Transcript 15.5 The Late Middle Ages

15.5 The Late Middle Ages
The Black Death
• A plague is a disease that spreads quickly and
kills many people. Scientists believe that it was a
bubonic plague –a disease caused by a type of
bacteria carried by fleas. Fleas infested black rats,
and during this time, black rats were everywhere.
• It is believed that the Black Death began in the Gobi
Desert—in Central Asia.
• It is believed that the Mongols spread it as they
traveled along the Silk Road. The disease erupted in
China in the 1300’s and killed more than 40-60
million people.
Death comes to Europe…
• During an attack on the city of Caffa, which
is located on the Black Sea, the Mongols in
an attempt to take control of the city,
catapulted the dead bodies of plague victims
over the city walls.
• People in Caffa were infected with the plague
and then they went home and carried the
plague in their blood streams and what’s
worse…they carried infected fleas on the
bodies of rats on their ships…
• The bubonic and septicemic plague were
transmitted by the bite of an infected flea. Fleas,
humans, and rats served as hosts for the disease.
The bacteria multiplied inside the flea blocking the
flea's stomach causing it to be very hungry. The
flea would then start voraciously biting a host.
Since the feeding tube to the stomach was blocked ,
the flea was unable to satisfy its hunger. As a
result, it continued to feed in a frenzy. During the
feeding process, infected blood carrying the plague
bacteria, flowed into the human's wound. The
plague bacteria now had a new host. The flea soon
starved to death.
•
The bubonic plague was the most
commonly seen form of the Black Death.
– The mortality rate was 30-75%.
– The symptoms were enlarged and
inflamed lymph nodes (around arm
pits, neck and groin). The term
'bubonic' refers to the characteristic
bubo or enlarged lymphatic gland.
Victims were subject to headaches,
nausea, aching joints, fever of 101105 degrees, vomiting, and a general
feeling of illness. Symptoms took
from 1-7 days to appear.
Boccaccio said that the victims, "ate lunch with
their friend and dinner with their ancestors in
paradise."
• The plague changed everything!
– The economy was turned upside down as trade
declined and wages rose because of a shortage in
workers.
– There was less people and less demand for food
and food prices fell.
– Landlords had to pay workers more and charge
less.
– Peasants began to bargain with their lords to pay
rent instead of owing services.
– Helped to end the feudal system
The effects
• The church lost prestige as it promised a cure from
the plague and it did not come. It also claimed that
it was God’s will but people were unsure of why they
were being punished.
• Families abandoned families…fathers left wives
and children and mothers left their children in fear.
• Approximately 38 million people died—nearly one
out of every two people died of the Black death
between the Black Death between 1347 and 1351.
•
•
Art became centered on death
Also community life all but dried up.
Women held bouquets of flowers to their
noses, to mask the smell of death.
Children watched, incorporating what
they say into new games. The chant of
one of the those games is still heard
today.
– Ring around the rosy
A pocketful of posies
"Ashes, Ashes"
We all fall down!
– Ring-a-Ring o'Rosies
A Pocket full of Posies
"A-tishoo! A-tishoo!"
We all fall Down!
Art
A Troubled Continent
• The French and the English both claimed
the right to rule Normandy, the English
were there and the French kings wanted to
drive the English out.
• This began the 100 Year’s War!
– This means that there were battles followed
by periods of peace during this time.
• The first major battle was at Crecy after
Edward of England invaded France.
• During this battle English archers defeated
the French army and forced the French
king to give up some of his kingdom.
Joan of Arc
• A French peasant girl had a dream that God
wanted her to save France. She went to the king
of France—Charles.
• He allowed her to go with the army to Orleans,
he faith stirred the soldiers and they took the
city. Joan dressed as a man and fought in the
battle.
• She was later captured by the English, tried for
heresy at the Inquisition and burned at the stake.
Effects of the 100 Years War
• Civil War 1455-1487
• War of the Roses broke out in England, this was
a battle over who should be king of England.
– 6 different kings during this time. Three died very
violent deaths
– The Yorks & Lancasters
• Each used a colored rose to symbolize their family
• Henry Tudor a Lancaster invaded Wales, fought a battle, won
and became king. First Tudor king in England…he became
Henry VII. His son was the infamous Henry VIII.