Eleanor 'Nell' Gwyn was many things in her time. She has remained so for more than 350 years. Commencing literally as a Cinderella--sifting ashes for unburnt fuel, she progressed to peddling turnips, selling 'strong' drinks in her mother's brothel, to leading actress and, for seventeen years, mistress of the 'Merry Monarch' Charles II. She also became something of a gardener, owning a fair-sized property with her London townhouse and 40 acres of landscaped grounds up the Thames River at Burford House, Windsor. Both were gifts of Charles. Born in 1650, little is known of her early life. By the age of 13, she was an orange girl, peddling the then exotic fruit for an exorbitant six pence each to gallants in the theatre audience. She would have been required to work six days a week, receiving a penny for each of her sales. This did not last for long. By April 1665 she had acquired fame as an actress among theatre goers. Within two years, aged just 17, she had found fame, if not fortune, on the London stage. Doubtlessly, this is where the king first saw her. Fascinated with this witty, petite performer Charles first sent for her as an entertainer. She became his long-lasting mistress. The rest, as they say, is history.

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