The Defiant Lady of Lathom

A notable woman of the English Civil War period




This unique Leonaur edition contains three works concerning the French noblewoman who became Charlotte Stanley, Duchess of Derby. Two of these works offer perspectives on the life of the duchess. The third, probably written by the Royalist, Captain (later promoted to Colonel of Infantry by Prince Rupert) Edward Chisenhall. Written in the English of the 17th century, though understandable for modern readers, this journal describes the first siege of Lathom House from the perspective of the besieged.

Charlotte married James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby in 1626. When the English Civil War broke out in 1642 he supported the king's cause becoming a military commander for Charles I. Derby was absent on campaign in 1644 when a Parliamentarian army, under Fairfax, took to the field against Royalist strongholds in Lancashire-including Stanley's family seat at Lathom. His wife had been left in charge of the estate and when called upon to surrender she refused, announcing that to do so would 'dishonour her husband'. The first siege lasted for about three months until Lathom was relieved. It was besieged again the following year when, despite holding out for four months, it eventually fell to Parliamentarian forces when the garrison commander, Colonel Rawstorne, surrendered to Colonel Egerton. James Stanley was beheaded at Bolton in 1651.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.