The Black Death reached Europe in 1347 via ships from the Black Sea port of Kaffa. It traveled quickly along principal trade routes, reaching Constantinople, Sicily, and Italy by 1348 and sweeping through France, England, the Holy Roman Empire, and into Scandinavia and Russia by 1351.

The plague followed trade and pilgrimage routes, killing 75 to 200 million humans worldwide. Up to 60% of Europe’s population died, causing vast social, economic, and cultural upheaval.