This new text offers a wealth of documentary material focused on the initial outbreak of the plague that ravaged the world in the 14th century. A comprehensive introduction providing background on the origins and spread of the Black Death is followed by nearly 50 documents covering the responses of medical practitioners; the social and economic impact; religious responses. Each chapter has an introduction that summarizes the issues explored in the documents and headnotes to provide additional background material. The book contains documents from many countries - including Muslim and Byzantine sources - to give students a variety of perspectives on this devastating illness and its consequences.