jeannine

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jeannine has written 14 articles:

Encyclopedia topics

jeannine has written summaries for eight topics:

Annotations and comments

jeannine has posted 1,236 annotations/comments since 16 June 2004.

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First Reading

About Thursday 27 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Aussie Sue…Was this just a fashion?

Just to add to the cutting edge fashion news of the times (from memory-don't have the book or exact quote handy). At some point Catherine would introduce a dress which ended just above the ankle. The other ladies at Court, who didn't have Catherine's slender ankles didn't take to it too kindly.

And today's fashion is quite a long way away from the farthingdale style that Catherine arrived in! http://employees.oneonta.edu/ange…

About Monday 24 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"But once in serious discourse he did say that, if he knew his son to be a debauchee, as many and, most are now-a-days about the Court, he would tell it, and my Lady Jem. should not have him; and so enlarged both he and she about the baseness and looseness of the Court, and told several stories of the Duke of Monmouth, and Richmond, and some great person, my Lord of Ormond’s second son, married to a lady of extraordinary quality (fit and that might have been made a wife for the King himself), about six months since, that this great person hath given the pox to ———; and discoursed how much this would oblige the Kingdom if the King would banish some of these great persons publiquely from the Court, and wished it with all their hearts. "

I am a little confused here -who gave the pox to whom, etc.?? I know that Sir George was very straight laced and I do beleive that if his son was a libertine that he never would have allowed him to marry Sandwich's daughter, but I was a little lost along the way with the rest of the sentence.

About Sunday 23 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

“Thence to the councill-chamber, where in a back room I sat all the afternoon, but the councill begun late to sit, and spent most of the time upon Morisco’s Tarr businesse.”

Thanks to Terry for pinging me to find this reference in the (NWB) Navy White Book (from the L&M note). Please note that the NWB is NOT in chronological order (or any order that I can figure out?) so if years are not noted, it’s not really clear where the entry took place.

Morisco was ‘the tar’ man who had a monopoly on the tar industry. In June of 64 there is an entry in Sam’s NWB about trying to negotiate with Morisco for his tar. After some price/quantity discussion Sam notes that he has some concern that Morisco may not want to do business with the Navy as it may upset his normal (and, my note, probably paying) customers. The notes for Feb 15, 26, 27 (no year noted) states that there was to be a transaction taking place but Morisco would not delivery it without ‘present money’. It goes on to say

“ Carteret hath promised them payment presently, and then we shall have the tar. Question: what I may infer from hence.
But more, I am told that the part of the tar we are to receive is very bad tar. But more of this when it is received.

Feb 24. …….though the tar be good, yet are found to have more water than usual – four or five gallons. And at this day Morisco doth say he will not deliver any more than what he hath till he hath the rest of his money to the full value of his tar, he having I think received about 700£ before he parted with the first 100 lasts. ….

About Friday 21 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"and there broke to him my desire to have Pall married to Harman"

Riding off the heels of his latest matchmaker role, perhaps he's feeling lucky? Or perhaps he just received this exchange of letters between Pall to her ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” brother????

(borrowed from Bock and Harnick’s “Matchmaker, Matchmaker”)

From Pall to Sam:

Dear Sammy, Dear Sammy, make me a match
Find me a find, catch me a catch
Dear Sammy, Dear Sammy look through your book
And make me a perfect match

Dear Sammy, Dear Sammy I'll bring the veil
You bring the groom slender and pale
Bring me a ring for I'm longing to be
The envy of all I see

For poppa make him a scholar
For momma make him rich as a king
For me, well I wouldn't holler
If he were as handsome as anything

Dear Sammy, Dear Sammy make me a match
Find me a find, catch me a catch
Night after night in the dark I'm alone
So make me a match of my own

From Sam to Pall:

Pall, oh Pall, have I made a match for you
He's handsome, he's young - all right, he's 62
But he's a nice man, a good catch, true? True
I promise you'll be happy, and even if you're not
There's more to life than that - don't ask me what

Pall I've found him, will you be a lucky bride
He's handsome, he's tall - that is from side to side
But he's a nice man, a good catch, right? Right
You've heard he's got a temper, he'll beat you every night
But only when he's sober - so you're alright

Did you think you'd get a prince?
Well I do the best I can
With no dowry, no money, no family background
Be glad you've got a match

From Pall to Sam:

Dear Sammy, Dear Sammy you know that I'm
Still very young, please take your time
Up to this minute I misunderstood
That I could get stuck for good

Dear Sammy see that he's gentle
You see Sammy that I’ll be his bride
It's not that I'm sentimental
It's just that I'm terrified

Dear Sammy, Dear Sammy plan me no plans
I'm in no rush, maybe I've learned
Playing with matches a girl can get burned
So bring me no ring, groom me no groom
Find me no find, catch me no catch
Unless he's a matchless match……

And from the annotators To Harman:

Dear Harmam, Dear Harman, run very fast
Don’t return here till the Dairy has passed
Dear Harmon, Dear Harmon check your caller id
Don’t take any calls if they say “Samuel P”……

Dear Harman it’s not that Pall is so bad
But Sam writes everything in his Diary
You’d become stark raving mad
He’d record your life for all to see

Dear Harman, Dear Harman don’t plan any plans
Don’t be in a rush, maybe you’ve learned
If you see Sam make a quick u-turn
So don’t bring a ring, don’t be a groom
Don’t be his find, don’t be his catch
Don’t become Sam’s latest match……

About Monday 17 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Terry, I am reading the Moote book "The Great Plague" which has been discussed a little bit on the site (and is an exceptional book!). What is amazing to me is that Sam, compared to other writers of the time, is rather mellow about the whole plague situation. I think that’s what he is referring to in terms of the fear of London. In the book they have an interesting footnote about a psychoanalyst who wrote an article about the Diary, giving his perspective on Sam. During the plague year, the footnote mentions that Sam acting under a ‘fear-of-death” point of view during this time, thus his dalliances, etc. (Of note—I have not found on the web anywhere a good explanation of that the ‘fear-of-death’ syndrome implies from a psychoanalytic view). He does not seem to record the level of concern, fear and despondence of others who are witnessing and/or caring for others who have been touched by the plague. I’d suggest this book to anyone as it follows the plague from the human perspective (as opposed to just tracking the scientific germs, etc,). And, to add to the fun, I have tracked down the psychoanalyst’s article and once I get it, that may add a fun little dimension about our pal Sam!

About Sunday 16 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"By the circumlocution I suspect Jem has an imperforate hymen requiring Scott, the surgeon, to perform an hymenotomy. We have no reason to suspect the neck straightening 5 years ago was not a success, and that whatever is now required is minor in that marriage not postponed."

JWB -- are you sure about Scott being the man to perform the hymenotony? I may be mistaken here but I thought there was some recent law placed where the King had to perform all of those?

About Friday 7 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"is English history as it is because everyone was off their face most of the time?"

Perhaps so, which is why it's so interesting! Probably the only one who could have recorded it accurately was the Queen -she drank tea!

About Thursday 6 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Arranged marriages......

My mother and I have always been very close and she is a very sweet and friendly lady. When I was in my 20's she was having tea with some of her friends. One of my mother's closest friends teased her by asking, "what if Jeannine married someone you didn't like?"

My mother gave a sweet smile, put down her cup of tea and simply stated, "then I would have to kill him."

About Sunday 2 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Date: 2 July 1665.

"The timing of this letter is interesting. The King has shown faith in Sandwich by promoting him to Admiral of the Fleet, but as we know there is no love lost between the Duke and Sandwich."

I think we need to look at a little 'behind the scenes here'. In the background (something Sam would not know) the Queen Mother Henrietta and Charles have realized that if James DOY was to be killed in battle then the 'spare' of the 'heir and a spare' would be gone. Although James and the other Naval commanders did exceptionally well at Lowestoft, his mother and brother are looking beyond the battleground at sea and keeping their eyes on the Kingdom. Anyway, James is now 'out' and Sandwich is now 'in'. There are more politics in the background that will emerge as people hustle and bustle for their 'rightful' roles. Remember that people like Rupert also may feel it's their rightful role to lead so they may be further volleying to come.......

About Sunday 2 July 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"Could the success of this match have been a result of Lord Sandwich’s stock rising from the recent battle? Or would the two families have been considered on an even level in society before this point and the timing was simply coincidental?"

Both of these men were well liked by the King and by Clarendon. Carteret had a long history of steadfastly supporting Charles in his exile and Sandwich returned him home, so they are in the same 'circle' so to speak regarding their standing, although neither man ventured into the 'libertine buddy' status and were rather disassociated with that aspect of the King & Court.

Both Carteret and Sandwich ‘earned’ their stripes through their service to the King so they were a good fit in that respect. Perhaps neither man was part of the ‘hip’ crowd around the court but they were more on the ‘protected’ side, so it was a good match that way.

Plus, they could both get together and talk about that little twit Sam, and as we know those types of conversations could keep them (and perhaps all of us) bound together for life!

About Thursday 29 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"The Queen-Mother never came to England again."

After her death Somerset House will become Queen Catherine's. Catherine actually will spend about 9 or so years of her life there, living away from Charles & his mistress du jour (sort of a 'separation' although not in the legal sense) up until the Popish Plots, when he will ‘recall’ her to come back and live with him. Not a lot is known of Catherine's life during that time.

About Monday 26 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Gee, I don't know what is more exciting this month-- winning the Battle of Lowestoft or the return of Balty! So for the historical factor, we'll have to vote #1, for the hysterical factor we'll have to vote for #2.

About Saturday 24 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"did the Carterets ever set foot in New Jersey?"

Not Sir George or his wife, but George sent his cousin Philip de Carteret who (over time) became governor. Also, for awhile, George’s second son the ‘black sheep”/”bad boy” of the family made his way there, got into trouble for awhile and then over time moved back to Jersey island to live out his life.

About Saturday 24 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Spoiler, Spoiler, Spoiler! You are now warned, so no reporting me to the Spoiler Police (or I’ll pen a bad poem about you!!!)

Sometimes it’s hard to read books & biographies of the time and not have them rustling around in my mind as I read the Diary. The match of Philip Carteret and Jemima Mountagu is a delightful time in the Diary and this is (and will be) a wonderful couple. It is also a great match between the families, not only for the usual ‘political’ reasons with both men being in good standing with the King, but for financial reasons, as Sir George is quite well off, and Sandwich, well; let’s just say that his daughter will never want in the Carteret clan.

There is a truly wonderful thing that the young couple has going for them. They both have outstanding parents, who, although not perfect people in other ways, are really devoted to the well being of their children. These children are not ‘commodities’ to them, as is the case in many families where the kids are a means to wheel and deal to a better social position, income, etc. These parents love their children and are devoted to them. (Big spoiler). In the not too distant future, Philip will die on board with Sandwich, and Jemima will not live much longer after they die. At this point, Sir George and his wife will move in to ‘the kids’ house to parent their grandchildren. I distinctly remember reading about this in Carteret’s biography and being moved to tears, not only feeling for the loss of his son, but also the fact that in his old age he carried the parenting role (along with his wife) onto the next generation.

And, of course, on the other hand, there are many times I read Sam’s POV on these 2 men and want to whack him on the side of the head with his petty criticisms and comments. Sam really has only himself to think about and Elizabeth (when he remembers he’s married to her!). His self-absorption makes for a wonderful Diary and I thank him for it immensely, but, on the other hand, Carteret and Sandwich, despite any and all flaws, were warm, loving and devoted family men.

About Pepys music concerts in Massachusetts

jeannine  •  Link

Dan and all Diary Readers

The joy of the music is that it helped to add a whole new dimension to Sam's Diary. From time to time her writes of different instruments but we never actually
'hear' what they sound like. In addition to being wonderfully talented and creative musicians, the group, Seven Times Salt added a much richer appreciation of Sam's love of music for me. Even my husband (who was so kind to be 'dragged along') was amazed at the diverse instruments, the arrangements and the wonderful selections of readings. Let's hope either a cd and/or dvd come about for all to enjoy.

About Saturday 10 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Off topic, but where the "Recent Annotations" aren't working yet, you won't see this otherwise. I saw the Pepys concert this evening and wrote a review of it --it was a pure delight. There are 2 more showings in the Boston area so please see the 'recent news' link below. Hopefully anyone local to the area will be able to make it!

http://www.pepysdiary.com/about/a…

About Pepys music concerts in Massachusetts

jeannine  •  Link

A wonderful event!

I attended the Seven Times Salt "A Brave Barrel of Oysters" The Music of Samuel Pepys in Weston, MA this evening and it was truly a delight! The readings from the Diary were exceptional and pieced together perfectly with the different music of Sam's time, including Matthew Locke, Simon Ives, William Lawes, and yes, even our Sam himself ("Beauty Retire"). The musicians were intriguing with a beautiful assortment of instruments including several recorders, bagpipes, violins, bass viol and a lute. There was a great solo tenor and the ensemble also joined in on different songs, with lovely voices and harmony. Hopefully others in the Boston area will be able to catch this while it lasts!

About Friday 9 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

"The King, it seems, is much troubled at the fall of my Lord of Falmouth; but I do not meet with any man else that so much as wishes him alive again, the world conceiving him a man of too much pleasure to do the King any good, or offer any good office to him. But I hear of all hands he is confessed to have been a man of great honour, that did show it in this his going with the Duke, the most that ever any man did."

After having read his biography I can understand the popular masses opinion on this one. Falmouth (Charles Berkeley) had collected a few titles in the short time he was in the Diary, which annoyed those who actually did things to ‘earn’ their titles. He first started out as a "servant"/friend of the DOY and then Charles picked him up in his entourage. He was the friend of the DOY who tried to get him off the hook from his marriage to Anne Hyde by lying and saying that he (and others) had “been with her” which was a totally false accusation to discredit her with hopes to dissolve the marriage. He also was part of the little cabal group at Lady Castlemaine’s so he was in tight with the nasty political crowd and their activities. The book about him “The King’s Friend” by Hartmann takes the lame stance that Berkeley’s actions in support of the DOY were only done due to his devoted loyalty to the Stuart’s and uses this as an ‘excuse’ for his pathetic behavior. Apparently Sam and others didn’t see things that way.

About Thursday 8 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

“though I have had as great a losse as ‘tis possible in a good frinde, poore C. Barckely

This refers to Sir Charles Berkeley, who Sam has mentioned before, usually without anything positive to say. Although a good friend to the King, he was not universally well liked. In his biography annotation there is a portion of a poem by Sir John Denham describing the activity on board that led to his death.

The Poet Sir John Denham presented in his "Directions to a painter concerning the Dutch War":

Falmouth was there, I know not what to act,
Some say, ‘twas to grow duke too by contract;
An untaught bullet, in his wanton scope,
Dashes him all to pieces, and his hope:
Such was his rise, such was his fall unpraised,
A chance shot sooner took him than chance raised;
His shattered head the fearless duke disdains,
And gave the last first proof that he had brains

http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…

About Saturday 3 June 1665

jeannine  •  Link

Battle of Lowestoft

Here’s a spoiler for the sake of art and it will appear in the Diary at a future date. After the battle James, DOY, is so pleased with this major win for the English that he has Peter Lely paint the portraits of the ‘Flagmen of Lowestoft”. The link below goes to that collection of portraits and gives an idea of the ‘cast of characters’ that Sam often refers to during his writing about Naval ship activity.

From Lely’s bio as quoted from the website for the National Maritime Museum”

“In 1660 Charles II appointed Lely his Principal Painter in Ordinary. He was naturalized in 1662. Although his works vary in quality, and in some he was greatly assisted by his pupils, he is regarded as a leading artist of the Restoration. Lely was a master colourist, his style best manifested in exquisite draperies. His portraiture flatters sitters. The ‘Windsor Beauties’, a series of painted ladies at Hampton Court, show voluptuous and dreamy figures while the ‘Flagmen of Lowestoft’, of which the majority are now in the National Maritime Museum, London, display his talent in portraying characters at its best. These show 12 of the admirals and senior captains who fought under James, Duke of York, at the first action of the second Anglo-Dutch War in 1665. Two, of Prince Rupert and the original of ‘Sir John Lawson’ (copy at Greenwich), remain in the Royal Collection, from which the others were presented to the Naval Gallery of Greenwich Hospital by George IV in 1824. Lely was knighted shortly before his death.”

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/mag/pages/mn…

(At one time I wanted to do an article about this for our site, but, like so many other things these days-not enough time!)