Gallery

Historical portraits of direct ancestors of the Mercer hop growers, with potted artistic summaries where known.

Sir Thomas Temple, 1st Baronet of Stowe (1566-1637)

Ancestor: Sir Thomas Temple, 1st Baronet of Stowe (1566-1637)

Hester Sandys, Lady Temple (1569-1656)

Ancestor: Hester Sandys, Lady Temple (1569-1656)

Sir Edward Grimston (c1529-1610)

Ancestor: Sir Edward Grimston (c1529-1610)

Sir Richard Southwell PC (1502-1564)

Ancestor: Sir Richard Southwell JP MP PC (1502-1564)

Date: c1536

Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger (c1497-1543)

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Edward Grimston (d. 1478)

​Ancestor: Edward Grimston (d. 1478)

Date: c1446

Artist: Petrus Christus (Dutch, c1410-c1475)

Edward was a diplomat and ambassador for the court of Henry VI, and sat for this portrait during his time in the Netherlands during about 1445-1446. 

It is one of the earliest two signed and dated works by Christus. 

Two shields bearing the Grimston coat of arms can be seen behind the sitter, who is holding a Lancastrian chain.  

This portrait is notable for Christus' use of an oculus window to create a well-lit and clearly defined interior, departing from the dark backgrounds of Northern Renaissance portraits typified by van Eyck and van der Weyden.
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The portrait is still owned by a direct descendant, John Grimston, 7th Earl of Verulam (1951). It is held on loan by the National Gallery as part of the Earl of Verulam Collection. 

Last updated 21 October 2024