# October 1666 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

Pepys navigates the administrative and financial turmoil of the Navy Office, grappling with parliamentary inquiries, personal debts, and the hiring of a new maid. He finds solace in balancing his accounts and in fleeting encounters with Betty Michell, while the month ends with widespread anxiety over the King's neglect, naval disarray, and the threat of invasion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Pepys grapples with parliamentary scrutiny of Navy lists, the financial paralysis of the fleet, and the incompetence of officials like Sir J. Minnes.

### Money, Debt, and Economy

Pepys settles his personal accounts, borrows and lends money, and reflects on the national economic crisis as the Navy runs out of credit.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Pepys hires a new maid, visits Betty Michell, and enjoys domestic music; his wife deals with family illness and marital discord.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Busy with Navy lists for Parliament, hiring a new maid, and settling his accounts; anxious about the state of the Navy and the King's inaction.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Accompanies Pepys on errands; visits her sick brother; involved in discussions about hiring a new maid.

### Sir William Coventry

Dines with Pepys and other Navy officials; provides guidance on parliamentary matters and the state of the fleet.

### Sir William Batten

Joins Pepys at dinner and in committee meetings; arranges a bond for a private man-of-war venture.

### Sir William Penn

Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall and the Committee; departs to join the fleet at the Nore.

### Lord Brouncker

Signs papers for the Navy lists; appears busy with Queen's council.

### Sir George Carteret

Informs Pepys about the referral of Navy lists to a subcommittee.

### Mr. Hewer

Reports to Mrs. Pepys that Mercer is unwilling to return as maid.

## Key lines

> Up, and all the morning at the office, getting the list of all the ships and vessels employed since the war, for the Committee of Parliament.

Pepys spent the morning compiling a list of all ships used during the war for a parliamentary committee.

_Highlights Pepys's administrative burden and the political oversight of naval affairs._

> I bless God I do find that I am worth more than ever I yet was, which is £6,200, for which the Holy Name of God be praised!

Pepys rejoices that his net worth has risen to £6,200, a new personal record.

_Reflects Pepys's careful financial management amid national crisis._

> The seamen grow very rude, and everything out of order; commanders having no power over their seamen, but the seamen do what they please.

Seamen are becoming unruly and disobedient, with commanders unable to enforce discipline.

_Illustrates the breakdown of naval order due to unpaid wages._

> My grief only being that the King do not look after his business himself, and thereby will be undone both himself and his nation.

Pepys laments that the King's neglect of state affairs will ruin both the monarchy and the country.

_Expresses Pepys's frustration with Charles II's lack of engagement in governance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1666
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters