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Often appears with: conquest, plunder, and captives · siege and fortification · strategy and the aims of war · battle and tactics · military discipline and training · naval warfare and sea power · mobilization and recruitment · diplomacy and embassies · public finance and debt · treaties, truces, and peacemaking · civil war and rebellion · roads, journeys, and overland travel
Usually: narrative (935) · detachment (673) · argument (269) · curiosity (196) · crisis of belief (156) · sudden reversal of fortune (138) · indignation (118) · confronting death (117) · the test or trial (106) · injustice endured (81)
“For the hereditary prince has less cause and less necessity to offend; hence it happens that he will be more loved” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · insight
“For it is necessary either to do this or else to keep there a great number of cavalry and infantry.” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · observation
“Her seacoast is extensive. A very important district of the State is an island.” Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James Madison, The Federalist Papers · vivid
“Money is, with propriety, considered as the vital principle of the body politic; as that which sustains its life and motion, and enables it to perform its most essential functions.” Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James Madison, The Federalist Papers · observation
“Some may think these trifling matters not worth minding or relating; but when they consider that tho' dust blown into the eyes of a single person, or into a single shop on a windy day, is but of small importance, yet the great number of the instances in a populous city, and its frequent repetitions give it weight and consequence, perhaps they will not censure very severely those who bestow some attention to affairs of this seemingly low nature.” Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · insight
“Human felicity is produc'd not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.” Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · insight
“There was slain Harald the Fair-hair'd, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty, and a multitude of people with them, both of Normans and English;” (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; translator/editor) James Ingram, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle · observation
“Abuse it then*,” replied the monarch, with a good-natured peevishness; for it is your own.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · wit
“The navigation of the Nile, so important to Rome itself, was improved; and temples, buildings, porticos, and palaces, were constructed by the hands of the soldiers, who acted by turns as architects, as engineers, and as husbandmen.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · vivid
“Immediately after the most violent clap of thunder, we heard a sudden cry that the emperor was dead; and it soon appeared, that his chamberlains, in a rage of grief, had set fire to the royal pavilion; a circumstance which gave rise to the report that Carus was killed by lightning.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · vivid
“And it is said of this good lass that she never made promises of the kind without fulfilling them, even though she made them in a forest and without any witness present, for she plumed herself greatly on being a lady and held it no disgrace to be in such an employment as servant in an inn” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“Luckless that I am!” said Don Quixote, hearing the sad news his squire gave him; “I had rather they despoiled me of an arm, so it were not the sword-arm; for I tell thee, Sancho, a mouth without teeth is like a mill without a millstone, and a tooth is much more to be prized than a diamond; but we who profess the austere order of chivalry are liable to all this.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · vivid
Pepys works in naval provisioning and shipfitting by traveling to Woolwich and Deptford, meets the King on the river, notes heavy rain, and then later participates in official and civic events and court-related observances.
The Comptroller and I landed with our barge at the Temple, and from thence I went to my father's, and there did give order about some clothes to be made. 23rd. In my black silk suit (the first day I have put it on this year) to my Lord Mayor's by coach, with a great deal of honourable company, and great entertainment. At table I had very good discourse with Mr. Ashmole, wherein he did assure me that frogs and many…
Pepys visits the Tower and the Mint to learn how new money is made, hears speculation about hidden hoards of coin, discusses Navy funding, and records news about the French King’s illness.
will revolt from them there, and they forced to give up their trade. Sir Thomas showed me his picture and Sir Anthony Vandyke's in crayon in little, done exceedingly well. 18th. I walked to White Hall, and into the Parke, seeing the Queene and Maids of Honour passing through the house going to the Parke. But above all, Mrs. Stuart is a fine woman, and they say now a common mistress to the King, as my Lady Castlema…
Pepys watches Tangier Committee plans for building the Mole at Tangier, notes objections being muted in examination of Teviott’s accounts, then reports a messenger asking whether the King will go to Newmarket and how fees-selling disputes are debated with the Duke.
1663. My Lord Sandwich sent a messenger to know whether the King intends to come to Newmarket, as is talked, that he may be ready to entertain him at Hinchingbroke. 12th. At St. James's we attended the Duke all of us. And there, after my discourse, Mr. Coventry of his own accord begun to tell the Duke how he found that discourse abroad did run to his prejudice about the fees that he took, and how he sold places an…
Pepys reports a dispute aboard navy victualling and Lent fishing as commanders argue over lost profits, and records news that the King of France has created twelve dukes to subdue his nobility.
three or four wolves thereabouts that did them great hurt; but it was no matter, for the Duke was to make it good to him, otherwise he would kill them. 12th. We had this morning a great dispute between Mr. Gauden, Victualler of the Navy, and Sir J. Lawson, and the rest of the Commanders going against Argier, about their fish and keeping of Lent; which Mr. Gauden so much insists upon to have it observed, as being th…
Pepys discusses the timber business with Sir G. Carteret and Mr. Deane, drafts a report, then mixes news and entertainments, including the Paul's commission, a Moorefields craft riot, lottery winnings, and plague reports.
having her picture taken there. There was the King and twenty more I think, standing by all the while, and a lovely creature she in the dress seemed to be. 18th. Sir G. Cateret and I did talk together in the Parke about my Lord Chancellor's business of the timber; he telling me freely that my Lord Chancellor was never so angry with him in all his life, as he was for this business, and in a great passion; and that w…
Across February 1664/65 Pepys attends St. Lawrence church, joins Trinity House and the Royal Society, socializes with scientific and court figures, hears about sea/colonial losses, observes property-building talk, and notes committee debates on pressing men and events at court.
12th. To Church to St. Lawrence to hear Dr. Wilkins, the great scholar, for curiosity, I having never heard him: but was not satisfied with him at all. 15th. At noon, with Creed to the Trinity-house, where a very good dinner among the old jokers, and an extraordinary discourse of the manner of the loss of the Royall Oake coming home from Bantam, upon the rocks of Scilly. Thence with Creed to Gresham College, where…
Pepys continues March 20 to March 28, describing his role in Tangier administration confirmation, compliments from the Duke of Albemarle and others, scientific and character anecdotes from Sir William Petty, and his private Navy work and river inspections.
Duke of Hamilton, wife of Lord Carnegy, who became Earl of Southesk on his father's death. She is frequently mentioned in the "Memoires de Grammont."] once my Lady Anne Hambleton. 20th. Creed and I had Mr. Povy's coach sent for us, and we to his house; where we did some business in order to the work of this day. Povy and I to my Lord Sandwich, who tells me that the Duke is not only a friend to the business, but to…
From April 23 to April 30, 1665, Pepys records the King and Duke’s confidence in his Navy work, the Board’s actions after his letter, river visits to victualling ships, fears of sickness in London, and the Dutch threat near the Texel.
which is the great text that Mr. Selden and others do quote, but imperfectly and upon trust. But he hath the very originall, which he says he will show me. 17th. To the Duke of Albemarle's, where he showed me Mr. Coventry's letters, how three Dutch privateers are taken, in one whereof Everson's son is captaine. But they have killed poor Captaine Golding in The Diamond. Two of them, one of 32 and the other of 20 o…
Pepys closes the first two-year run of the diary, then continues in early July with plague news, arranging fleet command structure under Sandwich and others, secret financial trouble involving Alderman Backewell, and ongoing restrictions and house shut-ins.
is mightily liked of by the King and the Duke of York. Sir G. Lawson was buried late last night at St. Dunstan's by us, without any company at all. 4th. I hear this day the Duke and Prince Rupert are both come back from sea, and neither of them go back again. Mr. Coventry tells me how matters are ordered in the fleet: my Lord Sandwich goes Admiral; under him Sir G. Ascue, and Sir T. Teddiman: Vice Admiral, Sir W…
Pepys attends the King and Duke at Greenwich and Woolwich shipworks, observes court discourse, reports plague deaths and expanding sickness in his parish, and considers reorganizing his household affairs for “soul and body.”
about his coming over; and I have sent this night an order from the Duke of Albemarle for a ship of 36 guns to go to Calais to fetch him. 26th. To Greenwich to the Park, where I heard the King and Duke are come by water this morn from Hampton Court. They asked me several questions. The King mightily pleased with his new buildings there. I followed them to Castle's ship in building, and there met Sir W. Batten, a…
Pepys goes to Sheerness and then receives orders about relocating to Greenwich; he details a naval setback at Bergen involving Dutch ships cutting cables and rendering English fire-ships useless.
laying out the ground to be taken in for a yard to lay provisions for cleaning and repairing of ships, and a most proper place it is for the purpose. 19th. Come letters from the King and Lord Arlington, for the removal of our office to Greenwich. I also wrote letters, and made myself ready to go to Sir G. Carteret, at Windsor; and having borrowed a horse of Mr. Blackbrough, sent him to wait for me at the Duke of A…
Pepys sails to Gravesend on the Bezan Yacht, anchors overnight, and prepares to observe the fleet the next day.
17th. To Gravesend in the Bezan Yacht, and there come to anchor for all night. 18th. By break of day we come to within sight of the fleet, which was a very fine thing to behold, being above 100 ships, great and small; with the flag ships of each squadron, distinguished by their several flags on their main, fore, or mizen masts. Among others, the Soveraigne, Charles, and Prince; in the last of which my Lord Sandwic…
Pepys describes visiting Lord Sandwich aboard a fleet of over 100 ships, learning it suffers from poor provisions and naval complications near Bergen, and then records later dire plague statistics at Lambeth.
on other Occasions.] Sir Thomas Teddiman, and Sir Roger Cuttance. So to our Yacht again, having seen many of my friends there, and continued till we come into Chatham river. 20th. To Lambeth. But, Lord! what a sad time it is to see no boats upon the River; and grass grows all up and down White Hall court, and nobody but poor wretches in the streets! and, which is worst of all, the Duke showed us the number of th…
With war and plague intensifying, Pepys boards the Bezan, visits the Chatham yard with Commissioner Pett, hears of deaths among watermen, and discusses his office’s urgent victualling and prisoner responsibilities.
I ever saw in my life. Thence in his coach to Greenwich, and there to my office, all the way having fine discourse of trees and the nature of vegetables. 7th. Did business, though not much, at the office; because of the horrible crowd and lamentable moan of the poor seamen that lie starving in the streets for lack of money. Which do trouble and perplex me to the heart; and more at noon when we were to go through t…
Pepys records daily plague management and naval bureaucracy: starving sailors beg for money, seized goods are locked up, plague death counts fall, and he celebrates royal approval of his victualling proposal.
of the sickness, and providing for my family, do fill my head very full, besides the infinite business of the office, and nobody here to look after it but myself. 15th. The Parliament, it seems, have voted the King 1,250,000l. at 50,000l. per month, tax for the war; and voted to assist the King against the Dutch, and all that shall adhere to them; and thanks to be given him for his care of the Duke of York, which l…
In a detailed narration called “THE FIGHT,” the Dutch fleet is shown letting slip anchors, dividing squadrons, and fighting against the English; Pepys records casualties, the King’s gold to Daniel, and uncertainty over the outcome until the Prince’s fleet appears.
THE FIGHT. How we found the Dutch fleet at anchor on Friday half seas over, between Dunkirke and Ostend, and made them let slip their anchors. They about ninety, and we less than sixty. We fought them, and put them to the run, till they met with about sixteen sail of fresh ships, and so bore up again. The fight continued till night, and then again the next morning from five till seven at night. And so, too, yest…
At a wedding Pepys hears sharp criticism from generals about fleet expenses and negligence; Coventry replies in defence of himself and Pepys, comparing their stance to Falstaff’s blunt retort to a prince.
and quietly as we can. He seems to be very apprehensive that the Parliament will be troublesome and inquisitive into faults; but seems not to value them as to himself. 28th. To the wedding of Mr. Longracke, our purveyor, a civil man, and hath married a sober, serious mayde; but the whole company was very simple and innocent. Sir W. Coventry did read me a letter from the Generalls to the King, a most scurvy letter,…
Pepys reports the fire’s advance after drought, including burning churches and St. Lawrence Poultney’s steeple, then meets the King and Duke of York urging house-pulling; he helps coordinate with the Lord Mayor and watches citizens save goods.
and every thing after so long a drought proving combustible, even the very stones of churches, and among other things, the poor steeple [St, Lawrence Poultney, of which Thomas Elborough was Curate.] by which pretty Mrs. -- lives, and whereof my old schoolfellow Elborough is parson, taken fire in the very top, and there burned till it fell down; I to White Hall (with a gentleman with me, who desired to go off from th…
During the Great Fire Pepys stays with guests, receives news of burned friends in Fish Street, walks through crowded streets of people moving goods, manages errands by boat to the King and Duke of York, and describes the spread by fire-flakes.
she mighty fine, and her husband, for aught I see, a likely man. But Mr. Moone's design and mine, which was to look over my closet, and please him with the sight thereof, which he hath long desired, was wholly disappointed; for we were in great trouble and disturbance at this fire, not knowing what to think of it. However, we had an extraordinary good dinner, and as merry as at this time we could be. While at dinner …
On the morning after, Pepys orders transport for his money and plate to Sir W. Rider in Bednall Green, moves other goods by lighter and over Tower Hill, and describes the Duke of York’s efforts to keep order while household members argue amid evacuation.
night. We did put Mr. Hater, poor man, to bed a little; but he got but very little rest, so much noise being in my house, taking down of goods. 3rd. About four o'clock in the morning, my Lady Batten sent me a cart to carry away all my money, and plate, and best things, to Sir W. Rider's at Bednall-greene. Which I did, riding myself in my night gown, in the cart; and, Lord! to see how the streets and the highways …
Pepys and Sir W. Pen continue moving remaining goods as fires approach; he proposes pulling down houses to save the naval office, writes to Coventry for permission, then later sees new fires reach Barking Church and the City ruins spread.
and was running down to Fleet-street; and Paul's is burned, and all Cheepside. I wrote to my father this night, but the post-house being burned, the letter could not go. 5th. I lay down in the office again upon W. Hewer's quilt, being mighty weary, and sore in my feet with going till I was hardly able to stand. About two in the morning my wife calls me up, and tells me of new cryes of fire, it being come to Barkin…
On 7th Pepys surveys burned areas including St Paul’s and Fleet Street, borrows and washes a shirt, discusses French involvement, militia mobilization, naval losses, and markets set at Leadenhall and Mile-end-greene.
night long there. But strange it is to see Clothworkers' Hall on fire these three days and nights in one body of flame, it being the cellar full of oyle. 7th. Up by five o'clock; and, blessed be God! find all well; and by water to Pane's Wharfe. Walked thence, and saw all the towne burned, and a miserable sight of Paul's church, with all the roofs fallen, and the body of the quire fallen into St. Fayth's; Paul's …
On 13th-14th Pepys continues relocating goods from Deptford and makes his house ready with carpenters, deals with public business and Parliamentary accounting, retrieves wine from the ground, and keeps money-chests hidden.
home, and unload them by carts and hands before night, to my exceeding satisfaction: and so after supper to bed in my house, the first time I have lain there. 14th. Up, and to work, having carpenters come to help in setting up bedsteads and hangings; and at that trade my people and I all the morning, till pressed by publick business to leave them against my will in the afternoon: and yet I was troubled in being at…
At Trinity House after its move following the Great Fire, Pepys attends a feast and worries about armed Scottish Covenanters, then visits court and reads a letter about tallies until Parliament supplies money.
at it, and the House of Parliament, contrary to practice, did sit also: people having no mind to observe the Scotch saint's days till they hear better news from Scotland. DECEMBER 1, 1666. Walking to the Old Swan I did see a cellar in Tower-streete in a very fresh fire, the late great winds having blown it up. It seemed to be only of log-wood that hath kept the fire all this while in it. Going further I met my la…
Pepys reports on Prince Rupert’s trepanning, discussions of Nostradamus and London’s burning, reads letters about naval supply problems, then describes Sir W. Coventry’s meeting and Pepys’s theatre attendance.
Kempthorne, a distinguished Naval Officer, afterwards knighted and made Commissioner at Portsmouth, which place he represented in Parliament. Ob. 1679. Vide some curious letters about his election in the Correspondence.] 4th. When Sir W. Coventry did come, and the rest met, I did appear uuconcerned, and did give him answer pretty satisfactory what he asked me; so that I did get off this meeting without any ground l…
Pepys attends court business under the Duke of York, worries about huge unpaid parliamentary debt and too little fleet funding, later presents accounts to the Tangier commission with praise for his order and method.
me very odde stories how Mrs. Williams do receive the applications of people, and hath presents, and she is the hand that receives all, while my Lord do the business. 12th. With my Lord Brouncker by coach to his house, there to hear some Italian musique: and here we met Tom Killigrew, Sir Robert Murray, and the Italian Signor Baptista, [Giovanni Baptista Draghi, an Italian musician in the service of Queen Catherin…
Pepys and Sir W. Coventry discuss reforming Tangier’s garrison after Lord Bellasses’ removal, arguing the expense yields little profit and proposing commissioners with rules for a new governor.
mean play; and the best part "Sawny," done by Lucy; and hath not half its life, by reason of the words, I suppose, not being understood, at least by me. 10th. I began to discourse with Sir W. Coventry the business of Tangier, which by the removal of my Lord Bellasses is now to have a new Governor; and did move him, that at this season all the business of reforming the garrison might be considered, while nobody was …
On 28th–30th Pepys walks at Deptford Yard discussing dock and artillery discoveries, learns the Duke of Cambridge is severely ill with spots, and hears plans for Arlington and others regarding the office of Lord Treasurer.
He thinks that much of our misfortune hath been for want of an active Lord Treasurer, and that such a man as Sir W. Coventry would do the business thoroughly. 26th. To White Hall, and there saw the Duke of Albemarle, who is not well, and do grow crazy. While I was waiting in the Matted Gallery, a young man was working in Indian inke, the great picture of the King and Queene sitting by Van Dike; and did it very fin…
On 11th, Sheerenesse is lost after heavy fighting, prompting fears for Chatham; Pepys arranges fire-ship hiring, notes legal claims about seizing goods, and talks with his wife about drumbeat musters in London.
just now come up, who met the Dutch fleet, who took three ships that he came convoying hither from him: says they are as low as the Nore, or thereabouts. 11th. Brouncker come to us, who is just now going to Chatham upon a desire of Commissioner Pett's, who is very fearful of the Dutch, and desires help for God and the King and kingdom's sake. So Brouncker goes down, and Sir J. Minnes also from Gravesend. This morni…
On 14th, Pepys deals with French and Flemish prisoner-transport ships in the river, learns of Dutch/English prisoners’ motives for fighting over money, and hears reports that multiple ships burned near Upnor Castle.
will prevent their coming up higher if they should attempt it. I made my will also this day, and did give all I had equally between my father and wife. 14th. Up, and to the office; where Mr. Fryer comes and tells me that there are several Frenchman and Flemish ships in the River with passes from the Duke of York for carrying of prisoners, that ought to be parted from the rest of the ships, and their powder taken, les…
Continuing on the 14th, Pepys says shipmasters keep stores to prevent payment, seamen’s morale collapses over unpaid wages, Wapping wives publicly protest, and citizens demand a Parliament amid sinking ships and delays from Chatham.
And masters of ships that are lately taken up, do keep from their ships all their stores, or as much as they can, so that we can dispatch them, having not time to appraise them, nor secure their payment. Only some little money we have, which we are fain to pay the men we have with every night, or they will not work. And indeed the hearts as well as affections of the seamen are turned away; and in the open streets in …
On 15th morning, Pepys notes the seacoast defenses sinking ships at Woolwich and Deptford, complains about wasted or misdirected sinkings (including the Franklin), cites Coventry’s orders to stop yard wages, and receives slow letters from Brouncker and Peter Pett.
[Evelyn says it was owing to Sir W. C. that no fleet was fitted out in 1667.] but he agrees with me, that he is the best Minister of State the King hath, and so from my heart I believe. At night come home Sir W. Batten and W. Ben, who only can tell me that they have placed guns at Woolwich and Deptford, and sunk some ships below Woolwich and Blackwall, and are in hopes that they stop the enemy's coming up. But stran…
After rumors Pepys and Pett are in the Tower, he negotiates merchant ships for men-of-war under financial coercion, laments shipowners’ reluctance without old payments, and writes to Sir W. Coventry.
10,000l. to be laid out towards securing of the River of Thames; which, methinks, is a very poor thing, that we should be induced to borrow by such mean sums. 23rd. To Woolwich, and there called on Mr. Bodham: and he and I to see the batterys newly raised; which, indeed, are good works to command the River below the ships that are sunk, but not above them. It is a sad sight to see so many good ships there sunk in…
Pepys tours Woolwich defenses, discusses sunk ships and banking credit collapse, coal shortages threatening mutiny, and grim assessments of the kingdom’s chances and court finances.
done; and pray God it may hold, though some of us must surely go to the pot, for all must be flung up to them, or nothing will be done. 26th. The Parliament is ordered to meet the 25th of July being, as they say, St. James's day; which every creature is glad of. Colonel Reymes [Bullen Reymes, M.P. for Melcombe Regis.] tells me of a letter come last night or the day before from my Lord St. Albans out of France, wher…
Pepys continues noting the unusually dry, dusty London weather, then on the 28th drafts a resignation letter to Sir William Coventry, offering to give up his Victualling office to help stabilize the peace.
think, this month before, so as the ground was every where so burned and dry as could be; and no travelling in the road or streets in London, for dust. 28th. All the morning close to draw up a letter to Sir W. Coventry upon the tidings of peace, taking occasion (before I am forced to it) to resign up to his Royall Highness my place of the Victualling, and to recommend myself to him by promise of doing my utmost to …
On the 29th Pepys meets Coventry and the Duke of York about resigning the Victualling post and improving wartime logistics under the confirmed peace, then debates why Sir Jos. Jordan’s fire-ship raid failed.
the Victualling, and to recommend myself to him by promise of doing my utmost to improve this peace in the best manner we may, to save the kingdom from ruin. 29th. Up, and with Sir W. Batten to St. James's, to Sir W. Coventry's chamber; where, among other things, he came to me and told me that he had received my yesterday's letters, and that we concurred very well in our notions; and that as to my place which I had o…
At the Council, Pepys debates when to enter men for the fleet before ships are ready, defends the office’s certificate work to the Exchequer, and watches the town’s reactions and rumours about naval plans.
brave street likely to be, many brave houses being built, and of them a great many by Mr. Jaggard; but the raising of the street will make it mighty fine. 20th. All the evening pricking down some things and trying some conclusions upon my viall, in order to the inventing a better theory of musique than hath yet been abroad; and I think verily I shall do it. This day at Court I do hear that Sir W. Pen do command th…
Pepys attends council about Hemskirke’s shipbuilding scheme, then describes Sir Thomas Teddiman’s illness and death, including his funeral procession, last words, and ballads in the sea-related burial crowd.
believe it did in good part, that the business of the Parliament did break his heart, or at least put him into this fever and disorder that; caused his death. 15th. To a Committee for Tangier; where God knows how my Lord Bellasses' accounts passed: understood by nobody but my Lord Ashly, who, I believe, was allowed to let them go as he pleased. But here Sir H. Cholmly had his propositions read about a greater pric…
Pepys criticizes naval and council management of fleet spending, tours the Mulberry Garden area, and records conversations about casting fleet charges and setting up ships within parliamentary limits.
Buckingham-House was erected.] where I never was before; and find it a very silly place, worse than Spring-garden, and but little company, only a wilderness here that is somewhat pretty. 21st. To the office, where meets me Sir Richard Ford; who among other things congratulates me, as one or two did yesterday, on my great purchase; and he advises me rather to forbear if it be not done, as a thing that the world will…
Pepys attends a Navy meeting at Essex House on repairing ships, advises expecting forty ships by May with money, notes Parliament being prorogued rather than meeting, and finally admires prints brought from France.
the best of its kind and the fullest of honour and content to me that ever I had in my life; and I shall not easily have so good again. 24th (Lord's day). An order brought me in bed, for the principal officers to attend the King at my Lord Keeper's this afternoon, it being resolved late the last night; and by the warrant I find my Lord Keeper did not then know the cause of it, the messenger being ordered, to call u…
Pepys works with the Treasury to divide customs and argue with the East India Company for the King, then proposes going to Chatham to pay troops and investigate the loss of The Defyance.
one of our Company's East India ships outward-bound, which will certainly make the war last; which I am sorry for, being so poor as we are, and broken in pieces. 22nd. Up, and by water with W. Hewer to White Hall, there to attend the Lords of the Treasury; but before they sat, I did make a step to see Sir W. Coventry at his house, where, I bless God, he is come again; but in my way I met him, and so he took me into…
Pepys meets officials to discuss Navy victualling needs, worries about the Queen Mother’s health, travels toward Branford to see the Prince of Tuscany, and then helps confront the Duke of York with court-martial abuses.
at the office, and away, and Colonell Middleton with me, who was of the same mind, and resolved to declare our minds freely to the Duke of York about it. 4th. After dinner with Sir J. Minnes and T. Middleton to White Hall, by appointment; and at my Lord Arlington's the office did attend the King and caball, to discourse of the further quantity of victuals fit to be declared for, which was 2000 men for six months; a…
Pepys coordinates Treasury matters tied to Customs and Excise for the Navy, investigates perspective-drawing artists, visits the Queen’s chapel and watches the Prince of Tuscany, while monitoring how his public coach use affects him.
he liked, and seemed mightily pleased with me; and so away to the Excise- office, to do a little business there: and so to the office, where all the morning. 9th. Up, and by water to White Hall, and there with the Board attended the Duke of York, and Sir Thomas Allen with us (who came to town yesterday;) and it is resolved another fleet shall go to the Streights forthwith, and he command it. But his coming home is…
Pepys shows his Navy administration draft to Sir W. Coventry and the Duke of York, adjusts phrasing about the Navy’s disruption under rebellion, and copies a Northumberland passage that predicts Chatham’s troubles.
left many good notes of sermons and religion wrote with her own hand, which nobody ever knew of: which I am glad of; but she was always a peevish lady. 17th. To Sir W. Coventry's, reading over first my draught of the administration of the Navy, which he do like very well; and so fell to talk of his late disgrace, and how basely and in what a mean manner the Duke of Buckingham hath proceeded against him,-- not like …
Pepys and associates sign and submit a Navy administration paper read before the King and Duke of York, then hear discussion of this year’s naval operations and money needs while the Prince of Tuscany visits incognito.
Lord of Northumberland's, so prophetic of the business of Chatham as is almost miraculous. I did desire, and he did give it me to copy out; which pleased me mightily. 18th. To my office again to examine the fair draught; and so borrowing Sir J. Minnes's coach, he going with Colonell Middleton, I to White Hall, where we all met and did sign it. And then to my Lord Arlington's, where the King and the Duke of York and…
Pepys reports negotiations and governance worries: he meets officials about provisioning for Tangier, attends the Duke of York’s play at the Pell Mell, debates Navy administration and “old religion,” and dines with court contacts discussing Tangier’s ruin.
there walked out the sermon with one or other; and then saw the Duke of York, and he talked to me a little; and so away back by water home. 3rd. Up, and coach to my Lord Brouncker's, where Sir G. Carteret did meet Sir J. Minnes and me, to discourse upon Mr. Deering's business, who was directed in the time of the war to provide provisions at Hamburgh, by Sir G. Carteret's direction; and now Sir G. Carteret is afraid…
Pepys dines with the Spanish ambassador’s circle and uses his French and Spanish, then on 7th talks with Sir W. Coventry; on 8th he works on instructions for ship commanders and receives instruments and papers related to his Addresse to the Duke of York.
defending Cambridge against Oxford; and I made much use of my French and Spanish here, to my great content. But the dinner not extraordinary at all, either quantity or quality. 7th. Up, and by coach to Sir W. Coventry's; and there to talk with him a great deal with great content. And so to the Duke of York, having a great mind to speak to him about Tangier; but when I came to it, his interest for my Lord Middleton…
With French forces taking St. Domingo, Pepys attends the Duke of York mustering men in Hyde Park; he hears news of Harry Killigrew being attacked, attends court with the Queen, and the Duke of York agrees to Pepys’s petition for absence and a quiet trip to observe the navy in Holland.
the French taking St. Domingo, in Spaniola, from the Spaniards; which troubles us, that they should have got it, and have the honour of taking it, when we could not. 19th. With my coach to St. James's; and there finding the Duke of York gone to muster his men in Hyde Park, I alone with my boy thither, and there saw more, walking out of my coach as other gentlemen did, of a soldier's trade than ever I did in my life…
On January 3rd and 4th Pepys deals with soldiers to receive money, hosts Mrs. Jem and others for dinner and cards, consults Calthrop about payment, hears Parliament has passed indemnity for soldiers, and reports severe frost and swelling from cold.
Turner, Sergeant-at-law, Recorder of York; their only child, Theophila, frequently mentioned as The. or Theoph., became the wife of Sir Arthur Harris, Bart., of Stowford, Devon, and died 1686, s.p.] to stop her from coming to see me to-day, because of Mrs. Jem's corning, thence I went to the Temple to speak with Mr. Calthrop, and walked in his chamber an hour, but could not see him, so went to Westminster, where I f…
He claims Agamemnon’s armament depended more on his military and naval strength than Tyndareus’s oaths, then argues earlier invasions lacked supplies, so even the Trojan expedition was limited by money and logistics.
enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller towns to subjection. And it was at a somewhat later stage of this development that they went on the expedition against Troy. What enabled Agamemnon to raise the armament was more, in my opinion, his superiority in strength, than the oaths of Tyndareus, which bound the suitors to follow him. Indeed, the account given by those Peloponnesians who have been the recipients …
Thucydides argues that Homer’s and tradition’s estimates of Troy-era force should not be dismissed, using comparisons with destroyed cities, and he explains how Achaean numbers and ship types were constrained by subsistence and money.
was a continental power; and he could not have been master of any except the adjacent islands (and these would not be many), but through the possession of a fleet. And from this expedition we may infer the character of earlier enterprises. Now Mycenæ may have been a small place, and many of the towns of that age may appear comparatively insignificant, but no exact observer would therefore feel justified in rejecting…
He concludes that earlier Hellenic naval powers were relatively small but decisive for revenue and territorial reach, and he argues that most fighting was local, with the first broad coalition resembling the conflict between Chalcis and Eretria.
the prospect of the barbarian invasion enabled Themistocles to persuade the Athenians to build the fleet with which they fought at Salamis; and even these vessels had not complete decks. The navies, then, of the Hellenes during the period we have traversed were what I have described. All their insignificance did not prevent their being an element of the greatest power to those who cultivated them, alike in revenue a…
Aristeus and Potidaea’s allies plan to fight Athenians between the isthmus and Olynthus, but after battles Athenians build walls to blockade Potidaea by land and sea; Aristeus later advises escape and eludes guards to continue fighting elsewhere.
horsemen, the followers of Philip and Pausanias. With these sailed seventy ships along the coast. Advancing by short marches, on the third day they arrived at Gigonus, where they encamped. Meanwhile the Potidæans and the Peloponnesians with Aristeus were encamped on the side looking towards Olynthus on the isthmus, in expectation of the Athenians, and had established their market outside the city. The allies had cho…
Archidamus counsels against rash war with Athens, arguing Spartan inferiority at sea and in money, warning devastation won’t end quickly, and recommending remonstration plus preparation over immediate arms.
be declared at once. But Archidamus, the Lacedaemonian king, came forward, who had the reputation of being at once a wise and a moderate man, and made the following speech: “I have not lived so long, Lacedaemonians, without having had the experience of many wars, and I see those among you of the same age as myself, who will not fall into the common misfortune of longing for war from inexperience or from a belief in …
Archidamus proposes seeking more allies, developing home resources, delaying escalation so Athenian land serves as a hostage, and warning that coalition war for sectional interests is hard to settle honorably.
leave it as a legacy to our children; so improbable is it that the Athenian spirit will be the slave of their land, or Athenian experience be cowed by war. “Not that I would bid you be so unfeeling as to suffer them to injure your allies, and to refrain from unmasking their intrigues; but I do bid you not to take up arms at once, but to send and remonstrate with them in a tone not too suggestive of war, nor again to…
The Spartans keep friendly behavior but privately feel annoyed; soon Athens walls the city quickly with reused stones, finishes Piraeus walls, and develops an explicitly naval strategy after the Median retreat.
the common interest. It followed, he observed, either that all the members of the confederacy should be without walls, or that the present step should be considered a right one. The Lacedaemonians did not betray any open signs of anger against the Athenians at what they heard. The embassy, it seems, was prompted not by a desire to obstruct, but to guide the counsels of their government: besides, Spartan feeling was …
After Athens gains leadership from allies’ hatred of Pausanias, it organizes “Treasurers for Hellas,” fixes tribute at 460 talents, and then explains Athenian empire growth via campaigns against Medes and allied revolts.
they desired to be rid of the Median War, and were satisfied of the competency of the Athenians for the position, and of their friendship at the time towards themselves. The Athenians, having thus succeeded to the supremacy by the voluntary act of the allies through their hatred of Pausanias, fixed which cities were to contribute money against the barbarian, which ships; their professed object being to retaliate for…
The Corinthians claim courage over fear will decide action, predict victory through numbers, experience, and obedience, plan to raise Athenian naval pay via Athenian money at Olympia and Delphi, and emphasize coordinated revolt.
The confidence with which we form our schemes is never completely justified in their execution; speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure. “To apply these rules to ourselves, if we are now kindling war it is under the pressure of injury, with adequate grounds of complaint; and after we have chastised the Athenians we will in season desist. We have many reasons to expect s…
Pericles argues Athens is better prepared for long war: Peloponnesians lack sea command and financial stamina, face political disunity, and gradually exhaust resources, making prolonged conflict favor Athens.
from an equal, urged upon a neighbour as commands before any attempt at legal settlement, be they great or be they small, have only one meaning, and that is slavery. “As to the war and the resources of either party, a detailed comparison will not show you the inferiority of Athens. Personally engaged in the cultivation of their land, without funds either private or public, the Peloponnesians are also without experie…
Pericles advises Athenians to prepare rather than fight by urging evacuation of wives, children, and goods into the city, safeguarding revenue, manpower, walls, and ships, while Boeotians are already joining the invasion and Archidamus advances.
with his army into their territory. Meanwhile the Boeotians, sending their contingent and cavalry to join the Peloponnesian expedition, went to Plataea with the remainder and laid waste the country. While the Peloponnesians were still mustering at the Isthmus, or on the march before they invaded Attica, Pericles, son of Xanthippus, one of the ten generals of the Athenians, finding that the invasion was to take place…