This interesting and historical walk shows many items connected to the Eyam plague of 1665-6. The walk is about three and a half miles long starting at Eyam, a visit to the Riley Graves before arriving at Stoney Middleton and back to Eyam.
It is believed the germ was carried in a piece of cloth sent from London to the village tailor George Vicars, he was the first victim of the plague which killed 267 people out of a population of 350. What was different about the Eyam plague was that the villagers cut themselves off from the surrounding villages to stop the plague spreading.
18/03/05

To see a map of the area click here

  The Square, Eyam

  St. Lawrence Church, the church yard contains many victims of the plague including Katherine Mompesson the wife of Eyam's rector William Mompesson, it was because of him the villagers stayed and contained the disease.

8th century Celtic cross

  The Plague cottages, most houses
 in the village have a plaque giving
details of the victims of the plague.
George Vicars lived in one of these
cottages. (far right in the picture)

Bagshaw House, it was here that
 nine of the Siddall family died.

  Riley Graves, burial place of the Hancock family who died of the plague between August 3rd-10th 1666, only the mother survived. the name Riley was taken from the name of the field, Righ Lea.

Near the Riley Graves is this view of Baslow edge with Curbar village below.

  On reaching the Grindleford to Eyam road,
 a view of Froggatt village with Froggatt edge above it.

Walking down a track to Stoney Middleton there were many Toad's around, they are not long out of hibernation. 

Stoney Middleton, this thermal stream
 was thought to have been used by the Romans.

  Stoney Middleton

Leaving Stoney Middleton, looking back

During the plague there was an imaginary boundary around the village where the villagers of Eyam would leave money in exchange for food and medicines, this was one, another was Mompesson's Well.

Mompesson's Well, vinegar was added to the water to disinfect the coins that were left in exchange for supplies.

Back in Eyam, the Miners Arms, 17th century Inn

The Bull Ring, a bull or bear would be tied to the ring and set upon by dogs as a spectacle for the villagers, it was declared illegal in 1835.

The water troughs were established in 1558 providing water for domestic as well as agricultural use for almost 350 years.

The Sheep Roast, is used every year on Carnival day since 1951.

The village stocks, behind is Eyam Hall built by the Wright family in 1676.

View of Eyam village

© Copyright John Beres 2003-2008