Plague Victim Graves Scattered All Over This Village | Eyam

The history of the plague in the village began in 1665 when a flea-infested bundle of cloth arrived from London for Alexander Hadfield, the local tailor. Within a week his assistant George Viccars, noticing the bundle was damp, had opened it up. Before long he was dead and more began dying in the household soon after.
As the disease spread, the villagers turned for leadership to their rector, the Reverend William Mompesson, and the ejected Puritan minister Thomas Stanley. They introduced a number of precautions to slow the spread of the illness from May 1666. The measures included the arrangement that families were to bury their own dead and relocation of church services to the natural amphitheatre of Cucklett Delph, allowing villagers to separate themselves and so reducing the risk of infection. Perhaps the best-known decision was to quarantine the entire village to prevent further spread of the disease. Merchants from surrounding villages sent supplies that they would leave on marked rocks; the villagers then made holes there which they would fill with vinegar to disinfect the money left as payment.
The plague ran its course over 14 months and one account states that it killed at least 260 villagers, with only 83 surviving out of a population of 350. That figure has been challenged, with alternative figures of 430 survivors from a population of around 800 being given. The church in Eyam has a record of 273 individuals who were victims of the plague.
Survival among those affected appeared random, as many who remained alive had close contact with those who died but never caught the disease. For example, Elizabeth Hancock was uninfected despite burying six children and her husband in eight days. The graves are known as the Riley graves after the farm where they lived. The unofficial village gravedigger, Marshall Howe, also survived, despite handling many infected bodies.

[@JohnDoe-px4ko]

Many towns and villages were infested with the plague. What sets Eyam apart is that, instead of fleeing and spreading the infection, the villagers ALL voluntarily stayed. Food was brought and left at the outskirts of the village and paid for with coins left in a bowl of vinegar, a natural disinfectant.

[@smorgasbroad1132]

Reminds me of the book The Plague by Albert Camus. The people were gated and couldn't come or go during the worst of it. They didn't necessarily volunteer though. 😞

[@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv]

I don’t think they decided to stay but rather have been kept as prisoners in their village.

[@janesgems7]

@@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv That isn't the case. There was absolutely no way Reverends William Mompesson and Thomas Stanley could have 'forced' the entire village to stay. They chose to, because they were deeply religious and believed it was their duty to protect their fellow man. I have visited this beautiful village many times, and never ever cease to be amazed at the incredible act of self sacrifice these people made to save strangers. If only it was more well known....they should have had the George Cross.

[@catherinevfrost85]

The physical and mental strength of Elizabeth. I'm so glad she and her family are being remembered

[@deadgoodwalks]

Yeh, I just can't imagine it. I sat at their graves for ages just thinking about what she went through. What a women

[@catherinevfrost85]

@@deadgoodwalks there's a graveyard near me with some really old stones, one vault has several family members in it, it always makes me think when I walk by it

[@harpersmythe658]

I went to school in the sixties and history was one of my favourite subjects. I remember learning about the plague and the village of Eyam. I was so touched by Elizabeth Hancocks’ story, it still gets to me. Having to bury her entire family and by herself as well. But what courage the villagers showed, by closing themselves off to try and stop the spread of the plague.

[@deadgoodwalks]

I always think about her too, its heartbreaking

[@Nehalennia7.]

You life in a beautiful country !🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱

[@debraodonnell]

I am Australia i absolutely love history and graveyards i one day will visit this sight those poor poor people i cant imagine what they went through thank u🎉

[@traciehiggins7420]

I had asked about graves of plague victims and I had not made it to this one. So long ago and still heartbreaking. It must have been so incredibly lonely for survivors 😢

[@joelhurley2678]

Thanks for giving me a chance to see a beautiful Church and grounds. I can't imagine when people are dying left and right of you, and you basically fend for yourself. Those people had strong character to make it through. Thanks Dan for sharing 👍👍.

[@Nancy-lt5xr]

Thank you. Like the channel. Being from the he USA we don't have many graves as old as yours. Thank you for informing us when can't explore on our own.

[@deadgoodwalks]

Thank you so much Nancy! Happy to help 😀

[@joelhurley2678]

In Massachusetts, I have seen graves on KZbin that are from 1650. The U.S. has a few old ones. Compare to Britain 🇬🇧 they are very young.

[@spitfirekev]

Ive visited here. Beautiful village, but with a sad history. Top video Dan.

[@deadgoodwalks]

Great place isn't it Kev, due a re-visit

[@cemeteryvisits]

That one’s a gem! Very beautiful area, you could have done a hour long video of that area easily. Really enjoyed it, excellent indeed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@emilylinthwaite930]

Me and my family visited this lovely place, my mother was sick every year at Christmas time for 10 years after visiting Eyam. Bit coincidental In my opinion. We visited an old house/ building with a lake running alongside, the church, the Riley graves and visited the village shop. The shopkeeper was so lovely! X

[@deadgoodwalks]

Thats very odd Emily. Tea rooms were excellent too, if not a little overpriced on the sausage rolls :)

[@ruthe71]

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks is a book based on the residents of Eyam at the time of the plague and is a great read.

[@michelleeverett1535]

Brilliant book ❤️

[@pamelatillery2841]

Great video, very informative and respectfully done, been there, it is beautiful 🇬🇧

[@deadgoodwalks]

Thanks Pamela, Yeah although these places are awesome and its easy to get carried away with excitement, I always try and be respectful. Glad you noticed.

[@nadiabrook7871]

I was just talking about Eyam with a friend of mine this afternoon, when love and behold, I found your video!! I've always been fascinated by Eyam since I heard about it years ago!! Maybe one day, I'll visit!! Poor, poor Elizabeth!! She must've been a VERY strong woman - emotionally and physically!! May she and her family RIP!!XXXX 💚👍💖

[@deadgoodwalks]

I get everywhere don't I lol. It's really interesting, there's a lot more there than I showed but the other stuff is a little off channel theme. Elizabeths story will stay with me forever.

[@horror_queen35]

Pony clops 🥺 I've binged so many of your videos and I can still never get over how gorgeous graveyards are in your neck of the woods 😊

[@bolitho1881]

I often walk around Churches, partly because as a retired builder of 50+ years, I empathise with those that actually Built the Church and to record unusual First and Last names on the Stones. I like to believe, also, that in doing so, those laying there are brought back to life...if only for the time it takes to read their names.

[@suzanneholdsworth7869]

The wall around Elizabeth's family graves is shaped like a teardrop

[@deadgoodwalks]

Yeah, I wonder if it was intentional

[@suzanneholdsworth7869]

@@deadgoodwalks Something we will never know.I was watching with the sound low so didn't know if you had already mentioned about the teardrop.🙂

[@Randall1001]

Omigod I love this channel. I could watch these all day.

[@deadgoodwalks]

Thanks Randall

[@Mari-B]

😢Such a sad thing that she had to bury her family alone.😢

[@ianrobert6239]

Great video again loved the opening shots, very atmospheric. Lovely village.

[@deadgoodwalks]

Cheers Ian, It's a lovely place despite the sad history

[@beckygriggs7827]

Dead good walks, you have very old and interesting graveyards, very old dates on headstones, good show, love your channel-Cheeryo from America 😊😊

[@deadgoodwalks]

Thanks Becky x

[@brendakrieger7000]

I just watched a documentary about this town. Very heartbreaking what those families went through. Nice to see the cemetery🪦🪦

[@deadgoodwalks]

Hard to imagine isn't it, you really feel the history and hardship of the people when you're there

[@tangledshoelace4726]

Just breath taking!! What a fantastic place!! The day was perfect! Just wow!! So much history!! Thank you!!❤🕊🇺🇸🙏🙏

[@deadgoodwalks]

Glad you enjoyed it x

[@Hardrada88]

Ah i grew up here at my grandparent's house. Never knew the history until id left for university, fascinating stuff. Many cemeteries over England have similiar 'plague graves'. Theres a large on up near Harwich and Ipswich. Excellent video mate! Well made and lovely to see the place :) cheers!

[@cynthiascott3637]

THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING,I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH HISTORY FROM YOUR CHANNEL FROM ACROSS THE POND! 😊

[@deadgoodwalks]

My pleasure, me too lol x

[@ianshaw6922]

Smaller but Similar look to our Village 12th century Gothic Church Royston Barnsley

[@sandradring6265]

I stayed in the village a few years ago and also visited a couple more times after. It’s a lovely village with a sad history. The church is small with history inside too. Did you miss the Rat gargoyle around the top of the church. Each time I was in the village I visited their museum which gives the history brilliantly about the village in those awful times. There is a book Called “Year of Wonders: A Novel Of The Plague. By Geraldine Brooks. It’s based around The plague in Eyem. It’s a brilliant read. It’s a place I’d love to live...maybe one day. 😉

[@Tigerbearwolf8600]

I remember going here on a school trip in year 5

[@susanamireku8551]

Have been watching your videos of late You doing a good job Like the education and great history am discovering through your videos

[@deadgoodwalks]

Thank you Susana

[@ramonapetermann9585]

I would really love to live in that city, these little cottages are extremely beautiful, and people who are resting here, can sleep for many centuries to come with noone disturb or excavate them.

[@ds1868]

Eyam is a village not a city.

[@dm607]

It's a shame that the Hancock graves can't be protected somehow before the inscriptions vanish completely. Elizabeths story really got to me. Heavy duty clear plastic or perspex perhaps. I'll gladly chip in for it. Deb of Oz.

[@markallan3842]

Looks lovely keep your videos coming they are great 👍

[@deadgoodwalks]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement Mark. Glad you enjoyed the video and there’s a lot more yet to come

[@turbo.panther]

Thank you for this very poignant video. Elizabeth's story is the epitome of heartbreak and resilience. Btw, if I meet someone wearing the same clothes, I just tell them what great taste they have in jackets/shirts/etc.

[@sueneilen4526]

Wow great video very sad.

[@carolefraser8194]

I wish you had taken the time to either read a few of tombstones. Or for us to read them.

[@OpinionatedChicken59]

2:55 OMG Edward Furness is one of my ancestors! My 6th great grandfather! This is wild!!!!! His wife was Ann Furniss, her name was Furniss before marriage too and her family also lived through the plague in Eyam! Their son George is my ancestor :D

[@deadgoodwalks]

wow, that's some very sad but very interesting family connection

[@debroahisaacs2452]

I could not fathom the plague and all who died from it, thanx for sharing part of what was, the plague took the poor and rich, what a dreadful time among many in our history.

[@deadgoodwalks]

Absolutely, I couldn't imagine it before covid x

[@lindaball6714]

Great old place. I really loved this walk. Some very interesting stones 😍

[@deadgoodwalks]

The history of this place is just amazing, so amazing that I've been 7 times lol

[@lindaball6714]

@@deadgoodwalks wow! Loved the entire town

[@user-ru4br1dl3r]

I wish to walk with yoy in very good ancient places , graves , in this sunshine morning ❤❤❤❤

[@lynneburns4303]

So sad .😢❤❤

[@jujulionesselsa1416]

There is some homes in Eyam that always have a window open, in superstition because of the plague.

[@deadgoodwalks]

Really? I didn't know that, Thank you

[@martinsmith8572]

I walked with my wife around that grave yard in in one corner at this point my wife was at the other side of the grave yard, I started feeling really weird and came over extremely sad to the point of almost crying, to say the least I quickly found my wife and we left. I am as unholy and non believer as you can find, but this shook me up sum what.

[@naturewitch8687]

A headstone 🪦 in your kitchen floor! 😮

[@alankerr2479]

Beautiful house at the start of the video

[@ricardoernestorecalde8365]

Muy Buenos tus videos los mire todos y son todos Muy Buenos. Que locura esos cementerios estan para vivir ahí😎✌

[@karenh9013]

I need to go

[@deadgoodwalks]

You must

[@suzieaustin.5905]

When I was listening to you 🤣🤣 I thought you were on a 🐎🐎!!

[@deadgoodwalks]

Always am

[@raltog8654]

Loved this one. Am I alone in thinking I would feel uneasy living in one of the homes that had plague victims in it? P.S. You're allowed to wear the same shorts 😊

[@deadgoodwalks]

I'd love to lol

[@raltog8654]

@@deadgoodwalks You're braver than me!

[@dorothywelsh3280]

Bit disappointed didn't mention vicar Mompasent who organised lock down and the villages put coins in vinegar at Mompasent Mill and the then Duke of Devonshire dropped off supplies there

[@deadgoodwalks]

Yes would have liked to include more of the story, like the lovers that used to meet at the boundary stone

[@lolaxxx3669]

Poor Elizabeth, I CANNOT imagine having to literally bury my whole family, like dig the hole and everything, what a tragedy. I now need to find out more about her and what happened to her after all that horrible business she went through 😭. Google here I come.

[@deadgoodwalks]

I know it’s unimaginable poor soul. She survived the plague and moved to Sheffield I think. How she could carry on God only knows

[@janesgems7]

Believe it or not....Matt Hancock is descended from her. The apple fell VERY far from the tree.

[@user-nz1sm9zd5k]

I learned this si shcolle and I went there

[@pelangikuloi4842]

ok thank you,chanel video the all many2 from you now bye.see againt to you okm

[@kellyadams3078]

Chemtrails were very heavy that day eh?

[@alankerr2479]

1665 wow

[@PaulH-hl5hw]

Nice churchyard..just look at those chemtrails

[@jasmineritter1955]

does that mean they were buried without coffins?

[@deadgoodwalks]

I would only be guessing but I'd say yes. Because you need to get rid of a diseased body asap

[@ds1868]

No time or money for coffins. The bodies were wrapped in cloth and laid side by side. The plague nf 1665/66 was the last of many outbreaks, the first being the worst in the mid 14th century when nearly one third of the entire population was wiped out.

[@peterneijs387]

Table Tomb

[@bas4903]

Surely not the same shorts?

[@The_Comedian556]

I thought the plague struck this village in the 14th century

[@notenough1484]

👂 2:09

[@notenough1484]

3:54... the video image of that, may be a “ politeness “ of contact with disagreement to thoughts on the stone placement. A male voice came through as I watch this video. Thank you

[@deadgoodwalks]

Did he agree or disagree?

[@notenough1484]

@@deadgoodwalks was it one of the caretakers that stayed at the alter.... is the impression of what I had as an idea formed.

[@karenh9013]

Where please

[@deadgoodwalks]

The village is called Eyam and the closest city is Sheffield

[@peterneijs387]

ooops i was only one year out with my comment lol

[@notenough1484]

5:39... anyone else see that trail of sticks at his feet??? Hmmmm Thank you for that affirmation. I question how those came to be. Sometimes it is animal and other times people ( I prefer nature) to show its self guiding me.

[@deadgoodwalks]

They're not my sticks thats all I can tell you 😁

[@garden2356]

Sadly there are kow covid plague