Engraving with drypoint of the kings and queens of England, from William I to Elizabeth I. Plate two of seven, with portraits of William II, Henry I, and King Stephen. William II, at the far left, is pictured standing, wearing a wide brimmed hat, embroidered robes, fur mantle, and holding a sword in right hand and a shield in left. In the centre, Henry I can be seen dressed in a crowned helmet with an open visor, embroidered robes and mantle, and holding sword in right hand and with a shield on left shoulder. On the right, King Stephen stands in a crowned helmet, embroidered robes, and ermine mantle, holding sword over right shoulder and with shield on left arm. In the background there is a faint landscape, depicting settlements beside a river. Below the figures, Dutch verses and a history of the monarch are printed in letterpress on a separate sheet. Cut down.

This complete series of portraits of English rulers from 1066 until 1584, spans 23 rulers from over five centuries of English history. The figures, designed and engraved by Hendrick Goltzius, proved enduringly popular and were copied by artists and engravers as late as the mid seventeenth centuries. The series comprises of seven sheets printed from eight plates, each depicting two to four figures, with a panoramic landscape in the background presumably representing British topography. In this particular series, below each sheet a secondary sheet with Dutch letterpress is printed below, which outlines the titles, life, and history of the monarch above. The original plates were engraved in 1584, however the completed set with the Dutch text was printed in Harlem a year later in 1585.

Sheet two of seven, for the complete series see RCIN 606396.a, RCIN 606396.b, RCIN 606396.c, RCIN 606396.d, RCIN 606396.e, RCIN 606396.f, and RCIN 606396.g.