Volume Ii Part 31 (1/2)

W. L.

[Footnote 146.1: [From Fenn, i. 38.] The date of this letter is perfectly determined by the events to which it relates.]

[Footnote 146.2: 4th May.]

[Footnote 146.3: 30th April.]

[Footnote 146.4: 2nd May.]

[Footnote 147.1: An allusion to Friar Hauteyn's suit or Oxnead.]

[Footnote 147.2: Sent to France to carry succours to the Duke of Somerset, but defeated and taken prisoner at the battle of Fourmigni, 15th April 1450.]

[Footnote 147.3: Matthew Gough, a celebrated captain in the French war.]

[Footnote 148.1: This singular subscription Fenn believes to have been owing to a momentary forgetfulness on the part of the writer, William Lomner, who had been in the habit of acting as Margaret Paston's secretary in writing to her husband.]

121

JOHN CRANE TO JOHN PASTON[148.2]

_To my right worshupfull cosygne, John Paston of Norwyche, Squyer._

[Sidenote: 1450 / MAY 6]

Right worshupfull sir, I recomaunde me unto yow in the most goodly wyse that y can; and forasmuche as ye desired of me to sende yow worde of dyvers matirs here, whiche been opened in the Parliament openly, I sende yow of them suche as I can.

First moost especiall, that for verray trowthe upon Saterday[148.3] that last was, the Duke of Suffolk was taken in the see, and there he was byheded, and his body with the appurtenaunce sette at lande at Dover, and alle the folks that he haad with hym were sette to lande, and haad noon harme.

Also the Kyng hath sumwhat graanted to have the resumpsion agayne in summe, but nat in alle, &c.

Also yef ye purpose to come hydre to put up your bylles, ye may come now in a good tyme; for now every man that hath any, they put theme now inne, and so may ye, yif ye come with G.o.dds grace to your pleasur.

Ferthermore, upon the iiij^th day of this monthe, the Erle of Deveness.h.i.+re[148.4] come hydre with iij^c. [300] men wel byseen, &c.

And upon the morow after my Lord of Warrewyke[148.5] with iiij^c. [400]

and moo, &c.

Also, as hyt ys noysed here Calys shal be byseged withynne this vij.

dayes, &c.

G.o.d save the Kyng, and sende us pees, &c.

Other t.i.thyngs be ther noon here, but Almyghty G.o.d have yow in his kepyng.

Writen at Leycestre, the vj. day of May.

Your cosigne,