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Plague of Eyam
Home » The United Kingdom » History of Derbyshire » Plague of EyamEyam village still stands today but during the 17th century, it was subject to one of the biggest disasters that wiped out much of the British population in just one year.
Bubonic Plague is a deadly disease which still exists today but due to better sanitation it is not as bad as it was all those centuries ago. It arrived to Eyam from London in a box of material and unfortunately, infected the person who opened the box, George Viccars, a local tailors assistant. It wiped out two thirds of the 350 villagers that lived in Eyam during that time and it is a disaster that many won’t forget.
If you visit the village today, you are reminded of its dark past with original cottages bearing plaques in memory of the dead. Despite its past, it is a beautiful village and is a good place to sit down and have a picnic. The Eyam museum and church offers further insight to the disaster that brought the village to its knees. I highly recommend spending the day here because whilst it is well known for its beautiful scenery, children and adults alike can learn so much from the past.
Related History of Derbyshire Articles
- Information to the History of Derbyshire
- Plague of Eyam
- Famous People
- Blue John Cavern, Castleton
- Mining in Derbyshire
- The End of Lead Mining
- Mermaid's Pool
- Robin Hood
- Conclusion