Charles II.

ordering [blank] Wild, Robert Jeggon, and "all other Justices, Constables & other Our officers" to ensure the safety of refugees and their property in the Parish of St Giles by keeping regular watch and ward and providing "charitable & Christian reception, lodging & releife to their Persons", counter-signed at the foot by Lord Arlington, 2 pages, folio, 5 September 1666, papered seal, integral blank, docketed

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...Whereas a very great number of Our distressed Subjects of London, have for their present refuge repaired to the Parish of St Giles, in the houses & feilds whereof they have laid & lodged the goods they have with so much difficulty preserved from the violence of the fire. And whereas wee are informed that [...] there is noe ward nor watch kept there, whereby they are in danger to bee deprived of that little they have rescued from the flames..."

An emergency royal order signed while London was still in flames. By the 5th of September the worst of the fire was over - the wind that had fanned the flames dropped the previous evening, and fire-breaks stopped its further progress - but the suburbs and open spaces to the north of the City had been inundated by tens of thousands of newly homeless Londoners. This order offers a vivid insight into the plight of displaced Londoners in St Giles (roughly covering the area of Covent Garden, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and part of Bloomsbury). The hurried way the document is addressed (not even having the full names of the local JPs) is an indication of its urgency, and it is typical of Charles's energetic response to the crisis that the order came directly from the king rather than London's own civic authorities.