THE first image of an English monarch painted from life is on display at the Museum of Somerset, in Taunton Castle.

The picture of Henry VII dated 1505 is the earliest portrait in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, which has loaned it to the museum.

Henry VII has special associations with Taunton Castle, here in 1497 that he confronted the rebel Perkin Warbeck after the latter's failed attempt to claim the throne.

The portrait is on show in the same room where the fateful meeting between king and rebel may have taken place.

Chief executive of the South West Heritage Trust Tom Mayberry said: "We’re delighted that this wonderful portrait of the first Tudor king is coming to Somerset through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery.

"The king looks at us mistrustfully, just as he must have looked at Perkin Warbeck when they met in Taunton more than 500 years ago.

"This is a brief and special opportunity to see a great national treasure here in Somerset."

The exhibition is free to visit and runs until January 6 next year.