A really effective medical treatment and cure for the Bubonic plague (Black Death) was impossible during the Elizabethan and later periods of history. On the same note if you wish us not to use a photo for any reason just let us know and we will remove it. The spread was aided by the River Thames and its boats which were used as the major form of transport in Elizabethan London. The outbreak lasted until around 1352. Medical treatment for stomach pains and sickness was with wormwood, mint, and balm. healthcare professional. The impact of closure must have been extremely frightening, not to mention the threat of the Black Death ( Bubonic Plague ) itself. Once humans are infected with bubonic plague, it spreads very quickly infecting other people. So begins this poem which Nashe wrote in 1593, when an outbreak of bubonic plague closed the London playhouses (Shakespeare would take advantage of the closure to write his narrative poems Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece, and probably most of his sonnets . In addition to this, lords advised peasants to leave their homelands during the epidemic to come work for them, but also refused to let them return to their original village. Sir William Davenant ( possible an illegitimate son of William Shakespeare ) his associates and his career and life in Elizabethan England. The Elizabethan era was truly a dangerous time. The huge loss of people and the colossal rate of casualty did affect the social construct as well. Elizabethan England: A huge part of any renaissance era is the arts. A famine broke out, and it is now known as the famine before the plague. Men and women also abandoned their cities, houses, dwellings, relatives, property, and went abroad. For all the steps Elizabethans took to contain it, plague would remain a major fixture of English life up into the Restoration, with the last major outbreak hitting in 1665. It is both fascinating and grotesque, so it is no wonder people are still intrigued by it today. The third plague pandemic occurred later, in the middle of the 19th century and originated in Eastern Asia. These corpses were left rotting in the houses until they were dragged out, weeks later, to be thrown on a cart and finally disposed of. Bloodletting, or cutting open the vein nearest the infected part of the body, was commonly thought to be one of the best ways to treat the illness. By the end of the fourteenth century, the Black Death killed nearly 60% of Europes population. Disease and plagues killed major parts of the population, the bubonic plague, for example, claimed the lives of perhaps a third of Europes population in five years. Some measures, like perfume and bloodletting, have ultimately proven to be useless. The bubonic plague was the most commonly seen form during the Black Death, with a mortality rate of 30-75% and symptoms including fever of 38 - 41 C (101-105 F), headaches, painful aching joints, nausea and vomiting, and a general feeling of malaise. Features of this era include hauntings, witch hangings, coin money, and class distinctions. First arriving in Europe through sick merchants on Genoese trading ships that docked in Sicily, the plague caused boils, fever, diarrhea, horrible pain, and shortly, death. The Globe Theatre was built between 1597 and 1599 in Southwark on the south bank of London's River Thames, funded by Richard Burbage and built by carpenter Peter Smith and his workers. These reports were then sent directly to the Privy Council. Once a person contracted the disease, it spread throughout the body. Abandoning the affected ones was the real ecstasy them. Author bio: Michael Lowry Lamble holds an MA in Medieval and Renaissance History from Loyola University Chicago and is currently pursuing an MA in Museology from the University of Washington. These swellings, symptoms of the deadly plague, would appear in the armpits, legs, neck, or groin. Soon, one-third of the European population was dead. It first showed up in Europe in October 1347. In this system, the lord owned the land in small communities, and the peasants living there farmed the land and gave him a portion of their crops as a form of payment. Black rats were the most common at this time, and carried the bacteria called Yersinia pestis, which caused the plague. This caused Shakespeare to have a lifelong fear of the disease. The symbol of Britannia was first used in 1572 and often thereafter to mark the Elizabethan age as a renaissance that inspired national pride through classical ideals, international . London's first cases of plague were noticed in August. Soon, black spots began appearing in the skin and huge boils started developing in the groins or armpits. The plague ' 'was know by the Great Pestilence, The Great plague, and the Black death ' '(Intro Doc). When a person caught the plague, he/she had a sudden fever with chills and headache. The Bubonic plague (Black Death) was the greatest fear of people living during the Elizabethan era from the Queen herself to the lowliest of her subjects. The symptoms for this plague were extremely painful and death was the most likely outcome in most cases. cities of Europe to spread the killer disease across the continent. We don't always know who took the photo, who to give credit to, or who to ask permission from to use it. Plague Pits were rapidly dug. Information about the Elizabethan Cure for the Black Death or the Bubonic PlagueIn the Elizabethan era various concoctions of herbs were given and used for the medical treatment of different parts of the body and the varying symptoms of the disease. Amidst the consequences suffered by those carrying the disease, came the ramifications that those who were not directly affected experienced. Nevertheless, it is illuminating to see the ways that these people over three hundred years ago grappled with the fear and uncertainty of virulent disease. The Black Death famously devastated England, as it did much of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, in the mid-fourteenth century. People all over Europe believed that this black plague was airborne a disease and hence, were leaving their homes to take shelter in rural remote county sides. Facts about Life in Elizabethan England 8: the diet of the poor people The poor people ate a small portion of meat for it was expensive. The Black Death is the 19th-century CE term for the plague epidemic that ravaged Europe between 1347-1352 CE, killing an estimated 30 million people there and many more worldwide as it reached pandemic proportions. The Bubonic plague (Black Death) was always caught or spread from an infected animal or person. The Pestilence. The Plague came in three different ways: bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic. The Elizabethan City of London was filthy. The red cross acted as a warning as there was a time when the victims of the illness were not carried away to be buried or burnt. The Black Plague It only took about twenty-three days from the point of infection for the plague to be fatal (Benedictow). . First arriving in Europe through sick merchants on Genoese trading ships that docked in Sicily, the plague caused boils, fever, diarrhea, horrible pain, and shortly, death. Friar Laurence in "Romeo and Juliet" has asked a fellow friar to deliver a crucial message to the exiled. The plague was the most devastating disease in world history. What caused the Bubonic plague in the Middle Ages? Bloodletting and purgatives to help balance the humors were also favored tactics for Elizabethan doctors in the fight against the plague. The plague was similar to diseases today because it was not curable similar to Aids. These assemblies were empowered to levy emergency taxes on the towns and villages of their respective counties in order to fund relief efforts, to appoint officials to collect and disburse these aid funds to affected communities, and to impose and enforce further preventative and relief measures as they saw fit. Wealthy people often left densely populated cities and moved to the countryside to stay safe. The fear that people felt just to survive resulted in some of the darkest times in the history of . No one was sure how the Death spread, and this combined with the fast course the disease took and the primitive medical practices of the time allowed for the disease to spread through the continent in devastating time. The rodents slowly made their journey to Europe via the Silk Road routes constantly used for trade. Medieval towns had no system of drains, sewers or trash collections. It is clear that they believed that God would have mercy on them if they fled, or that the Plague would decline outside of the city walls. Statistics show that 1000 people died weekly in mid August, 1600 per week in September, and 1800 per week in October. The summers and winters were harsh not helping with the crop harvesting. The plague as an actual event figures prominently in only one of Shakespeare's plays. Realizing that the Italian merchants had brought the disastrous plague to them, the people of Sicily threw them out of the city. Queen Elizabeth I was such an influential person in the world during her lifetime that the period of her reign is called the Elizabethan Era. Marilyn Chase (Goodreads Author) (shelved 1 time as black-plague) avg rating 3.82 1,045 ratings published 2003. (Cultural) Medieval society did not know what caused the plague or how it spread. Elizabeth I's England consolidated its position with the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and firmly established the Church of England (begun by her father, Henry VIII, after a dispute with the Pope). Cats and dogs were killed, as it was believed that they might spread the plague. concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other The Great Mortality. The summers and winters were harsh not helping with the crop harvesting. Blood and greenish pus seeped out of them. The cover-all clothing would have protected the Elizabethan Physician from fleas and therefore the Black Death / Bubonic Plague. At this time, most pandemics were deadly since there was no medicine or technology. The Black Death, also known as the bubonic plague, was a disease that devastated Medieval Europe, between 1346 and 1352 it killed 45 million people, wiping out a third of Europe's population. They received higher wages for their labor. The Black Death killed most of the aforementioned peasants, so the fields they were expected to farm on were left unplowed. In Europe there were many responses to the plague which included helping to stop and cure the plague, profiting off it, and trying to protect and care for their loved ones. Every week, each parish had to report its numbers of infected and dead to the justices of its hundred (the English administrative jurisdiction between parish and county), and said justices were required to meet every week to go over these numbers and assess the situation in their territory. There would have been no money coming into Theater companies and therefore no money for the Elizabethan actors. Even the animals could not escape its deathly hold. The Bubonic Plague: The Black Death Thus far we have examined only the large-scale responses to plague, but individual Elizabethans also took steps to protect themselves. Everyone used the river to move about and each London Elizabethan would have come into contact with the everyday presence of the dirt and the rats. The plague, named the Black Death by later historians, had a devastating effect on the European population in the fourteenth century. Scholars and historians often refer to him being a part of the Elizabethan Era, the period of English history d uring the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, which lasted from 1558 - 1603, and was itself part of the larger Tudor Period. A ship came from China that brought rats infested with fleas, carrying the plague to Sicily. Due to the food shortages and closure of businesses those who were not struck down by the Bubonic plague (Black Death) often resorted to stealing from the dead bodies. Information about the Spread of the Black Death / Bubonic Plague in Elizabethan LondonIn 1563, in London alone, over 20,000 people died of the disease. Like every other aspect, the black death had a significant impact on the economy of Europe in medieval times. Over the next five years, more than 20 million people died from a disease that almost killed one . At times, the royal court was closed to all but critical personnel to protect the whole government from dying in one stroke of contagion. Others had more worldly concerns, suspecting all the quarantine measures to be nothing more than an attempt to curtail their rights, rights which they feared would not be restored after the plague had passed. Plague is an extremely infectious and vile disease caused by a bacteria known as Yersinia Pestis. The people who gathered on the docks that was about to greet the ships met with a horrifying surprise: Most of the sailors aboard the ships were dead, and those who were still alive were gravely ill. This time was a period of unprecedented prosperity and advances in poetry, music, theater and literature. The aim of this fasting and prayer was repentance for sins both personal and communal, on the grounds that if God controls all things, then plague was evidence of his displeasure with the nation. It made its way to Europe on trade and cargo ships, traveling on the backs of rats stowed away on the ships. At this time, most pandemics were deadly since there was no medicine or technology. Unfortunately, the Revolt did not immediately result in the end of serfdom, but was seen by the Whig historians as the beginning of the end of the feudal system (BBC Staff). Theatre was extremely popular and only was stopped due to the Black Plague in the 1590s. Since the disease was highly contagious, it is believed that the bubonic plague was controlled through the right implementation of isolation and quarantine. Receive updates on the latest news and alerts straight to your inbox. No effective remedy was found and hence, people did not at all receive any function able treatment. In today people have way better medicines and doctors to be able to help cure illnesses. In turn, all the justices of the county were ordered to meet every three weeks during an outbreak to compile a report on how many had contracted or died from the plague in their county, what towns and villages were affected, how much money they had raised through taxes, and how that money was being spent. Plague is an extremely infectious and vile disease caused by a bacteria known as Yersinia Pestis. The Black Death was not the only pandemic going around Europe, other diseases include syphilis and gonorrhea. In this way, Elizabeths government could monitor and address major plague outbreaks with relative detail and accuracy. The black plague was not only a biological issue but also a mental issue as people then was really panic stricken and did isolate the affected ones. Sicily was then overcome by the disease and it spread through the trade routes all over Europe. Dan talks to Helen Castor about her book on Elizabeth I and the way she governed. He also developed swollen limbs which became very painful. Elizabeth had many lovers - MYTH. Some of our most famous art and literature come from this era of history, and English explorers traveled the globe, spreading their . Alas, the disease had gripped the city and a large number of people were already infected. The reign of Elizabeth (1558 - 1603) saw England emerge as the leading naval and commercial power of the Western world. The trade connections in the past among China, India, central Asia and Europe were the main reason behind spreading of this terrific disease. Others, though, like swift quarantines and thorough record-keeping, have become staples of modern public health practice. Sweating sickness kills tens of thousands of people on its first appearance in 1485 and periodically thereafter. . Although this first outbreak was certainly the most dramatic, the plague did not simply disappear after 1349. Its populace of roughly 100,000 people included royalty, nobility, merchants, artisans, laborers, actors, beggars, thieves, and spies, as well as refugees from political and religious persecution on the continent. These occurred in 1593 , 1603 and 1608. The Bubonic plague, also known ominously as the Black Death, is a bacterial epidemic that reached its peak in the Middle Ages. The victims would often die within two to four days. 2. It was no wonder that the Black Death or Bubonic Plague was so feared by the people of the Elizabethan era. Some doctors even tried treatment with arsenic, dried toad or lily roots. @media (min-width: 340px) { .adslot_1 { width: 336px; height: 280px; } } Aids started to spread Africa when the people ate chimpanzee just like how the people in England would eat infected food. However, Elizabeth had many favourites and close friends who were men, including Robert Dudley, Walter Raleigh, Francis Drake, and Robert Devereux, as well as many prominent suitors, including many . It came to Europe on 12 ships from the Black Sea. Today, we know that there were many causes of the Black Death. The name comes from the black buboes (infected lymph glands) which broke out over a plague victim's body. When, despite the high wages, no new men for this job could be found women and boys, especially those who had recovered from the Bubonic plague (Black Death), were forced to carry out this work. This particular epidemic claimed between a quarter and a third of the total Elizabethan London population. The Black Death was the second pandemic of bubonic plague and the most devastating pandemic in world history. The plague was a disease that spread throughout Europe. Doctors and physicians tried to treat the other symptoms that included fever, chills, diarrhoea, vomiting, and aches, but to no avail. The Black Death arrived in Europe on October 1348 when 12 Genoese trading ships arrived at the Sicilian port of Messina after a long journey through the Black Sea. The terrible outbreak of the Black Death made Medieval people look for a link between health and hygiene. 3,000 people died in Danzig and many again in Lbeck and other cities as the Sweat spread along the Baltic coast into Denmark, Scandinavia, and Russia. People formed communities, isolated from each other. The Black Death was a devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s. Authorities in Sicily ordered the fleet of death ships to leave the harbor, but it was too late. His academic interests include religion, superstition, conflict, and identity, and he is writing his masters thesis on the impact trying on armor has on what museum visitors learn in arms and armor galleries. Fleas living on rats that came from Asia on a trade ship spread the bubonic plague, the septicaemic plague is created by the entrance of bacteria from their multiplying place into the blood vessels. A really effective medical treatment and cure for the Bubonic plague (Black Death) was impossible during the Elizabethan and later periods of history. In England the rodent affected was the black rat, Rattus rattus. Inadequate hygiene standards added to the problem and spread of the disease. The Black Death began in the Himalayan Mountains of South Asia in the 1200s. Mary Stuart was the queen in Scotland. 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