29 June 1613

London's Globe Theatre is burned to the ground

The Globe Theatre in London, showcase for Shakespeare’s plays, burned to the ground on this day in 1613. Thankfully, the only reported injury was a man whose flaming breeches were eventually put out using a handy bottle of ale.

Built in 1599, the theatre stood near today’s Southwark Bridge. It was a three-storey, open-air amphitheatre about 30m in diameter and able to house up to 3,000 spectators who were often rowdy, since theatre back then was rather less genteel a pursuit than today.

The fire began during a performance of Henry VIII – a collaborative play Shakespeare wrote with John Fletcher – and is believed to have been caused when a theatrical cannon misfired and ignited the theatre’s wood beams and thatching.

Like all London’s theatres, the Globe was shut by the Puritans in 1642. It was seen as a den of vice rather than a showcase for superlative drama. The modern reconstruction of the theatre that opened in 1997 launched, as did the original, with a production of Henry V. The modern Globe is based on the original design as closely as possible.

Royal London has its roots in the community. Founded in 1861, it began with the aim of helping people avoid the stigma of a pauper’s grave.

It became a mutual life insurance company in 1908 before growing into the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company.

Its founding principles are self-reliance, community and keeping members at the heart of all decisions.