Nell Gwyn
Despite her humble beginnings, Nell Gwynn was one of the best known of King Charles II's mistresses and one of the most famous actresses of the period. She was born in 1650 (possibly; some historians think a 1642 birth more likely) to an alcoholic mother who ran a brothel in Covent Garden and an absent father. Nell may have worked as a child prostitute in her mother's brothel, though she claimed she just worked as a barmaid. She took a lover, Duncan, in 1662, with whom she stayed for about two years.
A former prostitute from Nell's mother's brothel, nicknamed Orange Moll, hired Nell and her sister Rose as orange girls in Killigrew's theatre in about 1663. The girls worked six days a week and earned 1/6th of what they brought in. Oranges cost sixpence, and they could earn tips by passing messages between men in the audience and actresses backstage.
If the 1650 birthdate is accurate, Nell was 14 when she joined Killigrew's company. She had good looks, wit, and a strong voice; this coupled with her experience as an orange girl made it easier for her to ascend to the job of actress. She had a well-publicized affair with her acting teacher (one of the famous actors of the time, Charles Hart). Her first appearance on stage was March 1665, in The Indian Emperour by John Dryden.
Gwynn acted alongside Hart in many Restoration comedies, perfecting the "gay couple" archetype with him (two lovers whose relationship is defined by antagonistic banter and the gentleman's reluctance for marriage). In July of 1667, she had a brief affair with Lord Buckhurst (Charles Sackville) and left the stage to become his mistress, but returned to the stage by late August.
George Villiars, Duke of Buckingham, first attempted to set Nell up as a mistress of the King in late 1667, in hopes that this would bring him closer to the king. The attempt failed, but Nell and Charles struck up a love affair anyway in spring 1668. Because Nell had already been the mistress of Charles Hart and Charles Sackville, she often called King Charles "her Charles III". She continued to act while she was with the king, perhaps because Charles had so many mistresses and she did not expect their relationship to last. Gwynn bore Charles two sons,
The charming anecdote from Stage Beauty where Nell shouts "You are mistaken, I'm the Protestant whore," is a famous story, originating in the memoirs of the Comte de Gramont. The 'Catholic whore' in question was Louise de Kerouaille, brought from France as a mistress for Charles II.
In 1671, Nell moved into a brick townhouse which the crown secured for her and remained there the rest of her life. In 1676, her eldest son, Charles, was made the Earl of Burford. When King Charles II died, he asked his brother on his deathbed "do not let poor Nelly starve", a command which James obeyed: he payed off Nell's debts (she was a frequent gambler) and gave her an allowance of 1500 pounds a year. She died, probably from syphilis, in 1687. She is remembered best for her wit and acting talent.
Sources: Nell Gwyn: Mistress to a King by Charles Beauclerk, The First English Actresses: Women and Drama, 1660-1700 by Elizabeth Howe, All The King's Ladies: Actresses of the Restoration by John Harold Wilson, The Diary of Samuel Pepys: 1667 by Samuel Pepys
A former prostitute from Nell's mother's brothel, nicknamed Orange Moll, hired Nell and her sister Rose as orange girls in Killigrew's theatre in about 1663. The girls worked six days a week and earned 1/6th of what they brought in. Oranges cost sixpence, and they could earn tips by passing messages between men in the audience and actresses backstage.
If the 1650 birthdate is accurate, Nell was 14 when she joined Killigrew's company. She had good looks, wit, and a strong voice; this coupled with her experience as an orange girl made it easier for her to ascend to the job of actress. She had a well-publicized affair with her acting teacher (one of the famous actors of the time, Charles Hart). Her first appearance on stage was March 1665, in The Indian Emperour by John Dryden.
Gwynn acted alongside Hart in many Restoration comedies, perfecting the "gay couple" archetype with him (two lovers whose relationship is defined by antagonistic banter and the gentleman's reluctance for marriage). In July of 1667, she had a brief affair with Lord Buckhurst (Charles Sackville) and left the stage to become his mistress, but returned to the stage by late August.
George Villiars, Duke of Buckingham, first attempted to set Nell up as a mistress of the King in late 1667, in hopes that this would bring him closer to the king. The attempt failed, but Nell and Charles struck up a love affair anyway in spring 1668. Because Nell had already been the mistress of Charles Hart and Charles Sackville, she often called King Charles "her Charles III". She continued to act while she was with the king, perhaps because Charles had so many mistresses and she did not expect their relationship to last. Gwynn bore Charles two sons,
The charming anecdote from Stage Beauty where Nell shouts "You are mistaken, I'm the Protestant whore," is a famous story, originating in the memoirs of the Comte de Gramont. The 'Catholic whore' in question was Louise de Kerouaille, brought from France as a mistress for Charles II.
In 1671, Nell moved into a brick townhouse which the crown secured for her and remained there the rest of her life. In 1676, her eldest son, Charles, was made the Earl of Burford. When King Charles II died, he asked his brother on his deathbed "do not let poor Nelly starve", a command which James obeyed: he payed off Nell's debts (she was a frequent gambler) and gave her an allowance of 1500 pounds a year. She died, probably from syphilis, in 1687. She is remembered best for her wit and acting talent.
Sources: Nell Gwyn: Mistress to a King by Charles Beauclerk, The First English Actresses: Women and Drama, 1660-1700 by Elizabeth Howe, All The King's Ladies: Actresses of the Restoration by John Harold Wilson, The Diary of Samuel Pepys: 1667 by Samuel Pepys