The Plague: The Black Death
Up from the murky depths of the Middle Ages crept a devastatingly horrific and terrifying disease. Responsible for the deaths of millions, this disease, or plague was known as the Black Death. Although there is no certainty as to the location where the plague originated from, it is known that its deadly bacteria came from the foul belly of a single flea. When the Black Death began to take hold, unimaginable fear, panic and chaos swept through the hearts of Europe's people; the rich and the poor alike.
This catastrophe began in the early part of 1346. In October of that year, the plague commenced sweeping through the island of Sicily. Knowing the approximate whereabouts of where the plague started leads one to the question as to how it started.
Deep within the stomach of that wretched flea, brewed a bacteria which would lead to the deaths of millions throughout the known world. The bubonic plague, another name given to the disease, spread much like a wildfire by means of fleas infected with the plague, which they received from feeding on the blood of a host. These minuscule fleas were carried by rats that inhabited the hulls of ships. Humans acquired Black Death when the fleas, searching for a new host, leaped onto their skin, and injected the bacteria into their blood. It is quite astonishing how such a feeble creature could cause so much havoc. Inevitable is it that such a horrendous cataclysm, such as the Black Death would initiate fear and panic amongst the people who may be the next victims. During the epidemics dark reign, at least one in four people fell in hecatomb to it. There was absolutely nothing that could be done to stop it, as the people had no clue as to how it was being spread.
Dismay and silence fell over towns and villages. Some no longer went outdoors, while others fled. Disparity drove communities to the brink of insanity and madness. Groups, known as flagellants, did public penance to appease the wrath of God (Dies Irae). These clans, tore open their own backs with leather whips, attempting to imitate the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ.
This catastrophe began in the early part of 1346. In October of that year, the plague commenced sweeping through the island of Sicily. Knowing the approximate whereabouts of where the plague started leads one to the question as to how it started.
Deep within the stomach of that wretched flea, brewed a bacteria which would lead to the deaths of millions throughout the known world. The bubonic plague, another name given to the disease, spread much like a wildfire by means of fleas infected with the plague, which they received from feeding on the blood of a host. These minuscule fleas were carried by rats that inhabited the hulls of ships. Humans acquired Black Death when the fleas, searching for a new host, leaped onto their skin, and injected the bacteria into their blood. It is quite astonishing how such a feeble creature could cause so much havoc. Inevitable is it that such a horrendous cataclysm, such as the Black Death would initiate fear and panic amongst the people who may be the next victims. During the epidemics dark reign, at least one in four people fell in hecatomb to it. There was absolutely nothing that could be done to stop it, as the people had no clue as to how it was being spread.
Dismay and silence fell over towns and villages. Some no longer went outdoors, while others fled. Disparity drove communities to the brink of insanity and madness. Groups, known as flagellants, did public penance to appease the wrath of God (Dies Irae). These clans, tore open their own backs with leather whips, attempting to imitate the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ.