stained-truth: Women in History | The Remarkable Mistresses of Charles IICertainly, the Restoration
stained-truth: Women in History | The Remarkable Mistresses of Charles IICertainly, the Restoration period was optimistic, vigorous, exciting. But apart from lovely dresses, did things get better for women? Of course, history doesn’t work in straight lines, and the answer is yes… and no. The potential rewards for being one of Charles II’s “harlots” were considerable. You could win enormous political influence, a dukedom for your children, financial security. You might even, like Barbara Villiers, end up with Hampton Court Palace as a retirement home. She was powerful enough to depose a government minister like the Earl of Clarendon, and self-confident enough to be unfaithful even to the king. It’s fun to imagine the tables being turned on Charles II, so well known for cutting a swath through the beauties of his court and consuming women like a combine harvester. And yet, he deserves some feminist credit. This king who loved women also respected them. For the first time, we find his female favourites becoming companions and advisers as well as playmates. (x) -- source link