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diff --git a/42239-0.txt b/42239-0.txt index 3837623..4f21436 100644 --- a/42239-0.txt +++ b/42239-0.txt @@ -1,39 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Paston Letters, Volume V (of 6), Edited -by James Gairdner - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: The Paston Letters, Volume V (of 6) - New Complete Library Edition - - -Editor: James Gairdner - -Release Date: March 1, 2013 [eBook #42239] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PASTON LETTERS, VOLUME V (OF -6)*** - - -E-text prepared by Louise Hope, Chris Curnow, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries -(http://archive.org/details/toronto) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 42239-h.htm or 42239-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42239/42239-h/42239-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42239/42239-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries. See - http://archive.org/details/pastonlettersad05gairuoft - - - Project Gutenberg has the other volumes of this work. - Volume I: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43348 - Volume II: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40989 - Volume III: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41024 - Volume IV: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41081 - Volume VI, Part 1 (Letters, Chronological Table): see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42240 - Volume VI, Part 2 (Index): see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42494 - - -Transcriber's note: - - This text file is intended for users whose text readers cannot - display the Unicode/UTF-8 version. The oe-ligature is displayed - as "oe." One Greek phrase is shown in transliteration between - number signs (#Ô thea#). - - The Gairdner edition of the Paston Letters was printed in six - volumes. Each volume is a separate e-text; Volume VI is further - divided into two e-texts, Letters and Index. Volume I, the - General Introduction, will be released after all other volumes, - matching the original publication order. - - Except for footnotes and sidenotes, all brackets are in the - original, as are parenthetical question marks and (_sic_) - notations. Series of dots representing damaged text are shown - as in the printed original. - - The year was shown in a sidenote at the top of each page; this - has been merged with the sidenote at the beginning of each - Letter or Abstract. - - A carat character is used to denote superscription. The - character(s) following the carat is superscripted (example: - vj^ti). Braces { } are used only when the superscripted - text is immediately followed by non-superscripted letters - or period (full stop). Subscripts (rare) are shown with - single lines _.Errata and other transcriber's notes are - shown in [[double brackets]]. - - Footnotes have their original numbering, with added page - number to make them usable with the full Index. They are - grouped at the end of each Letter or Abstract. - - Typographical errors are listed at the end of each Letter, - after the footnotes. In the primary text, errors were only - corrected if they are clearly editorial, such as missing - italics, or mechanical, such as u-for-n misprints. Italic - "d" misprinted as "a" was a recurring problem, especially - in Volume IV. The word "invisible" means that there is - an appropriately sized blank space, but the letter or - punctuation mark itself is missing. The form "corrected - by author" refers to the Errata printed at the end of the - Letters, in Volume VI. - - Specifics: The spelling "Jhon" is not an error. Gresham and - Tresham are different people. Conversely, the inconsistent - spelling of the name "Lipyate" or "Lipgate" in footnotes is - unchanged. In this volume, the spelling "apostyle" for - "apostille" is used consistently. - - Note that the printed book used z to represent original small - letter yogh. This has not been changed for the e-text. - - - - - -This edition, published by arrangement with Messrs. ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE -AND COMPANY, LIMITED, is strictly limited to 650 copies for Great -Britain and America, of which only 600 sets are for sale, and are -numbered 1 to 600. - -No. 47 - - [[The number 47 is handwritten.]] - - - * * * * * - * * * * - - - THE PASTON LETTERS - - A.D. 1422-1509 - - - * * * * - * * * * * - - -THE PASTON LETTERS -A.D. 1422-1509 - -New Complete Library Edition - -Edited with Notes and an Introduction - -by - -JAMES GAIRDNER -of the Public Record Office - -_VOLUME V_ - - - - - - - -London -Chatto & Windus - -[Decoration] - -Exeter -James G. Commin -1904 - -Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty - - - - -THE PASTON LETTERS - -_Edward IV_ - - - - -695 - -WILLIAM EBESHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON[1-1] - -_To my moost worshupfull maister, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1469(?)] - -My moost woorshupfull and moost speciall maister, with all my servyce -moost lowly I recomande unto your gode maistirship, besechyng you most -tendirly to see me sumwhat rewardid for my labour in the Grete -Booke[1-2] which I wright unto your seide gode maistirship. I have often -tymes writyn to Pampyng accordyng to your desire, to enforme you hou I -have labourd in wrytyngs for you; and I see wele he speke not to your -maistership of hit. And God knowith I ly in seint warye [_sanctuary_] at -grete costs, and amongs right unresonable askers. I movid this mater to -Sir Thomas[1-3] late, and he tolde me he wolde move your maistirship -therein, which Sir Thomas desirid me to remembir wele what I have had in -money at soondry tymes of hym.[2-1] - - . . . . . . . - -And in especiall I beseche you to sende me for almes oon of your olde -gownes, which will countirvale much of the premysses I wote wele; and I -shall be yours while I lyve, and at your comandement; I have grete myst -of it, God knows, whom I beseche preserve you from all adversite. I am -sumwhat acqueyntid with it. Your verry man, - - W. EBSHAM. - -Folowyng apperith, parcelly, dyvers and soondry maner of writyngs, which -I William Ebesham have wreetyn for my gode and woorshupfull maistir, Sir -John Paston, and what money I have resceyvid, and what is unpaide. - - First, I did write to his maistership a litill booke of Pheesyk, - for which I had paide by Sir Thomas Leevys[2-2] in Westminster - xx_d._ - - Item, I had for the wrytyng of half the prevy seale of Pampyng - viij_d._ - - Item, for the wrytynge of the seid hole prevy seale of Sir Thomas - ij_s._ - - Item, I wrote viij. of the Witnessis in parchement, but aftir - xiiij^d. a peece, for which I was paide of Sir Thomas - x_s._ - - Item, while my seide maister was over the see in Midsomerterme - - Calle sett me a warke to wryte two tymes the prevy seale in papir, - and then after cleerely in parchement - iiij_s._ viij_d._ - - And also wrote the same tyme oon mo of the lengist witnessis, - and other dyvers and necessary wrytyngs, for which he promisid me - x^s. whereof I had of Calle but iiij^s. viij^d. car. v^s. iiij^d. - v_s._ iiij_d._ - - I resceyvid of Sir Thomas at Westminster, penultimo die Oct., anno - viij. - iij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Item, I did write to quairs of papir of witnessis, every quair - conteynyng xiiij. leves after ij^d. a leff - iiij_s._ viij_d._ - - Item, as to the Grete Booke--First, for wrytyng of the Coronacion, - and other tretys of Knyghthode, in that quaire which conteyneth - a xiij. levis and more, ij^d. a lef - ij_s._ ii_d._ - - Item, for the tretys of Werre in iiij. books, which conteyneth - lx. levis aftir ij^d. a leaff - x_s._ - - Item, for _Othea_[3-1] pistill, which conteyneth xliij. leves - vii_s._ ij_d._ - - Item, for the Chalengs, and the Acts of Armes which is xxviij^ti - lefs - iiij_s._ viij_d._ - - Item, for _De Regimine Principum_, which conteyneth xlv^ti leves, - aftir a peny a leef, which is right wele worth - iij_s._ ix_d._ - - Item, for Rubrissheyng of all the booke - iii_s._ iiij_d._ - - Summa rest' - xxij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Summa non solut' - xlj_s._ j_d._, - unde pro magno[4-1] libro scripto xxvij^s cum diu' chal.[4-2] - - Summa Totalis - iij_li._ iij_s._ v_d._ - - WILLIAM EBESHAM. - - - In further illustration of the payments made in that age for - writing, etc., Sir John Fenn gives the following extracts from an - original quarto MS. then in his possession, containing-- - -The various expences of Sir John Howard, Knight, of Stoke by Neyland, in -Suffolk (afterwards Duke of Norfolk), page 136. - -Item, the vij^th yere of Kynge Edward the iiij^th, and the xxviij. day -of July (1467). My master rekened with Thomas Lympnour of Bury, and my -master peid hym-- - - For viij. hole vynets . . . prise the vynett, xii_d._, - viij_s._ - - Item, for xxj. demi vynets . . . prise the demi vynett, iiij_d._ - vij_s._ - - Item, for Psalmes lettres xv^c. and di' . . . the prise of - C. iiij_d._ - v_s._ ij_d._ - - Item, for p'ms letters lxiij^c. . . . prise of a C., j_d._ - v iij_d._ - - Item, for wrytynge of a quare and demi . . . prise the quayr, xx_d._ - ij_s._ vj_d._ - - Item, for wrytenge of a calender, - xij_d._ - - Item, for iij. quayres of velym, prise the quayr, xx_d._ - v_s._ - - Item, for notynge of v. quayres and ij. leves, prise of the quayr, - viij[_d._] - iij_s._ vij_d._ - - Item, for capital drawynge iij^c. and di', the prise, - iij_d._ - - Item, for floryshynge of capytalls, v^c. - v_d._ - - Item, for byndynge of the boke, - xij_s._ - - c_s._ ij_d._ - -The wyche parcellis my master paid hym this day, and he is content. - -This is an account of a limner or illuminator of manuscripts, who -resided at Bury. - - [Footnote 1-1: [From Fenn, ii. 10.] By the date of one item in the - account subjoined to this letter it must have been written after - the year 1468, probably in the year following.] - - [Footnote 1-2: This 'great book' has been identified, on evidence - which at first sight seems conclusive, with MS. 285 in the - Lansdowne library in the British Museum. But probably this latter - is only another transcript by Ebesham of a very similar volume. - _See_ Account of this MS. in 'Sailing Directions for the - Circumnavigation of England,' published by the Hakluyt Society in - 1889.] - - [Footnote 1-3: Sir Thomas Lewis, a priest.] - - [Footnote 2-1: Here (according to Fenn) follows the account as - stated more at large in the subjoined Bill.] - - [Footnote 2-2: Fenn's modern transcript reads Lewis. Is 'Leevys' - in the other a misprint for 'Lewys'?] - - [Footnote 3-1: _Othea_ means a treatise on Wisdom.--F. - The name is derived from the Greek #Ô thea#, but was used in the - Middle Ages as a proper name. See a poem beginning - - 'Othea of prudence named godesse,' - - mentioned in the Third Report of the Historical MSS. Commission, - p. 188.] - - [Footnote 4-1: _magno_, 'm^o' in Fenn.] - - [Footnote 4-2: So in Fenn. Qu. _cum diurnali challengiorum_? Fenn - omits the whole of this clause, unde . . . . chal', but notices - its occurrence in a footnote.] - - [[_In this section, many italic "d"s were misprinted as "a". - They have not been individually noted._ - - ... the Chalengs, and the Acts of Armes which is xxviij^ti lefs - _text has "less"; corrected from Fenn ("lefs" with "f" misread as - "le[s]s" with long "s")_ - - ... prise the vynett, xii_d._, - _anomalous final comma in original_ - - Item, for p'ms letters lxiij^c. . . . prise of a C., j_d._ - v iij_d._ - _text unchanged: _s._ after "v" missing_]] - - -696 - -THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[5-1] - -_To the worshipfull, and with alle myn hert right entierly bilovyd Sir -John Paston, Knyght, this lettre be delivered._ - -TH'ERLE OF OXINFORD. - -[Sidenote: 1469(?) / JAN. 7] - -Right hertly welbilovyd, I grete you wele. And where I am for trowth -enformyd that the Duchesse of Suffolk wolle hold a court on Monday next -commyng at Coton, to th'entent that she wolle fynde the maner of -Thempnals holde of hir by knyghts service and they that ben -possessioners of the same shulde payle certeine of the Parke of -Weverston; and by cause this is nat performyd nor don, thoo that ben -possessioners shall at the said court be amersid. And it is agreed that -Sir William Yelverton, Sir Thomas Hoo, shalle be at the said court and -wolle pay the amercyment, and to delyver the said Duchesse possession of -the said service and palyng, and so by this meane to be come tenauntes -to the said Duchesse. And what wolle be falle more herof I kan nat sey. -Wherfor me thinkith it were welle don ye were at the said court with -your councell, and to do therin as they wolle avise you. Also as ye come -to the said court take your wey by the said Duchesse to th'entent that -ye come to se hir welfare, &c. Do herin as your councell wolle avyse -you. I wolde ye dud welle. And to my power I wolle help you. And our -Lorde kepe yow. Writyn at Tatyngston the vij. day of Januer. - - _Endorsed_: Th'Erle off Oxenfford. - - [Footnote 5-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It will be seen by No. - 690, that in October 1468 the Duchess of Suffolk had a design of - suddenly entering the manor of Cotton and dispossessing Sir John - Paston. This letter, in which it is said she proposes to hold a - court there, was probably written in the beginning of the - following year.] - - -697 - -ABSTRACT[6-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JAN. 9] - -W. COTING to JOHN COOK, draper of Norwich, 'and that he deliver or send -this bill to Richard Kalle in all goodly haste, for the matter is of -substance.' - -This day in the grey morning three men of my Lord of Norfolk with long -spears carried off three good horses from John Poleyn, 'one of your -farmers at Tichewell,' telling him to treat with my Lord of Norfolk. -Wishes to know what to do, 'for such an open wrong unremedied knew I -never.' Saturday after Epiphany. - -'Anno viij^o' is written below. - -[The signature of this letter is written in an abbreviated form, 'W. -Cot.' According to Blomefield, W. Cotyng was rector of Titchwell from -1450 to 1457, and he had been previously rector of Swainsthorp, to which -he was presented by Judge Paston in 1444. This letter is twelve years -later than the date at which his incumbency of Titchwell is said to have -terminated; but doubtless he is the writer. He is referred to as living -even in the year 1485, in a letter written by Dame Elizabeth Browne, who -says that he and James Gresham were clerks to her father Judge Paston.] - - [Footnote 6-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -698 - -EDWARD IV. TO SIR JOHN PASTON[6-2] - -_To our trusty and welbeloved Sir John Paston, Knight._ - -BY THE KINGE. - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JAN. 18] - -Trusty and welbeloved, we grete yow well. And how be it that we late -addressed unto yow our letters, and commanded yow by the same, for the -consideracions in them conteined, to have ceased of makinge any -assemblye of our people for the matter of variance dependinge betwixt -yow on that one partie, and our right trustie and right entirely beloved -cosin the Duke of Norffolk on that other, and to have appeared before -the Lords of our Councell at our Palleys of Westminster at a certeine -day in our said letters specified; yett nevertheless we understonde not -as yet if ye have conformed yow to the performinge of our said -commandement or not. We therefore eftsones write unto yow, willing and -straitly charging yow to cease of the said ryotts and assemblies; and -that incontinent upon the sight of these our letters that ye dispose yow -personally to appear afore the said Lords of our Councell at our said -Pallis, there to answere to such thinges as in that behalfe by them -shall be laid and objected against yow, not failinge hereof, all excuses -laid aparte, as ye will avoide our displeasure. Yeven under our signet -at our citye of Salesbury, the xviij. day of January. - - [Footnote 6-2: This letter is reprinted from the Paston Genealogy - in the _Norfolk Archæology_, to which we have already several - times referred (_see_ Nos. 484, 641, 643, etc.). Edward IV. was at - Salisbury in January 1469, one of his privy seals being dated - there on the 16th of the month.] - - -699 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO ROGER TOWNSEND[7-1] - -_To the ryght worshypfull and hys best betrustyd Frende, Roger -Townesende._ - -[Sidenote: 1467-9 / FEB. 12] - -Right worshipfull sir, I comaunde me to yow, praying yow hertly to -remembre that by the award made bytwen yow and me by Roger Townesend for -a tenement in Stratton in Norfolk callid Rees, I shuld delyver yow all -the evydens apperteynyng to the said plase, and not from thens forth to -chalenge nor interupte my lady your wife ner yow of the said tenement; -And that for thes said causes ye shuld and therto were agreyd to geve me -an horse and x_li._ to an harneys. And moreovir before Cristemasse in -the kynges chambre ye ther ageyn promysed me that ye wold such tyme as I -send to yow home to yowre plase by any servant of myne er any man from -me, that ye wold delyver it hym and send it to me by hym. My brothir -John hath send me word that he remembird yow therof on my behalfe and -that you answerid hym that ye wold gyfe hym or me a fayre harneys at -your comyng to London. I deme in yow that ye thynke par case to bye a -fayre harneys here for x. markz; but, cosyn, as God help me, I bowte an -harneys syn that tyme for my self, which cost me xx_li._ But I con not -desire of yow so moch. Wherfore, cosyn, with all myn hert I pray yow -accordyng to yowre promyse that it like yow to send me by my servaunt, -berer herof, the said somme of x_li._, as my trust is in yow, and as I -wolde in like case have don to yow, and as in the premysses I delt -feithfully with yow and evir so shall dele, with the grase of God, Who -have yow in Hys kepyng. Wretyn at London the xii. day of -Feveryer.--Youris, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 7-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 186.] This letter was probably - written after the death of John Paston, the writer's father, but - the precise year is uncertain.] - - [[John Paston, k. - _printed with anomalous small "k."_]] - - -700 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[8-1] - -_To my mastyr, Sir John Paston, knyght, in Flet stret._ - -[Sidenote: 1468-9(?)] - -Syr, &c. It is so that, with owght ye have hasty reparacyon doon at -Caster, ye be lyek to have doubyll cost in hast, for the reyn hathe so -moystyd the wallys in many plasys that they may not tylle the howsys -tyll the wallys be reparyd; or ellys ye shall have doubyll cost for to -untylle your howsys ayen at syche tyme as ye shall amend the wallys. And -if it be not do thys yer, many of the wallys wyll lye in the moot or -longe to; ye knowe the febyllnesse of the utter coort of old. John -Pampyng hathe had hame to Caster as good as x^ml. tylle fyr the plase at -Yermeuthe, and it wer pete that the tyll wer lost; and the lenger that -it lythe unleyd the wers it wyll be. I have thys day bespok as myche -lyme as wyll serve for the tyll. Wherfor I prey yow remembyr the cost of -the werkmanschep and purvey the money by oo mean or othyr, what shefte -so evyr ye make. And, for your owne profyte, remembyr to goo thorow with -Hwghe of Fen; for by my trowthe ye wyll ellys repent yow er owght longe. -For bothe ye shall loose hys good wyll and lett peraventure that -avantage that he myght do yow in your lond recoveryng; wher as he may do -yow harme and [_if_] he wyll and then, to late wyse. Item, that ye -remembyr your relesys and gounys of my Lord of Norffolk er ye com hom. -Item, I send yow by the berer herof a lettyr dyrect to yow that a man of -my Lord of Oxenfortheys delyverd me; whych lettyr comyth fro the Kyng. -Item, that ye remembyr in eny wyse to serche for the fyne in syche -plasys as my modyr sent you woord of in a lettyr; for myn oncyll and my -grauntdam report that they have serchyd in all plasys thar as it shold -be, but they can not fynd no thyng of it. Also that ye look whedyr the -fyne was reryd to eny feeffeys mor then to my grauntfadyr and my -grauntdam and ther issu; for and ther wer eny feoffeys namyd in the fyn, -it is the bettyr for yow. My Lady and my grauntdam be com to London for -the same mater; wherfor it wer well do that the jwgys wer enformyd of -your mater befor they spok with theym. I prey yow hye yow hom hastyly -and se your owne profyte your sylf. Pampyng and I shall clowt up your -howsys as we may with the money that we have tyll more come, but ye -shold do bettyr your sylf. I prey red thys byll onys on a day tyll ye -have sped thes maters wretyn her in; thowe it be to your peyne to labore -theym, remembyr your profyt. Nomor, &c., but God kep yow thys Lent fro -lollardy of fleshe. Wretyn at Norwyche the Twysday next aftyr that I -departyd fro yow. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 8-1: [Add. MS. 33,597, f. 4.] The year in which this - letter was written is doubtful, but it was most probably either - 1468 or 1469, at the beginning of Lent.] - - -701 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[10-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, knyght, be this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MARCH 12] - -I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, desiryng you to -recomaund me to my brother William, and to comune with hym and your -councell in such materis as I wryght to you, that ther may be purveyd be -some writyng fro the Kyng that my Lord of Norffolk and his councell seas -[_cease_] of the wast that thei done in your lordsheps, and in especiall -at Heynford; for thei have felled all the wood, and this weke thei wull -carie it a wey, and lete renne the wateris and take all the fyssh. And -Sir William Yelverton and his sone William, John Grey and Burgeys, -William Yelvertons men, have ben at Guton and takyn distresses, and with -ought that [_unless_] thei wull pay them thei shall not set ought no -plow to till there lande; thei byd them lete there land lye on tilled -but if [_unless_] thei pay them. So that if the tenauntes have no remedy -that thei may pesibily, with ought assaught or distresse takyng, be the -seid Yelverton or his men, or of any other in there names, at there -liberte herye there landis, with in this vij. days there tylth in the -feldis be lost for all this yere and thei shall be on doon; and though -ye shuld kepe it here after pesibilly ye shuld lese the ferme of this -yere, for thei may not pay you but if [_unless_] thei may occupie there -landis; thei set not so sone a plow ought at ther gatis but ther is a -felesship redy to take it. And thei ride with speris and launyegays, -like men of werre, so that the seid tenauntis arn a ferd to kepe there -owyn howses. Therfore purvey an redy remedy, or ellis ye lese the -tenauntis hertis and ye gretly hurt; for it is gret pety to here the -swemefull[10-2] and petowse compleyntis of the pore tenauntis that come -to me for comfort and socour sometime vi. or vij. to geder. Therfore, -for Goddis love, se that thei ben helpyn, and desire my brothere William -to geve you good concell here. - -Also it is told me that my Lady of Suffolk hath promysed you here good -will, if your bargayn of the mariage[11-1] holdyth, to do as largely as -she shall be disired, or largelyer if there be any appoyntment takyn a -twix you for any materes a twyx her and you. And [_i.e._ if] thei wuld -avyse you to geve any money to here to make here refuse or disclayme -here titill, me semyth ye may wele excuse you be the money that she had -last, and be the wrongis that were don be here and here men in fellyng -of wood and pullyng doune of your place and logge at Heylesdon, and -takyn a wey of the shep and your faderis goodis, which were takyn a wey -at the pullyn don of the seid place; wheche wele considered, she were -wurthy to recompense you. And [_if_] the Kyng and the lordis were wele -enformed thei wuld considere the redilyer your hurtis. It semyth this -Sir William Yelverton hath comfort that he is so bold, for [he[11-2]] -hath ryght prowde and fowle langage and ryght slaundrows to the -tenauntis, as thei have reported to me. Therfor be ryght ware that ye -bynde not your self nor mak non ensurance till ye be suer of a pesibill -possession of your lande; for oftyn tyme rape rueth, and whan a man hath -made such a covenante he must kepith it, he may not chese; -there[fore[11-2]] be not to hasty till your londe be clere. And labore -hastly a remedy for thes premysses, or ellis Sir John Fastolffis -lyvelode, though ye entre it pesibilly, shall not be worth to ye a grote -this yere with ought ye wull on do your tenauntis. I pray you remembre a -kerchye of Cremyll for your suster Anne. Remembre to labore some remedy -for your faderis will whill my Lord of Caunterbury[11-3] lyvyth, for he -is an old man and he is now frendly to you and if he happed to dye, how -[_who_] shuld come after hym ye wote never; and if he wer a nedy man, in -asmych as your fader was noysed of so greet valew he wull be the mor -straunge to entrete. And lete this be not for gete; for [if] ther were -on [_one_] that aught us no good wyll he myght calle us up to make -accounte of his goodis, and if we had not for to showe for us where by -we have occupied, he myght send doun assentence to curse us in all the -diosyse and to make us to delivere his goodis; which were to us a gret -shame, and a rebuke. There fore purvey hastly and wyssely therfore whill -he lyvyth, and do not as ye dede whill my Lord of York[12-1] was -Chanceller make delays, for if ye had labored in his tyme as ye have do -sith, ye had be thurgh in your materis; be ware be that, and lete slauth -nomor take you in such diffaught; thynk of after clappes and have -provysion in all your work, and ye shall do the better. God kepe you. -Wretyn on Myd Lent Sonday in hast. - - Be your moder, - - M. P. - - [Footnote 10-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 202.] This letter must have - been written in 1469, after the Duke of Norfolk and Sir William - Yelverton had taken possession of Fastolf's lands.] - - [Footnote 10-2: _swemeful_, sorrowful.--Halliwell.] - - [Footnote 11-1: With Anne Haute.] - - [Footnote 11-2: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 11-3: Cardinal Bourchier.] - - [Footnote 12-1: George Nevill, Archbishop of York. He surrendered - the Great Seal on the 8th June 1467.] - - [[ride with speris and launyegays - _text unchanged; expected form is "launzegays" (laun[gh]egays with - original yogh)_]] - - -702 - -CARDINAL BOURCHIER'S DECLARATION[12-2] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -To all cristen men to whom this present writyng shall come, Thomas, by -the providence of God, Preeste Cardinall Archiebisshopp of Caunterbury, -Primat of all Inglond and Legat of the Appostallic See, gretyng. Where -now late Alice, Duchesse of Suffolk, come to us and desirid of us to -dismysse us of oure estate and to enseall a deed of a relees of the -maner of Haylysdon with the appurtenaunce in the counte of Norffolk; -which we denyed, in as myche as wee stode infeoffyd in the seid maner -with othirs to the use of Sir John Paston knyght, sone and heire to John -Paston sqwyer; to the whiche the seid Duchesse replied, seying and -affermyng that she was accordyd and agreed with the seid Sir John Paston -by the meane of the ryght Reverent fader in God, George Archebysshop of -York, and that the seid Sir John Paston was fully assented and agreed -that the seid Duchesse shuld have the seid manere wyth th'appurtenaunce -to hir, hir heyris and assignes for ever more, and that all the feoffees -enfeoffid and seisid in the seid manere wyth the appurtenaunce shuld -relees and make astate to hir or such as shee wolde assigne of the seid -manere wyth th'appurtenaunce; the wehych we answerde and seid upon -condicion that the seid Sir John Paston weere so agreed we wold relees -wyth a goodwyll, and els not; and yff so were that we cowde understand -hereafter by the seid Right reverent Fadir in God, George Archebisshop -of York, or by the seid Sir John Paston, that ther ware noon such -accorde made by twex the seid Duchesse and the seid Sir John, that than -oure deed and relees by us so ensealed off the seid maner wyth -th'appurtenaunce shuld stond as voyd, and of no force nor effecte; to -the wehyche the seid Duches agreed, and prayd us that we wold sealle hir -a deed of the same maner, wyche shee had theere redy, uppon the same -condicion and uppon noone other. And wee than, at hir specyall request -upon the condicion aforeseyd rehersid, sealid the seyd deed and -delyvered it; and the seid Duchesse at the same tyme promitted us that -she wold use and kepe the seid writyng noo notherwise, nor to noon othir -use but uppon the same condicion as is aforeseid. In witnesse whereoff, -to this oure present writyng we have sette oure seall. - - [Footnote 12-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 127.] From what Margaret - Paston writes to her son Sir John in the end of the last letter - about his father's will, and also from what she says a little - later about the Duchess of Suffolk (_see_ page 15), we may assign - this document with great probability to the year 1469.] - - [[_page 15 = Letter 704_]] - - -703 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[13-1] - -_To myght' well belovyd brother, John Paston, or to John Dawbeney, in -his absence._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MARCH 17] - -Ryght worschypful and well belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng -you wete that Sir Thomas Howes hadde a free chapell at Castr, wher of -the gyfte longyth to me, whyche chapell, as I understande, scholde be in -the olde tyme, er the place at Caster wer bylte, with in the motte, -wherfor I ame but the better pleased; and soo it is now that at the -speciall request of the Qwen and other especiall good Lordes of myn, -I have gevyn it to the berer her of, callyd Master John Yotton, a -chapleyn of the Qwenys. Neverthelle[ss] in tyme passyd I proposyd that -the master of the colegg scholde have hadd it, and so er longe to I hope -he schall, wherfor I thynke he most take possession, and that is the -cawse of hys comyng. Wherfor I pray yow make hym good cher. He is -informyd that it scholde be worthe C_s._ be yer, whyche I belyve not; -I thynke it der jnow xl_s._ by yeer. He most have it as it was hadde -befor. - -Item, thys daye I understonde that ther be comen letteris from my moder -and yow, and Dawbeney, wherin I schall sende yow answer when I have seyn -them. - -No mor at this tyme, for within this iij. dayes I shall lette yow have -kneleche of other maters. - -Wretyn the xviij. day of Marche. - -Whether he nedyth indoccion, or institucion, or non, I wot not; if it -nede, brother, ye may seale any suche thynge as well as I. Master Stevyn -kan tell all suche thynges. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 13-1: [From Fenn, iv. 308.] Sir Thomas Howes appears - to have died in the latter part of the year 1468. Before the end - of that year his living of Pulham was vacant, and his death is - alluded to in a letter of Margaret Paston's, written on the 30th - September 1469, as having occurred 'within this twelvemonth.' It - would appear by the following extract, quoted by Fenn, from the - Institution Books of the Bishop of Norwich, that Sir John's - presentation referred to in this letter was not allowed, or was - not made out in time, and that the Bishop presented by a lapse:-- - - 'Cantaria in Cayster-hall. - - 'Lib. xi. p. 170, 21 March 1468. Mr. Joh'es Yetton, S.T.P. ad - col. Ep'i. per laps'.'] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / MARCH 17 - _printed as shown, but text of letter says "xviij" (18)_]] - - -704 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[14-1] - -_To Sir John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 3] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blissyng and myn, thankyng you for -my seall that ye sent me; but I am right sory that ye dede so grete cost -ther up on, for on of xl_d._ should have served me right wele. Send me -ward what it cost you, and I shall send you money therfor. I send you a -letter be a man of Yarmoth; send me word if ye have it, for I marveyll -ye sent me non answer ther of be Juddy. - -I have non very knowleche of your ensuraunce [_engagement_], but if ye -be ensured I pray God send you joy and wurchep to geder, and so I trost -ye shull have, if it be as it is reported of her[15-1]; and a nemps God, -ye arn as gretly bownd to her as ye were maried, and therfor I charge -you up on my blissyng, that ye be as trew to her as she wer maried on to -you in all degrees, and ye shall have the mor grace and the better spede -in all other thyngs. - -Also, I wuld that ye shuld not be to hasty to be maried til ye wer more -suer of your lyvelode, for ye must remembr what charge ye shall have, -and if ye have not to mayntene it, it wull be gret rebuke; and therfor -labour that ye may have releses of the londs, and be in more suerte of -your lond, or than ye be maried. - -The Duchesse of Suffolk[15-2] is at Ewhelm, in Oxford shir, and it is -thought be your frends her that it is do that she myght be ferr and -ought of the wey, and the rather feyne excuse be cause of age or -sikenesse, and if that the Kyng wuld send for her for your maters. - -Your elmyse [_enemies_] be as bold her as thei wer befor, wherfor I can -not thynk but that thei have sume comfort. I sent to Cayster that thei -shuld be war in kepyng of the place, as ye dede wright to me. Hast you -to spede your maters as spedily ye can, that ye may have lesse felesshep -at Cayster, for the expences and costs be grete, and ye have no nede -therof and [_if_] ye remembre you wele what charges ye have beside, and -how your liffelode is dispoyled and wasted by your adversaries. - -Also I wuld ye shuld purvey for your suster[15-3] to be with my Lady of -Oxford,[16-1] or with my Lady of Bedford,[16-2] or in sume other -wurchepfull place, wher as ye thynk best, and I wull help to her -fyndyng, for we be eyther of us werye of other. I shall tell you more -whan I speke with you. I pray you do your devyr her in as ye wull my -comfort and welefar, and your wurchep, for diverse causes which ye shall -understand afterward, &c. - -I spake with the Lord Skales at Norwich, and thanked hym for the good -lordshep that he had shewed to you, and desired his Lordship to be your -contynuall good lord; and he swore be his trought he wold do that he -myght do for you; and he told me that Yelverton the Justice had spoke to -hym in your maters, but he told me not what; but I trow, and ye desired -hym to telle you, he wuld. Ye ar be holdyng to my Lord of his good -report of you in this contre, for he reported better of you than I trow -ye deserve. I felt be hym that ther hath be profered hym large proferes -on your adversaries parte ageyn you. - -Send me word as hastly as ye may after the begynnyng of the terme, how -ye have sped in all your maters, for I shall thynk right long till I her -sume good tidyngs. - -Item, I pray you recomaund me to the good mayster[16-3] that ye gaffe to -the chapell of Cayster, and thank hym for the gret cost that he dede on -me at Norwych; and if I wer a grette lady he shuld understand that he -shuld far the better for me, for me semyth be his demenyng he shuld be -right a good man. - -Item, I send you the nowche[16-4] with the dyamaunch, be the berer -herof. I pray yow forgate not to send me a kersche[16-5] of Cr'melle for -nekkerchys for your syster Anne, for I am schente of the good lady that -sche is with, be cawse she hathe non, and I can non gette in all thys -towne. - -I xuld wrythe mor to yow but for lakke of leyser. God have yow in Hys -kepyng, and send yow good spede in alle your maters. Wryten in haste on -Eestern Munday. - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 14-1: [From Fenn, iv. 312.] Allusion is made in this and - the next letter to the expected visit of Edward IV. to Norfolk in - 1469. Owing to the proposed marriage of Sir John Paston with his - kinswoman, Anne Haute, Lord Scales appears at this time to have - interested himself in Sir John's behalf. On the back of this - letter, as Fenn tells us, is a note: 'The L. Scales is now frend - to Sr. J. Paston.' But the handwriting is not contemporaneous.] - - [Footnote 15-1: The lady here referred to is Anne Haute.] - - [Footnote 15-2: Alice, widow of William de la Pole, Duke of - Suffolk.] - - [Footnote 15-3: This was most probably Margery Paston, with whom - the whole family were, very soon after the writing of this letter, - so much displeased for having without their consent contracted - herself in marriage to Richard Calle.--F.] - - [Footnote 16-1: Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir John Howard, - Knight, and widow of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, who was - beheaded in 1461-2.--F.] - - [Footnote 16-2: _See_ vol. iv. p. 188, Note 3.] - - [Footnote 16-3: Dr. John Yotton. _See_ No. 703.] - - [Footnote 16-4: An ouch is a collar of gold, formerly worn by - women; a gold button, set with some jewel, is likewise so called, - and that most probably was the ornament here mentioned to be sent - to Sir John by his mother; we may suppose it was intended as a - present to his betrothed bride.--F.] - - [Footnote 16-5: A kersche of Cr'melle, perhaps means a kerchief of - Cremell, crewel or worsted, to be made into neck-handkerchiefs for - her daughter Anne, who appears to have been for education and - board with some lady of consequence.--F.] - - -705 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[17-1] - -_To Master Syr John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 7] - -Syr, I pray yow recomand me to my Lord Scalys good lordshep, and to let -hym weet that, in lyek wyse as hys Lordshep gave me in comandement, -I have enqweryd what the gentyllmanys answer was that my Lord of -Norffolk sent to to awayte up on hym at the Kyngs comyng in to thys -contre. Hys answer was to my Lord of Norfolks messenger, that he had -promysyd my Lord Scalys to awayte up on hym at the same seson, and in as -myche as he had promysyd my Lord Scalys, he wold not false hys promesse -for no man on lyve. I fond the menys that the seyd gentylemanys wyfe -mevyd hyr husbend with the same mater as thow she had axyd hym of hyr -awne hed, and he told hyr that he had gevyn thys answer. Thys gentylman -is Sir William Calthorp;[17-2] but I pray yow tell my Lord Scalys that -ye undyrstand not who it is, for he preyid me to be secret ther in. - -I pray with all my hart, hye yow hom in hast, for we thynk longe tyll ye -coome. And I pray yow send me woord whedyr ye shall be mad a Crysten man -or ye com home, or nowt; and if so be that ye send eny man hom hastly, -I pray yow send me an hat and a bonet by the same man, and let hym bryng -the hat upon hys hid for mysfacyonyng of it. I have ned to bothe, for I -may not ryd nor goo owt at the doorys with non that I have, they be so -lewde [_shabby_]. A murry bonet, and a blak or a tawny hat. And God send -yow your desyr. Wretyn at Caster, the viij. day of Apryll. - - Your J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 17-1: [From Fenn, iv. 318.] For the date of this letter - see preliminary note to the last (p. 14, Note 1).] - - [Footnote 17-2: Sir William Calthorpe, Knight, had been High - Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, both in this and the preceding - reign, and died very old in 1494. His second wife was Elizabeth, - daughter and co-heir of Sir Miles Stapleton, Knight, of - Ingham.--F.] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 7 - _printed as shown, but text of letter says "viij" (8)_]] - - -706 - -LORD SCALES TO THE COUNCIL OF THE DUKE OF NORFOLK[18-1] - -Ih's. - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 10] - -Wyrshypfull and my ryght gode frend, I comaund me to you. And where as I -am enformed that my Lorde of Norffolk pretendeth title to serteyn londys -of Sir John Pastons whych were late of Sir John Fastolf, it is sayd that -by the comaundement and supportacyon of my sayd Lord, sertayn hys -servaunts felleth wode, maketh grete wast, and destrayned the tenants of -the seyd lands, to the grete damage of the seyd Sir John Paston and hys -sayd tenants; and also that my sayd Lord entendyth to entre sertayn -places of the same. And for asmoch as maryage ys fully concluded by twyx -the seyd Sir John Paston and on of my nerrest kynneswomen, I dout not -that your reason wele conceyveth that nature must compelle me the rather -to shewe my gode wylle, assystens, and favour unto the seyd Sir John in -such thyngs as concerne hys enherytans. And because I am on of my said -Lordys councayll, and must and will tendre hys honour, I hertely pray -you that it may lyke you to advertyse and avyse my sayd Lord and yourys, -that all such entres, fellyng of wode, destraynyngs of tenants, and all -such maters lyke touchyng the sayd londes or any part of them, be cessyd -unto such tyme as a resonabell meane may be founde by my sayd Lords -counsayll, my Lord my faders[19-1] and other cousyns and frendes of my -seyd kynneswoman thys next terme, as may be to my sayd Lordys honour, -and to the savyng of the ryght tytle of the seyd Sir John Paston. - -Over thys I pray you that ye wille enforme my gode frend James Hobard of -the premysses, that he may advertyse my seyd Lord in lyke wyse; and that -ye will yeve credens unto William Paston, and I shal be welwilled to do -that may be to your plesur, with Godds mercy. - -Fro Westmynstre, the x. day of Apryll. - - [Footnote 18-1: [From Fenn, iv. 322.] This and the following - letter were printed by Fenn from contemporaneous copies, written - on the same paper without signature or address. On the back, - however, is the following memorandum:--'Copea literz Dñi de - Scales;' to which has been added in a later handwriting: 'ad - Concilium Duc' Norff' et aliis (_sic_) in favore J. Paston mil. eo - quod maritaret cognatam suam Annam Hawte.' The date is clearly in - the year 1469, when the Duke of Norfolk laid claim to Caister.] - - [Footnote 19-1: Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers.] - - -707 - -LORD SCALES TO ----[19-2] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 10] - -Ryght trusty and welbelovyd, I grete you well. And for asmoch as a -maryage ys fully concluded bytwyx Sir John Paston and my ryght nere -kynneswoman Hawte, I will that ye and all other my servaunts and tenants -understand that my Lord, my fader,[19-3] and I must of nature and reason -shewe unto hym our gode assystens and favour in such maters as he shall -have a doo. Wherfor I pray you hertely that ye will take the labour to -come to Norwych, to comen with William Paston, and to yeve credens unto -hym in such maters as he shall enforme you of myne entent, and of -sertayn persones with whom ye shall comen by th'avyse of the seyd -William Paston, of such maters as touch the sayd Sir John Paston; prayng -you to tendre thys mater as ye wolde do myne owne. - -Fro Westmynstre, the x. day of Aprill. - - [Footnote 19-2: [From Fenn, iv. 324.] _See_ preliminary note to - the last letter (p. 18, Note 1).] - - [Footnote 19-3: _See_ Note 1, _supra_.] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 10 - _sidenote missing in original: date supplied from body of letter_]] - - -708 - -ABSTRACT[20-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MAY 5] - -Citation by Thomas, Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury, to William -[Waynflete], Bishop of Winchester, and John Beauchamp, Knight, Lord -Beauchamp, to appear before the Archbishop in fifteen days after being -summoned, and take upon them the charge of the execution of Sir John -Fastolf's will, if they so will to do. - -Lambeth, 5th May 1469, in the 15th year of the Archbishop's translation. - - [The MS. belongs to the Castle Combe Collection.] - - [Footnote 20-1: [Add. Charter, 18,249, B.M.]] - - -709 - -ARCHBISHOP NEVILL TO SIR JOHN PASTON[20-2] - -_To my right trusty and welbeloved Sir John Paston._ - -Ih's. - -[Sidenote: 1469(?) / MAY 7] - -Right trusty and welbeloved, I grete you hertely well, and sende you by -Thomas your childe xx.^li., prayng you to spare me as for eny more at -this tyme, and to hold you content with thessame, as my singlr truste is -in you; and I shalle within bref tyme ordeigne and purveye for you such -as shalbe unto your pleasir, with the grace of Almightty God, who have -you in His proteccion and keping. - -Writen in the manoir of the Mor[20-3] the vij^th daye of Maye. - - G. EBORAC. - - [Footnote 20-2: [From Fenn, ii. 34.] This letter was almost - certainly written between the years 1467 and 1469, and is not - unlikely to be of the latter year, before the Nevills and the - Archbishop had come to be regarded as open enemies of Edward IV.] - - [Footnote 20-3: The Moor in Hertfordshire, a seat of Archbishop - Nevill.] - - -710 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[21-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [MAY]] - -Syr, plesyth it to undyrstand, that I conceyve, by your lettyr whyche -that ye sent me by Jwde, that ye have herd of R. C.[21-2] labor whyche -he makyth by our ungracyous sustyrs[21-3] assent; but wher as they wryet -that they have my good wyll ther in, savyng your reverence, they falsly -lye of it, for they never spake to me of that mater, ner non othyr body -in ther name. Lovell axyd me onys a qwestyon whedyr that I undyrstood -how it was betwyx R. C. and my suster. I can thynk that it was by Callys -menys, for when I axyd hym whedyr C. desyird hym to meve me that -qwestyon or not, he wold have gotyn it aweye by humys and by hays, but I -wold not so be answeryd; wherfor at the lest he told me that hys oldest -sone desyird hym to spere [_inquire_] whedyr that R. C. wes swyr of hyr -or nowt, for he seyd that he knew a good maryage for hyr, but I wot he -lyeyd, for he is hole with R. Cale in that mater. Wherfor to the entent -that he nor they sholl pyck no comfort of me, I answerd hym, that and my -fadyr, whom God asoyle, wer a lyve, and had consentyd ther to, and my -modyr, and ye bothe, he shold never have my good wyll for to make my -sustyr to selle kandyll and mustard in Framlyngham; and thus, wythe mor -whyche wer to longe to wryet to you, we departyd. - -And wher as it plesythe you in your lettyr to crye me mercy for that ye -sent me not syche ger as I sent yow mony for, I crye yow mercy that I -was so lewde [_bold_] to encomber yow with eny so sympyll a mater, -consyderyng the grette maters and weyghty that ye have to doo; but need -compellyd me, for in thys contre is no syche stuffe as I sent to yow -for. - -Also, wher as it plesyth yow to send to Rychard Calle to delyver me -monye, so God help me, I wyll non axe hym for my sylfe, nor non had I of -hym, nor of non othyr man but of myne owne, syne ye depertyd; but that -lytyll that I myght forbere of myne owne, I have delyveryd to Dawbeney -for howsold, and pay it for yow in menys wagys; and ther for who ever -sendys yow word that I have spent yow eny mony syne ye went hens, they -must geve yow an othyr reknyng, savyng in met and drynk, for I eete lyek -an horse, of purpose to eete yow owte at the dorys. But that nedythe -not, for ye com not within them; wherfor, so God help me, the felaushep -her thynkys that ye have forgetyn us alle. Wherfor and eny thyng be ille -rewlyd when ye come home, wyet it [_impute it to_] your selfe for defawt -of oversyght. - -Also, I undyrstand for verry se[r]teyn, and it is sent me so woord owt -of my Lordys howse, that thys Pentcost is my Lordys consell at -Framlyngham, and they purpose thys week and the next to hold coortys her -at Caster, and at all othyr maners that wer Sir John F.,[22-1] and -purchasyd of Yelverton and of Syr T. H.,[22-2] whom God asoyle, and how -that my demenyng sholbe, it is to late to send to yow for avyse; -wherfor, and I do well I axe no thank, and if I do ille, I pray yow -leythe the defawt on over lytyll wyte, but I purpose to use the fyrst -poynt of hawkyng, to hold fast and I maye; but so God help me, and they -myght pulle downe the howse on our hedys, I wyet [_blame_] hem not, -whyche I trust to God to help hem from; for by God that bowght me, the -best Erle in Inglond wold not dele so with my Lord and my Lady as ye do, -withowt makyng of some menys to them; so God help me, whoso ever avyse -yow to do so, he is not your frend. And I may, I trust to God to se yow -abowght Mydsomer or befor, for in good feythe I wene ye purpose yow that -it shall be Estern er ye come hom, for all your servants her wen [_here -ween_] that ye purpose ne more to dele with them, but to leve hem her -[_here_] in ostage to my Lord of Norfolk. - -Also, syr, I pray yow purvey what Ine that my brodyr Edmund shall be in, -for he losythe sore hys tyme her, I promyse yow; I pray yow send me word -by the next messenger that comyth, and I shall eythyr send hym or bryng -hym up with me to London. - -Also, syr, we pore _sanz deners_ of Castr have brook iij. or iiij. -stelle bowys; wherfor we beseche yow, and ther be eny maker of steele -bowys in London whyche is very kunnyng, that ye wyll send me woord, and -I shall send yow the bowys that be broken, whyche be your owne greet -bowe, and Roberd Jacksonys bowe, and Johon Pampyngs bowe; thes iij. have -kast so many calvys, that they shall never cast qwarellys[23-1] tyll -they be new mad. - -I praye yow fynd the menys that my Lord have some resonable meane -profyrd, so that he and my Lady may undyrstand that ye desyr to have hys -good lordshep. I promyse yow it shall do yow ease and your tenaunts -bothe, and God preserve. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 21-1: [From Fenn, iv. 344.] This letter appears by the - contents to have been written a little before Whitsuntide after - the death of Sir Thomas Howes, and when the Duke of Norfolk was - preparing to make good a claim to the manor of Caister, which, as - we shall see, he regularly besieged and took in September 1469. - The date is therefore certain.] - - [Footnote 21-2: Richard Calle's.] - - [Footnote 21-3: Margery Paston.] - - [Footnote 22-1: Fastolf's.] - - [Footnote 22-2: Sir Thomas Howes.] - - [Footnote 23-1: _See_ vol. ii. p. 101, Note 3.] - - [[Footnote 21-2 - Richard Calle's. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -711 - -ROBERT BROWNE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[23-2] - -_To the right worshipful Sir John Paston knyght be this delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Right worshipfull Sire, I recommaunde me to you, &c., certefying you -for certeyn that the kyng sent a lettre unto my Lord of Norffolk for to -contenue all maner of materes unto suche tyme as he sholl take a -direction therin, as I am enformed by Master Haute, and by a messenger -of his owne [it was sent[23-3]], &c. Acordyng to the same entent and the -rehersall by estimacion by cause the Secretary of his Clerkes was with -the Kyng the Quene hath sent a[24-1] lettre unto my Lady of Norffolk and -a nother lettre unto my Lady of Suffolk the elder, desyeryng theym to -common with my lordis that all such materis as the Kyng wrote unto them -fore mabe kept so that no defaute be founden in them, as ye may -understand by youre lettre sent frome the Quene, &c. Also Roger Ree the -Shirereve of the Shire wilbe at Caster, as my Lord Tresourer told me, -upon Tuesday or Wedynsday, to se that goode rule be kept. Also my Lord -of York[24-2] sendis you a lettre, &c. My Lord Scalez is with the Kyng, -&c. I take unto the brynger herof xx_s._ that is sufficaunt as he wille -telle you, also the secretarye, vj_s._ viij_d._ As for all othere -materes for haste I contenue unto that I may have leyser to write to -you. I pray you to recommaunde me to my mastres your moder. At London -upon Sonday in hast. - - ROBERT BROWNE. - - The letter is endorsed in another hand:-- - - 'The Counsell of my Lord of Suffolk, Robert Harlesdon. The Counsell - of my Lord of Norffolk, Sir Thomas Walgrave, knyght [sergeant at] - lawe and Richard Southwell and to everiche of them.' - - [Footnote 23-2: [Add. MS. 33,889, f. 70.] The date of this letter - is fixed by Roger Ree being Sheriff of Norfolk, which he was from - November 1468 to November 1469. The time would seem to be April or - May 1469, when the Duke of Norfolk was proposing to take forcible - possession of Caister.] - - [Footnote 23-3: These words are interlined before '&c.,' but - possibly are intended to be read with the next sentence, which is - difficult to construe, there being no punctuation in the MS.] - - [Footnote 24-1: Before the word 'a' 'nothere' is interlined, - probably by inadvertence.] - - [Footnote 24-2: Archbishop Nevill.] - - -712 - -ABSTRACT[24-3] - -RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MAY 22] - -I would have been with you on Sunday before Ascension Day, had I -received any command to that effect. Henry Wheler told me my day of the -surety of peace was _quindena Trinitatis_, 'and thereof he made me a -bill. He is foully to blame to serve me so.' I am much bound to you, -nevertheless, for the safeguard of my sureties. Gives an account of -monies disbursed since parting with Sir John at London. Repaid 'my -mistress' 66_s._ 8_d._, part of 100_s._ she lent for Mariot's matter. -Paid Dawbeney for household since Midlent, 30_s._ Received from the -farmer of the dairy, £11, 11_s._ 4_d._ Delivered 'to the master of the -college onward for his hire,' 50_s._ Has received of Paston's 'lifelode' -since he came from London but £18, 10_s._ Has spent £12, 10_s._ more -than he received, and has borrowed of John Wellys and others. Could -borrow nothing of Mr. William. 'And of all this twelvemonth I have not -had one penny for my wages. There is none of them that hath purveyed nor -chevised have so much as I have done. Here is no man paid of their -wages, but all spent in household.' Cannot get a penny in all Suffolk or -Flegge, of Paston's 'lifelode,' nor in Boyton nor Heyneford. Can get -money only at Gughton, which I must gather myself, for the bailiff will -not come there. Much malt made, which had better be sold to pay the -men's wages, who complain grievously, 'and the master of the college and -Sir John Stille both.' Will obtain for Dawbeney in ten days 6 or 7 marks -more, which should keep the household for the next seven or eight weeks. -The price of malt is but 20_d._ a quarter, but it would be better to -sell some than that the men should be unpaid. Wonders he has no word -from him about letting Spoorle. Cannot give Mariot an estate in Bekham -as Paston directs, for Paston has the deed which James Andrewes sealed, -but will talk with him and see how he is disposed; for it would be well -that Paston were through with him. He is not trusty, but seeks pretexts -for delay. Jekson's crossbow is broken. Shall he send it to London to be -mended? - -Caster, Monday in Pentecost week. - - [The mention of Jekson's crossbow being broken proves this letter - to be of the year 1469. Compare No. 710, p. 23.] - - [Footnote 24-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -713 - -RICHARD CALLE TO MARGERY PASTON[25-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Myn owne lady and mastres, and be for God very trewe wyff, I with herte -full sorowefull recomaunde me unto you, as he that can not be mery, nor -nought shalbe tyll it be othewise with us then it is yet, for thys lyf -that we lede nough is nowther plesur to Godde nor to the worlde, -consederyng the gret bonde of matrymonye that is made be twix us, and -also the greete love that hath be, and as I truste yet is be twix us, -and as on my parte never gretter; wherfor I beseche Almyghty Godde -comfort us as sone as it plesyth Hym, for we that ought of very ryght to -be moost to gether ar moost asondre; me semyth it is a m^ll. -[_thousand_] yere a goo son that I speke with you. I had lever thenne -all the goode in the worlde I myght be with you. Alas, alas! goode lady, -full litell remembre they what they doo that kepe us thus asunder; iiij. -tymes in the yere ar they a cursid that lette matrymonye; it causith -many men to deme in hem they have large consyence in other maters as -wele as herin. But what lady suffre as ye have do; and make you as mery -as ye can, for I wys, lady, at the longe wey Godde woll of Hys ryght -wysnes helpe Hys servants that meane truly, and wolde leve accordyng to -Hes lawys, &c. - -I undrestende, lady, ye have hadde asmoche sorwe for me as any -gentelwoman hath hadde in the worlde, aswolde Godd all that sorwe that -ye have hadde had rested upon me, so that ye hadde be discharged of it, -for I wis, lady, it is to me a deethe to her that ye be entreted other -wise thene ye ought to be. This is a peyneful lyfe that we lede. I can -not leve thus withoute it be a gret displesure to Godde. - -Also like you to wete that I had sent you a letter be my ladde from -London, and he tolde me he myght not speeke with you, ther was made so -gret awayte upon hym and upon you boothe. He told me John Threscher come -to hym in your name, and seide that ye sent hym to my ladde for a letter -or a token, weche I shulde have sent you, but he truste hym not; he wold -not delyver hym noon. After that he brought hym a rynge, seyng that ye -sent it hym, comaundyng hym that he schulde delyver the letter or token -to hym, weche I conceyve sethen be my ladde it was not be your sendyng, -it was be my mastres and Sir Jamys[26-1] a vys. Alas, what meane they? I -suppose they deeme we be not ensuryd to gether, and if they so doo I -merveyll, for thene they ar not wele avised, remembryng the pleynes that -I breke to my mastres at the begynnyng, and I suppose be you bothe, and -ye dede as ye ought to do of very ryght; and if ye have do the contrare, -as I have be enformed ye have do, ye dede nouther concyensly nor to the -plesure of Godde, withoute ye dede it for feere, and for the tyme to -please suche as were at that tyme a boute you; and if ye so dede it for -this service it was a resonable cause, consederyng the grete and -importable callyng upon that ye hadde, and many an on trewe tale was -made to you of me, weche God knowt I was never gylty of. - -My ladde tolde me that my mastres your modre axyd hym if he hadde -brought any letter to you, and many other thyngs she bare hym on -hande,[27-1] and a monge all other at the last she seide to hym that I -wolde not make her prevy to the begynnyng, but she supposyd I wolde at -the endyng; and as to that, God knowt sche knewe furst of me and non -other. I wott not what her mastreschip meneth, for be my trowthe ther is -no gentylwoman on lyve that my herte tendreth more then it dothe her, -nor is lother to displese, savyng only your person, weche of very ryght -I ought to tendre and love beste, for I am bounde therto be the lawe of -Godde, and so wol do whyle that I leve, what so ever falle of it. -I supose, and ye telle hem sadly the trouthe, they wold not dampne ther -soules for us; though I telle hem the trouthe they woll not be leve me -as weele as they woll do you; and ther for, goode lady, at the reverence -of Godde be pleyne to hem and telle the trouthe, and if they woll in no -wise agree therto, betwix God, the Deelf, and them be it, and that -perell that we schuld be in, I beseche Godde it may lye upon them and -not upon us. I am hevy and sory to remembre ther disposicion, God sende -them grace to gyde all thyngs weele, as wele I wolde they dede; Godde be -ther gide, and sende them peas and reste, &c. - -I mervell moche that they schulde take this mater so heedely as I -undrestonde they doo, remembryng it is in suche case as it can not be -remedyed, and my desert upon every be halfe it is for to be thought ther -shulde be non obstacle a yenst it; and also the worchipfull that is in -them, is not in your mariage, it is in ther owne mariage, weche I -beseche Godde sende hem suche as may be to ther worschip and plesur to -Godde, and to ther herts ease, for ell[es] were it gret pety. Mastres, -I am aferde to write to you, for I undrestonde ye have schewyd my -letters that I have sent you be for this tyme; but I prey you lete no -creatur se this letter. As sone as ye have redde it lete it be brent, -for I wolde no man schulde se it in no wise; ye had no wrytyng from me -this ij. yere, nor I wolle not sende you no mor, therfor I remytte all -this matre to your wysdom. Almyghty Jesu preserve, kepe, and [give] you -your hertys desire, weche I wotte weele schulde be to Goods plesur, &c. - -Thys letter was wreten with as greete peyne as ever wrote I thynge in my -lyfe, for in goode feyth I have be ryght seke, and yet am not veryly -weele at ease, God amend it, &c. - - [Footnote 25-1: [From Fenn, iv. 350.] This letter was evidently - written about the same period as No. 710. The original appears to - have had no address, although Fenn prints one in the right-hand - copy; but on the back was the following memorandum, evidently not - quite contemporary: 'Litera Ric'i Calle Margeriæ Paston filiæ - Joh'is Paston ar'i quam postea duxit in uxorem.'] - - [Footnote 26-1: Sir James Gloys, a priest.] - - [Footnote 27-1: _See_ vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.] - - [[me semyth it is a m^ll. [_thousand_] - _final italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -714 - -JAMES HAWTE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[28-1] - -_To my worchypfull brother, Sir John Paston, be thys byll delyvered in -hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MAY 22] - -Ryght worchipfull brother, I recomaund me onto you, lettyng you to -wytte, that my Lorde Stafford[28-2] was made Erle of Deveneschere apon -Sonday; and as for the Kyng, as I understond, he departyt [_departeth_] -to Walsynggame apon Fryday com vij. nygth, and the Quene also, yf God -send hyr good hele. - -And as for the Kyng [he] was apoyntyd to goo to Calys, and now hyt ys -pute of. And also as for the goyng to the see, my Lord of Warwyke -schyppys gothe to the see, as I understond. None other tydynggys I can -none wryte unto you, but Jesu have you in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Wyndysore on Monday after Whytsonday, in hast, &c. - - By your brother, - - JAMES HAWTE. - - [Footnote 28-1: [From Fenn, ii. 16.] The King's visit to Norfolk - and the creation of Lord Stafford as Earl of Devonshire both fix - the date of this letter as 1469. The writer seems to be the - brother of Anne Hawte, to whom Sir John Paston was engaged, and he - accordingly calls him his brother.] - - [Footnote 28-2: Humphrey Stafford, Lord Stafford of Southwick, was - created Earl of Devonshire on Sunday, 7th May 1469; so that the - writer ought to have said, not 'upon Sunday,' but 'upon Sunday - fortnight.'] - - -715 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[29-1] - -_To my Modr, and to my brother, John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JUNE] - -Brother, it is so that the Kyng schall come in to Norffolk in hast, and -I wot nat whethyr that I may come with hym or nowt; if I come I most do -make a livere of xx^ti gownes, whyche I most pyke owt by your advyse; -and as for clothe for suche persones as be in that contre, if it myght -be had ther at Norwyche, or not, I wot not; and what persones I am not -remembryd. - -If my modre be at Caster, as ther schall be no dowt for the kepyng of -the place whyl the Kynge is in that contre, that I may have the most -parte at Caster; and whether ye woll offre your selfe to wayte uppon the -Lorde of Norfolk or not, I wolde ye dyde that best wer to do; I wolde do -my Lorde plesur and servyse, and so I wolde ye dyde, if I wyst to be sur -of hys gode lordeschyp in tyme to kome. He schall have CC. in a lyverye -blewe and tawny, and blew on the leffte syde, and bothe darke colors. - -I pray yow sende me worde, and your advyse by Judd of what men and what -horse I cowde be purveyd off, if so be that I most nedys kome, and of -your advyse in all thyngs be wryghtyng, and I schall send yow hastely -other tydyngs. Late Sorell be well kept. - - JOHN PASTON, Kt. - - [Footnote 29-1: [From Fenn, ii. 22.] This letter must have been - written in the beginning of June 1469. Edward IV., as appears by - the dates of his privy seals, was at Windsor on the 29th May and - at Norwich on the 19th June in that year. Fenn says he was also in - Norfolk in the year 1474, but I can find no evidence of the fact.] - - -716 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[30-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JUNE] - -To begyn, God yeld yow for my hatys. The Kyng hathe ben in this contre, -and worchepfully receyvyd in to Norwyche, and had ryght good cher and -gret gyftys in thys contre, wherwythe he holdyth hym so well content -that he wyll hastyly be her agayn, and the Qwen allso, with whom, by my -power avyse, ye shall com, if so be that the terme be do by that tym -that she com in to this contre. And as for yowr maters her, so God help -me, I have don as myche as in me was, in laboryng of theym, as well to -my Lord Revers[30-2] as to my Lord Scalys,[30-3] Syr John Wydwyll,[30-4] -Thomas Wyngfeld, and othyr abowt the Kyng. And as for the Lord Revers, -he seyd to myn oncyll William, Fayrfax, and me, that he shold meve the -Kyng to spek to the two Dukys of Norffolk and Suffolk, that they shold -leve of ther tytyls of syche lond as wer Syr John Fastolfs. And if so be -that they wold do nowt at the Kyngs reqwest, and then the Kyng shold -comand theym to do no wasts, nor mak non assawtys nor frayis upon your -tenants nor plasys, tyll syche tym as the lawe hathe determynd with yow -or ayenst yow; this was seyd by hym the sam day in the mornyng that he -depertyd at noon. Whedyr he meved the Kyng with it or nowt I can not -sey, myn oncyll Wyllyam thynkys naye. And the same aftyr none folowyng I -told my Lord Scalys that I had spokyn with my Lord hys fadyr, in lyek -forme as I have rehersyd, and axyd hym whedyr that my Lord hys fadyr had -spokyn to the Kyng or nowt, and he gave me thys answer, that whedyr he -had spokyn to the Kyng or nowt, that the mater shold do well inow. - -Thomas Wygfeld told me, and swore on to me, that when Brandon meuvyd the -Kyng, and besowght hym to shew my Lord favour in hys maters ayenst yow, -that the Kyng seyd on to hym ayen, 'Brandon, thow thou can begyll the -Dwk of Norffolk, and bryng hym abow the thombe as thow lyst, I let the -wet thow shalt not do me so; for I undyrstand thy fals delyng well -inow.' And he seyd on to hym, more over, that if my Lord of Norffolk -left not of hys hold of that mater, that Brandon shold repent itt, every -vayn in hys hert, for he told hym that he knew well inow that he myght -reauyll [_rule_] my Lord of Norffolk as he wold; and if my Lord dyd eny -thyng that wer contrary to hys lawys, the Kyng told hym he knew well -inow that it was by no bodys menys but by hys; and thus he depertyd fro -the Kyng. - -Item, as by wordys, the Lord Scalys and Syr John Wydwyll tok tendyr your -maters mor then the Lord Revers. - -Item, Syr John Wydvyll told me, when he was on horsbak at the Kyngs -depertyng, that the Kyng had comandyd Brandon of purpose to ryd forthe -fro Norwych to Lyne, for to tak a conclusyon in your mater for yow; and -he bad me that I shold cast no dowghtys but that ye shold have your -entent, and so dyd the Lord Scalys also; and when that I preyd them at -eny tyme to shew ther favor to your mater, they answered that it was -ther mater as well as yours, consyderyng, the alyans[31-1] betwyx yow. -Comon with Jakys Hawt, and he shall tell yow what langage was spekyn -betwen the Duk of Suffolks consell, and hym, and me; it is to long to -wryght, but I promyse yow ye ar be held to Jakys, for he sparyd not to -spek. - -Item, the Kyng rod thorow Heylysdon Waren towads Walsyngham, and Thomas -Wyngfeld promysyd me that he wold fynd the menys that my Lord of -Glowsestyr[31-2] and hym sylf bothe shold shew the Kyng the loge that -was breke down, and also that they wold tell hym of the brekyng down of -the plase. Contrary to thys maters, and all the comfort that I had of my -Lord Scalys, Sir John Wydvyll, and Thomas Wyngfeld, myn oncyll Wylliam -sethe that the Kyng told hym hys owne mowthe, when he had redyn for by -the loge in Heylysdon Waren, that he supposyd as well that it myght fall -downe by the self as be plukyd downe, for if it had be plukyd down, he -seyd that we myght have put in our byllys of it, wehn hys jugys sat on -the _oyeer determyner_ in Norwyche, he beyng ther. And then myn oncyll -seythe how that he answered the Kyng, that ye trustyd to hys good grace -that he shold set yow thorow with both the Dwkys, by mene of trete; and -he seythe that the Kyng answerd hym that he wold neythyr tret nor spek -for yow, but for to let the lawe proced, and so he seyth that they -depertyd. And by my trowthe, and my Lord Tresorer encorage you not more -than he dyd us her, ye shall have but esy [_indifferent_] help as on -that party. Wherfor labor your maters effectually; for by my trowthe it -is nedy[s], for, for all ther wordys of plesur, I cannot undyrstand what -ther labor in thys contre hathe don good; wherfor be not ovyr swyft tyll -ye be swyr of your lond, but labor sore the lawe, for by my trowthe tyll -that be passyd with yow, ye get but esy help as I can undyrstand. - -I had with me on day at dener in my modyrs plase, she beyng owt, the -Lord Scalys, Sir John Wydvyll, Sir John Haward, Nicolas Haward, John of -Par, Thomas Gornet, Foscwe, Cheyny, Trussell, the Knyghts son, Thomas -Boleyn, _qua propter_, Brampton, Barnard, and Broun, Perse, Howse, W. -Tonstale, Lewes Debretayll, and othyr, and mad hem good cher, so as they -held them content. - -Item, my Lord of Norffolk gave Bernard, Broom, nor me no gownys at thys -seson, wherfor I awaytyd not on hym; notwithstandyng I ofyrd my servyse -for that seson to my Lady, but it was refusyd, I wot by avyse; wherfor I -purpose no more to do so. As for Bernard, Barney, Broom, and W. -Calthorp, ar sworn my Lord of Glowsetyrs men, but I stand yet at large; -not withstandyng my Lord Scalys spok to me to be with the Kyng, but I -mad no promes so to be, for I told hym that I was not woorthe a groote -withowt yow, and therfor I wold mak no promes to nobody tyll they had -your good wyll fyrst; and so we depertyd. - -It was told me that ther was owt a preve seall for yow to attend upon -the Kyng northeward; and if it be so, I thynk veryly it is do to have -yow fro London be craft, that ye shold not labor your maters to a -conclusyon thys terme, but put them [in] delaye. I pray yow purvey yow -on it to be at hom as sone as the terme is doone, for be God I take gret -hurt for myn absence in dyvers plasys, and the most part of your men at -Caster wyll deperte withowt abod, and ye be not at hom within thys -fortnyght. I pray yow bryng hom poynts and lasys of sylk for yow and me. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 30-1: [From Fenn, iv. 334.] Edward IV. arrived at - Norwich in the middle of the month of June 1469. There are privy - seals dated at Bury on the 15th and 16th of the month, at Norwich - on the 19th and 21st, at Walsingham on the 21st and 22nd, at Lynn - on the 26th, and at Stamford on the 5th July. Edward did not - return with the Queen as he intended, but she visited Norwich - without him a little later. See a paper on the subject of her - visit by Mr. Harrod, in the _Norfolk Archæology_, vol. v. p. 32.] - - [Footnote 30-2: Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, father to the - Queen, Lord Treasurer and Constable of England.] - - [Footnote 30-3: Anthony Woodville, Lord Scales, eldest son of the - Earl Rivers.] - - [Footnote 30-4: A younger son of Earl Rivers.] - - [Footnote 31-1: This refers to the contract between Sir John - Paston and Anne Hawte.--F.] - - [Footnote 31-2: Richard, Duke of Gloucester, afterwards King - Richard III.--F.] - - [[tyll / that be passyd with yow - _text has "he passyd": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -717 - -ABSTRACT[33-1] - -RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 3] - -Has arranged with Mariot's debtors at Bekham, and discharged him of the -debt of £16. Has thus taken an open estate in the manor, as Paston -desired. Had much trouble to bring Mariot, and especially his wife, [to -reason], but with fair words and money got her out of the house. Lord -Scales has sent to-day to Mr. Roos and others for men to come to -Middleton on Wednesday,--short warning enough; and we were in doubt -'what purveyance ye had made at London.' I believe my mistress and my -master your brother have sent you word of the demeaning of the King and -the Lords here. - -Norwich, Monday after St. Peter's day. - - [The reference to the King's being in Norfolk fixes the date of this - letter to the year 1469.] - - [Footnote 33-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -718 - -JOHN AUBRY[34-1] TO SIR HENRY SPELMAN[34-2] - -_To the right reverent Sir Henry Spelman, Recordor of the Cite of -Norwich, be this Letter delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 9] - -Right reverent sir, I recomaunde me to you. Plese it you to knowe, this -same day com to me the Shirreve of Norffolk[34-3] hymself, and tolde me -that the Quene shall be at Norwich up on Tuysday[34-4] cometh sevenyght -suyrly. And I desired to have knowe of hym, by cause this shuld be hir -first comyng hedir, how we shuld be rulyd, as well in hir resseyvyng, as -in hir abidyng here. And he seide, he wold nat ocupie hym ther wyth, but -he councelid us to wryte to you to London, to knowe of hem that ben of -counsell of that cite, or wyth other wurshepfull men of the same cite, -that ben knowyng in that behalf, and we to be ruled ther aftir, as were -acordyng for us; for he lete me to wete that she woll desire to ben -resseyved and attendid as wurshepfully as evir was Quene a forn hir. -Wherefore, sir, I, be the assent of my Bretheren Aldermen, &c., prey you -hertily to have this labour for this cite. And that it plese you, if it -may be, that at that day ye be here in propre persone; and I trust in -God, that outher in rewards, or ellys in thankynges, both of the Kyngs -comyng, and in this, ye shall ben plesid as worthy is. - -Wrete in hast at Norwich the vj. day of Juyll Anno ix^o Regis E. quarti. - - By your weelwyller, - - JOHN AUBRY, &c. - - [Footnote 34-1: Mayor of Norwich in 1469.] - - [Footnote 34-2: [From Fenn, ii. 18.]] - - [Footnote 34-3: Roger Ree was Sheriff of Norfolk this year.] - - [Footnote 34-4: 18th July.] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 9 - _printed as shown, but body of letter says "vj" (6)_]] - - -719 - -EDWARD IV. TO THE DUKE OF CLARENCE, &c.[35-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 9] - -_These iij. letteres undirwreten, the Kyng of his own hand wrote unto my -Lords Clarence, Warrewyke, and Archbishop of York. The credence wherof -in substaunce was, that every of them shulde in suech pesibil wise, as -thei have be accustumed to ryde, come unto his Highness._ - - -R. E. - -_To our Brother of Clarence._ - -Brodir, we pray you to yeve feight [_faith_] and credence to our -welbeloved Sir Thomas Montgomery and Morice Berkly, in that on our -behalf thei shal declare to you. And we truste ye wole dispose you -accordyng to our pleser and comaundement. And ye shal be to us right -welcome. At Notyngham the ix. day of Jull. - - -_To our Cosyn Th'erl of Warr'._ - -Cosyn, we grete you well, and pray you to yeve feight and credence to -Sir Thomas Mongomery and Morice Berkley, &c. And we ne trust that ye -shulde be of any suech disposicion towards us, as the rumour here -renneth, consederyng the trust and affeccion we bere in yow. At -Notyngham the ix. day of Jull. And, cosyn, ne thynk but ye shalbe to us -welcome. - - -_To our Cosyn Th'archbyshop of Yorke._ - -Cosyn, we pray you that ye wul, accordyng to the promyse ye made us, to -come to us as sone as ye goodely may. And that [ye] yeve credence to Sir -Thomas Mongomery and Morice Berkly, in that un our behalve thei shal sey -to you; and ye shalbe to us welcome. At Notyngham the ix. day of Jul. - - [Footnote 35-1: [From Fenn, ii. 40.] The dates of Edward the - Fourth's privy seals show that he was at Nottingham in July 1469. - He was not there in 1470, the year to which Fenn assigns these - letters; and both Clarence and Warwick were then in France. It - would appear, therefore, that these letters were written at the - time of Robin of Redesdale's rebellion, which the King was going - northwards to suppress.] - - -720 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[36-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, be this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / AUG. 31] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that Sir John Hevenyngham was at Norwich this day, and spake with me at -my moders, but he wuld not that it shuld be understand, for my Lord hath -mad hym on of the capteynes at Caystre of the pepill that shuld kepe the -wetche abaught the place, that no mann shuld socour them, if my Lord -departed. I desired hym to favour them, if any man shuld come to them -fro me or you, and he wuld not graunte it, but he desired me to write to -you to understand if that my Lord myght be mevyd to fynde suerte to -recompense you all wrongs, and ye wuld suffre hym to entre pesibilly, -and the lawe after his entre wuld deme it you. Be ye avysed what answer -ye wuld yeve. - -Item, sith that that I spake with hym, and the same day a feythfull -frende of owrs came on to me and mevyd me if that my Lord myght be -entreted to suffre endifferent men to kepe the place, and take the -profites for bothe parties till the right be determyned be the lawe; and -my Lord for his parte, and ye for your parte, to fynde sufficient suerte -that you nowther shuld vex, lette, ner trobilled the seid endifferent -men to kepe pesibiley the possession of the seid place, and to take the -profights on to the tyme to be determyned be the lawe, to his behowe -that the lawe demeth it. And the seid persones that so endifferently -kepe possession befor ther entre into the seid place, to fynde also -sufficient suerte to answer the parte that the lawe demeth it to, of the -profits duryng ther possession, and to suffre hym pessibilly to entre, -or any in his name, whan so ever thei be required be the parte to whom -the right is demyd of all thes premyses. Send werd how ye will be -demened be as good advyse as ye can gete, and make no longer delay, for -thei must neds have hasty socour that be in the place, for thei be sore -hurt, and have non help. And if thei have hasty help it shall be the -grettest wurchip that ever ye had, and if thei be not holpen it shall be -to you a gret diswurchep; and loke never to have favour of your neybors -and frends but if this spede wele; therfor pretend it in your mend, and -purvey therfor in hast. How so ever ye do, God kepe you, and send yow -the vittory of your elmyse, and geve yow and us al grace to leve in -peas. Wretyn on Sent Gyles Evyn,[37-1] at ix. of the belle at nyght. - -Robyn came home yester evyn, and he brought me nowther writyng from you, -ner good answer of this mater, which grevyth me right ill that I have -sent you so many messangers, and have so febill answers ageyn. - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 36-1: [From Fenn, iv. 366.] This letter was written - after the Duke of Norfolk had begun to besiege Caister, which he - did in the year 1469.] - - [Footnote 37-1: St. Giles' Day is the 1st September; St. Giles' - Eve the 31st August.] - - -721 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[37-2] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -I grete zow wel, and send zow Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng zow wete -that on Thurysday last was my moder and I wer with my Lord of -Norwych,[37-3] and desyerd hym that he woold no mor do in the mater -towscheyng zowr syster, tyl that ze and my brother and other that wern -executors to zowr fader mythe beyn her to geder, for they had the rule -of her as weel as I; and he sayde playnly that he had be requeryd so -oftyn for to exameyn her, that he mythe not nor woold no longar delay -yt, and schargyd me, in peyn of cursyng, that sche schuld not be -deferred, but that she xuld a per beforn hym the nexte day; and I sayd -pleynly that I woold nowder bryng her nor send her; and than he sayd -that he woold send for her hym sylfe, and schargyd that she schuld be at -her lyberte to cume wan he sent for her; and he seyd be hys trowthe that -he woold be as sory for her and [_if_] sche ded not welle, as he wold be -and sche wer ryth ner of hys kyn, bothe for my moder ys sake and myn, -and other of her frendds, for he woost welle that her demenyng had -stekyd soor at our harts. - -My moder and I in formyd hym that we kowd never onderstond be her -sayyng, be no language that ever sche had to hym, that neyther of hem -wer bownd to other, but that they myth schese bothe. Than he seyd that -he woold sey to her as wele as he kowde, before that he exameynd her; -and so that was told me be dyverse persones that he ded as welle and as -pleynly as sche had be rythe ner to hym, wych wer to long to wrythe at -thys tyme: her aftyr ye xalle wete, and hoo wer laberers ther in. The -schanseler[38-1] was not so gylty her in as I wend he had ben. - -On Fryday the Bysschope he sent for her be Asschefeld and other that arn -ryth sory of her demenyng. And the Bysschop seyd to her ryth pleynly, -and put her in rememberawns how she was born, wat kyn and frendds that -sche had, and xuld have mo yf sche wer rulyd and gydyd aftyr hem; and yf -she ded not, wat rebuke, and schame, and los yt xuld be to her, yf sche -wer not gydyd be them, and cause of forsakyng of her for any good, or -helpe, or kownfort that sche xuld have of hem; and seyd that he had hard -sey, that sche loved schecheon [_such one_] that her frend[es] wer not -plesyd with that sche xuld have, and therfor he had her be ryth weel -avysyd how sche ded, and seyd that he woold undyrstand the woords that -sche had seyd to hym, wheyther that mad matrimony or not. And sche -rehersyd wat sche had seyd, and seyd, yf thoo wordds mad yt not suher, -she seyd boldly that sche wold make that suerher or than sche went -thens, for sche seyd sche thowgthe in her conschens sche was bownd, wat -so ever the wordds wern. Thes leud wordds greveth me and her grandam as -myche as alle the remnawnte. And than the Bysschop and the Schawnseler -bothe seyd that ther was neyther I ner no frend of hers wold reseyve -[her]. - -And than Calle was exameynd aparte be hym sylfe, that her wordds and hys -acordyd, and the tyme, and wher yt xuld a be don. And than the Bysschop -sayd that he supposyd that ther xuld be fownd other thynggs ageyns hym -that mythe cause the lettyng ther of; and ther for he say he wold not be -to hasty to geve sentens ther upon, and sayd that he wold geve overe day -tyl the Wednsday or Thursday aftyr Mykylmes, and so yt tys delayyd. They -woold an had her wyl performyd in haste, but the Bysschope seyd he woold -non other wyse than he had seyd. - -I was with my moder at her plase whan sche was exameynd, and wan I hard -sey what her demenyng was, I schargyd my servaunts that sche xuld not be -reseyved in my hows. I had zeve hir warnyng, sche mythe a be war a for, -yf sche had a be grasyows; and I sent to on or ij. mor that they xuld -not reseyve her yf sche cam; sche was browthe a geyn to my place for to -a be reseyved, and Sir Jamys[39-1] tolde them that browthe her that I -had schargyd hem alle and sche xuld not be reseyved; and soo my Lord of -Norwych hath set her at Roger Bests, to be ther tyle the day befor sayd, -God knowyth fule evel ageyn hys wyle and hys wyvys, yf they durst do -other wyse. I am sory that they arn a cumyrd with her, but zet I am -better payed that sche isther for the whyle, that sche had ben in other -place be cause of the sadnes and good dysposysion of hys sylfe and hys -wyfe, for sche xal not be sou'd [_suffered ?_] ther to pleye the -brethele.[39-2] I pray zow and requer zow that ye take yt not pensyly, -for I wot wele yt gothe ryth ner zowr hart, and so doth yt to myn and to -other; but remembyr zow, and so do I, that we have lost of her but a -brethele,[39-2] and set yt the les to hart, for and sche had be good, -wherso ever sche had be, yt xuld not aben as it is, for and he wer ded -at thys owyr, she xuld never be at myn hart as sche was. As for the -devors [_divorce_] that ze write to me of, I supose wat ze ment, but I -scharge zow upon my blyssyng that ze do not, ner cause non other to do, -that xuld offend God and zour conschens, for and ze do, or cause for to -be do, God wul take vengawns ther upon, [and] ye xuld put zour sylfe and -other in gret joparte; for wettyt wele, sche xal ful sor repent her -leudnes her aftyr, and I pray God sche mute soo. I pray zow for myn hard -ys hese [_heart's ease_], be ze of a good cownfort in alle thynggs; -I trust God xal helpe ryth wele, and I pray God so do in alle our -maters. I wuld ze toke hed yf ther weher any labor mad in the kort of -Cawntrybery for the leud mater forsayd. - -But yf [_i.e._ unless] the Duke[40-1] be purveyd for, he and hys wyse -kow[n]sel xalle lefe thys cuntre; yt is told me that he seythe that he -wul not spar to do that he is purposyd, for no Duke in Ynglond. God -helpe at nede. - - [Footnote 37-2: [From Fenn, iv. 358.] This letter has reference to - the contract of marriage between Richard Calle and Margery Paston - in 1469. _See_ No. 710, preceding. The last paragraph seems to - have reference to the propositions mentioned in the preceding - letter.] - - [Footnote 37-3: Walter Lyhert.] - - [Footnote 38-1: Fenn thinks this was Dr. John Saresson, otherwise - Wigenhale, who, he tells us, was Chancellor to the Bishop from - 1435 to 1471, and had other Church preferment in the Diocese. But - I am a little doubtful whether he lived so long, as it does not - appear that he kept any other of his preferments to so late a - date. We know that Dr. William Pykenham was Chancellor in 1471.] - - [Footnote 39-1: Sir James Gloys.] - - [Footnote 39-2: _Brethele_ or _brethelyng_ signified a worthless - person.] - - [Footnote 40-1: The Duke of Norfolk.] - - -722 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MASTER WRITTILL[40-2] - -_To Mastyr Wryttyll._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [SEPT.]] - -Master Wrytyll, I recomande me to yow, besechyng yow hertely, as myn -holl trust is in yow, that ye doo yowr devoyr to contynew trews tyll -Fryday or Saturday in the mornyng, by whych tyme I hope the massanger -shall come, and that ye be not dryven to take an appoyntment if ye kan -undrestand by any lyklyed that itt be able to be abydyn and recystyd, -and that ye fele my brotherys dysposycion therin, as my trust is in yow, -prayng yow to remembre that it restythe, as God helpe me, on all my -well. For as God helpe me, I hadd levyr the place wer brennyd, my -brother and servants savyd, than the best appoyntment that evyr ye and I -comonyd of scholde be my goode wyll be takyn, if this massage from the -Kynge may reskwe it. And if it be so, that my Lorde be remevyd by the -Kynges comandement, whyche restythe with hys honour, I may in tyme to -kome do hym servyse, as schall recompence any grodge or dysplesur that -he evyr had, or hathe to me or myn; and ye, if it the rather by your -wysdam and polesye the moene above wryten may be hadd, schall be as sewr -of the servyce of my trewe brother and servantys, and me, as ye kan -devyse by my trowthe; for in goode feythe thys mater stykyth mor nyghe -myn hart and me than I kan wryght on to yow, and to my brother and -servaunts mor ner than as God knowyth they wot off. Wherfor, Master -Wryttyll, all owre welfare restyth in yow, besechyng yow to remembre it. -For thys mater is to all usse eyther makyng or marryng. - -Item, asfor Arblaster or Lovell, I kan not thynke that they or any of -them may be with yow. Wherfor in yow is all, and God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at London, the day next affor yowr departyng. I schall sende yow -mor knowleche to morrow, with Godds grace. - - Yowrs, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 40-2: [From Fenn, iv. 370.] Master Writtill, to whom - this and the next letter are addressed, is mentioned later as a - servant of the Duke of Clarence, by whose means Sir John was - endeavouring to arrange a suspension of hostilities with the Duke - of Norfolk, who was now besieging Caister.] - - -723 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MASTER WRITTILL[41-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 10] - -Ryght wershypfull syr, I recomaund me to you, thankyng you of your grete -labour whych I have nozt as yet, but I shall deserve to my power; and -ferthermore lyke yow to wyte that I have thoght ryght long after you; -nevyrthelesse I remember well that ye delt wythe ryght delayous peple. -My Lord Archbyshop and other of my Lords, and I, dempte by cawse of your -long tarryng, that by youre sad dyscrescyon all hadde ben sett thorow. -Neverthelesse I understend by your wrytyng that my Lord of Norffolks -concell thynketh that hys entent, whych ye sertefyed me by your wrytyng, -sholde be more to hys wyrshep than the appoyntements and rewll made by -the Lords of the Kyngs concell whych be to my seyd Lord of Norffolk ner -kyne [_near kin_]; whych appoyntements sythen yourr departyng hath be -largely remembryd amongs the seyd Lords here, thynkyng it in hem self so -honorabyll to my Lord of Norffolk, that ther shuld non of my Lords -concell well avysed mevyd to the contrary. - -Jamys Hobard[42-1] was sent fro my [Lord] of Norffolk heder, and spake -with my Lord Archbyshop,[42-2] and answer he had of my seyd Lord; and -howe my Lord tendryd the mater yet and wyll I trowe he have told you, -and yf he have not, the brynger her of schall informe you; and he broght -thys same appoyntement from my Lord, that my Lord was well agryed that I -shulde ocupye. For my parte, iff I shud take no other apoyntement but -acordyng to your letter, it wer hard for me and for my tytell to putte -my Lord in that possessyon; for ther ys thyngs in erthe [_uneath_, -_i.e._ scarcely] to myn esse in your letter, gode for me in that -appoyntement, savyng the suerty of my brothers lyffe and my servants, -whych ye thynke dowtefull yf so be that thay lakke stuff, shotte, and -vytayll; mervaylyng sore, and thynk it impossybell in thys shorte -season, or in iiij. tyme the season heder towards, that thay shuld lakk -other [_either_], with owte it soo be that my Lords men have enterd -owght the place, and so had ther stuffe from hem, whych I cannot thynk. -Also, sir, for [_fore_] the tyme of your comyng to my Lord of Norffolk, -servaunts of [my Lords wer with][42-3] my moder at Norwych, mevyng to -send to my brother hyr sone, to delyver the place under such a forme as -youre lettere specefyeth, and so I cannot understand what regard my -Lords concell takyth to my Lords letter, and to your labour in thys -behalf, but that they offeryd as largely afore. Ze wryteth in your -letter that ye durst not passe your credens; please you to remember that -seyd your credens affore the Lords was ryght large, and as large as -myght well be in thys mater, both to my Lords concell of Norffolk to -withdrawe the seege, with moor other mater as ye knowe; and to the -Justice of the Peas and to the Shyryff and hys offycers, your awtoryte -was grete inow to iche of them. - -Wherfor, Mayster Wretell, I never for this, nere zet wyll, take -appoyntement in thys mater, but as my Lords wyll and my Lord Archbyshop, -whych, as well as I my self, have holy putte our tryst to youre dyscrete -dyreccyon; and my seyd Lord sythen youre departer, zour zoyng,[43-1] -thynkyng you alls mete a man in executyng ther comaundement as cowde be -chosyn. Neverthelesse for awnswer to you at thys season, my Lord -Archbyshop ys north wards towards the Kyng; how be it, it ys seyd, uppon -a metyng with my Lord of Clarens, my Lord shuld retourne a yen; and as -zester evyn he send a servaunt of hys to me, wenyng to hys Lordship that -Sir Humfray[43-2] and ye wer in Caster as was appoynted, and ye shuld -send to hys Lordshyp answer of the gydyng ther by wrytyng, comaundyng me -that yff any such wrytyngs cam from you, yf hys Lordshyp wer not past -xx. myle fr[om Lond]on,[43-3] to com to hys Lordshyp with the same. -Understandyng for sertayn that he ys nott yet so ferr, wherfor I will in -althe hast possybell ryde nygt and day till I see hys Lordshyp, and -after comunicacyon had with hys Lordshyp, as sone as ys possybell that a -man may go be twext, ye shall have an answer of hys dysposicyon; for hys -intres is such that, as I have wryten, I shall never do therin withoute -hym, as my cosyn, brynger herof, more playnly shall enforme you; for I -canne thynke ryght well, that as ze wryteth to me, my broder wyll not -delyver the place to non erthly person, but yf he see wrytyng fro my -Lord. - -It semyt be yowr wrytyng that my Lord of Norffolk conseyll intende not -that my Lord Archbyshop shuld dele in thys mater, for he ys not named in -your letter, wherof I mervayle; for it was movyd to you at your -departyng hens, the Kyngs concell shuld have take dyreccyon in thys -mater, or els my Lord Cardenall,[44-1] my Lord of Clarens, my Lord -Archbyshop, and my Lord of Essex,[44-2] &c. Neverthelesse, Mayster -Wryttyll, all profytht, maner, or lyflod, leyd apart, if it be so that -thorow reklesnese my brother and servaunts be in such joperte as ye have -wryten to me (whych shold be half impossybell in my mynd that thay shold -myssuse so mech stuff in iiij. tymes the space), and that ye have -evident knowlych by my seyd brother hym self therof, I woll praye yow to -se hym and them in suerte of ther lyffys, what so ever shold fall of the -lyfflode; how be it I wold not that my brother and servaunts shold gyff -upp the place not for a m^l_li._, yf thay myght in any wyse kepe it and -save ther lyves. And therfor, at the reverens of God, sycht it ys so, -that my Lord Archbyshop and my Lords all, and I, have putte our trust in -you, that ye wyll do your devoyer to have the verrey knowlech of my -brother hymself, and not of my Lords men, wheder he stante in such -jopertye as your letter specefyeth or net, for I dowte not uppon the -syzth of thys letter, and of the letter that ye had before, that my -brother will put no mystrust in you, consyderyng that he knowyth that ye -com from my Lords, and my Lord Archbyshop, and have my wrytyng; and as -for my Lord Archbyshop wrytyng and aunswere, such as it shalbe, ye shall -have it in all the haste possybell. But I thynke veryly that my Lord -eschewyth to telle you any thyng without that he myght speke with you -allone, and me thynketh veryly that thay ought not to lette [_hinder_] -you to speke with hym allone, consyderyng that ye have auctoryte and -wrytyng from the Lords so to do. And as for the justificacyon of entryng -the place, and sege layng to [the same][44-3] and the comaundement of -the Justice of the Pease and the Sherewe to assyste my Lord in thys -gydyng, I wote ye understond that the Lords knowe all that mater, and ye -herd it comened, and how thay toke it in ther consayts. - -Ther ys no more, Mayster Wryttell, but I commyth all thys wrytyng unto -your dyscrescyon; and as ye thynk best acordyng to such menys desyre as -have entretyd you therin, and for my moyst avayle, I pray you, sir, soo -doo, and I shall se un to your besynes and labour, that ye shall have -cause to do for me in tyme comyng, and as the brynger herof shall tell -you. And I pray God have you in Hys kepyng. - -Wryten at London, the x. day of Septembr. - - By your frend for ever, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 41-1: [From Fenn, iv. 372.] See preliminary note to last - letter. We have adopted a different punctuation from that of Fenn - in some parts of this letter.] - - [Footnote 42-1: This most probably was James Hobart, who, in 1478, - was Lent-Reader at Lincoln's Inn, and in 1487 - Attorney-General.--F.] - - [Footnote 42-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York.] - - [Footnote 42-3: The original MS. was indistinct in these places.] - - [Footnote 43-1: The words 'zour zoyng' (your going) seem to be - redundant.] - - [Footnote 43-2: Sir Humphrey Talbot was a Captain at this siege, - under the Duke of Norfolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 43-3: The original MS. was indistinct in these places.] - - [Footnote 44-1: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, and - Lord Cardinal.] - - [Footnote 44-2: Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex.] - - [Footnote 44-3: Here the original MS. was indistinct.] - - -724 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[45-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 12] - -I grete you wele, letyng you wete that your brother and his felesshep -stand in grete joperte at Cayster, and lakke vetayll; and Dawbeney[45-2] -and Berney[45-3] be dedde, and diverse other gretly hurt; and they fayll -gunnepowder and arrowes, and the place sore brokyn with gonnes of the -toder parte, so that, but thei have hasty help, thei be like to lese -bothe ther lyfes and the place, to the grettest rebuke to you that ever -came to any jentilman, for every man in this countre marvaylleth gretly -that ye suffre them to be so longe in so gret joperte with ought help or -other remedy. - -The Duke hathe be more fervently set therup on, and more cruell, sith -that Wretyll, my Lord of Claraunce man, was ther, than he was befor, and -he hath sent for all his tenaunts from every place, and other, to be -ther at Cayster at Thorysday next comyng, that ther is than like to be -the grettest multitude of pepill that came ther yet. And thei purpose -them to make a gret assaught--for thei have sent for gannes [_guns_] to -Lynne and other place be the seeys syde--that, with ther gret multitude -of gannes, with other shoot and ordynaunce, ther shall no man dar appere -in the place. Thei shall hold them so besy with ther gret pepill, that -it shall not lye in their pore within to hold it ageyn them with ought -God help them, or have hasty socour from you. - -Therfor, as ye wull have my blyssyng, I charge you and require you that -ye se your brother be holpyn in hast. And if ye can have nonmeane, -rather desire writyng fro my Lord of Clarens, if he be at London, or -ell[es] of my Lord Archebusshop of York, to the Duke of Norffolk, that -he wull graunte them that be in the place her lyfes and ther goodes; and -in eschewyng of insurreccions with other in convenyens that be like to -growe within the shire of Norffolk, this trobelows werd [_world_], be -cause of such conventicles and gaderyngs within the seid shire for cause -of the seid place, thei shall suffre hym to entre up on such -appoyntment, or other like takyn be the advyse of your councell ther at -London, if ye thynk this be not good, till the law hath determyned -otherwyse; and lete hym write a nother letter to your brother to deliver -the place up on the same appoyntment. And if ye think, as I can suppose, -that the Duke of Norffolk wull not aggre to this, be cause he graunted -this aforn, and thei in the place wuld not accept it, than I wuld the -seid massanger shuld with the seid letters bryng fro the seid Lord of -Clarence, or ell[es] my Lord Archebusshop, to my Lord of Oxenford, other -letters to rescue them forth with, thowghe the seid Erle of Oxenford -shuld have the place duryng his lyfe for his labour. Spare not this to -be don in hast, if ye wull have ther lyves, and be sett by in Norffolk, -though ye shuld leys the best maner of all for the rescuse. I had lever -ye last the lyffelode than ther lyfes. Ye must gete a massanger of the -Lords or sume other notabill man to bryng ther letters. - -Do your devoir now, and lete me send you no mor massangers for this -maters; but send me be the berer her of more certeyn comfort than ye -have do be all other that I have sent be for. In any wyse, lete the -letters that shall come to the Erle of Oxenford comyn with the letters -that shall comyn to the Duke of Norffolk, that if he wull not aggree to -the ton, that ye may have redy your rescuse that it nede no mor to send -therfor. God kepe you. - -Wretyn the Tuesday next befor Holy Rood Day, in hast. - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 45-1: [From Fenn, iv. 382.] This and the other letters - relating to the siege of Caister are all rendered certain in point - of date by the documents touching its surrender on the 26th - September.] - - [Footnote 45-2: John Dawbeney, Esq.] - - [Footnote 45-3: Osbert Berney, the other person here mentioned as - dead, was not killed at the siege. He survived, and died without - issue some years after, when he was buried in Bradeston Church in - Norfolk, there being a brass plate in the chancel having the - following inscription to his memory:--'_Hic jacet Osbertus filius - Joh. Berney, Armig. de Redeham Dni. et de Brayston._' He was the - son of John Berney, Esq., by Catherine, daughter of Osbert - Mundeford of Hockwell, Esq.--F.] - - -725 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[47-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 15] - -Moodr, uppon Saterday last was, Dawbeney and Bernay wer on lyve and -mery, and I suppose ther com no man owt of the place to yow syn that -tyme that cowde have asserteynyd to yow of ther dethys. And as towchyng -the fyrsenesse of the Duke or of hys peple schewyd syn that tyme that -Wryttel departyd, I trowe it was concludyd that trews and abstynence of -werre scholde be hadd er he departyd, whych shalle dewr tyl Monday next -comyng; and by that tyme I trow that trews shall be takyn tyll that day -vij. nyght aftr, by whych tyme I hope of a goode dyreccion schall be -hadde. - -And wher as ye wryght to me that I scholde sewe for letteris from my -Lordys of Clarans and Yorke, they be not her, and if they wrot to hym as -they have don ij. tymes, I trow it wolde nat advayle; and as for to -labor thois letteris and the rescu to gedre, they ben ij. sendry -thyngys, for when the rescu is redy, that the cost ther of is don. For -if I be drevyn therto to rescu it er they com ther that scholde do it, -it shall cost a m^{l}. escuys, and as meche after, whyh wey wer harde -for me to take, whyll that I maye do it otherwise; but as to sey that -they schall be rescuyd if all the lands that I have in Ingelond and -frendys maye do it, they shall, and God be frendly, and that as schertly -as it may goodlely and wele be brout abut. And the grettest defawt -erthly is mony and som frendys and neyborys to helpe; wherfor I beseche -yow to sende me comfort with what money ye coude fynde the menys to get -or chevysche uppon suerte sufficient, er uppon lyflod to be inmorgage er -yit solde, and what peple by lyklyed yowr frendys and myn kowde make -uppon a schort warnyng, and to send me worde in all the hast as it is -needfull. But, moodre, I fele by yowr wryghtyng that ye deme in me I -scholde not do my devyr withowt ye wrot to me som hevye tydyngs; and, -modre, if I had nede to be qwykynyd with a letter in thys nede, I wer of -my selfe to slawe [_too slow_] a felaw; but, moodre, I ensur yow that I -have herde x. tymes werse tydyngs syn the assege by gan than any letter -that ye wrot to me, and somtyme I have herde ryght goode tydyngs both. -But thys I ensure yow that they that be within have no werse reste than -I have, ner castyth mor jupperte; but whethyr I had goode tydyngys er -ill, I take Gode to wittnesse that I have don my devoyr as I wolde be -don for in case lyke, and schall doo tyll ther be an ende of it. - -I have sent to the Kynge to Yorke, and to the Lordys, and hope to have -ansswer from them by Wednysday at the ferthest, and after that answer -shall I be rewlyd, and than send yow word, for tyll that tyme kan I take -non dyreccion. And to encomfort yow, dy[s]peyre yow not for lak of -vytayle ner of gonne powder, ner be natt to hevy ner to mery therfor; -for and hevynesse or sorow wolde have be the remedy ther of, I knew -nevyr mater in my lyfe that I kowde have ben so hevy or sory for, and -with Goddys grace it schall be remedyed well inow; for by my trowthe I -hadde lever lose the maner of Caister than the symplest mannys lyfe -therin, if that may be hys saveacion. Wherfor I beseche yow to sende me -worde wat mony and men ye thynke that I am lyke to get in that contre; -for the hasty purchace of mony and men schall be the getyng and rescu of -it, and the sauevacion of most mennys lyfys, if we take that weye. - -Also thys daye I porpose to sende to Yorke to the Kyng for a thyng, -whych same only maye by lyklyod be the savacion of all. Ye must remembre -that the rescue of it is the last remedy of all, and how it is nat easy -to get; and also ye sende me worde that I scholde nat kome hom withowt -that I kome stronke. But if I had hadd on other stronge place in -Norfolke to have comen to, thowe I have browt ryght fewe with me, -I scholde, with Godds grace, have rescued it by thys tyme, er ellys he -scholde have ben fayne to have besegyd bothe placys or yit, and the Duke -had not kept Yarmoth owthe. But, mother, I beseche yow sende me som -mony, for by my trowth I have but x_s._ I[49-1] wot not wher to have -mor, and moreovyr I have ben x. tymes in lyke case or werse within thys -x. wekys. I sent to Rychard Call for mony, but he sendyth me non. - -I beseche yow to gyde the evydence that Pekok can tell yow of, and to se -it saffe; for it is tolde me that Richard Call hath hadd right large -langage of them. I wolde nat they com in hys fyngrys. I have no worde -from yow of them, ner whether ye have yit in yowr kepyng the evydence of -Est Bekham owt of hys handys, ner whethyr ye have sent to my manerys -that they schold not paye hym no mor mony or not. Also that it like yow -to geve credence to Robyn in other thyngs. - -Wret the Fryday next after Holy Roode Day. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 47-1: [From Fenn, iv. 386.] This letter was clearly - written in reply to the last.] - - [Footnote 49-1: _I._ The right-hand copy in modern spelling reads - 'and.'] - - -726 - -WRITTILL TO THE BESIEGERS OF CAISTER[50-1] - -_Sir John Hevyngham,[50-2] Th. Wyngfeld,[50-3] Gilbert Debenham,[50-4] -Wil. Brandon,[50-5] and to everych of them severally in otheris -absence._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [SEPT.]] - -Hit is so that accordyng to such direccion as was mevid to be desird of -my Lords beyng heer, as for such as heere bee they marveil gretly -therof, thynkyng and remembring in themself that such offre as was made -by my credence to my Lorde,[50-6] and to fore you reported, shuld have -sownyd more to his pleasure and honour than this his desire. -Nevirthelesse my Lords thenke where as they wrote and desirid joyntly -that such credence as ye remembre myght be observyd and taken, and by -you refusid, nowe yif they shuld assent to the desire of this direccion, -hit is thought in them not so to doo; for it is so fortuned that dyvers -of my Lords, from whome I brought both wrytyng and credence, be at the -Kyngs high commaundement hastely departed unto his Highnesse, trustyng -in God to have heeryng in brief tyme of their hasty ayen comyng, atte -which tyme my Lords that heere be, and they that shal come ayen, shal -comon and speke to gyder of this desire and direccion, and such answere -as they geve and make shall be sent unto you than with haste possible. -Ovir this, me thenkith for your excuse of burden and charge such as I -hier will be leid unto you concernyng the grete werks that dailly be and -ar at the maner of Castre, yif ye thenk that God shuld have pleasir, and -also the Kyng oure sovereign Lorde, and that my seide Lords shuld thenk -in you gode avise or sad, and that ye entendid to avoide the sheddyng of -Cristyn blode and the destruccion of the Kyngs liege people, that at -your politik labour and wisedome ye myght bryng my Lord to th'abstynence -of warre, and a trieux to be had and contynued unto tyme of the retourn -of my seid Lords, or els knowlege of their entent; certifieng you for -trouth that ther be messengers sent unto my seid Lords with lettrez of -such answere as I had of you to your desire to gyder, knowyng certeinly -that ther shal be hasty relacion of ther entents in the premisis, which -answers ye shall have atte ferthist by Monday cometh sevenyght. -Ferthirmore lettyng you wit that I understond for certein that my Lords -that be heere eschewe, for such inconveniense that myght fall, to -conclude any answere by them self, consideryng that my credence was -geven by all the Lords; prayng you, as shal be doon to the continuaunce -of this trieux aforesaid, that I may be acerteyned, or yif at this houre -ye coude yit thenk my credence resonable and honourable to be accepted -and taken, sendith me woorde in wrytyng from you by my servant, brynger -of this, al delaies leid aparte. For I acertein you, as he that owe you -service, I was and yit am gretly blamed for my long tarying with you, -for, dyvers of my Lords taried heere for me, by th'assent of al my -Lords, lenger than they wold have don, to know myn answere and guydyng -from you. - -And ovir this I certyfie you that ye cannot make my Lords heere to thenk -that yif ther be inconvenient or myshief, murdre, or manslauter had or -done, but and your wills and entents were to the contrarye, my Lord is -notid so well disposid that, with oute your grete abettement, he neither -will doo nor assent to non such thyng; prayng you therfor, as your -frende, to remembre wele your self, and so to rule you, as my Lords may -have in tyme to come knowlege of your more sadd disposicion than as yit -I feele they thenk in you. And how that my Lords note sum of you, James -Hobert, beyng of my Lords counsel, can enforme you; wherefor for Godds -sake remembr you, and delyver my servant, and yif ye thenk my first -credence or this advertisement shal be taken to effect, than I pray you -that my servaunt, brynger hereof, may have sure condyte to speke with -John Paston, and to report to hym these direccions, and upon that to -delyver hym a bill certifyng the same. - - [Footnote 50-1: [From Fenn, iv. 404.] This letter is anonymous, - but was evidently written by Writtill during his negotiations for - a suspension of hostilities.] - - [Footnote 50-2: Sir John Heveningham, Knight and Banneret, was a - descendant of an ancient family situated at the town of - Heveningham, in Suffolk. His son Thomas became owner of the estate - at Ketteringham, in Norfolk, where this family continued for - several generations.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-3: Sir Thomas Wingfield was a younger son either of - Sir Robert or Sir John Wingfield of Letheringham, in Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-4: Sir Gilbert Debenham, Knight, was descended of an - ancient and knightly family in the county of Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-5: Sir William Brandon married Elizabeth, daughter of - Sir Robert Wingfield, and was ancestor to Charles Brandon, - afterwards Duke of Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-6: The Duke of Norfolk.] - - -727 - -WRITTILL TO THOMAS WINGFIELD[52-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Mr. Wyngfeld, I recomande me to you. Please you to wit I have sent a -lettre joyntly to you and to al my Lordes[52-2] counsel; nevirtheles, -for the special favor and service that I bere and owe to you, I write to -you aparte, praying you to put your hasty devoir to the delyverans of my -servaunt, with th'answere of the same; and ovir that for Goddis sake -remember you hou that ye stond my Lordes nygh kynnesman, and by whom my -Lordes wulle gretly be steerid, that ye eschewe and avoide to be non of -those that my Lordes here thenk shuld set or cause my Lord to do thynges -otherwise than accordith to the pleasir of my Lordes; for it is so that -there be dyvers of my Lordes counsel stond in hevy report of my Lordes, -of which I wold ye were non; certifieng you that I know so ferre that -yif ye any thyng doo in this mater to the pleasir of my Lordes, it will -neither be unremembrid ne unrecompensid, not doutyng but that hereafter -to have a large thonk of you for this my counsel; praying you ferthermor -to move Sir John Hevyngham, and such as ye knowe wele disposid, to -assist you in this; and that this bille be kept secrete, as my trust is -in you. Wreten at London. - - [Footnote 52-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This and the letter - following are corrected drafts upon the same paper, and both - evidently written at the same time, and by the same writer, as the - last letter.] - - [Footnote 52-2: The Duke of Norfolk's.] - - -728 - -WRITTILL TO JOHN PASTON[53-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Mr. Paston, it is so that sith tyme I spake with you I sent you a bill -which concludith an abstinence of werre to be had unto Fryday last was, -trustyng in that season that by the menes of my Lordes heere a -conclusion shal be taken; lettyng you wit that before my comyng hider -certein of my Lordes were departid hens towards the Kyng northwards. And -for asmich as I cannot in this season have no hasty answere of such -lettrez as were sent unto them concernyng this mater, I have wretyn by -the meanes of my Lordes heere I have wretyn a lettre to my Lordes -counsell a lettre,[53-2] and amonges other thynges movid them in the -seid lettre to advertise my Lord for abstynence of werre til Monday come -sevenyght; and yif my Lordes and his counsell so agree, I have comaundid -my servaunt, brynger hereof, to geve you knowlege of the same, avisyng -you that contenuyng the seid seson to absteyne you from werre gevyng -outward in like wise; and by that season I hope to have knowlege of my -Lordes ententes. - - [Footnote 53-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] _See_ preliminary note to - last letter.] - - [Footnote 53-2: So in the MS., the redundant words being left - uncancelled.] - - -729 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[53-3] - -_To John Paston, and to non othyr._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 18] - -I recomand me to yow, and promyse yow that I have and schall labore and -fynde the meane that ye schall have honor of yowr delyng as ye have -hyddr towards, as all Ingelond and every man reportythe; and moreover I -am in weye for it by many dyverse weys, wherof ther schall be one -exicutyd by thys day xiiij. nyght at the ferthest, and peraventur within -vij. dayes. And iff ye maye kepe it so longe, I wold be gladde, and aftr -that iff ye have nott from me other wryghtyng, that than ye do ther in -for yowr saffgarde and yowr felaschep only, and to yowr worschypys; and -as for the place, no force therfor. Ye knowe thys hande, therfor nedythe -no mencion from whem it comythe; and more ovyr, they that be abut yow be -in obloquy of all men, and mor ovyr they have ben wretyn to by alse -speciall wryghtyng as myght be, after the worlde that now is, and -promyse yow that the Dukes concell wolde that they had nevyr be gon it; -and more ovyr they be chargyd in payne of ther lyvys, that thow they -gate the place, they scholde not hurt on of yow. Ther is nowther ye ner -none with yow, but and he knewe what is generally reportyd of hym, he or -ye, and God fortewne yow wele, may thynke hym iiij. tymes better in -reputacion of all folk than evyr he was. Be war whom ye make a concell -to thys mater. - -Also I lete yow wete that I am in moche mor comfort of yow than I maye -wryght, and they that be about yow have cawse to be mor ferde than ye -have; and also bewar of spendyng of yowr stuffe of qwarellys, powdr, and -stone, so that if they assaut yow er we come, that ye have stuffe to -dyffende yow of over, and than of my lyfe ye get no mor, and that your -felaschyp be evyr ocopyed in renewyng of your stuffe. - -Wretyn the Mondaye next aftr Holy Roode Daye. - - * * * - -I trow, thow ye be not prevy ther to, ther is taken a trews new tyl thys -day vij. nygh. - - [Footnote 53-3: [From Fenn, iv. 394.] _See_ preliminary note to - No. 724.] - - -730 - -PASSPORT TO THE BESIEGED ON SURRENDER OF CAISTER[55-1] - -_The Duc of Norffolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 26] - -Where John Paston, esquier, and other divers persones have, ageyn the -peas, kepte the manoir of Caster with force, ageyne the wille and entent -of us the Duc of Norffolk, to oure grete displeaser; whiche -notwithstanding, at the contemplacion of the writing of the moost -worshipfull and reverent Fader in God the Cardenall of England, and our -moost trusty and entierly beloved Unkel the Archbisshop of Canterbury, -the right noble Prince my Lord of Clarence, and other Lords of oure -blood, and also at the grete labour and enstaunce of our moost dere and -singler belovid wiffe, we be agreed that the seid John Paston and his -seid fellaship, beyng in the seid maneur, shall depart and goo out of -the seid maneur without delay, and make therof deliveraunce to suche -persones as we will assigne, the seid fellaship havyng their lyves and -goods, horsse, and harneys, and other goods beyng in the kepyng of the -seid John Paston; except gonnes, crossebows, and quarells, and alle -other hostelments, to the seid maneur annexed and belonginge. And to -have xv. dayes respyte aftir their seid departing out, to goo in to what -place shall like theim, without any accions or quarell to be taken or -made by us, in our name to theim, or any of theim, within our fraunchise -or without, duryng the seid tyme. - -Yoven under our signet at Yermouth the xxvj. day of Septembr the ix^te -yere of King Edward the iiij^th. - - NORFF'. [LS] - - [Footnote 55-1: [From Fenn, ii. 24.]] - - [[_in the printed book, the letters "LS" (Locus Sigilli?) are shown - in a circle after the signature_]] - - -731 - -JOHN PASTON AND THE SURRENDER OF CAISTER[56-1] - -_The Duc of Norff'._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 26] - -John, Duke of Norffolk, Erle Marshall of Sussex, Surrey, and of -Nottingham, Marshall of Inglonde, Lorde Mowbray of Segreve, Bromfelde, -and Yalle, to al our frendes, servauntes, and othir Crystyne people, -gretyng. Wher John Paston, esquier, and othre diverse persones forseble -hath kepte the manoir of Castre, contrary to our will and pleaser, and -aftirwarde by his lowly labour and gret meanese to us maade, the seide -John Paston hathe maade deliveraunce of the seide manoir to such persons -as we have assignede, and he and his seide felouship by our lycence to -departe out of the same. Wherefore we pray, wil, and charge you and -everysche of you, that ye ne vexce, trouble, manase, ne greve the -forseid persones, nor eny of them, for the kepyng of the seide manere -contrary to the Kynge our Sovereynge Lordes lawyes, for we have takyne -them in our safe garde. Yevin undir our signet and signmanuell the -xxvj^ti day of Septembre, the ix^th yere of Kynge Edward iiij^t. - - NORFF'. [LS] - - [Footnote 56-1: [From a MS. in the College of Arms.] The original - of this document, signed and sealed by the Duke of Norfolk, is - inserted in the MS. volume called Brooke's _Aspilogia_, vol. i. p. - 35.] - - [[_in the printed book, the letters "LS" (Locus Sigilli?) are shown - in a circle after the signature_]] - - -732 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[56-2] - -Caystr yelded.--J. P. - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [SEPT.]] - -Ryght werchepfull sir, I recomand me on to yow. And as for the serteynte -of the delyverance of Caster, John Chapman can tell yow how that we wer -enforsyd therto, as wel as mysylf. As for John Chapman and his iij. -felaws, I have purveyd that they be payid ache of them xl_s._, with the -mony that they had of yow and Dawbeney; and that is inow for the seson -that they have don yow servys. I pray yow geve them ther thank, for by -my trowthe they have as well deservyd it as eny men that ever bare lyve; -but as for mony, ye ned not to geve hem with owt ye wyll, for they be -plesyd with ther wagys. Wryttyll promysyd me to send yow the serteynte -of the apoyntement. We wer sor[57-1] lak of vetayl, gonepowdyr, menys -herts, lak of suerte of rescwe, drevyn therto to take apoyntement. - -If ye wyll that I come to yow, send me woord, and I shall pervey me for -to tery with yow a ij. or iij. dayis. By my trowthe, the rewardyng of -syche folkys as hathe ben with me dwryng the sege hathe putt me in gret -danger for the monye. God preserve yow, and I pray yow be of good cher -tyll I spek with yow, and I trust to God to ese your hert in some -thynggys. - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 56-2: [From Fenn, iv. 410.]] - - [Footnote 57-1: _sor._ So the word stands in Fenn, and 'sore' in - the copy in modern spelling; but I suspect a misreading of 'for.'] - - -733 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[57-2] - -_To Sir John Paston, in hast. A matre._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 23-30.] - -I grete zow wele, and send zow Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng zow wete -that me thynke be the letter that ze sent me be Robeyn, that ze thynke -that I xuld wryte to zow fabyls and ymagynacyons; but I do not soo. -I have wrytyn as yt have be enformed me, and wulle do. It was told me -that bothe Daubeney and Berney wer dedee, but for serten Daubeney is -dede, God asoyle hys sowle; wher of I am rythe sery, and yt had plesyd -God that yt mythe abe other wysse. - -Remembyr zow, ze have had ij. gret lossys withyne thys towylemonth, of -hym and of Sir Thomas.[57-3] God wysyth [_visiteth_] zow as yt plesythe -Hym in sundery wyses; He woole ze xuld know Hym, and serve Hym better -than ze have do be for thys tyme, and than He wull send zow the mor -grace to do wele in ale other thynggs. And for Godds love, remembyr yt -rythe welle, and take yt pacyentely, and thanke God of Hys vysitacyon; -and yf ony thyng have be a mysse ony other wyse than yt howte to have -ben befor thys, owther in pryde or in laves expences, or in eny other -thyng that have offendyd God, amend yt, and pray Hym of Hys grace and -helpe, and entende welle to God, and to zour neybors; and thow zour poor -heraftyr be to aquyte hem of her maleys, zet be mersyfulle to hem, and -God xale send zow the mor grace to have your entente in other thynggs. - -I remembyr thys clawsys, be cause of the last letter that ze sent me. -I have sent to Hary Halman of Sporylle to helpe to gete as ze desyerd -me, and he canne not gette passyd v. or viij. at the most, and zet yt -wule not be but yf [_unless_] he cume that ze trust upon that xuld cume, -for they long a parte to hym. And Ryschard Sharman hathe asayed on hys -parte, and he cane not gette passyd v.; for thoo that long to us, thei -long also to our adversarys, and they have be desyerd be them, and they -woold nowte do for hem, and ther for they thynke to have magery of the -toder parte. - -As for the jantylman that ye desyerd me to speke with, I spake with hys -wyfe, and sche told me he was not in thys cuntre, ner nowte woost wan he -xuld be her; and as for the toder man, he hath bowthe [_bought_] hym a -livery in Bromeholme Pryery, and have geve upe the woord [_world_], &c. - -Item, as for mony, I kowde getee but x_li._ upon pledges, and that is -spent for zour maters her, for payeng of zour men that wern at Caster, -and other thynggs, and I woot not wer to gette non, nowther for suerte -ner for pleggs; and as for myn owyn lyvelod, I am so sympely payed ther -of that I fer me I xale be fayn to borow for my sylfe, or ell[es] to -breke up howsold or bothe. - -As for the zeddyng [_yielding_] of the place at Caster, I trowe Wretyll -hathe told of the pawntements [_appointments_] how ytts delyvered. -I woold that [it] had be so her [_ere_] thys tyme, and zan [_then_] ther -xuld not a ben do so mykyle herte as ther is in dyverse weyes; for many -of our welewyllers arn putte to loosse for our saks, and I fer me that -[it] xale be long her yt be recumpensyd ageyn, and that xale cause other -to do the lesse for vus her aftyr. - -I woold ze xuld [send] zour brother woord, and sum other that ze truste, -to see to zour owyn lyelod to sette yt in a rule, and to gader ther of -that may be had in haste, and also of Sir John Fastolf lyoeld that may -be gadyrd in pesybyle wyse. For as for Ryschard Calle, he wulle no mor -gadyr yt but yf ze comaund hym, and he woold fayn make hys . . acowntte, -and have zour good maystyr schepe, as ytts told me, and delyvere the -evydens of Bekkeham, and alle other thynggs that longyth to zow, that he -trustythe that ze wylle be hys good mayster heraftyr. And he sethe he -wylle not take non newe master tyle ze refuse hys servyse. - -Remembyr that zowr lyvelod may be set in soche a rule that ye may knowe -how ytts, and wat is owyn to zow; for be my feythe I have holpyn as -mysche as I may and mor, savyng my sylfe, and therfor take hede er yt be -weers. - -Thys letter was begune on Fryday was vij. nythe, and enddyd thys day -nexte afftyr Mychylmes Day. God kepe zow, and yeve zow grace to do as -wele as I woold ze dede; and I scharge zow be war that ze sette no lond -to morgage, for if eny avyse zow ther to, they arn not zowr frendds. Be -war be tymes myn avyse, &c. I trow yowr brother wyll geve zow tydyngs in -haste. - - [Footnote 57-2: [From Fenn, iv. 396.] This is written, as will be - seen, in reply to No. 725.] - - [Footnote 57-3: Sir Thomas Howes.] - - -734 - -NOTE[59-1] - -Inventory of household goods (including guns) left at Caister by Sir -John Paston at the entry of my Lord of Norfolk. - - [Footnote 59-1: [MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 201.]] - - -735 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[60-1] - -_To my master, Sir John Paston, in Flett-Stret._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / OCT. 5] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand on to you, praying yow that ye wyll in -all hast send me word how that ye wyll that Sir John Style, John -Pampyng, W. Mylsent, Nycolas Mondonet, T. Tomson shall be rwlyd, and -whedyr that they shall sek hem newe servysys or not; and Mathewe Bedford -also, for he hathe be with me this seson, and is fro my modyr. And if so -be that ye wyll have thes to abyde with yow, or eny of them, send word -whyche that they be; for betwyx thys and Halowmas my modyr is agreyd -that they shall have met and drynk of hyr for syche a serteyn wekly as -my modyr and yu and I can acord when we met. Notwithstandyng, if ye kowd -get Barney or eny of thes seyd folkys, whyche that ye wyll not kepe, eny -servyse in the mene seson, it wer more worchep for yow then to put them -from yow lyek masterles hondys [_hounds_]; for by my trowthe they ar as -good menys bodys as eny leve, and specyally Sir John Stylle and John -Pampyng. And I wer of power to kepe them and all thes befor rehersyd, by -trowthe they shold never depert fro me whyll I leveyd. - -If ye send me word that I shall come to yow to London for to comon with -yow of eny mater, so God help me, I have neythyr mony to com up with, -nor for to tery with yow when I am ther but if [_unless_] ye send me -some; for by my trowthe thes werkys have causyd me to ley owt for yow -bettyr then x. or xij_li._, besyd that money that I had of my modyr, -whyche is abowt on viij_li._ God amend defowts; but this I warant yow, -with out that it be Mathew, whyche ye sent woord by John Thressher that -ye wold have to awayt on yow, ther is no man that was hyryd for the tyme -of thys sege that wyll axe yow a peny. - -Also I pray yow send downe acomandment to Stutvylle, or to some awdyter, -to take acomptys of Dawbneys byllys; for hys executors ar sore callyd -upon for to admynyster by the Byshop, or ellys he seythe that he wyle -seqwester. Dawbeney set in hys dett that ye owt hym xij_li._ and x_s._ -Whedyr it be so or nowt, hys byllys of hys owne hand wyll not lye, for -he mad hys byllys clere or then the sege com abowt us. - -As for the evydence of Bekham, my modyr sent to Calle for hem; and he -sent hyr woord that he wold make hys acompts, and delyver the evydence -and all to gedyr. My modyr hathe sent to hym ayen for hem thys day. If -she sped, they shall be sent to yow in all hast, or ellys, and ye send -for me, I shall bryng hem with me. Send my modyr and me word who ye wyll -that have the rwyll of your lyvelod her in thys contre, and in what -forme that it shall be delt with. I wyll not make me mastyrfast with my -Lord of Norff., nor with non othyr, tyle I spek with yow; and ye thynk -it be to be don, get me a mastyr. - -Dell corteysly with the Qwen and that felawshep, and with Mastras Anne -Hawte for Wappys,[61-1] tyll I spek with zow. Wretyn on Seynt Feythys -Evyn. - - J. PASTON. - -By Sent George, I and my felawshep stand in fer of my Lord of Norff. -men, for we be thret sore, not withstandyng the save gardys[61-2] that -my felawshep have. As for me, I have non, nor non of your howsold men, -nor non wyll have; it wer shame to take it. - - [Footnote 60-1: [From Fenn, iv. 412.] This is a letter desiring - instructions about the garrison of Caister after its surrender.] - - [Footnote 61-1: This expression 'for Wappys' I do not - understand.--F. Perhaps Wappys may be a proper name.] - - [Footnote 61-2: _Save gardys._ This is printed 'same gardys' in - Fenn, but is evidently a misreading; in the right-hand copy the - word is 'safeguards.'] - - -736 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[62-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [OCT.]] - -Ryght worchypfull Moodre, I comand me to yow, and beseche yow of yowr -blyssyng and Gods. Thanke yow for yowr tendrenesse and helpe bothe to -me, my brother, and servants.[62-2] - - . . . . . . . - -The Kynge is comyn to London, and ther came with hym, and roode ageyn -hym, the Duke of Glowcestr, the Duke of Suffolke, the Erle of Aroundell, -the Erle of Northumbreland, the Erle of Essex, the Lordes Harry and John -of Bokyngham, the Lord Dakres, the Lorde Chambreleyn, the Lorde -Montjoye, and many other Knyghtys and Sqwyers, the Meyr of London, xxij. -Aldremen, in skarlett, and of the Crafftys men of the town to the nombre -of CC., all in blewe. The Kynge come thorow Chepe, thowe it wer owt of -hys weye, be cawse he wold not be seyn, and he was accompanyed in all -peple with m^l. horsse, som harneysyd and som nat. My Lorde -Archebysshop[62-3] com with hym from Yorke, and is at the Moor,[62-4] -and my Lorde of Oxenfford roode to have mett the Kyng, and he is with my -Lorde Archebysshop at the Moor, and come nat to town with the Kynge; -some sey that they wer yesterdaye iij. myle to the Kyng wards from the -Moor, and that the Kyng sent them a massangr that they scholde com when -that he sent for them. I wot not what to suppose therin; the Kyng -hymselffe hathe good langage of the Lords of Clarance, of Warwyk, and of -my Lords of York [and] of Oxenford, seyng they be hys best frendys; but -hys howselde men have other langage, so that what schall hastely falle I -cannot seye. - -My Lorde of Norffolke schall be her thys nyght. I schall sende yow mor -when I knowe mor. - -Item, iff Ebysham come not home with myn oncle W., that than ye sende me -the ij. Frenshe bookys that he scholde have wretyn, that he may wryght -them her, - - JOHN PASTON, Kt. - - [Footnote 62-1: [From Fenn, i. 292.] The allusion in an unprinted - passage in this letter to the approaching marriage of Richard - Calle with Margery Paston proves it to be of the year 1469. In - that year it appears by the dates of the privy seals that Edward - IV. remained during the whole of September in Yorkshire, having - been detained by Warwick at Middleham as a prisoner during the - month of August; but he was in London as early as the 13th - October.] - - [Footnote 62-2: Here, according to Fenn, follow passages touching - 'an account of monies, debts, &c., a dispute with his uncle - William, and a desire to defer his sister Margery's marriage with - Richard Calle till Christmas.'] - - [Footnote 62-3: George Nevill, Archbishop of York.] - - [Footnote 62-4: _See_ p. 20, Note 3.] - - [[... that he may wryght them her, - _text has "be": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -737 - -ABSTRACT[63-1] - -[JOHN PASTON] TO [SIR JOHN PASTON] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Has reckoned with Maryot. Accounts of Bekham. Has not spoken with W. -Bakton, but will before returning to Norwich. Means to visit Bekham on -his way thither. Sends copy of the condition wherein ye be bound to John -Maryot. As for Sir T. Mongomere's man, etc. - -Richard Calle says he has delivered to me all writings he had of you -except an endenture for letting Saxthorp, which is but a jape. All but a -rental of Snaylwell are but accounts, etc. He has delivered me four or -five court rolls of Sir J. Fastolff's lands, of his own hand. He has -done reasonably well about showing me the arrears of your lifelode. 'As -for his abiding, it is in Blakborow nunnery, a little fro Lynn, and our -unhappy sister's also. And as for his service, there shall have no man -have it before you, and ye will. I hear not speak of none other service, -of no lord's that he shall be in.' Has not yet spoken with Daubney's -executors, but will on his way homewards. Sends copy of the -inventory[63-2] he [John Paston] made on leaving Caister. Means to be at -Sporle to-morrow or Thursday, to see what may be made of the wood, and -who will give most for it. . . . . (_MS. mutilated at the bottom._) - - [This letter is in the handwriting of John Paston, but the signature - is lost. It is quite certain that it was written in 1469 after the - surrender of Caister. Allusion is also made to the unpleasant - subject of the engagement of Richard Calle and Margery Paston, who - seem to have retired to Blackborough nunnery prior to their marriage.] - - [Footnote 63-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 63-2: _See_ No. 734.] - - -738 - -ABSTRACT[64-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / NOV. 6] - -Indenture between Sir John Paston, of the one part, and Roger Townsende, -gent., of the other part, containing covenants for the sale of the manor -of Est Beckham, and of all Paston's other lands in Est Bekham, West -Bekham, Bodham, Sherryngham, Beeston near the Sea, Runeton, Shipden, -Felbrigg, Aylmerton, Sustede, and Gresham, which the said Sir John had -of the gift of John Mariet the elder of Est Bekham, for 100 marks, of -which he has received already £54, leaving £12, 13_s._ 4_d._ to be paid -by the said Roger at the Feast of St. Luke next coming. Dated 6th Nov. 9 -Edw. IV. - - _Seal, with inscription_, 'Si Dieu vuet.' - - [Footnote 64-1: [Add. Charter, 14,526, B.M.]] - - -739 - -ABSTRACT[64-2] - -1469, 25 Nov. 9 Edw. IV. 'In the priory of Saynt Marye Overy in -Suthwarke.' Acknowledgment (in English) by Will. Yelverton, Knt., Just. -of K. B., of the receipt from Bishop Waynflete of £87, in full -satisfaction of all claims on Sir J. Fastolf by Jaquet, Duchess of -Bedford; solemnly promising also that he will not hereafter receive any -sums, great or small, on account of Fastolf's goods, debts, or -possessions, without the assent of the Bishop, that he will at all times -be ready to seal such grants, &c., as the Bishop may require to be -sealed, and that he will not himself make or seal any grant, etc., -without the Bishop's will and agreement. - - [Footnote 64-2: The following abstract is taken from Mr. Macray's - Report on the MSS. in Magdalen College, Oxford.] - - -740 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[65-1] - -_To Master Syr John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / DEC.] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to you, &c. It is so that thys day -ther cam a good felaw to me, whyche may not be dyscoveryd, and let me -wet that my Lord of Norff. consayll hathe this Crystmas gotyn the two -wydows, whows husbands wer slayn at the sege of Caster, and have hem -bowndyn in a gret some that they shall swe a peel ayenst me and syche as -wer ther with me within the plase, and they be bownd also that they -shall relese no man within the apell namyd tyll syche tyme as my Lord of -Norff. wyll lycence them. - -Item, the cawse is thys, as it is told me by dyvers, that ye meke no -more swte to my Lord for yourself than ye do, and therfor they do the -wors to me for your sake. - -Item, as for my comyng up to London, so God help me, and I may chese, -I com not ther, for _argent me fawlt_, without apell or an inkyr -[_inquiry ?_] of som specyall mater of your cawse it. Item, I pray yow -remembyr Caleys, for I am put out of wagys in thys contre. - -Item, I pray yow send me some tydyngs how the world gothe _ad -confortandum stomacum_. - -Item, ye must purvey anewe atorny in thys contre. As for me, for our -maters and clamore is to gret, and our purse and wytte to slendyr, but I -wyle rubbe on as long as I maye bothe with myn owne, and other menys -that wyle do for me tyll better pese be. - -Wretyn thys Saturdaye, at Norwcyche. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 65-1: [From Fenn, iv. 416.] It appears by the contents - that this letter was written about Christmas after the siege of - Caister. An appeal of murder was a process sued by the nearest - relative of a person killed. It was quite independent of any - prosecution for murder by the Crown, and no royal pardon was of - any avail against it; but the appeal had to be brought within a - year and a day of the fact.] - - [[... at Norwyche. - _text has "Norwcyche": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -741 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[66-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MARCH 1] - -Ryght worchepfull Syr, I recomand me to yow aftyr the old maner, -sertyfyng yow that I have comonyd with my modyr for your coming hom, but -I can not fynd by hyr that she wyll depert with eny sylvyr for your -costis, for she and hyr cwrate[66-2] alegge mor poverte then ever wasse. -Item, as for your clok at Harcortis it wyll be nye Estern er it be redy, -for ther is stolyn owt of hys chaumbyr some of the ger that belongyd -therto, and that must have leyser to be mad ayen. Item, the caryer -forgat your byll behynd hym, but it was delyveryd all to gedyr, but it -shall be browght yow and the wyndas with the teles by the next caryer, -as myn orangys shall com to me I tryst. Dame Elyzabet Calthorp is a -fayir lady and longyth for orangis, thow she be not with chyld. Item, -I pray yow that ye wyll make aqwetance on to the person of Mawtby[66-3] -and to John Seyne as executors to John Dawbeney, for they wyll take non -admynystracyon of hys goodis tyll they be aqwetansyd of youre and my -modyr. Ye maye do it well j nough, so God help me; for I wot well ye owt -hym mony, and he nat yow, if so be that he wer trewe when he dyid, and I -wot well we fond hym nevyr on trew in hys lyve; but hys frendys and -othyr of the contre putt grett defawt in me that ther is no thyng don -for hym, seying that he myght do no more for us but lose hys lyfe in -your servyse and myn; and now he is half forgotyn among us. Wherfor I -pray yow let thys be sped. - -Item, as for Doctor Pykenham, J. Pampyng can tell yow he is not in -Norwyche. When he comyth I shall spek with hym and send yow hys answer. -Item, as for myn oncyll Wylliam, I have grant to have a byll of hym what -every thyng lythe for; but all thyng is not yet in rest ayen that was -remevyd for the chyrchyng of my Lady Anne. As sonne as I have the byll I -shall send it yow and hys answer, whyche he wyll fyrst have plegyd -owght, and also whethyr he purposyth to do as he seyd by my graundamys -lond. - -Item, Gefrey Spyrlyng hathe ofte spokyn to me to send to yow for to -undyrstand how ye will deell with hym for hys place in Norwyche, for he -seythe that he had lever have your good mastyrship ther in then eny -othyr manys good lordshep; for and ye wyll be hys good mastyr he wyll -swe no ferther, or ellys he must. - -Item, a for (_sic_) for myn old reknyng, I shall make it up in hast and -send it yow for your bettyr remembrance, for as me thynkyth by your -wrytyng ye have nye forgetyn it; but I am rype j now in it for myn owne -dyscharge. Item, I pray yow, take in to your a ward a short murry -jornade[67-1] of myn whyche Jacobyn, Wykis woman, hathe lest that she be -flyttyng and that it be exchetyd. Item, I pray yow send me swyr tydyngis -of the world in hast. - -As for the bysheop of Wynchestyr, W. Wyrceteyr told my modyr that he had -takyn charge x. dayis or then Pampyng cam hom; but he wenyth that the -bysshop wyll be a yenst yow, in so myche that [he[67-2]] avysyd my modyr -to consell yow that ye sholl labor to my Lord Cardynall[67-3] that the -seyd byshop shold not be amytted to take admynystracyon. No mor, &c. -Wretyn at Norwyche the fyrst daye off Marche. - - J. P. - -I pray, get us a wyfe somwher, for _Melius est nubere in Domino quam -urere_. (ca^o primo.)[67-4] - - * * * - -Noveritis universi per presentes me J. P. mylitem remisisse, &c. Roberto -Cotteler personæ ecclesiæ de Mawtby in comitatu Norfolk et Johanni Seyne -de Rollysby in eodem comitatu, executores testamenti et ultimæ -voluntatis Johannis Dawbeney armygeri, nuper defuncti, omnimodas -acciones, tam reales, &c. quos versus eundem Robertum sive Johannem -Seyne habui, habeo, &c., racione alicujus debyti dicti Johannis -Dawbeney, jam defuncti, mychi dicto J. Paston debite (_sic_) a principio -mundi usque in diem, &c. In cujus, &c. Datum, &c. - -As for the yer of the Kyng, let it be set in, but as for the daye and -the monyth let it be owt, for the day must be aftyr probate of the wyll -and the admynystracyon takyng. I pray you, let thys be sped in all hast -possybyll; and as for your obligacyon and syche ger as belongyth to yow, -I shalbe swyr of it er they have the aqwetance. - -Item, as for owyr afrayis her, J. Pampyng can tell yow; but and they get -me, ye loose a brodyr, _quod juratum est_. - -It is good to do by the comandment of your mastyr whyll I am so well -boryn owte; thys my lord of Norffolk galantis send me woord dayly _ad -confortandum stomacum_. Ye must spek with your mastyr and comon some -remedye hastyly, or be God I enswyr yow, whyll owyr Dwk is thus -cherysheid with the kyng, ye nor I shall not have a man unbetyn or slayn -in thys contre, nor our sylfe nowthyr, as well ye as I, _quod juratum -est_ onys ayen. The Dwke, the Dwches and ther consell ar wrothe that ye -make no meanys to them your sylfe. - -Item, I send yow Townysendis endentwre by John Pampyng. - - [Footnote 66-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 192.] This letter may be - dated 1470, by comparing the postscript with the beginning of No. - 742, which seems to have been written in answer to it. John - Daubeney was killed at the siege of Caister in 1469. _See_ Nos. - 725, 733.] - - [Footnote 66-2: James Gloys.] - - [Footnote 66-3: Robert Cutler or Cotteler. _See_ next page.] - - [Footnote 67-1: Halliwell gives 'jornet' as 'a kind of cloak'; - 'murrey' was a dark red colour.] - - [Footnote 67-2: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 67-3: Cardinal Bourchier.] - - [Footnote 67-4: The reference is as inaccurate as the quotation. - The text referred to is 1 Cor. vii. 9: 'Melius est enim nubere - quam uri.'] - - -742 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[68-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, beyng at Norwyche, be thys letter delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MARCH] - -I comande me to yow, letyng yow wete, &c.[68-2] - - . . . . . . . - -Item, as for Mestresse Kateryn Dudle, I have many tymes recomandyd yow -to hyr, and she is noo thynge displeasyd with itt. She rekkythe not howe -many gentylmen love hyr; she is full of love. I have betyn the mater for -yow, your onknowleche, as I told hyr. She answerythe me, that sche woll -noon thys ij. yer, and I beleve hyr; for I thynke sche hathe the lyffe -that sche can holde hyr content with; I trowe she woll be a sore -laboryng woman this ij. yer for mede of hyr sowle. - -And Mestresse Gryseacresse is sure to Selenger, with my Lady of Exestre, -a fowle losse. - -Item, I praye yow speke with Harcort off the Abbeye, for a lytell -clokke, whyche I sent hym by James Gressham to amend, and that ye woll -get it off hym, and it be redy, and sende it me; and as for mony for hys -labor, he hathe another cloke off myne, whyche Sir Thomas Lyndes, God -have hys sowle! gave me; he may kepe that tyll I paye hym. Thys klok is -my Lordys Archebysshopis, but late not hym wete off it, and that itt -[be] easely caryed hyddre by yowr advyse. - -Also as for orenges, I schall sende yow a serteyn by the next caryer. -And as for tydynge the berer hereoff schall infforme yow; ye most geve -credence to hym. - -As for my goode spede, I hope well. I am offryd yit to have Mestresse -Anne Haulte, and I schall have help i nowe, as some say.[69-1] - -. . . . . . . . - -Item, it is soo that I am halffe in purpose to com home with in a -monythe her afftr, or abowt Med Lente, or beffor Esterne, ondyr yowr -coreccon, iff so be that ye deme that [my] modre wolde helpe me to my -costys, x. mark or ther abowt; I praye feele hyr dysposicion and sende -me worde. - -Item, I cannot tell yow what woll falle off the worlde, for the Kyng -verrely is dysposyd to goo in to Lyncoln schyr, and men wot not what -wyll falle ther off, ner ther afftre; they wene my Lorde off Norffolke -shall[69-2] brynke x.^ml. men. - -Item, ther is comen a newe litell Torke, whyche is a wele vysagyd -felawe, off the age off xl. yere; and he is lower than Manuell by a -hanffull, and lower then my lytell Tom by the schorderys, and mor lytell -above hys pappe; and he hathe, as he seyde to the Kynge hymselffe, iij. -or iiij. sonys, chyldre, iche one off hem as hyghe and asse lykly as the -Kynge hymselffe; and he is leggyd ryght i now, and it is reportyd that -hys pyntell is as long as hys legge. - -Item, I praye yow schewe, or rede to my moodre suche thynges as ye -thynke is for her to know, afftre yowr dyscression; and to late hyr -undrestond off the article off the trete between Syr Wylliam Yelverton -and me. - -Item, my Lorde of Warwyk, as it is supposyd, schall goo with the Kynge -in to Lyncolne schyre; some men seye that hys goyng shall doo goode, and -som seye that it dothe harme. - -I praye yow evyr have an eyghe to Caster, to knowe the rewle ther, and -sende me worde, and whyther my wyse Lorde and my Lady be yit as sottyt -[_? besotted_] uppon it as they were; and whether my seyd Lorde -resortythe thyddre as offte as he dyd or nott; and off the dysposycion -off the Contre. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 68-1: [From Fenn, ii. 28.] From the reference to the - King's being about to go into Lincolnshire, and what is said of - the Earl of Warwick, it may be clearly inferred that this letter - was written on the outbreak of the insurrection of Sir Robert - Welles in the beginning of March 1470.] - - [Footnote 68-2: Here (according to Fenn) follows an account of - bills and receipts, etc.] - - [Footnote 69-1: Here (according to Fenn) follows an account of - some disputes between Sir William Yelverton and Sir John Paston, - his uncle William, etc., of no consequence.] - - [Footnote 69-2: _shall._ This word is not in Fenn's left-hand or - literal transcript, but is given as part of the text in the - right-hand copy.] - - -743 - -ANONYMOUS TO JOHN PASTON[70-1] - -_To my Cosyn, J. Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MARCH 27] - -The King camme to Grantham, and ther taried Thoresday all day; and ther -was headed Sir Thomas Dalalaunde, and on John Neille, a greate capteyn; -and upon the Monday next after that at Dancastr, and ther was headed Sir -Robert Wellys, and a nothr greate capteyn; and than the King hadde warde -that the Duk of Clarence and the Erle of Warwick was att Esterfeld -[_Chesterfield_], xx. mile from Dancastre. - -And upon the Tewesday att ix. of the bell, the King toke the feld, and -mustered his people; and itt was seid that wer never seyn in Inglond so -many goodly men, and so well arreiyed in a feld. And my Lord was -whorsshupfully accompanyed, no lord ther so well; wherfor the King gaffe -my Lord a greate thanke. - -And than the Duk of Clarence and the Erle of Warwik harde that the King -was comyng to them warde, in contynent they departed and wente to -Manchestre in Lancasshire, hopyng to have hadde helpe and socour of the -Lord Stanley, butt in conclucion ther they hadde litill favor, as itt -was enformed the King, and so men sayn they wente westward, and sommen -demen to London. And whan the King harde they wer departed and gon, he -went to York, and came theder the Thoresday next aftr, and ther camme in -to hym all the gentilmen of the shire; and uppon our Lady Day [he] made -Percy Erle of Northumberland, and he that was Erle affore Markeys -Muntakew. And [so][71-1] the King is purposed to come southwarde, God -send hym god spede. - -Writen the xxvij. day of March. - - FOR TROWYTH. - - [Footnote 70-1: [From Fenn, ii. 36.] This letter gives an account - of the suppression of the rebellion in Lincolnshire in 1470.] - - [Footnote 71-1: This word is not in the text of Fenn's literal - transcript, but it is given without brackets in the transcript in - modern spelling.] - - -744 - -ABSTRACT[71-2] - -WILLIAM WORCESTER TO ---- - -[Sidenote: 1470] - -Letter in English, on paper (signed W. W., but unaddressed), desiring -some one to propose to 'my Lord' [the Bishop of Winchester?] the -obtaining of a letter from Sir John Paston to the tenants of Titchwell -that he will not claim any rents from them, and another from 'my Lord,' -to the same effect, on behalf of Sir William Yelverton; and the sending -a warrant to expend 4 or 6 marks upon making up the sea banks before the -Titchwell pastures, because at Spring the sea breaks in upon them. -Desires to know whether Sir W. Yelverton's advice shall be taken upon -business matters. 'Frere' Geffrey Westvale is going to be created Doctor -in Theology at Cambridge, at the Feast of St. John, who twenty years -past, when at Yarmouth convent, belonged to 'my Maister Fastolf'; and -Sir Thomas Howys, a month before his decease, promised to help him on -Mr. Fastolf's order. He would have come now to 'my Lord' to ask his alms -had not the writer letted him. Desires to be informed whether 'my Lord' -will help him. 'Maister Briston yn lykewyse Maister Spicer, and Maister -Stevyns, trustyn appon me and dyvers others to speke to my Lord for a -relyeve,' and Thomas Fastolf and Milcent Fastolf, and many others, 'that -make me noyed and werye.' - - [Footnote 71-2: [From MS. Titchwell, 120, in Magdalen College, - Oxford.] From internal evidence it would seem that this letter - must have been written shortly before that which follows it. The - abstracts of these two letters have been kindly supplied to me by - Mr. Macray.] - - -745 - -ABSTRACT[72-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MAY 17] - -Letter in English from W. Wyrcestre to Bishop Wayneflete.--Has been at -Tychewell to endeavour to let the manor and farm, but none of the -farmers there will take it without guarantees from Sir John Paston and -Sir William Yelverton in writing against any distraint. . . . . the -younger, who owes £9, will come to the Bishop about the letting. The -writer represents his own poor condition. Has been at charges ten years -in London, and in riding on the infinite process of 'my Maister -Fastolf's testament yn the court of audience.' Is now obliged to retire -from London to Cambridge in order to live cheaply. Had been promised 25 -marks on Paston's behalf, 20 marks for ever of Fastolf's lands, 5 marks -of fee for his life, and £15 worth of land for ever. Has not had clearly -8 marks. - - [Footnote 72-1: [From MS. Titchwell, 199, in Magdalen College, - Oxford.]] - - -746 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[72-2] - -_To Syr John Paston, Knyght, or to Thomas Stompys, to delyver to the -seyd Syr John._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JUNE 22] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, and my specyall good brodyr, I recomand me to -yow; and for as myche as I can not send yow good tydyngs, ye shall have -syche as I knowe. - -It is so that on Wednysday last past ye and I, Pampyng, and Edmund Broom -were endyttyd of felonye at the Sessyons her in Norwyche for shotyng of -a gonne at Caster in August last past, whyche goone slowghe two men, I, -Pampyng and Broom as pryncypall, and ye as accessary; notwithstandyng -Townysend[73-1] and Lomner held an oppynyon that the verdytt is voyd, -for ther wer ij. of th'enqwest that wold not agre to th'endyttment. And -in as myche as they ij. wer agreyd in othyr maters, and not in that, and -that they two wer not dyschargyd fro the remnant at syche tym as that -verdyth of yowyr endytment was govyn, ther oppynyon is that all the -vordyght is voyde, as well of all othyr maters as of yowyr. Whedyr ther -opynyon be good or not, I can not determyne, nor them sylf neythyr. - -I pray yow let not thys mater be slept, for I can thynk that my Lord of -Norff. consaylle wyll cawse the wedows to tak an apell, and to remeve it -up in to the Kyngs Benche at the begynyng of this term. Townysend hathe -promysyd me that he shall be at London on Twysday next comyng, and then -ye may comon with hym in that mater, and take hys avyse. - -Item, Townysend and Lomner thynk that and ye have good consayll, ye may -justyfye the kepyng of the plase for the pesybyll possessyon that ye -have had in it mor then iij. yeer; but in conclusyon, all thys is doo -for nowght ellys but for to enforse yow to take a dyreccyon with my Lord -of Norff. - -I undyrstood by R. Sothewell--for he and I comonyd in thys mater ryght -largely betwyx hem and me--in so myche he tellyth me that and I be at -London in the wek next aftyr Seynt Petyr, at whych tyme he shall be ther -hym sylf, he seyth that my Lady hathe promysyd me hyr good ladyshep, and -sent me woord by hym, in as myche as he spak for me to hyr, that she -wold remembyr myn old servyse, and for get the gret dysplesyr in syche -wyse that I shall undyrstand that the swtte that I have mad to my Lord -hyr husbond and hyr shall torne to your avantage and myn, more then we -weene as yett or shall undyrstand tyll syche tyme as I have spokyn with -hyr good grace. And upon thys promesse I have promysyd Sothewell to meet -with hym at London that same weeke next aftyr Seynt Petyr; wherfor I -wold passyngly fayne that ye wer in London at that season, or nye -abowght London, so that I myght undyrstand at your plase wher that I -myght spek with yow or then I spek with my Lady. - -I propose to go to Canterbery[74-1] on foot thys next week, with Godds -grace, and so to com to London fro thense. I pray yow se that I be safe -for Parker and Henry Coletts mater. - -Sothewell[74-2] told me thys, that if so be that ye wyll your sylf, ye -shall have bothe goode lordshep and ladyshep, and mony or lond, or both, -and all your maters set cler. What that he menyth, I can not sey. As for -all othyr maters in thys contre, I shall do as well as I may for fawt of -monye tyll I spek with yow. I have many collars on, as I shall tell yow -when I come. - -No more, but God preserve yow and yours. Wretyn at Norwyche, Fryday next -aftyr Corpus Christi Daye. - - J. P. - -I ded as myche as I kowd to have lettyd th'endyttment, but it wold not -be, as I shall enform you; and Townysend knowyth the same. - - [Footnote 72-2: [From Fenn, iv. 428.] As this letter refers to an - incident in the siege of Caister as having taken place 'in August - last,' there can be no doubt about the date.] - - [Footnote 73-1: Probably Roger Townsend, afterwards Justice of the - Common Pleas.] - - [Footnote 74-1: On pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Thomas - Becket, I suppose.--F.] - - [Footnote 74-2: Richard Southwell, Esq. of Wood-Rising. He - acquired this estate by marrying Amy, daughter and co-heir of Sir - Edmund Wichingham, Knight.--F.] - - -747 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[74-3] - -_To Syr John Paston, Knyght, or to Thomas Stomppys, to delyver to the -seyd Syr John._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JUNE 25] - -As I sent yow woord by a lettyr that John Wymondham browght to London, -J. Pampyng is endyghtyd of felony, and Edmund Broon as princypallys, and -ye as axcessary, for schotyng of agonne in Awgust last past, whyche -gonne kyllyd ij. men; and I trowe that my Lord of Norff. consayll wyll -make on of the wedows, or bothe, to swe an apell up on the same -endyghtment thys terme. Wherfor I pray yow se well to thys mater, that -when it is sertyfyid in to the Kyngys Benche, Broom and Pampyng may have -warnyng that they may purvey for hem self, if ther com eny _capyas_ -owght for hem. Townysend can tell yow all the mater. - -Also ye must in eny wyse be ware, for my grauntdam[75-1] and myn Lady -Anne[75-2] and myn Oncyll Wyllam shall be at London within thes viij. or -x. dayis, and I wot well it is for nowght ellys but to make myn Oncyll -Wyllam swyr of hyr lond, notwithstandyng she hath reryd affyn of it be -for Goodreed,[75-3] the Justyse, in my grauntfadyrs dayis, and my modyr -tellyth me that ye have the copye of the same fyne; I wold avyse yow to -have it redy, what so evyr betyd. I trow they wyll be the more besy -abowght the same mater, because they thynk that ye dar not com in -London, nor at Westmenstyr to lett [_stop_] them; but if so be that ye -have not the copy of the same fynne, look that ye spare for no cost to -do serche for itt, for it wyll stand yow on hand, I feell by the -werkyng. - -Thys day sevennyght I trust to God to be forward to Caunterbery at the -ferthest, and upon Saterday com sevennygh I tryst to God to be in -London; wherfor I pray yow leve woord at yowr plase in Fleet Strett wher -I shall fynd yow, for I purpose not to be seyn in London tyll I have -spook with yow. - -I pray yow remembyr thes maters, for all is doon to make yow to drawe to -an ende with thes Lordys that have your lond fro yow. No more, but I -pray God send yow your herttys desyir in thees maters and in all othyr. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday next aftyr Seynt John Baptyst. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 74-3: [From Fenn, iv. 434.] This letter, it will be - seen, refers in the beginning to the same matter as the - preceding.] - - [Footnote 75-1: Agnes Paston, widow of William Paston, the Judge.] - - [Footnote 75-2: Anne, daughter of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of - Somerset, married William Paston, the uncle of Sir John - Paston.--F.] - - [Footnote 75-3: William Goodrede was created a Serjeant-at-Law in - 1425. In 1431 he was appointed King's Serjeant, and in 1434 became - a Justice of the King's Bench.--F.] - - -748 - -ABSTRACT[76-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 3] - -Indenture between Sir John Paston and Edmund Shaa, goldsmith, London, -concerning 20 dishes and a saucer of silver pledged to the latter, 3rd -July 10 Edw. IV. - - [Footnote 76-1: [From Paston MSS.]] - - -749 - -ABSTRACT[76-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 8] - -Indenture, dated London, 8th July 10 Edw. IV., whereby Sir John Paston -places in pawn to Stephen Kelke, goldsmith, of London, 16 pottingers, -weighing 22 lb. 10œ oz. Troy weight, for £40, till Whitsuntide -following. - - [Footnote 76-2: [From Add. Charter 17,249, B.M.]] - - -750 - -ABSTRACTS[76-3] - -FASTOLF'S LANDS - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 14] - -'11. A triparted indenture betweene William Bishop of Winton and John -Paston, Knight, and others, touching the intent of two feoffmentes of -the Bishop of Wynton, the one of the mannors of Drayton and Tolthorp, in -the county of Norfolk and the city of Norwich, which were somtymes Sir -John Falstofs; the other of the mannors of Wynterton, cald Bregmiles -(?), of Reppys in Bastwyke, the third part of the mannor of Rowneham, -londes and tenementes cald Cutts in Haringby, and lands cald Buley in -Stokesby, to Guy Fairfax, John Paston, Squier, et aliis. July 14, Edw. -IV. 10.' - -'17. Relaxatio Johannis Paston, Georgii Arch. Cant. et aliorum Willielmo -Waynflet totius juris de et in omnibus maneriis, terris, &c. quæ fuerunt -Johannis Falstolf in comit' Norf., exceptis manerio de Castre et -Spensers in Haringby, ac terris vocat' Vaux, Redham, et Bosoms, et -maner' de Hayleydon, Drayton, et Tolthorp. Julii 14, Edw. IV. 10.' - -'28. An indenture contayning mutuall releases of the Bishop of Wynton to -John Paston, Knight, et c^a. July 14, Edw. IV. 10.' - -'29 and 61. An indenture containing the agreement betweene Wylliam -Wainflet, Bishop of Wynton, and Sir John Paston, concerning Sir John -Fastolfes landes and goods. July 14, Edw. IV. 10.' - -This last document, of which there is another copy or draft, numbered 36 -in the Index, is more fully described, as follows, by Mr. Macray, in the -Fourth Report of the Historical MSS. Commission:-- - - 1470, 14 July, 10 Edw. IV. Indenture tripartite (very long, in - English) between Bishop Wayneflete and Sir John Paston, Knight, - containing an agreement for the termination of disputes between the - executors of the will of Sir John Fastolf, whereby the property of - the latter has been much wasted; dividing the manors between the - Bishop and Paston, and providing for the foundation of seven priests - and seven poor scholars in Magdalene College; Paston to deliver up - all deeds and muniments to the Priory of St. Mary Overy, in - Southwark, to be put in a chest, locked with two locks and two keys, - of which the Bishop to have one and Paston the other, and the Bishop - to bring thither also all his deeds; one part of this indenture to - remain with each of the parties, and the third with the Prior of St. - Mary Overy. - - [Footnote 76-3: The following entries are taken from the old index - of deeds and writings relating to Norfolk and Suffolk, preserved - in the tower of Magdalen College, Oxford.] - - -751 - -PAMPYNG TO SIR JOHN PASTON[77-1] - -_To my most reverent and worshipfull master, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 15] - -Right worshipfull sir and my good master, I recomaund me unto yow in my -moost lowly wise. And please yow to wete I have with the mony ye sent me -by Judy rewardid my felaship as ye comaundid, wretyn in a bille closid -herin; and as for William Milsent I lete hym wete hough ye undirstood he -was disposed to goo hoom to his fadere, wherof ye were pleasid and wold -he shuld do so. He said he intendid not to be with his fadir, ner it was -not in his power so to do; nevirthelesse he is home to his fadir and -ther abidith, but what he purposith to do I wote not. Davy is at home -and takyth heed to his lond. Homeworth is content and gooth to his -labour. As for Stompis, I have be with the Abbot of Sen Benetts for hym -as ye comaundid. And he recomaundith hym to yow, and said to me he was -right glad that ye wold send to hym for any servaunt ye had, saying that -if he coud do any thyng for yow, and for any servaunt of yours, he wold -do it feithfully. And also he said he wold not fayle yow whill he levid -in that he coud and myght do, trustyng heraftir to have your help and -favour in that he shall have a do. And he told me and Stompis bothe, -whanne so evir he come he shuld be welcome, and that he wold do as welle -to hym as to fewe servauntes he had for yowr sake, and that he wold kepe -hym for yow. As for my self my mastres saith she woll geve me mete and -drynk for a season; nevirthelesse I am warnyd to be ware, for it is told -me that ther is processe out upon the appele ayens me and other; -wherfore I beseche yow that that mater may be take heed to as ye may, -that we myght have knowlech of any processe ther be, that we may be -ware, for I thynk verely, and I or any other come in ther hands this -world, we shuld not escape without shame at the leest. - -Item, as for the remnaunt of the mony biside this bille, ye owe to the -parson of Sent Edmondes Caster for iiij. combe malt, and ij. combe -whete, x_s._ whiche I promysid hym to pay; and Rob. Newton lymebrenner -for lyme, xiij_s._ iiij_d._, calling upon me for it; and Robert Bery for -shoyng, x_s._; and if it please yow that I make payment herof there -shall remayne in my handes xxiij_s._ iiij_d._ And what ye woll I do -herin, I beseche yow to send me word. Judy hath be with Thom Fastolff, -he can telle yow answer in that mater. As for the rewle at Caster, they -selle and make mony of such stuffe as they fond there, and kepe other -rewle that the contre is full sory and irk of, and of my lordes men -resortyng to hem, and riden about the contry onknowen, and by berynges -on hand[78-1] take large bribys. I pray God be your spede and send yow -some good meane for your wele and ease to them that owe yow servise. -Wretyn at Norwich the Monday next aftir Relik Sonday, - - Your pore servaunt, - - PAMPYNG. - - [Footnote 77-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Reference is made in this - letter to the appeal which the two widows were to sue against Sir - John Paston. _See_ Nos. 746, 747.] - - [Footnote 78-1: _See_ vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.] - - -752 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[79-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 15] - -I grete yow well and send yow Goddes blissyng and myne, letyng yow wete -that your fermours have brought me a gret bille of reparacion, the which -I send yow, with lx_s._ in mony. I wold have had the residue of the mony -of them, and they said it was your agrement that this reparacion shuld -be do and alowed now at this payment, and so I coud get no more mony of -them. And they say that the parson[79-2] was prevy to the reparacion. If -ye were thus agreed and woll have the reparacion examined ye may send -word; but I wold ye shuld purvey for your self as hastely as ye may, and -come home and take heed to your owne and to myn therto, otherwise thanne -ye have do bifore this, bothe for my profite and for yours, or ellis I -shall purvey for my self otherwise in hast, so that I trust shall be -more ease and avayle for me and non ease nor profite to yow in tyme to -come. I have litell help nor comfort of non of yow yet, God geve me -grase to have heraftir. I wold ye shuld assay whedir it be more -profitable for yow to serve me thanne for to serve such masters as ye -have servid afore this, and that ye fynde mooste profitable theraftir do -in tyme to come. Ye have assayed the werld resonabilly, ye shall knowe -your self the bettir heraftir. I pray God we may be in quyete and in -rest with oure own from hens forth. My power is nat so good as I wold it -were for your sake and other; and if it were, we shuld not longe be in -daungere. God brynge us oute of it; who have yow in His kepynge. Wretyn -with onhertes ease the Monday next aftir Relike Sonday. - - By your Modir. - - [Footnote 79-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, although - subscribed 'By your mother,' is neither signed nor addressed. It - is, however, undoubtedly from Margaret Paston to her son Sir John. - It is written in Pampyng's hand, and seems to be of the same year - as his own letter immediately preceding, which is dated on the - same day.] - - [Footnote 79-2: Sir Thomas Howes.] - - -753 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[80-1] - -_. . . . . Paston, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 5] - -Brother, I comand me to yow, &c. . . .[80-2] Also telle John Pampyng -that the mayde at the Bulle at Cludeys at Westminster sent me on a tyme -by hym to the Moor a rynge of goolde to a tookne, whyche I hadde not off -hym. Wherffor I wolle he scholde sende it hyedre, ffor sche most have -itt ageyn, or ellys v_s._, ffor it was not hyrrys. Item, I praye yow be -redye; the mater qwykennythe bothe ffor yowe and yowres as well as ffor -us and howrys. - -As ffor tydynges, my Lorde Erchebysshop[80-3] is at the Moor, but ther -is beleffte with hym dyverse off the Kynges servantes, and as I -understond he hathe lysence to tarry ther tyll he be sente ffor. Ther be -many ffolkes uppe in the northe, soo that Percy[80-4] is not able to -recyst them; and soo the Kynge hathe sente ffor hys ffeeodmen to koom to -hym, for he woll goo to putt them downe. And soom seye that the Kynge -sholde come ageyn to London, and that in haste, and as it is sayde -Cortenayes be londyd in Devenschyr, and ther rewle. - -Item, that the Lordes Clarance and Warwyk woll assaye to londe in -Inglonde evyrye daye, as ffolkes ffeer. - -I praye yow late not John Mylsent be longe ffrom me, with as moche as -can be gaderyd: and also that ye wryght to me off all thynges that I -have wretyn to yow ffor, so that I may have answer off every thynge. -Other thynges Bacheler Walter, berer heroff, schall informe yow. - -Wretyn at London, the Sondaye nexte beffor Seynt Lawrence Daye.[81-1] - -Also my brother Edmonde is not yet remembryd. He hathe not to lyff with, -thynk on hym, &c. - - JOHN PASTON, KT. - - [Footnote 80-1: [From Fenn, ii. 46.] This letter, as it will be - seen from the contents, was written at the period just before the - restoration of Henry VI.] - - [Footnote 80-2: Here follows an order about searching for some - writings, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 80-3: This must mean George Neville, Archbishop of York, - and brother to the Earl of Warwick, who seems to have been - suspected by the King, and left at the Moor as a kind of state - prisoner.--F.] - - [Footnote 80-4: Henry Percy, who was restored to the Earldom of - Northumberland this year on its surrender by John Nevill, Lord - Montague. _See_ No. 743.] - - [Footnote 81-1: St. Laurence's day is the 10th of August.] - - [[... Bacheler Walter, berer heroff, schall informe yow. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -754 - -ABSTRACT[81-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 7] - -Indenture, dated London, 7th Aug., 10 Edw. IV., whereby Sir John Paston -puts in pawn to Ric. Rawlyn of London, grocer, 2 chargers and 4 -potengers, weighing 11 lb. 1Ÿ oz. silver, for £20, till Whitsunday -following. - - [Footnote 81-2: [From Add. Charter 17,250, B.M.]] - - [[weighing 11 lb. 1Ÿ oz. silver - _period in "oz." missing_]] - - -755 - -ABSTRACT[81-3] - -[Sidenote: 1470] - -1470, 10 Aug., 10 Edw. IV., at Eshher. Undertaking in English by John -Paston, Esq., son of John Paston, Esq., who was one of the feoffees and -executors of Sir John Fastolf, that whereas Bishop Waynflete, also one -of the feoffees, and now sole executor, has taken upon him to perform -the will of the said Sir John, so far forth as it may be performed (it -being in most substance not yet performed, and his property wasted and -devoured), out of his manors and lands in Essex, Surrey, Norfolk, -Suffolk, and the city of Norwich, he (the said John Paston) will do true -and faithful service to the said Bishop, and will be aiding and -assisting to him and Magdalen College, in order that the lands may be -let to their greatest profit, he being rewarded by the Bishop, to show -his very good will to the due performing of Fastolf's will; and that -before the Feast of All Saints next he will deliver up to the said -Bishop all charters, deeds, evidences, rentals, accounts, etc., -pertaining to any of the said manors, excepting such as concern solely -the manor of Castre, which by covenant of the said Bishop with Sir John -Paston, Knight, brother of the said John Paston, Squire, must remain -with the same Sir John. - - [Footnote 81-3: The following abstract, like some others - preceding, is taken from Mr. Macray's Report to the Historical - MSS. Commission on the Records of Magdalen College, Oxford.] - - [[1470, 10 Aug., 10 Edw. IV., at Eshher. - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -756 - -ABSTRACTS[82-1] - -PAINTER'S WORK - -[Sidenote: 1470] - -1. Account of payments to Robert Spery, servant of Vyol, and others, for -working at the Frerys[82-2] in June and July; also for varnish, lead, -earthen pans, yellow ochre, oil, bristles to make brushes, etc., for -painter's work. - -_Endorsed_: 'Vialles byll comprisid in the iij. rolles of stuff and -werkmanship to A. P.[82-3] place and the Freris, which, as Clargynet -understondith, is paid to Viall.' - -'Memorandum: j. copy of this bill remayneth amonges the billes of -werkmanship at the White Freres and Baretts place, and a noder among the -billes of plate and Vialles plegis.' - -2. 'Bill indented,' 15th Aug. 10 Edw. IV., between William Paston, Esq., -and Thomas Vyall of Norwich, painter, relative to the pledging of -certain coral beads and plate to the former, for £5. - -3. Account of sums owing to one Vyall for certain persons 'at the -Freris,' during August, September, and October. Total, 32_s._ 10_d._ - -_Endorsed_: 'Viall's reckoning written in the roll of the Freris werke -not paid, and must be allowed of the £5 that was lent to Viall not yet -content again.' - -'Memorandum: one copy of this bill remaineth amongs the bills of -workmanship at the White Freris and Baretts place, and another bill -amongs the bills of plate and pledges.' - - [Footnote 82-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 82-2: Apparently the White Friars at Norwich.] - - [Footnote 82-3: Agnes Paston's?] - - [[... not yet / content again.' - _close quote missing_]] - - -757 - -FASTOLF'S COLLEGE[82-4] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 27] - -'4. John Paston, Squier, bindes himself to doe true and faithfull -service to the Bishop of Winton, and to be ayding to his college and -other his officers and tenants, for the landes of Sir John Falstolf, and -to deliver to him all deedes, evidences, etc., except such as concerne -the manor of Castre. Aug. 27, Edw. IV. 10.' - - [Footnote 82-4: This entry is from the same old index of deeds in - Magdalen College, Oxford, referred to in previous Nos.] - - -758 - -EDWARD IV. TO WILLIAM SWAN[83-1] - -_To oure welbelovid William Swan, Gentilman._ - - R. E. - - BY THE KING. - -[Sidenote: 1470 / SEPT. 7] - -Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And for soo muche as we be -credibly acertayned that our auncient ennemyes of Fraunce and our -outward rebells and traitors be drawe to gadre in acorde, and entende -hastily to lande in our countre of Kent, or in the parties therof ner -adjonyng, with grete might and power of Frenshemen, utterly to destroie -us and our true subgietts, and to subverte the comon wele of the same -our royalme: We straitly charge and commaunde you, upon the feyth and -liegeaunce that ye bare unto us, that ye arredie you with alle the -felaship ye can make, and as sone as ye may undrestonde that thay lande -in our said countie or nerbye, that you draw thider, as we have -comaunded othere our subgietts to doo, and put you in uttremost devoir -with thaim to resiste the malice of our said ennemyes and traitours; and -if thai and ye be not of power soo to doo, that thanne ye drawe you to -our citie of London, by which tyme we trust to be there in our owne -personne or nerby; and if we be not that, that thanne ye do farther all -ye shal bee commaunded by our Counsail there, upon the payne above said. - -Yeven undre oure signet at oure citie of York, the vij. day of Septembr. - - [Footnote 83-1: [From Fenn, iv. 438.] This letter does not - properly belong to the Paston correspondence. It was copied by - Fenn from an original in the library of Brigg Price Fountaine, - Esq. of Narford, in Norfolk, nephew and heir of the celebrated - antiquary, Sir Andrew Fountaine. The MS. was contained in a - volume of State Papers, some of them originals, and some copies, - of various dates, which had belonged to Sir Edward Coke. - - The date of the document is undoubtedly in September 1470, when - Edward was at York, anticipating the invasion of Clarence and - the Earl of Warwick, aided by the King of France.] - - - - -THE PASTON LETTERS - -_Henry VI. Restored_ - - - - -759 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[84-1] - -_To my ryght worchipfull Modyr, Margaret Paston, be thys delyuered._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 12] - -Aftyr humbyll and most dew recommendacyon, as lowly as I can, I beseche -yow of yowr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to wet that, blyssyd be God, my brodyr -and I be in good hele; and I tryst that we shall do ryght well in all -owyr maters hastyly; ffor my Lady of Norff.[84-2] hathe promyssyd to be -rewlyd by my Lord of Oxynforthe[84-3] in all syche maters as belonge to -my brodyr and to me; and as for my Lord of Oxynforthe, he is bettyr Lord -to me, by my trowthe, than I can wyshe hym in many maters; for he sente -to my Lady of Norff. by John Bernard only for my mater, and for non -othyr cause, my onwetyng [_i.e._ without my knowledge], or wythout eny -preyer of me, for when he sente to hyr I was at London, and he at -Colchestyr, and that is a lyeklyod he remembyrthe me. - -The Dwk and the Dwchess swe to hym as humbylly as evyr I dyd to them; in -so myche that my Lord of Oxynforth shall have the rwyll of them and -thers, by ther owne desyirs and gret meanys. - -As for the ofyces that ye wrot to my brodyr for and to me, they be for -no poore men; but I tryst we shall sped of othyr ofyseys metly for us, -for my Mastyr the Erle of Oxynforthe bydeth me axe and have. I trow my -brodyr Syr John shall have the Constabyllshep of Norwyche Castyll, with -xx_li._ of ffee; all the Lordys be agreyd to it. - -Tydyngs, the Erle of Wyrcestyr[85-1] is lyek to dye this day, or to -morow at the ferthest. John Pylkyngton, Mr. W. att Clyff, and Fowler ar -takyn, and in the Castyll of Pomfrett, and ar lyek to dye hastyly, with -owte they be dead. Sir T. Mongomere and Joudone be takyn; what shall -falle of hem I can not sey. - -The Qwen[85-2] that was, and the Dwchess of Bedford,[85-3] be in -seyntuary at Westmestyr; the Bysheop of Ely[85-4] with othyr Bysheopys -ar in Seynt Martyns. When I here more, I shall send yow more. I prey God -send yow all your desyrs. Wretyn at London on Seynt Edwards Evyn. - - Your sone and humbyll servant, - - J. P. - -Modyr, I beseche yow that Brome may be spoken to, to gadyr up my syllvyr -at Gwton in all hast possybyll, for I have no mony. Also that it lyek -yow that John Mylsent may be spoken to, to kep well my grey horse, and -he be alyve, and that he spare no met on hym, and that he have konnyng -lechys to look to hym. As for my comyng hom, I knowe no serteynte, for I -terry tyll my Lady of Norff. com to go thorow with the maters, and she -shall not be here tyll Sonday. - - [Footnote 84-1: [From Fenn, ii. 50.] The contents of this letter - clearly refer to the state of matters on the restoration of Henry - VI.] - - [Footnote 84-2: Elizabeth, daughter of John Talbot, first Earl of - Shrewsbury, was the wife of John Mowbray, fifth Duke of Norfolk.] - - [Footnote 84-3: John de Vere, a staunch Lancastrian.] - - [Footnote 85-1: John Tiptoft, Lord Treasurer and Chief-Constable - of England. He was beheaded on a charge of cruelty, 18th October - 1470.] - - [Footnote 85-2: Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of Edward IV.] - - [Footnote 85-3: Jaquetta of Luxemburg, Duchess-Dowager of Bedford, - widow of Sir Richard Woodville, the mother of Edward's queen.] - - [Footnote 85-4: William Gray.] - - -760 - -THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK'S MEN[86-1] - -_To the Baillies, Constables, and Chamberleyns of our Burgh of Eye, and -to everch of them._ - -THE DUKE OF SUFF. - -[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 22] - -For asmuche as Edmond Lee and John Barker, which were waged for your -town to awaite upon us in the Kings service to Lincolne Feld, and from -thens to Excestre and ayen, and for that season, as we be enfourmed, -thei ar not yet fully contented and paied of their wages; wherfore upon -the sighte herof we woll and charge that ye, with oute any lenger delay, -paie them their hooll duties acording the covenants that ye made with -them, and ye faille not herof as ye entende our pleaser. - -Wreten at Wyngefeld, the xxij^th day of Octobr. - - SUFFOLK. - - [Footnote 86-1: [From Fenn, iv. 448.] The battle here referred to - as 'Lincoln Field' is what is commonly called the battle of - Stamford, in which the insurrection of Sir Robert Welles in - Lincolnshire was completely defeated in March 1470. Just before - the date of this document, Edward IV. had left the kingdom, and - Henry VI. had been restored; but perhaps Suffolk was not aware of - the situation, or did not recognise it.] - - -761 - -MARGARET PASTON TO [JOHN PASTON][86-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 28] - -I grete you wele and send you Goddis blyssyng and myn, and I sende you -be the berere herof all the sylver vessell that your graundam[86-3] -makyth so mych of, which she seid I had of myn husband, and myn husband -shuld have had it of his fader. And wher as she seid that I shuld have -had a garneys, I had ner see never more than I send you, that is to say, -ij. plateris, vj. dysshes and vj. sawceris. The ij. playteris weyn -xliij. unces di., and the vj. dysshes weyn lxxiiij. unces di. and the -sawcers weyn xvij. unces j. quarter. And I marvayll that ye sent me not -word what an unce of sylver is werth at London; for it had be lesse -joparte to have sold it here and have sent you the money than the plate. -I myght have sold it her for iij_s._ an unce, sum xx_li._ iiij_s._ -iij_d._ Be ware how that ye spend it, but in acquityng you ageyn such as -ye be in daunger to, or abought the good speed of your materis; for, but -if ye take odere heed to your expensis, ye shall do your self and your -frendis gret diswurchep and enpoveryssh so them that non of us shall -help other, to owr elmys [_enemies'_] grete comfort. It is understand -ryght now in this countre be such as cleyme to be frendly to you in what -grete daunger and nede ye stande in, bothe to diverse of your frendis -and to your elmyse. And also it is noysed that I have departed so -largely with you that I may nowthere help yow, my self nor none of my -frendis; which is no wurchep, and causeth me to set the lesse be us; and -at this tyme it compellith me to breke up howshold and to sogeorn; which -I am right loth to have to do if I myght otherwyse have chosyn; for it -caused gret clamour in this town[87-1] that I shall do so; and it shuld -not have neded if I had restreyned whan I myght. Therfore for Goddis -sake take hede here to, and be ware from hens forth; for I have -delivered and sent you bothyn my parte the dedis and yowris, and not -restreyned nowthere for my self nor the dede. Where fore I thynk we -spede and fare all the wers; for it is a fowle slaunder that he was so -wurchepful beried and his qwethword not performed, and so litill do for -hym sithen. And now though I wold do for hym, I have right not -[_naught_] beside my lyffelode that I may make any chevysans with, with -ought grete slaunder; and my lyffelode encreasith evill, for I am fayn -to takyn Mautby in myn owyn hand, and to set up husbandry ther; and how -it shall profite me God knowyth. The fermour owyth me lxxx_li._ and -more. Whan I shall have it I wete never. Therfore be never the bolder in -your expenses for any help ye trust to have of me. For I will fro hens -forth bryng my self ought of such daunger as I stand in for your sakes, -and do for the dede and for them that I have my goodis of; for till I do -so, I know for certeyn that I shall fayll grace and displeas God, How -[_who_] have you in His kepyng. Wretyn on Sent Symondis day and Judes in -hast.--Be your Moder. - -Item, I send zow ij. sherte clothys, iche of iii. zardis of the fynest -that is in thys towne. I xuld a dohem mad here[88-1] but that xuld a be -to long here [_ere_] ze xuld a had hem. Zour Awnte[88-2] or sum other -good woman wule do her almes up on zow for the makyng of them. I thank -zow for the gowne that ye gave me Halowmesse day I hope [I[88-3]] xole -be wurshuped ther with. At reverence of God, be ware and take hed to -soche thynggis as is wretyn with ynne thys letter. Telle your brother -that the mony is not zet cownyd that I xuld send hym for thersarsenet -(_sic_) and damaske that I spake to hym foor. As for the damaske that -may be forebore tylle the nexte terme, but as for the sarsenet I woold -have yt and yt mythe be, for I goo in my rentis. Late zour -brothere[88-4] see thys letter. As fore your syster[88-5] I can send zow -no good tydyngges of her, God make her a good wooman. - - [Footnote 86-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 206.] This letter was written - by Margaret Paston to one of her two sons, Sir John or John, at a - time when they were both together. That was the case in October - 1470, as appears by a letter of the younger brother, written on - the 12th (No. 759), to the postscript of which this seems to be an - answer.] - - [Footnote 86-3: Agnes Paston, the judge's widow.] - - [Footnote 87-1: Norwich.] - - [Footnote 88-1: 'I xuld a dohem mad here' = I should have got them - made here.] - - [Footnote 88-2: Elizabeth, widow of Robert Poynings.] - - [Footnote 88-3: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 88-4: Sir John Paston, if this letter be to the younger - brother.] - - [Footnote 88-5: Margery Paston, now probably married to Richard - Calle.] - - -762 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[88-6] - -_To John Paston, Esquyere, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / NOV. 15] - -Brother, I comand me to yow, praying yow that thys be yow guydyng, if -other folkys wy[ll] agree to the same, that Mr. Roos, olde Knevett, ye, -and the worshypfullest that wyll do for owr sake, as Arblaster, John -Gyneye, Wodhows, and al other gentelmen that at the daye wyll be in -Norwyche, that ye all holl as on bodye come to geder, that my Lorde of -Oxenforde maye ondrestande that som strenkethethe restyth ther by, -whyche if it be well handely[d] and prove in the handely[ng], I trow -Heydonnes parte woll be but an easy comparyson. Neverthelesse ye than -most ye be war of on [_one_] payn, and that is thys: Heydon wyll of -crafte sende amonge yow per case vj. or mor with harneyse for to -sclandre yowr felawschep, with seyng that they be ryotous peple, and -natt of substance. Requer the gentelmen above wretyn that if any men be -in Norwyche of the contre that ber any suche harneyse, to do them leve -it or any glysteryng byll. - -The Meyr and siteseynes of Nowyche wher wonte to have asertayne[89-1] in -harneyse of men of the town to the nombr of ij. or iij. or v.^c., whyche -if they now do in lyke case, those wole owe better wyll to Mr. Roos and -yow than to other folkys; and if it be so that the thowt nat to have non -suche at thys tyme, I thynke the Meyr woll do it at the request of Mr. -Roos and yow, if lak of tyme cawse it not. - -Item, be well war of Clopton, for he hathe avysed my Lorde to be all -to gydre rewled by Heydon, in so moche he hathe reportyd that all thyng -and all materys of my Lordes, and in all the contre, scholde guydyd by -Heydon. If Clopton or Hygham or Lowes John be besy, prese in to my Lorde -byfor them, for the be no Suff.[89-2] materys, and tell the raylyng; -prayng them not to cawse my Lorde to owe hys favor for the pleser to -som folkys ther present. For if my Lorde favoryd or theye owther, by -lykelyed my Lorde and they myght lose vj. tyme as many frendes as he -scholde wynn by ther meanes. Also if ye cowde fynde the meanes, Mr. R. -and ye, to cawse [the] Meyr in my Lordes ere to telle hym, thow he -scholde bynde my Lorde to concell, that the love of the contre and syte -restyth on owr syde, and that other folkys be not belovyd, ner nevyr -wer, thys wolde do nonn harme, if it be soo that all thynge go olyver -currant (?); with mor to remembre that ther is owt of that contre that -be nat at Norw. besyde me, that be ryght worshypfull, and as worshypfull -as few be lengyng to Norff., that woll and schall do my Lorde servyse -the rather for my sake and Master Rossys, and the rather if my Lorde -semyth nat moche thynge to Heydon guydyng. - -Also, the godely menes wherby ye best can entrete my cosyn Sir W. -Calthorpe at the seyde day, wse them to cawe hym, if itt wyll be, to -come, ye in hys companye, and he in yow in cheff at yow cheff schew, and -Mr. Roos and he in company, latyng my seyde cosyn wete that I tolde hym -ones that I scholde meve hym of a thyng I trostyn scholde be encressyng -bothe to hys honor and well. - -I sende yow a lettyr, com to Norwyche by lyklyed to yow on Monday last -past. It come some what the lattre, for I wende have dyed nat longe by -foer it. Also I receyved on from yow by Mr. Blomvyle yister evyn. Tell -my cosyn W. Yelverton that he may not appyr of a whylle in no wyse. -I trow my cosyn hys fadr schall sende hym worde of the same. Do that ye -can secretly that my Lorde be nat hevy Lorde on to hym. It is -undrestande that itt is doon by the craffte of Heydon. He gate hym in to -that offyce to have to be ageyn me, and nowe he sethe that he hathe don -all that he can ageyn me, and now may doo no mor; nowe he wolde remeve -hym. The daye is comen that he fastyd the evyn for, as an holye yonge -monke fastyd mor than all the covent, aftr that for hys holynesse and -fastyng hopyd to be abbott, whyche afterwarde was abbott; than lefte he -hys abstynens, seyng, 'The daye was come that he fast the evyn for.' - -Brother, I pray yow recomand me to my Lord of Oxford gode Lordshyp. And -wher as I told my Lord that I shuld have awayted uppon hys Lordsyp in -Norff., I wold that I myght soo have don lever then a hundred _li._; but -in godefeth thos maters that I told my Lord trewed shold lette me war -not fynyshed tyl yesterday. Wherfor yf that cause, and also syn -Halowmasse every other day myst not hold uppe myn heed, nor yet may, in -semech that sythen the seyd day, in Westminster Halle and in other -place, I have goon with a staffe as a goste, as men sayd, more lyke that -I rose owte of the erth then owte of a fayr laydys bedd; and yet am in -lyke case, savyng I am in gode hope to amende. Wherfor I beshyche hys -Lordshyp to pardon me, and at a nother tyme I shall make dobell amends; -for by my trouth a man cowyd not have hyred me for v. mark with so gode -will to have ryden in to Norff. as to have at thys season ther to have -awaytyd in hys Lordshyp, and also I wold have ben glad for my Lord shold -have knowyn what servys that I myght have don hys Lordshyp in that -contray. - -Item, your geer ys send to you, as Thomas Stampes sayth, savyng Mylsents -geer and the shafeson,[91-1] whych I cannot entrete Thomas Stampes to -goo therfor thys iij. or iiij. days, wherfor I knokkyd hym on the -crowne, &c. - -Item, loke that ye take hyde that the letter wer not broken or that it -com to your hands, &c. Wryten at London, on Thursday next after Seynt -Erkenwolds Day, &c. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 88-6: [From Fenn, iv. 450.] From what is said in this - letter about the Earl of Oxford, it is impossible that it could - have been written at any other time than during the brief - restoration of Henry VI., which only lasted from October 1470 till - April following.] - - [Footnote 89-1: _A certain_, _i.e._ a number.] - - [Footnote 89-2: I retain this word in the abbreviated form in - which it is printed in Fenn's literal transcript; the copy in - modern spelling reads _sufficient_.] - - [Footnote 91-1: _Chevron_, a covering for a horse's head, made of - iron and leather.] - - [[if it be soo that all thynge go olyver / currant (?) - _text has "that that": corrected from Fenn_ - _"olyver currant" may be the Old French "(avoir) l'olivier courant" - (to have a favorable wind)_]] - - -763 - -ABSTRACT[91-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 6] - -[1470] 6 Dec., on paper. Notice in English from the Duke of Norfolk to -Philippe Cosard, William Dux, and other of his servants and tenants in -the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, to depart out of the manor of -Castre, and all other manors and lands which he bought of Sir W. -Yelverton and other executors of Sir J. Fastolf, as soon as they can -conveniently remove all his stuff and their own which is therein, he -having consented, at the desire of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the -Chancellor of England, and the Bishop of Winchester, to give up the said -manor, etc. Signed by the Duke, 'Norff.' Small seal of arms, three lions -passant, in chief, a label of three points, a straw round the seal. - - [Footnote 91-2: The following abstract is taken from Mr. Macray's - Report on the Documents in Magdalen College, Oxford, already - referred to.] - - -764 - -ABSTRACT[92-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 11] - -1470, 11 Dec., 49 Hen. VI., 'and of the readepcion of his roiall power -1.' Release (in English) from John, Duke of Norfolk, to Bishop -Wayneflete, of the manors of Castre, Wyntertone, Baytone, Bastwik, and -Tolthorpe, in Norfolk, and of Caldecote, Burneviles or Burnegyles, in -Suffolk, which had been sold to him by Nicholas, Abbot of Langle, Will. -Yelverton, Knight, Justice, Thomas Howes, clerk, and Will. Worcetre, and -of which the said Yelverton, Howes, and Will. Jenney, as feoffees, with -others, for Sir J. Fastolf, of the said manors, enfeoffed the said Duke -and others by deed, dated 1st. Oct., 8 Edw. IV. [1468], the said Duke -being informed by the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, and by the -said Bishop of Winchester, that the said bargain was made contrary to -the will of the said Sir John Fastolf. Covenants also to deliver up all -evidences concerning the same, specially the said deed of feoffment and -two papers, one with four seals specifying the said bargain, and another -with three seals specifying a license to enter on all Fastolf's manors -till the bargain be performed. And for this reconveyance the said Bishop -pays to the said Duke 500 marks. - - [Footnote 92-1: This abstract is also taken from Mr. Macray's - Report on the Documents in Magdalen College.] - - -765 - -ABSTRACT[92-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 24] - -1470, 24 Dec., 49 Hen. VI., 'and of the readepcione of his royall power, -the first.' Acknowledgment by 'the highe and myghti Prynce, John, Duke -of Norff.,' of the receipt of 100 marks from the Bishop of Winchester, -being part of 250 marks which the said Bishop has promised to pay upon -knowledge of the delivery of the manor of Castre, and other lordships -specified in a writing between the said parties, unto the feoffees of -the said Bishop. - - [Footnote 92-2: This abstract is from the same report as the two - last.] - - -766 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[93-1] - -_To John Paston the yonger, be this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1470(?) / DEC. [28]] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, latyng you wete -that sith ye departed my Cosyn Calthorp sent me a letter, compleyning in -his wrytyng that for asmych as he can not be payd of his tenaunts as he -hat be befor this tyme, he purposith to lesse his howshold, and to leve -the streytlyer. Wharfor he desireth me to purvey for your suster Anne; -he seth she waxeth hygh, and it wer tyme to purvey her a mariage. - -I marveyll what causeth hym to write so now; outher she hath displeased -hym, or ell[es] he hath takyn her with diffaught. Therfor I pray you -comune with my Cosyn Clere at London, and wete how he is dysposyd to her -ward, and send me word, for I shall be fayn to send for her, and with me -she shall but lese her tyme, and with ought she wull be the better -occupied she shall oftyn tymes meve me, and put me in gret -inquietenesse. Remembr what labour I had with your suster, therfor do -your parte to help her forth, that may be to your wurchiep and myn. - -Item, remembr the bill that I spake to you of, to gete of your brother -of such money as he hath receyvid of me sith your faders disseas. Se -your Unkyll Mautby, if ye may, and send me sume tydyngs as sonee as ye -may. God kepe you. - -Wretyn the Fryday next befor Sent Thomas of Caunterbury, in hast. - - By your Moder. - - [Footnote 93-1: [From Fenn, iv. 288.] This letter was probably - written in or about the year 1470. Anne Paston, the sister of John - Paston, here mentioned, was married to William Yelverton, a - grandson of the Judge, in 1474 (Itin. W. Wyrc. 369), and the match - had been already determined (as will appear in a future letter) - before June 1472. At the date of this letter she was still staying - in Calthorpe's household, into which, after the manner of the - times, she had been sent for her education; and Calthorpe desiring - to reduce his establishment, suggested, somewhat earlier than her - mother anticipated, that it was time to provide a husband for - her.] - - -767 - -ABSTRACT[94-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 12] - -Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 50. 'John Paston, Knight, binds himself -to performe all appoyntments made betweene him and W. Wanflet, Byshop of -Winton, concerning certayne landes which were Sir John Fastolfes. Feb. -12, Hen. VI. 49.' - - [Footnote 94-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -768 - -ABSTRACT[94-2] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 14] - -Release by John Beauchamp, Knight, Lord Beauchamp, to John Paston and -Roger Townesend, Esqs., of his interest in the manors of Castre called -Redhams, Vaus, and Bosoms; and in the manors of Begviles in Wyntirton, -Spensers in Heryngby, Reppes in Bastwyk, and a third part of the manor -of Runham; and in all lands called Billes in Stokesby, Cattes in -Haringby, a messuage called Dengayns in Yarmouth, and all lands and -tenements in the hundreds of East Flegge and West Flegge in Norfolk; -which premises Lord Beauchamp lately had in conjunction with Thomas, -Archbishop of Canterbury, William Yelverton, Justice, William Jenney, -Serjeant-at-law, and William Paston, now surviving, and John Radclyff of -Attylburgh, John Paston, Hen. Fylongley, Esqs., Thomas Howes, clerk, and -Thomas Grene, now deceased, of the gift and feoffment of Ralph Boteler, -Knight, Lord Sudeley, Sir William Oldhall, Ric. Waller, Esq., Thos. -West, Esq., William Wangford, and Nich. Girlyngton. - -Dated 14th Feb., 49 and 1 Hen. VI. - - [Footnote 94-2: [From a MS. in the Bodleian Library.]] - - -769 - -THE EARL OF OXFORD TO THOMAS VERE[94-3] - -_To my right dere and welbeloved brother, Thomas Veer._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 14] - -Right dere and welbeloved brother, I command me hertly unto you; -certyfying you that I have receyved your writing, directed now laste -unto me, by my servant William Cooke, by which I understande the -faithfull gwydyng and disposicion of the cuntre, to my gret cumfote and -pleaser; which I dowbte not shall redunde to the grethest presyng and -worship that ever dide till eny cuntre; certyfying you ferdermore that -by Nicheson of your other tydyngs laste send unto me; also thes by Robt. -Porter. I have disposed me with all the power that I can make in Essex -and Suffolk, Cambrygeshire, and other places, to be on Monday next -comyng at Bury, which purpose I intende to observe, with Godds grace, -towards you in to Norffolk, to the assistence of you and the cuntre, in -case Edwarde with his companye had aryved ther, and yete I shall do the -same noughtwithstandyng; for if he aryve northwarde, like as ye wete by -likelyhode he shulde, I caste to folow and porsew hym. And where ye -desire that I shulde send you woorde what disposicion shalbe take in the -cuntre wher ye be, I desire you that ye, by theadvyse of the gentilmen -which ben there, chese iij. or iiij., and send theym to me at Bury on -Monday next; and than I and they, with my Counceyle, shall take a -direccion for the suretie of all that cuntre, by Godds grace; by whome I -shall send than to you relacion, wheder ye shall remayne still ther your -selff, or resorte to me with all thos that be accompanyed with you. And -Jhesu preserve you. At Hithingham [_Hedingham_], the xiiij. day of -Marche. - - By your lovyng brothyr, - - OXYNFORD. - - [Footnote 94-3: [From Fenn, ii. 54.] It is sufficiently apparent - from the contents that this was written during the restoration of - Henry VI., and in anticipation of the attempt by King Edward, - which was very soon afterwards successful, to recover his throne. - Edward in fact landed at Ravenspur the very day this letter was - written.] - - -770 - -THE EARL OF OXFORD TO HENRY SPILMAN AND OTHERS[95-1] - -_To my right trusty and welbelovyd Henry Spilman, Thos. Seyve, John -Seyve, James Radclif, John Brampton the older, and to eche of them._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 19] - -Trusty and welbeloved, I comende me to you, lettyng you witte that I -have credible tydyngs that the Kyngs gret enemys and rebellis, -acompanyed with enemys estraungers, be nowe aryved, and landyd in the -north parties of this his land, to the utter destruction of his roiall -persone, and subversion of all his realm, if they myght atayne; whom to -encountre and resiste the Kings Highnesse hath comaunded and assigned -me, under his seall, sufficient power and auctorite to call, reyse, -gader, and assemble, fro tyme to tyme, all his liege people of the shire -of Norff., and other places, to assiste, ayde, and strenght me in the -same entent. - -Wherfor, in the Kyngs name, and by auctorite aforesaid, I straitly -charge and command you, and in my owne byhalf hertly desire and pray -you, that, all excuses leid apart, ye, and eche of you in your owne -persones defensibly araied, with asmony men as ye may goodly make, be on -Fryday next comyng at Lynne, and so forth to Newark, where, with the -leve of God, I shall not faile to be at that tyme; entendyng fro thence -to goo foorth with the help of God, you, and my fryndes, to the recountr -of the said enemyes; and that ye faill not hereof, as ye tendre the -weele of our said sovereygne Lord, and all this his realme. Written at -Bury, the xix^th day of Marche. - - OXYNFORD. - - [Footnote 95-1: [From Fenn, ii. 58.] This letter was evidently - written five days after the last.] - - -771 - -JAMES GRESHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON[96-1] - -_To the right worshipfull and speciall singler maister, Sir John Paston, -Knyght, be this delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -After due recomendacion hadde with all my service, &c. . . . -. . .[96-2] - -As for tydyngs, here in this cuntre be many tales, and non accorth with -other. It is tolde me by the Undirshireve that my Lord of Clarence is -goon to his brother, late Kyng; in so moche that his men have the -Gorget[96-3] on their breests, and the Rose over it. And it is seid that -the Lord Howard hath proclamed Kyng E. Kyng of Inglond in Suff., &c. - - Yours, and at your comandement, - - JAMES GRESHAM. - - [Footnote 96-1: [From Fenn, ii. 60.] The political news in this - letter show that it was written after the landing of Edward IV. in - Yorkshire.] - - [Footnote 96-2: 'Here,' according to Fenn, 'follow copies of - indictments and appeals procured against Sir John Paston and his - servants; and likewise other law business.' The indictments and - appeals in question are doubtless those referred to in the next - No.] - - [Footnote 96-3: A collar worn round the neck.--F.] - - -772 - -ABSTRACT[97-1] - -A Register of Writs, etc., which was probably sent with the preceding -letter. It is addressed on the back, 'To Sir John Paston,' and endorsed -'James Gresham.' - - * * * - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston, late of Castre, for his appearance -in the King's Bench, Easter, 8 Edw. IV. 'Per Contr. de Anno viij^o E. -iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij.[97-2] Vynter.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, late of Castre, -with _capias_ against William Wykes, late of Castre; Edmund Brome, late -of Redeham; and John Dawebeney, late of Castre; Thurstan Cokesson, -_alias_ Starky, late of Castre; John Pampyng, late of Castre; and Henry -Swete, late of Castre, yeoman, for their appearance in the King's Bench -in Easter to answer for offences against the statute _de ingressibus -manu forti_. 'Per Contr' de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij. -Vynter.' - -'Of these ij. writtes ar _supersedeas_ delyvered to the Undirshirreve.' - -Writ of exigent against John Pampyng, late of Castre, gent., and Edmund -Brome of Castre, gent., 'Oct' Joh'is,' appealed by Cecilia, widow of -John Colman, as principals in the death of her husband. Ro. 67. 'Breve -istud deliberatur de recordo, Hill. xlix. Sonde.' - -Another writ of exigent against Pampyng and Brome at the King's suit for -divers felonies and murders. 'Ro. xvj. Per Contr' de Anno x^o E. -iiij^{ti}. Ro. xij^o Vynter.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle for their appearance -in the King's Bench in Easter term, on an indictment for forcible entry. -'Per Contr' de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxix.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ -against John Wykes, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and -Thurstan Cokesson, _alias_ Starky, late of Castre, for their appearance -in the King's Bench in Easter term, on an indictment of forcible entry. -'Per Contr' de Anno viij. E. iiij^ti. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ -against John Wykes, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and Thurstan, etc., -for Easter. 'Per Contr. de Anno viij. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.' - -_Capias_ against John Pampyng, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, late of -Redeham, William Bedford and Edmund Mason, late of Bychamwelle, laborer, -and Alex. Cok of Norwich, yeoman, 'xv. Pasch.,' appealed by Christiana, -widow of Thos. Mylys, in Easter term, as principals in the death of her -husband. Also _capias_ against William Paston of Norwich and Ralph -Lovell of Bychamwelle, gent., appealed as accessaries. Ro. lxix. -Registrum Sonde.' - - [***] All the above writs are for the county of Norfolk. - - [Footnote 97-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 97-2: The Controlment Roll 8 Edw. IV. is now missing.] - - -773 - -ABSTRACT[98-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 10] - -'30. Relaxatio Johannis Paston facta episc. Winton, et aliis totius -juris in maneriis vocat. Akethorp in Leyestoft, Spitlings in Gorleston, -Habland in Bradwell, etc., quæ quondam fuerunt Johannis Fastolf.--April -10, Edw. IV. 11.' - - [Footnote 98-1: This is another entry from the old index of deeds - in Magdalen College, Oxford. There is probably some slight error - in the date, as Edward IV. was not acknowledged as King on the - 10th April, in what would otherwise have been the eleventh year of - his reign. He was so acknowledged a few days later--_i.e._ after - the battle of Barnet, which was fought on the 14th April--so that - if the date had been, say, April 20, instead of April 10, it would - have been quite consistent. It is impossible, however, to say - where the error lies, so we place the document under the date - actually expressed in it.] - - - - -THE PASTON LETTERS - -_Edward IV._ - - - - -774 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[99-1] - -_To my Moodre._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 18] - -Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette that, blyssed be God, my -brother John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. -Never the lesse he is hurt with an arow on hys ryght arme, be nethe the -elbow; and I have sent hym a serjon, whyche hathe dressid hym, and he -tellythe me that he trustythe that he schall be all holl with in ryght -schort tyme. It is so that John Mylsent is ded, God have mercy on hys -sowle! and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe, and hys other servants all be -askepyd by all lyklihod. - -Item, as ffor me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God; and in no joparte -off my lyffe, as me lyst my self; for I am at my lyberte iff nede bee. - -Item, my Lorde Archebysshop[99-2] is in the Towr; neverthelesse I trust -to God that he schall do well i noghe; he hathe a saffe garde for hym -and me bothe. Neverthelesse we have ben troblyd syns, but nowe I -undrestande that he hathe a pardon; and so we hope well. - -Ther was kyllyd uppon the ffelde, halffe a myle ffrom Bernett, on -Esterne Daye, the Erle of Warwyk, the Marqweys Montacu, Sir William -Terrell,[100-1] Sir Lewes Johns, and dyverse other Esquiers off owr -contre, Godmerston and Bothe. - -And on the Kynge Edwardes partye, the Lord Cromwell,[100-2] the Lord -Saye,[100-3] Sir Omffrey Bowghsher[100-4] off owr contre, whyche is a -sore moonyd man her, and other peple off bothe partyes to the nombre off -mor then a m^l. - -As for other tythynges, is undrestande her that the Qwyen Margrett is -verrely londyd and hyr sone in the west contre, and I trow that as to -morow, or ellys the next daye, the Kynge Edwarde wyll depart ffrom hense -to hyr warde, to dryve her owt ageyn. - -Item, I beseche yow that I may be recomendyd to my cosyn Lomner, and to -thanke hym ffor hys goode wyll to me wardes, iff I had hadde nede, as I -undrestoode by the berer heroff; and I beseche you on my behalve to -advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng or langage as yit, ffor the -worlde, I ensur yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall know with in thys -monthe; the peple heer feerythe it soor. - -God hathe schewyd Hym selffe marvelouslye lyke Hym that made all, and -can undoo ageyn whan Hym lyst; and I kan thynke that by all lyklyod -schall schewe Hym sylff as mervylous ageyn, and that in schort tyme; -and, as I suppose, offter than onys in casis lyke. - -Item, it is soo that my brother is on purveyed off monye. I have holpyn -hym to my power and above. Wherffor as it pleasythe yow remembre hym, -ffor kan not purveye ffor my selffe in the same case. - -Wretyn at London the thorysdaye in Esterne weke. I hope hastely to see -yow. - -All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye not adoghtyd off the worlde, ffor -I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe, I ame not all -undon, nor noon off us; and iff otherwyse, then, &c. &c. - - [Footnote 99-1: [From Fenn, ii. 62.] This letter, as shown by the - contents, was written just four days after the battle of Barnet, - by which Edward IV. recovered his throne. It is not signed, but - the writer is Sir John Paston.] - - [Footnote 99-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York. It was from - the custody of this prelate that Edward escaped, after having been - surprised and taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick, in 1470: - perhaps the kind treatment of his then prisoner now procured his - pardon.--F.] - - [Footnote 100-1: Sir William Tyrell was cousin to Sir James - Tyrell, the afterwards supposed murderer of Edward V. and his - brother the Duke of York.--F.] - - [Footnote 100-2: Humphrey Bourchier, third son of Henry, Earl of - Essex, had summons to Parliament, in 1461, as Lord Cromwell, in - right of his wife.--F.] - - [Footnote 100-3: William Fienes, Lord Say.] - - [Footnote 100-4: Son of John, Lord Berners.] - - -775 - -[THE EARL OF OXFORD] TO A LADY[101-1] - -_To the ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady._[101-2] - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -Ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady, I recomande me to yow, lettyng yow -wete that I am in gret hevynes at the makyng of thys letter; but thankyd -be God, I am eschapyd my selfe, and sodenly departyd fro my men; for I -undyrstand my chapleyn wold have detrayed me; and if he com in to the -contre, let hym be mad seuer, &c. Also ye shall gyff credence to the -brynger of thys letter, and I beseke yow to reward hym to hys costs; for -I was not in power at the makyng of thys letter to gyff hym, but as I -wass put in trest by favar of strange pepyll, &c. - -Also ye shall send me in all hast all the redi money that ye can make, -and asse mone of my men asse can com well horsyd; and that they cum in -dyverse parcellys. Also that my horsse be sent, with my stele sadelles; -and byd the yoman of the horse cover theym with ledder. Also ye shall -send to my moder,[101-3] and let hyr wete of thys letter, and pray hyr -of hyr blessyng, and byd hyr send me my kasket, by thys tokyn; that she -hathe the key theroff, but it is brokyn. - -Also ye shall send to the Pryor of Thetford,[101-4] and byd hym send me -the sum of gold that he seyd that I schuld have. Also sey to hym by thys -token, that I schewyd hym the fyrst Prive Seale, &c. Also lete Pastun, -Fylbryg, Brews, come to me. Also ye shall delyver the brynger of thys -letter an horsse, sadell, and brydell. Also ye schallbe of gud cher, and -take no thowght, for I schall brynge my purpose abowte now by the grace -of God, Qwhome have yow in kepyng. - - O . . . D (?). - - [Footnote 101-1: [From Fenn, ii. 68.] The signature of this letter - is composed of flourishes which were probably devised on purpose - to make it unintelligible. Fenn suggests that the first character - may be taken for an O, and the last for a D; but to our thinking - the resemblance is rather difficult to trace. There is, however, - great probability in his conjecture that the writer was the Earl - of Oxford, and the date just after the battle of Barnet.] - - [Footnote 101-2: Margaret, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of - Salisbury, sister to the late Earl of Warwick, and wife of John de - Vere, Earl of Oxford.--F.] - - [Footnote 101-3: Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir John Howard, - Knight, who was the grandfather of John Howard, first Duke of - Norfolk of that name. She was now the widow of John de Vere, late - Earl of Oxford.] - - [Footnote 101-4: John Vescey, Prior of Thetford, from 1441 to - 1479.--F.] - - -776 - -JOHN PASTON OF GELSTON TO MARGARET PASTON[102-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 30] - -Aftyr humbyll and most dew recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can, -I beseche you of your blyssyng, preying God to reward you with as myche -plesyer and hertys ease as I have latward causyd you to have trowbyll -and thowght; and, with Godys grace, it shall not be longe to or then my -wronges and othyr menys shall be redressyd, for the world was nevyr so -lyek to be owyrs as it is now; werfor I prey you let Lomnor no be to -besy as yet. Modyr, I beseche you, and ye may spare eny money, that ye -wyll do your almesse on me and send me some in as hasty wyse as is -possybyll; for by my trowthe my leche crafte and fesyk, and rewardys to -them that have kept me and condyt me to London, hathe cost me sythe -Estern Day[102-2] more than v_li._, and now I haue neythyr met, drynk, -clothys, lechecraft, ner money but up on borowyng; and I have asayid my -frendys so ferre, that they be gyn to fayle now in my gretest ned that -evyr I was in. Also, modyr, I beseche yow, and my horse that was at -lechecraft at the Holt[102-3] be not takyn up for the Kynges -hawkys,[102-4] that he may be had hom and kept in your plase, and not to -go owght to watyr, nor no whedyr ellys, but that the gat be shet, and he -to be chasyd aftyr watyr within your plase, and that he have as myche -met as he may ete; I have hey i new of myn owne, and as for otys, Dollys -will purvey for hym, or who that dothe it I wyll paye. And I beseche yow -that he have every wek iij. boshell of otys, and every day a penyworthe -of bred; and if Botoner be not at Norwyche, and Syme kep hym, I shall -geve hym well for hys labore. Also that Phelypp Loveday put the othyr -horse to gresse ther, as he and I wer acordyd. - -Item, that Botoner send me hyddyr the two shyrtys that wer in my casket, -and that he send me hydyr xl_s._ by the next messenger that comyth to -London. - -Item, that Mastress Broom send me hedyr iij. longe gownys and ij. -doblettes, and a jaket of plonket chamlett, and a morey bonet out of my -cofyr. Sir Jamys hathe the key, as I sent hyr werd be for thys. - -Item, that syche othyr wryghtynges and stuff as was in my kasket be in -your kepyng, and that no body look my wryghtynges. - -Item, that the horse that Purdy hathe of myne be put to some good gresse -in haste; and if it plese yow to have knowlage of our royal person, -I thank God I am hole of my syknesse, and trust to be clene hole of all -my hurttys within a sevennyght at the ferthest, by wyche tym I trust to -have othyr tydynges; and those tydynges onys had, I trust not to be -longe owght of Norffolk, with Godys grace, Whom I beseche preserve you -and your for my part. - -Wretyn the last day of Apryll. The berer herof can tell you tydynges, -syche as be trew for very serteyn. - - Your humbylest servaunt, - - J. OF GELSTON. - - [Footnote 102-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was printed - by Fenn in his fifth volume, of which the original MSS. are now - recovered. It was evidently written in April 1471, when the writer - was recovering from the wound he had received at the battle of - Barnet (_see_ No. 774). It is not addressed, but is endorsed in a - later hand, 'Litera Johannis Paston armigeri matri suæ.'] - - [Footnote 102-2: The battle of Barnet was fought on Easter Day, - 14th April 1471.] - - [Footnote 102-3: A pasture so called, and means the groves, or - lands full of wood.--F.] - - [Footnote 102-4: This may signify, in jocular language, if he be - not dead.--F.] - - [[Footnote 102-1 - ... (_see_ No. 774). - _closing parenthesis missing_]] - - -777 - -THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY[104-1] - -_Ded in the Feld._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / MAY 4] - - Edward that was called Prynce. - Lord John of Somerset. - Erle of Devenshire. - Lord Wenlok. - Sir William Vaus. - Sir Edmond Hamden. - Sir John Seymour. - Sir William Bermoth. - Water Barrow. - Mr. William Henmar. - Mr. Feldyng.[104-2] - Hervy, recorder.[104-3] - Mr. Herry, capteyn of Brystowe. - Sir Roberte Whetyngham. - Knoyll. - -_Thes be men that were heveded._[104-4] - - The Duke of Somerset. - The Lord of Sent Jones.[104-5] - Sir Jerveys Clyfton. - Humfrey Awdeley. - Lowes Miles. - Forey of Fraunce. - Sir John Delvys.[104-6] - Lord Foskew on lyffe. - Sir William Carre. - Sir Hew Courteney. - Sir Thomas Tressham. - Sir Herry Tressham. - Sir William Newbery. - Mr. Gower.[105-1] - Mr. Awdeley.[105-2] - Robert Clerke. - Lechefeld, mason of Westmynster. - Sir William Grymesby yet on lyffe. - -_Thes be the Knyghtes that the Kyng mad in the Feld._ - - Lord Cobham. - Sir George Nevel. - Sir Philip Courtenay. - Sir Herry Bemonde. - Sir Moreys of Barkley. - Sir Richard Hastynges. - Sir Roberte Haryngton. - Sir Thomas Gray. - Sir James Terell. - Sir John Feres. - Sir Herry Feres. - Sir Herry Purpeynt. - Sir John Parre. - Sir John Downe. - Sir Roger Kyngstone. - Sir John Crokere. - Sir ---- Skerne. - Sir James Crowmere. - Sir William Sandalle. - Sir John Deverys. - Sir Herry Grey. - Sir Edward Wodehous. - Sir Richard Croft. - Sir John Pylkyngton. - Sir John Byngham. - Sir John Harley. - Sir John Boteler. - Sir Christofer Morysby. - Sir John Clay. - Sir Robert Wylleby. - Sir Robert Grene. - Sir Roger Ree. - Sir Richard Radclyffe. - Sir John Saundes. - Sir Thomas Strikelande. - Sir George Browne. - Sir William Motton. - Sir Tery Robsert. - Sir Thomas Cromewell. - Sir Robert Corbet. - Sir Nicholas Langford. - Sir John Seyntlowe. - Sir William Brandon. - - [Footnote 104-1: [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 279.] This paper is - in a contemporary handwriting, and undoubtedly refers to the - battle of Tewkesbury.] - - [Footnote 104-2: Sir William Fielding, according to Warkworth's - Chronicle.] - - [Footnote 104-3: These words, 'Hervy, recorder,' are written over - 'Herry, capteyn,' as a correction; but the latter are not erased. - Warkworth mentions Sir Nicholas Hervy.] - - [Footnote 104-4: Beheaded.] - - [Footnote 104-5: Sir John Longstruther, Prior of St. John's.] - - [Footnote 104-6: Originally written 'Mr. Delvys,' and corrected.] - - [Footnote 105-1: James Gower, according to Warkworth.] - - [Footnote 105-2: Sir Humphrey Audeley.] - - -778 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[106-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 5] - -Most worchepfull and my ryght specyall good modyr, as humbylly as I can, -I recomand me on to yow, besechyng yow of your blyssyng. Please it yow -to undyrstand that thys day I spake with Batcheler Water, whiche let me -have undyrstandyng of your welfare, wherof I thank God with all my hert. -Also he leet me have knowlage that the Lord Scalys had grauntyd yow to -be my good lord, wherof I am no thyng prowd, for he may do leest with -the gret mastyr; but he wold depert ovyr the see, as hastyly as he may; -and because he wenyth that I wold go with hym, as I had promyseyd evyr, -and he had kept foorthe hys jornay at that tyme, thys is the cause that -he wyll be my good lord and help to get my pardon. The Kyng is not best -pleasyd with hym for that he desyerthe to depert, in so myche that the -Kyng hathe seyd of hym, that wen evyr he hathe most to do, then the Lord -Scalys wyll sonest axe leve to depert, and weenyth that it is most be -cause of kowardyese. As for pardon, I can never get, withowght I schold -paye to myche money for it, and I am not so purveyd. As for Herry -Hallman, my brodyr wyll axe hym no sylver tyll ye be payeyd; therfor ye -may send to hym and have it. - -Item, I am sory that ye have fadyrd my hors that was at Caster to be my -Brodyr Edmundys, for I had leveer that they had hym style then owght -ellys; wherfor thow they profyr hym yow from hense foorthe, let not my -brodyr Edmund take hym, but let him sey whedyr they wyll let hym have -hym or not, that I have promyseyd my brodyr Edmund a bettyr hors for -hym, so that he wyll not cleyme the same for hys. As for tydyngs her be -non but that the Scottys and Walyshe men be besy; what they meane I can -not seye. My cosyn John Loveday can tell yow, and ther be eny odyr -flyeyng talys, for he hathe walkyd in London, and so do not I. When I -may I wyll come hom with Godys grace, whom I beseche to sende you your -hertys desyeyr. Wretyn the v. daye of Julle. - - Be yowr humblest sone and servant, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 106-1: [From Fenn, iv. 116.] From the mention of Lord - Scales in this letter it might be supposed that it was written not - later than the year 1469, when Anthony Woodville, the last Lord - Scales, became Earl Rivers by the death of his father; but I - believe the date to be 1471, and that the writer is simply - speaking of Earl Rivers by his old title. In the first place there - is no appearance of either of the John Pastons requiring a royal - pardon before the year 1471; secondly, it is not probable that - either of them would have spoken so slightingly of the value of - Lord Scales's intercession at an earlier period; and thirdly, it - seems doubtful whether Edmund Paston could have been old enough to - own a war-horse many years before. Finally, we find by Letter 780 - following that John Paston, the youngest, succeeded in obtaining a - pardon signed by the King on the 17th July 1471. If the reference - to the autograph plate in Fenn is correct, this letter was in the - hand of his elder brother, Sir John Paston, Knight; but as it is - not signed, like most of his letters, 'John Paston, K.,' we are - inclined to suspect that it was really written by the younger - brother, like No. 780.] - - -779 - -ABSTRACT[107-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 12] - -Norff. and Suff. Deeds, No. 5. 'Relaxatio Johannis Paston militis, -Davidi Husband et Will. Gyfford totius juris in maneriis de Saxthorp, -Tichwell, Haineford, Essex in Hickling, etc., Calcote, Leystoft, -Habland, Broweston, Gorleston alias Spitlings, quæ quondam fuerunt -Johannis Fastolf mil., et quæ Will. Waynflet episcopus Winton' habuit ex -dono Rad. Boteler domini de Sudley, et prædicti David et Willielmus ex -dono episc. prædicti, necnon de et in 25 _markes redd._ precipiend. de -priori de Hickling. Julii 12, Edw. IV. 11. With a scedule annexed -touching the same release.' - - [Footnote 107-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -780 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[107-2] - -_To my most worchepfull Modyr, Margaret Paston, be thys delyveryd in -hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 17] - -Ryght worchepfull modyr, I recomand me to yow, and as lowly as I can, -I beseche yow of yowr blyssyng. Please yow to undyrstand that thys -Wednysday Sir Thomas Wyngffeld sent to me, and let me wet that the Kyng -had syngnyd my bylle of perdon, whyche the seid Sir Thomas delyveryd me; -and so by Fryday, at the forthest, I tryst to have my perdon ensealyd by -the Chanceler, and soone aftyr, so as I can fornyshe me, I tryst to se -yow, if so be that eny of the Kynges hows com in to Norwyche. I wold -fayne my gray horse wer kept in mewe for gnattys. Also, modyr, I beseche -yow that Dollys and his felawe may be sent to, that I may have my money -redy ayenst that I come home, whyche is dew to be payid, for thys mater -hathe cost me the settyng over. Also that it may please yow that Purdy -at Heylysdon maye be sent to for the horse that he hathe of myne, and -that the horse may be kept well, and have as myche mete as he wyll eate -be twyx thys and that I come home, and that Jakys nage have mete i now -also. Also, and Syr Thomas Wyngfeld come to Norwyche, that he may have -as good chere as it please yow to make on to that man that I am most -behold to for hys gret kyndnesse and good wyll, for he takyth full my -part ayenst my gretest enmyeys, Brandons and hys brodyr William; for at -my fyrst comyng to Sir Thomas Wyngfeld, bothe William Wyngfeld and -William Brandon the yonger wer with Sir Thomas, and had gret wordys to -myn owne mowthe, and in cheff W. Wyngfeld; and wher so evyr he may met -me on evyn grownd he wyll do myche; but and we met evynly, no fors, so I -have yowr blyssyng. I prey yow, with owght it be to my Lady Calthorp, -let ther be but fewe woordys of thys perdon. No more, but I prey God -preserve yow and yours. - -Wretyn the Wednysday next before Mary Mawdelen, - - By your humblest sone, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 107-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter refers to a - pardon granted by the King to John Paston the younger, for having - taken part with the Lancastrians at the battle of Barnet. Though - the 'bill' for this pardon was signed by the King on the 17th - July, the pardon itself did not pass the Great Seal till the 7th - February following, under which date it is enrolled on the Pardon - Roll of 11 Edw. IV., memb. 9.] - - -781 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[109-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, Esqier, hyr sone, in -hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / SEPT. 15] - -Ryght well belovyd brother, I comende me to yow, letyng yow wete that I -am in wellffar, I thanke God, and have ben evyr syns that I spake last -with yow; and mervayle for that ye sent never wryghtynge to me syns ye -departyd; I herde nevyr synes that tyme any worde out off Norffolk; ye -myght aft Bertlemai Feyr[109-2] have had messengers i nowe to London, -and iff ye had sent to Wykys, he scholde have conveyed it to me. I herde -yisterdaye, that a Worsted man of Norffolk, that solde worstedys[109-3] -at Wynchester, seyde that my Lord of Norffolk and my Lady wer on -pylgrymage at Our Lady[109-4] on ffoot, and so they went to Caster; and -that at Norwyche on scholde have had large langage to yow, and callyd -yow traytor, and pyked many quarellys to yow. Sende me worde ther off; -it wer well doo, that ye wer a lytell sewrer off yowr pardon than ye be: -avyse you, I deme ye woll her afftr ellys repent yow. - -I undrestonde that Bastarde Fauconbryge[109-5] is owther hedyd or lyke -to be, and hys brother bothe; some men seye he wolde have deservyd it, -and som sey naye. - -I purpose to be att London the ffyrst daye off the terme; send me worde -whethyr ye schall be ther or nott. - -Item, I wolde wete whether ye have spoken wyth my Lady off Norffolk or -not, and off hyr disposicion and the howsoldys to me and to yow wardes, -and whether it be a possible to have Caster ageyn and ther goodewylles -or not; and also I praye yow undrestande what ffelaschyp and guydyng is -in Caster, and have a spye resortyng in and owt, so maye ye know the -secretys among them. Ther is moche adoo in the Northe, as men seyn; -I pray yow be ware off yowr guydyng, and in cheff off yowr langage, and -so that ffro hense fforthe by yowr langage noo man perceyve that ye -ffavor any person contrary to the Kynges plesur. I undrestonde that the -Lord Ryvers hathe lycence off the Kynge to goo to Portyngale now within -thys vij. nyght. I pray yow recomande me to my modre, and beseche hyr -off hyr blyssyng on my be halve.[110-1] - -Item, I praye yow sende me worde iff any off owr ffrendys or wellwyllers -be dede, ffor I feer that ther is grete dethe in Norwyche, and in other -Borowgh townese in Norffolk, ffor I ensur you it is the most unyversall -dethe that evyr I wyst in Ingelonde; ffor by my trowthe, I kan not her -by pylgrymes that passe the contre, nor noon other man that rydethe or -gothe any contre, that any Borow town in Ingelonde is ffree ffrom that -sykenesse; God sease it whan it pleasyt Hym. Wherffor, ffor Goddysake, -let my moodre take heede to my yonge brytheren that they be not in noon -place wher that sykenesse is regnyng, nor that they dysport not with -noon other yonge peple whyche resortythe wher any sykenesse is, and iff -ther be any off that sykenesse ded or enffect in Norwyche, ffor Goddes -sake, lete hyr sende them to som ffrende off hyrse in to the contre, and -do ye the same by myn advyce; late my moodre rather remeve hyr -howsesolde in to the contre. - -Even now Thyrston browt me word ffro London that it was Doctor Aleyn -that cawsyd yowr troble that ye had at Norwych; and that John Pampyng -roode ffor a dyscharge ffor yow, and that he hathe sped well, but -howghe, that wot I nott; iff ye be cleer owt off Doctor Aleyn danger, -kepe yow ther, and her afftr ye maye schoffe as well at hys carte. -I praye yow sende me worde off all the fforme off hys delyng with yow. - -I had almost spoke with Mestresse Ann Hault, but I dyd not; -nevyrthelesse thys next terme I hope to take on weye with hyr or other; -sche is agreyd to speke with me, and sche hopythe to doo me ease as sche -saythe. - -I praye yow sende me worde hoghe ye doo with my Lady Elysabeth -Boghscher; ye have a lytell chaffyd it, but I can not tell howe; sende -me worde whether ye be in better hope or werse. I her seye that the Erle -off Oxenffordys bretheryn be goon owt off Sceyntewarye. Sir Thomas -Fulfforthe[111-1] is goon owt off Sceyntewarye, and a gret ffelaschyp -ffettchyd hym, a iij.^xx., and they sey that with in v. myle off London -he was CC. men; and no man watethe wher he is become not yit. - -The Lordes Hastyngs and Howerd be in Caleys, and have it pesebely; and -Sir Walter Wrettesle and Sir Jeffrey Gate be comyn thense, and woll be -at London thys daye as it is seyde. - -Wretyn at Waltham besyd Winchester the daye nex Holy Roode Daye.[111-2] - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 109-1: [From Fenn, ii. 72.] Apart from the reference to - John Paston's pardon, the date of this letter is fixed by what is - said of the bastard Falconbridge.] - - [Footnote 109-2: Bartholomew Fair, in Smithfield.] - - [Footnote 109-3: Worsted, in Norfolk, a town formerly famous for - the spinning of the fine thread with which the yarn called Worsted - is made.--F.] - - [Footnote 109-4: Of Walsingham.] - - [Footnote 109-5: Thomas Nevill, a natural son of William, Lord - Fauconberg. He was beheaded in 1471, and, as mentioned in Letter - 782 following, his head was placed on London Bridge.] - - [Footnote 110-1: Here follow, says Fenn, some directions about - payments of money.] - - [Footnote 111-1: Sir Thomas Fulford was son of Sir Baldwin - Fulford, beheaded at Bristol in 1461; he likewise ended his life - on the scaffold.] - - [Footnote 111-2: Holyrood Day, 14th of September.] - - [[I pray yow recomande me to my modre - _text has "recomande mo": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -782 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[111-3] - -_To hys well belovyd John Paston, Esquier, at Norwyche, or to Mestresse -Margret, his Modre._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / SEPT. 28] - -I comande me to yow, letyng yow weet that, &c.[111-4] - -I wolde ffayne have the mesur wher my ffadre lythe at Bromholm; bothe -the thyknesse and compase off the peler at hys hed, and ffrom that the -space to the alter, and the thyknesse off that alter, and imagery off -tymbre werk; and what hyght the arche is to the grounde off the ilde, -and how hye the grounde off the qwyr is hyer than the grownde off the -ilde. - -Item, I praye yowe late the mesur by pekthred be taken or elt mesured by -yerde, how moche is ffrom the northe gate, ther the brygge was, at -Gressham to the sowthewall, and in lyke fforme ffrom the este syde to -the west, also the hyght off the estewall, and the hyght of the sowthest -towr ffrom the grownde, iff ye maye easely. Also what bredde every towr -is within the wall, and whych towr is moor then other within. - -Alsso how manye ffote, or what brede eche towr takythe within iche -corner off the quadrate[112-1] ovyrthwert the dorys, and how many -taylors yards is from the moote syde, wher the brygg was, to the hyghe -weye, or to the heddge all a longe the entre, and what brede the entre -is be twyen the dykys. I praye yow, iff ye have a leyser in any wyse, se -thys doone yowrselffe iff ye maye; or ellys iff Pampyng do it, or who -that ye thynke can doo it, I wolle spende xx_d._ or as ye seme to have -the sertayn off every thyng her in. And as for my ffaders tombe, -I charge yow se it yowr selffe, and when I speke with yow I woll tell -yow the cawses why that I desyr thys to be doon. - -As ffor tydyngs, the Kyng, and the Qwyen, and moche other pepell, ar -ryden and goon to Canterbery, nevyr so moche peple seyn in Pylgrymage -hertofor at ones, as men seye. - -Alsso it is seyde that the Erle of Penbroke[112-2] is taken on to -Brettayn; and men saye that the Kynge schall have delyvere off hym -hastely, and som seye that the Kynge off France woll se hym saffe, and -schall sett hym at lyberte ageyn. - -Item, Thomas Fauconbrydge hys hed was yesterdaye sett uppon London -Brydge, lokyng into Kent warde; and men seye that hys brother was sor -hurte, and scope to seyntwarye [_sanctuary_] to Beverle. - -Sir Thomas Fulfforthe escaped owt of Westminster with an C. sperys, as -men seye, and is in to Devenshyr; and ther he hathe strekyn off Sir John -Crokkers hed, and kylt an other knyght off the Corteneys, as men seye. -I wolde ye hadd yowr verry pardon at onys; wherfor I praye yow ffayle -not to be at London within iiij. daye afftr Seynt Feythe;[113-1] ye -schall do goode in many thynges, and I praye yow sende me worde heroff -by the next massenger; and if it come to Mestresse Elysabeth Hyggens, at -the Blak Swan, sche schall conveye it to me, ffor I woll not ffayle to -be ther at London ageyn within thys vj. dayes. - -Mestresse Elysabeth hathe a son, and was delyveryd within ij. dayes -afftr Seynt Bertelmew;[113-2] and hyr dowtr A. H. was the next daye -afftr delyveryd off an other sone, as sche seythe, xj. weks er hyr tyme; -it was crystened John, and is ded. God save all! No mor tyll I speke -with yow. - -Wretyn at London on Mychellmesse Evyn. - - J. P., K. - -Item, I praye yow late some wytty felaw, or ellys yowrselff, goo to the -townes ther as thes ij. women dwelle, and inquire whether they be maryed -syns and ageyn or not, ffor I holde the hoorys weddyd; and iff they be, -than the appelys wer abbatyd ther by. I remembr not ther names; ye knowe -them better then I. Alsso in the Schreffvys bookys ther maye ye ffynde -off them. - - [Footnote 111-3: [From Fenn, ii. 80.] The evidences of date in - this letter are the same as in the last.] - - [Footnote 111-4: Here follows an account that the Duchess of - Suffolk and Duke of Norfolk intend again commencing appeals - against Sir John Paston and his brother, etc., concerning Caister, - etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 112-1: A drawing is here given in the original letter, - apparently designed as a plan of the quadrangle of Gresham, of - which the subjoined is a facsimile. - - [Illustration]] - - [Footnote 112-2: Jasper Tudor.] - - [Footnote 113-1: 5th of October.] - - [Footnote 113-2: 24th of August.] - - -783 - -R. L. TO JOHN PASTON[114-1] - -_To hys worshipful master, John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / OCT. 21] - -Ryght wurchupfull ser, I comaund me to your good maysterchepe, &c. Plese -it you to understond that Redford desyryd me on your byhalfe that I -chuld goo and comon with the woman that was the fullars wyfe of South -Walsham, whech woman is now maryed to on Thom Styward, dwellyng in the -parysch of Seynt Gyll in Norwych, whech woman seyd to me that che sewyd -never the pele, but that she was by sotyle craft brought to the New In -at Norwych, and ther was Maystir Southwell, and he entretyd hyr to be my -Lords wewe [_widow_],[114-2] by the space of an hole yer next folwyn, -and therto he mad hyr to be bowne in an obligacyon. And whan that yer -was past he desyred hyr to be my Lords wedow another yer; and than she -seyd that she had lever lose that that she had do, than to lose that and -meer; and therfor she seyd pleynly that she wold no mor of that mater. -And so she toke hyr an husbond, whech is the seyd Thom Styward; and she -seyth that it was full sor ageyn hyr wylle that ever the mater went so -forforth, for she had never non avayle therof, butt it was sewyd to hyr -gret labor and losse, for she had never of my Lords councell, but berely -hyr costs to London. No mor, but God have you in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Norwych, the Monday next after the Fest of Seynt Luke. - - By your servant, - - R. L. - - [Footnote 114-1: [From Fenn, iv. 440.] In the postscript to the - preceding letter, Sir John Paston intimates his belief that the - two widows who had appealed his brother of the murder of their - husbands had married again, and that thereby the appeals were - abated. It appears by the present letter that this intelligence - was correct as regards one of them.] - - [Footnote 114-2: The widow of a tenant in chivalry was called the - Lord's widow.] - - -784 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[115-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / OCT. 28] - -Ryght worchepfull m[other, as lowly as] I can I recomand me to yow, -besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng, praying yow to take thys key, and -Sir Jam[ys] . . . . . [m]y broder E., or J. Pampyng, and to ondo the -kofyr that standith at my bedys feet, and ther in a ly[tyl sqw]are box -ye shall fy[nd two de]dys, wher of the seallys be wownd in whyght paper; -my brodyr E. sye [_saw_] when I wond them up. The tone [begy]nyth -'Sciant, &c., quod ego _Matilda Bigota_'; and the todyr begynyth -'Sciant, &c., quod ego _Rogerus_ . . . . .' [I pray y]ow lett [them be] -sealyd and sent me by _Radley_ with the deedes there in. Sir Jamys -knowyth the . . . . . . . But [if so] be that ye fynd not thys box with -thes two deedes in that cofyr, then I prey yow take the k[ey] . . . . . -. . . teye of the same cofyr, and opyn the cofyr that standyth in the -utter chambyr, and ther ye shall fynd . . . . . . . . . [d]edes. My -brodyr, Sir John, recomandyth hym to yow, and besechyth yow of your -blyssyng; and as for hys mater [there is yet no conclu]syon of no poynt, -but I tryst ther shall be with in thes ij. dayeys. Jenney, W. -trowbly[th] . . . . . . . [my] brodyrs servauntes with old accyons and -all syche thynges as he can renew to stoppe the oblygacio[ns w]hyche he -is bownd in on to my broder; but all shall be easeyd, I tryst. As for -Mrs. A. Hawlt, the mater is mevyd [by div]ers of the Qwenys consayll, -and of ferre by R. Hault, but he wold it shold be fyrst of our mocyon, -and we wold [it] shold com of theym fyrst; our mater shold be the -bettyr. - -Tydynges, ther is a generall pardon mevyd whyche my brodyr J. trystyth -to have the preve[lege] of as soone as it is grantyd, whyche shall bee a -bowght All Halow tyed at the ferthest. I have spok with my L[ord Rive]rs -and with all myn old aqweyntance, and have good cheer of theym, hold as -it maye. When we be conclud[yd in] eny poynte of our maters, ye shall -have knowlage ther howhe to put yow in [comfort] er we have eny . . . -but in veyn when we have comfort ye shall have parte. Newe tydynges, -datys s . . . [s]ugyr of Mr. Kwte (?) x_d._ di.lb., and bettyr I tryst. -No more, but I beseche God preserve yow and yours. - -Wretyn on [Seint] Symondes Day and Jwde. - - Your humblest sone and servaunt, - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 115-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There was a general - pardon in the latter part of the year 1471, and both John Paston - and his brother took advantage of it, as appears by the _Pardon - Roll_, 11 Edw. IV., membranes 9 and 25. The date of this letter is - also shown by the answer to it, written by Margaret Paston on the - 5th November. Many of the words in this letter are lost by the - mutilation of the original MS., which is full of holes, from - having been exposed at one time to damp. The address is almost - completely lost, but a portion of the word '[Ma]rgaret' is - visible, and a small fragment of an endorsement below in which the - word 'Paston' is legible.] - - [[Footnote 115-1 - _footnote number printed 2 for 1_]] - - -785 - -SIR JOHN PASTON'S DEEDS[116-1] - -_In the square trussyng coffre._ - -A boxe with evydence off my place in Fletstrett. - -A lytell box with obligacions off the Archbisshop off York and W. -Jennyes oblygacion. - -A box with evydence of Tytlyshall. - -A box with the letter of attorney off Fastolffes londes by Sir John -Paston. - -j. A box de actis inter episcopum Wynt' et J. P. militem. Item endentur' -de argento mutuato termino Trinitatis anno x^{o,} et testamentum W. -Paston, Justic'. - -Item, ij. pixides de novis cartis de terris Fastolffes. - -Item, a litell box with the obligacion off T. Fastolff and one off James -Gresham. - -Item, a box with the dede off gyfft off J. P., and the byll assygnyd for -the dyamant. - -Item, the bagge de placitis in usu. - -Item, the bagge with ger taken owt off my caskett. - -Item, a bagge with the bondell where on was wreten 'London.' - -Item, a bagge with evydence off Est Bekham. - -Item, a bondell de actis parlimenti et de excambia in Paston. - -Item, a bondell de actis Cantuariensis. - -Item, a bondell de fyrma Caster Berdolffis. - -The endenture off Snaylwell by Wylleys. - -A bondell of Gresham Moleyns. - -A bondell off processe off th'eschekyr letter and byllys sirca (_sic_) -festum Johannis anno ix^{o.} - -Item, th'endenture off W. Jeney. Item, a bondell off letteris and byllis -anno x^{o.} - -A bondell with inquisicions not returnyd in to the Chanceri. - -Copia voluntatis Fastolff ultima et probata. - -Enventorium (_sic_) apud Caster per Episcopum Norwic' et dominum de -Scales et alia ad rediseisinam (?) - -Apunctuamentum Regis et litera amici. Endentura de Fennes per patrem -Hugonis Fenne. - -The verray endenture off my mariage. - -Item, a bondell off letteris from my brother John. - -Item, iij. billis, the endenter of W. Jenney for Bacton, a byll of -Wylleys and one off J. Owdin (?) - -Item, a bondell with the names off them that had stoff from Heylesdon. - -Item, a byll off Sweynesthorp. Item, a byll off Brok off Dedham off the -purchace theroff, a quitance pro Scaccario. - -A bonde towchyng the probatt off Fastolffes will, with mi olde -testament. - -A copie off a generalle releffe de terris Fastolffes. - - [Footnote 116-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The following inventory - is in the handwriting of Sir John Paston. The date at which it was - drawn up must, from internal evidence, be later than the tenth - year of Edward IV.; so perhaps it may be a list of the contents of - the coffer mentioned by John Paston in Letter 784.] - - [[Item, th'endenture ... - Apunctuamentum Regis ... - Item, a byll ... - _each section printed as shown, with two items in a paragraph_]] - - -786 - -ABSTRACT[117-1] - -WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1471(?) / NOV. 4] - -Has received Wheteley's letter, but though he has spoken to Sir John's -tenants at Paston, Bakton, etc., has obtained no money to send him. They -are better pleased to pay Sir John than Master 'Will. P.,' so they be -saved harmless. Has put them in good comfort, and Sir John must take -care that they be not sued this term. The fishing was never worse. No -herring to be got under 13_s._ 4_d._ a barrel, and 8_s._ 4_d._ a cade. -The swans were sent the week after your departure. John Osborn and Munde -are merry. None dead at Caster and Mawteby since Michaelmas, but much -mortality still at Fylby, Ormysby, and Scrowby. - -Mawteby, 4 Nov. - - [This letter most probably belongs to the year 1471, which it will - be seen by the letter immediately following was a year of great - mortality.] - - [Footnote 117-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -787 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[118-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV. 5] - -I grete you wele, and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that myn Cosyn Clere hathe sent to me for the C. marc that I borwed of -her for your brother. It fortuned so that a frend of her of late hath -loste better than CCC. marc, and he sent to her for money, and she had -non that she myght comyn by, and ther for she sent to me for the seyd C. -marc; and I know not how to do therfor, for by my trowth I have it not, -nor I can not make shyft therfor, and I shuld go to preson; therfor -comune with your brother her of, and send me word how that he wull make -shyft ther for in hast. I must elles nedes sell all my woods, and that -shall dysse avayll him better than a CC. marc, and I dey; and if I shuld -selle them now, ther wull noman gewe so myche for them be ner an C. marc -as they be worth, be cause ther be so many wood sales in Norfolke at -thys tyme. Therfor lete hym make purvyaunce therfor in hast, as he wull -have my good wyll, and wull that I save hym the seyd woods to the better -a wayll, and send me word here of in hast if ye wull my welfare, for I -shall never be in quiete tille I k[n]owe an ende in thys, for she hath -therfor an obligacion of an C_li._ And it is not kepte cloos, ther be -many persones now k[n]owyn it, which me semyth a greet rebuke to me that -I departyd so largely with yowr brother that I reservyd not to pay that -I was endaungered for hym, and so have dyverse seyd to me which of late -have k[n]owyn it; and whan I remembre it, it is to myn hart a very -spere, consideryng that he never gave comforte therein, ner of all the -money that hath be reseyvyd wull never make shyft therfor. And he had -yet be for thys tyme have sent me l. marc thereof, yet I wuld have -thought that he had had summe consideracion of myn daungers that I have -put me in for hym. Remembre hym how that I have excusyd hym of xx_li._ -that the Prior of Bromholm had, which shuld elles have be in that -daunger that it shuld have be to us a grete rebwke, with hought that he -myght a ben holpyn wyth shuch money as he shuld have had of your fadyrs -bequest; and I payd to the shereffe for hym also money. All thes shuld -have holpe me wele therto, be syde other thynges that I have bor thys -yeres that I speke not of; there fore lete hym helpe me now, or elles it -shall dysawayll hym better than the trebyll the money, wheder that I -leve or dey, with ought he hath better consideracion to the daungers -that I stond in. Also I wulde ye shuld meve hym to take John Pampyng to -hym, or elles to gete hym a servyce in the Chauncery, or in sume other -place where as he myth be preferryd, for it ys pety that he lesyth hys -tyme so her, and it is non a wayll to non of ws, and for diverse othyr -thyngs whesch ye shall knowe her after, I wolde that I war hens in -haste, for all maner of happys, constrw ye, &c. I can yw thanke for ywyr -lettyr that ye sente me, and that ye have inquiryd of shwch thynges as -ye thynk that shwld plese me. I send yow the boxe and the dedes that ye -sente to me for, but as for the key of the cofyr in the wtter chambyr I -can not fynd yt; yf the boxe had be ther in, ye cwdnat not have hadd yth -but yf [_unless_] I had broke wp the cofyr; ther for remembre yw wer ye -have do the key; I kep styll the key that ye sente me tyll that ye cwm -home. - -As for the tydynges here, ywr cosyn Barney of Wychshynggham ys passyd to -Gode, hwm Gode asoyle. Veylys wife, and Lodonys wife, and Pycard the -bacar of Twmlond, ben gone also; all thys hwlsold and thys parych ys as -ye leftyd, blyssyd be Gode; we lewyn in fer, but we wut not qweder to -fle, for to be better than we ben here. I send yw demi a riale for to by -wyth swger[119-1] and dates for me. I pray yw do as wel as ye can, and -sende it me as hastely as ye may, and sende me word qwat price a _li._ -of peppyr, clowys, masis, gingyr, and sinamun, almannys, ryse, ganyngal, -safrwn, reysonys of Corons, grenys,[120-1] of ych of these sende me the -pryce of ych of these,[120-2] and yf that it be bettir shepe at London -than it is here, I shal sende yw mony to bye wyth soch stwfe as I wull -have. Remember that I spake to yw to spek to ywyr brother for the seyd -C. marc wan ye departed hens. I trow ye had forgettyt, that ye sent me -non answer ther of in ony wys. Lete me have an answer ther of in hast, -and sende me woord how ywyr brother and ye spede in ywyr maters; and -Goddes blissyng and myn mut ye have both, and send yw good sped in all -ywyr maters. - -Wretyn in hast on Sent Levnards Eve.[120-3] - - By ywyr Moder. - - [Footnote 118-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is not - addressed, and the MS. is in fact only a corrected draft, of which - a fair copy has since been found. The fair copy is not addressed - either. The letter was evidently written to John Paston in answer - to No. 784. The date is ascertained by the fact that John Berney - of Witchingham died in the year 1471.] - - [Footnote 119-1: In Fenn's edition this is printed 'swgar, feg, - and dats.' The word 'feg' is not in the MS. It seems to be a - misreading of 'swg'' (sugar), which the transcriber forgot to - cancel.] - - [Footnote 120-1: F. adds 'and comfyts,' but the words are not in - the MS.] - - [Footnote 120-2: F. reads 'the price of a _li._,' but this is not - in the MS.] - - [Footnote 120-3: The following sentence is added in the fair copy: - 'I warn yw kepe this letter clos and lese yt not; rather brenyt.'] - - -788 - -BILL OF COSTS[120-4] - -_Termino Sancti Michaelis Anno xj^o E. iiij^ti pro Ricardo Calle deff' -versus Willelmum Huggan q. in placito trans'._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV.] - - In primis, for a copy of the bill, - iiij_d._ - - Item, for makyng of the awnswer to Mr. Pygot, Mr. Fayrefax, and to - Mr. Hosy, - x_s._ - - Item, wyne and perys at tavern ij. tymes, - xiiij_d._ - - Item, for a copy of record in the Kynges Bench, - iij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Item, for pledyng of the record in the Kynges Bench a yenst Wyll. - Huggan, - x_s._ - - Item, gyven to Hosey, the xxvij. day of the same moneth, for to - enparle[120-5] to the bill, - iij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Item, the xxx. day of October, for the copy of the tytelyng of - Huggans plee, - iiij_d._ - - Item, for wyne at [the] Cardenall Hatte[120-6] the same day, - vj_d._ - - Item, the iiij. day of November, gyven to Mr. Fayrfax and Mr. Hosey - for puttyng yn of the replicacyon, - vj_s._ viij_d._ - - Item, the x. day of November, gyven to Mr. Fayrfax, Mr. Pygotte, - and Mr. Hosey, for the seyng of the paper, and comenyng of the issewe - a yenst Wyll. Huggan, - x_s._ - - Item, for the wyne at the Cardenall Hatte, - [121-1]viij_d._ - - Item, for the entre of the aunswere a yenst Huggan by Ric. Calle, - payd to Sandys, - v_s._ - - Item, to Nedersole for makyng of the paper, - ij_s._ vj_d._ - - Item, for the copy of the same, - ij_s._ vj_d._ - - Summa totalis, lvj_s._ iiij_d._ - - [Footnote 120-4: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 120-5: To _imparl_, a technical expression, meaning to - obtain time to plead.] - - [Footnote 120-6: A tavern in Southwark. The name is still - preserved in Cardinal Hat Alley.] - - [Footnote 121-1: _N.B._--Under viij_d._ is written '46_s._ 4_d._' - in a different hand.] - - [[... for makyng of the paper, - ij_s._ vj_d._ - _text has s, for s._]] - - -789 - -EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[121-2] - -_Tho my rytgh wurshepfull brother John Paston, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV. 18] - -Rygh wurshipful brother, I recumawnd me to zow, prayeng zow hartely that -ze wyl remembyr soche maters as I wryth to zow. I send zow now be the -brynggar her of mony, wycche mony I pray zow that [ye[121-3]] be stowe -yt as I wryth to zow. I wend a don yt my sylf but consyderyng costis and -other dyvers thyngis I may not bryng yt abowthe. Wher for I pray zow -hartely to take the labour up on zow, and I trust to deservyt. I pray -zow be stow thys mony thus: to Christofyr Hanyngton v_s._: to the -prynspall of Stapylin[121-4] v_s._ in parte of payment. Also I pray zow -to bye me iij. zerddis of porpyl schamlet, price the zerd iiij_s._, a -bonet of depe murry, pryce ij_s._ iiij_d._, an hose clothe of zelow -carsey of an ellyn, I trow yt wyl cost ij_s._; a gyrdyl of plunkket -ryban, price vj_d._; iiij. lacis of sylke ij. of one color and ij. of -ane other, price viij_d._; iij. doseyn poynttis wythe red and zelow, -price vj_d._; iij. peyer of pateyns. I pray zow late Wylliam Mylsant -purvey for them. I was wonte to pay but ij_d._ ob. for a payer, but I -pray zow late them not be lefte behyng thow I pay mor; they must be lowe -pateyns; late them be long inow and brode up on the hele. Among all -other I pray zow recumawnd me to Mastres Elyzabet Hygons. I may sey -poverte partes feleschepe. Yf that I had ben so well purveyde as I wend -I trowst to have ben with zow her thys; also I pray zow recumawnd me to -my brother Sir John. I fer lasse he wyl take a dysplesur with me that I -send hym no mony. I pray zow excuse me as ze can. I trust to send hym -sum a bowth Candylmesse. I had a promyse of Masteres Elyzabeth of a -typet of welvet; but and I myth have a hatlase I woold thynk me well. -I pray zow sey thus myche on zour owyn hed, and yf ze can not sped of -the hatlase I pray zow bye me one of xij_d._ or xvj_d._ Also Sir I send -Parkar hys mony be the brynggar har of and I have desyered hym to lend -me a gown of puke, and I have send hym a typet of welvet to boredyr yt -[round [122-1]] a bowthe; and I pray zow be at schesyng there of; and yf -that he wyl not be cryst calkestowe over hys hed that is schoryle in -Englysche, yt is a terme newe browthe up with my marschandis of Norwych. -Sir John Pampyng recummawnd hym to zow and pray zow that ze wyl remembyr -hys harnes, and yf that ze can get the mony he pray zow to delyver -Parkar x_s._ that he howyth hym. Also, sir, my modyr gretis zow wel and -send zow Goddis blyssyng and heres, and prays zow that ze wyl bye her a -runlet of Malmesey owthe of the galey; and yf ze have no mony sche byd -that ze schuld borow of my brother Sir John, or of sum other frend of -zowers, and send [he]r[122-1] woord as hastily as ze have it, and sche -schale send zow mony; and yf that ze send it home sche byd that yt -schuld be woond in a canivasse for brochyng of the caryars, for sche -sethe that sche hath knowyn men served soo befor. Also I pray zow, if ze -speke with Master Roger, tell hym that yf he cum in to thys cuntre thys -crystemas, he schal have hys x_s._, and yf that he cum not I schal send -yt hym be xij. day [_Twelfth Day_] at the fardest. I pray zow, hartely -remembyr my gere, and that ze wyl desyere Wylliam Mylsant on my be halve -to purvey for the caryage in as hasty wyse as yt can. Also I pray zow -that the welvet that levyt of my typet may be send hom a geyn, for I -woold strype a dobelet ther with. As for Masteres Blakenye, I trowe sche -in zour quarters. I woold I had the same entyrpryce up on hyr that John -Bramppton of Atylborowe had up on master Byrston. Alle the Coorte -recommawndes hem tow zow. I pray zow, and ze can get me any profytable -servyce, a saye. My brother Sir John was meved of my hawnt Ponyngges to -have ben with here. I woold have rytgh an hesy servyse tyl I were owthe -of detis. God have zow in Hys kepyng. Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday nex -be fore Sen Edmond the Kyng. - - EDMOND PASTON. - -On the back of the letter are the following memoranda:-- - - In primis, to the pryncypall of Stapyll In - v_s._ - - Item, for iiij. lasys - viij_d._ - - Item, for iij. doseyn poyntes - vj_d._ - - Item, for a plonket ryban - vj_d._ - - [Footnote 121-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 130, and Add. MS. 27,445, f. - 52.] The MS. of this letter is in two fragments, from which it is - now printed entire. The year in which it was written is shown by - Margaret Paston's letter to the writer's brother John Paston, on - the 29th November 1471 (No. 791), in which she apologises for not - sending him money for a runlet of wine she had desired him to - purchase for her, on account of the number of thieves stirring. It - will be seen that she made the request by means of her son Edmund - in this letter.] - - [Footnote 121-3: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 121-4: Staple Inn.] - - [Footnote 122-1: Mutilated.] - - [[to boredyr yt [round [122-1]] - _unclear punctuation or flyspeck between editorial "round" and - footnote marker_]] - - -790 - -ABSTRACT[123-1] - -[MARGARET PASTON] TO HER SON [SIR JOHN PASTON] - -[Sidenote: 1471(?) / NOV. 20] - -Wonders she has no answer to her letter by Ric. Raddeley. Wants him and -his brother to get a discharge from my Lord of Canterbury, 'for -occupying of your father's goods.' If my Lord died before we got it, his -successor might be 'more hasty upon us than he hath been.' My Lord knows -the great charges we have had since he deceased, which have caused the -goods to be spent. If any of us were to die, no one would take charge -for us unless we have a discharge. Remember the spices and malmsey I -have sent to you for. - -St. Edmund's Day the King. - - _Sealed._ - - [At the date of this letter, Sir John Paston and his brother John - were together in London, and apparently the Archbishop of Canterbury - was seriously ill. Of the latter fact we have no certain knowledge, - but it appears by a subsequent letter that there was a report of his - death in June 1472, and the two brothers were certainly in London - together in November of the year preceding. It is probable therefore - that the Archbishop was ill of the epidemic which prevailed in the - latter part of 1471 and the spring of 1472. The two brothers were - not together in November 1472.] - - [Footnote 123-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -791 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[124-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, be this delyverd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV. 29] - -I grete zow welle, and send zow Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng zow wete -that I have a letter from zour brother, wherby I undyrstand that he -cannot, ner may, make no porveyans for the C. mark; the wyche causythe -me to be rythgh hevy, and for other thynges that he wrytht to me of that -he is in dawnger. For remembering wat we have had befor thys and ho -symppylly yt hath be spente and to lytyl profythe to any of us, and now -arn in soche casse that non of us may welle helpe other with owte that -we schuld do that wer to gret a dysworschip for us to do, owther to -selle wood or lond or soche stuffe that were nessessary for us to have -in owr howsys; so mot I answer a for God, I wot not how to do for the -seyde money, and for other thyngges that I have to do of scharge, and my -worshup saved. Yt is a deth to me to thynk up on yt. Me thynkyth be zour -brothers wrythtyng, that he thynkyth that I am informed be sume that be -a bowthe me to do and to sey as I have be for thys, but be my trowthe he -demyth a mysse; yt nedyth me not to be informed of no soche thengges. -I construe in my owyn mend, and conseyve i now and to myche, and whan I -have brokyn my conseyte to sume that in happe he deniythe yt too, they -have put me in cownforth more than I kowde have be any imajynasyon in my -owyn conseythe. He wrythetyth to me also, that he hath spend thys terme -xl_li._ Yt is a gret thyng; me thynkyth be good dyscresyon ther mythe -myche ther of aben sparyd. Zour fadyr, God blysse hys sowle, hathe had -as gret maters to do as I trowe he hathe had thys terme, and hath not -spend halfe the mony up on them in so lytyl tyme, and hath do ryth well. -At the reverens of God, avyse hym zet to be war of hys expences and -gydyng that yt be no schame to us alle. Yt is a schame and a thyng that -is myche spokyn of in thys contre that zour faders graveston is not mad. -For Goddes love, late yt be remembyrd and porveyde for in hast. Ther -hathe be mych mor spend in waste than schuld have mad that, me thynkyth -be zour brother that he is wery to wrythe to me and there fore I wyl not -a kumbyr hym with wrythtyng to hym. Ze may telle hym as I wryth to zow. -Item, I woold ze schuld remembyr zour brother of Pekerngges mater, if he -cum not hom hastely, that ze and Townesend and Lumnor may examyn and -sette yt thorow. The pore man is almost on don ther by, and hys brother -suethe hym and trobylyth hym sor zet; and also for the plesur of my -koseyn Clere and the Lady Bolen, I woold yt were sette thorow. - -As for my rowndlet of wyne, I schuld send zow mony there fore, but I dar -not put yt in joperte, ther be so many theves stereng. John Lovedayes -man was robbyd in to hys schyrte as he cam home ward. I trow, and ze -assaye Towneshend or Playter, or sum other good kuntery man of owrys to -lend yt zow for me tyl they cum hom, they wyl do so myche for me and I -schal contente them a geyn. Item, Jamys Gressham hath ben passyng sekke -and ys zet. Judy tellythe me that zour brother is avysed for to sue hym. -For Goddes sake, late non onkyndnesse be schewed to hym, for that woold -sone make an hend of hym. Remembyr ho keynd and true hartyd he hath ben -to us to hys powre; and he had nevere take that offyce upon hym that he -is in dawnger for, ne had be for owr sakkes. He hathe sold a gret parte -of hys lond there for, as I suppose ze have knowlache of. Late yt be -remembyrd, and ellys owr enmyes wyl rejoysyt, and ther wyl no wurshup be -ther in at long way. - -I schuld wryth mor but I have no leyser at thys tyme. I trow ze wyl sone -kum hom, and there fore I wryth the lesse. God kepe zow and send zow -good speede, &c. Wretyn the Fryday, Sen Andrue Ev. - - Be zour modyr. - -_The following note is written on the back of the Letter in Sir John -Fenn's hand_:--'This letter was fastened by threads brought through with -a needle and made fast by the seal. The threads being cut on the -directed side, the letter is opened without breaking the seal.' - - [Footnote 124-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] St. Andrew's Eve, the - 29th November, fell on a Friday in 1471. It will also be seen that - the beginning of this letter refers to the same subject as the - beginning of Letter 787.] - - -792 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE[126-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be this deliuered._ - -[Sidenote: 1471(?) / DEC. [1]] - -I grete you wele, and send you Goddis blyssyng and myn. Desyryng you to -send me word how that your brother doth. It was told her that he shuld -have be ded, which caused many folkis and me bothyn to be right hevy. -Also it was told me this day that ye wer hurt be affray that was mad up -on you be feles disgysed. Ther fore, in any wyse send me word in hast -how your brother doth and ye bothyn; for I shall not ben wele at eas -till I know how that ye do. And for Goddis love lete your brother and ye -be ware how that ye walken, and with what felesshep ye etyn or drynkyn, -and in what place, for it was seid here pleynly that your brothere was -poysoned. And this weke was on of Drayton with me and told me that there -were diverse of the tenauntis seid that thei wost not what to do if that -your brothere came home; and ther was on of the Duk of Suffolkis men by, -and bad them not feryn, for his wey shuld be shorted and [_i.e._ if] he -shuld come there. Wherfore, in any wyse be ware of your self, for I can -thynk thei geve no fors what to do to be wenged and to put you from your -entent, that thei myght have her wyll in Ser John Fastolffis land. -Thy[nke][126-2] what gret sor[ow][126-2] it [shu]ld[126-2] be to me and -any . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I had lever ye had -never know the lond; remembre it was the distruccion of your fadre; -trost not mych up on promyses of lordis now a days that ye shuld be the -suerer of the favor of there men. For there was a man, and a lordis -sone, seid but late, and toke it for an exampill that Sir Robert -Harecourt had the good will of the lordis after ther comyng in, and yet -within shorte tyme after here men kylled hym in hys owyn place. A mannes -deth is litill set by now a days. Therefore be ware of symulacion, for -thei wull speke ryht fayr to you that wuld ye ferd [_fared_] right -evyll. The blissid Trynyte have you in his kepyng. Wretyn in gret hast -the Saterday next after Sent Andrewe. - -Lete this letter be brent whan ye have understond it. Item, I pray you -send me iiij. suger lofis, ich of them of iij_li._, and iiij_li._ of -datis if thei be newe. I send you x_s._ be the berer hereof; if ye pay -more I shall pay it you ageyn whan ye come home. And forgete not to send -me word be the berere hereof how ye don; and remembre the bylles and -remembrauns for the maner of Gresham that I wrote to your brother for. - - Be your moder. - - [Footnote 126-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 211.] This letter may be of - the year 1471, when it would seem by No. 791 that the two - brothers, Sir John and John, were both together (in London, no - doubt) about St. Andrew's Day. If so, it was written just two days - after that letter, on the receipt of unpleasant news, which was - evidently false.] - - [Footnote 126-2: Mutilated.] - - -793 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[127-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -. . . . the very valew of Sporlewood passyth not C. mark of no manys -mony that I can spek with, and to be payid by dayis as the byll that -Jwde shall delyv[er] . . . rehers; and ther ayenst ye shold loose -iij_li._ of the ferme of the maner yerly, whych standyth by undyr wood; -and yet the fense must stand yow over on xij. mark by the lest wey; but, -by God, and I wer as ye, I wold not sell it for C. mark more then it is -woorthe. Syr John Styll recomandyth hym to your good mastyrsheppe, and -seyth pleynly if ye wyll he wyll com up to yow and awayte on yow -whersoever ye be, coort or othyr. By Seynt Mary, he is owyng more mony -than I wend; for he is owyng for a twelmonthe and a quarter at thys -Crystmas, savyng for hys boord, xij_d._ a wek for iij. quarters; and he -seythe pleynly that ye and R. Calle both bad hym syng styll for Syr John -Fastolf as he dyd before; but I have bodyn hym that he shall get hym a -servyse now at thys Crystmas; and so he shall, withowt that ye send hym -othyr wyse woord, or ellys that ye or I may get hym som benefyse or fre -chapell, or som othyr good servyse whych I praye yow enqwer for. - -Item, and ye werk wysly your mater myght com in with othyr maters of the -lordes in ther apoyntmentes with the Kyng, but it wold be labord to a -porpose this Crystmas whyll ye have leyser to spek with your mastyr. -Item, myn aqweyntans with the Lord Revers is none othyrwyse but as it -hathe ben alweys; savyng and he go no to Portygall to be at a day upon -the Serasyns, I porpose and have promysyd to be ther with hym; and that -jorney don, as Wykys seythe, farwell he. He porposyth to go forward a -bowt Lent, but Fortune with hyr smylyng contenans strange of all our -porpose may mak a sodeyn change. I ensuer yow he thynkyth all the world -gothe on ther syd ayen; and as for my comyng up at the begynnyng of thys -next term, with owt ye send me othyrwyse woord that I myght do yow som -good when I wer com, by my feyth I com not ther, for it shold put yow to -a cost, and me to a labor and cost bothe; but [if] ye send for me I com -streyght, thow I tery the lesse whyll ther, and so I shall withowt I may -do yow som good. By my feythe I porpose to make up my byllys clere, and -send yow the copyse as hastyly as I can. Yonge Wyseman othyrwye callyd -Foole, told me that Sir W. Yelverton is abowt to make a bargayne with -the Dwches of Suffolk or with my Lord of Norfolk, whyche he may get -fyrst, for the maner of Gwton. I reseyve all yet, God hold it. - -I praye yow recomand me to my brodyr Molyenewx, and all othyr good -felaws. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 127-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This seems to be only a - portion of a letter, beginning in the middle of a sentence. - Probably it was a second leaf added to a more lengthy epistle. It - is written on one side of a slip of paper and is in the hand of - John Paston the younger. It is endorsed 'John Paston' in that of - his brother Sir John, to whom it was doubtless addressed. The date - must be towards the end of the year 1471, as it appears by the - letter immediately following that Lord Rivers embarked for - Portugal that year on Christmas Eve.] - - [[Yonge Wyseman othyrwye callyd / Foole - _text unchanged: error for "othyrwyse"?_]] - - -794 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[129-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -I grete you wele; letyng you wete that ther was told me a thyng in your -absens that goth right nere myn hert, be a wurchepfull man and such an -as ye wuld beleve and geffe credence to, and that owyth you right good -wille; which if it had comyn to myn remembraunce at your departer I wuld -have spoke to you of it most specially befor all other materis; but I am -so trobilled in my mende with your materis that thei be so delayd and -take no better conclusion, and with the ontrowth that is in servantis -now a days but if the maysteris take better heed to ther handis, that -such thyngis as I wuld rathest remembre I sonest for gete. It was told -me that ye have sold Sporle wood of a right credebill and wurchepful -man, and that was right hevy that ye shuld be know of such disposicion, -consederyng how your fader, whos sowle God assoyl, cherysshed in every -manor his woodis. And for the more preffe that this shuld be trought, -the forseid person told me that it was told hym of on [_one_] that was -toward Sir William Yelverton, to whom Richard Calle shuld have seid in -thes termes, that Sporle Wood shuld be sold, and that it shuld comyn now -in to Cristen mennes handis. Which if it were knowyn shuld cause bothyn -your elmyse [_enemies_] and your frendis to thynk that ye dede it for -right gret nede, or ellis that ye shuld be a wastour and wuld wast your -lyvelod. If ye had do so in Sir John Fastolfes lyffelode, men shuld have -supposid that ye had do it of good pollice, be cause of the onsuerte -that it stoonit (?) in, to have takyn that ye had myght of it duryng -your possession, to have boryn ought the daungere of it with the same; -but for to do this of your owyn lyffelode, men shall thyng that ye do it -for pure nede. And in asmych as it is so nere your most elmyse ere, it -shall be to you the gretter vylney and shame to all your frendis, and -the grettest coragyng and plesere that can be to your elmyse. For if ye -be thus disposid ye shall make them and all othere certeyn of that that -befor this tyme thei haue ben in dought, and cause them to purpose the -more cruelly agayn you. Where fore, in eschewyng of the greet slaundre -and inconveniens that may grow ther of, I require you, and more over -charge you upon my blissyng and as ye wull have my good will, that if -any such sale or bargany be mad, be your assent or with ought, be Calle, -or any othere in your name, that ye restreyn it; for I wuld not for a -M^l marcs that it wer understond that ye were of that disposicion, ner -that ye were comyn to so gret nede which shuld cause [y]ou to do so; for -every [man[130-1]] shuld thynk that it were thurgh your owyn -mysgovernaunce. Therefore I charge you, if any such bargayn be mad, that -ye send a bill as hastly as ye can to Herry Halman, that he do all such -as have mad or takyn that bargayn seasse and felle non of the wood, upon -peyn that may falle ther of. And how [_who_] so ever wull councell you -the contrary, do as I advyse you in this behalffe, or ellis trost never -to have comfort of me; and if I may knowe ye be of such disposicion, and -I leve ij. yer it shall disavayll you in my liffelode ccc. marcs. There -fore, send me word be the berere here of wheder ye have assent to any -such thyng or nought, and how that ye be disposid to do ther in, for I -shall not be quiete in myn hert till I understand yow of the contrary -disposicion. - - Be your more moder. - - [Footnote 129-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 116.] This letter would seem - to have been written about the end of the year 1471 or the - beginning of 1472, when we first hear of Sir John Paston's design - to sell Sporle Wood. _See_ Nos. 793, 798.] - - [Footnote 130-1: Omitted in MS.] - - -795 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[130-2] - -_To my most honorabl and tendre modre, Margrete Paston, be thys letter -delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JAN. 8] - -Most worschypfull and kynde moodre, I comande me to yow, and beseche yow -off yowr dayly blyssyng and remembraunce. Please it yow to wete thatt I -have my pardon,[130-3] as the berer heroff can informe yow, for comffort -wheroffe I have been the marier thys Crystmesse, and have been parte -theroff with Sir George Browen,[131-1] and with my Lady myn aunte, hys -wyffe,[131-2] and be ffor Twelthe[131-3] I come to my Lorde -Archebysshope,[131-4] wher I have hadde as greete cheer, and ben as -welkom as I cowde devyse; and iff I hadde ben in sewerte that Castr weer -hadde ageyn, I wolde have comen homewards thys daye.[131-5] - - . . . . . . . . - -And I beseche yow to remembr my brother to doo hys deveyr thatt I maye -have agayn my stuffe, my bookes and vestments, and my beddyng, how so -evyr he doo, thoghe I scholde gyffe xx^ti scutes by hys advyse to my -Lady Brandon, or some other goode felawe. - -As for any tydynges ther be noon heer, saffe that the Kyng hath kept a -ryall Crystmesse; and now they seye that hastelye he woll northe, and -some seye that he woll into Walys, and some seye that he woll into the -West Contre. As ffor Qween Margrett, I understond that sche is remevyd -from Wyndesor to Walyngfforthe, nyghe to Ewhelme, my Lady of Suffolk -Place in Oxenforthe schyre. - -And men seye that the Lorde Ryverse schyppyd on Crystmesse evyn in to -Portyngale warde; I am not serteyn. - -Also the schalle be a convocacion off the Clergye in all haste, whyche -men deeme will avayle the Kynge a dyme and an halffe, some seye. -I beseche God sende yow goode heele and greater joye in on year then ye -have hadde thys vij. - -Wretyn att the Moor the viij. daye off Janever, A^o E. iiij. xj. - - By yowr soone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 130-2: [From Fenn, ii. 86.]] - - [Footnote 130-3: His pardon passed the Great Seal on the 21st - December 1471. _Pardon Roll_ 11 Edward IV., m. 25.] - - [Footnote 131-1: Sir George Browne, Knight, of Betchworth Castle, - in Surrey.--F.] - - [Footnote 131-2: Elizabeth Paston, formerly married to Robert - Poynings.] - - [Footnote 131-3: Twelfth day, 6th of January.--F.] - - [Footnote 131-4: George Neville, Archbishop of York.--F.] - - [Footnote 131-5: Here follow directions about Caister, and a hope - that it might be had again by the latter end of the term, when he - would come home, and put his lands and houses into order.--F.] - - -796 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[132-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Syr John Paston, Knyght, be thys -delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JAN. 23] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow in my best wyse, lykeyth yow -to wet[132-2] that I have thys day delyveryd yowr mantyll, yowr ray -gowne,[132-3] and yowr crosbowys, wyth telers and wyndas, and yowr -Normandy byll to Kerby to bryng wyth hym to London. - -Item, in eny wyse, and [_if_] ye can axe the probate of my fadyrs wyll -to be gevyn yow wyth the bargayn that ye make wyth my Lord of -Canterbery, and I can thynk that ye may have it, and as soone as it is -prevyd ye or I may have a lettyr of mynystracyon upon the same, and a -qwetance of my Lord Cardinalle evyn foorthe wyth; and thys wer one of -the best bargaynys that ye mad thys ij. yer I enswyr yow, and he may -make yow aqwetance or get yow one of the Bysheop of Wynchestyr for Syr -John Fastolfys goodes also, and in my reson thys wer lyght to be browght -a bowght with the same bargayn. And ye purpose to bargayn with hym ye -had need to hye yow, for it is tolde me that my Lord of Norffolk wyl -entyr in to it hastyly, and if he so doo, it is the wers for yow, and it -wyll cawse them to profyr the lesse sylvyr. - -Item, I pray yow send me some secret tydyngs of the lyklyed of the world -by the next messenger that comyth between, that I may be eyther myryer -or ellys mor sory then I am, and also that I may gwyd me ther aftyr. - -Item, as for Sir R. Wyngfeld, I can get no x. _li._ of hym, but he seyth -that I shall have the fayirest harneys that I can bye in London for -sylvyr, but money can I non get. I can not yet make my pesse wyth my -Lord of Norffolk nor my Lady by no meane, yet every man tellyth me that -my Lady seyth passyngly well of me allweys notwithstandyng. I trowe that -they wyll swe the apell[133-1] thys term, yet ther is no man of us -indytyd but if it wer doon a for the crowners er then we cam owt of the -plase; ther is now but iij. men in it, and the brygges alwey drawyn. No -mor, but God lant yow myn her.[133-2] - -Wretyn the Twysday next aftyr Seynt Agnet the fyrst.[133-3] - - J. P. - -Item, yestyrday W. Gornay entryd in to Saxthorp and ther was he kepyng -of a coort, and had the tenaunts attou[r]nyd to him, but er the coort -was all doon, I cam thedyr with a man with me and no more, and ther, -befor hym and all hys feluwschep, Gayne, Bomsted, &c., I chargyd the -tenaunts that they shold proced no ferther in ther coort upon peyn that -myght folle of it, and they lettyd for a seasen. But they sye that I was -not abyll to make my partye good, and so they procedyd ferther; and I -sye that, and set me downe by the stward and blottyd hys book wyth my -fyngyr as he wrot, so that all tenaunts afermyd that the coort was -enterupte by me as in yowr ryght, and I reqwered them to record that -ther was no pesybyll coort kept, and so they seyd they wold. - - [Footnote 132-1: [From Fenn, iv. 420.] It appears by a letter of - the 17th February following (No. 798), that at the beginning of - the year 1472 the Pastons were endeavouring to come to an - understanding with the Duke of Norfolk by the intercession of the - Duchess. For further evidence of date, see the next letter.] - - [Footnote 132-2: A blank occurs here in Fenn's left-hand, or - literal copy, which is not explained.] - - [Footnote 132-3: This means a gown made of cloth that was never - either coloured or dyed.--F. But according to Halliwell 'ray' - means striped cloth.] - - [Footnote 133-1: This must be the appeal of the two widows, though - one of them is said to have married again. _See_ No. 783.] - - [Footnote 133-2: This sentence I wish to have explained.--F.] - - [Footnote 133-3: The festival of St. Agnes, the first (and the - most noted of the two), was kept on the 21st of January; her - second festival was on the 28th of the same month, which it is to - be observed was not the octave of the former, but a distinct feast - upon a different occasion, and it is sometimes written 'Agnetis - Nativitas'; but it was on account of a miracle wrought at her tomb - that this second feast was instituted.--F.] - - [[I can get no x. _li._ - _anomalous spacing unchanged_ - - Footnote 132-2 and body text: - _In the printed book, the blank takes up the final one-third of - its line._]] - - -797 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[134-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be thys delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / FEB. 5] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that the woman that sewyth the appell ageyn your brother and his men is -comyn to London to call ther up on. And whan that she shuld come to -London ther was delivered her C. _s._ for to sewe with, so that be that -I here in this countre she wull not leve it, but that she shall calle -ther up on such tyme as shall be to your most rebuke, but if [_unless_] -ye ley the better wetch. She hath evill councell, and that wull see you -gretely uttered, and that ye may understand be the money that was take -her whan she came up, and ye shuld fynd it, I knowe it wele, if ther -myght have you at avauntage; ther for, for Godds sake make diligent -serge be the advyce of your councell, that ther be no necglicens in you -in this mater ner other for diffaught of labour, and call upon your -brother, and telle hym that I send hym Godds blyssyng and myn, and -desire hym that he wull now a while, whill he hath the Lords at his -entent, that he seke the meanes to make an ende of his maters, for his -elmyses arn gretly coraged now of late; what is the cause I knowe not. -Also, I pray you speke to Playter that ther may be fownd a meane that -the shereffe or the gaderer of grene wax[134-2] may be discharged of -certeyn issues that renne up on Fastolf for Mariotts mater, for the -balyfe was at hym this weke, and shuld have streyned hym, but that he -promysed hym that he shuld with in this viij. days labore the meanes -that he shuld be discharged or ell[es] he must content hym, &c. Also, -I send you be the berer her of, closed in this letter, v. _s._ of gold, -and pray you to bey me a suger loyfe, and dates, and almaunds, and send -it me hame, and if ye bewar [_lay out_] any mor money, whan ye came hame -I shall pait you ageyn. The Holy Gost kepe you bothyn, and deliver you -of your elmyse [_enemies_]. Wretyn on Sent Agas Day, in hast. - -Item, I pray you speke to Mayster Roger[135-1] for my sorepe, for I had -never mor nede therof, and send it me as hastly as ye can. - - Be - - M. P. - - [Footnote 134-1: [From Fenn, iv. 424.] As anticipated in the - preceding letter we here find that steps are being taken by one of - the two women whose husbands were killed at the siege of Caister, - to prosecute the appeal against Sir John for her husband's death. - The other woman, as will be seen by Letter 783, had married again - during the year 1471, and was thus disqualified from pursuing the - same course.] - - [Footnote 134-2: Estreats delivered to the Sheriff out of the - Exchequer, to be levied in his county under the Seal of that - Court, made in green wax, were from thence called green wax.--F.] - - [Footnote 135-1: Master Roger was, I suppose, some leech famous - for his syrups, etc.--F.] - - [[C. _s._ .... v. _s._ - _anomalous spacing unchanged_]] - - -798 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[135-2] - -_A Johan Paston, Esquier, soit doné._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / FEB. 17] - -Brother, I comande me to yow, and praye yow to loke uppe my _Temple of -Glasse_,[135-3] and send it me by the berer herof. - -Item, as for tydyngs, I have spoken with Mestresse Anne Hault, at a -praty leyser, and, blyssyd be God, we be as ffer fforthe as we weer -toffoor, and so I hoope we schall contenew; and I promysed hyr, that at -the next leyser that I kowd ffynde therto that I wolde come ageyn and -see hyr; whyche wyll take a leyser as [I] deeme now; syn thys observance -is over doon, I purpose nott to tempte God noo moor soo. - -Yisterday the Kynge, the Qween, my Lordes of Claraunce and Glowcester, -wente to Scheen to pardon; men sey, nott alle in cheryte; what wyll -falle, men can nott seye. - -The Kynge entretyth my Lorde off Clarance ffor my Lorde of Glowcester; -and, as itt is seyde, he answerythe, that he may weell have my Ladye hys -suster in lawe, butt they schall parte no lyvelod, as he seythe; so what -wyll falle can I nott seye. - -Thys daye I purpose to see my Lady off Norffolk ageyn, in goode howr be -it! - -Ther is proferyd me marchaunts ffor Sporle woode. God sende me goode -sale whan I be gynne; that poor woode is soor manashed and thrett. - -Yitt woote I nott whether I come home beffoor Esterne or nott, I schall -sende yow worde. No moor, &c. - -Wretyn the ffyrst Tewesdaye off Lenton. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 135-2: [From Fenn, ii. 90.] After the death of Prince - Edward, the son of Henry VI., who is said to have been murdered - just after the Battle of Tewkesbury in May 1471, Richard, Duke of - Gloucester, married his widow Anne, who was the daughter of - Warwick the Kingmaker. The reference to the proposed sale of - Sporle wood goes further to fix the date. _See_ Letter 793, and - Nos. 819 and 820 following.] - - [Footnote 135-3: A poem of Lydgate's.] - - -799 - -ABSTRACT[136-1] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / APRIL 10] - -Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 38.--'Relaxatio Johannis Paston facta -Willielmo Wainflet et aliis totius juris in manerio vocat' Pedham Hall -in Beyton, etc., in omnibus terris, tenementis, redditibus, etc., in -villis de Beyton, Akle, Birlingham, et Hykling, quæ quondam fuerunt -Johannis Fastolf.--April 10, Edw. IV., 12.'--There is a similar deed of -the same date including the manor of Titchwell, numbered 'Titchwell, 5,' -in the collection. - - [Footnote 136-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -800 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO HIS BROTHER, JOHN PASTON[136-2] - -_To Master John Paston, or to my mestresse, hys Modre, be this letter -delyveryd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / APRIL 30] - -Brother, I comand me to yow[136-3] . . . . - . . . . . . . - -By Juddy I sende yow a letter by Corby with in iiij. dayes byffor thys; -and ther with ij. potts off oyle for saladys, whyche oyle was goode as -myght be when I delyveryd itt, and schall be goode at the reseyvynge, -iff it be nott mysse handelyd, nor mysse karryd. - -Item, as ffor tydyngs, the Erle of Northomberlonde is hoome in to the -Northe, and my Lord off Glowcester schall afftr as to morow, men seye. -Also thys daye Robert of Racclyff weddyd the Lady Dymmok at my place in -Fleet-street, and my Ladye and yowrs, Dame Elizbeth Bowghcher,[137-1] is -weddyd to the Lorde Howards soon and heyr.[137-2] Also Sir Thomas -Walgrave is ded off the syknesse that reygnyth, on Tewesday, now [_no_] -cheer ffor yowe. Also my Lorde Archebysshope[137-3] was browt to the -Towr on Saterday at nyght, and on Mondaye, at mydnyght, he was conveyd -to a schyppe, and so in to the see, and as yitt I can nott undrestande -whedyr he is sent, ner whatt is fallyn off hym; men seye, that he hathe -offendyd, but as John Forter seythe, some men sey naye; but all hys meny -ar dysparblyd [_dispersed_], every man hys weye; and som that ar greete -klerkys, and famous doctors of hys, goo now ageyn to Cambrygge to -scoolle. As ffor any other tydyngs I heer noon. The Cowntesse off -Oxenfford[137-4] is stylle in Seynt Martyns; I heer no word off hyr. The -Qween hadde chylde, a dowghter, but late at Wyndesor; ther off I trow ye -hadde worde. And as ffor me, I am in lyke case as I was. And as ffor my -Lorde Chamberleyn,[137-5] he is nott yitt comen to town; when he comythe -than schall I weete what to doo. Sir John of Parr is yowr ffrende and -myn, and I gaffe hym a ffayr armyng sworde within this iij. dayes. -I harde somwhat by hym off a bakke ffreende off yowr; ye schall knowe -moor her afftr. - -Wretyn the last daye of Apryll. - - [Footnote 136-2: [From Fenn, i. 288.] The date of this letter is - ascertained by the fact that Sir Thomas Waldegrave died on the - 28th April 1472.--_See_ Inquisition post mortem, 12 Edw. IV., No. - 4.] - - [Footnote 136-3: Here (according to Fenn) follows an order for - making out an account and receiving some rents, etc.] - - [Footnote 137-1: Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir Frederic - Tilney, Knight, and widow of Sir Humphrey Bourchier, son of John, - first Lord Berners. Her husband was slain at the battle of - Barnet.] - - [Footnote 137-2: Thomas Howard, afterwards created Duke of - Norfolk, by Henry VIII., for his victory over the Scots at - Flodden. He was son and heir of John, Lord Howard.] - - [Footnote 137-3: George Nevill, Archbishop of York.] - - [Footnote 137-4: Margaret, wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, - daughter of Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, and sister of - Warwick the Kingmaker.] - - [Footnote 137-5: William, Lord Hastings.] - - -801 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[138-1] - -_To Mastyr Syr John Paston, Knyght, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / MAY 14] - -Syr, I recomande me to yow, &c. W. Gorney and I ar apoyntyd that ther -shall no mony be takyn at Saxthorp tyll thys terme be past, for he hathe -promysyd me to spek with yow and your consell, and that ye shall tak a -wey betwyx yow so that ye shall be bothe plesyd. He had warnyd a coort -at Saxthorp and to have be kep upon Holy Rood Day last past, and ther he -wold have gadyrd the half yere ferm, but it fortunyd me to be there ere -the coort was half done, and I took syche a wey with hym that the qwest -gave no verdyt, ner they procedyd no ferther in ther cort, nor gadyrd no -mony ther, nor not shall do, tyll syche tym as ye spek to gedyr, and -[_if_] ye be at London thys term; but and ye be not at London, I wold -avyse yow to let Townysend tak a wey with hym, for it lyeth not in my -power to keep werre with hym; for and I had not delt ryght corteysly up -on Holy Rood Day I had drownk to myn oystyrs, for yowng Heydon had -reysyd as many men as he kowd mak in harneys to have holp Gornay; but -when Heydon sye [_saw_] that we delt so corteysly as we ded he withdrew -hys men and mad hem to go hom a yen, notwithstandyng they wer redy, and -ned had be. And also my Lord of Norffolks men wyll be with hym ayenst me -I wet well as yet, tyl bettyr pesse be. - -Item, as for myn ownkyll William, I have spook with hym, and he seyth -that he wyll make a byll in all hast of iche percelle be twyxt yow and -send yow word in wryghtyng how that he wooll dyell with yow; but I can -not se that he besyth hym abowght it, notwithstandyng I calle upon hym -dayly for it. As for mony, I can none get, neyther at Snaylewell nor at -Sporle tyll mydsomer, thow I wold dryve all the catell they have. I was -bond to the shrevys for gren wax[139-1] and for a _fyeri facias_ that is -awardyd owt of yowr lond, wyche drawyth in alle bettyr than v. mark, and -I am fayn to borow the mony to pay it by that Lord I beleve on, for I -cowd not gadyr a nobyll of areragys syn I was with yow at London of alle -the lyvelod ye have. As for John Maryot, he is payid of hys anuyte in to -a nobyll or x_s._ at the most, but as for all hys dettors I can not pay -hem tyll I can gadyr more mony, so God help me. I pray yow send a byll -to John Pampyng that he may ryed with me ovyr all your lyvelood, and tak -a clere reknyng what is owyng and what that I have receyvyd, that ye may -have a cler reknyng of all that ye owe in thys contre, and what your -tenauntes owe yow. Item, I pray yow send me word as hastyly as ye can, -how the world goethe. No more, but God lant yow lansmann,[139-2] and -rather then to stand in dowght, remembyr what peyn it is a man to loese -lyberte. The Flet is a fayir preson, but ye had but smale lyberte ther -in,[139-3] for ye must nedys aper when ye wer callyd. Item, I have fownd -Jamys Greshamys oblygacyon. Item, he comyth to Londonward thys day. - -Wretyn the xiiij. day of Maye. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 138-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] What is here said of the - attempt of Gurney to collect the rents at Saxthorpe, seems to show - that this letter is of the same year as No. 796. Also the mention - of Maryot's annuity and the green wax agrees very well with the - previous allusion to these matters in No. 797.] - - [Footnote 139-1: _See_ p. 134, Note 2.] - - [Footnote 139-2: So in MS. What does this mean? Compare similar - expression at p. 133.] - - [[_"similar expression" = "God lant yow myn her" and footnote_]] - - [Footnote 139-3: I have found no other mention of Sir John Paston - having been imprisoned in the Fleet.] - - -802 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[139-4] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / MAY 25] - -Ryght worchefull syr, I recomande me to yow, sertyfying yow that I was -purposyd to have com to London to have made my pese with my Lady of -Norffolk, but I undyrstand she is not in London; notwithstandyng that is -no cause of myn abydyng at hom, but thys is the cause, so God help -me,--I can get no mony, neythyr of your lyvelod ner of myn, to pay for -my costes, nor for to ease yow with at my comyng. Notwithstandyng I am -promysyd som at Snaylewell, and if so be that John can take eny ther, he -shall bryng it yow with this bylle. I send yow here ij. of my reknynges -that I have receyved and payd syn I delt with yowr lyvelod, and by thes -ij. and by that reknyng that I sent yow to London ye may know what is -receyved by me, and what I have payid; and howgh and when so evyr ye -wyll let your tenauntes and fermours at alle plasys be examynd, ye -shalle fynd it non othyr wyse. So God help me, as your lyvelod is payid, -it cannot paye your dettes in thys contre; for it drawyth up on a x_li._ -that ye owe yet in thys contre, besyd the xii_li._ to Dawbney; and with -in thes vij. dayis I shall send yow a clere byll what ye owe, for ther -are axyid many thynges that I knewe not of when I was with yow. - -Also I enswyr yow by my trowthe I saw my modyr nevyr sorer mevyd with no -mater in hyr lyve then she was when she red the byll that ye gave me -warnyng in that Perker had atainyd an axyon ayenst yow and me, for she -supposyth veryly that it is doon by myn oncyll William meanys, to mak -yow to sell your lond. But thys she comandyd me for to send yow word, -that and ye sell eny lond, but paye your dettes with syche good as my -Lord Archebyshopp owyth yow, and eny law in Inglond can put fro yow eny -of hyr lond, she sweryth by that feyth that she owyth to God she wyll -put fro yow dobyll as myche lond as ye selle. And therfor I wold avyse -yow, calle sharply upon my Lord, the Archebyshop, for ye ar not bond to -undo your sylf for hym. - -Item, I pray yow se that I tak no hurt by Parker. As for myn oncyll W., -I can not mak hym to send you the byll of syche stuff as he hathe of -yowrs. He seyth he woll, but he comyth no of with it.[140-1] He and I ar -fowly fallyn owght thys same day for a mater betwyx Lovell and Johne -Wallsam and hyr sustyr. Lovell hathe bowt Jone Walshamys part of hyr -lyvelod, and maryd hyr to a knave, and myn oncyll W. hathe oft spok with -my modyr and me for to delyver Jone Walshamys evydence to Lovell, whyche -I have in kepyng; and be cause I wyll not delyver Lovell the evydence -therfor we fyll owt, in so myche that he seyth he wyll stryppe me fro -the maner of Sweynsthorpe. Wherfor I pray yow in eny wyse send me by -John Mylsend a copye of the deed that I sent yow to London. Ther is in -the same deed Gresham and Snaylewell, and Sporle and Sweynsthorpe, alle -to gedyr I trow. And I prey yow let the date and the feoffeys namys, and -alle be set in. And I trust to God to mak yt so sewyr that he shall do -me lytyll harm. Gefrey Spyrlyng callyth oft up on me to undyrstand how -ye wyll delle with hym for hys plase in Norwyche. I pray you send me -woord by John what answer I may geve hym; he delyth alwey ryght frendly -with yow. - -Item, I send yow here wyth Jamys Greshamys oblygacyon. - -Item, I pray yow send serteyn woorde how the world gothe. - -Wretyn the xxv. day of May. - - J. P. - - _Endorsed_--John Paston. - - [Footnote 139-4: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter seems to - have been written in 1472, when, as before observed, the Pastons - were endeavouring to make peace with the Duke of Norfolk by means - of the Duchess. The date is confirmed by the reference to James - Gresham's obligation at the end. Compare last No. There is no - address on the back.] - - [Footnote 140-1: So in MS.] - - -803 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[141-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knythe, be thys delyverid._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JUNE 5] - -I gret zow welle, and send zow Godds blyssyng and myn, latyng zow wet -that I spakke with frends of myn with yne thys fewe days that told me -that I am leke to be trobyld for Sir John Fastolles goodes, the whyche -were in zour fadyrs possessyon, and as for me I had never none of them. -Where fore I pray zow send me a kopy of the dyssecharge whyche ze have -of my Lord of Wynchester that ze told me that ze had, bothe for my -dyscharge and zowyrs wat sum ever that be callyd upon of eyther of us -here after. Item, yt ys told me that Harry Heydon hat bowthe [_bought_] -of the seyd Lord bothe Saxthorpe and Tychewelle, and hathe takke -possessyon there in. We bette the busschysse and have the losse and the -disworschuppe and ether men have the byrds. My Lord hathe falsse -kownselle and sympylle, that avyseythe hym thereto; and as yt ys told -me, Guton ys leke to goo the same wey in hast. And as for Heylysdon and -Drayton, I trow yt is ther yt schalle be. Wat schalle falle of the -remnaunt, God kowythe,--I trow as evelle or whersse. We have the losse -among us. Yt owythe to be remembyrd, and they that be defawty to have -konsyens there in. And so mot I thryve, yt was told me but latte that yt -is seyd in kownselle of them that ben at Caster, that I am leke to have -but lytylle good of Mauteby yf the Duke of Norfolke have possessyon -stylle in Caster; and yf we lesse that, we lesse the fayereste flower of -owr garlond. And ther for helpe that he may be owte of possessyon there -of in haste be myn a vyse, wat so ever fortune here after. Item, yt is -seyde here that my Lord Archebysschoppe is ded; and yf yt be so, calle -up on hys sueretes for the mony that is owyng to us, in hast be myn -avyse; and at reverens of God helpe that I mythe be dyschargyd of the C. -mark that ze wet of, owder be that mene or sum other, for yt is to myche -for me to bere, with other charges that I have besyd, that I am to hevy -wan I thynk up on yt. As for your syster Anne, Master Godfrey and his -wyffe and W. Grey of Martyn, arn up on a powntment with me and your -brother John, so that ze wylle a gre there to and be her good brother; -sche schalle have to joyntor hys modyrs lyvelod after the dyssese of her -and her husbond, and I to pay x_li._ be zere to the fynddyng of her and -her husbond tylle c_li._, be payed. And yf hys grawntsyers lyvelod falle -to hym here after, he hathe promysed to amend her joyntyr. Master -Godfrey hathe promysyd hym for hys parte xl_s._ be zere, and than -lakkythe but iiij. nobyls of xx. mark be zere, the wyche they hope ze -wylle make upe for zour parte. Wylliam Grey told me he schuld speke with -zow here in wan he kam to London thys terme. God kepe zow. - -Wretyn in hast on Fryday next after Sen Pernelle.[143-1] - - Be your modyr. - - [Footnote 141-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that Henry - Heydon's purchase of Saxthorpe, mentioned in this letter, must - have been subsequent to his support of Gurney in the possession of - that manor, as mentioned in Letter 801. No doubt the year is the - same. The letter is endorsed by Sir John 'Per matrem.'] - - [Footnote 143-1: St. Petronilla the Virgin or St. Pernell. Her day - was the 31st May.] - - [[God kowythe - _text unchanged: error for "knowythe"?_ - - tylle c_li._, be payed - _punctuation unchanged_]] - - -804 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[143-2] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JUNE 5] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow.[143-3] - -. . . . . . . . . - -Item, Mastyr John Smythe tellyth me that Sir T. Lyneys goodys ar not -abyll to paye a quarter of hys detts that be axyd hym; wherfor syche -money as is be left it most be devydyd to every man a parte aftyr the -quantyte, whyche dyvysyon is not yet mad, but when it is mad he hathe -promyseyd me that your part shalbe worthe iij. the best, &c. - -Item, as for J. of Barneys hors, whoso have leest need to hym he shall -cost hym xx. marks, not a peny lesse. - -Ye send me woord of the maryage of my Lady Jane; one maryage for an -other on, Norse and Bedford were axed in the chyrche on Sonday last -past. As for my syster Anne, my modyr wyll not remeve fro W. Yellverton -for Bedyngfeld, for she hathe comend ferther in that mater, syn ye wer -in this contre, as it aperyth in hyr lettyr that she sendyth yow by -Thyrston. - -Tydyngs her, my Lady of Norffolk is with chyld, she wenyth hyrsylf, and -so do all the women abowght hyr, insomyche she waytys the qwyknyng with -in thes vj. wekys at the ferthest. Also W. Gernay wenyth that Heydon is -swyr of Saxthorp, and that Lady Boleyn of Gwton. John Osberne avysythe -yow to take brethe for your wodsale at Sporle, for he hathe cast it, -that it is woorthe as good as ix.^xx._li._ Bewar of Montayn, for he may -not pay yow so moche mony with hys ease. - -I prey yow recomand me to Sir John Parre with all my servys, and tell -hym by my trouthe I longyd never sorer to see my Lady than I do to se -hys Mastershepe; and I prey God that he aryse never a mornyng fro my -Lady hys wyff, with owght it be ageyn hyr wyll, tyll syche tyme as he -bryng hyr to Our Lady of Walsyngham. - -Also I prey yow to recomand me in my most humbyll wyse unto the good -Lordshepe of the most corteys, gentylest, wysest, kyndest, most -compenabyll, freest, largeest, most bowntesous knyght, my Lord the Erle -of Arran,[144-1] whych hathe maryed the Kyngs sustyr of Scotland. Herto -he is one the lyghtest, delyverst, best spokyn, fayrest archer; -devowghtest, most perfyghte, and trewest to hys lady of all the knyghtys -that ever I was aqweyntyd with; so wold God, my Lady lyekyd me as well -as I do hys person and most knyghtly condycyons, with whom I prey yow to -be aqweyntyd, as yow semyth best; he is lodgyd at the George in Lombard -Street. He hath a book of my syster Annys of the _Sege of Thebes_; when -he hathe doon with it, he promysyd to delyver it yow. I prey lete -Portland bryng the book hom with hym. Portland is loggyd at the George -in Lombard Street also. - - And thys I promyse yow, ye schall not be so longe ayen with ought - a byll fro me, as ye have ben, thow I shold wryght how ofte the wynd - changyth, for I se be your wryghtyng ye can be wrothe and ye wyll - - crosse it. - · + · + · + - for lytyll.[144-2] Wretyn the v. day of June. - · + · + · + - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 143-2: [From Fenn, ii. 92.] This letter, like the last, - is dated by the reference to Gurney and Heydon. The date is - confirmed by the allusion to the proposal to sell Sporle wood.] - - [Footnote 143-3: Here follows an account of some money - transactions, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 144-1: Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran, in 1466, married - Mary, daughter of James II. and sister of James III., Kings of - Scotland. He was appointed Regent, but becoming unpopular, was - banished, and died in exile before 1474.--F.] - - [Footnote 144-2: These two words are crossed as here represented, - and over them is written, 'crosse it.'] - - [[Sidenote: 1472 / JUNE 5 - _date supplied from body of letter_]] - - -805 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[145-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JULY 8] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to you, sertyfying yow that I have -spokyn wyth Mastyr John Smyth[145-2] for Sir T. Lyndys, and he hathe -shewyd me your byll whyche ye axe to be content of. Your byll a lone -drawyth iiij. mark and ode monye, for ye have set in your byll for wax a -lone xx_s._, whyche to Mastyr John S. imagynacyon, and to all other -ofycers of the coort, shold not drawe past xx_d._ at hys berying. The -bylls that be put into the coorte of Syr Thomas Lynys dettes drawe -xxx_li._ xviij_s._ vj_d._, and all the money that can be mad of hys -house and goodes in this contrey drawyth but v_li._ Mastyr J. Smyth wold -ye shold send hym into the coort an inventory of syche goodys as Syr T. -had at London when he dyeid, and that inventory onys had, ye shall have -as comyth to your part and more also. Ye must send the serteynte whedyr -the wax be xx_s._ or xx_d._; and as for the Freers, Master John wyll not -alowe theym a peny, for he seyth wher the dettes may not be payeid, set -the beqwestes at nowght. He is agreid to pay the potycarye aftyr that he -have the inventory fro yow. Rysyng I trowe hathe be with yow. - -Item, as for John Maryot, I have sent to hym for the xl_s._ but I have -non answer. - -Item, I have spok with Barker, and he hathe no money, nor non can get -tyll harvest, when he may dystreyn the cropp upon the grownd; he seyth -there is not owyng past v. mark, and on Saturday next comyng he shall -send me a vewe of hys acompte whyche I shall send you as sone as I have -it. As for Fastolffes v. mark, J. Wyndham hathe be spokyn to by me half -a doseyn tymys to send to hym for it, and he seyth he hathe doon so. - -Item, Sir John Styll hathe told Jwde when ye shall have the chalys; ax -Jwde of your crwets allso. - -Item, the prowd, pevyshe, and evyll disposyd prest to us all, Sir James, -seyth that ye comandyd hym to delyver the book of vij. Sagys to my -brodyr Water, and he hathe it. - -Item, I send you the serteynte her with of as myche as can be enqweryd -for myn oncyll W. cleym in Caster; thase artyclys that fayle, the -tenaunts of Caster shall enqwer theym, and send theym to me hastyly; -they have promysyd, and they com, ye shall have theym sent yow by the -next messenger that comyth to London. - -Item, my modyr sendyth you woord that she hathe neyther Master Robard -Popyes oblygacyon nor the Byshopys.[146-1] - -Item, my modyr wold ye shold in all haste gete hyr aqwetance of the -Byshop[146-2] of Wynchester for Sir John Fastolffes goodes; she preyid -you to make it swyr by the avyse of your consayll, and she wyll pay for -the costes. - -Item, she preyith you to spek to the seyd Byshop for to get Master -Clement Felmyngham the viij. mark be yer dwryng hys lyffe that Sir J. -Fastolff be set hym; she preyid you to get hym an asygnement for it to -som maner in Norfolk or in Lothynglond. - -Item, she wold ye shold get yow an other house to ley in your stuff -syche as cam fro Caster. She thynkyth on of the Freerys is a fayir -house; she purposeyth to go in to the contre, and ther to sojorn onys -ayen.[146-3] Many qwarellys ar pyekyd to get my brodyr E. and me ought -of hyr howse; we go not to bed unchedyn lyghtly, all that we do is ille -doon, and all that Sir Jamys and Pekok dothe is well doon; Sir Jamys and -I be tweyn. We fyll owght be for my modyr, with 'Thow prowd prest' and -'Thow prowd sqwyer,' my modyr takyng hys part, so I have almost beshet -the bote, as for my modyrs house; yet somer shal be don or I get me ony -mastyr. My modyr proposeith hastyly to take estate in all hyr londys, -and upon that estate to make hyr wyll of the seyd londys, parte to geve -to my yonger brethyrn for term of ther lyvys, and aftyr to remayn to -yow, pert to my syster Annys maryage,[147-1] tyll on C_li._ be payid, -part for to make hyr ile at Mawtby, parte for a prest to syng for hyr -and my fadyr, and ther ancestrys. And in thys aungyr betwen Sir Jamys -and me, she hathe promyseid me that my parte shall be nowght; what your -shal be, I can not sey. God sped the plowghe; i feythe ye must purvey -for my brodyr E. to go over with you, or he is on don; he wyll bryng xx. -noblys in hys purse. My modyr wyll nowthyr geve nor lend non of you -bothe a peny forward. Purvey a meane to have Caster ayen or ye goo ovyr; -my Lord and Lady (whyche for serteyn is gret with chyld), be wery ther -of, and all the housold also. If ye wyll eny othyr thyn to be don in -thys contre, send me woord, and I shall do as well as I can with Godes -grace, Who preserve yow. - -Wretyn the viij. day of Julle. I pray yow recomand me to my Lord of -Aran,[147-2] Sir John Par, Sir George Browne, Osbern Berney, R. Hyd, -Jhoxson my cosyn, hys wyfe Kate, W. Wood, and all. I pray brenne thys -by[ll] for losyng. - - Your, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 145-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The references to the - affairs of the deceased Sir Thomas Lynde, the Duchess of Norfolk's - pregnancy, and other subjects mentioned in the letter immediately - preceding, prove clearly that this letter belongs to the same - year.] - - [Footnote 145-2: Master John Smyth was, at this time, an officer - in the Bishop's Court; he became afterwards Chancellor of the - Diocese of Norwich, and died about 1491.] - - [Footnote 146-1: Walter Lyhert, Bishop of Norwich, from 1445 to - 1472.] - - [Footnote 146-2: William de Wainfleet, Bishop of Winchester from - 1447 to 1486.] - - [Footnote 146-3: Fenn reads 'onys a yer,' which may have been - intended; but I think the true reading is 'ayen.'] - - [Footnote 147-1: She afterwards married William Yelverton, Esq.] - - [Footnote 147-2: _See_ p. 144, Note 1.] - - [[my syster Annys maryage,[147-1] - _text reads_ - my syster Annys,[147-1] maryage,]] - - -806 - -ABSTRACT[147-3] - -[Sidenote: 1472(?)] - -A paper endorsed 'The copy of the request to the Bishop of Winchester by -Sir John Paston, Knight.' - -Complains of my Lord not making him an acquittance of 4000 marks which -he has often claimed, etc. - - [Sir John Paston is desired in Letters 796 and 805 to procure from - the Bishop of Winchester an acquittance for Sir John Fastolf's goods, - and this paper may be presumed to be of the same year.] - - [Footnote 147-3: [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 271.]] - - -807 - -ABSTRACT[148-1] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / AUG. 12] - -Norf. and Suff. Deeds, No. 63.--'Relaxatio Willielmi Paston Will. -Wainflete et aliis totius juris in manerio de Caldecots in Freton, in -Akethorp, in Lowestoft, Spitlings in Gorleston, tenementi vocat' Habland -in Bradwell, et tenementi vocat' Broweston in eadem villa, et aliis -terris infra hundred de Loddinglond Aug. 12, Edw. IV. 12.' - - [Footnote 148-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -808 - -JAMES ARBLASTER TO THE BAILIFF OF MALDEN[148-2] - -_To my ryght trusty ffrend John Carenton, Baylye of Maldon._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / SEPT. 20] - -Ryght trusty frend, I comand me to yow, preying yow to call to your mynd -that, lyek as ye and I comonyd of, it were necessary for my Lady and you -all, hyr servaunts and tenaunts, to have thys Parlement as for one of -the burgeys of the towne of Maldon, syche a man of worchep and of wytt -as wer towardys my seyd Lady; and also syche on as is in favor of the -Kyng and of the Lords of hys consayll nyghe abought hys persone. -Sertyfying yow, that my seid Lady for hyr parte, and syche as be of hyr -consayll be most agreeabyll, that bothe ye, and all syche as be hyr -fermors and tenauntys, and wellwyllers, shold geve your voyse to a -worchepfull knyght, and one of my Ladys consayll, Sir John Paston, -whyche standys gretly in favore with my Lord Chamberleyn; and what my -seyd Lord Chamberleyn may do with the Kyng and with all the Lordys of -Inglond, I trowe it be not unknowyn to you most of eny on man alyve. -Wherefor, by the meenys of the seyd Sir John Paston to my seyd Lord -Chamberleyn, bothe my Lady and ye of the towne kowd not have a meeter -man to be for yow in the Perlement, to have your needys sped at all -seasons. Wherfor, I prey yow labor all syche as be my Ladys servauntts, -tenaunts, and wellwyllers, to geve ther voyseys to the seyd Sir John -Paston, and that ye fayle not to sped my Ladys intent in thys mater, as -ye entend to do hyr as gret a plesur, as if ye gave hyr an C_li._ And -God have yow in Hys keping. - -Wretyn at Fysheley, the xx. day of Septembyr. - - J. ARBLASTER. - -I prey yow be redy with all the acomptanttys belongyng to my Lady, at -the ferthest within viij. dayes next aftyr Perdon Sonday, for then I -shall be with yow with Gods Grace, Who have yow in keepyng. - - [Footnote 148-2: [From Fenn, ii. 98.] The date of this letter is - ascertained by the reference made to it in that which immediately - follows it.] - - -809 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[149-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / SEPT. 21] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wet that your -desyer as for the Knyghts of the Shyer was an impossoybyl to be browght -abowght; ffor my Lord of Norffolk and my Lord of Suffolk wer agreid i -mor then a fortnyght go to have Sir Robert Wyngfeld, and Sir Rychard -Harcort, and that knew I not tyll it was Fryday last past. I had sent or -I rod to Framlynham, to warne as many of your frends to be at Norwyche -as thys Monday, to serve your entent as I koud; but when I cam to -Framlynham, and knew the apoyntment that was taken for the ij. knyghts, -I sent warnyng ayen to as many I myght to tery at hom; and yet ther cam -to Norwyche thys day as many as ther costs dreave to ix_s._ i_d._ ob., -payid and reknyd by Pekok and R. Capron, and yet they dyd but brak ther -fest and depertyd. And I thankyd hem in your name, and told them that ye -wold have noo voyse as thys day, for ye supposyd not to be in Inglond -when the Perlement shold be, and so they cam not at the sherhous -[_shire-house_]; for if they had, it was thought by syche as be your -frends here, that your adversarys wold have reportyd that ye had mad -labor to have ben one, and that ye koud not bryng your purpose abowght. - -I sent to Yermowthe, and they have promysyd also to Doctor Aleyn and -John Russe to be mor then iij. wekys goo. - -Jamys Arblaster hathe wretyn a lettyr to the Bayle of Maldon, in Essex, -to have yow a bergeys ther; howe Jwde shall sped, let hym tell yow, when -ye spek to gedyr. - -Syr, I have ben twyis at Framlyngham sythe your departyng, but now, the -last time the consayll was ther, I sye [_saw_] yow lettyr whyche was -bettyr then well endyghtyd. R. C.[150-1] was not at Framlyngham when the -consayll was ther, but I took myn owne avyse, and delyvered it to the -consayll with a propocysion ther with, as well as I kowd spek it, and my -wordys wer well takyn, but your lett[yr] a thousand fold bettyr. When -they had red it, they shewd it to my Lady.[150-2] Aftyr that my Lady had -sen it, I spok with my Lady offryng to my Lord and her your servyse, and -besyd that, ye to do my Lord a plesur[150-3] and hyr a bettyr, so as ye -myght depert wyth ought eny some specyfyid. She wold not tell in that -mater, but remyttyd me ayen to the consayll, for she seyd, and she speke -in it, tyll my Lord and the consayll wer agreed, they wold ley the wyght -[_blame_] of all the mater on hyr, whyche shold be reportyd to hyr -shame; but thys she promyseid to be helpyng, so it wer fyrst mevyd by -the consayll. Then I went to the consayll, and offyrd befor them your -servyse to my Lord, and to do hym a plesure, for the haveing ayen of -your place and londys in Caster, xl_li._ not spekyng of your stuff nor -thyng ellys. So they answerd me your offyr was more then resonabyll; and -if the mater wer thers, they seyd, they wyst what conscyence wold dryve -hem to. They seyd they wold meve my Lord with it, and so they dyd, but -then the tempest aros, and he gave hem syche an answer that non of hem -all wold tell it me; but when I axid an answer of them, they seyd, and -[_if_] som Lordys or gretter men mevyd my Lord with it, the mater wer -your (kepe consaile), and with thys answer I depertyd. But Syr W. -Brandon, Sothewell, Tymperley, Herry Wentworthe, W. Gornay, and all -other of consayll, undyrstand that ye have wronge, insomyche that they -mevyd me that ye shold take a recompence of other lond to the valew; but -they wold not avowe the offyr, for I anserd hem that if they had ryght -they wold have ofred no recompence. Dyscovyr not thys, but in my reason, -and [_i.e._ if] my Lord Chamberleyn[151-1] wold send my Lady a letter -with some privy tokyn betwyx theym, and allso to meve my Lord of -Norffolk when he comyth to the Parlement, serteynly Caster is yours. - -If ye mysse to be burgeys of Maldon, and my Lord Chamberleyn wyll, ye -may be in a nother plase; ther be a doseyn townys in Inglond that chesse -no bergeys, whyche ought to do, and ye may be set in for one of those -townys, and ye be frendyd. Also in no wyse forget not in all hast to get -some goodly ryng, pryse of xx_s._, or som praty flowyr of the same -pryse, and not undyr, to geve to Jane Rodon, for she hathe ben the most -specyall laborer in your mater, and hathe promysyd hyr good wyll -foorthe, and she doeth all with hyr mastresse. And my Lord Chamberleyn -wyll, he may cause my Lord of Norffolk to com up soner to the Parlement -then he shold do, and then he may apoynt with hym for yow, or the ferm -corn[151-2] be gadryd. I profyrd but xl_li._, and if my Lord Chamberleyn -profyr my Lady the remenaunt, I can thynk it shall be taken. My Lady -must have somwhat to bye hyr kovercheff[151-3] besyd my Lord. A soper -that I payd for, wher all the consayll was at Framlyngham, ij_s._ -iij_d._, and my costs at Framlyngham twyis lying ther by viii. dayis, -with ix_s._ i_d._ ob., for costs of the contre at Norwyche drawyth -abowght xx_s._, I trowe more: by our Lady, if it be lesse, stand to -your harmys, and _sic remanet_ v_li._ xiij_s._ iii_d._ - -I axe no more gods of you for all the servyse that I shall do yow whyll -the world standyth, but a gosshawke,[152-1] if eny of my Lord -Chamberleyns men or yours goo to Kaleys, or if eny be to get in London; -that is, a mewyd hawk, for she may make yow sporte when ye com into -Inglond a doseyn yer hens, and to call upon yow owyrly, nyghtly, dayly, -dyner, soper, for thys hawk. I pray noo more but my brother E., -J. Pampyng, Thyrston, J. Myryel, W. Pytte, T. Plattyng Jwde, lityll Jak, -Mastyr Botoner, and W. Wood to boote, to whyche persons I prey yow to -comand me; and if all thes lyst to spek to yow of thys mater when Sir -George Browne, W. Knyvett, R. Hyd, or eny folk of worchepp and of my -aqweyntanse be in your compeny, so that they may helpe forthe, for all -is lytyll i nowe, and ye be not very well wyllyng, I shall so pervey for -hem, and ever ye com to Norwyche, and they with yow, that they shall -have as deynte vytayll and as gret plente therof for i_d._ as they shall -have of the tresorer of Caleys for xv_d._, and ye, peraventure, a pye of -Wymondham to boote. Now thynk on me, good Lord, for if I have not an -hawke, I shall wax fatt for default of labor, and ded for default of -company by my trowthe. No more, but I pray God send you all your desyrs, -and me my mwyd gosshawk in hast, or rather then fayle, a sowyr hawke. -Ther is a grosser dwellyng ryght over ayenst the well with ij. boketts a -lytyll fro Seynt Elens, hathe evyr hawkys to sell. - -Wretyn at Norwyche the xxj. day of September, Anno E. iiij^ti xij^o. - - J. P. - -Rather then faylle, a tarsell provyd wyll occupy the tyme tyll I com to -Caleys. - - [Footnote 149-1: [From Fenn, ii. 102.]] - - [Footnote 150-1: Richard Calle.] - - [Footnote 150-2: Elizabeth, Duchess of Norfolk.] - - [Footnote 150-3: Make him a present.--F.] - - [Footnote 151-1: William, Lord Hastings.] - - [Footnote 151-2: Corn paid in part of rent.--F.] - - [Footnote 151-3: A head-dress, or handkerchief.--F.] - - [Footnote 152-1: From the anxiety here expressed for a hawk, we - may judge of the attention which was paid to the diversion of - hawking. Latham, in his book of Falconry, says that a goshawk is - the first and most esteemed kind of hawk; that a sore hawk is from - the first taking of her from the eyry till she hath mewed her - feathers. The tassel, or tiercel, is the male of the goshawk, so - called because it is a tierce or third less than the female; it - appears here, that a 'grosser,' or dealer in foreign fruits, etc., - sold hawks.--F.] - - [[by our Lady, if it be lesse - _text reads "i it": corrected from Fenn_ - - T. Plattyng, Jwde - _comma missing or invisible_ - _there is no comma in Fenn, but the name "Plattyng" occurs several - times_]] - - -810 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[153-1] - -_A Monsieur J. Paston, Chevaller._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / OCT. 16] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I comand me to yow, sertyfying yow that Pekok -hath receyvyd of Sir John Stylle by a bylle all suche stuff as he had of -your. And as for Kendallys mater, he hathe doon as myche in it as can be -doon: but as for Richard Calle, he hathe gevyn hym a pleyn answer that -he wyll not seale to the lease that ye have mad to Kendalle, for he -seyth he wottyth not whether it be your wylle or not, notwithstandyng he -sye yore sealle up on it. I wold be sory to delyver hym a subpena and ye -sent it me. - -I send you herwith the endenture betwyx yow and Townesend. My modyr -hathe herd of that mater by the reporte of old Wayte, whyche rennyth on -it with opyn mowthe in hys werst wyse. My modyr wepyth and takyth on -mervaylously, for she seythe she wotyth well it shall never be pledgyd -ought; wherfor she seythe that she wyll purvey for hyr lond that ye -shall none selle of it, for she thynkys ye wold and it cam to yowr hand. -As for hyr wyll and all syche maters as wer in hand at your last being -here, they thynk that it shall not lye in all oure porys to let it in on -poynt. - -Sir Jamys is evyr choppyng at me, when my modyr is present, with syche -wordys as he thynkys wrathe me, and also cause my modyr to be dyspleased -with me, evyn as who seyth he wold I wyst that he settyth not by the -best of us; and when he hathe most unfyttyng woordys to me, I smylle a -lytyll and tell hym it is good heryng of thes old talys. Sir Jamys is -parson of Stokysby by J. Bernays gyft. I trowe he beryth hym the hyeer. - -Item, ye must sende in haste to W. Barker a warrant to pay John Kook -xxx_s._, and to the woman of Yermothe for otys xx., and Syr John Styll -hys money, for they call dayly up on it. - -Item, I prey yow send me some tydynges howgh the world gothe, and -whether ye have sent eny of your folk to Caleys. Me thynkes it costyth -yow to myche money for to kepe hem all in London at your charge. - -Item, whethyr ye have eny thyng spokyn of my going to Caleys. - -Item, as for a goshawk or a terssell, I wend to have had on of yours in -kepyng or thys tyme, but fere [_far_] fro iee fer fro hert; by my -trowthe I dye for defawlt of labore. And it may be by eny meane -possybyll, for Godes sake let on be sent me in all hast; for if it be -not had by Halowmess, the seson shall passe a non, _Memento mei_, and in -feythe ye shall not loose on it. Nor yet myche wyne on it by God, Who -preserve yow. - -Wretyn on Seynt Mychell Day, in Monte Tomba.[154-1] - - J. P. - - [Footnote 153-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter - is shown by a contemporaneous endorsement 'Anno E. iiij^ti xij^o,' - as well as by the repetition of the writer's request for a - goshawk.] - - [Footnote 154-1: The feast of St. Michael in Monte Tumba was the - 16th October.] - - -811 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[154-2] - -_To John Paston, esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1472(?) / OCT. [23]] - -I grete you wele; letyng you wete that on Saterday last past within -nyght the felesshep at Cayster tokyn ought of Mawtby Cloos xvj. shep of -diverse mennes that were put therein to pasture, and thei ledde them a -wey, so that every man ferith to put any bestis or catell therin, to my -grete hurt and discoragyng of my fermour that is now of late come -theder. And the seid evill disposed persones affraid my seid fermour as -he came from Yarmoth this weke and shotte at hym that if he had not had -a good hors he had belike to have ben in joparte of his lyfe; so that be -thes rewle I am like to lese the profite of the lyfelode this yere but -if there be purveyed the hastyere remedy. Thei threte so my men I dar -send non theder to gader it. Thei stuffe and vetayll sore the place, and -it is reported here that my Lady of Norffolk seth she wull not leas it -in no wyse. And the Duchesse of Suffolkis men sey that she wull not -departe from Heylesdon ner Drayton,--she wuld rather departe from money; -but that shuld not be wurchepfull for you; for men shull not than set be -you. There for I will avyse you to have rather the lyvelod than the -money; ye shall mown excuse you be the College which must contynue -perpetuall, and money is sone lost and spent whan that lyfelode abideth. -Item, I lete you wete that Hastyngis hath entred ageyn in to his fee of -the Constabyllshep of the Castell of Norwich be the vertu of his patent -that he had of Kyng Harry; and I here sey he hath it graunted to hym and -his heyeris. There was at his entres your unkill William and other -jentilmen dwellyng in Norwich. This was do be fore that ye sent me the -letter be Pers I had forgetyn to have sent you word ther of. God kepe -you. Wretyn the Friday next after Sent Luke. - - Be your moder. - - [Footnote 154-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 108.] This letter was - clearly written between the surrender of Caister in 1469 and its - recovery by Sir John Paston after the death of the Duke of Norfolk - in 1476. The year 1472 may be considered very probable from what - Margaret Paston writes in June of that year (No. 803).] - - -812 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[155-1] - -_A Johan Paston, Esquyer, soit done._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 4] - -Worshypfull and weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow -weet that I sente yow a letter and a rynge with a dyamond, in whyche -letter ye myght well conceyve what I wold ye scholde do with the same -rynge, with menye other tydyngs and thyngs whyche I prayed yowe to have -doon for me, whyche letter Botoner[156-1] had the beryng off. It is so -nowe that I undrestond that he is owther deed or ellys harde eskapyd, -wheroff I am ryght hevye, and am not serteyn whethyr the seyd lettyr and -rynge come to yowr handys or nott. I wolde nott that letter wer seyn -with some folkys; wherffor I praye yow take good heede hoghe that letter -comythe to yowr handys, hooll or brokyn, and in especiall I praye yow -gete it, iff ye have it nott. - -Also I praye yow feele my Lady off Norfolks dysposicion to me wards, and -whethyr she toke any dysplesur at my langage, or mokkyd, or dysdeyned my -words whyche I hadd to hyr at Yarmothe, be twyen the place wher I ffyrst -mett with hyr and hyr lodgyng, ffor my Lady Brandon and Syr -William[156-2] also axhyd me what words I had had to hyr at that tyme. -They seyd that my Lady seyde I gaff hyr ther off,[156-3] and that I -sholde have seyde that my Lady was worthye to have a Lords soon in hyr -belye, ffor she cowde cheryshe itt, and dele warlye with it; in trowthe -owther the same or words moche lyke I had to hyr, whyche wordys I ment -as I seyde. They seye to that I seyde she toke hyr ease. Also I scholde -have seyde that my Ladye was off satur [_stature_] goode, and had sydes -longe and large, so that I was in goode hope she sholde ber a fayr -chylde; he was nott lacyd nor bracyd ine to hys peyn, but that she left -hym rome to pleye hym in. And they seye that I seyde my Lady was large -and grete, and that itt sholde have rome inow to goo owt att; and thus -whyther my Lady mokk me, or theye, I woote nott. I mente weell by my -trowthe to hyr, and to that she is with, as any he that owythe heer best -wyll in Ingelond. - -Iff ye can by any meed weete whethyr my Ladye take it to dysplesur or -nowt, or whether she thynke I mokkyd hyr, or iff she wyght it but -lewdnesse off my selffe, I pray yow sende me worde; ffor I weet nott -whethyr I maye trust thys Lady Brandon or nott. - -Item, as ffor tydyngs nowe, heer be but ffewe, saff that, as I -undrestande, imbassators off Bretayne shall come to London to morawe, -and men seye that the Lorde Ryverse[157-1] and Scayls, shall hastelye -come home; and men seye that ther is many off the sowders that went to -hym into Bretayne been dede off the fflyxe, and other ipedemye -[_epidemics_], and that the remenant sholde come hom with the Lorde -Skalys. And som seye that thees imbassators come ffor moor men. And thys -daye rennyth a tale that the Duke of Bretayne[157-2] sholde be ded. -I beleeff it not. - -I sent yow worde off an hawke; I herde nott from yow syns; I do and -shall doo that is possible in suche a neede. - -Also I canne nott undrestand that my Lord off Norffolk shall come heer -thys tyme; wherffor I am in a greet agonye howe is best ffor me to sue -to hym ffor rehavyng off my place; that goode Lorde weet full lytell how -moche harme he doothe me, and how lytell goode or worshyp it dothe hym. -I praye yow sende me yowr advyce. No moor to yow at thys tyme, but God -have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at London the iiij. daye off Novembre, anno E. iiij^ti xij^{o}. -I feer me that idelnesse ledyth yowr reyne; I praye yow rather remembre -Sir Hughe Levernoys tyll yowr hauke come. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 155-1: [From Fenn, ii. 112.]] - - [Footnote 156-1: William Botoner, otherwise Worcester. He - certainly was alive some years later than this.] - - [Footnote 156-2: Sir William Brandon, Knight, was standard-bearer - to the Earl of Richmond, and was slain in Bosworth Field by - Richard III. He was father to Charles Brandon, Duke of - Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 156-3: Meaning apparently, as Fenn suggests, 'I paid her - off, or treated her with unceremonious language.'] - - [Footnote 157-1: Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, etc., went to - endeavour to obtain the possession of the Earls of Pembroke and - Richmond, who were detained as prisoners by the Duke of - Brittany.--F.] - - [Footnote 157-2: Francis II., the last Duke of Brittany, was born - in 1435, and died in 1488.--F.] - - -813 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[158-1] - -_A John Paston, Esquyer, soyt done._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 8] - -Brother, I comend me to yow, letyng yow weet, &c.[158-2] - -As for the delyverance off the rynge to Mestresse Jane Rothone, I dowt -nott but it shall be doon in the best wyse, so that ye shall geet me a -thank moor than the rynge and I ar worthe or deserve. - -And wheer ye goo to my Laydy off Norffolk, and wyll be theer att the -takyng off hyr chambre, I praye God spede yow, and our Ladye hyr, to hyr -plesur, with as easye labor to overkome that she is abowt, as evyr had -any lady or gentyllwoman, saff our Lady heer selffe, and soo I hope she -shall to hyr greet joye, and all owres; and I prey God it maye be lyke -hyr in worship, wytt, gentylnesse, and every thynge excepte the verry -verry thynge.[158-3] - -No moor to yow at [this] thyme, but I woll sleepe an howr the lenger -to-morrow by cawse I wrote so longe and late to nyght. - -Wretyn betwen the viij. and the jx. daye off Novembre anno xij^o E. -iiij^{ti}. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 158-1: [From Fenn, ii. 118.]] - - [Footnote 158-2: The first part of this letter treats of some - money transactions of no consequence, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 158-3: Fenn, in his modernised text, makes this 'except - the sex.'] - - [[every thynge excepte the verry verry thynge. - _text unchanged: duplication at line break, but Fenn has the same - text at mid-line_]] - - -814 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[159-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 19] - -I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that I have sent to Doctor Aleyn wyffe to have spoke with her as ye -desired me, and she was so syke that she myght not comyn; but she sent -her broder elaw to me, and I lete hym wete the cause why that I wuld -have spoke with her as ye desired me. And he told me that he shuld have -brought me wrytyng this day from her be vij. of the belle, how that she -wull that ye shuld have labored or do for her; but he came no mor at me. -Nevertherlesse she sent me an nother massenger, and lete me wete[159-2] -that her husband had sent her the same nyght from London that she shuld -come up as fast as she cowde to labor to the Lordes there in her propre -person; wherfor she myght geve me non answer, ner send you word how that -ye shuld do till [that] she had spokyn with her husband, or had other -writyng from hym. - -Therfore I thynk t[hat s]he hath other councell that avyseth her to -labour to other than to you. I wuld not that [you be] to besy in no such -maters [ty]ll the werd [_world_] were mor suer, and in any wyse that -w[hile my] Lord the Chaunceller is in [occu]pation, labore to have an -ende of your grete materes and . . . macion, and abide not up [on] trost -of an nother seson, for so shall ye be disseyved a[s ye hav]e ben befor -this tyme. I have understand sith that ye departed that ther . . . . . -mad to subplant you; therfore, for Goddes sake, in this onstabill werd -[_world_] labore er[nestly your] maters that thei may have summe good -conclusion, and that shall make y[our enemies] fere you, and elles thei -shall . . kepe you low and in trobill. And if any mater . . . . . be Act -of Parlement and pro . . . . . lete your bill be mad redy, and lese not -your [ma]teres for other mennes; for if your elmyse [_enemies_] may -profight now at this tyme, ye shall be [in] wers case than ever ye were -befor. All the cou[ntry] wenyth that ye shuld now overcomyn all your -trobill, which if ye do not ye shall fall o[ug]ht of conceyte. I write -as well this to your brother as to you; therfore lete no diffaught be in -you nowther. - -Item, it was lete me to wete syth ye departed of such as were your -frendes and were conversaunte with the toder parte that ther was mad -labor and like to be concluded, that the eleccion of the knyghtes of the -shire shuld be chaunged, and new certificat mad and John Jenney set -there in; ther for do your devoir to understond the trought as sone as -ye can, for the seid Jenney this day rideth up to London ward, and I -suppo[se be]cause of the same. I pray you remembre your brother to send -me the evydence and remembrance towchyng the maner of Gresham, which -that I wrote to hym be Juddy, and send them be sum suer man. - -Item, take hede to the labour of your unkyll, for he hath had right -straunge langage of your brother of late to right wurchepfull persones; -therfor werk wysely and bewar wham that ye lete know your councell. - -Item, remembre Lomnors mater as ye may do therin, and send me werd in -hast. Mayster Roos shall be at London the next weke; therfore ye shall -not nede to make my Lord to write, but whan that he comyth, if my Lord -can make hym to put it in indifferent and wurchepfull men, than that it -pleasith my Lord to write to them that thei shuld take it upon them to -set a rewle therin, with ought better advyse, me semyth it wer wele do. -The Holy Gost be your gyde and send yow good spede and councell, and -delivere you ought of all trobill and disseas to his pleser. - -Wretyn the Thursday next be for Sent Kateryn,[160-1] in hast. - -Recomaund me to my Mastres Kateryn, and send me werd how ye don, &c. - - Be your Moder. - -Do my Lord[161-1] on Sonday send for the shereffes debute [_deputy_] to -wete how thei be disposid for certificate of the knyghtes, and I shall -understand if thei be eschaunged; for on Sonday at nyght, or on Monday, -it shall be put in, and [if i]t is put in, ther is no remedy. Geney seth -he wull attempt the law therin. - - [Footnote 159-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the time of year - and other circumstances, it seems probable that the election here - referred to was that of the year 1472. A circumstance which - confirms this date will be found noticed in a footnote. The - original letter is mutilated in the middle by the decay of the - paper, in more than one place.] - - [Footnote 159-2: The words after 'Neverthelesse' originally stood - 'her seid brother-in-law told me that tyme that he was with me,' - but are crossed out.] - - [Footnote 160-1: St. Catherine's Day is the 25th of November.] - - [Footnote 161-1: The Duke of Norfolk. It will be seen by the - preceding letter that John Paston was going to Framlingham in the - beginning of November 1472.] - - [[Footnote 159-2 and body text: - Nevertherlesse she sent me an nother massenger ... - The words after 'Neverthelesse' ... - _mismatched spelling unchanged_ - - ... in this onstabill werd [_world_] labore - _italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -815 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[161-2] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, Esquier, or to Roose -dwyllyng affor ther gate, to delyver to them._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 22] - -Please it yow to weete that I have opteyned letterys from the Kynge to -my Lorde off Norffolke, to my Lady of Norffolk, and to ther concell, -whyche letter to ther concell is nott superscrybyd, for cawse we wyst -nott serteyn whyche of the councell sholde be present when the massenger -cowme. I therffor thynke that thoos namys most be somwhatt by yowr -advyce; and for get nott Gornaye, nor yitt Brome, iff ye thynke so best, -nor Sowthewelle. I trust to my cosyn Gornaye, and on to Brome and -Barnard in cheffe; and as to Bernarde, brother, I praye yow to take hys -advyce, for I hope he is my welwyller, as ye know, and iffe he do me -perffyght ease in thys mater, I thynke verrely in tyme to come to gyff -him xx. scutys, and yit a goode turne whan so ever it lythe in my power. - -The Kynge hathe specially doon for me in thys case, and hathe pitte me, -and so have the Lordys, in ryght greete comfort, that iff thys fayle, -that I shalle have ondelayed justyce; and he hathe sente a man of -worship and in greet favor with hym on thys massage, whyche hathe nott -ofte ben seyne, whyche gentylman kan well do hys mastrys massage and -brynge trywe reporte. I have gevyn hym v_li._ for hys costes: God sende -hym and yow goode spede in thees werkes. I feer thatt he shall nott -speke with my Lady, for that she hathe takyn hyr chambre. Iff she be my -verry goode Ladye, as she hathe seyde hertoffor that she wolde be, -I hope that she wolle speke with hym. Neverthelesse I praye yow by the -meanes of Mestresse Jahne Rothen that [you][162-1] will have my Ladye -mevyd for me, and wher that herr to fore I wolde have departyd with C. -marke to have hadde hyr goode helpe and to be restoryd to my place; -whyche nott acceptyd, I tolde my seyde Lady that I feeryd that my power -sholde natt be ther aftre to gyff so large a plesyr, for at that tyme I -was in hope that the Bysshop of Wynchester sholde have payd it, thoghe -it hadde drawen a C_li._ Yet for as moche as men may nott lure none -hawkes with empty handys, I wolde yitt agre to gyffe my Lady xx_li._ for -an horse and a sadell, so that I be restoryd to my place, and that -doone, to have a relesse of my Lorde, and my gounes and bokes to be -restoryd, iff it maye bee. Neverthelesse thys mony is nott yit redy with -me. I remytte thys to yowr dyscressyons. - -Item, iff it be soo that itt be thowte behovefull, I thynke that thoghe -nowther Slyfelde, nor ye, brother John, maye come in to my Ladyes -chambre, that my moodre, iff she weer at Norwyche, she myght speke with -hyr, for that she is a woman and off worshyppe. I thynke that my moodre -sholde meve my Lady moche. I thynke that ther most be some body for me, -havyng auctoryte to conclude for me, or ellys knowyng myn entente, they -myght make delaye, and seye they wolle at the Kynges enstance comon with -me; never the lesse I was nott ther present. Wherffor, rather than -fayle, yff neede be, I wolle with owte any abode, iff I heer from yow, -come home; and Slyfelde is agreyd to tary the a vij. nyghte for my sake, -so that the mater take effecte. I praye yow make hym goode cheer, and -iff it be so that he tarye, I most remembre hys costes; therffor iff I -shall be sent for, and he tery at Norwyche ther whylys, it wer best to -sette hys horse at the Maydes Hedde, and I shalle content for ther -expences. - -Item, ye maye largely sey on my behalve for suche servyse that I sholde -do to my Lorde and Lady hereaffter, whyche by my trowthe I thynke to -doo; neverthelesse to sey that I woll be hys sworyn man, I was never -yitt Lordys sworyn man, yit have I doone goode servyce, and nott leffte -any at hys most neede ner for feer. But as Gode helpe me, I thynke my -Lady shalle have my servyce above any lady erthely, wheche she scholde -weell have knowyn, had I been in suche case as I hadde nott been alweye -the werse welkome; for that on of my herandes alweye was undrestande -that it was for Caster, wnyche was nott acceptable, and I evyr the werse -welkome. - -Item, brother, I ame concludyd with my Lorde for yow, that ye shalle be -at Caleys if ye list, and have iij. men in wages undre yow, wheroff my -Lorde seythe that William Lovedaye most be on, tyll tyme that he have -purveyed other rome for hym. Iff ye be dysposyd to goo, as I tolde hym -that ye weer, yett wer it nott best that ye lete it be knowe tyll thys -mater be doone, and then ye maye acordyng to yowr promyse lete my Ladye -have knowleche ther off. Never the lesse my Lorde shalle be here with in -xx. dayes or ther abowt; iff ye come thys weye ye maye speke with hym; -neverthelesse ye shall nott lose no tyme, iff ye weer at Caleys at thys -owr, for my Lorde promysed me that he wolde wryght to Elkenhed the -tresorer at Caleys for yow by the next massenger thatt went. - -Item, ther hathe Perauntes wyffe wryte to me that Bernaye servyth hyr -onkyndely. He owythe hyr xxxij_s._ and she is in noon hope that evyr he -will come ther ageyn; sende me worde iff he wyll. He shall nott lyf so -weell and trywly to geedre, I trowe, but iffe he goo thyddre. - -I hadde comen home, butt that I ame nott yitt verrely purveyd for -payment for my oncle William the xxvj. daye of thys monythe, and he -dothe me harme. He delythe so oncurteysly with Towneshende, for he wille -nott yitt paye hym the C. marke, payable at Halowmesse, whyche he hadde -a monythe affore; wherffor I feer that Towneshende wille nott do for me -ageyn. I shall doo as I kan. - -Wretyn on Sondaye next Seynt Clement. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 161-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] In this letter, as in - the last, allusion is made to the visit paid by John Paston to the - Duchess of Norfolk in November 1472.] - - [Footnote 162-1: Omitted in MS.] - - [[Slyfelde is agreyd to tary the a vij. nyghte - _text unchanged: error for "ther(e)"?_ - - Footnote 162-1: - Omitted in MS. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -816 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[164-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be this delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 23] - -I grete you wele, letyng you wete that Doctor Aleyns wyffe hath be with -me and desired me to write to you to desire you to be good mayster to -her husband and to her in her materes, for she tellith me that her trost -is full in you, and if she myght have walked she shuld have come to have -spoke with you or than ye departed; therfor, I pray you do your devoir -for her, for I conceyve that she feyneth not, notwithstandyng that I had -her in suspecion as I have wretyn to you before, be cause that she came -not, but I conceyve now the trought and that sikenesse caused thatt she -absent her. Therfore I pray you help her, for, so God help me, I have -right gret pete on her, and it is right grete almes to help her, and I -trow she wull put her most trost and sewe specialle to you. Also I wuld -ye shold desire your brother to be good mayster on to her, for I suppose -be that tyme ye have herd her excuse in such materes as he shuld be -displeased with her husband, ye shall hold you pleased. God kepe you and -send you Hes blyssyng, with myn. Wretyn on Sent Clementes Day at nyght, -in hast, - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 164-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this - letter was written in the same year as No. 814.] - - -817 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[165-1] - -_To Master Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 24] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly of -your dylygence and cost whyche ye had in gettyng of the hawk, whyche ye -sent me, for well I wot your labore and trowbyll in that mater was as -myche as thow she had ben the best of the world; but, so God help me, as -ferforthe as the most conyng estragers [_falconers_] that ever I spak -with can imagyn, she shall never serve but to ley eggys, for she is -bothe a mwer de haye, and also she hathe ben so brooseid with cariage of -fewle that she is as good as lame in boothe hyr leggys, as every man may -se at iee. Wherfor all syche folk as have seen hyr avyse me to cast hyr -in to some wood, wher as I wyll have hyr to eyer [_lay eggs_]; but I -wyll do ther in as ye wyll, whedyr ye wyll I send hyr yow ayen, or cast -hyr in Thorpe wood and a tarsell with hyr, for I weit wher on is. But -now I dar no more put yow to the cost of an hawke, but, for Godes sake, -and ther be eny tersell or good chep goshawk that myght be gotyn, that -the berer herof may have hyr to bryng me, and I ensuer yow be my trowthe -ye shall have Dollys and Browne bonde to paye yow at Kandyllmas the -pryse of the hawke. Now, and ye have as many ladyse as ye wer wont to -have, I reqwere yow for hyr sake that ye best love of theym all, onys -trowbyll yowr syllf for me in thys mater, and be owght of my clamor. - -Item, as for the ryng, it is delyverd, but I had as gret peyn to make -hyr take it as ever I had in syche a mater; but I have promyseid yow to -be hyr knyght, and she hathe promyseid me to be more at your comandment -then at eny knyghtes in Inglond, my Lord reservyd; and that ye shall -well undyrstand, if ye have owght to do, wherin she may be an helper; -for ther was never knyght dyd so myche cost on hyr as ye have doon. - -I mervyall that I her no woord of the lettyrs that my Lord Chamberleyn -shold send to my Lord and my Lady for Caster. It is best that my Lord -Chamberleyn wryght to my Lady by som prevy tokyn betwyx theym, and let a -man of hys com with the lettrys. My Lord Chamberleyn may speed with my -Lady what maters he wyll, savyng the gret mater; and if ye inbyll me for -a solysitor, I shal be _a vouster comandment a touz jours_. - -Item, me thynkyth that ye do evyll that ye go not thorewgh with my Lady -of Suffolk for Heylysdon and Drayton; for ther shold growe mony to you, -whyche wold qwyte yow ayenst R. T. and all other, and set yow befor for -ever. - -I prey yow for your ease, and all others to you ward, plye thes maters. -As for alle other thynges, I shall send yow an answer, when I com to -Norwyche, whyche shall be on Thorsday, with Godes grace. I have teryd -her at Framlyngham thys sevennyght, for [my] Lady took not hyr chambyr -tyll yersterday. Adewe. - -Wretyn on Seynt Kateryns Evyn. - - J. P. - -[166-1]I sye the pye, and herd it spek; and, be God, it is not worthe a -crowe; it is fer wers then ye wend; be God, it wer shame to kep it in a -cage. - - [Footnote 165-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] At the foot of this - letter is written, in a different but contemporary hand, 'A^o E. - iiij^ti xij^{o}.' The date is besides abundantly evident from other - circumstances.] - - [Footnote 166-1: This _P.S._ is written on the back of the - letter.] - - -818 - -ABSTRACT[166-2] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 26] - -'Soutwerk cum membris,' No. 17a.--'Literæ patentes concessæ a Rege ad -petitionem Domini Fundatoris pro ponte fiendo in vico vocato le -Bermoseystret. Dat. 26 Novembris anno regni Regis Ed. IV. 12^{o}.' - - [Footnote 166-2: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -819 - -JOHN OSBERN TO SIR JOHN PASTON[167-1] - -_To the right worshepfull my master, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -A^o xij. E. R. quarti. - -[Sidenote: 1472] - -Please it your masterschep to knowe that Johon Shawe and I have goten a -carpenter fro Walsyngham to Sporle to valewe your wod the[167-2] the -wheche carpenter hese costis there Sondaye at nyght next before the -Assencion off owre Lord Jesu Cryst, Mondaye, Tewesdaye, Wednesdaye, -Assencion Daye, Frydaye and Saterdaye, and for hese labor iij_s._ -iiij_d._ And upon the syte of your seid wode he hath valewid the launde -wythin the dykes xij. fote inward fro the cop of the dyke and wythowte -at liiij_li._ vij_s._ x_d._ And wythin the wode xij. fote wythin alle -the dykes vj^xx._li._ vij_s._ viij_d._ the valewe of the dykes abowte -the woode fro xij. fote fro wythin owtewardis arn prysid at x_li._ grete -chepis the valew of the trees in the maner and in the closes azens the -seid manor toward Swaffham xx. marc gret chepe; there off be ware and be -not to hasty, &c., the cloos at the tow . . . toward Pykenham not -valewid nor not spoken of, &c. The summa totall ix^xx._li._ & xviij_li._ -ij_s._ viij_d._ - -And if ze shuld selle all this wode togedyr for redy sylver never lesse -in the summa paste v. marc, if ze woll sell the wode . . . . . the -lawnde wythin the dykes and the standardis thoo I shall wryte aftyr in -this bille for to stande in any wyse less . . . . . . all the hole sum -at the most paste x_li._ for who so ever shall by it he maye so leve and -gete goode, &c. - -The summa of your standardis for certeyn reconyd the Mondaye and the -Tewsdaye whill I was at Sporle wyth in . . . . . and xij. fote wythin -the dykes in forme above rehersid xj^xx. And iche standarde a zard -[_yard_] above the grownde . . . . . abowte an . . lesser till we come -xij. inche and viij. inche besyde all odyr smale that arn of lesse -mesure . . . . . . growe the wheche arn many and resonabely sufficient, -&c., the nowmber off the standardis wythin your . . . . . cowntid and -summe be estimacion of the mesures and formes above rehersid CCCC^ma -xxxvj^ti. - -As for your undyrwode I can not fynde the meane to valewid to your -avayle, be cause it were necessary to knowe the purpose off your -fellyng, where off beware, &c. - -As for the fensyng of your dykes, and ze shuld felle your bordorys off -your wode the Suthsyde, viz., toward Pykenham fro the Wonges to -Walsyngham Weye is lxxx. rodde at leste, the price of the rodde -iiij_d._, dyggyng, plashyng, and heggyng. - Summa, xxvj_s._ viij_d._ - - The Est syde toward Neyghton and Sparham vij^xx. rodde at the leste, - Summa, xl_s._ - - The Northende toward Dunham lxxx. rodde, - Summa, xxvj_s._ viij_d._ - - The West syde toward Sporle be the Loyes vj^xx. rodde, - Summa, xl_s._ - - Summa, vj_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ - -Where off sum is repayrid, sum maye be sperid, but at the lest it woll -coste yow a vj. marc, &c. - -If it please yow to take myn symple avyse in your wode sale, selle non -in gret, but make fagottes and astell and lete alle your grete and goode -tymber and trees stande, and ze shall make resonably mony to your -worchep, and to your best avayle as John Shawe your servaunt shall telle -yow, if I maye do zow any service in this c . . . . ze shall ffynde me -redy, so that ze sende sufficient warant be the grace off Jesu, Who haue -y[ow in His] kepyng. Wrete in hast, at Walsyngham, the Sundaye next -aftyr the feest off the Assencion off owr [Lord] Jesu Cryste. - - Be your - - JOHN OSBERN. - -I praye yow geff credens in alle these materes to Shawe, for he can -telle yow more shortlyer then I shuld wryte, and I hold hym trewe to yow -in hese menyng. - - _Endorsed_--Per John Osbern, pro Sporl Wood. - - [Footnote 167-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 167-2: _Sic_, _qu._ 'there'?] - - -820 - -RICHARD CALLE TO MARGARET PASTON[168-1] - -_To the ryght reverent and worshipffull my mastres, Margaret Paston, in -haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 27] - -Plesith it you to wete that I have receyved your letter, wherin I -conceyve ye wolde undrestonde how I do with the sale of Sporle Wode. It -is so that I have begonne to felle asshe at the townes ende for to sette -the contre on werke, and be that I shall undrestonde how the remnaunt -wol doo. I have sette suche a classe [_glass_] before here ien [_their -eyes_] ther, that they are madde upon it, so that I truste be Ester to -make of money, what with the barke and with the asshe, at the leest l. -marke for to retayle the wode our selfe, and be Cristemas next after -that, other l. marke, and so yerely l. marke at Cristemesse as longe as -the wode lasteth, to the some that I tolde you, and I truste more; and -to this I durste be bound. Nevertheles, I am a bowte to selle it all a -grete and to brynge it to all moste to as goode proffe as thowe we -retayled it oure silffe, for it is so that ther is a man of Carbroke, -they calle hym Saunders, I may have of hym for all the wode and barke -that is in Sporle xj^xx. marke, to paye at suche dayes a fore reherseyd, -we to bere the costes of the fense and of the tithe; but we are not -throw yet, nor nought shal be tille I have worde from you a yene, weche -I must have be Sonday come sevenyte at the fertheste, for on the -Wednesdaye nexte after that we shal mete a yene at Sporle. Wherfore I -beseche you sende me your avice how ye thynke herein, and I shal doo -that in me is be Godes grace; if I can do better with hym I shall. It -shal be harde werke, but if I haunse hym som what, for ther is moche -money be twix us, and therfore spare not to sende my master, Sir John, -worde to take suche dayes of payment as is a bove wreten, for it shalbe -performed what wey som ever we take be Godes grace. - -Item, mastres, as for your write [_wright_] ye may not have hym tille -after Cristemas, for he had taken an howse to make while I was with you, -it wolbe this iij. wekes yet or then he make an ende, &c. - -Item, I mette with Robert at Heythe of Matelaske at Norwiche, when I -come from you. I felle on hande with hym for Matelaske Kerre, I myght -have had of hym for that vij. marke and xx_d._ Dele nogh as ye thynke. - -Item, as for money of the fermour of Sporle, he telles me he is bounde -to Tounesende to pay hym at this Candelmesse. And he seythe if he may be -discharged a yenst hym your money shalbe redy at hys daye, be Godes -grace, Who have you in His blissed kepyng. - -Wreten at Sporle, the Friday next after Seint Edmund the Kynge. - - Your servaunt, - - R. CALLE. - - [Footnote 168-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this - letter must have been written some time after the preceding, but - very probably in the same year.] - - -821 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[169-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. or DEC.] - -Syme recomandyth hym to your good mastyrshep, and preyeth yow that ye -wyll not forget, though he be a boye, to let hym were the same lyvere -that your men do; and if it pleased yow to lete hys gowne clothe be sent -hym home, that it myght be mad ayenst your comeing in to thys contre, he -wold be as prowd as eny man ye have. Sir, as hertly as I can, I thank -yow for the hatt, whyche is comyng, as I undyrstand by your wrytyng, -sent by John, the Abottys man of Seynt Benet. - -My modyr sendys you Godes blyssyng and hyrs, and preyes yow to get a new -lycence of my Lord of Norwyche that she may have the sacrement in hyr -chapell. I gat a lycence of hym for a yere, and it is nyghe woryn ought. -Ye may get it for the Byshoppys lyve, and ye wylle. - -As for the lettyrs that Slyfeld shold get newe of the Kyng, whyche ye -shold bryng to my Lord of Norffolk, it is myn avyse that ye shall come -home your sylff as hasty ly as ye maye, so that ye may be at the -crystenyng of the chyld that my Lady is with; it shall cause yow gret -thank, and a gret fordell [_advantage_] in your mater. And as for the -lettres, leve a man of yowr to awayte on Slyfeld to bryng theym after -yow; of whyche lettres I avyse yow to have one dyrect fro the Kyng to -yow, comandyng yow to be the messenger and brynger of the other lettres -to my Lord, my Lady, and ther consayll, for your owne mater; and thys me -thynkyth shall do well, for then shall the man shewe to my Lordes -consayll the lettre dyrect to yow that ye have awtoryte to be your owne -solycytour, and also it shall be thought that the Kyng tendryth yow and -your mater, when he wryghtyth to your sylf for it. - -My Lady wayteth hyr tyme with in viij. dayes at the ferthest. - - [Footnote 169-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter - is shown by the reference to the situation of the Duchess of - Norfolk. Compare Letter 817. There is an old, and nearly - contemporary, endorsement, 'Anno xv^o, mens. Novemb.,' but this is - clearly erroneous.] - - -822 - -ABSTRACT[170-1] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / DEC. 7] - -1472, 7 Dec.--'Vigill of Concepcion of oure Lady,' 12 Edw. IV. Indenture -of agreement (in English) between Bp. Waynflete and William Worceter, by -which the latter undertakes to deliver to the Bishop all deeds, -charters, rolls of courts, and accounts, and all other muniments which -are in his hands relating to the manors and lands of the late Sir John -Fastolf, excepting lands, etc. in Norfolk, called Fairchilds, and two -tenements and two gardens called Walles, in Suthwerk, of which he -himself is seised; and also, as executor of the will of Sir Thomas -Howes, to deliver up all money and goods of Fastolf, and obligations for -property, etc., sold by the said Thomas, which he can recover, over the -sum of £40 due to him, the said William Worceter, for his marriage, and -also to assist the said Bishop and his College at Oxford in all matters -relating to Fastolf's lands; in return for which the Bishop covenants to -pay him £100, and also an allowance upon all sums of money recovered by -him. - - [Footnote 170-1: This abstract is taken from Mr. Macray's account - of the MSS. in Magdalen College, Oxford, printed in the Fourth - Report of the Historical MSS. Commission.] - - -823 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[171-1] - -_To my Mastyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / DEC. 18] - -Ryght worchepfull Syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly of -your gret cost, whyche ye dyd on me at my last being with yow at London; -whyche to my power I wyll recompence yow with the best servyse that -lythe in me to do for your plesure, whyll my wytts be my owne. - -Syr, as for the mater of Caster, it hathe be mevyd to my Ladys good -grace by the Byshope of Wynchester, as well as he kowd imagyn to sey it, -consederyng the lytyll leyser that he had with hyr; and he told me that -he had ryght an agreabyll answer of hyr, but what hys answer was, he -wold not tell me. Then I axyd hym what answer I should send yow, in as -myche as ye mad me a solysyter to hys Lordship for that mater; then he -bad me that undyr consayll I shold send you woord that hyr answer was -more to your plesure than to the contrary, whych ye shall have more -pleyn knowlage of thys next terme, att whyche tyme bothe my Lord and she -shall be at London. - -The Byshop cam to Framlyngham on Wednysday at nyght, and on Thursday by -x. of the clok befor noon, my yong Lady was krystend, and namyd Anne. -The Byshop crystend it and was godfader bothe, and with in ij. owyrs and -lesse aftyr the crystenyng was do, my Lord of Wynchester departyd -towards Waltham.[171-2] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And I let -you pleynly weet, I am not the man I was, ffor I was never so roughe in -my mastyrs conseyt as I am now, and that he told me hymselff before -Rychard Sothewell, Tymperley, Sir W. Brandon, and twenty more, so that -they that lowryd, nowgh[172-1] laughe upon me; no moor, but god look. - -Wretyn at Framlyngham, the Fryday next aftyr that I depertyd fro yow. -Thys day my Lord is towardys Walsyngham, and comandyd me to overtake hym -to morow at the ferthest. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 171-1: [From Fenn, ii. 42.] Fenn informs us that this - letter is dated on the back in a contemporaneous handwriting, - 'Anno x^o.,' which seems to mean 10 Edw. IV. This date however, is - certainly erroneous; for in the inquisitions taken on the death of - the Duke of Norfolk, Anne, Lady Mowbray, his daughter and heir, - was found to have been four years old on the 10th December 1476. - She was born, therefore, on the 10th December 1472.] - - [Footnote 171-2: Then follows the substance of a conversation - between the Lady of Norfolk and Thomas Davers, wherein she - promises to be a friend to Sir John Paston concerning Caister; but - J. Davers swore J. Paston not to mention her goodwill to any - person, except to Sir John.--F.] - - [Footnote 172-1: In the modern version Fenn reads, 'so that they - that _loved not_, laugh upon me.'] - - -824 - -JOHN PASTON TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK[172-2] - -_To the right hyghe and myghty Prince, and my right good and gracious -Lord, my Lord the Dwke of Norffolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1472] - -Mekly besechyth your hyghness, your poore and trew contynuall servaunt -and oratour, John Paston, the yonger, that it myght please your good -grace to call on to your most discret and notabyll remembrance that -lateward, at the cost and charge of my brodyr, John Paston, Knyght, -whyche most entendith to do that myght please your hyghness, the ryght -nobyll Lord, the Bysshop of Wynchester entretyd so, and compouned with -your Lordshepp, that it liekyd the same to be so good and gracious Lord -to my seyd brodyr, that by forsse of serteyn dedys, relessis, and -lettrys of attorney selyd with the sealys of your good grace, and of -other serteyn personys infeoffyd to your use in the maner of Caster, -late John Fastolffes, Knyght, in the conte of Norffolk, my seyd brodyr -and I, with other enfeoffyd to my seyd brodyrs use in the seyd maner, -wer peasably possessyd of and in the same tyll syche tyme as serteyn -personys, servaunts on to your good grace, entred in to the seyd maner, -and therof have takyn the issuses and profitys in the name of your seyd -hyghnesse by the space of thre yer and more, to the gret hurt of my seyd -brodyr and me your seyd servuantes and oratour: wherfor, as I have oft -tymys befor thys, I beseche your good grace, at the reverence of God, -and in the wey of charyte, that my seyd brodyr may by your hyghness be -ayen restoryd in to the possessyon of the sey[d] maner, acordyng to the -lawe and good conscyence; and wee shall prey to God for the preservacyon -of your most nobyll estate. - - [Footnote 172-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This petition is shown - by internal evidence to have been drawn up towards the end of the - year 1472, as it sets forth that the Duke had been more than three - years in possession of Caister, which was surrendered to him in - September 1469. There can be no doubt therefore that it was - presented or prepared for presentation at the time of John - Paston's visit to Framlingham.] - - -825 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JAMES GLOYS(?)[173-1] - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JAN. 18] - -I recomaund me to you, and thanke you hertyly of your letteris, and -delygente labour that ye have had in thoes materis that ye have wretyn -to me of, and in all other, to my profette and worschep, and in -esspeciall atte this sesons towchyng the mater that I sent you the -indenture of. Ye have lyghtyd myne hert therin by a pound, for I was in -fere that it wold not have bene doo so hastyly with oute danger. And as -for the letters that Thom Holler son schuld have brought me, I see -nother hym ne the letters that he schuld have brought; wherefor, I pray -you hertely, yeve it be no dysese to you, that ye will take the labour -to bryng Walter theyr he schuld be, and to purvaye for hym that he may -be sette in good and sad rewle. For I were loth to lese hym, for I trust -to have more joye of hym than I have of them that bene owlder; though it -be more coste to me to send you forth with hym, I hold me plesed, for I -wote wele ye schall best purvaye for hym, and for suche thynges as is -necessar to hym, than another shuld doo, after myne intent. And as for -ane hors to lede hys gere, me thynke it were best porvaye one atte -Camberage, lesse than [_unless_] ye canne gytte onye carreours from -thens to Oxynforth more hastyly; and I mervell that the letters come not -to me, and whether I may laye the defaute to the fauder or to the son -therof. And I wold Water schuld be copilet with a better than Holler son -is, there as he schalbe; howe be it I wold not that he schuld make never -the lesse of hym, by cause he is his contre man and neghbour. And also I -pray you wryte a letter in my name to Watere, after that ye have knowne -myne entent by fore this to hym ward; so that he doo welle, lerne well, -and be of good rewle and disposycion, ther shall nothyng faylle hym that -I may helpe with, so that it be nessessare to hym; and bydde hym that he -be not to hasty of takyng of orderes that schuld bynd hym, till that he -be of xxiiij. yeere of agee or more, thoff he be consaled the contrare, -for oftyn rape [_haste_] rewith. I will love hym better to be a good -secular man than to be a lewit prest. - -And I am sore that my cosyn Bernay is seke, and I pray you yeff me white -wine, or ony of my wateris, or ony other thyng that I have that is in -your awarde, may doo hym ony comforth. I lette hym have it; for I wold -be right sory yf ony thyng schuld come to hym botte good. And for -Godsake advise hym to doo make hys will, yeve it be not doo, and to doo -well to my cosyn, his wiff, and els it were pete; and I pray you to -recomaunde me to hyr, and to my nawnte, and to all the gentill men and -gentil women there. And as for John Daye, and he be dede I wold be sory, -for I know not howe to come by my mony that he oweith me; and I porpose -that Pacoke schall have les to doo for me another yeres than he haith -had, if I may be better porvayed with your helpe, for he is for hym -self, bott not for me. - -And as for ony marchandes to my corn, I can gytte none here; therfor I -pray you, doo ye als wele therein as ye canne; also I send you by the -bereer hereof the bill of myne resaytes. And yef ye go forth with -Walter, I pray you come to me als sone as ye may after ye be commyn -home; and me lyketh myne abydyng and the contre here[175-1] right well, -and I trust whan sommer comith and fayre wether, I schall lyke it -better, for I am cherysed here botte to wel. - -And I constrew your letter in other materis well i nough, whereof I -thanke you; and if it nede not to send forth Walter hastyly, I wald ye -myght come to me, thowe ye schuld com opon one day and goo agayne on the -next day, than schuld I comon with you in all materis; and I hold best -if ye have not the letteris that Holler son schuld have brough me, that -ye send Sym over for them this nyght that I may have them to morowe, and -yif ye may combe your self, I wold be the better playsed. - -And I remember that water of mynte or water of millefole were good for -my cosyn Bernay to drynke, for to make hym to browke,[175-2] and yeve -thei send to Dame Elesebeth Callethorppe ther ye shall not fayill of the -tone or of both, sche haith other wateris to make folkis to browke. God -kepe you. - -Wrytyn on the Monday next after Sent Hiller. - -I have no longer leyser atte this tyme. - - [Footnote 173-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The allusion by the - writer to her cousin Berney's sickness makes it probable that this - letter was written in 1473, when the Monday after St. Hilary would - be the 18th of January. John Berney of Reedham died on the 20th - January in that year (Inquis. _post mortem_, 13 Edw. IV., No. 17). - The letter has neither signature nor address, but was probably - written by Margaret Paston to her priest, Sir James Gloys, who - died in the course of this year.] - - [Footnote 175-1: I think this must have been written at Maltby, - where Margaret Paston certainly lived during her later years, and - where she was doubtless staying when she desired a license of the - Bishop to have the Sacrament in her private chapel. _See_ No. - 821.] - - [Footnote 175-2: _i.e._ to enable him to retain food in his - stomach.] - - -826 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[175-3] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, or to Mestresse Margret Paston, hys Modre be -thys letter delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / FEB. 3] - -Weell belovyd Brother.[175-4] . . . . . . . . . - -As ffor tydyngs heer, ther bee but fewe, saff that the Duke of -Borgoyen[175-5] and my Lady, hys wyffe farethe well. I was with them on -thorysdaye last past at Gawnt.[176-1] Peter Metteney ffarethe weell, and -Mestresse Gretkyn bothe and Rabekyn recomend hyr to yow; she hathe ben -verry seke, but it hathe doon hyr goode, ffor she is ffayrer and -slenderer than she was, and she cowde make me no cheer but alwey my -sawse was 'How ffaret Master John, yowr brother?' wher with I was -wrothe, and spake a jalous worde or too, dysdeynyng that she sholde care -so moche ffor yow, when that I was present. - -Sende me worde to Hoxons in wrygtyng, what goode the Bysshop ded ffor me -at Framynham, and howe my Lorde, my Ladye, and all the cort or [_are_] -dysposyd to me wards. - -I here also seye that my Ladye and yowrs, Dame Margret Veer[176-2] is -ded, God have hyr sowle; iff I weer not sorye ffor herr, I trowe ye have -been. - -No moor to yow at thys tyme, but All myghty Good have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys the iij. daye of Februarye Anno R. R. E. iiij. xij^o. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 175-3: [From Fenn, ii. 120.]] - - [Footnote 175-4: Here follows an account of letters sent to him - from Calais--of farme barly in Fledge, and of olde stuffe at - Norwich, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 175-5: Charles the Bold, and Margaret, sister to Edward - IV.] - - [Footnote 176-1: Ghent, in the Netherlands.] - - [Footnote 176-2: Daughter and heir of Sir William Stafford, and - wife to Sir George Vere. Their son, John Vere, was afterwards Earl - of Oxford.--F.] - - -827 - -NOTE - -[Sidenote: 1473 / FEB. 10] - -In Blomefield's History of Norfolk, vol. xi. p. 208, it is stated that -'on February 10 in the 13th of Edward IV., an indenture was made between -Sir William Yelverton, William Jenney, serjeant-at-law, and William -Worcester, executors of Sir John [Fastolf] on one part, and Thomas Cager -and Robert Kyrton on the other, whereby the said Robert was appointed -surveyor of the lands and tenements in Southwark and other places in -Surrey, late Sir John's, to perform his last will; and also receiver of -rents; who was to have 6 marks _per ann._, and to be allowed besides all -reasonable costs that he shall do in the defence and keeping out John -Paston, Esq., and of all others claiming by him.' - - -828 - -ABSTRACT[177-1] - -'J. P.' [JOHN PASTON] TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1473 / MARCH 8] - -As I promised in the letter that Playter sent, Playter and I have been -with my mother to get her to make chevesance for the £100, but she bade -us send you word, you need look for no other comfort from her. Jwde can -tell you Barker's answer. As for John Kook you promised him payment -yourself and to Sir John Styll 5 marks in part payment. My mother has -sold her barley for 14_d._ I never meet John Smyth but I speak of it to -him. He keeps his courts here at Norwich all the week. As for Fastolf, -I can only speak to Wymondham his father-in-law, which I do as often as -I see him. Would be sorry the great matter which requires hasty answer -'lest the kok be in perayle' should be delayed by his negligence. Thinks -Edmund Fastolf 'was a reasonable man to Robert of Lyne. Wherefore, let -my brother Edmund sue for the same, for one wife may serve for us both -till better peace be. So God help me ye may allege a plain excuse that -these dyrk wars have so hindered me that her lyvelode and mine both -should be too little to live at our ease till I were further before the -hand than I could be this two year, and she found after her honor and my -poor appetite.' Would rather forbear what he would have than bring them -in pain. 'Say better for me, for ye can and ye will. This matter must be -honestly handled, for I wot well my young lady of Oxenforthe shall hear -of it. We have here no tidings, but a few Frenchmen be whyrlyng on the -coasts, so that there dare no fishers go out but under safe conducts. -I pray you, and ye have any more oranges than ye occupy, that poor men -may have part for a great bellied lady.' First Monday of Clean Lent, -13 Edw. IV. - - _Addressed_--'A Mys^r John Paston, schevaller, soyt done.' - _Endorsed_--'Mens' Marcii Anno xiij^{o}.' - - [Footnote 177-1: [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 257.]] - - -829 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[177-2] - -_To my Master, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyverd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / MARCH 26] - -As I was wryghtyng this bylle, Mastresse Jane Harsset comandyd me -streyghtly that I shold recomand hyr to yow in hyr best wyse, and she -sendyth yow word she wold be as fayne to here fro yow as an other poore -body. - -Syr, it is so that my cosyn John Blenerhasset[178-1] is enformyd that -for verry serteyn he is chosyn to be on of the colectours of the taske -in Norffolk, wher in verry trowthe he hathe not a foot of lond with in -the shyer; wherfor I beseche yow that, as hastyly as ye may aftyr the -syght of thys bylle, that it may please yow to take the labore to comon -with Sir Rychard Harrecorte, and to let hym have knowlage that thys -gentyllman hathe nowght with in the shyer, and that ye tweyne may fynd -the meane to get hym owght of that thanklesse offyce, for I promyse yow -it encomberthe hym evyll, and my mastresse hys wyffe, and alle us hys -frendys here; and if so be that ye and Sir R. Harcorte may not fynd the -meane betwyx yow, that then it may please yow to meve my Lord -Chamberleyn with thys mater, and so Master Harsset prayithe yow, and -Mastresse Jane, hys wyff also, for she lyekyth no thyng by the ofyce. - -It is thowght her amonge us that Heydons be the causers that he was set -in. I prey yow enqwer of Sir R. Harcort who was the cause, and that it -may be wyst in the next byll that ye send me; for if they wer the -causers, it lythe in my cosyn Harsettes power to qwytte theym. - -We have no tydynges to send, but that our Frenshemen[178-2] whyche kepte -our costs her ar home into France, for lake of vytayll, we saye. - -Hogan[178-3] is put in the Gyld Halle in Norwyche, and shalbe browght up -to London for reportyng of hys old talys. He varythe not. No more, but I -prey God send yow the Holy Gost amonge yow in the Parlement Howse, and -rather the Devyll, we sey, then ye shold grante eny more taskys. - -Wretyn the day next aftyr our Lady Day, the Anuncyacyon, Anno xiij. E. -iiij^{ti}. - - * * * - -Yong Heydon laborythe alle that he can to mary on of hys doughtyr to -yonge John Barney[179-1] by the mean of W. Calthorpp. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 177-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - with what appears to have been the date of its receipt--'xxviij^o - die Marcii A^o xiij^o E. iiij^{ti}.'] - - [Footnote 178-1: John Blennerhasset, Bleverhasset, and (for - shortness) often called Harsset, of Frens, married first Jane, - daughter of Thomas Higham, Esq., and secondly Jane, daughter of - Sir Thomas Tindal of Hockwold, Knight. He died in 1510, aged - 87.--F.] - - [Footnote 178-2: The French vessels that infested the coast, as - mentioned in the preceding letter.] - - [Footnote 178-3: Hogan pretended to foretell commotions and - rebellions, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 179-1: This marriage never took effect.--F.] - - -830 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[179-2] - -_A son trescher & bon ame Freer, John de Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / APRIL 2] - -Weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wete that at the -request of Mestresse Jane Hassett and yow, I have laboryd the knyghtys -off the sheer off Norffolk, and the knyghtys off the shyre of Suffolk. -I understond ther had ben made labor that suche a thing shulde have ben -as ye wrotte to me off, but now it is saff. - -Raff Blaundrehasset wer a name to styrte an hare. I warrant ther shall -come no suche name in owr bokys, ner in owr house; it myght per case -styrt xx^ti harys at onys; ware that j_d._ perse.[179-3] I redde ther in -the bille off Norffolk, off one John Tendall, Esquier, but I suppose it -be not ment by owr Tendall, and iff it be, he shall not rest theer, iffe -I maye helpe it. - -As for tydyngs, the werst that I herde was that my moodre wyll not doo -so moche ffor me as she put me in comffort off. - -Other tydyngs, I herd sey ffor serteyn that the Lady Fitzwater is ded, -and that Master Fytzwater shall have CCCC. mrke a yer more than he had. -I am not sory therffor. - -As ffor the worlde I woot nott what it menyth, men seye heer, as weell -as Hogan, that we shall have adoo in hast; I know no lyklyhod but that -suche a rumor ther is. - -Men sey the Qwyen with the Prynce shall come owt off Walys, and kepe -thys Esterne with the Kyng at Leycetr, and some seye nowther off them -shall com ther. - -Item, off beyond the see, it is seyd that the Frense Kyngs host hathe -kyllyd the Erle of Armenak[180-1] and all hys myry mene; some seye undre -appoyntment, and some seye they wer besegyd, and gotyn by pleyn assault. - -Ferthermoor men seye that the Frenshe Kynge is with hys ost uppon the -water off Some a lx. myle froo Caleys; I leve them wheer I ffond them. - -I made yowr answer to the ffrends off Mestresse Jane Godnoston accordyng -to yowr instrucions. As for me, I am nott serteyn whether I shall to -Caleys, to Leysetr, or come home into Norffolk, but I shall hastely send -yow worde, &c. - -Wretyn the ij. daye of Aprill, Anno E. iiij. xiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 179-2: [From Fenn, ii. 122.]] - - [Footnote 179-3: 'Ware that penny purse'--_qu._ that penurious - fellow?] - - [Footnote 180-1: John, Count of Armagnac, assassinated on the 6th - March 1473.] - - -831 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[180-2] - -_To John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / APRIL 12] - -Best belovyd brother, I recomend me on to yow, letyng yow weet that I -receyvyd on Wednysday last past yow angery lettre towchyng the troble -that Sandre Kok is in, wherein I have largely comonyd with John Russe, -and advysed hym to take a curteys weye with Sandre, for yowre sake and -myn. He seythe he wold not dysplease yow by hys wyll, and that he -purposythe to entrete yow and wolde deserve it to yowe. He undrestod -that ye had large langage to the jurye that passyd again Saundre. I lete -hym weete that ye weer wrothe, and that he shall nowther please yowe ner -me, but iff he dele curteyslye with Saundre. I tolde hym as for the -condempnacion uppon the accion off trespasse I thoght it nowther good -ner worshypfull. Also I have wretyn to the person of Maultby to dele -curteyslye with Saundre, iff he woll please yow or me. - -Item, I sende yow herwythe the _supercedyas_ for Saundre; so that iff ye -fynde any meane for the condempnacions that than ye maye ease therwith -the suerte off pease. John Russe, as I suppose, is att home thys daye. - -Item, as for tydynges heer, the Kynge rydeth fresselye thys daye to -Northamton warde, there to be thys Esterne, and after Esterne he -purposythe to be moche at Leysettre, and in Leysettre shyre. Every man -seythe that we shall have a doo or Maye passe. Hogan the prophet is in -the Tower; he wolde fayne speke with the Kyng, but the Kynge seythe he -shall not avaunt that evyr he spake with hym. - -Item, as for me, I most nedys to Caleyse warde to morowe. I shall be -heer ageyn, if I maye, thys next terme. John Myryell, Thyrston, and W. -Woode be goon from me, I shrewe them. - -My modre dothe me moor harme than good; I wende she wolde have doon for -me. Playter wroot to me that she wolde have leyde owt for me C_li._, and -receyvyd it ageyn in v. yer of the maner of Sporle, wherto I trustyd, -whyche if she had performyd, I had nott ben in no juperte of the maner -of Sporle. Neverthelesse I shall do whatt I kan yitt. I preye yow calle -uppon hyr for the same, remembre hyr of that promyse. - -Item, I preye yow remembre hyr for my fadrys tombe at Bromholme. She -dothe ryght nott [_naught_]; I am afferde of hyr that she shall nott doo -weell. Bedyngfelde shall mary Sir John Skottes doghtre, as I suppose. - -Item, Janore Lovedaye shall be weddyd to one Denyse, a ffuattyd (?) -gentylman, with Sir G. Brown, nowther to weell ner to ylle. - -Item, as for me, iff I had hadd vj. dayes leyser more than I hadd, and -other also, I wolde have hopyd to have ben delyveryd of Mestresse Anne -Hault. Hyr frendes, the Quyen and Attclif agreyd to comon and conclude -with me, if I can fynde the meanes to dyscharge hyr concyence, whyche I -trust to God to doo. - -i. Item, I praye yow that ye take a leyser thys Estern halydayes to ryde -to Sporle and sende for John Osberne, and I wolde ye sholde conclude a -bergayn with one Bocher, a woode byer, whyche Mendham that was my fermor -ther can fecche hym to yow. - -ii. And thys is myn entent. I wolde have the dykes to stonde stylle, -acordyng as John Osberne and I comonyd, I trow xij. foothe with in the -dyke. - -iij. Item, that the standardes off suche mesur as he and I comonyd off -maye also be reservyd. I suppose it was xxx. inche, abowt a yerde from -the grownde. - -iiij. Item, that it be surely fencyd at the cost off the woode byer in -any wyse with a sure hedge, bothe hyghe and stronge. - -v. Item, that ther be a weye taken with the fermores for the undrewood, -so that I lesse not the ferme therffore yerly. Item, John Osbern can -telle yow the meanys howe to entrete the fermores, for Herry Halman hath -pleyed the false shrowe and fellyd my woode uppon a tenement off myn to -the valew off xx. marke, as it is tolde me. I praye yow enquire that -matre and sende me worde and dele with hym ther afftre. - -vj. Item, iff the seyde wood clere above alle charges excep as is above, -be made any better than CC. marke, I wolle seye that ye be a good -huswyff. John Osberne seythe that he woll do me a frendes turne ther in -and yitt gete hym self an hakeneye. - -vij. Memorandum, that he have nott past iij. or iiij. yere off untraunce -at the ferthest. - -viij. Item, thatt I have payement off the holl as shortly as ye kan, -halffe in hande, the remenaunt at halffe yeer, or ellys at ij. tymes -with in one yere at the ferthest by mydsomer xij. monyth. - -ix. And that ye make no ferther bergayn than Sporle woode and the -lawnde, not delyng with noon other woode, nowther in the maner, nor -ellys wher in none other tenement. - -x. Item, that ye have sufficient sewerte for the monye, with penaltes -iff nede be, some other men bonden with hym for the payement. - -xj. Item, I wolle well be bownde to waraunt it to hym. - -Item, I sende yow herwith a warant to yow and John Osberne joyntlye to -bergayn. Comone and conclude that bergayn. - -xij. Item, I suppose he woll, iff he conclude with yow, desyre to felle -thys Maye, and I to have mony soon afftre. I reke not thowe he fellyd -not tyll thys wynter; but iff he woll nedes begyn thys Maye, therffor I -wryght yow thus hastely entrete hym, iff ye can, that he felle not tyll -wynter. - -xiij. Item, be ware how ye bergeyn, so that he felle nott butt in -sesonable tyme and sesonable wood, for he maye felle no undrewood thys -Maye, as I trowe. - -Item, as for yowr costes late th . . . . . . . newe fynde yow -mete, and I woll allow it there, or ellys make me a bylle what it -dra[weth to] . . . . . . . . yow. - -Item, I praye yow iff ye g . . . . . for me as ye can. I made my -Lady heer but easy cheer, neverthelesse I gaff hyr . . . . . ys. - -I promysed hyr to purveye hyr . . . . weselys, but I was deseyvyd; -yit I wend to have had one. - -My Lord of Norffolk hathe ben mevyd for Caster by my Lord Cardenall and -the Bysshop of Wynchester, but it woll take non effecte . . . my -Lady come. God gyff grace that she brynge auctoryte when she comythe -thys next terme to common ther in and conclude, and so I prey yow advyse -hyr. Itt may haply paye for hyr costes. - -No mor to yow, but wretyn at London, the xij. daye of Apryll, Anno E. -iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - * * * - -I sende yow her with ij. letteris from John Osbern to me, wherby and by -hys billes ye may undrestond the verry valewe off the wood. - -I praye yow sende me wryghtyng ageyn by the Mondaye vij. nyght afftre -Ester; iff Hoxon or the goode man off the Goot have it, they shall -conveye it welle. - - [Footnote 180-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [[... Maye, as I trowe. - _final period (full stop) missing_]] - - -832 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[184-1] - -_To John Paston, Esqer, in Norffolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / APRIL 16] - -Wyrsshypfull and ryght hertyly belowyd brother, I recomande me on to -yow, letyng yow wete that on Wednysdaye last past I wrote yow a letter, -wheroff John Carbalde had the beryng, promyttyng me that ye shold have -it at Norwyche thys daye, or ellys to morowe in the mornyng, wherin I -praye yowe to take a labor accordyng afftr the tenur off the same, and -that I maye have an answer at London to Hoxon, iff any massenger come, -as ene I maye doo ffor yow. - -As ffor tydyngs, ther was a truse taken at Brussellys about the xxvj. -daye off Marche last past, be twyn the Duke off Borgoyn and the Frense -Kyngs imbassators and Master William At Clyff ffor the Kyng heer, whyche -is a pese be londe and water tyll the ffyrst daye off Apryll nowe next -comyng, betweyn Fraunce and Ingelond, and also the Dukys londes. God -holde it ffor ever and grace be. - -Item, the Erle of Oxenfford was on Saterdaye at Depe, and is purposyd -into Skotlond with a xij. schyppys. I mystrust that werke. - -Item, ther be in London many fflyeng talys, seying that ther shold be a -werke, and yit they wot not howe. - -Item, my Lorde Chamberleyn[184-2] sendyth now at thys tyme to Caleys the -yonge Lorde Sowche[184-3] and Sir Thomas Hongreffords dowtre and -heyr,[184-4] and some seye the yonge Lady Haryngton, thes be iij. grett -jowelles, Caleys is a mery town, they shall dwell ther I wott not -whylghe [_how long_]. - -No mor, but I have ben, and ame troblyd with myn over large and curteys -delyng with my servants, and now with ther onkynd nesse; Plattyng, -yowr men wolde thys daye byd me ffar well to to morow at Dover, -notwithstandyng Thryston yowr other man is ffrom me, and John Myryell, -and W. Woode whyche promysed yow and Dawbeney, God have hys sowle, at -Castre, that iff ye wolde take hym in to be ageyn with me, that then he -wold never goo ffro me, and ther uppon I have kepyd hym thys iij. yer to -pleye Seynt Jorge and Robyn Hod and the Shryff off Notyngham, and now -when I wolde have good horse he is goon into Bernysdale, and I withowt a -keeper. - -Wretyn at Canterburye, to Caleys warde on Tewesday and happe be, uppon -Good Frydaye the xvj. daye off Apryll, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - Yowr, - - J. P., K. - -Item, the most parte off the sowdyors that went over with Sir Robert -Green have leeff, and be comyn hom, the hyghe weye ffull; my cariage was -behynd me ij. hours longer than I lokyd afftr, but I wysse I wende that -I myght have etyn my parte on Good Frydaye all my garees [_finery_] and -pryde had ben goon, but all was saffe. I pray yow iff W. Mylsent go -ffroo yow, that he myght come to me at Caleys, I will have hym. - - [Footnote 184-1: [From Fenn, ii. 130.]] - - [Footnote 184-2: William, Lord Hastings.--F.] - - [Footnote 184-3: John, Lord Zouch of Harringworth; he was - attainted in the first year of Henry VII.--F.] - - [Footnote 184-4: Mary, daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Hungerford; - she afterwards married Edward, son and heir to William, Lord - Hastings, who in her right became Lord Hungerford, her uncle's - attainder being reversed.--F.] - - -833 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[186-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, in Norwich._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / MAY 18] - -Ryght wershypfull brother, I recomand me to yow, &c.[186-2] . . . . . . -. . . . - -As for tydyngs, the Erle of Wylshyr[186-3] and the Lord Sudele[186-4] be -ded, and it was seyd that Sir W. Stanle was deed, but nowe it is seyd -naye, &c. - -Item, as ffor your goyng to Seyn James,[186-5] I beleve it but atwyen -ij., &c. - -I herd seye that a man was thys daye examyned, and he confessed that he -knewe greet tresor was sende to the Erle off Oxenfford, wheroff a m^le -li. [£1000] sholde be conveyd by a Monke off Westminster, and some seye -by a Monke off Chartrehows. - -Item, that the same man schulde acuse C. gentylmen in Norffolk and -Suffolk that have agreyd to assyst the seyd Erle at hys comynge thyder, -whyche as itt is seyd, sholde be within viij. dayes afftr Seynt Donston, -iff wynde and weddyr serffe hym--fflyeng tales. No mor at thys tyme, but -God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at London on Seynt Donstones daye, xviij. daye of Maye, Anno E. -iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 186-1: [From Fenn, ii. 136.]] - - [Footnote 186-2: Then follow some orders concerning servants, - debts, securities, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 186-3: John Stafford was created Earl of Wiltshire in - 1470. He was uncle to Henry, Duke of Buckingham.] - - [Footnote 186-4: . . . . . Butler, Lord Sudley.--F.] - - [Footnote 186-5: Apparently John Paston had talked of making a - pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James of Compostella in Spain.] - - [[xviij. daye of Maye, Anno E. iiij^ti - _be owt off syght_]] - - -834 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[187-1] - -_To John Paston, Esqer, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JUNE 3] - -Ryght wyrshypfull brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet that thys -daye I was in very purpose to Caleys ward, all redy to have goon to the -barge, saff I teryed ffor a yonge man that I thoght to have had with me -thyddr, on that was with Rows, whyche is in the cowntre; and because I -cowde not geet hym, and that I have no mor heer with me butt Pampyng, -Edward, and Jak, therffor Pampyng remembryd me, that at Caleys he tolde -me that he purposed to be with the Duchesse off Norffolk, my Lady and -yowrs. And Edward is syke and semythe nott abydyng; he wolde see what -shold falle off thys worlde; and so I am as he that seythe 'Come hyddr -John, my man.' And as happe was yisterday, Juddy went affor to -Caleysward; wherffor I am nowe ille purveyd, whyche ffor owte that I -knowe yit is lyke to kepe me heer thys Wytsontyd.[187-2] Wherffor iff ye -knowe any lykly men, and ffayr condycioned, and good archers, sende them -to me, thowe it be iiij. and I wyll have them, and they shall have iiij. -mrks by yer, and my levere [_livery_]. - -He maye com to me hyddr to the Gott [_Goat_], or yit to Caleys with a -riall[187-3] iff he be wyse, whyche iff nede bee, I wolde that Berker -toke hym to come uppe with, iff it be suche one as ye tryst. - -Item, I suppose bothe Pytte and Kothye Plattyng shall goo ffrom me in -hast; I wyll never cherysshe knaves soo as I have don, ffor ther sakys. - -Item, I praye yow sende me a newe vestment off whyght damaske ffor a -dekyne, whyche is among myn other geer at Norwiche, ffor he shall ther -too as ye woot off: I wyll make an armyng doblett off it, thow I sholde -an other tyme gyff a longe gown of velvett ffor another vestment, and -send it in all hast to Hoxon to send me. - -I hopyd to have been verry mery at Caleys thys Whytsontyde, and am weell -apparayled and apoyntyd, saff that thes ffolks ffayle me soo, and I have -mater ther to make off ryght excellent. Som man wolde have hastyd hym to -Caleys thowe he had hadd no better erand, and som men thynke it wysdom -and profyght to be theer now weell owt off the weye. - -Item, as ffor the Bysshop[188-1] and I, we bee nerrer to a poynt than we -weer, so that my part is nowe all the londes in Flegge Holly, the maner -off Heylesdon, Tolthorpe, and tenements in Norwyche and Erlham, excepte -Fayrechylds, but ffarweell Drayton; the Devyll do ytt them. - -Item, large and fferr comynycacion hathe ben bytwyen Sir John Fogge, -Ric. Haulte, ffor ther suster and me, byffor Doctor Wyntborne and ellys -wher, so that I am in better hope than I was, by Seynt Lawrens[188-2] -that I shall have a delyveraunce. - -Item, as ffor tydyngs heer, I trow ye have herde yowr parte, howe that -the Erle off Oxenfford landyd by Seynt Osyes in Essexe, the xxviij. daye -off Maye, saff he teryed nott longe, ffor iff he had, the Erle of -Essexe[188-3] rod to hym wardys, and the Lords Denham and Durasse, and -other mor, whyche by lyklyod sholde have dystrussyd hym; but yit hys -comyng savyd Hogan hys hed, and hys profesye is the mor belevyd ffor he -seyde that thys troble sholde begyn in Maye, and that the Kynge sholde -northwards, and that the Scotts sholde make us werke and hym batayle. - -Men loke afftr they wot not what, but men by harneys ffast; the Kyngs -menyall men and the Duke off Claraunces, ar many in thys town; the Lord -Ryverse[188-4] com to daye, men seye to purveye in lyke wyse. - -Item, how that the Cowntesse off Warwyk[188-5] is now owt off Beweley -Seyntwarye, and Sir James Tyrell conveyth hyr northwarde, men seye by -the Kynges assent, wherto som men seye that the Duke off Clarance is not -agreyd. - -Item, men seye that the Erle off Oxenfford is abowt the Ilde off Tenett -hoveryng, som seye wyth grett companye, and som seye, with ffewe. - -No mor, but God kepe yow. - -Wretyn at London the iij. daye off June, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 187-1: [From Fenn, ii. 138.]] - - [Footnote 187-2: Whitsunday fell on the 6th June in 1473.] - - [Footnote 187-3: A royal, a gold coin of 10_s._ value.] - - [Footnote 188-1: Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.] - - [Footnote 188-2: 10th of August.] - - [Footnote 188-3: Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex, Lord Treasurer.] - - [Footnote 188-4: Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, beheaded at - Pontefract, 1483.] - - [Footnote 188-5: Anne, widow of Richard Neville, the great Earl of - Warwick, sister and heir to Henry Beauchamp, Duke of Warwick, and - mother of Isabel, the wife of George, Duke of Clarence.] - - -835 - -ABSTRACT[189-1] - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JUNE 13] - -Norf. and Suff. Deeds, No. 67. 'Relaxatio Willielmi Paston facta Will. -Wainflet et aliis de toto jure suo in manerio vocat' Caldecots, -Akethorp, Spitlings, Habland, Broweston, etc. Jun. 13, Edw. IV. 13.' - - [Footnote 189-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -836 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDMUND PASTON[189-2] - -_A Edmond Paston, Esquyer, a Caleys soyt donne._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JULY 5] - -Brother Edmond, I grete yow weell, letyng yow weete that abowt thys daye -vij. nyght I sende yow a letter by Nycholas Bardeslee a sowdyer, whyche -is wont woute[189-3] to be at border [_brother_] Perauntys,[189-4] and -also an hoseclothe[189-5] off blak ffor yow. I wende that ye sholde have -hadde itt within ij. dayes, but I am afferde that he deseyved me. - -Item, I lete yow weet that Plattyng is comen hyddr, and he seythe that -ye gaffe hym leve to ffetche hys geer and Pittys, and that is hys erande -hyddr and noon other, ner he thowt never to goo ffro me, ner he wyll -nott goo ffro me as he seythe, wherffor, I praye yow sende me worde off -hys condycions, and whyghe ye thynke that he sholde never do me -worshypp. - -He seythe also that he and Pytte weer at the takyng off the Esterlyngs, -and that he was in the _Pakker_, and Pytte in the _Crystoffre_. I praye -yow sende me worde howe bothe he and Pytte quytte them, by the report -off some indyfferent trewe man that was ther, iff they quytte them -weell, I wolde love them the better, wherffor the next daye afftr the -syte of thys letter, I praye yow wryght ageyn, and sende it by the next -passage. - -Item, I sende a lytell praty boxe herwith, whyche I wolde that Juddy -sholde delyver to the woman that he wetyth off, and praye hyr to take it -to the man that she wetyth off; that is to seye, as moche as ye knowe -all well i now, but ye maye nott make yow wyse in no wyse. - -Item, I praye yow sende me worde as ye wer wont to do off heer wellffar, -and whether I weer owt and other inne or nott; and whether she shall -fforsake Caleys as sone as ye sende me worde off or nott. - -By God I wolde be with yow as ffayne as yowr selff, and shall be in hast -with Godds grace. - -Item, as ffor my brother John, I hope within thys monyth to see hym in -Caleys, ffor by lyklyhod to morowe or ellys the next daye he takyth -shyppe at Yarmothe, and goothe to Seynt James[190-1] warde, and he hathe -wretyn to me that he wyll come homwarde by Caleys. - -Item, I suppose that James Songer shall come with me to Caleys, the -rather ffor yowr sake. - -Item, Mestresse Elysabett ffareth well, but as yit Songer knoweth nott -so perffytly all that ye wolde weet, that he woll nott wryght to yow off -thees ij. dayes tyll he knowe moor, but iff she hadde ben bolde, and -durst have abydyn styll at hyr gate, and spoken with me, so God helpe -me, she had hadd thys same that I sende nowe wher ye woot off, whyche ye -shall see woryn heer afftr, itt is a praty ryban with praty -agletts[190-2] and goodlye. - -Make yow not wyse to Juddy, nowther not that ye wolde weet any thynge, -ffor I maye sey to yowe at hys comyng ovr, he browt goodly geer -reasonablye. - -Item, as ffor my byll[191-1] that is gylt, I wolde it weer taken head -too; ther is one in the town, that can glaser weell i nowe, as I herde -seye. Also, ther is on comythe every markett daye ffro Seynt Omerys to -Caleys and he bryngethe dagers, and ffetchyth also, he may have it with -hym, and brynge it ageyn the next markett daye ffor xij_d._ or xvj_d._ -at the most, and ellys late it be weel oylyd and kepte tyll I come. No -more. - -Wretyn at London the v. daye of Julle, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 189-2: [From Fenn, ii. 146.]] - - [Footnote 189-3: So in Fenn.] - - [Footnote 189-4: Fenn suggests a fanciful explanation of the - expression 'border Perauntys,' presuming the latter word not to be - a proper name; but see page 163.] - - [[_page 163 = near end of Letter 815_]] - - [Footnote 189-5: Cloth for hosen.] - - [Footnote 190-1: _See_ page 186, Note 5.] - - [Footnote 190-2: Pendant ornaments of metal, like tags or points, - etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 191-1: A warlike instrument of offence.--F.] - - [[Footnote 190-1 - Note 5. - _text has "Note. 5."_]] - - -837 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[191-2] - -_To my ryght wyrshypful moodre, Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JULY 30] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and my ryght tendre modre, I recommaunde me to yow, -besechyng yow of yowr dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weet that I herde -not from yow off longe tyme, whyche cawsythe me to be ryght hevye; ner -at the last tyme that I sende to yow in wryghtyng I hadde from yowr -selffe noo wryghtyng ner answer ageyne, saff by Playter one tyme and by -my brother one other tyme; whyche answer off Playter was noo thyng -acordyng but contraryaunt to other wryghtyng more comfortable that he -hadde sent me nott longe byffore that on yowr behalve, as he wrott, -whyche God amende. Neverthelesse to my more hevynesse, I herde seye that -ye sholde have been passhyng hevy for my sake, and in cheffe for that I -was lyke to late goo the maner off Sporle, wherin I was pytte in comfort -to have had relyffe by the meanes off yow; and syns it was tolde me that -iff I leete it goo that ye wold therfore dysavauntage me more lond in -tyme to come, off syche as by poscybylyte myght come to mee of yowris. -Uppon whyche corage my grauntdame[192-1] and myn oncle[192-2] togedre -gaffe me an answer on hyr part moche lyke, and so my fadre, God have hys -sowle, leffte me scant xl_li._ londe in reste, and ye leffe me as -pleasythe yow, and my grauntdame at hyr plesur; thus may I have lyttel -hope off the worlde. Neverthelesse I beseche yow to be my good moodre, -how so ever ye do with yowr londe; for I feell weell that iff I have one -losse I am lyffe [_q._ like?] therfor to have three. But as for Sporle, -it shall nott goo iff I maye, ner by my wyll; and iff ther hadde been -performed me as largelye as was promysed me by Playter, I were sewre it -sholde nott have goon, nor yit sholde nat goo. Neverthelesse iff ye and -all my frendys and yowris in Norffolk myght have lende me so moche monye -and to have takyn it uppe in v. yere, I suppose they sholde peraventure -have ben payed ageyn in a yer or ij. iff I had solde any woode. -Neverthelesse, plese yow to weet that I have provyd my fadres wyll and -testement, wherin I maye nowt dele on to the tyme that all the -executoris have reffused; wherffor ther most be sende sitatacions -(_sic_) to yow and alle other that weer namyd my fadris executoris. -Wherin iff ye list not to take admynystracion, as I woot well ye woll -nott off olde, ye most than make a proctor that must, on yowr behalve, -byffor my Lorde of Canterbury, with a sufficiaunt warant and autoryte, -undre a notarys syngne ther in the corte, reffuse to take -admynestracion. And this instrument and aultoryte I beseche yow maye be -redy and att London by the fyrst daye of the terme; and iff yow be not -aqueynted with none suche at London, iff it please yowe to take and -avowe for your proctor and sende hym auctoryte, on [_one_] Master John -Halsnothe whyche was a clerke off Master Robert Centis[192-3] and was so -trusty to my fadre, God have hys sowle, and to sende me a letter off -yowre wylle ther in, I undertake that he shall not do but as ye sende me -worde. Plese it yow to gyff credence to Juddy herin. No more to you att -thys tyme, but Jhesu have yow in Hys kepyng. Wretyn att Caleys, the last -daye saff one off Julle.--Yowr sone, - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 191-2: [Add. 34,889, f. 125.] This letter appears to be - of the year 1473, as in that year Sir John Paston writes on the - 5th July that he hopes to be in Calais within a month (No. 836). - Later in the year (22 Nov.) he writes that the citations here - referred to were not ready (No. 842, p. 199). The date is further - confirmed by what is said of the manor of Sporle (comp. pp. 181, - 182).] - - [[_Sporle, 181-82: item i. in Letter 831_]] - - [Footnote 192-1: Agnes Paston.] - - [Footnote 192-2: William Paston.] - - [Footnote 192-3: Robert Kent, who had been John Paston the - father's proctor in the Court of Archers. _See_ vol. iv. pp. 243, - 244.] - - -838 - -MARTIN RONDELLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[193-1] - -_Monseigneur Jehan Paston, chevalier d' Engleterre._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / AUG. 28] - -Mon treschier et honnore seigneur, je me recomande a vous outant que je -puis ne scay. Et vous plaise savoir que je ay oy novelles de vous par -ung de vo marchans de Calais touchant unne armura de unna sella que je -vous doy, et de una barbuta, laquelle est en diferansce entre vous et -moy, de laquelle je vous ay aultre foix dist que je estoie contant de -fere toute rexon [_raison_], et en quore le vous dige prexentement que -je suis prest de fer tout chou qu'il apartient en tout rexon, set -[_c'est_] asavoir de la barbute et de l'armura de sella. D'aultre chiox -ne vous suis en riens tenut, forque en toute les chiox que me seroint -posible de faire pour l'amour de vous a vostre honneur et a vostre -profit, je suis tout jour prest a vostre comendement. - -Item, en houltre, je ay entendut que vous voulles avoir unng harnax -complet. Com je prins vostra mexure dernierement quant vous fustes en -ceste ville de Bruges, saichies que je ay en quor vostre mexure de -toutes lez piesces; pour quoy, se il vous plaist que je la vous fasa, je -la vous faray de bon ceur, et tout cella que il vous plaira avoir fait; -et au regard du pris, je faray tellement que vous seres content de moy -pour tant quant il vous plaira lesiem savoir queles piesses que vous -voles avoir, et la faisson et le jour que vous la voles avoir par -quelcun aqui je puis in chauder en nom de vous, et qui me ballia argant -de sus, je feray si bien que se Dieu plaist vous vous loeres de moy. -Aultre chiox ne vous say que mander pour le prexent, senon que je prie a -Dieu que il vous doint ce que vostre ceur desir. - -Escript a Bruges, le xxviij. jour de Ahoust, l'an lxxiij. - - Le tout vostre serviteur, - MARTIN RONDELLE, - Armurier de Monsire le - Bastart de Bourgogne. - - _Endorsed_--Par Martyne Rowndell, armorer de Bruggys. Anno E. iiij^ti - xiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 193-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -839 - -LORD HASTINGS TO SIR JOHN OF MIDDLETON AND SIR JOHN PASTON[194-1] - -_To my right hertily beloved frends and felaws, Sir John of Middelton, -and Sir John Paston, Knights._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / SEPT. 16] - -After herty recommendacion, I thank you of the gode attendance that ye -yeve unto the Kings counsail at Calais; and the gode and effectuelle -devoires that ye putte you in to assiste my depute Sir John Scot, in -alle suche things as mowe concerne the saufgarde of my charge there. -Leting you wite, that if ther be any thing that I can and may do for -you, I shal with right gode wil performe it to my power. - -And I preye you to recommaunde me to my Lady Howard,[194-2] my Lady -Bourgchier,[194-3] and all othre ladies and gentilwomen of the saide -towne. And in likewise to the Mayre, Lieutenant, and felaship of the -staple; my felaws the souldeours, and all othre suche as ye shal seme -gode. And oure Lord sende you your desirs. - -Writen at Notyngham, the xvj. day of Septembre. - -Sir Joh Paston, I pray you to yeve credens to suche thing as my depute -shall shew you fro me, and conforme you to the same. - - Your felaw, - - HASTYNGS. - - [Footnote 194-1: [From Fenn, ii. 152.] This letter, Fenn tells - us, is endorsed in a hand of the time, 'E. (?) Hastyngs, Anno - xiij^{o.},' showing that it was written in the thirteenth year of - Edward IV.] - - [Footnote 194-2: Margaret, wife of Sir John Howard, Lord Howard, - and afterwards Duke of Norfolk. She was daughter of Sir John - Chedworth, Knight, and died in 1490, 5 Hen. VII.] - - [Footnote 194-3: Lady Bourchier was probably the wife of a son of - Sir John Bourchier, Lord Berners.] - - -840 - -NOTE - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 1] - -On the Close Roll 13 Edw. IV. m. 5, is an indenture tripartite bearing -date 1 Nov., 13 Edw. IV., between Thomas Byllyng, Chief-Justice, and -others, including William Paston on the one part; Jane Ingaldesthorp, -late wife of Edmund Ingaldesthorp, Knight, William Norys, Knt., and -Isabel, Marquesse Montague, his wife, of the second part; and William -Parker, citizen and tailor, London, of the third part. - - -841 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[195-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, at Norwych, be thys delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 6] - -Wyrshypfull and well belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow -weet that the worlde semyth qweysye heer; ffor the most part that be -abowt the Kyng have sende hyddr ffor ther harneys, and it [is] seyd ffor -serteyn, that the Duke off Clarance makyth hym bygge in that he kan, -schewyng as he wolde but dele with the Duke of Glowcester; but the Kyng -ententyth, in eschyewying all inconvenyents, to be as bygge as they -bothe, and to be a styffeler atweyn them; and som men thynke that undre -thys ther sholde be som other thynge entendyd, and som treason -conspyred; so what shall falle, can I nott seye. - -Item, it is seyde that yisterdaye ij. passagers off Dovr wer takyn; -I ffer that iff Juddy had noon hasty passage, so that iff he passyd nott -on Sondaye or Mondaye, that he is taken, and som geer off myn, that I -wolde not for xx_li._ - -I hope and purpose to goo to Caleys warde on Sondaye or Mondaye or nyghe -bye, ffor I am nott accompanyed to do any servyse heer; wherffor it wer -better ffor me to be owt off syght.[196-1] - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - -Item, Sprynge, that wayten on my ffadre when he was in Jowel hous [_gaol -house_], whom my ffadre at hys dyeng besett xl_s._ he cryethe evyr on me -ffor it, and in weye off almess, and he wolde be easyd, thow it wer but -xx_s._ or x_s._; wherffor he hathe wretyn to my modr, and most have an -answer ageyn; I wolde that my moodr sende hym, as thoghe she lende hym -som whatt, and he woll be pleasyd, and ellys he can seye as shrewdely as -any man in Ingelonde. - -Item, the Kynge hathe sent ffor hys Great Seall; some seye we shall have -a newe Chauncelor, but som thynke that the Kynge dothe as he dyde at the -last ffeldys, he wyll have the Seall with hym; but thys daye Doctor -Morton, Master off the Rollys, rydethe to the Kynge, and berythe the -Sease [_Seals_] with hym. - -Item, I had never mor nede off mony than now; wherffor Fastolffes v. -mrks and the mony off Master John Smythe wolde make me holl, &c. - -Wretyn on Seynt Lenards Daye, Anno R. R. E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - -Item, sende me my vestment acordyng to the letter I sent yow by Symond -Dam, in all hast. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 195-1: [From Fenn, ii. 126.] This letter is misdated in - Fenn as of the 15th April. St. Leonard's Day is the 6th November.] - - [Footnote 196-1: Here follow some money transactions relative to a - Doctor Pykenham, his mother, and others.] - - -842 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[196-2] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be thys delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 22] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and hertyly belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, -letyng you wet that I receyvyd a letter that come from yow, wretyn circa -viij. Mychaelys,[196-3] wherin ye leet me weet off the decesse off Syr -James, and that my moodre is in purpose to be at Norwyche, and I am -ryght glad that sche wyll now doo somwhat by yowr advyce; wherffor be -war fro hense forthe that noo suche felawe crepe in be twyen hyr and -yow, and iff ye lyst to take a lytell labore, ye may lyff ryght well, -and she pleasyd. It is as good that ye ryde with a cople off horse at -hyr cost as Syr James or Richard Calle. - -Ye sende me worde also that she in noo wyse wyll purveye thyr C_li._ for -the redemyng off Sporle. Late it goo. As towchyng that mater, John -Osbern tolde me that he comonyd with yow at Sporle of that mater; ferr -he devysed that Kokett, or suche an other man, sholde, to have it the -better cheppe, leye owt the valewe off vj. yere for to have it vij. -yere, wherto I wolde agre; and for Goddys sake, if thatt maye be browt -abowt, late it be doon. As ye woot of, it is laten for xxij_li._ be -yere, yit the fermor graunt but xxj.; but to Kokett it wolde be worthe -xxv_li._, yea and better. Neverthelesse, if Kokett wyll delyver -vj^xx._li._, I wolde he had it for vij. yeer, with thys that my moodre -be agreable to the same, by cawse of th'entresse that she hathe for my -brother William, whyche shall nott be off age thys vij. yeer; -neverthelesse, as ye know myn olde entent, I purpose to purvey for hym -in an other plase better than theer; whyche graunte off my moodre I -praye yow to be my solycytor in, whyche [and] it be browt abowt, Sporle -shall be in as goode case as evyr he was. - -John Osbern willyd me to make yow a sufficiaunt waraunt to selle and -felle wood at Sporle, whyche I remembre ye have in as ample forme as can -be; neverthelesse iff thys meane above wretyn off letyng to ferme maye -be hadde, it shall, I hope, nat nede to felle ner selle moche. But I -remytte that geer to yowr dyscrescion, but iff ye have suche comforte, -I praye yow sende me worde. I maye seye to yow, John Osbern flateryd me, -for he wolde have borowyd mony off me. - -Item, in retaylyng of woode theer, it weer harde to tryst hym; he is -nedye. If Kokett, or whoo so evyr had that maner to ferme for vij. yere, -and payd therffor but vj^xx._li._, he sholde, to lete it ageyn, wynne -xxxvj_li._, whyche we[re] moche; wherffor, iff it myght bee, yt wer more -resenable vj^xx. vij_li._ to be reseyvyd, and yit is ther lost -xxix_li._, or ellys iff ye take lesse mony and fewer yerys, so it be -aftre the rate, so ther be purveyd C_li._ at the lest; send worde. - -Item, ye wroot that lyke a trewe man ye sende me xviij_s._ by Richarde -Radle. Ye weer to trewe; but he semys to be a false shrewe, for he browt -me noon yitt. Whethyr he be owt of town or nott, kan I nott seye. - -Ye prayed me also to sende yow tydynges how I spedde in my materis, and -in cheff of Mestresse Anne Hault. I have answer ageyn fro Roome that -there is the welle of grace and salve sufficiaunt for suche a soore, and -that I may be dyspencyd with; neverthelesse my proctore there axith a -m^l. docatys, as he demythe. But Master Lacy, another Rome renner heer, -whyche knowyth my seyde proctor theer, as he seythe, as weell as Bernard -knewe hys sheeld, seythe that he menyth but an C. docates or CC. at the -most; wherffor afftre thys comythe moor. He wrote to me also, _quod Papa -hoc facit hodiernis diebus multociens_. - -Item, as towchyng Caster, I tryst to God that ye shall be in it to myn -use or Crystmesse be past. - -Item, yowr ost Brygham recomand hym to yow, and when he and I rekenyd, -I gave hym ij. noblis for yowr borde, whyll ye weer theer in hys -absence; but in feythe he wolde, for nowth that I kowde doo, take j_d._ -Wherffor ye most thanke hym or charge me to thanke hym on yowr behalve -in some nexte epystyll that ye wryght to me to Caleys. He leete me weet -that he wolde do moor for yow than soo. - -Item, my Lady Bowgcher was almost deed, but she ys amendyd. I trowe they -come in to Norffolk. - -Item, as for W. Berker, I heer no worde from hym. I praye yow comon with -Berney ther in, he knoweth myn conceyt; and also I praye yow hast Berney -ageyn. I wold not that he played the fooll, ner wastyd hys tyme ner hys -sylver. - -Item, as for the brace of growndes [_greyhounds_], or one verry goode, -or in especiall the blak of Germynes, I can nott seye but ye be a trewe -man, but William Mylsent isse a false shrewe, so mote I thee, and I trow -hys master ys too. - -Item, I most have myn instrumentes hydder, whyche are in the chyst in my -chambre at Norwyche, whyche I praye yow and Berney to gedre joyntly, but -natt severally, to trusse in a pedde,[199-1] and sende them me hyddre in -hast, and a byll ther in how many peces. Thys most be had to avoyde -idelnesse at Caleys. - -Item, I preye yow take heed among thatt my stuffe take noon harme, ner -that myn evydence, wher ye wott of, be owt of joperte. - -Item, I praye yow doo for Berneye as ye kan, so that he maye be in -sewerte for hys annywyte, and that it be nott costious fro hense forthe -to hym any mor to come, or sende for it. I pray yow wynne yowr sporys in -hys mater. - -Item, I purposed to have sent heer with the testament off my fadre and -the scytacions to my moodre to yow and Arblaster; but they be nott redy. -Within ij. dayes aftre the comyng of thys, I suppose they shall be with -yow, and than I shall wryght mor to yow. - -As for other tydynges, I trust to God thatt the ij. Dukes of Clarans and -Glowcester shall be sette att one by the adward off the Kyng. - -Item, I hope by the means of the Duke of Glowcester that my Lord -Archebyshop[199-2] shall come home. - -Item, as towchyng my sustre Anne,[199-3] I undrestand she hathe bene -passyng seek; but I wende that she had ben weddyd. As for Yelverton, he -seyde but late that he wold have hyr, iff she had hyr mony, and ellis -nott; wherffor me thynkyth that they be nott verry sewre. But, amonge -alle other thynges, I praye yow be ware that the olde love of Pampyng -renewe natt. He is nowe fro me; I wott nat what he woll doo. - -No more. Wretyn at London, the xxij. daye of Novembre Anno R. R. E. -iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, Kt. - - [Footnote 196-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 196-3: i.e. _circa octabas Michaelis_--about the Octaves - of Michaelmas, or 6th October.] - - [Footnote 199-1: A kind of basket.] - - [Footnote 199-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York, though - formerly pardoned, had been accused of holding correspondence with - the Earl of Oxford, for which he was imprisoned at Guines.] - - [Footnote 199-3: Anne Paston married William Yelverton, grandson - of Sir William Yelverton, the Judge.] - - -843 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[200-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 25] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and well belovyd brother, I recomaund me to yow, -letyng yow weet that I sende yow her with j. sitacion, where in ben my -moodre and yee, wheroff I praye yow that I maye have hasty answeer. The -effecte theroff is no moor, but ye bothe most sende answer, and make yow -a proctor heer, and that most come hyddre ondre a notaryes syngne, -affermyng that ye make suche a man, Master John Halsnothe, or ellis, yf -ye will do the cost, to sende some other hyddre; yowr proctor to take -admynystracion or to reffuse, and what so he dothe, ye to holde it for -ferme and stable. Than most my moodre and ye wryght a lettre, undre my -moodre seall and yowr syngne manuell, to me and Master John Halsnothe in -thys forme:--'We gret yow well, letyng yow weet that we have made yow, -Master John Halsnothe, our proctor in the testament of John Paston, -husband and fadre to yow, wherin we wyll that on owr behalff ye refuse -the admynestracion of the seyde testament. And thys wryghtyng is to yow -warantt and dyscharge, and also the verry wyll of usse.' Thys most we -have for owr dyscharge. - -Item, I pray yow take good hedde to my soster Anne, lesse the old love -atwyen hyr and Pampyng renewe. - -Item, I pray yow sende me worde howe my moodre is dysposyd to hyr -wardes, and iffe so weer that a good mariage myght be had, what she -wolde depart with. - -Item, I praye yow that ye remembre hyr for the tombe off my fadr at -Bromholme, and also the chapell at Mauteby, and sende me worde how she -is dysposyd her in. - -Item, iff I have Caster ageyn, whethyr she wolle dwelle ther or nott, -and I wyll fynde hyr a prest towardes at my charge, and geve hyr the -dovehowse and other comodytes ther; and if any horsekeper on myn lye -ther, I wolle paye for hys borde also, as weell as for the prestes. - -Item, iff my modre sholde have a new prest, I thynk that my brother Syr -J. Goos weer a metly man to be ther. He wolde also doo, as ye wolde have -hym nowe, ber the cuppe evyn, as What-calle-ye-hym seyde to Aslake. - -Be war of Myneres fro hense forthe, and sende me worde how ye trist -Doctor Pykenham. I wolde, if he wolde doo owght for my moodre, that he -hastyd the soner to paye me the C_li._, so that I myght pledge owt -Sporle. - -Item, as for other tydynges, the Erle of Oxenforthe is stille besegyd. -Neverthelesse, onys he issued owt, and toke a jentylman, and hant -[_dragged_] hym within; but now off late he was besye, and one espyed -hym, and shott at hym and strake in the verry fase with an arowe. I sye -thys daye the same man, and theere I leef hym. - -Iff Arblaster come to yow, ye maye see hys letter sente to hym by me, -wherin I have wretyn that he scholde take yowr advyce; but I praye you, -above all thynges, that me make hast so that I heer from yow ageyn by -thys day vij. nyght. - -At London, the xxv. daye of Novembre. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 200-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The year in which this - letter was written is clearly shown, partly by the allusions made - in it to several matters mentioned in previous letters, and more - especially by what is said of the Earl of Oxford. That nobleman - was besieged in St. Michael's Mount, Cornwall, by Sir Henry - Bodrugan during October and November 1473.] - - [[... and hant [_dragged_] hym within - _final italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -844 - -THE TENANTS OF SPORLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[201-1] - -_To oure specyall good lord and mayster, Syr John Paston, Knyght, be -this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: Date uncertain] - -Right worchepfull and oure specyall good mayster and loord, after our -dewe recomendacion with owre servyce. Please it yow to knowe that we arn -grevously troubled, and not lyke to kepe oure tenourys, the whiche we -holde of you, but yf ye helpe us; for we wer bete at the boordourys -syde, and afterwarde our servauntes wer bete at the plowe in Spoorle -felde, and somme of them be lyke to dey. And we redyn to Maister Shereve -and to Mayster Southwell for remedye, and thei advysed us to ryde to -Mayster Wyngfeld; and thenne we understode that Mayster Wyngfeld was -reden to London, &c. And so we stonden withoute remedye, and in grete -doute of our lyves, and losse of our goodys. Wherfor we beseche you to -socoure us accordyng to your right and owres. And ellys we kan nott -abyde it, &c. Cryst kepe your good lordshep. - - Be your poore tenauntes - of Spoorle. - - [Footnote 201-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter - is very uncertain, but as a good deal is said about this time of - the manor and wood of Sporle, we insert it here for convenience.] - - -845 - -NOTE - -[Sidenote: 1474 / FEB. 9] - -It appears by the Early Chancery Proceedings printed by the Record -Commission (vol. i. p. xc.), that a decree was given in Chancery in -Hilary term, 13 Edw. IV. compelling William Paston and other trustees to -fulfil a covenant between Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Elizabeth, -Countess of Oxford. On the Close Roll, 13 Edw. IV. memb. 1, is a release -by William, Bishop of Ely, Sir Thomas Montgomery, John Wentworth, clk., -William Paston, Esq., Roger Townesend and Jas. Arblaster to Richard, -Duke of Gloucester, of all their right in Ocle Magna and Parva, etc., in -Essex, which they have by enfeoffment of Eliz., Countess of Oxford, and -in other manors in Norfolk and Suffolk which they lately had of the gift -of the same. This release is dated 9th Feb. 13 Edw. IV., and was -acknowledged in Chancery on the 11th Feb. Below it are enrolled three -other deeds by the Countess and her feoffees to the Duke, dated 9th -June, 12 Edw. IV., and acknowledged in Chancery, 25th June, 14 Edw. IV. - - -846 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[203-1] - -_Mestresse Margrett Paston, at Norwyche._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / FEB. 20] - -Ryght honorable and most tendr good moodr, I recomand me to yowe, -besechyng yow to have, as my tryst is that I have, yowr dayly blessyng; -and thanke yow off yowr good moderhood, kyndenesse, cheer, charge, and -costes, whyche I had, and putte yow to, att my last beyng with yow, -whyche God gyffe me grace her afftr to deserve! - -Please it yow to weet, that I thynge longe that I heer nott ffrom yow or -ffrom Pekok yowr servaunt, ffor the knowlege howe he hathe doon in the -sale off my fferme barlye, ner whatt is made theroff; wherffor I beseche -yowe, if it be not answeryd by that tyme that thys bylle cormythe to -yowe, to hast hym and itt hyddre wards; ffor iff that had nott taryed -me, I deme I had been at Caleys by thys daye; ffor it is soo, as men -seye, that the Frense Kynge with a gret hoste is at Amyans, but iij^xx. -myle from Caleys; and iff he, or hys, roode byffor Caleys, and I nott -theer, I wolde be sorye. - -Item, men seye that the Erle of Oxenfford hathe ben constreynyd to sewe -ffor hys pardon only off hys lyffe; and hys body, goodes, londes, with -all the remenaunt, at the Kynges wyll, and soo sholde in all haste nowe -come in to the Kyng; and some men seye that he is goon owt off the -Mounte,[203-2] men wot not to what plase, and yit lefte a greet garnyson -theer, weell ffornysshyd in vytayll, and all other thynge. - -Item, as ffor the havyng ageyn off Castre, I trust to have good tydyngs -theroff hastelye. - -Item, my brother John ffarethe weell, and hathe doon ryght delygentlye -in my cosyn Elizabet Berneys mater, wheroff hastely I trust he shall -sende hyr tydyngs that schall please hyr; and as to morow he purposyth -to take hys jurneye to Walys warde to the Lorde Ryverse. No mor at thys -tyme, but Jeswe have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at London the xx. daye off Feverer, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - Yowr sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 203-1: [From Fenn, ii. 154.]] - - [Footnote 203-2: St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall.] - - -847 - -LORD HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON[204-1] - -_To my right trusty and welbeloved servaunt, John Paston, Squier._ - -[Sidenote: 1474(?) / APRIL 26] - -John Paston, I recommaunde me unto you. And whereas I appointed and -desired you to goo over unto Guysnes to yeve youre attendaunce and -assistaunce upon my brother Sir Rauf Hastings in all suche things as -concerne the suretie and defense of the Castell of Guysnes during his -infirmyties; it is shewed unto me that ye have full truely and -diligently acquyted you unto my saide brother, in all his besynesses -sithe your comyng thider. Whereof I thanke you hertly. And as I conceive -to my grete comfort and gladnesse, my saide brother is wele recovered -and amended, thanked be God. And soo I truste he may nowe spare you. -Wherupon I have writen unto him, if he may soo doo, to licence you to -come over unto me ayen. Wherefore I woll and desire you, th'assent of my -saide brother had, to dispose you to come over in all goodly haste, as -well for suche grete maters, as I fele by youre ffrends, ye have to doo -here, as to yeve youre attendaunce upon me. And your retourne ye shall -be to my welcome. - -From London, the xxvj. day of Avrill. - -[204-2]I pray you in no wise to depart as yet without my brother Roaf -asent and agrement; and recommaund me to my syster, all my nieces, to -the constabyll, and to all Ryves [_reeves_]. - - Your tru frend, - - HASTYNGES. - - [Footnote 204-1: [From Fenn, ii. 296.] I cannot discover in what - year John Paston could have been staying at Guisnes during the - month of April at the request of Lord Hastings, unless it was in - the year 1474. There seems no other probable year in which we have - not distinct evidence of his being elsewhere.] - - [Footnote 204-2: This postscript is in the writer's own hand, the - preceding part of the letter being in that of a clerk. A - fac-simile of the postscript is given by Fenn.] - - -848 - -SIR RALPH HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON[205-1] - -_To my feithful lovyng gode cousyn, Johan Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1474(?) / MAY 9] - -Cousyn Paston, I recommaunde me to you in as speciall wise as I cane. -And like you to witte, on Sondaye at even last I hadde writing and -evedence frome my lorde by Punche of tidyngis and have understonde them -wel al a longe. And on Monday erly in the mornyng I came to Calais to -have spoken with you, but I came to late. Praying you to advertise my -lord[205-2] to se wel to him self, etc. And at my comyng home the same -nyght I felle doune syke, and have ever sith kept my bedde and yitte do. -And, as you knowe wel, the Connestable sykened with you in his goyng to -Calais, of whome I doubt me, and so I do of my self bothe. So that here -amongis us nowe is no man to stirre about and see quykly to alle thingis -as ther aught to be and is nede to be, which hevieth me gretly; and -though I were up and might somwhat stire myself, yitte I am not seure so -to contynue ij. daies to-geder, etc. As for moo men, my Lord hathe -praied me and advised me to holde me content with thoo that I have, and -that I shulde make as litel coste in reparacions as I maye, because he -cannot se wel howe the monney cane be goten to content them. Cousyn, as -for moo men ye knowe right wel thoo that we have are to fewe, and we -have nede; notwithstonding I shal do as wel as I may with thoo that I -have. But as [for][205-3] eny ferther reparacions, might I ones for oure -seurte have this fournisshed that I am about, I kepe not to make moo, -for I doubt me that this we are about, that parte therof wil reste in my -nekke, because we cane not be seure of oure assignement. I pray you, -cousyn, brekes to my Lord all suche maters that ye cane remembre and -thinke[205-4] may be for the wele of us and the seurte of this place, as -my ful speciall truste and alle othir mennes here is in you. I hadde -thought to have writton to my lord to have sente some othir seure man -hidre to have assisted and holpen us during oure infirmitees, but I fele -by Punche that my Lord saith I write always so plainly to him that hit -fereth him, and therfore I dar not but shal forbere to write any more -so; howe be hit, it were ful necessarye and behofful so to do, that -knoweth God, Who ever preserve you. Writton at Guysnes, the ix^e daye of -May. - -I praye you to sende us some of your tidingis by this berer as oft as ye -may. And if ther be anything I may do to your plesir, I shal do it with -as good hart as ye cane desire. - - Your tru luffuyng coussen, - - RAUFF HASTYNGIS. - - [Footnote 205-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 122.] This letter was - clearly written in the same year as No. 847, which was apparently - 1474.] - - [Footnote 205-2: Lord Hastings.] - - [Footnote 205-3: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 205-4: 'thinke' repeated in MS.] - - -849 - -ABSTRACT[206-1] - -[Sidenote: 1474 / JULY 24] - -Letters patent, dated at Westminster, 24 July, 14 Edw. IV., for levying -a subsidy in the county of Norfolk for a war against France. - - [Footnote 206-1: [Add. Charter 14,973, B.M.]] - - -850 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[206-2] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, or to hys brodyr Edmund in hys absence, -lodgyd at the George by Powlys Wharff, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / JULY 25] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, preying yow to remembyr, or -ye depert ought of London, to spek with Herry Ebertonys wyf, draper, and -to enforme hyr that I am profyrd a maryage in London, whyche is worth -vj^c. [600] mark and bettyr; with whom I preyid yow to comone, in as -myche as I myght not tery in London myself, alweys reservyng that if so -be that Mastresse Eberton wyll dele with me, that ye shold not conclud -in the other place, thow so wer that Eberton wold not geve so moche with -Mastress Elyzabet, hys dowghtyr, as I myght have with the other, for -syche fantazy as I have in the seyd Mastress Elyzabet Eberton. And that -it lyek yow to sey to Ebertons wyff that syche as I spak to hyr of -shalbe bettyrd rather then enpeyred as for my part; and if it lyek hyr -to deale with me, I wylbe at London for that cawse only with in xiiij. -dayis aftyr the wryghtyng of thys byll, with Godes grace, Who preserve -yow and yours. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, on Seynt Jamys Day. - - * * * - -Also, sir, I prey yow that ye wyll, as I desyerd yow, comon with John -Lee or hys wyf, or bothe, and to undyrstond how the mater at the Blak -Freerys dothe, and that ye wylle see and spek with the thyng your sylf, -and with hyr fadyr and modyr, or ye depert; and that it lyek yow to -desyer John Lee is wyff to send me a byll in all hast possybyll, how fer -forthe the mater is, and whedyr it shalbe necessary for me to come up to -London hastyly or not, or ellys to kast all at the Kok. - -Also, sir, I prey yow that Pytt may trusse in a male, whyche I left in -your chambyr at London, my tawny gowne furyd with blak, and the doblet -of porpyll sateyn, and the doblet of blak sateyn, and my wryghtyng box -of syprese, and my book of the Metyng of the Dwke and of the Emperour, -and when all thys gere is trussyd in the male, to delyver it to the -berer herof, to brynge me to Norwyche. - -Item, I send you herwith the pylyon for the male, and x_s._ for the -hyer, whyche is usery, I tak God to rekord. - -Also, that it lyek yow to spek with your apotycary, whyche was som tyme -the Erle of Warwykes apotycary, and to weet of hym what the wedow of the -Blak Freiris is woorthe, and what hyr husbondes name was. He can tell -all, for he is executore to the wedous husbond. I prey yow forget me -not, no more then I do yow. I have spokyn thys day with Jamys Hubberd -and Herry Smyth, and to morow I shall have an answer of theym. - -Also, my modyr wyll labore thys mater with effect, that the CC. mark may -be had for the wood. - -Also, brodyr Edmund, I prey yow, and my brodyr Sir John be not in -London, that ye wyll labore all thys maters with effect, as my trust is -in yow in every poynt as is above wretyn. - -Also, I assartayn yow that I was with Ferrour thys day, and he had no -leyser to comon with me; but I wyll be with hym ayen to morow by -apoyntment betwyx hym and me, and so as I speed I shall send yow woord -by the next man that comyth to London. - -Also, I sent John Lee is wyff a lettyr by on Crawethorn dwellyng in Wood -street, or ellys in Sylver street at the end of Wood street. I prey yow -weet whedyr she had it or nought; and she had it not, brodyr Edmund, -I prey yow go to the same Crawethorn, and tak the lettyr of hym, and -delyver it hyr in all hast. - - J. PASTON.[208-1] - - [Footnote 206-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - in a contemporaneous hand 'Anno xiiij^o,' showing that it was - written in 1474, the 14th year of Edward IV. We also find Sir John - writing to his brother in November following that his brother - Edmund had heard nothing more of Eberton's daughter.] - - [Footnote 208-1: This signature stands in the middle of the - postscript.] - - [[... Who preserve / yow and yours. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -851 - -ABSTRACT[208-2] - -[Sidenote: 1474 / OCT. 24] - -'Bill' dated 24 Oct., 14 Edw. IV., relative to the pledging of certain -parcels of plate by William Paston, Esq., to Elizabeth Clere of Ormesby. -The parcels amount in all to 250 oz. 4 dwt., and are pledged for £40. -_Sealed._ - -ii. Fair copy of the preceding. - - [Footnote 208-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -852 - -ABSTRACT[208-3] - -THE VICAR OF PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 3] - -When my master Sir John's baily was at Paston he scared your tenants, -bidding them pay no rents to Mr. William Paston. On which Harry Warns -wrote to Mr. William, who bade him warn them not to pay money to any one -else; otherwise he would meet them at London 'as the law would,' or at -some market or fair, and make them pay arrears to Midsummer. Beware of -Warns, for he made Master William privy to all the examinations of the -tenants by my master your son. He also charged the tenants not to sell -as my master desired, else Master William would undo them. '_Ideo_, -putte no trost in hym, _quia duobus dominis nemo potest servire_.' -Pastun, 3 Nov. - - [This and the letter following both appear to have been written at - the time of Sir John Paston's dispute with his uncle William, at the - end of the year 1474.] - - [Footnote 208-3: _Ibid._] - - -853 - -ABSTRACT[209-1] - -[THE VICAR OF PASTON] TO MRS. [MARGARET PASTON] - -[Sidenote: 1474] - -John Qwale, farmer of Paston, is distressed by things that Herry Warns -has done and said against him. Warns carried home 'an esse' [_ash_] -blown down by the wind, and says it is your will, because Master John -Paston has given him power over all that he has in Paston. 'More awre he -stondes in grete dowte to ery or to sawe' [_to harrow or to sow_], for -John of Bactun says he shall have no land, unless he find surety, 'and -it were no resun that he suld somerlay and compace hys londes to a noder -mans hand.' Warns says if Qwale put out any cattle at the gates, he will -take it for the grain that Master William delivered to him. He says Mrs. -Margaret Paston[209-2] has no rule there, and shall have none; also that -John Qwale shall not have Gyns close nor the Chyrche close, as he has -taken them to farm. 'Qwere fore, bott ze gyfe hym oderwas power, he wyll -gefe up all.' - - [Footnote 209-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 209-2: Mrs. Margaret Paston is here spoken of by name - and in the third person, but the letter can hardly be addressed to - any one else.] - - -854 - -[WILLIAM PASTON] TO SIR JOHN PASTON[209-3] - -_[To] my right worshipfull neview [Sir J]ohn Paston, Knyghte, be [this] -lettre delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: About 1474(?)] - -[Right] worshipful neview, I recommaund me to you. And, sir, I pray you -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that ther was none obstacle ner lettinge -that ye found in me to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . save me harmeles; -at whiche tyme it was thought aswel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . Johns by obligacioun was not inow to save me harm[eles] . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . [i]n the meane seasoune; for as your reasoun -will give . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ght fell of yow but goode. And if -the caas so fill that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ys will take it on -them, than I to bere the losse. Wherupp[on] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . . [b]ound to me to save me harmeles. And for as muche . . . . . . -. . . . . . . m by obligacioun of statute merchaunt for you the . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . in myne oune kepinge for my discharge, and after a -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [r]estorid me ageyn at this Michelmas. And m -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . shuld hange still till -Candilmas, and me thinke it is by con . . . . . . . . obligacions -paiable at . . . . . [Candle]mas I did at the begynny[ng] . . . . . will -kepe still the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or -sufficient and that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as wold pay at -th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with me than thus -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . indenture wherby . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for be cause that ye w . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . experyens. - -Also I wold avyse you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . my -Lord of Norfolk. - -Also, nevew, there is onne Fr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -but hym silf and his wif and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -wherfore I have writin to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in -this matier; and I trust l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And I -pray yow that may ha . . . . . . . . . . . . - - [Footnote 209-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Of this letter only two - fragments remain, giving, as will be seen, a very mutilated text. - Little more can be said about the contents than that they refer to - money matters between William Paston and his nephew Sir John, - which are probably those referred to in succeeding letters. The - handwriting is that of William Paston. A mutilated endorsement, - apparently in the handwriting of John Paston the younger, shows - merely the words ' . . . . . to Sir J. P. for . . . . .'] - - -855 - -ABSTRACT[210-1] - -[Sidenote: Date uncertain] - -Fragment of a draft deed by which Sir John Paston and John Paston, Esq., -mortgage certain premises not named to the use of Master John Morton, -William Paston, Thomas Playter, and Thomas Lovell, for £114. - - [Nothing is clear about the date of this document, but we place it - here, as bearing, like the last, on money matters between Sir John - Paston and his uncle William.] - - [Footnote 210-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -856 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[211-1] - -_To Mestresse Margrett Paston at Norwyche, or to J. Paston in hyr -absence._ - -[Sidenote: 1474] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and my moste kynde and tendre moodre, I recomaund me -to yow, thankyng yow off the grete cost and off the greet chere that ye -dyd to me and myn at my last beyng wyth yowe; whyche cheer also hath -made me perfyghtly hooll, I thanke God and yow, in so moche that where -as I feeryd me that for weykenesse, and so green recuveryd off my -syknesse, that I scholde have apeyryd by the weye; but, God thanke yow, -I toke so my crommys whyls I was wyth yow, that I felyd my sylfe by the -weye that God and ye had made me stronger than I wenyd that I had ben, -in so myche that I feell my selffe every daye holler than other. - -It was soo that I mett wyth myn onkle William by the weye, and there in -the felde I payed hym the iiij_li._ whyche I had borowyd off hym; and he -was passyng inquisytyff howe that I was purveyd for recompensyng off -Towneshend. I tolde hym I hopyd weell; he tolde me that he undrestood -that I had the C_li._ of the Bysshopys executores, and he had herde seye -that I had also borowyd another C_li._ of a marchaunt, and so I lakyd -but an C. marke. I deme he herde thys of T. Lovell, for I tolde hym that -I was in hope to fynde suche a freende that wolde lende me C_li._ He -axed me, who was that? I answeryd hym, an olde marchaunt, a freende of -myn, but myn oncle thowte that shold be by weye of chevyshanse -[_usury_], and to myn horte; wherffor I was pleyne to hym, and tolde hym -that ye wer sewerte therffor, and purveyed it off suche as wolde doo for -yowe. And as for the forte [_fourth_] C. mark, he seyde to me that as -for that he wolde, rather than joperte sholde be, purvey it by weye off -chevyshaunce at London, in so moche that, er he come fro London, he had -for my sake leyde v. C. markes worthe of plate with Hewghe Fenne. The -place at Warwykes Inne is large, and my grawntdame is agyd; it had ben -jopertous to leve moche plate wyth hyr, thoghe halffe were hyr owne. But -if I maye do other wyse, I purpose nott to chevyshe any mony by hys -meane. - -Item, I have delyveryd yowre botell to Courbye the caryer thys same -daye, and he promysed me to be with yow on Mondaye nyghte, or ellys on -Touesday tymely. He hathe also xl_d._ to paye for the thryd hyryd horse, -and he bryngythe the iij. horse wyth hym, and is contente for hys labor -and for the mete largely. They be delyveryd hym in as good, and rather -better plyght, than whan I had them forthe, and not gallyd nor hurte. He -hate also ij. sadelys, one of my brotheres, and one other hyred, as ye -woot off. - -Item, he hathe a peyre botys off Edmond Reedes, the shomaker, whyche -Saundre borowyd off hym. I beseche yowe that William Mylsent or Symme -maye se that every man have hys owne. - -Item, as for my brother Edmond, blyssyd be God, he is weell amendyd. - -Item, as for Hankyn owr dogge, I am a fferde never to see hym, but if -[_unless_] yowr good helpe bee. - -Item, as for the bookes that weer Sir James, iff it lyke yow that I maye -have them, I ame not able to by them; but somwhat wolde I gyffe, and the -remenaunt with a goode devowte herte, by my trowthe, I wyll prey for hys -sowle. Wherffor iff it lyke yow by the next messenger or karyer to sende -hem in a daye, I shall have them dressyd heer; and iff any off them be -claymyd here aftre, in feythe I wyll restoor it. - -Wretyn on Saterdaye. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 211-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident from the - contents that this letter must have been written shortly before - that which follows.] - - -857 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[213-1] - -_To Mestresse Margrete Paston, or to Roose, dwellyng byffore hyr gate at -Norwyche._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 20] - -Aftre dew recomendacion, my most tendre and kynde moodre, I beseche yow -off yowr dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weete that I reseyvyd a lettre -thhat come from yowe, wretyn the xxvj. daye of Octobre, none erst -but[213-2] on Wednysday last past, wherby I conceyvyd that, at the -wryghtyng off that letter, ye weer nott serteyn of the delyng betwyn -Towneshende and me. It was so that, God thanke yow, I receyvyd the -xx_li._ broght by Syme, and also the mony browght by my brother, with -whyche mony, and with moor that I had my selff, I redemyd the maner of -Sporle, and payed Towneshend bothe the CCCC. marke ther ffor, and also -x_li._ that I owte hym besyde, and have off hym aqwytaunce off all -bargaynes and off all other dettes. Neverthelesse, I assayed hym iff he -wolde, iff nede hadde ben, gyvyn me a xij. monyth lenger respyght, -whyche he grauntyd to do; but in conclusyon I can nott entrete hym, but -that he woll have the uttremest of hys bargayn, and thys xx_li._ -payeable at Candelmesse and Esterne. I kan entrete hym noon other wyse -as yit; wherffor I thynke, iff I had passyd my daye, it had ben harde to -have trustyd to hys cortesye, in so moche I ffynde hym also ryght loose -in the tonge. For Bekham, he spekyth no thyng comfortably ther in; what -he wyll doo, can I nott seye. - -Item, as for Castre, it nedyth nott to spore nor prykke me to doo owghte -ther in. I doo that I can with goode wyll, and somwhat I hope to doo -hastely ther in that shall doo goode. - -Item, as for the bokes that weer Syr James, God have hys sowle, whyche -it lykethe yow that I shall have them, I beseche yow that I maye have -them hyder by the next massenger, and iff I be goon, yit that they be -delyveryd to myn ostesse at the George, at Powlys Wharffe, whyche wolle -kepe them saffe, and that it lyke yow to wryght to me whatt my peyne or -payment shall be for them. - -Item, it lyked yow to weet of myn heelle. I thanke God nowe that I am -nott greetly syke ner soore, but in myn heele, wherin alle men know nott -whatt peyne I feele. And wher ye advysed me to hast me owt of thys -towne, I wolde full fayne be hense. I spende dayly mor than I sholde -doo, if I wer hense, and I am nott well purveyed. - -Item, blessyd be Good, my grauntdam is amendyd by suche tyme as myn -oncle W. come hyddre. But my yongest cosyn Margret, hys doghtre, is ded -and beryed er he come home. - -I am as moche afferde off thys londe that is in hys hande as I was off -that that was in Towneshendes hande. I hope to wryght yow moor serteynte -within iiij. or v. dayes. No more, &c. - -Wretyn the xx. daye of Novembre, anno E. iiij. xiiij^{o}. - - Yowr Sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 213-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 213-2: No earlier than.] - - [[I reseyvyd a lettre thhat come from yowe - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -858 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[214-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, at Norwyche, or to Roose, dwellyng affor -Mestresse Pastonys gate, in Norwych._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 20] - -Ryght wyrshypful and weell belovyd brother, I recomaunde me to yow, -letyng yow weet that I have comonyd with yowr ffreende Dawnson, and have -receyvyd yowr rynge off hym, and he hathe by myn advyce spoken with -hyr[214-2] ij. tymes; he tellythe me off hyr delyng and answers, whyche -iff they wer acordyng to hys seyng, a ffeynter lover than ye wolde, and -weell aghte to, take therin greet comffort, so that he myght haply slepe -the werse iij. nyghtys afftr. And suche delyng in parte as was bytwyen -my Lady W. and yowr ffreende Danson he wrote me a bylle theroff, whyche -I sende yow herwith; and that that longythe to me to doo therin, it -[_I ?_] shall nott ffayle to leeve all other bysynesse a parte. -Neverthelesse within iij. dayes, I hope so to deele herin, that I -suppose to sette yow in serteynte hoghe that ye shall fynde hyr ffor -evyr her afftr. It is so, as I undrestande, that ye be as besy on yowr -syde ffor yowr ffreende Dawnson, wheer as ye be, I praye God sende yow -bothe goode spede in thees werkys, whyche iff they be browte abowte iche -off yowe is moche beholden to other; yit were it pyte that suche crafty -wowers, as ye be bothe, scholde speede weell, but iff ye love trewly. - -Item, as ffor Stoctons doghtr, she shall be weddyd in haste to Skeerne, -as she tolde hyrselffe to my sylke-mayde,[215-1] whyche makyth perte off -suche as she shall weer, to whom she brake hyr harte, and tolde hyr that -she sholde have hadde Master Paston, and my mayde wende it had been I -that she speke off; and with moor that the same Mester Paston kome wher -she was with xx. men, and wolde have taken hyr aweye. I tolde my mayde -that she lyed off me, and that I never spake with hyr in my lyff, ner -that I wolde not wedde hyr to have with hyr iij^ml. marke. - -Item, as for Ebortons dowghtr, my brother Edmonde seythe, that he herde -never moor speche theroff syns yowr departyng, and that ye wolde that he -sholde nott breke, nor doo no thynge therin, but iff it come off theer -begynnyng. - -Item, I had answer ffrom my Lorde[215-2] that he is my speciall goode -lorde, and that by wryghtyng; and as ffor Bernaye he sette hym in hys -owne wages ffor my sake, and that whan so ever I come to Caleys, I shall -ffynde all thyng ther as woll have it, and rather better than it was -heretoffor. - -Item, the Kyng come to this towne on Wednysdaye; as ffor the Frenshe -Embassate that is heer, they come nott in the Kynges presence, by -lykehod, ffor men seye that the chyeff off them is he that poysonyd -bothe the Duke off Berry[216-1] and the Duke off Calabr.[216-2] - -Item, ther was never mor lyklyhod that the Kyng shall goo ovyr thys next -yer than was nowe. - -I praye yow remembre that I maye have the pewter vessell heddr by the -next karyer by the lattr ende off thys weke. - -Item, I praye yow remembr so that I may have the bokys by the same tyme, -whyche my moodr seyde she wolde sende me by the next carier. - -Wretyn at London, the Sondaye the xx. daye off Novembr, anno E. iiij^ti -xiiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 214-1: [From Fenn, ii. 164.]] - - [Footnote 214-2: Apparently Lady Walgrave, hereafter referred to. - She was the widow of Sir Richard Walgrave, Knight.] - - [Footnote 215-1: A person who made gowns of silk, etc., for both - men and women, as appears from the manner in which she is here - mentioned.--F.] - - [Footnote 215-2: I am not certain whether the Duke of Norfolk is - here meant, or Lord Hastyngs, the then Governor of Calais.--F.] - - [Footnote 216-1: Charles, Duke of Berry and of Guienne, who was - supposed to have been poisoned by order of his brother Lewis XI. - in May 1472.] - - [Footnote 216-2: Nicholas of Anjou, Duke of Calabria and Lorraine, - who died about the same time as the Duke of Guienne.] - - [[dwellyng affor Mestresse Pastonys gate - _italic "d" misprinted as "a"_ - - Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 20 - _date supplied from body of letter_]] - - -859 - -ABSTRACT[216-3] - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 29] - -Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 33. 'The agreement and accord between the -Bishop of Winton and John Paston, Knight, touching the building of the -College at Castre of seven priests and seven poor men, translated by -dispensation of the Pope to seven priests and seven poor scholars in -Magdalene College, and touching the lands of Sir John Fastolf. November -29, Edw. IV. 14.' - - [Footnote 216-3: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -860 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[216-4] - -_To John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / DEC. 11] - -Brother, I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I have, lyke as I -promysyd yowe, I have doon my devoyr to know my Lady Walgraves stomacke, -whyche, as God helpe me, and to be pleyn to yowe, I ffynde in hyr no -mater nor cawse, that I myght tak comfort off. Sche will in nowyse -receyve, ner kepe yowr rynge with hyr, and yit I tolde hyr that sche -scholde not be any thynge bownde therby; but that I knew by yowr herte -off olde that I wyst weel ye wolde be glad to fforber the lesvest -[_dearest_] thynge that ye had in the worlde, whyche myght be dayly in -her presence, that sholde cawse hyr onys on a daye to remembr yow, but -itt wolde not be. She wolde nott therby, as she seyde, putte yow ner -kepe yow in any comffort therby. And mor ovyr, she preyed me, that I -sholde never take labor moor heer in, ffor she wolde holde hyr to suche -answer as she hadd geven yow to ffoor, wherwith she thowght bothe ye and -I wolde have holde us contente, had nott been the words off hyr suster -Geneffyeff. - -When I undrestood all thys, and that over nyght she bad hyr that weent -bytwyen hyr and me byd me brynge with me hyr muskeball[217-1] which, -&c., than I aftr all thys axid iff she weer dyspleasyd with me ffor it, -and she seyde, naye. - -Than I tolde hyr, that I had nott sent it yowe, ffor synne off my sowle; -and so I tolde hyr all, how I had wretyn to yow why that I wold nott -sende it yow, by cawse I wyst weell ye sholde have slepyd the werse; but -nowe, I tolde hyr, as God helpe me, that I wolde sende it yow, and gyffe -yow myn advyse nott to hope ovyr moche on hyr, whyche is ovyr harde an -hertyd lady ffor a yonge man to tryst on to; whyche I thowght that ffor -all my words, ye cowde nott ner wolde nott do ffor all myn advyce. - -Yitt ageynwards she is nott dyspleasyd, nor fforbad me nott but that ye -sholde have the kepyng off hyr muskball; wherffor de ye with itt as ye -lyke. I wolde it hadd doon weel; by Good, I spake ffor yow soo, that in -ffeythe I trowe I kowde nott seye so weel ageyn. - -Wherffor I sende yow herwith yowr rynge, and the onhappy muskeball. Also -make ye mater off it herafftr as ye kan, I am nott happy to wow nowther -ffor my selff ner noon other. I tolde hyr all the processe off the Lorde -Howarde and off yowr grewnds [_greyhounds_] as I kowde; all helpys -nott.[218-1] - - . . . . . . . - -I her no worde off my vessell, ner off my boks; I mervayll. No mor. - -Wretyn at London, the xj. daye of Decembr, anno E. iiij.^ti xiiij^{o}. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 216-4: [From Fenn, ii. 170.]] - - [Footnote 217-1: This muskball, or ball of perfume, seems to have - been taken from Lady Walgrave by Sir John Paston in a jesting - manner, to send to his brother as a present from her.--F.] - - [Footnote 218-1: 'Here follows,' says Fenn, 'some displeasure at - his uncle William's proceedings in matters between them, etc., of - no consequence.'] - - [[wherffor de ye with itt - _text unchanged: error for "do"?_]] - - -861 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[218-2] - -_To the ryght worshypfull John Paston, Esquier, at Norwych, or to hys -modr, Margreet Paston, in hys absence, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / JAN. 17] - -I recomande me to yow, praying yow hertely, that I maye have weetyng -when that my Lorde and Lady of Norffolk shalle be at London, and howgh -longe they shall tery theer, and in especiall my Lorde of Norffolk; ffor -uppon ther comyng to London wer it ffor me to be guydyd. Neverthelesse I -wolde be soory to come theer but iff I neds most. I thynke it wolde be -to yow ovyr erksom a labor to solycyte the maters atwyen them and me, -but iff I weer theer myselffe; wherffor, iff ye thynke it be convenyent -that I com thyddr, I praye yow sende me worde as hastely as ye maye, and -by what tyme ye thynke most convenyent, that I sholde be theer; and off -all suche coumfforte as ye ffynde or heer off the towardnesse theroff, -and when also that ye shall be theer yowr selffe. For it is so that as -to morow I purpose to ryde in to Flaundrys to purveye me off horse and -herneys, and percase I shall see the assege at Nwse[218-3] er I come -ageyn, iff I have tyme; wherffor, iff I so doo, by lyklyhod it woll be a -xiiij. dayes er I be heer ageyn; and afftr, as I heer ffrom yowe and -other ther uppon, that at the next passage, and God woll, I purpose to -come to London warde: God sende me goode spede; in cheff ffor the mater -above wretyn; and secondly, ffor to appoynt with the Kyng and my Lorde, -ffor suche retynwe as I sholde have now in thees werrys in to Frawnce; -wherffor I praye yow, in Norffolk and other places, comon with suche as -ye thynke lykly ffor yow and me, that ar dysposyd to take wages in -gentylmenns howsys and ellys wher, so that we maye be the moor redy, -when that nede is; neverthelesse at thys owr, I wolde be gladde to have -with me deyly iij. or iiij. mor than I have, suche as weer lykly; ffor I -lakke off my retynwe, that I have neer so many. I praye yow sende me som -tydyngs, suche as ye heer, and howghe that my brother Edmonde dothe. - -For as ffor tydyngs heer, ther be but ffewe, saffe that the assege -lastyth stylle by the Duke off Burgoyn affoor Nuse, and the -Emperor[219-1] hathe besegyd also, not fferr from these, a castell, and -an other town in lyke wyse, wher in the Dukys men ben. And also, the -Frenshe Kynge, men seye, is comyn ryght to the water off Somme with -iiij^ml. [4000] spers; and som men trowe that he woll, at the daye off -brekyng off trewse, or ellys byffoor, sette uppon the Duks contreys -heer. When I heer moor, I shall sende yowe moor tydyngs. - -The Kyngs inbassators, Sir Thomas Mongomere and the Master off the -Rolls[219-2] be comyng homwards ffrom Nuse; and as ffor me, I thynke -that I sholde be sek but iff I see it. - -Syr John off Parre and William Berkeley com thys weye to Flaundrs ward -to by them horse and herneys, and [I] made Sir J. Parr goode cheer as I -cowde ffor yowr sake; and he tolde me, that ye made hym haulte cheer, -&c. at Norwyche. No moor. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xvij. daye off Janever, anno Edwardi iiij^ti -xiiij^o. - - [Footnote 218-2: [From Fenn, ii. 174.] 'Though this letter,' says - Fenn, 'has no signature, yet it is written by Sir John Paston, - Knight.'] - - [Footnote 218-3: Neuss, not far from Düsseldorf, in the territory - of Cologne, at this time besieged by Charles the Bold, Duke of - Burgundy.] - - [Footnote 219-1: Frederick III. of Austria, Emperor of Germany.] - - [Footnote 219-2: Dr. John Morton, afterwards Bishop of Ely, Lord - Chancellor, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cardinal.] - - -862 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[220-1] - -_To John Paston, Sqwyer, be thys delyveryd in hast._ - -Jh's.[220-2] - -[Sidenote: 1475 / JAN. 29] - -I gret yow well, and send yow Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wet -that my cosyn Robard Clere was her with me thys weke, and told me that -he was nowt payd of the mony that ye know that was borowd of hys modyr -and of hym, but iiij^xx._li._ The xx_li._ that my plegges ly for ys on -payd. He seyd that he was desyryd to delyvere my plegges, and to have be -payd the xx_li._; but he wold not, tyll he had spokyn with me, because -of the promys that he had mad to me befor that he shuld not delyver them -to non withowt my assent. I seyd to hym that I suppose veryly that yowyr -brodyr hys a greyd with yowyr hunkyll that he shuld paye all the hole, -for I suppose he hath a swerte for ale that and more. I wold undyrstond -how yt ys, and how that my seyd cosyn shall be content, for I war loth -to lese my plegges; I wot yt well, yowyr good hunkyll wold ben in -possessyon with good well, but I wol not soo. I wold that ye shuld speke -with yowyr hunkyll ther in, and send me word in hast what he seet -[_saith_]. - -I marvyll, be my trowth, that I had no wrytyng fro yowyr brodyr, er he -departyd fro London, as he promysyd in the last lettyr that he sent me, -the wych was wretyn be for the Kynges comyng to Norwych; I went -[_expected_] veryly to have hard from hym ar [_ere_] thys tyme. I wold -ye shuld send hym word of yowyr hunkyles delyng in thys seyd mater, and -send me an ansswer ther off. - -Recomaund me to yowyr grauntdam. I wold she war her in Norffolk, as well -at es as evyr I sy hyr, and as lytyll rewlyd be hyr son as evyr she was, -and than I wold hope that we alle shuld far the bettyr for hyr. Yt ys -told me that yowyr hunkyll hath mad gret menys and larg profyrs to John -Bakton to make a relesse to hym of Oxinhed. Whedyr that be don or nowt, -I wot nowt yet, but I shall wot in hast, yf I may. - -I wold ye shuld spekyn with my Lord of Norwych, and a say to get a lysen -of hym to that I may have the sacrement her in the chapell, because yt -ys far to the chyrche, and I am sekly, and the parson ys oftyn owt. For -all maner of casweltes of me and myn, I wold havyt grauntyd, yf I myth. - -Send me word yf ye her ony tydynges from yowyr brodyr how he doth of hys -seknes, and in odyr thynges, as farforth as ye know, as astely as ye -may. I thynk long tyll I her from hym for dyvers causys. God kepe yow. - -Wretyn in hast at Mawdby, on the Satyrday next be for Candelmes Day. - -Send me an ansswer of thys lettyr in hast, and odyr tydynges, &c. - - Be yowyr modyr. - -My cosyn Robard told me that ther was mor than vij_li._ of the mony that -was payd hym that was ryght on rysty, and he cowd nowt havyt chaungyd. -He was on goodly servyd ther in. - - [Footnote 220-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was - evidently written on the same day as that immediately following.] - - [Footnote 220-2: This is the customary contraction of the name - Jesus, which was frequently written at the head of a letter.] - - [[to have hard from hym ar [_ere_] thys tyme - _printed without space between "ar" and brackets_]] - - -863 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[221-1] - -_To Ser John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyveryd in hast._ - -Jh's.[221-2] - -[Sidenote: 1475] - -Ryght welbelovyd son, I gret yow well, and send yow Goddes blyssyng and -myn, letyng yow wete that I marveyle that I have had no wrytyng from yow -sethyn ye sent me the lettyr that ye sent me be for the Kynges comyng to -Norwych; in the whyche lettyr ye wrot to me that ye shuld a wretyn azeyn -to me or ye shuld de part owt of London. It ys so that yowyr hunkyll -William hath do payd to my cosyn Robard Clere but iiij^xx._li._ of the -C_li._ and he wol no mor pay but yf [_unless_] he hath delyveraunc of my -plegges, the wych was leyd to plegg for xx^ti_li._; the wych ben bettyr. -I wot well, be cause of the good well that he owyt to me, as ye know, he -wold ben in possessyon therof. My cosyn, Robard Cler, was her with me -thys weke, and told me, that yf he wold a delyveryd them, he myth an had -the seyd xx_li._; but he seyd he wold nowt, tyll he had spokyn with me; -be my trowth I fynd hym ryght kyndly dysposyd to yow, and to me bothe; -and so I have desyryd hym to kepe styll the plegge in hys possessyon, -tyll I have word from yow how ye ar agreyd with yowyr hunkyll for the -payment of the seyd mony: I wen veryly that ye have fownd hym swerte for -alle, and yff ye have soo do, I wold ye shuld wryt to yowyr hunkyll -therfor, that I myth have my plegges ageyn, for I war loth that they -shuld com in hys fyngyers. - -Item, as for Sporyl wood, be ffor the Kynges comyng into Norffolk, -I myth an had chapmen to abowtyd [_have bought it_] a gret [_in whole_] -for xij^xx. [_twelve score_] mark, and now ther wol no man by yt a gret, -bycause of the gret good that the pepyll ys leyd to for the Kyng; werfor -we ar a bowth to retaylyt as well as we may, and as well as yt can be -browth too; and I send yow word how we shall do as astely as I may. As -for yowyr barly in thys cuntre, yt cannot be sold above x_d._ or xj_d._; -that ys the gretest prys of barly her, and but yt be at a bettyr prys, -I purpose for to do yt malt. And as for mony, I cowd not get yet of -Pecok but iij_li._; and he seth that be than that the owt chargys be -boryn, and the repracion of the myll at Wyntyrton, we ar lyke to have -but lytyll mor mony besyd the barly. Malt ys sold her but for xiij_d._ -and whet ij_s._ or xxvj_d._ at thys time, and otys xij_d._ Ther ys non -owtlod suffyrd to goo owth of thys cuntre as yet; the Kyng hath -comaundyd that ther shuld non gon owth of thys lond. I fer me that we -shall have ryth a straung ward [_world_]; God a mendyd, whan Hys wyll -ys. I thank yow for the flakons that ye sent me; they be ryght good, and -plesyth me ryght well: I shall be as good an huswyff for yow as I can, -and as I wold be for myselff. Send me word how ye doo of yowyr syknes -that ye had on yowyr hey [_eye_] and yowyr lege; and yff God wol nowt -suffyr yow to have helth, thank Hym therof, and takyt passhently, and -com hom a geyn to me, and we shall lyve to geddyr, as God woll geve us -grase to do; and as I have seyd to yow beffor thys, I wold ye war -delyveryd of my mastres A. H.,[223-1] and than I wold trost that ye -shuld do the bettyr. - -As for the bokys that ye desyryd to have of Syr Jamys,[223-2] the best -of alle and the fayrest ys cleymyd; ner yt ys not in hys inventory. -I shall a say to get yt for yow, and I may; the prys of the todyr bokys, -besyd that, ys xx_s._ vj_d._ the wych I send yow a byll of. Yf ye lyk be -the prys of them, and ye wol have them, send me word. And also I pray -yow send me an ansswere of thys lettyr, be cause I thynk long seth I -hard from yow. God have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Mawdby, on the Sattyrday nex be forn the Purificacion of owyr -Lady, the xiiij. yer of Kyng Edward the iiij^{t}. - - Yowyr Modyr. - - _Endorsed_--Anno xiiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 221-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 221-2: _See_ p. 220, Note 2.] - - [Footnote 223-1: Anne Haulte.] - - [Footnote 223-2: Sir James Gloys.] - - [[he hath delyveraunc of my plegges - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -864 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[223-3] - -_To hys brother John Paston, or to hy[s] oncle William Paston, in Werwyk -Lane, or to Edmond Paston, at the George, at Powlys Wharfe, to deliver -any of them._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / FEB. 5] - -Ryght worshypffull, I recomaunde me on to yow, letyng yow weete that I -thynke longe that I heer nott from yow syns Crystmesse, ner have no -serteyn knowleche whether that Towneshend hathe performyd hys promysse -or nott, ner off my brother Johnys beyng at London, ner off my Lord or -Lady off Norfolkes comyng to London, at whoys comyng sholde be the -cheffe labor and sewte that I or or any for me sholde labor. It was soo, -God thanke you bothe, that iche off yow, at my last beyng with yow, -grauntyd me to take labor uppon yow; and iche off yow, for the havyng -ageyn off my place in Castre. Now is it soo, that wher my verry purpose -was to have comyn to London now with the Master of the Rollys[224-1] and -Sir Thomas Mongomere, demyng to fynde the Kyng at the Parlement; and -also that my Lorde and Lady off Norfolk sholde nott by lyklyhod fayle to -be theer also: wherffor me thoght the tyme was convenyent; but it happyd -so that suche tydynges come hyddre off the Frenshe Kynges hasty comyng -in to thees marchys of Pykardye, whyche cawsyd my Lordes Depute and -Cownsell heer to desyr and charge me soo streyghtly, that in noo wyse I -maye, tyll I heer other tydynges, departe from hense. Notwithstondyng -the Marchall and Counsell heer have wretyne to my Lorde Lywe tenant for -me, and moor over desyryd bothe the Master of the Rollys and Sir T. -Mongomere to remembre my materes bothe to the Kynge and to my lorde, in -so moche that, iff the season be convenyent, both the seyd Master and -Syr T. Mongomere wille labore bothe the Kynge and my lorde to entrete my -Lorde off Norffolk, my lady hys wyff, and ther consell, to do for me all -that reason wyll; of whoys good willes and labor her in I ame better -ensuryd off, than I kan for lakke of leyser at thys tyme wryght yowe -wetyng off; wherffor I praye yow and iche of yow, iff the season be -convenyent, to take the labor, that theese jentyllmen maye do for me, -and to my proffyght, like as I feelle them dysposyd to doo; and moore -over I have somwhatt informyd them bothe ther in; and also that I maye -hastyly heer from yow, and iff it come to that any mony most be gevyn to -my Lorde or Lady off Norffolk ffor a plesyr herffor, I woll, uppon as I -heer from yow, come to yow in alle hast possible, all thynges leyde a -parte. - -Item, iff any letter be requesyth to be hadde, in lyke forme as oonys -ther was from the Kyng to my Lorde off Norffolk, Sir T. Montgomere will -by your advyces opteyne yow suche one off yowr entents to my proffyghte -in the premyssys, and by thys my wryghtyng I bynde me to repaye yowe, -iff any suche letter or wryghtyng be opteynyd, what so ever it coste. No -more for lakke off leysor. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the v. day of Feverer, Anno E. iiij. xiiij^{o}. - -As for tydynges heer, my masteris th'embassatores, Sir T. Mongomere, and -the Master of the Rollys, kom streyght from the Duke at hys assege at -Nywysse, whyche wyll nott yitt be wone. - - Yowr JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 223-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 224-1: John Morton, afterwards Bishop of Ely.] - - [[labor and sewte that I or or any for me - _text unchanged: printed at mid-line_]] - - -865 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[225-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, at Norwyche, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / FEB. 22] - -Please it yow to weete that I receyvyd a letter from yow, wretyn the -Saterdaye next byffor Candelmesse; for answer wheroff, lyke it yow to -weete, that as for the bokys that weer Sir James (God have hys sowle!), -I thynke best that they be styll with yow, tyll that I speke with yow my -selffe. My mynde is now nott most uppon bokes. - -Item, as for xx_li._ that ye sey that yowr plate lythe for, it is so, -that I fownde my oncle William no sewerte therffor, as Playter and my -brother John bothe cowde enfforme yow; it was never desyryd of me, ner -the tolde me nott that any suche pledge laye for it, but that ye hadd -dyschargyd me of xx_li._ and chevysshyd it, and that ye sholde repaye it -in hast; wherin I woll do as ye woll, and as it pleasyth yow to sende me -wetyng. - -Item, I ame sory that ye be no better payd off the xx_li._ that I had -off yowe, whyche ye sholde have receyvyd ageyn off my londes in Flegge. -Iff the markett be nott goode yit, I hope it shall be better; never the -lesse my wylle is that ye sholde have yowr holl xx_li._ ageyn, and not -lose j_d._ Wherffor if it be so that ye be mysse servyd ther, I beseche -yow off pacyence tyll the begynnyng of the next yeer, and iff aught be -behynd, ye shall receyve uppe the remenaunt then, for, as God helpe me, -I wolde be sory that ye lost moor for me; I have pytte yow to cost, -charge, and losse i nowge, God thanke yow of it, thoughe ye lose no -more. Wherffor iff Sporle woode sprynge any sylver or golde, it is my -wyll that fyrst of alle ye be yowr owne payer off all that is be hynde; -and next thatt, to paye myn oncle William vij^{xx}vj_li._ xiij_s._ -iiij_d._ and besyd that, xvj_li._ lost uppon the chevysshaunce of -iiij^xx._li._; and so I owe viij^{xx.}ij_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ Wherffor -I beseche yow to make hast in repayment heroff as fast as it wolle -growe, as my trust is in yowe. - -Item, wher it pleasyd yow to weete of myn heele and amendyng; I thanke -Godde I ame in goode case, and as goode a full hooll, bothe off the -fevre, agwe off myn ie, myn legge, and myn heele, saff that I ame tendre -off all theese; and were nott goode rewle, full like to feell off iche -off them ryght soone; neverthelesse, God thanke yow off yowr large -profre, wheroff I wolde be ryght gladde iff I myght, for trobles and -other labor that I have takyn on me nowe in to Fraunce warde; for the -goode spede off me, and that jorneye, I beseche yow of yowr preyeres and -remembrance; and thatt jorney, with Goddes grace, ones doon, I purpose -verrely, with Goddes grace, therafftre to daunce atendaunce most abowt -yowr plesure and ease: and with Goddes grace, soone uppon Esterne, er -evyr I goo forthe, I hope to se yow, and fecche your blessynge. No moor -at thys tyme, but Jesus have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xxij. daye of Feverer, anno E. iiij^ti xiiij^{o}. - - Yowr Sone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - -_On the back of the preceding letter is written in another hand, as -follows_:-- - - Memorandum, that Syr John Paston owthe to William Paston, acordyng - to the endenture made be twex them,-- - viij^{xx}ij_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Wheroff payable the firste day of Octobre for Townsend, C. marke. - - Item, the xxvj. day off Novembre,-- - iiij^{xx.}xvj_li._ - - [Footnote 225-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [[Item, the xxvj. day off Novembre,-- - iiij^{xx.}xvj_li._ - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -866 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[227-1] - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MARCH 5] - -John Paston, I send yow Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wete, that I -hadd non er thys lettyr than on Sent Matheus Evyn; yf I myth a had an -massenger or thys tym I had sent yt yow. I con yow thank for the lettyr -that ye sent to my cosyn Calthorpp and me of the tydyngs; I wold ye -shuld do soo mor. As ye may remembyr that I spak to yow for the -xx^ti_li._ for my cosyn Clere, spek to yowr hunkyll therof, and send me -an answer therof in hast. And for the lycens that I spak to yow for, to -have the Sacrement in my Chapell, yf ye cannot getyt of the Busshop of -Norwych, getyt of the Busshop of Caunterbery, for that ys most swyr for -all plase. God kepe yow. - -Wretyn on Mydlent Sunday. - - [Footnote 227-1: [From Fenn, ii. 178.] This letter was written on - the back of Letter 861.] - - -867 - -RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON[227-2] - -_To the right worshippfull, and my right feithfull gode cosin, John -Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MARCH 26] - -Right worshippfull and my right feithfull gode cosin, I recomaunde me -unto you, and, as hertily as I can, thanke you of your right gentill and -kynde remembraunce, that I consceyve well by your late writyng that ye -have to me wardes, undeserved in dede, but not in will, so God helpe me, -as ye shuld weell knowe, if my power might accorde with my will. And, -cosin, in the mater that it liked you to remembre me in, bothe to my -worshipp and pleaser, I feere me that nouther my pouere doughter nor -pouere purs can nor may be to his pleaser; wold God outher might; and I -shuld take me right neere to his pleaser, savyng myself, I ensure you by -my trouth. And howe to understand his pleaser and disposicion therin, -I see no mean as thus advised, but if [_unless_] it might please you by -your wisdam to attempte it forther, as ye seme moste conveniente, and -theruppon I to be guyded by your gode advise, as the cas shall require; -wherin ye shall bynde me herefter to do that may be to your pleaser to -my power, and yette with no better will than I have had, so God help me, -Who have you ever in His kepinge, and sende you your hertes desire to -His pleaser; and if it pleas you to remembre further in the premisses, -I trust ye shall leese no labour on my pouere parte; howe be it I fere -me sore, as I be gan, bothe of my pouere doughter and purs. - -Writon at Woderysyng, the morn efter Our Lady Day, in haste. - -I require you this bill may be secrete. - - By your trewe cosin, - - RIC. SUTHWELL. - - [Footnote 227-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Fenn thinks the - gentleman here referred to was John Berney of Reedham, Esquire, - who married Alice, daughter of Richard Southwell, Esquire, of Wood - Rising, the writer of this letter. He accordingly dates it about - the year 1475, and I see no reason to question his opinion.] - - -868 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[228-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston, at Mawtby._ - -[Sidenote: 1475(?) / [MAR. 29]] - -Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all humbyll recomendacyons, as lowely as -I can I beseche yow of your blyssyng. Pleasyt yow to wete that late -yester nyght I cam to Norwyche, purposeing to have been as thys day with -yow at Mawtby, but it is so that I may not hold my purpose, for he that -shall pay me my quarter wagys for me and my retenew, is in Norwyche, and -waytyth ourly when hys money shall com to hym. It is oon Edmund Bowen of -the Cheker, a specyall frend of myn, and he avysyth me to tery tyll the -money be com, lest that I be unpayed, for who comyth fyrst to the mylle, -fyrst must grynd. - -And as I was wryghtyng thys byll, on of the gromys of my lords chambyr -cam to me, and told me, that my lady wyll be here in Norwyche to morow -at nyght towards Walsyngham, whyche shall, I wot well, be a nother lett -to me; but I had more need to be other wyse ocupyed then to awayte on -ladyse, for ther is as yett, I trowe, no sperre that shall go over the -see, so evyll horsyd as I am. But it is told me that Rychard Call hathe -a good horse to sell, and on John Becher of Oxborough hathe an other; -and if it myght please yow to geve Syme leve to ryd in to that contre at -my cost, and in your name, seying that ye wyll geve on of your sonys an -horse, desyryng hym that he wyll geve yow a penyworthe for a peny, and -he shall, and the pryse be resonabyll, hold hym pleasyd with your -payment ought of my purse, thow he knowe it not or hys horse depert fro -hys lands. Modyr, I bese[che] yow, and it may please yow to geve Syme -leve to ryde on thys message in your name, that he may be here with me -to morow in the mornyng be tymys, for wer I onys horsyd, I trowe I wer -as ferforthe redy as some of my neyghborows. I herd a lytyll word that -ye purposeid to be here in Norwyche thys next week. I prey God it be -thys week. Modyr, beseche yow that I may have an answer to morow at the -ferthest of thys mater, and of eny other servyse that it please yow to -comand me, whyche I wyll [be] at all seasons redy to acomplyshe with -Gods grace, Whom I beseche to preserve yow and yours. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, thys Wednysday in Estern Week. - - By your sone and servaunt, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 228-1: [From Fenn, iv. 444.] This letter was evidently - written in 1475, when John Paston and one or more of his younger - brothers were about to go over to France with the King's - army.--_See_ Letter 871. Margaret Paston was at that time - continually resident at Mautby.] - - -869 - -WILLIAM PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[230-1] - -_To my right worshupfull sistir, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / APRIL 7] - -Right worshupfull sustir, I recomaunde me to you, praying you to -undirstonde, the priour of Bromeholme hath sent ayen to me for xx_li._; -and my cosyn William Whyte desired me to wryte to you for the rewarde -that was offird hym to his churche and xx_li._ of my brothirs goodys to -be lent hym upon sufficient suertee, and by a yeeris ende payd ayen; he -hath and may doo for you and for my nevewe, Sir John, in many thynges, -and is his kynnesman, and it were a gode frendely dede and no jopardy -nor hurt. The Abbot of Wymondham hath sent to me too tymes. Frendship -may not hang by the wynde, nor for faire eyne, but causis must be -shewid; men wene that I hadd your coffers and my brothirs and maistir -Fastolffes in myne awarde, and that ye wote wele, &c. Send your avise to -my nevewe, Sir John, by the next messynger. Ye sent to me oonys for the -same mater, but I may not leene my money to defende othir men is causis; -your discrecion (?) thenkith that it were no reason. I have tolde them -your saying; and as it is s[o] that ye may nat come to the coffers but -all be togedir. Therfor ye must sende to my nevewe and to Arblastir how -ye will have this answerd; for the Abbot will be heere on Monday at the -sene, and labour must bee desired the next terme. Hit nedis nat to put -you in remembrance of my mater touchyng my Fadirs soule, my modir and -me, and God kepe you. Wreton at Norwich the vij^th day of Aprill. - -I have tolde thes folkis, as ye have seid to me all weys, that your will -is gode, but that ye may not come theretoo withoute th'assent of all -your felowes. - -Item, I pray you remembre the obligacion that Wix hath, and that I may -have my money of the parsone of Maudeby. - - By your brothir, - - WILLIAM PASTON. - - [Footnote 230-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 215.] As Margaret Paston, at - the date of this letter, is not at Norwich and her son Sir John - seems to be there, we may infer that it was written in the year - 1475. _See_ No. 868 (preliminary note).] - - -870 - -EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[231-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1475(?) / [MAY 13]] - -Syr, I recummawnd me to zow. Please yt zow to wette that my modyr hathe -causyd me to putte Gregory owte of my servyse, as, God help, I wrythe to -zow the very cause why. Yt happyd hym to have a knavys loste, in pleyn -termes to swhyve a quene, and so dyd in the Konyneclosse. Yt fortunyd -hym to be a spyed be ij. plowemen of my modyrs, whyche werne as fayne as -he of that mater, and desyerd hym to have parte, and as kompany -requeryd, seyd not nay; in so myche that the plowemen had her alle a -nythe in ther stabylle, and Gregory was clere delyvered of her, and as -he swherys had not a do with her within my modyrs place. Not with -standdyng my modyr thynkks that he was grownd of that matier; wherfor -ther is no remedy but he moste a voyde. And in so myche that at the -laste tyme that ze wer her, [ye] desyerd hym of me, yf that he schuld -departe from me, I send zow the very cawse of hys departyng, as my modyr -sethe; but I am in serteyn the contrary is true. Yt is nomor but that he -can not plese all partys. But that jantylman[231-2] is hys woords Lord, -he hathe seyd that he woold lyfte them whom that hym plese, and as that -scheweyt welle, he lyftyd on [_one_] xiiij. myle in a mornyng, and nowe -he hath ben caw sar of hys lyfte, I wot not how far, but yf that ze be -hys better master; but and we a mong us geve not hym a lyfte, I pray God -that we never thryve. And that is hys intente, I trowe, to bryng us to; -wherfor I requer zow, yf that yt plese zow to have hym, that ze wylle be -the better master to hym for my sake, for I am he that is as sory to -departe from hym as any man on lyve from hys servant, and be my trowthe, -as farforthe as I knowe, he is as true as any on lyve. - -I troste my fortune schale be better than ever to leve thus her; but yf -I wer hens wards, I ensuer zow I wold not schange for none that I knowe. -He is profytabylle on dyvers thynggs as ze knowe welle. - -Ther has ben a gret breke be twyx Calle and me, as I schal enforme zow -at my coming, wyche schalle be on Wedynsday next be the grace of God, -who preserve zow. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, on Wyteson eve. - - EDMOND PASTON. - - [Footnote 231-1: [From Fenn, iii. 426.] This letter was wrongly - attributed by Fenn to Edmund Paston, son of the Judge. It is in - the hand of the Judge's grandson, also named Edmund, and was - written at a time when his mother Margaret was living at Mautby, - where he, the writer, was also at the time, though he expected to - join his brother John, to whom he writes, in the following week. - These circumstances strongly suggest that it was written in 1475, - when Margaret Paston certainly was residing at Mautby, as we find - Edmund Paston with his brother John in London a month later - preparing to go over to Calais. _See_ No. 873. Whitsun Eve in 1475 - would be the 13th May.] - - [Footnote 231-2: Fenn supposes the person alluded to to be the - priest, James Gloys.] - - -871 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[232-1] - -_Un to Syr John Paston, be this delyvered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MAY 23] - -Ryght welbelovyd son, I grete you well, and send you Cristes blissyng -and myne, desyringe to know how ye faire. I mervaile that I have herd no -tydynges from you sythe ye sent me the lettyr of an answere of the -xx_li._ the which I have layde pleages for to my cosyn Cleere, the which -letter was wryten the xxij^ty day of Februar; and as for that money, -I can not gete no lenger day therof than Mydsomer, or fourte nyght -after; and towardys that money, and the xx^ty_li._ that I send yow by -syde to London by Sym, I have receyved no mor money of yowres, but as -moch as I send yow wryten in this letter. And as for any discharge that -I promysed at the boroeng off the xx^ti_li._ when I leyde the pleages -ther fore, I thought not but that your uncle shuld a boroed them owte, -and I to have had my pleages, as well as he his; never the less I shall -be the warer how I shall dele here aftyr. By my trowth, I wote not how -to do ther fore; the Kyng goth so nere us in this cuntre, both to pooer -and ryche, that I wote not how we shall lyff, but yff [_unless_] the -world amend. God amend it, whan His wyll is. We[233-1] can nother sell -corne ner catell to no good preve. Malt is here but at x_d._ a comb; -wheete, a comb xxviij_d._; ootes, a comb x_d._; and ther of is but -lytell to geet here at thys tyme. William Pecok shall send you a byll -what he hath payde for yow for ij. taskes at this tyme; and how he hath -purveyde for the remnaunte of your corne; and also off other thynges -that be necessary that shuld be purveyd for in your absence. Send me -word also whome ye wyll desyre to do for yow in this contre, or ellys -where in your absence; and wryte to them to do for yow, and they wyll be -the better wylled to do for yow; and I wyll do my devyr for yow also, as -well as I can. - -The somma off money that I have receyvyd off Wylliam Pecok:--First, -xl_s._ off Runnham. Item, off Bastwyk, xx_s._ Item, off Runnham, xx_s._ -Item, off him for barly at Runnham, xx_s._ Item, off the fyschynge at -Bastwyke, xiij_s._ iiij_d._ Item, for barely sold at Runnham, viij_s._ -Summa totalis, vj_li._ xvj_d._ - -Item, I have receyvyd of Ric. Calle, of Sporle wodd, xxvj_s._ viij_d._, -and more shall I hope here aftyr within short tyme; as I receyve for -yow, I hope to yeff yow a trew acownt; and this is all that I have -receyvyd for yow zytt, sen ye departyd hens. God bryng yow well ageyn to -this contre, to His pleasans, and to your wurshyp and profyzt. - -Wryten at Mawteby, the xxiij^ty day of May, and the Tewsday next afftyr -Trinyte Sonday. - -For Goddes love, and your brether go over the see, avyse them as ye -thynk best for her [_their_] save garde. For some of them be but yonge -sawgeres, and wote full lytyll what yt meneth to be as a sauger, nor for -to endure to do as a sawger shuld do. God save yow all, and send me good -tythynges of yow all. And send ye me word in hast how ye doo, for I -thynk longe to I here off yow. - - Be youre Modyr. - -Item, I wold not in no wyse that ye shuld nother sell nor sett to pleage -that ye have in Runnham, what som ever fortune of the remnaund; for yt -is a praty thyng, and resonable well payde, and nere thys towne. I wold -be ryght sory that ye shuld for bere that; I had lever ye for bore that -your uncle hath to morgage than that. - - [Footnote 232-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - 'Mens' Maii, anno xv^{o}.' The date is confirmed by the fact that - in 1475 the Tuesday after Trinity Sunday was the 23rd of May.] - - [Footnote 233-1: _We._ Originally written _I_, and corrected.] - - [[the xx^ty_li._ that I send yow by syde - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -872 - -ABSTRACTS[234-1] - -NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK DEEDS, No. 13. - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MAY 28] - -'Johannes Paston miles relaxat Willielmo Wynton' episc. et aliis totum -jus de et in manerio de Tichwell, Essex in Hickling, Guton, Beyton, -Newton, Calcotes in Fretton, Leyestoft, Habeland, Brodeston, et -Gorleston. Maii 28, Edw. IV. 15.' - -No. 32. - -'Charta Johannis Paston militis de terris Johannis Fastolf pert. -prædict. Johanni, et continens concessionem quarundam evidentiarum -episcopo Winton', et relaxationem orationum, actionum, et demandarum -versus prædictum episcopum. Maii 28, Edw. IV. 15.' - - [Footnote 234-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - [[Footnote 234-1 - ... Magd. Coll., Oxford.] - _text has "Oxford]."_]] - - -873 - -JOHN PASTON TO JOHN AND EDMUND PASTON[235-1] - -_To John Paston, or to hys brother Edmond Paston, at the George, at -Powles Wharf._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / JUNE 13] - -Brother Edmonde, it is soo that I heer telle that ye be in hope to come -hyddre, and to be in suche wages as ye schall come lyve lyke a -jentylman, wheroff I wolde be gladde. Wherffor, for yowr better speede, -I lete you weete that Heugh Beamond is deed; wherffor I wolde ye had hys -roome nowe or never, iff ye can brynge it abowt; ellys iff ye dispose -yowe to abyde in Inglonde, syns it is so that the Bysshop of -Lynkolne[235-2] is Chaunceler, hys servyse is the meter for yow; he is -next neyghbour to Norfolk off any astate. God sende yow some good warde -of hys. - -I praye you, iff yowr leyser be ther aftre to remembre Towneshende, that -he, with the advyse and assystence of my Master of the Rollys,[235-3] -have one daye off marche with the slawe Bysshop of Wynchester, that he -maye kepe me hys promyse, that is to seye, to entrete the Duke and -Duchesse of Norffolk for Caster. He promysed to doo it, and to ley owt -an C_li._ for the same. - -Item, I praye yow sende me some tydynges within v. dayes aftre that ye -see thys bylle. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xiij. daye off June. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 235-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have - been written in the year 1475, when, as will be seen by No. 871, - some of Sir John Paston's brothers, among whom doubtless were both - John and Edmund, to whom this letter is addressed, were going over - to Calais. The Bishop of Lincoln (Rotherham) was Chancellor in - 1475. It is true the Great Seal was taken from him on the 27th - April, and given to Alcock, Bishop of Rochester, until the 28th - September, when it was restored to Rotherham. But it is certain - this letter could not have been written in a later year, as the - Duke of Norfolk died in January 1476.] - - [Footnote 235-2: Thomas Rotherham.] - - [Footnote 235-3: _See_ p. 219, Note 2.] - - [[JOHN PASTON TO ... - _text unchanged: apparent error for "SIR JOHN"_]] - - -874 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[236-1] - -_To the right worshipffull Sir John Paston, Knyght, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / AUG. 10] - -Right welbeloved sone, &c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . .[236-2] - -As for tidyngs here in this contre, we have non, but that the contry is -bareyn of money; and that my Lady of Yorke[236-3] and all her howsold is -here at Sent Benetts,[236-4] and purposed to abide there stille, til the -Kynge come from be yonde the see, and lenger if she like the eyre ther, -as it is seide. - -I thynke ryght longe tille I here some tidyngs for [_quære_, from?] you -and from your brethren. I prey God sende you and al your company goode -spede in your journeys, to His plesure, and to your worshippes and -profights. - -Wreten at Mauteby, on Sen Lawrens Even, the xv. yere of the regne of -Kyng E. the iiijth. - - Be yor Moder. - - [Footnote 236-1: [From Fenn, ii. 180.]] - - [Footnote 236-2: The chief part of this letter relates to Sir John - Paston's private affairs, his rents and lands, and informs him - that William Jenney had entered into Holme Halle, in Filby, 'in - the ryght and titell of his douterlawe, weche was Boys doughter,' - etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 236-3: Cecily, Duchess of York, daughter of Ralph - Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, was the widow of Richard - Plantagenet, Duke of York, and mother of King Edward IV., etc. She - died in 1495, and was buried near her husband in the college of - Fotheringay.--F.] - - [Footnote 236-4: The Abbey of St. Bennet at Holm.] - - -875 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[237-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, at Norwyche._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / SEPT. 11] - -Ryght reverend and my most tendre and kynde moodre, I recomaunde me to -yow. Please it yow to weete that, blessyd be God, thys wyage of the -Kynges is fynysshyd for thys tyme, and alle the Kynges ost is comen to -Caleys as on Mondaye last past, that is to seye, the iiij. daye of -Septembre; and at thys daye many of hys host be passyd the see in to -Inglond ageyn, and in especiall my Lorde off Norffolk and my bretheryn. - -Item, I was in goode hope to have hadde Caster ageyn. The Kynge spake to -my Lorde off Norffolk for it, and it was full lyke to have comyn; but in -conclusyon it is delayed tyll this next terme, by whyche tyme the Kynge -hat comaundyd hym to take advyce off hys councell, and to be sywer that -hys tytle be goode, or ellys the Kyng hathe asserteynyd hym that for any -favor he most do me ryght and justyce, &c. - -And iff Caster hadde comen, by my feythe I had comyn streyhte home. -Notwithstondyng, iff I may do yow servyce or eese, as ye and I have -comonyd heer to foor, aftre as I heer from yow, as God helpe me, -I purpose to leeffe alle heer, and come home to yow, and be yowr -hosbonde and balyff; wher in I spake to my brother John to telle yow -myn advyce. - -I also mysselyke somwhat the heyr heer; for by my trowte I was in goode -heele whan I come hyddre, and all hooll, and to my wetyng I hadde never -a better stomake in my lyffe, and now with in viij. dayes I am crasyd -ageyn. I suppose that I most be at London at Mychelmesse, and ther to -purveye for payment for myn oncle William, by whyche tyme I praye yow -that I may heer from yow and off yowr advyce and helpe, iff any thynge -be growyn off Sporle woode. For had nott yit that danger have been, -I mygh yit have ben at home with yow at thys daye, or with in vij. dayes -aftre. No more, but I beseche Jesus have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xj. daye of Septembre. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 237-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this - letter was written after the return of King Edward IV. from France - in 1475.] - - -876 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[238-1] - -_To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, -by Powlys Wherf, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / OCT. 10] - -Ryght werchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow that I have -comonyd with Barnard and other your wellwyllers with my Lord of -Norffolk, whyche avise me that ye shold, for your nyghest meane to get -Caster a yen, labore to get a lettre fro the Kyng dyrect to R. -Sothewell, Jamys Hubbard, and other of my lordys consayll being, and to -iche of theym; and in the seyd letter to lete theym have knowlage that -the Kyng mevyd to my lord of the seyd mater beyond the see, and hough my -lord answerd the Kyng that at hys comyng in to Inglond he wold meve to -hys seyd consayll of the seyd mater, and geve the Kyng an answer. -Wherfor the Kyng in the seyd lettyr must streyghtly charge theym, and -iche of theym, to comon with my lord in the seyd mater in syche wyse -that the Kyng may be sertyfyed of an answer fro my lord and theym at the -ferthest by _crastino Animarum_;[238-2] for Suthewell nor Jamys Hubbard -shall not be at London befor Halowmass, and thys is the best wey that ye -may take, as we thynke here. - -My lady sweryth, and so dothe Barnard on hyr behalff, that she wold as -fayne ye had it as eny body; notwithstandyng she seyd not so to me, -sythe I cam hom, for I spak not with hyr but onys sythe I sye yow last. -Yet she lythe in Norwyche, and shall do tyll she be delyverd; but I have -be seek ever sythe I cam on thys syd the see, but I trust hastyly to -amend for all my seknesse that I had at Caleys, and sythe I cam over -also, cam but of cold. But I was never so well armyd for the werre as I -have now armyd me for cold; wherfor I avyse yow, take exampyll by me, if -it happyn yow to be seek, as ye wer when I was at Caleys, in eny wyse -kepe yow warme. I weene Herry Woodhous nor Jamys Arblaster ware never at -onys so many cotys, hose, and botewx as I doo, or ellys by God we had -gone therfor. What we shall yet I can not sey, but I bere me bold on ij. -dayes amendyng. - -My modyr sendyth yow Godes blyssing and hers, and she wold fayne have -yow at home with hyr; and if ye be onys mette, she tellyth me ye shall -not lyghtly depart tyll dethe depart yow. - -As I was wryghtyng thys lettyr, on told me that the Kyng shold be at -Walsyngham thys next.[239-1] If it be so, it wer best for yow to awayte -on the Kyng all the wey, and if ye have not men and horse i nowghe I -shall send yow. Do as ye thynk best; and as ye wyll have me to do, send -me your avyse, and I shall accomplyshe it to my power, with Godes grace, -Who preserve yow. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the x. day of October, anno xv^o E. iiij^{ti}. - - P. J.[239-2] - - [Footnote 238-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 238-2: The Morrow of All Souls, _i.e._ 3rd November.] - - [Footnote 239-1: So in MS. _Qu._, the word 'week' omitted?] - - [Footnote 239-2: It is curious that John Paston has here reversed - his initials.] - - -877 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[239-3] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, by Powlys Wherff, in -London._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / OCT. 23] - -Aftyr all dwtes of recomendacyon, please it yow to undyrstand that I -have spoken with my lady[239-4] sythe I wrot to yow last; and she told -me that the Kyng had no syche woordys to my lord for Caster, as ye told -me; but she seyth that the Kyng axid my lord at hys departyng fro -Caleys, how he wold deele with Caster, and my lord answerd nevyr a -woord. - -Sir W. Brandon[240-1] stood by, and the Kyng axid hym what my lord wold -do in that mater; seying that he had comandyd hym befor tyme to meve my -lord with that mater, and Sir W. Brandon gave the Kyng to answer that he -had doone so; then the Kyng axid Sir W. B. what my lordys answer was to -hym, and Sir W. B. told the Kyng that my lords answer was that the Kyng -shold as soone have hys lyff as that place; and then the Kyng axid my -lord whedyr he seyd so or nought, and my lord seyd, yee. And the Kyng -seyd not a woord ayen, but tornyd hys bak, and went hys wey; but my lady -told me, and the Kyng had spokyn any woord in the world aftyr that to my -lord, my lord wold not have seyd hym nay. And I have gevyn my lady -warnyng that I wyll do my lord no more serveys; but er we partyd, she -mad me to make hyr promess that I shold let hyr have knowlege er I -fastonyd myselff in eny other servysse; and so I departyd, and sye hyr -not syness, nor nought purpose to doo, tyll I spek with yow. - -I prey yow bryng home some hattys with yow, or and ye come not hastyly, -send me on, &c., and I shall pay yow for it a comb otys[240-2] when ye -come home. - -My modyr wold fayn have yow at Mawtby; she rode thydyr ought of Norwyche -on Saturday last past, to purvey your lodgyng redy ayenst your comyng. - -I have been ryght seek ayen sythe I wroote to yow last, and thys same -day have I ben pessyng seek; it wyll not ought of my stomak by no mean. -I am undon. I may not ete halff i nough, when I have most hungyr, I am -so well dyettyd, and yet it wyll not be. God send yow heele, for [I] -have non iij. dayes to gedyr, do the best I can. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday next be for Seynt Simone and Jude,[240-3] -anno E. iiij. xv^{o}. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 239-3: [From Fenn, ii. 182.]] - - [Footnote 239-4: The Duchess of Norfolk.] - - [Footnote 240-1: Sir William Brandon was the grandfather of Henry - VIII.'s favourite, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Footnote 2 on - p. 156, taken from Fenn, is wrong. Charles Brandon's father, who - was slain at Bosworth, was another Sir William, knighted by the - Earl of Richmond before the battle.] - - [Footnote 240-2: In 1475 a comb of oats sold for 11_d._; we have - therefore the value of a hat in this reign.--F. In No. 871 the - price of oats is given as 10_d._ a comb, but the markets are - considered to be bad.] - - [Footnote 240-3: 28th of October.] - - -878 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[241-1] - -[Sidenote: 1475] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can, -I beseche yow of your blyssyng. The cheff cause that I wryght to yow for -at thys season is, for that I undyrstand that my lady[241-2] wold be -ryght glad to have yow a bought hyr at hyr labore; in so myche that she -hathe axyd the questyon of dyvers gentyllwomen whedyr they thought that -ye wold awayte on hyr at that season or nought, and they answerd that -they durst sey that ye wold, with ryght good wyll, awayte on hyr at that -tyme, and at all other seasons that she wold comand yow. And so I thynk -that my lady wyll send for yow; and if it wer your ease to be here, -I wold be ryght glad that ye myght be here, for I thynk your being here -shold do gret good to my brodyrs maters that he hathe to sped with hyr. -Wherfor, for Godes sake, have your horse and all your gere redy with -yow, whersoever ye be, ought or at home, and as for men, ye shall nott -need many, for I wyll come for yow, and awayte on yow my sylf, and on or -ij. with me; but I had need to undyrstand wher to fynd yow, or ellys I -shall happyly seeke yow at Mautby, when ye be at Freton, and my lady -myght then fortune to be ferforthe on hyr jorney or ye cam, if she wer -as swyfte as ye wer onys on Good Fryday. - -And as for the mater in the latter end of my brodyr Sir Johnys lettyr, -me thynk he takyth a wronge wey, if he go so to werk; for as for the -peopyll here, I undyrstand non other but that all folkys here be ryght -well dysposyd towardes that mater, fro the hyghest degre to the lowest, -except Robart Brandon and John Colvyll; and it is a grete lyklyhod that -the grettest body is well dysposyd towardes that mater, in as myche as -they wold put yow to the labore above wretyn, and if they wer not, -I thynk they wold not put yow to that labore. - -Also here was here with me yesterday a man fro the Priour of Bromholme -to lete me have knowlage of the ille speche whyche is in the contre now -of new, that the tombe is not mad; and also he seythe that the clothe -that lythe over the grave is all toryn and rotyn, and is not worth -ij_d._, and he seythe he hathe pachyd it onys or twyis. Wherfor the -Pryour hathe sent to yow at the leest to send thedyr a newe clothe a -yenst Estern. - -Also Mastyr Sloley prayith yow, for Godes sake, and ye wyll do non -almess of tylle [_tile_] that he myght borow some of yow tyll he may bye -some, and pay yow ayen; for on [_one_] the fayrist chambyrs of the -Fryers, standyth half oncoverd for defaulte of tylle, for her is yett -non to get for no money. And the Holy Trynyte have yow in kepyng. - -At Norwyche, thys Twysday. - - Your sone and humbyll servaunt, - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 241-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter seems to - have been written shortly before the confinement of the Duchess of - Norfolk in December 1475.] - - [Footnote 241-2: The Duchess of Norfolk.] - - -879 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDWARD IV.[242-1] - -_[To the King] our souverain Lord._ - -[Sidenote: 1475] - -[SHEWETH] unto your highnesse your feythful liegeman and servaunt, John -Paston, Knight, that wher Sir William Yelverton, William Jenney, and -Thomas Howes were infeffed in certain . . . . . [to the] use of your -said suppliaunt, they of grat malice confetered with oon or ij. of the -counsell of my lord the Duc of Norffolk, caused the same Duc to clayme -tytle unto [the mano]ir of Caster and other lands of your said -suppliant, wherinne the said Yelverton and his coofeffees wer infeffed, -contrary to th'entent and wille that thei wer enfeffed for; upon whiche -title the said Duc with great force asseyed and entred the said manoir -of Castre and other lands of your said suppliant, putting hym from the -lawful possession and estate that he had in the same, and also take from -him vj^c. shepe and xxx. nete, and the same, with other stuf and -ordinaunces longing to the same manoir, of the value of C_li._ toke and -caryed awey, and the said manoir diffaced, hurt, and appeired, so that -it coude not be repaired with CC. marc. Also the revenues of the said -lands by the space of iij. yeres, to the value of vij^xx._li._, the same -my lord the Duke receyved, and the owtrents of the same never payed, -whiche great trouble was like to be the undoing of your said suppliant; -wherfor he was fayn to sue to the said Duc and lord by the meanes of his -godsip the Bisshop of Wynchestre, whiche was in his special favour; at -whos contemplacion, and for v^c. [500] marc whiche the same your -suppliant payed unto the same Duc, he graunted him to have agen his said -manoir and lands, and to restor him to the possession of the same, -whiche was so doen. And your said suppliant being in peasible -possession, my said lord the Duc and his cofeffees, Sir William Brandon, -Thomas Hoo, Rauf Ashton, and other, at the desir of my said lord, -relessed their estate and interesse, as wel under my said lordes sele as -under their own sele. Wherupon your said besecher continued in -possession but half a yer; at whiche time he was chargid in reparacions -to the somme of C. marc, and payed the owt rents dewe by the space of -the said iij. yer to the some of xl_li._ That doon, my said lord, by -sinistre motive and advice, with force agen entred the said manoir and -other lands aforsaid with alle stuf of howshold being in the same manoir -to the value of C. marc, and so long time hath kept and rejoysed the -revenues of the said lands, and in chief the said manoir, to the value -of vj^xx._li._ by the space of iiij. yer and mor; for redresse wherof -yor said suppliant hath this said space of iiij. yer sued to my said -lord and his counsell, and of alle that time the same my lord wold never -suffre him to come in his presence, ne here him, ne noon other for him -to declair or shewe his grief. And furthermor whanne your said besecher -hath sued to the counsel of my said lord, and desired them to move his -lordship therinne, and to answer him resonably and according to right, -they answered that thei have shewed my said lord his request, and that -he was, and is alwey, so moved and displesed with them, that thei dar -nomor move him therinne. And thus yor said suppliant hath loste alle his -coste and labour, to his charge by his feyth this iiij. yer in his sute, -the somme of v^c. marc, and now is owt of remedye, without your -habundant grace be shewed in that behalve, in somoche as he is not of -power t'attempt your lawes ayenst so mighty and noble estate, nor -t'abide the disples of him. Wherfor please it your moost noble grace, at -the reverence of God, to move my said lord to withdrawe the affeccion -whiche he so hath to the said manoir and lands, and to suffre your said -besecher to have and enjoye the possession of the same according -to right; and he at your commandment shal relesse unto my said -lord alle the damages above wretyn, whiche amount to the somme of -m^{l.}ccc.liij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._, and in time to come, with Goddes -grace, be the mor hable to do you service, and also specially preye to -God for the conservacion of your moost noble persone and estate royall. - - _Endorsed in a later hand_-- . . . . Paston mil. Regi pro . . . . - . . . . . Norff. in . . . . . de Caister. - - [Footnote 242-1: [From a MS. in the Bodleian Library.] The Castle - of Caister was surrendered to the Duke of Norfolk in September - 1469, but he must have been taking the rents of the manor for a - year or two before. From what is stated in this petition, the Duke - must have given it up again in the end of the year 1470, _i.e._ - during the restoration of Henry VI.; but he entered again after - half a year, and the date of this second entry is given by William - Worcester as the 23rd June 1471. After this, the petition says, he - kept possession for four years and more, so that the date of the - document must be towards the close of the year 1475. The Duke died - on the 17th January 1476.] - - -880 - -ABSTRACT[244-1] - -ROBERT WHYNBERGH TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -Has ridden 100 miles to get out the obligation of Craksheld and Salter. -Has been opposed by Mr. Lovell, as they are his tenants. Understands it -is in my lord's closet, and the tenants are warned to pay no money -without it. They keep from him the farm of the Priors Maner as well as -Strehalle.[244-2] Desires him to write to Mr. William Paston to inform -my lord of a wrongful distress taken by John Markham at Strehall in -Cressingham, which is held of the King's manor of Necton. They took -cattle in lambing time in March, in the 14th year of this King, 'and put -Craksheld and Salter in such fear of losing of their cattle that they -were bound to my lord by obligation, and Craksheld is dead for thought.' -Will take the letter to Mr. William though it cost him fourteen days' -labor. Was five weeks riding 'to Canterbury, and again I will no longer -drive, for in winter I may not ride,' etc. - - [From the reference to 'the 14th year of this King,' it is evident - that this letter was written after 1474, the 14th year of Edward IV. - It may, perhaps, be of the reign of Henry VII.; in which case it was - addressed to the younger John Paston, who was then a knight, his - brother being dead, about the year 1500.] - - [Footnote 244-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 244-2: Street-Hall or Straw Hall, in Great Cressingham, - was one of the manors which belonged to Judge Paston. In 1451, - Blomefield tells us that Walter Paston, clerk, gave it to his - brother John. In the reign of Henry VIII. Sir William Paston sold - it to Dame Elizabeth Fitzwilliams.--Blomefield, vi. 99.] - - -881 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[245-1] - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 17] - -Lyke it yow to weete, that not in the most happy season ffor me, it is -so ffortunyd, that wher as my Lorde off Norffolke, yisterdaye beying in -goode heele, thys nyght dyed abowte mydnyght, wherffor it is ffor alle -that lovyd hym to doo and helpe nowe that, that maye be to hys honoure, -and weell to hys sowele. And it is soo, that thys contre is nott weell -purveyd off clothe off golde ffor the coveryng ffor hys bodye and herse; -wherffor every man helpyng to hys power, I putte the cowncell off my -lorde in cowmffort, that I hoped to gete one ffor that daye, if it weer -so that it be nott broken, or putt to other use. - -Wherffor please it yow to sende me worde iff it be so, that ye have, or -kan kom by the clothe off tyssywe that I bowte ffor our ffaders tombe, -and I undretake it shall be saffyd ageyn ffor yowe on hurt at my perell; -I deeme herby to gete greet thanke, and greet assystence in tyme to -come; and that owther Syme or Mother Brown maye deliver it me to morow -by vij. off the clokke. - -Item, as ffor other means, I have sente my servaunt Richard Toring to -London, whyche I hope shall brynge me goode tydyngs ageyn, and with in -iiij. dayes I hope to see yowe. - -Wretyn on Wednysdaye, xvij. daye off Janyver, anno E. iiij^ti xv^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 245-1: [From Fenn, ii. 186.] This letter is not - addressed, but must have been intended for the writer's brother - John, or else, as Fenn suggests, for his mother, Margaret. Sir - John, however, ends by saying, 'Within four days I hope to see - you'; and it appears by next letter that he was actually with his - brother at Norwich within _three_ days, whereas he paid no visit - to his mother, who seems to have been living, as she had done for - some time, at Mautby. This letter must have been written from - Framlingham, whither Sir John had doubtless gone to petition the - Duke of Norfolk about Caister.] - - -882 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[246-1] - -_To my ryght worchepful modyr, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 21] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, pleasyt yow to weet that as yesterday -att noon my brodyr Sir John departyd fro Norwyche towardes London; for -as now all the sped is with the Kyng for the swerte of the maner of -Caster, consyderyng the dyeing seasyd of my Lord of Norffolk. He -trustyth to be in thys contre ayen with in x. or xij. dayes. And at hys -departyng he seyd to me that ye sent hym woord to selle the clothe of -gold, if he myght selle it well, whyche clothe I thynke may be sold, iff -ye wyll agre; not withstandyng I wylle make no bargayn for it, tyll ye -send me woord of the serteyn some what ye wyll have for it, or ellys ye -to have it ayen. Sir Robard Wyngfeld offyrd me yesterday xx. mark for -it, but I wot well ye shall have more for it, if ye wyll sell it; wher -for, as ye wyll deele in this mater, I prey yow send me woord to morew -be tymys, for if thys bargayn be forsakyn, I trow it wyll be longe er ye -kan get an other bargayn to selle it eny thyng aftyr that is woorthe. - -Modyr, in as humbyll wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your blyssyng. -I trust fro hense foorthe that we shall have our chyldyr in rest with -ought rebwkyng for ther pleying wanton; for it is told me your ostass at -Freton hathe gotyn hyr syche a thyng to pley with, that our other -chyldyr shall have leve to sporte theym. God send hyr joye of it. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, thys Sonday. - - Your sone and humbyll servaunt, - - JOHN PASTON. - - [Footnote 246-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is shown by - internal evidence to have been written shortly after the Duke of - Norfolk's death, which, as we have seen, took place on the 17th - January 1476. It was written on a Sunday, and states that Sir John - Paston had left Norwich the day before. The letter following, - which is of the 23rd January, is dated by John Paston, 'Tuesday - next after your (Sir John's) departing,' so that the Sunday on - which this was written must certainly have been the 21st.] - - -883 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[247-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, at the George, at Powlys Wharffe._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 23] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to weet that I ensuer yow -your sendyng to Caster is evyll takyn among my lordes folkes, in so -myche that some sey that ye tendryd lytyll my lordes dethe, in as myche -as ye wold so sone entre upon hym aftyr hys dyssease, with ought avyse -and assent of my lordes consayll; wherfor it is thought here by syche as -be your frendes in my lordes house that if my lady have onys the graunt -of the wardshepp of the chyld,[247-2] that she wyll ocupye Caster with -other londes, and ley the defaute on your unkynd hastyness of entre with -ought hyr assent. Wherfor in eny wyse get yow a patent of the Kyng -ensealyd be for hyrs, and ye may by eny meane possybyll. - -Also I prey yow comon with my Lord Chamberleyn for me, and weet hough -that he wyll have me demeanyd. - -It iss told me for serteyn that ther is none hey to gete at Caleys; -wherfor if I mygh be pardond for eny kepyng of horse at Caleys till Myd -somer, it wer a good torne. - -The berer herof shall come home ayen fro London with in a day aftyr that -he comyth thedyr, if ye wyll ought comand hym. I prey yow send me woord -by hym hough ye do with your maters, and I prey yow in eny wyse lete me -undyrstand, by the berer heroff, hough Bowen of the Cheker wyll dele -with me; vj^xx. and x_li._ it is nough, and I wold have vij^xx._li._ and -x_li._ and I to plege it ought in iiij. or v. yer, or ellys to forfet -the maner. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the Twysday next aftyr your departyng thens, xxiij. -die Januarii, anno E. iiij^ti xv^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON. - - [Footnote 247-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 247-2: This child was Ann, who soon after was betrothed - to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, the second son of King - Edward. She died very young, and the Duke was, as it is supposed, - smothered in the Tower by the command of his uncle Richard - III.--F.] - - -884 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[248-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, at Norwyche, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 27] - -I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I was infformyd by Ric. -Radle, that on Scarlett, that was undrescheryff to Hastyngs,[248-2] -wolde sywe to me on yowr behalff, ffor that ye weer dyspleasyd with a -returne off Nichill[248-3] uppon yow in the seyde Hastyngs tyme; -wherffor Ric. Radle thoghte that the seyde Scarlett wolde be gladde to -gyff yow a noble or a riall ffor a sadell to amends, so that ye wolde -sease and stoppe the bylle, whyche ye entende to putt into the corte -ageyn hys Master Hastyngs. - -Wherffor the seyde Scarlett com to me, and prayed me to helpe in the -same, and so I have don my devoir to ffeele off hym the most that he can -ffynde in hys stomake to depart with to please yow; and in conclusyon I -trowe, he shall gyff yow a doblett clothe off sylke, price xx_s._ or -therabout; whyche uppon suche answeer as I heer ffrom yowe, I deme that -Bysshop the atornye shall, iff I conclude with hym on yowr behalve, paye -in mony or otherwyse, to whom that ye woll assynge heer. - -I shall by the means of Raddele weet at whoys sywte it was takyn owte; -I deme it som thynge doon by craffte, by the means off them that have -entresse in your lond, to th'entent to noyse itt therys, or to make yow -past shame off the sellyng theroff. - -Item, I have receyvyd a letter ffrom yowe wretyn on Tywesdaye last. - -Item, wher that som towards my Lady of Norffolk noyse that I dyd -onkyndely to sende so hastely to Caster as I dyd; there is no dyscrete -person that so thynkyth, ffor iff my lorde hade ben as kynde to me as he -myght have ben, and acordyng to suche hert and servyce as my -grauntffadr, my ffadr, yowr selff, and I, have owght and doon to my -Lords of Norffolk that ded ben, and yitt iff I hadde weddyd hys dowghtr, -yitt most I have doon as I dydde. - -And moor ovyr, iff I had hadde any demyng off my lordys dethe iiij. -howrs or he dyed, I most neds, but iff I wolde be knowyn a ffoole, have -entryd it the howr byffor hys dycesse; but in effecte, theygh that in -that mater have alweys ment onkyndely to me, they ffeyne that rumor -ageyn me; but ther is noon that ment truly to hym that dede is, that -wolde be sory that I hadde itt, and in especiall suche as love hys -sowle. - -Item, wher it is demyd that my lady wolde herafftr be the rather myn -hevy lady ffor that delyng, I thynke that she is to resonable so to be, -ffor I did it nott onwyst to hyr cowncell; there was no man thoght that -I sholde doo otherwysse; an as to seye, that I myght have hadde my -ladyes advyce or lyve [_leave_], I myght have teryed yitt, or I cowde -have speken with hyr, or yitt have hadde any body to have mevyd hyr -there on my behalve, as ye wote I dydde what I cowde. Moreovyr I taryed -by the advyce off Sir Robert Wyngffelde iij. dayes there, ffor that he -putte me in comffirt that the Lord Howard,[249-1] and hys brother Sir -John, sholde have comen to Norwyche, att whoys comyng he dowtyd nott but -that I sholde have a goode dyrection takyn ffor me in that mater, they -leyhe to me onkyndenesse ffor ovyrkyndenesse. - -Item, as ffor my mater heer, itt was thys daye beffoor alle the lordes -off the cowncelle, and amonge them all, it was nott thowght, that in my -sendyng off Whetley thyddr, in mediately afftr the dycesse off the Duke, -that I dalt onkyndly or onfyttyngly, but that I was moor onresonably -dalte with; wherffor, late men deme what they wylle, grettest clerkys -are nott alweye wysest men; but I hope hastely to have on weye in it or -other. - -Item, I wende [_expected_] to have ffownde a gowne off myn heer, but it -come home the same daye that I come owte, browght by Herry Berker, loder -[_carrier_]. I wolde in alle hast possible have that same gowne off puke -ffurryd with whyght lambe. - -Item, I wolde have my longe russett gowne off the Frenshe russett in -alle hast, ffor I have no gowne to goo in here. - -Item, I praye yow recomande me to my moodr, and lat us alle prey God -sende my Lady off Norffolk a soone, for uppon that restythe moche mater; -ffor if the Kyngys soone[250-1] mary my lords dowghtr, the Kynge wolde -that hys soone sholde have a ffayr place in Norffolk, thowhe he sholde -gyffe me ij. tymes the valywe in other londe, as I am doon to weete. -I praye yow sende me worde off my ladyes spede as soone as ye kan. - -Item, as ffor Bowen I shall ffele hym, and sholde have doon, thowghe ye -hadde nott sente. - -Item, ther is offryd me a goode marriage for my suster Anne Skypwithys -sone and heyr off Lynkolneshyre, a man v. or vj. mrke by year. No mor. - -Wretyn at London, the xxvij. daye off Janyver, anno E. iiij^ti xv^{o}. - -Item, my Lady off Excester[250-2] is ded, and it was seyde that bothe -the olde Dywchesse off Norffolk,[251-1] and the Cowntesse off -Oxenfforde[251-2] weer ded, but it is nott soo yitt. - -Item, I shall remembr Caleyse bothe for horse and alle, &c. - - [Footnote 248-1: [From Fenn, ii. 190.]] - - [Footnote 248-2: John Hastyngs was Sheriff of Norfolk the - preceding year.--F.] - - [Footnote 248-3: Nihils, or Nichils, are issues which the sheriff - that is apposed in the Exchequer says are _nothing worth_ and - illeviable, through the insufficiency of the parties from whom - due.--F.] - - [Footnote 249-1: Afterwards Duke of Norfolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 250-1: Richard, Duke of York, second son of King Edward - IV., in or before January 1478, married Anne, sole daughter and - heir of John Mowbray, late Duke of Norfolk.--_Rolls of - Parliament_, vi. 168. She was at that time only in her sixth year, - and she died early.] - - [Footnote 250-2: Anne, daughter of Richard, Duke of York, sister - of Edward IV., and widow of Henry Holland, the last Duke of - Exeter, her first husband; she died 14th of January 1475, and lies - buried with Sir Thomas Saint Leger, Knight, her second husband, in - a private chapel at Windsor.--F.] - - [Footnote 251-1: Ellenor, only daughter of William Bourchier, Earl - of Ewe, in Normandy, and widow of John Mowbray, Duke of - Norfolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 251-2: Margaret, daughter of Richard Nevile, Earl of - Salisbury, and wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, now a - prisoner in the Castle of Hammes, in Picardy; or it may refer to - Elizabeth, widow of the late Earl of Oxford, and daughter and heir - of Sir John Howard, Knight.--F.] - - -885 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[251-3] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, at the George, by Powlys Wharf, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / FEB. 3] - -Aftyr all dwtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wete, that with in thys -owyr past, I receyd your letter wretyn the xxvij. day of Januar, by -whyche I undyrstand that Scarlet wold have an end with me; but lesse -then xl_s._ is to lytyll, for iff I wold do the uttermost to hym, -I shold recover by the statwte, I trow xl_li._ or more, but lesse then -xxxiij_s._ iiij_d._ I wyll in no wyse; and ye may sey that ye of your -owne hed wyll geve hym the ode nobyll of xl_s._, and if ye have the v. -noblys I prey yow let Parker of Flett stret have therof xxx_s._ and lete -Pytte and Rychard and Edward drynk the xl_d._ As for your gownys, they -shalbe sent yow in as hasty wyse as is possybyll. Thys must be -consayll:--It is promysyd my lady by my Lord Chamberleyn that the _diem -clausit extremum_ for my lord shall not be delyverd tyll she be of power -to labore hyr sylff her most avauntage in that mater, wherfor ye ned not -to dele over largely with thexchetoures. Also consayll:--Robard Brandon -and Colevyle have by meanys enformyd my lady that ye wold have gotyn -Caster fro hyr by stronge hand, now thys frost whyll the mote is frosyn, -in so myche that she was porposed to have sent thedyr R. Brandon and -other to have kept the place tyll syche tyme as she made axe me the -questyon whedyr ye entendet that wey or not, and I avysed hyr that she -shold rather sofyr R. Brandon and hys retenew to lye in Norwyche of hys -owne cost then to lye at the taverne at Yermouthe on hyr cost, for I -lete hyr have knowlage that ye never entendyd non entre in to that -place, but by hyr assent and knowlage I wast well. Syr, for Godes sake, -in as hasty wyse as is possybyll, send me woord how ye feele my Lord -Chamberleyn and Bowen dysposed to me wardes, for I shall never be in -hertes ease tyll I undyrstand ther tweys dysposysyon. Also, I prey yow, -let Symond Dame have knowlage as soone as ye have red thys lettyr that I -wold in eny wyse that he swe forthe the axions a yenst Darby and other -for Byskley, notwithstandyng the bylle that I sent hym to the contrary -by Edmund Jeney, for Darby and I are brokyn of, of our entrete whyche -was apoyntyd at Thettford. God sped yow in thes maters, and in all -other. Ye send me woord of a good maryage for my syster Anne. I prey yow -aspye some old thryffty draff wyff in London for me. Thomas Brampton at -the Blak Fryers in London wyth syche other as he and I apoyntyd wyll -helpe yow to aspye on for me on ther part. I prey yow that I may be -recomandyd to hym, and prey hym that he wyll, in as hasty wyse as he -can, comforte me with on letter fro hym, and fro the other persone that -he and I comond of, and I prey yow as ye se hym at the parvyse[252-1] -and ellys where, calle on hym for the same letter and telle hym that ye -most nedys have on to me, and when ye have it breke it and ye lyst or ye -send it me. - - _Endorsed_--iij. Februarij, anno xv^{o}. - - [Footnote 251-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 252-1: The church porch. In London it commonly meant the - portico of St. Paul's Cathedral, which is doubtless the place here - intended.] - - [[ye ned not to dele over largely - _"e" in "over" invisible_]] - - -886 - -JOHN PASTON TO LORD HASTINGS[253-1] - -_To my Lord._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MARCH 2] - -My most doughtyd and singular good lord, aftyr most humble and dew -recomendacyon, please it your good lordshepp to have knowlage that, -accordyng to your comandement, in my wey homeward, I remembred me of a -persone whyche to my thynkyng is meetly to be clerk of your kechyn, -whyche persone is now in servyse with Master Fitzwater, and was befor -that with Whethyll at Gwynes, and purveyor for hys house, and at syche -tyme as the Kynges grace was ther last in hys vyage towardes France. -Thys man is meane of stature, yonge inough, well wittyd, well manerd, a -goodly yong man on horse and foote. He is well spokyn in Inglyshe, metly -well in Frenshe, and verry perfite in Flemyshe. He can wryght and reed. -Hys name is Rychard Stratton; hys modyr is Mastress Grame of Caleys. And -when I had shewyd hym myn intent, he was agreable and verry glad if that -it myght please your lordshepp to accept hym in to your servyse; wherto -I promysed hym my poore helpe, as ferforthe as I durst meve your good -lordshepp for hym, trustyng that I shold have knowelage of your plesure -her in, or I departed towardes your lordshep ought of this contrey. -Wherfor I advysed hym to be redy with in xiiij. dayes of Marche at the -ferthest, that if it pleasyd your lordsheppe to accept hym or to have a -syght of hym be for your departyng to Caleys, that ther shold be no -slaughthe in hym. - -He desyred me to meve Master Fitzwater to be good mastyr to hym in thys -behalve, and so I dyd; and he was verry glad and agreable ther to, -seying if hys sone had ben of age, and all the servauntis he hathe myght -be in eny wyse acceptabell to your lordshepp, that they all, and hym -silff in lyek wyse, shall be at your comandment, whyll he leveth. - -And at my comyng home to my poore house, I sent for Robart Bernard, and -shewid on to hym that I had mevyd your lordshepp for hym; and he in lyek -forme is agreable to be redy by the xiiij. day of Marche to awayte on -your lordshepp, be it to Caleys or ellys where, and fro that day so -foorthe for ever, whyll hys lyff wyll last, with ought grugeing or -contraying your comandement and plesure, in eny wyse that is in hym -possibyll t'accomplishe. - -I shewed on to hym that I had preyed Master Talbot to be a mean to your -good lordshepp for hym, and if so wer that Mastyr Talbot thought that -your lordshepp wer content to take hys servyse, then that it wold please -Mr. Talbot to meve my Lady of Norffolkes grace to wryght or send to -Bernard, puttyng hym in knowlage that hyr grace is content that he shall -become your menyall servaunt. Wherof he was passyng well pleasyd; but, -that notwithstandyng, as I enformed your lordshepp, he is not so -reteyned, neyther by fee nor promess, but that he may let hym sylff -loose to do your lordsheppe servyse when ye wyll receyve hym, and so -wyll he do; but, your lordshepe so pleasid, leve wer bettyr. Rychard -Stratton told me that whyll he was in servyse with Whethyll, John Redwe -mocyond hym onys myche aftyr thys intent, but at that tyme Whethyll wold -not be so good mastyr to hym as to meve your lordshepe for hym. - -My lord, I trust that your lordshepe shall lyek bothe ther persones and -ther condicyons; and as for ther trowthes, if it may please your good -lordshepe to accept my poore woord with thers, I wyll depose largely for -that. And as it pleasyth your good lordshepe to comand me in thes -maters, and all other, if it may please your lordshepe to shewe the same -to my brodyr Nessfeld, he knowith who shall sonest be with me to putt me -in knowlage of your plesure, whyche I shall be at all seasons redy -t'accomplyshe to my poore power, with Godes grace, Whom I beseche longe -to contenue the prosperous astate of your good lordshepp. - -Fro Norwyche, the seconde daye of Marche, with the hand of your most -humble servaunt and beedman, - - JOHN PASTON. - - [Footnote 253-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Although the lord to - whom this letter was addressed is not named, it was undoubtedly - intended for Lord Hastings, Lieutenant of Calais, who, as will be - seen hereafter, was preparing to go over to Calais in March - 1476.--_See_ No. 888.] - - -887 - -JOHN PASTON TO [MARGERY BREWS][255-1] - -[Sidenote: 1476(?)] - -Mastresse, thow so be that I, unaqweyntyd with yow as yet, tak up on me -to be thus bold as to wryght on to yow with ought your knowlage and -leve, yet, mastress, for syche pore servyse as I now in my mynd owe yow, -purposyng, ye not dyspleasyd, duryng my lyff to contenu the same, -I beseche yow to pardon my boldness, and not to dysdeyn, but to accepte -thys sympyll byll to recomand me to yow in syche wyse as I best can or -may imagyn to your most plesure. And, mastress, for sych report as I -have herd of yow by many and dyverse persones, and specyally by my ryght -trusty frend, Rychard Stratton, berer her of, to whom I beseche yow to -geve credence in syche maters as he shall on my behalve comon with yow -of, if it lyke you to lystyn hym, and that report causythe me to be the -more bold to wryght on to yow, so as I do; for I have herd oft tymys -Rychard Stratton sey that ye can and wyll take every thyng well that is -well ment, whom I beleve and trust as myche as fewe men leveing, -I ensuer yow by my trowthe. And, mastress, I beseche yow to thynk non -other wyse in me but that I wyll and shall at all seasons be redy wythe -Godes grace to accomplyshe all syche thynges as I have enformyd and -desyerd the seyd Rychard on my behalve to geve yow knowlage of, but if -[_unless_] it so be that a geyn my wyll it come of yow that I be cast -off fro yowr servyse and not wyllyngly by my desert, and that I am and -wylbe yours and at your comandmen in every wyse dwryng my lyff. Her I -send yow thys bylle wretyn with my lewd hand and sealyd with my sygnet -to remayn with yow for a wyttnesse ayenste me, and to my shame and -dyshonour if I contrary it. And, mastress, I beseche yow, in easyng of -the poore hert that somtyme was at my rewle, whyche now is at yours, -that in as short tyme as can be that I may have knowlage of your entent -and hough ye wyll have me demeanyd in thys mater, and I wylbe at all -seasons redy to performe in thys mater and all others your plesure, as -ferforth as lythe in my poore power to do or in all thers that ought -wyll do for me, with Godes grace, Whom I beseche to send yow the -accomplyshement of your most worchepfull desyers, myn owne fayer lady, -for I wyll no ferther labore but to yow, on to the tyme ye geve me leve, -and tyll I be suer that ye shall take no dysplesur with my ferther -labore. - - [Footnote 255-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed - from a draft in the hand of John Paston the younger. I suppose it - must have been written about the year 1476, and intended for - Margery Brews, whom he afterwards married. It will be seen that - Richard Stratton, whom in his last letter he recommended to Lord - Hastings, is here the bearer of a confidential message to the - lady.] - - -888 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[256-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, or to Mestresse Margrett Paston, hys moodre, -in Norfolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MARCH 12] - -I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wete that, blessyd be God, uppon -Saterdaye last past my lorde[256-2] and wee toke the see, and come to -Caleyes the same daye, and as thys daye my lorde come to Guynesse, and -theer was receyvyd honourablye with owt any obstaklys; wheer as I fownde -Master Fytzwalter and othre, whyche wer ryght hevye for the dethe of the -noble man thatt was theer to foor, itt happyd soo that my seyd Master -Fytzwalter axid me ryght hertely for yow, and I lete hym weete that I -demyd ye wolde be heer in haste, wheroffe he seyde he was ryght soory, -for soo moche that he entendyth to come in to Englonde, and as I -conceyve he wyll come to Attylborogh, and brynge my mestresse hys wyffe -with hym, and theer to stablysshe hys howse contynuall. Wherffor he -thynketh that he sholde have as grete a lakke off yow as off any one man -in that contre, willyng me to wryght on to yowe, and to late yow weete -off hys comynge. He also hathe tolde me moche off hys stomake and tendre -faver that he owythe to yow; wherffor I asserteyn yow that he is your -verry especiall goode master, and iffe ye weer abydynge in thatt contre, -whylse he weer theer, he is dysposyd to doo largely for yowe in dyverse -wyse, whyche weer to longe to wryght, in so moche that I feele by hym -that he thynkyth that itt sholde be longe er he scholde be wery of yowr -expences of horse or man. Now I remytte alle thynge to your dyscresion; -ye woote best what is for yow. - -As for my lorde, I undrestande nott yitt whethyr he wylle in to -Ingelonde the weke to foor Esterne, or ellys aftre. - -I pray yow recomande me to my moodre. I wolde have wretyn to hyr, but in -trowthe I ame somewhatt crased, what with the see and what wythe thys -dyet heer. - -No moor to yow, but wretyn at Gynes, the xij. daye off Marche, anno E. -xvj. - - By JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 256-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 256-2: Hastings.] - - -889 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[257-1] - -_To Mestresse Margrete Paston, at Norwyche, or hyr sone, John Paston, -Esquyer, and to everych off them._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MARCH 21] - -I recomande me to yowe. Like it yow to weete that I am nott sertayne -yitt whether my lorde[257-2] and I shall come into Ingelonde the weke -byffoor Est[er]ne, or ellys the weke afftr Est[er]ne; wherffor, moodr, -I beseche yow to take noo dysplesyr with me ffor my longe tarynge, ffor -I most doo noon otherwyse ffor dysplesyng off my lorde. I was noo thynge -gladde off thys jornaye, iff I myght goodely have chosen; neverthelesse, -savyng that ye have cawse to be dyspleasyd with me ffor the mater off -Kokett, I am ellys ryght gladde, ffor I hope that I ame fferre moor in -ffavor with my lorde then I was to ffoor. - -Item, I sende yow, brother John, a letter herwith, whyche was browte -hyddr to Caleys, ffrom the George at Powles Wharff; I deme it comethe -ffrom my brother Water. - -Item, iff ye entende hyddrewarde, itt weer weell doon that ye hygthed -yowe, ffor I suppose that my lorde wille take the vywe off alle hys -retynywe heer, nowe byffoor hys departyng; and I thynke that he woolde -be better contente with yowr comyng nowe, than an other tyme; doo as ye -thynke best, and as ye maye. - -Item, wher Master Fytzwalter made me to wryght to yowe to advyse yow to -tarye, I remytte thatt to yowr dyscretion. - -As ffor tydyngs heer, we her ffrom alle the worlde; ffyrst, the Lorde -Ryverse was at Roome right weell and honorably, and other Lords off -Ynglonde, as the Lord Hurmonde,[258-1] and the Lord Scrope,[258-2] and -at ther departyng xij. myle on thyse-halff Roome, the Lorde Ryverse was -robbyd off alle hys jowelles and plate, whyche was worthe m^le. marke or -better, and is retornyd to Rome ffor a remedy. - -Item, the Duke of Burgoyne hath conqueryd Loreyn, and Quene Margreet -shall nott nowe be lykelyhod have it; wherffor the Frenshe Kynge -cheryssheth hyr butt easelye; but afftr thys conquest off Loreyn, the -Duke toke grete corage to goo uppon the londe off the Swechys [_Swiss_] -to conquer them, butt the [_they_] berded hym att an onsett place, and -hathe dystrussyd hym, and hathe slayne the most parte off hys vanwarde, -and wonne all hys ordynaunce and artylrye, and mor ovyr all stuffe thatt -he hade in hys ost with hym; exceppte men and horse ffledde nott, but -they roode that nyght xx. myle; and so the ryche saletts,[258-3] -heulmetts, garters, nowchys[258-4] gelt, and alle is goone, with tents, -pavylons, and alle, and soo men deme hys pryde is abatyd. Men tolde hym -that they weer ffrowarde karlys, butte he wolde nott beleve it, and yitt -men seye, that he woll to them ageyn. Gode spede them bothe. - -Item, Sir John Mydelton toke leve off the Duke to sporte hym, but he is -sett in pryson att Brussellys. - -I praye yowe sende me som worde iff ye thynke likly that I may entr -Caster when I woll, by the next messenger. - -Wretyn at Caleys, in resonable helthe off bodye and sowle, I thanke -Good, the xxj. daye off Marche, anno E. iiij^ti xvj^{o}. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 257-1: [From Fenn, ii. 198.]] - - [Footnote 257-2: Hastings.] - - [Footnote 258-1: John, sixth Earl of Ormond.] - - [Footnote 258-2: John, Lord Scrope of Bolton.] - - [Footnote 258-3: Light head-pieces.--F.] - - [Footnote 258-4: Embossed ornaments, chains, buckles, etc.--F.] - - [[departyng xij. myle on thyse-halff Roome - _printed with ambiguous hyphen at line break_]] - - -890 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[259-1] - -_To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, -by Powlys Wharf, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MAY 6] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wet, that to my power -ye be welcom ayen in to Inglond. And as for the Castell of Shene, ther -is no mor in it but Colle and hys mak, and a goose may get it; but in no -wyse I wold not that wey, and my modyr thynkyth the same. Take not that -wey, if ther be eny other. - -I undyrstand that Mastres Fytzwater hathe a syster, a mayd, to mary. -I trow, and ye entretyd hym, she myght come into Crysten menys handys. -I prey yow spek with Mastyr Fytzwater of that mater for me, and ye may -telle hym, synse that he wyll have my servyse, it wer as good, and syche -a bargayn myght be mad, that bothe she and I awaytyd on hym and my -mastress hys wyff at oure owne cost, as I a lone to awayt on hym at hys -cost; for then he shold be swer that I shold not be flyttyng, and I had -syche a qwarell to kepe me at home. And I have hys good wylle, it is non -inpossybyll to bryng a bowght. - -I thynk to be at London with in a xiiij. dayes at the ferthest, and -peraventure my mastress also, in consayll be it clatryd. God kepe yow -and yours. - -At Norwyche, the vj. day of May, anno E. iiij^ti xvj^{o}. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 259-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -891 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[260-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, in Norwyche, or to hyr sone John Paston, -Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MAY 27] - -Please it yow to weete that as for my materes, and theye appeyre -nott,[260-2] the doo, blessyd be Godde, as weell as I wolde they dyd, -saffe that it shalle cost me grett mony, and it hathe cost me moche -laboor. It is soo that the Kynge most have C. marke, and other costes -will drawe xl. marke. And my mater is examynyd by the Kynges Cowncell, -and declaryd affoor alle the Lordes, and now lakkythe noo thynge but -[the Pry]vy Seals, and wryghtyng to Master Colv[ill][260-3] to avoide; -for the[260-3] [Kyng hath p]romysed me as moche as I wolde he sholde -fullefille, and alle the Lordes, Juges, Serjauntes, have affermyd my -title goode. Nott withstandyng Sowthewell, James Hubberde, and Sir W. -Braundon, where at ther owne desyrs, offryd to afferme and advowe my -tytell for goode, and that my Lorde off Norffolk that ded is had noo -tytell, thatt they knywe, they tolde my tale as ille as they cowde, and -yitt a lye or too to helpe it, and yit it servyth them nott, they be -knowen as they ar (in Cowncell be it seyde, and so most all thys letter -be). - -I have moche payne to gete so moche mony. Neverthelesse, but iff myne -oncle schewe hym selfe werse than ever he was, I shalle nott fayle, if -he kepe me promyse, and thatt is but as he dyde last, that is butt to be -my sywerte, and I to make hym sywerte ageyn. - -The Kynge departythe thys daye, and wille nott be heer tyll Frydaye, -whyche lettyth me, or ellys by thatt daye I wolde have hopyd to have -comen homeward, and erst per aventure. No moor, but Jesus have yow in -kepyng. - -Wretyn at London, the xxvj. daye of Maye, the Mondaye next Holy -Thurrysdaye, the Assencion. - - * * * - -The Kynge wold have bowte it, but he was enfformyd off the trowthe, and -that it was nott for a prynce, and off the greet pryse that I wolde -selle it att; for that I myght nott for bere it, for he scholde have -payed m^{l.}m^l. marke or moor, iff he hadde hadde it. - - Your sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 260-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter relates to - Sir John Paston's claim to Caister after the Duke of Norfolk's - death, which claim he succeeded in establishing in June 1476, as - appears by the letter following. The date 26th May at the end of - the letter is an error. The 'Monday next Holy Thursday' was the - 27th.] - - [Footnote 260-2: _i.e._ if they do not get worse.] - - [Footnote 260-3: Paper decayed.] - - [[Salutation - ... or to hyr sone John Paston, Knyght. - _printed as shown: misreading of Fenn's header?_ - To Mestresse Margret Paston, - in Norwyche or to hyr Sone - John Paston K^t]] - - -892 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[261-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, beyng at the Syngne of the George, at Powles -Wharffe._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JUNE 30] - -I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I hav receyvyd yowr -letter, wretyn the next daye aftre Mydsomer; for answer wheroff I thynke -that to be bownde in v^c. [500] marke, I thynke it is to moche, where as -I felt by yow ye sholde have with the gentylwoman but iiij^c [400]; -neverthelesse I agree. But ye shall undrestande that I wyll not be -bownde for yow that ye shall make hyr joyntour past xx_li._ by yer, -within a sertayne daye lymyted; be it j. yere or ij., that is the -largest that ye maye performe. For as for the maner of Sparham, my -moodre and ye acorde notte in yowr saynges; she wyll nowght graunte yow -ther in, whylse she levyth, saff, as she seythe to me, she hathe -grauntyd yow x. marke by yeer tyll xl_li._ be payed, that is but vj. -yeer; and aftre hyr dyscease she woll agree with goode will, so that it -maye be yowr proferment, that ye sholde have that maner in joynture with -yowr wyffe to the lenger lyver off yow bothe, payng x. marke by yeer, -soo or th . . . as she wyll that it shall be. Therfore, as for l. marke -joynture, I pray yow bynde me in no suche clawse, butt iff it be for -xx_li._ by a resonable daye, and xx. marke aftre the dyssease off my -moodre. Take example at Derby. - -Item, ye make yow sywerer than I deme yow bee, for I deme that her -frendes wyll nott be content with Bedyngfeldes sywerte, nor yowres. -I deme thys mater will ocopy lenger leyser than ye deme for. - -Item, I remembre thatt thys mony that she sholde have is nott redy, but -in the handes of marchauntes of the Estaple, whyche at a prove ye shall -fynde per case so slakke payeres, that ye myght be deseyvyd ther by. -I knowe dyverse have lost mony er they cowde gete ther dywtes owte off -the Staple. God spede yow, and sende yow that ye wolde have. - -I sende yow the obligacion here with acordyng to yowr desyr, and a -letter to Bedyngfelde, thankyng hym for yow, and more over letyng hym -know of myn entent. Opyn it, and close it ageyn, if ye lyst. - -Item, where I tolde yow that the gowne clothe off olde chamlott, I wolde -have it hoome for my suster Anne; ye for gate it. I praye yow sende it -home by the next massenger, and a letter with it of suche tydynges as ye -knowe. - -Item, blissed be God, I have Castre at my will. God holde it better than -it doone her to foore. - -No moore, but wretyn the next daye aftre Seynt Petre, anno E. iiij^ti -xvj^{o}. - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 261-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -893 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[262-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / [AUG. 30]] - -Please it yow to wete that I was uppon Tywesdaye, the daye that I -departyd froo yowe, with my brother John at Atelborow by viij. of the -clokke at evyn, and founde hym in suche case as iff ye had seyn hym than -ye wolde have be as gladde of hym osse off a nywe sone. I wenyd nott -that he sholde nott have levyd tyll the mornyng; in so moche that by my -trowthe I dare seye that iff it had nott fortunyd us to have comyn to -hym, he had not been on lyve on Wednysdaye. For syns Saterday slepyd he -nott iiij. howris, and yitt iij. of them was syns I come thydyr, on to -thys nyght; and thys nyght, blessyd be God, he hathe slepyd well, and -with Goddys grace I dowte not but thatt he shall do weell. For his agywe -is goone, and alle that laye in hys stomak and undre hys syde it weryth -aweye, and within a daye or ij. I hope he shall be so stronge that I -maye come frome hym; and he hopyth to see yowe with in fewe days affter, -as he seyth. On Wednysdaye I wysshed to hym that he and I hadde been at -Norwyche; wheruppon he harpyd all that nyght, and for cawe (_sic_) he -hadde not so goode rest as he wolde, it fylle in hys brayne to come to -Norwyche; and he in an angyr wolde nedys to horse. He wolde non horsse -litter, he was so stronge. Neverthelesse we wenyd nott that he sholde -have been able to have redyn a myle, and wenyd that it had nott been -possible to have passid Wyndham; bott whan he was uppe for that, we -seyde he roode so welle he ledde uss a dawnce faster than alle we cowde -weell folowe. He was at Wyndham, by my trowthe, in lesse than an howr by -a large quarter, and ther restyd hym an howre, and to horse ageyne and -was heer in lesse than an howr and one halffe. And now he dowteth nott -to slepe weell, for he seyth that he never ffaylyd to slepe weel in that -bedde that he hathe chosyn now at Frenshys, and thusse I hope he be -sauffe. And I am in dowte whethyr I shall within ij. dayes owther come -home to yow or ellis to goo forthe as ye woote off. No moore, &c. Wretyn -on Frydaye next the Decollacion of Seynt John Baptyst. - -Item, I have the wrythynges off Richard Calle. - - Your sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 262-1: [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.] - - -894 - -DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[264-1] - -_To my wurschypfull cosyn, John Paston, be thys bill delyvered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 or 1477] - -Ryght wurschypfull cosyn, I recommande me un to yowe, thankyng zowe -hertely for the grette chere that ze made me the last tyme that ze were -with me at Norwych, &c. - -And, cosyn, as for the mater that was put in my nowncle Hastynges and -Henry Heydon, I ondyrstand be myn uncle, that ther was made non ende -therin, whech I am ryght sory for. Cosyn, ze be remembred what ze -promysed me that, and so were that myn uncle and Herry Heydon made none -ende therin, that ze wold put the mater in me; and if it please zowe so -for to do, in good faith, cosyn, I schall goo as wele and as ryghtfully -and consciensly as I can for both the partyes. And, cosyn, if it please -zowe to com to Topcroft, and poynt ze what dey when ze will com, -I schall sende for my cosyn to be ther the same day. And, cosyn, I pray -zowe to sende me worde agayn be the brynger of thys letter, howe ze will -do, &c. - -And Almyghty Jesus hafe zowe in kepyng, &c. - - Be zour cosyn, - - Dame ELIZABETH BREWS. - - [Footnote 264-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is the first of a - series of letters, some of which were certainly written in - February 1477, relating to the engagement of John Paston to - Margery Brews. How early they began it is not easy to say - precisely. On the back of this letter is written, apparently in - the hand of John Paston, to whom it is addressed, 'Letræ dominæ - Elyzabethæ Brews et Margariæ filæ (_sic_) ejus.'] - - -895 - -DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[265-1] - -_Un to my ryght wurschypffull cosyn, John Paston, be thys lettur -delyvered, &c._ - -Ryght wurschypfull cosyn, I recommande me un [to] yowe, &c. And I send -my husbonde a bill of the mater that ze knowe of, and he wrote an other -bill to me agayn towchyng the same mater; and he wold that ze schuld go -un to my maistresse yowr modur, and asaye if ze myght gete the hole -xx_li._ in to zowr handes, and then he wolde be more gladd to marye with -zowe, and will gyffe zowe an C_li._ And, cosyn, that day that sche is -maryed, my fadur will gyffe hyr l. merk. But and we acorde, I schall -gyffe yowe a grettere tresur, that is, a wytty gentylwoman, and if I sey -it, bothe good and vertuos; for if I schuld take money for hyr, I wold -not gyffe hyr for a m_li._ But, cosyn, I trust zowe so meche that I wold -thynke her wele besett on zowe, and ze were worthe meche more. And, -cosyn, a lytyll after that ze were gone, come a man fro my cosyn Derby, -and broght me wurde that suche a chance fell that he myght not come at -the day that was set, as I schall let zowe undyrstond more pleynly, when -I speke with zowe, &c. But, cosyn, and it wold please zowe to come agayn -what dey that ze will set, I dare undyrtake that they schall kepe the -same daye; for I wold be glad that, and myn husbond and ze myght acorde -in thys maryage, that it myght be my fortune to make and ende in thys -mater betwene my cosyns and zowe, that yche of zowe myght love other in -frendely wyse, &c. And, cosyn, if thys byll please not zowr entent, -I pray zowe that it may be brent, &c. - -No more unto yowe at thys tyme, but Almyghty Jesus preserve zowe, &c. - - By zowr cosyn, - - Dame ELIZABETH BREWS. - - [Footnote 265-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] _See_ preliminary note - to last letter.] - - -896 - -DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[266-1] - -_To my wurschypfull cosyne, John Paston, be this bill delyveryd, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Cosyn, I recomande me un to yowe, thankyng yowe hertely for the grette -chere that ye made me and all my folkys, the last tyme that I was at -Norwych; and ye promysyd me, that ye wold never breke the mater to -Margery unto suche tyme as ye and I were at a point. But ye hafe made -hyr suche advokett for yowe, that I may never hafe rest nyght ner day, -for callyng and cryeng uppon to brynge the saide mater to effecte, &c. - -And, cosyn, uppon Fryday is Sent Volentynes Day, and every brydde -chesyth hym a make [_mate_]; and yf it lyke yowe to come one Thursday at -nyght, and so purvey yowe, that ye may abyde there tyll Monday, I trusty -to God, that ye schall so speke to myn husband; and I schall prey that -we schall bryng the mater to a conclusyon, &c. For, cosyn, - - It is but a sympill oke, - That [is] cut down at the first stroke. - -For ye will be resonabill, I trust to God, Whech hafe yowe ever in Hys -mercyfull kepyng, &c. - - Be yowr cosyn, Dame ELIZABETH BREWS, - otherwes schall be called be Godds grace. - - [Footnote 266-1: [From Fenn, ii. 208.] It is clear from internal - evidence that this letter was written between the 7th and the 12th - of February, and the fact that St. Valentine's Day (the 14th) fell - on Friday, proves the year to have been 1477. Besides which, we - have distinct references to the matter further on in the dated - correspondence.] - - -897 - -MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[267-1] - -_Unto my ryght welebelovyd Voluntyn, John Paston, Squyer, be this bill -delyvered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Ryght reverent and wurschypfull, and my ryght welebeloved Voluntyne, -I recomande me unto yowe, ffull hertely desyring to here of yowr -welefare, whech I beseche Almyghty God long for to preserve un to Hys -plesur, and yowr herts desyre. And yf it please yowe to here of my -welefar, I am not in good heele of body, nor of herte, nor schall be -tyll I her ffrom yowe; - - For there wottys no creature what peyn that I endure, - And for to be deede, I dare it not dyscure [_discover_]. - -And my lady my moder hath labored the mater to my ffadur full -delygently, but sche can no mor gete then ye knowe of, for the whech God -knowyth I am full sory. But yf that ye loffe me, as I tryste verely that -ye do, ye will not leffe me therefor; for if that ye hade not halfe the -lyvelode that ye hafe, for to do the grettest labur that any woman on -lyve myght, I wold not forsake yowe. - - And yf ye commande me to kepe me true wherever I go, - I wyse I will do all my myght yowe to love and never no mo. - And yf my freends say, that I do amys, - Thei schal not me let so for to do, - Myne herte me bydds ever more to love yowe - Truly over all erthely thing, - And yf thei be never so wroth, - I tryst it schall be better in tyme commyng. - -No more to yowe at this tyme, but the Holy Trinite hafe yowe in kepyng. -And I besech yowe that this bill be not seyn of none erthely creatur -safe only your selffe, &c. - -And thys letter was indyte at Topcroft, with full hevy herte, &c. - - By your own, - - MARGERY BREWS. - - [Footnote 267-1: [From Fenn, ii. 210.]] - - -898 - -MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[268-1] - -_To my ryght welebelovyd cosyn, John Paston, Swyer, be this letter -delyveryd, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Ryght wurschypfull and welebelovyd Volentyne, in my moste umble wyse, -I recommande me un to yowe, &c. And hertely I thanke yowe for the lettur -whech that ye sende me be John Bekarton, wherby I undyrstonde and knowe, -that ye be purposyd to come to Topcroft in schorte tyme, and withowte -any erand or mater, but only to hafe a conclusyon of the mater betwyx my -fader and yowe; I wolde be most glad of any creatur on lyve, so that the -mater myght growe to effect. And ther as ye say, and ye come and fynde -the mater no more towards you then ye dyd afortyme, ye wold no more put -my fader and my lady my moder to no cost ner besenesse, for that cause, -a good wyle aftur, wech causyth myne herte to be full hevy; and yf that -ye come, and the mater take to none effecte, then schuld I be meche mor -sory and full of hevynesse. - -And as for my selfe, I hafe done and undyrstond in the mater that I can -or may, as Good knowyth; and I let yowe pleynly undyrstond, that my -fader wyll no mor money parte with all in that behalfe, but an C_li._ -and l. marke, whech is ryght far fro the acomplyshment of yowr desyre. - -Wherfore, yf that ye cowde be content with that good, and my por -persone, I wold be the meryest mayden on grounde; and yf ye thynke not -yowr selffe so satysfyed, or that ye myght hafe mech mor good, as I hafe -undyrstonde be yowe afor; good, trewe, and lovyng volentyne, that ye -take no such labur uppon yowe, as to come more for that mater, but let -is [_it ?_] passe, and never more to be spokyn of, as I may be yowr -trewe lover and bedewoman duryng my lyfe. - -No more un to yowe at thys tyme, but Almyghty Jesus preserve yowe, bothe -body and sowle, &c. - - Be your Voluntyne, - - MARGERY BREWS. - - [Footnote 268-1: [From Fenn, ii. 214.]] - - -899 - -THOMAS KELA TO JOHN PASTON[269-1] - -_Un to my ryght wurschypfull maister, John Paston, Swhyer, be this bill -delivered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Ryght wurschypfull sir, I recomande me un to yowe, lettyng yowe knowe, -as for the yonge gentylwoman, sche owyth yowe hyr good herte and love, -as I knowe be the comynicacion that I hafe hade with hyr for the same. - -And, sir, ye knowe what my maister and my lady hath profered with hyr -CC. merke. And I dar sey, that hyr chambr and areyment schall be worthe -C. merk. And I harde my lady sey, that and the case required, both ye -and sche schuld hafe yowr borde with my lady iij. yer aftr. - -And I understand by my lady, that sche wold that ye schuld labur the -mater to my maister, for it schuld be the bettr. - -And I harde my lady sey, - - That it was a febill oke, - That was kit down at the first stroke. - -And ye be beholdyng un to my lady for hyr good wurde, for sche hath -never preysyd yowe to mech. - -Sir, lyke as I promysyd yowe, I am yowr man, and my good will ye schall -hafe in worde and dede, &c. - -And Jesus hafe yowe in Hys mercyfull kepyng, &c. - - Be yor man, - - THOMAS KELA. - - [Footnote 269-1: [From Fenn, ii. 216.]] - - -900 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[270-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, at Norwyche, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB. 14] - -I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete, that yisterdaye beganne the -grete cowncell, to whyche alle the astats off the londe shall com to, -butt if it be ffor gret and reasonable excusis; and I suppose the cheffe -cawse off thys assemble is, to comon what is best to doo, now uppon the -greet change by the dethe off the Duke of Burgoyne, and ffor the kepyng -off Caleys and the Marchys, and ffor the preservacion off the amyteys -taken late, as weell with Fraunce as now with the Membrys off Flaundres; -wher to I dowt nott ther shall be in all hast bothe the Duks off -Clarance and Glowcestre, wheroff I wolde that my brother E.[270-2] wyst. - -Item, I ffeele butt litell effecte in the labor off W. Alyngton; -neverthelesse I deme it is nott for yow. She shall not passe CC. mark, -as fferr as I can undrestand aparte. - -Item, I will nott fforget yow otherwyse. - -Itt is so that thys daye I heer grett liklyhood, that my Lorde Hastyngs -shall hastely goo to Caleys with greet company; iff I thynke it be for -yow to be on [_one_], I shall nott fforgeet yow. - -Item, thys daye the mater by twyen Mestresse Anne Haulte and me hathe -been soor broken bothe to the Cardinall,[270-3] to my Lorde -Chamberleyn,[270-4] and to my selffe, and I am in goode hope. When I -heer and knowe moor, I shall sende yow worde. - -It semythe that the worlde is alle qwaveryng; it will reboyle somwher, -so that I deme yonge men shall be cherysshyd; take yowr hert to yow. -I ffeer that I can nott be excusyd, but that I shall fforthe with my -Lorde Hastyngs ovyr the see, but I shall sende yow worde in hast, and -iff I goo, I hope nott to tary longe. - -Item, to my brother Edmond. I am like to speke to Mestresse Dyxon in -hast, and som deme that ther shall be condyssendyd, that iff E. P. come -to London that hys costs shall be payed ffor. - -I shall hastely sende yow worde off moor thyngs. - -Wretyn at London, the xiiij. day off Feverer, anno E. iiij^ti xvj. the -Fryday a for Fastyngong. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 270-1: [From Fenn, ii. 204.]] - - [Footnote 270-2: Edmund Paston, who was in the garrison of - Calais.] - - [Footnote 270-3: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.--F.] - - [Footnote 270-4: William, Lord Hastyngs.--F.] - - -901 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[271-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 8] - -Ryght worschepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of recommendacyon, in as -humble wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Modyr, -please yt yow to wett, that the cause that Dame Elizabeth Brews desyreth -to mete with yow at Norwyche, and not at Langley, as I apoyntyd with yow -at my last being at Mawtby, is by my meanys, for my brodyr Thomas -Jermyn, whyche knowyth nought of the mate [_match_], telyth me, that the -causey or ye can comme to Bokenham Fery is so over flowyn that ther is -no man that may on ethe passe it, though he be ryght well horsyd; whyche -is no mete wey for yow to passe over, God defend it. But, all thyngs -rekynyd, it shalbe lesse cost to yow to be at Norwyche, as for a day or -tweyn, and passe not, then to mete at Langly, wher every thyng is dere; -and your horse may be sent home ayen the same Wednysday. - -Modyr, I beseche yow for dyvers causys, that my syster Anne may come -with yow to Norwyche; modyr, the mater is in a resonable good wey, and I -trust with Gods mercy, and with your good help, that it shall take -effect bettyr to myn avauntage then I told yow of at Mawtby; for I trow -ther is not a kynder woman leveing then I shall have to my modyr in -lawe, if the mater take, nor yet a kynder fadyr in lawe then I shall -have, though be he hard to me as yett. All the cyrcumstancys of the -mater, whyche I trust to tell yow at your comyng to Norwyche, cowd not -be wretyn in iij. levys of paper, and ye know my lewd hed well i nough, -I may not wryght longe, wherffor I ffery over all thyngs tyll I may -awayte on yow my selff. I shall do tonnen[272-1] in to your place a -doseyn ale, and bred acordyng, ayenst Wednysday. If Syme myght be -forborn it wer well done, that he war at Norwyche on Wednysday in the -mornyng at markett. - -Dame Elizabeth Brewse shall lye at Jon Cookys; if it myght please yow, -I wold be glad that she myght dyne in your howse on Thursday, for ther -shold ye have most secret talkyng. And modyr, at the reverence of God, -beware that ye be so purveyd for, that ye take no cold by the wey -towards Norwyche, for it is the most peraylous marche that ever was seyn -by eny manys dayes that now lyveth; and I prey to Jesu preserve yow and -yours. - -Wretyn at Topcroft, the viij. day of Marche. - - Your sone and humbyll servaunt, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 271-1: [From Fenn, ii. 220.] This letter evidently - refers to a meeting arranged between Margaret Paston and Dame - Elizabeth Brews on the subject of John Paston's approaching - marriage, which took place in the latter part of the year 1477.] - - [Footnote 272-1: _i.e._ cause to be tunned.] - - -902 - -SIR THOMAS BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON[272-2] - -_To my ryght wurschypfull cosyn, Syr Jhon Paston, Knyght, be this letter -delivered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 8] - -Ryght wurschypfull, and my hertely welebelovyd cosyn, I recommande me -unto yowe, desyring to here of yowr welefar, whech I pray God may be as -contynuall good as I wolde hafe myn own. And, cosyn, the cause of my -wryting un to yow, at thys tyme, is, I fele wele be my cosyn John yowr -broder, that ye hafe undyrstondyng of a mater, whech is in comynicacyon -tochyng a maryage, with Godds grace, to be concluded betwyx my saide -cosyn yowr broder, and my doghter Margery, wheche is far commonyd, and -not yyt concluded, ner noght schall ner may be tyll I hafe answer from -yowe agayn of yowr good will and asent to the seid mater; and also of -the obligacyon weche that I sende yowe herewith; for, cosyn, I wold be -sory to se owther my cosyn yowr broder, or my doghtr, dryvyn to leve so -meane a lyff as thei schuld do yf the vj^xx._li._ [£120], schuld be -payde of ther maryage money. - -And cosyn, I hafe takyn my selfe so nere in levyng of this vj^xx._li._, -that wher as I hade layde upp an C_li._ for the maryage of a yonger -doghter of myn, I hafe nowe lent the saide C_li._ and xx_li._ over that, -to my cosyn yowr broder, to be paide ageyn be suche esy days as the -obligacyon, weche I sende yowe herwyth, specyfyes. And, cosyn, I were -ryght lothe to be stowe so mech uppon one doghter, that the other her -susters schuld far the wars; wherfor, cosyn, yf ye wyll that thys mater -schall take effect undyr suche forme as my cosyn yowr broder hath wretyn -unto yowe, I pray yowe put therto yowr good wylle, and sum of yowr -coste, as I hafe done of myn more largely then ever I purpose to do to -any tweyn of hyr susters, as God knowyth myn entent, Whom I besech to -send yowe yowr levest herts desyr. - -Wretyn at Topcroft, the viij. day of March, &c. - - Be your cosyn, - - THOMAS BREWS, Knight. - - [Footnote 272-2: [From Fenn, ii. 224.] The date of this letter, as - of the last, is fixed by the subject.] - - -903 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[273-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 9] - -I have received yowr letter, and yow[r] man, J. Bykerton, by whom I -knowe all the mater off Mestresse Brews, whyche iff it be as he seythe, -I praye Godde brynge it to a goode ende. - -Item, as for thys mater of Mestresse Barly,[274-1] I holde it but a bare -thynge. I feele weell that itt passyth nott . . . marke. I syghe hyr for -yowr sake. She is a lytell onys; she maye be a woman heer aftre, iff she -be nott olde nowe; hir person semyth xiij. yere off age; hyr yerys, men -sey, ben full xviij. She kowyth nott of the mater, I suppose; -neverthelesse she desyryd to see me as gladde as I was to se hyr. - -I praye yow sende me some wryghtyng to Caleys off yowr spede with -Mestresse Brewys. Bykerton tellyth me that she lovyth yow weell. Iff I -dyed, I hadde lever ye hadde hyr than the Lady Wargrave; neverthelesse -she syngeth weell with an harpe. - -Clopton is aferde off Sir T. Greye, for he is a wydower now late, and -men sey that he is aqueyntyd with hyr of olde. - -No more. Wretyn on Sondaye, the ix. daye off Marche, anno E. iiij^ti -xvij^o to Caleys warde. - - * * * - -Iff ye have Mestresse Brews, and E. Paston Mestresse Bylyngford, ye be -lyke to be bretheryn. - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 273-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 274-1: Fenn reads this name Burly, but I think - erroneously.] - - -904 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[274-2] - -_Thys bylle be delyverd to Thomas Grene, good man of the George, by -Powlys Wharffe, or to hys wyff, to send to Sir John Paston, wherso evere -he be, at Caleys, London, or other placys._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 9] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, and my most good and kynde brodyr, in as humbyll -wyse as I can, I recomand me to yow. Sir, it is so that I have, sythe -John Bekurton departyd fro hens, ben at Toppcrofft at Syr Tohmas Brewse; -and as for the mater that I sent yow word of by Jon Bekurton, towchyng -my sylff and Mastress Margery Brews, I am yet at no serteynte, hyr fadyr -is so hard; but I trow I have the good wyll of my lady hyr modyr and -hyr; but as the mater provyth, I shall send yow woord, with Godes grace, -in short tyme. - -But as for John Bekurton, I prey yow dele with hym for suerte as a -soudyor shold be delt with; trust hym never the more for the bylle that -I sent yow by hym, but as a man at wylde, for every thyng that he told -me is not trewe; for he departyd with ought lycence of hys mastyr, Syr -Thomas Brewse, and is fere endangeryd [_indebted_] to dyvers in thys -contrey. I prey God that I wryght not to yow of hym to late; but for all -thys I knowe none untrowthe in hym; but yet I prey yow, trust hym not -over myche upon my woord. - -Syr, Perse Mody[275-1] recomandyth hym to your mastyrshep, and besecheth -yow to send hym word in hast, hough he shall be demeanyd at your place -at Caster; for he is asygnyd to no body as yet, to take of mete and -drynk, nor yet wher that he shall have money to paye for hys mete and -drynk; and now is the cheff replenysheing of your warenn there, the -avauntage of the dove howse wer well for hym, tyll ye come hom your -sylff. - -Sir, I prey yow pardon me of my wryghtyng, hough so ever it be, for -carpenters of my crafte that I use now, have not alderbest ther wyttys -ther owne. And Jesu preserve yow. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the ix. day of Marche, anno E iiij^ti septimo -decymo. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 274-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 275-1: Perse Moody was a servant of Sir John Paston's, - now at Caister.--F.] - - -905 - -SIR THOMAS BREWS[275-2] - -[Sidenote: 1477] - -Memorandum.--To let my cosyn, Margaret Paston, ondyrstand that for a -jontor to be mad in Sweynsthorp in hand, and for a jontore of no more -but x. mark ought of Sparham, I wylle depart with CC. mark in hand, and -to give theym ther boord free as for ij. or iij. yer in serteyn, or -ellys CCC. mark with ought ther boord, payable by l. mark yerly tyll the -some of CCC. mark be full payed. - -Item, I wyll geve CCCC. mark, payable l_li._, in hand at the day of -maryage, and l_li._ yerly tyll the some of CCCC. mark be full payed upon -thes condycyons folowing. - -Wher of on condycyon is thys, that I wyll lend my cosyn John Paston -vj^xx._li._, besyd hys maryage money, to pledge ought the maner of -Sweynsthorpe, so that he may fynd syche a frend as wyll pay me a yen the -seyd vj^xx._li._ by xx. mark a yer, so that it be not payed of the -maryage money, nor of the propre goodes of my seyd cosyn John. - -Or ellys, an other condycyon is thys, if it be so that my seyd cosyn -John may be suffred, fro the day of hys maryage to my doughter, to take -the hole profites of the maner of Sparham, besyde the maner of -Sweynsthorpe, for terme of ther two lyves, and the longest of theym -leveing, yet wyll I be agreable to depart with the seyd CCC. mark, -payable ayen in forme above seyd [_and to geve theym ther boord for a -yer or two_].[276-1] - -And if thes or eny of the conclusyons may be takyn, I am agreable to -make the bargayn swer, or ellys no more to be spokyn of. - - [Footnote 275-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This paper was evidently - drawn up about the same time as the last letter. It is a draft in - John Paston's handwriting, but is evidently written as in the name - of Sir Thomas Brews. It is endorsed in a more modern hand: 'A - determinacion of Sir Tho. Brews how much he would gyve with his - daughter Margery in mariage.'] - - [Footnote 276-1: These words are crossed out with the pen.] - - -906 - -JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[276-2] - -_To Master Sir John Paston, be this letter delyverid in Calis._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / [MARCH]] - -Honwre and joye be to yow, my ryght gode master, and most assured -brother; letyng yow know that al yowre welwillers and servaunts, in -these partyes, that I know, fare well, and better wold, if they mowht -here of yowre wellbeyng, and forthwith sum of yowre Frenche and Borgoyne -tidyngs; ffor we in these partyes be in grete drede lest the French Kyng -with sum assaults shuld in eny wise distourbe yow of yowr soft, sote -[_sweet_], and sewre slepys, but as yet we no thyng can here that he so -disposeth hym. - -Mary, we have herd sey, that the frowys[277-1] of Broggys, with there -hye cappes, have gyven sum of yow grete clappys, and that the fete of -her armys doyng is such, that they smyte al at the mowthe, and at the -grete ende of the thyeh; but in faith we care not for yow, for we know -well that ye be gode ynowh at defence. But we here sey, that they be of -such corage, that they gyve yow moo strokys than ye do to them, and that -they strike sorer than ye also. But I thynk that the English ladyes and -jentylwomen, and the pore also, can do as well as they, and lyst not to -lerne of them no thyng; and therefor we drede lest ther hye corages -shuld meve them to make yow warre also. But God defend, for by my trowth -than have ye much to do; for hit were better and more ese for to labor -iij. or fowre dayes with mattokks and pykeisys to over turne yowr sande -hills, as we here saye ye do ryht wurshipfully, than only one day to -endure theyre fers encountrys; so as ye myht owther gete or save yowr -wurshippys by; and loke that ye trust to have no rescow of us, for, so -God me helpe, we have y nowh to do in these partyes with the same werrs. -But in one thyng we preyse yowre sadnessys and discrecionys ryht much, -that is, in kepyng of yowr trewse and pese with the Kyng of Fraunce, as -the Kyng hath commaundid; and a grete reson why, for hit were to much -for yow to have werre with all the world at onys, ffor the werre a fore -seid kepith yow blameles; ffor every resonable man wetyth well, that hit -is to much for eny pepyll levyng to do bothe at onys. - -Syr, as for the more parts off my thowht, I praye yow recomaunde me un -to yowr self, prayyng yow that y may contynew in such case as yowr -godenes hath taken me of old, and if ye lyst to send eny tydyngs, or -other thyng to the partyes that were wont to warme theym by yowr fyre, -in feith I shall do yowr erand. - -And as for barley, hit is of the same pryce that hit was wont to be of, -and is the most sure corne, and best enduryng that may be. And, syr, -where that sumtyme was a lytyll hole in a wall, is now a dore large -ynowh and esy passage, whereof ye were the deviser, and have thank for -yowr labor of sum partyes, but no thyng lastyth evyr. Y mene that y -trow, my passage shall hastyly faile me, and the dore shalbe shet up -agayne, lesse than Fortun be agreable to have my counseile kept; for not -long ago, makyng my entre at that passage, I saw a sparow that useth -those ewrys [_eireys_], and I saw her sytt so stille that y cowde not -endure, but y must neds shote her, and so, God me help, I smote her, -I trow evyn to the hert; and so I drede me lest owther the barley wyll -ete the sparow, or ells the sparow wyll ete the barley, but as yet all -is well, but reson shewt me that hit must neds fayle by contynewauns, -lesse than I forsake bothe the sparow and the barley also.[278-1] - -Syr, I have thank for the shew that I onys made of yow and daily -gramercy, and ye theire prayer. - -Syr, forthemore I beseche yow, as ye wyll do eny thyng for me, that ye -se o day for my sake, and for yowr own plesure, all the gode hors in -Caleys, and if ther be among theym eny pric[278-2] horse of deds, that -is to sell, in especiall that he be well trottyng of his owne corage, -with owte fors[278-3] of sporis, and also a steryng [_stirring_] hors if -he be, he is the better; I pray yow send me word of his color, deds, and -corage, and also of his price, feynyng as ye wold by hym yowrself, and -also I wold have hym sumwhat large, not with the largest; but no smalle -hors, as more than a dowble hors; prayyng yow above all thyngs to have -this in remembrauns, and that hastily as may be, for ther is late -promysed me help to such an entent, and I wote not how long hit shall -endure; and therfor I beseche yow send me word by tyme. - -I trow the Frenshe men have taken up al the gode hors in Pycardye, and -also they be wont to be hevy hors in labor, and that I love not, but a -hevy hors of flesh, and lyht of corage y love well, for y love no hors -that wyll al way be lene and slender like grehounds. God kepe yow. - - Yowr, - - J. PYMPE. - -Y pray yow to recomaund me to my cosyn Sir John Scot and all his, in -especiall Mastres Benyngfeld.[279-1] - - [Footnote 276-2: [From Fenn, ii. 226.] This letter, Fenn tells us, - was endorsed under the address in a handwriting of the time which - he believed to be Sir John Paston's--'Jon Pympe, xvj. die Mar'., - anno E. 4, 17,' showing the date at which it was received.] - - [Footnote 277-1: _Frau's_, _i.e._ women. The writer's pleasantry - in this passage is certainly rather coarse.] - - [Footnote 278-1: Perhaps this enigmatical passage may have - reference to the Mrs. Barly mentioned in No. 903.] - - [Footnote 278-2: In the modern version, Fenn reads here, 'any - prized horse of deeds,' a reading which seems to me questionable.] - - [Footnote 278-3: 'Fort' in Fenn, which is probably a misprint, as - the word is spelled 'force' on the opposite page.] - - [Footnote 279-1: Margaret, daughter of Sir John Scot, and wife to - Edmund Bedingfeld.--F.] - - -907 - -JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[279-2] - -_To Syr John Paston, Knyht, be this delyverid in Calice._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / [MARCH?]] - -Master Paston, I recommaund me to yow; and by cause that I have wrytyn -to yow iij. long letteres; which as yet be answereles, I wote not -whether that the length of mater acumbred yow, or elles the simpylnes of -the effect displesid yow, or elles that ye have utterly refusid the -proferes of my pore servyce and frendeship; but which of these soo ever -hit be, hit hevyeth me. - -Syr, hit nedith not, I trow, to send yow the tidynges of these partyes, -how be hit I have thryes send yow such as here were, in entent that ye -shuld send us of yowres; but as long as my lord and yowres is there, ye -can not faile to have the certeynte of all owre English aventures, which -is grete ese to yowr frendes and servauntes in this contre, for so much -as they may make her letteres shorter by so much. - -Syr, at the wrytyng of this letter, I was in Kent, where all thyng that -I rejoisid, I wishid yow part of, or all; and as for myself, I am styll -yowr servaunt and bedeman, and so am bownd to be so sore and sewrely, -that I can not unbynde me. - -Syr, this is the v. letter that I have sent yow, whereyn thys entent -that folowyth was all wayes on, that is to say, that hit plesid yow sum -on day to take so much labour for me for to se the jentyllest hors in -Calice that is to be sold, and to lett me know of his colowre, dedes, -and price, remembryng that he be also large as mesure wyll, for I love -no small hors, nor hors that wyll evyr be lene and slendyr; but I wold -have hym hye truttyng, if hit wylbe, and if he be styryng with all, he -shall plese me the better, for I wuld have hym all for the plesur, and -for the werre, but if he myht be for bothe. Veryly ther is no tidynges -on that side the se, safe only the welfare of yow and all other there, -that I wuld so fayne here of as of a jentyll trottyng hors that were -lyght and pleasaunt in dedes, if eny such be there. Flemysh hors I thenk -ye have y nowh that wyll play for a myle or ij., but such we have here -also; how be hit I pray yow send me word of yowre store, and be sewre of -the price, if ye like eny, or elles let sum man for yow. - -No more, but God kepe yow, prayyng yow to recommaund me to my cosyn Syr -John Scot, and to Syr Tyry Robsert. Let the letter be sent to the -godewif of yowr loggyng. - - By yowr JOHN PYMPE. - - [Footnote 279-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was probably - written about the end of March 1477, as the first of the three - which preceded (No. 906) was received by Sir John in Calais on the - 16th of the month.] - - -908 - -JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[280-1] - -_To Master Sir John Paston, Knight, be this letter delyvered in Calis._ - -[Sidenote: 1477] - - Fresh amorouse sihts of cuntreys ferre and straunge - Have all fordoone[280-2] your old affeccion; - In plesurys new, your hert dooth score and raunge - So hye and ferre, that like as the fawcon - Which is alofte, tellith scorne to loke a down - On hym that wont was her feders to pyke and ympe;[281-1] - Ryht so forgotyn ye have your pore Pympe, - - That wrytith, sendith, and wisshith alday your wele - More than his owne; but ye ne here, ne se, - Ne sey, ne send, and evyr I write and sele - In prose and ryme, as well as hit will be. - Sum evyll tong, I trow, myss sayeth of me - And ells your fast and feithfull frendelynes - Ye thenk mysspent on such as I, I gesse. - - I wyll abate my customable concourse, - To yow so costuouse,[281-2] whan so evyr ye com agayn, - Which that I fele of reson, by the course - Of my proferid servyce, hath made yow so unfayne; - For veryly the water of the fowntayne - With brede only forthwith yowre presens - Me shuld content much more than your expense. - - But ay deme I thus that Fortun hath hyryd yow, - For she but late of sorowys moo than many - Hath rakyd un to myn hert an hepe more than a moowe, - And wuld that ye shuld ley thereon on hye - Your hevy unkyndenes to make hit fast to lye, - And God knowth well hit cannot long lye there - But hit wyll bryng me to the chirch bere. - - Take hit awaye therefore, y praye yow fayre, - For hardyly my hert beryth hevy y nowh, - For there is Sorow at rest as in hys chayre, - Fixid so fast with hys prikks rowh, - That in gode feith I wote not whan I lowh,[281-3] - For, Master Paston, the thyng whereon my blisse - Was holly sette, is all fordoone, I wysse. - - By your JOHN PYMPE, - thes beyng the vj. letter that I have send yow. - -Alway prayyng yow to remembre the hors that I have in every letter -wryten for; as thus, that hit wuld plese yow to undrestond who hath the -gentyllest hors in trottyng and steryng that is in Calis, and if he be -to sell, to send me word of hys pris, largenesse, and colour. Hytt is -told me, that the Master Porter hath a coragiouse ronyd hors, and that -he wuld putt hym away by cause he is daungerous in companye; and of that -I force [_care_] not, so that he be not chorlissh at a spore, as -plungyng; and also I sett not by hym, but if he trotte hye and gentilly. -No more, but God kepe yow. - - JOHN PYMPE. - - [Footnote 280-1: [From Fenn, ii. 234.] We may as well place this - letter--the only remaining one of the series that has been - preserved--immediately after the other two. John Pympe seems to - have been a very industrious correspondent, and the art of - writing, in prose or verse, came to him very easily.] - - [Footnote 280-2: Destroyed.--F.] - - [Footnote 281-1: A term in Falconry, signifying the adding a piece - to a feather in a hawk's wing.--F.] - - [Footnote 281-2: Expensive.] - - [Footnote 281-3: Laughed? Fenn in his modern version reads 'when I - love.'] - - -909 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[282-1] - -_To hys weell belovyd brother, John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1477] - -I recomande me to yow, letyng yow weete that I receyvyd a letter of -yowres by Edward Hensted ij. dayes aftre that Whetley was departyd from -me, whyche he hadde forgetyn in hys caskett, as he seyde, wheroff I -sholde have sent yow answer by Whetley, iff I had hadde it toffore he -wente, notwithstandyng I am ryght lothe to wryghte in that mater offte; -for for a conclusion I wrote to my moodre by Peerse Moody alle that I -myght and wolde doo ther in. Ye have also nowe wretyn ageyn. Yow neede -nott to praye me to doo that myght be to yowr profyght and worship, that -I myght doo ofter than ones, or to late me weete theroff; for to my -power I wolde do for yow, and take as moche peyne for yowr weell, and -remembre itt when per case ye sholde nott thynke on it yowr selffe. -I wolde be as gladde that one gaffe yow a maner of xx_li._ by yeer, as -iff he gave it to my selff by my trowthe. - -Item, wher ye thynke that I may with concience recompence it ageyn on to -owr stokke off other londys that I have off that valywe in fee symple, -it is so that Snaylwell, by my grauntefadres will ones, and by my fadris -will sceconderely, is entaylyd to the issyw of my fadres body. - -Item, as for Sporle xx_li._ by yeer, I hadde ther off butt xx. marke by -yere, whyche xx. marke by yeer and the x. marke ovyr, I have endangeryd, -as ye weell knowe off that bargayne, whyche, iff itt be nott redemyd, -I most recompence some other maner off myne to one off my bretheryn for -the seyde x. marke, ovyr xx. marke that longyth to me; wherffor I kepe -the maner off Runham. Than have I fe symple londe the maner of Wynterton -with Bastwyk and Billys, whyche in alle is nott xx. marke by yeer, -whyche is nott to the valywe off the maner off Sparham. And as for -Castre, it weer noo convenyent londe to exchange for suche a thyng, nor -it weer not polesy for me to sett that maner in suche case for alle -maner of happis. I nede nott to make thys excuse to yowe, but that yowr -mynde is troblyd. I praye yow rejoyse nott yowr sylffe to moche in hope -to opteyne thynge that alle yowr freendys may nott ease yow off; for if -my moodre were dysposyd to gyve me and any woman in Ingelande the best -maner that she hathe, to have it to me and my wyffe, and to the heyres -off our too bodyes begotyn, I wolde nott take it off hyr, by God. - -Stablysshe your selffe uppon a goode grownde, and grace shall folowe. -Yowr mater is ferre spoken off, and blowyn wyde, and iff it preve noo -better, I wolde that it had never be spoken off. Also that mater noysyth -me that I am so onkynde that I lett alle togedre. I thynke notte a mater -happy, nor weell handelyd, nor poletykly dalte with, when it can never -be fynysshyd with owte an inconvenyence; and to any suche bargayne I -kepe never to be condescentyng, ner of cowncell. Iffe I weer att the -begynnyng of suche a mater, I wolde have hopyd to have made a better -conclusyon, if they mokke yow notte. Thys mater is drevyn thus ferforthe -with owte my cowncell, I praye yow make an ende with owte my cowncell. -Iffe it be weell, I wolde be glad; iff it be oderwyse, it is pite. -I praye yow troble me no moore in thys mater. . . .[283-1] - - [Footnote 282-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is clearly - written in answer to an application by John Paston to his brother - to aid him in making arrangements with Sir Thomas Brews in the - spring of 1477. Although the signature is lost, the handwriting is - that of Sir John Paston.] - - [Footnote 283-1: The lower part of this letter seems to have been - cut off, and how much is lost does not appear.] - - [[for for a conclusion I wrote to my moodre - _text unchanged: probably not an error_]] - - -910 - -JOHN PASTON AND MARGERY BREWS[284-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477] - -Memorandum.--To kepe secret fro my moder that the bargayn is full -concludyd. - -Item, to let hyr have fyrst knowlage that in the chapell, wher as ye -wold had ben no book nye by x. myle, that whyn Mastyr Brews seyd that he -wold shortly have eyther more lond in joyntour then Sweynsthorp and x. -mark ought of Sparham, or ellys that some frend of myne shold paye the -vj^xx._li._, so that it shold not be payed of the maryage money, that -then I sware on a book to hym that I wold never of my mocyon endanger -moder nor broder ferther then I had done; for I thought that my modyr -had done myche for me to geve me the maner of Sparham in syche forme -as she had done. But Mastyr Breus wyll not agre, with ought that my -mastress hys doughter and I be mad swer of it now in hand, and that we -may take the hole profytes, what so ever fortune. - -Item, to enforme my moder that if so be that we may be pute in -possessyon of all the hole maner duryng oure two lyves, and the lengest -of leveing, that then Mastyr Brews wyll geve me in maryage with my -mastresse hys doughter CCCC. markes, payable in hand l_li._, and so -yerly l_li._ tyll the some of CCCC. mark bew full payed. - -Item, that wher as he had leyd up C_li._ for the maryage of a yonger -doughter of hys, he wylle lend me the same C_li._ and xx_li._ more, to -pledge ought my lond, and he to be payed ayen hys C_li._ and xx_li._ by -x_li._ by yer. - -Item, to avyse my modyr that she brek not for the yerly valew of Sparham -above the x. mark dwryng hyr lyve. - - [Footnote 284-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This paper, which is in - John Paston's hand, was evidently written about the same time as - the letter immediately following, in which it is mentioned that - Margaret Paston had given up the manor of Sparham to her son. The - paper is endorsed in a more modern hand: 'Notes touching the - mariage betwene Jo. Paston, Ar', and Margery Brews.'] - - -911 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[285-1] - -_To my ryght worshypfull moodre, Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 28] - -Please it yow to weete, that I have receyvyd yowr letter, wherein is -remembryd the gret hurte, that by liklihod myght ffalle to my brother, -iff so be that thys matter betwyn hym and Sir Thomas Brewses doghtre -take nott effecte; wheroff I wolde be as sory as hym selffe reasonably; -and also the welthy and convenyent marriage that scholde be iff it take -effecte; wheroff I wolde be as gladde as any man; and ame better content -nowe, that he sholde have hyr, than any other, that evyr he was -hertoffoor abowte to have hadde, consyderyd hyr persone, her yowthe, and -the stok that she is comyn offe, the love on bothe sydes, the tendre -ffavor that she is in with hyr ffader and mooder, the kyndenesse off hyr -ffadr and moodr to hyr in departyng with hyr, the ffavor also, and goode -conceyte that they have in my brother, the worshypfull and vertuous -dysposicion off hyr ffadr and moodr, whyche pronostikyth that, of -lyklihod, the mayde sholde be vertuous and goode; all which concyderyd, -and the necessary relyffe that my brother most have, I mervayle the -lesse, that ye have departyd, and gevyn hym the maner off Sperham, in -such fforme as I have knowleche off by W. Gornay, Lomner, and Skypwyth; -and I ame ryght gladde to se in yow suche kyndenesse on to my brother as -ye have doon to hym; and wolde by my trowthe lever than C_li._ that it -weer ffee symple londe, as it is entaylyd, whyche by liklyhood scholde -prosper with hym and hys blode the better in tyme to come, and sholde -also never cause debate in owr bloode in tyme to come, whyche Godde -dyffende, ffor that weer onnaturell. - -Item, another inconvenyence is, wher as I undrestande that the maner is -gevyn to my brother, and to hys wyff, and to the issywe bytwen them -bygoten; iff the case weer soo, that he and she hadde yssywe togedr a -dowtr or moo, and hys wyffe dyed, and he maried afftr another, and hadde -issywe a sone, that sone sholde have noon londe, and he beyng hys -ffadres heyr, and ffor th'enconvenyence that I have knowe let in -ur[286-1] in case lyke, and yit enduryth in Kente, by tweyn a jentylman -and his suster, I wolde ye toke the advyce off yowr concell in thys -poynt, and that that is past yow by wrightyng or by promise, I deme -verrely in yow, that ye dyd it off kyndenesse, and in eschywyng off a -moor yll that myght befall. - -Item, wher as it pleasyth yow that I sholde ratefye, grawnt, or conferme -the seyd gyfte on to my brother, it is so, that with myn honeste I may -nott, and ffor other cawses. The Pope will suffre a thyng to be usyd, -but he will nott lycence nor grant it to be usyd nor don, and soo I. My -brother John knowyth myn entent weel i now heer to ffoor in this mater; -I will be ffownde to hym as kynde a brother as I may be. - -Item, iff it be soo that Sir T. Brews and hys wyff thynke that I wolde -troble my brother and hys wyff in the seid maner, I can ffynde no meene -to putte them in sywerte ther off, but iff it neede, to be bownde in an -obligacion with a condicion that I shalle nott trowble ner infete them -therin. - -Item, I thynke that she is made sywer i now in astate in the londe, and -that off ryght I deme they shall make noone obstacles at my wryghtyng, -ffor I hadde never none astate in the londe, ner I wolde nott that I had -hadde. - -No mor to yow at thys tyme, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xxviij. daye of Marche, anno E. iiij. xvij^{o}. - - By yowr sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 285-1: [From Fenn, ii. 238.]] - - [Footnote 286-1: In ure, _i.e._ in practice.] - - [[J. PASTON, K. - _comma invisible_]] - - -912 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[287-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / APRIL 14] - -Ryght worshypfull and hertely belovyd brother, I recomaunde me to yow, -letyng yow weete, that as by Pyrse Moody, when he was heer, I hadde no -leyser to sende answer in wryghtyng to yow, and to my cosyne Gurnaye, -off yowr letteris; butt ffor a conclusion ye shalle ffynde me to yow as -kynde as I maye be, my conciense and worshyp savyd, whiche, when I speke -with yow and them, ye bothe shall weell undrestande. And I praye God -sende yow as goode speede in that mater as I wolde ye hadde, and as I -hope ye shall have er thys letter come to yow; and I praye God sende yow -yssywe betwyne yow, that maye be as honorable as ever was any off your -ancestris and theris, wheroff I wolde be as gladde in maner as off myn -owne. Wherffor I praye yow sende me worde how ye doo, and iff Godde -ffortune me to doo weell, and be off any power, I woll be to Sir Thomas -Brewse, and my lady hys wyffe, a verry sone in lawe ffor yowr sake, and -take them as ye doo, and doo ffor them as iff I weer in case like with -them as ye bee. No moor, but Jesus have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xiiij. daye off Aprill, anno E. iiij. xvij^{o}. - -As ffor tydyngs her, the Frenshe Kynge hathe gothen many off the towns -off the Duk of Burgoyne, as Seynt Quyntyns, Abevyle, Motrell; and now -off late he hathe goten Betoyne and Hedynge with the castell ther, -whyche is one off the ryallest castells off the worlde; and on Sonday at -evyn the Ameralle off Fraunce leyde seege at Boloyne; and thys daye it -is seyde, that the Frenshe Kynge shalle come thyddr; and thys nyght it -is seyde, that ther was a vysion seyne abowte the walls of Boloyne, as -it hadde ben a woman with a mervylowse lyght; men deme that Owr Lady -ther will shewe hyrselff a lover to that towne. God fforfende that it -weer Frenshe, it weer worthe xl.m^l._li._ [£40,000] that it wer -Englyshe. - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 287-1: [From Fenn, ii. 244.]] - - -913 - -MARGARET PASTON TO DAME ELIZABETH BREWS[288-1] - -_To the ryght wurchypfull and my verry good [lady and cosyn, Dame -Elyzabet][288-2] Brews._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / JUNE 11] - -Ryght wurchepful and my cheff lady and cosyn, as hertly as I can, -I recomaunde me to yow. Madam, lyeketh yow to undyrstand that the cheff -cause of my wrytyng to yow at thys season ys thys: I wot well yt ys not -unremembred with yow the large comunycacyon that dyvers tymes hathe ben -had towchyng the maryage of my cosyn Margery, yowyr dowghter, and my son -John; of whyche I have ben as glad, and now late wardes as sory, as evyr -I was for eny maryage in myn lyve. And wher or in whom the defawte of -the breche ys, I can have no perfyte knowlage; but, madam, yf yt be in -me or eny of myn, I prey yow assygne a day when my cosyn yowyr husbond -and ye thynk to be at Norwych to wardes Salle, and I wyll com theder to -yow; and I thynk or ye and I departe, that the defawte schall be knowe -where yt ys, and also that, with yowyr advyse and helpe and myn to -gedyrs, we schall take some wey that yt schal not breke; for yf yt dyd, -yt wer non honoure to neyther partyes, and in cheff to them in whom the -defawte ys, consyderyng that it ys so ferre spokun. - -And, madam, I prey yow that I may have perfyte knowlage be my son -Yelverton,[288-3] berar here of, when thys metyng schall be, yf ye thynk -it expedyent, and the soner the better, in eschewyng of worsse; for, -madam, I know well, yf yt be not concludyd in ryght schort tyme, that as -for my son he entendyth to doo ryght well by my cosyn Margery, and not -so well by hym sylf, and that schuld be to me, nor I trust to yow no -gret plesur, yf yt so fortunyd, as God deffend, Whom I beseche to send -yow your levest desyers. - -Madam, I besech yow that I may be recomawndyd by this bylle to my cosyn -yowr husbond, and to my cosyn Margery, to whom I supposyd to have gevyn -an othyr name or thys tyme. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, on Seynt Barnaby is Day. - - By your, - - MARGARET PASTON. - - [Footnote 288-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is another letter - relative to the negotiations for the marriage of John Paston and - Margery Brews, which took place in 1477.] - - [Footnote 288-2: The words bracketed are indistinct, but we follow - Fenn's reading.] - - [Footnote 288-3: William Yelverton, grandson of Judge Yelverton, - now married to Anne Paston, one of Margaret's daughters.] - - -914 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[289-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / JUNE 23] - -I recomand me to yow, letyng yow weete that I have spoken to Herry -Colett,[289-2] and entretyd hym in my best wyse ffor yow, soo that at -the last he is agreyd to a resonable respyght ffor the xv_li._ that ye -sholde have payd hym at Mydsomer, as he seyth, and is gladde to do yow -ease or plesyr in all that he maye; and I tolde hym that ye wolde, as I -supposyd, be heer at London, herr nott long to, and than he lokyth afftr -that ye sholde come see hym, ffor he is sheryff, and hathe a goodely -hows. - -Item, my Lady off Oxenfforth[289-3] lokyth afftr yow and Arblaster -bothe. - -My Lord off Oxenfford[289-4] is nott comen in to Inglonde that I can -perceyve, and so the goode lady hathe nede off helpe and cowncell howe -that she shall doo. - -No moor at thys tyme, butt God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn att London on Seynt Awdryes Daye, anno E. iiij^ti xvij^{o}. - -Tydyngs butt that yisterdaye my Lady Marqueys off Dorset,[290-1] whych -is my Lady Hastyngs dowtr, hadyd chylde a sone. - -Item, my Lord Chamberleyn is comyn hyddr ffro Caleys, and redyn with the -Kynge to Wyndeshor, and the Kyng will be here ageyn on Mondaye. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 289-1: [From Fenn, ii. 248.]] - - [Footnote 289-2: Sir Henry Colet was Lord Mayor of London in - 1486.--F.] - - [Footnote 289-3: Margaret, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of - Salisbury; she was, during the imprisonment of her lord, in great - distress.--F.] - - [Footnote 289-4: John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was at this time a - prisoner in the Castle of Hammes, in Picardy; what expectation - there was of his coming into England at this time I know not.--F.] - - [Footnote 290-1: Cecily, wife of Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, - was great grand-daughter and heir of William Bonvile, Lord - Bonvile, who was beheaded by order of Margaret of Anjou, after the - second battle of St. Albans in 1461.] - - -915 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[290-2] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / JUNE 29] - -Ryght worchepfull and my most good and kynd moder. Moder, in as humbyll -wyse as I can or may, I recomand me to yow, and beseche yow of your -dayly blyssyng. Moder, please it yow to undyrstond that tyll thys day -Dame Elyzabeth Brews hathe ben so syke that she myght nevyr, sythe she -cam to Salle, have leyser to comon of my mater with Master Brews tyll -thys day; and thys day with gret peyn, I thynk the rather because -Heydon[290-3] was ther, the mater was comond, but other answer than she -hathe sent yow in hyr lettre closed her in can she not have of hyr -husbond. Wherfor, modyr, if it please yow, myn advyse is to send hyr -answer ayen in thys forme folowing, of some other manys hand. - -[_Margaret Paston to Dame Elyzabeth Brews._] - -'Ryght worchepfull and my verry good lady and cosyn, as hertly as I can, -I recomand me to yow. And, madam, I am ryght sory, if it myght be -otherwyse, of the dysease, as I undyrstand by the berer herof, that my -cosyn your husbond and ye also have had a season, whyche I prey God -soone to redresse to your bothe easeis. And, madam, I thank yow hertly -that ye have remembred the mater to my cosyn your husbond, that I spak -with you of at syche tyme as I was last with you at Norwyche, to my gret -comfort. And I wyse, madam, I am ryght sory that John Paston is no more -fortunate then he is in that mater; for, as I undyrstand by your lettyr, -my cosyn your husbond wyll geve but an C_li._, whyche is no money lyek -for syche a joyntore as is desyred of my son, thow hys possybylyte wer -ryght easy. But, madam, when I mad that large grant in the maner of -Sperham that I have mad to hym and my cosyn your doughter, he told me of -an other some that he shold have with hyr then of an C_li._ He hathe -befor thys be wont to tell me none untrowthe; and what I shall deme in -thys mater, I can not sey, for me thynkyth if more then an C_li._ wer -promysyd on to hym by my cosyn your husbond and yow, that ye wold not -lett to geve it hym, with ought so wer that I or he abryggyd eny thyng -of our promess, whyche I wot well neyther I or he intend to do, if I may -undyrstand that hys seying to me was trowthe, and that it may be -performyd; but wyst I that he told me otherwyse then my cosyn yowr -husbond and ye promysed hym, to deseyve me of Sparham, by my trowthe, -thow he have it, he shall lese as myche for it, iff I leve, and that -shall he well undyrstand the next tyme I se hym. - -'And, madam, I pray God send us good of thys mater, for as for hys -broder Sir John also, I sent ones to hym for it to have mad good the -same graunt that I grauntyd yow with hys assent, to them and to ther -issu of ther ij. bodyes lawfully comyng, and he dyd not ther in as I -desyred hym. And ther for I prey yow pardon me for sendyng on to hym eny -more; for, madam, he is my sone, and I can not fynd in my hert to becom -a dayly petycyoner of hys, sythe he hathe denyed me onys myn axing. -Peraventure he had ben better to have performyd my desyer; and what hys -answer was on to me, John Paston can tell yow as well as I. But, madam, -ye ar a moder as well as I, wher I prey tak it non other wyse bot well, -that I may not do by John Paston, as ye wyll have me to do; for, madam, -thow I wold he dyd well, I have to purvey for more of my chylder then -hym, of whyche some be of that age, that they can tell me well inow that -I dele not evenly with theym to geve John Paston so large, and theym so -lytyll; and, madam, for syche grwgys and other causys, I am ryght sory -that the graunte is knowyn that I have mad, with ought it myght take -effect. And therfor, madam, fro hensforthe I remyght all thyng to yowr -dyscressyon, besechyng yow, the rather for my sake, to be my son Johnis -good lady; and I prey God preserve yow to Hys plesure, send yow hastyly -yowr hele ayen, and my cosyn yowr husbond also, to whom I prey yow that -I may hertly be recomandyd, and to my cosyns Margery and Margaret -Byllyngforthe. - -'Wretyn at Mawtby, on Seynt Petrys Day. - - 'Yowr, - - 'MARGARET PASTON.' - - -_'An other lettyr to me that I may shewe._ - -'I gret yow well, and send you Godes blessyng and myn, letyng yow wet -that I undyrstand well by my cosyn, Dame Elyzabeth Brewsys lettyr, -whyche I sende yow her with, wherby ye may undyrstand the same, that -they intend not to performe thos proferys that ye told me they promysyd -yow, trustyng that ye told me none other wyse then was promysed yow. -Wherfor I charge yow on my blyssyng that ye be well ware how ye bestow -your mynd with ought ye have a substance wher upon to leve; for I wold -be sory to wet yow myscary; for if ye do, in your defawt looke never -aftyr helpe of me. And also I wold be as sory for hyr as for eny -gentywoman leveing, in good feythe; wherfor I warne yow, be ware in eny -wyse; and look ye be at Mawtby with me as hastyly as ye can, and then I -shall tell yow more. And God kepe yow. - -'Wretyn at Mawtby, on Seynt Petrys Day. - - 'Your modyr, - - 'M. P.' - - [Footnote 290-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, with the - two subjoined, are drafts written on the same paper in John - Paston's hand. They must belong to the year 1477, being on the - same subject, already so often referred to, of the negotiations - for John Paston's marriage. Fenn had added addresses to all these - letters, and a signature to the first, which are not in the - original MS.] - - [Footnote 290-3: John Heydon of Baconsthorpe, who died on the 27th - September 1479.--Inquisition p.m., 19 Edw. IV., No. 72.] - - -916 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[293-1] - -_To the ryght worshypfull Mestresse Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 7] - -Please it yow to weete that I have receyvyd yowr letter, wretyn the -Tywesdaye nexte afftre Seynt James Daye, wherin ye desyre me to remembre -Kokett, and also to be helpyng to my brother Johnes mariage. As for -Kokett, as God helpe me, I knowe nott yitt the meanes possible that I -myght paye hym by thatt daye, ffor thoos materis that be off grettest -wyght and charge, and that stonde nerrest my weell, that is to seye, the -sywerte off the maner off Castre, and the mater betwen Anne Hault and me -shall, with Goddes grace, thys terme be at a perffyght ende, whyche will -charge me fferther than I have mony as yitt, or lyke to have byffor that -tyme, off myne owne, and, as God helpe me, I wote nott where to borow. - -Item, I most paye with in thys iij. yeer iiij^c. [400] marke to -Towneshende, or ellis fforffett the maner off Sporle, and thus my -charges be gretter than I maye a weye with, concidryd suche helpe as I -have; and iff it ffortunyd that I fforffetyd the maner off Sporle, ye -weer never lyke to se me myry afftre, so God helpe me. Ye gave me ones -xx_li._ to it wardes, and ye promyttyd as moche, whyche I receyvyd, and -synnys off my mony off seide maner growyng that come to yowr handys was -receyvyd by yow ageyn the seyd xl_li._, whyche, when Kokett scholde be -payed, was nott yowr ease to departe wyth. Neverthelesse ye may yitt, -when yow lyketh, perfforme yowr sayde gyffte and promyse, and thys somme -owyng to Kokett is nott so moche; neverthelesse I suppose that ye be -nott so weell purveyed. Wherffor, iff it please yow at yowr ease her -afftre to performe yowr seyde gyffte and promyse, so that I may have it -with in a yer or ij. or yitt iij., I sholde per case gete yowr -obligacion to yow ageyn ffrom Kokett, and he pleasyd. Wherffor I beseche -yow that I maye have an assyngnement of suche dettes as been owyng yow, -payeable at leyser off suche mony as is owyng ffor the woode at -Basyngham or ellys wher; ffor, so God helpe me, I sholde ellys wylfully -ondoo myselffe, wherin I beseche yow to sende me an answer in hast. - -Item, as towchyng the mariage off my brother John, I have sente hym myn -advyce, and tolde hym wherto he shall truste, and I have grauntyd hym as -moche as I maye. I wolde that I weer at on communycacion atwyen them for -hys sake, whyche I sholde if I myght. As for my comyng home, I ame nott -yitt sertayn therof; I shalle hast me as faste as I canne, with the -grace of God, Who have yow in Hys kepyng. - -I beseche yow to remembre the premyssis, and to helpe me, and with -Goddes grace, thes ij. materis above wretyn, bothe of Castre and -Mestresse Anne Hault, shall be endyd to my profyth and rest, and moor -ovyr, er awghte longe to, with Goddes grace, the maner of Sporle to be -owte of danger; promyttyng yow that I shall doo in Kokettes mater as -moche as is possible for me to doo to yower plesyr. It shall never neede -to prykk nor threte a free horse. I shall do whatt I can. - -Wretyn the Thorysdaye next byffore Seynt Lawrence, anno E. iiij^ti xvij. - - By yowre sone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 293-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -917 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[294-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 11] - -Yt ys soo that I undyrstonde be yowyr letter wretyn the Thyrsday nexte -be fore Seynt Lauerons, that ze wulde have knowlage how that I wuld be -demenyd in Cokettes mater; qweche I send you here undyr wretyn. I putte -yow in certeyn that I wull nevyr pay him peny of that duty that ys owyng -to hym, thow he sue me for yt, not of myn owyn pursse; for I wul nat be -compellyd to pay yowyr dettes azens my well, and thow I wuld, I may nat. -Where fore I a wyse yow to see me savyd harmelesse azens hym for yowyr -owyn a wauntage in tyme cumyng, for yf I pay yt, at longe wey ze xall -bere the losse. - -And where as ze wryte to me that I gave yow xx_li._, and promysyd odyr -xx_li._, that ys nat soo, for I wutte wele yf I had soo doon, ze wuld -nat assynyd me be yowyr letterys of yowyr owyn hande wrytyng, the whech -I have to schew, that I schuld resseyve a zen the same summe of Wylliam -Pecok, and of yowyr fermores, and byars of yowyr wood of Sporle; and -take this for a full conclusyon in thys mater, for yt xall be noon othyr -wyse for me than I wryte here to yow. - -I mervel meche that ze have delte azen soo symply wyth Sporle, -consyderyng that ze and yowyr frendys had so meche to doo for to geetyt -yow azen onys; and ye havyng noo gretter materes of charge than ze have -had sythyn yt was laste pleggyt owte, yt causyth me to be in gret dowte -of yow what yowyr dysposycion wul be here aftyr for swheche lyfelood as -I have be dysposyd before this tyme to leve yow after my decesse. For I -thynke veryly that ye wulde be dysposyd here aftyr to selle or sette to -morgage the lond that ye xulde have after me yowyr modyr as gladdly and -rathyr than that lyfe lood that ye have after yowyr fadyr. Yt grevyth me -to thynke upon yowyr gydeyng after the greet good that ze have had in -yowyr rewle sythyn yowyr fadyr deyyd, whom God assoyle, and soo symply -spendyt as yt hath ben. God geve yow grace to be of sadde and good -dysposyn here after to Hys plesans, and comforte to me, and to all yowyr -frendys, and to yowyr wurchyp and profyte here after. - -And as for yowyr brothyr Wylliam, I wuld ye xulde purvey for hys -fyndyng, for as I told yow the laste tyme that ye ware at home, I wuld -no lenger fynde hym at my cost and charge; hys boord and hys scole hyer -ys owyng sythyn Seynt Thomas Day afore Cristmesse, and he hathe greet -nede of gownys and odyr gere that whare necessary for hym to have in -haste. I wulde ze xulde remembyrt and purvey them, for as for me, I wul -nat. I thynke ze sette butte lytyl be myn blessyng, and yf ye dede, ye -wulde a desyyrd yt in yowyr wrytyng to me. God make yow a good man to -Hys plesans. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, the day after Seynt Lauerons, the yere and the renge -of Kyng E. the iiij^te the xvij. zere. - - Be yowyr Modyr. - - [Footnote 294-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is not - addressed, the original being a corrected draft, but there is no - doubt it was written to Sir John Paston in reply to the last. It - is endorsed in a more modern hand: 'Copia literæ Jo. Paston, mil., - a matre sua.'] - - -918 - -EDMUND BEDYNGFELD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[296-1] - -_Un to the ryght wurschepful Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 17] - -Master Paston, after all dew recomandacion, and herty dissire to here of -your good hele, plese yt you to wete I have spoken with Sir John of -Medilton as wel as I cowde, and yt had ben for myself, for his hoby that -ye dissired, and tolde hym he myght wel forbere hym nowe in as moche as -Mastres Jane was ded, and that yt is a great cost for hym to kepe moo -hors than he nedyth; and he answered me, that he wold selle hym with -good will, but ther shuld no man bie hym under x_li._ Flemesch;[296-2] -and I offered hym in your name, x. marke, for he wold not here of none -other ambelyng horse, that ye myght geve hym therfore. And also my lord -dissired to have bowte hym for the Lord Schauntrell that is cheff -capteyn of Seynt Omers; and he wold no lesse lete my lord have hym than -x_li._ and so my lord bowte another, and gave hym the seide lord, for he -thoughte this to dere; neverthelesse he wol not selle hym to no man -under that mony, that he sette hym on, and so ye may bye your plesur in -hym and ye lest; for otherwyse he wol not doo for you, as I conseve. - -And as for tydyngs in theyse partyes, the Frenche Keng leyzth at sege at -Seynt Omers, on the one side of the town a myle of, but he hath no gret -ordenaunce ther; and they of the town skyrmysh with them every day, and -kepe a passage halff a myle with oute the town; and the French Keng hath -brenned all the townys, and fayre abbeys, that were that way aboute -Seynt Omers, and also the cornes weche ar there. And also, as yt ys -seide for serteyn, the French Keng hath brenned Cassell, that ys myn -hoold Lady of Burgeynys[297-1] joynttor, and all the countre there -aboute, whereby she hath lost a gret part of her lyvelod; and that is a -sherewed tokyn that he menyth wel to the Keng, howur suffereygn Lord, -when he intendyth to distroye her. - -Morover Sir Phylep de Crevekere hath takyn them that were in Fynys with -inne this iiij. dayes to the noumbre of xiiij. personys, and the -remnaunt where fled, and he had them to the French Keng, and he hath -brentte all the place, and pulled down the towre, and a part of the -wall, and disstroyed yt. - -And as yt is seid, yf the French Keng can not gete Seynt Omers, that he -intendyth to brenge his armye thorwe theyse marchys into Flaundres; -wherefore my lord hath do brokyn all the passages excep Newham bryge, -weche is wached, and the turne pyke shette every nyght. And the seide -French Keng with inne these iij. dayes rayled gretely of my lord to -Tygyr Pursevaunt, opynly byfore ij. hundred of his folks; wherefore yt -ys thaught here that he wold feynde a quarell to sett upon thys town, yf -he myght gete avantage. And as I understonde, the Emperorys sone[297-2] -ys maryed at Gaunte as this day; and ther cam with hym but iiij. hundred -horse, and I can here of no moo that be comyng in serteyn; and in mony -he brengyth with hym an hundred thowsand dokets, wheche is but a smalle -thyng in regard for that he hath to doo. Wherefore, I fere me sore, that -Flaundres will be lost; and yf Seynt Omers be whonnyn, all is gon, in my -conceyt. Never the lesse they say there shuld come gret powere after the -Emperorys son; but I be leve yt not, by cause they have ben so long of -comyng. - -And I pray you to recomaunde me unto Sir Tyrry Robsert, and that yt -plese you to lete hym knowe of your tydyngs, and Hour Lord have you in -His kepyng. - -At Calais, the Sunday next after Hour Lady the Assumpsion. - - Your, - - E. BEDYNGFELD.[298-1] - - [Footnote 296-1: [From Fenn, ii. 250.] The events referred to in - this letter prove that it was written in the year 1477.] - - [Footnote 296-2: Between £5 and £6 English, and equal in value to - upwards of £20 at this present time, apparently a great price for - a hobby.--F.] - - [Footnote 297-1: Margaret, sister to Edward IV., widow of Charles - the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.] - - [Footnote 297-2: Maximilian, son of the Emperor Frederick, married - Mary, daughter and heir of Charles the Bold, Duke of - Burgundy.--F.] - - [Footnote 298-1: Edmund Bedyngfeld married Margaret, daughter of - Sir John Scot, Comptroller of Calais, and was created a Knight of - the Bath at the Coronation of Richard III. He was highly in favour - with Henry VII., who paid him a royal visit at Oxburgh, in - Norfolk, which fine seat he built. He died in 1496.--F.] - - - [Transcriber's note: - In the following section, lines shown as ---- were blank in the - original.] - -919 - -AGNES AND WILLIAM PASTON[298-2] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 22] - -_The names of the maners of Agnes Pastons and William Paston, in -Norfolk, how thai shuld be taken hede to this harvest, anno xvij^{o}._ - -_And a copy of the same send to Richard Lynstede, the xxij. day of -August, anno xvij^o, per Bacheler Water._ - - Paston maner, - Se that the fermour in his corne on my moders fe. - Seale dores and distrayne, and put in a newe fermour. - - Wodemyl, - Distrayne. - - Latymers, - Gadir the rente. - - Sewardbys, - Gadir the rente. - - Trunche, - Distrayne on the grounde after it is fellid, while it lieth - on my moders fe. - - Spriggeis, - Gader the rente. - - Knapton fe, - ---- - - Crowmer, - Gadir the rente. - - Owstoonde, - Distrayne. - - Rowton, - Distrayne, and arest the fermour. - - Riston, - Lete Lynstedes brother gader the rente. - - Oxned maner, - Se the fermour in his croppe, and after seale doris and distrayne, - and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. - - Oxned mylle, - Se the fermour in his croppe, and after seall doris and distrayne, - and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. - - Caster Cleres, - Aske the ferme. - - Holkhams tenement, - Aske the ferme. - - The mersh in Caster, - Aske the ferme. - - Caster Bardolf, - Aske the ferme a rent. - - Caster Clere rentes, - Distrayne tenauntes. - - Holham rentes, - ---- - - Ormysby my fe, - ---- - - Somerton, - Se that he in his corn, and seall dores and distrayne, - til he fynde suerty. - - Thirn, - Aske the ferme. - - Sowth Walsham, - ---- - - Halvyrzates, - ---- - - Todenham, - Aske the rente, and areste Smyth. - - Cokfeldes, - Aske the rente. - - Apawys, - Se he in his corn, and seall dores and distrayne. - - Marlyngfor maner, - Sele doris and distrayne. - - Marlyngford mylle, - Seale doris and distrayne. - - Merlyngforde tenauntes, - Distrayne. - - Melton, - Se the croppe inned, and seale doris and distrayne. - - Bonwell, - Aske rente. - - Carleton, - Aske rente. - - Thuxstons, - Aske rente. - - Lynghall nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rente fro Mich. xvj. till xvij^o and distrayne. - - Bulmans nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rente fro Mich. xvj^o til xvij^o, and exorte Martyn to kepe - the ferme still, and if he woll not, praye hym to gete a noder. - - Yeaxham nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rente fro Mich. xvj^o till xvij^o, and gete a newe fermour, - and increse the rente, and make a newe terrar and rentall. - - Styberd nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rent fro Mich. xv^o till Mich. xvij^o, and distrayne, - and allowe no dewty of Dokkynges in abatyng my rente. - - Thymbilthorp nuper Dokkynges. - Aske rente fro Mich. xv^o till Mich. xvij^o, and distrayne, - and allowe noe dewty of Dokkynges in abatyng my rente. - -These maners that are trahid take gode hede that ye be in gode suertye -of them this harvest tyme. - - [Footnote 298-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The heading of this - document is taken from an endorsement on the original MS.] - - -920 - -SIR JOHN PASTON'S WILL[300-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / OCT. 31] - -[I, JOHN PASTON,] Knyght, in the last day of O[ctober, Anno] Domini -m^{l}cccclxxvj^o, will, graunte, and be queth my sowle to All myghty -God, and to the . . . . . . Marye, Seint John Baptist, Seint Gorge, -Seint Cristofur, and Seint Barbara; and my body, yf I dyghe ny the Cyte -of London, [to the chapel] of Owre Lady in the Whithe Frerys there, at -the Northeest corner of the body of the chyrche, and there to be made an -orator[y] . . . . . or muche leke as ys over Sir Thomas Browne in the -Frere Prechours, to the valour of xx_li._, so that it may cause . . . -. . . ther prayours there, the rather to remembre my sowle, and to pray -therefore; and that there be gevyn to the behoff . . . . . at plotte of -grounde be made suer unto me for ever the some of xx. marc. - -. . . . . . . dayly, be the space of an holl yere, by soumme well -disposed brother of the same howse, and that the seyd brother . . . -. . . [not]withstondyng yf I decesse in the counte of Norffolk, or there -nye abouute, I wolde my bodye were buried at the prio[ry of Bromholm] -. . . . . un to the Founders Toumbe, which arche is unto the North syde, -and ryght agayn my fadyr toum[be] . . . . . . . . . ith an awter and a -toumbe for me, to the value of xx_li._, and that the howse there have a -rewarde . . . . . . . . . to the frerys of London, and that there be -also a broder of that howse to synge for my sowle by one . . . . . . . -. . . salarye. - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a closette made at my cost over my -faders body ther . . . . . . . . . . of xx_li._, so that owre cousyns -. . . . . . . . . . have the more devocion to that place, and the rather -reste there bodyes there the encresse of the . . . . . . . . . . encrese -and profite of the howse, and reste on the religeus there of, lyke as -owr auncetours have . . . . . . . . . [a]nd to the entent that I -disclosed but on to fewe persons concernyng the fee ferme that is payed -. . . . . . . . Duke of Suffolk. - -[Item, I will that my bro]ther, John, yf I dye with owth yssue leffull -of my bodye, have the maner of Swaywell to hym and . . . . . . . . -accordyng to the willez both of myn graunfader and of my fader, on whos -sowles God have mercye, the . . . . . . . . esse. - -[Item, I will that the] Bysshoppe of Wynchester, or his assygnes, woll -and fynde suerte to do founde at the lyste iiij. prestys . . . . . . . -. . . of John Fastolf and his frendys, &c., at Caster, and that there be -bylded loggyng conveniant for those . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -adjoynyng uppon the bakhous over the gardeyn withouuth the mote on the -Weste syde of my . . . . . . . . . . . in the seid maner or maners yn -Caster, graunt by chartour, grounde, space, and londe, convenyant for -such . . . . . . . . entre and yssue therunto, and to that entent, and -byldyng or purchasyng of license of the kyng . . . . . . . . profitez of -the seid maners holly be expendid the terme of vij. yerez next after my -dissece; and, moreover, . . . . . . . . . resorte theder in his owne -persone to over see the werkys or byldyng or establyssyng of the seyd -howse [he shall h]ave playn lyberte to dwell withinne my seid maner and -fortresse the seid terme of vij. yerez, and that . . . . . . . . estys. - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . [cha]pell of Seint John Baptyst, withyn the -seyd towne of Caster, with all the profitez yerly of that same -begeny[ng] . . . . . . . . . ed to the seyd college or howse for -evermore, with lycence therunto had of the Kyng and of the Pope, with -. . . . . . . . in Caster before seyd, which londis, with the seyd -chapell, schalbe of the yerly value of vij_li._ yerly . . . . . ment of -one prest above the charge that the Bysshope wyll do to pray for the -sowles of my fader . . . . . . . . . Thomas Lyndys, clerk, and of Sir -John Dawbeney. And that after this above wretyn be performed, yf that -. . . . . . es make astate by fyne reryd and enrolled in the Kynges -courte of the seid maner and maners in Castre . . . . . . . . . . . -yssue of his bodye laufully comyeng, and for defaute of yssue of his -body lawfully [rem]ayne to the issue of my moders lawfully commynge. And -for defaute of yssue of her body lawfully commyng . . . . . . . . myn -uncle, Edward Maudeby, and to the yssue of his body lawfully commynge. -And that for defaute . . . . . . . . . [comm]yng that the seyd maners -remayn to my cousyn, Sir William Calthorp, and to the right eyrez . . . -. . . . . . . . . . defaute of issue of his body lawfully commynge, the -seyd maners to reverte to the . . . . . . . . - -[Item, I will that the priest of the chap]ell of the seyd collage be -presented by the lordys of my seid maner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . ed by Syr John Fastolff. - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . eryng de eadem villa vendatur per -executores meos ad perimplendum et persolvendum. . . . . . . . . . . . . -em invenerit securitatem ad redimendum manerium de Sporle prædictum, -quod si ipse . . . . . . . . . x. acr' terræ de eisdem perquesit' de -Johanne Kendall tempore debito dentur prædicto Johanni fratri [meo et -hæredibus suis legiti]me procreatis; et defectu exitus legitimi de -prædicto Johanne fratre meo, tunc prædictæ terræ et tenementa remaneant -. . . . . . . . . . . . . triavi mei, legittime procreatis; et pro -defectu exitus legittimi prædicti triavi mei, tunc remaneant Willelmo -. . . . . [et hæredibus i]psius Willelmi legitime procreatis; et pro -defectu exitus legitimi prædicti Willelmi, tunc omnia prædicta terræ et -tenementa [remaneant] . . . . . . assignatis imperpetuum; proviso quod -executores testamenti Willelmi Pekering habeant x. marcas pro . . . . . -et habeat xxxvij. acras terræ de prædictis terris sibi per voluntatem -patris ejus assignatis sive legatis si tantæ . . . . . . . . . . terræ -quæ idem Johannes vendidit sint de numero illarum acrarum sibi -limitatarum per Nicholaum patrem prædicti Johannis ac . . . . . . . . . -recompensacionem; eo quod idem Johannes forte credidit quod ipse juste -potuit vendere, quæque terræ et tenementa in feofamento . . . . . -[pat]ris, non obstante quod pater prædictus non declaravit quicquid -faciendum de dictis terris suis ultra certas acras . . . . . . . . . na -ipsius patris. - - [Footnote 300-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The original of this - document is mutilated. It is endorsed in a more modern hand, - 'Testamentum Johannis Paston Senioris militis.'] - - [[Sidenote: 1477 - _printed as shown, but body text says "m^{l}cccclxxvj" (1476)_ - - invenerit securitatem ad redimendum - _text reads "invenetit"_] - - -921 - -WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON[304-1] - -_To my ryth worschepffull master, Sir John Paston, Knyth, logyd at the -Goorge, be Powll Warffe, in London, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / NOV. 19] - -Ryth worchepful sir, I recomand me to yowr good masterchep. Plseyth you -to wete that I have purweyid for for your heryng a non after your -departyng, but I can yet no caryage, nowthir owte of Yermowth, ner in no -oder place be twyn Wynterton and Leystoft, nowthir be lond nor be the -se, not yet; and specyally for your swanes. Hery Cook seyth he wolle no -more come on the se with his good wylle. Ther is no man wyllyng to del -with your swanes. Also, as for your hors, ye most ordayne a nothir keper -than they have, or ellis ye chal not leke wel be them whan ye se hem; -they arn nowthir redyn nor corayd. Peris is meche owteward, and Whyte -wol not a tende hem, nowdyr for Peris ner for me. They arn not watryd -butt at the welle. Peris hath be ryth seke; and yet, but for dyspleser -of you, Peris had ben in hand with Whyte or this tyme. Ye muste be -proveyd of a nothir hors keper, or elles it wol do you harm on your -hors. Also, I have had iiij_li._ for to a sent you if I cowde have gete -ony trosty man to youward. As for barly, I can non selle a bove -xiiij_d._ the comb. As your leter that ye sent me, I have fownd a frere -that hath promyssyd me to do'n his dever if it may be browte a bowte be -ony mene in hast. Also there is a grete chyppe go to wrekke be for -Wynterton, and there came up on your several grownd gret plente of bowe -stawys and waynescotte, and clappalde[304-2] grete plente. I gate cartys -and caryd to the towne that that was fownd on your fee. Mastras Clere -hath sen down hyr men, and with set alle the stuff and wrekke, and seyth -that ye gete non there, for sche wol have it be the tytyl of the lete, -and I have answerd there to, that che owte non to have be that tytil; -and so if ye wol comon with yor cownsel, I trow it to the lord of the -soylle and not to the lete; for the maner holdyth nothyng of hyr. Sche -had never no wrekke nor growndage till withinne this xx. wynter. There -is no maner in Wyynterton but your; lesse your ryth now and lesse it for -ever. I am threte to be trobelid there, for there ben v. men on lyve of -the chyppe. The bordes had ben good for wyndownes and dores. Ye chuld -have had thyme worthe the money, and sche had not lettyd it. Ther is com -up ter [_tar_] at Caster v. or vj. barell. Men of Scrowby hath fet it -awey. Ye must have a meen be sum wryte of trespas for them, or ellis it -wool do yow meche harm here after. Rechard Kedman, John Pool, senior, -and William Abbys, these arn summe of ther namys of Scrowby. - -Item, I receyved a leter the Twis day befor Sen Edmunde the Kyng there -as ye wryte to me for William Foster; his sewirtesse ston chargyd for -iiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._, as John Seyve hath seyd to me or the tyme -that I receyvyd your leter, but he hath ij. men of Norwech to sewirte to -save hym and his felaw harmeless. Scharggar is on, and Vyncent the -plomer is a nothir that chal bere the dawnger. And as for your swanes, -I have gette a man that chal cary hem be lond, and that I chal send word -with the swanes that the herynges chal com be water; and if the chuld -have ony heryng for your store, it wold be purveyd for, for heryng wol -be dere or Lente. - -Item, there arn wyndownes blow opyn in the place, and the wyndown of the -gonne hows with inne the brege is revyn. I wot not whethir it was so or -ye wente or not. My Lord of Norwech was at Caster Halle for to a cen the -place as he cam to London ward. Ser, remembir your hors to have a better -keper. Ser, to remembir thesse men of Scrowby, and comon with Master -William Paston there in, for he partith with you both wrekke and -growndage in Caster; and he wold take the accyon in his lordes name that -he delyth for, it ware a good wey, be my sympil wyth. God preserve you, -and kepe yow, and bryng yow home a yen to your contre. - -Wretyn at Mawteby on Sen Edmundis Evyn, the Kyng, in hast, - - Be your man and servant, - - WILLIAM PEKOC. - - [Footnote 304-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - by Sir John Paston, 'Pekok, m. [_i.e._ mense] Decembris, anno E. - iiij^ti xvij^{o}.'] - - [Footnote 304-2: Board cut to make casks.] - - [[Plseyth you to wete that I have purweyid for for your heryng - _all text unchanged; duplication is at mid-line in Gairdner - but at line break in MS._]] - - -922 - -WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON[306-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / NOV. 30] - -Ryth worchypfull ser, I recomand me to your good masterchep. Plesyth -you, as for Pekrynges mater, I sent a frere in John Pekerynges name for -the evydens; and he had an answer that if he had a busschelful of -evydenss, he chuld noon have of them, for he hath set the londe in -trobill, nor he cowd have no seyte of none. Also remembir your ryth of -your wreke at Wynterton. Thesse arn the menes namys of Wynterton, Robert -Parker of West Somerton, John Longyard of Wynterton, Thomas Goodknape of -the same, Will Wrantham and John Curteys of the same Wynterton, that -caryid of your severel grownd xxij. carte ful of stuffe, viij^xx. -bowestavis, iij^xx. and vij. waynescottes, xiiij^c. clapalde,[306-2] v. -barell ter, iiij. copil oris, and gret plante [_plenty_] of wreke of the -schyppe that is worth meche mony, as ye chal understonde the trowth -after this. - -And as for your heryng that chuld in to Essexkes, they arn there, be the -grace of God. As for your swanes, they chal be there be Our Ladys Day -next comyng, I troste to God, Ho have your masterchyp in Is kepyng. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, where as I am ryth werey, on Sen Andrews Day, Anno -xvij^o E. - - * * * - -Ser, if it plese your masterchep, I sold yet no barly, ner none can a -bove xiiij_d._ the comb, as I sen word in a leter be John Russe; and I -toke iiij_li._ in mony to bryng to your materchep. The prysse of your -heryng is iiij_li._ iij_s._ iiij_d._, besyd oder costes. Hery Cook wold -goo with your swanes, for hys yefte chuld be vj_s._ viij_d._, and there -fore he wold yeffe you his labore, be so ye payd for his costes. Ipse -dixit. - - Be your servaunt, - - WILL. PEKOC. - - [Footnote 306-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There is no address on - this letter, but it is endorsed, like the preceding, by Sir John - Paston, 'Pekok, mense Decembris, anno E. iiij^ti xvij^{o}.'] - - [Footnote 306-2: _See_ page 304, Note 2.] - - -923 - -MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[307-1] - -_To my ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, Jon Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / DEC. 18] - -Ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, I recomaunde me to yow, desyryng -hertyly to here of yowr wylfare, thankyng yow for the tokyn that ye sent -me be Edmunde Perys, preyng yow to wete that my modyr sent to my fadyr -to London for a goune cloth of mustyrddevyllers[307-2] to make of a -goune for me; and he tolde my modyr and me wanne he was comme home, that -he cargeyt yow to beyit, aftyr that he were come oute of London. - -I pre yow, yf it be not bowt, that ye wyl wechesaf to byit, and sendyt -home as sone as ye may, for I have no goune to weyre this wyntyr but my -blake and my grene a lyer,[307-3] and that is so comerus that I ham wery -to weryt. - -As for the gyrdyl that my fadyr be hestyt me, I spake to hym ther of a -lytyl before he zede to London last, and he seyde to me that the faute -was in yow, that ze wolde not thynk ther uppe on to do makyt [_to get it -made_]; but I sopose that ys not so; he seydyt but for a skwsacion. -I pre yow, yf ye dor takyt uppe on yow, that ye wyl weche safe to do -makyt a yens ye come home, for I hadde never more nede ther of than I -have now, for I ham waxse so fetys[308-1] that I may not be gyrte in no -barre of no gyrdyl that I have but of one. Elisabet Peverel hath leye -sek xv. or xvj. wekys of the seyetyka, but sche sent my modyr word be -Kate, that sche xuld come hedyr wanne God sent tyme, thoow sche xuld be -crod [_wheeled_] in a barwe. - -Jon of Damm was here, and my modyr dyskevwyrd me to hym, and he seyed, -be hys trouth that he was not gladder of no thyng that he harde thys -towlmonyth, than he was ther of. - -I may no lenger leve be my crafte, I am dysscevwyrd of alle men that se -me. - -Of alle odyr thyngys that ye deseyreyd that I xuld sende yow word of, -I have sent yow word of in a letter that I dede wryte on Ouwyr Ladyis -Day[308-2] laste was. The Holy Trenyte have yow in Hese kepyng. - -Wretyn at Oxnede, in ryth gret hast, on the Thrusday next be fore Seynt -Tomas Day.[308-3] - -I pre yow that ye wyl were the reyng with the emage of Seynt Margrete, -that I sent yow for a rememraunse, tyl ye come home; ye have lefte me -sweche a rememraunse, that makyth me to thynke uppe on yow bothe day and -nyth wanne I wold sclepe. - - Your ys, - - M. P. - - [Footnote 307-1: [From Fenn, ii. 256.] It is curious that after - so much negotiation for the marriage of John Paston and Margery - Brews, we have no record in these letters when it actually took - place; but probably it was in August 1477, the last reference to - it as an event not yet accomplished being on the 7th of that - month (No. 916). In January 1478, John Paston talks of taking - his wife to her father's house on account of her situation, and - their first child was born in the course of the following - summer. This letter seems to have been written in December. Fenn - remarks that St. Thomas's Day might mean the Translation of St. - Thomas à Becket, 7th July 1478, and 'Our Lady's Day' might be - the Visitation of the Virgin, 2nd July preceding. But this is - simply impossible, because the letter is dated Thursday - _before_ St. Thomas's Day, which would in that case be the - very same date as the Visitation of Our Lady, viz. the 2nd July - 1478. Besides, if the first child of John Paston and Margery was - not actually born before July, the latter was certainly much - nearer to her confinement then than this letter would imply. - _See_ No. 936 in vol. vi. - - A facsimile of this letter was published in the _European - Magazine_ for March 1787, and we have carefully compared the - text with this facsimile.] - - [Footnote 307-2: A kind of grey woollen cloth.] - - [Footnote 307-3: Fenn suggests _Grenouilliere_ or frog-colour, but - I find no authority for such a word; and I should suppose 'grene' - to be a separate word, though what 'a lyer' is I cannot say.] - - [Footnote 308-1: This word commonly signifies neat or elegant, and - seems to be used here ironically.] - - [Footnote 308-2: Conception of Our Lady, 8th of December.--F.] - - [Footnote 308-3: 21st December, the day of St. Thomas Apostle, or - perhaps 29th December, the day of St. Thomas (à Becket) the - Martyr.] - - [[_To my ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, Jon Paston._ - _text has "myryth" but words are separated in MS._ - - Footnote 307-3 - what 'a lyer' is I cannot say - _possibly Lier in Brabant_]] - - -924 - -ABSTRACT[309-1] - -[Sidenote: 1478(?)] - -Bill in Parliament confirming the statute of Marlborough [52 Hen. III.], -with additions touching wardships, reliefs, etc., to take effect after -Easter, 1480. - - [The last Parliament before 1480 met on the 16th January 1478. This - measure was probably introduced or intended for discussion at that - period.] - - [Footnote 309-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -925 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[309-2] - -_To my ryght worchepfull broder, Syr John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / JAN. 21] - -Syr, aftyr all dutes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to undyrstand that I -have comond with dyvers folkys of the Dwk of Suffolk now thys Crystmas -and sythen, whyche let me in secret wyse have knowlage, lyek as I wrott -on to yow, that he must mak a shefft for money, and that in all hast. -Wherfor, syr, at the reverence of God, let it not be lachesyd, but with -effect aplyed now, whyll he is in London, and my lady hys wyff also; for -I assarteyn yow that C. mark wyll do more now in ther neede then ye -shall peraventure do with CC. marks in tyme comyng, and thys season be -not takyn. And alweys fynd the meane that my Lady of Suffolk and Syr R. -Chamberleyn may be yowr gwydes in thys mater, for as for my lord, he -nedyth not to be mevyd with it tyll it shold be as good as redy to the -sealyng. - -Syr, lyeketh yow also to remember that I told yow that Mastyr -Yotton[309-3] had, as I cam last towardes London, desyred me, by a -lettre of attorney wryttyn with hys owne hand, to se th'enprowment of -syche profytes as ar growing of hys chapell in Caster that ye gave hym; -and at syche season as I told yow of it, ye sayd on to me that ye wold -asay to make a bargayn with hym, so that ye myght have a prest to syng -in Caster. Syr, me thynkes ye can not have so good a season to meve hym -with it as now thys Parlement tyme, for now I thynk he shalbe awaytyng -on the Quene; and also if ye myght compone with hym or he wyst what the -valew wer, it wer the better, and I have promysed hym to send hym woord -thys terme of the verry valew of it, and also syche mony as I cowd gader -of it. Wherfor, syr, I prey yow that by the next messenger that ye can -get to Pekok that ye wyll send hym woord to paye me for the lond in xxx. -acres, as it hathe ben answerd before tym. - -And as for tydynges here, we have none, but we wold fayne here of all -your royalte at London, as of the maryage of my Lord of York,[310-1] and -other Parlement mater; and so I prey yow that I may doo when ye have -leyser. - -Syr, I prey yow that Whetley may have knowlage that my broder Yelverton -hathe promysed me to take hym xl_d._; he owyth me by reason of his -fermore at Caster more then that. - -And, syr, as for my huswyff, I am fayne to carry hyr to se hyr fadyr and -hyr frendes now thys wynter, for I trow she wyll be ought of facyon in -somer. And so in my progresse fro my fadyr Brews on to Mawtby, I took -Master Playter in my wey, at whoys hows I wrot thys bylle, the xxj. day -of January, anno E. iiij^ti xvij^{o}. And I beseche God to preserve yow -and yours. - - Yowr, - - J. PASTON. - - Endorsed by Sir John Paston, 'J. P., anno xvij^{o}.' - - [Footnote 309-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 309-3: Dr. Yotton was the Queen's chaplain.--F.] - - [Footnote 310-1: Richard, Duke of York, second son to King Edward - IV., married Ann, daughter and heir of John Mowbray, Duke of - Norfolk, 15th January 1477-78.--F.] - - [[... second son to King Edward IV. - _corrected by author from "Henry IV."_]] - - -926 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[311-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / FEB. 3] - -Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of humble recomendacyon, in as -humble wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Pleasyt yow -to wett that at my being now at London, lyek as ye gave me in -comandment, I mevyd to Mastyr Pykenham and to Jamys Hubart for ther -being at Norwyche now thys Lent, that ye myght have ther avyses in syche -maters as ye let me have understandyng of. And as for Mastyr Pykenham, -he is now Juge of the Archys, and also he hathe an other offyce, whyche -is callyd _Auditor Causarum_, and hys besyness is so gret in bothe thes -offyces that he can not tell the season when that he shall have leyser -to come in to Norffolk. But I left not tyll I had gotyn Jamys Hubbart -and hym togedyrs, and then I told theym your intent; and then Mastyr -Pykenham told Jamys and me hys intent, and he preyed Jamys that he shold -in no wyse fayle to be with yow thys Lent. Not withstandyng it was no -grete nede to prey hym myche; for he told Doctore Pykenham that there -was no gentyl woman in Inglond of so lytyll aqueyntance as he had with -yow, that he wold be glader to be servyse on to; and myche the glader, -for he purposeth fro hensforthe duryng hys lyff to be a Norffolk man, -and to lye with in ii. myle of Loddon, whyche is but viij. or x. myle at -the most fro Mautby. And in conclusyon he hathe appoyntyd to awayte on -yow at Norwyche the weeke nexte aftyr Mydlent Sonday, all the hole weke, -if nede be, all other maters leyd apart. - -Also I comend with my brodyr Sir John at London of syche maters as ye -wold have amendyd in the bylle that he sent on to yow, and he stake not -gretly at it. - -Also, modyr, I herd whyle I was in London wher was a goodly yong woman -to mary, whyche was doughter to one Seff, a merser, and she shall have -CC_li._ in money to hyr maryage, and xx. mark by yer of lond aftyr the -dyssease of a steppe modyr of hyrs, whyche is upon l. yer of age; and or -I departyd ought of London, I spak with some of the maydys frendys, and -have gotyn ther good wyllys to have hyr maryd to my brodyr Edmund. -Notwithstandyng, those frendys of the maydys that I comond with avysyd -me to get the good wyll of one Sturmyn, whyche is in Mastyr Pykenhamys -danger[312-1] so myche that he is glad to please hym; and so I mevyd -thys mater to Mastyr Pykenham. And incontinent he sent for Sturmyn, and -desyred hys good wyll for my brodyr Edmund, and he grantyd hym hys good -wylle, so that he koud get the good wyll of the remenaunt that wer -executours to Seff, as well as the seyd Sturmyn was; and thusferforthe -is the mater. Wherfor, modyr, we must beseche yow to helpe us forward -with a lettyr fro yow to Mastyr Pykenham to remembyr hym for to handyll -well and dylygently thys mater now thys Lent; and for I am aqueyntyd -with your condycyons of old that ye reke not who endytyth more lettres -than ye, ther for I have drawyn a note to yowr secretarys hand, Freir -Perse, whyche lettre we must prey yow to send us by the berer herof, and -I trust it shall not be longe fro Mastyr Pykenham. - -Your doughter of Sweynsthorpp and hyr sojornaunt E. Paston recomandyth -hem to yow in ther most humble wyse, lowly besechyng yow of your -blyssyng; and as for my brodyr, Edmund Sweynsthorpe, for none intrete -that hys ostas your doughtyr, nor I koud intrete hym, myght not kepe -hym, but that he wold have bene at home with you at Mautby on Sonday -last past at nyght; and as he was departyng fro hens, had we word fro -Frenshes wyf that, God yeld yow, modyr, ye had govyn hym leve to -dysporte hym her with us for a vij. or viij. dayes; and so the drevyll -lost hys thank of us, and yet abode nevyr the lesse. - -Your doughtyr sendyth yow part of syche poore stuff as I sent hyr fro -London, besechyng yow to take it in gree, though it be lytyll plente -that she sendyth yow. But as for datys, I wyll sey trowthe, ye have not -so many by ij. pownd as wer ment on to yow, for she thynkys at thys -season datys ryght good mete. What so ever it menyth, I prey God send us -good tydynges, Whom I beseche to preserve yow and yours, and so send yow -your myst desyred joye. - -At Sweynsthorp, on Ashe Wednysday. - - Your sone and humble servaunt, - - J. PASTON. - -Modyr, pleasit yow to remember that ye had need to be at Norwyche v. or -vj. dayes befor that Jamys Hubbart and your consayll shall be ther with -yow, for to look up your evydence and all other thynges redy. Also if ye -thynk that thys bylle that I send yow herwith be good i now to send to -Doctore Pykenham, ye may close up the same, and send it sealyd to me -ayen, and I shall convey it forthe to hym. - - [Footnote 311-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears from - the contents to have been written after John Paston's marriage, at - a time when his wife was staying at Swainsthorpe. He also - apologises to his mother for his wife having detained two pounds - out of a certain quantity of dates that he himself had sent to her - from London by way of Swainsthorpe, as Margery thought them 'at - this season right good meat,' apparently referring to her - approaching confinement.] - - [Footnote 312-1: _i.e._ in his debt.] - - -927 - -WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN PASTON[313-1] - -_To the Ryght worshypfull sir, Sir John Paston ch'l'r logged at the -signe of the George next to Poulys Wharf; or to lefe thys letter at a -barbourys house ovyr the seyd George to delyver it to Sir John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MARCH 1] - -Plese yor gode masterschyp to wete that I herd thys day how a man wend -that a jugement ys passed ayenst your entent yn the ende of the last -terme (hyt was not of verray certeyn tolde me, but as a dreme) yn the -kynges Chauncerye. I coude gefe none aunswer therto. I prai God alle be -well; hyt wold ease som of your frendes hertys yff they coude understand -ony gode comfort. Sir, as for Robert,[314-1] I wold pray and requyre -your maistershep that he may for his lernyng be abydyng with your cousyn -of Lincoln Inne, as yt was promysed, and to be occupyed under drede of -displesir under subjecion, wyth erly rysyng accustomed, for slouth ys -the moder and norysher of all vices. He hath cost me moch goode and -labour, and now he ys uppon hys makyng by vertues governance, or undoyng -to the contrarye, and yn especyalle to be not conversant ne neere -amongis women, as I was kept froo her [_their_] company xxx. yeres or -ony suche were of my councelle, I thank God of yt. Sir, and ye write to -me as ye lust, let no name be wythynne wryt whens yt com, and that yt be -sent by sure comer to delyver yt me, for yt ys better brent then founde. -Also your discrecion ought not loth (to take the cost and labour wolle -not be gret, nether importune) for to send a man of purpose to my lord -of [_sic_] Bysshop Waltham and to hys councell lerned, ye wete to whom, -for redy serch to be made for the bill of half lefe of paper quantite of -my hand I faythfully delyvered to Master T. Danvers for to ovyrsee, of -the fyrst appoyntment ye wote off, that ye desyre so hertly to see as of -othyr manyfolde wrytyngis belongyng to yow and to me. Yt ys seyd yne a -vers: _Gutta cavat lapidem non vi set sepe cadendo_, &c.; to a slow man -or a foryetefull or lothfull man must be importune callyng allway uppon -hym tille he hafe hys entent, for now thys vacacion to spede or nevyr -shall stand in yow no stede. I can no ferther then the walle. - -Item, Sir, I comyned wyth Doctor Yotton at Camebrygge late, because -there ys no dyvyne service seyd yn the free chapelle at C.,[314-2] that -he wold hafe a grete concience yn yt, and to depart wyth an honest -preste called Sir John Brykkys that ys now duellyng wyth a ryzt lovyng -kynnesman of yowres; the seyd Doctor gevyng me to aunsuer he wold comyn -wyth yow by Pasch,[314-3] and the rather wyth your gode wylle wold -depart to such one ye owe affeccion unto. Sir, I wold, as I dar tak -uppon me to owen your affeccion to the seyd John Brickys, that he may -wyth more help of your cellary hafe the better to lyve and serfe God -there to abyde and do yow service also. I mene faythfullye, and soo I -pray yow take yt; to remembre a thyng in seson ys gretely to commend, -and of a spedy avantage. The blessed Trinite be wyth yow. Wret the fyrst -day of Marche. - - Your - - W. BOTONERE. - - To J. P. c.[315-1] at London. - -Item, I had foryete to hafe remembred your maystershyp to hafe a bille -to your baylly Pecok for to delyver my fermour of Tyrkbye C. or ii C. -lawre and asshe, and than to plant yn my tenement at Thyrkbye, or foras -many ye lust; for I lost the last waraunt that ye wrote me truly, and so -I was not served. - - * * * - -Item, yff ye wryte to me, hyt hath nede to be by a sure comer, for I had -levyr a letter be brent then lost _ne forte videant Romani_ . . . and at -reverence of Jhesu that my Robert lose no tyme, nether be idelle, for -doubt of ymaginacions and temptacions. I trust wyth your principale help -to be wyth the worshypfull gentleman that made promysse to yow, &c. - - [Footnote 313-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 152.] This letter would seem - to be of the year 1478. It will be seen by No. 925 that in the - beginning of that year Sir John Paston wished to arrange with Dr. - Yotton to get a priest to sing in Caister.] - - [Footnote 314-1: Is this Robert, son of Sir John's brother Edmund, - who is mentioned in Margaret Paston's will? The will, dated 4th - February 1482, will be found printed in the next volume.] - - [Footnote 314-2: Caister.] - - [Footnote 314-3: Easter.] - - [Footnote 315-1: John Paston, Chevalier.] - - [[Footnote 314-1, Gairdner's addition: - This suggestion is quite a mistake.--See 'my Robert' in the PS., - p. 315.]] - - -928 - -CONSTANCE REYNFORTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON[315-2] - -_[To Sir] John Paston, Chevalier, be this byll delyveryd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MARCH 21] - -Ryth reverent and worchepful ser, I recomend me on to yowr masterschep, -effectually desyryng to here of yowr welfare and contynual prosperite; -and if it ples yow to here of my pour estat, I was in good hele at the -makyng of this sympyll byll. Towchyng the cause of my wrytyng to yowr -masterschep is, for as moche as I poyntyd with yow to a be with yow be -the day that ye asynyd me of, the wheche, with outh yowr good -supportacyon, I con not well have myn entent, withouth it ple yow to -send oon of yowr men to me, and I psal provyd a letter in myn unkyll -name, the wheche he psall delyver to my cosyn as he were myn unkyll -masagear, and be this mene I wyll come at yowr request; for my cosyn -wold I psuld not depart with hym, with outh it were to myn unkyll -servyse; hoys and all others I refuse for yowres, yf my sympul servyse -may be to yowr plesure. And of an answer herof I beseke yow be the -brynger of my byll, and I wyll conforme me to yowr en tente, be the -grace of Good, the Wheche mot preserve yow at all oures. - -Wretyn at Cobham, the xxj. day of Marche. - - By yowr woman and sevnt, - - CONSTANS REYNFORTH. - - [Footnote 315-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this - letter was Sir John Paston's mistress, by whom he left a natural - daughter. The date is ascertained by an endorsement in Sir John's - own hand, 'Custaunce Raynford, anno xviij^{o}.'] - - -929 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[316-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, ande to Osberne Berney, and to everyche off -them, be thys letter delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 5] - -I recomaunde me to yowe, and thanke yow off yowr labor that ye hadde at -Heylesdon and Drayton in seyng the woodys there. And it is soo heer that -Ric. Ferore seyde, that he repentyd hym that evyr he dalte with any -woode theer, and iff I hadde sente hym but the leest chylde that I hadde -to have warnyd hym to leve he wolde notte have dalte therwyth; and he -ffonde noe comfforte in the Chancery, but that he is lyke to contente me -for the harmes and hurte that is doone, and moore ovyr he hathe an -instrucyon that he shall ffelle noo moore. - -Item, wheer as he desyryd me to be freendly to hym, I dalte so with hym, -that I trowe he wylle reporte that I seyde and dalte moore cortesly with -hym than he demyd that I wolde doo. Yitt for alle in convenyences that -myght ffalle, I wolde be gladde to have a weell stomakyd felawe that -wolde for my sake everye daye see the seyde woodes of Heylesdon and -Drayton, and to knowe iff any weer fellyd heer afftre; and iffe there be -any fellyd syns that Whetley was theer, and I can preve it by wytnesse, -I sholde have better recompence for every tree than iiij. trees weer -worthe. - -Item, it is so that he hathe answeryd to my bille, wheryn he seythe that -he never knywe byfor the subpena delyveryd hym that I hadde any clayme -or entrest in the maner off Heylesdon, but that it was peasyble my -Lordys off Suffolk. Wherffor I suppose that there be many men in -Norwyche that comonyd with hym off the byenge off that woode ere evyr he -made hys fulle bergayne, and per aventure some freendys off hys gave hym -warnyng theroff, and off myn entrest. Iff any suche credyble mane that -hadde hadde any suche langage to hym, or in hys companye, or than he -bargayned, or any man that he laboryd to be halffe marchant or byer with -hym, ar any man that refusyd to bye the seyd wood bycawse off myn -entrest in the presence of Feror, any suche credyble man maye, iff he -wyll, wytnesse ther in with me, or that dare avowe it, sholde be to me a -remedy off alle that is fellyd. I praye yow, if ye can here any suche, -that ye will in the presence off them make a bylle of remembraunce -theroff, and off ther sayng, so that they maye her afftre wytnesse in -the mater. Neverthelesse, trowthe it is that he hadde knowleche ther off -i nowe, and soo hadde every man off hys havore [_substance_] in Norwych, -I dowt nott; and as for hym, I am sure he hadde knowleche, for so moche -as he desyryd at hys bargayn to have a sywerte to be savyd harmeles -ageyn me, whyche was grawntyd hym butt nott executyd. No mor, butt I -hope with Goddys grace to have hastely goode remedy for the hole maner, -and off Drayton therto, and alle the remenaunte. - -Wretyn a London, the v. daye off Maye, anno E. iiij^ti xviij^{o}. - - [Footnote 316-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -930 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[318-1] - -_To my ryght worshypfull modre, Margret Paston, be thys delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 13] - -Please it yow to weete, that wher as I entendyd to have ben at home thys -Mydsomer, and purposyd with yowr goode helpe to have bygonne uppon my -ffadrys tombe, so that it myght have ben endyd thys somyr; it is soo, -that ffor suche cawsys as ar nowe bygunne by twyen my Lorde off Suffolk -and me, ffor the manerys off Heylesdon, Drayton, &c., for whyche materis -I most nedys be heer thys nexte terme; therffor I deme it woll be afftr -Mydsomer, er than I can see yow. - -Please it yow also to weete that I comonyd with Master Pykenham to weete -iff he wolde bye the clothe off golde, for soo moche as he desyryd ons -to have bowte it, and he offryd me ons xx. marke therffor, neverthelesse -it coste me xxiiij_li._; yit nowe, when that I spake to hym ther off, he -refusyd to bye it, and seyde that he hadde nowe so many chargys that he -maye nott. Butt it is soo that the Kynge dothe mak sertayne copys and -vestymentys off like clothe, whyche he entendyth to gyve to the Coledge -at Foodryngdre, wher my lorde hys ffadre is nowe buryed, and he byethe -at a grete pryce. - -I comonyd with the vestment maker ffor to helpe me fforthe with xij. -yerds, and he hathe grauntyd me to doo, as Whetleye can telle yow; -wherffor, iff it please yow that it be bystowyd ffor to make a towmbe -ffor my ffadre at Bromholme, iff ye lyke to sende it hyddr, iffe it be -solde I undretake or Mychelmesse, that ther shalle be a tombe, and -somwhatt ellys ovyr my ffadris grave, on whoys sowle God have mersye, -that ther shall noone be lyke it in Norffolk; and as ye shalle be gladde -herafftr to see it; and God sende me leyser that I maye come home, and -iff I doo not, yit the monye shall be putte to noon other use, butt -kepyd by some that ye trust, tylle that it may be bystowyd acordyng as -is above wretyn, and ellys I gyve yow cawse nevyr to truste me whylle ye -and I lyve. When I was last with yow, ye grauntyd that the seyde clothe -of golde sholde be bywaryd [_spent_] abowte thys werke, that is above -wretyn, whyche iff ye wylle perfforme, I undretake that ther shalle be -suche a towmbe as ye shalle be pleasyd at, thowgh it cost me xx. marke -off myn owne purse besyde, iff I ons sette uppon it. - -No mor, but I beseche Goode have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at London, the Wednysdaye in Whyghtsonweke, anno E. iiij^ti -xviij^{o}. - -Please it yow to sende me worde by Whatley off yowr plesyr her in. - - By your Sone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 318-1: [From Fenn, ii. 260.]] - - -931 - -WALTER PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[319-1] - -_To his worchypfull moder, Margaret Paston, dwellyng in Mawtby, be this -letter delyveryd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 19] - -Rytgh reverent and worchypfull moder, I recomaund me on to yowr good -moderchypp, besechyng yow to geve me yowr dayly benediccyon, desyeryng -hartyly to heer of yowr prosperyte, whych God preserve to Hys plesure, -and to yowr hartys desyyr, &c. I marvel soor that yow sent me noo word -of the letter wych I sent to yow by Master Wylliam Brown at Ester. -I sent yow word that tym that I xold send yow myn exspenses -partyculerly; but as at thys tym the berar her of had a letter sodenly -that he xold come home, and there fore I kowd have no leysur to send -them yow on that wys; and there fore I xall wryt to yow in thys letter -the hool som of my exspenses sythyns I was with yow tyll Ester last -paste, and also the reseytys, rekenyng the xx_s._ that I had of yow to -Oxon wardys with the Buschopys fyndyng. - -The hool some of reseytys ys v_li._ xvij_s._ vj_d._, and the holl some -of exspenses ys vj_li._ v_s._ v_d._ ob. qua., and that comth over the -reseytys in my exspenses I have borowd of Master Edmund, and yt drawyth -to viij_s._ And yet I recone none exspenses sythyns Ester. But as for -them, they be non grete; and therfor I besech yow to send me mony by Syr -Richard Cotman, brynger of thys letter, or ellys by the next masenger -that yow kan have to me. - -I besech yow that he that I sent by thys letter to yow may have good -scher, yf he brynge yt hym selfe, as he telth me that he woll, for he ys -a good lover of myn. Master Edmund Alyard recomaund hym specyaly to yow, -and to all my brodyrn and systyrs, and to all yowr howshold; and I -besech yow that I may be recomaundyd to all them also, and specyaly to -my brodyr John the yonger. No more to yow at thys tym, but Allmythy -Jhesus have yow in Hys kepyng. Amen. - -Wretyn at Oxonforth, on Seynt Dunstonys Day and the xix. day of May. - - By your sonn and scoler, - - WALTER PASTON. - - [Footnote 319-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed - in Fenn's fifth volume, and dated by him in 1478. I do not know on - what evidence he assigns this particular year to it, except that, - as he tells us elsewhere, Walter Paston took a degree at Oxford, - and died in 1479.] - - [[Rytgh reverent and worchypfull moder - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -932 - -J. WHETLEY TO SIR JOHN PASTON[320-1] - -_To the ryght worsh[yp]full Sir John Paston, Knyght, loged at the sygne -off the George at Powlys Wharff, in London, be thys delyvered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 20] - -Pleas it your meastershep to understond the dealyng of every thyng, the -wych I was charged with at my departyng frome your measterchep. - -Fyrst, your suppena to Denton was delyvered by me on Trenite Sondaye, in -hys parych cherch, at Matens tyme, be ffor the substans of the parych; -and as for Drayton wod, it is not all down yet, but it drawes fast -toward. I have the names of all the mynestres off and in that wod, and -more schall know or I come, yf ther be any more dealyng, &c. - -And as for Haylysdon, my Lord of Suffolk was ther on Wedensday in -Whytson Weke, and ther dined, and drew a stew and toke gret plente of -fych; yet hath he left you a pyke or ij., agayn ye come, the wych wold -be gret comford to all your frendes, and dyscomford to your enmys; for -at hys beyng ther that daye ther was never no man that playd Herrod in -Corpus Crysty[321-1] play better and more agreable to hys pageaunt then -he dud. But ye schall understond that it was after none, and the weder -hot, and he so feble for sekenes that hys legges wold not bere hyme, but -ther was ij. men had gret payn to kepe hym on hys fete; and ther ye were -juged. Som sayd 'Sley;' some sayd 'Put hym in preson.' And forth com my -lord, and he wold met you with a spere, and have none other mendes for -the troble at ye have put hym to but your hart blod, and that will be -gayt with hys owen handes; for and ye have Haylesdon and Dreton, ye -schall have hys lyff with it. And so he comford your enmys with that -word that thay have dealed and dealeth with the wod, and most pryncepall -nowe is Nycolesse Ovye. For as for Ferrer,[321-2] the Meare, he delys -not with owt it be under covert; for it is sayd that he be soght my lord -that he myght have other sygnementes for hys money that he had payd, for -playnly he wold deall no mor with the wod. And so my lord hath set in -the Bayly of Cossay, and all is doon in hys name; and as for hys -servauntes, thay dayly thret my measter your brother and me to slay for -comyng of ther lordes ground, and thay say that we made an entre; and -thay beth answerd as ye comaunded me, for many a gret chalaunge make -thay to Mester John, both Measter Wodhowse, Wysman, with other dyveres -that I know not ther names; but he holdeth hys own that thay gayt no -grownd of hym. And thys he lettes thaym knowe that if thay bete hym or -any of hys, thay schall aby vj. for on, and so thay deall not but with -ther tonges; and as yet, syth Ferrer was at London, there passes not -iij. acres of wod down but thay cary fast for fere of rayn, &c. - -Also, sir, I trust to bryng or send hastely the cloth off gold, for it -hath ben largely tempted; but as yet I have none playn answer, but put -in hope. Also I have spoken with Popy for your money, and delyvered hym -your letter, the wych, as he sayth, is a straunge thyng to hym, for, as -I understond, he that owght thys deute was uncle to thys yong man, and -he sayth that hys fader was never exsecutor to hym, nor never mynestred; -and I told hym howe that hys fader was bound for the same deute, in so -mech and my measter wold have forgevyn part of the same deute, he wold -have payed it; and so he will be at London thys terme, and speke with -you, and thys is hys answer. - -Morover Wyllyam Worsestre, mevyd unto me of onne Sir Wylliam Bokkyng, -exsecutor and brother to John Bokkyng, the whych was one of Sir John -Fastolf hys clerkes, the whych mater I knewe not, nor had no -comaundement be you to deall therin, and so I told hym. Never the lesse -he sayd that ye promysed hym to have sent your will to have bene done in -that mater by me, and so he troweth that it was owt of your mynd at my -departyng. Yff so be that ye will any thyng to be doon by me or I come -to yow in that mater, let me have knowlege schortly, for I thynk to be -with yow in the weke folowyng aftyr thys wryten, with owt I may have -more comford of money then I have yet. - -And as for my meastres, your moder hath ben gretly deseased and so seke -that she wened to have dyed, and hath made her wyll,[322-1] the wyche ye -shall understond more when I come, for ther is every man for hym selff. -I know not the sercomstance of every thyng as yet, and therfor I writ no -more to you therin, but I am promysed to know or I depart from thens. - -Also I spake with William Barker, and he sayth that I shall have the -stuff or I depart, or els the monye agayn that he hade of Wylliam -Pecoke. - -Also, sir, as for your lond be syd Bromholm that ye had of Bakton, it -hath layn un ocupyed syth ye were ther. - -Moreover, my Lord of Suffolk[323-1] is remevyd in to Suffolk the morow -after that he had bene at Haylesdon, and my lady purposed to remeff -after on thys day, Corpus Crysty Evyn, by the grace of Jesu, Who -preserve yow ever in worchep. - -Wryten at Norwych, on Wedensday Corpus Crysty Evyn, anno E. iiij^ti -xviij^{o}. - - * * * - -Item, as for the knowleg that Ferror denyed by hys othe that he knew -never no tytle nor entrest that ye had in and to Haylsdon and Dreton, as -yet we can not know; but thys thay will record all that were at the -delyveraunce of the wryt that he sayd my lord had promysed to save hym -harmles, in so mech that Wysman was bownd to Ferrour to save hym -harmeles, and he had for bryngyng that mater about, that Ferrour shuld -have the wod, xx_s._ - - Your servaunt, - - J. WHETLEY. - - [Footnote 320-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 321-1: Corpus Christi Day, the Thursday after the Octave - of Whitsuntide, was famous for the acting of Mysteries, - particularly at Chester.--F.] - - [Footnote 321-2: Richard Farrer, Farrour, or Ferriour, was five - times Mayor of Norwich, namely, in 1473, 1478, 1483, 1493, and - 1498.--F.] - - [Footnote 322-1: The will now made by Margaret Paston was - afterwards cancelled, as that which was proved after her death in - 1484 was dated on the 4th of February 1482, 21 E. IV.] - - [Footnote 323-1: John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, etc., married - Elizabeth, third daughter of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, - and sister of Edward IV. They both lie buried at Wingfield, in - Suffolk.--F.] - - [[be thys delyvered in hast - _final italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -933 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[323-2] - -_To the ryght worshypfull Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 27] - -I greet yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng yow wete -that I have sent yow be Whetele the clothe of golde, chargyng yow that -it be not solde to none other use than to the performyng of yowyr fadyrs -toombe, as ye send me worde in wrytyng; yf ye sell yt to any othyr use, -by my trowthe, I shall never trost yow wyll I leve. - -Remembyr that yt coste me xx^ti marke the pleggyng owte of yt, and yf I -wher not glad to se that made, I wolde not departe from it. Remembyr yow -what charge I have had with yow of late, whyche wyl not be for my ease -this ij. yer; whan ye may better, I trost ye whyll remembyr yt. - -My cosyn Clere dothe as meche coste at Bromhom as whylle drawe an C_li._ -upon the deskys in the quere, and in othyr places, and Heydon in lyke -whyse, and yf ther shulde no thyng be don for yowyr fadyr, yt wolde be -to gret a schame for us alle, and in cheffe to se hym lye as he dothe. - -Also as I understond that my cosyn Robert Clere thynkyth gret on -kyndenesse in delyng wyth hym of Pecoke, for certeyn pasture that -ye[324-1] grawntyd hym to have, and Pecoke hath letyn it to othyr, suche -as he lyste to lete yt to, not withstondyng my cosyn hath leyd the -pastur with hys catell, and Pecok hathe strenyd them. - -I thynk thys delyng is not as yt shulde be. I wolde that iche of yow -shulde do for other, and leve as kynnysmen and frendys; for suche -servawnts my make trobyll by twyxe yow, wheche wher a ageynste cortesy, -so nyhe newbors as ye be, he is a man of substance and worchyp, and so -wylle be takyn in thys schyr; and I wer lothe that ye shulde lese the -good wylle of suche as may do for yow. - -Item, wher as ye have begonne your cleyme in Heylysdon and Drayton, -I pray God send yow good spede and foderance in yit. Ye have as good a -season as ye wulde wysche, consyderyng that yowyr adversary standys not -in best favyr with the Kynge. - -Also ye have the voyse in this contre, that ye may do as meche with the -Kyng, as any knygth that ys longyng to the corte. Yf yt be so, I pray -God contynu yt; and also that ye shuld mary rygth nygth of the Qwenys -blood; qwat sche ys we are not as certeyn, but yf yt be so, that yowyr -lond schuld come agayne by the reason of yowyr maryage, and to be sett -in rest, at the reverence of God for sake yt nowt, yf ye can fynde in -yowyr harte to love hyr, so that sche be suche one as ye can thynke to -have issu by, or ellys, by my trowthe, I had rather that ye never maryd -in yowyr lyffe. - -Also, yf yowyr mater take not now to good effecte, ye and all yowyr -frendys may repent them that ye began yowyr cleyme, with owte that ye -have take suche a suyr wey, as may be to yowyr intent, for many -inconvenyens that may falle ther of. God send yow good spede in all -yowyr maters. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, the day after Seynt Austyn in May, the xviij. yer of -Kyng Edward the iiij^te. - - Be yowyr Modyr. - - [Footnote 323-2: [From Fenn, ii. 264.]] - - [Footnote 324-1: Fenn's literal text reads 'that be grawntyd,' - which seems to be an error. In the modern transcript it is 'that - ye granted.'] - - -934 - -OXNEAD PARSONAGE[325-1] - -_The comodytys off the parsonage and the valew off the benyfyce off -Oxned._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / JULY 31] - -My new parson off Oxned, whan he is instute and inducte, at the first -entre in to the chyrch and benefyce off Oxned, must off awncyent custom -long contynued with in the dyosesse off Norwyche, pay to the byschopp -off Norwych, for the first frutes off the seyd benefyce, xiiij. marke; -for wyche xiiij. marke, iff the new parson be wytty and have favour a -bowt the Byschops offycers, he schall have days off paiment to pay the -seid xiiij. marke in xiiij. yere, that is, a marke a yere, till it be -payd; so that he can fynd suffycyent mene to be bownd to the Bischopp be -obligacion to kepe his days off payment. - -And the chyrch is but litill, and is resonable plesaunt, and reparyd. -[And the] dwellyng place of the parsonage is a yoynyng to the . . . . -. . . d well howsyd and reparyd, hall, chamberes, barn, doffhowse, and -all howsys off offyce. - -And it hath a doffhowse worth a yere, xiiij_s._ iiij_d._ - -And it hath ij. large gardens with frute, and is yonynge to the place -and chyrch yard, wher off the frute is worth yerly, xxvj_s._ viij_d._ - -And ther longith to the seid parsonage in fre lond, arable, pasture and -medowe ayonyng to the seid parsonage, xxij^ti acre or more, wher off -every acre is worth ij_s._; to latyn [_to let_], iij_li._ iiij_d._ - -And William Paston, Justice, qwan he[326-1] cam fyrst to dwell in the -maner of Oxned, paid to the parson that was than for the corne growyng -on the parsonage londys and for the tythynges, ondely but in corne whan -it was inned in to the barn, xxiiij_li._ - -And the same yere the parson had all the awterage and oder profytes be -syde the seyd xxiiij_li._ - -It is yerly worth, as the world goth now, x_li._ - -And it is butt an esy cure to kepe, ffor ther ar natt past xx^ti persons -to be yerly howselyd.[326-2] - -The parsonage stant be a fresh ryver syde. - -And ther is a good markett town callyd Alysham, within ij. myle off the -parsonage. - -And the cyte of Norwych is within vj. myle off the parsonage. - -And the see is within x. myle off the parsonage. - -And if a parson cam now, and warr presentyd, institute, and inducte, he -shuld have by the lawe all the cropp that is now growyng, that was eryd -and sowyn off the old parsons cost, growyng on the parsonage landes now, -as his own good, and all the tyth off all maner graynys off the maner, -londes, and tenantes londes,[326-3] towardes his charges off the fyrst -frutes. And if it ware innyd it war (the crop now growyng)[326-4] worth -his first frutes. - -[327-1]He that hath this benefice, and he were a pore man, myght have -lycens to have service be side. - -The Beshop ought not to have the valew of this cropp for the arrerages -of the fyrst fruttes that Sir Thomas Everard, last parson of Oxned, oght -to the Bysshop whan he died, for the said Sir Thomas Everard was bond to -the Bisshop in an obligacion for the said frutes, and the said Sir -Thomas Everard, for to defraude the Bysshop and oder men that he owid -mony to, gaff a way his gooddes to serten persons, qwech persons toke a -way the said goodes, and also durres and wyndow of the said parsonage; -and it is though that both the Bysshop and the patron myght take accions -a gayns the said persons. - - [Footnote 325-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this - document is shown by the following mutilated endorsement: '. . . . - . . . . . . parsonage of Oxnede made xxxj. Julii, A^o xviij^o E. - iiij^ti.' The first words were doubtless 'The value of,' or - something to that effect; but the paper is mutilated.] - - [Footnote 326-1: 'William Paston, Justice, qwan he.' These words - are a correction, interlined, in the hand of William Paston, the - uncle of Sir John. The text stood originally, 'And my hosbond and - I whan we.'] - - [Footnote 326-2: _i.e._ to receive the sacrament.] - - [Footnote 326-3: _Off the maner londes and tenantes londes._ These - words are interlined by William Paston.] - - [Footnote 326-4: This parenthesis is an interlineation by William - Paston.] - - [Footnote 327-1: What follows is in William Paston's hand.] - - -935 - -ABSTRACT[327-2] - -[Sidenote: 1478 / AUG. 5] - -Presentation by Agnes Paston of Richard Lyncoln, S.T.P., to the parish -church of Oxened, _vice_ Thomas Everard, deceased. - - London, 5 Aug. 1478. - - [Footnote 327-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - - - -END OF VOLUME V - - - Printed by T. and A. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></p> -<p>Title: The Paston Letters, Volume V (of 6)</p> -<p> New Complete Library Edition</p> -<p>Editor: James Gairdner</p> -<p>Release Date: March 1, 2013 [eBook #42239]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PASTON LETTERS, VOLUME V (OF 6)***</p> -<br><br><center><h5 class="pg">E-text prepared by Louise Hope, Chris Curnow,<br> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br> - from page images generously made available by<br> - Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries<br> - (<a href="http://archive.org/details/toronto">http://archive.org/details/toronto</a>)</h5></center><br><br> <p> </p> <table border=0 bgcolor="ccccff" cellpadding=10> <tr> @@ -18984,360 +18967,6 @@ JAMES G. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: The Paston Letters, Volume V (of 6) - New Complete Library Edition - - -Editor: James Gairdner - -Release Date: March 1, 2013 [eBook #42239] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PASTON LETTERS, VOLUME V (OF -6)*** - - -E-text prepared by Louise Hope, Chris Curnow, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries -(http://archive.org/details/toronto) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 42239-h.htm or 42239-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42239/42239-h/42239-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42239/42239-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries. See - http://archive.org/details/pastonlettersad05gairuoft - - - Project Gutenberg has the other volumes of this work. - Volume I: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43348 - Volume II: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40989 - Volume III: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41024 - Volume IV: see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41081 - Volume VI, Part 1 (Letters, Chronological Table): see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42240 - Volume VI, Part 2 (Index): see http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42494 - - -Transcriber's note: - - This text file is intended for users whose text readers cannot - display the Unicode/UTF-8 version. The oe-ligature is displayed - as "oe." One Greek phrase is shown in transliteration between - number signs (#O thea#). - - The Gairdner edition of the Paston Letters was printed in six - volumes. Each volume is a separate e-text; Volume VI is further - divided into two e-texts, Letters and Index. Volume I, the - General Introduction, will be released after all other volumes, - matching the original publication order. - - Except for footnotes and sidenotes, all brackets are in the - original, as are parenthetical question marks and (_sic_) - notations. Series of dots representing damaged text are shown - as in the printed original. - - The year was shown in a sidenote at the top of each page; this - has been merged with the sidenote at the beginning of each - Letter or Abstract. - - A carat character is used to denote superscription. The - character(s) following the carat is superscripted (example: - vj^ti). Braces { } are used only when the superscripted - text is immediately followed by non-superscripted letters - or period (full stop). Subscripts (rare) are shown with - single lines _.Errata and other transcriber's notes are - shown in [[double brackets]]. - - Footnotes have their original numbering, with added page - number to make them usable with the full Index. They are - grouped at the end of each Letter or Abstract. - - Typographical errors are listed at the end of each Letter, - after the footnotes. In the primary text, errors were only - corrected if they are clearly editorial, such as missing - italics, or mechanical, such as u-for-n misprints. Italic - "d" misprinted as "a" was a recurring problem, especially - in Volume IV. The word "invisible" means that there is - an appropriately sized blank space, but the letter or - punctuation mark itself is missing. The form "corrected - by author" refers to the Errata printed at the end of the - Letters, in Volume VI. - - Specifics: The spelling "Jhon" is not an error. Gresham and - Tresham are different people. Conversely, the inconsistent - spelling of the name "Lipyate" or "Lipgate" in footnotes is - unchanged. In this volume, the spelling "apostyle" for - "apostille" is used consistently. - - Note that the printed book used z to represent original small - letter yogh. This has not been changed for the e-text. - - - - - -This edition, published by arrangement with Messrs. ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE -AND COMPANY, LIMITED, is strictly limited to 650 copies for Great -Britain and America, of which only 600 sets are for sale, and are -numbered 1 to 600. - -No. 47 - - [[The number 47 is handwritten.]] - - - * * * * * - * * * * - - - THE PASTON LETTERS - - A.D. 1422-1509 - - - * * * * - * * * * * - - -THE PASTON LETTERS -A.D. 1422-1509 - -New Complete Library Edition - -Edited with Notes and an Introduction - -by - -JAMES GAIRDNER -of the Public Record Office - -_VOLUME V_ - - - - - - - -London -Chatto & Windus - -[Decoration] - -Exeter -James G. Commin -1904 - -Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty - - - - -THE PASTON LETTERS - -_Edward IV_ - - - - -695 - -WILLIAM EBESHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON[1-1] - -_To my moost worshupfull maister, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1469(?)] - -My moost woorshupfull and moost speciall maister, with all my servyce -moost lowly I recomande unto your gode maistirship, besechyng you most -tendirly to see me sumwhat rewardid for my labour in the Grete -Booke[1-2] which I wright unto your seide gode maistirship. I have often -tymes writyn to Pampyng accordyng to your desire, to enforme you hou I -have labourd in wrytyngs for you; and I see wele he speke not to your -maistership of hit. And God knowith I ly in seint warye [_sanctuary_] at -grete costs, and amongs right unresonable askers. I movid this mater to -Sir Thomas[1-3] late, and he tolde me he wolde move your maistirship -therein, which Sir Thomas desirid me to remembir wele what I have had in -money at soondry tymes of hym.[2-1] - - . . . . . . . - -And in especiall I beseche you to sende me for almes oon of your olde -gownes, which will countirvale much of the premysses I wote wele; and I -shall be yours while I lyve, and at your comandement; I have grete myst -of it, God knows, whom I beseche preserve you from all adversite. I am -sumwhat acqueyntid with it. Your verry man, - - W. EBSHAM. - -Folowyng apperith, parcelly, dyvers and soondry maner of writyngs, which -I William Ebesham have wreetyn for my gode and woorshupfull maistir, Sir -John Paston, and what money I have resceyvid, and what is unpaide. - - First, I did write to his maistership a litill booke of Pheesyk, - for which I had paide by Sir Thomas Leevys[2-2] in Westminster - xx_d._ - - Item, I had for the wrytyng of half the prevy seale of Pampyng - viij_d._ - - Item, for the wrytynge of the seid hole prevy seale of Sir Thomas - ij_s._ - - Item, I wrote viij. of the Witnessis in parchement, but aftir - xiiij^d. a peece, for which I was paide of Sir Thomas - x_s._ - - Item, while my seide maister was over the see in Midsomerterme - - Calle sett me a warke to wryte two tymes the prevy seale in papir, - and then after cleerely in parchement - iiij_s._ viij_d._ - - And also wrote the same tyme oon mo of the lengist witnessis, - and other dyvers and necessary wrytyngs, for which he promisid me - x^s. whereof I had of Calle but iiij^s. viij^d. car. v^s. iiij^d. - v_s._ iiij_d._ - - I resceyvid of Sir Thomas at Westminster, penultimo die Oct., anno - viij. - iij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Item, I did write to quairs of papir of witnessis, every quair - conteynyng xiiij. leves after ij^d. a leff - iiij_s._ viij_d._ - - Item, as to the Grete Booke--First, for wrytyng of the Coronacion, - and other tretys of Knyghthode, in that quaire which conteyneth - a xiij. levis and more, ij^d. a lef - ij_s._ ii_d._ - - Item, for the tretys of Werre in iiij. books, which conteyneth - lx. levis aftir ij^d. a leaff - x_s._ - - Item, for _Othea_[3-1] pistill, which conteyneth xliij. leves - vii_s._ ij_d._ - - Item, for the Chalengs, and the Acts of Armes which is xxviij^ti - lefs - iiij_s._ viij_d._ - - Item, for _De Regimine Principum_, which conteyneth xlv^ti leves, - aftir a peny a leef, which is right wele worth - iij_s._ ix_d._ - - Item, for Rubrissheyng of all the booke - iii_s._ iiij_d._ - - Summa rest' - xxij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Summa non solut' - xlj_s._ j_d._, - unde pro magno[4-1] libro scripto xxvij^s cum diu' chal.[4-2] - - Summa Totalis - iij_li._ iij_s._ v_d._ - - WILLIAM EBESHAM. - - - In further illustration of the payments made in that age for - writing, etc., Sir John Fenn gives the following extracts from an - original quarto MS. then in his possession, containing-- - -The various expences of Sir John Howard, Knight, of Stoke by Neyland, in -Suffolk (afterwards Duke of Norfolk), page 136. - -Item, the vij^th yere of Kynge Edward the iiij^th, and the xxviij. day -of July (1467). My master rekened with Thomas Lympnour of Bury, and my -master peid hym-- - - For viij. hole vynets . . . prise the vynett, xii_d._, - viij_s._ - - Item, for xxj. demi vynets . . . prise the demi vynett, iiij_d._ - vij_s._ - - Item, for Psalmes lettres xv^c. and di' . . . the prise of - C. iiij_d._ - v_s._ ij_d._ - - Item, for p'ms letters lxiij^c. . . . prise of a C., j_d._ - v iij_d._ - - Item, for wrytynge of a quare and demi . . . prise the quayr, xx_d._ - ij_s._ vj_d._ - - Item, for wrytenge of a calender, - xij_d._ - - Item, for iij. quayres of velym, prise the quayr, xx_d._ - v_s._ - - Item, for notynge of v. quayres and ij. leves, prise of the quayr, - viij[_d._] - iij_s._ vij_d._ - - Item, for capital drawynge iij^c. and di', the prise, - iij_d._ - - Item, for floryshynge of capytalls, v^c. - v_d._ - - Item, for byndynge of the boke, - xij_s._ - - c_s._ ij_d._ - -The wyche parcellis my master paid hym this day, and he is content. - -This is an account of a limner or illuminator of manuscripts, who -resided at Bury. - - [Footnote 1-1: [From Fenn, ii. 10.] By the date of one item in the - account subjoined to this letter it must have been written after - the year 1468, probably in the year following.] - - [Footnote 1-2: This 'great book' has been identified, on evidence - which at first sight seems conclusive, with MS. 285 in the - Lansdowne library in the British Museum. But probably this latter - is only another transcript by Ebesham of a very similar volume. - _See_ Account of this MS. in 'Sailing Directions for the - Circumnavigation of England,' published by the Hakluyt Society in - 1889.] - - [Footnote 1-3: Sir Thomas Lewis, a priest.] - - [Footnote 2-1: Here (according to Fenn) follows the account as - stated more at large in the subjoined Bill.] - - [Footnote 2-2: Fenn's modern transcript reads Lewis. Is 'Leevys' - in the other a misprint for 'Lewys'?] - - [Footnote 3-1: _Othea_ means a treatise on Wisdom.--F. - The name is derived from the Greek #O thea#, but was used in the - Middle Ages as a proper name. See a poem beginning - - 'Othea of prudence named godesse,' - - mentioned in the Third Report of the Historical MSS. Commission, - p. 188.] - - [Footnote 4-1: _magno_, 'm^o' in Fenn.] - - [Footnote 4-2: So in Fenn. Qu. _cum diurnali challengiorum_? Fenn - omits the whole of this clause, unde . . . . chal', but notices - its occurrence in a footnote.] - - [[_In this section, many italic "d"s were misprinted as "a". - They have not been individually noted._ - - ... the Chalengs, and the Acts of Armes which is xxviij^ti lefs - _text has "less"; corrected from Fenn ("lefs" with "f" misread as - "le[s]s" with long "s")_ - - ... prise the vynett, xii_d._, - _anomalous final comma in original_ - - Item, for p'ms letters lxiij^c. . . . prise of a C., j_d._ - v iij_d._ - _text unchanged: _s._ after "v" missing_]] - - -696 - -THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[5-1] - -_To the worshipfull, and with alle myn hert right entierly bilovyd Sir -John Paston, Knyght, this lettre be delivered._ - -TH'ERLE OF OXINFORD. - -[Sidenote: 1469(?) / JAN. 7] - -Right hertly welbilovyd, I grete you wele. And where I am for trowth -enformyd that the Duchesse of Suffolk wolle hold a court on Monday next -commyng at Coton, to th'entent that she wolle fynde the maner of -Thempnals holde of hir by knyghts service and they that ben -possessioners of the same shulde payle certeine of the Parke of -Weverston; and by cause this is nat performyd nor don, thoo that ben -possessioners shall at the said court be amersid. And it is agreed that -Sir William Yelverton, Sir Thomas Hoo, shalle be at the said court and -wolle pay the amercyment, and to delyver the said Duchesse possession of -the said service and palyng, and so by this meane to be come tenauntes -to the said Duchesse. And what wolle be falle more herof I kan nat sey. -Wherfor me thinkith it were welle don ye were at the said court with -your councell, and to do therin as they wolle avise you. Also as ye come -to the said court take your wey by the said Duchesse to th'entent that -ye come to se hir welfare, &c. Do herin as your councell wolle avyse -you. I wolde ye dud welle. And to my power I wolle help you. And our -Lorde kepe yow. Writyn at Tatyngston the vij. day of Januer. - - _Endorsed_: Th'Erle off Oxenfford. - - [Footnote 5-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It will be seen by No. - 690, that in October 1468 the Duchess of Suffolk had a design of - suddenly entering the manor of Cotton and dispossessing Sir John - Paston. This letter, in which it is said she proposes to hold a - court there, was probably written in the beginning of the - following year.] - - -697 - -ABSTRACT[6-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JAN. 9] - -W. COTING to JOHN COOK, draper of Norwich, 'and that he deliver or send -this bill to Richard Kalle in all goodly haste, for the matter is of -substance.' - -This day in the grey morning three men of my Lord of Norfolk with long -spears carried off three good horses from John Poleyn, 'one of your -farmers at Tichewell,' telling him to treat with my Lord of Norfolk. -Wishes to know what to do, 'for such an open wrong unremedied knew I -never.' Saturday after Epiphany. - -'Anno viij^o' is written below. - -[The signature of this letter is written in an abbreviated form, 'W. -Cot.' According to Blomefield, W. Cotyng was rector of Titchwell from -1450 to 1457, and he had been previously rector of Swainsthorp, to which -he was presented by Judge Paston in 1444. This letter is twelve years -later than the date at which his incumbency of Titchwell is said to have -terminated; but doubtless he is the writer. He is referred to as living -even in the year 1485, in a letter written by Dame Elizabeth Browne, who -says that he and James Gresham were clerks to her father Judge Paston.] - - [Footnote 6-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -698 - -EDWARD IV. TO SIR JOHN PASTON[6-2] - -_To our trusty and welbeloved Sir John Paston, Knight._ - -BY THE KINGE. - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JAN. 18] - -Trusty and welbeloved, we grete yow well. And how be it that we late -addressed unto yow our letters, and commanded yow by the same, for the -consideracions in them conteined, to have ceased of makinge any -assemblye of our people for the matter of variance dependinge betwixt -yow on that one partie, and our right trustie and right entirely beloved -cosin the Duke of Norffolk on that other, and to have appeared before -the Lords of our Councell at our Palleys of Westminster at a certeine -day in our said letters specified; yett nevertheless we understonde not -as yet if ye have conformed yow to the performinge of our said -commandement or not. We therefore eftsones write unto yow, willing and -straitly charging yow to cease of the said ryotts and assemblies; and -that incontinent upon the sight of these our letters that ye dispose yow -personally to appear afore the said Lords of our Councell at our said -Pallis, there to answere to such thinges as in that behalfe by them -shall be laid and objected against yow, not failinge hereof, all excuses -laid aparte, as ye will avoide our displeasure. Yeven under our signet -at our citye of Salesbury, the xviij. day of January. - - [Footnote 6-2: This letter is reprinted from the Paston Genealogy - in the _Norfolk Archaeology_, to which we have already several - times referred (_see_ Nos. 484, 641, 643, etc.). Edward IV. was at - Salisbury in January 1469, one of his privy seals being dated - there on the 16th of the month.] - - -699 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO ROGER TOWNSEND[7-1] - -_To the ryght worshypfull and hys best betrustyd Frende, Roger -Townesende._ - -[Sidenote: 1467-9 / FEB. 12] - -Right worshipfull sir, I comaunde me to yow, praying yow hertly to -remembre that by the award made bytwen yow and me by Roger Townesend for -a tenement in Stratton in Norfolk callid Rees, I shuld delyver yow all -the evydens apperteynyng to the said plase, and not from thens forth to -chalenge nor interupte my lady your wife ner yow of the said tenement; -And that for thes said causes ye shuld and therto were agreyd to geve me -an horse and x_li._ to an harneys. And moreovir before Cristemasse in -the kynges chambre ye ther ageyn promysed me that ye wold such tyme as I -send to yow home to yowre plase by any servant of myne er any man from -me, that ye wold delyver it hym and send it to me by hym. My brothir -John hath send me word that he remembird yow therof on my behalfe and -that you answerid hym that ye wold gyfe hym or me a fayre harneys at -your comyng to London. I deme in yow that ye thynke par case to bye a -fayre harneys here for x. markz; but, cosyn, as God help me, I bowte an -harneys syn that tyme for my self, which cost me xx_li._ But I con not -desire of yow so moch. Wherfore, cosyn, with all myn hert I pray yow -accordyng to yowre promyse that it like yow to send me by my servaunt, -berer herof, the said somme of x_li._, as my trust is in yow, and as I -wolde in like case have don to yow, and as in the premysses I delt -feithfully with yow and evir so shall dele, with the grase of God, Who -have yow in Hys kepyng. Wretyn at London the xii. day of -Feveryer.--Youris, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 7-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 186.] This letter was probably - written after the death of John Paston, the writer's father, but - the precise year is uncertain.] - - [[John Paston, k. - _printed with anomalous small "k."_]] - - -700 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[8-1] - -_To my mastyr, Sir John Paston, knyght, in Flet stret._ - -[Sidenote: 1468-9(?)] - -Syr, &c. It is so that, with owght ye have hasty reparacyon doon at -Caster, ye be lyek to have doubyll cost in hast, for the reyn hathe so -moystyd the wallys in many plasys that they may not tylle the howsys -tyll the wallys be reparyd; or ellys ye shall have doubyll cost for to -untylle your howsys ayen at syche tyme as ye shall amend the wallys. And -if it be not do thys yer, many of the wallys wyll lye in the moot or -longe to; ye knowe the febyllnesse of the utter coort of old. John -Pampyng hathe had hame to Caster as good as x^ml. tylle fyr the plase at -Yermeuthe, and it wer pete that the tyll wer lost; and the lenger that -it lythe unleyd the wers it wyll be. I have thys day bespok as myche -lyme as wyll serve for the tyll. Wherfor I prey yow remembyr the cost of -the werkmanschep and purvey the money by oo mean or othyr, what shefte -so evyr ye make. And, for your owne profyte, remembyr to goo thorow with -Hwghe of Fen; for by my trowthe ye wyll ellys repent yow er owght longe. -For bothe ye shall loose hys good wyll and lett peraventure that -avantage that he myght do yow in your lond recoveryng; wher as he may do -yow harme and [_if_] he wyll and then, to late wyse. Item, that ye -remembyr your relesys and gounys of my Lord of Norffolk er ye com hom. -Item, I send yow by the berer herof a lettyr dyrect to yow that a man of -my Lord of Oxenfortheys delyverd me; whych lettyr comyth fro the Kyng. -Item, that ye remembyr in eny wyse to serche for the fyne in syche -plasys as my modyr sent you woord of in a lettyr; for myn oncyll and my -grauntdam report that they have serchyd in all plasys thar as it shold -be, but they can not fynd no thyng of it. Also that ye look whedyr the -fyne was reryd to eny feeffeys mor then to my grauntfadyr and my -grauntdam and ther issu; for and ther wer eny feoffeys namyd in the fyn, -it is the bettyr for yow. My Lady and my grauntdam be com to London for -the same mater; wherfor it wer well do that the jwgys wer enformyd of -your mater befor they spok with theym. I prey yow hye yow hom hastyly -and se your owne profyte your sylf. Pampyng and I shall clowt up your -howsys as we may with the money that we have tyll more come, but ye -shold do bettyr your sylf. I prey red thys byll onys on a day tyll ye -have sped thes maters wretyn her in; thowe it be to your peyne to labore -theym, remembyr your profyt. Nomor, &c., but God kep yow thys Lent fro -lollardy of fleshe. Wretyn at Norwyche the Twysday next aftyr that I -departyd fro yow. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 8-1: [Add. MS. 33,597, f. 4.] The year in which this - letter was written is doubtful, but it was most probably either - 1468 or 1469, at the beginning of Lent.] - - -701 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[10-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, knyght, be this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MARCH 12] - -I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, desiryng you to -recomaund me to my brother William, and to comune with hym and your -councell in such materis as I wryght to you, that ther may be purveyd be -some writyng fro the Kyng that my Lord of Norffolk and his councell seas -[_cease_] of the wast that thei done in your lordsheps, and in especiall -at Heynford; for thei have felled all the wood, and this weke thei wull -carie it a wey, and lete renne the wateris and take all the fyssh. And -Sir William Yelverton and his sone William, John Grey and Burgeys, -William Yelvertons men, have ben at Guton and takyn distresses, and with -ought that [_unless_] thei wull pay them thei shall not set ought no -plow to till there lande; thei byd them lete there land lye on tilled -but if [_unless_] thei pay them. So that if the tenauntes have no remedy -that thei may pesibily, with ought assaught or distresse takyng, be the -seid Yelverton or his men, or of any other in there names, at there -liberte herye there landis, with in this vij. days there tylth in the -feldis be lost for all this yere and thei shall be on doon; and though -ye shuld kepe it here after pesibilly ye shuld lese the ferme of this -yere, for thei may not pay you but if [_unless_] thei may occupie there -landis; thei set not so sone a plow ought at ther gatis but ther is a -felesship redy to take it. And thei ride with speris and launyegays, -like men of werre, so that the seid tenauntis arn a ferd to kepe there -owyn howses. Therfore purvey an redy remedy, or ellis ye lese the -tenauntis hertis and ye gretly hurt; for it is gret pety to here the -swemefull[10-2] and petowse compleyntis of the pore tenauntis that come -to me for comfort and socour sometime vi. or vij. to geder. Therfore, -for Goddis love, se that thei ben helpyn, and desire my brothere William -to geve you good concell here. - -Also it is told me that my Lady of Suffolk hath promysed you here good -will, if your bargayn of the mariage[11-1] holdyth, to do as largely as -she shall be disired, or largelyer if there be any appoyntment takyn a -twix you for any materes a twyx her and you. And [_i.e._ if] thei wuld -avyse you to geve any money to here to make here refuse or disclayme -here titill, me semyth ye may wele excuse you be the money that she had -last, and be the wrongis that were don be here and here men in fellyng -of wood and pullyng doune of your place and logge at Heylesdon, and -takyn a wey of the shep and your faderis goodis, which were takyn a wey -at the pullyn don of the seid place; wheche wele considered, she were -wurthy to recompense you. And [_if_] the Kyng and the lordis were wele -enformed thei wuld considere the redilyer your hurtis. It semyth this -Sir William Yelverton hath comfort that he is so bold, for [he[11-2]] -hath ryght prowde and fowle langage and ryght slaundrows to the -tenauntis, as thei have reported to me. Therfor be ryght ware that ye -bynde not your self nor mak non ensurance till ye be suer of a pesibill -possession of your lande; for oftyn tyme rape rueth, and whan a man hath -made such a covenante he must kepith it, he may not chese; -there[fore[11-2]] be not to hasty till your londe be clere. And labore -hastly a remedy for thes premysses, or ellis Sir John Fastolffis -lyvelode, though ye entre it pesibilly, shall not be worth to ye a grote -this yere with ought ye wull on do your tenauntis. I pray you remembre a -kerchye of Cremyll for your suster Anne. Remembre to labore some remedy -for your faderis will whill my Lord of Caunterbury[11-3] lyvyth, for he -is an old man and he is now frendly to you and if he happed to dye, how -[_who_] shuld come after hym ye wote never; and if he wer a nedy man, in -asmych as your fader was noysed of so greet valew he wull be the mor -straunge to entrete. And lete this be not for gete; for [if] ther were -on [_one_] that aught us no good wyll he myght calle us up to make -accounte of his goodis, and if we had not for to showe for us where by -we have occupied, he myght send doun assentence to curse us in all the -diosyse and to make us to delivere his goodis; which were to us a gret -shame, and a rebuke. There fore purvey hastly and wyssely therfore whill -he lyvyth, and do not as ye dede whill my Lord of York[12-1] was -Chanceller make delays, for if ye had labored in his tyme as ye have do -sith, ye had be thurgh in your materis; be ware be that, and lete slauth -nomor take you in such diffaught; thynk of after clappes and have -provysion in all your work, and ye shall do the better. God kepe you. -Wretyn on Myd Lent Sonday in hast. - - Be your moder, - - M. P. - - [Footnote 10-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 202.] This letter must have - been written in 1469, after the Duke of Norfolk and Sir William - Yelverton had taken possession of Fastolf's lands.] - - [Footnote 10-2: _swemeful_, sorrowful.--Halliwell.] - - [Footnote 11-1: With Anne Haute.] - - [Footnote 11-2: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 11-3: Cardinal Bourchier.] - - [Footnote 12-1: George Nevill, Archbishop of York. He surrendered - the Great Seal on the 8th June 1467.] - - [[ride with speris and launyegays - _text unchanged; expected form is "launzegays" (laun[gh]egays with - original yogh)_]] - - -702 - -CARDINAL BOURCHIER'S DECLARATION[12-2] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -To all cristen men to whom this present writyng shall come, Thomas, by -the providence of God, Preeste Cardinall Archiebisshopp of Caunterbury, -Primat of all Inglond and Legat of the Appostallic See, gretyng. Where -now late Alice, Duchesse of Suffolk, come to us and desirid of us to -dismysse us of oure estate and to enseall a deed of a relees of the -maner of Haylysdon with the appurtenaunce in the counte of Norffolk; -which we denyed, in as myche as wee stode infeoffyd in the seid maner -with othirs to the use of Sir John Paston knyght, sone and heire to John -Paston sqwyer; to the whiche the seid Duchesse replied, seying and -affermyng that she was accordyd and agreed with the seid Sir John Paston -by the meane of the ryght Reverent fader in God, George Archebysshop of -York, and that the seid Sir John Paston was fully assented and agreed -that the seid Duchesse shuld have the seid manere wyth th'appurtenaunce -to hir, hir heyris and assignes for ever more, and that all the feoffees -enfeoffid and seisid in the seid manere wyth the appurtenaunce shuld -relees and make astate to hir or such as shee wolde assigne of the seid -manere wyth th'appurtenaunce; the wehych we answerde and seid upon -condicion that the seid Sir John Paston weere so agreed we wold relees -wyth a goodwyll, and els not; and yff so were that we cowde understand -hereafter by the seid Right reverent Fadir in God, George Archebisshop -of York, or by the seid Sir John Paston, that ther ware noon such -accorde made by twex the seid Duchesse and the seid Sir John, that than -oure deed and relees by us so ensealed off the seid maner wyth -th'appurtenaunce shuld stond as voyd, and of no force nor effecte; to -the wehyche the seid Duches agreed, and prayd us that we wold sealle hir -a deed of the same maner, wyche shee had theere redy, uppon the same -condicion and uppon noone other. And wee than, at hir specyall request -upon the condicion aforeseyd rehersid, sealid the seyd deed and -delyvered it; and the seid Duchesse at the same tyme promitted us that -she wold use and kepe the seid writyng noo notherwise, nor to noon othir -use but uppon the same condicion as is aforeseid. In witnesse whereoff, -to this oure present writyng we have sette oure seall. - - [Footnote 12-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 127.] From what Margaret - Paston writes to her son Sir John in the end of the last letter - about his father's will, and also from what she says a little - later about the Duchess of Suffolk (_see_ page 15), we may assign - this document with great probability to the year 1469.] - - [[_page 15 = Letter 704_]] - - -703 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[13-1] - -_To myght' well belovyd brother, John Paston, or to John Dawbeney, in -his absence._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MARCH 17] - -Ryght worschypful and well belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng -you wete that Sir Thomas Howes hadde a free chapell at Castr, wher of -the gyfte longyth to me, whyche chapell, as I understande, scholde be in -the olde tyme, er the place at Caster wer bylte, with in the motte, -wherfor I ame but the better pleased; and soo it is now that at the -speciall request of the Qwen and other especiall good Lordes of myn, -I have gevyn it to the berer her of, callyd Master John Yotton, a -chapleyn of the Qwenys. Neverthelle[ss] in tyme passyd I proposyd that -the master of the colegg scholde have hadd it, and so er longe to I hope -he schall, wherfor I thynke he most take possession, and that is the -cawse of hys comyng. Wherfor I pray yow make hym good cher. He is -informyd that it scholde be worthe C_s._ be yer, whyche I belyve not; -I thynke it der jnow xl_s._ by yeer. He most have it as it was hadde -befor. - -Item, thys daye I understonde that ther be comen letteris from my moder -and yow, and Dawbeney, wherin I schall sende yow answer when I have seyn -them. - -No mor at this tyme, for within this iij. dayes I shall lette yow have -kneleche of other maters. - -Wretyn the xviij. day of Marche. - -Whether he nedyth indoccion, or institucion, or non, I wot not; if it -nede, brother, ye may seale any suche thynge as well as I. Master Stevyn -kan tell all suche thynges. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 13-1: [From Fenn, iv. 308.] Sir Thomas Howes appears - to have died in the latter part of the year 1468. Before the end - of that year his living of Pulham was vacant, and his death is - alluded to in a letter of Margaret Paston's, written on the 30th - September 1469, as having occurred 'within this twelvemonth.' It - would appear by the following extract, quoted by Fenn, from the - Institution Books of the Bishop of Norwich, that Sir John's - presentation referred to in this letter was not allowed, or was - not made out in time, and that the Bishop presented by a lapse:-- - - 'Cantaria in Cayster-hall. - - 'Lib. xi. p. 170, 21 March 1468. Mr. Joh'es Yetton, S.T.P. ad - col. Ep'i. per laps'.'] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / MARCH 17 - _printed as shown, but text of letter says "xviij" (18)_]] - - -704 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[14-1] - -_To Sir John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 3] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blissyng and myn, thankyng you for -my seall that ye sent me; but I am right sory that ye dede so grete cost -ther up on, for on of xl_d._ should have served me right wele. Send me -ward what it cost you, and I shall send you money therfor. I send you a -letter be a man of Yarmoth; send me word if ye have it, for I marveyll -ye sent me non answer ther of be Juddy. - -I have non very knowleche of your ensuraunce [_engagement_], but if ye -be ensured I pray God send you joy and wurchep to geder, and so I trost -ye shull have, if it be as it is reported of her[15-1]; and a nemps God, -ye arn as gretly bownd to her as ye were maried, and therfor I charge -you up on my blissyng, that ye be as trew to her as she wer maried on to -you in all degrees, and ye shall have the mor grace and the better spede -in all other thyngs. - -Also, I wuld that ye shuld not be to hasty to be maried til ye wer more -suer of your lyvelode, for ye must remembr what charge ye shall have, -and if ye have not to mayntene it, it wull be gret rebuke; and therfor -labour that ye may have releses of the londs, and be in more suerte of -your lond, or than ye be maried. - -The Duchesse of Suffolk[15-2] is at Ewhelm, in Oxford shir, and it is -thought be your frends her that it is do that she myght be ferr and -ought of the wey, and the rather feyne excuse be cause of age or -sikenesse, and if that the Kyng wuld send for her for your maters. - -Your elmyse [_enemies_] be as bold her as thei wer befor, wherfor I can -not thynk but that thei have sume comfort. I sent to Cayster that thei -shuld be war in kepyng of the place, as ye dede wright to me. Hast you -to spede your maters as spedily ye can, that ye may have lesse felesshep -at Cayster, for the expences and costs be grete, and ye have no nede -therof and [_if_] ye remembre you wele what charges ye have beside, and -how your liffelode is dispoyled and wasted by your adversaries. - -Also I wuld ye shuld purvey for your suster[15-3] to be with my Lady of -Oxford,[16-1] or with my Lady of Bedford,[16-2] or in sume other -wurchepfull place, wher as ye thynk best, and I wull help to her -fyndyng, for we be eyther of us werye of other. I shall tell you more -whan I speke with you. I pray you do your devyr her in as ye wull my -comfort and welefar, and your wurchep, for diverse causes which ye shall -understand afterward, &c. - -I spake with the Lord Skales at Norwich, and thanked hym for the good -lordshep that he had shewed to you, and desired his Lordship to be your -contynuall good lord; and he swore be his trought he wold do that he -myght do for you; and he told me that Yelverton the Justice had spoke to -hym in your maters, but he told me not what; but I trow, and ye desired -hym to telle you, he wuld. Ye ar be holdyng to my Lord of his good -report of you in this contre, for he reported better of you than I trow -ye deserve. I felt be hym that ther hath be profered hym large proferes -on your adversaries parte ageyn you. - -Send me word as hastly as ye may after the begynnyng of the terme, how -ye have sped in all your maters, for I shall thynk right long till I her -sume good tidyngs. - -Item, I pray you recomaund me to the good mayster[16-3] that ye gaffe to -the chapell of Cayster, and thank hym for the gret cost that he dede on -me at Norwych; and if I wer a grette lady he shuld understand that he -shuld far the better for me, for me semyth be his demenyng he shuld be -right a good man. - -Item, I send you the nowche[16-4] with the dyamaunch, be the berer -herof. I pray yow forgate not to send me a kersche[16-5] of Cr'melle for -nekkerchys for your syster Anne, for I am schente of the good lady that -sche is with, be cawse she hathe non, and I can non gette in all thys -towne. - -I xuld wrythe mor to yow but for lakke of leyser. God have yow in Hys -kepyng, and send yow good spede in alle your maters. Wryten in haste on -Eestern Munday. - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 14-1: [From Fenn, iv. 312.] Allusion is made in this and - the next letter to the expected visit of Edward IV. to Norfolk in - 1469. Owing to the proposed marriage of Sir John Paston with his - kinswoman, Anne Haute, Lord Scales appears at this time to have - interested himself in Sir John's behalf. On the back of this - letter, as Fenn tells us, is a note: 'The L. Scales is now frend - to Sr. J. Paston.' But the handwriting is not contemporaneous.] - - [Footnote 15-1: The lady here referred to is Anne Haute.] - - [Footnote 15-2: Alice, widow of William de la Pole, Duke of - Suffolk.] - - [Footnote 15-3: This was most probably Margery Paston, with whom - the whole family were, very soon after the writing of this letter, - so much displeased for having without their consent contracted - herself in marriage to Richard Calle.--F.] - - [Footnote 16-1: Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir John Howard, - Knight, and widow of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, who was - beheaded in 1461-2.--F.] - - [Footnote 16-2: _See_ vol. iv. p. 188, Note 3.] - - [Footnote 16-3: Dr. John Yotton. _See_ No. 703.] - - [Footnote 16-4: An ouch is a collar of gold, formerly worn by - women; a gold button, set with some jewel, is likewise so called, - and that most probably was the ornament here mentioned to be sent - to Sir John by his mother; we may suppose it was intended as a - present to his betrothed bride.--F.] - - [Footnote 16-5: A kersche of Cr'melle, perhaps means a kerchief of - Cremell, crewel or worsted, to be made into neck-handkerchiefs for - her daughter Anne, who appears to have been for education and - board with some lady of consequence.--F.] - - -705 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[17-1] - -_To Master Syr John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 7] - -Syr, I pray yow recomand me to my Lord Scalys good lordshep, and to let -hym weet that, in lyek wyse as hys Lordshep gave me in comandement, -I have enqweryd what the gentyllmanys answer was that my Lord of -Norffolk sent to to awayte up on hym at the Kyngs comyng in to thys -contre. Hys answer was to my Lord of Norfolks messenger, that he had -promysyd my Lord Scalys to awayte up on hym at the same seson, and in as -myche as he had promysyd my Lord Scalys, he wold not false hys promesse -for no man on lyve. I fond the menys that the seyd gentylemanys wyfe -mevyd hyr husbend with the same mater as thow she had axyd hym of hyr -awne hed, and he told hyr that he had gevyn thys answer. Thys gentylman -is Sir William Calthorp;[17-2] but I pray yow tell my Lord Scalys that -ye undyrstand not who it is, for he preyid me to be secret ther in. - -I pray with all my hart, hye yow hom in hast, for we thynk longe tyll ye -coome. And I pray yow send me woord whedyr ye shall be mad a Crysten man -or ye com home, or nowt; and if so be that ye send eny man hom hastly, -I pray yow send me an hat and a bonet by the same man, and let hym bryng -the hat upon hys hid for mysfacyonyng of it. I have ned to bothe, for I -may not ryd nor goo owt at the doorys with non that I have, they be so -lewde [_shabby_]. A murry bonet, and a blak or a tawny hat. And God send -yow your desyr. Wretyn at Caster, the viij. day of Apryll. - - Your J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 17-1: [From Fenn, iv. 318.] For the date of this letter - see preliminary note to the last (p. 14, Note 1).] - - [Footnote 17-2: Sir William Calthorpe, Knight, had been High - Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, both in this and the preceding - reign, and died very old in 1494. His second wife was Elizabeth, - daughter and co-heir of Sir Miles Stapleton, Knight, of - Ingham.--F.] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 7 - _printed as shown, but text of letter says "viij" (8)_]] - - -706 - -LORD SCALES TO THE COUNCIL OF THE DUKE OF NORFOLK[18-1] - -Ih's. - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 10] - -Wyrshypfull and my ryght gode frend, I comaund me to you. And where as I -am enformed that my Lorde of Norffolk pretendeth title to serteyn londys -of Sir John Pastons whych were late of Sir John Fastolf, it is sayd that -by the comaundement and supportacyon of my sayd Lord, sertayn hys -servaunts felleth wode, maketh grete wast, and destrayned the tenants of -the seyd lands, to the grete damage of the seyd Sir John Paston and hys -sayd tenants; and also that my sayd Lord entendyth to entre sertayn -places of the same. And for asmoch as maryage ys fully concluded by twyx -the seyd Sir John Paston and on of my nerrest kynneswomen, I dout not -that your reason wele conceyveth that nature must compelle me the rather -to shewe my gode wylle, assystens, and favour unto the seyd Sir John in -such thyngs as concerne hys enherytans. And because I am on of my said -Lordys councayll, and must and will tendre hys honour, I hertely pray -you that it may lyke you to advertyse and avyse my sayd Lord and yourys, -that all such entres, fellyng of wode, destraynyngs of tenants, and all -such maters lyke touchyng the sayd londes or any part of them, be cessyd -unto such tyme as a resonabell meane may be founde by my sayd Lords -counsayll, my Lord my faders[19-1] and other cousyns and frendes of my -seyd kynneswoman thys next terme, as may be to my sayd Lordys honour, -and to the savyng of the ryght tytle of the seyd Sir John Paston. - -Over thys I pray you that ye wille enforme my gode frend James Hobard of -the premysses, that he may advertyse my seyd Lord in lyke wyse; and that -ye will yeve credens unto William Paston, and I shal be welwilled to do -that may be to your plesur, with Godds mercy. - -Fro Westmynstre, the x. day of Apryll. - - [Footnote 18-1: [From Fenn, iv. 322.] This and the following - letter were printed by Fenn from contemporaneous copies, written - on the same paper without signature or address. On the back, - however, is the following memorandum:--'Copea literz Dni de - Scales;' to which has been added in a later handwriting: 'ad - Concilium Duc' Norff' et aliis (_sic_) in favore J. Paston mil. eo - quod maritaret cognatam suam Annam Hawte.' The date is clearly in - the year 1469, when the Duke of Norfolk laid claim to Caister.] - - [Footnote 19-1: Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers.] - - -707 - -LORD SCALES TO ----[19-2] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 10] - -Ryght trusty and welbelovyd, I grete you well. And for asmoch as a -maryage ys fully concluded bytwyx Sir John Paston and my ryght nere -kynneswoman Hawte, I will that ye and all other my servaunts and tenants -understand that my Lord, my fader,[19-3] and I must of nature and reason -shewe unto hym our gode assystens and favour in such maters as he shall -have a doo. Wherfor I pray you hertely that ye will take the labour to -come to Norwych, to comen with William Paston, and to yeve credens unto -hym in such maters as he shall enforme you of myne entent, and of -sertayn persones with whom ye shall comen by th'avyse of the seyd -William Paston, of such maters as touch the sayd Sir John Paston; prayng -you to tendre thys mater as ye wolde do myne owne. - -Fro Westmynstre, the x. day of Aprill. - - [Footnote 19-2: [From Fenn, iv. 324.] _See_ preliminary note to - the last letter (p. 18, Note 1).] - - [Footnote 19-3: _See_ Note 1, _supra_.] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / APRIL 10 - _sidenote missing in original: date supplied from body of letter_]] - - -708 - -ABSTRACT[20-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MAY 5] - -Citation by Thomas, Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury, to William -[Waynflete], Bishop of Winchester, and John Beauchamp, Knight, Lord -Beauchamp, to appear before the Archbishop in fifteen days after being -summoned, and take upon them the charge of the execution of Sir John -Fastolf's will, if they so will to do. - -Lambeth, 5th May 1469, in the 15th year of the Archbishop's translation. - - [The MS. belongs to the Castle Combe Collection.] - - [Footnote 20-1: [Add. Charter, 18,249, B.M.]] - - -709 - -ARCHBISHOP NEVILL TO SIR JOHN PASTON[20-2] - -_To my right trusty and welbeloved Sir John Paston._ - -Ih's. - -[Sidenote: 1469(?) / MAY 7] - -Right trusty and welbeloved, I grete you hertely well, and sende you by -Thomas your childe xx.^li., prayng you to spare me as for eny more at -this tyme, and to hold you content with thessame, as my singlr truste is -in you; and I shalle within bref tyme ordeigne and purveye for you such -as shalbe unto your pleasir, with the grace of Almightty God, who have -you in His proteccion and keping. - -Writen in the manoir of the Mor[20-3] the vij^th daye of Maye. - - G. EBORAC. - - [Footnote 20-2: [From Fenn, ii. 34.] This letter was almost - certainly written between the years 1467 and 1469, and is not - unlikely to be of the latter year, before the Nevills and the - Archbishop had come to be regarded as open enemies of Edward IV.] - - [Footnote 20-3: The Moor in Hertfordshire, a seat of Archbishop - Nevill.] - - -710 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[21-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [MAY]] - -Syr, plesyth it to undyrstand, that I conceyve, by your lettyr whyche -that ye sent me by Jwde, that ye have herd of R. C.[21-2] labor whyche -he makyth by our ungracyous sustyrs[21-3] assent; but wher as they wryet -that they have my good wyll ther in, savyng your reverence, they falsly -lye of it, for they never spake to me of that mater, ner non othyr body -in ther name. Lovell axyd me onys a qwestyon whedyr that I undyrstood -how it was betwyx R. C. and my suster. I can thynk that it was by Callys -menys, for when I axyd hym whedyr C. desyird hym to meve me that -qwestyon or not, he wold have gotyn it aweye by humys and by hays, but I -wold not so be answeryd; wherfor at the lest he told me that hys oldest -sone desyird hym to spere [_inquire_] whedyr that R. C. wes swyr of hyr -or nowt, for he seyd that he knew a good maryage for hyr, but I wot he -lyeyd, for he is hole with R. Cale in that mater. Wherfor to the entent -that he nor they sholl pyck no comfort of me, I answerd hym, that and my -fadyr, whom God asoyle, wer a lyve, and had consentyd ther to, and my -modyr, and ye bothe, he shold never have my good wyll for to make my -sustyr to selle kandyll and mustard in Framlyngham; and thus, wythe mor -whyche wer to longe to wryet to you, we departyd. - -And wher as it plesythe you in your lettyr to crye me mercy for that ye -sent me not syche ger as I sent yow mony for, I crye yow mercy that I -was so lewde [_bold_] to encomber yow with eny so sympyll a mater, -consyderyng the grette maters and weyghty that ye have to doo; but need -compellyd me, for in thys contre is no syche stuffe as I sent to yow -for. - -Also, wher as it plesyth yow to send to Rychard Calle to delyver me -monye, so God help me, I wyll non axe hym for my sylfe, nor non had I of -hym, nor of non othyr man but of myne owne, syne ye depertyd; but that -lytyll that I myght forbere of myne owne, I have delyveryd to Dawbeney -for howsold, and pay it for yow in menys wagys; and ther for who ever -sendys yow word that I have spent yow eny mony syne ye went hens, they -must geve yow an othyr reknyng, savyng in met and drynk, for I eete lyek -an horse, of purpose to eete yow owte at the dorys. But that nedythe -not, for ye com not within them; wherfor, so God help me, the felaushep -her thynkys that ye have forgetyn us alle. Wherfor and eny thyng be ille -rewlyd when ye come home, wyet it [_impute it to_] your selfe for defawt -of oversyght. - -Also, I undyrstand for verry se[r]teyn, and it is sent me so woord owt -of my Lordys howse, that thys Pentcost is my Lordys consell at -Framlyngham, and they purpose thys week and the next to hold coortys her -at Caster, and at all othyr maners that wer Sir John F.,[22-1] and -purchasyd of Yelverton and of Syr T. H.,[22-2] whom God asoyle, and how -that my demenyng sholbe, it is to late to send to yow for avyse; -wherfor, and I do well I axe no thank, and if I do ille, I pray yow -leythe the defawt on over lytyll wyte, but I purpose to use the fyrst -poynt of hawkyng, to hold fast and I maye; but so God help me, and they -myght pulle downe the howse on our hedys, I wyet [_blame_] hem not, -whyche I trust to God to help hem from; for by God that bowght me, the -best Erle in Inglond wold not dele so with my Lord and my Lady as ye do, -withowt makyng of some menys to them; so God help me, whoso ever avyse -yow to do so, he is not your frend. And I may, I trust to God to se yow -abowght Mydsomer or befor, for in good feythe I wene ye purpose yow that -it shall be Estern er ye come hom, for all your servants her wen [_here -ween_] that ye purpose ne more to dele with them, but to leve hem her -[_here_] in ostage to my Lord of Norfolk. - -Also, syr, I pray yow purvey what Ine that my brodyr Edmund shall be in, -for he losythe sore hys tyme her, I promyse yow; I pray yow send me word -by the next messenger that comyth, and I shall eythyr send hym or bryng -hym up with me to London. - -Also, syr, we pore _sanz deners_ of Castr have brook iij. or iiij. -stelle bowys; wherfor we beseche yow, and ther be eny maker of steele -bowys in London whyche is very kunnyng, that ye wyll send me woord, and -I shall send yow the bowys that be broken, whyche be your owne greet -bowe, and Roberd Jacksonys bowe, and Johon Pampyngs bowe; thes iij. have -kast so many calvys, that they shall never cast qwarellys[23-1] tyll -they be new mad. - -I praye yow fynd the menys that my Lord have some resonable meane -profyrd, so that he and my Lady may undyrstand that ye desyr to have hys -good lordshep. I promyse yow it shall do yow ease and your tenaunts -bothe, and God preserve. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 21-1: [From Fenn, iv. 344.] This letter appears by the - contents to have been written a little before Whitsuntide after - the death of Sir Thomas Howes, and when the Duke of Norfolk was - preparing to make good a claim to the manor of Caister, which, as - we shall see, he regularly besieged and took in September 1469. - The date is therefore certain.] - - [Footnote 21-2: Richard Calle's.] - - [Footnote 21-3: Margery Paston.] - - [Footnote 22-1: Fastolf's.] - - [Footnote 22-2: Sir Thomas Howes.] - - [Footnote 23-1: _See_ vol. ii. p. 101, Note 3.] - - [[Footnote 21-2 - Richard Calle's. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -711 - -ROBERT BROWNE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[23-2] - -_To the right worshipful Sir John Paston knyght be this delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Right worshipfull Sire, I recommaunde me to you, &c., certefying you -for certeyn that the kyng sent a lettre unto my Lord of Norffolk for to -contenue all maner of materes unto suche tyme as he sholl take a -direction therin, as I am enformed by Master Haute, and by a messenger -of his owne [it was sent[23-3]], &c. Acordyng to the same entent and the -rehersall by estimacion by cause the Secretary of his Clerkes was with -the Kyng the Quene hath sent a[24-1] lettre unto my Lady of Norffolk and -a nother lettre unto my Lady of Suffolk the elder, desyeryng theym to -common with my lordis that all such materis as the Kyng wrote unto them -fore mabe kept so that no defaute be founden in them, as ye may -understand by youre lettre sent frome the Quene, &c. Also Roger Ree the -Shirereve of the Shire wilbe at Caster, as my Lord Tresourer told me, -upon Tuesday or Wedynsday, to se that goode rule be kept. Also my Lord -of York[24-2] sendis you a lettre, &c. My Lord Scalez is with the Kyng, -&c. I take unto the brynger herof xx_s._ that is sufficaunt as he wille -telle you, also the secretarye, vj_s._ viij_d._ As for all othere -materes for haste I contenue unto that I may have leyser to write to -you. I pray you to recommaunde me to my mastres your moder. At London -upon Sonday in hast. - - ROBERT BROWNE. - - The letter is endorsed in another hand:-- - - 'The Counsell of my Lord of Suffolk, Robert Harlesdon. The Counsell - of my Lord of Norffolk, Sir Thomas Walgrave, knyght [sergeant at] - lawe and Richard Southwell and to everiche of them.' - - [Footnote 23-2: [Add. MS. 33,889, f. 70.] The date of this letter - is fixed by Roger Ree being Sheriff of Norfolk, which he was from - November 1468 to November 1469. The time would seem to be April or - May 1469, when the Duke of Norfolk was proposing to take forcible - possession of Caister.] - - [Footnote 23-3: These words are interlined before '&c.,' but - possibly are intended to be read with the next sentence, which is - difficult to construe, there being no punctuation in the MS.] - - [Footnote 24-1: Before the word 'a' 'nothere' is interlined, - probably by inadvertence.] - - [Footnote 24-2: Archbishop Nevill.] - - -712 - -ABSTRACT[24-3] - -RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MAY 22] - -I would have been with you on Sunday before Ascension Day, had I -received any command to that effect. Henry Wheler told me my day of the -surety of peace was _quindena Trinitatis_, 'and thereof he made me a -bill. He is foully to blame to serve me so.' I am much bound to you, -nevertheless, for the safeguard of my sureties. Gives an account of -monies disbursed since parting with Sir John at London. Repaid 'my -mistress' 66_s._ 8_d._, part of 100_s._ she lent for Mariot's matter. -Paid Dawbeney for household since Midlent, 30_s._ Received from the -farmer of the dairy, L11, 11_s._ 4_d._ Delivered 'to the master of the -college onward for his hire,' 50_s._ Has received of Paston's 'lifelode' -since he came from London but L18, 10_s._ Has spent L12, 10_s._ more -than he received, and has borrowed of John Wellys and others. Could -borrow nothing of Mr. William. 'And of all this twelvemonth I have not -had one penny for my wages. There is none of them that hath purveyed nor -chevised have so much as I have done. Here is no man paid of their -wages, but all spent in household.' Cannot get a penny in all Suffolk or -Flegge, of Paston's 'lifelode,' nor in Boyton nor Heyneford. Can get -money only at Gughton, which I must gather myself, for the bailiff will -not come there. Much malt made, which had better be sold to pay the -men's wages, who complain grievously, 'and the master of the college and -Sir John Stille both.' Will obtain for Dawbeney in ten days 6 or 7 marks -more, which should keep the household for the next seven or eight weeks. -The price of malt is but 20_d._ a quarter, but it would be better to -sell some than that the men should be unpaid. Wonders he has no word -from him about letting Spoorle. Cannot give Mariot an estate in Bekham -as Paston directs, for Paston has the deed which James Andrewes sealed, -but will talk with him and see how he is disposed; for it would be well -that Paston were through with him. He is not trusty, but seeks pretexts -for delay. Jekson's crossbow is broken. Shall he send it to London to be -mended? - -Caster, Monday in Pentecost week. - - [The mention of Jekson's crossbow being broken proves this letter - to be of the year 1469. Compare No. 710, p. 23.] - - [Footnote 24-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -713 - -RICHARD CALLE TO MARGERY PASTON[25-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Myn owne lady and mastres, and be for God very trewe wyff, I with herte -full sorowefull recomaunde me unto you, as he that can not be mery, nor -nought shalbe tyll it be othewise with us then it is yet, for thys lyf -that we lede nough is nowther plesur to Godde nor to the worlde, -consederyng the gret bonde of matrymonye that is made be twix us, and -also the greete love that hath be, and as I truste yet is be twix us, -and as on my parte never gretter; wherfor I beseche Almyghty Godde -comfort us as sone as it plesyth Hym, for we that ought of very ryght to -be moost to gether ar moost asondre; me semyth it is a m^ll. -[_thousand_] yere a goo son that I speke with you. I had lever thenne -all the goode in the worlde I myght be with you. Alas, alas! goode lady, -full litell remembre they what they doo that kepe us thus asunder; iiij. -tymes in the yere ar they a cursid that lette matrymonye; it causith -many men to deme in hem they have large consyence in other maters as -wele as herin. But what lady suffre as ye have do; and make you as mery -as ye can, for I wys, lady, at the longe wey Godde woll of Hys ryght -wysnes helpe Hys servants that meane truly, and wolde leve accordyng to -Hes lawys, &c. - -I undrestende, lady, ye have hadde asmoche sorwe for me as any -gentelwoman hath hadde in the worlde, aswolde Godd all that sorwe that -ye have hadde had rested upon me, so that ye hadde be discharged of it, -for I wis, lady, it is to me a deethe to her that ye be entreted other -wise thene ye ought to be. This is a peyneful lyfe that we lede. I can -not leve thus withoute it be a gret displesure to Godde. - -Also like you to wete that I had sent you a letter be my ladde from -London, and he tolde me he myght not speeke with you, ther was made so -gret awayte upon hym and upon you boothe. He told me John Threscher come -to hym in your name, and seide that ye sent hym to my ladde for a letter -or a token, weche I shulde have sent you, but he truste hym not; he wold -not delyver hym noon. After that he brought hym a rynge, seyng that ye -sent it hym, comaundyng hym that he schulde delyver the letter or token -to hym, weche I conceyve sethen be my ladde it was not be your sendyng, -it was be my mastres and Sir Jamys[26-1] a vys. Alas, what meane they? I -suppose they deeme we be not ensuryd to gether, and if they so doo I -merveyll, for thene they ar not wele avised, remembryng the pleynes that -I breke to my mastres at the begynnyng, and I suppose be you bothe, and -ye dede as ye ought to do of very ryght; and if ye have do the contrare, -as I have be enformed ye have do, ye dede nouther concyensly nor to the -plesure of Godde, withoute ye dede it for feere, and for the tyme to -please suche as were at that tyme a boute you; and if ye so dede it for -this service it was a resonable cause, consederyng the grete and -importable callyng upon that ye hadde, and many an on trewe tale was -made to you of me, weche God knowt I was never gylty of. - -My ladde tolde me that my mastres your modre axyd hym if he hadde -brought any letter to you, and many other thyngs she bare hym on -hande,[27-1] and a monge all other at the last she seide to hym that I -wolde not make her prevy to the begynnyng, but she supposyd I wolde at -the endyng; and as to that, God knowt sche knewe furst of me and non -other. I wott not what her mastreschip meneth, for be my trowthe ther is -no gentylwoman on lyve that my herte tendreth more then it dothe her, -nor is lother to displese, savyng only your person, weche of very ryght -I ought to tendre and love beste, for I am bounde therto be the lawe of -Godde, and so wol do whyle that I leve, what so ever falle of it. -I supose, and ye telle hem sadly the trouthe, they wold not dampne ther -soules for us; though I telle hem the trouthe they woll not be leve me -as weele as they woll do you; and ther for, goode lady, at the reverence -of Godde be pleyne to hem and telle the trouthe, and if they woll in no -wise agree therto, betwix God, the Deelf, and them be it, and that -perell that we schuld be in, I beseche Godde it may lye upon them and -not upon us. I am hevy and sory to remembre ther disposicion, God sende -them grace to gyde all thyngs weele, as wele I wolde they dede; Godde be -ther gide, and sende them peas and reste, &c. - -I mervell moche that they schulde take this mater so heedely as I -undrestonde they doo, remembryng it is in suche case as it can not be -remedyed, and my desert upon every be halfe it is for to be thought ther -shulde be non obstacle a yenst it; and also the worchipfull that is in -them, is not in your mariage, it is in ther owne mariage, weche I -beseche Godde sende hem suche as may be to ther worschip and plesur to -Godde, and to ther herts ease, for ell[es] were it gret pety. Mastres, -I am aferde to write to you, for I undrestonde ye have schewyd my -letters that I have sent you be for this tyme; but I prey you lete no -creatur se this letter. As sone as ye have redde it lete it be brent, -for I wolde no man schulde se it in no wise; ye had no wrytyng from me -this ij. yere, nor I wolle not sende you no mor, therfor I remytte all -this matre to your wysdom. Almyghty Jesu preserve, kepe, and [give] you -your hertys desire, weche I wotte weele schulde be to Goods plesur, &c. - -Thys letter was wreten with as greete peyne as ever wrote I thynge in my -lyfe, for in goode feyth I have be ryght seke, and yet am not veryly -weele at ease, God amend it, &c. - - [Footnote 25-1: [From Fenn, iv. 350.] This letter was evidently - written about the same period as No. 710. The original appears to - have had no address, although Fenn prints one in the right-hand - copy; but on the back was the following memorandum, evidently not - quite contemporary: 'Litera Ric'i Calle Margeriae Paston filiae - Joh'is Paston ar'i quam postea duxit in uxorem.'] - - [Footnote 26-1: Sir James Gloys, a priest.] - - [Footnote 27-1: _See_ vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.] - - [[me semyth it is a m^ll. [_thousand_] - _final italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -714 - -JAMES HAWTE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[28-1] - -_To my worchypfull brother, Sir John Paston, be thys byll delyvered in -hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / MAY 22] - -Ryght worchipfull brother, I recomaund me onto you, lettyng you to -wytte, that my Lorde Stafford[28-2] was made Erle of Deveneschere apon -Sonday; and as for the Kyng, as I understond, he departyt [_departeth_] -to Walsynggame apon Fryday com vij. nygth, and the Quene also, yf God -send hyr good hele. - -And as for the Kyng [he] was apoyntyd to goo to Calys, and now hyt ys -pute of. And also as for the goyng to the see, my Lord of Warwyke -schyppys gothe to the see, as I understond. None other tydynggys I can -none wryte unto you, but Jesu have you in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Wyndysore on Monday after Whytsonday, in hast, &c. - - By your brother, - - JAMES HAWTE. - - [Footnote 28-1: [From Fenn, ii. 16.] The King's visit to Norfolk - and the creation of Lord Stafford as Earl of Devonshire both fix - the date of this letter as 1469. The writer seems to be the - brother of Anne Hawte, to whom Sir John Paston was engaged, and he - accordingly calls him his brother.] - - [Footnote 28-2: Humphrey Stafford, Lord Stafford of Southwick, was - created Earl of Devonshire on Sunday, 7th May 1469; so that the - writer ought to have said, not 'upon Sunday,' but 'upon Sunday - fortnight.'] - - -715 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[29-1] - -_To my Modr, and to my brother, John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JUNE] - -Brother, it is so that the Kyng schall come in to Norffolk in hast, and -I wot nat whethyr that I may come with hym or nowt; if I come I most do -make a livere of xx^ti gownes, whyche I most pyke owt by your advyse; -and as for clothe for suche persones as be in that contre, if it myght -be had ther at Norwyche, or not, I wot not; and what persones I am not -remembryd. - -If my modre be at Caster, as ther schall be no dowt for the kepyng of -the place whyl the Kynge is in that contre, that I may have the most -parte at Caster; and whether ye woll offre your selfe to wayte uppon the -Lorde of Norfolk or not, I wolde ye dyde that best wer to do; I wolde do -my Lorde plesur and servyse, and so I wolde ye dyde, if I wyst to be sur -of hys gode lordeschyp in tyme to kome. He schall have CC. in a lyverye -blewe and tawny, and blew on the leffte syde, and bothe darke colors. - -I pray yow sende me worde, and your advyse by Judd of what men and what -horse I cowde be purveyd off, if so be that I most nedys kome, and of -your advyse in all thyngs be wryghtyng, and I schall send yow hastely -other tydyngs. Late Sorell be well kept. - - JOHN PASTON, Kt. - - [Footnote 29-1: [From Fenn, ii. 22.] This letter must have been - written in the beginning of June 1469. Edward IV., as appears by - the dates of his privy seals, was at Windsor on the 29th May and - at Norwich on the 19th June in that year. Fenn says he was also in - Norfolk in the year 1474, but I can find no evidence of the fact.] - - -716 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[30-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JUNE] - -To begyn, God yeld yow for my hatys. The Kyng hathe ben in this contre, -and worchepfully receyvyd in to Norwyche, and had ryght good cher and -gret gyftys in thys contre, wherwythe he holdyth hym so well content -that he wyll hastyly be her agayn, and the Qwen allso, with whom, by my -power avyse, ye shall com, if so be that the terme be do by that tym -that she com in to this contre. And as for yowr maters her, so God help -me, I have don as myche as in me was, in laboryng of theym, as well to -my Lord Revers[30-2] as to my Lord Scalys,[30-3] Syr John Wydwyll,[30-4] -Thomas Wyngfeld, and othyr abowt the Kyng. And as for the Lord Revers, -he seyd to myn oncyll William, Fayrfax, and me, that he shold meve the -Kyng to spek to the two Dukys of Norffolk and Suffolk, that they shold -leve of ther tytyls of syche lond as wer Syr John Fastolfs. And if so be -that they wold do nowt at the Kyngs reqwest, and then the Kyng shold -comand theym to do no wasts, nor mak non assawtys nor frayis upon your -tenants nor plasys, tyll syche tym as the lawe hathe determynd with yow -or ayenst yow; this was seyd by hym the sam day in the mornyng that he -depertyd at noon. Whedyr he meved the Kyng with it or nowt I can not -sey, myn oncyll Wyllyam thynkys naye. And the same aftyr none folowyng I -told my Lord Scalys that I had spokyn with my Lord hys fadyr, in lyek -forme as I have rehersyd, and axyd hym whedyr that my Lord hys fadyr had -spokyn to the Kyng or nowt, and he gave me thys answer, that whedyr he -had spokyn to the Kyng or nowt, that the mater shold do well inow. - -Thomas Wygfeld told me, and swore on to me, that when Brandon meuvyd the -Kyng, and besowght hym to shew my Lord favour in hys maters ayenst yow, -that the Kyng seyd on to hym ayen, 'Brandon, thow thou can begyll the -Dwk of Norffolk, and bryng hym abow the thombe as thow lyst, I let the -wet thow shalt not do me so; for I undyrstand thy fals delyng well -inow.' And he seyd on to hym, more over, that if my Lord of Norffolk -left not of hys hold of that mater, that Brandon shold repent itt, every -vayn in hys hert, for he told hym that he knew well inow that he myght -reauyll [_rule_] my Lord of Norffolk as he wold; and if my Lord dyd eny -thyng that wer contrary to hys lawys, the Kyng told hym he knew well -inow that it was by no bodys menys but by hys; and thus he depertyd fro -the Kyng. - -Item, as by wordys, the Lord Scalys and Syr John Wydwyll tok tendyr your -maters mor then the Lord Revers. - -Item, Syr John Wydvyll told me, when he was on horsbak at the Kyngs -depertyng, that the Kyng had comandyd Brandon of purpose to ryd forthe -fro Norwych to Lyne, for to tak a conclusyon in your mater for yow; and -he bad me that I shold cast no dowghtys but that ye shold have your -entent, and so dyd the Lord Scalys also; and when that I preyd them at -eny tyme to shew ther favor to your mater, they answered that it was -ther mater as well as yours, consyderyng, the alyans[31-1] betwyx yow. -Comon with Jakys Hawt, and he shall tell yow what langage was spekyn -betwen the Duk of Suffolks consell, and hym, and me; it is to long to -wryght, but I promyse yow ye ar be held to Jakys, for he sparyd not to -spek. - -Item, the Kyng rod thorow Heylysdon Waren towads Walsyngham, and Thomas -Wyngfeld promysyd me that he wold fynd the menys that my Lord of -Glowsestyr[31-2] and hym sylf bothe shold shew the Kyng the loge that -was breke down, and also that they wold tell hym of the brekyng down of -the plase. Contrary to thys maters, and all the comfort that I had of my -Lord Scalys, Sir John Wydvyll, and Thomas Wyngfeld, myn oncyll Wylliam -sethe that the Kyng told hym hys owne mowthe, when he had redyn for by -the loge in Heylysdon Waren, that he supposyd as well that it myght fall -downe by the self as be plukyd downe, for if it had be plukyd down, he -seyd that we myght have put in our byllys of it, wehn hys jugys sat on -the _oyeer determyner_ in Norwyche, he beyng ther. And then myn oncyll -seythe how that he answered the Kyng, that ye trustyd to hys good grace -that he shold set yow thorow with both the Dwkys, by mene of trete; and -he seythe that the Kyng answerd hym that he wold neythyr tret nor spek -for yow, but for to let the lawe proced, and so he seyth that they -depertyd. And by my trowthe, and my Lord Tresorer encorage you not more -than he dyd us her, ye shall have but esy [_indifferent_] help as on -that party. Wherfor labor your maters effectually; for by my trowthe it -is nedy[s], for, for all ther wordys of plesur, I cannot undyrstand what -ther labor in thys contre hathe don good; wherfor be not ovyr swyft tyll -ye be swyr of your lond, but labor sore the lawe, for by my trowthe tyll -that be passyd with yow, ye get but esy help as I can undyrstand. - -I had with me on day at dener in my modyrs plase, she beyng owt, the -Lord Scalys, Sir John Wydvyll, Sir John Haward, Nicolas Haward, John of -Par, Thomas Gornet, Foscwe, Cheyny, Trussell, the Knyghts son, Thomas -Boleyn, _qua propter_, Brampton, Barnard, and Broun, Perse, Howse, W. -Tonstale, Lewes Debretayll, and othyr, and mad hem good cher, so as they -held them content. - -Item, my Lord of Norffolk gave Bernard, Broom, nor me no gownys at thys -seson, wherfor I awaytyd not on hym; notwithstandyng I ofyrd my servyse -for that seson to my Lady, but it was refusyd, I wot by avyse; wherfor I -purpose no more to do so. As for Bernard, Barney, Broom, and W. -Calthorp, ar sworn my Lord of Glowsetyrs men, but I stand yet at large; -not withstandyng my Lord Scalys spok to me to be with the Kyng, but I -mad no promes so to be, for I told hym that I was not woorthe a groote -withowt yow, and therfor I wold mak no promes to nobody tyll they had -your good wyll fyrst; and so we depertyd. - -It was told me that ther was owt a preve seall for yow to attend upon -the Kyng northeward; and if it be so, I thynk veryly it is do to have -yow fro London be craft, that ye shold not labor your maters to a -conclusyon thys terme, but put them [in] delaye. I pray yow purvey yow -on it to be at hom as sone as the terme is doone, for be God I take gret -hurt for myn absence in dyvers plasys, and the most part of your men at -Caster wyll deperte withowt abod, and ye be not at hom within thys -fortnyght. I pray yow bryng hom poynts and lasys of sylk for yow and me. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 30-1: [From Fenn, iv. 334.] Edward IV. arrived at - Norwich in the middle of the month of June 1469. There are privy - seals dated at Bury on the 15th and 16th of the month, at Norwich - on the 19th and 21st, at Walsingham on the 21st and 22nd, at Lynn - on the 26th, and at Stamford on the 5th July. Edward did not - return with the Queen as he intended, but she visited Norwich - without him a little later. See a paper on the subject of her - visit by Mr. Harrod, in the _Norfolk Archaeology_, vol. v. p. 32.] - - [Footnote 30-2: Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, father to the - Queen, Lord Treasurer and Constable of England.] - - [Footnote 30-3: Anthony Woodville, Lord Scales, eldest son of the - Earl Rivers.] - - [Footnote 30-4: A younger son of Earl Rivers.] - - [Footnote 31-1: This refers to the contract between Sir John - Paston and Anne Hawte.--F.] - - [Footnote 31-2: Richard, Duke of Gloucester, afterwards King - Richard III.--F.] - - [[tyll / that be passyd with yow - _text has "he passyd": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -717 - -ABSTRACT[33-1] - -RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 3] - -Has arranged with Mariot's debtors at Bekham, and discharged him of the -debt of L16. Has thus taken an open estate in the manor, as Paston -desired. Had much trouble to bring Mariot, and especially his wife, [to -reason], but with fair words and money got her out of the house. Lord -Scales has sent to-day to Mr. Roos and others for men to come to -Middleton on Wednesday,--short warning enough; and we were in doubt -'what purveyance ye had made at London.' I believe my mistress and my -master your brother have sent you word of the demeaning of the King and -the Lords here. - -Norwich, Monday after St. Peter's day. - - [The reference to the King's being in Norfolk fixes the date of this - letter to the year 1469.] - - [Footnote 33-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -718 - -JOHN AUBRY[34-1] TO SIR HENRY SPELMAN[34-2] - -_To the right reverent Sir Henry Spelman, Recordor of the Cite of -Norwich, be this Letter delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 9] - -Right reverent sir, I recomaunde me to you. Plese it you to knowe, this -same day com to me the Shirreve of Norffolk[34-3] hymself, and tolde me -that the Quene shall be at Norwich up on Tuysday[34-4] cometh sevenyght -suyrly. And I desired to have knowe of hym, by cause this shuld be hir -first comyng hedir, how we shuld be rulyd, as well in hir resseyvyng, as -in hir abidyng here. And he seide, he wold nat ocupie hym ther wyth, but -he councelid us to wryte to you to London, to knowe of hem that ben of -counsell of that cite, or wyth other wurshepfull men of the same cite, -that ben knowyng in that behalf, and we to be ruled ther aftir, as were -acordyng for us; for he lete me to wete that she woll desire to ben -resseyved and attendid as wurshepfully as evir was Quene a forn hir. -Wherefore, sir, I, be the assent of my Bretheren Aldermen, &c., prey you -hertily to have this labour for this cite. And that it plese you, if it -may be, that at that day ye be here in propre persone; and I trust in -God, that outher in rewards, or ellys in thankynges, both of the Kyngs -comyng, and in this, ye shall ben plesid as worthy is. - -Wrete in hast at Norwich the vj. day of Juyll Anno ix^o Regis E. quarti. - - By your weelwyller, - - JOHN AUBRY, &c. - - [Footnote 34-1: Mayor of Norwich in 1469.] - - [Footnote 34-2: [From Fenn, ii. 18.]] - - [Footnote 34-3: Roger Ree was Sheriff of Norfolk this year.] - - [Footnote 34-4: 18th July.] - - [[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 9 - _printed as shown, but body of letter says "vj" (6)_]] - - -719 - -EDWARD IV. TO THE DUKE OF CLARENCE, &c.[35-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / JULY 9] - -_These iij. letteres undirwreten, the Kyng of his own hand wrote unto my -Lords Clarence, Warrewyke, and Archbishop of York. The credence wherof -in substaunce was, that every of them shulde in suech pesibil wise, as -thei have be accustumed to ryde, come unto his Highness._ - - -R. E. - -_To our Brother of Clarence._ - -Brodir, we pray you to yeve feight [_faith_] and credence to our -welbeloved Sir Thomas Montgomery and Morice Berkly, in that on our -behalf thei shal declare to you. And we truste ye wole dispose you -accordyng to our pleser and comaundement. And ye shal be to us right -welcome. At Notyngham the ix. day of Jull. - - -_To our Cosyn Th'erl of Warr'._ - -Cosyn, we grete you well, and pray you to yeve feight and credence to -Sir Thomas Mongomery and Morice Berkley, &c. And we ne trust that ye -shulde be of any suech disposicion towards us, as the rumour here -renneth, consederyng the trust and affeccion we bere in yow. At -Notyngham the ix. day of Jull. And, cosyn, ne thynk but ye shalbe to us -welcome. - - -_To our Cosyn Th'archbyshop of Yorke._ - -Cosyn, we pray you that ye wul, accordyng to the promyse ye made us, to -come to us as sone as ye goodely may. And that [ye] yeve credence to Sir -Thomas Mongomery and Morice Berkly, in that un our behalve thei shal sey -to you; and ye shalbe to us welcome. At Notyngham the ix. day of Jul. - - [Footnote 35-1: [From Fenn, ii. 40.] The dates of Edward the - Fourth's privy seals show that he was at Nottingham in July 1469. - He was not there in 1470, the year to which Fenn assigns these - letters; and both Clarence and Warwick were then in France. It - would appear, therefore, that these letters were written at the - time of Robin of Redesdale's rebellion, which the King was going - northwards to suppress.] - - -720 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[36-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, be this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / AUG. 31] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that Sir John Hevenyngham was at Norwich this day, and spake with me at -my moders, but he wuld not that it shuld be understand, for my Lord hath -mad hym on of the capteynes at Caystre of the pepill that shuld kepe the -wetche abaught the place, that no mann shuld socour them, if my Lord -departed. I desired hym to favour them, if any man shuld come to them -fro me or you, and he wuld not graunte it, but he desired me to write to -you to understand if that my Lord myght be mevyd to fynde suerte to -recompense you all wrongs, and ye wuld suffre hym to entre pesibilly, -and the lawe after his entre wuld deme it you. Be ye avysed what answer -ye wuld yeve. - -Item, sith that that I spake with hym, and the same day a feythfull -frende of owrs came on to me and mevyd me if that my Lord myght be -entreted to suffre endifferent men to kepe the place, and take the -profites for bothe parties till the right be determyned be the lawe; and -my Lord for his parte, and ye for your parte, to fynde sufficient suerte -that you nowther shuld vex, lette, ner trobilled the seid endifferent -men to kepe pesibiley the possession of the seid place, and to take the -profights on to the tyme to be determyned be the lawe, to his behowe -that the lawe demeth it. And the seid persones that so endifferently -kepe possession befor ther entre into the seid place, to fynde also -sufficient suerte to answer the parte that the lawe demeth it to, of the -profits duryng ther possession, and to suffre hym pessibilly to entre, -or any in his name, whan so ever thei be required be the parte to whom -the right is demyd of all thes premyses. Send werd how ye will be -demened be as good advyse as ye can gete, and make no longer delay, for -thei must neds have hasty socour that be in the place, for thei be sore -hurt, and have non help. And if thei have hasty help it shall be the -grettest wurchip that ever ye had, and if thei be not holpen it shall be -to you a gret diswurchep; and loke never to have favour of your neybors -and frends but if this spede wele; therfor pretend it in your mend, and -purvey therfor in hast. How so ever ye do, God kepe you, and send yow -the vittory of your elmyse, and geve yow and us al grace to leve in -peas. Wretyn on Sent Gyles Evyn,[37-1] at ix. of the belle at nyght. - -Robyn came home yester evyn, and he brought me nowther writyng from you, -ner good answer of this mater, which grevyth me right ill that I have -sent you so many messangers, and have so febill answers ageyn. - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 36-1: [From Fenn, iv. 366.] This letter was written - after the Duke of Norfolk had begun to besiege Caister, which he - did in the year 1469.] - - [Footnote 37-1: St. Giles' Day is the 1st September; St. Giles' - Eve the 31st August.] - - -721 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[37-2] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -I grete zow wel, and send zow Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng zow wete -that on Thurysday last was my moder and I wer with my Lord of -Norwych,[37-3] and desyerd hym that he woold no mor do in the mater -towscheyng zowr syster, tyl that ze and my brother and other that wern -executors to zowr fader mythe beyn her to geder, for they had the rule -of her as weel as I; and he sayde playnly that he had be requeryd so -oftyn for to exameyn her, that he mythe not nor woold no longar delay -yt, and schargyd me, in peyn of cursyng, that sche schuld not be -deferred, but that she xuld a per beforn hym the nexte day; and I sayd -pleynly that I woold nowder bryng her nor send her; and than he sayd -that he woold send for her hym sylfe, and schargyd that she schuld be at -her lyberte to cume wan he sent for her; and he seyd be hys trowthe that -he woold be as sory for her and [_if_] sche ded not welle, as he wold be -and sche wer ryth ner of hys kyn, bothe for my moder ys sake and myn, -and other of her frendds, for he woost welle that her demenyng had -stekyd soor at our harts. - -My moder and I in formyd hym that we kowd never onderstond be her -sayyng, be no language that ever sche had to hym, that neyther of hem -wer bownd to other, but that they myth schese bothe. Than he seyd that -he woold sey to her as wele as he kowde, before that he exameynd her; -and so that was told me be dyverse persones that he ded as welle and as -pleynly as sche had be rythe ner to hym, wych wer to long to wrythe at -thys tyme: her aftyr ye xalle wete, and hoo wer laberers ther in. The -schanseler[38-1] was not so gylty her in as I wend he had ben. - -On Fryday the Bysschope he sent for her be Asschefeld and other that arn -ryth sory of her demenyng. And the Bysschop seyd to her ryth pleynly, -and put her in rememberawns how she was born, wat kyn and frendds that -sche had, and xuld have mo yf sche wer rulyd and gydyd aftyr hem; and yf -she ded not, wat rebuke, and schame, and los yt xuld be to her, yf sche -wer not gydyd be them, and cause of forsakyng of her for any good, or -helpe, or kownfort that sche xuld have of hem; and seyd that he had hard -sey, that sche loved schecheon [_such one_] that her frend[es] wer not -plesyd with that sche xuld have, and therfor he had her be ryth weel -avysyd how sche ded, and seyd that he woold undyrstand the woords that -sche had seyd to hym, wheyther that mad matrimony or not. And sche -rehersyd wat sche had seyd, and seyd, yf thoo wordds mad yt not suher, -she seyd boldly that sche wold make that suerher or than sche went -thens, for sche seyd sche thowgthe in her conschens sche was bownd, wat -so ever the wordds wern. Thes leud wordds greveth me and her grandam as -myche as alle the remnawnte. And than the Bysschop and the Schawnseler -bothe seyd that ther was neyther I ner no frend of hers wold reseyve -[her]. - -And than Calle was exameynd aparte be hym sylfe, that her wordds and hys -acordyd, and the tyme, and wher yt xuld a be don. And than the Bysschop -sayd that he supposyd that ther xuld be fownd other thynggs ageyns hym -that mythe cause the lettyng ther of; and ther for he say he wold not be -to hasty to geve sentens ther upon, and sayd that he wold geve overe day -tyl the Wednsday or Thursday aftyr Mykylmes, and so yt tys delayyd. They -woold an had her wyl performyd in haste, but the Bysschope seyd he woold -non other wyse than he had seyd. - -I was with my moder at her plase whan sche was exameynd, and wan I hard -sey what her demenyng was, I schargyd my servaunts that sche xuld not be -reseyved in my hows. I had zeve hir warnyng, sche mythe a be war a for, -yf sche had a be grasyows; and I sent to on or ij. mor that they xuld -not reseyve her yf sche cam; sche was browthe a geyn to my place for to -a be reseyved, and Sir Jamys[39-1] tolde them that browthe her that I -had schargyd hem alle and sche xuld not be reseyved; and soo my Lord of -Norwych hath set her at Roger Bests, to be ther tyle the day befor sayd, -God knowyth fule evel ageyn hys wyle and hys wyvys, yf they durst do -other wyse. I am sory that they arn a cumyrd with her, but zet I am -better payed that sche isther for the whyle, that sche had ben in other -place be cause of the sadnes and good dysposysion of hys sylfe and hys -wyfe, for sche xal not be sou'd [_suffered ?_] ther to pleye the -brethele.[39-2] I pray zow and requer zow that ye take yt not pensyly, -for I wot wele yt gothe ryth ner zowr hart, and so doth yt to myn and to -other; but remembyr zow, and so do I, that we have lost of her but a -brethele,[39-2] and set yt the les to hart, for and sche had be good, -wherso ever sche had be, yt xuld not aben as it is, for and he wer ded -at thys owyr, she xuld never be at myn hart as sche was. As for the -devors [_divorce_] that ze write to me of, I supose wat ze ment, but I -scharge zow upon my blyssyng that ze do not, ner cause non other to do, -that xuld offend God and zour conschens, for and ze do, or cause for to -be do, God wul take vengawns ther upon, [and] ye xuld put zour sylfe and -other in gret joparte; for wettyt wele, sche xal ful sor repent her -leudnes her aftyr, and I pray God sche mute soo. I pray zow for myn hard -ys hese [_heart's ease_], be ze of a good cownfort in alle thynggs; -I trust God xal helpe ryth wele, and I pray God so do in alle our -maters. I wuld ze toke hed yf ther weher any labor mad in the kort of -Cawntrybery for the leud mater forsayd. - -But yf [_i.e._ unless] the Duke[40-1] be purveyd for, he and hys wyse -kow[n]sel xalle lefe thys cuntre; yt is told me that he seythe that he -wul not spar to do that he is purposyd, for no Duke in Ynglond. God -helpe at nede. - - [Footnote 37-2: [From Fenn, iv. 358.] This letter has reference to - the contract of marriage between Richard Calle and Margery Paston - in 1469. _See_ No. 710, preceding. The last paragraph seems to - have reference to the propositions mentioned in the preceding - letter.] - - [Footnote 37-3: Walter Lyhert.] - - [Footnote 38-1: Fenn thinks this was Dr. John Saresson, otherwise - Wigenhale, who, he tells us, was Chancellor to the Bishop from - 1435 to 1471, and had other Church preferment in the Diocese. But - I am a little doubtful whether he lived so long, as it does not - appear that he kept any other of his preferments to so late a - date. We know that Dr. William Pykenham was Chancellor in 1471.] - - [Footnote 39-1: Sir James Gloys.] - - [Footnote 39-2: _Brethele_ or _brethelyng_ signified a worthless - person.] - - [Footnote 40-1: The Duke of Norfolk.] - - -722 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MASTER WRITTILL[40-2] - -_To Mastyr Wryttyll._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [SEPT.]] - -Master Wrytyll, I recomande me to yow, besechyng yow hertely, as myn -holl trust is in yow, that ye doo yowr devoyr to contynew trews tyll -Fryday or Saturday in the mornyng, by whych tyme I hope the massanger -shall come, and that ye be not dryven to take an appoyntment if ye kan -undrestand by any lyklyed that itt be able to be abydyn and recystyd, -and that ye fele my brotherys dysposycion therin, as my trust is in yow, -prayng yow to remembre that it restythe, as God helpe me, on all my -well. For as God helpe me, I hadd levyr the place wer brennyd, my -brother and servants savyd, than the best appoyntment that evyr ye and I -comonyd of scholde be my goode wyll be takyn, if this massage from the -Kynge may reskwe it. And if it be so, that my Lorde be remevyd by the -Kynges comandement, whyche restythe with hys honour, I may in tyme to -kome do hym servyse, as schall recompence any grodge or dysplesur that -he evyr had, or hathe to me or myn; and ye, if it the rather by your -wysdam and polesye the moene above wryten may be hadd, schall be as sewr -of the servyce of my trewe brother and servantys, and me, as ye kan -devyse by my trowthe; for in goode feythe thys mater stykyth mor nyghe -myn hart and me than I kan wryght on to yow, and to my brother and -servaunts mor ner than as God knowyth they wot off. Wherfor, Master -Wryttyll, all owre welfare restyth in yow, besechyng yow to remembre it. -For thys mater is to all usse eyther makyng or marryng. - -Item, asfor Arblaster or Lovell, I kan not thynke that they or any of -them may be with yow. Wherfor in yow is all, and God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at London, the day next affor yowr departyng. I schall sende yow -mor knowleche to morrow, with Godds grace. - - Yowrs, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 40-2: [From Fenn, iv. 370.] Master Writtill, to whom - this and the next letter are addressed, is mentioned later as a - servant of the Duke of Clarence, by whose means Sir John was - endeavouring to arrange a suspension of hostilities with the Duke - of Norfolk, who was now besieging Caister.] - - -723 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MASTER WRITTILL[41-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 10] - -Ryght wershypfull syr, I recomaund me to you, thankyng you of your grete -labour whych I have nozt as yet, but I shall deserve to my power; and -ferthermore lyke yow to wyte that I have thoght ryght long after you; -nevyrthelesse I remember well that ye delt wythe ryght delayous peple. -My Lord Archbyshop and other of my Lords, and I, dempte by cawse of your -long tarryng, that by youre sad dyscrescyon all hadde ben sett thorow. -Neverthelesse I understend by your wrytyng that my Lord of Norffolks -concell thynketh that hys entent, whych ye sertefyed me by your wrytyng, -sholde be more to hys wyrshep than the appoyntements and rewll made by -the Lords of the Kyngs concell whych be to my seyd Lord of Norffolk ner -kyne [_near kin_]; whych appoyntements sythen yourr departyng hath be -largely remembryd amongs the seyd Lords here, thynkyng it in hem self so -honorabyll to my Lord of Norffolk, that ther shuld non of my Lords -concell well avysed mevyd to the contrary. - -Jamys Hobard[42-1] was sent fro my [Lord] of Norffolk heder, and spake -with my Lord Archbyshop,[42-2] and answer he had of my seyd Lord; and -howe my Lord tendryd the mater yet and wyll I trowe he have told you, -and yf he have not, the brynger her of schall informe you; and he broght -thys same appoyntement from my Lord, that my Lord was well agryed that I -shulde ocupye. For my parte, iff I shud take no other apoyntement but -acordyng to your letter, it wer hard for me and for my tytell to putte -my Lord in that possessyon; for ther ys thyngs in erthe [_uneath_, -_i.e._ scarcely] to myn esse in your letter, gode for me in that -appoyntement, savyng the suerty of my brothers lyffe and my servants, -whych ye thynke dowtefull yf so be that thay lakke stuff, shotte, and -vytayll; mervaylyng sore, and thynk it impossybell in thys shorte -season, or in iiij. tyme the season heder towards, that thay shuld lakk -other [_either_], with owte it soo be that my Lords men have enterd -owght the place, and so had ther stuffe from hem, whych I cannot thynk. -Also, sir, for [_fore_] the tyme of your comyng to my Lord of Norffolk, -servaunts of [my Lords wer with][42-3] my moder at Norwych, mevyng to -send to my brother hyr sone, to delyver the place under such a forme as -youre lettere specefyeth, and so I cannot understand what regard my -Lords concell takyth to my Lords letter, and to your labour in thys -behalf, but that they offeryd as largely afore. Ze wryteth in your -letter that ye durst not passe your credens; please you to remember that -seyd your credens affore the Lords was ryght large, and as large as -myght well be in thys mater, both to my Lords concell of Norffolk to -withdrawe the seege, with moor other mater as ye knowe; and to the -Justice of the Peas and to the Shyryff and hys offycers, your awtoryte -was grete inow to iche of them. - -Wherfor, Mayster Wretell, I never for this, nere zet wyll, take -appoyntement in thys mater, but as my Lords wyll and my Lord Archbyshop, -whych, as well as I my self, have holy putte our tryst to youre dyscrete -dyreccyon; and my seyd Lord sythen youre departer, zour zoyng,[43-1] -thynkyng you alls mete a man in executyng ther comaundement as cowde be -chosyn. Neverthelesse for awnswer to you at thys season, my Lord -Archbyshop ys north wards towards the Kyng; how be it, it ys seyd, uppon -a metyng with my Lord of Clarens, my Lord shuld retourne a yen; and as -zester evyn he send a servaunt of hys to me, wenyng to hys Lordship that -Sir Humfray[43-2] and ye wer in Caster as was appoynted, and ye shuld -send to hys Lordshyp answer of the gydyng ther by wrytyng, comaundyng me -that yff any such wrytyngs cam from you, yf hys Lordshyp wer not past -xx. myle fr[om Lond]on,[43-3] to com to hys Lordshyp with the same. -Understandyng for sertayn that he ys nott yet so ferr, wherfor I will in -althe hast possybell ryde nygt and day till I see hys Lordshyp, and -after comunicacyon had with hys Lordshyp, as sone as ys possybell that a -man may go be twext, ye shall have an answer of hys dysposicyon; for hys -intres is such that, as I have wryten, I shall never do therin withoute -hym, as my cosyn, brynger herof, more playnly shall enforme you; for I -canne thynke ryght well, that as ze wryteth to me, my broder wyll not -delyver the place to non erthly person, but yf he see wrytyng fro my -Lord. - -It semyt be yowr wrytyng that my Lord of Norffolk conseyll intende not -that my Lord Archbyshop shuld dele in thys mater, for he ys not named in -your letter, wherof I mervayle; for it was movyd to you at your -departyng hens, the Kyngs concell shuld have take dyreccyon in thys -mater, or els my Lord Cardenall,[44-1] my Lord of Clarens, my Lord -Archbyshop, and my Lord of Essex,[44-2] &c. Neverthelesse, Mayster -Wryttyll, all profytht, maner, or lyflod, leyd apart, if it be so that -thorow reklesnese my brother and servaunts be in such joperte as ye have -wryten to me (whych shold be half impossybell in my mynd that thay shold -myssuse so mech stuff in iiij. tymes the space), and that ye have -evident knowlych by my seyd brother hym self therof, I woll praye yow to -se hym and them in suerte of ther lyffys, what so ever shold fall of the -lyfflode; how be it I wold not that my brother and servaunts shold gyff -upp the place not for a m^l_li._, yf thay myght in any wyse kepe it and -save ther lyves. And therfor, at the reverens of God, sycht it ys so, -that my Lord Archbyshop and my Lords all, and I, have putte our trust in -you, that ye wyll do your devoyer to have the verrey knowlech of my -brother hymself, and not of my Lords men, wheder he stante in such -jopertye as your letter specefyeth or net, for I dowte not uppon the -syzth of thys letter, and of the letter that ye had before, that my -brother will put no mystrust in you, consyderyng that he knowyth that ye -com from my Lords, and my Lord Archbyshop, and have my wrytyng; and as -for my Lord Archbyshop wrytyng and aunswere, such as it shalbe, ye shall -have it in all the haste possybell. But I thynke veryly that my Lord -eschewyth to telle you any thyng without that he myght speke with you -allone, and me thynketh veryly that thay ought not to lette [_hinder_] -you to speke with hym allone, consyderyng that ye have auctoryte and -wrytyng from the Lords so to do. And as for the justificacyon of entryng -the place, and sege layng to [the same][44-3] and the comaundement of -the Justice of the Pease and the Sherewe to assyste my Lord in thys -gydyng, I wote ye understond that the Lords knowe all that mater, and ye -herd it comened, and how thay toke it in ther consayts. - -Ther ys no more, Mayster Wryttell, but I commyth all thys wrytyng unto -your dyscrescyon; and as ye thynk best acordyng to such menys desyre as -have entretyd you therin, and for my moyst avayle, I pray you, sir, soo -doo, and I shall se un to your besynes and labour, that ye shall have -cause to do for me in tyme comyng, and as the brynger herof shall tell -you. And I pray God have you in Hys kepyng. - -Wryten at London, the x. day of Septembr. - - By your frend for ever, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 41-1: [From Fenn, iv. 372.] See preliminary note to last - letter. We have adopted a different punctuation from that of Fenn - in some parts of this letter.] - - [Footnote 42-1: This most probably was James Hobart, who, in 1478, - was Lent-Reader at Lincoln's Inn, and in 1487 - Attorney-General.--F.] - - [Footnote 42-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York.] - - [Footnote 42-3: The original MS. was indistinct in these places.] - - [Footnote 43-1: The words 'zour zoyng' (your going) seem to be - redundant.] - - [Footnote 43-2: Sir Humphrey Talbot was a Captain at this siege, - under the Duke of Norfolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 43-3: The original MS. was indistinct in these places.] - - [Footnote 44-1: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, and - Lord Cardinal.] - - [Footnote 44-2: Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex.] - - [Footnote 44-3: Here the original MS. was indistinct.] - - -724 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[45-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 12] - -I grete you wele, letyng you wete that your brother and his felesshep -stand in grete joperte at Cayster, and lakke vetayll; and Dawbeney[45-2] -and Berney[45-3] be dedde, and diverse other gretly hurt; and they fayll -gunnepowder and arrowes, and the place sore brokyn with gonnes of the -toder parte, so that, but thei have hasty help, thei be like to lese -bothe ther lyfes and the place, to the grettest rebuke to you that ever -came to any jentilman, for every man in this countre marvaylleth gretly -that ye suffre them to be so longe in so gret joperte with ought help or -other remedy. - -The Duke hathe be more fervently set therup on, and more cruell, sith -that Wretyll, my Lord of Claraunce man, was ther, than he was befor, and -he hath sent for all his tenaunts from every place, and other, to be -ther at Cayster at Thorysday next comyng, that ther is than like to be -the grettest multitude of pepill that came ther yet. And thei purpose -them to make a gret assaught--for thei have sent for gannes [_guns_] to -Lynne and other place be the seeys syde--that, with ther gret multitude -of gannes, with other shoot and ordynaunce, ther shall no man dar appere -in the place. Thei shall hold them so besy with ther gret pepill, that -it shall not lye in their pore within to hold it ageyn them with ought -God help them, or have hasty socour from you. - -Therfor, as ye wull have my blyssyng, I charge you and require you that -ye se your brother be holpyn in hast. And if ye can have nonmeane, -rather desire writyng fro my Lord of Clarens, if he be at London, or -ell[es] of my Lord Archebusshop of York, to the Duke of Norffolk, that -he wull graunte them that be in the place her lyfes and ther goodes; and -in eschewyng of insurreccions with other in convenyens that be like to -growe within the shire of Norffolk, this trobelows werd [_world_], be -cause of such conventicles and gaderyngs within the seid shire for cause -of the seid place, thei shall suffre hym to entre up on such -appoyntment, or other like takyn be the advyse of your councell ther at -London, if ye thynk this be not good, till the law hath determyned -otherwyse; and lete hym write a nother letter to your brother to deliver -the place up on the same appoyntment. And if ye think, as I can suppose, -that the Duke of Norffolk wull not aggre to this, be cause he graunted -this aforn, and thei in the place wuld not accept it, than I wuld the -seid massanger shuld with the seid letters bryng fro the seid Lord of -Clarence, or ell[es] my Lord Archebusshop, to my Lord of Oxenford, other -letters to rescue them forth with, thowghe the seid Erle of Oxenford -shuld have the place duryng his lyfe for his labour. Spare not this to -be don in hast, if ye wull have ther lyves, and be sett by in Norffolk, -though ye shuld leys the best maner of all for the rescuse. I had lever -ye last the lyffelode than ther lyfes. Ye must gete a massanger of the -Lords or sume other notabill man to bryng ther letters. - -Do your devoir now, and lete me send you no mor massangers for this -maters; but send me be the berer her of more certeyn comfort than ye -have do be all other that I have sent be for. In any wyse, lete the -letters that shall come to the Erle of Oxenford comyn with the letters -that shall comyn to the Duke of Norffolk, that if he wull not aggree to -the ton, that ye may have redy your rescuse that it nede no mor to send -therfor. God kepe you. - -Wretyn the Tuesday next befor Holy Rood Day, in hast. - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 45-1: [From Fenn, iv. 382.] This and the other letters - relating to the siege of Caister are all rendered certain in point - of date by the documents touching its surrender on the 26th - September.] - - [Footnote 45-2: John Dawbeney, Esq.] - - [Footnote 45-3: Osbert Berney, the other person here mentioned as - dead, was not killed at the siege. He survived, and died without - issue some years after, when he was buried in Bradeston Church in - Norfolk, there being a brass plate in the chancel having the - following inscription to his memory:--'_Hic jacet Osbertus filius - Joh. Berney, Armig. de Redeham Dni. et de Brayston._' He was the - son of John Berney, Esq., by Catherine, daughter of Osbert - Mundeford of Hockwell, Esq.--F.] - - -725 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[47-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 15] - -Moodr, uppon Saterday last was, Dawbeney and Bernay wer on lyve and -mery, and I suppose ther com no man owt of the place to yow syn that -tyme that cowde have asserteynyd to yow of ther dethys. And as towchyng -the fyrsenesse of the Duke or of hys peple schewyd syn that tyme that -Wryttel departyd, I trowe it was concludyd that trews and abstynence of -werre scholde be hadd er he departyd, whych shalle dewr tyl Monday next -comyng; and by that tyme I trow that trews shall be takyn tyll that day -vij. nyght aftr, by whych tyme I hope of a goode dyreccion schall be -hadde. - -And wher as ye wryght to me that I scholde sewe for letteris from my -Lordys of Clarans and Yorke, they be not her, and if they wrot to hym as -they have don ij. tymes, I trow it wolde nat advayle; and as for to -labor thois letteris and the rescu to gedre, they ben ij. sendry -thyngys, for when the rescu is redy, that the cost ther of is don. For -if I be drevyn therto to rescu it er they com ther that scholde do it, -it shall cost a m^{l}. escuys, and as meche after, whyh wey wer harde -for me to take, whyll that I maye do it otherwise; but as to sey that -they schall be rescuyd if all the lands that I have in Ingelond and -frendys maye do it, they shall, and God be frendly, and that as schertly -as it may goodlely and wele be brout abut. And the grettest defawt -erthly is mony and som frendys and neyborys to helpe; wherfor I beseche -yow to sende me comfort with what money ye coude fynde the menys to get -or chevysche uppon suerte sufficient, er uppon lyflod to be inmorgage er -yit solde, and what peple by lyklyed yowr frendys and myn kowde make -uppon a schort warnyng, and to send me worde in all the hast as it is -needfull. But, moodre, I fele by yowr wryghtyng that ye deme in me I -scholde not do my devyr withowt ye wrot to me som hevye tydyngs; and, -modre, if I had nede to be qwykynyd with a letter in thys nede, I wer of -my selfe to slawe [_too slow_] a felaw; but, moodre, I ensur yow that I -have herde x. tymes werse tydyngs syn the assege by gan than any letter -that ye wrot to me, and somtyme I have herde ryght goode tydyngs both. -But thys I ensure yow that they that be within have no werse reste than -I have, ner castyth mor jupperte; but whethyr I had goode tydyngys er -ill, I take Gode to wittnesse that I have don my devoyr as I wolde be -don for in case lyke, and schall doo tyll ther be an ende of it. - -I have sent to the Kynge to Yorke, and to the Lordys, and hope to have -ansswer from them by Wednysday at the ferthest, and after that answer -shall I be rewlyd, and than send yow word, for tyll that tyme kan I take -non dyreccion. And to encomfort yow, dy[s]peyre yow not for lak of -vytayle ner of gonne powder, ner be natt to hevy ner to mery therfor; -for and hevynesse or sorow wolde have be the remedy ther of, I knew -nevyr mater in my lyfe that I kowde have ben so hevy or sory for, and -with Goddys grace it schall be remedyed well inow; for by my trowthe I -hadde lever lose the maner of Caister than the symplest mannys lyfe -therin, if that may be hys saveacion. Wherfor I beseche yow to sende me -worde wat mony and men ye thynke that I am lyke to get in that contre; -for the hasty purchace of mony and men schall be the getyng and rescu of -it, and the sauevacion of most mennys lyfys, if we take that weye. - -Also thys daye I porpose to sende to Yorke to the Kyng for a thyng, -whych same only maye by lyklyod be the savacion of all. Ye must remembre -that the rescue of it is the last remedy of all, and how it is nat easy -to get; and also ye sende me worde that I scholde nat kome hom withowt -that I kome stronke. But if I had hadd on other stronge place in -Norfolke to have comen to, thowe I have browt ryght fewe with me, -I scholde, with Godds grace, have rescued it by thys tyme, er ellys he -scholde have ben fayne to have besegyd bothe placys or yit, and the Duke -had not kept Yarmoth owthe. But, mother, I beseche yow sende me som -mony, for by my trowth I have but x_s._ I[49-1] wot not wher to have -mor, and moreovyr I have ben x. tymes in lyke case or werse within thys -x. wekys. I sent to Rychard Call for mony, but he sendyth me non. - -I beseche yow to gyde the evydence that Pekok can tell yow of, and to se -it saffe; for it is tolde me that Richard Call hath hadd right large -langage of them. I wolde nat they com in hys fyngrys. I have no worde -from yow of them, ner whether ye have yit in yowr kepyng the evydence of -Est Bekham owt of hys handys, ner whethyr ye have sent to my manerys -that they schold not paye hym no mor mony or not. Also that it like yow -to geve credence to Robyn in other thyngs. - -Wret the Fryday next after Holy Roode Day. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 47-1: [From Fenn, iv. 386.] This letter was clearly - written in reply to the last.] - - [Footnote 49-1: _I._ The right-hand copy in modern spelling reads - 'and.'] - - -726 - -WRITTILL TO THE BESIEGERS OF CAISTER[50-1] - -_Sir John Hevyngham,[50-2] Th. Wyngfeld,[50-3] Gilbert Debenham,[50-4] -Wil. Brandon,[50-5] and to everych of them severally in otheris -absence._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [SEPT.]] - -Hit is so that accordyng to such direccion as was mevid to be desird of -my Lords beyng heer, as for such as heere bee they marveil gretly -therof, thynkyng and remembring in themself that such offre as was made -by my credence to my Lorde,[50-6] and to fore you reported, shuld have -sownyd more to his pleasure and honour than this his desire. -Nevirthelesse my Lords thenke where as they wrote and desirid joyntly -that such credence as ye remembre myght be observyd and taken, and by -you refusid, nowe yif they shuld assent to the desire of this direccion, -hit is thought in them not so to doo; for it is so fortuned that dyvers -of my Lords, from whome I brought both wrytyng and credence, be at the -Kyngs high commaundement hastely departed unto his Highnesse, trustyng -in God to have heeryng in brief tyme of their hasty ayen comyng, atte -which tyme my Lords that heere be, and they that shal come ayen, shal -comon and speke to gyder of this desire and direccion, and such answere -as they geve and make shall be sent unto you than with haste possible. -Ovir this, me thenkith for your excuse of burden and charge such as I -hier will be leid unto you concernyng the grete werks that dailly be and -ar at the maner of Castre, yif ye thenk that God shuld have pleasir, and -also the Kyng oure sovereign Lorde, and that my seide Lords shuld thenk -in you gode avise or sad, and that ye entendid to avoide the sheddyng of -Cristyn blode and the destruccion of the Kyngs liege people, that at -your politik labour and wisedome ye myght bryng my Lord to th'abstynence -of warre, and a trieux to be had and contynued unto tyme of the retourn -of my seid Lords, or els knowlege of their entent; certifieng you for -trouth that ther be messengers sent unto my seid Lords with lettrez of -such answere as I had of you to your desire to gyder, knowyng certeinly -that ther shal be hasty relacion of ther entents in the premisis, which -answers ye shall have atte ferthist by Monday cometh sevenyght. -Ferthirmore lettyng you wit that I understond for certein that my Lords -that be heere eschewe, for such inconveniense that myght fall, to -conclude any answere by them self, consideryng that my credence was -geven by all the Lords; prayng you, as shal be doon to the continuaunce -of this trieux aforesaid, that I may be acerteyned, or yif at this houre -ye coude yit thenk my credence resonable and honourable to be accepted -and taken, sendith me woorde in wrytyng from you by my servant, brynger -of this, al delaies leid aparte. For I acertein you, as he that owe you -service, I was and yit am gretly blamed for my long tarying with you, -for, dyvers of my Lords taried heere for me, by th'assent of al my -Lords, lenger than they wold have don, to know myn answere and guydyng -from you. - -And ovir this I certyfie you that ye cannot make my Lords heere to thenk -that yif ther be inconvenient or myshief, murdre, or manslauter had or -done, but and your wills and entents were to the contrarye, my Lord is -notid so well disposid that, with oute your grete abettement, he neither -will doo nor assent to non such thyng; prayng you therfor, as your -frende, to remembre wele your self, and so to rule you, as my Lords may -have in tyme to come knowlege of your more sadd disposicion than as yit -I feele they thenk in you. And how that my Lords note sum of you, James -Hobert, beyng of my Lords counsel, can enforme you; wherefor for Godds -sake remembr you, and delyver my servant, and yif ye thenk my first -credence or this advertisement shal be taken to effect, than I pray you -that my servaunt, brynger hereof, may have sure condyte to speke with -John Paston, and to report to hym these direccions, and upon that to -delyver hym a bill certifyng the same. - - [Footnote 50-1: [From Fenn, iv. 404.] This letter is anonymous, - but was evidently written by Writtill during his negotiations for - a suspension of hostilities.] - - [Footnote 50-2: Sir John Heveningham, Knight and Banneret, was a - descendant of an ancient family situated at the town of - Heveningham, in Suffolk. His son Thomas became owner of the estate - at Ketteringham, in Norfolk, where this family continued for - several generations.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-3: Sir Thomas Wingfield was a younger son either of - Sir Robert or Sir John Wingfield of Letheringham, in Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-4: Sir Gilbert Debenham, Knight, was descended of an - ancient and knightly family in the county of Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-5: Sir William Brandon married Elizabeth, daughter of - Sir Robert Wingfield, and was ancestor to Charles Brandon, - afterwards Duke of Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 50-6: The Duke of Norfolk.] - - -727 - -WRITTILL TO THOMAS WINGFIELD[52-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Mr. Wyngfeld, I recomande me to you. Please you to wit I have sent a -lettre joyntly to you and to al my Lordes[52-2] counsel; nevirtheles, -for the special favor and service that I bere and owe to you, I write to -you aparte, praying you to put your hasty devoir to the delyverans of my -servaunt, with th'answere of the same; and ovir that for Goddis sake -remember you hou that ye stond my Lordes nygh kynnesman, and by whom my -Lordes wulle gretly be steerid, that ye eschewe and avoide to be non of -those that my Lordes here thenk shuld set or cause my Lord to do thynges -otherwise than accordith to the pleasir of my Lordes; for it is so that -there be dyvers of my Lordes counsel stond in hevy report of my Lordes, -of which I wold ye were non; certifieng you that I know so ferre that -yif ye any thyng doo in this mater to the pleasir of my Lordes, it will -neither be unremembrid ne unrecompensid, not doutyng but that hereafter -to have a large thonk of you for this my counsel; praying you ferthermor -to move Sir John Hevyngham, and such as ye knowe wele disposid, to -assist you in this; and that this bille be kept secrete, as my trust is -in you. Wreten at London. - - [Footnote 52-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This and the letter - following are corrected drafts upon the same paper, and both - evidently written at the same time, and by the same writer, as the - last letter.] - - [Footnote 52-2: The Duke of Norfolk's.] - - -728 - -WRITTILL TO JOHN PASTON[53-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Mr. Paston, it is so that sith tyme I spake with you I sent you a bill -which concludith an abstinence of werre to be had unto Fryday last was, -trustyng in that season that by the menes of my Lordes heere a -conclusion shal be taken; lettyng you wit that before my comyng hider -certein of my Lordes were departid hens towards the Kyng northwards. And -for asmich as I cannot in this season have no hasty answere of such -lettrez as were sent unto them concernyng this mater, I have wretyn by -the meanes of my Lordes heere I have wretyn a lettre to my Lordes -counsell a lettre,[53-2] and amonges other thynges movid them in the -seid lettre to advertise my Lord for abstynence of werre til Monday come -sevenyght; and yif my Lordes and his counsell so agree, I have comaundid -my servaunt, brynger hereof, to geve you knowlege of the same, avisyng -you that contenuyng the seid seson to absteyne you from werre gevyng -outward in like wise; and by that season I hope to have knowlege of my -Lordes ententes. - - [Footnote 53-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] _See_ preliminary note to - last letter.] - - [Footnote 53-2: So in the MS., the redundant words being left - uncancelled.] - - -729 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[53-3] - -_To John Paston, and to non othyr._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 18] - -I recomand me to yow, and promyse yow that I have and schall labore and -fynde the meane that ye schall have honor of yowr delyng as ye have -hyddr towards, as all Ingelond and every man reportythe; and moreover I -am in weye for it by many dyverse weys, wherof ther schall be one -exicutyd by thys day xiiij. nyght at the ferthest, and peraventur within -vij. dayes. And iff ye maye kepe it so longe, I wold be gladde, and aftr -that iff ye have nott from me other wryghtyng, that than ye do ther in -for yowr saffgarde and yowr felaschep only, and to yowr worschypys; and -as for the place, no force therfor. Ye knowe thys hande, therfor nedythe -no mencion from whem it comythe; and more ovyr, they that be abut yow be -in obloquy of all men, and mor ovyr they have ben wretyn to by alse -speciall wryghtyng as myght be, after the worlde that now is, and -promyse yow that the Dukes concell wolde that they had nevyr be gon it; -and more ovyr they be chargyd in payne of ther lyvys, that thow they -gate the place, they scholde not hurt on of yow. Ther is nowther ye ner -none with yow, but and he knewe what is generally reportyd of hym, he or -ye, and God fortewne yow wele, may thynke hym iiij. tymes better in -reputacion of all folk than evyr he was. Be war whom ye make a concell -to thys mater. - -Also I lete yow wete that I am in moche mor comfort of yow than I maye -wryght, and they that be about yow have cawse to be mor ferde than ye -have; and also bewar of spendyng of yowr stuffe of qwarellys, powdr, and -stone, so that if they assaut yow er we come, that ye have stuffe to -dyffende yow of over, and than of my lyfe ye get no mor, and that your -felaschyp be evyr ocopyed in renewyng of your stuffe. - -Wretyn the Mondaye next aftr Holy Roode Daye. - - * * * - -I trow, thow ye be not prevy ther to, ther is taken a trews new tyl thys -day vij. nygh. - - [Footnote 53-3: [From Fenn, iv. 394.] _See_ preliminary note to - No. 724.] - - -730 - -PASSPORT TO THE BESIEGED ON SURRENDER OF CAISTER[55-1] - -_The Duc of Norffolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 26] - -Where John Paston, esquier, and other divers persones have, ageyn the -peas, kepte the manoir of Caster with force, ageyne the wille and entent -of us the Duc of Norffolk, to oure grete displeaser; whiche -notwithstanding, at the contemplacion of the writing of the moost -worshipfull and reverent Fader in God the Cardenall of England, and our -moost trusty and entierly beloved Unkel the Archbisshop of Canterbury, -the right noble Prince my Lord of Clarence, and other Lords of oure -blood, and also at the grete labour and enstaunce of our moost dere and -singler belovid wiffe, we be agreed that the seid John Paston and his -seid fellaship, beyng in the seid maneur, shall depart and goo out of -the seid maneur without delay, and make therof deliveraunce to suche -persones as we will assigne, the seid fellaship havyng their lyves and -goods, horsse, and harneys, and other goods beyng in the kepyng of the -seid John Paston; except gonnes, crossebows, and quarells, and alle -other hostelments, to the seid maneur annexed and belonginge. And to -have xv. dayes respyte aftir their seid departing out, to goo in to what -place shall like theim, without any accions or quarell to be taken or -made by us, in our name to theim, or any of theim, within our fraunchise -or without, duryng the seid tyme. - -Yoven under our signet at Yermouth the xxvj. day of Septembr the ix^te -yere of King Edward the iiij^th. - - NORFF'. [LS] - - [Footnote 55-1: [From Fenn, ii. 24.]] - - [[_in the printed book, the letters "LS" (Locus Sigilli?) are shown - in a circle after the signature_]] - - -731 - -JOHN PASTON AND THE SURRENDER OF CAISTER[56-1] - -_The Duc of Norff'._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 26] - -John, Duke of Norffolk, Erle Marshall of Sussex, Surrey, and of -Nottingham, Marshall of Inglonde, Lorde Mowbray of Segreve, Bromfelde, -and Yalle, to al our frendes, servauntes, and othir Crystyne people, -gretyng. Wher John Paston, esquier, and othre diverse persones forseble -hath kepte the manoir of Castre, contrary to our will and pleaser, and -aftirwarde by his lowly labour and gret meanese to us maade, the seide -John Paston hathe maade deliveraunce of the seide manoir to such persons -as we have assignede, and he and his seide felouship by our lycence to -departe out of the same. Wherefore we pray, wil, and charge you and -everysche of you, that ye ne vexce, trouble, manase, ne greve the -forseid persones, nor eny of them, for the kepyng of the seide manere -contrary to the Kynge our Sovereynge Lordes lawyes, for we have takyne -them in our safe garde. Yevin undir our signet and signmanuell the -xxvj^ti day of Septembre, the ix^th yere of Kynge Edward iiij^t. - - NORFF'. [LS] - - [Footnote 56-1: [From a MS. in the College of Arms.] The original - of this document, signed and sealed by the Duke of Norfolk, is - inserted in the MS. volume called Brooke's _Aspilogia_, vol. i. p. - 35.] - - [[_in the printed book, the letters "LS" (Locus Sigilli?) are shown - in a circle after the signature_]] - - -732 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[56-2] - -Caystr yelded.--J. P. - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [SEPT.]] - -Ryght werchepfull sir, I recomand me on to yow. And as for the serteynte -of the delyverance of Caster, John Chapman can tell yow how that we wer -enforsyd therto, as wel as mysylf. As for John Chapman and his iij. -felaws, I have purveyd that they be payid ache of them xl_s._, with the -mony that they had of yow and Dawbeney; and that is inow for the seson -that they have don yow servys. I pray yow geve them ther thank, for by -my trowthe they have as well deservyd it as eny men that ever bare lyve; -but as for mony, ye ned not to geve hem with owt ye wyll, for they be -plesyd with ther wagys. Wryttyll promysyd me to send yow the serteynte -of the apoyntement. We wer sor[57-1] lak of vetayl, gonepowdyr, menys -herts, lak of suerte of rescwe, drevyn therto to take apoyntement. - -If ye wyll that I come to yow, send me woord, and I shall pervey me for -to tery with yow a ij. or iij. dayis. By my trowthe, the rewardyng of -syche folkys as hathe ben with me dwryng the sege hathe putt me in gret -danger for the monye. God preserve yow, and I pray yow be of good cher -tyll I spek with yow, and I trust to God to ese your hert in some -thynggys. - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 56-2: [From Fenn, iv. 410.]] - - [Footnote 57-1: _sor._ So the word stands in Fenn, and 'sore' in - the copy in modern spelling; but I suspect a misreading of 'for.'] - - -733 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[57-2] - -_To Sir John Paston, in hast. A matre._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / SEPT. 23-30.] - -I grete zow wele, and send zow Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng zow wete -that me thynke be the letter that ze sent me be Robeyn, that ze thynke -that I xuld wryte to zow fabyls and ymagynacyons; but I do not soo. -I have wrytyn as yt have be enformed me, and wulle do. It was told me -that bothe Daubeney and Berney wer dedee, but for serten Daubeney is -dede, God asoyle hys sowle; wher of I am rythe sery, and yt had plesyd -God that yt mythe abe other wysse. - -Remembyr zow, ze have had ij. gret lossys withyne thys towylemonth, of -hym and of Sir Thomas.[57-3] God wysyth [_visiteth_] zow as yt plesythe -Hym in sundery wyses; He woole ze xuld know Hym, and serve Hym better -than ze have do be for thys tyme, and than He wull send zow the mor -grace to do wele in ale other thynggs. And for Godds love, remembyr yt -rythe welle, and take yt pacyentely, and thanke God of Hys vysitacyon; -and yf ony thyng have be a mysse ony other wyse than yt howte to have -ben befor thys, owther in pryde or in laves expences, or in eny other -thyng that have offendyd God, amend yt, and pray Hym of Hys grace and -helpe, and entende welle to God, and to zour neybors; and thow zour poor -heraftyr be to aquyte hem of her maleys, zet be mersyfulle to hem, and -God xale send zow the mor grace to have your entente in other thynggs. - -I remembyr thys clawsys, be cause of the last letter that ze sent me. -I have sent to Hary Halman of Sporylle to helpe to gete as ze desyerd -me, and he canne not gette passyd v. or viij. at the most, and zet yt -wule not be but yf [_unless_] he cume that ze trust upon that xuld cume, -for they long a parte to hym. And Ryschard Sharman hathe asayed on hys -parte, and he cane not gette passyd v.; for thoo that long to us, thei -long also to our adversarys, and they have be desyerd be them, and they -woold nowte do for hem, and ther for they thynke to have magery of the -toder parte. - -As for the jantylman that ye desyerd me to speke with, I spake with hys -wyfe, and sche told me he was not in thys cuntre, ner nowte woost wan he -xuld be her; and as for the toder man, he hath bowthe [_bought_] hym a -livery in Bromeholme Pryery, and have geve upe the woord [_world_], &c. - -Item, as for mony, I kowde getee but x_li._ upon pledges, and that is -spent for zour maters her, for payeng of zour men that wern at Caster, -and other thynggs, and I woot not wer to gette non, nowther for suerte -ner for pleggs; and as for myn owyn lyvelod, I am so sympely payed ther -of that I fer me I xale be fayn to borow for my sylfe, or ell[es] to -breke up howsold or bothe. - -As for the zeddyng [_yielding_] of the place at Caster, I trowe Wretyll -hathe told of the pawntements [_appointments_] how ytts delyvered. -I woold that [it] had be so her [_ere_] thys tyme, and zan [_then_] ther -xuld not a ben do so mykyle herte as ther is in dyverse weyes; for many -of our welewyllers arn putte to loosse for our saks, and I fer me that -[it] xale be long her yt be recumpensyd ageyn, and that xale cause other -to do the lesse for vus her aftyr. - -I woold ze xuld [send] zour brother woord, and sum other that ze truste, -to see to zour owyn lyelod to sette yt in a rule, and to gader ther of -that may be had in haste, and also of Sir John Fastolf lyoeld that may -be gadyrd in pesybyle wyse. For as for Ryschard Calle, he wulle no mor -gadyr yt but yf ze comaund hym, and he woold fayn make hys . . acowntte, -and have zour good maystyr schepe, as ytts told me, and delyvere the -evydens of Bekkeham, and alle other thynggs that longyth to zow, that he -trustythe that ze wylle be hys good mayster heraftyr. And he sethe he -wylle not take non newe master tyle ze refuse hys servyse. - -Remembyr that zowr lyvelod may be set in soche a rule that ye may knowe -how ytts, and wat is owyn to zow; for be my feythe I have holpyn as -mysche as I may and mor, savyng my sylfe, and therfor take hede er yt be -weers. - -Thys letter was begune on Fryday was vij. nythe, and enddyd thys day -nexte afftyr Mychylmes Day. God kepe zow, and yeve zow grace to do as -wele as I woold ze dede; and I scharge zow be war that ze sette no lond -to morgage, for if eny avyse zow ther to, they arn not zowr frendds. Be -war be tymes myn avyse, &c. I trow yowr brother wyll geve zow tydyngs in -haste. - - [Footnote 57-2: [From Fenn, iv. 396.] This is written, as will be - seen, in reply to No. 725.] - - [Footnote 57-3: Sir Thomas Howes.] - - -734 - -NOTE[59-1] - -Inventory of household goods (including guns) left at Caister by Sir -John Paston at the entry of my Lord of Norfolk. - - [Footnote 59-1: [MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 201.]] - - -735 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[60-1] - -_To my master, Sir John Paston, in Flett-Stret._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / OCT. 5] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand on to you, praying yow that ye wyll in -all hast send me word how that ye wyll that Sir John Style, John -Pampyng, W. Mylsent, Nycolas Mondonet, T. Tomson shall be rwlyd, and -whedyr that they shall sek hem newe servysys or not; and Mathewe Bedford -also, for he hathe be with me this seson, and is fro my modyr. And if so -be that ye wyll have thes to abyde with yow, or eny of them, send word -whyche that they be; for betwyx thys and Halowmas my modyr is agreyd -that they shall have met and drynk of hyr for syche a serteyn wekly as -my modyr and yu and I can acord when we met. Notwithstandyng, if ye kowd -get Barney or eny of thes seyd folkys, whyche that ye wyll not kepe, eny -servyse in the mene seson, it wer more worchep for yow then to put them -from yow lyek masterles hondys [_hounds_]; for by my trowthe they ar as -good menys bodys as eny leve, and specyally Sir John Stylle and John -Pampyng. And I wer of power to kepe them and all thes befor rehersyd, by -trowthe they shold never depert fro me whyll I leveyd. - -If ye send me word that I shall come to yow to London for to comon with -yow of eny mater, so God help me, I have neythyr mony to com up with, -nor for to tery with yow when I am ther but if [_unless_] ye send me -some; for by my trowthe thes werkys have causyd me to ley owt for yow -bettyr then x. or xij_li._, besyd that money that I had of my modyr, -whyche is abowt on viij_li._ God amend defowts; but this I warant yow, -with out that it be Mathew, whyche ye sent woord by John Thressher that -ye wold have to awayt on yow, ther is no man that was hyryd for the tyme -of thys sege that wyll axe yow a peny. - -Also I pray yow send downe acomandment to Stutvylle, or to some awdyter, -to take acomptys of Dawbneys byllys; for hys executors ar sore callyd -upon for to admynyster by the Byshop, or ellys he seythe that he wyle -seqwester. Dawbeney set in hys dett that ye owt hym xij_li._ and x_s._ -Whedyr it be so or nowt, hys byllys of hys owne hand wyll not lye, for -he mad hys byllys clere or then the sege com abowt us. - -As for the evydence of Bekham, my modyr sent to Calle for hem; and he -sent hyr woord that he wold make hys acompts, and delyver the evydence -and all to gedyr. My modyr hathe sent to hym ayen for hem thys day. If -she sped, they shall be sent to yow in all hast, or ellys, and ye send -for me, I shall bryng hem with me. Send my modyr and me word who ye wyll -that have the rwyll of your lyvelod her in thys contre, and in what -forme that it shall be delt with. I wyll not make me mastyrfast with my -Lord of Norff., nor with non othyr, tyle I spek with yow; and ye thynk -it be to be don, get me a mastyr. - -Dell corteysly with the Qwen and that felawshep, and with Mastras Anne -Hawte for Wappys,[61-1] tyll I spek with zow. Wretyn on Seynt Feythys -Evyn. - - J. PASTON. - -By Sent George, I and my felawshep stand in fer of my Lord of Norff. -men, for we be thret sore, not withstandyng the save gardys[61-2] that -my felawshep have. As for me, I have non, nor non of your howsold men, -nor non wyll have; it wer shame to take it. - - [Footnote 60-1: [From Fenn, iv. 412.] This is a letter desiring - instructions about the garrison of Caister after its surrender.] - - [Footnote 61-1: This expression 'for Wappys' I do not - understand.--F. Perhaps Wappys may be a proper name.] - - [Footnote 61-2: _Save gardys._ This is printed 'same gardys' in - Fenn, but is evidently a misreading; in the right-hand copy the - word is 'safeguards.'] - - -736 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[62-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / [OCT.]] - -Ryght worchypfull Moodre, I comand me to yow, and beseche yow of yowr -blyssyng and Gods. Thanke yow for yowr tendrenesse and helpe bothe to -me, my brother, and servants.[62-2] - - . . . . . . . - -The Kynge is comyn to London, and ther came with hym, and roode ageyn -hym, the Duke of Glowcestr, the Duke of Suffolke, the Erle of Aroundell, -the Erle of Northumbreland, the Erle of Essex, the Lordes Harry and John -of Bokyngham, the Lord Dakres, the Lorde Chambreleyn, the Lorde -Montjoye, and many other Knyghtys and Sqwyers, the Meyr of London, xxij. -Aldremen, in skarlett, and of the Crafftys men of the town to the nombre -of CC., all in blewe. The Kynge come thorow Chepe, thowe it wer owt of -hys weye, be cawse he wold not be seyn, and he was accompanyed in all -peple with m^l. horsse, som harneysyd and som nat. My Lorde -Archebysshop[62-3] com with hym from Yorke, and is at the Moor,[62-4] -and my Lorde of Oxenfford roode to have mett the Kyng, and he is with my -Lorde Archebysshop at the Moor, and come nat to town with the Kynge; -some sey that they wer yesterdaye iij. myle to the Kyng wards from the -Moor, and that the Kyng sent them a massangr that they scholde com when -that he sent for them. I wot not what to suppose therin; the Kyng -hymselffe hathe good langage of the Lords of Clarance, of Warwyk, and of -my Lords of York [and] of Oxenford, seyng they be hys best frendys; but -hys howselde men have other langage, so that what schall hastely falle I -cannot seye. - -My Lorde of Norffolke schall be her thys nyght. I schall sende yow mor -when I knowe mor. - -Item, iff Ebysham come not home with myn oncle W., that than ye sende me -the ij. Frenshe bookys that he scholde have wretyn, that he may wryght -them her, - - JOHN PASTON, Kt. - - [Footnote 62-1: [From Fenn, i. 292.] The allusion in an unprinted - passage in this letter to the approaching marriage of Richard - Calle with Margery Paston proves it to be of the year 1469. In - that year it appears by the dates of the privy seals that Edward - IV. remained during the whole of September in Yorkshire, having - been detained by Warwick at Middleham as a prisoner during the - month of August; but he was in London as early as the 13th - October.] - - [Footnote 62-2: Here, according to Fenn, follow passages touching - 'an account of monies, debts, &c., a dispute with his uncle - William, and a desire to defer his sister Margery's marriage with - Richard Calle till Christmas.'] - - [Footnote 62-3: George Nevill, Archbishop of York.] - - [Footnote 62-4: _See_ p. 20, Note 3.] - - [[... that he may wryght them her, - _text has "be": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -737 - -ABSTRACT[63-1] - -[JOHN PASTON] TO [SIR JOHN PASTON] - -[Sidenote: 1469] - -Has reckoned with Maryot. Accounts of Bekham. Has not spoken with W. -Bakton, but will before returning to Norwich. Means to visit Bekham on -his way thither. Sends copy of the condition wherein ye be bound to John -Maryot. As for Sir T. Mongomere's man, etc. - -Richard Calle says he has delivered to me all writings he had of you -except an endenture for letting Saxthorp, which is but a jape. All but a -rental of Snaylwell are but accounts, etc. He has delivered me four or -five court rolls of Sir J. Fastolff's lands, of his own hand. He has -done reasonably well about showing me the arrears of your lifelode. 'As -for his abiding, it is in Blakborow nunnery, a little fro Lynn, and our -unhappy sister's also. And as for his service, there shall have no man -have it before you, and ye will. I hear not speak of none other service, -of no lord's that he shall be in.' Has not yet spoken with Daubney's -executors, but will on his way homewards. Sends copy of the -inventory[63-2] he [John Paston] made on leaving Caister. Means to be at -Sporle to-morrow or Thursday, to see what may be made of the wood, and -who will give most for it. . . . . (_MS. mutilated at the bottom._) - - [This letter is in the handwriting of John Paston, but the signature - is lost. It is quite certain that it was written in 1469 after the - surrender of Caister. Allusion is also made to the unpleasant - subject of the engagement of Richard Calle and Margery Paston, who - seem to have retired to Blackborough nunnery prior to their marriage.] - - [Footnote 63-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 63-2: _See_ No. 734.] - - -738 - -ABSTRACT[64-1] - -[Sidenote: 1469 / NOV. 6] - -Indenture between Sir John Paston, of the one part, and Roger Townsende, -gent., of the other part, containing covenants for the sale of the manor -of Est Beckham, and of all Paston's other lands in Est Bekham, West -Bekham, Bodham, Sherryngham, Beeston near the Sea, Runeton, Shipden, -Felbrigg, Aylmerton, Sustede, and Gresham, which the said Sir John had -of the gift of John Mariet the elder of Est Bekham, for 100 marks, of -which he has received already L54, leaving L12, 13_s._ 4_d._ to be paid -by the said Roger at the Feast of St. Luke next coming. Dated 6th Nov. 9 -Edw. IV. - - _Seal, with inscription_, 'Si Dieu vuet.' - - [Footnote 64-1: [Add. Charter, 14,526, B.M.]] - - -739 - -ABSTRACT[64-2] - -1469, 25 Nov. 9 Edw. IV. 'In the priory of Saynt Marye Overy in -Suthwarke.' Acknowledgment (in English) by Will. Yelverton, Knt., Just. -of K. B., of the receipt from Bishop Waynflete of L87, in full -satisfaction of all claims on Sir J. Fastolf by Jaquet, Duchess of -Bedford; solemnly promising also that he will not hereafter receive any -sums, great or small, on account of Fastolf's goods, debts, or -possessions, without the assent of the Bishop, that he will at all times -be ready to seal such grants, &c., as the Bishop may require to be -sealed, and that he will not himself make or seal any grant, etc., -without the Bishop's will and agreement. - - [Footnote 64-2: The following abstract is taken from Mr. Macray's - Report on the MSS. in Magdalen College, Oxford.] - - -740 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[65-1] - -_To Master Syr John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1469 / DEC.] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to you, &c. It is so that thys day -ther cam a good felaw to me, whyche may not be dyscoveryd, and let me -wet that my Lord of Norff. consayll hathe this Crystmas gotyn the two -wydows, whows husbands wer slayn at the sege of Caster, and have hem -bowndyn in a gret some that they shall swe a peel ayenst me and syche as -wer ther with me within the plase, and they be bownd also that they -shall relese no man within the apell namyd tyll syche tyme as my Lord of -Norff. wyll lycence them. - -Item, the cawse is thys, as it is told me by dyvers, that ye meke no -more swte to my Lord for yourself than ye do, and therfor they do the -wors to me for your sake. - -Item, as for my comyng up to London, so God help me, and I may chese, -I com not ther, for _argent me fawlt_, without apell or an inkyr -[_inquiry ?_] of som specyall mater of your cawse it. Item, I pray yow -remembyr Caleys, for I am put out of wagys in thys contre. - -Item, I pray yow send me some tydyngs how the world gothe _ad -confortandum stomacum_. - -Item, ye must purvey anewe atorny in thys contre. As for me, for our -maters and clamore is to gret, and our purse and wytte to slendyr, but I -wyle rubbe on as long as I maye bothe with myn owne, and other menys -that wyle do for me tyll better pese be. - -Wretyn thys Saturdaye, at Norwcyche. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 65-1: [From Fenn, iv. 416.] It appears by the contents - that this letter was written about Christmas after the siege of - Caister. An appeal of murder was a process sued by the nearest - relative of a person killed. It was quite independent of any - prosecution for murder by the Crown, and no royal pardon was of - any avail against it; but the appeal had to be brought within a - year and a day of the fact.] - - [[... at Norwyche. - _text has "Norwcyche": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -741 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[66-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MARCH 1] - -Ryght worchepfull Syr, I recomand me to yow aftyr the old maner, -sertyfyng yow that I have comonyd with my modyr for your coming hom, but -I can not fynd by hyr that she wyll depert with eny sylvyr for your -costis, for she and hyr cwrate[66-2] alegge mor poverte then ever wasse. -Item, as for your clok at Harcortis it wyll be nye Estern er it be redy, -for ther is stolyn owt of hys chaumbyr some of the ger that belongyd -therto, and that must have leyser to be mad ayen. Item, the caryer -forgat your byll behynd hym, but it was delyveryd all to gedyr, but it -shall be browght yow and the wyndas with the teles by the next caryer, -as myn orangys shall com to me I tryst. Dame Elyzabet Calthorp is a -fayir lady and longyth for orangis, thow she be not with chyld. Item, -I pray yow that ye wyll make aqwetance on to the person of Mawtby[66-3] -and to John Seyne as executors to John Dawbeney, for they wyll take non -admynystracyon of hys goodis tyll they be aqwetansyd of youre and my -modyr. Ye maye do it well j nough, so God help me; for I wot well ye owt -hym mony, and he nat yow, if so be that he wer trewe when he dyid, and I -wot well we fond hym nevyr on trew in hys lyve; but hys frendys and -othyr of the contre putt grett defawt in me that ther is no thyng don -for hym, seying that he myght do no more for us but lose hys lyfe in -your servyse and myn; and now he is half forgotyn among us. Wherfor I -pray yow let thys be sped. - -Item, as for Doctor Pykenham, J. Pampyng can tell yow he is not in -Norwyche. When he comyth I shall spek with hym and send yow hys answer. -Item, as for myn oncyll Wylliam, I have grant to have a byll of hym what -every thyng lythe for; but all thyng is not yet in rest ayen that was -remevyd for the chyrchyng of my Lady Anne. As sonne as I have the byll I -shall send it yow and hys answer, whyche he wyll fyrst have plegyd -owght, and also whethyr he purposyth to do as he seyd by my graundamys -lond. - -Item, Gefrey Spyrlyng hathe ofte spokyn to me to send to yow for to -undyrstand how ye will deell with hym for hys place in Norwyche, for he -seythe that he had lever have your good mastyrship ther in then eny -othyr manys good lordshep; for and ye wyll be hys good mastyr he wyll -swe no ferther, or ellys he must. - -Item, a for (_sic_) for myn old reknyng, I shall make it up in hast and -send it yow for your bettyr remembrance, for as me thynkyth by your -wrytyng ye have nye forgetyn it; but I am rype j now in it for myn owne -dyscharge. Item, I pray yow, take in to your a ward a short murry -jornade[67-1] of myn whyche Jacobyn, Wykis woman, hathe lest that she be -flyttyng and that it be exchetyd. Item, I pray yow send me swyr tydyngis -of the world in hast. - -As for the bysheop of Wynchestyr, W. Wyrceteyr told my modyr that he had -takyn charge x. dayis or then Pampyng cam hom; but he wenyth that the -bysshop wyll be a yenst yow, in so myche that [he[67-2]] avysyd my modyr -to consell yow that ye sholl labor to my Lord Cardynall[67-3] that the -seyd byshop shold not be amytted to take admynystracyon. No mor, &c. -Wretyn at Norwyche the fyrst daye off Marche. - - J. P. - -I pray, get us a wyfe somwher, for _Melius est nubere in Domino quam -urere_. (ca^o primo.)[67-4] - - * * * - -Noveritis universi per presentes me J. P. mylitem remisisse, &c. Roberto -Cotteler personae ecclesiae de Mawtby in comitatu Norfolk et Johanni Seyne -de Rollysby in eodem comitatu, executores testamenti et ultimae -voluntatis Johannis Dawbeney armygeri, nuper defuncti, omnimodas -acciones, tam reales, &c. quos versus eundem Robertum sive Johannem -Seyne habui, habeo, &c., racione alicujus debyti dicti Johannis -Dawbeney, jam defuncti, mychi dicto J. Paston debite (_sic_) a principio -mundi usque in diem, &c. In cujus, &c. Datum, &c. - -As for the yer of the Kyng, let it be set in, but as for the daye and -the monyth let it be owt, for the day must be aftyr probate of the wyll -and the admynystracyon takyng. I pray you, let thys be sped in all hast -possybyll; and as for your obligacyon and syche ger as belongyth to yow, -I shalbe swyr of it er they have the aqwetance. - -Item, as for owyr afrayis her, J. Pampyng can tell yow; but and they get -me, ye loose a brodyr, _quod juratum est_. - -It is good to do by the comandment of your mastyr whyll I am so well -boryn owte; thys my lord of Norffolk galantis send me woord dayly _ad -confortandum stomacum_. Ye must spek with your mastyr and comon some -remedye hastyly, or be God I enswyr yow, whyll owyr Dwk is thus -cherysheid with the kyng, ye nor I shall not have a man unbetyn or slayn -in thys contre, nor our sylfe nowthyr, as well ye as I, _quod juratum -est_ onys ayen. The Dwke, the Dwches and ther consell ar wrothe that ye -make no meanys to them your sylfe. - -Item, I send yow Townysendis endentwre by John Pampyng. - - [Footnote 66-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 192.] This letter may be - dated 1470, by comparing the postscript with the beginning of No. - 742, which seems to have been written in answer to it. John - Daubeney was killed at the siege of Caister in 1469. _See_ Nos. - 725, 733.] - - [Footnote 66-2: James Gloys.] - - [Footnote 66-3: Robert Cutler or Cotteler. _See_ next page.] - - [Footnote 67-1: Halliwell gives 'jornet' as 'a kind of cloak'; - 'murrey' was a dark red colour.] - - [Footnote 67-2: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 67-3: Cardinal Bourchier.] - - [Footnote 67-4: The reference is as inaccurate as the quotation. - The text referred to is 1 Cor. vii. 9: 'Melius est enim nubere - quam uri.'] - - -742 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[68-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, beyng at Norwyche, be thys letter delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MARCH] - -I comande me to yow, letyng yow wete, &c.[68-2] - - . . . . . . . - -Item, as for Mestresse Kateryn Dudle, I have many tymes recomandyd yow -to hyr, and she is noo thynge displeasyd with itt. She rekkythe not howe -many gentylmen love hyr; she is full of love. I have betyn the mater for -yow, your onknowleche, as I told hyr. She answerythe me, that sche woll -noon thys ij. yer, and I beleve hyr; for I thynke sche hathe the lyffe -that sche can holde hyr content with; I trowe she woll be a sore -laboryng woman this ij. yer for mede of hyr sowle. - -And Mestresse Gryseacresse is sure to Selenger, with my Lady of Exestre, -a fowle losse. - -Item, I praye yow speke with Harcort off the Abbeye, for a lytell -clokke, whyche I sent hym by James Gressham to amend, and that ye woll -get it off hym, and it be redy, and sende it me; and as for mony for hys -labor, he hathe another cloke off myne, whyche Sir Thomas Lyndes, God -have hys sowle! gave me; he may kepe that tyll I paye hym. Thys klok is -my Lordys Archebysshopis, but late not hym wete off it, and that itt -[be] easely caryed hyddre by yowr advyse. - -Also as for orenges, I schall sende yow a serteyn by the next caryer. -And as for tydynge the berer hereoff schall infforme yow; ye most geve -credence to hym. - -As for my goode spede, I hope well. I am offryd yit to have Mestresse -Anne Haulte, and I schall have help i nowe, as some say.[69-1] - -. . . . . . . . - -Item, it is soo that I am halffe in purpose to com home with in a -monythe her afftr, or abowt Med Lente, or beffor Esterne, ondyr yowr -coreccon, iff so be that ye deme that [my] modre wolde helpe me to my -costys, x. mark or ther abowt; I praye feele hyr dysposicion and sende -me worde. - -Item, I cannot tell yow what woll falle off the worlde, for the Kyng -verrely is dysposyd to goo in to Lyncoln schyr, and men wot not what -wyll falle ther off, ner ther afftre; they wene my Lorde off Norffolke -shall[69-2] brynke x.^ml. men. - -Item, ther is comen a newe litell Torke, whyche is a wele vysagyd -felawe, off the age off xl. yere; and he is lower than Manuell by a -hanffull, and lower then my lytell Tom by the schorderys, and mor lytell -above hys pappe; and he hathe, as he seyde to the Kynge hymselffe, iij. -or iiij. sonys, chyldre, iche one off hem as hyghe and asse lykly as the -Kynge hymselffe; and he is leggyd ryght i now, and it is reportyd that -hys pyntell is as long as hys legge. - -Item, I praye yow schewe, or rede to my moodre suche thynges as ye -thynke is for her to know, afftre yowr dyscression; and to late hyr -undrestond off the article off the trete between Syr Wylliam Yelverton -and me. - -Item, my Lorde of Warwyk, as it is supposyd, schall goo with the Kynge -in to Lyncolne schyre; some men seye that hys goyng shall doo goode, and -som seye that it dothe harme. - -I praye yow evyr have an eyghe to Caster, to knowe the rewle ther, and -sende me worde, and whyther my wyse Lorde and my Lady be yit as sottyt -[_? besotted_] uppon it as they were; and whether my seyd Lorde -resortythe thyddre as offte as he dyd or nott; and off the dysposycion -off the Contre. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 68-1: [From Fenn, ii. 28.] From the reference to the - King's being about to go into Lincolnshire, and what is said of - the Earl of Warwick, it may be clearly inferred that this letter - was written on the outbreak of the insurrection of Sir Robert - Welles in the beginning of March 1470.] - - [Footnote 68-2: Here (according to Fenn) follows an account of - bills and receipts, etc.] - - [Footnote 69-1: Here (according to Fenn) follows an account of - some disputes between Sir William Yelverton and Sir John Paston, - his uncle William, etc., of no consequence.] - - [Footnote 69-2: _shall._ This word is not in Fenn's left-hand or - literal transcript, but is given as part of the text in the - right-hand copy.] - - -743 - -ANONYMOUS TO JOHN PASTON[70-1] - -_To my Cosyn, J. Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MARCH 27] - -The King camme to Grantham, and ther taried Thoresday all day; and ther -was headed Sir Thomas Dalalaunde, and on John Neille, a greate capteyn; -and upon the Monday next after that at Dancastr, and ther was headed Sir -Robert Wellys, and a nothr greate capteyn; and than the King hadde warde -that the Duk of Clarence and the Erle of Warwick was att Esterfeld -[_Chesterfield_], xx. mile from Dancastre. - -And upon the Tewesday att ix. of the bell, the King toke the feld, and -mustered his people; and itt was seid that wer never seyn in Inglond so -many goodly men, and so well arreiyed in a feld. And my Lord was -whorsshupfully accompanyed, no lord ther so well; wherfor the King gaffe -my Lord a greate thanke. - -And than the Duk of Clarence and the Erle of Warwik harde that the King -was comyng to them warde, in contynent they departed and wente to -Manchestre in Lancasshire, hopyng to have hadde helpe and socour of the -Lord Stanley, butt in conclucion ther they hadde litill favor, as itt -was enformed the King, and so men sayn they wente westward, and sommen -demen to London. And whan the King harde they wer departed and gon, he -went to York, and came theder the Thoresday next aftr, and ther camme in -to hym all the gentilmen of the shire; and uppon our Lady Day [he] made -Percy Erle of Northumberland, and he that was Erle affore Markeys -Muntakew. And [so][71-1] the King is purposed to come southwarde, God -send hym god spede. - -Writen the xxvij. day of March. - - FOR TROWYTH. - - [Footnote 70-1: [From Fenn, ii. 36.] This letter gives an account - of the suppression of the rebellion in Lincolnshire in 1470.] - - [Footnote 71-1: This word is not in the text of Fenn's literal - transcript, but it is given without brackets in the transcript in - modern spelling.] - - -744 - -ABSTRACT[71-2] - -WILLIAM WORCESTER TO ---- - -[Sidenote: 1470] - -Letter in English, on paper (signed W. W., but unaddressed), desiring -some one to propose to 'my Lord' [the Bishop of Winchester?] the -obtaining of a letter from Sir John Paston to the tenants of Titchwell -that he will not claim any rents from them, and another from 'my Lord,' -to the same effect, on behalf of Sir William Yelverton; and the sending -a warrant to expend 4 or 6 marks upon making up the sea banks before the -Titchwell pastures, because at Spring the sea breaks in upon them. -Desires to know whether Sir W. Yelverton's advice shall be taken upon -business matters. 'Frere' Geffrey Westvale is going to be created Doctor -in Theology at Cambridge, at the Feast of St. John, who twenty years -past, when at Yarmouth convent, belonged to 'my Maister Fastolf'; and -Sir Thomas Howys, a month before his decease, promised to help him on -Mr. Fastolf's order. He would have come now to 'my Lord' to ask his alms -had not the writer letted him. Desires to be informed whether 'my Lord' -will help him. 'Maister Briston yn lykewyse Maister Spicer, and Maister -Stevyns, trustyn appon me and dyvers others to speke to my Lord for a -relyeve,' and Thomas Fastolf and Milcent Fastolf, and many others, 'that -make me noyed and werye.' - - [Footnote 71-2: [From MS. Titchwell, 120, in Magdalen College, - Oxford.] From internal evidence it would seem that this letter - must have been written shortly before that which follows it. The - abstracts of these two letters have been kindly supplied to me by - Mr. Macray.] - - -745 - -ABSTRACT[72-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / MAY 17] - -Letter in English from W. Wyrcestre to Bishop Wayneflete.--Has been at -Tychewell to endeavour to let the manor and farm, but none of the -farmers there will take it without guarantees from Sir John Paston and -Sir William Yelverton in writing against any distraint. . . . . the -younger, who owes L9, will come to the Bishop about the letting. The -writer represents his own poor condition. Has been at charges ten years -in London, and in riding on the infinite process of 'my Maister -Fastolf's testament yn the court of audience.' Is now obliged to retire -from London to Cambridge in order to live cheaply. Had been promised 25 -marks on Paston's behalf, 20 marks for ever of Fastolf's lands, 5 marks -of fee for his life, and L15 worth of land for ever. Has not had clearly -8 marks. - - [Footnote 72-1: [From MS. Titchwell, 199, in Magdalen College, - Oxford.]] - - -746 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[72-2] - -_To Syr John Paston, Knyght, or to Thomas Stompys, to delyver to the -seyd Syr John._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JUNE 22] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, and my specyall good brodyr, I recomand me to -yow; and for as myche as I can not send yow good tydyngs, ye shall have -syche as I knowe. - -It is so that on Wednysday last past ye and I, Pampyng, and Edmund Broom -were endyttyd of felonye at the Sessyons her in Norwyche for shotyng of -a gonne at Caster in August last past, whyche goone slowghe two men, I, -Pampyng and Broom as pryncypall, and ye as accessary; notwithstandyng -Townysend[73-1] and Lomner held an oppynyon that the verdytt is voyd, -for ther wer ij. of th'enqwest that wold not agre to th'endyttment. And -in as myche as they ij. wer agreyd in othyr maters, and not in that, and -that they two wer not dyschargyd fro the remnant at syche tym as that -verdyth of yowyr endytment was govyn, ther oppynyon is that all the -vordyght is voyde, as well of all othyr maters as of yowyr. Whedyr ther -opynyon be good or not, I can not determyne, nor them sylf neythyr. - -I pray yow let not thys mater be slept, for I can thynk that my Lord of -Norff. consaylle wyll cawse the wedows to tak an apell, and to remeve it -up in to the Kyngs Benche at the begynyng of this term. Townysend hathe -promysyd me that he shall be at London on Twysday next comyng, and then -ye may comon with hym in that mater, and take hys avyse. - -Item, Townysend and Lomner thynk that and ye have good consayll, ye may -justyfye the kepyng of the plase for the pesybyll possessyon that ye -have had in it mor then iij. yeer; but in conclusyon, all thys is doo -for nowght ellys but for to enforse yow to take a dyreccyon with my Lord -of Norff. - -I undyrstood by R. Sothewell--for he and I comonyd in thys mater ryght -largely betwyx hem and me--in so myche he tellyth me that and I be at -London in the wek next aftyr Seynt Petyr, at whych tyme he shall be ther -hym sylf, he seyth that my Lady hathe promysyd me hyr good ladyshep, and -sent me woord by hym, in as myche as he spak for me to hyr, that she -wold remembyr myn old servyse, and for get the gret dysplesyr in syche -wyse that I shall undyrstand that the swtte that I have mad to my Lord -hyr husbond and hyr shall torne to your avantage and myn, more then we -weene as yett or shall undyrstand tyll syche tyme as I have spokyn with -hyr good grace. And upon thys promesse I have promysyd Sothewell to meet -with hym at London that same weeke next aftyr Seynt Petyr; wherfor I -wold passyngly fayne that ye wer in London at that season, or nye -abowght London, so that I myght undyrstand at your plase wher that I -myght spek with yow or then I spek with my Lady. - -I propose to go to Canterbery[74-1] on foot thys next week, with Godds -grace, and so to com to London fro thense. I pray yow se that I be safe -for Parker and Henry Coletts mater. - -Sothewell[74-2] told me thys, that if so be that ye wyll your sylf, ye -shall have bothe goode lordshep and ladyshep, and mony or lond, or both, -and all your maters set cler. What that he menyth, I can not sey. As for -all othyr maters in thys contre, I shall do as well as I may for fawt of -monye tyll I spek with yow. I have many collars on, as I shall tell yow -when I come. - -No more, but God preserve yow and yours. Wretyn at Norwyche, Fryday next -aftyr Corpus Christi Daye. - - J. P. - -I ded as myche as I kowd to have lettyd th'endyttment, but it wold not -be, as I shall enform you; and Townysend knowyth the same. - - [Footnote 72-2: [From Fenn, iv. 428.] As this letter refers to an - incident in the siege of Caister as having taken place 'in August - last,' there can be no doubt about the date.] - - [Footnote 73-1: Probably Roger Townsend, afterwards Justice of the - Common Pleas.] - - [Footnote 74-1: On pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Thomas - Becket, I suppose.--F.] - - [Footnote 74-2: Richard Southwell, Esq. of Wood-Rising. He - acquired this estate by marrying Amy, daughter and co-heir of Sir - Edmund Wichingham, Knight.--F.] - - -747 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[74-3] - -_To Syr John Paston, Knyght, or to Thomas Stomppys, to delyver to the -seyd Syr John._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JUNE 25] - -As I sent yow woord by a lettyr that John Wymondham browght to London, -J. Pampyng is endyghtyd of felony, and Edmund Broon as princypallys, and -ye as axcessary, for schotyng of agonne in Awgust last past, whyche -gonne kyllyd ij. men; and I trowe that my Lord of Norff. consayll wyll -make on of the wedows, or bothe, to swe an apell up on the same -endyghtment thys terme. Wherfor I pray yow se well to thys mater, that -when it is sertyfyid in to the Kyngys Benche, Broom and Pampyng may have -warnyng that they may purvey for hem self, if ther com eny _capyas_ -owght for hem. Townysend can tell yow all the mater. - -Also ye must in eny wyse be ware, for my grauntdam[75-1] and myn Lady -Anne[75-2] and myn Oncyll Wyllam shall be at London within thes viij. or -x. dayis, and I wot well it is for nowght ellys but to make myn Oncyll -Wyllam swyr of hyr lond, notwithstandyng she hath reryd affyn of it be -for Goodreed,[75-3] the Justyse, in my grauntfadyrs dayis, and my modyr -tellyth me that ye have the copye of the same fyne; I wold avyse yow to -have it redy, what so evyr betyd. I trow they wyll be the more besy -abowght the same mater, because they thynk that ye dar not com in -London, nor at Westmenstyr to lett [_stop_] them; but if so be that ye -have not the copy of the same fynne, look that ye spare for no cost to -do serche for itt, for it wyll stand yow on hand, I feell by the -werkyng. - -Thys day sevennyght I trust to God to be forward to Caunterbery at the -ferthest, and upon Saterday com sevennygh I tryst to God to be in -London; wherfor I pray yow leve woord at yowr plase in Fleet Strett wher -I shall fynd yow, for I purpose not to be seyn in London tyll I have -spook with yow. - -I pray yow remembyr thes maters, for all is doon to make yow to drawe to -an ende with thes Lordys that have your lond fro yow. No more, but I -pray God send yow your herttys desyir in thees maters and in all othyr. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday next aftyr Seynt John Baptyst. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 74-3: [From Fenn, iv. 434.] This letter, it will be - seen, refers in the beginning to the same matter as the - preceding.] - - [Footnote 75-1: Agnes Paston, widow of William Paston, the Judge.] - - [Footnote 75-2: Anne, daughter of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of - Somerset, married William Paston, the uncle of Sir John - Paston.--F.] - - [Footnote 75-3: William Goodrede was created a Serjeant-at-Law in - 1425. In 1431 he was appointed King's Serjeant, and in 1434 became - a Justice of the King's Bench.--F.] - - -748 - -ABSTRACT[76-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 3] - -Indenture between Sir John Paston and Edmund Shaa, goldsmith, London, -concerning 20 dishes and a saucer of silver pledged to the latter, 3rd -July 10 Edw. IV. - - [Footnote 76-1: [From Paston MSS.]] - - -749 - -ABSTRACT[76-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 8] - -Indenture, dated London, 8th July 10 Edw. IV., whereby Sir John Paston -places in pawn to Stephen Kelke, goldsmith, of London, 16 pottingers, -weighing 22 lb. 10-1/2 oz. Troy weight, for L40, till Whitsuntide -following. - - [Footnote 76-2: [From Add. Charter 17,249, B.M.]] - - -750 - -ABSTRACTS[76-3] - -FASTOLF'S LANDS - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 14] - -'11. A triparted indenture betweene William Bishop of Winton and John -Paston, Knight, and others, touching the intent of two feoffmentes of -the Bishop of Wynton, the one of the mannors of Drayton and Tolthorp, in -the county of Norfolk and the city of Norwich, which were somtymes Sir -John Falstofs; the other of the mannors of Wynterton, cald Bregmiles -(?), of Reppys in Bastwyke, the third part of the mannor of Rowneham, -londes and tenementes cald Cutts in Haringby, and lands cald Buley in -Stokesby, to Guy Fairfax, John Paston, Squier, et aliis. July 14, Edw. -IV. 10.' - -'17. Relaxatio Johannis Paston, Georgii Arch. Cant. et aliorum Willielmo -Waynflet totius juris de et in omnibus maneriis, terris, &c. quae fuerunt -Johannis Falstolf in comit' Norf., exceptis manerio de Castre et -Spensers in Haringby, ac terris vocat' Vaux, Redham, et Bosoms, et -maner' de Hayleydon, Drayton, et Tolthorp. Julii 14, Edw. IV. 10.' - -'28. An indenture contayning mutuall releases of the Bishop of Wynton to -John Paston, Knight, et c^a. July 14, Edw. IV. 10.' - -'29 and 61. An indenture containing the agreement betweene Wylliam -Wainflet, Bishop of Wynton, and Sir John Paston, concerning Sir John -Fastolfes landes and goods. July 14, Edw. IV. 10.' - -This last document, of which there is another copy or draft, numbered 36 -in the Index, is more fully described, as follows, by Mr. Macray, in the -Fourth Report of the Historical MSS. Commission:-- - - 1470, 14 July, 10 Edw. IV. Indenture tripartite (very long, in - English) between Bishop Wayneflete and Sir John Paston, Knight, - containing an agreement for the termination of disputes between the - executors of the will of Sir John Fastolf, whereby the property of - the latter has been much wasted; dividing the manors between the - Bishop and Paston, and providing for the foundation of seven priests - and seven poor scholars in Magdalene College; Paston to deliver up - all deeds and muniments to the Priory of St. Mary Overy, in - Southwark, to be put in a chest, locked with two locks and two keys, - of which the Bishop to have one and Paston the other, and the Bishop - to bring thither also all his deeds; one part of this indenture to - remain with each of the parties, and the third with the Prior of St. - Mary Overy. - - [Footnote 76-3: The following entries are taken from the old index - of deeds and writings relating to Norfolk and Suffolk, preserved - in the tower of Magdalen College, Oxford.] - - -751 - -PAMPYNG TO SIR JOHN PASTON[77-1] - -_To my most reverent and worshipfull master, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 15] - -Right worshipfull sir and my good master, I recomaund me unto yow in my -moost lowly wise. And please yow to wete I have with the mony ye sent me -by Judy rewardid my felaship as ye comaundid, wretyn in a bille closid -herin; and as for William Milsent I lete hym wete hough ye undirstood he -was disposed to goo hoom to his fadere, wherof ye were pleasid and wold -he shuld do so. He said he intendid not to be with his fadir, ner it was -not in his power so to do; nevirthelesse he is home to his fadir and -ther abidith, but what he purposith to do I wote not. Davy is at home -and takyth heed to his lond. Homeworth is content and gooth to his -labour. As for Stompis, I have be with the Abbot of Sen Benetts for hym -as ye comaundid. And he recomaundith hym to yow, and said to me he was -right glad that ye wold send to hym for any servaunt ye had, saying that -if he coud do any thyng for yow, and for any servaunt of yours, he wold -do it feithfully. And also he said he wold not fayle yow whill he levid -in that he coud and myght do, trustyng heraftir to have your help and -favour in that he shall have a do. And he told me and Stompis bothe, -whanne so evir he come he shuld be welcome, and that he wold do as welle -to hym as to fewe servauntes he had for yowr sake, and that he wold kepe -hym for yow. As for my self my mastres saith she woll geve me mete and -drynk for a season; nevirthelesse I am warnyd to be ware, for it is told -me that ther is processe out upon the appele ayens me and other; -wherfore I beseche yow that that mater may be take heed to as ye may, -that we myght have knowlech of any processe ther be, that we may be -ware, for I thynk verely, and I or any other come in ther hands this -world, we shuld not escape without shame at the leest. - -Item, as for the remnaunt of the mony biside this bille, ye owe to the -parson of Sent Edmondes Caster for iiij. combe malt, and ij. combe -whete, x_s._ whiche I promysid hym to pay; and Rob. Newton lymebrenner -for lyme, xiij_s._ iiij_d._, calling upon me for it; and Robert Bery for -shoyng, x_s._; and if it please yow that I make payment herof there -shall remayne in my handes xxiij_s._ iiij_d._ And what ye woll I do -herin, I beseche yow to send me word. Judy hath be with Thom Fastolff, -he can telle yow answer in that mater. As for the rewle at Caster, they -selle and make mony of such stuffe as they fond there, and kepe other -rewle that the contre is full sory and irk of, and of my lordes men -resortyng to hem, and riden about the contry onknowen, and by berynges -on hand[78-1] take large bribys. I pray God be your spede and send yow -some good meane for your wele and ease to them that owe yow servise. -Wretyn at Norwich the Monday next aftir Relik Sonday, - - Your pore servaunt, - - PAMPYNG. - - [Footnote 77-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Reference is made in this - letter to the appeal which the two widows were to sue against Sir - John Paston. _See_ Nos. 746, 747.] - - [Footnote 78-1: _See_ vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.] - - -752 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[79-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 15] - -I grete yow well and send yow Goddes blissyng and myne, letyng yow wete -that your fermours have brought me a gret bille of reparacion, the which -I send yow, with lx_s._ in mony. I wold have had the residue of the mony -of them, and they said it was your agrement that this reparacion shuld -be do and alowed now at this payment, and so I coud get no more mony of -them. And they say that the parson[79-2] was prevy to the reparacion. If -ye were thus agreed and woll have the reparacion examined ye may send -word; but I wold ye shuld purvey for your self as hastely as ye may, and -come home and take heed to your owne and to myn therto, otherwise thanne -ye have do bifore this, bothe for my profite and for yours, or ellis I -shall purvey for my self otherwise in hast, so that I trust shall be -more ease and avayle for me and non ease nor profite to yow in tyme to -come. I have litell help nor comfort of non of yow yet, God geve me -grase to have heraftir. I wold ye shuld assay whedir it be more -profitable for yow to serve me thanne for to serve such masters as ye -have servid afore this, and that ye fynde mooste profitable theraftir do -in tyme to come. Ye have assayed the werld resonabilly, ye shall knowe -your self the bettir heraftir. I pray God we may be in quyete and in -rest with oure own from hens forth. My power is nat so good as I wold it -were for your sake and other; and if it were, we shuld not longe be in -daungere. God brynge us oute of it; who have yow in His kepynge. Wretyn -with onhertes ease the Monday next aftir Relike Sonday. - - By your Modir. - - [Footnote 79-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, although - subscribed 'By your mother,' is neither signed nor addressed. It - is, however, undoubtedly from Margaret Paston to her son Sir John. - It is written in Pampyng's hand, and seems to be of the same year - as his own letter immediately preceding, which is dated on the - same day.] - - [Footnote 79-2: Sir Thomas Howes.] - - -753 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[80-1] - -_. . . . . Paston, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 5] - -Brother, I comand me to yow, &c. . . .[80-2] Also telle John Pampyng -that the mayde at the Bulle at Cludeys at Westminster sent me on a tyme -by hym to the Moor a rynge of goolde to a tookne, whyche I hadde not off -hym. Wherffor I wolle he scholde sende it hyedre, ffor sche most have -itt ageyn, or ellys v_s._, ffor it was not hyrrys. Item, I praye yow be -redye; the mater qwykennythe bothe ffor yowe and yowres as well as ffor -us and howrys. - -As ffor tydynges, my Lorde Erchebysshop[80-3] is at the Moor, but ther -is beleffte with hym dyverse off the Kynges servantes, and as I -understond he hathe lysence to tarry ther tyll he be sente ffor. Ther be -many ffolkes uppe in the northe, soo that Percy[80-4] is not able to -recyst them; and soo the Kynge hathe sente ffor hys ffeeodmen to koom to -hym, for he woll goo to putt them downe. And soom seye that the Kynge -sholde come ageyn to London, and that in haste, and as it is sayde -Cortenayes be londyd in Devenschyr, and ther rewle. - -Item, that the Lordes Clarance and Warwyk woll assaye to londe in -Inglonde evyrye daye, as ffolkes ffeer. - -I praye yow late not John Mylsent be longe ffrom me, with as moche as -can be gaderyd: and also that ye wryght to me off all thynges that I -have wretyn to yow ffor, so that I may have answer off every thynge. -Other thynges Bacheler Walter, berer heroff, schall informe yow. - -Wretyn at London, the Sondaye nexte beffor Seynt Lawrence Daye.[81-1] - -Also my brother Edmonde is not yet remembryd. He hathe not to lyff with, -thynk on hym, &c. - - JOHN PASTON, KT. - - [Footnote 80-1: [From Fenn, ii. 46.] This letter, as it will be - seen from the contents, was written at the period just before the - restoration of Henry VI.] - - [Footnote 80-2: Here follows an order about searching for some - writings, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 80-3: This must mean George Neville, Archbishop of York, - and brother to the Earl of Warwick, who seems to have been - suspected by the King, and left at the Moor as a kind of state - prisoner.--F.] - - [Footnote 80-4: Henry Percy, who was restored to the Earldom of - Northumberland this year on its surrender by John Nevill, Lord - Montague. _See_ No. 743.] - - [Footnote 81-1: St. Laurence's day is the 10th of August.] - - [[... Bacheler Walter, berer heroff, schall informe yow. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -754 - -ABSTRACT[81-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 7] - -Indenture, dated London, 7th Aug., 10 Edw. IV., whereby Sir John Paston -puts in pawn to Ric. Rawlyn of London, grocer, 2 chargers and 4 -potengers, weighing 11 lb. 1-3/4 oz. silver, for L20, till Whitsunday -following. - - [Footnote 81-2: [From Add. Charter 17,250, B.M.]] - - [[weighing 11 lb. 1-3/4 oz. silver - _period in "oz." missing_]] - - -755 - -ABSTRACT[81-3] - -[Sidenote: 1470] - -1470, 10 Aug., 10 Edw. IV., at Eshher. Undertaking in English by John -Paston, Esq., son of John Paston, Esq., who was one of the feoffees and -executors of Sir John Fastolf, that whereas Bishop Waynflete, also one -of the feoffees, and now sole executor, has taken upon him to perform -the will of the said Sir John, so far forth as it may be performed (it -being in most substance not yet performed, and his property wasted and -devoured), out of his manors and lands in Essex, Surrey, Norfolk, -Suffolk, and the city of Norwich, he (the said John Paston) will do true -and faithful service to the said Bishop, and will be aiding and -assisting to him and Magdalen College, in order that the lands may be -let to their greatest profit, he being rewarded by the Bishop, to show -his very good will to the due performing of Fastolf's will; and that -before the Feast of All Saints next he will deliver up to the said -Bishop all charters, deeds, evidences, rentals, accounts, etc., -pertaining to any of the said manors, excepting such as concern solely -the manor of Castre, which by covenant of the said Bishop with Sir John -Paston, Knight, brother of the said John Paston, Squire, must remain -with the same Sir John. - - [Footnote 81-3: The following abstract, like some others - preceding, is taken from Mr. Macray's Report to the Historical - MSS. Commission on the Records of Magdalen College, Oxford.] - - [[1470, 10 Aug., 10 Edw. IV., at Eshher. - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -756 - -ABSTRACTS[82-1] - -PAINTER'S WORK - -[Sidenote: 1470] - -1. Account of payments to Robert Spery, servant of Vyol, and others, for -working at the Frerys[82-2] in June and July; also for varnish, lead, -earthen pans, yellow ochre, oil, bristles to make brushes, etc., for -painter's work. - -_Endorsed_: 'Vialles byll comprisid in the iij. rolles of stuff and -werkmanship to A. P.[82-3] place and the Freris, which, as Clargynet -understondith, is paid to Viall.' - -'Memorandum: j. copy of this bill remayneth amonges the billes of -werkmanship at the White Freres and Baretts place, and a noder among the -billes of plate and Vialles plegis.' - -2. 'Bill indented,' 15th Aug. 10 Edw. IV., between William Paston, Esq., -and Thomas Vyall of Norwich, painter, relative to the pledging of -certain coral beads and plate to the former, for L5. - -3. Account of sums owing to one Vyall for certain persons 'at the -Freris,' during August, September, and October. Total, 32_s._ 10_d._ - -_Endorsed_: 'Viall's reckoning written in the roll of the Freris werke -not paid, and must be allowed of the L5 that was lent to Viall not yet -content again.' - -'Memorandum: one copy of this bill remaineth amongs the bills of -workmanship at the White Freris and Baretts place, and another bill -amongs the bills of plate and pledges.' - - [Footnote 82-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 82-2: Apparently the White Friars at Norwich.] - - [Footnote 82-3: Agnes Paston's?] - - [[... not yet / content again.' - _close quote missing_]] - - -757 - -FASTOLF'S COLLEGE[82-4] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 27] - -'4. John Paston, Squier, bindes himself to doe true and faithfull -service to the Bishop of Winton, and to be ayding to his college and -other his officers and tenants, for the landes of Sir John Falstolf, and -to deliver to him all deedes, evidences, etc., except such as concerne -the manor of Castre. Aug. 27, Edw. IV. 10.' - - [Footnote 82-4: This entry is from the same old index of deeds in - Magdalen College, Oxford, referred to in previous Nos.] - - -758 - -EDWARD IV. TO WILLIAM SWAN[83-1] - -_To oure welbelovid William Swan, Gentilman._ - - R. E. - - BY THE KING. - -[Sidenote: 1470 / SEPT. 7] - -Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And for soo muche as we be -credibly acertayned that our auncient ennemyes of Fraunce and our -outward rebells and traitors be drawe to gadre in acorde, and entende -hastily to lande in our countre of Kent, or in the parties therof ner -adjonyng, with grete might and power of Frenshemen, utterly to destroie -us and our true subgietts, and to subverte the comon wele of the same -our royalme: We straitly charge and commaunde you, upon the feyth and -liegeaunce that ye bare unto us, that ye arredie you with alle the -felaship ye can make, and as sone as ye may undrestonde that thay lande -in our said countie or nerbye, that you draw thider, as we have -comaunded othere our subgietts to doo, and put you in uttremost devoir -with thaim to resiste the malice of our said ennemyes and traitours; and -if thai and ye be not of power soo to doo, that thanne ye drawe you to -our citie of London, by which tyme we trust to be there in our owne -personne or nerby; and if we be not that, that thanne ye do farther all -ye shal bee commaunded by our Counsail there, upon the payne above said. - -Yeven undre oure signet at oure citie of York, the vij. day of Septembr. - - [Footnote 83-1: [From Fenn, iv. 438.] This letter does not - properly belong to the Paston correspondence. It was copied by - Fenn from an original in the library of Brigg Price Fountaine, - Esq. of Narford, in Norfolk, nephew and heir of the celebrated - antiquary, Sir Andrew Fountaine. The MS. was contained in a - volume of State Papers, some of them originals, and some copies, - of various dates, which had belonged to Sir Edward Coke. - - The date of the document is undoubtedly in September 1470, when - Edward was at York, anticipating the invasion of Clarence and - the Earl of Warwick, aided by the King of France.] - - - - -THE PASTON LETTERS - -_Henry VI. Restored_ - - - - -759 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[84-1] - -_To my ryght worchipfull Modyr, Margaret Paston, be thys delyuered._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 12] - -Aftyr humbyll and most dew recommendacyon, as lowly as I can, I beseche -yow of yowr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to wet that, blyssyd be God, my brodyr -and I be in good hele; and I tryst that we shall do ryght well in all -owyr maters hastyly; ffor my Lady of Norff.[84-2] hathe promyssyd to be -rewlyd by my Lord of Oxynforthe[84-3] in all syche maters as belonge to -my brodyr and to me; and as for my Lord of Oxynforthe, he is bettyr Lord -to me, by my trowthe, than I can wyshe hym in many maters; for he sente -to my Lady of Norff. by John Bernard only for my mater, and for non -othyr cause, my onwetyng [_i.e._ without my knowledge], or wythout eny -preyer of me, for when he sente to hyr I was at London, and he at -Colchestyr, and that is a lyeklyod he remembyrthe me. - -The Dwk and the Dwchess swe to hym as humbylly as evyr I dyd to them; in -so myche that my Lord of Oxynforth shall have the rwyll of them and -thers, by ther owne desyirs and gret meanys. - -As for the ofyces that ye wrot to my brodyr for and to me, they be for -no poore men; but I tryst we shall sped of othyr ofyseys metly for us, -for my Mastyr the Erle of Oxynforthe bydeth me axe and have. I trow my -brodyr Syr John shall have the Constabyllshep of Norwyche Castyll, with -xx_li._ of ffee; all the Lordys be agreyd to it. - -Tydyngs, the Erle of Wyrcestyr[85-1] is lyek to dye this day, or to -morow at the ferthest. John Pylkyngton, Mr. W. att Clyff, and Fowler ar -takyn, and in the Castyll of Pomfrett, and ar lyek to dye hastyly, with -owte they be dead. Sir T. Mongomere and Joudone be takyn; what shall -falle of hem I can not sey. - -The Qwen[85-2] that was, and the Dwchess of Bedford,[85-3] be in -seyntuary at Westmestyr; the Bysheop of Ely[85-4] with othyr Bysheopys -ar in Seynt Martyns. When I here more, I shall send yow more. I prey God -send yow all your desyrs. Wretyn at London on Seynt Edwards Evyn. - - Your sone and humbyll servant, - - J. P. - -Modyr, I beseche yow that Brome may be spoken to, to gadyr up my syllvyr -at Gwton in all hast possybyll, for I have no mony. Also that it lyek -yow that John Mylsent may be spoken to, to kep well my grey horse, and -he be alyve, and that he spare no met on hym, and that he have konnyng -lechys to look to hym. As for my comyng hom, I knowe no serteynte, for I -terry tyll my Lady of Norff. com to go thorow with the maters, and she -shall not be here tyll Sonday. - - [Footnote 84-1: [From Fenn, ii. 50.] The contents of this letter - clearly refer to the state of matters on the restoration of Henry - VI.] - - [Footnote 84-2: Elizabeth, daughter of John Talbot, first Earl of - Shrewsbury, was the wife of John Mowbray, fifth Duke of Norfolk.] - - [Footnote 84-3: John de Vere, a staunch Lancastrian.] - - [Footnote 85-1: John Tiptoft, Lord Treasurer and Chief-Constable - of England. He was beheaded on a charge of cruelty, 18th October - 1470.] - - [Footnote 85-2: Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of Edward IV.] - - [Footnote 85-3: Jaquetta of Luxemburg, Duchess-Dowager of Bedford, - widow of Sir Richard Woodville, the mother of Edward's queen.] - - [Footnote 85-4: William Gray.] - - -760 - -THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK'S MEN[86-1] - -_To the Baillies, Constables, and Chamberleyns of our Burgh of Eye, and -to everch of them._ - -THE DUKE OF SUFF. - -[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 22] - -For asmuche as Edmond Lee and John Barker, which were waged for your -town to awaite upon us in the Kings service to Lincolne Feld, and from -thens to Excestre and ayen, and for that season, as we be enfourmed, -thei ar not yet fully contented and paied of their wages; wherfore upon -the sighte herof we woll and charge that ye, with oute any lenger delay, -paie them their hooll duties acording the covenants that ye made with -them, and ye faille not herof as ye entende our pleaser. - -Wreten at Wyngefeld, the xxij^th day of Octobr. - - SUFFOLK. - - [Footnote 86-1: [From Fenn, iv. 448.] The battle here referred to - as 'Lincoln Field' is what is commonly called the battle of - Stamford, in which the insurrection of Sir Robert Welles in - Lincolnshire was completely defeated in March 1470. Just before - the date of this document, Edward IV. had left the kingdom, and - Henry VI. had been restored; but perhaps Suffolk was not aware of - the situation, or did not recognise it.] - - -761 - -MARGARET PASTON TO [JOHN PASTON][86-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 28] - -I grete you wele and send you Goddis blyssyng and myn, and I sende you -be the berere herof all the sylver vessell that your graundam[86-3] -makyth so mych of, which she seid I had of myn husband, and myn husband -shuld have had it of his fader. And wher as she seid that I shuld have -had a garneys, I had ner see never more than I send you, that is to say, -ij. plateris, vj. dysshes and vj. sawceris. The ij. playteris weyn -xliij. unces di., and the vj. dysshes weyn lxxiiij. unces di. and the -sawcers weyn xvij. unces j. quarter. And I marvayll that ye sent me not -word what an unce of sylver is werth at London; for it had be lesse -joparte to have sold it here and have sent you the money than the plate. -I myght have sold it her for iij_s._ an unce, sum xx_li._ iiij_s._ -iij_d._ Be ware how that ye spend it, but in acquityng you ageyn such as -ye be in daunger to, or abought the good speed of your materis; for, but -if ye take odere heed to your expensis, ye shall do your self and your -frendis gret diswurchep and enpoveryssh so them that non of us shall -help other, to owr elmys [_enemies'_] grete comfort. It is understand -ryght now in this countre be such as cleyme to be frendly to you in what -grete daunger and nede ye stande in, bothe to diverse of your frendis -and to your elmyse. And also it is noysed that I have departed so -largely with you that I may nowthere help yow, my self nor none of my -frendis; which is no wurchep, and causeth me to set the lesse be us; and -at this tyme it compellith me to breke up howshold and to sogeorn; which -I am right loth to have to do if I myght otherwyse have chosyn; for it -caused gret clamour in this town[87-1] that I shall do so; and it shuld -not have neded if I had restreyned whan I myght. Therfore for Goddis -sake take hede here to, and be ware from hens forth; for I have -delivered and sent you bothyn my parte the dedis and yowris, and not -restreyned nowthere for my self nor the dede. Where fore I thynk we -spede and fare all the wers; for it is a fowle slaunder that he was so -wurchepful beried and his qwethword not performed, and so litill do for -hym sithen. And now though I wold do for hym, I have right not -[_naught_] beside my lyffelode that I may make any chevysans with, with -ought grete slaunder; and my lyffelode encreasith evill, for I am fayn -to takyn Mautby in myn owyn hand, and to set up husbandry ther; and how -it shall profite me God knowyth. The fermour owyth me lxxx_li._ and -more. Whan I shall have it I wete never. Therfore be never the bolder in -your expenses for any help ye trust to have of me. For I will fro hens -forth bryng my self ought of such daunger as I stand in for your sakes, -and do for the dede and for them that I have my goodis of; for till I do -so, I know for certeyn that I shall fayll grace and displeas God, How -[_who_] have you in His kepyng. Wretyn on Sent Symondis day and Judes in -hast.--Be your Moder. - -Item, I send zow ij. sherte clothys, iche of iii. zardis of the fynest -that is in thys towne. I xuld a dohem mad here[88-1] but that xuld a be -to long here [_ere_] ze xuld a had hem. Zour Awnte[88-2] or sum other -good woman wule do her almes up on zow for the makyng of them. I thank -zow for the gowne that ye gave me Halowmesse day I hope [I[88-3]] xole -be wurshuped ther with. At reverence of God, be ware and take hed to -soche thynggis as is wretyn with ynne thys letter. Telle your brother -that the mony is not zet cownyd that I xuld send hym for thersarsenet -(_sic_) and damaske that I spake to hym foor. As for the damaske that -may be forebore tylle the nexte terme, but as for the sarsenet I woold -have yt and yt mythe be, for I goo in my rentis. Late zour -brothere[88-4] see thys letter. As fore your syster[88-5] I can send zow -no good tydyngges of her, God make her a good wooman. - - [Footnote 86-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 206.] This letter was written - by Margaret Paston to one of her two sons, Sir John or John, at a - time when they were both together. That was the case in October - 1470, as appears by a letter of the younger brother, written on - the 12th (No. 759), to the postscript of which this seems to be an - answer.] - - [Footnote 86-3: Agnes Paston, the judge's widow.] - - [Footnote 87-1: Norwich.] - - [Footnote 88-1: 'I xuld a dohem mad here' = I should have got them - made here.] - - [Footnote 88-2: Elizabeth, widow of Robert Poynings.] - - [Footnote 88-3: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 88-4: Sir John Paston, if this letter be to the younger - brother.] - - [Footnote 88-5: Margery Paston, now probably married to Richard - Calle.] - - -762 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[88-6] - -_To John Paston, Esquyere, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1470 / NOV. 15] - -Brother, I comand me to yow, praying yow that thys be yow guydyng, if -other folkys wy[ll] agree to the same, that Mr. Roos, olde Knevett, ye, -and the worshypfullest that wyll do for owr sake, as Arblaster, John -Gyneye, Wodhows, and al other gentelmen that at the daye wyll be in -Norwyche, that ye all holl as on bodye come to geder, that my Lorde of -Oxenforde maye ondrestande that som strenkethethe restyth ther by, -whyche if it be well handely[d] and prove in the handely[ng], I trow -Heydonnes parte woll be but an easy comparyson. Neverthelesse ye than -most ye be war of on [_one_] payn, and that is thys: Heydon wyll of -crafte sende amonge yow per case vj. or mor with harneyse for to -sclandre yowr felawschep, with seyng that they be ryotous peple, and -natt of substance. Requer the gentelmen above wretyn that if any men be -in Norwyche of the contre that ber any suche harneyse, to do them leve -it or any glysteryng byll. - -The Meyr and siteseynes of Nowyche wher wonte to have asertayne[89-1] in -harneyse of men of the town to the nombr of ij. or iij. or v.^c., whyche -if they now do in lyke case, those wole owe better wyll to Mr. Roos and -yow than to other folkys; and if it be so that the thowt nat to have non -suche at thys tyme, I thynke the Meyr woll do it at the request of Mr. -Roos and yow, if lak of tyme cawse it not. - -Item, be well war of Clopton, for he hathe avysed my Lorde to be all -to gydre rewled by Heydon, in so moche he hathe reportyd that all thyng -and all materys of my Lordes, and in all the contre, scholde guydyd by -Heydon. If Clopton or Hygham or Lowes John be besy, prese in to my Lorde -byfor them, for the be no Suff.[89-2] materys, and tell the raylyng; -prayng them not to cawse my Lorde to owe hys favor for the pleser to -som folkys ther present. For if my Lorde favoryd or theye owther, by -lykelyed my Lorde and they myght lose vj. tyme as many frendes as he -scholde wynn by ther meanes. Also if ye cowde fynde the meanes, Mr. R. -and ye, to cawse [the] Meyr in my Lordes ere to telle hym, thow he -scholde bynde my Lorde to concell, that the love of the contre and syte -restyth on owr syde, and that other folkys be not belovyd, ner nevyr -wer, thys wolde do nonn harme, if it be soo that all thynge go olyver -currant (?); with mor to remembre that ther is owt of that contre that -be nat at Norw. besyde me, that be ryght worshypfull, and as worshypfull -as few be lengyng to Norff., that woll and schall do my Lorde servyse -the rather for my sake and Master Rossys, and the rather if my Lorde -semyth nat moche thynge to Heydon guydyng. - -Also, the godely menes wherby ye best can entrete my cosyn Sir W. -Calthorpe at the seyde day, wse them to cawe hym, if itt wyll be, to -come, ye in hys companye, and he in yow in cheff at yow cheff schew, and -Mr. Roos and he in company, latyng my seyde cosyn wete that I tolde hym -ones that I scholde meve hym of a thyng I trostyn scholde be encressyng -bothe to hys honor and well. - -I sende yow a lettyr, com to Norwyche by lyklyed to yow on Monday last -past. It come some what the lattre, for I wende have dyed nat longe by -foer it. Also I receyved on from yow by Mr. Blomvyle yister evyn. Tell -my cosyn W. Yelverton that he may not appyr of a whylle in no wyse. -I trow my cosyn hys fadr schall sende hym worde of the same. Do that ye -can secretly that my Lorde be nat hevy Lorde on to hym. It is -undrestande that itt is doon by the craffte of Heydon. He gate hym in to -that offyce to have to be ageyn me, and nowe he sethe that he hathe don -all that he can ageyn me, and now may doo no mor; nowe he wolde remeve -hym. The daye is comen that he fastyd the evyn for, as an holye yonge -monke fastyd mor than all the covent, aftr that for hys holynesse and -fastyng hopyd to be abbott, whyche afterwarde was abbott; than lefte he -hys abstynens, seyng, 'The daye was come that he fast the evyn for.' - -Brother, I pray yow recomand me to my Lord of Oxford gode Lordshyp. And -wher as I told my Lord that I shuld have awayted uppon hys Lordsyp in -Norff., I wold that I myght soo have don lever then a hundred _li._; but -in godefeth thos maters that I told my Lord trewed shold lette me war -not fynyshed tyl yesterday. Wherfor yf that cause, and also syn -Halowmasse every other day myst not hold uppe myn heed, nor yet may, in -semech that sythen the seyd day, in Westminster Halle and in other -place, I have goon with a staffe as a goste, as men sayd, more lyke that -I rose owte of the erth then owte of a fayr laydys bedd; and yet am in -lyke case, savyng I am in gode hope to amende. Wherfor I beshyche hys -Lordshyp to pardon me, and at a nother tyme I shall make dobell amends; -for by my trouth a man cowyd not have hyred me for v. mark with so gode -will to have ryden in to Norff. as to have at thys season ther to have -awaytyd in hys Lordshyp, and also I wold have ben glad for my Lord shold -have knowyn what servys that I myght have don hys Lordshyp in that -contray. - -Item, your geer ys send to you, as Thomas Stampes sayth, savyng Mylsents -geer and the shafeson,[91-1] whych I cannot entrete Thomas Stampes to -goo therfor thys iij. or iiij. days, wherfor I knokkyd hym on the -crowne, &c. - -Item, loke that ye take hyde that the letter wer not broken or that it -com to your hands, &c. Wryten at London, on Thursday next after Seynt -Erkenwolds Day, &c. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 88-6: [From Fenn, iv. 450.] From what is said in this - letter about the Earl of Oxford, it is impossible that it could - have been written at any other time than during the brief - restoration of Henry VI., which only lasted from October 1470 till - April following.] - - [Footnote 89-1: _A certain_, _i.e._ a number.] - - [Footnote 89-2: I retain this word in the abbreviated form in - which it is printed in Fenn's literal transcript; the copy in - modern spelling reads _sufficient_.] - - [Footnote 91-1: _Chevron_, a covering for a horse's head, made of - iron and leather.] - - [[if it be soo that all thynge go olyver / currant (?) - _text has "that that": corrected from Fenn_ - _"olyver currant" may be the Old French "(avoir) l'olivier courant" - (to have a favorable wind)_]] - - -763 - -ABSTRACT[91-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 6] - -[1470] 6 Dec., on paper. Notice in English from the Duke of Norfolk to -Philippe Cosard, William Dux, and other of his servants and tenants in -the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, to depart out of the manor of -Castre, and all other manors and lands which he bought of Sir W. -Yelverton and other executors of Sir J. Fastolf, as soon as they can -conveniently remove all his stuff and their own which is therein, he -having consented, at the desire of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the -Chancellor of England, and the Bishop of Winchester, to give up the said -manor, etc. Signed by the Duke, 'Norff.' Small seal of arms, three lions -passant, in chief, a label of three points, a straw round the seal. - - [Footnote 91-2: The following abstract is taken from Mr. Macray's - Report on the Documents in Magdalen College, Oxford, already - referred to.] - - -764 - -ABSTRACT[92-1] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 11] - -1470, 11 Dec., 49 Hen. VI., 'and of the readepcion of his roiall power -1.' Release (in English) from John, Duke of Norfolk, to Bishop -Wayneflete, of the manors of Castre, Wyntertone, Baytone, Bastwik, and -Tolthorpe, in Norfolk, and of Caldecote, Burneviles or Burnegyles, in -Suffolk, which had been sold to him by Nicholas, Abbot of Langle, Will. -Yelverton, Knight, Justice, Thomas Howes, clerk, and Will. Worcetre, and -of which the said Yelverton, Howes, and Will. Jenney, as feoffees, with -others, for Sir J. Fastolf, of the said manors, enfeoffed the said Duke -and others by deed, dated 1st. Oct., 8 Edw. IV. [1468], the said Duke -being informed by the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, and by the -said Bishop of Winchester, that the said bargain was made contrary to -the will of the said Sir John Fastolf. Covenants also to deliver up all -evidences concerning the same, specially the said deed of feoffment and -two papers, one with four seals specifying the said bargain, and another -with three seals specifying a license to enter on all Fastolf's manors -till the bargain be performed. And for this reconveyance the said Bishop -pays to the said Duke 500 marks. - - [Footnote 92-1: This abstract is also taken from Mr. Macray's - Report on the Documents in Magdalen College.] - - -765 - -ABSTRACT[92-2] - -[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 24] - -1470, 24 Dec., 49 Hen. VI., 'and of the readepcione of his royall power, -the first.' Acknowledgment by 'the highe and myghti Prynce, John, Duke -of Norff.,' of the receipt of 100 marks from the Bishop of Winchester, -being part of 250 marks which the said Bishop has promised to pay upon -knowledge of the delivery of the manor of Castre, and other lordships -specified in a writing between the said parties, unto the feoffees of -the said Bishop. - - [Footnote 92-2: This abstract is from the same report as the two - last.] - - -766 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[93-1] - -_To John Paston the yonger, be this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1470(?) / DEC. [28]] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, latyng you wete -that sith ye departed my Cosyn Calthorp sent me a letter, compleyning in -his wrytyng that for asmych as he can not be payd of his tenaunts as he -hat be befor this tyme, he purposith to lesse his howshold, and to leve -the streytlyer. Wharfor he desireth me to purvey for your suster Anne; -he seth she waxeth hygh, and it wer tyme to purvey her a mariage. - -I marveyll what causeth hym to write so now; outher she hath displeased -hym, or ell[es] he hath takyn her with diffaught. Therfor I pray you -comune with my Cosyn Clere at London, and wete how he is dysposyd to her -ward, and send me word, for I shall be fayn to send for her, and with me -she shall but lese her tyme, and with ought she wull be the better -occupied she shall oftyn tymes meve me, and put me in gret -inquietenesse. Remembr what labour I had with your suster, therfor do -your parte to help her forth, that may be to your wurchiep and myn. - -Item, remembr the bill that I spake to you of, to gete of your brother -of such money as he hath receyvid of me sith your faders disseas. Se -your Unkyll Mautby, if ye may, and send me sume tydyngs as sonee as ye -may. God kepe you. - -Wretyn the Fryday next befor Sent Thomas of Caunterbury, in hast. - - By your Moder. - - [Footnote 93-1: [From Fenn, iv. 288.] This letter was probably - written in or about the year 1470. Anne Paston, the sister of John - Paston, here mentioned, was married to William Yelverton, a - grandson of the Judge, in 1474 (Itin. W. Wyrc. 369), and the match - had been already determined (as will appear in a future letter) - before June 1472. At the date of this letter she was still staying - in Calthorpe's household, into which, after the manner of the - times, she had been sent for her education; and Calthorpe desiring - to reduce his establishment, suggested, somewhat earlier than her - mother anticipated, that it was time to provide a husband for - her.] - - -767 - -ABSTRACT[94-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 12] - -Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 50. 'John Paston, Knight, binds himself -to performe all appoyntments made betweene him and W. Wanflet, Byshop of -Winton, concerning certayne landes which were Sir John Fastolfes. Feb. -12, Hen. VI. 49.' - - [Footnote 94-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -768 - -ABSTRACT[94-2] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 14] - -Release by John Beauchamp, Knight, Lord Beauchamp, to John Paston and -Roger Townesend, Esqs., of his interest in the manors of Castre called -Redhams, Vaus, and Bosoms; and in the manors of Begviles in Wyntirton, -Spensers in Heryngby, Reppes in Bastwyk, and a third part of the manor -of Runham; and in all lands called Billes in Stokesby, Cattes in -Haringby, a messuage called Dengayns in Yarmouth, and all lands and -tenements in the hundreds of East Flegge and West Flegge in Norfolk; -which premises Lord Beauchamp lately had in conjunction with Thomas, -Archbishop of Canterbury, William Yelverton, Justice, William Jenney, -Serjeant-at-law, and William Paston, now surviving, and John Radclyff of -Attylburgh, John Paston, Hen. Fylongley, Esqs., Thomas Howes, clerk, and -Thomas Grene, now deceased, of the gift and feoffment of Ralph Boteler, -Knight, Lord Sudeley, Sir William Oldhall, Ric. Waller, Esq., Thos. -West, Esq., William Wangford, and Nich. Girlyngton. - -Dated 14th Feb., 49 and 1 Hen. VI. - - [Footnote 94-2: [From a MS. in the Bodleian Library.]] - - -769 - -THE EARL OF OXFORD TO THOMAS VERE[94-3] - -_To my right dere and welbeloved brother, Thomas Veer._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 14] - -Right dere and welbeloved brother, I command me hertly unto you; -certyfying you that I have receyved your writing, directed now laste -unto me, by my servant William Cooke, by which I understande the -faithfull gwydyng and disposicion of the cuntre, to my gret cumfote and -pleaser; which I dowbte not shall redunde to the grethest presyng and -worship that ever dide till eny cuntre; certyfying you ferdermore that -by Nicheson of your other tydyngs laste send unto me; also thes by Robt. -Porter. I have disposed me with all the power that I can make in Essex -and Suffolk, Cambrygeshire, and other places, to be on Monday next -comyng at Bury, which purpose I intende to observe, with Godds grace, -towards you in to Norffolk, to the assistence of you and the cuntre, in -case Edwarde with his companye had aryved ther, and yete I shall do the -same noughtwithstandyng; for if he aryve northwarde, like as ye wete by -likelyhode he shulde, I caste to folow and porsew hym. And where ye -desire that I shulde send you woorde what disposicion shalbe take in the -cuntre wher ye be, I desire you that ye, by theadvyse of the gentilmen -which ben there, chese iij. or iiij., and send theym to me at Bury on -Monday next; and than I and they, with my Counceyle, shall take a -direccion for the suretie of all that cuntre, by Godds grace; by whome I -shall send than to you relacion, wheder ye shall remayne still ther your -selff, or resorte to me with all thos that be accompanyed with you. And -Jhesu preserve you. At Hithingham [_Hedingham_], the xiiij. day of -Marche. - - By your lovyng brothyr, - - OXYNFORD. - - [Footnote 94-3: [From Fenn, ii. 54.] It is sufficiently apparent - from the contents that this was written during the restoration of - Henry VI., and in anticipation of the attempt by King Edward, - which was very soon afterwards successful, to recover his throne. - Edward in fact landed at Ravenspur the very day this letter was - written.] - - -770 - -THE EARL OF OXFORD TO HENRY SPILMAN AND OTHERS[95-1] - -_To my right trusty and welbelovyd Henry Spilman, Thos. Seyve, John -Seyve, James Radclif, John Brampton the older, and to eche of them._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 19] - -Trusty and welbeloved, I comende me to you, lettyng you witte that I -have credible tydyngs that the Kyngs gret enemys and rebellis, -acompanyed with enemys estraungers, be nowe aryved, and landyd in the -north parties of this his land, to the utter destruction of his roiall -persone, and subversion of all his realm, if they myght atayne; whom to -encountre and resiste the Kings Highnesse hath comaunded and assigned -me, under his seall, sufficient power and auctorite to call, reyse, -gader, and assemble, fro tyme to tyme, all his liege people of the shire -of Norff., and other places, to assiste, ayde, and strenght me in the -same entent. - -Wherfor, in the Kyngs name, and by auctorite aforesaid, I straitly -charge and command you, and in my owne byhalf hertly desire and pray -you, that, all excuses leid apart, ye, and eche of you in your owne -persones defensibly araied, with asmony men as ye may goodly make, be on -Fryday next comyng at Lynne, and so forth to Newark, where, with the -leve of God, I shall not faile to be at that tyme; entendyng fro thence -to goo foorth with the help of God, you, and my fryndes, to the recountr -of the said enemyes; and that ye faill not hereof, as ye tendre the -weele of our said sovereygne Lord, and all this his realme. Written at -Bury, the xix^th day of Marche. - - OXYNFORD. - - [Footnote 95-1: [From Fenn, ii. 58.] This letter was evidently - written five days after the last.] - - -771 - -JAMES GRESHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON[96-1] - -_To the right worshipfull and speciall singler maister, Sir John Paston, -Knyght, be this delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -After due recomendacion hadde with all my service, &c. . . . -. . .[96-2] - -As for tydyngs, here in this cuntre be many tales, and non accorth with -other. It is tolde me by the Undirshireve that my Lord of Clarence is -goon to his brother, late Kyng; in so moche that his men have the -Gorget[96-3] on their breests, and the Rose over it. And it is seid that -the Lord Howard hath proclamed Kyng E. Kyng of Inglond in Suff., &c. - - Yours, and at your comandement, - - JAMES GRESHAM. - - [Footnote 96-1: [From Fenn, ii. 60.] The political news in this - letter show that it was written after the landing of Edward IV. in - Yorkshire.] - - [Footnote 96-2: 'Here,' according to Fenn, 'follow copies of - indictments and appeals procured against Sir John Paston and his - servants; and likewise other law business.' The indictments and - appeals in question are doubtless those referred to in the next - No.] - - [Footnote 96-3: A collar worn round the neck.--F.] - - -772 - -ABSTRACT[97-1] - -A Register of Writs, etc., which was probably sent with the preceding -letter. It is addressed on the back, 'To Sir John Paston,' and endorsed -'James Gresham.' - - * * * - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston, late of Castre, for his appearance -in the King's Bench, Easter, 8 Edw. IV. 'Per Contr. de Anno viij^o E. -iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij.[97-2] Vynter.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, late of Castre, -with _capias_ against William Wykes, late of Castre; Edmund Brome, late -of Redeham; and John Dawebeney, late of Castre; Thurstan Cokesson, -_alias_ Starky, late of Castre; John Pampyng, late of Castre; and Henry -Swete, late of Castre, yeoman, for their appearance in the King's Bench -in Easter to answer for offences against the statute _de ingressibus -manu forti_. 'Per Contr' de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij. -Vynter.' - -'Of these ij. writtes ar _supersedeas_ delyvered to the Undirshirreve.' - -Writ of exigent against John Pampyng, late of Castre, gent., and Edmund -Brome of Castre, gent., 'Oct' Joh'is,' appealed by Cecilia, widow of -John Colman, as principals in the death of her husband. Ro. 67. 'Breve -istud deliberatur de recordo, Hill. xlix. Sonde.' - -Another writ of exigent against Pampyng and Brome at the King's suit for -divers felonies and murders. 'Ro. xvj. Per Contr' de Anno x^o E. -iiij^{ti}. Ro. xij^o Vynter.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle for their appearance -in the King's Bench in Easter term, on an indictment for forcible entry. -'Per Contr' de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxix.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ -against John Wykes, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and -Thurstan Cokesson, _alias_ Starky, late of Castre, for their appearance -in the King's Bench in Easter term, on an indictment of forcible entry. -'Per Contr' de Anno viij. E. iiij^ti. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.' - -_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ -against John Wykes, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and Thurstan, etc., -for Easter. 'Per Contr. de Anno viij. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.' - -_Capias_ against John Pampyng, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, late of -Redeham, William Bedford and Edmund Mason, late of Bychamwelle, laborer, -and Alex. Cok of Norwich, yeoman, 'xv. Pasch.,' appealed by Christiana, -widow of Thos. Mylys, in Easter term, as principals in the death of her -husband. Also _capias_ against William Paston of Norwich and Ralph -Lovell of Bychamwelle, gent., appealed as accessaries. Ro. lxix. -Registrum Sonde.' - - [***] All the above writs are for the county of Norfolk. - - [Footnote 97-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 97-2: The Controlment Roll 8 Edw. IV. is now missing.] - - -773 - -ABSTRACT[98-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 10] - -'30. Relaxatio Johannis Paston facta episc. Winton, et aliis totius -juris in maneriis vocat. Akethorp in Leyestoft, Spitlings in Gorleston, -Habland in Bradwell, etc., quae quondam fuerunt Johannis Fastolf.--April -10, Edw. IV. 11.' - - [Footnote 98-1: This is another entry from the old index of deeds - in Magdalen College, Oxford. There is probably some slight error - in the date, as Edward IV. was not acknowledged as King on the - 10th April, in what would otherwise have been the eleventh year of - his reign. He was so acknowledged a few days later--_i.e._ after - the battle of Barnet, which was fought on the 14th April--so that - if the date had been, say, April 20, instead of April 10, it would - have been quite consistent. It is impossible, however, to say - where the error lies, so we place the document under the date - actually expressed in it.] - - - - -THE PASTON LETTERS - -_Edward IV._ - - - - -774 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[99-1] - -_To my Moodre._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 18] - -Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette that, blyssed be God, my -brother John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. -Never the lesse he is hurt with an arow on hys ryght arme, be nethe the -elbow; and I have sent hym a serjon, whyche hathe dressid hym, and he -tellythe me that he trustythe that he schall be all holl with in ryght -schort tyme. It is so that John Mylsent is ded, God have mercy on hys -sowle! and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe, and hys other servants all be -askepyd by all lyklihod. - -Item, as ffor me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God; and in no joparte -off my lyffe, as me lyst my self; for I am at my lyberte iff nede bee. - -Item, my Lorde Archebysshop[99-2] is in the Towr; neverthelesse I trust -to God that he schall do well i noghe; he hathe a saffe garde for hym -and me bothe. Neverthelesse we have ben troblyd syns, but nowe I -undrestande that he hathe a pardon; and so we hope well. - -Ther was kyllyd uppon the ffelde, halffe a myle ffrom Bernett, on -Esterne Daye, the Erle of Warwyk, the Marqweys Montacu, Sir William -Terrell,[100-1] Sir Lewes Johns, and dyverse other Esquiers off owr -contre, Godmerston and Bothe. - -And on the Kynge Edwardes partye, the Lord Cromwell,[100-2] the Lord -Saye,[100-3] Sir Omffrey Bowghsher[100-4] off owr contre, whyche is a -sore moonyd man her, and other peple off bothe partyes to the nombre off -mor then a m^l. - -As for other tythynges, is undrestande her that the Qwyen Margrett is -verrely londyd and hyr sone in the west contre, and I trow that as to -morow, or ellys the next daye, the Kynge Edwarde wyll depart ffrom hense -to hyr warde, to dryve her owt ageyn. - -Item, I beseche yow that I may be recomendyd to my cosyn Lomner, and to -thanke hym ffor hys goode wyll to me wardes, iff I had hadde nede, as I -undrestoode by the berer heroff; and I beseche you on my behalve to -advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng or langage as yit, ffor the -worlde, I ensur yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall know with in thys -monthe; the peple heer feerythe it soor. - -God hathe schewyd Hym selffe marvelouslye lyke Hym that made all, and -can undoo ageyn whan Hym lyst; and I kan thynke that by all lyklyod -schall schewe Hym sylff as mervylous ageyn, and that in schort tyme; -and, as I suppose, offter than onys in casis lyke. - -Item, it is soo that my brother is on purveyed off monye. I have holpyn -hym to my power and above. Wherffor as it pleasythe yow remembre hym, -ffor kan not purveye ffor my selffe in the same case. - -Wretyn at London the thorysdaye in Esterne weke. I hope hastely to see -yow. - -All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye not adoghtyd off the worlde, ffor -I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe, I ame not all -undon, nor noon off us; and iff otherwyse, then, &c. &c. - - [Footnote 99-1: [From Fenn, ii. 62.] This letter, as shown by the - contents, was written just four days after the battle of Barnet, - by which Edward IV. recovered his throne. It is not signed, but - the writer is Sir John Paston.] - - [Footnote 99-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York. It was from - the custody of this prelate that Edward escaped, after having been - surprised and taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick, in 1470: - perhaps the kind treatment of his then prisoner now procured his - pardon.--F.] - - [Footnote 100-1: Sir William Tyrell was cousin to Sir James - Tyrell, the afterwards supposed murderer of Edward V. and his - brother the Duke of York.--F.] - - [Footnote 100-2: Humphrey Bourchier, third son of Henry, Earl of - Essex, had summons to Parliament, in 1461, as Lord Cromwell, in - right of his wife.--F.] - - [Footnote 100-3: William Fienes, Lord Say.] - - [Footnote 100-4: Son of John, Lord Berners.] - - -775 - -[THE EARL OF OXFORD] TO A LADY[101-1] - -_To the ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady._[101-2] - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -Ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady, I recomande me to yow, lettyng yow -wete that I am in gret hevynes at the makyng of thys letter; but thankyd -be God, I am eschapyd my selfe, and sodenly departyd fro my men; for I -undyrstand my chapleyn wold have detrayed me; and if he com in to the -contre, let hym be mad seuer, &c. Also ye shall gyff credence to the -brynger of thys letter, and I beseke yow to reward hym to hys costs; for -I was not in power at the makyng of thys letter to gyff hym, but as I -wass put in trest by favar of strange pepyll, &c. - -Also ye shall send me in all hast all the redi money that ye can make, -and asse mone of my men asse can com well horsyd; and that they cum in -dyverse parcellys. Also that my horsse be sent, with my stele sadelles; -and byd the yoman of the horse cover theym with ledder. Also ye shall -send to my moder,[101-3] and let hyr wete of thys letter, and pray hyr -of hyr blessyng, and byd hyr send me my kasket, by thys tokyn; that she -hathe the key theroff, but it is brokyn. - -Also ye shall send to the Pryor of Thetford,[101-4] and byd hym send me -the sum of gold that he seyd that I schuld have. Also sey to hym by thys -token, that I schewyd hym the fyrst Prive Seale, &c. Also lete Pastun, -Fylbryg, Brews, come to me. Also ye shall delyver the brynger of thys -letter an horsse, sadell, and brydell. Also ye schallbe of gud cher, and -take no thowght, for I schall brynge my purpose abowte now by the grace -of God, Qwhome have yow in kepyng. - - O . . . D (?). - - [Footnote 101-1: [From Fenn, ii. 68.] The signature of this letter - is composed of flourishes which were probably devised on purpose - to make it unintelligible. Fenn suggests that the first character - may be taken for an O, and the last for a D; but to our thinking - the resemblance is rather difficult to trace. There is, however, - great probability in his conjecture that the writer was the Earl - of Oxford, and the date just after the battle of Barnet.] - - [Footnote 101-2: Margaret, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of - Salisbury, sister to the late Earl of Warwick, and wife of John de - Vere, Earl of Oxford.--F.] - - [Footnote 101-3: Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir John Howard, - Knight, who was the grandfather of John Howard, first Duke of - Norfolk of that name. She was now the widow of John de Vere, late - Earl of Oxford.] - - [Footnote 101-4: John Vescey, Prior of Thetford, from 1441 to - 1479.--F.] - - -776 - -JOHN PASTON OF GELSTON TO MARGARET PASTON[102-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 30] - -Aftyr humbyll and most dew recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can, -I beseche you of your blyssyng, preying God to reward you with as myche -plesyer and hertys ease as I have latward causyd you to have trowbyll -and thowght; and, with Godys grace, it shall not be longe to or then my -wronges and othyr menys shall be redressyd, for the world was nevyr so -lyek to be owyrs as it is now; werfor I prey you let Lomnor no be to -besy as yet. Modyr, I beseche you, and ye may spare eny money, that ye -wyll do your almesse on me and send me some in as hasty wyse as is -possybyll; for by my trowthe my leche crafte and fesyk, and rewardys to -them that have kept me and condyt me to London, hathe cost me sythe -Estern Day[102-2] more than v_li._, and now I haue neythyr met, drynk, -clothys, lechecraft, ner money but up on borowyng; and I have asayid my -frendys so ferre, that they be gyn to fayle now in my gretest ned that -evyr I was in. Also, modyr, I beseche yow, and my horse that was at -lechecraft at the Holt[102-3] be not takyn up for the Kynges -hawkys,[102-4] that he may be had hom and kept in your plase, and not to -go owght to watyr, nor no whedyr ellys, but that the gat be shet, and he -to be chasyd aftyr watyr within your plase, and that he have as myche -met as he may ete; I have hey i new of myn owne, and as for otys, Dollys -will purvey for hym, or who that dothe it I wyll paye. And I beseche yow -that he have every wek iij. boshell of otys, and every day a penyworthe -of bred; and if Botoner be not at Norwyche, and Syme kep hym, I shall -geve hym well for hys labore. Also that Phelypp Loveday put the othyr -horse to gresse ther, as he and I wer acordyd. - -Item, that Botoner send me hyddyr the two shyrtys that wer in my casket, -and that he send me hydyr xl_s._ by the next messenger that comyth to -London. - -Item, that Mastress Broom send me hedyr iij. longe gownys and ij. -doblettes, and a jaket of plonket chamlett, and a morey bonet out of my -cofyr. Sir Jamys hathe the key, as I sent hyr werd be for thys. - -Item, that syche othyr wryghtynges and stuff as was in my kasket be in -your kepyng, and that no body look my wryghtynges. - -Item, that the horse that Purdy hathe of myne be put to some good gresse -in haste; and if it plese yow to have knowlage of our royal person, -I thank God I am hole of my syknesse, and trust to be clene hole of all -my hurttys within a sevennyght at the ferthest, by wyche tym I trust to -have othyr tydynges; and those tydynges onys had, I trust not to be -longe owght of Norffolk, with Godys grace, Whom I beseche preserve you -and your for my part. - -Wretyn the last day of Apryll. The berer herof can tell you tydynges, -syche as be trew for very serteyn. - - Your humbylest servaunt, - - J. OF GELSTON. - - [Footnote 102-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was printed - by Fenn in his fifth volume, of which the original MSS. are now - recovered. It was evidently written in April 1471, when the writer - was recovering from the wound he had received at the battle of - Barnet (_see_ No. 774). It is not addressed, but is endorsed in a - later hand, 'Litera Johannis Paston armigeri matri suae.'] - - [Footnote 102-2: The battle of Barnet was fought on Easter Day, - 14th April 1471.] - - [Footnote 102-3: A pasture so called, and means the groves, or - lands full of wood.--F.] - - [Footnote 102-4: This may signify, in jocular language, if he be - not dead.--F.] - - [[Footnote 102-1 - ... (_see_ No. 774). - _closing parenthesis missing_]] - - -777 - -THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY[104-1] - -_Ded in the Feld._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / MAY 4] - - Edward that was called Prynce. - Lord John of Somerset. - Erle of Devenshire. - Lord Wenlok. - Sir William Vaus. - Sir Edmond Hamden. - Sir John Seymour. - Sir William Bermoth. - Water Barrow. - Mr. William Henmar. - Mr. Feldyng.[104-2] - Hervy, recorder.[104-3] - Mr. Herry, capteyn of Brystowe. - Sir Roberte Whetyngham. - Knoyll. - -_Thes be men that were heveded._[104-4] - - The Duke of Somerset. - The Lord of Sent Jones.[104-5] - Sir Jerveys Clyfton. - Humfrey Awdeley. - Lowes Miles. - Forey of Fraunce. - Sir John Delvys.[104-6] - Lord Foskew on lyffe. - Sir William Carre. - Sir Hew Courteney. - Sir Thomas Tressham. - Sir Herry Tressham. - Sir William Newbery. - Mr. Gower.[105-1] - Mr. Awdeley.[105-2] - Robert Clerke. - Lechefeld, mason of Westmynster. - Sir William Grymesby yet on lyffe. - -_Thes be the Knyghtes that the Kyng mad in the Feld._ - - Lord Cobham. - Sir George Nevel. - Sir Philip Courtenay. - Sir Herry Bemonde. - Sir Moreys of Barkley. - Sir Richard Hastynges. - Sir Roberte Haryngton. - Sir Thomas Gray. - Sir James Terell. - Sir John Feres. - Sir Herry Feres. - Sir Herry Purpeynt. - Sir John Parre. - Sir John Downe. - Sir Roger Kyngstone. - Sir John Crokere. - Sir ---- Skerne. - Sir James Crowmere. - Sir William Sandalle. - Sir John Deverys. - Sir Herry Grey. - Sir Edward Wodehous. - Sir Richard Croft. - Sir John Pylkyngton. - Sir John Byngham. - Sir John Harley. - Sir John Boteler. - Sir Christofer Morysby. - Sir John Clay. - Sir Robert Wylleby. - Sir Robert Grene. - Sir Roger Ree. - Sir Richard Radclyffe. - Sir John Saundes. - Sir Thomas Strikelande. - Sir George Browne. - Sir William Motton. - Sir Tery Robsert. - Sir Thomas Cromewell. - Sir Robert Corbet. - Sir Nicholas Langford. - Sir John Seyntlowe. - Sir William Brandon. - - [Footnote 104-1: [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 279.] This paper is - in a contemporary handwriting, and undoubtedly refers to the - battle of Tewkesbury.] - - [Footnote 104-2: Sir William Fielding, according to Warkworth's - Chronicle.] - - [Footnote 104-3: These words, 'Hervy, recorder,' are written over - 'Herry, capteyn,' as a correction; but the latter are not erased. - Warkworth mentions Sir Nicholas Hervy.] - - [Footnote 104-4: Beheaded.] - - [Footnote 104-5: Sir John Longstruther, Prior of St. John's.] - - [Footnote 104-6: Originally written 'Mr. Delvys,' and corrected.] - - [Footnote 105-1: James Gower, according to Warkworth.] - - [Footnote 105-2: Sir Humphrey Audeley.] - - -778 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[106-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 5] - -Most worchepfull and my ryght specyall good modyr, as humbylly as I can, -I recomand me on to yow, besechyng yow of your blyssyng. Please it yow -to undyrstand that thys day I spake with Batcheler Water, whiche let me -have undyrstandyng of your welfare, wherof I thank God with all my hert. -Also he leet me have knowlage that the Lord Scalys had grauntyd yow to -be my good lord, wherof I am no thyng prowd, for he may do leest with -the gret mastyr; but he wold depert ovyr the see, as hastyly as he may; -and because he wenyth that I wold go with hym, as I had promyseyd evyr, -and he had kept foorthe hys jornay at that tyme, thys is the cause that -he wyll be my good lord and help to get my pardon. The Kyng is not best -pleasyd with hym for that he desyerthe to depert, in so myche that the -Kyng hathe seyd of hym, that wen evyr he hathe most to do, then the Lord -Scalys wyll sonest axe leve to depert, and weenyth that it is most be -cause of kowardyese. As for pardon, I can never get, withowght I schold -paye to myche money for it, and I am not so purveyd. As for Herry -Hallman, my brodyr wyll axe hym no sylver tyll ye be payeyd; therfor ye -may send to hym and have it. - -Item, I am sory that ye have fadyrd my hors that was at Caster to be my -Brodyr Edmundys, for I had leveer that they had hym style then owght -ellys; wherfor thow they profyr hym yow from hense foorthe, let not my -brodyr Edmund take hym, but let him sey whedyr they wyll let hym have -hym or not, that I have promyseyd my brodyr Edmund a bettyr hors for -hym, so that he wyll not cleyme the same for hys. As for tydyngs her be -non but that the Scottys and Walyshe men be besy; what they meane I can -not seye. My cosyn John Loveday can tell yow, and ther be eny odyr -flyeyng talys, for he hathe walkyd in London, and so do not I. When I -may I wyll come hom with Godys grace, whom I beseche to sende you your -hertys desyeyr. Wretyn the v. daye of Julle. - - Be yowr humblest sone and servant, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 106-1: [From Fenn, iv. 116.] From the mention of Lord - Scales in this letter it might be supposed that it was written not - later than the year 1469, when Anthony Woodville, the last Lord - Scales, became Earl Rivers by the death of his father; but I - believe the date to be 1471, and that the writer is simply - speaking of Earl Rivers by his old title. In the first place there - is no appearance of either of the John Pastons requiring a royal - pardon before the year 1471; secondly, it is not probable that - either of them would have spoken so slightingly of the value of - Lord Scales's intercession at an earlier period; and thirdly, it - seems doubtful whether Edmund Paston could have been old enough to - own a war-horse many years before. Finally, we find by Letter 780 - following that John Paston, the youngest, succeeded in obtaining a - pardon signed by the King on the 17th July 1471. If the reference - to the autograph plate in Fenn is correct, this letter was in the - hand of his elder brother, Sir John Paston, Knight; but as it is - not signed, like most of his letters, 'John Paston, K.,' we are - inclined to suspect that it was really written by the younger - brother, like No. 780.] - - -779 - -ABSTRACT[107-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 12] - -Norff. and Suff. Deeds, No. 5. 'Relaxatio Johannis Paston militis, -Davidi Husband et Will. Gyfford totius juris in maneriis de Saxthorp, -Tichwell, Haineford, Essex in Hickling, etc., Calcote, Leystoft, -Habland, Broweston, Gorleston alias Spitlings, quae quondam fuerunt -Johannis Fastolf mil., et quae Will. Waynflet episcopus Winton' habuit ex -dono Rad. Boteler domini de Sudley, et praedicti David et Willielmus ex -dono episc. praedicti, necnon de et in 25 _markes redd._ precipiend. de -priori de Hickling. Julii 12, Edw. IV. 11. With a scedule annexed -touching the same release.' - - [Footnote 107-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -780 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[107-2] - -_To my most worchepfull Modyr, Margaret Paston, be thys delyveryd in -hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 17] - -Ryght worchepfull modyr, I recomand me to yow, and as lowly as I can, -I beseche yow of yowr blyssyng. Please yow to undyrstand that thys -Wednysday Sir Thomas Wyngffeld sent to me, and let me wet that the Kyng -had syngnyd my bylle of perdon, whyche the seid Sir Thomas delyveryd me; -and so by Fryday, at the forthest, I tryst to have my perdon ensealyd by -the Chanceler, and soone aftyr, so as I can fornyshe me, I tryst to se -yow, if so be that eny of the Kynges hows com in to Norwyche. I wold -fayne my gray horse wer kept in mewe for gnattys. Also, modyr, I beseche -yow that Dollys and his felawe may be sent to, that I may have my money -redy ayenst that I come home, whyche is dew to be payid, for thys mater -hathe cost me the settyng over. Also that it may please yow that Purdy -at Heylysdon maye be sent to for the horse that he hathe of myne, and -that the horse may be kept well, and have as myche mete as he wyll eate -be twyx thys and that I come home, and that Jakys nage have mete i now -also. Also, and Syr Thomas Wyngfeld come to Norwyche, that he may have -as good chere as it please yow to make on to that man that I am most -behold to for hys gret kyndnesse and good wyll, for he takyth full my -part ayenst my gretest enmyeys, Brandons and hys brodyr William; for at -my fyrst comyng to Sir Thomas Wyngfeld, bothe William Wyngfeld and -William Brandon the yonger wer with Sir Thomas, and had gret wordys to -myn owne mowthe, and in cheff W. Wyngfeld; and wher so evyr he may met -me on evyn grownd he wyll do myche; but and we met evynly, no fors, so I -have yowr blyssyng. I prey yow, with owght it be to my Lady Calthorp, -let ther be but fewe woordys of thys perdon. No more, but I prey God -preserve yow and yours. - -Wretyn the Wednysday next before Mary Mawdelen, - - By your humblest sone, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 107-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter refers to a - pardon granted by the King to John Paston the younger, for having - taken part with the Lancastrians at the battle of Barnet. Though - the 'bill' for this pardon was signed by the King on the 17th - July, the pardon itself did not pass the Great Seal till the 7th - February following, under which date it is enrolled on the Pardon - Roll of 11 Edw. IV., memb. 9.] - - -781 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[109-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, Esqier, hyr sone, in -hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / SEPT. 15] - -Ryght well belovyd brother, I comende me to yow, letyng yow wete that I -am in wellffar, I thanke God, and have ben evyr syns that I spake last -with yow; and mervayle for that ye sent never wryghtynge to me syns ye -departyd; I herde nevyr synes that tyme any worde out off Norffolk; ye -myght aft Bertlemai Feyr[109-2] have had messengers i nowe to London, -and iff ye had sent to Wykys, he scholde have conveyed it to me. I herde -yisterdaye, that a Worsted man of Norffolk, that solde worstedys[109-3] -at Wynchester, seyde that my Lord of Norffolk and my Lady wer on -pylgrymage at Our Lady[109-4] on ffoot, and so they went to Caster; and -that at Norwyche on scholde have had large langage to yow, and callyd -yow traytor, and pyked many quarellys to yow. Sende me worde ther off; -it wer well doo, that ye wer a lytell sewrer off yowr pardon than ye be: -avyse you, I deme ye woll her afftr ellys repent yow. - -I undrestonde that Bastarde Fauconbryge[109-5] is owther hedyd or lyke -to be, and hys brother bothe; some men seye he wolde have deservyd it, -and som sey naye. - -I purpose to be att London the ffyrst daye off the terme; send me worde -whethyr ye schall be ther or nott. - -Item, I wolde wete whether ye have spoken wyth my Lady off Norffolk or -not, and off hyr disposicion and the howsoldys to me and to yow wardes, -and whether it be a possible to have Caster ageyn and ther goodewylles -or not; and also I praye yow undrestande what ffelaschyp and guydyng is -in Caster, and have a spye resortyng in and owt, so maye ye know the -secretys among them. Ther is moche adoo in the Northe, as men seyn; -I pray yow be ware off yowr guydyng, and in cheff off yowr langage, and -so that ffro hense fforthe by yowr langage noo man perceyve that ye -ffavor any person contrary to the Kynges plesur. I undrestonde that the -Lord Ryvers hathe lycence off the Kynge to goo to Portyngale now within -thys vij. nyght. I pray yow recomande me to my modre, and beseche hyr -off hyr blyssyng on my be halve.[110-1] - -Item, I praye yow sende me worde iff any off owr ffrendys or wellwyllers -be dede, ffor I feer that ther is grete dethe in Norwyche, and in other -Borowgh townese in Norffolk, ffor I ensur you it is the most unyversall -dethe that evyr I wyst in Ingelonde; ffor by my trowthe, I kan not her -by pylgrymes that passe the contre, nor noon other man that rydethe or -gothe any contre, that any Borow town in Ingelonde is ffree ffrom that -sykenesse; God sease it whan it pleasyt Hym. Wherffor, ffor Goddysake, -let my moodre take heede to my yonge brytheren that they be not in noon -place wher that sykenesse is regnyng, nor that they dysport not with -noon other yonge peple whyche resortythe wher any sykenesse is, and iff -ther be any off that sykenesse ded or enffect in Norwyche, ffor Goddes -sake, lete hyr sende them to som ffrende off hyrse in to the contre, and -do ye the same by myn advyce; late my moodre rather remeve hyr -howsesolde in to the contre. - -Even now Thyrston browt me word ffro London that it was Doctor Aleyn -that cawsyd yowr troble that ye had at Norwych; and that John Pampyng -roode ffor a dyscharge ffor yow, and that he hathe sped well, but -howghe, that wot I nott; iff ye be cleer owt off Doctor Aleyn danger, -kepe yow ther, and her afftr ye maye schoffe as well at hys carte. -I praye yow sende me worde off all the fforme off hys delyng with yow. - -I had almost spoke with Mestresse Ann Hault, but I dyd not; -nevyrthelesse thys next terme I hope to take on weye with hyr or other; -sche is agreyd to speke with me, and sche hopythe to doo me ease as sche -saythe. - -I praye yow sende me worde hoghe ye doo with my Lady Elysabeth -Boghscher; ye have a lytell chaffyd it, but I can not tell howe; sende -me worde whether ye be in better hope or werse. I her seye that the Erle -off Oxenffordys bretheryn be goon owt off Sceyntewarye. Sir Thomas -Fulfforthe[111-1] is goon owt off Sceyntewarye, and a gret ffelaschyp -ffettchyd hym, a iij.^xx., and they sey that with in v. myle off London -he was CC. men; and no man watethe wher he is become not yit. - -The Lordes Hastyngs and Howerd be in Caleys, and have it pesebely; and -Sir Walter Wrettesle and Sir Jeffrey Gate be comyn thense, and woll be -at London thys daye as it is seyde. - -Wretyn at Waltham besyd Winchester the daye nex Holy Roode Daye.[111-2] - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 109-1: [From Fenn, ii. 72.] Apart from the reference to - John Paston's pardon, the date of this letter is fixed by what is - said of the bastard Falconbridge.] - - [Footnote 109-2: Bartholomew Fair, in Smithfield.] - - [Footnote 109-3: Worsted, in Norfolk, a town formerly famous for - the spinning of the fine thread with which the yarn called Worsted - is made.--F.] - - [Footnote 109-4: Of Walsingham.] - - [Footnote 109-5: Thomas Nevill, a natural son of William, Lord - Fauconberg. He was beheaded in 1471, and, as mentioned in Letter - 782 following, his head was placed on London Bridge.] - - [Footnote 110-1: Here follow, says Fenn, some directions about - payments of money.] - - [Footnote 111-1: Sir Thomas Fulford was son of Sir Baldwin - Fulford, beheaded at Bristol in 1461; he likewise ended his life - on the scaffold.] - - [Footnote 111-2: Holyrood Day, 14th of September.] - - [[I pray yow recomande me to my modre - _text has "recomande mo": corrected from Fenn_]] - - -782 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[111-3] - -_To hys well belovyd John Paston, Esquier, at Norwyche, or to Mestresse -Margret, his Modre._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / SEPT. 28] - -I comande me to yow, letyng yow weet that, &c.[111-4] - -I wolde ffayne have the mesur wher my ffadre lythe at Bromholm; bothe -the thyknesse and compase off the peler at hys hed, and ffrom that the -space to the alter, and the thyknesse off that alter, and imagery off -tymbre werk; and what hyght the arche is to the grounde off the ilde, -and how hye the grounde off the qwyr is hyer than the grownde off the -ilde. - -Item, I praye yowe late the mesur by pekthred be taken or elt mesured by -yerde, how moche is ffrom the northe gate, ther the brygge was, at -Gressham to the sowthewall, and in lyke fforme ffrom the este syde to -the west, also the hyght off the estewall, and the hyght of the sowthest -towr ffrom the grownde, iff ye maye easely. Also what bredde every towr -is within the wall, and whych towr is moor then other within. - -Alsso how manye ffote, or what brede eche towr takythe within iche -corner off the quadrate[112-1] ovyrthwert the dorys, and how many -taylors yards is from the moote syde, wher the brygg was, to the hyghe -weye, or to the heddge all a longe the entre, and what brede the entre -is be twyen the dykys. I praye yow, iff ye have a leyser in any wyse, se -thys doone yowrselffe iff ye maye; or ellys iff Pampyng do it, or who -that ye thynke can doo it, I wolle spende xx_d._ or as ye seme to have -the sertayn off every thyng her in. And as for my ffaders tombe, -I charge yow se it yowr selffe, and when I speke with yow I woll tell -yow the cawses why that I desyr thys to be doon. - -As ffor tydyngs, the Kyng, and the Qwyen, and moche other pepell, ar -ryden and goon to Canterbery, nevyr so moche peple seyn in Pylgrymage -hertofor at ones, as men seye. - -Alsso it is seyde that the Erle of Penbroke[112-2] is taken on to -Brettayn; and men saye that the Kynge schall have delyvere off hym -hastely, and som seye that the Kynge off France woll se hym saffe, and -schall sett hym at lyberte ageyn. - -Item, Thomas Fauconbrydge hys hed was yesterdaye sett uppon London -Brydge, lokyng into Kent warde; and men seye that hys brother was sor -hurte, and scope to seyntwarye [_sanctuary_] to Beverle. - -Sir Thomas Fulfforthe escaped owt of Westminster with an C. sperys, as -men seye, and is in to Devenshyr; and ther he hathe strekyn off Sir John -Crokkers hed, and kylt an other knyght off the Corteneys, as men seye. -I wolde ye hadd yowr verry pardon at onys; wherfor I praye yow ffayle -not to be at London within iiij. daye afftr Seynt Feythe;[113-1] ye -schall do goode in many thynges, and I praye yow sende me worde heroff -by the next massenger; and if it come to Mestresse Elysabeth Hyggens, at -the Blak Swan, sche schall conveye it to me, ffor I woll not ffayle to -be ther at London ageyn within thys vj. dayes. - -Mestresse Elysabeth hathe a son, and was delyveryd within ij. dayes -afftr Seynt Bertelmew;[113-2] and hyr dowtr A. H. was the next daye -afftr delyveryd off an other sone, as sche seythe, xj. weks er hyr tyme; -it was crystened John, and is ded. God save all! No mor tyll I speke -with yow. - -Wretyn at London on Mychellmesse Evyn. - - J. P., K. - -Item, I praye yow late some wytty felaw, or ellys yowrselff, goo to the -townes ther as thes ij. women dwelle, and inquire whether they be maryed -syns and ageyn or not, ffor I holde the hoorys weddyd; and iff they be, -than the appelys wer abbatyd ther by. I remembr not ther names; ye knowe -them better then I. Alsso in the Schreffvys bookys ther maye ye ffynde -off them. - - [Footnote 111-3: [From Fenn, ii. 80.] The evidences of date in - this letter are the same as in the last.] - - [Footnote 111-4: Here follows an account that the Duchess of - Suffolk and Duke of Norfolk intend again commencing appeals - against Sir John Paston and his brother, etc., concerning Caister, - etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 112-1: A drawing is here given in the original letter, - apparently designed as a plan of the quadrangle of Gresham, of - which the subjoined is a facsimile. - - [Illustration]] - - [Footnote 112-2: Jasper Tudor.] - - [Footnote 113-1: 5th of October.] - - [Footnote 113-2: 24th of August.] - - -783 - -R. L. TO JOHN PASTON[114-1] - -_To hys worshipful master, John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / OCT. 21] - -Ryght wurchupfull ser, I comaund me to your good maysterchepe, &c. Plese -it you to understond that Redford desyryd me on your byhalfe that I -chuld goo and comon with the woman that was the fullars wyfe of South -Walsham, whech woman is now maryed to on Thom Styward, dwellyng in the -parysch of Seynt Gyll in Norwych, whech woman seyd to me that che sewyd -never the pele, but that she was by sotyle craft brought to the New In -at Norwych, and ther was Maystir Southwell, and he entretyd hyr to be my -Lords wewe [_widow_],[114-2] by the space of an hole yer next folwyn, -and therto he mad hyr to be bowne in an obligacyon. And whan that yer -was past he desyred hyr to be my Lords wedow another yer; and than she -seyd that she had lever lose that that she had do, than to lose that and -meer; and therfor she seyd pleynly that she wold no mor of that mater. -And so she toke hyr an husbond, whech is the seyd Thom Styward; and she -seyth that it was full sor ageyn hyr wylle that ever the mater went so -forforth, for she had never non avayle therof, butt it was sewyd to hyr -gret labor and losse, for she had never of my Lords councell, but berely -hyr costs to London. No mor, but God have you in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Norwych, the Monday next after the Fest of Seynt Luke. - - By your servant, - - R. L. - - [Footnote 114-1: [From Fenn, iv. 440.] In the postscript to the - preceding letter, Sir John Paston intimates his belief that the - two widows who had appealed his brother of the murder of their - husbands had married again, and that thereby the appeals were - abated. It appears by the present letter that this intelligence - was correct as regards one of them.] - - [Footnote 114-2: The widow of a tenant in chivalry was called the - Lord's widow.] - - -784 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[115-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / OCT. 28] - -Ryght worchepfull m[other, as lowly as] I can I recomand me to yow, -besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng, praying yow to take thys key, and -Sir Jam[ys] . . . . . [m]y broder E., or J. Pampyng, and to ondo the -kofyr that standith at my bedys feet, and ther in a ly[tyl sqw]are box -ye shall fy[nd two de]dys, wher of the seallys be wownd in whyght paper; -my brodyr E. sye [_saw_] when I wond them up. The tone [begy]nyth -'Sciant, &c., quod ego _Matilda Bigota_'; and the todyr begynyth -'Sciant, &c., quod ego _Rogerus_ . . . . .' [I pray y]ow lett [them be] -sealyd and sent me by _Radley_ with the deedes there in. Sir Jamys -knowyth the . . . . . . . But [if so] be that ye fynd not thys box with -thes two deedes in that cofyr, then I prey yow take the k[ey] . . . . . -. . . teye of the same cofyr, and opyn the cofyr that standyth in the -utter chambyr, and ther ye shall fynd . . . . . . . . . [d]edes. My -brodyr, Sir John, recomandyth hym to yow, and besechyth yow of your -blyssyng; and as for hys mater [there is yet no conclu]syon of no poynt, -but I tryst ther shall be with in thes ij. dayeys. Jenney, W. -trowbly[th] . . . . . . . [my] brodyrs servauntes with old accyons and -all syche thynges as he can renew to stoppe the oblygacio[ns w]hyche he -is bownd in on to my broder; but all shall be easeyd, I tryst. As for -Mrs. A. Hawlt, the mater is mevyd [by div]ers of the Qwenys consayll, -and of ferre by R. Hault, but he wold it shold be fyrst of our mocyon, -and we wold [it] shold com of theym fyrst; our mater shold be the -bettyr. - -Tydynges, ther is a generall pardon mevyd whyche my brodyr J. trystyth -to have the preve[lege] of as soone as it is grantyd, whyche shall bee a -bowght All Halow tyed at the ferthest. I have spok with my L[ord Rive]rs -and with all myn old aqweyntance, and have good cheer of theym, hold as -it maye. When we be conclud[yd in] eny poynte of our maters, ye shall -have knowlage ther howhe to put yow in [comfort] er we have eny . . . -but in veyn when we have comfort ye shall have parte. Newe tydynges, -datys s . . . [s]ugyr of Mr. Kwte (?) x_d._ di.lb., and bettyr I tryst. -No more, but I beseche God preserve yow and yours. - -Wretyn on [Seint] Symondes Day and Jwde. - - Your humblest sone and servaunt, - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 115-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There was a general - pardon in the latter part of the year 1471, and both John Paston - and his brother took advantage of it, as appears by the _Pardon - Roll_, 11 Edw. IV., membranes 9 and 25. The date of this letter is - also shown by the answer to it, written by Margaret Paston on the - 5th November. Many of the words in this letter are lost by the - mutilation of the original MS., which is full of holes, from - having been exposed at one time to damp. The address is almost - completely lost, but a portion of the word '[Ma]rgaret' is - visible, and a small fragment of an endorsement below in which the - word 'Paston' is legible.] - - [[Footnote 115-1 - _footnote number printed 2 for 1_]] - - -785 - -SIR JOHN PASTON'S DEEDS[116-1] - -_In the square trussyng coffre._ - -A boxe with evydence off my place in Fletstrett. - -A lytell box with obligacions off the Archbisshop off York and W. -Jennyes oblygacion. - -A box with evydence of Tytlyshall. - -A box with the letter of attorney off Fastolffes londes by Sir John -Paston. - -j. A box de actis inter episcopum Wynt' et J. P. militem. Item endentur' -de argento mutuato termino Trinitatis anno x^{o,} et testamentum W. -Paston, Justic'. - -Item, ij. pixides de novis cartis de terris Fastolffes. - -Item, a litell box with the obligacion off T. Fastolff and one off James -Gresham. - -Item, a box with the dede off gyfft off J. P., and the byll assygnyd for -the dyamant. - -Item, the bagge de placitis in usu. - -Item, the bagge with ger taken owt off my caskett. - -Item, a bagge with the bondell where on was wreten 'London.' - -Item, a bagge with evydence off Est Bekham. - -Item, a bondell de actis parlimenti et de excambia in Paston. - -Item, a bondell de actis Cantuariensis. - -Item, a bondell de fyrma Caster Berdolffis. - -The endenture off Snaylwell by Wylleys. - -A bondell of Gresham Moleyns. - -A bondell off processe off th'eschekyr letter and byllys sirca (_sic_) -festum Johannis anno ix^{o.} - -Item, th'endenture off W. Jeney. Item, a bondell off letteris and byllis -anno x^{o.} - -A bondell with inquisicions not returnyd in to the Chanceri. - -Copia voluntatis Fastolff ultima et probata. - -Enventorium (_sic_) apud Caster per Episcopum Norwic' et dominum de -Scales et alia ad rediseisinam (?) - -Apunctuamentum Regis et litera amici. Endentura de Fennes per patrem -Hugonis Fenne. - -The verray endenture off my mariage. - -Item, a bondell off letteris from my brother John. - -Item, iij. billis, the endenter of W. Jenney for Bacton, a byll of -Wylleys and one off J. Owdin (?) - -Item, a bondell with the names off them that had stoff from Heylesdon. - -Item, a byll off Sweynesthorp. Item, a byll off Brok off Dedham off the -purchace theroff, a quitance pro Scaccario. - -A bonde towchyng the probatt off Fastolffes will, with mi olde -testament. - -A copie off a generalle releffe de terris Fastolffes. - - [Footnote 116-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The following inventory - is in the handwriting of Sir John Paston. The date at which it was - drawn up must, from internal evidence, be later than the tenth - year of Edward IV.; so perhaps it may be a list of the contents of - the coffer mentioned by John Paston in Letter 784.] - - [[Item, th'endenture ... - Apunctuamentum Regis ... - Item, a byll ... - _each section printed as shown, with two items in a paragraph_]] - - -786 - -ABSTRACT[117-1] - -WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1471(?) / NOV. 4] - -Has received Wheteley's letter, but though he has spoken to Sir John's -tenants at Paston, Bakton, etc., has obtained no money to send him. They -are better pleased to pay Sir John than Master 'Will. P.,' so they be -saved harmless. Has put them in good comfort, and Sir John must take -care that they be not sued this term. The fishing was never worse. No -herring to be got under 13_s._ 4_d._ a barrel, and 8_s._ 4_d._ a cade. -The swans were sent the week after your departure. John Osborn and Munde -are merry. None dead at Caster and Mawteby since Michaelmas, but much -mortality still at Fylby, Ormysby, and Scrowby. - -Mawteby, 4 Nov. - - [This letter most probably belongs to the year 1471, which it will - be seen by the letter immediately following was a year of great - mortality.] - - [Footnote 117-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -787 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[118-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV. 5] - -I grete you wele, and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that myn Cosyn Clere hathe sent to me for the C. marc that I borwed of -her for your brother. It fortuned so that a frend of her of late hath -loste better than CCC. marc, and he sent to her for money, and she had -non that she myght comyn by, and ther for she sent to me for the seyd C. -marc; and I know not how to do therfor, for by my trowth I have it not, -nor I can not make shyft therfor, and I shuld go to preson; therfor -comune with your brother her of, and send me word how that he wull make -shyft ther for in hast. I must elles nedes sell all my woods, and that -shall dysse avayll him better than a CC. marc, and I dey; and if I shuld -selle them now, ther wull noman gewe so myche for them be ner an C. marc -as they be worth, be cause ther be so many wood sales in Norfolke at -thys tyme. Therfor lete hym make purvyaunce therfor in hast, as he wull -have my good wyll, and wull that I save hym the seyd woods to the better -a wayll, and send me word here of in hast if ye wull my welfare, for I -shall never be in quiete tille I k[n]owe an ende in thys, for she hath -therfor an obligacion of an C_li._ And it is not kepte cloos, ther be -many persones now k[n]owyn it, which me semyth a greet rebuke to me that -I departyd so largely with yowr brother that I reservyd not to pay that -I was endaungered for hym, and so have dyverse seyd to me which of late -have k[n]owyn it; and whan I remembre it, it is to myn hart a very -spere, consideryng that he never gave comforte therein, ner of all the -money that hath be reseyvyd wull never make shyft therfor. And he had -yet be for thys tyme have sent me l. marc thereof, yet I wuld have -thought that he had had summe consideracion of myn daungers that I have -put me in for hym. Remembre hym how that I have excusyd hym of xx_li._ -that the Prior of Bromholm had, which shuld elles have be in that -daunger that it shuld have be to us a grete rebwke, with hought that he -myght a ben holpyn wyth shuch money as he shuld have had of your fadyrs -bequest; and I payd to the shereffe for hym also money. All thes shuld -have holpe me wele therto, be syde other thynges that I have bor thys -yeres that I speke not of; there fore lete hym helpe me now, or elles it -shall dysawayll hym better than the trebyll the money, wheder that I -leve or dey, with ought he hath better consideracion to the daungers -that I stond in. Also I wulde ye shuld meve hym to take John Pampyng to -hym, or elles to gete hym a servyce in the Chauncery, or in sume other -place where as he myth be preferryd, for it ys pety that he lesyth hys -tyme so her, and it is non a wayll to non of ws, and for diverse othyr -thyngs whesch ye shall knowe her after, I wolde that I war hens in -haste, for all maner of happys, constrw ye, &c. I can yw thanke for ywyr -lettyr that ye sente me, and that ye have inquiryd of shwch thynges as -ye thynk that shwld plese me. I send yow the boxe and the dedes that ye -sente to me for, but as for the key of the cofyr in the wtter chambyr I -can not fynd yt; yf the boxe had be ther in, ye cwdnat not have hadd yth -but yf [_unless_] I had broke wp the cofyr; ther for remembre yw wer ye -have do the key; I kep styll the key that ye sente me tyll that ye cwm -home. - -As for the tydynges here, ywr cosyn Barney of Wychshynggham ys passyd to -Gode, hwm Gode asoyle. Veylys wife, and Lodonys wife, and Pycard the -bacar of Twmlond, ben gone also; all thys hwlsold and thys parych ys as -ye leftyd, blyssyd be Gode; we lewyn in fer, but we wut not qweder to -fle, for to be better than we ben here. I send yw demi a riale for to by -wyth swger[119-1] and dates for me. I pray yw do as wel as ye can, and -sende it me as hastely as ye may, and sende me word qwat price a _li._ -of peppyr, clowys, masis, gingyr, and sinamun, almannys, ryse, ganyngal, -safrwn, reysonys of Corons, grenys,[120-1] of ych of these sende me the -pryce of ych of these,[120-2] and yf that it be bettir shepe at London -than it is here, I shal sende yw mony to bye wyth soch stwfe as I wull -have. Remember that I spake to yw to spek to ywyr brother for the seyd -C. marc wan ye departed hens. I trow ye had forgettyt, that ye sent me -non answer ther of in ony wys. Lete me have an answer ther of in hast, -and sende me woord how ywyr brother and ye spede in ywyr maters; and -Goddes blissyng and myn mut ye have both, and send yw good sped in all -ywyr maters. - -Wretyn in hast on Sent Levnards Eve.[120-3] - - By ywyr Moder. - - [Footnote 118-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is not - addressed, and the MS. is in fact only a corrected draft, of which - a fair copy has since been found. The fair copy is not addressed - either. The letter was evidently written to John Paston in answer - to No. 784. The date is ascertained by the fact that John Berney - of Witchingham died in the year 1471.] - - [Footnote 119-1: In Fenn's edition this is printed 'swgar, feg, - and dats.' The word 'feg' is not in the MS. It seems to be a - misreading of 'swg'' (sugar), which the transcriber forgot to - cancel.] - - [Footnote 120-1: F. adds 'and comfyts,' but the words are not in - the MS.] - - [Footnote 120-2: F. reads 'the price of a _li._,' but this is not - in the MS.] - - [Footnote 120-3: The following sentence is added in the fair copy: - 'I warn yw kepe this letter clos and lese yt not; rather brenyt.'] - - -788 - -BILL OF COSTS[120-4] - -_Termino Sancti Michaelis Anno xj^o E. iiij^ti pro Ricardo Calle deff' -versus Willelmum Huggan q. in placito trans'._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV.] - - In primis, for a copy of the bill, - iiij_d._ - - Item, for makyng of the awnswer to Mr. Pygot, Mr. Fayrefax, and to - Mr. Hosy, - x_s._ - - Item, wyne and perys at tavern ij. tymes, - xiiij_d._ - - Item, for a copy of record in the Kynges Bench, - iij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Item, for pledyng of the record in the Kynges Bench a yenst Wyll. - Huggan, - x_s._ - - Item, gyven to Hosey, the xxvij. day of the same moneth, for to - enparle[120-5] to the bill, - iij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Item, the xxx. day of October, for the copy of the tytelyng of - Huggans plee, - iiij_d._ - - Item, for wyne at [the] Cardenall Hatte[120-6] the same day, - vj_d._ - - Item, the iiij. day of November, gyven to Mr. Fayrfax and Mr. Hosey - for puttyng yn of the replicacyon, - vj_s._ viij_d._ - - Item, the x. day of November, gyven to Mr. Fayrfax, Mr. Pygotte, - and Mr. Hosey, for the seyng of the paper, and comenyng of the issewe - a yenst Wyll. Huggan, - x_s._ - - Item, for the wyne at the Cardenall Hatte, - [121-1]viij_d._ - - Item, for the entre of the aunswere a yenst Huggan by Ric. Calle, - payd to Sandys, - v_s._ - - Item, to Nedersole for makyng of the paper, - ij_s._ vj_d._ - - Item, for the copy of the same, - ij_s._ vj_d._ - - Summa totalis, lvj_s._ iiij_d._ - - [Footnote 120-4: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 120-5: To _imparl_, a technical expression, meaning to - obtain time to plead.] - - [Footnote 120-6: A tavern in Southwark. The name is still - preserved in Cardinal Hat Alley.] - - [Footnote 121-1: _N.B._--Under viij_d._ is written '46_s._ 4_d._' - in a different hand.] - - [[... for makyng of the paper, - ij_s._ vj_d._ - _text has s, for s._]] - - -789 - -EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[121-2] - -_Tho my rytgh wurshepfull brother John Paston, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV. 18] - -Rygh wurshipful brother, I recumawnd me to zow, prayeng zow hartely that -ze wyl remembyr soche maters as I wryth to zow. I send zow now be the -brynggar her of mony, wycche mony I pray zow that [ye[121-3]] be stowe -yt as I wryth to zow. I wend a don yt my sylf but consyderyng costis and -other dyvers thyngis I may not bryng yt abowthe. Wher for I pray zow -hartely to take the labour up on zow, and I trust to deservyt. I pray -zow be stow thys mony thus: to Christofyr Hanyngton v_s._: to the -prynspall of Stapylin[121-4] v_s._ in parte of payment. Also I pray zow -to bye me iij. zerddis of porpyl schamlet, price the zerd iiij_s._, a -bonet of depe murry, pryce ij_s._ iiij_d._, an hose clothe of zelow -carsey of an ellyn, I trow yt wyl cost ij_s._; a gyrdyl of plunkket -ryban, price vj_d._; iiij. lacis of sylke ij. of one color and ij. of -ane other, price viij_d._; iij. doseyn poynttis wythe red and zelow, -price vj_d._; iij. peyer of pateyns. I pray zow late Wylliam Mylsant -purvey for them. I was wonte to pay but ij_d._ ob. for a payer, but I -pray zow late them not be lefte behyng thow I pay mor; they must be lowe -pateyns; late them be long inow and brode up on the hele. Among all -other I pray zow recumawnd me to Mastres Elyzabet Hygons. I may sey -poverte partes feleschepe. Yf that I had ben so well purveyde as I wend -I trowst to have ben with zow her thys; also I pray zow recumawnd me to -my brother Sir John. I fer lasse he wyl take a dysplesur with me that I -send hym no mony. I pray zow excuse me as ze can. I trust to send hym -sum a bowth Candylmesse. I had a promyse of Masteres Elyzabeth of a -typet of welvet; but and I myth have a hatlase I woold thynk me well. -I pray zow sey thus myche on zour owyn hed, and yf ze can not sped of -the hatlase I pray zow bye me one of xij_d._ or xvj_d._ Also Sir I send -Parkar hys mony be the brynggar har of and I have desyered hym to lend -me a gown of puke, and I have send hym a typet of welvet to boredyr yt -[round [122-1]] a bowthe; and I pray zow be at schesyng there of; and yf -that he wyl not be cryst calkestowe over hys hed that is schoryle in -Englysche, yt is a terme newe browthe up with my marschandis of Norwych. -Sir John Pampyng recummawnd hym to zow and pray zow that ze wyl remembyr -hys harnes, and yf that ze can get the mony he pray zow to delyver -Parkar x_s._ that he howyth hym. Also, sir, my modyr gretis zow wel and -send zow Goddis blyssyng and heres, and prays zow that ze wyl bye her a -runlet of Malmesey owthe of the galey; and yf ze have no mony sche byd -that ze schuld borow of my brother Sir John, or of sum other frend of -zowers, and send [he]r[122-1] woord as hastily as ze have it, and sche -schale send zow mony; and yf that ze send it home sche byd that yt -schuld be woond in a canivasse for brochyng of the caryars, for sche -sethe that sche hath knowyn men served soo befor. Also I pray zow, if ze -speke with Master Roger, tell hym that yf he cum in to thys cuntre thys -crystemas, he schal have hys x_s._, and yf that he cum not I schal send -yt hym be xij. day [_Twelfth Day_] at the fardest. I pray zow, hartely -remembyr my gere, and that ze wyl desyere Wylliam Mylsant on my be halve -to purvey for the caryage in as hasty wyse as yt can. Also I pray zow -that the welvet that levyt of my typet may be send hom a geyn, for I -woold strype a dobelet ther with. As for Masteres Blakenye, I trowe sche -in zour quarters. I woold I had the same entyrpryce up on hyr that John -Bramppton of Atylborowe had up on master Byrston. Alle the Coorte -recommawndes hem tow zow. I pray zow, and ze can get me any profytable -servyce, a saye. My brother Sir John was meved of my hawnt Ponyngges to -have ben with here. I woold have rytgh an hesy servyse tyl I were owthe -of detis. God have zow in Hys kepyng. Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday nex -be fore Sen Edmond the Kyng. - - EDMOND PASTON. - -On the back of the letter are the following memoranda:-- - - In primis, to the pryncypall of Stapyll In - v_s._ - - Item, for iiij. lasys - viij_d._ - - Item, for iij. doseyn poyntes - vj_d._ - - Item, for a plonket ryban - vj_d._ - - [Footnote 121-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 130, and Add. MS. 27,445, f. - 52.] The MS. of this letter is in two fragments, from which it is - now printed entire. The year in which it was written is shown by - Margaret Paston's letter to the writer's brother John Paston, on - the 29th November 1471 (No. 791), in which she apologises for not - sending him money for a runlet of wine she had desired him to - purchase for her, on account of the number of thieves stirring. It - will be seen that she made the request by means of her son Edmund - in this letter.] - - [Footnote 121-3: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 121-4: Staple Inn.] - - [Footnote 122-1: Mutilated.] - - [[to boredyr yt [round [122-1]] - _unclear punctuation or flyspeck between editorial "round" and - footnote marker_]] - - -790 - -ABSTRACT[123-1] - -[MARGARET PASTON] TO HER SON [SIR JOHN PASTON] - -[Sidenote: 1471(?) / NOV. 20] - -Wonders she has no answer to her letter by Ric. Raddeley. Wants him and -his brother to get a discharge from my Lord of Canterbury, 'for -occupying of your father's goods.' If my Lord died before we got it, his -successor might be 'more hasty upon us than he hath been.' My Lord knows -the great charges we have had since he deceased, which have caused the -goods to be spent. If any of us were to die, no one would take charge -for us unless we have a discharge. Remember the spices and malmsey I -have sent to you for. - -St. Edmund's Day the King. - - _Sealed._ - - [At the date of this letter, Sir John Paston and his brother John - were together in London, and apparently the Archbishop of Canterbury - was seriously ill. Of the latter fact we have no certain knowledge, - but it appears by a subsequent letter that there was a report of his - death in June 1472, and the two brothers were certainly in London - together in November of the year preceding. It is probable therefore - that the Archbishop was ill of the epidemic which prevailed in the - latter part of 1471 and the spring of 1472. The two brothers were - not together in November 1472.] - - [Footnote 123-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -791 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[124-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, be this delyverd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV. 29] - -I grete zow welle, and send zow Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng zow wete -that I have a letter from zour brother, wherby I undyrstand that he -cannot, ner may, make no porveyans for the C. mark; the wyche causythe -me to be rythgh hevy, and for other thynges that he wrytht to me of that -he is in dawnger. For remembering wat we have had befor thys and ho -symppylly yt hath be spente and to lytyl profythe to any of us, and now -arn in soche casse that non of us may welle helpe other with owte that -we schuld do that wer to gret a dysworschip for us to do, owther to -selle wood or lond or soche stuffe that were nessessary for us to have -in owr howsys; so mot I answer a for God, I wot not how to do for the -seyde money, and for other thyngges that I have to do of scharge, and my -worshup saved. Yt is a deth to me to thynk up on yt. Me thynkyth be zour -brothers wrythtyng, that he thynkyth that I am informed be sume that be -a bowthe me to do and to sey as I have be for thys, but be my trowthe he -demyth a mysse; yt nedyth me not to be informed of no soche thengges. -I construe in my owyn mend, and conseyve i now and to myche, and whan I -have brokyn my conseyte to sume that in happe he deniythe yt too, they -have put me in cownforth more than I kowde have be any imajynasyon in my -owyn conseythe. He wrythetyth to me also, that he hath spend thys terme -xl_li._ Yt is a gret thyng; me thynkyth be good dyscresyon ther mythe -myche ther of aben sparyd. Zour fadyr, God blysse hys sowle, hathe had -as gret maters to do as I trowe he hathe had thys terme, and hath not -spend halfe the mony up on them in so lytyl tyme, and hath do ryth well. -At the reverens of God, avyse hym zet to be war of hys expences and -gydyng that yt be no schame to us alle. Yt is a schame and a thyng that -is myche spokyn of in thys contre that zour faders graveston is not mad. -For Goddes love, late yt be remembyrd and porveyde for in hast. Ther -hathe be mych mor spend in waste than schuld have mad that, me thynkyth -be zour brother that he is wery to wrythe to me and there fore I wyl not -a kumbyr hym with wrythtyng to hym. Ze may telle hym as I wryth to zow. -Item, I woold ze schuld remembyr zour brother of Pekerngges mater, if he -cum not hom hastely, that ze and Townesend and Lumnor may examyn and -sette yt thorow. The pore man is almost on don ther by, and hys brother -suethe hym and trobylyth hym sor zet; and also for the plesur of my -koseyn Clere and the Lady Bolen, I woold yt were sette thorow. - -As for my rowndlet of wyne, I schuld send zow mony there fore, but I dar -not put yt in joperte, ther be so many theves stereng. John Lovedayes -man was robbyd in to hys schyrte as he cam home ward. I trow, and ze -assaye Towneshend or Playter, or sum other good kuntery man of owrys to -lend yt zow for me tyl they cum hom, they wyl do so myche for me and I -schal contente them a geyn. Item, Jamys Gressham hath ben passyng sekke -and ys zet. Judy tellythe me that zour brother is avysed for to sue hym. -For Goddes sake, late non onkyndnesse be schewed to hym, for that woold -sone make an hend of hym. Remembyr ho keynd and true hartyd he hath ben -to us to hys powre; and he had nevere take that offyce upon hym that he -is in dawnger for, ne had be for owr sakkes. He hathe sold a gret parte -of hys lond there for, as I suppose ze have knowlache of. Late yt be -remembyrd, and ellys owr enmyes wyl rejoysyt, and ther wyl no wurshup be -ther in at long way. - -I schuld wryth mor but I have no leyser at thys tyme. I trow ze wyl sone -kum hom, and there fore I wryth the lesse. God kepe zow and send zow -good speede, &c. Wretyn the Fryday, Sen Andrue Ev. - - Be zour modyr. - -_The following note is written on the back of the Letter in Sir John -Fenn's hand_:--'This letter was fastened by threads brought through with -a needle and made fast by the seal. The threads being cut on the -directed side, the letter is opened without breaking the seal.' - - [Footnote 124-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] St. Andrew's Eve, the - 29th November, fell on a Friday in 1471. It will also be seen that - the beginning of this letter refers to the same subject as the - beginning of Letter 787.] - - -792 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE[126-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be this deliuered._ - -[Sidenote: 1471(?) / DEC. [1]] - -I grete you wele, and send you Goddis blyssyng and myn. Desyryng you to -send me word how that your brother doth. It was told her that he shuld -have be ded, which caused many folkis and me bothyn to be right hevy. -Also it was told me this day that ye wer hurt be affray that was mad up -on you be feles disgysed. Ther fore, in any wyse send me word in hast -how your brother doth and ye bothyn; for I shall not ben wele at eas -till I know how that ye do. And for Goddis love lete your brother and ye -be ware how that ye walken, and with what felesshep ye etyn or drynkyn, -and in what place, for it was seid here pleynly that your brothere was -poysoned. And this weke was on of Drayton with me and told me that there -were diverse of the tenauntis seid that thei wost not what to do if that -your brothere came home; and ther was on of the Duk of Suffolkis men by, -and bad them not feryn, for his wey shuld be shorted and [_i.e._ if] he -shuld come there. Wherfore, in any wyse be ware of your self, for I can -thynk thei geve no fors what to do to be wenged and to put you from your -entent, that thei myght have her wyll in Ser John Fastolffis land. -Thy[nke][126-2] what gret sor[ow][126-2] it [shu]ld[126-2] be to me and -any . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I had lever ye had -never know the lond; remembre it was the distruccion of your fadre; -trost not mych up on promyses of lordis now a days that ye shuld be the -suerer of the favor of there men. For there was a man, and a lordis -sone, seid but late, and toke it for an exampill that Sir Robert -Harecourt had the good will of the lordis after ther comyng in, and yet -within shorte tyme after here men kylled hym in hys owyn place. A mannes -deth is litill set by now a days. Therefore be ware of symulacion, for -thei wull speke ryht fayr to you that wuld ye ferd [_fared_] right -evyll. The blissid Trynyte have you in his kepyng. Wretyn in gret hast -the Saterday next after Sent Andrewe. - -Lete this letter be brent whan ye have understond it. Item, I pray you -send me iiij. suger lofis, ich of them of iij_li._, and iiij_li._ of -datis if thei be newe. I send you x_s._ be the berer hereof; if ye pay -more I shall pay it you ageyn whan ye come home. And forgete not to send -me word be the berere hereof how ye don; and remembre the bylles and -remembrauns for the maner of Gresham that I wrote to your brother for. - - Be your moder. - - [Footnote 126-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 211.] This letter may be of - the year 1471, when it would seem by No. 791 that the two - brothers, Sir John and John, were both together (in London, no - doubt) about St. Andrew's Day. If so, it was written just two days - after that letter, on the receipt of unpleasant news, which was - evidently false.] - - [Footnote 126-2: Mutilated.] - - -793 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[127-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -. . . . the very valew of Sporlewood passyth not C. mark of no manys -mony that I can spek with, and to be payid by dayis as the byll that -Jwde shall delyv[er] . . . rehers; and ther ayenst ye shold loose -iij_li._ of the ferme of the maner yerly, whych standyth by undyr wood; -and yet the fense must stand yow over on xij. mark by the lest wey; but, -by God, and I wer as ye, I wold not sell it for C. mark more then it is -woorthe. Syr John Styll recomandyth hym to your good mastyrsheppe, and -seyth pleynly if ye wyll he wyll com up to yow and awayte on yow -whersoever ye be, coort or othyr. By Seynt Mary, he is owyng more mony -than I wend; for he is owyng for a twelmonthe and a quarter at thys -Crystmas, savyng for hys boord, xij_d._ a wek for iij. quarters; and he -seythe pleynly that ye and R. Calle both bad hym syng styll for Syr John -Fastolf as he dyd before; but I have bodyn hym that he shall get hym a -servyse now at thys Crystmas; and so he shall, withowt that ye send hym -othyr wyse woord, or ellys that ye or I may get hym som benefyse or fre -chapell, or som othyr good servyse whych I praye yow enqwer for. - -Item, and ye werk wysly your mater myght com in with othyr maters of the -lordes in ther apoyntmentes with the Kyng, but it wold be labord to a -porpose this Crystmas whyll ye have leyser to spek with your mastyr. -Item, myn aqweyntans with the Lord Revers is none othyrwyse but as it -hathe ben alweys; savyng and he go no to Portygall to be at a day upon -the Serasyns, I porpose and have promysyd to be ther with hym; and that -jorney don, as Wykys seythe, farwell he. He porposyth to go forward a -bowt Lent, but Fortune with hyr smylyng contenans strange of all our -porpose may mak a sodeyn change. I ensuer yow he thynkyth all the world -gothe on ther syd ayen; and as for my comyng up at the begynnyng of thys -next term, with owt ye send me othyrwyse woord that I myght do yow som -good when I wer com, by my feyth I com not ther, for it shold put yow to -a cost, and me to a labor and cost bothe; but [if] ye send for me I com -streyght, thow I tery the lesse whyll ther, and so I shall withowt I may -do yow som good. By my feythe I porpose to make up my byllys clere, and -send yow the copyse as hastyly as I can. Yonge Wyseman othyrwye callyd -Foole, told me that Sir W. Yelverton is abowt to make a bargayne with -the Dwches of Suffolk or with my Lord of Norfolk, whyche he may get -fyrst, for the maner of Gwton. I reseyve all yet, God hold it. - -I praye yow recomand me to my brodyr Molyenewx, and all othyr good -felaws. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 127-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This seems to be only a - portion of a letter, beginning in the middle of a sentence. - Probably it was a second leaf added to a more lengthy epistle. It - is written on one side of a slip of paper and is in the hand of - John Paston the younger. It is endorsed 'John Paston' in that of - his brother Sir John, to whom it was doubtless addressed. The date - must be towards the end of the year 1471, as it appears by the - letter immediately following that Lord Rivers embarked for - Portugal that year on Christmas Eve.] - - [[Yonge Wyseman othyrwye callyd / Foole - _text unchanged: error for "othyrwyse"?_]] - - -794 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[129-1] - -[Sidenote: 1471] - -I grete you wele; letyng you wete that ther was told me a thyng in your -absens that goth right nere myn hert, be a wurchepfull man and such an -as ye wuld beleve and geffe credence to, and that owyth you right good -wille; which if it had comyn to myn remembraunce at your departer I wuld -have spoke to you of it most specially befor all other materis; but I am -so trobilled in my mende with your materis that thei be so delayd and -take no better conclusion, and with the ontrowth that is in servantis -now a days but if the maysteris take better heed to ther handis, that -such thyngis as I wuld rathest remembre I sonest for gete. It was told -me that ye have sold Sporle wood of a right credebill and wurchepful -man, and that was right hevy that ye shuld be know of such disposicion, -consederyng how your fader, whos sowle God assoyl, cherysshed in every -manor his woodis. And for the more preffe that this shuld be trought, -the forseid person told me that it was told hym of on [_one_] that was -toward Sir William Yelverton, to whom Richard Calle shuld have seid in -thes termes, that Sporle Wood shuld be sold, and that it shuld comyn now -in to Cristen mennes handis. Which if it were knowyn shuld cause bothyn -your elmyse [_enemies_] and your frendis to thynk that ye dede it for -right gret nede, or ellis that ye shuld be a wastour and wuld wast your -lyvelod. If ye had do so in Sir John Fastolfes lyffelode, men shuld have -supposid that ye had do it of good pollice, be cause of the onsuerte -that it stoonit (?) in, to have takyn that ye had myght of it duryng -your possession, to have boryn ought the daungere of it with the same; -but for to do this of your owyn lyffelode, men shall thyng that ye do it -for pure nede. And in asmych as it is so nere your most elmyse ere, it -shall be to you the gretter vylney and shame to all your frendis, and -the grettest coragyng and plesere that can be to your elmyse. For if ye -be thus disposid ye shall make them and all othere certeyn of that that -befor this tyme thei haue ben in dought, and cause them to purpose the -more cruelly agayn you. Where fore, in eschewyng of the greet slaundre -and inconveniens that may grow ther of, I require you, and more over -charge you upon my blissyng and as ye wull have my good will, that if -any such sale or bargany be mad, be your assent or with ought, be Calle, -or any othere in your name, that ye restreyn it; for I wuld not for a -M^l marcs that it wer understond that ye were of that disposicion, ner -that ye were comyn to so gret nede which shuld cause [y]ou to do so; for -every [man[130-1]] shuld thynk that it were thurgh your owyn -mysgovernaunce. Therefore I charge you, if any such bargayn be mad, that -ye send a bill as hastly as ye can to Herry Halman, that he do all such -as have mad or takyn that bargayn seasse and felle non of the wood, upon -peyn that may falle ther of. And how [_who_] so ever wull councell you -the contrary, do as I advyse you in this behalffe, or ellis trost never -to have comfort of me; and if I may knowe ye be of such disposicion, and -I leve ij. yer it shall disavayll you in my liffelode ccc. marcs. There -fore, send me word be the berere here of wheder ye have assent to any -such thyng or nought, and how that ye be disposid to do ther in, for I -shall not be quiete in myn hert till I understand yow of the contrary -disposicion. - - Be your more moder. - - [Footnote 129-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 116.] This letter would seem - to have been written about the end of the year 1471 or the - beginning of 1472, when we first hear of Sir John Paston's design - to sell Sporle Wood. _See_ Nos. 793, 798.] - - [Footnote 130-1: Omitted in MS.] - - -795 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[130-2] - -_To my most honorabl and tendre modre, Margrete Paston, be thys letter -delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JAN. 8] - -Most worschypfull and kynde moodre, I comande me to yow, and beseche yow -off yowr dayly blyssyng and remembraunce. Please it yow to wete thatt I -have my pardon,[130-3] as the berer heroff can informe yow, for comffort -wheroffe I have been the marier thys Crystmesse, and have been parte -theroff with Sir George Browen,[131-1] and with my Lady myn aunte, hys -wyffe,[131-2] and be ffor Twelthe[131-3] I come to my Lorde -Archebysshope,[131-4] wher I have hadde as greete cheer, and ben as -welkom as I cowde devyse; and iff I hadde ben in sewerte that Castr weer -hadde ageyn, I wolde have comen homewards thys daye.[131-5] - - . . . . . . . . - -And I beseche yow to remembr my brother to doo hys deveyr thatt I maye -have agayn my stuffe, my bookes and vestments, and my beddyng, how so -evyr he doo, thoghe I scholde gyffe xx^ti scutes by hys advyse to my -Lady Brandon, or some other goode felawe. - -As for any tydynges ther be noon heer, saffe that the Kyng hath kept a -ryall Crystmesse; and now they seye that hastelye he woll northe, and -some seye that he woll into Walys, and some seye that he woll into the -West Contre. As ffor Qween Margrett, I understond that sche is remevyd -from Wyndesor to Walyngfforthe, nyghe to Ewhelme, my Lady of Suffolk -Place in Oxenforthe schyre. - -And men seye that the Lorde Ryverse schyppyd on Crystmesse evyn in to -Portyngale warde; I am not serteyn. - -Also the schalle be a convocacion off the Clergye in all haste, whyche -men deeme will avayle the Kynge a dyme and an halffe, some seye. -I beseche God sende yow goode heele and greater joye in on year then ye -have hadde thys vij. - -Wretyn att the Moor the viij. daye off Janever, A^o E. iiij. xj. - - By yowr soone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 130-2: [From Fenn, ii. 86.]] - - [Footnote 130-3: His pardon passed the Great Seal on the 21st - December 1471. _Pardon Roll_ 11 Edward IV., m. 25.] - - [Footnote 131-1: Sir George Browne, Knight, of Betchworth Castle, - in Surrey.--F.] - - [Footnote 131-2: Elizabeth Paston, formerly married to Robert - Poynings.] - - [Footnote 131-3: Twelfth day, 6th of January.--F.] - - [Footnote 131-4: George Neville, Archbishop of York.--F.] - - [Footnote 131-5: Here follow directions about Caister, and a hope - that it might be had again by the latter end of the term, when he - would come home, and put his lands and houses into order.--F.] - - -796 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[132-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Syr John Paston, Knyght, be thys -delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JAN. 23] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow in my best wyse, lykeyth yow -to wet[132-2] that I have thys day delyveryd yowr mantyll, yowr ray -gowne,[132-3] and yowr crosbowys, wyth telers and wyndas, and yowr -Normandy byll to Kerby to bryng wyth hym to London. - -Item, in eny wyse, and [_if_] ye can axe the probate of my fadyrs wyll -to be gevyn yow wyth the bargayn that ye make wyth my Lord of -Canterbery, and I can thynk that ye may have it, and as soone as it is -prevyd ye or I may have a lettyr of mynystracyon upon the same, and a -qwetance of my Lord Cardinalle evyn foorthe wyth; and thys wer one of -the best bargaynys that ye mad thys ij. yer I enswyr yow, and he may -make yow aqwetance or get yow one of the Bysheop of Wynchestyr for Syr -John Fastolfys goodes also, and in my reson thys wer lyght to be browght -a bowght with the same bargayn. And ye purpose to bargayn with hym ye -had need to hye yow, for it is tolde me that my Lord of Norffolk wyl -entyr in to it hastyly, and if he so doo, it is the wers for yow, and it -wyll cawse them to profyr the lesse sylvyr. - -Item, I pray yow send me some secret tydyngs of the lyklyed of the world -by the next messenger that comyth between, that I may be eyther myryer -or ellys mor sory then I am, and also that I may gwyd me ther aftyr. - -Item, as for Sir R. Wyngfeld, I can get no x. _li._ of hym, but he seyth -that I shall have the fayirest harneys that I can bye in London for -sylvyr, but money can I non get. I can not yet make my pesse wyth my -Lord of Norffolk nor my Lady by no meane, yet every man tellyth me that -my Lady seyth passyngly well of me allweys notwithstandyng. I trowe that -they wyll swe the apell[133-1] thys term, yet ther is no man of us -indytyd but if it wer doon a for the crowners er then we cam owt of the -plase; ther is now but iij. men in it, and the brygges alwey drawyn. No -mor, but God lant yow myn her.[133-2] - -Wretyn the Twysday next aftyr Seynt Agnet the fyrst.[133-3] - - J. P. - -Item, yestyrday W. Gornay entryd in to Saxthorp and ther was he kepyng -of a coort, and had the tenaunts attou[r]nyd to him, but er the coort -was all doon, I cam thedyr with a man with me and no more, and ther, -befor hym and all hys feluwschep, Gayne, Bomsted, &c., I chargyd the -tenaunts that they shold proced no ferther in ther coort upon peyn that -myght folle of it, and they lettyd for a seasen. But they sye that I was -not abyll to make my partye good, and so they procedyd ferther; and I -sye that, and set me downe by the stward and blottyd hys book wyth my -fyngyr as he wrot, so that all tenaunts afermyd that the coort was -enterupte by me as in yowr ryght, and I reqwered them to record that -ther was no pesybyll coort kept, and so they seyd they wold. - - [Footnote 132-1: [From Fenn, iv. 420.] It appears by a letter of - the 17th February following (No. 798), that at the beginning of - the year 1472 the Pastons were endeavouring to come to an - understanding with the Duke of Norfolk by the intercession of the - Duchess. For further evidence of date, see the next letter.] - - [Footnote 132-2: A blank occurs here in Fenn's left-hand, or - literal copy, which is not explained.] - - [Footnote 132-3: This means a gown made of cloth that was never - either coloured or dyed.--F. But according to Halliwell 'ray' - means striped cloth.] - - [Footnote 133-1: This must be the appeal of the two widows, though - one of them is said to have married again. _See_ No. 783.] - - [Footnote 133-2: This sentence I wish to have explained.--F.] - - [Footnote 133-3: The festival of St. Agnes, the first (and the - most noted of the two), was kept on the 21st of January; her - second festival was on the 28th of the same month, which it is to - be observed was not the octave of the former, but a distinct feast - upon a different occasion, and it is sometimes written 'Agnetis - Nativitas'; but it was on account of a miracle wrought at her tomb - that this second feast was instituted.--F.] - - [[I can get no x. _li._ - _anomalous spacing unchanged_ - - Footnote 132-2 and body text: - _In the printed book, the blank takes up the final one-third of - its line._]] - - -797 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[134-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be thys delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / FEB. 5] - -I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that the woman that sewyth the appell ageyn your brother and his men is -comyn to London to call ther up on. And whan that she shuld come to -London ther was delivered her C. _s._ for to sewe with, so that be that -I here in this countre she wull not leve it, but that she shall calle -ther up on such tyme as shall be to your most rebuke, but if [_unless_] -ye ley the better wetch. She hath evill councell, and that wull see you -gretely uttered, and that ye may understand be the money that was take -her whan she came up, and ye shuld fynd it, I knowe it wele, if ther -myght have you at avauntage; ther for, for Godds sake make diligent -serge be the advyce of your councell, that ther be no necglicens in you -in this mater ner other for diffaught of labour, and call upon your -brother, and telle hym that I send hym Godds blyssyng and myn, and -desire hym that he wull now a while, whill he hath the Lords at his -entent, that he seke the meanes to make an ende of his maters, for his -elmyses arn gretly coraged now of late; what is the cause I knowe not. -Also, I pray you speke to Playter that ther may be fownd a meane that -the shereffe or the gaderer of grene wax[134-2] may be discharged of -certeyn issues that renne up on Fastolf for Mariotts mater, for the -balyfe was at hym this weke, and shuld have streyned hym, but that he -promysed hym that he shuld with in this viij. days labore the meanes -that he shuld be discharged or ell[es] he must content hym, &c. Also, -I send you be the berer her of, closed in this letter, v. _s._ of gold, -and pray you to bey me a suger loyfe, and dates, and almaunds, and send -it me hame, and if ye bewar [_lay out_] any mor money, whan ye came hame -I shall pait you ageyn. The Holy Gost kepe you bothyn, and deliver you -of your elmyse [_enemies_]. Wretyn on Sent Agas Day, in hast. - -Item, I pray you speke to Mayster Roger[135-1] for my sorepe, for I had -never mor nede therof, and send it me as hastly as ye can. - - Be - - M. P. - - [Footnote 134-1: [From Fenn, iv. 424.] As anticipated in the - preceding letter we here find that steps are being taken by one of - the two women whose husbands were killed at the siege of Caister, - to prosecute the appeal against Sir John for her husband's death. - The other woman, as will be seen by Letter 783, had married again - during the year 1471, and was thus disqualified from pursuing the - same course.] - - [Footnote 134-2: Estreats delivered to the Sheriff out of the - Exchequer, to be levied in his county under the Seal of that - Court, made in green wax, were from thence called green wax.--F.] - - [Footnote 135-1: Master Roger was, I suppose, some leech famous - for his syrups, etc.--F.] - - [[C. _s._ .... v. _s._ - _anomalous spacing unchanged_]] - - -798 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[135-2] - -_A Johan Paston, Esquier, soit done._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / FEB. 17] - -Brother, I comande me to yow, and praye yow to loke uppe my _Temple of -Glasse_,[135-3] and send it me by the berer herof. - -Item, as for tydyngs, I have spoken with Mestresse Anne Hault, at a -praty leyser, and, blyssyd be God, we be as ffer fforthe as we weer -toffoor, and so I hoope we schall contenew; and I promysed hyr, that at -the next leyser that I kowd ffynde therto that I wolde come ageyn and -see hyr; whyche wyll take a leyser as [I] deeme now; syn thys observance -is over doon, I purpose nott to tempte God noo moor soo. - -Yisterday the Kynge, the Qween, my Lordes of Claraunce and Glowcester, -wente to Scheen to pardon; men sey, nott alle in cheryte; what wyll -falle, men can nott seye. - -The Kynge entretyth my Lorde off Clarance ffor my Lorde of Glowcester; -and, as itt is seyde, he answerythe, that he may weell have my Ladye hys -suster in lawe, butt they schall parte no lyvelod, as he seythe; so what -wyll falle can I nott seye. - -Thys daye I purpose to see my Lady off Norffolk ageyn, in goode howr be -it! - -Ther is proferyd me marchaunts ffor Sporle woode. God sende me goode -sale whan I be gynne; that poor woode is soor manashed and thrett. - -Yitt woote I nott whether I come home beffoor Esterne or nott, I schall -sende yow worde. No moor, &c. - -Wretyn the ffyrst Tewesdaye off Lenton. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 135-2: [From Fenn, ii. 90.] After the death of Prince - Edward, the son of Henry VI., who is said to have been murdered - just after the Battle of Tewkesbury in May 1471, Richard, Duke of - Gloucester, married his widow Anne, who was the daughter of - Warwick the Kingmaker. The reference to the proposed sale of - Sporle wood goes further to fix the date. _See_ Letter 793, and - Nos. 819 and 820 following.] - - [Footnote 135-3: A poem of Lydgate's.] - - -799 - -ABSTRACT[136-1] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / APRIL 10] - -Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 38.--'Relaxatio Johannis Paston facta -Willielmo Wainflet et aliis totius juris in manerio vocat' Pedham Hall -in Beyton, etc., in omnibus terris, tenementis, redditibus, etc., in -villis de Beyton, Akle, Birlingham, et Hykling, quae quondam fuerunt -Johannis Fastolf.--April 10, Edw. IV., 12.'--There is a similar deed of -the same date including the manor of Titchwell, numbered 'Titchwell, 5,' -in the collection. - - [Footnote 136-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -800 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO HIS BROTHER, JOHN PASTON[136-2] - -_To Master John Paston, or to my mestresse, hys Modre, be this letter -delyveryd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / APRIL 30] - -Brother, I comand me to yow[136-3] . . . . - . . . . . . . - -By Juddy I sende yow a letter by Corby with in iiij. dayes byffor thys; -and ther with ij. potts off oyle for saladys, whyche oyle was goode as -myght be when I delyveryd itt, and schall be goode at the reseyvynge, -iff it be nott mysse handelyd, nor mysse karryd. - -Item, as ffor tydyngs, the Erle of Northomberlonde is hoome in to the -Northe, and my Lord off Glowcester schall afftr as to morow, men seye. -Also thys daye Robert of Racclyff weddyd the Lady Dymmok at my place in -Fleet-street, and my Ladye and yowrs, Dame Elizbeth Bowghcher,[137-1] is -weddyd to the Lorde Howards soon and heyr.[137-2] Also Sir Thomas -Walgrave is ded off the syknesse that reygnyth, on Tewesday, now [_no_] -cheer ffor yowe. Also my Lorde Archebysshope[137-3] was browt to the -Towr on Saterday at nyght, and on Mondaye, at mydnyght, he was conveyd -to a schyppe, and so in to the see, and as yitt I can nott undrestande -whedyr he is sent, ner whatt is fallyn off hym; men seye, that he hathe -offendyd, but as John Forter seythe, some men sey naye; but all hys meny -ar dysparblyd [_dispersed_], every man hys weye; and som that ar greete -klerkys, and famous doctors of hys, goo now ageyn to Cambrygge to -scoolle. As ffor any other tydyngs I heer noon. The Cowntesse off -Oxenfford[137-4] is stylle in Seynt Martyns; I heer no word off hyr. The -Qween hadde chylde, a dowghter, but late at Wyndesor; ther off I trow ye -hadde worde. And as ffor me, I am in lyke case as I was. And as ffor my -Lorde Chamberleyn,[137-5] he is nott yitt comen to town; when he comythe -than schall I weete what to doo. Sir John of Parr is yowr ffrende and -myn, and I gaffe hym a ffayr armyng sworde within this iij. dayes. -I harde somwhat by hym off a bakke ffreende off yowr; ye schall knowe -moor her afftr. - -Wretyn the last daye of Apryll. - - [Footnote 136-2: [From Fenn, i. 288.] The date of this letter is - ascertained by the fact that Sir Thomas Waldegrave died on the - 28th April 1472.--_See_ Inquisition post mortem, 12 Edw. IV., No. - 4.] - - [Footnote 136-3: Here (according to Fenn) follows an order for - making out an account and receiving some rents, etc.] - - [Footnote 137-1: Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir Frederic - Tilney, Knight, and widow of Sir Humphrey Bourchier, son of John, - first Lord Berners. Her husband was slain at the battle of - Barnet.] - - [Footnote 137-2: Thomas Howard, afterwards created Duke of - Norfolk, by Henry VIII., for his victory over the Scots at - Flodden. He was son and heir of John, Lord Howard.] - - [Footnote 137-3: George Nevill, Archbishop of York.] - - [Footnote 137-4: Margaret, wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, - daughter of Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, and sister of - Warwick the Kingmaker.] - - [Footnote 137-5: William, Lord Hastings.] - - -801 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[138-1] - -_To Mastyr Syr John Paston, Knyght, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / MAY 14] - -Syr, I recomande me to yow, &c. W. Gorney and I ar apoyntyd that ther -shall no mony be takyn at Saxthorp tyll thys terme be past, for he hathe -promysyd me to spek with yow and your consell, and that ye shall tak a -wey betwyx yow so that ye shall be bothe plesyd. He had warnyd a coort -at Saxthorp and to have be kep upon Holy Rood Day last past, and ther he -wold have gadyrd the half yere ferm, but it fortunyd me to be there ere -the coort was half done, and I took syche a wey with hym that the qwest -gave no verdyt, ner they procedyd no ferther in ther cort, nor gadyrd no -mony ther, nor not shall do, tyll syche tym as ye spek to gedyr, and -[_if_] ye be at London thys term; but and ye be not at London, I wold -avyse yow to let Townysend tak a wey with hym, for it lyeth not in my -power to keep werre with hym; for and I had not delt ryght corteysly up -on Holy Rood Day I had drownk to myn oystyrs, for yowng Heydon had -reysyd as many men as he kowd mak in harneys to have holp Gornay; but -when Heydon sye [_saw_] that we delt so corteysly as we ded he withdrew -hys men and mad hem to go hom a yen, notwithstandyng they wer redy, and -ned had be. And also my Lord of Norffolks men wyll be with hym ayenst me -I wet well as yet, tyl bettyr pesse be. - -Item, as for myn ownkyll William, I have spook with hym, and he seyth -that he wyll make a byll in all hast of iche percelle be twyxt yow and -send yow word in wryghtyng how that he wooll dyell with yow; but I can -not se that he besyth hym abowght it, notwithstandyng I calle upon hym -dayly for it. As for mony, I can none get, neyther at Snaylewell nor at -Sporle tyll mydsomer, thow I wold dryve all the catell they have. I was -bond to the shrevys for gren wax[139-1] and for a _fyeri facias_ that is -awardyd owt of yowr lond, wyche drawyth in alle bettyr than v. mark, and -I am fayn to borow the mony to pay it by that Lord I beleve on, for I -cowd not gadyr a nobyll of areragys syn I was with yow at London of alle -the lyvelod ye have. As for John Maryot, he is payid of hys anuyte in to -a nobyll or x_s._ at the most, but as for all hys dettors I can not pay -hem tyll I can gadyr more mony, so God help me. I pray yow send a byll -to John Pampyng that he may ryed with me ovyr all your lyvelood, and tak -a clere reknyng what is owyng and what that I have receyvyd, that ye may -have a cler reknyng of all that ye owe in thys contre, and what your -tenauntes owe yow. Item, I pray yow send me word as hastyly as ye can, -how the world goethe. No more, but God lant yow lansmann,[139-2] and -rather then to stand in dowght, remembyr what peyn it is a man to loese -lyberte. The Flet is a fayir preson, but ye had but smale lyberte ther -in,[139-3] for ye must nedys aper when ye wer callyd. Item, I have fownd -Jamys Greshamys oblygacyon. Item, he comyth to Londonward thys day. - -Wretyn the xiiij. day of Maye. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 138-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] What is here said of the - attempt of Gurney to collect the rents at Saxthorpe, seems to show - that this letter is of the same year as No. 796. Also the mention - of Maryot's annuity and the green wax agrees very well with the - previous allusion to these matters in No. 797.] - - [Footnote 139-1: _See_ p. 134, Note 2.] - - [Footnote 139-2: So in MS. What does this mean? Compare similar - expression at p. 133.] - - [[_"similar expression" = "God lant yow myn her" and footnote_]] - - [Footnote 139-3: I have found no other mention of Sir John Paston - having been imprisoned in the Fleet.] - - -802 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[139-4] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / MAY 25] - -Ryght worchefull syr, I recomande me to yow, sertyfying yow that I was -purposyd to have com to London to have made my pese with my Lady of -Norffolk, but I undyrstand she is not in London; notwithstandyng that is -no cause of myn abydyng at hom, but thys is the cause, so God help -me,--I can get no mony, neythyr of your lyvelod ner of myn, to pay for -my costes, nor for to ease yow with at my comyng. Notwithstandyng I am -promysyd som at Snaylewell, and if so be that John can take eny ther, he -shall bryng it yow with this bylle. I send yow here ij. of my reknynges -that I have receyved and payd syn I delt with yowr lyvelod, and by thes -ij. and by that reknyng that I sent yow to London ye may know what is -receyved by me, and what I have payid; and howgh and when so evyr ye -wyll let your tenauntes and fermours at alle plasys be examynd, ye -shalle fynd it non othyr wyse. So God help me, as your lyvelod is payid, -it cannot paye your dettes in thys contre; for it drawyth up on a x_li._ -that ye owe yet in thys contre, besyd the xii_li._ to Dawbney; and with -in thes vij. dayis I shall send yow a clere byll what ye owe, for ther -are axyid many thynges that I knewe not of when I was with yow. - -Also I enswyr yow by my trowthe I saw my modyr nevyr sorer mevyd with no -mater in hyr lyve then she was when she red the byll that ye gave me -warnyng in that Perker had atainyd an axyon ayenst yow and me, for she -supposyth veryly that it is doon by myn oncyll William meanys, to mak -yow to sell your lond. But thys she comandyd me for to send yow word, -that and ye sell eny lond, but paye your dettes with syche good as my -Lord Archebyshopp owyth yow, and eny law in Inglond can put fro yow eny -of hyr lond, she sweryth by that feyth that she owyth to God she wyll -put fro yow dobyll as myche lond as ye selle. And therfor I wold avyse -yow, calle sharply upon my Lord, the Archebyshop, for ye ar not bond to -undo your sylf for hym. - -Item, I pray yow se that I tak no hurt by Parker. As for myn oncyll W., -I can not mak hym to send you the byll of syche stuff as he hathe of -yowrs. He seyth he woll, but he comyth no of with it.[140-1] He and I ar -fowly fallyn owght thys same day for a mater betwyx Lovell and Johne -Wallsam and hyr sustyr. Lovell hathe bowt Jone Walshamys part of hyr -lyvelod, and maryd hyr to a knave, and myn oncyll W. hathe oft spok with -my modyr and me for to delyver Jone Walshamys evydence to Lovell, whyche -I have in kepyng; and be cause I wyll not delyver Lovell the evydence -therfor we fyll owt, in so myche that he seyth he wyll stryppe me fro -the maner of Sweynsthorpe. Wherfor I pray yow in eny wyse send me by -John Mylsend a copye of the deed that I sent yow to London. Ther is in -the same deed Gresham and Snaylewell, and Sporle and Sweynsthorpe, alle -to gedyr I trow. And I prey yow let the date and the feoffeys namys, and -alle be set in. And I trust to God to mak yt so sewyr that he shall do -me lytyll harm. Gefrey Spyrlyng callyth oft up on me to undyrstand how -ye wyll delle with hym for hys plase in Norwyche. I pray you send me -woord by John what answer I may geve hym; he delyth alwey ryght frendly -with yow. - -Item, I send yow here wyth Jamys Greshamys oblygacyon. - -Item, I pray yow send serteyn woorde how the world gothe. - -Wretyn the xxv. day of May. - - J. P. - - _Endorsed_--John Paston. - - [Footnote 139-4: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter seems to - have been written in 1472, when, as before observed, the Pastons - were endeavouring to make peace with the Duke of Norfolk by means - of the Duchess. The date is confirmed by the reference to James - Gresham's obligation at the end. Compare last No. There is no - address on the back.] - - [Footnote 140-1: So in MS.] - - -803 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[141-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knythe, be thys delyverid._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JUNE 5] - -I gret zow welle, and send zow Godds blyssyng and myn, latyng zow wet -that I spakke with frends of myn with yne thys fewe days that told me -that I am leke to be trobyld for Sir John Fastolles goodes, the whyche -were in zour fadyrs possessyon, and as for me I had never none of them. -Where fore I pray zow send me a kopy of the dyssecharge whyche ze have -of my Lord of Wynchester that ze told me that ze had, bothe for my -dyscharge and zowyrs wat sum ever that be callyd upon of eyther of us -here after. Item, yt ys told me that Harry Heydon hat bowthe [_bought_] -of the seyd Lord bothe Saxthorpe and Tychewelle, and hathe takke -possessyon there in. We bette the busschysse and have the losse and the -disworschuppe and ether men have the byrds. My Lord hathe falsse -kownselle and sympylle, that avyseythe hym thereto; and as yt ys told -me, Guton ys leke to goo the same wey in hast. And as for Heylysdon and -Drayton, I trow yt is ther yt schalle be. Wat schalle falle of the -remnaunt, God kowythe,--I trow as evelle or whersse. We have the losse -among us. Yt owythe to be remembyrd, and they that be defawty to have -konsyens there in. And so mot I thryve, yt was told me but latte that yt -is seyd in kownselle of them that ben at Caster, that I am leke to have -but lytylle good of Mauteby yf the Duke of Norfolke have possessyon -stylle in Caster; and yf we lesse that, we lesse the fayereste flower of -owr garlond. And ther for helpe that he may be owte of possessyon there -of in haste be myn a vyse, wat so ever fortune here after. Item, yt is -seyde here that my Lord Archebysschoppe is ded; and yf yt be so, calle -up on hys sueretes for the mony that is owyng to us, in hast be myn -avyse; and at reverens of God helpe that I mythe be dyschargyd of the C. -mark that ze wet of, owder be that mene or sum other, for yt is to myche -for me to bere, with other charges that I have besyd, that I am to hevy -wan I thynk up on yt. As for your syster Anne, Master Godfrey and his -wyffe and W. Grey of Martyn, arn up on a powntment with me and your -brother John, so that ze wylle a gre there to and be her good brother; -sche schalle have to joyntor hys modyrs lyvelod after the dyssese of her -and her husbond, and I to pay x_li._ be zere to the fynddyng of her and -her husbond tylle c_li._, be payed. And yf hys grawntsyers lyvelod falle -to hym here after, he hathe promysed to amend her joyntyr. Master -Godfrey hathe promysyd hym for hys parte xl_s._ be zere, and than -lakkythe but iiij. nobyls of xx. mark be zere, the wyche they hope ze -wylle make upe for zour parte. Wylliam Grey told me he schuld speke with -zow here in wan he kam to London thys terme. God kepe zow. - -Wretyn in hast on Fryday next after Sen Pernelle.[143-1] - - Be your modyr. - - [Footnote 141-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that Henry - Heydon's purchase of Saxthorpe, mentioned in this letter, must - have been subsequent to his support of Gurney in the possession of - that manor, as mentioned in Letter 801. No doubt the year is the - same. The letter is endorsed by Sir John 'Per matrem.'] - - [Footnote 143-1: St. Petronilla the Virgin or St. Pernell. Her day - was the 31st May.] - - [[God kowythe - _text unchanged: error for "knowythe"?_ - - tylle c_li._, be payed - _punctuation unchanged_]] - - -804 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[143-2] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JUNE 5] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow.[143-3] - -. . . . . . . . . - -Item, Mastyr John Smythe tellyth me that Sir T. Lyneys goodys ar not -abyll to paye a quarter of hys detts that be axyd hym; wherfor syche -money as is be left it most be devydyd to every man a parte aftyr the -quantyte, whyche dyvysyon is not yet mad, but when it is mad he hathe -promyseyd me that your part shalbe worthe iij. the best, &c. - -Item, as for J. of Barneys hors, whoso have leest need to hym he shall -cost hym xx. marks, not a peny lesse. - -Ye send me woord of the maryage of my Lady Jane; one maryage for an -other on, Norse and Bedford were axed in the chyrche on Sonday last -past. As for my syster Anne, my modyr wyll not remeve fro W. Yellverton -for Bedyngfeld, for she hathe comend ferther in that mater, syn ye wer -in this contre, as it aperyth in hyr lettyr that she sendyth yow by -Thyrston. - -Tydyngs her, my Lady of Norffolk is with chyld, she wenyth hyrsylf, and -so do all the women abowght hyr, insomyche she waytys the qwyknyng with -in thes vj. wekys at the ferthest. Also W. Gernay wenyth that Heydon is -swyr of Saxthorp, and that Lady Boleyn of Gwton. John Osberne avysythe -yow to take brethe for your wodsale at Sporle, for he hathe cast it, -that it is woorthe as good as ix.^xx._li._ Bewar of Montayn, for he may -not pay yow so moche mony with hys ease. - -I prey yow recomand me to Sir John Parre with all my servys, and tell -hym by my trouthe I longyd never sorer to see my Lady than I do to se -hys Mastershepe; and I prey God that he aryse never a mornyng fro my -Lady hys wyff, with owght it be ageyn hyr wyll, tyll syche tyme as he -bryng hyr to Our Lady of Walsyngham. - -Also I prey yow to recomand me in my most humbyll wyse unto the good -Lordshepe of the most corteys, gentylest, wysest, kyndest, most -compenabyll, freest, largeest, most bowntesous knyght, my Lord the Erle -of Arran,[144-1] whych hathe maryed the Kyngs sustyr of Scotland. Herto -he is one the lyghtest, delyverst, best spokyn, fayrest archer; -devowghtest, most perfyghte, and trewest to hys lady of all the knyghtys -that ever I was aqweyntyd with; so wold God, my Lady lyekyd me as well -as I do hys person and most knyghtly condycyons, with whom I prey yow to -be aqweyntyd, as yow semyth best; he is lodgyd at the George in Lombard -Street. He hath a book of my syster Annys of the _Sege of Thebes_; when -he hathe doon with it, he promysyd to delyver it yow. I prey lete -Portland bryng the book hom with hym. Portland is loggyd at the George -in Lombard Street also. - - And thys I promyse yow, ye schall not be so longe ayen with ought - a byll fro me, as ye have ben, thow I shold wryght how ofte the wynd - changyth, for I se be your wryghtyng ye can be wrothe and ye wyll - - crosse it. - . + . + . + - for lytyll.[144-2] Wretyn the v. day of June. - . + . + . + - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 143-2: [From Fenn, ii. 92.] This letter, like the last, - is dated by the reference to Gurney and Heydon. The date is - confirmed by the allusion to the proposal to sell Sporle wood.] - - [Footnote 143-3: Here follows an account of some money - transactions, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 144-1: Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran, in 1466, married - Mary, daughter of James II. and sister of James III., Kings of - Scotland. He was appointed Regent, but becoming unpopular, was - banished, and died in exile before 1474.--F.] - - [Footnote 144-2: These two words are crossed as here represented, - and over them is written, 'crosse it.'] - - [[Sidenote: 1472 / JUNE 5 - _date supplied from body of letter_]] - - -805 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[145-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / JULY 8] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to you, sertyfying yow that I have -spokyn wyth Mastyr John Smyth[145-2] for Sir T. Lyndys, and he hathe -shewyd me your byll whyche ye axe to be content of. Your byll a lone -drawyth iiij. mark and ode monye, for ye have set in your byll for wax a -lone xx_s._, whyche to Mastyr John S. imagynacyon, and to all other -ofycers of the coort, shold not drawe past xx_d._ at hys berying. The -bylls that be put into the coorte of Syr Thomas Lynys dettes drawe -xxx_li._ xviij_s._ vj_d._, and all the money that can be mad of hys -house and goodes in this contrey drawyth but v_li._ Mastyr J. Smyth wold -ye shold send hym into the coort an inventory of syche goodys as Syr T. -had at London when he dyeid, and that inventory onys had, ye shall have -as comyth to your part and more also. Ye must send the serteynte whedyr -the wax be xx_s._ or xx_d._; and as for the Freers, Master John wyll not -alowe theym a peny, for he seyth wher the dettes may not be payeid, set -the beqwestes at nowght. He is agreid to pay the potycarye aftyr that he -have the inventory fro yow. Rysyng I trowe hathe be with yow. - -Item, as for John Maryot, I have sent to hym for the xl_s._ but I have -non answer. - -Item, I have spok with Barker, and he hathe no money, nor non can get -tyll harvest, when he may dystreyn the cropp upon the grownd; he seyth -there is not owyng past v. mark, and on Saturday next comyng he shall -send me a vewe of hys acompte whyche I shall send you as sone as I have -it. As for Fastolffes v. mark, J. Wyndham hathe be spokyn to by me half -a doseyn tymys to send to hym for it, and he seyth he hathe doon so. - -Item, Sir John Styll hathe told Jwde when ye shall have the chalys; ax -Jwde of your crwets allso. - -Item, the prowd, pevyshe, and evyll disposyd prest to us all, Sir James, -seyth that ye comandyd hym to delyver the book of vij. Sagys to my -brodyr Water, and he hathe it. - -Item, I send you the serteynte her with of as myche as can be enqweryd -for myn oncyll W. cleym in Caster; thase artyclys that fayle, the -tenaunts of Caster shall enqwer theym, and send theym to me hastyly; -they have promysyd, and they com, ye shall have theym sent yow by the -next messenger that comyth to London. - -Item, my modyr sendyth you woord that she hathe neyther Master Robard -Popyes oblygacyon nor the Byshopys.[146-1] - -Item, my modyr wold ye shold in all haste gete hyr aqwetance of the -Byshop[146-2] of Wynchester for Sir John Fastolffes goodes; she preyid -you to make it swyr by the avyse of your consayll, and she wyll pay for -the costes. - -Item, she preyith you to spek to the seyd Byshop for to get Master -Clement Felmyngham the viij. mark be yer dwryng hys lyffe that Sir J. -Fastolff be set hym; she preyid you to get hym an asygnement for it to -som maner in Norfolk or in Lothynglond. - -Item, she wold ye shold get yow an other house to ley in your stuff -syche as cam fro Caster. She thynkyth on of the Freerys is a fayir -house; she purposeyth to go in to the contre, and ther to sojorn onys -ayen.[146-3] Many qwarellys ar pyekyd to get my brodyr E. and me ought -of hyr howse; we go not to bed unchedyn lyghtly, all that we do is ille -doon, and all that Sir Jamys and Pekok dothe is well doon; Sir Jamys and -I be tweyn. We fyll owght be for my modyr, with 'Thow prowd prest' and -'Thow prowd sqwyer,' my modyr takyng hys part, so I have almost beshet -the bote, as for my modyrs house; yet somer shal be don or I get me ony -mastyr. My modyr proposeith hastyly to take estate in all hyr londys, -and upon that estate to make hyr wyll of the seyd londys, parte to geve -to my yonger brethyrn for term of ther lyvys, and aftyr to remayn to -yow, pert to my syster Annys maryage,[147-1] tyll on C_li._ be payid, -part for to make hyr ile at Mawtby, parte for a prest to syng for hyr -and my fadyr, and ther ancestrys. And in thys aungyr betwen Sir Jamys -and me, she hathe promyseid me that my parte shall be nowght; what your -shal be, I can not sey. God sped the plowghe; i feythe ye must purvey -for my brodyr E. to go over with you, or he is on don; he wyll bryng xx. -noblys in hys purse. My modyr wyll nowthyr geve nor lend non of you -bothe a peny forward. Purvey a meane to have Caster ayen or ye goo ovyr; -my Lord and Lady (whyche for serteyn is gret with chyld), be wery ther -of, and all the housold also. If ye wyll eny othyr thyn to be don in -thys contre, send me woord, and I shall do as well as I can with Godes -grace, Who preserve yow. - -Wretyn the viij. day of Julle. I pray yow recomand me to my Lord of -Aran,[147-2] Sir John Par, Sir George Browne, Osbern Berney, R. Hyd, -Jhoxson my cosyn, hys wyfe Kate, W. Wood, and all. I pray brenne thys -by[ll] for losyng. - - Your, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 145-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The references to the - affairs of the deceased Sir Thomas Lynde, the Duchess of Norfolk's - pregnancy, and other subjects mentioned in the letter immediately - preceding, prove clearly that this letter belongs to the same - year.] - - [Footnote 145-2: Master John Smyth was, at this time, an officer - in the Bishop's Court; he became afterwards Chancellor of the - Diocese of Norwich, and died about 1491.] - - [Footnote 146-1: Walter Lyhert, Bishop of Norwich, from 1445 to - 1472.] - - [Footnote 146-2: William de Wainfleet, Bishop of Winchester from - 1447 to 1486.] - - [Footnote 146-3: Fenn reads 'onys a yer,' which may have been - intended; but I think the true reading is 'ayen.'] - - [Footnote 147-1: She afterwards married William Yelverton, Esq.] - - [Footnote 147-2: _See_ p. 144, Note 1.] - - [[my syster Annys maryage,[147-1] - _text reads_ - my syster Annys,[147-1] maryage,]] - - -806 - -ABSTRACT[147-3] - -[Sidenote: 1472(?)] - -A paper endorsed 'The copy of the request to the Bishop of Winchester by -Sir John Paston, Knight.' - -Complains of my Lord not making him an acquittance of 4000 marks which -he has often claimed, etc. - - [Sir John Paston is desired in Letters 796 and 805 to procure from - the Bishop of Winchester an acquittance for Sir John Fastolf's goods, - and this paper may be presumed to be of the same year.] - - [Footnote 147-3: [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 271.]] - - -807 - -ABSTRACT[148-1] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / AUG. 12] - -Norf. and Suff. Deeds, No. 63.--'Relaxatio Willielmi Paston Will. -Wainflete et aliis totius juris in manerio de Caldecots in Freton, in -Akethorp, in Lowestoft, Spitlings in Gorleston, tenementi vocat' Habland -in Bradwell, et tenementi vocat' Broweston in eadem villa, et aliis -terris infra hundred de Loddinglond Aug. 12, Edw. IV. 12.' - - [Footnote 148-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -808 - -JAMES ARBLASTER TO THE BAILIFF OF MALDEN[148-2] - -_To my ryght trusty ffrend John Carenton, Baylye of Maldon._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / SEPT. 20] - -Ryght trusty frend, I comand me to yow, preying yow to call to your mynd -that, lyek as ye and I comonyd of, it were necessary for my Lady and you -all, hyr servaunts and tenaunts, to have thys Parlement as for one of -the burgeys of the towne of Maldon, syche a man of worchep and of wytt -as wer towardys my seyd Lady; and also syche on as is in favor of the -Kyng and of the Lords of hys consayll nyghe abought hys persone. -Sertyfying yow, that my seid Lady for hyr parte, and syche as be of hyr -consayll be most agreeabyll, that bothe ye, and all syche as be hyr -fermors and tenauntys, and wellwyllers, shold geve your voyse to a -worchepfull knyght, and one of my Ladys consayll, Sir John Paston, -whyche standys gretly in favore with my Lord Chamberleyn; and what my -seyd Lord Chamberleyn may do with the Kyng and with all the Lordys of -Inglond, I trowe it be not unknowyn to you most of eny on man alyve. -Wherefor, by the meenys of the seyd Sir John Paston to my seyd Lord -Chamberleyn, bothe my Lady and ye of the towne kowd not have a meeter -man to be for yow in the Perlement, to have your needys sped at all -seasons. Wherfor, I prey yow labor all syche as be my Ladys servauntts, -tenaunts, and wellwyllers, to geve ther voyseys to the seyd Sir John -Paston, and that ye fayle not to sped my Ladys intent in thys mater, as -ye entend to do hyr as gret a plesur, as if ye gave hyr an C_li._ And -God have yow in Hys keping. - -Wretyn at Fysheley, the xx. day of Septembyr. - - J. ARBLASTER. - -I prey yow be redy with all the acomptanttys belongyng to my Lady, at -the ferthest within viij. dayes next aftyr Perdon Sonday, for then I -shall be with yow with Gods Grace, Who have yow in keepyng. - - [Footnote 148-2: [From Fenn, ii. 98.] The date of this letter is - ascertained by the reference made to it in that which immediately - follows it.] - - -809 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[149-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / SEPT. 21] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wet that your -desyer as for the Knyghts of the Shyer was an impossoybyl to be browght -abowght; ffor my Lord of Norffolk and my Lord of Suffolk wer agreid i -mor then a fortnyght go to have Sir Robert Wyngfeld, and Sir Rychard -Harcort, and that knew I not tyll it was Fryday last past. I had sent or -I rod to Framlynham, to warne as many of your frends to be at Norwyche -as thys Monday, to serve your entent as I koud; but when I cam to -Framlynham, and knew the apoyntment that was taken for the ij. knyghts, -I sent warnyng ayen to as many I myght to tery at hom; and yet ther cam -to Norwyche thys day as many as ther costs dreave to ix_s._ i_d._ ob., -payid and reknyd by Pekok and R. Capron, and yet they dyd but brak ther -fest and depertyd. And I thankyd hem in your name, and told them that ye -wold have noo voyse as thys day, for ye supposyd not to be in Inglond -when the Perlement shold be, and so they cam not at the sherhous -[_shire-house_]; for if they had, it was thought by syche as be your -frends here, that your adversarys wold have reportyd that ye had mad -labor to have ben one, and that ye koud not bryng your purpose abowght. - -I sent to Yermowthe, and they have promysyd also to Doctor Aleyn and -John Russe to be mor then iij. wekys goo. - -Jamys Arblaster hathe wretyn a lettyr to the Bayle of Maldon, in Essex, -to have yow a bergeys ther; howe Jwde shall sped, let hym tell yow, when -ye spek to gedyr. - -Syr, I have ben twyis at Framlyngham sythe your departyng, but now, the -last time the consayll was ther, I sye [_saw_] yow lettyr whyche was -bettyr then well endyghtyd. R. C.[150-1] was not at Framlyngham when the -consayll was ther, but I took myn owne avyse, and delyvered it to the -consayll with a propocysion ther with, as well as I kowd spek it, and my -wordys wer well takyn, but your lett[yr] a thousand fold bettyr. When -they had red it, they shewd it to my Lady.[150-2] Aftyr that my Lady had -sen it, I spok with my Lady offryng to my Lord and her your servyse, and -besyd that, ye to do my Lord a plesur[150-3] and hyr a bettyr, so as ye -myght depert wyth ought eny some specyfyid. She wold not tell in that -mater, but remyttyd me ayen to the consayll, for she seyd, and she speke -in it, tyll my Lord and the consayll wer agreed, they wold ley the wyght -[_blame_] of all the mater on hyr, whyche shold be reportyd to hyr -shame; but thys she promyseid to be helpyng, so it wer fyrst mevyd by -the consayll. Then I went to the consayll, and offyrd befor them your -servyse to my Lord, and to do hym a plesure, for the haveing ayen of -your place and londys in Caster, xl_li._ not spekyng of your stuff nor -thyng ellys. So they answerd me your offyr was more then resonabyll; and -if the mater wer thers, they seyd, they wyst what conscyence wold dryve -hem to. They seyd they wold meve my Lord with it, and so they dyd, but -then the tempest aros, and he gave hem syche an answer that non of hem -all wold tell it me; but when I axid an answer of them, they seyd, and -[_if_] som Lordys or gretter men mevyd my Lord with it, the mater wer -your (kepe consaile), and with thys answer I depertyd. But Syr W. -Brandon, Sothewell, Tymperley, Herry Wentworthe, W. Gornay, and all -other of consayll, undyrstand that ye have wronge, insomyche that they -mevyd me that ye shold take a recompence of other lond to the valew; but -they wold not avowe the offyr, for I anserd hem that if they had ryght -they wold have ofred no recompence. Dyscovyr not thys, but in my reason, -and [_i.e._ if] my Lord Chamberleyn[151-1] wold send my Lady a letter -with some privy tokyn betwyx theym, and allso to meve my Lord of -Norffolk when he comyth to the Parlement, serteynly Caster is yours. - -If ye mysse to be burgeys of Maldon, and my Lord Chamberleyn wyll, ye -may be in a nother plase; ther be a doseyn townys in Inglond that chesse -no bergeys, whyche ought to do, and ye may be set in for one of those -townys, and ye be frendyd. Also in no wyse forget not in all hast to get -some goodly ryng, pryse of xx_s._, or som praty flowyr of the same -pryse, and not undyr, to geve to Jane Rodon, for she hathe ben the most -specyall laborer in your mater, and hathe promysyd hyr good wyll -foorthe, and she doeth all with hyr mastresse. And my Lord Chamberleyn -wyll, he may cause my Lord of Norffolk to com up soner to the Parlement -then he shold do, and then he may apoynt with hym for yow, or the ferm -corn[151-2] be gadryd. I profyrd but xl_li._, and if my Lord Chamberleyn -profyr my Lady the remenaunt, I can thynk it shall be taken. My Lady -must have somwhat to bye hyr kovercheff[151-3] besyd my Lord. A soper -that I payd for, wher all the consayll was at Framlyngham, ij_s._ -iij_d._, and my costs at Framlyngham twyis lying ther by viii. dayis, -with ix_s._ i_d._ ob., for costs of the contre at Norwyche drawyth -abowght xx_s._, I trowe more: by our Lady, if it be lesse, stand to -your harmys, and _sic remanet_ v_li._ xiij_s._ iii_d._ - -I axe no more gods of you for all the servyse that I shall do yow whyll -the world standyth, but a gosshawke,[152-1] if eny of my Lord -Chamberleyns men or yours goo to Kaleys, or if eny be to get in London; -that is, a mewyd hawk, for she may make yow sporte when ye com into -Inglond a doseyn yer hens, and to call upon yow owyrly, nyghtly, dayly, -dyner, soper, for thys hawk. I pray noo more but my brother E., -J. Pampyng, Thyrston, J. Myryel, W. Pytte, T. Plattyng Jwde, lityll Jak, -Mastyr Botoner, and W. Wood to boote, to whyche persons I prey yow to -comand me; and if all thes lyst to spek to yow of thys mater when Sir -George Browne, W. Knyvett, R. Hyd, or eny folk of worchepp and of my -aqweyntanse be in your compeny, so that they may helpe forthe, for all -is lytyll i nowe, and ye be not very well wyllyng, I shall so pervey for -hem, and ever ye com to Norwyche, and they with yow, that they shall -have as deynte vytayll and as gret plente therof for i_d._ as they shall -have of the tresorer of Caleys for xv_d._, and ye, peraventure, a pye of -Wymondham to boote. Now thynk on me, good Lord, for if I have not an -hawke, I shall wax fatt for default of labor, and ded for default of -company by my trowthe. No more, but I pray God send you all your desyrs, -and me my mwyd gosshawk in hast, or rather then fayle, a sowyr hawke. -Ther is a grosser dwellyng ryght over ayenst the well with ij. boketts a -lytyll fro Seynt Elens, hathe evyr hawkys to sell. - -Wretyn at Norwyche the xxj. day of September, Anno E. iiij^ti xij^o. - - J. P. - -Rather then faylle, a tarsell provyd wyll occupy the tyme tyll I com to -Caleys. - - [Footnote 149-1: [From Fenn, ii. 102.]] - - [Footnote 150-1: Richard Calle.] - - [Footnote 150-2: Elizabeth, Duchess of Norfolk.] - - [Footnote 150-3: Make him a present.--F.] - - [Footnote 151-1: William, Lord Hastings.] - - [Footnote 151-2: Corn paid in part of rent.--F.] - - [Footnote 151-3: A head-dress, or handkerchief.--F.] - - [Footnote 152-1: From the anxiety here expressed for a hawk, we - may judge of the attention which was paid to the diversion of - hawking. Latham, in his book of Falconry, says that a goshawk is - the first and most esteemed kind of hawk; that a sore hawk is from - the first taking of her from the eyry till she hath mewed her - feathers. The tassel, or tiercel, is the male of the goshawk, so - called because it is a tierce or third less than the female; it - appears here, that a 'grosser,' or dealer in foreign fruits, etc., - sold hawks.--F.] - - [[by our Lady, if it be lesse - _text reads "i it": corrected from Fenn_ - - T. Plattyng, Jwde - _comma missing or invisible_ - _there is no comma in Fenn, but the name "Plattyng" occurs several - times_]] - - -810 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[153-1] - -_A Monsieur J. Paston, Chevaller._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / OCT. 16] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I comand me to yow, sertyfying yow that Pekok -hath receyvyd of Sir John Stylle by a bylle all suche stuff as he had of -your. And as for Kendallys mater, he hathe doon as myche in it as can be -doon: but as for Richard Calle, he hathe gevyn hym a pleyn answer that -he wyll not seale to the lease that ye have mad to Kendalle, for he -seyth he wottyth not whether it be your wylle or not, notwithstandyng he -sye yore sealle up on it. I wold be sory to delyver hym a subpena and ye -sent it me. - -I send you herwith the endenture betwyx yow and Townesend. My modyr -hathe herd of that mater by the reporte of old Wayte, whyche rennyth on -it with opyn mowthe in hys werst wyse. My modyr wepyth and takyth on -mervaylously, for she seythe she wotyth well it shall never be pledgyd -ought; wherfor she seythe that she wyll purvey for hyr lond that ye -shall none selle of it, for she thynkys ye wold and it cam to yowr hand. -As for hyr wyll and all syche maters as wer in hand at your last being -here, they thynk that it shall not lye in all oure porys to let it in on -poynt. - -Sir Jamys is evyr choppyng at me, when my modyr is present, with syche -wordys as he thynkys wrathe me, and also cause my modyr to be dyspleased -with me, evyn as who seyth he wold I wyst that he settyth not by the -best of us; and when he hathe most unfyttyng woordys to me, I smylle a -lytyll and tell hym it is good heryng of thes old talys. Sir Jamys is -parson of Stokysby by J. Bernays gyft. I trowe he beryth hym the hyeer. - -Item, ye must sende in haste to W. Barker a warrant to pay John Kook -xxx_s._, and to the woman of Yermothe for otys xx., and Syr John Styll -hys money, for they call dayly up on it. - -Item, I prey yow send me some tydynges howgh the world gothe, and -whether ye have sent eny of your folk to Caleys. Me thynkes it costyth -yow to myche money for to kepe hem all in London at your charge. - -Item, whethyr ye have eny thyng spokyn of my going to Caleys. - -Item, as for a goshawk or a terssell, I wend to have had on of yours in -kepyng or thys tyme, but fere [_far_] fro iee fer fro hert; by my -trowthe I dye for defawlt of labore. And it may be by eny meane -possybyll, for Godes sake let on be sent me in all hast; for if it be -not had by Halowmess, the seson shall passe a non, _Memento mei_, and in -feythe ye shall not loose on it. Nor yet myche wyne on it by God, Who -preserve yow. - -Wretyn on Seynt Mychell Day, in Monte Tomba.[154-1] - - J. P. - - [Footnote 153-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter - is shown by a contemporaneous endorsement 'Anno E. iiij^ti xij^o,' - as well as by the repetition of the writer's request for a - goshawk.] - - [Footnote 154-1: The feast of St. Michael in Monte Tumba was the - 16th October.] - - -811 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[154-2] - -_To John Paston, esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1472(?) / OCT. [23]] - -I grete you wele; letyng you wete that on Saterday last past within -nyght the felesshep at Cayster tokyn ought of Mawtby Cloos xvj. shep of -diverse mennes that were put therein to pasture, and thei ledde them a -wey, so that every man ferith to put any bestis or catell therin, to my -grete hurt and discoragyng of my fermour that is now of late come -theder. And the seid evill disposed persones affraid my seid fermour as -he came from Yarmoth this weke and shotte at hym that if he had not had -a good hors he had belike to have ben in joparte of his lyfe; so that be -thes rewle I am like to lese the profite of the lyfelode this yere but -if there be purveyed the hastyere remedy. Thei threte so my men I dar -send non theder to gader it. Thei stuffe and vetayll sore the place, and -it is reported here that my Lady of Norffolk seth she wull not leas it -in no wyse. And the Duchesse of Suffolkis men sey that she wull not -departe from Heylesdon ner Drayton,--she wuld rather departe from money; -but that shuld not be wurchepfull for you; for men shull not than set be -you. There for I will avyse you to have rather the lyvelod than the -money; ye shall mown excuse you be the College which must contynue -perpetuall, and money is sone lost and spent whan that lyfelode abideth. -Item, I lete you wete that Hastyngis hath entred ageyn in to his fee of -the Constabyllshep of the Castell of Norwich be the vertu of his patent -that he had of Kyng Harry; and I here sey he hath it graunted to hym and -his heyeris. There was at his entres your unkill William and other -jentilmen dwellyng in Norwich. This was do be fore that ye sent me the -letter be Pers I had forgetyn to have sent you word ther of. God kepe -you. Wretyn the Friday next after Sent Luke. - - Be your moder. - - [Footnote 154-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 108.] This letter was - clearly written between the surrender of Caister in 1469 and its - recovery by Sir John Paston after the death of the Duke of Norfolk - in 1476. The year 1472 may be considered very probable from what - Margaret Paston writes in June of that year (No. 803).] - - -812 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[155-1] - -_A Johan Paston, Esquyer, soit done._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 4] - -Worshypfull and weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow -weet that I sente yow a letter and a rynge with a dyamond, in whyche -letter ye myght well conceyve what I wold ye scholde do with the same -rynge, with menye other tydyngs and thyngs whyche I prayed yowe to have -doon for me, whyche letter Botoner[156-1] had the beryng off. It is so -nowe that I undrestond that he is owther deed or ellys harde eskapyd, -wheroff I am ryght hevye, and am not serteyn whethyr the seyd lettyr and -rynge come to yowr handys or nott. I wolde nott that letter wer seyn -with some folkys; wherffor I praye yow take good heede hoghe that letter -comythe to yowr handys, hooll or brokyn, and in especiall I praye yow -gete it, iff ye have it nott. - -Also I praye yow feele my Lady off Norfolks dysposicion to me wards, and -whethyr she toke any dysplesur at my langage, or mokkyd, or dysdeyned my -words whyche I hadd to hyr at Yarmothe, be twyen the place wher I ffyrst -mett with hyr and hyr lodgyng, ffor my Lady Brandon and Syr -William[156-2] also axhyd me what words I had had to hyr at that tyme. -They seyd that my Lady seyde I gaff hyr ther off,[156-3] and that I -sholde have seyde that my Lady was worthye to have a Lords soon in hyr -belye, ffor she cowde cheryshe itt, and dele warlye with it; in trowthe -owther the same or words moche lyke I had to hyr, whyche wordys I ment -as I seyde. They seye to that I seyde she toke hyr ease. Also I scholde -have seyde that my Ladye was off satur [_stature_] goode, and had sydes -longe and large, so that I was in goode hope she sholde ber a fayr -chylde; he was nott lacyd nor bracyd ine to hys peyn, but that she left -hym rome to pleye hym in. And they seye that I seyde my Lady was large -and grete, and that itt sholde have rome inow to goo owt att; and thus -whyther my Lady mokk me, or theye, I woote nott. I mente weell by my -trowthe to hyr, and to that she is with, as any he that owythe heer best -wyll in Ingelond. - -Iff ye can by any meed weete whethyr my Ladye take it to dysplesur or -nowt, or whether she thynke I mokkyd hyr, or iff she wyght it but -lewdnesse off my selffe, I pray yow sende me worde; ffor I weet nott -whethyr I maye trust thys Lady Brandon or nott. - -Item, as ffor tydyngs nowe, heer be but ffewe, saff that, as I -undrestande, imbassators off Bretayne shall come to London to morawe, -and men seye that the Lorde Ryverse[157-1] and Scayls, shall hastelye -come home; and men seye that ther is many off the sowders that went to -hym into Bretayne been dede off the fflyxe, and other ipedemye -[_epidemics_], and that the remenant sholde come hom with the Lorde -Skalys. And som seye that thees imbassators come ffor moor men. And thys -daye rennyth a tale that the Duke of Bretayne[157-2] sholde be ded. -I beleeff it not. - -I sent yow worde off an hawke; I herde nott from yow syns; I do and -shall doo that is possible in suche a neede. - -Also I canne nott undrestand that my Lord off Norffolk shall come heer -thys tyme; wherffor I am in a greet agonye howe is best ffor me to sue -to hym ffor rehavyng off my place; that goode Lorde weet full lytell how -moche harme he doothe me, and how lytell goode or worshyp it dothe hym. -I praye yow sende me yowr advyce. No moor to yow at thys tyme, but God -have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at London the iiij. daye off Novembre, anno E. iiij^ti xij^{o}. -I feer me that idelnesse ledyth yowr reyne; I praye yow rather remembre -Sir Hughe Levernoys tyll yowr hauke come. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 155-1: [From Fenn, ii. 112.]] - - [Footnote 156-1: William Botoner, otherwise Worcester. He - certainly was alive some years later than this.] - - [Footnote 156-2: Sir William Brandon, Knight, was standard-bearer - to the Earl of Richmond, and was slain in Bosworth Field by - Richard III. He was father to Charles Brandon, Duke of - Suffolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 156-3: Meaning apparently, as Fenn suggests, 'I paid her - off, or treated her with unceremonious language.'] - - [Footnote 157-1: Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, etc., went to - endeavour to obtain the possession of the Earls of Pembroke and - Richmond, who were detained as prisoners by the Duke of - Brittany.--F.] - - [Footnote 157-2: Francis II., the last Duke of Brittany, was born - in 1435, and died in 1488.--F.] - - -813 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[158-1] - -_A John Paston, Esquyer, soyt done._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 8] - -Brother, I comend me to yow, letyng yow weet, &c.[158-2] - -As for the delyverance off the rynge to Mestresse Jane Rothone, I dowt -nott but it shall be doon in the best wyse, so that ye shall geet me a -thank moor than the rynge and I ar worthe or deserve. - -And wheer ye goo to my Laydy off Norffolk, and wyll be theer att the -takyng off hyr chambre, I praye God spede yow, and our Ladye hyr, to hyr -plesur, with as easye labor to overkome that she is abowt, as evyr had -any lady or gentyllwoman, saff our Lady heer selffe, and soo I hope she -shall to hyr greet joye, and all owres; and I prey God it maye be lyke -hyr in worship, wytt, gentylnesse, and every thynge excepte the verry -verry thynge.[158-3] - -No moor to yow at [this] thyme, but I woll sleepe an howr the lenger -to-morrow by cawse I wrote so longe and late to nyght. - -Wretyn betwen the viij. and the jx. daye off Novembre anno xij^o E. -iiij^{ti}. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 158-1: [From Fenn, ii. 118.]] - - [Footnote 158-2: The first part of this letter treats of some - money transactions of no consequence, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 158-3: Fenn, in his modernised text, makes this 'except - the sex.'] - - [[every thynge excepte the verry verry thynge. - _text unchanged: duplication at line break, but Fenn has the same - text at mid-line_]] - - -814 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[159-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 19] - -I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete -that I have sent to Doctor Aleyn wyffe to have spoke with her as ye -desired me, and she was so syke that she myght not comyn; but she sent -her broder elaw to me, and I lete hym wete the cause why that I wuld -have spoke with her as ye desired me. And he told me that he shuld have -brought me wrytyng this day from her be vij. of the belle, how that she -wull that ye shuld have labored or do for her; but he came no mor at me. -Nevertherlesse she sent me an nother massenger, and lete me wete[159-2] -that her husband had sent her the same nyght from London that she shuld -come up as fast as she cowde to labor to the Lordes there in her propre -person; wherfor she myght geve me non answer, ner send you word how that -ye shuld do till [that] she had spokyn with her husband, or had other -writyng from hym. - -Therfore I thynk t[hat s]he hath other councell that avyseth her to -labour to other than to you. I wuld not that [you be] to besy in no such -maters [ty]ll the werd [_world_] were mor suer, and in any wyse that -w[hile my] Lord the Chaunceller is in [occu]pation, labore to have an -ende of your grete materes and . . . macion, and abide not up [on] trost -of an nother seson, for so shall ye be disseyved a[s ye hav]e ben befor -this tyme. I have understand sith that ye departed that ther . . . . . -mad to subplant you; therfore, for Goddes sake, in this onstabill werd -[_world_] labore er[nestly your] maters that thei may have summe good -conclusion, and that shall make y[our enemies] fere you, and elles thei -shall . . kepe you low and in trobill. And if any mater . . . . . be Act -of Parlement and pro . . . . . lete your bill be mad redy, and lese not -your [ma]teres for other mennes; for if your elmyse [_enemies_] may -profight now at this tyme, ye shall be [in] wers case than ever ye were -befor. All the cou[ntry] wenyth that ye shuld now overcomyn all your -trobill, which if ye do not ye shall fall o[ug]ht of conceyte. I write -as well this to your brother as to you; therfore lete no diffaught be in -you nowther. - -Item, it was lete me to wete syth ye departed of such as were your -frendes and were conversaunte with the toder parte that ther was mad -labor and like to be concluded, that the eleccion of the knyghtes of the -shire shuld be chaunged, and new certificat mad and John Jenney set -there in; ther for do your devoir to understond the trought as sone as -ye can, for the seid Jenney this day rideth up to London ward, and I -suppo[se be]cause of the same. I pray you remembre your brother to send -me the evydence and remembrance towchyng the maner of Gresham, which -that I wrote to hym be Juddy, and send them be sum suer man. - -Item, take hede to the labour of your unkyll, for he hath had right -straunge langage of your brother of late to right wurchepfull persones; -therfor werk wysely and bewar wham that ye lete know your councell. - -Item, remembre Lomnors mater as ye may do therin, and send me werd in -hast. Mayster Roos shall be at London the next weke; therfore ye shall -not nede to make my Lord to write, but whan that he comyth, if my Lord -can make hym to put it in indifferent and wurchepfull men, than that it -pleasith my Lord to write to them that thei shuld take it upon them to -set a rewle therin, with ought better advyse, me semyth it wer wele do. -The Holy Gost be your gyde and send yow good spede and councell, and -delivere you ought of all trobill and disseas to his pleser. - -Wretyn the Thursday next be for Sent Kateryn,[160-1] in hast. - -Recomaund me to my Mastres Kateryn, and send me werd how ye don, &c. - - Be your Moder. - -Do my Lord[161-1] on Sonday send for the shereffes debute [_deputy_] to -wete how thei be disposid for certificate of the knyghtes, and I shall -understand if thei be eschaunged; for on Sonday at nyght, or on Monday, -it shall be put in, and [if i]t is put in, ther is no remedy. Geney seth -he wull attempt the law therin. - - [Footnote 159-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the time of year - and other circumstances, it seems probable that the election here - referred to was that of the year 1472. A circumstance which - confirms this date will be found noticed in a footnote. The - original letter is mutilated in the middle by the decay of the - paper, in more than one place.] - - [Footnote 159-2: The words after 'Neverthelesse' originally stood - 'her seid brother-in-law told me that tyme that he was with me,' - but are crossed out.] - - [Footnote 160-1: St. Catherine's Day is the 25th of November.] - - [Footnote 161-1: The Duke of Norfolk. It will be seen by the - preceding letter that John Paston was going to Framlingham in the - beginning of November 1472.] - - [[Footnote 159-2 and body text: - Nevertherlesse she sent me an nother massenger ... - The words after 'Neverthelesse' ... - _mismatched spelling unchanged_ - - ... in this onstabill werd [_world_] labore - _italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -815 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[161-2] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, Esquier, or to Roose -dwyllyng affor ther gate, to delyver to them._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 22] - -Please it yow to weete that I have opteyned letterys from the Kynge to -my Lorde off Norffolke, to my Lady of Norffolk, and to ther concell, -whyche letter to ther concell is nott superscrybyd, for cawse we wyst -nott serteyn whyche of the councell sholde be present when the massenger -cowme. I therffor thynke that thoos namys most be somwhatt by yowr -advyce; and for get nott Gornaye, nor yitt Brome, iff ye thynke so best, -nor Sowthewelle. I trust to my cosyn Gornaye, and on to Brome and -Barnard in cheffe; and as to Bernarde, brother, I praye yow to take hys -advyce, for I hope he is my welwyller, as ye know, and iffe he do me -perffyght ease in thys mater, I thynke verrely in tyme to come to gyff -him xx. scutys, and yit a goode turne whan so ever it lythe in my power. - -The Kynge hathe specially doon for me in thys case, and hathe pitte me, -and so have the Lordys, in ryght greete comfort, that iff thys fayle, -that I shalle have ondelayed justyce; and he hathe sente a man of -worship and in greet favor with hym on thys massage, whyche hathe nott -ofte ben seyne, whyche gentylman kan well do hys mastrys massage and -brynge trywe reporte. I have gevyn hym v_li._ for hys costes: God sende -hym and yow goode spede in thees werkes. I feer thatt he shall nott -speke with my Lady, for that she hathe takyn hyr chambre. Iff she be my -verry goode Ladye, as she hathe seyde hertoffor that she wolde be, -I hope that she wolle speke with hym. Neverthelesse I praye yow by the -meanes of Mestresse Jahne Rothen that [you][162-1] will have my Ladye -mevyd for me, and wher that herr to fore I wolde have departyd with C. -marke to have hadde hyr goode helpe and to be restoryd to my place; -whyche nott acceptyd, I tolde my seyde Lady that I feeryd that my power -sholde natt be ther aftre to gyff so large a plesyr, for at that tyme I -was in hope that the Bysshop of Wynchester sholde have payd it, thoghe -it hadde drawen a C_li._ Yet for as moche as men may nott lure none -hawkes with empty handys, I wolde yitt agre to gyffe my Lady xx_li._ for -an horse and a sadell, so that I be restoryd to my place, and that -doone, to have a relesse of my Lorde, and my gounes and bokes to be -restoryd, iff it maye bee. Neverthelesse thys mony is nott yit redy with -me. I remytte thys to yowr dyscressyons. - -Item, iff it be soo that itt be thowte behovefull, I thynke that thoghe -nowther Slyfelde, nor ye, brother John, maye come in to my Ladyes -chambre, that my moodre, iff she weer at Norwyche, she myght speke with -hyr, for that she is a woman and off worshyppe. I thynke that my moodre -sholde meve my Lady moche. I thynke that ther most be some body for me, -havyng auctoryte to conclude for me, or ellys knowyng myn entente, they -myght make delaye, and seye they wolle at the Kynges enstance comon with -me; never the lesse I was nott ther present. Wherffor, rather than -fayle, yff neede be, I wolle with owte any abode, iff I heer from yow, -come home; and Slyfelde is agreyd to tary the a vij. nyghte for my sake, -so that the mater take effecte. I praye yow make hym goode cheer, and -iff it be so that he tarye, I most remembre hys costes; therffor iff I -shall be sent for, and he tery at Norwyche ther whylys, it wer best to -sette hys horse at the Maydes Hedde, and I shalle content for ther -expences. - -Item, ye maye largely sey on my behalve for suche servyse that I sholde -do to my Lorde and Lady hereaffter, whyche by my trowthe I thynke to -doo; neverthelesse to sey that I woll be hys sworyn man, I was never -yitt Lordys sworyn man, yit have I doone goode servyce, and nott leffte -any at hys most neede ner for feer. But as Gode helpe me, I thynke my -Lady shalle have my servyce above any lady erthely, wheche she scholde -weell have knowyn, had I been in suche case as I hadde nott been alweye -the werse welkome; for that on of my herandes alweye was undrestande -that it was for Caster, wnyche was nott acceptable, and I evyr the werse -welkome. - -Item, brother, I ame concludyd with my Lorde for yow, that ye shalle be -at Caleys if ye list, and have iij. men in wages undre yow, wheroff my -Lorde seythe that William Lovedaye most be on, tyll tyme that he have -purveyed other rome for hym. Iff ye be dysposyd to goo, as I tolde hym -that ye weer, yett wer it nott best that ye lete it be knowe tyll thys -mater be doone, and then ye maye acordyng to yowr promyse lete my Ladye -have knowleche ther off. Never the lesse my Lorde shalle be here with in -xx. dayes or ther abowt; iff ye come thys weye ye maye speke with hym; -neverthelesse ye shall nott lose no tyme, iff ye weer at Caleys at thys -owr, for my Lorde promysed me that he wolde wryght to Elkenhed the -tresorer at Caleys for yow by the next massenger thatt went. - -Item, ther hathe Perauntes wyffe wryte to me that Bernaye servyth hyr -onkyndely. He owythe hyr xxxij_s._ and she is in noon hope that evyr he -will come ther ageyn; sende me worde iff he wyll. He shall nott lyf so -weell and trywly to geedre, I trowe, but iffe he goo thyddre. - -I hadde comen home, butt that I ame nott yitt verrely purveyd for -payment for my oncle William the xxvj. daye of thys monythe, and he -dothe me harme. He delythe so oncurteysly with Towneshende, for he wille -nott yitt paye hym the C. marke, payable at Halowmesse, whyche he hadde -a monythe affore; wherffor I feer that Towneshende wille nott do for me -ageyn. I shall doo as I kan. - -Wretyn on Sondaye next Seynt Clement. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 161-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] In this letter, as in - the last, allusion is made to the visit paid by John Paston to the - Duchess of Norfolk in November 1472.] - - [Footnote 162-1: Omitted in MS.] - - [[Slyfelde is agreyd to tary the a vij. nyghte - _text unchanged: error for "ther(e)"?_ - - Footnote 162-1: - Omitted in MS. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -816 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[164-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be this delivered._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 23] - -I grete you wele, letyng you wete that Doctor Aleyns wyffe hath be with -me and desired me to write to you to desire you to be good mayster to -her husband and to her in her materes, for she tellith me that her trost -is full in you, and if she myght have walked she shuld have come to have -spoke with you or than ye departed; therfor, I pray you do your devoir -for her, for I conceyve that she feyneth not, notwithstandyng that I had -her in suspecion as I have wretyn to you before, be cause that she came -not, but I conceyve now the trought and that sikenesse caused thatt she -absent her. Therfore I pray you help her, for, so God help me, I have -right gret pete on her, and it is right grete almes to help her, and I -trow she wull put her most trost and sewe specialle to you. Also I wuld -ye shold desire your brother to be good mayster on to her, for I suppose -be that tyme ye have herd her excuse in such materes as he shuld be -displeased with her husband, ye shall hold you pleased. God kepe you and -send you Hes blyssyng, with myn. Wretyn on Sent Clementes Day at nyght, -in hast, - - Be your Moder. - - [Footnote 164-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this - letter was written in the same year as No. 814.] - - -817 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[165-1] - -_To Master Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 24] - -Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly of -your dylygence and cost whyche ye had in gettyng of the hawk, whyche ye -sent me, for well I wot your labore and trowbyll in that mater was as -myche as thow she had ben the best of the world; but, so God help me, as -ferforthe as the most conyng estragers [_falconers_] that ever I spak -with can imagyn, she shall never serve but to ley eggys, for she is -bothe a mwer de haye, and also she hathe ben so brooseid with cariage of -fewle that she is as good as lame in boothe hyr leggys, as every man may -se at iee. Wherfor all syche folk as have seen hyr avyse me to cast hyr -in to some wood, wher as I wyll have hyr to eyer [_lay eggs_]; but I -wyll do ther in as ye wyll, whedyr ye wyll I send hyr yow ayen, or cast -hyr in Thorpe wood and a tarsell with hyr, for I weit wher on is. But -now I dar no more put yow to the cost of an hawke, but, for Godes sake, -and ther be eny tersell or good chep goshawk that myght be gotyn, that -the berer herof may have hyr to bryng me, and I ensuer yow be my trowthe -ye shall have Dollys and Browne bonde to paye yow at Kandyllmas the -pryse of the hawke. Now, and ye have as many ladyse as ye wer wont to -have, I reqwere yow for hyr sake that ye best love of theym all, onys -trowbyll yowr syllf for me in thys mater, and be owght of my clamor. - -Item, as for the ryng, it is delyverd, but I had as gret peyn to make -hyr take it as ever I had in syche a mater; but I have promyseid yow to -be hyr knyght, and she hathe promyseid me to be more at your comandment -then at eny knyghtes in Inglond, my Lord reservyd; and that ye shall -well undyrstand, if ye have owght to do, wherin she may be an helper; -for ther was never knyght dyd so myche cost on hyr as ye have doon. - -I mervyall that I her no woord of the lettyrs that my Lord Chamberleyn -shold send to my Lord and my Lady for Caster. It is best that my Lord -Chamberleyn wryght to my Lady by som prevy tokyn betwyx theym, and let a -man of hys com with the lettrys. My Lord Chamberleyn may speed with my -Lady what maters he wyll, savyng the gret mater; and if ye inbyll me for -a solysitor, I shal be _a vouster comandment a touz jours_. - -Item, me thynkyth that ye do evyll that ye go not thorewgh with my Lady -of Suffolk for Heylysdon and Drayton; for ther shold growe mony to you, -whyche wold qwyte yow ayenst R. T. and all other, and set yow befor for -ever. - -I prey yow for your ease, and all others to you ward, plye thes maters. -As for alle other thynges, I shall send yow an answer, when I com to -Norwyche, whyche shall be on Thorsday, with Godes grace. I have teryd -her at Framlyngham thys sevennyght, for [my] Lady took not hyr chambyr -tyll yersterday. Adewe. - -Wretyn on Seynt Kateryns Evyn. - - J. P. - -[166-1]I sye the pye, and herd it spek; and, be God, it is not worthe a -crowe; it is fer wers then ye wend; be God, it wer shame to kep it in a -cage. - - [Footnote 165-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] At the foot of this - letter is written, in a different but contemporary hand, 'A^o E. - iiij^ti xij^{o}.' The date is besides abundantly evident from other - circumstances.] - - [Footnote 166-1: This _P.S._ is written on the back of the - letter.] - - -818 - -ABSTRACT[166-2] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 26] - -'Soutwerk cum membris,' No. 17a.--'Literae patentes concessae a Rege ad -petitionem Domini Fundatoris pro ponte fiendo in vico vocato le -Bermoseystret. Dat. 26 Novembris anno regni Regis Ed. IV. 12^{o}.' - - [Footnote 166-2: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -819 - -JOHN OSBERN TO SIR JOHN PASTON[167-1] - -_To the right worshepfull my master, Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -A^o xij. E. R. quarti. - -[Sidenote: 1472] - -Please it your masterschep to knowe that Johon Shawe and I have goten a -carpenter fro Walsyngham to Sporle to valewe your wod the[167-2] the -wheche carpenter hese costis there Sondaye at nyght next before the -Assencion off owre Lord Jesu Cryst, Mondaye, Tewesdaye, Wednesdaye, -Assencion Daye, Frydaye and Saterdaye, and for hese labor iij_s._ -iiij_d._ And upon the syte of your seid wode he hath valewid the launde -wythin the dykes xij. fote inward fro the cop of the dyke and wythowte -at liiij_li._ vij_s._ x_d._ And wythin the wode xij. fote wythin alle -the dykes vj^xx._li._ vij_s._ viij_d._ the valewe of the dykes abowte -the woode fro xij. fote fro wythin owtewardis arn prysid at x_li._ grete -chepis the valew of the trees in the maner and in the closes azens the -seid manor toward Swaffham xx. marc gret chepe; there off be ware and be -not to hasty, &c., the cloos at the tow . . . toward Pykenham not -valewid nor not spoken of, &c. The summa totall ix^xx._li._ & xviij_li._ -ij_s._ viij_d._ - -And if ze shuld selle all this wode togedyr for redy sylver never lesse -in the summa paste v. marc, if ze woll sell the wode . . . . . the -lawnde wythin the dykes and the standardis thoo I shall wryte aftyr in -this bille for to stande in any wyse less . . . . . . all the hole sum -at the most paste x_li._ for who so ever shall by it he maye so leve and -gete goode, &c. - -The summa of your standardis for certeyn reconyd the Mondaye and the -Tewsdaye whill I was at Sporle wyth in . . . . . and xij. fote wythin -the dykes in forme above rehersid xj^xx. And iche standarde a zard -[_yard_] above the grownde . . . . . abowte an . . lesser till we come -xij. inche and viij. inche besyde all odyr smale that arn of lesse -mesure . . . . . . growe the wheche arn many and resonabely sufficient, -&c., the nowmber off the standardis wythin your . . . . . cowntid and -summe be estimacion of the mesures and formes above rehersid CCCC^ma -xxxvj^ti. - -As for your undyrwode I can not fynde the meane to valewid to your -avayle, be cause it were necessary to knowe the purpose off your -fellyng, where off beware, &c. - -As for the fensyng of your dykes, and ze shuld felle your bordorys off -your wode the Suthsyde, viz., toward Pykenham fro the Wonges to -Walsyngham Weye is lxxx. rodde at leste, the price of the rodde -iiij_d._, dyggyng, plashyng, and heggyng. - Summa, xxvj_s._ viij_d._ - - The Est syde toward Neyghton and Sparham vij^xx. rodde at the leste, - Summa, xl_s._ - - The Northende toward Dunham lxxx. rodde, - Summa, xxvj_s._ viij_d._ - - The West syde toward Sporle be the Loyes vj^xx. rodde, - Summa, xl_s._ - - Summa, vj_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ - -Where off sum is repayrid, sum maye be sperid, but at the lest it woll -coste yow a vj. marc, &c. - -If it please yow to take myn symple avyse in your wode sale, selle non -in gret, but make fagottes and astell and lete alle your grete and goode -tymber and trees stande, and ze shall make resonably mony to your -worchep, and to your best avayle as John Shawe your servaunt shall telle -yow, if I maye do zow any service in this c . . . . ze shall ffynde me -redy, so that ze sende sufficient warant be the grace off Jesu, Who haue -y[ow in His] kepyng. Wrete in hast, at Walsyngham, the Sundaye next -aftyr the feest off the Assencion off owr [Lord] Jesu Cryste. - - Be your - - JOHN OSBERN. - -I praye yow geff credens in alle these materes to Shawe, for he can -telle yow more shortlyer then I shuld wryte, and I hold hym trewe to yow -in hese menyng. - - _Endorsed_--Per John Osbern, pro Sporl Wood. - - [Footnote 167-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 167-2: _Sic_, _qu._ 'there'?] - - -820 - -RICHARD CALLE TO MARGARET PASTON[168-1] - -_To the ryght reverent and worshipffull my mastres, Margaret Paston, in -haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. 27] - -Plesith it you to wete that I have receyved your letter, wherin I -conceyve ye wolde undrestonde how I do with the sale of Sporle Wode. It -is so that I have begonne to felle asshe at the townes ende for to sette -the contre on werke, and be that I shall undrestonde how the remnaunt -wol doo. I have sette suche a classe [_glass_] before here ien [_their -eyes_] ther, that they are madde upon it, so that I truste be Ester to -make of money, what with the barke and with the asshe, at the leest l. -marke for to retayle the wode our selfe, and be Cristemas next after -that, other l. marke, and so yerely l. marke at Cristemesse as longe as -the wode lasteth, to the some that I tolde you, and I truste more; and -to this I durste be bound. Nevertheles, I am a bowte to selle it all a -grete and to brynge it to all moste to as goode proffe as thowe we -retayled it oure silffe, for it is so that ther is a man of Carbroke, -they calle hym Saunders, I may have of hym for all the wode and barke -that is in Sporle xj^xx. marke, to paye at suche dayes a fore reherseyd, -we to bere the costes of the fense and of the tithe; but we are not -throw yet, nor nought shal be tille I have worde from you a yene, weche -I must have be Sonday come sevenyte at the fertheste, for on the -Wednesdaye nexte after that we shal mete a yene at Sporle. Wherfore I -beseche you sende me your avice how ye thynke herein, and I shal doo -that in me is be Godes grace; if I can do better with hym I shall. It -shal be harde werke, but if I haunse hym som what, for ther is moche -money be twix us, and therfore spare not to sende my master, Sir John, -worde to take suche dayes of payment as is a bove wreten, for it shalbe -performed what wey som ever we take be Godes grace. - -Item, mastres, as for your write [_wright_] ye may not have hym tille -after Cristemas, for he had taken an howse to make while I was with you, -it wolbe this iij. wekes yet or then he make an ende, &c. - -Item, I mette with Robert at Heythe of Matelaske at Norwiche, when I -come from you. I felle on hande with hym for Matelaske Kerre, I myght -have had of hym for that vij. marke and xx_d._ Dele nogh as ye thynke. - -Item, as for money of the fermour of Sporle, he telles me he is bounde -to Tounesende to pay hym at this Candelmesse. And he seythe if he may be -discharged a yenst hym your money shalbe redy at hys daye, be Godes -grace, Who have you in His blissed kepyng. - -Wreten at Sporle, the Friday next after Seint Edmund the Kynge. - - Your servaunt, - - R. CALLE. - - [Footnote 168-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this - letter must have been written some time after the preceding, but - very probably in the same year.] - - -821 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[169-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / NOV. or DEC.] - -Syme recomandyth hym to your good mastyrshep, and preyeth yow that ye -wyll not forget, though he be a boye, to let hym were the same lyvere -that your men do; and if it pleased yow to lete hys gowne clothe be sent -hym home, that it myght be mad ayenst your comeing in to thys contre, he -wold be as prowd as eny man ye have. Sir, as hertly as I can, I thank -yow for the hatt, whyche is comyng, as I undyrstand by your wrytyng, -sent by John, the Abottys man of Seynt Benet. - -My modyr sendys you Godes blyssyng and hyrs, and preyes yow to get a new -lycence of my Lord of Norwyche that she may have the sacrement in hyr -chapell. I gat a lycence of hym for a yere, and it is nyghe woryn ought. -Ye may get it for the Byshoppys lyve, and ye wylle. - -As for the lettyrs that Slyfeld shold get newe of the Kyng, whyche ye -shold bryng to my Lord of Norffolk, it is myn avyse that ye shall come -home your sylff as hasty ly as ye maye, so that ye may be at the -crystenyng of the chyld that my Lady is with; it shall cause yow gret -thank, and a gret fordell [_advantage_] in your mater. And as for the -lettres, leve a man of yowr to awayte on Slyfeld to bryng theym after -yow; of whyche lettres I avyse yow to have one dyrect fro the Kyng to -yow, comandyng yow to be the messenger and brynger of the other lettres -to my Lord, my Lady, and ther consayll, for your owne mater; and thys me -thynkyth shall do well, for then shall the man shewe to my Lordes -consayll the lettre dyrect to yow that ye have awtoryte to be your owne -solycytour, and also it shall be thought that the Kyng tendryth yow and -your mater, when he wryghtyth to your sylf for it. - -My Lady wayteth hyr tyme with in viij. dayes at the ferthest. - - [Footnote 169-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter - is shown by the reference to the situation of the Duchess of - Norfolk. Compare Letter 817. There is an old, and nearly - contemporary, endorsement, 'Anno xv^o, mens. Novemb.,' but this is - clearly erroneous.] - - -822 - -ABSTRACT[170-1] - -[Sidenote: 1472 / DEC. 7] - -1472, 7 Dec.--'Vigill of Concepcion of oure Lady,' 12 Edw. IV. Indenture -of agreement (in English) between Bp. Waynflete and William Worceter, by -which the latter undertakes to deliver to the Bishop all deeds, -charters, rolls of courts, and accounts, and all other muniments which -are in his hands relating to the manors and lands of the late Sir John -Fastolf, excepting lands, etc. in Norfolk, called Fairchilds, and two -tenements and two gardens called Walles, in Suthwerk, of which he -himself is seised; and also, as executor of the will of Sir Thomas -Howes, to deliver up all money and goods of Fastolf, and obligations for -property, etc., sold by the said Thomas, which he can recover, over the -sum of L40 due to him, the said William Worceter, for his marriage, and -also to assist the said Bishop and his College at Oxford in all matters -relating to Fastolf's lands; in return for which the Bishop covenants to -pay him L100, and also an allowance upon all sums of money recovered by -him. - - [Footnote 170-1: This abstract is taken from Mr. Macray's account - of the MSS. in Magdalen College, Oxford, printed in the Fourth - Report of the Historical MSS. Commission.] - - -823 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[171-1] - -_To my Mastyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1472 / DEC. 18] - -Ryght worchepfull Syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly of -your gret cost, whyche ye dyd on me at my last being with yow at London; -whyche to my power I wyll recompence yow with the best servyse that -lythe in me to do for your plesure, whyll my wytts be my owne. - -Syr, as for the mater of Caster, it hathe be mevyd to my Ladys good -grace by the Byshope of Wynchester, as well as he kowd imagyn to sey it, -consederyng the lytyll leyser that he had with hyr; and he told me that -he had ryght an agreabyll answer of hyr, but what hys answer was, he -wold not tell me. Then I axyd hym what answer I should send yow, in as -myche as ye mad me a solysyter to hys Lordship for that mater; then he -bad me that undyr consayll I shold send you woord that hyr answer was -more to your plesure than to the contrary, whych ye shall have more -pleyn knowlage of thys next terme, att whyche tyme bothe my Lord and she -shall be at London. - -The Byshop cam to Framlyngham on Wednysday at nyght, and on Thursday by -x. of the clok befor noon, my yong Lady was krystend, and namyd Anne. -The Byshop crystend it and was godfader bothe, and with in ij. owyrs and -lesse aftyr the crystenyng was do, my Lord of Wynchester departyd -towards Waltham.[171-2] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And I let -you pleynly weet, I am not the man I was, ffor I was never so roughe in -my mastyrs conseyt as I am now, and that he told me hymselff before -Rychard Sothewell, Tymperley, Sir W. Brandon, and twenty more, so that -they that lowryd, nowgh[172-1] laughe upon me; no moor, but god look. - -Wretyn at Framlyngham, the Fryday next aftyr that I depertyd fro yow. -Thys day my Lord is towardys Walsyngham, and comandyd me to overtake hym -to morow at the ferthest. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 171-1: [From Fenn, ii. 42.] Fenn informs us that this - letter is dated on the back in a contemporaneous handwriting, - 'Anno x^o.,' which seems to mean 10 Edw. IV. This date however, is - certainly erroneous; for in the inquisitions taken on the death of - the Duke of Norfolk, Anne, Lady Mowbray, his daughter and heir, - was found to have been four years old on the 10th December 1476. - She was born, therefore, on the 10th December 1472.] - - [Footnote 171-2: Then follows the substance of a conversation - between the Lady of Norfolk and Thomas Davers, wherein she - promises to be a friend to Sir John Paston concerning Caister; but - J. Davers swore J. Paston not to mention her goodwill to any - person, except to Sir John.--F.] - - [Footnote 172-1: In the modern version Fenn reads, 'so that they - that _loved not_, laugh upon me.'] - - -824 - -JOHN PASTON TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK[172-2] - -_To the right hyghe and myghty Prince, and my right good and gracious -Lord, my Lord the Dwke of Norffolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1472] - -Mekly besechyth your hyghness, your poore and trew contynuall servaunt -and oratour, John Paston, the yonger, that it myght please your good -grace to call on to your most discret and notabyll remembrance that -lateward, at the cost and charge of my brodyr, John Paston, Knyght, -whyche most entendith to do that myght please your hyghness, the ryght -nobyll Lord, the Bysshop of Wynchester entretyd so, and compouned with -your Lordshepp, that it liekyd the same to be so good and gracious Lord -to my seyd brodyr, that by forsse of serteyn dedys, relessis, and -lettrys of attorney selyd with the sealys of your good grace, and of -other serteyn personys infeoffyd to your use in the maner of Caster, -late John Fastolffes, Knyght, in the conte of Norffolk, my seyd brodyr -and I, with other enfeoffyd to my seyd brodyrs use in the seyd maner, -wer peasably possessyd of and in the same tyll syche tyme as serteyn -personys, servaunts on to your good grace, entred in to the seyd maner, -and therof have takyn the issuses and profitys in the name of your seyd -hyghnesse by the space of thre yer and more, to the gret hurt of my seyd -brodyr and me your seyd servuantes and oratour: wherfor, as I have oft -tymys befor thys, I beseche your good grace, at the reverence of God, -and in the wey of charyte, that my seyd brodyr may by your hyghness be -ayen restoryd in to the possessyon of the sey[d] maner, acordyng to the -lawe and good conscyence; and wee shall prey to God for the preservacyon -of your most nobyll estate. - - [Footnote 172-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This petition is shown - by internal evidence to have been drawn up towards the end of the - year 1472, as it sets forth that the Duke had been more than three - years in possession of Caister, which was surrendered to him in - September 1469. There can be no doubt therefore that it was - presented or prepared for presentation at the time of John - Paston's visit to Framlingham.] - - -825 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JAMES GLOYS(?)[173-1] - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JAN. 18] - -I recomaund me to you, and thanke you hertyly of your letteris, and -delygente labour that ye have had in thoes materis that ye have wretyn -to me of, and in all other, to my profette and worschep, and in -esspeciall atte this sesons towchyng the mater that I sent you the -indenture of. Ye have lyghtyd myne hert therin by a pound, for I was in -fere that it wold not have bene doo so hastyly with oute danger. And as -for the letters that Thom Holler son schuld have brought me, I see -nother hym ne the letters that he schuld have brought; wherefor, I pray -you hertely, yeve it be no dysese to you, that ye will take the labour -to bryng Walter theyr he schuld be, and to purvaye for hym that he may -be sette in good and sad rewle. For I were loth to lese hym, for I trust -to have more joye of hym than I have of them that bene owlder; though it -be more coste to me to send you forth with hym, I hold me plesed, for I -wote wele ye schall best purvaye for hym, and for suche thynges as is -necessar to hym, than another shuld doo, after myne intent. And as for -ane hors to lede hys gere, me thynke it were best porvaye one atte -Camberage, lesse than [_unless_] ye canne gytte onye carreours from -thens to Oxynforth more hastyly; and I mervell that the letters come not -to me, and whether I may laye the defaute to the fauder or to the son -therof. And I wold Water schuld be copilet with a better than Holler son -is, there as he schalbe; howe be it I wold not that he schuld make never -the lesse of hym, by cause he is his contre man and neghbour. And also I -pray you wryte a letter in my name to Watere, after that ye have knowne -myne entent by fore this to hym ward; so that he doo welle, lerne well, -and be of good rewle and disposycion, ther shall nothyng faylle hym that -I may helpe with, so that it be nessessare to hym; and bydde hym that he -be not to hasty of takyng of orderes that schuld bynd hym, till that he -be of xxiiij. yeere of agee or more, thoff he be consaled the contrare, -for oftyn rape [_haste_] rewith. I will love hym better to be a good -secular man than to be a lewit prest. - -And I am sore that my cosyn Bernay is seke, and I pray you yeff me white -wine, or ony of my wateris, or ony other thyng that I have that is in -your awarde, may doo hym ony comforth. I lette hym have it; for I wold -be right sory yf ony thyng schuld come to hym botte good. And for -Godsake advise hym to doo make hys will, yeve it be not doo, and to doo -well to my cosyn, his wiff, and els it were pete; and I pray you to -recomaunde me to hyr, and to my nawnte, and to all the gentill men and -gentil women there. And as for John Daye, and he be dede I wold be sory, -for I know not howe to come by my mony that he oweith me; and I porpose -that Pacoke schall have les to doo for me another yeres than he haith -had, if I may be better porvayed with your helpe, for he is for hym -self, bott not for me. - -And as for ony marchandes to my corn, I can gytte none here; therfor I -pray you, doo ye als wele therein as ye canne; also I send you by the -bereer hereof the bill of myne resaytes. And yef ye go forth with -Walter, I pray you come to me als sone as ye may after ye be commyn -home; and me lyketh myne abydyng and the contre here[175-1] right well, -and I trust whan sommer comith and fayre wether, I schall lyke it -better, for I am cherysed here botte to wel. - -And I constrew your letter in other materis well i nough, whereof I -thanke you; and if it nede not to send forth Walter hastyly, I wald ye -myght come to me, thowe ye schuld com opon one day and goo agayne on the -next day, than schuld I comon with you in all materis; and I hold best -if ye have not the letteris that Holler son schuld have brough me, that -ye send Sym over for them this nyght that I may have them to morowe, and -yif ye may combe your self, I wold be the better playsed. - -And I remember that water of mynte or water of millefole were good for -my cosyn Bernay to drynke, for to make hym to browke,[175-2] and yeve -thei send to Dame Elesebeth Callethorppe ther ye shall not fayill of the -tone or of both, sche haith other wateris to make folkis to browke. God -kepe you. - -Wrytyn on the Monday next after Sent Hiller. - -I have no longer leyser atte this tyme. - - [Footnote 173-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The allusion by the - writer to her cousin Berney's sickness makes it probable that this - letter was written in 1473, when the Monday after St. Hilary would - be the 18th of January. John Berney of Reedham died on the 20th - January in that year (Inquis. _post mortem_, 13 Edw. IV., No. 17). - The letter has neither signature nor address, but was probably - written by Margaret Paston to her priest, Sir James Gloys, who - died in the course of this year.] - - [Footnote 175-1: I think this must have been written at Maltby, - where Margaret Paston certainly lived during her later years, and - where she was doubtless staying when she desired a license of the - Bishop to have the Sacrament in her private chapel. _See_ No. - 821.] - - [Footnote 175-2: _i.e._ to enable him to retain food in his - stomach.] - - -826 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[175-3] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, or to Mestresse Margret Paston, hys Modre be -thys letter delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / FEB. 3] - -Weell belovyd Brother.[175-4] . . . . . . . . . - -As ffor tydyngs heer, ther bee but fewe, saff that the Duke of -Borgoyen[175-5] and my Lady, hys wyffe farethe well. I was with them on -thorysdaye last past at Gawnt.[176-1] Peter Metteney ffarethe weell, and -Mestresse Gretkyn bothe and Rabekyn recomend hyr to yow; she hathe ben -verry seke, but it hathe doon hyr goode, ffor she is ffayrer and -slenderer than she was, and she cowde make me no cheer but alwey my -sawse was 'How ffaret Master John, yowr brother?' wher with I was -wrothe, and spake a jalous worde or too, dysdeynyng that she sholde care -so moche ffor yow, when that I was present. - -Sende me worde to Hoxons in wrygtyng, what goode the Bysshop ded ffor me -at Framynham, and howe my Lorde, my Ladye, and all the cort or [_are_] -dysposyd to me wards. - -I here also seye that my Ladye and yowrs, Dame Margret Veer[176-2] is -ded, God have hyr sowle; iff I weer not sorye ffor herr, I trowe ye have -been. - -No moor to yow at thys tyme, but All myghty Good have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys the iij. daye of Februarye Anno R. R. E. iiij. xij^o. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 175-3: [From Fenn, ii. 120.]] - - [Footnote 175-4: Here follows an account of letters sent to him - from Calais--of farme barly in Fledge, and of olde stuffe at - Norwich, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 175-5: Charles the Bold, and Margaret, sister to Edward - IV.] - - [Footnote 176-1: Ghent, in the Netherlands.] - - [Footnote 176-2: Daughter and heir of Sir William Stafford, and - wife to Sir George Vere. Their son, John Vere, was afterwards Earl - of Oxford.--F.] - - -827 - -NOTE - -[Sidenote: 1473 / FEB. 10] - -In Blomefield's History of Norfolk, vol. xi. p. 208, it is stated that -'on February 10 in the 13th of Edward IV., an indenture was made between -Sir William Yelverton, William Jenney, serjeant-at-law, and William -Worcester, executors of Sir John [Fastolf] on one part, and Thomas Cager -and Robert Kyrton on the other, whereby the said Robert was appointed -surveyor of the lands and tenements in Southwark and other places in -Surrey, late Sir John's, to perform his last will; and also receiver of -rents; who was to have 6 marks _per ann._, and to be allowed besides all -reasonable costs that he shall do in the defence and keeping out John -Paston, Esq., and of all others claiming by him.' - - -828 - -ABSTRACT[177-1] - -'J. P.' [JOHN PASTON] TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1473 / MARCH 8] - -As I promised in the letter that Playter sent, Playter and I have been -with my mother to get her to make chevesance for the L100, but she bade -us send you word, you need look for no other comfort from her. Jwde can -tell you Barker's answer. As for John Kook you promised him payment -yourself and to Sir John Styll 5 marks in part payment. My mother has -sold her barley for 14_d._ I never meet John Smyth but I speak of it to -him. He keeps his courts here at Norwich all the week. As for Fastolf, -I can only speak to Wymondham his father-in-law, which I do as often as -I see him. Would be sorry the great matter which requires hasty answer -'lest the kok be in perayle' should be delayed by his negligence. Thinks -Edmund Fastolf 'was a reasonable man to Robert of Lyne. Wherefore, let -my brother Edmund sue for the same, for one wife may serve for us both -till better peace be. So God help me ye may allege a plain excuse that -these dyrk wars have so hindered me that her lyvelode and mine both -should be too little to live at our ease till I were further before the -hand than I could be this two year, and she found after her honor and my -poor appetite.' Would rather forbear what he would have than bring them -in pain. 'Say better for me, for ye can and ye will. This matter must be -honestly handled, for I wot well my young lady of Oxenforthe shall hear -of it. We have here no tidings, but a few Frenchmen be whyrlyng on the -coasts, so that there dare no fishers go out but under safe conducts. -I pray you, and ye have any more oranges than ye occupy, that poor men -may have part for a great bellied lady.' First Monday of Clean Lent, -13 Edw. IV. - - _Addressed_--'A Mys^r John Paston, schevaller, soyt done.' - _Endorsed_--'Mens' Marcii Anno xiij^{o}.' - - [Footnote 177-1: [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 257.]] - - -829 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[177-2] - -_To my Master, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyverd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / MARCH 26] - -As I was wryghtyng this bylle, Mastresse Jane Harsset comandyd me -streyghtly that I shold recomand hyr to yow in hyr best wyse, and she -sendyth yow word she wold be as fayne to here fro yow as an other poore -body. - -Syr, it is so that my cosyn John Blenerhasset[178-1] is enformyd that -for verry serteyn he is chosyn to be on of the colectours of the taske -in Norffolk, wher in verry trowthe he hathe not a foot of lond with in -the shyer; wherfor I beseche yow that, as hastyly as ye may aftyr the -syght of thys bylle, that it may please yow to take the labore to comon -with Sir Rychard Harrecorte, and to let hym have knowlage that thys -gentyllman hathe nowght with in the shyer, and that ye tweyne may fynd -the meane to get hym owght of that thanklesse offyce, for I promyse yow -it encomberthe hym evyll, and my mastresse hys wyffe, and alle us hys -frendys here; and if so be that ye and Sir R. Harcorte may not fynd the -meane betwyx yow, that then it may please yow to meve my Lord -Chamberleyn with thys mater, and so Master Harsset prayithe yow, and -Mastresse Jane, hys wyff also, for she lyekyth no thyng by the ofyce. - -It is thowght her amonge us that Heydons be the causers that he was set -in. I prey yow enqwer of Sir R. Harcort who was the cause, and that it -may be wyst in the next byll that ye send me; for if they wer the -causers, it lythe in my cosyn Harsettes power to qwytte theym. - -We have no tydynges to send, but that our Frenshemen[178-2] whyche kepte -our costs her ar home into France, for lake of vytayll, we saye. - -Hogan[178-3] is put in the Gyld Halle in Norwyche, and shalbe browght up -to London for reportyng of hys old talys. He varythe not. No more, but I -prey God send yow the Holy Gost amonge yow in the Parlement Howse, and -rather the Devyll, we sey, then ye shold grante eny more taskys. - -Wretyn the day next aftyr our Lady Day, the Anuncyacyon, Anno xiij. E. -iiij^{ti}. - - * * * - -Yong Heydon laborythe alle that he can to mary on of hys doughtyr to -yonge John Barney[179-1] by the mean of W. Calthorpp. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 177-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - with what appears to have been the date of its receipt--'xxviij^o - die Marcii A^o xiij^o E. iiij^{ti}.'] - - [Footnote 178-1: John Blennerhasset, Bleverhasset, and (for - shortness) often called Harsset, of Frens, married first Jane, - daughter of Thomas Higham, Esq., and secondly Jane, daughter of - Sir Thomas Tindal of Hockwold, Knight. He died in 1510, aged - 87.--F.] - - [Footnote 178-2: The French vessels that infested the coast, as - mentioned in the preceding letter.] - - [Footnote 178-3: Hogan pretended to foretell commotions and - rebellions, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 179-1: This marriage never took effect.--F.] - - -830 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[179-2] - -_A son trescher & bon ame Freer, John de Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / APRIL 2] - -Weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wete that at the -request of Mestresse Jane Hassett and yow, I have laboryd the knyghtys -off the sheer off Norffolk, and the knyghtys off the shyre of Suffolk. -I understond ther had ben made labor that suche a thing shulde have ben -as ye wrotte to me off, but now it is saff. - -Raff Blaundrehasset wer a name to styrte an hare. I warrant ther shall -come no suche name in owr bokys, ner in owr house; it myght per case -styrt xx^ti harys at onys; ware that j_d._ perse.[179-3] I redde ther in -the bille off Norffolk, off one John Tendall, Esquier, but I suppose it -be not ment by owr Tendall, and iff it be, he shall not rest theer, iffe -I maye helpe it. - -As for tydyngs, the werst that I herde was that my moodre wyll not doo -so moche ffor me as she put me in comffort off. - -Other tydyngs, I herd sey ffor serteyn that the Lady Fitzwater is ded, -and that Master Fytzwater shall have CCCC. mrke a yer more than he had. -I am not sory therffor. - -As ffor the worlde I woot nott what it menyth, men seye heer, as weell -as Hogan, that we shall have adoo in hast; I know no lyklyhod but that -suche a rumor ther is. - -Men sey the Qwyen with the Prynce shall come owt off Walys, and kepe -thys Esterne with the Kyng at Leycetr, and some seye nowther off them -shall com ther. - -Item, off beyond the see, it is seyd that the Frense Kyngs host hathe -kyllyd the Erle of Armenak[180-1] and all hys myry mene; some seye undre -appoyntment, and some seye they wer besegyd, and gotyn by pleyn assault. - -Ferthermoor men seye that the Frenshe Kynge is with hys ost uppon the -water off Some a lx. myle froo Caleys; I leve them wheer I ffond them. - -I made yowr answer to the ffrends off Mestresse Jane Godnoston accordyng -to yowr instrucions. As for me, I am nott serteyn whether I shall to -Caleys, to Leysetr, or come home into Norffolk, but I shall hastely send -yow worde, &c. - -Wretyn the ij. daye of Aprill, Anno E. iiij. xiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 179-2: [From Fenn, ii. 122.]] - - [Footnote 179-3: 'Ware that penny purse'--_qu._ that penurious - fellow?] - - [Footnote 180-1: John, Count of Armagnac, assassinated on the 6th - March 1473.] - - -831 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[180-2] - -_To John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / APRIL 12] - -Best belovyd brother, I recomend me on to yow, letyng yow weet that I -receyvyd on Wednysday last past yow angery lettre towchyng the troble -that Sandre Kok is in, wherein I have largely comonyd with John Russe, -and advysed hym to take a curteys weye with Sandre, for yowre sake and -myn. He seythe he wold not dysplease yow by hys wyll, and that he -purposythe to entrete yow and wolde deserve it to yowe. He undrestod -that ye had large langage to the jurye that passyd again Saundre. I lete -hym weete that ye weer wrothe, and that he shall nowther please yowe ner -me, but iff he dele curteyslye with Saundre. I tolde hym as for the -condempnacion uppon the accion off trespasse I thoght it nowther good -ner worshypfull. Also I have wretyn to the person of Maultby to dele -curteyslye with Saundre, iff he woll please yow or me. - -Item, I sende yow herwythe the _supercedyas_ for Saundre; so that iff ye -fynde any meane for the condempnacions that than ye maye ease therwith -the suerte off pease. John Russe, as I suppose, is att home thys daye. - -Item, as for tydynges heer, the Kynge rydeth fresselye thys daye to -Northamton warde, there to be thys Esterne, and after Esterne he -purposythe to be moche at Leysettre, and in Leysettre shyre. Every man -seythe that we shall have a doo or Maye passe. Hogan the prophet is in -the Tower; he wolde fayne speke with the Kyng, but the Kynge seythe he -shall not avaunt that evyr he spake with hym. - -Item, as for me, I most nedys to Caleyse warde to morowe. I shall be -heer ageyn, if I maye, thys next terme. John Myryell, Thyrston, and W. -Woode be goon from me, I shrewe them. - -My modre dothe me moor harme than good; I wende she wolde have doon for -me. Playter wroot to me that she wolde have leyde owt for me C_li._, and -receyvyd it ageyn in v. yer of the maner of Sporle, wherto I trustyd, -whyche if she had performyd, I had nott ben in no juperte of the maner -of Sporle. Neverthelesse I shall do whatt I kan yitt. I preye yow calle -uppon hyr for the same, remembre hyr of that promyse. - -Item, I preye yow remembre hyr for my fadrys tombe at Bromholme. She -dothe ryght nott [_naught_]; I am afferde of hyr that she shall nott doo -weell. Bedyngfelde shall mary Sir John Skottes doghtre, as I suppose. - -Item, Janore Lovedaye shall be weddyd to one Denyse, a ffuattyd (?) -gentylman, with Sir G. Brown, nowther to weell ner to ylle. - -Item, as for me, iff I had hadd vj. dayes leyser more than I hadd, and -other also, I wolde have hopyd to have ben delyveryd of Mestresse Anne -Hault. Hyr frendes, the Quyen and Attclif agreyd to comon and conclude -with me, if I can fynde the meanes to dyscharge hyr concyence, whyche I -trust to God to doo. - -i. Item, I praye yow that ye take a leyser thys Estern halydayes to ryde -to Sporle and sende for John Osberne, and I wolde ye sholde conclude a -bergayn with one Bocher, a woode byer, whyche Mendham that was my fermor -ther can fecche hym to yow. - -ii. And thys is myn entent. I wolde have the dykes to stonde stylle, -acordyng as John Osberne and I comonyd, I trow xij. foothe with in the -dyke. - -iij. Item, that the standardes off suche mesur as he and I comonyd off -maye also be reservyd. I suppose it was xxx. inche, abowt a yerde from -the grownde. - -iiij. Item, that it be surely fencyd at the cost off the woode byer in -any wyse with a sure hedge, bothe hyghe and stronge. - -v. Item, that ther be a weye taken with the fermores for the undrewood, -so that I lesse not the ferme therffore yerly. Item, John Osbern can -telle yow the meanys howe to entrete the fermores, for Herry Halman hath -pleyed the false shrowe and fellyd my woode uppon a tenement off myn to -the valew off xx. marke, as it is tolde me. I praye yow enquire that -matre and sende me worde and dele with hym ther afftre. - -vj. Item, iff the seyde wood clere above alle charges excep as is above, -be made any better than CC. marke, I wolle seye that ye be a good -huswyff. John Osberne seythe that he woll do me a frendes turne ther in -and yitt gete hym self an hakeneye. - -vij. Memorandum, that he have nott past iij. or iiij. yere off untraunce -at the ferthest. - -viij. Item, thatt I have payement off the holl as shortly as ye kan, -halffe in hande, the remenaunt at halffe yeer, or ellys at ij. tymes -with in one yere at the ferthest by mydsomer xij. monyth. - -ix. And that ye make no ferther bergayn than Sporle woode and the -lawnde, not delyng with noon other woode, nowther in the maner, nor -ellys wher in none other tenement. - -x. Item, that ye have sufficient sewerte for the monye, with penaltes -iff nede be, some other men bonden with hym for the payement. - -xj. Item, I wolle well be bownde to waraunt it to hym. - -Item, I sende yow herwith a warant to yow and John Osberne joyntlye to -bergayn. Comone and conclude that bergayn. - -xij. Item, I suppose he woll, iff he conclude with yow, desyre to felle -thys Maye, and I to have mony soon afftre. I reke not thowe he fellyd -not tyll thys wynter; but iff he woll nedes begyn thys Maye, therffor I -wryght yow thus hastely entrete hym, iff ye can, that he felle not tyll -wynter. - -xiij. Item, be ware how ye bergeyn, so that he felle nott butt in -sesonable tyme and sesonable wood, for he maye felle no undrewood thys -Maye, as I trowe. - -Item, as for yowr costes late th . . . . . . . newe fynde yow -mete, and I woll allow it there, or ellys make me a bylle what it -dra[weth to] . . . . . . . . yow. - -Item, I praye yow iff ye g . . . . . for me as ye can. I made my -Lady heer but easy cheer, neverthelesse I gaff hyr . . . . . ys. - -I promysed hyr to purveye hyr . . . . weselys, but I was deseyvyd; -yit I wend to have had one. - -My Lord of Norffolk hathe ben mevyd for Caster by my Lord Cardenall and -the Bysshop of Wynchester, but it woll take non effecte . . . my -Lady come. God gyff grace that she brynge auctoryte when she comythe -thys next terme to common ther in and conclude, and so I prey yow advyse -hyr. Itt may haply paye for hyr costes. - -No mor to yow, but wretyn at London, the xij. daye of Apryll, Anno E. -iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - * * * - -I sende yow her with ij. letteris from John Osbern to me, wherby and by -hys billes ye may undrestond the verry valewe off the wood. - -I praye yow sende me wryghtyng ageyn by the Mondaye vij. nyght afftre -Ester; iff Hoxon or the goode man off the Goot have it, they shall -conveye it welle. - - [Footnote 180-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [[... Maye, as I trowe. - _final period (full stop) missing_]] - - -832 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[184-1] - -_To John Paston, Esqer, in Norffolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / APRIL 16] - -Wyrsshypfull and ryght hertyly belowyd brother, I recomande me on to -yow, letyng yow wete that on Wednysdaye last past I wrote yow a letter, -wheroff John Carbalde had the beryng, promyttyng me that ye shold have -it at Norwyche thys daye, or ellys to morowe in the mornyng, wherin I -praye yowe to take a labor accordyng afftr the tenur off the same, and -that I maye have an answer at London to Hoxon, iff any massenger come, -as ene I maye doo ffor yow. - -As ffor tydyngs, ther was a truse taken at Brussellys about the xxvj. -daye off Marche last past, be twyn the Duke off Borgoyn and the Frense -Kyngs imbassators and Master William At Clyff ffor the Kyng heer, whyche -is a pese be londe and water tyll the ffyrst daye off Apryll nowe next -comyng, betweyn Fraunce and Ingelond, and also the Dukys londes. God -holde it ffor ever and grace be. - -Item, the Erle of Oxenfford was on Saterdaye at Depe, and is purposyd -into Skotlond with a xij. schyppys. I mystrust that werke. - -Item, ther be in London many fflyeng talys, seying that ther shold be a -werke, and yit they wot not howe. - -Item, my Lorde Chamberleyn[184-2] sendyth now at thys tyme to Caleys the -yonge Lorde Sowche[184-3] and Sir Thomas Hongreffords dowtre and -heyr,[184-4] and some seye the yonge Lady Haryngton, thes be iij. grett -jowelles, Caleys is a mery town, they shall dwell ther I wott not -whylghe [_how long_]. - -No mor, but I have ben, and ame troblyd with myn over large and curteys -delyng with my servants, and now with ther onkynd nesse; Plattyng, -yowr men wolde thys daye byd me ffar well to to morow at Dover, -notwithstandyng Thryston yowr other man is ffrom me, and John Myryell, -and W. Woode whyche promysed yow and Dawbeney, God have hys sowle, at -Castre, that iff ye wolde take hym in to be ageyn with me, that then he -wold never goo ffro me, and ther uppon I have kepyd hym thys iij. yer to -pleye Seynt Jorge and Robyn Hod and the Shryff off Notyngham, and now -when I wolde have good horse he is goon into Bernysdale, and I withowt a -keeper. - -Wretyn at Canterburye, to Caleys warde on Tewesday and happe be, uppon -Good Frydaye the xvj. daye off Apryll, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - Yowr, - - J. P., K. - -Item, the most parte off the sowdyors that went over with Sir Robert -Green have leeff, and be comyn hom, the hyghe weye ffull; my cariage was -behynd me ij. hours longer than I lokyd afftr, but I wysse I wende that -I myght have etyn my parte on Good Frydaye all my garees [_finery_] and -pryde had ben goon, but all was saffe. I pray yow iff W. Mylsent go -ffroo yow, that he myght come to me at Caleys, I will have hym. - - [Footnote 184-1: [From Fenn, ii. 130.]] - - [Footnote 184-2: William, Lord Hastings.--F.] - - [Footnote 184-3: John, Lord Zouch of Harringworth; he was - attainted in the first year of Henry VII.--F.] - - [Footnote 184-4: Mary, daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Hungerford; - she afterwards married Edward, son and heir to William, Lord - Hastings, who in her right became Lord Hungerford, her uncle's - attainder being reversed.--F.] - - -833 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[186-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, in Norwich._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / MAY 18] - -Ryght wershypfull brother, I recomand me to yow, &c.[186-2] . . . . . . -. . . . - -As for tydyngs, the Erle of Wylshyr[186-3] and the Lord Sudele[186-4] be -ded, and it was seyd that Sir W. Stanle was deed, but nowe it is seyd -naye, &c. - -Item, as ffor your goyng to Seyn James,[186-5] I beleve it but atwyen -ij., &c. - -I herd seye that a man was thys daye examyned, and he confessed that he -knewe greet tresor was sende to the Erle off Oxenfford, wheroff a m^le -li. [L1000] sholde be conveyd by a Monke off Westminster, and some seye -by a Monke off Chartrehows. - -Item, that the same man schulde acuse C. gentylmen in Norffolk and -Suffolk that have agreyd to assyst the seyd Erle at hys comynge thyder, -whyche as itt is seyd, sholde be within viij. dayes afftr Seynt Donston, -iff wynde and weddyr serffe hym--fflyeng tales. No mor at thys tyme, but -God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at London on Seynt Donstones daye, xviij. daye of Maye, Anno E. -iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 186-1: [From Fenn, ii. 136.]] - - [Footnote 186-2: Then follow some orders concerning servants, - debts, securities, etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 186-3: John Stafford was created Earl of Wiltshire in - 1470. He was uncle to Henry, Duke of Buckingham.] - - [Footnote 186-4: . . . . . Butler, Lord Sudley.--F.] - - [Footnote 186-5: Apparently John Paston had talked of making a - pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James of Compostella in Spain.] - - [[xviij. daye of Maye, Anno E. iiij^ti - _be owt off syght_]] - - -834 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[187-1] - -_To John Paston, Esqer, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JUNE 3] - -Ryght wyrshypfull brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet that thys -daye I was in very purpose to Caleys ward, all redy to have goon to the -barge, saff I teryed ffor a yonge man that I thoght to have had with me -thyddr, on that was with Rows, whyche is in the cowntre; and because I -cowde not geet hym, and that I have no mor heer with me butt Pampyng, -Edward, and Jak, therffor Pampyng remembryd me, that at Caleys he tolde -me that he purposed to be with the Duchesse off Norffolk, my Lady and -yowrs. And Edward is syke and semythe nott abydyng; he wolde see what -shold falle off thys worlde; and so I am as he that seythe 'Come hyddr -John, my man.' And as happe was yisterday, Juddy went affor to -Caleysward; wherffor I am nowe ille purveyd, whyche ffor owte that I -knowe yit is lyke to kepe me heer thys Wytsontyd.[187-2] Wherffor iff ye -knowe any lykly men, and ffayr condycioned, and good archers, sende them -to me, thowe it be iiij. and I wyll have them, and they shall have iiij. -mrks by yer, and my levere [_livery_]. - -He maye com to me hyddr to the Gott [_Goat_], or yit to Caleys with a -riall[187-3] iff he be wyse, whyche iff nede bee, I wolde that Berker -toke hym to come uppe with, iff it be suche one as ye tryst. - -Item, I suppose bothe Pytte and Kothye Plattyng shall goo ffrom me in -hast; I wyll never cherysshe knaves soo as I have don, ffor ther sakys. - -Item, I praye yow sende me a newe vestment off whyght damaske ffor a -dekyne, whyche is among myn other geer at Norwiche, ffor he shall ther -too as ye woot off: I wyll make an armyng doblett off it, thow I sholde -an other tyme gyff a longe gown of velvett ffor another vestment, and -send it in all hast to Hoxon to send me. - -I hopyd to have been verry mery at Caleys thys Whytsontyde, and am weell -apparayled and apoyntyd, saff that thes ffolks ffayle me soo, and I have -mater ther to make off ryght excellent. Som man wolde have hastyd hym to -Caleys thowe he had hadd no better erand, and som men thynke it wysdom -and profyght to be theer now weell owt off the weye. - -Item, as ffor the Bysshop[188-1] and I, we bee nerrer to a poynt than we -weer, so that my part is nowe all the londes in Flegge Holly, the maner -off Heylesdon, Tolthorpe, and tenements in Norwyche and Erlham, excepte -Fayrechylds, but ffarweell Drayton; the Devyll do ytt them. - -Item, large and fferr comynycacion hathe ben bytwyen Sir John Fogge, -Ric. Haulte, ffor ther suster and me, byffor Doctor Wyntborne and ellys -wher, so that I am in better hope than I was, by Seynt Lawrens[188-2] -that I shall have a delyveraunce. - -Item, as ffor tydyngs heer, I trow ye have herde yowr parte, howe that -the Erle off Oxenfford landyd by Seynt Osyes in Essexe, the xxviij. daye -off Maye, saff he teryed nott longe, ffor iff he had, the Erle of -Essexe[188-3] rod to hym wardys, and the Lords Denham and Durasse, and -other mor, whyche by lyklyod sholde have dystrussyd hym; but yit hys -comyng savyd Hogan hys hed, and hys profesye is the mor belevyd ffor he -seyde that thys troble sholde begyn in Maye, and that the Kynge sholde -northwards, and that the Scotts sholde make us werke and hym batayle. - -Men loke afftr they wot not what, but men by harneys ffast; the Kyngs -menyall men and the Duke off Claraunces, ar many in thys town; the Lord -Ryverse[188-4] com to daye, men seye to purveye in lyke wyse. - -Item, how that the Cowntesse off Warwyk[188-5] is now owt off Beweley -Seyntwarye, and Sir James Tyrell conveyth hyr northwarde, men seye by -the Kynges assent, wherto som men seye that the Duke off Clarance is not -agreyd. - -Item, men seye that the Erle off Oxenfford is abowt the Ilde off Tenett -hoveryng, som seye wyth grett companye, and som seye, with ffewe. - -No mor, but God kepe yow. - -Wretyn at London the iij. daye off June, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 187-1: [From Fenn, ii. 138.]] - - [Footnote 187-2: Whitsunday fell on the 6th June in 1473.] - - [Footnote 187-3: A royal, a gold coin of 10_s._ value.] - - [Footnote 188-1: Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.] - - [Footnote 188-2: 10th of August.] - - [Footnote 188-3: Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex, Lord Treasurer.] - - [Footnote 188-4: Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, beheaded at - Pontefract, 1483.] - - [Footnote 188-5: Anne, widow of Richard Neville, the great Earl of - Warwick, sister and heir to Henry Beauchamp, Duke of Warwick, and - mother of Isabel, the wife of George, Duke of Clarence.] - - -835 - -ABSTRACT[189-1] - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JUNE 13] - -Norf. and Suff. Deeds, No. 67. 'Relaxatio Willielmi Paston facta Will. -Wainflet et aliis de toto jure suo in manerio vocat' Caldecots, -Akethorp, Spitlings, Habland, Broweston, etc. Jun. 13, Edw. IV. 13.' - - [Footnote 189-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -836 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDMUND PASTON[189-2] - -_A Edmond Paston, Esquyer, a Caleys soyt donne._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JULY 5] - -Brother Edmond, I grete yow weell, letyng yow weete that abowt thys daye -vij. nyght I sende yow a letter by Nycholas Bardeslee a sowdyer, whyche -is wont woute[189-3] to be at border [_brother_] Perauntys,[189-4] and -also an hoseclothe[189-5] off blak ffor yow. I wende that ye sholde have -hadde itt within ij. dayes, but I am afferde that he deseyved me. - -Item, I lete yow weet that Plattyng is comen hyddr, and he seythe that -ye gaffe hym leve to ffetche hys geer and Pittys, and that is hys erande -hyddr and noon other, ner he thowt never to goo ffro me, ner he wyll -nott goo ffro me as he seythe, wherffor, I praye yow sende me worde off -hys condycions, and whyghe ye thynke that he sholde never do me -worshypp. - -He seythe also that he and Pytte weer at the takyng off the Esterlyngs, -and that he was in the _Pakker_, and Pytte in the _Crystoffre_. I praye -yow sende me worde howe bothe he and Pytte quytte them, by the report -off some indyfferent trewe man that was ther, iff they quytte them -weell, I wolde love them the better, wherffor the next daye afftr the -syte of thys letter, I praye yow wryght ageyn, and sende it by the next -passage. - -Item, I sende a lytell praty boxe herwith, whyche I wolde that Juddy -sholde delyver to the woman that he wetyth off, and praye hyr to take it -to the man that she wetyth off; that is to seye, as moche as ye knowe -all well i now, but ye maye nott make yow wyse in no wyse. - -Item, I praye yow sende me worde as ye wer wont to do off heer wellffar, -and whether I weer owt and other inne or nott; and whether she shall -fforsake Caleys as sone as ye sende me worde off or nott. - -By God I wolde be with yow as ffayne as yowr selff, and shall be in hast -with Godds grace. - -Item, as ffor my brother John, I hope within thys monyth to see hym in -Caleys, ffor by lyklyhod to morowe or ellys the next daye he takyth -shyppe at Yarmothe, and goothe to Seynt James[190-1] warde, and he hathe -wretyn to me that he wyll come homwarde by Caleys. - -Item, I suppose that James Songer shall come with me to Caleys, the -rather ffor yowr sake. - -Item, Mestresse Elysabett ffareth well, but as yit Songer knoweth nott -so perffytly all that ye wolde weet, that he woll nott wryght to yow off -thees ij. dayes tyll he knowe moor, but iff she hadde ben bolde, and -durst have abydyn styll at hyr gate, and spoken with me, so God helpe -me, she had hadd thys same that I sende nowe wher ye woot off, whyche ye -shall see woryn heer afftr, itt is a praty ryban with praty -agletts[190-2] and goodlye. - -Make yow not wyse to Juddy, nowther not that ye wolde weet any thynge, -ffor I maye sey to yowe at hys comyng ovr, he browt goodly geer -reasonablye. - -Item, as ffor my byll[191-1] that is gylt, I wolde it weer taken head -too; ther is one in the town, that can glaser weell i nowe, as I herde -seye. Also, ther is on comythe every markett daye ffro Seynt Omerys to -Caleys and he bryngethe dagers, and ffetchyth also, he may have it with -hym, and brynge it ageyn the next markett daye ffor xij_d._ or xvj_d._ -at the most, and ellys late it be weel oylyd and kepte tyll I come. No -more. - -Wretyn at London the v. daye of Julle, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 189-2: [From Fenn, ii. 146.]] - - [Footnote 189-3: So in Fenn.] - - [Footnote 189-4: Fenn suggests a fanciful explanation of the - expression 'border Perauntys,' presuming the latter word not to be - a proper name; but see page 163.] - - [[_page 163 = near end of Letter 815_]] - - [Footnote 189-5: Cloth for hosen.] - - [Footnote 190-1: _See_ page 186, Note 5.] - - [Footnote 190-2: Pendant ornaments of metal, like tags or points, - etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 191-1: A warlike instrument of offence.--F.] - - [[Footnote 190-1 - Note 5. - _text has "Note. 5."_]] - - -837 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[191-2] - -_To my ryght wyrshypful moodre, Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / JULY 30] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and my ryght tendre modre, I recommaunde me to yow, -besechyng yow of yowr dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weet that I herde -not from yow off longe tyme, whyche cawsythe me to be ryght hevye; ner -at the last tyme that I sende to yow in wryghtyng I hadde from yowr -selffe noo wryghtyng ner answer ageyne, saff by Playter one tyme and by -my brother one other tyme; whyche answer off Playter was noo thyng -acordyng but contraryaunt to other wryghtyng more comfortable that he -hadde sent me nott longe byffore that on yowr behalve, as he wrott, -whyche God amende. Neverthelesse to my more hevynesse, I herde seye that -ye sholde have been passhyng hevy for my sake, and in cheffe for that I -was lyke to late goo the maner off Sporle, wherin I was pytte in comfort -to have had relyffe by the meanes off yow; and syns it was tolde me that -iff I leete it goo that ye wold therfore dysavauntage me more lond in -tyme to come, off syche as by poscybylyte myght come to mee of yowris. -Uppon whyche corage my grauntdame[192-1] and myn oncle[192-2] togedre -gaffe me an answer on hyr part moche lyke, and so my fadre, God have hys -sowle, leffte me scant xl_li._ londe in reste, and ye leffe me as -pleasythe yow, and my grauntdame at hyr plesur; thus may I have lyttel -hope off the worlde. Neverthelesse I beseche yow to be my good moodre, -how so ever ye do with yowr londe; for I feell weell that iff I have one -losse I am lyffe [_q._ like?] therfor to have three. But as for Sporle, -it shall nott goo iff I maye, ner by my wyll; and iff ther hadde been -performed me as largelye as was promysed me by Playter, I were sewre it -sholde nott have goon, nor yit sholde nat goo. Neverthelesse iff ye and -all my frendys and yowris in Norffolk myght have lende me so moche monye -and to have takyn it uppe in v. yere, I suppose they sholde peraventure -have ben payed ageyn in a yer or ij. iff I had solde any woode. -Neverthelesse, plese yow to weet that I have provyd my fadres wyll and -testement, wherin I maye nowt dele on to the tyme that all the -executoris have reffused; wherffor ther most be sende sitatacions -(_sic_) to yow and alle other that weer namyd my fadris executoris. -Wherin iff ye list not to take admynystracion, as I woot well ye woll -nott off olde, ye most than make a proctor that must, on yowr behalve, -byffor my Lorde of Canterbury, with a sufficiaunt warant and autoryte, -undre a notarys syngne ther in the corte, reffuse to take -admynestracion. And this instrument and aultoryte I beseche yow maye be -redy and att London by the fyrst daye of the terme; and iff yow be not -aqueynted with none suche at London, iff it please yowe to take and -avowe for your proctor and sende hym auctoryte, on [_one_] Master John -Halsnothe whyche was a clerke off Master Robert Centis[192-3] and was so -trusty to my fadre, God have hys sowle, and to sende me a letter off -yowre wylle ther in, I undertake that he shall not do but as ye sende me -worde. Plese it yow to gyff credence to Juddy herin. No more to you att -thys tyme, but Jhesu have yow in Hys kepyng. Wretyn att Caleys, the last -daye saff one off Julle.--Yowr sone, - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 191-2: [Add. 34,889, f. 125.] This letter appears to be - of the year 1473, as in that year Sir John Paston writes on the - 5th July that he hopes to be in Calais within a month (No. 836). - Later in the year (22 Nov.) he writes that the citations here - referred to were not ready (No. 842, p. 199). The date is further - confirmed by what is said of the manor of Sporle (comp. pp. 181, - 182).] - - [[_Sporle, 181-82: item i. in Letter 831_]] - - [Footnote 192-1: Agnes Paston.] - - [Footnote 192-2: William Paston.] - - [Footnote 192-3: Robert Kent, who had been John Paston the - father's proctor in the Court of Archers. _See_ vol. iv. pp. 243, - 244.] - - -838 - -MARTIN RONDELLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[193-1] - -_Monseigneur Jehan Paston, chevalier d' Engleterre._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / AUG. 28] - -Mon treschier et honnore seigneur, je me recomande a vous outant que je -puis ne scay. Et vous plaise savoir que je ay oy novelles de vous par -ung de vo marchans de Calais touchant unne armura de unna sella que je -vous doy, et de una barbuta, laquelle est en diferansce entre vous et -moy, de laquelle je vous ay aultre foix dist que je estoie contant de -fere toute rexon [_raison_], et en quore le vous dige prexentement que -je suis prest de fer tout chou qu'il apartient en tout rexon, set -[_c'est_] asavoir de la barbute et de l'armura de sella. D'aultre chiox -ne vous suis en riens tenut, forque en toute les chiox que me seroint -posible de faire pour l'amour de vous a vostre honneur et a vostre -profit, je suis tout jour prest a vostre comendement. - -Item, en houltre, je ay entendut que vous voulles avoir unng harnax -complet. Com je prins vostra mexure dernierement quant vous fustes en -ceste ville de Bruges, saichies que je ay en quor vostre mexure de -toutes lez piesces; pour quoy, se il vous plaist que je la vous fasa, je -la vous faray de bon ceur, et tout cella que il vous plaira avoir fait; -et au regard du pris, je faray tellement que vous seres content de moy -pour tant quant il vous plaira lesiem savoir queles piesses que vous -voles avoir, et la faisson et le jour que vous la voles avoir par -quelcun aqui je puis in chauder en nom de vous, et qui me ballia argant -de sus, je feray si bien que se Dieu plaist vous vous loeres de moy. -Aultre chiox ne vous say que mander pour le prexent, senon que je prie a -Dieu que il vous doint ce que vostre ceur desir. - -Escript a Bruges, le xxviij. jour de Ahoust, l'an lxxiij. - - Le tout vostre serviteur, - MARTIN RONDELLE, - Armurier de Monsire le - Bastart de Bourgogne. - - _Endorsed_--Par Martyne Rowndell, armorer de Bruggys. Anno E. iiij^ti - xiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 193-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -839 - -LORD HASTINGS TO SIR JOHN OF MIDDLETON AND SIR JOHN PASTON[194-1] - -_To my right hertily beloved frends and felaws, Sir John of Middelton, -and Sir John Paston, Knights._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / SEPT. 16] - -After herty recommendacion, I thank you of the gode attendance that ye -yeve unto the Kings counsail at Calais; and the gode and effectuelle -devoires that ye putte you in to assiste my depute Sir John Scot, in -alle suche things as mowe concerne the saufgarde of my charge there. -Leting you wite, that if ther be any thing that I can and may do for -you, I shal with right gode wil performe it to my power. - -And I preye you to recommaunde me to my Lady Howard,[194-2] my Lady -Bourgchier,[194-3] and all othre ladies and gentilwomen of the saide -towne. And in likewise to the Mayre, Lieutenant, and felaship of the -staple; my felaws the souldeours, and all othre suche as ye shal seme -gode. And oure Lord sende you your desirs. - -Writen at Notyngham, the xvj. day of Septembre. - -Sir Joh Paston, I pray you to yeve credens to suche thing as my depute -shall shew you fro me, and conforme you to the same. - - Your felaw, - - HASTYNGS. - - [Footnote 194-1: [From Fenn, ii. 152.] This letter, Fenn tells - us, is endorsed in a hand of the time, 'E. (?) Hastyngs, Anno - xiij^{o.},' showing that it was written in the thirteenth year of - Edward IV.] - - [Footnote 194-2: Margaret, wife of Sir John Howard, Lord Howard, - and afterwards Duke of Norfolk. She was daughter of Sir John - Chedworth, Knight, and died in 1490, 5 Hen. VII.] - - [Footnote 194-3: Lady Bourchier was probably the wife of a son of - Sir John Bourchier, Lord Berners.] - - -840 - -NOTE - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 1] - -On the Close Roll 13 Edw. IV. m. 5, is an indenture tripartite bearing -date 1 Nov., 13 Edw. IV., between Thomas Byllyng, Chief-Justice, and -others, including William Paston on the one part; Jane Ingaldesthorp, -late wife of Edmund Ingaldesthorp, Knight, William Norys, Knt., and -Isabel, Marquesse Montague, his wife, of the second part; and William -Parker, citizen and tailor, London, of the third part. - - -841 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[195-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, at Norwych, be thys delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 6] - -Wyrshypfull and well belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow -weet that the worlde semyth qweysye heer; ffor the most part that be -abowt the Kyng have sende hyddr ffor ther harneys, and it [is] seyd ffor -serteyn, that the Duke off Clarance makyth hym bygge in that he kan, -schewyng as he wolde but dele with the Duke of Glowcester; but the Kyng -ententyth, in eschyewying all inconvenyents, to be as bygge as they -bothe, and to be a styffeler atweyn them; and som men thynke that undre -thys ther sholde be som other thynge entendyd, and som treason -conspyred; so what shall falle, can I nott seye. - -Item, it is seyde that yisterdaye ij. passagers off Dovr wer takyn; -I ffer that iff Juddy had noon hasty passage, so that iff he passyd nott -on Sondaye or Mondaye, that he is taken, and som geer off myn, that I -wolde not for xx_li._ - -I hope and purpose to goo to Caleys warde on Sondaye or Mondaye or nyghe -bye, ffor I am nott accompanyed to do any servyse heer; wherffor it wer -better ffor me to be owt off syght.[196-1] - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - -Item, Sprynge, that wayten on my ffadre when he was in Jowel hous [_gaol -house_], whom my ffadre at hys dyeng besett xl_s._ he cryethe evyr on me -ffor it, and in weye off almess, and he wolde be easyd, thow it wer but -xx_s._ or x_s._; wherffor he hathe wretyn to my modr, and most have an -answer ageyn; I wolde that my moodr sende hym, as thoghe she lende hym -som whatt, and he woll be pleasyd, and ellys he can seye as shrewdely as -any man in Ingelonde. - -Item, the Kynge hathe sent ffor hys Great Seall; some seye we shall have -a newe Chauncelor, but som thynke that the Kynge dothe as he dyde at the -last ffeldys, he wyll have the Seall with hym; but thys daye Doctor -Morton, Master off the Rollys, rydethe to the Kynge, and berythe the -Sease [_Seals_] with hym. - -Item, I had never mor nede off mony than now; wherffor Fastolffes v. -mrks and the mony off Master John Smythe wolde make me holl, &c. - -Wretyn on Seynt Lenards Daye, Anno R. R. E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - -Item, sende me my vestment acordyng to the letter I sent yow by Symond -Dam, in all hast. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 195-1: [From Fenn, ii. 126.] This letter is misdated in - Fenn as of the 15th April. St. Leonard's Day is the 6th November.] - - [Footnote 196-1: Here follow some money transactions relative to a - Doctor Pykenham, his mother, and others.] - - -842 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[196-2] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, be thys delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 22] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and hertyly belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, -letyng you wet that I receyvyd a letter that come from yow, wretyn circa -viij. Mychaelys,[196-3] wherin ye leet me weet off the decesse off Syr -James, and that my moodre is in purpose to be at Norwyche, and I am -ryght glad that sche wyll now doo somwhat by yowr advyce; wherffor be -war fro hense forthe that noo suche felawe crepe in be twyen hyr and -yow, and iff ye lyst to take a lytell labore, ye may lyff ryght well, -and she pleasyd. It is as good that ye ryde with a cople off horse at -hyr cost as Syr James or Richard Calle. - -Ye sende me worde also that she in noo wyse wyll purveye thyr C_li._ for -the redemyng off Sporle. Late it goo. As towchyng that mater, John -Osbern tolde me that he comonyd with yow at Sporle of that mater; ferr -he devysed that Kokett, or suche an other man, sholde, to have it the -better cheppe, leye owt the valewe off vj. yere for to have it vij. -yere, wherto I wolde agre; and for Goddys sake, if thatt maye be browt -abowt, late it be doon. As ye woot of, it is laten for xxij_li._ be -yere, yit the fermor graunt but xxj.; but to Kokett it wolde be worthe -xxv_li._, yea and better. Neverthelesse, if Kokett wyll delyver -vj^xx._li._, I wolde he had it for vij. yeer, with thys that my moodre -be agreable to the same, by cawse of th'entresse that she hathe for my -brother William, whyche shall nott be off age thys vij. yeer; -neverthelesse, as ye know myn olde entent, I purpose to purvey for hym -in an other plase better than theer; whyche graunte off my moodre I -praye yow to be my solycytor in, whyche [and] it be browt abowt, Sporle -shall be in as goode case as evyr he was. - -John Osbern willyd me to make yow a sufficiaunt waraunt to selle and -felle wood at Sporle, whyche I remembre ye have in as ample forme as can -be; neverthelesse iff thys meane above wretyn off letyng to ferme maye -be hadde, it shall, I hope, nat nede to felle ner selle moche. But I -remytte that geer to yowr dyscrescion, but iff ye have suche comforte, -I praye yow sende me worde. I maye seye to yow, John Osbern flateryd me, -for he wolde have borowyd mony off me. - -Item, in retaylyng of woode theer, it weer harde to tryst hym; he is -nedye. If Kokett, or whoo so evyr had that maner to ferme for vij. yere, -and payd therffor but vj^xx._li._, he sholde, to lete it ageyn, wynne -xxxvj_li._, whyche we[re] moche; wherffor, iff it myght bee, yt wer more -resenable vj^xx. vij_li._ to be reseyvyd, and yit is ther lost -xxix_li._, or ellys iff ye take lesse mony and fewer yerys, so it be -aftre the rate, so ther be purveyd C_li._ at the lest; send worde. - -Item, ye wroot that lyke a trewe man ye sende me xviij_s._ by Richarde -Radle. Ye weer to trewe; but he semys to be a false shrewe, for he browt -me noon yitt. Whethyr he be owt of town or nott, kan I nott seye. - -Ye prayed me also to sende yow tydynges how I spedde in my materis, and -in cheff of Mestresse Anne Hault. I have answer ageyn fro Roome that -there is the welle of grace and salve sufficiaunt for suche a soore, and -that I may be dyspencyd with; neverthelesse my proctore there axith a -m^l. docatys, as he demythe. But Master Lacy, another Rome renner heer, -whyche knowyth my seyde proctor theer, as he seythe, as weell as Bernard -knewe hys sheeld, seythe that he menyth but an C. docates or CC. at the -most; wherffor afftre thys comythe moor. He wrote to me also, _quod Papa -hoc facit hodiernis diebus multociens_. - -Item, as towchyng Caster, I tryst to God that ye shall be in it to myn -use or Crystmesse be past. - -Item, yowr ost Brygham recomand hym to yow, and when he and I rekenyd, -I gave hym ij. noblis for yowr borde, whyll ye weer theer in hys -absence; but in feythe he wolde, for nowth that I kowde doo, take j_d._ -Wherffor ye most thanke hym or charge me to thanke hym on yowr behalve -in some nexte epystyll that ye wryght to me to Caleys. He leete me weet -that he wolde do moor for yow than soo. - -Item, my Lady Bowgcher was almost deed, but she ys amendyd. I trowe they -come in to Norffolk. - -Item, as for W. Berker, I heer no worde from hym. I praye yow comon with -Berney ther in, he knoweth myn conceyt; and also I praye yow hast Berney -ageyn. I wold not that he played the fooll, ner wastyd hys tyme ner hys -sylver. - -Item, as for the brace of growndes [_greyhounds_], or one verry goode, -or in especiall the blak of Germynes, I can nott seye but ye be a trewe -man, but William Mylsent isse a false shrewe, so mote I thee, and I trow -hys master ys too. - -Item, I most have myn instrumentes hydder, whyche are in the chyst in my -chambre at Norwyche, whyche I praye yow and Berney to gedre joyntly, but -natt severally, to trusse in a pedde,[199-1] and sende them me hyddre in -hast, and a byll ther in how many peces. Thys most be had to avoyde -idelnesse at Caleys. - -Item, I preye yow take heed among thatt my stuffe take noon harme, ner -that myn evydence, wher ye wott of, be owt of joperte. - -Item, I praye yow doo for Berneye as ye kan, so that he maye be in -sewerte for hys annywyte, and that it be nott costious fro hense forthe -to hym any mor to come, or sende for it. I pray yow wynne yowr sporys in -hys mater. - -Item, I purposed to have sent heer with the testament off my fadre and -the scytacions to my moodre to yow and Arblaster; but they be nott redy. -Within ij. dayes aftre the comyng of thys, I suppose they shall be with -yow, and than I shall wryght mor to yow. - -As for other tydynges, I trust to God thatt the ij. Dukes of Clarans and -Glowcester shall be sette att one by the adward off the Kyng. - -Item, I hope by the means of the Duke of Glowcester that my Lord -Archebyshop[199-2] shall come home. - -Item, as towchyng my sustre Anne,[199-3] I undrestand she hathe bene -passyng seek; but I wende that she had ben weddyd. As for Yelverton, he -seyde but late that he wold have hyr, iff she had hyr mony, and ellis -nott; wherffor me thynkyth that they be nott verry sewre. But, amonge -alle other thynges, I praye yow be ware that the olde love of Pampyng -renewe natt. He is nowe fro me; I wott nat what he woll doo. - -No more. Wretyn at London, the xxij. daye of Novembre Anno R. R. E. -iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, Kt. - - [Footnote 196-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 196-3: i.e. _circa octabas Michaelis_--about the Octaves - of Michaelmas, or 6th October.] - - [Footnote 199-1: A kind of basket.] - - [Footnote 199-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York, though - formerly pardoned, had been accused of holding correspondence with - the Earl of Oxford, for which he was imprisoned at Guines.] - - [Footnote 199-3: Anne Paston married William Yelverton, grandson - of Sir William Yelverton, the Judge.] - - -843 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[200-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1473 / NOV. 25] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and well belovyd brother, I recomaund me to yow, -letyng yow weet that I sende yow her with j. sitacion, where in ben my -moodre and yee, wheroff I praye yow that I maye have hasty answeer. The -effecte theroff is no moor, but ye bothe most sende answer, and make yow -a proctor heer, and that most come hyddre ondre a notaryes syngne, -affermyng that ye make suche a man, Master John Halsnothe, or ellis, yf -ye will do the cost, to sende some other hyddre; yowr proctor to take -admynystracion or to reffuse, and what so he dothe, ye to holde it for -ferme and stable. Than most my moodre and ye wryght a lettre, undre my -moodre seall and yowr syngne manuell, to me and Master John Halsnothe in -thys forme:--'We gret yow well, letyng yow weet that we have made yow, -Master John Halsnothe, our proctor in the testament of John Paston, -husband and fadre to yow, wherin we wyll that on owr behalff ye refuse -the admynestracion of the seyde testament. And thys wryghtyng is to yow -warantt and dyscharge, and also the verry wyll of usse.' Thys most we -have for owr dyscharge. - -Item, I pray yow take good hedde to my soster Anne, lesse the old love -atwyen hyr and Pampyng renewe. - -Item, I pray yow sende me worde howe my moodre is dysposyd to hyr -wardes, and iffe so weer that a good mariage myght be had, what she -wolde depart with. - -Item, I praye yow that ye remembre hyr for the tombe off my fadr at -Bromholme, and also the chapell at Mauteby, and sende me worde how she -is dysposyd her in. - -Item, iff I have Caster ageyn, whethyr she wolle dwelle ther or nott, -and I wyll fynde hyr a prest towardes at my charge, and geve hyr the -dovehowse and other comodytes ther; and if any horsekeper on myn lye -ther, I wolle paye for hys borde also, as weell as for the prestes. - -Item, iff my modre sholde have a new prest, I thynk that my brother Syr -J. Goos weer a metly man to be ther. He wolde also doo, as ye wolde have -hym nowe, ber the cuppe evyn, as What-calle-ye-hym seyde to Aslake. - -Be war of Myneres fro hense forthe, and sende me worde how ye trist -Doctor Pykenham. I wolde, if he wolde doo owght for my moodre, that he -hastyd the soner to paye me the C_li._, so that I myght pledge owt -Sporle. - -Item, as for other tydynges, the Erle of Oxenforthe is stille besegyd. -Neverthelesse, onys he issued owt, and toke a jentylman, and hant -[_dragged_] hym within; but now off late he was besye, and one espyed -hym, and shott at hym and strake in the verry fase with an arowe. I sye -thys daye the same man, and theere I leef hym. - -Iff Arblaster come to yow, ye maye see hys letter sente to hym by me, -wherin I have wretyn that he scholde take yowr advyce; but I praye you, -above all thynges, that me make hast so that I heer from yow ageyn by -thys day vij. nyght. - -At London, the xxv. daye of Novembre. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 200-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The year in which this - letter was written is clearly shown, partly by the allusions made - in it to several matters mentioned in previous letters, and more - especially by what is said of the Earl of Oxford. That nobleman - was besieged in St. Michael's Mount, Cornwall, by Sir Henry - Bodrugan during October and November 1473.] - - [[... and hant [_dragged_] hym within - _final italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -844 - -THE TENANTS OF SPORLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[201-1] - -_To oure specyall good lord and mayster, Syr John Paston, Knyght, be -this delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: Date uncertain] - -Right worchepfull and oure specyall good mayster and loord, after our -dewe recomendacion with owre servyce. Please it yow to knowe that we arn -grevously troubled, and not lyke to kepe oure tenourys, the whiche we -holde of you, but yf ye helpe us; for we wer bete at the boordourys -syde, and afterwarde our servauntes wer bete at the plowe in Spoorle -felde, and somme of them be lyke to dey. And we redyn to Maister Shereve -and to Mayster Southwell for remedye, and thei advysed us to ryde to -Mayster Wyngfeld; and thenne we understode that Mayster Wyngfeld was -reden to London, &c. And so we stonden withoute remedye, and in grete -doute of our lyves, and losse of our goodys. Wherfor we beseche you to -socoure us accordyng to your right and owres. And ellys we kan nott -abyde it, &c. Cryst kepe your good lordshep. - - Be your poore tenauntes - of Spoorle. - - [Footnote 201-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter - is very uncertain, but as a good deal is said about this time of - the manor and wood of Sporle, we insert it here for convenience.] - - -845 - -NOTE - -[Sidenote: 1474 / FEB. 9] - -It appears by the Early Chancery Proceedings printed by the Record -Commission (vol. i. p. xc.), that a decree was given in Chancery in -Hilary term, 13 Edw. IV. compelling William Paston and other trustees to -fulfil a covenant between Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Elizabeth, -Countess of Oxford. On the Close Roll, 13 Edw. IV. memb. 1, is a release -by William, Bishop of Ely, Sir Thomas Montgomery, John Wentworth, clk., -William Paston, Esq., Roger Townesend and Jas. Arblaster to Richard, -Duke of Gloucester, of all their right in Ocle Magna and Parva, etc., in -Essex, which they have by enfeoffment of Eliz., Countess of Oxford, and -in other manors in Norfolk and Suffolk which they lately had of the gift -of the same. This release is dated 9th Feb. 13 Edw. IV., and was -acknowledged in Chancery on the 11th Feb. Below it are enrolled three -other deeds by the Countess and her feoffees to the Duke, dated 9th -June, 12 Edw. IV., and acknowledged in Chancery, 25th June, 14 Edw. IV. - - -846 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[203-1] - -_Mestresse Margrett Paston, at Norwyche._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / FEB. 20] - -Ryght honorable and most tendr good moodr, I recomand me to yowe, -besechyng yow to have, as my tryst is that I have, yowr dayly blessyng; -and thanke yow off yowr good moderhood, kyndenesse, cheer, charge, and -costes, whyche I had, and putte yow to, att my last beyng with yow, -whyche God gyffe me grace her afftr to deserve! - -Please it yow to weet, that I thynge longe that I heer nott ffrom yow or -ffrom Pekok yowr servaunt, ffor the knowlege howe he hathe doon in the -sale off my fferme barlye, ner whatt is made theroff; wherffor I beseche -yowe, if it be not answeryd by that tyme that thys bylle cormythe to -yowe, to hast hym and itt hyddre wards; ffor iff that had nott taryed -me, I deme I had been at Caleys by thys daye; ffor it is soo, as men -seye, that the Frense Kynge with a gret hoste is at Amyans, but iij^xx. -myle from Caleys; and iff he, or hys, roode byffor Caleys, and I nott -theer, I wolde be sorye. - -Item, men seye that the Erle of Oxenfford hathe ben constreynyd to sewe -ffor hys pardon only off hys lyffe; and hys body, goodes, londes, with -all the remenaunt, at the Kynges wyll, and soo sholde in all haste nowe -come in to the Kyng; and some men seye that he is goon owt off the -Mounte,[203-2] men wot not to what plase, and yit lefte a greet garnyson -theer, weell ffornysshyd in vytayll, and all other thynge. - -Item, as ffor the havyng ageyn off Castre, I trust to have good tydyngs -theroff hastelye. - -Item, my brother John ffarethe weell, and hathe doon ryght delygentlye -in my cosyn Elizabet Berneys mater, wheroff hastely I trust he shall -sende hyr tydyngs that schall please hyr; and as to morow he purposyth -to take hys jurneye to Walys warde to the Lorde Ryverse. No mor at thys -tyme, but Jeswe have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at London the xx. daye off Feverer, Anno E. iiij^ti xiij^{o}. - - Yowr sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 203-1: [From Fenn, ii. 154.]] - - [Footnote 203-2: St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall.] - - -847 - -LORD HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON[204-1] - -_To my right trusty and welbeloved servaunt, John Paston, Squier._ - -[Sidenote: 1474(?) / APRIL 26] - -John Paston, I recommaunde me unto you. And whereas I appointed and -desired you to goo over unto Guysnes to yeve youre attendaunce and -assistaunce upon my brother Sir Rauf Hastings in all suche things as -concerne the suretie and defense of the Castell of Guysnes during his -infirmyties; it is shewed unto me that ye have full truely and -diligently acquyted you unto my saide brother, in all his besynesses -sithe your comyng thider. Whereof I thanke you hertly. And as I conceive -to my grete comfort and gladnesse, my saide brother is wele recovered -and amended, thanked be God. And soo I truste he may nowe spare you. -Wherupon I have writen unto him, if he may soo doo, to licence you to -come over unto me ayen. Wherefore I woll and desire you, th'assent of my -saide brother had, to dispose you to come over in all goodly haste, as -well for suche grete maters, as I fele by youre ffrends, ye have to doo -here, as to yeve youre attendaunce upon me. And your retourne ye shall -be to my welcome. - -From London, the xxvj. day of Avrill. - -[204-2]I pray you in no wise to depart as yet without my brother Roaf -asent and agrement; and recommaund me to my syster, all my nieces, to -the constabyll, and to all Ryves [_reeves_]. - - Your tru frend, - - HASTYNGES. - - [Footnote 204-1: [From Fenn, ii. 296.] I cannot discover in what - year John Paston could have been staying at Guisnes during the - month of April at the request of Lord Hastings, unless it was in - the year 1474. There seems no other probable year in which we have - not distinct evidence of his being elsewhere.] - - [Footnote 204-2: This postscript is in the writer's own hand, the - preceding part of the letter being in that of a clerk. A - fac-simile of the postscript is given by Fenn.] - - -848 - -SIR RALPH HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON[205-1] - -_To my feithful lovyng gode cousyn, Johan Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1474(?) / MAY 9] - -Cousyn Paston, I recommaunde me to you in as speciall wise as I cane. -And like you to witte, on Sondaye at even last I hadde writing and -evedence frome my lorde by Punche of tidyngis and have understonde them -wel al a longe. And on Monday erly in the mornyng I came to Calais to -have spoken with you, but I came to late. Praying you to advertise my -lord[205-2] to se wel to him self, etc. And at my comyng home the same -nyght I felle doune syke, and have ever sith kept my bedde and yitte do. -And, as you knowe wel, the Connestable sykened with you in his goyng to -Calais, of whome I doubt me, and so I do of my self bothe. So that here -amongis us nowe is no man to stirre about and see quykly to alle thingis -as ther aught to be and is nede to be, which hevieth me gretly; and -though I were up and might somwhat stire myself, yitte I am not seure so -to contynue ij. daies to-geder, etc. As for moo men, my Lord hathe -praied me and advised me to holde me content with thoo that I have, and -that I shulde make as litel coste in reparacions as I maye, because he -cannot se wel howe the monney cane be goten to content them. Cousyn, as -for moo men ye knowe right wel thoo that we have are to fewe, and we -have nede; notwithstonding I shal do as wel as I may with thoo that I -have. But as [for][205-3] eny ferther reparacions, might I ones for oure -seurte have this fournisshed that I am about, I kepe not to make moo, -for I doubt me that this we are about, that parte therof wil reste in my -nekke, because we cane not be seure of oure assignement. I pray you, -cousyn, brekes to my Lord all suche maters that ye cane remembre and -thinke[205-4] may be for the wele of us and the seurte of this place, as -my ful speciall truste and alle othir mennes here is in you. I hadde -thought to have writton to my lord to have sente some othir seure man -hidre to have assisted and holpen us during oure infirmitees, but I fele -by Punche that my Lord saith I write always so plainly to him that hit -fereth him, and therfore I dar not but shal forbere to write any more -so; howe be hit, it were ful necessarye and behofful so to do, that -knoweth God, Who ever preserve you. Writton at Guysnes, the ix^e daye of -May. - -I praye you to sende us some of your tidingis by this berer as oft as ye -may. And if ther be anything I may do to your plesir, I shal do it with -as good hart as ye cane desire. - - Your tru luffuyng coussen, - - RAUFF HASTYNGIS. - - [Footnote 205-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 122.] This letter was - clearly written in the same year as No. 847, which was apparently - 1474.] - - [Footnote 205-2: Lord Hastings.] - - [Footnote 205-3: Omitted in MS.] - - [Footnote 205-4: 'thinke' repeated in MS.] - - -849 - -ABSTRACT[206-1] - -[Sidenote: 1474 / JULY 24] - -Letters patent, dated at Westminster, 24 July, 14 Edw. IV., for levying -a subsidy in the county of Norfolk for a war against France. - - [Footnote 206-1: [Add. Charter 14,973, B.M.]] - - -850 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[206-2] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, or to hys brodyr Edmund in hys absence, -lodgyd at the George by Powlys Wharff, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / JULY 25] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, preying yow to remembyr, or -ye depert ought of London, to spek with Herry Ebertonys wyf, draper, and -to enforme hyr that I am profyrd a maryage in London, whyche is worth -vj^c. [600] mark and bettyr; with whom I preyid yow to comone, in as -myche as I myght not tery in London myself, alweys reservyng that if so -be that Mastresse Eberton wyll dele with me, that ye shold not conclud -in the other place, thow so wer that Eberton wold not geve so moche with -Mastress Elyzabet, hys dowghtyr, as I myght have with the other, for -syche fantazy as I have in the seyd Mastress Elyzabet Eberton. And that -it lyek yow to sey to Ebertons wyff that syche as I spak to hyr of -shalbe bettyrd rather then enpeyred as for my part; and if it lyek hyr -to deale with me, I wylbe at London for that cawse only with in xiiij. -dayis aftyr the wryghtyng of thys byll, with Godes grace, Who preserve -yow and yours. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, on Seynt Jamys Day. - - * * * - -Also, sir, I prey yow that ye wyll, as I desyerd yow, comon with John -Lee or hys wyf, or bothe, and to undyrstond how the mater at the Blak -Freerys dothe, and that ye wylle see and spek with the thyng your sylf, -and with hyr fadyr and modyr, or ye depert; and that it lyek yow to -desyer John Lee is wyff to send me a byll in all hast possybyll, how fer -forthe the mater is, and whedyr it shalbe necessary for me to come up to -London hastyly or not, or ellys to kast all at the Kok. - -Also, sir, I prey yow that Pytt may trusse in a male, whyche I left in -your chambyr at London, my tawny gowne furyd with blak, and the doblet -of porpyll sateyn, and the doblet of blak sateyn, and my wryghtyng box -of syprese, and my book of the Metyng of the Dwke and of the Emperour, -and when all thys gere is trussyd in the male, to delyver it to the -berer herof, to brynge me to Norwyche. - -Item, I send you herwith the pylyon for the male, and x_s._ for the -hyer, whyche is usery, I tak God to rekord. - -Also, that it lyek yow to spek with your apotycary, whyche was som tyme -the Erle of Warwykes apotycary, and to weet of hym what the wedow of the -Blak Freiris is woorthe, and what hyr husbondes name was. He can tell -all, for he is executore to the wedous husbond. I prey yow forget me -not, no more then I do yow. I have spokyn thys day with Jamys Hubberd -and Herry Smyth, and to morow I shall have an answer of theym. - -Also, my modyr wyll labore thys mater with effect, that the CC. mark may -be had for the wood. - -Also, brodyr Edmund, I prey yow, and my brodyr Sir John be not in -London, that ye wyll labore all thys maters with effect, as my trust is -in yow in every poynt as is above wretyn. - -Also, I assartayn yow that I was with Ferrour thys day, and he had no -leyser to comon with me; but I wyll be with hym ayen to morow by -apoyntment betwyx hym and me, and so as I speed I shall send yow woord -by the next man that comyth to London. - -Also, I sent John Lee is wyff a lettyr by on Crawethorn dwellyng in Wood -street, or ellys in Sylver street at the end of Wood street. I prey yow -weet whedyr she had it or nought; and she had it not, brodyr Edmund, -I prey yow go to the same Crawethorn, and tak the lettyr of hym, and -delyver it hyr in all hast. - - J. PASTON.[208-1] - - [Footnote 206-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - in a contemporaneous hand 'Anno xiiij^o,' showing that it was - written in 1474, the 14th year of Edward IV. We also find Sir John - writing to his brother in November following that his brother - Edmund had heard nothing more of Eberton's daughter.] - - [Footnote 208-1: This signature stands in the middle of the - postscript.] - - [[... Who preserve / yow and yours. - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -851 - -ABSTRACT[208-2] - -[Sidenote: 1474 / OCT. 24] - -'Bill' dated 24 Oct., 14 Edw. IV., relative to the pledging of certain -parcels of plate by William Paston, Esq., to Elizabeth Clere of Ormesby. -The parcels amount in all to 250 oz. 4 dwt., and are pledged for L40. -_Sealed._ - -ii. Fair copy of the preceding. - - [Footnote 208-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -852 - -ABSTRACT[208-3] - -THE VICAR OF PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 3] - -When my master Sir John's baily was at Paston he scared your tenants, -bidding them pay no rents to Mr. William Paston. On which Harry Warns -wrote to Mr. William, who bade him warn them not to pay money to any one -else; otherwise he would meet them at London 'as the law would,' or at -some market or fair, and make them pay arrears to Midsummer. Beware of -Warns, for he made Master William privy to all the examinations of the -tenants by my master your son. He also charged the tenants not to sell -as my master desired, else Master William would undo them. '_Ideo_, -putte no trost in hym, _quia duobus dominis nemo potest servire_.' -Pastun, 3 Nov. - - [This and the letter following both appear to have been written at - the time of Sir John Paston's dispute with his uncle William, at the - end of the year 1474.] - - [Footnote 208-3: _Ibid._] - - -853 - -ABSTRACT[209-1] - -[THE VICAR OF PASTON] TO MRS. [MARGARET PASTON] - -[Sidenote: 1474] - -John Qwale, farmer of Paston, is distressed by things that Herry Warns -has done and said against him. Warns carried home 'an esse' [_ash_] -blown down by the wind, and says it is your will, because Master John -Paston has given him power over all that he has in Paston. 'More awre he -stondes in grete dowte to ery or to sawe' [_to harrow or to sow_], for -John of Bactun says he shall have no land, unless he find surety, 'and -it were no resun that he suld somerlay and compace hys londes to a noder -mans hand.' Warns says if Qwale put out any cattle at the gates, he will -take it for the grain that Master William delivered to him. He says Mrs. -Margaret Paston[209-2] has no rule there, and shall have none; also that -John Qwale shall not have Gyns close nor the Chyrche close, as he has -taken them to farm. 'Qwere fore, bott ze gyfe hym oderwas power, he wyll -gefe up all.' - - [Footnote 209-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 209-2: Mrs. Margaret Paston is here spoken of by name - and in the third person, but the letter can hardly be addressed to - any one else.] - - -854 - -[WILLIAM PASTON] TO SIR JOHN PASTON[209-3] - -_[To] my right worshipfull neview [Sir J]ohn Paston, Knyghte, be [this] -lettre delivered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: About 1474(?)] - -[Right] worshipful neview, I recommaund me to you. And, sir, I pray you -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that ther was none obstacle ner lettinge -that ye found in me to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . save me harmeles; -at whiche tyme it was thought aswel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . Johns by obligacioun was not inow to save me harm[eles] . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . [i]n the meane seasoune; for as your reasoun -will give . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ght fell of yow but goode. And if -the caas so fill that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ys will take it on -them, than I to bere the losse. Wherupp[on] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . . [b]ound to me to save me harmeles. And for as muche . . . . . . -. . . . . . . m by obligacioun of statute merchaunt for you the . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . in myne oune kepinge for my discharge, and after a -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [r]estorid me ageyn at this Michelmas. And m -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . shuld hange still till -Candilmas, and me thinke it is by con . . . . . . . . obligacions -paiable at . . . . . [Candle]mas I did at the begynny[ng] . . . . . will -kepe still the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or -sufficient and that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as wold pay at -th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with me than thus -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . indenture wherby . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for be cause that ye w . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . experyens. - -Also I wold avyse you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . my -Lord of Norfolk. - -Also, nevew, there is onne Fr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -but hym silf and his wif and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -wherfore I have writin to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in -this matier; and I trust l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And I -pray yow that may ha . . . . . . . . . . . . - - [Footnote 209-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Of this letter only two - fragments remain, giving, as will be seen, a very mutilated text. - Little more can be said about the contents than that they refer to - money matters between William Paston and his nephew Sir John, - which are probably those referred to in succeeding letters. The - handwriting is that of William Paston. A mutilated endorsement, - apparently in the handwriting of John Paston the younger, shows - merely the words ' . . . . . to Sir J. P. for . . . . .'] - - -855 - -ABSTRACT[210-1] - -[Sidenote: Date uncertain] - -Fragment of a draft deed by which Sir John Paston and John Paston, Esq., -mortgage certain premises not named to the use of Master John Morton, -William Paston, Thomas Playter, and Thomas Lovell, for L114. - - [Nothing is clear about the date of this document, but we place it - here, as bearing, like the last, on money matters between Sir John - Paston and his uncle William.] - - [Footnote 210-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -856 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[211-1] - -_To Mestresse Margrett Paston at Norwyche, or to J. Paston in hyr -absence._ - -[Sidenote: 1474] - -Ryght wyrshypfull and my moste kynde and tendre moodre, I recomaund me -to yow, thankyng yow off the grete cost and off the greet chere that ye -dyd to me and myn at my last beyng wyth yowe; whyche cheer also hath -made me perfyghtly hooll, I thanke God and yow, in so moche that where -as I feeryd me that for weykenesse, and so green recuveryd off my -syknesse, that I scholde have apeyryd by the weye; but, God thanke yow, -I toke so my crommys whyls I was wyth yow, that I felyd my sylfe by the -weye that God and ye had made me stronger than I wenyd that I had ben, -in so myche that I feell my selffe every daye holler than other. - -It was soo that I mett wyth myn onkle William by the weye, and there in -the felde I payed hym the iiij_li._ whyche I had borowyd off hym; and he -was passyng inquisytyff howe that I was purveyd for recompensyng off -Towneshend. I tolde hym I hopyd weell; he tolde me that he undrestood -that I had the C_li._ of the Bysshopys executores, and he had herde seye -that I had also borowyd another C_li._ of a marchaunt, and so I lakyd -but an C. marke. I deme he herde thys of T. Lovell, for I tolde hym that -I was in hope to fynde suche a freende that wolde lende me C_li._ He -axed me, who was that? I answeryd hym, an olde marchaunt, a freende of -myn, but myn oncle thowte that shold be by weye of chevyshanse -[_usury_], and to myn horte; wherffor I was pleyne to hym, and tolde hym -that ye wer sewerte therffor, and purveyed it off suche as wolde doo for -yowe. And as for the forte [_fourth_] C. mark, he seyde to me that as -for that he wolde, rather than joperte sholde be, purvey it by weye off -chevyshaunce at London, in so moche that, er he come fro London, he had -for my sake leyde v. C. markes worthe of plate with Hewghe Fenne. The -place at Warwykes Inne is large, and my grawntdame is agyd; it had ben -jopertous to leve moche plate wyth hyr, thoghe halffe were hyr owne. But -if I maye do other wyse, I purpose nott to chevyshe any mony by hys -meane. - -Item, I have delyveryd yowre botell to Courbye the caryer thys same -daye, and he promysed me to be with yow on Mondaye nyghte, or ellys on -Touesday tymely. He hathe also xl_d._ to paye for the thryd hyryd horse, -and he bryngythe the iij. horse wyth hym, and is contente for hys labor -and for the mete largely. They be delyveryd hym in as good, and rather -better plyght, than whan I had them forthe, and not gallyd nor hurte. He -hate also ij. sadelys, one of my brotheres, and one other hyred, as ye -woot off. - -Item, he hathe a peyre botys off Edmond Reedes, the shomaker, whyche -Saundre borowyd off hym. I beseche yowe that William Mylsent or Symme -maye se that every man have hys owne. - -Item, as for my brother Edmond, blyssyd be God, he is weell amendyd. - -Item, as for Hankyn owr dogge, I am a fferde never to see hym, but if -[_unless_] yowr good helpe bee. - -Item, as for the bookes that weer Sir James, iff it lyke yow that I maye -have them, I ame not able to by them; but somwhat wolde I gyffe, and the -remenaunt with a goode devowte herte, by my trowthe, I wyll prey for hys -sowle. Wherffor iff it lyke yow by the next messenger or karyer to sende -hem in a daye, I shall have them dressyd heer; and iff any off them be -claymyd here aftre, in feythe I wyll restoor it. - -Wretyn on Saterdaye. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 211-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident from the - contents that this letter must have been written shortly before - that which follows.] - - -857 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[213-1] - -_To Mestresse Margrete Paston, or to Roose, dwellyng byffore hyr gate at -Norwyche._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 20] - -Aftre dew recomendacion, my most tendre and kynde moodre, I beseche yow -off yowr dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weete that I reseyvyd a lettre -thhat come from yowe, wretyn the xxvj. daye of Octobre, none erst -but[213-2] on Wednysday last past, wherby I conceyvyd that, at the -wryghtyng off that letter, ye weer nott serteyn of the delyng betwyn -Towneshende and me. It was so that, God thanke yow, I receyvyd the -xx_li._ broght by Syme, and also the mony browght by my brother, with -whyche mony, and with moor that I had my selff, I redemyd the maner of -Sporle, and payed Towneshend bothe the CCCC. marke ther ffor, and also -x_li._ that I owte hym besyde, and have off hym aqwytaunce off all -bargaynes and off all other dettes. Neverthelesse, I assayed hym iff he -wolde, iff nede hadde ben, gyvyn me a xij. monyth lenger respyght, -whyche he grauntyd to do; but in conclusyon I can nott entrete hym, but -that he woll have the uttremest of hys bargayn, and thys xx_li._ -payeable at Candelmesse and Esterne. I kan entrete hym noon other wyse -as yit; wherffor I thynke, iff I had passyd my daye, it had ben harde to -have trustyd to hys cortesye, in so moche I ffynde hym also ryght loose -in the tonge. For Bekham, he spekyth no thyng comfortably ther in; what -he wyll doo, can I nott seye. - -Item, as for Castre, it nedyth nott to spore nor prykke me to doo owghte -ther in. I doo that I can with goode wyll, and somwhat I hope to doo -hastely ther in that shall doo goode. - -Item, as for the bokes that weer Syr James, God have hys sowle, whyche -it lykethe yow that I shall have them, I beseche yow that I maye have -them hyder by the next massenger, and iff I be goon, yit that they be -delyveryd to myn ostesse at the George, at Powlys Wharffe, whyche wolle -kepe them saffe, and that it lyke yow to wryght to me whatt my peyne or -payment shall be for them. - -Item, it lyked yow to weet of myn heelle. I thanke God nowe that I am -nott greetly syke ner soore, but in myn heele, wherin alle men know nott -whatt peyne I feele. And wher ye advysed me to hast me owt of thys -towne, I wolde full fayne be hense. I spende dayly mor than I sholde -doo, if I wer hense, and I am nott well purveyed. - -Item, blessyd be Good, my grauntdam is amendyd by suche tyme as myn -oncle W. come hyddre. But my yongest cosyn Margret, hys doghtre, is ded -and beryed er he come home. - -I am as moche afferde off thys londe that is in hys hande as I was off -that that was in Towneshendes hande. I hope to wryght yow moor serteynte -within iiij. or v. dayes. No more, &c. - -Wretyn the xx. daye of Novembre, anno E. iiij. xiiij^{o}. - - Yowr Sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 213-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 213-2: No earlier than.] - - [[I reseyvyd a lettre thhat come from yowe - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -858 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[214-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, at Norwyche, or to Roose, dwellyng affor -Mestresse Pastonys gate, in Norwych._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 20] - -Ryght wyrshypful and weell belovyd brother, I recomaunde me to yow, -letyng yow weet that I have comonyd with yowr ffreende Dawnson, and have -receyvyd yowr rynge off hym, and he hathe by myn advyce spoken with -hyr[214-2] ij. tymes; he tellythe me off hyr delyng and answers, whyche -iff they wer acordyng to hys seyng, a ffeynter lover than ye wolde, and -weell aghte to, take therin greet comffort, so that he myght haply slepe -the werse iij. nyghtys afftr. And suche delyng in parte as was bytwyen -my Lady W. and yowr ffreende Danson he wrote me a bylle theroff, whyche -I sende yow herwith; and that that longythe to me to doo therin, it -[_I ?_] shall nott ffayle to leeve all other bysynesse a parte. -Neverthelesse within iij. dayes, I hope so to deele herin, that I -suppose to sette yow in serteynte hoghe that ye shall fynde hyr ffor -evyr her afftr. It is so, as I undrestande, that ye be as besy on yowr -syde ffor yowr ffreende Dawnson, wheer as ye be, I praye God sende yow -bothe goode spede in thees werkys, whyche iff they be browte abowte iche -off yowe is moche beholden to other; yit were it pyte that suche crafty -wowers, as ye be bothe, scholde speede weell, but iff ye love trewly. - -Item, as ffor Stoctons doghtr, she shall be weddyd in haste to Skeerne, -as she tolde hyrselffe to my sylke-mayde,[215-1] whyche makyth perte off -suche as she shall weer, to whom she brake hyr harte, and tolde hyr that -she sholde have hadde Master Paston, and my mayde wende it had been I -that she speke off; and with moor that the same Mester Paston kome wher -she was with xx. men, and wolde have taken hyr aweye. I tolde my mayde -that she lyed off me, and that I never spake with hyr in my lyff, ner -that I wolde not wedde hyr to have with hyr iij^ml. marke. - -Item, as for Ebortons dowghtr, my brother Edmonde seythe, that he herde -never moor speche theroff syns yowr departyng, and that ye wolde that he -sholde nott breke, nor doo no thynge therin, but iff it come off theer -begynnyng. - -Item, I had answer ffrom my Lorde[215-2] that he is my speciall goode -lorde, and that by wryghtyng; and as ffor Bernaye he sette hym in hys -owne wages ffor my sake, and that whan so ever I come to Caleys, I shall -ffynde all thyng ther as woll have it, and rather better than it was -heretoffor. - -Item, the Kyng come to this towne on Wednysdaye; as ffor the Frenshe -Embassate that is heer, they come nott in the Kynges presence, by -lykehod, ffor men seye that the chyeff off them is he that poysonyd -bothe the Duke off Berry[216-1] and the Duke off Calabr.[216-2] - -Item, ther was never mor lyklyhod that the Kyng shall goo ovyr thys next -yer than was nowe. - -I praye yow remembre that I maye have the pewter vessell heddr by the -next karyer by the lattr ende off thys weke. - -Item, I praye yow remembr so that I may have the bokys by the same tyme, -whyche my moodr seyde she wolde sende me by the next carier. - -Wretyn at London, the Sondaye the xx. daye off Novembr, anno E. iiij^ti -xiiij^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 214-1: [From Fenn, ii. 164.]] - - [Footnote 214-2: Apparently Lady Walgrave, hereafter referred to. - She was the widow of Sir Richard Walgrave, Knight.] - - [Footnote 215-1: A person who made gowns of silk, etc., for both - men and women, as appears from the manner in which she is here - mentioned.--F.] - - [Footnote 215-2: I am not certain whether the Duke of Norfolk is - here meant, or Lord Hastyngs, the then Governor of Calais.--F.] - - [Footnote 216-1: Charles, Duke of Berry and of Guienne, who was - supposed to have been poisoned by order of his brother Lewis XI. - in May 1472.] - - [Footnote 216-2: Nicholas of Anjou, Duke of Calabria and Lorraine, - who died about the same time as the Duke of Guienne.] - - [[dwellyng affor Mestresse Pastonys gate - _italic "d" misprinted as "a"_ - - Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 20 - _date supplied from body of letter_]] - - -859 - -ABSTRACT[216-3] - -[Sidenote: 1474 / NOV. 29] - -Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 33. 'The agreement and accord between the -Bishop of Winton and John Paston, Knight, touching the building of the -College at Castre of seven priests and seven poor men, translated by -dispensation of the Pope to seven priests and seven poor scholars in -Magdalene College, and touching the lands of Sir John Fastolf. November -29, Edw. IV. 14.' - - [Footnote 216-3: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - -860 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[216-4] - -_To John Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1474 / DEC. 11] - -Brother, I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I have, lyke as I -promysyd yowe, I have doon my devoyr to know my Lady Walgraves stomacke, -whyche, as God helpe me, and to be pleyn to yowe, I ffynde in hyr no -mater nor cawse, that I myght tak comfort off. Sche will in nowyse -receyve, ner kepe yowr rynge with hyr, and yit I tolde hyr that sche -scholde not be any thynge bownde therby; but that I knew by yowr herte -off olde that I wyst weel ye wolde be glad to fforber the lesvest -[_dearest_] thynge that ye had in the worlde, whyche myght be dayly in -her presence, that sholde cawse hyr onys on a daye to remembr yow, but -itt wolde not be. She wolde nott therby, as she seyde, putte yow ner -kepe yow in any comffort therby. And mor ovyr, she preyed me, that I -sholde never take labor moor heer in, ffor she wolde holde hyr to suche -answer as she hadd geven yow to ffoor, wherwith she thowght bothe ye and -I wolde have holde us contente, had nott been the words off hyr suster -Geneffyeff. - -When I undrestood all thys, and that over nyght she bad hyr that weent -bytwyen hyr and me byd me brynge with me hyr muskeball[217-1] which, -&c., than I aftr all thys axid iff she weer dyspleasyd with me ffor it, -and she seyde, naye. - -Than I tolde hyr, that I had nott sent it yowe, ffor synne off my sowle; -and so I tolde hyr all, how I had wretyn to yow why that I wold nott -sende it yow, by cawse I wyst weell ye sholde have slepyd the werse; but -nowe, I tolde hyr, as God helpe me, that I wolde sende it yow, and gyffe -yow myn advyse nott to hope ovyr moche on hyr, whyche is ovyr harde an -hertyd lady ffor a yonge man to tryst on to; whyche I thowght that ffor -all my words, ye cowde nott ner wolde nott do ffor all myn advyce. - -Yitt ageynwards she is nott dyspleasyd, nor fforbad me nott but that ye -sholde have the kepyng off hyr muskball; wherffor de ye with itt as ye -lyke. I wolde it hadd doon weel; by Good, I spake ffor yow soo, that in -ffeythe I trowe I kowde nott seye so weel ageyn. - -Wherffor I sende yow herwith yowr rynge, and the onhappy muskeball. Also -make ye mater off it herafftr as ye kan, I am nott happy to wow nowther -ffor my selff ner noon other. I tolde hyr all the processe off the Lorde -Howarde and off yowr grewnds [_greyhounds_] as I kowde; all helpys -nott.[218-1] - - . . . . . . . - -I her no worde off my vessell, ner off my boks; I mervayll. No mor. - -Wretyn at London, the xj. daye of Decembr, anno E. iiij.^ti xiiij^{o}. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 216-4: [From Fenn, ii. 170.]] - - [Footnote 217-1: This muskball, or ball of perfume, seems to have - been taken from Lady Walgrave by Sir John Paston in a jesting - manner, to send to his brother as a present from her.--F.] - - [Footnote 218-1: 'Here follows,' says Fenn, 'some displeasure at - his uncle William's proceedings in matters between them, etc., of - no consequence.'] - - [[wherffor de ye with itt - _text unchanged: error for "do"?_]] - - -861 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[218-2] - -_To the ryght worshypfull John Paston, Esquier, at Norwych, or to hys -modr, Margreet Paston, in hys absence, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / JAN. 17] - -I recomande me to yow, praying yow hertely, that I maye have weetyng -when that my Lorde and Lady of Norffolk shalle be at London, and howgh -longe they shall tery theer, and in especiall my Lorde of Norffolk; ffor -uppon ther comyng to London wer it ffor me to be guydyd. Neverthelesse I -wolde be soory to come theer but iff I neds most. I thynke it wolde be -to yow ovyr erksom a labor to solycyte the maters atwyen them and me, -but iff I weer theer myselffe; wherffor, iff ye thynke it be convenyent -that I com thyddr, I praye yow sende me worde as hastely as ye maye, and -by what tyme ye thynke most convenyent, that I sholde be theer; and off -all suche coumfforte as ye ffynde or heer off the towardnesse theroff, -and when also that ye shall be theer yowr selffe. For it is so that as -to morow I purpose to ryde in to Flaundrys to purveye me off horse and -herneys, and percase I shall see the assege at Nwse[218-3] er I come -ageyn, iff I have tyme; wherffor, iff I so doo, by lyklyhod it woll be a -xiiij. dayes er I be heer ageyn; and afftr, as I heer ffrom yowe and -other ther uppon, that at the next passage, and God woll, I purpose to -come to London warde: God sende me goode spede; in cheff ffor the mater -above wretyn; and secondly, ffor to appoynt with the Kyng and my Lorde, -ffor suche retynwe as I sholde have now in thees werrys in to Frawnce; -wherffor I praye yow, in Norffolk and other places, comon with suche as -ye thynke lykly ffor yow and me, that ar dysposyd to take wages in -gentylmenns howsys and ellys wher, so that we maye be the moor redy, -when that nede is; neverthelesse at thys owr, I wolde be gladde to have -with me deyly iij. or iiij. mor than I have, suche as weer lykly; ffor I -lakke off my retynwe, that I have neer so many. I praye yow sende me som -tydyngs, suche as ye heer, and howghe that my brother Edmonde dothe. - -For as ffor tydyngs heer, ther be but ffewe, saffe that the assege -lastyth stylle by the Duke off Burgoyn affoor Nuse, and the -Emperor[219-1] hathe besegyd also, not fferr from these, a castell, and -an other town in lyke wyse, wher in the Dukys men ben. And also, the -Frenshe Kynge, men seye, is comyn ryght to the water off Somme with -iiij^ml. [4000] spers; and som men trowe that he woll, at the daye off -brekyng off trewse, or ellys byffoor, sette uppon the Duks contreys -heer. When I heer moor, I shall sende yowe moor tydyngs. - -The Kyngs inbassators, Sir Thomas Mongomere and the Master off the -Rolls[219-2] be comyng homwards ffrom Nuse; and as ffor me, I thynke -that I sholde be sek but iff I see it. - -Syr John off Parre and William Berkeley com thys weye to Flaundrs ward -to by them horse and herneys, and [I] made Sir J. Parr goode cheer as I -cowde ffor yowr sake; and he tolde me, that ye made hym haulte cheer, -&c. at Norwyche. No moor. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xvij. daye off Janever, anno Edwardi iiij^ti -xiiij^o. - - [Footnote 218-2: [From Fenn, ii. 174.] 'Though this letter,' says - Fenn, 'has no signature, yet it is written by Sir John Paston, - Knight.'] - - [Footnote 218-3: Neuss, not far from Duesseldorf, in the territory - of Cologne, at this time besieged by Charles the Bold, Duke of - Burgundy.] - - [Footnote 219-1: Frederick III. of Austria, Emperor of Germany.] - - [Footnote 219-2: Dr. John Morton, afterwards Bishop of Ely, Lord - Chancellor, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cardinal.] - - -862 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[220-1] - -_To John Paston, Sqwyer, be thys delyveryd in hast._ - -Jh's.[220-2] - -[Sidenote: 1475 / JAN. 29] - -I gret yow well, and send yow Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wet -that my cosyn Robard Clere was her with me thys weke, and told me that -he was nowt payd of the mony that ye know that was borowd of hys modyr -and of hym, but iiij^xx._li._ The xx_li._ that my plegges ly for ys on -payd. He seyd that he was desyryd to delyvere my plegges, and to have be -payd the xx_li._; but he wold not, tyll he had spokyn with me, because -of the promys that he had mad to me befor that he shuld not delyver them -to non withowt my assent. I seyd to hym that I suppose veryly that yowyr -brodyr hys a greyd with yowyr hunkyll that he shuld paye all the hole, -for I suppose he hath a swerte for ale that and more. I wold undyrstond -how yt ys, and how that my seyd cosyn shall be content, for I war loth -to lese my plegges; I wot yt well, yowyr good hunkyll wold ben in -possessyon with good well, but I wol not soo. I wold that ye shuld speke -with yowyr hunkyll ther in, and send me word in hast what he seet -[_saith_]. - -I marvyll, be my trowth, that I had no wrytyng fro yowyr brodyr, er he -departyd fro London, as he promysyd in the last lettyr that he sent me, -the wych was wretyn be for the Kynges comyng to Norwych; I went -[_expected_] veryly to have hard from hym ar [_ere_] thys tyme. I wold -ye shuld send hym word of yowyr hunkyles delyng in thys seyd mater, and -send me an ansswer ther off. - -Recomaund me to yowyr grauntdam. I wold she war her in Norffolk, as well -at es as evyr I sy hyr, and as lytyll rewlyd be hyr son as evyr she was, -and than I wold hope that we alle shuld far the bettyr for hyr. Yt ys -told me that yowyr hunkyll hath mad gret menys and larg profyrs to John -Bakton to make a relesse to hym of Oxinhed. Whedyr that be don or nowt, -I wot nowt yet, but I shall wot in hast, yf I may. - -I wold ye shuld spekyn with my Lord of Norwych, and a say to get a lysen -of hym to that I may have the sacrement her in the chapell, because yt -ys far to the chyrche, and I am sekly, and the parson ys oftyn owt. For -all maner of casweltes of me and myn, I wold havyt grauntyd, yf I myth. - -Send me word yf ye her ony tydynges from yowyr brodyr how he doth of hys -seknes, and in odyr thynges, as farforth as ye know, as astely as ye -may. I thynk long tyll I her from hym for dyvers causys. God kepe yow. - -Wretyn in hast at Mawdby, on the Satyrday next be for Candelmes Day. - -Send me an ansswer of thys lettyr in hast, and odyr tydynges, &c. - - Be yowyr modyr. - -My cosyn Robard told me that ther was mor than vij_li._ of the mony that -was payd hym that was ryght on rysty, and he cowd nowt havyt chaungyd. -He was on goodly servyd ther in. - - [Footnote 220-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was - evidently written on the same day as that immediately following.] - - [Footnote 220-2: This is the customary contraction of the name - Jesus, which was frequently written at the head of a letter.] - - [[to have hard from hym ar [_ere_] thys tyme - _printed without space between "ar" and brackets_]] - - -863 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[221-1] - -_To Ser John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyveryd in hast._ - -Jh's.[221-2] - -[Sidenote: 1475] - -Ryght welbelovyd son, I gret yow well, and send yow Goddes blyssyng and -myn, letyng yow wete that I marveyle that I have had no wrytyng from yow -sethyn ye sent me the lettyr that ye sent me be for the Kynges comyng to -Norwych; in the whyche lettyr ye wrot to me that ye shuld a wretyn azeyn -to me or ye shuld de part owt of London. It ys so that yowyr hunkyll -William hath do payd to my cosyn Robard Clere but iiij^xx._li._ of the -C_li._ and he wol no mor pay but yf [_unless_] he hath delyveraunc of my -plegges, the wych was leyd to plegg for xx^ti_li._; the wych ben bettyr. -I wot well, be cause of the good well that he owyt to me, as ye know, he -wold ben in possessyon therof. My cosyn, Robard Cler, was her with me -thys weke, and told me, that yf he wold a delyveryd them, he myth an had -the seyd xx_li._; but he seyd he wold nowt, tyll he had spokyn with me; -be my trowth I fynd hym ryght kyndly dysposyd to yow, and to me bothe; -and so I have desyryd hym to kepe styll the plegge in hys possessyon, -tyll I have word from yow how ye ar agreyd with yowyr hunkyll for the -payment of the seyd mony: I wen veryly that ye have fownd hym swerte for -alle, and yff ye have soo do, I wold ye shuld wryt to yowyr hunkyll -therfor, that I myth have my plegges ageyn, for I war loth that they -shuld com in hys fyngyers. - -Item, as for Sporyl wood, be ffor the Kynges comyng into Norffolk, -I myth an had chapmen to abowtyd [_have bought it_] a gret [_in whole_] -for xij^xx. [_twelve score_] mark, and now ther wol no man by yt a gret, -bycause of the gret good that the pepyll ys leyd to for the Kyng; werfor -we ar a bowth to retaylyt as well as we may, and as well as yt can be -browth too; and I send yow word how we shall do as astely as I may. As -for yowyr barly in thys cuntre, yt cannot be sold above x_d._ or xj_d._; -that ys the gretest prys of barly her, and but yt be at a bettyr prys, -I purpose for to do yt malt. And as for mony, I cowd not get yet of -Pecok but iij_li._; and he seth that be than that the owt chargys be -boryn, and the repracion of the myll at Wyntyrton, we ar lyke to have -but lytyll mor mony besyd the barly. Malt ys sold her but for xiij_d._ -and whet ij_s._ or xxvj_d._ at thys time, and otys xij_d._ Ther ys non -owtlod suffyrd to goo owth of thys cuntre as yet; the Kyng hath -comaundyd that ther shuld non gon owth of thys lond. I fer me that we -shall have ryth a straung ward [_world_]; God a mendyd, whan Hys wyll -ys. I thank yow for the flakons that ye sent me; they be ryght good, and -plesyth me ryght well: I shall be as good an huswyff for yow as I can, -and as I wold be for myselff. Send me word how ye doo of yowyr syknes -that ye had on yowyr hey [_eye_] and yowyr lege; and yff God wol nowt -suffyr yow to have helth, thank Hym therof, and takyt passhently, and -com hom a geyn to me, and we shall lyve to geddyr, as God woll geve us -grase to do; and as I have seyd to yow beffor thys, I wold ye war -delyveryd of my mastres A. H.,[223-1] and than I wold trost that ye -shuld do the bettyr. - -As for the bokys that ye desyryd to have of Syr Jamys,[223-2] the best -of alle and the fayrest ys cleymyd; ner yt ys not in hys inventory. -I shall a say to get yt for yow, and I may; the prys of the todyr bokys, -besyd that, ys xx_s._ vj_d._ the wych I send yow a byll of. Yf ye lyk be -the prys of them, and ye wol have them, send me word. And also I pray -yow send me an ansswere of thys lettyr, be cause I thynk long seth I -hard from yow. God have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Mawdby, on the Sattyrday nex be forn the Purificacion of owyr -Lady, the xiiij. yer of Kyng Edward the iiij^{t}. - - Yowyr Modyr. - - _Endorsed_--Anno xiiij^{o}. - - [Footnote 221-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 221-2: _See_ p. 220, Note 2.] - - [Footnote 223-1: Anne Haulte.] - - [Footnote 223-2: Sir James Gloys.] - - [[he hath delyveraunc of my plegges - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -864 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[223-3] - -_To hys brother John Paston, or to hy[s] oncle William Paston, in Werwyk -Lane, or to Edmond Paston, at the George, at Powlys Wharfe, to deliver -any of them._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / FEB. 5] - -Ryght worshypffull, I recomaunde me on to yow, letyng yow weete that I -thynke longe that I heer nott from yow syns Crystmesse, ner have no -serteyn knowleche whether that Towneshend hathe performyd hys promysse -or nott, ner off my brother Johnys beyng at London, ner off my Lord or -Lady off Norfolkes comyng to London, at whoys comyng sholde be the -cheffe labor and sewte that I or or any for me sholde labor. It was soo, -God thanke you bothe, that iche off yow, at my last beyng with yow, -grauntyd me to take labor uppon yow; and iche off yow, for the havyng -ageyn off my place in Castre. Now is it soo, that wher my verry purpose -was to have comyn to London now with the Master of the Rollys[224-1] and -Sir Thomas Mongomere, demyng to fynde the Kyng at the Parlement; and -also that my Lorde and Lady off Norfolk sholde nott by lyklyhod fayle to -be theer also: wherffor me thoght the tyme was convenyent; but it happyd -so that suche tydynges come hyddre off the Frenshe Kynges hasty comyng -in to thees marchys of Pykardye, whyche cawsyd my Lordes Depute and -Cownsell heer to desyr and charge me soo streyghtly, that in noo wyse I -maye, tyll I heer other tydynges, departe from hense. Notwithstondyng -the Marchall and Counsell heer have wretyne to my Lorde Lywe tenant for -me, and moor over desyryd bothe the Master of the Rollys and Sir T. -Mongomere to remembre my materes bothe to the Kynge and to my lorde, in -so moche that, iff the season be convenyent, both the seyd Master and -Syr T. Mongomere wille labore bothe the Kynge and my lorde to entrete my -Lorde off Norffolk, my lady hys wyff, and ther consell, to do for me all -that reason wyll; of whoys good willes and labor her in I ame better -ensuryd off, than I kan for lakke of leyser at thys tyme wryght yowe -wetyng off; wherffor I praye yow and iche of yow, iff the season be -convenyent, to take the labor, that theese jentyllmen maye do for me, -and to my proffyght, like as I feelle them dysposyd to doo; and moore -over I have somwhatt informyd them bothe ther in; and also that I maye -hastyly heer from yow, and iff it come to that any mony most be gevyn to -my Lorde or Lady off Norffolk ffor a plesyr herffor, I woll, uppon as I -heer from yow, come to yow in alle hast possible, all thynges leyde a -parte. - -Item, iff any letter be requesyth to be hadde, in lyke forme as oonys -ther was from the Kyng to my Lorde off Norffolk, Sir T. Montgomere will -by your advyces opteyne yow suche one off yowr entents to my proffyghte -in the premyssys, and by thys my wryghtyng I bynde me to repaye yowe, -iff any suche letter or wryghtyng be opteynyd, what so ever it coste. No -more for lakke off leysor. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the v. day of Feverer, Anno E. iiij. xiiij^{o}. - -As for tydynges heer, my masteris th'embassatores, Sir T. Mongomere, and -the Master of the Rollys, kom streyght from the Duke at hys assege at -Nywysse, whyche wyll nott yitt be wone. - - Yowr JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 223-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 224-1: John Morton, afterwards Bishop of Ely.] - - [[labor and sewte that I or or any for me - _text unchanged: printed at mid-line_]] - - -865 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[225-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, at Norwyche, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / FEB. 22] - -Please it yow to weete that I receyvyd a letter from yow, wretyn the -Saterdaye next byffor Candelmesse; for answer wheroff, lyke it yow to -weete, that as for the bokys that weer Sir James (God have hys sowle!), -I thynke best that they be styll with yow, tyll that I speke with yow my -selffe. My mynde is now nott most uppon bokes. - -Item, as for xx_li._ that ye sey that yowr plate lythe for, it is so, -that I fownde my oncle William no sewerte therffor, as Playter and my -brother John bothe cowde enfforme yow; it was never desyryd of me, ner -the tolde me nott that any suche pledge laye for it, but that ye hadd -dyschargyd me of xx_li._ and chevysshyd it, and that ye sholde repaye it -in hast; wherin I woll do as ye woll, and as it pleasyth yow to sende me -wetyng. - -Item, I ame sory that ye be no better payd off the xx_li._ that I had -off yowe, whyche ye sholde have receyvyd ageyn off my londes in Flegge. -Iff the markett be nott goode yit, I hope it shall be better; never the -lesse my wylle is that ye sholde have yowr holl xx_li._ ageyn, and not -lose j_d._ Wherffor if it be so that ye be mysse servyd ther, I beseche -yow off pacyence tyll the begynnyng of the next yeer, and iff aught be -behynd, ye shall receyve uppe the remenaunt then, for, as God helpe me, -I wolde be sory that ye lost moor for me; I have pytte yow to cost, -charge, and losse i nowge, God thanke yow of it, thoughe ye lose no -more. Wherffor iff Sporle woode sprynge any sylver or golde, it is my -wyll that fyrst of alle ye be yowr owne payer off all that is be hynde; -and next thatt, to paye myn oncle William vij^{xx}vj_li._ xiij_s._ -iiij_d._ and besyd that, xvj_li._ lost uppon the chevysshaunce of -iiij^xx._li._; and so I owe viij^{xx.}ij_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ Wherffor -I beseche yow to make hast in repayment heroff as fast as it wolle -growe, as my trust is in yowe. - -Item, wher it pleasyd yow to weete of myn heele and amendyng; I thanke -Godde I ame in goode case, and as goode a full hooll, bothe off the -fevre, agwe off myn ie, myn legge, and myn heele, saff that I ame tendre -off all theese; and were nott goode rewle, full like to feell off iche -off them ryght soone; neverthelesse, God thanke yow off yowr large -profre, wheroff I wolde be ryght gladde iff I myght, for trobles and -other labor that I have takyn on me nowe in to Fraunce warde; for the -goode spede off me, and that jorneye, I beseche yow of yowr preyeres and -remembrance; and thatt jorney, with Goddes grace, ones doon, I purpose -verrely, with Goddes grace, therafftre to daunce atendaunce most abowt -yowr plesure and ease: and with Goddes grace, soone uppon Esterne, er -evyr I goo forthe, I hope to se yow, and fecche your blessynge. No moor -at thys tyme, but Jesus have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xxij. daye of Feverer, anno E. iiij^ti xiiij^{o}. - - Yowr Sone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - -_On the back of the preceding letter is written in another hand, as -follows_:-- - - Memorandum, that Syr John Paston owthe to William Paston, acordyng - to the endenture made be twex them,-- - viij^{xx}ij_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ - - Wheroff payable the firste day of Octobre for Townsend, C. marke. - - Item, the xxvj. day off Novembre,-- - iiij^{xx.}xvj_li._ - - [Footnote 225-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [[Item, the xxvj. day off Novembre,-- - iiij^{xx.}xvj_li._ - _final . missing or invisible_]] - - -866 - -MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[227-1] - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MARCH 5] - -John Paston, I send yow Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wete, that I -hadd non er thys lettyr than on Sent Matheus Evyn; yf I myth a had an -massenger or thys tym I had sent yt yow. I con yow thank for the lettyr -that ye sent to my cosyn Calthorpp and me of the tydyngs; I wold ye -shuld do soo mor. As ye may remembyr that I spak to yow for the -xx^ti_li._ for my cosyn Clere, spek to yowr hunkyll therof, and send me -an answer therof in hast. And for the lycens that I spak to yow for, to -have the Sacrement in my Chapell, yf ye cannot getyt of the Busshop of -Norwych, getyt of the Busshop of Caunterbery, for that ys most swyr for -all plase. God kepe yow. - -Wretyn on Mydlent Sunday. - - [Footnote 227-1: [From Fenn, ii. 178.] This letter was written on - the back of Letter 861.] - - -867 - -RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON[227-2] - -_To the right worshippfull, and my right feithfull gode cosin, John -Paston, Esquier._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MARCH 26] - -Right worshippfull and my right feithfull gode cosin, I recomaunde me -unto you, and, as hertily as I can, thanke you of your right gentill and -kynde remembraunce, that I consceyve well by your late writyng that ye -have to me wardes, undeserved in dede, but not in will, so God helpe me, -as ye shuld weell knowe, if my power might accorde with my will. And, -cosin, in the mater that it liked you to remembre me in, bothe to my -worshipp and pleaser, I feere me that nouther my pouere doughter nor -pouere purs can nor may be to his pleaser; wold God outher might; and I -shuld take me right neere to his pleaser, savyng myself, I ensure you by -my trouth. And howe to understand his pleaser and disposicion therin, -I see no mean as thus advised, but if [_unless_] it might please you by -your wisdam to attempte it forther, as ye seme moste conveniente, and -theruppon I to be guyded by your gode advise, as the cas shall require; -wherin ye shall bynde me herefter to do that may be to your pleaser to -my power, and yette with no better will than I have had, so God help me, -Who have you ever in His kepinge, and sende you your hertes desire to -His pleaser; and if it pleas you to remembre further in the premisses, -I trust ye shall leese no labour on my pouere parte; howe be it I fere -me sore, as I be gan, bothe of my pouere doughter and purs. - -Writon at Woderysyng, the morn efter Our Lady Day, in haste. - -I require you this bill may be secrete. - - By your trewe cosin, - - RIC. SUTHWELL. - - [Footnote 227-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Fenn thinks the - gentleman here referred to was John Berney of Reedham, Esquire, - who married Alice, daughter of Richard Southwell, Esquire, of Wood - Rising, the writer of this letter. He accordingly dates it about - the year 1475, and I see no reason to question his opinion.] - - -868 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[228-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston, at Mawtby._ - -[Sidenote: 1475(?) / [MAR. 29]] - -Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all humbyll recomendacyons, as lowely as -I can I beseche yow of your blyssyng. Pleasyt yow to wete that late -yester nyght I cam to Norwyche, purposeing to have been as thys day with -yow at Mawtby, but it is so that I may not hold my purpose, for he that -shall pay me my quarter wagys for me and my retenew, is in Norwyche, and -waytyth ourly when hys money shall com to hym. It is oon Edmund Bowen of -the Cheker, a specyall frend of myn, and he avysyth me to tery tyll the -money be com, lest that I be unpayed, for who comyth fyrst to the mylle, -fyrst must grynd. - -And as I was wryghtyng thys byll, on of the gromys of my lords chambyr -cam to me, and told me, that my lady wyll be here in Norwyche to morow -at nyght towards Walsyngham, whyche shall, I wot well, be a nother lett -to me; but I had more need to be other wyse ocupyed then to awayte on -ladyse, for ther is as yett, I trowe, no sperre that shall go over the -see, so evyll horsyd as I am. But it is told me that Rychard Call hathe -a good horse to sell, and on John Becher of Oxborough hathe an other; -and if it myght please yow to geve Syme leve to ryd in to that contre at -my cost, and in your name, seying that ye wyll geve on of your sonys an -horse, desyryng hym that he wyll geve yow a penyworthe for a peny, and -he shall, and the pryse be resonabyll, hold hym pleasyd with your -payment ought of my purse, thow he knowe it not or hys horse depert fro -hys lands. Modyr, I bese[che] yow, and it may please yow to geve Syme -leve to ryde on thys message in your name, that he may be here with me -to morow in the mornyng be tymys, for wer I onys horsyd, I trowe I wer -as ferforthe redy as some of my neyghborows. I herd a lytyll word that -ye purposeid to be here in Norwyche thys next week. I prey God it be -thys week. Modyr, beseche yow that I may have an answer to morow at the -ferthest of thys mater, and of eny other servyse that it please yow to -comand me, whyche I wyll [be] at all seasons redy to acomplyshe with -Gods grace, Whom I beseche to preserve yow and yours. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, thys Wednysday in Estern Week. - - By your sone and servaunt, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 228-1: [From Fenn, iv. 444.] This letter was evidently - written in 1475, when John Paston and one or more of his younger - brothers were about to go over to France with the King's - army.--_See_ Letter 871. Margaret Paston was at that time - continually resident at Mautby.] - - -869 - -WILLIAM PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[230-1] - -_To my right worshupfull sistir, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / APRIL 7] - -Right worshupfull sustir, I recomaunde me to you, praying you to -undirstonde, the priour of Bromeholme hath sent ayen to me for xx_li._; -and my cosyn William Whyte desired me to wryte to you for the rewarde -that was offird hym to his churche and xx_li._ of my brothirs goodys to -be lent hym upon sufficient suertee, and by a yeeris ende payd ayen; he -hath and may doo for you and for my nevewe, Sir John, in many thynges, -and is his kynnesman, and it were a gode frendely dede and no jopardy -nor hurt. The Abbot of Wymondham hath sent to me too tymes. Frendship -may not hang by the wynde, nor for faire eyne, but causis must be -shewid; men wene that I hadd your coffers and my brothirs and maistir -Fastolffes in myne awarde, and that ye wote wele, &c. Send your avise to -my nevewe, Sir John, by the next messynger. Ye sent to me oonys for the -same mater, but I may not leene my money to defende othir men is causis; -your discrecion (?) thenkith that it were no reason. I have tolde them -your saying; and as it is s[o] that ye may nat come to the coffers but -all be togedir. Therfor ye must sende to my nevewe and to Arblastir how -ye will have this answerd; for the Abbot will be heere on Monday at the -sene, and labour must bee desired the next terme. Hit nedis nat to put -you in remembrance of my mater touchyng my Fadirs soule, my modir and -me, and God kepe you. Wreton at Norwich the vij^th day of Aprill. - -I have tolde thes folkis, as ye have seid to me all weys, that your will -is gode, but that ye may not come theretoo withoute th'assent of all -your felowes. - -Item, I pray you remembre the obligacion that Wix hath, and that I may -have my money of the parsone of Maudeby. - - By your brothir, - - WILLIAM PASTON. - - [Footnote 230-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 215.] As Margaret Paston, at - the date of this letter, is not at Norwich and her son Sir John - seems to be there, we may infer that it was written in the year - 1475. _See_ No. 868 (preliminary note).] - - -870 - -EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[231-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1475(?) / [MAY 13]] - -Syr, I recummawnd me to zow. Please yt zow to wette that my modyr hathe -causyd me to putte Gregory owte of my servyse, as, God help, I wrythe to -zow the very cause why. Yt happyd hym to have a knavys loste, in pleyn -termes to swhyve a quene, and so dyd in the Konyneclosse. Yt fortunyd -hym to be a spyed be ij. plowemen of my modyrs, whyche werne as fayne as -he of that mater, and desyerd hym to have parte, and as kompany -requeryd, seyd not nay; in so myche that the plowemen had her alle a -nythe in ther stabylle, and Gregory was clere delyvered of her, and as -he swherys had not a do with her within my modyrs place. Not with -standdyng my modyr thynkks that he was grownd of that matier; wherfor -ther is no remedy but he moste a voyde. And in so myche that at the -laste tyme that ze wer her, [ye] desyerd hym of me, yf that he schuld -departe from me, I send zow the very cawse of hys departyng, as my modyr -sethe; but I am in serteyn the contrary is true. Yt is nomor but that he -can not plese all partys. But that jantylman[231-2] is hys woords Lord, -he hathe seyd that he woold lyfte them whom that hym plese, and as that -scheweyt welle, he lyftyd on [_one_] xiiij. myle in a mornyng, and nowe -he hath ben caw sar of hys lyfte, I wot not how far, but yf that ze be -hys better master; but and we a mong us geve not hym a lyfte, I pray God -that we never thryve. And that is hys intente, I trowe, to bryng us to; -wherfor I requer zow, yf that yt plese zow to have hym, that ze wylle be -the better master to hym for my sake, for I am he that is as sory to -departe from hym as any man on lyve from hys servant, and be my trowthe, -as farforthe as I knowe, he is as true as any on lyve. - -I troste my fortune schale be better than ever to leve thus her; but yf -I wer hens wards, I ensuer zow I wold not schange for none that I knowe. -He is profytabylle on dyvers thynggs as ze knowe welle. - -Ther has ben a gret breke be twyx Calle and me, as I schal enforme zow -at my coming, wyche schalle be on Wedynsday next be the grace of God, -who preserve zow. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, on Wyteson eve. - - EDMOND PASTON. - - [Footnote 231-1: [From Fenn, iii. 426.] This letter was wrongly - attributed by Fenn to Edmund Paston, son of the Judge. It is in - the hand of the Judge's grandson, also named Edmund, and was - written at a time when his mother Margaret was living at Mautby, - where he, the writer, was also at the time, though he expected to - join his brother John, to whom he writes, in the following week. - These circumstances strongly suggest that it was written in 1475, - when Margaret Paston certainly was residing at Mautby, as we find - Edmund Paston with his brother John in London a month later - preparing to go over to Calais. _See_ No. 873. Whitsun Eve in 1475 - would be the 13th May.] - - [Footnote 231-2: Fenn supposes the person alluded to to be the - priest, James Gloys.] - - -871 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[232-1] - -_Un to Syr John Paston, be this delyvered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MAY 23] - -Ryght welbelovyd son, I grete you well, and send you Cristes blissyng -and myne, desyringe to know how ye faire. I mervaile that I have herd no -tydynges from you sythe ye sent me the lettyr of an answere of the -xx_li._ the which I have layde pleages for to my cosyn Cleere, the which -letter was wryten the xxij^ty day of Februar; and as for that money, -I can not gete no lenger day therof than Mydsomer, or fourte nyght -after; and towardys that money, and the xx^ty_li._ that I send yow by -syde to London by Sym, I have receyved no mor money of yowres, but as -moch as I send yow wryten in this letter. And as for any discharge that -I promysed at the boroeng off the xx^ti_li._ when I leyde the pleages -ther fore, I thought not but that your uncle shuld a boroed them owte, -and I to have had my pleages, as well as he his; never the less I shall -be the warer how I shall dele here aftyr. By my trowth, I wote not how -to do ther fore; the Kyng goth so nere us in this cuntre, both to pooer -and ryche, that I wote not how we shall lyff, but yff [_unless_] the -world amend. God amend it, whan His wyll is. We[233-1] can nother sell -corne ner catell to no good preve. Malt is here but at x_d._ a comb; -wheete, a comb xxviij_d._; ootes, a comb x_d._; and ther of is but -lytell to geet here at thys tyme. William Pecok shall send you a byll -what he hath payde for yow for ij. taskes at this tyme; and how he hath -purveyde for the remnaunte of your corne; and also off other thynges -that be necessary that shuld be purveyd for in your absence. Send me -word also whome ye wyll desyre to do for yow in this contre, or ellys -where in your absence; and wryte to them to do for yow, and they wyll be -the better wylled to do for yow; and I wyll do my devyr for yow also, as -well as I can. - -The somma off money that I have receyvyd off Wylliam Pecok:--First, -xl_s._ off Runnham. Item, off Bastwyk, xx_s._ Item, off Runnham, xx_s._ -Item, off him for barly at Runnham, xx_s._ Item, off the fyschynge at -Bastwyke, xiij_s._ iiij_d._ Item, for barely sold at Runnham, viij_s._ -Summa totalis, vj_li._ xvj_d._ - -Item, I have receyvyd of Ric. Calle, of Sporle wodd, xxvj_s._ viij_d._, -and more shall I hope here aftyr within short tyme; as I receyve for -yow, I hope to yeff yow a trew acownt; and this is all that I have -receyvyd for yow zytt, sen ye departyd hens. God bryng yow well ageyn to -this contre, to His pleasans, and to your wurshyp and profyzt. - -Wryten at Mawteby, the xxiij^ty day of May, and the Tewsday next afftyr -Trinyte Sonday. - -For Goddes love, and your brether go over the see, avyse them as ye -thynk best for her [_their_] save garde. For some of them be but yonge -sawgeres, and wote full lytyll what yt meneth to be as a sauger, nor for -to endure to do as a sawger shuld do. God save yow all, and send me good -tythynges of yow all. And send ye me word in hast how ye doo, for I -thynk longe to I here off yow. - - Be youre Modyr. - -Item, I wold not in no wyse that ye shuld nother sell nor sett to pleage -that ye have in Runnham, what som ever fortune of the remnaund; for yt -is a praty thyng, and resonable well payde, and nere thys towne. I wold -be ryght sory that ye shuld for bere that; I had lever ye for bore that -your uncle hath to morgage than that. - - [Footnote 232-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - 'Mens' Maii, anno xv^{o}.' The date is confirmed by the fact that - in 1475 the Tuesday after Trinity Sunday was the 23rd of May.] - - [Footnote 233-1: _We._ Originally written _I_, and corrected.] - - [[the xx^ty_li._ that I send yow by syde - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -872 - -ABSTRACTS[234-1] - -NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK DEEDS, No. 13. - -[Sidenote: 1475 / MAY 28] - -'Johannes Paston miles relaxat Willielmo Wynton' episc. et aliis totum -jus de et in manerio de Tichwell, Essex in Hickling, Guton, Beyton, -Newton, Calcotes in Fretton, Leyestoft, Habeland, Brodeston, et -Gorleston. Maii 28, Edw. IV. 15.' - -No. 32. - -'Charta Johannis Paston militis de terris Johannis Fastolf pert. -praedict. Johanni, et continens concessionem quarundam evidentiarum -episcopo Winton', et relaxationem orationum, actionum, et demandarum -versus praedictum episcopum. Maii 28, Edw. IV. 15.' - - [Footnote 234-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]] - - [[Footnote 234-1 - ... Magd. Coll., Oxford.] - _text has "Oxford]."_]] - - -873 - -JOHN PASTON TO JOHN AND EDMUND PASTON[235-1] - -_To John Paston, or to hys brother Edmond Paston, at the George, at -Powles Wharf._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / JUNE 13] - -Brother Edmonde, it is soo that I heer telle that ye be in hope to come -hyddre, and to be in suche wages as ye schall come lyve lyke a -jentylman, wheroff I wolde be gladde. Wherffor, for yowr better speede, -I lete you weete that Heugh Beamond is deed; wherffor I wolde ye had hys -roome nowe or never, iff ye can brynge it abowt; ellys iff ye dispose -yowe to abyde in Inglonde, syns it is so that the Bysshop of -Lynkolne[235-2] is Chaunceler, hys servyse is the meter for yow; he is -next neyghbour to Norfolk off any astate. God sende yow some good warde -of hys. - -I praye you, iff yowr leyser be ther aftre to remembre Towneshende, that -he, with the advyse and assystence of my Master of the Rollys,[235-3] -have one daye off marche with the slawe Bysshop of Wynchester, that he -maye kepe me hys promyse, that is to seye, to entrete the Duke and -Duchesse of Norffolk for Caster. He promysed to doo it, and to ley owt -an C_li._ for the same. - -Item, I praye yow sende me some tydynges within v. dayes aftre that ye -see thys bylle. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xiij. daye off June. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 235-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have - been written in the year 1475, when, as will be seen by No. 871, - some of Sir John Paston's brothers, among whom doubtless were both - John and Edmund, to whom this letter is addressed, were going over - to Calais. The Bishop of Lincoln (Rotherham) was Chancellor in - 1475. It is true the Great Seal was taken from him on the 27th - April, and given to Alcock, Bishop of Rochester, until the 28th - September, when it was restored to Rotherham. But it is certain - this letter could not have been written in a later year, as the - Duke of Norfolk died in January 1476.] - - [Footnote 235-2: Thomas Rotherham.] - - [Footnote 235-3: _See_ p. 219, Note 2.] - - [[JOHN PASTON TO ... - _text unchanged: apparent error for "SIR JOHN"_]] - - -874 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[236-1] - -_To the right worshipffull Sir John Paston, Knyght, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / AUG. 10] - -Right welbeloved sone, &c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . .[236-2] - -As for tidyngs here in this contre, we have non, but that the contry is -bareyn of money; and that my Lady of Yorke[236-3] and all her howsold is -here at Sent Benetts,[236-4] and purposed to abide there stille, til the -Kynge come from be yonde the see, and lenger if she like the eyre ther, -as it is seide. - -I thynke ryght longe tille I here some tidyngs for [_quaere_, from?] you -and from your brethren. I prey God sende you and al your company goode -spede in your journeys, to His plesure, and to your worshippes and -profights. - -Wreten at Mauteby, on Sen Lawrens Even, the xv. yere of the regne of -Kyng E. the iiijth. - - Be yor Moder. - - [Footnote 236-1: [From Fenn, ii. 180.]] - - [Footnote 236-2: The chief part of this letter relates to Sir John - Paston's private affairs, his rents and lands, and informs him - that William Jenney had entered into Holme Halle, in Filby, 'in - the ryght and titell of his douterlawe, weche was Boys doughter,' - etc.--F.] - - [Footnote 236-3: Cecily, Duchess of York, daughter of Ralph - Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, was the widow of Richard - Plantagenet, Duke of York, and mother of King Edward IV., etc. She - died in 1495, and was buried near her husband in the college of - Fotheringay.--F.] - - [Footnote 236-4: The Abbey of St. Bennet at Holm.] - - -875 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[237-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, at Norwyche._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / SEPT. 11] - -Ryght reverend and my most tendre and kynde moodre, I recomaunde me to -yow. Please it yow to weete that, blessyd be God, thys wyage of the -Kynges is fynysshyd for thys tyme, and alle the Kynges ost is comen to -Caleys as on Mondaye last past, that is to seye, the iiij. daye of -Septembre; and at thys daye many of hys host be passyd the see in to -Inglond ageyn, and in especiall my Lorde off Norffolk and my bretheryn. - -Item, I was in goode hope to have hadde Caster ageyn. The Kynge spake to -my Lorde off Norffolk for it, and it was full lyke to have comyn; but in -conclusyon it is delayed tyll this next terme, by whyche tyme the Kynge -hat comaundyd hym to take advyce off hys councell, and to be sywer that -hys tytle be goode, or ellys the Kyng hathe asserteynyd hym that for any -favor he most do me ryght and justyce, &c. - -And iff Caster hadde comen, by my feythe I had comyn streyhte home. -Notwithstondyng, iff I may do yow servyce or eese, as ye and I have -comonyd heer to foor, aftre as I heer from yow, as God helpe me, -I purpose to leeffe alle heer, and come home to yow, and be yowr -hosbonde and balyff; wher in I spake to my brother John to telle yow -myn advyce. - -I also mysselyke somwhat the heyr heer; for by my trowte I was in goode -heele whan I come hyddre, and all hooll, and to my wetyng I hadde never -a better stomake in my lyffe, and now with in viij. dayes I am crasyd -ageyn. I suppose that I most be at London at Mychelmesse, and ther to -purveye for payment for myn oncle William, by whyche tyme I praye yow -that I may heer from yow and off yowr advyce and helpe, iff any thynge -be growyn off Sporle woode. For had nott yit that danger have been, -I mygh yit have ben at home with yow at thys daye, or with in vij. dayes -aftre. No more, but I beseche Jesus have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xj. daye of Septembre. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 237-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this - letter was written after the return of King Edward IV. from France - in 1475.] - - -876 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[238-1] - -_To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, -by Powlys Wherf, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / OCT. 10] - -Ryght werchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow that I have -comonyd with Barnard and other your wellwyllers with my Lord of -Norffolk, whyche avise me that ye shold, for your nyghest meane to get -Caster a yen, labore to get a lettre fro the Kyng dyrect to R. -Sothewell, Jamys Hubbard, and other of my lordys consayll being, and to -iche of theym; and in the seyd letter to lete theym have knowlage that -the Kyng mevyd to my lord of the seyd mater beyond the see, and hough my -lord answerd the Kyng that at hys comyng in to Inglond he wold meve to -hys seyd consayll of the seyd mater, and geve the Kyng an answer. -Wherfor the Kyng in the seyd lettyr must streyghtly charge theym, and -iche of theym, to comon with my lord in the seyd mater in syche wyse -that the Kyng may be sertyfyed of an answer fro my lord and theym at the -ferthest by _crastino Animarum_;[238-2] for Suthewell nor Jamys Hubbard -shall not be at London befor Halowmass, and thys is the best wey that ye -may take, as we thynke here. - -My lady sweryth, and so dothe Barnard on hyr behalff, that she wold as -fayne ye had it as eny body; notwithstandyng she seyd not so to me, -sythe I cam hom, for I spak not with hyr but onys sythe I sye yow last. -Yet she lythe in Norwyche, and shall do tyll she be delyverd; but I have -be seek ever sythe I cam on thys syd the see, but I trust hastyly to -amend for all my seknesse that I had at Caleys, and sythe I cam over -also, cam but of cold. But I was never so well armyd for the werre as I -have now armyd me for cold; wherfor I avyse yow, take exampyll by me, if -it happyn yow to be seek, as ye wer when I was at Caleys, in eny wyse -kepe yow warme. I weene Herry Woodhous nor Jamys Arblaster ware never at -onys so many cotys, hose, and botewx as I doo, or ellys by God we had -gone therfor. What we shall yet I can not sey, but I bere me bold on ij. -dayes amendyng. - -My modyr sendyth yow Godes blyssing and hers, and she wold fayne have -yow at home with hyr; and if ye be onys mette, she tellyth me ye shall -not lyghtly depart tyll dethe depart yow. - -As I was wryghtyng thys lettyr, on told me that the Kyng shold be at -Walsyngham thys next.[239-1] If it be so, it wer best for yow to awayte -on the Kyng all the wey, and if ye have not men and horse i nowghe I -shall send yow. Do as ye thynk best; and as ye wyll have me to do, send -me your avyse, and I shall accomplyshe it to my power, with Godes grace, -Who preserve yow. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the x. day of October, anno xv^o E. iiij^{ti}. - - P. J.[239-2] - - [Footnote 238-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 238-2: The Morrow of All Souls, _i.e._ 3rd November.] - - [Footnote 239-1: So in MS. _Qu._, the word 'week' omitted?] - - [Footnote 239-2: It is curious that John Paston has here reversed - his initials.] - - -877 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[239-3] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, by Powlys Wherff, in -London._ - -[Sidenote: 1475 / OCT. 23] - -Aftyr all dwtes of recomendacyon, please it yow to undyrstand that I -have spoken with my lady[239-4] sythe I wrot to yow last; and she told -me that the Kyng had no syche woordys to my lord for Caster, as ye told -me; but she seyth that the Kyng axid my lord at hys departyng fro -Caleys, how he wold deele with Caster, and my lord answerd nevyr a -woord. - -Sir W. Brandon[240-1] stood by, and the Kyng axid hym what my lord wold -do in that mater; seying that he had comandyd hym befor tyme to meve my -lord with that mater, and Sir W. Brandon gave the Kyng to answer that he -had doone so; then the Kyng axid Sir W. B. what my lordys answer was to -hym, and Sir W. B. told the Kyng that my lords answer was that the Kyng -shold as soone have hys lyff as that place; and then the Kyng axid my -lord whedyr he seyd so or nought, and my lord seyd, yee. And the Kyng -seyd not a woord ayen, but tornyd hys bak, and went hys wey; but my lady -told me, and the Kyng had spokyn any woord in the world aftyr that to my -lord, my lord wold not have seyd hym nay. And I have gevyn my lady -warnyng that I wyll do my lord no more serveys; but er we partyd, she -mad me to make hyr promess that I shold let hyr have knowlege er I -fastonyd myselff in eny other servysse; and so I departyd, and sye hyr -not syness, nor nought purpose to doo, tyll I spek with yow. - -I prey yow bryng home some hattys with yow, or and ye come not hastyly, -send me on, &c., and I shall pay yow for it a comb otys[240-2] when ye -come home. - -My modyr wold fayn have yow at Mawtby; she rode thydyr ought of Norwyche -on Saturday last past, to purvey your lodgyng redy ayenst your comyng. - -I have been ryght seek ayen sythe I wroote to yow last, and thys same -day have I ben pessyng seek; it wyll not ought of my stomak by no mean. -I am undon. I may not ete halff i nough, when I have most hungyr, I am -so well dyettyd, and yet it wyll not be. God send yow heele, for [I] -have non iij. dayes to gedyr, do the best I can. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday next be for Seynt Simone and Jude,[240-3] -anno E. iiij. xv^{o}. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 239-3: [From Fenn, ii. 182.]] - - [Footnote 239-4: The Duchess of Norfolk.] - - [Footnote 240-1: Sir William Brandon was the grandfather of Henry - VIII.'s favourite, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Footnote 2 on - p. 156, taken from Fenn, is wrong. Charles Brandon's father, who - was slain at Bosworth, was another Sir William, knighted by the - Earl of Richmond before the battle.] - - [Footnote 240-2: In 1475 a comb of oats sold for 11_d._; we have - therefore the value of a hat in this reign.--F. In No. 871 the - price of oats is given as 10_d._ a comb, but the markets are - considered to be bad.] - - [Footnote 240-3: 28th of October.] - - -878 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[241-1] - -[Sidenote: 1475] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can, -I beseche yow of your blyssyng. The cheff cause that I wryght to yow for -at thys season is, for that I undyrstand that my lady[241-2] wold be -ryght glad to have yow a bought hyr at hyr labore; in so myche that she -hathe axyd the questyon of dyvers gentyllwomen whedyr they thought that -ye wold awayte on hyr at that season or nought, and they answerd that -they durst sey that ye wold, with ryght good wyll, awayte on hyr at that -tyme, and at all other seasons that she wold comand yow. And so I thynk -that my lady wyll send for yow; and if it wer your ease to be here, -I wold be ryght glad that ye myght be here, for I thynk your being here -shold do gret good to my brodyrs maters that he hathe to sped with hyr. -Wherfor, for Godes sake, have your horse and all your gere redy with -yow, whersoever ye be, ought or at home, and as for men, ye shall nott -need many, for I wyll come for yow, and awayte on yow my sylf, and on or -ij. with me; but I had need to undyrstand wher to fynd yow, or ellys I -shall happyly seeke yow at Mautby, when ye be at Freton, and my lady -myght then fortune to be ferforthe on hyr jorney or ye cam, if she wer -as swyfte as ye wer onys on Good Fryday. - -And as for the mater in the latter end of my brodyr Sir Johnys lettyr, -me thynk he takyth a wronge wey, if he go so to werk; for as for the -peopyll here, I undyrstand non other but that all folkys here be ryght -well dysposyd towardes that mater, fro the hyghest degre to the lowest, -except Robart Brandon and John Colvyll; and it is a grete lyklyhod that -the grettest body is well dysposyd towardes that mater, in as myche as -they wold put yow to the labore above wretyn, and if they wer not, -I thynk they wold not put yow to that labore. - -Also here was here with me yesterday a man fro the Priour of Bromholme -to lete me have knowlage of the ille speche whyche is in the contre now -of new, that the tombe is not mad; and also he seythe that the clothe -that lythe over the grave is all toryn and rotyn, and is not worth -ij_d._, and he seythe he hathe pachyd it onys or twyis. Wherfor the -Pryour hathe sent to yow at the leest to send thedyr a newe clothe a -yenst Estern. - -Also Mastyr Sloley prayith yow, for Godes sake, and ye wyll do non -almess of tylle [_tile_] that he myght borow some of yow tyll he may bye -some, and pay yow ayen; for on [_one_] the fayrist chambyrs of the -Fryers, standyth half oncoverd for defaulte of tylle, for her is yett -non to get for no money. And the Holy Trynyte have yow in kepyng. - -At Norwyche, thys Twysday. - - Your sone and humbyll servaunt, - - J. PASTON. - - [Footnote 241-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter seems to - have been written shortly before the confinement of the Duchess of - Norfolk in December 1475.] - - [Footnote 241-2: The Duchess of Norfolk.] - - -879 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDWARD IV.[242-1] - -_[To the King] our souverain Lord._ - -[Sidenote: 1475] - -[SHEWETH] unto your highnesse your feythful liegeman and servaunt, John -Paston, Knight, that wher Sir William Yelverton, William Jenney, and -Thomas Howes were infeffed in certain . . . . . [to the] use of your -said suppliaunt, they of grat malice confetered with oon or ij. of the -counsell of my lord the Duc of Norffolk, caused the same Duc to clayme -tytle unto [the mano]ir of Caster and other lands of your said -suppliant, wherinne the said Yelverton and his coofeffees wer infeffed, -contrary to th'entent and wille that thei wer enfeffed for; upon whiche -title the said Duc with great force asseyed and entred the said manoir -of Castre and other lands of your said suppliant, putting hym from the -lawful possession and estate that he had in the same, and also take from -him vj^c. shepe and xxx. nete, and the same, with other stuf and -ordinaunces longing to the same manoir, of the value of C_li._ toke and -caryed awey, and the said manoir diffaced, hurt, and appeired, so that -it coude not be repaired with CC. marc. Also the revenues of the said -lands by the space of iij. yeres, to the value of vij^xx._li._, the same -my lord the Duke receyved, and the owtrents of the same never payed, -whiche great trouble was like to be the undoing of your said suppliant; -wherfor he was fayn to sue to the said Duc and lord by the meanes of his -godsip the Bisshop of Wynchestre, whiche was in his special favour; at -whos contemplacion, and for v^c. [500] marc whiche the same your -suppliant payed unto the same Duc, he graunted him to have agen his said -manoir and lands, and to restor him to the possession of the same, -whiche was so doen. And your said suppliant being in peasible -possession, my said lord the Duc and his cofeffees, Sir William Brandon, -Thomas Hoo, Rauf Ashton, and other, at the desir of my said lord, -relessed their estate and interesse, as wel under my said lordes sele as -under their own sele. Wherupon your said besecher continued in -possession but half a yer; at whiche time he was chargid in reparacions -to the somme of C. marc, and payed the owt rents dewe by the space of -the said iij. yer to the some of xl_li._ That doon, my said lord, by -sinistre motive and advice, with force agen entred the said manoir and -other lands aforsaid with alle stuf of howshold being in the same manoir -to the value of C. marc, and so long time hath kept and rejoysed the -revenues of the said lands, and in chief the said manoir, to the value -of vj^xx._li._ by the space of iiij. yer and mor; for redresse wherof -yor said suppliant hath this said space of iiij. yer sued to my said -lord and his counsell, and of alle that time the same my lord wold never -suffre him to come in his presence, ne here him, ne noon other for him -to declair or shewe his grief. And furthermor whanne your said besecher -hath sued to the counsel of my said lord, and desired them to move his -lordship therinne, and to answer him resonably and according to right, -they answered that thei have shewed my said lord his request, and that -he was, and is alwey, so moved and displesed with them, that thei dar -nomor move him therinne. And thus yor said suppliant hath loste alle his -coste and labour, to his charge by his feyth this iiij. yer in his sute, -the somme of v^c. marc, and now is owt of remedye, without your -habundant grace be shewed in that behalve, in somoche as he is not of -power t'attempt your lawes ayenst so mighty and noble estate, nor -t'abide the disples of him. Wherfor please it your moost noble grace, at -the reverence of God, to move my said lord to withdrawe the affeccion -whiche he so hath to the said manoir and lands, and to suffre your said -besecher to have and enjoye the possession of the same according -to right; and he at your commandment shal relesse unto my said -lord alle the damages above wretyn, whiche amount to the somme of -m^{l.}ccc.liij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._, and in time to come, with Goddes -grace, be the mor hable to do you service, and also specially preye to -God for the conservacion of your moost noble persone and estate royall. - - _Endorsed in a later hand_-- . . . . Paston mil. Regi pro . . . . - . . . . . Norff. in . . . . . de Caister. - - [Footnote 242-1: [From a MS. in the Bodleian Library.] The Castle - of Caister was surrendered to the Duke of Norfolk in September - 1469, but he must have been taking the rents of the manor for a - year or two before. From what is stated in this petition, the Duke - must have given it up again in the end of the year 1470, _i.e._ - during the restoration of Henry VI.; but he entered again after - half a year, and the date of this second entry is given by William - Worcester as the 23rd June 1471. After this, the petition says, he - kept possession for four years and more, so that the date of the - document must be towards the close of the year 1475. The Duke died - on the 17th January 1476.] - - -880 - -ABSTRACT[244-1] - -ROBERT WHYNBERGH TO SIR JOHN PASTON - -Has ridden 100 miles to get out the obligation of Craksheld and Salter. -Has been opposed by Mr. Lovell, as they are his tenants. Understands it -is in my lord's closet, and the tenants are warned to pay no money -without it. They keep from him the farm of the Priors Maner as well as -Strehalle.[244-2] Desires him to write to Mr. William Paston to inform -my lord of a wrongful distress taken by John Markham at Strehall in -Cressingham, which is held of the King's manor of Necton. They took -cattle in lambing time in March, in the 14th year of this King, 'and put -Craksheld and Salter in such fear of losing of their cattle that they -were bound to my lord by obligation, and Craksheld is dead for thought.' -Will take the letter to Mr. William though it cost him fourteen days' -labor. Was five weeks riding 'to Canterbury, and again I will no longer -drive, for in winter I may not ride,' etc. - - [From the reference to 'the 14th year of this King,' it is evident - that this letter was written after 1474, the 14th year of Edward IV. - It may, perhaps, be of the reign of Henry VII.; in which case it was - addressed to the younger John Paston, who was then a knight, his - brother being dead, about the year 1500.] - - [Footnote 244-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 244-2: Street-Hall or Straw Hall, in Great Cressingham, - was one of the manors which belonged to Judge Paston. In 1451, - Blomefield tells us that Walter Paston, clerk, gave it to his - brother John. In the reign of Henry VIII. Sir William Paston sold - it to Dame Elizabeth Fitzwilliams.--Blomefield, vi. 99.] - - -881 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[245-1] - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 17] - -Lyke it yow to weete, that not in the most happy season ffor me, it is -so ffortunyd, that wher as my Lorde off Norffolke, yisterdaye beying in -goode heele, thys nyght dyed abowte mydnyght, wherffor it is ffor alle -that lovyd hym to doo and helpe nowe that, that maye be to hys honoure, -and weell to hys sowele. And it is soo, that thys contre is nott weell -purveyd off clothe off golde ffor the coveryng ffor hys bodye and herse; -wherffor every man helpyng to hys power, I putte the cowncell off my -lorde in cowmffort, that I hoped to gete one ffor that daye, if it weer -so that it be nott broken, or putt to other use. - -Wherffor please it yow to sende me worde iff it be so, that ye have, or -kan kom by the clothe off tyssywe that I bowte ffor our ffaders tombe, -and I undretake it shall be saffyd ageyn ffor yowe on hurt at my perell; -I deeme herby to gete greet thanke, and greet assystence in tyme to -come; and that owther Syme or Mother Brown maye deliver it me to morow -by vij. off the clokke. - -Item, as ffor other means, I have sente my servaunt Richard Toring to -London, whyche I hope shall brynge me goode tydyngs ageyn, and with in -iiij. dayes I hope to see yowe. - -Wretyn on Wednysdaye, xvij. daye off Janyver, anno E. iiij^ti xv^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 245-1: [From Fenn, ii. 186.] This letter is not - addressed, but must have been intended for the writer's brother - John, or else, as Fenn suggests, for his mother, Margaret. Sir - John, however, ends by saying, 'Within four days I hope to see - you'; and it appears by next letter that he was actually with his - brother at Norwich within _three_ days, whereas he paid no visit - to his mother, who seems to have been living, as she had done for - some time, at Mautby. This letter must have been written from - Framlingham, whither Sir John had doubtless gone to petition the - Duke of Norfolk about Caister.] - - -882 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[246-1] - -_To my ryght worchepful modyr, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 21] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, pleasyt yow to weet that as yesterday -att noon my brodyr Sir John departyd fro Norwyche towardes London; for -as now all the sped is with the Kyng for the swerte of the maner of -Caster, consyderyng the dyeing seasyd of my Lord of Norffolk. He -trustyth to be in thys contre ayen with in x. or xij. dayes. And at hys -departyng he seyd to me that ye sent hym woord to selle the clothe of -gold, if he myght selle it well, whyche clothe I thynke may be sold, iff -ye wyll agre; not withstandyng I wylle make no bargayn for it, tyll ye -send me woord of the serteyn some what ye wyll have for it, or ellys ye -to have it ayen. Sir Robard Wyngfeld offyrd me yesterday xx. mark for -it, but I wot well ye shall have more for it, if ye wyll sell it; wher -for, as ye wyll deele in this mater, I prey yow send me woord to morew -be tymys, for if thys bargayn be forsakyn, I trow it wyll be longe er ye -kan get an other bargayn to selle it eny thyng aftyr that is woorthe. - -Modyr, in as humbyll wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your blyssyng. -I trust fro hense foorthe that we shall have our chyldyr in rest with -ought rebwkyng for ther pleying wanton; for it is told me your ostass at -Freton hathe gotyn hyr syche a thyng to pley with, that our other -chyldyr shall have leve to sporte theym. God send hyr joye of it. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, thys Sonday. - - Your sone and humbyll servaunt, - - JOHN PASTON. - - [Footnote 246-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is shown by - internal evidence to have been written shortly after the Duke of - Norfolk's death, which, as we have seen, took place on the 17th - January 1476. It was written on a Sunday, and states that Sir John - Paston had left Norwich the day before. The letter following, - which is of the 23rd January, is dated by John Paston, 'Tuesday - next after your (Sir John's) departing,' so that the Sunday on - which this was written must certainly have been the 21st.] - - -883 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[247-1] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, at the George, at Powlys Wharffe._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 23] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to weet that I ensuer yow -your sendyng to Caster is evyll takyn among my lordes folkes, in so -myche that some sey that ye tendryd lytyll my lordes dethe, in as myche -as ye wold so sone entre upon hym aftyr hys dyssease, with ought avyse -and assent of my lordes consayll; wherfor it is thought here by syche as -be your frendes in my lordes house that if my lady have onys the graunt -of the wardshepp of the chyld,[247-2] that she wyll ocupye Caster with -other londes, and ley the defaute on your unkynd hastyness of entre with -ought hyr assent. Wherfor in eny wyse get yow a patent of the Kyng -ensealyd be for hyrs, and ye may by eny meane possybyll. - -Also I prey yow comon with my Lord Chamberleyn for me, and weet hough -that he wyll have me demeanyd. - -It iss told me for serteyn that ther is none hey to gete at Caleys; -wherfor if I mygh be pardond for eny kepyng of horse at Caleys till Myd -somer, it wer a good torne. - -The berer herof shall come home ayen fro London with in a day aftyr that -he comyth thedyr, if ye wyll ought comand hym. I prey yow send me woord -by hym hough ye do with your maters, and I prey yow in eny wyse lete me -undyrstand, by the berer heroff, hough Bowen of the Cheker wyll dele -with me; vj^xx. and x_li._ it is nough, and I wold have vij^xx._li._ and -x_li._ and I to plege it ought in iiij. or v. yer, or ellys to forfet -the maner. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the Twysday next aftyr your departyng thens, xxiij. -die Januarii, anno E. iiij^ti xv^{o}. - - JOHN PASTON. - - [Footnote 247-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 247-2: This child was Ann, who soon after was betrothed - to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, the second son of King - Edward. She died very young, and the Duke was, as it is supposed, - smothered in the Tower by the command of his uncle Richard - III.--F.] - - -884 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[248-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, at Norwyche, be thys delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JAN. 27] - -I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I was infformyd by Ric. -Radle, that on Scarlett, that was undrescheryff to Hastyngs,[248-2] -wolde sywe to me on yowr behalff, ffor that ye weer dyspleasyd with a -returne off Nichill[248-3] uppon yow in the seyde Hastyngs tyme; -wherffor Ric. Radle thoghte that the seyde Scarlett wolde be gladde to -gyff yow a noble or a riall ffor a sadell to amends, so that ye wolde -sease and stoppe the bylle, whyche ye entende to putt into the corte -ageyn hys Master Hastyngs. - -Wherffor the seyde Scarlett com to me, and prayed me to helpe in the -same, and so I have don my devoir to ffeele off hym the most that he can -ffynde in hys stomake to depart with to please yow; and in conclusyon I -trowe, he shall gyff yow a doblett clothe off sylke, price xx_s._ or -therabout; whyche uppon suche answeer as I heer ffrom yowe, I deme that -Bysshop the atornye shall, iff I conclude with hym on yowr behalve, paye -in mony or otherwyse, to whom that ye woll assynge heer. - -I shall by the means of Raddele weet at whoys sywte it was takyn owte; -I deme it som thynge doon by craffte, by the means off them that have -entresse in your lond, to th'entent to noyse itt therys, or to make yow -past shame off the sellyng theroff. - -Item, I have receyvyd a letter ffrom yowe wretyn on Tywesdaye last. - -Item, wher that som towards my Lady of Norffolk noyse that I dyd -onkyndely to sende so hastely to Caster as I dyd; there is no dyscrete -person that so thynkyth, ffor iff my lorde hade ben as kynde to me as he -myght have ben, and acordyng to suche hert and servyce as my -grauntffadr, my ffadr, yowr selff, and I, have owght and doon to my -Lords of Norffolk that ded ben, and yitt iff I hadde weddyd hys dowghtr, -yitt most I have doon as I dydde. - -And moor ovyr, iff I had hadde any demyng off my lordys dethe iiij. -howrs or he dyed, I most neds, but iff I wolde be knowyn a ffoole, have -entryd it the howr byffor hys dycesse; but in effecte, theygh that in -that mater have alweys ment onkyndely to me, they ffeyne that rumor -ageyn me; but ther is noon that ment truly to hym that dede is, that -wolde be sory that I hadde itt, and in especiall suche as love hys -sowle. - -Item, wher it is demyd that my lady wolde herafftr be the rather myn -hevy lady ffor that delyng, I thynke that she is to resonable so to be, -ffor I did it nott onwyst to hyr cowncell; there was no man thoght that -I sholde doo otherwysse; an as to seye, that I myght have hadde my -ladyes advyce or lyve [_leave_], I myght have teryed yitt, or I cowde -have speken with hyr, or yitt have hadde any body to have mevyd hyr -there on my behalve, as ye wote I dydde what I cowde. Moreovyr I taryed -by the advyce off Sir Robert Wyngffelde iij. dayes there, ffor that he -putte me in comffirt that the Lord Howard,[249-1] and hys brother Sir -John, sholde have comen to Norwyche, att whoys comyng he dowtyd nott but -that I sholde have a goode dyrection takyn ffor me in that mater, they -leyhe to me onkyndenesse ffor ovyrkyndenesse. - -Item, as ffor my mater heer, itt was thys daye beffoor alle the lordes -off the cowncelle, and amonge them all, it was nott thowght, that in my -sendyng off Whetley thyddr, in mediately afftr the dycesse off the Duke, -that I dalt onkyndly or onfyttyngly, but that I was moor onresonably -dalte with; wherffor, late men deme what they wylle, grettest clerkys -are nott alweye wysest men; but I hope hastely to have on weye in it or -other. - -Item, I wende [_expected_] to have ffownde a gowne off myn heer, but it -come home the same daye that I come owte, browght by Herry Berker, loder -[_carrier_]. I wolde in alle hast possible have that same gowne off puke -ffurryd with whyght lambe. - -Item, I wolde have my longe russett gowne off the Frenshe russett in -alle hast, ffor I have no gowne to goo in here. - -Item, I praye yow recomande me to my moodr, and lat us alle prey God -sende my Lady off Norffolk a soone, for uppon that restythe moche mater; -ffor if the Kyngys soone[250-1] mary my lords dowghtr, the Kynge wolde -that hys soone sholde have a ffayr place in Norffolk, thowhe he sholde -gyffe me ij. tymes the valywe in other londe, as I am doon to weete. -I praye yow sende me worde off my ladyes spede as soone as ye kan. - -Item, as ffor Bowen I shall ffele hym, and sholde have doon, thowghe ye -hadde nott sente. - -Item, ther is offryd me a goode marriage for my suster Anne Skypwithys -sone and heyr off Lynkolneshyre, a man v. or vj. mrke by year. No mor. - -Wretyn at London, the xxvij. daye off Janyver, anno E. iiij^ti xv^{o}. - -Item, my Lady off Excester[250-2] is ded, and it was seyde that bothe -the olde Dywchesse off Norffolk,[251-1] and the Cowntesse off -Oxenfforde[251-2] weer ded, but it is nott soo yitt. - -Item, I shall remembr Caleyse bothe for horse and alle, &c. - - [Footnote 248-1: [From Fenn, ii. 190.]] - - [Footnote 248-2: John Hastyngs was Sheriff of Norfolk the - preceding year.--F.] - - [Footnote 248-3: Nihils, or Nichils, are issues which the sheriff - that is apposed in the Exchequer says are _nothing worth_ and - illeviable, through the insufficiency of the parties from whom - due.--F.] - - [Footnote 249-1: Afterwards Duke of Norfolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 250-1: Richard, Duke of York, second son of King Edward - IV., in or before January 1478, married Anne, sole daughter and - heir of John Mowbray, late Duke of Norfolk.--_Rolls of - Parliament_, vi. 168. She was at that time only in her sixth year, - and she died early.] - - [Footnote 250-2: Anne, daughter of Richard, Duke of York, sister - of Edward IV., and widow of Henry Holland, the last Duke of - Exeter, her first husband; she died 14th of January 1475, and lies - buried with Sir Thomas Saint Leger, Knight, her second husband, in - a private chapel at Windsor.--F.] - - [Footnote 251-1: Ellenor, only daughter of William Bourchier, Earl - of Ewe, in Normandy, and widow of John Mowbray, Duke of - Norfolk.--F.] - - [Footnote 251-2: Margaret, daughter of Richard Nevile, Earl of - Salisbury, and wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, now a - prisoner in the Castle of Hammes, in Picardy; or it may refer to - Elizabeth, widow of the late Earl of Oxford, and daughter and heir - of Sir John Howard, Knight.--F.] - - -885 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[251-3] - -_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, at the George, by Powlys Wharf, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / FEB. 3] - -Aftyr all dwtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wete, that with in thys -owyr past, I receyd your letter wretyn the xxvij. day of Januar, by -whyche I undyrstand that Scarlet wold have an end with me; but lesse -then xl_s._ is to lytyll, for iff I wold do the uttermost to hym, -I shold recover by the statwte, I trow xl_li._ or more, but lesse then -xxxiij_s._ iiij_d._ I wyll in no wyse; and ye may sey that ye of your -owne hed wyll geve hym the ode nobyll of xl_s._, and if ye have the v. -noblys I prey yow let Parker of Flett stret have therof xxx_s._ and lete -Pytte and Rychard and Edward drynk the xl_d._ As for your gownys, they -shalbe sent yow in as hasty wyse as is possybyll. Thys must be -consayll:--It is promysyd my lady by my Lord Chamberleyn that the _diem -clausit extremum_ for my lord shall not be delyverd tyll she be of power -to labore hyr sylff her most avauntage in that mater, wherfor ye ned not -to dele over largely with thexchetoures. Also consayll:--Robard Brandon -and Colevyle have by meanys enformyd my lady that ye wold have gotyn -Caster fro hyr by stronge hand, now thys frost whyll the mote is frosyn, -in so myche that she was porposed to have sent thedyr R. Brandon and -other to have kept the place tyll syche tyme as she made axe me the -questyon whedyr ye entendet that wey or not, and I avysed hyr that she -shold rather sofyr R. Brandon and hys retenew to lye in Norwyche of hys -owne cost then to lye at the taverne at Yermouthe on hyr cost, for I -lete hyr have knowlage that ye never entendyd non entre in to that -place, but by hyr assent and knowlage I wast well. Syr, for Godes sake, -in as hasty wyse as is possybyll, send me woord how ye feele my Lord -Chamberleyn and Bowen dysposed to me wardes, for I shall never be in -hertes ease tyll I undyrstand ther tweys dysposysyon. Also, I prey yow, -let Symond Dame have knowlage as soone as ye have red thys lettyr that I -wold in eny wyse that he swe forthe the axions a yenst Darby and other -for Byskley, notwithstandyng the bylle that I sent hym to the contrary -by Edmund Jeney, for Darby and I are brokyn of, of our entrete whyche -was apoyntyd at Thettford. God sped yow in thes maters, and in all -other. Ye send me woord of a good maryage for my syster Anne. I prey yow -aspye some old thryffty draff wyff in London for me. Thomas Brampton at -the Blak Fryers in London wyth syche other as he and I apoyntyd wyll -helpe yow to aspye on for me on ther part. I prey yow that I may be -recomandyd to hym, and prey hym that he wyll, in as hasty wyse as he -can, comforte me with on letter fro hym, and fro the other persone that -he and I comond of, and I prey yow as ye se hym at the parvyse[252-1] -and ellys where, calle on hym for the same letter and telle hym that ye -most nedys have on to me, and when ye have it breke it and ye lyst or ye -send it me. - - _Endorsed_--iij. Februarij, anno xv^{o}. - - [Footnote 251-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 252-1: The church porch. In London it commonly meant the - portico of St. Paul's Cathedral, which is doubtless the place here - intended.] - - [[ye ned not to dele over largely - _"e" in "over" invisible_]] - - -886 - -JOHN PASTON TO LORD HASTINGS[253-1] - -_To my Lord._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MARCH 2] - -My most doughtyd and singular good lord, aftyr most humble and dew -recomendacyon, please it your good lordshepp to have knowlage that, -accordyng to your comandement, in my wey homeward, I remembred me of a -persone whyche to my thynkyng is meetly to be clerk of your kechyn, -whyche persone is now in servyse with Master Fitzwater, and was befor -that with Whethyll at Gwynes, and purveyor for hys house, and at syche -tyme as the Kynges grace was ther last in hys vyage towardes France. -Thys man is meane of stature, yonge inough, well wittyd, well manerd, a -goodly yong man on horse and foote. He is well spokyn in Inglyshe, metly -well in Frenshe, and verry perfite in Flemyshe. He can wryght and reed. -Hys name is Rychard Stratton; hys modyr is Mastress Grame of Caleys. And -when I had shewyd hym myn intent, he was agreable and verry glad if that -it myght please your lordshepp to accept hym in to your servyse; wherto -I promysed hym my poore helpe, as ferforthe as I durst meve your good -lordshepp for hym, trustyng that I shold have knowelage of your plesure -her in, or I departed towardes your lordshep ought of this contrey. -Wherfor I advysed hym to be redy with in xiiij. dayes of Marche at the -ferthest, that if it pleasyd your lordsheppe to accept hym or to have a -syght of hym be for your departyng to Caleys, that ther shold be no -slaughthe in hym. - -He desyred me to meve Master Fitzwater to be good mastyr to hym in thys -behalve, and so I dyd; and he was verry glad and agreable ther to, -seying if hys sone had ben of age, and all the servauntis he hathe myght -be in eny wyse acceptabell to your lordshepp, that they all, and hym -silff in lyek wyse, shall be at your comandment, whyll he leveth. - -And at my comyng home to my poore house, I sent for Robart Bernard, and -shewid on to hym that I had mevyd your lordshepp for hym; and he in lyek -forme is agreable to be redy by the xiiij. day of Marche to awayte on -your lordshepp, be it to Caleys or ellys where, and fro that day so -foorthe for ever, whyll hys lyff wyll last, with ought grugeing or -contraying your comandement and plesure, in eny wyse that is in hym -possibyll t'accomplishe. - -I shewed on to hym that I had preyed Master Talbot to be a mean to your -good lordshepp for hym, and if so wer that Mastyr Talbot thought that -your lordshepp wer content to take hys servyse, then that it wold please -Mr. Talbot to meve my Lady of Norffolkes grace to wryght or send to -Bernard, puttyng hym in knowlage that hyr grace is content that he shall -become your menyall servaunt. Wherof he was passyng well pleasyd; but, -that notwithstandyng, as I enformed your lordshepp, he is not so -reteyned, neyther by fee nor promess, but that he may let hym sylff -loose to do your lordsheppe servyse when ye wyll receyve hym, and so -wyll he do; but, your lordshepe so pleasid, leve wer bettyr. Rychard -Stratton told me that whyll he was in servyse with Whethyll, John Redwe -mocyond hym onys myche aftyr thys intent, but at that tyme Whethyll wold -not be so good mastyr to hym as to meve your lordshepe for hym. - -My lord, I trust that your lordshepe shall lyek bothe ther persones and -ther condicyons; and as for ther trowthes, if it may please your good -lordshepe to accept my poore woord with thers, I wyll depose largely for -that. And as it pleasyth your good lordshepe to comand me in thes -maters, and all other, if it may please your lordshepe to shewe the same -to my brodyr Nessfeld, he knowith who shall sonest be with me to putt me -in knowlage of your plesure, whyche I shall be at all seasons redy -t'accomplyshe to my poore power, with Godes grace, Whom I beseche longe -to contenue the prosperous astate of your good lordshepp. - -Fro Norwyche, the seconde daye of Marche, with the hand of your most -humble servaunt and beedman, - - JOHN PASTON. - - [Footnote 253-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Although the lord to - whom this letter was addressed is not named, it was undoubtedly - intended for Lord Hastings, Lieutenant of Calais, who, as will be - seen hereafter, was preparing to go over to Calais in March - 1476.--_See_ No. 888.] - - -887 - -JOHN PASTON TO [MARGERY BREWS][255-1] - -[Sidenote: 1476(?)] - -Mastresse, thow so be that I, unaqweyntyd with yow as yet, tak up on me -to be thus bold as to wryght on to yow with ought your knowlage and -leve, yet, mastress, for syche pore servyse as I now in my mynd owe yow, -purposyng, ye not dyspleasyd, duryng my lyff to contenu the same, -I beseche yow to pardon my boldness, and not to dysdeyn, but to accepte -thys sympyll byll to recomand me to yow in syche wyse as I best can or -may imagyn to your most plesure. And, mastress, for sych report as I -have herd of yow by many and dyverse persones, and specyally by my ryght -trusty frend, Rychard Stratton, berer her of, to whom I beseche yow to -geve credence in syche maters as he shall on my behalve comon with yow -of, if it lyke you to lystyn hym, and that report causythe me to be the -more bold to wryght on to yow, so as I do; for I have herd oft tymys -Rychard Stratton sey that ye can and wyll take every thyng well that is -well ment, whom I beleve and trust as myche as fewe men leveing, -I ensuer yow by my trowthe. And, mastress, I beseche yow to thynk non -other wyse in me but that I wyll and shall at all seasons be redy wythe -Godes grace to accomplyshe all syche thynges as I have enformyd and -desyerd the seyd Rychard on my behalve to geve yow knowlage of, but if -[_unless_] it so be that a geyn my wyll it come of yow that I be cast -off fro yowr servyse and not wyllyngly by my desert, and that I am and -wylbe yours and at your comandmen in every wyse dwryng my lyff. Her I -send yow thys bylle wretyn with my lewd hand and sealyd with my sygnet -to remayn with yow for a wyttnesse ayenste me, and to my shame and -dyshonour if I contrary it. And, mastress, I beseche yow, in easyng of -the poore hert that somtyme was at my rewle, whyche now is at yours, -that in as short tyme as can be that I may have knowlage of your entent -and hough ye wyll have me demeanyd in thys mater, and I wylbe at all -seasons redy to performe in thys mater and all others your plesure, as -ferforth as lythe in my poore power to do or in all thers that ought -wyll do for me, with Godes grace, Whom I beseche to send yow the -accomplyshement of your most worchepfull desyers, myn owne fayer lady, -for I wyll no ferther labore but to yow, on to the tyme ye geve me leve, -and tyll I be suer that ye shall take no dysplesur with my ferther -labore. - - [Footnote 255-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed - from a draft in the hand of John Paston the younger. I suppose it - must have been written about the year 1476, and intended for - Margery Brews, whom he afterwards married. It will be seen that - Richard Stratton, whom in his last letter he recommended to Lord - Hastings, is here the bearer of a confidential message to the - lady.] - - -888 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[256-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, or to Mestresse Margrett Paston, hys moodre, -in Norfolk._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MARCH 12] - -I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wete that, blessyd be God, uppon -Saterdaye last past my lorde[256-2] and wee toke the see, and come to -Caleyes the same daye, and as thys daye my lorde come to Guynesse, and -theer was receyvyd honourablye with owt any obstaklys; wheer as I fownde -Master Fytzwalter and othre, whyche wer ryght hevye for the dethe of the -noble man thatt was theer to foor, itt happyd soo that my seyd Master -Fytzwalter axid me ryght hertely for yow, and I lete hym weete that I -demyd ye wolde be heer in haste, wheroffe he seyde he was ryght soory, -for soo moche that he entendyth to come in to Englonde, and as I -conceyve he wyll come to Attylborogh, and brynge my mestresse hys wyffe -with hym, and theer to stablysshe hys howse contynuall. Wherffor he -thynketh that he sholde have as grete a lakke off yow as off any one man -in that contre, willyng me to wryght on to yowe, and to late yow weete -off hys comynge. He also hathe tolde me moche off hys stomake and tendre -faver that he owythe to yow; wherffor I asserteyn yow that he is your -verry especiall goode master, and iffe ye weer abydynge in thatt contre, -whylse he weer theer, he is dysposyd to doo largely for yowe in dyverse -wyse, whyche weer to longe to wryght, in so moche that I feele by hym -that he thynkyth that itt sholde be longe er he scholde be wery of yowr -expences of horse or man. Now I remytte alle thynge to your dyscresion; -ye woote best what is for yow. - -As for my lorde, I undrestande nott yitt whethyr he wylle in to -Ingelonde the weke to foor Esterne, or ellys aftre. - -I pray yow recomande me to my moodre. I wolde have wretyn to hyr, but in -trowthe I ame somewhatt crased, what with the see and what wythe thys -dyet heer. - -No moor to yow, but wretyn at Gynes, the xij. daye off Marche, anno E. -xvj. - - By JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 256-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 256-2: Hastings.] - - -889 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[257-1] - -_To Mestresse Margrete Paston, at Norwyche, or hyr sone, John Paston, -Esquyer, and to everych off them._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MARCH 21] - -I recomande me to yowe. Like it yow to weete that I am nott sertayne -yitt whether my lorde[257-2] and I shall come into Ingelonde the weke -byffoor Est[er]ne, or ellys the weke afftr Est[er]ne; wherffor, moodr, -I beseche yow to take noo dysplesyr with me ffor my longe tarynge, ffor -I most doo noon otherwyse ffor dysplesyng off my lorde. I was noo thynge -gladde off thys jornaye, iff I myght goodely have chosen; neverthelesse, -savyng that ye have cawse to be dyspleasyd with me ffor the mater off -Kokett, I am ellys ryght gladde, ffor I hope that I ame fferre moor in -ffavor with my lorde then I was to ffoor. - -Item, I sende yow, brother John, a letter herwith, whyche was browte -hyddr to Caleys, ffrom the George at Powles Wharff; I deme it comethe -ffrom my brother Water. - -Item, iff ye entende hyddrewarde, itt weer weell doon that ye hygthed -yowe, ffor I suppose that my lorde wille take the vywe off alle hys -retynywe heer, nowe byffoor hys departyng; and I thynke that he woolde -be better contente with yowr comyng nowe, than an other tyme; doo as ye -thynke best, and as ye maye. - -Item, wher Master Fytzwalter made me to wryght to yowe to advyse yow to -tarye, I remytte thatt to yowr dyscretion. - -As ffor tydyngs heer, we her ffrom alle the worlde; ffyrst, the Lorde -Ryverse was at Roome right weell and honorably, and other Lords off -Ynglonde, as the Lord Hurmonde,[258-1] and the Lord Scrope,[258-2] and -at ther departyng xij. myle on thyse-halff Roome, the Lorde Ryverse was -robbyd off alle hys jowelles and plate, whyche was worthe m^le. marke or -better, and is retornyd to Rome ffor a remedy. - -Item, the Duke of Burgoyne hath conqueryd Loreyn, and Quene Margreet -shall nott nowe be lykelyhod have it; wherffor the Frenshe Kynge -cheryssheth hyr butt easelye; but afftr thys conquest off Loreyn, the -Duke toke grete corage to goo uppon the londe off the Swechys [_Swiss_] -to conquer them, butt the [_they_] berded hym att an onsett place, and -hathe dystrussyd hym, and hathe slayne the most parte off hys vanwarde, -and wonne all hys ordynaunce and artylrye, and mor ovyr all stuffe thatt -he hade in hys ost with hym; exceppte men and horse ffledde nott, but -they roode that nyght xx. myle; and so the ryche saletts,[258-3] -heulmetts, garters, nowchys[258-4] gelt, and alle is goone, with tents, -pavylons, and alle, and soo men deme hys pryde is abatyd. Men tolde hym -that they weer ffrowarde karlys, butte he wolde nott beleve it, and yitt -men seye, that he woll to them ageyn. Gode spede them bothe. - -Item, Sir John Mydelton toke leve off the Duke to sporte hym, but he is -sett in pryson att Brussellys. - -I praye yowe sende me som worde iff ye thynke likly that I may entr -Caster when I woll, by the next messenger. - -Wretyn at Caleys, in resonable helthe off bodye and sowle, I thanke -Good, the xxj. daye off Marche, anno E. iiij^ti xvj^{o}. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 257-1: [From Fenn, ii. 198.]] - - [Footnote 257-2: Hastings.] - - [Footnote 258-1: John, sixth Earl of Ormond.] - - [Footnote 258-2: John, Lord Scrope of Bolton.] - - [Footnote 258-3: Light head-pieces.--F.] - - [Footnote 258-4: Embossed ornaments, chains, buckles, etc.--F.] - - [[departyng xij. myle on thyse-halff Roome - _printed with ambiguous hyphen at line break_]] - - -890 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[259-1] - -_To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, -by Powlys Wharf, in London._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MAY 6] - -Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wet, that to my power -ye be welcom ayen in to Inglond. And as for the Castell of Shene, ther -is no mor in it but Colle and hys mak, and a goose may get it; but in no -wyse I wold not that wey, and my modyr thynkyth the same. Take not that -wey, if ther be eny other. - -I undyrstand that Mastres Fytzwater hathe a syster, a mayd, to mary. -I trow, and ye entretyd hym, she myght come into Crysten menys handys. -I prey yow spek with Mastyr Fytzwater of that mater for me, and ye may -telle hym, synse that he wyll have my servyse, it wer as good, and syche -a bargayn myght be mad, that bothe she and I awaytyd on hym and my -mastress hys wyff at oure owne cost, as I a lone to awayt on hym at hys -cost; for then he shold be swer that I shold not be flyttyng, and I had -syche a qwarell to kepe me at home. And I have hys good wylle, it is non -inpossybyll to bryng a bowght. - -I thynk to be at London with in a xiiij. dayes at the ferthest, and -peraventure my mastress also, in consayll be it clatryd. God kepe yow -and yours. - -At Norwyche, the vj. day of May, anno E. iiij^ti xvj^{o}. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 259-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -891 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[260-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston, in Norwyche, or to hyr sone John Paston, -Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / MAY 27] - -Please it yow to weete that as for my materes, and theye appeyre -nott,[260-2] the doo, blessyd be Godde, as weell as I wolde they dyd, -saffe that it shalle cost me grett mony, and it hathe cost me moche -laboor. It is soo that the Kynge most have C. marke, and other costes -will drawe xl. marke. And my mater is examynyd by the Kynges Cowncell, -and declaryd affoor alle the Lordes, and now lakkythe noo thynge but -[the Pry]vy Seals, and wryghtyng to Master Colv[ill][260-3] to avoide; -for the[260-3] [Kyng hath p]romysed me as moche as I wolde he sholde -fullefille, and alle the Lordes, Juges, Serjauntes, have affermyd my -title goode. Nott withstandyng Sowthewell, James Hubberde, and Sir W. -Braundon, where at ther owne desyrs, offryd to afferme and advowe my -tytell for goode, and that my Lorde off Norffolk that ded is had noo -tytell, thatt they knywe, they tolde my tale as ille as they cowde, and -yitt a lye or too to helpe it, and yit it servyth them nott, they be -knowen as they ar (in Cowncell be it seyde, and so most all thys letter -be). - -I have moche payne to gete so moche mony. Neverthelesse, but iff myne -oncle schewe hym selfe werse than ever he was, I shalle nott fayle, if -he kepe me promyse, and thatt is but as he dyde last, that is butt to be -my sywerte, and I to make hym sywerte ageyn. - -The Kynge departythe thys daye, and wille nott be heer tyll Frydaye, -whyche lettyth me, or ellys by thatt daye I wolde have hopyd to have -comen homeward, and erst per aventure. No moor, but Jesus have yow in -kepyng. - -Wretyn at London, the xxvj. daye of Maye, the Mondaye next Holy -Thurrysdaye, the Assencion. - - * * * - -The Kynge wold have bowte it, but he was enfformyd off the trowthe, and -that it was nott for a prynce, and off the greet pryse that I wolde -selle it att; for that I myght nott for bere it, for he scholde have -payed m^{l.}m^l. marke or moor, iff he hadde hadde it. - - Your sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 260-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter relates to - Sir John Paston's claim to Caister after the Duke of Norfolk's - death, which claim he succeeded in establishing in June 1476, as - appears by the letter following. The date 26th May at the end of - the letter is an error. The 'Monday next Holy Thursday' was the - 27th.] - - [Footnote 260-2: _i.e._ if they do not get worse.] - - [Footnote 260-3: Paper decayed.] - - [[Salutation - ... or to hyr sone John Paston, Knyght. - _printed as shown: misreading of Fenn's header?_ - To Mestresse Margret Paston, - in Norwyche or to hyr Sone - John Paston K^t]] - - -892 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[261-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, beyng at the Syngne of the George, at Powles -Wharffe._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / JUNE 30] - -I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I hav receyvyd yowr -letter, wretyn the next daye aftre Mydsomer; for answer wheroff I thynke -that to be bownde in v^c. [500] marke, I thynke it is to moche, where as -I felt by yow ye sholde have with the gentylwoman but iiij^c [400]; -neverthelesse I agree. But ye shall undrestande that I wyll not be -bownde for yow that ye shall make hyr joyntour past xx_li._ by yer, -within a sertayne daye lymyted; be it j. yere or ij., that is the -largest that ye maye performe. For as for the maner of Sparham, my -moodre and ye acorde notte in yowr saynges; she wyll nowght graunte yow -ther in, whylse she levyth, saff, as she seythe to me, she hathe -grauntyd yow x. marke by yeer tyll xl_li._ be payed, that is but vj. -yeer; and aftre hyr dyscease she woll agree with goode will, so that it -maye be yowr proferment, that ye sholde have that maner in joynture with -yowr wyffe to the lenger lyver off yow bothe, payng x. marke by yeer, -soo or th . . . as she wyll that it shall be. Therfore, as for l. marke -joynture, I pray yow bynde me in no suche clawse, butt iff it be for -xx_li._ by a resonable daye, and xx. marke aftre the dyssease off my -moodre. Take example at Derby. - -Item, ye make yow sywerer than I deme yow bee, for I deme that her -frendes wyll nott be content with Bedyngfeldes sywerte, nor yowres. -I deme thys mater will ocopy lenger leyser than ye deme for. - -Item, I remembre thatt thys mony that she sholde have is nott redy, but -in the handes of marchauntes of the Estaple, whyche at a prove ye shall -fynde per case so slakke payeres, that ye myght be deseyvyd ther by. -I knowe dyverse have lost mony er they cowde gete ther dywtes owte off -the Staple. God spede yow, and sende yow that ye wolde have. - -I sende yow the obligacion here with acordyng to yowr desyr, and a -letter to Bedyngfelde, thankyng hym for yow, and more over letyng hym -know of myn entent. Opyn it, and close it ageyn, if ye lyst. - -Item, where I tolde yow that the gowne clothe off olde chamlott, I wolde -have it hoome for my suster Anne; ye for gate it. I praye yow sende it -home by the next massenger, and a letter with it of suche tydynges as ye -knowe. - -Item, blissed be God, I have Castre at my will. God holde it better than -it doone her to foore. - -No moore, but wretyn the next daye aftre Seynt Petre, anno E. iiij^ti -xvj^{o}. - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 261-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -893 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[262-1] - -_To Mestresse Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 / [AUG. 30]] - -Please it yow to wete that I was uppon Tywesdaye, the daye that I -departyd froo yowe, with my brother John at Atelborow by viij. of the -clokke at evyn, and founde hym in suche case as iff ye had seyn hym than -ye wolde have be as gladde of hym osse off a nywe sone. I wenyd nott -that he sholde nott have levyd tyll the mornyng; in so moche that by my -trowthe I dare seye that iff it had nott fortunyd us to have comyn to -hym, he had not been on lyve on Wednysdaye. For syns Saterday slepyd he -nott iiij. howris, and yitt iij. of them was syns I come thydyr, on to -thys nyght; and thys nyght, blessyd be God, he hathe slepyd well, and -with Goddys grace I dowte not but thatt he shall do weell. For his agywe -is goone, and alle that laye in hys stomak and undre hys syde it weryth -aweye, and within a daye or ij. I hope he shall be so stronge that I -maye come frome hym; and he hopyth to see yowe with in fewe days affter, -as he seyth. On Wednysdaye I wysshed to hym that he and I hadde been at -Norwyche; wheruppon he harpyd all that nyght, and for cawe (_sic_) he -hadde not so goode rest as he wolde, it fylle in hys brayne to come to -Norwyche; and he in an angyr wolde nedys to horse. He wolde non horsse -litter, he was so stronge. Neverthelesse we wenyd nott that he sholde -have been able to have redyn a myle, and wenyd that it had nott been -possible to have passid Wyndham; bott whan he was uppe for that, we -seyde he roode so welle he ledde uss a dawnce faster than alle we cowde -weell folowe. He was at Wyndham, by my trowthe, in lesse than an howr by -a large quarter, and ther restyd hym an howre, and to horse ageyne and -was heer in lesse than an howr and one halffe. And now he dowteth nott -to slepe weell, for he seyth that he never ffaylyd to slepe weel in that -bedde that he hathe chosyn now at Frenshys, and thusse I hope he be -sauffe. And I am in dowte whethyr I shall within ij. dayes owther come -home to yow or ellis to goo forthe as ye woote off. No moore, &c. Wretyn -on Frydaye next the Decollacion of Seynt John Baptyst. - -Item, I have the wrythynges off Richard Calle. - - Your sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 262-1: [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.] - - -894 - -DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[264-1] - -_To my wurschypfull cosyn, John Paston, be thys bill delyvered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1476 or 1477] - -Ryght wurschypfull cosyn, I recommande me un to yowe, thankyng zowe -hertely for the grette chere that ze made me the last tyme that ze were -with me at Norwych, &c. - -And, cosyn, as for the mater that was put in my nowncle Hastynges and -Henry Heydon, I ondyrstand be myn uncle, that ther was made non ende -therin, whech I am ryght sory for. Cosyn, ze be remembred what ze -promysed me that, and so were that myn uncle and Herry Heydon made none -ende therin, that ze wold put the mater in me; and if it please zowe so -for to do, in good faith, cosyn, I schall goo as wele and as ryghtfully -and consciensly as I can for both the partyes. And, cosyn, if it please -zowe to com to Topcroft, and poynt ze what dey when ze will com, -I schall sende for my cosyn to be ther the same day. And, cosyn, I pray -zowe to sende me worde agayn be the brynger of thys letter, howe ze will -do, &c. - -And Almyghty Jesus hafe zowe in kepyng, &c. - - Be zour cosyn, - - Dame ELIZABETH BREWS. - - [Footnote 264-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is the first of a - series of letters, some of which were certainly written in - February 1477, relating to the engagement of John Paston to - Margery Brews. How early they began it is not easy to say - precisely. On the back of this letter is written, apparently in - the hand of John Paston, to whom it is addressed, 'Letrae dominae - Elyzabethae Brews et Margariae filae (_sic_) ejus.'] - - -895 - -DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[265-1] - -_Un to my ryght wurschypffull cosyn, John Paston, be thys lettur -delyvered, &c._ - -Ryght wurschypfull cosyn, I recommande me un [to] yowe, &c. And I send -my husbonde a bill of the mater that ze knowe of, and he wrote an other -bill to me agayn towchyng the same mater; and he wold that ze schuld go -un to my maistresse yowr modur, and asaye if ze myght gete the hole -xx_li._ in to zowr handes, and then he wolde be more gladd to marye with -zowe, and will gyffe zowe an C_li._ And, cosyn, that day that sche is -maryed, my fadur will gyffe hyr l. merk. But and we acorde, I schall -gyffe yowe a grettere tresur, that is, a wytty gentylwoman, and if I sey -it, bothe good and vertuos; for if I schuld take money for hyr, I wold -not gyffe hyr for a m_li._ But, cosyn, I trust zowe so meche that I wold -thynke her wele besett on zowe, and ze were worthe meche more. And, -cosyn, a lytyll after that ze were gone, come a man fro my cosyn Derby, -and broght me wurde that suche a chance fell that he myght not come at -the day that was set, as I schall let zowe undyrstond more pleynly, when -I speke with zowe, &c. But, cosyn, and it wold please zowe to come agayn -what dey that ze will set, I dare undyrtake that they schall kepe the -same daye; for I wold be glad that, and myn husbond and ze myght acorde -in thys maryage, that it myght be my fortune to make and ende in thys -mater betwene my cosyns and zowe, that yche of zowe myght love other in -frendely wyse, &c. And, cosyn, if thys byll please not zowr entent, -I pray zowe that it may be brent, &c. - -No more unto yowe at thys tyme, but Almyghty Jesus preserve zowe, &c. - - By zowr cosyn, - - Dame ELIZABETH BREWS. - - [Footnote 265-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] _See_ preliminary note - to last letter.] - - -896 - -DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[266-1] - -_To my wurschypfull cosyne, John Paston, be this bill delyveryd, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Cosyn, I recomande me un to yowe, thankyng yowe hertely for the grette -chere that ye made me and all my folkys, the last tyme that I was at -Norwych; and ye promysyd me, that ye wold never breke the mater to -Margery unto suche tyme as ye and I were at a point. But ye hafe made -hyr suche advokett for yowe, that I may never hafe rest nyght ner day, -for callyng and cryeng uppon to brynge the saide mater to effecte, &c. - -And, cosyn, uppon Fryday is Sent Volentynes Day, and every brydde -chesyth hym a make [_mate_]; and yf it lyke yowe to come one Thursday at -nyght, and so purvey yowe, that ye may abyde there tyll Monday, I trusty -to God, that ye schall so speke to myn husband; and I schall prey that -we schall bryng the mater to a conclusyon, &c. For, cosyn, - - It is but a sympill oke, - That [is] cut down at the first stroke. - -For ye will be resonabill, I trust to God, Whech hafe yowe ever in Hys -mercyfull kepyng, &c. - - Be yowr cosyn, Dame ELIZABETH BREWS, - otherwes schall be called be Godds grace. - - [Footnote 266-1: [From Fenn, ii. 208.] It is clear from internal - evidence that this letter was written between the 7th and the 12th - of February, and the fact that St. Valentine's Day (the 14th) fell - on Friday, proves the year to have been 1477. Besides which, we - have distinct references to the matter further on in the dated - correspondence.] - - -897 - -MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[267-1] - -_Unto my ryght welebelovyd Voluntyn, John Paston, Squyer, be this bill -delyvered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Ryght reverent and wurschypfull, and my ryght welebeloved Voluntyne, -I recomande me unto yowe, ffull hertely desyring to here of yowr -welefare, whech I beseche Almyghty God long for to preserve un to Hys -plesur, and yowr herts desyre. And yf it please yowe to here of my -welefar, I am not in good heele of body, nor of herte, nor schall be -tyll I her ffrom yowe; - - For there wottys no creature what peyn that I endure, - And for to be deede, I dare it not dyscure [_discover_]. - -And my lady my moder hath labored the mater to my ffadur full -delygently, but sche can no mor gete then ye knowe of, for the whech God -knowyth I am full sory. But yf that ye loffe me, as I tryste verely that -ye do, ye will not leffe me therefor; for if that ye hade not halfe the -lyvelode that ye hafe, for to do the grettest labur that any woman on -lyve myght, I wold not forsake yowe. - - And yf ye commande me to kepe me true wherever I go, - I wyse I will do all my myght yowe to love and never no mo. - And yf my freends say, that I do amys, - Thei schal not me let so for to do, - Myne herte me bydds ever more to love yowe - Truly over all erthely thing, - And yf thei be never so wroth, - I tryst it schall be better in tyme commyng. - -No more to yowe at this tyme, but the Holy Trinite hafe yowe in kepyng. -And I besech yowe that this bill be not seyn of none erthely creatur -safe only your selffe, &c. - -And thys letter was indyte at Topcroft, with full hevy herte, &c. - - By your own, - - MARGERY BREWS. - - [Footnote 267-1: [From Fenn, ii. 210.]] - - -898 - -MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON[268-1] - -_To my ryght welebelovyd cosyn, John Paston, Swyer, be this letter -delyveryd, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Ryght wurschypfull and welebelovyd Volentyne, in my moste umble wyse, -I recommande me un to yowe, &c. And hertely I thanke yowe for the lettur -whech that ye sende me be John Bekarton, wherby I undyrstonde and knowe, -that ye be purposyd to come to Topcroft in schorte tyme, and withowte -any erand or mater, but only to hafe a conclusyon of the mater betwyx my -fader and yowe; I wolde be most glad of any creatur on lyve, so that the -mater myght growe to effect. And ther as ye say, and ye come and fynde -the mater no more towards you then ye dyd afortyme, ye wold no more put -my fader and my lady my moder to no cost ner besenesse, for that cause, -a good wyle aftur, wech causyth myne herte to be full hevy; and yf that -ye come, and the mater take to none effecte, then schuld I be meche mor -sory and full of hevynesse. - -And as for my selfe, I hafe done and undyrstond in the mater that I can -or may, as Good knowyth; and I let yowe pleynly undyrstond, that my -fader wyll no mor money parte with all in that behalfe, but an C_li._ -and l. marke, whech is ryght far fro the acomplyshment of yowr desyre. - -Wherfore, yf that ye cowde be content with that good, and my por -persone, I wold be the meryest mayden on grounde; and yf ye thynke not -yowr selffe so satysfyed, or that ye myght hafe mech mor good, as I hafe -undyrstonde be yowe afor; good, trewe, and lovyng volentyne, that ye -take no such labur uppon yowe, as to come more for that mater, but let -is [_it ?_] passe, and never more to be spokyn of, as I may be yowr -trewe lover and bedewoman duryng my lyfe. - -No more un to yowe at thys tyme, but Almyghty Jesus preserve yowe, bothe -body and sowle, &c. - - Be your Voluntyne, - - MARGERY BREWS. - - [Footnote 268-1: [From Fenn, ii. 214.]] - - -899 - -THOMAS KELA TO JOHN PASTON[269-1] - -_Un to my ryght wurschypfull maister, John Paston, Swhyer, be this bill -delivered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB.] - -Ryght wurschypfull sir, I recomande me un to yowe, lettyng yowe knowe, -as for the yonge gentylwoman, sche owyth yowe hyr good herte and love, -as I knowe be the comynicacion that I hafe hade with hyr for the same. - -And, sir, ye knowe what my maister and my lady hath profered with hyr -CC. merke. And I dar sey, that hyr chambr and areyment schall be worthe -C. merk. And I harde my lady sey, that and the case required, both ye -and sche schuld hafe yowr borde with my lady iij. yer aftr. - -And I understand by my lady, that sche wold that ye schuld labur the -mater to my maister, for it schuld be the bettr. - -And I harde my lady sey, - - That it was a febill oke, - That was kit down at the first stroke. - -And ye be beholdyng un to my lady for hyr good wurde, for sche hath -never preysyd yowe to mech. - -Sir, lyke as I promysyd yowe, I am yowr man, and my good will ye schall -hafe in worde and dede, &c. - -And Jesus hafe yowe in Hys mercyfull kepyng, &c. - - Be yor man, - - THOMAS KELA. - - [Footnote 269-1: [From Fenn, ii. 216.]] - - -900 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[270-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, at Norwyche, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / FEB. 14] - -I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete, that yisterdaye beganne the -grete cowncell, to whyche alle the astats off the londe shall com to, -butt if it be ffor gret and reasonable excusis; and I suppose the cheffe -cawse off thys assemble is, to comon what is best to doo, now uppon the -greet change by the dethe off the Duke of Burgoyne, and ffor the kepyng -off Caleys and the Marchys, and ffor the preservacion off the amyteys -taken late, as weell with Fraunce as now with the Membrys off Flaundres; -wher to I dowt nott ther shall be in all hast bothe the Duks off -Clarance and Glowcestre, wheroff I wolde that my brother E.[270-2] wyst. - -Item, I ffeele butt litell effecte in the labor off W. Alyngton; -neverthelesse I deme it is nott for yow. She shall not passe CC. mark, -as fferr as I can undrestand aparte. - -Item, I will nott fforget yow otherwyse. - -Itt is so that thys daye I heer grett liklyhood, that my Lorde Hastyngs -shall hastely goo to Caleys with greet company; iff I thynke it be for -yow to be on [_one_], I shall nott fforgeet yow. - -Item, thys daye the mater by twyen Mestresse Anne Haulte and me hathe -been soor broken bothe to the Cardinall,[270-3] to my Lorde -Chamberleyn,[270-4] and to my selffe, and I am in goode hope. When I -heer and knowe moor, I shall sende yow worde. - -It semythe that the worlde is alle qwaveryng; it will reboyle somwher, -so that I deme yonge men shall be cherysshyd; take yowr hert to yow. -I ffeer that I can nott be excusyd, but that I shall fforthe with my -Lorde Hastyngs ovyr the see, but I shall sende yow worde in hast, and -iff I goo, I hope nott to tary longe. - -Item, to my brother Edmond. I am like to speke to Mestresse Dyxon in -hast, and som deme that ther shall be condyssendyd, that iff E. P. come -to London that hys costs shall be payed ffor. - -I shall hastely sende yow worde off moor thyngs. - -Wretyn at London, the xiiij. day off Feverer, anno E. iiij^ti xvj. the -Fryday a for Fastyngong. - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 270-1: [From Fenn, ii. 204.]] - - [Footnote 270-2: Edmund Paston, who was in the garrison of - Calais.] - - [Footnote 270-3: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.--F.] - - [Footnote 270-4: William, Lord Hastyngs.--F.] - - -901 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[271-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 8] - -Ryght worschepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of recommendacyon, in as -humble wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Modyr, -please yt yow to wett, that the cause that Dame Elizabeth Brews desyreth -to mete with yow at Norwyche, and not at Langley, as I apoyntyd with yow -at my last being at Mawtby, is by my meanys, for my brodyr Thomas -Jermyn, whyche knowyth nought of the mate [_match_], telyth me, that the -causey or ye can comme to Bokenham Fery is so over flowyn that ther is -no man that may on ethe passe it, though he be ryght well horsyd; whyche -is no mete wey for yow to passe over, God defend it. But, all thyngs -rekynyd, it shalbe lesse cost to yow to be at Norwyche, as for a day or -tweyn, and passe not, then to mete at Langly, wher every thyng is dere; -and your horse may be sent home ayen the same Wednysday. - -Modyr, I beseche yow for dyvers causys, that my syster Anne may come -with yow to Norwyche; modyr, the mater is in a resonable good wey, and I -trust with Gods mercy, and with your good help, that it shall take -effect bettyr to myn avauntage then I told yow of at Mawtby; for I trow -ther is not a kynder woman leveing then I shall have to my modyr in -lawe, if the mater take, nor yet a kynder fadyr in lawe then I shall -have, though be he hard to me as yett. All the cyrcumstancys of the -mater, whyche I trust to tell yow at your comyng to Norwyche, cowd not -be wretyn in iij. levys of paper, and ye know my lewd hed well i nough, -I may not wryght longe, wherffor I ffery over all thyngs tyll I may -awayte on yow my selff. I shall do tonnen[272-1] in to your place a -doseyn ale, and bred acordyng, ayenst Wednysday. If Syme myght be -forborn it wer well done, that he war at Norwyche on Wednysday in the -mornyng at markett. - -Dame Elizabeth Brewse shall lye at Jon Cookys; if it myght please yow, -I wold be glad that she myght dyne in your howse on Thursday, for ther -shold ye have most secret talkyng. And modyr, at the reverence of God, -beware that ye be so purveyd for, that ye take no cold by the wey -towards Norwyche, for it is the most peraylous marche that ever was seyn -by eny manys dayes that now lyveth; and I prey to Jesu preserve yow and -yours. - -Wretyn at Topcroft, the viij. day of Marche. - - Your sone and humbyll servaunt, - - J. P. - - [Footnote 271-1: [From Fenn, ii. 220.] This letter evidently - refers to a meeting arranged between Margaret Paston and Dame - Elizabeth Brews on the subject of John Paston's approaching - marriage, which took place in the latter part of the year 1477.] - - [Footnote 272-1: _i.e._ cause to be tunned.] - - -902 - -SIR THOMAS BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON[272-2] - -_To my ryght wurschypfull cosyn, Syr Jhon Paston, Knyght, be this letter -delivered, &c._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 8] - -Ryght wurschypfull, and my hertely welebelovyd cosyn, I recommande me -unto yowe, desyring to here of yowr welefar, whech I pray God may be as -contynuall good as I wolde hafe myn own. And, cosyn, the cause of my -wryting un to yow, at thys tyme, is, I fele wele be my cosyn John yowr -broder, that ye hafe undyrstondyng of a mater, whech is in comynicacyon -tochyng a maryage, with Godds grace, to be concluded betwyx my saide -cosyn yowr broder, and my doghter Margery, wheche is far commonyd, and -not yyt concluded, ner noght schall ner may be tyll I hafe answer from -yowe agayn of yowr good will and asent to the seid mater; and also of -the obligacyon weche that I sende yowe herewith; for, cosyn, I wold be -sory to se owther my cosyn yowr broder, or my doghtr, dryvyn to leve so -meane a lyff as thei schuld do yf the vj^xx._li._ [L120], schuld be -payde of ther maryage money. - -And cosyn, I hafe takyn my selfe so nere in levyng of this vj^xx._li._, -that wher as I hade layde upp an C_li._ for the maryage of a yonger -doghter of myn, I hafe nowe lent the saide C_li._ and xx_li._ over that, -to my cosyn yowr broder, to be paide ageyn be suche esy days as the -obligacyon, weche I sende yowe herwyth, specyfyes. And, cosyn, I were -ryght lothe to be stowe so mech uppon one doghter, that the other her -susters schuld far the wars; wherfor, cosyn, yf ye wyll that thys mater -schall take effect undyr suche forme as my cosyn yowr broder hath wretyn -unto yowe, I pray yowe put therto yowr good wylle, and sum of yowr -coste, as I hafe done of myn more largely then ever I purpose to do to -any tweyn of hyr susters, as God knowyth myn entent, Whom I besech to -send yowe yowr levest herts desyr. - -Wretyn at Topcroft, the viij. day of March, &c. - - Be your cosyn, - - THOMAS BREWS, Knight. - - [Footnote 272-2: [From Fenn, ii. 224.] The date of this letter, as - of the last, is fixed by the subject.] - - -903 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[273-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer, in haste._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 9] - -I have received yowr letter, and yow[r] man, J. Bykerton, by whom I -knowe all the mater off Mestresse Brews, whyche iff it be as he seythe, -I praye Godde brynge it to a goode ende. - -Item, as for thys mater of Mestresse Barly,[274-1] I holde it but a bare -thynge. I feele weell that itt passyth nott . . . marke. I syghe hyr for -yowr sake. She is a lytell onys; she maye be a woman heer aftre, iff she -be nott olde nowe; hir person semyth xiij. yere off age; hyr yerys, men -sey, ben full xviij. She kowyth nott of the mater, I suppose; -neverthelesse she desyryd to see me as gladde as I was to se hyr. - -I praye yow sende me some wryghtyng to Caleys off yowr spede with -Mestresse Brewys. Bykerton tellyth me that she lovyth yow weell. Iff I -dyed, I hadde lever ye hadde hyr than the Lady Wargrave; neverthelesse -she syngeth weell with an harpe. - -Clopton is aferde off Sir T. Greye, for he is a wydower now late, and -men sey that he is aqueyntyd with hyr of olde. - -No more. Wretyn on Sondaye, the ix. daye off Marche, anno E. iiij^ti -xvij^o to Caleys warde. - - * * * - -Iff ye have Mestresse Brews, and E. Paston Mestresse Bylyngford, ye be -lyke to be bretheryn. - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 273-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 274-1: Fenn reads this name Burly, but I think - erroneously.] - - -904 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[274-2] - -_Thys bylle be delyverd to Thomas Grene, good man of the George, by -Powlys Wharffe, or to hys wyff, to send to Sir John Paston, wherso evere -he be, at Caleys, London, or other placys._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 9] - -Ryght worchepfull sir, and my most good and kynde brodyr, in as humbyll -wyse as I can, I recomand me to yow. Sir, it is so that I have, sythe -John Bekurton departyd fro hens, ben at Toppcrofft at Syr Tohmas Brewse; -and as for the mater that I sent yow word of by Jon Bekurton, towchyng -my sylff and Mastress Margery Brews, I am yet at no serteynte, hyr fadyr -is so hard; but I trow I have the good wyll of my lady hyr modyr and -hyr; but as the mater provyth, I shall send yow woord, with Godes grace, -in short tyme. - -But as for John Bekurton, I prey yow dele with hym for suerte as a -soudyor shold be delt with; trust hym never the more for the bylle that -I sent yow by hym, but as a man at wylde, for every thyng that he told -me is not trewe; for he departyd with ought lycence of hys mastyr, Syr -Thomas Brewse, and is fere endangeryd [_indebted_] to dyvers in thys -contrey. I prey God that I wryght not to yow of hym to late; but for all -thys I knowe none untrowthe in hym; but yet I prey yow, trust hym not -over myche upon my woord. - -Syr, Perse Mody[275-1] recomandyth hym to your mastyrshep, and besecheth -yow to send hym word in hast, hough he shall be demeanyd at your place -at Caster; for he is asygnyd to no body as yet, to take of mete and -drynk, nor yet wher that he shall have money to paye for hys mete and -drynk; and now is the cheff replenysheing of your warenn there, the -avauntage of the dove howse wer well for hym, tyll ye come hom your -sylff. - -Sir, I prey yow pardon me of my wryghtyng, hough so ever it be, for -carpenters of my crafte that I use now, have not alderbest ther wyttys -ther owne. And Jesu preserve yow. - -Wretyn at Norwyche, the ix. day of Marche, anno E iiij^ti septimo -decymo. - - J. P. - - [Footnote 274-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 275-1: Perse Moody was a servant of Sir John Paston's, - now at Caister.--F.] - - -905 - -SIR THOMAS BREWS[275-2] - -[Sidenote: 1477] - -Memorandum.--To let my cosyn, Margaret Paston, ondyrstand that for a -jontor to be mad in Sweynsthorp in hand, and for a jontore of no more -but x. mark ought of Sparham, I wylle depart with CC. mark in hand, and -to give theym ther boord free as for ij. or iij. yer in serteyn, or -ellys CCC. mark with ought ther boord, payable by l. mark yerly tyll the -some of CCC. mark be full payed. - -Item, I wyll geve CCCC. mark, payable l_li._, in hand at the day of -maryage, and l_li._ yerly tyll the some of CCCC. mark be full payed upon -thes condycyons folowing. - -Wher of on condycyon is thys, that I wyll lend my cosyn John Paston -vj^xx._li._, besyd hys maryage money, to pledge ought the maner of -Sweynsthorpe, so that he may fynd syche a frend as wyll pay me a yen the -seyd vj^xx._li._ by xx. mark a yer, so that it be not payed of the -maryage money, nor of the propre goodes of my seyd cosyn John. - -Or ellys, an other condycyon is thys, if it be so that my seyd cosyn -John may be suffred, fro the day of hys maryage to my doughter, to take -the hole profites of the maner of Sparham, besyde the maner of -Sweynsthorpe, for terme of ther two lyves, and the longest of theym -leveing, yet wyll I be agreable to depart with the seyd CCC. mark, -payable ayen in forme above seyd [_and to geve theym ther boord for a -yer or two_].[276-1] - -And if thes or eny of the conclusyons may be takyn, I am agreable to -make the bargayn swer, or ellys no more to be spokyn of. - - [Footnote 275-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This paper was evidently - drawn up about the same time as the last letter. It is a draft in - John Paston's handwriting, but is evidently written as in the name - of Sir Thomas Brews. It is endorsed in a more modern hand: 'A - determinacion of Sir Tho. Brews how much he would gyve with his - daughter Margery in mariage.'] - - [Footnote 276-1: These words are crossed out with the pen.] - - -906 - -JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[276-2] - -_To Master Sir John Paston, be this letter delyverid in Calis._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / [MARCH]] - -Honwre and joye be to yow, my ryght gode master, and most assured -brother; letyng yow know that al yowre welwillers and servaunts, in -these partyes, that I know, fare well, and better wold, if they mowht -here of yowre wellbeyng, and forthwith sum of yowre Frenche and Borgoyne -tidyngs; ffor we in these partyes be in grete drede lest the French Kyng -with sum assaults shuld in eny wise distourbe yow of yowr soft, sote -[_sweet_], and sewre slepys, but as yet we no thyng can here that he so -disposeth hym. - -Mary, we have herd sey, that the frowys[277-1] of Broggys, with there -hye cappes, have gyven sum of yow grete clappys, and that the fete of -her armys doyng is such, that they smyte al at the mowthe, and at the -grete ende of the thyeh; but in faith we care not for yow, for we know -well that ye be gode ynowh at defence. But we here sey, that they be of -such corage, that they gyve yow moo strokys than ye do to them, and that -they strike sorer than ye also. But I thynk that the English ladyes and -jentylwomen, and the pore also, can do as well as they, and lyst not to -lerne of them no thyng; and therefor we drede lest ther hye corages -shuld meve them to make yow warre also. But God defend, for by my trowth -than have ye much to do; for hit were better and more ese for to labor -iij. or fowre dayes with mattokks and pykeisys to over turne yowr sande -hills, as we here saye ye do ryht wurshipfully, than only one day to -endure theyre fers encountrys; so as ye myht owther gete or save yowr -wurshippys by; and loke that ye trust to have no rescow of us, for, so -God me helpe, we have y nowh to do in these partyes with the same werrs. -But in one thyng we preyse yowre sadnessys and discrecionys ryht much, -that is, in kepyng of yowr trewse and pese with the Kyng of Fraunce, as -the Kyng hath commaundid; and a grete reson why, for hit were to much -for yow to have werre with all the world at onys, ffor the werre a fore -seid kepith yow blameles; ffor every resonable man wetyth well, that hit -is to much for eny pepyll levyng to do bothe at onys. - -Syr, as for the more parts off my thowht, I praye yow recomaunde me un -to yowr self, prayyng yow that y may contynew in such case as yowr -godenes hath taken me of old, and if ye lyst to send eny tydyngs, or -other thyng to the partyes that were wont to warme theym by yowr fyre, -in feith I shall do yowr erand. - -And as for barley, hit is of the same pryce that hit was wont to be of, -and is the most sure corne, and best enduryng that may be. And, syr, -where that sumtyme was a lytyll hole in a wall, is now a dore large -ynowh and esy passage, whereof ye were the deviser, and have thank for -yowr labor of sum partyes, but no thyng lastyth evyr. Y mene that y -trow, my passage shall hastyly faile me, and the dore shalbe shet up -agayne, lesse than Fortun be agreable to have my counseile kept; for not -long ago, makyng my entre at that passage, I saw a sparow that useth -those ewrys [_eireys_], and I saw her sytt so stille that y cowde not -endure, but y must neds shote her, and so, God me help, I smote her, -I trow evyn to the hert; and so I drede me lest owther the barley wyll -ete the sparow, or ells the sparow wyll ete the barley, but as yet all -is well, but reson shewt me that hit must neds fayle by contynewauns, -lesse than I forsake bothe the sparow and the barley also.[278-1] - -Syr, I have thank for the shew that I onys made of yow and daily -gramercy, and ye theire prayer. - -Syr, forthemore I beseche yow, as ye wyll do eny thyng for me, that ye -se o day for my sake, and for yowr own plesure, all the gode hors in -Caleys, and if ther be among theym eny pric[278-2] horse of deds, that -is to sell, in especiall that he be well trottyng of his owne corage, -with owte fors[278-3] of sporis, and also a steryng [_stirring_] hors if -he be, he is the better; I pray yow send me word of his color, deds, and -corage, and also of his price, feynyng as ye wold by hym yowrself, and -also I wold have hym sumwhat large, not with the largest; but no smalle -hors, as more than a dowble hors; prayyng yow above all thyngs to have -this in remembrauns, and that hastily as may be, for ther is late -promysed me help to such an entent, and I wote not how long hit shall -endure; and therfor I beseche yow send me word by tyme. - -I trow the Frenshe men have taken up al the gode hors in Pycardye, and -also they be wont to be hevy hors in labor, and that I love not, but a -hevy hors of flesh, and lyht of corage y love well, for y love no hors -that wyll al way be lene and slender like grehounds. God kepe yow. - - Yowr, - - J. PYMPE. - -Y pray yow to recomaund me to my cosyn Sir John Scot and all his, in -especiall Mastres Benyngfeld.[279-1] - - [Footnote 276-2: [From Fenn, ii. 226.] This letter, Fenn tells us, - was endorsed under the address in a handwriting of the time which - he believed to be Sir John Paston's--'Jon Pympe, xvj. die Mar'., - anno E. 4, 17,' showing the date at which it was received.] - - [Footnote 277-1: _Frau's_, _i.e._ women. The writer's pleasantry - in this passage is certainly rather coarse.] - - [Footnote 278-1: Perhaps this enigmatical passage may have - reference to the Mrs. Barly mentioned in No. 903.] - - [Footnote 278-2: In the modern version, Fenn reads here, 'any - prized horse of deeds,' a reading which seems to me questionable.] - - [Footnote 278-3: 'Fort' in Fenn, which is probably a misprint, as - the word is spelled 'force' on the opposite page.] - - [Footnote 279-1: Margaret, daughter of Sir John Scot, and wife to - Edmund Bedingfeld.--F.] - - -907 - -JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[279-2] - -_To Syr John Paston, Knyht, be this delyverid in Calice._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / [MARCH?]] - -Master Paston, I recommaund me to yow; and by cause that I have wrytyn -to yow iij. long letteres; which as yet be answereles, I wote not -whether that the length of mater acumbred yow, or elles the simpylnes of -the effect displesid yow, or elles that ye have utterly refusid the -proferes of my pore servyce and frendeship; but which of these soo ever -hit be, hit hevyeth me. - -Syr, hit nedith not, I trow, to send yow the tidynges of these partyes, -how be hit I have thryes send yow such as here were, in entent that ye -shuld send us of yowres; but as long as my lord and yowres is there, ye -can not faile to have the certeynte of all owre English aventures, which -is grete ese to yowr frendes and servauntes in this contre, for so much -as they may make her letteres shorter by so much. - -Syr, at the wrytyng of this letter, I was in Kent, where all thyng that -I rejoisid, I wishid yow part of, or all; and as for myself, I am styll -yowr servaunt and bedeman, and so am bownd to be so sore and sewrely, -that I can not unbynde me. - -Syr, this is the v. letter that I have sent yow, whereyn thys entent -that folowyth was all wayes on, that is to say, that hit plesid yow sum -on day to take so much labour for me for to se the jentyllest hors in -Calice that is to be sold, and to lett me know of his colowre, dedes, -and price, remembryng that he be also large as mesure wyll, for I love -no small hors, nor hors that wyll evyr be lene and slendyr; but I wold -have hym hye truttyng, if hit wylbe, and if he be styryng with all, he -shall plese me the better, for I wuld have hym all for the plesur, and -for the werre, but if he myht be for bothe. Veryly ther is no tidynges -on that side the se, safe only the welfare of yow and all other there, -that I wuld so fayne here of as of a jentyll trottyng hors that were -lyght and pleasaunt in dedes, if eny such be there. Flemysh hors I thenk -ye have y nowh that wyll play for a myle or ij., but such we have here -also; how be hit I pray yow send me word of yowre store, and be sewre of -the price, if ye like eny, or elles let sum man for yow. - -No more, but God kepe yow, prayyng yow to recommaund me to my cosyn Syr -John Scot, and to Syr Tyry Robsert. Let the letter be sent to the -godewif of yowr loggyng. - - By yowr JOHN PYMPE. - - [Footnote 279-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was probably - written about the end of March 1477, as the first of the three - which preceded (No. 906) was received by Sir John in Calais on the - 16th of the month.] - - -908 - -JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[280-1] - -_To Master Sir John Paston, Knight, be this letter delyvered in Calis._ - -[Sidenote: 1477] - - Fresh amorouse sihts of cuntreys ferre and straunge - Have all fordoone[280-2] your old affeccion; - In plesurys new, your hert dooth score and raunge - So hye and ferre, that like as the fawcon - Which is alofte, tellith scorne to loke a down - On hym that wont was her feders to pyke and ympe;[281-1] - Ryht so forgotyn ye have your pore Pympe, - - That wrytith, sendith, and wisshith alday your wele - More than his owne; but ye ne here, ne se, - Ne sey, ne send, and evyr I write and sele - In prose and ryme, as well as hit will be. - Sum evyll tong, I trow, myss sayeth of me - And ells your fast and feithfull frendelynes - Ye thenk mysspent on such as I, I gesse. - - I wyll abate my customable concourse, - To yow so costuouse,[281-2] whan so evyr ye com agayn, - Which that I fele of reson, by the course - Of my proferid servyce, hath made yow so unfayne; - For veryly the water of the fowntayne - With brede only forthwith yowre presens - Me shuld content much more than your expense. - - But ay deme I thus that Fortun hath hyryd yow, - For she but late of sorowys moo than many - Hath rakyd un to myn hert an hepe more than a moowe, - And wuld that ye shuld ley thereon on hye - Your hevy unkyndenes to make hit fast to lye, - And God knowth well hit cannot long lye there - But hit wyll bryng me to the chirch bere. - - Take hit awaye therefore, y praye yow fayre, - For hardyly my hert beryth hevy y nowh, - For there is Sorow at rest as in hys chayre, - Fixid so fast with hys prikks rowh, - That in gode feith I wote not whan I lowh,[281-3] - For, Master Paston, the thyng whereon my blisse - Was holly sette, is all fordoone, I wysse. - - By your JOHN PYMPE, - thes beyng the vj. letter that I have send yow. - -Alway prayyng yow to remembre the hors that I have in every letter -wryten for; as thus, that hit wuld plese yow to undrestond who hath the -gentyllest hors in trottyng and steryng that is in Calis, and if he be -to sell, to send me word of hys pris, largenesse, and colour. Hytt is -told me, that the Master Porter hath a coragiouse ronyd hors, and that -he wuld putt hym away by cause he is daungerous in companye; and of that -I force [_care_] not, so that he be not chorlissh at a spore, as -plungyng; and also I sett not by hym, but if he trotte hye and gentilly. -No more, but God kepe yow. - - JOHN PYMPE. - - [Footnote 280-1: [From Fenn, ii. 234.] We may as well place this - letter--the only remaining one of the series that has been - preserved--immediately after the other two. John Pympe seems to - have been a very industrious correspondent, and the art of - writing, in prose or verse, came to him very easily.] - - [Footnote 280-2: Destroyed.--F.] - - [Footnote 281-1: A term in Falconry, signifying the adding a piece - to a feather in a hawk's wing.--F.] - - [Footnote 281-2: Expensive.] - - [Footnote 281-3: Laughed? Fenn in his modern version reads 'when I - love.'] - - -909 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[282-1] - -_To hys weell belovyd brother, John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1477] - -I recomande me to yow, letyng yow weete that I receyvyd a letter of -yowres by Edward Hensted ij. dayes aftre that Whetley was departyd from -me, whyche he hadde forgetyn in hys caskett, as he seyde, wheroff I -sholde have sent yow answer by Whetley, iff I had hadde it toffore he -wente, notwithstandyng I am ryght lothe to wryghte in that mater offte; -for for a conclusion I wrote to my moodre by Peerse Moody alle that I -myght and wolde doo ther in. Ye have also nowe wretyn ageyn. Yow neede -nott to praye me to doo that myght be to yowr profyght and worship, that -I myght doo ofter than ones, or to late me weete theroff; for to my -power I wolde do for yow, and take as moche peyne for yowr weell, and -remembre itt when per case ye sholde nott thynke on it yowr selffe. -I wolde be as gladde that one gaffe yow a maner of xx_li._ by yeer, as -iff he gave it to my selff by my trowthe. - -Item, wher ye thynke that I may with concience recompence it ageyn on to -owr stokke off other londys that I have off that valywe in fee symple, -it is so that Snaylwell, by my grauntefadres will ones, and by my fadris -will sceconderely, is entaylyd to the issyw of my fadres body. - -Item, as for Sporle xx_li._ by yeer, I hadde ther off butt xx. marke by -yere, whyche xx. marke by yeer and the x. marke ovyr, I have endangeryd, -as ye weell knowe off that bargayne, whyche, iff itt be nott redemyd, -I most recompence some other maner off myne to one off my bretheryn for -the seyde x. marke, ovyr xx. marke that longyth to me; wherffor I kepe -the maner off Runham. Than have I fe symple londe the maner of Wynterton -with Bastwyk and Billys, whyche in alle is nott xx. marke by yeer, -whyche is nott to the valywe off the maner off Sparham. And as for -Castre, it weer noo convenyent londe to exchange for suche a thyng, nor -it weer not polesy for me to sett that maner in suche case for alle -maner of happis. I nede nott to make thys excuse to yowe, but that yowr -mynde is troblyd. I praye yow rejoyse nott yowr sylffe to moche in hope -to opteyne thynge that alle yowr freendys may nott ease yow off; for if -my moodre were dysposyd to gyve me and any woman in Ingelande the best -maner that she hathe, to have it to me and my wyffe, and to the heyres -off our too bodyes begotyn, I wolde nott take it off hyr, by God. - -Stablysshe your selffe uppon a goode grownde, and grace shall folowe. -Yowr mater is ferre spoken off, and blowyn wyde, and iff it preve noo -better, I wolde that it had never be spoken off. Also that mater noysyth -me that I am so onkynde that I lett alle togedre. I thynke notte a mater -happy, nor weell handelyd, nor poletykly dalte with, when it can never -be fynysshyd with owte an inconvenyence; and to any suche bargayne I -kepe never to be condescentyng, ner of cowncell. Iffe I weer att the -begynnyng of suche a mater, I wolde have hopyd to have made a better -conclusyon, if they mokke yow notte. Thys mater is drevyn thus ferforthe -with owte my cowncell, I praye yow make an ende with owte my cowncell. -Iffe it be weell, I wolde be glad; iff it be oderwyse, it is pite. -I praye yow troble me no moore in thys mater. . . .[283-1] - - [Footnote 282-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is clearly - written in answer to an application by John Paston to his brother - to aid him in making arrangements with Sir Thomas Brews in the - spring of 1477. Although the signature is lost, the handwriting is - that of Sir John Paston.] - - [Footnote 283-1: The lower part of this letter seems to have been - cut off, and how much is lost does not appear.] - - [[for for a conclusion I wrote to my moodre - _text unchanged: probably not an error_]] - - -910 - -JOHN PASTON AND MARGERY BREWS[284-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477] - -Memorandum.--To kepe secret fro my moder that the bargayn is full -concludyd. - -Item, to let hyr have fyrst knowlage that in the chapell, wher as ye -wold had ben no book nye by x. myle, that whyn Mastyr Brews seyd that he -wold shortly have eyther more lond in joyntour then Sweynsthorp and x. -mark ought of Sparham, or ellys that some frend of myne shold paye the -vj^xx._li._, so that it shold not be payed of the maryage money, that -then I sware on a book to hym that I wold never of my mocyon endanger -moder nor broder ferther then I had done; for I thought that my modyr -had done myche for me to geve me the maner of Sparham in syche forme -as she had done. But Mastyr Breus wyll not agre, with ought that my -mastress hys doughter and I be mad swer of it now in hand, and that we -may take the hole profytes, what so ever fortune. - -Item, to enforme my moder that if so be that we may be pute in -possessyon of all the hole maner duryng oure two lyves, and the lengest -of leveing, that then Mastyr Brews wyll geve me in maryage with my -mastresse hys doughter CCCC. markes, payable in hand l_li._, and so -yerly l_li._ tyll the some of CCCC. mark bew full payed. - -Item, that wher as he had leyd up C_li._ for the maryage of a yonger -doughter of hys, he wylle lend me the same C_li._ and xx_li._ more, to -pledge ought my lond, and he to be payed ayen hys C_li._ and xx_li._ by -x_li._ by yer. - -Item, to avyse my modyr that she brek not for the yerly valew of Sparham -above the x. mark dwryng hyr lyve. - - [Footnote 284-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This paper, which is in - John Paston's hand, was evidently written about the same time as - the letter immediately following, in which it is mentioned that - Margaret Paston had given up the manor of Sparham to her son. The - paper is endorsed in a more modern hand: 'Notes touching the - mariage betwene Jo. Paston, Ar', and Margery Brews.'] - - -911 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[285-1] - -_To my ryght worshypfull moodre, Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / MARCH 28] - -Please it yow to weete, that I have receyvyd yowr letter, wherein is -remembryd the gret hurte, that by liklihod myght ffalle to my brother, -iff so be that thys matter betwyn hym and Sir Thomas Brewses doghtre -take nott effecte; wheroff I wolde be as sory as hym selffe reasonably; -and also the welthy and convenyent marriage that scholde be iff it take -effecte; wheroff I wolde be as gladde as any man; and ame better content -nowe, that he sholde have hyr, than any other, that evyr he was -hertoffoor abowte to have hadde, consyderyd hyr persone, her yowthe, and -the stok that she is comyn offe, the love on bothe sydes, the tendre -ffavor that she is in with hyr ffader and mooder, the kyndenesse off hyr -ffadr and moodr to hyr in departyng with hyr, the ffavor also, and goode -conceyte that they have in my brother, the worshypfull and vertuous -dysposicion off hyr ffadr and moodr, whyche pronostikyth that, of -lyklihod, the mayde sholde be vertuous and goode; all which concyderyd, -and the necessary relyffe that my brother most have, I mervayle the -lesse, that ye have departyd, and gevyn hym the maner off Sperham, in -such fforme as I have knowleche off by W. Gornay, Lomner, and Skypwyth; -and I ame ryght gladde to se in yow suche kyndenesse on to my brother as -ye have doon to hym; and wolde by my trowthe lever than C_li._ that it -weer ffee symple londe, as it is entaylyd, whyche by liklyhood scholde -prosper with hym and hys blode the better in tyme to come, and sholde -also never cause debate in owr bloode in tyme to come, whyche Godde -dyffende, ffor that weer onnaturell. - -Item, another inconvenyence is, wher as I undrestande that the maner is -gevyn to my brother, and to hys wyff, and to the issywe bytwen them -bygoten; iff the case weer soo, that he and she hadde yssywe togedr a -dowtr or moo, and hys wyffe dyed, and he maried afftr another, and hadde -issywe a sone, that sone sholde have noon londe, and he beyng hys -ffadres heyr, and ffor th'enconvenyence that I have knowe let in -ur[286-1] in case lyke, and yit enduryth in Kente, by tweyn a jentylman -and his suster, I wolde ye toke the advyce off yowr concell in thys -poynt, and that that is past yow by wrightyng or by promise, I deme -verrely in yow, that ye dyd it off kyndenesse, and in eschywyng off a -moor yll that myght befall. - -Item, wher as it pleasyth yow that I sholde ratefye, grawnt, or conferme -the seyd gyfte on to my brother, it is so, that with myn honeste I may -nott, and ffor other cawses. The Pope will suffre a thyng to be usyd, -but he will nott lycence nor grant it to be usyd nor don, and soo I. My -brother John knowyth myn entent weel i now heer to ffoor in this mater; -I will be ffownde to hym as kynde a brother as I may be. - -Item, iff it be soo that Sir T. Brews and hys wyff thynke that I wolde -troble my brother and hys wyff in the seid maner, I can ffynde no meene -to putte them in sywerte ther off, but iff it neede, to be bownde in an -obligacion with a condicion that I shalle nott trowble ner infete them -therin. - -Item, I thynke that she is made sywer i now in astate in the londe, and -that off ryght I deme they shall make noone obstacles at my wryghtyng, -ffor I hadde never none astate in the londe, ner I wolde nott that I had -hadde. - -No mor to yow at thys tyme, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xxviij. daye of Marche, anno E. iiij. xvij^{o}. - - By yowr sone, - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 285-1: [From Fenn, ii. 238.]] - - [Footnote 286-1: In ure, _i.e._ in practice.] - - [[J. PASTON, K. - _comma invisible_]] - - -912 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[287-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / APRIL 14] - -Ryght worshypfull and hertely belovyd brother, I recomaunde me to yow, -letyng yow weete, that as by Pyrse Moody, when he was heer, I hadde no -leyser to sende answer in wryghtyng to yow, and to my cosyne Gurnaye, -off yowr letteris; butt ffor a conclusion ye shalle ffynde me to yow as -kynde as I maye be, my conciense and worshyp savyd, whiche, when I speke -with yow and them, ye bothe shall weell undrestande. And I praye God -sende yow as goode speede in that mater as I wolde ye hadde, and as I -hope ye shall have er thys letter come to yow; and I praye God sende yow -yssywe betwyne yow, that maye be as honorable as ever was any off your -ancestris and theris, wheroff I wolde be as gladde in maner as off myn -owne. Wherffor I praye yow sende me worde how ye doo, and iff Godde -ffortune me to doo weell, and be off any power, I woll be to Sir Thomas -Brewse, and my lady hys wyffe, a verry sone in lawe ffor yowr sake, and -take them as ye doo, and doo ffor them as iff I weer in case like with -them as ye bee. No moor, but Jesus have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn at Caleys, the xiiij. daye off Aprill, anno E. iiij. xvij^{o}. - -As ffor tydyngs her, the Frenshe Kynge hathe gothen many off the towns -off the Duk of Burgoyne, as Seynt Quyntyns, Abevyle, Motrell; and now -off late he hathe goten Betoyne and Hedynge with the castell ther, -whyche is one off the ryallest castells off the worlde; and on Sonday at -evyn the Ameralle off Fraunce leyde seege at Boloyne; and thys daye it -is seyde, that the Frenshe Kynge shalle come thyddr; and thys nyght it -is seyde, that ther was a vysion seyne abowte the walls of Boloyne, as -it hadde ben a woman with a mervylowse lyght; men deme that Owr Lady -ther will shewe hyrselff a lover to that towne. God fforfende that it -weer Frenshe, it weer worthe xl.m^l._li._ [L40,000] that it wer -Englyshe. - - J. PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 287-1: [From Fenn, ii. 244.]] - - -913 - -MARGARET PASTON TO DAME ELIZABETH BREWS[288-1] - -_To the ryght wurchypfull and my verry good [lady and cosyn, Dame -Elyzabet][288-2] Brews._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / JUNE 11] - -Ryght wurchepful and my cheff lady and cosyn, as hertly as I can, -I recomaunde me to yow. Madam, lyeketh yow to undyrstand that the cheff -cause of my wrytyng to yow at thys season ys thys: I wot well yt ys not -unremembred with yow the large comunycacyon that dyvers tymes hathe ben -had towchyng the maryage of my cosyn Margery, yowyr dowghter, and my son -John; of whyche I have ben as glad, and now late wardes as sory, as evyr -I was for eny maryage in myn lyve. And wher or in whom the defawte of -the breche ys, I can have no perfyte knowlage; but, madam, yf yt be in -me or eny of myn, I prey yow assygne a day when my cosyn yowyr husbond -and ye thynk to be at Norwych to wardes Salle, and I wyll com theder to -yow; and I thynk or ye and I departe, that the defawte schall be knowe -where yt ys, and also that, with yowyr advyse and helpe and myn to -gedyrs, we schall take some wey that yt schal not breke; for yf yt dyd, -yt wer non honoure to neyther partyes, and in cheff to them in whom the -defawte ys, consyderyng that it ys so ferre spokun. - -And, madam, I prey yow that I may have perfyte knowlage be my son -Yelverton,[288-3] berar here of, when thys metyng schall be, yf ye thynk -it expedyent, and the soner the better, in eschewyng of worsse; for, -madam, I know well, yf yt be not concludyd in ryght schort tyme, that as -for my son he entendyth to doo ryght well by my cosyn Margery, and not -so well by hym sylf, and that schuld be to me, nor I trust to yow no -gret plesur, yf yt so fortunyd, as God deffend, Whom I beseche to send -yow your levest desyers. - -Madam, I besech yow that I may be recomawndyd by this bylle to my cosyn -yowr husbond, and to my cosyn Margery, to whom I supposyd to have gevyn -an othyr name or thys tyme. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, on Seynt Barnaby is Day. - - By your, - - MARGARET PASTON. - - [Footnote 288-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is another letter - relative to the negotiations for the marriage of John Paston and - Margery Brews, which took place in 1477.] - - [Footnote 288-2: The words bracketed are indistinct, but we follow - Fenn's reading.] - - [Footnote 288-3: William Yelverton, grandson of Judge Yelverton, - now married to Anne Paston, one of Margaret's daughters.] - - -914 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[289-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquyer._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / JUNE 23] - -I recomand me to yow, letyng yow weete that I have spoken to Herry -Colett,[289-2] and entretyd hym in my best wyse ffor yow, soo that at -the last he is agreyd to a resonable respyght ffor the xv_li._ that ye -sholde have payd hym at Mydsomer, as he seyth, and is gladde to do yow -ease or plesyr in all that he maye; and I tolde hym that ye wolde, as I -supposyd, be heer at London, herr nott long to, and than he lokyth afftr -that ye sholde come see hym, ffor he is sheryff, and hathe a goodely -hows. - -Item, my Lady off Oxenfforth[289-3] lokyth afftr yow and Arblaster -bothe. - -My Lord off Oxenfford[289-4] is nott comen in to Inglonde that I can -perceyve, and so the goode lady hathe nede off helpe and cowncell howe -that she shall doo. - -No moor at thys tyme, butt God have yow in kepyng. - -Wretyn att London on Seynt Awdryes Daye, anno E. iiij^ti xvij^{o}. - -Tydyngs butt that yisterdaye my Lady Marqueys off Dorset,[290-1] whych -is my Lady Hastyngs dowtr, hadyd chylde a sone. - -Item, my Lord Chamberleyn is comyn hyddr ffro Caleys, and redyn with the -Kynge to Wyndeshor, and the Kyng will be here ageyn on Mondaye. - - J. P., K. - - [Footnote 289-1: [From Fenn, ii. 248.]] - - [Footnote 289-2: Sir Henry Colet was Lord Mayor of London in - 1486.--F.] - - [Footnote 289-3: Margaret, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of - Salisbury; she was, during the imprisonment of her lord, in great - distress.--F.] - - [Footnote 289-4: John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was at this time a - prisoner in the Castle of Hammes, in Picardy; what expectation - there was of his coming into England at this time I know not.--F.] - - [Footnote 290-1: Cecily, wife of Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, - was great grand-daughter and heir of William Bonvile, Lord - Bonvile, who was beheaded by order of Margaret of Anjou, after the - second battle of St. Albans in 1461.] - - -915 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[290-2] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / JUNE 29] - -Ryght worchepfull and my most good and kynd moder. Moder, in as humbyll -wyse as I can or may, I recomand me to yow, and beseche yow of your -dayly blyssyng. Moder, please it yow to undyrstond that tyll thys day -Dame Elyzabeth Brews hathe ben so syke that she myght nevyr, sythe she -cam to Salle, have leyser to comon of my mater with Master Brews tyll -thys day; and thys day with gret peyn, I thynk the rather because -Heydon[290-3] was ther, the mater was comond, but other answer than she -hathe sent yow in hyr lettre closed her in can she not have of hyr -husbond. Wherfor, modyr, if it please yow, myn advyse is to send hyr -answer ayen in thys forme folowing, of some other manys hand. - -[_Margaret Paston to Dame Elyzabeth Brews._] - -'Ryght worchepfull and my verry good lady and cosyn, as hertly as I can, -I recomand me to yow. And, madam, I am ryght sory, if it myght be -otherwyse, of the dysease, as I undyrstand by the berer herof, that my -cosyn your husbond and ye also have had a season, whyche I prey God -soone to redresse to your bothe easeis. And, madam, I thank yow hertly -that ye have remembred the mater to my cosyn your husbond, that I spak -with you of at syche tyme as I was last with you at Norwyche, to my gret -comfort. And I wyse, madam, I am ryght sory that John Paston is no more -fortunate then he is in that mater; for, as I undyrstand by your lettyr, -my cosyn your husbond wyll geve but an C_li._, whyche is no money lyek -for syche a joyntore as is desyred of my son, thow hys possybylyte wer -ryght easy. But, madam, when I mad that large grant in the maner of -Sperham that I have mad to hym and my cosyn your doughter, he told me of -an other some that he shold have with hyr then of an C_li._ He hathe -befor thys be wont to tell me none untrowthe; and what I shall deme in -thys mater, I can not sey, for me thynkyth if more then an C_li._ wer -promysyd on to hym by my cosyn your husbond and yow, that ye wold not -lett to geve it hym, with ought so wer that I or he abryggyd eny thyng -of our promess, whyche I wot well neyther I or he intend to do, if I may -undyrstand that hys seying to me was trowthe, and that it may be -performyd; but wyst I that he told me otherwyse then my cosyn yowr -husbond and ye promysed hym, to deseyve me of Sparham, by my trowthe, -thow he have it, he shall lese as myche for it, iff I leve, and that -shall he well undyrstand the next tyme I se hym. - -'And, madam, I pray God send us good of thys mater, for as for hys -broder Sir John also, I sent ones to hym for it to have mad good the -same graunt that I grauntyd yow with hys assent, to them and to ther -issu of ther ij. bodyes lawfully comyng, and he dyd not ther in as I -desyred hym. And ther for I prey yow pardon me for sendyng on to hym eny -more; for, madam, he is my sone, and I can not fynd in my hert to becom -a dayly petycyoner of hys, sythe he hathe denyed me onys myn axing. -Peraventure he had ben better to have performyd my desyer; and what hys -answer was on to me, John Paston can tell yow as well as I. But, madam, -ye ar a moder as well as I, wher I prey tak it non other wyse bot well, -that I may not do by John Paston, as ye wyll have me to do; for, madam, -thow I wold he dyd well, I have to purvey for more of my chylder then -hym, of whyche some be of that age, that they can tell me well inow that -I dele not evenly with theym to geve John Paston so large, and theym so -lytyll; and, madam, for syche grwgys and other causys, I am ryght sory -that the graunte is knowyn that I have mad, with ought it myght take -effect. And therfor, madam, fro hensforthe I remyght all thyng to yowr -dyscressyon, besechyng yow, the rather for my sake, to be my son Johnis -good lady; and I prey God preserve yow to Hys plesure, send yow hastyly -yowr hele ayen, and my cosyn yowr husbond also, to whom I prey yow that -I may hertly be recomandyd, and to my cosyns Margery and Margaret -Byllyngforthe. - -'Wretyn at Mawtby, on Seynt Petrys Day. - - 'Yowr, - - 'MARGARET PASTON.' - - -_'An other lettyr to me that I may shewe._ - -'I gret yow well, and send you Godes blessyng and myn, letyng yow wet -that I undyrstand well by my cosyn, Dame Elyzabeth Brewsys lettyr, -whyche I sende yow her with, wherby ye may undyrstand the same, that -they intend not to performe thos proferys that ye told me they promysyd -yow, trustyng that ye told me none other wyse then was promysed yow. -Wherfor I charge yow on my blyssyng that ye be well ware how ye bestow -your mynd with ought ye have a substance wher upon to leve; for I wold -be sory to wet yow myscary; for if ye do, in your defawt looke never -aftyr helpe of me. And also I wold be as sory for hyr as for eny -gentywoman leveing, in good feythe; wherfor I warne yow, be ware in eny -wyse; and look ye be at Mawtby with me as hastyly as ye can, and then I -shall tell yow more. And God kepe yow. - -'Wretyn at Mawtby, on Seynt Petrys Day. - - 'Your modyr, - - 'M. P.' - - [Footnote 290-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, with the - two subjoined, are drafts written on the same paper in John - Paston's hand. They must belong to the year 1477, being on the - same subject, already so often referred to, of the negotiations - for John Paston's marriage. Fenn had added addresses to all these - letters, and a signature to the first, which are not in the - original MS.] - - [Footnote 290-3: John Heydon of Baconsthorpe, who died on the 27th - September 1479.--Inquisition p.m., 19 Edw. IV., No. 72.] - - -916 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[293-1] - -_To the ryght worshypfull Mestresse Margret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 7] - -Please it yow to weete that I have receyvyd yowr letter, wretyn the -Tywesdaye nexte afftre Seynt James Daye, wherin ye desyre me to remembre -Kokett, and also to be helpyng to my brother Johnes mariage. As for -Kokett, as God helpe me, I knowe nott yitt the meanes possible that I -myght paye hym by thatt daye, ffor thoos materis that be off grettest -wyght and charge, and that stonde nerrest my weell, that is to seye, the -sywerte off the maner off Castre, and the mater betwen Anne Hault and me -shall, with Goddes grace, thys terme be at a perffyght ende, whyche will -charge me fferther than I have mony as yitt, or lyke to have byffor that -tyme, off myne owne, and, as God helpe me, I wote nott where to borow. - -Item, I most paye with in thys iij. yeer iiij^c. [400] marke to -Towneshende, or ellis fforffett the maner off Sporle, and thus my -charges be gretter than I maye a weye with, concidryd suche helpe as I -have; and iff it ffortunyd that I fforffetyd the maner off Sporle, ye -weer never lyke to se me myry afftre, so God helpe me. Ye gave me ones -xx_li._ to it wardes, and ye promyttyd as moche, whyche I receyvyd, and -synnys off my mony off seide maner growyng that come to yowr handys was -receyvyd by yow ageyn the seyd xl_li._, whyche, when Kokett scholde be -payed, was nott yowr ease to departe wyth. Neverthelesse ye may yitt, -when yow lyketh, perfforme yowr sayde gyffte and promyse, and thys somme -owyng to Kokett is nott so moche; neverthelesse I suppose that ye be -nott so weell purveyed. Wherffor, iff it please yow at yowr ease her -afftre to performe yowr seyde gyffte and promyse, so that I may have it -with in a yer or ij. or yitt iij., I sholde per case gete yowr -obligacion to yow ageyn ffrom Kokett, and he pleasyd. Wherffor I beseche -yow that I maye have an assyngnement of suche dettes as been owyng yow, -payeable at leyser off suche mony as is owyng ffor the woode at -Basyngham or ellys wher; ffor, so God helpe me, I sholde ellys wylfully -ondoo myselffe, wherin I beseche yow to sende me an answer in hast. - -Item, as towchyng the mariage off my brother John, I have sente hym myn -advyce, and tolde hym wherto he shall truste, and I have grauntyd hym as -moche as I maye. I wolde that I weer at on communycacion atwyen them for -hys sake, whyche I sholde if I myght. As for my comyng home, I ame nott -yitt sertayn therof; I shalle hast me as faste as I canne, with the -grace of God, Who have yow in Hys kepyng. - -I beseche yow to remembre the premyssis, and to helpe me, and with -Goddes grace, thes ij. materis above wretyn, bothe of Castre and -Mestresse Anne Hault, shall be endyd to my profyth and rest, and moor -ovyr, er awghte longe to, with Goddes grace, the maner of Sporle to be -owte of danger; promyttyng yow that I shall doo in Kokettes mater as -moche as is possible for me to doo to yower plesyr. It shall never neede -to prykk nor threte a free horse. I shall do whatt I can. - -Wretyn the Thorysdaye next byffore Seynt Lawrence, anno E. iiij^ti xvij. - - By yowre sone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 293-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -917 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[294-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 11] - -Yt ys soo that I undyrstonde be yowyr letter wretyn the Thyrsday nexte -be fore Seynt Lauerons, that ze wulde have knowlage how that I wuld be -demenyd in Cokettes mater; qweche I send you here undyr wretyn. I putte -yow in certeyn that I wull nevyr pay him peny of that duty that ys owyng -to hym, thow he sue me for yt, not of myn owyn pursse; for I wul nat be -compellyd to pay yowyr dettes azens my well, and thow I wuld, I may nat. -Where fore I a wyse yow to see me savyd harmelesse azens hym for yowyr -owyn a wauntage in tyme cumyng, for yf I pay yt, at longe wey ze xall -bere the losse. - -And where as ze wryte to me that I gave yow xx_li._, and promysyd odyr -xx_li._, that ys nat soo, for I wutte wele yf I had soo doon, ze wuld -nat assynyd me be yowyr letterys of yowyr owyn hande wrytyng, the whech -I have to schew, that I schuld resseyve a zen the same summe of Wylliam -Pecok, and of yowyr fermores, and byars of yowyr wood of Sporle; and -take this for a full conclusyon in thys mater, for yt xall be noon othyr -wyse for me than I wryte here to yow. - -I mervel meche that ze have delte azen soo symply wyth Sporle, -consyderyng that ze and yowyr frendys had so meche to doo for to geetyt -yow azen onys; and ye havyng noo gretter materes of charge than ze have -had sythyn yt was laste pleggyt owte, yt causyth me to be in gret dowte -of yow what yowyr dysposycion wul be here aftyr for swheche lyfelood as -I have be dysposyd before this tyme to leve yow after my decesse. For I -thynke veryly that ye wulde be dysposyd here aftyr to selle or sette to -morgage the lond that ye xulde have after me yowyr modyr as gladdly and -rathyr than that lyfe lood that ye have after yowyr fadyr. Yt grevyth me -to thynke upon yowyr gydeyng after the greet good that ze have had in -yowyr rewle sythyn yowyr fadyr deyyd, whom God assoyle, and soo symply -spendyt as yt hath ben. God geve yow grace to be of sadde and good -dysposyn here after to Hys plesans, and comforte to me, and to all yowyr -frendys, and to yowyr wurchyp and profyte here after. - -And as for yowyr brothyr Wylliam, I wuld ye xulde purvey for hys -fyndyng, for as I told yow the laste tyme that ye ware at home, I wuld -no lenger fynde hym at my cost and charge; hys boord and hys scole hyer -ys owyng sythyn Seynt Thomas Day afore Cristmesse, and he hathe greet -nede of gownys and odyr gere that whare necessary for hym to have in -haste. I wulde ze xulde remembyrt and purvey them, for as for me, I wul -nat. I thynke ze sette butte lytyl be myn blessyng, and yf ye dede, ye -wulde a desyyrd yt in yowyr wrytyng to me. God make yow a good man to -Hys plesans. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, the day after Seynt Lauerons, the yere and the renge -of Kyng E. the iiij^te the xvij. zere. - - Be yowyr Modyr. - - [Footnote 294-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is not - addressed, the original being a corrected draft, but there is no - doubt it was written to Sir John Paston in reply to the last. It - is endorsed in a more modern hand: 'Copia literae Jo. Paston, mil., - a matre sua.'] - - -918 - -EDMUND BEDYNGFELD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[296-1] - -_Un to the ryght wurschepful Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 17] - -Master Paston, after all dew recomandacion, and herty dissire to here of -your good hele, plese yt you to wete I have spoken with Sir John of -Medilton as wel as I cowde, and yt had ben for myself, for his hoby that -ye dissired, and tolde hym he myght wel forbere hym nowe in as moche as -Mastres Jane was ded, and that yt is a great cost for hym to kepe moo -hors than he nedyth; and he answered me, that he wold selle hym with -good will, but ther shuld no man bie hym under x_li._ Flemesch;[296-2] -and I offered hym in your name, x. marke, for he wold not here of none -other ambelyng horse, that ye myght geve hym therfore. And also my lord -dissired to have bowte hym for the Lord Schauntrell that is cheff -capteyn of Seynt Omers; and he wold no lesse lete my lord have hym than -x_li._ and so my lord bowte another, and gave hym the seide lord, for he -thoughte this to dere; neverthelesse he wol not selle hym to no man -under that mony, that he sette hym on, and so ye may bye your plesur in -hym and ye lest; for otherwyse he wol not doo for you, as I conseve. - -And as for tydyngs in theyse partyes, the Frenche Keng leyzth at sege at -Seynt Omers, on the one side of the town a myle of, but he hath no gret -ordenaunce ther; and they of the town skyrmysh with them every day, and -kepe a passage halff a myle with oute the town; and the French Keng hath -brenned all the townys, and fayre abbeys, that were that way aboute -Seynt Omers, and also the cornes weche ar there. And also, as yt ys -seide for serteyn, the French Keng hath brenned Cassell, that ys myn -hoold Lady of Burgeynys[297-1] joynttor, and all the countre there -aboute, whereby she hath lost a gret part of her lyvelod; and that is a -sherewed tokyn that he menyth wel to the Keng, howur suffereygn Lord, -when he intendyth to distroye her. - -Morover Sir Phylep de Crevekere hath takyn them that were in Fynys with -inne this iiij. dayes to the noumbre of xiiij. personys, and the -remnaunt where fled, and he had them to the French Keng, and he hath -brentte all the place, and pulled down the towre, and a part of the -wall, and disstroyed yt. - -And as yt is seid, yf the French Keng can not gete Seynt Omers, that he -intendyth to brenge his armye thorwe theyse marchys into Flaundres; -wherefore my lord hath do brokyn all the passages excep Newham bryge, -weche is wached, and the turne pyke shette every nyght. And the seide -French Keng with inne these iij. dayes rayled gretely of my lord to -Tygyr Pursevaunt, opynly byfore ij. hundred of his folks; wherefore yt -ys thaught here that he wold feynde a quarell to sett upon thys town, yf -he myght gete avantage. And as I understonde, the Emperorys sone[297-2] -ys maryed at Gaunte as this day; and ther cam with hym but iiij. hundred -horse, and I can here of no moo that be comyng in serteyn; and in mony -he brengyth with hym an hundred thowsand dokets, wheche is but a smalle -thyng in regard for that he hath to doo. Wherefore, I fere me sore, that -Flaundres will be lost; and yf Seynt Omers be whonnyn, all is gon, in my -conceyt. Never the lesse they say there shuld come gret powere after the -Emperorys son; but I be leve yt not, by cause they have ben so long of -comyng. - -And I pray you to recomaunde me unto Sir Tyrry Robsert, and that yt -plese you to lete hym knowe of your tydyngs, and Hour Lord have you in -His kepyng. - -At Calais, the Sunday next after Hour Lady the Assumpsion. - - Your, - - E. BEDYNGFELD.[298-1] - - [Footnote 296-1: [From Fenn, ii. 250.] The events referred to in - this letter prove that it was written in the year 1477.] - - [Footnote 296-2: Between L5 and L6 English, and equal in value to - upwards of L20 at this present time, apparently a great price for - a hobby.--F.] - - [Footnote 297-1: Margaret, sister to Edward IV., widow of Charles - the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.] - - [Footnote 297-2: Maximilian, son of the Emperor Frederick, married - Mary, daughter and heir of Charles the Bold, Duke of - Burgundy.--F.] - - [Footnote 298-1: Edmund Bedyngfeld married Margaret, daughter of - Sir John Scot, Comptroller of Calais, and was created a Knight of - the Bath at the Coronation of Richard III. He was highly in favour - with Henry VII., who paid him a royal visit at Oxburgh, in - Norfolk, which fine seat he built. He died in 1496.--F.] - - - [Transcriber's note: - In the following section, lines shown as ---- were blank in the - original.] - -919 - -AGNES AND WILLIAM PASTON[298-2] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / AUG. 22] - -_The names of the maners of Agnes Pastons and William Paston, in -Norfolk, how thai shuld be taken hede to this harvest, anno xvij^{o}._ - -_And a copy of the same send to Richard Lynstede, the xxij. day of -August, anno xvij^o, per Bacheler Water._ - - Paston maner, - Se that the fermour in his corne on my moders fe. - Seale dores and distrayne, and put in a newe fermour. - - Wodemyl, - Distrayne. - - Latymers, - Gadir the rente. - - Sewardbys, - Gadir the rente. - - Trunche, - Distrayne on the grounde after it is fellid, while it lieth - on my moders fe. - - Spriggeis, - Gader the rente. - - Knapton fe, - ---- - - Crowmer, - Gadir the rente. - - Owstoonde, - Distrayne. - - Rowton, - Distrayne, and arest the fermour. - - Riston, - Lete Lynstedes brother gader the rente. - - Oxned maner, - Se the fermour in his croppe, and after seale doris and distrayne, - and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. - - Oxned mylle, - Se the fermour in his croppe, and after seall doris and distrayne, - and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. - - Caster Cleres, - Aske the ferme. - - Holkhams tenement, - Aske the ferme. - - The mersh in Caster, - Aske the ferme. - - Caster Bardolf, - Aske the ferme a rent. - - Caster Clere rentes, - Distrayne tenauntes. - - Holham rentes, - ---- - - Ormysby my fe, - ---- - - Somerton, - Se that he in his corn, and seall dores and distrayne, - til he fynde suerty. - - Thirn, - Aske the ferme. - - Sowth Walsham, - ---- - - Halvyrzates, - ---- - - Todenham, - Aske the rente, and areste Smyth. - - Cokfeldes, - Aske the rente. - - Apawys, - Se he in his corn, and seall dores and distrayne. - - Marlyngfor maner, - Sele doris and distrayne. - - Marlyngford mylle, - Seale doris and distrayne. - - Merlyngforde tenauntes, - Distrayne. - - Melton, - Se the croppe inned, and seale doris and distrayne. - - Bonwell, - Aske rente. - - Carleton, - Aske rente. - - Thuxstons, - Aske rente. - - Lynghall nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rente fro Mich. xvj. till xvij^o and distrayne. - - Bulmans nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rente fro Mich. xvj^o til xvij^o, and exorte Martyn to kepe - the ferme still, and if he woll not, praye hym to gete a noder. - - Yeaxham nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rente fro Mich. xvj^o till xvij^o, and gete a newe fermour, - and increse the rente, and make a newe terrar and rentall. - - Styberd nuper Dokkynges, - Aske rent fro Mich. xv^o till Mich. xvij^o, and distrayne, - and allowe no dewty of Dokkynges in abatyng my rente. - - Thymbilthorp nuper Dokkynges. - Aske rente fro Mich. xv^o till Mich. xvij^o, and distrayne, - and allowe noe dewty of Dokkynges in abatyng my rente. - -These maners that are trahid take gode hede that ye be in gode suertye -of them this harvest tyme. - - [Footnote 298-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The heading of this - document is taken from an endorsement on the original MS.] - - -920 - -SIR JOHN PASTON'S WILL[300-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / OCT. 31] - -[I, JOHN PASTON,] Knyght, in the last day of O[ctober, Anno] Domini -m^{l}cccclxxvj^o, will, graunte, and be queth my sowle to All myghty -God, and to the . . . . . . Marye, Seint John Baptist, Seint Gorge, -Seint Cristofur, and Seint Barbara; and my body, yf I dyghe ny the Cyte -of London, [to the chapel] of Owre Lady in the Whithe Frerys there, at -the Northeest corner of the body of the chyrche, and there to be made an -orator[y] . . . . . or muche leke as ys over Sir Thomas Browne in the -Frere Prechours, to the valour of xx_li._, so that it may cause . . . -. . . ther prayours there, the rather to remembre my sowle, and to pray -therefore; and that there be gevyn to the behoff . . . . . at plotte of -grounde be made suer unto me for ever the some of xx. marc. - -. . . . . . . dayly, be the space of an holl yere, by soumme well -disposed brother of the same howse, and that the seyd brother . . . -. . . [not]withstondyng yf I decesse in the counte of Norffolk, or there -nye abouute, I wolde my bodye were buried at the prio[ry of Bromholm] -. . . . . un to the Founders Toumbe, which arche is unto the North syde, -and ryght agayn my fadyr toum[be] . . . . . . . . . ith an awter and a -toumbe for me, to the value of xx_li._, and that the howse there have a -rewarde . . . . . . . . . to the frerys of London, and that there be -also a broder of that howse to synge for my sowle by one . . . . . . . -. . . salarye. - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a closette made at my cost over my -faders body ther . . . . . . . . . . of xx_li._, so that owre cousyns -. . . . . . . . . . have the more devocion to that place, and the rather -reste there bodyes there the encresse of the . . . . . . . . . . encrese -and profite of the howse, and reste on the religeus there of, lyke as -owr auncetours have . . . . . . . . . [a]nd to the entent that I -disclosed but on to fewe persons concernyng the fee ferme that is payed -. . . . . . . . Duke of Suffolk. - -[Item, I will that my bro]ther, John, yf I dye with owth yssue leffull -of my bodye, have the maner of Swaywell to hym and . . . . . . . . -accordyng to the willez both of myn graunfader and of my fader, on whos -sowles God have mercye, the . . . . . . . . esse. - -[Item, I will that the] Bysshoppe of Wynchester, or his assygnes, woll -and fynde suerte to do founde at the lyste iiij. prestys . . . . . . . -. . . of John Fastolf and his frendys, &c., at Caster, and that there be -bylded loggyng conveniant for those . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -adjoynyng uppon the bakhous over the gardeyn withouuth the mote on the -Weste syde of my . . . . . . . . . . . in the seid maner or maners yn -Caster, graunt by chartour, grounde, space, and londe, convenyant for -such . . . . . . . . entre and yssue therunto, and to that entent, and -byldyng or purchasyng of license of the kyng . . . . . . . . profitez of -the seid maners holly be expendid the terme of vij. yerez next after my -dissece; and, moreover, . . . . . . . . . resorte theder in his owne -persone to over see the werkys or byldyng or establyssyng of the seyd -howse [he shall h]ave playn lyberte to dwell withinne my seid maner and -fortresse the seid terme of vij. yerez, and that . . . . . . . . estys. - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . [cha]pell of Seint John Baptyst, withyn the -seyd towne of Caster, with all the profitez yerly of that same -begeny[ng] . . . . . . . . . ed to the seyd college or howse for -evermore, with lycence therunto had of the Kyng and of the Pope, with -. . . . . . . . in Caster before seyd, which londis, with the seyd -chapell, schalbe of the yerly value of vij_li._ yerly . . . . . ment of -one prest above the charge that the Bysshope wyll do to pray for the -sowles of my fader . . . . . . . . . Thomas Lyndys, clerk, and of Sir -John Dawbeney. And that after this above wretyn be performed, yf that -. . . . . . es make astate by fyne reryd and enrolled in the Kynges -courte of the seid maner and maners in Castre . . . . . . . . . . . -yssue of his bodye laufully comyeng, and for defaute of yssue of his -body lawfully [rem]ayne to the issue of my moders lawfully commynge. And -for defaute of yssue of her body lawfully commyng . . . . . . . . myn -uncle, Edward Maudeby, and to the yssue of his body lawfully commynge. -And that for defaute . . . . . . . . . [comm]yng that the seyd maners -remayn to my cousyn, Sir William Calthorp, and to the right eyrez . . . -. . . . . . . . . . defaute of issue of his body lawfully commynge, the -seyd maners to reverte to the . . . . . . . . - -[Item, I will that the priest of the chap]ell of the seyd collage be -presented by the lordys of my seid maner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . ed by Syr John Fastolff. - -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . eryng de eadem villa vendatur per -executores meos ad perimplendum et persolvendum. . . . . . . . . . . . . -em invenerit securitatem ad redimendum manerium de Sporle praedictum, -quod si ipse . . . . . . . . . x. acr' terrae de eisdem perquesit' de -Johanne Kendall tempore debito dentur praedicto Johanni fratri [meo et -haeredibus suis legiti]me procreatis; et defectu exitus legitimi de -praedicto Johanne fratre meo, tunc praedictae terrae et tenementa remaneant -. . . . . . . . . . . . . triavi mei, legittime procreatis; et pro -defectu exitus legittimi praedicti triavi mei, tunc remaneant Willelmo -. . . . . [et haeredibus i]psius Willelmi legitime procreatis; et pro -defectu exitus legitimi praedicti Willelmi, tunc omnia praedicta terrae et -tenementa [remaneant] . . . . . . assignatis imperpetuum; proviso quod -executores testamenti Willelmi Pekering habeant x. marcas pro . . . . . -et habeat xxxvij. acras terrae de praedictis terris sibi per voluntatem -patris ejus assignatis sive legatis si tantae . . . . . . . . . . terrae -quae idem Johannes vendidit sint de numero illarum acrarum sibi -limitatarum per Nicholaum patrem praedicti Johannis ac . . . . . . . . . -recompensacionem; eo quod idem Johannes forte credidit quod ipse juste -potuit vendere, quaeque terrae et tenementa in feofamento . . . . . -[pat]ris, non obstante quod pater praedictus non declaravit quicquid -faciendum de dictis terris suis ultra certas acras . . . . . . . . . na -ipsius patris. - - [Footnote 300-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The original of this - document is mutilated. It is endorsed in a more modern hand, - 'Testamentum Johannis Paston Senioris militis.'] - - [[Sidenote: 1477 - _printed as shown, but body text says "m^{l}cccclxxvj" (1476)_ - - invenerit securitatem ad redimendum - _text reads "invenetit"_] - - -921 - -WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON[304-1] - -_To my ryth worschepffull master, Sir John Paston, Knyth, logyd at the -Goorge, be Powll Warffe, in London, in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / NOV. 19] - -Ryth worchepful sir, I recomand me to yowr good masterchep. Plseyth you -to wete that I have purweyid for for your heryng a non after your -departyng, but I can yet no caryage, nowthir owte of Yermowth, ner in no -oder place be twyn Wynterton and Leystoft, nowthir be lond nor be the -se, not yet; and specyally for your swanes. Hery Cook seyth he wolle no -more come on the se with his good wylle. Ther is no man wyllyng to del -with your swanes. Also, as for your hors, ye most ordayne a nothir keper -than they have, or ellis ye chal not leke wel be them whan ye se hem; -they arn nowthir redyn nor corayd. Peris is meche owteward, and Whyte -wol not a tende hem, nowdyr for Peris ner for me. They arn not watryd -butt at the welle. Peris hath be ryth seke; and yet, but for dyspleser -of you, Peris had ben in hand with Whyte or this tyme. Ye muste be -proveyd of a nothir hors keper, or elles it wol do you harm on your -hors. Also, I have had iiij_li._ for to a sent you if I cowde have gete -ony trosty man to youward. As for barly, I can non selle a bove -xiiij_d._ the comb. As your leter that ye sent me, I have fownd a frere -that hath promyssyd me to do'n his dever if it may be browte a bowte be -ony mene in hast. Also there is a grete chyppe go to wrekke be for -Wynterton, and there came up on your several grownd gret plente of bowe -stawys and waynescotte, and clappalde[304-2] grete plente. I gate cartys -and caryd to the towne that that was fownd on your fee. Mastras Clere -hath sen down hyr men, and with set alle the stuff and wrekke, and seyth -that ye gete non there, for sche wol have it be the tytyl of the lete, -and I have answerd there to, that che owte non to have be that tytil; -and so if ye wol comon with yor cownsel, I trow it to the lord of the -soylle and not to the lete; for the maner holdyth nothyng of hyr. Sche -had never no wrekke nor growndage till withinne this xx. wynter. There -is no maner in Wyynterton but your; lesse your ryth now and lesse it for -ever. I am threte to be trobelid there, for there ben v. men on lyve of -the chyppe. The bordes had ben good for wyndownes and dores. Ye chuld -have had thyme worthe the money, and sche had not lettyd it. Ther is com -up ter [_tar_] at Caster v. or vj. barell. Men of Scrowby hath fet it -awey. Ye must have a meen be sum wryte of trespas for them, or ellis it -wool do yow meche harm here after. Rechard Kedman, John Pool, senior, -and William Abbys, these arn summe of ther namys of Scrowby. - -Item, I receyved a leter the Twis day befor Sen Edmunde the Kyng there -as ye wryte to me for William Foster; his sewirtesse ston chargyd for -iiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._, as John Seyve hath seyd to me or the tyme -that I receyvyd your leter, but he hath ij. men of Norwech to sewirte to -save hym and his felaw harmeless. Scharggar is on, and Vyncent the -plomer is a nothir that chal bere the dawnger. And as for your swanes, -I have gette a man that chal cary hem be lond, and that I chal send word -with the swanes that the herynges chal com be water; and if the chuld -have ony heryng for your store, it wold be purveyd for, for heryng wol -be dere or Lente. - -Item, there arn wyndownes blow opyn in the place, and the wyndown of the -gonne hows with inne the brege is revyn. I wot not whethir it was so or -ye wente or not. My Lord of Norwech was at Caster Halle for to a cen the -place as he cam to London ward. Ser, remembir your hors to have a better -keper. Ser, to remembir thesse men of Scrowby, and comon with Master -William Paston there in, for he partith with you both wrekke and -growndage in Caster; and he wold take the accyon in his lordes name that -he delyth for, it ware a good wey, be my sympil wyth. God preserve you, -and kepe yow, and bryng yow home a yen to your contre. - -Wretyn at Mawteby on Sen Edmundis Evyn, the Kyng, in hast, - - Be your man and servant, - - WILLIAM PEKOC. - - [Footnote 304-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is endorsed - by Sir John Paston, 'Pekok, m. [_i.e._ mense] Decembris, anno E. - iiij^ti xvij^{o}.'] - - [Footnote 304-2: Board cut to make casks.] - - [[Plseyth you to wete that I have purweyid for for your heryng - _all text unchanged; duplication is at mid-line in Gairdner - but at line break in MS._]] - - -922 - -WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON[306-1] - -[Sidenote: 1477 / NOV. 30] - -Ryth worchypfull ser, I recomand me to your good masterchep. Plesyth -you, as for Pekrynges mater, I sent a frere in John Pekerynges name for -the evydens; and he had an answer that if he had a busschelful of -evydenss, he chuld noon have of them, for he hath set the londe in -trobill, nor he cowd have no seyte of none. Also remembir your ryth of -your wreke at Wynterton. Thesse arn the menes namys of Wynterton, Robert -Parker of West Somerton, John Longyard of Wynterton, Thomas Goodknape of -the same, Will Wrantham and John Curteys of the same Wynterton, that -caryid of your severel grownd xxij. carte ful of stuffe, viij^xx. -bowestavis, iij^xx. and vij. waynescottes, xiiij^c. clapalde,[306-2] v. -barell ter, iiij. copil oris, and gret plante [_plenty_] of wreke of the -schyppe that is worth meche mony, as ye chal understonde the trowth -after this. - -And as for your heryng that chuld in to Essexkes, they arn there, be the -grace of God. As for your swanes, they chal be there be Our Ladys Day -next comyng, I troste to God, Ho have your masterchyp in Is kepyng. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, where as I am ryth werey, on Sen Andrews Day, Anno -xvij^o E. - - * * * - -Ser, if it plese your masterchep, I sold yet no barly, ner none can a -bove xiiij_d._ the comb, as I sen word in a leter be John Russe; and I -toke iiij_li._ in mony to bryng to your materchep. The prysse of your -heryng is iiij_li._ iij_s._ iiij_d._, besyd oder costes. Hery Cook wold -goo with your swanes, for hys yefte chuld be vj_s._ viij_d._, and there -fore he wold yeffe you his labore, be so ye payd for his costes. Ipse -dixit. - - Be your servaunt, - - WILL. PEKOC. - - [Footnote 306-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There is no address on - this letter, but it is endorsed, like the preceding, by Sir John - Paston, 'Pekok, mense Decembris, anno E. iiij^ti xvij^{o}.'] - - [Footnote 306-2: _See_ page 304, Note 2.] - - -923 - -MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[307-1] - -_To my ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, Jon Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1477 / DEC. 18] - -Ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, I recomaunde me to yow, desyryng -hertyly to here of yowr wylfare, thankyng yow for the tokyn that ye sent -me be Edmunde Perys, preyng yow to wete that my modyr sent to my fadyr -to London for a goune cloth of mustyrddevyllers[307-2] to make of a -goune for me; and he tolde my modyr and me wanne he was comme home, that -he cargeyt yow to beyit, aftyr that he were come oute of London. - -I pre yow, yf it be not bowt, that ye wyl wechesaf to byit, and sendyt -home as sone as ye may, for I have no goune to weyre this wyntyr but my -blake and my grene a lyer,[307-3] and that is so comerus that I ham wery -to weryt. - -As for the gyrdyl that my fadyr be hestyt me, I spake to hym ther of a -lytyl before he zede to London last, and he seyde to me that the faute -was in yow, that ze wolde not thynk ther uppe on to do makyt [_to get it -made_]; but I sopose that ys not so; he seydyt but for a skwsacion. -I pre yow, yf ye dor takyt uppe on yow, that ye wyl weche safe to do -makyt a yens ye come home, for I hadde never more nede ther of than I -have now, for I ham waxse so fetys[308-1] that I may not be gyrte in no -barre of no gyrdyl that I have but of one. Elisabet Peverel hath leye -sek xv. or xvj. wekys of the seyetyka, but sche sent my modyr word be -Kate, that sche xuld come hedyr wanne God sent tyme, thoow sche xuld be -crod [_wheeled_] in a barwe. - -Jon of Damm was here, and my modyr dyskevwyrd me to hym, and he seyed, -be hys trouth that he was not gladder of no thyng that he harde thys -towlmonyth, than he was ther of. - -I may no lenger leve be my crafte, I am dysscevwyrd of alle men that se -me. - -Of alle odyr thyngys that ye deseyreyd that I xuld sende yow word of, -I have sent yow word of in a letter that I dede wryte on Ouwyr Ladyis -Day[308-2] laste was. The Holy Trenyte have yow in Hese kepyng. - -Wretyn at Oxnede, in ryth gret hast, on the Thrusday next be fore Seynt -Tomas Day.[308-3] - -I pre yow that ye wyl were the reyng with the emage of Seynt Margrete, -that I sent yow for a rememraunse, tyl ye come home; ye have lefte me -sweche a rememraunse, that makyth me to thynke uppe on yow bothe day and -nyth wanne I wold sclepe. - - Your ys, - - M. P. - - [Footnote 307-1: [From Fenn, ii. 256.] It is curious that after - so much negotiation for the marriage of John Paston and Margery - Brews, we have no record in these letters when it actually took - place; but probably it was in August 1477, the last reference to - it as an event not yet accomplished being on the 7th of that - month (No. 916). In January 1478, John Paston talks of taking - his wife to her father's house on account of her situation, and - their first child was born in the course of the following - summer. This letter seems to have been written in December. Fenn - remarks that St. Thomas's Day might mean the Translation of St. - Thomas a Becket, 7th July 1478, and 'Our Lady's Day' might be - the Visitation of the Virgin, 2nd July preceding. But this is - simply impossible, because the letter is dated Thursday - _before_ St. Thomas's Day, which would in that case be the - very same date as the Visitation of Our Lady, viz. the 2nd July - 1478. Besides, if the first child of John Paston and Margery was - not actually born before July, the latter was certainly much - nearer to her confinement then than this letter would imply. - _See_ No. 936 in vol. vi. - - A facsimile of this letter was published in the _European - Magazine_ for March 1787, and we have carefully compared the - text with this facsimile.] - - [Footnote 307-2: A kind of grey woollen cloth.] - - [Footnote 307-3: Fenn suggests _Grenouilliere_ or frog-colour, but - I find no authority for such a word; and I should suppose 'grene' - to be a separate word, though what 'a lyer' is I cannot say.] - - [Footnote 308-1: This word commonly signifies neat or elegant, and - seems to be used here ironically.] - - [Footnote 308-2: Conception of Our Lady, 8th of December.--F.] - - [Footnote 308-3: 21st December, the day of St. Thomas Apostle, or - perhaps 29th December, the day of St. Thomas (a Becket) the - Martyr.] - - [[_To my ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, Jon Paston._ - _text has "myryth" but words are separated in MS._ - - Footnote 307-3 - what 'a lyer' is I cannot say - _possibly Lier in Brabant_]] - - -924 - -ABSTRACT[309-1] - -[Sidenote: 1478(?)] - -Bill in Parliament confirming the statute of Marlborough [52 Hen. III.], -with additions touching wardships, reliefs, etc., to take effect after -Easter, 1480. - - [The last Parliament before 1480 met on the 16th January 1478. This - measure was probably introduced or intended for discussion at that - period.] - - [Footnote 309-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -925 - -JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[309-2] - -_To my ryght worchepfull broder, Syr John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / JAN. 21] - -Syr, aftyr all dutes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to undyrstand that I -have comond with dyvers folkys of the Dwk of Suffolk now thys Crystmas -and sythen, whyche let me in secret wyse have knowlage, lyek as I wrott -on to yow, that he must mak a shefft for money, and that in all hast. -Wherfor, syr, at the reverence of God, let it not be lachesyd, but with -effect aplyed now, whyll he is in London, and my lady hys wyff also; for -I assarteyn yow that C. mark wyll do more now in ther neede then ye -shall peraventure do with CC. marks in tyme comyng, and thys season be -not takyn. And alweys fynd the meane that my Lady of Suffolk and Syr R. -Chamberleyn may be yowr gwydes in thys mater, for as for my lord, he -nedyth not to be mevyd with it tyll it shold be as good as redy to the -sealyng. - -Syr, lyeketh yow also to remember that I told yow that Mastyr -Yotton[309-3] had, as I cam last towardes London, desyred me, by a -lettre of attorney wryttyn with hys owne hand, to se th'enprowment of -syche profytes as ar growing of hys chapell in Caster that ye gave hym; -and at syche season as I told yow of it, ye sayd on to me that ye wold -asay to make a bargayn with hym, so that ye myght have a prest to syng -in Caster. Syr, me thynkes ye can not have so good a season to meve hym -with it as now thys Parlement tyme, for now I thynk he shalbe awaytyng -on the Quene; and also if ye myght compone with hym or he wyst what the -valew wer, it wer the better, and I have promysed hym to send hym woord -thys terme of the verry valew of it, and also syche mony as I cowd gader -of it. Wherfor, syr, I prey yow that by the next messenger that ye can -get to Pekok that ye wyll send hym woord to paye me for the lond in xxx. -acres, as it hathe ben answerd before tym. - -And as for tydynges here, we have none, but we wold fayne here of all -your royalte at London, as of the maryage of my Lord of York,[310-1] and -other Parlement mater; and so I prey yow that I may doo when ye have -leyser. - -Syr, I prey yow that Whetley may have knowlage that my broder Yelverton -hathe promysed me to take hym xl_d._; he owyth me by reason of his -fermore at Caster more then that. - -And, syr, as for my huswyff, I am fayne to carry hyr to se hyr fadyr and -hyr frendes now thys wynter, for I trow she wyll be ought of facyon in -somer. And so in my progresse fro my fadyr Brews on to Mawtby, I took -Master Playter in my wey, at whoys hows I wrot thys bylle, the xxj. day -of January, anno E. iiij^ti xvij^{o}. And I beseche God to preserve yow -and yours. - - Yowr, - - J. PASTON. - - Endorsed by Sir John Paston, 'J. P., anno xvij^{o}.' - - [Footnote 309-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 309-3: Dr. Yotton was the Queen's chaplain.--F.] - - [Footnote 310-1: Richard, Duke of York, second son to King Edward - IV., married Ann, daughter and heir of John Mowbray, Duke of - Norfolk, 15th January 1477-78.--F.] - - [[... second son to King Edward IV. - _corrected by author from "Henry IV."_]] - - -926 - -JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[311-1] - -_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / FEB. 3] - -Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of humble recomendacyon, in as -humble wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Pleasyt yow -to wett that at my being now at London, lyek as ye gave me in -comandment, I mevyd to Mastyr Pykenham and to Jamys Hubart for ther -being at Norwyche now thys Lent, that ye myght have ther avyses in syche -maters as ye let me have understandyng of. And as for Mastyr Pykenham, -he is now Juge of the Archys, and also he hathe an other offyce, whyche -is callyd _Auditor Causarum_, and hys besyness is so gret in bothe thes -offyces that he can not tell the season when that he shall have leyser -to come in to Norffolk. But I left not tyll I had gotyn Jamys Hubbart -and hym togedyrs, and then I told theym your intent; and then Mastyr -Pykenham told Jamys and me hys intent, and he preyed Jamys that he shold -in no wyse fayle to be with yow thys Lent. Not withstandyng it was no -grete nede to prey hym myche; for he told Doctore Pykenham that there -was no gentyl woman in Inglond of so lytyll aqueyntance as he had with -yow, that he wold be glader to be servyse on to; and myche the glader, -for he purposeth fro hensforthe duryng hys lyff to be a Norffolk man, -and to lye with in ii. myle of Loddon, whyche is but viij. or x. myle at -the most fro Mautby. And in conclusyon he hathe appoyntyd to awayte on -yow at Norwyche the weeke nexte aftyr Mydlent Sonday, all the hole weke, -if nede be, all other maters leyd apart. - -Also I comend with my brodyr Sir John at London of syche maters as ye -wold have amendyd in the bylle that he sent on to yow, and he stake not -gretly at it. - -Also, modyr, I herd whyle I was in London wher was a goodly yong woman -to mary, whyche was doughter to one Seff, a merser, and she shall have -CC_li._ in money to hyr maryage, and xx. mark by yer of lond aftyr the -dyssease of a steppe modyr of hyrs, whyche is upon l. yer of age; and or -I departyd ought of London, I spak with some of the maydys frendys, and -have gotyn ther good wyllys to have hyr maryd to my brodyr Edmund. -Notwithstandyng, those frendys of the maydys that I comond with avysyd -me to get the good wyll of one Sturmyn, whyche is in Mastyr Pykenhamys -danger[312-1] so myche that he is glad to please hym; and so I mevyd -thys mater to Mastyr Pykenham. And incontinent he sent for Sturmyn, and -desyred hys good wyll for my brodyr Edmund, and he grantyd hym hys good -wylle, so that he koud get the good wyll of the remenaunt that wer -executours to Seff, as well as the seyd Sturmyn was; and thusferforthe -is the mater. Wherfor, modyr, we must beseche yow to helpe us forward -with a lettyr fro yow to Mastyr Pykenham to remembyr hym for to handyll -well and dylygently thys mater now thys Lent; and for I am aqueyntyd -with your condycyons of old that ye reke not who endytyth more lettres -than ye, ther for I have drawyn a note to yowr secretarys hand, Freir -Perse, whyche lettre we must prey yow to send us by the berer herof, and -I trust it shall not be longe fro Mastyr Pykenham. - -Your doughter of Sweynsthorpp and hyr sojornaunt E. Paston recomandyth -hem to yow in ther most humble wyse, lowly besechyng yow of your -blyssyng; and as for my brodyr, Edmund Sweynsthorpe, for none intrete -that hys ostas your doughtyr, nor I koud intrete hym, myght not kepe -hym, but that he wold have bene at home with you at Mautby on Sonday -last past at nyght; and as he was departyng fro hens, had we word fro -Frenshes wyf that, God yeld yow, modyr, ye had govyn hym leve to -dysporte hym her with us for a vij. or viij. dayes; and so the drevyll -lost hys thank of us, and yet abode nevyr the lesse. - -Your doughtyr sendyth yow part of syche poore stuff as I sent hyr fro -London, besechyng yow to take it in gree, though it be lytyll plente -that she sendyth yow. But as for datys, I wyll sey trowthe, ye have not -so many by ij. pownd as wer ment on to yow, for she thynkys at thys -season datys ryght good mete. What so ever it menyth, I prey God send us -good tydynges, Whom I beseche to preserve yow and yours, and so send yow -your myst desyred joye. - -At Sweynsthorp, on Ashe Wednysday. - - Your sone and humble servaunt, - - J. PASTON. - -Modyr, pleasit yow to remember that ye had need to be at Norwyche v. or -vj. dayes befor that Jamys Hubbart and your consayll shall be ther with -yow, for to look up your evydence and all other thynges redy. Also if ye -thynk that thys bylle that I send yow herwith be good i now to send to -Doctore Pykenham, ye may close up the same, and send it sealyd to me -ayen, and I shall convey it forthe to hym. - - [Footnote 311-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears from - the contents to have been written after John Paston's marriage, at - a time when his wife was staying at Swainsthorpe. He also - apologises to his mother for his wife having detained two pounds - out of a certain quantity of dates that he himself had sent to her - from London by way of Swainsthorpe, as Margery thought them 'at - this season right good meat,' apparently referring to her - approaching confinement.] - - [Footnote 312-1: _i.e._ in his debt.] - - -927 - -WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN PASTON[313-1] - -_To the Ryght worshypfull sir, Sir John Paston ch'l'r logged at the -signe of the George next to Poulys Wharf; or to lefe thys letter at a -barbourys house ovyr the seyd George to delyver it to Sir John Paston._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MARCH 1] - -Plese yor gode masterschyp to wete that I herd thys day how a man wend -that a jugement ys passed ayenst your entent yn the ende of the last -terme (hyt was not of verray certeyn tolde me, but as a dreme) yn the -kynges Chauncerye. I coude gefe none aunswer therto. I prai God alle be -well; hyt wold ease som of your frendes hertys yff they coude understand -ony gode comfort. Sir, as for Robert,[314-1] I wold pray and requyre -your maistershep that he may for his lernyng be abydyng with your cousyn -of Lincoln Inne, as yt was promysed, and to be occupyed under drede of -displesir under subjecion, wyth erly rysyng accustomed, for slouth ys -the moder and norysher of all vices. He hath cost me moch goode and -labour, and now he ys uppon hys makyng by vertues governance, or undoyng -to the contrarye, and yn especyalle to be not conversant ne neere -amongis women, as I was kept froo her [_their_] company xxx. yeres or -ony suche were of my councelle, I thank God of yt. Sir, and ye write to -me as ye lust, let no name be wythynne wryt whens yt com, and that yt be -sent by sure comer to delyver yt me, for yt ys better brent then founde. -Also your discrecion ought not loth (to take the cost and labour wolle -not be gret, nether importune) for to send a man of purpose to my lord -of [_sic_] Bysshop Waltham and to hys councell lerned, ye wete to whom, -for redy serch to be made for the bill of half lefe of paper quantite of -my hand I faythfully delyvered to Master T. Danvers for to ovyrsee, of -the fyrst appoyntment ye wote off, that ye desyre so hertly to see as of -othyr manyfolde wrytyngis belongyng to yow and to me. Yt ys seyd yne a -vers: _Gutta cavat lapidem non vi set sepe cadendo_, &c.; to a slow man -or a foryetefull or lothfull man must be importune callyng allway uppon -hym tille he hafe hys entent, for now thys vacacion to spede or nevyr -shall stand in yow no stede. I can no ferther then the walle. - -Item, Sir, I comyned wyth Doctor Yotton at Camebrygge late, because -there ys no dyvyne service seyd yn the free chapelle at C.,[314-2] that -he wold hafe a grete concience yn yt, and to depart wyth an honest -preste called Sir John Brykkys that ys now duellyng wyth a ryzt lovyng -kynnesman of yowres; the seyd Doctor gevyng me to aunsuer he wold comyn -wyth yow by Pasch,[314-3] and the rather wyth your gode wylle wold -depart to such one ye owe affeccion unto. Sir, I wold, as I dar tak -uppon me to owen your affeccion to the seyd John Brickys, that he may -wyth more help of your cellary hafe the better to lyve and serfe God -there to abyde and do yow service also. I mene faythfullye, and soo I -pray yow take yt; to remembre a thyng in seson ys gretely to commend, -and of a spedy avantage. The blessed Trinite be wyth yow. Wret the fyrst -day of Marche. - - Your - - W. BOTONERE. - - To J. P. c.[315-1] at London. - -Item, I had foryete to hafe remembred your maystershyp to hafe a bille -to your baylly Pecok for to delyver my fermour of Tyrkbye C. or ii C. -lawre and asshe, and than to plant yn my tenement at Thyrkbye, or foras -many ye lust; for I lost the last waraunt that ye wrote me truly, and so -I was not served. - - * * * - -Item, yff ye wryte to me, hyt hath nede to be by a sure comer, for I had -levyr a letter be brent then lost _ne forte videant Romani_ . . . and at -reverence of Jhesu that my Robert lose no tyme, nether be idelle, for -doubt of ymaginacions and temptacions. I trust wyth your principale help -to be wyth the worshypfull gentleman that made promysse to yow, &c. - - [Footnote 313-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 152.] This letter would seem - to be of the year 1478. It will be seen by No. 925 that in the - beginning of that year Sir John Paston wished to arrange with Dr. - Yotton to get a priest to sing in Caister.] - - [Footnote 314-1: Is this Robert, son of Sir John's brother Edmund, - who is mentioned in Margaret Paston's will? The will, dated 4th - February 1482, will be found printed in the next volume.] - - [Footnote 314-2: Caister.] - - [Footnote 314-3: Easter.] - - [Footnote 315-1: John Paston, Chevalier.] - - [[Footnote 314-1, Gairdner's addition: - This suggestion is quite a mistake.--See 'my Robert' in the PS., - p. 315.]] - - -928 - -CONSTANCE REYNFORTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON[315-2] - -_[To Sir] John Paston, Chevalier, be this byll delyveryd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MARCH 21] - -Ryth reverent and worchepful ser, I recomend me on to yowr masterschep, -effectually desyryng to here of yowr welfare and contynual prosperite; -and if it ples yow to here of my pour estat, I was in good hele at the -makyng of this sympyll byll. Towchyng the cause of my wrytyng to yowr -masterschep is, for as moche as I poyntyd with yow to a be with yow be -the day that ye asynyd me of, the wheche, with outh yowr good -supportacyon, I con not well have myn entent, withouth it ple yow to -send oon of yowr men to me, and I psal provyd a letter in myn unkyll -name, the wheche he psall delyver to my cosyn as he were myn unkyll -masagear, and be this mene I wyll come at yowr request; for my cosyn -wold I psuld not depart with hym, with outh it were to myn unkyll -servyse; hoys and all others I refuse for yowres, yf my sympul servyse -may be to yowr plesure. And of an answer herof I beseke yow be the -brynger of my byll, and I wyll conforme me to yowr en tente, be the -grace of Good, the Wheche mot preserve yow at all oures. - -Wretyn at Cobham, the xxj. day of Marche. - - By yowr woman and sevnt, - - CONSTANS REYNFORTH. - - [Footnote 315-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this - letter was Sir John Paston's mistress, by whom he left a natural - daughter. The date is ascertained by an endorsement in Sir John's - own hand, 'Custaunce Raynford, anno xviij^{o}.'] - - -929 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[316-1] - -_To John Paston, Esquier, ande to Osberne Berney, and to everyche off -them, be thys letter delyveryd._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 5] - -I recomaunde me to yowe, and thanke yow off yowr labor that ye hadde at -Heylesdon and Drayton in seyng the woodys there. And it is soo heer that -Ric. Ferore seyde, that he repentyd hym that evyr he dalte with any -woode theer, and iff I hadde sente hym but the leest chylde that I hadde -to have warnyd hym to leve he wolde notte have dalte therwyth; and he -ffonde noe comfforte in the Chancery, but that he is lyke to contente me -for the harmes and hurte that is doone, and moore ovyr he hathe an -instrucyon that he shall ffelle noo moore. - -Item, wheer as he desyryd me to be freendly to hym, I dalte so with hym, -that I trowe he wylle reporte that I seyde and dalte moore cortesly with -hym than he demyd that I wolde doo. Yitt for alle in convenyences that -myght ffalle, I wolde be gladde to have a weell stomakyd felawe that -wolde for my sake everye daye see the seyde woodes of Heylesdon and -Drayton, and to knowe iff any weer fellyd heer afftre; and iffe there be -any fellyd syns that Whetley was theer, and I can preve it by wytnesse, -I sholde have better recompence for every tree than iiij. trees weer -worthe. - -Item, it is so that he hathe answeryd to my bille, wheryn he seythe that -he never knywe byfor the subpena delyveryd hym that I hadde any clayme -or entrest in the maner off Heylesdon, but that it was peasyble my -Lordys off Suffolk. Wherffor I suppose that there be many men in -Norwyche that comonyd with hym off the byenge off that woode ere evyr he -made hys fulle bergayne, and per aventure some freendys off hys gave hym -warnyng theroff, and off myn entrest. Iff any suche credyble mane that -hadde hadde any suche langage to hym, or in hys companye, or than he -bargayned, or any man that he laboryd to be halffe marchant or byer with -hym, ar any man that refusyd to bye the seyd wood bycawse off myn -entrest in the presence of Feror, any suche credyble man maye, iff he -wyll, wytnesse ther in with me, or that dare avowe it, sholde be to me a -remedy off alle that is fellyd. I praye yow, if ye can here any suche, -that ye will in the presence off them make a bylle of remembraunce -theroff, and off ther sayng, so that they maye her afftre wytnesse in -the mater. Neverthelesse, trowthe it is that he hadde knowleche ther off -i nowe, and soo hadde every man off hys havore [_substance_] in Norwych, -I dowt nott; and as for hym, I am sure he hadde knowleche, for so moche -as he desyryd at hys bargayn to have a sywerte to be savyd harmeles -ageyn me, whyche was grawntyd hym butt nott executyd. No mor, butt I -hope with Goddys grace to have hastely goode remedy for the hole maner, -and off Drayton therto, and alle the remenaunte. - -Wretyn a London, the v. daye off Maye, anno E. iiij^ti xviij^{o}. - - [Footnote 316-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - -930 - -SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[318-1] - -_To my ryght worshypfull modre, Margret Paston, be thys delyvered._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 13] - -Please it yow to weete, that wher as I entendyd to have ben at home thys -Mydsomer, and purposyd with yowr goode helpe to have bygonne uppon my -ffadrys tombe, so that it myght have ben endyd thys somyr; it is soo, -that ffor suche cawsys as ar nowe bygunne by twyen my Lorde off Suffolk -and me, ffor the manerys off Heylesdon, Drayton, &c., for whyche materis -I most nedys be heer thys nexte terme; therffor I deme it woll be afftr -Mydsomer, er than I can see yow. - -Please it yow also to weete that I comonyd with Master Pykenham to weete -iff he wolde bye the clothe off golde, for soo moche as he desyryd ons -to have bowte it, and he offryd me ons xx. marke therffor, neverthelesse -it coste me xxiiij_li._; yit nowe, when that I spake to hym ther off, he -refusyd to bye it, and seyde that he hadde nowe so many chargys that he -maye nott. Butt it is soo that the Kynge dothe mak sertayne copys and -vestymentys off like clothe, whyche he entendyth to gyve to the Coledge -at Foodryngdre, wher my lorde hys ffadre is nowe buryed, and he byethe -at a grete pryce. - -I comonyd with the vestment maker ffor to helpe me fforthe with xij. -yerds, and he hathe grauntyd me to doo, as Whetleye can telle yow; -wherffor, iff it please yow that it be bystowyd ffor to make a towmbe -ffor my ffadre at Bromholme, iff ye lyke to sende it hyddr, iffe it be -solde I undretake or Mychelmesse, that ther shalle be a tombe, and -somwhatt ellys ovyr my ffadris grave, on whoys sowle God have mersye, -that ther shall noone be lyke it in Norffolk; and as ye shalle be gladde -herafftr to see it; and God sende me leyser that I maye come home, and -iff I doo not, yit the monye shall be putte to noon other use, butt -kepyd by some that ye trust, tylle that it may be bystowyd acordyng as -is above wretyn, and ellys I gyve yow cawse nevyr to truste me whylle ye -and I lyve. When I was last with yow, ye grauntyd that the seyde clothe -of golde sholde be bywaryd [_spent_] abowte thys werke, that is above -wretyn, whyche iff ye wylle perfforme, I undretake that ther shalle be -suche a towmbe as ye shalle be pleasyd at, thowgh it cost me xx. marke -off myn owne purse besyde, iff I ons sette uppon it. - -No mor, but I beseche Goode have yow in Hys kepyng. - -Wretyn at London, the Wednysdaye in Whyghtsonweke, anno E. iiij^ti -xviij^{o}. - -Please it yow to sende me worde by Whatley off yowr plesyr her in. - - By your Sone, - - JOHN PASTON, K. - - [Footnote 318-1: [From Fenn, ii. 260.]] - - -931 - -WALTER PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[319-1] - -_To his worchypfull moder, Margaret Paston, dwellyng in Mawtby, be this -letter delyveryd in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 19] - -Rytgh reverent and worchypfull moder, I recomaund me on to yowr good -moderchypp, besechyng yow to geve me yowr dayly benediccyon, desyeryng -hartyly to heer of yowr prosperyte, whych God preserve to Hys plesure, -and to yowr hartys desyyr, &c. I marvel soor that yow sent me noo word -of the letter wych I sent to yow by Master Wylliam Brown at Ester. -I sent yow word that tym that I xold send yow myn exspenses -partyculerly; but as at thys tym the berar her of had a letter sodenly -that he xold come home, and there fore I kowd have no leysur to send -them yow on that wys; and there fore I xall wryt to yow in thys letter -the hool som of my exspenses sythyns I was with yow tyll Ester last -paste, and also the reseytys, rekenyng the xx_s._ that I had of yow to -Oxon wardys with the Buschopys fyndyng. - -The hool some of reseytys ys v_li._ xvij_s._ vj_d._, and the holl some -of exspenses ys vj_li._ v_s._ v_d._ ob. qua., and that comth over the -reseytys in my exspenses I have borowd of Master Edmund, and yt drawyth -to viij_s._ And yet I recone none exspenses sythyns Ester. But as for -them, they be non grete; and therfor I besech yow to send me mony by Syr -Richard Cotman, brynger of thys letter, or ellys by the next masenger -that yow kan have to me. - -I besech yow that he that I sent by thys letter to yow may have good -scher, yf he brynge yt hym selfe, as he telth me that he woll, for he ys -a good lover of myn. Master Edmund Alyard recomaund hym specyaly to yow, -and to all my brodyrn and systyrs, and to all yowr howshold; and I -besech yow that I may be recomaundyd to all them also, and specyaly to -my brodyr John the yonger. No more to yow at thys tym, but Allmythy -Jhesus have yow in Hys kepyng. Amen. - -Wretyn at Oxonforth, on Seynt Dunstonys Day and the xix. day of May. - - By your sonn and scoler, - - WALTER PASTON. - - [Footnote 319-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed - in Fenn's fifth volume, and dated by him in 1478. I do not know on - what evidence he assigns this particular year to it, except that, - as he tells us elsewhere, Walter Paston took a degree at Oxford, - and died in 1479.] - - [[Rytgh reverent and worchypfull moder - _spelling unchanged_]] - - -932 - -J. WHETLEY TO SIR JOHN PASTON[320-1] - -_To the ryght worsh[yp]full Sir John Paston, Knyght, loged at the sygne -off the George at Powlys Wharff, in London, be thys delyvered in hast._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 20] - -Pleas it your meastershep to understond the dealyng of every thyng, the -wych I was charged with at my departyng frome your measterchep. - -Fyrst, your suppena to Denton was delyvered by me on Trenite Sondaye, in -hys parych cherch, at Matens tyme, be ffor the substans of the parych; -and as for Drayton wod, it is not all down yet, but it drawes fast -toward. I have the names of all the mynestres off and in that wod, and -more schall know or I come, yf ther be any more dealyng, &c. - -And as for Haylysdon, my Lord of Suffolk was ther on Wedensday in -Whytson Weke, and ther dined, and drew a stew and toke gret plente of -fych; yet hath he left you a pyke or ij., agayn ye come, the wych wold -be gret comford to all your frendes, and dyscomford to your enmys; for -at hys beyng ther that daye ther was never no man that playd Herrod in -Corpus Crysty[321-1] play better and more agreable to hys pageaunt then -he dud. But ye schall understond that it was after none, and the weder -hot, and he so feble for sekenes that hys legges wold not bere hyme, but -ther was ij. men had gret payn to kepe hym on hys fete; and ther ye were -juged. Som sayd 'Sley;' some sayd 'Put hym in preson.' And forth com my -lord, and he wold met you with a spere, and have none other mendes for -the troble at ye have put hym to but your hart blod, and that will be -gayt with hys owen handes; for and ye have Haylesdon and Dreton, ye -schall have hys lyff with it. And so he comford your enmys with that -word that thay have dealed and dealeth with the wod, and most pryncepall -nowe is Nycolesse Ovye. For as for Ferrer,[321-2] the Meare, he delys -not with owt it be under covert; for it is sayd that he be soght my lord -that he myght have other sygnementes for hys money that he had payd, for -playnly he wold deall no mor with the wod. And so my lord hath set in -the Bayly of Cossay, and all is doon in hys name; and as for hys -servauntes, thay dayly thret my measter your brother and me to slay for -comyng of ther lordes ground, and thay say that we made an entre; and -thay beth answerd as ye comaunded me, for many a gret chalaunge make -thay to Mester John, both Measter Wodhowse, Wysman, with other dyveres -that I know not ther names; but he holdeth hys own that thay gayt no -grownd of hym. And thys he lettes thaym knowe that if thay bete hym or -any of hys, thay schall aby vj. for on, and so thay deall not but with -ther tonges; and as yet, syth Ferrer was at London, there passes not -iij. acres of wod down but thay cary fast for fere of rayn, &c. - -Also, sir, I trust to bryng or send hastely the cloth off gold, for it -hath ben largely tempted; but as yet I have none playn answer, but put -in hope. Also I have spoken with Popy for your money, and delyvered hym -your letter, the wych, as he sayth, is a straunge thyng to hym, for, as -I understond, he that owght thys deute was uncle to thys yong man, and -he sayth that hys fader was never exsecutor to hym, nor never mynestred; -and I told hym howe that hys fader was bound for the same deute, in so -mech and my measter wold have forgevyn part of the same deute, he wold -have payed it; and so he will be at London thys terme, and speke with -you, and thys is hys answer. - -Morover Wyllyam Worsestre, mevyd unto me of onne Sir Wylliam Bokkyng, -exsecutor and brother to John Bokkyng, the whych was one of Sir John -Fastolf hys clerkes, the whych mater I knewe not, nor had no -comaundement be you to deall therin, and so I told hym. Never the lesse -he sayd that ye promysed hym to have sent your will to have bene done in -that mater by me, and so he troweth that it was owt of your mynd at my -departyng. Yff so be that ye will any thyng to be doon by me or I come -to yow in that mater, let me have knowlege schortly, for I thynk to be -with yow in the weke folowyng aftyr thys wryten, with owt I may have -more comford of money then I have yet. - -And as for my meastres, your moder hath ben gretly deseased and so seke -that she wened to have dyed, and hath made her wyll,[322-1] the wyche ye -shall understond more when I come, for ther is every man for hym selff. -I know not the sercomstance of every thyng as yet, and therfor I writ no -more to you therin, but I am promysed to know or I depart from thens. - -Also I spake with William Barker, and he sayth that I shall have the -stuff or I depart, or els the monye agayn that he hade of Wylliam -Pecoke. - -Also, sir, as for your lond be syd Bromholm that ye had of Bakton, it -hath layn un ocupyed syth ye were ther. - -Moreover, my Lord of Suffolk[323-1] is remevyd in to Suffolk the morow -after that he had bene at Haylesdon, and my lady purposed to remeff -after on thys day, Corpus Crysty Evyn, by the grace of Jesu, Who -preserve yow ever in worchep. - -Wryten at Norwych, on Wedensday Corpus Crysty Evyn, anno E. iiij^ti -xviij^{o}. - - * * * - -Item, as for the knowleg that Ferror denyed by hys othe that he knew -never no tytle nor entrest that ye had in and to Haylsdon and Dreton, as -yet we can not know; but thys thay will record all that were at the -delyveraunce of the wryt that he sayd my lord had promysed to save hym -harmles, in so mech that Wysman was bownd to Ferrour to save hym -harmeles, and he had for bryngyng that mater about, that Ferrour shuld -have the wod, xx_s._ - - Your servaunt, - - J. WHETLEY. - - [Footnote 320-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - [Footnote 321-1: Corpus Christi Day, the Thursday after the Octave - of Whitsuntide, was famous for the acting of Mysteries, - particularly at Chester.--F.] - - [Footnote 321-2: Richard Farrer, Farrour, or Ferriour, was five - times Mayor of Norwich, namely, in 1473, 1478, 1483, 1493, and - 1498.--F.] - - [Footnote 322-1: The will now made by Margaret Paston was - afterwards cancelled, as that which was proved after her death in - 1484 was dated on the 4th of February 1482, 21 E. IV.] - - [Footnote 323-1: John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, etc., married - Elizabeth, third daughter of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, - and sister of Edward IV. They both lie buried at Wingfield, in - Suffolk.--F.] - - [[be thys delyvered in hast - _final italic "d" misprinted as "a"_]] - - -933 - -MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[323-2] - -_To the ryght worshypfull Sir John Paston, Knyght._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / MAY 27] - -I greet yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng yow wete -that I have sent yow be Whetele the clothe of golde, chargyng yow that -it be not solde to none other use than to the performyng of yowyr fadyrs -toombe, as ye send me worde in wrytyng; yf ye sell yt to any othyr use, -by my trowthe, I shall never trost yow wyll I leve. - -Remembyr that yt coste me xx^ti marke the pleggyng owte of yt, and yf I -wher not glad to se that made, I wolde not departe from it. Remembyr yow -what charge I have had with yow of late, whyche wyl not be for my ease -this ij. yer; whan ye may better, I trost ye whyll remembyr yt. - -My cosyn Clere dothe as meche coste at Bromhom as whylle drawe an C_li._ -upon the deskys in the quere, and in othyr places, and Heydon in lyke -whyse, and yf ther shulde no thyng be don for yowyr fadyr, yt wolde be -to gret a schame for us alle, and in cheffe to se hym lye as he dothe. - -Also as I understond that my cosyn Robert Clere thynkyth gret on -kyndenesse in delyng wyth hym of Pecoke, for certeyn pasture that -ye[324-1] grawntyd hym to have, and Pecoke hath letyn it to othyr, suche -as he lyste to lete yt to, not withstondyng my cosyn hath leyd the -pastur with hys catell, and Pecok hathe strenyd them. - -I thynk thys delyng is not as yt shulde be. I wolde that iche of yow -shulde do for other, and leve as kynnysmen and frendys; for suche -servawnts my make trobyll by twyxe yow, wheche wher a ageynste cortesy, -so nyhe newbors as ye be, he is a man of substance and worchyp, and so -wylle be takyn in thys schyr; and I wer lothe that ye shulde lese the -good wylle of suche as may do for yow. - -Item, wher as ye have begonne your cleyme in Heylysdon and Drayton, -I pray God send yow good spede and foderance in yit. Ye have as good a -season as ye wulde wysche, consyderyng that yowyr adversary standys not -in best favyr with the Kynge. - -Also ye have the voyse in this contre, that ye may do as meche with the -Kyng, as any knygth that ys longyng to the corte. Yf yt be so, I pray -God contynu yt; and also that ye shuld mary rygth nygth of the Qwenys -blood; qwat sche ys we are not as certeyn, but yf yt be so, that yowyr -lond schuld come agayne by the reason of yowyr maryage, and to be sett -in rest, at the reverence of God for sake yt nowt, yf ye can fynde in -yowyr harte to love hyr, so that sche be suche one as ye can thynke to -have issu by, or ellys, by my trowthe, I had rather that ye never maryd -in yowyr lyffe. - -Also, yf yowyr mater take not now to good effecte, ye and all yowyr -frendys may repent them that ye began yowyr cleyme, with owte that ye -have take suche a suyr wey, as may be to yowyr intent, for many -inconvenyens that may falle ther of. God send yow good spede in all -yowyr maters. - -Wretyn at Mawteby, the day after Seynt Austyn in May, the xviij. yer of -Kyng Edward the iiij^te. - - Be yowyr Modyr. - - [Footnote 323-2: [From Fenn, ii. 264.]] - - [Footnote 324-1: Fenn's literal text reads 'that be grawntyd,' - which seems to be an error. In the modern transcript it is 'that - ye granted.'] - - -934 - -OXNEAD PARSONAGE[325-1] - -_The comodytys off the parsonage and the valew off the benyfyce off -Oxned._ - -[Sidenote: 1478 / JULY 31] - -My new parson off Oxned, whan he is instute and inducte, at the first -entre in to the chyrch and benefyce off Oxned, must off awncyent custom -long contynued with in the dyosesse off Norwyche, pay to the byschopp -off Norwych, for the first frutes off the seyd benefyce, xiiij. marke; -for wyche xiiij. marke, iff the new parson be wytty and have favour a -bowt the Byschops offycers, he schall have days off paiment to pay the -seid xiiij. marke in xiiij. yere, that is, a marke a yere, till it be -payd; so that he can fynd suffycyent mene to be bownd to the Bischopp be -obligacion to kepe his days off payment. - -And the chyrch is but litill, and is resonable plesaunt, and reparyd. -[And the] dwellyng place of the parsonage is a yoynyng to the . . . . -. . . d well howsyd and reparyd, hall, chamberes, barn, doffhowse, and -all howsys off offyce. - -And it hath a doffhowse worth a yere, xiiij_s._ iiij_d._ - -And it hath ij. large gardens with frute, and is yonynge to the place -and chyrch yard, wher off the frute is worth yerly, xxvj_s._ viij_d._ - -And ther longith to the seid parsonage in fre lond, arable, pasture and -medowe ayonyng to the seid parsonage, xxij^ti acre or more, wher off -every acre is worth ij_s._; to latyn [_to let_], iij_li._ iiij_d._ - -And William Paston, Justice, qwan he[326-1] cam fyrst to dwell in the -maner of Oxned, paid to the parson that was than for the corne growyng -on the parsonage londys and for the tythynges, ondely but in corne whan -it was inned in to the barn, xxiiij_li._ - -And the same yere the parson had all the awterage and oder profytes be -syde the seyd xxiiij_li._ - -It is yerly worth, as the world goth now, x_li._ - -And it is butt an esy cure to kepe, ffor ther ar natt past xx^ti persons -to be yerly howselyd.[326-2] - -The parsonage stant be a fresh ryver syde. - -And ther is a good markett town callyd Alysham, within ij. myle off the -parsonage. - -And the cyte of Norwych is within vj. myle off the parsonage. - -And the see is within x. myle off the parsonage. - -And if a parson cam now, and warr presentyd, institute, and inducte, he -shuld have by the lawe all the cropp that is now growyng, that was eryd -and sowyn off the old parsons cost, growyng on the parsonage landes now, -as his own good, and all the tyth off all maner graynys off the maner, -londes, and tenantes londes,[326-3] towardes his charges off the fyrst -frutes. And if it ware innyd it war (the crop now growyng)[326-4] worth -his first frutes. - -[327-1]He that hath this benefice, and he were a pore man, myght have -lycens to have service be side. - -The Beshop ought not to have the valew of this cropp for the arrerages -of the fyrst fruttes that Sir Thomas Everard, last parson of Oxned, oght -to the Bysshop whan he died, for the said Sir Thomas Everard was bond to -the Bisshop in an obligacion for the said frutes, and the said Sir -Thomas Everard, for to defraude the Bysshop and oder men that he owid -mony to, gaff a way his gooddes to serten persons, qwech persons toke a -way the said goodes, and also durres and wyndow of the said parsonage; -and it is though that both the Bysshop and the patron myght take accions -a gayns the said persons. - - [Footnote 325-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this - document is shown by the following mutilated endorsement: '. . . . - . . . . . . parsonage of Oxnede made xxxj. Julii, A^o xviij^o E. - iiij^ti.' The first words were doubtless 'The value of,' or - something to that effect; but the paper is mutilated.] - - [Footnote 326-1: 'William Paston, Justice, qwan he.' These words - are a correction, interlined, in the hand of William Paston, the - uncle of Sir John. The text stood originally, 'And my hosbond and - I whan we.'] - - [Footnote 326-2: _i.e._ to receive the sacrament.] - - [Footnote 326-3: _Off the maner londes and tenantes londes._ These - words are interlined by William Paston.] - - [Footnote 326-4: This parenthesis is an interlineation by William - Paston.] - - [Footnote 327-1: What follows is in William Paston's hand.] - - -935 - -ABSTRACT[327-2] - -[Sidenote: 1478 / AUG. 5] - -Presentation by Agnes Paston of Richard Lyncoln, S.T.P., to the parish -church of Oxened, _vice_ Thomas Everard, deceased. - - London, 5 Aug. 1478. - - [Footnote 327-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]] - - - - -END OF VOLUME V - - - Printed by T. and A. 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