_To the right worchepfull Sir, John Paston, at Norwich._
[Sidenote: 1456 / MARCH 1]
Ryght worchepfull Sir, I recumaunde me un to you. Leke you to wete my
Maister Fastolf compert[77.2] is spedde and demyd in the Eschequyer for
hym a yens the Kyng, wher in was crafti labour and cloos to the seid
spede, and laked no dylygence, for the matter was defused and dubble
intendementz after dyverse mennys appynyons.
Her is Williem Brandon, late Eschetour,[77.3] and wold have a _non
molestando_[77.4] for Fulthorp; and be cause ye spake to me that no mo
shuld be sued owte, and I can gete no lybarate[77.5] in that case,
therfore, as it is tolde me, he wyll have oon up on Wenteworth is
patente, and that wer to my maister bothe velleny and hurte. I pray you
send me heryn your avyse. It is no grete maistre to gader up that mony,
if it wer wele labord. I have somwhat affrayed them, and made hem spend
mony, as I wot well ye shall her therof. Ye and I been discharged of our
maynprys.
Now, Sir, for Goddis sake, as I have meved you a fore, help to sette my
maister in a worchepful dyreccion of his maters to his honour, his
profyte, and his hertis ease, that which so doon he shall have the
better leysour to dysspose hym self godly, and be sette his londs and
his goodys to the plesour of God, and the wele of his sowle, that all
men may sey he deyeth a wyse man and a worchepfull. Yf ye wyste what
worchep shuld growe to you in favour and conseyte of all men thus to do,
I wot well ye wolde be right spedy therin, for I beleve fully ye ar
ryght well wylled therto; and if owte I cowde helpe therto at myn nexte
comyng, yf I knew your entent, I wold do that I cowde. Yf it like you to
wryte your avyse in a bylle that I myght have it by Good Fryday at Seint
Benettys, Williem Norwyche wol send it theder. The Holy Trinyte conserve
you in honour and prosperite.
From London, the furst day of Marche.
Your,