The Plague
Towards the end of the 13th Century economic expansion was turned into economic crisis. Three factors conspired against the region:
- exhaustion of the soil due to poor farming methods
- the introduction of more sheep (presumably for the wool industry) which reduced the land available for corn
- persistent Scottish invasions
Worse was to come. The Black Death the first of several epidemics made an appearance in 1349. The little evidence that remains suggests Richmond suffered in much the same way as the rest of the country. The existing graveyards were unable to cope and a special burial ground was dedicated at Easby for plague victims. A further epidemic followed in 1362.
The Black Death or bubonic plague was spread by house rats. It probably entered Yorkshire through the port of Hull in May 1349 reaching its peak in June, July and August. Such evidence as there is suggests that the death toll was as high as 40% to 45%.
Bubonic plague originated in China. It affects initially rats and is transmitted to humans by the fleas that rats carry. The disease is virulent and highly contagious. Severe fever is quickly accompanied by painful swellings of the lymph glands (or buboes, hence bubonic). Red spots on the skin turn black and death follows almost immediately. As one commentator said its victims "ate lunch with their friends and dinner with their ancestors in paradise." (Boccaccio).
Given China's position as a busy trading nation it was inevitable that the Plague would spread. The speed with which it did so was astonishing. It spread first to Western Asia reaching the Black Sea, one of the key trade routes with China. In October 1347 a few Italian merchant ships returning from the Black Sea sought harbour in Sicily, many of the seamen were already infected and dying from the Plague which within a few days had spread to the city and nearby countryside. An eyewitness account described it thus:
"Realising what a deadly disaster had come to them, the people quickly drove the Italians from their city. But the disease remained, and soon death was everywhere. Fathers abandoned their sick sons. Lawyers refused to come and make out wills for the dying. Friars and nuns were left to care for the sick, and monasteries and convents were soon deserted, as they were stricken, too. Bodies were left in empty houses, and there was no one to give them a Christian burial."
The Plague spread rapidly through Europe and in less than a year had reached England. The characteristic black spots gave rise to the name "Black Death". A fearful killer had been unleashed for which there was no known cure.
England enjoyed a brief respite in the winter of 1348 but only because the fleas were less active in the colder months. It returned with a vengeance in the spring of 1349. Richmond was struck shortly after.
Europe's population prior to this point had been steadily increasing reaching an estimated 75 million in 1347. The Black Death threw this increase into sharp reverse. Within five years 25 million had died.
Smaller outbreaks continued not just for a few years or decades but for several centuries. Fear of its return was never far from people's thoughts.
Follow this link for further information on the Black Death
Thanks to Aaron Rice at: Brigham Young University and Lyle Svendsen lsvendse@d.umn.edu and Tom Bacig for their helpful web site at the University of Minnesota
Killer Flea
Plague Bacillus
Click image to return Image from University of Chicago
