Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Episode: Histories Worst F*ckboys: Charles II
Host: Dr. Kate Lister
Guest: Dr. David Taylor (Associate Professor of English, Oxford University)
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives headfirst into the decadent, scandal-laden reign of King Charles II, asking the deliciously provocative question: Was Charles II history’s original “fckboy”? Dr. Kate Lister welcomes back Dr. David Taylor for a raucous and revealing conversation exploring the king’s turbulent accession, his politics, his legendary roster of mistresses, and the wider cultural impact of royal promiscuity in Restoration England. Together, they interrogate whether Charles fits the contemporary definition of a “fckboy”, or if his brand of libertinism makes him something else entirely.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context: Charles II’s Road to the Throne

• Background Turmoil:

  • Charles was crowned after a decade-long Interregnum (1649-1660), following the execution of Charles I and the rule of Oliver Cromwell’s Puritan Commonwealth.
  • Lived much of his early adulthood in exile, experiencing poverty and dislocation, and cultivated a reputation for pleasure-seeking even before reclaiming the throne.
  • Quote:
    • “He’s a king who comes to the throne in 1660 when there’s been a period of time in Britain when there’s been no monarchy.” — Dr. David Taylor [05:58]

• Return & Politics:

  • Charles II’s restoration was unexpectedly rapid, marked by political bargaining and an official general pardon (“Declaration of Breda”).
  • Despite his reputation for merriment, Charles was deeply cynical and distrustful—a consequence of political instability and personal loss.

• Finances & Power:

  • Lived under constant financial strain; Puritans melted down the crown jewels, and Charles relied heavily on secret French funding in exchange (eventually) for Catholic sympathies.

2. Charles II: Looks, Personality, and Appetite

• Style & Appeal:

  • Charles was tall, fashionable, and considered attractive; portraits often accentuated his legs and his “debonair masculinity.”
  • “He was a looker as well, wasn’t he?” — Kate Lister [14:28]
  • “J. M. Barrie...bases Captain Hook on Charles II.” — Dr. Taylor [14:32]

• Pursuit of Pleasure:

  • Charles’s reign is synonymous with the pursuit of hedonistic pleasure, a marked departure from previous Puritan rule.
  • “He likes nothing but pleasure. That’s what Pepys says of him.” — Dr. Taylor [09:31]

3. Wife vs. Mistresses: The Tragedy of Catherine of Braganza

• Political Marriage:

  • Married Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza in 1662 for strategic alliance and significant dowry (money and trading ports).
  • Charles showed little affection, and publicly humiliated her by installing mistresses as Catherine’s Ladies of the Bedchamber.
  • Memorable moment: “...he’s in bed with his principal mistress at the time, Barbara Villiers...and despite Catherine’s protests, Charles even makes his principal mistress...one of her ladies of the bedchamber.” — Dr. Taylor [17:51]

• Failure to Produce Heirs:

  • Catherine suffered multiple miscarriages; the lack of a legitimate heir had massive political consequences, notably the accession of Charles’s Catholic brother, James.
  • “It’s ironic that this king, who’s fathering so many illegitimate children, never has a legitimate child.” — Dr. Taylor [21:11]

4. The Mistresses: Individual Stories, Public Role, and Scandal

• Numbers & Acknowledgement

  • Charles acknowledged 14 illegitimate children by seven recognized mistresses, but the real number is undoubtedly higher.
  • “I mean, come on.” — Kate Lister [15:40]
  • He not only acknowledged many of his children, but ennobled them, and was financially generous toward his lovers.

• Individual Profiles:

  • Lucy Walter: Early volatile relationship; Charles’s advisors tried to kidnap her son, the future Duke of Monmouth.

    • “Charles wants to distance himself from her, but she is not having any of that.” — Dr. Taylor [26:50]

  • Barbara Villiers (Countess of Castlemaine): Notorious for her ambition, extravagance, and public role; maintained enormous sway over appointments and policy.

    • “She does her usual thing. Right. She withdraws from court. She refuses to see Charles, and eventually she prevails.” — Dr. Taylor [29:57]
    • Targeted in the satirical “Poor Whores Petition,” highlighting both her fame and public contempt.

  • Louise de Kérouaille (Duchess of Portsmouth): French, extremely wealthy and influential; given lavish apartments larger than the Queen’s at Whitehall.

    • Charles’s nickname for her was “Fubs,” and he even named a royal yacht after her. [36:47]

  • Nell Gwyn: Iconic actress and wit, one of Charles’s most beloved mistresses, possibly died from complications of venereal disease contracted from him.

• Mistresses as Public Figures

  • Charles’s mistresses achieved celebrity status, but were subject to public scorn and political machinations.
  • Portraits celebrated them in iconic roles (e.g., Barbara Villiers as the Virgin Mary; Frances Stewart as “Britannia” on coins for centuries).
    • “These women became celebrities...they wield genuine political influence.” — Dr. Taylor [30:12–30:18]

5. Was Charles II Really a “F*ckboy”?

• Modern Definitions vs. Royal Libertinism
  • Kate reads Urban Dictionary’s definition: someone who manipulates women for his own advantage and is emotionally disengaged.
  • Charles did not need to deceive; he was overt and generous, openly acknowledging both relationships and offspring.
  • “Charles didn’t have to say anything. I mean, he is king.” — Dr. Taylor [33:17]
  • He generally treated his mistresses and illegitimate children very well (financially, socially, and with titles).
  • The exception: His wife, Catherine, was the most poorly treated; public shaming and lack of affection were noted.
  • Key conclusion:
    • “He’s definitely what I would call a libertine...but is he a f*ckboy? I don’t think so.” — Dr. Taylor [43:08]

6. Venereal Disease and the Parisian King

• Charles contracted at least one venereal disease; evidence suggests he infected several mistresses (including Louise de Kérouaille and likely Nell Gwyn).
• The treatments (mercury) were themselves toxic, compounding health issues.
• “That is some dirty dick right there.” — Kate Lister [42:17]

7. Cultural Legacy: The “Merry Monarch” and British Celebrity

• Charles II’s court fostered the “first age of celebrity,” blending gossip, sex, politics, and stardom.
• His reign’s theatricality became a model for future royal behavior—both admired and vilified.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• [05:58] Dr. David Taylor: “He’s a king who comes to the throne in 1660 when there’s been a period of time in Britain when there’s been no monarchy.”
• [09:31] “He likes nothing but pleasure. That’s what Pepys says of him.”
• [14:32] “J. M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, bases Captain Hook on Charles II.” — Dr. Taylor
• [17:51] “...he’s in bed with his principal mistress at the time, Barbara Villiers...and despite Catherine’s protests, Charles even makes his principal mistress...one of her ladies of the bedchamber.” — Dr. Taylor
• [21:11] “It’s ironic that this king, who’s fathering so many illegitimate children, never has a legitimate child.” — Dr. Taylor
• [30:12] “It really is the case that these women are politically powerful.” — Dr. Taylor
• [36:47] “Charles's nickname for Louise de Kerouaille was Fubs. That’s what he always called her, Fubs. And he names one of his only royal yachts Fubs.”
• [42:17] “That is some dirty dick right there.” — Kate Lister
• [43:08] “He’s definitely what I would call a libertine...but is he a f*ckboy? I don’t think so.” — Dr. Taylor
• [45:02] “...a f*ck boy’s defining thing is to go, ‘Oh, we don’t need to put a label on it’...Whereas [Charles] was quite happy to say, this is my mistress...” — Kate Lister
• [45:30] “He’s off that hook. There’s plenty of other hooks, including Captain Hook.” — Dr. Taylor

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:58] – Charles II’s unique position as a king after a republic
• [09:31] – His devotion to pleasure above all else
• [14:28–15:25] – Appearance, charisma, and entering his prime
• [16:56] – Marriage to Catherine of Braganza and cruel treatment
• [21:00] – Consequences of failing to sire a legitimate heir
• [25:18] – Profiles on Lucy Walter and other “troublemaker” mistresses
• [27:20] – Barbara Villiers’ power plays and public notoriety
• [31:19] – The “Poor Whores Petition” and satirical mockery
• [34:47] – Palace life: the constant presence of competing mistresses
• [36:47] – Public recognition of mistresses: paintings, coins, yachts
• [37:45] – Libertinism, Rochester’s poems, and public anxiety
• [41:34] – Venereal disease and health fallout
• [43:08] – Final verdict: Libertine, not f*ckboy

Tone and Style

• Witty, irreverent, and historically rigorous; both Kate Lister and David Taylor blend academic insight with playful, risqué banter and pop-culture asides.
• Unabashed in its adult language and subject matter, matching the podcast’s “fair dues warning.”
• Ready wit and contemporary analogies (“dirty dick,” “headcases,” “never given me a palace, maybe chlamydia...”) make history engaging, never dour or dry.

Conclusion

The episode provocatively charts Charles II’s rise from exiled would-be king to decadent monarch, framing his libertinism and open acknowledgment of his mistresses as both historically unique and culturally formative. Ultimately, Lister and Taylor decide that—despite his insatiable appetite and the parade of lovers—Charles II doesn’t fit the “f*ckboy” bill as currently defined. He was manipulative and cynical, yes, but also openly responsible for his many entanglements, and generous even to those spurned. His true legacy? Pioneering the age of celebrity scandal in public life.

For more on Restoration intrigue and sex scandals, follow Betwixt the Sheets and check out Dr. David Taylor’s work at the R18 Collective (r18collective.org).