Note 280.2 — THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 6)

[From Paston MSS., B.M.] As this letter has reference to the disputes between the Duke of Suffolk and the Paston family about Drayton, it might be supposed to have been written about the year 1464, but that the entire absence of any mention of John Paston the father makes it probable that the true date is after his death. It is therefore not unlikely to be of the same year as No. 671, in which Margaret Paston mentions the probability of Hellesdon being taken again out of their hands, and also desires an answer to a letter that she had sent to her son, Sir John, ‘by James Gresham’s man.’

281.1 As it appears by the postscript that this letter was hurriedly despatched, we may perhaps presume that it was intended in the first instance for Sir John Paston, but that as ‘my cousin Damme’ required to be informed of the same particulars, it was afterwards addressed to him, with instructions to communicate the contents to Sir John.