The Great Plague of London occurred from 1665-1666 and was caused by the bubonic plague spreading from infected fleas on rodents. It is believed to have arrived on ships from the Netherlands carrying cotton. Many people fled the city when the plague arrived, including the King, but it still led to approximately 15% of London's population perishing. Poor sanitation in London helped the plague spread rapidly.

1. Year of Wonders - English

2.  Infection of the Lymphatic system
 As a result of a flea bite that live on rodents
 Spread from the Netherlands to England by Dutch
trading ships carrying bales of cotton
 Suspicion of the cause to be cats and dogs
 Lasted from 1665-1666

3.  Many fled London when the plague arrived (including
the King) and very few remained
 Plague Doctors where used but were unqualified
physicians
 Attempts to organize the city failed
 Culling of cats allowed larger population of rodents
 Plague was believed to be transferred through air and
so strong incense was burned

4.  By September 1665 the death toll had grown to 7,000
per week
 London was deemed safe enough for the King to
return during February 1666
 The quarantined Village: Eyam had lost 75% of it’s
inhabitants
 Plague had died when the Great Fire of London had
occurred
 15% of the population had perished from London
alone

5.  The song: Ring-a-Ring of roses is based on the plague
as the first symptoms were a ring of red spots
 A box of laundry was brought to Eyam and was full of
fleas with the disease which started the Epidemic
 The colder weather in winter helped kill off fleas
 London’s poor sanitation was a large factor in the
spread of the plague
 The Great Fire of London destroyed the filthy city
areas where rats thrived

6.  Ring-a-ring of roses, a pocket full of posies, attischo,
attischo, we all fall down
 First symptoms include a ring of rose coloured spots
that soon grew into pus filled bumps that were very
painful
 The diseases was thought to have traveled through
miasma so it was believed that by carrying strong
smelling flowers you can overcome the germs
 The final symptom was a severe sneezing fit which
soon followed with death

7.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Plague_of_Londo
n
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubonic_plague
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyam
 http://www.historic-
uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/The-Great-
Plague/
 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/plague_of_1665.
htm