The Report of ye Commete of ye house of Commons for ye inspection of ye firing London

Contemporary manuscript version of the report by Sir Robert Brooks, Chairman of the Committee appointed by the House of Commons to enquire into the origin of the Great Fire on 22 January 1667. The sheet has been folded and the dust-stained exposed surface is inscribed in a different contemporary hand, in ink 'Papest fiering London'. There a some small holes and tears, creases and dust-staining along the folds affecting two or three words. Traces of three old tape marks can be seen on page four of the bifolium where the document was previously mounted. The report covering two and a half pages in a slightly crabbed hand, suggests direct reportage or copying, with some mistakes scratched through and a few alterations and amendments inserted above the main text in brackets. The text includes seventeen depositions, the first part as follows: "In a letter from Allanson of ye 23th August: new stile, from one, Durall to a Gen: Loding in ye house of one of ye Ministers of ye French Church, in Lonodn caled Min: Herault there were these words expresed. I pray Aquaint me wth ye truith of certen newse wch is Commen in this Country, yt a fire from Heaven is faulen upon a Ciy caled (Bolk) situated on ye side of ye River thames were a world of peopell Have bene kiled & burnt & Houses allso consumed wch simed a owrd of Cabell cast out by sume yet were knowing & to others yt might be ignorent of ye signification of it. Mrs Eliz: Stiles deposes yt in Aprill last in a Eger discourse She Had wth a frinch Ser[van]t: of Sir Vere Frans: He Hastyle REplied you English maids: iwll like ye Frinchmen better wn there is not a House left betwixt Temple bare & London bridg: to wch she Answered, I Hope ye Eies will never see yt, then He replyed this will be betwext June & Oct 6: next..." The most significant deposition (number five) was taken from Robert Hubert, which is followed by the statement (not found in the published accounts) "That this Monsyer Hubert, lived a Papest & died one: all though if ever given out ye He was a Huginet..." The report also includes a very short deposition from the Pudding Lane baker, Thomas Farriner, "whoe deposed at 12 at night according to the usell custom He went throught all ye House & there was noe fire there..."