Two years in the middle of the 17th century changed the City of London more rapidly than at any other period in history. In 1665, the Plague claimed over a hundred thousand victims, one in three of those in London, and in 1666 the Great Fire spread through the city destroying eighty-seven churches during its four days and leaving five-sixths of the City of London as charred remains. This primary source portfolio reproduces the horror and calamity of these two years in London's history, with eye-witness accounts of the Plague from a Cambridge undergraduate, and a page from Pepys' diary. A contemporary illustration showing the extent of damage caused by the Fire and an examination of the legends that grew out of the turmoil put this period of history into perspective. 6 Illustrated Broadsheet Essays: * The Plague Hits Old London * How They Fought the Plague * Fleas and Plague * Pepys and the Plague * The Fire Begins * The End of it All 6 Primary Source Documents: * Facsimile of a letter from a Cambridge undergraduate, July 18th, 1665, describing London during the Plague, with a transcription * Facsimile of a Bill of Mortality * Facsimile of a page in code from Pepys's diary and an explanation of the code * Reproduction of Wenceslaus Hollar's picture of London before and after the Fire * Facsimile of the Orders conceived and published by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the Infection of the Plague * Reproduction of portrait of Samuel Pepys by John Hayls, the portrait is referred to in Pepys' diary