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The Great Plague and Great Fire of London

Study note

Two disasters struck London in quick succession in the 1660s. In 1665 the Great Plague spread through the city and killed many thousands of people. The very next year, in 1666, the Great Fire of London broke out and destroyed much of the city, including the old St Paul's Cathedral. The plague came first, in 1665, and the fire followed in 1666.

After the fire, London was rebuilt, and fine new buildings rose in place of those that had been lost, including a new St Paul's Cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren. These events happened in London in the 17th century, not in Edinburgh, and not during the Norman Conquest or the Second World War. Remember the order: the Great Plague in 1665, then the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Memory tip: 1665 Great Plague, then 1666 Great Fire of London.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 2

In which year did the Great Fire of London take place?

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Show all questions and answers for The Great Plague and Great Fire of London(2 questions with explanations)

The Great Plague and Great Fire of London: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which year did the Great Fire of London take place?

    • 1605
    • 1666
    • 1707
    • 1066

    Correct answer: 1666

    The Great Fire of London destroyed much of the city in 1666.

  2. 2. Which of these statements is correct?

    • The Great Plague (1665) was followed by the Great Fire of London (1666)
    • The Great Fire of London came before the Norman Conquest
    • The Great Fire of London destroyed Edinburgh
    • The Great Plague happened during the Second World War

    Correct answer: The Great Plague (1665) was followed by the Great Fire of London (1666)

    The Great Plague of 1665 was followed the next year by the Great Fire of London in 1666.

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