This is a version of a standard portrait of the Earl of Nottingham, whch was also apparently used for the portrait of Nottingham in the group of the Somerset House conference in 1604 in the National Portrait Gallery, London. A version is in the set of historical portraits in the Brown Gallery at Knole.

The sitter held a number of important posts in a long and distinguished career, including Lord Chamberland (1574-85) and Lord HIgh Admiral (1585-1618). He was commander of the English fleet in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. 

The Earl is shown wearing a white satin doublet and a fur trimmed gown, a lace ruff set into figure-of-eight pleats in addition to a flat lace collar and a black nightcap on his head. Around his neck is a ribbon of the Garter.