The Crusades and the Black Death
The Crusades The Crusades were an attempt by the European Church to “reclaim the Holy Land” Jerusalem had been conquered by Arabs around 640 AD 1095 Pope Urban calls for first Crusade
Crusades Christian knights captured parts of Palestine/Syria 8 crusades in all from 1095-1300 including “Children’s Crusade” Popes wanted to keep armies out of Europe and increase power
Crusades By 1291 Muslims recapture all lands in “Holy Land” Crusades a failure-BUT- open Europe up to Middle East trading, new knowledge and technologies- Europeans go explore
The Plague “Black Death” BUBONIC - The bacteria from flea bite invades lymph node -causes great swelling. Internal bleeding starts Blood dries under the skin and turns black , hence the name "Black Death".
The Culprits
The Plague Enters Europe from Asia spread by rats Caused 25 million deaths throughout Europe Superstition/ Fear spread in Europe-Jews blamed
The Plague Plague affected authority of Church-which did not have answers Feudalism changed-workers so scarce could demand high wages Population wouldn’t increase until 1400s
Lancing a Buboe
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.
Medieval Art & the Plague
Boccaccio in The Decameron The victims ate lunch with their friends and dinner with their ancestors.
Medieval Art & the Plague Bring out your dead!
Attempts to Stop the Plague “Leeching” A Doctor’s Robe
The Mortality Rate 35% - 70% 25,000,000 dead !!!