For many years, as long as I can remember, there have been numerous articles online about the Black Death and how it was spread in mediaeval Europe. There have been myths and inaccuracies and I for one have been responsible for some inaccuracies. However, it seems that gradually we are better understanding one of the deadliest pandemics in human history which wiped out vast numbers of Europeans in the fourteenth century.
Estonian shipwreck
Another step in this process, is the discovery in 2022 of two ship rats preserved in tar after a barrel of tar was poured over them. The organic material of the rats can be analysed and it is extraordinary that after so long that this is possible. The rats were in a shipwreck excavated in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia during construction work. It is believed that the ship is a 13th-century Hanseatic cog, part of the Hanseatic League which was a trading network.
The researchers hope to analyse bacterium inside the rats relating to the bubonic plague. If that is the case, they will be able to confirm the variant of the bacterium responsible for this infamous pandemic.
They hope that they have found “a potential candidate for the Black Death carrier”. They’ve analysed the rats’ hair and stomach contents. They hope to discover more about the sailors’ diets.
The discovery is revealed in the second episode of the Channel 4 series Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World. It will be aired on April 13.
Below are some more details about the transmission of the bubonic plague. It was believed initially that cats contributed to it but modern science has decided that humans contributed to the spread of the disease far more so than was previously thought on my understanding.
Tell me how it is now believed that humans spread the Black Death in the 14th century
The Black Death, a devastating pandemic that ravaged Europe between 1347 and 1351, is widely attributed to the bacterium Yersinia pestis. This pathogen caused the plague, leading to immense loss of life during that period. Here’s how it is now believed that humans played a crucial role in spreading the disease:
Origin and Transmission:
The Black Death originated in China and Central Asia.
In 1347, a Eurasian army attacked a trading port in Crimea.
To spread the infection, the army catapulted plague-infested corpses into the town.
Trade Routes and Shipping Lanes:
The disease spread along active trade routes established by northern Italian and Flemish merchants.
London and Bruges further transmitted the disease via busy shipping lanes to the Nordic countries and the Baltic region, facilitated by the Hanseatic League trading partnership.
Human Interactions and Fleas:
Contrary to popular belief, rats were not the primary carriers of the plague.
Humans played a critical role in its transmission.
Infected fleas, which parasitized both rats and other small rodents, transferred the bacterium to humans when they bit them.
In summary, while rats were part of the narrative, it was human mobility, trade networks, and interactions that allowed the Black Death to spread across Europe, leaving an indelible mark on history.
RELATED: Rat flea confirmed in DNA testing of human skeletons as cause of the 1665 Great Plague of London
Tell me how cats were blamed for the Black Death and how they were killed
The notion that cats were responsible for spreading the Black Death during the Middle Ages has been a topic of historical debate. Let’s delve into the fascinating details:
Origins of the Myth:
According to European folklore, black cats were associated with misfortune and often linked to witches as their familiars.
In the 13th century, Pope Gregory IX wrote a document called “Vox in Rama”, which targeted heretics in Germany. These heretics were accused of devil worship and engaging in specific rituals.
The decretal described a ritual where a black cat, about the size of an average dog, descended backward from a statue. Novices, masters, and other members of the cult would kiss the cat on its hindquarters.
Mass Cat Killings?
The myth claims that during the Middle Ages, cats were considered Satanic and evil due to this papal decree.
However, this story emerged in the late 1990s, not the mid-1200s.
There is no evidence of mass cat killings orchestrated by the Catholic Church during the Black Death.
In reality, cats were occasionally killed, but the idea of a massive pogrom leading to the spread of the plague is pure fantasy.
Cat’s Pest Control Role:
Cats are natural predators of rats.
Had their population not decreased due to any killings, more cats could have helped control rat numbers.
Fewer rats might have mitigated the impact of the Black Death, which was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis transmitted by fleas.
The Real Culprits:
The primary vectors for the plague were fleas, which infested both rats and humans.
The disease spread person-to-person via fleas and lice.
While cats can transmit plague to humans through bites or scratches, they were not the main culprits in the Black Death.
In summary, while cats were not directly responsible for the Black Death, their role in controlling rat populations could have influenced the course of history. The myth of mass cat killings remains intriguing but lacks historical accuracy.
RELATED: Gerbils caused the Black Death, neither rats nor cats!
