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The multi-document summary # TIME CHUNK: 1663 - The narrator traveled to White Hall to meet fellow officers and the Duke. - Conversations included Mr. Pepys' unrecognizable appearance due to a new perriwig and recent developments on Sir J. Lawson's return. - Captain Berkeley delivered a letter from the Duana of Algier, demanding rights to search English ships and seize goods amid ongoing tensions with Algier. - The King plans to send a fleet of five ships back to Algier for negotiations. - A humorous remark about the Basha of Algier fearing for his safety during political strife was noted. - Rumors circulated about Lord Sandwich's fall from favor, with the King allegedly infatuated with Mrs. Stewart. - The court atmosphere was characterized as loose, shifting focus from official duties to personal pleasures. - The Duke of Monmouth is set to receive new lodgings; a new Captain of the Guards position will be appointed. - The narrator lunched with Mr. Pierce, discussing court dynamics, particularly the King's relationships with Lady Castlemaine and Mrs. Stewart. - Conversations included advice for the youth Will, who is preparing to leave the household. - Discussion with Mr. Blackburne focused on religious liberties and the public’s disdain for the current clergy, criticizing the previous King's policies. - Observations were made regarding the status of former army soldiers and dissatisfaction with public financial management. - Tensions were highlighted regarding Sir W. Pen's prominence and accusations of his cowardice during past naval engagements. - Blackburne provided insights about Pen's character and actions during his time in the Tower. - Monk arrived from the North, contemplating bringing in the King. - William Penn has turned Quaker, which the narrator considers certain. - Lawson was negatively described as "stout," "false," and hypocritical. - Rumors suggested the King might legitimize the Duke of Monmouth; supporters expressed a willingness to pray for their deliberations rather than act out. - Discussions were interrupted by musicians playing, realizing it was already 11 o'clock. - Beverages consumed were wine for a companion and beer and sugar for the narrator. - The narrator returned home under moonlight to find his wife suffering from a toothache. - Mr. Blackburne reported a plot involving Captain Oates, accused of seducing individuals into conspiracies. - Commentary was made on the cowardice and corruption within the King's guards and militia, suggesting a potential failure to support the King when needed. # TIME CHUNK: 1665 - **Date:** Lord's day; specific date not mentioned. - **Morning Activities:** - Drafted vows for the upcoming year at the office. - Attended church; found the young preacher uninspiring. - **Afternoon Activities:** - Read "Rushworth's Collections" regarding accusations against the late Duke of Buckingham. - Prepared for a discussion with the King about Turkey merchants and their fleet. - **Meeting with the King:** - Attendees included Sir W. Pen, Mr. Coventry, Sir J. Lawson, Sir G. Ascue, and members of the Privy Council. - Discussed the advisability of permitting Turkey ships to sail due to limited naval resources: - The King aims to deploy 130 ships by spring, but only 12-14 merchantmen were available. - Needed 30,000 sailors for the 130 ships, with only 16,000 currently available, necessitating an additional 14,000. - Discussed threats from the Dutch and the insufficient convoy of only six ships. - **Key Discussion Points:** - Sir J. Lawson and Sir G. Ascue highlighted the conflict between maintaining trade and wartime efforts. - Mr. Coventry pointed out that historically, the Navy had functioned with only 3,000 to 4,000 men; suggested additional manpower from the merchant trade. - Proposed that the King could either buy goods from merchants or relax the Act of Navigation to allow foreign ships to transport goods. - Concluded it was inappropriate for merchants to sail with their loaded ships. - **King’s Inquiry:** - The King inquired about news on Allen's loss in the Straights, but the narrator chose not to respond. - **Additional Observations:** - Discussed Prince Rupert's suspected pox with Lord Fitz Harding; he provided insights on courage and fear of death. - Prince Rupert's mood improved upon being told he might recover from his illness. - **Evening Activities:** - Returned home with Sir W. Pen. - Completed writing vows after supper and then went to bed. # TIME CHUNK: 1666 - The narrator traveled to White Hall by water, where he met Mr. Coventry. - Received updates from Captain Elliott of The Portland, who reported the ship had to return due to an incident involving The Guernsey and witnessed a battle resulting in a Dutch ship explosion and three ships on fire. - Attended church after returning home, sharing recent news with friends. - Post-church, took a boat to Woolwich, observing a crowded Exchange, and encountered Betty Michell at Westminster before visiting the Abbey. - Bad news from White Hall indicated the Prince arrived in Dover without updates on the battle, reducing hopes for fleet assistance. - Reports confirmed the Duke of Albemarle and Holmes had to anchor due to flag and rigging damage. - A letter from Harman detailed a significant encounter with the Dutch fleet, where he lost over 100 men and sustained a leg injury but returned to Aldbrough. - Sir G. Carteret criticized the management of the situation regarding communication to the Prince and delays in sailing, while the Prince’s fleet faced astonishment for its late arrival at Dover. - The narrator felt mixed emotions regarding Lord Sandwich's non-involvement, reflecting on national implications and leadership shortcomings. - Accompanied by Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Pen to White Hall, learned of the Duke's location at St. James's and observed crowds at Kensington Park due to cannon fire. - A letter from Strowd, Governor of Dover Castle, clarified cannon sounds were mistaken for thunder and confirmed there was no fighting heard. - Major Halsey reported seeing the Prince arrive at sea; Mr. Daniel and an injured comrade arrived from the fleet with news that pleased the King. - A naval engagement between about 90 Dutch ships and fewer than 60 English ships occurred, lasting from Friday night through Sunday. - Sir W. Clerke lost a leg in the battle; the Duke had minor injuries. - The King rewarded Mr. Daniel for reporting events, while updates indicated crew members, including Captain Bacon of The Bristoll, were injured or killed. - Gresham College community discussed doubts about the English fleet's success amidst criticism of the Duke’s leadership. - The narrator reflected on the implications of the Prince’s arrival, considering the need for better naval intelligence, before heading home to discuss events with friends. - Mr. Sheply visited, reporting on the plague situation; local cases increased slightly, with areas like Colchester severely affected. - Discussions with the Duke included plans for constructing ten great ships that required better funding. - The narrator bid farewell to Lord Bellasses, who was going North for militia management due to invasion fears. - After dinner, discussions with Sir W. Pen focused on the recent naval battle, with criticisms on conduct and suggestions for improved tactics for fleet engagement. - Sir W. Pen emphasized the necessity of fighting in formation, supporting distressed ships, and not abandoning those with minor damages. - The conversation engaged the narrator more deeply in naval matters and left him pleased with the exchange. - The day concluded with the narrator briefly returning to the office, enjoying supper, and going to bed. - In the morning, the narrator and Sir W. Batten contracted for fire-ships. - Discussed financial matters about Tangier at White Hall with Sir Philip Warwicke, recognizing that no further funds could be secured until Parliament met. - Made preparations for presenting an account to Parliament. - Personal news included the safety of the narrator's wife's sister's husband, who was en route to the fleet. - The evening was spent with Sir W. Pen and his wife, reflecting on the recent naval victory while recognizing luck over strategic planning as the cause of success and lamenting missed interception opportunities against the Zealand squadron. # TIME CHUNK: 1667 - A naval engagement between our forces and the Dutch fleet occurred from noon until 7 PM yesterday. - The Dutch fleet burned twelve of their fire-ships; our side captured one Dutch fire-ship and burned five of our own. - Uncertain reports from Sir W. Batten indicate that our forces destroyed one Dutch men-of-war, and another Dutch ship exploded. - Favorable easterly winds for the Dutch hindered the use of our fire-ships, hinting at a significant upcoming venture as they enter spring. - The narrator spent the morning organizing and abstracting the contract book, a task left unfinished for over two years due to the war, aiming to prepare records before Parliament reconvenes. - After dinner at home, the narrator finalized the collection of Navy accounts for Parliament, feeling a sense of relief afterward. - In the evening, the narrator rowed to Gravesend while reading Boyle's "Hydrostatickes," lauding it as excellent philosophy. - As they approached Gravesend, cannon fire was heard from both fleets, though it had ceased before arrival. - The landlord in Gravesend reported that the Dutch lost several fire-ships and had forced our ships to retreat but retreated toward Shield-haven themselves. - The landlord expressed confidence in the defenses of the town and river, despite concerns about Sir Edward Spragg and Sir W. Jenings’s leadership during the engagement. - The evening concluded with the narrator enjoying cold venison and drinks before returning home under the moonlight, arriving by half-past midnight and going to bed. # TIME CHUNK: 1668 - The narrator's wife is learning to play the flageolet and has painting skills that are appreciated by the narrator. - Lord Anglesey announced plans for a fleet but expressed skepticism about its effectiveness, referring to it as "Spanish rhodomontado." - A story was shared involving the Duke of Albemarle regarding sailors wishing for ship guns to be silver instead of gold, illustrating the absurdity of such desires. - Preparations by the Dutch and French indicate that 50 sail may be inadequate for successful defense. - Enjoyed a dinner with clerks, particularly enjoying discussions with Mr. Gibson about war and naval commanders. - Mr. Gibson's insights deemed valuable for potentially writing a future history of the Navy. - Spent the evening at the office until midnight analyzing lists of ships and their dimensions. - Encountered discrepancies between various ship lists and felt uncertain about which to trust. - Highlighted a general lack of care in maintaining a historical record of the Navy. - Attended church on a Sunday ("Lord's day"). - Had dinner at home with: - Betty Turner - Mercer - Captain Deane - Engaged in singing with Mr. Pelling after dinner. - Spent the afternoon discussing navy matters and ships with Captain Deane until night. - After Captain Deane left, had supper and Mr. Pelling returned for more singing before bed. - Discussed the French preparing to set out their fleet again. - Noted that the King does not appear alarmed by the French fleet and is instead reducing his own fleet. # TIME CHUNK: 1669 - **Date Context**: Document refers to events on a Sunday (as indicated by "Lord's day"). - **Meeting with the King**: Principal Officers summoned by order to attend the King at the Lord Keeper's residence that afternoon; prior notice was not given to the Lord Keeper about the reason. - **Personal Activities**: - The narrator completed journaling and went to church with his wife. - They had dinner at home and took a coach ride to cozen Turner's. - The narrator met Mrs. Dyke and Joyce Norton, who recently arrived in town. - **Social Interactions**: - Encountered Will. Batelier, who returned from France and brought letters for the King; there were false rumors of his death. - Discussed playhouse management with Tom Killigrew, who shared the challenge of keeping young men focused at the playhouse, leading him to hire a woman for 20s a week to assist. - **Meeting at Essex House**: - Attended a meeting with the King and all Officers of the Navy at Essex House, described as large but ugly. - The Lord Keeper, who was unwell, was present in bed as they discussed ship repairs and readiness for service: - Ships can be repaired in **two years**; with sufficient funding, they could be ready for some part of the summer the following year. - Could prepare **forty ships** by **May**, contingent on available funds. - **Strategic Decisions**: - The King expressed the necessity of funding for the naval operations. - Concerns were raised that the outcome might lead to only a small fleet being deployed this year, potentially relying on hired merchant vessels instead of the King's ships. - This strategy emerged from Sir W. Coventry's counsel. - **Parliament's Status**: - Discussed with Mr. Wren that the Parliament's business is postponed and will be prorogued, allowing ongoing issues and discontent between the two Houses to be set aside. - **Evening Routine**: - Returned home with his wife, engaged in reading, and had supper with W. Batelier, who recounted stories about France and the current King's status. - **Overall Tone**: The entry captures a blend of personal life, professional duties, and political developments within the context of 17th-century England.