Autographs of royal, noble, learned, and remarkable personages conspicuous in English history, from the reign of Richard the Second to that of Charles the Second; with some illustrious foreigners; containing many passages from important letters. Engraved under the direction of Charles John Smith. Accompanied by concise biographical memoirs, and interesting extracts from the original documents / by John Gough Nichols.

  • John Gough Nichols
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Autographs of royal, noble, learned, and remarkable personages conspicuous in English history, from the reign of Richard the Second to that of Charles the Second; with some illustrious foreigners; containing many passages from important letters. Engraved under the direction of Charles John Smith. Accompanied by concise biographical memoirs, and interesting extracts from the original documents / by John Gough Nichols. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    12. James Ley, Earl of Marlborough, and Lord High Treasurer, was born in 1552, at Teffont in Wiltshire, a younger son of a gentleman of that place. He was educated at Brazenose college, Oxford, and Lincoln’s Inn, where he was Lent Reader in 1602. He was made a Serjeant-at-law in 1603, and knighted at Witton Oct. 3 that year; appointed Chief Justice of the King’s Bench in Ireland in 1604, and, after remain¬ ing there for sixteen years, transferred to the same office in England in 1620-1. He had been created a Baronet in 1619, in 1624 he was advanced to the post of Lord Treasurer, and the rank of a Baron; and on retiring from that exalted office, he was made President of the Council, and created Earl of Marlborough, Feb. 1, 1626-7. He died at Lincoln’s Inn, March 14, 1628-9, having maintained an unblemished character in all his offices. [Portraits by Payne, and copies ; sepulchral Effigy in Westbury church, Wiltshire.] The Signature “ Marleburgh,” which bears such evident marks of age and infirmity, is from Harl. MSS. 4713. 13. Sir Francis Windebank, Secretary of State to Charles the First, was son of Sir Thomas Winde¬ bank, Clerk of the Signet, who occurs in another place. Sir Francis was knighted in June, 1632, being then Secretary of State. He had been advanced by Laud, and was, like him, extremely obnoxious to the Commons. He was suspected of popery, and Grimston, a popular member, called him in the House, “ the very pander and broker to the Whore of Babylon.” He escaped from his persecutors by suddenly flying to France, when Sir Edward Nicholas was appointed his successor, in 1641. [Portraits by De Wilde, Glover, and Thane.] The Autograph of “ Fran. Windebank” is from the same volume as the preceding. 14. Sir Anthony Van Dyck, the immortal Painter, was born at Antwerp, March 22, 1598-9, the son of a merchant of that city, by a mother who was very skilful in flower-painting and needle-work. He received his first instructions from Van Bale, and then studied under Rubens, by whose advice he visited Italy. Shortly after he came to England, which afterwards became his principal abode. He received the honour of knighthood, at St. James’s Palace July 5, 1632, with a pension for life. He painted numberless portraits of the King and royal family, and was highly patronised by the Court. The elegance of his taste in portrait¬ painting, in attitude, expression, costume, and other captivating accompaniments, has never been surpassed. He lived in a splendid style, and died an early victim to the gout in 1641. His remains were interred at St. Paul’s, Covent-garden. [Portraits by himself, and by Hollar, Vorsterman, Pontius, Gaywood, <^c.] From a proof of one of his etchings in the British Museum is copied “ Antonius Van Dyck fecit'' being part of his directions to the engraver for adding the inscription to the plate. 15. George Carew, Earl of Totnes, was born in 1557, the son of George Carew, who was for some time Archdeacon of Totnes, and finally Dean of Windsor. The Earl was bred to arms, and had acquired great military reputation both in Ireland and in the expedition against Spain, when he was appointed President of Munster in 1599. After the submission of the Irish rebels in 1603 he returned to England. He was knighted in that year; and was in 1605, being Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen, created Baron Carew of Clopton in Warwickshire (having married the heiress of the ancient family which took its name from that place). He was for many years in personal attendance on Anne of Denmark, remaining her Majesty’s Vice- Chamberlain to her death in 1618. He was also in 1608 made Master of the Ordnance, a department he had before superintended in Ireland. He was created Earl of Totnes in 1625, and died at the Savoy, March 27, 1629. He left only an illegitimate son, Sir Thomas Stafford, who published the Earl’s collections on the History of Ireland, under the title of “ Pacata Hibernia.” [Portraits by Voerst, and copies; from Zucchero in Lodge ; recumbent Effigy at Stratford-upon-Avon.] The original of the deeply-penned Signature of “ Totnes,” is from a letter signed by various Privy-councillors, on some Irish affairs, in the collection of T. J. Pettigrew, Esq.