# August 1663 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

Pepys deals with domestic turmoil as his wife Elizabeth's harsh treatment of maid Ashwell leads to her dismissal, while he interviews a replacement. He also manages office politics, visits Lord Sandwich to handle financial accounts, and reflects on his jealousy regarding his wife's dancing master Pembleton.

## Themes in this chapter

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Pepys engages in office business, discusses Mr. Wood's knavery, and handles Commissioner Pett's complaint.

### Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

Pepys's jealousy over his wife's dancing master Pembleton and domestic conflicts with Elizabeth over Ashwell.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Household renovations, hiring a chambermaid, and managing servants.

### Money, Debt, and Economy

Pepys lends Lord Sandwich more money, renews a bond for £700, and pays Ashwell's wages.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Narrator; manages household conflicts, office duties, and financial dealings with Lord Sandwich.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Pepys's wife; accused by Ashwell of base usage and blows, leading to Ashwell's dismissal; Pepys chides her but hopes for peace.

### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Pepys meets with him alone; confides in Pepys, renews a bond for £700, and shows prints of Lisbon; Pepys notes his dotage on a woman at Chelsea.

### Sir William Coventry

Corresponds with Pepys about Commissioner Pett's complaint; leaves for Bath with the Duke.

### Sir William Penn

Pepys visits him while he is lame; discusses sending soldiers to Ireland.

### Mr. Creed

Accompanies Pepys to St. James's and the New Exchange.

### Sir W. Warren

Meets Pepys at a coffee house to discuss office business and Mr. Wood's knavery.

### Roger Pepys

Pepys's father; discontented and reluctant to come to Pepys's house due to differences with Elizabeth.

## Key lines

> I perceive she has received most base usage from my wife, which my wife sillily denies, but it is impossible the wench could invent words and matter so particularly

Pepys believes Ashwell's detailed account of mistreatment by Elizabeth, though Elizabeth denies it.

_Highlights domestic conflict and Pepys's role as mediator._

> I offered my Lord my accounts, and did give him up his old bond for £500 and took a new one of him for £700

Pepys cancels Lord Sandwich's old debt of £500 and issues a new bond for £700, lending him additional money.

_Shows Pepys's financial dealings and trust with his patron._

> I found Pembleton to stand in the isle against us, he coming too late to get a pew. Which, Lord! into what a sweat did it put me!

Pepys panics upon seeing Pembleton at church, fearing his wife's interaction with the dancing master.

_Illustrates Pepys's intense jealousy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1663
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters