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The Black Death

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Black Death
Authors and Contributors      Edited and translated by Rosemary Horrox
SeriesManchester Medieval Sources
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:384
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 138
Category/GenreEconomic history
ISBN/Barcode 9780719034985
ClassificationsDewey:614.57320094
Audience
Undergraduate
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations Illustrations, black & white

Publishing Details

Publisher Manchester University Press
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publication Date 11 August 1994
Publication Country United Kingdom

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. -- .

Author Biography

Rosemary Horrox is Fellow in History, Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge -- .