[From Seacombe, History of House of Stanley]

[Third Section]

Having now gone through what I had to observe of this noble Lord, and his brother, Sir William Stanley, with regard to the time of the public transaction before related, I shall as promised, return to Thomas, Lord Strange, eldest son of George, grandson and successor to the above Earl.

This noble Lord succeeded his grandfather in the Earldom of Derby, and had his livery of all the lands his father died seized of, the ninth of July, and nineteenth of Henry VII. and also of the Isle Man.

In the twenty-third of Henry VII. on a treaty of marriage between the Lady Mary, third daughter to Henry VII. and the Prince of Spain, the King binds himself to Maximilian the Emperor, for the performance thereof, when they should come to age, in 250,000 crowns, and that Henry, Prince of Wales, should do the same; also Thomas EARL of DERBY, and other nobles, were bound in 50,000 crowns, for the like performance.

In the fifth of Henry VIII. he attended that King in his expedition to France, in which they won Therwain, and Tournay, and obtained a glorious victory.

In the twelfth of Henry VIII. on the Emperor's coming to England,. and the King meeting him at Dover, this EARL of DERBY, rode betwixt that Monarch and the King, from thence to Canterbury; bearing, by the King's command, the Sword of State. The

The year after, he was one of the Peers that fat on the trial of the Duke of Buckingham, and was in most high esteem in all the country, as well as at court, where he was not only beloved, but admired.

With regard to the Isle of Man, which I promised to take notice of in this Lord's life, he wifely considered, that it was given to his ancestors by King Henry IV. the chief of the House of Lancaster, to whom, and to whose posterity his family had been steady friends and adherents; but now that Edward IV. chief of the House of York, and his posterity, were come to the throne, it could be no less than the highest prudence, as well as policy, to drop a title which might one time or other occasion jealousy and mistrust between him and his Prince, under whom he muff: claim that title; therefore to avoid all disputes, and even suspicion of inclining t0 favour one house more than the other, he contented himself to make use of no other title than Lord of Man and the Isles, which his successors have continued ever fence.

This noble Lord gave up his life the twenty-fourth of May following, the thirteenth of Henry VIII. at Colham, in the county of Middlesex, and was buried in the monastery of Sion, in that county, according to his will; by which he ordered his body to be buried in the priory of Burscough, in the county of Lancaster, if he happened to die in that county; but if he died elsewhere, then to be buried in the said monastry of Sion, or in the college of Afherugg, in the county of Bucks, as his executors should think fit; and that his body should be buried according to his honour, but without pomp or excess.

And further, by the said will it appears, that he had four thousand marks with his lady on their marriage : and he bequeaths to his daughter for her marriage portion, two thousand sixty-six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence ; and to his well-beloved brother, James Stanley, Esq. an annuity or annual rent of fifty pounds by the year, for his life, payable out of his manor or lordship of Bydslon, in the county of Chester. And

And whereas his uncle, Sir Edward Stanley, Knight, Lord Monteagle, enjoyed of his gift and grant, the cattle and demesnes of Hornby, and other manors, for the special love, truth and kindness he then sound and supposed he had for him ; and which estates he held on certain conditions. He now wills that for the great unkindness he has fence sound, and does still find in his said uncle, and that he has not observed or performed the said conditions, he shall. have none of the rents and profits thereof,' but that the said gifts, grants, &c. be null and void.

And he further wills and appoints, that his lieutenant of the Isle of Man, and other his officers and servants there, shall be continued till his heir comes of age; and that they have the wages they then had, for the term of their lives; and the said wages to be doubled to them till his said heir come of age.

And he constitutes for his executors, his trusty friends, Sir Hugh Hesketh, Bishop of Man; Sir Henry Halsal, Steward of his Household; Sir Henry Sherman, Clerk, Dean of his chapel; Thomas Hesketh, Esq. Sir Edward Molineux, Clerk, and Parson of Sefton ; Richard Hesketh and Richard Snede, Gentlemen; Richard Halsal, Clerk, and Parson of Halsal ; . but none of them shall give any release or acquittance without the consent and agreement of them all.

He appoints for supervisors of his will, Thomas, Lord Cardinal, Archbishop of York, and Chancellor of England; Hugh, Bishop of Exeter; Geoffrey, Bishop of Chester; John Vesley, Clerk, Dean of the most honourable Chapel'; and Thomas Lark, Parson of Winwick.

By Ann, his wife, daughter of Edward, Lord Hastings, sister to George, the first Earl of Huntingdon of that name, he had issue three sons; George and Henry, who died young, and Edward his successor, then in the fifteenth year of his age ; also one only daughter, who, after his death, married Robert Ratcliffe, Earl of Sussex.

As this noble Lord hath in his will taken notice of his brother, James Stanley, Esq. and of his uncle, Sir Edward Stanley, Lord Monteagle, it may not be improper in this place, and during the minority of the young Lord, his son, to relate what we have to observe of them.

*Of James Stanley, his brother, second son of George, Lord Strange, I meet with little remarked of him, but that he had a son stiled Sir George Stanley, Marshal of Ireland, but by whom it is not said ; but is supposed to be of the ancestors of the Stanley's of Ireland.

And with regard to Sir Edward Stanley, his uncle. and fifth son of Thomas, the EARL of DERBY this gentleman's active childhood and martial spirit, brought him early to King Henry VIII.'s notice and company : the camp was his school, and his learning was a pike and {word. His Majesty greeting him, wherever he met him, with Ho! my Soldier!"

R

Honour

Barlow's FFilterr.

Honour floated in his veins, and valour danced in his spirits ; but no where more visibly, nor with greater courage, lustre and magnanimity, than at the battle of Flodden-Field, in Scotland, the fifth of Henry VIII. where he commanded the rear of the English army, and was attacked by the Earls of Lenox and Argyle, both which were slain in the field, together with the King of Scots. By his high accomplishments in the art of war, and the valour of his archers, he forced the Scots to descend the hill, (their strong hold) which caused them to open their ranks, by which they were put into such disorder, as gave the first hopes to that day's victory, which was, in a great measure, owing to the valour and good conduct of the brave general, Sir Edward Stanley, as will afterwards appear.

The King of Scotland slain in this battle, was that King who married Margaret, the eldest sister to King Henry VIII. from whom descended King James I. of England. There were slain in the battle, betides the king, three Bishops, two Abbots, twelve Earls and lëventeen Lords; with a very great number of Knights and Gentlemen, amounting to about eight thousand, and nearly as many taken prisonors.

Upon this signal and complete victory, obtained by the superior (kill and conduct of the heroic Captain Stanley, he was highly advanced in the King's favour, and soon after, as high in the world. Upon which the King was pleased to confer upon him the following congratulating letter, viz.

Right Trusty and Beloved

WE greet you well, and understand by the report of our right trusty cousin and Counsellor, the Duke of Norfolk, what acceptable service you, amongst others, did us by your valiant towardness in the assistance of our said cousin; against our enemy, the King of Scots; and, how courageously you, as a very hearty loving servant, acquitted yourself, for the overthrow of the sixith hte King, and distressing of his malice and power, to our great honour, and the adva r.ti:prig of your no little fame and praise, for which we have good cause to favour and thank you, and so we full heartily do; and assured ti,you may be, that we shall in such effectual wise remember your said service in any your reasonable pursuits, as you shall have cause to think the same right well employed, to our comfort and weal hereafter. Given under our signet, at our castle at Windsor, the seventeenth day of November, and fifth year of our reign."

Sir William Molineux, of Sefton, had also the like congratulatory letter, upon the same occassion, for his eminent services therein.

This most valiant and worthy gentleman, appeared like the north-star in its glory : he was a man of great command in Lancashire, the image of whose mind was as peculiar as the elegant portrait of his body; nobly forgiving his enemies, if reconcilable; and resusing ignobly to be revenged of them is obstinate. This noble mind, advanced by his heroic education, made him acceptable at court, as well as in the country, where his hospitality was renowned, his equity and prudence beloved, and his interest large and commanding.

In him was seen the idea of the true English gentleman ; in favour at court, in repute in the country; at once lov ed and feared. His usual Paying was, That he never saw fear, but in the backs of his enemies." In a word, he lived in all capacities a public good, and died a common loss. And here justice as well as respect to the ancient and worthy house of Norris, of Speke, calls upon me to acquaint the reader with the bravery of Sir Edward Norris, son of Sir William Norris, who was slain at the battle of Muslebarrow, in the time of Henry VII. This valiant and heroic gentleman, Sir Edward Norris, commanded a body of the army under General Stanley, at Flodden-Field, where he behaved with so much courage and good conduct, that he was honoured by the King his master, with the like congratulatory letter above-mentioned, for his good service in the victory of that day; in token whereof, he brought from the deceased King of Scot's palace, all or most of his princely library; many books of which are now at Speke, particularly four large folios, said to contain the records and laws of Scotland at that time, and worthy the perusal of the learned and ,dicious reader. He also brought from the said palace, the wainscot of the old hall, and put it up in his own at Speke whereon are seen all the orders of architecture viz. Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian Composite, and round the top of it is inscription, "Sleep not till thou has considered how thou hast spent the day ?; if thou hast well done, thank God for it otherwise, repent you."

Thus having, in the fullest manner I am able, set forth the eminent and renowned be. haviour of the martial fonn Of the two neighbouring and ws,,°i. y houses of Molineux and Norris, I cannot omit informing the reader, they carne into England together with Williann, duke of Normandy, dignified with the honour of Knighthood, and have hererto made useful and leading members of the state, in their several stations of life. With regard to these gentlemens' lord, and chief commander, the brave Edward Stanley, the King keeping his Whitsun the year ensuing at Eltham, in Kent, and Edward being there, his Majesty commanded, that for his gallant actions against the Scots, where he won the hill, relieved the English from their distress, and vanquished all that opposed him ; also, as his ancestors bore the Eagle in their crest, he should be proclaimed Lord Monteagle, which was accordingly then and there done; upon which he gave to the officers of arms, five marks, besides the accustomed fees ; and likewise to garter, principal king at arms, his fee. Whereupon he had special summons to Parliament, the same year, by the title of Baron Stanley; Lord Monteagle.

Twice did he and Sir John Wallop land with only eight hundred men, in the heart of France; and four times did he, with Sir Thomas Lovell, save Calais: the first time by intelligence, the second by stratagem, .he third by valour and resolution, and the fourth by hardship, patience and industry.

In the dangerous insurrecton by Ashe and Captain Cobler, his zeal for his prince's ferce, and the welfare of the state, was above scruple ; his army being with him before his commission ; for which dangerous piece of loyalty, he asked pardon, and received thanks.

Two things he did towards defeating the rebels, whose skill in arms exceeded his followers, as much as their policy did his leaders: first he cut off their provisions, and next he firred up jealousy and sedition, amomgst them, which gave his Majesty time, by pretended treaties, to draw off the most eminent of the faction, and to confound the rest.

This most martial and heroic captain (soldier like) lived for some time in this strange opinion, that the Soul of Man, was like the winding up of a watch, that when the spring was run down; the man died, and the soul determined.

But of this heathenish notion he was convicted, and being informed, that the Soul of Man was a ray of Divinity clothed with flesh, and that what was divine, could never die; but, upon the dissolution of the body, or unfitness for its continuance therein, the soul of man returned to the Almighty Being who first gave it, according to the doctrine of Moses, Gen. c. ii, v. 7. " And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul."

Convinced of this divine truth, he afterwards lived and died in the fear and love of God, and in the belies and precepts of his Redeemer, the holy Jesus,

This noble Lord married to his Lady, one of the daughters of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk; by his second wife, a daughter of Sir Anthony Brown, Governor of Calais, and by her had issue a son, named Thomas, who was some time Bishop of Man, by the title of Thomas Stanley, son of Edward, the first Lord Monteagle. He sat as Bishop of that island, to the time of his father's death, and then becoming Lord Monteagle, he resigned that Bishopric.

This Thomas, Lord Monteagle married to Lady Ann, the daughter of Sir John Spencer, of Althrop, in the county of Northampton, and by her had issue a son, named William; who was the last male issue of this noble family. He left at his death, an only daughter and child, named Elizabeth, but by whom history is silent ; but record informs us, that she married to Edward Parker, Lord Morley, and by him had issue a son, named William.

This William was by King James I. created Lord Monteagle, by the title of Lord Morley and Monteagle ; and must be allowed by us, and all posterity, to have been born for the good of the whole kingdom: for by an obscure letter sent to him, and by him produced to the King and Council, in the very nick of time, a discovery was made of the most detestable treason, that malice and wickedness could possibly contrive or project. For it being known that the King was to come to the House of Peers to pass some bills, this dark and aenigmatical letter insinuated, that the King and the whole House were to be destroyed in a moment.

This caused strict search to be made, round the House of Lords, and there was discovered an unknown cellar under it, wherein was lodged a large quantity of gunpowder, with a person ready (with a candle in a dark lanthorn) to set fire to the train, upon a signal given him. Thus, by the said letter, the good Providence of God, and the caution taken, was prevented the destruction of the King, and the flower of all the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom, when just upon the very brink of ruin

Haring here finished the remarks we proposed, let us return to Edward, the young son of Thomas, the second EARL of DERBY, whom his father supposed he had left under the care and ward of the most hopeful and promising trustees, being no less than nine ecclesiastics, and four lay gentlemen, by which he judged sufficient security was provided for his son's right and the preservation of the immense estate he had left him.

But such is the pride, avarice and depravity of human nature, that the greatest caution mankind can possibly take, often times prove too slender to procure justice and equity, when Private interest and advantage come in competition with them. An instance of which will appear in the case before us.

No sooner was the said noble Lord laid at rest, but the most dignified of his choice (whom the world might justly have expected the most consummate justice and rectitude from) immediately made himself friend of the Mammon of unrighteousness; and instead of fulfilling the trust reposed in him, took care to divest his young pupil of his just right, by securing to himself several large manors in the county of Lincoln, and elsewhere; which the Earl his father had held from the crown, by lease for life, which expiring on his death. The good and pious Cardinal wisely took the opportunity of his ward's minority to procure grants thereof to himself ; which brings to my mind an old maxim in the Oeconomy of Life, " He that trusteth to a Lord for his honour, and to a Priest for his charity, is in danger of being deceived by the first, and starved by the latter." The verity whereof the noble Lord before-mentioned had an ample specimen of, in both the characters, in the person of Cardinal Woolsey, Archbishop of York, and Lord Chancellor: of England, and his most worthy trustee.

In the nineteenth of Henry VIII. this young Lord being then of age, was one of the principal persons appointed to attend the same Cardinal Woolsey, in that remarkable embassy to Francis, King of France, then at Amiens, touching the making a war in Italy, to set Pope Clement VII. at liberty, at that time a prisoner to the Duke of Bourbon, upon his sacking of Rome.

And in the twenty-second of Henry VIII. having then livery of his lands, was one of those noble Peers that subscribed that memorable letter or declaration to the said Pope Clement VII. representing, That having for a long time expected his answer concerning the King's marriage, they were obliged to repeat their request, although the justice of the cause, and the approbation of the learned of the most celebrated universities in Europe, were sufficient, without any intreaties, to prevail on his Holiness to confirm the sentence of the divorce of Queen Catharine, which King Henry then desired.

And if he should refuse, his Supremacy in England would be in great danger: and that they could make no other construction of it, but that they were left to seek their remedy elsewhere.

And in the twenty-fourth of Henry VIII. he waited on that King at his interview with the French King at Bologne ; and in the said year, on the coronation of Queen Ann Bullen, he in his own barge attended her from Greenwich, on which occasion he with the Marquis of Dorset, were made Knights of the Bath, and after the ceremony was over, he was cupbearer to that Queen.

In the twenty-eighth of Henry VIII. on the insurrection of the northern men, called the Pilgrimage of Grace, the King directed his letters to this Earl, to raise what forces he could, promising therein to repay all his charges; and, as Mr. Hollingshead observes. by the faithful diligence of the EARL of DERBY, with the forces of Lancashire and Cheshire, they were kept back and brought to peace and quiet, though they were a very great number out of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the north parts of Lancashire. The thirty-third of that King he marched into Scotland with the Duke of Norfolk, with an army of twenty thousand men, where meeting with little or no resistance, they burned several towns and villages, and so returned to England.

And in the thirty-eighth of that King, when the High Admiral of France, accompanied by the Bishop of Eureaux, the Earl of Nantville, the Earl of Villars, and others, came on a splendid embassy to England, the EARL of DERBY, by the King's command, received them at Blackwall, and conducted them to his Majesty at Greenwich. And on the death of King Henry, and the accession of Prince Edward his son, by the title of King Edward VI. the EARL of DERBY, and the Marquis of Dorset (afterwards Duke of Suffolk) were on the twenty-second of May, 1547, elected Knights of the most noble Order of the Garter. And in the fourth of King Edward VI, the EARL of DERBY, was one of the Peers' party to the articles of peace, made by King Edward, with the Scot and French, wherein the Emperor was also included. And in the sixth of this King, he made an exchange with his Majesty of his House called Derby-House, on St. Bennet's-hill, near Doctors-commons, London, built by Thomas, the first EARL of DERBY, for certain land: adjoining to his park, at Knowsley, in the county of Lancaster, of which he was Lieutenant during this King's reign.

After the above exchange, he purchased a piece of land, in Channon-row, near Westminster, and thereon erected a new house, and called it Derby-house, which being since sold by William, EARL of DERBY, elder brother to the late Earl James, is built into a court called Derby-court; and upon the death of King Edward, and Queen Mary's Accession to the throne, he was in the first year of that Queen, *[* Sept. 29 1553] appointed by her, Lord High-Steward of England, from the day of her Majesty's coronation, which was performed on the fifth of October that year, with great solemnity. And upon advice of her Majesty's appointment, he set out from his seat of Latham, in the coun ty of Lancaster, to wait on her Majesty, the eighteenth of August, most nobly attended; having upwards of eighty Esquires; all clad in velvet, and two hundred and eighteen Servants in liveries, with whom, he arived at his new house, in Channon-row, Westminster, in the greatest pomp and magnificence.

In the year 1557, he received orders from the Queen and council, to muster what forces he could raise to march against the Scots, then assisted by the French King, which he readily complied with; and was one of the noblemen that attended Philip, Prince of Spain, on his landing into England, to be married to Queen Mary, who before her marriage gave the house on St. Bennet's-hill, London, called Derby-house; and now in the crown, by virtue of the above exchange, to Gilbert Dethick, the then garter and principal king of arms ; Thomas Hauley, clarencieux, king of arms of of the south parts; William Harvey, alias Norroy, king of arms of the north parts; and the other heralds and purfuivants of arms, and to their successors, all the capital messuage or house, called Derby-House +[+ Now the College of Arms]. , with the appurtenances, situate in the parish of St. Bennet and St. Peter, then being in the tenure of Sir Richard Sackville, Knight, and parcel of the sands of Edward, EARL of DERBY ; to the end, that the said kings, heralds, and pursuivants of arms, and their successors, might dwell together, and meet, confer and agree among themselves, for the good government of their faculty, and that their records might be more safely kept, &c. Dated the eighteenth day of July, in the third year of Philip and Mary, 1555,

Upon the above Queen Mary's death, and Oueen Elizabeth's accession to the throne, although she knew the EARL of DERBY, to have been one of the late Queen's Privy-council, yet she was so well apprized and satisfied of his justice, prudence and loyalty, that she appointed him one of her Privy-council ; and in the first year of her reign, gave him, and others of that body, commission to take particular care that all persons enjoying any office or place of trust under her Majesty, should take the Oaths of Supremacy.

Likewise in the said first year of that gracious Queen, he had granted to him by patent, the high office of Chamberlain of Chester, for six years ; and the next year was made one of her Majesty's most honourable Privy-council.

But at this time being aged, weak and infirm, he retired to his seat of Latham, and there gave up his life to the Almighty Author of his being; and with humble resignation, submitted himself to his Divine will.

By his will, bearing date the twenty-fourth of August, 1572, he bequeathed his body to be buried in the parish church of Ormskirk, Lancashire ; and ordered, that a chapel should be there erected, and a tomb prepared for that purpose, agreeable to his dignity, which hath ever since been the common repository of his family and successors ; the ancient monastry of Burscough, where his ancestors were laid, being totally demolished in the dissolution of abbeys and monastrys, and departing this life at Latham, on Friday the twenty-fourth of October next following, his body lay in state to the fourth of December after; during which time, all necessary preparations were made for his noble funeral, which will be related hereafter.

In which interval, give me leave to relate his marriages and issue, with his sumptuous and hospitable manner of living, which exceeded most, if not all, the noblemen in England at that time, and even since.

This noble Earl married three wives: first; Dorothy, one of the daughters of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk; by whom he had issue three sons and four daughters, viz. Henry, his first son , Thomas, his second son; and Edward his third son, of all which in their order.

Ann, his first daughter, married Charles, Lord Stourton, and he dying, she married Sir John Arundel, of Lamborn, in the county of Cornwall. Elizabeth, his second daughter, married Henry, Lord Morley. Mary, his third daughter, Edward, Lord Stafford; and Jane, his fourth daughter, Edward, Lord Dudley.

To his second wife he married Margaret, the daughter of Ellis Barlow, of Barlow. in the county of Lancaster, Esq. and by her had issue one son and two daughters; George, who died young and unmarried; Margaret, his eldest daughter, married John Jermin, of Ruthbrook, in the county of Suffolk, Esq. and after his decease, Sir Nich. Ponitz ; and Catharine, the youngest, to Sir John Knivet.

To his third wife he married Mary, the daughter of Sir George Cotton, of Cumbermere, in the county of Chester, by whom he had no issue. After his disease, Mary, his widow, married Henry, Earl of Kent.

Henry, his eldest son, succeeded him in honour and estate, of whom more hereafter. Sir Thomas Stanley, his second son, married Margaret, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir George Vernon, of Hadden, in the county of Derby, by whom he had issue, a son, named Edward, on which occafion he made the following settlement by deed, bearing date the fourth of Elizabeth ; wherein it is declared, That the several manors and lands lying in the counties of Warwick, Devon and Oxford; also Dunham-massey, Bowden, Rungey, Hale, .Eton and Darfielda in the county of Chester, now the estate of him the said Edward, EARL of DERBY, shnall appertain and belong to Sir Thomas Stanley, his said second son, for life.

Remainder as a moiety to Lady Margaret, his wife, for life ; remainder of all to the said Edward Stanley, their son, for life; remainder in tale-male to Henry; the first son of him the said Earl ; remainder to the heirs male of the said Sir Thomas Stanley ; and remainder to the heirs male of the said Edward Stanley, son of the said Sir Thomas, and dame Margaret, his lady.

This Edward Stanley, the son, became (after the death of his father) Sir Edward Stanley, of Ensham, in the county of 0xford, and possessor of all the said manors and lands, by virtue of the said settlement ; whom more hereafter in due place.

But first proceed to Edward Stanley, the third son of the said Earl. He was a gentleman of the army in the service of Queen Elizabeth, under the command of the brave Earl of Leicester, in Holland; where, at the siege of Zulphen, he acquired great reputation by a most uncommon action of valour and undaunted courage. In the attack of a fort of the said town, a Spaniard brandishing his lance at him, he caught hold of it, and held so fast, that he was drawn up by it into the fort; at which the garrison was so intimidated (supposing all the enemy were following him) that they fled, and left the fort to him ; for which hardy and valiant action, the Earl of Leicester knighted him, and gave him forty pounds in hand, and a yearly pension of one hundred marks, payable in England, during his life.

But so it is (as observed by the learned) that the fortunate have whole years,
And those they choose ;
But the unfortunate have only days, and those they lose."

For who could imagine that so gallant a man, and so well rewarded as he was, could forget his duty to his Sovereign, and take up arms against her in favour of Spain, whither he was obliged to fly, and die in exile and disgrace, either not knowing or forgetting the Spanish proverb, which they verified in him by flight and contempt; "That they love the treason, but hate the traitor."

Having given the reader the marriages and issue of the noble Peer aforefaid, likewise of his sons and daughters, let us now attend his funeral obsequies which was conducted with the greatest magnificence; a particular description whereof I met with in the hands of an obscure person near us, and may prove acceptable to all, as well as entertaining to the curious; a transcript whereof I shall give verbatim, viz.

First, after his decease, his body was wrapped in searcloth, then in lead, and afterwards chested. The chapel and the house, with the two courts, were hung with black cloth, garnished with escutcheons of his arms, and on Saturday before the funeral, the body was brought into the chapel, where it was covered with a pall of black velvet, garnished with escutcheons of arms, and thereon was set his coat of arms, helmet and crest,sword and target; and about him was placed the standard, great banner, and six bannerets:

On Thursday in the morning before the sermon, Henry, then EARL of DERBY, his son and successor, being present, with the Esquires and Gentlemen his attendants, and the three chief officers of his house, viz. his Steward, Treasurer and Comptroller, landing about the body with white staves in :heir hands, clarencieux, king of arms, with his rich coat on, published this thanksgiving and stile of the defunct, in form following.

All honour, laud and praise to Almighty .God, who through his divine goodness, hath taken out of this transitory world, to his eternal joy and bliss, the Right Honourable Edward, EARL of DERBY, Lord Stanley and Strange, and Lord of Man and the Isles, chamberlain of Chester, one of the Lords of her Majesty's most honourable Privy-council, and Knight Companion of the most noble Order of the Garter.

Next, of the manner and order of the hearse, wherein the body lay during the service.

At Ormskirk in Lancashire, two miles from Latham, was erected a stately hearse, of five principals, thirty feet in height, twelve feet in length, and nine feet in breadth, double railed, and garnished in the order and manner following.

First, the top parts and the rails covered with black cloth, the valence and principals covered with velvet; to the valence a fringe of silk, the majesty being of tafety, lined with buckram, had thereon moll: curiously wrought in gold and silver ; the achievement of his arms, with helmet, crest, supporters and motto, and four buckram escutcheons in metal, the top garnished with escutcheons and jewels in metal, six great burial palle escutcheons at the four corners, and at the uppermost part, the valence set forth with small escutcheons of his arms, on buckram in metal, with the garter; the rails and posts also garnished with escutcheons, wrought in.gold and silver, on paper royal.

The hearfe was placed between the choir and the body of the church, which was also hung throughout with black cloth, with efcutcheons thereon, not only of his own arms within the garter, but also impaled with the three Countesses his wives. Every thing being ready on Wednefday at night before the burial; the order of the proceffion on Thurfday aster (being the day appointed) was in manner following.

I Two Yeomen Conductors, with black Staves in their hands, to lead the way. Morgan ap Roberts. Thomas Botel.

II. Then all the Poor Men in Gowns, two and two, to the number of one hundred. III. Then the Choir and Singingmen, to the number of ,forty in their surplices.

IV. An Esquire bearing the Standard, with his Hood on his head, and horse trapped o the ground, garnished with a Shasfron of his Arms within the garter on his forehead, and four Escutcheons of Buckram Metal, on each side two. Peter Stanley.

V. Then the Defunct's Gentlemen, mounted on comely geldings, in their Gowns, and. Hoods on their shoulders, to the number of eighty.

VI. The Defunct's two Secretaries riding together, as the other gentlemen before. Gilbert Moreton. Gabriel Mason.

VII. Then the Knights and Esquires in like order, two and two, in number fifty.

VIII. Then the Defunct's two Chaplains, with Hoods on their shoulders, according to their degrees. Bachelor of Divinity. Master of Arts.

IX. The Preacher, being the Dean of Chester his horse trapped, and a Doctor's Hood of' his shoulders. Doctor Longworth.

X. The Defunct's three chief Officers of hi Household , viz. the Steward, Treasurer and Comptroller, with white Staves in their bands, Hoods on their shoulders and their horses trapped. William Massey. Sir Richard Sherborne. Henry Stanley.

XI. Then an Esquire, bearing the great Banner of his Arms, with his Hood on his head, and his horse trapped and garnished with Escutcheons, as before. Ed. Norris.

XII. A Herald of Arms, with his Hood on his head, his horse trapped as aforesaid, wearing the Defunt's Coat of Arms of Damask, and bearing his Helmet of Steel, Pannel gilt, with Mantles of black Velvet, the knots gilt, and on a wreath or force of his Colours, stood his Crest, curiously carved, painted and wrought in Gold and Silver. Lancaster Herald.

XIII. Next a King of Arms, with his Hood on his head, wearing his Coat of Arms, richly embroidered with the Arms of England, his horse trapped and garnished as aforesaid, bearing the Shield of Arms of the Defunct, within the garter, and thereon a Coronet. Norroy King of Arms.

XIV. Then another King of Arms, riding in like order, bearing the Defunct's Sword, with the pummel upwards, the hilt and chape gilt, with a Scabbard of Velvet. Clarencieux.

X.V. Aber them another King of Arms, riding in like order, bearing another of the Defunct's Coat of Arms, being wrought as before mentioned. Garter, George Leigh, Esqr.

XVI. Then, on the left side of him, rode a. Gentleman Usher, with a white Rod in his hand, his horse trapped, and Hood on his head. Edward Scaresebrick.

XVII. Then the Chariot wherein the Body lay, was covered with black Velvet, garnished with Escutcheons, drawn by four horses, trapped with black, and on each Horse was placed four Escutcheons, and a Shaffron of his Arms, and on each horse lat a Paye, in a black Coat, and a Hood on his head ; and on the fore feat of the chariot sat a Gentleman Usher, in his Gown, his Hood on; his head, and a white Rod in his hand; and next the body, rode four Esquires, being assistants to the body, with Hoods on their heads, and horses trapped, to the ground. Robert Baxter, Robert Dalton, R. Bradshaw, John Preston.

XVIII. And on the outside of them, about the said chariot, fix other Esquires, with Hoods on their heads, and their horses trapped, each of them bearing a Banneret, not only of the Defunct's Arms, but also the Arms of such noble horses whereof he was descended, viz. the Arms of Thomas, the first EARL of DERBY of that name, Lord Stanley and of Man, empaled with the Arms of Eleanor his wife, daughter of Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, and fitter to Richard Nevill, Earl of Warwick and Salisbury.

XIX. The second Banneret was that of Geo. Lord Stanley and Strange, the son and heir of the said Thomas, empaled with the Arms of Jane his wife, daughter and heiress of John, Lord Strange, of Knocking.

XX. The third Banneret was the Artns of the second EARL of DERBY of that name, Lord Stanley and Strange, and of Man, empaled with the Arms of Anne his wife, daughter of Edward, Lord Hastings, and filer to George Hastings, the first Earl of Huntingdon, of that name.

XXI. The fourth Banneret was the Arms of the Defunct, empaled with the Arms of Dorothy, his first wife, and daughter of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Surry; and Earl Marshal of England, Lord Mawbray, Seagrave and Bruce.

XXII. On the fifth Banneret the Defunct's Arms, empaled with the Arms of Margaret, his second wife, daughter of Ellis Barlow, of Barlow, Esqr.

XXIII. And on the sixth Banneret, the Defunct's Arms, empaled with the Arms of' Mary, his third wife, daughter of Sir George Cotton, Knight, Vice-chainberlain to King Edward VI.

XXIV. Next after the chariot, proceeded the chief Mourner in the Mourning-robes of an Earl, and on each side of him rode a Gentleman Usher, with white Rods in their hands, hoods on their heads, and their horses trapped. Richard Ashton, Marmaduke Newton, Gentlemen, Ushers.Henry, EARL of DERBY, chief Mourner.

XXV. On the left side of him, and somewhat behind, rode the Gentleman of Horse to the Defunct, his Hood on his head, his horse trapped, and leading in his hand thehorse of estate, all covered and trapped with black Velvet.John Ormston.

XXVI. Next aster rode eight other Mourners, being assistants to the chief mourners, their Hoods on their heads and shoulders, and their horses trapped with fine cloth to the ground. John, Lord Stourton, Sir Rowland Stanley, Sir Pierce Leigh,Butler, Esqr. Ratcliff, Esqlr. Alex Rigby, Alex. Barlow, Wm. Stopford, Esqr.

XXVII. Then a Yeoman bare-headed, in a black Coat, on foot.

XXV'III. Two sons of the principal Mourners in in Gowns, and Hoods on their fhoulders; each of them having.a Gentleman to lead their horses. - Wm. Stanley, Esqr. Pranc. Stanley, Esgr.

XXIX. Two Yeomen Ushers, with white Rods, on foot.

XXX. Then the Defunct's Yeomen, two and two, to the number of five hundred.

XXXI. Then all the Gentlemens' Servants, two and two; and thus being whiffed all the way, by certain Yeomen in black coats, with black Staves in their hands; proceeded to the Church-door, where the servants attended to receive the horses. Being dismounted, those gentlemen that preceded the Corpse, entered into the Church, and received their places according to their degrees, leaving the hundred poor men without, on each side of the way.

Then the body was taken out of the chariot by eight gentlemen in gowns, with Hood; on their heads, assisted by four Yeomen in black Coats. and borne into the Hearse, where it was orderly placed upon a table three feet high, covered with black cloth, and upon him was not only laid a Pall of black Velvet, but also his Coat of Arms, Sword and Target, Helmet and Crest.

Taken out of the chariot, by William Qriel, Jaiper North, Francis Banes, John Meare, Thomas Starkey, John Byron, Edmund Winstanley and James Bradshaw, Gentlemen.

And thus the body being placed, the principal Mourner entered the hearse, where was prepared for him at the head of the Defunct, a Stool, with a Carpet and four Cushions of black Velvet, to kneel and lean upon. Then entered the other eight Mourners, and took their places within the uttermost part of the hearse, on each side of the body, four on one side, and four on the other, each of them having a Cushion of black Velvet, to lean upon, and their Stools covered with black Cloth, and a Cushion of the same to kneel upon. At the feet of the Defunct, without the rails, stood the two Esquires, holding, the Standard and great Banner; and on each side of the heade, the other Esquires, with the Bannerets; and behind the principal Mourner stood three Kings of Arms, and the four Gentlemen Ushers ; and between .the Standard, and at the great Banrner, stood the Lancaster Herald of Arms, wearing the Defunct Coat of Arms.

And thus the body being placed, and every other estate according to their degree, Norroy, King of Arms, pronounced the Stile of the Defunct as beforementioned; which ended, the Dean of Chester began his Sermon, and after the Sermon, the Vicar began the Commemoration, and after the Epistle and Gospel, the Offering was commenced in Manner following.

First, Henry, now EARL of DERBY, being principal Mourner, offered at the Altar for the Defunct, a Piece of Gold, having before him Garter, Clarencieux, and Norroy, King of Arms and Lancaster Herald of Arms; and on each side of Garter, a Gentleman Usher and Esquire, to bear the chief Mourner's Train.

After him proceeded the other eight Mourners, two and two, according to their Degrees; and in like order, he, with the other Mourners, repaired to their places, where he remaining a small time, went to offer for himself; having Clarencieux and Lancaster Herald only before him ; and having thus offered, flail betwen the Vicar and Laneaster Herald of Arms, to receive the Atchievernents of his Father, offered up by the other eight Mourners, in manner and form following.

First, The Lard Stourton and Sir Rowland Stanley, offered up the Coat of Arms, having before them Clarencieux King of Arms.

Secondly, Sir Peter Leigh, Knt. and Thomas Butler, Esq ; offered the Sword, bearing the pommel forward, having before them Norroy, King of Arms.

Thirdly, John Radclife and Alexander Barlow; Esqrs. offered the Target of his Arms, and before them went Clarencieux.

Fourthly, Alexander Rigby, and William Stopford, Esqrs. offered the Helmet and Crest, having before them Norroy, King of Arms.

Which ended, the principal Mourner repaired to his seat, and on each side of him a Gentleman Usher, with his Train borne by an Esquire ; and before him Clarencieux, King of Arms, where he remained until the Offering was ended.

Then offered the other eight Mourners for themselves, viz,

The Lord Stourton and Sir Rowland Stanley, having before them Clarencieux, King of Arms.

Sir Peter Leigh, Knight, and Thomas Butler, Esq ; and before them Norroy, King of Arms.

John Ratcliffe and Alexander Barlow, Esquires, having before them Clarencieux:, King of Arms.

Then Alexander Rigby and William Stopford, Esquires, having before them blue Mantle Pursuivant of Arms.

Thus when the principal Mourner and the eight Mourner's Assistants had offered and were placed again as aforesaid ; then offered the four Esquires, assistants to the Defunct, having before them Lancaster Herald of Arms.

Then the Standard offered by the Esquire that bore it, and before him blue Mantle, Pursuivant of Arms.

Afterwards the great Banner offered by the Esquire that bore it, and before him blue Mantle, Pursuivant of Arms.

Which Standard and Banners being offered by them that bore them, they put off their Hoods, and took their places amongst the rest of the Mourners, being Gentlemen.

Then offered the Steward, Treasurer and Comptroller, with their white Staves in their hands, and Lancaster Herald of Arms before them.

Then all; the other Knights; Esqrs, and Gentlemen, wearing black; proceeding in order two and two, according to their degrees. Afterwards the Yeomen, Ushers, and after them,the Defunct's Yeomen two and two. The Offering being ended, the hundred poor men where placed to proceed homeward on foot, and Gentlemen, on horseback ; then Garter principal King of Arms, the principal Mourner, with the other eight Mourners, two and two; then the Yeomen on; foot, two and two.

THE BURIAL,

After whole departure presently the body was by the eight Gentlemen, and four. Yeomen carried to the grave, and before it,, Clarencieux and Norroy, King of. Arms, and Lancaster Herald of Arms; and above, the body, the four Assistants and the six Esquires, bearing the Bannerets. .

After the body went the Steward,. Treasurer and Comptroller, with two Gentlemen Ushers, and two Yeomen Ushers ; who, when the body was buried, kneeling on their knees, with weeping and tears, broke their white Staves and Rods over their heads; and threw the slivers into the grave.

That done, the six Esquires delivered up the six Bannerets, which were presented with the rest of the Achievements ; orderly placed over, and about him; and departed to Latham-hall, where they received their offices and staves again of their new Earl, now their Lord and Master.

Having brought this great and honourable Earl to his last home (the Grave) let us not bury him there in total oblivion; but with Sir William Dugdale, Mr. Cambden, Mr. Hollinshead, Mr. Stow, &c. lament his death, and not quite forget the memory of so eminent and noble a servant to his prince and country, but endeavour to transmit to posterity, for their example and imitation, his most renowned, steady, and faithful behaviour and conduct, under two Kings and two Queens, as well in peace, as in war.

It appears from all our Historians, that he lived in the greatest splendor and magnificence, without any dependance on the court. His greatness supported his goodness, and his goodness endeared his greatness. His height was looked upon with a double aspect ; by himself, as an advantage of beneficence and by others, of reverence. His great birth raised him above private respect, but his great soul never above public service.

He was kind to his tenants; liberal to his servants ; generous to his friends; and hospitable to strangers ; he was famous for housekeeping, and his extensive charity insomuch, that Queen Elizabeth would jestingly say, that he and my Lord of Bedford made all beggars by their liberality. His House was orderly and regular, a college of discipline, instruction and accomplishment, rather than a palace for entertainment; his and his lady's servants being so many young gentlemen and ladies, trained up to govern themselves by their example, who they knew understood themselves perfefy.

His provisions were natural, all necessaries, bred and provided of his own stock, rather plentiful than various, solid than dainty, that cost him less, and contented more. His table was constant where all were welcome and none invited. His hall was commonly full, his gates always; the one with the honest gentry and yeomen, who were his retainers in love and observance, bringing good stomachs to his table, and resolved hearts for his service ; the other were the aged, decrepid, and industrious poor, whose cravings were prevented ; the first being provided with meat, the second with money, and the third with labour.

In this northern insurrection against her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, he offered to raise Ten Thousand Men at his own charge, for the suppressing thereof; but his appearance in the field was sufficient, the holding up of his hand being as effectual as the displaying of a banner. In a word, Mr. Cambden observes, that hospitality lieth buried in this Earl's grave, (1572 the time of his death) from whence may the Divine Power raise it and all mankind to everlasting bliss, when there will be no poor to be relieved, nor bounty wanted to relieve.

He had two hundred and twenty servants in a cheque roll for forty two years, and twice a day sixty old aged and decrepid poor, who were fed with meat ; and on every Good-friday for thirty-five years, he fed two thousand seven hundred perfons with meat, drink, and money. Every gentleman in his service had a man and horse to attend him, and his allowance for the expence of his House only, was four thoufand pounds a year, befides the produce of his two large parks, and very great demesnes ; insomuch, that his House was stiled the Northern Court. Neither was he munificient upon other men's charge; for once a month he looked into his income, and once a week into his disbursements, that none should wrong him, nor be wronged by him. The EARL of DERBY (he would say) shall keep his own House, that frugality, justice and good management, might as well consist with greatness, as length with breadth."

Therefore it was observed of him, and the fecond Duke of Norfolk, that when they were dead, not a tradesman could demand the payment of a groat that they owed him; nor a neighbour the restitution of a penny that they had wronged him of.

It is a maxim that the grass groweth not where the Grand Signior's horse treads, nor do the people thrive where the noblemen inhabit; but here every tenant was a gentleman ; and every gentleman my Lord's companion - such his civility towards the one, and his kind usage of the other.

Noblemen in those days eteemed the love of their neighbour more than their riches; and the service and fealty of their tenants, more than their money. They would commonly fay, Let the underwood grow, the tenants are the support of a family; and the commonality are the strength of the kingdom. Improve thriftily, but force not violently, either your bounds or rents, above your forefathers. Two things he abominated, depopulating inclosures, and avaricious and unworthy enhancement of rents.

But now the landlord hath the sweat of the tenant's brow in his coffers; then he had the best blood in his veins at his command. The grand word with this noble Peer, was on my Honour, which was esteemed sufficient security for any engagement whatsoever, and was the only affervation he used; it was his privilege that he needed not swear for a testimony, and his renown that he would not for his honour.

Great was this exalted family's esteem with the people, and eminent their favour with their fovercign, which was ever employed in obliging their liege people, improving their intertst and supporting their throne; for, though they had a long time been Kings of Man, and with the hearts of the people, yet were they as long faithful subjects to England. In a word, he had no foth or neglecte be surprized; no vanity difcourfe to lose his master; no partiality to be biassed, no discontent to satisfy, nor no passion to be misguided. In fine, he lived in all capacities, a public good, and died a common loss ; leaving in his family that best legacy, a good example, and in his country, that lasting monument, a good name.

The late very great and eminent Lord; whose prudence, conduct, and most remarkable life and anions we have been juf~ defcribing and treating of, was succeeded in his honours and immenfe estate by his eldest son Henry, Lord Stanley and Strange of Knocking; who after his father's deceafe was fourth EARL of DERBY of this family, and was fummoned to parliament and took his seat in the most honourable House of Peers, the eighth of February after his father's decease.

And being a nobleman in fedate years, great learning, and exalted genius, as well as of leading quality and confummate experience in all the maxims and policy of public, as well as private life, he made an early figure at court, where his royal mif treis

tress was pleased to distinguish and pro, mote him by marks of her princely favour; knowing him to be a person of the utmost probity, undoubted loyalty, and steady adherence to her perfon, interest and go. vernment.

In token whereof she dignified him with the honour of the Garter, and constantly made choice of, and preferred him in all momentous and critical affairs of state, as one whom she could rely on, as her trusty friend and faithful servant.

The next appearance whereof was by sending him at the head of a commission (with some other Peers) to Flanders, to, treat of a peace with the Prince of Parma, then General to the King of Spain, with whom her Majesty had been long of enmity.

Soon after his return from that country,, the Queen was pleased to honour him with carrying the enfigns of, and investing the King of France with the most noble Order of the Garter.

The twenty-ninth of her reign, her Majesly was pleased to appoint him by her royal commission, to be (with some other Peers) one of the judges for the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots, then a prisoner in the Castle of Fotheringay, in the county of Northampton, where the was arraigned, tried, and adjudged to die, and was there, accordingly, beheaded.

Some time after that transaction, in the Year 1564, her Majesty determined to honour the ancient University of Cambridge with her royal presence; in order to which she was pleased to appoint this noble Earl and his Lady, to attend her hither, where they arrived on Saturday the fifth of August, the same Year; and in the Queen's entrance into that College, the Countess of Derby was preferred to bear up her Majesty's train.

Likewise, on that Queen's visitation of her University of Oxford, this noble Earl as appointed to attend her Majesty's person to that place, where on Friday the sixth of September, 1566, his Lordship was complimented by that learned body, with the degree of Master of Arts.

And in the thirty-second of the same Queen, he was by special commission; constituted Lord High-Steward of England, and sole judge for the trial of Philip Earl of Arundel, for Treason.

And in the year 1588, the Queen was graciously pleased to grant to him by patent for five years, the high office of Lord-chamberlain of Chester.

Some time after this, he determined to visit his Isle of Man, and in order thereto, came to his House at Liverpool, called the Tower, where waiting a while for a passage, the * Corporation did themselves the honour to compliment him, by erecting and adorning in a rich manner, a sumptuous Stall or Seat, for his reception at Church, where he several times honoured them by his presence.

Records of Liverpool ,

Upon his return from the Island, he retired to his seat at Latham, and I do not find he appeared at, court any more; for by his will, bearing date the twenty-first of September, 1594, he ordered his Body to be buried in his chapel at Ormskirk, and departe, this life at Latham, the twenty-fifth of the same month, and was deposited in the said vault, according to his desire.

This noble Earl married to his lady, Margaret, the only daughter of Henry Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, by his wife, Eleanor, one of the daughters and coheirs of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, by Mary, Queen Dowager of France, and younger sister to King Henry VIII. and by her had issue four sons, William, and Francis, who died young and unmarried; also Ferdinand, and William, successively EARLS of DERBY after him; also one daughter, who died young, and unmarried.

Upon his demise, he left, besides the above issue by his own lady, three natural children, by one Jane Halsal, of Knowsley, one son named Thomas, and two daughters, Dorothy and Ursula, for whom he made a liberal provision. Dorothy, his first daughter, married Sir Cuth, Halsal, of Halsal, in the county of Lancaster, and Ursula, his second daughter, married Sir John Salisbury, of Sterney, in the county of Derby.

Thomas his son, by Jane Halsal, was called Thomas Stanley, of Eccleshall Esq; on whom he also settled the manor of Broughton, and other lands, near Manchester, which his successors sold to Mr. Cheetham, of Smedley.