Charles II and His Many, Many Women

After recording our episode on Nell Gwyn, we decided to take a closer look at the women in the life of Charles II — and there were a lot of them.

In this Patreon bonus, we talk about the Merry Monarch’s complicated relationships, from his Catholic mother Henrietta Maria, to his famously chaotic early mistress Lucy Walters, to the powerful and controversial Barbara Palmer. We also touch on his long-suffering queen Catherine of Braganza, who endured years of public mistresses and court drama.

Finally, we introduce the absolutely wild story of Hortense Mancini, an Italian noblewoman whose life involved escape on horseback, duels, scandals, and a very strange ending.

Charles II may have been king, but the women around him were just as fascinating.

Time stamps

00:00 Patreon Cold Open

00:30 Why Charles Loved Women

01:38 Henrietta Maria

05:11 Lucy Walters Scandal

09:33 Barbara Palmer Arrives

15:01 Test Act and Downfall

16:20 Catherine of Braganza Arrives

20:21 Hortense Mancini Spotlight

24:56 Bizarre Ending and Wrap Up