Plague and Famine
Don't make them hangry!
Throughout history, there has been a lethal combination - hunger and disease. This is often accompanied by high taxes. Then the remaining people rise! They are pushed beyond their limits and rebellion rages.
Let’s look at the 17th century…
In 1623, England suffered a terrible famine. It particularly affected the north and west of England, but was felt across the land, including Ireland and Scotland. It is often cited as the last real famine of England. But then Ireland obviously had their Great Famine in 1845-1852 (aka the Irish Potato Famine).
There had been previous famines in 1587-88, and 1597.
Dearth of corn (failed crops) occurred 1629–31, 1637–38, 1647–50, 1657–61, 1674–75, and the 1690s. But these did not cause such widespread mortality. Not saying it was a happy time, just that folk didn’t die in such high numbers.
In each famine year, it’s estimated the death toll was around 30-60 per 1,000 population; about 3%.
I think all British school children have heard of The Black Death (1348) - known at the time as The Great Pestilence. However, that was not our only dance with Death.
The main subsequent outbreaks were in 1563, 1593, 1603, 1625 and 1665 (The Great Plague of London). These would claim a mortality rate of around 20% of the population, particularly in cities.
Between 1348-1665 there were very few years without pestilence (plague) deaths!
One weird thing about plagues is that outbreaks tended to start in spring, peak in summer and die down at the start of winter. But this coincides with the hibernation period of fleas.
But let us not neglect typhus (putrid fever as it seems to have most commonly been identified with at the time.
During the English Civil War (1642-51), there were terrible outbreaks of “camp fever” (typhus). It struck crowded military camps and jails, especially in the winter. So, as the pestilence was calming, typhus decided to take its turn! Occurring perennially, it claimed a 10-40% mortality rate.
Death was all around! Hunger, disease, plus all that religious and political unrest.
Death leads to fear. Confusion leads to hate. Hate and fear lead to anger.
And all paths lead to witch hunts and civil war!
This was really depressing. I do apologise. But one had to set context.
I will try to find something cheerier for the next one. I promise.
Always in love and light,
TL