"The surgeon, like the commissioned officers, served only for the duration of the active service of the ship ... Surgeons were examined at the Barber-Surgeons' Hall and appointed by Admiralty board warrants, but disputes between the two authorities over their respective jurisdictions occurred regularly, and captains were often able to take advantage of the lack of qualified surgeons to appoint their own, often unworthy, nominees ..."
Running a part-time, on-call navy was a inefficient nightmare for all. No wonder Pepys wanted to change it.
3 September, 1664 Dr. Thomas Hollier (as a Warden of the Worshipful Company of Barber-Surgeons) was the first to attempt to get Pepys (as Clerk of the Acts for the Navy Board) to agree that Navy ships would hire ships' surgeons and buy surgical goods as approved of by the Company.
The magnificent Kensington Palace was once a two-story mansion built by Sir George Coppin in 1605. It was purchased by Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham in 1619 and it then became known as Nottingham House. Joint monarch William and Mary began to search for a new residence, and they purchased Nottingham House from the 2nd Earl of Nottingham in 1689. They ordered an expansion, and the original structure was kept intact, but a three-story pavilion was added at each of the four corners. They took up residence shortly before Christmas 1689. It remained a favourite royal residence for the next 70 years.
Mary II died at Kensington Palace of smallpox in 1694, and William III also died there in 1702. He was succeeded by Queen Anne, and she had Christopher Wren complete the extensions. She also contributed to the gardens. Queen Anne’s husband died at Kensington Palace in 1708, and she also died there on 1 August 1714.
Louise, my understanding is that Reeve is short of cash, so he brings in an old anchor and a lodestone, hoping Pepys will buy them. Pepys refuses, so Reeves asks if he will sell the lodestone on consignment, which apparently Pepys agrees to do. Reeves comes back later asking for a short-term loan of six pounds against the possible sale ("he had present occasion for 6l. to make up a sum, and that he would pay me in a day or two") but Pepys refuses to give him anything. Apparently Pepys keeps the lodestone -- will he be able to sell it? Reeves should have retrieved his lodestone and tried to flog it elsewhere. Perhaps we shall find out what happens in the next few days ... and maybe we won't. As for the anchor ...???
In 1664 Charles II's birthday, 29 May, was designated Oak Apple Day, by Act of Parliament, and a special service was inserted in the book of Common Prayer. For over 200 years the King's birthday was celebrated by the wearing of a sprig of oak leaves in remembrance of the event.
This tradition is no longer observed, although hundreds of inns and public houses throughout the country are still called 'The Royal Oak' after the famous escape.
"I did give my Aunt 20s., to carry as a token to my mother, and 10s. to Pall."
Sam has mentioned a couple of times that this number of people descending on Brampton will be expensive for his father, so this might be his contribution. In which case, why send the money to his mother and sister? Probably makes no difference; money in is money in.
Colin ... Pepys gets his information from Court and the Exchange. This quote is actually about Rev. Josselin in the wilds of Essex, which is more amazing than Pepys hearing things. As to its accuracy -- sometimes not so much.
I think the answer may be that there were pretty regular news-sheets being printed up. One editor had a table in Westminster Hall, and he listened to "the buzz" all day long and in the evening he went home and printed up a digest which he sold next morning. If I was an out of town aristocrat, or the mayor of a town, I would probably pay someone to mail them to me -- the mail went nearly everywhere three times a week.
"... where I find my wife hath had her head dressed by her woman, Mercer, which is to come to her tomorrow, but my wife being to go to a christening tomorrow, she came to do her head up tonight. "
I think this means the teenage Mary Mercer put Elizabeth's hair into curlers overnight so it would be pretty the next day. It does imply Mary isn't living with them.
I find Australian Susan's notes a bit odd -- maybe Prince Harry's deployments in Afghanistan occurred later than September 2007?
"Interesting to note, that many of the 'higher uppers" in the Navy were Knights, Lords (Monck, Sandwich), Dukes (James), Princes (Rupert), etc. and that many of them had put themselves in harms' way in order to defend their country, and many deliberately so (ie. Rupert's young military career for example). This is in contrast with Royalty today - Prince Harry was refused leave to serve in Iraq as it was thought it would attract too much danger to his fellow soldiers. His Uncle, the present Duke of York, Prince Andrew, served in the Falklands War, but in retrospect, that seems a much simpler affair than the present situation in Iraq."
Not only was Prince Harry under fire in Afghanistan, Prince Phillip was active duty Navy during the cold war, and Admiral Earl Mountbatten was active duty in WWII. Britain lost ships and men in the Falklands, so Prince Andrew's helicopter service was in the line of fire -- and helicopters are a bit dodgy at the best of times. Prince Andrew's response to the fire at Windsor was also notable. Prince William may not have been deployed during his military stint, but there is no question of his bravery rescuing people in the Atlantic, often in terrible winter weather.
King George, Queen Elizabeth and the princesses stayed in London during the Blitz -- Buckingham Palace took a direct hit (fortunately a dud bomb).
I see no lack of courage from our current crop of Royals (the younger ones of whom say being under fire is preferable to being an active-duty Royal), so I hope all she is saying is that military leadership is now in the hands of career professionals, and not subject to the nepotism of Stuart times.
Rev. Ralph Josselin is too obscure for me. I know they often believed in 'magical thinking', so is he quoting this to prove it was a prophesy?
"10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation" I understand, but does he seriously think the rest applies to the Turks?
Bottom line, I am questioning how personally they applied the Old Testament to their affairs, considering that 1666 is coming up in 2 years and many were expecting the Apocalypse.
"He tells us how Mrs. Lane is undone, by her marrying so bad, and desires to speak with me, which I know is wholly to get me to do something for her to get her husband a place, which he is in no wise fit for."
"Us" means Elizabeth is there -- what a conversation to have in front of her. W. Bowyer is treading on thin ice.
Turns out saddles were more Western styled in Pepys' day, and "posting" isn't standard:
Saddles were improved during the Middle Ages, as knights needed saddles that were strong and supportive. They had a high cantle and pommel (to stop the rider from being unseated in warfare) and a wooden tree to supported a rider with armor. The saddle was padded with wool or horsehair and covered in leather or textiles. ...
Other saddles sometimes added solid trees to support stirrups, but were kept light for use by messengers and for horse racing.
One type of English saddle was developed by François Robinchon de la Guérinière [born 1688], a French riding master and author of "Ecole de Cavalerie," made major contributions to dressage. He emphasized the "three point" seat, still used today.
To not be jostled out of the saddle or harm the horse by bouncing on its back, riders must learn to sit the trot. Most riders learn to sit a slow jog trot without bouncing. ... A fast, uncollected trot is virtually impossible to sit.
Sitting the trot is important because the trot is a safe, efficient gait for a horse. ...
Three ways the trot may be ridden:
Sitting: The rider's seat remains in the saddle while following the motion of the horse and without bouncing. ... Sitting the trot gives the rider optimum control, because s/he can use the seat and weight to ask the horse to make upward or downward transitions, turns, and/or to decrease or increase impulsion. ... Sitting is tiring for the rider, especially if the rider has not built up stomach and back muscles, or if rider is on a powerful mount with a big trot. To absorb the impact, the rider relaxes the hips and the stomach and lower back, as well as the legs. The rider's upper body remains upright and quiet, and the hands steady. The lower legs only come into play when the rider gives a leg aid.
If a rider cannot sit the trot and is bounced around, ... not only is the rider uncomfortable, the constant slamming of the rider onto the horse is uncomfortable for the horse. As a result, it will hollow its back and stiffen its movement.
Rising or Posting: The rider makes an up-and-down movement each stride, rising out of the saddle for one beat and lowering (sits) for the second beat. When the rising trot is performed correctly, it is comfortable for the rider and easy on the horse. ... This does not provide as much control as sitting, but frees the horse's back. ...
Half-seat or Two-point: Sometimes used synonymously, the half-seat variation involves the rider getting the seat bones off the saddle and keeping soft contact with the pelvis, and two-point variation involves the rider raising the seat and pelvic bones. In both cases, the rider is off the saddle and does not post. This provides freedom for the horse's back but the least amount of control for the rider. ...
"I take it that Sam means both horse and rider are saddle sore, probably because of the 'hard trotting'."
As someone who grew up riding in the UK, I have no idea what "hard trotting" is. With the English saddle it is easy to rise in the stirrups to avoid being joggled (which is great exercise for your thighs) -- and I assume this has been how it's been done for a thousand years.
With a Western saddle it takes a lot more effort, so I avoided trotting.
Now I'm thinking that rising in the stirrups must be a comparatively new innovation? You can't joust or fight on horseback without stirrups.
Deb is about to become the star of her own story. Andrea Zuvich -- one of my favorite 17th century authors -- posted this review today of a book to be released in September 2017:
Review: “Pleasing Mr. Pepys” by Deborah Swift
Pleasing Mr. Pepys is the newest work by Deborah Swift and set to release this September (2017), and I was fortunate to have been given an advance review copy. To me, Swift brought Deborah Willet, the Pepyses, and the London of the 1660s to life in an exciting and sometimes touching way. I found this to be a really enjoyable story, with its various plot-lines, and believe it is perfect not only for 17th-century aficionados but anyone who enjoys a good book.
This novel had a sympathetic heroine, Deb Willet, who was very much a real-life person whom we know today from the diary of Samuel Pepys, for she was employed as a companion for his wife, Elisabeth.
Not much is known about Deborah Willet’s life, and I think the fictitious story-line Swift created for the gaps was entertaining and does not detract from the little that we do know of Willet’s life. Deb is well-educated, practical, resourceful, and very intelligent (something that doesn’t go unnoticed).
Pepys is, well, Pepys (I found him lovably annoying, just as when I read his Diary – which, by the way, I would suggest people read before reading this because that makes the experience more rewarding). The plot included a love story I rooted for, complex villains, suspenseful espionage, Anglo-Dutch rivalry, everyday living in the late 1660s, the social unrest of the period, political intrigues, and a glimpse into two very different social spheres.
I loved how Swift incorporated the Poor-Whores Petition of 1668 into her story, too. Jeremiah Wells, one of the possible love interests, was characterized into so amiable and virtuous a fellow, that I was half-besotted by him by the middle of the book (ha!).
Maybe this is a sign that Elizabeth had discussed finding little Elizabeth with Sam, and he was using the opportunity of discussing this private matter with "the gossips" (not my choice of advisers!) as a way to head her off at the pass?
It's interesting none of them told Sam to pleasure Elizabeth more. At that time they thought men and women's plumbing worked the same, so if men had to ejaculate, women also had to climax in order to conceive. Pity the doctors learned otherwise. Apparently these women knew otherwise.
Does anyone know how people with smallpox were nursed? Presumably someone who had survived took care of the victim, but stayed isolated from the rest of the family.
So where were the sheets stored between monthly or quarterly laundry days? Who washed the dishes (I'm guessing they ate the household meals, not interacting with the delivery person)? What happened to their bed pans? The logistics of isolation are hard to fathom.
Comments
Second Reading
About Barber-Surgeons' Hall
San Diego Sarah • Link
From Gentlemen and Tarpaulins by J. D. Davies:
"The surgeon, like the commissioned officers, served only for the duration of the active service of the ship ... Surgeons were examined at the Barber-Surgeons' Hall and appointed by Admiralty board warrants, but disputes between the two authorities over their respective jurisdictions occurred regularly, and captains were often able to take advantage of the lack of qualified surgeons to appoint their own, often unworthy, nominees ..."
Running a part-time, on-call navy was a inefficient nightmare for all. No wonder Pepys wanted to change it.
About Barber-Surgeons' Hall
San Diego Sarah • Link
3 September, 1664 Dr. Thomas Hollier (as a Warden of the Worshipful Company of Barber-Surgeons) was the first to attempt to get Pepys (as Clerk of the Acts for the Navy Board) to agree that Navy ships would hire ships' surgeons and buy surgical goods as approved of by the Company.
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…...
Union representation goes back a long way!
About Thursday 18 August 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Hi Louise, no kidding! I go to O.C. quite often ... I'll let you know next time and perhaps we can do lunch?
About Kensington
San Diego Sarah • Link
The magnificent Kensington Palace was once a two-story mansion built by Sir George Coppin in 1605. It was purchased by Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham in 1619 and it then became known as Nottingham House. Joint monarch William and Mary began to search for a new residence, and they purchased Nottingham House from the 2nd Earl of Nottingham in 1689. They ordered an expansion, and the original structure was kept intact, but a three-story pavilion was added at each of the four corners. They took up residence shortly before Christmas 1689. It remained a favourite royal residence for the next 70 years.
Mary II died at Kensington Palace of smallpox in 1694, and William III also died there in 1702. He was succeeded by Queen Anne, and she had Christopher Wren complete the extensions. She also contributed to the gardens. Queen Anne’s husband died at Kensington Palace in 1708, and she also died there on 1 August 1714.
For more information and photos, see https://www.historyofroyalwomen.c…
About Thursday 18 August 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Louise, my understanding is that Reeve is short of cash, so he brings in an old anchor and a lodestone, hoping Pepys will buy them. Pepys refuses, so Reeves asks if he will sell the lodestone on consignment, which apparently Pepys agrees to do. Reeves comes back later asking for a short-term loan of six pounds against the possible sale ("he had present occasion for 6l. to make up a sum, and that he would pay me in a day or two") but Pepys refuses to give him anything. Apparently Pepys keeps the lodestone -- will he be able to sell it? Reeves should have retrieved his lodestone and tried to flog it elsewhere. Perhaps we shall find out what happens in the next few days ... and maybe we won't. As for the anchor ...???
About Sunday 29 May 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
In 1664 Charles II's birthday, 29 May, was designated Oak Apple Day, by Act of Parliament, and a special service was inserted in the book of Common Prayer. For over 200 years the King's birthday was celebrated by the wearing of a sprig of oak leaves in remembrance of the event.
This tradition is no longer observed, although hundreds of inns and public houses throughout the country are still called 'The Royal Oak' after the famous escape.
FOR MORE SEE: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsw…
About Monday 12 September 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I did give my Aunt 20s., to carry as a token to my mother, and 10s. to Pall."
Sam has mentioned a couple of times that this number of people descending on Brampton will be expensive for his father, so this might be his contribution. In which case, why send the money to his mother and sister? Probably makes no difference; money in is money in.
About Wednesday 10 August 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Colin ... Pepys gets his information from Court and the Exchange. This quote is actually about Rev. Josselin in the wilds of Essex, which is more amazing than Pepys hearing things. As to its accuracy -- sometimes not so much.
I think the answer may be that there were pretty regular news-sheets being printed up. One editor had a table in Westminster Hall, and he listened to "the buzz" all day long and in the evening he went home and printed up a digest which he sold next morning. If I was an out of town aristocrat, or the mayor of a town, I would probably pay someone to mail them to me -- the mail went nearly everywhere three times a week.
About Thursday 8 September 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
"My wife this afternoon ... did go to the christening of Mrs. Mills, the parson’s wife’s child, where she never was before."
Christenings were frequently done at home, so this could mean that Elizabeth had never been invited into the home of Rev. and Mrs. Milles before.
Weird Pepys makes such a point of it being MRS. Milles' child, and does not mention the Rev.'s participation in the occasion.
About Wednesday 10 August 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Thanks, Terry.
About Wednesday 7 September 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... where I find my wife hath had her head dressed by her woman, Mercer, which is to come to her tomorrow, but my wife being to go to a christening tomorrow, she came to do her head up tonight. "
I think this means the teenage Mary Mercer put Elizabeth's hair into curlers overnight so it would be pretty the next day. It does imply Mary isn't living with them.
About Wednesday 7 September 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
I find Australian Susan's notes a bit odd -- maybe Prince Harry's deployments in Afghanistan occurred later than September 2007?
"Interesting to note, that many of the 'higher uppers" in the Navy were Knights, Lords (Monck, Sandwich), Dukes (James), Princes (Rupert), etc. and that many of them had put themselves in harms' way in order to defend their country, and many deliberately so (ie. Rupert's young military career for example). This is in contrast with Royalty today - Prince Harry was refused leave to serve in Iraq as it was thought it would attract too much danger to his fellow soldiers. His Uncle, the present Duke of York, Prince Andrew, served in the Falklands War, but in retrospect, that seems a much simpler affair than the present situation in Iraq."
Not only was Prince Harry under fire in Afghanistan, Prince Phillip was active duty Navy during the cold war, and Admiral Earl Mountbatten was active duty in WWII. Britain lost ships and men in the Falklands, so Prince Andrew's helicopter service was in the line of fire -- and helicopters are a bit dodgy at the best of times. Prince Andrew's response to the fire at Windsor was also notable. Prince William may not have been deployed during his military stint, but there is no question of his bravery rescuing people in the Atlantic, often in terrible winter weather.
King George, Queen Elizabeth and the princesses stayed in London during the Blitz -- Buckingham Palace took a direct hit (fortunately a dud bomb).
I see no lack of courage from our current crop of Royals (the younger ones of whom say being under fire is preferable to being an active-duty Royal), so I hope all she is saying is that military leadership is now in the hands of career professionals, and not subject to the nepotism of Stuart times.
About Wednesday 10 August 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Rev. Ralph Josselin is too obscure for me. I know they often believed in 'magical thinking', so is he quoting this to prove it was a prophesy?
"10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation" I understand, but does he seriously think the rest applies to the Turks?
Bottom line, I am questioning how personally they applied the Old Testament to their affairs, considering that 1666 is coming up in 2 years and many were expecting the Apocalypse.
About Monday 5 September 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
"He tells us how Mrs. Lane is undone, by her marrying so bad, and desires to speak with me, which I know is wholly to get me to do something for her to get her husband a place, which he is in no wise fit for."
"Us" means Elizabeth is there -- what a conversation to have in front of her. W. Bowyer is treading on thin ice.
About Saturday 6 August 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Turns out saddles were more Western styled in Pepys' day, and "posting" isn't standard:
Saddles were improved during the Middle Ages, as knights needed saddles that were strong and supportive. They had a high cantle and pommel (to stop the rider from being unseated in warfare) and a wooden tree to supported a rider with armor. The saddle was padded with wool or horsehair and covered in leather or textiles. ...
Other saddles sometimes added solid trees to support stirrups, but were kept light for use by messengers and for horse racing.
One type of English saddle was developed by François Robinchon de la Guérinière [born 1688], a French riding master and author of "Ecole de Cavalerie," made major contributions to dressage. He emphasized the "three point" seat, still used today.
for more, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sad…
To not be jostled out of the saddle or harm the horse by bouncing on its back, riders must learn to sit the trot. Most riders learn to sit a slow jog trot without bouncing. ... A fast, uncollected trot is virtually impossible to sit.
Sitting the trot is important because the trot is a safe, efficient gait for a horse. ...
Three ways the trot may be ridden:
Sitting: The rider's seat remains in the saddle while following the motion of the horse and without bouncing. ... Sitting the trot gives the rider optimum control, because s/he can use the seat and weight to ask the horse to make upward or downward transitions, turns, and/or to decrease or increase impulsion. ... Sitting is tiring for the rider, especially if the rider has not built up stomach and back muscles, or if rider is on a powerful mount with a big trot. To absorb the impact, the rider relaxes the hips and the stomach and lower back, as well as the legs. The rider's upper body remains upright and quiet, and the hands steady. The lower legs only come into play when the rider gives a leg aid.
If a rider cannot sit the trot and is bounced around, ... not only is the rider uncomfortable, the constant slamming of the rider onto the horse is uncomfortable for the horse. As a result, it will hollow its back and stiffen its movement.
Rising or Posting: The rider makes an up-and-down movement each stride, rising out of the saddle for one beat and lowering (sits) for the second beat. When the rising trot is performed correctly, it is comfortable for the rider and easy on the horse. ... This does not provide as much control as sitting, but frees the horse's back. ...
Half-seat or Two-point: Sometimes used synonymously, the half-seat variation involves the rider getting the seat bones off the saddle and keeping soft contact with the pelvis, and two-point variation involves the rider raising the seat and pelvic bones. In both cases, the rider is off the saddle and does not post. This provides freedom for the horse's back but the least amount of control for the rider. ...
for more see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trot
About Saturday 6 August 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I take it that Sam means both horse and rider are saddle sore, probably because of the 'hard trotting'."
As someone who grew up riding in the UK, I have no idea what "hard trotting" is. With the English saddle it is easy to rise in the stirrups to avoid being joggled (which is great exercise for your thighs) -- and I assume this has been how it's been done for a thousand years.
With a Western saddle it takes a lot more effort, so I avoided trotting.
Now I'm thinking that rising in the stirrups must be a comparatively new innovation? You can't joust or fight on horseback without stirrups.
About Deborah "Deb" Willet
San Diego Sarah • Link
Deb is about to become the star of her own story. Andrea Zuvich -- one of my favorite 17th century authors -- posted this review today of a book to be released in September 2017:
Review: “Pleasing Mr. Pepys” by Deborah Swift
Pleasing Mr. Pepys is the newest work by Deborah Swift and set to release this September (2017), and I was fortunate to have been given an advance review copy. To me, Swift brought Deborah Willet, the Pepyses, and the London of the 1660s to life in an exciting and sometimes touching way. I found this to be a really enjoyable story, with its various plot-lines, and believe it is perfect not only for 17th-century aficionados but anyone who enjoys a good book.
This novel had a sympathetic heroine, Deb Willet, who was very much a real-life person whom we know today from the diary of Samuel Pepys, for she was employed as a companion for his wife, Elisabeth.
Not much is known about Deborah Willet’s life, and I think the fictitious story-line Swift created for the gaps was entertaining and does not detract from the little that we do know of Willet’s life. Deb is well-educated, practical, resourceful, and very intelligent (something that doesn’t go unnoticed).
Pepys is, well, Pepys (I found him lovably annoying, just as when I read his Diary – which, by the way, I would suggest people read before reading this because that makes the experience more rewarding). The plot included a love story I rooted for, complex villains, suspenseful espionage, Anglo-Dutch rivalry, everyday living in the late 1660s, the social unrest of the period, political intrigues, and a glimpse into two very different social spheres.
I loved how Swift incorporated the Poor-Whores Petition of 1668 into her story, too. Jeremiah Wells, one of the possible love interests, was characterized into so amiable and virtuous a fellow, that I was half-besotted by him by the middle of the book (ha!).
http://www.andreazuvich.com/book-…
Thanks, Andrea -- I suspect we all agree that everyone should read the Diary first.
About Saturday 14 June 1662
San Diego Sarah • Link
The good biography of Sir Henry Vane Jr. has moved to the new British Civil War website ... http://bcw-project.org/biography/…
Enjoy! Lots of wonderful info about all sorts of places, events and people.
About Tuesday 26 July 1664
San Diego Sarah • Link
Maybe this is a sign that Elizabeth had discussed finding little Elizabeth with Sam, and he was using the opportunity of discussing this private matter with "the gossips" (not my choice of advisers!) as a way to head her off at the pass?
It's interesting none of them told Sam to pleasure Elizabeth more. At that time they thought men and women's plumbing worked the same, so if men had to ejaculate, women also had to climax in order to conceive. Pity the doctors learned otherwise. Apparently these women knew otherwise.
About Smallpox
San Diego Sarah • Link
Does anyone know how people with smallpox were nursed? Presumably someone who had survived took care of the victim, but stayed isolated from the rest of the family.
So where were the sheets stored between monthly or quarterly laundry days? Who washed the dishes (I'm guessing they ate the household meals, not interacting with the delivery person)? What happened to their bed pans? The logistics of isolation are hard to fathom.