1683 in England
Events from the year 1683 in England. Incumbents Monarch – Charles II Events 9 January – Charles II gives orders establishing the dates on which he will perform the "Touching the King's Evil" ceremony. 22 March – great fire in Newmarket, Suffolk. 24 May – the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, opens as the world's first purpose-built university museum. 12 June – the Rye House Plot to assassinate Charles II is discovered; at least 11 people will be executed for their connections with it. 21 July – Lord Russell is beheaded by Jack Ketch at Lincoln's Inn Fields for his part in the Rye House Plot. 28 July – The Lady Anne, the King's niece and fourth in line of succession, marries Prince George of Denmark in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace, London. 12 December – start of exceptional cold spell. The River Thames freezes, allowing a frost fair to be held (pictured). Undated Wild boars are hunted to extinction in Britain. The London Jilt; or, the Politick Whore, probably by Alexander Oldys, is published. Births 1 March – Caroline of Ansbach, queen of George II of Great Britain (died 1737) 3 April – Mark Catesby, naturalist (died 1749) 25