Exit the Actress (25 page)

Authors: Priya Parmar

“The house is fine. I checked this morning.”

Rose and I looked at him, surprised.
“This morning?”
Rose and I spoke in unison.

“Girls! Move!” he said, herding us back toward Maiden Lane.

It was only after he had safely escorted us back to the house that I stopped to wonder how he knew I lived there.

Rose spoke to Duncan in the music room for several minutes while I went to organise hot water for a bath. We were all covered in the fine ash that was drifting over the warm streets like a snow in summer. It seems Duncan has followed our lives from a careful distance, in case we had need of him. He looked in on Drury Lane during the plague until he finally left town. He checked on Drury Lane this morning. He has seen me sing upon the stage. He has seen Rose stand in Madame Ross’s window, has seen Rose at the market, at the dress-maker, at the cheesemonger, at the mercer. He has watched over both of us, but it is Rose—summer, winter, autumn Rose—whom he waits for. He has never stopped waiting for Rose.

September 3, 1666—Official Notations for Privy Council Meeting on This Day to Be Entered into the Log-book

Notations taken by Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

Emergency session, three p.m.

The king and duke were both absent as they insist on fighting the fire personally. His Majesty and the duke sailed downriver to Queenhithe and, dispensing with Mayor Bludworth, who has proven inept at managing this disaster, called for Alderman Sir Richard Browne, a former mayor and hero of the Civil War. His Majesty ordered the Coldstream Guards into the city, organised by Sir Richard Browne. The king and the duke hope to halt the fire at St. Botolph’s wharf, and there they remain. It has been documented throughout the city that the presence of the monarch and the heir to the throne do give the townspeople the heart to combat this disaster and the courage to keep order in the chaos. There is much trouble in obtaining the owner’s permission to destroy a house—as a house destroyed by fire will be compensated by the government but one wilfully destroyed will not. The king has chosen to dispense with the owner’s permission and create firebreaks where he sees fit—he carries with him a heavy purse of gold and distributes compensation where he can.

There is already talk of Catholics setting this fire purposefully. May God have mercy on London.

Nothing further to report.
Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

September 3, 1666—Official Notations for Privy Council Meeting on This Day to Be Entered into the Log-book

Notations taken by Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

Emergency evening session, nine p.m.

The king and the duke, together with the fire-fighters and citizenry, are making a stand at Three Cranes Stairs, but the wind has shifted to the north and the flames are moving back towards the city. If this continues, they will have to reassess their strategy.

In the twenty hours since the outbreak twenty-two wharves have been destroyed, six Livery Company Halls (including the Watermen, Vintners, and Fishmongers) and nine churches have been destroyed. So far the great Drapers Hall has been lucky.

The townspeople are evacuating on foot, carrying their belongings. Unharmed churches have become makeshift warehouses for the displaced to store their goods.

Nothing further to report.
Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

Later—Maiden Lane

We can now see the sky burning orange from the house. The streets are awake with eerie half-lit shadows. The church bells are ringing, calling all
civic-minded citizens to help fight the flames. Many from the theatre have gone to help, soaking their clothes and hair in water before they went. In the morning Rose, Ruby, and I are leaving—
again
.

Later, four a.m.—Hill House (exhausted)

We carried six people safely away from the city: a mother, her four children, and an elderly man who had become separated from his family. The coach is only meant to hold four. Hart would be furious, but Hugh has promised not to tell. How glorious to be able to smell ordinary things again—cinnamon, apples, fresh laundry, peppermint—instead of a burning city.

September 4, 1666—Official Notations for Privy Council Meeting on This Day to Be Entered into the Log-book

Notations taken by Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

Emergency morning session, four a.m.

Reports that this fire may not have been accidental. Discussion this morning as to whether or not it could have been begun by foreigners (Dutch?) or Catholics.

I have written to the forts at Gravesend, preventing any shipping from exiting the country, and have instructed that no persons or vessels may leave the Cinque Ports.

We have arrested Cornelius Reitvelt, a Dutchman and a baker, with a bakeshop in Westminster. He is being questioned in his involvement in the fire’s outbreak and progress.

Nothing further to report.
Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

September 4, 1666—Official Notations for Privy Council Meeting on This Day to Be Entered into the Log-book

Notations taken by Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

Emergency morning session, six a.m.

Grave concerns of rioting in the City. A mob assaulted a member of the Portuguese ambassador’s household, believing that they had seen him intentionally fire a house. Four Life Guards intervened when a Frenchman was assaulted by a mob believing that he, too, had intentionally fired a house. Both were placed in Bridewell Prison
.

Reports of looting throughout the City. The townspeople seem to have lost the will to fight this disaster and are looking to save what they can.

Nothing further to report.
Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington

September 5, 1666

Maiden Lane

My dearest Mouse,

I rode with the king and the Duke of York all this day. The king was magnificent. He rode to the very edge of the flames, his face blackened, his clothes soaked. I was awed and humbled by his courage and his very
force
of person. He ordered his victualler to send bread to the poor at Moorfields and proclaimed a day of fasting next month, whereby appointed men will go about to collect money for those suffering. He is verily a good king with a true care for the weal of his subjects. He is also a man, and is distraught and exhausted by the state of his beloved city. Beside him all the day were his valiant brother, the Duke of York, and his young son, James, the Duke of Monmouth (who manned the King’s Guard).

The Royal Exchange burnt this day, as did Bridewell Prison. I can only pray that the poor souls held within were freed. I feel hopeful that the fire has almost run its course. Heaven knows what we will find when this is over.

I think of you in the green fields of Hill House. You are my comfort as I face this catastrophe. I understand your mother is to join you in the country? Your grandfather wrote to warn me. Courage!

Be well, my sweet,
Ever your,
Hart

Note—
Miraculously, there have not been above a half-dozen deaths reported. Unthinkably good luck.

Thursday, September 6, 1666

Maiden Lane

My dearest Mouse,

It is over. London smoulders. The fire cut a mile-and-a-half swath through our city, stopping just short of our theatre. The king made a splendid speech this day at Moorfields. He insisted that it was an act of God and not man—there was no plot. No
man
was responsible. He promised to take Londoners under his special protection and vowed that together they would rebuild a greater London. He painted a picture of a new, modern city, built of brick and stone. He spoke of “this, our native city,” reminding all who heard that he, too, was born in our glorious capital. Those hearing his words were filled with hope, and for myself, I must say that I am deeply enlivened at the thought of a new London. We have been struck down by plague and fire, and our spirits are yet encouraged to hope.

I will send for you soon, my love. You will return to a different city. The markets are all moved, and the Exchange is held in Gresham College (as well as the Royal Society). All churches are opened to house the poor. The city is still unpredictable as there are so many displaced persons, and the talk is rife with plots and arson. The Catholics and foreigners are naturally suspected. I feel easier knowing you are safe and away. I sent Hugh every day to check on the house in Drury Lane. It is safe. You are constantly in my thoughts.

Ever yours,

Hart