The tale that Catherine was incapable of bearing children first appeared in Spain well before the marriage with Charles took place but once it became clear that the English king intended to marry this Portuguese princess rather than to establish an alliance through marriage with either Spain or France. It suited Clarendon's enemies to allege that he had 'known' about this maliciously rumoured infertility when promoting the marriage.
"I to the office and left them, and Pendleton also ..."
Is Sam counting on the other guests to ensure that nothing untoward takes place, or has he now completely got over his earlier jealous suspicions of Elizabeth and Pendleton's supposed relationship?
As for Mrs. Pierce's repulsive habit of painting red on her face, rouge/blusher is decidedly the most difficult cosmetic to apply well even nowadays. Given the comparatively unrefined nature of 17th century cosmetics, it must have been even more difficult then.
Perhaps a better historian than I could elaborate on this, but memory hints that the English were very much against the establishment of a standing army long before the 17th century.
Ah,but in 17th century terms she was no long a girl, but a mature woman who looked as if she were in great danger of being left on the shelf. 150 years later (viz. Jane Austen)a 27-year-old would similarly be reckoned decidedly old for an unmarried daughter.
I'm amused by his judgment that little in the house (except the cellars) is anything like as fine as he had originally thought. His taste has certainly changed, if not necessarily been refined, since his last visit.
There's lots more to come - the diary doesn't end until 31st May 1669 - always provided that Phil is prepared to keep us all going until we reach the final entry.
Yes, Classicist, that was my interpretation too. Sam would be willing to accept a sum in thanks for possible future success if that should be the outcome, but not a sweetener beforehand.
Can this mean that Sam might (and I do say, "might") have qualms about paying her his customary attentions? His usual prey clearly belongs to a class that he considers decidedly inferior to himself and hence fair game. If Deb Willett appears to be distinctly ladylike ..... well, that could be a different kettle of fish.
"make love" is open to enormously wide interpretation. I don't imagine for a moment that Spanish youth is indulging in outright sexual intercourse in church, but there are always opportunities for hands to wander (are there not, Mr. Pepys?), for formal greetings to be made more significant by a tone of voice or general manner, by the exchange of flirtatious glances etc. The more formal the setting, the more significant the slightest deviation from formal behaviour can appear and, in context, could certainly be classified as "making love".
An L&M footnote refers to the plight of Backwell (goldsmith/banker) who, in 1665, suffered a run on his bank and was bailed out by an Exchequer grant. The government could not afford to allow a banker to be broken.
Depending on the standard of his penmanship, the boy could have been writing from dictation (lists, schedules, rough drafts of letters), writing copy letters into the copy-book or (if he writes extremely well) writing out fair copies of documents, schedules, lists, maybe even letters for Pepys's signature.
It will all depend on how fair his hand and how far Pepys trusts the boy's powers of concentration and application.
This received a boost during WW2 when overseas supplies were much reduced. My grandfather, living in London, began growing his own tobacco at the time (as did others). He dried it, 'cured' it a little with rum, rolled it into tightly wrapped 'sausages,' shaved off a small amount each week and smoked it in his pipe. He continued this practice for the rest of his life and the result was a very sweet-smelling 'weed' which my husband assures me was a perfectly enjoyable, mild smoke.
Pepys, Penn, Batten and Sir Richard Ford were joint partners in various privateering enterprises. The beef here is that on specious grounds Penn has apparently secured an order (i.e. authority) to use The Flying Greyhound on such an enterprise but has had this issued in his sole name, without including the names of the other partners.
L&M state that this particular order has not been traced.
Comments
First Reading
About Sunday 3 November 1667
Mary • Link
The tale that Catherine was incapable of bearing children first appeared in Spain well before the marriage with Charles took place but once it became clear that the English king intended to marry this Portuguese princess rather than to establish an alliance through marriage with either Spain or France. It suited Clarendon's enemies to allege that he had 'known' about this maliciously rumoured infertility when promoting the marriage.
About Saturday 26 October 1667
Mary • Link
"I to the office and left them, and Pendleton also ..."
Is Sam counting on the other guests to ensure that nothing untoward takes place, or has he now completely got over his earlier jealous suspicions of Elizabeth and Pendleton's supposed relationship?
As for Mrs. Pierce's repulsive habit of painting red on her face, rouge/blusher is decidedly the most difficult cosmetic to apply well even nowadays. Given the comparatively unrefined nature of 17th century cosmetics, it must have been even more difficult then.
About Thursday 24 October 1667
Mary • Link
The fat Irish children.
Pepys mentions them first on 8th July 1667. Born in Limerick.
Boy - 4' 6" tall
Girl - nearly 6' tall "and in thickness proportionable."
The children were presented to Charles II on 10th May.
About Thursday 24 October 1667
Mary • Link
"so home, bringing home night with us"
Delightful expression.
About Wednesday 23 October 1667
Mary • Link
"Davis, the little fellow, my schoolfellow..... which is a strange turn, methinks"
Not entirely delighted with this turn of events, Sam? Just a bit jealous, perhaps?
About Tuesday 22 October 1667
Mary • Link
You have to feel sorry for Pett.
"They" are out to get him and it sounds as if he's proving his own worst enemy before this committee.
About Saturday 19 October 1667
Mary • Link
"much better than in the pit"
Indeed, and remember how tawdry the costumes looked at really close quarters when you visited Mrs. Knipp and Nell backstage, Sam.
About Wednesday 16 October 1667
Mary • Link
Standing army.
Perhaps a better historian than I could elaborate on this, but memory hints that the English were very much against the establishment of a standing army long before the 17th century.
About Thursday 10 October 1667
Mary • Link
Ah,but in 17th century terms she was no long a girl, but a mature woman who looked as if she were in great danger of being left on the shelf. 150 years later (viz. Jane Austen)a 27-year-old would similarly be reckoned decidedly old for an unmarried daughter.
About Tuesday 8 October 1667
Mary • Link
Sam's second thoughts on Audley End.
I'm amused by his judgment that little in the house (except the cellars) is anything like as fine as he had originally thought. His taste has certainly changed, if not necessarily been refined, since his last visit.
About Tuesday 8 October 1667
Mary • Link
Nil desperandum.
There's lots more to come - the diary doesn't end until 31st May 1669 - always provided that Phil is prepared to keep us all going until we reach the final entry.
About Monday 7 October 1667
Mary • Link
The Reindeer Inn.
For a history of this inn, see
http://www.stortfordhistory.co.uk…
About Sunday 6 October 1667
Mary • Link
Yes, Classicist, that was my interpretation too. Sam would be willing to accept a sum in thanks for possible future success if that should be the outcome, but not a sweetener beforehand.
About Monday 30 September 1667
Mary • Link
"I think her a little too good for my family.."
Can this mean that Sam might (and I do say, "might") have qualms about paying her his customary attentions? His usual prey clearly belongs to a class that he considers decidedly inferior to himself and hence fair game. If Deb Willett appears to be distinctly ladylike ..... well, that could be a different kettle of fish.
About Friday 27 September 1667
Mary • Link
making love in churches.
"make love" is open to enormously wide interpretation. I don't imagine for a moment that Spanish youth is indulging in outright sexual intercourse in church, but there are always opportunities for hands to wander (are there not, Mr. Pepys?), for formal greetings to be made more significant by a tone of voice or general manner, by the exchange of flirtatious glances etc. The more formal the setting, the more significant the slightest deviation from formal behaviour can appear and, in context, could certainly be classified as "making love".
About Wednesday 25 September 1667
Mary • Link
Bankers' solvency.
An L&M footnote refers to the plight of Backwell (goldsmith/banker) who, in 1665, suffered a run on his bank and was bailed out by an Exchequer grant. The government could not afford to allow a banker to be broken.
About Saturday 21 September 1667
Mary • Link
Brilliant Harvest Moon over London last night as the full moon coincided with the equinox.
About Sunday 22 September 1667
Mary • Link
Depending on the standard of his penmanship, the boy could have been writing from dictation (lists, schedules, rough drafts of letters), writing copy letters into the copy-book or (if he writes extremely well) writing out fair copies of documents, schedules, lists, maybe even letters for Pepys's signature.
It will all depend on how fair his hand and how far Pepys trusts the boy's powers of concentration and application.
About Thursday 19 September 1667
Mary • Link
Tobacco growing in England.
This received a boost during WW2 when overseas supplies were much reduced. My grandfather, living in London, began growing his own tobacco at the time (as did others). He dried it, 'cured' it a little with rum, rolled it into tightly wrapped 'sausages,' shaved off a small amount each week and smoked it in his pipe. He continued this practice for the rest of his life and the result was a very sweet-smelling 'weed' which my husband assures me was a perfectly enjoyable, mild smoke.
About Wednesday 18 September 1667
Mary • Link
Pepys, Penn, Batten and Sir Richard Ford were joint partners in various privateering enterprises. The beef here is that on specious grounds Penn has apparently secured an order (i.e. authority) to use The Flying Greyhound on such an enterprise but has had this issued in his sole name, without including the names of the other partners.
L&M state that this particular order has not been traced.