The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Vol. 7: 1666 Book

Sam was a busy man in the year 1666. He starts off unable to account for a £50 discrepancy in his net worth, which confounds him for some time. Nevertheless, his government position proving quite lucrative, he amassed wealth, ending the year with over £6,000, quite a tidy sum for that era. He joyfully invests early in the year in individual portraits of Elizabeth, his wife, himself and his father. He helps his brother-in-law, Balty, find a position supplying the fleet.

There are a few naval skirmishes with the Dutch, a small uprising in Scotland and discontent among a large contingent of English sailors, all of which Sam dutifully records. There are complaints registered by senior commanders involving the victualing of the fleet, which uncomfortably implicate Sam. There are also intrusive inquiries by parliament into the finances associated with the naval actions against the Dutch, which also have Sam on the hot seat; isn't it really for the best if these questions pass without further scrutiny?

Of course, 1666 is the year of the Great Fire of London. While Sam is unaffected by the conflagration, many of his acquaintances are impacted greatly. Sam goes to some lengths to preserve his possessions given the potential threat, even burying his "Parmazan" cheese, which I think we all agree classifies as a cherished possession. Following the fire, Sam notes the customary conspiracy theories floating about town.

Despite Sam's earnest and most solemn prior oaths, in 1666 he's back to visiting the plays, even while shielding himself from public view, and to carousing with the ladies, too many to count. Will Sam ever pay for his licentiousness?