# November 1662 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

Pepys continues his search for treasure in the Tower cellars, attends a dinner at Trinity House, and enjoys a play at the Cockpit. He deals with domestic improvements, a quarrel with his wife over a maid, and ongoing legal troubles. He also hears news of the Queen Mother's marriage, the arrival of Dunkirk money, and the death of old Audley.

## Themes in this chapter

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Pepys deals with Navy Office business, legal troubles (Field's case), and the arrival of Dunkirk money.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Pepys describes home improvements, a quarrel with his wife, and the hiring of a new maid.

### Money, Debt, and Economy

Pepys worries about expenses, the cost of household goods, and hears of Audley's vast estate.

### Theatre and Public Entertainment

Pepys attends a performance of 'The Scornful Lady' at the Cockpit with the royal family present.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Narrator and protagonist; involved in treasure hunting, naval administration, and domestic life.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Pepys's wife; they have a contented relationship but quarrel over a maid.

### Sir William Batten

Colleague at the Navy Office; Pepys dines with him and discusses lodgings.

### Sir John Minnes

Navy official; Pepys travels with him and notes his plans to alter their shared entry.

### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Pepys's patron; Pepys visits him and receives signs of his confidence.

### Mr. Creed

Accompanies Pepys to Trinity House dinner and to the play.

### Sir William Coventry

Navy official; Pepys dines with him and discusses sending his brother-in-law to sea.

### Mr. Moore

Dines with Pepys and brings news of the Queen Mother's marriage.

## Key lines

> I went to the Trinity House, to a great dinner there, by invitacion, and much company.

Pepys attended a large formal dinner at Trinity House as an invited guest.

_Highlights Pepys's social and professional networking._

> We stayed two or three hours digging, and dug a great deal all under the arches, as it was now most confidently directed, and so seriously, and upon pretended good grounds, that I myself did truly expect to speed; but we missed of all.

Pepys and his team dug for hours in the Tower cellars based on confident directions, but found nothing.

_Illustrates the futile treasure hunt that recurs in the diary._

> My wife and I fell out cruelly, to my great discontent. But I do see her set so against the wench, whom I take to be a most extraordinary good servant, that I was forced for the wench's sake to bid her get her another place.

Pepys quarreled bitterly with his wife over a maid he valued highly, and he told the maid to find another job.

_Shows domestic tension and Pepys's attachment to a servant._

> This day come the King's pleasure-boats from Calais, with the Dunkirk money, being 400,000 pistolles.

The King's ships arrived from Calais carrying 400,000 pistoles from the sale of Dunkirk.

_A significant financial event for the Crown._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1662
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters