On the night of 2 September, a spark from a baker’s oven in Pudding Lane ignited a fire which 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 (Robert Webb, pictured). 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.

Horrible Histories: The Grizzly Great Fire of London will be broadcast on Monday the 5th of September on BBC Two. More promotional pictures below:

With thanks to BBC Media