This study day discusses the role of Lord George Germain as chief architect of the American Revolutionary war who was the youngest and favourite son of the Duke of Dorset and became Secretary of State to the Colonies in 1775 to King George III. It also discusses his life and long association with the Stanley family. General Burgoyne eloped with the youngest daughter of the 11th Earl, Lady Charlotte Stanley, when she was 23 years old. She was cut off by the family but was later reconciled and came back to live at Knowsley. They had one child, Charlotte who died in infancy.

The 12th Earl of Derby shared a love of France and the theatre with his uncle, General Burgoyne, who wrote the play ‘The Maid of the Oaks’ for the engagement in 1774 of Lord Stanley to Lady Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of the 6th Duke of Hamilton.

Burgoyne had a long relationship with the actress Susan Caulfield, who was a friend of Eliza Farren, the celebrated comic actress and 2nd wife of the 12th Earl. Susan was his mistress during the last twelve years of his life from around 1780 until his death in 1792. They had four children together, a boy and three girls, who all grew up at Knowsley Hall.

Charles, Earl Cornwallis’ role at the Battle of Yorktown 1781 was as the General leading the English troops.