About Sunday 17 September 1665

Claire on 22 Sep 2018  •  Link

Yes, holidaying as we know it wasn't really something that ever occurred to people in Sam's day. Although the rich travelled more than the poor, I don't think people often went away for a break as such - like you say, mountebank, it was usually to visit family or for another specific purpose.

As San Diego Sarah pointed out, people basically just worked each and every day. Sundays must have been more different for anyone who went out to work but, for most women with families, it can't have been much of a day of rest.

Weekend is probably a relatively new term because the concept is relatively new. I don't think Saturday was considered much different from Monday to Friday in the 17th century. I could be wrong but I think their working weeks were six days long.

About Sunday 2 September 1666

Claire on 11 Sep 2018  •  Link

Thanks ever so much, Terry, great links. 'Hall' must be a transcription thing, like you say.

I wasn't sure whether Hill had been added to the name after Samuel's time, but it seems it was used back then. Not surprising really, in view of how steep it was. Must have been terribly hazardous in icy weather.

Thanks again.

About Sunday 2 September 1666

Claire on 9 Sep 2018  •  Link

I know the two Fish Streets and their varying names cause confusion, but I'm intrigued by Sam's use of the term 'Fish-streets Hall'. Does Sam definitely mean 'Fish Street Hill'?

About Tuesday 30 January 1665/66

Claire on 5 Jul 2018  •  Link

Thanks so much for your reply and kind welcome, San Diego Sarah! Yes, the Restoration period has really grabbed my interest in recent years and I'm currently writing historical fiction set in the 1660s.

Finding additions sandwiched between entries gives a nice reminder of how committed Sam was to his diary, as he seemed keen to include as much as he could when he thought of it, even after the date concerned. I'm just a bit confused here as Sam seems to be saying he both spent all day at home and went to Deptford.

Like you point out though, he had a lot troubling his mind on this day.

About Tuesday 30 January 1665/66

Claire on 1 Jul 2018  •  Link

The final sentence (beginning 'After dinner this day') is interesting. Thanks to Michael Robinson for pointing out it was an addition inserted between entries. However, Sam appears to contradict himself with this; he reports going to Deptford after dinner but just prior to this he writes 'I spent the day at home, and at night betimes to bed'. Am I the only one confused?

I should probably say hello, sorry. This is my first post here. I'm researching 1660s England and it's a delight to have found this site.