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Search - Nell Gwyn

Nell Gwyn
Author: Derek Parker

When Nell Gwyn, an actress on the London stage, first became familiar with the king, she was no better than a prostitute. Yet from the moment Charles II summoned her, there was never any suggestion that she granted her sexual favours to anyone but him; unlike some of his other lovers, she was as loyal to him as the Queen. On his deathbed Charles... more » prayed neither for his Church not his people, but asked that Nelly might not stare. Nell Gwyns name is one of those few familiar to us all, yet what can we really know of this sensuous woman-the sensation of Restoration England-who captured the heart of a king? Born in a London slum, the daughter of a brothel-keeper, Nell went on stage at Drury Lane in 1655, and she and her first lover, Charles Hart, formed the most popular theatrical partnership of the time. Contemporary playwrights like Dryden wrote or adapted plays specially for them, and, though still not eighteen, Nells gift for comedy was soon drawing the crowds. But it was less her beauty (though Pepys for one could not take his eyes off the mighty pretty creature) than her wit and vivacious personality that brought her fame. She became mistress to two of the most notorious rakes of the seventeenth century, Lord Sedley and Lord Buckhurst; set aside by them, she was taken up by one much great: King Charles II and the Duke of York found themselves sitting next to her at the theatre one evening, the King introduced himself, and that same evening Nell became his. Nell Gwyn was the most popular of Charless mistresses, mainly because she resisted the temptation to become involved in politics, or to influence him (She hath got trick to handle his prick/But never lays hands on his sceptre as a popular verse put it). Though disliked by his other mistresses, especially Louise de Keroualle, who became Duchess of Portsmouth-I am the protestant whore Nell proclaimed to the crowd so that they should not confuse her with the other-she held her own against all. She bore the King two sons, moved to grand apartments overlooking St. Jamess Park, and remained loyal to him until his death. When she dies, she received the funeral service of a lady, and was buried at St-Martin-in-the-Fields. This engaging biography sets Nell Gwyns life against the background of London during the Restoration and the ups and downs of the theatrical life in the seventeenth century. Drawing on letters and contemporary accounts, and with dramatic portrayals of the main characters, Derek Parkers book provides us with a vivid insight into the character of the woman who rose from nothing to love and be loved by a king.

ISBN-13: 9780750919920
ISBN-10: 0750919922
Publication Date: 5/2000
Pages: 212
Rating:

0 stars, based on 0 rating

Publisher: Sutton Pub Ltd
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

Genres:

Biographies & Memoirs >> Arts & Literature >> Entertainers
Biographies & Memoirs >> General
Biographies & Memoirs >> Historical >> Europe >> Great Britain >> General
Biographies & Memoirs >> Historical >> General
Biographies & Memoirs >> Specific Groups >> Women
History >> Europe >> England >> General
History >> Europe >> England >> Tudor & Stuart

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