December 1664 explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Naval Administration and Corruption

  Pepys engages in financial schemes related to Tangier freight, securing payments with questionable justification, and discusses naval affairs with colleagues.

• Money, Debt, and Economy

  Pepys receives £117 from Alderman Viner on pretended freight, hopes for £50 more from the ship Union, and buys a looking glass for £5 5s.

• Social Ambition and Class

  Pepys dines with influential figures like Sir W. Rider and Cutler, seeks to make a friend of Lord Brunkard, and navigates social hierarchies at court.

• Theatre and Public Entertainment

  Pepys attends The Rivalls at the Duke's House, noting the good acting of Betterton and his wife and Harris.

Characters to notice

• Samuel Pepys

  Records his daily activities, financial dealings, and social interactions, including securing money from Tangier freight and attending committees.

• Elizabeth Pepys

  Accompanies Pepys to the Duke's House play and later to visit Lady Sandwich's coach.

• Sir William Batten

  Joins Pepys and Captain Cocke at Sir J. Minnes's for oysters and discussion of late troubles.

• Captain Cocke

  Visits Pepys and shares insider knowledge about King Charles II's credulity to Cromwell's promises.

• Mr. Povy

  Involved in Tangier business; Pepys secures a note from him for payment and later receives a 'rub' about the bill.

• Roger Pepys

  Dines with Pepys and Mrs. Turner, and later meets at cousin Scott's.

• Mrs. Turner

  Dines with Pepys and cousin Roger, and later visits cousin Scott's.

• Sir William Penn

  Pepys visits him and notes his dissembled respect and love.

Key passages

• “I did give them a barrel of oysters I had given to me, and so there sat and talked, where good discourse of the late troubles, they knowing things, all of them, very well; and Cocke, from the King's own mouth, being then entrusted himself much, do know particularly that the King's credulity to Cromwell's promises, private to him, against the advice of his friends and the certain discovery of the practices and discourses of Cromwell in council (by Major Huntington) did take away his life and nothing else.”

  Pepys shared a barrel of oysters with Captain Cocke and Sir W. Batten at Sir J. Minnes's, where they discussed recent political troubles. Cocke, who had been close to the King, claimed that Charles I's trust in Cromwell's private promises, despite warnings and evidence of Cromwell's deceit, directly led to his execution.

  Reveals insider political discourse on the causes of Charles I's death.

• “I got a note, and went and received £117 5 s. of Alderman Viner upon my pretended freight of the William for Tangier, which overbears me on one side with joy and on the other to think of my condition if I shall be called into examination about it, and (though in strictness it is due) not be able to give a good account of it.”

  Pepys obtained a note from Mr. Povy and collected £117 5s from Alderman Viner, claiming it as freight for the ship William on the Tangier route. He felt both joyful and anxious, fearing scrutiny over the transaction, even though he believed it was technically justified.

  Highlights Pepys's moral unease and financial opportunism.

• “Mighty talk there is of this Comet that is seen a' nights; and the King and Queen did sit up last night to see it, and did, it seems. And tonight I thought to have done so too; but it is cloudy, and so no stars appear.”

  There is widespread discussion about a comet visible at night; the King and Queen stayed up to observe it. Pepys intended to do the same but was thwarted by cloudy weather.

  Reflects contemporary fascination with celestial events and royal interest.