Appropriately titled The Man Who Wasn’t There, there is a new book about Sir Thomas Stanley, aka 1st Earl of Derby. Hmm, not my favourite person, so I doubt I’ll be rushing to acquire it. That’s no reflection on the author or the quality of the book, just the subject matter. You can read about the book here. It includes some history of the Stanleys, showing how they reached the point they did at Bosworth. Boo-hiss to them, I say. But I do wish Jean Gidman well with her title.
Having followed your link above, it became clear to me how the Stanleys probably came by so much wealth and power – hang back until you see which way the wind blows, so you’re always on the winning side!!
I’m a Cheshire girl born and bred, thankfully nowhere near the area inhabited by the Stanleys, but I have much more affinity with Yorkshire.
Sighthound6, you have my sympathies, but your name doesn’t necessarily make you a traitor.
The Stanleys were a massive family and one way or another married into most of the gentry families of Lancashire and Cheshire, creating a complete network. Who said daughters were unimportant? Indeed, younger sons and their children added to the ‘Borg’. Resistance is futile. Prepare to be absorbed. That’s how it worked.
[…] All ice hockey fans, especially Canadians, are aware of the famous Stanley Cup, awarded to Canadian amateur ice hockey teams from 1893 onwards (American teams now also participate). The cup is known variously as Lord Stanley’s Mug and The Holy Grail of Hockey. And yes, the Lord Stanley in question is, in fact, a direct descendant of the side-swapping Thomas Stanley. […]
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