108 The Old Market House, and Great Fire at Marlborough. 
Silver, no braver wares can be had or bought in London, then was to be had 
in the famous Towne of Marlborough. 
‘“‘ At the upper end of the Market-place, was a gallant building called the 
Town Hall, wherein the Magistrates sat and held the Sessions of the Peace, at 
appointed times; there were many faire Inns, Taverns, and Victualing Houses, 
to entertain Carriers and Travellers, and such which had oceasion to make use 
of them, for it stood upon the road between London and Bristoll, and to be 
Briefe, it was a Towne of very good orders and Government. 
‘* And thus, having told you the situation and substance of the Town, I shall, 
with God’s leave, though with a grieved Heart, declare unto you the manner of 
the ruine and destruction of the same. 
‘Here followeth a brief and true relation, as near as can be gathered, 
of the Harmes that were done by the fire in the Town of Marlborough, 
in Wiltshire, April 28th, 1653. 
‘On Thursday, the 28th of April, in the House of one Mr. Freeman a Tanner, 
as some of his servants were imployed with drying of Barke, the Barke took 
Fire so suddenly that it quickly did much harme. The house standing on the 
South side of the street, towards the West end of the Towne, near unto St. 
Peter’s Church, the Fire prevailed so much, that it took hold of the dwelling 
House, and so running a crosse the street from one side to the other, it came to 
be of such force and vehemency, that the like was never seene in England 
before, by the report of some of them that were Eyewitnesses of that sad object. 
“It burned in both sides of the Street all the Inns, Tavernes, Gentlemen’s 
Houses, Shopkeepers’ Houses; Grosers, Mercers, Habberdashers ; all manner of 
Tradesmen that were Inhabitants of that Street, lost both Houses and Goods 
by that consuming Fire. Yet that was not all, it burned downe the Market 
House, and run into St. Marie’s Parish, and burned the church and many 
dwelling Houses in that Parish, so that in St. Peter’s Parish and St. Marie’s 
Parish, it is verified that at least three hundred families were dispossessed of 
their habitations, all which was done in the space of three or foure houres. 
‘‘For when the Fire had fastened on one of the Houses where were piles of 
wood and fagots in their backsides, it flamed and burned so strongly, that all 
that ever could be done could not quench the fire, until it had devoured and 
burnt to ashes, all these places which I have here named. 
“Yet that is not all, for it was not the Houses that were burned alone, but 
also the goods that were in them; there was brasse and pewter, Gold and Silver, 
melted, the value whereof cannot be made knowne; there was Silks and Taffety, 
Woollen and Linnen Cloths, and many other rich commodities, consumed to 
ashes. 
“There was foure or five Tun of Cheese, which was laid in store in the 
Market House consumed to nothing. 
‘And thus was the stately flourishing Town of Marlborough consumed with 
fire on a sudden. 
‘“<Tt would make a heart drop tears of blood, that had but heard the doleful 
eryes and heavy moanes that passed between men and their wives, parents and 
children, the Wife erying out to the Husband, ‘Oh dear Husband, what will 
become of us and our children?’ the Husband answering the Wife ‘We are 
all undone, I know not what to doe.’ 
