Lot Essay
Prince Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria (1619-1682), was the third son of 'The Winter Queen', Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia and sister of Charles I. Having served in the Life Guards under the Prince of Orange during the invasion of Brabant in 1635, he came to England and was received with great favour by his uncle, being appointed General of the Horse at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642. His untiring activity was of the greatest value to the King, both in his capacity as a brilliant strategist and in raising troops and money, but the quarrels that afflicted the Royalist command led to his dismissal after the unsuccessful defence of Bristol in 1645. He fought for the Royalist cause as an Admiral during the Interregnum and twice commanded fleets against the Dutch under Charles II, notably at the Battle of Texel in 1673.