2-677-677 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

'Queen Henrietta Maria and the Dwarf Sir Jeffrey Hudson', 17th century. The third daughter of King Henry IV of France, Henrietta Maria (1609-1669) married King Charles I of England in 1625. Sir Jeffrey Hudson (1619-1682) is recorded to have been only 18 or 19 inches (46cm) tall at the age of 30, unusually with no hint of disproportion or distorted physiognomy. He is later reported to have doubled his height. In 1626 he was served in a pie to the royal couple and soon afterwards entered the service of the queen. After a life of adventures, including military service, a duel, exile, slavery, and imprisonment as a Catholic, his death is unrecorded. Painting in Marble Hill House, Richmond-upon-Thames, London.