Pepy's Diary. 26 Jun 1660. My Lord dined at his lodgings all alone to-day. I went to Secretary Nicholas (age 67)¹ to carry him my Lord's resolutions about his title, which he had chosen, and that is Portsmouth². I met with Mr. Throgmorton, a merchant, who went with me to the old Three Tuns, at Charing Cross, who did give me five pieces of gold for to do him a small piece of service about a convoy to Bilbo, which I did. In the afternoon, one Mr. Watts came to me, a merchant, to offer me £500 if I would desist from the Clerk of the Acts place. I pray God direct me in what I do herein. Went to my house, where I found my father, and carried him and my wife to Whitefriars, and myself to Puddlewharf [Map], to the Wardrobe, to Mr. Townsend, who went with me to Backwell, the goldsmith's, and there we chose £100 worth of plate for my Lord to give Secretary Nicholas. Back and staid at my father's (age 59), and so home to bed.

Note 1. Sir Edward Nicholas (age 67), Secretary of State to Charles I and II. He was dismissed from his office through the intrigues of Lady Castlemaine (age 19) in 1663. He died 1669, aged seventy-seven.

Note 2. Montagu changed his mind, and ultimately took his title from the town of Sandwich, Kent [Map], leaving that of Portsmouth for the use of a King's (age 30) mistress (age 10).

Pepy's Diary. 27 Jan 1667. Here we met with Mr. May (age 45), and he and we to talk of several things, of building, and such like matters; and so walked to White Hall, and there I skewed my cozen Roger (age 49) the Duchesse of York (age 29) sitting in state, while her own mother (age 49) stands by her; he had a desire, and I shewed him my Baroness Castlemayne (age 26), whom he approves to be very handsome, and wonders that she cannot be as good within as she is fair without. Her little black boy came by him; and, a dog being in his way, the little boy called to the dog: "Pox of this dog!"-"Now", says he, blessing himself, "would I whip this child till the blood come, if it were my child!" and I believe he would. But he do by no means like the liberty of the Court, and did come with expectation of finding them playing at cards to-night, though Sunday; for such stories he is told, but how true I know not¹.

Note 1. There is little reason to doubt that it was such as Evelyn describes it at a later time. "I can never forget the inexpressible luxury and prophaneness, gaming, and all dissoluteness, and, as it were, total forgetfulness of God (it being Sunday evening) which this day se'nnight I was witness of; the King (age 36) sitting and toying with his concubines, Portsmouth (age 17), Cleveland (age 26), Mazarin (age 20), &c. A French boy singing love songs in that glorious gallery, whilst about twenty of the great courtiers and other dissolute persons were at basset round a large table, a bank of at least £2,000 in gold before them; upon which two gentlemen who were with me made reflexions with astonishment. Six days after was all in the dust". B.

In 1670 Henri Gascar (age 35). Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 20).

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Nov 1670. I now also saw that famous beauty, but in my opinion of a childish, simple, and baby face, Mademoiselle Querouaille (age 21), lately Maid of Honor to Madame (age 26), and now to be so to the Queen (age 31).

Evelyn's Diary. 22 Sep 1671. During my stay here with Lord Arlington (age 53), near a fortnight, his Majesty (age 41) came almost every second day with the Duke (age 37), who commonly returned to Newmarket, Suffolk, but the King (age 41) often lay here, during which time I had twice the honor to sit at dinner with him, with all freedom. It was universally reported that the fair lady -- [Note. Probably Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 22)], was bedded one of these nights, and the stocking flung, after the manner of a married bride; I acknowledge she was for the most part in her undress all day, and that there was fondness and toying with that young wanton; nay, it was said, I was at the former ceremony; but it is utterly false; I neither saw nor heard of any such thing while I was there, though I had been in her chamber, and all over that apartment late enough, and was myself observing all passages with much curiosity. However, it was with confidence believed she was first made a Miss, as they called these unhappy creatures, with solemnity at this time.

Evelyn's Diary. 22 Sep 1671. This over, I went that night with Mr. Treasurer (age 41) to Euston, a palace of Lord Arlington's (age 53), where we found Monsieur Colbert (age 46) (the French Ambassador), and the famous new French Maid of Honor, Mademoiselle Querouaille (age 22), now coming to be in great favor with the King (age 41). Here was also the Countess of Sunderland (age 25), and several lords and ladies, who lodged in the house.

Before 1672 Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 22) became a mistress of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 41).

In 1673 Henri Gascar (age 38). Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 23).

Around 1674 Henri Gascar (age 39) came to England, probably at the request of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 24), mistress of Charles II King Scotland.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Jun 1675. This afternoon came Monsieur Querouaille (age 60) and his lady (age 50), parents to the famous beauty (age 25) and ... favorite at Court, to see Sir R. Browne, with whom they were intimately acquainted in Bretagne, at the time Sir Richard was sent to Brest to supervise his Majesty's (age 45) sea affairs, during the latter part of the King's (age 45) banishment. This gentleman's house was not a mile from Brest; Sir Richard made an acquaintance there, and, being used very civilly, was obliged to return it here, which we did. He seemed a soldierly person and a good fellow, as the Bretons generally are; his lady had been very handsome, and seemed a shrewd understanding woman. Conversing with him in our garden, I found several words of the Breton language the same with our Welsh. His daughter (age 25) was now made Duchess of Portsmouth, and in the height of favor; but he never made any use of it.

Evelyn's Diary. 10 Sep 1675. I was casually shown the Duchess of Portsmouth's (age 26) splendid apartment at Whitehall [Map], luxuriously furnished, and with ten times the richness and glory beyond the Queen's (age 36); such massy pieces of plate, whole tables, and stands of incredible icon.

Before 07 Dec 1680 Peter Lely (age 62). Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 31).

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Oct 1683. Following his Majesty (age 53) this morning through the gallery, I went with the few who attended him, into the Duchess of Portsmouth's (age 34) Dressing Room within her bedchamber, where she was in her morning loose garment, her maids combing her, newly out of her bed, his Majesty (age 53) and the gallants standing about her; but that which engaged my curiosity, was the rich and splendid furniture of this woman's apartment, now twice or thrice pulled down and rebuilt to satisfy her prodigal and expensive pleasures, while her Majesty's (age 53) does not exceed some gentlemen's ladies in furniture and accommodation. Here I saw the new fabric of French tapestry, for design, tenderness of work, and incomparable imitation of the best paintings, beyond anything I had ever beheld. Some pieces had Versailles, St. Germains, and other palaces of the French King, with huntings, figures, and landscapes, exotic fowls, and all to the life rarely done. Then for Japan cabinets, screens, pendule clocks, great vases of wrought plate, tables, stands, chimney-furniture, sconces, branches, braseras, etc., all of massy silver and out of number, besides some of her Majesty's (age 53) best paintings.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Mar 1684. Easter day. The Bp. of Rochester [Dr. Turner] (age 46) preach'd before, the King (age 53) after which his Ma*, accompanied with three of his natural sonns, the Dukes of Northumberland (age 18), Richmond, and St. Alban's (age 13) (sons of Portsmouth (age 34), Cleaveland (age 43), and Nelly (age 34)), went up to the Altar; ye three boyes entering before the King (age 53) within the railes, at the right hand, and three Bishops on the left, viz. London (age 52) (who officiated), Durham (age 51), and Rochester (age 46), with the Sub-dean Dr. Holder. the King (age 53) kneeling before the Altar, zaking his offering, the Bishop first receiv'd, and then his Ma* after which he retir'd to a canopied seate on the right hand. Note, there was perfume burnt before the Office began. I had receiv'd ye Sacrament at Whitehall early with the Lords and Household, ye Bp. of London officiating. Then went to St. Martin's [Map], where Dr. Tenison (age 47) preach'd (recover'd from yc small-pox); then went againe to Whitehall as above. In the afternoone went to St. Martin's againe.

Before 01 Jan 1701 Henri Gascar (age 66). Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 51).

Before 01 Jan 1701 Henri Gascar (age 66). Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 51).

Before 1723 Godfrey Kneller (age 76). Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth (age 73).

Letters of Horace Walpole. How infinitely humane you are about Gibberne! shall I amuse you with the truth of that history, which I have discovered? The poor silly woman his mother has pressed his coming for a very private reason - only to make him one of the most considerable men in this country - and by what wonderful means do you think this mighty business is to be effected? only by the beauties of his person! As I remember, he was as little like an Adonis as could be - you must keep this inviolably; but depend upon the truth of it - I mean, that his mother really has this idea. She showed his picture to - why, to the Duchess of Cleveland, to the Duchess of Portsmouth, to Madame Pompadour, in short, to one of them, I don't know which; I only know it was not to my Lady Suffolk, the King's former Mistress - "Mon Dieu! Madame, est-ilfrai quefotrejils est si sholi que ce Bortrait? il faut que je le garte; je feux apsolument I'afoir." The woman protested nothing ever was so handsome as her lad, and that the nasty picture did not do him half justice. In short, she flatters herself that the Countess will do him whole justice - I don't think it impossible but out of charity she may make him groom of the chambers. I don't know indeed how the article of beauty may answer; but if you should lose your Gibberne - it is good to have a friend at court.