Joan Of Arc's The Decameron: The Plague

When the Black Death broke out, people started living their lives differently. Some avoided others to prevent sickness, others continued to live their lives free. Some even blamed the Avignon papacy for the plague and warfare that was occurring. While the Black Death was impacting people’s lives, the Hundred Years’ War was going on at the same time. During the late Middle Ages, women started to become more involved. An example of a tremendous women getting involved is Joan of Arc, who helped lead France to several victories against the English in the Hundred Years’ War. As stated in Joan of Arc’s Letter to the English, which was written in 1431, “…render the keys of all the good towns which you have taken and violated in France, to the Maid sent hither by the King of Heaven. She is ready to make peace if you will consent to return and to pay for what you have taken. And all of you, soldiers, and

As stated in Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron: The Plague Hits Florence, ca. 1350, “… nor omitting prayers to God in frequent processions: in the spring of the forgoing year, it began to show itself in a sad and wonderful manner; and, different from what it had been in the east… in some cases large and but few in number, in others smaller and more numerous, both sorts the usual messengers of death…,” (Boccaccio, “The Decameron: The Plague Hits Florence”, Sources, 188). As a result of the Black Death, people asked for forgiveness for their sins, prayed, trusted in God, made donations to churches, and tried to live better lives. People believed these were the best remedies to help them get through the tragedy. Instead of seeing the Black Death as a medical issue, they saw it as the result of an evil within themselves and thought God was punishing them for their sins. Some Christians even sought penance by whipping themselves. Repentance is still a Christian idea that exists