John Evelyn’s diary, 1665

This day was published by me that part of "The Mystery of Jesuitism" translated and collected by me, though without my name, containing the Imaginary Heresy, with…

I went in a coach, it being excessive sharp frost and snow, toward Dover and other parts of Kent, to settle physicians, chirurgeons, agents, marshals, and other…

I arrived at Canterbury, and went to the cathedral, exceedingly well repaired since his Majesty's return.

To Dover, where Colonel Stroode, Lieutenant of the Castle, having received the letter I brought him from the Duke of Albemarle, made me lodge in it, and I was…

To Deal.

To Sandwich, a pretty town, about two miles from the sea. The Mayor and officers of the Customs were very diligent to serve me. I visited the forts in the way, and…

To Rochester, when I took order to settle officers at Chatham.

To Gravesend, and returned home. A cold, busy, but not unpleasant journey.

This night being at Whitehall, his Majesty came to me standing in the withdrawing-room, and gave me thanks for publishing "The Mysteries of Jesuitism," which he…

Dined at the Lord Chancellor's, who caused me after dinner to sit two or three hours alone with him in his bedchamber.

I saw a Masque performed at Court, by six gentlemen and six ladies, surprising his Majesty, it being Candlemas day.

I visited our prisoners at Chelsea College, and to examine how the marshal and sutlers behaved. These were prisoners taken in the war; they only complained that…

Dined at my Lord Treasurer's, the Earl of Southampton, in Bloomsbury, where he was building a noble square or piazza, a little town; his own house stands too low,…

I was invited to a great feast at Mr. Rich's (a relation of my wife's, now reader at Lincoln's Inn); where was the Duke of Monmouth, the Archbishop of Canterbury,…

Dr. Fell, Canon of Christ Church, preached before the King, on 15 ch. Romans, v. 2, a very formal discourse, and in blank verse, according to his manner; however,…

I went with his Majesty into the lobby behind the House of Lords, where I saw the King and the rest of the Lords robe themselves, and got into the House of Lords in…

I went to receive the poor creatures that were saved out of the London frigate, blown up by accident, with above 200 men.

Went to Goring House, now Mr. Secretary Bennet's, ill-built, but the place capable of being made a pretty villa. His Majesty was now finishing the Decoy in the Park.

Took order about some prisoners sent from Captain Allen's ship, taken in the Solomon, viz, the brave men who defended her so gallantly.

Was a day of public humiliation and for success of this terrible war, begun doubtless at secret instigation of the French to weaken the States and Protestant…

In the afternoon, I saw acted "Mustapha," a tragedy written by the Earl of Orrery.

To London, being now left the only Commissioner to take all necessary orders how to exchange, remove, and keep prisoners, dispose of hospitals, etc.; the rest of…

Invited to a great dinner at the Trinity House, where I had business with the Commissioners of the Navy, and to receive the second £5,000, impressed for the service…

To Whitehall, to the King, who called me into his bedchamber as he was dressing, to whom, I showed the letter written to me from the Duke of York from the fleet,…

I presented young Captain Evertzen (eldest son of Cornelius, Vice-Admiral of Zealand and nephew of John, now Admiral, a most valiant person) to his Majesty in his…

I went to Tunbridge, to see a solemn exercise at the free-school there. Having taken orders with my marshal about my prisoners, and with the doctor and chirurgeon…

To London, to consider of the poor orphans and widows made by this bloody beginning, and whose husbands and relations perished in the London frigate, of which there…

To treat with the Holland Ambassador at Chelsea, for release of divers prisoners of war in Holland on exchange here. After dinner, being called into the…

I went with my little boy to my district in Kent, to make up accounts with my officers. Visited the Governor at Dover Castle, where were some of my prisoners.

In my return went to Gravesend; the fleets being just now engaged, gave special orders for my officers to be ready to receive the wounded and prisoners.

To London, to speak with his Majesty and the Duke of Albemarle for horse and foot guards for the prisoners at war, committed more particularly to my charge by a…

I went again to his Grace, thence to the Council, and moved for another privy seal for £20,000, and that I might have the disposal of the Savoy Hospital for the…

To London, and represented the state of the sick and wounded to His Majesty in Council, for want of money, he ordered I should apply to My Lord Treasurer and…

We waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and got an Order of Council for our money to be paid to the Treasurer of the Navy for our Receivers.

I dined with Sir Robert Paston, since Earl of Yarmouth, and saw the Duke of Verneuille, base brother to the Queen-Mother, a handsome old man, a great hunter. The…

To Chatham; and, 1st July, to the fleet with Lord Sandwich, now Admiral, with whom I went in a pinnace to the Buoy of the Nore, where the whole fleet rode at…

I took order for 150 men, who had been recovered of their wounds, to be carried on board the Clove Tree, Carolus Quintus, and Zealand, ships that had been taken by…

To London, to Sir William Coventry; and so to Sion, where his Majesty sat at Council during the contagion: when business was over, I viewed that seat belonging to…

I went to Hampton-Court, where now the whole Court was, to solicit for money; to carry intercepted letters; confer again with Sir William Coventry, the Duke's…

There died of the plague in London this week 1,100; and in the week following, above 2,000. Two houses were shut up in our parish.

A solemn fast through England to deprecate God's displeasure against the land by pestilence and war; our Doctor preaching on 26 Levit. v. 41, 42, that the means to…

Came his Grace the Duke of Albemarle, Lord General of all his Majesty's forces, to visit me, and carried me to dine with him.

I went to Wotton with my Son and his tutor, Mr. Bohun, Fellow of New College (recommended to me by Dr. Wilkins, and the President of New College, Oxford), for fear…

I waited on the Duke of Albemarle, who was resolved to stay at the Cock-pit, in St. James's Park. Died this week in London, 4,000.

There perished this week 5,000.

The contagion still increasing, and growing now all about us, I sent my wife and whole family (two or three necessary servants excepted) to my brother's at Wotton,…

To Chatham, to inspect my charge, with £900 in my coach.

Came home, there perishing near 10,000 poor creatures weekly; however, I went all along the city and suburbs from Kent Street to St. James's, a dismal passage, and…

I went to Wotton; and on 16th September, to visit old Secretary Nicholas, being now at his new purchase of West Horsley, once mortgaged to me by Lord Viscount…

Receiving a letter from Lord Sandwich of a defeat given to the Dutch, I was forced to travel all Sunday. I was exceedingly perplexed to find that near 3,000…

My Lord Admiral being come from the fleet to Greenwich, I went thence with him to the Cock-pit, to consult with the Duke of Albemarle. I was peremptory that, unless…

To the General again, to acquaint him of the deplorable state of our men for want of provisions; returned with orders.

To Erith, to quicken the sale of the prizes lying there, with order to the commissioner who lay on board till they should be disposed of, £5,000 being proportioned…

This afternoon, while at evening prayers, tidings were brought me of the birth of a daughter at Wotton, after six sons, in the same chamber I had first taken breath…

The monthly fast.

To London, and went through the whole city, having occasion to alight out of the coach in several places about business of money, when I was environed with…

I went to Gravesend; next day to Chatham; thence to Maidstone, in order to the march of 500 prisoners to Leeds Castle, which I had hired of Lord Culpeper. I was…

I came from Gravesend, where Sir J. Griffith, the Governor of the Fort, entertained me very handsomely.

I was this day forty-five years of age wonderfully preserved; for which I blessed God for his infinite goodness toward me.

Went home, the contagion having now decreased considerably.

The Duke of Albemarle was going to Oxford, where both Court and Parliament had been most part of the summer. There was no small suspicion of my Lord Sandwich having…

To my Lord of Albemarle (now returned from Oxford), who was declared General at Sea, to the no small mortification of that excellent person, the Earl of Sandwich,…

Kept Christmas with my hospitable brother, at Wotton.

To Woodcot, where I supped at my Lady Mordaunt's at Ashsted, where was a room hung with pintado, full of figures great and small, prettily representing sundry…

Now blessed be God for his extraordinary mercies and preservation of me this year, when thousands, and ten thousands, perished, and were swept away on each side of…