Henry VII With Empson and Dudley

DESCRIPTION: This 19th-century engraving titled "Henry VII with Empson and Dudley" was created after a drawing by the celebrated English painter and illustrator Robert Smirke. The scene depicts King Henry VII of England seated at a table with his two most notorious financial advisors and tax collectors, Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley, highly influential members of the "Council Learned in the Law" during the latter part of Henry's reign. They were widely hated by the English nobility and public for their ruthless efficiency in extracting financial penalties, enforcing bonds, and collecting taxes to fill the royal treasury. Immediately following Henry VII's death in 1509, his son and successor, Henry VIII, sought to gain popularity by arresting both advisors. They were charged with constructive treason and subsequently executed on Tower Hill in 1510. The illustration originally served to accompany historical volumes detailing this era of British royal history. STYLE: Engraving COLOUR: Monochrome SIZE (cm): 15 x 23 CREATORS: A H Payne after Robt Smirke PUBLICATION: The National and Domestic History of England PUBLISHER: London: J Hagger DATE: C19 COMMENTS: Excellent condition with some patina from its antiquity SUBJECT: People;Royals PACKAGE: Single one-sided sheet in acid-free mount, flat & unfolded inside hard-backed envelope. Royal Mail Tracked 24 included. Note: Images are provided for illustration purposes only and are intended to show the complete printed product, including any imperfections of age that may be present. Frames or props shown in the images are for display purposes only and are not included with your purchase.