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.

219. EDMOND HAMPDEN TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR [? JULY, 1478]

This clearly relates to the same incident as No. 220, in which case the most likely date is in the early part of July, 1478-see note on next letter. As to Harry Gorton see No. 240. From A.C., xlvi, 167.

Ryght worchypffull Cossyn, I recomand me unto ȝow. And, Syr, I have hard say that ȝe schold be infformyd to take dysplessuyr with a servant off myne in Whecombe. Syr, and he hathe offendyd ȝow in eny point I scall put him under no manys correccion but ȝowris: but for the infformacion off hym that I here say schold infforme ȝow, I pray ȝow, Syr, to be hys good master. Also I here say that he shold show

ȝow that my servant schold take owte of his hows v. li.: and yt can be prevyd, he scall abyd the otermost of the lawe: but I trow hyt well be ffond ffor evyll wylle: but and ȝe take no dysplesuyr, Syr, I wold avisse Hary Gorton to kepe hys tong ther, and be prevyd on hym a worsse talle then thys, or ellys say ȝe that I ham ffauls. Moreover I hard say hyt schold plesse ȝow to calle hym a theffe: by my trowthe I know hym for none, nor by my wyll I wolle kepe none. I have merveyle that hyt wolle plesse suche a worchypffull man as ȝe are to sclander eny powyr man so for suche a dobbull manys wordes as Hary Gorton ys: I scall preve affore hym that he dothe ȝow more dysworchyp then good servyce. Cossyn, I and all myne scall do ȝow servyce; and I trust to do ȝow better servyce in on owyr then yt scall ley in hys powyr to do all the dayys off hys lyve: and that scall I be reportyd in the same towne that he dewlyt in: and he wher nott ȝowr servant he wold welle know that hys dellyng wher nott good, that in schorte space: hyt ys ffor ȝowr sake and not ffor hys owne that he ys ffavoured so long. No more to ȝow at thys tyme, but I beseche all myty Jhesu to preserve ȝow and all ȝowrys.

By ȝowrs to hys powyr Edmond Hampden.

To my Cossyn, Syr Wyllm. Stoner.