What was the impact of the Great Fire on London?

In this lesson, we will learn about the enormous impact the fire had on the city and its population.

What was the impact of the Great Fire on London?

In this lesson, we will learn about the enormous impact the fire had on the city and its population.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. To learn about the impact the fire had on London's population and physical environment.
  2. To learn about the link between the fire and the banishment of the Great Plague of 1665.
  3. To learn about the regulations passed with the aim of preventing similar events.
  4. To learn about John Evelyn's and Christopher Wren's plans for rebuilding London.
  5. To understand the role the Great Fire of London played in the development of the insurance industry and the establishment of London's first fire brigade.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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5 Questions

Q1.
In 1666, what material were most of London's buildings made out of?
Bricks
Correct answer: Wood
Q2.
Who initially claimed responsibility for starting the fire?
Correct answer: Robert Hubert
Samuel Pepys
Q3.
Who was the King at the time of the Great Fire of London?
Charles I
Correct answer: Charles II
Henry VIII
Q4.
What was Mayor Thomas Bludworth instructed to do by King Charles II?
To let the fire spread until it extinguished itself.
Correct answer: To pull down all burning buildings to stop the fire from spreading.
To use more fire squirts.
Q5.
What fire fighting equipment was available at the time of the Great Fire of London? Tick three.
Correct answer: Axes
Fire engines
Correct answer: Fire squirts
Correct answer: Leather buckets

4 Questions

Q1.
How many people are said to have died during the Great Fire of London?
16
Correct answer: 6
Q2.
Approximately, how many houses were destroyed during the Great Fire of London?
1,320
Correct answer: 13,200
132
Q3.
Approximately, how many people were left homeless as a result?
1,000
10,000
Correct answer: 100,000
Q4.
Which London landmarks were destroyed during the fire? Tick two.
Guildhall
Correct answer: Royal Exchange
Correct answer: St Paul's Cathedral
Tower of London

Lesson appears in

UnitHistory / The Great Fire of London

History