_To my ryght worshypfull maistras, Margyt Paston, wedowe._
[Sidenote: 1468(?)]
Ryght worchypfull maistras, aftyr dew recomendacion, please your gode
maistrasshyp to wete that I comyned late wyth your entier welbelovyd
son, Sir John Paston, of the fundacion of my Maister Fastolf Collage
myght ben at Cambrygge, yn case hyt shall nat bee at Castre, nether at
Seynt Benetts, because that Universyte lyeth neere the cuntree of
Norffolk and Suffolk; for albe it my Lord of Wynchestr ys disposed to
found a Collage yn Oxford for my seyd maister to be prayd for, yhyt wyth
moch lesse cost he myght make som othyr memorialle also yn Cambrygge,
and yt weere of ij. clerkys, iij. or iiij. scolers, founded at leest
wyth the value of gode benefices and ryche parsonages, that myght be
purschased the advowsons, wyth moch lesse goodes then lordshyppes or
maners may; and I fonde your son well disposed to meofe and excyte my
seyd Lord. Also now the Cristmasse weke next before the feest att
London, my Lord Wynchester called me to hym yn presence of Sir John, and
desyrid hym effectually to be my gode wyller; and maister wold hafe no
wordes rehersed on my behalf, and he seyd full welle. Wold Jesu,
Maistras, that my gode maister that was som tyme your husbond, yn my
seyd Maister Fastolf lyfe dayes, as he shewed to me, their coude hafe
founded yn hys hert to hafe trusted and lovyd me as my Maister Fastolf
dyd, and that he wold not hafe geven credence to the malyciouse
contryved talys that Frere Brakley, W. Barker, and othyrs ymagyned
ontruly, savyng your reverence, of me. And now ye may opynly ondrestand
the sothe, and your son Sir John also; and yhyt for all that I put nevyr
my Maister Fastolf lyfelode yn trouble, for alle the unkyndnesse and
covetuse that was shewed me, as I hafe declared to the berer heroff,
that I know ye trust welle, to whom yn thys ye may gefe credence at thys
tyme.
God amend J. Russe. I wold he had ben at Irland for one day ys sake.
Your,