The Black Death and the Medieval Family

While it is impossible to determine the real number of fatalities that occurred in Europe, many town records reflect the almost unfathomable losses. In 1467, Moscow lost 127,000 people. In 1348 in Leubeck, Germany chroniclers report that 90,000 inhabitants died, and that on one day there were 1500 deaths. In Vienna the daily deaths were between 500 and 700 deaths. From the Russian town Smolensk, there remained 5 survivors in the year 1386. This widespread depopulation of Europe directly affected the family in several ways. First of all the plague was unbiased and both aristocratic and peasant families were touched by death and the aftereffects of the plague. Many wealthy ancient families were completely obliterated, while many peasant families became landed gentry. Perhaps, one of the greatest shifts in society occurred with the resulting labor shortage. With fewer people to fill needed services, wages rose and surviving peasants were able to increase their holding by buying vacant land. Higher wages and the opportunity for the peasant class to shed their poverty led to the elimination of serfdom. The whole ancient manorial/serfdom way of life ceased to exist in most communities throughout Europe. As peasants moved into a more comfortable life they found it easier to maintain larger families and provide better dowries for their daughters.

Living conditions and the size of homes dramatically improved as a result of surviving plague victims becoming more affluent. No longer was a majority of the peasant population living in one room homes. More homes had two distinct rooms. The fireplace, which had been in the center of the room, was moved to a a wall where it was ventilated better. The stability of homes improved as more homes were plastered or built from stone. Medieval illuminations portray homes with an increase in furnishings and decorations.

Decreased life expectancies also had a large impact on structure and marriage practices. During the thirteenth century the average life expectancy had been between 35 and 40 years. During the plague-ridden 14th century the average life expectancy dropped to below 20 years. This led to major alterations in marriages. Although marriage continued to happen regularly, there were some marked differences in the marriage market. The average age at marriage drastically decreased. The gentry, as well as the peasant families were desperate to produce heirs (many of the would be heirs having died during one or more bouts of the plague). At the end

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