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.

328. THOMAS WODE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR [17 MAY, 1483]

This letter clearly has to do with the inheritance of Stonor's third wife, Anne Neville, eldest daughter of John, Marquis of Montagu, who was killed at Barnet in 1471. Probably the occasion was the death of her brother George, sometime Duke of Bedford, on 4 May, 1483. Anne Neville's younger sister, Elizabeth, married Thomas, lord Scrope of Masham. Richard of Gloucester had the wardship of all John Neville's children. A writ of Devenerunt was directed to the Escheator when a tenant in capite died, and when his son and heir died within age and in the King's custody; its purpose was to inquire what lands came to the King by the death of the tenant. A writ of Mandamus lay after a year and a day when the writ of diem clausit extremum had not been sent out. From A.C., xlvi, 221.

After me as your servaunt recummaunded unto your Mastership: pleaseth it you to have in knowelege that as yet we canne have no moo writtes of Devenerunt but iij, and the residu, as ferre as we canne per|ceyve, must be writtes of Mandamus, by cause that the offices be foundyn sum of them virtute officii. Also we must tarie for those writtes till ther have bene serche made every yere syne the deth of my lord Marcus, by cause he purchased londes in dyvers placys, and yf eny on place were forgotyn it shuld cause a referser of the hole and putte you to a newe livere suyng: wherfor we have moved Skypton to make serche bytwene this and the next terme, promysyng hym to be rewarded for his labur: and by that ceason we trust to be acerteyned: and we have a promyse that noo wryttes shalbe delivered but to you. Also all the costes as yet resteth on your Mastership: how be hit my lord Scrope seith that he woll bere his parte, and also cause my lord of Gloucestre, which shall have the warde of the ij ladyes, to be contributorie to your charge. And Jhesu preserve you to his pleasure and your hertes desir. Wretyn att London on Whitsunevyn in hast.

Your servaunt Thomas Wode.

To the Ryght honorable and worshipfull my synguler good master, Syr Willm. Stonore, knyght, be this delivered in hast.