Biography of John Riley 1646-1691

John Riley is in Painters.

In 1646 John Riley was born to [his father] William Riley.

Around 1661 John Riley (age 15) studied under Gilbert Soest (age 56) from whom he learned a style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy.

Before 29th January 1663. John Riley (age 17). Portrait of Bishop Robert Sanderson (age 75).

Before 25th July 1667, the date he was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map], [his father] William Riley died.

Around 1670. John Riley (age 24). Portrait of James Scott 1st Duke Monmouth 1st Duke Buccleuch (age 20).

Around 1680 John Riley (age 34) was assisted by John Closterman (age 20) who finished several of Riley's pictures after his death.

Before 16th May 1680. John Riley (age 34) and John Closterman (age 20). Portrait of William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 59).

In 1681 John Closterman (age 21) travelled to England where he worked for John Riley (age 35) being resposible for painting the draperies in Riley's portraits.

William of Worcester's Chronicle of England

William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.

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In 1682. John Riley (age 36). Portrait of Mary Morice Lady Carew (age 11).

Mary Morice Lady Carew: In or before 1671 she was born to William Morice 1st Baronet and Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice. On 5th July 1681 John Carew 3rd Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Carew of Antony in Cornwall. The difference in their ages was 35 years. Around June 1698 Mary Morice Lady Carew died.

Around 1682. John Riley (age 36). Portrait of Elias Ashmole (age 64).

Before 21st July 1683. John Riley (age 37). Portrait of William Russell (age 43).

Before 1685. John Riley (age 38). Portrait of Harbottle Grimston 2nd Baronet (age 81).

Before 1685. John Riley (age 38). Portrait of Francis North 1st Baron Guildford (age 47).

Around 1685. John Riley (age 39). Portrait of Alice Sherard Baroness Brownlow (age 26).

Around 1685. John Riley (age 39). Believed to be a portrait of Frances Windebank (age 39) wife of Edward Hales 3rd Baronet (age 40).

Frances Windebank: In 1646 she was born to Francis Windebank. On 12th July 1669 Edward Hales 3rd Baronet and she were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. In 1693 she died.

Around 1685 John Closterman (age 25) and John Riley (age 39). Portrait of William Brownlow 4th Baronet (age 19).

Deeds of King Henry V

Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.

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Around 1685 John Closterman (age 25) and John Riley (age 39). Portrait of Dorothy Mason Baroness Brownlow (age 18).

Around 1685 John Closterman (age 25) and John Riley (age 39). Portrait of John Brownlow 3rd Baronet (age 25).

Around 1685. John Riley (age 39). Portrait of Charles Fanshawe 4th Viscount Fanshawe (age 42).

Charles Fanshawe 4th Viscount Fanshawe: In 1643 he was born to Thomas Fanshawe 1st Viscount Fanshawe and Elizabeth Cockayne Viscountess Fanshawe. On 18th October 1687 Evelyn Fanshawe 3rd Viscount Fanshawe died in . He was buried at Ware, Hertfordshire [Map]. His uncle Charles succeeded 4th Viscount Fanshawe. In 1710 Charles Fanshawe 4th Viscount Fanshawe died. His brother Simon succeeded 5th Viscount Fanshawe.

Before 16th April 1685. John Riley (age 39). Portrait of Thomas Otway (deceased).

In 1687. John Riley (age 41). Portrait of Elias Ashmole (age 69).

Around 1687. John Riley (age 41). Portrait of Edmund Waller (age 80).

Around 1687. John Riley (age 41). Portrait of Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 45).

In 1689. John Riley (age 43). Portrait of Robert Boyle (age 62).

In 1689 John Riley (age 43) was appointed Principal In Ordinary jointly with Godfrey Kneller (age 42).

Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall

The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.

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Before 1690. John Riley (age 43). Portrait of Mary Lake (age 21). Frequently described as 'Mary Lake Duchess of Chandos' Mary died two years before her husband James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos (age 16) was created Duke on 19th October 1714.

Mary Lake: On 18th July 1668 she was born to Thomas Lake and Rebecca Langham. On 2nd February 1695 James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos and she were married. On 15th September 1712 Mary Lake died. She was buried at Chandos Mausoleum Church of St Lawrence Whitchurch Lane Little Stanmore.

Around 1690. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Barbara Belasyse.

Barbara Belasyse: she was born to Henry Belasyse and Grace Barton. Before 23rd January 1671 Walter Strickland and she were married. On 12th September 1708 Barbara Belasyse died.

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Orlando Bridgeman 1st Baronet.

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of John Carew 3rd Baronet (age 55).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 52).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Catherine Vernon (age 27).

Catherine Vernon: Around 1663 she was born to Thomas Vernon and Anne Weston. In or after 1682 George Vernon and she were married. The difference in their ages was 28 years. They were fourth cousin once removed. On 21st October 1710 Catherine Vernon died.

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Josiah Child (age 59).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Alice Sherard Baroness Brownlow (age 31).

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of John Dryden (age 59).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Henry St John 1st Viscount St John (age 38).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of John Sherard 1st Baronet (age 28).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Elizabeth Sherard (age 11).

Elizabeth Sherard: In 1679 she was born to Bennet Sherard 2nd Baron Sherard. Before 1688 Edward Ingram 2nd Viscount Irvine and she were married. On 27th May 1696 John Noel and she were married. In 1747 Elizabeth Sherard died.

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Thomas Vernon (age 59).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Anne Morice Lady Pole (age 37).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Anne Weston (age 50).

Anne Weston: In 1640 she was born to Henry Weston MP. On 13th December 1660 Thomas Vernon and she were married. The had six sons and nine daughters. On 24th February 1702 she died.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

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Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Bishop Nathaniel Crew 3rd Baron Crew (age 57).

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of John Crewe of Utkinton (age 49).

In March 1691 John Riley (age 45) died of gout. He was buried in St Botolph's without Bishopgate.

After March 1691 John Closterman (age 31) completed a number of unfinished works of John Riley (deceased) bringing him to the attention of Charles Seymour 6th Duke of Somerset (age 28) who then commissioned him to complete a number of paintings.