'Home by water ... the river beginning to be very full of ice, so as I was a little frighted.' (18th December 1665). The Frozen Thames, by A. Hondius 1667 detail. Before the river was embanked in the nineteenth century, it was liable to freeze in the most severe winters. In 1676-7 and 1684 ice fairs were held on the Thames. Taken from Pepys, Samuel English diarist and naval administrator; kept diary 1660-1669 (published 1893-1899); president of Royal Society 1684-1686 _1633-1703