Plague spread much more quickly
in towns. In 1348-49 London was one of the largest towns in Europe. There
were problems in London which helped plague spread more rapidly than anywhere
else.Plague spread much more quickly
in towns. In 1348-49 London was one of the largest towns in Europe. There
were problems in London which helped plague spread more rapidly than anywhere
else.
The way the city was built helped the plague to spread. Everybody, rich and poor was crowded together. Usually a family slept in one room. Sometimes up to a dozen people would be asleep on a straw- covered mud floor. Animals slept with them too.
The black rats which spread the plague loved the filth and warmth of the ramshackle wooden houses crammed together inside the city walls.
The streets of London were very narrow. Black rats feasted on the city's rubbish which was often thrown out of windows, onto passers- by.