[Footnote 150.1: [From Fenn, i. 162.] This letter, which Fenn
vaguely assigned to the latter part of the reign of Henry VI.,
may be pretty safely attributed to the year 1450. The mention of
Lord Rivers and the Duke of Suffolk could not have been earlier
than 1449, as the one was only created lord, and the other duke
in 1448, and at a later date than the 13th of May. The reference
to the Duke of Suffolk again is not likely to have been long
after his decease. Further, there is a strong presumption, from
Monday being spoken of as a past date, and Friday as a future,
that the letter was written on a Wednesday. Had it been on a
Tuesday or Thursday, Monday would have been spoken of as
‘yesterday’ or Friday as ‘to-morrow.’ Now, the 13th of May was a
Wednesday in 1450. The changes in officers of state mentioned in
this letter are, therefore, those consequent on the fall of the
Duke of Suffolk. There is, besides, as will be seen by a
foot-note, an allusion to the Parliament at Leicester.]
[Footnote 150.2: John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford.]
[Footnote 150.3: Thomas Daniel. --_See_ p. 80.]
[Footnote 150.4: John, Viscount Beaumont.]
[Footnote 150.5: Richard Woodville, created Baron Rivers 29th
May 1448; afterwards earl.]
[Footnote 150.6: William de la Pole. --_See_ p. 80, Note 2.]
[Footnote 150.7: Parliament was sitting at Leicester in May
1450.]
[Footnote 150.8: A seat of the Earl of Oxford, near King’s Lynn,
in Norfolk.]
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