Mary (Davis) Paisible (abt. 1648 - abt. 1708)

Born about 1648 in Westminster, Middlesex, England

Descendants

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Biography

Called "the pretty girl" by diarist Samuel Pepys, Moll Davies joined the Restoration-era theater company known as Duke's Company in 1662 as a child performer. She was a celebrated actress known for her dancing and singing. By January 1668 she had became one of King Charles II's mistresses and was kept by him in a house on Suffolk street. That May, Charles' queen walked out of a performance rather than watch Moll dance. Moll retired permanently from the stage, returning only once to sing at court in February 1675. By that time, she had a young daughter named Mary, fathered by the king. Moll herself married the French flautist and composer, Jacques Paisable, after the death of Charles II.

Moll's father is reputed to be Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Berkshire. This is based chiefly on a reference in Samuel Pepys diary in Jan 1667/8. It is possible that this reference may refer to Thomas's brother Charles, or even their father.

Moll's surname 'Davis' or 'Davies' is clearly a stage name or an assumed name, and so the spelling is therefore not of great importance.

Sources

• Wikipedia Article. Accessed 11 July 2021. Moll Davis]
• Wilson, J. H. 'All The King's Ladies: Actresses of the Restoration', 1958.

• Clays Extinct Northern Peerages p. 176