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This was the deadliest epidemic in human history, causing the deaths of up to 200 million people.
Now a study sheds new light on what life was like in Britain during the Black Death.
The researchers analyzed the remains of more than 400 people from the main cemetery of St John the Evangelist Hospital in Cambridge.
Their analysis reveals how the people buried there came from diverse backgrounds.
From a plague survivor called Watt to a woman named Eadgifu who died in childbirth, meet some of the “common” people of medieval Cambridge.
Researchers analyzed the remains of more than 400 humans from the main cemetery of St John the Evangelist Hospital in Cambridge
Based on their findings, the researchers launched a new website called “After The Plague,” which details the life stories of 16 residents. For example, a man named Watt survived the plague, and eventually died as an old man with cancer in a hospital (artist's impression).
Founded in 1195, St. John the Evangelist's Hospital housed about a dozen “poor and infirm” inmates at any given time.
the The hospital lasted for almost 300 years, before it was replaced by St John's College in 1511.
While the site was first excavated in 2010, until now little is known about the patients who lived there.
Now, scientists have combined structural, isotopic and genetic data in hopes of piecing together their lives.
Professor John Robb, who led the study, said: “Like all medieval cities, Cambridge was a sea of wants.”
“A few lucky poor people were given room and board in the hospital for life. The selection criteria were a combination of material want, local politics, and spiritual merit.
On average, hospital residents were an inch shorter than city residents, and were more susceptible to the effects of childhood trauma on their bones.
However, they also had lower rates of physical trauma, suggesting this Life in the hospital reduced physical Hardship or risk.
Based on their findings, the researchers launched a new website called “After The Plague,” which details the life stories of 16 residents.
St. John the Evangelist's Hospital was founded in 1195, and housed about a dozen “poor and infirm” inmates at a time
On average, hospital residents were an inch shorter than city residents, and were more likely to have marks on their bones from childhood trauma.
For example, a man named Watt survived the plague, eventually dying as an old man with cancer in a hospital.
Meanwhile, Anne's life suffered from repeated injuries, which left her limping with her short right leg.
“She is clearly what is sometimes called a ‘repetitive traumatizer’ — someone who experiences repeated injuries,” the researchers wrote on the website.
Edmund suffered from leprosy, but – contrary to stereotypes – he lived among ordinary people, and was buried in a wooden coffin.
Edjifu was a young woman who had come to the hospital from the nearby village of Hinton, and may have died during childbirth.
The team explained that when Eadgifu died, she was suffering from active inflammation within her sinuses and inside her nasal cavity.
“She also had a 36-40 week fetus, which was found in the abdominal area when her skeleton was excavated.
“It is not clear whether she died during childbirth, or died shortly before her birth.”
Edmund suffered from leprosy, but – contrary to stereotypes – he lived among ordinary people, and was buried in a wooden coffin.
The researchers hope their study will shed light on how poverty in the Middle Ages was not homogeneous, with the hospital helping people from different backgrounds.
“They chose to help a group of people,” the researchers added.
“This not only fulfilled their legal mission, but also provided instances to appeal to a range of donors and their sentiments: the pity aroused for poor and sick orphans, the spiritual benefit to benefactors of the support of pious scholars, and the reassurance that there was restorative help when prosperous, honest individuals, like the donor, had suffered.” Unfortunately.
If you would like to learn more about the medieval population of Cambridge, you can explore the website here.
(tags for translation) Daily Mail