Brenda Cubbon opened her presentation to ask us to consider whether or not James, the 7th Earl of Derby, warranted his informal title, Yn Stanlagh Mooar, the Great Stanley.

James Stanley was only 18 years old when he became MP for Liverpool in 1625 and then his younger brother became MP for Lancashire at only 17.

After the death of his mother in in 1627 he arrived on the island in 1627 to take charge, regarding himself as king.

He had married Charlotte de la Tremouille, five years older than him.

Her family had connections with most of the royal families of Europe. His wedding was held at the Hague with royal guests including the King and Queen of Bohemia.

If I heard correctly, his uncle was great grandson of Mary Tudor, youngest sister of Henry VIII. Thanks to his wife, he now had a link to the House of Orange.

James brought Charlotte to the island in the high hopes of providing her with a lifestyle befitting her station. He made further improvements to his living accommodation within Castle Rushen.

The interior was made resplendent, particularly the State Reception Room, with Arras tapestries, shields weapons and colourful pictures.

There were frequent disputes between King Charles I and parliament.

Stanley tried to keep clear of these, preferring the enjoyment of country estates.

Nonetheless, because of his position, he was expected to raise troops and support the Cavaliers against the Roundheads and he was a a strong supporter of the royalist cause and involved in a number of battles with mixed success.

Most usefully, for the island, Stanley made considerable improvements to the castles in Peel and Castletown, constructed vast earthworks as a star fort south of Ramsey and built a round fort on Fort Island.

In the event, of course, these acted more as deterrents.

Nonetheless, we benefit from these glorious structures and the history they contain.

The population had little time for any lord.

Men were likely to be rounded up for compulsory training and to go off and fight battles in the adjacent isle.

They were also required to supply the lord and his retinue with free food and provide turf.

James was on the losing side at the Battle of Worcester, King Charles I escaped for a while by hiding in the famous oak tree!

Most of the Manx survivors found their own way home. James Stanley was captured, held prisoner and then followed the king by having his head chopped off as well. Some reward for loyalty!

You might like to look at a book such as Terry Cringle’s, Here is the News to learn more.

December sees our Christmas feast with our next regular meeting on Wednesday, January 22, at 7.30pm in the Centenary Centre.

Tony Quirk is giving a presentation of the 1960s in Peel, including photographs. We are all invited to bring along our own photographs and shared memories, embarrassing or not!