<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Black Death was a pneumonic plague pandemic, which reached England in June 1348 . It was the first and most severe manifestation of the Second Pandemic, caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria . The term "Black Death" was not used until the late 17th century . </P> <P> Originating in China, it spread west along the trade routes across Europe and arrived on the British Isles from the English province of Gascony . The plague seems to have been spread by flea - infected rats, as well as individuals who had been infected on the continent . Rats were the reservoir hosts of the Y. pestis bacteria and the Oriental rat flea was the primary vector . </P>

When did the black death arrive in britain