The devastating event that struck Europe in the 14th century was the Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague. This pandemic swept through Europe between 1347 and 1351, leading to the deaths of an estimated 25 million people—about one-third of the continent's population at the time. The disease, transmitted through fleas on rats, caused widespread fear, social upheaval, and economic disruption. Its impact was profound, leading to labor shortages, shifts in social structures, and changes in land use. The Black Death also catalyzed significant cultural, religious, and scientific transformations in Europe, reshaping societies in the aftermath of its devastation.