June 1661 explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Naval Administration and Corruption

  Pepys inspects ships at Woolwich and Deptford, deals with office money shortages, and secures imprest bills for Lord Sandwich's voyage.

• Social Ambition and Class

  Pepys seeks a place in the Wardrobe for his father, dines with nobility, and enjoys the respect shown by Lord Sandwich's farewell salute.

• Daily Life and Domesticity

  Pepys records domestic details: giving his wife money for lace, playing the flageolet, drinking with Sir W. Penn, and dealing with house painting.

Characters to notice

• Samuel Pepys

  Records his daily activities, including naval duties, social visits, and securing a cloth order for Lord Sandwich.

• Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

  Departs for sea; instructs Pepys on Wardrobe business and grants him a £300 cloth order for Barbary presents.

• Sir William Penn

  Accompanies Pepys to Woolwich and Deptford, and later joins him for a late-night drinking session.

• Sir William Batten

  Leaves for Whitsuntide with his lady; returns from Chatham with Lady Batten suffering from toothache.

• Elizabeth Pepys

  Receives £4 from Pepys for lace and other items; walks with Pepys on the leads.

• Mr. Creed

  Dines with Pepys; involved in securing ammunition for ships and imprest bills.

• Sir George Carteret

  Attends office meeting where they agree to write to the Duke of York about the office's lack of money.

• Sir Robert Slingsby

  Lets Pepys and his wife stay in his lodgings; takes leave of Lord Sandwich and speaks well of Pepys.

Key passages

• “I went down with my Lord in the barge to Deptford, and there went on board the Dutch yacht and stayed there a good while, W. Howe not being come with my Lord's things, which made my Lord very angry.”

  Pepys accompanied Lord Sandwich by barge to Deptford and boarded the Dutch yacht, where they waited for W. Howe, whose delay angered Lord Sandwich.

  Illustrates the tension and logistical challenges before Lord Sandwich's departure.

• “We agreed upon a letter to the Duke of York, to tell him the sad condition of this office for want of money; how men are not able to serve us more without some money; and that now the credit of the office is brought so low, that none will sell us anything without our personal security given for the same.”

  The Navy Office decided to write to the Duke of York about their dire financial state, noting that suppliers refused credit without personal guarantees.

  Highlights the severe financial crisis facing the naval administration.