Frances, Countess of Somerset

Sitterback to top

• Frances, Countess of Somerset (1590-1632), Famous beauty. Sitter associated with 18 portraits.

Artistback to top

• William Larkin (died 1619). Artist associated with 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Frances Howard was the daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, and a famous beauty. She was divorced from Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex in 1613 and married Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, a favourite of James I. In 1615 she and her second husband, along with several accomplices, were convicted of poisoning Sir Thomas Overbury who had opposed their marriage. Although the couple were imprisoned until 1621, they were later pardoned of their crime. It was said of Somerset, 'If he had not met with such a woman he might have been a good man.'

Linked publicationsback to top

• Nicholl, Charles, Character Sketches: Elizabethan Writers, 1997, p. 42
• Nicholl, Charles, Insights: Shakespeare and His Contemporaries, 2005, p. 78
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 575
• Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 297

Subject/Themeback to top

• Jewellery