_To my Cosyn, J. Paston._
[Sidenote: 1470 / MARCH 27]
The King camme to Grantham, and ther taried Thoresday all day; and ther
was headed Sir Thomas Dalalaunde, and on John Neille, a greate capteyn;
and upon the Monday next after that at Dancastr, and ther was headed Sir
Robert Wellys, and a nothr greate capteyn; and than the King hadde warde
that the Duk of Clarence and the Erle of Warwick was att Esterfeld
[_Chesterfield_], xx. mile from Dancastre.
And upon the Tewesday att ix. of the bell, the King toke the feld, and
mustered his people; and itt was seid that wer never seyn in Inglond so
many goodly men, and so well arreiyed in a feld. And my Lord was
whorsshupfully accompanyed, no lord ther so well; wherfor the King gaffe
my Lord a greate thanke.
And than the Duk of Clarence and the Erle of Warwik harde that the King
was comyng to them warde, in contynent they departed and wente to
Manchestre in Lancasshire, hopyng to have hadde helpe and socour of the
Lord Stanley, butt in conclucion ther they hadde litill favor, as itt
was enformed the King, and so men sayn they wente westward, and sommen
demen to London. And whan the King harde they wer departed and gon, he
went to York, and came theder the Thoresday next aftr, and ther camme in
to hym all the gentilmen of the shire; and uppon our Lady Day [he] made
Percy Erle of Northumberland, and he that was Erle affore Markeys
Muntakew. And [so][71-1] the King is purposed to come southwarde, God
send hym god spede.
Writen the xxvij. day of March.