The Great Fire of London
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
In 1666, a catastrophic event named the
0:03
Great Fire of London befell the city,
0:05
devouring much of its architecture.
0:07
Despite the destruction, an unexpected
0:09
upside emerged from the ashes. The fire
0:12
drastically cut down the city's rat
0:14
population. This unexpected consequence
0:16
played a critical role in ending a
0:18
deadly disease of the time, the bubonic
0:20
plague. Fast forward a couple centuries
0:23
later. During the Victorian era, people
0:26
had a peculiar way of preserving
0:27
memories with their deceased loved ones.
0:30
Victorians would pose for portraits with
0:31
their departed family members, a
0:33
practice that may seem eerie today.
0:36
These momento mori or reminders of
0:38
mortality served as their version of a
0:40
scrapbook, a testament to their love and
0:43
memory.

