Elizabeth Claypole, in profile to left, in black dress with white underdress, pearl necklace and gold bracelet, her dark brown hair dressed in curls, cloud and sky background

Elizabeth Claypole, née Cromwell (1629-1658), second and favourite daughter of Oliver Cromwell; married in 1646 John Claypole (died 1688), Parliamentarian who was made Master of the Horse to the Protector.
Elizabeth is believed to have interceded for Royalist prisoners and it was said 'How many did she not save from death whom the laws had condemned ?'.

Cooper painted several portraits of Mrs Claypole and this version is taken after the generally accepted key portrait of the sitter, the signed miniature by Samuel Cooper in the Buccleuch Collection (ill. J. J. Foster, Samuel Cooper, London, 1914-16, pl. XXXI).