https://www.merriam-webster.com/d… polyglot -- noun Definition of polyglot -- (Entry 1 of 2) 1: one who is polyglot 2 capitalized: a book containing versions of the same text in several languages especially: the Scriptures in several languages 3: a mixture or confusion of languages or nomenclatures Polyglot -- adjective Definition of polyglot (Entry 2 of 2) 1a: speaking or writing several languages: MULTILINGUAL b: composed of numerous linguistic groups a polyglot population 2: containing matter in several languages a polyglot sign 3: composed of elements from different languages 4: widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins) a polyglot cuisine Adjective You've probably run across the prefix poly- before. It comes from Greek and means "many" or "multi-." But what about glot? That part of the word comes from the Greek term glōtta, meaning "language" or "tongue." (Glōtta is also the source of glottis, the word for the space between the vocal cords.) Polyglot entered English in the 17th century, both as an adjective and as a noun meaning "one who can write or speak several languages." You could call the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V a polyglot. He claimed that he addressed his horse only in German, he conversed with women in Italian and with men in French, but reserved Spanish for his talks with God. Examples of polyglot in a Sentence Adjective a polyglot community made up of many cultures First Known Use of polyglot Noun circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Adjective and Noun Greek polyglōttos, from poly- + glōtta language — more at GLOSS
Sounds to me like it took place in the Navy Board offices ... since all the files are there, that makes sense. Also Batten lives in the complex, so his house makes for an easy lunch break location. I think Pepys would have said if it was elsewhere.
Mind you, Capt. Cocke was quite familiar with double bookkeeping. Some day I'll check back and see if there's a hint that Cocke taught Pepys how to do it.
As the from L&M Companion tells us: As Treasurer of the Commission for Sick and Wounded Seaman (1665-7) Capt. George Cocke ran into trouble with his accounts and had to face trial in 1670. There are several indications in the diary of his being regarded as untrustworthy.
Paying people realistic salaries is a good idea. This society was set up on the expectation that everyone cheated. The problem came when you cheated too much.
"When come home I to Sir W. Pen’s, to his boy, for my book, and there find he hath it not, but delivered it to the doorekeeper of the Committee for me. This, added to my former disquiet, made me stark mad, considering all the nakedness of the office lay open in papers within those covers. I could not tell in the world what to do, but was mad on all sides, and that which made me worse Captain Cocke was there, and he did so swear and curse at the boy that told me. "
Further evidence of keeping double books ... the official ones you show to the auditors, and a second set which keep track of the same items, but with "commissions" expected, promised, paid and delinquent clearly denoted.
This was the second set ... the ones that would get them all imprisoned in the Tower, Mr. Cocke included.
"I don't recall anything specific (in the diary) that would cause such concern."
The Controller, Sir John Mennes, has been sick for the last 4-plus years, and away from the office completely for months recently. Who knows who has been doing his work. Evidently someone was, but Mennes was in no position to speak to it. And nor was Pepys.
I've long suspected Pepys is keeping double books. There are the official ones, and his private version with his promised commissions clearly stated.
The auditors are looking at the official books from 1664-1665-1666 ... that includes his drunken plague months in Greenwich where he didn't stay on top of the bookkeeping for months.
I think his fear was about his ability to stay on message, not volunteer too much information by accident, and account for the unaccountable without implicating his colleagues.
L&M: Gentlemen captains had been introduced into the navy in the 1630s to command the fighting forces on the board, and because some thought that it was improper to have the King's ships commanded by men of mean birth. But gentlemen usually knew nothing of navigation, and friction easily developed between them and the 'plain sea-Captains' (or 'tarpaulins') trained in the merchant ships.
L&M: Gentlemen captains had been introduced into the navy in the 1630s to command the fighting forces on the board, and because some thought that it was improper to have the King's ships commanded by men of mean birth. But gentlemen usually knew nothing of navigation, and friction easily developed between them and the 'plain sea-Captains' (or 'tarpaulins') trained in the merchant ships.
Sir William D'Oyly MP went down with a stroke in April 1666, and his colleagues considered his recovery little short of miraculous.8 • 8. CSP Dom. 1666-7, pp. 103, 568; CJ, viii. 437, 511, 531, 578, 592, 594, 598; C. J. Palmer, Hist. Yarmouth, 214; Add. 32094, f. 24; Pepys Diary, 9 Sept. 1665; Milward, 4, 9; Bayley, 119; Evelyn Diary, iii. 433, 448.
"Then I to the office, where very busy to state to Mr. Coventry the account of the victuals of the fleete, ..."
Undoubtedly victualling was bad during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Lack of money, impressment of sailors and boats, merchant's greed, etc., all complicated something that tides and winds did not help.
However, Rupert seems to have been particularly angry about this and biased against Pepys and the Navy Commissioners. I have posted a story about Rupert's experiences with victualling during the Civil Wars which somewhat explains Rupert's point-of-view, and his and James' opinion of Sir William Batten.
"Severely as it had suffered, the refitting had been conducted with remarkable celerity, and Charles II and James, Duke of York showed such an active interest in the preparations that Rupert swore that they were the best officers in the navy.
"The fleet went out 'in very good heart,' Rupert's ship boasting 'a dancing-master and two men who feign themselves mad and make good sport to a bag-pipe.'[42] [42] Dom. State Papers, Clifford to Henry Bennet, Lord Arlington, July 5, 1666.
"Unluckily, the day after putting to sea, the 23rd, came a violent thunderstorm, which damaged the ships so severely that Prince Rupert declared himself more afraid of the weather than of the enemy."
Highlights from Rupert, Prince Palatine -- by EVA SCOTT Late Scholar of Somerville College, Oxford WESTMINSTER -- ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & Co. NEW YORK -- G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 1900 http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/ep…
Pepys must have written his diary later, and forgot to mention the violent storm which both Rupert and Rev. Josselin report on.
They used what they had. A short story from from Rupert, Prince Palatine -- by EVA SCOTT Late Scholar of Somerville College, Oxford WESTMINSTER -- ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & Co. NEW YORK -- G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 1900 http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/ep…
The storm raged without abatement for three days, at the end of which "the Admiral"'s condition was hopeless. By continually firing her guns she contrived to keep the other ships near her, and by constant pumping the disaster had been deferred. But on the third morning, September 30, 1651, at 3 a.m., the ship sprang a plank, and although 120 pieces of raw beef were trodden down between the timbers, and planks nailed over them, it was without avail.
Yes, Rupert escaped in a row boat, but "the Admiral" went down with all hands -- and with all the treasure they had captured.
"I went to visit my Bro: Richard, who was now indisposd in his health:"
Richard Evelyn is John's older brother, owner of Wotton near Epsom/Dorking, Surrey where John's family spent the plague times. We don't know what ails Richard at this moment, but in 1669 Evelyn enlists Pepys' help in urging him to take the stone operation, so that may well be the problem now.
"... he saying to me, that if God send us over this rub we must take another course for a better Comptroller." Coventry says to Pepys that if God successfully gets them over this rub (hurdle, problem) they must find a better Comptroller than Sir John Mennes.
Poor Sir John -- he's been out sick for months, and on January 11, 1664 Charles II was teasing him for symptoms that sound much like Parkinson's.
We know James wants to get rid of Carteret, Coventry wants Mennes gone, Rupert has it in for Pepys, Charles has no reason to like Batten, Pett can't handle his job, Brouncker is suspected by those in the know of covering for James ... I'd stop throwing stones, guys. You'll all be lucky to get out without a stint in the Tower.
I echo Bintisabella and Daniel's gratitude! I suspect people for many generations have escaped to Pepys' Diary ... but without the guidance of those who went before us with the annotations, I would be lost. There is an enormous amount of wisdom here, and perspective is hard to find in the headlines, all over the world most of the time.
PART 3 But in 1648, five sailors went from Helvoetsluys to Prince Charles at The Hague with a request to be told whether he had any money or not. Being truthfully answered that he had none, they expressed themselves satisfied with a promise of shares in the next prizes, and returned to the fleet, having, as Chancellor Hyde informed Rupert, "behaved themselves very civilly."[20] [20] Rupert Transcripts. Chancellor Edward Hyde to Rupert, Jan. 1649.
And not only for money to pay his sailors, but for every other necessary for three years Prince Charles was dependent on the prizes taken by Rupert. "Being totally destitute of means, we intend to provide for the satisfaction of our debts out of the proceeds of the goods in the ship lately taken," he wrote in 1650.[21] [21] Warburton. III. p. 308. Charles II to Rupert, Jan. 27, 1650.
While the fleet lay inactive in 1648, Prince Charles was engaged in negotiations with the Scots.
So Rupert probably considered Pepys another one of those "cheating commissioners" and an "unuseful evil."
PART 2 And Rupert did behave well. No undertaking was too arduous or dangerous. His tasks were so varied it seems scarcely credible they were performed by one man. He became a merchant; he discussed the prices of sugar, indigo, tobacco, and other commodities, and personally conducted the sale of his prizes. He attended to his own commissariat; dispensing with the cheating commissioners, as "unuseful evils."[14] [14] Warburton, III. p. 295.
Rupert gravely considering the quality of "pickled meat," or lamenting that peas and groats are both too dear to buy.[15] [15] Rupert Transcripts. Chancellor Edward Hyde to Rupert, Dec. 11, 1648. Hermes to Rupert, Jan. 12, 1649.
"Concerning the pork, he tells me he doth not think there can be so great a quantity provided suddenly," says a correspondent. "He hath not yet provided any shirts nor apparel for the men."[16] [16] Rupert Transcripts. Ball to Rupert, 15 Dec. 1648.
Rupert was his own recruiting officer, and went from port to port in Ireland, persuading men to join his fleet. He was overwhelmed with administrative correspondence from his officers.
Mutiny was frequent; Rupert's presence usually quelled it. While the fleet was at Helvoetsluys, there arose some discontent in the "Antelope," beginning with "a complaint upon victuals." Rupert went on board, and promptly told the men that they were free to leave the service. To this they made no answer, but they were unappeased, and when, two days later, Rupert sent for 20 of them to help to rig his own ship, they refused to come.
Prince Rupert then went again to the "Antelope," and "walked the deck, to see his commands obeyed." The sailors crowded about him, and one had the courage to shout a defiance. His example could have inspired the rest, so Rupert acted with extraordinary promptitude. Seizing the mutineer in his arms, Rupert held him as though about to drop him over the side, which "wrought such a terror upon the rest, that they forthwith returned to their duty."[18] [18] Warburton, III. pp. 262-264.
There frequently was no money to pay the sailors, so mutiny was to be expected. Nominally the men were paid 25s a month, but, unless prizes were taken, they did not get the money. Usually they acquiesced to the obvious with admirable resignation.
In the Second Anglo-Dutch War Pepys found himself confronted by an unhappy General-at-Sea in Prince Rupert. I suspect Rupert considered himself an expert on victualing a fleet since he had previous experience of doing it on a zero budget:
In August 1648, Sir Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick confronted a Royalist fleet commanded by Prince Charles in the shallow waters of the Thames estuary. Charles sailed back to Holland, with Warwick in pursuit, who blockaded the Royalists in the neutral Dutch port of Helvoetsluys, where Prince Rupert took over command.
Unable to attack in neutral waters, Warwick maintained the blockade for several months, during which four of the Royalist ships defected back to Parliament.
Excerpted from Rupert, Prince Palatine -- by EVA SCOTT Late Scholar of Somerville College, Oxford WESTMINSTER -- ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & Co. NEW YORK -- G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 1900 http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/ep…
In 1648 the fleet was formally given over to Rupert's command. He reluctantly accepted, offering to serve nominally under James, Duke of York. Prince Charles insisted, and Rupert was invested "with all the command at sea that he formerly held on shore."[9] [9] Warburton, III. p. 257.
The facility with which the exiled Cavaliers took to the sea is strange to modern ideas, but in the 17th century the line between soldier and sailor was not finely drawn. In Rupert's case his education among the amphibious Hollanders probably stood him in good stead. He seems to have thoroughly understood all nautical matters, and on one occasion we read: "By the ill-conning of the mates the ship was brought to leeward, which caused the Prince to conn her himself_."[10] [10] Warburton, III. p. 386.
Some of Rupert's friends tried to dissuaded him from "an undertaking of so desperate an appearance,"[11] but he was determined to do his best, and Prince Charles frankly acknowledged that, but for his cousin's "industry and address" there would have been no fleet at all.[12] [11] Warburton, III. P. 255. [12] Transcripts. Charles II to Rupert, 20 Jan. 1649.
Chancellor Hyde, who never loved Rupert, wrote to Sir Richard Fanshawe that the preservation of the fleet must be entirely ascribed to the Prince, "who, seriously, hath expressed greater dexterity and temper in it than you can imagine. I know there is, and will be, much prejudice to the service by his being engaged in that command, but the truth is there is an unavoidable necessity for it."
After recounting the bad behavior of Capt. William Batten and Capt. Jordan, who had corrupted the sailors, and refused to put to sea, Hyde adds: "In this distress Prince Rupert took the charge, and with unrivaled pains and toil, put all things in reasonable order. ... And really I believe that he will behave himself so well in it that nobody will have cause to regret it."[13] [13] Clar. St. Papers. Chancellor Edward Hyde to Fanshawe, 21 Jan. 1649.
Rupert, although in an extremely weak state of health, had shown his usual courage and energy in the action. The official reports did not give satisfaction to his admirers. "Not a word is said of Prince Rupert, though the seamen say that none excelled him in valor and success," they complained.[21] [21] Dom. State Papers, June 10, 1665.
Comments
Second Reading
About Walton's 'Biblia Polyglotta'
San Diego Sarah • Link
https://www.merriam-webster.com/d…
polyglot -- noun
Definition of polyglot -- (Entry 1 of 2)
1: one who is polyglot
2 capitalized: a book containing versions of the same text in several languages especially: the Scriptures in several languages
3: a mixture or confusion of languages or nomenclatures
Polyglot -- adjective
Definition of polyglot (Entry 2 of 2)
1a: speaking or writing several languages: MULTILINGUAL
b: composed of numerous linguistic groups a polyglot population
2: containing matter in several languages a polyglot sign
3: composed of elements from different languages
4: widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins) a polyglot cuisine
Adjective
You've probably run across the prefix poly- before. It comes from Greek and means "many" or "multi-." But what about glot? That part of the word comes from the Greek term glōtta, meaning "language" or "tongue." (Glōtta is also the source of glottis, the word for the space between the vocal cords.)
Polyglot entered English in the 17th century, both as an adjective and as a noun meaning "one who can write or speak several languages." You could call the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V a polyglot. He claimed that he addressed his horse only in German, he conversed with women in Italian and with men in French, but reserved Spanish for his talks with God.
Examples of polyglot in a Sentence
Adjective
a polyglot community made up of many cultures
First Known Use of polyglot
Noun
circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective and Noun
Greek polyglōttos, from poly- + glōtta language — more at GLOSS
About Wednesday 3 October 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sounds to me like it took place in the Navy Board offices ... since all the files are there, that makes sense. Also Batten lives in the complex, so his house makes for an easy lunch break location. I think Pepys would have said if it was elsewhere.
About Tuesday 2 October 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
Mind you, Capt. Cocke was quite familiar with double bookkeeping. Some day I'll check back and see if there's a hint that Cocke taught Pepys how to do it.
As the from L&M Companion tells us: As Treasurer of the Commission for Sick and Wounded Seaman (1665-7) Capt. George Cocke ran into trouble with his accounts and had to face trial in 1670. There are several indications in the diary of his being regarded as untrustworthy.
Paying people realistic salaries is a good idea. This society was set up on the expectation that everyone cheated. The problem came when you cheated too much.
About Tuesday 2 October 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"When come home I to Sir W. Pen’s, to his boy, for my book, and there find he hath it not, but delivered it to the doorekeeper of the Committee for me. This, added to my former disquiet, made me stark mad, considering all the nakedness of the office lay open in papers within those covers. I could not tell in the world what to do, but was mad on all sides, and that which made me worse Captain Cocke was there, and he did so swear and curse at the boy that told me. "
Further evidence of keeping double books ... the official ones you show to the auditors, and a second set which keep track of the same items, but with "commissions" expected, promised, paid and delinquent clearly denoted.
This was the second set ... the ones that would get them all imprisoned in the Tower, Mr. Cocke included.
About Wednesday 3 October 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I don't recall anything specific (in the diary) that would cause such concern."
The Controller, Sir John Mennes, has been sick for the last 4-plus years, and away from the office completely for months recently. Who knows who has been doing his work. Evidently someone was, but Mennes was in no position to speak to it. And nor was Pepys.
I've long suspected Pepys is keeping double books. There are the official ones, and his private version with his promised commissions clearly stated.
The auditors are looking at the official books from 1664-1665-1666 ... that includes his drunken plague months in Greenwich where he didn't stay on top of the bookkeeping for months.
I think his fear was about his ability to stay on message, not volunteer too much information by accident, and account for the unaccountable without implicating his colleagues.
About Friday 27 July 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
L&M: Gentlemen captains had been introduced into the navy in the 1630s to command the fighting forces on the board, and because some thought that it was improper to have the King's ships commanded by men of mean birth. But gentlemen usually knew nothing of navigation, and friction easily developed between them and the 'plain sea-Captains' (or 'tarpaulins') trained in the merchant ships.
About Saturday 29 June 1667
San Diego Sarah • Link
L&M: Gentlemen captains had been introduced into the navy in the 1630s to command the fighting forces on the board, and because some thought that it was improper to have the King's ships commanded by men of mean birth. But gentlemen usually knew nothing of navigation, and friction easily developed between them and the 'plain sea-Captains' (or 'tarpaulins') trained in the merchant ships.
About Tuesday 10 April 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sir William D'Oyly MP went down with a stroke in April 1666, and his colleagues considered his recovery little short of miraculous.8
• 8. CSP Dom. 1666-7, pp. 103, 568; CJ, viii. 437, 511, 531, 578, 592, 594, 598; C. J. Palmer, Hist. Yarmouth, 214; Add. 32094, f. 24; Pepys Diary, 9 Sept. 1665; Milward, 4, 9; Bayley, 119; Evelyn Diary, iii. 433, 448.
https://www.historyofparliamenton…
I wonder who covered his responsibilities, or did Charles II appoint a replacement?
About Saturday 4 August 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Then I to the office, where very busy to state to Mr. Coventry the account of the victuals of the fleete, ..."
Undoubtedly victualling was bad during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Lack of money, impressment of sailors and boats, merchant's greed, etc., all complicated something that tides and winds did not help.
However, Rupert seems to have been particularly angry about this and biased against Pepys and the Navy Commissioners. I have posted a story about Rupert's experiences with victualling during the Civil Wars which somewhat explains Rupert's point-of-view, and his and James' opinion of Sir William Batten.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
About Monday 23 July 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"By July 22, 1666 the fleet was again at sea.
"Severely as it had suffered, the refitting had been conducted with remarkable celerity, and Charles II and James, Duke of York showed such an active interest in the preparations that Rupert swore that they were the best officers in the navy.
"The fleet went out 'in very good heart,' Rupert's ship boasting 'a dancing-master and two men who feign themselves mad and make good sport to a bag-pipe.'[42]
[42] Dom. State Papers, Clifford to Henry Bennet, Lord Arlington, July 5, 1666.
"Unluckily, the day after putting to sea, the 23rd, came a violent thunderstorm, which damaged the ships so severely that Prince Rupert declared himself more afraid of the weather than of the enemy."
Highlights from Rupert, Prince Palatine -- by EVA SCOTT
Late Scholar of Somerville College, Oxford
WESTMINSTER -- ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & Co.
NEW YORK -- G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
1900
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/ep…
Pepys must have written his diary later, and forgot to mention the violent storm which both Rupert and Rev. Josselin report on.
About Victualling
San Diego Sarah • Link
They used what they had. A short story from
from Rupert, Prince Palatine -- by EVA SCOTT
Late Scholar of Somerville College, Oxford
WESTMINSTER -- ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & Co.
NEW YORK -- G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
1900
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/ep…
The storm raged without abatement for three days, at the end of which "the Admiral"'s condition was hopeless. By continually firing her guns she contrived to keep the other ships near her, and by constant pumping the disaster had been deferred. But on the third morning, September 30, 1651, at 3 a.m., the ship sprang a plank, and although 120 pieces of raw beef were trodden down between the timbers, and planks nailed over them, it was without avail.
Yes, Rupert escaped in a row boat, but "the Admiral" went down with all hands -- and with all the treasure they had captured.
About Sunday 30 September 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Here I saw Mercer come into the church, which I had a mind to, but she avoided looking up, which vexed me. "
I think this means that that was why he went to Church. He was so set on engaging Mercer he forgot he was there 2 weeks ago.
About Saturday 29 September 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I went to visit my Bro: Richard, who was now indisposd in his health:"
Richard Evelyn is John's older brother, owner of Wotton near Epsom/Dorking, Surrey where John's family spent the plague times. We don't know what ails Richard at this moment, but in 1669 Evelyn enlists Pepys' help in urging him to take the stone operation, so that may well be the problem now.
About Saturday 29 September 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... he saying to me, that if God send us over this rub we must take another course for a better Comptroller."
Coventry says to Pepys that if God successfully gets them over this rub (hurdle, problem) they must find a better Comptroller than Sir John Mennes.
Poor Sir John -- he's been out sick for months, and on January 11, 1664 Charles II was teasing him for symptoms that sound much like Parkinson's.
We know James wants to get rid of Carteret, Coventry wants Mennes gone, Rupert has it in for Pepys, Charles has no reason to like Batten, Pett can't handle his job, Brouncker is suspected by those in the know of covering for James ... I'd stop throwing stones, guys. You'll all be lucky to get out without a stint in the Tower.
About Saturday 29 September 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
I echo Bintisabella and Daniel's gratitude! I suspect people for many generations have escaped to Pepys' Diary ... but without the guidance of those who went before us with the annotations, I would be lost. There is an enormous amount of wisdom here, and perspective is hard to find in the headlines, all over the world most of the time.
About Surveyor-General of Victualling
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 3
But in 1648, five sailors went from Helvoetsluys to Prince Charles at The Hague with a request to be told whether he had any money or not. Being truthfully answered that he had none, they expressed themselves satisfied with a promise of shares in the next prizes, and returned to the fleet, having, as Chancellor Hyde informed Rupert, "behaved themselves very civilly."[20]
[20] Rupert Transcripts. Chancellor Edward Hyde to Rupert, Jan. 1649.
And not only for money to pay his sailors, but for every other necessary for three years Prince Charles was dependent on the prizes taken by Rupert. "Being totally destitute of means, we intend to provide for the satisfaction of our debts out of the proceeds of the goods in the ship lately taken," he wrote in 1650.[21]
[21] Warburton. III. p. 308. Charles II to Rupert, Jan. 27, 1650.
While the fleet lay inactive in 1648, Prince Charles was engaged in negotiations with the Scots.
So Rupert probably considered Pepys another one of those "cheating commissioners" and an "unuseful evil."
About Surveyor-General of Victualling
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 2
And Rupert did behave well. No undertaking was too arduous or dangerous. His tasks were so varied it seems scarcely credible they were performed by one man. He became a merchant; he discussed the prices of sugar, indigo, tobacco, and other commodities, and personally conducted the sale of his prizes. He attended to his own commissariat; dispensing with the cheating commissioners, as "unuseful evils."[14]
[14] Warburton, III. p. 295.
Rupert gravely considering the quality of "pickled meat," or lamenting that peas and groats are both too dear to buy.[15]
[15] Rupert Transcripts. Chancellor Edward Hyde to Rupert, Dec. 11, 1648. Hermes to Rupert, Jan. 12, 1649.
"Concerning the pork, he tells me he doth not think there can be so great a quantity provided suddenly," says a correspondent. "He hath not yet provided any shirts nor apparel for the men."[16]
[16] Rupert Transcripts. Ball to Rupert, 15 Dec. 1648.
Rupert was his own recruiting officer, and went from port to port in Ireland, persuading men to join his fleet. He was overwhelmed with administrative correspondence from his officers.
Mutiny was frequent; Rupert's presence usually quelled it.
While the fleet was at Helvoetsluys, there arose some discontent in the "Antelope," beginning with "a complaint upon victuals."
Rupert went on board, and promptly told the men that they were free to leave the service.
To this they made no answer, but they were unappeased, and when, two days later, Rupert sent for 20 of them to help to rig his own ship, they refused to come.
Prince Rupert then went again to the "Antelope," and "walked the deck, to see his commands obeyed." The sailors crowded about him, and one had the courage to shout a defiance. His example could have inspired the rest, so Rupert acted with extraordinary promptitude.
Seizing the mutineer in his arms, Rupert held him as though about to drop him over the side, which "wrought such a terror upon the rest, that they forthwith returned to their duty."[18]
[18] Warburton, III. pp. 262-264.
There frequently was no money to pay the sailors, so mutiny was to be expected. Nominally the men were paid 25s a month, but, unless prizes were taken, they did not get the money. Usually they acquiesced to the obvious with admirable resignation.
About Surveyor-General of Victualling
San Diego Sarah • Link
In the Second Anglo-Dutch War Pepys found himself confronted by an unhappy General-at-Sea in Prince Rupert. I suspect Rupert considered himself an expert on victualing a fleet since he had previous experience of doing it on a zero budget:
In August 1648, Sir Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick confronted a Royalist fleet commanded by Prince Charles in the shallow waters of the Thames estuary. Charles sailed back to Holland, with Warwick in pursuit, who blockaded the Royalists in the neutral Dutch port of Helvoetsluys, where Prince Rupert took over command.
Unable to attack in neutral waters, Warwick maintained the blockade for several months, during which four of the Royalist ships defected back to Parliament.
Excerpted from Rupert, Prince Palatine -- by EVA SCOTT
Late Scholar of Somerville College, Oxford
WESTMINSTER -- ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & Co.
NEW YORK -- G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
1900
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/ep…
In 1648 the fleet was formally given over to Rupert's command. He reluctantly accepted, offering to serve nominally under James, Duke of York. Prince Charles insisted, and Rupert was invested "with all the command at sea that he formerly held on shore."[9]
[9] Warburton, III. p. 257.
The facility with which the exiled Cavaliers took to the sea is strange to modern ideas, but in the 17th century the line between soldier and sailor was not finely drawn. In Rupert's case his education among the amphibious Hollanders probably stood him in good stead. He seems to have thoroughly understood all nautical matters, and on one occasion we read: "By the ill-conning of the mates the ship was brought to leeward, which caused the Prince to conn her himself_."[10]
[10] Warburton, III. p. 386.
Some of Rupert's friends tried to dissuaded him from "an undertaking of so desperate an appearance,"[11] but he was determined to do his best, and Prince Charles frankly acknowledged that, but for his cousin's "industry and address" there would have been no fleet at all.[12]
[11] Warburton, III. P. 255.
[12] Transcripts. Charles II to Rupert, 20 Jan. 1649.
Chancellor Hyde, who never loved Rupert, wrote to Sir Richard Fanshawe that the preservation of the fleet must be entirely ascribed to the Prince, "who, seriously, hath expressed greater dexterity and temper in it than you can imagine. I know there is, and will be, much prejudice to the service by his being engaged in that command, but the truth is there is an unavoidable necessity for it."
After recounting the bad behavior of Capt. William Batten and Capt. Jordan, who had corrupted the sailors, and refused to put to sea, Hyde adds: "In this distress Prince Rupert took the charge, and with unrivaled pains and toil, put all things in reasonable order. ... And really I believe that he will behave himself so well in it that nobody will have cause to regret it."[13]
[13] Clar. St. Papers. Chancellor Edward Hyde to Fanshawe, 21 Jan. 1649.
About Saturday 10 June 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
Rupert had on-going problems with a leg wound, which caused the Prince problems during the last years of his life.
About Saturday 10 June 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
Excerpted from Rupert, Prince Palatine
by EVA SCOTT
Late Scholar of Somerville College, Oxford
WESTMINSTER -- ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & Co.
NEW YORK -- G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
1900
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/ep…
Rupert, although in an extremely weak state of health, had shown his usual courage and energy in the action. The official reports did not give satisfaction to his admirers. "Not a word is said of Prince Rupert, though the seamen say that none excelled him in valor and success," they complained.[21]
[21] Dom. State Papers, June 10, 1665.