# Black Death reaches Britain (1348)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1348-black-death-reaches-britain
Categories: main-event

Plague spread rapidly through England, Wales and Scotland, killing a very large share of the population. Within the broader Medieval Kingdoms period, the English, Scottish and Welsh polities were reshaped by conquest, parliamentary development, dynastic conflict, plague and long wars with France. This event is placed at 1348 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The demographic shock transformed labour relations, landholding, religion and social expectations.

## Why it matters
The demographic shock transformed labour relations, landholding, religion and social expectations.

Ruler at the time: [Edward III](https://english-history.com/rulers/edward-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Black Death reaches Britain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Black+Death+reaches+Britain&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Black Death reaches Britain](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Black+Death+reaches+Britain)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281000%E2%80%931499%29)
- [UK Parliament — Living Heritage](https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/)