The Crusades and the Bubonic Plague Ch. 14 The Crusades and the Bubonic Plague

The Crusades 1050s – Muslims invade Byzantine Empire. Extend power over Palestine to the Holy Land 1095 – Byzantine Emperor Alexius I asks Pope Urban for help in ridding his empire of Muslim invaders. Pope Urban agrees to help. Hopes to consolidate his own power, end schism between Rome and Constantinople and keep Christian knights from fighting one another.

The First Crusade Christian Kingdoms like England, France, and the Holy Roman Empire send knights to Jerusalem Stop and sack many Orthodox Christian towns on the way 1099 – Christian knights capture Jerusalem, slaughter the inhabitants 1187 – Muslim soldiers under Saladin recapture Jerusalem.

The Second and Third Crusades After a period of peace, Catholic priests call for another crusade Jerusalem was under control of Saladin Fail So they try again, with Richard the Lion Heart leading, accompanied by German emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa) and Philip II (Augustus) of France Run out of food and water, but a truce is reached. Christian pilgrims are allowed to visit the holy land

The Fourth Crusade Plan to invade Holy Land through Egypt Instead they stop at Constantinople and sack the city

The Children's Crusade Boy claims to have been visited by Jesus, says he is to lead a crusade to peacefully convert Muslims 20,000 boys and girls follow Fail

Effects of the Crusades on Europe Economic expansion – increased trade Increased power of the monarchs. Wider world view Europe receives the scholarship and learning of the Muslim empire Begins the Renaissance (Rebirth)

The Final Invader – The Black Death The Black Death was one of the worst natural disasters in history. In 1347 A.D., a great plague swept over Europe,  ravaged  cities causing  widespread  hysteria  and death. One third of the population of Europe died. "The impact upon the future of England was greater than upon any other European country." (Cartwright, 1991) The primary culprits in transmitting this disease were oriental rat fleas carried on the back of black rats . Frederick F. Cartwright, DISEASE AND HISTORY, Dorset Press, New York, 1991, p. 42.

The Disease Cycle Human is infected! Flea drinks rat blood that carries the bacteria. Bacteria multiply in flea’s gut. Human is infected! Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound. Flea’s gut clogged with bacteria.

The Final Invader – The Spread of the Black Death

The Final Invader – The Black Death "The first signs of the plague were lumps in the groin or armpits. After this, livid black spots appeared on the arms and thighs and other parts of the body. Few recovered. Almost all died within three days, usually without any fever."

The Final Invader – The Effects of the Black Death In Medieval England, the Black Death was to kill 1.5 million people. No medical knowledge existed in Medieval England to cope with the disease. After 1350, it was to strike England another six times by the end of the century.

Effects of Plague Town populations fall Trade declines; prices soar Serfs leave manors Jews are blamed for the plague Church suffers when prayers fail to lift the plague Priests abandon their posts