The Following is a dramatization of what it might have been like to experience the Great Fire of London of 1666. Please note that the characters mentioned in the story are not based on any real characters but just on a general citizens and what they might have experienced.
September 1 ,1666
Dear Diary,
My Name is John A. Farm and this is my first entry and I hope to have many more jolly entries to come. Agatha has just asked me to move into her new home in downtown London. She seems like the perfect woman for me. The first time my eyes spotted her, I knew she was the gal of my dreams. This past Sunday, I assisted in some work at the church installing new stain glass windows which represent our new king. We have had a drought here since a year ago and I am seriously considering leaving Britain to move to America, I hear there are lots of new opportunities in the new world. Alas this is just one of my other dreams which I know shall be crushed by the setting sun. Only time will tell if I stay or go.
September 2, 1666
Dear Diary,
Today calls for a celebration. I asked Agatha to marry me and she agreed. I plan to go down to the bakery later today to pick up some bread, scones and a pie to celebrate and heck, while I am at it, I should maybe make some candied orange peels. It shall be a celebration of the ages.
Dear Diary,
It is still September 2 and as I write this, I am extremely worried after seeing the bakery go up in flames and quickly spread to neighbouring buildings. My eyes have never seen such destruction in such little time. I can only hope that our good for nothing mayor will get right to fighting the fire, however, knowing him I am sure he will just sit on his butt all day and watch the city burn down around him.
September 3 1666
Dear Diary,
I was right. In a report from the Oxford Gazette, they reported that the mayor has declined to act. In a very brief interview, he stated, “I have more important things to worry about now. The fire is still spreading fast and as you are reading this the fire is only about a block away. I am now regretting going against the king’s rule banning jetties. Oh well, best not to dwell on it now.”
September 3 1666
Dear Diary,
I now write this with a very sweaty and shaky hand, the fire is now only two home away from my own. Roads are blocked as far as yonder with debris and ash. There is hardly any chance of escape for me. My only hope now is that the fire will be put out before it hits my house. Outside I can hear the sounds of people screaming and building collapsing all around me the smell of smoke engulfs my nose. My home though not yet ablaze has suffered much smoke damage. Only time will tell if there is still a chance of my survival
September 4 1666
Dear Diary,
It has finally happened. As I write this, the fires are quickly raging through the first floor of my house. I can’t even begin to imagine what damage the bottom floor of my house is enduring. All I know is there is no escape for me now. Furthermore this is most likely going to be my last entry in this Diary it is getting harder and harder to breath as the smoke seeps through the door and the oxygen is quickly being eaten up. The heat from the fire is so intense to even have my feet on the wooden floor boards of my study is excruciating and getting worse by the second sweat is now pouring down my face as the temperature rises. Diary as I sit here at my desk I can hear the sound of the back of my home is collapsing. If I was going to escape that would have been my absolute last chance as there was a staircase once used by my servants. The flames have just spread to the second floor tearing through the hallway floor as if it was a piece of paper. Oh no the fire is now I my study getting closer and closer to my desk the heat is so intense words cannot begin to describe it I am feeling very weak all of a sudden the room is now filled with smoke timbers falling left, right and centre I am currently watching the fire eat up my wool carpet and engulf the surrounding walls oh no a timber has just collapsed onto my leg and the fire just quickly jumped onto it I fear this is the end and yet I am no longer scared. I know I have had a great life, loving family, and a great job. And most important I had fun and loved every minute of it. The fire has just caused another timber to break lose and the roof is caving in smoke no clouds my eyes. As I take my last breath I am saying to myself I Love you Agatha, I love you Agatha I love
