[169.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.]
[1075]
ARCHBISHOP WARHAM TO WILLIAM PASTON[170.1]
To my cousyn Master William Paston.
1503
SEPT. 6
Cousyn Paston, I recommaunde me unto you, and have received your letter, by the which I have undrestand of the deth of my cousyn your fadre, whose soule Jesu assoile. I wol counsaile and exhorte you to take it as wel and as paciently as ye can, seeyng that we al be mortal and borne to dey. And where as ye desire to have a letter ad colligendum, after myne advise ye shal doo wel to be here with me at Michaelmas next commyng, and at your then commyng I shalbe glad to doo you the best confort and helpe that I can; counsailing that ye in the meane tyme doo not entremedyll in any wise with th’admynystring of any parte of your faders goodes, nor with the receiving of his debtes, for divers causes, as at your comyng hudre ye shal knowe more.
The meane season, loke that ye be of as confortable chere as ye can, exhorting my lady, your modre in lawe,[170.2] to be in like wise, to whom I pray you to have me recommendyd. Thus fare ye hertily wel.
From London, the vjth day of Septembre. Your, William, Electe of London.
[170.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was William Warham, who was first Bishop of London, and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. According to the signature, he was Bishop-elect of London at the time it was written, but we are persuaded that it is a slip of the pen. He was elected Bishop of London in 1502, and was consecrated on the 5th October; but it is clear from the preceding No. that Sir John Paston was alive as late as the beginning of February 1503. In the year 1503, however, Warham was translated to Canterbury. The bull for his translation was issued on the 29th November 1503, but doubtless he was elected some time before; and it is quite intelligible how, being actually Bishop of London, he should have written ‘Elect of London’ in place of ‘Elect of Canterbury.’ Moreover, the allusion to the business of the administration agrees entirely with this supposition.
[170.2] Agnes, widow of John Hervey, Esq. of Thurley, Beds, etc. See p. 166, Note 1.