The Most Ravishing Women of All Time: Four – Nell Gwyn

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The role for women in English theatre at the time was that of usherette or orange seller. This is how Nell came into the theatre – she sold oranges to growing theatre audiences. However, it was soon recognised that she had a fine wit and of course, she was very pretty, so she was given a role onstage. The more she acted the more audiences gobbled her up and so her stage career skyrocketed. The audiences demanded real women which to us seems amazing. Before Nell Gwyn women in English theatres were little more than orange-selling handmaids. Female roles were played by men and boys dressed in bonnets. The fact she was given a part at all made Nell Gwyn a ground-breaker in the newly crowded theatres attended by royalty and commoner alike.

Lord Thank the Plague

The Bubonic Plague ripped through London in the years just preceding the Great Fire of London of 1666. This proved a boon to Nell. As King Charles II loved plays, he moved his court outside the pox-ravaged capital, to Windsor, during the worst years of the phage. He demanded entertainment so he brought London’s finest actors with him. Nell was part of the retinue and from this point on she entranced the King becoming his, “number one mistress”. The two were bewitched by each other, with Nell eventually bearing him two sons. As Nell had already had a couple of lovers named Charles she famously quipped that the Monarch was her, “Charles III.” It was Nell’s common wit, fine looks and fabulous figure that won the heart of the King Charles II.

Women Glorious Women

Nell Gwyn was actually one of several of the Kings mistresses and became the favourite as the others aged. As their relationship grew and she bore the King children Eleanor made damn sure her two sons were given Earldoms with vast country homes.  King Charles II adored her, showering Nell with property, income and titles. It’s to Nell’s credit that she amused him so, but she also demonstrated acumen, in winning wealth and friends in the Royal Court. Unlike other beauties from history Nell Gwyn was simply loved and adored by everyone whom she met.

Without Further Ado

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Nell Gwyn was a ground-breaking ravishing beauty with a great legacy.

·      She was the first of the great English actresses

·      She left her illegitimate sons with titles and riches

·      She truly loved the King and he her.

More Ravishing Beauties by this author:

The Most Ravishing Women of All Time: 1 – Cleopatra

2 – Helen of Troy

3 – Mata Hari