The Paston Letters, A.D. 1422-1509. Volume 2 (of 6)

Note 246.1 — THE PASTON LETTERS Henry VI (continued 5)

Reading edition

[From Fenn, iii. 44.] This letter of Agnes Paston’s refers to the same subject of dispute as the two preceding, and was probably written after them; but the exact year is not certain.

246.2 The half door of her ‘closet’ or pew in church.

246.3 ‘To owl,’ says Fenn, ‘may signify to deceive, as an owler is a person who carries contraband goods in the night; though I rather think it means in this place to oil, that is, to smooth to her purpose; but q.?’ The explanation certainly is not very satisfactory. From the definition of ‘owler’ we might perhaps conjecture with more probability that ‘to owl’ was to work in the night time. Did Agnes Paston, to avoid interruption, set men to build the wall by night?

247.1 St. Edmund’s day was the 16th November.

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