"William the Conqueror" (1028-1087), Engraving Circa 1640

"William the Conqueror" (1028-1087)
William Faithorne (c.1620-1691) after Renold Elstracke (1570–c.1625)
Engraving
Published by Sir Robert Peake circa 1640
On paper
Plate: 11.1 cm high x 8.3 cm wide (approx.)
Sheet: 28.1 cm high x 22.3 cm wide (approx.)

Lettered beneath the image "Wilhelmus Conquestor Rex Angliæ Dux Norman  etc" with the publication line "Sould by Robt Peake".

Originally engraved by William Faithorne and sold by Robert Peake as one of a series of portrait busts of twenty-four English monarchs from the reign of William I to Charles I,  plus five additional royal persons. Faithorne has based the portrait of William I on an imagined portrait of the king by Renold Elstracke, published around 1618.

The series was originally engraved two-to-a-plate, before each plate was divided. In its first state this plate was sited alongside the title image, with the badge of St George slaying the dragon, topped by a crown above the cross of St George, edged by a wreath with roundels stating the date of accession for each monarch.

A very good impression of a scarce print in a rare state. Printed on a whole sheet with very wide margins. For an impression before the plate with two images was divided see NPG D22799 and for ones without the additional publication line see NPG D23606 and BM 1841,1211.45. For a seperate impression of the badge of St George with the accession dates see NPG D42356.

Bibliographic References:
Fagan 1888 / A Descriptive Catalogue of the engraved works of William Faithorne (p. 3)