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Nell Gwyn

Type Figure Region England Time 1650–1687 Also known as Orange Girl

Eleanor Gwyn was the most famous actress of the English Restoration and one of Charles II's long-term mistresses, rising from London's lower classes …

Timeline

  1. 1650–1665London · LondonGwyn was born into a poor London family, earning a living selling oranges in her youth before entering the theatre, emerging on the London stage after the Restoration legalized women performers.
  2. 1665–1668London · LondonShe performed under theatre managers such as Thomas Killigrew, winning audiences with comic roles and lively stage presence, becoming one of the representative actresses of the golden age of Restoration drama.
  3. 1668–1685London · LondonShe became one of Charles II's most favored mistresses, receiving titles and an annuity, maintaining a relatively popular image in court politics, and continuing to take part in theatrical performances and patronage of the arts.
  4. 1685–1687London · LondonAfter Charles II's death she gradually withdrew from the center of politics, caring for her son by Charles as a mother, and died in London in 1687, leaving a rich legacy of folklore and literary images.

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