Thursday 28 June 1660
My brother Tom came to me with patterns to choose for a suit. I paid him all to this day, and did give him 10l. upon account.
To Mr. Coventry, who told me that he would do me all right in my business.
To Sir G. Downing, the first visit I have made him since he came. He is so stingy a fellow I care not to see him; I quite cleared myself of his office, and did give him liberty to take any body in. Hawly and he are parted too, he is going to serve Sir Thos. Ingram.
I went also this morning to see Mrs. Pierce, the chirurgeon[‘s wife]. I found her in bed in her house in Margaret churchyard. Her husband returned to sea. I did invite her to go to dinner with me and my wife to-day. After all this to my Lord, who lay a-bed till eleven o’clock, it being almost five before he went to bed, they supped so late last night with the King.
This morning I saw poor Bishop Wren going to Chappel, it being a thanksgiving-day1 for the King’s return.
After my Lord was awake, I went up to him to the Nursery, where he do lie, and, having talked with him a little, I took leave and carried my wife and Mrs. Pierce to Clothworkers’-Hall, to dinner, where Mr. Pierce, the Purser, met us. We were invited by Mr. Chaplin, the Victualler, where Nich. Osborne was. Our entertainment very good, a brave hall, good company, and very good music. Where among other things I was pleased that I could find out a man by his voice, whom I had never seen before, to be one that sang behind the curtaine formerly at Sir W. Davenant’s opera. Here Dr. Gauden and Mr. Gauden the victualler dined with us. After dinner to Mr. Rawlinson’s, to see him and his wife, and would have gone to my Aunt Wight, but that her only child, a daughter, died last night.
Home and to my Lord, who supped within, and Mr. E. Montagu, Mr. Thos. Crew, and others with him sat up late. I home and to bed.
36 Annotations
First Reading
helena murphy • Link
Downing, self righteous and despicable, was one of the least attractive figures of the era. Pepys,the humanitarian, would have been repulsed by Downing's brutality concerning the punishment of the Quaker , James Naylor. Neither does his later entrapment of the regicides in Holland add to his reputation. One senses that this was not done out of principle or royalist sentiment but rather to ingratiate himself even further with the Stuart Court.
steve h • Link
The levee
One of the curious things about the 17th century, especialy, the common practice of visiting people while they are still in bad. Not sick people, but just those who haven't yet got up. It's hard to imagine people visiting Bush or Blair or Rupert Murdoch as they sit in their jammies under rumpled bedclothes, and having a conversation. Note also that Pepys visits women as well as men in this situation. How persistent was the custom, I wonder, and where did it it originate, and did Louis XIV make it more popular?
Jenny Doughty • Link
Why 'poor Bishop Wren'? Because he had been a prisoner?
I note with amusement Pepys' good ear for music in being able to discern the man who sang 'behind the curtain' by his voice, and his characteristic of being pleased with himself for noticing it.
'Home and to my Lord, who supped within' - what does this mean? That Pepys went home first and then went to Montague's and supped with him or that Montague ate at home and Pepys did not eat with him?
Alan Bedford • Link
Sir William Davenant was an English poet and dramatist. I have added some sketchy notes and useful links at: http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
He introduced opera into Britain in 1656 (both the word and the concept of dramatic pageant set to music, although they were probably similar to the 'masques' of the pre-Civil War era.) The performances and performers were clearly familiar to Sam.
john simmons • Link
Steve, re Louis and his levee, coucher: He turned it into court theatre, morning and night, rising and going to bed. Only those with the "grande entrees" were present to watch him dress and undress, prepare for his day and night. Saint Simon is the best reference, the translation by Lucy Norton gives one a great view of the daily routine at the French court. It was a deliberate political policy, emasculating the great nobles who had driven him from Paris as a boy during The Fronde.
Glyn • Link
Back in January, Pepys was worried sick about losing his job with George Downing; now he couldn't care less.
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
vincent • Link
Glyn: thanks for that observation. What a difference a day can make. Oh! for that 20/20 vision of the future??? Oh well just play your cards and see them fall.
helena murphy • Link
To visit in the morning while the host or hostess was in bed may have also signified social acceptance or a degree of social equality previously denied one. Considering that society feasted and gambled right through the early hours of the morning at least ensured Pepys of finding Montague at home and in his bed for the conducting of business. People were then also less inhibited about such practices as they shared rooms ,and servants of rank often slept in the master bedroom to be on call if so needed in the course of the night.
Tim Williams • Link
I seem to recall reading that Winston Churchill often worked in bed until late in the AM and received callers in that state.
chip • Link
Any chance Pepys literally found Mrs. Pierce (or Pearse) in bed? Or am I reading too much into the following line that her husband is out to sea? I find it charming too that he is so tickled with his ear power to note, with glee, recognizing the mystery singer by voice alone. And he is so clever, already socializing with victuallers. No doubt, he sees his ladder....
vincent • Link
"I found her in bed in her house in Margaret churchyard. Her husband returned to sea. I did invite her to go to dinner with me and my wife to-day. "
'tis interesting the mores of the day.
'Tis like the Gallics love les escargot and the Brits put up their nose. The Brits love their winkles and the French , think how ghastly. 'Tis how well we are indoctrinated and have control over the lower brain. The showing of ones navel is so b***** boring now when at one time the male of the species would have ?.
Mary • Link
Churchill's morning habits
Not only did Churchill regularly conduct morning meetings from his bed; he also gave his secretary at Chartwell dictation whilst taking his morning bath, though she preferred to sit just the other side of the half-open bathroom door rather than actually in the bathroom with him.
Glyn • Link
to my Aunt Wight, but that her only child, a daughter, died last night
Pepys is very matter-of-fact about it, especially as he likes Mary Wight, but childhood mortality was tragically commonplace at this time, and most children wouldn't survive to reach adulthood.
But still, poor woman, especially in her condition: she's six-months pregnant. I wonder if she knows that she's going to have twins? (Both girls.)
Glyn • Link
Actually, that's meant to be a question particularly to any women who read this diary but who never post their own comments. Would Aunt Wight be able to tell that she is expecting twins at the 6-month stage? Or is it likely to be a surprise to her?
Jenny Doughty • Link
She might wonder that she is 'big for dates' but probably wouldn't be sure that there were twins. I read a book recently called 'A Midwife's Tale', edited by historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, which is the diary of a real midwife named Martha Ballard who practised here in Maine between 1785 and 1812, and at no time does she mention being able to detect twins before they were born. Anybody who is interested can read more of Martha Ballard, and read her diary, at http://www.dohistory.org/ .
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"I was pleased that I could find out a man by his voice, whom I had never seen before, to be one that sang behind the curtaine formerly at Sir W. Davenant’s opera. "
L&M note this was either *The Siege of Rhodes* ( http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo… ), first presented at Rutland House in 1656, or *The cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru* ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_… ), first presented at the Cockpit Theatre, Drury Lane, in 1658.
Dick Wilson • Link
A few months ago Pepys was afraid that Downing was going to fire him; now he can't wait to be rid of the man. Not only that, but he paid his brother up to date and gave him a 10 Pound advance! How to rub a sibling's nose in your success.
Pepys' fortunes have changed, and he enjoys it.
As for poor Aunt Wright: my mother was an unexpected twin, in 1907. My grandparents, parents, mother's twin, my older brother, and my parents-in-law, all lost a child. It makes you hug the ones you've got a little closer.
Terry Foreman • Link
Knowing the tailor's trade, as he does, it having been their father's, and Tom's character a bit, methinks Samuel is concerned about Tom's tailoring business, not flaunting his own new success. Stay tuned.
Bill • Link
I'm sure Tom is impressed with Sam's success, as Sam means him to be, but Sam's success will involve spending some of that money he's been collecting and fancy new clothes will be high on the list. Keeping it in the family is a bonus.
Terry Foreman • Link
Wikipedia continues the thread begun by steve h and john simmons
The levee (from the French word lever, meaning "getting up" or "rising") was traditionally a daily moment of intimacy and accessibility to a monarch or leader. It started out as a royal custom, but in America, it later came to refer to a reception by the king’s representatives and, even later, by the president. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev…
Terry Foreman • Link
"I took leave and carried my wife and Mrs. Pierce to Clothworkers’-Hall, to dinner, where Mr. Pierce, the Purser, met us. We were invited by Mr. Chaplin, the Victualler, where Nich. Osborne was. "
The company hall in Mincing Lane was a 16th-century building reconstructed in 1633-34. Both Pepys (in 1667-8) and his host, Francis Chaplin (in 1668-9), later served as Masters of the Company. (Per L&M note)
Terry Foreman • Link
"To Sir G. Downing, the first visit I have made him since he came. He is so stingy a fellow I care not to see him; I quite cleared myself of his office, and did give him liberty to take any body in. Hawly and he are parted too, he is going to serve Sir Thos. Ingram."
L&M: Merchant; later member of the Council for Trade. Several months later Hawley appears to be still in Downing's service, and announces that he is looking for a job with the Bishop of London: https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
Terry Foreman • Link
"This morning I saw poor Bishop Wren going to Chappel, it being a thanksgiving-day1 for the King’s return."
L&M: Matthew Wren, Bishop of Ely since 1638, and enemy of the Puritans, had been imprisoned in the Tower for 18 years during the revolution. He was the uncle of Sir Christopher Wren. This thanksgiving service was appointed by the King (on the address of both houses) to be held in all churches: Steele, no. 3222. Similar services were held in later years on 29 May: see https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… The preacher on this occasion in Whitehall Chapel was Sheldon.
Terry Foreman • Link
"Here Dr. Gauden and Mr. Gauden the victualler dined with us."
L&M: John Gauden, Dean of Bocking, Essex, in November is appointed Bishop of Exeter; and his brother Denis Gauden, victualler to the Navy in several ports and in October appointed Surveyor-General if Victualling. The latter was to become a close associate of Pepys.
Third Reading
MartinVT • Link
For a second day in a row, Sam shows his auditory prowess. Yesterday by remarking on the acoustics of his old room now that the bed is gone; today by identifying the singer who is hidden behind a curtain. And as mentioned yesterday, earlier over in Holland, by appreciating the echo effects of an area under the porch at Huis Ten Bosch.
Terry Foreman • Link
By the King. A proclamation for setting apart a day of solemn and publick thanksgiving throughout the whole kingdom
England and Wales. Sovereign (1660-1685 : Charles II), Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685.
London: Printed by Christopher Barker and John Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 1660. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo…
LKvM • Link
Sam's ear was extraordinary, and I would imagine his voice was too. I read somewhere in these comments that he was a bass (which primarily harmonizes), but I like to think his voice is the more versatile bass-baritone and that he carried the melody as well.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Both Pepys (in 1667-8) and his host, Francis Chaplin (in 1668-9), later served as Masters of the Company. (Per L&M note)"
That should read 1677-78.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"After my Lord was awake, I went up to him to the Nursery, where he do lie, ..."
This caught me, and all I can guess is that Montagu is now using his Whitehall apartment, but the painting and redecorating is underway, so he is sleeping in what used to be the nursery. Once his bedhead is reupholstered in the latest French fashion, etc., he'll move back into the adult quarters.
San Diego Sarah • Link
Glyn, if you're still around, please would you give your sources for the twins and premature information?
"'to my Aunt Wight, but that her only child, a daughter, died last night'
"... But still, poor woman, especially in her condition: she's six-months pregnant. I wonder if she knows that she's going to have twins? (Both girls.)"
I don't see anything Pepys says to lead us into this conversation -- maybe you've been reading ahead?
And in answer to your questions, multiple children are always a surprise. But today we have ultrasounds, so twins and triplets are easy to spot and prepare for. After that, there's always room for a stowaway, even today.
San Diego Sarah • Link
To clarify some of the above:
L&M: Sir George Downing: He had returned from Holland in May. His meanness is well attested elsewhere, and may have been another factor in his commercial acumen.
L&M: John Hawley – A colleague of Pepys at the Exchequer at the start of the Diary, where they were both clerks to George Downing c 1658-60. In March 1658, George Downing refers to Hawley as "my servant at my house;" by the following September he was living at Major Greenleaf's in the Axe Yard. According to the Diary he was clerk to the merchant Sir Thos. Ingram 1660-61, ...
L&M: Sir Thomas Ingram: Merchant; kt. 1639 (d. 1671). Son of Sir Arthur (d. 1642) who was Secretary to the Council of the North. Gentleman of the Privy Chamber 1660 ...
San Diego Sarah • Link
"After all this to my Lord, who lay a-bed till eleven o’clock, it being almost five before he went to bed, they supped so late last night with the King."
The public dinner with the Speaker last night ran very late. Do you think Charles stayed until 5 a.m. also -- meaning no one could leave earlier? Or did Sandwich and some of the other gentlemen bring out the gaming tables after the King had left?
If Charles stayed, he would have had to be up and at church to observe his own Thanksgiving service today, although Pepys doesn't mention seeing him.
It must have been hard work being King in those days. Church, meetings and decisions all day long, followed by entertaining all evening. But Charles is only 30 -- yawn.
RLB • Link
Unlike most (all?) of the pubs mentioned, the Clothworkers' Hall is still there, and still in the same location as it was in Pepys' time. Well, *a* Clothworkers' Hall is still there, for reasons which will become clear in six years' time... but the current one was built by the same Livery Company as all the previous ones. https://www.clothworkers.co.uk/ab… https://www.clothworkers.co.uk/hi…
Apparently, they also still serve food, though I haven't been able to find whether they provide that service to members on a daily basis or only cater for events.
It shouldn't be surprising that Sam dined there, even if he was not yet (as Terry Foreman has noted he would later be) its Master. That would only be seven years from now, so he was probably already a member and it was presumably a family thing: his father and brother were both in the trade as tailors. Though still slightly surprising: why not be members of the Company of Merchant Taylors? They are, after all, 7th in the order of precedence, while the Clothworkers are "only" 12th.
San Diego Sarah • Link
Wikipedia tries to answer yRLB's question about why the tailors belong to the less prestigeous Clothworkers Guild instead of the highly regarded Merchant Taylors:
The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors was at first an association of tailors. By the end of the 17th century, its connection with the tailoring trade had virtually ceased and it became what it is today, a philanthropic and social association ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wor…
The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1528, formed by the amalgamation of its two predecessor companies, the Fullers (incorporated 1480) and the Shearmen (incorporated 1508). It succeeded to the position of the Shearmen's Company and thus ranks 12th in the order of precedence of Livery Companies of the City of London.
The original craft of the Clothworkers was the finishing of woven woollen cloth: fulling it to mat the fibres and remove the grease, drying it on tenter frames raising the nap with teasels (Dipsacus) and shearing it to a uniform finish. The Ordinances of The Clothworkers' Company, first issued in 1532 and signed by Sir Thomas More, sought to regulate clothworking, to maintain standards and to protect approved practices.
From the later Middle Ages, cloth production gradually moved away from London, a situation exacerbated by the Great Fire of London ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wor…
So the tailors had joined the guild that worked for them, as opposed to the rich social club.
Stephane Chenard • Link
Something else happened today. The Parliamentary Intelligencer (No. 27, for June 25 through July 2) will shortly inform us, matter-of-factly and seemingly without anyone else taking notice, that OMG, someone almost kill'd the King.
******
On Thursday [today, June 28], being the day appointed for the Thanksgiving for his sacred Majesties restauration, in his Majesties passage between the Guard-chamber, and his Closet, stood a person neer up to the wall with a drawn sword under his cloak, which was not for some time discovered; but his Majesty passing to the Closet, George Charnock, Serjeant at Arms, casting his eye about for the security of his Majesties person, discovered the glittering of the Sword, and thereupon presently with his Mace seized on the person, took from him the said naked sword, and upon view found the same to be a short sword, back hilted, hacked half way down from the point, a weapon fit for a dangerous design, but by the care and prudence of that Gentleman, his Majesties faithful servant, all intended mischief was prevented, the person secured, and his Majesty informed thereof by the Right Honorable and truly Noble Lord, the Earl of Pembroke, and the party remains under examination.
******
And that's it, folks, nothing to see here, move along now. We're used to bigmouths being hauled to the Tower after blurting out their regicide plans in taverns, but here we get the glittering of the Sword, the Secret Service lunging, the serjeant's expert eye on the hacked-off blade, wow.
Amid all the pageants and the bonfires and the dinners overflowing with glee at Charles' return, a few malcontents do lurk - to wit, a "Capt. Hen. Cleer" (hmm - sounds Dutch to me) who, full of bold talk "that he would sheathe his sword in the King's blood, lurks about in disguise, and was yesterday seen stealing upstairs at Whitehall" - this in a letter that "Chas. Fulwood" will pen next July 26, now founde in the State Papers ("sheathing my sword" in various parts of the king being quite a popular expression among plotters). And we're pretty sure we saw (but where??) a report of the guard being doubled in happy-go-lucky Whitehall, just in case.
Charnock had been restored to his job as serjeant at arms (and king's escort, then) just six weeks ago (https://www.british-history.ac.uk…). In 15 years, on 8 June 1675, he will still be "Sir George Charnock, Serjeant at Arms", attending the Lord Keeper in Parliament (https://dokumen.pub/the-law-and-t…) after, perhaps, his keen eye had chang'd the course of history.
Stephane Chenard • Link
>And we're pretty sure we saw (but where??) a report of the guard being doubled in happy-go-lucky Whitehall, just in case
Found it - in Venetian ambassador Francesco Giavarina's weekly dispatch, dated July 23 (new style, and so about a couple of weeks after that aborted attack on the king): Writing of Presbyterian plots, and noting that "there are many Presbyterians in the house of Commons", Giavarina writes that "they have increased the guards at Whitehall. Besides the double sentries on foot they have added two on horse at every approach." Happily, "this does not prevent the king from going out every day and engaging in hunting and other recreations in which he most delights."
Giavarina's letters (and more) are at https://www.british-history.ac.uk…