William Christian of Ronaldsway is better known as Illiam Dhone (meaning Brown William, from the colour of his hair). In 1651 he took responsibility for the Island out of the hands of the Royalist Countess of Derby, Charlotte de Tremoille, and negotiated terms with the Parliamentarians which recognised Islanders' rights and privileges which the Earls of Derby, as Lords of Mann, had denied.

In 1662, Charles Stanley, the Eighth Earl of Derby, manipulated the law and the judicial process to bring charges against Illiam Dhone for his actions in 1651. Illiam Dhone was condemned and executed by firing squad on 2nd January 1663.