Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby

The 3rd Earl of Derby.

File:Coat of arms of Sir Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby, KG.png

Arms of Sir Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby, KG

Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby KG (c. 10 May 1509 – 24 October 1572) was an English nobleman.

At the age of thirteen, Edward received the titles and estates of his father, the 2nd Earl of Derby, and King Henry VIII took responsibility for bringing him up until he was of age. His commissioners, including Cardinal Thomas Wolsey were responsible for most of his affairs.

In 1528, he accompanied Cardinal Wolsey on a mission to France, and in 1530, he was one of the peers who gave Pope Clement VII the declaration regarding Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon. That same year Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk bought the remaining year of Edward Stanley's wardship and married him, without the King's permission, to his daughter, Katherine Howard. The King rebuked Norfolk, but allowed the marriage. Katherine fell victim to the plague a few weeks later. Undeterred, Norfolk arranged for a marriage between his half sister, Dorothy Howard, and Edward Stanley, with whom he had issue:

• Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby
• Isabel (1533–1590) wife of James Stanley
• Jane (d.1569) wife of Edward Sutton, 4th Baron Dudley
• Mary (d.1609) wife of Edward Stafford, 3rd Baron Stafford
• Thomas, grandfather of Venetia Stanley
• Anne, wife of Charles Stourton, 8th Baron Stourton, then John Arundell
• Margaret(d.1585), widow of John Germin & 2nd wife of Sir Nicholas Poyntz (d.1585/6) of Iron Acton, Glos.

In 1532, Edward accompanied King Henry to Boulogne, where they met with King Francis I of France. After this meeting, Edward became a Knight of the Bath. A few years later, Edward took a major role in quelling the Pilgrimage of Grace, a large (mainly church-related) rebellion started in Lincolnshire and spread into North England. In 1542, Edward accompanied the Duke of Norfolk on a raid into Scotland.

When Edward VI ascended to the throne in 1547, Edward became a Knight of the Garter, and in 1550, he was one of the peers who were present at the peace proceedings with Scotland and France. A year later, various charges were brought against him (with little or no evidence), mainly due to his opposition to clerical reform. However, when Queen Mary ascended to the throne, he was again in favour, and was appointed Lord High Steward and became a Privy Councillor. He was a commissioner of Lady Jane Grey's trial, and was frequently present during the trials of accused heretics. He remained in favour under Queen Elizabeth I's reign, and remained on her Privy Council. She eventually appointed him Chamberlain of Chester.

Edward Stanley died at Lathom House, and his titles and estates were passed on to his eldest son, Henry Stanley.

Ancestry

Family of Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby

16. Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley               8. Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby                       17. Joan Goushill               4. George Stanley, 9th Baron Strange                             18. Richard Nevill, 1st Earl of Salisbury               9. Lady Eleanor Nevill                       19. Alice Montacute, 5th Countess of Salisbury               2. Thomas Stanley, 2nd Earl of Derby                                   20. Richard le Strange, 7th Baron Strange               10. John le Strange, 8th Baron Strange                       21. Elizabeth de Cobham               5. Joan le Strange, 9th Baroness Strange                             22. Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers               11. Jacquetta Woodville                       23. Jacquetta of Luxembourg               1. Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby                                         24. Leonard Hasting               12. William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings                       25. Alice Camoys               6. Edward Hastings, 2nd Baron Hastings                             26. Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury               13. Katherine Neville, Baroness Hastings                       27. Alice Montacute               3. Anne Hastings                                   28. Robert Hungerford, 3rd Baron Hungerford               14. Thomas Hungerford of Rowden                       29. Eleanor Moleyns               7. Mary Hungerford                             30. Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland               15. Lady Anne Percy                       31. Eleanor de Poynings, Baroness de Poynings

External links

• Stanley's patronage of theater and/or music: Patrons and Performances Web Site

Honorary titles
Preceded by Unknown	Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire 1552–1572	Succeeded by The Earl of Derby
Preceded by Unknown	Vice-Admiral of Lancashire 1569–1572
Preceded by Unknown	Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire Vice-Admiral of Cheshire 1569–1572
Head of State of the Isle of Man
Preceded by Thomas Stanley	Lord of Mann 1521–1572	Succeeded by Henry Stanley
Peerage of England
Preceded by Thomas Stanley	Earl of Derby 1521–1572	Succeeded by Henry Stanley
	Baron Strange (descended by acceleration) 1521–1559