July 30th 2017 - Eyam Palgue Village

Stephen was working but Carol joined us on a visit to Eyam the Plague Village. Set in the heart of Derbyshire's Peak District, the village of Eyam (pronounced Eam as in stream) will forever be associated with the bubonic plage which arrived in the village via a parcel of cloth from London delivered to the local tailor, George Viccars. Because the cloth was damp the tailor hung it out in front of the fire to dry, thus releasing the rat fleas that are now known to carry bubonic plague. On the 7th of September 1665 George Viccars, the first plague victim, died of a raging fever. Other victims followed and the disease spread rapidly during the autumn. At least 260 villagers died of the plague in the 14 months that it raged in Eyam.

Below is a really cute cottage garden - a lot of frivolity in the 21st century in a cottage that was devasted by plague in the 17th.

Eyam Parish Church. During the plague William Mompesson was Rector of this church. His wife, Catherine, died on August 25th 1666 after insisting on remaining behind while their children were sent to safety.

The magnificent 20th century stained glass Plague window in the church which tells the story of the plague and commemorates the victims.
















Following lunch in a local very nice cafe with outside seating where we all had Derbyshire oatcakes - an oatmeal pancake - we visited Eyam Hall. Eyam Hall was built in 1672, just 6 years after the plague. It is a wonderfully unspoilt example of a grit stone Jacobean Manor house. It has been the home of the Wright family for 11 generations. It has undergone various renovations in order to modernise it and fit it to more modern needs.

Dining Room still used by the Wright Family up to 3 years ago.

We were fortunate to see Eyam Hall as it is soon no longer to be a National Trust property. We had a very interesting visit to the village and the hall and the scenery on the journey was very nice.