The Great Fire of London: A Rodent Roast You Won't Believe (Probably)
The Great Fire of London - a fiery inferno that ravaged the city in 1666. We all know the story (sort of): flames licked the sky, timber houses went up like kindling, and poor King Charles II probably needed some new socks because he spent most of the time running around in his slippers. But there's one burning question history seems to have forgotten: how many rats met their crispy demise in this fiery disaster?
The Great Rodent Roundup: Fact or Fiction?
Unfortunately, dear reader, there's no exact body count for the furry victims of the fire. Back in the 17th century, counting charred rats wasn't exactly a top priority. However, we can do some detective work! London in the 1600s was practically a rodent Ritz-Carlton. Those half-timbered houses with all their nooks and crannies were perfect for a rat-tastic time. So, it's safe to assume there were a lot of them.
The Great Escape, or The Great Barbeque?
Now, imagine this fiery scene: flames leaping, people scrambling, and rats...well, what exactly were they doing? Here are the two main theories:
- The Great Escape: Sensing the impending doom (because, let's face it, rats are pretty smart), they all hightailed it out of Dodge (or should we say, Pudding Lane?) This would explain the lack of crispy critters in the aftermath.
- The Great Barbeque: Maybe they weren't so quick on the uptake. Perhaps they became furry kebabs, adding an unwelcome protein boost to the already smoky atmosphere.
The Verdict: A Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma (with a Side of Fries)
The truth, like those unfortunate rats, probably lies somewhere in between. Some surely escaped, while others...well, let's just say they became part of the "Great London Burning Burger." Whatever the case, the fire undoubtedly had an impact on the rodent population. But hey, at least it wasn't a total disaster – it might have helped curb the spread of the bubonic plague, but that's a story for another time.
How-To FAQs: The Great Fire Edition (Because Why Not?)
How to Befriend a 17th Century Rat? This is a tricky one. Maybe offer them some cheese-dipped quill pens? No guarantees though.
How to Survive a Great Fire (Just in Case)? Time travel is tricky, but having a plan is always good. Maybe invest in some fireproof socks – King Charles might have been onto something.
How to Start a Great Fire (Not Recommended!) Don't! Seriously, fire safety is important. Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals (or wait for a rogue bakery fire, I guess).
How to Tell if a Rat is From the 17th Century? This one's tough. Maybe ask them about the Great Fire? If they have a strong aversion to open flames, you might be on to something.
How to Get Over My Fear of Rats? Exposure therapy might work. Or you could just focus on the cute ones on the internet. Just don't tell them about their fiery ancestors.
