Sir Henry Stanley,
4th Earl of Derby,
Knight of the Garter

as portrayed by James M. "Doc" Amor

*achem*

The scribe obviously forgot to include the rest of my titles and stations, so it should be added that I am also 7th Lord of Mann & the Isles, 5th Viscount Kynton, 12th Baron Strange of Knockyn, 8th Baron Mahon, 5th Baron Stanley, Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Admiral of Mann, Vice-Admiral of Lancashire, Vice-Admiral of Cheshire, and Councillor for Ecclesiastical Causes of York.

I believe that overlooking all of those will cause the scribe a deduction in pay. Now, where was I? Oh yes...

My family has served the throne for almost two centuries.  In  1405, King Henry IV bestowed the title and privileges of King of Mann on my ancestor, John Stanley, for loyal service.  At the Battle of Bosworth Field, my ancestors played a pivotal role in the outcome by swinging in to support Henry Tudor in the final moments of the War of the Roses.  In fact, my great-grandfather, Thomas Stanley  retrieved the crown of Richard III.  He then, as a sovereign in his own right, placed the crown upon the head of his stepson, Henry Tudor.  From that time forward, the Earls of Derby have carried the Sword of State in all processions before the Monarch. 

Edward Stanley, the Third Earl of Derby and my father, had the distinction to serve on council with King Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and our present Queen Elizabeth.  One may be surprised to find that in all the turmoil and religious strife that marked many of these reigns, my father managed to maintain a position of importance at court.  This is most assuredly because Stanleys are never ones to rush forward into a conflict without taking the time to evaluate all sides and determine a prudent course of action.  In many ways, it is a Stanley trait to bend like a willow in the wind.

As for myself, I have recently come into my titles after my father’s death.  I attended court during Queen Mary’s reign and was honored to have Queen Mary and King Phillip present at my marriage to Margaret Clifford.  King Phillip served as godfather to our first born son, Ferdinando.  And yet in spite of my previous allegiance to the Roman Church, I am committed to uphold this New Church and its beliefs.  This often places me at odds with my dear wife, Margaret, who still adheres to the old religion.  In recent years, she has found herself as a guest of Her Majesty in the Tower on many occasions.   As the Heiress Presumptive to the Throne, Margaret has the potential to elevate my position greatly upon her ascension to the throne after Our Grace’s long reign is complete.   I find myself remaining by her side as we travel on progress with Her Grace.  I do this for two reasons.  The first is to ensure that she does not displease Her Grace.  And the second is to ensure that I can keep her from becoming a catalyst for more Papist intrigue here at court.  I will bide my time til her coronation by ensuring that those in court who might stand in her way are discredited by whatever means may become available.

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