Chapter Bishop Middleham to Black Thursday of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

In 1348-9 at least half of the entire population of England died. Thus 57,000 out of 60,000 died in Norwich; 7000 out of 10,000 died in Yarmouth; 17 out of 21 of the clergy of York; 2,500,000 out of 5,000,000 of the entire population.

Between 1347 and 1350 one-fourth of all the population of the world was carried off by this pestilence. Not less than 25,000,000 perished in Europe alone, while in Asia and Africa the mortality was even greater. It came from China, where fifteen years previously it carried off 5,000,000. In Venice the aristocratic, died 100,000; in Florence the refined, 60,000; in Paris the gay, 50,000; in London the wealthy, 100,000; in Avignon, a number wholly beyond calculation.

N. B.—This form of pestilence has never occurred a second time.

Black Douglas, William Douglas, lord of Nithsdale, who died 1390.

He was tall, strong, and well made, of a swarthy complexion, with dark hair, from which he was called “The Black Douglas.”—Sir W. Scott: Tales of a Grandfather, xi.

Black Dwarf (The), a romance by sir Walter Scott (1816). The “Black Dwarf” is called “Elshander the Recluse,” or “Cannie Elshie, the Wise Wight of Mucklestane Moor,” but is in reality sir Edward Manley. The tale runs thus: Isabella Vere, daughter of Richard Vere (laird of Ellieslaw, and head of a Jacobite conspiracy) tried to compel his daughter to marry sir Frederick Langley, one of his chief followers. She resisted and was carried off to Westburnflat, but was rescued by Patrick Earnscliff (laird of Earnscliff). Being persuaded to consult the Black Dwarf, she goes to his hut, and he promises to prevent the obnoxious marriage. When the wedding preparations of sir F. Langley were all completed, the Black Dwarf suddenly appeared on the scene, declared himself to be sir Edward Manley, and forbade the marriage. Miss Vere ultimately married Patrick Earnscliff, and all went merry as a marriage-bell.

It is said that the “Black Dwarf” is meant for David Ritchie, whose cottage was and still is on Manor Water, in the county of Peebles.

Black-eyed Susan, a ballad by John Gay. Also a drama by Douglas Jerrold (1822).

The ballad begins—

All in the Downs the fleet was moored,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When Black-eyed Susan came on board.

Black Flag (A) was displayed by Tamerlane when a besieged city refused to surrender, meaning that “mercy is now past, and the cito is devoted to utter destruction.”

Black George, the gamekeeper in Fielding’s novel called The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1750).

Black George, George Petrowitsch of Servia, a brigand; called by the Turks Kara George, from the terror he inspired.

Black Horse (The), the 7th Dragoon Guards (not the 7th Dragoons). So called because their facings (or collar and cuffs) are black velvet. Their plumes are black and white; and at one time their horses were black, or at any rate dark bay.

Black Jack, a large flagon.

But oh, oh, oh! his nose doth show
How oft Black Jack to his lips doth go.
   —Simon the Cellarer.

Black Knight of the Black Lands (The), sir Peread. Called by Tennyson “Night” or “Nox.” He was one of the four brothers who kept the passages of Castle Dangerous, and was overthrown by sir Gareth.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, i. 126 (1470); Tennyson: Idylls (“Gareth and Lynette”).