The Viscount Stafford was one of the "five Popish lords" committed to the Tower in 1678 as a result of the slanders of Titus Oates and he died by the axe in 1680 upon testimony which, as the diarist Evelyn protested, "should not be taken against the life of a dog."
Diarist Samuel Pepys took advantage of its many inns, including the falcon in 1662.
He was a good scholar and a keen student of biblical apocalyptic literature and himself "prophesied" to Queen Anne, Robert Harley, earl of Oxford, William Whiston, and John Evelyn the diarist.
Then on as far as the Foxley turning, when I realized a responsible diarist would at least explore the town.
One of his daughters, Fanny, was the object of the affections of Rev Kilvert, who later became a renowned diarist.
