Frances Stuart (1647-1702), or “La Belle Stuart” won fame as the love interest of Charles II. Pepys and others at the time extolled her beauty and charms and all noted her dramatic impact on Charles. Initially Pepys assumed she was a “mistress” of Charles II, but most historians now think she eluded his charms, remaining a virgin until her marriage. That's tough to do when you are 16 or 17, and he is 33. I think Charles was still seeing Barbara Villiers Palmer on the side, don't you?
In October 1663 Pepys records: "Memorandum: This morning one Mr. Commander, a scrivener, came to me from Mr. Moore with a deed of which. Mr. Moore had told me, that my Lord had made use of my name, and that I was desired by my Lord to sign it."
In January, 1664 Pepys goes to see Commander because Elizabeth had reminded Pepys to write his will after his cousin, Edward Pepys, had died.
"Up and by coach to my Lord Sandwich’s, ... My Lord did also seal a lease for the house he is now taking in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which stands him in 250 per annum rent."
For comparison, Chancellor Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon paid £400 p.a. in rent for Worcester House; Sir George Carteret's official residence in Broad Street cost £70 p.a.; the Navy Commissioners, displaced from their official residences in 1674 and 1686, were each allowed £80 p.a. (L&M)
Divorce was no simple thing back then, and as stated above, did not give either of the people involved the right to marry again. It involved two court hearings, the second one being with testimony from the witnesses to the adultery, but the wife not being allowed to appear. And finally an Act of Parliament was required, which was very expensive.
It was easier to put a rope around the wife's neck (since she was legally the husband's property), take her to Smithfield, and sell her, and this occasionally happened. Presumably this was optimally done with prior arrangements for her lover to be there ready to buy her at a very good price as compensation. While this required everyone to cooperate and act like grown-ups (which is rarely the case as we all know), it was the most efficient way of settling matters to everyone's best interests.
All this unfairly presumes the wife's guilt. Since she was the property of the husband and had no rights, his fidelity was unimportant.
Milton caused great scandal during the Interregnum by writing pamphlets about Divorce in 1643-44, but for whatever reasons, nothing came of it. I guess Cromwell and Co. had other things on their minds than allowing people the opportunity to be happy.
"So home to dinner, and betimes my wife and I to the French church ..."
A new time of day for 'betimes.' I think in this case it means they were early to the service. Pepys was so late a couple of weeks ago he decided not to go in, and went to a church service elsewhere.
"If you feel a withdrawal syndrome tomorrow open today's Glorious Time and read about Papa Charles lust."
The link is now broken to Ruben's post, but I found a Guardian article of the same date about Sarah Poynting of Keele University announcing she had cracked two letters written in code that revealed a bawdy, lustful side of King Charles - proposing a "swiving" to a courtier's stepdaughter, Jane Whorwood, who was a spy and messenger for Charles I.
I suspect Pepys had arranged this date with Betty Lane ahead of time, so she would expect him, and the private room at the Bell on King's Road for them to go to, etc. So this odd lunch with James Harper was a show for Elizabeth: "nothing much on my mind today, dear," It was odd to spontaneously invite dull James to lunch when James had gone there to see Jane Gentleman. I'm sure Jane wasn't included at lunch. Poor wench was probably washing the dishes.
January 16, 1663/64 Pepys went "home and met there J. Harper come to see his kinswoman our Jane. I made much of him and made him dine with us, he talking after the old simple manner that he used to do."
James Harper -- Son of Mary Harper and related to Jane Gentleman, who was a servant to the Pepys. [In March 1660 Mary Harper owned a pub which Pepys visited: "... Mr. Butler and I to Harper’s, where we sat and drank for two hours till ten at night; the old woman she was drunk and began to talk foolishly in commendation of her son James."]
The comments on James' speech pattern indicates they had met on other occasions without Pepys mentioning it in the Diary. Nevertheless, it is odd Pepys would make much of him and insist he stay for lunch. I wonder if Jane Gentleman was invited to lunch with the Elizabeth and Sam as well? More likely she had to wait table.
"... and walked thither and back again from Deptford, where I did do something checking the iron business, ..." http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Anyone know what the iron business there was? Terry Foreman gives a good annotation on this day about the first recorded instance of iron being used in Navy ships being in 1670, but apparently something was going on at Deptford in 1663/64.
"... I did tell him my mind about the Controller his master and all the office, and my mind touching himself too, as he did carry himself either well or ill to me and my clerks, which I doubt not but it will operate well."
64-year-old Sir John Mennes, Controller of the Navy, has become the object of fun and concern with his shaking. Yesterday he refused to delegate his duties at a full meeting of the Navy Board. So now it falls on Clerk of the Acts, Samuel Pepys to activate Plan B as the pressure of work builds to prepare for war.
Thomas Turner -- who is both Purveyor of Petty Provisions 1660-1668 as well as clerk to the Comptroller 1661-1668 -- is key to implement the newly-adopted streamlined accounting, which he was probably familiar with from Cromwellian times. So Pepys praises his work and talents, knowing Turner's reaction will be relaid to the other clerks, for better or worse. Pepys is confident Turner will carry through with the changes well. Stroke, stroke, stroke.
After lunch Pepys goes for a boat ride with William Hater. "... my chief business was my discourse with Mr. Hater about what had passed last night and today about the office business, and my resolution to do him all the good I can therein."
I.E. Be a good fellow and let Turner boss you around. He's old and you are an up-and-coming young fellow who I will promote later. War is coming and ego matches will only make trouble for everyone. Take this one for the team. Stroke, stroke, stroke.
That's how I read today's office politics. Meanwhile, back at the Ranch ...
"... and then up to Sir W. Pen and did express my trouble about this day’s business, he not being there, and plainly told him what I thought of it, and though I know him a false fellow yet I adventured, as I have done often, to tell him clearly my opinion of Sir W. Batten and his design in this business, which is very bad."
Okay, Pepys is playing Penn against Batten, hoping the inevitable shoot-out will take one or both of them down, leaving him as an innocent bystander.
I read "my trouble about this day’s business" to refer to Carteret's determination to keep all the accounting chores which Pepys [and apparently the rest of the board] no longer think he is capable of handling as they prepare for war.
"Sir W. Batten and his design in this business, which is very bad" makes me think I am wrong and there is some other game afoot which Pepys has not explained today. Possibly Wood and his masts again?
I know, I know, this is another question it is impossible to answer.
Perhaps Uncle Wight's proposal is so outrageous Pepys has "shut down" ... can't be jealous or angry with rich Uncle, so he's opted for no emotions at all. Burying his head in work, hoping it will blow over.
No doubt we will find out if Elizabeth found this suggestion horrific or hilarious. Sam's reaction makes me wonder if this situation was as unusual as we all assume. Charles II is owning his illegitimate children. In a few years a certain young wit will offer himself as a solution to women having trouble getting pregnant. And there were many examples of wealthy men leaving inheritances to "nephews". Their options were more limited than ours today, so perhaps we should keep open minds.
SPOILER ALERT "Tuesday 12 January 1663/64 Up and to the office, ... and so home, getting things against dinner ready, and anon comes my uncle Wight and my aunt, with their cozens Mary and Robert, and by chance my uncle Thomas Pepys. We had a good dinner, the chief dish a swan roasted .... At dinner and all day very merry. After dinner to cards ... and lost half-a-crowne. They being gone, my wife did tell me how my uncle did this day accost her alone, ..."
"I took occasion to enquire of Howlett’s daughter, ..., but she [Betty Lane] tells me she is already betrothed to Mrs. Michell’s son, and she in discourse tells me more, that Mrs. Michell herself had a daughter before marriage, which is now near thirty years old, a thing I could not have believed."
Edward Pepys, cousin, husband of [another] Elizabeth. Died in December 1663 at his sister, Jane Pepys Turner's house. He was also brother to Elizabeth Pepys Dike. He was buried in the church of Tattersett St. Andrews, Norfolk in January 1663/64. Jane and Elizabeth Dike had accompanied the body home.
Comments
Second Reading
About Wednesday 20 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
Frances Stuart (1647-1702), or “La Belle Stuart” won fame as the love interest of Charles II. Pepys and others at the time extolled her beauty and charms and all noted her dramatic impact on Charles. Initially Pepys assumed she was a “mistress” of Charles II, but most historians now think she eluded his charms, remaining a virgin until her marriage. That's tough to do when you are 16 or 17, and he is 33. I think Charles was still seeing Barbara Villiers Palmer on the side, don't you?
About Henry Commander
San Diego Sarah • Link
In October 1663 Pepys records: "Memorandum: This morning one Mr. Commander, a scrivener, came to me from Mr. Moore with a deed of which. Mr. Moore had told me, that my Lord had made use of my name, and that I was desired by my Lord to sign it."
In January, 1664 Pepys goes to see Commander because Elizabeth had reminded Pepys to write his will after his cousin, Edward Pepys, had died.
About Lincoln's Inn Fields
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sandwich joins the fashionable set:
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Wednesday 20 January 1663/64
"Up and by coach to my Lord Sandwich’s, ... My Lord did also seal a lease for the house he is now taking in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which stands him in 250 per annum rent."
The house is now nos 57-8, Lincoln's Inn Fields (built c. 1640; rebuilt c. 1710). http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…...
For comparison, Chancellor Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon paid £400 p.a. in rent for Worcester House; Sir George Carteret's official residence in Broad Street cost £70 p.a.; the Navy Commissioners, displaced from their official residences in 1674 and 1686, were each allowed £80 p.a. (L&M)
About Friday 4 January 1660/61
San Diego Sarah • Link
Divorce was no simple thing back then, and as stated above, did not give either of the people involved the right to marry again. It involved two court hearings, the second one being with testimony from the witnesses to the adultery, but the wife not being allowed to appear. And finally an Act of Parliament was required, which was very expensive.
It was easier to put a rope around the wife's neck (since she was legally the husband's property), take her to Smithfield, and sell her, and this occasionally happened. Presumably this was optimally done with prior arrangements for her lover to be there ready to buy her at a very good price as compensation. While this required everyone to cooperate and act like grown-ups (which is rarely the case as we all know), it was the most efficient way of settling matters to everyone's best interests.
All this unfairly presumes the wife's guilt. Since she was the property of the husband and had no rights, his fidelity was unimportant.
For more information see http://englishhistoryauthors.blog…
Milton caused great scandal during the Interregnum by writing pamphlets about Divorce in 1643-44, but for whatever reasons, nothing came of it. I guess Cromwell and Co. had other things on their minds than allowing people the opportunity to be happy.
About Sunday 17 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
"So home to dinner, and betimes my wife and I to the French church ..."
A new time of day for 'betimes.' I think in this case it means they were early to the service. Pepys was so late a couple of weeks ago he decided not to go in, and went to a church service elsewhere.
About Monday 18 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I went with her to divert myself at my uncle Wight’s, and there we played at cards till 12 at night ..."
I wonder if Elizabeth found this "diverting"?
About Monday 18 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
"If you feel a withdrawal syndrome tomorrow open today's Glorious Time and read about Papa Charles lust."
The link is now broken to Ruben's post, but I found a Guardian article of the same date about Sarah Poynting of Keele University announcing she had cracked two letters written in code that revealed a bawdy, lustful side of King Charles - proposing a "swiving" to a courtier's stepdaughter, Jane Whorwood, who was a spy and messenger for Charles I.
About Saturday 16 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
I suspect Pepys had arranged this date with Betty Lane ahead of time, so she would expect him, and the private room at the Bell on King's Road for them to go to, etc. So this odd lunch with James Harper was a show for Elizabeth: "nothing much on my mind today, dear," It was odd to spontaneously invite dull James to lunch when James had gone there to see Jane Gentleman. I'm sure Jane wasn't included at lunch. Poor wench was probably washing the dishes.
About James Harper
San Diego Sarah • Link
January 16, 1663/64 Pepys went "home and met there J. Harper come to see his kinswoman our Jane. I made much of him and made him dine with us, he talking after the old simple manner that he used to do."
James Harper -- Son of Mary Harper and related to Jane Gentleman, who was a servant to the Pepys. [In March 1660 Mary Harper owned a pub which Pepys visited: "... Mr. Butler and I to Harper’s, where we sat and drank for two hours till ten at night; the old woman she was drunk and began to talk foolishly in commendation of her son James."]
The comments on James' speech pattern indicates they had met on other occasions without Pepys mentioning it in the Diary. Nevertheless, it is odd Pepys would make much of him and insist he stay for lunch. I wonder if Jane Gentleman was invited to lunch with the Elizabeth and Sam as well? More likely she had to wait table.
About Deptford, Kent
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... and walked thither and back again from Deptford, where I did do something checking the iron business, ..." http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Anyone know what the iron business there was? Terry Foreman gives a good annotation on this day about the first recorded instance of iron being used in Navy ships being in 1670, but apparently something was going on at Deptford in 1663/64.
About Friday 15 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
"After lunch Pepys goes for a boat ride with William Hater." -- No no, that should be THOMAS HAYTER. Sorry!
About Friday 15 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... I did tell him my mind about the Controller his master and all the office, and my mind touching himself too, as he did carry himself either well or ill to me and my clerks, which I doubt not but it will operate well."
64-year-old Sir John Mennes, Controller of the Navy, has become the object of fun and concern with his shaking. Yesterday he refused to delegate his duties at a full meeting of the Navy Board. So now it falls on Clerk of the Acts, Samuel Pepys to activate Plan B as the pressure of work builds to prepare for war.
Thomas Turner -- who is both Purveyor of Petty Provisions 1660-1668 as well as clerk to the Comptroller 1661-1668 -- is key to implement the newly-adopted streamlined accounting, which he was probably familiar with from Cromwellian times. So Pepys praises his work and talents, knowing Turner's reaction will be relaid to the other clerks, for better or worse. Pepys is confident Turner will carry through with the changes well. Stroke, stroke, stroke.
After lunch Pepys goes for a boat ride with William Hater. "... my chief business was my discourse with Mr. Hater about what had passed last night and today about the office business, and my resolution to do him all the good I can therein."
I.E. Be a good fellow and let Turner boss you around. He's old and you are an up-and-coming young fellow who I will promote later. War is coming and ego matches will only make trouble for everyone. Take this one for the team. Stroke, stroke, stroke.
That's how I read today's office politics. Meanwhile, back at the Ranch ...
About Thursday 14 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... and then up to Sir W. Pen and did express my trouble about this day’s business, he not being there, and plainly told him what I thought of it, and though I know him a false fellow yet I adventured, as I have done often, to tell him clearly my opinion of Sir W. Batten and his design in this business, which is very bad."
Okay, Pepys is playing Penn against Batten, hoping the inevitable shoot-out will take one or both of them down, leaving him as an innocent bystander.
I read "my trouble about this day’s business" to refer to Carteret's determination to keep all the accounting chores which Pepys [and apparently the rest of the board] no longer think he is capable of handling as they prepare for war.
"Sir W. Batten and his design in this business, which is very bad" makes me think I am wrong and there is some other game afoot which Pepys has not explained today. Possibly Wood and his masts again?
I know, I know, this is another question it is impossible to answer.
About Wednesday 13 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
Perhaps Uncle Wight's proposal is so outrageous Pepys has "shut down" ... can't be jealous or angry with rich Uncle, so he's opted for no emotions at all. Burying his head in work, hoping it will blow over.
About Tuesday 12 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
No doubt we will find out if Elizabeth found this suggestion horrific or hilarious. Sam's reaction makes me wonder if this situation was as unusual as we all assume. Charles II is owning his illegitimate children. In a few years a certain young wit will offer himself as a solution to women having trouble getting pregnant. And there were many examples of wealthy men leaving inheritances to "nephews". Their options were more limited than ours today, so perhaps we should keep open minds.
About William Wight (Uncle Wight)
San Diego Sarah • Link
SPOILER ALERT "Tuesday 12 January 1663/64
Up and to the office, ... and so home, getting things against dinner ready, and anon comes my uncle Wight and my aunt, with their cozens Mary and Robert, and by chance my uncle Thomas Pepys. We had a good dinner, the chief dish a swan roasted .... At dinner and all day very merry. After dinner to cards ... and lost half-a-crowne. They being gone, my wife did tell me how my uncle did this day accost her alone, ..."
Remember "accost" doesn't necessarily mean what you and I immediately think it means.
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
About Ludgate
San Diego Sarah • Link
"So homeward, and called at Ludgate, at Ashwell’s uncle’s, ..."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
About Ann Mitchell
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I took occasion to enquire of Howlett’s daughter, ..., but she [Betty Lane] tells me she is already betrothed to Mrs. Michell’s son, and she in discourse tells me more, that Mrs. Michell herself had a daughter before marriage, which is now near thirty years old, a thing I could not have believed."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
About Thursday 7 January 1663/64
San Diego Sarah • Link
Edward Pepys, cousin, husband of [another] Elizabeth. Died in December 1663 at his sister, Jane Pepys Turner's house. He was also brother to Elizabeth Pepys Dike. He was buried in the church of Tattersett St. Andrews, Norfolk in January 1663/64. Jane and Elizabeth Dike had accompanied the body home.
About William Coventry
San Diego Sarah • Link
On January 7, 1663/64 we hear Sir William Coventry has a mistress. L&M says she has never been identified. He died a bachelor.
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…