At his death in 1704 the books and paintings of Thomas Plume were bequeathed to the town of Maldon with the intention that they were to be used by the local clergy and any gentleman or scholar who so desired. During his lifetime Plume had provided a permanent home for his Library and Maldon Grammar School by converting the derelict church of St. Peter’s, the nave of which had collapsed shortly after 1664. All but three of the paintings were part of the original bequest. Plume lived through a turbulent time in English history: He held strong loyalist sympathies and was deeply committed to the Church of England, as established by law. This is reflected in his collection of paintings, which include portraits of Charles I, James II and Archbishop Laud (the largest in the collection), while the painting by a follower of Salvator Mundi illustrates Plume’s devotion to Jesus Christ.