The Darling Strumpet: A Novel of Nell Gwynn, Who Captured the Heart of England and King Charles

Gillian Bagwell’s Nelly was an oyster seller was born in the alleys round Covent Garden of a ‘brandy soak’ mother and unknown father, her life a constant round of beatings and hard work. On the day that King Charles II returns to his throne, Nelly decides to follow her sister Rose into whoring. Her pretty face, neat figure and quick tongue help her acquire a post as an ‘orange wench," selling fruit in the pit. With the help of her first long term lover, Charles Hart, she starts acting on the stage and comes to the attention of King Charles II. John Dryden described Nell as, ‘"Oval face, clear skin, hazel eyes, thick brown eyebrows ... a full nether lip ... the bottom of your cheeks a little blub, and two dimples when you smile." Like all the King's women, Nell was paid out of the Secret Service funds, second only to Louise de Keroualle, the Duchess of Portsmouth, her greatest rival apart from the fading Barbara Palmer. The least ambitious and most faithful of Charles II’s mistresses, Nell had two sons by Charles II. She made many true friends in the Royal court, many of whom she helped through hard times, among them, George Duke of Buckingham, Lord Rochester, Killigrew, Aphra Benn the lady playwright, the ill-fated Duke of Monmouth, and of course her beloved Charles Hart who was always her first love. On his deathbed, Charles besought his brother and heir, "Let not poor Nelly starve." James II kept faith, although her life was less extravagant after her royal lover’s death. Nelly died of a stroke brought on by an occupational disease, at 37. I can thoroughly recommend this book, and enjoyed Miss Bagwell’s meticulously researched novel through the cobbled, rubbish-strewn alleys of Covent Garden to the Royal Theatre in Drury Lane and into the royal court. She handles the 17th Century London street vernacular with aplomb, and Nell comes across as the epitome of the ‘tart with a heart’, who never apologises for her profession and is generous with both her time and her money.

When I first saw mention of the upcoming release of The Darling Strumpet , a novel on Nell Gwynn, I knew immediately I had to read it. You see, she’s my favorite royal mistress and I try to read everything I can on her. Being a debut novel I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I need not have worried because author Gillian Bagwell blew me away!! The Darling Strumpet recounts Nell’s impressive rise from the streets of London to the most coveted position in the land, that of mistress to King Charles II, the Merry Monarch and tells it in such an entertaining way that the reader is kept in absolute rapture from start to finish! Nell’s spirit was captured perfectly by Bagwell and this book just reminded me why I adore Nell so much. Her tenacity, keen wit and charm, big heart and refusal to make amends or feel ashamed of her role as royal mistress make her so likable, you can easily see why she was a favorite of Charles II. Being that the novel is just as juicy as the orange on the cover and with knowing that there are many YA readers that visit this blog, I feel I would be remiss in not disclaiming that there are some pretty racy scenes. They didn’t bother me so much and I didn’t feel they overwhelmed the story but they are pretty detailed, so I just thought I would mention it. I enthusiastically recommend The Darling Strumpet and if her debut novel is any indication of the fabulousness we can look forward to in future books by Gillian Bagwell then consider me hooked!!

Nell walks streets that Londoners will recognise. From selling oranges in the theatre, she becomes the darling of the Restoration stage - and later loyal mistress of the King himself. The complex relationships and power-play within Charles II’s court are delicately described. Nell’s unabashed tale is told with verve and humour by an author who knows history and human nature intimately, and who brings every emotion alive.