""... there was a Portuguese taken yesterday at the Hague, that had a design to kill the King. But this I heard afterwards was only the mistake upon one being observed to walk with his sword naked, he having lost his scabbard."
L&M: Lower (Relation, 1660, pp. 61-3) recounts two such alarms on this day, neither agreeing with the details given by Pepys. What appears to be a third (concerning an attempt by a Frenchman) is given in Diary of Henry Townshend (ed. Willis Bund), i. 43. The King's guards were strengthened.
"This evening came Mr. John Pickering on board, like an ass, with his feathers and new suit that he had made at the Hague. My Lord very angry for his staying on shore, bidding me a little before to send to him, telling me that he was afraid that for his father’s sake he might have some mischief done him, unless he used the General’s name."
L&M: Sir Gilbert Pickering, his father, was an unpopular republican, and brother-in-law of the General (Mountagu).
"After that to dinner, where Commissioner Pett was come to take care to get all things ready for the King on board."
L&M: Peter Pett had been Commissioner of the /navy at Chatham since 1648, The Council had on 5 May orderwed him to join the fleet for this porpoise: CSPD 1659-60, pp. 431-2.
"by the help of a stranger, an Englishman, we saw a great many places, and were made to understand many things, as the intention of may- poles, which we saw there standing at every great man’s door, of different greatness according to the quality of the person."
L&M: For the customary planting of maypoles in Holland, see H. E. van Gelder, 'sGravenhage in zeven eeuwen, p. 189; J. Hastings (ed.), Encycl. religion and ethics, x. 95.'
A compleat history of the life and raigne of King Charles from his cradle to his grave collected and written by William Sanderson, Esq. Sanderson, William, Sir, 1586?-1676. London: Printed for Humphrey Moseley, Richard Tomlins, and George Sawbridge, 1658. Early English Books Online [full text] https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo…
"As we were sitting down to dinner, in comes Noble with a letter from the House of Lords to my Lord, to desire him to provide ships to transport the Commissioners to the King, which are expected here this week."
"This letter was carried this morning to Sir Peter Killigrew, who came hither this morning early to bring an order from the Lords’ House to my Lord, giving him power to write an answer to the King."
L&M: Cf. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… The order to Mountagu is in LJ, xi. 61; the letters conveying it are in Sandwich MSS, App., ff. 209, 212, 214, 215. Killegrew ('Peter the Post') was a King's messenger now carrying news to Charles of his proclamation in London.
"Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord do give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration; and promises all duty and obedience to him."
L&M: Bodl., Clar. 72, ff. 280-1, 9 May; a draft of the King's reply (13/23 May) is in BM, Egerton 2537, f. 39r.
"And also the whole story of what we did the other day in the fleet, at reading of the King’s declaration, and my name at the bottom of it."
L&M: All the three foregoing items of news are in Faithfull Post (no. 53)which appeared this day. The fleet's declaration (q.v. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… and https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… is at pp. 414-15, subscribed 'Samuel Pepys, Secretary'. Pepys may be referring here to the publication of the declaration as a broadside or in another newsheet. It had been read in both houses off Parliament on 7 May. But no other printed version including Pepys's name has been traced; the larger official newsbooks (e.g. Parl. Intell., p. 304) omitted it.
L&M: The diary registers Pepys's rapid progress from these small beginnings. For details, see Companion [L&M Vol. X]: 'Finances'. His cash capital (c. £25 in March 1660) rose to £6700 in April 1667, of which £3000 had been gained in 1665-6, during the height of the Dutch war. His personal accounts, often mentioned in the diary, have not survived.
'It fell very well to-day, a stranger preached here for Mr. Ibbot, one Mr. Stanley, who prayed for King Charles, by the Grace of God, &c., which gave great contentment to the gentlemen that were on board here, and they said they would talk of it, when they come to Breda, as not having it done yet in London so publickly."
L&M: The parliamentary order enjoining ministers to pray for the King was not voted until the 9th. The preacher was probably William Stanley (d. 1680), vicar of Walmer and Rector of Ripple, Kent.
The Declaration of Breda (dated 4 April 1660) was a proclamation by Charles II of England in which he promised a general pardon for crimes committed during the English Civil War and the Interregnum for all those who recognised Charles as the lawful king; the retention by the current owners of property purchased during the same period; religious toleration; and the payment of arrears to members of the army, and that the army would be recommissioned into service under the crown. Further, regarding the two latter points, the parliament was given the authority to judge property disputes and responsibility for the payment of the army. The first three pledges were all subject to amendment by acts of parliament.[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dec…
The other day I came across a contemporary pamphlet, by a writer who evidently had been much agitated by these terrible doings. Its full title is:
“The Yellow Book, or a serious letter sent by a private Christian to the Lady Consideration, the first of May 1656, which she is desired to communicate in Hide-Park to the Gallants of the Times, a little after Sun-set; also a brief account of the names of some vain persons that intend to be there,” whose company the new ladies are desired to forbear. It begins:
“Lady, I am informed fine Mrs. Dust, Madam90 Spot, and my Lady Paint are to meet in Hide-Park this afternoon; much of pride will be there,” and so on to considerable length, with many a befitting admonition. . . . .
"It being a very pleasant day, I wished myself in Hide Park."
L&M: This was the first May Day on which the erection of maypoles had been allowed since their suppression by the Puritans in 1644 and 1654. During the revolution, May Day had continued to be celebrated as a holiday, and Londoners had still gone in their finery to Hyde Park as usual: cf. The yellow book: or A serious letter sent by a private Christian to the Lady Consideration, the first day of May, 1656 . . . (1656). The Park had been open to the public since the 1620's: James Shirley, Hyde Park (dedication).
"It being a very pleasant day, I wished myself in Hide Park."
L&M: This was the first May Day on which the erection of maypoles had been allowed since their suppression by the Puritans in 1644 and 1654. During the revolution, May Day had continued to be celebrated as a holiday, and Londoners had still gone in their finery to Hyde Park as usual: cf. The yellow book: or A serious letter sent by a private Christian to the Lady Consideration, the first day of May, 1656 . . . (1656). The Park had been open to the public since the 1620's: James Shirley, Hyde Park (dedication).
" After that on board the Nazeby, where we found my Lord at supper, so I sat down and very pleasant my Lord was with Mr. Creed and Sheply, who he puzzled about finding out the meaning of the three notes [L&M say “holes”. P.G.] which my Lord had cut over the chrystal of his watch."
L&M: A 'watch' at this period might be a pocket- or pendant-watch, or a non-striking clock. Crystal was normally used for the face, and sometimes for the whole case. The holes may have been the means of suspending it from cords in order to minimise the effects of the ship's motion.
L&M: Much new building had been done by the time of Celia Fiennes's visit in 1697, when she admired the prosperous look of the 'neate brickwork': Journeys (ed. Morris), p. 128.
"But he shook his shoulders when he told me how Monke had betrayed them [NOT him], for it was he that did put them upon standing to keep [NOT put] out the Lords and the other members that came not within the Qualificacions -- which he [Footnote: Montagu] did not like; but however he hath done his business, though it be with some kind of baseness."
L&M: Bordeaux, the French ambassador, wrote on the 30th: 'Those [of the Lords] even who have borne arms against the Parliament will take their seats. He [Monck] has consented to the admission of all the members of the House of Commons without regard to qualifications; which leads the army to murmur, and weakens the credit of the Presbyterian party, the leaders of which accused te general of having duped them': Guizot, ii. 417.
Comments
Second Reading
About Thursday 17 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
""... there was a Portuguese taken yesterday at the Hague, that had a design to kill the King. But this I heard afterwards was only the mistake upon one being observed to walk with his sword naked, he having lost his scabbard."
L&M: Lower (Relation, 1660, pp. 61-3) recounts two such alarms on this day, neither agreeing with the details given by Pepys. What appears to be a third (concerning an attempt by a Frenchman) is given in Diary of Henry Townshend (ed. Willis Bund), i. 43. The King's guards were strengthened.
About Wednesday 16 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"My Lord told me, too, that the Duke of York is made High Admiral of England."
L&M: His patent of appointment was not issued until 29 January 1661.
About Wednesday 16 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"This evening came Mr. John Pickering on board, like an ass, with his feathers and new suit that he had made at the Hague. My Lord very angry for his staying on shore, bidding me a little before to send to him, telling me that he was afraid that for his father’s sake he might have some mischief done him, unless he used the General’s name."
L&M: Sir Gilbert Pickering, his father, was an unpopular republican, and brother-in-law of the General (Mountagu).
About Wednesday 16 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"After that to dinner, where Commissioner Pett was come to take care to get all things ready for the King on board."
L&M: Peter Pett had been Commissioner of the /navy at Chatham since 1648, The Council had on 5 May orderwed him to join the fleet for this porpoise: CSPD 1659-60, pp. 431-2.
About Monday 14 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"by the help of a stranger, an Englishman, we saw a great many places, and were made to understand many things, as the intention of may- poles, which we saw there standing at every great man’s door, of different greatness according to the quality of the person."
L&M: For the customary planting of maypoles in Holland, see H. E. van Gelder, 'sGravenhage in zeven eeuwen, p. 189; J. Hastings (ed.), Encycl. religion and ethics, x. 95.'
About Wednesday 9 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
William Sanderson's biography of Charles I
A compleat history of the life and raigne of King Charles from his cradle to his grave collected and written by William Sanderson, Esq.
Sanderson, William, Sir, 1586?-1676.
London: Printed for Humphrey Moseley, Richard Tomlins, and George Sawbridge, 1658.
Early English Books Online [full text]
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo…
About Wednesday 9 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"As we were sitting down to dinner, in comes Noble with a letter from the House of Lords to my Lord, to desire him to provide ships to transport the Commissioners to the King, which are expected here this week."
L&M: Cf. LJ, xi. 18.
About Tuesday 8 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"This letter was carried this morning to Sir Peter Killigrew, who came hither this morning early to bring an order from the Lords’ House to my Lord, giving him power to write an answer to the King."
L&M: Cf. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
The order to Mountagu is in LJ, xi. 61; the letters conveying it are in Sandwich MSS, App., ff. 209, 212, 214, 215. Killegrew ('Peter the Post') was a King's messenger now carrying news to Charles of his proclamation in London.
About Wednesday 9 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord do give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration; and promises all duty and obedience to him."
L&M: Bodl., Clar. 72, ff. 280-1, 9 May; a draft of the King's reply (13/23 May) is in BM, Egerton 2537, f. 39r.
About Tuesday 8 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"And also the whole story of what we did the other day in the fleet, at reading of the King’s declaration, and my name at the bottom of it."
L&M: All the three foregoing items of news are in Faithfull Post (no. 53)which appeared this day. The fleet's declaration (q.v. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… and https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
is at pp. 414-15, subscribed 'Samuel Pepys, Secretary'. Pepys may be referring here to the publication of the declaration as a broadside or in another newsheet. It had been read in both houses off Parliament on 7 May. But no other printed version including Pepys's name has been traced; the larger official newsbooks (e.g. Parl. Intell., p. 304) omitted it.
About Sunday 6 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"I have above 40L clear in my purse."
L&M: The diary registers Pepys's rapid progress from these small beginnings. For details, see Companion [L&M Vol. X]: 'Finances'. His cash capital (c. £25 in March 1660) rose to £6700 in April 1667, of which £3000 had been gained in 1665-6, during the height of the Dutch war. His personal accounts, often mentioned in the diary, have not survived.
About Sunday 6 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
'It fell very well to-day, a stranger preached here for Mr. Ibbot, one Mr. Stanley, who prayed for King Charles, by the Grace of God, &c., which gave great contentment to the gentlemen that were on board here, and they said they would talk of it, when they come to Breda, as not having it done yet in London so publickly."
L&M: The parliamentary order enjoining ministers to pray for the King was not voted until the 9th. The preacher was probably William Stanley (d. 1680), vicar of Walmer and Rector of Ripple, Kent.
About Thursday 3 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
Declaration of Breda
The Declaration of Breda (dated 4 April 1660) was a proclamation by Charles II of England in which he promised a general pardon for crimes committed during the English Civil War and the Interregnum for all those who recognised Charles as the lawful king; the retention by the current owners of property purchased during the same period; religious toleration; and the payment of arrears to members of the army, and that the army would be recommissioned into service under the crown. Further, regarding the two latter points, the parliament was given the authority to judge property disputes and responsibility for the payment of the army. The first three pledges were all subject to amendment by acts of parliament.[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dec…
About Tuesday 1 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
See The Project Gutenberg eBook, Hyde Park, [Its History and Romance] by Mrs. (Ethel) Alec-Tweedie, 383 pages with Illustrations and Maps
CHAPTER IV - UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5…
The other day I came across a contemporary pamphlet, by a writer who evidently had been much agitated by these terrible doings. Its full title is:
“The Yellow Book, or a serious letter sent by a private Christian to the Lady Consideration, the first of May 1656, which she is desired to communicate in Hide-Park to the Gallants of the Times, a little after Sun-set; also a brief account of the names of some vain persons that intend to be there,” whose company the new ladies are desired to forbear. It begins:
“Lady, I am informed fine Mrs. Dust, Madam90 Spot, and my Lady Paint are to meet in Hide-Park this afternoon; much of pride will be there,” and so on to considerable length, with many a befitting admonition. . . . .
See Hyde Park https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5…
Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/hydep…
About Monday 30 April 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
What happened? For the post above on May Day proper see https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
About Tuesday 1 May 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"It being a very pleasant day, I wished myself in Hide Park."
L&M: This was the first May Day on which the erection of maypoles had been allowed since their suppression by the Puritans in 1644 and 1654. During the revolution, May Day had continued to be celebrated as a holiday, and Londoners had still gone in their finery to Hyde Park as usual: cf. The yellow book: or A serious letter sent by a private Christian to the Lady Consideration, the first day of May, 1656 . . . (1656). The Park had been open to the public since the 1620's: James Shirley, Hyde Park (dedication).
About Monday 30 April 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"It being a very pleasant day, I wished myself in Hide Park."
L&M: This was the first May Day on which the erection of maypoles had been allowed since their suppression by the Puritans in 1644 and 1654. During the revolution, May Day had continued to be celebrated as a holiday, and Londoners had still gone in their finery to Hyde Park as usual: cf. The yellow book: or A serious letter sent by a private Christian to the Lady Consideration, the first day of May, 1656 . . . (1656). The Park had been open to the public since the 1620's: James Shirley, Hyde Park (dedication).
About Monday 30 April 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
" After that on board the Nazeby, where we found my Lord at supper, so I sat down and very pleasant my Lord was with Mr. Creed and Sheply, who he puzzled about finding out the meaning of the three notes [L&M say “holes”. P.G.] which my Lord had cut over the chrystal of his watch."
L&M: A 'watch' at this period might be a pocket- or pendant-watch, or a non-striking clock. Crystal was normally used for the face, and sometimes for the whole case. The holes may have been the means of suspending it from cords in order to minimise the effects of the ship's motion.
About Monday 30 April 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
'"but a very pitiful town Deal is."
L&M: Much new building had been done by the time of Celia Fiennes's visit in 1697, when she admired the prosperous look of the 'neate brickwork': Journeys (ed. Morris), p. 128.
About Sunday 29 April 1660
Terry Foreman • Link
"But he shook his shoulders when he told me how Monke had betrayed them [NOT him], for it was he that did put them upon standing to keep [NOT put] out the Lords and the other members that came not within the Qualificacions -- which he [Footnote: Montagu] did not like; but however he hath done his business, though it be with some kind of baseness."
L&M: Bordeaux, the French ambassador, wrote on the 30th: 'Those [of the Lords] even who have borne arms against the Parliament will take their seats. He [Monck] has consented to the admission of all the members of the House of Commons without regard to qualifications; which leads the army to murmur, and weakens the credit of the Presbyterian party, the leaders of which accused te general of having duped them': Guizot, ii. 417.