1697 in literature

This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1697. Events May 7 – The 13th century royal Tre Kronor ("Three Crowns") castle in Stockholm burns to the ground and a large portion of the royal library is destroyed. The actors of the Comédie-Italienne in Paris announce a performance of La fausse prude (The False Hypocrite), a play that ridicules King Louis XIV of France's wife, Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon, which causes the King to disband the company. George Farquhar arrives in London from Dublin. Thomas Corneille publishes his translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses into French. Daniel Defoe's An Essay Upon Projects suggests insurance, an income tax and the education of women, among other public measures. First publication of the 13th century Heimskringla in Old Norse, with Swedish and Latin translations by Johan Peringskiöld in Stockholm New books Prose Mary Astell – A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, Part II Pierre Bayle – (Historical and Critical Dictionary, first part, publication continued until 1702) Richard Blackmore – King Arthur Thomas Burnet – Remarks upon An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding (on John Locke) William Congreve – The Birth of the Muse William Dampier – A New Voyage Round the World Daniel Defoe – An Essay Upon Projects John Dryden Alexander's Feast; or, The Power of Musique (ode) The Works of Virgil John Evelyn – Numismata: A discourse of medals Jane Lead – A Fountain of Gardens John Locke A Letter to the Right Reverend Edward Ld Bishop of Worcester Mr Locke's Reply to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Worcester's Answer to his Letter A Second Vindication of the Reasonableness of Christianity Charles Perrault (as Pierre Perrault Darmancourt) – (Tales and Stories of the Past with Morals: Tales of Mother Goose) John Phillips – Humphrey Prideaux – The True Nature of Imposture Fully Display'd in the Life of Mahomet John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester – Familiar Letters William Wotton – Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Learning (setting off the English "quarrel of the Ancients and Moderns")