Plagues2

==**​WHAT PLAGUES STRUCK ENGLAND AROUND THE TIME OF SHAKESPEARE? HOW WERE THE PLAGUES DEALT WITH? WHAT EFFECTS DID THE PLAGUES HAVE?** ==

 Answer Prepared by Simon E.
 The most devastating plague that struck England during the time of Shakespeare was the Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague. According to “The Black Death,” published on the eyewitness history website, Giovanni Boccacio explains that The Black Death was spread through Europe through rats, parasites, and humans. The disease spread because of the unsanitary conditions in England.

The sanitation in London was terrible and the living conditions were filthy. Many people disregarded the proper way to dispose of waste. So, they just threw it on the ground. In “The Black Death Bubonic Plague during the Elizabethan Era,” published on the William Shakespeare Info website stated there was a huge lack of a structured sewage system in London. All of the waste was excreted into The River Thames. Thus, the city was a breeding ground for many diseases.

 The symptoms of the Black Death were horrid. At the start you would have a headache with vomiting. Then swellings would appear everywhere on the body. These swellings would bleed internally and excrete blood and pus. In “The Black Death Bubonic Plague during the Elizabethan Era,” published on the William Shakespeare Info website stated it was called The Black Death because of the large black swellings that would appear on your body.

 The Bubonic Plague was dealt with in many different ways. Isolating the sick became an official policy in most towns and cities. Doctor often told patients to seek protection from God. Doctors also recommended the wearing of charms as preventatives.

30-70 million people died from the Bubonic Plague. The plague affected much of the growth in Europe and backtracked them. It killed over half of the population on England and started a huge reform in public health. Many European nations suffered from the plague. Consequently ruining their economies because they were unable to work.

The Black Death had an impact on English because of the huge population it affected. It helped create reform in the medical world by improving the public health and sanitation. Many programs were started in Europe to transform the sewers and refuse disposement.

 Below is a three part documentary on the Black Death http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3h6FvOro0 [] []

Below is a link to information on the Black Death http://www.william-shakespeare.info/bubonic-black-plague-elizabethan-era.htm

Below is a map showing where the Black Death spread and through which trade routes. http://www.ucalgary.ca/HIST/tutor/imagemid/blackdeath.gif

Works Cited ** Biel, Timothy. //The Black Death//. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1989. Print. Boccaccio, Giovanni. "The Black Death, 1348." 1983: n. pag. Web. 31 Mar 2010. []. Dunn, John. //Life During the Black Death//. San Diego: Lucent Books, 2000. 1-81. Print. Murray, John. //Elizabethan England//. London: Andy Harmsworth, 1999. Print. The British Library Board,. "Investigation: Why did the English fleet defeat the Spanish Armada? ." 2010: n. pag. Web. 11 Apr 2010. []. Thomas, Heather. "The Spanish Armada." 2010: n. pag. Web. 31 Mar 2010. []. William Shakespeare info,. " The Black Death Bubonic Plague during the Elizabethan Era ." //Picture depicting life during the Elizabethan Black Death or the Bubonic Plague// 2005: n. pag. Web. 11 Apr 2010. []. Wright, Louis. //Shakespeare's England//. New York City: American Heritage Publishing Co., 1964. Print.