The Plague in France

- as chronicled by Friar Jean de Venette

(d.1369)

Relevance of Jean de Venette

A Carmelite friar – member of the Church and thus reliable commentator

A witness of the plague in France (he died in 1369)

Assessed social impact of the plague

In the Chronicle, Venette: Refers to the 1348 outbreak of pestilence in

France and elsewhere

Reports seeing a large, stationary bright star, west of Paris, beaming rays to Paris. Star portends epidemic.

Mentions high mortality, widespread acceptance of faith, wealth of church, degeneration of social values

Impact of the pestilence: Fatality and populace

Lumps erupting in armpits, groin – sign of death High mortality in France through 1348 -1349 Over 500 bodies a day taken in carts from Hôtel-

Dieu, Paris, to the cemetery of the Holy Innocents

Plague path - originated in land of infidels to ravage Italy, Avignon, Gascony, Spain, France and Germany

Many villages and town houses stripped of their inhabitants and heirs

Impact of the pestilence: Religion

No one died without a confession or receiving the last sacrament. Pope even gave confessors power to absolve sins of dying.

Dying bequeathed land and goods to Church, in absence of living heirs.

Jews accused of poisoning water sources, air - causing sudden deaths.

Jews persecuted, burnt alive. Jewish mothers threw their children into these fires, fearing forceful baptism, then jumped in too.

Wicked Christians contaminated water, too.

Post epidemic High birth rate. Twins and even living triplets born Children cut just 20 or 22 teeth Society turns greedy and quarrelsome Wrongdoing, sin and ignorance flourish Inflation despite abundant resources Enemies of the king of France and Church

stronger than ever Charity grows cold No spread of education, Latin. Very few educated

persons alive

Bibliography

 Horrox, Rosemary. "Jean De Venette." The Black Death. 54-58. Print.

 "Plague in France." Google.com/images. 5 Nov. 2011. Web