The Autumn of the year 1665 in the Derbyshire village of Eyam. John and his best friend Lizzie are working in the fields when she tells him she has heard rumours of a disease killing many people in London.

Later John sees the local tailor, George Viccars, take possession of some cloth from London. His mother wants to know when her Christmas dress will be ready so she sends John to the tailor's house to enquire.

When John looks through the window he sees George Viccars prostrate on the floor and the vicar, Reverend Mompesson, praying over him. The plague has come to Eyam.