Contrasting the two very different worlds of Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate with the hedonistic court of Charles II, historians Linda Porter and Paul Lay discuss power, politics, religion and sex in seventeenth century England. Paul Lay’s acclaimed new book tells the story of England’s first and only experiment with republican government when Sectarianism and fundamentalism ran riot. Equally riotous were the mistresses of Charles II, each of whom wielded influence on both the politics and cultural life of the country; Lucy Walter, the promiscuous Barbara Villiers, ‘pretty, witty’ Nell Gwynn, Louise de Kéroualle, French aristocrat and spy, the sexually ambiguous Hortense Mancini.
Linda Porter has written several historical biographies including Royal Renegades. Paul Lay is the editor of History Today. Julia Wheeler is a writer, journalist and former BBC Gulf correspondent.