The Plague 1665/66

Mick Loney · Post by **Mick Loney** » 23 Oct 2022, 08:09

Watched a very moving and educational programme last night on Ch 5 on the Bubonic plague of 1665/66
If you get a chance, give it a view (my5).

What struck me was entries in the parish registers, which went from recording a few burials per week, to pages and pages of burials on the same day. Far too many for the gravediggers to cater for, so the solution they came up with was to bury them in large pits.

I’d heard of plague pits, but up to now I didn’t really understand why they were used, it now makes sense, as it was the only practical way of burying such large quantities of bodies. Somewhat brings it home how terrible it must have been.

If you thought Covid 19 was bad, take a look at this programme!

VALLMO9 · Post by **VALLMO9** » 23 Oct 2022, 17:57

This FMP article highlights the first recorded Plague death in an April 1665 burial record. Burial notated with PLA (for plague).
https://www.findmypast.com/blog/history ... eat-plague

Further reading - "Burial of the Plague Dead in Early Modern London"
https://archives.history.ac.uk/history- ... rding.html

Further reading - "Why is Eyam Significant?"
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/H ... gnificant/

Mick Loney · Post by **Mick Loney** » 23 Oct 2022, 20:34

FYI Eyam was covered in the programme

Jimbo50 · Post by **Jimbo50** » 23 Oct 2022, 21:05

Thank you Mick. It was only yesterday that I saw a Black Rat in a local drain.

I'm feeling really comfortable now. Isn't Eyam covered in red plastic ?

Mick Loney · Post by **Mick Loney** » 23 Oct 2022, 21:57

Jimbo,
You need to watch the programme! The plague wasn’t spread by rats or fleas, but human body/head lice. The Rats were innocent

Who When Where

The Plague 1665/66

The Plague 1665/66

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Re: The Plague 1665/66

Re: The Plague 1665/66

Re: The Plague 1665/66