HIST 111 Lecture Notes - Bubonic Plague, Flagellant, Middle Ages
17 Mar 2014
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Document Summary
Great famine (7 years and happens before the black death) Was geographically extensive and kept going (bad winters, bad harvest) Around 1200- was peak then declines after (cycle climate) Bubonic plague- spread through air, infects the lymph nodes, causing black swellings called buboes. Develops slowly over several days and kills around 75% of population. Plague existed since 542 (of justinian) but recurs in cycles then disappears until 1340s (no preexisting resistance to plague so is easily caught) Population already weakened by great famine so more susceptible. Florence- major trade city, 2/3 population dies, poland largely spared, one of deadliest plague in history. Only 3 years long (recurs every 10 years after, but death rate drops each time) Seek spiritual solutions, considered plague a divine punishment. Started movement of flagellant- men and women who walked through streets whipping themselves as form of public penance, to atone for sins that brought disaster on.
