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.

Jhesu Ano.

My most synguler good lady, after all dew commendacion hadd: please it your good ladishipe to wete that I am throw and agreyd with Laurence Fyncham, and have sett hym such surte as with the same he is right well pleased. Whereffore, good madame, I beseche you to re|membre myn obligacion, the which ye have off myn, and lett it be

broken and sent me hiddyr to London by the next that comethe. Also, madame, I have spoken with Laurence Fyncham ffor the xviij. li. due by Mayster Hampton, and he tellith me pleynly that mayster Hampton will geve no more but xiiij. li. ffor them, that is after iiij. s. the unce: and yff ye will nat so, ye shall have your baysens agayn. And þerffore, looke how you þinke best, and þerafter send me word, and I shall doo þerin as I wold doo ffor my selff. I spake unto my lady your modyr on seynt Thomas daye, [21 December.] and she wold scarsely oppyn hir mouthe unto me: she is displesid and I know nat whereffore, with owte hir old sekenes be fallen on hir agayn: God send hir ones a mery contenaunce, and a ffrendely tonnge, or elles shortly to þe mynnorres, wheroff she waxhith wery now, as it was told me but late. I am wrothe with Kateryne, by cause she sendith me no writtynge: I have to hir diverse tymes, and ffor lacke off answere I wax wery: she myght gett a secretary, yff she wold, and yff she will nat it shall putt me to lesse labour to answere hir lettres agayn. Madame, I beseche the blissid trenyte to send you a Mery Cristymas to your hartes ease, and ever to preserve and kepe you in longe helth and vertu. At London the xxij day Discembre.

By your owne sone and servaunt, Thomas Betson.

To my right synguler good lady, Dame Elyzabeth Stonor, soyt dd.