Year of Wonders Setting & Symbolism

Year of Wonders Objects/Places

Plague Village

The novel is based on actual events that happened in Eyam, England in 1665-66, though the village name is never mentioned. A map at the front of the book indicates the village is in central England. Most of the villagers are shepherds, lead miners and cobblers.

Rectory

Anna works as a maid at the rectory and especially likes Elinor's splendid garden.

Anna's Cottage

Anna's cottage is humble like most in the village. She has a pallet of straw for a bed, a kitchen and a fireplace. She also has sheep and a cow on her land.

Gowdies' Cottage

Mem and Anys Gowdie are the village midwives and health care specialists. They study and grow herbs and understand all their medicinal uses. After the Gowdies are murdered, Anna and Elinor spend much time in their home and garden looking for ways to stop the plague.

Bradford Hall

The only estate in the village, Bradford Hall is the...
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