then building at Liverpool, the site whereof was given by Sir Thomas
Lathom, who, we may now suppose, had in some measure swerved from his
most unjust purpose, possibly on apprehending the great honours and
influence that Sir John had already acquired without his aid or
furtherance. This plot of land, it was said, contained 650 square yards,
which he held together with several burgage houses and lands in that
town.

He had full licence to build a castle or house of strength, embattled
and machicolated, with _tenellare_, or loop-holes in the walls, and
other warlike devices, which no subject could undertake without special
leave from the king.

The Isle of Man was at this time, by Northumberland's rebellion, forfeit
to the crown. Sir John the same year obtained a grant of it for life,
and in the year following a re-grant to himself and his heirs for ever,
with the style and title of "King of Man."

It were needless to enumerate all the honours and distinctions heaped in
such unwonted profusion upon our illustrious hero. It has rarely
happened that so rapid a career has met with no reverse, for the fickle
goddess mostly exalts her votaries only to make their downfall the more
terrible.

Henry dying in 1413, was succeeded by his son Henry V., with whom Sir
John was held in equal esteem, being again appointed to the government
of Ireland; but, landing in Dublin, his health was now visibly on the
wane. Four months afterwards he died at Ardee, to the great grief of
his family, and the irreparable loss of the nation. He was a rare
instance wherein a courtier, through four successive reigns, carried
himself unimpeached, and unsullied by the political vices which were
then too general to excite reproach. He was truly a knight "_sans peur
et sans reproche_."

He left two sons, John and Thomas, and one daughter, whose fortunes, at
this time, we shall not attempt to follow.

Lady Stanley, his widow, returned to Liverpool with her children, and
lived there until her death, in the house built by her husband.

Now did the beam of Sir Oskatell's favour, like an April day, suddenly
change its gaudy and suspicious brightness. Sir Thomas, waning in years
and ready to depart, began to consider his former misdoings. His
daughter and her offspring were, by the laws of nature, justly entitled
to his possessions, which he, reflecting on the great impiety and
injustice of withholding, bequeathed, with some exceptions, to Lady
Stanley