A royal mistress is the historical position of a mistress to a monarch or senior Royal. Some mistresses have had considerable power. The prevalence of the institution can be attributed to the fact that Royal marriages were until recent times conducted solely on the basis of political and dynastic considerations, leaving little space for the monarch's personal preferences in the choice of a mate.
See also favourite, a term sometimes used for mistresses, although also used for court favourites of the monarch with no sexual element in the relationship, often serving as ministers.
In European history the children of mistresses were not normally included in the line of succession, except perhaps when secret marriages were alleged. Hence Britain's Monmouth Rebellion when James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth claimed the throne on the grounds that his mother had been the wife rather than one of the mistresses of Charles II.
Arguably the most famous French royal mistress was Madame de Pompadour.
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Royal Mistresses in Russian History
Royal Mistresses in English History
- Rosamund Clifford, mistress to Henry II
- Alice Perrers, mistress to Edward III
- Jane Shore, mistress to Edward IV
- Lady Mary Boleyn, mistress to Henry VIII
- Elizabeth Blount, mistress to Henry VIII
- Anne Boleyn, mistress to Henry VIII
Royal Mistresses in Scottish History
- Margaret Erskine, mistress to James V
Royal Mistresses in British History
- Lucy Walter, mistress to Charles II
- Barbara Villiers, 1st Duchess of Cleveland, mistress to Charles II
- Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth, mistress to Charles II
- Nell Gwynne, mistress to Charles II
- Moll Davis, mistress to Charles II
- Arabella Churchill, mistress to James II
- Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, mistress to James II
- Elizabeth Villiers, mistress to William III
- Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster, mistress to George I
- Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk, mistress to George II
- Mary Scott, Countess of Deloraine, mistress to George II
- Amalie von Wallmoden, Countess of Yarmouth, mistress to George II
- Maria Anne Fitzherbert, mistress to George IV
- Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness Conyngham, mistress to George IV
- Dorothy Jordan, mistress to William IV
- Lillie Langtry, mistress to Edward VII
- Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, mistress to Edward VII
- Alice Keppel, mistress to Edward VII
- Camilla Parker-Bowles, mistress to Charles Prince of Wales
See also
- English royal mistress
- List of French royal mistresses
- Magda Lupescu
- Lola Montez
- Baroness Mary Vetsera
- Marie, Countess Walewski
References
- Herman, E. Sex with Kings : 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge ISBN 0-06-058543-9
- In His Majesty's, Ahem, Service
- Farewell to the last royal mistress
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