Note 262.1 — THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV. (continued 4)

[Add. MS. 34,889, f. 188.] Strangely enough there is no mention elsewhere of the serious illness of young John Paston mentioned in this letter, by which we might fix the year when it was written. But perhaps we may surmise that it was 1476, after he had been at Calais, where he was expected in the spring. The fact that he was ill at Attleborough agrees with this supposition, for that was the seat of the Fitzwalter family, and ‘Master Fitzwalter’ is mentioned in No. 888 as at Calais showing much interest in the Paston family. It may be observed also that in 1476, Friday ‘next’ the Decollation of St. John Baptist (29th August) would be the very next day.