# Stop blaming rats for the plague

An episode of [No One Saw It Coming](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1805005780), 31 May 2026, 26 min.

Audio: https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/l0/Z/07.mp3

If you were asked where the plague came from you’d probably say rats. Or fleas. And you’d say it swept across Europe killing up to half of the population. But where exactly did it start and how did it get to Europe in the first place? Medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega sits down with Marc Fennell (Stuff The British Stole) and debunks the biggest myths about the black death and tells the real story behind one of the worst pandemics the world has ever seen. Binge all the episodes of No One Saw It Coming now on ABC listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch: Got a story for us? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at noonesawitcoming@abc.net.au

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