Historical Picture showing Sir John Astley, KG (1408 - 1484) participating in a Tournament in Paris before King Charles VII King of France (1403-1461) on 29th August 1438, and a Tournament at Smithfield before King Henry VI (1421–1471) on 30th January 1442
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1700
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1690 x 1765 mm
Order this imageCollection
Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
NT 1276881
Caption
Sir John Astley was victorious in ‘Combates’ (i.e. jousting competitions) and was awarded the Order of the Garter in the Reign of Edward IV. Astley’s valiant pursuits are also commemorated in a supposed portrait of him, and embroidered on eight chairs and two sofas, all at Seaton Delaval. He was an accomplished knight and an authority on the subject of single combats. In May 1453, the King addressed a letter to Sir John appointing him, with others, as counsel for John Lyalton in his fight with Robert Norreys, which took place at Smithfield, the scene of one of Sir John’s successful fights. At the funeral of Edward IV in 1483, Sir John, with three other knights, bore a ‘riche canape of clothe imperiall fringed with golde and blewe silk.’
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Historical Picture showing Sir John Astley, KG (1408 - 1484) participating in a Tournament in Paris before King Charles VII King of France (1403 - 1461) on 29th August 1438, and a Tournament at Smithfield before King Henry VI (1421 - 1471) on 30th January 1442, British (English) School, circa 1700.
Full description
Son of Sir Thomas Astley, knight, of Nailston, Leicestershire, by Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Harcourt. Elected Knight of the Garter in 1461, along with the Earls of Worcester, and the Lords Hastings, Montagu, and Herbert. An accomplished knight and an authority on the subject of single combats. In May 1453, the King addressed a letter to Sir John appointing him, with others, as counsel for John Lyalton in his fight with Robert Norreys, which took place at Smithfield, the scene of one of Sir John’s successful fights. At the funeral of Edward IV in 1483, Sir John, with three other knights, bore a ‘riche canape of clothe imperiall fringed with golde and blewe silk.’ At Michaelmas 1486, Sir John was alive and drawing his annuity, but by 8th November he had died, and his widow Margery received the balance due to her late husband. In may 1487 a grant for life was made to Dame Margery of £10 per annum for life. (information taken from Harold Arthur, Viscount Dillon, On a MS Collection of Ordinances of Chivalry belonging to Lord Hastings, 1899 – see file) cf. also: the so-called portrait of him in the Ground Floor Passage; the Queen Anne chairs (8) sofas (2) in the Gallery, each embroidered with the story of Sir John Astley, King’s Champion; and there is, or was, a series of panel pictures representing the chief incidents of Sir John’s two famous fights at Patshull Hall, Staffordshire (illus. in Dugdale’s Antiquities of Warwickshire), but probably date some hundred or two hundred years later than the acts they represent.
Provenance
On loan from Lord Hastings Note: this was purchased by the Trust by private treaty in February 2012. Previously LH ......
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist