[292.1] [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 225.] This letter is shown by the memoranda on the back to be of the year 1453, i.e. 31 Henry VI. Agnes Paston had tenants at Cromer, and her property there descended to her grandchildren, as she outlived her son John.
[293.1] Blank in MS.
[232]
THE COUNTESS OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON[294.1]
[To my] right trusty and welbeloved Jon Paston, Esquier.
About 1454
Right trusty and intierly welbelovyd, I grete you wele. Prayng you as I specially trust you that ye wole be good frend to James Arblaster in his mater touchyng the maner of Smalbergh, as I wote wele ye haf ever be to hym ryght especiall frend; and thogh it so be that the sayd James had gret trebles, losses, and adversite herbeforn, neverthelesse he shall not be so bare of frendys ner goodes but that I wole se hym holpyn with the mercy of God. In performmyng wherof the berer of this shal enforme you of myn inten and disposicion more largely than I wole put in wrytyng. And the Trinite have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn at Wefnow,[294.2] the vij. day of August. Elizabeth Ver, Countes of Oxenford.
[294.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] At the bottom of the letter is a contemporary note which appears to show that it was filed along with others of various dates before Michaelmas 1454:— ‘Literæ de diversis annis ante Michaelem xxxiij.’ More precise evidence of its date does not seem to be attainable.
[294.2] Wivenhoe, near Colchester, in Essex.
[233]
THE COUNTESS OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON[294.3]
To John Paston, Sqwyer, dwellyng in Norwich.