Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
16 3/4 in. x 9 1/2 in. (425 mm x 240 mm)
acquired unknown source, 1868
Reference Collection
NPG D17886

Sitterback to top

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield (1664-1718), Wife of Henry Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield; daughter of Charles II by the Duchess of Cleveland. Sitter in 8 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 D11561: Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield (from same plate)
NPG D37366: Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield (from same plate)
NPG D37367: Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield (from same plate)

Placesback to top

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

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1685back to top

Current affairs

Charles II dies, his heir, Catholic brother, James II, succeeds to the throne. Despite deep distrust by many Protestants, he initially experiences unexpected popularity.
James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, leads the Monmouth Rebellion ambitious to seize the throne. Following his defeat at Sedgemoor, Monmouth is executed at Tower Hill.

Art and science

Opera Universa, by physician Thomas Sydenham, considered the father of English medicine, is published in London.
Organist, Henry Purcell composes, My heart is inditing, for the coronation of James II and his queen, Mary of Modena.
Writer on dentistry, Charles Allen publishes the earliest known English book on dentistry.

International

The Edict of Fontainebleau is issued by Louis XIV revoking the Edict of Nantes which gave Huguenots a right to practice their religion, free from persecution. Although Huguenots had steadily left France since the Dragonnades in 1681, this edict essentially ended official religious toleration in France.

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