Mompesson's Well

The well is named for Church of England priest William Mompesson (1639 - 1709), who served at St Lawrence's Church during The Great Plague. Mompessons actions during the plague prevented widespread catastrophe in the parish. In 1665 plague hit England, and a consignment of cloth bound for Eyam brought with it the infectious fleas which spread the disease. Mompesson, in conjunction with another clergyman, the ejected Puritan, Thomas Stanley, took the courageous decision to isolate the village. In all, 260 of the village's inhabitants, including his wife Catherine, died before the plague claimed its last victim in December 1666. Mompesson filled the well with vinegar, and used it to sterilize…