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.

216. THOMAS BETSON TO DAME ELIZABETH STONOR 18 JUNE 1478

As to Oxbrigge's money see No. 213. From A.C., xlvi, 236.

Jhesus. An^o xviij^o.

Ryht honorable and my ryht synguler good lady, I recomaund me unto your good ladyschipe in the mooste lowlyest wyse that I best can or may, ever more desiryng to here and know off your wellffare, the whiche I beseche almyghty Jhesu to preserve and kepe to his plesour and to your mooste hartes desyre. And fferþer more, liketh it your good ladyschipe to wete that this same daye I come to London. And at my commynge home it was told me how that my mayster your husband had bene verry sore seeke: the which I know well hath not bene to your hartes comfforte, nor also to the comfforte of your howsold: off the whiche ffor sothe I am right sory. Nevertheles I undyrstond seth by dyverse his maystershipe is right well amendid and well recovered: off the which truly I am right joyffull and glad. And I beseche Almyghty Jhesu send hym als vertuous helth as I wold have myselff, and your good ladyshipe also. And yff I cowde do eny thynge here that myght be to hys plesour and youres, I wold I knew it and it shuld be done withouten ffayll. Truly your discomfforth is nat myn comffort, God knowith it. Nevertheles your ladyschipe muste cause hym to be mery, and off glade chere, and to put awaye all ffantasyes and unthryfty thoughtes that comes no good off but onely hurtffull. A man may hurt hymselff by ryotouse meanes; it is good to be ware. Good madame, I besech you to be off good chere, and I praye God comfforte you and send you vertuous helth. And also I besech you to remembre my Cossen Kateryn. I wold she did well, God knowithe it, and ye deme, as I trowe, yff I had ffownd hir at home here my comfforte shuld have bene the more: but I thannke God off all: my payn is the more: I muste nedes suffer as I have done in tymes past, and so will I do ffor Godes sayke and hirs. I send my mayster a dossen quayles to ete: I praye God they may do hym good to God ward, and all them that ete of them. I can send your ladischipe no deyntees: I am but now comen home. And our blissid Lord preserve your good ladishipe in vertu ever. Amen. At London the xviij day off June.

Your servaunt T. Betson.

Madaym, Goddard Oxbryge recommaundes hym unto your ladyschipe and prayethe you that ye wold woochsaveffe to speke to my mayster your husband ffor his money. He desyred me to wryte ffore it: it is well done þat it be so paied ffor dyverse causes: a Cossen of his shuld have it to pay it þer as he owith it. And our blissid Lord be with you, ever, ever, ever, Amen.

To my Right worshipffull and Synguler good lady, dame Elsabeth Stonor, at Stonor this be delyvered.