History of Animal Plagues. 63 



tality of cattle in this year [ar mor Jors na-cearthra). Great 

 mortality among the people {mortlaid mor) of Ireland, and the 

 cattle, which carried off a great number of men. Great store 

 of the fruits of the earth this year.' ^ 



A.D. 1084. In Ireland pestilence in mankind, possibly 

 tvphus fever, began, and continued for thirteen years. It was 

 believed to be caused by demons (the demons of pestilence). 

 ' This is the best year that came for its fertility in fruits and 

 crops. Great mortality amongst cattle in this year, in the 

 southern half of Ireland, called the half of Mogha (Munster).'^ 



A.D. 1085. Epidemic erysipelas (ergotism ?) in France, with 

 inundations and famine. ' In the year 1085 there was disease in 

 plants and also in animals throughout the world. ^^ 



In England, intemperate weather and a great death of 

 cattle.* 



In Ireland, ''there was destruction of men and cattle in this 

 year to such an extent that rich men were made husbandmen in 



it.^^ 



A.D. 1086. ' There was a very sev^ere season, and a swinkful 

 and sorrowful year in England, in murrain of cattle, and corn 

 and fruits were at a standstill, and so much untowardness in the 

 weather, as a man may not easily think. So tremendous was 

 the thunder and lightning, that it killed many men." 



Hemingsford says that sheep as w-ell as cattle suffered from 

 the great intemperature of the air." Several other old chroni- 

 clers speak of this unfortunate season.* 



A.D. 1087. The misfortunes of Ensiland were continued in 

 the form of famine and disease." Rain fell incessantly, the crops 

 were destroyed, and great multitudes of people and animals 

 perished. ' About this season, the people in all places were 



' Annals of Innisfallen. -Ibid. 



•■ A'dnigsho/oi. Elsassiche und .Strasburgisclie Chronic. 



* Chronic. Saxon. Stoiu. Annals. 



* Annals of the Four Masters. * Chronic. Saxon. 

 '' IValt. Hemingsford. Chronic. Gale, ii. p. 461. 



^ If. de Kiiyi^hton. De Event. Angl. Trf^jf/iV/, p. 2353. Anii.TJ. Waverleicns. 

 Gale, ii. p. 133. Will. Malmesbury. De Gest. Reg. Angl. p. 62. Grafton. 

 Chronic, p. 16. 



'•" Annal. Waverlcicns. 



