CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2023
YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO
THEBLACK
BL
DEATH
28 Everything you wanted to know about the Black Death Professor John Hatcher answers key questions about the devastating disease that decimated the medieval world
34 The shadow of death descends After arising in Asia in the mid-1340s, the Black Death went on to consume most of Europe
38 Living through the Black Death Discover how medieval society reacted to the plague – from widespread panic to the desertion of loved ones
41 Going into lockdown Quarantine was just one of many measures deployed in an attempt to restrict the spread of the deadly disease
44 Doctor’s orders Medieval physicians recommended a range of preventative measures and ‘cures’ – some more appetising than others
46 Punishment from on high An unshakeable conviction that the plague was a punishment from God had terrible consequences
48 Opinion Professor John Hatcher examines the legacy of the Black Death and the questions that remain unanswered
49 Get hooked Take your knowledge further with our pick of books, podcasts and radio programmes
28
G How did the Black Death gets its name and how did it spread? Our expert historical consultant reveals all
1
XIBRARY
LIES
STUD
LOCAL
, NEWCASTLE
X2
, ALAMY
12
XIMAGES
GETTY
FEATURES
24 9 things you (probably) didn’t know about London’s first Zeppelin raid How a German airship wreaked havoc over the city in May 1915
50 Top 10 status symbols A look at the bizarre array of items once flaunted by the rich and powerful – from tulips to pineapples
4 HISTORYEXTRA.COM
56 Great Paintings: The Piazzetta, Venice The secrets behind a dramatic watercolour by JMW Turner
58 Forgotten Newcastle Archive photographs charting Newcastle’s rich history
64 What if... Hannibal had captured Rome?
24
G London was a prime target for German-led Zeppelin raids during World War I