The Story So Far: 1665
January 1665
A great frost welcomes the New Year (3) as Sam sets about his business of felling lumber (3, 12), discussing ships to be built (11), meeting with the King and Privy Council (15) and Povy’s accounts (16, 18, 19, 20). The Dutch activity includes Holmes’ imprisonment in the Tower (9), confusion over lost ships (13, 14) and a letter from Allin with his naval information (23). Sam is pleased to receive money from Sir George Carteret for work related to flags (28).
On the personal side, Sam and Elizabeth argue over their maid Jane (5, 6, 31) and Sam continues to be ‘vexed’ by women. He meets Bagwell (2, 23) and finally, after many attempts, finds himself alone with Gervais’ Jane (27), who has pledged herself to a lowly fiddler (2, 13, 20). His cozen Percivall Angier and Dr. Tom Pepys both die this month (19).
Sam enjoys three plays, ‘Love in a Tubb’ (4), ‘The Traytor’ (13) and ‘Vulpone’ (14). He sees the Royal Society Charter and Law book (9), buys Hooke’s Microscopicall Observations (20), and decides to have the books in his study all bound in the same binding (18).
February 1665
With Tangier related work (2, 6, 16), Povy’s accounts (8, 16), Sandwich’s naval fleet manoeuvres (3), false reports of Dutch activity (23, 27) and the King’s passage of the 2,500,000l. bill (10) in the background, Sam juggles home stresses, indulges in a special interest and enjoys in court gossip.
Sam finds discord with Elizabeth (4, 28) over her handling of the termination of their maid Jane (3). When Batten becomes very ill, Sam ponders if he will live (6, 7) while the death of Mr. Barlow (9) leaves Sam richer as he is relieved of his payment obligations. In exchange for a letter requesting a better position for her husband, Sam once again delights in Batten’s wife (14, 20).
Sam gladly writes of his new book bindings that it “is now a pleasant sight to see my whole study of almost one binding” (3, 5, 10). Sam is proud to take a draught of Portsmouth Harbour by Lord Sandwich off to be made into a chart as a gift for the King, Duke of York and Lord Sandwich himself (18, 27). Sam is admitted to the Royal Society and is fascinated by the work of Boyle and Hooke (15).
Lady Sandwich and Sam discuss potential husbands for her daughters, court stories of masquerades with vizards and the shameful antics of a court beauty Miss Jennings (3, 21). Sam sees the beginning of the Lord Chancellor’s new home, which has already been nicknamed “Dunkirke House” by the Chancellor’s detractors (20).
March 1665
War is proclaimed (albeit unofficially) on the Royal Exchange (4) and Sam attends a farewell dinner for Holmes who is released from the Tower (14). The ‘London’, Sir Lawson’s ship, sinks, killing about 300 people (8). Betty Martin (formerly Lane) gives birth to a son (9) and continues to beg Sam to find a job for her errant husband, who has been keeping a mistress in France.
Sam presents Lord Sandwich the chart which Sam had made for him. Lord Sandwich likes it “mightily” (5). Lady Sandwich continues discussions about the potential of Sir George Carteret’s son as a husband for Lady Jemimah.
Sam gives Elizabeth 20l. for Easter clothing (1) and has his tailor see to it that his clothing is in order (21). Sharp appearance will no doubt come in handy as Sam finds himself in a position to replace Povy in the highly visible role of Treasurer to the Committee of Tangier. His placement is confirmed with a show of confidence among the Duke and other Committee members (20) and his contract with Povy is completed (27).
Sam celebrates his seven year anniversary of the cutting of his stone (26). He also attends several experiments and lectures as a member of the Royal Society (1, 8, 15, 22).
April 1665
Much of this month centers on the debts of the Navy and their need for additional funds (1, 10, 12). Sam continues to work on issues related to his new role as Treasurer to the Committee of Tangier (14, 15, 18, 19). Naval activities include Sam’s studying of maps (16), payments to the merchant Andrews (20, 21) and the taking of three Dutch Men-of-War (16, 17).
Sam scores a major recognition (17, 28) when the King sees him in Whitehall and calls him by name and “did discourse with me about the ships in the River; and this is the first time that ever I knew the King did know me personally; so that hereafter I must not go thither, but with expectation to be questioned, and to be ready to give good answers.” The downside of this recognition is that now Sam needs to be cautious that the King doesn’t spot him ‘in any pleasure’ and upon spotting the King in the park (24) soon after, quickly departs to ensure that he keeps up appearances.