Ferdinando was considered "of an exalted genius as well as birth", and during the absence of his father on State business, he ably discharged the duties, of the Lieutenancies of Lancashire and Cheshire. He was both a poet and author, enjoying the society of eminent Elizabethan men of letters. Edmund Spenser, the poet, personified Ferdindando as "Amyntas", and his Countess as "Amaryllis". In 1610, a collection of English poems, entitled Belvedere; or the Garden of the Muses was published including Ferdinando's work, but without his signature, and the identity is to a great extent a matter of conjecture.
After his succession to the Earldom, more reports of Catholic plots on his behalf reached Burghley, particularly of a priest in Rome who had stated that Stanley "though he were of no religion, should find friends to decide a nearer estate [to the throne]". A number of rebels, who had fled to foreign countries, sent over a man named Richard Hesketh to urge him a claim to the crown of England by right of his descent from Mary, Queen Dowager of France, the second daughter of Henry VII, and younger sister to Henry VIII. The Heskeths were ancient retainers of the Stanley family and were family friends. This is why Richard was chosen to approach him about the matter that has come to be known as "The Hesketh Affair". Ferdinando held two secret meetings with Hesketh, and then took him to London for further discussions with his mother, who had earlier been excluded from court for allegedly plotting against Elizabeth. Stanley finally dramatically rejected Hesketh's proposition with displays of scorn and indignation, turning Hesketh over to the authorities.
Hesketh was interrogated and later executed. However, Stanley, who had hoped his display of loyalty would be rewarded, was shut out of the case and was marginalised. He was dismayed when the position of Lord Chamberlain of Chester was given to Thomas Egerton rather than himself, complaining that he was "crossed in court and crossed in his country".
His death was mysterious. A few months after the Hesketh affair, he was suddenly taken ill with a severe and violent sickness. Poisoning was suspected. It was claimed that Hesketh had threatened him that he would soon die if he did not accept his plans.[1] He was said to have been poisoned by the Jesuits, his gentleman of horse being suspected of administering the poison. The historian John Stow recorded his illness in great detail. It has been suggested that poisonous mushrooms were used.
The unexpected death of Ferdinando on 16 April 1594 was an event of major political importance in the later years of Queen Elizabeth's reign as it opened up the succession question once more.