Episode 62 - Freeborn John Lilburne and the Parliament fire of 1834

This week Harrison found out all about Freeborn John Lilburne, a stubborn son of a gun that Chris has decided is his new hero. As well as taking a castle after his superior officer told him not to, he was thrown in jail many many times, often after the court had released him on the promise that he’d keep out of trouble. He didn’t. He fought for the rights of thee people, standing up for what he called their freeborn rights. The right to keep silent and not incriminate yourself being prime among them. If you’re recently heard the “Miranda Rights” on a tv show or movie, you have John to thank for them! Chris meanwhile learnt about the fire that burnt down the British Parliament in 1834. Various architects had warned for years that if a fire started in Parliament, it would almost certainly rage out of control. Of course no one listened and that’s exactly what happened when the Clark of Works ordered that a large number of tally sticks be burned on 16 October 1834. The fire might have been stopped if only someone had paid attention to the heat and smoke rising into the House of Lords from the furnaces below the floor…