Plague stones, prevalent throughout England, often take the shape of excavated stones or large boulders, remnants from the medieval and later plagues.
These boulders, featuring hollowed-out indentations or sometimes forming the foundations of crosses, were designated to hold vinegar.
Positioned at or near parish boundaries, these vinegar-filled receptacles served as a means of disinfection, offering hope that the local community could safely acquire essential goods and provisions without the looming specter of contagion.
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Inhabitants would place coins within the vinegar-filled hollows as payment to outsiders providing goods or food beside the stone, firmly believing that such a practice could impede the relentless spread of the deadly disease.
What Was The Plague
The outbreak of plague in England in 1348 marked the onset of the second great pandemic, commonly referred to as the Black Death from the early nineteenth century onwards, though it was previously known as the Great Mortality or the Great Pestilence.
During this period, the living conditions of the poor were characterized by single-story dwellings made of thatched wattle-and-daub. Rats found their way into these homes, burrowing beneath the earth floors and climbing walls to create nests in the roofs.
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The spread of plague into England can be traced back to its origin in India, with subsequent transmission through Asia, North Africa, and Europe.
The disease likely entered England through an infected rat or flea in Melcombe Regis, now known as Weymouth, Dorset, around late July or early August in 1348. From there, it spread southwest to Bristol and then moved eastwards, reaching Oxford and London by the end of October or early November.
Rat Population
Historical records indicate that it advanced at a rate of approximately one-and-a-half miles per day, suggesting a gradual and creeping epizootic process. This means that the plague initially established itself within the English rat population, which had not encountered the pathogen before, resulting in a rat plague epidemic. As the rat population declined due to the disease, and flea hosts became scarce, the infection began to affect humans.
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Estimating the exact death toll during this period is challenging. Parish registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials only began in 1538, and many records were lost, particularly during events like the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Blitz.
While school history books have often portrayed a scenario where only a fraction of the population survived, recent doubts have arisen regarding this narrative. Consequently, it is essential to reevaluate the available evidence and consider the impact of the Black Death on the population more critically.
Barred
These stones served dual purposes during the plague era, functioning both as social distancing markers and boundary indicators. They enforced strict rules, preventing plague-infected individuals from entering a healthy village and barring healthy individuals from entering a plague-stricken one. This practice gave rise to what we now know as the “plague stone.” This historical narrative unfolded in numerous towns and villages, regardless of their size or significance.
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