_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston._
[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 8]
Ryght worschepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of recommendacyon, in as
humble wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Modyr,
please yt yow to wett, that the cause that Dame Elizabeth Brews desyreth
to mete with yow at Norwyche, and not at Langley, as I apoyntyd with yow
at my last being at Mawtby, is by my meanys, for my brodyr Thomas
Jermyn, whyche knowyth nought of the mate [_match_], telyth me, that the
causey or ye can comme to Bokenham Fery is so over flowyn that ther is
no man that may on ethe passe it, though he be ryght well horsyd; whyche
is no mete wey for yow to passe over, God defend it. But, all thyngs
rekynyd, it shalbe lesse cost to yow to be at Norwyche, as for a day or
tweyn, and passe not, then to mete at Langly, wher every thyng is dere;
and your horse may be sent home ayen the same Wednysday.
Modyr, I beseche yow for dyvers causys, that my syster Anne may come
with yow to Norwyche; modyr, the mater is in a resonable good wey, and I
trust with Gods mercy, and with your good help, that it shall take
effect bettyr to myn avauntage then I told yow of at Mawtby; for I trow
ther is not a kynder woman leveing then I shall have to my modyr in
lawe, if the mater take, nor yet a kynder fadyr in lawe then I shall
have, though be he hard to me as yett. All the cyrcumstancys of the
mater, whyche I trust to tell yow at your comyng to Norwyche, cowd not
be wretyn in iij. levys of paper, and ye know my lewd hed well i nough,
I may not wryght longe, wherffor I ffery over all thyngs tyll I may
awayte on yow my selff. I shall do tonnen[272-1] in to your place a
doseyn ale, and bred acordyng, ayenst Wednysday. If Syme myght be
forborn it wer well done, that he war at Norwyche on Wednysday in the
mornyng at markett.
Dame Elizabeth Brewse shall lye at Jon Cookys; if it myght please yow,
I wold be glad that she myght dyne in your howse on Thursday, for ther
shold ye have most secret talkyng. And modyr, at the reverence of God,
beware that ye be so purveyd for, that ye take no cold by the wey
towards Norwyche, for it is the most peraylous marche that ever was seyn
by eny manys dayes that now lyveth; and I prey to Jesu preserve yow and
yours.
Wretyn at Topcroft, the viij. day of Marche.
Your sone and humbyll servaunt,