James Stanley (bishop)

James Stanley (bishop)

James Stanley (c. 1465 - 1515), scion of a distinguished aristocratic family, was Bishop of Ely from 1506 to 1515. His father was Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby [ [http://www.thepeerage.com/p1386.htm#i13852 thePeerage.com - Person Page 1386 ] ] .

Described as the tallest man in England and reputed to be some 6 feet 7 inches tall, he took holy orders after university study, but, although regarded as a popular man, was not considered either a natural scholar or celibate. (There is an apocryphal story of Erasmus turning him down as a pupil [ [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/ww1897.htm WINWICK: Its History and Antiquities ] ] .) Like most senior churchmen of his period, he was a pluralist [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41392#n51 The parish of Winwick - Introduction, church and charities | British History Online ] ] and is believed to have lived with a woman, fathering at least one illegitimate child. Besides being renowned as a skilled soldier and an enthusiastic huntsman, he is also credited with a great interest in cockfighting [ [http://www.generation13.net/Celticcumbria-northeast/manchester.html Untitled Document ] ] . He was cited in Protestant propaganda of later centuries as an example of the corruption of the Medieval Church, although his decision to take orders can hardly have been voluntary, but rather a further means of consolidating the dynastic ambitions of his already powerful family. His appointment as bishop was made by papal bull of Pope Julius II.

He was buried in a tomb in what is now Manchester Cathedral, then a collegiate church, patronised by the Stanley family, and which he had enriched as Warden. The tomb, together with the Ely Chapel that housed it, was destroyed during the Blitz although the original, contemporary brass memorial has survived. There is also a memorial for the safe return of his alleged son (and certainly kinsman) Sir John Stanley from the battle of Flodden in 1513 [ [http://www.ukniwm.org.uk/server/show/conMemorial.55631/fromUkniwmSearch/1 UK National Inventory of War Memorials : J Stanley, Bishop of Ely and Sir J Stanley - Thanksgiving ] ] ; the St John the Baptist chapel was built by James and John [http://www.manchestercathedralonline.co.uk/timeline2.html] . The Stanley coat of arms can still be seen decorating the roof of this chapel, which is now dedicated to the memory of the Manchester regiment.

He died on 22 March 1515 and was later remembered thus:

A goodlie tall man as was in all England
"And sped well all matters that he took in hand
"King Harrye the VIIth a prynce noble and sage
"Made him Bishop for wisdom and Parentage
"Of Ely. Many a day was he bishopp there
"He builded Sommersome the byshoppe's chief manner
"A great vyander as any in his days
"For Byshoppes that then was, this is no dispraise.
"Because he was a priest I dare do no lesse
"But telle, as I know not, of his hardiness
"What proud priest hath a blowe on the ear sodenlye
"Turneth the other ear likewise for humilitye
"He could not so do by the crosse in my purse
"Yet I trust his soule fareth never the worse.
"He did end his life in merry Manchester
"And right honorablye lieth he buried there
"In his chapel, which he began of freestone
"Sir John Stanley built it out when he was gone
"God send his soule to the heavenlye companye
"Farewell godlye James Byshopp of Elye.
"

From the "Ancient Metrical History of the House of Stanley".

Reference

*"Concise Dictionary of National Biography"

Notes

External links

* [http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Bios/JamesStanley(BishopofEly).htm Biography]
*http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/people/lords/elyb.htm


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