Thomas Ken
(1637-1711), Bishop of Bath and WellsLater Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 20 portraits
Appointed chaplain to Princess Mary, wife of Prince William of Orange, in 1679. He argued with William and in 1680 he returned to England to become one of King Charles II's chaplains. While in this post he refused to receive Nell Gwyn at Winchester in 1683. He was made Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1685. In 1688 he was one of seven bishops who signed a petition to King James II for him to reconsider his policy of religious tolerance to Catholics; and was briefly imprisoned in the Tower of London. When William and Mary took the throne in 1689, he considered himself bound by his oath of allegiance to James, refused to take the oath to them and was deprived of his office.
The Seven Bishops committed to the Tower in 1688
by George Bower
silver medal, 1688
NPG 152a
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1689
NPG 79
by F. Scheffer
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1710
On display at Lyme Park, Stockport
NPG 1821
after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D30893
after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D30896
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D30897
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D30898
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
by Simon Gribelin, sold by Thomas Jefferys, sold by William Herbert
line engraving, (circa 1688)
NPG D30899
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
possibly published by John Smith, by Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D9284
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
published by R. Palmer, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, (circa 1688)
NPG D9285
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
by Pieter Schenck, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688 or after
NPG D9286
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
by Robert White
line engraving, 1689
NPG D1333
The Seven Bishops committed to the Tower in 1688
by Robert White, published by Thomas Basset, published by Thomas Fox
line engraving, published 1689
NPG D18862
by Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D30892
by George Vertue, after F. Scheffer
line engraving, circa 1713
NPG D30894
by George Vertue, after F. Scheffer
line engraving, circa 1713
NPG D30895
by George Vertue, after F. Scheffer
engraving, circa 1713
NPG D15194
after F. Scheffer
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D30891
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D11942
The Seven Bishops Committed to the Tower in 1688
possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1688
NPG D19922
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.