This portrait does not seem to depict Sir Roger Townshend, the person identified traditionally as the sitter. Sir Roger died in 1590, whereas the style of the ruff worn in this picture dates from about a decade later. There are aspects of this picture which are reminiscent of the work of John de Critz and Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger but a subsequent campaign of restoration makes it difficult to form a conclusion. A clue to the true identity of the sitter is given in the medal that is worn round his neck and which can just be seen beneath his left hand where the letters ‘ERE’ (possibly ‘ERL’) can just be made out.