Video: Barbara Villiers - lady courtesan who conquered the heart of the king of England and became the curse of the country
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The writer John Evelyn described Barbara as “the curse of the country” and the Bishop of Salisbury as “”. Stately, full of grandeur, with a waterfall of luxurious hair and languid eyes, sensual lips and snow-white skin - she was considered one of the most beautiful women in England in the 17th century, her dignity did not leave anyone indifferent, and at the same time, many feared her, envied her and even frankly hated.
Remember the song “Jolene”? So, Barbara Villiers was such a Jolene at the English court in the 17th century.
Barbara was born in 1640 in Westminster, London. Already at the age of 15 she had several novels, and in 1659 Barbara, at the insistence of her father, married the quiet and modest son of the royalist, Roger Palmer. The groom's parents, knowing about the reputation of the bride, were against this marriage, but the wedding still took place. Soon, the newlyweds went to The Hague, where the exiled King Charles II lived at that time, to pay him their respect and loyalty, as well as transfer the money collected by the royalists, which he needed to fight for the throne. And literally within a few days of their acquaintance, Barbara became his mistress, it was with her that he spent the first night in London after his restoration to the throne.
Since that time, Barbara was actually the unofficial wife of Charles II, bore him six children, five of whom he recognized, and the last daughter, knowing about Barbara's many love affairs, did not.
And her lawful husband, Roger Palmer, with whom she was still married until his death, did not have to become the father of any of her children, after the wedding they practically did not live together. But he was granted the titles of Baron of Limerick and Earl of Castlemaine.
King Charles II was reputed to be the most loving of all English monarchs, but Barbara was the most beloved of his many favorites over the years. As the queen of the bedroom, she spent evenings with Charles II, wore very expensive jewelry, gambled at cards, losing hefty sums, and the king paid her debts, and even had affairs at court. However, the king was not at all embarrassed by her reputation as a courtesan, nor her absurd character, nor her greed and an exorbitant love of luxury. Barbara received everything she wanted from the king - money, estates, titles.
But in 1662, the king marries Princess Caterina of Braganza, daughter of the King of Portugal, mainly by being flattered by her dowry.
At the request of Barbara, the king managed to persuade his young wife to include her in his retinue, although Catherine was well aware of the couple's previous relationship. So Barbara became the first maid of honor of the queen, who could hardly tolerate this scandalous beauty. And in 1670, Barbara demanded another title from the king and became Duchess of Cleveland.
But the end of the era of Barbara Villiers nevertheless came, in 1673 Charles II finally parted with her, replacing her with the Frenchwoman Louise de Kerouil.
And the Duchess of Cleveland lived peacefully to the age of 69, leaving behind numerous descendants. One of her sons from Charles II is even the paternal ancestor of Princess Diana. Therefore, the future king of Great Britain, Prince William, is also a little Cleveland …
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