A proclamation for a ‘General Fast throughout England & Wales’, 10 October 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 45/12 f230
- Why did Charles II make this proclamation?
- What was the reason for the fire suggested in the proclamation?
- How did Charles II hope to support those who suffered because of the fire?
Transcript
A proclamation for a General Fast throughout England & Wales and any town of Barwick upon Tweed on Wednesday 10th October next.
Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God by a most Lamentable and Devouring Fire (which broke out upon Sunday 2nd September about two of the clock in the morning near Thames Street and continued raging till Thursday night or Friday morning following) to lay waste the Greatest part of the City of London within the walls & some parts of the Suburbs. Whereof more then four score Parishes and all the Houses, churches, chapels, hospitals & other the great and magnificent Buildings of pious or public use which were within that circuit are now brought into Ashes and become one Ruinous Heap. A visitation so dreadful that scarce any Age or Nation hath ever seen or felt the Like, wherein although the afflicting hand of God fell more immediately upon the inhabitants of this city and the parts adjacent. Yet, all men ought to Look upon as a Judgment upon the whole Nation to Humble themselves accordingly.
His Majesty therefore out of deep and pious sense of himself and all his people now suffer and with a Religious care to prevent what may yet be feared unless it shall please Almighty God to turn away his Anger from Us, doth hereby publish and Declare his Royall will and pleasure, That Wednesday being the tenth October next ensuing, shall be set apart and kept and observed by all his Majesty’s subjects of England and Wales and the town of Barwick [Berwick] upon Tweed as a Day of Solemn Fasting and humiliation to implore the mercies of God. That it would please him to pardon the crying sins of this Nation, those especially which have drawn down this last and heavy judgement upon us, and to remove from us all other his Judgements which our sins have deserved, and which we now either feel or fear. And to the end that his Majesties subjects may be afflicted in the performance of the duties of that Day, and that all his good people may be united in such common Devotions and supplications as may be fit and proper for the occasion, his majesty will take care, by and with the Advice of his reverend bishops, that a form of prayer fir for that purpose shall be timely and reasonably published: And his Majesty both strictly charge and command all his subjects of what estate or degree soever. That they duly observe this Day of Fasting and Humiliation in such decent and devout manner as becomes to sad and solemn an Occasion, as they will answer the neglect thereof unto Almighty God, and upon pain of incurring the utmost liberties which can be inflicted upon the wilful breakers and contemners [person disobeying an order] of this his Majesty’s Royal Command: And because many persons and families, who were formerly able to give great relief to others, are become great objects of Charity themselves, having not only left all they had by fire, but being destitute of all habitation; His Majesty doth therefore require all Ministers, parsons, vicars or curates who shall preach on that Day, that they earnestly recommend the distressed estate and condition of those who have been undone by this fire, unto the charity of all good and well disposed Christians. And that they cause collections for this purpose to be made in all Churches and chapels whatsoever, and the monies so collected to be faithfully and entirely returned up to London, and there paid in to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, or such as he shall appoint to the end the same may be duly and orderly distributed by the advice and directions of the Lord Mayor and the Lord Bishop of London, unto and amongst such poor sufferers by this fire, as shall be found to have most need thereof. And that all good people may be the better prepared for their Devotions and provided for their charitable benevolence that Day. It is his Majesty’s further pleasure, that his Royal Proclamation be read in all churches and Chapels on some Lords Day [Sunday] precedent to the said Day of Fasting and Humiliation.
Given at our Court at Whitehall the Thirteenth day of September in the Eighteenth year of our Reign.
God Save the King
Printed by John Bill and Christopher Barker, Printers to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, 1666.
Simplified transcript
It pleased God that a terrible Fire broke out in London, and destroyed much of the city in London, including many churches, chapels, hospitals, and other magnificent buildings in the city. It was a terrible punishment on the city by God, and we need to look upon this divine judgement and humble ourselves before god.
Therefore, the king asks that a solemn day of fasting to plead for God’s grace and mercy be held on Wednesday 10th October. He hopes his subjects will be united in their devotions, and he will ensure that the bishops and priests have a suitable prayer for this day. If people do not obey this command to observe this day of fasting and penitence, they will be punished. As many people who have been extremely charitable to those in need have now become in need of charity themselves, he also asks that on Wednesday 10th October priests ask people for charitable donations for those affected by the fire, and all those in need.