Lot Essay
The sitter was the eldest daughter of Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609-1674) by his second wife, Frances, daughter of Sir Thomas Aylesbury, one of the masters of requests. Her father was one of the crown's chief ministers, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1643 under King Charles I, and Lord Chancellor under King Charles II, before his fall from power in 1667. The author of the famous History of the Rebellion, he was described by Walpole 'in his double capacity as statesman and historian, that he acted for liberty, but wrote for prerogative.'
Born at her grandfather's house, Cranbourne Lodge, in Windsor Park, Anne Hyde accompanied her family to Antwerp during the Commonwealth. In 1654 she was appointed a maid of honour to the Princess of Orange, Amalia van Solms (1602-1675) (see lot 91), becoming conspicuous in the court's gaieties. In 1656 she accompanied the Princess to Paris, and there met the Duke of York for the first time. What impression she made on him is unknown, but when they next met, in 1659, he became engaged to her.
The Restoration of 1660 greatly altered her position. The Duke of York informed his brother, the King, of the engagement. King Charles turned to Clarendon, her father for advice, who 'struck to the heart' at the news, proposed to send his daughter to the Tower and personally to propose an Act of Parliament for cutting off her head. However the King was not so set against the marriage, declaring that 'his daughter was a woman of great parts' who would take good advice from her father and exert a good influence on her husband. Certainly her influence over York was strong - Pepys remarked waspishly that 'the Duke of York, in all things but in his amours, was led by the nose by his wife'. However her court was thought by many contemporaries to be more select, although smaller, than that of the Queen. Nonetheless, she was not popular, being thought by many to be too proud for a parvenue, to be extravagant, and even to be too fond of eating - in all probably none too different from her critics in Restoration England. She was, for any faults, a lady of extraordinary ability, gifted with discretion and tact, and a grandeur of spirit. She patronised Lely often, and there are several portraits of her by him, including at the National Portrait Gallery and in the Royal Collection.
Born at her grandfather's house, Cranbourne Lodge, in Windsor Park, Anne Hyde accompanied her family to Antwerp during the Commonwealth. In 1654 she was appointed a maid of honour to the Princess of Orange, Amalia van Solms (1602-1675) (see lot 91), becoming conspicuous in the court's gaieties. In 1656 she accompanied the Princess to Paris, and there met the Duke of York for the first time. What impression she made on him is unknown, but when they next met, in 1659, he became engaged to her.
The Restoration of 1660 greatly altered her position. The Duke of York informed his brother, the King, of the engagement. King Charles turned to Clarendon, her father for advice, who 'struck to the heart' at the news, proposed to send his daughter to the Tower and personally to propose an Act of Parliament for cutting off her head. However the King was not so set against the marriage, declaring that 'his daughter was a woman of great parts' who would take good advice from her father and exert a good influence on her husband. Certainly her influence over York was strong - Pepys remarked waspishly that 'the Duke of York, in all things but in his amours, was led by the nose by his wife'. However her court was thought by many contemporaries to be more select, although smaller, than that of the Queen. Nonetheless, she was not popular, being thought by many to be too proud for a parvenue, to be extravagant, and even to be too fond of eating - in all probably none too different from her critics in Restoration England. She was, for any faults, a lady of extraordinary ability, gifted with discretion and tact, and a grandeur of spirit. She patronised Lely often, and there are several portraits of her by him, including at the National Portrait Gallery and in the Royal Collection.