Introduction Thesis: Outline the main causes believed to have led to the Black Death in medieval and early modern England.

Point 1: Explain the role of trade and movement of people in spreading the disease.

'The Black Death spread rapidly through trade routes, especially along the Silk Road and from trading ports like Melcombe Regis and Dover.' Provenance: Historical trade records, 14th century.

Point 2: Analyse the influence of poor living conditions and hygiene.

'Overcrowded towns with unsanitary conditions facilitated the quick spread of the plague among the population.' Provenance: Contemporary accounts of medieval urban life.

Counter-argument: Outline alternative theories or factors, such as environmental or divine causes.

'Some believed the plague was a punishment from God or caused by astrological phenomena.' Provenance: Medieval religious writings and astrological charts.

Conclusion: Summarise the main causes and evaluate their relative importance.

Question: How did trade contribute to the spread of the Black Death?

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Trade routes allowed the disease to travel quickly across regions", "Trading ships and merchants acted as carriers", "Ports like Melcombe Regis and Dover were initial points of entry", "Trade increased contact between infected and uninfected populations" ], "model_answer": "Trade was crucial in spreading the Black Death because it facilitated the movement of infected rats, fleas, and humans along well-established routes, especially through ports and merchant ships." }

Question: Why did poor living conditions in towns help the Black Death spread faster?

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Crowded housing increased contact among residents", "Unsanitary environments allowed rats and fleas to thrive", "Lack of clean water and waste disposal worsened hygiene", ], "model_answer": "Poor living conditions, characterized by overcrowding and unsanitary waste, created an ideal environment for rats and fleas to multiply and transmit the plague, accelerating its spread." }

Question: How did environmental factors, such as climate and geography, influence the outbreak?

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Cold and damp weather increased rat populations", "Geographical conditions like crowded towns facilitated disease spread", "Environmental changes may have disrupted ecosystems, promoting fleas and rats" ], "model_answer": "Environmental factors like climate and geography contributed to the outbreak by creating conditions favorable for rats and fleas to thrive, thus increasing transmission opportunities." }

Question: How did medieval people perceive the causes of the Black Death? Compare divine punishment and natural explanations.

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Divine punishment was based on religious beliefs, seeing the plague as God's anger", "Natural causes included miasma theory and environmental factors", "Some believed astrology or planets caused the disease", "Different perspectives reflect medieval understanding of disease" ], "model_answer": "Medieval people often saw the Black Death as divine punishment for sins, while others believed it was caused by miasma or bad air, reflecting a range of religious and natural explanations of the time." }

Question: Why were trade routes especially significant in spreading the Black Death?

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Trade routes connected different regions and countries", "Merchants and ships unknowingly carried infected rats and fleas", "Ports served as entry points for the disease", "Trade facilitated the movement of people who could transmit the disease" ], "model_answer": "Trade routes were vital because they connected diverse regions, allowing infected rats, fleas, and humans to travel quickly and introduce the plague to new areas." }

Question: What environmental factors are thought to have contributed to the spread of the Black Death?

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Climate changes leading to colder and wetter weather", "Geography of urban areas with poor drainage", "Disruption of ecosystems increasing rat populations" ], "model_answer": "Environmental factors such as climate and urban geography created conditions that supported the proliferation of rats and fleas, aiding the spread of the plague." }

Question: How did human actions and environmental conditions each contribute to the spread of the Black Death? Compare their roles.

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Human behavior such as trade and overcrowding increased contact", "Environmental factors like climate influenced rat populations", "Both factors worked together to accelerate the spread" ], "model_answer": "Human actions like trade and urban living facilitated disease transmission, while environmental conditions created the ideal habitats for rats and fleas, both playing crucial roles in the outbreak." }

Question: Summarise the main causes of the Black Death as understood from the sources and evidence.

Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Trade routes and ships spreading infected rats and fleas", "Poor living conditions in towns", "Environmental factors like climate and geography", "Medieval beliefs about divine punishment" ], "model_answer": "The main causes of the Black Death included trade-related spread, poor urban hygiene, environmental conditions that favored rats and fleas, and contemporary beliefs viewing it as divine punishment." }