William Stanley (Battle of Bosworth)

Sir William Stanley KG (* 1435 in Lytham, † February 10, 1495 in Tower Hill, London ) was an English knight of the Garter and the younger brother of Thomas Stanley, an English statesman. Stanley fought with his troops in several battles of the Wars of the Roses.

Life

He was born in Lytham, Lancashire as the younger son of Thomas Stanley, 1st Lord Stanley. In 1465 he married Joan, the daughter of the first Viscount Beaumont, and widow of John, Lord Lovel. He married his second wife in 1471 to Elizabeth Hopton, daughter of Thomas Hopton with whom he had a daughter, Jane Stanley. They lived in Holt, Norfolk.

Career

He originally supported the House of York during the Wars of the Roses, and in time became a celebrated military commander. He fought on the side of the Yorkist at the Battle of Blore Heath in 1459th In 1465 he got the Skipton - lands and the castle of the Cliffords expropriated as a fief. After the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471 he was the Queen Margaret of Anjou, wife of Henry VI. , Captured, who led the House of Lancaster and was then appointed ( banneret Knight) from the king to Venner / Bannerherr. In 1483, he was appointed Chief Justice of North Wales ( Chief Justice of North Wales). After 1483 Richard III. came to the throne, he got for his loyal service more lands in North Wales.

From 1485 Stanley had decided, however, to switch sides and supported the claim to the throne of the house of Lancaster, so Henry Tudor. Best known for his Stanley is overflowing at the Battle of Bosworth Field, where he. , The Yorkists under Richard III critical hit, and thus helped to secure Henry Tudor's claim. In gratitude for his timely intervention him the new King Henry VII gave many titles, including the new office of Lord Chamberlain. 1487 Stanley was admitted to the Order of the Garter.

10 years later Stanley was accused of treason for his support of the pretender Perkin Warbeck, convicted, and then beheaded a few days at February 10, 1495. He had willingly admitted the fact, even though they'd be only circumstantial evidence against him, because he thought he would escape execution by a full confession. The king could grant clemency, however, feared that he would thereby put at risk, as this may encourage other people, a similar act of folly to commit in the hope then to get away with impunity.