# Sir William Coventry — The Diary character guide > Sir William Coventry in The Diary by Samuel Pepys. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Coventry, W. Coventry, Coventry, Sir W. Coventry **First appearance:** 0003-january-1659-60 ## Snapshot A capable and clear-eyed naval administrator whose reforms and integrity make him the colleague Pepys most respects and most fears to disappoint. ## Who they are 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 stores, dispatches, and the failings of Batten and Minnes reveal a working partnership built on mutual regard and shared frustration. He represents the possibility of competent government in a diary otherwise full of muddle and self-interest. ## In the story ### [Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/particulars-of-the-life-of-samuel-pepys) Proposed Pepys as Surveyor-General of the Victualling Office; corresponded with Pepys during the Plague. ### [July 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1660) Mentioned as a key figure in the Navy Office; Pepys buys him a piece of plate. ### [March 1660–61](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1660-61) Dispute over purveyor's place resolved; Pepys does business with him. ### [May 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1661) Pepys reports to him upon return from Portsmouth. ### [September 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1661) Mentioned as possibly seeking more absolute power by removing Lord Sandwich from sea. ### [July 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1662) Inspects Deptford with Pepys; expresses desire to reform naval abuses. ### [August 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1662) Meets with Pepys at the office on August 9th; praised for his ingenuity. ### [September 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1662) Pepys spends time with him at St. James's, discussing office business and political news. ### [November 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1662) Navy official; Pepys dines with him and discusses sending his brother-in-law to sea. ### [December 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1662) Naval official; sits with Pepys at the office and discusses affairs. ### [February 1662–63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1662-63) Discusses his philosophy of doing business justly and living contentedly. ### [May 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1663) Naval administrator; Pepys consults him about clerk Hater's situation and receives the Duke's lenient response. ### [June 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1663) Naval administrator; meets with Pepys and the Duke about office business. ### [July 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1663) Pepys discourses with him at St. James's, noting their good understanding. ### [August 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1663) Corresponds with Pepys about Commissioner Pett's complaint; leaves for Bath with the Duke. ### [January 1663–64](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1663-64) Pepys corresponds with him about Department Treasurers and meets him at Whitehall. ### [March 1663–64](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1663-64) Pepys sends him a letter about masts; they ride together to the 'Change. ### [April 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1664) A key figure in naval administration, with whom Pepys discusses office disorders and the prospect of war with the Dutch. ### [May 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1664) Discusses the Dutch war with Pepys, arguing about the reasons for conflict. ### [June 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1664) Dines with Pepys and participates in Tangier committee discussions. ### [July 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1664) Discusses masts business with Pepys and accompanies him to Blackwall yard. ### [August 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1664) Moves the Duke to approve Hater's raise; discusses Dutch war with Pepys. ### [September 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1664) Supports Pepys in opposing Colonel Legge's estimate at the Tangier Committee, helping save the King money. ### [November 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1664) Naval administrator; informs Pepys of Dutch hostility and discusses office management. ### [January 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1664-65) Walking with Sir Philip Warwicke in St. James's Park; discussed as an enemy by Lord Berkeley. ### [February 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1664-65) Pepys walks with him in St. James's Park, noting his melancholy over careless governance. ### [March 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1664-65) Professes love and esteem for Pepys; Pepys delivers notes to him for better ordering of office business. ### [May 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1665) Mentioned in context of office business and the Duke of Albemarle's displeasure. ### [June 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1665) Rejoins Pepys at Whitehall; they discuss Lord Sandwich's honorable service and other naval matters. ### [August 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1665) Mentioned in the context of the fleet and naval affairs. ### [November 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1665) Corresponded with regarding Hambro fleet pilots; envies Lord Sandwich. ### [January 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1665-66) Commends Pepys's paper on Pursers and advises him on the Act's credit. ### [February 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1665-66) Attends the office for the first time since before the plague; is seen as striking at all and causing trouble for Sir G. Carteret. ### [April 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1666) Pepys presents Balty to him at Whitehall. ### [May 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1666) Ordered down to the Fleet with Sir G. Carteret; corresponds with Pepys about naval matters. ### [June 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1666) Coventry provides Pepys with news from the fleet and opposes Captain Cocke's proposal at the Duke of York's meeting. ### [July 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1666) Corresponds with Pepys about pressing men and approves Pepys's paper on victualling. ### [August 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1666) Discusses naval management with Pepys, displeased with the Generals; later reads a critical letter from the Generals to Pepys. ### [September 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1666) Coventry discusses accounts with Pepys and shares news about the fleet and De Ruyter's reported death. ### [October 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1666) Dines with Pepys and other Navy officials; provides guidance on parliamentary matters and the state of the fleet. ### [November 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1666) Pepys meets with Sir W. Coventry at Whitehall, who is melancholy about the King's service, lost discipline in the fleet, and the need to represent matters plainly to the Duke of York. ### [March 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1666-67) Participates in the Carcasse hearing and sides with Pepys. ### [April 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1667) Discusses the need for peace due to lack of funds and criticizes Sir G. Carteret's inaction on money matters. ### [June 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1667) Naval administrator; Pepys consults with him about accounts and the Treasurer's delays. ### [July 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1667) Pepys meets with him; he is angry about the change of Treasurer and holds his head high. ### [August 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1667) Discusses naval retrenchments with Pepys and Mr. Gawden at St. James's. ### [September 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1667) Resigns from the Duke of York's service, explaining his reasons to Pepys. ### [October 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1667) Walks with Pepys at St. James's, discussing Navy business and showing continued confidence in him. ### [November 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1667) Mentioned as the recipient of a letter from Pepys regarding a pass for Warren's ship. ### [January 1667–68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1667-68) Assists Pepys in securing the King's grant for Joyce's estate. ### [March 1667–68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1667-68) Anxious about Parliament; helps Pepys prepare defense; argues against entering men prematurely for the fleet. ### [July 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1668) Walks with Pepys in the Park, shares stories, and disputes pensions for Flag-Officers. ### [August 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1668) Pepys visits him; he is troubled by the Commissioners of Accounts over Sir W. Warren's business. ### [September 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1668) Discusses the Victualling contract and Navy answers; noted as being out of favor at court. ### [October 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1668) Mentioned indirectly as 'Mr. Wren' reports on James Southern's petition. ### [December 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1668) Coventry is mentioned in the context of naval administration and the Duke of York's stories. ### [January 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1668-69) Advisor to Pepys on Tangier treasury; discusses court factions and the King's councils. ### [February 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1668-69) Pepys visits him for discourse on Navy and public matters; shows old Navy books. ### [March 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1668-69) Sent to the Tower for challenging the Duke of Buckingham; Pepys visits him there and learns of his petition to the King. ### [May 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1669) Pepys visits him while he is indisposed; they discuss Commanders' Instructions. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/endnotes) Addressee of Pepys's 'New Year's Gift' letter on naval victualling. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_william_coventry - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters