From Manx Soc vol IV,VII & IX

PETITION RESPECTING THE ISLE OF MAN.
A.D. 1607.

STATE PAPER OFFICE, SCOTLAND *.

5 JAS. I

KING Henry 4 in the 7th yeare of his raigne did
grant the Isle of Man to Sr John Stanley, Kn^t,
& to his pres, who have peaceably enjoyed the same, by force of
that graunte, untill the deathe of Ferdinando, Late E. of Derby,
viz. : by the space of aboute 200 yeares during the raignes of 11
kings and Queenes of Englande, & 8 diseents in the line &
blood of the same S^r John Stanley.

Upon the deathe of Ferdinando Late E. of Derby, question
arose betweene his brother William, nowe E. of Derby, clayming
as heiro maele, & the three doughters & coheires of the saide
Ferdinando being then within age, & claiming as heires
generall.

Whereupon it pleased the Late Queene, to referre the
consideration & decyding of that question unto divers of her
Privy Counsell, & some of her Principall Judges, And they after
many & solemne hearings of the cause debated by learned
counsell, did resolve, & delivered there opinions for the coheires
against the nowe Earle.

But her Ma^tjes Atturney generall, attending the hearing of
the cause by her comandemt did quarrell with the Originall
grt made by K. H. 4 to Sr John Stanley (wch had beene so long
enjoyed as is aforesaide) preending the same to be defective &
insufficient, upon some stricte & nyce pointes in Lawe, wch yr
supplt' undrstande not, by color whereof the possession hathe
beene evr since detayned from yr supplicants.

In consideracbn, &c.
[ENDORSED.]

Copye of a Petition concerninge the Ile of Man.

*Vol. 27, Art. 37.