Portrait of Elizabeth Hart, of Lullingstone Castle, Kent, three-quarter-length, in a black with white dress with brocaded sleeves, wearing an ornate headress

Elizabeth Hart was the sister and heir of Sir John Peche, an important figure in the City of London, who seems to have enjoyed Royal favour and was Constable of Dover, Warden of the Cinque Ports, and Lord Deputy of Calais. The Peche family had originally made their name serving King Edward I in his Scottish campaigns. Eliabeth Hart inherited Lullingstone Castle, which had been bought by her ancestor Sir John Peche in 1361, on the death of her brother. She married Sir John Hart, a barrister of Middle Temple, as her first husband, and their son Sir Percyvall Hart succeeded to Lullingstone. A portrait of her husband which is very similar stylistically was sold in these Rooms on 27 May 1988, lot 99. For further information on the family and Lullingstone see 'Lullingstone Castle, Kent, The Seat of Sir William Hart Dyke, Bt.,' Country Life, CLXXXIV, 1913, pp. 613-619.