People in Shakespeare's time were used to the idea of the infinite: the planets, the heavens, the weather. But they were not used to the inverse idea the small (and even nothingness) could be expressed by mathematical axioms. In fact, the first recorded English use of the word zero wasn't until 1598.
Italian mathematician Fibonacci, who lived in the 13th century, helped to introduce the concept of zero, known then as a "cipher". But it wasn't until philosopher René Descartes and mathematicians Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz developed calculus in the late 16th century that zero started to figure prominently.
Robert Hooke FRS didn't discover microorganisms until 1665, meaning the idea that life could exist on a micro level remained something of fantasy.
With the growing influence of neoclassical ideas in England, small, insignificant figures had begun to be used to represent large concepts. This happened both in modes of calculation (which used proportion) and in the practice of writing mathematical symbols.
For example, during the 16th and early 17th centuries, the equals, multiplication, division, root, decimal, and inequality symbols were gradually introduced and standardized.
The work of Christopher Clavius — a German Jesuit astronomer who helped Pope Gregory XIII introduce the Gregorian calendar — and other mathematicians on fractions, then called "broken numbers". They stirred up great angst among those who clung to classical number theories.
The struggle to come to terms with the entanglement of the large and the small is displayed in some of Shakespeare's works:
The opening chorus of Henry V displays Shakespeare's interest in proportion and the concept of zero through its repeated "O" and references to contemporary mathematical thought:
"O for a muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention: A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, And monarchs to behold the swelling scene […] may we cram Within this wooden O the very casques That did affright the air at Agincourt? O pardon: since a crookèd figure may Attest in little place a million, And let us, ciphers to this great account, On your imaginary forces work. "
Scholars largely agree that Shakespeare's "crookèd figure" is really zero, despite the obvious objection that zero is the least crooked of all numbers.
In the line "a crookèd figure may / Attest in little place a million," Shakespeare references 16th century mathematical debates surrounding the idea that the tiny is capable of both representing and influencing the huge. In this case, zero is can transform 100,000 into 1,000,000.
Stephane, how could you!? Louis XIV moves the court to Versailles in 1682 -- right now it's a hunting lodge. I believe you should change the palace named above to The Louvre?
"The first written mention of lemonade-like drinks comes from 'On Lemon, Its Drinking and Use', an Arabic treatise written in the 12th century by the physician Ibn Jumayʿ, who wrote down a number of drink recipes that included not only lemon juice, but fruits, herbs, and spices.
"Jumayʿ recommended lemonade for its health benefits, and that reputation followed it into Europe, along with sugar and the lemon itself. The price of its ingredients initially reserved it for the very rich and the very sick. But refreshing lemonade could not be contained to the sickroom for long, and by the 17th century, Paris was filled with wandering lemonade vendors, who sold the drink from elaborate tanks strapped to their backs."
The location of Broome House at Barham suggests that the Dixwells may have hosted Royalists on their way to and from the Continent during the Civil War years???:
More than most villages in Kent, Barham has had a ringside seat to history.
It lies among Barham Downs, and it was on these Downs the Romans camped on their way inland from landing at Thanet. William the Conqueror met the Men of Kent here, heard them swear fealty and took delivery of the hostages they surrendered against their fulfillment of that oath.
It was here that William, son of King Stephen, fell from his horse and broke his thigh on his way to Dover to meet the Earl of Flanders, and it was here that King John camped with 50,000 men in preparation for war with France.
Simon de Montfort assembled a huge army on Barham Downs in 1265, during the Barons' War; and in 1422 Henry VI came from his crowning in Paris to be met here by his Barons and Commons and escorted to Canterbury and on to London.
King Charles I picnicked on them during his return to London with his bride, Henrietta Maria. During the Civil Wars, Royalist troops massed here for their attack on Dover Castle in 1642; and Charles II was welcomed home here after his long years of exile by the Kentish Regiment of Foot, in 1660.
Many locals say it is on Barham Downs, in one of the hundreds of prehistoric burial mounds there, that the legendary golden statue of Woden lies buried. Henry VIII took the legend sufficiently seriously to order the excavation of one mound, and the diggers did find gold-embellished armour.
Broome Park at Barham is a 17th century mansion designed by Inigo Jones. [Between 1635 and 1638 Dixwell built Broome Park, Barham, situated midway between Folkestone and Canterbury, at a cost of £8,000. FOR SIR BASIL DIXWELL MP 1585 - 1642 https://www.historyofparliamenton… ]
Barham is an attractive village, with a long street over which towers the green copper spire of the 13th century church of St. John the Baptist.
Nearby Barham Court was once the home of that FitzUrse who was one of the knights who murdered Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. The three bears on the village sign that stands on the green are a reference to the FitzUrse family.
For many years the most distinctive local landmark, after the church, was Barham windmill but that was destroyed by fire during restoration in 1970.
@@@ The village information above is taken from The Kent Village Book, written by Alan Bignell and published by Countryside Books. http://www.visitoruk.com/Dover/ba…
Broome Park is a golf course and hotel these days. You can visit.
There have been 3 baronetcies created for members of the Dixwell family, all of whom are descended from Charles Dixwell (died 1591) of Coton House, near Churchover, Warwickshire. All 3 baronetcies are extinct. ... Sir Basil Dixwell, 1st Baronet (1640–1668)
The Dixwell Baronetcy, of Broome House, Barham, situated midway between Folkestone and Canterbury, in the County of Kent, was created on 19 June 1660, for Basil Dixwell great nephew and heir of Sir Basil Dixwell of Tirlington, from whom he inherited the Broome House estate.
Sounds like Sir Basil is someone who did something important for Charles II during the exile years, who was rewarded for it, but the reason is lost to history.
I agree -- not all this money belonged to Pepys personally. As Creed isn't sailing on the Naseby, I'm guessing Sam has to handle the fleet's daily petty cash for things like horse warrants. For safety the big bucks are hidden in Montagu's cabin. That's why Pepys had to show Montagu the paperwork, and he signed off on it.
Each Captain also has petty cash for his ship.
The petty cash is used for emergencies: a sick seaman who has to be put ashore and someone hired to tend to him; unanticipated needed supplies; the occasional new mast when the fleet is in the Med. etc.
At the end of the voyage the Captains and Admiral will have to account for it to the Navy Board -- SPOILER that's something Creed has a lot of trouble doing. Maybe that's understandable when you have to make up a King's shortfall.
"I took the opportunity to send all my Dutch money, 70 ducatoons and 29 gold ducats to be changed, if he can, for English money, which is the first venture that ever I made, and so I have been since a little afeard of it."
I feel the same way about currency exchange. But how nice to be able to extend such a service to the royals and their staff. "You only have ducats? Here, let me held you out -- give me 20 of those and I can let you have 10/.."
But now he has a pocket full of ducats to get rid of.
"At last waked by a messenger come for a Post Warrant for Mr. Hetly and Mr. Creed, who stood to give so little for their horses that the men would not let them have any without a warrant, which I sent them."
This must have given Pepys a chuckle. First, Creed as Fleet Treasurer must have inherited the problem of how to pay all the sailors a month's pay when Charles II only gave them 700/. to do it with. Plus Pepys never said he was on board, being handed this "opportunity". And second, here is Pepys with twice as much money as when he came on board, approving a warrant so Creed can hire a horse because he hasn't enough to pay on his own.
Very gratifying all around, eh Pepys? You won this round.
"... when I asked who it was, he told me one from Bridewell, which proved Captain Holland."
What a curious way to introduce yourself. Not like saying you're from Mayfair, Beverly Hills or Beekman Place: L&M: ... The precinct, running south Bride Lane to the Thames, and west from the Fleet to approx. Water Lane, was extra-parochial and densely inhabited. ..."
They are friends, so I'm guessing this was a joke, a detail Pepys omits to mention since he was in on it.
L&M: BRIDEWELL, a precinct and house of correction on the west bank of the Fleet river (now New Bridge Street) opposite Blackfriars, to which it was attached by a gallery over the river. The precinct, running south Bride Lane to the Thames, and west from the Fleet to approx. Water Lane, was extra-parochial and densely inhabited. The house built there by Henry VIII was presented in 1555 by Edward VI to the corporation of London as a workhouse for the poor and a house of correction for the idle; and it was stil used as such in the 1660s. It was burned in the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt. It was sold in 1863. Bridewell Place, Tudor Street and other streets now cover the area. - R
TULIPS -- their origins, the craze for them in Holland in the 1630's, and people's continued affection for them afterwards, plus their influence of America's folk art: https://news.artnet.com/art-world…
They apparently had memento mori connections (memento mori is Latin for "remember you must die") as the beautiful flowers only last a couple of weeks.
The Coronation of Charles III has caused at least one insightful article on the subject of Regicide, how Britain's Civil Wars really were our Revolution, and how it changed the Western world: https://www.newyorker.com/magazin…
"Mr. Cooke late with me in my cabin while I wrote to my wife, and drank a bottle of wine and so took leave of me on his journey and I to bed."
I see sunrise today will be 3:40 a.m. Suppose Pepys finishes his letter to Elizabeth at 1 a.m. Mr. Cooke gets rowed ashore -- that takes an hour or more, and then walks up to hill to Poole's Inn, the Post House at Deal. Then I figured out it took about 7 or 8 hours of riding to get to Westminster. So they get their mail around lunch time. Not bad. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
That reminds me, the King landed at Dover, and I don't remember Pepys mentioning sailing to Deal.
"All the morning with the Captain, computing how much the thirty ships that come with the King from Scheveling their pay comes to for a month (because the King promised to give them all a month’s pay), and it comes to 6,538/., and the Charles particularly 777/. I wish we had the money."
Why isn't this Creed's problem? "Tuesday 13 March 1659/60 It rained hard and I got up early, ... at my Lord’s lodgings, who told me that I was to be secretary, and Creed to be deputy treasurer to the Fleet, ..."
"This morning Mr. Sheply disposed of the money that the Duke of York did give my Lord’s servants, 22 ducatoons came to my share, whereof he told me to give Jaspar something because my Lord left him out."
As Britain grapples with its past, we know slavery was a big deal in the 17th century, and assume all the white people were evil, cruel racists. I suspect Sheply and Pepys' attitude to Jaspar was pretty typical at the time. There was a hierarchy, yes, but it was largely based on the role the person played in society. White servants mostly lived awful lives too. Read Dickens -- the good ol' days were ghastly for 99 percent of the population.
When Pepys refers to slavery, it's in terms of the Barbary Pirates who captured and took over a million Europeans to North Africa. The Brits were passing the hat in church raising buy-back funds all the time.
In the 1650's Cromwell and his gang had sent captured Scottish and Irish soldiers to the New World, where their lot was just as deadly as those of the Africans. Inconvenient white people were exported to Barbados almost as a matter of routine.
Clearly Jaspar was a respected member of Montagu's household.
This article is well worth reading to put things into perspective. Yes, there were enslaved people, and their lot differed by household. There were also free people of color living in London for generations. Some of them had amazing lives -- which we are slowly discovering from long-lost journals as their work was usually credited to others. https://www.pepysdiary.com/news/2…
"... one to Mr. Chetwind to give me an account of the fees due to the Herald for the Order of the Garter, which my Lord desires to know."
Honors and fund-raising are closely related. One of the fees would be a gratuity to Sir Edward Walker, Garter King of Arms, for performing the delivery service, and another fee would be to the King to cover his costs for producing the George medals and continue the traditions of St. George's Dat, etc, all of which Montagu knew would have to be paid.
This also meant Montagu would be an Earl at the least very shortly. That honor also incurred expenses and obligations. Edward Hyde, the king's faithful chancellor for so many years, had declined to be made a Duke as he could not afford it: he was also made an Earl around this time. Monck had been given enough by the Rump Parliament that he felt able to accept his Dukedom.
Beware of kings bearing gifts -- they come with strings of obligations. "I give you a gong and a title: you give me money when I ask for it, and may not be able to repay." (A gong is British slang for a medal.}
They don't seem to be in much of a hurry to take Charles II's letter to France. Maybe taking normal channels would have been more efficient, Charles? Or maybe Montagu delegated his orders to another ship?
Comments
Third Reading
About Mathematics
San Diego Sarah • Link
People in Shakespeare's time were used to the idea of the infinite: the planets, the heavens, the weather. But they were not used to the inverse idea the small (and even nothingness) could be expressed by mathematical axioms. In fact, the first recorded English use of the word zero wasn't until 1598.
Italian mathematician Fibonacci, who lived in the 13th century, helped to introduce the concept of zero, known then as a "cipher". But it wasn't until philosopher René Descartes and mathematicians Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz developed calculus in the late 16th century that zero started to figure prominently.
Robert Hooke FRS didn't discover microorganisms until 1665, meaning the idea that life could exist on a micro level remained something of fantasy.
With the growing influence of neoclassical ideas in England, small, insignificant figures had begun to be used to represent large concepts. This happened both in modes of calculation (which used proportion) and in the practice of writing mathematical symbols.
For example, during the 16th and early 17th centuries, the equals, multiplication, division, root, decimal, and inequality symbols were gradually introduced and standardized.
The work of Christopher Clavius — a German Jesuit astronomer who helped Pope Gregory XIII introduce the Gregorian calendar — and other mathematicians on fractions, then called "broken numbers". They stirred up great angst among those who clung to classical number theories.
The struggle to come to terms with the entanglement of the large and the small is displayed in some of Shakespeare's works:
The opening chorus of Henry V displays Shakespeare's interest in proportion and the concept of zero through its repeated "O" and references to contemporary mathematical thought:
"O for a muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention:
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act,
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene […]
may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt?
O pardon: since a crookèd figure may
Attest in little place a million,
And let us, ciphers to this great account,
On your imaginary forces work. "
Scholars largely agree that Shakespeare's "crookèd figure" is really zero, despite the obvious objection that zero is the least crooked of all numbers.
In the line "a crookèd figure may / Attest in little place a million," Shakespeare references 16th century mathematical debates surrounding the idea that the tiny is capable of both representing and influencing the huge. In this case, zero is can transform 100,000 into 1,000,000.
About Catherine of Braganza (Queen)
San Diego Sarah • Link
I came across a couple of podcasts about Catherine:
https://thefreelancehistorywriter… and
https://thefreelancehistorywriter…
It's so much more fun researching the Stuarts now than it was 10 years ago. Finally we are giving the Tudors some competition.
About Thursday 19 April 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
Stephane, how could you!? Louis XIV moves the court to Versailles in 1682 -- right now it's a hunting lodge. I believe you should change the palace named above to The Louvre?
About Lemons
San Diego Sarah • Link
"The first written mention of lemonade-like drinks comes from 'On Lemon, Its Drinking and Use', an Arabic treatise written in the 12th century by the physician Ibn Jumayʿ, who wrote down a number of drink recipes that included not only lemon juice, but fruits, herbs, and spices.
"Jumayʿ recommended lemonade for its health benefits, and that reputation followed it into Europe, along with sugar and the lemon itself. The price of its ingredients initially reserved it for the very rich and the very sick. But refreshing lemonade could not be contained to the sickroom for long, and by the 17th century, Paris was filled with wandering lemonade vendors, who sold the drink from elaborate tanks strapped to their backs."
No mention of lemonade making its way across the Channel, but knowing the Stuart Bros. ...
https://www.atlasobscura.com/arti…
About Col. Basil Dixwell
San Diego Sarah • Link
The location of Broome House at Barham suggests that the Dixwells may have hosted Royalists on their way to and from the Continent during the Civil War years???:
More than most villages in Kent, Barham has had a ringside seat to history.
It lies among Barham Downs, and it was on these Downs the Romans camped on their way inland from landing at Thanet.
William the Conqueror met the Men of Kent here, heard them swear fealty and took delivery of the hostages they surrendered against their fulfillment of that oath.
It was here that William, son of King Stephen, fell from his horse and broke his thigh on his way to Dover to meet the Earl of Flanders,
and it was here that King John camped with 50,000 men in preparation for war with France.
Simon de Montfort assembled a huge army on Barham Downs in 1265, during the Barons' War;
and in 1422 Henry VI came from his crowning in Paris to be met here by his Barons and Commons and escorted to Canterbury and on to London.
King Charles I picnicked on them during his return to London with his bride, Henrietta Maria.
During the Civil Wars, Royalist troops massed here for their attack on Dover Castle in 1642;
and Charles II was welcomed home here after his long years of exile by the Kentish Regiment of Foot, in 1660.
Many locals say it is on Barham Downs, in one of the hundreds of prehistoric burial mounds there, that the legendary golden statue of Woden lies buried.
Henry VIII took the legend sufficiently seriously to order the excavation of one mound, and the diggers did find gold-embellished armour.
Broome Park at Barham is a 17th century mansion designed by Inigo Jones.
[Between 1635 and 1638 Dixwell built Broome Park, Barham, situated midway between Folkestone and Canterbury, at a cost of £8,000. FOR SIR BASIL DIXWELL MP 1585 - 1642 https://www.historyofparliamenton… ]
Barham is an attractive village, with a long street over which towers the green copper spire of the 13th century church of St. John the Baptist.
Nearby Barham Court was once the home of that FitzUrse who was one of the knights who murdered Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. The three bears on the village sign that stands on the green are a reference to the FitzUrse family.
For many years the most distinctive local landmark, after the church, was Barham windmill but that was destroyed by fire during restoration in 1970.
@@@
The village information above is taken from The Kent Village Book, written by Alan Bignell and published by Countryside Books.
http://www.visitoruk.com/Dover/ba…
Broome Park is a golf course and hotel these days. You can visit.
About Col. Basil Dixwell
San Diego Sarah • Link
There have been 3 baronetcies created for members of the Dixwell family, all of whom are descended from Charles Dixwell (died 1591) of Coton House, near Churchover, Warwickshire. All 3 baronetcies are extinct.
...
Sir Basil Dixwell, 1st Baronet (1640–1668)
The Dixwell Baronetcy, of Broome House, Barham, situated midway between Folkestone and Canterbury, in the County of Kent, was created on 19 June 1660, for Basil Dixwell great nephew and heir of Sir Basil Dixwell of Tirlington, from whom he inherited the Broome House estate.
His son, the 2nd Baronet, was Governor of Dover Castle, and MP for Dover 1689–90 and 1699–1700.
...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dix…
https://www.historyofparliamenton…
Sounds like Sir Basil is someone who did something important for Charles II during the exile years, who was rewarded for it, but the reason is lost to history.
About Thursday 7 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
William Wright and Eric the Bish have the same take on leaky ships and caulking: https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
About Tuesday 5 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
I agree -- not all this money belonged to Pepys personally. As Creed isn't sailing on the Naseby, I'm guessing Sam has to handle the fleet's daily petty cash for things like horse warrants. For safety the big bucks are hidden in Montagu's cabin. That's why Pepys had to show Montagu the paperwork, and he signed off on it.
Each Captain also has petty cash for his ship.
The petty cash is used for emergencies: a sick seaman who has to be put ashore and someone hired to tend to him; unanticipated needed supplies; the occasional new mast when the fleet is in the Med. etc.
At the end of the voyage the Captains and Admiral will have to account for it to the Navy Board -- SPOILER that's something Creed has a lot of trouble doing. Maybe that's understandable when you have to make up a King's shortfall.
About Monday 4 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I took the opportunity to send all my Dutch money, 70 ducatoons and 29 gold ducats to be changed, if he can, for English money, which is the first venture that ever I made, and so I have been since a little afeard of it."
I feel the same way about currency exchange. But how nice to be able to extend such a service to the royals and their staff. "You only have ducats? Here, let me held you out -- give me 20 of those and I can let you have 10/.."
But now he has a pocket full of ducats to get rid of.
About Monday 4 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"At last waked by a messenger come for a Post Warrant for Mr. Hetly and Mr. Creed, who stood to give so little for their horses that the men would not let them have any without a warrant, which I sent them."
This must have given Pepys a chuckle.
First, Creed as Fleet Treasurer must have inherited the problem of how to pay all the sailors a month's pay when Charles II only gave them 700/. to do it with. Plus Pepys never said he was on board, being handed this "opportunity".
And second, here is Pepys with twice as much money as when he came on board, approving a warrant so Creed can hire a horse because he hasn't enough to pay on his own.
Very gratifying all around, eh Pepys? You won this round.
About Sunday 3 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... when I asked who it was, he told me one from Bridewell, which proved Captain Holland."
What a curious way to introduce yourself. Not like saying you're from Mayfair, Beverly Hills or Beekman Place:
L&M: ... The precinct, running south Bride Lane to the Thames, and west from the Fleet to approx. Water Lane, was extra-parochial and densely inhabited. ..."
They are friends, so I'm guessing this was a joke, a detail Pepys omits to mention since he was in on it.
About Bridewell (precinct)
San Diego Sarah • Link
L&M: BRIDEWELL, a precinct and house of correction on the west bank of the Fleet river (now New Bridge Street) opposite Blackfriars, to which it was attached by a gallery over the river. The precinct, running south Bride Lane to the Thames, and west from the Fleet to approx. Water Lane, was extra-parochial and densely inhabited.
The house built there by Henry VIII was presented in 1555 by Edward VI to the corporation of London as a workhouse for the poor and a house of correction for the idle; and it was stil used as such in the 1660s. It was burned in the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt. It was sold in 1863. Bridewell Place, Tudor Street and other streets now cover the area. - R
About Thursday 19 April 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
Tonyel -- the broken window was on the Switfsure -- they are on the Naseby now.
About Physic Garden, Oxford
San Diego Sarah • Link
TULIPS -- their origins, the craze for them in Holland in the 1630's, and people's continued affection for them afterwards, plus their influence of America's folk art:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world…
They apparently had memento mori connections (memento mori is Latin for "remember you must die") as the beautiful flowers only last a couple of weeks.
About Charles Stuart (I, King 1600-1649)
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Coronation of Charles III has caused at least one insightful article on the subject of Regicide, how Britain's Civil Wars really were our Revolution, and how it changed the Western world:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazin…
About Saturday 2 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Mr. Cooke late with me in my cabin while I wrote to my wife, and drank a bottle of wine and so took leave of me on his journey and I to bed."
I see sunrise today will be 3:40 a.m. Suppose Pepys finishes his letter to Elizabeth at 1 a.m. Mr. Cooke gets rowed ashore -- that takes an hour or more, and then walks up to hill to Poole's Inn, the Post House at Deal. Then I figured out it took about 7 or 8 hours of riding to get to Westminster. So they get their mail around lunch time. Not bad.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
That reminds me, the King landed at Dover, and I don't remember Pepys mentioning sailing to Deal.
About Saturday 2 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"All the morning with the Captain, computing how much the thirty ships that come with the King from Scheveling their pay comes to for a month (because the King promised to give them all a month’s pay), and it comes to 6,538/., and the Charles particularly 777/. I wish we had the money."
Why isn't this Creed's problem?
"Tuesday 13 March 1659/60
It rained hard and I got up early, ... at my Lord’s lodgings, who told me that I was to be secretary, and Creed to be deputy treasurer to the Fleet, ..."
A sign of things to come?
About Friday 1 June 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"This morning Mr. Sheply disposed of the money that the Duke of York did give my Lord’s servants, 22 ducatoons came to my share, whereof he told me to give Jaspar something because my Lord left him out."
As Britain grapples with its past, we know slavery was a big deal in the 17th century, and assume all the white people were evil, cruel racists.
I suspect Sheply and Pepys' attitude to Jaspar was pretty typical at the time. There was a hierarchy, yes, but it was largely based on the role the person played in society. White servants mostly lived awful lives too. Read Dickens -- the good ol' days were ghastly for 99 percent of the population.
When Pepys refers to slavery, it's in terms of the Barbary Pirates who captured and took over a million Europeans to North Africa. The Brits were passing the hat in church raising buy-back funds all the time.
In the 1650's Cromwell and his gang had sent captured Scottish and Irish soldiers to the New World, where their lot was just as deadly as those of the Africans. Inconvenient white people were exported to Barbados almost as a matter of routine.
Clearly Jaspar was a respected member of Montagu's household.
This article is well worth reading to put things into perspective. Yes, there were enslaved people, and their lot differed by household. There were also free people of color living in London for generations. Some of them had amazing lives -- which we are slowly discovering from long-lost journals as their work was usually credited to others.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/news/2…
About Tuesday 29 May 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... one to Mr. Chetwind to give me an account of the fees due to the Herald for the Order of the Garter, which my Lord desires to know."
Honors and fund-raising are closely related. One of the fees would be a gratuity to Sir Edward Walker, Garter King of Arms, for performing the delivery service, and another fee would be to the King to cover his costs for producing the George medals and continue the traditions of St. George's Dat, etc, all of which Montagu knew would have to be paid.
This also meant Montagu would be an Earl at the least very shortly. That honor also incurred expenses and obligations. Edward Hyde, the king's faithful chancellor for so many years, had declined to be made a Duke as he could not afford it: he was also made an Earl around this time.
Monck had been given enough by the Rump Parliament that he felt able to accept his Dukedom.
Beware of kings bearing gifts -- they come with strings of obligations. "I give you a gong and a title: you give me money when I ask for it, and may not be able to repay."
(A gong is British slang for a medal.}
About Monday 28 May 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
They don't seem to be in much of a hurry to take Charles II's letter to France. Maybe taking normal channels would have been more efficient, Charles? Or maybe Montagu delegated his orders to another ship?