Pepys: Fire of London

London in 1666 was a health and safety nightmare. It was illegal to build with wood and thatch but people did it anyway. Foundries were forbidden in the city but that didn't stop them operating. Charles II had banned dangerous overhanging windows but this was ignored by local government who carried on building them regardless. Many homes still contained muskets and gunpowder left over from Cromwell's time. Six hundred tons of highly potent gunpowder were stored in the Tower of London itself. Riverfront warehouses were full of oil and tallow. There was no fire service.

In Pudding Lane, on 2 September, after a day of slaving over a hot oven, Thomas Farrinor, baker to King Charles II, went to bed unaware that his oven was still alight. The smouldering embers ignited some nearby firewood and by 1 o'clock in the morning his house was ablaze. A strong wind on that September morning ensured that sparks flew everywhere . . .

Samuel Pepys' diary of the following days, dramatised by Hattie Naylor, reveals the unfolding drama of 350 years ago.

Samuel Pepys …. Kris Marshall
Elizabeth Pepys …. Katherine Jakeways
King Charles II …. Ewan Bailey
Mrs Wood …. Siriol Jenkins
Mr Houblon …. Richard Nichols
Mr Howells …. Dick Bradnum
Mayor Bludworth …. Matthew Gravelle
Jane …. Rebecca Newman
Will …. John Biddle
Mrs Batelier …. Eiry Thomas

Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.
Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis

A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.