[105.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter and that which follows, relating to the manor of Cotton, are both quite uncertain in point of date, except that they cannot be earlier than 1487, when Sir John Paston was knighted, nor later than 1502, as the Queen and Sir John Paston himself both died in the year following.
[106.1] This name is written in a different character, intended as a representation of the Queen’s signature which it somewhat resembles. The writing, however, is crossed out. It is probably the work of the same pen that wrote the words below, though these are in a smaller hand.
[1021]
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[106.2]
To our hertly welbilovyd John Paston, Knyght.
1487-1502
Right hertly welbilovyd, I grete you wele. And where Sir John Howard, Knyght, Sir Gilberde Debenham, Knyght, gederith grete feloship of men, purposyng on Monday next comyng to take stresses of the Lady Roos; and I deme that they undre the colour of the same entende to set on Coton, and to gete it if they may; I therfor councelle you to sende downe a certeine of your men or elles come your silfe for the save garde of the said Coton. Also that ye yeve credence un to the brynger herof. And our Lorde kepe you.
Writyn at the lodge in Lavenham the last day of Juylle. Oxynford.
[106.2] [From Douce MS. 393, f. 84.] See preliminary note to the last letter.
[1022]
JOHN DAUBENEY TO [SIR JOHN PASTON][107.1]
[1487-1502]
AUG.