According to the primary source, many people thought that the Jews infected wells and so caused the plague. Was this a fact or opinion?

Question

Explain using information from the passage to support your answer.
Primary Source
"Some said that this pestilence was caused by infection of the air and waters, since there was at this time no famine nor lack of food supplies, but on the contrary great abundance. As a result of this theory of infected water and air as the source of the plague, the Jews were suddenly and violently charged with infecting wells and water and corrupting the air. The whole world rose up against them cruelly on this account."
-Jean de Venette, Chronicle

Answer 1

The assertion that Jews infected wells and caused the plague is presented as an opinion rather than a fact. The quoted passage illustrates that this belief emerged in a context of fear and misunderstanding surrounding the plague's origins.

In the passage, the phrase "some said that this pestilence was caused by infection of the air and waters" indicates that this was not a universally accepted belief, but rather a theory held by certain individuals. This highlights that the idea was based on speculation rather than empirical evidence. The subsequent statement that "the Jews were suddenly and violently charged with infecting wells" further illustrates how these theories were directed towards a scapegoat—an emotional and unjust response rather than a factual basis.

Moreover, the description of how "the whole world rose up against them cruelly" shows the widespread but irrational nature of this belief, emphasizing that it stemmed from hysteria rather than factual assessment. Thus, the passage suggests that the charge against Jews was a misguided opinion fueled by panic, rather than a factual account of their actions.