The Great Fire

The summer of 1666 was very hot and dry in London. On a Sunday in September a great fire broke out in the city. It began late at night in the street not far from London Bridge. The Monument now stands on the spot to remind people of the terrible flames.

The fire broke out in a baker’s shop. As most of the houses were built of wood and the streets were narrow, the flames spread fast. Besides, a hot east wind was blowing. The better houses had brick or stones foundations only. The fire raged for three days and nights and nothing could stop it. There were no fire brigades at that time. The flames made nights light as a day for ten miles around London. The people left their burning houses and went to the fields across the Thames. They put up tents and lived there.

Then the flames gradually died down, but over thirteen thousand houses and a number of churches, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, were destroyed, and 200,000 inhabitants were left homeless.

But the fire did great good as it burnt dirty narrow streets and brick houses appeared in London after the Great Fire. In the years following the Great Fire London was rebuilt. Sir Christopher Wren, the famous architect, took part in rebuilding the city. St. Paul’s Cathedral, where the architect is buried, was built by him. He also built the Monument.

Answer the questions:

1. When was the Great Fire in London?

2. What reminds people about the terrible flames?

3. Where did the fire start from?

4. Why did it spread so quickly?

5. How London was rebuilt?

An Episode from the History of Great Britain

I want to describe an episode from the history of Great Britain. It concerns the Roman conquest of Britain. In 55 B. C. a Roman army of 10. 000 men crossed the Channel and in­vaded Britain. The Celts who inhabited Britain saw their ships approaching and rushed to attack the invaders in the sea as they were landing. The Celts made a great impression on the Romans, who saw them for the first time in the battle. On the occasion of the battle hair and mous­taches were painted red and their legs and arms were painted blue. With loud shouts they attacked the Romans in chariots and on foot. The well-armed in­vincible Romans under one of the greatest generals o that time had to return to France. In the next year, 54 B. C., Caesar again came to Britain, this time with larger forces (25. 000 men).The Celts fought bravely for their independence but they were not strong enough to drive the Romans off. The Romans who had better arms and were much better trained defeated the Celts in several battles.This is how the Romans man invasion of Britain started. This invasion lasted till the year of 407 A. D. As a result of the conquest signs of Roman civilization spread over Britain. There had been no towns in Britain before the Romans conquered it. As soon as they had Britain they conquered Britain began to build towns, splendid villas, public baths as in Rome itself.York. Gloucester, Lincoln and London be­came the chief Roman towns. The Romans were great road-makers and now a network of roads con­nects parts of the country. The Romans were cleared, swamps were drained, and corn-fields took their place. The famous Hadrian's wall was also built by the Romans.There are today many things in Britain to remind the people of the Romans. The wells which the Romans dug give water today, and the chief Roman roads are still among the highways of modem England. Many of such remains as glass, statues, coins may be seen in the British Museum.