Audley-Stanley family
Encyclopedia
The Audley-Stanley family is a family with many notable members including the Earls of Derby who are descended from the early holders of Audley, Staffordshire
. The first mention of Audley is in the Domesday book
of 1086, when it was called Aldidelege (Aldithley), when the lands were held by an English thegn
called Gamel. The descent of the Audley and Stanley families can be traced back as far as an Englishman named Ligulf of Aldithley, who held the estate not long after the Domesday survey but whose relationship, if any, to Gamel is unknown. The family later fabricated a Norman origin, at that time more prestigious than an English one, by presenting Ligulf, despite his non-Norman name and the English etymology of Aldithley, as the lord of a fictitious 'Aldithley in Normandy', and his son Adam as a follower of William the Conqueror.
The extended Audley family, originally of Audley Castle but who later built (or re-built) Heighley Castle
, Madeley, Staffordshire
in 1226, had several additional households including Red Castle at Hawkstone in Shropshire
, Buglawton Manor in Congleton
, Newhall Tower at Combermere
and a home in Nantwich
. In the early 12th century Adam's grandson William married Joan de Stanley heiress of Stoneleigh, Staffordshire
thereby becoming William de Stanley of Stoneleigh. This branch of the Audley thus took the name Stanley and Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby
was a direct descendant.
The main line of the Audley family, who had become Baron Audley
in 1313, failed in 1391 when Nicholas Audley, 3rd Baron Audley
died without a male heir. His sister Joanne married Sir John Tuchet (b 1327) for whose descendant John Tuchet (b 1371) the title of 4th Baron Audley
was granted in 1408. He was succeeded by his son James Touchet, 5th Baron Audley. Later generations of the Tuchet's became Earl of Castlehaven
.
Another branch of the Audley family was created by Hugh Audley of Stratton Audley
, Baron Audley from 1317, whose son became 1st Earl of Gloucester
.
The Audley & Stanley families and their descendants remained prominent throughout the history of England
and Ireland
into modern times. The Stanleys were, at one time, one of the richest landowning families in England.
and the Latham family (originally Lathom or Lothe Hom - "Brick house" from Lathom
, Lancashire
) and Stanley families became linked. Following this marriage, the Stanley family adopted the 'eagle and child' crest of the Lathom family and continue to use it to this day..
, and at least one historian has suggested that this family rivals the Cecils (Marquesses of Salisbury) as the single most important family in the party's history. The early 13c marriage of James Aldithley with Ela, daughter of the William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury suggests a likely close family link.
Audley, Staffordshire
Audley is a rural village approximately four miles north west of the town of Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. It is the centre of Audley Rural parish....
. The first mention of Audley is in the Domesday book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of 1086, when it was called Aldidelege (Aldithley), when the lands were held by an English thegn
Thegn
The term thegn , from OE þegn, ðegn "servant, attendant, retainer", is commonly used to describe either an aristocratic retainer of a king or nobleman in Anglo-Saxon England, or as a class term, the majority of the aristocracy below the ranks of ealdormen and high-reeves...
called Gamel. The descent of the Audley and Stanley families can be traced back as far as an Englishman named Ligulf of Aldithley, who held the estate not long after the Domesday survey but whose relationship, if any, to Gamel is unknown. The family later fabricated a Norman origin, at that time more prestigious than an English one, by presenting Ligulf, despite his non-Norman name and the English etymology of Aldithley, as the lord of a fictitious 'Aldithley in Normandy', and his son Adam as a follower of William the Conqueror.
The extended Audley family, originally of Audley Castle but who later built (or re-built) Heighley Castle
Heighley Castle
Heighley Castle is a ruined medieval castle situated at Madeley, Staffordshire.The castle was completed by the Audley family in 1233 and for over 300 years was one of their ancestral homes. It was held for Charles I during the English Civil War and was destroyed by Parliamentary forces in the...
, Madeley, Staffordshire
Madeley, Staffordshire
Madeley is a village and ward in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, North Staffordshire, England. It is split into three parts: Madeley, Middle Madeley, and Little Madeley. Madeley Heath is also considered by many to be part of Madeley...
in 1226, had several additional households including Red Castle at Hawkstone in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, Buglawton Manor in Congleton
Congleton
Congleton is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, on the banks of the River Dane, to the west of the Macclesfield Canal and 21 miles south of Manchester. It has a population of 25,750.-History:The first settlements in...
, Newhall Tower at Combermere
Combermere
Combermere can refer to:*Combermere Abbey, Cheshire, England*Combermere Park, Cheshire, England*Combermere, Cheshire, a village in Cheshire, England*Combermere House, Nantwich, a listed building in Nantwich, Cheshire...
and a home in Nantwich
Nantwich
Nantwich is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The town gives its name to the parliamentary constituency of Crewe and Nantwich...
. In the early 12th century Adam's grandson William married Joan de Stanley heiress of Stoneleigh, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
thereby becoming William de Stanley of Stoneleigh. This branch of the Audley thus took the name Stanley and Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby
Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby
Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, KG was titular King of Mann, an English nobleman and stepfather to King Henry VII of England...
was a direct descendant.
The main line of the Audley family, who had become Baron Audley
Baron Audley
The title Baron Audley was first created on 8 January 1313 by writ in the Peerage of England for Nicholas Audley of Heighley Castle a member of the Audley family of Staffordshire.....
in 1313, failed in 1391 when Nicholas Audley, 3rd Baron Audley
Nicholas Audley, 3rd Baron Audley
Nicholas Audley, 3rd Baron Audley was born in the Heighley Castle, Staffordshire, England to James Audley, 2nd Baron Audley, his only surviving son ....
died without a male heir. His sister Joanne married Sir John Tuchet (b 1327) for whose descendant John Tuchet (b 1371) the title of 4th Baron Audley
Baron Audley
The title Baron Audley was first created on 8 January 1313 by writ in the Peerage of England for Nicholas Audley of Heighley Castle a member of the Audley family of Staffordshire.....
was granted in 1408. He was succeeded by his son James Touchet, 5th Baron Audley. Later generations of the Tuchet's became Earl of Castlehaven
Earl of Castlehaven
Earl of Castlehaven was a peerage title in the Peerage of Ireland, created on September 6, 1616. It was held in conjunction with the Barony of Audley , the Barony of Audley of Orier , and the Barony of Audley of Hely .Upon...
.
Another branch of the Audley family was created by Hugh Audley of Stratton Audley
Stratton Audley
Stratton Audley is a village and civil parish northeast of Bicester in Oxfordshire, England.-Manor:The Domesday Book of 1086 records that Robert D'Oyly held five hides of land at Stratton. Like many D'Oyly manors, Stratton later became part of the Honour of Wallingford...
, Baron Audley from 1317, whose son became 1st Earl of Gloucester
Earl of Gloucester
The title of Earl of Gloucester was created several times in the Peerage of England. A fictional earl is also a character in William Shakespeare's play King Lear. See also Duke of Gloucester.-Earls of Gloucester, 1st Creation :...
.
The Audley & Stanley families and their descendants remained prominent throughout the history of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
into modern times. The Stanleys were, at one time, one of the richest landowning families in England.
Latham family and "Eagle and child" Coat of Arms
In 1385, Isabella de Lathom, the eldest daughter of parents who had no male heir, married Sir John StanleyJohn I Stanley of the Isle of Man
Sir John I Stanley, KG was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and titular King of Mann, the first of that name. The Stanley family later became the Earls of Derby and remained prominent in English history into modern times.-Early years:...
and the Latham family (originally Lathom or Lothe Hom - "Brick house" from Lathom
Lathom
Lathom is a village and civil parish in Lancashire, England, about 5 km northeast of Ormskirk. It is in the district of West Lancashire, and with the parish of Newburgh forms part of Newburgh ward...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
) and Stanley families became linked. Following this marriage, the Stanley family adopted the 'eagle and child' crest of the Lathom family and continue to use it to this day..
Conservative Party
Several successive generations of the Stanley Earls, along with other members of the family, have been prominent members of the Conservative PartyConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
, and at least one historian has suggested that this family rivals the Cecils (Marquesses of Salisbury) as the single most important family in the party's history. The early 13c marriage of James Aldithley with Ela, daughter of the William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury suggests a likely close family link.
See also
- Baron AudleyBaron AudleyThe title Baron Audley was first created on 8 January 1313 by writ in the Peerage of England for Nicholas Audley of Heighley Castle a member of the Audley family of Staffordshire.....
- Henry de Aldithley/AudleyBaron AudleyThe title Baron Audley was first created on 8 January 1313 by writ in the Peerage of England for Nicholas Audley of Heighley Castle a member of the Audley family of Staffordshire.....
c. 1175 – , Lord of the Welsh MarchesWelsh MarchesThe Welsh Marches is a term which, in modern usage, denotes an imprecisely defined area along and around the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods...
,governor of CarmarthenCarmarthenCarmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
castle and Cardigan CastleCardigan CastleCardigan Castle is a castle located in Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales.-History:The first motte-and-bailey castle was built a mile away from the present site, probably about the time of the founding of the town by Roger de Montgomery, a Norman baron....
, Sheriff of Salop and Staffordshire from 1216 until 1221, constable of Shrewsbury CastleShrewsbury CastleShrewsbury Castle is a red sandstone castle in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. It stands on a hill in the neck of the meander of the River Severn on which the town originally developed. The castle is situated directly above Shrewsbury railway station....
and Bridgnorth CastleBridgnorth CastleBridgnorth Castle is in the town of Bridgnorth, Shropshire beside the River Severn .The castle was founded in 1101 by Robert de Belleme, the son of the French Earl, Roger de Montgomery, who succeeded his father to become the Earl of Shrewsbury...
,Governor of ShrewsburyShrewsburyShrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, Chester CastleChester CastleChester Castle is in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. It is sited at the southwest extremity of the area bounded by the city walls . The castle stands on an eminence overlooking the River Dee. In the castle complex are the remaining parts of the medieval castle together with the...
and Beeston CastleBeeston CastleBeeston Castle is a former Royal castle in Beeston, Cheshire, England , perched on a rocky sandstone crag above the Cheshire Plain. It was built in the 1220s by Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, , on his return from the Crusades...
, governor of Newcastle-under-Lyne. He married Bertred Mainwaring. - James de Aldithley c. 1220–1272 who married Ela Longespee, daughter of William II LongespeeWilliam II LongespeeSir William II Longespée, long sword in French, was the son of William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, and Ela, 3rd Countess of Salisbury...
, son of William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, a son of King Henry II of EnglandHenry II of EnglandHenry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
by Ida de Tosny (who would later marry Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of NorfolkRoger Bigod, 2nd Earl of NorfolkRoger Bigod was the son of Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk and his first wife, Juliana de Vere. Although his father died 1176 or 1177, Roger did not succeed to the earldom of Norfolk until 1189 for his claim had been disputed by his stepmother for her sons by Earl Hugh in the reign of Henry II...
). - Emma de Audley c. 1224, daughter of Henry de Audley & Bertrade de Mainwaring and great granddaughter of Hugh de Kevelioc, 3rd Earl of ChesterHugh de Kevelioc, 3rd Earl of ChesterHugh de Kevelioc, 5th Earl of Chester was the son of Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester and Maud of Gloucester, daughter of Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester .-Early life:He is thought to have been born Kevelioc in Monmouth...
, who married Gruffydd II ap Madog, Lord of Dinas BranGruffydd II ap Madog, Lord of Dinas Bran- Lineage :He was the eldest son of Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor and inherited his father's lands and title in partible succession along with his four brothers Gruffydd Ial, Maredudd, Hywel and Madog Fychan....
Prince of Powys - Hugh I de Audley c. 1250 who married Isolda de Mortimer, daughter of Hugh de Mortimer and great granddaughter of Llywelyn the GreatLlywelyn the GreatLlywelyn the Great , full name Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, was a Prince of Gwynedd in north Wales and eventually de facto ruler over most of Wales...
("Fawr"). - Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of GloucesterHugh de Audley, 1st Earl of GloucesterHugh II de Audley, 1st Baron Audley and 1st Earl of Gloucester was the English Ambassador to France in 1341.-Family:...
c. 1289–1347 - James AudleyJames AudleySir James Audley KG was one of the original knights, or founders, of the Order of the Garter. He was the eldest son of Sir James Audley of Stratton Audley in Oxfordshire.-Biography:...
founder of the order of the garterOrder of the GarterThe Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
c. 1316–1386 - Margaret de AudleyMargaret de AudleyMargaret de Audley, suo jure 2nd Baroness Audley and Countess of Stafford was an English noblewoman. She was the only daughter of Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester by his wife Lady Margaret de Clare...
, daughter of Margaret de ClareMargaret de ClareMargaret de Clare, Countess of Cornwall, Countess of Gloucester , was an English noblewoman, heiress, and the second eldest of the three daughters of Gilbert de Clare, 6th Earl of Hertford and his wife, Joan of Acre, making her a granddaughter of King Edward I of England...
and great-granddaughter of King Edward I of EnglandEdward I of EnglandEdward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
c. 1318–1347. - James Touchet, 5th Baron Audley
- Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of WaldenThomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of WaldenThomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden, KG, PC, KS , Lord Chancellor of England, born in Earls Colne, Essex, the son of Geoffrey Audley, is believed to have studied at Buckingham College, Cambridge...
Lord ChancellorLord ChancellorThe Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
- Henry de Aldithley/Audley
- Earl of DerbyEarl of DerbyEarl of Derby is a title in the Peerage of England. The title was first adopted by Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby under a creation of 1139. It continued with the Ferrers family until the 6th Earl forfeited his property toward the end of the reign of Henry III and died in 1279...
, first creation and later creations - Baron StanleyBaron StanleyThe title Baron Stanley was created in the Peerage of England in 1456, for Sir Thomas Stanley. His son was created Earl of Derby in 1485 and the titles remained united until the death of the fifth earl, without male heirs in 1594, when the barony became abeyant...
- Baron Stanley of AlderleyBaron Stanley of AlderleyBaron Stanley of Alderley, in the County of Chester, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1839 for the politician and landowner Sir John Stanley, 7th Baronet....
- John I Stanley of the Isle of ManJohn I Stanley of the Isle of ManSir John I Stanley, KG was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and titular King of Mann, the first of that name. The Stanley family later became the Earls of Derby and remained prominent in English history into modern times.-Early years:...
1350–1414, Lord Lieutenant of IrelandLord Lieutenant of IrelandThe Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
1413-9, Lord and titular King of MannKing of MannThe King of Mann was the title taken between 1237 and 1504 by the various rulers, both sovereign and suzerain, over the Kingdom of Mann – the Isle of Man which is located in the Irish Sea, at the centre of the British Isles....
from 1406. - Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron StanleyThomas Stanley, 1st Baron StanleyThomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley, titular King of Mann, KG , was an English politician.-Life:Stanley was the son of Sir John Stanley and Isabell Harington, daughter of Robert de Harington and Isabel Loring...
1405–1459 King of Mann, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Constable of Chester CastleChester CastleChester Castle is in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. It is sited at the southwest extremity of the area bounded by the city walls . The castle stands on an eminence overlooking the River Dee. In the castle complex are the remaining parts of the medieval castle together with the...
, Comptroller of the Royal Household in 1439. - Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of DerbyThomas Stanley, 1st Earl of DerbyThomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, KG was titular King of Mann, an English nobleman and stepfather to King Henry VII of England...
1435–1504 - Thomas Stanley, 2nd Earl of DerbyThomas Stanley, 2nd Earl of DerbyThomas Stanley, 2nd Earl of Derby was an English peer.-Parents:Derby was the eldest son of George Stanley and Joan Strange, 9th Baroness Strange and 5th Baroness Mohun. Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby was his grandfather...
1477–1521 - Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of DerbyEdward Stanley, 3rd Earl of DerbyEdward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby was an English nobleman.At the age of thirteen, Edward received the titles and estates of his father, the 2nd Earl of Derby, and King Henry VIII took responsibility for bringing him up until he was of age...
1509–1572, Lord High StewardLord High StewardThe position of Lord High Steward of England is the first of the Great Officers of State. The office has generally remained vacant since 1421, except at coronations and during the trials of peers in the House of Lords, when the Lord High Steward presides. In general, but not invariably, the Lord...
(whose daughter, Jane, was the great great grandmother of Abraham Darby IAbraham Darby IAbraham Darby I was the first, and most famous, of three generations with that name in an English Quaker family that played an important role in the Industrial Revolution. He developed a method of producing pig iron in a blast furnace fuelled by coke rather than charcoal...
, founder of the industrial revolutionIndustrial RevolutionThe Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
). - Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of DerbyHenry Stanley, 4th Earl of DerbyHenry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby KG was a prominent English nobleman who served as Lord High Steward during the trial of Philip Howard, 20th Earl of Arundel....
1531–1593, Lord of Mann - FerdinandoFerdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of DerbyFerdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby was the son of Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby and Lady Margaret Clifford. According to the will of Henry VIII, his mother was heiress presumptive of Elizabeth I of England from 1578 to her own death in 1596...
, the fifth Earl of Derby, Baron Strange of KnockinKnockin-History:Knockin is a village and civil parish located on the B4396 in Shropshire, England. It comprises mainly historic detached buildings in a rural setting. Much of Knockin was owned by the Earl of Bradford until it was sold off in lots to meet other financial demands. The Earl still owns the...
, 1559–1594, patron of, amongst others, William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"... - Lady Frances Stanley 1583-1636, daughter of FerdinandoFerdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of DerbyFerdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby was the son of Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby and Lady Margaret Clifford. According to the will of Henry VIII, his mother was heiress presumptive of Elizabeth I of England from 1578 to her own death in 1596...
(who married John Egerton, 1st Earl of BridgewaterJohn Egerton, 1st Earl of BridgewaterJohn Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater KB, PC was an English peer and politician.The son of the Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Brackley and Elizabeth Ravenscroft, he was a Member of Parliament for Callington from 1597 to 1598, and for Shropshire in 1601. Knighted on 8 April 1599, he was Baron of the...
, son of Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount BrackleyThomas Egerton, 1st Viscount BrackleyThomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Brackley PC was an English Nobleman, Judge and Statesman who served as Lord Keeper and Lord Chancellor for twenty-one years.-Early life, education and legal career:...
, Chancellor of England, created 1st Lord Ellesmere) - Edward StanleyEdward StanleyEdward Stanley may refer to:*Edward Stanley, 1st Baron Monteagle , English soldier and peer*Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby , English nobleman*Edward Stanley, 11th Earl of Derby , British peer and politician...
, Earls of Derby
- John I Stanley of the Isle of Man
- Stanley (surname)Stanley (surname)Stanley is both a family name and a masculine given name dating from the 11th and 12th century English contraction of 'Stoney Meadow'...
List of people with Stanley surname