Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby - References in Shakespeare

References in Shakespeare

In the ‘history plays’ of William Shakespeare, Lord Stanley features in a pivotal role throughout the play Richard III as an initially loyal but troubled royal servant whose misgivings as to Richard’s ‘true’ nature lead him towards collaboration with his stepson Henry Tudor and active assistance in placing him on the throne. Richard III is believed to have been written over 1592-93. At this time, it is thought Shakespeare may already have been writing for Lord Strange's Men, the company of Ferdinando Stanley, Lord Strange later 5th Earl of the Derby. (Certainly his actors were members of the company, and Shakespeare himself is formally listed as a member by 1594). As such, the Stanleys would effectively have been patrons of this work. This was a relationship that evidently continued as A Midsummer Night’s Dream is thought to have been first performed at the wedding celebrations of William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby in 1595.