What was the Black Death?
The Black Death was an epidemic that permanently changed the face of medieval Europe. It killed more than one-quarter of the population, causing thousands of villages to be abandoned and subsequently to disappear.
The Black Death probably arrived in Europe from Central Asia by way of Mongol raiders. It first caused epidemics in Italy in 1347, spreading rapidly through the rest of Europe. The disease was spread by the bite of fleas from infected rats, but because its cause was not understood the infection raged unchecked. The resulting fear led to a great wave of religious hysteria. A shortage of manual workers led to the collapse of the long-established feudal system.
What was the Poll Tax?
The Poll Tax was one of the factors that led to a peasant revolt In England. At the same time similar revolts took place in other parts of Europe. The Poll Tax was introduced in England in 1381, and amounted to one whole week’s wages for a peasant. The revolt against this tax began in southeast England, and the peasants led by Wat Tyler marched on London to protest.
Although the young king Richard II eventually agreed to the peasants’ demands, Tyler was murdered and the revolt eventually collapsed. Similar revolts took place in France and in Flanders, but these were brutally crushed by the French army with a huge loss of life.
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