The ambassador had some trouble with the matrimonial negociations, and “‘great clashing’ with the Portuguese Council, before he could get the portion paid. But the King of Portugall is a very foole almost, and his mother do all, and he is a poore prince.” The Queen was a great recluse on board and would never come on deck, but sent for Lord Sandwich’s “musique,” [he loved a band on board his vessel] and would sit within her cabin listening to it. Pepys did not admire the ladies her Majesty brought over, thought their farthingales a strange dress, and regrets that they have learned to kiss, and look up and down freely, already forgetting the recluse practice of their country. Queen Katherine gave no rewards to any of the captains or officers, save to “my Lord,” but that was an honourable present, a bag of gold worth £1400.
In the same year, 1662, “when the Duke of York went over to fetch the Queen Mother Henrietta Maria, they fell into foul weather and lost their cables, sayles and masts, but Mr. Coventry writes me word they are safe. Only my Lord Sandwich, who went before in the King’s yacht, they know not what is become of him;” which troubles his poor secretary much, “and there is great talk he is lost, but I trust in God the contrary.” A watery grave, indeed, awaited him, but after a nobler fashion. “He carried himself bravely in danger while my Lord Crofts did cry.”
The same faithful chronicler, although uneasy at his Lord’s predilection for play, and for the little regret he evinced at losing £50 to the King at my Lady Castlemaine’s, is never tired of extolling his magnanimity and forbearance, especially in the matter of his kinsman, Mr. Edward Montagu, with whom he had altercations, and “who did revile him to the King,” as was supposed; but “my Lord,” pitied and forgave him. He was an ill-conditioned man, and got into great disfavour at Court, “through his pride and affecting to be great with the Queen.” In 1663, my Lord leased a house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields for £250 per annum. He determined to go to sea once more, and confides to Pepys the state of his finances, having £8000 a year, and being in debt £10,000; but there is much due to him from the Wardrobe. In the middle of this discourse Lady Crewe came in to inform his Lordship another son was born to him, upon which the devout Samuel remarks, “May God send my Lord to study the laying up something for it.”