Sam's diary reaches 1665. At the start of the year, a great frost brings London transport, horses in other words, to a standstill and the streets are given over to football. Sam tries, and fails, to help a young girl who has chosen an unsuitable lover, while his own collection of unsuitable lovers increases, despite the oath he has taken to stop chasing women. His wife, Elizabeth, goes to the hot-house for a wash, and resolves to go there once a week but Sam doesn't think it will last. Adapted by Hattie Naylor.

Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter. Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis

A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. Show less