Take the Black Death Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Pandemic

Study Notes

The Black Death

Also known as the plague, it spread rapidly across Europe in the 14th century, causing a massive reduction in the population, with an estimated 1 in 3 people dying from the plague.
There were two main forms of the plague: Bubonic, the most common, created in the bloodstream of rats, and Pneumonic, less common but more deadly, caused by breathing in the germs of other coughs or sneezes.
The plague travelled along trading routes, believed to have originated from boats from China and India, transferring the disease to sailors on board.

Perceived Causes of the Plague

People believed the plague was sent by God to punish them for their sins.
Some thought it was caused by the movement of the planets.
Others believed it was due to having contact or being close to infected people.
Bad smells were also thought to be a cause.

Preventing the Plague

People tried to prevent the plague by making themselves and others bleed to get rid of infected blood, using methods such as getting toads to suck out the blood.
Flagellants, people who whipped themselves, believed that God would take pity on them.

The Bacteria of the Plague

The bacteria responsible for the plague is called Yersinia Pestis.

Crime and Punishment

In medieval England, there was no police force, but villages had a constable chosen for a year who performed duties in their spare time.
For more serious law problems, a local sheriff could provide help.
There were no jails or prisons, but a dungeon where prisoners would often be left to die.

Punishments

Thieves had their hands cut off.
Women who committed murder were strangled and then burnt.
People who illegally hunted in royal parks had their ears cut off.
High treason was punishable by being hung, drawn, and quartered.

Hue and Cry

Hue and cry was a practice in medieval England where a person could call out loudly for help in pursuing a suspected criminal.
All who heard the call were obliged by law to join in the chase; failure to do so would incur a heavy fine.

Trials by Ordeal

Trials by ordeal included:
- Trial by water: being tied up and held under holy water.
- Trial by combat: fighting a competitor or, if a woman, choosing someone to fight for you.
- Trial by hot iron: fasting for 3 days, then attending mass, and being given a scalding hot iron and told to walk 3 meters.

Punishments and Humiliation

The pillar of shame: putting a person's photo on a pillar to show their crimes and punishments to locals.
The pillory: locking someone in the town square in front of many people and throwing food at them.

Description

Test your knowledge about the Black Death, also known as the plague, which spread rapidly across Europe in the 14th century, leading to a significant decline in the population. Learn about the different forms of the plague, such as Bubonic and Pneumonic, and how it traveled along trading routes.