London reports on the Great Plague of Europe...
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August 06, 1666
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, August 2-6, 1666
World history notes that 1666 was perhaps the most "dismal" year of the 17th century, as the Great Plague ravaged England & other portions of Europe but most notably the crowded city of London where it is estimated up to 100,000 people succumbed to the plague, about 20% of the city's population. But many other cities of England suffered its ravages as well. The disease was historically identified as bubonic plague. Additionally the Great Fire of London happened in 1666, in fact less than a month after the date of this newspaper.
Only two newspapers in England were published at the time of the Great Plague, the most notable being the famous THE LONDON GAZETTE, which is the world's oldest continually published newspaper having begun in 1665 and is still publishing today. So exceedingly few period accounts of Great Plague can be found.
This issue is one.
A front page report from Norwich dated August 1 notes that: "The Bill of Mortality for this last week is thus, buried of all Diseases, 145. Where of the Plague 125. Besides at the Pesthouse 5." It is very rare to find front page mentions of the Great Plague as others we've had were generally found on the back page.
And this issue has a second mention of the plague--very rare as such--found at the bottom of the back page with a report from the King reading: "He is likewise graciously pleased out of His Princely care, of the good of His subjects to order in his council that Bartholomew Fair, and Sturbridge Fair be put off for this year, to prevent the spreading of the Infection, which might otherwise be occasioned by them." See the photos for both accounts.
As if this content was not sufficient, there is also front page mention of the colonies with a brief item reading: "This day arrived here the Patrick, with another Vessell under his convoy laden with timber...and intends with the first fair wind for the Downs, with the Virginia and Barbadoes fleet." (see photos).
A terrific issue with not one but two mentions of the Great Plague in a period newspaper from London. The balance of the issue is taken up with other reports from Europe, including some nice items on the historic British victory over De Ruyter and the Dutch.
Complete as a single sheet newspaper measuring 6 3/4 by 10 3/4 inches. Some very light browning at the top and a bit on the right side. An archival repair at the blank spine margin not touching any text. Generally in very nice, clean condition.
One can only imagine what the owner of this actual newspaper thought when reading these reports in his local newspaper over 340 years ago. Holding this newspaper is literally holding 340 years of history in your hands!
How has such an issue survived thru the years?
This issue was kept by a library in a bound volume for over 300 years along with other issues of the same year, used by patrons and safely stored. We purchased this issue when it & others were likely microfilmed for posterity, or perhaps when the issue was deemed out of scope for that particular library. We now make it available--once again--to the general public.
World history notes that 1666 was perhaps the most "dismal" year of the 17th century, as the Great Plague ravaged England & other portions of Europe but most notably the crowded city of London where it is estimated up to 100,000 people succumbed to the plague, about 20% of the city's population. But many other cities of England suffered its ravages as well. The disease was historically identified as bubonic plague. Additionally the Great Fire of London happened in 1666, in fact less than a month after the date of this newspaper.
Only two newspapers in England were published at the time of the Great Plague, the most notable being the famous THE LONDON GAZETTE, which is the world's oldest continually published newspaper having begun in 1665 and is still publishing today. So exceedingly few period accounts of Great Plague can be found.
This issue is one.
A front page report from Norwich dated August 1 notes that: "The Bill of Mortality for this last week is thus, buried of all Diseases, 145. Where of the Plague 125. Besides at the Pesthouse 5." It is very rare to find front page mentions of the Great Plague as others we've had were generally found on the back page.
And this issue has a second mention of the plague--very rare as such--found at the bottom of the back page with a report from the King reading: "He is likewise graciously pleased out of His Princely care, of the good of His subjects to order in his council that Bartholomew Fair, and Sturbridge Fair be put off for this year, to prevent the spreading of the Infection, which might otherwise be occasioned by them." See the photos for both accounts.
As if this content was not sufficient, there is also front page mention of the colonies with a brief item reading: "This day arrived here the Patrick, with another Vessell under his convoy laden with timber...and intends with the first fair wind for the Downs, with the Virginia and Barbadoes fleet." (see photos).
A terrific issue with not one but two mentions of the Great Plague in a period newspaper from London. The balance of the issue is taken up with other reports from Europe, including some nice items on the historic British victory over De Ruyter and the Dutch.
Complete as a single sheet newspaper measuring 6 3/4 by 10 3/4 inches. Some very light browning at the top and a bit on the right side. An archival repair at the blank spine margin not touching any text. Generally in very nice, clean condition.
One can only imagine what the owner of this actual newspaper thought when reading these reports in his local newspaper over 340 years ago. Holding this newspaper is literally holding 340 years of history in your hands!
How has such an issue survived thru the years?
This issue was kept by a library in a bound volume for over 300 years along with other issues of the same year, used by patrons and safely stored. We purchased this issue when it & others were likely microfilmed for posterity, or perhaps when the issue was deemed out of scope for that particular library. We now make it available--once again--to the general public.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
