jeannine

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jeannine has written 14 articles:

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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 Wednesday 22 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

Terry,,,I was just joking about missing them! Perhaps instead of "spoiler alerts" I'll add "bad joke alerts".
But, more seriously, as I recall, this isn't the only time Sam has talked about his father being down in the dumps. I am remembering a visit when they went for a walk together and Sam (Oct 13, 1663) "Thence home, and with my father took a melancholy walk to Portholme, seeing the country-maids milking their cows there, they being there now at grass, and to see with what mirth they come all home together in pomp with their milk, and sometimes they have musique go before them." can't tell is his father was melancholy, both of them were, or the walk.

About Charles Stuart (II, King)

jeannine  •  Link

Two interesting views on the character of Charles II from two men who knew him.
"Burnet on Charles II

Gilbert Burnet included an assessment of Charles's character in his History of My Own Time, published in the 1720's. This earlier version (c.1683) is perhaps more revealing.

He is very affable not only in public but in private, only he talks too much and runs out too long and too far; he has a very ill opinion both of men and women, and so is infinitely distrustful; he thinks the world is governed wholly by interest, and indeed he has known so much of the baseness of mankind that no wonder if he has hard thoughts of them: but when he is satisfied that his interests are likewise become the interests of his ministers, then he delivers him-self up to them in all their humours and revenges...He has often kept up differences amongst his ministers and has balanced his favours pretty equally amongst them...he naturally inclines to refining and loves an intrigue...He loves his ease so much that the great secret of all his ministers is to find out his temper exactly and to be easy to him. He has many odd opinions about religion and morality; he thinks an implicitness in religion is necessary for the safety of gov-ernment and he looks upon all inquisitiveness into these things as mischievous to the state: he thinks all appetites are free and that God will never damn a man for allowing himself a little pleasure...I t>elieve he is no atheist, but that rather he has formed an odd idea of that goodness of (god in his mind; he thinks to be wicked, and to design mischief, is the only thing that God hates...

Halifax on Charles II

Halifax was a minister of Charles during his last years and he thus writes from first hand experience.

He lived with his ministers as he did with his mistresses; he used them, but he was not in love with them. He showed his judgment in this, that he cannot properly be said ever to have had a favourite, though some might look so at a distance...he tied himself no more to them than they did to him, which implied a sufficient liberty on either side...

He had back stairs to convey informations to him, as well as for other uses; and though such informations are sometimes dangerous (especially to a prince that will not take the pains necessary to digest them) yet in the main that humour of hearing everybody against anybody kept those about him in more awe than they would have been without it. I do not believe that ever he trusted any man or any set of men so entirely as not to have some secrets in which they had no share; as this might make him less well served, so in some degree it might make him the less imposed upon."

Quoted from: http://www.thecaveonline.com/APEH…

About Wednesday 22 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

What a droopy day. Well work was the peak and then downhill from there. Can't you just picture this as a scene out of some Steven King type movie with a sadistic smiling old lady? She'd be playing a deliberate mind game on Sam. Greasy hands while hacking away at some sloopy looking piece of meat saying "won't you have some more, my Sammy?" Yeech! Then to spend money, not only on himself but on other people while seeing a lousy play. Then home to a melancholy father. I wonder what's bothering John? I think he's been mentioned as down in the dumps before. Not sure if it's just his way in general or something specific. Perhaps he misses his wife???Don't suppose he found out she's dating Captain Ferrers while he's away.....oops, let out a spoiler there....

About Tuesday 21 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"and put my wife too much upon it"

As the Court of Charles II will be infamous for all of the gambling activity surrounding card games, setting limits will actually be a very wise thing! Over time, some of Charles' mistresses will lose thousands at a sitting and Charles will cover those losses in stride....with money from...who knows what fund (perhaps the Navy from time to time!)

About Monday 20 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

“… to spare money out of my purse to help him through, which I would willing do as far as 20l. goes"

Ebo, VERY BIG SPOILER HERE. I don't know what the equivalent of this would be today (someone else may know the conversion) but I do know that when you look at how the estate finally falls out that this issue of 20 l will be a good amount towards John Sr's living expenses, so I'd say very generous. There will be an accounting of the estate to come OUTSIDE of the diary in around a month. I gave Phil the documentation (Sam's letter to his father and spread sheet)to post along with a specific day's entry, so, as they say, hang tight and "stay tuned". Sam is currently working through the process of gathering the data from his father as to his expenses, etc. over the course of his visit so that he can figure out the overall situation and advise him. And, advise him he will, in his own unique and forthright style, and that 20 l will come with a most interesting request on the behalf of Sam.

About Monday 20 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"the D of M was not displaying the proper arms" From the article on the titling of Monmouth at (part II)
http://www.pepysdiary.com/indepth…

"It should be noted, as Fraser points out that when James was actually created Duke of Monmouth that the “baton sinister, which proclaimed his illegitimate birth, [was] omitted from his coat of arms [and Queen] Catherine felt it necessary to protest. A second grant of arms included it”. (Fraser, p. 275)"

About Monday 20 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

Monmouth’s wedding

From “My dearest Minette” , editor Ruth Norrington, p 64-65

“Charles, always anxious to get his illegitimate children off his hands by marrying them to great wealth, decided that Anne Scott, the Countess of Buccleuch, one of the richest heiresses in England, would make the young Duke of Monmouth a suitable wife. She was barely twelve years old. Anne and James were married on 20 April, and were created the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch.”

Whitehall, 20 April 1663
“You must not by this post expect a long letter from me, this being Jameses [the Duke of Monmouth] marriage day, and I am goeing to sup with them, where we intend to dance and see them abed together, but the ceremony shall stop there, for they are both too young to be all night together. The letters from France are not yet come, which keeps me in a paine, to know how the Queen Mother does, I hope James Hamilton will be on his way home before this comes to your handes. I send you here a title of a little booke of devotion, in Spanish, which my wife desires to have, by the directions you will see where ‘tis to be had, and pray send two of them by the first conveniency. My dearest sister, I am intirely yours.
For my dearest sister C.

Note: Anne of Austria had been very ill and that is the Queen referred to above. James Hamilton referred to is the eldest son of Sir George Hamilton. Why he went to France is not known.

About Sunday 19 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

Easter Sam

I stand in suit and gilt-handled sword
Of my dashing looks I never grow bored
To church alone to start this Easter Day
With all my finery I am on display

The Scotchman’s sermon provided my beauty sleep
Of his dull words I heard barely a peep
My handsome self brought untold delights
When Father and I went to visit the Wights

Home to supper and dance with the girls
Giving them both brisk dips and fast twirls
Although Ashwell hath a very fine carriage
My staying silent adds no grief to my marriage

Soon enough my wife will have her chance
As tomorrow she will learn to dance
No more worries that she’ll be outdone
She’ll be whirling and having such fun

While Will has gone to his father’s to seek
A quiet refuge to take his physique
I prefer to spend my holydays
In ways less solemn, more frivolous and gay…

About Saturday 11 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"Captain Lambert, Captain Wagner and Captain Allen" ...What amazes me is just HOW MANY people Sam knows and comes in contact with in regards to his work at the Navy. Every day he's off with a different crowd of characters. From someone who moved out of a company office to work at home several years ago (telecommuter, as it's called these days) , I sometimes miss the connection with the "regulars" around the office. In Sam's case, he really sees so many varied and interesting people. What a lucky person he is --even if some people are bothersome to him, cause him stress, more work,etc. the connection and interaction is fascinating. How sadly our society has moved into more and more ways to isolate people from face to face contact (cell phones, faxes, email, etc). He just steps outside each day and the world and people open up to him.

About Thursday 9 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"do endeavour to corrupt our cook maid" I remember as a teenager having a job doing gardening (ie. pulling weeds) for a neighbor. A little boy who I used to babysit (from the "Dennis the Menace" variety) came by, asked me what I was doing and then asked, "how do you get paid for that job?'. I replied, "I get paid by the hour". He said, "work slow".......the seeds of corruption come early and with Sam's love of a good meal messing with "super cook" isn't wise.

About Wednesday 8 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"Francis Bacon went up at the age of 12 years, as did the poet, Andrew Marvell."
Mary, thanks for the insightful information. History will prove that Bacon and Marvell had talent, intelligence and dilgence, but unfortunately for Monmouth, who had little of the above talents and traits, his degree will only add to his vanity and not his accomplishments. It's actually quite sad to see Charles putting him in the position of "entitlement", which in many ways will be used against him by the son (who some historians still doubt is his given Lucy Walter's reputation) who he gave so much to. A painful lesson in how not to raise a child. One can only wonder how Monmouth may have turned out if he was raised to "work" for his credentials like the rest of us.

About Wednesday 8 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"I bethought myself that we had left our poor little dog that followed us out of doors at the waterside, and God knows whether he be not lost, which did not only strike my wife into a great passion but I must confess myself also; more than was becoming me."
As any pet owner can attest, the thought of losing a little friend can bring a fear (and tear) to even the most stoic. Hmmm, I wonder if Sam would have been as upset about losing Pall, John, Thomas, etc.??? for as we joke about our beloved pet...."pets are like family, except you actually like them"......

About Tuesday 7 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

Ouch Dirk!! Great pics, but painful to think about. I suppose so we can add novacaine to the growing list of things we are grateful to have now that didn't exist then.

About Saturday 4 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"the King, and in another coach my Lady Castlemaine, they greeting one another at every tour"
Absent from mention is the Queen. It is reported that during this time that Charles and Catherine were not of the best of terms and that he spent increasing time with Lady Castlemaine. Also, around this time "Barbara [Castlemaine]had insisted on complete public recognition, and Charles therefore gave her official lodgings in the palace, allocating rooms immediately above his own, with access by a private stair" (Allen Andrews "The Royal Whore", p 86). Castlemaine LOVED to be the center of attention so public displays like today fed her ego quite nicely.

Also, surprisingly to me -no mention of Elizabeth in Sam's entry today.

Ann I too am "so glad I live today and not in the 17C" and especially glad that those benefits we often take for granted have kept you around to annotate!

About Wednesday 1 April 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"it is difficult to blow a true note"
Wim... alas, that doesn't prevent some random little child from blowing a LOUD and quite aggravating note at some ungodly hour of the morning as a loving wake up call for the family ....oh the little life delights Sam has missed....at least Ashwell seems well over that initial learning stage and is capable of adding some enjoyable tunes to the family time....which believe me is a blessed place for any family to finally arrive at!

About Saturday 28 March 1663

jeannine  •  Link

"writing a chiding letter — to my poor father about his being so unwilling to come to an account with me, which I desire he might do, that I may know what he spends, and how to order the estate so as to pay debts and legacys as far as may be'
There is something in this that seems sad to me. Changing from being the child to the caretaker is a tough transition for both parties. I can understand Sam's frustration, yet perhaps there is a sense on his father's part that he isn't ready to have his son ordering his life, at least not perhaps, on Sam's time table and/or to this extent. In many cases, it's hard as a person ages to make the "shift" to let their child(ren) pick up for them and this type of seeming resistance is common. I just wish Sam came across here as a little more 'understanding' and a little less 'chiding'. Perhaps, it would make it easier for both of them.

About Thursday 26 March 1663

jeannine  •  Link

And let’s not forget to celebrate Sam’s mother’s stone!

Leave it to that master annotator Pedro to remind us that we must leave no stone unturned here! For the sake of annotator precision, we should be sure to kill two birds with one stone by mentioning both mother and son! We should use stone cold analysis in our annotations to ensure every detail is accurate regarding this rocky subject! Even though mom chose to pitch her stone in the fire it was only to be sure that if her stone rolled it would gather no moss. Sam should be wise never to question their stylistic stone saving differences as it's best that people who live in glass houses never throw stones....and of course, for those whose stomachs are turning just about now, before you reprimand me for being so annoying please be sure that you are without any annotation sins before you cast the first stone! A toast to mom and Sam!

About Thursday 26 March 1663

jeannine  •  Link

As she’s pulling up the covers to go to bed Elizabeth smiles to herself in the dark and asks,

“Sam, when will I hear your stone story again?”

Sam rolls over and sings in her ear….…

“Well, I’ll stone ya when you're trying to be so good,
I’ll stone ya just a-like I said I would.
I’ll stone ya when you're tryin' to go home.
Then I’ll stone ya when you're there all alone.
Bess don’t you feel so all alone,
Everybody hears about my stone.

Well, I’ll stone ya when you're walkin' 'long the street.
I’ll stone ya when you're tryin' to keep your seat.
I’ll stone ya when you're sweeping up the floor.
I’ll stone ya when you're walkin' to the door.
Bess don’t you feel so all alone,
Everybody hears about my stone.

I’ll stone ya when you're at the breakfast table.
I’ll stone ya when you are young and able.
I’ll stone ya when you're tryin' to make a buck.
I’ll stone ya and then I’ll say, "good luck."
Bess don’t you feel so all alone,
Everybody hears about my stone.

Well, I’ll stone you and say that it's the end.
Then I’ll stone you and then I’ll come back again.
I’ll stone you when we’re wishing on a star.
I’ll stone you when I’m playing my guitar.
Bess don’t you feel so all alone,
Everybody hears about my stone……”

“I love you Sam”

“I love you Bess”……….