The Diary of Samuel Pepys Glossary

The Diary of Samuel Pepys Glossary

Solemnized

Performed, Celebrated (Adjective).

Excise

Duty, Tax, Levy (Noun).

Fiddle

Manipulate, Misrepresent, Alter (Verb).

Forgery

Fake, Counterfeit (Noun).

Hinchinbroke

The seat of Sir Edward Montagu.

Greatorex

Ralph Greatorex, a famous mathematical instrument maker.

Scott

Thomas Scott, the then Secretary of State, known for signing the death warrant of King Charles I. Not to be confused with Walter Scott.

Propriety

Appropriateness, Suitability, Rightness (Noun).

Sydenham

Colonel William Sydenham, an army officer from the Civil Wars.

The Protector

Richard Cromwell, Second Lord Protector of England, and third son of Oliver Cromwell.

Buxtorf

Johannes Buxtorf, a famous Hebraist grammar author.

Heaven

An alehouse near the Westminster Hall. There was another called Hell. C.f. The Alchemist by Ben Jonson: “Nor break his fast in Heaven and Hell” (Act V, Scene 2).

Linkboy

Boys carrying torches to light the way for pedestrians in pre-industrial London.

Apposition

Agreement, Contract (Noun).

Thurlow

Probably a misspelling by Pepys. John Thurloe, Secretary of State to Cromwell.

Petty Cury

A shopping street in Cambridge (Noun).

Metheglin

A beverage prepared from water and honey (Noun).

Theorbo

A musical instrument, similar to a lute (Noun).

The Painted Chamber

The old palace of Westminster, destroyed in the Great Fire of 1834.

Foy

A farewell feast (Noun).

Update this section!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section.

Update this section

After you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.

Cite this page