Introducing Eyam
The former lead-mining village of Eyam (ee-em) is a quaint little spot with a morbidly touching history. In 1665 a consignment of cloth from London delivered to a local tailor carried the dreaded Black Death plague. What could have been a widespread disaster remained a localized tragedy thanks to the bravery of the village inhabitants: as the plague spread, the rector, William Mompesson, and his predecessor Thomas Stanley, convinced villagers to quarantine themselves rather than transmit the disease further. Selflessly, they did so; by the time the plague ended in late 1666, it had wiped out whole families, killing around 250 of the village’s 800 inhabitants. People in surrounding villages remained relatively unscathed. Even independently of this poignant story, Eyam is well worth a visit; its sloping streets of old cottages backed by rolling green hills form a classic postcard view of the Peak District.
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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Best Museums in London- including little known ones please!
by ginger_phil 29 October 2010
Another vote for the National Maritime Museum. Has the Cutty Sark been restored yet? If you have enough time and are willing to travel…
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RE: East Midlands
by ginger_phil 26 April 2010
A few more suggestions, then, for the Peak District. Eyam (pronounced 'eem') is a picturesque village with a fascinating if slightly…
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Re: Sights in and around Manchester
by rodway 14 May 2009
You do not state what your interests are. However if you are in Manchester and need to be back for late afternoon the Peak District is…
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