Nell Gwyn

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Nell Gwyn
Eleanor Gwyn
Birthday	Wednesday, February 02, 1650
Birthplace	St Martin in the Fields, London, England
Died	Friday, November 14, 1687
Occupation	Actress, prostitute

Gwyn, Nell

Gwyn or Gwynn, Nell (Eleanor Gwyn), 1650–87, English actress. Once an orange-seller at the Theatre Royal, she became a member of Killigrew's company, making her debut there in 1665. Her charm and vivacity in comic roles endeared her to the public, as did her witty renditions of prologues and epilogues. She became the mistress of Charles II (1669) and bore him two sons, one of whom was created the duke of St. Albans. Her portrait was painted by Sir John Lely; she is the subject of several plays including Sweet Nell of Old Drury, by Paul Kester.

References in periodicals archive ?

Three weeks before the Nell Gwyn Stakes, the penny suddenly dropped and everything started to come to hand quickly.

In-form Appleby aims two at fillies' Classic

NEARLY THERE: Fantasia and Frankie Dettori (left) in the Nell Gwyn Stakes

Fantasia is magic

Cracker: Blue Rocket's (right) run in the Nell Gwyn

Horse Racing: Rocket launch is all go; HAMILTON

It was a time when the theatre had just reopened after 17 years of Puritan suppression and the stars of the day included Nell Gwyn, Doll Common and Mary Betterton.

Bawdy show has its share of glamour

Cape Columbine chased home Karen's Caper in the Nell Gwyn, while Simply Sunshine impressed many at Newbury with her two-length win.

Racing: Karen's ready to put Lily in shade

But when Charles II issues a royal decree, at the behest of his mistress Nell Gwyn (Tapper), permitting women to act and forbidding men from taking their roles, Ned watches forlornly as his dresser, Maria (Danes), becomes the first woman to tread the boards.

With a strong female lead ..

The daughter of Zoffany, who won the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, had been scheduled to run in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket but was rerouted after disappointing when seventh behind Qabala in the Nell Gwyn Stakes.

Johnston strikes in German Guineas

Summary: Eye victory in Wednesday's Group 1 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket's Craven meeting

Godolphin jockeys Buick and Doyle in early UK face-off

The beautifully-bred filly, half-sister to Cecil's top-class middle-distance performer Midday, shot to favouritism for the Guineas after an impressive reappearance in the Nell Gwyn over seven furlongs at HQ last month.

Cecil Snap of the day

The beautifully bed filly, half sister to Cecil's top-class middle-distance performer Midday, shot to favouritism for the Guineas after an impressive reappearance in the Nell Gwyn over seven furlongs at HQ last month.

SNAP UP CECIL'S NEW FRANKEL

SIR HENRY Cecil suddenly found himself with the new favourite for the Qipco 1000 Guineas as Hot Snap appeared from nowhere in more ways than one in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.

Hot prospect for happy Cecil

LUCA CUMANI'S smart filly Fantasia looks difficult to oppose as she makes her seasonal reappearance in the Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.