A Plan of LONDON and WESTMINSTER. Shewing the Forts erected by Order of the Parliament in 1643 & the Desolation by the Fire in 1666

Medium: Engraving
Date: 1666

This is a retrospective plan of London published in the Gentelman's Magazine in June 1749 showing the 1643 defences for the civil war and the area destroyed by the Great Fire. These defences were built to protect the city from attacks by Charles I and his 15,000 Royalist troops. Here all 23 forts are shown, linked by eighteen miles of ramparts. The Royalists never attempted to enter London because the King made a tactical withdrawal.