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Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

2 of 6 portraits of Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

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Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, 1704?
94 in. x 57 3/4 in. (2387 mm x 1467 mm) overall
Purchased, 1947
Primary Collection
NPG 3623

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1704back to top

Current affairs

Lord High Treasurer, Sidney Godolphin, with considerable financial acumen,begins to shift the country's dependence from short-term borrowing to long-term. His management of the country's revenue allowed the government to fund John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough's successful fight against France.

Art and science

Mathematical scientist, Isaac Newton, recently made President of the Royal Society, presents his second major publication, Opticks, to the Society.
Daniel Defoe launches The Review, a periodical dedicated to news, specifically the war in Europe; it is published thrice weekly.

International

Battle of Blenheim marks a turning point in the War of the Spanish Succession, as allied armies under John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, and Princes Eugene of Savoy and Lewis of Baden defeat the Franco-Bavarian army on the River Danube.
Admiral George Rooke captures Gibraltar.

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