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London Fire, 1666

Editorial history

24/01/12, CSG: Created page

Overview

This page lists references in Sir George Oxenden's correspondence to the London fire of 1666.

Descriptions of the fire

Sir John Lewis, London merchant and ironmonger, fellow part owner of the Loyal Merchant with Sir George Oxenden. His county residence was at Ledstone Hall, West Yorkshire, and his London house had been spared in the fire:

"[December 20th, 1666] The sad disolation of the late merciless fire brought me to towne to look after my particular concernments, and dispose of my house which providence had spared from soe great a consumaton and am now by fowle weather forced to keepe my Christmas in London, and not with my family more than my wife, who came heither to the buriall of her mother"^[1]

Nicholas Buckeridge, London merchant and former factor in Persia, detailed the progress of the fire:

"[December 26th, 1666] The most lamentable relation is yet to come; for on the 2d September happened in London neare the bridge in an ally by Thams Street a most rageing fire To begin in a bakers house a bout 2 a clock in the morning whether by designe or accidident yet doubtfull though one be executed for it, but it soo pleased God in justice to punish us for our sinns, that by reason of the closenesse of the houses and violence of the wind it rann and spread it selfe soo farr, that it was not to be mastered, untill it had burned downe 94 parishes and churches both to windward and to leeward, and hath consumed all by the river side from the Tower to the Temple, and there is left onely within the walles part of Fanchurch Street, all Leaden Hall Street Bishopsgate Street, and what betweene Algate and Bishopsgate, with a little by the walls to Moorgate, the fier lasted 3 dayes and nights and was not then quenched with out much labor and industrie, wherein the King and Duke of Yorkes presence and assistance was exceeding usefull and pleaseing to the people, I leave you to imagine in what a deplorable condition the devouring fire have left us; for our losse is not to be accounted, nor our distractions expressed'"^[2]

James Oxenden, Sir George Oxenden's young nephew, wrote from the family home of Deane in East Kent. He described the people fleeing the City, with laps full of paper, children in their arms, and bed ridden fathers on their backs. He doubted the popular theory that the French were behind the fire:

"Which fury the fire preyd upon the citty, and how a strong wind (which they say) blew in all points) did advance the flames, into what confusion the frighted people were running by and downe halfe distracted and dispairing of quenching the mersiless (flames; some with their laps full of papers, others of jewells others with children in their armes, and otheres their bedred farthers upon their backs each striving to save their dearest objects from the devouring tyrant ffire which at last by an unusuall and unheard of remedy, was subdewed, and that with one would thinke should incresse the conflagration, was the meanes of its [?extinction], there was no way of mastering it but by its own weapons, ffire against ffire was aply’d and a great number of houses were blown up with gunpowder before the fflames, which at last by making a vast separation at the Temple put a period to their fury, and now oure mighty citty that was oure glory and the whole worlds Envy, for [?XXXX] and traffic, lys [?fured] in its own ruins there being scarce a six part standing (with in the walls) which is not reduced to ashes, some think it a plott of the Romanitts, others a wicked contrivance of the King of ffrance, others accidentall, and the hand of God; it were tedious to tell you that many frivolous storyes which run abroad, but certaine it is a frenchman hath been executed for confessing himselfe and actor in this fflaming Tragedy, whome yett some would have to be a lunatick, The poore [?XXXXX] among the which is consumed not razing to [?stand] since its support was gone and now proves a [?rogue] or funerall pile for its ancient patroness, whose memory though she be dead will religiously survive in the hearts of her Hononourers"^[3]

Sarah Wainman, former maid to Sir George Oxenden's sister and London agent, Elizabeth Dallison, wrote of her need to move home due to Lamberth due to the destruction of her home near Ludgate Hill:

"[January 5th, 1666/67] S:r The old Corner being consumed by fire with the greatest part of the citty, Mrs Priren [Prizen?]^[4] and her family are gon to live at Lambeth and I remain with her for the present"^[5]

Ann Master, one of Sir George Oxenden's sisters, wrote to him from Langdon, East Kent. She blamed the scurilous French for starting the fire:

"[January 15th, 1666/67] The Lord hath soore afflicted this poore nation this last yeares with grievous Judgments the plague and warr and burning of the city of London which is a generall Judgment too all parts and people it makes such a damp in trade and is felt very much in oure country, I supposs you have a full accountt from good hands, I can only say what I have heard and that was burnt from London Bridge to Temple Barr and lies all in a confused case, I am of the beleife it was purposly set on fire by scurilos french it was believed by the most for they are a mallisious people"^[6]

Edward Master, New College, Oxford educated doctor of civil law, nephew of Sir George Oxenden:

"[February 26th, 1666/67] I shall for bare to recount any newes to you either publique or private, being well assured that you will have it from abler pens and persons, that are sonere the stage of affayres, whereas my concerne is so farr distant from London; that I am beholding to my ffreinds there to send mee an accountt of all [?passages] thence, but for the the future I am resolved not to bee so much a stranger to London; and to that end I am procuring my selfe some accomodations with my bretheren in the advocats that were heretofore at Doctors Commons; but are now removed to Exeter House in the Strand, their former lodgings being consumed by the fire"^[7]

Humphrey Gyffard, former London merchant, now Keeper of the prison called the Poultry Counter. His home, possessions, and prized cabinet of curiosities, had been destroyed, as had the Counter:

"The plague hath weakned us, the late dredfull fire hath ruined many much damaged most, and consumed to ashes oure grand metropolis, the generall supporture; and succoure of both king and kingdom in all straits and exignecies, the great boddy oure seamen are by sufferance gone and but late by tradeing voyages to Smirna West Indias and other long voyages, most of oure greatest ships yet in the dockes, and tis well if oure [?lesser] be fitted, stored and made fitt for service by midsommere moone, what thinke you now, and not take the encrease of all sins and [?XXXiresin], will it be less than a miracle to fight a boate; soe many soe potent enmies, confederated and joind, or will it be easier feizable to outwit, or over[XXXX] such united heads, in a treatie against their knowme interest, but this is not to trouble you tis onely the weake opinions of an inconsiderable person, to apt to jelousies and fearr who looks into and knowes littell of the world, lesse of the polliticks, and now I am to hearten you with the [XX]lazed confidences of a more knowing partie, whoe tell for trueth, that at Court they are merry frollick and please’d, that all the designes and plotts of oure enemies are well understood and counter plotted, and that a peace is not only like to be, but is agreed and that theis Comissioners are onely sent over to conferme it, in modo and forma, and this and more to their knowledg, this is affirmativee positive; mine meer supposition, ayer, words, and pray God in heaven conferme it by his power and goodness, That oure noble brave King and kingdome may flourish in a lasting peace and prosperity, the East India trade, and all be advanced to the height of youre Ambition shipps of Golde flow in daylie from Affrica, silver from America, silks from Italie, [?sackes] from Canaries, Clarets from ffrance, suger from Portugall, etc from etc, and nothing from Holland, that oure byshops and priests may sing te Deums, pray to God in the language of the Church and all the people [?flock] and agree in volleys of Gloria Patris, and Amens.

Nor can I tell you as others may be will, that tis likely oure Cittie will be speedillie rebuilt, confidence and words contribute little, tis true the King parliament and cittie have beene very intentive, and designed things as well as can be in order to it, but he that will considers all circomstances, cannnot but know the vastness of the devastation, the number of houses halls churches, that it will require noe small time to disroubish it, to separate, and ascertaine to each proprietor his demands and ground, to his satisfaction; to judge and resolve the intrigues of grand land lords, tennants, and subtennants; so as to proportion each his just sheare in the loss, and towards the rebuilding, to set out the due widening of the streets as ordered for grandour, safety, and convenience, and most are in the mind; that require quantities of timber, brick, stone, and other materialls, are not easily or soone to begotten, and prepare, twill require an infinet number of workmen, carpinters bricklayers, stonecuters, smiths, glaziers, plumers, plaisterers, and other handycrafts men, and labourers, and all meterials and workemen will be very scarce, and exceeding deere mainye ruined, most impoverisht, mony very scarce, trade little, and yet war, and how or how soone it will, it can be rebuilt, I humbly referr to yourselfe to judge, and besides buildings, is not to be imagined how infinitely the fire consumed wares, household goods, monys, accounts, Jewells, and all things to an incredible vallue, beyond expectations, or feare, men were amazed, ?h[azed], infatuated, and first careless, with expectations of a quenching, before it came neere them some came to pilfer and steale, others to helpe and were weried out, others to see and stare on, till at last all thought it unconquerable, and best to shift for themselves and save what they could of their owne, carts not to be had but at expensive rates, 5: li – 10: s; 6 li a load, and the poores prest, forced a way by the commands or bribes of the grandees, and the x[ith] [?], the streets pestered and clogd up soe as to be unpassible, either with carts, packs, howshold goods, men, woen; Children; you may Judge,

Humphrey Gyffard, former East India merchant, now keeper of the prison called the Poultry Counter. His home, possessions, and prized cabinet of curiosities, had been destroyed, as had the Counter:

The fire began on Satterday night and consumed not oure dwellings in the Poultrey till Monday yett I saved but one cartload and a little by hand carage of all the goods in my howse and the prison, burnt: 26 bedstieds beds bedinge and sheats whch in the country, a great part of my howshold goods, my whole closet of rarities, which were very many and of a good vallue, being good and of all sorts, stones, shells meddalls pictures prints and what not, naturall and artificiall, my beloved books in three studdies to the vallue of 300: li cost more, and none of all this saved, when packt up, for want to begett reflections in us for what; from where, to what ends all this, and I wish we did sitt to purpose; see o:e sins trewly, repent of them heartily and amend sincerely resolve and doe; live a more Godly life without offence to God, to men, or scandal and certainty to ourselves, families and kingdome, that God might once againe bless us, with peace prosperity, and honoure; to be loved or feard, but in what kings reigne, Ime sorry I cannot divine"^[8] (BL, MSS Add. MSS. 40708-40713, April 1667, Letter from Humphry Gyffard to Sir George Oxenden)

Thomas Fox, London merchant, wrote with reports of severe fianncial losses of a number of merchants on the exchange, with further casualties expected:

"[April 10th, 1667] Times are here very badd occationed partly by these unhappy warrs, and partly by a dreadfull fire, which began in Pudding layne September 1st Sunday morning 2 a clock & continued till Wednsday the 4th at night which burnt and consumed in howses goods and merchandize attending the best calculations at least [?£7500000} here are six kights, and aldermen merchant of the Change sence Christmass and severall otheres eminent marchants (as reported) besides more very much feard to followe"^[9]

Sir William Ryder, London merchant, noted that many of Sir George Oxenden's friends had suffered losses, and that goods Oxenden had sent had been destroyed in an English East India Company warehouse. Samuel Pepys used William Ryder's house in Bethnal Green to store his own househould goods after the fire:

"[April 16th, 1667] I have alredy advised you of y:e sad fire which hapned in the cittie began the 2nd September last where most of youre friends have been sufferers w:th Mrs Terells goods which you sent being detained the Company's warhouse were consumed so that she and others must have patience"^[10]

Henry Chowne, London merchant, whose son was in the East Indies with Sir George Oxenden:

"[April 20th, 1667] It is supposed a peace will be, we had brought the Dutch upon their kneews before this time, if the maior of London had not been burnt the last september upon a high easterly winde, the fire began in temstreet, neare billings gate, blessed be God the Company suffered but little by this greate conflagration, some suposes the fire began not by accident the cittie is to be rebuilt by an act of parliment with [?briff] in a uniforme way, and narrow strets, to be made broad, and to take of all impediments in the rebuilding of it, all differences are to be desided betweene landlords and tennants, by the 12 Judges, or any five of them, with out any expense"^[11]

Ann Master, one of Sir George Oxenden's elder sisters, who had two nephews with Sir George Oxenden in the East Indies:

"[April 20th, 1667] England hath suffered very grevously this last yeare, by plague fire and sowurd, this evuooll warr being not yet ended which Makes great want of trade, and exsessive taxing the subiects. We hope the Lord willnot allwayes afflict, but in the midst of judgements remember us, and show mercy at last and lett the swete showers of his blessings destill (upon us; and shine forth to our comforts"^[12]

Samuel Barnardiston, London merchant, noted the poor conditions for trade, and low diamond prices:

"These are to accumpany the ship Charles who was as you will understand first designed for the Coast and tis very doubtfull whether may not be the sole ship the Company may this yeare send for India, oure Nation is now at everylow condition in poynt of trade; late pestilence, dredfull fire and present warr hath extremely Impoverished a many, tis hardly credable what an alteration these judgment of the allmightyes have made a mongst us, the greate dangers that merchants now run at sea the little satisfaction of expectations when goods arrrive welll, makes me resolve to doe lite in trade, untill I see an alteration, I did some time since sell my diamonds you sent me per the Royall Charles, to good profitt though not answereable to former times"^[13]

Colonel Richard Oxinden, Sir George Oxenden's cousin, who had been with him in Surat in the late 1650s:

"[October 1st, 1667] Since the dredfull fireing of the sinfull citty of London, her old inhabitance are scattered up and downe, I am at present with my Cozon Perimoure the [?Master] at Lambeth here is allso yours and youre never to be forgotten sister Dallysons old faithfull servant Sarah Waynman who desires to have her most humble service presented to you"^[14]

Sir Henry Oxenden, Sir George Oxenden's brother, writing from XXX:

"[November, 1667] My sisters jewells (by reason of the late fire and warr, which [?XXX] made a vast number of [?XXX], poore and most people thrifty lie still dead upon our hands, and ar so like to do yet a whille, unless we would sell them to vast lose by this meanes her debts increase to great greife, The citizens wives which (as Mr Dunker saith) hath been the [?littlest] buyers are now grown poore, and live upon their owne jewells and plate, the jewes are the [?cheife] chapmen, but they are all for rough diamonds, I wish none may read my letter but yure selfe, not the Copier if possible"^[15]

Thomas Freeman, ?London merchant, writing from London:

1. ↑ 20th December 1666, Letter from John Lewis to Sir GO, London
2. ↑ 26th December 1666, Letter from Nicholas Buckeridge to Sir GO, London
3. ↑ January 1666/67, Letter from James Oxinden to Sir GO, Deane
4. ↑ Edith Perrin, who had been living as a lodger at Tobell Aylmer's house at the Old Corner, Ludgate Hill. Elizabeth Dallison and Sarah Wainman had also lived there in the late 1650s
5. ↑ 5th January 1666/67, Letter from Sarah Waynman to Sir GO, Lambeth
6. ↑ 15th January 1666/67, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, Langdon
7. ↑ 26th February 1666/67, Letter from Edward Master to Sir GO, Exeter
8. ↑ April 1667, Letter from Humphry Gyffard to Sir GO
9. ↑ 10th April 1667, Letter from Thomas Fox to Sir GO, London
10. ↑ 16th April 1667, Letter from William Rider to Sir GO, London
11. ↑ 20th April 1667, Letter from Henry Chowne to Sir GO, London
12. ↑ 20th April 1667, Letter from An Master to Sir GO, Langdon, Kent
13. ↑ 20th April 1667, Letter from Samuel Barnardiston to Sir GO, London
14. ↑ 1st October 1667, Letter from Richard Oxinden to Sir GO, Lambeth
15. ↑ November 1667, Letter from Henry Oxinden to Sir GO Letter 2
16. ↑ 2nd November 1667, Letter from Thomas Freeman to Sir GO, London