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Sam buys a pornographic book in French, but then burns it (after reading). He has also been preparing his defence of the Navy Board. Stars Kris Marshall and Katherine Jakeways.

Sam buys a pornographic book in French but then burns it (after reading). At the theatre he is so enraptured by some music that it reminds him of how he felt when he first fell in love with Elizabeth. Meanwhile, he's been preparing his defence of the Navy Board to Parliament and can't sleep the night before his speech. Elizabeth comforts him in the early hours and in the morning he has a dram of brandy for courage. The speech is a triumph.

Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.

Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis

A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll.

15 minutes

Credits

RoleContributor
Samuel PepysKris Marshall
Elizabeth PepysKatherine Jakeways
WillJohn Biddle
DebsAimee-Ffion Edwards
DollEiry Thomas
Lord BrounckerTim McMullan
Mr MartinMatthew Gravelle
SpeakerEwan Bailey
Mrs DanielsSophie Melville
DirectorKate McAll
ProducerKate McAll
WriterHattie Naylor

Broadcasts

  • Tue 10 Dec 201310:45
  • Tue 10 Dec 201319:45
  • Tue 7 Oct 201414:30
  • Wed 8 Oct 201400:30

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