Elizabeth, Duchess of Norfolk, to Sir John Paston

LETTER XXII.

To my right welbeloved frende
      S’e John Paston Knyght

Elizabeth Duches of Norff

J COM˜AUNDE me to you thankyng you as hartely as I can
for yo^r labo^r and substancyall serching owte of Thom’s Mar-
tynz Matyr preing you of contenuance and of yo^r best
aduyse therin how he shall breke the mat^r so as by yo^r
helpe and wysdam a frendely com˜unycacon may be hadde
so as the mat^r may be had in examynacon by suche Gentyl-
men as shalbe named by thassent of bothe p^rties suche as
tendyr and love the wele of bothe the p^rties And also the
pees and tranquyllyte of the Cuntre and loue to eschewe
variaunce and p^rties in the Contre. wherin ye shall not only
do a greete pleasure to me but a grete dede of Charyte
for the p’fight and ease of bothe p^rties And als a pleasure
to god who haue you in kepyng at Erle Soh’m lodge this
xxviij day of February.

                                                                                    E. N.

     11 by 4½.

     The matter here in consideration is fully explained in a following letter,
dated 14th September, 1491.

     The dangerous and tumultuous method of entering upon, or defending a dis-
puted property is here shown to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the
country, as well as to affect the concord and harmony of private families; such
dissensions the Duchess wishes may be avoided, and hopes, by the interference
of common friends, a proper disposition may be effected.

     Elizabeth, Duchess Dowager of Norfolk, was the daughter of John Talbot,
the great warrior, first Earl of Shrewsbury; and had been the widow of John
Mowbray, the last Duke of Norfolk of that name, from the year 1475. She
was living in 1496.

     Their only child Anne, who died very young, was married to Richard Duke
of York, (by this marriage Duke of Norfolk,) who was supposed to be mur-
dered by his uncle Richard III.

     The letter is written by a secretary, the signature alone being of the Duchess’s
hand-writing, and that of her initials only, E. N.

     Autograph, Pl. xxx. No. 4.

LETTER XXII.

To my right well-beloved Friend, Sir John Paston, Knight.
Elizabeth, Duchess of Norfolk.

I COMMEND me to you, thanking you as heartily as I can
for your labour and substantial searching out of Thomas
Martin’s matter, praying you of continuance, and of your
best advice therein, how he shall break the matter, so as,
by your help and wisdom, a friendly communication may be
had, so as the matter may be had in examination by such
gentlemen as shall be named by the assent of both parties,
such as tender and love the weal of both parties, and also
the peace and tranquillity of the country, and love to eschew
variance and parties in the country; wherein ye shall not
only do a great pleasure to me, but a great deed of charity for
the profit and ease of both parties, and also a pleasure to
God, who have you in keeping. At Earl Soham Lodge, this
28th day of February.

                                                             ELIZABETH, Norfolk.

      Earl Soham Lodge,
    Monday, 28th February.
        1490-1. 6 H. vii.

     The matter here in consideration is fully explained in a following letter,
dated 14th September, 1491.

     The dangerous and tumultuous method of entering upon, or defending a dis-
puted property is here shown to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the
country, as well as to affect the concord and harmony of private families; such
dissensions the Duchess wishes may be avoided, and hopes, by the interference
of common friends, a proper disposition may be effected.

     Elizabeth, Duchess Dowager of Norfolk, was the daughter of John Talbot,
the great warrior, first Earl of Shrewsbury; and had been the widow of John
Mowbray, the last Duke of Norfolk of that name, from the year 1475. She
was living in 1496.

     Their only child Anne, who died very young, was married to Richard Duke
of York, (by this marriage Duke of Norfolk,) who was supposed to be mur-
dered by his uncle Richard III.

     The letter is written by a secretary, the signature alone being of the Duchess’s
hand-writing, and that of her initials only, E. N.

     Autograph, Pl. xxx. No. 4.

1064

ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO
SIR JOHN PASTON¹

To my right welbeloved frende, Sire John Paston, Knyght.

ELIZABETH, DUCHES OF NORFFOLK.

I COMMAUNDE me to you, thankyng you as hartely as
     I can for your labour and substancyall serching owte of
     Thomas Martynz matyr, preing you of contenuance, and
of your best advyse therin, how he shall breke the mater so as,
by your helpe and wysdam, a frendely comunycacion may be
hadde, so as the mater may be had in examynacion by suche
gentylmen as shalbe named by th’assent of bothe parties, suche
as tendyr and love the wele of bothe parties, and also the pees
and tranquyllyte of the cuntre, and love to eschewe variaunce
and parties in the cuntre, wherin ye shall not only do a greete
pleasure to me, but a grete dede of charyte for the profight and
ease of both parties, and also a pleasure to God, Who have
you in keping.

     At Erle Soham lodge, this xxviij. day of February.

                                                                                     N. E. N.

     ¹ [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It seems probable that this letter was written in
the February following Sir Harry Grey’s death. (See No. 1061.)

1497(?)
FEB. 28