How did historians find out about the black death over the years and their view on it?

Answer 1

It is difficult to know exactly how many died. Nowadays every death has to be registered. There were no such registers in the Middle Ages. How can historians find out? The Church was the only organisation to keep accurate records. Bishops noted down when a new priest was appointed to a parish church. In many areas half the churches had new priests in 1348 or 1349. In some monasteries nearly all the monks died. Probably the Death Rate in the Church was particularly high.

Priests visited the sick to comfort them, so were likely to catch the plague. Once the Black Death got into a monastery it would easily spread to all the monks. We know from church records that three out seven clergymen in the bishopric of Westminster died in the first half of 1349. Both rich and poor perished. Among the well-of was John Strattford, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Historians estimate that about one third or more of the poulation of England and Wales died. This would be over one million people.

Answer 2

It wasn't until about 50 years later they found out it was the flea that bit the rat and people spread it to their families. During the point when they found out it was the black rat others had other theories and thought of what caused the "Black Death" that were also possible.*God sent the plague because he wanted to end the world. *The flea bit the rat but it was the fleas that carried it to humans because they were so small they were impossible to feel or see. *Human fleas found on dogs and cats may also have played a roll in the spread. After many years, scientists looked more into the "Black Death" and realised it made more sense that it was rats that spread the disease because of how they got from different countries.

Answer 3

it was a sad horrible time for anyone who lived it and it was the fleas that bit the rat and then the fleas jumping on to us therefore infecting our blood

Answer 4

Historians thought it was caused by God, they thought they were being punished for bad sins

Answer 5

I have heard it said that a flea caused the Black Death.

Answer 6

Some people belived it was a curse from god, punishing them.

Answer 7

people blamed go, churches. They also blamed jews.

Answer 8

black death caused economical changes. It also gave birth to many revolutions.

Answer 9

Many said it was the work of the devil or the Jews.

Answer 10

Because people wrote about it