Adults were at risk from epidemics - in 1558, influenza was the cause of high mortality and, in 1564, the plague killed around 15% of the population. In 1597, there was an epidemic linked to the very wet summers from 1594-1597 which destroyed the harvests so poor people had little to eat and were more prone to catching infectious diseases.
The shortage of food also caused riots and protests in many towns including Stratford. The malsters were accused of using grain to make beer instead of bread and others were hoarding grain and malt to make a profit from rising prices. In Stratford, seventy five leading men including Shakespeare appeared in the 'noate of corn and malt' in l597. These men were thought to be hoarding more grain than they needed to feed their families.
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Stratford Riot
