Rose's+notes

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The plague travelled to Eyam through flee infested cloth which was delivered from London to George Vicars, the town tailor. The cloth was aired and the fleas escaped. The fleas passed on the plague to George Viccars, he became the first plague victim. Soon after more cases began to arise. ** What reasons did the rector Michael Mompellion give for imposing quarantine Eyam and was this a wise decision? **   Mompellion suggestion for quarantine was logical, noble and religiously driven. In a logical way of thinking, surrounding villagers would be reluctant in excepting newcomers who have been exposed to the plague. Mompellion realised more bloodshead would arise through the violent reactions surrounding villagers would have to possible plague carriers. Mompellion’s quarantine was also a noble and selfless scheme to save surrounding villagers from facing the terrible pain and hardship of plague. Mompellion does not wish suffering on others therefore the decision was made to shut themselves in. The provisions provided by the Earl of Chatsworth are testament to their gratitude. Colonel Bradford dismisses the idea of Mompellion’s quarantine, laughing and mocking the suggestion. In his eyes, quarantine surely meant death for himself and his family. Being a wealthy nobleman in the village he detests the idea of dying with lower class villagers, shut inside a world where his position in society and his wealth were of little importance. Colonel Bradford shows a typical reaction, he flees with his family leaving the town without the aid he could have provided with his wealth. His actions were both selfish and cowardly. Mompellion limited the spread of infection by shutting themselves in the village. No one was permitted to enter and no one could leave the village. Provosions of food and goods were passed over the boundary wall of the village to ensure the healthy remained alive. The plague quickly swept over London. One third of the population dies. The households which had suspected plague victims were quarantined. All members of the household were locked inside their houses. The sick and the healthy mixed together meant that the plague claimed more lives then necessary.
 * How did the plague come to Eyam? **
 * How does Colonel Bradford respond to the idea of quarantine, and what do you make if his reaction? **
 * How did the quarantine work? **
 * How did London respond to the plague? **