Outbreak of the Sweating Sickness in England
Poet involved
What happened
The outbreak of the Sweating Sickness in England in 1485 was marked by a mysterious and highly contagious disease that caused high fever and death within hours. This illness recurred in several epidemics, creating widespread panic and uncertainty. The Sweating Sickness highlighted the vulnerability of populations to infectious diseases and spurred interest in public health measures in the following centuries.
Literary impact
The outbreak of the Sweating Sickness in England in 1485 influenced Tudor literature's preoccupation with mortality and the fragility of life. This theme appeared in the works of Thomas More and later echoed in the memento mori motifs of Elizabethan poetry, prompting reflections on existence and impermanence.
Source: Wikipedia
