The Sun in Splendour

The Sun in Splendour canvas print Ref: G336-XLC
The Battle of Mortimer's Cross - 2nd February 1461

Just over a month after his father, the Duke of York, had been killed at Wakefield, Edward, Earl of March faced an army commanded by Henry VI's half-brother, Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke, at Mortimer's Cross in Herefordshire.

As the sun rose to illuminate a clear bitterly cold day a rare meteorological phenomenon occurred that struck fear into Edward's men; 'were seen three suns in the firmament shining full clear, whereof the people had great marvel, and thereof were aghast. The noble Earl Edward them comforted and said. 'Be of good comfort and dread not; this is a good sign, for these three suns betoken the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and therefore let us have a good heart, and in the name of Almighty God go we against our enemies'.

What they had witnessed was a parhelion (sometimes called a sun dog), caused when ice crystals refract the sun's light, giving the appearance of three suns. Edward's quick-witted response to the situation undoubtedly reversed what could have been a morale-destroying disaster, and he clearly recognized the significance of this moment when he later adopted the sun in splendour as one of his primary badges.

Edward was descended from Edward III through the Mortimer Earls of March, and his powerful Mortimer connections in the Welsh marches would prove crucial to his victory at Mortimer's Cross and form an important part of his subsequent claim to the English throne. The Mortimer badge of the white lion, along with the Yorkist white rose, features throughout the painting, on Edward's standard, horse trappings, helmet and retainers' liveries.

Individually printed on good quality canvas before being stretched on wooden stretcher bars and then varnished for protection.

Overall canvas size 29"x 21" (74cm x 53cm)

Note that canvas prints have no white border - this is the overall size of the canvas on its wooden stretcher bars and the image extends to the edge.

Each canvas is individually signed (on the reverse, as there is no border) by the artist, Graham Turner.

click on image to enlarge

Also available reproduced on paper - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Canvas orders going to an overseas address should email us at info@studio88.co.uk for a shipping price - our usual shipping rates do not apply.

Price: £194.00

Original Painting

Graham Turner's original painting THE SUN IN SPLENDOUR is available for sale - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

The Sun in Splendour - Painting by Graham Turner

CLICK HERE for more information about Giclée Prints, which are individually printed on very high quality paper or canvas by the artist, Graham Turner, ensuring a print that is as close to the original painting as possible.