Sir John Stanley was the second son of Sir William Stanley,  Sir William  who did not enjoy a good reputation, was Master Forester of the Wirral. Sir John and his older brother William who inherited the position of Master Forester were charged with murder in 1376 and declared outlaws. John was later pardone  on account of his good service in the wars in France.

In 1386, he was seconded to the position in Ireland ,of deputy to Robert de Vere, the Duke of Ireland. Due to the problems arising  between sir Philip Courtenay and his governor, James Butler, Stanley was tasked with raising an expedition on behalf of the King. Included in this expedition were Robert Crulle and Alexander Balscot, Bishop of Meath, these two along with Butler and Stanley an Edmund de Clay were to form the administration of Ireland. The success of the expedition led Stanley to be promoted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and later in 1389, Richard II promoted him to the position of Justicar of Ireland.

From the Patent Rolls of Richard II, no 9, 18th of September 1386.

MEMORANDUM¹ that on 30 Aug. [1386] in the present year, the noble John Stanley, Lt of Robert [de Vere] marquis of Dublin, landed at Dalkey in the afternoon. On 1 Sept., he arrived at Dublin and, on 18 Sept., letters patent made to the Lt and sealed under the g.s. of the said lord marquis were displayed and read out in the great chamber [magna camera] of Dublin castle in the presence of the venerable father Alexander [Balscot], bp Meath, C. of the lord marquis in Ire.; Robert Crull clk, T. of the lord marquis there; brother Thomas Scurlag, abbot of St Thomas the Martyr near Dublin; Maurice fitz Thomas, e. Kildare; Edmund del Clay, chief justice of the chief place, and John Tyrell, chief justice of the common bench of the said marquis in that land; and others. The tenor of those letters was as follows:

He later took part in Richard II expeditions to Ireland in 1394 and 1399.

99] 20 JUNE 1391-26 SEPTEMBER 1393

Enrolled account of Robert Crulle, treasurer of Ireland

RECEIPTS: £5,830 7s. 44d.

PAYMENTS: Fees paid to John Stanley, knight, lately justiciar of Ireland, and other justiciars, chancellors, keepers of the rolls of chancery, justices of both benches, fees and rewards of Irishmen and keepers of writs, pleaders, attorneys, constables, and fees of the treasurer, chancellor of the exchequer, barons of the exchequer, chamberlains, engrossers, treasurer's clerk writing rolls and tallies in the re- ceipt of the exchequer, fees of remembrancers, clerk of common pleas of the exchequer, clerks writing summonses and celebrating divine service in the exchequer chapel, and ushers, details of which are contained in the roll of particulars: £1,567 168. 3hd.

He later turned against Richard II to support Henry IV.

Stanley served in Ireland under both Henry IV and Henry V.

Patent Roll, 2 Henry IV

Item no. 32

Dublin 20 May 1401

GRANT to Edward Perers, knight, in consideration of his charges in the defence of the land before the arrival of John Stanley, knight, lieutenant of Ireland, of custody of all lands, rents and services in County Kilkenny that lately belonged to Roger Mortimer, earl of March and Ulster, during the minority of Edmund, his son and heir, with all fees, wards, marriages, reliefs, escheats, liberties and royal jurisdictions, and other profits and commodities, and so from heir to heir.

Attested:  John Stanley knight

Authorised:  By petition endorsed by the justiciar and council, and sealed with the privy seal

It's interesting that in the above record there is mention of an Edward Perers, a coincidence. Alice is not known to have a son named Edward, could he have been a distant relative?

Patent Roll, 4 Henry IV

Item no. 158

Westminster 29 October 1402

 To all bailiffs and others in Ireland  'PROTECTION, for three years for the King's knight John Stanley and his prisoner Donaldus Oneyll son of Henry Oneyll—who is staying in the custody of Roger Penketh and Walter Euer, esquires, and John Drake and Thomas Cusak, citizens of Dublin, attorneys of the said John Stanley in Ireland to receive the ransom of the prisoner—, and for the servants and Irish hostages of the said Donaldus to the number of twelve persons with their twelve grooms; and also all goods and chattels, gold and silver, which he has delivered for his ransom to the said John and his attorneys.'1

Attested:  English great seal

Authorised:  By letters of the marquis.

 Stanley died in Ireland in 1414.