John Frende, butcher of Ermington, co. Devon, to Thomas Stonor

63. JOHN FRENDE TO THOMAS STONOR

[? APRIL, 1462]

    This seems to be the earliest letter relating to the dispute between Thomas
Stonor and Richard Fortescue. We know that Stonor was at Ermington on
10 May, 1462. In this letter Frende seems to desire his master's presence,
and it is possible that the date was soon after Easter (18 April) in that year.
It seems to be earlier than Nos. 64 and 71. The Richard Fortescue of this
letter was the eldest son of the Richard Fortescue of No. 45, and was there-
fore a nephew of the Chief-Justice. Stonor's mother, who was married to
Richard Drayton, had rights of dower at Ermington—see p. 48 above. For
the further history of the dispute see Nos. 64, 71, 72, 79-82 and 91. From
A.C., xlvi, 49.¹⁷

    Right worshipfull maister, I comaunde me unto yov: praying yov to
sende me word by your letter where ye wil come in to Devenshire to
abide other no &c: and what I shall do with the corne, syder, and
wyne: yf ye come nought, hit were best, me semeth, that hit were sold
betyme &c. Also tenentes of Modbury, that is to sey John Torryng
and other, have made an ende with Ric. Fortescu in your defaute, under-
stondyng to them that ye wold have come, and kepe not your promise
at no tyme &c. Item, waen Ric. Fortescu was there in lente nov last
past he sende to Modbury by John Saunder seyng, that he hadde re-
coveryd of Thomas Stonore a C. li: and wel a wist they schuld be cast
in suche daunger as they schuld never abere: and for fere of suche
langage the seid Torryng and other have made there ende under this
condicion, what they schall paie, though &c hit passe ayenst them.
Item, the mede I kepe in your honde unto tyme ye sende me word
what I schall do. Item, I do yov to wete that my maister Drayton
hath sende me word that I schulde fylle a grete parte of the Southwode:
I pray yov sende me word where hit be your will or noo.

                         By John Frende of Ermyngton, Boucher.

    To my worshipful maister Tho. Stonor in hast.

Endorsed is a list:

Inter Stonor et Fortescu.

    Will. Courtenay. Johannes Courtenay. Willelmus Halewell. Henr.
Pomeray. Walterus Reynell. Ote Gylberd. Johannes Gybbes.
Gilbertus Yarde. Nicholaus Kyrkeham. Reginaldus Werthe. Johannes
Hache. Oliverus Hache. Thomas Gylle, jun. Willelmus Corun.
Robertus Roklegh. Robertus Pyperell. Johannes Halewell. Hugo
Champernoun. Willelmus Wollecomb. Willelmus Mileton. Johannes
Bolte. Johannes Hinychurche. Hugo Forde. Johannes Smale.
Johannes Holdeche. Willelmus Fountayn. Thomas Prendyrgyst.
Willelmus Caiman. Robertus Shyner. Johannes Brusshford.

63. JOHN FRENDE TO THOMAS STONOR

[? APRIL, 1462]

     This seems to be the earliest letter relating to the dispute between Thomas
Stonor and Richard Fortescue. We know that Stonor was at Ermington on
10 May, 1462. In this letter Frende seems to desire his master’s presence,
and it is possible that the date was soon after Easter (18 April) in that year.
It seems to be earlier than Nos. 64 and 71. The Richard Fortescue of this
letter was the eldest son of the Richard Fortescue of No. 45, and was there-
fore a nephew of the Chief-Justice. Stonor’s mother, who was married to
Richard Drayton, had rights of dower at Ermington—see p. 48 above. For
the further history of the dispute see Nos. 64, 71, 72, 79-82 and 91. From
A.C., xlvi, 49.

     Right worshipfull maister, I comaunde me unto yov: praying yov to
sende me word by your letter where ye wil come in to Devenshire to
abide other no &c: and what I shall do with the corne, syder, and
wyne: yf ye come nought, hit were best, me semeth, that hit were sold
betyme &c. Also tenentes of Modbury, that is to sey John Torryng
and other, have made an ende with Ric. Fortescu in your defaute, under-
stondyng to them that ye wold have come, and kepe not your promise
at no tyme &c. Item, waen Ric. Fortescu was there in lente nov last
past he sende to Modbury by John Saunder seyng, that he hadde re-
coveryd of Thomas Stonore a C. li: and wel a wist they schuld be cast
in suche daunger as they schuld never abere: and for fere of suche
langage the seid Torryng and other have made there ende under this
condicion, what they schall paie, though &c hit passe ayenst them.
Item, the mede I kepe in your honde unto tyme ye sende me word
what I schall do. Item, I do yov to wete that my maister Drayton
hath sende me word that I schulde fylle a grete parte of the Southwode:
I pray yov sende me word where hit be your will or noo.

                                            By John Frende of Ermyngton, Boucher.

     To my worshipful maister Tho. Stonor in hast.

Endorsed is a list:

Inter Stonor et Fortescu.

     Will. Courtenay. Johannes Courtenay. Willelmus Halewell. Henr.
Pomeray. Walterus Reynell. Ote Gylberd. Johannes Gybbes.
Gilbertus Yarde. Nicholaus Kyrkeham. Reginaldus Werthe. Johannes
Hache. Oliverus Hache. Thomas Gylle, jun. Willelmus Corun.
Robertus Roklegh. Robertus Pyperell. Johannes Halewell. Hugo
Champernoun. Willelmus Wollecomb. Willelmus Mileton. Johannes
Bolte. Johannes Hinychurche. Hugo Forde. Johannes Smale.
Johannes Holdeche. Willelmus Fountayn. Thomas Prendyrgyst.
Willelmus Calman. Robertus Shyner. Johannes Brusshford.