The Black Plague In 15th Century England

The Fifteenth Century was a time of exploration, learning, and heartbreak. England was going through a devastating black plague. China began the century imputing their ideology of individualism ("Ancient China: The 15th Century Fleet"). Spain began the Spain we know as today economic power, art, and exploration ("The Spanish Empire Begins"). Thus, England, China, and Spain all came out of the dark ages stronger than they came in.
To begin, in the early 15th century England was still healing the problem of the black plague. The plague took an estimated seventy five million lives all around Europe and the Mediterranean ("History.com"). The death rate from the plague was so high because of how fast it could kill and how easily transmitted it

was ("History.com"). Although, the economy began to grow with the increase in the woolen industry in Halifax and Leeds (United Kingdom). As the trade in cloth increased so did the association with merchants from different countries (United Kingdom). The Fifthtenth centrury also brought growth in education. Many schools and chapels were founded such as, in 1441 Cambridge, Oxford, and collegiate churches (United Kingdom). One of the most infamous kings of The United Kingdom of Britain was king Richard the third from the house of York (Biography.com.). He reigned from 1452 until his death in 1485 (Biography.com.). His death coming in 1485 when Henry Tudor of Wales revolted against RIchard and won at the Battle of Bosworth (Biography.com.). Richard is know for many horrible acts but many scholars today point to some of them being fake and him actually have a very successful rule. Richard is also known for being written about in some of Shakespeare's work (Biography.com.). Altogether, the 15th century was a time for recovery and then growth of Great Britain.
China stayed isolated until very early in the 15th century.

This ended when the emperor Yong’le and began to put his interest into sea voyages and investing greatly into these voyages ("Ancient China: The 15th Century Fleet."). Yong’le chose his lead eunuch to head the ventures to other lands. Zheng the lead eunuch to the emperor led seven expeditions to areas around the now called region of the Indian Ocean ("Ancient China: The 15th Century Fleet."). In 1414 China set out on sea expedition of a large magnitude with a manpower of 30,000 men ("Ancient China: The 15th Century Fleet."). The bulk of the load was carried on massive ships called the galleons which was 400 feet long and could carry a load of about 1,500 tons ("Ancient China: The 15th Century Fleet."). Furthermore, with this fleet they were able to complete large trade expeditions and explore foreign land that prior they did not visit because of their isolation. ("Ancient China: The 15th Century Fleet."). Unfortunately, the fleet saw its last voyage after the death of emperor Yong’le and the induction of the new emperor Xuande allowed for this final voyage where at sea Zheng the eunuch died at sea. Through this expansion started by emperor Yong’le China had and continues to have a growing and mighty naval

force.
Spain was not fully united until the year 1469 when Isabella married Ferdinand.

This led to the discussion of who should inherit the throne ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). Isabella because of her family or Ferdinand with being married to her and being a man. The nobles of the land decide that Isabella and Ferdinand should rule together and they became known as the two Catholic Monarchs ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). Ferdinand then inherits the throne of a separate kingdom Aragon which then ultimately unites the two because they came under the rule of the same two monarchs ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). In 1478 the Pope allowed Ferdinand and Isabella to make a branch off of the inquisition in Spain ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). This group is formed because of anti-semitic ideology and idea of having a full catholic country ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). Although around 100,000 jews accept baptism into the catholic faith many of them practice judaism in secret ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). The inquisition has its first leader appointed named Tomas de Torquemada who holds the position of grand inquisitor ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). In 1492 all jews not willing to convert to Catholicism are forced to leave the country ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). Whilst this mass exodus was occurring Ferdinand and Isabella agree to sponsor the trip that has been declined many times brought up by Christopher Columbus to find a route west to India. Columbus sets sail on August third 1492 commanding the largest of three ships the Santa Maria. The other two

vessels Pinta and Nina are commanded by his brothers Martin Alonso and Vicente Yanez Pinzon ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). The first sight of solid land occurs on October twelfth. They land their ships on what now is a unknown Bahamian island and claim the land for Ferdinand and Isabella naming San Salvador ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). Columbus thinking he has landed in the Indies mistakenly calls the people Indians which remains a common name for them. After exploring more of the region and stopping on an island the Santa maria comes aground and is destroyed. Columbus decides to leave 40 men there with enough supplies for a year. Realizing five months later when he comes back with nearly 1,500 spaniards ready to set up a colony that the men had been slaughtered by a local people's ("HISTORY OF SPAIN"). After this Columbus goes on two more voyages but neither of them bear any great results. To conclude, the middle ages for Spain was a time of unity and great exploration.
To sum it up, the middle ages seem to not be in fact the dark ages. Although things like the black plague and inquisition against jews happened there were good movements. Such as, England's economy grew and so did their educational system. China came out of the isolation and began to venture out and become a large part of the world. Spain became unified through the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella. They also invested in Christopher Columbus when others would not leading to the first spoken about discovery of the New World. At last I conclude that the middle ages were not in fact the dark ages.