The Great Fire of London took place during the early hours of Saturday 2 nd of September 1666, whilst most residents were fast asleep. Nothing during the proceeding day, had given any inclination that a catastrophic city fire would breakout in Thomas Farinor's bakery in Pudding Lane .

To set the scene, we first take a look at the preceding year of 1665. The first signs of disaster struck that spring when an outbreak of the plague was recorded. Within weeks the Monarchy and its court had fled the city, taking with them physicians and medical practitioners, leaving a void of health care to a few brave apothecaries to administer to the sick. Next, there came an exodus of the merchants, and clerical staff. Churches closed their doors as, Bishops, Cardinals and vicars fled to the country. Law and order collapsed, crime became rife, as those abandoned turned to any means for survival.