The Diary · Chapter
June 1666 explained
Pepys records the tension and confusion surrounding the naval battle with the Dutch fleet in June 1666.
What happens
Pepys records the tension and confusion surrounding the naval battle with the Dutch fleet in June 1666. He describes the mobilization of soldiers, the contradictory reports of gunfire, the eventual news of a hard-fought victory, and the personal and professional anxieties of those awaiting word from the fleet.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys is deeply involved in the logistical and administrative efforts to support the fleet, including dispatching soldiers and supplies, while also noting the failures in intelligence and command.
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The chapter highlights the political maneuvering at court, the King's and Duke's involvement in naval affairs, and Pepys's reflections on the competence of commanders compared to Lord Sandwich.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Amid the war news, Pepys records domestic details such as dining with family, boxing his boy for not being ready, and visiting Mrs. Daniel.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Pepys is at the center of the action, coordinating the dispatch of soldiers, receiving news from the fleet, and reporting to the King and Duke.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Elizabeth dines with Pepys and his father at Aunt Wight's and later visits Islington with the family.
- Sir William Coventry
Coventry provides Pepys with news from the fleet and opposes Captain Cocke's proposal at the Duke of York's meeting.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys reflects on how the current situation excuses what was imputed to Lord Sandwich and how he is more fit to command than the current leaders.
- Sir William Penn
Penn travels with Pepys to Whitehall and is commanded to go to Harwich to dispatch ships.
- Sir John Minnes
Minnes accompanies Pepys and Penn to Whitehall.
- Captain Cocke
Cocke's proposal for East country goods is read at the Duke of York's meeting, but is opposed by Coventry.
- Lord Brouncker
Brouncker brings Captain Cocke's proposal to the Duke of York's meeting.
Key passages
“I and my father, wife and sister, dined at Aunt Wight's here hard by at Mr. Woolly's, upon sudden warning, they being to go out of town tomorrow.”
Pepys, his father, wife, and sister had an impromptu dinner at Aunt Wight's house at Mr. Woolly's, as the hosts were leaving town the next day.
Shows the informal social life and family connections in Pepys's daily routine.
“But, Lord! to see how the poor fellows kissed their wives and sweethearts in that simple manner at their going off, and shouted, and let off their guns, was strange sport.”
Pepys observes the drunken soldiers saying goodbye to their loved ones in a touching and chaotic scene before boarding ships.
Highlights the human cost and emotional farewells of war.
“How bad we are at intelligence that should give the Prince no sooner notice of anything but let him come to Dover without notice of any fight, or where the fleet were, or anything else, nor give the Duke any notice that he might depend upon the Prince's reserve.”
Pepys criticizes the poor intelligence and communication that left Prince Rupert unaware of the battle's location and the Duke uninformed about the reserve fleet.
Reflects Pepys's frustration with naval administration and command failures.
“We were all so overtaken with this good news, that the Duke ran with it to the King, who was gone to chapel, and there all the Court was in a hubbub, being rejoiced over head and ears in this good news.”
The Duke of York rushed to tell the King the news of the Dutch fleet's defeat, causing great excitement and joy throughout the court.
Illustrates the emotional impact of war news on the royal court.
