Wurchepefull Sire, and right well be lovyd, I grete yow well, desyryng to here of youre well fare, praying you interlych to bie with me at dyner on Seynt Benett day, the whiche xall be on Friday next comyng, or ell[es] in brief tyme covenable to your ease, to th’entent that I may commoun wyth yow of divers maters, the whiche I purpose to have a doo in be your good advyse, and in on especyall as for the chirche of Stokesby, whiche I understand xall moche be reulyd after your advyse and content; tristyng our communicacion had in the seyd [matters] xall cause pees and pleaser to all parties be leve of our Lord, the whiche Lord mote preserve you in all goode.

Wreten in my Monastery the xvij. day of Marche. Be your good frend, The Abbot of S. Benetts.

[17.1] [From Fenn, iii. 236.] This letter was written by John Martin, Lord Abbot of St. Benet’s of Hulme. The heads of this monastery were mitred abbots, and sat in Parliament. The date may be assigned to the year 1455 for two reasons—first, that in that year St. Benet’s day (the 21st of March) fell on a Friday; and second, that in the same year the living of Stokesby lapsed to the Bishop of Norwich.

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ABSTRACT

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and —— Yelverton.

Between 1455-9

Thanks them for speeding his action against Thomas Fauconere. Begs them to sue it out, as Fauconere is obstinate, and has wrought against Byckwod right unjustly, who owes great sums to divers creditors, etc.

Castre, 20th March.

[The date of this letter must be during Sir John’s residence at Caister between 1455 and 1459.]

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SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.[18.1]