The Newcastle upon Tyne Plague of 1636: A Historical Analysis
The plague of 1636 in the English City of Newcastle upon Tyne remains one of the most significant events in the city’s history, largely due to its devastating impact on the population and the broader socio-economic consequences.
Although the Great Plague of 1665 in London is more widely known, Newcastle suffered from a series of plague outbreaks from the late 16th century into the 17th century. These outbreaks, particularly the one in 1636, were marked by high mortality, fear, and dramatic responses from the city’s authorities and inhabitants.
This blog post offers an in-depth exploration of the 1636 plague outbreak, placing it within the broader context of other plague occurrences in Newcastle upon Tyne, and examines how this shaped the city’s historical trajectory. We will analyse the causes, symptoms, responses, and consequences of the outbreak, comparing it to other plague events in the region.
Newcastle upon Tyne in the 17th Century
Before delving into the specifics of the plague outbreaks, it is important to understand the geographical and socio-political setting of Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 17th century. Newcastle, located on the northern banks of the River Tyne, was a prosperous and thriving city during the early modern period. The city’s economy was largely based on the coal industry, with Newcastle being a crucial hub for coal exportation across England and beyond. The wealth generated from coal led to the city’s prominence, but it also brought challenges, such as dense urbanisation and poor sanitary conditions—factors that made the population vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
The city’s strategic importance as a northern stronghold also made it a centre for military and trade activities, further increasing the movement of people and goods through its gates. These conditions would later contribute to the rapid spread of infectious diseases like the plague.
The Nature of Plague: Causes and Spread
The plague, known medically as Yersinia pestis, was an infectious disease transmitted primarily by fleas that infested black rats, although human-to-human transmission through droplets was also possible in the case of pneumonic plague. During the 17th century, Europe had been plagued by waves of plague outbreaks, and Newcastle was not immune to these events.
Three types of plague—bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic—would manifest, with bubonic plague being the most common. The disease presented a variety of terrifying symptoms, including:
- Buboes: Painful, swollen lymph nodes (typically in the groin, armpits, or neck), characteristic of bubonic plague.
- Fever and Chills: Accompanied by weakness and general malaise.
- Headaches and Muscle Aches: These symptoms often foreshadowed the emergence of buboes.
- Septicemia: When the infection entered the bloodstream, leading to severe complications such as organ failure and gangrene.
- Pneumonic Complications: A more virulent form, pneumonic plague, attacked the lungs and could spread between humans through airborne droplets, resulting in a nearly 100% fatality rate without treatment.
Due to a lack of medical understanding of bacterial transmission, the disease was often attributed to “miasma” or bad air, and attempts to manage outbreaks were largely ineffective by modern standards.
Historical Context of Plague Outbreaks in Newcastle upon Tyne
Plague outbreaks were not new to Newcastle upon Tyne by 1636.
In fact, the city had already experienced several severe epidemics prior to this date:
- The Plague of 1597-1598: This earlier outbreak had already left a significant mark on the city. It caused a massive death toll, and the memory of the devastation would linger in the collective consciousness of the inhabitants. The outbreak primarily affected the densely populated areas near the quayside, where poor sanitary conditions and overcrowded housing facilitated the rapid spread of the disease.
- The Outbreak of 1604: This second major event occurred just after the turn of the century, once again ravaging the population. As with previous outbreaks, the city’s economy suffered greatly as trade halted and coal exports dropped significantly.
- Subsequent Outbreaks (1610-1630): Newcastle witnessed intermittent plague activity in the decades leading up to 1636, each event contributing to a climate of fear and caution. However, none of these outbreaks matched the scale and mortality of the 1636 event.
The 1636 Plague Outbreak: A Year of Horror
The outbreak of 1636 was, by all accounts, one of the deadliest and most widespread instances of the plague in Newcastle’s history – contemporary chroniclers described it simply as, ‘that lamentable time’.
It decimated the population, reducing the city to a state of despair and isolation. The city’s response to the outbreak, both in terms of public health measures and social consequences, provides a window into the early modern understanding of disease and the limits of urban resilience.
Causes and Origins of the 1636 Outbreak
The 1636 plague is believed to have been brought to Newcastle by infected travelers and ships arriving from plague-affected regions. Given Newcastle’s role as a major trade port, its exposure to external threats of infection was always high. The plague likely entered the city through the bustling quayside area, where incoming ships docked and traded goods.
One of the major contributing factors to the spread of the plague was the poor living conditions within the city. Newcastle had grown rapidly as the coal industry flourished, leading to overcrowding, especially in the areas close to the quayside. The city’s infrastructure was not equipped to handle such a large and dense population, and the lack of proper sanitation only exacerbated the spread of disease. Open sewers, narrow streets, and poorly ventilated homes created the perfect breeding ground for the fleas and rats that carried the plague.
Impact of the Plague on Newcastle’s Population
Estimates suggest that between one-quarter and one-third of Newcastle’s population perished during the outbreak of 1636.
While exact figures are difficult to determine, contemporary accounts indicate that thousands of individuals died over the course of the outbreak.
- Death Toll: In 1636, Newcastle’s population was estimated to be around 12,000 to 16,000 people. Over the course of the year, it is believed that between 5,000 and 7,000 individuals succumbed to the plague. Some accounts suggest the death toll might have been even higher, as record-keeping became increasingly unreliable in the chaos.
- Mortality Patterns: The highest mortality rates were reported among the poor, particularly in the densely packed areas near the city’s quayside. The wealthy, who were able to flee to the countryside or isolate themselves in more spacious homes, were less affected. Nevertheless, no class was entirely spared from the devastation.
- Crisis and Isolation: As the death toll mounted, Newcastle entered a state of emergency. The city’s gates were shut to prevent the spread of the disease to surrounding areas. Trade came to a near halt, and the city’s economy collapsed as merchants and laborers fell ill or fled. Neighbouring towns and villages often refused to take in refugees from Newcastle for fear of contagion.
Public Health Measures and Quarantine
The response to the 1636 outbreak by Newcastle’s authorities mirrored those seen in other plague-stricken cities of the time.
Lacking a true understanding of the disease’s causes, authorities relied on a combination of religious, superstitious, and practical measures to contain the outbreak. Key measures included:
- Quarantine: Infected households were sealed off, with a large red cross painted on their doors to warn others of the presence of plague. Guards were often stationed outside plague houses to ensure that no one left or entered. These families were effectively imprisoned in their homes, with food and supplies brought to them by officials.
- Pesthouses: Temporary pesthouses, or plague hospitals, were established outside the city walls to house the sick. These structures were intended to isolate infected individuals from the healthy population, but conditions within them were often deplorable. Many people feared being sent to pesthouses, as it was seen as a death sentence.
- Cleanliness and Burial Practices: Officials ordered the cleaning of streets and the removal of waste in an attempt to reduce the “miasma” believed to cause the plague. Bodies were hastily buried in mass graves around the city, as churchyards quickly became overwhelmed by the number of deaths. Special carts would travel through the streets, collecting corpses to be transported to these mass burial sites.
- Religious Responses: The outbreak was often interpreted as divine punishment, and many religious leaders called for days of fasting and prayer. Churches became centres for public mourning and repentance, though many services were halted as fear of contagion kept people away from public gatherings.
Social and Economic Consequences
The economic toll of the 1636 plague was immense. As trade ground to a halt, Newcastle’s coal industry suffered drastically. Ships stopped arriving at the quayside, and coal exports plummeted. This economic downturn exacerbated the city’s poverty, as many laborers and merchants were left without work.
Socially, the outbreak left a deep scar on the city. Families were torn apart by death, and the survivors were left to rebuild their lives in a much-changed Newcastle. The sense of fear and mistrust that developed during the outbreak would persist long after the disease had passed, as people remained wary of another epidemic.
The Use of Mass Graves in Newcastle upon Tyne
During the plague of 1636 in Newcastle upon Tyne, the sheer number of deaths overwhelmed the city’s traditional burial sites, leading to the creation of mass graves around the city. Historical accounts suggest several locations where mass burials took place:
1. St. John’s Churchyard (Westgate Road)
- St. John’s Church, located on Westgate Road, was one of the main burial grounds for Newcastle’s inhabitants during the 17th century. However, during the 1636 plague outbreak, the churchyard quickly became overcrowded. Although part of the churchyard was used for regular burials, additional areas near the site were likely designated for mass graves when individual interments became unmanageable.
2. St. Andrew’s Churchyard (Newgate Street)
- St. Andrew’s Church, one of the oldest churches in Newcastle, also played a significant role in handling the dead during the plague. The large number of deaths exceeded the capacity of the churchyard, leading to the digging of mass graves. While some burials were conducted within the churchyard, as in other parts of the city, hastily prepared mass graves became necessary due to the overwhelming mortality rate.
3. Outside the City Walls (Town Moor)
- The Town Moor, located just outside the city walls to the north, was a vast area of common land traditionally used for grazing. During the 1636 plague, large pits were reportedly dug on the outskirts of the Town Moor to accommodate the bodies of those who had died. The city’s leadership saw the Town Moor as a suitable location for mass burials due to its distance from the densely populated urban center. This area was relatively isolated, reducing the risk of further contagion.
4. Jesmond Dene
- Another possible location for mass graves is Jesmond Dene, a wooded valley to the east of the city. While this area was further from the city center than other burial sites, it may have been used for plague burials due to its isolation and the available space. The steep terrain and relative remoteness could have made it a practical choice to reduce the risk of further spreading infection.
5. Quayside and Sandhill Area
- Some mass burials likely occurred near the quayside, where the plague was believed to have initially spread due to the proximity of infected ships arriving from other plague-hit areas. The narrow streets of the quayside district were densely populated, and as the outbreak raged, it became necessary to inter the dead as close as possible to the areas of highest mortality. Small graveyards or emergency pits may have been dug in nearby areas, though less documented than the larger mass graves outside the city walls.
The Importance of Mass Graves in the Plague Crisis
The mass graves created during the 1636 plague outbreak were not merely a matter of practicality—they were also a reflection of the desperation and fear that gripped Newcastle. With death occurring at such a rapid pace, traditional burial practices became impossible, and speed became a priority to prevent the further spread of the disease. Corpses were often transported via carts to the burial sites, with minimal ceremony, as the primary goal was to prevent the decomposing bodies from contaminating the air or water sources.
Legacy and Archaeological Discoveries
In modern times, urban development in Newcastle has occasionally led to the discovery of mass burial sites from the plague era. For example, during construction projects near historical churches or public works on the Town Moor, human remains dating back to the 17th century have been uncovered. These archaeological findings provide further evidence of the mass graves that were hastily dug during this horrific period in the city’s history.
Though specific details on each mass burial site during the 1636 outbreak are not always well-documented, these key locations—St. John’s, St. Andrew’s, Town Moor, and possibly Jesmond Dene—remain significant reminders of the scale of death and desperation that gripped Newcastle during this dark chapter in its history.
The Role of Plague Doctors in Newcastle upon Tyne
One of the most iconic figures associated with the plague was the plague doctor. In Newcastle, as in other plague-stricken cities, these individuals were employed by city authorities to treat the sick and manage the public health crisis. Although they were not always qualified physicians, plague doctors played a critical role in responding to the outbreak.
Who Were the Plague Doctors?
Plague doctors were often hired by municipalities during plague outbreaks, their primary responsibility being to care for infected patients and attempt to halt the spread of the disease. In Newcastle, plague doctors were typically employed on fixed-term contracts for the duration of the epidemic, often with significant financial compensation due to the high risk of the job.
- Training and Expertise: Not all plague doctors were trained physicians. In some cases, they were local surgeons, apothecaries, or even laymen with minimal medical knowledge who were drafted into service. The limited understanding of the disease at the time meant that even qualified physicians had few effective treatments to offer.
- Tools of the Trade: Plague doctors are often remembered for their distinctive garb, including a long cloak, gloves, a wide-brimmed hat, and most notably, the beaked mask. Although there is some debate about whether this iconic costume was widely used during the 1636 outbreak in Newcastle, plague doctors were known to take various precautions to protect themselves from infection. The beak of the mask was typically filled with aromatic substances such as herbs and spices, thought to purify the air and protect the wearer from the “miasma.”
Responsibilities and Practices of Plague Doctors
Plague doctors were responsible for diagnosing and treating those infected with the plague, although their methods were rudimentary by modern standards. Common treatments included bloodletting, the application of poultices to buboes, and the use of herbal remedies. Despite their limited success, plague doctors provided critical care during the epidemic and were often the only source of medical help available.
- Patient Care: Plague doctors made house calls, visiting infected individuals in their homes or in designated pesthouses (quarantine hospitals). They would often prescribe treatments aimed at balancing the body’s humours, in line with the medical theories of the time.
- Record Keeping: In addition to treating patients, plague doctors were also tasked with keeping records of deaths and infections. These records were important for tracking the spread of the disease and assessing its impact on the population. However, due to the chaos of the outbreak, record-keeping was often incomplete.
- Role in Public Health: Plague doctors were involved in broader public health efforts, such as advising city authorities on quarantine measures, burial practices, and the management of infected households. In some cases, they were even responsible for conducting autopsies in an effort to understand the disease better, though this was rare due to the dangers involved.
Challenges and Risks Faced by Plague Doctors
The role of a plague doctor was fraught with danger. Not only did they face the constant risk of contracting the plague themselves, but they also worked under immense pressure as the death toll mounted and panic spread through the city. Many plague doctors in Newcastle, as elsewhere, succumbed to the disease they were attempting to treat.
- High Mortality Rates: Despite their protective clothing and precautions, plague doctors were not immune to the disease. Many contracted the plague and died as a result of their close contact with infected patients. The high mortality rate among plague doctors often left cities scrambling to find replacements during an outbreak.
- Public Perception: While plague doctors were essential to the city’s response to the outbreak, they were often viewed with suspicion or fear by the general population. Their association with death and disease, as well as their sometimes gruesome duties, meant that they were not always welcomed by the communities they served.
Comparisons to Other Plague Outbreaks in Newcastle upon Tyne
While the 1636 outbreak was one of the most devastating in Newcastle’s history, it was by no means the only instance of plague to affect the city. Earlier and later outbreaks followed similar patterns of rapid spread, high mortality, and economic hardship.
- The 1597-1598 Outbreak: The plague of 1597-1598 also struck Newcastle hard, though the city’s population was smaller at the time, and the death toll, while significant, was not as high as in 1636. Many of the same public health measures—quarantine, pesthouses, and mass graves—were employed during this earlier outbreak. The 1597-1598 event, however, is notable for being one of the first recorded instances where the plague hit the coal industry particularly hard, marking the beginning of a pattern that would repeat in later outbreaks.
- The 1604 Outbreak: By the time the plague returned in 1604, Newcastle had learned some hard lessons from the previous outbreak. The city’s authorities responded more swiftly, but the plague nonetheless took a heavy toll on the population. The death rate was somewhat lower than in 1597, but the economic consequences were just as severe.
- Subsequent Outbreaks (1610-1630): Plague continued to be a sporadic presence in Newcastle throughout the early 17th century, with several smaller outbreaks occurring between 1610 and 1630. These outbreaks were generally less deadly than the major ones, but they served as a constant reminder of the city’s vulnerability to disease.
Legacy of the Plague in Newcastle upon Tyne
The repeated plague outbreaks of the 16th and 17th centuries left an indelible mark on Newcastle’s history. The city’s population fluctuated dramatically during these years, as waves of death were followed by periods of recovery and rebuilding. The fear of plague would remain a part of Newcastle’s collective memory for generations, shaping the city’s approach to public health and urban planning.
In the years following the 1636 outbreak, Newcastle’s authorities made efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure and sanitation, though these changes were often slow and piecemeal. It would not be until much later, with the advent of modern medicine and sanitation practices, that Newcastle would be able to fully protect itself from the threat of plague and other infectious diseases.
Conclusion
The 1636 plague outbreak in Newcastle upon Tyne was a catastrophic event that left a profound impact on the city. It was a year of unimaginable horror, as thousands died, the economy collapsed, and fear gripped the population. This event, along with other plague outbreaks in Newcastle’s history, serves as a reminder of the fragility of urban centres in the face of disease and the limitations of early modern public health measures.
While the plague has long since faded from Newcastle’s streets, the lessons of these outbreaks continue to resonate today. The history of plague in Newcastle offers valuable insights into the challenges of managing infectious diseases, the importance of infrastructure and sanitation, and the resilience of communities in the face of crisis.
© Colin Lawson Books