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.

208. DAME ELIZABETH STONOR TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR [? MAY 1478]

No. 215 shows that Sir William Stonor had been ill in May, 1478, so that this year seems probable in spite of the fact that Stonor is not addressed as a knight; but in her earlier letters Elizabeth Stonor always addresses her husband as Squire, so that the address is in any case peculiar. Richard Blakhall's account—see p. 168 below—shows that Lady Stonor was away from home in the early part of May, 1478. The references to the Fenns and Stepney point to a date rather later than No. 183. Barnwell may be Thomas Barnwell, fishmonger, who occurs in 1485 (Letter-Book, L., 219). Sir Harry Fenn was a clerk in holy orders and brother of John Fenn (P.C.C., 17 Wattys). The original is very imperfect. From A.C., xlvi, 210^*.

. . . þerto [a] sponefull . . . half a nottemegge in powder, and drynke hem togeddyrs and ye shall with Godes grace ffynde greate ease þerin. I marvell that ye wold not send ffor noþinge to helpe you after your fallynge: be my trouth I knew not þeroff till now by your writynge, and yff I had knowen it I wold not have bene mery, nor nomore I am not, nor shall not till I see you, the which by my good will shalbe shortely assone as I can make anend. My tariynge is now ffor to have my dedes here off London and Stepynhith seelid by syr Harry Fenne, Barnewell and Wallesse. Barnewell is not in towne: he will be here shortely, and I trust to speke off all þinges in that matter with godes grace. Syr Harry Fenne and Fyncham be resonabely well keelyd: þei be not so hoote as they were: and yet they wilbe better hereafter I dowte not. And I praye you hartely gentill [l]offynge husbond to be mery and take in conseyte with you in your . . . ease . . . with [go]des grace it shall as lyghtly p[ass] as it come and trewly . . . . .

To my most worshipfull and best beloved husband William Stonor.