A broadside (printed sheet) based on several letters written to ‘Citizens of York, dated the 3,4, & 6 of this instant September 1666’, Catalogue ref: SP 29/170 f.121
- What does this document reveal about how people outside London found out about the fire?
- What causes are suggested for the outbreak of the fire?
- Comment on the language used in the document to describe the fire and its impact. Can you find similar language used in other documents here?
Transcript
LONDON’S LAMENTATION,
Or its Destruction by a Consuming Fire.
Began September 1. 1666. Being a Relation of its Beginning, and unavoidable Continuance on that most famous and magnificent City, and on part of the Suburbs.
Being an Abstract several letters to Citizens of York, dated the 3, 4, and 6 of this instant September, 1666.
London, September the 6, 1666.
SIR, this will inform you of the saddest destruction that ever did befall to England. The largest part of the city of London, is burnt down to the ground. It first began in Pudding Lane near Thames Street, in a French-bakers-house, the first of September: From Sunday to this moment, the fire destroyed all from London Bridge to Temple Bar, all Cheapside, the old Exchange, Post House, Cornwell, and all Thread Needle Street, and as far as Holborn Bridge, and all other alleys and places within that area, very few escaping.
There has been a great many Frenchmen taken with Fire-balls about them the last night: And the French, Dutch and Walloons are the Actors of the ruine of this famous City. There was a sad cry in the Fields of Arms, the report was, that the French was landed, to that end to help their brethren in this wicked design, but thanks be to God it is not so. We thought Furnivalls Inne had been burned before now, but the fire is stopped at Holborn Bridge, and at the Temple. Men are labouring hard to quench the fire in Fetter Lane: there are five French men taken just now going to set fire on Southampton Buildings with Fire-Balls: I saw one of them, they are made long, bound hard with paper on the outside. I hear, we have outed the Dutch. Vale
Dukes-Place, London, September 4, 1666
On Sunday morning last there happened a violent fire in Pudding Lane in a French Baker’s House, which hath burnt ever since, and already 7 or 8 thousand houses are consumed, the wind conspiring with the French men’s fireballs, which is confidently believed, are the Plotters of the ruin of this famous city. It hath burnt from the Bridge all along the Waterside, all Cornwell, and the Exchange, Wood Street, Milk Street, St. Pauls, Ludgate, Billingsgate, Mincing Lane, Mark Lane and Lyme Street, four pounds a load to a carter, and ten shillings a day to a porter is small wage.
Dukes-Place, London, September the 6, 1666
Sir, My last acquainted you with the sad accident of the fire, which now hath burned seven parts of the City, there is only left Tower Hill, Crotchet-fryers, part of Seeling-Lane, part of Mark Lane, part of Fanchurch Street, Leaden -Hall Street, Dukes-Place, St. Mary Axe, Bishops-gate, Broad Street, and some little pieces more. It hath consumed most part of Fleet Street, some little of the Temple and all the other side of the way, almost to St. Dunstan’s Church, & Holborn Bridge, but praised be God, is at present quenched.
I came directly from Aldgate to Holborn over the places burnt, by direction of the Steeples remaining this day.
Southwark, London, September 6, 1666
SIR, I cannot omit but give an Account of the most sad and deplorable condition of the famous City of London, though my brain is crackt, and my sense and mind overcome in beholding the sad unquenchable flames. Various reports you may hear, but believe for certain, the Dutch, French and Jesuit(?) are the fomenters [troublemakers] in this treacherous design. But to be brief, the fire began September the first at night in a French Bakers own house in Pudding Lane, near Thames Street, and on Sunday burned all Thames Street, on Monday the Bridge was set on fire, and but for great care and prevention, it would have break into Southwark, but by providence, escaped. On Tuesday, Lumbert-Street, Cannon Street, Cratia Street, and all those parts were in flames. On Wednesday, the Post House, Corn Hill Exchange, and all those parts were burning. On Thursday, Cheapside, Doctor’s Commons, Ludgate, Newgate, and all thereabouts were burning. On Thursday night, The Battlements of Paul’s were burning, Fleet-Street, Sue Lane, Hatten’s Gardens and part of Chancery Lane are burning: There is Leadenhall Street, Aldgate and Bishop’s Gate that hath escaped it. Ten baskets of fireballs and granadoes are taken in the French men’s Custody. No more, save to serve you. T.N.
Imprim. Anno Dom.1666
Simplified transcript
LONDON’S sorrow
Or its Destruction by a Consuming Fire.
Began September 1. 1666. Being an account of its beginning, and unavoidable spread in that most famous and magnificent City, and in the Suburbs.
Being an Abstract several letters to Citizens of York, dated the 3,4, and 6 of this instant September 1666.
London, September the 6, 1666.
SIR, this will inform you of the saddest destruction that ever happened to England. The largest part of the city of London, is burnt to the ground. It first began in Pudding Lane near Thames Street, in a French-bakers-house, September 1. From Sunday to this time, the fire destroyed all from London Bridge to Temple Bar, all Cheapside, the old Exchange, Post House, Cornwell, and all Thread Needle Street, and as far as Holborn Bridge, and all other alleys and places within that area, very few escaping the fire.
A great number of Frenchmen were found with fireballs last night. The French, Dutch and Walloons [people who live in southern and eastern Belgium and parts of France] are the cause of the ruin of this famous City. There was a sad cry in the Fields of Arms, the report was, that the French was landed to help their brothers in this wicked plan but thank God it was not the case. We thought Furnivalls Inne had been burnt earlier but the fire stopped at Holborn Bridge, and at the Temple. Men are labouring hard to put out the fire in Fetter Lane. There are five French men just now going to set fire on Southampton Buildings with fireballs. I saw one of the fireballs, they are made long, bound hard with paper on the outside. I hear we have defeated the Dutch.
Dukes-Place, London, September 4, 1666
On Sunday morning last a violent fire broke out in Pudding Lane in a French Baker’s House, which has burnt ever since, and already 7 or 8 thousand houses are ruined. The wind, together with the French men’s fireballs are widely believed to plot the ruin of this famous city. It has burnt from the Bridge all along the waterside, all Cornwell, and the Exchange, Wood Street, Milk Street, St. Pauls, Ludgate, Billingsgate, Mincing Lane, Mark Lane and Lyme Street.
Dukes-Place, London, September 6, 1666
Sir, my last [letter] described the sad incident of the fire, which now has burned seven parts of the city. The only parts left are Tower Hill, Crotchet-fryers, part of Seeling-Lane, part of Mark Lane, part of Fenchurch Street, Leaden -Hall Street, Dukes-Place, St. Mary Axe, Bishops-gate, Broad Street, and some little parts more. It has burnt most part of Fleet Street, some little of the Temple and all the other side of the way, almost to St. Dunstan’s Church, & Holborn Bridge, but praised be God, is at present put out.
I came directly from Aldgate to Holborn over the places burnt, by direction of the church steeples which remain unharmed.
Southwark, London, September 6, 1666
SIR, I need to give an account of the most sad and deplorable condition of the famous city of London, though my brain is cracked, and my senses and mind overcome in beholding the unstoppable flames. Various reports you may hear, but believe for certain, the Dutch and French are the troublemakers in this terrible event. But to be brief, the fire began September the first at night in a French Bakers own house in Pudding Lane, near Thames Street, and on Sunday burned all Thames Street. On Monday the bridge was set on fire, and due to great care was prevented from spreading into Southwark. On Tuesday, Lambert-Street, Cannon Street, Gratia Street, and all those parts were in flames. On Wednesday, the Post House, Corn Hill Exchange, and all those parts were burning. On Thursday, Cheapside, Doctor’s Commons, Ludgate, Newgate, and all nearby were burning. On Thursday night, the battlements of Paul’s were burning, Fleet-Street, Sue Lane, Hatten’s Gardens and part of Chancery Lane were burning. Leadenhall Street, Aldgate and Bishop’s Gate have escaped it. Ten baskets of fireballs and grenades were taken from French men who were arrested.