His Majestie's declaration to his City of London upon occasion of the late calamity by the lamentable fire

King Charles II issued this declaration to his people on 13 September 1666, one week after the Great Fire of London was extinguished. It contains his plans for the rebuilding programme. He says the City will be rebuilt with improvements to its use and beauty, and in a way to discourage further fires. He forbids the construction of any buildings until a new design has been developed and orders the City authorities to pull down any illegally built houses. Any new houses will be made from brick or stone, instead of timber. New streets will no longer be so narrow 'as to make the passage uneasy'. Houses must be set back from the river and a 'fair Key or Wharf' be constructed along the Thames side. Industries using fires, such as brewing and dyeing, should be separated from inhabited areas. A survey will be made of the ruins in order to work out the ownership of the house plots. Compensation is offered to those whose land is reduced as a consequence of any public works. Finally, the hearth tax is suspended for seven years for properties in the burnt area.