Thomas Howys to John Paston

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THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON¹

To the right wurshepfull Sir, my good Maystyr John Paston.

   RIGHT worshepfull Sir, and my good maistyr, I re-
     comaund me louly unto you, thankyng youre good
     maystyrshep for your good remembraunce for the
cherche of Stokysby, wherupon I have desyred my trusty
frend, Wylliam Worcestre, to come be the Abot² homward,
besekyng you to avertyse hym youre good avyse how he may
be have hym best in this mater to the seyd Abot, etc. And,
Sir, en cas ye myght be at a leyser to be with my mayster
upon Thursday next comyng, forasmyche as Maistyr Yelvyrton
and Jenney shal be her, ye shuld do my maistir ryght gret
pleasure. And I beseke you the rather for my sake, for at
that tyme the conveyaunce of al materez shal be comounyd
of; and I know verely your avyse shall peyse depper in my
maisterys conceyt thanne bothyn thers shal do. Ye have dayly
gret labour for me, God reward yow, and my pore preyer ye
shall have, &c. I beseke Almyghti Jesu have you in hese
mercyfull governaunce, and graunt you evyr that may be to
your most herte plessaunce, &c.

                               Your chapeleyn and bedeman,

                                                                                 THOMAS HOWYS.

     ¹ [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The rectory of Stokesby in Norfolk was vacant in
the year 1455. The right of presentation ought to have belonged to Sir John Fastolf,
as John Fastolf—doubtless of Cowhawe—had presented in 1444; but it was allowed
to lapse to the Bishop, who presented Simon Thornham, LL.D. Afterwards it
appears that James Gloys was rector, who must have been presented by John or Mar-
garet Paston. This letter was probably written a few days before that which comes
next.

     ² Of St. Benet’s, Hulme. His name was John Martin.

1455