King William IV's Mistress's Cottage: 10 Illegitimate Children and Royal Abandonment

King William IV's Mistress's Cottage: 10 Illegitimate Children and Royal Abandonment Step inside Bushy House, the elegant Georgian mansion where one of British history's most extraordinary royal scandals unfolded. This is the story of Dorothea Jordan—the most famous actress in England—and Prince William, Duke of Clarence, who would one day become King William IV. Together, they created something unprecedented: a household of ten illegitimate children, raised openly in a Crown residence just miles from London. For twenty years, Bushy House was home to the FitzClarence dynasty—ten royal bastards who grew up with both privilege and stigma. Their mother balanced motherhood with a demanding theatrical career, performing at Drury Lane while managing a household that scandalized Georgian society. Their father, a prince who never expected to wear the crown, chose domestic happiness over royal propriety. But when financial pressure mounted and the possibility of kingship appeared, this unconventional family would be torn apart in ways that reveal the harsh realities behind royal romance. This is the untold story of the cottage where a king's mistress raised ten bastards, where love collided with duty, and where an actress who gave twenty years to a prince died alone and penniless in exile. Discover the FitzClarence dynasty—the royal family that history tried to forget. Copyright & Fair Use Disclaimer This video is a non-commercial, educational history documentary created for commentary, criticism and research. Some archival photos and footage are used under the principles of Fair Use (Section 107, U.S. Copyright Act) for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. All historical images and materials are used to illustrate historical facts and educational content about Bushy House, Dorothea Jordan, King William IV, and the FitzClarence family. No copyright infringement is intended. If you believe any content has been used improperly, please contact us directly. #gildedage #oldmoney #forgottenhouses #royalhistory #britishmonarchy #williamiv