A plague is a bacterial infection found mainly in rodents and their fleas. Bust via those fleas it can sometimes leap to humans. When it does, the outcome can be horrific, making plague outbreaks the most notorious disease episodes in history.
The Black Death: The Greatest Catastrophe Ever
The disastrous mortal disease known as the Black Death spread across Europe in the years 1346-1353. The frightening name, however, only came several centuries after its visitation (and was probably a mistranslation of the Latin word 'atra' meaning both 'terrible' and 'black'). Includes a good map of how the black death spread.
The Black Death was one of the most feared diseases in the 14th century. Includes information on how the Black Death begun, life during the Black Death, the spread of the Black Death and the symptoms and treatment.
Epidemics of the Past: Bubonic Plague
The bubonic plague, better known as the Black Death, has existed for thousands of years. The first recorded case of the plague was in China in 224 B.C.E, but the most significant outbreak was in Europe in the mid-fourteenth century.
Detailed website with an excellent site map.
The plague doctor costume consisted of an ankle length coat, a bird-like beak mask filled with sweet or strong smelling substances, along with gloves and boots. The mask had glass openings for the eyes. Straps held the beak in front of the doctor's nose which had two small holes and was a type of respirator. The beak could hold dried flowers (e.g. roses or carnations), herbs (e.g. mint), spices, camphor, or a vinegar sponge. The purpose of the mask was to remove bad smells, thought to be the principal cause of the disease. Doctors believed the herbs would counter the 'evil' smells of the plague and prevent them from becoming infected. The costume included a wide brimmed leather hat to indicate their profession. They used wooden canes to point out areas needing attention and to examine patients without touching them. The canes were also used to keep people away and to remove clothing from plague victims without having to touch them.
Hardin Library for Health Sciences. (2017). The Black Death: The Plague, 1331-1770. http://hosted.lib.uiowa.edu/histmed/plague/
Timeline - World History Documentaries. (2017). The Plague That Shaped London's Future | The Great Plague | Timeline [online video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPe6BgzHWY0
Even children recorded the presence of the plague in songs and rhymes.
Ring-a-ring o'roses
Pocket full of posies
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down
[From Ring a ring o' roses. (2014). Retrieved November, 2022, from http://en.wikipedia.ord/wiki/Ting_a_Ring_o'_Roses]
The symptoms of the Black Death were terrible and swift:
Other symptoms of the Black Death included:
Animation showing the spread of The Black Death from 1346 through to 1351.
Attribution: Timemaps, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Lucy Worsley Investigates 'The Black Death'
ABC (59 minutes)
Description: The Black Plague is infamous for the boils that break out on the skin. The most deadly pandemic in history. How did The Black Death transform society? What happened during and after this deadly pandemic.
Secrets in the Bones 'Black Death Killer'
Premium (52 minutes)
Description: It was called the Black Death, a disease that started in the 14th century, and swept across Europe wiping out half the population, one of the most lethal killers in human history. But the cause of the Black Death has eluded scientists. Now, Evolutionary biologist Hendrik Poinar embarks on an epic journey to solve the 600-year old mystery and change the way we fight infectious diseases today.
Mystery of the Black Death
Premium (48 minutes)
Description: Geneticist Steven O'Brien travels to an English town where a genetic mutation made some immune to the black plague that ravaged medieval Europe.
Plague: a history of pEstilence and pandemics by
This book examines history's most destructive pandemics including The Black Death (Bubonic Plague); The Great Plague of London, the 1918 Spanish Flu, HIV/AIDS and more. It uses a narrative structure to describe the causes, events and eventual cessation of each outbreak. It features case stories of those affected, the science behind each disease, the physical symptoms and effects, and the different approaches to stopping or eradicating the diseases. The book features illustrations and etchings from the Middle Ages and photographs from pandemics later in history.
History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics by
Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about history's pandemics, from the Black Death to COVID-19. During the Black Death in the 14th century, plague doctors wore creepy beaked masks filled with herbs. Right? Wrong! Those masks were from a plague outbreak centuries later-- and most doctors never wore anything like that at all!
Pandemic by
Throughout history, several deadly pandemics brought humanity to its knees, killing millions. Learn about factors that contribute to the spread of disease by examining past pandemics and epidemics, including the Bubonic Plague, smallpox Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and Zika.
The Medicine Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
p.17 Timeline of Ancient and Medieval Medicine
p.51 Summary of the Black Death (with image)
p.140 Summary, Causes and Effects, Cures
Medieval Realms: Daily Life by
This gives readers an insight into the daily lives of medieval people. You can discover how life was different for landowners and peasants and about the kinds of food people ate, the jobs they did and how they entertained themselves. Find out why the Church was important to people's everyday lives, and how people were punished for their crimes. Learn about the major changes in the countryside and towns, and how life was transformed for everybody in medieval times. It includes contemporary written evidence, colour photographs and maps, a timeline, glossary and index.
The Medieval Messenger by
A fresh and light-hearted look at Europe in the Middle Ages, cunningly disguised as a tabloid newspaper. What's the scoop with the Spanish Inquisition? What's on the monastery menu? And will everybody's favourite knight win this week's jousting tournament? With headlines and illustrations on every page and a contents page for easy reference.
Medieval Europe by
p.210-211 Black Death
You Wouldn't Want to Live in a Medieval Castle by
Get ready...as the daughter of a local official, you're about to get a glimpse of the high life, working as a servant in an enormous castle. It sounds grand, but things are about to get very hot in this medieval castle.
BBC Radio In Our Times: The Black Death
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how the Black Death influenced the structures and ideas of Medieval Europe. It killed over a third of Europe's population in 4 years - the young and old, the rich and poor, in the town and in the country.(45 minutes)
Bragg, M. (Host). (2008 May 22). The Black Death [Audio podcast episode]. In In our time. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00bcqt8
