Rachel Reviews: Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II by Linda Porter

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.

In 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.

Rachel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars