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The Diary · Character

Sir William Coventry

A capable and clear-eyed naval administrator whose reforms and integrity make him the colleague Pepys most respects and most fears to disappoint.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Coventry, W. Coventry, Coventry, Sir W. Coventry

First appearance: january 1659 60

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

Proposed Pepys as Surveyor-General of the Victualling Office; corresponded with Pepys during the Plague.
In the storyParticulars of the Life of Samuel PepysOpen this moment free

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Coventry is the office's conscience and its most effective worker, a man Pepys calls one of the worthiest in the nation even as he feels the weight of expectation Coventry places on him. Their long conversations about…

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See Sir William Coventry in january 1659 60

Character Web

21 connections

A slice of how Sir William Coventry sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

EMEdward Montagu…CCCaptain CockeSJSir John MinnesMPMr. PierceSPSamuel PepysSWSir William Coventry

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Naval and Court Officials
  • Protagonist

+16 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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

Sir William Coventry appears across 61 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Sir William Coventry in january 1659 60