King Henry VI
(1421-1471), Reigned 1422-61 and 1470-71Sitter 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.
by John Faber Sr
mezzotint, 1714
NPG D23767
The Sovereigns of England, part 1
by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34141
by Simon François Ravenet
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D23762
The Marriage of King Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou
by Charles Grignion
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D23763
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1732
NPG D23756
by George Vertue
line engraving, engraved 1735
NPG D19762
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1745
NPG D23765
by Francesco Bartolozzi
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D23755
by James Bretherton
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D23757
by William Ridley, published by Charles Cooke
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D23759
The Marriage of King Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou
by G. Barrett, after Jan Gossaert (Mabuse)
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D23764
probably after William Faithorne
etching, late 18th-early 19th century? (early 1640s)
NPG D33913
by Joseph Thornthwaite, published by Thomas Cadell the Elder
line engraving, published 1 March 1788
NPG D23761
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, published 1790
NPG D23766
by Burnet Reading
line engraving, published 1793
NPG D23760
by Francesco Bartolozzi, after John Keyse Sherwin
line engraving, circa 1800-1818
NPG D20379
by E. Bocquet
line engraving, published 1806
NPG D23768
'Statues in the New Palace at Westminster'
published by Illustrated London News
wood engraving, published 10 February 1855
NPG D47365
published by John Player & Sons, after Unknown artist
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D48125
Related People
- Catherine of Valois (mother)
- Edward, Prince of Wales (son)
- King Henry IV (grandfather)
- King Henry V (father)
- Queen Margaret of Anjou (wife)
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