# Captain Cocke — The Diary character guide > Captain Cocke in The Diary by Samuel Pepys. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Cocke, Captain Cocke **First appearance:** 0003-january-1659-60 ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/edward_montagu_earl_of_sandwich) _professional_ Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with Lord Sandwich on official matters. ### [Sir William Batten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_william_batten) _professional_ Captain Cocke and Sir William Batten had business dealings as naval contractors and commissioners, often with mutual suspicion. ### [Elizabeth Pepys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/elizabeth_pepys) _social_ Captain Cocke and Elizabeth Pepys were acquaintances through Samuel Pepys's social network, with occasional friendly interactions. ### [Sir W. Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_w_warren) _professional_ Captain Cocke and Sir W. Warren were business associates involved in naval contracts and supply deals. ### [Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/edward_montagu_earl_of_sandwich) _professional_ Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with Lord Sandwich on official matters. ### [Elizabeth Pepys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/elizabeth_pepys) _social_ Captain Cocke and Elizabeth Pepys were acquaintances through Samuel Pepys's social network, with occasional friendly interactions. ### [Sir W. Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_w_warren) _professional_ Captain Cocke and Sir W. Warren were business associates involved in naval contracts and supply deals. ### [Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/edward_montagu_earl_of_sandwich) _professional_ Captain Cocke was a business associate and naval contractor frequently interacting with Lord Sandwich on official matters. ### [Sir William Batten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_william_batten) _professional_ Captain Cocke and Sir William Batten had business dealings as naval contractors and commissioners, often with mutual suspicion. ## In the story ### [October 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1661) Merchant who warns Pepys that Parliament may bring trouble by inquiring into the King's disposal of offices and money. ### [December 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1661) Gave girkins to Mrs. Pepys; appears half-drunk at Sir W. Penn's supper on Christmas. ### [August 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1662) Travels with Pepys to Chatham; hosts him for dinner and shares lodging. ### [July 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1663) Dines with Pepys at his house, offering him aged Malago Sack; his lady is consumptive. ### [October 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1663) His second account was examined and reduced at the board. ### [June 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1664) Mentions the Dutch ambassador's arrival and discusses war prospects. ### [December 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1664) Visits Pepys and shares insider knowledge about King Charles II's credulity to Cromwell's promises. ### [September 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1665) Dines with Pepys, discusses the kingdom's ill government, and takes Elizabeth to see his boy at school. ### [October 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1665) Travels with Pepys, shares in prize goods, and later faces seizure of his goods by Custom House men. ### [November 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1665) Dines with Pepys, discusses prize goods and the King's matters, and travels with him. ### [December 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1665) Cocke is a frequent companion, dining and discussing prize goods; Pepys gains £500 from Cocke's bargains. ### [April 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1666) Promises Pepys a dozen silver salts and proposes a plate business for Lord Brouncker. ### [May 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1666) Seeks Pepys's help to get money; tired of serving Lord Brouncker. ### [June 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1666) Travels with Pepys by coach, discusses his hemp business and seeks Pepys's assistance. ### [November 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1666) Walks with Pepys in the garden and discusses the Court's anger at a Proviso and parliamentary tensions. ### [February 1667–68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1667-68) Summoned with Pepys to appear before the Commissioners of Accounts regarding prize business. ### [April 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1668) Involved in the legal argument about assignments on the £1,250,000 Act. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/captain_cocke - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters