The Bishops' Council

Identify sitters

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
6 7/8 in. x 5 1/2 in. (176 mm x 140 mm) plate size, small margins
Purchased, 1944
Reference Collection
NPG D11943

Artistsback to top

John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. Artist associated with 1180 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
Unknown artist, Artist. Artist associated with 6553 portraits.

Sittersback to top

Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Aylesford (1647?-1719), Lord Chancellor. Sitter in 11 portraits. Identify
Sir Creswell Levinz (1627-1701), Judge. Sitter in 12 portraits. Identify
Sir Francis Pemberton (1625-1697), Judge. Sitter in 11 portraits. Identify
Sir Henry Pollexfen (1632-1691), Judge and politician. Sitter in 14 portraits. Identify
Sir Robert Sawyer (baptised 1633-1692), Lawyer and Speaker of the House of Commons. Sitter associated with 11 portraits. Identify
John Somers, Baron Somers (1651-1716), Lord Chancellor. Sitter associated with 38 portraits. Identify
Sir George Treby (1644?-1700), Judge. Sitter associated with 12 portraits. Identify

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (London)

Portrait setback to top

John Smith mezzotints, 1683-1729, Vol. III

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.

Tell us more back to top

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