GREAY FIRE [1666] Flashcards
(24 cards)
Who was the king during the Great Fire of London?
Charles II
What significant event occurred in London in 1665?
The Great Plague
On what date did the Great Fire of London start?
2nd September 1666
Where did the Great Fire of London begin?
Pudding Lane
Who was Thomas Fanyor?
The King’s Baker
What caused the Great Fire of London?
A fire left on the oven
How many people died as a consequence of the Great Fire of London?
6 people died
What percentage of the city was destroyed in the Great Fire of London?
¾ of the city was destroyed
How many homes were destroyed in the Great Fire of London?
13,000 homes
How many churches were destroyed in the Great Fire of London?
90 churches
How many Guildhalls were destroyed in the Great Fire of London?
52 Guildhalls
What regulations were implemented during the rebuilding after the Great Fire?
Wider streets and the use of bricks and stone instead of wood
How many new churches were created after the Great Fire?
50 new churches were created
Who was responsible for rebuilding St Paul’s Cathedral?
Sir Christopher Wren
What was the weather like in the summer of 1666?
Unusually hot
What type of homes were prevalent in London before the Great Fire?
Closely packed wooden homes
How did the fire spread quickly through the city?
Through the tinder dry streets to the wharves filled with timber, oil, and coal
What was the initial response to the fire?
There was no fire brigade; citizens used hooks and buckets on long poles.
What was the solution proposed to stop the fire from spreading?
Fire breaks by pulling down homes to create a gap
What was the problem with creating fire breaks?
Citizens refused to let their house be the one pulled down
What action did the Lord Mayor take regarding fire breaks?
Granted fire breaks, but it was too late
What did Charles and James II use to create a fire break?
Gunpowder to blow up citizens’ homes
How long did the Great Fire of London last?
5 days before eastern winds put it out
