The Black Death of the 14th Century The Black Death began in 1348, creating one of the most terrifying pandemics in human history. After devastating millions of people, the Black Death finally ended in 1350. It is believed to have originated in Central Asia, then spread throughout the Mediterranean area and Europe. Symptoms of the bubonic plague quickly spread across Europe, killing nearly a third of its population, causing a dramatic change in the religious, social, and economic lives of peasants. What is the Death Star? The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic that struck England in the 14th century. Bubonic plague is a disease that primarily affects fleas and other small rodents, such as rats. The Black Death was caused by fleas carried by rats, which were very common in cities (“The Black Death 1348 to 1350”). The fleas would then bite their victims, releasing the disease within them. The disease, known as the Black Death, is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (“The Plague”). Once the disease has entered the victim, symptoms such as the formation of buboes, or swollen lymph nodes, begin to appear under the arm, on the neck or in the groin area. Normally followed by fever, chills and muscle pain (“The Plague”). Other symptoms include an extremely unpleasant odor from all body fluids and gangrene of the fingers, toes, and nose. In the later stages, internal bleeding occurs and forms black spots under the skin. This is what gave it its name, Black Death (“The Black Death from 1348 to 1350”). Most victims will die three to four days after the infection begins. The reason it spread so quickly in towns and cities was because of the close proximity of people... middle of paper... the th plague." Blaming the Jews for the Black Death. Np, nd Web 21 March 2014. Hecker, JFC, BG Babington and John Caius. The Black Death in Fourteenth Century London: Schloss, 1833. Print. “Social Consequences of the Black Death in Medieval Europe.” nd Web. 21 March 2014. "The Black Death from 1348 to 1350". : The online reference book for medieval studies. 21 March 2014. "The Black Death". The plague: types, causes and symptoms. 2014.