Sex

Male

Approx Year of Birth

1509

Marital Status

Married

Occupation Status

Magnate

Remarks

Edward Stanley, third earl of Derby, was born in 1509, probably at Lathom House in Lancashire. He had a long career as a courtier, soldier and local administrator during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth. He is often thought to have been a religious conservative and as such was periodically regarded with suspicion by the central authorities. He died at Lathom House in 1572 and was buried in Ormskirk church. According to his biography in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB) ‘He was noted for hospitality … his house was a centre of social and cultural life’.  This biography also states that at the time of his death ‘Derby had retained extensive property, patronage, and influence in north-west England’.

He had extensive lands and influence in both Lancashire and Cheshire and took a keen interest in the management of his estates. However, in view of his position and status much of the administration was carried out by his steward, Sir Richard Shirburne (or Sherbourne).

Sources:

B. Coward, The Stanleys, lords Stanley and earls of Derby, 1385–1672: the origins, wealth and power of a landowning family, Chetham Society, 3rd ser., 30 (1983)

Louis A. Knafla, ‘Stanley, Edward, third earl of Derby’, ODNB online https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/26262

Causes

EDC 5/1566/8 – plaintiff

Sex

Female

Marital Status

Married

Spouse Name

Roger Downes

Remarks

Elizabeth Stanley was the daughter of Thomas Stanley of Alderley. Married to Roger Downes of Shrigley while underage, their marriage was ratified once they reached maturity. She had three or four daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Elizabeth died before March 1593 when Roger married again.

Sources:

J. P. Earwaker, East Cheshire Past and Present, vol. 2, p. 603.
George Ormerod, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, vol. iii, p. 578.

Causes

EDC 5/1566/7– party