The current concerns over swine flu call to mind the famous influenza pandemic of 1918. It has been estimated that the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the First World War, at somewhere between 20 and 30 million people world-wide. The flu, which was known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe”, was most deadly for people aged 20 to 40. This age range was unusual for influenza which is usually a killer of the elderly and young children.

Sutton Veny burial register 1918

Wiltshire was not hit as badly as more densely populated areas, but nevertheless the impact was still felt strongly.

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Hello, my name is Terry Bracher and I am the Archives and Local Studies Manager here at the History Centre. Since joining the team in 2007 one of most interesting aspects of my work is being introduced to the wonderful array of archives that are held in our building by the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives Service. But when I was asked to choose my favourite document, from a selection of eight miles of historic records, it appeared an impossible task. I am always drawn to documents that show how ordinary people help shape national and international events, or the way our diverse communities have evolved. The documents I keep returning to are those that on the surface tell a simple story, but actually give us a far deeper insight into events of a particular period of our history. One such document, and my current favourite, is the terms of surrender at the end of the first siege of Wardour Castle on the 8^th May 1643, during the English Civil War.

Terms of surrender, Wardour Castle 8th May 1643

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