In 1348, a terrible enemy came to Europe, and his name was - the plague. The people called the disease "black death" because of the stains that appeared on the faces of patients. But the plague not only disfigured human faces - it changed the face of Europe.
As a result of the plague, the population of Europe decreased by one third, and in some regions by 50%. Entire counties died out in England. A grand epidemic exacerbated social contradictions to the limit, Jacquerie in France and the revolt of Wat Tyler - its indirect results.
Plague in Russia
It cannot be said that the epidemic did not affect Russia at all. She arrived there a little later than in Europe - in 1352. The first victim was Pskov, where the plague was brought from Lithuania. The picture of the disaster did not differ much from what was happening in Western Europe: both men and women of all ages and estates died, they put 3 or even 5 corpses in one coffin - and still they did not have time to bury the dead.
At the request of the Pskovites, a bishop came to the city from Novgorod and held a procession. On the way back, he also fell ill with the plague and died. Many Novgorodians came to St. Sophia Cathedral to say goodbye to the deceased bishop - and an epidemic also broke out in this city.
Subsequently, the plague struck several other cities, including Moscow. Her victim was the prince of Moscow and the great prince of Vladimir Simeon the Proud, as well as his two young sons - Ivan and Simeon.
And yet, comparing the scale of the catastrophe in Russia and in Europe, it is impossible not to notice that Russia suffered to a lesser extent. Someone may see in this God's blessing for Holy Russia, but there were more material reasons.
