People of England, you all should have been informed about the plague that has been spreading around recently. It is called Black Death. Many people have already been affected by this disease and its spreading all over Europe and Asia. It has just hit London, and this disease had started during the summer, but it’s now September. Some think that it came from China and traveled down the Silk Road. This is an epidemic disease, so please keep you and your loved ones safe.
This disease causes your skin to turn the color black because of subepidermal hemorrhage. The king of France blames the heavens for this, which is controversial. There are many theories to how it was caused. It could have been “great pestilence in the air” and the streets are very filthy. Wild animals and parasites are wondering around. We are still figuring out how this happened and what we can do to stop it. So because of all this filth, it might get worse. One man told us “Everyday I keep seeing men picking up dead bodies which were all caused by the plague. It’s horrible.” The mortality rate of the plague is 30% to 70%. Within 1-7 days the first symptoms will be fever, nausea, and headache. Watch out for that.
Many things have arisen during this plague. Things such as: death, religious beliefs, art, and literature. There are a lot of victims who are dying and suffering from this. People living in crowded areas are most likely to catch the disease. in some places, people are going above and beyond just to try and get rid of it. Jews, friars, foreigners, beggars, pilgrims, lepers, and Roma have been targeted and singled out. They were blamed for the cause of Black Death and have exterminated throughout Europe. There are many attacks on Jewish communities going on right now. People have their different beliefs and reasonings for doing so. For literature, there are historians and scientists documenting their observations and evidence. Troubadours and poets are also writing their songs and poetry to describe how they’re feeling at this moment. Artists are painting what they’re witnessing in their surroundings.
I recommend that you keep healthy, pray, and go to a hospital if needed. Also, try to keep your distance from the ones that are sick. It honestly wouldn’t be helpful if more people caught the disease. It’s only the beginning, but who knows if this will get worse or not.
Fashion by Juliet Levine
Ladies, we all know that we love fashion. We all just get the thrill of buying new clothes and finding out what the new trends are. Due to the sumptuary laws, it does allow some people to wear what others wear. If you are allowed to, here’s the new fashion trends for this year.
Women of the upper class have recently been wearing gowns with bodices. The gowns have buttons on the front and have long tight sleeves. Over the gowns they wear jackets that reach the hip and belts were cinched at the waist. For jewelry, they either wear gold and silver, pearls, or stones to accessorize their outfits. For hair, they have intricate braids on their hair and decorate their hair with pearls or other ornaments. On top they wear pointed caps. Their shoes are long and pointed. The clothing that they wear in general are embroidered and decorated.
If you want to get these new pieces, you should go to town and visit a tailor and see what is in store. Us women are probably searching around for new finds, so make sure you get your gown and jewels. I hope you enjoy the new trends and wear your favorite clothing pieces.
Interview with Joan of Arc
By Juliet Levine
Q: Hi, Joan. It’s nice seeing you today. Joan has come from France and is here to talk about her life so far. So, Joan, can you describe what you childhood was like?
A: Well, Juliet, growing up, I lived in a peasant house. I never learned to read or write, but I was good at sewing and spinning. I’d also spend time in pastures and fields enjoying nature.
Q: So I’ve heard you’ve had voices/counsels say thing to you when you were thirteen. What did they say?
A: I’ve heard voices say things to me before, but this time was different. Charles VII need help with the French army. In response I said that I was a poor girl and didn’t know how to ride and fight. The voices that God commands of it, so I couldn’t reject it.
Q: How did you lead and get in the French army?
A: I had to gain approval of the church scholars at Poitiers. I was then granted titular command or an army.
Q: How was it like?
A: I had to dress in male costume and also had to sleep fully dressed. I cut my hair too. It went from April to June 1429. The war against Britain was hard, but it was a victory. I summoned the King to withdraw his troops from French soil and fought. The voices told me I only had a year to last. On May 8th, English forts encircled the city that has all be captured. During the fight I was wounded by an arrow. It was a long war. Charles VII was then crowned solemnly in July.
Q: I heard Charles VII granted your family a noble status for your participation. Is that true?
A: Yes.
Q: What happened after?
A: I was captured at Compiegne and transferred to the English. I was put on trial. It was scary and confusing.
Q: So, are you going back after this? Good luck.
A: Yes, unfortunately. And thank you, Juliet.
Health Tips
By Juliet Levine
Health is something that is really important to society right now. There are a lot of different theories and myths on how diseases are caused. There are many illnesses that people are catching. Some people believe that diseases spread from bad odors. People believe that mays of curing yourself include meditation, prayer, pilgrimage, etc. I’ll teach you guys how to stay clean and healthy!
The first thing you have to be aware of is how your food is cooked. If meat isn’t cooked correctly, there can be many infection caused by the uncooked meat. Also, make sure that you eat a lot of produce too! Peasants just eat bread and water, but it isn’t enough for their bodies. Food is being conserved, but its rotting which leaves us with nothing to eat it. Also, it isn’t good if you’re eating little food and do hard labor because it can just make you weak.
Next, winter season isn’t the nicest to us. If you aren’t dressed up properly you can catch a disease. Health related scrolls and manuscripts are discovered as inaccurate by scientists and doctors. They think that it wasn’t a correct way to treat patients at the hospitals. It’s slowly improving the methods of doctors, but they’re being burnt at stake for attempting to create new cures. Because of that, it slowed down the process of trying to develop new medicine and healing methods even more.
These were some tips of how to stay healthy. Make sure to eat well and dress warmly in winter. I hope you all live a healthy and happy life!
Jousting Tournament
By Juliet Levine
For all you heroic knights, now is your chance to show of your wonderful skills. Towns in Britain will be hosting several jousting contests. So come in your best armor and bring a good lance to show you’re the best. The events will either take place in an arena or a castle depending on where you are. If you aren’t competing, then you can watch along side the jousting field. Many people always show up because they find it amusing and entertaining. You wouldn’t want to miss an exciting tournament! Also, if you are participating then make sure that you are wearing strong armor because there have been many injuries. Rules are important too. Make sure you: follow The Code of Chivalry, specific styles of of combat will be expected to be fought, and weapon are allowed. Knights compete to represent their liege lord, to win a prize (money), fame, or glory. Normally, the losing knight gives up his armor and horse to the winner. After the first day there will be a second day ceremony to display the helm of knights who participated. The third day ceremony is when the Chevalier d’honneur is chosen who perform the rule of an umpire. On the last day, a ceremony for awarding the prizes will be held. Combatants meet in the center of the Lists and embrace the true companionship of chivalry. At the end of each jousting day, there is food, dancing, and music.
Women’s Fashion Sense is Pretty Plain
By Juliet Levine
Fashion and clothing is something that all women enjoy. In little villages there are women that mostly wear two tunics and have to cover up their bodies. The tunics cover their wrists, flow down to their feet, and they wear kirtles. Laws prevent the poor to dress fashionably and if they break the law, there will be severe punishment. For some reason they can’t wear the colors purple and gold. Why can’t they wear whatever they want? I think women should if that’s what their hearts desire.
The wealthy women wear tunics of good material and color of their choice. They also adore fancy embroidery. Jewelry made of gold and pearls are worn too. The rich can wear anything they please, but on the other hand, peasants have restrictions on what they wear. The sumptuary laws prevent people from doing a lot of things. They are mostly targeted on women. They limit people from having reckless display of clothing, food, drink, and household furniture. These are created for keeping the lower class blurring the lines of social distinction. This is very unfair from us women to be going to through this. What if the lower does want to wear fancy clothing and blend in? The upper class can do whatever, but they are pointless limits for the lower class.
People should have the ability to do what they please. I think that we shouldn’t have people telling us to do in our towns and villages. I see women in my town that long to wear bright colored tunics, but they’re scared to buy them. Wouldn’t you want to eat, buy, and wear whatever you wanted? There should be an end to this unfairness and there should be equality throughout all the classes.
Review of Black Death By Juliet Levine
The Black Death is a horrible plague that is going on right now. It's scaring a lot of people. People are worried about catching the disease and possibly dying from it. There are higher chances of people getting it here in England because our cities are very crowded. The sanitation is poor which can make the disease rapidly spread throughout. Living here isn't nice anymore. There are people dying because of this. Seeing people struggle isn't a good sight to see. The old and young are the first to die. A Pope believes that the ones who die all had sins. He's making people confess their sins to one another. The church can't offer no reason for the deadly disease and belief were sorely tested. It's making other question religion. The Black Death is causing prices and wages to rise. Peasants are moving for the country to towns which isn't a good idea. People are becoming disillusioned with the church. Overall, it is a very scary event to be going through right now and it's caused many things already. How knows when this will possibly end.