The Civil War: Royalists
123 People in sitter grouping:
During the English Civil War (1662-1651), the Royalists championed the divine right of the monarch to govern England and fought against the opposing Parliamentarians. They had a deep-seated loyalty to the monarch and to the protection of King Charles I. Gentry, noblemen and Catholics were staunch supporters of the monarch, as were those who lived in the countryside, particularly the less economically developed northern and westerns parts of England. The Parliamentarians referred to them as Cavaliers taken from the French word chevalier meaning horseman, the derogatory term was later adopted by the Royalists themselves. The term made reference to the elaborate fashion of the court, their long hair worn in ringlets and their strong allegiance to the king. The Royalists achieved early victories during conflict due to their skills as horsemen. Despite these early victories, King Charles II was defeated by the Parliamentarians New Model Army of 28,000 soldiers at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey
1614-1686Book collector and politician; MP for Dublin City, Radnorshire and Carmarthen
Sitter in 5 portraits

Henry Frederick Howard, 15th Earl of Arundel, 5th Earl of Surrey and 2nd Earl of Norfolk
1608-1652Royalist soldier and politician; MP for Arundel and Callan
Sitter associated with 11 portraits

Henry Arundell, 3rd Baron Arundell of Wardour
circa 1608-1694Royalist army officer and politician
Sitter in 2 portraits

Courtier, diplomat, royalist and politician; MP for Hastings and Sussex
Sitter associated with 3 portraits

Mary (née Hawtrey), Lady Bankes
died 1661Royalist landholder; wife of Sir John Bankes
Sitter associated with 1 portrait

John Belasyse (Bellasis), 1st Baron Belasyse of Worlaby
circa 1615-1689Royalist army officer and politician: MP for Thirsk
Sitter in 7 portraits

Patrick Ruthven, Earl of Brentford
1573?-1651Soldier, diplomat and royalist general
Sitter in 5 portraits

George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol
1612-1677Royalist commander and politician; Secretary of State and MP for Dorset
Sitter in 14 portraits