Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester
1 portrait of Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester
published by Richard Tompson, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1678-1679
13 1/2 in. x 9 7/8 in. (342 mm x 252 mm) paper size, trimmed
Given by Sir Herbert Henry Raphael, 1st Bt, 1913
Reference Collection
NPG D18790
Sitterback to top
- Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (1657-1717), Mistress of James II; wife of 1st Earl of Portmore; daughter of Sir Charles Sedley. Sitter in 12 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 843 portraits, Sitter in 19 portraits.
- Richard Tompson (died 1693), Publisher, printseller, auctioneer and dealer. Artist or producer associated with 116 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
Events of 1678back to top
Current affairs
Informer, Titus Oates, concocts the Popish Plot, an elaborate tale of a Catholic conspiracy to murder the king, enthrone James, Duke of York and catholicize England. The story provokes panic and persecution of Catholics.Extension of the Test Act (1673) excludes Catholics from both the House of Lords and Parliament.
Art and science
While imprisoned under the Conventicle Act, author John Bunyan, writes the first part of Pilgrims Progress, considered to be one of the most important religious works in the English language.Poet laureate, John Dryden, publishes All for Love, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Anthony and Cleopatra.
International
Last major conflict of the Franco-Dutch war, battle of St. Denis, is fiercely fought despite a peace treaty signed days earlier between the two countries. Prince William of Orange, leading Dutch forces, fights alongside his confidant, Hans Willem Bentinck, and an English force, under James Scott, Duke of Monmouth.Comments back to top
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