Royal Paramours by Dulcie M. Ashdown (1986)

Royal Paramours
by Dulcie M. Ashdown
Publisher:  Dorset Press
Copyright:  1986

The sexuality of King Charles II is famous -- his court was a byward for promiscuity in the seventeenth century; equally generous with his favours was Edward VII, as Prince of Wales and as King, still within living memory.  Less well known are King Henry I, reputedly the father of twenty bastards, and Edward IV, whom it was said no woman could resist.  There was Bonnie Prince Charlie, whose violent treatment of his mistress belied his gallant image, and the future King William IV, whose income was for years supplemented by the wages of the actress with whom he lived.  Royal consorts too have had their share of amorous adventures:  two of Henry VIII's wives went to the block for adultery; George I imprisoned his wife when he found she had taken a lover; George IV's wife Caroline was publicly sued for divorce on the ground of infidelity.

In the past royal marriages were made not for love but for reasons of international diplomacy, so where they was no real marital commitment, and at a time when royal promiscuity was the accepted norm, it was no wonder the kings and queens sought love and sexual fulfillment outside marriage.

There was wealth, rank, fame and power to be won between the sheets of a royal bed.  Several royal mistresses gave birth to bastards, whose fathers created them dukes and earls.  Often the ladies themselves were enobled or wrung generous pensions and fine estates from their lovers; others meddled in politics and won real power.  Just as avaricious, though more reviled by contemporaries, were the lovers of homosexual kings.

Few monarchs before this century were models of marital fidelity and affection, and the stories of their lovers make strange reading today, accustomed as we are to the sight of domestic bliss at Buckingham Palace.  Yet such tales are not repellent -- who can deny the fascination of a royal love story?  The bulk of modern fiction deals with irregular love-relationships of one sort or another; the course of true love, blessed by Church and convention, makes dull reading.  And in the lives of kings and queens of the past, truth is more flamboyant than any fiction.  Here are the stories which make paperback passion look tame in contrast.  They may not edify, but they cannot fail to amuse.

Condition:  Used.  Hardcover.  Dust cover is lightly discolored from age and shows shelf wear.  Pages may tanning from age.  Previous owner's "Library Of" stamp is on the front endpaper.

**************************

Don't Delay. Buy It Now!

Why Buy From Me?

* Shipping Speed Most people are extremely amazed at how fast I get their item delivered to them. I ship the same day you pay for your item, whenever possible.

• Strong Positive Feedback 100% positive feedback. Customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the quality of the item they receive, the accuracy of the item's description, the prompt and informative email notifications, and of course the speedy delivery.
  
  * Blujay Member Since 2005 I'm here to stay.
  
  * ID Verified My feedback profile also displays the ID Verified icon. An extra level of safety and security for buyers to know.
  
  * PayPal Buyer Protection All of my listings display the PayPal Buyer Protection icon to qualify for up to $1000.00 of protection for you, the buyer.