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Messin The Black Death

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Throughout history, mankind has had their fair share of disasters. One of the worst, however, was the first wave of bubonic plague that hit Western Europe during the Middle Ages. More commonly known as “The Black Death”, the disease ravaged the continent and forever left its mark in history. Many things are associated with European Medieval Times, but The Black Death was truly one of the biggest events to take place, originally brought over from the East. ‘Well then, how did it start in in Europe?’ one may ask. The answer to this question lies on the Italian island of Sicily in the porting city of Messina. In this essay, the true impact of the Black Death on Messina, Italy during Medieval Times will be explained. Along with this, there will …show more content…

Despite starting in Messina, the Black Death had just as bad of an impact there as it did in places like England and France. Those who fell victim to the fatal disease were said to die within a day. However, despite how the Black Death originated from the East, the early symptoms were different in Europe. Where Eastern victims would get horrible nose bleeds, Western victims would start to get swollen bumps - normally referred to as tumors - on their skin in the groin or armpit region, growing up to the size of apples or eggs. They would then spread throughout the body of the victim and die. The plague was taken in 2 different ways by the citizens of Messina. Some would lock themselves away in their homes to try and escape from the disease. Others used the mayhem and seemingly apocalyptic situation as an excuse to live it up while they could, drinking every night and having sex with as many people as they wanted while trying to avoid the sick. It wasn’t long before a paralyzing fear took hold of the city. Families stopped visiting each other with the likelihood of getting sick, doctors wouldn’t take house calls or treat victims of the plague, and priests would go to visit the sick and refused to administer this last rights. There was no rational explanation for the sudden appearance and rapid death rates, so many came to believe that it was a divine punishment sent down by God. In fact, the late 14th century English cleric, William Langland, wrote “God is deaf nowadays and will not hear us. And for our guilt he grinds good men to dust,” in his epic poem “Piers Plowman.” Despite all this dread and turmoil that racked the entire continent, the plague eventually died down and was preceded by the Renaissance which gave life and vitality back to the people of

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