We hertely pray you to asserten Us in as goodly hast ye may, as our speciall trust is in you, and as We may do thing at your desires herafter. And our lord kepe you. Yoven under our signet at our Castell of Middelham the ixth day of Juyll. J. Kendale.
To our right trusty and welbeloved Sir William Stonor, knight, and Humfrey Foster, thelder, squier, and aither of them.
244. WILLIAM WALLINGFORD, ABBOT OF ST. ALBANS, TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR 11 AUGUST, 1479
Right Worshipfull Syr, I recommend me unto you: and where as it liked you of late forto write unto me for thoffice of Stewardship of my pore priory of Walingford, which is now fall voide be the deth of Garnon, on whoos soule our blessid lord do his mercy: it is so Syr, for a trouthe þat the revercion of thessayd office aftir Garnon was grauntid by my last predecessour under seale unto oon John Stepneth, a servaunt of our Monastery dwelling in Seint Albons, which John I am certenne may not nor cannot avaunce and help the place in sich matiers as it is troublid with, as Garnon myght and did while he lyved. Natwith|stonding I wold be looth to be put in default and taken in rapport to make a graunte contrary unto my said predecessours seale and writing: if that your wisdom cann finde the mean that thessaid place be not double chargid with the fee of thessaid stewards office, and also that ye will of your charite help that the place be not overlaied and hurt by Harry Dogket and oder sich as pretente to have annuytees and fees of thessame place, I will be glad, for the grete worship and sadnes that I here rapportid of you, that ye have thessame office. Therfor if ye will promyse me under your writing and seale of your armys to defend the place from inquietacion of thessaid Herry Doget, and also to finde the mean that the place bere not double fee of thessame office of Steward|ship, ye shall have a patent esselid therof in maner and forme as Garnon