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3.5
Charles II's Illegitimate Children: Royal Bastards
ByPublisher Description
Charles II had at least twelve illegitimate children that we know of. Although his queen, Catherine of Braganza, fell pregnant several times she was not able to bear any children to full term. The king, who was known for his many mistresses, had his first recognized child out of wedlock in 1649; the child was James Croft who would become Duke of Monmouth and mastermind of an infamous rebellion. Not all of his children would gain such notoriety but they would live long and full lives creating a Stuart bloodline that descends to the present day.
There was Nell Gywn’s son, Charles Beauclerk, Duke of St Albans who was present at the siege of Belgrade in 1688. The French mistress, Louise de Keroualle’s son, Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond who was an early patron of cricket. Catherine Pegge’s son, Charles Fitzcharles, 1st Earl of Plymouth who was a colonel in the King’s Own Royal Regiment and lost his life in Tangier and Moll Davis’ daughter Mary Tudor, Countess of Derwentwater who separated from her husband because she refused to be a Catholic.
Not to mention Charles’s offspring by Barbara Villiers, Lady Castlemaine and later Duchess of Cleveland – there was Anne who had an affair with one of her father’s mistresses, Charles who succeeded to the dukedom of Cleveland, Henry who became vice-admiral of England, George who was in the secret service in Venice, Barbara who after a torrid affair with the Earl of Arran gave birth to illegitimate twins and became a nun in France and Charlotte, who became Countess of Lichfield and had eighteen children!
And then there are the stories of other children like James de la Cloche and Charlotte Boyle whose births and lives are shrouded in mystery and rumor. This book will bring to life the king’s many illegitimate children and tell their stories.
There was Nell Gywn’s son, Charles Beauclerk, Duke of St Albans who was present at the siege of Belgrade in 1688. The French mistress, Louise de Keroualle’s son, Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond who was an early patron of cricket. Catherine Pegge’s son, Charles Fitzcharles, 1st Earl of Plymouth who was a colonel in the King’s Own Royal Regiment and lost his life in Tangier and Moll Davis’ daughter Mary Tudor, Countess of Derwentwater who separated from her husband because she refused to be a Catholic.
Not to mention Charles’s offspring by Barbara Villiers, Lady Castlemaine and later Duchess of Cleveland – there was Anne who had an affair with one of her father’s mistresses, Charles who succeeded to the dukedom of Cleveland, Henry who became vice-admiral of England, George who was in the secret service in Venice, Barbara who after a torrid affair with the Earl of Arran gave birth to illegitimate twins and became a nun in France and Charlotte, who became Countess of Lichfield and had eighteen children!
And then there are the stories of other children like James de la Cloche and Charlotte Boyle whose births and lives are shrouded in mystery and rumor. This book will bring to life the king’s many illegitimate children and tell their stories.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesCharles II's Illegitimate Children: Royal Bastards Reviews
3.5
“My local art museum has a painting of Charles II, by Philippe de Champaigne. Every time I go to the museum, I make my way up to the room with European armor to see him. He was the last King to wear a suit of armor according to the museum display even though he never set foot on the battlefield.
Charles has been one of my favorite Kings for a few reasons: he brought back the monarchy, he loved to party and gamble, and my favorite fact to tell to someone who doesn't know Charles is he had numerous children, none of them with his wife. It usually brings two very different reactions; amused laughter or sheer horror. Mine being the first, of course not without sympathy of Catherine of Braganza, his Queen Consort who appeared to be unable to have children. Although I enjoy studying Charles' court, I've never studied his children.
Browsing around netgalley, I saw this book listed as an ARC option. I began to wonder why I never studied his children and realized the opportunity had presented itself to be able to.
Charles II's Illegitimate Children: Royal Bastards by Sarah Beth Watkins focuses on each of Charles' children, his mistresses and their stories. We learn what they did with their lives. Many of them have important stories and contributions to society of their own. whether in the spotlight or in mystery. It's very easy to follow.
I found my found it fascinating to learn the Stuart bloodline continues to this day, although of course not on throne. There are at least twelves illegitimate children, so imagine how many descendants are living currently!
4/5 stars. Recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about the Stuart Dynasty. Excellent topic.
Thank you pen and sword publishing and netgalley for sending me this book.”
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