The Diary of John Evelyn (Volume 2 of 2)

Step into the bustling world of mid‑17th‑century England through the eyes of a diligent courtier and scholar. His daily entries capture a whirlwind of responsibilities—coordinating physicians and officials along the southern coast during the early days of the plague, delivering royal messages, and overseeing the placement of officers in strategic ports. The narrative moves from the icy travels to Dover and Canterbury to intimate moments at Whitehall, where the king personally thanks him for a controversial pamphlet on Jesuitism.

Beyond official duties, the diary blossoms into a vivid portrait of contemporary life. He describes lavish masques, lively dinners with the Lord Chancellor, and curious encounters with exotic birds in St. James’s Park, noting their feeding habits with the precision of a naturalist. Interwoven with reflections on architecture, politics, and personal health, these entries offer listeners an authentic, unvarnished glimpse of Restoration society, its anxieties, and its marvels.