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 English rule culminated in the passing
of control of the Island to Sir John Stanley in 1405 by Henry IV
and this became a hereditary right on payment of two peregrine falcons
to all succeeding English monarchs on their coronation. The family
dynasty thus established lasted until 1736. Between 1405 and 1521
five Stanleys became "Kings of Mann and the Isles" after
which time the title was "Lord of Mann." To this day in
Mann the reigning monarch of Britain is known by this title.
Foremost of the 17th
century Lords of Mann was James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, known
as Yn Stanlagh Mooar - The Great Stanley (below right). With
his Countess, Charlotte de la Tremouille, the Earl held the Isle
of Man as one of the last Royalist strongholds during the English
Civil War.
 Here,
at Castle Rushen, he established a secondary Royalist court before
leaving to fight the Royalist cause in England. To the devastation
of the Countess Charlotte, James was never to return, being captured
and then later executed at Bolton in October, 1651.
The Countess Charlotte held the Castle until the end
of October 1651, when, as a result of the Manx Rebellion led by
Illiam Dhone and her betrayal by her own garrison, she was forced
into a safe surrender to Parliamentary forces under Colonel Duckenfield.
Derby
House is a 17th century building, used originally for living accommodation
for the Lord of Mann and his household. The sloping earth
"glacis," now grassed, which still surrounds the Castle
was originally paved with stone flags to deflect cannon balls, as
the increasing use of cannon had endangered the existing walled
defences.
Go to Lords' Dining
Hall
Return to Castle Tour
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