William Stanley

Also known as: sir William / sir William Stanleie · Family: House of York · Role: knight · First appears: Edward IV 9

Around 1469 at Middleham Castle, William was among the friends who met Edward IV in the open with a large band of men, preventing his keepers from returning him to prison: “there met with him sir William Stanleie, sir Thomas a Borough, and diuerse other of his friends”. Around 1483, Richard III released William from ward and made him steward of the royal household.

In 1485, William joined Henry VII with soldiers assembled for his service, while remaining connected to his brother Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby. At Aderston, he reunited with Henry VII and Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby, and they consulted on giving battle to Richard III. In the battle, William commanded three thousand men under his standard and arrived with reinforcements when Henry VII’s forces were close to defeat; Richard III’s men were driven back and fled.