The King's Bed

January 11, 2016
In this balanced narrative, Jordan and Walsh (White Cargo) contextualize the reign of Charles II (1630–1685) in light of his numerous mistresses, arguing that his aversion to conflict allowed them to influence policy, helped bankrupt the country, and nearly resulted in subjugation to France’s Louis XIV. The restoration of the “Merry Monarch” ushered in a frivolous, sex-saturated, court-led 17th-century sexual revolution that shocked many, but also reassured a country that was weary of religious stridency after the execution of the king’s Catholic father and Charles’s own exile during the Commonwealth. Solid research and wry observations neatly augment the chronological narrative, although the unflattering and simplistic description of actress Moll Davis suffers from too much reliance on one source (Samuel Pepys, an ardent admirer of her rival Barbara Palmer). Jordan and Walsh also struggle with miscarriage and stillbirth terminology in their discussion of the infertile queen, but excel in describing the king’s unusual willingness to claim and promote many of his illegitimate children. With the fully developed fleshing out of Charles and four of his primary mistresses, the authors provide authentic insight on how salacious sex and the pursuit of pleasure ruled a troubled king. Illus. Agent: George Lucas, Inkwell Management.

December 1, 2015
Jordan and Walsh (White Cargo: The Forgotten History of Britain's White Slaves in America, 2007, etc.) look deeper into England's "Merry Monarch" and his character--or lack thereof. The English civil war and his father's execution, in 1649, forced Charles II, his mother, and his siblings to flee England, and his years of exile at the amoral French court shaped him profoundly. Following his restoration, his only aims were revenge and pleasure. To build their narrative, the authors make excellent use of a great wealth of resources. Contemporary correspondence, particularly between Charles and his younger sister, gives the most honest picture of the man. In addition, diarists Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn (who wrote about Charles II, "an excellent prince doubtless had he been less addicted to women") bring out everyday life at court. Charles was a genial, affable man, but he was also selfish, trivial, and hateful of anything that got in the way of his pleasure. He had little interest in statecraft, calling Parliament only to wring money to give to his mistresses, and he generally ignored his capable men of state. He showered his women with titles, properties, and even income that should have gone to the Exchequer. He had a few chief mistresses among his innumerable flings. The first, Barbara Palmer, bore him multiple children and ruled him with countless demands and frequent tirades. His truest "friend" was Nell Gwyn, the actress who made few demands and amused the king greatly. There was also Louise de Kerouaille, a beauty sent by Louis XIV as a spy to promote France's aim to conquer the Netherlands. Louis' enormous bribes effectively put Charles in his pocket, and while Charles swore none influenced his decisions, it seems he had better things to do anyway. The authors' easy, readable style makes this a solid biography of Charles II, full of sturdy history and enough salacious information to keep it interesting.

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 1, 2016

With this well-researched title, historians Jordan and Walsh (coauthors, White Cargo) delve masterfully into the life and lusts of King Charles II of England (1630-85). Having introduced readers to the obsessive nature of Charles II in The King's Revenge, the authors further explicate just how strong an influence passion and power had on the king, chronicling his life from birth to death. The title also provides readers with a glimpse into the lives of those that took advantage of this quality, from the quickly discarded Lucy Walter to the magnificently manipulative Louise de Kerouaille. Updating on Antonia Fraser's best-selling King Charles II, Jordan and Walsh combine current and contemporary sources to create a complex view of the king described by 17th-century writer John Evelyn as, "an excellent prince doubtless had he been less addicted to women." VERDICT While some readers may get lost in the plethora of details, those interested in royal history and scandals will delight in the stories and characters contained within these pages.--Katie McGaha, County of Los Angeles P.L.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.