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The Story of Nell Gwynne & St Martin-In-The-Field
Hear the last written words of Nell Gwynne, the favourite mistress of King Charles II Explore the place where Nell Gwynne is buried – St Martin-In-The-Field, London. See her record of burial and so much more… Nell’s rise began with the embodiment of the bawdy Restoration era, from an orange seller of Covent Garden she would eventually step up as an actress and would eventually enjoy a position as a favourite mistress to king Charles II for nearly 20 years. Her short but significant life has inspired several films, plays and novels: and whilst we explore Saint Martin in the fields Church, which holds a prominent position on Trafalgar Square, London – A location which plays an important part in her legacy we will take a little look at Nell’s extraordinary story. Covent Garden Nell’s birthplace is disputed. While some claim she was born in Hereford, she may also have sprang to life in Coal Yard Alley off Drury Lane. Her baptism is missing from the public records, if she was off London birth, it could be that her record of baptism was destroyed in the Great Fire or simply not recorded as many records are lost, or were left unrecorded during the time of Cromwell. Her father is said to be Captain Thomas Guine; her mother Madame Ellen Gwynne, keeper of a brothel in Covent Garden. Little is known of Nell’s early life: while she probably helped her mother in the ‘bawdy house’ it’s unclear if she was a child prostitute. It’s possible she worked as a street hawker of oysters, or a cinder-girl. Samuel Pepys reports that Nell said she ‘was brought up in a bawdy-house to fill strong waters to the guests…’ Bringing brandy to Covent Garden brothel visitors does not seem an auspicious start for a girl who would go on to influence the king. Theatre Royal Drury Lane After being banned by Cromwell, theatres were reinstated by Charles II, in the early 1660s. The so-called ‘Merry Monarch’ not only licensed two acting companies, he legalised the profession for women; bringing England up to speed with its European counterparts in allowing women on the stage. #nellgwynne #stmartininthefield #thestoryofnellgwynne
- Published: 10 February 2022
- Location: London
- Duration: 17:16
- Photography – Stephen Robert Kuta / Yhana Kuta
- Written by – Stephen Robert Kuta
Music –
Music Licensed by Epidemic Sound
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