JORDAN DOROTHEA: (1761-1816) Anglo-Irish Actress and Courtesan, the mistress and companion of the future King ...

JORDAN DOROTHEA: (1761-1816) Anglo-Irish Actress and Courtesan, the mistress and companion of the future King William IV.
Rare A.L.S., Dora Jordan, two pages, 4to, Mortimer Street, n.d. ('Friday', annotated 1808 in another hand), to Miss. Dalrymple. Jordan states that she will be detained at the theatre tomorrow from 12 noon until 3pm and therefore won't be at Bushy to receive her correspondent and continues 'I have only to assure you that my best and most sincere good wishes must soon attend you; and allow me to add, that if you are as happy as you deserve to be, (and of which you have so fair a prospect) your lot will be a most enviable one', further concluding that 'Sophy desires her love'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VGIn 1797 King George III appointed his son William, Duke of Clarence, as Ranger of Bushy Park, carrying with it residence at Bushy House, which Jordan makes reference to in the present letter. The future King William IV lived there with his mistress, and their ten illegitimate children, until the couple's relationship came to an end in 1811.In the present letter Jordan also makes reference to her eldest illegitimate daughter, Sophia Sidney (1795-1837) Baroness De L'Isle and Dudley, who served as State Housekeeper in Kensington Palace shortly before her death.Pretty, witty and intelligent, Jordan made her first appearance on the London stage at Drury Lane in 1785 and remained there until 1809 playing a large variety of parts. It was said that the actress had the most beautiful legs ever seen on the stage and she was particularly remembered for her comedic roles. Jordan soon came to the attention of wealthy men after her arrival in London and the Duke of Clarence took the actress as his mistress for twenty years. Together they produced ten illegitimate children, Jordan having previously given birth to four other children by other men with whom she had conducted affairs.