[50. THE TERROR OF THE PLAGUE. PART I.]
Pretensions: ambitious claims.
Wars of the Roses: a civil war lasting 1455-1485. In thinking of the loss of life occasioned by this war, it must be remembered that such loss fell most heavily on the noble families; the mass of the population was not so much disturbed by it.
Long Acre: a street near Drury Lane, now chiefly occupied by carriage-makers.
delirium: a wandering in the mind caused by fever.
[51. THE TERROR OF THE PLAGUE. PART II.]
Registers: a record of names of persons who have died. Such records are now accurately kept by the registrars of births, deaths, and marriages.
The King: Charles II., who, whatever his faults may have been, was at least good-natured and averse to suffering.
Samuel Pepys (born 1632, died 1703) was Secretary to the Admiralty in the reigns of Charles II. and James II. His famous diary gives a graphic picture of life during these reigns.