The Plague struck 14th century Europe The Black Death The Plague struck 14th century Europe
Preconditions and Causes Decades of overpopulation, economic depression, famine and bad health weakened Europe’s population The plague struck full force in 1348 Discolored the body
Preconditions and Causes Followed the trade routes from Asia into Europe Rates and fleas are the most likely culprit Began in Italy and spread through Spain, Southern France and Northern Europe
Popular Remedies Physicians had little understanding of how it spread To them, it was a catastrophe with no explanation and against which there was no defense
Popular Remedies Some sough a remedy in moderation and a temperate life Others gave themselves over entirely to their passions Others chose flight and seclusion as the best medicine
Popular Remedies One extreme reaction was the procession of flagellants (religions fanatics) The terror created by the flagellants became so disruptive and threatening that the church outlawed such processions In some places, Jews were cast as scapegoats
Social and Economic Consequences Farms declined Peasants revolt Cities rebound The Church as a landholder was weakened The Church received new revenues because of the plague
Social and Economic Consequences The plague contributed to new conflicts within the cities Economic and political power of local artisans and trade guilds grew steadily As guilds won power, they encouraged restriction legislation to protect local industries
Social and Economic Consequences The landed nobility and church were put on the defensive as kings centralize their government and economies The plague killed many members of the clergy and this reduction occurs in the same century as the move to Avignon and the Schism