Plague stone receives a plaque

A plaque is to be erected to commemorate an ancient plague stone which saved families from the Black Death.

The listed stone at Birchall, on the outskirts of Leek, marks the spot where provisions were left for the residents of the town during the 14th-century plague, which killed more than 50 million people.

I'd never heard of plague stones before; the English Heritage site gives a slightly different definition, however: "A stone on which plague victims placed vinegar-disinfected money to pay for food left for them by the townspeople." A quick search found further references here, here, and here. Plague stones continued in use as long as there was epidemic disease, so many may be considerably post-medieval in origin. Quite a haunting landmark to have in one's town, regardless.

Posted by David on January 4, 2003 1:59 PM