An Unknown Gentleman, called Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (1545–1567), but possibly John Astley (c.1507 - 1596)
Anglo-Flemish School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1550
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
965 x 724 mm (38 x 28 ½ in)
Order this imageCollection
Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
NT 1276871
Caption
This picture has traditionally been identified as Lord Darnley, who married Mary Queen of Scots in 1565 and was strangled in 1567, but this seems unlikely. It seems probable that the sitter is instead John Astley, Master of the Jewel House. Another portrait of him, painted some twenty years later, also hangs at Seaton Delaval. The sitter also bears many similarities to another identified portrait of him, which is now in a private collection. Although the picture is inscribed with a date of 1576, it seems more likely that it was painted in the 1550s. John Astley was made Master of the Jewel Office in 1558. The office carried many financial benefits, including apartments in each of the Royal Palaces. He was not always in favour, spending time in the Tower of London, but managed to reinstate himself at court.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, An Unknown Gentleman, called Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, (1545–1567) but possibly John Astley, Anglo-Flemish School, a later inscription, top right, in the cartouche: 1576. A three-quarter-length portrait, standing, in a black doublet and white ruff, beside a table, a Savonarola chair behind him to the left.
Full description
Son of Thomas Astley (d. in or after 1514), of Hill Morton and Melton Constable and his second wife, Anne Boughton (d. in or after 1508), sister-in-law of Sir James Boleyn. He married firstly, Katherine Champernowne in 1545 (d.1565), who bore him no issue, and secondly, Margaret Lenton (d. in or after 1596), illegitimate daughter of Lord Thomas Grey, who bore him three sons and three daughters. It seems probable that he first went to court when he was twelve, an introduction almost certainly engineered by his family, given that his mother’s sister was Anne Boleyn’s aunt. In 1543 he was made Gentleman Waiter to Prince Edward, and in the early years of Edward VI’s reign he became a close friend of Princess Elizabeth, and was a leading member of her household. However, Astley is perhaps best-known for his dismissal by the Privy Council from Elizabeth’s service in January 1549, followed by a spell in the Tower of London, for his and his wife’s actions concerning the efforts of the Lord Admiral, Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley, to marry Elizabeth. He and his wife were soon reinstated, although he may have spent 1553-4 travelling in Italy, but had returned to England in 1555. His wife was dismissed for a second time in 1556. When Elizabeth acceded to the throne, the Astleys were reinstated: Katherine, was created Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber, and in 1558 Astley became Master of the Jewel House and Treasurer of the Queen’s jewels and plate. The office carried many financial benefits, including a poundage of 5% on all gifts to the crown in coin, the appointment of goldsmiths and jewellers, free victuals, and a suite of apartments in each Palace. However, being held responsible for any unaccounted losses, the post could also lead to financial ruin. In 1561 he entertained the Court at Enfeld during a hunt, and in 1564 when the Queen visited Cambridge, the University gave Astley an honorary degree. He sat for various seats, and also sat on a number of committees and in 1576 was appointed to petition the Queen on the question of her marriage. On the death of his wife, Astley spent more time in Kent, where he became an authority on horse breeding and riding, and in 1584, he published perhaps his most enduring achievement, The Art of Riding. He chose not to make a politically advantageous second marriage, at which point his court career effectively stalled. In 1569 he had exchanged a reversion to the castle and manor of Alington for a £50 annuity he received as Master of the Jewel House, and in 1584 the reversion fell in. He also acquired an estate at Otterden, which he sold in 1588. He had estates in Dorset, Kent and Middlesex. The latter part of his life was spent among the ranks of Elizabeth’s reliable old servants, favoured with office, but not trusted with power. He died on 1st August 1596 and was buried at All Saints Church near Maidstone Palace, on 5th August. In his will, his widow was to keep the ‘great house’ at Maidstone, and not cut down trees on the estates. He also left 40 nobles to 40 poor people of Maidstone. Traditionally identified as Lord Darnley, who married Mary Queen of Scots in 1565 and was strangled in 1567, but this seems unlikely. ADL: but v possibly of John Astley of the Jewel House, 20 yrs before . The cartouche, top right, is genuine, but the coat of arms (largely come away in cleaning) is a confection. Anthony Mould has suggested a dating of 1550 or earlier.
Provenance
Jacob Astley, 16th Lord Hastings [chattels owned by the Astley family prior to the marriage of Rhoda Delaval and Sir Edward Astley in 1752];
Marks and inscriptions
Top right: in a cartouche: 1576
Makers and roles
Anglo-Flemish School, artist