The persecution of Jews during the Black Death consisted of a series of violent mass attacks and massacres. Jewish communities were often blamed for outbreaks of the Black Death in Europe. From 1348 to 1351, acts of violence were committed in Toulon, Barcelona, Erfurt, Basel, Frankfurt, Strasbourg and elsewhere. The persecutions led to a large migration of Jews to Jagiellonian Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There are very few Jewish sources on Jewish massacres during the Plague.
Jews in Zurich, Switzerland, are accused of poisoning wells
The persecution of Jews during the Black Death consisted of a series of violent mass attacks and massacres. Jewish communities were often blamed for outbreaks of the Black Death in Europe.
Historical Significance
The persecution of Jews during the Black Death consisted of a series of violent mass attacks and massacres.
Events Before
Rienzo calls Rome for people's tribunal
Rienzo calls Rome for people's tribunal
Engagement of Count Louis of Male to Margaretha, daughter of Jan III
Engagement of Count Louis of Male to Margaretha, daughter of Jan III
Heir to the Bohemian throne elected German anti-king Charles IV
Charles IV (German: Karl IV.; Czech: Karel IV.; Latin: Carolus IV; also known as Charles of Luxembourg German: Karl von Luxemburg; Czech: Karel Lucemburský; Latin: Carolus Luxemburgensis;...
Cola di Rienzo, later Roman Tribunal, addresses a meeting of on the Capitol during people's revolt in Rome
Cola di Rienzo, later Roman Tribunal, addresses a meeting of on the Capitol during people's revolt in Rome
Pope Clement VI declares Roman tribunal Cola di Rienzo as heretics
Pope Clement VI declares Roman tribunal Cola di Rienzo as heretics
Events After
Black Death Massacre: Between 100 and 3,000 Jews are killed in Black Death riots in Erfurt, Germany; part of a wave of p
Black Death Massacre: Between 100 and 3,000 Jews are killed in Black Death riots in Erfurt, Germany; part of a wave of pogroms across Western Europe
Jews of the Free Imperial City of Nuremberg are massacred during Black Death riots, part of a wave of pogroms across Wes
Jews of the Free Imperial City of Nuremberg are massacred during Black Death riots, part of a wave of pogroms across Western Europe
Black Death Massacre: 700 Jews of Basel Switzerland, are burnt to death in a specially constructed building on suspicion
Black Death Massacre: 700 Jews of Basel Switzerland, are burnt to death in a specially constructed building on suspicion of poisoning the community during the Bubonic Plague; part of a wave of pogroms across Western Europe
Black Death Massacre: Jews (except pregnant women and children) are burnt to death on suspicion of poisoning the communi
Black Death Massacre: Jews (except pregnant women and children) are burnt to death on suspicion of poisoning the community during the Bubonic Plague, in Freiburg im Breisgau, Strasbourg; part of a wave of pogroms across Western Europe
Jews are expelled from Burgdorf, Switzerland, accused of spreading the Bubonic Plague
Jews are expelled from Burgdorf, Switzerland, accused of spreading the Bubonic Plague
More from the 1340s
Black Death Massacre: Between 100 and 3,000 Jews are killed in Black Death riots in Erfurt, Germany; part of a wave of p
Black Death Massacre: Between 100 and 3,000 Jews are killed in Black Death riots in Erfurt, Germany; part of a wave of pogroms across Western Europe
Papal bull of Pope Clement VI issued during the Black Death states Jews are not to blame and encourages their protection
Papal bull of Pope Clement VI issued during the Black Death states Jews are not to blame and encourages their protection
Battle of Crécy: Edward III's English longbows defeat Philip VI's army south of Calais in northern France; cannons are u
Battle of Crécy: Edward III's English longbows defeat Philip VI's army south of Calais in northern France; cannons are used for the first time in battle
Battle of Rio Salado (or Tarifa): King Afonso IV of Portugal and King Alfonso XI of Castile defeat Sultan Abu al-Hasan '
Battle of Rio Salado (or Tarifa): King Afonso IV of Portugal and King Alfonso XI of Castile defeat Sultan Abu al-Hasan 'Ali of Morocco and Yusuf I of Granada in the last Marinid invasion of the Iberian Peninsula
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on September 21, 1348?
- The persecution of Jews during the Black Death consisted of a series of violent mass attacks and massacres. Jewish communities were often blamed for outbreaks of the Black Death in Europe. From 1348 to 1351, acts of violence were committed in Toulon, Barcelona, Erfurt, Basel, Frankfurt, Strasbourg and elsewhere.
- Why is Jews in Zurich, Switzerland, are accused of poisoning wells significant?
- The persecution of Jews during the Black Death consisted of a series of violent mass attacks and massacres.