Stef Espeel
@stefespeel.bsky.social
Famines, epidemics and their economic impact in a late medieval (urban) context
PhD in History | Postdoc FWO Vlaanderen | @UAntwerp
PhD in History | Postdoc FWO Vlaanderen | @UAntwerp
The fourth part focuses on the large landlords, but analyses the production of grain, with decision-making regarding demesne farming and leasehold patterns being central here.
October 6, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The fourth part focuses on the large landlords, but analyses the production of grain, with decision-making regarding demesne farming and leasehold patterns being central here.
The third part examines the role of large Flemish landlords in the grain trade: what do all the prices in their accounting records signify, and how did they strategise their grain sales and thus the distribution of grain?
October 6, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The third part examines the role of large Flemish landlords in the grain trade: what do all the prices in their accounting records signify, and how did they strategise their grain sales and thus the distribution of grain?
After an introductory part, the second part analyses the evolution of the grain prices, with a special focus on the price integration over this period and how this influenced hunger levels during several crisis periods.
October 6, 2025 at 8:13 AM
After an introductory part, the second part analyses the evolution of the grain prices, with a special focus on the price integration over this period and how this influenced hunger levels during several crisis periods.
💀 The first three plague outbreaks of the mid-fourteenth century in Flanders were closely tied to episodes of hunger, though the intensity and length of food shortages varied. Disease mortality meets deprivation.
The plague of 1360–61 stands out as particularly severe for this region.
10/11
The plague of 1360–61 stands out as particularly severe for this region.
10/11
March 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
💀 The first three plague outbreaks of the mid-fourteenth century in Flanders were closely tied to episodes of hunger, though the intensity and length of food shortages varied. Disease mortality meets deprivation.
The plague of 1360–61 stands out as particularly severe for this region.
10/11
The plague of 1360–61 stands out as particularly severe for this region.
10/11
As an example, the pestis secunda (1360-61) shows that households of unskilled labourers get into trouble early on, and their inability to provide enough calories for their families persists for some years.
In contrast, the skilled labourers do not get into real trouble, even during the peak.
5/11
In contrast, the skilled labourers do not get into real trouble, even during the peak.
5/11
March 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
As an example, the pestis secunda (1360-61) shows that households of unskilled labourers get into trouble early on, and their inability to provide enough calories for their families persists for some years.
In contrast, the skilled labourers do not get into real trouble, even during the peak.
5/11
In contrast, the skilled labourers do not get into real trouble, even during the peak.
5/11
📍🗺️ Geographically, I have compared the cities of Bruges, Ghent, Lille, Douai and Cambrai.
⏲️Temporally, the plague waves of 1349-1352 (Black Death in Flanders), 1360-1361 (the 'pestis secunda'), and 1367-1370 were studied.
3/11
⏲️Temporally, the plague waves of 1349-1352 (Black Death in Flanders), 1360-1361 (the 'pestis secunda'), and 1367-1370 were studied.
3/11
March 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
📍🗺️ Geographically, I have compared the cities of Bruges, Ghent, Lille, Douai and Cambrai.
⏲️Temporally, the plague waves of 1349-1352 (Black Death in Flanders), 1360-1361 (the 'pestis secunda'), and 1367-1370 were studied.
3/11
⏲️Temporally, the plague waves of 1349-1352 (Black Death in Flanders), 1360-1361 (the 'pestis secunda'), and 1367-1370 were studied.
3/11
It is a part of a Special Issue on "Household, Family, and Community Responses to the Direct Costs of Epidemics".
The article focuses on monthly grain prices - unique for Continental Europe in this period - to assess changes in household purchasing power during these demographic shocks.
2/11
The article focuses on monthly grain prices - unique for Continental Europe in this period - to assess changes in household purchasing power during these demographic shocks.
2/11
March 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
It is a part of a Special Issue on "Household, Family, and Community Responses to the Direct Costs of Epidemics".
The article focuses on monthly grain prices - unique for Continental Europe in this period - to assess changes in household purchasing power during these demographic shocks.
2/11
The article focuses on monthly grain prices - unique for Continental Europe in this period - to assess changes in household purchasing power during these demographic shocks.
2/11
Selective bibliography:
October 31, 2024 at 1:23 PM
Selective bibliography:
❗ Call for Papers ❗
📖💀"The Fortunate and the Forsaken: Selective Mortality in pre-1500 Pandemics"💀📖
(Guest-editors: myself, @tsoens.bsky.social & Sam Geens)
📅Want to participate? Abstracts deadline: 1 December 2024📅
#CFP #plague #mortality #medievalhistory #pandemics #selectivity
📖💀"The Fortunate and the Forsaken: Selective Mortality in pre-1500 Pandemics"💀📖
(Guest-editors: myself, @tsoens.bsky.social & Sam Geens)
📅Want to participate? Abstracts deadline: 1 December 2024📅
#CFP #plague #mortality #medievalhistory #pandemics #selectivity
October 31, 2024 at 1:23 PM
❗ Call for Papers ❗
📖💀"The Fortunate and the Forsaken: Selective Mortality in pre-1500 Pandemics"💀📖
(Guest-editors: myself, @tsoens.bsky.social & Sam Geens)
📅Want to participate? Abstracts deadline: 1 December 2024📅
#CFP #plague #mortality #medievalhistory #pandemics #selectivity
📖💀"The Fortunate and the Forsaken: Selective Mortality in pre-1500 Pandemics"💀📖
(Guest-editors: myself, @tsoens.bsky.social & Sam Geens)
📅Want to participate? Abstracts deadline: 1 December 2024📅
#CFP #plague #mortality #medievalhistory #pandemics #selectivity