Plague1

The Black DeathThe Black Death

Ring around the rosieRing around the rosie Rosary beads give you God's help or description of circular red rash on body

Pocket full of posiesPocket full of posies Used to stop the odor of rotting bodies which was at one point thought to cause the plague, it was also used widely by doctors to protect them from the infected plague patients.

Ashes, ashesAshes, ashes (Achoo, achoo) The church burned the dead when burying

them became too laborious.

We all fall downWe all fall down DEAD

The death of family members left the children facing sorrow and pain at an early age. Exposure to public nudity, craziness, and (obviously) abundant death was premature. Parents even abandoned their children, leaving them to the streets

instead of risking the babies giving them the dreaded "pestilence". Children were especially unlucky if they were female. Baby girls would be left to die because

parents would favor male children that could carry on the family name.

Ring Around the Rosie

Do now

As you look at the painting by Pieter Bruegel on the next slide, answer the following

questions in your notebook:

1. How could you describe the landscape?

2. What feelings does this painting evoke?

3. What kinds of things are people doing?

4. Provide another title for the painting

"Triumph of Death“ (1562)

What was the Black Death?Just as Europe climbs out of the Dark Ages, a deadly plague

spreads across the continent and kills over 25 million people.

What do you think was the main cause for the What do you think was the main cause for the spread of the Black Death?spread of the Black Death?

A)A) War with the MongolsWar with the MongolsB)B) Touching someone who was infectedTouching someone who was infected

C)C) Rats and FleasRats and FleasD)D) Infected cats, dogs, cattleInfected cats, dogs, cattle

E)E) Breathing in people’s germsBreathing in people’s germs

How it was TransmittedHow it was Transmitted

How did the Black Death spread throughout Europe?

Just as Europe climbs out of the Dark Ages, a deadly plague spreads across the continent and kills over 25 million people.

How did it start?

Plague started in Mongolia, traveled to the Gobi Desert in the 1320's and arrived in China in the mid 14th/c. From China, plague moved along trade routes to the West and to the

gatekeepers of Western trade: the Italians. Genoese traders are generally thought to have brought plague to Europe and the Islamic world.

How did the Black Death spread throughout Europe?

How did it spread?

"Many believed that the disease was transmitted upon the air, probably because the smell from the dead and dying was so awful. So, the living turned to scents to ward off the deadly vapors. People burned all manner of incense; Others had handkerchiefs dipped in aromatic oils, to cover their faces when going out. Towns rang church bells to drive the plague away, for the ringing of town bells was done in crises of all kinds. Other towns fired cannons, which was new and made a comfortingly loud ding. There were no ends to talismans, charms, and spells that could be purchased from the local wise woman or apothecary. Many people knew of someone's friend or cousin who had drank elderberry every day, or who had worn a jade necklace, and who had survived the dreaded disease."

People were ignorant about its cause; they blamed the stars, God’s anger, and the Jews.

What were three things that people used to ward off the What were three things that people used to ward off the plague?plague?

Why were they ineffective?Why were they ineffective?

Why couldn’t people stop the spread of the Black Death?

When doctors would treat people with the plague, many wore clothes that they mistakenly believed would protect them from the disease. If you were a patient, what would you think if you saw a doctor come

through your door dressed in the clothes above?

What or who do you think this is?What or who do you think this is?

Why couldn’t people stop the spread of the Black Death?

Role of Religion

Some believed that the plague was caused by God’s anger, so repentance for sins would end the plague. One group, the Flagellants, whipped themselves publicly

with iron spikes to earn God’s forgiveness. They saw this as sacrificing themselves in order to earn forgiveness for the world’s sins, as Jesus did. Many Flagellants and their followers massacred Jews because they believed Jews had

poisoned wells in order to spread the disease. In October 1349 the pope condemned them and ordered all authorities to suppress them. But flagellants

reappeared in times of plague into the fifteenth century.

The Flagellants

How did the Black Death change life in Europe?

Giovanni Boccaccio



Giovanni Boccaccio


•Many serfs escaped to cities, which led to the growth and importance of towns.

•Fewer workers were available which allowed serfs, peasants and urban workers to demand more freedom or higher wages.

•When nobles and merchants attempted to restore the old standards, resentment grew and revolts broke out across Europe between 1378-

1382.

•The plague reduced demand for European goods, which forced farmers to diversify their crops.

Economic and Social Impact

•Manorial system and power of the feudal lords weakened.



“How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, breakfast with their families and the same night had

dinner with their ancestors in the next world! The condition of the people was pitiable to behold. They

sickened by the thousands daily, and died unattended and without help. Many died in the open street, others dying in their houses, made it known by the stench of their rotting bodies. Consecrated churchyards did not suffice for the burial of the vast multitude of bodies,

which were heaped by the hundreds in vast trenches, like goods in a ships hold and covered with a little

earth."

Giovanni Boccaccio


“Realizing what a deadly disaster had come to them the people

quickly drove the Italians from their city. However, the disease

remained, and soon death was every where. Fathers abandoned

their sick sons. Lawyers refused to come and make out wills for the

dying. Friars and nuns were left to care for the sick, and monasteries and convents were soon deserted, as they were stricken, too. Bodies

were left in empty houses, and there was no one to give them a

Christian burial."

Unknown

Education

Plague1