What Was the Black Death?
The Black Death was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. It struck Europe between 1347 and 1351, killing an estimated 25 to 50 million people — up to a third of the population.
The disease was likely a combination of bubonic, pneumonic, and septicaemic plague, spread by fleas on rats and through coughing between people. At the time, people didn’t know about bacteria or germs. Instead, they blamed God’s anger, bad air, or even astrology.
How Did the Plague Enter Europe?
In October 1347, a fleet of Genoese trading ships arrived at the port of Messina, in Sicily. These ships had come from the Black Sea region, where the plague had already been causing devastation. Rats carrying infected fleas had travelled on board, and the disease quickly took hold in the city.
The Timeline of Spread
The plague spread rapidly along trade routes by both land and sea. Here’s how it moved across Europe:
🛳️ 1347 – Arrival in Italy
Messina, Sicily: First recorded case in EuropeQuickly spread to Genoa and Venice, major Italian port cities
🇫🇷 1348 – France and Inland Europe
Reached Marseille in early 1348, then spread to ParisMoved north into Germany, Switzerland, and Low Countries
🏴 1348–1349 – England and British Isles
Landed at Melcombe Regis (modern-day Weymouth) in June 1348Spread through London and much of England by 1349Reached Ireland and Scotland soon after
🇳🇴 1350–1351 – Northern Europe
Crossed the North Sea to Norway, infecting OsloContinued into Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and parts of Russia
How Did It Spread So Fast?
Merchant ships carried infected rats and fleas from port to portOverland trade routes brought the disease inlandTowns and cities were overcrowded and unhygienic, making it easy for people to catch the illness from others
What Were the Effects?
Death on a massive scale led to labour shortagesPeasants could demand higher wages, which weakened feudalismMany lost faith in the Church, as prayers and processions failed to stop the plaguePersecution of certain groups, such as Jews, increased due to fear and misinformation
Why Is It Important?
The Black Death wasn’t just a health disaster — it reshaped European society, religion, economics, and politics. In many ways, it helped bring about the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of a new period: the Renaissance.
🌐 Suggested Student Activity:
Now that you’ve read this, go back to your map activity. Trace the spread of the Black Death using the city names and dates above. Think about how trade helped it move — and how it might have been different if people had modern science!