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.

250. RICHARD BRYAN TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR 2 OCTOBER 1479

"My lady Croke" is Elizabeth Stonor's mother, here as elsewhere styled "lady" out of courtesy. From A.C., xlvi, 143.

Right worshipfull and my speciall gode master, in as humble wise as I can I recommaunde me unto your mastership: and as for the tidinges that his here I trust to God it shalbe verrey gode: on Thursday my lady Croke came to Stebenhith and brought with her master Brinkley to see Betson, and in feith he was a verrey sike man: and or he de|parted he gave him plasters to his hede, to his stomake, and to his bely, that he alle that nyght was in quiete rest: and he came to hym ayene on ffriday and sye his water: and he was well amendid, and so seid alle the people that were aboute him: notwithstonding he will not determyne him whether he shall live or dye as yet, but and he may kepe him alive till Tuesday none he will undertake him. The cause that I write to you no rather was bicause I had no serteynte. Sir, there hath be many speciall laburs and secrete I-made, sithen mastresse Jane and I were come, to the contrarie disposicion that we come fore: I can not write the playnes of theyme as yet, for my mastres Betson attendith, alle things and counselles leyde apart, to abide and trust in your gode ffadderhode and in my lady: and ferthermore if he departe

the world ye shall here tidinges of her in as godely hast as we may purvey for her. And whether he deye or live, it is necessarie and bihovefull that Mastresse Jane departe not from her into suche tyme as the certeynte may be knowen; for in trouth divers ffolkes, which ye shall know herafter, and my lady, both thus hath and wolde exorte her to a contrarier disposicion, had not we be here by tyme. And mastresse Jane is worthy much thank. Writen at London the ij^de daie of Octobre at iiij a clok.

And as for master Page, I sent for him, and he wrote me a letter and seide that he wold be redy at eny tyme to come. Howbeit he was aferde of the sikenes: but for as hederto I am in no suche distresse to sende for him: but I will, if I have cause. And if your mastershipe will any oþer thing oþerwyse than I can remembre, write unto me and I shalle put me in devore to execute it acording to your plesour by the grace of God.

Your servaunt Richard Bryan.

To my right worshipfull sir, and singuler good master, Sir William Stonore, knyght.