The Plague
The plague that affected Eyam was known as the "Great Plague." Originating in London, it was responsible for 260 deaths out of 350 of Eyam's residents. Europe had suffered many outbreaks of plague over the centuries and the Great Plague was the last major outbreak in England. People suffered symptoms of both Pneumonic and Bubonic plague. The symptoms are listed below.
Pneumonic
Symptoms:
- Lungs infected
- Coughing up blood
- Feaver/weakness
- Headaches
- Breathing failure/shock
- 1 day death time 100% Fatal
Info:
- Carried through coughs/sneezes
- Carried in droplets
Bubonic
Symptoms:
- Swelling and itching in groin, neck and armpit.
- Large spots and rashes around body (Black/red)
- Bleeding underneath skin.
- Brain/speech affected.
- Stumbling/ looked drunk (read Unwin's story)
- 4-7days from symptoms till death
- 50%-75% fatal
- Swelling and itching in groin, neck and armpit.
- Large spots and rashes around body (Black/red)
- Bleeding underneath skin.
- Brain/speech affected.
- Stumbling/ looked drunk (read Unwin's story)
- 4-7days from symptoms till death
- 50%-75% fatal
^ THIS WAS THE MAIN TYPE OF PLAGUE THAT AFFECTED EYAM! ^
What was done?
The plague was carried by fleas living in the fur of black rats. Eyam was not as clean as it is today and these rats loved to be warm. They lived among humans where the warmth was and spread the fleas.
When the plague came to Eyam, William Mompesson knew he had to save his village. He was a new vicar and had not gained the respect from the villagers so sought help from Thomas Stanley (the former rector'). He had lost his job when the king decided that puritans where a threat to the established church. The two men put their differences aside and came up with a number of solutions.
- They cut off the village from the outside world.
- They held public meetings in the open air, this was to inform people of events yet prevent the plague spreading.
- They organised boundary stones where money could be left for food etc.
- They placed money in vinegar to "wash the plague from the coins."
- The church was locked and prayers where said in the open air.
- People had to bury their own dead as so many where dying (see Mrs Handcock).
- Bodies had to be buried two metres deep as they believed it would stop the plague escaping from the ground.
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Thanks to their brilliant ideas, Thomas Stanley and William Mompesson prevented the spread of the plague and helped to save the village of Eyam from further disaster, 260 people died between August 1665 and October 1666, There is a memorial service for the people who died every Plague Sunday (The last Sunday in August).
When the plague came to Eyam, William Mompesson knew he had to save his village. He was a new vicar and had not gained the respect from the villagers so sought help from Thomas Stanley (the former rector'). He had lost his job when the king decided that puritans where a threat to the established church. The two men put their differences aside and came up with a number of solutions.
- They cut off the village from the outside world.
- They held public meetings in the open air, this was to inform people of events yet prevent the plague spreading.
- They organised boundary stones where money could be left for food etc.
- They placed money in vinegar to "wash the plague from the coins."
- The church was locked and prayers where said in the open air.
- People had to bury their own dead as so many where dying (see Mrs Handcock).
- Bodies had to be buried two metres deep as they believed it would stop the plague escaping from the ground.
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Thanks to their brilliant ideas, Thomas Stanley and William Mompesson prevented the spread of the plague and helped to save the village of Eyam from further disaster, 260 people died between August 1665 and October 1666, There is a memorial service for the people who died every Plague Sunday (The last Sunday in August).
