Latest news with #BlackPlague
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Incredible sacrifice of tiny English village that's become a haven for dark tourism 359 years later
A LOT of historic sites are shrouded in suffering and death, but one UK town is known entirely for its tragic past. Eyam in 4 Eyam in Derbyshire has become a popular tourist destination due to its tragic past Credit: Alamy 4 The small village lost 75% of its residents to the Black Plague in the 1660s, with 'plague cottages' still standing today Credit: Alamy The Given the town at the time only housed 350 residents, this loss was felt all the more by those in the area. After the spread of the The bubonic plague first wreaked havoc worldwide in the 1300s before another outbreak in England during the 1660s. Read More On Dark Tourism It claimed over 68,000 lives in London alone during this period. The deadly disease eventually made its way north, reaching Eyam in the summer of 1665. In a bid to shield neighbouring villages, Eyam's inhabitants bravely chose to isolate themselves after symptoms of the plague were reported within its borders. A boundary stone, which remains to this day, was erected between plague-ridden Eyam and the nearby unaffected town of Stoney Middleton. Most read in The Sun Eyam's residents would make their way to this stone to deposit vinegar-soaked money in exchange for food and medical supplies, left by Stoney Middleton's inhabitants. Today, visitors to Eyam can witness the lasting impact of the plague outbreak on the village. English seaside town to transform abandoned beach shelters into new attraction There are numerous graves scattered throughout the village and surrounding fields as families were urged to bury their deceased near their homes instead of in the church graveyard. These stringent rules were established by Reverend William Mompesson and Puritan minister Thomas Stanley. They also opted to move all church services outdoors and ensured no one could enter or leave the village. A recent visitor to Eyam shared a heartbreaking love story that has become part of the folklore surrounding the plague-stricken village. "In 1665, the plague hit Eyam and they locked down the village, separating Emmott Sydall from her fiancé Rowland Torre," the tourist said in an Instagram post. Eyam during the plague The Black Death is thought to have first arrived to the village in September 1665. Historians have hypothesised the disease was brought to Eyam via a parcel of cloth delivered from London to a local tailor. The cloth is believed to have been infested with plague-carrying fleas. During the 14-month voluntary quarantine, 75% of the town's residents passed away. One resident, Elizabeth Hancock, buried her husband and six children with her own hands within eight days. Plague cottages, where victims lived and died, still stand in the town today. "Emmott and Rowland would meet at the village boundary once a week, keeping their distance so he wouldn't contract the disease. "One day, Emmott didn't show up, when the lockdown was lifted, Rowland was among the first to enter the village in search of Emmott." A plaque indicates that Emmott was one of the village's many victims of the black death. The romantic rendezvous of the two at the village boundary has been immortalised in a stained glass image visible in Eyam's St Lawrence's Church. More on dark tourism Plus, the And the Dark tourism has reached all corners of the globe, with many visiting Some thrillseekers even risk death in the 4 Residents were encouraged to bury their loved ones away from the church grounds Credit: Getty 4 The Riley Graves contain the resting place of a man and his six children, all buried by hand by the only surviving member of the family Credit: Alamy
The Sun
16-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Tower of London mystery as archaeologists unearth 50 human bodies from ‘rushed' burials in ‘biggest dig' in 4 decades
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the remains of up to 50 people in the Tower of London. Historians believe that many of bodies were likely to be those of victims of the Black Death. Built in the 11th century, the Tower of London is widely regarded as one of Britain's most iconic landmarks. Originally the formidable fortress of William the Conqueror, the location has a nearly thousand-year history. Over the centuries, it has served as a royal palace, a prison, an armoury, a treasury, and even a zoo. A major excavation project is currently underway near the Chapel Royal of St. Peter and Vincula, a corner of the grounds near the White Tower. The dig is part of preparatory works to install a lift to improve accessibility to the chapel. However, during the dig on the oldest part of the complex, a major discovery was made behind an unsuspecting plywood door. The project, which is the biggest excavation done at the castle in 40 years, uncovered dozens of bodies within the foundations laid down over many centuries. Up to 50 bodies uncovered Historians believe the bones belong to ordinary people who lived and worked at the Tower, rather than the Lords and Ladies who once inhabited it. Alfred Hawkins, curator of historic buildings at Historic Royal Palaces, described the project as "hugely important". 'At the palace we have evidence for what Henry VIII did and what Edward I did — but what we don't know about is people who were living, working, worshipping, and dying at the Tower," he told The Times. 'Once in a century' Pompeii discovery as ancient luxury SPA is saved from ashes with thermal baths & stunning mosaic The site is also the final resting place of famous figures throughout British history, including Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, and Catherine Howard, all of whom were executed on Henry VIII's orders. Recent excavation works have explored some three and a half metres underground, revealing parts of the castle that date to the 12th century and the Tower's beginnings. 'It is literally a generational opportunity. Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) have never done an excavation like this and we won't do it again,' Hawkins added. He clarified that the HRP was running the dig with Pre-Construct Archaeology, an independent firm, with advice from Historic England. A test dig was carried out six years ago, uncovering two bodies but now there are said to be at least 25 burials in the area running the width of the chapel. Now, the remains of as many as 50 people are believed to have been uncovered. Despite the Tower's infamous history with brutal deaths, including the beheadings of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey, it appears these bodies did not have a violent end. 3 Victims of the Black Plague Historians believe that some of the bodies may have been early victims of the plague. They cited how the burials appear to have been 'rushed' and estimate they date from the 14th century. This would mean the burials occurred before Edward III implemented strict rules regarding the handling of the plague dead. DNA testing will show if they died from the Black Death, which reached London in 1348. Caused by the bubonic plague, the was spread by fleas carried by rats and had a devastating impact on the city. Within months, the Black Death killed up to half of London's population. Graveyards were overwhelmed and basic city services collapsed as a result. 3 Other bodies unearthed in the dig appear to have been treated more carefully, with one of the discoveries including grave goods in the form of jars akin to incense burners. These were filled with charcoal, which was a custom derived from Norman Europe. According to experts, this may indicate a member of the ruling class or a foreign traveller. Two Tudor bodies were uncovered in the vicinity in 2019, including a woman, aged between 35 and 50, whose burial in a coffin suggested high status. This theory has been backed by isotopic analysis that suggests she had a good diet. Her remains were found alongside those of a boy of about 13, who appears to have been born outside London and was unwell. Archaeologists have also discovered stained and painted glass, sewing needles, a pendant, a ring, and four cannon balls at the site. More on archaeology The remains of a lost Roman city have been uncovered on a popular holiday island. And the lost tomb of a 1,700-year-old king was uncovered in Mayan temple. Plus, the eerie "hybrid" skull that belonged to a "half human, half neanderthal girl". An ancient lost city from 3,500-years-ago that played home to the oldest civilization in the Americas' was uncovered in Peru. And AI has deciphered a hymn on a 4,000-year-old clay tablet, which is said unlock the mystery of the ancient city of Babylon.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
St. Ann's Italian Festa in Raritan returns for 116th running with pizza fritte and more
Volunteer Joe Cirillo spent years shepherding the efforts to revive the beloved St. Ann's Italian Festa in Raritan Borough − before he even had the opportunity to attend one. Due to COVID-19 and financial difficulties, the principal fundraiser for St. Ann Church and accompanying St. Ann Classical Academy was in purgatory for five years. But thanks to Cirillo and his fellow 100 volunteers' efforts, the festival in the primarily Italian borough returned last year − and it was worth every bite. 'On the first night of last year's Festa I said to Pastor Tom Odorizzi, 'Did you ever think we would make it to this point?' ' Cirillo recalled. 'We had so many obstacles we had to overcome. But it was everything that I thought it would be and more. That meatball sandwich never tasted so good.' Cirillo and the 2,000 people who attend the Festa each day are in for plenty more meatball sandwiches, pizza fritte, breaded eggplant, and sausage and peppers when the free-admission event returns for the 116th time. It runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 19, to Saturday, June 21, at 40 2nd Ave. This time, it isn't going anywhere. 'As far as I'm concerned, we are taking this as long as we can go,' Cirillo said. 'The goal was never to bring it back for just one year. This is the 116th and we want to get to 1,016th.' That's possible now that the Festa has new fridges, a new sauce vat and new grills, and machinery maintenance has been completed. An additional pizza fritte fryer was also recently purchased, which will speed up long lines for the fried, doughy delight. This year Festa attendees will also enjoy an additional 150 seats where they can chow down on the volunteer-made Italian fare that the Festa is known for. The Festa will also return to its roots this running for the first time in years when the procession of Saint Rocco, a statue inside the church and the patron saint of the Festa, takes place on opening night. Following a 3 p.m. mass at St. Ann Church on Thursday, June 19, the procession of the statue will begin at 4 p.m. and parade through the school and convent before its placed in a shrine around 5 p.m. Prayer cards will be set up so people can make donations. Almost all towns in Italy have a patron saint, and celebrations including food and entertainment are held on a patron saint's feast day. Saint Rocco is a common patron saint for various Italian towns since, as the patron saint of contagious diseases, he healed countless people from the Black Plague when he visited Italy during that era. Raritan news: The first cat cafe is opening in Somerset County. Here are the details So, when Raritan became a popular settlement for Italian immigrants, it was only natural that the patron saint became the one many borough residents shared no matter where in Italy they were from – Saint Rocco. However, one more piece of the pie is still needed. Since the Festa is labor-intensive, volunteers are needed for tasks such as setting up equipment, breaking down equipment, and stretching pizza fritte dough. Those interested can contact Cirillo at 201-724-7997 or sign up at People can also purchase $1,000 tent sponsorships by contacting Cirillo. Each sponsor is represented by a sign on one of the food tents, which can display business names, memorial messages and more. More: Dave Portnoy reviewed a Somerset County landmark pizzeria. Here's what he said Last year, the Festa raised $50,000 for the school and church, which was 'desperately needed,' Cirillo said. 'As long as people support the Festa, it's going to continue, so we're looking for new people to step up and volunteer, especially for leadership roles,' Cirillo continued. 'At some point our committee members are going to retire, so when that happens we need people willing to continue the tradition into the future.' Go: 5 to 10 June 19, through Saturday, June 21; 40 2nd Ave., Raritan; Contact 201-724-7997 to vounteer or donate, or sign up at Contact: JIntersimone@ Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, although she's a lifetime Jersey girl who considers herself an expert in everything from the Jersey Shore to the Garden State's buzzing downtowns. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone. This article originally appeared on St. Ann's Italian Festa in Raritan NJ returns in June
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
5 diseases caused by rats
In addition to being an annoyance for your home during the rainy season, rats and rodents can cause a number of health problems, the majority of which are fatal. The recent deaths in the US from hantavirus, which affects your organs, have sparked a conversation about a number of diseases that rats can cause. In addition, a variety of bacterial and viral illnesses are spread by house rats and other rodents. Among them are: Bubonic plague The bubonic plague, also known as the "Black Plague," and its variations are among the most historically devastating rat-borne illnesses. When human beings are bitten by rat fleas, transfer takes place. Millions of people died from this plague in the Middle Ages, which is thought to have been caused by fleas carried on rats. Rat infestations can be dangerous to human health because they can spread diseases including typhus, hantavirus, and bubonic plague. Hantavirus Humans are infected by a type of virus called hantavirus, which is spread by rodents. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, or HFRS, is a form of kidney disease brought on by hantaviruses that are prevalent in Europe and Asia. Other hantaviruses attack the lungs and fill them with fluid, causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS. Death results from around 38% of hantavirus infections. Early signs of this rat-borne illness include fatigue, fever, muscle soreness, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Salmonella Bacteria Another illness that rats can carry is salmonellosis. It is an intestinal bacterial infection brought on by a species of bacteria known as Salmonella. This bacteria is present in the digestive tracts of certain rodents. Thus, there is a chance of contracting salmonella from any contact with rat excrement, particularly from eating tainted food. Numerous flu-like symptoms, including chills, fever, cramping in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can be brought on by the illness. Hemorrhagic fever Medical professionals describe viral hemorrhagic fever, or VHF, as a collection of viral infections that impact several organ systems, result in significant internal bleeding, and have the potential to be lethal. It is mostly transmitted by rats and rodents and is caused by five different families of viruses, including arenaviruses, filoviruses, bunyaviruses, flaviviruses, and paramyxoviruses. In addition to bloody diarrhea, it also causes severely low blood pressure, seizures, coma, chest and stomach discomfort, fever, body aches, dizziness, exhaustion, headache, and rashes. Rat-bite fever The bacteria Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus, which are present in rats' urine, saliva, and feces, cause rat-bite fever, or RBF, a serious illness. In addition, other potential causes include scrapes and rat bites. The type of bacterial infection determines the signs and symptoms of RBF. The following are signs of streptobacillary RBF: rash close to the rat bite, lower abdominal joint and muscle pain, nausea, and sudden fever. Researchers find particle radioactivity associated with pollution-caused heart attack, stroke death One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Epoch Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 16–22
This week, we feature a riveting biography of a late 16th-century artist and an insightful account of one woman's unlikely challenge to forego screens. Biography ' By Andrew Graham-Dixon He is known as Caravaggio, though his name, which the artist adopted, stems from the city in which he was born. His childhood was inflicted by the horrors of the Black Plague, and his life and art often reflected the horrific and painful. Creating works of unmistakable originality, Caravaggio is one of the masters, known for his usage of light and shadow. Graham-Dixon has unearthed a volatile artist, presenting him in the same ferocity with which he lived his life. W.W. Norton, 2012, 544 pages Nonfiction ' Related Stories 5/1/2025 4/24/2025 By Hannah Brencher The heart of this book—which combines personal anecdotes and reflections on matters of spirit, religious faith, and culture—is the author's challenge: to endure 1,000 unplugged hours in one year. Feeling worn down and empty in 2021, Brencher got what she calls one of her nudges: to turn off her phone and keep turning it off. Here, she recreates that journey of reengaging with people and nature. It's an excellent reminder of the benefits and blessings received when we take some time away from our screens. Zondervan, 2024, 272 pages Energy ' By Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow Nuclear energy is regaining favor with some environmentalists. They see it as a green alternative to fossil fuel, but with greater reliability and smaller environmental impact than solar. It led to a 2024 decision to keep California's last nuclear plant open. This book explains how the reversal happened. It explores the emergence of a 21st-century nuclear power renaissance and shows how environmentalists joined forces with traditional nuclear advocates to create a reappraisal of nuclear energy. Algonquin Books, 2025, 288 pages Historical Fiction ' By L. Sprague De Camp Best known for his science fiction, De Camp also wrote five historical novels set in ancient times. Xerxes, King of Persia, desires immortality. His court magician claims Xerxes can get it with an elixir made from the blood of a dragon and the heart of a hero. He tells Xerxes that dragons live in the southern Nile River. Xerxes commutes the death sentence of Bessas of Zarispa, an officer, with promise of a pardon if Bessas returns with a dragon. This tale follows Bessas's adventures seeking a dragon. Phoenix Pick, 2013, 382 pages Classics ' By Boris Pasternak Set in Russia between the Revolution of 1905 and World War II, this 1957 novel roused enormous controversy, won the Nobel Prize for the author, and became a smash Hollywood hit in 1965. Physician and poet Yuri Zhivago, his family, and his love for Lara are at the story's heart, but the book is fascinating as well for its many discussions about Russia, history, art, faith, and more. Banned by the Soviets until 1988, Pasternak's romantic saga remains a warning against the dangers and cruelty of Marxism. Vintage, 2011, 704 pages For Kids ' By Alice and Martin Provensen French aviator Louis Blériot made the first powered airplane flight across the English Channel on July 25, 1909. This story begins with the Blériot family living in Cambrai, France in the year 1901 and depicts how Papa Blériot was inspired to fly and came to accomplish this monumental feat. It's a story of persistence, innovation, and family love. Puffin Books, 1987, 40 pages What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
