Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker: Surviving the Great Fire of London

by Hazel Forsyth

September 2016 marked the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire, which changed the City of London forever. In this remarkable book, museum curator and antiquarian Hazel Forsyth delves into never-before-studied primary sources to shed light on the dramatic aftermath of the disaster, and reveal the very personal stories of the people who pieced their lives together in its wake. Beginning with details of the fire itself, the escapes and evacuations, and the troubled times in the city afterwards, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker continues with an astonishing “A-Z of Trades,” comprising 31 chapters documenting the tradesmen of the time, from apothecaries and chandlers to shoemakers and watchmakers, and how their trades worked before and after the Fire changed everything. Each chapter is beautifully illustrated with items relevant to the trade - including paintings, exquisite fabrics, maps and diagrams, and fascinating objects, including candle snuffers, rattles, books, and pipes, among dozens of others. The result is a visual feast that tells a story of loss - and resilience - and shows how the city we know today rose from the ashes. Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker is an evocative reminder of life before and after the Great Fire, and a book that brings to life one of the key events and eras in British history.

Genres: History

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2016

Reviews

[Orsolya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Great Fire of London in 1666 was devastating to the city and people of London even by today’s standards nevertheless during a time when modern recovery and logistical efforts were nonexistent. How were ‘everyday’ citizens and their businesses/economies affected by the flames? Hazel Forsyth explores the answer in, “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker: Surviving the Great Fire of London”.

Forsyth’s “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” is a glossy-paged, coffee table book divided into two main sections with the first meandering on the actions taken (emergency efforts, evacuations, loss inventory) by the Great Fire (versus an actual history of the fire); while the second provides an A-Z trade list depicting personal losses of everyday citizens and merchants. The entire text is backed by an extensive amount of primary, legal, and administrative sources. Forsyth’s thesis therefore attempts to showcase the individualistic effects to everyday life. Sadly, this goal of “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” is, although unique, lost.

The first half of “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” provides readers with some insight into the magnitude of the fire and the remarkable efforts by the city of London to recover and recuperate. Some of the reactions to the catastrophe are quite noteworthy based on the time period and this heightens Forsyth’s impact.

Forsyth uncovers some never-before mentioned facts (including many court proceedings/fines against London citizens post-fire which were clearly unjustified) making for compelling reading. Unfortunately, this section is somewhat rushed and would have done better being more fleshed out.

The second section, highlighting the individual trades, are not at all what one would hope for or expect in “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker”. Forsyth’s portraits of the trades are inconsistent with some mostly describing pre-fire economies while others mostly comprise of inventories in paragraph form. Nothing is truly illuminated and one almost reacts with, “What is the point, here?” as the text does nothing other than show what jobs existed during the period. The relation to the fire is predominately lost.

Although Forsyth’s writing is scholarly (and her research is solid); perhaps “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” is too academic as it has no zest and little reader appeal. Basically said, “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” is quite slow and boring.

Graphically, “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” has redemption value in that it features photos of actual pieces and archives from the collection of the Museum of London making the reader feel as though one is walking through a museum exhibit (the text would –and probably is—a great museum supplement). The colorful photos are detailed and striking accompanied by descriptive captions.

Forsyth provides the final pages of “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” with some (lightly) annotated ‘Notes’ and a few listed sources for further reading.

Even though “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” has a unique thesis; it lacks in presentation and execution. The text isn’t memorable and the reader will not be emotionally moved in any way. “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” is quite dry and only recommended for those who must read everything concerning the Great Fire.

[John Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Digging through the rubble after the Great Fire of London wasn’t just the job of Charles II and his contemporaries, but of this author too who helps recreate life before, during and after the fire. I also listened to her on a history vlog and podcast and she’s fascinating.
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2022 Reviewed 📚 59

[Amy Doolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred the sections on the specific occupations with support from the museum of London collections, the rest was a bit tedious