Gwynn (Nell)

An actress, and one of the courtesans of Charles II. of England (died 1687). Sir Walter Scott speaks of her twice in Peveril of the Peak; in chap. xi. he speaks of “the smart humour of Mrs. Nelly;” and in chap. xl. Lord Chaffinch says of “Mrs. Nelly, wit she has; let her keep herself warm with it in worse company, for the cant of strollers is not language for a prince’s chamber.”