Interesting piece on society & Church during #Black_Death !
Today, science is more developed than medieval Europe. When Great Pestilence took hold, physicians couldn't explain little.
And, they believed that it was Punishment from God, but for what ???
@DimpleAtra
@shri_v
Today, science is more developed than medieval Europe. When Great Pestilence took hold, physicians couldn't explain little.
And, they believed that it was Punishment from God, but for what ???
@DimpleAtra
@shri_v
Thousands of JEWS were killed for heresy. Beggars & Lepers were accused of uncleanliness & banished from communities. Most Theologians put the burden on LUST.
Thomas Brinton, Bishop of Rochester, 1373 wrote in a sermon, "today corruption of lechery... & sodomites... ".
Thomas Brinton, Bishop of Rochester, 1373 wrote in a sermon, "today corruption of lechery... & sodomites... ".
Another one, #Bernadino of Seina, 1380-1444, an Italian & Franciscan wrote lengthy sermons on how "God sends pestilence for sodomy "
He even blamed Sodomites for just about everything, including Storms & War. Led to persecution of Gay men in Florence.
@SurajPrSingh
@PhasistB
He even blamed Sodomites for just about everything, including Storms & War. Led to persecution of Gay men in Florence.
@SurajPrSingh
@PhasistB
15 years old Giovanni was its youngest victim. In 1365, he was found to be "a public & notorious passive sodomite" & sentenced to brutal & barbaric Death.
It wasn't just homosexuality, the
cast its net really wide. 1348, William of Eddington, Bishop of Winchester wrote that, " most likely explanation " was "human sensuality, fire which blazed from Adam's Sin... " provoking Divine anger to revenge


Others believed loose morals & revealing clothes responsible.
After 2nd outbreak in 1326, John of Reading, monk at Westminster Abbey wrote " and no wonder, given the empty headedness of the English... ".
Contrast : Ayurveda knew #krimi, both drsta & adrsta (visible & invisible)
After 2nd outbreak in 1326, John of Reading, monk at Westminster Abbey wrote " and no wonder, given the empty headedness of the English... ".
Contrast : Ayurveda knew #krimi, both drsta & adrsta (visible & invisible)
14th century Eulogium Historiarum author also believed Divine Retribution led to these pandemics. He says, " because people wantonly squander gifts of God in rage, pride, lechery & greed... Lord's vengeance will follow " !
Oh @Pontifex
Oh @Pontifex

to appease God & atone for sins. Fanatical religious group like the Shias in Islma arose in Europe. They walked from town to town, stripped to waist & whipping themselves in bloody frenzy & screaming for others to Repent. " lashed until blood flowed crowds wept, shouted Save Us"
Groups of 1000 marched half-naked whipped raw, moaning, praying. People watched, dipped their handkerchiefs in blood to save themselves.
Interestingly, this bizarre spectacle was erotic & actually helped spread the plague.
Interestingly, this bizarre spectacle was erotic & actually helped spread the plague.

Despite efforts by
to dissuade people from debauchery, it was impossible.
14 century Italian chronicler Agnolo di Tues writes, " no one could restrain himself from doing anyth " !
Lessons for today in yesterday's pandemic.
@virendrarathore
@prasannavishy

14 century Italian chronicler Agnolo di Tues writes, " no one could restrain himself from doing anyth " !
Lessons for today in yesterday's pandemic.
@virendrarathore
@prasannavishy
#Ranulf_Higden, a Benedictine monk despaired that "widows, as if degenerate & not restrained by any shame, took their husbands and foreigners, imbeciles & madmen" b
#MatteoVillani thought that plague will leave people pious & contrite but found the NATION rushed into LUST.
#MatteoVillani thought that plague will leave people pious & contrite but found the NATION rushed into LUST.
Things became such that in #Champfleur, France, 1393 a Papal official threatened to excommunicate anyone caught dancing, singing, partying or committing "unseemly acts" on the graves in cemetery.
Another myth was ' period of immense prosperity followed' !
Europe was devasted.
Another myth was ' period of immense prosperity followed' !
Europe was devasted.
Last major outbreak was the Great Plague of London, 1665.
contd to preach sinful behaviour brought pestilence.
But, now people believed that if you had #Syphilis, you couldn't have Plague.
Thomas Dekker, "sex workers were unafraid coz of their French Amulets (syphilis sores)

But, now people believed that if you had #Syphilis, you couldn't have Plague.
Thomas Dekker, "sex workers were unafraid coz of their French Amulets (syphilis sores)
