DIARY OP WILLIAM WHITEWAY. 79 



affirights of the inhabitants, amongst which next unto the 

 Chandlers house (then all on a fier flaming) was a Warehouse of 

 Gunpowder filled into barrells belonging to a marchant of the 

 towne, which to preserve they much adventured, and with wet 

 sheets and other linnen saved the house from burning till they 

 had caried the powder safe into the fieldes, otherwise taking 

 fier it had bene sufficient, with one blast to have blowne up a 

 whole towne, with all the inhabitants therein remaining, but 

 God be praised it was preserved, and not one living creature 

 therein perished. 



The fier as I had said before began betweene the houres of two 

 and three in the afternoone, the winde blowing very strong and 

 increased so mightily, that in very short space, the most part of the 

 towne was fiered which burned so extreamely, the weather being 

 hot and the houses drie,* that helpe of man grew almost past, but 

 yet as in such extremities, people will shew their endeavours, so 

 these amazed townsmen strived to succor one another, but to small 

 purpose, for the tyranous fier had taken too great a head, and 

 likewise there was too much want of water. 



The reason the fier at the first prevailed above the strength of 

 man, was, that it unfortunately hapned in the time of harvest, 

 when people were most busied in reaping of their corne, and the 

 towne most emptyest : but when this burning Beacon of ruyne, 

 gave the harvestmen light into the field, little booted it them to 

 stay, but in more than reasonable hast, poasted they homeward not 

 onely for the safeguard of their goods and houses, but for the 

 preservation of their wives and children more dearer than all 

 temporall estate or wordly aboundance. 



In like manner, the inhabitants of the neighbouring townes and 

 villages at the fearful sight red blazing eliment, ran in multitudes 

 to assist them, preferring the deare adventure of their lives to 

 oppresse the rigour of the fier if possible it might be, but all to 

 late they came, and to small purpose, shewed they their willing 

 mindes, for almost every streete was filled with flame, every place 

 * The houses were mainly timbered and half -timbered houses. 



