Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory
studio of Sir Peter Lely
oil on canvas, circa 1678
48 1/2 in. x 39 1/2 in. (1232 mm x 1003 mm)
Purchased, 1873
Primary Collection
NPG 371
Sitterback to top
- Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory (1634-1680), Courtier and man of action. Sitter in 5 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 843 portraits, Sitter in 19 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D11412: King William III (variant version)
- NPG D29332: King William III (after)
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 472
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 472
Subjects & Themesback to top
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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