How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Born in Oxford, Piers became Bishop of Peterborough and was translated to Wells in 1632. He promoted High Church Doctrine and attracted the goodwill of Archbishop Laud. At Bath and Wells he enforced services hated by Puritans and harassed those who did not obey him. When Archbishop Laud was imprisoned in the Tower, Piers was impeached. He challenged Parliament, was accused of High Treason and committed to the Tower of London in 1641. He was deprived of his Bishopric but allowed to live on his estate at Cuddesdon until he was restored to Bath and Wells in 1660. He became rich through fines, renewal of leases and profits from his estates. He died at Walthamstow in his 90th year. His father was a haberdasher of hats. Piers learned bear and bull baiting.

The Bishop's Palace & Gardens

Wells

Title

William Piers (1580–1670), Bishop of Wells (1630–1670)

Date

c.1630–1670

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 73 x W 61 cm

Accession number

9

Acquisition method

acquired, after 1829

Work type

Painting

The Bishop's Palace & Gardens

Wells, Somerset BA5 2PD England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

View venue

Artist or maker

British School

View profile

Two Profiles of Girls and a Mask Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC)
Blythe Valley, Warwickshire Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Mayor’s Parlour
Elizabeth, Lady Rose, née Malet Dillington House
Portrait of an Unknown Woman Thirlestane Castle
Elizabeth Malet Dillington House
Major General Augustus Arlington Chichester (1863–1948) The Keep Military Museum
Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1671–1713), 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury Shaftesbury Town Hall
3,082 more