1460
JAN.
Ryght wohypfull Sir, I recommaund me to yow.[203.2]. . . . . . . As for tydyngs here, I sende som of hend wreten to you and othyrs how the Lord Ryvers,[203.3] Sir Antonye, hys son, and othyrs hafe wonne Calix[203.4] be a feble assault made at Sandwich by Denham,[203.5] Squyer, with the nombre of viijc. men, on Twyesday betwene iiij. and v. at cloks yn the mornyng. But my Lady Duchesse[203.6] ys stille ayen receved yn Kent. The Duke of York ys at Debylyn [Dublin], strengthed with hys Erles and homagers, as ye shall see by a bille. God sende the Kyng victorie of hys ennemyes, and rest and pease among hys Lordes.
I am rygt gretly hevyed for my pore wyfe, for the sorow she takyth, and most leefe hyr and hyr contree. Y shall nothing take from hyr more then a litell spendyng money, tille better may bee. And the Blessed Trinite kepe and sende you helth.
Wret at London hastly, the Monday after I departed from you, 1459, x. Your, W. Botoner, called Wyrcester.
[203.1] [From Fenn, i. 182.] The date of this letter is ascertained partly by the reference in the suppressed passage to Sir John Fastolf’s interment, and partly by the allusion to the capture of Rivers and his son by John Denham. Compare the letter following.
[203.2] ‘Here,’ says Fenn, ‘follow complaints against Frere Brakle, etc., concerning Sir John Fastolf’s interment, affairs, etc.’
[203.3] Richard Widville, Lord Rivers, afterwards created an Earl by King Edward IV., who married his daughter Elizabeth.
[203.4] This must be a sneer. The truth, as recorded by Botoner himself in his annals, was that John Denham and others secretly sailed from Calais, and surprised Sandwich, where they took Lord Rivers and his son Anthony prisoners, and carried them back to Calais.
[203.5] John Denham or Dynham, afterwards Lord Dynham.
[203.6] Cecily, Duchess of York.