The Stonor letters and papers, 1290-1483; ed. for the Royal historical society, from the origial documents in the Public record office, by Charles Lethbridge Kingsford.

126. THOMAS MATHEW TO THOMAS STONOR [? 1473]

This seems to be somewhat earlier in date than the next letter, so may be placed early in 1473. Thomas Mathew was bailiff at Ermington; he cer|tainly held that position some time between 1474 and 1476 (see No. 174), and is referred to as a former bailiff in 1480 (see No. 270). John Yeme was bailiff about 1466 (see No. 81). Orchard and John Gybbes were servants of Selenger (see No. 183, which apparently has to do with the conclusion of this dispute). For John Rytte, see No. 174. From A.C., xlvi, 58.

My Ryght worschepful Mayster, y recomande me onto you: de|syryng to here of youre prosperyte and gode hele, the whech y pray almyȝty God longe to contynue you theryn. Furthermore youre water of Erme ys y-stoppyd at Flutedamerel by the offycers there that ther may no ffyssch com up: wherfore the gentelmen that holdyth the water may not paye ther rente, and as thay havyth y-warnyd Water Frende. Wherapon y went to Willyam Fowel, as ȝe commandyt me, to wete what aunswer he had of Johne Gybbes: and he sayde, yff ȝe cowde schew youre tytel gode of olde tyme, as ȝe sayde to hym that ȝe hadde, yf he myȝt have understondyng therof by you or by youre councell that hyt myȝt be schewyd to Syr Phylyp Courtenay and to Orchard, that he wolde doo hys goode wyll theryn to fulfylle youre intent. Also y was wyth Mayster Courtenay, and tolde hym of the sam mater: and he sayde, that my lady wolde that ye scholde have youre ryȝt, yf ȝe cowde schew that hyt were youre tytel of olde tyme. Also y mevyd John Huchyn for the ward of N . . . yayn: and he aunsweryd me, yf ȝe myȝt reken eny part of the londe, he wolde entrete youre Maysterschep therfor. And y spake to Willyam Fowel of the sam mater: and he sayde, yf the londys were y-ffeffyd to that yntente to dissayve you, that hyt was collucyon and ȝe myȝt reken by the lawe. Also the parson of Bykebure hath y-chargyd hys tenents that they schol noȝt pay no ale wytys to me: and Johne Yeme toke a dystresse, whane he was Baylee, and put hyt yn warde, and the parson delyveryd the dystresse ayen, by what delyvere y can noȝt understaunde: wherfor y pray you that ȝe wol sende worde to youre councel how hyt schalbe demenyd. And as for the comyssyon, the commyssyoners havyth y-made a rule to sytte in every hundryd, and y tryst yn God by the rule of youre councel ȝe schalbe savyd harmeles, y

tryst yn God. Also John Ryȝt promysyd me that he wolde bere thys letter: y pray you that ȝe sende wrytyng by hym after youre intent how al materys schalbe doo by youre avyce. No more, but the holy Trynyte have you yn hys blessyd kepyng.

T. Mathu.

Thys letter be delyveryd unto Mayster Thomas Stonore in hast.