Understanding Late Medieval Europe: Society, Health and Trade

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Late Medieval Europe was a very different time from what Europe is today. It was a time where social mobility was unthinkable; people lived in fear of their creator, and were always trying to please their creator. In addition, Medieval Europe was an unhealthy and unhygienic state, where sickness and disease was rampant. It was a place where women had little to no rights, and minority groups were frequently falsely accused of many problems that were out of their control. For example, they were blamed for drought, which usually resulted in their unjust persecution because they “angered” God. Overall, Europe was the last place one would want to live unless you were of the nobility. On the other hand, Europe was also a major trading power, engaging …show more content…

But, what about the enemy that they could not see; the enemy that would plummet Medieval Europe into an age of darkness and, ultimately, death? The Bubonic Plague was a pivotal moment for Europe, bringing forth a new era of social mobility, thought, and artistic expression, leading to the Renaissance. This is very evident, as one looks farther into the supply and demand of labour, the altering perspective of the church, and the new movement in artwork. One of the major effects of the Bubonic Plague was the immense death that occurred, especially of the lower classes. This complete resetting of society is what would lead to social mobility of the poorer classes. For instance, one could think of the situation in terms of supply and demand. Before the Plague, …show more content…

Had it not been for the Plague, society would be a very different place; who knows, feudalism may still have existed today. Similarly, thinking may not have changed, and society could still believe in theocracies where the Church would have ultimate power over the people. Being that the Plague did happen, an alternate outcome is something that one must not worry about. Making the Plague the reason society, in general, is the way it is today. Granted, the Plague was one of the greatest tragedies to happen to Western society it, at the same time, was one of the greatest turning points. The Plague allowed Europe to rise to where it is today and making Western society the major power it is

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