Great Frost of 1683–84

The Great Frost of 1683–84 was a frost across England, reported as the worst in its history.[1] During the Frost, the surface of the River Thames was reported as frozen to the depth of one foot (0.30 m).[2] The Great Frost enabled one of the River Thames frost fairs.[1] Entertainment on the frozen Thames as result of the Great Frost began the career of Chipperfield's Circus.[2] A Great Frost Fair was also held in Leeds, when the River Aire froze solid for a month allowing a fair with an ox-roast and sports to take place, as described by Ralph Thoresby.[3]

The frost fair of 1683-84

References

1. Williams, Rob (17 November 2013). "The 10 worst British winters ever - 1. The winter of 1684". The Independent. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
2. Ian Sansom (15 May 2010). "Great dynasties of the world: The Chipperfields". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
3. Mitchell, W. R. (2000). A History of Leeds. Chichester: Phillimore. p. 52. ISBN 1 86077 130 0.

External links

• Contemporary reports of the 1683-4 frost