Ring Around the RosieThe years 1348 to 1350 were an extremely horrible and miserable period in the history of our world. During this period, one of the most devastating pandemics in history struck half the planet with a deadly and increasingly intense blow. It has been responsible for more than 75 million deaths, including 20 million in Europe alone. Among the countries in Europe hardest hit by death rates and the economic downturn, England was among them. This serious disease which marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern era is known as the Black Death. Many wondered what the true cause of the Black Death was and how it had spread across the world in such a short time. time. Throughout this period, many medical and scientific authorities sought to give rational explanations for why the plague was spreading and believed that it was caused by several factors such as: "corrupted air and water , hot and humid southern winds, proximity to swamps, lack of purifying sun, excrement and other filth, putrid decomposition of corpses, excessive indulgence in food (especially fruits), wrath of God, punishment of sins and the conjunction of the stars and planets” (Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence). The confusion and lack of scientific knowledge about this harmful disease has caused a lot of panic and triggered many epidemics among individuals. Many people began to quarantine cities and ships, burn sulfur to purify stale air, burn clothing, and even accuse and kill Jews in hopes of finding a cure or at least to stop the spread. It is now scientifically proven that the Black Death originated in the arid central plains...... middle of paper ......a Inc., 2014. Web. March 17. 2014Burns, William E. “Britain in the Late Middle Ages, 1272-1529.” A Brief History of Britain, A Brief History. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2010. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE53&iPin=BHGBR05&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 25, 2014). Kohn, George Childs. "Black Death." Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence: From Antiquity to the Present, Third Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Ancient and Medieval History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE49&iPin=ENPP046&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 25, 2014). “The Black Death”. Eras of the world. Ed. Norman J. Wilson. Flight. 1: European Renaissance and Reformation, 1350-1600. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. 435-438. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. March 26. 2014.