Many people may believe that the British royal family’s ancestry is based on strong bloodlines and steadfast lineage - but the history of the British monarchy is punctuated with affairs, illegitimacy and scandal. Charles II was a notorious womaniser, who had seven royal mistresses and fourteen illegitimate children. This legacy of illegitimacy did not just slip quietly away into the shadows of shame… his mistresses and children were key members at the royal court, and their descendants have gone on the shape the aristocracy and even the modern royal family.

Discover the world of Charles’ mistresses, and read all about the scandals, sex, and salacious details of their incredible lives in their biographies.

They may have had the king in common, but they were all as different as could be: from actresses to nobles, obedient to independent, virginal to veteran, and everything in between, these women definitely kept Charles on his toes.

Find out who reaped all the riches and rewards of being the mistress of a king, and which of the women had a much less joyful experience.

And, not only did these remarkable women have a huge impact on the make up of the aristocracy 350 years ago, but they have had a hand in shaping the modern royal family.

We will find the answers to questions like:

’How did his mistresses and illegitimate children gain wealth and titles in their own right?’
’Who is descended from these illegitimate children?’
’Where can we find evidence and symbols of illegitimacy in the aristocracy today?’
and
’I’ve heard that most of Charles II’s courtiers were party animals who were obsessed with sex and constantly having affairs… is this true?!’
(the answer is, yes)