At the beginning of 1676, Lady Anne Clifford, Dowager Countess of Dorset, Pembroke and Cumberland was just about to turn 86 years old. Now she was about to enter her final months, and as she had for most of her life, she continued to ensure that her day-to-day activities would be documented. Anne had been a prolific diarist throughout her life, and she ensured this continued.

On this day (24 May) in 1616, died Margaret Russell, the youngest child of Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford and his first wife Margaret.