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King Henry VI

(1421-1471), Reigned 1422-61 and 1470-71

Sitter associated with 39 portraits
Henry VI descended from the royal house of Lancaster and succeeded to the throne at the age of nine months. A council ruled in his name during his minority. As an adult he suffered military defeats and territorial losses in France. Contemporary accounts indicate his personal instability and he was involved in constant power struggles. After losing the crown to the Duke of York (Edward IV) in 1461, he was imprisoned between 1465 and 1470. In 1470 the hapless king was briefly restored to the throne but was captured and perhaps murdered. He was the founder of Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. A posthumous cult, venerating him as a 'saint', flourished into Tudor times.

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King Henry VI, by Unknown English artist - NPG 2457

King Henry VI

by Unknown English artist
oil on panel, circa 1540
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2457

King Henry VI, by Unknown artist - NPG 546

King Henry VI

by Unknown artist
oil on panel, late 16th or early 17th century
NPG 546

King Henry VI, after Unknown artist - NPG D23771

King Henry VI

after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D23771

Fictitious portrait of King Henry VI, by Domenicus Custos (De Coster) - NPG D33917

Fictitious portrait of King Henry VI

by Domenicus Custos (De Coster)
line engraving, published 1600
NPG D33917

King Henry VI, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D23758

King Henry VI

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, 1628
NPG D23758

King Henry VI, possibly by William Faithorne - NPG D23774

King Henry VI

possibly by William Faithorne
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D23774

King Henry VI, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D9404

King Henry VI

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, published 1638 (1618)
NPG D9404

King Henry VI, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D9405

King Henry VI

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, published 1638 (1618)
NPG D9405

King Henry V; King Henry VI, probably by William Faithorne, published by  Sir Robert Peake - NPG D22807

King Henry V; King Henry VI

probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22807

King Henry VI, after Unknown artist - NPG D23769

King Henry VI

after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1649
NPG D23769

King Henry VI, after Unknown artist - NPG D33914

King Henry VI

after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1649
NPG D33914

King Henry VI, after Unknown artist - NPG D33916

King Henry VI

after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th-early 18th century
NPG D33916

King Henry VI, by John Goldar - NPG D23770

King Henry VI

by John Goldar
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D23770

King Henry VI, after Unknown artist - NPG D23772

King Henry VI

after Unknown artist
line engraving, perhaps 18th century
NPG D23772

King Henry VI, by Hall - NPG D23773

King Henry VI

by Hall
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D23773

King Henry VI, after Unknown artist - NPG D23775

King Henry VI

after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D23775

King Henry VI, after Unknown artist - NPG D33915

King Henry VI

after Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D33915

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