# October 1662 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

Pepys balances domestic improvements, naval office duties, and family legal affairs while navigating court gossip about the King's favorites, the Dunkirk sale, and a suspected plot. He oversees workmen at his new house, dines with his wife, and attends a play. He also deals with his brother Tom's marriage negotiations and visits sick colleagues.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Intrigue and Restoration

Pepys discusses court jealousy, the rise of new ministers, and rumors about the King's son, reflecting the political maneuvering after the Restoration.

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Pepys attends to office business, inspects masts with Commissioner Pett, and notes the base carriage of Sir J. M. and Sir W. B. at Chatham.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Pepys oversees workmen on his house, dines with his wife on herrings, and manages his brother Tom's marriage negotiations.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Records his daily activities, including office work, overseeing house renovations, attending a play, and managing family business.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Helps put a chamber in order and dines with Pepys; later sent to direct Pepys's brother in entertaining his mistress's mother.

### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Discusses court jealousy, Dunkirk, and new ministers with Pepys; also mentions Mr. Spong's examination before the King and Council.

### Sir William Batten

Sick but recovering; Pepys visits him and hears about the maid who poisoned herself.

### Sir William Penn

Sick and in great pain; Pepys visits him.

### Mr. Creed

Dines with Pepys, shows him the Tangier commission, and discusses court faction and rumors about the King's son.

### Mr. Moore

Dines with Pepys, helps with Brampton papers, and later recovers from illness; Pepys visits him.

### Captain Ferrers

Visits Pepys, tells him about his cut hand and Ned Pickering's mischief in the country.

## Key lines

> Up with my mind pretty well at rest about my accounts and other business, and so to my house and there put my work to business, and then down to Deptford to do the same there, and so back and with my workmen all the afternoon, and my wife putting a chamber in order for us to lie in.

Pepys wakes feeling calm about his finances and tasks, goes to his house to start work, then to Deptford, returns to supervise workmen, while his wife prepares a bedroom for them.

_Pepys begins the month with domestic and professional duties._

> Here we saw The Cardinall, a tragedy I had never seen before, nor is there any great matter in it.

Pepys watches the play 'The Cardinal' but finds it unremarkable.

_Pepys attends a play at the Cockpit._

> He told me also of the impertinence and mischief that Ned Pickering has made in the country between my Lord and all his servants almost by his finding of faults, which I am vexed to hear, it being a great disgrace to my Lord to have the fellow seen to be so great still with him.

Captain Ferrers reports that Ned Pickering is causing trouble among Lord Sandwich's servants by finding faults, which Pepys finds disgraceful.

_Pepys learns of discord in Lord Sandwich's household._

> He showed me our commission, wherein the Duke of York, Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, Lord Peterborough, Lord Sandwich, Sir G. Carteret, Sir William Compton, Mr. Coventry, Sir R. Ford, Sir William Rider, Mr. Cholmley, Mr. Povy, myself, and Captain Cuttance, in this order are joined for the carrying on the service of Tangier, which I take for a great honour to me.

Creed shows Pepys the Tangier commission listing him among many nobles and officials, which Pepys considers a great honor.

_Pepys is appointed to the Tangier commission._

> He told me what great faction there is at Court; and above all, what is whispered, that young Crofts is lawful son to the King, the King being married to his mother.

Creed informs Pepys about court faction and a rumor that young Crofts is the King's legitimate son.

_Pepys hears a scandalous rumor about the King's marriage._

## Links

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