Chapter 15, Section 5, page 553

 The Black Death was an outbreak of disease in the 14 th century that killed millions of people and had a lasting impact on Medieval Europe. Mass Burial, Plague, Belgium Unknown artist. What was the Black Death?

The Likely Culprit  Most historians agree that the Black Death was an outbreak of bubonic plague.  Bubonic plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis.  It is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected flea. Above: Black rat. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service) Above: Male Xenopsylla cheopis (oriental rat flea) engorged with blood. (Photo courtesy of the CDC) Right: Yersinia pestis. (Photo courtesy of National Geographic)

Flea drinks rat blood that carries the bacteria. Flea’s gut clogged with bacteria. Bacteria multiply in flea’s gut. Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound. Human is infected! Yersinia pestis, the plague bacteria. (Photo courtesy of the CDC) How the Plague is Transmitted

 Plague presents in different ways.  The disease can develop into other forms of plague, such as pneumonic plague, which can be transferred from person to person. "Dance of Death" (1493) by Michael Wolgemut Plague Varieties

What does the plague do?

Swollen lymph glands termed "buboes" caused by plague bacteria. (Photo courtesy of the CDC) A buboe forming on the neck. (Photo courtesy the CDC) Ulcerated flea bite caused by Yersinia pestis. (Photo courtesy of the CDC)  Outbreaks of bubonic plague are rare today thanks to modern antibiotics. They are most common in poorer parts of the world. Images of septicemic plague (left) and pneumonic plague (right). (Photo courtesy of the CDC) Present-Day Cases of the Plague

TTracking the time frame for the spread of the plague across Europe helps to strengthen scientists’ and historians’ arguments for the origins of the Black Death. QQuestion: How might the map to the left help strengthen the accepted theory the plague infested rats helped cause the Black Death? AAnswer: The path plague follows is the general path of trade, moving north from the Mediterranean Sea. The Path of the Black Death

 Living conditions in medieval cities and towns were usually unhealthy.  Medieval Europeans did not have a high premium on personal hygiene.  Knowledge of effective medical techniques was minimal. Reasons for the Black Death’s Success

 Cities were very unhealthy places to live.  Waste was often dumped into the streets or at best open sewers.  Animals often roamed the streets freely.  Blood from butcher shops, dye from cloth makers, and other contaminates ran into the streets and eventually to the rivers.  Garbage was thrown into the streets with no plan for pick up.  Cities were often overpopulated. Crosses signified that urination was banned, but that didn’t always stop people. (Photo courtesy of the BBC) “I think I stepped in something…”

 Personal hygiene and general practices of good health were not up to the our standards today, but people in the Middle Ages did understand that being clean was a good thing.  Baths were taken 5 – 10 times per year.  Clothes were washed every month or so.  Diets were often poor. “What do you mean ‘I stink’? I’ll have you know, I bathed last month!”

 Medical expertise was lacking during the Middle Ages.  People in the Middle Ages often had superstitious remedies.  There was no knowledge of germs.  Commonly accepted practices, such as bloodletting, were usually more harmful than helpful. A barber-surgeon at work. (Photo courtesy of the Interuniversity Library of Medicine - Paris) “Need a shave? How about a major medical operation? I can do both!”

Response to the Plague  Once the Black Death broke out, it was unstoppable, killing around 38,000,000 people.  Priests and doctors were dumbfounded as to how to stop it. The medieval equivalent of a biohazard suit – a doctor’s robes.

Response to the Plague  Doctors often gave poor advice such as warning against naps in the daytime, or even bathing.  Priests taught that the Black Death was a punishment from God.

Response to the Plague  Some people went so far as to whip themselves repeatedly in order to try and appease God and end the plague.

 Death became a constant companion to people in the Middle Ages. Their attitude and feeling of helplessness became evident in art and culture. Response to the Plague

 Conditions were horrible. Entire city districts were shut off due to outbreaks. Some towns were completely abandoned as people died or left to find refuge in the country. Response to the Plague A picture of monks carting off the dead. The clergy was hit especially hard during the plague.

Impact of the Plague  The Black Death did have at least one positive impact on Europe. Because there were fewer people to do work, peasants gained more leverage against nobles, and could demand more money or privileges.

A Troubled Continent – page 557 The Hundred Years War (1337 – 1453) – England vs. France – Edward III of England declared himself king of France – major battles at Crecy, Agincourt, and Orleans – Joan of Arc peasant girl who claimed the saints told her to lead the French; some successes captured and executed – French eventually win in 1453 outcomes: strong French government, English civil war

Spain and Portugal Fight the Muslims – page 558 Reconquista – struggle by Christians to retake the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslims – Ferdinand and Isabella – Inquisition – Muslim and Jewish expulsion