Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton

by Jan Verkolje, after Willem Wissing
mezzotint, 1683
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D2494

Sitterback to top

Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton (1667-1723), Daughter of Earl of Arlington; wife of Henry Fitzroy, 1st Duke of Grafton. Sitter in 25 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Jan Verkolje (1650-1693), Painter, draughtsman and mezzotint printmaker. Artist or producer associated with 13 portraits.
Willem Wissing (1656-1687), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 147 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D2464: Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton (from same plate)

Portrait setback to top

Macdonnell Collection

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1683back to top

Current affairs

Rye House Plot, a conspiracy to murder the king and his heir, James, Duke of York, is leaked to the government by minor conspirator, Josiah Keeling. Arrests follow; some conspirators are executed, others pardoned while several flee the country.
Worst ever recorded frost in England freezes the Thames.

Art and science

England's first public museum, the Ashmolean Museum, is opened by Oxford University to house a substantial collection donated by the Antiquary, Elias Ashmole.

International

Financial constraints forces Charles II to decide to relinquish Tangiers, an English possession since 1661, unable to continue its defence against the Moors. Admiral, George Legge, Baron Dartmouth, is commissioned to oversee the port's demolition. Diarist, Samuel Pepys accompanies Dartmouth as his secretary during the expedition.

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