With his prominent position in the Navy his role in the war was pivotal as he found himself at the forefront of decision-making. The humiliating defeat was felt keenly by Pepys who would later face a commission which sought to investigate the responsibility of losing the war. Fortunately, due to his personal connections with King Charles II he was exonerated. The war with the Dutch was a personal failure for Pepys in his work for the Navy, but it was also another important historical event recorded through his daily diary entries.
His diary continues to be used as a great source of historical knowledge and ultimately as a reflection of one man who lived his life in a turbulent time in history. Jessica Brain is a freelance writer specialising in history. Based in Kent and a lover of all things historical. The various churches, houses and buildings that escaped the Great Fire of London and can still be seen to this….
In successive years of the 17th century, London suffered two terrible disasters. In the spring and summer of an outbreak of Bubonic Plague spread from parish to parish until thousands had died…. The people of London who had managed to survive the Great Plague in must have thought that the year could only be better, and couldn't possibly be worse! Poor souls Related articles. Survivors the Great Fire of London. Secret London. These pages are dedicated to all of the unusual, secret, little-known wonders of the metropolis.
The Navy — which had been using gunpowder at the time — carried out the request and the fire was mostly under control by Wednesday, 5 September However small fires continued to break out and the ground remained too hot to walk on for several days afterwards. Pepys recorded in his diary that even the King, Charles II, was seen helping to put out the fire. London had to be almost totally reconstructed. Temporary buildings were erected that were ill-equipped, disease spread easily, and many people died from this and the harsh winter that followed the fire.
As well as loss of life, the financial costs were staggering. Shortly after, clever businessmen spotted an opportunity to provide the surety of insurance, though reduced their risk of financial losses by employing men to extinguish fires: the first fire brigades were formed.
The story continues on the early fire brigades page — find out about these brigades, how they worked, and where beer tokens came from. Sir Christopher Wren planned the new city and the rebuilding of London took over 30 years. The site where the fire first started is now marked by a foot monument built between and We'll keep you up to date with events, news about our new museum and some interesting nuggets from our history. Never miss an exhibition or event with the London Fire Brigade Museum updates newsletter.
Sign up here The Moorgate tube crash in tragically resulted in 43 people being killed and 74 being injured. The Great Fire of London. In , a devastating fire swept through London, destroying 13, houses, 87 parish churches, The Royal Exchange, Guildhall and St. So how did it happen? London in Back in the s, people were not as aware of the dangers of fire as they are today.
Did you know? He hopes we shall have no publique distractions upon this fire, which is what every body fears, because of the talke of the French having a hand in it. Our fleetes, he tells me, have been in sight one of another, and most unhappily by fowle weather were parted, to our great losse, as in reason they do conclude; the Dutch being come out only to make a shew, and please their people; but in very bad condition as to stores; victuals, and men. They are at Bullen ; and our fleete come to St.
We have got nothing, but have lost one ship, but he knows not what. Thence to the Swan , and there drank: and so home , and find all well. My Lord Bruncker , at Sir W.
So home, and did give orders for my house to be made clean; and then down to Woolwich , and there find all well.
Dined, and Mrs. Markham come to see my wife. So I up again, and calling at Deptford for some things of W. Ford , Mr. Knightly , and Sir W. Pen at Sir W. This day our Merchants first met at Gresham College , which, by proclamation, is to be their Exchange. Strange to hear what is bid for houses all up and down here; a friend of Sir W.
Much dispute where the Custome-house shall be thereby the growth of the City again to be foreseen. My Lord Treasurer , they say, and others; would have it at the other end of the towne. I home late to Sir W. So here I went the first time into a naked bed, only my drawers on; and did sleep pretty well: but still hath sleeping and waking had a fear of fire in my heart, that I took little rest.
People do all the world over cry out of the simplicity of my Lord Mayor in generall; and more particularly in this business of the fire, laying it all upon him. A proclamation 1 is come out for markets to be kept at Leadenhall and Mileendgreene , and several other places about the towne; and Tower-hill , and all churches to be set open to receive poor people.
Up and with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen by water to White Hall and they to St. I stopped with Sir G. Carteret to desire him to go with us, and to enquire after money. I find him full of trouble, to think how things will go. I left him, and to St. Our discourse, as every thing else, was confused. The fleete is at Portsmouth , there staying a wind to carry them to the Downes , or towards Bullen , where they say the Dutch fleete is gone, and stays.
We concluded upon private meetings for a while, not having any money to satisfy any people that may come to us. I bought two eeles upon the Thames , cost me six shillings.
Thence with Sir W. Batten to the Cock-pit , whither the Duke of Albemarle is come. It seems the King holds him so necessary at this time, that he hath sent for him, and will keep him here. Indeed, his interest in the City, being acquainted, and his care in keeping things quiet, is reckoned that wherein he will be very serviceable.
We to him; he is courted in appearance by every body. He very kind to us; I perceive he lays by all business of the fleete at present, and minds the City, and is now hastening to Gresham College , to discourse with the Aldermen. Batten and I home where met by my brother John , come to town to see how things are with us , and then presently he with me to Gresham College; where infinity of people, partly through novelty to see the new place, and partly to find out and hear what is become one man of another.
I met with many people undone, and more that have extraordinary great losses. People speaking their thoughts variously about the beginning of the fire, and the rebuilding of the City. Then to Sir W. Among others, Alderman Starling , a very rich man, without children, the fire at next door to him in our lane, after our men had saved his house, did give 2 s.
Coventry told me of another this morning, in Holborne , which he shewed the King that when it was offered to stop the fire near his house for such a reward that came but to 2 s. Agreed to come to their house to-morrow, I sending him away to his ship to-day. To the office and late writing letters, and then to Sir W. Pen gone down to rest himself at Woolwich. But I was much frighted and kept awake in my bed, by some noise I heard a great while below stairs; and the boys not coming up to me when I knocked.
So to sleep; and all well all night. Up and was trimmed, and sent my brother to Woolwich to my wife , to dine with her. I to church , where our parson made a melancholy but good sermon; and many and most in the church cried, specially the women. The church mighty full; but few of fashion, and most strangers.
I walked to Bednall Green , and there dined well, but a bad venison pasty at Sir W. Good people they are, and good discourse; and his daughter, Middleton , a fine woman, discreet. Thence home, and to church again, and there preached Dean Harding ; but, methinks, a bad, poor sermon, though proper for the time; nor eloquent, in saying at this time that the City is reduced from a large folio to a decimotertio.
So to my office , there to write down my journall, and take leave of my brother, whom I sent back this afternoon, though rainy; which it hath not done a good while before. But I had no room or convenience for him here till my house is fitted; but I was very kind to him, and do take very well of him his journey. I did give him 40 s. Anon to Sir W. All the morning clearing our cellars, and breaking in pieces all my old lumber, to make room, and to prevent fire. And then to Sir W.
Rider says that the towne is full of the report of the wealth that is in his house, and would be glad that his friends would provide for the safety of their goods there.
This made me get a cart; and thither, and there brought my money all away. Took a hackney-coach myself the hackney-coaches now standing at Allgate. Much wealth indeed there is at his house. Blessed be God, I got all mine well thence, and lodged it in my office ; but vexed to have all the world see it. And with Sir W. Batten, who would have taken away my hands before they were stowed. But by and by comes brother Balty from sea, which I was glad of; and so got him, and Mr.
So down late to Woolwich , and there find my wife out of humour and indifferent, as she uses upon her having much liberty abroad. Lay there, and up betimes, and by water with my gold, and laid it with the rest in my office , where I find all well and safe. So with Sir W. Coventry and Sir G. Carteret met. Little business before us but want of money. Broke up, and I home by coach round the town. Dined at home, Balty and myself putting up my papers in my closet in the office.
He away, I down to Deptford and there spoke with Bagwell and agreed upon to-morrow, and come home in the rain by water. In the evening at Sir W. After supper, I home, and with Mr. Hater , Gibson , and Tom alone, got all my chests and money into the further cellar with much pains, but great content to me when done. So very late and weary, to bed. Up, and with Sir W.
Pen to St. The latter told me of the unkindness of the young man to his wife , which is now over, and I have promised to appear a counsellor to him. I am glad she is like to be so near us again. After dinner I took him down with me to Deptford , and there by the Bezan loaded above half my goods and sent them away.
Pen, and so late to bed. Up, and down to Tower Wharfe ; and there, with Balty and labourers from Deptford , did get my goods housed well at home. So down to Deptford again to fetch the rest, and there eat a bit of dinner at the Globe , with the master of the Bezan with me, while the labourers went to dinner. Here I hear that this poor towne do bury still of the plague seven or eight in a day.
So to Sir G. Up, and to work, having carpenters come to helpe in setting up bedsteads and hangings; and at that trade my people and I all the morning, till pressed by publique business to leave them against my will in the afternoon: and yet I was troubled in being at home , to see all my goods lie up and down the house in a bad condition, and strange workmen going to and fro might take what they would almost.
All the afternoon busy; and Sir W. Coventry come to me, and found me, as God would have it, in my office , and people about me setting my papers to rights; and there discoursed about getting an account ready against the Parliament , and thereby did create me infinite of business, and to be done on a sudden; which troubled me: but, however, he being gone, I about it late, and to good purpose.
And so home, having this day also got my wine out of the ground again, and set in my cellar; but with great pain to keep the porters that carried it in from observing the money-chests there. This day, poor Tom Pepys , the turner, was with me, and Kate Joyce , to bespeake places; one for himself, the other for her husband. She tells me he hath lost l. All the morning at the office , Harman being come to my great satisfaction to put up my beds and hangings, so I am at rest, and followed my business all day.
Dined with Sir W. Batten , mighty busy about this account, and while my people were busy, wrote near thirty letters and orders with my owne hand. At it till eleven at night; and it is strange to see how clear my head was, being eased of all the matter of all these letters; whereas one would think that I should have been dazed.
I never did observe so much of myself in my life. In the evening there comes to me Captain Cocke , and walked a good while in the garden.
He says he hath computed that the rents of houses lost by this fire in the City comes to , l. The Dutch fleete is not gone home, but rather to the North, and so dangerous to our Gottenburgh fleete. That the Parliament is likely to fall foul upon some persons; and, among others, on the Vice-chamberlaine, though we both believe with little ground.
That he do not apprehend there will be any disturbances in State upon it; for that all men are busy in looking after their owne business to save themselves. He gone, I to finish my letters, and home to bed; and find to my infinite joy many rooms clean; and myself and wife lie in our own chamber again.
But much terrified in the nights now-a-days with dreams of fire, and falling down of houses. Lay with much pleasure in bed talking with my wife about Mr. Hewer also, if Mrs. Mercer leaves her house. To the office , whither also all my people about this account, and there busy all the morning. At noon, with my wife, against her will, all undressed and dirty, dined at Sir W. Thence, after dinner, displeased with our entertainment, to my office again, and there till almost midnight and my people with me, and then home , my head mightily akeing about our accounts.
By water, seeing the City all the way, a sad sight indeed, much fire being still in. Coventry newes thereof; so that we do much fear our missing them. Here come in and talked with him Sir Thomas Clifford , who appears a very fine gentleman, and much set by at Court for his activity in going to sea, and stoutness everywhere, and stirring up and down. Carteret , where Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes , whom I had not seen a long time before, being his first coming abroad and Lord Bruncker passing his accounts.
Thence home a little to look after my people at work and back to Sir G. They gone and I weary, my wife and I, and Balty and his wife , who come hither to-day to helpe us, to a barrel of oysters I sent from the river today, and so to bed.
Strange with what freedom and quantity I pissed this night, which I know not what to impute to but my oysters , unless the coldness of the night should cause it, for it was a sad rainy and tempestuous night. Soon as up I begun to have some pain in my bladder and belly, as usual, which made me go to dinner betimes, to fill my belly, and that did ease me, so as I did my business in the afternoon, in forwarding the settling of my house, very well. Betimes to bed, my wife also being all this day ill in the same manner.
This day the Parliament met, and adjourned till Friday, when the King will be with them. Pen by coach to St. Thence to White Hall , with Sir W. Another time, he and Pinchbacke and Dr. Goffe , now a religious man, Pinchbacke did begin a frolick to drink out of a glass with a toad in it that he had taken up going out to shit, he did it without harm.
Two little pictures of sea and ships and a little gilt frame belonging to my plate of the River , I want; but my books do heartily trouble me. Most of my gilt frames are hurt, which also troubles me, but most my books. This day I put on two shirts, the first time this year, and do grow well upon it; so that my disease is nothing but wind.
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