English School, late 16th century

Probably by descent in the Scrope family to Emanuel Scrope, Earl of Sunderland (1584-1630);
Probably by descent to Mary, his illegitimate daughter who married Charles Paulet, 6th Marquess of Worcester;
Probably Charles Paulet, 10th Marquess of Worcester and 5th Duke of Bolton (1718-1765) his grandson;
Probably Jean Paulet, his illegitimate daughter and his principal heiress, who married Thomas Orde, 1st Baron of Bolton (1740-1807);
Thence by descent in the Bolton family to Richard, 7th Baron Bolton  by whom sold Christie's, London, 7th November 1980, lot 6A when acquired by the father of the present owner, a descendant of the sitters.

STRUCTURE The panel has been cradled. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition, with no apparent damage or loss of paint. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals old retouching to a horizontal panel join running through the upper section of the painting, at the level of the sitter's foreheads. There is some further very minor scattered areas of retouching in the background but otherwise the painting appears to be in fairly good condition. FRAME Held in a gold painted wooden frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact the department.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

According to the inscription on the portrait the sitters are Thomas, 10th Lord Scrope of Bolton Castle and his mother Margaret, daughter of Henry Howard Earl of Suffolk, sister of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk.  The Scropes were an early Norman family whose seat, Bolton Castle, was built in the 14th century by Richard le Scrope.  Thomas, Lord Scrope was the eldest son of Henry, 9th Lord Scrope, a loyal supporter of Elizabeth I.  He helped to keep order along the Scottish borders and at one time housed Mary Queen of Scots in Bolton Castle.  His death in 1592 was lamented by Elizabeth I in a letter dated 15th June where she wrote that "we have great cause to be sorry [at his death] in respect of the honourable service that he has long time done us in that office."  Margaret was Henry Scrope's second wife and died in 1590 aged 47.  Her brother was Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, one of the most significant figures in the early years of Elizabeth I, who was later executed for his involvement in the so-called Ridolphi plot.  Her father Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was the celebrated poet and courtier to Henry VIII. A portrait said to be Catherine Clifford, Lady Scrope, also sold by Lord Bolton in 1980 was subsequently at Sutton Place and with the Weiss Gallery, London.