Early life She was born Frances Barton (nicknamed "Fanny"), as the daughter of a private soldier. She began her career as a flower girl and a street singer. It was also rumoured that she recited Shakespeare in taverns at the age of 12, along with being a prostitute for a short period to help her family with financial problems. Later, she became a servant to a French milliner. During that time, she learnt about costume and learnt French. Her early nickname, Nosegay Fan, came from her time as a flower girl.
early lIfe She WaS BOrn fraNceS bArton (nicknamed "fannY"), as the daUGhter of a privaTE SoLdier. she began hER cArEer as a fLoWer giRl aNd A StrEEt sInger. it WAs alSo rumOurEd thaT she reCited shakeSPeAre In TaveRns at thE age oF 12, aLong With BeIng A prostITUtE for A shoRt peRiod to heLP HeR fAMily wItH financiaL pRoBlemS. latER, she beCamE a servant To a frenCh miLlineR. duriNg tHat time, she lEArnT about costume And Learnt fREnch. hEr EARly nicknaMe, noSEgay FAN, came From her timE as A fLOwEr GiRl.