The Collection includes many fine engravings, including some first impressions. During the second half of the eighteenth century the tradition arose that an engraver producing an image of an Admiralty subject would present one of the first finished engravings to the First Lord.
These first impressions are of extremely fine quality since the engraved lines on the copperplate, from which the engraving was pressed, were sharp. With each subsequent pressing the lines would become gradually less distinct and the value of the finished engraving subsequently lower.
Many engravings in the collection are finished by the application of watercolours; all the eighteenth and nineteenth century examples, both coloured and monochrome, are extremely sensitive to light and must be displayed in carefully-controlled locations under special UV-resistant light.
This engraving was made by James Basire (1730-1802) from a drawing by S H Grimm, which in turn was taken from an original coeval painting. It was published according to Act of Parliament on 5 July 1781.
In the Anglo-French peace of 1514, plans were laid for a meeting between the English and French kings as the final act of reconciliation between the two realms.
These plans were delayed with the deterioration of relations after the accession of Francis I in 1515, however, the Treaty of London in 1518 decreed that Henry VIII would confer with the new King of France at a meeting in the early summer of 1520.
This immensely lavish meeting was due to take place on the French/Calais border at the Field of Cloth of Gold, the focus of which was a series of tournaments designed to end the prolonged hostility between England and France.
This engraving actually depicts Henry VIII's embarkation at Dover with his troops, his retinue comprised over four and a half thousand men and Queen Catherine (of Aragon) took a similar number including her ladies of the bed chamber.
Three thousand horses were shipped over not merely for transportation purposes, but also for use in the chivalrous entertainment that was to follow the historic meeting. The two kings finally met on Corpus Christi day - 2 June 1520. Trumpets sounded, the monarchs embraced, and three weeks of festivity, gluttony and hypocrisy began.
Only a few weeks later, after all the staggeringly expensive splendour had faded, Henry VIII made a secret agreement with Charles V, King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor, not to ally with King Francis. England was once more at loggerheads with France.