Hortense Mancini
Person Female Born 6/6/1646 Died 9/11/1699
Born Rome, niece of Cardinal Mazarin. She and her siblings were taken to live in Paris where the girls became renowned beauties and mixed in high circles. In 1659 Charles (II to be) proposed to her but, as an exile, her family did not consider him suitable. 1661 she married (someone else) and they became the Duc and Duchess of Mazarin, inheriting her uncle's great wealth. Her husband seems to have been extremely unpleasant, a misogynist, even given the mores of that time.
In 1668 she escaped and in 1675, needing funds, went to London to see if she could renew her friendship with Charles, now King of England. She succeeded in becoming his main mistress but rather ruined her achievement by infidelity and although the King remained friendly she lost her prime position. Following Charles's death in 1685 his successors looked after Mancini until her death. Died Paradise Row, now Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea.
The above is mainly a summary of the very colourful Wikipedia entry. We can't identify one but surely someone has made a film of her life?
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