The Diary · Chapter
June 1667 explained
In June 1667, Pepys records the dire state of the English navy and the nation as the Dutch fleet breaks the chain at Chatham, burns ships including the Royal Charles, and threatens London.
What happens
In June 1667, Pepys records the dire state of the English navy and the nation as the Dutch fleet breaks the chain at Chatham, burns ships including the Royal Charles, and threatens London. He describes the panic at court, the King's decision to call Parliament, and his own frantic measures to secure his family and savings. Amidst administrative chaos and personal fear, Pepys also attends to routine business, including hiring ground for a coach-house and drawing up Tangier accounts.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys details the breakdown of naval discipline, lack of funds to pay seamen, and the disastrous consequences of administrative failure at Chatham.
Money, Debt, and Economy
The chapter is dominated by financial panic: Pepys moves gold to the country, bankers refuse to pay, and the Navy cannot raise £200 to outfit ships.
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The King's decision to call Parliament against the advice of the Duke of York and the Chancellor reflects high-stakes political maneuvering in a time of crisis.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator and Clerk of the Acts; deeply anxious about the Dutch invasion and the safety of his office and savings.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Pepys's wife; sent with her father-in-law to the country with £1,300 in gold for safekeeping.
- Sir William Penn
Naval commissioner; accompanies Pepys to Whitehall and discusses the fleet's financial difficulties.
- Sir William Coventry
Naval administrator; Pepys consults with him about accounts and the Treasurer's delays.
- Roger Pepys
Cousin of Samuel; newly arrived from the country, discusses a possible match for Pall and family history.
- Mr. Hewer
Clerk to Pepys; helps withdraw money from the banker's amid the financial panic.
- Mr. Creed
Visitor; Pepys puts him off while finishing his Tangier accounts.
Key passages
“the news is true, that the Dutch have broke the chaine and burned our ships, and particularly The Royal Charles”
The Dutch have indeed broken the defensive chain at Chatham and set fire to our ships, especially the Royal Charles.
Pepys confirms the worst news of the Dutch raid.
“this day in Council the King hath declared that he will call his Parliament in thirty days: which is the best news I have heard a great while”
The King announced in Council today that he will summon Parliament within thirty days—the best news I've heard in a long time.
Pepys welcomes the political decision to recall Parliament.
“I presently resolved of my father's and wife's going into the country; and, at two hours' warning, they did go by the coach this day, with about £1,300 in gold in their night-bag.”
I immediately decided to send my father and wife to the countryside; within two hours they left by coach, carrying about £1,300 in gold in a night bag.
Pepys takes urgent action to protect his family and savings from the advancing Dutch.