A PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF EDWARD MONTAGU FIRST EARL OF SANDWICH, ATTRIBUTED TO CHARLES BEALE (1660-1714), CIRCA 1680 after Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), with long brown hair and wearing the cape and Order of the Garter, watercolour on vellum, in a rose turned horn frame, titled label to reverse 7.5cm high For oil versions of the portrait after Lely see the National Portrait Gallery (NPG 609) and Plas Newydd, Anglesey (National Trust No.1175959). Lely was a friend of Charles Beale's parents and Beale made a number of copies of Lely portraits; see Victoria and Albert Museum (No.555-1905) for a Beale miniature after Lely's self-portrait. Edward Montagu (1625-1672) was deeply involved with the parliamentary cause during the Civil War, raising an infantry regiment and later serving in the Protectorate parliament. Seeing the way the wind was blowing however, he became involved with Charles II in exile in the Netherlands and commanded the fleet that brought the King back for the restoration in May 1660. He was created Earl of Sandwich two months later. A cousin of Samuel Pepys, he is considered as Pepys's protector at the Admiralty, where he was Lord High Admiral of England.