As part of the Knowsley Hall History Symposium 2025, this day is dedicated to exploring the remarkable lives and legacies of the women of the House of Stanley - a powerful dynasty at the heart of British history. Often left to manage vast estates in the absence of their husbands, many Stanley women became the stewards of land, lineage, and legacy. Their dedication to building and preserving a great house was more than domestic duty - it was an act of political, cultural, and architectural vision. Without a grand house at its centre, land held little value in the display of status and influence. For these women, home was not just where history happened - it was a symbol of it. Led by an outstanding panel of historians and writers, this day brings their stories to life in vivid and moving detail. Speakers include: Lady Derby, Dr Elizabeth Norton – Historian and author specialising in the lives of Tudor women, Dr Vanessa Wilkie – Historian and curator at The Huntington Library, Dr Anna Keay OBE – Director of the Landmark Trust and author of The Restless Republic, Emma Donoghue – Internationally acclaimed novelist and historian, Dr Jennifer Davey – Historian specialising in gender and political culture in 19th-century Britain, This event offers a rare opportunity to gain fresh insight into the women who shaped the fortunes — and built the foundations - of one of Britain’s most storied noble houses.