The Diary · Chapter
July 1667 explained
Pepys records the aftermath of the Dutch raid, the financial paralysis of the Navy Office, and the political turmoil surrounding King Charles II's personal life.
What happens
Pepys records the aftermath of the Dutch raid, the financial paralysis of the Navy Office, and the political turmoil surrounding King Charles II's personal life. He visits new batteries at Gravesend, hears public contempt for the King's officers, and struggles with office business amid a lack of money. Personal tensions with his wife, news of Nell Gwyn's affair with Lord Buckhurst, and the King's quarrel with Lady Castlemayne over Jermin's marriage dominate the month. Pepys also learns of his sister's illness and reflects on the nation's disgrace.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys highlights the Navy Office's paralysis due to lack of money, the public's contempt for officers' wasteful spending on defenses, and the struggle to pay for essential supplies like grapnells.
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The King's quarrel with Lady Castlemayne, the push for an army by the King and Duke of York, and the broken Parliament reveal deep political machinations and the fragility of the Restoration settlement.
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
Pepys's own marital quarrels, Nell Gwyn's affair with Lord Buckhurst, Lady Castlemayne's infidelity with Jermin, and Roger Pepys's mercenary marriage proposal all underscore themes of gender, power, and sexual politics.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Records his daily activities, office struggles, and personal conflicts with his wife.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Has a dogged humour and quarrels with Pepys over his absence at dinner.
- Sir William Penn
Attends office meetings and discusses the chain's break with Pepys.
- Sir William Coventry
Pepys meets with him; he is angry about the change of Treasurer and holds his head high.
- Mr. Creed
Accompanies Pepys to Gravesend, repeats letters of Burleigh, and later goes to Whitehall.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys dines with him and hears of his financial difficulties.
- Roger Pepys
Consults Pepys about a possible marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Wiles.
- Mr. Povy
Tells Pepys about the King's quarrel with Lady Castlemayne and the push for an army.
Key passages
“Up betimes, about 9 o’clock, waked by a damned noise between a sow gelder and a cow and a dog, nobody after we were up being able to tell us what it was.”
Pepys woke early to a strange commotion involving a pig castrator, a cow, and a dog, but no one could explain it afterward.
Opens the month with a humorous, chaotic domestic scene.
“I think it is not only true in this, but that the best of the actions of us all are so silly, that the meanest people begin to see through them, and contemn them.”
Pepys reflects that even common people see through the foolishness of the King's officers' actions.
Shows public disillusionment with naval mismanagement.
“She is with child, and the King says he did not get it: with that she made a slighting 'puh' with her mouth, and went out of the house, and never come in again till the King went to Sir Daniel Harvy’s to pray her.”
Lady Castlemayne is pregnant, the King denies paternity, and she stormed out until he begged her to return.
Highlights the King's personal turmoil and the scandalous court atmosphere.
