The Black Death (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
The Black Death
What was the Black Death?
The Black Death was a devastating epidemic that struck Britain in 1348, killing thousands of people across the country. This disease was actually an outbreak of bubonic plague, though people at the time didn't understand what caused it or how to treat it effectively.
The disease got its name from one of its most frightening symptoms - dark swellings called buboes that appeared in the groyne and armpit areas. People who caught the plague also suffered from fever and often coughed up blood. Most victims died within just a few days of becoming ill, and there was no known cure.
The plague spread through a complex chain of transmission: infected rats carried fleas, which then bit humans and transmitted the disease. This biological mechanism was completely unknown to mediaeval people, who had no understanding of germs or bacteria.
The plague spread rapidly through Britain after arriving on ships from Europe. Rats carrying infected fleas brought the disease into ports, and the dirty, crowded conditions in mediaeval towns meant it could spread quickly from person to person.
Mediaeval explanations for the plague
Supernatural beliefs
Many people in mediaeval times believed the Black Death was sent by God as punishment for humanity's sins. This religious explanation was very common because the Church played such a central role in people's lives. Some thought the alignment of planets had caused the disaster, showing how superstition influenced mediaeval thinking.
Understanding these mediaeval explanations is crucial for grasping how people of the time made sense of catastrophic events. Without scientific knowledge, they relied on religious and astrological frameworks that seemed logical within their worldview.
Natural explanations
Others tried to find more practical reasons for the plague. The popular medical theory of the time blamed "miasma" - bad air that was thought to carry disease. People also believed in the Four Humours theory, which suggested that illness came from an imbalance of bodily fluids. However, medical knowledge was still very limited, so these explanations weren't much more accurate than supernatural ones.
Social and economic impact
Effects on different social classes
The plague didn't discriminate between rich and poor - being wealthy offered no protection against the disease. In some communities, 30-45% of people died, while certain villages lost their entire population. This massive loss of life had serious consequences for mediaeval society.
The indiscriminate nature of the plague was particularly shocking to mediaeval people, who were used to a rigid social hierarchy where wealth and status provided certain protections. The Black Death demonstrated that disease could level all social distinctions.
Economic disruption and social unrest
With so many people dead, there weren't enough workers left to do essential jobs. This labour shortage gave surviving peasants more bargaining power to demand higher wages. The government tried to control this by passing the Statute of Labourers, which attempted to keep wages at pre-plague levels and prevent peasants from moving around to find better work.
The combination of economic problems and the threat of Scottish invasion led to serious unrest. In Durham in 1349, fear of the plague mixed with worries about Scottish attacks caused riots in the town.
The labour shortage created by the Black Death was a key factor in the eventual breakdown of the feudal system. Surviving peasants gained unprecedented leverage over their lords, fundamentally changing the balance of power in mediaeval society.
Impact on the Church
The plague killed many priests and religious leaders, leaving churches understaffed. When new clergy were found, they often demanded much higher pay than before, showing how the labour shortage affected even religious institutions.
Treatment and prevention attempts
Religious responses
Since many people believed God had sent the plague as punishment, religious solutions were popular. People prayed for forgiveness and tried to show God they were sorry for their sins. Some groups called flagellants travelled around whipping themselves in public, believing this would convince God to end the plague.
Medical treatments
Mediaeval doctors tried various remedies based on their limited understanding of disease. They attempted to "balance the humours" through bloodletting and purging, which actually made patients weaker. Some people tried to avoid "bad air" by burning strong-smelling herbs or vinegar, or by leaving infected areas entirely.
Critical Point: None of these treatments were effective because people didn't understand that fleas and rats spread the disease. In fact, many medical treatments like bloodletting actually weakened patients and made them more likely to die.
Unfortunately, none of these treatments were effective because people didn't understand that fleas and rats spread the disease.
Timeline of key events
- 1348: Black Death arrives in Britain from Europe
- 1349: Epidemic reaches Durham, causing riots when combined with Scottish invasion fears
- 1349-1351: Government passes Statute of Labourers to control wages and worker movement
- 1350s: Plague begins to decline but continues to affect society for years
Key Points to Remember:
- The Black Death was actually bubonic plague that killed 30-45% of Britain's population after arriving in 1348
- Mediaeval people explained the plague through both supernatural beliefs (God's punishment) and natural theories (bad air, imbalanced humours)
- The massive death toll caused serious social and economic problems, including labour shortages and attempts by government to control wages
- Treatment methods were completely ineffective because people didn't understand the real cause - infected fleas carried by rats
- The plague had lasting effects on mediaeval society, giving surviving workers more power and changing the relationship between different social classes