King Alfred ('The Great')
4 of 13 portraits of King Alfred ('The Great')
© National Portrait Gallery, London
King Alfred ('The Great')
by John Faber Sr
mezzotint, 1712
10 1/4 in. x 7 3/4 in. (259 mm x 198 mm) plate size; 11 3/8 in. x 9 1/8 in. (290 mm x 232 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D9257
Sitterback to top
- King Alfred ('The Great') (849-899), King of the West Saxons. Sitter associated with 13 portraits.
Artistback to top
- John Faber Sr (circa 1660-1721), Draughtsman and engraver. Artist or producer associated with 195 portraits.
Events of 1712back to top
Current affairs
Whig MP, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford is found guilty by Parliament of 'a high breach of trust and notorious corruption', over reserving army forage contracts for banker, Robert Mann, and imprisoned in the Tower. Walpole would later become the first British Prime Minister in all but name in 1721.Art and science
Mock epic poem, The Rape of the Lock, by satirical poet Alexander Pope is first published.Ironmonger Thomas Newcomen demonstrates his invention of the atmospheric steam engine in London.
Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery, commissions a mechanical solar system model from mechanic John Rowley who names it an orrery.
International
Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford and John Robinson, bishop of Bristol, are appointed plenipotentiaries to the Utrecht peace congress. Foundations for peace between Britain and France, were based on preliminary agreements previously negotiated in London and Paris, the details of which were unbeknownst to the plenipotentiaries or Britain's allies.Comments back to top
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