Who did the flagellants blame for the spread of the bubonic plague?

Answer 1

Flagellants were religious fanatics who whipped themselves as a penance. This is a practice that existed to some minor extent throughout history, and goes back to pre-Christian times.

During the Black Death, many people became flagellants because they thought the Black Death was a punishment for sins, and felt that they might do penance for these sins by beating themselves with whips. The Catholic Church took the position that flagellantism was a heresy, and it was condemned in a papal bull in 1349, while the Black Death was just underway.

There is a link below to an article on flagellants.

Answer 2

The flagellants felt that if they inflict pain and suffering on themselves as they pass through the towns and villages, they would appease God and He would undo the curse of the Black death. They generally would pass through the towns in groups, bloodied, and beating on themselves and whipping themselves with strips of fabric or leather bound together, breaking the skin and causing pain and of course, bleeding. The villagers would line up to watch the passing of the flagellants in the hopes that their sacrifices would somehow save them (the residents). It was a common belief that the blood of the flagellants would prevent the plague from infecting people so often, residents would get blood off the bodies and rub themselves with it...often on their faces. This in fact increased the risk of illness if the flagellant was already infected himself.

It is relatively well known, however, that "after a day of work", the Flagellants would indulge in "earthly pleasures" ...the wine, women and song idea...

Well,. all of this didn't go over too well with the Catholic church, as THEY were supposed to have the only power to appeal to God and eventually, the practice was stopped.

Answer 3

They said it was a punishment from god for being bad so they whipped themselves until their skin bled to show to god that he didn't need to punish them and give them the black death, as they are doing it themselves! Of course this is pure nonsense.

Answer 4

people tried whipping, washing with vinegar. Cutting vein and draining it.

Answer 5

God