The Post-Reformation period lead to several “neoclassical”
and contemporary ideologies forming in social, political, and religious
atmospheres. Human development in knowledge of the natural world was
drastically climbing upward and improving society in many ways. It was also the
era in which several important events changed the course and tone of human
development such as the Plague of 1665 in London, the Great London Fire in
1666, and the Restoration of the Stuart Monarchy in 1660.
Instead of buying history textbooks (no offense textbook
writers), how can a society in the 21st century understand how events
such as these affected those living in this era of Enlightenment? Through
personal diaries, of course!
Samuel Pepys contributed greatly to the understanding of the above-mentioned events with his first-hand accounts from his personal diary, published posthumously. What is interesting about Pepys is that his personal diary was definitely never meant to be shared as it not only contained a detailed account of the reconstruction of London after the Great Fire, but also his multiple, rather scandalous, romantic affairs. Yikes.
Here is an excerpt from his diary of some of the aftermath Great London Fire (keep in mind Pepys was part of the politics behind the new building standards that would emerge from the Fire):
"As soon as dined, I and Moone away and walked through the City, the streets full of nothing but peple and horses and carts loaded with goods, ready to run one another over, and removing goods from one burned house to another..."
Despite those intimate details (and the fact that Pepys
probably literally rolled over in his grave from embarrassment), the importance
and value of a first-hand account is immense and helps our modern society understand
the ‘fontes’ of knowledge that so greatly shape our culture.
(Also, learn from Pepys and keep a personal journal, but
with caution, because it may be published after you die.)
Image Credits: "Samuel Pepys" and "Diaries of Samuel Pepys" (Public domain images via Wiki Commons)
