Family of Henry VIII: An Allegory of the Tudor Succession


In this painting, attributed to Lucas de Heere and presented by the Queen to her advisor, Sir Francis Walsingham, in the early 1570s, the figures of Peace and Plenty escort Elizabeth into the regal presence of her forebears: from left to right, the puissant Henry, his pious son Edward VI upholding the sword of faith, and the zealous Mary I on the left, who is shown chained to King Philip II of Spain, and bringing with her War.