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Foreword
Preface
Maps and Illustrations
PART ONE
Introduction: The Black Death in History
The Black Death as Historical Event
Historical Significance of the Black Death
Studying Medieval Sources
PART TWO
The Documents
1. Setting the Scene: External Pressure and Domestic Turmoil
1. Nicephorus Gregoras, Byzantine History, ca. 1359
2. Abu Hafs cUmar Ibn al-Wardi, Essay on the Report of the Pestilence, ca. 1348
3. Giovanni Villani, Chronicle, ca. 1348
4. Louis Sanctus, Letter, April 27, 1348
2. Symptoms and Transmission
5. Michele da Piazza, Chronicle, 1347–1361
6. Giovanni Boccaccio, Introduction to The Decameron, 1349–1351
7. Louis Sanctus, Letter, April 27, 1348
8. John VI Kantakouzenos, History, 1367–1369
9. Abu Ja‘far Ahmad Ibn Khatima, Description and Remedy for Escaping the Plague, February 1349
3. Medical Responses
10. Medical Faculty of the University of Paris, Consultation, October 6, 1348
11. Alfonso de Córdoba, Letter and Regimen concerning the Pestilence, ca. 1348
12. Gentile Da Foligno, Short Casebook, 1348
13. Jacme d’Agramont, Regimen of Protection against Epidemics, April 24, 1348
14. Abu Jacfar Ahmad Ibn Khatima, Description and Remedy for Escaping the Plague, February 1349
15. Gui de Chauliac, Great Surgery, 1363
4. Societal and Economic Impact
16. Francesco Petrarch, Letters on Familiar Matters, May 1349
17. Giovanni Boccaccio, Introduction to The Decameron, 1349–1351
18. Agnolo di Tura, Sienese Chronicle, 1348–1351
19. Jean de Venette, Chronicle, ca. 1359–1360
20. Ahmad Ibn cAli al-Maqrizi, A History of the Ayyubids and Mamluks, 15th Century
21. City Council of Siena, Ordinance, May 1349
22. The Córtes of Castile, Ordinance, 1351
23. Wiltshire, England, Assize Roll of Labor Offenders, June 11, 1352
5. Religious Mentalities
24. Gabriele de Mussis, History of the Plague, 1348
25. Michele da Piazza, Chronicle, 1347–1361
26. Simon Islip, Archbishop of Canterbury, Effrenata (Unbridled), May 28, 1350
27. Hamo Hethe, Bishop of Rochester, and Thomas de Lisle, Bishop of Ely, Post-Plague Parish Poverty, July 1, 1349, and September 20, 1349
28. Libertus of Monte Feche, Last Will and Testament, September 21, 1348
29. cImad al-Din Abu ’l-Fida’ Ismacil b. cUmar Ibn Kathir, The Beginning and End: On History, ca. 1350–1351
30. Abu Hafs cUmar Ibn al-Wardi, Essay on the Report of the Pestilence, ca. 1348
31. Lisan al-Din Ibn al-Khatib, A Very Useful Inquiry into the Horrible Sickness, 1349–1352
6. The Plague Psyche
The Flagellants
32. A Middle Dutch Flagellant Scroll, 1349
33. Heinrich of Herford, Book of Memorable Matters, ca. 1349-1355
34. Fritsche Closener, Chronicle, 1360-1362
35. Gilles li Muisis, Chronicle, 1350
36. Jean de Fayt, Sermon on the Flagellants, October 5, 1349
The Poison Conspiracy
37. Andre Benedict, Letter to the Jurors of Gerona
38. Replies to Strasbourgs Interrogatory about the Jews, November 1348-January 1349
39. Mathias of Neuenburg, Chronicle, ca. 1349-1350
40. Konrad of Megenberg, Concerning the Mortality in Germany, ca. 1350
41. Pope Clement VI, Sicut Judeis (Mandate to Protect the Jews), October 1, 1348
7. Environmental Explanations and Responses
42. Gabriele De Mussis, History of the Disease or Mortality of 1348, 1348-1356
43. Jacme d’Agramont, Regimen of Protection against Epidemics, April 24, 1348
44. Konrad of Megenberg, Concerning the Mortality in Germany, ca. 1350
45. City and Commune of Pistoia, May 2-23, 1348
8. The Artistic Response
St. Sebastian and St. Roch
46. Sandro Botticelli, St. Sebastian, 1474
47. Josse Lieferinxe, St. Sebastian Intercedes during the Plague in Pavia, c. 1497-99
48. Bartolomeo Della Gatta, St. Roch in front of the Fraternita dei Laici in Arrezo, c. 1479
49. St. Roch, German Woodcut, ca. 1480
The Dance of Death
50. The Great Chronicle of France, ca. 1348
51. John Lydgate, The Dance of Death, ca. 1430
52. Death as Chess Player, St. Andrew’s Church, Norwich, ca. 1500
Transi Tombs
53. François de la Sarra, Tomb at La Sarraz, Switzerland, ca. 1390
54. Archbishop Henry Chichele, Tomb at Canterbury Cathedral, ca. 1425
55. A Disputacioun betwyx the Body and Wormes, ca. 1450
APPENDIXES
A Chronology of the Black Death (1347 – 1363)
Questions for Consideration
Selected Bibliography
Index