The bubonic plague was a much feared disease in mediaeval Europe.
Known as the black death, it turned victims skin to patches of black as the flesh rotted within.
This was accompanied by inflamed glands or ‘buboes’, compulsive vomiting, splitting headache and eventually death.
These boundary stones can still be visited today.
The water trough where money was exchanged is now called Mompessons well.
Aside from quarantining themselves, the villagers took steps to minimize the spread of infection within the village.
Many surviving members had to go through the trauma experience of burying their entire families.
Mompesson himself had to bury his own family.
After 14 months, the disease disappeared as abruptly as it arrived.
By then, at least 260 villagers out of the original 350 were dead.
People visit these still present boundary stone and drop coins as an honour to plague victims.
The Eyam parish church.
Photo credit:Eamon Currey/Flickr
Mompesson’s well.
The trough was filled with vinegar to disinfect the coins.
Photo credit:Darren/Flickr
A boundary stone.
Photo credit:Eamon Currey/Flickr
The Riley graves where lies the bodies of Elizabeth Hancocks husband and six children.
All died within a week of each other.
Photo credit:
Some of the graves at Eyam.
Photo credit:Chris/Flickr
Sources:Wikipedia/BBC/The History Learning Site/Historic UK
