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The Black Death

Chapters

Chapter 1Preview
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17

The Black Death - Chapter 1 Preview

Origins of Nature

  • Natural Disasters in Houkouang and Honan (1337–1345):
    Unusual events struck, including drought, locust swarms, famine, and pestilence. An earthquake in Ki-Ming-Chan formed a large lake, while in Tche, the death toll reportedly exceeded five million. Earthquakes, floods, and highly destructive locusts persisted, accompanied by 'subterraneous thunder' in Canton. These were described as "mere curtain-raisers for the real calamity."

  • Early Theories on the Black Death’s Origins:
    One account attributes it to a war between the sea and the sun in the Indian Ocean. This conflict drew ocean water into a corrupted vapor, tainted by dead and rotting fish. Unable to be consumed by the sun or fall as healthy rain, this noxious mist drifted, contaminating all it touched. The Chronicler of Este offered a differing view on this "cloud of death," though details remain unspecified here.

  • Central Theme:
    The chapter foreshadows the book’s focus on terrified helplessness in the face of disaster.

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