Black Death in Spain

The Black Death (la gran mortaldat) was present in the states of present-day Spain between 1348 and 1350.[1][2] In the 14th-century, present-day Spain was composed of the Kingdoms of Aragon, Castile and Navarre, and the Emirate of Granada.

1346-1353 spread of the Black Death in Europe map

Of the countries on the Iberian Peninsula, the Black Death is well documented and researched in Navarre and particularly in Aragon - which was famous for the chronicle of Peter IV - but less documented in Castile, Portugal and Granada.

The Black Death in Navarre has been subjected to the research of Maurice Berthe, among others. It had a severe effect on the country, as Navarre was already recovering from a severe famine when the plague arrived. About 50 percent of the population are estimated to have died.[1]

Aragon
Jaume Mateu - Peter IV the Ceremonious, who wrote a chronicle about the Black Death in Aragon.

The Black Death in Aragon is described by contemporary witnesses, such as in the chronicle of Peter IV of Aragon, and has been subjected to thorough research which has demonstrated the effect the plague could have on a society. The bubonic plague pandemic known as the Black Death reached Aragon in the spring of 1348, and lasted a year. [1] It interrupted the civil war which took place at the time, when the king was able to convince the rebels by whom he was captive to release him as they would otherwise endanger his life because of the migration of the plague. The collapse of the administration and social order lasted for several years and resulted a break down of law an order, widespread criminality, repression from the nobility and rebellions during the following century.[1]

Castile

The Black Death in Castile are not as well researched or documented as in Aragon and Navarre. It caused the death of king Alfonso XI of Castile in the middle of his warfare against Muslim Andalusia.[1]

References
  1. Harrison, Dick, Stora döden: den värsta katastrof som drabbat Europa, Ordfront, Stockholm, 2000 ISBN 91-7324-752-9
  2. "Economic effects of the Black Death: Spain in European perspective | Investigaciones de Historia Económica" (in Spanish). doi:10.33231/j.ihe.2020.10.001. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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