May 1668 explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Political Intrigue and Restoration

  Parliamentary conflicts, impeachment of Sir W. Penn, and the East India Company dispute dominate the chapter.

• Naval Administration and Corruption

  Pepys's office work, Sir Thomas Teddiman's death linked to parliamentary treatment, and naval appointments are discussed.

• Theatre and Public Entertainment

  Pepys attends multiple plays including 'The Surprisal', 'The Sullen Lovers', 'The Tempest', and 'The Committee'.

• Money, Debt, and Economy

  Potential loan of £100 to Lady Sandwich, and the East India Company's financial dispute with Skinner.

Characters to notice

• Samuel Pepys

  Narrator and central figure; attends office, plays, and social engagements.

• Sir William Penn

  Labours to have his impeachment answer read; discusses Parliament with Pepys.

• Sir George Carteret

  Pepys goes to dine at his house but finds him not at home.

• Lord Brouncker

  Gives Pepys a ride; dines with him at Mrs. Williams's; attends Teddiman's burial.

• Mr. Sheply

  Visits Pepys and discusses Lord Sandwich's affairs, mentioning a possible loan from Pepys to Lady Sandwich.

• Mrs. Turner

  Dines with Pepys on the 3rd; shows him her house on the 15th.

• Elizabeth Pepys

  Mentioned indirectly; Mrs. Williams notes her absence from visits.

• Mr. Hewer

  Dines with Pepys on the 10th.

Key passages

• “Up, and to the office, where all the morning busy. Then to Westminster Hall, and there met Sir W. Penn, who labours to have his answer to his impeachment, and sent down from the Lords’ House, read by the House of Commons; but they are so busy on other matters, that he cannot, and thereby will, as he believes, by design, be prevented from going to sea this year.”

  Pepys went to work and then to Westminster Hall, where he met Sir W. Penn, who is trying to get his impeachment response read in the Commons, but other business is blocking it, which Penn thinks is intentional to stop him from sailing this year.

  Highlights Penn's political struggles and the obstruction in Parliament.

• “Here met my cousin Thomas Pepys of Deptford, and took some turns with him; who is mightily troubled for this Act now passed against Conventicles, and in few words, and sober, do lament the condition we are in, by a negligent Prince and a mad Parliament.”

  Pepys walked with his cousin Thomas, who is very upset about the new Conventicles Act, and soberly lamented that the country is suffering under a careless king and a crazy parliament.

  Reflects contemporary discontent with the monarchy and legislature.

• “But, Lord! to see how unlucky a man may be, by chance; for, making an unfortunate minute when they were almost tired with the other business, the Duke of York did find fault with it, and that made all the rest, that I believe he had better have given a great deal, and had nothing said to it today; whereas, I have seen other things more extravagant passed at first hearing, without any difficulty.”

  Pepys reflects on how unlucky Sir H. Cholmly was: his proposal was read at a bad moment when everyone was tired, and the Duke of York criticized it, so it failed, whereas more extravagant proposals often pass easily.

  Illustrates the capricious nature of naval committee decisions.

• “And here I do hear that some of the last words that he [Sir Thomas Teddiman] said were, that he had a very good King, God bless him! but that the Parliament had very ill rewarded him for all the service he had endeavoured to do them and his country; so that, for certain, this did go far towards his death.”

  Pepys hears that Teddiman's last words were praise for the King but complaint that Parliament had poorly rewarded his service, which likely contributed to his death.

  Shows the perceived ingratitude of Parliament toward loyal naval officers.

• “But here they tell me that they hear that this day Kate Joyce was to be married to a man called Hollingshed, whom she indeed did once tell me of, and desired me to enquire after him. But, whatever she said of his being rich, I do fear, by her doing this without my advice, it is not as it ought to be; but, as she brews, let her bake.”

  Pepys learns that Kate Joyce married Hollingshed without consulting him, and he worries the match may not be good despite her claims of wealth, but he resigns himself to let her face the consequences.

  Demonstrates Pepys's protective attitude toward family and his skepticism about imprudent marriages.