Catherine of Berain (1535-1591), 'the Grandmother of Wales' (after Adriaen van Cronenburgh)

Joseph Allen (Birmingham 1770 – Erdington 1839). Oil painting on canvas, Catherine of Berain (1535-1591) by Joseph Allen (Birmingham 1770 – Erdington 1839), circa 1799, after Adriaen van Cronenburgh (1520/25 - 1604) (North Netherlandish), 1568. She stands, three-quarter length, by a table, wearing a black with gold girdle with her left hand resting on a skull and holding a book in her right hand. Known as Tthe Grandmother of Wales', she married successively John Salisbury (d. 1566), in 1556/7; Sir Richard Clough of Denbigh (d. 1570) in 1566; Morris Wynn of Gwydyr (d. 1580) in circa 1572 and Edward Thelwall of Plas y Ward in circa 1583. She had six children by her first three husbands, who in turn begat mightily, thus earning her her sobriquet. Painted as the wife of Sir Richard Clough, an immensely rich merchant and partner of Sir Thomas Gresham, then resident at Antwerp. She was the grand-daughter of an illegitimate son of Henry VII. After the original painting now in the National Museum of Wales by Adriaen van Croneneburgh. Erddig, Wrexham (Accredited Museum)