_To my right trusty and right welbel[oved Sir] John Paston, Knyght, and
Sir . . . . . Knyght, . . . . of them._
[Sidenote: 1499 / AUG. 20]
Right trusty and welbeloved councellours, I comaunde me to you. And
where the Kinges Grace is lately acerteinyed that Th’Erl of Suffolk is
departid owt of this his Realme, Hys Grace hath commaundid me to wryte
unto you that ye incontynent uppon the sight of this my writing
endeovour you to enquyre aswell of such persones as be departid over
with the seid Erle as of theim that accompanyed hym in his repayre to
the see, and retornyd ageyn, or in any wyse were prevy to the same, and
theruppon, in as goodly hast as ye kan, to put them and every of them in
suertie savely to be kept, and therof t’acerteyn me, to th’entent ye
maye knowe his ffurther pleasure in the same. And if ye shall at any
tyme herafter perceyve any suspect person nyghe unto the see costes
which shall seme unto you to be of the same affynyte, than His Grace
will that ye put them in lyke suertie. And Almighti God have you in His
keping.
Written at Gaddishill, in the Ile of Wight, the xx^ti daye of August.