Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin (1678-1766), Lord Privy Seal

Sitter in 7 portraits
Elected as an MP in 1701 and he remained in the Commons until he succeeded to his father's title in 1712. As an MP he held offices including Cofferer of the Household, Lord Warden of the Stannaries, High Steward of the Duchy of Cornwall and Rider and Master Forester of Dartmoor. Godolphin also held a large number of offices as a peer: he was Cofferer of the Household, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Oxford, Lord of the Bedchamber to George I, and High Steward of Banbury. His final appointment was as Lord Privy Seal, and he held this post from 1735 to 1740. His wife, Henrietta Churchill, attracted notoriety through her connection with the playwright William Congreve.