Aberth, John, 'The Black Death in the diocese of Ely: The evidence of the bishop’s register', Journal of Medieval History 21 (1995), 275-287

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Quick Summary

The Black Death killed half of the population of Cambridgeshire between 1348-9. This is one of the highest mortality rates in all of Europe.

  • Findings based on statistical analysis of evidence found in church records
  • More accurate that generalized studies
  • There was no shortage of clergymen despite the mortality rate
Key Conclusion

Aberth applies statistical analysis to evidence taken from the register of Thomas de Lisle, bishop of Ely, to demonstrate that approximately half the population of Cambridgeshire died of the plague between 1348-9. This is likely to be one of the highest death rates in England, and most likely all of Europe.

Content Overview

The article argues that the bishop’s register provides some of the most complete and reliable information about the number of deaths caused by the plague in England. As such, the case study of the mortality rate in Cambridgeshire gives a more accurate picture than more generalized studies, which can only estimate that somewhere between a third and a half of the population of Europe were killed by the Black Death.

Further Findings

Aside from his findings relating to the mortality rate, Aberth also observes that there does not seem to have been a shortage of clergymen to fill the vacancies left by deceased priests – ‘although many of the new rectors were probably unqualified’ (p. 286). Also, evidence from the bishop’s register suggests that the bishop’s manor experienced a quick economic recovery after the plague, perhaps indicating that Europe was overpopulated and underemployed before the Black Death.

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