The Black Death Quiz

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.