HistoryExtra podcast Surviving the Great Plague
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May 15, 2020 Join Vanessa Harding, a Professor of London History and expert on the Great Plague of 1665, as she delves into the societal impacts of this devastating epidemic. Discover how residents coped with fear and tragedy, while wealth disparities influenced survival strategies. Harding shares insights from Samuel Pepys' diary, revealing governmental responses and individual resilience. The conversation draws intriguing parallels to today's health crises, emphasizing the lessons learned from the past and the ongoing complexities of human behavior in the face of disease.
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The Great Plague's Significance
- The Great Plague of 1665 is considered "great" due to its magnitude and its status as England's last major plague epidemic.
- The abundance of records, including Samuel Pepys' diary, allows for detailed study of this outbreak.
Peak of the Plague
- The plague's peak was in mid-September 1665, with around 7,000 deaths in one week.
- The outbreak severely impacted London's densely populated, poorer suburbs.
Government Response and Resources
- The government implemented established "plague orders" to manage the outbreak, drawing on historical and international precedents.
- Local governments played a crucial role, leveraging existing resources for poor relief and burial services.