Lot 161: Attributed to James Sharples (British, circa 1750-1811), or Ellen Wallace Sharples (British, 1769-1849) Captain William Thomas Eardley-Twisleton-Fiennes, 16th Baron Saye and Sele (1798–1847), standing three-quarter length, wearing blue trousers with

Captain William Thomas Eardley-Twisleton-Fiennes, 16th Baron Saye and Sele (1798–1847), standing three-quarter length, wearing blue trousers with silver stripes and loose braid, blue hussars jacket with silver lace, white cuffs and standing collar, red and blue waist-belt, white chemise, black stock and tie, his blue hat with gold and silver braiding, silver star, red and white plumes, held in his left hand.
Pastel on paper, gilded wood frame, inscribed on the reverse William Thomas Eardley Twisleton Fiennes/ Twelfth Lord Saye and Sele/ born April 21. 1798/ died March 31. 1847/ presented to the Revd C F Wyatt/ by Frederick Lord Saye and Sele 1853/ a Token of sincere regards/ Captain in the Bloxham and Banbury Yeomanry/ which was raised about 1798 disbanded in 1831./ Lieut 2υnd June 1818 - Captain in 1825.
Rectangular, 240mm (9 7/16in) high

William was the son of Gregory William Eardley-Twisleton-Fiennes, 15th Baron Saye and Sele (1769-1844) and the Hon. Maria Marowe Eardley. He succeeded his father as 16th Baron in 1844. His close friends included the Prince Regent, Lord Byron and the Count d'Orsay. William indulged himself beyond his means, which led to the dilapidation of the family seat, Broughton Hall and the sale of its contents in order to settle his debts.

Count Gronow in his 'Reminiscences and Recollections', remembers a typical response from William to a servant's enquiry as he headed out for dinner, 'Place two bottles of sherry by my bedside and call me the day after tomorrow'. He is said to have drunk absinthe and caracao in great measures; excesses that eventually caught up with him. The fast living 16th Baron survived his father by only three years and died at the aged 48, unmarried and without issue.

William's first cousin, Rev. Frederick Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (1799-1887) who gifted the present lot to Rev. C.F. Wyatt succeeded the baronetcy upon William's death.