_To my maister, John Paston, Esquyer._
[Sidenote: 1461 / APRIL 18]
Please your Maisterchep to wete, that I have spokyn with Essex, in the
matter that ye wete of, and fynd him be his talkyng wel dysposed, not
withstandyng he woll not falle to no conclusyon to engrose up the mater,
tyll the chef baron[268.2] be com to London, and that he be mad privy to
the mater, which we loke after this same secund Saterday[268.3] after
Esterne; and as for Notyngham he is not yet comyn to London.
Item, as for tydyng, it is noysed and told for trouth of men of worchip,
and other, that the Erle of Wylchyr is taken, Doctor Morton,[269.1] and
Doctor Makerell, and be brougth to the kyng at York. Maister William
also spak with a man that sey hem.
Item, sir, I herd of Sir John Borceter and Christofer Hanson, that Herry
the sext is in a place in York schire is calle Coroumbr; suche a name it
hath, or muche lyke. And there is sege leyde abowte, and dyvers squyers
of the Erle of Northumbrelands, and gadered them to geder, a v. or
vj.^ml. [_five or six thousand_] men, to byger [_bicker_] with the sege,
that in the mene while Herry the sexte myght have ben stole a way at a
lytyll posterne on the bak syde; at whiche byker ben slayn iij.^ml.
[3000] men of the North. Sir Robert of Ocle and Conyrs leyth the sege on
our syde, and thei it is that have do this acte. Sum say the Qwen,
Somerset and the Prince schuld be there. Item, it is talked now for
trouthe, the Erle of Northumberland is ded. Item, the Erle of Devenshire
is ded justely.[269.2] Item, my Lord Chaunceler is to York. Item, the
King and the Lords com not here before Whitsontyde, as it is sayde.
Item, sir, sone uppon the chef baron comyng I schall send you a lettre,
with Godds grace, who preserve you, and have you in His blyssed kepyng.
Your,