No. 22.

A letter similar to No. 20 (supra) was sent to Bishop Waynfleete the Chancellor, to which was made the following reply. Dated Waltham, 5 Sept. [1457].

Letter Book K, fo. 292b.

Right Worshipfull and right entierly welbeloved sirres I recommende me unto you in þe moste herty wise. Puttyng you in knowliche þat I have receved yo^r lettres direct unto me by Roger Tonge yo^r comon clerc in þe whiche I have understande not onely yo^r grete trouth to þe king our aller sovereigne lord and to this his Reaume but also I see and cleerly understand yo^r worshipfull coraige special love tendernesse and affeccõn þat ye bere to his highnesse and to þe defence prosperite and wele of this his Land to my special reioysing and conforte for þe whiche I thank you all as entierly as it is possible to me so to doo. I am certeyn that þe kinges highnesse will yeove you a grete Laude & speciall thankinges & alle the land hath cause to do þe same. Your worshipfull Demeanyng in this case and in this tyme of so straite necessite shall be an example to all þe land aftre I besiche you right hertly to contynue yo^r saide goode & worshipfull entent to yo^r perpetuell laude & worship hereaftre. In suche tyme as I shall come next to þe kinges high presence & to thassemblyng of þe lordes of his land I shall not forgete but I shall remembre open and declare yo^r worshipfull demenyng at this tyme. And where as I have ever be wele willyng to þe wele of þe cite afore this tyme by occasioun of this yo^r so thankfull demeanyng ye shall have me. Doutelese ever heraftre more redy & right glade to doo suche thinges as may be to þe welefare honer and prosperite of þe same. And how be it þat this may be thought a burthyn and a charge for þe season I doute not but þe goodenesse of almyghty god shal encrece you þe more for this so meritory a werk in tuicioun & defence of þe land and in eschewing of inconveniences happely muche gretter than as yet ben knowen. Furthermore I pray you to yeve feith & credence to suche thinges as þe said Roger shall open unto you in my behalf. And þe Holiegoste have you alwey in his guydyng. Written at Waltham þe v^th day of Septembre.