Lot 98: Attributed John Souch of Chester (Chester circa 1593-1645)

Portrait of Lord and Lady Poulett of Hinton Saint George , full length, she wearing a red dress with a white lace collar, he wearing a grey doublet emroidered with gold, a sword at his side
oil on canvas
197 x 160 cm. (79 x 64 in.)

John Poulett (c. 1585-1645) was the son of Sir Anthony Poulett and Catherine Norrys. He was educated at University College, Oxford and The Middle Temple. He was M.P. for Somerset (1610-11 and 1614) and for Lyme Regis (1621-22). After being raised to the peerage in 1627 by Charles I, he supported the King in the Civil War, during which he conducted the siege of Lyme Regis. On the surrender of Exeter in 1646 he was captured and brought to London, where he was later allowed to live in his house at Chiswick. Elizabeth, Lady Poulett was the daughter of Christopher Kenn. She survived her husband and following his death married John Ashburnham, ancestor of the Earls of Ashburnham.