How many people died from the Great Plague?

Study for the WJEC GCSE History of Medicine Test. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question providing hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam effectively!

Multiple Choice

How many people died from the Great Plague?

Explanation:
The Great Plague in London (1665–66) caused a very large loss of life in the capital. The best-supported figure for deaths in London is about 100,000, which was a substantial portion of the city’s population at the time—roughly one fifth. This scale is reflected in historical records like the Bills of Mortality and is the number most commonly used in GCSE history accounts, making it the most representative estimate among the options. Other figures don’t fit as well because they understate or overstate the known impact. About 80,000 is possible but less commonly cited as the standard GCSE figure, while 50,000 would be far too low given the outbreak’s severity, and 150,000 would imply a much larger toll than what the historical sources generally support for London.

The Great Plague in London (1665–66) caused a very large loss of life in the capital. The best-supported figure for deaths in London is about 100,000, which was a substantial portion of the city’s population at the time—roughly one fifth. This scale is reflected in historical records like the Bills of Mortality and is the number most commonly used in GCSE history accounts, making it the most representative estimate among the options.

Other figures don’t fit as well because they understate or overstate the known impact. About 80,000 is possible but less commonly cited as the standard GCSE figure, while 50,000 would be far too low given the outbreak’s severity, and 150,000 would imply a much larger toll than what the historical sources generally support for London.

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