Eyam: the plague village 1665-66

Richard Stone explores the self-sacrifice of a Seventeenth Century village during an epidemic.

History shows us these ‘unprecedented times’ are not that far from previous historical experiences. Lockdown, quarantine, self-isolation, ‘second wave’, ‘third wave’, airborne disease, churches closed; the Covid-19 experience resonates with the plight of the villagers of Eyam, three-and-a-half centuries ago. It brings solace too, with the knowledge that epidemics eventually end. And coronavirus does not come with such a high mortality rate and livid walnut-sized buboes...