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

Note 267.1 — THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 6)

Reading edition

[From Fenn, iv. 172.] The precise date of this letter is by no means certain. Fenn dates it merely between 1463 and 1469; but if it be ‘my Lady of Oxford,’ and not ‘my Lord,’ who is spoken of near the end (see page 268, footnote 2), it may be many years later. The Earl of Oxford was committed to the Tower in the latter part of the year 1468. In 1470 he took part in the brief restoration of Henry VI., and on the return of Edward IV. he was obliged to quit the country. If the Earl, therefore, is alluded to as living in England, the date cannot well be later than 1468. Probably it is about the year 1467. In that year the 29th January fell on a Thursday, which would allow a reasonable time for the writer to suggest to Sir John Paston the expediency of his being in London on Monday or Tuesday following.

267.2 The words ‘and maimed’ are inserted from the right-hand copy in Fenn. They are not in the left-hand copy, having been overlooked, apparently, by the transcriber.

268.1 Who my Lady Anne P. was I cannot tell. The expression ‘as white as whale’s bone’ is rather a strange one.

268.2 The modern version in Fenn reads ‘my Lady of Oxford,’ but ‘my Lord of Oxford’ is right.

268.3 Fenn says this subscription is explained by ‘T. Daverse’ being written under the direction, as he believes, in the hand of the receiver.

Return to THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 6)Return to THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 6)Return to THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 6)Return to THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 6)Return to THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 6)