Curator kristian martin on samuel pepys and the great fire of london, and how to bury your parmesan cheese. Heres a virtual movie of the great london diarist samuel pepys 1633 1703 reading from his diary 1666 and early 1667 giving his recollections of the great fire of london. The great fire of london in the words of samuel pepys. Samuel pepys and the great fire of london part 3 bbc teach. Bubonic plague raged, killing thousands a week in a london with a population of only 450,000. Pepys great diary lays bare the terrors, horrors and abyss of ignorance prevailing almost four centuries ago, matching those that threaten our own society. John evelyn was an english writer best known for his diary, which, along with that of samuel pepys, provides us with our best glimpse into the social world of 17th century london. He is famous for his diary pepys rose to be the chief secretary to the admiralty under charles ii, and later under james ii. The diary of samuel pepys provides many detailed insights into the daily life of both noblemen and regular citizens of the 17th century in london. Max on samuel pepys brilliant take on the 1665 london. The great fire of london and the diary of samuel pepys. Pepys diary is particularly well known for its vivid descriptions of the great plague and the great fire of london. This 50page book contains two extracts from the diary of samuel pepys. Richard le galliennes elegant abridgment of the diary captures the essential writings of samuel pepys 16331703, a remarkable man who witnessed the coronation of.
This was the start of the great fire of london which went onto devastate a large area of london. Diary entries from september 1666 the diary of samuel pepys. Personal diary of samuel pepys is one of the primary sources. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Retrace samuel pepys steps in the great fire of london. Historians have been using his diary to gain greater insight and understanding of life in london in the 17th century. Historical novelist deborah swift reveals seven fascinating facts about the diarist. Samuel pepys, 23 february 1633 26 may 1703 was an english administrator at the admiralty and member of parliament. The question and answer section for the diary of samuel pepys is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and. Not only was most of the city engulfed by what soon became known as the great fire of london in september 1666, but months before the most infamous outbreak of disease in. Pepys was born in salisbury court, fleet street, london on 23 february 1633, the son of john pepys 16011680, a tailor, and margaret pepys nee kite.
The fire, which broke out in the house of the kings baker, thomas farynor, early in. Its supposedly an excerpt from the diary of samuel pepys, sometimes dated london 1664. Hewers, quilt, being mighty weary, and sore in my feet with going till i was hardly able to stand. Well connected, and often in the right place at the right time, pepyss diary offers a vivid and insightful picture of such events as the great plague, the great fire of london he famously buried his cheese in an effort to save it from melting and the restoration of. The question and answer section for the diary of samuel pepys is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Samuel pepys the great diarist was awoken on 2 september 1666 by his servant who told him of a great fire she had seen in the city. I up, and finding it so, resolved presently to take her away, and did, and took my. This edition focuses on the period of the great plague of london and the great fire of london and contains all the entries from 1 st june 1665 to 30 th april 1666 and 1 st8 th september 1666 and selected. The diary of samuel pepys audiobook by samuel pepys. What does pepys think about the great fire of london. Pepys was an extremely observant commentator and his diary is an. Max on samuel pepys brilliant take on the 1665 london plague. The diary of samuel pepys by samuel pepys goodreads. But lord, to see, among other things, how all these great people here are afeared of london, being doubtful of anything that comes from thence or that hath lately been there, that i was forced to say. Pepys great diary lays bare the terrors, horrors and abyss of ignorance prevailing almost four. He began keeping a diary in 1660, the year charles became king, and only stopped in 1669 when his eyesight became weak. It didnt make me want to read the full diary, thats for sure. The diary of samuel pepys is probably the most famous diary in the english language. Ks1 the diary of samuel pepys reading comprehension activity.
Retrace samuel pepys steps in the great fire of london bbc. The 1660s represent a turning point in english history, and for the main events the restoration, the dutch war, the great plague and the fire of london pepys provides a definitive eyewitness account. Samuel pepys the great fire of london 1666 literary. Samuel pepyss diary and thomas sheltons shorthand tachygraphy. Others recorded in journals, letters and official reports the key events and aftermath, but pepyss diary is uniquely human, honest and heartfelt. He also talks about how poor people and animals wait until the last minute to abandon their homes because that is all they have. Samuel pepys 16331703 is most famous for the diary he kept for almost a decade while living in 17th century london. The diary of samuel pepys is one of the most entertaining documents in english history. Sep 02, 2016 it was an event that changed the face of london forever. Samuel pepys i made myself ready presently, and walked to the tower, and there got up upon one of the high places, sir j. Samuel pepys simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Pepys diary entry, september 2 1666 some of our maids sitting up late last night to get things ready against our feast today, jane called up about three in the morning, to tell us of a great fire they saw in the city.
Written between 1660 and 1669, as pepys was establishing himself as a key administrator in the naval office, it is an intimate portrait of life in 17thcentury england. Explore samuel pepys account of the fire and the locations it affected. One person who stayed in london throughout the 1665 plague was samuel pepys. It was an event that changed the face of london forever. But going to the fire, i find by the blowing up of houses, and the great helpe given. Soon the flames were visible from seething lane, near the tower of london, where samuel pepys first noted them without concern. He began his diary in january 1660 and continued writing it until may 1669, when eye sight became to deteriorate too much for him to write. Samuel had a successful career with the royal navy and the british government, but is best remembered for his frank and honest diary. Samuel pepys describes the scene in his diary, which remains one of the most comprehensive eyewitness accounts of the fire. The great fire of london by samuel pepys goodreads. Set their chronometers to 1666 to travel back in time once again. Samuel pepys and the great fire of london ks1 historical. While the king and most welltodo folk skipped london during the great plague of london in 1665, pepys stayed on and gave us a detailed account of the suffering and superstitions of the time. The great fire of london diaries key stage 1 teaching.
The 1660s represent a turning point in english history, and for the main events the restoration, the dutch war, the great plague and the fire of london pepys provides a. Samuel pepys witnesses the great london fire of 1666. Pepys diaries offer a firsthand account of living through that awful year. Samuel pepys was responsible for the administration of the navy for the english government, and was 33 when the fire occurred. Samuel pepys 16331703 was an important english politician who had many different duties in the government of king charles ii. The author was twentyseven years old and already well on his way to a lucrative career in the service of the english crown. He highlights the selfish and the greedy in society. He tells of coming across sick people and corpses, his horror at the sheer numbers of dead, and then how the toll started to decrease as the weather grew cold at the end of the year. Feb 23, 2018 the diary of samuel pepys provides many detailed insights into the daily life of both noblemen and regular citizens of the 17th century in london. Listen to parts of samuel pepys diary about the end of the great fire of london. This diary gained recognition posthumously due the eyewitness account of the iconic events during the era he lived in such as great plague of london, the second dutch war and the great fire of london.
Pepys was also instrumental in the early professionalization of the royal navy through the reforms he imposed in admiralty. Originally scribbled in a cryptic shorthand, pepyss quotidian journal of life in restoration london provides. Explore the diary of samuel pepys and learn all about the fire of london from someone who experienced it firsthand. Isbn 97818579952 the section wednesday is based on tinniswood, 10110, unless otherwise indicated. Although pepys had no maritime experience, he rose by patronage, hard work and his talent for administration. Begun in january 1660 and finishing in may 1669, it offers a richly detailed account of some of the most turbulent events of the nations history, including the coronation of king charles ii, the great plague and the great fire of london. Samuel pepys diary with information about his life and the 17th century background. We know lots about these two events from his diary. Dec 17, 2018 pepys diary is particularly well known for its vivid descriptions of the great plague and the great fire of london.
Wednesday 5 september 1666 i lay down in the office again upon w. He is best known for his famous diary, which he kept between 1660 and 1669. The diary of samuel pepys 16331703 gives us a flyonthewall account of life during the 17th century from the devastation of war and plague, to the. Howard timberlake retraces the footsteps of samuel pepys during the great fire of london through his vivid and detailed diary entries. His great uncle talbot pepys was recorder and briefly member of parliament mp for cambridge in 1625. Samuel pepys witnesses the great london fire of 1666 duration. Wednesday 5 september 1666 the diary of samuel pepys. Samuel wrote about events in 17th century england such as the plague. Mar 30, 2011 heres a virtual movie of the great london diarist samuel pepys 1633 1703 reading from his diary 1666 and early 1667 giving his recollections of the great fire of london. About two in the morning my wife calls me up and tells me of new cryes of fire, it being come to barkeing church, which is the bottom of our lane. Personal diary of samuel pepys is one of the primary. Together with the epidemic of bubonic plague that hit the city the previous year, the great fire had an unimaginable impact on london and its people. Pepys describes in detail how the fire consumed london, a year after it was ravaged by the plague.
Your pupils will love this educational insight into one of. The bureaucrat was, of course, samuel pepys, and the year was 1665. Samuel pepys writes in his diary of houses marked with a red cross in london s drury lane, meaning somebody inside is infected with the plague and must be locked in for 40 days or until death. Jun 22, 2012 samuel pepys s diary and thomas sheltons shorthand tachygraphy. The diary of samuel pepys 16331703 gives us a flyonthewall account of life during the 17th century from the devastation of war and plague, to the triumphant return of charles ii. But did you know that pepys rescued a cheese during the great fire of london and once kept a lion as a pet. This was originally part of a 7week unit looking at the great plague of london, the great fire of london, and samuel pepys as a famous person the children had posed their own questions about the fire. Likewise, his description of the great fire of london the following year is without doubt our most important record of what happened and pepys played an. Pepys was a careful observer of events and especially people, using his own shorthand to record them in vivid detail and with compassion. Still, his accounts of both the black death and the great fire show that he was less than in awe of persons holding high office.
Find out about famous diarists samuel pepys and john evelyn. It is widely used as a primary source of how life was during several significant events, such as the great plague of london, the second dutch war, and the great fire of london. Walter george bell 1929 the story of londons great fire. Selected extracts are supported by a complete transcription of his shorthand text. It was a small mistake, but with great consequences. On september 2, 1666, thomas farrinor, baker to king charles ii of england, failed, in effect, to turn off his. Written between 1660 and 1669, as pepys was establishing himself as a key administrator in the naval office, it is an intimate portrait of life in 17thcentury england covering his professional and personal activities, including, famously, his love of music, theatre, food, wine and his peccadilloes. Roleplay scenes from the great fire of london that were captured in diary entries at the time.
It is widely used as a primary source of how life was during several significant events, such as the great. Samuel pepys was responsible for the administration of the navy for the english government, and was 33 when the fire. Did he really bury cheese during the great fire of london. The great fire of london began in 1666 and caused extensive destruction. Seeing that the wind was driving the fire westward, he ordered the boat to go to whitehall, and became the. Richard le galliennes elegant abridgment of the diary captures the essential writings of samuel pepys 16331703, a remarkable man who witnessed the coronation of charles ii, the great plague of 1665, and the great fire of 1666. The great fire of london and the diary of samuel pepys printed. Samuel pepys writes in his diary of houses marked with a red cross in londons drury lane, meaning somebody inside is. Mar 27, 2020 its supposedly an excerpt from the diary of samuel pepys, sometimes dated london 1664. Plague, fire, revolution at the national maritime museum, greenwich 020 8312 6565. The diary of samuel pepys opens with an entry dated january 1, 1660.