**Please note this blog contains some fruity language.**
It’s said the whole world knows Nell Gwynne. But why do we know the name of an orange seller born into poverty who became mistress to Charles II? They remained together for 17 years until Charles’s death in 1685. But there have been countless mistresses to dozens of kings over the centuries – so why do we know her? There must be something else.
There is. Nelly – as she was known – was one of the first female actors on the stage in Restoration England. She became the leading comedy actress of her day. In his plays, the poet laureate John Dryden wrote parts specifically for her. But there’s more.
I believe the real reason we still know Nell Gwynne is because she was funny. Samuel Pepys called her “pretty, witty Nell”. She was a great mimic, a real show-off, but also self-deprecating. For example, she was quite happy to be called (and indeed call herself) a “whore” – which in the 17th Century meant a “kept woman” – albeit one with questionable morals. It was still an insult but not the one it might be today.
Nelly’s great rival was another of the king’s mistresses: Louise de Kerouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth. Louise was hated by the people – because she was haughty and full-of-herself. But mainly because she was French (never a good thing in 17th Century England) and Catholic (ditto).
Whereas the people loved Nelly: down to earth, a commoner, one of them. And, crucially, English and Protestant. One time, using Louise’s carriage visiting Oxford, people in the street spotting Louise’s insignia, started to shout insults and rock the carriage. At this point Nelly opened the curtains and said, “Good people, be civil – I’m the protestant whore!”
Charles II gave Nelly a house on Pall Mall so she could be near him at Whitehall Palace. He sent her a leasehold to sign. She sent it back, saying “tell the king I give my love freehold!” It worked. And to this day, the site of her house (number 79) is the only property on Pall Mall that is freehold; the rest are owned by the Crown Estates.
All Charles’s children (he had 13 with seven mistresses) had titles. But not Nelly’s two sons. She thought this a tad unfair. In a packed court Charles asked to see his children. Nelly called out to her oldest son: “Come here you little bastard and see your father.” A shocked silence. The King asked why she had called their son such a name. Nelly replied, “Well, I’ve no other title for him have I?” Charles, recognising the stitch-up, declared: “God save the Earl of Burford!” Their son would later become Duke of St Albans. Today’s duke is a direct descendant of Charles and Nell.
Charles II’s other long-term mistresses knew the value of their lucrative position. They only saw the crown. Nelly simply loved the king; she saw the man. Even Queen Catherine, who despaired of Charles’s routine unfaithfulness, liked and permitted Nell to be in court when she was – the other mistresses were banned.
Nelly’s story is romance itself: the rags to riches story of a kind, generous, talented, funny woman who despite becoming the most famous woman alive never lost the common touch.
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This blog was written by Graham Hopkins, the talented writer behind “Nelly – A Folk Musical,” which brings to life the captivating story of Nell Gwynne. Don’t miss your chance to see this performance at St Mary’s Guildhall on September 7th, 2024. Follow the link below to learn more and book your tickets!
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