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A Constant Berkshire Visitor
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- Samuel Pepys was a famous
writer. He wrote a diary (a day by day record of events) between 1660
& 1669. He wrote it in secret code!
- Pepys' diary is important
because it tells us a lot about life in England in Stuart times.
He particularly wrote about:
- Pepys' main job was helping to
run the Navy, but he was not a sailor.
- He visited Berkshire several
times because his boss lived at Cranbourne Lodge in Windsor
Great Park. This was Sir George Carteret. He was in charge of all
the Navy's money.
- On 19th August 1665, Pepys
travelled by horse to Cranbourne late at night. The man showing
him the way got lost in Windsor Forest, but Pepys followed the
Moon.
- When they eventually
arrived, they found lots of building work going on at the Lodge.
Pepys couldn't get in. He had to climb up a ladder to Sir George's
bedroom! He brought news that British ships had lost a battle with
the Dutch.
- On 25th February 1666, Pepys
and his wife travelled by coach to Cranbourne. They had dinner
there and Pepys and Carteret walked in the park, discussing Navy business.
- The next day, the Pepyses
went to Windsor Castle to take a
look round. There were tourists even in those days!
- At St. George's
Chapel, they
sat in the choir stalls of the Knights
of the Garter . They listened to the choir sing especially for
them.
- Then they visited the King's
rooms and the Queen's rooms. Pepys thought it "the most
romantic castle that is in the World" and he thought the view
down the Long Walk was exceptionally fine.
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