1438

In 1438, a total of 12 epidemic events are known so far. It is a year. See also time and timelines.

Timeline

Table

Table

Page	DateStart date of the disease.	SummarySummary of the disease event	OriginalOriginal text	TranslationEnglish translation of the text	ReferenceReference(s) to literature	Reference translationReference(s) to the translation
1437-06-00-Würzburg	June 1437 JL	Price increase and a plague in Würzburg	Von grosser theürüng vnd sterben In dem obgemelten 1437. jare galte ein malter korns vmb sant Peters tag stuelfeier sechs pfund, vmb Mitfasten siben, vmb Ostern sechtzehen, sibentzehen vnd achtzehen pfunde. Vnd an dem Freitag den zehen des Maien erforen die weinstocke allenthalben an bergen vnd in thalen. Dannoch, dweil das getraid so theür war, fande man zimlich guten wein, das füder vmb neun vnd zehen gülden zu kaüffen. Vnd fiele im brachmond ein heftiger sterbe an, der weret in das ander jore. Vff sant Marie Magdalene tag starben in der pfar zum dom hie zu Wirtzburg bei [p. 321] dreissig menschen, vnd schluge das korn ser wider ab, also das man vmb vnd nach sant Martins tag ain malter umb funf pfund kauft, vnd sein dis mals zu Wirtzburg bey vier thaüsent menschen gestorben.	On great famine and death In the aforementioned year 1437, a malter of grain was priced at six pounds around Saint Peter's Day [February 22], seven pounds around Lent [March 10], nine pounds around Easter [March 31], thirteen pounds during the Cross Week [May 5-8], and sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen pounds by Pentecost [May 19]. On Friday, the tenth of May, all the vines died everywhere in the hills and in the valleys. Nevertheless, because grain was so expensive, one found quite good wine available for purchase, costing around nine to ten guilders. A severe plague broke out in June, which continued into the following year. On Saint Mary Magdalene's Day [July 22], thirty people died in the parish of the cathedral here in Würzburg, and the grain was severely damaged, so that around and after Saint Martin's Day [November 11], one could buy a malter for about five pounds and around four thousand people having died in Würzburg this time.	Template:Chronik oder Historie von den Bischöfen von Würzburg 1992-2004, Vol. 3 (1999), pp. 320-321.	Translation by ChatGPT-3.5
1438-00-00-Constance	1438 JL	When the gypsies came to a place, a price increase came shortly after them. In addition, the people fell in the poverty, suffered hunger and a mortality occured.	Und wo sy [Zigeuner] gezogen warent, do kam in nach in dem 1438 jar ain sollich große türy, der nie kain mensch gedacht hett, wan es kam, das man ain viertel kernen gab umb 4 Pfd. heller und des gelichen alle ding, und kament die lüt in groß armut von hunger. Und darnach kam ain großer sterbet, der darnach an dem adern blatt stat.	And wherever they [gypsies] went, there came after them in 1438 such a great price increase that nobody would have thought. When it came, you had to give 4 pounds Heller for a quarter of grain. It was the same with other things. People fell into great poverty and suffered hunger. This was followed by a great dying, which will be described on another page.	Anonymus: Konstanzer Chronik 1891, p. 174.	Translation by Moritz Uebelhack
1438-00-00-Constance 001	1438 JL	Great mortality in Constance and in Basel. In Basel the people tried to appease God with a procession to Einsiedeln and Todtmoos. In the same year was the autumn really warm and mice made great damage to the fields. The Council of Constance passed several laws to curb bad social behaviour.	Des jaurs, als man zalt von der geburt Christi 1438 jar, do was ain sölicher sterbet das selb jar ainher, das man rechnot, das mer dan viertusent menschen zu Costentz gestorben warent. Es kam dazu, das man zu Crützlingen fünf oder sechs menschen in ain grub lait, desglichen och ze sant Stefan und das man an den enden und im spital gruben machet, in die vil lüt gelait wurdent. Und gieng die sterbet durch die land und alsbald der tod uffgehört, do wyst niemant umb kain tod, dan jederman num umb den sin. In dem vorgemelten jaur umb pfingsten vieng man an ze Costentz zu sterben und starb nach der uffart Ulrich Stainstrauß, darnach in acht tagen sin wyb, darnach erstach sich selb Peter Stainstrauß des selben bruder, in Diebolt Gumposts hus obnan mit ainem schwertlin und messer vor laid. In dem vorgeschriben jaure starb man gar vast in allen landen und kam gen Basel vor pfingsten. Also was der sterbet ze Basel so groß, das dero von Basel wol uff tusent personen sich uffhubent und giengent mit zwölf priestern gen Ainsidlen zu unser lieben froen. Die priester viengent an zu Basel in der statt ze singend und sungend bis zu unser lieben froen. Do sungent sy ain mettin und ain löblich meß von unser lieben froen und bichtotent und giengent zu dem hailigen sacrament mit ernst und andacht und zugent do wider haim. Sy ruftent unser lieben froen an, das sy gott bäte, das er sinen zorn gegen inen abließe, also ungestümenlich täten sy mit sterben. Derglichen giengent och wol fünfhundert personen von Basel in das Todmos in den Swartzwald zu unser lieben froen, als die vordrigen gen Ainsideln. In menger gegni do sturbent di lüt uß über das halb tail oder mer und an mengen enden zu ainlitzigen, zwain oder dryen höfen ganz uß, das die öd stundent one inwoner und was ain recht landsterbend und pestilenz. Und was der herbst als warm als der Ogst. In dem jar (p. 207) ward och der best win am Ottenberg, der in allen landen war und gab man ain fuder umb nün und umb acht pfund pf. Des jars wuchsent gar vil veldmüs und tätent großen schaden an dem korn und samen uff dem veld. In demselben jar saßtent die rät ze Costentz und verbutent den blatz und das spilen an 5 pfund ₰ und verbutent das lang häß und das kain man kainer froen in dem münster reden solt an 1 pfund ₰ ; och das kain man dehain kindbettern gesenhen solt und das och niemant sweren solt und vil solicher sachen. Item sy satzent och, als vormals ain ratsknecht in der rautstuben was, der uß und inließ, dann ethin enkainer mer sölt darinne sin und söltent die ratsherren ye ainer ain wochen in- und ußlon. Und das was ain gut gesatz.	In the year 1438 after the birth of Christ, there was such a mortality that year that it was estimated more than four thousand people died in Constance. It came to the point that in Kreuzlingen, five or six people were buried in a single grave, the same at St. Stephen’s, and that graves were dug at the town’s outskirts and in the hospital where many people were laid to rest. The mortality spread through the lands, and once it stopped, no one noticed any more deaths—everyone was just focused on their own. In the mentioned year around Whitsun, people began to die in Constance. After the Ascension of Ulrich Stainstrauß, his wife died eight days later, and then his brother Peter Stainstrauß killed himself in Diebolt Gumpost’s house with a small sword and knife out of grief. That same year, there was heavy mortality across all lands, and it reached Basel before Whitsun. The death toll was so high in Basel that around a thousand people from the city set out with twelve priests to Einsiedeln to Our Lady. The priests began singing in the city of Basel and sang all the way to Our Lady. There they sang Matins and a solemn Mass for Our Lady, confessed, and approached the Holy Sacrament with seriousness and devotion before returning home. They called upon Our Lady to ask God to ease His wrath, as the deaths were overwhelming. Similarly, about five hundred people from Basel went to Todtmoos in the Black Forest to the shrine of Our Lady, just like those who went to Einsiedeln. In many regions, more than half of the population or more died, and in some areas, entire farms with one or two families were completely wiped out, leaving them deserted without any inhabitants. It was truly a widespread death and pestilence. The autumn was as warm as August. In that year, the best wine came from Ottenberg, considered the finest wine in all lands, and a barrel sold for nine or eight pounds. In that year, many field mice grew and caused significant damage to crops and seeds in the fields. That same year, the council in Constance issued a ban on games and gatherings with a fine of five pounds, forbidding long coats and prohibiting men from speaking to women in the cathedral with a fine of one pound. They have also forbidden men to be present at births and no one is allowed to swear, among many other things. Moreover, they decided that as before, only one town servant was to be in the council chamber to let people in and out, and no one else was allowed inside. The councilors had to take turns each week handling the in- and outgoing matters, which was a good policy.	Gebhard Dacher: Konstanzer Chronik 1891, pp. 206-207.	Translation by ChatGPT-3.5
1438-00-00-Poland	1438 JL	In the year 1438 there was inflation and plague in Poland.	Anno domini 1438 fuit maxima caristia in regno videlicet Polonie [...] et statim post hoc pestis magna.	In the year of the Lord 1438 there was a great inflation in the kingdom of Poland [...] and immediately after this a great plague.	Notae monachi Sanctae Crucis, in: Monumenta Poloniae Historica, vol III., pp. 412-414, 413	Translation by Christian Oertel
1438-00-00-Rhine	1438 JL	Great mortality around the Rhine, in Cologne, Freiburg, Nuremberg, Augsburg and Lake Constance. In addition, only little wine, due to the weather.	Item uff das selb jar [1438] vorgenant starb man allenthalb in den landen und gar vast am Rin, ze Cöln, ze Auch bis gen Fryburg und ze Nürenberg und ze Ogsburg, ze Ulm und allenthalben on an dem Bodensee. Es kam des jars och ain gar großer schutz an den reben und kam darnach regen und viel der win vast ab, das lützel win ward.	In the same year 1438 many died on the Rhine, in Cologne, and also in Freiburg, Nuremberg, Augsburg, Ulm and on Lake Constance. In that year there was frost on the vines and afterwards much rain and the wine fell off, so there was little wine.	Gebhard Dacher: Konstanzer Chronik 1891, p. 203.	Translation by Moritz Uebelhack
1438-00-00-Silesia	1438 JL	In the year 1438 there was a general plague in Silesia.	Anno domini 1438 [...] fuit generalis pestis per Silesiam.	In the year of the Lord 1438 [...], there was a general plague in Sileasia.	Annales Wratislawienses, in: Monumenta Poloniae Historica, vol III., pp. 680-688, 686	None
1438-02-00-Constance	February 1438 JL	The hospital master was deposed and imprisoned because he had embezzled many things. Many people died in the hospital during this time.	Item anno 1438 in dem rebmonet do ward der spittalmaister gefangen, umb das er hatt kernen, flaisch, haber, gelt und anders hatt uff geben, das die rechnung brächt ob 300 guldin, das er ettlichen den rätten hatt geben, und namlich Ulrichen Schiltern und Graffschnidern. und ward och offenbär, das er der pfründnerin aine, des alten stattschribers wib, beschlassen hatt. Also ward er ab gesetzt und ward dess selben jares Cunrad Blarer gesetzt, der da maister uff der brugg was. Es sturbent dess selben jares und des andern jares gar vil lüt in dem spittal, dass es ir ettlich mäss än zal was, wo man wolt in nicht allen lüten.	In 1438, in the month of February, the hospital master was imprisoned because he had embezzled grain, meat, oats, money and other things. The accounts revealed that he had given over 300 guilders to some of the councillors, in particular Ulrichen Schiltern and Graffschnider. It also came to light that he had given money to the prebendary, the wife of the old town scribe. As a result, he was deposed and in the same year Cunrad Blarer, who was master of the hospital in Brugg, was appointed in his place. Many people died in the hospital that year and the following year, so many that it was almost impossible to ring the bells for them all.	Konstanzer Chronik, p. 340.	Translation by Moritz Uebelhack
1438-06-18-Liège	18 June 1438 JL	A procession is organized in the city against the dearth and the mortality. People get fever.	Après, en mois de junne le XVIIIe jour, fut fait à Saint-Lambert une especiale messe et procession par le clergie et par les lais generalement, bien devotement, por trois cause: la premier por le chir temps de bleis generalement [...]. La seconde fut por le mortaliteit, car plusieurs moroient par fivres contagieux, etc. Et la tirche cause por la division d'entre le pape, le concile de Ferare, d'unne part, et d'auttre de conciel de Baselle.	On June 18, a procession was celebrated in Saint-Lambert with all the clergy and laymen, very devoutly. We did it for three reasons. The first, because of the high prices [...] The second, because of the mortality. Indeed, several people died of fever, etc. And the third, because of the divisions of the papacy and between the councils of Ferrara and of Basel.	Chronique de Jean de Stavelot, p. 392	Translation by Thomas Labbé
1438-08-17-Liège	17 August 1438 JL	A cleric's handmaid commit suicide, because she was infected by the disease that spread in the city since Easter. Other people did the same.	Et le XVIIe jour d'awost, à XI heure par nuit, le danhelle mesire Henri Staden, canonne de Saint-Pire, vestis de Saint-Severin, soy kopat la gorge piteusement ; elle estoit en la chaude fivre del chaude maladie qui régnoit généralement par tous paiis. Et commencha ladite maladie à regnier entour Paske, et soy achirent pluseurs por la grande resdeur de ladite maladie en celle année.	On August 17, at 11 h. in the night, the handmaid of Henri Staden, canon of St-Pierre, painfully cut her throat. She was affected by the fever given by the disease that raged in the city since Easter. Many other did the same thing because of the severity of this disease.	Chronique de Jean de Stavelot, p. 394	Translation by Thomas Labbé
1438-09-22-Liège	22 September 1438 JL	A procession is organized in the city against the mortality affecting the country.	Et en ce mois de septembre devantdit, le XXIIe jour, fut faite à Saint-Lambert une espéciale messe par tout le clergrie de la citeit generalement, et fut après messe fait une belle procession [...]. Et le cause d'ycelle fut premier pour l'entredeux de pape et de conciel de Ferrare allencontre de conciel de Baselle [...] ; item que Dieu vosist cesseir la mortaliteit par sa grace qui estoit general par tous paiis, etc ; item qu'il lui plaist le chier temps, par especial de bleis, remedier, et des biens qui estoient enssi comme tous perdus et ont aparant che qui est de pau de valeur ; item por le semhon vosist Dieu envoier pluye, etc.	During the aformentioned month of September, the 22nd, a special mass has been celebrated in the church of St-Lambert with all the clerics of the city. And after this mass, a procession took place [...] The first reason for this procession was the conflict between the two popes and between the two council assemblies of Ferrare and of Basel [...] ; item, for asking God to cease by His holly grace the mortality that raged everywhere, etc. ; item, to ask Him for the ending of the dearth, especially concerning wheat, and all goods that were lost ; item to ask Him to send good rain for sowing time.	Chronique de Jean de Stavelot, p. 397	Translation by Thomas Labbé
1438-11-28-Rome	28 November 1438 JL	A number of German priests flees the Roman curia because of a ravaging plague	Arnoldus Cuper Arnoldus (Arnaldus) Cuper (Cupere) (de Embrica) et Nicolaus Vighe cler. Colon. dioc., Johannes Dorenborch al. Muleken cler. Monast. dioc., Ruthgerus Kock cler. Colon. dioc., Borchardus Truytelaet cler. Hildesem. dioc., Engelbertus de Marcka cler. Leod. dioc., Mathias Veyt cler. Eistet. dioc., Albertus Gertener cler. Magunt. dioc., Petrus Doenen cler. Magunt. dioc., Adrianus Martini de Breda cler. Leod. dioc., famm. D[ominici de Capranica] s. Marie in via lata diac. card., qui propter pestem a R. cur. ultra term. se absentaverunt	Arnoldus Cuper (de Embrica), and Nicolaus Vighe, clerics of the Diocese of Cologne; Johannes Dorenborch, also known as Muleken, cleric of the Diocese of Münster; Ruthgerus Kock, cleric of the Diocese of Cologne; Borchardus Truytelaet, cleric of the Diocese of Hildesheim; Engelbertus de Marcka, cleric of the Diocese of Liège; Mathias Veyt, cleric of the Diocese of Eichstätt; Albertus Gertener, cleric of the Diocese of Mainz; Petrus Doenen, cleric of the Diocese of Mainz; Adrianus Martini de Breda, cleric of the Diocese of Liège; familiares of Domenico de Capranica, cardinal of S. Maria in Via Lata, have been absent beyond the established term from the Roman Curia due to the plague.	RG Online, RG V 00478, URL: Repertorium Germanicum Online	Translation by Martin Bauch
1438-Summer-Paris	1438 JL	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.	Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris 1990, pp. 382-383	Translation by Thomas Labbé

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