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.

263. [WALTER ELMES TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR] [1480]

This letter, which is unsigned and apparently intentionally obscure, seems to be in the writing of Walter Elmes, who we know from Nos. 282, 287, and 288 periodically visited Stonor's Devonshire estates. On this occasion his business would seem to have been to make arrangements for the care of Agnes Wydeslade's estates; the date is therefore probably some time in 1480; since there is no reference to the trouble at Wolveston (see Nos. 266-68) it was per|haps written in March or April. On the repairs at Clist, see No. 285. The Wydeslade mentioned in this letter is probably the father of Lady Stonor's first husband. As to Germyn see No. 268. An alternative date might be May, 1481, after the death of Agnes Stonor. From A.C., xlvi, 46.

After my dewe recommendacion. I must nedys be at Wynchester to morow. I purpose to be at Exeter apon Saterday or afore. Yf ye wull send in to Glouc' shyre or I com home, send me word by my ser|vaunt,

ffor ells I wold come homwarde therbye. I wuld not make Germyn nor Wydeslade, what my lord Marquys hath promysyd you. Wydeslade is metely to be Steward in Cornewall: be ye advysyd of his ffee, remembryng what he hath he wull thynke ye drede to sore. I wuld not wryte of Speke, nor none othyr, but thynke that no resonable man wuld intende to trobull you, and yff eny wull be onresonabyll that they wuld assyste you. Remette your counsell to þe berrer off your lettres to opyn to them as they fele them disposyd: Iffe ye knowe not whetheyr ye have eny cause as ȝyt, and till ye have cause, I wuld not your wrytyng were to large. I wuld a other were Steward at Hoode. Hexte is lernyd and is metely for hit. As for Woneford and Clyst lyke wyse. And yf I continue not—but all thes thynges must be gydyd as ye have nede and cause, and nothyng in hast. Yf I shuld bye blake gownes by the way, send me word: also what I shall do with the plate [Compare the reference in No. 268.] and þe stuffe. On Monday at nyght I wuld lie at Penyng|ton, yf ye wull eny thing. As for the reparacion of Clyst I pray you to send word, who shall have the oversyte, and also wer Halwell shall pay me þe money or send yt uppe to London. Item as for Germyn ffee whether I shall pay hym or no. Yf ye wull have Hexte send hym a letter.