When the Black Death hit Europe in 1346, it left millions dead. We know now that the pestilence that ravaged Europe was likely caused by fleas that travelled on rats, likely from Asia. There are also three forms of plague, so scholars still debate the exact origins of the disease.

The people blamed by some Christians for the death of Christ were easy targets for those who wanted someone to blame. The people living in Medieval Europe did not have our modern understanding of how the disease worked and spread. The unfortunate scapegoat in some communities was the Jewish people living among them. Others believed that the plague was a punishment for sin.

Specifically sexual sin. For many people, it was seen as God’s punishment for sinful people. And while some sought the refuge of the Church and prayer, others took a more sensual approach to deal with the perceived end of the world.

Sexual Sins in the Medieval World

In Medieval thinking, several forms of sexual sins were seen as reasons for God’s anger. First was sex out of wedlock. For many church leaders, sex was something married couples should do, and even then, only for reproduction.

However, extramarital affairs were all too common. Illegitimate children could be found in cities and small villages all over Europe. However, extramarital affairs were all too common. The church often turned a blind eye to these relationships and common law marriages unless it caused issues regarding inheritance. It was more an issue for the nobility when legitimacy helped to choose who had the right to rule.

Though there was the risk of disease, unwanted pregnancy, and possible acts of violence, most communities tolerated them. Prostitution was also seen as a necessary evil in this period. Young men often needed an outlet for their sexual needs, and if they did not have a steady partner, ladies of the evening were a viable option. In a world where acts of rape were a genuine concern, many church leaders saw visiting a brothel as a better alternative.

Possibly one of the worst sins for a man living in the Medival period was to be accused of sodomy. By definition, sodomy refers to any sexual act that is not vaginal intercourse. Most accusations in this time period referred to specifically homosexual acts. While the people of the Medival world did not have clear definitions of homosexual and heterosexual, acts between two men were highly taboo. The punishment for these “devious acts” could include castration or death.

When the Black Death arrived, many church leaders saw that many communities struck by the plague had issues regarding sexual sin. These places were often port cities, where lonely sailors often sought companionship after long stretches at sea, and wealthy merchants enjoyed the benefits of their gains. Therefore, God must have been punishing them for their hedonistic ways.

Seeking Repentance

With the belief that the sinfulness of society was to blame for the plague, people sought a way to regain God’s favor. Many people turned to the church and made huge donations and contributions in hopes of saving their souls. They would also pay for special prayers for departed loved ones at Mass to ease their stay in purgatory.

Some groups attempted to do penance in this world to make up for the sins of society. Groups like the flagellants traveled the countryside, whipping themselves and shouting prayers for the people’s souls.

Religion has always been a source of comfort for people. Even in the COVID pandemic, many people turned to their faith to overcome difficult times. Prayers of thanks for a person who was spared the effects of the plague or made a recovery. Those who did not survive could enjoy a better afterlife.

Some Turn to Hedonism

While some members of society turned towards the spiritual world for comfort, others turned to more earthly comforts. Boccaccio, the famous author of the Decameron, recounted how people did only what gave them pleasure. Drunkenness and sexual promiscuity were common in some communities.

Like the characters in Boccaccio’s work, many people were treated to country estates and shut themselves indoors. Stocked with food, drink, friends, and entertainment, they planned to ride out the plague. Some groups had success with this plan. Others, like a scene from a zombie-apocalypse movie, found themselves trapped with the infected.

There were even accounts of people having sex in graveyards. This was seen as a way of laughing in the face of death, by doing the activity that can create life. Orgies and prostitutes were not uncommon in these places. It became such a problem that Papal officials threatened these fornicators with fines or ex-communication.

Another side effect of the plague was the rise of brothels in many communities. While doctors did not know the cause of the disease, some believed that strenuous activities like sex could cause patients to be exposed to harmful air. This prescription caused many young men to have a lot of pent-up energy and urges.

With a diminished workforce due to the high death rates, some communities considered brothels a significant source of income. Young men could work off their sexual urges and reduce unrest in the community. The rise of prostitution may have saved the population of Europe, as these sex workers did not have birth control like we do today. With the high death rate, the children of these encounters helped repopulate their communities.

A side effect of society turning a blind eye to prostitution was increased venereal disease. There was a belief that if one already had the pox (syphilis), you were immune to the plague. As a result, prostitutes thought they were safe, and people clamored to get an STI to prevent the plague. Of course, this theory was false and did more to spread STIs than fight the epidemic.

Changes in Society

The Black Death settled down by 1353 in Europe. Though there would be sporadic outbreaks over the following centuries, better medical knowledge and social changes helped to decrease the devastation to society. The plague also had long-lasting effects on European culture.

Many cities, such as London, dealt with periods of lawlessness. The crime was common with depopulation and people too ill-stricken to protect their property. The relationship between the upper and lower classes changed as workers demanded more wages for their labor. The societal shifts led to the end of the feudal system as the nobility had to figure out a new system to work with the lower classes.

However, there was a major moral shift in societies affected by the plague. With the proximity of death, people began to focus more on the Earthly world and less on the spiritual. While religion was still an essential part of life, the idea of enjoying one’s time on Earth became popular. There was a moral shift, and the Rennaissance saw a loosening of morals regarding sex and sexuality.

The Black Death was a turning point in Western society. It not only changed the way people thought about religion but also the world they lived in. While the church still spoke out against premarital sex and other sexual sins, many in society took a more worldly view on sex. In a way, the Black Death ushered in an early sexual revolution.

Citations

Boccaccio, Giovanni. The Decameron. AMS Press, 1967.

Otis-Cour, Leah. Prostitution in Medieval Society: The History of an Urban Institution in Languedoc. ACLS History E-Book Project, 2005.

Taylor, Gordon Rattray. Sex in History. Harper & Row, Publishers, 1973.

*This article is a submission for our Medieval Writing Challenge!