The Black Death The Great Mortality of 1348-1350: A Brief History with Documents

by Aberth, John

• ISBN13: 9781403968029
• ISBN10: 1403968020
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-03-02
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

A fascinating account of the phenomenon known as the Black Death, this volume offers a wealth of documentary material focused on the initial outbreak of the plague that ravaged the world in the 14th century. A comprehensive introduction that provides important background on the origins and spread of the plague is followed by nearly 50 documents organized into topical sections that focus on the origin and spread of the illness; the responses of medical practitioners; the societal and economic impact; religious responses; the flagellant movement and attacks on Jews provoked by the plague; and the artistic response. Each chapter has an introduction that summarizes the issues explored in the documents; headnotes to the documents provide additional background material. The book contains documents from many countries - including Muslim and Byzantine sources - to give students a variety of perspectives on this devastating illness and its consequences. The volume also includes illustrations, a chronology of the Black Death, and questions to consider.

Author Biography

John Aberth serves as associate academic dean at Castleton State College, where he teaches history. He is the author of several books including Churchmen in the Age of Edward III: The Case of Bishop Thomas de Lisle (1996), From the Brink of the Apocalypse: Confronting Famine, War, Plague and Death (2000), and A Knight at the Movies: Medieval History on Film (2003).

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Preface	vii
A Note about the Text and Translations	ix
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS	xv
PART ONE Introduction: The Black Death in History	1	(8)
The Black Death as Historical Event	2	(1)
Historical Significance of the Black Death	3	(2)
Studying Medieval Sources	5	(4)
PART TWO The Documents	9	(170)
1. Geographical Origins	11	(12)
1. Nicephorus Gregoras, Byzantine History, ca. 1359	15	(1)
2. Abu Hafs cUmar Ibn al-Wardi, Essay on the Report of the Pestilence, ca. 1348	16	(3)
3. Giovanni Villani, Chronicle, ca. 1348	19	(2)
4. Louis Sanctus, Letter, April 27, 1348	21	(2)
2. Symptoms and Transmission	23	(14)
5. Michele da Piazza, Chronicle, 1347-1361	29	(2)
6. Giovanni Boccaccio, Introduction to The Decameron, 1349-1351	31	(2)
7. Louis Sanctus, Letter, April 27, 1348	33	(1)
8. John VI Kantakouzenos, History, 1367-1369	34	(3)
3. Medical Responses	37	(30)
9. Medical Faculty of the University of Paris, Consultation, October 6, 1348	41	(4)
10. Alfonso de Córdoba, Letter and Regimen concerning the Pestilence, ca. 1348	45	(2)
11. Gentile da Foligno, Short Casebook, 1348	47	(4)
12. Jacme d'Agramont, Regimen of Protection against Epidemics, April 24, 1348	51	(4)
13. Abu Ja cfar Ahmad Ibn Khatima, Description and Remedy for Escaping the Plague, February 1349	55	(8)
14. Gui de Chauliac, Great Surgery, 1363	63	(4)
4. Societal and Economic Impact	67	(27)
15. Francesco Petrarch, Letters on Familiar Matters, May 1349	71	(4)
16. Giovanni Boccaccio, Introduction to The Decameron, 1349-1351	75	(5)
17. Agnolo di Tura, Sienese Chronicle, 1348-1351	80	(2)
18. Jean de Venette, Chronicle, ca. 1359-1360	82	(2)
19. Ahmad Ibn cAli al-Maqrizi, A History of the Ayyubids and Mamluks, 15th Century	84	(3)
20. City Council of Siena, Ordinance, May 1349	87	(2)
21. The Córtes of Castile, Ordinance, 1351	89	(2)
22. Wiltshire, England, Assize Roll of Labor Offenders, June 11, 1352	91	(3)
5. Religious Mentalities	94	(23)
23. Gabriele de Mussis, History of the Plague, 1348	98	(2)
24. Michele da Piazza, Chronicle, 1347-1361	100	(4)
25. Simon Islip, Archbishop of Canterbury, Effrenata (Unbridled), May 28, 1350	104	(2)
26. Hamo Hethe, Bishop of Rochester, and Thomas de Lisle, Bishop of Ely, Post Plague Parish Poverty, July 1, 1349, and September 20, 1349	106	(2)
27. Libertus of Monte Feche, Last Will and Testament, September 21, 1348	108	(2)
28. cImad al-Din Abu 'l-Fida' Ismacil b. cUmar Ibn Kathir, The Beginning and End: On History, ca. 1350-1351	110	(2)
29. Abu Hafs cUmar Ibn al-Wardi, Essay on the Report of the Pestilence, ca. 1348	112	(2)
30. Lisan al-Din Ibn al-Khatib, A Very Useful Inquiry into the Horrible Sickness, 1349-1352	114	(3)
6. The Psyche of Hysteria	117	(43)
The Flagellants	118	(21)
31. Heinrich of Herford, Book of Memorable Matters, ca. 1349-1355	122	(4)
32. Fritsche Closener, Chronicle, 1360-1362	126	(6)
33. Gilles li Muisis, Chronicle, 1350	132	(6)
34. King Philip VI of France, Mandate to Suppress the Flagellants, February 15, 1350	138	(1)
Jewish Pogroms	139	(21)
35. King Pedro IV of Aragon, Response to Jewish Pogrom of Tárrega, December 23, 1349	142	(2)
36. Takkanoth (Accord) of Barcelona, September 1354	144	(1)
37. Interrogation of the Jews of Savoy, September-October 1348	145	(6)
38. Mathias of Neuenburg, Chronicle, ca. 1349-1350	151	(4)
39. Konrad of Megenberg, Concerning the Mortality in Germany, ca. 1350	155	(3)
40. Pope Clement VI, Sicut Judeis (Mandate to Protect the Jews), October 1, 1348	158	(2)
7. The Artistic Response	160	(19)
The Dance of Death	160	(9)
41. The Great Chronicle of France, ca. 1348	164	(1)
42. John Lydgate, The Dance of Death, ca. 1430	165	(2)
43. Death as Chess Player, St. Andrew's Church, Norwich, ca. 1500	167	(2)
Transi Tombs	169
44. François de la Sarra, Tomb at La Sarraz, Switzerland, ca. 1390	172	(2)
45. Archbishop Henry Chichele, Tomb at Canterbury Cathedral, ca. 1425	174	(2)
46. A Disputacioun betwyx the Body and Wormes, ca. 1450	176
APPENDIXES
A Chronology of the Black Death (1347-1363)	179	(2)
Questions for Consideration	181	(2)
Selected Bibliography	183	(8)
Index	191