"... and up and down to Kingdon and the goldsmith’s to meet Mr. Stephens, and did get all my money matters most excellently cleared to my complete satisfaction."
These on-going settling of accounts are in preparation for the next Quarter Day -- Christmas Day. Since cash is in short supply, I think Pepys is trying to find people with money early. He must have a ton of tally sticks. Hopefully he'll use the money to pay those angry sailors camped outside his office -- but I suspect it's earmarked for the fleet insurance. How does he manage without an armed guard or 3, and a horse and cart? Those coins weighed a lot.
Stress is getting the better of Pepys. Yesterday he was huddled in a boat on the river, practicing Tantric sex (so far as I can tell from his fractured French). His private parts might have become frost bitten. The man's gone bonkers.
The first-known use of the phrase 'Merry Christmas' was in a letter written by Bishop John Fisher to Thomas Cromwell during his imprisonment in the Tower of London in 1534.
In a bleak and un-merry plea, the condemned Bishop begged Cromwell for some clothes, a sheet, and food, and hopefully requests his release from the cold prison. Fisher ended his letter wryly, “And thus our Lord send yow a mery Christenmas".
But let us also remember the intrepid sailors who not only braved winter storms to keep people warm, but also had to contend with pirates who wanted to steal that 'Black Gold' ... and the press gangs who knew these were skilled sailors and tried to capture them.
'Twas a hard life back then, and Geordies were as tough as they came.
Anyone with ideas on why Pepys throws a party now?
How far they have come: Advent started on December 2, and is supposed to be a fast time so the Christmas to 12th Night blow-out is a treat. Evidently the distaste for tradition and religion has totally taken over this group. Plus they don't care about the starving homeless injured seamen lurking in the doorways, heaving bricks through windows.
It's not even a "thank you" for the people who have given him so much hospitality during the last few months.
Party on, Pepys. The money must be burning a hole in your pocket. If you've got it, flaunt it.
"Doesn't Evelyn ever say anything about his social interactions with Samuel? (Or with anyone else, for that matter?)"
Evelyn frequently mentions eating with Kings and Dukes and Earls and Lords and gentlemen. Perhaps later on Pepys will qualify for a social mention -- right now I suspect Evelyn sees him as a working stiff at the Navy Office who has contacts. But not REALLY a gentleman -- maybe he's heard from Downing how he used to be his cyber expert before the Restoration?
I wonder who took Elizabeth home to Seething Lane. Interesting Pepys is more interested in recording who he was making music with than his wife's safety -- so many unpaid, unsheltered and hungry seamen in the neighborhood that should have been a concern.
"With France about to come into the war on the side of the Dutch it was imperative to effect a rapprochement with Spain ..."
Why were the French about to do that?
The reluctant entry of France into the second Anglo-Dutch War on 16 January 1666, honored an obligation under the Franco-Dutch treaty of 1662, This made it unlikely that England would be able to defeat the Dutch decisively.
At the Restoration, Charles II's instincts were to exercise a serious role in European affairs, and his new government was sensitive to unflattering comparisons with the influence which the Commonwealth and Protectorate had wielded abroad and the Restoration regime was a fragile one. Charles' desire to cut a figure abroad had to be tempered by an appreciation of the costs of international power politics and the threat it could pose to internal security.
Both France and Spain solicited an English alliance.
The Franco-Spanish War was ended by the Treaty of the Pyrenees, but the politics of western Europe was still bound up with their continuing rivalry.
Plus the Spanish expected some dividends from the support they had given the exiled monarchy in the late 1650s, and in July 1660 Charles II formally ended the war with Spain which had been carried on fitfully since Cromwell's death.
Although Spain had advocates at the English court, it lacked the closeness with Charles II that family ties gave him to France, plus it could not overcome Charles’ enthusiasm for French society and government.
Even so, France's 1654 treaty with Cromwell, and Cardinal Mazarin's disrespect of royalist interests, had chilled relations between the two courts, and not until the death of Mazarin in March 1661 could they officially recover. By then the Franco-Dutch Treaty was as good as signed.
Therefore, on 7-17 December 1665, Sir Richard Fanshawe, the English Ambassador at Madrid, signed a Treaty with the Spanish minister, but Charles II refused to ratify it, and Fanshawe was recalled. As you can see, the decision to recall him was made well before the Treaty was signed, but I suppose we can blame the mis-step on how long it took for ships to deliver letters.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East and throughout Europe, a millennium story was playing itself out (see Henry Oldenburg's letter above):
In 1665, Nathan of Gaza announced that the Messianic age would begin the following year with the conquest of the world without bloodshed. The Messiah would lead the Ten Lost Tribes back to the Holy Land, "riding on a lion with a seven-headed dragon in its jaws".
"I offered now to pay him the 4,000l. remaining of his 8,000l. for Tangier, which he took with great kindness, and prayed me most frankly to give him a note for 3,500l. and accept the other 500l. for myself, which in good earnest was against my judgement to do, for [I] expected about 100l. and no more, but however he would have me do it, and owns very great obligations to me, and the man indeed I love, and he deserves it. "This put me into great joy, though with a little stay to it till we have time to settle it, for so great a sum I was fearful any accident might by death or otherwise defeat me, having not now time to change papers."
Once again Pepys' high finance logic leave me at a loss.
Pepys offered to repay the remaining 4,000l. from Gawden's 8,000l. Tangier loan/delivery. Gawden says to do the paperwork as paying him 3,500l., and Pepys can keep 500l. for himself.
Pepys insists on fast settlement because the numbers are so large, and he's worried he might died and be unable to change out correct paperwork if things go wrong.
"... and after the observing (God forgive me!) one or two of my neighbour Jason’s women [L&M have this as “my neighbour hermosa mohers”. P.G.] come to towne, which did please me very well, ..."
Do you think this was the local house of disrepute, and Pepys is checking out the talent?
My thanks to Phil for finding and posting the new link which explains Vincent's post above. It should read [for posterity, in case they change the link again]:
ID: I336588 Name: Edith PEPYS Given Name: Edith Surname: Pepys Sex: F Birth: 11 Oct 1599 in Sutton, Middlesex, England Christening: 11 Oct 1599 Impington, Cambridgeshire, England Death: Y Event: living Unknown 1636 Event: mentioned in the wil of her brother Robert Unknown 12 Aug 1657 Will: 15 Sep 1665 Probate: 4 Oct 1665 Note: Also Known As: Pepys Samuel's "Aunt Bell." Described in marriage allegation as age 45 understating her age by 2 years. Described herself in will as a widow of St. Bartholomew the Less.
I suspect the birth day was at least a month earlier than that, if she was born in Middlesex. They recorded christenings more reliably than births. If she was born in Impington, the christenings usually happened soon after birth, so the birth date may have been only a few days before.
Comments
Second Reading
About Monday 18 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... and up and down to Kingdon and the goldsmith’s to meet Mr. Stephens, and did get all my money matters most excellently cleared to my complete satisfaction."
These on-going settling of accounts are in preparation for the next Quarter Day -- Christmas Day. Since cash is in short supply, I think Pepys is trying to find people with money early. He must have a ton of tally sticks. Hopefully he'll use the money to pay those angry sailors camped outside his office -- but I suspect it's earmarked for the fleet insurance. How does he manage without an armed guard or 3, and a horse and cart? Those coins weighed a lot.
About Monday 18 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... the river-ice thawed on the 27th."
Stress is getting the better of Pepys. Yesterday he was huddled in a boat on the river, practicing Tantric sex (so far as I can tell from his fractured French). His private parts might have become frost bitten. The man's gone bonkers.
About Tuesday 25 December 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
The first-known use of the phrase 'Merry Christmas' was in a letter written by Bishop John Fisher to Thomas Cromwell during his imprisonment in the Tower of London in 1534.
In a bleak and un-merry plea, the condemned Bishop begged Cromwell for some clothes, a sheet, and food, and hopefully requests his release from the cold prison. Fisher ended his letter wryly, “And thus our Lord send yow a mery Christenmas".
Bishop Fisher was beheaded on 22 June 1535.
About Thursday 14 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
The importance of coal from Newcastle to the people of London, over 250 years:
https://englandsnortheast.co.uk/C…
But let us also remember the intrepid sailors who not only braved winter storms to keep people warm, but also had to contend with pirates who wanted to steal that 'Black Gold' ... and the press gangs who knew these were skilled sailors and tried to capture them.
'Twas a hard life back then, and Geordies were as tough as they came.
About Tuesday 23 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
I bet your bed was welcome to you. Did you remember it was Elizabeth's 20th birthday?
Elizabeth Pepys was born 23 October, 1640 at or around Bideford to Alexandre and Dorothea St. Michel.
About Monday 23 October 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
A 10-minute quickie for Elizabeth's 25th birthday. So glad he remembered to say HI.
About Sunday 23 October 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Yes, this does sound like a boring day for Elizabeth -- it was her 24th birthday.
About Thursday 14 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I dined with them and very exceeding merry we were as I had [not] been a great while"
Pepys must be drinking way too much, and forgetting all the parties and dinners he has been very merry at for the last two or three months.
About Friday 8 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
Anyone with ideas on why Pepys throws a party now?
How far they have come: Advent started on December 2, and is supposed to be a fast time so the Christmas to 12th Night blow-out is a treat. Evidently the distaste for tradition and religion has totally taken over this group. Plus they don't care about the starving homeless injured seamen lurking in the doorways, heaving bricks through windows.
It's not even a "thank you" for the people who have given him so much hospitality during the last few months.
Party on, Pepys. The money must be burning a hole in your pocket. If you've got it, flaunt it.
About Sunday 10 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Doesn't Evelyn ever say anything about his social interactions with Samuel? (Or with anyone else, for that matter?)"
Evelyn frequently mentions eating with Kings and Dukes and Earls and Lords and gentlemen. Perhaps later on Pepys will qualify for a social mention -- right now I suspect Evelyn sees him as a working stiff at the Navy Office who has contacts. But not REALLY a gentleman -- maybe he's heard from Downing how he used to be his cyber expert before the Restoration?
About Sunday 10 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
I wonder who took Elizabeth home to Seething Lane. Interesting Pepys is more interested in recording who he was making music with than his wife's safety -- so many unpaid, unsheltered and hungry seamen in the neighborhood that should have been a concern.
About Friday 8 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"With France about to come into the war on the side of the Dutch it was imperative to effect a rapprochement with Spain ..."
Why were the French about to do that?
The reluctant entry of France into the second Anglo-Dutch War on 16 January 1666, honored an obligation under the Franco-Dutch treaty of 1662, This made it unlikely that England would be able to defeat the Dutch decisively.
At the Restoration, Charles II's instincts were to exercise a serious role in European affairs, and his new government was sensitive to unflattering comparisons with the influence which the Commonwealth and Protectorate had wielded abroad and the Restoration regime was a fragile one. Charles' desire to cut a figure abroad had to be tempered by an appreciation of the costs of international power politics and the threat it could pose to internal security.
Both France and Spain solicited an English alliance.
The Franco-Spanish War was ended by the Treaty of the Pyrenees, but the politics of western Europe was still bound up with their continuing rivalry.
Plus the Spanish expected some dividends from the support they had given the exiled monarchy in the late 1650s, and in July 1660 Charles II formally ended the war with Spain which had been carried on fitfully since Cromwell's death.
Although Spain had advocates at the English court, it lacked the closeness with Charles II that family ties gave him to France, plus it could not overcome Charles’ enthusiasm for French society and government.
Even so, France's 1654 treaty with Cromwell, and Cardinal Mazarin's disrespect of royalist interests, had chilled relations between the two courts, and not until the death of Mazarin in March 1661 could they officially recover. By then the Franco-Dutch Treaty was as good as signed.
Therefore, on 7-17 December 1665, Sir Richard Fanshawe, the English Ambassador at Madrid, signed a Treaty with the Spanish minister, but Charles II refused to ratify it, and Fanshawe was recalled. As you can see, the decision to recall him was made well before the Treaty was signed, but I suppose we can blame the mis-step on how long it took for ships to deliver letters.
About Thursday 7 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
Does anyone know which "Lady" Pedro is referring to? I haven't splurged on Davidson's book yet.
About Friday 8 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
Meanwhile, in the Middle East and throughout Europe, a millennium story was playing itself out (see Henry Oldenburg's letter above):
In 1665, Nathan of Gaza announced that the Messianic age would begin the following year with the conquest of the world without bloodshed. The Messiah would lead the Ten Lost Tribes back to the Holy Land, "riding on a lion with a seven-headed dragon in its jaws".
The self-proclaimed Messiah was Sabbatai Zevi ... see
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
It is truly an incredible story.
About Sunday 3 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
WOW, GrahamRA -- that is a treasure trove! Thanks
About Saturday 2 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
JayW ... you are correct NOW ... but if you read the Wikipedia link you'll find that a guinea has had a number of values over the last 450 years.
About Friday 8 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I offered now to pay him the 4,000l. remaining of his 8,000l. for Tangier, which he took with great kindness, and prayed me most frankly to give him a note for 3,500l. and accept the other 500l. for myself, which in good earnest was against my judgement to do, for [I] expected about 100l. and no more, but however he would have me do it, and owns very great obligations to me, and the man indeed I love, and he deserves it.
"This put me into great joy, though with a little stay to it till we have time to settle it, for so great a sum I was fearful any accident might by death or otherwise defeat me, having not now time to change papers."
Once again Pepys' high finance logic leave me at a loss.
Pepys offered to repay the remaining 4,000l. from Gawden's 8,000l. Tangier loan/delivery. Gawden says to do the paperwork as paying him 3,500l., and Pepys can keep 500l. for himself.
Pepys insists on fast settlement because the numbers are so large, and he's worried he might died and be unable to change out correct paperwork if things go wrong.
This makes no sense to me.
About Richard Kingdon
San Diego Sarah • Link
Phil kindly checked the correct spelling of this man's name for me.
L&M say Kingdon -- with two Ns -- not an M at the end.
About Monday 4 December 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... and after the observing (God forgive me!) one or two of my neighbour Jason’s women [L&M have this as “my neighbour hermosa mohers”. P.G.] come to towne, which did please me very well, ..."
Do you think this was the local house of disrepute, and Pepys is checking out the talent?
About Edith Bell (aunt)
San Diego Sarah • Link
My thanks to Phil for finding and posting the new link which explains Vincent's post above. It should read [for posterity, in case they change the link again]:
ID: I336588
Name: Edith PEPYS
Given Name: Edith
Surname: Pepys
Sex: F
Birth: 11 Oct 1599 in Sutton, Middlesex, England
Christening: 11 Oct 1599 Impington, Cambridgeshire, England
Death: Y
Event: living Unknown 1636
Event: mentioned in the wil of her brother Robert Unknown 12 Aug 1657
Will: 15 Sep 1665
Probate: 4 Oct 1665
Note: Also Known As: Pepys Samuel's "Aunt Bell." Described in marriage allegation as age 45 understating her age by 2 years. Described herself in will as a widow of St. Bartholomew the Less.
I suspect the birth day was at least a month earlier than that, if she was born in Middlesex. They recorded christenings more reliably than births. If she was born in Impington, the christenings usually happened soon after birth, so the birth date may have been only a few days before.