This painting shows Alderman George Crowle and his wife Elianor with six of their 15 children.
The painting hung at Crowle's hospital and later the town hall, before coming into our collections.
About the Crowle family
George Crowle was a rich merchant and Mayor of Hull twice: in 1661 and 1679. He and his wife Elianor were key figures of charity and benevolence in seventeenth-century Hull. In 1668, they set up an almshouse on Sewer Lane. The hospital provided care and accommodation for the elderly and poor people.
Crowle's wife, Elianor is on the far left of the painting. Elianor had strong connections with Holy Trinity Church and was the chief benefactor of the library. In 1661 Elianor gave the church a large sum of money to set up a library of religious texts. She also gifted a silver Alms dish (for collecting donations) to the church in 1664. This dish is now on display at Wilberforce House Museum.
The Crowles were a well-known and influential family, and their children married well. This ensured that Crowle's descendants were well connected and in a position of privilege. Their grandson, George Crowle served as MP for Hull in 1724–1747.
Buildings in Hull
In 1664 the Crowles hired Hull architect William Catlyn to build their family home at 41 High Street. Catlyn also built the almshouse on Sewer Lane, and Lister House – which is now known as Wilberforce House. Crowle House, an impressive decorative building, still stands today.
George and Elianor are buried in Holy Trinity Church, which is now Hull Minster.
