The Great Fire of 1666 and London’s Experience Flashcards

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When and where did the Great Fire of London start in 1666?

It started in the early hours of 2 September 1666 in Thomas Farriner's bakery on Pudding Lane, in the City of London.

Give two reasons why the Great Fire spread so quickly through London.

Most houses were made of dry wood and stood very close together, and a strong wind blew the flames from house to house.

For about how many days did the Great Fire burn, and by when was it mostly under control?

It burned for about four days. It started on 2 September and was mostly under control by 6 September 1666.

How did people in 1666 try to stop the Great Fire from spreading?

They used leather buckets of water, fire hooks to pull down burning houses, and later gunpowder to blow up buildings and create firebreaks.

What did King Charles II do to help during the Great Fire of London?

He took charge of the firefighting, ordered soldiers to pull down houses to make firebreaks, and helped arrange food and shelter for homeless people.

Name two people whose diaries give us detailed eye-witness accounts of the Great Fire of London.

Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn both wrote detailed diary entries about the Great Fire.

About how many houses were destroyed in the Great Fire, and what famous church burned down?

Around 13,000 houses were destroyed, and the old St Paul's Cathedral burned down.

What was the effect of the Great Fire on where people in London lived?

Tens of thousands of people lost their homes and had to live in tents and camps outside the city, such as in fields like Moorfields.

How did the number of recorded deaths in the Great Fire compare with the number of people made homeless?

Only a few deaths were officially recorded, fewer than 10, but around 70,000 people were left homeless.

Who did many Londoners wrongly blame for starting the Great Fire, and what did this lead to?

Many Londoners blamed foreigners and Catholics, which led to rumours, fear and some violent attacks in the streets.

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