Black Death KS3 Teaching Resources

The Black Death was a devastating outbreak of Bubonic plague that swept across Europe and Asia in the mid-14th century, killing an estimated 75 million people—around one in three of the population at the time. The disease spread rapidly, transmitted by fleas living on black rats often found aboard trading ships. The scale of death was unprecedented, affecting people from all levels of society and leaving entire communities shattered.

Its impact was felt far beyond the immediate loss of life. Entire noble families perished, leaving land and titles without heirs and creating power vacuums across feudal Europe. The collapse of the traditional workforce caused a shift in agriculture, with landowners turning to animal husbandry, which required fewer labourers. Surviving workers found themselves in higher demand and were able to demand better wages and working conditions, which in turn triggered restrictive responses from monarchs, including wage freezes and harsh labour laws.

Social and religious beliefs were also deeply shaken. Many people began to question the authority of the Church, which had been unable to provide comfort or solutions. Some turned to superstition, while others began exploring new ways of thinking about medicine and public health.

Learn more about the nature and causes of the Black Death, the science and beliefs behind the plague, and how the plague affected Europe with our KS3 resources. You’ll find Student Activities, Lesson Presentation, and Revision Notes ready to download below. KS3 resources are ideally suited for Years 7, 8 and 9, or ages 11-14.