Map entitled ‘London restored or Sir John Evelyn’s Plan for Rebuilding that Ancient Metropolis after the Fire in 1666, Wellcome Collection. MOOO3249. WT/D/1/20/1/26/59
- What does the diary entry and map about reveal about Sir John Evelyn’s relationship with King Charles II?
- What is the value of this map for understanding the Great Fire of London?
- Compare this map to the one drawn by Wenceslaus Hollar of the ‘ruined city’.
Look at this quotation from John Evelyn’s Diary entry for 11 September 1666.
‘I presented his Majestie with a Survey of the ruines, and a Plot for a new Citty, with a discourse on it, whereupon, after dinner, his Majestie sent for me into the Queene’s Bed-Chamber, her Majesty, the Duke onely present, where they examined each particular, & discoursed upon them for neere a full houre, seeming to be extremely pleasd with what I had so early thought on.’
Simplified transcript
I presented his Majesty with a survey of the damaged buildings and a plan to rebuild the city and discussed it. After dinner, his Majesty sent for me to come to the Queen’s private room where only her Majesty and the Duke [of York] were present and they examined the details and discussed them with me for nearly an hour. They seemed very pleased with what I had first thought of.
Transcript [for map]
Key: Left hand side
| 1 | Temple Barr |
| 2 | Fleet Conduit |
| 3 | St Dunstan’s in the West |
| 4 | Sergeant’s Inn |
| 5 | The New Channel |
| 6 | The College of Physicians |
| 7 | Doctors Commons |
| 8 | St. Paul’s |
| 9 | ) The two |
| 10 | ) Sheriffs of London Houses |
| 11 | Mercers’ Chapel |
| 12 | Bow Church and the Arches |
| 13 | The Fountain in Grace Church Street |
| 14 | St. Dunstan’s in the East |
| 15 | Guild Hall |
| 16
17 |
Christ’s Hospital and Church
My Lord Mayor’s House |
| 18 | The Royal Exchange |
| 19 | The Trinity House |
| 20 | The custom House & Admiralty Court |
| 21 | The Navy Office |
| 22 | Belings Gate [Billingsgate] |
Key: Right hand side
| 23 | The Fish Market |
| 24 | Queen Hythe |
| 25 | Paul’s Wharf |
| 26 | The Sluce |
| 27 | Sessions House, Newgate Prison, Public Work House & Bridewell |
| 28 | The Church Yards & Inns |
| 29 | The Key |
| 30 | Black Friars Church & Watling Street |
| 31 | The Tower |
| 32 | New Gate |
| 33 | Alders Gate |
| 34 | Cripple Gate |
| 35 | Moore Gate |
| 36 | Bishops Gate |
| 37 | Ald Gate |
| 38 | Charles Gate |
| + | The several Parish Churches 20 in number |
| · | The Public Fountains |
Fields shown outside the city of London: West Smith Field; Moore Fields; Spittle Fields and East Smith Field.
Note on map: The rest of the openings are for the Markets etc. And, in the intermedial Squares & Areas what narrower Streets shall be thought Fit.
Caption at bottom of map:
London restored or Sir John Evelyn’s Plan for Rebuilding that Ancient Metropolis after the Fire in 1666