WASHMUN IX 1348 Europe: The Plague

Chaired by: Camila Anderson and Eleanor

Holtzapple

Welcome delegates!

My name’s Eleanor Holtzapple and I’m currently a junior at Washington-Lee High School. I’ve

participated in MUN on-and-off for two years, and I’ve done one year of admin for the PAMUN

conference at the American School of Paris. Aside from MUN, I’m a part of Romanian

Children’s Relief and Ultimate Frisbee. My co-chair and I are excited to be able to be a part of

the 1348 Europe committee with you this WASHMUN. It’s an unconventional committee, but

there is a lot of policy that can be discussed, and we look forward to see what resolutions and

papers you all come up with. One important thing to remember: make sure you represent the

views that your delegation would have had! This might mean having some ideas or solutions that

sound ridiculous to a modern ear, but they would make perfect sense in the 14th century.

Feel free to email me with any questions you might have!

Eleanor Holtzapple

elmholtzapple@gmail.com

Dear Delegates,

My name is Camila Anderson and I am a junior here at Washington Lee High School. I’ve been

a part of MUN since my freshman year of high school and have attended conferences both

overseas and at high schools here in Northern Virginia. Both my co-chair and I are excited to

welcome you to WASHMUN 2018 and look forward to seeing delegates debate the issues

surrounding 1348 Europe. This committee is full of dire and pressing challenges that delegates

will have to face, so we encourage you to do research beyond the background guide. If you have

any issues you can email me or my co-chair.

We look forward to seeing you!

Camila Anderson

thecatlikespie@gmail.com

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mailto:elmholtzapple@gmail.commailto:thecatlikespie@gmail.com

Topic Overviews

Prevention of the Bubonic Plague

The year is 1346. A mysterious plague sweeps across the continent, killing almost everyone it

touches. This is the bubonic plague, one of the most devastating epidemics in the history of the

human race. Leaders and commoners alike have gathered together to discuss how to prevent the

spread of the plague and how to treat it. Due to the lack of twenty-first century medicine we take

for granted today, how will the people of medieval Europe halt the progress of the deadliest

pandemic they have ever known?

Treatment of the Bubonic Plague

The sickness not only needs to be stopped from spreading but cured. No one is safe from the

plague. Different doctors of different backgrounds all offer their expert medical advice, but how

will monarchs know what is truth from fiction? Whose advice should be followed to create new

policy? What if this isn’t a medicinal issue at all, but a religious one? What, or who, is to blame?

This seemingly incurable disease has ravaged the land and its people. How far are the desperate

willing to go, and what are they willing to risk, to cure the plague?

History of the Plague

The bubonic plague, or the Black Death, is known today as one of the worst epidemics in

human history, and at the time it seemed apocalyptic. Millions of people in Europe and Asia are

estimated to have died from the bubonic plague. The worst outbreak of the disease was in the

mid-1300s, when merchants coming from parts of Asia and the Black Sea sailed into Italian

ports. Most of the sailors were infected with the plague, which then spread to the neighboring

countries of France, Spain, Portugal, and England, continuing into the East and infecting

Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia. With no real means of prevention or treatment, millions

suffered grotesque deaths. Now a council has been called together, comprised of powerful

monarchs, the best and brightest doctors, and respected commoners, to come up with a solution

to their plight.

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Background Information

While more commonly associated with Europe, the bubonic plague in the 1300s actually

originated in Asia. It devastated the continent, especially the north-west regions of China, where

the first outbreak was recorded in 1331. After that, the plague spread around the country, the

continent, and then to Europe. The first cases in Europe were on a dozen merchant ships in

October of 1347. These ships were coming from Asia and the Black Sea to the ports of Sicily . 1

The men on the ship were already infected and dying of the plague, and the disease quickly

spread from these few men to the whole country and continent. In Florence, Italy, it is estimated

that 60% of the city’s population would die over the course of the plague. For this committee, we

are assuming that all of the major European countries and cities have been contaminated by the

plague.

During the 14th century, it was unknown exactly how the plague was spread (although

people did know that contact with infected-persons could lead to the spread of the plague).

However, the symptoms were obvious. When humans were infected, they would have an

infected lymph node, most commonly found in the upper thigh, armpit, or neck region. After the

infection set in, it would be another few days before the person fell ill, and another few days

before they would die, putting the incubation period from infection to death at around 10 days.

Around 80% of the infected would die, putting the mortality rate of the plague incredibly high.

The plague was also extremely contagious. Reports showed that even one person with the

disease could cause the contamination of a small city. Additionally, the plague was easily

transmitted through trade over rivers, oceans, seas, etc. Many at the time also believed the

disease to be miasmic (spread through “plague-contaminated” air). Due to its extreme

contagiousness, and the multitude of ways it is believed to be spread, halting the progress of the

disease would be difficult.

Treatments/Reactions to the Plague

1 History Channel

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Due to the fact that many were not sure of how the plague was spread and how it affected

the body, aside from obvious physical symptoms, there were many conflicting beliefs on how to

prevent the spread of the plague. One commonly used treatment was to quarantine people who

had the disease. Many cities and town had pestilence houses, where the sick were confined until

they died, while others would board up their homes when a family member or neighbor got sick.

The wealthy would move out of the cities to the countryside, where the disease was less

common. Ships were also quarantined, such as those entering Venice, and would have to

undergo a 30-40 day quarantine period to prove that no one onboard was infected before they

were allowed into the city.

Many people believed that miasma (infected air) was what was causing and spreading the

disease . People would burn fires in an attempt to “clean the air,” and others would carry around 2

scented herbs and spices with them in an effort to keep infected air from at bay. Miasma was

such a popular theory that even the pope was known to help light fires in order to fight the

corrupted air. The miasma theory was also popular among medical practitioners and doctors,

who were also fond of bloodletting as a form of treatment.

Even more people turned to religion as their savior from the plague. Many prayed to God

to save them from the disease and to bring an end to the plague. This period of time also marked

the rise in popularity of extremist religious groups, such as the Brothers of the Flagellants

(especially popular in Germany), who believed that God had sent the disease as a form of

punishment. These extremist groups also blamed the Jews for the plague, even going so far as to

claim that they were poisoning water supplies to further infect people with the disease . Many 3

violent acts against the Jews were committed, because some Christians saw this as a possible

solution to stop the plague.

Jewish communities were blamed for poisoning water and causing the sickness. 4

Because their communities were already separated from cities, Jews were not as affected by the

Black Death as others were. This caused tensions and suspicions to rise, and as a result entire

2 Ibeji 3 Ibeji 4 Khan Academy

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Jewish communities in Europe were killed in violent massacres. Massacres occurred in Toulon,

Barcelona, Erfurt, Basel, Aragon, Flanders, and Strasbourg.

Map of 14th century Germany (Erfurt in the center & Basel would be located between Switzerland & Germany).

The Erfurt massacre took place in Germany 1349, in which up to three thousand Jews are

thought to have died. By lynching Jews, people believed they could stop the plague. Some of the 5

Jews set themselves and their homes on fire before they could be hanged. Similar massacres took

place in Basel and Strasbourg, where entire Jewish communities went up in flames. Jews all over

Europe were persecuted, prompting Pope Clement VI to speak out against the violence. He

claimed that those who inflicted violence upon Jews were influenced and seduced by the Devil,

and that anyone who intentionally harmed a Jew would be excommunicated. Guy de Chauliac, a

French physician who studied the plague and its victims, concluded that Jews could not be held

responsible for the illness. Their words did little to sway public opinion, as the massacres didn’t

stop until the first outbreak of the disease ceased.

5 History Channel

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Current Situation

The continent is in a state of crisis. Nearly every region of the European continent has

been affected by the plague, and major cities such as Venice, Milan, Avignon, London, and

Zurich (among others), have lost a large part of their population to the disease.

Map of Europe, showing how (and when) major cities were affected by the plague

Despite this, the plague doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Not to mention,

there is barely any coherence among different cultural and national groups on methods for

stopping the plague. Major European leaders have reached an agreement that the best way to find

a means to stop and treat the plague is to gather representatives of different cultural and social

groups to develop a solution that would be the most effective for the widest range of people. This

is why this council, filled with people of many diverse backgrounds, has been called together.

The people of Europe are counting on you to stop the bubonic plague and save them, or else it

might mark the end of the human race.

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Questions to Consider

1) Church members: How should nonconformist and possibly dangerous activities, such as

those of the Flagellants, be handled? Should the mass discrimination and violent behavior

regarding Jews be tolerated?

2) Doctors: What is your preferred method of treatment and how will you convince those in

power that this is the cure to the plague? (Note: remember that you are representing

people who have no knowledge of 21st century medicine; use only the medical knowledge

that people had at the time.)

3) Monarchs: How are you going to control your population and protect them from further

waves of the disease? Think about the political, social and economic aspects of your

nation that influence your stance.

4) Merchants: If it meant saving lives, would you risk your own business, your livelihood

and family by ceasing trading activities?

5) Religious Commoners: How pleased/displeased are you with your rulers? Do you feel

protected from religious prejudice in your state?

Position Paper Guidelines

Preparing a position paper is essential to being fully prepared for any conference. At

WASHMUN, delegates must submit a position paper if they wish to be considered for awards.

We suggest that position papers follow this format:

● A cover page with your name, school name, position title, and country/state flag

● About 1-2 pages written in response to each topic, including background

information, past action, and suggested solutions

● Suggested solutions should be the most in depth section of the paper

● Bibliography

Do not forget to cite your sources in a bibliography. Under WASHMUN conference

policy, any paper without citations will be considered plagiarized.

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Positions

Within the committee, there will be a mix of some real historical figures, as well as chair-created

figures who represent historical groups affected by the plague (such as the Silk Road merchant).

All chair-created people will be marked with an asterix, and they will include mini-biographies.

The figures based on real people will not include biographies, since there is information

regarding them online. Some of the historical figures were not alive during the 14th century, but

for the sake of committee, we will pretend they were. You can use any information that they

might have known for their time period to help you.

Note: many of the positions listed have strongly prejudiced views, especially those

regarding religion. That said, do not forget that this is a diplomatic conference and you are still

expected to be respectful toward other representatives regardless of differences, religious or

otherwise.

1. Marco Gagliardi* (Silk Road Merchant)

a. You are a merchant, who primarily uses the Silk Road to transport goods from

parts of Asia to Europe, and this has made you very wealthy. The plague has

caused many to call for trade and travel restrictions between different countries

and between Asia and Europe, especially since many blame the Silk Road

merchants for being the ones to bring the plague to Europe. If trade was restricted,

this would greatly hurt your financial interests. You have two children and a wife

living not far from Rome.

2. Guy de Chauliac (1300-1368)

3. Guivanni Boccaccio (1313-1375)

4. King Edward III (1312-1377)

5. Bishop Edendon of Winchester

a. Look at the BBC link in the bibliography and for the “Voice in Rama” speech

6. Michel de Nostredame (1503-1566)

7. Pope Clement Vi (1291-1352)

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8. Giovanni de Ventura

9. Niall O’ Glacain (1575-1653)

10. Ambroise Pare (1510-1590)

11. Charles de Lorme (1584-1678)

12. Louis XIII (1601-1643)

13. Albert Armbruster* (Devout Catholic/Brotherhood of Flagellants Member)

a. You’ve always been a relatively religious man, but the start of the plague has

made you more extremist in your views. You see the plague as a sign from God

about the evils of current society, and you want large social and political change

in order to appease God. You’ve also joined the Brotherhood of the Flagellants

that is popular in your German hometown. (Note: in order to keep this committee

respectful towards all, don’t focus strongly on the anti-semitism aspect of the

Brotherhood of the Flagellants or the character; instead, call for more general

religious reform than religion-specific actions)

14. Thomas Vicary (1490-1561)

15. Rachel Klein* (Jewish immigrant)

a. In Europe at this time, many Jews have been pushed to the fringes of cities (which

were majority Christian) into their own secluded Jewish communities. This has

both positive and negative consequences for the Jewish community: on one hand,

being kept alienated from non-Jewish Europeans has kept the spread of the plague

among Jews minimal so not many Jews have felt the direct effects of the plague,

but the indirect effects of the plague can be felt strongly, with persecution and

discrimination against Jews increasing steeply as the plague goes on. You are here

to act as an advocate for rights of Jews, which have been infringed upon, but you

also recognize that being in Jewish communities has kept the plague from

spreading too quickly among the Jewish population.

16. Philip VI of France (1293-1350)

17. Isabella of France (1295-1358)

18. Louis the Great of Hungary (1326-1382)

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19. Charles IV King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor (1346-1378)

20. Dmitry Donskoy of Moscow (1359-1389)

21. Constance d’Artagnan* (washerwoman)

a. You are a lower-class washerwoman in a large city in France. You feel as if the

monarchs and other European rulers have not focused enough on how the

working-class and lower-class are affected by the plague, especially those, like

you, who live in major cities. You wish to keep the interest of the committee on

helping the poor. Things you might want: government aid to poor, cleaner streets

in poor neighbourhoods (you and your neighbors believe that dirt can spread the

plague), better statistics being taken about the effect of the plague (only Italy has

been seriously recording statistics like death toll from the plague up to now) and a

better system of dealing with the dead bodies.

22. Benino de Cerva* (Dubrovnik port master)

a. You are port master of the city of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is currently under the

control of the the free-state of Venice, but many people in the city wish to break

free of Venetian rule, and become a city under the control of the kingdom of

Hungary. Dubrovnik is an important port and plays an essential role in maritime

trade, and, due to your upper-class background and education, you have been

granted the affluent position of port master. The job has become more difficult

with the start of the plague, since Dubrovnik has been badly hit by the plague due

to its vulnerability as a trade point. You do not want to completely halt any trade

at the port because it would hurt your job and the city economically, but you also

want to make sure that the plague does not contaminate and devastate all of

Dubrovnik.

23. Nicolas du Molin* (French serf)

a. Unlike many at this time, the plague has brought you a stroke of good fortune.

You are a serf, or a agricultural peasant worker who tends your employer’s fields.

The death toll of the plague has greatly reduced the amount of available cheap

labour, and labourers/serfs like you are in high demand due to this shortage. You

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can use this to your advantage and ask for higher wages, so hopefully, one day,

you can buy your own land. However, many people do not wish to have to pay 6

their laborers higher wages, and these people tend to be upper-class landowners or

nobles. While you are not trying to prevent the committee from finding a solution

to the plague (since you are always at risk of being infected), that doesn’t mean

you can’t also try to profit off it.

24. Jean Baptiste de Durfort* (French nobleman and landowner)

a. You are a rich and affluent landowner from a French noble family (the Durforts).

You and your immediate family hasn't been infected by the plague, since you fled

to your estates in the countryside when the plague first broke. However, the

plague has affected you. Many of your serfs (the peasant labourers who work your

farms and lands) have died of the plague, meaning there is a labour shortage.

Your remaining serfs are asking for increased wages, and this sentiment is echoed

by serfs across Europe. Paying them higher would mean losing a lot of valuable 7

cheap labour, but can you really risk upsetting them and not having anyone

working your fields? Your goal is to find alternative solutions to keep your serfs

or to find other sources of labour, while also avoiding increasing wages and losing

money. (Hint: government imposed price controls.)

25. Wild card: Sebastien Girard, Time Traveler*

a. You are a time traveler who has gone back to the 1348s to try and help Europe

fight against the plague. You are posing as the apprentice of a made-up Italian

doctor. You have extensive medical knowledge about the plague and modern

treatment ideas about how to fight it. For many, your ideas will seem outlandish

and you can’t tell anyone that you are a time-traveler, because you risk being

burned at the stake for witchcraft. You also have no proof to show for being a

time traveler, so you have to solely try to convince the committee of your

knowledge about modern methods of medicine through ways that will make sense

to a medieval community.

6 Khan Academy 7 Khan Academy

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Bibliography

“Bubonic Plague.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy,

www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/medieval-times/disease-and-demography/a/dis

ease-and-demography.

“Black Death.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2010,

www.history.com/topics/black-death.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/blackdisease_01.shtml (especially good source

for explaining what people thought caused the plague at the time)

Ibeji, Mike. “History - British History in Depth: Black Death: The Disease.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb.

2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/blackdisease_01.shtml#four.

Image Links

Germany Map:

https://www.google.com/search?q=plague+map+germany&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahU

KEwjp6uqfp7zZAhWSmeAKHTRZC0cQ_AUICigB&biw=1214&bih=603#imgrc=02e3zLYTpmR13M:

General Europe Map:

https://nicholasvmmuseum.wikispaces.com/Middle+Ages+Artifacts?responseToken=74ba5af496873726e1b2003f25

fcfbe7

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http://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/medieval-times/disease-and-demography/a/disease-and-demograpyhttp://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/medieval-times/disease-and-demography/a/disease-and-demograpyhttp://www.history.com/topics/black-deathhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/blackdisease_01.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/blackdisease_01.shtml#fourhttps://www.google.com/search?q=plague+map+germany&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjp6uqfp7zZAhWSmeAKHTRZC0cQ_AUICigB&biw=1214&bih=603#imgrc=02e3zLYTpmR13Mhttps://www.google.com/search?q=plague+map+germany&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjp6uqfp7zZAhWSmeAKHTRZC0cQ_AUICigB&biw=1214&bih=603#imgrc=02e3zLYTpmR13Mhttps://nicholasvmmuseum.wikispaces.com/Middle+Ages+Artifacts?responseToken=74ba5af496873726e1b2003f25fcfbe7https://nicholasvmmuseum.wikispaces.com/Middle+Ages+Artifacts?responseToken=74ba5af496873726e1b2003f25fcfbe7