Many streets take their name from tavern signs, and those signs were often given nicknames that reflected public opinion on the merits (or representational accuracy) of the painter. Dog and Duck Yard is almost certainly from an inn sign which referred either to the common form of duck hunting (with guns and retrievers), or possibly from one of Charles II’s sports, known in 1665 as the ‘Royal Diversion of Duck Hunting’.
The fun of this diversion was to throw ducks, often with pinioned wings, into a pond and watch them try to escape from the spaniels that were sent in after them.
"... into the City, but upon his tally could not get any money in Lumbard Streete, through the disrepute which he suffers, I perceive, upon his giving up his place, ..."
Now what happens? Povy's accounting means nothing. The goldsmiths won't honor his Tangier tallies. Pepys doesn't seem too upset.
"... thence to the Coffee-house with Sir W. Warren, where much good discourse for us both till 4 o’clock with great pleasure ..."
I bet it was good discourse. Pepys has just been handed another big pot of money. "One for the King, one for me, one for you, and one for everyone in Tangier."
I have to do an annotation on Louis XIV who came to power about the same time as Charles II. The French had a central paymaster, and it took Colbert and Louis about 6 months to figure out how the books were being cooked. Then Louis took control, fired everyone but Colbert (who went on to run their Exchequer for decades), and low-and-behold there was enough revenue to pay all the bills, build Versailles, buy Dunkirk, and to give everyone a tax cut. Charles must have been so jealous.
Charles II's spymaster ... I may have answered my own question, but there seems to be little info to support this. I must investigate further:
Joseph Williamson, Keeper of the State Paper Office at Whitehall, in 1663 was made Under-Secretary of State, and soon afterwards knighted. He was one of the ablest of Pepys' colleagues in the public service. Williamson’s part in the establishment of an efficient intelligence and espionage system was an important one between 1660 and his retirement in 1679. For some 19 years he had a major influence on the secretariat’s involvement in the covert world.
One of my favorite authors, JD Davies, has posted his review of the two Stuart art exhibits currently available in London. Lucky fella visited them both in one day. There are interesting photos of some of the Charles II exhibit, and I would love to know what Pepys thought about the last photo/painting.
"So to my Lord Peterborough’s; where Povy, Creed, Williamson, Auditor Beale, and myself, and mighty merry to see how plainly my Lord and Povy did abuse one another about their accounts, ..."
Povy had good reason to be nervous. Auditor Beale and Joseph Williamson were there. From our encyclopedia:
Clement says 'in some ways Williamson’s career parallels that of Pepys. … Intelligence and Espionage in the Reign of Charles II, 1660-1685: “There is little doubt that Williamson’s part in the establishment of an efficient intelligence and espionage system was an important one. For some 19 years he was to have a major influence on the secretariat’s involvement in the covert world. …”' AND
"There were undoubtedly opportunities for making money in the service of the government and Williamson was to prove that he was never slow in taking any financial opportunities which presented themselves. By 1668 he was rumored to be worth £40,000 in ready money." If anyone knows how to cook the books, it's Williamson.
They must be wondering what else Povy's incompetence has touched.
"Why were my Lord and Mr. Povey referred to as fooles with an 'e' and Mrs. Martin's husband a fool without an 'e'? I wonder which one was the greater?"
My theory on this, Marquess, is that Pepys wrote in shorthand. The e's and other spelling discrepancies say more about the translators than the author.
"Thence to Mrs. Martin, who, though her husband is gone away, as he writes, like a fool into France, yet is as simple and wanton as ever she was, with much I made myself merry and away."
Since this entry isn't written in Pepys' version of French, I presume this was innocent simple and wanton merry making.
And I think her husband was smart, going to France. If he had stayed in Portsmouth, he would have found himself on a warship in no time (see https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… ). The nobles are volunteering and the tars are disappearing. But we know who does the work.
"... and will leave it to my own convenience when to choose another, and perhaps shall escape a feast by it."
So is Pepys no longer grateful for his deliverance, or is he getting more snobbish and penny-pinching? Maybe he doesn't trust Elizabeth to perform up to his expectations any more (like not showing up for dinner again)?
And what is this new attitude towards Elizabeth Turner? He declined to help with or attend her husband's big banquet last month, and is relieved she and the family can't attend today? When did he last see The.?
Oh, that's right, it's so much more fun drafting documents alone so he can legally cheat Povy over time, and brain-storming how to fund the Chatham Chest because there are going to be a slew of disabled seamen very shortly (and expose Batten's theft at the same time).
Not taking communion was a political act today, worthy of note in his diary.
He's turning into a very odd person. I sympathize with Elizabeth not liking her "new" husband. He's not the nice guy she married.
"26. March: 1665. Easter day. 12 of us received the sacrament of the lords supper publicly for which I bless god, I believe its 22. or 23. years since received on that day and occasion, ..."
Josselin was a Puritan ... I can understand Essex lagging behind in the reintroduction of Anglican sacraments. But Josselin is so happy about it. He could have done it last year or the year before ... why his delay??? And last year he was worried about being expelled from his parish; all he had to do was celebrate Easter with communion. (It's OK -- I'm not expecting an answer.)
Diary of Ralph Josselin (Private Collection) Thursday 19 January 1665 document 70014595
19. buried old Hutton, that went out to work and fell down dead in the field by his house. said his father died 2 fields farther, there were living at once in the parish, workmen to Mr Harlakenden. Henry Hutton his first wife. Guy Hutton son, his first wife. Henry grandchild his first wife. and Henry sons to 3 children, but now the string is twice broken
"... Then to our discourse with him, Creed, Mr. Viner, myself and Poyntz about the business of the Workehouse at Clerkenwell, and after dinner went thither and saw all the works there, ..."
"Thence to my Lady Sandwich’s, where my wife all this day, having kept Good Friday very strict with fasting. "
Business as usual for Pepys ... and Elizabeth does her own thing again. I wonder if she was wearing her new grey dress.
Remember Pepys’ discomfort when he had to distribute Sandwich’s petty cash – he didn’t want to give it to Creed since he made such a mess of it in the past. He decided on Howe, but when Howe came to pick it up, Creed was there?
“Saturday 16 July 1664 “Up in the morning, my head mightily confounded with the great deale of business I have upon me to do. But to the office, and there dispatched Mr. Creed’s business pretty well about his bill; but then there comes W. Howe for my Lord’s bill of Imprest for 500l. to carry with him this voyage, and so I was at a loss how to carry myself in it, Creed being there, but there being no help I delivered it to them both, and let them contend, when I perceive they did both endeavour to have it, but W. Howe took it, and the other had the discretion to suffer it. But I think I cleared myself to Creed that it past not from any practice of mine.”
So my guess is this is a periodic settling of petty cash for the fleet. If someone gets sick, the Admiral pays for their care ashore … they needed a horse to get a letter to London poste haste … they needed some emergency tar … etc. etc.
This is my first encounter with Grammont and his Memoirs. I understand he dictated them about 20 years after leaving London, and loved to tell a good story. Consequently, memories became kaleidoscoped, and unrelated incidents were linked, mixing facts so stories have the ring of truth without in the end being factual. It all makes for a best seller.
In this case, there may well have been a fortune-teller who had the Court abuzz, and Rochester did resort to pranks like this years later, but this fortune-teller was not Rochester.
At Christmas 1664 John Wilmot, 2nd Duke of Rochester was returning from his Grand Tour to France and Italy with Dr. Andrew Balfour. He was 16 years old, and his demeanor at this period is said to have been remarkable for its modesty. According to Susan Cooper-Bridgewater’s book, *OF INK, WIT AND INTRIGUE, Lord Rochester, in Chains of Quicksilver* he not only brought a letter from Minette to Charles II, but also a valuable miniature portrait of her which he cherished.
They spent the next week in London, staying at Whitehall (possibly invited by aunt Barbara Villiers Palmer the Lady Castlemaine, or uncle Sir Allen Apsley, or distant relative Chancellor Edward Hyde?), and -- to the disgust of Balfour -- Rochester was introduced to The Merry Gang, by cousin George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, who invited Rochester to tag along with Lord Buckhurst, Sir Charles Sedley, Sir George Etherege, and Sir Henry Savile, probably to the theater and drinking, exposing him to the excesses offered in London.
After a week Rochester and Balfour traveled to Rochester’s home, Ditchley Manor, Oxfordshire, to spend a month with his mother, Anne St.John Lee Wilmot, Countess of Rochester.
PLEASE NOTE: as we know from Pepys, the title “cousin” means a relative. George Villiers was old enough to be Rochester’s father. Sir Allen Apsley’s mother was Anne St.John’s aunt, and he was very close to Anne when she was the widow Lee. I’m not sure how Hyde was related, but when he was on the run, Anne St.John Lee Wilmot hid him at Ditchley. Barbara Villiers Palmer’s mother was a St.John sister who married George’s uncle. It’s all in the family.
Susan Cooper-Bridgewater, *OF INK, WIT AND INTRIGUE, Lord Rochester, in Chains of Quicksilver*, 2014, Troubador Publishing, UK, ISBN 978-1783063-079
"I fail to see why a Naval official should be expected to take in and raise the child of another man, seaman or not. He is not running an orphanage, ..."
Well, RSGII, I don't think Mr. Batters asked "a Naval official" to take in his daughter -- the Batters were friendly with Elizabeth and Sam, so I think he asked a wealthier friend. Obviously Pepys saw it more as you do.
"But I took no notice to her at all of the substance of the letter, but fell to discourse ..." Since the Batters were still friends with the Pepys in 1666, this discourse must have been helpful and more friendly than it sounds here.
According to Matthew Parker in *THE SUGAR BARONS, Family, Corruption, Empire and War in the West Indies*, pg 134-135, Walker and Company, New York, 2011, ISBN 978-0-8027-7798-0:
In his successful raids in West Africa, De Ruyter had captured booty which included nearly 17,000 lbs. of ivory. As he then crossed the Atlantic, warning was sent to Barbados that they were his next likely target.
At 6 a.m. on April 20, 1665 Bridgetown awoke to hear 14 Dutch ships with 2,500 men approached. By 9 a.m. the Dutch fleet, with de Ruyter leading, sailed in battle order into Carlisle Bay.
Only when the fleet was close to the fort did they fire. The fort and ships in the harbor returned fire. The rapid exchange of cannon balls and other shot caused serious damage on both sides. Bridgetown’s shops and residences were smashed as the Dutch fired “500 great shot into the town” some of which weighted 30 lbs. However, there were few casualties.
De Ruyter’s ship lost his mainyard, and two other ships lost their topsails, and sustained other serious damage.
By 4 p.m. Bridgetown had used 33 barrels of gunpowder (almost their entire supply). Fortunately, de Ruyter raised red bunting on his masthead and the fleet retired out of range for a council of war, while the tars did emergency repairs.
At 5 p.m. the Dutch set sail for Martinique “in the most confusedest manner that possibly could be.”
[My note: No doubt de Ruyter needed to keep that booty safe so he could pay his men -- and himself.]
Comments
Second Reading
About Wednesday 29 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
Duck hunting in 1665 ...
Many streets take their name from tavern signs, and those signs were often given nicknames that reflected public opinion on the merits (or representational accuracy) of the painter. Dog and Duck Yard is almost certainly from an inn sign which referred either to the common form of duck hunting (with guns and retrievers), or possibly from one of Charles II’s sports, known in 1665 as the ‘Royal Diversion of Duck Hunting’.
The fun of this diversion was to throw ducks, often with pinioned wings, into a pond and watch them try to escape from the spaniels that were sent in after them.
Information from https://thestreetnames.com/tag/so…
About Wednesday 29 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... into the City, but upon his tally could not get any money in Lumbard Streete, through the disrepute which he suffers, I perceive, upon his giving up his place, ..."
Now what happens? Povy's accounting means nothing. The goldsmiths won't honor his Tangier tallies. Pepys doesn't seem too upset.
About Tuesday 28 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
I should have computed the breakdown as:
"One for the King, one for me, one for you, half for Povy, and one for everyone in Tangier." I forgot Pepys had already cheated his silent partner.
About Tuesday 28 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... thence to the Coffee-house with Sir W. Warren, where much good discourse for us both till 4 o’clock with great pleasure ..."
I bet it was good discourse. Pepys has just been handed another big pot of money. "One for the King, one for me, one for you, and one for everyone in Tangier."
I have to do an annotation on Louis XIV who came to power about the same time as Charles II. The French had a central paymaster, and it took Colbert and Louis about 6 months to figure out how the books were being cooked. Then Louis took control, fired everyone but Colbert (who went on to run their Exchequer for decades), and low-and-behold there was enough revenue to pay all the bills, build Versailles, buy Dunkirk, and to give everyone a tax cut. Charles must have been so jealous.
About Saturday 25 February 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
Charles II's spymaster ... I may have answered my own question, but there seems to be little info to support this. I must investigate further:
Joseph Williamson, Keeper of the State Paper Office at Whitehall, in 1663 was made Under-Secretary of State, and soon afterwards knighted. He was one of the ablest of Pepys' colleagues in the public service. Williamson’s part in the establishment of an efficient intelligence and espionage system was an important one between 1660 and his retirement in 1679. For some 19 years he had a major influence on the secretariat’s involvement in the covert world.
About Sunday 26 February 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
One of my favorite authors, JD Davies, has posted his review of the two Stuart art exhibits currently available in London. Lucky fella visited them both in one day. There are interesting photos of some of the Charles II exhibit, and I would love to know what Pepys thought about the last photo/painting.
https://jddavies.com/2018/02/26/a…
About Monday 27 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"So to my Lord Peterborough’s; where Povy, Creed, Williamson, Auditor Beale, and myself, and mighty merry to see how plainly my Lord and Povy did abuse one another about their accounts, ..."
Povy had good reason to be nervous. Auditor Beale and Joseph Williamson were there. From our encyclopedia:
Clement says 'in some ways Williamson’s career parallels that of Pepys. … Intelligence and Espionage in the Reign of Charles II, 1660-1685: “There is little doubt that Williamson’s part in the establishment of an efficient intelligence and espionage system was an important one. For some 19 years he was to have a major influence on the secretariat’s involvement in the covert world. …”' AND
"There were undoubtedly opportunities for making money in the service of the government and Williamson was to prove that he was never slow in taking any financial opportunities which presented themselves. By 1668 he was rumored to be worth £40,000 in ready money." If anyone knows how to cook the books, it's Williamson.
They must be wondering what else Povy's incompetence has touched.
About Monday 27 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Why were my Lord and Mr. Povey referred to as fooles with an 'e' and Mrs. Martin's husband a fool without an 'e'? I wonder which one was the greater?"
My theory on this, Marquess, is that Pepys wrote in shorthand. The e's and other spelling discrepancies say more about the translators than the author.
About Monday 27 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Thence to Mrs. Martin, who, though her husband is gone away, as he writes, like a fool into France, yet is as simple and wanton as ever she was, with much I made myself merry and away."
Since this entry isn't written in Pepys' version of French, I presume this was innocent simple and wanton merry making.
And I think her husband was smart, going to France. If he had stayed in Portsmouth, he would have found himself on a warship in no time (see https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… ). The nobles are volunteering and the tars are disappearing. But we know who does the work.
About Sunday 26 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... and will leave it to my own convenience when to choose another, and perhaps shall escape a feast by it."
So is Pepys no longer grateful for his deliverance, or is he getting more snobbish and penny-pinching? Maybe he doesn't trust Elizabeth to perform up to his expectations any more (like not showing up for dinner again)?
And what is this new attitude towards Elizabeth Turner? He declined to help with or attend her husband's big banquet last month, and is relieved she and the family can't attend today? When did he last see The.?
Oh, that's right, it's so much more fun drafting documents alone so he can legally cheat Povy over time, and brain-storming how to fund the Chatham Chest because there are going to be a slew of disabled seamen very shortly (and expose Batten's theft at the same time).
Not taking communion was a political act today, worthy of note in his diary.
He's turning into a very odd person. I sympathize with Elizabeth not liking her "new" husband. He's not the nice guy she married.
About Sunday 26 March 1665
San Diego Sarah • Link
This has me confused:
"26. March: 1665. Easter day. 12 of us received the sacrament of the lords supper publicly for which I bless god, I believe its 22. or 23. years since received on that day and occasion, ..."
Josselin was a Puritan ... I can understand Essex lagging behind in the reintroduction of Anglican sacraments. But Josselin is so happy about it. He could have done it last year or the year before ... why his delay??? And last year he was worried about being expelled from his parish; all he had to do was celebrate Easter with communion. (It's OK -- I'm not expecting an answer.)
About Thursday 19 January 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
I just discovered a note from Essex for today:
Diary of Ralph Josselin (Private Collection)
Thursday 19 January 1665
document 70014595
19. buried old Hutton, that went out to work and fell down dead in the field by his house. said his father died 2 fields farther, there were living at once in the parish, workmen to Mr Harlakenden. Henry Hutton his first wife. Guy Hutton son, his first wife. Henry grandchild his first wife. and Henry sons to 3 children, but now the string is twice broken
About Friday 24 March 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... Then to our discourse with him, Creed, Mr. Viner, myself and Poyntz about the business of the Workehouse at Clerkenwell, and after dinner went thither and saw all the works there, ..."
"Thence to my Lady Sandwich’s, where my wife all this day, having kept Good Friday very strict with fasting. "
Business as usual for Pepys ... and Elizabeth does her own thing again. I wonder if she was wearing her new grey dress.
About Globe (Fleet St)
San Diego Sarah • Link
Both times Pepys mentions the Globe he is going to see solicitors on legal business.
About Jane Myddelton
San Diego Sarah • Link
On CGS' site, you need to sort by JANE NEEDHAM, not Mrs. Myddleton.
Anyone know who Mr, Myddleton was?
About Sunday 19 March 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
Ah-Ha ... an annual rite of Spring. Where are the primroses, daffodils, bluebells and cuckoos?
About Monday 20 March 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
“W. Howe's money laid out in the fleet ...”
Remember Pepys’ discomfort when he had to distribute Sandwich’s petty cash – he didn’t want to give it to Creed since he made such a mess of it in the past. He decided on Howe, but when Howe came to pick it up, Creed was there?
“Saturday 16 July 1664
“Up in the morning, my head mightily confounded with the great deale of business I have upon me to do. But to the office, and there dispatched Mr. Creed’s business pretty well about his bill; but then there comes W. Howe for my Lord’s bill of Imprest for 500l. to carry with him this voyage, and so I was at a loss how to carry myself in it, Creed being there, but there being no help I delivered it to them both, and let them contend, when I perceive they did both endeavour to have it, but W. Howe took it, and the other had the discretion to suffer it. But I think I cleared myself to Creed that it past not from any practice of mine.”
So my guess is this is a periodic settling of petty cash for the fleet. If someone gets sick, the Admiral pays for their care ashore … they needed a horse to get a letter to London poste haste … they needed some emergency tar … etc. etc.
About Tuesday 21 February 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
This is my first encounter with Grammont and his Memoirs. I understand he dictated them about 20 years after leaving London, and loved to tell a good story. Consequently, memories became kaleidoscoped, and unrelated incidents were linked, mixing facts so stories have the ring of truth without in the end being factual. It all makes for a best seller.
In this case, there may well have been a fortune-teller who had the Court abuzz, and Rochester did resort to pranks like this years later, but this fortune-teller was not Rochester.
At Christmas 1664 John Wilmot, 2nd Duke of Rochester was returning from his Grand Tour to France and Italy with Dr. Andrew Balfour. He was 16 years old, and his demeanor at this period is said to have been remarkable for its modesty. According to Susan Cooper-Bridgewater’s book, *OF INK, WIT AND INTRIGUE, Lord Rochester, in Chains of Quicksilver* he not only brought a letter from Minette to Charles II, but also a valuable miniature portrait of her which he cherished.
They spent the next week in London, staying at Whitehall (possibly invited by aunt Barbara Villiers Palmer the Lady Castlemaine, or uncle Sir Allen Apsley, or distant relative Chancellor Edward Hyde?), and -- to the disgust of Balfour -- Rochester was introduced to The Merry Gang, by cousin George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, who invited Rochester to tag along with Lord Buckhurst, Sir Charles Sedley, Sir George Etherege, and Sir Henry Savile, probably to the theater and drinking, exposing him to the excesses offered in London.
After a week Rochester and Balfour traveled to Rochester’s home, Ditchley Manor, Oxfordshire, to spend a month with his mother, Anne St.John Lee Wilmot, Countess of Rochester.
PLEASE NOTE: as we know from Pepys, the title “cousin” means a relative. George Villiers was old enough to be Rochester’s father. Sir Allen Apsley’s mother was Anne St.John’s aunt, and he was very close to Anne when she was the widow Lee. I’m not sure how Hyde was related, but when he was on the run, Anne St.John Lee Wilmot hid him at Ditchley. Barbara Villiers Palmer’s mother was a St.John sister who married George’s uncle. It’s all in the family.
Susan Cooper-Bridgewater, *OF INK, WIT AND INTRIGUE, Lord Rochester, in Chains of Quicksilver*, 2014, Troubador Publishing, UK, ISBN 978-1783063-079
About Thursday 16 February 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I fail to see why a Naval official should be expected to take in and raise the child of another man, seaman or not. He is not running an orphanage, ..."
Well, RSGII, I don't think Mr. Batters asked "a Naval official" to take in his daughter -- the Batters were friendly with Elizabeth and Sam, so I think he asked a wealthier friend. Obviously Pepys saw it more as you do.
"But I took no notice to her at all of the substance of the letter, but fell to discourse ..." Since the Batters were still friends with the Pepys in 1666, this discourse must have been helpful and more friendly than it sounds here.
About Sunday 19 March 1664/65
San Diego Sarah • Link
According to Matthew Parker in *THE SUGAR BARONS, Family, Corruption, Empire and War in the West Indies*, pg 134-135, Walker and Company, New York, 2011, ISBN 978-0-8027-7798-0:
In his successful raids in West Africa, De Ruyter had captured booty which included nearly 17,000 lbs. of ivory. As he then crossed the Atlantic, warning was sent to Barbados that they were his next likely target.
At 6 a.m. on April 20, 1665 Bridgetown awoke to hear 14 Dutch ships with 2,500 men approached. By 9 a.m. the Dutch fleet, with de Ruyter leading, sailed in battle order into Carlisle Bay.
Only when the fleet was close to the fort did they fire. The fort and ships in the harbor returned fire. The rapid exchange of cannon balls and other shot caused serious damage on both sides. Bridgetown’s shops and residences were smashed as the Dutch fired “500 great shot into the town” some of which weighted 30 lbs. However, there were few casualties.
De Ruyter’s ship lost his mainyard, and two other ships lost their topsails, and sustained other serious damage.
By 4 p.m. Bridgetown had used 33 barrels of gunpowder (almost their entire supply). Fortunately, de Ruyter raised red bunting on his masthead and the fleet retired out of range for a council of war, while the tars did emergency repairs.
At 5 p.m. the Dutch set sail for Martinique “in the most confusedest manner that possibly could be.”
[My note: No doubt de Ruyter needed to keep that booty safe so he could pay his men -- and himself.]