Old woman cooking eggs, by Diego Velazquez (1618).
Robert Nobbes, The compleat troller : or, The art of trolling, with a description of all the utensils, instruments, tackling, and materials requisite thereto : with rules and directions how to use them : as also a brief account of most of the principal rivers in England (1682)
Isaac Newton (1642–1727)
By Godfrey Kneller (after)
An immensely influential mathematical scientist, in one year (1665-6), when driven from Cambridge by plague, Newton formulated a series of important theories concerning light, colour, calculus and the ‘universal law of gravitation’. According to tradition, he developed the latter theory after seeing an apple fall from a tree. He published Principia (1687) and the Opticks (1704), and was knighted in 1705. Newton was President of the Royal Society from 1703 until his death.
James Scott (1649–1685), Duke of Monmouth, in Garter Robes
Son of Charles II and Lucy Walter
by Peter Lely (after)
Gamesboard that once belonged to James I and Charles I of England
Amber Gamesboard, believed to be the work of the celebrated ‘master of royal chess-sets’ Georg Schreiber, the board features a chess and Nine Men’s Morris boards on the outside, with a backgammon board inside.
Charles II delftware plate, 1661, from a recent visit to Birmingham museum. Read more at my blog: The Early Modern World
This day came in His Majesty to London, after a sad and long exile and calamitous suffering both of The King and Church, being seventeen years. This was also his birthday, and with a triumph of above twenty-thousand horse and foot, brandishing their swords, and shouting with inexpressible joy; the ways strewn with flowers, the bells ringing, the streets hung with tapestry, fountains running with wine; the Mayor, Aldermen, and all the companies in their liveries, chains of gold, and banners, Lords and Nobles, clad in cloth of silver, and gold, and velvet; the windows and balconies, all set with ladies, trumpets, music, and myriads of people flocking, even so far as from Rochester, so as they were seven hours in passing the City, even from two in the afternoon till nine at night.
I stood in the Strand and beheld it, and blessed God.
And all this was done without one drop of blood shed, and by that very army which had rebelled against him. But it was the Lord’s doing, for such a restoration was never mentioned in any history, ancient or modern, since the return of the Jews from their Babylonish captivity; nor so joyful a day and so bright ever seen in this nation.
I stood in the Strand and beheld it, and blessed God.
And all this was done without one drop of blood shed, and by that very army which had rebelled against him. But it was the Lord’s doing, for such a restoration was never mentioned in any history, ancient or modern, since the return of the Jews from their Babylonish captivity; nor so joyful a day and so bright ever seen in this nation.
“
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From the Diary of John Evelyn, 29th May 1660 (HT Liturgiae Causa) |
A Dwarf (probably Richard Gibson, 1615–1690)
By Peter Lely (after)
This portrait is thought to show Richard Gibson (1615–1690), a celebrated artist and miniaturist. Gibson’s birthplace is uncertain, but he was first employed as a page to ‘a Lady at Mortlack’ (or Mortlake) who noticed his talent for drawing and apprenticed him to Francis Cleyn (c.1582–1658) at Mortlake tapestry works. His future wife, Ann Sheppard (married 14 February 1641) was also in this household. Both Gibson and his wife were of short stature. Gibson’s height was 3 feet 10 inches (117cm).
Gibson moved in exalted circles and became wealthy and eminent, signing his paintings ‘RG’ and ‘DG’ (Dwarf Gibson). He was associated with the courts of Charles I, Charles II and James II, who appointed him drawing master to his daughters, Mary and Anne.
