William Penn & James II
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
William Penn & James II
William Penn with James II.
1681
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14281966
© Mary Evans Picture Library
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this intriguing image from 1681, we find William Penn, the renowned Quaker leader and founder of Pennsylvania, in the company of King James II of England. The setting is the grandiose court of King James, with its opulent furnishings and ornate decorations, a stark contrast to Penn's simple Quaker beliefs. William Penn, dressed in a plain black coat and hat, stands respectfully before King James II, who is seated on a sumptuously upholstered chair, his regal robes adorned with gold and ermine. A spaniel, a popular companion animal of the time, lies at the king's feet. The meeting between these two men was a significant event in British history. Penn had been granted a charter by King Charles II in 1681 to establish a Quaker colony in America, which came to be known as Pennsylvania. However, the new king, James II, was a Catholic and a supporter of the Church of England. He was not sympathetic to the Quaker faith and had a reputation for persecuting its followers in England. Despite this, Penn was able to secure a royal audience with James II to discuss the affairs of his colony. The meeting was successful, and Penn was able to persuade the king to grant him further privileges for the settlement. This image captures a moment in time when the religious and political tensions of the era were on full display, with Penn representing the principles of religious freedom and tolerance, and King James II, the embodiment of the established Church and monarchy. This photograph, taken from the Mary Evans Picture Library, provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, offering a unique perspective on the complex relationship between religion, politics, and power during the late 17th century in Britain.
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