Name

Edward Christian (Lieutenant-Governor)

Biography

Sea captain, merchant, and lieutenant-governor of Mann under the 7th Earl of Derby. Not a provincial figure — he had gone to sea, made a fortune, captained his own vessel, served the East India Company, and commanded a Royal Navy frigate. He proposed elected Keys and accountable Deemsters, threatening the Lord's control. The Great Stanley's assessment: 'excellent good company; as rude as a sea captain should be, but refined as one that had civilized himself half a year at Court.' Derby imprisoned him for eighteen years in Castle Rushen and Peel Castle. He died in Peel in January 1661, having never seen his programme realised. Derby's verdict: 'It was safer much to take men's lives than their estates.' Self-governance and land ownership were the same fight. Edward saw it.

Active Period

c.1590–1661

Place

Castle Rushen

Peel Castle

Isle of Man

Family / Group

The Christian Family

Period

Stanley Lordship

Related To

James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby

Role / Office

Lieutenant-Governor

Sea Captain

Merchant

Reformer

Book Chapter

Chapter 3