Rags To Riches
Life in 17th-century Europe was tough, especially for those not born into nobility. However, Nell Gwyn found a way to elevate her standing in society, partly due to her wit and talent. Stepping onto the stage and into a brand new landscape for her and her audience, Nell exhibited such raw cleverness and skill that few could question the attention she garnered—even when it came from royalty.
1. Her Birth Is A Mystery
In one way or another, Nell Gwyn spent all her years performing and being so prolific in wit and satire that many likely had trouble telling how much of what she said was true. So it was with her own history, considering the year of her birth is still up for debate.
Historians tend to believe one of two accounts—an 1838 magazine that stated her birth year as around 1642, and a horoscope from the Ashmolean manuscripts saying she was born in 1650. The questions don’t stop there, though.
After Peter Lely, Wikimedia Commons
2. She Is Steeped In Obscurity
Likely due to her alleged upbringing and role in society, few concrete records of her life and experiences exist. Much of what historians have gathered comes from second-hand accounts, whether from theatre critics or simply those who surrounded her in court. Naturally, since this relies mostly on hearsay, not everything widely accepted may be true.
However, she wasn’t the only one with an unclear history.
Simon Pietersz Verelst, Wikimedia Commons
3. Her Mother Is Equally Vague
Nell Gwyn’s mother, Ellen, raised her and her sister Rose alone, but unfortunately, so little remains known about her as well. Often referred to as Old Ma Gwyn, her family’s social status is unclear, and many posit that she was "low-born". However, others have questioned this theory, as it’s only implied from her later activities.
Not much more is known about Nell’s father.
After Peter Lely / John Ogborne, Wikimedia Commons
4. Her Father May Have Passed
Once again, there are a couple of separate sources where scraps of potential information on Nell’s father can often be found. One 1681 poem put forward that her father, whoever he was, perished in an Oxford prison, while a 1688 manuscript gives a bit of backstory and states he was a captain named Thomas Guine. Both of these are questionable at best.
However, there is one clear detail about Nell's early life—and it's undeniably tragic.
Stephen Craven , Wikimedia Commons
5. She Had A Rough Home Life
While it’s largely accepted that Nell grew up in the Covent Garden district of London, it’s also easy to deduce that it was not a happy time. Whether he had perished or run off, her father was gone, and Ellen turned to drink in their poverty. This meant that Nell and her sister had to learn to care for themselves.
As such, she never had the chance to experience a truly innocent childhood.
Balthazar Nebot, Wikimedia Commons
6. She May Have Had Other Jobs
While Nell was growing up, her mother ran a bordello to make ends meet. While some sources imply that Nell may have worked there herself in some capacity, others refute this and provide different ways that she provided for her family, such as hawking food on the streets or being a cinder-girl.
Luckily, a new opportunity would soon come her way.
Attributed to Simon Pietersz Verelst, Wikimedia Commons
7. He Opened It Back Up
By 1660, the previous decade had been a difficult time for creatives, as the English parliament had prohibited certain outlets they deemed worthless, such as the theatre. However, this all changed when King Charles II reclaimed the throne that year and reopened the theatre, seeing it as a valuable form of expression.
This wasn’t the only major change he made.
Aewin, Vienna's English Theatre, Wikimedia Commons
8. He Allowed Them To Perform
Along with reinstating the theatre, King Charles not only chartered a pair of acting companies but also made them much more inclusive. Previously, English theatre was a completely male-dominated profession, in which men played all the roles. However, King Charles didn’t hesitate to amend this, permitting women to perform.
All Nell needed was a connection.
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9. She Was Hired
One of the King’s licensed theatre companies was the aptly named King's Company, which by 1663 performed out of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The following year, a friend of Nell’s mother acquired a license as a food vendor at the theatre, subsequently hiring Nell and Rose as “orange-girls” to sell fruit to the audience.
This introduced Nell to a whole new world.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
10. She Caught A Glimpse
Working at the theatre, Nell saw a vision of how her life would turn out, even though she didn’t know it yet. Serving members of high society, she saw what living among England’s most affluent would be like, especially since King Charles often attended. More importantly, however, she saw the women performing on stage and realized she could do it too.
So, Nell got to work.
11. She Studied
The same year she worked as an orange-girl, Nell pivoted and began her acting career, starting where anyone might—in school. The King’s Company leader was theatre manager Thomas Killigrew, and while at his school for young actors, Nell studied under famous actor Charles Hart and a skilled dancer named John Lacy.
Finally, she got to showcase her talents.
William Sheppard, Wikimedia Commons
12. She Made A Debut
While she still had to wait a bit longer until she landed starring roles, some documentation implies that she began acting on stage in small roles between 1664 and 1665. One such piece of evidence is a manuscript for The Siege of Urbin from that season, which includes the casting for the character of “Pedro” as someone named “Mrs Nell”.
This is where things get a little clearer.
Simon Pietersz Verelst, Wikimedia Commons
13. She Was Likely Older
Although Nell’s true birthday remains uncertain, this possible early mention of her in a cast listing may hint at which of the alleged years is correct. During this time, when a performance featured an actress over the age of 21, the casting would refer to her as “Mrs”. So if this was Nell, a 1642 birth year would be more likely, making her at least 22.
Even in this early period, she quickly made an impression.
Simon Pietersz Verelst, Wikimedia Commons
14. She Received A Nickname
Using a mention from April 1665, some point to the idea that Nell had already become a celebrity, specifically one with whom the public was on a first-name basis. This is shown in the distinguished diaries of writer Samuel Pepys, who praised Nell’s theatrical talent and called her "pretty, witty Nell".
Meanwhile, scandalous rumors about her began to swirl.
15. They May Have Been Together
While there’s a good chance she performed on stage before this, Nell’s first recorded role was as the character Cydaria in John Dryden's The Indian Emperour in March 1665. Opposite her, playing her character’s love interest, Cortez, was her former acting teacher Charles Hart, with whom many speculated her to be in a relationship.
Whether she was or not, the two worked together quite a bit.
16. They Found Their Iconic Roles
Possibly as early as 1665, Nell and Charles Hart starred in James Howard's The Mad Couple, a comedy that featured the two in roles that became very comfortable for them. Fulfilling an archetype that audiences loved, Nell and Hart played an antagonistic, yet seemingly hilarious, dysfunctional couple.
However, trouble was on the horizon.
Simon Pietersz Verelst, Wikimedia Commons
17. They Were Shut Down
That same year, a disaster struck the whole city, causing many businesses to close, including the theatre. This was the Great Plague of London, and it lasted for about a year, during which the King took refuge in Oxford. Nell likely wasn’t out of a job, though, since it's believed the King continued to hold private performances from his companies.
Fortunately, things eventually opened back up.
John Cassell, Wikimedia Commons
18. They Continued Performing
Once the King saw fit to reopen the theatres in the wake of the Great Plague, the King’s Company could get back to performing for the public. Luckily, Nell and Hart weren’t hurting for parts, since their performances in The Mad Couple led to several other roles, such as in Flora's Vagaries and The Maiden Queen, where they played similar characters.
The latter performance was the one that stood out.
19. He Loved It
As another work by famed dramatist John Dryden, The Maiden Queen became an instant hit, and not just with the general public. In fact, after King Charles attended a showing, the tragicomedy struck such a chord with him that he bestowed the work with the title of “His Play”.
Of course, Nell’s admirers were sure to note her performance specifically.
Godfrey Kneller, Wikimedia Commons
20. It Was Her Perfect Role
By this time, Dryden had proved to be a master playwright, so The Maiden Queen’s writing spoke for itself. However, a large part of the success was also Nell’s performance, as shown in another piece of Samuel Pepys’s writing, where he once again praises her and goes so far as to say that he couldn’t see anyone else playing her part.
Her success was especially evident for another reason.
Attributed to John Riley, Wikimedia Commons
21. They Had A Quick Turnaround
Although King Charles had just ruled that women could perform, and many became interested in doing so, there always seemed to be a spot open at the Theatre Royal. This was because men of the wealthy and elite often used their influence to entice actresses they grew attracted to and take them as their mistresses.
As it happened, Nell was already getting a lot of attention.
22. He Took Notice
Everyone loved Nell’s performance, but in 1667, one of her performances in The Mad Couple garnered the attention of one Lord Buckhurst, also known as Charles Sackville. Described as "charming," "witty," and "cultured," Sackville’s proposition was attractive enough to Nell, who then became his mistress.
Suddenly, her acting career didn’t seem permanent.
Godfrey Kneller, Wikimedia Commons
23. She Was Finished
Nell completed her 1667 season of performing, but then looked as if she might hang up her acting for good. Accompanying Sackville on a vacation in Epsom, she left her audience in a state of confusion, at least until Samuel Pepys reported that Nell would not be returning to the stage since Sackville would be providing for her himself.
Still, nothing lasts forever.
Workshop of Peter Lely, Wikimedia Commons
24. They Broke Up
As always with celebrity relationships, things between Nell and Sackville appeared to fizzle out as fast as they sparked up. Only a few months after they went on vacation, the two called it quits, and Nell returned to London. No later than August was she back on stage, performing another rendition of The Indian Emperour.
However, fate had another wealthy love interest in store for her.
Godfrey Kneller, Wikimedia Commons
25. He Was Trying To Find Someone
Around the same time, Sackville had ended things with Nell, someone much higher on the nobility ladder was looking for a new mistress. George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, was searching for someone to replace King Charles’ principal mistress, Barbara Palmer—for his own selfish, political reasons.
Of course, Nell wasn’t just anyone.
26. She Knew Her Worth
Noting King Charles’s love of his theatre company and the rising fame of one of its chief actresses, Villiers approached Nell with an offer to become the King’s mistress. However, Nell had already been in the service of one nobleman, and recognizing her value, she demanded an annual payment of £500. Villiers refused, believing this too high a price.
Plus, Nell wasn’t the only one.
27. They Became Rivals
Although Nell held on to her standards, the position of the King’s mistress was still attractive, and she knew she wasn’t the only candidate. Moll Davis was another actress in the King’s other theatre company, the Duke’s Company, whom Villiers had initially chosen to be King Charles’ new mistress—effectively making her Nell’s rival.
Supposedly, Nell had a bit of fun with this.
After Peter Lely, Wikimedia Commons
28. She Was A Prankster
Nell was first and foremost a comedic actress and, as such, was often surrounded by satire and playful embellishments—especially in stories about her. While this may or may not have happened, a story surfaced of her interfering with Moll Davis’s attempts to court the King, specifically feeding her laxatives before she was to spend an evening with him.
Ultimately, the King made his choice.
29. He Was Taken With Her
In the end, King Charles and Nell seemed to hit it off, and this became all the more clear when the two attended a showing of She Wou'd if She Cou'd in early 1668. Although doing so separately, others would later report that King Charles barely watched the show, preferring to talk with Nell the whole time.
He only grew fonder of her as they spent more time together.
John Michael Wright, Wikimedia Commons
30. They Went On A Date
In another story that some may have embellished, Nell proved she wasn’t shy about her witty, jovial attitude, even toward the King. When Charles asked her out to dinner, accompanied by his brother, the two royals realized by the end that they had no money to pay for the meal. Nell had to step up and take care of the bill.
In her typical fashion, she imitated the King and said, “Od's fish! But this is the poorest company I ever was in!” This only endeared her more to the King.
Philippe de Champaigne, Wikimedia Commons
31. She Joked About It
Already a celebrity, Nell became the topic of gossip once it was clear the King fancied her. Fortunately, she knew how to spin everything people said about her with a bit of humor. Specifically, since she had been involved with Charles Hart and Charles Sackville, and now King Charles II, she playfully referred to the royal as her “Charles the Third”.
Of course, being the talk of the town worked out for her.
Workshop of Peter Lely, Wikimedia Commons
32. She Became More Popular
As 1668 wore on, the gossip continued about Nell and the King, with many comparing the two to her previous involvement with Charles Sackville and believing it to be a doomed tryst. One difference was that she didn’t immediately quit acting. In fact, her newfound infamy among the upper class was a great way to fill seats at the theatre.
Still, she wouldn’t stay there forever.
Godfrey Kneller, Wikimedia Commons
33. She Became Less Busy
Nell continued acting, or at least being affiliated with the theatre, for about another year as she transitioned into her new role as the King’s mistress. Eventually, though, the time came for her final performance before switching to a full-time commitment to the King. In June 1669, she played this last role, which was the character Valeria in Tyrannick Love.
But though she steadily climbed the social ladder, it was at someone’s expense.
Internet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons
34. She Was Powerless
Although King Charles had married Queen Catherine of Braganza, it was not a happy union. The two didn’t have any children as poor Catherine was plagued by miscarriage after miscarriage—a fact that sadly turned the King and all the royal court against her. Because of this, she had no power to wield over the King's lusty affairs.
Of course, Nell still wasn’t the only woman warming the royal bedsheets.
Unidentified painter, Wikimedia Commons
35. He Had Few Others
Throughout his life, King Charles had many mistresses—often simultaneously—and it was no different once Nell signed on. Although she effectively replaced Barbara Palmer, the previous mistress hung around for a bit. Not to mention that Moll Davis had also become the King’s mistress, but often stayed out of the public light, allowing Nell to become the favorite.
Soon enough, she would cement her relationship with the King.
After Peter Lely, Wikimedia Commons
36. She Had Their First
Two years after Nell became the King’s mistress, she gave birth to their son, Charles Beauclerk. Born on May 8, 1670, he was her first child, but King Charles already had six illegitimate sons from other previous mistresses. Her position of favor had been built on thin ice—not only was she replaceable but there was also competition on the way.
Godfrey Kneller, Wikimedia Commons
37. She Found Another Rival
Later in 1670, Queen Catherine received another maid of honor as the Duchess of Portsmouth, Louise de Kérouaille, arrived from France. However, this was mostly an empty title, considering she quickly became another of the King’s mistresses, making her Nell's newest rival. What's more? As contenders for the King's affection, the two women couldn't have been more different.
38. They Were Different
Although they never became true enemies of each other, Nell and Louise couldn’t deny their inherent differences. While Nell had grown up on the streets and made no attempt to hide her rough and boisterous attitude, Louise had all the reserved sophistication that being a Duchess demanded of her.
Around this time, Nell put the final nail in her career’s coffin.
39. She Stopped Acting
Although she hadn’t performed on stage for a long time, she remained open to doing so until her final performance in 1671. She starred in John Dryden’s The Conquest of Granada, which, although produced the previous year, had waited to debut until Nell could return following the birth of her son.
Naturally, her departure was to the theatre’s detriment.
Richard Tompson, Wikimedia Commons
40. They Felt Her Absence
Nell’s career on stage was only a matter of a few years, but she managed to leave an indelible mark on the audience and her fellow theatre workers. As a result of this, Thomas Killigrew couldn’t bring himself to present either The Maiden Queen or The Indian Emperour for close to a decade, believing that no one could fill Nell’s shoes.
Nevertheless, she had moved on.
Anthony van Dyck, Wikimedia Commons
41. She Relocated
Still acting as the King’s mistress, the King granted Nell and her son a residence in a Westminster brick townhouse in February 1671, but something didn’t sit right with her. The property had previously been leased to someone else, who then transferred the lease to Nell. Even then, she knew she deserved more.
Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, Wikimedia Commons
42. She Wouldn’t Take No For An Answer
Because of her headstrong attitude and the King’s fondness for her, Nell had enjoyed a unique freedom while in the service of Charles, and she wasn’t about to let that stop. Rather than be relegated to only a tenant of her townhouse, she demanded that the crown give her sole ownership.
Fortunately, they saw reason.
Edward Matthew Ward, Wikimedia Commons
43. She Got Her Way
Nell’s desire for her townhouse was more than an empty demand, and she assured the crown that she would not accept the property until they granted her real ownership. Her arguments prevailed, and the crown granted her freehold of the property in 1676, making it the only property on Pall Mall’s south side that the Crown Estate didn’t have its claws in.
Sadly, she was in for some bad news.
44. She Lost Someone
The true nature of Nell’s relationship with her mother is unclear, especially since her upbringing had been so difficult. But whether or not they were still on speaking terms, Nell lost her mother in 1679, when Ellen had an accident near her home and tragically drowned in a brook.
This, of course, wasn't the only loss she suffered.
Rijksmuseum, Wikimedia Commons
45. She Lost One Of Her Boys
Nell had given birth to another of King Charles’ sons in 1671—a boy named James. But sadly, James lived a tragically short life. While studying in Paris at the age of six, he suffered from "a sore leg," which ultimately led to his demise. Though the true cause of his demise remains a mystery, the knowledge of his painful extremity suggests some kind of physical accident—or, even more disturbingly, potential poisoning.
Luckily, her firstborn Charles had a brighter future ahead of him.
46. She Secured Her Son's Fortune
Though Nell lost one of her boys, she had her first son, Charles Beauclerk. Though his illegitimacy prevented him from becoming a true heir, not all was lost. Through various interventions by Nell, as others reported, the King made their son Earl of Buford and eventually the Duke of St Albans, which allotted him a yearly £1,000.
However, her means of securing her son's initial Earldom were allegedly deranged.
Attributed to Mary Beale, Wikimedia Commons
47. She Had A Dark Side
The most concerning story surrounding Nell's manipulation of the king involves her threatening the life of her own son. As the story goes, she dangled little Charles out of a window, giving the King two choices: watch his son fall to his demise or give him a peerage. Thankfully, the King gave in, exclaiming, "God save the Earl of Burford!"
However, despite these supposed wild stories, Nell never lost the admiration of the King.
John Michael Wright, Wikimedia Commons
48. He Looked After Her
Even among King Charles’ many mistresses, Nell stood out till the very end. The King's adoration for her became especially apparent during the lead-up to his passing on February 6, 1685. While on his deathbed, he brought his brother and successor James II close, and relayed his jaw-dropping, final wish—“Let not poor Nelly starve".
James carried out this order, giving Nell a pension of £1,500 per year and settling most of her debts. Still, Nell’s own health started to decline.
School of Peter Lely, Wikimedia Commons
49. She Was Bedridden
Only two years after King Charles’ passing, Nell would face her mortality as 1687 brought only further hardships. Over the course of suffering two strokes, Nell became paralyzed on one side and unable to leave her bed. Knowing her end was drawing near, she made out her will that summer.
She wouldn’t have long.
Circle of Peter Lely / Studio of Peter Lely, Wikimedia Commons
50. Her Story Ended
After settling her remaining affairs throughout the following months, 37-year-old Nell was seemingly ready to pass on. This came a month after issuing her codicil, as she then passed from apoplexy on November 14, 1687. Experts later speculated that this was likely due to a form of syphilis.
Even beyond her reputation as an actress and mistress, the public adored her.
51. She Was Generous
By the time Nell passed, she had immensely improved her financial status, having accrued a four-figure balance in the bank and owning nearly 15,000 ounces of plate. Through all this wealth, she never forgot her roots, leaving £100 to the poor and enough to pay £50 a year each Christmas to release imprisoned debtors.
Following her passing, her legacy grew even bigger.
52. She Became An Icon
Although much of Nell Gwyn’s life remains unclear, or at best a series of exaggerated stories, it wasn’t difficult for her to transform into a significant figure in English history. As her rise to fame and fortune paralleled the beginning of the country’s Restoration Period, she became a symbol of that time.
As such, her relatively quick journey from poverty to wealth grew into somewhat of a folk story told for generations.
Rijksmuseum, Wikimedia Commons
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