An evaluation on a diary extract on the Great Fire of London 1666 written by Samuel Pepys.

An evaluation on a diary extract on the Great Fire of London 1666 written by Samuel Pepys

Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) had a successful career in public service as a naval administrator and was a confidante of two Kings whom he served – Charles II and James II. He is mostly known for a diary that he kept between the years 1659 and 1669. The diary was written in a code now recognised as a Thomas Shelton system of shorthand called tachygraphy. The diary is considered essential historical reading as it includes detailed observations of events in 17th century England. The whole diary is considered a primary source of information, mainly due to the fact that it was written in code so only for Pepys personal gratification, but also because the events detailed within are corroborated by others at the time. The extract that I am evaluating details one event, The Great Fire of London 1666.

Pepys lived near the Tower of London which was on the outskirts overlooking the city so commanded a good view of the city. London of 1666 was a city of half-timbered buildings with pitch covered roofs that were easily ignited, the houses were close-set with little room between them so once a fire started it proved very difficult to put out. The usually method in stopping a fire was to demolish a line of buildings in the way, so as to stop the spread of the fire, but on this occasion this was not tried so the fire ...