The Diary · Chapter
May 1666 explained
In May 1666, Pepys navigates personal and professional challenges: his cousin Thomas Pepys hesitates to become a Justice of the Peace due to religious and linguistic concerns; his maid Susan falls ill, causing domestic strain; he attends to
What happens
In May 1666, Pepys navigates personal and professional challenges: his cousin Thomas Pepys hesitates to become a Justice of the Peace due to religious and linguistic concerns; his maid Susan falls ill, causing domestic strain; he attends to naval business, Tangier committee work, and financial matters, including a new Exchequer system by Sir G. Downing. He also hangs portraits by Hales, enjoys a coach race, and reconnects with Betty Howlett at church, while the plague increases and the fleet remains at the Nore.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys deals with naval finances, letters to the Duke of York about lack of money, and Captain Cocke's complaints about Lord Brouncker.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Domestic scenes include maid Susan's illness, Elizabeth's painting, hanging portraits, and a coach race with Aunt Wight.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys examines kitchen book errors, secures £10,000 for the Navy, and observes Downing's new Exchequer method.
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
Pepys's marital tensions over attention to other women; his desire for Bagwell's wife and Betty Howlett.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Records daily life, office work, domestic troubles, and social outings; struggles with desire and duty.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Begins painting, disputes with Pepys over household management and attention to other women.
- Sir William Coventry
Ordered down to the Fleet with Sir G. Carteret; corresponds with Pepys about naval matters.
- Sir George Carteret
Ordered down to the Fleet with Sir W. Coventry.
- Sir William Penn
Goes down to the Fleet; Pepys fears being summoned to inform him.
- Lord Brouncker
Gives Pepys a French book; Captain Cocke complains of his treatment by Brouncker.
- Mr. Creed
Mentioned in context of Tangier business.
- Captain Cocke
Seeks Pepys's help to get money; tired of serving Lord Brouncker.
Key passages
“I did bring him to incline towards it, if he be pressed to take it. I do think it may be some repute to me to have my kinsman in Commission there, specially if he behave himself to content in the country.”
Pepys persuades his cousin Thomas to consider becoming a Justice of the Peace, seeing it as a way to enhance his own reputation.
Shows Pepys's social ambition and family networking.
“I fell to examine my wife’s kitchen book, and find 20 s. mistake, which made me mighty angry and great difference between us, and so in the difference to bed.”
Pepys discovers a 20-shilling error in his wife's household accounts, leading to a quarrel that ends the day in discord.
Illustrates Pepys's meticulousness and domestic tensions over money.
“I do really take it to be a very considerable thing done by him; for the beginning, end, and every part of it, is to be imputed to him.”
Pepys praises Sir G. Downing for the success of the new Exchequer Act, attributing its entire design and execution to him.
Highlights Pepys's recognition of administrative innovation.
