In 1654 William D'Oyly 1st Baronet (age 40) was elected MP Norfolk. He was re-elected in 1656 and 1659.

In 1660 William D'Oyly 1st Baronet (age 46) was elected MP Great Yarmouth. He was re-elected in 1661 and sat until his death in 1667.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Sep 1665. At noon, by invitation, to my Lord Bruncker's (age 45), all of us, to dinner, where a good venison pasty, and mighty merry. Here was Sir W. Doyly (age 51), lately come from Ipswich about the sicke and wounded, and Mr. Evelyn (age 44) and Captain Cocke (age 48). My wife also was sent for by my Lord Bruncker (age 45), by Cocke (age 48), and was here.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Sep 1665. After dinner, my Lord (age 45) and his mistress would see her home again, it being a most cursed rainy afternoon, having had none a great while before, and I, forced to go to the office on foot through all the rain, was almost wet to my skin, and spoiled my silke breeches almost. Rained all the afternoon and evening, so as my letters being done, I was forced to get a bed at Captain Cocke's (age 48), where I find Sir W. Doyly (age 51), and he, and Evelyn (age 44) at supper; and I with them full of discourse of the neglect of our masters, the great officers of State, about all business, and especially that of money: having now some thousands prisoners, kept to no purpose at a great charge, and no money provided almost for the doing of it. We fell to talk largely of the want of some persons understanding to look after businesses, but all goes to rack. "For", says Captain Cocke (age 48), "my Lord Treasurer (age 58), he minds his ease, and lets things go how they will: if he can have his £8000 per annum, and a game at l'ombre, [Spanish card game] he is well. My Chancellor (age 56) he minds getting of money and nothing else; and my Lord Ashly (age 44) will rob the Devil and the Alter, but he will get money if it be to be got".

Pepy's Diary. 11 Sep 1665. Up and walked to the office, there to do some business till ten of the clock, and then by agreement my Lord, Sir J. Minnes (age 66), Sir W. Doyly (age 51), and I took boat and over to the ferry, where Sir W. Batten's (age 64) coach was ready for us, and to Walthamstow [Map] drove merrily, excellent merry discourse in the way, and most upon our last night's revells; there come we were very merry, and a good plain venison dinner.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Sep 1665. After dinner to billiards, where I won an angel¹, and among other sports we were merry with my pretending to have a warrant to Sir W. Hickes (who was there, and was out of humour with Sir W. Doyly's (age 51) having lately got a warrant for a leash of buckes, of which we were now eating one) which vexed him, and at last would compound with me to give my Lord Bruncker (age 45) half a buck now, and me a Doe for it a while hence when the season comes in, which we agreed to and had held, but that we fear Sir W. Doyly (age 51) did betray our design, which spoiled all; however, my Lady Batten invited herself to dine with him this week, and she invited us all to dine with her there, which we agreed to, only to vex him, he being the most niggardly fellow, it seems, in the world. Full of good victuals and mirth we set homeward in the evening, and very merry all the way.

Note 1. A gold coin, so called because it bore the image of an angel, varying in value from six shillings and eightpence to ten shillings.

Evelyn's Diary. 10 Apr 1666. Visited Sir William D'Oyly (age 52), surprised with a fit of apoplexy, and in extreme danger.

Evelyn's Diary. 25 Aug 1666. Waited on Sir William D'Oyly (age 52), now recovered, as it were, miraculously. In the afternoon, visited the Savoy Hospital, where I stayed to see the miserably dismembered and wounded men dressed, and gave some necessary orders. Then to my Lord Chancellor (age 57), who had, with the Bishop of London (age 74) and others in the commission, chosen me one of the three surveyors of the repairs of Paul's [Map], and to consider of a model for the new building, or, if it might be, repairing of the steeple, which was most decayed.

Evelyn's Diary. 27 Sep 1666. Dined at Sir William D'Oyly's (age 52), with that worthy gentleman, Sir John Holland, of Suffolk.

Pepy's Diary. 20 May 1667. Thence by water to Westminster Hall [Map], and there walked a while talking at random with Sir W. Doyly (age 53), and so away to Mrs. Martin's lodging, who was gone before, expecting me, and there je hazer what je vellem cum her and drank, and so by coach home (but I have forgot that I did in the morning go to the Swan [Map], and there tumbling of la little fille, son uncle did trouver her cum su neckcloth off, which I was ashamed of, but made no great matter of it, but let it pass with a laugh), and there spent the evening with my wife at our flagelets, and so to supper, and after a little reading to bed. My wife still troubled with her cold. I find it everywhere now to be a thing doubted whether we shall have peace or no, and the captain of one of our ships that went with the Embassadors do say, that the seamen of Holland to his hearing did defy us, and called us English dogs, and cried out against peace, and that the great people there do oppose peace, though he says the common people do wish it.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Jun 1667. Thence to Westminster Hall [Map], and there walked a turn or two with Sir William Doyly (age 53), who did lay a wager with me, the Treasurership would be in one hand, notwithstanding this present Commission, before Christmas: on which we did lay a poll of ling, a brace of carps, and a pottle of wine; and Sir W. Pen (age 46) and Mr. Scowen to be at the eating of them.