'The Most Illustrious and Noble Prince George, Duke of Albemarle', 1662

Steel engraving by R Sheppard after D Logan, 1662. Published 1735.

After serving with the Dutch in the 1630s, George Monk (1608-1670) fought for King Charles I in Ireland during the English Civil War, commanding a regiment of foot. He later served in Ireland and Scotland on behalf of Parliament, eventually becoming Commander in Chief of the Parliamentary Army in Scotland.

When Oliver Cromwell the Lord Protector, died in 1652, Monk was considered as a possible successor. Although he refused to accept supreme power, Monk retained control of the Army which he had brought south to London, and was thus able to use his influence for the restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660. After the Restoration, Charles II raised Monk to the peerage as Duke of Albemarle and he became Captain General, of the King's forces confirmed by a patent for life.

In this print Monk is wearing armour and holds a baton, a symbol of military authority.