jeannine

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jeannine has written 14 articles:

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jeannine has written summaries for eight topics:

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

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First Reading

About Tuesday 4 October 1664

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From Sam to Sandwich (from "Further Correspondence of Samuel Pepys" edited by Tanner)

4 October, 1664

The business now grows very hot between the Dutch and us. We are commanded to fit, man, and victual the enclosed list with all dispatch, and his Royal Highness did declare to us yesterday his resolution of going forward himself, and his choice of the Royal James for his ship and Sir William Penn for his commander,,,,This night the Prince [Rupert] takes leave of the Court for the Hope.....It is determined that the Prince shall carry the flag of union only, and not that, the King or his Royal Highness being on board.

Swiftsure
Newcastle
Assistance
H[appy] Returns
Mountagu
Charles
Dyamond
Sorlings
Moncke
R[oyal]James
Adventure
Lyon
Henry
Ruby
Mary
Triumph
Dunkirke

About Monday 3 October 1664

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"She rebuked me for doing it, saying that did I do so much to many bodies else it would be a stain to me"

A rather foretelling comment to Sam from Mrs. Bagwell. Once the pages of Sam's Diary were translated he gained the reputation of being a womanizer. That reputation seems to have stuck in the minds of much of the general population.

About Monday 3 October 1664

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From "Samuel Pepys and the Second Dutch War" the section entitled "the Navy White Book" edited by Latham

Octobr 3, 1664. Our cordage upon trial found stronger than the Hollands. This day, Mr. Coventry and myself being at Deptford, we made a trial of strength between our cordage and that of Holland, by cutting off two fathom of each sort of two inch beginning (within a tenth of an inch): the first that was tried was the Hollands, and that it bore 17 ¼ cwt before it broke. Then the English of our making, and that bore 24 3/4 cwt before it broke - both, as near as we could, hanging the same time to stretch, and stretching alike. Then we tried with the same length of another Hollands cable of the same beginning and that bore 20 ½ cwt before it broke. So, contrary to the report from the other yards, ours doth prove the strongest, though Mr. Coventry came with some expectations (and in some degree wishes that the other might prove very good, because of his being instrumental in the buying of it) to find it otherwise.

About Wednesday 28 September 1664

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I having near 1000l. in my house

Life is so unfair! Alas the only extra pounds I have hanging around my house are the ones I'm sitting on.....and I'd be glad if they disappeared!

About Monday 26 September 1664

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"Journal of the Earl of Sandwich" edited by R.C. Anderson

26th Monday. Went ashore to Tichfield (my Lord Treasurer's house). His stables have 20 stalls for horses 6 foot in breadth each stall. Above the rack up to the hay loft is ceiled so that the hay drops down without any dust falling on the horses. They say the Great Park is 5 mile about it, so it contains 1272 acres, and they say they have 1400 deer in it. The lesser park they say is 3 miles about.

About Tuesday 20 September 1664

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From Sam to Lord Sandwich (from "Further Correspondence of Samuel Pepys" edited by Tanner)

20 September, 1664

The wind continuing for some days N.E., has hindered our Guinny ships from falling down, which (had the Dutch fleet been ready) might have been of sound advantage to them, but they are not nor like to be (as 'tis said) in some days. 'Tis discoursed also as if they were now less keep upon 't than they were, and talk of new treaties, nay, wagers I heard offered this day upon the 'Change that no Dutch fleet shall attempt to pass the Channel this 3 weeks (meaning towards Guinny), the ground of which presumption I understand not, but do wish (as well prepared as we would have our ships and stores thought to be ) that a tolerable offer of accommodation from the Dutch be the worst news we hear of these 12 months......

About Monday 19 September 1664

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"I met with Dr. Pierce to-day, who, speaking of Dr. Frazier's being so earnest to have such a one (one Collins) go chyrurgeon to the Prince's person will have him go in his terms and with so much money put into his hands, he tells me (when I was wondering that Frazier should order things with the Prince in that confident manner) that Frazier is so great with my Lady Castlemayne, and Stewart, and all the ladies at Court, in helping to slip their calfes when there is occasion, and with the great men in curing of their claps that he can do what he please with the King, in spite of any man, and upon the same score with the Prince; they all having more or less occasion to make use of him"

Hmmm, Today I have a little problem with the accuracy of Sam's gossip via Dr. Pierce. First, in Andrew's book on "Royal Whore" (Castlemaine) he says of Frazier "Sir Alexander Frazier, one of the King's physicians, had a poor reputation as a healer since he let Prince Henry of Gloucester die in 1660, but, possibly doing better as a pox doctor, he confidently ran his own department at court". He goes on to note that although the gossip about Frances Stuart was typical of the London opinion that it was highly unsubstantiated and that to all indication and despite Charles' badgering, that she was a virgin (and would remain one until she was married). As for Lady Castlemaine, it's not clear why she would ever want an abortion where it was to her benefit to have as many children by Charles (or by someone else and then pass them off as belonging to Charles) as she could. Children were what made the tie between them hold over time and Castlemaine was no fool so the more children she had the better for her. (Pox would be another story and she could have used him for that perhaps).

In regards to Rupert, there is actually little substantiated about his love life and it's rather a void in his biographies. Around this time (in 1664) he took a mistress (who later claimed to be his wife) named Frances Bard. They had a son together (whom Rupert provided for in his will, etc.). Later (spoiler) he went on to have a relationship with an actress Peg Hughes and would father a daughter with her. He had tried unsuccessfully to secure marriages along the way, but to no avail for one reason or another. Nowhere is it noted that he was (or was not) of the more libertine ways of the court, but that being said, he would not have been a stranger to the world of whores, the pox, etc. considering the realities of managing armies and ships full of men. These realities just went with the territory. He did suffer throughout his adult life from the results of a wound to his head which would trouble him from time to time, but it's not clear that Dr, Frazier would have ever been involved in any manner to treat him for this. Perhaps, Dr. Pierce had a little bit of "sour grapes" here as he is gossiping about a 'competitor" in the field. Today's gossip (although fun to read!) might best be taken with the proverbial grain of salt!

About Monday 19 September 1664

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From "Samuel Pepys and the Second Dutch War" the section entitled "the Navy White Book" edited by Latham

Sept. 19. 1664. Mr Coventry about his having a salary given him extraordinary in place of fees. Duke's promise in behalf of Navy clerks. This day we, all the officers of us, waiting upon the Duke, as we do every week, Mr Coventry, after all other discourse was done, did tell the Duke and us that according to his own desire, the King had granted him by his R.H.'s favour a set allowance instead of a casual one of his fees--which had given occasion to much discourse - (which it seems is 500£ a year) and that from this day or six days backward, he did not only consent but desire if ever any of us doth hear that he receives any kind of gift or gratuity for any places in the Navy, we should tell the Duke of it, desiring only that he might at the same time know it, that so he might be able to justify himself. Only, he desired that it might not be denied that a clerk of his might take a crown or half-a-piece, and not more, upon the passing of such grant. And upon a motion of Sir J Mennes's at the same time, and seconded by all the rest, the Duke did promise that our clerks, as being the fittest men and those that deserve it best, should be advanced into places as places fall.

About Thursday 15 September 1664

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"Journal of the Earl of Sandwich" edited by R.C. Anderson

(and a slight spolier for tomorrow)

15th. Thursday took physic
16th. Friday took physic

About Wednesday 14 September 1664

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"Journal of the Earl of Sandwich" edited by R.C. Anderson

14th . Wednesday. 10 oclock in the morning came to anchor at the Spit-head. Sir Philip Honywood dined aboard with me.

About Tuesday 13 September 1664

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"Journal of the Earl of Sandwich" edited by R.C. Anderson

13th. Tuesday. We weighed with the flood and stood in thwart of Bembridge point bearing N.E. b. E.S.W. by W. 4 miles. The Swallow went in before us to the Spit-head, from Tangier a month, my Lady Teviott in her. In the afternoon I went ashore at St Helens and observed bearings in the other end of the book. Ships in my company - London, Revenge, Gloucester, Dreadnought, Nonsuch ketch.

About Monday 12 September 1664

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"Journal of the Earl of Sandwich" edited by R.C. Anderson

12th. Monday. At 4 oclock afternoon anchored off the Isle of Wight, the white cliffs called Swan-Cliff a league off N.W. 41º 40', Dunnose due West or N.W. 88º 00'.

This noon was exactly the equinox and we saw the sun set and observed him [with] the azimuth compass, by which the sun set about one degree to northward of the west. Therefore the variation of the compass should be Iº 00' westwardly.

The tide of ebb ran E.N.E. northerly. We made one sit at the top-masthead, and when the body of the sun was quite immersed from us on the quarter deck he on the top-masthead saw it for one minute of time longer.

About Pepys meet-up, September 15th

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Thanks to Carl for coordinating such a wonderful event in Boston! It was so enjoyable to meet all of the local fellow Pepysians, share thoughts, insights and laughs about our hero. Looking forward to next year's event!

About The Plot Against Pepys

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How Scott "is able to successfully level charges against Pepys in the first place"...Jesse- (little spoiler here) Scott had backers in HIGH places...but you'll have to read to see they mystery unfold!

About Thursday 15 September 1664

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"Big arm-twisting going on today"

Thanks for the memory refresh Terry. It seems like life will be either having your arm twisted or twisting someone else's---all in a day's work!

About Wednesday 14 September 1664

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From a previous annotation we know that ""Sam started the Diary on Jan 1, 1660 and stopped on May 31, 1669, for a total of 3439 days (there are 3 leap years -in 1660, 1664 and 1668). The midpoint of his Diary would be 1719.5 days which (including the 2 leap years of 1660 and 1664) would bring us to the September 14/15 date." (as calculated by my 10 year old who LOVES math!)

As today and tomorrow are the mid-point days of the Diary I thought I'd transgress a little and wish you all a happy middle! What a wonderful experience to share with all and to make such great friends along the way.

Totally off topic but too good to pass up on...and a delight to my 10 year old who shoved this follow up in my face in a state of total hysterics...... From the story "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" by Roald Dahl ...when Henry finds himself in a library...

" Sir William's father had been a famous book collector, and all four walls of this huge room were lined with books from floor to ceiling. Henry Sugar was not impressed. He wasn't even interested. The only books he read were detective novels and thrillers. He ambled aimlessly round the room, looking to see if he could find any of the sort of books he liked. But the ones in Sir William's library were all leather-bound volumes with names on them like Balzac, Ibsen, Voltaire, Johnson and Pepys. Boring rubbish, the whole lot of it, Henry told himself......"

I'm looking forward to the remaining delightful years of finding the little gems within Sam's "boring rubbish" among such a wonderful group of Pepysian pals! Thanks to all.

Celebrate friends and be sure to offer a toast to Sam and Elizabeth and all of their family, past and present! Blessings to all of you for the wonderful things that you bring to our community!

About Tuesday 13 September 1664

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"No-one in London today is more than 10 feet from a rat."

Did I tell you that Australian Susan has now joined the Australian Tourist Bureau and that her quote was taken from her new brochure, "101 reasons to visit the down under instead of London"....

Reminds me of a tour I did many years ago of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West in Arizona. As my husband I are were walking along the path admiring the desert landscape the tour guide said "be sure to stay on the path as the rattlesnakes usually don't cross over it". I immediately feigned a twisted ankle and asked my husband if he wouldn't mind giving me a piggy back for the rest of the route, but to no avail......

About Monday 12 September 1664

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"and there did our business as usual with the Duke; and saw him with great pleasure play with his little girle, --[Afterwards Queen Mary II.]-- like an ordinary private father of a child."

A historical spoiler thought -So sad that this father-daughter relationship will end so miserably.

About Sunday 11 September 1664

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"Did Sam ever mention Shakespeare's name"

Ellen, He's mostly mentioned in the Wheatley footnotes but on 2 occasions which I could find, Sam did make mention of him

http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…

I could not tell whether to lay out my money for books of pleasure, as plays, which my nature was most earnest in; but at last, after seeing Chaucer, Dugdale's History of Paul's, Stows London, Gesner, History of Trent, besides Shakespeare, Jonson, and Beaumont's plays, I at last chose Dr. Fuller's Worthys, the Cabbala or Collections of Letters of State, and a little book, Delices de Hollande, with another little book or two, all of good use or serious pleasure: and Hudibras, both parts, the book now in greatest fashion for drollery, though I cannot, I confess, see enough where the wit lies.

http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…

Then our Committee for the Tangier victualling met and did a little, and so up, and I and Mr. Coventry walked in the garden half an hour, talking of the business of our masts, and thence away and with Creed walked half an hour or more in the Park, and thence to the New Exchange to drink some creame, but missed it and so parted, and I home, calling by the way for my new bookes, viz., Sir H. Spillman's "Whole Glossary," "Scapula's Lexicon," and Shakespeare's plays, which I have got money out of my stationer's bills to pay for.