Sunday 27 April 1662
(Sunday). Sir W. Pen got trimmed before me, and so took the coach to Portsmouth to wait on my Lord Steward to church, and sent the coach for me back again. So I rode to church, and met my Lord Chamberlain upon the walls of the garrison, who owned and spoke to me. I followed him in the crowd of gallants through the Queen’s lodgings to chappell; the rooms being all rarely furnished, and escaped hardly being set on fire yesterday. At chappell we had a most excellent and eloquent sermon. And here I spoke and saluted Mrs. Pierce, but being in haste could not learn of her where her lodgings are, which vexes me. Thence took Ned Pickering to dinner with us, and the two Marshes, father and Son, dined with us, and very merry. After dinner Sir W. Batten and I, the Doctor, and Ned Pickering by coach to the Yard, and there on board the Swallow in the dock hear our navy chaplain preach a sad sermon, full of nonsense and false Latin; but prayed for the Right Honourable the principal officers.1 After sermon took him to Mr. Tippets’s to drink a glass of wine, and so at 4 back again by coach to Portsmouth, and then visited the Mayor, Mr. Timbrell, our anchor-smith, who showed us the present they have for the Queen; which is a salt-sellar of silver, the walls christall, with four eagles and four greyhounds standing up at the top to bear up a dish; which indeed is one of the neatest pieces of plate that ever I saw, and the case is very pretty also.2
This evening came a merchantman in the harbour, which we hired at London to carry horses to Portugall; but, Lord! what running there was to the seaside to hear what news, thinking it had come from the Queen. In the evening Sir George, Sir W. Pen and I walked round the walls, and thence we two with the Doctor to the yard, and so to supper and to bed.
37 Annotations
First Reading
Bradford • Link
"my Lord Chamberlain upon the walls of the garrison, who owned and spoke to me." --- "own," to admit or acknowledge; still to be heard in the American South: "He owned as how he knew me."
"the rooms being all rarely furnished, and escaped hardly being set on fire yesterday."
Did I miss something? Do we know why this was so?
JudyS • Link
Poor Elizabeth will be disappointed to find out how business-like Sam's trip is. Going here and there on little trips with Sir W. Batten and the Doctor. How dull - no theaters and women!
Robert Gertz • Link
Lucky Sam not to find the Queen coming in...Bess may spare him on return.
"...in the dock hear our navy chaplain preach a sad sermon, full of nonsense and false Latin; but prayed for the Right Honourable the principal officers..." I get the feeling Sam was teasing himself here...A little reminder not to let that head swell too much, principal officer, clerk of the Acts, Pepys.
Kinda hope he mentioned it to Beth...It would be nice to imagine him poking fun at himself and the boys to her.
Jesse • Link
"but, Lord!"
A search found three other instances (thus far) of this exclamation. I wonder if such could be used in polite conversation?
Robert Gertz • Link
"...took him to Mr. Tippets's to drink a glass of wine, and so at 4 back again by coach to Portsmouth, and then visited the Mayor, Mr. Timbrell, our anchor-smith…”
Tippets’ to drink, Timbrell the anchor-smith…I’d bet Sam enjoyed putting those two together.
dirk • Link
"This evening came a merchantman in the harbour, which we hired"
A merchantman = a merchant ship, not a person...
Miss Ann • Link
"And here I spoke and saluted Mrs. Pierce, but being in haste could not learn of her where her lodgings are, which vexes me." - well JudyS here's a likely woman for Sam, if only he can find her lodgings ... just as well Beth didn't come along, could restrict somewhat our boy's play.
DrCari • Link
For those of us who are fortunate to have access to the cable channels History and History International, there is a frequently aired episode showcasing the Crown Jewels of the Tower of London.
In this program, a docent or history scholar describes and displays this intricate and somewhat impractical, albeit lovely silver and crystal salt cellar
Miss Ann • Link
"...which indeed is one of the neatest pieces of plate that ever I saw..." - doesn't this sound like a young American in one of those soap opera's meant for young teenagers, I wasn't aware that they used the word "neat" or "neatest" in Sam's era.
Australian Susan • Link
So, La Belle Pierce is in town.......!Now did he know this beforehand, I wonder?
Australian Susan • Link
"Horses to Portugal"
Any idea why they are going to such trouble and expense as to send horses to Portugal? Surely there are excellent horses to be had in the Iberian peninsula, probably much better than anything England could come up with at this time. Charles has not yet indulged his passion for horse racing and improving the English breed with the importation of Arab stallions to develop the racehorse par excellence, the English Thoroughbred. English horses were ponylike or cobby at this time. Sturdy, strong and useful but hardly worth exporting. Most curious. Does L&M have anything to say about this?
A. Hamilton • Link
La belle Peirce
It would be interesting to know her connection to Portsmouth, and whether Sam knew in advance that she would be lodging there. She came up at this time last year during Sam's last visit to Portsmouth, when he was accompanied by Elizabeth. Perhaps there was something beside business on his mind this trip!
From the entry for May 5, 1661:
"Then to supper in the banquet house, and there my wife and I did talk high, she against and I for Mrs. Pierce (that she was a beauty), till we were both angry."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
gerry • Link
L&M give more details about the salt:
One of the finest salts of its period; now known as the Seymour salt because it passed into the possession of Thomas Seymour (in1692 when Catherine returned to portugal),who in 1693 presented it to the Goldsmiths'Company, the present owners; 10.5 inches high; artist unknown. The case has now disappeared.
BradW • Link
Doesn't Portsmouth just crackle with anticipation of Her Highness' arrival? Nobles watching from the fortress walls, opulent quarters at the ready, church services crowded with visiting gallants, every arriving ship greeted by a mob of liveried servants seeking news (OK I extrapolated that a bit), competition for barbers' attentions, craftsmen outdoing each other. Thanks, Sam, lovely slice of life today.
Mary • Link
Horses for Portugal.
L&M offer no explanation for this item of export. At this date the Portuguese seem to have had two, distinct breeds/types of horse: the Andalusian ( well-bred, intelligent, swift, supple and brave) and the Serraio (small, about 13 hands high, and able to subsist on very poor pasture.
I suppose it's possible that, as part of the Royal Wedding arrangements, a shipment of strong, heavy-boned English draught-horses has been deemed a graceful present for the Portuguese. Pure guess-work, of course.
Martin • Link
neat/neatest
Without consulting OED, I think usage during this time in Sam's sense would mean "marked by ingenuity or skill," as in a neat turn of phrase.
language hat • Link
neat:
Definitely 'trim, smart, elegant.' The sense "good, excellent; desirable, attractive; (weakened in later use) 'cool'” (in the OED’s words) isn’t attested before the 19th century.
JWB • Link
"Horses for Portugal"
Perhaps these for trans-shipment to Tangiers. The mole had not yet been built. "Queen's Own" Regimental history: "The force set sail for Tangier on 15th January 1662 and later that year The Earl of Peterborough arrived in Tangier with a force of 500 horse and 2000 foot."
http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.…
Cumgranissalis • Link
"English horses were ponylike or cobby at this time"
I doth think JWB be on the right course [newmarket,epsom], it be the cavalerie. The Cost of local purchase from Spain, Portugal or Morroco would be prohibitive. Besides there be some Magnaminous Chargers, if wot was painted be a close reproduction of the real Cavalier or the round head version of Laud C*******.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk…
K. Charles II and Jane Lane
http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search…
A. Hamilton • Link
More on La Belle
Those suspicious of Sam's motives for wanting to leave Mrs. Pepys behind on this trip to Portsmouth (which I have not, until now, been) could point to his likely knowledge that James Pierce (Pearce), husband to the beautious Mrs. P., would be among the royal welcoming party for the new queen in his role as surgeon to the Duke of York. And Sam might also have known if wives were included among that crowd.
David A. Smith • Link
"saluted Mrs. Pierce, but ... could not learn her lodgings, which vexes me"
Now, A. Hamilton, *I* have become suspicious, because of Sam's syntax:
'Mrs. Pierce,' not Mr.
'her lodgings'
'which vexes me'
Add to that Sam's preoccupation with keeping Elizabeth away.
Sam may not contemplate infidelity ... but one senses he knows that Elizabeth would not take kindly to his eager interest in the comely Mrs. Pierce.
Australian Susan • Link
Vincent, you have found two beautiful horse portraits! The one of Charles I would have had him on the best available animal: it is an import - no English bred animal of the early 17th c would have looked like that. It is the equivalent of rich people importing Ferraris or Lambourghinis today - not your average nag! The portrait of the escaping Charles II and Jane Lane is hopelessly romantic - if Charles really had been riding around the West Country on a horse like that, he would have stood out like a pterodactyl in a flock of seagulls and been soon apprehended. Artist under royal patronage does not, however, want to show Charles as riding sturdy Welsh Cob (see http://www.welshponyandcob.com/ar… ) or similar. Too plebeian.
Cumgranissalis • Link
Australian Susan: me 'at is off for the incognito part, but I doth keep my cap: rememeber there be min of 2000+ Carriage horses in London town alone dragging Coaches then there be Dray horses, around London and then there be the chargers that were used in the wars. This was the Century of experiment and breeding everything in sight if one believes the stud books at Newmarket and dog Kennel Clubs lists..
Of course for the Plebian mob, it be shanks pony and kids to pull the out the buckets of welsh coles.
Remember too, Sandwich doth bring back some 7 nice Flanders Mares with a nice seat and withers.
Pedro • Link
"Horses for Portugal"
I would believe that the horses were part of the cavalry contingent being sent to aid Portugal, and part of the marriage treaty.
"England was to defend Portugal and all its dominions, on land and sea, as if it were her own. Having ready two thirds of infantry of a thousand men each, two regiments of cavalry of 500 men, each one armed and equipped."
See background,
http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
Pedro • Link
More horses for Portugal.
It seems that the horses were for the cavalry. The Queene sailed on the 25th April, and as it would take some time to load the ship, it could have met the Queen off the coast of Normandy?
From the Portugese historian Rau...
By the heights of Monte Sao Miguel the fleet crossed with 4 English ships that had come with cavalry to help Portugal, and by them Catarina sent a letter back to her mother.
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"the Queen’s lodgings "
Lodgings had been prepared for Catherine of Braganza in Government House ('God's House'), residence of the Governor. Charles and his Queen were married there by proxy. on 21 May (L&M note)
Government House
On 2nd June 1540, John Incent, Master of the Hospital of St. Nicholas signed the Deed of Surrender that handed the hospital over to the crown, thus ending over 300 years of service to the poor and sick in Portsmouth. From this time onwards, the Domus Dei [ 'God's House' ] (now the Royal Garrison Church), together with its complex of surrounding buildings, became the miltary centre of the town. As was befitting this new role the Domus Dei also became the residence of the 'Captayne', or Governor of Portsmouth.
Some historical records place the marriage ceremony in the chancel of the Domus Dei but it was far too small for a royal wedding. The wedding actually took place in the Presence Chamber in the Governor's House. Lady Fanshawe, the wife of Sir Richard Fanshawe, the ambassador who had negotiated the marriage, says in her memoirs that "... the King married the Queen...in the Presence Chamber of His Majesty's House. There was a rail across the upper part of the room, in which entered only the King and Queen, the Bishop of London (Dr. Gilbert Sheldon), the Marquis Desande, the Portuguese Ambassador and my husband; in the other part of the room there were many of the nobility and servants to their majesties." http://history.inportsmouth.co.uk…
Bill • Link
"met my Lord Chamberlain upon the walls of the garrison, who owned and spoke to me"
To OWN.
1. To acknowledge; to avow for one's own.
2. To possess; to claim; to hold by right.
3. To avow.
4. To confess; not to deny.
---A Dictionary Of The English Language. Samuel Johnson, 1756.
Bill • Link
"This evening came a merchantman in the harbour, which we hired at London to carry horses to Portugall.
On April 11, the day after SP learned that "the Queen is resolved to embarque for England this week," he had seen "men and horse" being dispatched to Portugal from Deptford.
Sasha Clarkson • Link
I have always found marriage by proxy to be a most peculiar idea. Of course, the King consummated it by proxy too, with lady Castlemaine!
Margaret Rose • Link
"Sir W. Pen got trimmed before me, and so took the coach to Portsmouth to wait on my Lord Steward to church, and sent the coach for me back again." So this means that Sam was playing around when he should have been dressing, and had to wait for the carriage to come back. Can you imagine the conversation?
"Sam, you're late again. What was it this time?"
"Sorry, Sir Will, but I couldn't find my buttons!"
Louise Hudson • Link
Just as well Sam wouldn't take Elizabeth along. The bed would have been crowded with the doctor in it.
Sasha Clarkson • Link
"playing around when he should have been dressing"? Men generally slept in their clothes in inns in those days: it's unlikely to have been fresh linen!
Penn might have been in a hurry to get to see Ormonde, because of his extensive land holdings in Ireland, acquired in dubious circumstances from dispossessed Royalists during the civil war. After the restoration, some were restored to their previous owners, but wily old Penn managed to get some other lands in exchange: according to the second link below, "This land was already largely settled with Protestant tenants under their previous land owner, a Colonel Wallis." One might guess from this that although major Royalist landowners had their lands restored, their tenants were not so fortunate.
http://www.macroom.ie/tourism/216…
http://celebratingcorkpast.com/pe…
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘own, v. . . 3. trans. . . c. To acknowledge as an acquaintance; to recognize as familiar. Now Irish English, Sc., and Eng. regional (north.).
. . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 27 Apr. (1970) III. 71, I..met my Lord Chamberlaine..who owned and spoke to me.
. . 1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. 20 Awn, to own or acknowledge, as a friend or acquaintance, that is . . ‘
Terry Foreman • Link
"I followed him in the crowd of gallants through the Queen’s lodgings to chappell; the rooms being all rarely furnished, and escaped hardly being set on fire yesterday."
L&M: Lodgings had been prepared for Catherine of Braganza in Government House ('God's House'), residence of the Governor. Charles and his Queen were married there by proxy on 21 May: Mem. Lady Fanshawe (1829), p. 144; Sandwich, p. 139.
Third Reading
Ruslan • Link
Working versions of Vincent's horse links:
Equestrian Portrait of Charles I - https://web.archive.org/web/20050…
King Charles II and Jane Lane riding to Bristol - https://www.npg.org.uk/collection…
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I have always found marriage by proxy to be a most peculiar idea."
The local royals and nobles wanted to see their girl in her wedding finery, and to have a big party. Then they sent her off, already secure in her vows, to her husband, where the receiving party got to have their party. She got married twice to make sure the finality of the situation was well imprinted in her mind,
No jets -- no TV -- no Zoom -- having all those leaders leave the country for a bash in another country left them open to revolts and sedition.
This was the logical compromise.
London Miss • Link
The salt cellar is now owned by the London Goldsmiths Company. Here it is, just as described:
https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/c…