Archive

09 May

Posted at 16:04h in

Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey (1583-1642), in armour with a blue sash, painted in 1636 by the Dutch portraitist Paulus Moreelse (1571- 1638).   Oil on panel 68.5 x 54.6 cm   Robert was the eldest son of Peregrine, 13th Baron Willoughby de Eresby and his wife Mary de Vere, daughter of the Earl of Oxford. He succeeded his father as 14th Baron Willoughby in 1601 and married Elizabeth Montagu of Boughton in 1604. In 1626, he was created Earl of Lindsey and was made a...

09 May

Posted at 14:18h in

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (1485-1545), in a jewelled plumed velvet cap, a crimson doublet with a white collar and a fur-trimmed black robe, wearing the Badge of the Order of the Garter. Oil on panel 86 x 68.5 cm Brandon, a life-long friend of Henry VIII, bought the wardship of Katherine Willoughby de Eresby, heiress of Grimsthorpe, from the King, intending to marry her to his own son. When Brandon's third wife wife Mary (sister of Henry VIII) died, Brandon married Katherine himself....

07 May

Posted at 10:34h in

King James I of England and VI of Scotland (1566-1625), in mulberry-coloured costume, wearing the Sash and Breast Star of the Order of the Garter, the sceptre, crown and orb on a table at his side. Studio of Paul van Somer, the Flemish artist who came to London from Antwerp and became a leading painter at King James's court. This is a version of a portrait by van Somer in the Royal Collection. Oil on canvas   200cm x 125cm   James was the only...

07 May

Posted at 10:00h in

Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 1st Baronet (1652-1733), by Michael Dahl, depicted in Alderman's robes with the Coronation mace and sword on a table behind him.   Oil on canvas. 126cm x 102cm Sir Gilbert was a very successful London merchant. He was one of the promoters of the new East India Company and served as its Director. He was also a founder of the Bank of England. In 1694, he was elected one of the bank's first Directors and served as Governor from 1709 to 1711...

03 May

Posted at 15:06h in

Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1555-1601). English School.   198cm x 126cm.   Peregrine was the son of Richard Bertie and Katherine, Duchess of Suffolk, Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. He was born at Wesel on the Rhine in 1555, while his parents were fugitives from England to escape persecution as Protestants under Queen Mary. After several important diplomatic and military appointments abroad, Elizabeth I appointed him General of her forces in the Low Countries in 1586. He fought for the Huguenots under Henry...

24 Apr

Posted at 10:01h in

Katherine, Duchess of Suffolk, Baroness Willoughby de Eresby (1520-1580) by Lucas Horenbout, wearing a black headdress edged with gold and a black velvet dress trimmed with white fur.   Katherine inherited the title of Baroness Willoughby de Eresby and vast estates in Suffolk and Lincolnshire (including Grimsthorpe) at the age of eight. She married Henry VIII's great friend, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, at the age of 14 (Brandon was 48) and became a central figure at Court, befriending many of Henry...

23 Apr

Posted at 16:21h in

Mary Panton, Duchess of Ancaster (1725-1793), in Van Dyck style costume based on Sir Robert Walpole's painting entitled Rubens' Wife. At this time, Rubens' Wife was the model for numerous costumes worn to masquerades and balls and it is likely that the Duchess is shown dressed for a ball at the Rotunda, Ranelagh Gardens, Chelsea which is shown in the background. Painted by Thomas Hudson in 1757. Oil on canvas.   277cm x 176cm.   Mary, the daughter of the King's racehorse trainer, married Peregrine,...

23 Apr

Posted at 15:49h in

Clementina Sarah Drummond, Lady Willoughby de Eresby (1786-1865), by Sir Thomas Lawrence PRA (1769-1830). Oil on canvas, 203cm x 143.5cm.   Clementina was the daughter and heiress of James Drummond, 1st Baron Perth. She succeeded to her father's estates, including Drummond Castle in Perthshire, on his death in July 1800. On October 19th, 1807, Clementina married Peter Robert Burrell, afterwards 19th Baron Willoughby de Eresby and 2nd Lord Gwydir, thus uniting the estates at Grimsthorpe, Drummond and Gwydir. This portrait previously hung in the...