thumb|Memorial for Illiam Dhone in Kirk Malew, Isle of Man.
(literally meaning 'Brown William' in English; 14 April 1608 – 2 January 1663), also known as William Christian, was a Manx politician and depending on viewpoint, patriot, rebel or traitor. He was a son of Ewan Christian, a deemster. In Manx, ' literally translates to Brown William—an epithet he received due to his dark hair—and in English he was called Brown-haired William.
Early years and family
Little is known about Dhone's early years. He was the third surviving son and youngest heir of Ewan Christian and his wife Katherine Harrison of Bankfield, Eastholme. Dhone was most likely born at the family property in Derbyhaven at Ronaldsway in the parish of Malew in the south-east of the island. The Derbyhaven farmhouse known as Ronaldsway House was demolished in the 1940s to accommodate the development of Ronaldsway Airport.
Ewan Christian was an important political figure in the Isle of Man, holding the offices of deputy-governor of Peel Castle and deemster, a position he held for 51 years. He was also a noted opponent of the Lord of Mann James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby. Their dispute concerned the old feudal system of property ownership, the "tenure of the straw", which the Earl wished to abolish. This system gave the tenants perpetual ownership and the right to pass their property to their children without the consent of the Lord of Mann. Stanley wanted to reform the system and make it a lease over three generations. Ewan Christian opposed the reform, but Stanley threatened to lease the Christians' property at Ronaldsway to John Corrin, a descendant of a previous claimant to the estate. Ewan Christian eventually conceded and bequeathed his estate in 1643 to his third son, William.
Edward Christian, a distant cousin of Dhone's and the Governor of the Isle of Man, was imprisoned for plotting against the Stanley family in 1643. He was imprisoned for eight years until James Stanley was executed in 1651, but in 1659 he was once again imprisoned for treason in Peel Castle, where he died years later.
Manx rebellion of 1651
In 1648 Stanley appointed Dhone as Receiver General, despite his previous difficulties with Dhone's father. In 1651 Stanley went to England to fight for Charles II against the Parliamentarians. Dhone was left in command of the island militia, and Stanley's wife Charlotte Stanley, Countess of Derby, who was now residing at Castle Rushen on the island, was left under his guardianship, highlighting the trust Stanley placed in Dhone. Ultimately she was unsuccessful, and her husband was executed on 15 October. Dhone and the Manx militia suspected that the Countess may have been attempting to negotiate with Parliamentarians for control of the island. Fearing that the terms of the surrender would leave the Island at a great disadvantage, Dhone negotiated independently with the Parliamentarians, agreeing that they would not resist their invasion fleet on the condition that the "ancient rights and laws" that Stanley had attempted to reform were restored.
The countess' attempt to barter freedom for her husband in return for the surrender of the Isle of Man led to a revolt headed by Dhone, the Manx Rebellion of 1651. The execution was botched but he died of his injuries.
Aftermath and legacy
thumb|The commemorative plaque on Hango Hill near Castletown at the site of Dhone's execution.
This arbitrary act angered King Charles II and his advisers. The deemsters and others were punished, and some reparation was made to the Dhone family. Dhone is chiefly celebrated through the Manx ballad ', which was translated into English by John Crellin in 1774
The headquarters of the Office of Human Resources of the Isle of Man Government is known as Illiam Dhone House.
In January 2006 a monument created by Bryan Kneale dedicated to Dhone was erected at Malew Church, where Dhone is buried.