Definition
Eleanor Gwynn is simply the full, formal name of the more commonly known Nell Gwyn. She was a prominent figure in Restoration England, an actress who became a mistress to King Charles II. Using 'Eleanor' gives a more formal, perhaps less familiar feel. Her story is one of social ascent, similar to that of a modern celebrity's rise to fame. Think of it as the difference between a stage name and a birth name. Her life was a mixture of performance and royal intrigue.