Political Intrigue and Restoration
The diary chronicles the political machinations surrounding the restoration of the monarchy, including shifting loyalties, secret dealings with the King, and the maneuvering of figures like Monk, the Duke of York, and Lord Chancellor.
Where it surfaces
January 1659–60
The chapter is steeped in political uncertainty: the Rump's return, Lambert's defiance, Monk's ambiguous stance, and the push for a free Parliament all foreshadow the Restoration.
February 1659–60
The chapter focuses on the political crisis, including soldier mutinies, the readmission of secluded members, and Monk's role.
April 1660
The chapter is dominated by rumors and discussions about the King's return, General Monk's role, and the power struggle between Presbyterians and Cavaliers.
May 1660
The chapter details the political maneuvering behind the Restoration, including Lord Sandwich's secret correspondence with the King and the fleet's public declaration of loyalty.
June 1660
Pepys details Lord Sandwich's rise at court, the swearing-in as Privy Counsellor, and the maneuvering for offices and favors in the new royal administration.
October 1660
Court scandal involving the Duke of York, discussions of royal favor, and the display of traitors' remains underscore the volatile political climate.
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys' work at the Navy Board reveals systemic financial mismanagement, bribery, and the struggle to fund and maintain the fleet, highlighting the gap between official duty and personal gain.
Where it surfaces
Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys
Pepys's appointment as Clerk of the Acts despite lacking naval and accounting knowledge, his hard work to become a model official, and his role in managing naval affairs during the Dutch war and Plague.
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
Pepys' work at the Navy Office is central, highlighting the administrative and financial challenges of the fleet.
March 1659–60
Pepys manages fleet establishments, lists of ships, and orders, highlighting the administrative demands and potential for corruption in naval affairs.
April 1660
Pepys's work on ship commissions, convoy assignments, and the financial state of the Exchequer highlight the administrative and corrupt practices of the Navy.
May 1660
Pepys's role in drafting votes and proclamations, and his observations of the fleet's command structure, highlight the administrative and patronage aspects of naval life.
June 1660
Pepys computes ship pay, deals with commissions for captains, and observes the financial and bureaucratic workings of the Navy Office.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys is acutely aware of social standing, striving to improve his own through patronage, fine clothes, and home improvements, while observing and judging the behavior of nobles, merchants, and servants.
Where it surfaces
Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys
Pepys's rise from a tailor's son to a high-ranking official; his pride in his family lineage and his patronage by Lord Sandwich.
March 1659–60
Pepys's pride in being addressed as 'Esq.' and his careful navigation of social hierarchies among officers and nobles.
July 1660
Pepys wears his first silk suit, worries about the cost of his patent, and is anxious about his social standing and future prospects.
September 1660
Pepys navigates social circles, dines with influential figures, and manages his finances to improve his standing, reflecting his upward mobility.
January 1660–61
Pepys notes his rising status, dining with nobility, and his satisfaction at being in places where he once petitioned as a scholar.
February 1660–61
Pepys begins wearing a coat and sword as a gentleman, chooses Valentines, and hosts dinners, reflecting his social climbing.
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
The diary explores Pepys' marriage to Elizabeth, his frequent infidelities with servants and actresses, and the double standards of gender, alongside gossip about royal and noble sexual scandals.
Where it surfaces
July 1662
The falling out between Lord and Lady Castlemaine over the christening of their child, and her removal of household goods.
June 1663
Domestic tensions with Elizabeth over the boy and Ashwell; Pepys's jealousy of Pembleton.
July 1663
Observations of the Queen, Lady Castlemaine, and Mrs. Stewart at court, including the King's coldness toward Castlemaine and Pepys's own fantasies.
August 1663
Pepys's jealousy over his wife's dancing master Pembleton and domestic conflicts with Elizabeth over Ashwell.
September 1663
Pepys struggles with guilt over his attempted infidelity with Mrs. Lane and reflects on his wife's hard work.
November 1663
Pepys and Elizabeth have a heated quarrel over a servant's lie, but reconcile before bed.
Theatre and Public Entertainment
Pepys frequently attends plays, operas, and puppet shows, offering detailed commentary on performances, actors like Nell Gwyn, and the social dynamics of the theatre as a space for leisure and intrigue.
Where it surfaces
January 1660–61
Pepys attends plays such as 'The Silent Woman' and 'The Widdow,' and comments on performances and actors.
February 1660–61
Pepys attends performances of 'The Scornful Lady' and 'The Virgin Martyr,' and hears trumpets and drums at Whitehall.
March 1660–61
Pepys attends multiple plays including 'Love's Mistress', 'King and No King', 'The Spanish Curate', 'The Bondman', and 'Rollo'.
April 1661
Pepys attends several plays ('Rule a Wife and Have a Wife,' 'The Little Thiefe,' 'The Humersome Lieutenant') and enjoys music and social gatherings.
July 1661
Pepys attends the opera 'The Siege of Rhodes' and the play 'Claracilla', noting the shift in audience from traditional theatres to the new opera.
August 1661
Pepys attends several plays including 'The Joviall Crew' and 'The Witts', visits Bartholomew Fair, and expresses guilt over his love of plays.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Financial concerns permeate the diary, from Pepys' personal expenses on furniture and gifts to the government's inability to pay sailors, reflecting the precarious economy of Restoration England.
Where it surfaces
Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys
Pepys's salary as Clerk of the Acts (£350 a year plus ancient fee), his additional income as deputy Clerk of the Privy Seal, and his role as treasurer for Tangier.
January 1659–60
Pepys frequently notes his financial struggles, borrowing £10, worrying about debts, and the uncertainty of his office's salary.
February 1659–60
Pepys handles financial transactions, collects £60, and notes his net worth of £40.
June 1660
Pepys counts his growing wealth (near £100), receives gifts and payments, and notes the cost of offices and the promise of a month's pay for the fleet.
July 1660
Pepys spends heavily on clothes, plate, and his patent, and borrows sheets from Mr. Howe, reflecting his constant financial juggling.
August 1660
Pepys rejoices in receiving £40 from the Privy Seal, calculates expenses for his former house, and spends on a costly petticoat for his wife, underscoring his focus on personal finance.
Religion and Sectarian Conflict
The diary records tensions between Anglicans, Presbyterians, Anabaptists, and Catholics, including debates over the Book of Common Prayer, the King's religious policies, and the lingering effects of Puritan rule.
Where it surfaces
October 1660
Pepys attends church services, criticizes the preaching, and notes Lord Sandwich's scepticism and the meeting of Episcopalian and Presbyterian divines.
November 1660
Mr. Mills begins using Common Prayer in church, causing confusion among parishioners; the King's declaration gives Presbyterians a pretext to read it.
February 1662–63
Parliament debates whether Presbyterians will accept liberty for Papists; a priest is arrested for officiating in Holborn.
November 1663
Mr. Blackburne argues for liberty of conscience and criticizes the pride of the present clergy, noting the contrast with former Parliamentarian soldiers.
February 1665–66
Pepys notes a Jewish messianic prophecy and the expectation that 1666 would be a year of great action, referencing a book about the mark of the beast.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys meticulously documents mundane details of his household—meals, servants, home renovations, health complaints, and family quarrels—providing a vivid portrait of 17th-century domestic existence.
Where it surfaces
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
The diary captures Pepys' personal routines, household management, and interactions with his wife.
January 1659–60
Pepys records mundane domestic details—burning a turkey, borrowing money, playing cribbage, and dealing with a lack of coal—grounding the political drama in everyday life.
February 1659–60
Pepys describes meals, lute practice, and preparing his brother for Cambridge.
March 1659–60
Detailed accounts of Pepys's domestic arrangements, including his wife's caps, the wench's washing, and his cold remedy.
April 1660
Pepys's personal concerns—his wife's absence, his cabin arrangement, and his clothes—are interwoven with the political events.
May 1660
Pepys records personal details such as his recovery from the stone, his new suit, and the shipboard routines of eating, drinking, and entertainment.
