A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
Does anyone have access to Williamson's explanation for his bad intelligence on François de Vendôme, Duc de Beaufort's intentions? Yes, an invasion from Ireland was a constant worry for 1,000 years, but Williamson seems to have totally lost track of the French fleet at a time he should have made that a priority.
"By and by comes Mr. Wayth to me; and discoursing of our ill success, he tells me plainly from Captain Page’s own mouth (who hath lost his arm in the fight), that the Dutch did pursue us two hours before they left us, and then they suffered us to go on homewards, and they retreated towards their coast: which is very sad news."
Curious neither of these biographies include something as significant as his lost arm. Of course, I'm sure he could be a good Captain with only one if someone else holds the compass or spyglass.
The Galloper is a sandbank, around 50 km offshore from the Felixstowe area, around 11.5 km long and less than 1 km wide. The general depth of the area is 30-50 m to the west and 20-30 m to the east. However the depth over the Galloper itself decreases from 20 m to as little as 2 m. The geology is predominantly gravel and sand over the London Clay. The tidal range in the character area is within the range of 3-4 m at Mean Spring Tide (DTI 2004).
As a result of its proximity to the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe the northern half of the area comes within the jurisdiction of the Harwich regulatory system. It is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables and traffic separation and is covered by Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). The southern half of the area does not fall under the jurisdiction of Harwich but is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables, changing depths and draught restrictions. A submarine network cable runs north-south through the area connecting the United States with the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.
The Galloper sandbank is avoided by shipping. The area has potential to contain submerged prehistoric landscapes, features or artifacts, having been dry land prior to 8000 BP. However, no investigation work is known to have been done in this area.
In 2007 planning consent was given to Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd for the construction of a windfarm comprising 140 turbines over two sites. The larger site covers much of the Galloper sandbanks, the second site is on the Gabbard sandbanks. Overall the area is expected to produce 500 MW of energy - enough to power 415,000 homes, more than the domestic demands of Suffolk.
An enjoyable history of Colchester, with lots of photos of things from Roman times through Essex witches and the famous siege at the end of the third Civil War. https://www.anglotopia.net/britis…
Anthony Ashley-Cooper was not a religious man. In the late 1660's John Locke became his family doctor and tutor. At this time Lord Ashley was also taking a keen interest in Carolina (a vast stretch of land he shared with 7 other lords). In 1669 Locke wrote a revealing sentence in the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina that, “Every freeman of Carolina shall have absolute power and authority over his negro slaves.”
I differ with cgs' opinion on 6 Jun 2009 'Answer: from Sam yesterday: '"took post about three this morning, and were here between eleven and twelve" 8 hrs average gallop be 10 mph? 'I be error in previous post sorry"
These men were both exhausted and injured. They may have ridden as fast as they could, but a healthy, rested human with nothing else on his mind could do it faster than 8 hours. Their report was verbal, not written, so there could be no replacements.
I thought homing pigeons had been used for message carrying since Roman times. Okay, not an in-depth report, but "send more gunpowder and canon balls ASAP" would seem reasonable.
In all my reading about the Civil Wars, I do not remember any mention of carrier pigeons.
"Charlemagne made pigeon-raising the exclusive privilege of nobility. The Rothschild fortune is said to have been seriously augmented by a pigeon bearing news of the British victory at Waterloo." There must have been some message carrying in between. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/3…
I can find notes about dovecotes being a big deal at country houses, probably for eggs and eating the birds, but nothing about racing or homing pigeons. Curious.
It's well documented that Louis XIV built Versailles with no bathroom facilities. However, I just found out that in the Parisian code of laws, called the “Costume de Paris,” in 1513, it is expressly ordered, that every house should have a privy. More severe punishments for failure to obey were added in 1533. In 1538 the under officers of police were required to inspect houses and to report the names of those who had not complied with the regulation.
I suspect this means that there had to be a room in the house, but if there were no sewers, what good is the room? The chamber pot needs to be emptied, regardless of where it is kept.
Anyone who has had a loved one in battle knows how Pepys, Evelyn, James and Charles -- and the rest of country -- felt. Waiting and not knowing is the pits. My adopted son finishes 20 years in the Navy at the end of this month. There have been entries which I found much too close to today's truth for comfort. He's out in one piece, thank you God, sporting a very elegant tattoo.
I think you're right, Clydewiesner. She must be aware of Pepys' admiration for the likes of 17th century Beyonce or Miley Cyrus. Heady company for his time.
"So you can see the cheerful attitude of the time in their pots and their dress."
That's what survivors do after dreadful wars. They drown their sorrows, numb their emotions, eat and drink too much, make babies, and write clever poetry and books about the meaning of life. The Roaring Twenties. The Swinging Sixties. Woodstock in the middle of the Vietnam War.
In this case, a lot of motherless boys were trying to be men, including their King who had terrible nightmares and told the same stories over and over and over again -- I think it's fair to say Charles II had untreated PTSD.
Pepys doesn't have an excuse, besides wanting to do what everyone else is doing, being one of the boys, and/or keeping up with the Joneses.
"The Henry, shattered as she was, her Commander disabled, and great part of her crew killed or wounded was carried safely into Harwich. Sir John Harman, having the next day refitted her, as well as the time and circumstances would permit him, and hoping to share in the honor of the last day's engagement, put to sea (notwithstanding his broken leg) but unfortunately, as Sir John thought, the action was over before he reached the fleet." -- Biographia Navalis. J. Charnock, 1794.
Good to know Pepys' old friend, Capt. John Taylor, is earning his keep as Navy Commissioner to Harwich. See http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
"... and thence to the Abbey, and so to Mrs. Martin, and there did what ‘je voudrais avec her … So by and by he come in, and after some discourse with him ..."
This is a first ... we have gotten through 26 annotations without any comments on Pepys and Mrs. Martin having an adventurous romp (sounds like his first time for one position) ... possibly at Westminster Abbey.
And no one has speculated on the conversation between Pepys and "he" (presumably Mr. Martin) who almost walked in on their tryst ... so it probably wasn't at the Abbey after all.
Pepys was still under the impression it was a good day when all this happened; since he wrote the Diary after he found out it was a lousy day, I'm surprised he included the interlude at all. He's obviously very fond of her by now, despite her bad housekeeping and other "friends" and wanton behavior.
L&M: The Four Days' Battle -- the sharpest engagement of the war fought between the N. Foreland and the Essex coast during 1-4 June, 1666. See https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… .
It was a victory for the Dutch, although its effects were to some extent offset by the English victory in the Battle of St. James's Day (25 July, 1666) see https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
Aldeburgh was an important little town on the crumbling coast of Suffolk. There was a shipbuilding tradition there, with a population of fewer than 300 people. Apparently Capt. Thomas Elliott came from there, and when he retired from the Navy he lived there.
SPOILER: When Pepys runs for Parliament after the Diary, James, Duke of York wants him to represent Aldeburgh. And his local campaign manager was Capt. Elliott.
For more information about their relationship and the election, see the 1660-1690 History of the Aldeburgh seat.
Although Pepys doesn't give Capt. Elliott much Diary space, they must have been on good terms because, SPOILER, when Pepys runs for Parliament for Aldeburgh in 1669, Capt. Elliott is his local campaign manager.
For more information about their relationship and that election, see the 1660-1690 History of the Aldeburgh seat (it was what would be called a Rotten Borough years later -- although it was a ship building town, an inflated estimate of how many people lived there in 1688 was 300).
Let us not forget what Pepys said about Chancellor of the Exchequer Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the Lord Ashley MP: “Lord Ashly will rob the Devil and the Alter, but he will get money if it be to be got.” – Diary, September 9, 1665
Fund raising is the function of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I have not seen any historical reports that the already wealthy Lord Ashley engaged in personal enrichment that way. Maybe Yeabsley brought flowers?
Comments
Second Reading
About Winchelsea, Sussex
San Diego Sarah • Link
A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
For some beautiful photos and more history about this magnificent now land-locked port: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/…...
About Cinque Ports
San Diego Sarah • Link
A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
For some beautiful photos and more history about this magnificent now land-locked port: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/…
About Friday 8 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
Does anyone have access to Williamson's explanation for his bad intelligence on François de Vendôme, Duc de Beaufort's intentions? Yes, an invasion from Ireland was a constant worry for 1,000 years, but Williamson seems to have totally lost track of the French fleet at a time he should have made that a priority.
About Capt. Thomas Page
San Diego Sarah • Link
"By and by comes Mr. Wayth to me; and discoursing of our ill success, he tells me plainly from Captain Page’s own mouth (who hath lost his arm in the fight), that the Dutch did pursue us two hours before they left us, and then they suffered us to go on homewards, and they retreated towards their coast: which is very sad news."
Curious neither of these biographies include something as significant as his lost arm. Of course, I'm sure he could be a good Captain with only one if someone else holds the compass or spyglass.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
About Galloper Sand
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Galloper is a sandbank, around 50 km offshore from the Felixstowe area, around 11.5 km long and less than 1 km wide. The general depth of the area is 30-50 m to the west and 20-30 m to the east. However the depth over the Galloper itself decreases from 20 m to as little as 2 m. The geology is predominantly gravel and sand over the London Clay. The tidal range in the character area is within the range of 3-4 m at Mean Spring Tide (DTI 2004).
As a result of its proximity to the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe the northern half of the area comes within the jurisdiction of the Harwich regulatory system. It is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables and traffic separation and is covered by Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). The southern half of the area does not fall under the jurisdiction of Harwich but is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables, changing depths and draught restrictions. A submarine network cable runs north-south through the area connecting the United States with the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.
The Galloper sandbank is avoided by shipping. The area has potential to contain submerged prehistoric landscapes, features or artifacts, having been dry land prior to 8000 BP. However, no investigation work is known to have been done in this area.
In 2007 planning consent was given to Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd for the construction of a windfarm comprising 140 turbines over two sites. The larger site covers much of the Galloper sandbanks, the second site is on the Gabbard sandbanks. Overall the area is expected to produce 500 MW of energy - enough to power 415,000 homes, more than the domestic demands of Suffolk.
For more info, see https://archaeologydataservice.ac…
About Colchester, Essex
San Diego Sarah • Link
An enjoyable history of Colchester, with lots of photos of things from Roman times through Essex witches and the famous siege at the end of the third Civil War.
https://www.anglotopia.net/britis…
About Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper (Baron Ashley, Chancellor of the Exchequer)
San Diego Sarah • Link
Anthony Ashley-Cooper was not a religious man. In the late 1660's John Locke became his family doctor and tutor. At this time Lord Ashley was also taking a keen interest in Carolina (a vast stretch of land he shared with 7 other lords). In 1669 Locke wrote a revealing sentence in the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina that, “Every freeman of Carolina shall have absolute power and authority over his negro slaves.”
So much for the Father of the Enlightenment.
https://daily.jstor.org/william-b…
About Long Reach
San Diego Sarah • Link
A View of Erith and Long Reach on the river Thames, 1795
http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/bex…
About Tuesday 5 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
I differ with cgs' opinion on 6 Jun 2009
'Answer: from Sam yesterday:
'"took post about three this morning, and were here between eleven and twelve"
8 hrs average gallop be 10 mph?
'I be error in previous post sorry"
These men were both exhausted and injured. They may have ridden as fast as they could, but a healthy, rested human with nothing else on his mind could do it faster than 8 hours. Their report was verbal, not written, so there could be no replacements.
About Tuesday 5 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
I thought homing pigeons had been used for message carrying since Roman times. Okay, not an in-depth report, but "send more gunpowder and canon balls ASAP" would seem reasonable.
In all my reading about the Civil Wars, I do not remember any mention of carrier pigeons.
"Charlemagne made pigeon-raising the exclusive privilege of nobility. The Rothschild fortune is said to have been seriously augmented by a pigeon bearing news of the British victory at Waterloo." There must have been some message carrying in between.
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/3…
I can find notes about dovecotes being a big deal at country houses, probably for eggs and eating the birds, but nothing about racing or homing pigeons. Curious.
About House of office
San Diego Sarah • Link
It's well documented that Louis XIV built Versailles with no bathroom facilities. However, I just found out that in the Parisian code of laws, called the “Costume de Paris,” in 1513, it is expressly ordered, that every house should have a privy. More severe punishments for failure to obey were added in 1533. In 1538 the under officers of police were required to inspect houses and to report the names of those who had not complied with the regulation.
I suspect this means that there had to be a room in the house, but if there were no sewers, what good is the room? The chamber pot needs to be emptied, regardless of where it is kept.
About Tuesday 5 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
Anyone who has had a loved one in battle knows how Pepys, Evelyn, James and Charles -- and the rest of country -- felt. Waiting and not knowing is the pits. My adopted son finishes 20 years in the Navy at the end of this month. There have been entries which I found much too close to today's truth for comfort. He's out in one piece, thank you God, sporting a very elegant tattoo.
About Sunday 3 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
I think you're right, Clydewiesner. She must be aware of Pepys' admiration for the likes of 17th century Beyonce or Miley Cyrus. Heady company for his time.
About Friday 1 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"So you can see the cheerful attitude of the time in their pots and their dress."
That's what survivors do after dreadful wars. They drown their sorrows, numb their emotions, eat and drink too much, make babies, and write clever poetry and books about the meaning of life. The Roaring Twenties. The Swinging Sixties. Woodstock in the middle of the Vietnam War.
In this case, a lot of motherless boys were trying to be men, including their King who had terrible nightmares and told the same stories over and over and over again -- I think it's fair to say Charles II had untreated PTSD.
Pepys doesn't have an excuse, besides wanting to do what everyone else is doing, being one of the boys, and/or keeping up with the Joneses.
About Sunday 3 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"The Henry, shattered as she was, her Commander disabled, and great part of her crew killed or wounded was carried safely into Harwich. Sir John Harman, having the next day refitted her, as well as the time and circumstances would permit him, and hoping to share in the honor of the last day's engagement, put to sea (notwithstanding his broken leg) but unfortunately, as Sir John thought, the action was over before he reached the fleet." -- Biographia Navalis. J. Charnock, 1794.
Good to know Pepys' old friend, Capt. John Taylor, is earning his keep as Navy Commissioner to Harwich. See http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
About Sunday 3 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... and thence to the Abbey, and so to Mrs. Martin, and there did what ‘je voudrais avec her … So by and by he come in, and after some discourse with him ..."
This is a first ... we have gotten through 26 annotations without any comments on Pepys and Mrs. Martin having an adventurous romp (sounds like his first time for one position) ... possibly at Westminster Abbey.
And no one has speculated on the conversation between Pepys and "he" (presumably Mr. Martin) who almost walked in on their tryst ... so it probably wasn't at the Abbey after all.
Pepys was still under the impression it was a good day when all this happened; since he wrote the Diary after he found out it was a lousy day, I'm surprised he included the interlude at all. He's obviously very fond of her by now, despite her bad housekeeping and other "friends" and wanton behavior.
About Four Days Battle
San Diego Sarah • Link
L&M: The Four Days' Battle -- the sharpest engagement of the war fought between the N. Foreland and the Essex coast during 1-4 June, 1666. See https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… .
It was a victory for the Dutch, although its effects were to some extent offset by the English victory in the Battle of St. James's Day (25 July, 1666) see https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
About Aldeburgh, Suffolk
San Diego Sarah • Link
Aldeburgh was an important little town on the crumbling coast of Suffolk. There was a shipbuilding tradition there, with a population of fewer than 300 people. Apparently Capt. Thomas Elliott came from there, and when he retired from the Navy he lived there.
SPOILER: When Pepys runs for Parliament after the Diary, James, Duke of York wants him to represent Aldeburgh. And his local campaign manager was Capt. Elliott.
For more information about their relationship and the election, see the 1660-1690 History of the Aldeburgh seat.
https://www.historyofparliamenton…
About Capt. Thomas Elliott
San Diego Sarah • Link
Although Pepys doesn't give Capt. Elliott much Diary space, they must have been on good terms because, SPOILER, when Pepys runs for Parliament for Aldeburgh in 1669, Capt. Elliott is his local campaign manager.
For more information about their relationship and that election, see the 1660-1690 History of the Aldeburgh seat (it was what would be called a Rotten Borough years later -- although it was a ship building town, an inflated estimate of how many people lived there in 1688 was 300).
https://www.historyofparliamenton…
About Thomas Yeabsley
San Diego Sarah • Link
Let us not forget what Pepys said about Chancellor of the Exchequer Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the Lord Ashley MP:
“Lord Ashly will rob the Devil and the Alter, but he will get money if it be to be got.” – Diary, September 9, 1665
Fund raising is the function of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I have not seen any historical reports that the already wealthy Lord Ashley engaged in personal enrichment that way. Maybe Yeabsley brought flowers?