Letter from Lord Arlington at Whitehall to the Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. 6 September 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 29/170 f.126
- How many soldiers has Charles II ordered to march from Herefordshire to London?
- How do you think the tools and other items asked for will be used to put out the fire?
- How does this source explain the cause of the fire?
- Why has the king asked for food to be sent with the equipment?
Transcript
After Our hearty commendations His Majesty having on the 4th of this instant warned you to draw the Militia Troops together to several Rendezvous in order to the greater service of these Citties now lying under the calamitous hand of God by a raging Fire which in his great mercy hee hath pleased much to abate and finding all hands wearied in working towards it. It is his Majesty’s Pleasure and command that immediately upon sight here of you order the marching hither of two hundred Foot soldiers with victuals for twice 24 hours & carts attending them laden with pick axes, axes, hammers [crossed-out], crowes of iron [crowbar], hooks, ropes, buckets, or Pales with what other tools and instruments you shall judge fit for the extinguishing the further spreading of the Fire, the same to rendezvous at Kingsland near Bishopsgate there to receive further order. And it is His Majesty’s further Pleasure that without delay you cause to assemble the Justices of the Peace with you the Deputy Lieutenants quickening them in the execution of these orders & also of those formerly gathered for bringing in all provisions possible especially Bread and Cheese lest the want of this produce a calamity equal to that Wee labour under already. From Whitehall this 6th September 1666
Simplified Transcript
After advice, His Majesty asked you earlier, on 4th September, to call the troops to gather at 80 meeting points to serve their city now facing the disastrous hand of God by a raging fire. In his great mercy, he has pleased us by stopping the fire as many are exhausted in trying to put it out. It is his Majesty’s wish and command that you immediately order two hundred soldiers to march here bringing food for two days & carts full of pickaxes, axes, crowbars, hooks, ropes, and buckets with other tools and instruments useful for putting out the fire. The same orders to be given to meet at Kingsland near Bishopsgate for further instructions. And it is also His Majesty’ wish, that without delay, the Justices of the Peace are gathered with and the Deputy Lieutenants to speed up the carrying out of these orders and encourage the bringing in of provisions, especially bread and cheese in case of hunger, so to avoid another equal disaster to the one we face already.
From Whitehall this 6th September 1666