thestuartkings: Hortense Mancini (6 June 1646, Rome – 9 November 1699, Chelsea, London) Hortenses’s ostensible reason for arriving in England in the winter of 1675 was her cousinship to Mary Beatrice, the new Duchess of York. But her conquest of the King was rapid. By the summer of 1676 it was being said that the only time Hortense was not at the Kings side was when he was bathing. In Hortense’s amatory explioits there were hints of ambiguity. It was said ‘Each sex provides its lovers for Hortense’. She had an affair with the Anne, Countess of Sussex, (the daughter of the King and Barbara Villiers) with whom she took part in fencing matches in St James Park, wearing only their nightgowns. Most aspects of pleasure were a lure for Hortense. She was a compulsive gambler, lover of food, adored dogs - three favourites were named Boy, Little Rogue and Chop - as well as cats, monkeys and birds, which included a starling called Jacob and a parrot called Pretty. Like Charles, she loved to swim, though she was not quite as adept at it. We hear of the faithful servant Mustapha (who was an excellent swimmer) dragging her about in the water on her front and her back. Hortense, wrote a contemporary, “thought of nothing but enjoying herself; she triumphed over everything by an excess of folly”. - Extracts from the book ‘King Charles II by Antonia Fraser

thestuartkings:

Hortense Mancini (6 June 1646, Rome – 9 November 1699, Chelsea, London)

Hortenses’s ostensible reason for arriving in England in the winter of 1675 was her cousinship to Mary Beatrice, the new Duchess of York. But her conquest of the King was rapid. By the summer of 1676 it was being said that the only time Hortense was not at the Kings side was when he was bathing.

In Hortense’s amatory explioits there were hints of ambiguity. It was said ‘Each sex provides its lovers for Hortense’. She had an affair with the Anne, Countess of Sussex, (the daughter of the King and Barbara Villiers) with whom she took part in fencing matches in St James Park, wearing only their nightgowns.

Most aspects of pleasure were a lure for Hortense. She was a compulsive gambler, lover of food, adored dogs - three favourites were named Boy, Little Rogue and Chop - as well as cats, monkeys and birds, which included a starling called Jacob and a parrot called Pretty.

Like Charles, she loved to swim, though she was not quite as adept at it. We hear of the faithful servant Mustapha (who was an excellent swimmer) dragging her about in the water on her front and her back.

Hortense, wrote a contemporary, “thought of nothing but enjoying herself; she triumphed over everything by an excess of folly”.

- Extracts from the book ‘King Charles II by Antonia Fraser


Tagged as: charles ii. Hortense Mancini. mazarinettes. Barbara Villiers. Barbara Palmer. Countess of Sussex. History. 17th century. NIGHTDRESS SWORDFIGHT. that sounds like a fantastic name for a song.

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My picture FUCK YEAH CHARLES II
Charles II was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 to 1685. Also known as the Merry Monarch, he is infamous for his numerous mistresses and rowdy court- but there's a lot more to Charlie than debauchery and scandal. This blog is here to showcase every aspect of his life, with a generous dollop of humour thrown in.

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