The New Murrey and Blue blog

Sir John Stanley KG 1350-1414, although himself a younger son, was effectively the founder of the main Stanley family as we know and love them as he married the wealthy heiress Isabel Lathom. (Isabel’s mother was descended, among others, from William Marshal.)

Sir John was actually convicted of murder in 1376 but pardoned in 1378. He served Richard II in various capacities, being at various times Justiciar of Ireland, Lieutenant of Ireland and Captain of Roxburgh Castle. Nonetheless, he rapidly defected to Bolingbroke in 1399 and unlike many fellow Cheshire gentry fought for him at Shrewsbury where he was wounded.

In 1405 he was given the Isle of Man (he was called King of Mann) and also became Steward of Henry’s Household and was made KG. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland again from 1413 to his death in 1414.

Not a bad career for a younger son of a Cheshire gentleman who happened to be a convicted murderer.