| The Black Death Contributor(s): Horrox, Rosemary (Editor), Horrox, Rosemary (Translator) |
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ISBN: 0719034981 ISBN-13: 9780719034985 Publisher: Manchester University Press OUR PRICE: $23.70 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 1994 Annotation: This source book traces, through contemporary writings, the calamitous impact of the Black Death in Europe, with particular reference to its spread across England from 1345 to 1349. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Europe - Medieval - History | Social History |
| Dewey: 614.494 |
| LCCN: 93050558 |
| Series: Manchester Medieval Sources |
| Physical Information: 0.9" H x 5.5" W x 8.4" (1.10 lbs) 384 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Medieval (500-1453) |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This series provides texts central to medieval studies courses and focuses upon the diverse cultural, social and political conditions that affected the functioning of all levels of medieval society. Translations are accompanied by introductory and explanatory material and each volume includes a comprehensive guide to the sources' interpretation, including discussion of critical linguistic problems and an assessment of recent research on the topics covered. From 1348 to 1350 Europe was devastated by an epidemic that left between a third and one half of the population dead. This source book traces, through contemporary writings, the calamitous impact of the Black Death in Europe, with a particular emphasis on its spread across England from 1348 to 1349. Rosemary Horrox surveys contemporary attempts to explain the plague, which was universally regarded as an expression of divine vengeance for the sins of humankind. Moralists all had their particular targets for criticism. However, this emphasis on divine chastisement did not preclude attempts to explain the plague in medical or scientific terms. Also, there was a widespread belief that human agencies had been involved, and such scapegoats as foreigners, the poor and Jews were all accused of poisoning wells. The final section of the book charts the social and psychological impact of the plague, and its effect on the late-medieval economy. |