The Black Death of 1346

Year 7 have been delving into the Black Death of 1346, tracking the spread of the plague carried by fleas who hitched lifts from rats. They charted its origins in China and its spread by cargo ship across Europe. They were thrilled to hear the gory details of the buboes (swollen and inflamed lymph nodes) that appeared over the bodies of both serfs and noblemen alike. When examining the remedies that the doctors used, students were shocked to hear that rubbing chopped up snakes onto the buboes was tried by many as a cure - they felt strongly that they would have boycotted this cure! Thinking to the modern day, children drew connections between how the Black Death and COVID-19 has impacted society. They made brilliant links between the historic plague doctor’s outfits and the PEE worn by medics on the frontline today.

The children demonstrated their knowledge by writing a newspaper article.