The Impact of the Black Death
History: KS3, topic 2.6.2
Impact of the Black Death
The plague killed a huge proportion of the population. It also led to food shortages (and higher food prices because of this). This made life even more difficult for the people who survived the Black Death.
Devastation
- 30-45% of the British population are estimated to have died from the Black Death.
- Whole towns were killed by the Black Death.
- The Church was harmed because lots of experienced priests died. New clergymen demanded higher wages.
Impact on peasants
- The Black Death killed lots of workers. Peasants asked for higher wages and moved around to earn higher wages.
- The cost of buying land fell because of the lower population and this allowed some peasants to buy land.
- The 1349 Ordinance of Labourers tried to stop peasants moving around so much.
- Some historians think these kinds of measures and the Black Death contributed to the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381.
The end of the Black Death?
- The worst of the Black Death was over by 1350.
- But plagues continued for centuries. The worst example was the Great Plague of 1665.
Test yourself on The Impact of the Black Death
What percentage of the British population is estimated to have died from the Black Death?
Which of the following about the impact of the Black Death are correct?