It arrived in 1348, carried by fleas on rats in ships from Asia. Within two years, the Black Death killed between 30-50% of England's population — perhaps 2 million people. Victims developed black swellings (buboes) in armpits and groin, vomited blood, and usually died within days. Nobody understood why. Doctors wore bird-like masks filled with herbs, believing this would protect them from bad air. Some towns lost 80% of their population. Entire villages disappeared. Medieval medicine had no answer — because it didn't understand the cause.
This introduction covers Setting the Scene within The Black Death for GCSE History. Revise The Black Death in Medicine Through Time for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 1 of 14 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for The Black Death
In which year did the Black Death first arrive in England?
What were 'buboes', which gave the bubonic plague its name?
Quick recall flashcards
What were the symptoms of the Black Death?
Buboes (swellings in armpits/groin), black blotches on skin, fever, vomiting blood — most victims died within days
How did the Black Death spread to England?
From Central Asia via Italy and France through trade routes — arrived in ports like Weymouth in June 1348