Black Death

the. a form of bubonic plague pandemic in Europe and Asia during the 14th century, when it killed over 50 million people

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

black death

[¦blak ′deth]

(medicine)

plague

Black Death

killed at least one third of Europe’s population (1348–1349). [Eur. Hist.: Bishop, 379–382]

See: Disease

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Black Death

the name given by contemporaries to the plague that spread throughout Europe between 1347 and 1353. During that period approximately 25 million people—that is, almost half the population of Europe—died of the Black Death. The pandemic recurred on a smaller scale in 1361 and 1369.

The Black Death resulted in a decline in the number of workers and, consequently, in a rise in the cost of labor. To provide the feudal aristocracy and urban patriciate with cheap labor, the governments of some countries enacted laws fixing wages at pre-plague levels. These measures intensified the class struggle, which found expression in uprisings, the rejection of feudal obligations, and the flight of peasants from their feudal lords.

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References in periodicals archive

Palmer's major thesis runs counter to traditional views of English governance following the Black Death. According to traditional historiography, the English government's steady increase in power was caused in large part by the skillful administration of a single man, King Edward III (pp.

English Law in the Age of the Black Death, 1348-1381: A Transformation of Governance and Law

In this way the Black Death was duly confirmed in its role as a mere accelerator of endogenously engineered tendencies which had long been under way.

England in the aftermath of the Black Death

The BATF claims that the 'Black Death' label mocks the dangers of alcohol such that consumers will believe that alcohol is not dangerous, while also claiming that consumers will believe that the vodka is inherently unsafe for consumption." The judge found the BATF's behavior so egregious on other grounds that he did not consider the free-speech implications of banning the brand, except to say that "the government's prohibition of the 'Black Death Vodka' label strikes at the heart of the first amendment."

BATF out of hell

The plague known as the Black Death hit Britain in 1348 and killed one in three of the population.

PM's Black Death squad

But despite the string of impressive results Cavan are accumulating at present, they haven't been spared from criticism either with prominent pundit Joe Brolly describing their defensive style of play as the "black death".

BREFF NO DEATH RATTLE; Cavan U-21 v Donegal U-21, tonight, 7.30PM

The Black Death struck about 800 years later with similar force, killing 50 million Europeans between 1347 and 1351.

Ancient `Black Death` plague strain `could re-emerge in future`

It is believed that hundreds of Midland plague victims are buried in Aston and Halesowen after the Black Death struck there in May 1385 - eight months after it hit London.

PLAGUE PITS OF THE MIDLANDS; Historians claim more Black Death victims still to be uncovered

So what gives - what does it take for the Black Death to get a little respect these days?

Black Death still lingers

Sena's only other recent claim to fame is for making Swordfish with John Travolta and, funnily enough, there are plenty of swords in this witch-filled Black Death plague thriller.

Crusader Cage in a witch hunt thriller

The Roses of Eyam tells how the Derbyshire villagers quarantined themselves to prevent the spread of the Black Death, and is performed by the Louche Theatre in Aberystwyth.

Plague play heads to Wales

A US scientist studying the Black Death plague has died after catching the bug.

Plague kills prof