The specific lack of the study of science during the spread of the Black Death creates a unique opportunity to analyze the historical nature of explanation.

Science and Explanations of the time include:

• Book-taught theories [e.g. corrupted air theory (from God/spirits), earthquakes]
• Astrological causation of plague
• Religious motivations for explanation

Through these three main points, our group will identify the lack of empirical support for the spread of the plague. The ancient science practiced at this time, taught through outdated literature, includes supernatural fiction and often relies heavily on religion to explain causation.

*** If you're looking for an in-depth discussion of the medical knowledge and practiced treatments, we have a great page that covers that topic (Medicine & Treatments)! However, it's out of our group's scope. ***

There were many theories on what caused the Black Death back in the 1300s. Today we know it was an outbreak of bubonic plague. The Bubonic Plague outbreak was actually caused by fleas that were carried on rat that were commonly found in Europe during this time period of the 1300s. Unfortunately the people of Europe were not privy to this information at the time. The people of Europe during the 1300s theorized explanations as to why this mass death occurred during this time period. Two of the more popular theories recorded were either astronomy-based or religious-based. The first theory was that the formation and alignment of the planets and stars had released a toxic gas, causing massive death tolls in the 1300s. The second theory was more like divine retribution. People of the time thought the plague could be the end of the world and this was God's punishment to all of mankind.

During the time that the plague began to spread across Europe, there were alignments of the stars in the sky. In the middle ages, doctors and astronomers would explain strange phenomena with star alignments. People used colloquial theories and star alignments to map events and explain things they could not otherwise explain. So when people started to die, the same astronomers claimed that mass deaths were caused by specific planetary and star alignments. The theory was expanded further to include “bad air” from the sky. In reality, the air did have a foul odor as the “bad air” came from the stench of the dead and sick that accompanied the Black Death wherever it spread. Putting these two thoughts together, the “doctors” came to the conclusion that a strange alignment of the starts must have released a toxic gas that was spreading this disease. This explained why the stench seemed to follow the deaths wherever it went. This was referred to as the “bad air”.

During this time, the only other source people could turn to was religion. Religion was already a huge part of a normal person’s life during this time so it was a natural step to observing plague as a punishment from God. Middle-aged people believed that plague was the end of times as predicted by holy text and God was punishing mankind for its sins. This theory spread to radical groups like the flagellants, who would inflict self-harm such that if they suffered enough, they could atone for their sins. The Church held no more answers for the people during the Middle Ages of the 1300's than anyone else. With all the deaths due to the plague, it led people to truly believe this was the end of days due to punishment from God.

During this time not much information about disease was present. Most of what people thought as a scientific explanations came from either the Gods or from astrology. Astrology could influence the four humors: yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm. Physicians during this time associated the humors as to ways to cure someone who was sick. Thus the alignment of the planets had something to do with the atmosphere as well.

More information about astrology can be found under the astrology tab.

Individuals experiencing the Black Death were looking for the cause, cure, and prevention methods. Christian groups viewed the plague as an extreme sign of dissapointment from God and were searching for the answer that would restore balance. Father Dom Theophilius of Milan theorized confession of sins and last rights would save them in the after life. This theory focused on having a wholesome death and preserving eternal life. (Horrox, 1994)

Islamic groups viewed the plague as divine intervention and the plague should be respected. While dealing with the outcomes of the plague the Islamic people joined, prayed, and fasted together. This built a stronger connection amongst those with similar beliefs and assisted in preventing overall chaos. In the aftermath of the Black Death many targeted Jews, pilgrims, and lepers as a way to allocate blame.