Eyam

Eyam has been linked to a curious lockdown story. But then one that is linked to the plague, and not to corona. It took place in 1666. The inhabitants voluntarily isolated themselves from the outside world after the plague had broken out a year earlier. This decision took the lives of 260 residents, but prevented the disease from spreading to surrounding towns and causing thousands of victims. Between the village of Stoney Middleton, a town known for its stone houses, and Eyam you can find another remarkable stone. It's a Boundary Stone. For four months this was the boundary between the outside world and Eyam, between life and death. Food was deposited here during the self-imposed lockdown. In the six large holes in the top of the boulder, the residents of Eyam put the money, which had been cleaned with vinegar. People thought it would be antiseptic. On the houses of that time there are green signs with the names of the people who died there during the plague. Dramatic history is told in the village museum. For example, the Black Death is said to have arrived here with a bale of textile from London, where the plague had already killed thousands.

Pascal Brackman