Nearly three-and-a-half centuries ago, the country was in the grip of a winter so cold it became known as The Great Frost. It is considered the worst freeze England has ever experienced.

Exact temperatures were not recorded in the 17th Century, but the records of a Dr John Downes, a physician to Christ's Hospital in London, reveal daily temperatures in the region of -4°C indoors and -12°C out.

The lowest reported was -30°C.

Families froze and starved, the price of food and fuel soared, cattle and deer died where they stood.

Journalist Charles Mackay wrote "it was so cold the trunks of trees exploded with cracks as loud as the firing of musketry".

[www.bbc.co.uk]

Hermione
Director/Moderator - The Hall of Ma'at

Rules and Guidelines

hallofmaatforum@proton.me