Evelyn's Diary. 16 May 1675. This day was my dear friend, [his wife] Mrs. Blagg (age 22), married at the Temple Church [Map] to my friend, Mr. Sidney Godolphin (age 29), Groom of the Bedchamber to his Majesty (age 44).

Evelyn's Diary. 27 Oct 1675. Lord Berkeley (age 47) coming into Council, fell down in the gallery at Whitehall [Map], in a fit of apoplexy, and being carried into my Lord Chamberlain's (age 57) lodgings, several famous doctors were employed all that night, and with much ado he was at last recovered to some sense, by applying hot fire pans and spirit of amber to his head; but nothing was found so effectual as cupping him on the shoulders. It was almost a miraculous restoration. The next day he was carried to Berkeley House [Map]. This stopped his journey for the present, and caused my stay in town. He had put all his affairs and his whole estate in England into my hands during his intended absence, which though I was very unfit to undertake, in regard of many businesses which then took me up, yet, upon the great importunity of my [his wife] lady (age 23) and Mr. Godolphin (age 30) (to whom I could refuse nothing) I did take it on me. It seems when he was Deputy in Ireland, not long before, he had been much wronged by one he left in trust with his affairs, and therefore wished for some unmercenary friend who would take that trouble on him; this was to receive his rents, look after his houses and tenants, solicit supplies from the Lord Treasurer (age 43), and correspond weekly with him, more than enough to employ any drudge in England; but what will not friendship and love make one do?.

Evelyn's Diary. 12 Sep 1676. To London, to take order about the building of a house, or rather an apartment, which had all the conveniences of a house, for my dear friend, Mr. Godolphin (age 31) and [his wife] lady (age 24), which I undertook to contrive and survey, and employ workmen until it should be quite finished; it being just over against his Majesty's (age 46) wood-yard by the Thames side, leading to Scotland Yard.

Evelyn's Diary. 19 Sep 1676. To Lambeth, Surrey [Map], to that rare magazine of marble, to take order for chimney-pieces, etc., for Mr. Godolphin's (age 31) house. The owner of the works had built for himself a pretty dwelling house; this Dutchman had contracted with the Genoese for all their marble. We also saw the Duke of Buckingham's (age 48) glasswork, where they made huge vases of metal as clear, ponderous, and thick as crystal; also looking-glasses far larger and better than any that come from Venice.

Evelyn's Diary. 09 Nov 1676. Finished the lease of Spalding [Map], for Mr. Godolphin (age 31).

Evelyn's Diary. 23 Jul 1678. Mr. Godolphin (age 33) was made Master of the Robes to the King (age 48).

Evelyn's Diary. 03 Sep 1678. I went to London, to dine with [his wife] Mrs. Godolphin (age 26), and found her in labor; she was brought to bed of a [his son] son, who was baptized in the chamber, by the name of Francis, the susceptors being [his brother] Sir William Godolphin (age 38) (head of the family), Mr. John Hervey (age 62), Treasurer to the Queen, and [his sister] Mrs. Boscawen (age 35), sister to Sir William (age 38) and the father (age 33).

Evelyn's Diary. 08 Sep 1678. While I was at church came a letter from Mr. Godolphin (age 33), that my dear friend his [his wife] lady (age 26) was exceedingly ill, and desiring my prayers and assistance. My wife (age 43) and I took boat immediately, and went to Whitehall [Map], where, to my inexpressible sorrow, I found she had been attacked with a new fever, then reigning this excessive hot autumn, and which was so violent, that it was not thought she could last many hours.

Evelyn's Diary. 09 Sep 1678. [his wife] She died in the 26th year of her age, to the inexpressible affliction of her dear husband (age 33), and all her relations, but of none in the world more than of myself, who lost the most excellent and inestimable friend that ever lived. Never was a more virtuous and inviolable friendship; never a more religious, discreet, and admirable creature, beloved of all, admired of all, for all possible perfections of her sex. She is gone to receive the reward of her signal charity, and all other her Christian graces, too blessed a creature to converse with mortals, fitted as she was, by a most holy life, to be received into the mansions above. She was for wit, beauty, good nature, fidelity, discretion, and all accomplishments, the most incomparable person. How shall I ever repay the obligations to her for the infinite good offices she did my soul by so often engaging me to make religion the terms and tie of the friendship there was between us! She was the best wife, the best mistress, the best friend, that ever husband had. But it is not here that I pretend to give her character, HAVING DESIGNED TO CONSECRATE HER WORTHY LIFE TO POSTERITY.

Evelyn's Diary. 17 Sep 1678. With Mr. Godolphin (age 33), I looked over and sorted his lady's papers, most of which consisted of Prayers, Meditations, Sermon-notes, Discourses, and Collections on several religious subjects, and many of her own happy composing, and so pertinently digested, as if she had been all her life a student in divinity. We found a diary of her solemn resolutions, tending to practical virtue, with letters from select friends, all put into exact method. It astonished us to see what she had read and written, her youth considered.

Evelyn's Diary. 17 Sep 1678. [his former wife] She was, accordingly, carried to Godolphin, in Cornwall, in a hearse with six horses, attended by two coaches of as many, with about thirty of her relations and servants. There accompanied the hearse her husband's brother, [his brother] Sir William (age 38), two more of his brothers, and three sisters; her husband (age 33) was so overcome with grief, that he was wholly unfit to travel so long a journey, till he was more composed. I went as far as Hounslow with a sad heart; but was obliged to return upon some indispensable affairs. The corpse was ordered to be taken out of the hearse every night, and decently placed in the house, with tapers about it, and her servants attending, to Cornwall; and then was honorably interred in the parish church of Godolphin. This funeral cost not much less than £1,000.

Evelyn's Diary. 16 Oct 1678. Mr. Godolphin (age 33) requested me to continue the trust his [his former wife] wife (deceased) had reposed in me, in behalf of his little [his son] son, conjuring me to transfer the friendship I had for his dear wife, on him and his.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Apr 1679. My friend, Mr. Godolphin (age 33), was now made one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, and of the Privy Council.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Jul 1679. I dined with Mr. Sidney Godolphin (age 34), now one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.

Evelyn's Diary. 19 Sep 1679. My Lord Sunderland (age 38), one of the principal Secretaries of State, invited me to dinner, where was the King's (age 49) natural son, the Earl of Plymouth (age 22), the Earl of Shrewsbury, Earl of Essex (age 47), Earl of Mulgrave (age 31), Mr. Hyde, and Mr. Godolphin (age 34). After dinner I went to prayers at Eton College [Map], and visited [his brother] Mr. Henry Godolphin (age 31), fellow there, and Dr. Craddock.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Mar 1684. At Whitehall [Map] preached [his brother] Mr. Henry Godolphin (age 35), a prebend of St. Paules, and brother to my deare friend Sydnie (age 38), on 55 Isaiah 7. I dined at the Lord Keeper's (age 46), and brought to him Sir John Chardin (age 40), who shewed him his accurate draughts of his travells in Persia.

Evelyn's Diary. 31 Aug 1684. Mr. Sidney Godolphin (age 39) was made Baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall.

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).

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 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. 17 Apr 1685. Good Friday. Dr. Tenison (age 48) preached at the new church at St. James's, on 1 Cor. 16, 22, upon the infinite love of God to us, which he illustrated in many instances. The holy Sacrament followed, at which I participated. The Lord make me thankfull. In tbe after noone Dr. Sprat, Bp. of Rochester (age 50), preached in Whitehall Chapell, the auditory very full of Lords, the two Archbishops, and many others, now drawne to towne upon the occasion of the Coronation and ensuing Parliament. I supp'd with the Countesse of Sunderland (age 39) and Lord Godolphin (age 39), and return'd home.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Jun 1685. Came to visite and take leave of me Sr Gab. Sylvius, now going Envoy extraordinary into Denmark, with his Secretary and Chaplaine, a Frenchman, who related the miserable persecution of the Protestants in France; not above 10 Churches left them, and those also threaten'd to be demolish'd; they were commanded to christen their children within 24 houres after birth, or else a Popish Priest was to be call'd, and then yc infant brought up in Popery. In some places they were 30 leagues from any minister or opportunity of worship. "This persecution had displeas'd the most industrious part of ye nation, and dispers'd those into Swisse, Burgundy, Holland, Germany, Denmark, England, and the Plantations". There were with Sr Gabriel, his lady, [his brother] Sr Wm Godolphin (age 45) and sisters, and my Lord Godolphin's (age 39) little son, my charge. I brought them to the water side where Sir Gabriel embark'd, and the rest return'd to London.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Aug 1685. Came to visite us Mr. Boscawen (age 57) with my Lord Godolphin's (age 40) [his son] little son (age 6), with whose education hither his father had intrusted me.

Evelyn's Diary. 23 Oct 1686. Went with the Countess of Sunderland (age 40) to Cranbourne, a lodge and walk of my Lord Godolphin's (age 41) in Windsor park. There was one room in the house spared in the pulling down the old one, because the late Duchess of York was born in it; the rest was built and added to it by Sir George Carteret, Treasurer of the Navy; and since, the whole was purchased by my Lord Godolphin (age 41), who spoke to me to go see it, and advise what trees were fit to be cut down to improve the dwelling, being environed with old rotten pollards, which corrupt the air. It stands on a knoll which though insensibly rising, gives it a prospect over the Keep of Windsor, about three miles N. E. of it. The ground is clayey and moist; the water stark naught; the park is pretty; the house tolerable, and gardens convenient. After dinner, we came back to London, having two coaches both going and coming, of six horses apiece, which we changed at Hounslow.

Evelyn's Diary. 03 Jan 1687. There was now another change of the great officers. The Treasury was put into commission, two professed Papists among them, viz, Lords Bellasis (age 72) and Dover (age 51), joined with the old ones, Lord Godolphin (age 41), Sir Stephen Fox (age 59), and Sir John Ernley.

Evelyn's Diary. 02 Jun 1687. I went to London, it having pleased his Majesty to grant me a Privy Seal for £6,000, for discharge of the debt I had been so many years persecuted for, it being indeed for money drawn over by my father-in-law, Sir R. Browne, during his residence in the Court of France, and so with a much greater sum due to Sir Richard from his Majesty; and now this part of the arrear being paid, there remains yet due to me, as executor of Sir Richard, above £6,500 more; but this determining an expensive Chancery suit has been so great a mercy and providence to me (through the kindness and friendship to me of Lord Godolphin (age 41), one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, that I do acknowledge it with all imaginable thanks to my gracious God.

Evelyn's Diary. 23 Nov 1690. Carried Mr. Pepys's (age 57) memorials to Lord Godolphin (age 45), now resuming the commission of the Treasury, to the wonder of all his friends.

Evelyn's Diary. 23 Jul 1692. I went with my wife (age 57), son (age 37), and daughter (age 23), to Eton [Map], to see my grandson (age 10), and thence to my Lord Godolphin's (age 47), at Cranburn, where we lay, and were most honorably entertained. The next day to St. George's Chapel [Map], and returned to London late in the evening.

Evelyn's Diary. 21 Jun 1693. I saw a great auction of pictures in the Banqueting house, Whitehall [Map]. They had been my Lord Melford's (age 42), now Ambassador from King James (age 59) at Rome, and engaged to his creditors here. Lord Mulgrave (age 45) and Sir Edward Seymour (age 60) came to my house, and desired me to go with them to the sale. Divers more of the great lords, etc., were there, and bought pictures dear enough. There were some very excellent of Vandyke, Rubens, and Bassan. Lord Godolphin (age 48) bought the picture of the Boys, by Murillo the Spaniard, for 80 guineas, dear enough; my nephew Glanville, the old Earl of Arundel's head by Rubens, for £20. Growing late, I did not stay till all were sold.

Evelyn's Diary. 17 Feb 1695. Called to London by Lord Godolphin (age 49), one of the Lords of the Treasury, offering me the treasurership of the hospital [Map] designed to be built at Greenwich for worn-out seamen.

Evelyn's Diary. 05 May 1695. I came to Deptford, Kent [Map] from Wotton, Surrey [Map], in order to the first meeting of the Commissioners for endowing an hospital [Map] for seamen at Greenwich; it was at the Guildhall [Map], London. Present, the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 58), Lord Keeper, Lord Privy Seal, Lord Godolphin (age 49), Duke of Shrewsbury (age 34), Duke of Leeds (age 63), Earls of Dorset (age 52) and Monmouth (age 37), Commissioners of the Admiralty and Navy, Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Christopher Wren (age 71), and several more. The Commission was read by Mr. Lowndes, Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, Surveyor-General.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Jul 1696. Note that my Lord Godolphin (age 51) was the first of the Members who paid any money to this noble fabric.

Evelyn's Diary. 06 Sep 1696. I went to congratulate the marriage of a daughter of Mr. Boscawen to the son (age 24) of Sir Philip Meadows; she is niece to my Lord Godolphin (age 51), married at Lambeth [Map] by the Archbishop (age 59), 30th of August. After above six months' stay in London about Greenwich Hospital, I returned to Wotton, Surrey [Map].

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Jul 1701. My Lord Treasurer (age 56) made my grandson (age 19) one of the Commissioners of the prizes, salary £500 per annum.

Evelyn's Diary. 08 Jul 1701. My grandson (age 19) went to Sir Simon Harcourt (age 39), the Solicitor General, to Windsor [Map], to wait on my Lord Treasurer. There had been for some time a proposal of marrying my grandson (age 19) to a daughter (age 26) of [his sister] Mrs. Boscawen (age 58), sister of my Lord Treasurer (age 56), which was now far advanced.

Evelyn's Diary. 03 May 1702. The report of the committee sent to examine the state of Greenwich Hospital [Map] was delivered to the House of Commons, much to their satisfaction. Lord Godolphin (age 56) made Lord High Treasurer.

Evelyn's Diary. 16 Jan 1704. The Lord Treasurer (age 58) gave my grandson (age 21) the office of Treasurer of the Stamp Duties, with a salary of £300 a year.

Evelyn's Diary. 09 Feb 1705. I went to wait on my Lord Treasurer (age 59), where was the victorious Duke of Marlborough (age 54), who came to me and took me by the hand with extraordinary familiarity and civility, as formerly he was used to do, without any alteration of his good-nature. He had a most rich George in a sardonyx set with diamonds of very great value; for the rest, very plain. I had not seen him for some years, and believed he might have forgotten me.