The plague village, Eyam, is nestled in beautiful Derbyshire. So much history here and how bubonic plague was brought into the village by a tailor in 1665 in flea infested cloth.
It does feel rather spooky as you walk around and gaze into cottages with their lists of who died here hundreds of years ago but at the same time, it is intriguing. See the reference to the children's nursery rhyme 'Ring-a-ring o' roses' thought to be about the plague.
The whole village was quarantined as more residents died. The dead were buried in the back gardens and the fields. Only one plague victim was buried within the churchyard, the Rector's wife.
An amazing story of a village where plague raged for more than a year, leaving less than a quarter of the original inhabitants. What a tragic story for this pretty place which today is such a pleasant place to visit and a great story for the children. History. 
This is the Celtic Cross dated to the 8th century. 
Celebrations for the annual Well Dressing event that we visited in late summer. In these areas natural springs bubble up through the limestone and the wells are decorated with intricate flower designs. This is thought to originate from Pagan times. 
A brass band celebrates the event. Little Bird absolutely loved this. I am going to buy him a CD of brass band music for Christmas, he's such a musical little boy.
These are some of the wells decorated with flowers to make beautiful artistic displays. 
Of course I do like a snoop around the village looking at the cottages and their gardens with climbing sweet peas and glorious sunflowers. Cute honesty box plant stalls, tea shops and bunting makes me smile.
Ring-a-ring o' roses,A pocket full of posies,
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down
14 comments:
That is so interesting and I love having a nosy round! I hope you came back with something from the plant sale?
Wow, I had no idea about this place, it looks fascinating and your pictures are great! Here in Munich there is a special dance that takes place once every seven years, this commemorates the end of the plague and was originally put on by the local coopers to convince people that it was now safe to venture out again...
what an interesting place to visit, I love the photos.
Fascinating and great to bring a little real life to something all children cover at school. I had quite forgotten that it was the origin of ring a ring a roses. A lovely entry for Country Kids.
What a great post! It looks like a quintessential beautiful English village but is filled with history and reminds us of the devastation caused by the plague on communities across the country. Wonderful photos that give a real feeling of the village.
Wow what a fabulous post, really interesting. Love the photos too. Sounds like you all had a good time :)
love your blog <3
would you like to follow each other? :)
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Daria
@Katie I didn't! I know I should have. I think my son was getting tired and ratty by that point.
@BavarianSojourn Oh thank you for that info, I'm going to read about that now. I love local customs.
@The Monko thank you
@Coombe Mill Thank you, it was a great place and we will go again some time when Little Bird is a bit older to do the museum here.
@Kriss MacDonald Thank you, it was the most perfect English village.
@Charly Dove Thank you, yes it was fun although I think my family get sick of me snapping away all day!
@Daria Thank you, yes certainly will. Nice to meet you :)
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