The Plague Village

This is the parish church of Eyam (pronounced "eem"). The plague started here in 1665 after a flea infested bundle of cloth arrived from London to the village tailor. Within a week the tailor's assistant was dead from the plague and more began dying in his household. The plague soon spread and the villagers made the decision to isolate themselves to prevent it reaching other villages. They left money in vinegar at the boundaries so that supplies could be left for them.
The number of deaths is thought to be around 400. The local church has a record of 273 individuals who were victims of the plague (see extra)