Friday last, Hastings got the chop!

I`ve recently acquired Kingsford's Stonor Letters and Papers 1290–
1483.

In a letter (No 331) from Sir Simon Stallworth to Sir William Stonor
dated (Saturday) 21st June 1483 (although possibly started the day
before on the 20th), it states that Hastings ("my Lord Chauncelor")
was beheaded on "Monday last". The hitherto general belief is that he
was executed immediately on the day of the council meeting 13th June.
Sir Clements Markham argued that as Saturday was the 21st, Friday
last was the 20th, a week later than the day of the council meeting,
and so there was no immediate execution. Dr Gairdner (English
Historical Review, vi, 454) challenged this conclusion on the grounds
that as the letter may have been written on the Friday, and finished
on the Saturday, "Friday last" would have been the previous week,
namely the 13th.

This conclusion of Markham was also put forward by Josephine Tey`s
novel "The Daughter of Time" as proof that Hastings was not executed
immediately, and I quote...

------------

'Yes, according to the sainted More he was rushed down to the
courtyard and beheaded on the nearest log.'

'Rushed nothing,' said Carradine disgustedly. 'He was beheaded a week
later. There's a contemporary letter about it that gives the date.
[Tey, Daughter of Time]

------------

I`m certainly not convinced of the argument Sir Clements Markham made
re "Friday last". The tendency in England when describing the day
before would be to say "yesterday", not "Monday/Tuesday etc. last".
Saying "Friday last" if written on the following day (ie Saturday)
would mean Friday a week ago and not yesterday. I`m more inclined to
agree with Dr Gairdner`s conclusion, that Hastings was executed on
the 13th, and not the 20th. For me an immediate execution seems to
win the day. The forum may think differently, so I`d like to hear
their views.

Alan