The Man Who Wasn't There - by Jean M. Gidman

Sir Thomas Stanley (1435-1504). 2nd Lord Stanley and Ist Earl of Derby, lived through the reigns of five monarchs. He served all of them and yet never fought in any major battle of what is known as the Wars of the Roses. Despite being “The Man Who Wasn't There”, he managed to maintain and extend his estates, wealth, and power whilst others lost their heads. He survived into a ripe old age. dying at his magnificent home, and being buried in his beloved Lancashire. This first life of an intriguing figure is the second book by Jean Gidman on the Stanley family, the first being " Sir William Stanley of Noll" published in 2003.