Living with plague and pestilence

Following the Black Death, epidemic illness loomed large in late medieval Europe, as cities and communities were beset by recurrent outbreaks of plague and other epidemic illnesses. Drawing on remarkable manuscript and printed materials from the period, especially those held at Wellcome Collection, this talk explores the lived experience of plague and pestilence. People were dealing with illnesses that they could not cure or fully prevent, and their responses reflect anxiety, pragmatism and resilience.

The popularity of texts like the Ars moriendi (Art of Dying Well) demonstrates the preoccupation with death and the world to come, while plague advice manuals show the efforts of physicians and others to preserve life. Strategies to combat epidemic illness included appeals to saints and the use of magico-religious healing charms.

In this richly illustrated online talk, the Medeival specialist at the Wellcome Collection, Dr Elma Brenner devotes attention to responses to the deadly Sweating Sickness in London, and also considers the rich material culture of death and pestilence.