The Paston Letters, A.D. 1422-1509. Volume 4 (of 6)

Note 74.1 — THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 2)

Reading edition

[From Fenn, iv. 188.] Our reason for believing this letter to have been written in the year 1463 will be seen in a footnote.

75.1 Possibly John Damme.

75.2 This looks like a mistake, for no Speaker of the name of Fynes is met with during this period. The expression, however, suggests that the letter was written about the beginning of a new Parliament, which could only have been that which met on the 29th April 1463. On the following day the Commons elected John Say as their Speaker, whose name Margaret Paston seems to have confounded with the family name of William Fenys, Lord Say, the trusty friend of Edward IV. who accompanied him into exile when he fled from his kingdom in 1470. It does not appear, however, that John Say, the Speaker, was related to that family.

75.3 The Sacrist or Sexton of the Priory of Norwich was the officer who had the care of Sacra, or Holy Things, as the Church Plate, Copes, etc.; he was likewise Secretary, Auditor, and Chancellor of the Convent, and had a Sub-sacrist or Deputy to perform the servile parts of his office. In 1444 Brother Richard de Walsham was appointed Sacrist.—F.

75.4 John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.—F.

76.1 Crouchmas Day, or the Invention of the Cross, was on the 3rd of May.—F.

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