This is the best known published diary written by an English clergyman in the second half of the eighteenth century. It starts with his Oxford days as an undergraduate, then moves on to his work as a country clergyman, mostly in Norfolk, until his death there in 1803. He was a bachelor all his days, despite an abortive courtship.
It details Woodforde's day to day activities. These include eating. As with Thomas Turner, another eighteenth century diarist, there are references to what Woodforde ate and drank very regularly. Useful evidence for the diet of the reasonably well off in this period.
It also details social life, both the interaction between members of his household, such as his niece and his servants. Parishioners, both rich and poor are also mentioned.
The Church and God are not mentioned with much regularity - certainly not compared to Pepys or Richard Kay, an eighteenth century Dissenter. However, Woodforde appears to have been a reasonably conscientious parish clergyman, with services held on Sundays.
Woodforde occasionally ventures into the outside world and often finds it alarming - a trip to London sees the King (George III) insulted by the mob. There is some comment on outside events, such as the French Wars, and the American colonial rebellion, but on hearing the news of the fall of the Bastille, gives it but the same importance as that of buying a crab. Woodforde's concerns are mostly parochial, but he does take a pride in the victories of Nelson, also from Norfolk.
This is not, of course, the complete diary (which is at teh Bodleian Library), but extracts from it. Even so, there is enough material here for both the geenral reader and the scholar (unless he is a Woodforde acolyte) to learn much about life from the perspective of a counry clergyman in the second half of the eighteenth century. Woodforde is an engaging and kindly fellow with many pleasures, though few vices, and an insatiable curiosity
(Rating 5 of 5)
