The 'Light Touch' of the Black Death in the Southern Netherlands: An Urban Trick?

Description

While parts of Europe took centuries to replenish populations to their pre-plague level after the shock of the Black Death of 1348-52, the Low Countries had a rapid demographic recovery. Part of the explanation has been linked to a persistent idea that the Low Countries were ‘lightly touched’ by the plague during the Middle Ages. This paper suggests, however, that this notion has been established on the back of a research bias towards the cities: cities which were replenished quickly after plagues by inward migration, disguising mortality. We suggest the best indicator of true mortality effects come from the countryside.

Period	5 Jul 2017
Event title	International Medieval Congress
Event type	Conference
Location	Leeds, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International