No. 21.

Reply to the above. Dated Northampton, 5 Sept [1457].

Id. Ibid.

Trusty and welbeloved we grete you oftentymes wele. And lete you wite þat this same daie o^r welbeloved Thomas Cook oon of your brethren hath in yo^r behalve presented yo^r lettres and also declared full notablie yo^r credence unto us by the which we have understande the fervent desire and true ligeaunce þat ye tendirly and humbly here unto o^r royal estate, the whiche hath gretely renoveled and recomforted us Whereof aswele as of the notable aide that ye have graunted at this tyme unto us in right notable nombre of men of werre shippes and all other necessaires expedient for theym to þe repressing and rebuke of thoultrageous malice of oure enemyes of Fraunce now travarssing the narwe Se as it is saide we thanke you with as goode wille and hert as we can trusting for undoubted and also praying you þat considering þis Somer season passeth fast ye wille in all possible haste prepare and advaunce yo^r saide exploit for the whiche we have comaunded Chauncellor of Englond to yeove you auctorite so to doo undre oure grete seal. And have written to o^r port of Hull and oþere to drawe them and their ships towardes þe Se in their moste defensible and warrely araye and to ioigne and accompaignie theyme with you under the leding and guiding of god and of suche lordes and capitaignes proved in þe werre as we have full hope shall be to the grete renõmee of us and seurtee of you and alle our true subgettes and to thutter confusioun and reproche of o^r auncien enemy adverse of Fraunce. Yeoven undre oure Signet at our towne of Northampton the v daye of Septembre.