The years 1563, 1593, 1603, 1625, 1636 and 1665 marked waves of what in and around London in England?

Question

England and Scotland both formed national football teams in 1872, but for over 30 years played only within the UK. Where, in 1908, were the first games played by England outside British territory?

Answer 1

Plague epidemics
London's population reduced by 10 to 30% in the various epidemics during those years. All of Shakespeare's plays were written and first performed during this period. One of his later plays, "The Winter's Tale", first performed in mid 1611, asks hopefully "The blessed gods, Purge all infection from our air".