16). Became totally blind before Feb. 1652, and granted assistance in secretaryship. Residence: Petty France, Westminster (Dec.–Sept. ? 1660).

1652

Daughter Deborah born (May 2); wife Mary died (May 5 ?); and son John died (June 16 ?). Work on poetry and prose (?) through 1658.

1654

Publication: Joannis MiltonI Angli Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio Secunda (May, in answer to Pierre du Moulin’s Regii Sanguinis Clamor, Aug. ? 1652, which attacked the Commonwealth).

1655

Publication: Joannis MiltonI Angli pro se Defensio (Aug., in answer to Alexander More’s Fides Publica, Oct. ? 1654).

1656

Married to Katherine Woodcock (Nov. 12).

1657

Daughter Katherine born (Oct. 19).

1658

Second wife, Katherine, died (Feb. 3); daughter Katherine died (Mar. 17). Publication: edited “Sir Walter Ralegh’s” The Cabinet-Council (May ?).

1659

Publications and other writings: A Treatise of Civil Power (Feb.); Considerations Touching the likeliest means to remove Hirelings (Aug.); A Letter to a Friend, Concerning the Ruptures of the Commonwealth (written Oct. 20, first published by John Toland in 1698); possible work, “Proposalls of certaine expedients for the preventing of a civill war now feard, & the settling of a firme government” (autumn ?, first published in Columbia Milton).

1660

Period of transition between governments, loss of office, and governmental harassment and imprisonment. Publications and other writings: The Readie & Easie Way to Establish A Free Commonwealth (Mar.; Ed. 2, revised, c. Apr.); The Present Means, and brief Delineation of a Free Commonwealth (“Letter to General Monk,” written after Mar. 3, first published by John Toland in 1698); Brief Notes Upon a Late Sermon (Apr.). Residence: Holborn near Red Lyon Fields (Sept. ?–early 1661). Escaped death penalty under Act of Oblivion of Aug. 29; in prison, after burning of books written by him (Oct. ?–Dec. 15).

1661-1674

Period of general retirement; work on poetry and prose.

1661

Residence: Jewin St. (early 1661–1669 ?).

1663

Married to third wife, Elizabeth Minshull (Feb. 24).

1665

Stayed at Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, to escape plague (June ?–Feb. ? 1666).

1667

Publication: Paradise Lost (Ed. 1, Aug. ?; further issues, 1668, 1669).

1669

Publication: Accedence Commenc’t Grammar (June ?). Residence: Artillery Walk, Bunhill Fields (c.