Dan Snow’s History Hit

Episode: The Sex Life of Charles II
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Dan Snow
Guest: Dr. Kate Lister, historian and host of Betwixt the Sheets

Overview

In this episode, Dan Snow and Dr. Kate Lister dive into the remarkably decadent and complex sex life of Charles II, England’s “Merry Monarch.” They explore how Charles' numerous mistresses shaped court culture during the Restoration, discuss the often-overlooked agency of royal mistresses, and reflect on the meanings of power, notoriety, and social mobility for women in 17th-century England. Listeners are treated to colorful anecdotes, sharp historical analysis, and a lively rapport between guest and host.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Restoration Context and Charles II's Worldview

• Restoration of the Monarchy: The return of Charles II in 1660 marked the end of 11 years of strict Puritan rule and a return of celebrations, theater, and fun.
• Charles II's Upbringing:
  • Traumatic childhood involving his father's execution and years as an exile and pawn in European courts shaped his views and politics.
  • "He's been passed around. He doesn't know if he's coming or going... It's just a mess." — Dr. Kate Lister (06:01)
• Personality and Leadership:
  • Clever, diplomatic, and tolerant, Charles avoided excessive vendettas and sought religious tolerance.
  • Contrasted with his brother James' rigidity.
  • "He was clever, he was bright, he was a big patron of the sciences." — Dr. Kate Lister (07:52)

2. The "Merry Monarch" and Return of Pleasure

• Social Impact:
  • Opening of theaters, women on stage, and lifting restrictive Puritan-era laws.
  • Focus on city and court life; rural people less affected ("If you went and spoke to a peasant...would they have noticed a restoration?").
• French Influence:
  • Charles brought permissive, cosmopolitan habits from his exile, importing French court culture and sexual mores.
  • "He's like the ultimate gap year kid...he can do everything he wants now." — Dr. Kate Lister (09:57)

3. Court Culture—"Wife-Swapping and Chaos"

• Permissive Elite Atmosphere:
  • Widespread court gossip, sexual freedom, and a new tolerance at the elite level ("A much more permissive attitude").
  • John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester’s obscene poetry and mockery, e.g., poems about the size of Charles’ penis (11:53).

4. Charles II’s Marriage to Catherine of Braganza

• Political Alliance:
  • Marriage failed to produce children; Catherine suffered multiple miscarriages and was unpopular (foreign, Catholic, childless).
• Charles’ Loyalty:
  • Pressure to divorce; he refused.
  • Quote: "He absolutely refused to do it...He said, 'She is a good woman and I am not a good man.'" — Dan Snow & Kate Lister (14:08)

5. The Mistresses—Scandalous, Strategic, and Influential

• Sheer Number and Variety:
  • At least 14 acknowledged mistresses (those with whom he had children and recognized them).
  • True figure likely much higher, including brief affairs and liaisons with unnamed women.
  • "If you include casual one-night stands, flings, I would imagine that is a low estimate." — Dr. Kate Lister (15:41)
• Types and Roles:
  • English never formalized the role like the French (with maîtresse en titre), so "mistress" was an unofficial, precarious position but could bring immense influence and wealth.
• Power and Soft Influence:
  • Mistresses had "soft power"—private access, ability to advocate for others, influence the King behind the scenes (21:03).

Notable Mistresses:

• Barbara Villiers

  • Notorious, extravagant, and combative.
  • Made Catherine’s lady-in-waiting against the Queen's wishes.
  • Publicly protested, e.g., by hanging her underwear as a snub, and gatecrashed the royal honeymoon.
  • "She was mental...she hung her underwear outside of her house as a public display." — Dr. Kate Lister (23:09)
  • Subject of public and satirical attention, e.g., the "Poor Whores Petition" (25:31).

• Louise de Kérouaille

  • French, Catholic, sensitive ("weeping willow," "Squintabella"), lavishly expensive (£20,000/year, equivalent to £59 million today), prone to tears and dramatic scenes.
  • "One of his most expensive mistresses." — Kate Lister (25:48)

• Nell Gwyn

  • Humble origins, famed comic actress, popular with the public, witty ("I'm the Protestant whore!").
  • Secured titles for her children; never received a title herself.
  • Famous for her caustic humor and resourcefulness (gave a rival actress laxatives to sabot age her—28:16).
  • "Pretty witty Nell." — Dan Snow quoting Samuel Pepys (30:33)
  • Died young (age 37), likely a victim of syphilis contracted from Charles.

• Lucy Walter

  • Mother of James, Duke of Monmouth; their relationship typical of the era’s precariousness. Charles embraced Monmouth publicly.

Legacy and Illegitimacy:

• Numerous Royal Bastards:
  • Charles named several children Charles or James; created titles, e.g., Beauclerk, Fitzroy houses.
  • Many modern British aristocrats are descended from these liaisons: "An absolute litter of illegitimate children." — Kate Lister (30:03)

6. Sex, Disease, and Death

• Syphilis Epidemic:
  • Charles likely suffered and spread syphilis, affecting various mistresses and contributing to early deaths.
  • Even Nell Gwyn likely succumbed to complications (31:39).
• Charles’ Own End:
  • Died painfully—modern theories suggest medical mistreatment worsened his condition (31:44).

7. Agency, Power, and Feminism at Court

• Nature of Agency:
  • For a few women, being the King’s mistress meant opportunities for wealth and legacy otherwise unobtainable, e.g., Nell’s rags-to-riches arc.
  • But for most, the system was "shit…completely wank"; real power and security were fleeting and hard-won.
  • "Those women played an absolute blinder. They played the cards that they were dealt fantastically...the system sucks, but they played it incredibly well." — Dr. Kate Lister (33:41)
• Ambiguity:
  • Sexual politics could be empowering or destructive, sometimes both simultaneously.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Charles II's Upbringing:

  • "His dad had his head cut off. That would have a few ripples, wouldn't it?" — Kate Lister (04:42)

• On Charles’ Relationship Habits:

  • "He called three of them Charles, four of them Charles, and two of them James. That’s how many illegitimate children he had." — Dr. Kate Lister (21:56)

• On Nell Gwyn’s Wit:

  • "Good people, pray, be quiet. I’m the Protestant whore." — Nell Gwyn, quoted by Kate Lister (29:06)

• On Female Agency at Court:

  • "There’s only a few tiny accesses to power that you could get, and that was that you could marry it, or you could shag it...and those women played an absolute blinder." — Dr. Kate Lister (33:41)

Notable Timestamps

• 04:03 — Introduction of Dr. Kate Lister
• 06:48 — Charles’ focus on tolerance and refusal to pursue widespread revenge
• 08:08 — Explosion of fun and court culture after Restoration
• 12:53 — Charles’ marriage to Catherine, their childlessness, and public perception
• 13:45 — Catherine brings Bombay as part of her dowry
• 14:50 — Charles refuses to divorce Catherine
• 15:07, 21:03 — Discussion of the king’s mistresses and influence
• 23:09 — Barbara Villiers’ outrageous antics
• 25:50 — Nell Gwyn’s humble origins and unique appeal
• 29:06 — Nell Gwyn’s “Protestant whore” line
• 30:03 — Legacy of royal bastards
• 31:39 — The impact of syphilis on the royal court
• 33:41 — The complex agency of royal mistresses
• 34:23 — Kate Lister plugs "Betwixt the Sheets" for more scandalous royal history

Tone and Style

The episode is witty, irreverent, and candid, reflecting the playful, gossipy spirit of Charles II’s court. Both Dan Snow and Dr. Kate Lister balance historical depth with humor and modern sensibility, making Restoration history engaging and accessible.

Suggested Further Listening

• Betwixt the Sheets with Dr. Kate Lister (episodes on Nell Gwyn and royal sex scandals)

For listeners interested in the intersections of monarchy, sex, and power, this episode is a rich tour through the colorful, chaotic, and dangerous world of Restoration England—equal parts humor, scandal, and smart analysis.