_To my right worshipfull cousine, Sir John Paston, Knyght._
[Sidenote: 1490, or later]
Right worshipfull cousine, in right harty wyse I commaunde me unto you.
And where I understand by Thomas Hartforde, a bower of Norwiche, berer
herof, hath been putt to grete vexacion and trouble by oon Thomas Hogan,
scomaker, of Norwiche, and that I perceyve ye have harde the matier
depending in travers bitwixt the saide parties; I therfore desire you
that, in the right of the forsayd Thomas Hartford, ye wolbe unto hym
gode maistir, and the bettir for this myn instaunce, as my singler trust
is in you.
And where I conceyve also that the same Thomas is noysed in Norffolk for
a Scotesman borne, ye shall understande that I perceyve wele, by suche
honest folkes as I have hard speke within the citie of York, that the
saide Thomas was borne their, and his fathir there inhabityng, and his
god fathirs and mothers, the which bee right honest persones; and for
that this is true, and not feyned, ye shall understand the Maiour of the
citie of York and his brethern hath made grete instaunce unto me to writ
for the saide Thomas, for whom I must nedes do, because thaye arre my
nye neighbours, as our Lord knoweth, Who have you in His blissid
saufegard.
Written in the castell of Shirefhoton, the xxiiij^th day of Aprill.
Your lovyng cousin,