The Diary · Chapter
August 1663 explained
Pepys deals with domestic turmoil as his wife Elizabeth's harsh treatment of maid Ashwell leads to her dismissal, while he interviews a replacement.
What happens
Pepys deals with domestic turmoil as his wife Elizabeth's harsh treatment of maid Ashwell leads to her dismissal, while he interviews a replacement. He also manages office politics, visits Lord Sandwich to handle financial accounts, and reflects on his jealousy regarding his wife's dancing master Pembleton.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the news of the impending naval battle throws the Board into…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys engages in office business, discusses Mr. Wood's knavery, and handles Commissioner Pett's complaint.
- Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
Pepys's jealousy over his wife's dancing master Pembleton and domestic conflicts with Elizabeth over Ashwell.
- Daily Life and Domesticity
Household renovations, hiring a chambermaid, and managing servants.
- Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys lends Lord Sandwich more money, renews a bond for £700, and pays Ashwell's wages.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator; manages household conflicts, office duties, and financial dealings with Lord Sandwich.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Pepys's wife; accused by Ashwell of base usage and blows, leading to Ashwell's dismissal; Pepys chides her but hopes for peace.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys meets with him alone; confides in Pepys, renews a bond for £700, and shows prints of Lisbon; Pepys notes his dotage on a woman at Chelsea.
- Sir William Coventry
Corresponds with Pepys about Commissioner Pett's complaint; leaves for Bath with the Duke.
- Sir William Penn
Pepys visits him while he is lame; discusses sending soldiers to Ireland.
- Mr. Creed
Accompanies Pepys to St. James's and the New Exchange.
- Sir W. Warren
Meets Pepys at a coffee house to discuss office business and Mr. Wood's knavery.
- Roger Pepys
Pepys's father; discontented and reluctant to come to Pepys's house due to differences with Elizabeth.
Key passages
“I perceive she has received most base usage from my wife, which my wife sillily denies, but it is impossible the wench could invent words and matter so particularly”
Pepys believes Ashwell's detailed account of mistreatment by Elizabeth, though Elizabeth denies it.
Highlights domestic conflict and Pepys's role as mediator.
“I offered my Lord my accounts, and did give him up his old bond for £500 and took a new one of him for £700”
Pepys cancels Lord Sandwich's old debt of £500 and issues a new bond for £700, lending him additional money.
Shows Pepys's financial dealings and trust with his patron.
“I found Pembleton to stand in the isle against us, he coming too late to get a pew. Which, Lord! into what a sweat did it put me!”
Pepys panics upon seeing Pembleton at church, fearing his wife's interaction with the dancing master.
Illustrates Pepys's intense jealousy.
