The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
7 1/2 in. x 5 3/8 in. (189 mm x 138 mm) plate size; 7 3/4 in. x 5 5/8 in. (196 mm x 144 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D30898

Artistsback to top

John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist associated with 1180 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
Unknown artist, Artist. Artist associated with 6556 portraits.

Sittersback to top

Thomas Ken (1637-1711), Bishop of Bath and Wells. Sitter in 20 portraits.
John Lake (1624-1689), Bishop of Chichester. Sitter in 13 portraits.
William Lloyd (1627-1717), Bishop of Worcester. Sitter in 19 portraits.
William Sancroft (1617-1693), Archbishop of Canterbury. Sitter in 29 portraits.
Sir Jonathan Trelawny, 3rd Bt (1650-1721), Bishop of Winchester. Sitter associated with 15 portraits.
Francis Turner (1638?-1700), Bishop of Ely. Sitter in 14 portraits.
Thomas White (1628-1698), Bishop of Peterborough. Sitter in 13 portraits.

Related worksback to top

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

Portrait setback to top

Fleming Collection: Fleming's Granger (volume 6)

Subjects & Themesback to top

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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