Sam is worried that the Navy offices are being blamed for the battle with the Dutch going wrong. Then his house is surrounded by the wives of men who were pressed into going to sea to fight. They are desperate, swearing and shouting that they have no money. Sam is sympathetic to their plight but also worried about sending out his venison pasty to the bakers in case they do damage to it. Then one woman gets into his office and makes a moving appeal which touches his conscience.
Adapted by Hattie Naylor.

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 Catherine Robinson

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