The Earl of Oxford to Sir John Paston

696

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON¹

To the worshipfull, and with alle myn hert right entierly bilovyd
Sir John Paston, Knyght, this lettre be delivered.

TH’ERLE OF OXINFORD.

RIGHT hertly welbilovyd, I grete you wele. And where
     I am for trowth enformyd that the Duchesse of
     Suffolk wolle hold a court on Monday next commyng
at Coton, to th’entent that she wolle fynde the maner of
Thempnals holde of hir by knyghts service and they that
ben possessioners of the same shulde payle certeine of the
Parke of Weverston; and by cause this is nat performyd
nor don, thoo that ben possessioners shall at the said court
be amersid. And it is agreed that Sir William Yelverton,
Sir Thomas Hoo, shalle be at the said court and wolle pay
the amercyment, and to delyver the said Duchesse possession
of the said service and palyng, and so by this meane to be
come tenauntes to the said Duchesse. And what wolle be
falle more herof I kan nat sey. Wherfor me thinkith it
were welle don ye were at the said court with your councell,
and to do therin as they wolle avise you. Also as ye come
to the said court take your wey by the said Duchesse to
th’entent that ye come to se hir welfare, &c. Do herin
as your councell wolle avyse you. I wolde ye dud welle.
And to my power I wolle help you. And our Lorde kepe
yow. Writyn at Tatyngston the vij. day of Januer.

     Endorsed: Th’Erle off Oxenfford.

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     ¹ [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It will be seen by No. 690, that in October 1468
the Duchess of Suffolk had a design of suddenly entering the manor of Cotton and
dispossessing Sir John Paston. This letter, in which it is said she proposes to hold
a court there, was probably written in the beginning of the following year.

1469(?)
JAN. 7