Charles I with Sir Edward Walker

 

 

This painting by an unknown artist portrays a military scene: in his breastplate and buff coat, helmet behind him, King Charles appears to be dictating a message to Sir Edward Walker (1611/12-77). Many details of the Royalist campaign in The Licence of War are drawn from Walker’s admittedly biased pro-Royalist work, His Majesty’s Happy Progress and Success from the 30th of March to the 23rd of November, 1644. He was appointed Secretary General to the Council of War in 1642, and Clerk Extraordinary of the Privy Council in 1644. He followed Charles II into exile, and gained that king’s grateful favour for his loyalty after the Restoration. Two years before his death, he bought New Place, the house that Shakespeare had built for himself.