Sex with Kings

Sex with Kings examines the role and influence of royal mistresses throughout European history. Through extensive research and historical documentation, Eleanor Herman presents the complex lives of women who shared the beds of monarchs from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. The book explores how mistresses navigated court politics, wielded unofficial power, and impacted national affairs. Herman documents their rises to prominence, their relationships with queens and courtiers, and their eventual fates after falling from royal favor. The text covers multiple royal courts and time periods, revealing patterns in how kings selected their mistresses and how these women maintained their positions. Financial arrangements, social expectations, and the precarious balance between public scandal and private indulgence are analyzed across different historical contexts. Beyond mere scandal or romance, the book presents royal mistresses as a lens through which to understand power dynamics, gender roles, and the intersection of intimacy and statecraft in European monarchies. Their stories reflect broader historical truths about class mobility, female agency, and the nature of political influence.

Readers describe this as an entertaining mix of history and scandal, presenting royal mistresses' stories with humor while maintaining historical accuracy. Readers appreciated: - The balance of scholarly research and gossipy details - Clear organization by themes rather than chronology - Inclusion of lesser-known historical figures and relationships - Herman's engaging writing style that makes history accessible Common criticisms: - Repetitive anecdotes across chapters - Some sections feel rushed or superficial - Focus skews heavily toward French court - Occasional confusion with multiple similar names/titles Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (16,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Like chatting with a knowledgeable friend who knows all the best historical gossip" - Goodreads "Expected more depth on each relationship rather than quick snapshots" - Amazon "Perfect balance between academic and entertaining" - LibraryThing "Sometimes jumps around too much between centuries and courts" - Goodreads

Sex with Queens by Eleanor Herman A historical examination of royal mistresses and lovers of European queens from the Renaissance through modern times.

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🔹 Many royal mistresses were actually married women, as unmarried women at court were considered too inexperienced and risky for kings to pursue romantic relationships with. 🔹 When Louis XV's mistress Madame de Pompadour lost interest in sex, she personally selected younger mistresses for the king while maintaining her position as his closest confidante and advisor. 🔹 Author Eleanor Herman spent over a decade researching royal mistresses across European history, accessing private letters, diaries, and diplomatic correspondence in multiple languages. 🔹 The position of royal mistress was often passed down through families, with mothers grooming their daughters to catch the king's eye and secure the family's influence at court. 🔹 Some royal mistresses wielded more political power than the queens themselves, like Barbara Palmer (Duchess of Cleveland), who effectively controlled King Charles II's government appointments and policy decisions.