Over W.I. November Meeting – A Dramatic Tale of History: “The Day Parliament Burnt Down”
At our latest meeting, we were fortunate to hear from Caroline Shenton, the former Director of the Parliamentary Archives, who shared the gripping story of “The Day Parliament Burnt Down.”
On the fateful evening of October 16, 1834, a catastrophic fire broke out at the Palace of Westminster, the iconic home of the British Parliament for nearly 800 years. The fire ravaged the building, which had witnessed pivotal moments in British history, including the trial of King Charles I in 1649, the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, debates on the English Civil War, the rise of the British Empire, and the abolition of slavery. While the fire may be largely forgotten today, it captured the nation’s attention for months, dominating headlines and stirring public concern.
The heart of the fire was Westminster Hall, which had stood since the 1060s. For centuries, it housed law courts, the Exchequer, and other government offices. By 1833, the Exchequer had moved out, leaving behind thousands of documents—among them, the old tally sticks, wooden records used by the government until 1826.
In 1834, the Clerk of Works, tasked with clearing the space to make way for Members of Parliament, decided to dispose of the tally sticks by burning them in the underfloor heating furnaces beneath the House of Lords. On the morning of the fire, cleaners reported a strange smell in the Lords’ debating chamber. Later that afternoon, tourists viewing the famous Armada tapestries in the same room noticed smoke filling the chamber and a burning sensation under their feet. Despite their concerns, the Housekeeper dismissed the issue, attributing it to the furnaces burning the tally sticks.
However, things had gone terribly wrong. In the furnaces, workers had piled too many tally sticks, leading to a chimney fire in the flues under the Lords’ chamber. By 6:00 p.m., flames could be seen glowing beneath the chamber’s door. Just half an hour later, a massive flashover erupted, engulfing the building in flames.
The blaze was so intense that, at its peak, it could be seen from Windsor Castle, an astonishing 26 miles away. The fire continued through the night, destroying the heart of Parliament, but miraculously, many priceless documents and treasures were saved.
Our next meeting is on December 2nd, when we are thrilled to welcome back Naomi Wallen. On this occasion, Naomi will be leaving her ballet shoes at home and introducing us to the lively world of line dancing. Join us at the Over Community Centre at 7:30 p.m.—we would be delighted to welcome visitors who would like to try out the W.I. (and perhaps some line dancing too)!
Rachel King
