Bubonic Plague In Medieval Europe

Although the feudal system presented a mutually beneficial relationship at first, over time many burdens were placed on the vassals. A serf was bound to the land, thus resulting in a fixed income. Since he was unable to move to another lord, he was reliant on only what was originally agreed upon to provide monetary support. [Support was generally in kind, or in labor.] With no “right” to adjust the support needed for survival, the serf and his family experiences tremendous hardships.

Imagine a world, with no kayos, and soon get a mystery disease, that someone wouldn’t know it would kill. The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death, would come and go, killing millions of people. This deadly disease was the biggest time that had the most deaths according to it. It came from the Black Sea, and soon would invade villages, whipping them out within a week. Caused by infected fleas, the Black Plague was a painful disease that left huge black spots on the skin and killed millions of people during the Elizabethan Era.

Pursell The Black Death Reassessed What really happened to Europe during Black Death? For years, the accepted version of the event has been that a plague from the East, carried by rodents who were infected by fleas, traveled by trade routes and subsequently infected Europeans. The name of this plague is infamously known as the Bubonic Plague; it’s said to have claimed the lives of a third of the continent’s population. Not everyone accepts the prominent version of this event though. In this essay, we will read of two scholars who dispute the official narrative of the Bubonic plague; one scholar will apply this revisionism solely to England, whereas the other will look at Europe as a whole. Moreover, death toll estimates will be scrutinized too. In addition, we will read of a third scholar who offers insight into the aftermath of the Black Death in England in terms of its social and economic development. Clearly, something devastating struck Europe in the 14th century. Whatever it was might not ever be exactly known. However, for the sake of understanding its true impact upon European society, it’s worth reassessing this long-held account. In his writing, The Black Death:

The population losses among the previously overpopulated peasant class, who at this time were underemployed due to this overpopulation, were able to haggle for higher wages and better terms when it came to working, renting, and owning land. At the same time, the sudden loss in population meant the nobles could not demand high prices for product which weakened their power of wealth. This coupled with the higher earning wages of the peasant class meant they could move up in the social order to become farmers themselves or merchants of equal social standing. This period of social mobility didn’t last long, but it allowed for the end of feudalism as it was known during the Middle Ages. The end of feudalism meant the end of kings and nobles being able to give land in return for anything they could ever need including food and protection from knights. While it was still an important part of social class, land was no longer in the very center controlling every decision. In the years before the Black Death, it was the peasants who gave food and work to the knights. The knights then gave protection to nobles which gave money and the knights’ protection to the kings. In return, the king passed down land throughout the social classes. Although, the lower classes had the opportunity to accumulate land for the services they provided, in the end

The bubonic plague is believed to have begun in south China in the 1320’s. The virus that causes bubonic plague is carried in the saliva of fleas that use rats as hosts. When there was a lack of rats to host the fleas they attacked the human population. The plague moved to northern China with travelers and warriors. Once it made its way to the silk roads it quickly swept across the Mediterranean and as far north as Scandinavia. Prior to the expansion of the silk roads, China had been isolated from the rest of the world. If it had not been for the growing trade market and the heavily traveled silk roads, the plague wouldn't have been able to spread outside of China so quickly or maybe even at all. The hardest hit areas were urban areas along

30% of the people in Medieval Europe were died as a result of the Plague. This led to shortages in labour for landowners and increased demand for labour by nobles and landowners. These shortages got to the point where landowners

Without compensation, they refused to work any longer. This caused the nobility to finally realize that with such a high demand for these workers, they had to pay them. In addition to their newfound freedom and pay, peasants could now purchase their own land (47). This was a major change in the system of feudalism. The world of the nobility was forever upturned (47).

The Black Death had a significant negative effect on both the economy of Europe and the Catholic Church during and after it 's prime, proving to ruin the lives of many both directly and indirectly subject to the plague. However, it can be argued that the Black Death prompted a restructure in feudalism, increasing equality in society. The Bubonic Plague became prominent in 1347 AD, tearing through the lives of many throughout Europe. A major financial shift in the fourteenth century saw millions living in poverty. The Catholic Church was shunned because it had no power over the plague, and therefore lost much of its influence on society. However, lower class citizens were able to stand

The upper class had high demands for serfs. Rebellions occurred because lords in the feudal system tried to continue impose the feudalism structure, which lead to the Peasant’s revolt. Through this, the laborers were able to demand better working conditions since the upper class was desperate for people to grow their crops. Those who were slaves gained power. Those who had their rights abused were able to stand up. “The peasants became slightly more empowered, and revolted when the aristocracy attempted to resist the changes brought about by the plague” (“1320: Section...”). The Peasant’s Revolt foreshadowed future labor unions. They wanted to have fairness and better treatment which started the end of feudalism. “This set Western Europe along the path of diverging classes” (“1320:

This essay will focus on the key elements that contributed to the spread of the bubonic plague in medieval Europe. Then, with reference to primary and secondary evidence, justify your opinion about whether Australia could experience a similar outbreak in the 21st century. The thesis for this essay is that Key elements contributed to the spread of the bubonic plague in medieval Europe. The three inquiry questions that will be answered are what were the key elements that contributed to the spread of the black plague in medieval Europe, how did the movements of people impact on the spread of the disease, what evidence there is about whether Australia could experience a similar outbreak in the 21st century.

Before the Black Death, life in Europe was genuinely stable. People got sick, but doctors were there to treat them. The economy was not perfect, but it was able to provide the people with what was needed. The social aspect of Europe was run by the feudal system, similar to most other civilizations during this time. This all changed when the plague struck. Doctors no longer understood how to treat their patients infected with the plague. The social order was completely disrupted and people began questioning their identity. The economy began to crumble due to the fast spreading disease. This killer disease completely transformed the lives of Europeans. The widespread outbreak of the Bubonic plague impacted fourteenth century Europe in ways such as advancements in medicine, major changes in society and almost destroying the economy.

Overpopulation and shortage of resources led to malnutrition and extreme poverty for many peasants. After so many people died, serfs were free to move to other estates that provided better conditions and receive top pay for their work. Landowners, desperate for their labor, often provided free tools, housing, seed and farmland. The worker farmed all he could and paid only the rent. Economy underwent abrupt and extreme inflation. Since it was so difficult (and dangerous) to procure goods through trade and to produce them, the prices of both goods produced locally and those imported from other places increased rapidly. Because of illness and death workers became exceedingly scarce, so even peasants felt the effects of the new rise in wages. The demand for people to work the land was so high that it threatened the manorial holdings. Serfs were no longer tied to one master; if one left the land, another lord would instantly hire them. The lords had to make changes in order to make the situation more profitable for the peasants and so keep them on their land. In general, wages outpaced prices and the standard of living was subsequently raised. As a consequence of the beginning of small amounts of

History, essentially is a chain of reactions. One event leads to multiple other events, which lead to an abundance of other events. Though most of these events are caused by humans and the choices we make, some occur naturally, such as the Black Plague. The Black Plague was an epidemic that broke out in 13th century Europe and started in China. The Black Plague is one of the most well known epidemics in history. It has many names; the Bubonic Plague, the Black death, the Blue Sickness, the Great Mortality and the Pestilence. The most famous of its outbreaks was in medieval Europe. 30-50% (25 million people) of the European population had perished (Plague, Plague Information, Black Death Facts, News, Photos -- National Geographic). The plague was caused by a bacteria called Yersinia Pestis which is carried by fleas that lived on black rats. These rodents spread the disease to Europe.

The bubonic plague is a well known epidemic that occurred during the middle ages. The plague affected people by “blackening the skin due to the dried blood that accumulated under the skin” (scogna et la). The plague also known as the Black Death spread throughout Europe in the beginning of the fourteenth century causing many deaths.

The Peasants’ revolt of 1381 was an attempt to break away from a futile system of government and, a fight to stop the never ending injustice and oppression faced by the lower class on a daily basis. During their age of oppression the peasants faced ridiculous taxes and fees which made living more than unbearable , the lack of reforms promised by the king , and the use of god and religion to justify the choices of the church and government. This display of injustice ignited a flame in the hearts of lower class citizens for centuries to come and it would not go unnoticed as both time and people progressed.