The Diary · Character

Lord Brouncker

A naval commissioner and Royal Society president whose table and connections make him both a useful ally and a puzzle Pepys never quite solves.

supporting

Also known as Brouncker, my Lord Brouncker, Lord Brouncker

First appearance: january 1659 60

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

Hosts a French dinner with a ballet; later carries Pepys to Mr.

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Brouncker moves between Admiralty business and the scientific world, hosting dinners where Pepys's political victories are toasted and lending his acquaintance to men of learning. He is a man of parts and standing, yet Pepys watches him with a mixture of respect and wariness, never fully certain where his loyalties settle. His presence threads the diary's twin obsessions — the Navy Office and the new philosophy — through the middle years.

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Character Web

20 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Naval and Court Officials

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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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In the story

Lord Brouncker appears across 34 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

January 1664–65
Hosts a French dinner with a ballet; later carries Pepys to Mr. Povy's.
February 1664–65
Pepys goes to the 'Change with him and is admitted to Gresham College by him as President.
May 1665
Joins the coach to Colonel Blunt's house for experiments.
August 1665
Visits Woolwich with Commissioner Pett and a lady; Pepys meets him there.
September 1665
Provides his coach for Pepys's journey to Nonsuch; dines and sups with Pepys and Captain Cocke.
November 1665
Celebrates his birthday with green ribands and hosts Pepys at Erith.
December 1665
Lord Brouncker accompanies Pepys to the Duke of Albemarle and notes the Duchess's insulting remark about Lord Sandwich.
January 1665–66
Accompanies Pepys to London, engages in office business, and provides merry company.
February 1665–66
Dines with Pepys and Captain Cocke; Pepys rides with him and his mistress Madam Williams.
March 1665–66
Accompanies Pepys to Guildhall and to Sir Robert Long; dines with Pepys at the White Horse.
May 1666
Gives Pepys a French book; Captain Cocke complains of his treatment by Brouncker.
June 1666
Brouncker brings Captain Cocke's proposal to the Duke of York's meeting.
August 1666
Receives Pepys coldly when he visits, making Pepys regret his officiousness.
October 1666
Signs papers for the Navy lists; appears busy with Queen's council.
January 1666–67
Dines at Sir W. Penn's and at Pepys's, later makes a poor congratulatory speech at the Royal Society.
February 1666–67
Concerned with the Carcasse affair against Sir W. Batten; leaves the office after a dispute with Sir W. Penn.
March 1666–67
Argues in favor of Carcasse, leading to a public foil that displeases him.
April 1667
Involved in office disputes over Carcasse's case, with Pett eager to use it against him.
October 1667
Under scrutiny in Parliament for advising to shorten sail during the Dutch war; faces potential impeachment.
November 1667
Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall to see the Duke of York, but they are unable to speak with him.
February 1667–68
Attends the Duke of York's chamber and later goes to the play with Pepys and Sir W. Penn.
March 1667–68
Attends Council with Pepys and Penn to discuss manning the fleet.
April 1668
Attends the Duke of York's playhouse and the Royal Society with Pepys.
May 1668
Gives Pepys a ride; dines with him at Mrs. Williams's; attends Teddiman's burial.
June 1668
Dines with Pepys and others; noted as being ill later in the chapter.
August 1668
Discusses with Pepys a design to reform the Navy Office.
September 1668
Attends Treasury meeting about the victualling-contract with Pepys and Penn.
October 1668
Pepys secures his assent for T. Hater's place; also involved with the Royal Society.
November 1668
Brouncker is absent from the Office, causing Pepys to delay delivering the Duke of York's letter.
December 1668
Brouncker is referenced in the Ticket-Office dispute.
January 1668–69
Accompanies Pepys to the King's elaboratory; present at court discussions.
February 1668–69
Attends council with Pepys and discusses the King's decision on Ormond's governorship.
April 1669
Dines at Sir W. Penn's with his mistress, then accompanies Pepys and Elizabeth.
May 1669
Pepys visits him; he is ill with the gout and his lodgings are blamed for it.

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