How the town fires changed Stratford
Shakespeares New Place, Nashs House, Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EP
In 1594, 1595 and 1614 disastrous town fires were reported in Stratford-on-Avon. All these occurred during Shakespeare's lifetime, and he certainly would have been concerned about the last, when he lived at New Place. Over the past four years we have been examining the timber-framed buildings in the town centre, looking for evidence of fire damage and rebuilding. We have two preliminary conclusions:
1) The extent of damage may have been exaggerated to boost claims for compensation
2) Building practices were changed to reduce the risk of fires spreading. In particular the use of elm instead of oak may have been encouraged because of its resistance to burning.
StratFire has been a collaboration between the Stratford Society and Historic England. The project has sought to establish the chronology and extent of the reconstruction of buildings in the medieval town centre, following those three major town fires. Post-fire documentary sources record damage to certain buildings, especially in High Street and Chapel Street, and architectural appraisal indicates that several timber-framed buildings surviving today date from the post-fire period. We have tried to establish the scale, nature and speed of this rebuilding and the impact of the fires, both on the economic well-being of the town and the fortunes of the families most seriously affected.
Timings
- Wednesday 16 September:
- 11am to 4pm
Location & directions
Shakespeares New Place, Nashs House, Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EP
- Directions:
- Between the site of New Place and the Chaucer Head bookshop, opposite the Falcon Hotel, near the Guild Chapel in the town centre.
- Contact on day:
- Dr Lindsay MacDonald
- Telephone number:
- +447753661610
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Venue is on the ground floor, accessible from the Nash's house entrance from Chapel Street. A step-free entrance can be provided via the main New Place gate.
Additional information
The tour will include a walk along the historic spine in High Street and Chapel Street to see the buildings surveyed. Please note that visitors to the event will not have access to Shakespeare's New Place Gardens, which requires a ticket, and is open from 11-3pm and free to CV37 residents.
- Max number of people:
- 10
- Estimated duration:
- 0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
