The Great Plague of London (1665)

The Great Plague of London 

(1665) 

The Great Plague of London, also known as the Black Death, was a devastating epidemic that struck the City of London in the 17th century. The plague started in 1665; its exact origins of the disease remains unknown, but it is widely believed to have been caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is transmitted by fleas that infest black rats.

Depiction of the Great Plague 

The disease spread rapidly throughout the city due to the dense population and unsanitary living conditions. London at the time had around 460,000 inhabitants, and the cramped and dirty streets provided a perfect breeding ground for the disease-carrying fleas.

The Great Plague of London lasted for about 18 months, from 1665 to 1666. The highest mortality rate were recorded during the summer months when the fleas and rats thrived. The exact number of deaths during the Great Plague is uncertain, as accurate record-keeping was challenging at the time. However, it is estimated that approximately 100,000 people, or around a quarter of London's population, died as a result of the plague. The death toll was highest among the poor and densely populated area of the city. 

In an attempt to halt the spread of the disease, various measures were implemented. These included quarantine measures, the closures of infected houses, the burning of contaminated belongings, but they proved ineffective in stopping the spread. 

The Great Plague eventually ended in 1666. It is believed that a combination of factors contributed to its decline, including the onset of cooler weather, which reduced flea activity, and the Great Fire of London in September 1666, which destroyed large portions of the city, including many of the plague-infested areas, and is thought to have helped eradicate the remaining rats and fleas.