The years 1346–53 saw one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people, and 30–60% of Europe's total population. Named historically as the Black Death, the aftermath of the plague created a series of religious, social, and economic upheavals, which had profound effects on the course of European history. It took 150 years for Europe's population to recover. By June 1348 it had reached England where ‘scarce the tenth person of any sort was left alive’,

One Medieval burial rite from the time of the Black Death involved lining the coffin with ash, possibly from the fire of the victim’s home before placing the corpse inside. This ash practice has been found in Black Death cemeteries in London, and may point to a ritualistic cleansing of the dead and the victims home. It is also possible that the inclusion of domestic ash from the home fire was included to protect the living from the fear of the dead rising from the grave and returning home.

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