The Fatal Vespers


The Fatal Vespers

The location of a terrible disaster in Catholic history.

Location: Blackfriars

Description: The Fatal Vespers was the name for a long-forgotten disaster in Blackfriars, London.

It happened here at the French Ambassador's house on Sunday the 26th October 1623. The top floor collapsed under the weight of more than three hundred people who were attending a Roman Catholic congregation service led by two Jesuits; Robert Drury and William Whittingham.

While Drury was preaching the great weight of the crowd suddenly snapped the main summer-beam of the floor, which instantly crashed in and fell into the room below.

The main beams there also snapped and broke through to the ambassador's drawing-room over the gate-house, a distance of twenty-two feet.

The two Jesuits were among the ninety-five who sadly lost their lives, while many others sustained serious injuries. In the corners, being less crowded, the floor stood firm, and some of these survivors cut through the wall to safety beyond.

Themes: DisasterDisaster Theme  ReligionReligion Theme
The Fatal Vespers

The location of a terrible disaster in Catholic history.

Ranking This Month: 1028/3062

Pages Hit This Month: 45


Your Comments:

Name:
Email:
Your email will ONLY be used once, to confirm the publication of your comments. We value your contribution and privacy.

Anti-spam Security: Please enter this code:


Other places nearby:


The Piccadilly Tornado», 1.4km

House of Reeves», 9.5km

The Great Fire of London», 0.5km

Houses Collapsed into Hole», 9.0km

Home of Titanic's Duff-Gordons», 2.8km

Grenfell Tower», 4.8km

Titanic Survivor Eva Hart », 10.km

The Fatal Vespers», 0km

Sandhurst School», 6.4km

The Princess Alice Disaster», 8.2km

Location Pinpointed:


Open Street Maps», Google Maps»