[Burkeman1]

Yes- Anthrax may also been a third cause of death but that theory is limited to England. But England suffered worse than did the continent so I can see three biological germs killing people in England very easily. They lost upwards of a full 3rd of their population. Before the plague the Population of England and Wales was 6 million. It wouldn't reach that level again until 1750.

[SoCal Pubbie]

IFRC, the book discussed social conditions at the time, in which large herds of livestock was kept in city pens to meet the growing needs for beef in the urban areas. The crowding of cows and of course the lack of knowledge of the time created a perfect breeding ground for anthrax. I'm pretty sure there was some discussion of anthrax elsewhere, but perhaps that was simply transmission with the ultimate destination of England.

I believe there were also symptoms that do not fit bubonic plague but match closely other ailments like anthrax.

[blam]

Plague In The Ancient World