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The Bubonic Plague

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The Black Plague was a widespread disease that found itself spreading all throughout the Middle Ages disseminating its deadly symptoms among the growing populations of the Middle Ages. The disease started in Europe in 1328 and lasted until 1351 although there were outbreaks for the next sixty years. (Alchin). An estimated 7500 victims of the disease were dying every day (Alchin). The illness gets its name from one of its most well known and most common symptom, buboes, therefore giving it the name the Bubonic Plague. (Kewriga). Buboes were egg sized bumps and black and blue blotches that usually occurred in the lymph nodes (neck, armpit and groin), (Kewriga). ”The bubo-a tender, egg-shaped bulge that usually develops on or near the infected …show more content…

The Black Death took a horrific toll on the population of Europe and Asia. (Alavosus, 56). China’s population was cut by nearly half between 1200 and 1393, most likely due to the spread of the plague and malnutrition (Alavosus, 56). An estimated 24 million people died as a result of the plague which is about a third of Europe’s population. “The deaths of so many people speeded changes in Europe’s economic and social structure that contributed to the decline of feudalism. (Alavosus, 56). After the illness spread, there was a shift in power from nobles to the common people. The demand for workers was high and there were fewer workers due the high death rates. The workers who were still alive could demand more money and more rights. (Alavosus, 57). Additionally, many serfs left their feudal manors and and moved to towns and cities, looking for more superior opportunities (Alavosus, 57). This further enfeebled the manor system and loss of power and importance for the feudal system. Not only did the feudal system find its value dropping but trade and commerce also came to a stop during the Plague. As the Europeans began to recover from the losses they suffered during the plague, with feudal lords holding most of the power, it made it difficult to rebuild the economy (Alavosus, 57). The Black Plague caused a rise in prices and wages and greater value was placed on labour.

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