Rhine

For Rhine, a total of 14 epidemic events are known so far. It is a river.

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
1348-00-00-Europe 001	1348 JL	These passages describe the catastrophic events of the year 1348 in Europe, including the plague and an earthquake. They mention predictions about political upheavals, famine and other catastrophies.	Item, Anno fequenti 48. in Avinone & in vicinis ibi partibus in Marfilia & in Italia ac multis citra & ultra maritimis regionibus, etiam in Francia, Anglia, Vngaria, Carinthia, Austria, Bauaria, Suevia, Alsatia, & in partibus Rheni & aliis plerisque Germaniae partibus, & praecipue in locis aquosis, & in alpibus, cacuminibus & conuallibus partium montanarum tam maxima pestilentia feu mortalitas (p. 469) fuit hominum, quod plerumque una in hospitio moriente persona, ceteri cohabitantes homines, ut sepius quasi subito, moriuntur. Anno Domini 1348. in die conuersionis Sancti Pauli circa horam vespertinam uniuersalis terrae motus adeo magnus fuit, quod hinc inde & praecipue in partibus Carinthiae & maritimis multae munitiones & domus & praefertim lapideae corruerunt. Anno domini 1348. multa mirabilia contingent, ut Astrologus maximus attestatur, unus solus erit dominus, Romanum Imperium exaltabitur, magna rixa erit in terra, Tyrannus Rex Francie cadit cum Baronibus fuis, magna effusio sanguinis fiet, erit magna fames & mortalitas hominum, haec iam in multis partibus Alemanniae, magnus calor in aestate, magna siccitas, vindicabitur vindicta noui Regis, transfigurabitur Regina Veneris, pulues Lonistae & animalia venenosa abundabunt & multa mirabilia in aere apparebunt.	Moreover, in the following year 1348, in Avignon and its surrounding areas, in Marseille, Italy, and in many regions both on this side and beyond the seas, also in France, England, Hungary, Carinthia, Austria, Bavaria, Swabia, Alsace, and the regions of the Rhine and many other parts of Germany, especially in watery places, in the Alps, the peaks, and the valleys of mountainous areas, there was such a great plague or mortality among humans that often when one person died in a household, the other inhabitants frequently died suddenly as well. In the year of our Lord 1348, on the day of the Conversion of Saint Paul, around the evening hour, there was a universal earthquake so great that here and there, especially in Carinthia and coastal areas, many fortifications and houses, particularly those made of stone, collapsed. In the year of our Lord 1348, many wonders occurred, as the great astrologer attests: there will be only one lord, the Roman Empire will be exalted, there will be great strife on the earth, the tyrant King of France will fall with his barons, there will be great bloodshed, there will be great famine and mortality of people — this has already occurred in many parts of Germany. There will be great heat in the summer, great drought, vengeance will be exacted by the new king, the Queen of Venus will be transformed, the dust of Lonista will abound, and poisonous animals will be plentiful, and many wonders will appear in the air.	Chronicon Wirziburgense breve 1735, pp. 468-469.	Translation by ChatGPT-3.5
1348-00-00-Europe 002	1348 JL	These passages describe the catastrophic events of the year 1348 in Europe, including the plague. They mention predictions about political upheavals, famine and other catastrophies like extreme weather.	De magna pestilencia. Item eodem tempore et anno immediate sequenti in curia Romana Avinionis et in vicinis ibi partibus in Marsilia et Ytalia ac multis maritimis citra et ultra marinis regionibus, eciam in Francia Anglia Ungaria Karinthia Austria Bawaria Swevia et Alsacia ac in partibus Reni et aliis plerisque Germanie partibus, et precipue in locis aquosis et in alpibus cacuminibus et convallibus partium montanarum (p. 474) tam maxima pestilentia seu mortalitatis hominum tanta fuit et est, quod plerumque una in hospicio moriente persona ceteri cohabitantes homines et sepius quasi subito moriuntur. De eventibus lamentosis sub anno subscriptio. Anno domini m.ccc.xl.viii. multa mirabilia contingent, ut astrologus maximus attestatur. Unus solus erit dominus. Imperium Romanum exaltabitur. Magna rixa erit in terra. Tyrannus Rex Francie cadet cum baronibus suis. Magna effusio sanguinis. Papa dissipabitur cum cardinalibus suis. Erit magna fames et mortalitas. Hec vero iam in multis partibus Lombardie. Magnus calor in estate. In hieme magna siccitas. Semina corrumpuntur. Vindicabitur vindicta novi regis. Transfigurabitur regina veneris. Pulices locuste et animalia venenosa habundabunt, et multa mirabilia in aere apparebunt.	On the Great Pestilence. Likewise, at the same time and in the following year, in the Roman court at Avignon and in nearby areas, in Marseille and Italy, and in many maritime regions on both sides of the sea, also in France, England, Hungary, Carinthia, Austria, Bavaria, Swabia, Alsace, and in the regions along the Rhine and other parts of Germany, and especially in watery places and in the peaks and valleys of the mountainous regions, there was such a great plague or mortality of people that often, when one person died in a house, the other cohabitants and people would soon die almost immediately. On the Lamentable Events of the Year Described Below. In the year of our Lord 1348, many marvelous events occurred, as the greatest astrologer attests. There will be one sole lord. The Roman Empire will be exalted. There will be a great conflict in the land. The tyrant King of France will fall with his barons. There will be a great bloodshed. The Pope will be dispersed with his cardinals. There will be great famine and mortality. This has already occurred in many parts of Lombardy. There will be great heat in the summer. In winter, there will be great drought. Seeds will be corrupted. The vengeance of a new king will be exacted. The Queen of Venus will be transformed. Fleas, locusts, and venomous animals will abound, and many marvels will appear in the sky.	De chronicis temporum hominum modernorum 1843, pp. 473-774.	Translation by ChatGPT-3.5
1349-00-00-Strasbourg 002	1349 JL	Great mortality all over the world. In Marseille died more the half of the people. In the summer the plague arrived in Strasbourg and 16 thousend people died. The Jews were blamed for poisoning the water, which brought the plague. As a consequence they were burned in Strasbourg and other cities along the Rhine.	Von dem grossen sterbotte und Judenbrande Do men zalte 1349 jor, do was der groeste sterbotte der vor ie gewas: das sterben ging von eime ende der welte untz an das ander; gynesit und hie dissit des meres. in der heidenschaft was der sterbotte groesser denne in der cristenheit. Menig lant starp gerwe us, daz nieman me do was. men vant ouch menig schif uf dem mere mit koufmanschatz, do inne die lüte alle dot worent und nieman die schiffe furte. der bischof von Marsilien und pfaffen und müniche und alles volg do, das starp me denne das zweitel. In andern künigrichen und stetten starp so vil volkes, das es were gruwelichen zu sagende. der bobest zu Avion lies alles gerihte under wegen und beslos sich in eine kammer und lies nieman zu ime und hette allewegen ein gros für vor ime. und wovon dirre sterbotte [p. 760], das kundent alle wise meistere noch arzote nüt gesagen anders, denne das es were gottes wille. und so der sterbotte ignote hie was, so was er denne anderswo, und werte me denne ein gantz jor. Dirre sterbotte kam ouch gein Strosburg in dem summer des vorgenanten jores, und sturbent do also men schetzete uf 16 tusent menschen. Von diesem sterbotte wurdent die Juden in der welte verlümet und gezigen in allen landen, das sü es gemaht hettent mit vergift die sü in wasser und in burnen soltent geton han, also men sü zech. und derumb wurdent die Juden verbrant von dem mer untz in dütsche lant, one zu Avion, do beschirmete sü der bobest. […] (p. 763) Men brante die Juden An dem samstage, das was sant Veltins dag [14.02.], do verbrante men die Juden in irme kirchofe uf eime hültzin gerüste: der worent uf zwei tusent. Wele sich aber woltent lossen touffen, die lies men lebende. es wurdent ouch vil junger kinde us dem füre genomen über irer muter und vatter wille, die getouffet wurdent. und was men den Juden schuldig was, das wart alles wette, und wurdent alle pfant und briefe die sü hettent über schulde widergeben. aber das bar gut das sü hettent, das nam der rot und teilete es under die antwerg noch margzal. das gelt was ouch die sache (p. 764) dovon die Juden gedoetet wurdent: wan werent sü arm gewesen und werent in die landesherren nüt schuldig gewesen, so werent sü nüt gebrant worden. do nu dis gut geteilet wart under die antwerg, so gobent etliche ir teil an unser frowen werg oder durch got, noch ihres bihters rote. Sus wurdent die Juden gebrant zu Strosburg und des selben jores in allen stetten uf dem Ryne, es werent frige stette oder des riches oder der herren. in etlichen stetten brante men sü mit urteil, in etlichen one urteil. in etlichen stetten stiessent die Juden ire hüser selber ane und verbrantent sich dinne.	Of the Great Plague and the Burning of the Jews In the year 1349, there was the greatest plague that had ever been seen. This plague spread from one end of the world to the other, across seas and lands. It was worse in pagan lands than in Christendom. Many countries were so devastated that no one was left alive. It was common to find ships at sea with the goods where all the people on board were dead, and no one was left to steer the ship. In Marseille, the bishop, priests, monks, and nearly everyone perished—more than half of the population. In other kingdoms and cities, so many people died that it was horrific to recount. The Pope in Avignon abandoned all official duties, locked himself in a chamber, and allowed no one near him, always keeping a large fire burning before him. No wise master or physician could explain this plague except to say it was God's will. When the plague ceased in one place, it would begin elsewhere, lasting more than a year. This plague also reached Strasbourg in the summer of the aforementioned year, where an estimated 16,000 people died. Because of this plague, the Jews were accused and blamed throughout the world. They were charged in all countries with having caused the plague by poisoning wells and springs. As a result, the Jews were burned from the Mediterranean to the German lands, except in Avignon, where the Pope protected them. The Burning of the Jews. On Saturday, the day of Saint Valentine's [February 14th], the Jews in Strasbourg were burned in their cemetery on a wooden platform. About two thousand were burned. Those who agreed to be baptized were spared. Many young children were taken from the fire against the will of their parents and were baptized. All debts owed to the Jews were canceled, and all pledges and documents they held were returned. However, their movable goods were taken by the city council and divided among the authorities. This wealth was also the reason the Jews were killed: if they had been poor and not owed anything to the lords, they would not have been burned. When this wealth was divided among the authorities, some gave their share to the work of the Virgin Mary or for the sake of God, as directed by their confessor. Thus, the Jews were burned in Strasbourg and that same year in all towns along the Rhine, whether they were free cities, under the Empire, or under local lords. In some cities, the Jews were burned with a formal judgment, in others without one. In some places, the Jews set fire to their own houses and burned themselves inside.	Jacobus Twinger von Könishofen: Chronik 1870-71, pp. 759-764	Translation by ChatGPT-3.5
1356-00-00-Basel	18 September 1356 JL	There was an earthquake in Basel followed by a plague.	Item anno Domini 1356 in die sancti Luce ewangeliste post meridiem in Basilea super ripam Reni terre motus factus magnus et multa castra subvertit et plures interfecit, et secuta est pestilencia.	In the year of the Lord 1356 at the day of St Luke the apostle after midday the earth shook fiercely in Basel and many castles were destroyed and many [people] were killed and following this there was a plague.	Annales Wratislawienses maiores, in: Monumenta Poloniae Historica III, p. 690.	Translation by Christian Oertel
1357-00-00-Central Germany	1357 JL	A plague along the Rhine, in Hesse, Thuringia and Wetterau.	Eodem anno circa festum ascensionis fuit regina Ungarie et rex Romanus in Maguncia causa peregrinationis cum magna multitudine gentis. Eo quoque tempore fuit divulgatum per (p. 6) totam terram Renensem per litteras auctenticas, quod Antechristus natus esset, et narrabantur infinita signa que fecisset. In nativitate et post eciam dicebatur de multis miraculis de maximo calore qui deberet advenire, et de magnis fluviis et de multis preliis; que Deus avertat! Anno predicto facta est magna pestilentia in multibus partibus Rheni et in Hassia et Thuringia et Wedderabia, et annona preciosa est, quia crevit valde modicum siliginis, sed bonum, et vinum similiter. Eodem anno circa festum Marie Magdalene [Juli 22] eclipsis lune facta est, quia fuit plenilunium, et facta est in quantitate manus, et postea eodem die reintegrata est.	In the same year around Ascension Day, the kings of Hungary and the Roman king stayed in Mainz with a large entourage because of the journey to the East. At the same time, rumours spread throughout the Rhine region through genuine letters that the Antichrist had been born. There was talk of countless signs that he had brought about. At Christmas and afterwards, there was talk of many miracles, of tremendous heat to come, of great masses of water and many wars. God forbid! In the predicted year, a great pestilence occurred in many parts of the Rhine area, as well as in Hesse, Thuringia, and the Wetterau, and grain was scarce because the wheat crop grew very little, albeit good, and similarly with wine. In the same year, a lunar eclipse occurred around Mary Magdalene on 22 July. It was a full moon, the eclipse reached hand-width, but shortly afterwards, on the same day, the moon was full again.	Chronicon Moguntinum 1885, p. 5-6	Translation by Martin Bauch; None; None;
1358-00-00-Brabant	1358 JL	The plague that did harm in Brabant and surroundings in autumn spread in winter and reached Friuli, where it raged until March.	Operazioni della moria In quest'anno l'usata moria dell'anguinaia, la quale nell'autunno passato avea nel Brabante e nelle circustante parti de Reno fatti gran danni, e nel verno si dilatò, e comprese e passò nel Frioli faccendo l'uficio suo per infino al marzo, e parte della Schiavonia, (p. 301) ma non troppo agramente; però ch'enfiando sotto il ditello e l'anguinaia, chi passava il settimo giorno era sicuro; vero è che in sette dì assai ne morivano. Ancora no pigliava le città e le ville comunemente, ma al modo della gragnuola, l'una lasciava stare e ll'altra prendea; e durando dove cominciava dalle venti alle ventidue settimane, molta gente d'ogni generazione trasse a ffine.	Effects of the plague This year (1358) the accustomed inguinal plague, which last autumn did great harm in Brabant and the surrounding parts of the Rhine, spread in winter, reaching and passing through Friuli, where it did its work till March, and part of Schiavonia, but not too violently; if it swelled under the arm or in the groin, any one who survived the seventh day was safe; it is true, however, that within seven days many died. Moreover, it did not generally affect towns and villages, but like a hailstorm it left one place untouched and seized another; and where it began, it lasted from twenty to twenty-two weeks, killing many people of all ages.	Matteo Villani 1995, Vol. 2, pp. 300-301	None
1358-00-00-Cologne	1358 JL	A plague along the Rhine, in Cologne, with inclement weather, cold in wintern and dearth of foodstuffs.	Eo tempore est facta pestilencia valida in partibus inferioribus et in Colonia et inibi. Eo tempore antequam vindemia inciperet vinum fuit tam preciosum, quod vinum venale non inveniebatur; sed postea statim quando uve erant collecte vinum optimo foro erat, sicut unquam in decem annis antea factum est: ita ego vidi et audivi. Hyeme sequenti Rhenum est compactum circa tres septimanas.	At that time (1358), a severe pestilence occurred in the lower regions and in Cologne and its vicinity. At that time, before the grape harvest began, wine was so precious that it was not available for sale; but afterward, as soon as the grapes were collected, the wine was of the best quality ever seen in the market, as it was never in the past ten years: so I saw and heard. The following winter, the Rhine was frozen for about three weeks.	Chronicon Moguntinum 1885, p. 7.	Translation by Martin Bauch; None;
1364-04-25-Mainz	1364 JL	Outbreak of plague in Mainz, with 6.000 vicitms, and along the Rhine.	Item viguit magna pestilencia circa Rhenum durans pene ad festum Marci euangeliste, et mortui sunt in civitate Moguncia sex milia hominum in hac pestilencia et ..	Likewise, a great pestilence ravaged the Rhine region, lasting almost until the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, and six thousand people died in the city of Mainz during this pestilence.	Chronicon Moguntinum 1885, p. 13.	Translation by Martin Bauch; None;
1373-00-00-Mainz	1373 JL	Outbreak of plague along the Rhine and other parts of Germany, in Mainz 3000 people die.	Tunc multe pestilencie facte sunt in diversis partibus Rheni et aliarum partium Alamanie. In Maguncia mortui sunt tria milia hominum, et erant vina et fruges optimi fori, sicut nulla hominum meminit etas.	At that time (1373), many pestilences occurred in various parts of the Rhine and other regions of Germany. In Mainz, three thousand people died, and wines and grains were of the best quality ever remembered by anyone.	Chronicon Moguntinum 1885, p. 33.	Translation by Martin Bauch; None;
1374-06-21-Germany	21 June 1374 JL	This passage talks about the "dancing mania" in the region along the Rhine and Moselle. People danced uncontrollably, sometimes for half a day. Some participants exploited the situation for money and immoral behavior. The event seen as a heresy lasted around sixteen weeks and was believed by some to be a sign of the coming Antichrist.	Item da man schreip druzenhondert jar unde in dem vir unde sibenzigesten jare zu mittesomer da irhup sich ein wunderlich gedinge uf ertrich unde sunderlichen in Duschem lande uf dem Rine unde uf der Moseln, also daz Iude huben an zu danzen unde zu rasen, unde stunden i zwei gen ein unde danzeten uf einer stat einen halben dag, unde in dem danzen so filen si etwan dicke nider uf di erden unde lißen sich mit fußen dretten uf iren lip; da von namen si sich an, daz si genesen weren. Unde lifen von einer stat unde von einer kirchen zu der andern unde huben gelt von den Iuden, wo in daz sin mochte. Unde wart di dinge also vil, daz man zu Colne in der stat me dan funfhondert denzer fant. Unde fant man, daz cz duisserie was unde ketzerie, unde geschach umb geldes willen, daz ir endeiles! frauwen unde manne in unkuscheit mochten leben unde di vollen zu bringen. Unde fant man, daz zu Collen me dan hondert frauwen unde dinstmeide, di nit eliche manner enhatten, di worden in der danzerie alle kinde tragen. Unde wanne das si danzeten, so bonden unde knebelten si sich umb den lip hart zu, daz si deste geringer weren. Heruf sprechent endeiles meister, sunderlichen di guden arzide, daz endeiles worden danzen, di von heißer naturen waren, unde von anderen gebrechlichen naturlichen sachen, Danne der was wenig, den daz geschach. Di meister von der heiligen schrift di besworen der denzer endeiles, di meinten, daz si beseßen weren von dem bosen vigende. Also nam ez ein betrogen ende. Unde werte wol seszen wochen in disen landen oder in der maße. Auch namen di vurgenanten denzer, so manne so frauwen, sich ane, daz si kein rot gewant mochten gesehen. Unde was ez allez duisserie, unde ist ez vurbotschaft gewest Endecristes nach mime bedunken.	In 1374, at midsummer, a marvellous thing happened on earth, especially in the German lands along the Rhine and the Moselle. People began to dance and race and stood two against one and danced in one place for half a day. While dancing they often fell to the ground and had their feet stamped on their bodies; they assumed that they had recovered. They ran from one town and from one church to another, collecting money from the people where it was given to them. And there were so many of them that more than five hundred dancers were found in the city of Cologne. And it was found that it was fraud and heresy, and was done for the sake of money, so that some of them, women and men, could live in unchastity and perform it. And it was found that in Cologne more than a hundred women and maids, who had no husband, were all carrying children at the dance. When they danced, they bound and gagged themselves tightly around the waist to appear slimmer. Some masters, especially the good doctors, said that some of them danced because they were of a hot-tempered nature, and for other vicious reasons. But there were few to whom this happened. The masters of the Holy Scriptures conjured up some of the dancers and thought that they were possessed by the evil enemy. And so it came to a fraudulent end. And it lasted sixteen weeks or about that long in this country. The aforementioned dancers, both men and women, also pretended that they could not see a red robe. But it was all deception and, methinks, a premonition of the Antichrist.	Limburger Chronik 1883, p. 64	Translation by DeepL
1381-01-13-Mainz	September 1380 JL	Outbreak of plague along the Rhine, accompanied by mild weather.	Anno Domini (13)80 primo circa octavas epiphanie Domini instetit frigus valde forte, durans usque ad Kalendas Februarii, cum antea a festo Michaelis usque ad predictas octavas continue fuerit aura pluvialis et tepida absque frigoribus durantibus. Viguit pestilencia circa partes Reni usque ad predictas octavas.	In the year of our Lord 1380, around the octave of the Epiphany of the Lord, there was a very strong cold snap, lasting until the Kalends of February, whereas previously from the feast of Michaelmas until the aforementioned octave, there had been continuous rainy and mild weather without lasting cold spells. A pestilence prevailed around the Rhine region until the aforementioned octave.	Chronicon Moguntinum 1885, p. 47.	Translation by Martin Bauch; None;
1389-00-00-Bingen	1389 JL	Outbreak of plague in Bingen, Mainz, along the Rhine and in Franconia. It affected mainly children and young people.	Item in illis diebus (1389) erat iterum pestilencie epidimia in partibus Rheni, maxime in Pinguia et partibus circumsitis et Maguncia, et maxime infestabat iuventutem et infantes, et erat talis pestilencia in Franckonia et multis aliis terre.	Also, in those days (1389), there was again an epidemic of pestilence in the regions of the Rhine, especially in the Palatinate and surrounding areas, and in Mainz, and it mostly afflicted the youth and infants. Such a pestilence was also present in Franconia and many other lands.	Chronicon Moguntinum 1885, p. 63.	Translation by Martin Bauch; None;
1401-08-00-Cologne	August 1401 JL	A mortality breaks out in Cologne from August to October.	In dem selven jar augusti, septembri, octobri stroven de lude sere in Colen an den brosen inde van boser hizen van inbinnen.	In the same year (1401) in the month of August, September and October the people died in Cologne because of brosen and of bad heat (fever) from inside.	Cölner Jahrbücher, p. 91.	Translation by Thomas Wozniak
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

Authority data: