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How did medieval people explain the cause of the Black Death?

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Medieval illustration of Brotherhood of the Cross flagellants in robes and pointed hats walking in procession, some carrying a crucifix and banners, during the Black Death. — Black Death Flagellants in the Netherlands scourging themselves in atonement, believing that the Black Death is a punishment from God for their sins, 1349.

During the Black Death, medical understanding was limited, and people primarily attributed the spread of the disease to "miasma," or foul-smelling air. This theory held that harmful vapors arising from decaying organic matter, sewage, or stagnant water caused an imbalance in the body's humours, leading to illness.12

Beyond these medical explanations, the pandemic had profound social and psychological consequences. In a climate of fear and desperation, antisemitism intensified significantly across Europe. Jewish communities were frequently scapegoated and blamed for the spread of the plague, resulting in horrific violence, including mass killings and pogroms. Additionally, as the Roman Catholic Church struggled to provide answers or salvation, many people turned toward mysticism in an attempt to comprehend or cope with the catastrophe.34