The witchery of Jane Shore, the Rose of London : the romance of a royal mistress / by C.J.S. Thompson.

  • Charles Thompson
Date:
[1933]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The witchery of Jane Shore, the Rose of London : the romance of a royal mistress / by C.J.S. Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    pretty creature Mrs Jane Shore, an original.” This picture also has unfortunately disappeared. Thomas Hearne declares in his “Notes” (1710) that “there are several pictures of Jane Shore one of which I have seen in the hands of a very ingenious gentleman at Christ Church in Oxford, but not that which is mentioned by the antiquarian poet ” (Michael Drayton). Another portrait is described by the Rev. Mark Noble. Writing in 1813, he says: “ I remember seeing when a young man in an old family mansion near Coventry, let for a kind of Vauxhall, some ancient paintings. Amongst them, on board, was a portrait in oil of her (Jane Shore) to the waist, without clothing or ornament, except jewels in her hair and a necklace also of jewels. It is quite like that at Eton.” He further remarks that “ on a copy of the picture at Eton College there was an MS date 1483.” The oil paintings at present known, supposed to represent Jane Shore, are as follows : 1. Picture of Jane Shore belonging to His Majesty the King in the Royal Collection at Hampton Court Palace. A three-quarter-length figure, painted on panel 3 ft. 3 in. by 2 ft. s3/s m• Inscribed along the top BAKERS (BANKERS) WIFE . . . MISTRIS TO A KING She is represented with fair hair and brown eyes, wearing a closely fitting cap of large pearls. A black hat with high crown and a band ornamented with pearls. Thin lace ruff round the neck. Bodice of dress, dark orange brocaded with black, and over it a full cape [381 ]