Figures & Portraits · 18th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good with age-related toning. Some minor soiling and creasing, especially around the borders. Right border cut rough. Please study scan carefully.
An engraved portrait of Edward VI, who was King of England and Ireland from 1547 until his death in 1553.
Edward was the son of Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour, and he ascended to the throne at the age of nine. His reign was marked by significant religious changes that pushed England further along the path of Protestant reformation initiated by his father.
The portrait notes that it is based on a drawing in a manuscript book now in the Library of Lambeth, which is likely a reference to the Lambeth Palace Library, the historic library of the Archbishops of Canterbury, which houses a significant collection of religious and historical manuscripts.
Published as the act directs on March 1st, 1797, this engraving would be a part of a later edition of "Harrington's Edition of Rapin's History of England" compared to the previous engravings shared, or possibly a separate but related publication.
Edward's reign saw the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer, the establishment of English as the liturgical language, and the further dissolution of Catholic practices in England. His death at the age of 15 led to a brief succession crisis that resulted in the nine-day reign of Lady Jane Grey, followed by the ascension of his half-sister Mary I.
