Unto my worshipfull and welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, be this lettre delivred in hast.
1455
MAY 25
Right worshipfull and entierly welbeloved Sir, I recommaunde me unto you, desiring hertly to here of your welfare. Furthermore lettyng you wete, as for such tydinges as we have here, such [these] thre Lordes be dede, the Duke of Somerset, the Erle of Northombrelonde, and the Lord Clyfford; and as for any other men of name, I knowe noon save only Quotton of Cammbrigeshire. As for any other Lordes, many of theym be hurt; and as for Fenyngley, he lyveth and fareth well, as fer as I can enquere, &c.
And as for any grete multytude of people that ther was, as we can tell, ther was at most slayn [x][31.2] vj. score. And as for the Lordes that were with the Kyng, they and her men wer pilled and spoyled out of all their harneys and horses; and as for what rule we shall have yit I wote nett, save only ther be made newe certayn officers.
My Lord of Yorke, Constabil of Englande; my Lord of Warweke is made captayn of Calyes; my Lord Burgchier is made Treasorer of Englande; and as yit other tydinges have I none.
And as for our soverayn Lorde, thanked be God, he hathe no grete harme.
No more to you at this tyme, but I pray you send this lettyr to my Maistresse Paston, when ye have sene hit; preyng you to remembre my systir Margrete ageyne the tyme that she shal be made nonne.
Written at Lamehith, on Witsonday, &c. By your cosyn, John Crane.
[31.1] [From Fenn, i. 100.] This letter relates to the first battle of St. Albans and the principal changes which took place immediately after it.
[31.2] In the original letter, the x is struck out, and vj. placed after it in the same line.—F.