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Captain Robert Parker, The Royal Regiment of Ireland, c. 1720 (oil on canvas)
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Captain Robert Parker, The Royal Regiment of Ireland, c. 1720 (oil on canvas)
5929062 Captain Robert Parker, The Royal Regiment of Ireland, c.1720 (oil on canvas) by Belle, Alexis Simon (1674-1734); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Captain Robert Parker (b 1665 (c)), The Royal Regiment of Ireland, 1720 (c).
Oil on canvas, circle of Alexis Simon Belle (1674-1734), 1720 (c).
Robert Parker is chiefly remembered for his absorbing Memoirs, published in Dublin in 1746, which recount his long military career through the wars of King William III and the Duke of Marlborough.
Born in Ireland around 1665, the son of a Protestant settler, Parker ran away at the age of 17. He joined an independent company of foot quartered in his home town of Kilkenny, under the command of Captain Frederick Hamilton. However, in 1685 the new monarch, King James II, set about the remodelling of his Irish Army in order to strengthen Roman Catholic influence. In the next three years, about 4, 000 men of all ranks whose loyalty was suspect were purged. Both Parker and his patron Frederick Hamilton were dismissed.
Following the accession of William III in 1688, the change of climate encouraged Parker to re-enlist, joining the Earl of MeathAs Regiment. Parker spent the rest of his military career with this regiment which was later titled The Royal Regiment of Ireland. He soon regretted his decision, finding that A carrying a brown musket was but a melancholy prospectA, but resolved to make the best of it. In reward for his gallant conduct at the Siege of Namur in July 1695, Parker was commissioned as an ensign, the most junior rank of officer. In 1706, he became Captain of the RegimentAs Grenadier Company, a remarkable rise from humble beginnings. This portrait possibly commemorated ParkerAs retirement from the Army, the armour being merely a device to show his profession.); eNational Army Museum; French, out of copyright
Media ID 23665344
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Captain Robert Parker of The Royal Regiment of Ireland, painted around 1720 by Alexis Simon Belle. The oil on canvas artwork is currently housed in the National Army Museum in London. Captain Robert Parker's life was filled with remarkable military achievements, which he chronicled in his memoirs published in Dublin in 1746. Born around 1665 to a Protestant settler family in Ireland, Parker's journey began when he ran away at the age of 17 and joined an independent company under Captain Frederick Hamilton. However, King James II's reformation of the Irish Army led to Parker and Hamilton being dismissed due to their suspected loyalty. With William III's accession to the throne in 1688, Parker seized the opportunity and enlisted once again, this time joining Earl of MeathAs Regiment. Parker remained loyal to this regiment throughout his career and witnessed its transformation into The Royal Regiment of Ireland. Despite initially feeling disheartened as a foot soldier carrying a brown musket, he persevered and was eventually commissioned as an ensign for his gallant conduct during the Siege of Namur. By 1706, Parker had risen through the ranks to become Captain of the RegimentAs Grenadier Company—a testament to his determination and skill. This portrait likely commemorates his retirement from active duty; although depicted wearing armor symbolizing his profession, it serves as a visual representation rather than reflecting actual attire worn during retirement. The print captures not only Captain Robert Parker's distinguished appearance but also provides a glimpse into an era marked by war and personal triumphs within military service.
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