How the Black Death of 1347-1351 Changed European Perceptions of Death

Abstract

The Black Death of 1347-1351 in Europe wiped out nearly 60% of Europe’s entire population, killing men, women and children, young and old alike. It brought with it a wave of changes impacting everyday life and tradition, artistic expression, religious devotion and medical practice. Researchers have shown a fascinating interest in the who, what, where, when, and why of the Black Death, along with its many effects. Early studies of the plague investigated the instances in which the plague entered Europe, looking closely at the entry points and transmission. Other studies analyzed human social patterns, exploring the roles of men, women and children during the second wave of plague. Contemporary scholars are interested in looking at the victims of the plague, studying the bodies buried in plague cemeteries to investigate the state of health and hygienic practices at the time of death. These studies help us understand how to handle pandemics, and the risk they pose to different populations. In the wake of our newest pandemic, the Coronavirus, it is more important than ever to understand how the spread of infectious disease changes the lives of billions, and what those changes entail. In researching the effects of the Black Death, little information was found on how those effects impacted the human mind. How does the looming nature of disease change the way we think about ourselves, not only in life, but in death? This is a topic of little discussion as it relates to the history of the plague in Europe, and requires the attention of scholars to truly understand the history of Europe and the European identity.