William Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton (c.1490-1542)

A portrait drawing of William Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton (c.1490-1542). A bust length portrait facing three-quarters to the right. He is shown wearing a hat adorned with a medallion, and a fur collar. Inscribed in an eighteenth-century hand at upper left: Fitz Williams Earl of Southampton. A copy after Holbein's original painting of William Fitzwilliam is in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

William Fitzwilliam was one of the young men who formed part of Prince Henry's inner circle and who went on to hold high office after the Prince's accession. He served as Ambassador to France in 1521 before becoming Treasurer of the Household and Lord High Admiral. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1526 and is shown wearing his Garter collar in this drawing.