_To my right especyall and syngler good maister, Ser John Paston,
Knyght, this letter be delyvered._
[Sidenote: 1495 / JULY 12]
Wurchipful ser, I recomaund me on to you. Maister Balyffes, with alle
myn Maisteris of the town of Yermouth, thankith you hartilly, and
trustyng feythfully of your ayde and comford at neede; and if any suche
cause happith with us, they woll feythfully send you word in all the
hast possyble, up on the syght of the shippis.
Ser, ferdermor, ther is a ship of our town come hom from Seint John of
Amyas, and he seyth that on Seint Thomas Day[154-2] ther came to Seint
Wallrens,[154-3] in Normandie, an hoye of Dorderyght, with viij. horsis,
with many saddilles and brydilles; ther in wer viij. or ix. Englysh men,
the wiche toke the shippes boot, and went on lond at Staplis,[154-4] and
arn renne a wey up in to the cuntre. And the Admiralles Depewty sesonyd
the ship and hors, and all that they found ther in, to the Kyng our
soverayn Lordes behooff; and the Duche men were leyde in pryson. This is
a mater of trowth, for William Carre of our town, maryner, and oder of
our town, see this doon in deed. And as for the shippes with the Kynges
rebellars, they be furth out of Cambyr[155-1] westwards; whyder they be,
thei can not sey, but the Duche men seid to William Carre that they
trustid on one man shuld help them with many men. Thes is suche tydynges
as the Amyas men brout hom.
Ser, if it woll please your maistership that ye myght have leyser,
I desyre and pray you to come sporte you, and to see how weell we have
appareld and furnyshid our town, I wold be right gladd, and I trust to
Almyghty God that it wold please your maistership right weell, and with
your betyr advyce we woll doo more to our power, that knowith God, the
wiche Lord preserve you.