Portrait of Elizabeth Roydon, Lady Golding

Elizabeth Roydon is shown here as the widow of her second husband, Cuthbert Vaughan, who died in 1563 in action in France. She married Sir Thomas Golding of Belchamp St Paul, Essex, the following year. Her maiden arms of Roydon, in the top left hand corner, were added later to show her status as an heiress in her own right. The comparative plainness of the portrait is in keeping with the more modest social station of the sitter. The restraint of her attire is also appropriate for a widow. The 'HE' monogram of the Antwerp-trained artist Hans Eworth can be seen also in the top left hand corner.