Monday 19 August 1661
At the office all the morning; at noon the children are sent for by their mother my Lady Sandwich to dinner, and my wife goes along with them by coach, and she to my father’s and dines there, and from thence with them to see Mrs. Cordery, who do invite them before my father goes into the country, and thither I should have gone too but that I am sent for to the Privy Seal, and there I found a thing1 of my Lord Chancellor’s to be sealed this afternoon, and so I am forced to go to Worcester House, where severall Lords are met in Council this afternoon. And while I am waiting there, in comes the King in a plain common riding-suit and velvet cap, in which he seemed a very ordinary man to one that had not known him. Here I staid till at last, hearing that my Lord Privy Seal had not the seal here, Mr. Moore and I hired a coach and went to Chelsy, and there at an alehouse sat and drank and past the time till my Lord Privy Seal came to his house, and so we to him and examined and sealed the thing, and so homewards, but when we came to look for our coach we found it gone, so we were fain to walk home afoot and saved our money.
We met with a companion that walked with us, and coming among some trees near the Neate houses, he began to whistle, which did give us some suspicion, but it proved that he that answered him was Mr. Marsh (the Lutenist) and his wife, and so we all walked to Westminster together, in our way drinking a while at my cost, and had a song of him, but his voice is quite lost.
So walked home, and there I found that my Lady do keep the children at home, and lets them not come any more hither at present, which a little troubles me to lose their company. This day my aunt Fenner dyed.
30 Annotations
First Reading
Mary House • Link
"...drinking a while at my cost.." I'm amused that Pepys always mentions when he picks up the tab.
Eric Walla • Link
Poor Sam, pining after the children ...
... Is this an indication of his desire for children of his own, or another example of the child within? Or are the two traits in fact intertwined?
The whistling episode also bears noting for the constant watchfulness all travelers must maintain as they go about their business.
Mary • Link
Neate houses.
According to L&M footnote, there were market-gardeners' houses and houses of entertainment on the river-bank opposite Vauxhall.
'Neat' refers to cattle. It is a name applied to the common domestic ox or cow. The neate houses are therefore cattle-sheds.
Glyn • Link
the Neate Houses
http://www.motco.com/Map/81002/im…
That's a shame, Mary; I had hoped he meant "neat" as in "cool" or "ace", and was using Californian slang 300 years ahead of schedule. To find the Neat Houses, click on this map, and then go to the bottom LEFT corner-square and then click on that square's own bottom RIGHT corner. You'll find the Neat Houses leading off from "Chelsea Bridge" over a small river that I suppose has now been built over. This map dates from 85 years after this entry (i.e. 1746) but the ground probably was the same in 1661.
Chelsea, like Pepys' home, is on the north side of the river, and if he walked homeward in a straight line then that would be a distance of almost 5 miles (8 km). However, that would mean crossing the Thames twice. Since they walked to Westminster they probably did NOT cross the river but instead followed it as it curved around, so you can add a little bit more distance to the journey. On the map, Chelsea appears to be completely rural, so it would have been a nice 2-hour walk if the weather was good and you'd finished work for the day, which is presumably why they didn't catch a boat.
A. Hamilton • Link
$10 million
I haven't been paying attention in class, and don't know who the annotator "B." is, but if our earlier exercises in comparative values are roughly right, the correct figure here, in round numbers, should be $2 million.
Nix • Link
The Neate Houses --
Glyn, do you know London well enough to correlate the location shown on the Rocque map with a present-day location? Is there a "Neathouse Row" or some such street name lingering from this old site?
vicente • Link
For L8000, one could get the Queens bed "...The Queenes Bed was an Embrodery of silver on Crimson Velvet. and cost 8000 pounds, being a present made by the states of Holland,...." JE at Hajmpton court 4 june 1662.
JonTom Kittredge • Link
Suspicious Whistling
I was intrigued by the passage "he began to whistle, which did give us some suspicion." I assume that he means that Moore and Pepys feared that the stranger's whistling was a signal for a confederate to come and rob them. It did turn out to be a call, but only to Mr. and Mrs. Marsh. I wonder if the Neat Houses were somewhat disreputable, that Pepys feared robbers lurking among them.
Saul Pfeffer • Link
20,000 L is worth 1.9 Million Ls
according to "How much is it worth today" http://eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp/
which is about US$ 2.56
language hat • Link
"To find the Neat Houses, click on this map"
I'm confused. I clicked on the lower left square, but "then click on that square's own bottom RIGHT corner” made no sense — there were no further squares to click, and most of that section of the map is open fields — where’s the "Chelsea Bridge"?
Glyn • Link
This is a better way to find it:
http://www.motco.com/Map/81002/Se…
and move your cursor to the right.
Sorry Nix, but I have no idea how this relates to present-day Chelsea, perhaps others can do better.
vicente • Link
What happened to the Neate, flowers and fresh veggies and ? Best bet, pre- eminent Domain, did remove production from the people by more enclosures?, so that the noveau riche could have their country houses. The tems at this time be xed by one bridge, totherwise, one used the skill of the skulls.
Modern map. The walk home could have been across the fields, like when I was a Ladd, never did take the long way, horses and cows and milk maids knew better.That may be why our Sam got a frit, not recognising the tune that be played.
http://www.multimap.com/map/brows…
http://www.chelsea-pensioners.org…
The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded in 1682 by King Charles II as a home for soldiers who were unfit for further duty because of injury or old age.
17th Century, see John Evelyn, he was heavily involved in military hospitals.
The Civil War, between Charles I and Parliament, which started in 1642, required changes to the existing arrangements. Therefore, in 1645 Parliament decreed that pensions to disabled soldiers should be paid from national funds, not local taxation.
The Restoration of Charles II, in 1660, and the disbandment of the Parliamentary Army and the return of exiled Royalist forces made the improvement of provision for the welfare of old or disabled soldiers a more pressing matter
strange that the garden show be here behind the "neat farms.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/200…
http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/1…
1692 buildings and river tems.
http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/1…
http://www.chelsea-pensioners.org…
JWB • Link
Waylaid @ the Neate House
Ain't this Col. Blood territory?
maureen • Link
Neate Houses. There is now a Neathouse Place - between Wilton Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road - but to the North of the neat houses shown on the Rocque map. In its present form it is no more than a short tunnel through an ugly building which allows my No 2 bus and others to negotiate the one-way system. The well-ordered canals and lakes may represent reality but could possibly be prettification by the map maker. This was marshy land which, despite intense building all around, was not drained or built upon until the creation of Victoria (rail) Station in 1862. Still mainly rail tracks and yards. LH, the Chelsea Bridge on Rocque is - looks like - a footbridge over the canal just West of the Neate Houses, not the one over the Thames which we know and love. Chelsea Waterworks - bottom of that sheet - is still there, with fine C19 buildings.
Robert Gertz • Link
"... and my wife goes along with them by coach, and she to my father's and dines there, and from thence with them to see Mrs. Cordery, who do invite them before my father goes into the country, and thither I should have gone too but that I am sent for to the Privy Seal…”
The inconsiderate Lord Roberts strikes again! Though Sam must’ve appreciated both the chance to look good in front of Dad and Beth (sent for by the Privy Seal, no less)…Not to mention the chance to offer Beth proof that his lengthy absences from home really do involve important government work (occasionally).
StewartMcI • Link
Saul...
£1.9 million closer to $3.5 million
language hat • Link
Glyn: Thanks for your second map link--worked like a charm!
Pedro • Link
Sandwich on this day 19th August...
"We were bound for Tetuan, but the wind was blowing fresh contrary we came to an anchor in Fuengirola bay within 2 miles of the castle. In the evening Monsieur de Ruyter, his Rear Admiral and one man of war more came to anchor by us. De Ruyter sent his Judge Advocate on board me in compliment...
(Journal of Edward Montagu by Anderson)
Mary • Link
location of the Neat Houses
According to L&M Companion, we are looking at the present-day London district of Pimlico.
Second Reading
Dick Wilson • Link
Poor Aunt Fenner!
Terry Foreman • Link
London district of Pimlico. where the Neat Houses were
https://www.google.com/maps/place…
Terry Foreman • Link
"I am sent for to the Privy Seal, and there I found a thing of my Lord Chancellor’s to be sealed this afternoon"
Dockets for two grants made to Clarendon were issued on the 17th -- one of Cornbury Park, Oxon., and the other of the offices of Bailiff and Ranger of Whichwood Forest, Oxon.: CSPD 1661-2, pp. 65, 66. (L&M note)
These adjoined and today form the civil parish of Cornbury and Wychwood in West Oxfordshire which includes the country estate of Cornbury Park and the ancient former Royal Forest of Wychwood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cor…
Terry Foreman • Link
"Mr. Moore and I hired a coach and went to Chelsy, and there at an alehouse sat and drank and past the time till my Lord Privy Seal came to his house"
Danvers House: see https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… and https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
Third Reading
San Diego Sarah • Link
From Sandwich's log, in the Med.:
August 19. Monday. [SEE PEDRO ABOVE FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE ENTRY]. It continues:
De Ruyter sent his Judge Advocate on board me in compliment. He informed me that off the Northern Cape (2) on the 10/20 July he fell in company with 3 English men-of-war, the Assistance, Capt. Wye commander, who wore a flag in the main top (and they suppose might have the Portuguese Ambassador on board), the Adventure, Capt. Hugh Hide commander, and another small frigate, and 4 merchant ships which I think were loaded with horses upon the Portugal's account. They say they sailed on in company to the Burlings, and they judge the ships arrived at Lisbon the 15/25 July certainly.
Copied from
The Journal of Edward Mountagu,
First Earl of Sandwich
Admiral and General-at-Sea 1659 - 1665
Edited by RC Anderson
Printed for the Navy Records Society
MDCCCCXXIX
Section III - Mediterranean 1661/62
@@@
(1) from Pedro's part -- Fuengirola bay -- between Malaga and Marbella.
(2) the Northern Cape = Finisterre
IF the English Ambassador was aboard the Assistance, he was Sir Richard Fanshawe
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
The Burlings --
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
"loaded with horses upon the Portugal's account" -- George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, had enabled the English to improve the stock of, shall we call them "ceremonial horses" which we also know of as race horses, or at least hunters -- but not the horses Pepys was riding, not the cart horses, and not the stocky traditional breeds we still see on the moorlands of the British Isles.
The 1st Buckingham acquired his initial breeding stock in France and Spain. Portugal has been at war with Spain for years now, so they must have been unable to access fine Spanish horses.
Later we will see letters authorizing the shipment of many horses from Charles II to Louis XIV, so my guess is that English "ceremonial horses" were highly sought-after premium exports and gifts in the 1660s.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"This “thing” was probably one of those large grants which Clarendon quietly, or, as he himself says, “without noise or scandal,” procured from the king."
In Breda and The Hague, Charles II and Edward Hyde had argued back and forth about Hyde's reward for his years of hardship and devotion in exile. Charles wanted him to be a Duke along with Monck, but Hyde said he couldn't afford to be a Duke (these titles come with obligations and responsibilities). Charles promised Hyde that he would make him rich, as he did Monck.
I imagine that was one reason Hyde wasn't elevated to being the Earl of Clarendon until April 20, 1661 (part of the Coronation Honors) was that their debate wasn't settled before Anne Hyde's pregnancy was obvious, and they thought waiting until she was married and the child no longer an issue would be prudent.
But cash is cash, and Hyde is taking his rewards whenever he could.
It would be interesting to know when Albermarle received his equally generous rewards.
And I think Sandwich and Lawson deserved more -- but they are in the Med. about the nation's business -- and out of sight, out of mind.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... I am sent for to the Privy Seal, and there I found a thing of my Lord Chancellor’s to be sealed this afternoon, ..."
I wonder if Pepys connects the Clarendon payment to this problem:
"Wednesday 14 August 1661
'This morning Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen and I waited upon the Duke of York in his chamber, to give him an account of the condition of the Navy for lack of money, and how our own very bills are offered upon the Exchange, to be sold at 20 in the 100 loss. He is much troubled at it, and will speak to the King and Council of it this morning."
Maybe James doesn't know that Charles is paying off his Chancellor right now?
Threre's a fleet of 17 ships to go to Portugal shortly. That takes funds.
Nate Lockwood • Link
Except for the outings do you think that the children were bored to tears? I don't recall Sam mentioning song, music, or games one might play with children. They were away from their familiar beds, servants, and Mom.,
Cynara • Link
Sam’s proximity to the mighty is showing him that even for the king, clothes maketh the man. His own attention to his wardrobe is well-spent.
San Diego Sarah • Link
As usual, Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, clarifies things in his weekly report to the Doge and Senate:
After suspending my communications for some time, during the stay here of the ambassadors extraordinary, who appeared at incredible expense with unequalled splendour, amid the admiration of the whole city, I resume the thread of my service this evening with the scanty news supplied by this barren season.
The meeting of parliament is broken off, from which came the little there was to report, and the Court is about to start on its journey through the kingdom.
After performing all their functions the ambassadors could not get away from London until the day before yesterday, as they had to await the despatches of the Court, which was away from the city the whole week, and the king could only give them Wednesday morning, when he returned.
[So Charles did get a week out of town; not enough time to get to Worcester and back. Anyone know where the Court went? There was a lot of cleaning and rush changing to be done at Whitehall.]
After leaving Court, as reported, the Ambassador Mello was detained for several weeks in the Isle of Wight, owing to contrary winds, and he has only recently got away, so it is supposed that he cannot be at Lisbon yet.
News is eagerly awaited to see what that government will decide about the things arranged by him at this Court. They hope to hear soon, especially because it appears that before the ambassador returns he will be preceded by his secretary with the final ratification of the articles.
Fanscio, who was to go as resident to Lisbon, has not yet started. As he is to go by the fleet now fitting out, it is probable that he may be delayed for some days yet, as the work on these ships is seen to have slowed down, several obstacles standing in the way of the despatch desired by the king, chiefly the shortage of money, which could not be greater, and for this same reason many other things are languishing which call for speedy despatch.
Fanscio = Sir Richard Fanshawe https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
Authentic news comes from The Hague this week of the adjustment between the States of Holland and Portugal, which was first said to be concluded and then seemed uncertain, in spite of two of the Provinces standing aside and protesting against the procedure of the others. (fn. 8)
FOOTNOTE 8. Gelderland and Zeeland.
The treaties have been signed by the Portuguese ambassador, after which he was about to set out for Lisbon to get his master's ratification, for which 3 months are granted and no more.
From this conclusion something of consequence should ensue, since the Portuguese have been liberal in their promises, as they were here over the marriage, and as it is said that many of the same things which have been granted to the British king have been offered to the Batavians as well, it will be interesting to see what will happen.
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION:
It is considered certain that the Dutch have come to this accommodation to see what the Portuguese are in a position to do, since it is impossible for them to keep their promises to both, and they will have to break their word to one, unless the information, which comes from a good source, is wrong.
The English resident at the Hague, Douning, is much annoyed at this procedure and they are not pleased here, but time alone can disclose the result.
Douning = Sir George Downing, envoy extraordinary to the Dutch Republic 1661-5 https://www.historyofparliamenton…
They have heard that the squadron under General Montagu is at the Strait of Gibraltar, passing into the Mediterreanean to humble the pride of the pirates of Algiers who have become more cruel from the ease with which they have carried on their depredations, making themselves a nuisance to all the nations of Christendom. Your Serenity will have better news of this by a shorter way. I only hope that the result will turn to the advantage of my country.
The duchess of York who went to drink certain health-giving waters such as rise in several places of this kingdom from underground springs returned to London the day before yesterday. She seems to have derived harm rather than good from these, and it cannot be said that she is enjoying perfect health at present.
Anne Hyde, Duchess if York might have had the crud that was going around London at the time. Apparently the Court did not go with her: https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
The ambassadors handed to me the ducali of the 29th ult. which reached them this week and I will inform the merchants of what the Senate states concerning the appeal of Edward Wyld, and I will also follow out the instructions concerning Count Strozzi on his arrival.
Perhaps we will learn about Edward Wyld later?
Count Peter Strozzi (1626–1664), was an Austrian general, but that they refer to Peter is my guess:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Str…
Signor Alvise Contarini, son of Pietro, fell sick in France and could not cross with their Excellencies. Being somewhat better he came over alone but was not sufficiently recovered to accompany them when they left. He is staying here in your Serenity's house, and I hope soon to see him entirely recovered from his serious illness. He is a charming gentleman of the highest promise and deserts.
The Contarini family https://www.britannica.com/topic/…
Sig. Girolamo Cornaro, son of Andrea, has also come to this Court to gain experience for the service of his country, and is living with great splendour and taking note of all the most remarkable things.
Cornaro family https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cor…
London, the 19th August, 1661.
[Italian.]