The Black Death

The Black Death lasted from 1348-1350 AD. The Black Death had a great effect on the population of Europe.


The Black death, or Bubonic Plague, was a disease that swept through Europe, infecting twenty-five to fifty percent of its population by the time it receded. This plague had a great impact on the labor, since it was killing off many of Europe's citizens (Cantor 563). The plague caused its victims to have headaches, fevers and chills. They would also break out with buboes, which tended to form on the neck, armpits and the groin area. The Black death ravaged Europe from 1348 to 135.

The plague is believed to have come out of Asia, and then was carried by the Mongols into Europe through war and trade. many people believed that the plague was an airborne disease, so they used strong scents that overpowered the smell of the dead. However, the citizens of Europe didn't know the real carrier of this disease.


The carriers of this disease were rats. A person would get infected when a flea, carried by a rat, would bite them. The plague can also be spread through contact with an infected person or animal. It could be spread by merely touching an animal or infected person.



The Black Death lasted from 1348-1350 AD. It is believed that the Black plague came out of Asia and was spread by the Mongols. The cause of the plague is believed to be the flea bite. Because of this major outbreak of disease, there were not many areas that were untouched by the plague (Davies 411).

Cantor F. Norman. The Civilization of the Middle Ages: A Completely Revised and Expanded Edition of Medieval History. Harper Collins, 1963-93.

Davies Norman. Europe: A History. Oxford University Press Inc; 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 1996.