Riches and Itches
1661, Week 1
On the first day of this new year, Mr Moore arrived at our office with a bag of some 100£ for our fees – 80£ of which was due to me! So what do I do?
Promptly drop it, and scatter the coins all over the floorboards. I’m sure I gathered up fewer than had dropped.
Oh Lord… Was this an omen for the rest of the year?
If the rest of that day was anything to go by, the Lord’s answer was… maybe. For upon that same Tuesday, I saw both ends of the spectrum of wealth.
At one end was the Duke of York, who Mr Moore and I spotted on our way to see Mr Pearse the purser. The Duke looked in the highest of spirits, wearing the richest of garments having just attended the baptism of his son William, and being on his way to reveal his wife to his mother Queen Mary for the first time.
And from what I hear, the Duke was right to be cheerful, for the Queen apparently received her new daughter-in-law with much respect and love – despite the secrecy with which she had entered the royal family…
I would have expected such finery and cheer to be with my cousin Thomas, too, who had invited Elizabeth and I to his house for dinner. Thom’s latest wife is the respectable Ursula of Kensington, who is extremely well-connected. Furthermore, their home was just two doors down from where the King was dining that very hour.
And yet, Thom’s dinner was a sorry, poor dinner for a man of his estate, there being nothing but ordinary meat in it. I can’t help but wonder if, like our bag at the office, his wealth had spilt and lost something of its lustre…
The remainder of the week didn’t clarify the Lord’s position on my prospects either. My Lord and cousin Sandwich is still seeking clarification on how the King is to pay his promised allowance of 4,000£, which could of course have an impact upon his ability to pay for my services.
But at the other extreme, I had the honour of visiting the Jewel Office in Whitehall to choose and collect my Lord’s New Year gift from the King. I chose a gilt tankard weighing 31 ounces and a half – a little over what was allowed, but I didn’t mind paying the difference, for I am forever graciously indebted to my Lord.
Auspices of wealth here, omens of strife there. What am I to make of this year?
Well, it can already be called a good year for women. Not only was the Duke’s wife well received by the Queen, but on Thursday I visited The Theatre Royal on Vere Street to watch Beggar’s Bush again – only this time, some of the players were actually women! The first I have seen on stage! Judging by the reaction of the crowd, they should not be the last.
My wife has also had a joyously busy start to the year, paying many a visit to our wealthy friends or else joining me for dinners with the same. And Sarah, my Lord’s housekeeper, kindly gifted Elizabeth a cat. What with our home being much troubled with mice, I am grateful that I shall see more of Sarah’s pussy this year.
Another girl beginning this year with blessings is of course my sister, Pall, for she finally received the honour of moving in with us last Wednesday. An honour which is entirely hers, I should add. I did not let her sit down to dinner with me for that first day, so that she would not expect it hereafter. The more distance I can keep between us, the better.
Actually, my sentiments there were not entirely fair. The honour is partially also Elizabeth’s, who was grateful for Pall’s help with various jobs around and about. Better blessed be my wife.
And beyond my household, it’s hard to feel melancholic, because there is still great spirit of the season in the streets, and people’s hearts. Just last Sunday, Westminster Abbey thronged with a great confusion of people there to hear the restored organ blasting out its carols.
That same day, the magnificent composer William Child was visiting my Lord, and kindly took the time to teach me some greater skill with my lute.
And only a few hours ago, the great Mr Tom Fuller himself, author and preacher himself, stopped by my Lord’s house specifically to see me – yes, me! He wanted a favour – my help securing passage to Jamaica for his friend Peter, who is keen to profit from the colonisation of that fertile land.
So, in that same spirit, I am minded to remain optimistic. 1661? I and my household – and my purse – are ready for you…
My purse
I am most lately 300£ clear in my purse.
In return for these words of mine, please pay just one word of yours. What one word would you use to describe your prediction for the year ahead?
Speak with you again soon – and may the Lord bless you and keep you till then!
What one word would you use to describe your prediction for the year ahead?
As you can read here, Sam's would probably be "ambiguous"...