_To my right worshipfull mayster, John Paston._
[Sidenote: 1448 / MARCH 11]
Worthy and worshipful sir, and my right good maister, I recomaund me to
yow. And do yow wete that this nyght at soper I was with my maistresse
your wyff at my maistresse Cleres, and blissed be God thei fare weel and
hopyn that [you[83.2]] shall sende themme good tidyng of your matier,
Whanne ye knowe the certeynte therof, &c. And my maistresse your modir
come thedir and fareth well and sendeth yow Goddis blissyng and heris,
and she bad me write to yow that she hath verey knowelage by a trewe and
trusty man, whos name she shall telle yow by mouthe atte your next
metyng, that ther was purposed a gret meyne of a wondir gaderyng of
shipmen abowte Conorhithe for to have come to Oxened, and putte me owt
there in a wers wyse thanne ye were put owt at Gresham; and this was
purposed for to have ben at Oxened and a ryfled and put in the
preest[83.3] there, but this purpose helde not, for thei were
countermandet, by what mene I can not knowe yeet. And[83.4] it is do hir
to wete that thei be purposed to be at Ox[n]ede a bowt midlent, and I am
promitted that I shall have ii. days warnyng by a good freend. And
therfor she prayeth yow that ye aspie besily if the preest come into
thir countre or noght. For if ought shall be doo I trowe the Frere wole
be there atte doyng. And if ye can aspie that he come hider, send my
maistresse word as hastily as ye may, and of your avyse and of all other
thyngges as ye seme, &c. And God have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at ix.
on the clokke at evyn the noneday (_sic_) nex to fore Sent Gregory day
in hast.
My brother Bekke and his felawship shall telle yow more by mowthe thanne
I can telle yow now.
Your servaunt,