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The Royal Whore: Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine
"The rambunctious story of a roistering set when whoredom was in flower! A mastershow of Restoration England, told with rare wit and devastating historical accuracy...Allen Andrews, an Englishman himself, tells the story of Charles II, and his maitresse en titre Barbara Villiers, who was the pacesetter for the court where King Charles sampled the ladies of his entourage as freely as he sampled his wines." ~ from the book's inner cover blurb
- GenresNonfictionBiography
242 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1970
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July 9, 2013
Ever wonder what the King is doing tonight--? If the King is Charles 2d of England, it's bangers & mash.
Coming to the throne after dour Oliver Cromwell -- and the nasty beheading of his father, Charles 1 -- His Royal Randiness presided over the lusty gusto of the Restoration. Historian Allen Andrews, in a mostly riveting biography, explains that the affectionate albeit cynical Charles 2d established in 1660 the semi-official court appointment of "maitresse-en-titre," hitherto unknown in the UK. Andrew Marvell wrote a poem about it, Pepys filled his diary. Money, vanity, sex ruled. If you disapproved, you could move to the country -- or the colonies.
The tit-ular lady was high-born Barbara Villiers who, in her teens, displayed an ardent nature. She bedded Lord Chesterfield, acquired a diplomat-husband and began a long "frolic" w the King -- all, initially, at the same time -- before she was 20. Ah, youth!
At 30, the King had waves of black hair "which no periwig could better." His political wedding to Catherine (of Portugal) didn't disturb his cosies with Villiers. A dominant mistress, she insisted on being Lady of the Queen's Bedchamber - a fancy title, though I forget what she did. Guess. Villiers did not lack cheek. We learn little of the Queen other than she was plain and incapable of producing a child. Villiers popped out seven bastards. The King awarded them titles and land. Barbara told everyone that he was a perfect darling.
In our hypocritical world, this mastershow of the Restoration plays like a startling laxative. Despite thousands being lost during the London Plague and killed during an absurd war with the Dutch or left homeless by the Great Fire, court life romped on: dice, cards, masquerades, hunts, balls. Amorality helped one succeed; only boors were faithful. Marriage was the preferred "cover" for the pursuit of other pleasures. Lords and ladies changed lovers more often than underwear.
Villiers cunningly navigated political-social-religio intrigues. Having read (the bisexual) Pietro Aretino's illustrated sonnets of 16 sex positions, she knew how to keep Kingie entertained and exercised. She and he remained close as the years passed and he fathered various bastards (two from teen actress Nell Gwyn) and gave a French beauty the clap. Not one to sit still, Villiers stretched herself with an acrobat of brawny thighs and admired the plume of William Wycherley.
Rich and complaisant in her 60s, she was a loving grandmum. Author Andrews opines, "She was still of the spirit to lie back and shake with laughter." I recommend this comedy to those who would do the same.
Triviatas: Milady inspired Wycherley's classic "The Country Wife" in which a rake pretends to be impotent in order to enter feminine doors, front or back. She's called Lady Fidget.
The Restoration also provoked the breasty seller of the 40s, "Forever Amber" by Kathleen Winsor, whose fictional heroine is a lass who catches the King's eye. It has been reviewed - seriously - by 600 GRs. Naturally. For laughs, read 'em!
Coming to the throne after dour Oliver Cromwell -- and the nasty beheading of his father, Charles 1 -- His Royal Randiness presided over the lusty gusto of the Restoration. Historian Allen Andrews, in a mostly riveting biography, explains that the affectionate albeit cynical Charles 2d established in 1660 the semi-official court appointment of "maitresse-en-titre," hitherto unknown in the UK. Andrew Marvell wrote a poem about it, Pepys filled his diary. Money, vanity, sex ruled. If you disapproved, you could move to the country -- or the colonies.
The tit-ular lady was high-born Barbara Villiers who, in her teens, displayed an ardent nature. She bedded Lord Chesterfield, acquired a diplomat-husband and began a long "frolic" w the King -- all, initially, at the same time -- before she was 20. Ah, youth!
At 30, the King had waves of black hair "which no periwig could better." His political wedding to Catherine (of Portugal) didn't disturb his cosies with Villiers. A dominant mistress, she insisted on being Lady of the Queen's Bedchamber - a fancy title, though I forget what she did. Guess. Villiers did not lack cheek. We learn little of the Queen other than she was plain and incapable of producing a child. Villiers popped out seven bastards. The King awarded them titles and land. Barbara told everyone that he was a perfect darling.
In our hypocritical world, this mastershow of the Restoration plays like a startling laxative. Despite thousands being lost during the London Plague and killed during an absurd war with the Dutch or left homeless by the Great Fire, court life romped on: dice, cards, masquerades, hunts, balls. Amorality helped one succeed; only boors were faithful. Marriage was the preferred "cover" for the pursuit of other pleasures. Lords and ladies changed lovers more often than underwear.
Villiers cunningly navigated political-social-religio intrigues. Having read (the bisexual) Pietro Aretino's illustrated sonnets of 16 sex positions, she knew how to keep Kingie entertained and exercised. She and he remained close as the years passed and he fathered various bastards (two from teen actress Nell Gwyn) and gave a French beauty the clap. Not one to sit still, Villiers stretched herself with an acrobat of brawny thighs and admired the plume of William Wycherley.
Rich and complaisant in her 60s, she was a loving grandmum. Author Andrews opines, "She was still of the spirit to lie back and shake with laughter." I recommend this comedy to those who would do the same.
Triviatas: Milady inspired Wycherley's classic "The Country Wife" in which a rake pretends to be impotent in order to enter feminine doors, front or back. She's called Lady Fidget.
The Restoration also provoked the breasty seller of the 40s, "Forever Amber" by Kathleen Winsor, whose fictional heroine is a lass who catches the King's eye. It has been reviewed - seriously - by 600 GRs. Naturally. For laughs, read 'em!
October 24, 2019
Better filled out a famously infamous historical woman.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews