests and bishops could not offer a cure or even an explanation, people started to question religion and even revolt against it. This resulted in the church losing many followers. Believers would ring the church bells, to drive away death. Some prayed for forgiveness, in hope that all the suffering and death would stop. As a result of the Black Death, most of the clergy who had not fled their posts contracted the deadly disease from taking care of the sick, as doctor had become rare. Through lack of knowledge there were many theories and superstitions regarding the cause of the Black Death. Some include the Jews, God’s nature and the devil. Some believed that Jews were helpmates of the devil and rumours suggested they had poisoned the wells, which would have been an impossible explanation thanks to Edward I’s discharge of the Jews in 1290. Some believed that if you had a strong enough belief in God's nature then your body would expel the poison though ulcers (Superstitious Beliefs about the Outbreak of the Black Death in Europe in the 14th century, 2008). Should the poison be stronger than the man’s nature, poison would reach his heart and the victim would die in a matter of days. Some people also blamed the devil for the Black Death. The Black Death from lack of understanding and knowledge caused a variety of