The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic that occurred in Europe primarily between 1346 and 1353, with the most intense years being from 1347 to 1351. It was one of the deadliest pandemics in history, killing an estimated 25 to 50 million people in Europe, about half of the population at the time. The plague likely originated in Asia and spread to Europe via trade routes, initially entering through the Black Sea region around 1347. It reached various parts of Europe, including England by 1348, spreading rapidly and causing widespread devastation.