Prince Rupert and his dog Boy

 

Here Rupert is portrayed as the infamous ‘Prince Robber’. In the background are Daventry and Birmingham, two of the many towns that fell to him in early 1643. Boy, a rare white poodle, came to him as a gift while he was held captive for three years by the Hapsburg Emperor Ferdinand after the battle of Vlotho in 1638.  The dog was his constant companion until its death at the battle of Marston Moor in July of 1644.