Charles II: Mistresses and Issue Quiz

Answer: Nell Gwynn

Nell was an actress from a lowly background and well known for her bawdy behaviour. Some have suggested her father was a commissioned officer in the king's army and her mother a prostitute.

Answer: none of these

A bastard cannot ascend the throne throne in England. It is kind of ironic isn't it though as William I was known as William the Bastard in his homeland of Normandy.

Answer: France

After the civil war and the execution of his father Charles I, young Charles did not dare return to England until he was invited back. As influential as his mother Henrietta was she did not have enough to return her son to England to re-take the crown for the Stuarts until much later.

Answer: George Monck

George Monck was a professional soldier who fought on both sides during the English civil war at different times. Some have said he was a man of opportunity and others suggest he finally saw the light.

Answer: Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino

Mazzarino was an Italian cardinal, diplomat and politician and he also served as the chief minister of France. He was a powerful man and his neice was thought to carry the weight of his office except for the fact she was married to someone at the time.

Answer: Because she was French and it was feared she would influence his politics

This was amusing because it was in actual fact Barbara Villiers, his high born English mistress, who was the most interfering in politics.

Answer: Moll Davies

Unfortunately for her she was not as entertaining as Nell Gwynn and she was released from her "duties" after a short time though she was given a nice pension.

Answer: Catherine of Braganza

Catherine never bore any children and it has been suggested by scholars that she may have been rendered barren by contracting "the pox" from her husband. It has also been suggested though that if Charles II had actually spent any time in her bed instead of those of his many mistresses they might have been blessed with little heirs to the throne.

Answer: The Wisest Fool in Christendom

The nickname referred to James I's high level of education and his book writing skills but also to the fact that he was not particularly politically savvy and alienated many of his subjects. He was not really a fool nor was he particularly wise but he was well educated and is credited with the eponymous King James translation of the bible.

Answer: Prince William

The late Diana Spencer's family claims descent from Lord Richmond one of Charles II's royal bastards. If this is the case Prince William will be the first descendent of Charles II to ascend the throne of England if he succeeds. Some suggest that Sarah Ferguson also claims descent in this fashion but there is not much supporting evidence.