The Diary · Character

Captain Cocke

A merchant and naval contractor whose oaths, errands, and prize-goods dealings make him a useful, rough-edged ally in Pepys's most anxious hours.

supporting

Also known as Cocke, Captain Cocke

First appearance: january 1659 60

As a supporting figure in The Diary, Captain Cocke is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Merchant who warns Pepys that Parliament may bring trouble by inquiring into the King's disposal of offices and money.

In the storyOctober 1661Open this moment free

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Cocke appears when Pepys needs a man who can find a locked-up book, curse a careless boy, and drink through a tense afternoon at the Swan Tavern. He is a contractor in the prize-goods world, comfortable with the grubby edges of naval finance, and his loyalty is practical rather than sentimental. During the parliamentary examination that terrifies Pepys, Cocke's presence is one of the few steadying things in a day of fear.

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See Captain Cocke in january 1659 60

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Captain Cocke sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Other

Character groups

Naval and Court Officials

+17 more in the full Character Web

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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…

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Relationships

Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
professional · positive
Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with… How this plays out →
Sir William Batten
professional · ambivalent
Elizabeth Pepys
social · positive
Sir W. Warren
professional · positive
Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
professional · positive
Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with… How this plays out →
Elizabeth Pepys
social · positive
Sir W. Warren
professional · positive
Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
professional · positive
Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with… How this plays out →
Sir William Batten
professional · ambivalent

Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with Lord Sandwich on official matters.
Sir William Batten
Captain Cocke and Sir William Batten had business dealings as naval contractors and commissioners, often with mutual suspicion.
Elizabeth Pepys
Captain Cocke and Elizabeth Pepys were acquaintances through Samuel Pepys's social network, with occasional friendly interactions.
Sir W. Warren
Captain Cocke and Sir W. Warren were business associates involved in naval contracts and supply deals.
Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with Lord Sandwich on official matters.
Elizabeth Pepys
Captain Cocke and Elizabeth Pepys were acquaintances through Samuel Pepys's social network, with occasional friendly interactions.
Sir W. Warren
Captain Cocke and Sir W. Warren were business associates involved in naval contracts and supply deals.
Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with Lord Sandwich on official matters.
Sir William Batten
Captain Cocke and Sir William Batten had business dealings as naval contractors and commissioners, often with mutual suspicion.

Relationship notes

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See Captain Cocke in january 1659 60

In the story

Captain Cocke appears across 19 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

October 1661
Merchant who warns Pepys that Parliament may bring trouble by inquiring into the King's disposal of offices and money.
December 1661
Gave girkins to Mrs. Pepys; appears half-drunk at Sir W. Penn's supper on Christmas.
August 1662
Travels with Pepys to Chatham; hosts him for dinner and shares lodging.
July 1663
Dines with Pepys at his house, offering him aged Malago Sack; his lady is consumptive.
October 1663
His second account was examined and reduced at the board.
June 1664
Mentions the Dutch ambassador's arrival and discusses war prospects.
December 1664
Visits Pepys and shares insider knowledge about King Charles II's credulity to Cromwell's promises.
September 1665
Dines with Pepys, discusses the kingdom's ill government, and takes Elizabeth to see his boy at school.
October 1665
Travels with Pepys, shares in prize goods, and later faces seizure of his goods by Custom House men.
November 1665
Dines with Pepys, discusses prize goods and the King's matters, and travels with him.
December 1665
Cocke is a frequent companion, dining and discussing prize goods; Pepys gains £500 from Cocke's bargains.
April 1666
Promises Pepys a dozen silver salts and proposes a plate business for Lord Brouncker.
May 1666
Seeks Pepys's help to get money; tired of serving Lord Brouncker.
June 1666
Cocke's proposal for East country goods is read at the Duke of York's meeting, but is opposed by Coventry.
August 1666
Travels with Pepys by coach, discusses his hemp business and seeks Pepys's assistance.
November 1666
Captain Cocke visits Pepys for melancholy discourse on the times, and later comes half-drunk to sit with Pepys and his wife.
December 1666
Walks with Pepys in the garden and discusses the Court's anger at a Proviso and parliamentary tensions.
February 1667–68
Summoned with Pepys to appear before the Commissioners of Accounts regarding prize business.
April 1668
Involved in the legal argument about assignments on the £1,250,000 Act.

Chapter companion notes

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See Captain Cocke in january 1659 60

See Captain Cocke in October 1661