The Stonor letters and papers, 1290-1483; ed. for the Royal historical society, from the origial documents in the Public record office, by Charles Lethbridge Kingsford.

331. SIMON STALLWORTH TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR 21 JUNE, 1483

Printed in Excerpta Historica, pp. 16, 17. The greater part of the letter, down to "menne of my lord," is not in Stallworth's writing. Sir Clements Markham (Life of Richard III, p. 214) has argued that: "As Saturday was the 21st, Friday last was the 20th. We have here evidence that Lord Hastings was not beheaded until a week after his arrest. . . . The story of Morton about the hurried execution on the 13th, and the log of wood, is there|fore false." Dr. Gairdner (Eng. Hist. Review, vi, 454) contested this con|clusion. But the fact that the letter was written in two hands affords an easy explanation; the first part may well have been written on Friday, the 20th, and the end added by Stallworth on the Saturday. This also explains the

change of Stallworth's opinion as to the likelihood of the early release of the bishops. Compare, however, the dating of No. 174 on "All Soules dai last past". From A.C., xlvi, 207.

Worschipfull Sir, I commend me to you, and for tydynges I hold you happy that ye ar oute of the prese, for with huse is myche trobull, and every manne dowtes other. As on Fryday last was the lord Chamberleyn hedded sone apone noon. On Monday last was at Westm. gret plenty of harnest men: ther was the dylyveraunce of the Dewke of Yorke to my lord Cardenale, my lord Chaunceler, and other many lordes Temporale: and with hym mette my lord of Bukyngham in the myddes of the hall of Westm.: my lord protectour recevynge hyme at the Starre Chamber Dore with many lovynge wordys: and so departed with my lord Cardenale to the toure, wher he is, blessid be Jhesus, mery. The lord Liele is come to my lord protectour, and awates upon hyme. Yt is thought ther schalbe xx thousand of my lord protectour and my lord of Bukyngham men in London this weeke: to what intent I knowe note but to kepe the peas. My lord haith myche besynes and more then he is content with all, yf any other ways wold be tayn. The lord Arsbyschop of Yorke, the Byshop of Ely ar ȝit in the toure with Master Olyver Kynge. [I suppose they schall come oute neverþelesse]. [A line has been drawn through these words in the original.] þer ar men in ther placese for sure kepynge. And I suppose þat þer shall be sente menne of my lord protectour to þeis lordys places in þe countre. They ar not lyke to come oute off ward ȝytt. As for Foster he is in hold and meue fer hys lyffe. Mastres Chore [Shore.] is in prisone: what schall happyne hyr I knowe nott. I pray you pardone me of mor wrytyng, I ame so seke þat I may not wel holde my penne. And Jhesu preserve you. From London þe xxj day of June by þe handys of your servand.

Simon Stallworthe.

All þe lord Chamberleyne mene be come my lordys of Bokynghame menne.

To the right worschipfull Ser Willm. Stoner, knyht.