Other editions of book The Black Death

This illustrated series looks at famous disasters, either occurring naturally or as the result of human error. It explains the causes, narrates the events and evaluates the impact on peoples' lives. This volume discusses the Black Death, which broke out in 1347 and accounted for the death of one third of the the population of Europe. The author helps the young reader to understand its significance by looking at life before the plague and its effects both then and now. The book begins with Bishop of Winchester who foresaw the devastation that the plague would cause. From there the author looks at life in Europe in the years up to 1347 and how the harsh, unhygenic conditions made the outbreak of plague difficult to stop. He goes on to describe how the plague spread from eastern Asia to Europe and eventually to Britain. The effect of the plague on society and how it changed people's attitudes to authority, religion and medicine is then examined. In conclusion, the author looks at modern medical methods and shows how conditions have improved, but asks whether such a disaster could happen today.

The very name Black Death sends shivers up spines, and summons up the worst nightmares. In the Middle Ages, the onset of this mysterious plague that killed millions of victims, many within a few hours, spread fear, panic and self-loathing. This colourfully illustrated book, revised for 2019, recalls the history, the horrors, and the heroism encountered when this mysterious plague struck Britain in 1348-49. With one third of the population wiped out by a disease so swift that neither prayer nor potions could check its progress, this was indeed catastrophe on a nationwide scale which shook the very foundations of feudal society. And yet society survived. Perhaps this is the ultimate hopeful message of a catastrophe now as much myth as history.