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.

It is uncertain who is meant by "Cosyn Fowler": but he may possibly be Richard Fowler, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, since from No. 172 he seems to have been influential at Court. Thomas Wode is a servant of Stonor, see Nos. 147 and 184. "Cosyn Helmys" is probably Walter Elmes. From A.C., xlvi, 116.

The fact that this letter was dictated may explain the curious use of "hyt thys" for "it is," and such spelling as "hondely" for "only".

Right Interly and beste belovyde Cosyn, I recomaunde me unto you in moste lovyng wyse. Syr, I resayvyde ffrome you a letter by the wyche I consayvyde that ye canne not departe but it shulde be to your gret lose. Wherffor ye do ryght welle to set hyt in a suerte: ffore hyt thys no lytell monay that he howys you. And Syr, as ffore my Cosyn Fowler, he whas not come as thys nythe, but he wylle be to morow at his plase as hyt thys tollde me. And as ffore my son Betson I have no wrytyng syn you departe. I truste yt shall not be longe to or whe shalle have wrytyng ffrome hym. And Syr, ther as ye wrte unto me ther as þat Chetys and Hoderstone shulde be leffte ther stylle, truly so hyt thys: ffor I have put ffore no thyng save hondely for sarten plote. fforder more, Syr, ye schall under[stonde] þat Thomas a Wode hys very sore syke at the Sworde in Flete strete. Syr, the Kyng hys come to Westemester, and I understonde there schalle be a gret Counsell, where|ffore I wot never. My Cosyn Hellmys recomaunde hym unto you. And Syr, I thanke you hartely as I cane ffore your good tynchys: ffore truly thay whare very goode and swet as I het hany many a day. Whereffore I sent my ffader hone off them to hys soper. Whereffor he thanke you ryght hartely. No more unto you at thys tyme, Jhesu have you in his kepyng, Amen. At London the ix day of Octobur at ix a Cloke at nythe.

By your owne Elysabeth Stonor.

Allso Syr, ye schulle understonde that Thomas Wode hys [syke wi]th the pokys.

To my Ryght Reverent and Worshipffull hosbon Wyllm. Stonor, Sqyer, at Orton thys letter be delyverd. In hast. dd.