My Lady Castlemaine

Being a Life of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine, Afterwards Duchess of Cleveland

Born in 1640, Barbara Villiers grew up to be one of the most notorious mistresses of King Charles II. Famed for her beauty, she became his chief mistress between 1660 and 1670 and was influential throughout his reign. Arrogant, sexy, and vicious, she loved money and jewels and was said to have a fiery temper, especially if she didn't get her own way. A celebrity of Restoration England, Samuel Pepys wrote about her often in his diary, referring to her as 'My Lady Castlemaine.'

Philip Walsingham Sergeant's biography of Barbara from 1912 draws on contemporary writings to tell her story, giving a more vivid and faithful presentation of the spirit of the time. He traces her life from her early girlhood, through her time at Court, her exile, and ending with her involvement in a bigamy trial.

Public Domain (P)2024 Julia Eve