Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II

by Linda Porter

According to the great diarist, John Evelyn, Charles II was 'addicted to women', and throughout his long reign a great many succumbed to his charms. Clever, urbane and handsome, Charles presided over a hedonistic court, in which licence and licentiousness prevailed.
Mistresses is the story of the women who shared Charles's bed, each of whom wielded influence on both the politics and cultural life of the country. From the young king-in-exile's first mistress and mother to his first child, Lucy Walter, to the promiscuous and ill-tempered courtier, Barbara Villiers. From Frances Teresa Stuart, 'the prettiest girl in the world' to history's most famous orange-seller, 'pretty, witty' Nell Gwynn and to her fellow-actress, Moll Davis, who bore the last of the king's fifteen illegitimate children. From Louise de Keroualle, the French aristocrat - and spy for Louis XIV - to the sexually ambiguous Hortense Mancini. Here, too, is the forlorn and humiliated Queen Catherine, the Portuguese princess who was Charles's childless queen.
Drawing on a wide variety of original sources, including material in private archives, Linda Porter paints a vivid picture of these women and of Restoration England, an era that was both glamorous and sordid.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, Biography, Audiobook, British Literature, Biography Memoir

448 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Linda Porter was born in Exeter, Devon in 1947. Her family have long-standing connections to the West Country, but moved to the London area when she was a small child. She was educated at Walthamstow Hall School in Sevenoaks and at the University of York, from which she has a doctorate in History. On completing her postgraduate work she moved to New York, where she lived for almost a decade, lecturing at Fordham University and the City University of New York.

Since returning to England, Porter has had a varied career. She has worked as a journalist and been a senior adviser on international public relations to a major telecommunications company. But she has always stayed close to her roots as an historian. In 2004 she was the winner of the Biographers Club/Daily Mail prize which launched her on a new career as an author. Her first book, Mary Tudor: The First Queen was published in 2007. In 2010 her second book Katherine the Queen: The Remarkable Life of Katherine Parr was published. As of 2010[update] she is doing preliminary research for a third book.

Porter is married with one daughter. She lives in Kent.

Reviews

[Andrea Zuvich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less sexual and more political than the title would lead one to believe, this is solid work about some very fascinating women and a worthy addition to the study of Stuart history.

Read my full review on The Seventeenth Century Lady: http://www.andreazuvich.com/book-revi...

[Helen Carolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read about these women in other books so was disappointed that there was nothing new here. What made things worse was the fact that all the sex and scandal were glossed over. Could have been so much better and even the moments of wit couldn't quite save this one.

[Abiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting book that, despite the subtitle of “sex and scandal” is nowhere near as salacious and vulgar as one might think. Porter explores the many ways in which the mistresses of King Charles II shaped public discourse and government policy.

Very well written, I like when a history book reads like a story rather than a textbook.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read not only because of the scandalous side of mistresses at court. But also to learn more about the women and their life at the court and after. Have heard and read about them here and there and there's have been many mistresses and similar throughout the monarc history yet I havnt read much specifically about their lives. Btw: Charles II was the biggest slut of all.

[Toni Kely-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Linda Porter fan, so I knew I would enjoy this book. I like her writing style which isn't dry or academic but very accessible, and entertaining, even though you know its thoroughly researched and credible.

Not being very familiar with this time period (as I usually focus on medieval history up until the Tudors) I was aware of some of the figures through popular culture - such as his mistress Nell Gwyn and Charles II's weakness for women (lots of them!). He had 14 illegitimate children that he acknowledged so who knows how many there actually were. So given my ignorance of this time in English history I enjoyed that Linda Porter focused just as much on the politics of the time as well as the sex and scandal.

The women covered in this book were fascinating in their own right, coming from various backgrounds (mostly nobility) and various countries (including France and Italy). In a world where women didn't have many (if any) legal rights to property and their children, some of their lives were quite tragic.

I also enjoyed Linda's interpretation of Charles, who for some reason or other, has gone down in history as quite romanticised and people are rather fond of him, when really he was a poor King and leader who didn't treat his wife respectfully. Wonder how many women in history would be remembered so fondly if they behaved as he did..........???? I think we all know the answer to that question!

[Don Dealga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of the women in Charles II's life. This book gives a lot more 'voice' and a sense of who these women really were, their strength, their complexity, their struggles, their agency in the context of their time; bringing their stories more to the fore and giving us a much better sense of their lives than more traditional male-centric historical accounts. Catherine of Braganza is also extensively discussed in this work adding more texture and perspective to the narrative.

[Samantha Garrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved the writing style, but not sure the order of introducing the women made sense to me

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting account of the relationships of Charles II and a handful of his mistresses. All are fascinating women, but the book is a bit dry in parts.

[Moniek Bloks · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland famously left no legitimate children with his wife, Catherine of Braganza. However, he did leave plenty of illegitimate children fathered with his many mistresses. Linda Porter, who has also written about one of my favourite Queens - Queen Mary I, writes most skilfully about Charles's mistresses.

The one I knew least about was the mother of his eldest son, Lucy Walter, and I was happy to learn more about her and the early years of her son, who later became Duke of Monmouth and led an ill-fated rebellion. Lucy was long dead and forgotten by then, although their son claimed that his parents were married and he was thus the rightful heir to the throne. He never managed to produce any evidence.

Better known for being Charles’s mistresses were Barbara Villiers, Nell Gwyn and Louise de Kérouaille. Barbara’s “reign” lasted quite long, and she produced a number of children who were recognised by Charles. However, her presence at court was loathed by Charles’s wife, Catherine. Both women had children with the King, and their lines, like Barbara’s, last to today. The rivalry among the women is quite interesting to read about, and Linda sure makes it a fun read.

From Nell Gwyn’s famous “protest whore” quote to the woman that got away, Mistresses brings to life a wide range of women from different backgrounds who all ended up at the Stuart court.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My knowledge of the Stuart monarchy is very poor indeed, maybe at 1 or 2 out of 10 at best. I decided to read this book as I wanted to rectify that sad state of affairs but sadly, after reaching the end of it, I can honestly say that I'm no better off than I was before. There is nothing new about these women in this book. Nothing at all.

When dealing with Nell Gywn the author begins her section by talking about theatre politics and the role of women on the stage in general before finally getting around to Nell. Then towards then end of Nell's section the author uses Nell's famous "protestant whore" quote as reason to tell us about Titus Oates and The Popish Plot. There are so many known anecdotes about Nell that don't make it into this book and it's a bit baffling as to why they aren't in there.

In the chapter dedicated to Hortense Mancini, the author makes a gentle dig at an other author for referring to Hortense's sister, Marie Mancini, as the mistress of Louis XIV saying that "despite the lurid speculation of historical novelists and even the misleading title of the most recent biography on the Mancini sisters, there is little evidence to support the view that this was a sexual relationship". Well, in that case, why on earth did the author decide to include Frances Stuart in a book about the mistresses of Charles II as, by the same token, she can't really be considered as a royal mistress either.

I can't deny that it is well written but ultimately I found it to be a huge disappointment as it failed to bring these vibrant women to life. The text focusses more on the politics of the times rather than on the women themselves.

[Rhiannon Williams-Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with most historical non-fiction, this is really well researched, with particular attention paid to the political context of each woman, which is refreshingly helpful if you don't know much about this era and King Charles II. There certainly is sex and scandal in this, though not if you compare it to some more graphic fiction texts, but that is not a bit of me, so I was pretty happy with this. The writing is informative, but never dry, and quite wry and witty in places. My only criticism is that I wanted to learn more about the less-famous mistresses, and this is really just about the big 4 and the Queen, but a book can't please everyone. I also enjoyed that this is the first biographical account I've read that paints Charles II as a bit of a dick without dressing it up in romance and "oh, wasn't he clever" and I appreciated Porter addressing his legacy in the epilogue.

If you know very little about Charles and his weakness for women, or about Restoration culture, but want to know more, then I definitely recommend this.

[Sophie Constable · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an immensely fascinating little book about some of the mistresses of the English king Charles II and what they tell us about the wider politics of the Restoration Court. This book firmly places the mistresses in the centre of the story and never loses sight of that. It also never places any sort of judgement or condemnation on any of these women for their actions which I greatly appreciated. This book does talk a lot more about the politics of the Restoration Court and Restoration England than its title might suggest but it does so from a very interesting angle which helps in making these discussions not feel boring. The writing is engaging and also balances the many people featured in the book well without making the reader feel too confused. This is ultimately an incredibly fascinating book that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in this period!

[Ceola Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this! It took a while to get into but when it did it read like a novel

[karolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

a genuinely interesting read. very entertaining.

[Sophie (RedheadReading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far more political than the subheading would suggest, which was fab! Not saying anything wildly new, but an enjoyable and readable piece of non-fiction nonetheless.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed by the end

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved learning about these women but wish there had been more to grasp on to! Felt like I also met them briefly and at a distance.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of micro history and this is one of the few books I enjoyed so thoroughly I just had to comment.

Too often, English history focuses solely on the monarchs and not enough on the people surrounding the monarchs or even just living at the time. While this book focuses on his mistresses who are (as expected) of the nobility, it’s very refreshing to learn about wildly different women and how their lives are affected by the patriarchal and rigidly moral Restoration period.

This book brings to life women that are selfish and politically manipulative but also women that are intensely loving and genuine - to their king, their country, or their values. Well-rounded women of history are few and far between and that’s why this book is so refreshing.

[Alenka of Bohemia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that much sex or scandal (if you have ever read on basically any lecherous man in power), but quite a lot of politics. While I did find the book interesting, mostly because I am rather new to this period of history and because I am always in for finding out more about women of the past (so often relegated to mere footnotes, if that), it did not really sweep me up as I want my nonfiction to do. Not amazing but good.

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically, quite enjoyable fluffy chapters on the lives of the major mistresses of Charles II, cunningly hiding in the form of a group historical biography. Porter does provide political and historical context, and of course the fates of mistresses often parallel the fates of administrations, factions, and fashions, but it’s not highly academic by any means.

[L.A. Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked a copy of this at a book club because I like historical literature. It is an interesting non-fiction account of the many loves of Charles II. It is well researched and gives an insight to the attractions of the women and why they appealed to the king but sometimes the facts got in the way of understanding and relating to the characters.

[Madaline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Was my first time reading about Charles II, loved how it was written, interesting all the way through. Slightly more political than I thought but that’s the story of the women’s lives and how they hustled the king. Really, really good. 100% recommend for a beginner

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOTHING NEW BUT INTERESTINGLY WRITTEN

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less sex and more intrigue - certainly a well written and researched dive into the promiscuous Charles II.

[Joe Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book about the mistresses of Charles II.

[Ariana May · Rating 3 out of 5]

good, lots of interesting information, particularly about hortense mancini who we know little about, but there was nell slander🙄🙄 which i of course, cannot stand for!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

horrible histories charles 2nd song went through my head the whole time and i wasn't complaining

[Scuffed Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a Royalist but I do find the history of kings and queens, especially those of Britain, very interesting indeed. Charles II, the king of the Restoration, is one who stands out and not just because of his exceptional wig.

I don't think that he was an especially good king although BBC's Horrible Histories would have you believe he was the king who brought back partying.

n portraits, he is a commanding figure; not attractive as such but there's an assuredness to him, a solidity, a confidence that is present in portraits and which is consolidated somewhat by his reputation and his prowess with the ladies. He was, it is fair to say, a man with many mistresses.

However, I didn't know a lot about the mistresses themselves and so, Linda Porter's book provided an easily accessible historical discussion about the ladies who mattered most to the king - or at least, those with whom he liked to sleep with on a regular basis to produce illegitimate offspring and provide support for from his dwindling regal coffers. (The woman who he appears to have loved the most is his sister - as a sister, not as anything else.)

As usual, women in history are talked about in relation to the men around whom they strive to revolve, not usually having any other recourse, trying to gain security through marriage but not necessarily status. But what this book shows is that having the ear of the king (as well as the attention of other body parts) did mean that the women in Charles II's life could influence and persuade and were often used by other ambitious men at court to articulate their ideas. They actually held a lot of power although were limited in where it could be used and for what purpose.

Porter's thorough research also provides background as to who the women were before they became the mistress of the king. Some are aristocracy (in fact, most) but there is Nell Gwyn, the actress as well as Moll Davis, a singer.

This was a really interesting book, insightful as well as being learned and I would recommend Porter as an accessible historical writer.

[john r s baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short, entertaining account of the various mistresses of Charles II and their impact on him and his reign. History has painted the King in a relatively kind way and his mistresses a bit of joie de vivre after the restoration and austerity of the Commonwealth.
Linda Potter shows that this is an illusion, Charles reign was always one step from disaster and, of course his brother was to lose the throne within 3 years. In one part of the book Charles is alleged to have said that he treated his ministers like his mistresses, he never loved them just used them. As a result the King ends up self medicating on mercury for the clap while he dispenses with parliament and just about survives the exclusion crisis.
A fascinating account with just enough detail to make it a useful history rather than a fun train read.

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joint biography of the women in King Charles II's life, which also includes his Portuguese Queen, Catherine of Braganza. Porter deromanticizes the image of King Charles II, arguing that rather than being considered "the Merry Monarch" in his own lifetime, his extramarital relationships undermined his reputation as monarch, especially when the royal mistresses received incomes and titles and were perceived to have political influence. The politics of King Charles II's reign are woven into the text. The later lives of these women are quickly summarized in an epilogue after King Charles II's death and this material could have been expanded into a longer chapters, especially as a couple of Charles II's favourites lived into the Georgian period.