A £10m APPEAL has been launched to buy a historic painting which has belonged to an East Meon family for centuries.
The Royal Museums Greenwich, supported by the Art Fund, hopes to buy the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603), from the Tyrwhitt-Drake family of the Bereleigh Estate.
It was painted about 1590 after the failed invasion of England in 1588 by the Spanish fleet, or Armada.
It was commissioned by a favourite of the queen, Sir Francis Drake, who jointly led the English fleet against the Spanish.
He is believed to be godfather to an Elizabethan Tyrwhitt-Drake ancestor, and the Armada Portrait has been in the family since at least 1775.
Bill Tyrwhitt-Drake said: “After the armada, we did look after some Spanish prisoners taken by Sir Francis for a while, but there is no direct family connection.
“We have been very proud to own the portrait for such a long time, and have a real attachment for it.
“It’s been offered to a national museum for a number of reasons, the waiving of tax bills from when my father died is one, but also it’s a national icon and should be enjoyed by everyone.
“And Bereleigh is the family home and we want to secure its future.”
To find out about the Armada Portrait appeal, visit the Greenwich museum website at www.rmg.co.uk