SUMMARY:
Marking 350 years since the Great Fire of London in the infamous history date 1666, Horrible Histories takes a look at the story behind it
This special episode explores London and Britain before the fire, full of plague and party in the raucous Restoration atmosphere personified by King Charles II. We see how London’s Mayor preferred to stay in bed during the fire because been partying the night before, and how Samuel Pepys rushed to bury his parmesan cheese for safety
And, of course, our trusty sewer dweller Rattus to guide the way! Guest starring Robert Webb.
ORIGINAL AIRDATE:
Monday 5th September 2016, 5PM
STARRING:
Jalaal Hartley
Tom Stourton
Jessica Ransom
Richard Atwill
Richard David-Caine
Thom Tuck
Dominique Moore
Gemma Whelan
Louise Ford
Daniel Lawrence-Taylor
Natalie Walter
GUEST-STARRING:
Robert Webb
WITH:
Mel Giedroyc
WRITTEN BY:
Lucy Clarke
Dave Cohen
Gerard Foster
Ben Partridge
Danny Peak
Ben Ward
Daniel Maier
EDITOR: Gareth Heal
PRODUCERS: Tom Miller, Lisa Mitchell
DIRECTOR: Steve Connelly
PUPPETEER: John Eccleston ANIMATION: Joke Disco, Studio 43
COMPOSER: Richie Webb HISTORICAL CONSULTANT: Greg Jenner
ADDITIONAL VOICES: Jon Culshaw
FULL DESCIPTION:
Marking 350 years since the Great Fire of London in the infamous history date 1666, Horrible Histories takes a look at the story behind it.
On the night of September 2nd, a spark from a baker’s oven in Pudding Lane ignited a fire that roared through the tightly packed streets of London, tearing up the timber framed houses and destroying up to a third of the city.
In true Horrible Histories fashion, this special episode explores London and Britain before the fire, full of plague and party in the raucous Restoration atmosphere personified by King Charles II. We see how London’s Mayor preferred to stay in bed during the fire because been partying the night before, and how Samuel Pepys rushed to bury his parmesan cheese for safety.
We meet Christopher Wren, astronomer and self-styled architect. We see how his new St Paul’s, that rose phoenix-like from the ashes, was a physical manifestation of the ideas of the age. We take a look at Isaac Newton and the Royal Society with their wonderfully crazy and gruesome experiments!
And, of course, our trusty sewer dweller Rattus to guide the way! Guest starring Robert Webb.
SKETCHES:
Come to England
Advertising the joys of Restoration Britain with no more Cromwell and thus the return of theatre and sport, but surely not the plague?
(Advertisement)
Charles II's New Year's Eve Party 1665
Charles II and his friends and family celebrate a New Year’s Eve Party as the end of the dreadful plague-ridden 1665 closes, the hopes are 1666 can only be better!
HHTV News: The Great Fire of London breaks out
The Great Fire of London breaks out in Pudding Lane with some strange accusations about who started it
Historical Desktops: Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys fails to get the King or Lord Mayor Bludwin to deal with the fire that has broken out, who don’t seem very concerned!
Knightmayor
Lord Mayor Bludwin figures the best solution to the Great Fire is to go to sleep or hide!
(Film Trailer)
HHTV News: The Great Fire of London: Day 2
The Great Fire on its second Day, and the Duke of York grabs hold of some help, literally.
Two Pirates recognise each other in battle
Pirates Rupert and Henry stop amid battle as they recognise one another from their Civil War days fighting for the King and stop for a nice conversation.
The Great Fire Bake Off
Thomas Farriner tries cooking something other than London, infuriated that is all that is known of him, whilst author Hannah Wooley teaches Paul some table manners
HHTV News: The Great Fire of London is finally extinguished
The fire is finally extinguished and many are searching for their lost beloved ones, including the devastated Samuel Pepys searching for his buried cheese!
Prime Suspects 1666
The hunt is on for the person who started the fire, and the boss is determined to find out, or at least choose who to blame
Let’s Talk About Science
The more eccentric side is show to the Royal Society, as Newton explains his odd ideas, Wren tries to teach a spider to dance and Boyle succeeds in making a dead dog wee, much to the horror of one posh presenter
Historical Grand Designs: Re-building London, 1666
Wren and Hooke plan to re-build London and design a new cathedral, making the most of the tragedy which Wren sees as brilliant
SONG: Starting Over Again
Wren, Hooke, Boyle and Pepys for a boyband and take the stage and sing about London’s new beginning, building a new, modern town after the Great Fire of 1666
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