Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, 'Protector Somerset' (1506? – 1552)

British (English) School. Oil painting on panel, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, 'Protector Somerset' (1506? – 1552), British (English) School, circa 1600. A head-and-shoulders portrait of a man, turned slightly to the left, gazing at the spectator, short hair, long reddish beard and long drooping moustache, wearing a black cloak, with three tiered gold chain, hint of white lace ruff, and a black cap. The sitter was a soldier and statesman, known as ‘Protector Somerset’, eldest son of Sir John Seymour and brother of Jane Seymour. Successively created Viscount Beauchamp of Hache, 1536, 1st Earl of Hertford in 1537 and Baron Seymour and Duke of Somerset in 1547. He enjoyed high office under his brother-in-law, Henry VIII. He became Protector on the accession of Edward VI in 1547. Though a Protestant, he would not persecute the Roman Catholics and his first Book of Common Prayer was without the violence of the second, imposed after his collapse. Falling between Protestants and Catholics, he roused the violent opposition of the wealthy by his attempt to prevent their enclosure of the commons. He was sent to the Tower of London in 1549 and executed in 1552. Ham House, Surrey (Accredited Museum)