Hortense Mancini, Duchess de Mazarin: part three

So in 1675, Hortense Mancini fled France to hang out in London during the Restoration era. She truly took the city by storm with her superpowered beauty and scandalous ways. But in order to appreciate just what an effect she had, we need to talk for a minute about what London was like P.H. (Pre-Hortense). This week we learn about what Charles II had been up to since he unsuccessfully tried to marry teen Hortense (like being a volunteer firefighter, sexy Captain Hook impersonator, and oh yeah being the literal King) as well as info about his mistresses Moll Davis, Nell Gwyn, Barbara Villiers, and Louise de Kéroualle AND also the jewel heist saga of Thomas Blood. 

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References: 

Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II by Linda Porter

The Kings’ Mistresses: The Liberated Lives of Marie Mancini, Princess Colonna, and her Sister Hortense, Duchess Mazarin by Elizabeth C. Goldsmith

https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/sex-scandals-and-betrayals-charles-ii-and-his-court/ article by RE Pritchard 

Leading Ladies: the many mistresses of Charles II wielded real political power by Annalisa Nicholson (History Extra magazine) 

Rex Factor podcast about Charles II

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