During the Great Plague of 1665 Derby fell victim, with many deaths. Some areas of Derby still carry names that record the 1665 visitation, Blagreaves Lane was Black Graves, Dead Man's Lane speaks for itself. It has been claimed by some historians, that bodies were buried standing upriight at St. Peter's Church, Derby, but this has been refuted by experts.

Trade almost ceased and the population faced possible starvation, as well as a cruel death by infection with the plague.

Trade was carried out at a Market Stone on Ashbourne Road which leads into the Town Centre.

The Headless Cross, also known as the "vinegar Stone" or "Plague Stone" at Friar Gate, Derby England.

Market stones took many forms, here we see the stone placed at Friar Gate (formerly Nuns Green) at the northern road into Derby (England). This was a medieval headless cross, and also called the "vinegar Stone" because money was deposited in a trough of vinegar in the top of the stone in the belief that the vinegar would disinfect the coins and prevent the spread of the plague.

Plaque commemorating the relocation of the plague stone from Derby Arboretum to Friargate, formerly Nuns Green