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Thomas Ken

(1637-1711), Bishop of Bath and Wells

Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 20 portraits
Appointed chaplain to Princess Mary, wife of Prince William of Orange, in 1679. He argued with William and in 1680 he returned to England to become one of King Charles II's chaplains. While in this post he refused to receive Nell Gwyn at Winchester in 1683. He was made Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1685. In 1688 he was one of seven bishops who signed a petition to King James II for him to reconsider his policy of religious tolerance to Catholics; and was briefly imprisoned in the Tower of London. When William and Mary took the throne in 1689, he considered himself bound by his oath of allegiance to James, refused to take the oath to them and was deprived of his office.

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Thomas Ken, after Unknown artist - NPG D30893

Thomas Ken

after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D30893

Thomas Ken, after Unknown artist - NPG D30896

Thomas Ken

after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D30896

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688, possibly published by John Smith, after  Unknown artist - NPG D30897

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D30897

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688, possibly published by John Smith, after  Unknown artist - NPG D30898

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D30898

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688, by Simon Gribelin, sold by  Thomas Jefferys, sold by  William Herbert - NPG D30899

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

by Simon Gribelin, sold by Thomas Jefferys, sold by William Herbert
line engraving, (circa 1688)
NPG D30899

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688, possibly published by John Smith, by  Unknown artist - NPG D9284

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

possibly published by John Smith, by Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D9284

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688, published by R. Palmer, after  Unknown artist - NPG D9285

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

published by R. Palmer, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, (circa 1688)
NPG D9285

The Seven Bishops committed to the Tower in 1688, by Robert White, published by  Thomas Basset, published by  Thomas Fox - NPG D18862

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

Ecclesiastics, by Michael Vandergucht - NPG D30892

Ecclesiastics

by Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D30892

Thomas Ken, by George Vertue, after  F. Scheffer - NPG D30894

Thomas Ken

by George Vertue, after F. Scheffer
line engraving, circa 1713
NPG D30894

Thomas Ken, by George Vertue, after  F. Scheffer - NPG D30895

Thomas Ken

by George Vertue, after F. Scheffer
line engraving, circa 1713
NPG D30895

Thomas Ken, by George Vertue, after  F. Scheffer - NPG D15194

Thomas Ken

by George Vertue, after F. Scheffer
engraving, circa 1713
NPG D15194

Thomas Ken, after F. Scheffer - NPG D30891

Thomas Ken

after F. Scheffer
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D30891

Web image not currently available

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D11942

Web image not currently available

The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D19922

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