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.

176. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR 11 DECEMBER, 1476

Elizabeth Stonor's younger daughters must have been mere children. As 11 Dec. was a Wednesday, Betson must have arrived home on 9 Dec. The last clause is autograph. From A.C., xlvi, 119.

Jhesu

Ryght entirely and beste belovyd husbonde I recommende me unto you in the most lovyng wyse that I best can or may. Moreover, pleseth hit yow to understonde that I have receyvyd your letter, a byll closid in the said letter, which I have redd and ryght well understondyd: and as

for all such stuff as the said byll specefyth of, as yet I have not receyvyd. How be hit the barge is comyn with þe said stuff as þis nyght at vij of clocke: and Syr, soo hit will be the morne or I can receyvyd hit. Ferþermore, syr, plesith hit yow to wit that as on ffryday last past I dyende with my ffadir and my modir. And þer was at dyner with hym þe frendys of ȝe childe which was movid for oone of my doȝters at your last beyng heere. And so at after dyner þey hadde þere comunycation for þe said mateer, wherby I understode þer dispocitions how þat þey were disposid in the said mateer. And truly hit was nothyng as hit was spokyn of at þe begynnyng: wherfore I answeryd and said in þis wyse: that þoo shee were my childe, as she is, I coulde not answere that mateer without yow nor noght wolde doo. How be hit, I answeryd in your byhalf: that I wyst ryght well þat ȝe wolde be ryȝt kynd and lovyng ffadir, yif God ffortunyd that ye and they shulde dele. And Sir, there as ye wryte that þat þe bargemen ben loth to take and Rec. any stuff of ours I marveyle gretely: ffor truly to my knowlege I hadde never þing caryed by any of them but þat I paid them truly þerfore. And Sir, as for þe vj cowpull of haberndens, the which ye wryte ffore, they shall be bought and sente yow ryght shortly. And as ffor your gownys of chamlet and dublettes of sylke, I have bought hem: the which shall plese yow ryght well, I trust to God, at your comyng, &c. And Sir, my sonne Betson recommende hym unto yow, and he come home as on Monday last past, and he hath brought with hym, blessid be God, good tythynges, the which he and I shall enfourme yow at your comyng. And ther as ye wryte that ye will sende me of a wylde bore and other venson ayenst Sonday, truly I thanke yow as hertly as I can. But truly yet I wolde pray yow that ye wolde spede yow hedyr als sone as ye can: ffor I wolde trust to Godes mercy hit shoulde be to your profetes and avayle in tyme comyng by the grace of our Lord, who ever preserve and kepe yow to his plesur and your most herts comfort. Amen. At London the xj day of Decembre A° xvj.

And Cosen, heras ye wryte to me þat I had no leysyr: truly I have ben crised and besy, ellys I wyld have wryte to you or thys tyme.

By your ovne Elysabeth Stonore.

To my Ryght well belovyd Cosen, Willm. Stonere, esquyer at Stoner þis be delyverd.