Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Aylesford
(1647?-1719), Lord ChancellorSitter in 11 portraits
Called to the Bar in 1677, Finch moved into politics two years later, and was appointed Solicitor General. Although loyal to the new king, James II, Finch also supported the anti-Catholic cause. In 1686, the king dismissed him as solicitor after he refused to pass a warrant appointing a Catholic to the mastership of an Oxford college. In 1688, he successfully defended the seven bishops who petitioned James against his Declaration of Indulgence. After James fled the country in 1688, Finch was consulted about the prevailing legal situation. He argued that the king's departure had not made the throne vacant, and recommended offering a regency rather than the crown to William and Mary.
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D29879
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D30927
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D30928
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D9287
by and published by Robert White
line engraving, 1688
NPG D43262
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D11943
Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Aylesford
by Isaac Taylor, after Thomas Stothard
line engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D29855
The Trial of William Russell, Lord Russell 1683
by Sir George Hayter
etching, 1825
NPG D39937
Key to The Trial of William Russell, Lord Russell 1683
after Sir George Hayter
etching, (1825)
NPG D39938
after Sir George Hayter
etching, (1825)
NPG D39939
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D20235
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.