The Diary of John Nicoll (1660-1667) is a contemporaneous record that throws an insight upon the trials and tribulations of the time. There can be little doubt that the people were minded to accept change by 1660 and were over optimistic at what that might be. Some would have seen the return of the King as Divine intervention, an answer to their sufferings of recent years. Others perhaps, had the dread of possible revenge for the earlier affronts in 1650 -1651 made by the Godly to the King. They had good cause to worry after the new Parliament met in 1661. Meanwhile there was rejoicing in the land
when the calling of a new Parliament was announced with great pomp:

The
“Drunken” Parliament

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