After 18 Jun 1660 Jane Needham (age 15) was courted by many. She, allegedly, had only two lovers: Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 21) and Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester (age 18).

Pepy's Diary. 19 Nov 1667. Thence with W. Hewer (age 25) and our messenger, Marlow, home by coach, and so late at letters, and then home to supper, and my wife to read and then to bed. This night I wrote to my father, in answer to a new match which is proposed (the executor of Ensum, my sister's former servant) for my sister (age 26), that I will continue my mind of giving her £500, if he likes of the match. My father did also this week, by Shepley, return me up a 'Guinny, which, it seems, upon searching the ground, they have found since I was there. I was told this day that Lory Hide (age 25)¹, second son of my [his father] Chancellor (age 58), did some time since in the House say, that if he thought his father was guilty but of one of the things then said against him, he would be the first that should call for judgement against him: which Mr. Waller (age 61), the poet, did say was spoke like the old Roman, like Brutus, for its greatness and worthiness.

Note 1. Laurence Hyde (age 25), second son of Chancellor (age 58) Clarendon (1614-1711). He held many important offices, and was First Lord of the Treasury, 1679-84; created Earl of Rochester in 1681, and K.G. 1685.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Feb 1668. Up, and to the office, where all the morning, and among other things Sir H. Cholmly (age 35) comes to me about a little business, and there tells me how the Parliament, which is to meet again to-day, are likely to fall heavy on the business of the Duke of Buckingham's (age 40) pardon; and I shall be glad of it: and that the King (age 37) hath put out of the Court the two Hides, my [his father] Chancellor's (age 58) two sons [Note. [his brother] Henry Hyde 2nd Earl Clarendon and Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester (age 25)], and also the Bishops of Rochester (age 43) and Winchester (age 69), the latter of whom should have preached before him yesterday, being Ash Wednesday, and had his sermon ready, but was put by; which is great news.

Evelyn's Diary. 26 Nov 1679. I met the [his brother] Earl of Clarendon with the rest of my fellow executors of the Will of my late Lady Viscountess Mordaunt, namely, Mr. Laurence Hyde (age 37), one of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and lately Plenipotentiary-Ambassador at Nimeguen; Andrew Newport (age 59); and Sir Charles Wheeler (age 59); to examine and audit and dispose of this year's account of the estate of this excellent Lady, according to the direction of her Will.

Evelyn's Diary. 29 Aug 1682. Supped at [his brother] Lord Clarendon's, with Lord Hyde (age 40), his brother, now the great favorite, who invited himself to dine at my house the Tuesday following.

Evelyn's Diary. 07 Dec 1682. Went to congratulate Lord Hyde (age 40) (the great favorite) newly made Earl of Rochester, and lately marrying his [his daughter] eldest daughter to the [his son-in-law] Earl of Ossory (age 17).

Evelyn's Diary. 26 Sep 1684. The King (age 54) being return'd from Winchester [Map], there was a numerous Court at White-hall. At this time the Earle of Rochester (age 42) was remov'd from the Treasury to the Presidentship of the Council; Lord Godolphin (age 39) was made first Commissioner of the Treasury in his place; Lord Middleton (age 34) (a Scot) made Secretary of State, in ye room of Lord Godolphin (age 39). These alterations being very unexpected and mysterious, gave greate occasion of discourse. There was now an Ambassador from ye King of Siam in ye East Indies to his Majesty (age 54).

In 1685 Godfrey Kneller (age 38). Portrait of Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester (age 42).

In 1685 William Williams 1st Baronet (age 51) was elected MP Montgomeryshire. His return was cancelled on petition, on the grounds that the contributory boroughs had no opportunity of voting. The prosecution resumed, and he was fined £10,000. He was also fined £20,000 after similar action was instigated by the Earl of Peterborough (age 63). Supporters worked on his behalf, including the Earl of Rochester (age 42); subsequently, £8,000 was accepted as full payment for the former fine, and Peterborough accepted a token payment for the latter after persuasion from James, now king.

Evelyn's Diary. 17 Feb 1685. This morning his Ma* (age 51) restor'd the staffe and key to Lord Arlington (age 67), Chamberlaine; to Mr. Savell (age 43), Vice-chamberlaine; to Lords Newport (age 64) and Malnard (age 62), Treasurer and Comptroler of the Household; Lord Godolphin (age 39) made Chamberlaine to ye Queene (age 26); Lord Peterborow (age 63) Groome of ye Stole in place of the Earle of Bath (age 56); the Treasurer's staff to the Earle of Rochester (age 42); and his brother the [his brother] Earle of Clarendon Lord Privie Seale in place of the Marquis of Halifax (age 51), who was made President of the Council; the Secretarys of State remaining as before.

Evelyn's Diary. 19 Dec 1685. My Lord Treasurer (age 43) made me dine with him, where I became acquainted with Monsr Barillon, the French Ambassador, a learned and crafty advocate.

Around 1686 Willem Wissing (age 30). Portrait of Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester (age 43) wearing his Garter Robes including the Garter Collar and holding his white Lord Treasurer Staff of Office.

Evelyn's Diary. 12 May 1686. I refus'd to put the Privy Seale to Dr Walker's (age 70) licence for printing and publishing divers Popish books, of which I complain'd both to my Lord of Canterbury (age 69) (with whom I went to advise in the Council Chamber), and to my Lord Treasurer (age 44) that evening at his lodgings. My Lord of Canterbury's advice was, that I should follow my owne conscience therein; Mr. Treasurer's (age 44), that if in conscience I could dispense with it, for any other hazard he believ'd there was none. Notwithstanding this 1 persisted in my refusal.

Evelyn's Diary. 24 Jun 1686. My Lord Treasurer (age 44) settled my greate buisinesse with Mr. Pretyman, to which I hope God will at last give a prosperous issue.

Evelyn's Diary. 21 Feb 1689. Divers Bishops and Noblemen are not at all satisfied with this so sudden assumption of the Crown, without any previous sending, and offering some conditions to the absent King; or on his not returning, or not assenting to those conditions, to have proclaimed him Regent; but the major part of both Houses prevailed to make them King and Queen immediately, and a crown was tempting. This was opposed and spoken against with such vehemence by [his brother] Lord Clarendon (her own uncle), that it put him by all preferment, which must doubtless have been as great as could have been given him. My Lord of Rochester (age 46), his brother, overshot himself, by the same carriage and stiffness, which their friends thought they might have well spared when they saw how it was like to be overruled, and that it had been sufficient to have declared their dissent with less passion, acquiescing in due time.

Evelyn's Diary. 08 Dec 1700. Great alterations of officers at Court, and elsewhere, - Lord Chief Justice Treby died; he was a learned man in his profession, of which we have now few, never fewer; the Chancery requiring so little skill in deep law-learning, if the practicer can talk eloquently in that Court; so that probably few care to study the law to any purpose. Lord Marlborough (age 50) Master of the Ordnance, in place of Lord Romney (age 59) made Groom of the Stole. The Earl of Rochester (age 58) goes Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.