With regard to Stanley, Leicester maintained that he was, in his opinion, the fittest man to take charge of the whole English army, during his absence in England.

In answer to a petition made by the States against the appointment of York, "in respect to his perfidious dealings before," the Earl replied that he would answer for his fidelity as for his own brother; adding peremptorily--"Do you trust me?
Then trust York." But, besides his other qualifications for high command, Stanley possessed an inestimable one in Leicester's eyes.

He was, or at least had been, an enemy of Sir John Norris.

To be this made a Papist pardonable.

It was even better than to be a Puritan.
But the Earl did more than to appoint the traitor York and the Papist Stanley to these important posts.