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Many years ago, when the plague ravaged the land, one particularly virulent outbreak started to spread south through the countryside from Braintree. In those days the village of Notley was spread along the river brain and the northern half was devastated but the southern half stayed free of the disease. Ever after, the area that was afflicted by the black death became known as 'black' Notley, and the area that stayed free became 'white' Notley. True? Almost certainly not. There were outbreaks of the plague in this area. When Braintree George Yard was being developed, workers came across human remains in what looked like hastily dug pits. Some research indicated that they were plague pits, which were refilled and the occupants left in peace. Next time you walk under the bandstand in the middle of the yard, pause a moment and think. You are walking right over them. Incidentally, the belief that disturbing a plague pit can cause a fresh outbreak of the plague is wrong. The micro organism that causes the plague, Yersina Pestis does not survive for long without a host. Mind you, if the bodies died of anthrax or smallpox, that is another matter. |
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