James Stanley Biography

Birth of James Stanley, styled the Great Earl of Derby, eldest son of William, 6th Earl of Derby

Elected Member of Parliament for Liverpool

Stanley is accused after violence during an unsuccessful Royalist move against Manchester.

Stanley leads armed Royalists into Manchester but fails to hold the town.

Stanley leads Royalist forces into Manchester but is driven from the town.

1st of the Cavaliers to enter then take Bolton

Executed after being captured at the Battle of Worcester

Executed after being captured at the Battle of Worcester

Joins up with Charles II from the Isle of Man, with a modest force of 250 foot

Stanley seeks recruits around Warrington, but his refusal to take the Covenant limits support from local Presbyterians.

Stanley lands from the Isle of Man with a small Royalist force and begins raising support for Charles II in Lancashire.

Stanley meets Charles II during the southward march and receives authority to raise Royalist forces in Lancashire and Cheshire.

Most of Derbys forces are eliminated, Derby joins Charles II at Worcester

Stanley is wounded and escapes after Lilburne routs his Royalist force at Wigan Lane.

Stanley is captured near Nantwich after separating from Charles II during the flight from Worcester.

Stanley reaches Worcester after surviving Wigan Lane and rejoins Charles II shortly before the decisive battle.

Captured during the Battle of Worcester supporting Charles I

Stanley fights for Charles II at Worcester, escapes the battlefield and is captured later near Nantwich.

Stanley helps guide Charles II away from Worcester toward the Royalist refuges around Boscobel after the battle.

A court-martial at Chester convicts Stanley of treason for supporting Charles II's invasion and sentences him to death.

Stanley attempts to escape from Chester Castle after his conviction but is recaptured before his sentence is carried out.

Stanley petitions for mercy after his conviction, but Parliament refuses to overturn the death sentence despite Cromwell's support.

Death of James Stanley, executed after being captured at the Battle of Worcester

James Stanley is executed at Bolton after his capture and court-martial following the Worcester campaign.