Charles Jervas c.1694 - 1745

half length, wearing a plum coloured coat and the Order of the Thistle and the sash of the Order of the Garter

F 1910, p.27, on the Stairs to the Tennis Court (as Kneller)

The sitter in this portrait is wearing both the Order of the Thistle and the Order of the Garter which is very unusual.  There are four noblemen in the early 18th century who were awarded both honours.  James 4th Duke of Hamilton (1658-1712) was made Knight of the Thistle in 1687, the year that it was first instituted, and was elected to the Garter in 1712, the year of his sudden death, but was never installed.  John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll (1680-1743) was made Knight of the Thistle in 1704, but resigned the Order on being made Knight of the Garter in 1710.  William Capell, 3rd Earl of Essex (1697-1743) was made Knight of the Thistle in 1725, but resigned the Order on being made Knight of the Garter in 1738.  James 5th Duke of Hamilton (1703-1743) was made Knight of the Thistle in 1723 by the Old Pretender, and according to Shaw's Knights was also created Knight of the Garter at the same time.  George I subsequently invested him with the Order of the Thistle in 1726.  He is therefore the most likely sitter for this portrait, but it does not conform to the likeness of the sitter in his portrait at Lennoxlove.