I think that the key here is the use of the term "in waiting". Kings and Queens have lords-in-waiting and ladies-in-waiting. These are specific positions in the royal household and (these days, at least) are exercised for set numbers of weeks (terms). Thus today's lady-in-waiting is not 'on duty' 24/7/365 but will be present in the household for a set number of weeks, then take a break of a cerain length before coming back into waiting.
It looks to me as if Sam has made some such claim as."I wait upon His Majesty" or "I wait upon His Royal Highness" and trusted to the other occupants of the pew to accept that he is 'officially 'in waiting', rather than that he does. from time to time, wait upon both these personages when attending meetings.
At this date 'the pox' normally indicates a venereal disease rather than one of the other specified poxes (cowpox, chickenpox, smallpox). Will Joyce is speculating that Tom contracted his disease at some time in the past ("which he hath heretofore got'), had mistakenly thought himself to have been cured but the disease has now broken out again and 'is come to this.'
I can see no reason why any of the other poxes should be kept a secret; only VD carries the possibility of social stigma and a need for secrecy.
Comments
First Reading
About Friday 25 March 1664
Mary • Link
"in waiting"
I think that the key here is the use of the term "in waiting". Kings and Queens have lords-in-waiting and ladies-in-waiting. These are specific positions in the royal household and (these days, at least) are exercised for set numbers of weeks (terms). Thus today's lady-in-waiting is not 'on duty' 24/7/365 but will be present in the household for a set number of weeks, then take a break of a cerain length before coming back into waiting.
It looks to me as if Sam has made some such claim as."I wait upon His Majesty" or "I wait upon His Royal Highness" and trusted to the other occupants of the pew to accept that he is 'officially 'in waiting', rather than that he does. from time to time, wait upon both these personages when attending meetings.
About Tuesday 22 March 1663/64
Mary • Link
.... and so to bed.
The full version of this entry concludes with the words, "and yet it provoked me to pleasure with my wife more than usual tonight."
Note Patricia's annotation above.
About Saturday 19 March 1663/64
Mary • Link
"and shall make him repent them"
Oh dear, the seed of the traditional, post-funeral falling-out amongst the living that happens in so many families.
About Sunday 13 March 1663/64
Mary • Link
the pox.
At this date 'the pox' normally indicates a venereal disease rather than one of the other specified poxes (cowpox, chickenpox, smallpox). Will Joyce is speculating that Tom contracted his disease at some time in the past ("which he hath heretofore got'), had mistakenly thought himself to have been cured but the disease has now broken out again and 'is come to this.'
I can see no reason why any of the other poxes should be kept a secret; only VD carries the possibility of social stigma and a need for secrecy.
About Monday 7 March 1663/64
Mary • Link
sore and rhumey
.....is the reading given in L&M.
About Tuesday 8 March 1663/64
Mary • Link
puppy-dog water.
Perhaps worth noting that urea (which can be distilled from urine) is a frequent ingredient of today's emollient creams.