The Black Death was a devastating pandemic that swept through... Show more
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0
Char
30/09/2025
History
Black death 1348
74
•
30 Sept 2025
•
What Caused the Black Death in 1348? How It Spread, Cures, and Effects
Char
@charrrr
1 / 3
Remedies and Societal Impact
Attempted Remedies
During the Black Death, people desperately sought ways to prevent and cure the disease. The PUMA acronym summarizes the main approaches:
P - Prayer: Many turned to religious devotion for protection and healing. U - Unusual remedies: These included drinking mercury, consuming metal shavings, and applying live chickens to buboes. M - Moving away: Those who could afford it attempted to flee areas where the plague was approaching. A - Avoiding contact: Some local councils tried to implement quarantine measures for infected areas.
Example: One unusual remedy involved strapping a live chicken to the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) of plague victims.
Impact on Society
The Black Death had profound and far-reaching consequences for European society:
-
Demographic impact: Nearly half of Europe's population perished, with at least 1.5 million deaths in Britain between 1348 and 1350.
-
Settlement changes: Entire villages were wiped out, altering the landscape of rural communities.
-
Political repercussions: The demand for higher wages contributed to the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 and weakened the feudal system.
-
Religious upheaval: The Catholic Church suffered significant damage as experienced priests died or fled, leaving a leadership vacuum.
-
Economic transformation: Food shortages led landowners to shift towards sheep farming, which required fewer workers. This change, coupled with increased wage demands from surviving farm workers, began to erode the traditional feudal labor system.
Highlight: The Black Death killed nearly half of Europe's population, fundamentally altering the continent's demographic, political, and economic landscape.
Long-Term Effects and the Plague's Legacy
Economic and Social Transformation
The Black Death's impact on the economy and society continued long after the initial outbreak subsided:
-
Agricultural shifts: Landowners increasingly turned to sheep farming as a less labor-intensive alternative to crop cultivation.
-
Labor market changes: The scarcity of workers led to higher wage demands and increased mobility among the surviving peasantry.
-
Weakening of feudalism: Farm workers became less willing to be tied to the land and work under traditional feudal arrangements.
Highlight: The economic effects of the Black Death included a shift towards sheep farming and increased bargaining power for surviving workers.
The End of the Plague
While the initial outbreak of the Black Death subsided by 1351, its impact on England and Europe was far from over:
-
Recurring outbreaks: The plague never completely disappeared from England, with further outbreaks occurring at intervals from the latter half of the 14th century until the 18th century.
-
Lasting impact: The social, economic, and political changes set in motion by the Black Death continued to shape European society for centuries.
-
Medical advancements: Over time, the recurring presence of the plague spurred advancements in medical knowledge and public health measures.
Quote: "By 1351, the black death subsided but it never actually died out in England."
The Black Death stands as one of the most significant pandemics in human history, reshaping the demographic, economic, and social landscape of medieval Europe. Its effects reverberated through the centuries, contributing to the eventual transformation of feudal society and the dawn of the modern era.
The Black Death: Origins and Spread
The Black Death, a catastrophic pandemic that ravaged Europe from 1347 to 1351, had its origins in Asia. This deadly disease swiftly traveled along established trade routes, making its way to Western Europe with alarming speed. Turkey was struck in 1347, and by 1348, the plague had reached England's shores.
The Black Death was not a single disease but a lethal combination of two forms of plague. The bubonic plague, spread by rats and fleas, was one component. The other was pneumonic plague, which attacked the lungs and could be transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals. Victims typically succumbed to the disease within days of showing symptoms, which included swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, and vomiting.
Highlight: The Black Death was a combination of bubonic plague, spread by rats and fleas, and pneumonic plague, which attacked the lungs and was spread through human contact.
Causes: Beliefs vs. Reality
The medieval understanding of disease was limited, leading to various misconceptions about the plague's causes:
-
Believed causes:
- Celestial alignments
- Miasma or "bad air"
- Well poisoning by Jews
- Divine punishment
-
Actual causes:
- Bacterial growth in flea stomachs
- Transmission from rats to humans via fleas
- Human-to-human transmission
- Increased vulnerability due to malnutrition
Definition: Miasma theory was the belief that diseases were caused by a form of "bad air" or pollution.
Factors Contributing to Rapid Spread
Several factors contributed to the swift and devastating spread of the Black Death:
- Poor sanitation: Inadequate street cleaning encouraged rat populations to thrive.
- Lack of proper burial practices: Animals often dug up recently buried plague victims.
- Ineffective laws: Regulations regarding cleanliness were difficult to enforce.
- Failed quarantine attempts: Infected villages struggled to contain the disease effectively.
- Limited medical knowledge: There was widespread ignorance about germs and disease transmission.
Vocabulary: Quarantine - The practice of isolating people, animals, or places to prevent the spread of disease.
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
What Caused the Black Death in 1348? How It Spread, Cures, and Effects
Char
@charrrr
The Black Death was a devastating pandemic that swept through Europe from 1347 to 1351, killing nearly half of the continent's population. This plague originated in Asia and rapidly spread along trade routes, reaching England in 1348.
• The disease... Show more
Remedies and Societal Impact
Attempted Remedies
During the Black Death, people desperately sought ways to prevent and cure the disease. The PUMA acronym summarizes the main approaches:
P - Prayer: Many turned to religious devotion for protection and healing. U - Unusual remedies: These included drinking mercury, consuming metal shavings, and applying live chickens to buboes. M - Moving away: Those who could afford it attempted to flee areas where the plague was approaching. A - Avoiding contact: Some local councils tried to implement quarantine measures for infected areas.
Example: One unusual remedy involved strapping a live chicken to the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) of plague victims.
Impact on Society
The Black Death had profound and far-reaching consequences for European society:
-
Demographic impact: Nearly half of Europe's population perished, with at least 1.5 million deaths in Britain between 1348 and 1350.
-
Settlement changes: Entire villages were wiped out, altering the landscape of rural communities.
-
Political repercussions: The demand for higher wages contributed to the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 and weakened the feudal system.
-
Religious upheaval: The Catholic Church suffered significant damage as experienced priests died or fled, leaving a leadership vacuum.
-
Economic transformation: Food shortages led landowners to shift towards sheep farming, which required fewer workers. This change, coupled with increased wage demands from surviving farm workers, began to erode the traditional feudal labor system.
Highlight: The Black Death killed nearly half of Europe's population, fundamentally altering the continent's demographic, political, and economic landscape.
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Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Long-Term Effects and the Plague's Legacy
Economic and Social Transformation
The Black Death's impact on the economy and society continued long after the initial outbreak subsided:
-
Agricultural shifts: Landowners increasingly turned to sheep farming as a less labor-intensive alternative to crop cultivation.
-
Labor market changes: The scarcity of workers led to higher wage demands and increased mobility among the surviving peasantry.
-
Weakening of feudalism: Farm workers became less willing to be tied to the land and work under traditional feudal arrangements.
Highlight: The economic effects of the Black Death included a shift towards sheep farming and increased bargaining power for surviving workers.
The End of the Plague
While the initial outbreak of the Black Death subsided by 1351, its impact on England and Europe was far from over:
-
Recurring outbreaks: The plague never completely disappeared from England, with further outbreaks occurring at intervals from the latter half of the 14th century until the 18th century.
-
Lasting impact: The social, economic, and political changes set in motion by the Black Death continued to shape European society for centuries.
-
Medical advancements: Over time, the recurring presence of the plague spurred advancements in medical knowledge and public health measures.
Quote: "By 1351, the black death subsided but it never actually died out in England."
The Black Death stands as one of the most significant pandemics in human history, reshaping the demographic, economic, and social landscape of medieval Europe. Its effects reverberated through the centuries, contributing to the eventual transformation of feudal society and the dawn of the modern era.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Black Death: Origins and Spread
The Black Death, a catastrophic pandemic that ravaged Europe from 1347 to 1351, had its origins in Asia. This deadly disease swiftly traveled along established trade routes, making its way to Western Europe with alarming speed. Turkey was struck in 1347, and by 1348, the plague had reached England's shores.
The Black Death was not a single disease but a lethal combination of two forms of plague. The bubonic plague, spread by rats and fleas, was one component. The other was pneumonic plague, which attacked the lungs and could be transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals. Victims typically succumbed to the disease within days of showing symptoms, which included swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, and vomiting.
Highlight: The Black Death was a combination of bubonic plague, spread by rats and fleas, and pneumonic plague, which attacked the lungs and was spread through human contact.
Causes: Beliefs vs. Reality
The medieval understanding of disease was limited, leading to various misconceptions about the plague's causes:
-
Believed causes:
- Celestial alignments
- Miasma or "bad air"
- Well poisoning by Jews
- Divine punishment
-
Actual causes:
- Bacterial growth in flea stomachs
- Transmission from rats to humans via fleas
- Human-to-human transmission
- Increased vulnerability due to malnutrition
Definition: Miasma theory was the belief that diseases were caused by a form of "bad air" or pollution.
Factors Contributing to Rapid Spread
Several factors contributed to the swift and devastating spread of the Black Death:
- Poor sanitation: Inadequate street cleaning encouraged rat populations to thrive.
- Lack of proper burial practices: Animals often dug up recently buried plague victims.
- Ineffective laws: Regulations regarding cleanliness were difficult to enforce.
- Failed quarantine attempts: Infected villages struggled to contain the disease effectively.
- Limited medical knowledge: There was widespread ignorance about germs and disease transmission.
Vocabulary: Quarantine - The practice of isolating people, animals, or places to prevent the spread of disease.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user