[20.1] [From Fenn, iii. 338.] Although there is no direction upon this letter, it was evidently addressed to the Duke of Norfolk, as it speaks of ‘your Castle of Framlingham.’ The absence of any written address Fenn accounts for by supposing the letter to have been enclosed in a cover; but as it appears that the original contained at least one passage which was crossed out (see page 341 in Fenn), we may with greater probability consider it to have been a corrected draft, like the last, sent to John Paston for his approval. The dispute with Sir Philip Wentworth and the matters of John Porter and Sir Thomas Howes, here referred to, both point to the year 1455 as the date of this letter.—See [Nos. 265], [268].
[279]
ABSTRACT[22.1]
Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.
1455
MAY 3
Thanks him for his letters, and the answer he made to Bokkyng. Does not know how to answer him concerning the ward,[22.2] the suit against William Jenney and Sir Thomas, etc. If Paston could be at London this term, even for three days, it would speed better than Fastolf’s writing, and Fastolf will pay his costs. If he cannot, Paston must use his own discretion, and Fastolf will abide by what he does. It would be a great rebuke if the matter of the ward went against us, ‘for nowadays ye know well that law goeth as it is favored, and after that the attorneys be wise and discreet in their conduct.’
Castre, 3 May.
[This letter, being dated at Caister in the month of May, cannot be earlier than 1455, and the references to the matter of the ward and the suit against Sir Thomas Howes seem to fix it to that year.]
[22.1] [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 244.]
[22.2] Thomas Fastolf.—See vol. ii. p. 323, Note 1.