From 1348 to 1350 Europe was devastated by an epidemic that left between one third and one half of the population dead. This collection of sources traces through contemporary writings the calamitous impact of the Black Death in Europe, with particular emphasis on its spread across England from 1348 to 1349. Rosemary Horrox surveys contemporary responses to the plague. The almost universal belief that it was an expression of divine anger at the sins of humankind did not preclude the attempts to explain the epidemic in scientific and medical terms or to look for human scapegoats. The sources included in the book trace the social and psychological impact of the plague, and its effects on the late-medieval economy and illustrate the fear that spread with the disease as well as the diverse ways that such terror influenced social behavior. Part One focuses on narrative accounts of the plague in Continental Europe and in the British Isles. Part Two examines explanations and responses to the plague, including religious and scientific. Part Three deals with the extraordinary consequences of the plague, its impact and repercussions. Finally the text ends with excellent and up-to-date suggestions for further reading. Dr. Horrox's text is the most extensive collection of relevant sources in translation and is an invaluable addition to the field. This book should be a part of the personal collection of every student of the Medieval period.