Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby

Who was Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby?

Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby KG 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. His commissioners, including Cardinal Thomas Wolsey were responsible for most of his affairs.

In 1528, he accompanied Cardinal Wolsey on a mission to France, and in 1530, he was one of the peers who gave Pope Clement VII the declaration regarding Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon. That same year Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk bought the remaining year of Edward Stanley's wardship and married him, without the King's permission, to his daughter, Katherine Howard. The King rebuked Norfolk, but allowed the marriage. Katherine fell victim to the plague a few weeks later. Undeterred, Norfolk arranged for a marriage between his half sister, Dorothy Howard, and Edward Stanley, with whom he had issue:

Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby

Isabel wife of James Stanley

Jane wife of Edward Sutton, 4th Baron Dudley

Mary wife of Edward Stafford, 3rd Baron Stafford

Thomas, grandfather of Venetia Stanley