Prince Henry’s room

The burning still rages, and it was now gotten as far as the Inner Temple; all Fleet street, the Old Bailey, Ludgate hill, Warwick lane, Newgate, Paul's chain, Watling street, now flaming, and most of it reduced to ashes.
John Evelyn, 4 September 1666


Most houses in Fleet Street were timber and tightly cramped together; many jettied out across the street. On Tuesday 4 September, the fire reached Fleet Street. Despite hopes that the River Fleet would form a natural firebreak the flames jumped over the river, driven by the eastern winds.

The half-timbered Inner Temple Gateway 'Prince Henry's Room' on Fleet Street is a notable survivor. By the time of the Fire, it was a tavern, the Prince's Arms.