Monumental Stories in Miniature
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys kept a diary for nearly ten years during the 1660s. Pepys’ account of national and personal events gives us a rich insight into his life and times.
A Timeline of Pepys’ Diary 1660–69
The diary of Samuel Pepys begins in 1660 and covers nearly a decade of change in Britain. Pepys’ detailed, intimate record draws us into his world and brings the past to life.
29 June 1660
Pepys is appointed to an important post in the administration of the navy. “Up and to Whitehall, where I got my warrant from the Duke to be Clerk of the Acts.”
23 February 1662
By his 29th birthday Samuel Pepys is an important man in society that enjoys music, dancing and socialising. “… I think I may reckon myself as happy a man as any is in the world ...”
30 April 1665
The Second Dutch War begins in February 1665. “The fleet, with about 106 ships, upon the coast of Holland, in sight of the Dutch …”
5 September 1666
The Great Fire of London starts in the morning of 2 September 1660. Lasting over four days and nights, it destroyed a huge area of the city. “But Lord, what a sad sight it was by moonlight to see the whole City almost on fire.”
12 June 1667
After a raid up the river Thames by the Dutch Navy, Pepys moves his gold out of London. The Second Dutch War ends a month later.
23 May 1660
Charles II returns to England by ship to be restored as king; Pepys is on board. “… we set sail for England – all the afternoon he King walking here and there, up and down …”
23 April 1661
Pepys attends the coronation of Charles II in Westminster Abbey, confirming the restoration of the monarchy. “The crowne being put upon his head, a great shout begun.”
19 May 1663
Pepys visits The Royal Mint, inside the Tower of London, to be shown how the new coinage of Charles II is made. “… We were shown the method of making this new money, from the beginning to the end …”
30 July 1665
The Great Plague begins in spring 1665 and lasts until the summer of 1666, claiming around 100,000 lives. “Great fears of the Sickenesse here in the City … God preserve us all.”
25 March 1667
Pepys’ mother, Margaret, dies.
31 May 1669
Samuel Pepys makes his last diary entry, fearing he is losing his sight. “And thus ends all that I doubt I shall ever be able to do with my own eyes in the keeping of my journall ..."
The distinctive signature on the final page ended Pepys’ unique account of a turbulent time in British history. The 350th anniversary of the last entry in the diary of Samuel Pepys is marked with a commemorative £2 coin.
A Timeline of Pepys’ Diary 1660–69
The diary of Samuel Pepys begins in 1660 and covers nearly a decade of change in Britain. Pepys’ detailed, intimate record draws us into his world and brings the past to life.
1 January 1660
Samuel Pepys makes the first entry in his ‘journall’. “Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in very good health …”
23 May 1660
Charles II returns to England by ship to be restored as king; Pepys is on board. “… we set sail for England – all the afternoon he King walking here and there, up and down …”
29 June 1660
Pepys is appointed to an important post in the administration of the navy. “Up and to Whitehall, where I got my warrant from the Duke to be Clerk of the Acts.”
23 April 1661
Pepys attends the coronation of Charles II in Westminster Abbey, confirming the restoration of the monarchy. “The crowne being put upon his head, a great shout begun.”
23 February 1662
By his 29th birthday Samuel Pepys is an important man in society that enjoys music, dancing and socialising. “… I think I may reckon myself as happy a man as any is in the world ...”
19 May 1663
Pepys visits The Royal Mint, inside the Tower of London, to be shown how the new coinage of Charles II is made. “… We were shown the method of making this new money, from the beginning to the end …”
30 April 1665
The Second Dutch War begins in February 1665. “The fleet, with about 106 ships, upon the coast of Holland, in sight of the Dutch …”
30 July 1665
The Great Plague begins in spring 1665 and lasts until the summer of 1666, claiming around 100,000 lives. “Great fears of the Sickenesse here in the City … God preserve us all.”
5 September 1666
The Great Fire of London starts in the morning of 2 September 1660. Lasting over four days and nights, it destroyed a huge area of the city. “But Lord, what a sad sight it was by moonlight to see the whole City almost on fire.”
25 March 1667
Pepys’ mother, Margaret, dies.
12 June 1667
After a raid up the river Thames by the Dutch Navy, Pepys moves his gold out of London. The Second Dutch War ends a month later.
31 May 1669
Samuel Pepys makes his last diary entry, fearing he is losing his sight. “And thus ends all that I doubt I shall ever be able to do with my own eyes in the keeping of my journal ..."
