Transformed into a banqueting room the hall provided the venue for a splendid meal with friends old and new. The 3 course meal was delicious and the service excellent – all to the accompaniment of 17th music. The final course – fresh oranges and chocolate cake to die for – got us in the mood for the entertainment.
Nell Gwynn appeared appropriately standing under the statue of Sir John Moore (a man she knew) to tell us about the highs and lows of her life. From an impoverished 
childhood, through a celebrated career on the stage (at a time when it was only just becoming an acceptable job for women), to the long time mistress of Charles II. She had two sons, one of whom died in childhood, and outlived Charles by only 2 years despite the difference in their ages. Her tale was strong on the harshness of women’s lives of the period and her bawdy comments on coping with men had many of the women – and some of the men – roaring with laughter!
After this virtuoso performance Lesley Smith, curator at Tutbury Castle with television appearances including ‘The Worst Jobs in History’, stepped out of role to tell us about how she researched her subjects and the clothes she wore. It turned out that most of the information about where Nell spent her childhood came from the legal records of her mother’s frequent arrests! She also explained the authenticity of her clothes – designed by the V&A. She was tempted into giving us a taste of one of her other roles – Mary Queen of Scots. Another part of her life is as a medical historian – specialising in women’s health in the late 16th Century. Since this is a family site I can only say you should have been there!!
