EpiMedDat
The Open Data Collection for Historical Epidemics and Medieval Diseases

1341-00-00-Iceland 003

From EpiMedDat

Map

Loading map...

Factbox

Date startStart date of the disease. 1341 +
Date endEnd date of the disease. 1341 +
SeasonSeason (spring, summer, fall or winter) Spring, Summer
Date otherOther mentioned dates.
PlacePlace(s), city or location of the disease. Skálholt
RegionHistorical region(s)
CountryCurrent country Iceland
RiverMentioned river(s)
Natural eventMentioned natural event(s) Fire, Hekla, Volcanic eruption
PersonMentioned persons(s)
GroupGroup(s) of people mentioned
VictimIndication of victims +
AnimalMentioned animal(s) Cattle, Sheep
DiseaseMentioned disease(s)
Epidemic waveAssociated epidemic wave
Social responseSocial response that happened in reaction to the disease
LanguageLanguage of the original text Icelandic
KeywordFurther keyword(s) Famine, Mortality
last edited 19. 12. 2025 by EpiMedDat-Bot.

Volcanic eruption of Hekla in 1341. Followed by a great famine and mortality among sheep and cattle. 800 oxen died in the diocese of Skálholt between May and June.

Text originalOriginal text

Ellz upp kuama i Heklu felli med myklu sanndfalli ok sua storum brestum at biorgum laust saman i elldinum at naliga heyrdi um allt land sua uar ok dimt medan sanndfallid stod mest yfir. at eigi uar bok liost i kirkium þeim er næst stodu uppkuamu ellzins. hallæri mikid. mikill fiarfellir bædi sauda ok nauta sua at midil fardaga ok Peturs messo fiell at eins fyrir Skalhollti lxxx nauta.

Text translationEnglish translation of the text

A fire broke out in Mount Hekla with a great fall of sand and such large cracks in the rocks that the fire could be heard all over the country. It was also mostly dark while the sand fell, so there was no light in the churches that were closest to the outbreak of the fire. Great famine. A great mortality of both sheep and cattle, so that between the 'moving days' (=21−27 May) and St. Peter's Mass (29 June), a total of 80 oxen died in Skálholt.

References

  1. ^ ''Annálabrot frá Skálholti''. In: Gustav Storm: ''Islandske Annaler indtil 1578''. Kristiania 1888 
  2. ^ Translation by Carina Damm 

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.