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The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

7 of 13 portraits of Thomas White

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The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

published by R. Palmer, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, (circa 1688)
8 1/8 in. x 6 1/2 in. (206 mm x 164 mm) plate size; 9 1/8 in. x 6 5/8 in. (232 mm x 169 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D9285

Artistsback to top

  • R. Palmer (active late 17th century), Publisher. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6578 portraits.

Sittersback to top

Related worksback to top

  • NPG 79: The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688 (source portrait)

Events of 1688back to top

Current affairs

The Glorious Revolution. Senior statesmen, increasingly resentful of James's assault upon liberties of his subjects, invite William III of Orange to invade England. Their action is spurred on by the acquittal of seven bishops who refused to read James II's declaration of indulgence from their pulpits. James flees into exile.

Art and science

George Savile, Marquess of Halifax, publishes his political tract, The Character of a Trimmer, written 1685, which urged Charles II to shake off his brother's influence.
Writer, Aphra Behn, publishes Oroonoko, often considered to be an abolitionist treatise.


International

Nine Years' War. Threatened by William III's invasion of England and possible alliance of Protestant European states under his helm, Louis XIV sends French troops into the Rhineland. This pre-emptive strike ignites a war of attrition, and institutes a coalition of European states united in attempting to halt expansionist France.

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