the black death in early ottoman territories - Bilkent University

... that there, in Constantinople, he has made destroy to its foundations and under the
scrutiny of many, the column on which previously stood the statue in bronze of the
mounted emperor Theodosius, an ancient and memorable work
MDXVIII, AUGOSTO (August 1518)
54. vol. 25, col. 687
From Constantinople, there were letters from sir Lunardo Bembo, our baylo, from the
29th of July.
And furthermore that the plague has made its entry in Constantinople, and arrived in Pera
etc.
MDXVIII, SETTEMBRE (September 1518)
55. vol. 26, col. 66
From Constantinople there were letters ... from sir Leonardo Bembo, our baylo, dated in
Pera on the 7th of August.
That the 29th of July was his last day (of his assignment) and that he had to leave after a
month, delayed by Florentines from the house of a Florentine merchant that had died of
plague.
MDXVIII, OTTOBRE (October 1518)
56. vol. 26. col. 133/134
From Syo, from Thomà of Thabia, our consul, from the 26th of August, adressed to the
regiment of Crete.
That, by an armed group which came from there, it seems to appear that the Turkish Lord
returned to Constantinople on the 26th of July, and left suddenly for the plains, it is said
that he is going to Edirne... And that in Constantinople and in Pera there was plague and
no recepto are given to the ships that come from there, out of suspicion, etc.
57. vol. 26, col. 160 + 162
From sir Sebastian Moro, purveyor of the fleet, dated in the harbour of Candia on the
last day of September.
... well, they say that there is enormous plague in Constantinople.
MDXVIII, DICEMBRE (December 1518)
58. vol. 26, col. 295-6
From sir Sebastian Moro, purveyor of the fleet, there were letters dated in Parenzo on the
22nd of December and in Corfu on the 24th of December.
And that plague had made great progress in Constantinople; but nowadays had stopped
somewhat.
MDXIX, AGOSTO (August 1519)
59. vol. 27, col. 598
...a letter that was written by sir Nicolò, which was read, dated in Corfu on the 4th of this
month.
That the last 26 days he had remained absent from Edirne and four days earlier, the
Turkish Lord had left from there and had gone to the montains near Gallipoli in a cool
place, moreover they say he will return to spend the winter there (that is, Edirne)
MDXX, FEBRAIO (February 1520)
60. vol. 28, col. 229-230
From Constantinople, there were letters ... from sir Tomà Contarini, our baylo, dated on
the 27th of December, the latest in Edirne.
Idem, that there was tremendous plague in Edirne.
61. vol. 28, col. 232
From Constantinople were read the letters of sir Tomà Contarini, baylo, from the 27th of
December, from Edirne.
That plague is present there and that he would like to leave and go to Pera, but has no
money and is half-desperate, he will sell his furniture etc.
MDXX, GIUGNO (June 1520)
62. vol. 28, col. 595-596
Copy of the paragraph of the letters of sir Andrea Sanudo, son of sir Beneto, dated in
Cyprus in Nicosia, on the 9th of April 1520
146