France

Place

Time

Language

Disease

Animal

Keyword

Person

Nature event

River

Plague

Scribe

Social response

Victims

In France, a total of 149 epidemic events are known so far. It is a country west of the Alps.

Events

	Date	Summary		Source	Translation	T

1173, December

An influenza-like disease spreads out across Germany and north western France. It affected mainly old persons and children, with a low mortality rate.

Ipso anno Kalendis Decembris tussis intolerabilis et inaudita omne Theutonicum regnum et precipue Galliam Comatam pervasit, senes cum junioribus et infantibus debilitavit, plures morti addixit. Monasteriensis episcopus Luodewicus eadem peste occubuit ; cui imperator Herimannum, fratrem comitis de Kazinelinboge, substituit.

This year (1173), at the beginning of December, an intolerable and unprecedented cough disease developed in the kingdom of the Theutons and in particular in Gallia Comata, affecting the elderly, the young and children. Many have died from this plague. The Bishop of Münster himself died. Which the emperor Henry replaced by the brother of the Count of Kazinelinboge. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1237 VN: 44

A mortality breaks out in the monastery of Saint-Denis, killing 44 monks.

Hoc anno fuit maxima mortalitas fratrum monachorum in ecclesia Beati Dionysii fere usque ad XLIV.

In this year (1237) was a great mortality among brothers of the church of Saint-Denis affecting 44 monks. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1241

In France a lot of people get an ophthalmic disease.

Et multi in illo anno patiebantur malum maximum in occulis eorum.

In this year, lot of people suffered of the eyes. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1248

Illness of Hugo von Digne, probably part of an epidemic in Provence

De mora quam cum fratre Hugone contraxi. Ego vero et socius meus remansimus Areis cum fratre Hugone, a festo beati Francisci usque ad festum Omnium Sanctorum. Et gaudebam quia habebam occasionem standi cum fratre Hugone, [p. 456] cum quo tota die de doctrina abbatis Ioachym erat sermocinatio mea. Habebat enim omnes libros abbatis Ioachym et erat maximus Ioachita et unus de maioribus clericis de mundo, sanctitate et scientia incomparabilis. Dolebam vero quod sotius meus graviter infirmabatur quasi ad mortem, et nolebat sibi cavere, et tempus navigandi propter hyemem in deterius mutabatur. Et contrata illa illo anno valde infirma erat propter ventum marinum, et vix poteram respirare de nocte, etiam morando sub divo; et audiebam lupos clamantes et ululantes de nocte in maxima quantitate, non semel neque bis. Et dixi socio meo, qui erat iuvenis valde protervus: «Tu non vis tibi cavere a contrariis et semper recidivas, ego vero cognosco contratam istam valde infirmam, et nollem adhuc mori, quia vellem videre illa que predicat frater Hugo. Quapropter noveris quod, si occurrerit de fratribus nostris societas congrua, ibo cum illis». Et dixit: «Placet quod dicis, veniam et ego tecum». Sperabat enim quod nullus veniret, qui frater esset. Et ecce, Domino faciente, statim venit frater Pontius quidam, sanctus homo, qui nobiscum steterat in conventu Aquensi et ibat Niciam, unde factus fuerat guardianus. Et gavisus est, quando vidit nos. Et dixi sibi: «Volumus venire vobiscum, quia Ianuam ire debemus ad habitandum». Et respondit et dixit: Multum placet michi. Vado ergo ad procurandum ut habeamus navem». In crastino autem post prandium ivimus ad navem, que distabat a loco fratrum per unum miliare. Socius autem meus nolebat venire, sed videns quod penitus recedebam, assumpto guardiano loci, venit post nos. Cumque porigerem sibi manum, ut elevarem eum ad navem intrandam, aborruit et ait: «Absit quod tu tangas me, quia non conservasti michi fidem et bonam societatem». Cui dixi: «Miser, cognosce bonitatem Dei erga te, oquia revelatum est michi a Domino quod, si stetisses ibi, absque dubio mortuus fuisses; et Sapiens in Eccle. VII dicit: Noli esse stultus, ne moriaris in tempore non tuo. Et de quibusdam dicitur in Iob XXII: Sublati sunt ante tempus suum, et fluvius(scilicet mortalitatis humane) subvertit fundamentum eorum». Quid plura? Non credebat iste michi quousque vexatiodedit auditui intellectum. Nam per totam hyemem in conventu Ianuensi ab illa [p. 457] infirmitate quam in Provincia contraxerat non potuit liberari; et in festo beati Mathie intravi mare et a Ianua usque ad locum fratris Hugonis in IIII diebus perveni; et sex fratres de illo loco inveni mortuos et sepultos; quorum primus fuit guardianus loci illius, qui socium meum ad navem associaverat; alter fuit frater Guillielmus de Pertuso, bonus predicator, qui in conventu Parmensi habitavit aliquando; et IIII alii quos nominare necesse non est. Cum autem in reversione mea ad Ianuensem conventum retulissem socio meo de morte istorum fratrum supradictorum, gratias referebat michi, quod eruissem eum de faucibus mortis. Convaluit tandem, et post multos annos ivit ad provinciam ultramarinam, eo anno quo rex Francie transfretavit secundo et Tunicium ivit; et fuit ibi custos et pro custode ad generale capitulum venit quod fuit Assisii celebratum, in quo frater Bonagratia factus fuit generalis minister, et declaratio regule ratribus data.

About the delay that I contracted with Brother Hugh. Indeed, my companion and I remained in Aries with Brother Hugh, from the feast of St. Francis until the feast of All Saints. And I was glad because I had the opportunity to stay with Brother Hugh," [p. 456] "with whom my entire day was spent discussing the teachings of Abbot Joachim. For he had all the books of Abbot Joachim and was a great Joachite and one of the most senior clerics in the world, incomparable in sanctity and knowledge. However, I was saddened because my companion fell gravely ill, almost to death, and he did not want to take care of himself, and the time for sailing worsened due to the winter. And the sea that year was very rough because of the marine wind, and I could barely breathe at night, even staying outdoors; and I heard wolves crying and howling at night in great numbers, not just once or twice. And I said to my companion, who was a very impetuous young man: 'You do not want to take care of yourself against the adversities, and you always relapse, but I know that the sea is very treacherous this year, and I do not wish to die yet, because I want to see what Brother Hugh preaches. Therefore, you should know that if a suitable opportunity arises among our brothers, I will go with them.' And he said, 'What you say pleases me, I will come with you.' For he hoped that no brother would come. And behold, by the grace of the Lord, Brother Pontius immediately arrived, a holy man, who had stayed with us in the convent of Aix and was going to Nice, where he had been appointed guardian. And he rejoiced when he saw us. And I said to him, 'We want to come with you, because we must go to Genoa to live there.' And he replied and said: 'I am very pleased. I will go then to arrange for us to have a ship.' On the next day after lunch, we went to the ship, which was one mile away from the place of the brothers. However, my companion did not want to come, but seeing that I was determined, he came after us, taking the guardian of the place with him. And when I reached out my hand to lift him onto the ship, he recoiled and said, 'God forbid that you touch me, for you did not keep faith with me and maintain a good companionship.' To which I said, 'Unfortunate one, recognize the goodness of God towards you, for it has been revealed to me by the Lord that if you had stayed there, undoubtedly you would have died; and the Wise One in Ecclesiastes 7 says: Do not be foolish, lest you die in your time. And it is said of some in Job 22: They were taken away before their time, and the river (namely, the river of human mortality) subverted their foundation.' Why more? This person did not believe me until vexation gave understanding to his hearing. For throughout the entire winter in the convent of Genoa, he could not be freed from the illness he had contracted in Provence; and on the feast of St. Matthias, I entered the sea, and from Genoa, I arrived at Brother Hugh's place in four days; and I found six brothers from that place dead and buried; the first of whom was the guardian of that place, who had accompanied my companion to the ship; the second was Brother William of Pertuso, a good preacher, who had once lived in the convent of Parma; and the other four need not be named. However, when I returned to the convent of Genoa and recounted to my companion the deaths of those aforementioned brothers, he thanked me for rescuing him from the jaws of death. He eventually recovered, and after many years, he went to the overseas province, in the year when the King of France crossed over for the second time and went to Tunis; and there he became the guardian and came as a guardian to the general chapter held at Assisi, where Brother Bonagratia was elected as the general minister, and the declaration of the rule was given to the brothers ((Translated with ChatGTP 3.5))

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1259, April

Mortality in Paris. Crops have been malevolent.

Anno sequenti, mense aprilis fuit mortalitas, maxima Parisius, et moriebantur homines quasi subito.

The year after, in April, there was a great mortality, especially in Paris. People died very rapidly. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1262

Mortality in Normandy

Hoc anno fuit mors valida in Normannia.

This year, a great mortality raged in Normandy. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1271 VN: 20

Mortality in Lorraine.

Mortalitas maxima in Lotharingia. Illo anno 20 fratres in convetnu fratrem Predicatorum Metensis mortui sunt.

Great mortality in Lorraine. This year, 20 brothers died in the Dominican monastery of Metz. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1276

Price increase in Genoa, Lombardy, Tuscany, France and in complete Italy, poverty migration and disease

In iam dicto anno [1276] victualium magna fuit penuries nedum in Ianua et districtu, set etiam in Lonbardia, Tuscia, Provintia et Francia, et quasi in Ytalia tota. In Ianua enim et districtu usque in solidos 40 frumenti mine singule vendebantur; quod autem durius est audire, nedum frumentum set nec etiam granum poterat reperiri. Qui enim granum habebant, illud ad libitum vendere potuissent, quantumcunque voluissent inde habere pretium; nisi iussio emanasset qua fuit cunctis inhibitum, ne ultra certam summam frumentum vel granum aliquatenus venderetur. Tanta autem victualium inedia nedum per totum illum annum set etiam quasi per totum sequentem regnavit, quod homines fame peribant. Qua ex causa urgente fame et fructuum paupertate, magna mulierum et hominum multitudo cum eorum familias etiam parvulis quos in cunabulis deferebant, fines Lonbardie, Tuscie, Provintie et totius Ytalie famem fugientes est egressa. Ex diversis quidem civitatibus locis et villis et quasi ex totius Lonbardie et Ytalie finibus homines mulieres magni et parvuli undique concurrebant, qui quasi fame consumpti velud mortui apparebant. Qui omnes habuerunt ad civitatem Ianuensem recursum, et quamquam Ianuensis civitas magna victualium laboraret inopia, tamen ad se fugientes non repulit; set ipsis miseris et oppressis fame [p. 283] compatiens manum aperuit et panem suum et omnia neccessaria eisdem esurientibus ministravit. Illo quippe anno et quasi toto sequenti aer infectus et pestilens celum fuit, et ad hec in omnibus iam dictis partibus morbus invaluit, quod infinitos homines et mulieres magnos et parvos fere in omnibus Ytalie partibus mors invasit.

(Translation needed)

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1278

Mortality in the duchy of Normandy, and elsewhere (no precision).

Hoc anno fuit mors valida in Normannia et in multis partibus.

This year (1278), a great mortality raged in Normandy and in many other locations. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1282

Epidemic in Alsace

Item mel in Alsatia finibus pluebat, unde multi olera seu fructus commedere recusabant. Item pestilencia in locis pluribus sequebatur

It rained honey in some places in Alsace, and a lot of people refused to eat vegetables and fruits. And, an epidemic follows in several locations. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1307

A mortality occurs in France.

Si en fust la mortalité, / En cel an sur les hommes grant. / Li physiciens grandement / Lors gaaignèrent: qui ne peurent / En cel an vivre, celz moururent.

In this year, the mortality has been severe. Doctors earned a lot, and those who cannot live died this year. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1315

Famine in Western Europe, caused by incessant rain, causes epidemics and lack of grain and wine; merchants are fleeing back to Asti

Notum sit omnibus presentibus et futuris quod anno MCCCXV fuit fames valida in regionibus Alamanniae, Olandiae, Flandriae, Pannoniae, Lorenae, Brabantiae, Franciae, talis, quod similis non est a saeculo audita, quia granum, quod caperet Astensis mina, vendebatur quindecim grossis turonensibus, et pinta boni vini ad mensuram Astensem in supradictis locis vendebatur grossis sex turonensibus: et tantum duravit dicta fames, quod pro aliquo precio furmentum et avena non inveniebatur et vinum. Et haec acciderunt ex abundantia pluviae,quia in diebus illis pluvia de coelo non cessavit. Ex quibus pauperes innumerabiles obierunt fame, et inveniebantur in viis et plateis mortui sicut canes. Post haec epdimia sive mortalitas supervenit tam divitibus quam egenis, ex qua tercia pars virorum et mulierum supradictarum regionum obierant, et maxime rex Franciae qui non regnavit per annum: et tantum duravit, quod quasi non inveniebatur, qui mortuos sepelliret; et hoch verum est, quia multi Astenses habitantes in partibus illis venientes Asti, et fugientes fames illas et pestes, et alii multi de patria illa quasi mortui fame approbabant, et dicebant omnia esse vera, et in fine omnes eiusdem patriae firmiter asserebant, quod ex eadem fame et epidimia tercia pars virorum et mulierum obierunt.

(Translation needed)

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1323, June – 1323, August

Mortality in Paris and all of France

En cest an [1323], en la saison d’esté, par le royaulme de France et especiaulment à Paris, fut si grant multitude de gens maladez, et tant en moururent, que chacun en estoit esbahy

In this year, in summertime, there was in the kingdom of France and especially in Paris a great many of ill people, and many of them died. Everybody was astonished about this. (Translation: Martin Bauch)

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1323, August – 1323, September

Fever and headaches of most people in Florence and all over Italy, low mortality.

Nel detto anno MCCCXXIII, a l’uscità d’agosto e a l’entrar di settembre, fu uno vento a favognano, per lo quale amalorono di freddo con alquanti dì con febbre e dolore di testa la maggiore parte degli uomini e de le femmine in Firenze: e questa pestilenza fu generale per tutte le città d’Italia, ma poca gente ne morì; ma in Francia ne morirono assai.

In this year 1323, at the end of August and in early September, there was a Western wind. Because of this, most people in Florence, women and men alike, fell ill with a cold and some days of fever and headaches. And this disease was everywhere in Italy, but few people died of it. But in France, many more died. (Translation: Martin Bauch)

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1347, May – 1347, November VN: 4.000

Epidemic follows famine in Florence, 4000 dead (mainly women and children); particularly bad in Romagna, Provence, Bologna, Vignone, Pistoia and Prato. The mortality was foretold by astrologers.

Di grande mortalità che ffu in Firenze, ma più grande altrove, come diremo apresso Nel detto anno e tempo, come sempre pare che segua dopo la carestia e fame, si cominciò in Firenze e nel contado infermeria, e apresso mortalità di genti, e spezialmente in femine e fanciulli, il più in poveri genti, e durò fino al novembre vegnente MCCCXLVII ma però non fu così grande, come fu la mortalità dell'anno MCCCXL come adietro facemmo menzione; ma albitrando al grosso, ch'altrimenti non si può sapere a punto in tanta città come Firenze, ma in di grosso si stimò che morissono in questo tempo più di IIIIm persone, tra uomini e più femmine e fanciulli; morirono bene de' XX l'uno; e fecesi comandamento per lo Comune che niuno morto si dovesse bandire, né sonare campane alle chiese, ove i morti si sotterravano, perchè lla gente non isbigotisse d'udire di tanti morti. E lla detta mortalità fu predetta dinanzi per maestri di strologia, dicendo che quando fu il sostizio vernale, cioè quando il sole entrò nel principio dell'Ariete del mese di marzo passato, l'ascendente che ffu nel detto sostizio fu il segno della Vergine, e 'l suo signore, cioè il pianeto di Mercurio, si trovò nel segno dell'Ariete nella ottava casa, ch'è casa che significa morte; e se non che il pianeto di Giove, ch'è fortunato e di vita, si ritrovò col detto Mercurio nella detta casa e segno, la mortalità sarebbe stata infinita, se fosse piaciuto a dDio. Ma nnoi dovemo credere e avere per certo che Idio promette le dette pestilenze e ll'altre a' popoli, cittadi e paesi [p. 486] per pulizione de'peccati e non solamente per corsi di stelle, ma tolera, siccome signore dell'universo e del corso del celesto, come gli piace; e quando vuole, fa accordare il corso delle stelle al suo giudicio; e questo basti in questa parte e d'intorno a Firenze del detto delli astrolagi. La detta mortalità fu maggiore in Pistoia e Prato e nelle nostre circustanze all'avenante della gente di Firenze, e maggiore in Bologna e in Romagna, e maggiore in Vignone e in Proenza ov'era la corte del papa, e per tutto il reame di Francia.

Of a great mortality which occurred in Florence, although it was greater elsewhere, as we will recount. In this year and season, as seemingly always after food shortages and famines, a sickness began in the city and countryside of Florence. Soon people began to die, especially women and children, and the most among the poor. It lasted until November 1347, but it was not as great as the mortality of 1340 that we described earlier. If we make a rough guess—it is impossible to do otherwise in a city as great as Florence—it seems that this time more than four thousand people died, men and more women and children. More than one in twenty died. It was ordered by the commune that no death be announced and no church bell be sounded during burials, lest people be terrified to hear of so many deaths. This mortality was foretold by master astrologers who stated that during the vernal solstice—that is when the sun entered the sign of Aries last March—the sign of Virgo was rising and Virgo’s ruler Mercury was in the eighth house of Aries, a house signifying death. And were it not for the fact that Jupiter, which brings fortune and life, accompanied Mercury in this house and sign, the mortality would have been endless—if this had pleased God. But we should believe and be certain that the Lord God promises the said pestilences and others to peoples, cities, and lands to cleanse their sins, and [that he does so] not only through the movement of the stars but sometimes—as Lord of the universe and celestial motion—according to his will. And when he wishes, he matches the movement of the stars to his judgment. Let this suffice regarding Florence, its surroundings, and the sayings of astrologers. This mortality was greater in Pistoia and Prato and in the surrounding territories nearer to Florence; it was greater in Bologna and in Romagna; it was greater at Avignon and in Provence, where the papal court was, and throughout the kingdom of France.

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1347, February

Famine and afterwards mortality in Avignon (fasting period until Whitsun).

Anno Domini MCCCXLVII in quadragesima et inter pascha et pentecosten circa Avionem propter gwerrarum rabiosam inundacionem circumquaque exortam fames exicialis et prevalida facta est, propter quam innumerabiles populi morte repentina extincti dicebantur. In tantum eciam mortalitas famem horrendam subsecuta seviebat, quod in plateis, vicis et in sterquiliniis prostrati miserabiliter iacuerunt.

In the year of our Lord 1347, during Lent and between Easter and Pentecost, near Avignon, due to the violent outbreak of war, a devastating famine arose everywhere, causing countless people to be struck down by sudden death. Such a terrible mortality ensued from the famine that people were said to be dying innumerable deaths. To such an extent did the deadly famine rage, that people miserably lay prostrate in the streets, alleys, and dung heaps. (Translation: DeepL)

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1348

Outbreak of the Black Death caused by severe earthquake in Villach and meteorite impacts in Catalonia.

In Italia e per tuto el mondo circha l'ora del vespero fuoron grandissimi tremoti, adì xxv de zenaro; el quale tremoto fuo sentito per tuto el mondo e maximamente in le parte da Charentana, dove è una citade nome Villach, la quale tuta somerse per lo dicto tremoto. Et fuo contato e scripto per merchadanti che nelle parte del Chatai piovete grandissima quantitade de vermi e de serpenti li quali devoravano grandissima quantitade de gente. Ancora in quelle contrade, tra el Chatai e Persia, piovete fuogo de celo a modo de neve, el quale brusoe li monti e lla terra e gli uomini, el quale fuogo faceva fumo tanto pestelenciale, che chi sentiva quello fumo, moriva infra spacio de xii [p. 585] hore; a(n)cora chi guardava quelli ch'erano venenati da quello fumo pestelenciale eciamdio morivano. Et advenne che doe galee de' Gienonesi passando per la dicta contrata fuorono inficiati de quella pestilencia e commenciarono a morire, et pervenuti in Costantinopoli e in Pera comenciano quelle galleoti a parlare con quelli de Constantinopoli e de Pera. Et incontente comenciò la mortalitade in quelle citade, per tale modo che ne morirono li dui terzi de le persone; e andate quelle doe galee in Sicilia e in Missina, apicione la mortalicha in quelle contrade, dove morìo circha vcxxx milia persone; e una cità de quelle reame, nome Trapani, remase desabitata per quella pestilencia, e nella citade de Gienoa morirono circha xl millia persone; ancora la cità de Marsilia remase quasi dexabitata per la dicta pestilencia, la quale pestilencia fuo per tuto el mundo. Et in quello anno, in lo dì de la nativitade de Yhesu Christo, apparve uno fuogho in celo, overo in l'aere, el quale teneva da [p. 586] levante a ponente. E ne le parte de Chatelogna' cadde da celo iii petre grandissime, e quelli de quella contrada mandarono una de quelle petre suso uno mullo al re de Chatelogna. [...] [p. 587] E per quelle ch'io trovo, quella pestilencia fuo generale per tuto el mundo, unde fuo scripto per merchadanti che in uno dì in la cità de Parise ne fuoron sepeliti mille trecento vinte octo, e molte cità de Franza e de oltra monti erano remase quase dexabitade per quella pestilencia; e de Venesia e de Chioza fuo contato che ogne dì morivano viC huomeni, e similmente fuo dicto de Pisa.

In Italy and throughout the world, around the hour of vespers on the 25th of January, there were very great earthquakes; this earthquake was felt throughout the world and especially in the region of Carinthia, where there is a city named Villach, which was entirely submerged by said earthquake. It was reported and written by merchants that in the region of Cathay there fell a great quantity of worms and serpents which devoured a vast number of people. Furthermore, in those regions, between Cathay and Persia, fire fell from the sky like snow, which burned the mountains, the land, and the men; this fire produced such a pestilential smoke that anyone who inhaled it died within twelve hours. Moreover, those who looked at those poisoned by that pestilential smoke also died. It happened that two Genoese galleys passing through the said region were infected by that pestilence and began to die, and upon arriving in Constantinople and Pera, those sailors began to speak with the people of Constantinople and Pera. Immediately, the mortality began in those cities, in such a manner that two-thirds of the people died; and when those two galleys arrived in Sicily and Messina, they spread the plague in those regions, where about 530,000 people died; and a city in that kingdom, named Trapani, was left uninhabited due to that pestilence, and in the city of Genoa about 40,000 people died; also the city of Marseille was almost depopulated due to the said pestilence, which was present throughout the world. And in that year, on the day of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, a fire appeared in the sky, or rather in the air, stretching from east to west. In the region of Catalonia, three very large stones fell from the sky, and the people of that region sent one of those stones on a mule to the king of Catalonia. [...] And from what I found, that pestilence was general throughout the world, for it was written by merchants that in one day in the city of Paris, 1,328 people were buried, and many cities in France and beyond the mountains were almost depopulated due to that pestilence; and it was reported from Venice and Chioggia that every day 600 men died, and similarly it was said of Pisa. (Translation: Martin Bauch)

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1348 VN: 530.000

The beginning and the origins of the Black Death in the Middle East and about the severe earthquake especially in Villach.

In 1348 in Italia e per tuto lo mondo, circha l'ora de vespero, fonno grandissimi teramoti adì 25 de zenaro. El quale teramoto fo sentito per tuto el mondo e masimamente in le parti de Charantana, donde è una citade nome Vilach, la quale fo tuta somerssa per lo ditto teramoto; e fo contado e scrito per merchatanti che ne le parte del Chatay piovè grandisima quantitade de vermi e de serpenti li quali devoravano de le persone. Anchora in quele contrade del Chatay e de Persia piové fuogo da zielo a modo neve, el quale fuogo bruxò li monti e la terra e gli omeni, el quale fuogo faceva fumo tanto pesetelenziale chi chi lo sentìa morìa [p. 590] in fra spacio de 12 ore. Anchora chi guardava quili, ch'erano avenenati da quelo fumo, moriano. E avene che doe Zenoixi, passando per dita contrada fono infiziati de questa pistilenzia e cominzarno a morire. E prevenuti a Costantinopoli e in Pera incontenenti queli comenzono a morire in quele citade in tal modo che ne morì li dui terzi de le persone; e, andate quelle doe galee in Sizilia e in Misina, apichono la mortalitade in quele contrade dove morì 530 milia persone. E una citade de quelo reame che à nome Prapani remaxe dexabitada per quella pistilenzia. E in la cità de Zenora morì circa 40 milia persone. Anchora a la zitade de Marsilia remaxe quaxi desabitada. La quale pistilenzia fo per tuto lo mondo. E in quelo anno, per la nativitade de Ihesu Christo, aparve uno fuogo ne l'aiera, el quale tenìa da livante a ponente. [p. 591] E ne le parte de Catalogna cade tre prede grandissime e quili de quele contrade mandono una de quele prede su uno mulo al re de Catalogna. [...] [p. 592] E per quelo ch'io trovo, quella pistilenzia fo per tuto lo mondo: Unde fo scrito per merchadanti che in la cità de Parixi, in uno dì forno sepelidi 1328 persone, e molte citdae de Franza e d'oltra monti romaxeno quasi desabitade. E in Venexia e de Chioza se disse che ogni dì circha 600 persone, e similmente de Pixa.

In 1348 in Italy and all over the world, around the hour of evening, there was a great earthquake on the 25th of January. This earthquake was heard all over the world, and especially in the Charantana area, where there is a town called Vilach, which was completely submerged by this earthquake; and it was reported and written by merchants that in the Chatay area it rained a great quantity of worms and snakes which devoured people. Also in those parts of Chatay and Persia it rained snow-like gale-force winds, which burned the mountains and the earth and people, and which made such heavy smoke that those who felt it died within 12 hours. Even those who looked at those who were poisoned by that smoke died. And it came to pass that two Zenoixi, passing through the district, were infected with this pistilenzia and began to die. And when they came to Constantinople and Pera they began to die in those cities in such a way that two thirds of the people died; and when those two galleys went to Syzilia and Misina, they opened the mortality in those lands where 530 thousand people died. And a city of that realm, which is called Prapani, became inhabited by that people. And in the city of Zenora about 40 thousand people died. Anchora a la zitade de Marsilia remaxe quaxi desabitada. La quale pistilenzia fo per tutto lo mondo. E in quelo anno, per la nativitade de Ihesu Christo, a fuogo ne l'aiera aparve, el el el tenìa da livante a ponente. [p. 591] And in the part of Catalonia three very great preys fell, and those from those lands sent one of them on a mule to the King of Catalonia. [...] [p. 592] And from what I find, that pistilenzia was for all the world: so it was written by merchants that in the city of Parixi, in one day 1328 people were buried, and many cities of France and other mountains were almost deserted. And in Venice and Chioza it was said that every day about 600 people were buried, and similarly in Pisa. (Translation: DeepL)

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1348

Black Death in Norway in 1348. Pope Clement VI orders a mass called “Recordare Domine” to counter the Black Death in Avignon

Sniovar sva miklir ok islaug at engir mvndu slikan. Drepsótt ok mannfall sva mikit j Noregi ok i vt londum at enginn vissi dæmi til sliks fyrr siþan Noa floð var. ok eydduz bæði borgir ok bæir kastalar ok kauptvn sva skiott at nær engir fengu gert reikning sinn þar til. er Clemens pavi het fyrir at syngia skylldi messo þa er hann hafði componat þrim sinnum ok stanða á kniam með liosi. grasleysu sumar.

Such a harsh spring of snow and frozen hot springs that no one remembered anything alike. There was such a deadly disease and great loss of life in Norway and abroad that no one had known such an example since Noah's flood. And it laid waste both cities and villages, castles and market towns so swiftly that almost no one was able to give account (before God] until Pope Clement called to sing a mass for the remission of sins, of which he had composed three, where [all] should stand on their knees with candles. Grassless summer. (Translation: Carina Damm)

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1348, March 4 VN: 90 %

A mortality, the Black Death breaks out in Arles and all over the world. 90 percent of the people die.

E en l'an mil CCCXLVIII, la primieyra semmana de carema (4 March), comenset a Bezes la gran mortalitat, et comenset costa le porge d'en Sicart Taborieg, mercadier, costa en P. Perus, qu'es de peyra al cap de la carieyra franceza, et moriron totz los senhors cossols, els clavaris, els escudiers, et apres tanta de gent, que de mil non y remanian cent.

In the year 1348, the first week of Lent (March 4), the great mortality began in Bezes, and the death of Sicart Taborieg, merchant, cost P. Perus, who is from Peyra in head of the French career, all the noble men, the claviers, the squires died, you learned so many people, that out of a thousand there were not a hundred left. (Translation: Thomas Wozniak)

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1349

Arrival of the Black Death to Norway in 1349.

Drepsotinn kom fyrst i Babilon a Serklandi sidan for hon til Iorsala lannz ok eyddi Iorsala borg þa for hon yfir hafid ok higat til pafa garz. þa uar Clemens sextus hann uigdi ana Rodanum ok uoru þar a bornir daudir menn er eigi matti iarda sidan for hon um Franz ok Saxland sua nordr um sio til Einglannz ok eyddi þar sua at eigi uar fleira manna i borginni Lunndun en xiiij. Þa vigldi .i. kuggr til Biorguiniar ok uard eiqi ruddr ok do af allt folkid en þegar gozid kom upp i bæinn þa do þegar folkid. for þa drepsottin um allan Noreg. fioldi skipa sock nidr med farmi ok urdu eigi rudd. Sidan for hon um Hialtland Orkneyar Sudureyar Færeyar. Þat uar kyn sottarinnar at menn lifdu iij dægr med hardan stinga þa toku menn blodspyu ok for þar med onndin. fyrr nefndr pafi setti moti þersi drepsott messo er sua byriaz recordare domine et cet. ok gaf þar med pardun rietskriftudum .cc. ok .Ix. daga. þar med dictadi hann eina bæn er sua hefr benediccio dei patris. ok med i uppgiof .dc. daga ok iiij karinur.

The deadly plague appeared first in Babylon in Serkland, then it went to Palestine and desolated Jerusalem. Then, it went over the sea hither to the papal city [= Avignon]. Clement VI consecrated the river Rhône and dead people, who could not be buried, were thrown into it. Then, the disease went across all France and Saxony northwards to England and raged there so heavily that not more than fourteen people survived in the city of London. Then, a cog sailed to Bergen, was not cleared, and all the people [on the ship] died. As soon as the goods were brought into the town, the townspeople died. Then, the disease swept all over Norway. The ship sank with its cargo, and was not cleared. After that, the disease spread across the Shetlands, Orkneys, Hebrides and Faroes. That was the sort of disease that people did not live more than three days with heavy pangs of pain. Then, they began to vomit blood, and then the spirit left them. The aforesaid pope set a mass against this plague that begins with recordare domine etc., and gave a written indulgence of 200 and 60 days. Then he also authored a prayer that starts benediccio dei patris, with the remission of sins for 600 days and four times 40 days of fasting. (Translation: Carina Damm)

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1349

Arival of the Black Death to Norway via a cog from England in 1349. Two-thirds of the population in Norway die, among others the archbishop of Nidaros and the bishops of Bergen, Stavanger and Hamar. It is explicitly stated that the plague did not reach Iceland

J þenna tima kom drep sott so mickil vm alla nordr halfu heimsins at alldre kom slik fyrr sidan londin bygduzst. fyrst kom sottin vpp i Babilone a Serklande. vt i Affrica. sidan for hon hegat till Jorsalalandz ok i Iorsalaborg. ok eydde naliga borgina. þadan for hon nordr yfir Iorsala haf ok vm alla Romaniam ok sua nordr eftir londum ok vm pauagard. ok eydde allt naliga. vigdi paui aana Rodanum. voru þar vt aa steyttir daudir menn. Gaf paui þat af guds halfu at þat skillde þeira kirkiu gardr þui at eige matte jarda folkit fyrir mannfæd ok sott. sidan for hon vt vm Frakka rike ok vm Saxland. ok sua til Einglandz. ok eydde naliga allt Eingland. ok þat til marks at eige lifdi meir eftir i borginni Lvndunum en fiortan menn. J þann tima sigldi kuggr einn af Einglandi. ok var aa fioldi folks ok lagdi jnn aa Biorgwiniar vogh. ok var litt ruddr. sidan andadizst folkit allt af skipinu. en þegar vpp kom godzit i byinn af þessu skipe þa do þegar bæiar folkit. Þa for sottin vm allan Noreg ok eydde so at eige lifdi einn þridiungr eftir folksins i landinu. Einglandz kuggr saukk nidr med godzinu ok daudum monnum ok vard eige ruddr. fleiri skip buzur ok morg onnur skip sukku nidr ok rak uids vegar en sama sott for vm Hialltland Orkneyiar. Sudreyiar Færeyiar. Þat var kyn sottarinnar at menn lifdu eige meirr en eitt dægr edr tuo. med hordum stinga. eftir þat sætte at blod spyiu ok for þar ondin med sinn vegh. af þessi sott saladizst Arni erkebyskop. ok allir korsbrædr i Nidarose. vtan einn lifdi eftir er Lodinn hiet. ok hann giordi elecceionem kiosandi. Olaf abota af Holmi til erkebyskops. Jtem Ɵ Þorstein byskop. af Biorguin. Jtem Ɵ Guthormr byskop af Stafangre. Halluardr byskop af Hamri saladizst ok þa. Þessi sott kom ecki aa Island.

At that time, such a deadly plague spread all over the northern half of the world that never before had anything similar occurred since the lands were built. The disease started in Babylon in Serkland in Africa. Then then it went to Palestine and Jerusalem, and desolated nearly all towns. From there, it went northwards across the Sea of Jerusalem [= the Mediterranean] and across all the Romania [= Byzantium], and then across the countries further northwards, and to the papal city [= Avignon] and the surrounding area, and desolated nearly everything. The pope consecrated the river Rhône and dead people were thrown into the river. Then the pope prompted with God's help the protection of the churchyards; so that no one was allowed to bury people due to the lack of population and the plague. Then, the disease went across France and Saxony, and then to England. Nearly all of England was laid waste. And as a proof of that, not more than 14 people survived in the city of London. At that time, a cog sailed from England with many people on board, and it was put into the bay of Bergen. A little [cargo] was unloaded. Then, all the people from the ship died. As then the goods were brought into town from this ship, the townspeople began to die. Then, the plague swept all over Norway and raged so heavily that not one-third of the people in the country survived. The English cog sank down with its goods and the dead men, and was not unloaded. More ships, cargo vessels and many other ships sank down or drifted widely around. And the same disease spread across the Shetlands, Orkneys, Hebrides and Faroes. That was the sort of disease that people did not live more than a day or two, with heavy pangs of pain. After that they began to vomit blood, and then the spirit left them. From that plague died Archbishop Arne and all canons of Nidaros, but one who survived, named Lodin. He arranged an election and Abbot Olav of Holm was appointed archbishop. Likewise died Bishop Thorstein of Bergen. Likewise died Bishop Guttormr of Stavanger. Bishop Hallvard of Hamar also died at that time. That disease did not come to Iceland. (Translation: Carina Damm)

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1355

In Florence dry and beautiful until mid-April, then much rain, from June very dry until mid-October. Then much precipitation with loss of a third of the seed grain. In summer, many infections and febrile diseases [rabies outbreak in Calabria?], total loss of the fruit harvest, many dead farm animals; good grain harvest; reason: A lunar eclipse on 16th of February.

Martedì notte alle ore IIII e mezzo, a dì XVI di febbraio MCCCLV, cominciò la scurazione della luna nel segno dell' Aquario, e all'ore V e mezzo fu tutta scurata, e bene dello spazio d'un altra ora si penò a liberare. E non sapiendo noi per astrologia di sua influenzia, considerammo li efetti di questo seguente anno, e vedemmo continovamente infino a mezzo aprile serenissimo cielo, e apresso continove acque oltre al modo usato e i rimanente d'aprile e tutto il mese di maggio, e apresso continovi secchi e stemperati caldi insino a mezzo ottobre. E in questi tempi estivali e autunnali furono generali infezzioni, e in molte parti malatie di febri e altri stemperamenti di corpi mortali umani, e singularmente malatie di ventre e di pondi co lungo duramento. Ancora avenne in questo anno un disusato accidente alli uomini, e cominciossi in Calavra a fFiume Freddo e scorse fino a Gaeta, e chiamavano questo accidente male arrabiato. L'affetto mostrava mancamento di celabro con cadimento di capogirli con diversi dibattimenti, e mordieno come cani e percotiensi pericolosamente, e assai se ne morivano, ma cchi era proveduto e atato guariva. E fu nel detto anno mortalità di bestie dimestiche grande. E in questo anno medesimo furono [p. 729] in Fiandra, e in Francia e in Italia molte grandi e diverse battaglie, e nuovi movimenti di guerre e di signorie, come leggendo si potrà trovare. E nel detto anno fu singolare buona e gra ricolta di pane, e più vino non si sperava, perché un freddo d'aprile l'uve già nate seccò e arse, e da ccapo molte ne rinacquono e condussonsi a bbene, cosa assai strana. E da mezzo ottobre a calen di gennaio furono acque continove con gravi diluvii, e perdessene il terzo della sementa, ma il gennaio vegnente fu sì bel tempo, che lla perduta sementa si raquistò. I frutti delli alberi dimestichi tutti si perderono in questo anno. Non aremmo stesa questa memoria se lla scurazione predetta non vi ci avesse indotto.

On Tuesday night at half past twelve o'clock, on the sixteenth day of February MCCCLV, the moon began to wax and wane in the sign of Aquarius, and at half past five o'clock it was all darkened, and within another hour it was free. And not knowing by astrology of its influence, we considered the effects of this following year, and saw continually until mid-April very clear skies, and thereafter continually counting waters beyond the usual manner and the remainder of April and the whole month of May, and thereafter dry and warm dry spells until mid-October. And in these summer and autumn times there were general infestations, and in many parts sicknesses of fever and other distempering of human bodies, and singularly sicknesses of the belly and abdomen with long duration. Again, in this year, an unfortunate accident happened to men, and it began in Calavra at Fiume Freddo and went as far as Gaeta, and they called this accident an angry disease. The affection showed a lack of celabrums with the fall of the head with various fights, and they bit like dogs and perished dangerously, and many died, but those who were provided and cured. And there was great mortality of domestic beasts in the said year. And in this same year there were [p. 729] in Flanders, and in France and Italy many great and diverse battles, and new movements of wars and lordships, as you will read. And in the said year there was a singularly good and abundant harvest of bread, and more wine was not hoped for, because one cold April the grapes that had already been born dried up and burned, and from the beginning many of them were reborn and were well, which is a very strange thing. And from the middle of October to the middle of January, there were heavy rains, and a third of the seed was lost, but the coming January was such good weather that the lost seed was regained. The fruits of the dimestique trees were all lost in this year. We would not have written this memoir if the aforementioned destruction had not induced us to do so. (Translation: DeepL)

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1355, July 5

Pope Innocent VI approves the plea of Henricus Lamberti, deacon from the diocese of Lund, for a benefice under the altar of Saint Jacobi and Saint Laurentii in the cathedral of Lund with a yield of no more than six silver marks, which was left vacant by the death of Ingemar Johannis at the curia during the plague

Supplicat sanctitati vestre deuotus vester Henricus Lamberti, diaconus Lundensis diocesis, quatenus sibi de beneficio altaris sanctorum Iacobi et Laurentii situati in ecclesia Lundensi, cuius fructus etc. vi marcharum argenti valorem annuum communiter non excedunt, vacante per mortem Ingemari Iohannis, qui in Romana curia tempore pestilencie diem clausit extremum, dignemini prouidere cum non obstantibus et clausulis oportunis ac executoribus vt in forma. Fiat G. Et quod transeat sine alia lectione. Fiat G. Datum Auinione III nonas iulii anno tercio.

Your faithful Henry Lambert, deacon of the diocese of Lund, beseeches for the benefit of the altar of Saints James and Lawrence situated in the church of Lund, the fruits etc. of which by force of silver marks do not exceed the annual value and are vacant by the death of Ingemar Johannis, who closed the last day in the Roman court during the pestilence, deign to provide with non-obstacles and convenient clauses and executors as in form. And that should pass without another reading. Avignon, on the 5 July in the third year. (Translation: Carina Damm)

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1361

A mortality breaks out in France and in England

Isto etiam anno, hyemps fuit satis longua et aspera, vernum tempus callidum et siccum fuit ultra modum, estivale vero fuit satis temperatum. Dira mortalitas in toto regno Francie viguit et in Anglia ubi comes inclitus Sancti Pauli et nonulli alii nobiles et burgenses quos rex Johannes obsides tradiderat diem ultimum signaverunt.

This year the winter has been rather long and cold, spring abnormally dry and hot, summer very temperate. A cruel mortality affected both Kingdoms of France and of England, where some famous barons of Saint-Paul and other noble men or citizens were executed, as hostages, by the order of King John. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1361 VN: 11.000

The pestis secunda is ravaging Venice, France, Spain, Germany, Avignon, Lombardy and Romagna, but sparing Modena, Bologna and Tuscany. Milan suffers a loss of 11.000 people

Dicto millesimo M.ccclxj per totum illum annum in partibus orbis fuit pestilentialis mortalitas valde magna, quae de uno loco ad alium per temporis spacium transibat; fuit etiam dicta mortalitas in civitate Venetiarum, in Francia, in Hispania, in Alemania, in Avenione ubi Papa residebat et in aliquibus partibus Romandiolae et quasi in omnibus civitatibus Lombardiae, quia prout ego Iohannes de Bacano audivi ab aliquibus fide dignis, in civitate Mediolani et eius diocesi inter homines et mulieres plusquam xj. milia personarum ex dicta pestilentia obierunt, ita quod medietas personarum in locis ubi erat pestilentia habitantium et ultra creduntur ex [p. 177] dicta pestilentia decessisse; tamen dicta pestilentia ad civitatem Mutinae nec Bononiae ne in Tuscia nec in aliis multis mundi locis in dicto anno minime pertransivit. Pestilentia autem illa era apostemata pessima, ex quibus personae, ut plurimum, subito vel quasi demigrabant.

In the said year 1361, throughout that entire year, there was a very great plague-induced mortality in parts of the world, which moved from one place to another over a span of time. This mortality was also said to have occurred in the city of Venice, in France, in Spain, in Germany, in Avignon where the Pope resided, and in some parts of Romagna, and in almost all the cities of Lombardy. For, as I, Johannes de Bacano, heard from some trustworthy sources, in the city of Milan and its diocese, more than eleven thousand people, both men and women, died from this plague, so that it is believed that half of the inhabitants in the places where the plague was present and more died from this plague. However, this plague did not pass through the city of Modena, nor Bologna, nor in Tuscany, nor in many other parts of the world in that year. This plague, however, was marked by very bad abscesses, from which most people, suddenly or almost suddenly, perished (Translation needed)

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1361, May – 1361, July VN: 500/day

A mortality breaks out in Montpellier from May to July. People of all social status die. Sometimes 500 persons die in the same day.

Item, aquel an meteys, fon grant mortalitat en crestiandat et duret a Montpelier per tot may et junh et julh en que moriron motz de bos homes et gran colp d’autra gent, tant que lo y ac mot de jorns que morian Vc personas en tre grans e paucas et riquas e pauras.

In this year occured a great epidemic all across Christianhood. In Montpellier, it lasted from May to July, and many rich and poor people died, so that in some days 500 people died altogether. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1362

A mortality breaks out in England, Anjou, Poitou, in spring (?) and summer (?)

In Britania, Pictavia et Andegavia mortalitas viguit generalis.

A mortality raged in Britain, Poitou and Anjou. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1363, May 28 – 1363, October

A mortality breaks out in Paris from June to October. It affects especially children and young people, and among adults, rather men than women.

Anno Domini M° CCC° LXIII°, multis diebus ante et post festum Sancte Trinitatis, hora diei tertia, ubi sol in meridie radios extendit, quedam stella modice apparentie visa fuit que, secundum astrologos et qui ex naturalibus causis eventus futuros prenuntiebant, periclitationem communem mulierum in partu denotabat. Hec tamen et plus stupenda hujus stelle apparitionem sunt secuta ; nam a junii mensis initio usque ad festum Sancti Luce tam dira viguit mortalitas et specialiter puerorum utriusque sexus et juvenum et plus virorum quam mulierum, quod erat stupendum visu et auditu. Senes etiam, pauci aspectu juvenum, obierunt unde quando pestis illa apostematum hospitium aliquod subintrabat, primo moriebantur infantes tenelli, deinde familia et parentes vel alter eorum et quod mirum erat, hodie erant sani et jocundi et infra triduum vel biduum decedebant.

In year 1363, a star appeared several days around the Trinity day (28 May), at the 3rd hour of the day, when the sun is in the South. According to astrologers and other experts of predictions with natural events, this star signified hardships to come especially for pregnant women. Several remarkable events followed this apparition. Actually, from the beginning of June to St Luke day (18 October), a cruel mortality broke out, especially among children and young adult of both gender, and among men rather than women. It was marvelous to see and to ear of such an event. Old persons actually died without the young paying much attention to it, but when the plague was effectively entered in a house, the children died first, and then the parents and all relatives. Astonishingly, people were fit on one day, and dead only two or three days after. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1374, February – 1374, July

A mortality breaks out in Montpellier from February to July. The members of the town council order the manufacturing of a gigantic candle, to burn day and night at the church of Notre-Dame-des-Tables. This candle has been lighted on the 27th of April.

Item, l’an meteys, fo mortalitat en Montpellier et en diversas autras partz, la cal duret en Montpellier & entorn de Caremantran entro passada la festa de Sant Johan; perque los senhors cossols feron senchar am I fil lo mur de la vila, de la torre nova dessus lo Carme entro a la torre de la Babota, layssan lo mur de la vila que es "Quis quesivit hec de manibus vestris" devers la palissada ; am local fil feron atressi senchar tota la pallissada en que ac entorn XIXc canas per tot ; del cal fil am coton & cera feron far I rezench de cera del dich lonc & del gros del det, lo Montpellier a environ XIXc canes de torn.cal feron metre en Ia roda de fusta nova a l’autar de Nostra Dona de Taulas. Et aqui fo atuzat de lum novel senhat, e lo dich rezench fo senhat per cremar continuament al dich autar a honor de Dieu & de madona Sancta Maria, et per placar Nostre Senhor de la ira sieua, et per far cessar la dicha mortalitat, et que nos dones bona pas. local fo atuzat I digous que era XXVII jorns d’abril.

(Translation needed)

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1383, June 24 – 1384, August

A mortality breaks out in Montpellier from June 1383 to August 1384. The members of the town council order the manufacturing of a gigantic candle, to burn day and night at the church of Notre-Dame-des-Tables. During the plague, the university has been lockdown from the 10th of May to the 8th of September 1384.

Item, per so que mortalitat granda, majorment dels enfans de XX ans o entorn et en aval, renhava et avia renhat de San Johan, l’an LXXXIII en sa en esta vila & caix pertot, los senhors cossols a XXX de mars feron mezurar tota la muralha de la vilanota de Monpeylier deforas costa la escama de las dogas, & la palyssada de part dedins, et las ymages de Nostra Dona de Taulas et de son filh,mortalitat et de l’autar de la gleya. Et fo trobat, cananLo torn de Montpellier de las palissadas IXc XXXV canas am fil, que la muralha que es foras la palissada a de lonc IXcXXXV canas mieg. Item, la muralha deLa muralha dedins la villa de torn Vc XXX canas la villa que es deffra la palissada a VcXXX canas mieg. Item, la clausura de la palissada a de lonc pertot VIIIc LXXXXIIII canas. Item, la dicha gleya a de roda tot entorn LXXX canas. Item, l’autar a de lonc am los dos caps IIa canas et II palms. Item, las doas ymages an de gros III palms. Item, la ymage de Nostra Dona a de lonc III palms e ters. Et d’aquest fil am d’autres feron far I rezench sus l’autar de Nostra Dona en aut de una roda que y era et y fon facha l’an LXXIIII per so que∙l dich rezench y Del rezem de Nostra Dona de Taulas creme nuech e jorn ad honor de Dieu et de la benezecta Verges Maria, que lur plassa far cessar aquesta mortalitat et la empedimia de bossas renhant, et deverdonar pas de cel en terra, et salvar los frutz de la terra. Et fo senhat lo II jorn d’abril per mossen Jacme de la Manhania, prior de Taulas. Et duret la dicha mortalitat entro mieg aost aquest an LXXXIIII, en lo qual temps moriron, part los enfans petitz e grans, mostz bos homes notables antixz et donas, specialmens joves, d’aquesta vilamortalitat. Et enayssi duret la dicha mortalitat et empedimia per l’espazi o entorn de XIIII meses, la qual cauza jamays non fo vista que mortalitatz dures tant longuament en aquest paÿs & per ayso vaquet lo studi del tot de Pantacosta entro Nostra Dona de setembre.

(Translation needed)

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1391, June – 1391, September

A procession is organized in Montpellier on the 17th of September against the mortality of bosse that affects the city since three months.

[...] Et fouc fach per las causas dessus dichas et per so que Nostre Senhor nos volgues ostar las pestilencias de las bossas et de febres et de mortz que avian renhat plus de III mes en aquesta villa et tot lo paÿs [...]

And it has been held for the all the above mentioned reasons and for asking Our Lord to rescue us from the pestilence of bosse, from the fiver and the mortality that raged in the city and across the country since three months. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1391, December

The mortality that began in June continues to spread in Montpellier and across the country. The bishop of Maguelone is asked to prolong the papal indulgence for three more months.

Item, car la sancta indulgencia de nostresenhr lo papa dessus dicha devia falhir a VIII de dezembre & car la pestilencia de bossas et de febres et d’autres duravan encares, per la qual eron mortz effans et gens joves sens nombre et personas vielhas alcunas, per so, los senhors cossols escrisseron a nostresenhr lo papa et a monsen de Magalona per alongar la dicha indulgencia, la qual nostresenhr lo papa alonguet a autres III mezes.

The effect of the above mentioned papal indulgence should stop on the 8th of December. But the pestilence of bosse that already killed numerous childre and young people, as well as some old persons, continued to rage. Therefore, the consulate asked to the bishop of Maguelone to prolong this indulgence for three more months (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1392, January 21

A procession is organized in Montpellier to thank God that the mortality that began in June 1391 almost ceased.

Item, dimergue a XXI de genoier, car la dicha pestilencia era cays cessada, la gracia de Dieu, en Montpelier et entorn, et per so car lo gran conseilh de nostre senhor lo rey de Fransa et del rey d’Englaterra devian esser enssems en las partidas de Picardia lo jorn de Nostra Dona la Candeloza per lo fach de la pas, per so, los senhors cossols feron far una autra procession general que dessus, am la ymage d’argent de Nostra Dona de Taulas et lo cors sans et lo cap de monsen sant Cleophas ; et fes lo sermon deavant lo consolat magister P. Borron, magister en theologia, de predicadors ; et cantet la messa dessot la vouta frayre Johan Costea de Montpellier, prior del covent de predicadors d’aquesta vila, per rendre gracias a Nostre Senhor de la dicha cessation de la pestilencia et preguan lo que nos done bona pas.

(Translation needed)

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1396, Summer

Epidemic of smallpox la (picota) all over Languedoc. It affects children and adults.

Item, lo dich an, en los petitz enfans et ausi en mots grans corrie la picota et fonc general en tota Lenguadoc.

This year, smallpox ("la picota") has been virulent among children and adults, and it spread all across the Languedoc. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1397, April – 1398, January

A mortality breaks out in Arles and all over the world. People dies of bosse and of carboncles. The disease kills adults, but mainly children and young people.

L'an M CCC IIIIxx XVII fon granda mortalitat per tot lo mont. Item, en Arles acomenset la Pasqua, que fon lo premier jorn d'abril, e duret tro l'an IIIIxx XVIII del mes de jonoier. Item, morien las gens de boses lo plus, alcuns de carboncles; et moriron y grans gens, plus enfans e gens joves, que autras gens.

In the year 1397, there was a great mortality all over the world. In the city of Arles, it began at Easter Day which occurs the 1rst of April, and it lasted until the month a January in 1398. Most of the people died of bosses, and some of them of carboncles. Some adults died, but the victims were in vast majority children and young people. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1397, July 15

A procession is organized in Montpellier against the mortality that affects the region. The city council orders the manufacturing of a gigantic candle, to be burn in the church of Notre-Dame-des-Tables. The disease lasted from May to December in Montpellier.

Item, dimergue a XV de julh, se fes procession general per la mortalitat la qual era general en las tres senescalcies Tholosa, Carcassona & Belcayre, la qual el dich paÿs acomenset el mes de may sobredig, et duret en Montpellier per tot lo mes de decembre ; la qual mortalitat acomenset en terra de Morolz & apres en la irlla de Rodas, de Chipre, de Genoha, apres el reyalme de Malhorca en Cathaluonha, en Tolsan & puoys segui tot l’autre paÿs. Et se dis una sollempna messa a Nostra Dona de las Taulas per lo dich mossen l’avesque de Magalona ; & se disseron dos sermons, la un davant lo cossolat, per maystre Peyre Borron de l’orde de predicados, et l’autre, per maystre Johan del Cres de l’orde dels augustins, maistres en theologia. Et se portet en la procession la ymagi de Nostra Dona de Taulas, lo cors sans.

Sunday, July 15, there was a general procession because of the epidemic which raged on all three districts of Toulouse, Carcassonne and Beaucaire. It started in this region in May and lasted in Montpellier the whole month of December. This epidemic started in the country of the Moors, passed on the island of Rhodes, then of Cyprus and Genoa; then in the kingdom of Majorca, in Catalonia, in Toulouse, then it continued throughout the rest of the country. A solemn mass was said at Notre-Dame-des-Tables by the Bishop of Maguelone; two sermons were delivered, one before the consulate by Master Pèire Borron, of the order of Preachers, and the other by Master Joan du Crès, of the order of the Augustinians, both masters in theology; during the procession, we carried the statue of Notre-Dame-des-Tables, the relics of Saint Cleophas, and the satue of Saint Sebastian.The same month, the lords consuls, with the alms of the good people of Montpellier, made a cord of wax of 1900 canes long which surrounded the whole city and the palisade, and which burned night and day on the main altar of the church of Notre-Dame-des-Tables. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1397, August 12

A procession is organized in Montpellier against the mortality that affects the region.

Item, dimergue a XII d’avost, fon facha una sollempna procession per mossen de Magalona ont se portet lo precios cors de Jesu Crist per far devota pregueyra sur la pestilencia et mittigar et placar Nostresenhr, ont ac gran multitut de pobol, cascun portan, senhors & donas et enfans, entorta o candela en la man ; & ac y hun trasque sollempne sermon loqual fes maistre Raymon Cabassa, maystre en theologia, per trayre a devocion lo pobol, a coffession, contrection am cor contrit et humiliat. Et foron ordenadas IX processions, la huna per los morgues de Sant Benesech, l’autra per Sant Dyonisi, l’autra per la gleya del Castel, l’autre per la gleya de Nostra Dona de Taulas, l’autra per Sant Fermin & las IIII per los quatre ordes mendigans, otra la general, en las quals se portet lo precios cors de Jesu Crist am los[i] cofrayres de las dichas cofrayries & am las ceras d’aquelas, car la mortalitat es et era tant gran que apenas atrobava hom servidor e tot lo poble stava mot ebaÿt e perterit.

On Sunday August 12, the Archbishop of Maguelone organized a solemn procession in which the precious body of Jesus Christ was carried out to pray against the epidemic and to soften and appease Our Lord. There was a great multitude of people there, lords, ladies and children, carrying torches or candles in their hands. There was a very solemn sermon delivered by Master Raimond Cabassa, master in theology, to bring the people to devotion, confession and contrition and repentance. In addition to the general procession, there were nine supplementary trains of procession, one with the monks of Saint-Benoît, another with those Saint-Denis, another with the church of the castle, another with the church of Notre-Dame-des-Tables, another with Saint-Firmin and the last four with the four mendicant Orders. In these processions, the precious body of Jesus Christ was carried with the confreres of the brotherhoods concerned, with their candles. The epidemic is and was so serious that it was barely possible to find a servant, and all the people were amazed and terrified. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1406, August 10

A procession is organized in Montpellier against the mortality that affects the region.

Item, dimars a X d’aost, que fonc lo jorn de la festa de Sant Laurens, se fes autra procession general en esta vila, per preguar Nostre Senhor que li plagues per la sieua misericordia de donar salut et sanetat a la persona del rey nostre senhor et de metre pas et union en la sancta glieysa de Dieu, et de nos levar la enfermetat et la impidimia que say a tant longament continuat et que s’abrasa fort entorn nos ; et la Verges, madona sancta Maria, la sieua benezecta mayre, et totz los sans e las sanctas de Paradis que l’en vuelhon preguar ; la quala procession fes mossenher lo sagresta de Magalona et foron hy las processions dels quatre ordes et totas las autras glieysas et lo pobol seguic la am gran devocion. Fes lo sermo lo reveren maystre Bertran Vaquier, maystre en la sancta teulogia, dels frayres de Nostra Dona del Carme, davant lo cossolat.

On Tuesday August 10, during the feast of Saint Lawrence, we made another general procession in our city to pray to Our Lord that he would like with his mercy to give health and healing to the person of the king, our lord, in the holy Church of God, and to free us from the disease and the epidemic which lasted for so long here and which is unleashed around us; and may the Virgin, Saint Mary, her blessed mother, and all the saints in Paradise interfere for us. This procession was organized by Mgr the sacristan of Maguelone. The four orders and all the other churches participated. And the people followed with great devotion. The sermon was delivered before the consulate by the Rev. Master Bertrand Vaquièr, master in holy theology, brother of Notre-Dame-des-Carmes. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1407, April 24

A sermon is delivered in Montpellier against the mortality that affects the region. The next day, a procession is organized.

Item, dimergue a XXIIII jorns del mes d’abril, de licencia dels senhors generals que ereaan en lo paÿs, de mossenher lo governador et dels autres officiers de nostre senhor lo rey, et de mossen lo vicari de mossenher de Magalona, et a requesta dels senhors cossols sus lo fag de la empedimia et granda mortalitat que era en esta vila, fonc dich I sollempne sermo el plan del cossolat per maystre Johan Cabassol, maystre en la sancta teulogia, de l’orde de frayres menors, apelat lo poble, en presencia del dig mossenher lo vicari, de mossenher lo bayle, los autres curials, los ditz senhors cossols et de tot lo poble aqui ajustat ; et mosenher lo vicari aqui adordenet et fes publicar en lo sermo per lo maystre que, d’aqui en avan, en totas las glyeyas de Montpeylier et dels relegious et relegyosas et autras, la primieyra messa que se dira lo mati sia la messa de la empedimia que comessa "« Recordare »", la quala adordenet papa Clemens VI ; et donet al capela que la dis et a cascun de totz aquelos que la auzon devotamen IIIc jorns de endulgencia et de veray perdon. Procession: Item, l’endeman que fonc lo dilhus et la festa de mossen Sant Marc, euvangelista, se fes en la dicha vila una honorabla, sancta et devota procession general.

Sunday April 24, with the authorization of the lords who were in our region, of the governor and of the other officers of our lord the king, of the bishop's vicar of Maguelone, and at the request of the consulate, because of the epidemic and of the great mortality which raged in our city, a solemn sermon was pronounced on the place of the consulate by Master Joan Cabassòl, master in holy theology, of the order of the Franciscans brothers. It has been delivered in the presence of the vicar, of the baillif and of other curials, as well as of the members of the consulate and of all the population gathered there. The vicar ordered in his sermon that henceforth, in all the churches of Montpellier, the first mass to be said in the morning would be the mass of the epidemic, that which begins with "Recordare", and which was ordered by Pope Clement VI. He granted the priest who say it and each of those who listen to it devoutly 300 days of indulgence and true forgiveness. The next day, on Monday, which was Saint Marc Evangelist Day, we made in our city a worthy, holy and devout general procession. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1413

Mortality in the French Kingdom.

En celui an fut très grant mortalité en tout le royaume

In that year (1413) was a great mortality in the (French) Kingdom. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1413, June 12

A procession is organized in Montpellier to protect the city from the plague that rages in the region of Lodève and Agde.

Item, dilhus a XII del mes de jun, que fonc l’endeman de Pantacosta, se fes en esta vila una honorabla [...] per quatre ho per sinc cauzas : la una, que Nostre Senhor, per la sieuna sancta misericordia, lo poble d’esta vila vuelha preservar de mortalitat et de la pestilencia de la impedimia que renha de present en Lotves et en Agades et en diverses autres luox a nos circumvicis.

Monday, June 12 (1413), which was the day after Pentecost, was organized in our city a worthy, holy and devout general procession [...] for four or five grounds: the first, that Our Lord, by His holy mercy, will preserve the people of this city of death and of the plague epidemic which rages at present in Lodévois, Agathois and in various other places of our neighborhood. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1414, March VN: 100.000

An epidemic of influenza (?) breaks out for three weeks in Paris, affecting 100 000 persons. People loose appetite, have heavy fever and cannot stop coughing and shaking. Constant cough injures testicules by men, and makes women prematurely abort. However nobody dies. When people get better, they loose a lot of blood. Sick people need six weeks to recover

Si advint par le plaisir de Dieu qu'un mauvais air corrompu chut sur le monde, qui plus de cent mille personnes à Paris mit en tel état qi'is perdirent le boire et le manger, le repousser, et avoient très fortes fièvre deux ou trois fois le jour, et espécialement toutes fois qu'ils mangeaient, et leur semblaient toutes choses quelconques amères et très mauvaises et puantes; toujours tremblaient où qu'ils fussent. Et avec ce, qui pis était, on perdait tout le pouvoir de son corps, qu'on osait toucher à quoi de nulle part que ce fût, tant étaient grevés ceux qui de ce mal étaient atteints; et dura bien sans cesser trois semaines ou plus, et commença à bon escient à l'entrée du mois de mars dudit an, et le nommait-on le tac ou le horion. Et ceux qui point n'en avaient ou qui en étaient guéris, disaient par ébatement: "En as-tu? Par moi foi, tu as chanté: ' Votre c.n. a la toux, commère'". Car avec tout le mal devant dit, on avait la toux si fort et le rhume à l'enrouure, qu'on ne chantait qui rien fût de hautes messes à Paris. Mais sur tous les maux la toux était si cruelle à tous, jour et nuit, qu'aucuns hommes par force de tousser furent rompus par les génitoires toute leur vie, et aucune femmes qui étaient grosses, qui n'étaient pas à terme, eurent leurs enfants sans compagnie de personne, par force de tousser, qu'il convenait mourir à grand martyre et mère et enfant. Et quand se venait sur la guérison, ils jetaient grande foison de sang bête par la bouche et par le nez et par dessous, qui moult les ébahissait, et néanmoins personne n'en mourait; mais à peine en pouvait personne être guéri, car depuis que l'appétit de manger fut aux personnes revenu, si fut-il plus de six semaines après, avant qu'on fût nettement guéri; ni physicien nul ne savait dire quel mal c'était

If by the pleasure of God an evil and corrupt air fell upon the world, which more than a hundred thousand people in Paris put in such a state that they lost their drink and their food, pushed it back, and had very high fever two or three times a day, and especially all the time they ate, and seemed to them all things bitter and very bad and stinking; always trembled wherever they were. And with that which was worse, they lost all the power of their bodies, that they dared to touch anything from anywhere, so much was the burden on those who were afflicted with this evil; and it lasted well without ceasing for three weeks or more, and began in good time at the beginning of March of the said year, and was called the tac or horion. And those who did not have it or who were healed of it, said in amazement, "Have you any? By my faith, you have sung: 'Your n.c. has a cough, you gossip'". For, with all the evil before them, they coughed so loudly and had a cold so badly that they sang nothing of the high masses in Paris. But of all evils the cough was so cruel to all, day and night, that no man by force of coughing was broken by the genitories all his life, and no woman who was fat, who was not at term, had her children without company of anyone, by force of coughing, that it was convenient to die a great martyrdom and mother and child. And when it came to healing, they threw out a great abundance of silly blood through their mouth and nose and underneath, which moved them, and yet no one died from it; but scarcely could anyone be healed, for since the appetite for food had returned to the people, if it was more than six weeks later, before they were clearly healed; neither physicist nor any one knew how to tell what evil it was. (Translation: DeepL)

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1414, September 2

A procession is organized in Montpellier to protect the city from the pestilence that rages since long in the region.

Item, dimergue a II del mes de septembre, se fes en esta vila una honorabla procession general [...] Et fes se la dicha procession per V cauzasitem [...]: Item que aquesta pestilencia de mortalitat et empedimia, que en aquesta vila a tant lonc temps durat et encaras dura et totz jorn se multiplica plus fort, lhi plassa de far cessar et aver pietat de son paure poble.

Sunday, September 9, has been celebrated a very honorable procession in the city [...] This procession has been held for 5 reasons [...]: likewise because of the lethal pestilence that raged since long and perpetuates and increases every day, so that He have pity for His people. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1418, August

Mortality due to plague (boce) in Paris, especially dangerous among young persons and children

Item, en celuy temps, vers la fin du moy d'aoust, faisoit si grant chalour de jour et de nuyt, que homme ne femme ne povoit dormir par nuyt, et avec ce estoit tres grant mortalité de boce et l'espidymie, et tout sur jeune gent et sur enfens

That year, in the end of August, the heat was so important day and night that people could not even sleep. Meanwhile, there was a great mortality of boce and a great epidemic, mostly among young people and children. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1418, September VN: 50.000

Great mortality in Paris in September. The loss is estimated to 50 000 dead people in the city, and the epidemic is estimated to be the worst one since 300 years. Young people and children are most at risk

Item, cedit mois de septembre, était à Paris et autour la mortalité si très cruelle, qu'on eut vu depuis 300 ans par le dit des anciens; car nul n'échappait qui fû féru de l'épidémie, especialement jeunes gens et enfants. Et tant en mourut vers la fin dudit mois, et si hâtivement, qu'il convint faire es cimetières de Paris grandes fosses, où on en mettait trente ou quarante en chacune, et étaient arrangés comme lards, et puis un peu poudrés par dessus de terre; et touours jour et nuit on n'était en rue qu'on ne rencontrât Notre Seigneur, qu'on portait aux malades, et trétous avaient la plus belle connaissance de Dieu Notre Seigneur à la fin, qu'on vit oncques avoir à chrétiens. Mais au dit des clercs, on n'avait oncques vu ni ouï parler de mortalité qui fût si desvée, ni plus âpre, no dont mins échappèrent de gens qui férus en furent, car en moins de cinq semaines trépassa en la ville de Paris plus de 50 000 personnes. Et tant trépassa de gens d'église qu'on enterrait quatre, ou six, ou huit chefs d'hôtel à une messe de notte, et convenait marchander aux prêtres pour combien ils la chanteraient, et bien souvent en convenait payer 16 ou 8 sols parisis, et d'une messe basse 4 sols parisis

Item, this September, was in Paris and around the very cruel mortality, which had been seen for 300 years by the elders; for no one escaped who was keen on the epidemic, especially young people and children. And so many died towards the end of that month, and so hastily, that he agreed to make the cemeteries of Paris into large pits, where thirty or forty were placed in each, and were arranged like bacon, and then a little powdered over the ground; and day and night we were always in the street until we met Our Lord, which we brought to the sick, and all had the most beautiful knowledge of God Our Lord at the end, which we saw we had to Christians. But, according to the clerics, they had neither seen nor heard of a mortality that was so desperate, nor more bitter, nor did many people who were fervent about it escape, for in less than five weeks more than 50,000 people died in the city of Paris. And so many churchmen died that four, or six, or eight heads of hotel were buried at a mass of notte, and agreed to bargain with the priests for how much they would sing it, and often agreed to pay 16 or 8 sols parisis, and for a low mass 4 sols parisis. (Translation: DeepL)

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1418, September 27 – 1418, September 29

Because of a mortality the parliament court of Paris is shutdown.

Ce jour, pour ce que à Paris et en plusieurs parties de ce royaume avoit grant mortalité, la Court ordenna que le Parlement cesseroit quant aux plaidoiries, et, samedi prochain ensuivant, seroient prononciés les derreniers arrestz.

It has been deciden on this day that because of the mortality affecting Paris and other locations in the Kingdom the court of justice must be shutdown. The last judgments should be executed before saturday. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1418, October 5

A procession is organized at the church of Saint-Victor of Paris against the mortality that reigns in the city and other places of the Kingdom.

Furent au conseil maistres J. de Longueil et J. Rapiout, presidens (et huit conseillers) lesquelz se departirent assez tost de la Chambre de Parlement pour aler, ceulz qui vouldroient aler à Saint-Victor leiz Paris en la procession générale qui avoit esté ordonnée estre faicte pour occasion des guerres et grant mortalité estans en ce royaume. Et fu ce jour generalement à Paris faicte abstinence de cher par le commandement de l'evesque de Paris ou ses vicaires.

Those who were present at the coucil this day, J. de Longueil and J. Rapiout with 8 consultants, went out earlier that usual in order to go to the procession that was held at the church of Saint-Victor of Paris. This procession has been decided because of the war and the epidemic that ravage the Kingdom. For this day, the bishop of Paris promoted a fasting. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1418, October 15

While war and an epidemic raged in Paris, food prices are very high.

Et combien que le peuple de Paris fust grandement diminué tant par le fait des guerres comme de l'épidémie, neantmoins estoient les vivres en grant chierté à Paris, et vendoit on busche, blefs et avoines à plus haut pris que on n'avoit fait long temps par avant.

And while the people of Paris was undermine by the war and the epidemic, prices of all goods, like wood, wheat and oat, reached their highest level since long. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1418, November 3

A procession is organized at Notre-Dame of Paris without the bishop who is retired in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés because of the epidemic.

Le IIIe jour de novembre, y ot procession et grant assemblée de peuple en l'église Nostre-Dame de Paris, et fist le sermon ung cordelier nommée frere Pierre aux Buefs, confesseur de la Royne, ouquel sermon furent leues et publieez les lettres de l'evesque de Paris, en l'absence dudit evesque estant lors en l'abbaye de Saint-Mor-des-Fossés, pour le doubte de l'épidimie aiant cours à Paris.

The 3rd of November was held a procession with a lot of people in the church of Notre-Dame. The sermon has been preached by a Franciscan monk named Pierre aux Buefs, the confessor of the queen. During the sermon, he read and made public some letters of the bishop of Paris, who was not there, but in the abbey of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés because of the danger of the epidemic affecting the city. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1420, June 15

Eustache de l'Aitre, chancellor of France died in Sens during an epidemic few days ago.

Ce jour, vindrent nouvelles au Palais de la mort et trespas de maistre Eustace de l'Aitre, chancelier de France, esleu evesque de Beauvès, qui, le vendredi précédent estoit trespassé, epidémié au dyocese de Sens, au service et en la compagnie du Roy.

This day, the news came at the House that Eustache de l'Aitre, chancellor of France and newly elected bishop of Beauvais died last friday in the bishopric of Sens, because of the epidemic that raged out there. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1421, August

A mortality breaks out in Paris in August. Poeple get headaches and heavy fever. Children and women were most at risk

Item, en ce temps, était très grande mortalité, et tous mouraient de chaleur qui au chef les prenait et puis la fièvre et mouraient sans rien ou peu empirer de leur chair, et toutes femmes et les plus jeunes gens.

In this time was a great mortality. People, mostly women and young ones, died because of headache and of fever, but their bodies were not injured. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1422, July

Epidemic of 'vérole' in Paris, especially among children who could die or become blind

Item, cette année fit merveilleusement chaud en juin et en juillet (...) Et pour cette grande chaleur fut si grande année d'enfants malades de la vérole qu'oncques de vie d'homme on eût vu, et tant en étaient couverts qu'on ne les connaissait; et plusiseurs grands hommes l'avaient, espécialement les Anglais, et disait-on que le roi d'Angleterre en eut sa part. Et est vrai que moult de petits enfants en furent si agrevés que les uns en mouroient, les autres en perdaient la vue corporelle

This year was terribly hot and warm in June and in July (...) Because of this heat, a lot of children were struck by the 'vérole', as never seen before. They were so covered with spots, that it was even difficult to recognize them. Several adults were ill too, especially among English people, and it was said that the king of England too. Truly, a lot of children were so ill, that some of them died and some other became blind. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1427, September 15 – 1427, October

A disease (named: dando) breaks out in Paris in September and October. Many people get it. First, they get strong kidneyache and shoulderache, then they chill. After that they loose appetite and cannot sleep for 8 to 15 days, and they continually cough.

Item, en ce temps, environ quinze jour devant la saint Rémi (1 Oct), chut un mauvais air corrompu, dont une très mauvaise maladie advint qu'on appelait dando, et n'était nul ni nulle qui aucunement ne s'en sentît dedans le temps qu'elle dura. Et la manière comment elle prenait: elle commençait ès reins et ès épaules, et n'était nul quand elle prenait qui ne cuidât avoir la gravelle, tant faisoit cruelle douleur, et après ce à tous venaient les assées ou forts frissons, et était-on bien huit ou dix ou quinze jours qu'on ne pouvait ni boire, ni manger, ni dormir, les uns plus, les autres moins, après ce venait une toux si très mauvaise à chacun que quand on était au sermon, on ne pouvait entendre ce que le sermonneur disait, pour la grande noise des tousseurs

In this time, somewhat 15 days before Rémi's Day, a corrupted air felt upon the city and brought a bad disease called dando. Almost everybody get it. The symptoms were as follows. It began first with a kidneyache and shoulderache, so strong that everybody thought to have been affected by the gravelle. The pain was cruel, and then victims chilled strongly. It was impossible for them to eat, to drink and to sleep for about 8, or 10 and sometimes 15 days, depending on persons. After that stage, a strong cough developed, so loud that it even covered the priest voice at the sermon during the mass. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1432

Mortality in Paris, especially among young people and children

Item, en celui temps, était très grande mortalité sur jeunes gens et sur petits enfants, et tout d'épidémie

In this time was a great mortality among young people and children, by a disease. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1433, August

A mortality of plague affects children in Paris in August

Et si fit moult bel août, mais très grande mortalité était en celui temps, espécialement sur petits enfants, de bosse ou de vérole plate

The weather was benevolent in August, but the mortality due to 'bosse' or 'vérole plate' was important in that time, especially among children. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1438 VN: 45.000

Mortality by plague (boce) in Paris during summer and autumn. 45 000 persons died in the city

Item, la mortalité fut si grande, espécialement à Paris, car il mourut bien à l'Hôtel-Dieu en cette année cinq mille personnes, et parmi la cité plus de quarante-cinq mille, tant homme, que femme et enfants; car quand la mort se boutait en une maison, elle en emportait la plus grande partie des gens, et espécialement des plus forts et des plus jeunes

The mortality was so great in Paris, that at least 5000 persons died at the Hôtel-Dieu. In the city, 45 000 persons died, either men, women and children. When the disease spread in a house, almost every inhabitants died, especially the strongest and the youngest. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1457

A mortality breaks out in France.

Per totam fere Franciam bladorum caristia fuit, quam sequebatur pestilentialis mortalitas.

In almost all France wheat prices were high, and a mortality of pestilence followed. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1461, August

A disease breaks out in Arras and the surroundings, in August. This is a non-lethal fever, but people recovers with difficulty.

Et regna depuis aoust ou environ, une manière de caulde maladie et de fièvres en plusieurs lieux et presque partout; mais il n'en mouroit guères, nonobstant qu'on se remesist sus à grande peine

Since August, a kind of "hot disease" with fever spread out in several location and almost anywhere. Though nobody died, people get difficulties to recover. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1466, May 21

Mortality in Metz

Et le merquedi après (Ascencion), revint ledit mareschal (de Bourgogne), maix il n'osit venir parmy la cité, pour le doubte de la mortalité.

Wednesday after the Ascencion Day [May 15], the marshal of Burgundy came back, but he did not dare to enter in the city because of the mortality. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1466, May

An extraordinary procession takes place in Metz the 18th of May against the mortality.

Item, le XVIIIe jour de may, on fist une très belle procession généralle à Saint Clément pour la mortalité, qui estoit très orrible et grosse en Metz. Et y fuit portés le chief du benoy saint Estienne, et le chief et la fierté du benoy saint Liviés. Et raportont-on le corps saint Clément à Mets, en la grant église; et y fuit bien le terme de VI sepmenne, ce qu'il n'avoit esté fait, passé plus de quarante ans.

Because of the mortality, which was severe and horrible in Metz, a wonderful general procession has been held the 18th day of May to the church Saint-Clément, with the relics of St Etienne and of St Liviés. St Clement's body has been brought to the church and stayed there for six weeks, a thing that did not happen since forty years. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1466, June

People dies of a mortality in Metz, enduring hot temperatures in June.

Item, en la dite année, fit un très bel moix de jung, et sy très chalt con ne le poiot durer de chalt, et moroit on tousiours plus fort

This year, the weather in June has been clear and very hot, so that it was hardly possible to endure the heat. And people continued to die again and again. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1466, August – 1466, November VN: 40.000

Mortality in Paris and all of Île-de-France from August to November, due to plague. The death toll is estimated to 40,000 persons in the region of Paris. This number is surely overrated by the chronicler, though the mortality has been important. It is said that the number of burials exceeded the capacities of cimeteries in Paris. Numerous religious processions have been organized during the outbreak.

En ladite année, es mois d'aoust et septembre, fut grande et merveilleuse chaleur, au moyen de laquelle s'en ensuivit grande mortalité de pestilence, et autres maladies, dont et de quoy il mourut tant en la ville, villages voisins, prévosté et vicomté de Paris, quarante mille créatures et mieux, entre lesquels y mourut maistre Arnoul, astrologien du roy, qui estoit fort homme de bien, sage et plaisant; aussi y mourut plusieurs médecins et offociers du roy en ladite ville de Paris. Et si grand nombre de créatures furent portées ensevelir et enterrer au cimetière des Saints-Innocents, en ladite ville de Paris, que tant des morts en ladite ville que de l'Hôtel-Dieu tout y fust remply: et fut ordonné que de là en avant on porteroit les mortsau cimetière de la Trinité, qui est et appartient à l'hostel de la ville de Paris. Et continua ladite mort jusques en la fin de novembre, que, pour faire cesser, et prier Dieu que ainsi il lui plut de la faire, furent faites de moult belles processions générales à Paris par toutes les paroisses et églises d'icelle, où furent portées toutes les chasses et saintes reliques, et mesmement les chasses de Nostre-Dame, de sainte Geneviève et saint Marcel; et mors cessa un peu ladite mort.

In the said year (1466), in the months of August and September, there was great and marvellous heat, which resulted in great mortality from pestilence and other diseases, from which and as a result of which forty thousand or more creatures died in the city, neighbouring villages, provostry and viscounty of Paris, including Maistre Arnoul, the king's astrologer, who was a very good man, wise and pleasant; several doctors and the king's offenders also died in the said city of Paris. And so many creatures were brought to be buried in the cemetery of the Saints-Innocents, in the said city of Paris, that both the dead of the said city and of the Hôtel-Dieu were all remply there: and it was ordered that from there forward the dead should be brought to the cemetery of the Trinité, which is and belongs to the hostel of the city of Paris. And the said death continued until the end of November, when, in order to put an end to it, and to pray to God that it would please him to do so, many beautiful general processions were held in Paris by all the parishes and churches of the city, where all the dead and holy relics were carried, including the dead of Notre-Dame, Saint Geneviève and Saint Marcel; and the said death ceased a little. (Translation: DeepL)

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1466, August 14

A procession is organized in Metz because of the plague.

Item, le XIIIe jour d'aoust, on fist une très belle procession généralle au grant mostiés, pour la pestillence qui coroit fort. Et alloit on quérir la vraie croix de saint Elloy au Chartrieux au pont Thieffroy [...] Et y fuit grant temps, jusques à tant que la pestilence fuit cessée.

Because of the pestilence, a procession has been held at the great church on the 14th of August, with the real cross of St Eloy brought from the carthusian monastery at the Thieffroy bridge [...] And it took a long time before the pestilence ceased. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1471

Mortality in Paris and all of France

En ladite année fut mortalité commune et universelle par la pluspart dudit royaume, de maladie de flux de ventre et autres maladies; à cause de quoy plusieurs gens de façon moururent en ladite ville de Paris et ailleurs

In this year, a universal mortality broke out in much parts of the kingdom, that affected people with bellyache and other symptoms of disease. Several important persons died in Paris and elsewhere. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1472, December

Mortality in Metz.

Item en ycelle année, il fist ung yver pluvioux et ne gellit presque point ; et molroit on ung poc de la pest et des aprison.

In this year (1472), the winter has been very wet and with almost no frost. And few people died of the pest and of fever. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1482, April

A mortality breaks out in Metz in April. People first loose their senses, then recover after 3-4 days, then die.

Item, en la dite année, on mois d'apvril, ons commensont fort à mourir de chaulde maladie. Et devenoient les gens vairs; et ne savoient qu'ilz disoient, de force de la dite maladie; et au chiefz de III ou IIII jours, revenoient à leurs entendement; et tantost après, les plusieurs mouroient.

In this year, in April, people began to die of a "hot" disease. They first became green (?) and lost their reason. They recovered after 3 or 4 days, but soon after they died. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1482, May 7

A procession is organized in Metz because of the plague.

Item, le VIIe jour du mois de may, nos seigneurs firent faire une procession générale à Saint-Clément [...] Laquelle procession fut ordonnée pour deux choses; la première pour la guerre, et la seconde pour la mortalité, car on commensoit fort à mourir de la peste

Our lords organized a procession on the 7th of May at the chruch of Saint-Clément. I has been decided for two reasons. Fisrtly because of the war, and secondly because of the mortality. Yet, people began to die of pestilence. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1483, July 2

A procession is organized in Metz because of the plague.

Item, le second jour de jullet, on fit une procession généralle à St-Arnoult [...]. Et la cause d'icelle procession fut pour troix raixons, le première en remerciant Dieu de la belle année et de la fertillité des biens de terre qu'il nous avoit envoyés, luy priant de les amender; la seconde, luy priant qu'il ly pleut à cesser son ire, pour le fait de la pestillance qui alors couroit trè fort en la cité et au pays; et la tierce, en luy requérant qu'il noz voulust donner victoire encontre nous ennemis, par especial contre ceux de Rechiesmont, où que la cité tenoit le siège.

The 2nd of July was held a procession at St-Arnoult church [...] There was three reasons for this procession. First, to thank God for the fruitful year we had and to ask Him to keep agricultural goods safe. Secondly, to ask Him to stop his wrath, because of the pestilence that ravaged the city and the countryside. Third, to ask Him to give us victory against our enemies, especially concerning the siege of Richemont. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1483, August

Mortality because of plague in Metz.

Item, on mouroit tousiours fort en Mets de la peste, tellement que tous les seigneurs et dames s'en allont en leurs chastelleries de dehors.

The mortality was still strong in Metz because of the pestilence. So that lords and ladies of high ranks fled to their castles in the countryside. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1489

An epidemic of properieulle breaks out in Metz, affecting five sixth of the children and many young adults.

Item, en celle année, rengnait et fut ung grand cours de la maladie con dit Properieulle, et sy fort qu'il n'y avoit mie, de VI ainffans, ung qui ne l'eust. Et, avec ce, y avoit beaucop de gens de XX ans, ou environ yceluy eaige, que l'avoient, dont on disoit que c'estoit signe d'avoir une grant mortalité.

This year the so-called 'properieulle' disease broke out so strongly that five sixth of every children were affected. On top of that, a lot of people aged around 20 years old get it too, and it was said that this was a sign of great mortality to come. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1489, April – 1489, May

While the weather in May is cold and wet, people are affected by severe cough.

Aprilis et Mayus fuerunt pluviosi et aquatici; fuit Mayus frigidus et regnavit tussis in gentibus.

April and May have been rainy and wet; May have been cold and people coughed a lot. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1493, Summer

While the summer weather has been outstandingly dry and hot, a lot of people suffer from a disability called glene, that kills men, women and children.

Viguit infirmitas, quam glene vocamus, mirabiliter, ita quod multi homines, mulieres et pueri ex infirmitate illa, tam in villa Lugduni quam per patriam obierunt.

A disability spread wonderfully, that is called 'glene'. So that a lot of men, women and children died from this disease in Lyon and elsewhere in the region. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1494, June

A plague breaks out in Lyon.

Pestis letalis, que dicitur epidimia, in dicta villa Lugduni, in mense Junii, incepit vigere, adeo quod rex, regina et ceteri principes villam exierunt. Rex, regina, domini duces Aurelianis, Borbonii et ducissa Borbonii iverunt apud Viennam et a Vienna ad Valenciam Dalphinam.

A deadly plague, named epidemia, broke out in the city of Lyon in June, so that the King, the Queen and other prominent persons fled away from the city. The King with the Queen and the Duke and the Duchess of Bourbon went to Vienne, and then from Vienne went to Valence. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1497, September

An epidemic breaks out in Lyon and in Sain-Bel.

Epidimia, illo anno, viguit in villa Lugduni et pluribus locis patrie Lugdunensis et maxime in villa Sancti-Belli.

An epidemic affected this year the city of Lyon and its surrounding area, especially the city of Saint-Bel. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1498, June 6

A procession is organized in Metz to prevent the city against an epidemic of rubeola and properieulle (?). Mortality among children and adults.

Item, le mercerdy des festes de la Pentecotte, qui fut le VIe jour de jung, on fit une procession générale [...] en priant Dieu que voloit garder les biens de la terre, et garder la cité et le pays de guerre, et les corps humains de pestillence. Car tous les einffans devenoient mallades et de rougerieulle et de la propérieulle, et en mouroit beaucop, et morut des grans gens aussy.

On Wenesday after the Pentecost, the 6th of June, was held a procession [...] praying God to keep safe the agricultural goods, to prevent the country of the war, and human bodies of pestilence. Every children became actually sick with 'rougerieulle' and 'properieulle', and a lot of them died, as did some adult too. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1499, Summer

Mortality in Metz during the summer. The members of the city council, who fled away from the city, take some measures to ensure the continuity of their duties.

Item, en ycelle année, pourtant que on mouroit fort en la cité, tous lez seigneurs de la cité estoient dehors en leurs forteresses, et n'y avoit que cuicquonques trèses demeurés en la cité; et furent les adjournés et entrées cessées, et ausy les plaits de la court des clercs. Touteffois, pourtant que plusieurs complainctes venoient journellement a messeigneur les trèses de plusieurs querelles, ilz ordonnont de donner audiance tous les jours, pour choses nécessaires. Et tenoient lor audiance et lor entrée en l'aitrie Saint-Girgonne, et ne lassoient venir devant eulx, à la foy, que deux parties, et les déterminoient incontinent. Et y avoit tousiours II ou III sargens pour faire tirer les gens errière, et pour faire taire les gens qui parloient troup hault, autour et dedant la dite aitrie, affin de mieulx oyr et entendre ceulx qui estoient devant justice. Item, ad cause d'icelle mortalité, affin que les gens ne se frémissent, fut ordonne par messeigneurs de justice que, quant il y avoit aucune personne morte en la cité, que on ne meetit nulles torches aux huxes devant les maisons.

In this year, while the mortality was so great in the city, the rulers of the council of the Thirteen fled in their manors in the countryside. It remained no one of the Thirteen within the walls. Subsequently, all meetings and entries ceased, as well as the trials at the clerics court. However, since some cases remained to be solved every day, they commanded that hearings should be held before the cloister of Saint-Girgonne. They let come to them only two people and gave their sentences immediately. Two or three sergeants were always there to prevent people moving forward and to keep everybody in silence during the audiences. Because of this mortality, it has been forbidden by the council, in order not to frighten people, to put candles in front of doors when someone die in the city. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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1500, February

An mortality of pigs breaks out in the Lyonnais and in the Forez.

In mense Februarii, illo anno, fuit magna pestillencia porcorum in pluribus tam patrie Forensis quam Lugdunensis locis.

In February of that year (1500), a great pestilence affected pigs in several places of the Lyonnais and of the Forez. (Translation: Thomas Labbé)

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References

	Cities of France
Agde • Anjou • Altkirch • Arles • Arras • Avignon • Beaucaire • Béziers • Cahors • Carcassonne • Colmar • Gascony • Guebwiller • Île-de-France • Lodève • Limoges • Lyon • Maguelone • Marseilles • Méounes-lès-Montrieux • Metz • Montpellier • Paris • Poitou • Rouffach • Sain-Bel • Saint-Denis • Savigny • Sens • Strasbourg • Thann • Toulouse

	Regions of France
Alsace‏‎ • Aquitaine‏‎ • Burgundy • Champagne • Hérault • Languedoc • Lorraine‏‎ • Normandy • Provence • Sardinia‏‎

	Regions
Austria • Belgium • Byzantium • Czech • Holland • France • Germany • Hungary • Italy • Middle East • Spain • Poland • Russia • Switzerland • Scandinavia • Ukraine

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