William Sancroft (1617-1693), Archbishop of Canterbury
Sitter associated with 29 portraits
As Dean of St Paul's Cathedral he contributed to the rebuilding after the Great Fire of London in 1666. He was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1677. Anti-Catholic, he crowned King James II, the last Catholic monarch, in 1685. In 1688 he was one of the seven bishops who signed a petition asking James to reconsider his policy of religious tolerance to Catholics. All were sent to the Tower. Later that year seven members of the House of Lords asked William, Prince of Orange to overthrow his father-in-law James. Agreeing with the removal of James, Sancroft refused to swear allegiance to William and Mary when they acceded to the throne in 1689 and in 1690 he was deprived of his post.
by Michael Vandergucht, after Edward Lutterell or Luttrell
line engraving, circa 1688-1725
NPG D20997
by Robert White, published by Thomas Basset, published by Thomas Fox
line engraving, published 1689
NPG D30876
The Seven Bishops committed to the Tower in 1688
by Robert White, published by Thomas Basset, published by Thomas Fox
line engraving, published 1689
NPG D18862
by William Elder, after Edward Lutterell or Luttrell
line engraving, 1693 or after
NPG D20998
by George Vertue, after David Loggan
stipple and line engraving, circa 1700-1750
NPG D30875
after David Loggan
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D30880
by George Vertue, after David Loggan
stipple and line engraving, circa 1700-1750
NPG D20999
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D19922
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
by Robert White
line engraving, 1689
On display in Room 8 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG D1333
Religion and Belief
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Archbishops of Canterbury
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Nonjuring bishops
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