How london changed
The years following the great London fire in 1666 were a time of great change. The fire had deeply damaged the city's foundation. 1 billion pounds was the estimated worth of damage to the city. By 1750 London had changed in many ways from the layout, the arcitecture, the business, society, firefighting and the law all changed in this time.
One the of biggest change’s of London was the city's design and architecture. The city recovered quickly, as the rebuilding of almost all of the residential houses was completed within ten
years. Instantly preceding the fire, many different designs were put forward, by many different architects and
influential figures such as John Evelyn. However, none of these designs were accepted due to them being too expensive, impractical and unrealistic. Due to this, London was rebuilt in a very similar way to the maze like structure it had
been. However, 100 streets were widened or straightened, houses were built of stone and many houses, when rebuilt were made an average of 30% bigger. Style was also something the top architects of the time embraced, often copying French and Dutch designs, as these were seen as stylish at the time. The rebuilding of houses after the fire also changed the areas of London that were seen as
stylish, as before the fire poorer communities of London were located in areas such as Holburn, while aristocracy resided in Westminister, near the government. After the fire, the richer communities moved to areas such as the West End. This helped the poor too, as many moved into the former houses of the rich.
One the of biggest change’s of London was the city's design and architecture. The city recovered quickly, as the rebuilding of almost all of the residential houses was completed within ten
years. Instantly preceding the fire, many different designs were put forward, by many different architects and
influential figures such as John Evelyn. However, none of these designs were accepted due to them being too expensive, impractical and unrealistic. Due to this, London was rebuilt in a very similar way to the maze like structure it had
been. However, 100 streets were widened or straightened, houses were built of stone and many houses, when rebuilt were made an average of 30% bigger. Style was also something the top architects of the time embraced, often copying French and Dutch designs, as these were seen as stylish at the time. The rebuilding of houses after the fire also changed the areas of London that were seen as
stylish, as before the fire poorer communities of London were located in areas such as Holburn, while aristocracy resided in Westminister, near the government. After the fire, the richer communities moved to areas such as the West End. This helped the poor too, as many moved into the former houses of the rich.
As for public buildings such as churches and the iconic St Paul's Cathedral, they were left to thearchitectural genius of the time; Christopher Wren. The work of wren includedrebuilding 51 churches and St Paul's Cathedral. St Paul's Cathedral and 29 ofthose 51 churches still remain 400 years later. The other iconic landmark whichwas destroyed by the flames in 1666 was the Royal Exchange shopping centre. It too was rebuilt by city surveyor, Edward Jerman in 1669. The four city gates,originating from Roman times, that were wrecked were also rebuilt, but without any changes. They went out of function soon and were demolished in the 1760s.
A few historians believe the great fire of London may have saved lives in the long-term, as it delayed the spread of the bubonic plague, which erupted the previous year. The fire would have burnt down many filthy building that housed the rats and fleas that spread the plague.
A few historians believe the great fire of London may have saved lives in the long-term, as it delayed the spread of the bubonic plague, which erupted the previous year. The fire would have burnt down many filthy building that housed the rats and fleas that spread the plague.