Esoteric London

Queen’s Head Street, London, N1. Photo ©RogerDean 2014

Curiosities of London, Exhibiting The Most Rare And Remarkable Objects Of Interest In The Metropolis; With Nearly Sixty Years Personal Recollections – John Timbs, 1867:

The early precautions for the prevention of Fires in the metropolis were remarkable. A householder, within the liberty of the City, who dared to cover his house with thatch, was sure to see his dwelling razed to the ground by the authorities. From the time of the Fire in Stephen’s reign, it was forbidden to bakers to light their oven-fires at night (brewers were under similar stringent regulations) with reeds or loose straw; nothing but wood was legal. Lead, tile, or stones, were alone permitted in Edward the Third’s time for roofing.