A Woman, called the Duchess of Suffolk Frame:gold Richard Perkins (1585

Richard Perkins (1585

Birds nesting in the dovecote may have been kept for their flesh and eggs

A signature

grasped by the Infant Jesus' chubby fingers

1908 (photograph Witt Library)

A Woman, called the Duchess of Suffolk Frame:gold Richard Perkins (1585The sitter is identified in the Cartwright inventory as 'ye Duchiss of Suffouck'. This has been taken to refer to Frances Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk (1517 59), the mother of Lady Jane Grey. However, the costume appears to date from after Frances Brandon's death. Jeffree suggests that she may be Catherine Willoughby de Eresby (1519 80), fourth wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.