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.

62. JOHN GOODMAN TO [THOMAS] STONOR [? before 1461]

The reference to the Duke of York makes it likely that the date is not later than 1460. It is possible, however, that the letter may have reference to the intended sale of Bierton to Sir Ralph Verney which took place in 1469. From A.C., xlvi, 245.

Ryȝth worchypfull maystyr, y hertyly recomaund me unto youre maistyrchyp, desyryng to here of your wele fare and prosperite, the wych God encrese. The ca[use of] my wrytyng unto your maystyrchyp at thys tyme ys thys: I have enqueryd of certen men yn Beerton and Aylesbury of all the poyntes that ȝe toke unto me on by . . . of, and of old Balky of Aylesbury y have enqueryd: and he seyth that xx yere hys fadyr held yt, os ȝe wot what y mene: and he then aftyr held xxx yere and more and never was callyd upon nodyr for sewte ne servyse, nodyr hys lord at that tyme beyng, nodyr amercyd but only in the Duke of York court, and so seyth payd never rent for the same to hym (that ȝe know of) savyng xviij. d. for an preposture, lyying in the Grene of the seyd towne that ȝe know of ayens youre close. And yn rental yn Gooldes

tyme, and before yn Abraham tyme, and yn Balky tyme the yongge, beynge Bayllys of Aylesbury, there was none payd savyng the seyd xviij. d., nodyr yet savyng the clayme that ȝe know of. Moreover, I have be at Bysschopyston with Wyllyam Gourney and he seyth that ȝe have yn Bysschopyston the iij part of a close callyd Bondmannys Wyke, and yn on othere callyd Hanketes Wyke, and yn on othere callyd the Merch Close, and in vj score acre of lond and mede: and the mede ys yn all ix acre savynge on yerd. And yf ȝe wole wyte yt, yn case yt schuld be departyd, how many acre the closys conteyn, y schall yn wrytyng send unto Yngram, and he schall convey yt unto you. Moreover Ingram hath a rentalle of me, that was made yn Abraham tyme. And yf ȝe kowde have yt of hym, ȝe schuld know all: ffor yn hys fadyr tyme, that ȝe know of, the seyd Abraham was Bayly and yn the yong dayys of the seyd man that ȝe know of. And y schall enquere more there of. No more unto youre maystyrchyp at thys tyme, but Jhesu kepe you, be your man and servaunt,

John Goodman.

To maystir Stonor be thys byll dylyveryd.