Thomas Denyes to John Paston

244

THOMAS DENYES TO JOHN PASTON¹

To my maister Paston.

RIGHT Reverend and wurshipfull Sir, myn especyall
     good maister, I recomaund me to you. And for as
     moch as adversite and prosperite bothe ly in the
disposicion of o [one] man above, I thank God, and late you
wete that I stand yet in as greet troble as ever I dede or
gretter; praying you ever to be my good maister and to
contynue your benyvolens as I am ever bounde to you. Myn
hevynes is sum whet incresid, for a fals harlot, sauf your
reverens, one James Cook, a servaunt of myn, falsly and
traitourously is hired bi Watte Ingham and hath accused and
diffamed me and my wif of settyng up billes agayn lordis,
that, Almighti God I take to record, I not am ne never was
gilty therof; but the same theef and Asshcote han made an
appoyntement to come and robbe me of suych littel goodis
of myn as thei can gete in Norffolk or Norwich. Wherfore
I beseche your maistership for charite of your help and socour
to my servauntz if such case falle. For I trowe this is a
troble that never man suffrid non like in such case, and ther-
fore, gentill Sir, as God hath indued you of myght and power
to socour suych troubles, shew your bounte to me in this nede,
and that for Goddes love, Who Almighti preserve you.
Wretyn in Flete the viij. day of Aprill.—Your wofull servant,

                                                                                  DENYES.

     The said Asshcote can counterfete my hand and therfore
I drede he wole stele by sum fals letters suych as he myght
gete. I haf wretyn my servantz theraftir.

     ¹ [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 94.] That the year in which this letter was written was
1454 is evident from its being dated from the Fleet. See Nos. 239 and 245.

1454
APRIL 8