London Calamity

This diary entry is over four hundred years old. It describes an important historical event from a personal point of view. Pepys was not an ordinary citizen: he held an important post in government.

Having read the piece, answer the following questions as clearly as you can.

What evidence is there in the details Pepys gives that this story is over four hundred years old? Try to find two or three good details to explain.

What evidence is there in the language Pepys uses that he wrote this diary in 1666? Try again to find two or three good details to explain.

Who might be interested to read this account, and why? Try to think of three different groups of readers?

Why do you think did Pepys write it down, and why in code which no-one cracked until 1825?