Sex with Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge (P.S.)

Book Description

What does Camilla see in Charles? Did the Duchess of Windsor REALLY think she was going to get the crown of England? Learn the scandalous truth about the illicit relationships of some of history's most powerful men – and the women who slept with them to get to the top. There was Madam de Pompadore – brainy but passionless mistress of Louis XV and her successor Madam duBarry . beautiful, stupid, but a whole lot more fun.

Fascinating, and endlessly entertaining, Sex With Kings explores sex, power, money, rivalry and revenge. This non–fiction journey through 500 years takes the reader into the throne rooms and bedrooms of Europe's most powerful kings. From the dawn of time, power has been a mighty aphrodisiac. The royal mistress, having conquered a king, often ran his kingdom, wielding her sexuality as sceptre. Sex With Kings is trailblazing in its exploration of this intriguing phenomenon – the position of royal mistress at European courts, the fascinating women who filled it, and how their responsibilities and rewards changed over the centuries. This is a chapter of women's history which has remained unwritten – until now.

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Throughout the centuries, royal mistresses have been worshiped, feared, envied, and reviled. They set the fashions, encouraged the arts, and, in some cases, ruled nations. Eleanor Herman's Sex with Kings takes us into the throne rooms and bedrooms of Europe's most powerful monarchs. Alive with flamboyant characters, outrageous humor, and stirring poignancy, this glittering tale of passion and politics chronicles five hundred years of scintillating women and the kings who loved them.

Curiously, the main function of a royal mistress was not to provide the king with sex but with companionship. Forced to marry repulsive foreign princesses, kings sought solace with women of their own choice. And what women they were! From Madame de Pompadour, the famous mistress of Louis XV, who kept her position for nineteen years despite her frigidity, to modern-day Camilla Parker-Bowles, who usurped none other than the glamorous Diana, Princess of Wales.

The successful royal mistress made herself irreplaceable. She was ready to converse gaily with him when she was tired, make love until all hours when she was ill, and cater to his every whim. Wearing a mask of beaming delight over any and all discomforts, she was never to be exhausted, complaining, or grief-stricken.

Customer Reviews:

NEW TWIST ON ROYALTY!.......2007-10-01

This is one of the funniest books on European Royalty I've read in a long time. As a student of history, I have heard of most of the royal mistresses mentioned but this was a great new way of telling the stories. It was almost like reading a girls gossip ring on paper and I couldn't put it down. I couldn't believe some of the things these men and women got away with!

All in all a GREAT book! A must have for anyone interested in history or royalty.

WIll stimulate your interest in learning more history........2007-08-25

Eleanor Herman's book, Sex with Kings, is full of fun gossip. It is an easy non-complicated book that may start some readers off as future history fans. I think this book would be good as a supplement to a college freshman western civilization history course. If I was teaching European history to freshmen, I would use this book, along with other more scholarly books, but I think this book is very humorous, entertaining, and full of nasty details about the intimate lives of the powerful. It may make history come alive for those who find history boring.

There is one major problem with the book. Herman decided to group her chapters around various themes, such as the rivalry between the queen and the king's mistress, or the husband of the king's mistress, the riches to be obtained as the king's mistress, the potential political power that might be obtained, the issue of royal bastards, public opinion of the mistress, and the change of winds that occur when the king dies before his mistress. This would appear to be a very sensible way to organize the chapters, however it also means that each chapter is full of small paragraphs on each amorous couple and thus the text seems disorganized and choppy. If Herman had selected 12 royal mistresses and then followed the themes she identifies within each of these stories, the text would have been more easily understood and the narrative flow would improve.

That being said, the various adventures in this book were very entertaining. The story of Anthenais de Montespan and Louis XIV was a highlight of the book. Anthenais is obsessed with remaining as the king's favorite, involved in attempts to keep all beauties away from the eyes of the king while giving him secret love potions. Yet she is trumped by her children's old maid governess, Madame de Maintenon, who eventually becomes the king's legal wife after the death of the Queen. This is a fascinating twist of fate, and yet as Louis XIV grew older and more mature, it would only seem natural that he was less interested in exotic young beautiful lovers and became interested in a woman of intelligence, character and good judgement.

The mistress that receives the most coverage is, of course, Jeanne-Antoinette Etioles, Marquise de Pompadour. This beautiful, refined, intelligent, and sophisticated woman ruled the court of Louis XV, a man of normal intelligence and instincts but not a great thinker or strategist. Pompadour was probably the most influential and powerful of all royal mistresses in Western Civilization, chosing to make critical decisions of state on behalf of the king rather than to worry about jewels and finery.

The most entertaining mistress would have to be Lady Castlemaine, lover of Charles II. Her ability to manipulate Charles II, while gathering untold riches for herself, is almost unbelievable. Charles II actually was unable to pay the sailors in his navy because of the funds he spent on Lady Castlemaine.

The life of Marie Jeanne du Barry, the final mistress of Louis XV, is a wild tale of a beautiful prostitute, elevated to the role of the King's mistress due to her exceptional beauty, and yet she remained an innocent soul with little intelligence. Comtesse du Barry went into retirement with her jewel collection upon the death of Louis XV. Her jewels were stolen and later recovered in London. By this time the revolution had begun and Louis XVI and Marie Antionette were imprisoned. Comtesse du Barry was able to get permission to go to England to reclaim her jewels at a time when the revolutionary government was not allowing the ruling class to leave France. The ironic thing is that du Barry returned to France with her jewels and soon died on the guillotine.

The book ends with the abdication of Edward VIII to marry Wallis Simpson and the affair between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles. Edward's low intelligence is explored as well as Prince Charles' lack of judgement around his life with Diana. Camilla actually comes across favorably in the final chapters of the book.

The book is full of odd sexy stories that might stimulate folks to actually pick up a history book one day.

a delightful escape!.......2007-07-12

This was a new topic for me - intimate details of European royalty through history. This introduction sparked a newfound interest, which has not faded. This book provides terrific overviews of many mistresses and their relationships with the public, the courts, and their kings - organized by theme/topic. Sex itself, is a small portion of this book (and is not nearly as graphic as you might think at first). I had no idea how many different roles a mistress really played during her life, and have much more admiration (or sometimes disgust) for what these women did to obtain their goals.

The author does a wonderful job at making you feel like you are peeking through keyholes and eavesdropping on gossip, but without being disrespectful to those involved. Although the author has a beautiful and elegant writing style that paints picture after picture, she still manages to let the facts speak for themselves and allows you to draw your own opinions on these women and their controversial lifestyles. Additionally, previous historical expertise is not necessary to enjoy this book. However, be prepared for "accidental learning", as it happens quite easily and unknowingly. This book won't gather dust on you bookshelf. As soon as you're finished, you'll know of a friend to pass it on to...who will do the same when she's finished with it...

If you have any interest or curiosity about the women of this era, or history that takes on a more personal account AND if you enjoy books that allow you to live vicariously, or books that take your mind off of work or some other responsiblilty, I recommend this book.

A wonderful romp in the pages of history.......2007-07-10

I really liked this book. It was written well and very informative. I read a lot of historical fiction and there is almost always a mistress involved in something. This book brings them back to life and gives you insight on how they got to their status and kept it and or lost it.

Very Apealling.......2007-07-07

I am an "avid reader" of historical biographies, and this book would be good for anyone who is just getting into history. The excerpts are short and funny and do their job of keeping your interest! Very interesting!

Cupid and the King: Five Royal Paramours

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"Cupid And the King" is Quite Entertaining
Cupid's arrow, royal crown
Cupid and The King

Cupid and the King: Five Royal Paramours
Princess Michael of Kent
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 074327086X

Book Description

The royal European courts were unsurpassed for their glamour, wealth, fame, danger, treachery, and politics. The royal mistress was at the center of that world -- admired for her beauty and sensuality; feared for the power she wielded; even vilified, envied, and resented. In times when women had very little power, the royal mistress had enormous influence, and yet she is seldom mentioned in official histories.

In Cupid and the King, Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent recounts the stories of five very different women, each of whom became a celebrated -- or notorious -- courtesan:

Nell Gwyn, the bawdy, vivacious orange seller turned actress who endeared herself to Charles II -- and the country -- with her wit and down-to-earth manner

Madame de Pompadour, the extravagant, elegant maitresse-en-titre of Louis XV who became one of the great patrons of her time while enraging the people of France

Marie Walewska, who became Napoleon's mistress to save her country

Lola Montez, the flamboyant, scandalous Irish beauty who reinvented herself as a Spanish aristocrat to win the heart of Ludwig I of Bavaria

Lillie Langtry, the legendary beauty immortalized by the most famous artists of her day and the only woman to completely monopolize Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VII

Written with an insider's keen understanding of court life and filled with delicious details born of impeccable research, Cupid and the King explores a little-known chapter of the history of women's roles in the royal bedrooms of Europe.

Customer Reviews:

"Cupid And the King" is Quite Entertaining.......2006-04-16

I thouroughly enjoyed this book. Princess Michael's writing style is chatty and open, and she chose five interesting women to study. It's a great "beach read" for lovers of biographies, history or even royal gossip.

Cupid's arrow, royal crown.......2006-03-31

There have been royal mistresses for as long as there have been royals, but only a few have become legendary. And so a real-life royal, Princess Michael of Kent, has chronicled the lives of five of the most famous (or infamous) maitresses en titre in history. Not brilliant, but "Cupid and the King : Five Royal Paramours" is a good starting point.

Nell Gwyn grew up in the gutter, the daughter of an alcoholic prostitute. But through bawdy charm and talent, she became a comedic actress on the London stages, and caught the eye of Charles Stuart. Though she wasn't as high-born as his other ladies, "Nellie" retained a place in Charles' heart until his death, and was faithful to him for the rest of her short life.

Madame de Pompadour was an exceptional beauty who caught the eye of Louis XV, and was soon placed as his official mistress. Since she didn't like sex, she made herself invaluable to the king as a comforting friend, and created a salon where the cultured and artistic people of the time could gather. Unfortunately, her devotion to her king cost her her life.

Marie Walewska was groomed from childhood to marry well, and help her family. But after being married off to a disgusting old aristocrat, the beautiful Marie met her girlhood hero -- Napoleon. For the sake of her country, Marie became Napoleon's mistress, and soon fell in love with him. But his ambition to create a dynasty ended their affair.

Lola Montez was never what she seemed to be. After a nasty divorce, the Irish girl renamed herself, became a "Spanish" dancer, and lied constantly. She also snagged the heart of Ludwig I, king of Bavaria and terrible poet. As she bled the country dry, the angry inhabitants of Bavaria rebelled against their king, and sent Lola packing for the USA...

Lily Langtry was a tomboy, a prankster, and her first taste of polite society was a disaster. But after marrying, she captivated London (and Oscar Wilde) with her beauty and charm. And then she captivated playboy Edward VII, his naive young cousin, and eventually reinvented herself as a respected actress.

Yeah, it doesn't really say much that hasn't been said before. Many books have handled the history of courtesans and royal mistresses, and Princess Michael doesn't add much that is new to the mix. It's basically five short biographies, going over the entire lives of the subjects with plenty of interesting facts, but only a few new insights.

Her writing style is solid enough, exploring the different personal and political facets of the mistresses, the kings, and their families. It's worth noting that even though the author is royalty, only the last of the bios reveals anything about royalty, upper-class society, and the effects of a royal mistress. The rest of the time it's typical "religion disapproved, pious queen suffered, money was spent" and so on.

And four of the five have some great quality that sets them apart -- patriotism, intelligence, charm, or just loyal fun. But Lola Montez doesn't fit in. Despite Princess Michael's gushing, she seems like a callous, ditsy gold-digger compared to Madame de Pompadour or Lily Langtry.

Though it doesn't add any new information, "Cupid and the King : Five Royal Paramours" is a pleasant read for people who are looking for juicy pre-tabloid gossip.

Cupid and The King.......2006-03-16

Finally! A book for all of us who love those trashy historical romances! At least, those of us who love the historical parts. I found this book extremely well-researched as well as an easy read. Powerful men and the women who love them are always fascinating and Princess Micheal of Kent does a fantastic job in giving us those juicy details to keep your attention focused and your eyebrows raised, as well as enlightening you on significant historical events in Europe in the 17th through the 19th centuries. I highly recommend this book for those of you who don't like to admit being a trashy historical novel reader....this is one book you can proudly display on your bookshelves!

Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King

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Lusty Louis and His Lady Loves
Louis XIV: the man known as the Sun King
Second fiddle to the previous "The Journey, Marie Antoinette."
Interesting History
The Domestic Life of the Sun King

Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King
Antonia Fraser
Manufacturer: RH Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0739339575
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Book Description

The superb historian and biographer Antonia Fraser, author of Marie Antoinette, casts new light on the splendor and the scandals of the reign of Louis XIV in this dramatic, illuminating look at the women in his life.

The self-proclaimed Sun King, Louis XIV ruled over the most glorious and extravagant court in seventeenth-century Europe. Now, Antonia Fraser goes behind the well-known tales of Louis’s accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women.

The king’s mother, Anne of Austria, had been in a childless marriage for twenty-two years before she gave birth to Louis XIV. A devout Catholic, she instilled in her son a strong sense of piety and fought successfully for his right to absolute power. In 1660, Louis married his first cousin, Marie-Thérèse, in a political arrangement. While unfailingly kind to the official Queen of Versailles, Louis sought others to satisfy his romantic and sexual desires. After a flirtation with his sister-in-law, his first important mistress was Louise de La Vallière, who bore him several children before being replaced by the tempestuous and brilliant Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan. Later, when Athénaïs’s reputation was tarnished, the King continued to support her publicly as Athénaïs left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her children’s governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical Françoise de Maintenon, had already won the King’s affections; in a relationship in complete contrast to his physical obsession with Athénaïs, Louis XIV lived happily with Madame de Maintenon for the rest of his life, very probably marrying her in secret. When his grandson’s child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the King’s last years – until tragedy struck.

With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of women’s religious lives – as well as such practical matters as contraception – into her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Lusty Louis and His Lady Loves.......2007-10-07

Love and Louis XIV is a superbly researched book about the many loves of Louis XIV, perhaps the most interesting monarch to have ever lived, and certainly to have ever ruled la belle France.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? Readers who would like to learn more about Louis XIV's love life and the psychology behind what made him so randy! This is the perfect book for readers who find themselves asking these questions: Did Louis XIV marry? Did he love his wife? If so, why did he have so many mistresses? Why did he sometimes appear so cold, so cruel to those nearest to him? What happened to the young Louis that made him unable to remain interested/faithful to one woman?

****Note, if you are looking for a comprehensive biography about the Sun King, one that covers his life, not just his love life, I would highly recommend LOUIS XIV by Olivier Bernier (an expert on French culture and history)****

Antonia Fraser is a supremely talented author, deftly weaving pertinent facts, interesting tidbits, and riveting story-telling. Her books are my beach-reads. Forget chick-lit, murder mysteries, or romance novels, there's more romance and intrigue in one of Antonia Fraser's books and what makes it more thrilling to read is that it all really happened!

Louis XIV: the man known as the Sun King.......2007-03-16

Louis XIV, styled the Sun King, was the King of France for 72 years (1643 to 1715). At the time of his birth, his mother (Queen Anne) was almost 37, and was childless after 22 years of marriage (to King Louis XIII).

It is no wonder, then, that Louis was styled 'Dieudonne' or 'Deodatus' ('Godgiven'). It is perhaps also unsurprising that Louis's bond with his mother was so strong.

The reign of Louis XIV has been written about by many: there were many achievements during his long reign (including the construction of Versailles, reforms of taxation and administration, and patronage of the arts).

Antonia Fraser has focussed on his relationships with women. From his strong loving relationship with his mother, his kind but formal relationship with his wife Marie-Therese, his multiple and very different mistresses, as well as with the women of his extended family, we obtain a more complete picture of Louis XIV man and king.

I have read, enjoyed and learned from Antonia Fraser's non fiction since 1974. This book does not disappoint. By illustrating Louis XIV's awareness of the conflict between church doctrine, and adultery, Ms Fraser gives us another dimension of insight into this successful monarch's long reign.

Highly recommended to those interested in the life and times of Louis XIV.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Second fiddle to the previous "The Journey, Marie Antoinette.".......2007-01-20

It is not that the book is a bit dull. Louis XIV was dull, well dull compared to those who came before and those came after. Beautifully written, excruiciating research, lovely to read. However, while I found the previous book by the author, The Journey: Marie Antoinette, compelling and a struggle to set aside to complete nominal life perserving tasks (eating, drinking)this book presented a society that was living under a cloche or bell jar, stifled and well, dull, even the sex seemed not worthwhile and, yes, pretty dull. Perhaps it was that way. Nonetheless, the author was able to keep the massive cast of characters in a presentation so that the order within a the reader's grasp.

Interesting History.......2007-01-09

Not a bad read, although all of the facts make it seem overly long, and the similarity of some of the names can be confusing - not the author's fault. Antonia Fraser tells a very detailed story about the Sun King, and the ladies he was involved with.

The Domestic Life of the Sun King.......2007-01-03

"Love" as presumed by casual browsers of the title, and "Love" as meant by the author may differ. The book covers his friendships, flirtations, infatuations, in-law relations, marriage and (perhaps) pseudo marriage and his views of the female obligation to sacrifice for international diplomacy. By the standards of his cousin, Charles II of England, Louis XIV was the much more responsible adulterer.

Fraser demonsrates how Louis' early bond with a loving mother- an exception for a time characterized by royal nurseries-was replicated in his intimate relationships with women. There is an interesting symmetry that you come to understand as the story evolves.

The best part is the end when Fraser gives analysis of Louis and his attitude towards women and his basic generousity.

My only criticism is that the genealogical chart is difficult to read. A different lay out would have helped.

This book doesn't try cover the weighty historic issues which are well documented in many other sources. This book brings something new to the table. Like all Fraser books, it is very well researched and readably presented.

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Good look but definately biased
FASCINATING BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF AN AMAZING WOMAN
Merry England
You Don't Have to Be an Historian!
A Fresh Eye on the Restoration

Nell Gwyn: Mistress to a King
Charles Beauclerk
Manufacturer: Atlantic Monthly Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

Written by a direct descendant of the union between Nell Gwyn and King Charles II, Nell Gwyn tells the story of one of England's great folk heroines. Born during a tumultuous period in England's past, Nell Gwyn was spotted selling oranges in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Nell's wit and charm brought her to the attention of numerous suitors, including one of the theater's leading actors, Charles Hart. Under his patronage Nell took to the stage where she became one of London's first professional female actresses, and the finest comedienne in London. She then caught the eye of the pleasure-seeking "merry monarch" King Charles II, and their seventeen-year love affair played out against the backdrop of the Great Fire of London, the Great Plague, court scandals, and the constant threat of political revolution. Magnificently re-creating the heady, licentious, yet politically charged atmosphere of Restoration England, Nell Gwyn tells the true-life Cinderella story of a common orange girl who became England's first "people's princess."

Customer Reviews:

Good look but definately biased.......2007-10-04

I lived for a while by Nell Gwyn's house in Newmarket, Suffolk, England and so was interested in her greatly. I've read biographies of Charles II and had a perspective of his mistresses. The details of Nell's life are greatly; however, as a descendent of Charles II and Nell Gwyn, Mr Beauclerk's bias is obvious. His descriptions of the other mistresses are vicious at times. A great perspective of Restoration England.

FASCINATING BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF AN AMAZING WOMAN.......2006-09-12

I was spellbound as I kept reading this fascinating biography, written by a direct descendant of Nell Gwynn and King Charles II.
This is a true life biography of the rag to riches ascent of a girl living in grinding poverty who scaled the heights and became the mistress to the King of England. The true story of the beautiful, enterprising, intelligent Nell Gwynn is sure to fascinate.

Merry England.......2006-08-21

I've been prone to reading about the Tudors so the Stuarts and the merry merry life of Charles II was new to me. Beauclerk's readable biography of his famous ancestors has really piqued my interest in the Stuarts.

He notes in the text that 15 biographies have been written about Nell. Not having read any of them, I don't know how this one differs, but it reflects the author's broad knowledge of Restoration theater and poetry. He depicts the strange sort of liberation that followed Cromwell. He describes the changing role of women who now had a crack at few careers besides prostitution such as orange vending, acting, playwriting, and, well, courtesanship.

The author is disciplined and sticks with his subject. He gives us enough background in Restoration politics so that we can understand Nell's (precarious) position.

Nell's success in her short life was certainly made possible by the times in which she lived. The King's early life required normal socializing with commoners. Without this, his life and court might have been more like any other, with not so many out of wedlock children, and certainly none acknowledged. Nell would have had absolutely NO access were Charles' succession linear.

Nell must have been a real card. I'm trying to think of a contemporary equivalent, and cannot. The description of the bed she had carved (and the cost of it) really takes the cake! It's hard to imagine her lack of prentense in the world in which she moved.

The final chapter on her many descendants from her one surviving son is interesting. There were too many to keep track of but the general discussion is heavy with the weight of the British class system.

That Beauclerk has written of his foremother, not of his forefather, is a sign of our times. It has been all too frequent for children to "reach up" to the male for prestige, career and/or status, as Beauclerk notes that the Duke of Monmouth does. This is often accompanied by ignoring or insulting the mother and what she brings to the match. Beauclerk does not minimize his royal line of which he could very well boast (I'm a descendant of a king!) He celebrates the intellegence talent, wit and adventuresome spirit that is part of his matrilineal side.

After reading the book I checked Wikipedia and learned that Princess Diana is a direct descendant of both Barbara Palmer AND Louise de Keroualle and Charles II, and that Camilla is a descendant of Louise de Keroualle and Charles II!

You Don't Have to Be an Historian!.......2006-04-24

The other reviews of Nell Gwyn at this site seem to come from people steeped in Restoration history. But you don't have to be an historian to enjoy this book. The author, Charles Beauclerk, is the direct descendant King Charles II and his mistress, Nell Gwyn. He writes in clear, easy to read sentences. Nonetheless, he is impressively erudite. Gradually, with painstaking research, he recreates Nell, the people important in her life, and the world they lived in. In keeping with his fun-loving main characters, Beauclerk writes with humor and tenderness. I am sure Charles and Nell would approve!

Unlike many people who write about their famous ancestors, Beauclerk does not fall into the trap of either apologizing for or aggrandizing them. He depicts Nell as uncultured with a warm, open, boisterous personality, a trenchant wit, and winning charm.

A rich, complex picture of the Restoration emerges. Beauclerk depicts a frenzied reaction to previous years of Civil War and Puritan rule, which gave rise to a renaissance in theater and literature, horse racing, scientific inquiry, extravagance, and licentiousness. Political intrigue was rampant.

Charles II was the right king for the times. He emerges as a complex man with towering strengths and weaknesses. Charles was a master at snuffing out political plots. His religious tolerance and political moderation gave the nation a brief respite between the Puritans and the stogy continental royalty who followed. Fortuitously, his behavior and interests reflected those of the nation during that period.

Nell Gwyn is also an attack on the British class system. Beauclerk, descendant of royalty and the cockney slums, has a unique point of view. A reluctant aristocrat himself, he understands why aristocrats constantly disparaged lower class Nell. Probably because of Nell's class origins even her beloved Charles occasionally neglected her. For example, although all of Charles' other highborn principal mistresses received lands and titles, presumably because of Nell's lowly origins, Charles never bestowed a title or much land on her. (But he did give their son a bankrupt Dukedom.) By contrast, in America, where classes are more fluid, Ronald Reagan whose biography was similar to Nell - a movie star with lower class origins - reached the pinnacle of American society when he won the Presidency. Most Americans thought his lower class origins were admirable.

Nell Gwyn is a rich and fascinating book. It is never dry or boring. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't require a fast moving plot in order to enjoy a book.

A Fresh Eye on the Restoration.......2006-01-21

Beauclerk is a scholar who did his homework and invests years of research in his fascinating, eye-opening biography. He casts a fresh eye not only on Nell, but also on Charles II and Restoration London. I have studied the Restoration for decades and Beauclerk has given me a new perspective on the people and the period. He might be accused by some of "going easy" on his famous ancestors, but he gives the characters an emotional depth which brings out their humanity. Charles and Nell no longer seem like the oddest of odd couples in history, rather they seem like a curiously perfect match, odd only in that, given their disparate stations in life, they actually found each other.

DICTIONARY OF ENGLISH QUEENS, KING'S WIVES, CELEBRATED PARAMOURS, HANDFAST SPOUSES & ROYAL CHANGELINGS.

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DICTIONARY OF ENGLISH QUEENS, KING'S WIVES, CELEBRATED PARAMOURS, HANDFAST SPOUSES & ROYAL CHANGELINGS.
J.L. Carr
Manufacturer: Tern Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TZT9TY

Ladies of the Bedchamber: The Role of the Royal Mistress

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Royal childhood needs and relationships

Ladies of the Bedchamber: The Role of the Royal Mistress
Dennis Friedman
Manufacturer: Peter Owen Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0720611601

Customer Reviews:

Royal childhood needs and relationships.......2005-02-27

Friedman is clearly more a psychologist than an historian, because throughout the book he has the family relations of the royals in this book often completely messed up. His most stupid fault is calling King William IV "Silly Billy" (even in the title of the chapter about him); "Silly Billy" was the nickname of William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, a cousin and brother-in-law of King William IV.
The book is not really about "the role played by the royal mistress" or "the effects of extramarital sex on marriage", as the author claims. It's more about the influence of one's upbringing on one's later sex life, both for the royal and his mistresses. The youth and relations of both the Kings and their paramours are described in much detail. In my opinion, he oversimplifies the complicated reality of relationships by explaining everything in terms of childhood needs.
Nevertheless, the book is easy to read and Friedman sheds a new light on Wallis Simpson's behavior during the abdication crisis.

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Royal Paramours
Dulcie M. ASHDOWN
Manufacturer: Dorset
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPF1X2

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Royal Paramours
Dulcie M. Ashdown
Manufacturer: Dorset House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Royal Paramours
Dulcie M. Ashdown
Manufacturer: New York Dorset 1986.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LTNBH4

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