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| The Entertainment Review |
| By: John Hatcher Publisher: Da Capo Press |
The Black Death of 1348-1350 killed around forty percent of medieval Europe. There are hundreds of books about
this particular plague, but John Hatcher’s latest study, “The Black Death” offers something different. He tells his
story from the viewpoint of an English clergyman in a country village. Hatcher describes his study as a ‘docu-drama’
and recounts the events in this way is the perfect vehicle for this horrifying and fascinating subject matter. The
reader views events from the perspective of an ordinary man, struggling to do his job of tending to his terrified
parishioners, while fighting his own fears.
“The Black Death” is set in the village of Walsham, which was a real settlement in fourteenth century Suffolk. The
parish records for his era have survived and are what enabled the author to build up a detailed picture of how the
plague affected the village, the number of people who died and the aftermath of the disease. The book begins well
before the plague arrived in the village, and the author tells the story of an ordinary village with family ties,
friendships and disputes which were normal in a small rural parish. This ordinary setting makes what is to follow
much more hard-hitting.
Hatcher skillfully builds up a sense of fear and tension as he describes how the village clergyman, Master John,
attempts to quell the fears of his parishioners as it became obvious what damage the plague had done in mainland
Europe. He demonstrates through Master John’s eyes, his struggles to keep his flock focused on prayers and
devotions when many people were questioning whether God existed at all. As the numbers of death in his district at
last begin to fall, Master John reflects on the people who remain. Many who survived the plague have been left
physically weakened; others are mentally distraught at the loss of their family. Yet, he still sees greed and
selfishness as survivors argue over the land and estates left by hundreds of deceased.
The harvest is left in the fields and there seems little hope for the future. Yet normal life resumes. Meetings are held,
people return to church and the normal day to day activities are once again carried out. It will be Master John’s job to
provide spiritual comfort to those whose lives will never be the same again. He is expected to answer questions when
he is doubting his own fate.
This is a hard-hitting and thought provoking book which stands out from the list of titles available on this subject. The
author has taught the topic of the Black Death at university level for two decades and his depth of knowledge shows.
He transmits the facts to the reader in an effortless way; the story is compelling and emotional and the plot is fast-
paced, with well-drawn characters. In his opening chapter, Hatcher expresses the wish that his book will encourage
readers to research the Black Death further. With its wealth of information and compelling storyline, this would be the
perfect introduction to the subject. However, it also has much to attract even the most knowledgeable student of the
period. Well-known facts are presented in a very different manner to a traditional history book. This is a book that
readers will remember for a long time to come.
this particular plague, but John Hatcher’s latest study, “The Black Death” offers something different. He tells his
story from the viewpoint of an English clergyman in a country village. Hatcher describes his study as a ‘docu-drama’
and recounts the events in this way is the perfect vehicle for this horrifying and fascinating subject matter. The
reader views events from the perspective of an ordinary man, struggling to do his job of tending to his terrified
parishioners, while fighting his own fears.
“The Black Death” is set in the village of Walsham, which was a real settlement in fourteenth century Suffolk. The
parish records for his era have survived and are what enabled the author to build up a detailed picture of how the
plague affected the village, the number of people who died and the aftermath of the disease. The book begins well
before the plague arrived in the village, and the author tells the story of an ordinary village with family ties,
friendships and disputes which were normal in a small rural parish. This ordinary setting makes what is to follow
much more hard-hitting.
Hatcher skillfully builds up a sense of fear and tension as he describes how the village clergyman, Master John,
attempts to quell the fears of his parishioners as it became obvious what damage the plague had done in mainland
Europe. He demonstrates through Master John’s eyes, his struggles to keep his flock focused on prayers and
devotions when many people were questioning whether God existed at all. As the numbers of death in his district at
last begin to fall, Master John reflects on the people who remain. Many who survived the plague have been left
physically weakened; others are mentally distraught at the loss of their family. Yet, he still sees greed and
selfishness as survivors argue over the land and estates left by hundreds of deceased.
The harvest is left in the fields and there seems little hope for the future. Yet normal life resumes. Meetings are held,
people return to church and the normal day to day activities are once again carried out. It will be Master John’s job to
provide spiritual comfort to those whose lives will never be the same again. He is expected to answer questions when
he is doubting his own fate.
This is a hard-hitting and thought provoking book which stands out from the list of titles available on this subject. The
author has taught the topic of the Black Death at university level for two decades and his depth of knowledge shows.
He transmits the facts to the reader in an effortless way; the story is compelling and emotional and the plot is fast-
paced, with well-drawn characters. In his opening chapter, Hatcher expresses the wish that his book will encourage
readers to research the Black Death further. With its wealth of information and compelling storyline, this would be the
perfect introduction to the subject. However, it also has much to attract even the most knowledgeable student of the
period. Well-known facts are presented in a very different manner to a traditional history book. This is a book that
readers will remember for a long time to come.
