# January 1668–69 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

Pepys navigates court factions, naval administration, and personal domestic life. He attends plays, discusses Tangier treasury matters, and observes the King's unstable councils regarding Parliament. He also receives a new instrument (Parallelogram) and prints from France, while dealing with his wife's jealousy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Intrigue and Restoration

Court factions, the King's unstable councils, and power struggles among nobles dominate the chapter.

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Debates over ship repair timelines and Tangier treasury management reflect administrative challenges.

### Theatre and Public Entertainment

Pepys attends plays (Macbeth, The Maiden Queen) and discusses playhouse management with Tom Killigrew.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Domestic scenes include Pepys's wife reading, jealousy over his outings, and receiving prints and gloves from France.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Narrator and central figure; attends plays, manages office business, and interacts with court figures.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Pepys's wife; reads to him, accompanies him to plays, and shows jealousy over his movements.

### Sir William Coventry

Advisor to Pepys on Tangier treasury; discusses court factions and the King's councils.

### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Pepys's patron; walks with him in the garden and discusses the Tangier paymaster position.

### Mr. Povy

Advises Pepys on Tangier treasury matters and shares gossip about court intrigues.

### Sir William Batten

Naval officer; attends the meeting at Lord Keeper's house regarding ship repairs.

### Lord Brouncker

Accompanies Pepys to the King's elaboratory; present at court discussions.

### Mr. Hewer

Pepys's clerk; helps with Tangier papers and accompanies him to Whitehall.

## Key lines

> Povy tells me that Sir W. Coventry was with the King alone, an hour this day; and that my Lady Castlemayne is now in a higher command over the King than ever—not as a mistress, for she scorns him, but as a tyrant, to command him

Povy reports that Lady Castlemaine now dominates the King as a tyrant, not a lover, and that Coventry had a private audience with him.

_Highlights the power dynamics and personal influence at court._

> The King seemed mighty full that we should have money to do all that we desired, and satisfied that, without it, nothing could be done

The King acknowledged that funding is essential for naval repairs, but no concrete decisions were made.

_Reflects the ongoing financial constraints on naval readiness._

> I did give him thanks for his favour to me yesterday, at the Committee of Tangier, in my absence, Mr. Povy having given me advice of it

Pepys thanked the Duke of York for protecting his interests at the Tangier committee meeting while he was absent.

_Shows Pepys's reliance on patronage and favor at court._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1668-69
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters