We depart the soner, for the Dwk[299.1] hathe word that the Frenshe Kyng[299.2] is purposyd to mak wer upon hym hastyly, and that he is with in iiij. or v. dayis jorney of Brugys, and the Dwk rydyth on Twysday next comyng, forward to met with hym; God geve hym good sped, and all hys; for by my trowthe they are the goodlyest felawshep the ever I cam among, and best can behave them, and most lyek gentylmen.
Othyr tydyngs have we non her, but that the Dwke of Somerset,[299.3] and all hys bands depertyd welbeseyn owt of Brugys a day befor that my Lady the Dwches cam thedyr, and they sey her, that he is to Qwen Margaret that was, and shal no more come her ayen, nor be holpyn by the Dwk. No more; but I beseche yow of your blyssyng as lowly as I can, whyche I beseche yow forget not to geve me ever day onys. And, modyr, I beseche yow that ye wolbe good mastras to my lytyll man, and to se that he go to scole.
I sent my cosyn Dawbeney vs. by Callys man, for to bye for hym syche ger as he nedyth; and, modyr, I pray yow thys byll may recomend me to my sustyrs bothe, and to the mastyr, my cosyn Dawbeney, Syr Jamys,[299.4] Syr John Stylle, and to pray hym to be good mastyr to lytyll Jak, and to lerne hym well; and I pray yow that thys byll may recomand me to all your folkys, and my wellwyllers. And I pray God send yow your herts desyr.
Wretyn at Bruggys the Fryday next aftyr Seynt Thomas. Your sone and humbyll servaunt, J. Paston, the yonger.
[297.2] [From Fenn, ii. 2.] As this letter gives an account of the marriage of the Princess Margaret to Charles, Duke of Burgundy, there is no doubt of the year in which it was written.
[297.3] Margaret, sister of King Edward IV.
[297.4] 3rd July.
[298.1] Anthony, Count de la Roche, commonly called the Bastard of Burgundy, a natural son of Duke Philip the Good.
[298.2] Anthony Woodville, Lord Scales, afterwards Earl Rivers.
[299.1] Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.