The research question at the heart of this project is: "How did the Plague disrupt life in Western Europe, thus setting the stage for the Renaissance?"
Your group will be responsible for presenting on the following topics:
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The effect on the Clergy:
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The effect on the labor supply:
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The effect on land use and the movement toward greater urbanization:
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Britannica's ImageQuest database is a great source for images for a slide or poster presentation. Both images here -- one a modern secondary source, and one a historical primary source -- were found in ImageQuest. And the database will create the MLA citation for you! Click on an image for more information about it, and find the "Cite" tool in the left corner below the image.
This Dutch illumination dates from the 14th. It shows a procession of Flagellants, religious zealots who believed that God would free the world from the plague in return for their self-inflicted suffering. The Flagellants walked from town to town, whipping themselves publicly in the streets.
During the plague, the Flagellants massacred many Jews throughout Europe, blaming them for the disease. Although the Flagellants were Christian, the Catholic Church had little control over these groups of religious fanatics. In 1349 Pope Clement VI ordered local church leaders and governments to stamp them out, but the sects and their activities continued throughout Western Europe.
Images Cited
Map of Black Death in Europe, 14th century. 2017. Britannica ImageQuest, Encyclopædia Britannica, 2 Mar 2017, quest.eb.com/search/132_1434315/1/132_1434315/cite. Accessed 18 Feb 2022.
These ebooks and databases are good starting points in your research.
*For off-campus use, these resources require a username and password. Contact the librarians for the login information.
For access to the databases from off campus, email the librarians for passwords.
Some great resources on the Black Death in Europe, available on the web: