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'Nell' Gwyn
(c. 1650–87) Biographical An actress and mistress of King Charles II of England, Nell Gwyn was of humble parentage. Her father apparently died in a debtor's prison in Oxford. Her mother ran a bawdy house in the Covent Garden district, where Nell served drinks to the guests. She had one older sister named Rose. Nell lived precariously as an orange girl at the Drury Lane Theatre before making her acting debut, probably in 1655. She quickly established herself as a comedienne, particularly in breeches parts, and became the leading comedienne of the King’s Company from 1666. ‘Pretty witty Nell’ first found protection in Lord Buckhurst, but her affections genuinely shifted to Charles II, and she became his only mistress who was beloved by the public. She was eventually settled in a fine house and granted access to the royal court. She also settled her mother in Chelsea, who later tragically died after falling into a brook while drunk and drowning. Nell spent her remaining years lavishly entertaining the king and his circle, living extravagantly, and plotting against her rivals. She had at least two sons by Charles, and managed to persuade the king to elevate her son, Charles Beauclerk, to the peerage. After Charles's death, she faced legal troubles due to her considerable debts, but Charles's brother, James II, kept his promise by paying off her debts and granting her a pension. She remained devoted to Charles's memory, famously rejecting a suitor with the words: 'Shall the dog lie where the door once couched?' Nell is also said to have urged Charles to found the Chelsea Hospital. Place of birth and death: London? Place of burial: Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Daughter of Thomas Gwyn(?) and Helena Smith, she had illegitimate issue by King Charles II of England. |
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