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The Black DeathThe historical and biological communities are currently split over whether bubonic plague was responsible for the 'Black Death', a series of great plagues that, most famously, killed approximately a third of all Europeans in the fourteenth century. The resources below include both those supporting the bubonic argument, as well as those against it.
The Great Mortality
Your Guide to Medieval History begins her article on the plague – the titular 'Great Mortality' – by revealing it as a subject she once avoided; in contrast, a plaque related book called 'Rats, Lice and History' is mostly responsible for my interest in history! The article is of the quality you would expect from About. Black Death and Medieval Europe
Arguably the best Black Death introduction on the web, Skip Knox's essay is split into 23 easily digested section, covering everything from the symptoms, where was affected, flagellants and the effects on economy and culture. Black Death in Britain
A ten page article from the BBC which mixes narrative, quotation and explanation to teach the story of the Black Death in Britain; there are individual pages on Scotland, Ireland and Wales. However, you'll need to read two further BBC articles to get a good picture: 'The Effect of the Plague' and 'The Disease'. Boccaccio: An Eyewitness (and map)
Eyewitness to History build their content around contemporary quotations, and their short introduction to the Black Death uses a long section from Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Decameron'. It's interesting, if grim, reading, and useful if you don't want to search through the whole book! Satan Triumphant: The Black Death
There are plenty of well-written, informative introductions to the Black Death available on the web, of which this is one, but History Guide have chosen a title which helps it stand out: Satan Triumphant! As you'd expect, the plague's religious interpretations are discussed. The Shifting Explanations for the Black Death
John Kelly has adapted this 'pro-plague' assessment of the Black Death from his book 'The Great Mortality'. Within, he tackles (and arguably refutes) many of the anti-plague arguments. |
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