In 1179, In the
most moderate zones, the earth was covered with several feet of snow.
In 1209, in France the depth of snow and the bitter cold caused such a
scarcity of fodder that most of the cattle perished in that country. In
1249, the Baltic Sea between Russia, Norway and Sweden remained frozen
for many months, and communication was kept up by sleighs. In 1339,
there was such a terrific winter in England, that vast numbers of people
died of starvation and exposure. In 1409, the river Danube was frozen
from its sources to its mouth in the Black Sea.
In 1469, all the vineyards and orchards perished in consequence of the
frost. In 1609, in France, Switzerland and Upper Italy, people had to
thaw their bread and provisions before they could use them. In 1639,
the Harbour of Marseilles was covered with ice to a great distance. In
1659, all the rivers in Italy were frozen. In 1699, the winter in
France and Italy proved the severest and longest of all. The prices for
articles of food were so much raised that half of the population died of
starvation.
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