Nell Gwyn

Nell Gwyn
Portrait by Simon Pietersz Verelst
Born	Eleanor Gwyn 2 February 1650 Hereford or St Martin in the Fields, London (disputed; see § Early life), England
Died	14 November 1687(1687-11-14) (aged 37) Pall Mall, London, England
Nationality	English Welsh (speculated)[1]
Other names	"Pretty, witty Nell" William Nell
Occupation	Actress
Partner	Charles II of England
Children	Charles Beauclerk (1670–1726) James Beauclerk (1671–1680)

Eleanor Gwyn (2 February 1650 – 14 November 1687; also spelled Gwynn, Gwynne) was an English stage actress and celebrity figure of the Restoration period. Praised by Samuel Pepys for her comic performances as one of the first actresses on the English stage, she became best known for being a long-time mistress of King Charles II of England (c. April 1668 – 6 February 1685).

Called "pretty, witty Nell" by Pepys, she has been regarded as a living embodiment of the spirit of Restoration England, and has come to be considered a folk heroine, with a story echoing the rags-to-royalty tale of Cinderella. Gwyn had two sons by King Charles: Charles Beauclerk (1670–1726) and James Beauclerk (1671–1680). Charles Beauclerk was created Earl of Burford and Duke of St. Albans; Murray de Vere Beauclerk, 14th Duke of St. Albans is her descendant, and the current holder of the duchy.