The Great Fire of London

This view of the Great Fire is taken from the west and, more specifically, from Essex Stairs. Several London landmarks can be identified including, from left to right, Essex Buildings, Essex Stairs and Temple Stairs, near the trees at Temple Gardens and St Paul's. In the far distance on the right-hand side is London Bridge.

John Evelyn described what happened when the fire reached St Paul's: 'the stones of St Pauls flew like grenades, the lead melting down the streets in a stream, and the very pavements of them glowing with fiery redness.' The cathedral was thought to be safe and the nearby printers and booksellers stored their entire stock in the crypt. Unfortunately the fire caught hold of wooden scaffolding put up for repairs and the cathedral and all its contents were consumed.