What caused the Black Death?

The Black Death was actually a fearful plague. It ravaged almost the whole of England for about three years, 1347 to 1350. Its effect was serious, particularly when the prevention against that dreadful disease plague was unknown.

That Black Death took a heavy toll of the English people, high and low, rich and poor. According to some report, at least one third of the whole population perished in it. There was the saying that often the living could scarce bury the dead, because of the awful state. In the diocese of Norwich nearly the two third of the parish clergy died in it. There were even some religious houses where a large number of churchmen lost their lives. Of the sixty monks of saint Albans, only thirteen were reported to have survived. The situation was more serious among the masses of people. The dreadful pestilence was unsparing and in some cases even the whole families were swept off, living none to inherit the land.

The effect of that Black Death had serious impacts on social living. There was the dearth of labourers particularly because men were scarce and a good many of them happened to be scared. As a result, production fell and there was a in prices. Because of the paucity of labour, there was a rise in wages, too. Social and economic life almost collapsed.