Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth

Louise Renée de Penancoët de Kérouaille entered the household of Henrietta Anne Stuart and came to England in 1670. After Henrietta's death she remained at the English court and became a mistress of Charles II. Their son, Charles Lennox, was created Duke of Richmond, while Louise received the English title Duchess of Portsmouth and the French title Duchess of Aubigny.

Her closeness to Charles II made her a significant court and diplomatic figure, but also a target of anti-French and anti-Catholic hostility. Historical fiction frequently depicts her arrival as part of Louis XIV's influence at the English court. Her political access is well documented, although claims that every action was directed by France can oversimplify her position.

Andrew Taylor’s The Shadows of London places Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth within a narrative shaped by court politics and dynastic power, political ambition and government, and crime, espionage and covert power.

In non-fiction, Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth is discussed in Linda Porter’s Mistresses. Linda Porter’s Mistresses approaches the subject through court politics and dynastic power, social change and the pressures of ordinary life, and political ambition and government.