Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D1472

Sitterback to top

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (1640-1709), Mistress of Charles II. Sitter in 35 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Isaac Beckett (1652 or 1653-1688), Engraver. Artist associated with 184 portraits.
Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1686 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D11617: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
NPG D1473: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
NPG D1474: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
NPG D20042: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)
NPG D30496: Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland (from same plate)

Portrait setback to top

Macdonnell Collection

Subject/Themeback to top

Mezzotint

Events of 1681back to top

Current affairs

Third Exclusion Parliament meets in Oxford avoiding disruption in Whig-dominated London. Charles II refuses Exclusionists's proposal that James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, his illegitimate son with Lucy Walter, should succeed to the throne, replacing James, Duke of York.
Prominent Exclusionist, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, is arrested on suspicion of high treason.

Art and science

Natural philosopher, Samuel Morland is appointed 'Master of Mechanicks' to the king having transformed Windsor Castle's water system.
Architect, Christopher Wren, is commissioned to design the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
Poet laureate, John Dryden, writes political satire Absalom and Achitophel, focusing upon the trial of Anthony Ashley-Cooper.

International

King of France, Louis XIV, concerned by England's instability over the exclusion crisis, offers Charles II a subsidy, bolstering the king in his dealings with Parliament. In return, England agrees to withdraw from entering an anti-French alliance with Spain; Laurence Hyde, Lord of the Treasury, signs the accord with France.

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