Great Fire of London

A major fire that devastated central London from 2 to 5 September 1666, destroying thousands of buildings, including the old St Paul’s Cathedral.

Pudding Lane: A street in the City of London where the Great Fire began in a bakery on 2 September 1666. The fire started in Thomas Farriner’s bakery on this street.
Rebuilding of London: The reconstruction of London after the Great Fire, including new buildings and revised building rules. The destruction led to a major rebuilding effort and stricter construction requirements.
London in the 17th century: The rapidly growing English capital during the 1600s, marked by dense settlement and frequent public-health crises. The city’s crowded form made a large fire especially dangerous.
Robert Hubert: A French watchmaker who falsely confessed to starting the Great Fire and was executed in 1666. His confession fueled an unfounded allegation of arson against foreign Catholics.
Thomas Farriner: The baker whose premises on Pudding Lane were the site where the Great Fire began. His bakery was the fire’s point of origin.
St Paul's Cathedral: The Anglican cathedral on Ludgate Hill in London, rebuilt after its medieval predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire. The fire destroyed the old cathedral; Christopher Wren later designed its replacement.
Great Plague of London: A severe outbreak of bubonic plague in London in 1665 and 1666. The plague had recently devastated the same city and shaped the disaster’s setting.
Great Fire of London controversy: Disputes over the cause and responsibility for the Great Fire, including contemporary anti-Catholic accusations. The disaster prompted rumors and scapegoating despite evidence for an accidental origin.
London Bridge: A historic bridge across the River Thames that carried buildings and shops along its length. The bridge’s buildings helped the fire spread south across the Thames.
Christopher Wren: An English architect and scientist whose major works include the present St Paul’s Cathedral. He became the leading architect of London’s post-fire rebuilding.

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