Keeper of the Seas

Keeper of the Seas Ref: Gic-G350

Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, was appointed Captain of Calais - the last remaining English outpost in France - after his part in the 1455 Battle of St. Albans, and over the coming years the port would play a crucial role in the Yorkists' future success, providing a refuge in times of crisis, and a base from which to launch fresh campaigns.

From Calais Warwick enhanced his reputation as a man of action by carrying out numerous attacks on shipping, appealing to many of his countrymen who saw his exploits as some recompense for the humiliating defeats in France; 'erle of Warrewyk, having a strong and a myghte naveye kepte the strayte see'.

On 28th May 1458 a Spanish fleet was spotted - 'wherof there was xvj grete schippis of forecastell' - and Warwick sent 'fyve schippis of forecastell and iij carvellis and iiij spynnes' to intercept them. The battle off Calais lasted all day, and is described in a letter from John Jernyngan to Margaret Paston: 'and there we took vj of her schippis... And as men sayne there was not so gret a batayle upon the se this xl wyntyr'.

Here, flying Warwick's distinctive colours, one of the English 'shippis of forecastell' comes alongside a heavily laden Spanish ship and prepares to board her, while similar actions take place in the background. Ship design was rapidly advancing through this period, with additional masts being added, and hulls traditionally built with overlapping planks, as here (and on the mid-fifteenth century ship recently excavated in Newport), being superseded by flush 'carvel' planking developed in the Mediterranean and seen on the Spanish ship in the painting. Sea battles were still fought and won by boarding the enemy, with guns slow to be adopted in naval warfare.

Giclée Print published from a gouache painting by Graham Turner.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

Sizes given are approximate and include a border.

click on image to enlarge

Available in two alternative sizes - select size required below -
21.5"x 17" overall size has an image size of 17"x 12.5" (432mm x 317mm)
16.5"x 12" overall size has an image size of 13"x 9.5" (329mm x 241mm)

Approximate overall print size

21.5"x 17" (55cm x 43cm) £79.00

16.5"x 12" (42cm x 30cm) £59.00

Having printed your giclée print on the best quality fine-art paper (Hahnemühle 308gsm), Graham Turner individually signs it on the border.

CLICK HERE for more information about Graham Turner's Giclée Prints

Detail from Keeper of the Seas - painting by Graham Turner of the Earl of Warwick's ships in action in the Channel

THE WARS OF THE ROSES

THE MEDIEVAL ART OF GRAHAM TURNER - Signed by Graham Turner

Graham Turner's eagerly anticipated book about the Wars of the Roses is now available.

It includes over 120 of his paintings and drawings, many newly created, with supplementary images and a comprehensive and fascinating text that illuminates the complex, shifting course of events and the people who lived their lives through this tumultuous time.

Order your signed copy now - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

The Wars of the Roses

The period of civil strife in the second half of the 15th century now known as the Wars of the Roses was one of the most dramatic and turbulent in English history. Since first being inspired by a visit to Bosworth battlefield nearly 30 years ago, Graham Turner has immersed himself in the period to create a unique and comprehensive series of meticulously researched paintings that bring to life this colourful but unsettled chapter in our past and our ancestors who lived their lives through it.

Graham's available original paintings, along with prints and cards reproduced from them, are detailed here on the Studio 88 website, and the following links will take you to a relevant page to help your browsing.

THE FIRST BATTLE OF ST ALBANS, 1455

THE BATTLE OF BLORE HEATH, 1459

THE BATTLE OF LUDFORD BRIDGE, 1459

THE BATTLE OF NORTHAMPTON, 1460

THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD, 1460

THE BATTLE OF MORTIMER'S CROSS, 1461

THE SECOND BATTLE OF ST ALBANS, 1461

THE BATTLE OF TOWTON, 1461

THE BATTLE OF HEDGELEY MOOR, 1464

THE BATTLE OF HEXHAM, 1464

THE BATTLE OF EDGCOTE, 1469

THE BATTLE OF EMPINGHAM, 1470

THE BATTLE OF BARNET, 1471

THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY, 1471

THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH, 1485

THE BATTLE OF STOKE, 1487

CLICK HERE for the overall menu to find details of Graham's complete range of medieval open and limited edition prints, individually produced giclée prints, greeting cards and available original paintings.

The Wars of the Roses - Medieval Art Paintings, Prints and Cards by Graham Turner