5 
In July, 1603, the people of the north were aware that 
the mortality in London had increased to a frightful extent. 
But when news came to York that the disease was then raging 
in the populous towns on the hanks of the Tyne, the citizens 
began to tremble for their own safety. A. watch was ordered to 
be set to prevent suspected persons from entering the city, and 
other proper precautions were taken. Happily, the summer 
passed without the appearance of infection at York. 
In October the epidemic had found its w’ay into the rural 
districts of Yorkshire. Some of the villages in the wapontake of 
the Ainsty-—Oxton, near Tadcaster, and Bilton and Bickerton, 
near Wetherby—were infected. The authorities at York, 
supposing the disease to have travelled from the south, made 
an order that no Londoners should be admitted into the city 
without licence. In the following month the same prohibition 
was applied to persons coming from Hull, where the plague 
had then actually arrived, and mariners and fishmongers were 
ordered to abstain from going or sending to that town. 
In December, to the great alarm of the citizens of York, a 
case of strong suspicion occurred close to their very walls. One 
Christopher Wilson, a porter, living in Gillygate, died, as it was 
greatly feared, of the plague. It was determined to have some 
expert and skilful person to view the body of the deceased, to 
know certainly whether he died of the plague or no. A person 
called Bobert Thackwray was appointed to perform this duty.* 
His report was probably favourable. A fortnight afterwards 
an order was made, which shows that the public apprehension 
had abated. Certain wares, wLich had been brought from 
London, and were not permitted to be exposed for sale, had been 
laid up a long time in St. Thomas’s Hospital. The owners were 
now directed to have their goods again, on causing the same to 
be aired there until Monday next. The persons employed in 
airing the goods were to remain without the city until that day. 
After Christmas the metropolis was reported to be free from 
infection, and a few weeks later the York authorities ventured 
* Thackwray was paid 3s. 4cl. for his pains. In January, 1604, when all fear 
had, for the present, passed away, he left the city with a gratuity of 5s., towards 
the expenses of his journey to London. 
