Good afternoon, young researchers! Today we will take a trip to London in 1666.
As you can see, the part of the city we are interested in is still perfect. But what will happen to it in a few minutes? Let's see.
The history of London is a history of wars and fires, victories and crimes, inventions and conquests, discoveries and delusions.
«It is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayed». «Не стены делают город, а люди, которые живут в них. Стены Лондона могут быть разбиты, но дух лондонца стоит решительно и непоколебимо».
The peaceful life of medieval London changed forever in the early morning of September 2, 1666. A fire that became a real disaster that will go down in history as the Great Fire of London.
02.09.1666, Sunday 0 3.09.1666, Monday 0 4.09.1666, Tuesday 0 5.09.1666, Wednesday The consequences
02.09.1666, Sunday
1 am The fire started in Thomas Faryner's bakery. A spark from the furnace got on a bundle of brushwood.
1 am The Faryners are calling for help but the fire is spreading too fast.
1 am The fire spreads from one building to another. The reason is that the houses are close to each other, the second floor rises above the first.
1 :30 am The bakery and neighboring houses are on fire. The reason for the rapid and strong spread of fire is that the walls of houses are smeared with clay, since clay protects wood and straw. BUT! All the houses are in poor condition (poor neighborhood).
2 am Smoke and heat are spreading through the streets of London; people are screaming from the horror of the fire gaining strength. Church bells begin to ring (alarm).
3 am Chaos begins in the city center: there are no firefighters; residents are trying to extinguish the fire with water and sand. The first victim appeared – the Faryners ' maid. A strong wind spreads fire quickly.
4 am The fire is approaching the Thames, where warehouses with combustible materials are located. An explosion that increases the number of victims.
5 am Goods (food) were destroyed. Residents of London are trying to save their property.
8 am The fire turns into a hurricane. About 300 buildings were destroyed.
9 am The wind is against the residents. Warehouses are ablaze.
03.09.1666, Monday
8 am Rich neighborhoods are on fire.
9 am The fire is gaining strength. The Royal Exchange burned down.
04.09.1666, Tuesday
6 am Terrible destruction. The central street with shops on fire.
6:30 am Charles II is trying to beat the fire. Medieval buildings have been destroyed. Madness begins in the city, people are hysterical.
1 p m The fire reached the prison. The prisoners escaped. Looting began. Residents are clearing the rubble with gunpowder.
2 p m The fire gained violent strength, destroying St. Paul's Cathedral. Residents blame foreigners and each other.
5 p m Attempts are being made to stop the fire, people are demolishing buildings. BUT! It's too late. The fire is moving towards the Tower, filled with gunpowder reserves. If the Tower lights up, the whole city will be destroyed.
05.09.1666,Wednesday
5 am - 8 p m It was decided to blow up the houses next to the Tower. The fire is stopped. The wind died down. Thanks to fire breaks, the fire was completely extinguished.
After the fire, only one fifth of the buildings in the city remained intact, and the number of victims cannot be determined until now. According to official data, only a few people suffered from the fire element, but the number of destroyed buildings and the level of general readiness of London firefighters at that time to resist the fire suggest that there were much more victims.
Many attribute mystical significance to the Great London Fire, which is not surprising – after all, in the XVII century, the devil was blamed for all natural disasters. Moreover, a year before, the bubonic plague epidemic raged, which mowed down a quarter of the country's population.
Whatever the reason, the result is frightening: 87 destroyed churches; 13,000 buildings affected by fire; damage of 37 billion pounds.
Could the fire have been avoided? Yes. Even at the very beginning, the mayor could have ordered the demolition of houses located next to the bakery. But he considered that the fire does not pose a threat. His words: "Is this a fire? Any woman, after urinating, will put it out."
This is where our tour came to an end. Thank you for taking this unusual walk through the streets of London in 1666 with us. See you soon !
