Sir Edward Stanley

Edward Stanley, 1st Baron Monteagle KG (1460?–1523) was an English soldier who became a peer and Knight of the Garter. He is known for his deeds at the Battle of Flodden.

Born about 1460, he was fifth son of Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, by his first wife Eleanor, daughter of Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury. He was knighted during the reign of Edward IV by Richard, Duke of Gloucester on 24 August 1482 at the capture of Berwick upon Tweed. On 17 April 1483 he was one of the pall-bearers at Edward IV's funeral. His father's marriage with Henry of Richmond's mother and services at the battle of Bosworth gained Henry's favour for the family, when he became King Henry VII.

Edward became High Sheriff of Lancashire for life in the autumn of 1485; on 15 October he was directed to provide against Scottish attacks, and on 1 December he was granted the office of keeper of New Park, Langley; he also became knight of the body to the king. On 4 March 1488–9 he was granted the manors of Farleton in Lonsdale, Farleton in Westmoreland, and Brierley in Yorkshire.

In 1511 he served as commissioner of array in Yorkshire and Westmoreland, and in 1513 was prominent in the battle of Flodden. Edward was paid £4220 for bringing his retinue and their wages during the Flodden campaign. Popular ballads represent the English army as begging the Earl of Surrey to put Stanley in command of the van; Surrey, out of jealousy, placed him in the rear, where nevertheless he distinguished himself, forcing the Scots to evacuate their position of vantage on the hill, and killing James IV of Scotland with his own hand (his name occurs in a line of Walter Scott's Marmion: ‘Charge, Chester, charge—on, Stanley, on’). These details receive no confirmation from the official version; but Thomas Ruthall, bishop of Durham, reported that Stanley behaved well, and recommended his elevation to the peerage for his services. On 8 May 1514 he was installed Knight of the Garter.

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