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[1].
He took holy orders after university study, but, although popular was not considered either a natural scholar or celibate. There is a story of Erasmus turning him down as a pupil[2]. Like many churchmen of his period, he was a pluralist[3] and is believed to have lived with a woman and had at least one illegitimate child, and an abiding interest in cockfighting[4], he was attacked by later Protestant propaganda as corrupt. His appointment as bishop was by papal bull of Pope Julius II.
He was buried in a tomb in what is now Manchester Cathedral, then a collegiate church 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[5]; the St John the Baptist chapel was built by James and John[6]. 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.
Reference
- Concise Dictionary of National Biography
Notes
- ^ thePeerage.com - Person Page 1386
- ^ WINWICK: Its History and Antiquities
- ^ The parish of Winwick - Introduction, church and charities | British History Online
- ^ Untitled Document
- ^ UK National Inventory of War Memorials : J Stanley, Bishop of Ely and Sir J Stanley - Thanksgiving
- ^ http://www.manchestercathedralonline.co.uk/timeline2.html