My Dear Aunt
Were you aware that James Strangways<1> was a particular friend of Hotspur’s, <2> who calls him mon bon ami <23 in a letter dated 4th June 1401.
Would you like to know who was Prior of Frampton Priory in the year 1403? It was Ralph de Nubibus.<4>
Your affte
H. T.
Notes:
1. Described as a 'confidential retainer' in the Court of Henry IV, he was a distant ancestor of WHFT through the Ilchester line. He was the father of Sir James Strangways (1405-1480), a Speaker of Parliament.
2. Sir Henry Percy (1364–1403), known as 'Harry Hotspur', fought against the French and the Scots, but later led the rebellion against Henry IV. He was killed by an arrow at the Battle of Shrewsbury. His story was an inspiration for Shakespeare.
3. My good friend.
4. Frampton Priory, Dorsetshire. Ralph de Nubibus was a monk of the abbey of St. Stephen, Caen, and it was given over to him 1402.