Before the Plague life for an ordinary man in the country was harsh. Many peasants lived on land that was provided to them by their lords. They were legally bound to serve the manor for life. The peasants could not leave their village without permission from their lord. Permission was never granted without a tax. They also had to pay taxes for crops, getting married, and to bury their dead in the churchyard. Some peasants saw no future in their lives and would flee to the city. This was not much better. The city was meant for specialists like shoemakers or carpenters. They would often have to settle for odd jobs, such as unloading wagons or cleaning stables. Many turned to stealing to support their families. City

Although the plague caused many changes, life did go on. The survivors mourned for the great losses, but their lives were actually improved. Their living standards had risen, and the prices for most goods dropped. A more scientific view of the world took place of the myths and superstitions. Today we have the knowledge to stop the plague. Without a doubt the Black Plague brought changes that can never be reversed.

The Black Plague had many effects on medieval Europe. It can be looked on as not only a great disaster, but also liberation from the old way of life. As shown before, before the plague life was difficult and unsanitary for an ordinary man. But after, it changed the way both rich and poor people dealt with their lives. Art had a dramatic change. Before the plague portraits were shown in full health looking their best. While after, suffering became a favorite theme with half-decomposed bodies with old dirty rags draping them. Literature also became more dark and somber. Architecture went into decline because the Black Death killed off all the architects with skills. The 30 universities around Europe were abandoned or closed, so education standards dropped incredibly low. There were economic consequences. Many construction projects were abandoned. With neither any craftsmen to build them or anyone to repair broken machine parts things could not get done. Spirituality went downhill. Survivors were depressed and fearful. The church’s power weakened because the people felt it had let them down.

In the fourteenth century, the town of Genoa was one of the busiest ports in Europe. Ships left from here to trade all over the Mediterranean Sea. In October of 1347, twelve ships sailed from Caffa to this port in Italy. There was something wrong with these

Some topics in this essay:
Black Death, Europe Plague, Black Plague, Alexandre Yersin, Plague Maiden, Plague Europe, Sea October, Europe People, Europe Ships, black death, black plague, bubonic plague, rich poor, city city, dead bodies, plague life, medieval europe, disease spread, plague microbes,