Biography of George Gower 1540-1596

George Gower 1540-1596 is in Painters.

Around 1540 George Gower was born.

In 1573 George Gower (age 33). Portrait of Elizabeth Lyttelton (age 25).

Elizabeth Lyttelton: Around 1548 she was born to John Lyttelton of Frankley and Bridget Packington at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map]. In 1563 Francis Willoughby and she were married. They were half fifth cousin once removed. In 1594 Elizabeth Lyttelton died.

Around 1574 George Gower (age 34). Portrait of Elizabeth Cornwallis (age 33).

Elizabeth Cornwallis: In 1541 she was born to Thomas Cornwallis and Anne Jerningham. Before 7th May 1567 Thomas Kitson and she were married. He the son of Thomas Kitson and Margaret Donnington Countess Bath. On 28th April 1581 the marriage of William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath and Mary Cornwallis Countess Bath was annulled. A letter of Sir Thomas Cornwallis, dat. Brome, 10 June 1601, states "By deposition of 10 witnesses, it was most manifestly proved in the Arches, that the marriage was lawfully, clearly, and honestly compassed," that the Earl's mother "did by great means attempt to corrupt the then Judge of that Court... but not prevailing that way, all course of law was then broken, for they appealed to the Delegates, slne gravamlne... who thereupon proceeded in so violent a course as the like hath not been heard of.... Her adversaries effected the end of their desire; and yet the Commissioners' Sentence was with this corrective, viz. leaving the Earl to his own conscience." (Hist. MSS. Com., Hatfield MSS., Part xi, p. 223). This Mary was a legatee, 25 June 1601, in the will of Sir Thomas Kitson, her sister's husband, who mentions her said marriage, and that it afterwards proved most unfortunate and to her great hindrance. W. Lewyn, also, speaks of this Earl as having "made an untimely marriage by night with the da. of Sir Thomas Cornwallys, which was undone and the Earl since married to another, the da. (as I think) of the late Earl of Bedford." (Letter to Lord Cobham, 29 May 1596). V.G. In 1628 Elizabeth Cornwallis died.

Around 1574 George Gower (age 34). Portrait of Charles Somerset. Armorial top left quarterly 1&4 Beaufort Arms with a yellow band top and bottom 2 Herbert Arms 3 Woodville Arms. The attribution here possibly incorrect since Charles Somerset was born in 1587 ie before the 1574 date when painted. A possible subject is William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester (age 48) who has the same armoiral in another

Charles Somerset: he was appointed Knight of the Bath. In 1587 he was born to Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester. In 1665 Charles Somerset died.

Around 1575 George Gower (age 35). Portrait of Philip Howard 13th or 20th Earl of Arundel (age 17).

                    Around 1577 George Gower (age 37). Portrait of Richard Drake (age 42). The heraldic escutcheon shows seven quarters as follows:
                
                    1: Drake of Ash Arms. Drake of Ash in the parish of Musbury, Devon.
                
                    2: Argent, on a chief gules three cinquefoils of the first; Billet of Ash.
                
                    3: Gules, on a fess argent two mullets sable; Hamton of Rockbere and Ash.
                
                    4: Ermine, on a chief indented sable three crosslets fitchee or; Orwey of Orwey and Ash.
                
                    5: Barry of seven argent and sable.
                
                    6: Azure, six lions rampant argent crowned Gules, 3, 2, 1; Forde of Forde.
                
                    7: Argent, two chevrons sable (Esse/Ash of Ash); Esse or Ash of Ash.

All About History Books

The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

In 1579 George Gower (age 39). The Plimton Sieve Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 45).

In 1579 George Gower (age 39). Self-Portrait.

In 1581 George Gower (age 41) was appointed Serjeant to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 47).

Around 1582 George Gower (age 42). Portrait of Mary Cornwallis Countess Bath.

Mary Cornwallis Countess Bath: she was born to Thomas Cornwallis and Anne Jerningham. On 15th December 1578 William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath and she were married. The marriage, apparently, taking place secretly at night. She by marriage Countess Bath. In 1627 Mary Cornwallis Countess Bath died.

Before 1596 George Gower (age 55). Portrait of Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester (age 52) with the Knollys Arms with Elephant Crest on her right.

Before 1596 George Gower (age 55). Portrait of Elizabeth Knollys (age 46) with Elephant Crest the Knollys Arms on her right.

Elizabeth Knollys: Thomas Leighton and she were married. They were fifth cousin once removed. On 15th June 1549 she was born to Francis Knollys and Catherine Carey. Around 1605 Elizabeth Knollys died.

In 1596 George Gower (age 56) died.