Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 16: May/June 1662

In this lively stretch of Samuel Pepys’s diary, the year 1662 unfolds through a series of vivid, first‑person sketches that bring Restoration London and its countryside into clear focus. Pepys records early morning trips from Portsmouth to Petersfield, his bemused reactions to court gossip about the Duchess of York, and the occasional culinary experiment—like a surprising asparagus‑butter egg dish—that punctuates his otherwise demanding schedule. The entries are peppered with witty asides, sharp observations of fellow officials, and candid reflections on the small frictions that crop up among friends and rivals alike.

Beyond the political chatter, Pepys’s narrative drifts into everyday pleasures: a visit to the Tower to marvel at its lions, a miniature portrait commission, and a bustling salon of fashionable ladies that leaves him feeling out of his depth. He details his health regimens, a quick bloodletting session, and the comforting routine of dinner with his wife. Listeners are treated to a richly textured portrait of a man balancing public duty with personal quirks, all set against the bustling backdrop of mid‑17th‑century England.