Stillington and pre-contracts

Poor old Stillington - I cant help but feel sorry for the old boy - now doubless someone
will tell me but Eileen he was a right old stinker - which is probably true but nevertheless
what an awful situation to be in, privy to the precontract with Eleanor Butler, possibly
through no fault of his own - he could hardly have refused to attend (it would seem he
was a witness) if Edward sent for him! Of course at the time he would hardly have known
Edward was going to get married whilst Eleanor still lived. Accordng to what author you
are reading he was either there in person as a witness to the ceremony of precontract
(whatever shape that might have taken) or acted as a go-between between Edward and the
unfortunate Eleanor. It seems strange Edward allowed him to live with this explosive secret
- I presume Elizabeth Woodville never found out - she surely would have made sure he
was shut up for good if she had been aware. How many husbands would say Oh by the
way dear I have already pledged my troth (or whatever). It seem to me Stillington was just
another victim of the fall out caused by Edwards insatiable urge to 'get his leg over' (as we
say in South London). OK he was a tad stupid to get involved in the Lambert Simmnel
affair,should have kept his head down, but what a horrible way to end up imprisoned in
some horrible cell, suffering all kinds of deprivations, and the key thrown awayuntil,finally,
he popped his clogs!
best wishes Eileen