ing desirous to know the state of her disposition
towards him, he set out in disguise for Lathom, where, as we have before
stated, he so far prevailed that she became Lady Stanley in spite of all
the opposition she had endured. Aware of the determination of her
father, he deemed her love a sufficient recompense, thus fully refuting
the insinuations that her dower had more charm for him than her person.

Returning to Ireland with his lady, they lived there happily for some
years.

When Henry of Lancaster was crowned by the title of Henry the Fourth,
Sir John being still Lord Justice of Ireland, and holding the government
there in favour of the deposed king, the new monarch, well knowing the
knight's power, together with his skill and experience, as well in the
senate as in the field, found means to attach him to the reigning
interest, and, as a mark of signal favour, granted to him and his heirs
for ever, by letters patent, many lands there named, lying in the
westerly part of the county of Chester. Soon afterwards occurred that
memorable rebellion, when the Welsh blood, boiling to a ferment by the
hot appliances of one Owen Glendower, an esquire of Wales, and in his
youth a resident at the Inns of Court in London, kindled the flames of
intestine war. After he had conspired with the Percies and their
adherents, together with a large body of the Scotch, these malcontents
threatened to overthrow the now tottering dominion of King Henry.

The most prompt measures were, however, taken to meet this
exigency,--and Sir John Stanley was suddenly called out of Ireland; Sir
William Stanley, then Lord of Stanley and Stourton, being appointed his
deputy. Sir John soon applied himself in such earnest to the service of
the king, his master, that a large and powerful army, headed by Henry
himself, together with "Prince Harry," his son, marched against the
rebels. Near to Shrewsbury the latter were overthrown; Sir John, by his
great bravery and address, mainly contributing to the success of the
engagement. His presence was now become of essential service to the
king, who in consequence appointed his second son, the Duke of
Clarence--who claimed the title of Earl of Ulster in right of his
wife--Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in his stead, the new governor landing
at Carlingford on the 2d August 1405.

Sir John obtained, as a favour granted but to few, and those of the
highest rank, licence from the king to fortify a spacious house he was