s it served his purpose, both history and
tradition leave us without the means of deciding. There does, however,
seem reason to suspect some unfair solicitations practised on Sir
Thomas, which subsequent occurrences strongly corroborate; but
particularly the fact, that on his deathbed he solemnly revoked this
injustice, appointing Sir John Stanley his lawful heir, disinheriting
Sir Oskatell, save a slight provision hereafter named, and declaring his
illegitimacy. We would not lightly throw out an accusation of this
nature; but surely an act of retribution so unsparingly administered
would not have been put in force, had not past circumstances in some
measure rendered it just.

Let us now resume our narrative from the date of the tournament; soon
after which King Edward died, and Sir John Stanley, in the first year of
his successor, Richard II., was honoured by him with a commission to
Ireland, for the purpose of assisting in the total reduction of that
unfortunate kingdom. By his great prudence and success he brought under
submission the great rebel chiefs, to wit, O'Neal, King of Ulster;
Rotherick O'Connor, King of Connaught; O'Caral, King of Uriel; O'Rurick,
King of Meath; Arthur M'Kier, King of Leinster; and O'Brien, King of
Thomond. In the year 1379, Richard coming in person to Ireland, these
chieftains did homage to him as their sovereign prince. For his great
and eminent services on this occasion Sir John had granted to him, by
patent for life, the manor and lands of Black Castle in that country.

Ten years did Sir John sojourn, by the king's order, in this unquiet
and troublesome appendage to the English crown. And it may be conceived
that if true love had any hold on his affections, they were oft
communing with Isabella, forsaken, as she then thought, by him whom she
had once too surely trusted. In the tumult of war, and in the
administration of his high office, no doubt her gentle form would visit
his spirit, and, like the star of future promise, guide him on to his
achievements.

About the year 1390, when the return of Henry Duke of Lancaster from his
banishment, without leave of the king, had caused a sore dismay
throughout the land, Richard, harassed with the apprehension of danger,
appointed Sir John Stanley Lord Justice of Ireland for six years. He was
now able, in some measure, to confer a sufficient dignity on his
beloved, though not yet equal, in point of wealth, to the wishes of Sir
Thomas. But feel