John Evelyn’s diary, 1697

The severe frost and weather relented, but again froze with snow. Conspiracies continue against King William. Sir John Fenwick was beheaded.

Severe frost continued with snow. Soldiers in the armies and garrison towns frozen to death on their posts. (Here a leaf of the MS. is lost.)

I came to Wotton after three months' absence.

Very bright weather, but with sharp east wind. My son came from London in his melancholy indisposition.

Mr. Duncombe, the rector, came and preached after an absence of two years, though only living seven or eight miles off . Welcome tidings of the Peace.

So great were the storms all this week, that near a thousand people were lost going into the Texel.

The King's entry very pompous; but is nothing approaching that of King Charles II.

Thanksgiving Day for the Peace, the King and a great Court at Whitehall. The Bishop of Salisbury preached, or rather made a florid panegyric, on 2 Chron. ix. 7, 8.…

Was the first Sunday that St. Paul's had had service performed in it since it was burned in 1666.

I went to Kensington with the Sheriff, Knights, and chief gentlemen of Surrey, to present their address to the King. The Duke of Norfolk promised to introduce it,…

At the Temple Church; it was very long before the service began, staying for the Comptroller of the Inner Temple, where was to be kept a riotous and reveling…

At Lambeth, to Dr. Bentley, about the Library at St. James's.

I returned to Wotton.

A great Christmas kept at Wotton, open house, much company. I presented my book of Medals, etc., to divers noblemen, before I exposed it to sale.