The Great Fire of London: History Uncovered
The Great Fire of London: History Uncovered
Items in this lesson
The Great Fire of London: History Uncovered
What do you already know about the Great Fire of London?
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will know when and why the Great Fire of London happened, who it affected, and what changed because of it.
What Was the Great Fire of London?
The Great Fire of London was a huge fire that swept through London in 1666, destroying much of the city.
Where Did the Fire Start?
The fire started at Thomas Farriner's bakery on Pudding Lane early on 2 September 1666.
How Did The Fire Spread?
Strong winds and wooden houses helped the fire spread quickly, destroying many streets.
How Did People React?
People tried to put out the fire with buckets of water. Many escaped with what they could carry.
Why Was the Fire So Bad?
Most buildings were made of wood and built close together, which helped the fire burn.
Buildings
The Weather
A long, hot summer made the city very dry, making it easy for the fire to spread.
Who Was Samuel Pepys?
Samuel Pepys wrote about the fire in his diary. His records help us learn what it was like.
How Was The Fire Stopped?
Firebreaks were created by pulling down houses. The fire was finally put out on 6 September.
How Many Buildings Were Destroyed?
Over 13,000 homes and many famous buildings, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, were burned down.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral was destroyed in the fire. A new cathedral was later built in its place.
What Happened After the Fire?
The city was rebuilt with wider streets and stone houses to stop future fires.
Watch: The Great Fire of London
Let’s watch a video about the Great Fire of London to see how it happened.
Text
Questions to Think About
How did the new laws and buildings make London safer?
Why did the fire spread so quickly?
What changed after the fire?
Think about the weather, buildings, and how people lived.
Reflection
What part of the Great Fire of London did you find most interesting, and why?
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
