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 Sunday 22 May 1664

jeannine  •  Link

"but, Lord! what a company of sad, idle people they are"... we are talking of Charles' court here so chances are that many of these attendants would be "sad, idle people" in Sam's eyes as many would have honorary titles, do very little actual work, get paid, gamble it away, drink too much, and maybe partake in a Libertine lifestyle. From one point of view Sam may be jealous that he isn't offered the same opportunity, and from another point of view he may feel that these people live pretty useless lives. Sam is a hard worker, highly motivated to get ahead and extremely desirous to improve himself. All you have to do is open and "gossip" type magazine today and see a lot of very wealthy, famous, etc. people who live pathetic lives and do nothing but party, get arrested for this and that, spend time in and out of detox, and buy expensive buy extravagant clothing, houses, parade about town with their 'arm candy' de jour, etc. Perhaps out linguistic friends could give us a better definition of "sad and idle" in this situation?

About Sunday 22 May 1664

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"and so a good supper of pease, the first I eat this year, and so to bed."
Sounds like this change of diet (note-the first he ate this year) may keep Sam feeling a little more "regular" and off the physic!

About Friday 20 May 1664

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"I try very hard to remember that these are people ... and they laugh and cry, smile and hurt, much like the rest of us. The difference bewteen them and us is the consequence of their tears and chortles for the generations that follow."

Wise words for us all to remember Gus and to add only more to ponder on the equation, read on, as it is not clear as to Edward's motives, or actual actions. Even though Sam never liked him (not exactly sure why), Charles was indebted to Montagu, as documented by Clarendon, as instrumental in bringing about the Restoration. In the planning Charles' advisors were aware that in order to pull off the Restoration that it would be extremely helpful to pull together all of the Montagu's, especially the other Edward (who would become Lord Sandwich) because he was in charge of the Fleet under Cromwell. As Falk writes (see book reference above):
"Could he but persuade his cousin to declare for the king, so Hyde wrote the Abbot [Walter Montagu] the situation would be saved, the king enabled to land in England, and the country delivered from the misery of contending factions. As events turned out, it was another Montagu, Edward [the one Sam refers to today]...who, as bearer of a special appeal from Charles, was to be the means of bringing the Commander of the Fleet over to the Royalist cause" (p. 53).

Prior to today's entry Edward had several issues with his father. On November 25, 1663 Charles had written to Montagu's father "indicating the pleasure it would give him to serve the house of Montagu. Charles 's letter, returning thanks to the old peer for heeding the plea that he should pardon his extravagant and profligate son Ned [Edward], was remarkable for acknowledging the service rendered him by that young man..."I am glad," he wrote, to hear my recommendation of your son to your kindness hath so good effect, for he has asked my leave to go and see you and to receive the fruits of it. I shall be glad to hear you have given the like encouragement to his brother [Ralph], of whom I have a very good opinion, though he hath not had the own good affection to my service, you shall always find me ready to entertain any opportunity of doing you a good turn, or to any of your relatives, [signed] Your affectionate friend, Charles R." (Falk p 63-64)

While Charles may have chosen a path quite different than that promised to Edward's father, Clarendon thought highly of Edward and remained grateful for his role in the Restoration throughout his life.

About Edward Mountagu (Ned)

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May 20, 1664 Edward Montague gets sacked

"Edward Montagu is turned out of Court"....

From "The Way of the Montagues" by Bernard Falk

"As related by Lord Dartmouth in a note to Burnet's 'History of his Own Time', the episode has a quaint, almost pantomimic quality. The queen, never having had an admirer before nor after, asked the king what people meant by squeezing one by the hand. The king told her 'love'. 'Then', she said, 'Mr. Montague loves me mightily'; upon which he was turned out! The historian Boyer, presumably basing himself on reliable gossip confirms Dartmouth's facts. "

"That Dartmouth should appear the more exactly informed of the two [Falk is comparing Pepys version of the story to Dartmouth's] as to the immediate cause of Montagu's dismissal is scarcely surprising, having regard to his astonishing gift for worming confidences out of Charles, who in his company would divulge the most piquant of Court secrets. Evidently what angered the king were not doubts about his wife's chastity, which, as he was well aware, was above suspicion, but fear of being made an object of ridicule, always a sensitive point with the Stuarts. He did not want people going round the Court whispering that the queen's young Master of the Horse was either in love, or pretending to be in love, with his royal mistress, a situation rendered all the more absurd by Her Majesty's unsuitability for such a romantic role, no less than the knowledge, common to most people, of how manifold were Montagu's opportunities for safer and more congenial love-making elsewhere."

"The mischief, we repeat, lay not so much in what Montagu did, as in the gossip which his behavior attracted, and the damaging interpretation put on that behaviour. He had committed the unforgivable sin of turning against the king what had come to be regarded as a legitimate joke at his subject's expense. Rarely had the Restoration wits been provided with a more delectable topic on which to exercise their mocking talents. They were used to making merry over the king's goings-on, but now they could vary their mirth with sly quirps directed at his prudish queen, the last person on earth likely to be involved in a scandal. It gave them no end of moral satisfaction to be able behind his back to quiz Charles, who had mercilessly cuckolded so many husbands, on himself having had a narrow escape from the same humiliating experience; which explained why he had struck out with such savagery against his wife's personal attendant."

[Slight Spoiler] Whatever the real reason was for Montagu's dismissal, Catherine was wise enough to refrain from taking any steps to have Montagu pardoned, but, choose to show her loyalty by not replacing Montagu's position (Master of the Horse), until his untimely death in Bergen in 1665. His replacement would be his brother, Ralph Montagu.

Even Antonia Fraser, Charles' biographer felt that in this situation Charles, "like so many unfaithful husband, managed to work up a fit of illogical jealousy against Edward Montagu, the Queen's Master of the Horse, because he was thought to have squeezed her hand".

About Friday 20 May 1664

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May 20, 1664 Edward Montague gets sacked

"Edward Montagu is turned out of Court"....

From "The Way of the Montagues" by Bernard Falk

"As related by Lord Dartmouth in a note to Burnet's 'History of his Own Time', the episode has a quaint, almost pantomimic quality. The queen, never having had an admirer before nor after, asked the king what people meant by squeezing one by the hand. The king told her 'love'. 'Then', she said, 'Mr. Montague loves me mightily'; upon which he was turned out! The historian Boyer, presumably basing himself on reliable gossip confirms Dartmouth's facts. "

"That Dartmouth should appear the more exactly informed of the two [Falk is comparing Pepys version of the story to Dartmouth's] as to the immediate cause of Montagu's dismissal is scarcely surprising, having regard to his astonishing gift for worming confidences out of Charles, who in his company would divulge the most piquant of Court secrets. Evidently what angered the king were not doubts about his wife's chastity, which, as he was well aware, was above suspicion, but fear of being made an object of ridicule, always a sensitive point with the Stuarts. He did not want people going round the Court whispering that the queen's young Master of the Horse was either in love, or pretending to be in love, with his royal mistress, a situation rendered all the more absurd by Her Majesty's unsuitability for such a romantic role, no less than the knowledge, common to most people, of how manifold were Montagu's opportunities for safer and more congenial love-making elsewhere."

"The mischief, we repeat, lay not so much in what Montagu did, as in the gossip which his behavior attracted, and the damaging interpretation put on that behaviour. He had committed the unforgivable sin of turning against the king what had come to be regarded as a legitimate joke at his subject's expense. Rarely had the Restoration wits been provided with a more delectable topic on which to exercise their mocking talents. They were used to making merry over the king's goings-on, but now they could vary their mirth with sly quirps directed at his prudish queen, the last person on earth likely to be involved in a scandal. It gave them no end of moral satisfaction to be able behind his back to quiz Charles, who had mercilessly cuckolded so many husbands, on himself having had a narrow escape from the same humiliating experience; which explained why he had struck out with such savagery against his wife's personal attendant."

[Slight Spoiler] Whatever the real reason was for Montagu's dismissal, Catherine was wise enough to refrain from taking any steps to have Montagu pardoned, but, choose to show her loyalty by not replacing Montagu's position (Master of the Horse), until his untimely death in Bergen in 1665. His replacement would be his brother, Ralph Montagu.

Even Antonia Fraser, Charles' biographer felt that in this situation Charles, "like so many unfaithful husband, managed to work up a fit of illogical jealousy against Edward Montagu, the Queen's Master of the Horse, because he was thought to have squeezed her hand".

About Thursday 19 May 1664

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From Ruth Norrington's "My Dearest Minette"

What follows are selections from a letter sent by Charles II to Minette (his sister) who had previously criticized his treatment of his wife and his blatant preference for Lady Castlemaine. He also shares a few of his views of the activities in Parliament:

Whitehall, 19 May 1664

I have ben all this afternoon playing the good husband, having been abroade with my wife, and tis now past twelve a clocke, and I am very sleepy...... I have very much businesse at the end of parlament, which hindered me, and I hope you will thinke my paines not ill imployed, when I shall tell you that never any parlament went away better pleased than this did, and I am sure that I have all the reason in the world to be well satisfied with them, and when they meete again, which will be in November, I make no doubt but that they will do al for me that I can wish, and so good night for I am fast a sleepe. C.R.

About Wednesday 11 May 1664

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Today's entry and Elizabeth's character....

Interesting to be reading this on Mother's Day and thanks to the other Pepysians who have shared their views on the Uncle Wight parenting proposal above. When I really read through Sam's entry line by line today (in undistracted detail!) what struck me is that today we do get some points revealed about Elizabeth's character -and I mean separate from the usual "speculation" that we add to the mix, based on our desire to better understand her. So today in Sam's translation of the events we find out the following "facts" (to use the word "facts" loosely):

1. "he should begin discourse of her want of children and his also" -so we now know that Elizabeth did in fact want a child, which we have all speculated on from time to time

2. "and how he thought it would be best for him and her to have one between them, and he would give her 500l. either in money or jewells beforehand, and make the child his heir" -the proposal was given with an upfront guarantee of money and/or jewels and a tail end promise of being his heir -this would reduce any thoughts that Elizabeth would be left dangling, at least in the upfront stage leading to sex

3. "She says she did give him a very warm answer, such as he did not excuse himself by saying that he said this in jest" -she had the presence of mind and grace to refuse him in a polite and warm manner, without fanfare or a scene, which is a side of Elizabeth that we don't often hear about from Sam. This to me, is a rather mature response to a situation which may have taken her by surprise but seems to be done without damaging the relationship with Uncle Wight.

4. "and desired her to make no words of it" -Elizabeth tells Sam. This speaks in so many ways of her relationship with Sam. In many marriages of the times (and perhaps, sadly, even today) many spouses in the same position would never have mentioned this to their partner, but the fact that she did mention it, handled it well, and left the situation in "good standing" where nobody lost face is amazing.

5. "I fear all his kindness is but only his lust to her" -perhaps more indication of her beauty, or not to read into it more than it actually says-she has an obvious level of sex appeal.

It must have caused her some emotional effort to navigate herself through the discussion with Uncle Wight and diplomatically address the issues. It must have also struck some notes as to her desire for a child. An offer of money and jewels of that magnitude could have certainly changed her life for the better (she could have secretly supported her entire family on the side for the rest of their lives, hidden the cash from Sam as a nest egg in the event he died, etc.). She had a chance to not only be a mother, but to be set perhaps for life, but declined and then went straight to Sam. Although Sam ends his day with his "mind and head a little troubled", I would hope that on one hand he is proud of his wife who has handled herself and Uncle Wight with kindness, dignity and grace, and perhaps, in doing so, knowingly or not, gave up her only chance to have a child.

About Monday 9 May 1664

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To those kind souls joining the "Jeannine faction"
You must take an oath pledging Pepysian distraction.....

About Monday 9 May 1664

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Sam's Distraction

It's time for Sam to take definitive action
To rid his mind of creative abstraction
That leaves his career in a state of inaction

This standstill offense and most frightful infraction
Could cause the whole Navy a dissatisfaction
With the man whose our hero and star attraction

Sam's creative thoughts need immediate redaction
But how from his mind to make this subtraction
Ensuring he maintains his employer's satisfaction

Creative new thoughts can cause such a chain reaction
Ideas mix with emotions in an inventive interaction
Stopping us in other areas from making traction

Inventiveness sparks an overwhelming reaction
But how does one quell abundant brain action?
By thinking about a wage paying distraction!

(P.S. Sometimes the only thing keeping me from my
distractions is my other distractions.........)

About Monday 9 May 1664

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"He also exhibits that universal tendency of creative types to utilize distractions to their fullest with his admission that he "cannot get any thing to take place in [his] mind" while his design is taking shape."

Hmmm, I was going to come home from my am trip to the gym and immediately catch up on a project at work, but as got home I noticed my flowers starting to bloom and had to stop and note what colors & textures needed to be added to the garden mix; came in through the kitchen to see the recipes for the kid event celebration cake to be baked and decorated; paused in the den to look at the ¾ knit sweater, knitting books and assorted piles of other yarns for the next projects that I know I'll never find time to design; noticed the pile of Pepysian library books on the coffee table with pending 'due back' dates and little sticky flags where there is 'stuff' that I'd love to share with my pals here if I could manage to ever pull it together; moved to my office to glance at the 4th grade poems and self-portraits to be scanned, formatted & edited for my daughters' school yearbook; shuffled the pile of other Pepysian books and half written articles (Carteret???, a few interesting letters from Sam???, a Mountague???, etc.) which will sit indefinitely fermenting in my mind in their disorganization; moved the box of festive decorations and information to be put into some thematically 'cute' invitations for the kid music recital; made the 'mistake" of quickly looking in to the Diary and stopped to pause, look away into some faraway nowhere and wondered for some lost amount of time what rhymes with the word "measles"; then read on to realize that for today that I might just have something in common with Sam, except for noting that the only thing that will keep my distractions from realizing their full potential is that slight little issue of remaining employed in order to pay the bills! Sometimes it seems the realities of life rob one of the ability to grow and expand into the more creatively rewarding (and sadly less financially lucrative) areas of the mind, leaving only piles of things that would be wonderful adventures to fully develop through the creative process and explore........................

About Sunday 8 May 1664

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"A suit and cloak in four days!"

Gee Terry, at the risk of being a cynic here -- I'm rather surprised that Sam hasn't sold Langford his brother Tom's customer list! Not like today when Data Privacy laws would prevent such things! At least Sam could set up a deal where he'd get a finder's fee for each new customer, or become a designer diva where he gets clothes for free just to parade around in them! Our Sam on the red carpet wearing Langford! Wonder what critique Joan Rivers would have!

About Thursday 5 May 1664

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"Or is it all a matter of appearances -- part of the rage against Batten is that these matters are public knowledge"

MR-I think that most of your thoughts (and Andy's too!) may all play together for Sam, he's jealous that Batten is getting more than he is, he's created an "excuse" for himself (he gets money after doing the King's work), and yes, he is a whoremaster in regards to setting up Mrs. Lane, etc. for his own purposes), but he tries to do so in a way that publicly appears "respectable." I think that Sam really struggles with the public perception which must be wholesome vs. the actual actions which are to fill his needs.

About Tuesday 3 May 1664

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"the question then arises, what do you use to rid your clothes of the smell of pungent urine?

Decisions Decisions, chocolate stains or pee?"

Those chocolate stains are looking pretty good to me!

About Tuesday 3 May 1664

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"there drank my morning draft in good chocollatte, and slabbering my band"
When my daughter was very young, my mother brought her chocolate ice cream, which she divinely enjoyed, but also managed to get all over herself (and every inch of clothing that she was wearing). I learned that chocolate stains really don't come out that easily, so we would always save the ice cream treat until just before bath time and then we'd feed her (wearing only her diaper). We'd practically draw straws to see who was stuck picking her up when she was done and the short straw would pick her up holding her arms length away and plop her into the tub. The long straw wasn't so blessed with as that person had to clean up the kitchen mess.

I'm curious how the servants in Sam's day managed to get the stains out of Sam's bands.

About Monday 2 May 1664

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"and so we walked, my wife and I and Madamoiselle"
I can't figure out who Mademoiselle is referring to -any clue?
(unless of course, Captain Ferrers is doing undercover spy work in a dress as his disguise-you never can tell what he'll be up to!)

Get well Miss Ann!

About Saturday 30 April 1664

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"but today there's a little stream-of-consciousness about the impending war, Parliament, the King, Lady Sandwich, Digby, and then "Never more quiet in my family all the days of my life than now" -- reflecting, it seems to me"

Martin-it's also the end of the month, when Sam usually summarizes the "state of the union" in his entry, so I'd assumed that the running on of these issues is related to that. I would imagine that Sam would also dread the need to quickly pull together the materials needed for the war in time (masts, tarr, timber, hemp, etc.). In the "usual course of business" he has to put up with inefficient vendors, office politics, etc. (and his own growing desire to get a cut in the action). So, in the political dance he may realize he'll go from the Fred Astair of the Navy to the Ginger Rodgers --, dancing backwards and in high heels to a much faster tempo.

About Tuesday 26 April 1664

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"a woman named Judith is the only relative to have died in 1664; is she the one?" I beleive so -when you hit the link on her name it goes to Judith.

About Tuesday 26 April 1664

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"My wife gone this afternoon to the buriall of my she-cozen Scott, a good woman; and it is a sad consideration how the Pepys's decay, and nobody almost that I know in a present way of encreasing them"

How horrible for she cozen Scott -I am guessing that this must be the illness related to a miscarriage that she had back in February where Sam noted:

"Then by coach home, calling at my cozen Scott's, who (she) lies dying, they say, upon a miscarriage. My wife could not be admitted to see her, nor anybody."

I can only imagine that the past 2 months must have been living hell for her.

http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…

About Monday 25 April 1664

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"if Sandwich goes to sea and survives, doesn't he stand a chance of greatly increasing his wealth through "prizes" taken? Or, does that perk develop later in the Royal Navy?"
Ann, that practice has been going on for awhile. In the case of some of the people we know so far, Carteret made a fortune (several times when needed) in his past "privateering" days, as did Holmes and others, like Rupert, etc. Although these activities were technically "outside" of the Navy, they weren't outside of the reign of Charles II, who would welcome his split in any prizes taken.