In October of 2022, 44 travelers (and a flock of Seagulls) set off to head back in time to autumnal New England. These are their stories (and mini-history lessons, heartwarming life moments, trivia, and societal observations)
The leaves were peaking in golds and reds; the air was crisp (or cold if you were from a warmer climate) when Boston and Newport opened their doors for us. From our intro dinner at America’s oldest tavern, Bell in Hand, to a sailboat cruise of Newport Harbor, to our final dinner together at Ristorante Fiore in Boston we gobbled up history with each step.
So much history! So many travel tales!
What follows is a (mostly) pictoral essay of our trip, all images relate to something in the episode.
Podcasts are great…except when it comes to describing the indescribable.Wallpaper at Newbury Hotel on our way to brunch at Contessa.
Renoir’s Dance at Bougiva was RIGHT THERE! In front of us! (Yes, we realize that this is what happens at museums, but when that thrill is gone what’s the point of going?)Let’s start off with a pilgrimage to Lousia May Alcott’s home!Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French in Concord, MA. He was a former student of May Alcott’s, he went on to also create the Lincoln Memorial statue in Washington, DC.Stefani found her fall leaves! (And later, the ones that crunch properly.)Peeking in the windows of the Robbin’s House in Concord. More information can be found HERE
Paul Revere’s headstone is on the right, the monument placed long after his death is on the left.
The Breakers under an impossibly (yet real) blue skySean, very dapper in his perfect for him new jacket.Is it sailing if you move away from the dock but don’t put up the sails?We got very good at posing as a group, at Rosecliffmansion…er, cottageSean, Kathy, and Audrey sporting History Chicks Trivia gear (which did not help us even place at trivia at the Fastnet Pub in Newport.)Trivia at Fastnet Pub in Newport Inside the stone library at Peacefield, home of the Adams families in Quincy Massachusetts
All of these people were on the London Field Trip in June and were on the dinner cruise.
Acorn Street, Boston (Photo credit: Seagull Dave)
Our tea party in the Courtyard room of the Boston Public Library
First off, please know that this episode contains a very loud LITTLE EARS warning, so we do ask that adults preview it to decide if it’s appropriate for the kids in their life. Nell was a woman who grew up in poverty, learned how to charm people from a very young age, and found success in the culture in which she lived as an actress and a mistress to King Charles II of England. (There is a lot of sex and quotes have words in them that we don’t ordinarily use but it’s impossible to tell her story without these elements.)
Nell’s early history is a little fuzzy, she was most likely born on February 2, 1650, in Oxford, England. She was named Eleanor after her mother, but everyone called her “Nell.” She was definitely the second daughter of Eleanor Gwynn, and her father was Thomas Gwynn, perhaps a military man who fought for the King on the losing side of a war that ended with that king’s head…off, and his son and heir, Charles, on the run and in exile. There are a couple of theories as to who, exactly, this Thomas was but what really matters is that he was out of the picture, imprisoned, and dead when Nell was a tiny child.
Nell grew up in London, England, during a time of Puritanical rule but her community in the aptly named, Coal Yard Alley, was a seedy part of town where people didn’t care much for the “NO” laws. Nell’s school wasn’t academic- it was survival; it was street smarts and reading people. She was very good at her lessons.
King Charles II by John Michael Wright circa 1663
When she was 10, King Charles II came back into power, Hello, Restoration Era! She worked her way from selling oysters to selling oranges at the newly opened theaters, and after women were allowed on stage (thanks, King Charles!) she stepped into the life of an actress…a very popular actress. Very.
King Charles II, like everyone who saw her, was drawn to and mesmerized by Nell. Yes, he was married and very devoted to his wife, and yes he had many other mistresses in his lifetime. Nell possessed qualities that the other women in Charles’ life didn’t, as a diarist of the time (Samuel Pepys) described her she was, “pretty and witty.” She gave birth to two of Charles’ sons and, most importantly, was loyal to him and unapologetically herself, for the rest of her life.
Showing a little nipple was a visual indication that the woman was the mistress of a powerful man.
Don’t get us wrong, she was human and made some really poor Mean Girl decisions along the way. She had tragedy and loss and life setbacks. For the most part, though, she was happy and made others happy, too, with a big, good-natured, and playful personality.
Nell only outlived Charles by only two years and was survived by only one of her sons. She died on November 14, 1687, at the age of 37.
We took a tour via Google and lo! The modern-day location of the tavern/bawdy house where Nell’s Mom worked (and they lived..maybe, like we said, details are a bit fuzzy.) Sugar Sin, indeed.
Time Travel With The History Chicks
Books!
The big’un by Charles BeauclerkDerek ParkerSarah-Beth Watkinsby Bryan Beven(The one that Beckett’s husband had given her for Christmas) by Eleanor Hermanby HRH Princess Michael of Kentby Bee Wilsonby Ian Mortimer (this whole series is excellent)
To read the…colorful diary of Samuel Pepys (as well as other things related to the man) online: Diary of Samuel Pepys
Our new podcast girlfriend and host of Significant Others Podcast, Liza Powel O’Brien (Conan is her husband) (Yes, that Conan O’Brien.)
This isn’t a new thing for us, we just thought that it would be fun to have a conversation with another female history podcaster, and Liza graciously accepted. It’s not an interview, we don’t do those, it’s more like listening to the conversation at the next table in a coffee shop. We talk podcasting and interests and…well, just give a listen.
Doctor Walker, Post Civil War, admire her Medal of Honor and ponder why she is STILL THE ONLY WOMAN TO RECIEVE IT! cc wikicommonsDoctor Walker’s very practical but oft-ridiculed outfit. Circa 1876 wikicommonsAs she aged, Dr. Walker was even more stylish than ever before circa 1911 wikicommons
Time Travel With The History Chicks
Books!
Mercedes Gref (maybe a movie? It would be awesome!)Ammar HabibTheresa KaminsiA kids picture book by Cheryl Harness and Carlo MolinariTracy Dawson
Elizabeth Van Lew and Belle Boyd were both born in Virginia, both died in 1900, and both were spies during the American Civil War…for opposing sides of the conflict!
Whether she’s styled as Lady Elizabeth Chudleigh or Countess of Bristol or Duchess of Kingston, she should be remembered as a woman who, right or wrong, made her own choices in her world during a time when women had very few options. She dealt with all that life threw her way by being witty and charming and aware of the social norms of the day. Her story is a lesson in dealing with the consequences of one fateful decision.
Elizabeth’s trial!
**************UNDER CONSTRUCTION, COME BACK A LITTLE LATER FOR ALL THE MEDIA RECOMMENDATIONS! ************
Want to learn more about the Royal Hospital at Chelsea (or visit if Covid ever goes away)? It’s where the Chelsea Flower Show is held each year! Royal Hospital
Kingston House, formerly Chudleigh House, pretty swanky love nest!
Moving Pictures!
Ahhhh! This is a wide-open field and there are several story arcs in here to play with, Dear Movie Producer!
