“Alrigh’ Mate”
(I sincerely apologise for my attempt at cockney slang, let’s just call that our ice breaker)
Welcome to this week’s first blog post!
For this week’s blog I decided to explore the city of London, circa the 17th century. With the aid of digital maps, I hope to highlight how London rose from the ashes as a city of the past to a city of the future. While, I myself have not yet had the chance to travel to and experience London (it is on the bucket list), some of you reading today might have been so lucky! In brief, the aim of this week’s blog is to examine the journey the city and its people undertook after the Great Fire of London in the year 1666. After the fire, London had to undergo a process of regeneration; rebuilding the city after the devastation left behind by the Great Fire.
Aoife Cotter| 112495138
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In today’s society London is a city with a bustling business district, with high streets and tourist attractions to match. Today, London is the capital of the United Kingdom, home to the country’s government houses and is the official home to the monarch; Queen Elizabeth II.
The city which existed in the 17th century differed just a little.
Map 1.1 – This map depicts the aftermath and affected areas of the Great Fire of London 1666. It clearly illustrates the old structure of London’s cityscape before the Great Fire. The fire gutted the medieval city which was housed within the old Roman town. (Crace Collection)
The Great Fire of London started on the 2nd of September 1666 and continued on for three days; before it was finally extinguished. The devastation left behind by the fire destroyed seven-eighths of the city. Before the fire, London was, predominantly, a medieval city. The city was characterized by a “fish-bone” structure; narrow streets and alleyways which radiated out of the central spine of the city.
The aftermath of the Great Fire provided an opportunity to build a new London; changing the cramped and congested previous streetscape. Various plans were proposed and considered for restoring London. One such plan was suggested by John Evelyn. He proposed a London which would mimic the Baroque style similar to that of Paris, France. This map illustrates how Evelyn’s proposal was to shape London’s landscape, to look like a sister city of Paris, in terms of their shared Baroque style. Evelyn’s plan was rejected.
Map 1.2 – John Evelyn’s proposed plan for the new London after the Great Fire in 1666. The plans shares various similarities with the Baroque style of city planning seen in Paris, France at this time. Baroque style of urban planning illustrated clean lines, the use of zoning of the cityscape, measured hierarchy of space.
Sir Christopher Wren like others proposed a plan for the new city. Unlike the others, he was successful, Wren’s rebuilding of London took over 30 years.
Map 1.3 – Sir Christopher Wren plans for rebuilding London after the Great Fire.
Wren’s main accomplishment after the Great Fire was the rebuilding of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The original cathedral was destroyed in the fire, Wren decided during the regeneration to rebuild St. Paul’s Cathedral, today it still stands tall as a historical landmark of the cityscape. It was built between 1675 and 1710, services at the cathedral began in 1697. It acts as multifunctional building in modern society; as a place of worship, an event location and tourist attraction. An example of this was seen in 2012 as the Cathedral played host to various events surrounding the London 2012 Olympics.
Image 2.1 – St. Paul’s Cathedral west facing facade in modern times.
Image 2.2 – The Monument in 1750. The 202 ft Monument was completed in 1677, its purpose was to commemorate the Great Fire and also commend those involved in the rebuilding of the city. It was started in the year 1671 and completed in 1677.
(If ever you are in London and would like to pay a visit, the monument stands at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill; just as a warning; in order to reach the top you must climb 311 steps!)
Throughout the years, the city has undergone various processes to ensure its survival. Urban infrastructure will continue to shape this city for years to come. The London we all know today, hosts four world heritage sites within its boundaries; the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and the Royal Botanic Gardens. (All of which are definitely worth a visit according to Katie O)
The Great Fire of 1666 undoubtedly shaped London’s future. Although it was a tragedy, it aided London in continuing to survive in the modern world.
Thanks for tuning in for this week’s installment,
Keep on scrolling down to discover even more fascinating case studies cities!
Aoife
Bibliography
Wrens Plans for London: Available at: http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/crace/a/007000000000017u00007000.html [Accessed 14 October 2014]
Cathedral History: Available at: www.stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History/Cathedral-History [Accessed 14 October 2014]
Cathedral & The Olympics: Available at: www.stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History/Cathedral-History/Olympics [Accessed 14 October 2014]
Drawing From The Archives 
