During the time of the plague, particularly during the Black Death in the 14th century, people often engaged in violent actions, including burning down villages, due to a combination of fear, superstition, and social unrest. The most fitting explanation from your options is:
They were protesting poverty resulting from the plague.
Many communities faced severe social and economic disruptions as a result of the plague. As the death toll climbed, labor shortages led to rising prices and hardships. In this context, communities sometimes turned against those they perceived as responsible for the spread of the disease or those they blamed for their misfortunes, leading to violence and destruction. While other factors like fear of the disease and dissatisfaction with the church's responses contributed, the protests against poverty and the resultant anguish were significant drivers for these extreme actions.
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