1660 in literature

This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1660. Events January 11 – Samuel Pepys starts his diary, still using the Old Style date of 1 January. February/March – John Rhodes reopens the old Cockpit Theatre in London, forms a company of young actors and begins to stage plays. His production of Pericles will be the first Shakespearean performance of the Restoration era; Thomas Betterton makes his stage debut in the title rôle. May – The English Restoration brings a host of Royalist exiles back to England, Richard Baxter among them, and many panegyrics are produced to commemorate the event. June – A warrant is issued for the arrest of the anti-monarchist John Milton, who is forced into hiding, whilst his writings are burned. August 21 – The newly restored King Charles II of England issues a royal grant for two theatre companies: a King's Company under his own patronage, led by Thomas Killigrew, and a Duke's Company under the patronage of his brother, the Duke of York and future King James II, led by Sir William Davenant. On November 8, the King's Company moves from the old Red Bull Theatre to the new Vere St.