After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Episode Summary: "Sweating Sickness: Deadly Tudor Plague" Release Date: February 3, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal, hosts Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling delve into the enigmatic and deadly Sweating Sickness that plagued Tudor England. They explore its mysterious origins, devastating impact on society, and the role it played within the royal court, particularly affecting figures like Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. The discussion is enriched with historical anecdotes, medical theories, and the cultural legacy of this elusive disease.

Historical Context

Maddy Pelling opens the discussion by highlighting the Sweating Sickness as a significant medical mystery from Tudor England. Unlike the more infamous Black Death, the Sweating Sickness did not leave a clear mark on history, making it a subject of fascination and speculation.

Anthony Delaney provides the historical backdrop, noting that the Sweating Sickness first appeared in England in 1485, coinciding with Henry VII’s reign, and the last recorded outbreak occurred in 1551 during Edward VI’s rule. He emphasizes that this disease was predominantly English, with minimal records outside England, such as in the north of France.

Symptoms and Severity

The hosts describe the rapid and severe symptoms of the Sweating Sickness, which distinguished it from other plagues of the time.

• Sudden Onset: Unlike the gradual progression of illnesses like the common cold, the Sweating Sickness struck without warning.

• Intense Symptoms: Victims experienced severe chills, high fever, and profuse sweating. The sweat was often malodorous, leading contemporaries to associate the disease with bad smells—a common misconception of disease transmission at the time.

• Rapid Decline: As Anthony Delaney explains, the disease could kill within hours, encapsulated by the saying, "You could be merry at dinner and dead by supper" (14:07). However, those who survived the initial 24 hours had a higher chance of recovery.

• Physical Manifestations: Victims would appear drenched, struggling to maintain composure, leading to panic and public displays of distress.

Notable Quote:

Maddy Pelling (14:50): "It's really frightening to have such a devastating effect that can wipe someone out of society in seconds."

Spread and Public Health Concerns

Anthony Delaney discusses the factors contributing to the spread of the Sweating Sickness:

• Urbanization: London’s population tripled in the 16th century, from 50,000 to nearly 150,000, leading to crowded living conditions that facilitated disease transmission.

• Increased Travel: More frequent and extensive travel, both within England and across Europe, allowed the disease to spread more efficiently.

• Transmission Theories: While the exact mode of transmission remains unknown, theories suggest it was spread through human contact in crowded areas. Modern medical experts speculate it could have been a type of hantavirus linked to rodent populations.

Maddy Pelling adds that contemporary beliefs held that diseases were spread through contaminated air and smells, thus heightening fear and misunderstanding about the disease’s transmission.

Notable Quote:

Anthony Delaney (16:38): "We think it was likely transmitted through human contact. It was more prevalent in crowded cities, so a matter of deduction there."

Impact on the Tudor Court

The Sweating Sickness had a profound effect on the Tudor court, influencing political dynamics and personal relationships.

• Henry VIII’s Response: Anthony Delaney portrays Henry VIII as a hypochondriac deeply concerned about falling ill. He implemented quarantine and isolation measures within the court, retreating to remote hunting lodges to protect himself from the disease.

• Anne Boleyn’s Illness: Anne Boleyn contracted the Sweating Sickness in 1528 after a maid from her chamber fell ill. Despite the panic and fear, Anne quickly recovered, which some historians suggest may have strengthened Henry's desire for her, viewing her resilience as a sign of strength.

• Death of Court Figures: The disease did not spare anyone at court, leading to the deaths of significant figures like Thomas Cromwell’s wife and daughters, as depicted in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. This had lasting implications on political alliances and the succession of power.

Notable Quote:

Eustace Chapuis (Reference at 31:16): "The illness is so contagious and deadly that it spares no one. In some houses, it has killed all the inhabitants, leaving them desolate."

Treatment and Responses

During the Tudor period, medical understanding was limited, and treatments were largely ineffective or even counterproductive.

• Encouraging Sweating: Physicians believed that inducing sweat would purge the body of humors, hence treatments focused on making patients sweat more.

• Sealing Patients: To prevent further spread, patients were sometimes sewn into bed sheets, restricting their movement and forcing them to sweat excessively.

• Prayers and Spiritual Remedies: King Edward VI responded to the Sweating Sickness with prayer, believing it was a manifestation of God’s wrath. A surviving prayer from this period beseeches divine intervention to end the pestilence.

Notable Quote:

Anthony Delaney (23:57): "They always said that, didn't they? Like, sweat it out, get it out, get it out."

The Sweating Sickness Legacy

The Sweating Sickness left an indelible mark on Tudor England, influencing both cultural perceptions and historical narratives.

• Cultural Representation: The disease is prominently featured in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which has solidified its place in popular culture as an iconic Tudor mystery.

• Medical Mystique: The uncertainty surrounding the cause and transmission of the Sweating Sickness has fueled medical theories and conspiracy speculations, including possibilities like mutation into influenza or persistence in modern-day viruses.

• Human Connection: The discussion emphasizes the shared vulnerability of humans across time, highlighting how diseases like the Sweating Sickness can collapse the distance between past and present, reminding us of our ongoing susceptibility to pandemics.

Notable Quote:

Maddy Pelling (42:10): "We're part of an ongoing human existence, this experiment on this rock floating through Earth, and we're all susceptible to these things."

Conclusion

Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling conclude the episode by reflecting on the enigmatic legacy of the Sweating Sickness. They underscore how this Tudor mystery continues to captivate historians and enthusiasts alike, serving as a testament to the ever-present interplay between disease, society, and power.

Notable Quote:

Maddy Pelling (44:34): "A Tudor medical mystery history."

Key Takeaways

• The Sweating Sickness was a highly contagious and rapidly fatal disease that struck Tudor England between 1485 and 1551.

• It primarily affected the middle to upper classes, including prominent figures at the royal court, amplifying its recorded impact and legacy.

• Symptoms included sudden onset, severe sweating, chills, and a high mortality rate within hours of infection.

• Public health responses were primitive, relying on methods like induced sweating and enforced quarantine without understanding the true nature of the disease.

• The legacy of the Sweating Sickness persists in historical narratives and cultural representations, symbolizing the mysterious and often devastating impact of pandemics on society and power structures.

For those intrigued by the intertwining of history, mystery, and the supernatural, this episode offers a compelling exploration of the Sweating Sickness and its profound effects on Tudor England.