Constance
From EpiMedDat
In Constance, a total of 26 epidemic events are known so far. It is a (Konstanz), city in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. The coordinates are 47° 39' 48.10" N, 9° 10' 33.53" E.
Map of Constance
Table
| Disease | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1347-12-25-Avignon | 25 December 1347 JL | Great mortality in the south of France, especially in Avignon. | Quo eciam tempore maxima mortalitas viguit in Grecia in Thurchia ac Lompardia Tussia ac in provincia Waschonia et in Francia, quod ville et civitates alique dicebantur incolis destitute. Nam in civitate Avenionensi a festo nativitatis domini [25.12.1347] usque ad festum omnium sanctorum [01.11.1348] cclxxx milia hominum decesserunt, inter quos sex cardinales duces fuerunt transeuntium de hoc mundo ad patrem. | During this time, there was also enormous mortality in Greece, Turkey, Lombardy, Tuscany and the province of Vashonia [Gascony] as well as in France, so that houses and cities were named that were without inhabitants. For in the city of Avignon, 280,000 people died from the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord [25 December 1347] to the Feast of All Saints [1 November 1348], including six cardinals who passed from this world to the Father. | Henricus de Diessenhofen 1868, p. 65. | None |
| 1348-00-00-Avignon02 | 1348 JL | About the outbreak of the Black Death in the East and the arrival of the plague in Sicily and Avignon. People flee from the plague because of the infected air. | Anno Domini MCCCXLVIII. Tempore hyemali vel circa principium veris in partibus ultramarinis exorta est mortalitas seu pestilencia tam grandis, quod infinitam et inestimabilem multitudinem infidelium absorbuit et absumpsit. Que derivata ad terras cristicolarum maxime in locis maritimis, precipue tamen in Sicilia, innumerabilem populum prostravit. Fertur, quod in quadragesima circa Marsiliam urbem et Avionem tam crudeliter endinia sevierit, quod infra spacium unius mensis XVI milia hominum obierint. Immo, ut dicitur, tantum in Avione excessit, quod vivi homines non sufficiebant defunctorum corpora tumulare et [p. 276] ideo tandem in fluvium Rodanum certatim proiciebantur. Fertur insuper, quod papa pestem hanc de Avione ad aliam civitatem fugerit. Nichilominus fama testante in Sicilia homines de Messana metropoli et de aliis quam plurimis civitatibus, in quibus mors prevaluit, relictis eis vacuis fugierunt ad montana se transferentes, ut ibi salubri aere hausto contagiosum in civitatibus captum emitterent et eflarent. In Messana urbe Sicilie memorata de LX fratribus Minoribus conventualibus brevi spacio temporis XXX mox mortis furia de medio sublati sunt. Quo viso superstites conventu illo relicto ad loca se alia contulerunt. Predicta, scilicet terre motus et pestilencia, precurrencia mala sunt extreme voraginis et tempestatis secundum verbum salvatoris in ewangelio dicentis: "Erunt terre motus per loca et pestilencia et fames" et cetera. | In the year of our Lord 1348, at the time of winter or early spring, there was such a great mortality or plague overseas that it devoured and destroyed an infinite and incalculable number of unbelievers. It spread in the Christian areas, but mainly in coastal regions, especially in Sicily, where it struck down countless numbers of people. It is reported that during Lent, a plague raged around the cities of Marseille and Avignon that was so cruel that sixteen thousand people died within a month. It is even said that it became so bad in Avignon that there were not enough living people to bury the corpses, [p. 276] and they were therefore finally eagerly thrown into the river Rhône. It is also reported that the pope fled from Avignon to another city to escape this plague. Nevertheless, according to reports in Sicily, people fled from the metropolis of Messina and many other cities where death was rampant, leaving them empty and taking refuge in the mountains to expel the infected air from the cities and breathe it out. In the city of Messina in Sicily, thirty of the sixty Friars Minor of the convent were snatched from life by the fury of death within a short space of time. When the survivors saw this, they left the convent and travelled to other places.These events, namely earthquakes and pestilence, are harbingers of extreme evils and storms, as it says in the Gospel: "There will be earthquakes in various places and pestilence and famine" etc. | Johannes von Winterthur, p. 275-276 | None |
| 1348-00-00-Avignon03 | 1348 JL | All the Carmelites and conventual brothers of the Eremites in Messina were killed. | In predicta pestilencia omnes Carmelite et omnes fratres Heremitarum conventuales in Messana civitate Sicilie memorata morte absumpti sunti. | In the aforementioned plague, all the Carmelites and all the conventual brothers of the Eremites in Messina, the Sicilian city mentioned above, were killed. | Johannes von Winterthur, p. 279. | Translation by Moritz Uebelhack |
| 1348-00-00-Constance | 1348 JL | The Jews were accused of poisoning the water in 1348 and as a consequence were killed. In the following year 1349 the flagellants movement arose and traveled through the lands and were forbidden by Pope Clement VI. | Von gottes gepurd MCCC und XLVIII jar kam ein plag uber die juden und burden geczigen, sy hetten basser und prunnen vergift, und burden ir gar vil in vil landen und in steten verprant. Und ist versechenlich, das ir der maist tail sey verbrant borden durch irsz gücz willen etc. (p. 230) Bey den zeitten do man zalt von gottes gepurdt MCCC und XLVIIII jar stund ein fromde bunderliche geschelschaft auff von purgern und von pawren, die giengen durch vil landt und stet mit creuczen und mit vannen und sungen deucze lieder und predigten und gaisleten sich selber vil und vast und vielen nider auf -, peichten und absolvirten selber an ein ander und hielten und geputen vil an ein ander czw halten bunderliche ding und falsch weise und articel wider cristen gelauben und czugen an sich beib und man, arm und reich, das ir zw leczt gar vil bardt und maintenn etlich, ir ber bey zway (p. 231) und vierczig tausent person, aber der vorgenant pabst Clemens der sechst der best bol, das ir beisz nit gerecht was, da gepot er durch alle landt, wer den selben ungelauben fuert und sich offenlich gaislet, das man den vachen und püssen solt, und zergieng da die selb geschelschaft da gar pald. | In the year of Our Lord 1348, a plague came upon the Jews, and they were accused of poisoning water and wells. Many of them were burned in various lands and cities. It is certain that the majority of them were burned because of their wealth. (p. 230) </ br>In the year of Our Lord 1349, a strange and miraculous society arose among the citizens and peasants, who traveled through many lands and cities with crosses and banners, singing german songs and preaching. They whipped themselves severely and excessively, and many of them fell to the ground, confessing and absolving one another. They held and professed many miraculous things, in a false way and contrary to Christian belief. They recruited many women and men, poor and rich, and eventually their numbers grew to over forty-two (p. 231) thousand people. However, Pope Clement VI, realizing that their beliefs were not just, issued a decree throughout all the lands that anyone who followed this unbelief and publicly flogged themselves should be punished. Consequently, this society quickly dispersed. | Konstanzer Weltchronik 1869, pp. 229-231 | None |
| 1348-01-25-Constance | 25 January 1348 JL | A great earthquake was followed by many evils and great mortality. | Nam in conversione beati Pauli [ian. 25] terre motus factus est hora vesperarum, qui multos terruit et multa loca subvertit, in ducatu Karinthie Villach oppidum, et multa castra seu ecclesie corruerunt, et multa mala et magna mortalitas postea subsecuta sunt, de quibus infra in locis debitis veritas patefiet, unde hic ad alia transeam. | For at the conversion of St Paul [on 25 January] an earthquake occurred at eventide, which terrified many and devastated many places, including the town of Villach in the Duchy of Carinthia, and many castles or churches collapsed, and there followed many evils and great mortality, about which the truth will come to light later in the appropriate places. However, let us move on to other things here. | Henricus de Diessenhofen 1868, p. 3. | Translation by ChatGPT-3.5 |
| 1348-03-03-Constance | 3 March 1348 JL | Jews were burned in Constance and Swabia, because they were accused of poisoning the people. This accusations was according to the author wrong. In addition the flagellants appeared. | Item anno domini 1348 an dem dritten tag im Mertzen wurdent die Juden verbrent ze Costentz, und wurdent och gar an mengen stetten in Schwaben verbrent. Und beschach das darumb, daß der erst groß tod angefangen hatt und zich man die Juden, sy trügent gift umb und dorumb stürbent die lüt. Es befand sich aber darnach, das den Juden unrecht beschach, dan der selb sterbet darnach vil lang weret, nachdem und sy verbrent wurden und och verschickt und verbotten. Und in dem gemelten jar giengen die lüt, die sich selbst geiselten. | In the year of Our Lord 1348, on the third day of March, the Jews were burned in Constance, and they were also burned in many towns in Swabia. This happened because the first great plague had begun, and people accused the Jews of carrying poison, which they believed was causing people to die. However, it was later found that the Jews were wronged, as the plague continued for a long time after they were burned, exiled, and banned. And in the same year, the people who flogged themselves also appeared. | Konstanzer Chronik 1891, p. 55 | Translation by ChatGPT-3.5 |
| 1348-06-24-Constance | 24 June 1348 JL | Persecutions of Jews in the total kingdom of Arelat, except the city Avignon, because they were accused for being the reason for the plague. | De cremacione Iudeorum, et in quibus terre locis, et propter quid. Anno eodem a festo Iohannis baptiste [24.06.] usque ad festum omnium sanctorum [01.11.] Iudei per totum regnum Arelatensem, excepta civitate Avinionensi, quam papa comparaverat scilicet Clemens vi., qui Iudeos ibi degentes defendebat, omnes cremati sunt et occisi usque ad oppidum Solodorensem, in quo eciam cremati sunt, propter mortalitatem que viguit predicto anno et sequenti, que Iudeis adscribebatur. Nam dicebatur et fama communis hoc habuit et ipsi idem fatebantur, hoc idem prout in gestis anni sequentis patebit, quod fontes intoxicassent. Unde Constantienses tunc preceperunt, ut sui aquam de lacu et non de fontibus haurirent, et quod Iudei fontibus et puteis uterentur tantum Christianorum, puteos Iudeorum fimo ac lapidibus obruentes. | Concerning the burning of the Jews and in which places on earth and for what reason. In the same year (1348), from the feast of John the Baptist [24 June] to the feast of All Saints [1 November], all the Jews throughout the kingdom of Arelat, with the exception of the city of Avignon, which had been acquired by Pope Clement VI and in which the Jews residing there were protected, were burnt and killed, until the city of Solothurn, where they were also burnt, on account of the plague which raged in that and the following year and was attributed to the Jews. For it was said and it was generally believed, and the Jews themselves admitted, and this will be shown in the following years, that they had poisoned the springs. Therefore the people of Constance at that time ordered that they should draw their water from the lake and not from the springs, and that the Jews should only use the Christians' springs and wells, while the Jews' wells were blocked up with faeces and stones. | Henricus de Diessenhofen 1868, p.68. | None |
| 1349-00-00-Constance | 1349 JL | Great mortality in Constance. | 1349. Anno 1349 in dem winter was gar ain grosser tod zu Costentz. | 1349. Anno 1349, there was a great plague in Constance during the winter. | Konstanzer Chronik, p. 325 | None |
| 1350-00-00-Constance | 1350 JL | Extreme weather and abundant rainfall in 1350 and the following winter was cold until beginning of February. From that on stopped the epidemic. | Ipse autem annus cum magno temperie aeris incepit et permansit usque ad festum beati Andree [30 November], et deinceps pluvia habundabat versus Nicolai [6 December], sed deinceps frigus erat usque ad purificationem [2 February 1351]. Et extunc epithimia seu hominum mortalitas cessavit, que per bigennium viguerat et in tanta generalitate, quod quasi quinta pars hominum alicubi sexta obiit. | The year began with extreme weather and lasted until the feast of St Andrew (30 November), after which there was abundant rainfall until the feast of St Nicholas (6 December), but then cold weather prevailed until the Purification (2 February 1351). From then on, the epidemic or mortality of the people, which raged for two years and was so widespread that about a fifth of the people died, in some places even a sixth. | Henricus de Diessenhofen 1868, p. 75 | None |
| 1350-00-00-Mainz | 1350 JL | Great mortality all over the world. | Tunc anno 50. facta est pestilentia generalis per totum mundum, et mortua est ultra quam tercia pars hominum et de omni gente. | In the year 1350 raged in the entire world an general plague. More than one third of all races died from it. | Chronicon Moguntinum 1885, p. 4. | Translation by Moritz Uebelhack; None; |
| 1352-10-18-Constance | 18 October 1352 JL | Great mortality in Constance for a year. | Anno 1352 in die beati Lucae evangeliste (18 October) hub ain großer sterbat an und weret ain ganz jar. | in the year 1352 on the day of Saint Luke the Evangelist (October 18th) a great death began and lasted one year. | Konstanzer Chronik 1891, p. 60. | Translation by Moritz Uebelhack |
| 1357-00-00-South Germany | 1357 JL | Great mortality in South Germany (Speyer, Bamberg, Augsburg, Regensburg, Constance, Stuttgart, Grüningen). | Mortalitas sive epithuma fuit in dyocesi Spirensi, Babenbergensi, Augustensi, Ratisponensi et eciam in una parte dyoc. Const. in territorio comitum de Wirtenberg circa Stutgarten et Grüningen. | There was a mortality or disease in the diocese of Speyer, Bamberg, Augsburg, Regensburg and also in a part of the diocese of Konstanz in the area of the dukes of Württemberg around Stuttgart and Grüningen. | Heinricus de Diessenhofen 1842, p. 112 | Translation by Martin Bauch |
| 1358-07-25-Constance | 25 July 1358 JL | Great mortality in Constance especially along the Danube in Ulm. In addition descriptions of the weather. | Quo eciam mense [July] et precedentibus mortalitas viguit in dyocesi Constant. maxime circa Danubium in Ulma et usque ad lacum in Constantia et aliis locis circum iacentibus. Et duravit ad annum lix. et tunc cepit cessare. Sed a festo sancti Iacobi [25.07.] usque ad annum prescriptum quinquaginta sex scolares in Constancia mortui sunt. Et omnes habuerunt apostemata qui illa pestilencia decesserunt exceptis paucissimis. Et frigus incepit in vigilia [leere Stelle] anni lix. et duravit usque ad purificationem. Et deinceps fuit tempus bonum et temperatum. Et per totum martium nec nix nec frigus fuit sed bene cum serenitate incepit et cum pluvia modica et temperata in fine mensis finivit. Et eius lunacio incepit xiiii. Numero aurei numeri secundum veram computationem que servanda est, nec fallit nisi ad paucas horas precedentis diei. Anno autem lx. erit xv. Et sic ascensive et descensive deinceps, et incipiendum est in ianuario. | In the same month [July] and the preceding months, mortality raged in the diocese of Constance, especially along the Danube in Ulm and as far as Lake Constance in Constance as well as in other neighbouring areas. It lasted until 1359 and then began to subside. However, from the feast of St James [25 July] until that year, fifty-six pupils died in Constance. All those who died from this plague had abscesses, with very few exceptions. And the cold began on the eve of [blank space] of the year 59 and lasted until the Purification. From then on, the weather was good and temperate. Throughout March, there was neither snow nor cold, but it began with clear skies and ended with light and moderate rain at the end of the month. Its lunar phase began on the 14th, according to the golden number, according to the true calculation which must be observed and is only off by a few hours of the previous day. In the year 60, it will be the 15th. And so it continues ascending and descending from then on, and it is to begin in January. | Henricus de Diessenhofen 1868, p. 113. | None |
| 1359-06-18-StGallen | 18 June 1359 JL | The Bishop of Constance incorporates villages to the monastery of Sankt Gallen as the ongoing plague has killed so many peasants. | Item quod ex epidimia seu hominum mortalitate, que domino permittente in partibus istis hactenus viguit, multitudo colonorum et aliorum hominum ipsius monasterii utriusque sexus ipsis et dicto monasterio iure servitutis pertinencium de hac luce ad dominum migravit. | Likewise, due to the epidemic or mortality among humans, which, with the Lord's permission, has prevailed in these parts until now, a multitude of peasants and other people, both men and women belonging by right of servitude to the monastery itself, have departed from this life to the Lord | Chartularium Sangallense VII 1993, p. 446, no. 4606. | Translation by Martin Bauch |
| 1359-08-02-Kirchberg-SG | 2 August 1359 JL | The Bishop of Constance incorporates the parish of Kirchberg, SG and its daugther church in Rickenbach, TG to the monastery of Sankt Gallen as the ongoing plague has killed so many peasants. | Item quod ex epidimia seu hominum mortalitate, que domino permittente in partibus istis hactenus viguit, multitudo colonorum et aliorum hominum ipsius monasterii utriusque sexus ipsis et dicto monasterio iure servitutis pertinencium de hac luce ad dominum migravit, adeo quod de pluribus ipsius monasterii possessionibus propter huiusmodi mortalitatem remanentibus incultis census debitos ex eis habere non valent. | Likewise, due to the epidemic or mortality among humans, which, with the Lord's permission, has prevailed in these parts until now, a multitude of peasants and other people, both men and women belonging by right of servitude to the monastery itself, have departed from this life to the Lord, so much so that, because of this mortality, many of the possessions of the monastery itself, remaining uncultivated, cannot pay the due revenues | Chartularium Sangallense VII 1993, p. 457458, no. 4623. | Translation by Martin Bauch |
| 1359-12-10-StGallen | 10 December 1359 JL | The Bishop of Constance incorporates the church of St. Laurentius in Sankt Gallen to the monastery of Sankt Gallen as the ongoing plague has killed so many peasants. | Item quod ex epidimia seu hominum mortalitate, que domino permittente in partibus istis hactenus viguit, multitudo colonorum et aliorum hominum ipsius monasterii utriusque sexus ipsis et dicto monasterio iure servitutis pertinencium de hac luce ad dominum migravit, adeo quod de pluribus ipsius monasterii possessionibus propter huiusmodi mortalitatem remanentibus incultis census debitos ex eis habere non valent. | Likewise, due to the epidemic or mortality among humans, which, with the Lord's permission, has prevailed in these parts until now, a multitude of peasants and other people, both men and women belonging by right of servitude to the monastery itself, have departed from this life to the Lord, so much so that, because of this mortality, many of the possessions of the monastery itself, remaining uncultivated, cannot pay the due revenues. | Chartularium Sangallense VII 1993, p. 457458, no. 4654 | Translation by Martin Bauch |
| 1361-09-18-Avignon | 18 September 1361 JL | Great mortality in Avignon and Lombardy and Pope Innocent VI. appoints new cardinals, as many former cardinals have died of the plague. | Item quod papa creavit viii cardinales simul. Item eodem mense et anno lxi. xiiii. kal. octobris papa Innocentius vi. creavit octo cardinales nono anno sui pontificatus simul et semel Avinione. Et ibi novem cardinales moriebantur a principio anni lxi. usque ad festum Mathei apostoli et ewangeliste [sept. 21], et centum et quinquaginta episcopi et septem milia hominum: tanta fuit ibi mortalitas. Sed multo maior in Longobardia, maxime in Mediolano. | The pope also appointed eight cardinals at the same time. Also in the same month and year of 1361, on the 14th calends of October [18 September], Pope Innocent VI appointed eight cardinals simultaneously and uniquely in Avignon in the ninth year of his pontificate. Nine cardinals died there from the beginning of the year 1361 until the feast of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist [sept. 21], as well as one hundred and fifty bishops and seven thousand people; such was the mortality there. But it was even greater in Lombardy, especially in Milan. | Henricus de Diessenhofen 1868, p. 125 | None |
| 1426-00-00-Constance | 1426 JL | A mortality breaks out all over the region of Constance for three years. | Anno 1426, was ain grosser sterbat in allen landen und der werot by drin jaren. | In year 1426 was a great mortality, that persisted for three years. | Konstanzer Chronik, p. 329 | Translation by Thomas Labbé |
| 1435-09-08-Constance | August 1435 JL | Around September was in the region of Constance and Überlingen a long-lasting great plague but only with few deaths. | Anno 1435 umb nativitatis Marie [8.9.] drig oder vier wochen vor und nach, do gieng gar ain großer siechtag umb ze Costentz und ze Überlingen und och an deren stetten, an dem unzaglich vil lüt lagent, und wist doch nieman, was siechtagen es was. (p. 187) Wol was er ainem trukenen ritten gelich und starben gar wenig lüt daran, wol warent die lüt in großer krankhait 4 wochen und 6 und 8. | In 1435, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary [8 September], three or four weeks before and after, a great plague raged around Constance and Überlingen and other towns. Countless people died and yet nobody knows what kind of plague it was. It was like a dry fever and only a few people died from it, however, people suffered greatly for 4 or 6 or 8 weeks. | Anonymus: Konstanzer Chronik 1891, pp. 186-187. | Translation by Moritz Uebelhack |
| 1437-02-02-Constance | 2 February 1437 JL | A disease in Constance with a short period of illness. | Des jars, als man zalt von der geburt Christi 1437 jar, umb die liechtmeß und darnach bis zu ußgeender osterwochen [21 May] was ain loff ainer krankhait ze Costentz ufferstanden, das vil lüt sturbent, gaistlich und weltlich, und lagent nur by dry oder vier tagen, und etlich gar bernd in ainem tag und clagtent sich umb die brust und (p. 194) in der rechten syten. Etlich maintent, es wärent inwendig geswär, etlich maintent, es wärent würm, und fieng menglich an do knobloch ze essend und hört bald uff. | In the year 1437, around Candlemas (2 February) and afterwards until the end of Easter (21 May), a disease broke out in Constance that many people died, both clergy and laity. They were only ill for three or four days, some even died after just one day. They complained of pain in the chest and on the right side. Many meant it was an internal abscess, many others meant it were worms. Many then started eating garlic, but soon stopped. | Gebhard Dacher: Konstanzer Chronik 1891, pp. 193-194. | Translation by Moritz Uebelhack |
| 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 |
| 1438-02-00-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 |
| 1439-07-00-Thuringia | July 1439 JL | A plague in Thuringia and the Harz region, but also Constance causing mortality and description of symptoms | Anno 1439 war ein groß sterben vber alle welt, vnd fieng sich an in Duringen vnd am Hartz, vmb die Ernte, vnd wehret biß auf der heiligen drey Konige tage <6. Januar>, wen die pestilentzische gift ergrief, der lag drey tage vnd nacht nacheinander vnd schlief. Vnd wen er dan aufwachet, so begundte er als balt mit dem Tode zu ringen, biß die Seel ausgieng. Das nennet man das grosse sterben davon schir in allen historien findet. Stumpf schreibet das allein zu Costnitz in x monden bey 4000 menschen gestorben sindt. | In the year 1439, there was a great mortality across the world, which began in Thuringia and the Harz region around harvest time, and lasted until the Feast of the Epiphany. Those who were affected by the poisonous plague would lie unconscious for three consecutive days and nights. When they woke up, they would immediately begin struggling with death until their soul departed. This event is known as the Great Death, which is extensively documented in historical records. Stumpf writes that in just ten months, around 4,000 people died solely in Constance. | Wellendorf Chronik 2015, p. 134 | Translation by Martin Bauch |
| 1439-07-06-Constance | 6 July 1439 JL | A procession is organized in Constance against the plague. | Anno 1439 gutemtag vor Sant Margrethen tag (8 July) do tett die statt von Costenz ainen cruzgang für die pestilencii mit aller priesterschafft. | In year 1439, on the monday before Margaret Day, a procession has been celebrated in Constance because of the pestilence, with all clerics of the city. | Konstanzer Chronik, p. 341 | Translation by Thomas Labbé |
| 1451-00-00-Constance | December 1451 JL | Dying in Constance. | Im jar 1451 vor wihenecht hub es an ze sterben zu Costanz; do zog das chorgericht gen Büchoffzell. | In the year 1451 before Christmas started a dying in Constance; then the choir court moved to Bischofszell. | Claus Schultheiß: Konstanzer Chronik 1891, p. 283. | Translation by Moritz Uebelhack |
