The Black Death in Britain

Mind Map: The Black Death in the 14th Century

The Black Death was a devastating Epidemic

  • Bubonic plague spread by flea bites from rats on ships

  • Pneumonic plague spread through coughs and sneezes

People Didn't Know what Caused the Black Death

  • Some believed it was a judgement from God

  • Others blamed humour imbalances or miasma

  • Some used charms or 'magic' potions with arsenic

Local Governments tried to Prevent the spread of the disease

  • Winchester refused to extend cemetery in town centre

  • Gloucester tried to shut itself off from the outside world

  • King Edward III closed Parliament in London in 1349

The Black Death caused Social Change

  • Fewer workers led to higher wages and land cost decrease

  • Peasants could buy land for the first time

  • Peasants' Revolt in 1381 and collapse of the feudal system in Britain

Comment and Analysis

  • Lack of knowledge about the disease led to ineffective prevention and treatment efforts.