User:17forward/Plague Maiden

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As the Black Plague spread across Europe there were many different explanations the people of Europe came up with to explain away the deaths of so many others. One such explanation favored by some Slavic countries, (primarily Poland) was the idea of a mythical character called a Plague Maiden.

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The Plague Maidens were seen before a coming plague and was to warn the populace of the coming disease. A Plague Maiden is often described as a haggard older woman who is tall. She is described as old and ailing, perhaps a warning of things to come. In a particular telling of a Plague Maiden comes from Slovenia where she is described as an outsider of the town and is not recognized by the township, she is shunned by the people until someone eventually comes to her aid. She then makes not of their house, for they shall be spared by the coming plague.