As with so many matters, London – whose larger population and more complex socio-economic structure posed greater challenges than those faced by most other English towns – is the source of the most detailed provisions for fire prevention and suppression. We do find references elsewhere to this matter, however. Lynn, for example, had several communal ladders made for public works and fire-fighting. While for the same latter purpose Coventry authorities had in 1474 designated householders in each ward to be responsible for the making of fire-hooks, ropes and ladders, and in 1493 ordered every ex-mayor to pay for the fabrication of two leather buckets, each former sheriff to pay for one, each pair of chamberlains or wardens a bucket between them, and each trio of wealthier citizens the same. On the latter occasion they also set a fine of 100s. on anyone constructing a chimney from timber, and ordered anyone having such a chimney to either pull it down or provide guarantees of making compensation should damage result from such dangerous chimneys.

The brief references from Worcester and York – each extracted from lengthy and wide-ranging sets of ordinances, the former promulgated in 1466 and the latter (undated) probably in the late fourteenth century (prior to the bailiffs being superseded by sheriffs in 1396) – also show that local government had provisions in place to deal with fire. In the former case the authorities show an awareness of the need to address both prevention and suppression measures; suppression was addressed both by trying to put out the fire and by pulling down the burning building with the hooks. In the latter case the focus is on prevention, through a fine on anyone foolish or negligent enough to allow a fire to take hold. In both cases we feel that the concern of the authorities is less with the plight of the householder than with the risk of the fire spreading.