During the early months of 1349, Scottish soldiers engaged in border warfare praised God that many of their English opponents were being felled by a new and terrifying affliction. Within months, however, Scots themselves began to fall victim to what they had described as the foul death of the English. No aspect of life went untouched by this virulent disease. Beyond the physical devastation caused, Karen Jillings also describes the social impact of the plaguecynicism towards the Church and the abandonment of serfdomthat was integral to the development of the country."