The Black Death, 1347

Where did the Black Death move before it came to England

arrived in the Mediterranean and moved up North until it got to Britain and landed in Weymouth.

when did the Black Death arrive in London

Winter of 1348

What is the estimate percentage of how many people were killed by the Black Death in London?

30-50%

What is the East Smithfield Cemetery London

Certifiable plague pit that has been evacuated both archeological and documented evidence. Everyone was buried neatly.

How many people were buried in one pit of the East Smithfield Cemetery in London?

2,000

how many deaths were there in London from the year 1349 to 1350?

10,000

Quote from John Clynn (lived through the Black Death)

‘The world is encompassed by evil, waiting among the dead.’

what are the consequences of the black death?

• caused the population to suddenly fall dramatically

• there were a continued round of smaller plagues following the initial drop in population which caused a further fall in population.

• prices rose as production fell.

• rent began to rise as no one could afford pre Black Death prices.

Herliky and Campbell

in the long run the Black Death was very good for the economy. argued that Britain was becoming overpopulated.

Thomas malthus

• observed that the human population will grow exponentially but the population will grow at a linear rate.

• population will outgrow the number of sources.

• negative checks are enough to stop the population growing altogether.

• people made attempts to reduce their family size to help their standard of living.

• stimulated interests of labor saving technology- such as fire arms etc.

cultural consequences of the Black Death

• sometimes spreads without human contacts

• doctors blamed it cause on astrology

• caused by bacteria- commonly spread by bites from infected fleas.

• contracted in the lungs- develops pneumonia takes longer to kill and coughing up of inflected blood.

• flagellants- thought the plague was a response to their sins.

• people looked to punish jews- pope issued a statement that says this not should be done.

background of trade routes 1347

• 13th and 14th century Europe was in an extensive season of trading that reached all the way to China and beyond.

• while the lower classes became more prosperous, they ended to purchase more local goods instead of luxuries.

how did the Black Death effect trade routes?

ended the world system (Kent Abu-Lughod)