Who Can We Blame?

A common belief during the plague years -- a belief brought on by lack of education and medical knowledge --  was that the disease was a punishment from God for sins and disobedience. The only way to save oneself or one's family was to repent, although exactly what had to be done to prove this repentance was a mystery to everyone.

As always during times of crisis, there are those who go to extremes. The idea of flagellation -- beating oneself with whips, twigs, or other items -- as a way to atone for sins actually began in the 13th century in Italy. The practice gradually spread as groups of flagellants became more organized, and the sight of these groups parading through towns and exhorting the citizens to pray and do penance was common in parts of Europe. During the first wave of Black Death in England flagellation was practiced there as well, although not on a large scale (Kelly).

"The Flagellants", artwork, Nuremburg Chronicle (author - Hartmann Schedel)

The Jewish residents of the medieval world were always easy targets when tragedy, illness, or other catastrophes struck. In Mecca, they were blamed for the plague because they were "unbelievers" (Benedictow, book). In Europe, many believed that the plague was caused by poisoned water, attributed to Jews poisoning the wells of Christians (Benedictow, book). They were subjected to unspeakable tortures, including burning, beatings, and, in Germany, drowning in sealed barrels (Kelly). Europeans believed by exterminating the Jewish residents -- unbelievers, moneychangers and secret foes -- they would somehow appease their God and save themselves and their cities from the ravages of plague. 

Much to their dismay, they discovered that they were wrong.

"Burning of the Jews", artwork, Nuremburg Chronicle (author - Hartmann Schedel)