Faith in a Time of Plague — Religious Remedies During the Black Death

Medieval Morsels Podcast

When the Black Death swept across Europe in the fourteenth century, medicine failed—but faith did not disappear. Instead, it intensified.

In this episode of Medieval Morsels, we explore how medieval people turned to religion as their last line of defense against the plague. From public processions and relic veneration to prayer manuals, flagellant movements, and saintly intercession, faith became both comfort and cure.

You’ll discover why certain saints were believed to protect against disease, how churches transformed into centers of hope and fear, and how communities tried to restore meaning when death felt unstoppable. We’ll also examine the darker consequences of religious panic, including scapegoati ...