The Paston Letters, A.D. 1422-1509. Volume 3 (of 6) / New Complete Library Edition
Author: Unknown
Date: 2012-10-11T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: England -- Social life and customs -- 1066-1485 -- Sources; English letters; Paston family -- Correspondence; Social history -- Medieval; 500-1500 -- Sources; Letter writing -- History -- To 1500 -- Sources; Great Britain -- History -- Lancaster and York; 1399-1485 -- Sources; Great Britain -- History -- Henry VII; 1485-1509 -- Sources

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Title: The Paston Letters, A.D. 1422-1509. Volume 3 (of 6)

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The Paston Letters: Henry VI
The Paston Letters: Edward IV
Contents of this Volume

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No.  .  . 47 .  .  .

THE PASTON LETTERS
A.D. 1422-1509

Text of Title Page

Edinburgh: T. and A. Constable, Printers to His Majesty

THE PASTON LETTERS
Henry VI

260
WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON1.1

To my rith wurchipfull brodir, Jon Paston, be this delyveryd.

1454
SEPT. 6

Ryth wurchyfull brodyr, I recomande me to zow, desiryng to her of zowr willefar. Byllyng1.2 the serjant hathe byn in his contre, and he come to Lundon this weke; he sent for me and ast me how I fared; I tolde hym her is pestelens, and sayd I fard the better he was in good hele, for it was noysyd that he was ded. A toke me to him and ast how my suster dede, and I answeryd wyll, never better. He seyd he was with the Lord Gray,1.3 and they talkyd of j. jantilman qweche is ward to my Lord—I remember he sayd it was Harry Gray that thei talkyd of; and my Lord sayd, ‘I was besy with jn this fewe days to a maryd hym to a jantyllwoman jn Norfolke that schall have iiij. C. marc to hyr mariage, and now a wyll not be me, for iiij. C. marc wulde do me hese; and now he wulde have his mariage mony hymself, and therefore (quoth he) he schall mary hym self for me.’

This wurds had my Lorde to Byllyng, as he tollde me, he understod that my Lord laboryd for his owne a vayle, and consaylyd to byd her be wyse; and I thankeyd hym for hys good consayll.

I sent zow an answer of zowr letter of Sir Jon Fastolf comyng hom, as he told me hem self; neverthe lesse he bode longer than he sayd hymself he schull a do.

He tolde me he schulde make j. [one] ende be twix Skroop2.1 and my suster wulle he is in Norfolke. Many wulde it schulde not prove, for thei say it is an onlykkely mariage.

In casse Cressener be talkyd of ony mor, he is countyd a jantyllmanly man and a wurshepfull. Ze knowe he is most wurchipfull better than I. At the reverens of Good, drawe to sume conclusyn; it is time.

My Lord Chanseler2.2 come not her sone I come to Lundon, nether my Lord of Yorke.2.3

My Lord of Canterbury2.4 hathe received hys crosse, and I was with hym in the kynggs chamber qwan he mad hys homage. I tolde Harry Wylton the demeanyng betwix the kyng and hym; it war to long to wrythe.

As for the prist that dede areste me, I can not understand that it is the pryste that ze mene.

Her is gret pestelens. I purpose to fle in to the contre. My Lord of Oxforthe is come azen fro the se, and he hath geth hym lytyll thank in this countre. Much more thyng I wulde wrythe to zow, but I lak lysore.

Harry Wylton sey the Kyng. My Lord of Ely2.5 hathe do hys fewthe [his fealty]. God have zow in his blyssyd kepyng.

Wretyn at Lundon on the Fryday be for owr Ladys day, the Natyvite, in gret hast. I pray recomand me to my suster, and cosyn Cler. Be yowr broder, Wm. Paston.

1.1 [From Fenn, iii. 220.] There is abundant evidence that the year in which this letter was written was 1454. The references to Lord Grey’s offer of a husband for Elizabeth Paston, and to Sir John Fastolf’s going into Norfolk, of which William Paston had before written by anticipation, though a little prematurely, in No. 254, are in themselves sufficient to fix the chronology; but the mention of fealty having been done by a new Archbishop of Canterbury and a new Bishop of Ely removes any possible doubt on the subject.

1.2 Thomas Billing was made a serjeant in 1453, and about 1469 was appointed Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.

1.3 Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthyn.—See Letter 250.

2.1 Stephen Scroope.—See vol. ii. p. 108, Note 4.

2.2 Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, was appointed chancellor in April 1454.

2.3 Richard, Duke of York, at this time Protector.

2.4 Thomas Bourchier, who was translated from the Bishopric of Ely to Canterbury in April 1454.

2.5 William Grey. He received his temporalities by a patent of the date of this letter, 6th September 1454, which shows that he had by that time done fealty.

and I thankeyd hym for hys good consayll
text has “thanlkeyd”

261
ABSTRACT3.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1454-9
SEPT. 19

Has searched among his evidence, and found a release of Nycolas Bockyng of his messuage and lands in Castre, ‘sometime Fraunceys and afterward John Barboures, and Cassandre his wife,’ which is enrolled in Banco, Rotulo primo de cartis scriptis, de termino Sc. Trin. anno r. R. Henr. Sexti, 23º. Send me the copy of it. (Signature not in his own hand.)

Castre, 19 Sept.

[The year in which this letter was written is uncertain, but it cannot be earlier than 1454, when Fastolf came to Caister, nor later than 1459, as he died in November of that year.]

3.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 227.]

262
RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON3.2

To the right reverent and worshippfull John Paston, in haste.

1454(?)
OCT. 6

Right reverent and worshippfull Sir, and my right trusti and welbelovid cosin, I recomaund me unto you, praiyng you hertily to remembr me unto my Master Radclyff, so that by your gode meanes I shall mowe have his gode mastershipp, the whiche I have effectuelly to [m]y power sewed fore iij. yer, and never deserved the contrarye to my knowlegge, by my trouth; and if it can or may be founden that I have, I will obeye me, and offre me to abyde the rewle of you and my cosin your brothir, &c.

Also my Lord of Caunterbury4.1 Master Waltier Bl[a]kette will help forthe, if nede be; and as to the remenant of the Lordes, if the case requir that ye may understand by your wysdum thei be displeased with me—as I trust to God thei be not,—I beseche you to remembr that I have aforetyme b[en] accused unto the Kings Highnesse and the Quenes for owyng my pore gode will and service unto my Lord of York and other, &c. Wherof I suppose that Thomas Bagham is remembred that I brought hym oones from my Lady a purs and v. marc therin, and to Sir Phelipp Wenteworth an other and a Cs. [100s.] therin for their gode will and advise therin to my Lady and all us that were appelled for that cause, notwithstanding the King wrote to my Lord by the meanes of the Duc of Somersette,4.2 that we shuld be avoyded from hym, &c. And within this ij. yer we wer in like wise laboured ageyns to the Quene, so that she wrote to my Lord4.3 to avoyde us, saiyng that the King and she coude nor myght in no wyse be assured of hym and my Lady as long as we wer aboute hym, with much other thing, as may be sufficiently proved by the Quenes writing under herr own signett and signe manuell, the whiche I shewd to my Lord of Caunterbury and other Lordes, &c.

I prey you have me excused that I encombr you with thees matiers at this tyme, for me thinketh ye shuld will and desire me to do any thing to your honour and pleaser at any tyme, wherto I shal be redy and welwilled to my power by the grace of God, who have you ever in his keping, and all youres.

Writon at Norwiche, on Seint Feithes day, in haste. Youres, Ric. Suthwell.

3.2 [From Fenn, iii. 376.] This letter must have been written during one of the periods of the Duke of York’s ascendency, and on a comparison of possible years I am inclined to assign it to 1454. The date 1460, to which Fenn ascribes it, would have been highly probable but for the fact that John Paston, who was returned to Parliament in that year, does not appear to have arrived in London even on the 12th October, so that probably he had not left Norwich on the 6th.

4.1 Thomas Bourchier.

4.2 Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset.

4.3 John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, in whose household R. Southwell had an appointment.—F.

263
THOMAS HOWES TO [JOHN PASTON?]5.1

1454
OCT. or NOV.

Please your maistreship to wete, for as mych as the wryt directed to the exchetor cam not tyl in the Vigil of Symond and Jude,5.2 at viij. of the clocke at evyn, whiche coude in no wyse profit us that day; notwithstondynge we had a yoman of my Lords chamber, and were at Cowhaw, havyng Bertylmeu Elys with us, and ther was Long Bernard sytting to kepe a court. And we at the furst Noy come in the court, and Bertylmeu havynge this termys to Bernard, seying, ‘Sir, forasmych as the Kyng hathe grauntyd be hese lettres patent the wardship with the profites of the londes of T. Fastolf duryng hese nun age to you5.3 and T. H., wherfor I am comyn as ther styward, be ther comaundement, upon ther pocession to kep court and lete, whiche is of old custum usyd upon thys day; wherfor I charge you, be the vertu herof, to seas and kepe nouthir court nor lete, for ye have non autoryte.’ Quod Bernard, ‘I wyll kepe bothe court and lete, and ye shal non kepe here; for there is no man hath so gret autoryte.’ Than quod Bertylmeu, ‘I shal sytte by you, and take a reconysaunce as ye do.’ ‘Nay,’ quod Bernard, ‘I wyl suffre you to sytte, but not to wryte.’ ‘Well,’ quod Bertylmeu, ‘thanne forsybly ye put us from our pocession, whiche I doute not but shalbe remembryd you anothir day,’ &c. ‘But, Seres,’ quod he, ‘ye that be tenaunts to this manoyr, we charge you that ye do nowthir seute nor servise, no[r] paye ony rents or fermys but to the use of John Paston and T.; fo[r] and ye do, ye shal paye it ageyn; and as for on yeer past, we have sewyrte of Skylly, whiche hath resevid it of you to ther use.’ And thus we departid, and Bernard kept court and lete.

And ther was Ser P. Wentworth and hise brothir, yong Hopton, yong Brewse, yong Calthorp, with xxiiij. horse; and we spoke with non of hem, nor they with non of us, for we wold not seke upon hem. And we have enteryd in all othir plasis undir this forme. I wold we had had the wryte betymes lever than xxs. of myn owne, but it farith thus in many othir maters, God amende hem.

Memorandum.—To sende hom wyn and ij. quart botelys.

5.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is anonymous, but appears to be in the handwriting of Thomas Howes. It must belong to the year 1454, when the wardship of Thomas Fastolf of Cowhaw was granted to Howes and John Paston.

5.2 St. Simon and St. Jude’s day is the 28th October. The Vigil is the 27th.

5.3 So in MS. The writer seems to be confusing the direct and indirect mode of reporting a speech.

264
ABSTRACT6.1

Sir John Fastolf to his right well-beloved Brother, Richard Waller.

1454-7
OCT. 30

My Lord is and hath been always my good lord, especially now that he is chief officer under the King. Commend me to his grace, and beg him to favor my matters ‘as far as conscience will,  .  .  .  .  .  now in mine old age.’ Desires his favor and credence for Henry Fylongley and John [Pa]ston, whom he has desired to wait on Waller.

Castre, 30th Oct.

Endorsed.— ‘A John Paston et John Bokkyng ou William Barker.’

[This letter is written in Botoner’s hand. The date is probably between 1454 and 1457, as in 1458 Botoner appears to have been in London,—at least he was so in November, and in the summer also he was away from Norfolk; and in 1459 the 30th October would have been within a week of Fastolf’s death, when he must have been ill inclined, even if capable, to dictate letters, unless of very special urgency.]

6.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 273.]

265
WILLIAM BARKER TO SIR J. FASTOLF6.2

To myn ryght worshipfull mayster, Sir John Fastolf.

1454
NOV. 3

Please youre maystership, the cause of myn terying is that I must ben at Norwyche on Monday at the shyre to stoppe the oughtlawrye of John Porter, wheche but if be holpen, he shalben dowble oughtlawed bothe atte the sewt of the Kyng for a reskuse, as for serteyn money he oweth to on Hewghe, a man of court. And also the next day I shuld ben, if it please yow, at Saxthorp with a certeyn person, as I shal telle youre maystership here after, of whom I shuld have certeyn evydences of the maner of Saxthorp, and rentall, and fyrmall as I am promysed. And, Sire, as for alle the maters that I went fore in to Essex and Suffolk, I have spedde theym, as I shal declare to youre maystership at myn comyng, and brought wryghtyng from theym. And as for myn Lord of Norffolk, towchyng your money, he seyth ye shal have hit with inne this xiiij. dayes. Hit was his fyrst mater to me after I hadde delyvered his rynge. The money is redye, but he seyd that he must have stoor with inne hym, for he loked dayly whan the Kyng wold send for hym. But as sone as Barette, his tresorer, come home—whom he hath sent for money,—ye shall in contynent after have your Cli. [£100]. I made to his Lordship as I hadde no thyng know in the mater for onely for the excuse of Sir Thomas, &c. And I beseche the blessed Trinyte preserve yow, myn ryght wurshipfull mayster, after his pleasaunce and youre herts desyre, &c.

Wreten in hast at Wroxham, the Sonday after Allehallwen day. Youre bedeman and servaunt, William Barker.

6.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] For the date of this letter, see preliminary note to No. 258 (vol. ii. p. 333, Note 1). John Porter, who was at this time in Fastolf’s service, seems to have gone immediately after into that of the Duke of Norfolk.—See Nos. 268, 278.

266
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON7.1

To the worshypfull and my ryght welbelovyd cosyn, John Paston.

1454
NOV. 11

Worshypfull and ryght welbelovyd cosyn, I comaund me to yow. Lyke you to wete that I have resseyved a lettre at thys tyme from John Bokkyng, wyth a copie of the patent concernyng the wardeshyp that ye wote off, by whych y understand that ye have both wrought and holpen by your grete wysdom to bryng thys matier aboute, whych y desyred your frendshyp and gode avice for the suertee of the seyd waarde;8.1 and for expedicion of whych y thank you ryzt hertlye, and pray you to contynew foorth your gode labours in the same yn such wyse as it may be made sure ynall wyse, thoy it cost me the more of my gode.

And where as it ys remembred me by the seyd lettres that y shuld labour to ghete the seyd ward yn to my gouvernance, truely y can not see how y coude do it to be doon, for y have none acqueyntaunce in that contree that y coude trust too, wythoute the Shyreve myght be my tender frende in thys cause, or othyr such as ye thynk best. Wherfor y pray you hertlye to take thys mater tenderly to hert, and that ye lyke seke a moyen of such frendys as ye can best avyse, and may verrayly trust uppon, to gyde thys mater yn such wyse as myne entent myght be sped for the possession of it; for now that y have go so ferre yn the matier, I wold not it faylled for no gode, but it preved well, and toke to a gode conclusion.

And where as y have understand late, by certeyn well willers to you warde, whych have meoved me, that yn case the seyd warde myght be had, that ye desyre an alliaunce shulde take atwyx a doughter of yours and the seyd waard, of whych mocion y was ryght glad to hyre off, and wylle be ryght well wylling and helpyng that your blode and myne myght increse yn alliaunces. And yff it please yow that by your wysdom and gode conduyt that ye wolde help beere owte thys mater substaunciallie ayenst my partie contrarie and eville willers, that I myght have myne entent, I ensure you ye and y shuld appoynt and accorde yn such wyse as ye shuld hale you ryght well plesed both for the encresyng of your lynage and also of myne. And y pray you be ware whom ye make of your counsaille and myne yn thys mater, and that it may be well bore owte er ye com thens, and yn a sure wey; and yff y had knowe rathyr [i.e. earlier] of your entent, it shuld hafe cost me more of my gode before thys, to hafe com to a gode conclusion, whych y promysse yhyt shall bee, and the mater take, by the fayth of my bodye.

Worshypfull and ryght welbelovyd cosyn, y pray God spede you yn thys matier, and sende you your gode desyrs.

Wreten at Castr, the xj. day of November anno xxxiijº R. H. VI. Your cosyn, John Fastolfe.

Item, cosyn, I pray yow when ye see tyme that my Lord of Caunterbury9.1 and my Lord Cromewell9.2 may be spoke wyth for the godes of my Lord Bedford, beyng yn dyvers men handz, be compelled to be brought ynne, as ye shall see more along of thys mater, wyth the wrytyngs that I have made mencion, and left wyth John Bokkyng and William Barker.

7.1 [From Fenn, iii. 224.]

8.1 Thomas Fastolf of Cowhawe.—See vol. ii. p. 323, Note 1.

9.1 Thomas Bourchier.

9.2 Ralph, Lord Cromwell.

267
THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON9.3

To the wurshepfull Sir, and my good Maystyr John Paston, at London, in haste.

1454
NOV. 13

Wurshepfull and reverent Sir, and my good maistyr, I recomaund me to zow in as delygent wyse as on my part apperteineth, and p[le]a[s]e yow to wete that my maistyr9.4 was right well pleasyd with youre feithefull labour in fulfellyng the patent for the warrd of A. B. C., and he wyll feithefully labour as ye have avysed hym be wrytyng of John Bokyng. And putte my maistyr in more corage, I meovyd to hym upon myn hed that encas be the child wer wyse, that thanne it wer a good maryage be twen my wyff youre doutir and hym; and, Sir, my maistyr was glad whan he herd that moyen, cosetheryng that youre doutyr is desendyd of hym be the modyr syde. And, Sir, I have enqwerid aftyr the seyd child, and no dout of but he is lykly and of gret wyt, as I her be report of sondr personez. And it is so, as I am credebly enformyd, that Jeffrey Boleyn maketh gret labour for maryage of the seyd child to on of hese douterez. I wold well to hym, but bettyr to yow. Wherfor that ye delygently labour for expedecyon of this mater, that encas ye can fynde ony moyan ther to have the seyd child, and we shal do feithefully owre delygens in lyke wyse her, as ye avyse us, &c.

And, Sir, as ye thynke with avyse of my Maistyr Yelverton, Jenney, and otherez my maisterez counsell therin, that the Shereff may be rewardyd, and yif my seyd maisterez counsell thynke it be to do’n, that thanne ye lyke to take an actyoun upon anenteynt [an attaint],10.1 wheche ye most with them take upon yow at this tyme in my maisterez absence; for as ye do in that mater, he woll hold hym content, for Wyllyam Barker hathe an instruccyon of my maisterez intent upon the same. And I send John Bokyng a copy of the panell, wheche I shewed yow at Castr, &c. Almyghty Jesu have yow eternally in hese mercyfull governaunce.

Wretyn at Castr, the Wednysday next aftyr Seynt Martyn, anno xxxiij. Th. Howys.

9.3 [From Fenn, iii. 230.]

9.4 Sir John Fastolf.

10.1 This is an action against a jury that has given a false verdict.

268
SIR THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON10.2

To the wurshepfull and reverent Sir, my good Maystir John Paston, in all goodly haste.

1454
NOV. 18

Reverent and wurshepfull Sir, and my good maistyr, I recomaund me to yow in as louly wyse as on my part aperteineth. And please yow to wete that my maistyr is fully purposed to sewe ateynte, whereupon he wrytethe a lettere directyd to yow and otherez, for the wheche I beseke yow to be my good maystyr in pursewyng the seyd ateynte; and also my maistyr is agreed what reward ye geve the Shereff he holdeth hym content. Wherfor, that youre reward may be the larger, so he woll10.3 ther upon returne the panell for the seyd ateynte; and thanne yef Jenney wold meove my Lord of Norffolke that he wold be my good Lord, amyttyng me for hese chapeleyn, and Jhankyn Porter for hese servaunt, wheche is hese chek roll, it shuld cause the matere to have the redyer expedecyon, as well be the Shereff as be the gret jury. And yef the processe may have so redy sped that it myght be had be fore my Maystyr Yelwerton in this vaccacyon tyme, it wer a gret counfort, &c. Beseking yow at the reverence of God, and as ever my power servyse may be at your comaundement, that ye effectualy labour this matere in the most spedfull wyse, as youre descrecyon, with Jenneyez avyse, thinketh most expedyent; for I ferre gretly to be outlawed or the seyd processe shuld be brought to a conclucyon withoute redy processe in the seyd ateynte. And I here no sewer tydinges of a parlement; but rather thanne I shuld be outlawed, I wold yeld my self to preson, wheche shuld be myn undoyng, and thanne to be with oute remedy. My refformacyon and counforte in eschewyng that lythe holly in your helpe and Jenneyez at thys tyme, be cause my maystyr hathe comytted the governaunce of the seyd matere to yow, and what expense it draweth he agreyth to bere it, &c.

I beseke Almyghty Jesu have yow, my good maystyr, eternaly in hese me[r]cyfull governaunce, and inspyre yow with hese speryt of remembraunce effectualy to precede in this matere.

Wretyn breffly at Castre the Monday next be fore Seynt Edmond the Kyng,11.1 anno xxxiij. Regis H. vjti.

Item, Sir, as for mony to the sped of this matere, Bokkyng hathe redy in comaundement to make delevery to yow what that ye nede, so there shall be no defaute in that, &c. T. Howys.

10.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

10.3 Woll corr. from wold.

11.1 The day of St. Edmund the King was the 20th November.

Woll corr. from wold
. in “corr.” missing

269
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON12.1

To my right welbilovyd cosyn, John Paston.

1454-9

...............wise, and for asmoche as it is . . . . . . . . . . . .the Lady Hastinges12.2 doughter, as I undrestande . . . . . .is lyneally descendid of my Lady Felbrig12.3 is sustre . . . . . . . .she was maried to Sir Hug’ Fastolf, graunsir to this same Thomas; and the Lady Hastinges is comen of Sir Robert Clyfton, which dwellid besyde Lynne. I prey yow, cosyn, enquere of my Lady Felbrigge how nygh they bethe of kynrede, and whethir they mow marie to ghedre or not, and how many degrees in lynage they bethe a sundre, for I reporte me to yowr wyse discrescion what the law wol sey ther ynne.

Item, it is so that Wyndam12.4 came yesterday to Jernemouth, and is at Stapletons; and this day a man of Stapletons came to me to wete if they sholde come speke with me or not, and I have sent Sir Thomas to hem to know ther entent and what they meane; and also he shal sey unto theym that I woll not medle ther with but as law and consciens will.

This is the tydinges that I have; I pray yow send me some of yours. As towching the North cuntre, Sperling hathe tolde yow. And God kepe yow. Wretyn at Castre this same day. J. Fastolf.

12.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is mutilated and its date is uncertain, except that, being dated at Caister, it must have been written between 1454 and 1459.

12.2 Margery, widow of Sir Edward Hastings of Elsing, and daughter of Sir Robert Clifton. After her first husband’s death she married John Wymondham, who bought the manor of Felbrigg from Lord Scales and the executors of Sir Simon Felbrigg.—See Blomefield, viii. 112.

12.3 Catherine, widow of Sir Simon Felbrigg. She was the daughter of Anketill Mallory, Esq. of Winwick, in Northamptonshire.

12.4 John Wymondham or Wyndham.—See Note 2.

270
EDMUND CLERE TO JOHN PASTON13.1

To my welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, be this delivered.

1455
JAN. 9

Right welbeloved cosyn, I recomaund me to you, latyng you wite such tidings as we have.

Blessed be God, the Kyng is wel amended, and hath ben syn Cristemesday, and on Seint Jones day13.2 comaunded his awmener [almoner] to ride to Caunterbury wyth his offryng, and comaunded the secretarie to offre at Seint Edwards.

And on the Moneday after noon the Queen came to him, and brought my Lord Prynce with her. And then he askid what the Princes name was, and the Queen told him Edward; and than he hild up his hands and thankid God therof. And he seid he never knew til that tyme, nor wist not what was seid to him, nor wist not where he had be whils he hath be seke til now. And he askid who was godfaders, and the Queen told him, and he was wel apaid.

And she told him that the Cardinal13.3 was dede, and he seid he knew never therof til that tyme; and he seid oon of the wisist Lords in this land was dede.

And my Lord of Wynchestr13.4 and my Lord of Seint Jones13.5 were with him on the morow after Tweltheday, and he speke to hem as well as ever he did; and when thei come out thei wept for joye.

And he seith he is in charitee with all the world, and so he wold all the Lords were. And now he seith matyns of Our Lady and evesong, and herith his Masse devoutly; and Richard shall tell yow more tidings by mouth.

I pray yow recomaund me to my Lady Morley,14.1 and to Maister Prior,14.2 and to my Lady Felbrigge,14.3 and to my Lady Hevenyngham,14.4 and to my cosyn your moder, and to my cosyn your wife.

Wreten at Grenewich on Thursday after Twelftheday. Be your cosyn, Edmund Clere.

13.1 [From Fenn, i. 80.] There is no doubt about the date of this letter. The King fell ill at Clarendon in the autumn of 1453, and remained in a state of utter imbecility during the greater part of the year 1454, so that in March a deputation from the House of Peers, sent to communicate with him on the death of his Chancellor, Cardinal Kemp, was obliged to report that they had been utterly unable to obtain from him any answer or sign that he understood the least thing said to him. It appears from this letter that his recovery was about Christmas, when he heard for the first time of the birth of his son fourteen months before, and of the death of Cardinal Kemp nine months before.

13.2 Dec. 27.

13.3 John Kemp, Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury.

13.4 William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.

13.5 Robert Botyll, prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

14.1 See vol. ii. p. 84, Note 2.

14.2 Probably the Prior of Bromholm.

14.3 See p. 12, Note 3.

14.4 Sir John Heveningham married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Reedesham. Unless he married a second time, this Elizabeth was now his widow.

Robert Botyll, prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Final . missing or invisible

271
ABSTRACT14.5

Sir John Fastolf to Henry Fylonglye and John Paston.

1455
JAN. 24

Must pay £40 to the Exchequer this term for the ward of Thomas Fastolf, in part payment of £80, and other great payments at the same time, amounting to £200 or more. Desires him, therefore, to speak with my Lord of Canterbury, whose day of payment is long past, that he may have ‘the rather ready payment’ of his duty; ‘for he is one of the Lords earthly that I most trust upon.’ Hopes he will consider the great loss Fastolf already sustains by ‘the great good the King oweth me, and other divers Lords to my great discomfort.’

Castre, 24 Jan.

[This letter could not have been written before the year 1455, as Sir John Fastolf only came to reside at Castre in the autumn of the year preceding. The wardship of Thomas Fastolf was procured by Sir John for John Paston in June 1454, so that it is highly probable he had to pay for it in the beginning of next year. In the year following, again, Fastolf was endeavouring to make good those claims against the Crown, which he here merely mentions as a ground of indulgence to himself.]

14.5 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 260.]

272
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON

To my right trusty and welbelovyd cosyn, John Paston, in goodly haste.

1455
FEB. 7

Ryght trusty and welbelovyd cosyn, I comaund me to yow. And please yow to wete that I am avertysed that at a dyner in Norwiche, wher as ye and othyr jentylmen wer present, that that ther were certeyn personez, jentylmen, whiche utteryd skornefull language of me, as in thys wyse, with mor, seyeng, ‘War the, gosune [cousin ?] war, and goo we to dyner; goo we wher? to Sir John Fastolf, and ther we shall well paye ther fore.’ What ther menyng was, I knowe well to no good entent to me ward; wherfor, cosyn, I prey yow, as my truste is in yow, that ye geve me knowelege be writing what jentylmen they be that had this report with more, and what mo jentylmen wer present, as ye wold I shuld and wer my deute to do for yow in semblabyll wyse. And I shall kepe yowr informatyon in this mater secret, and with Godds grace so purvey for hem as they shall not all be well pleasyd. At suche a tyme a man may knowe hese frendes and hese fooes asonder, &c. Jesu preserve and kepe yow.

15.1 Wretyn at Caster, the vij. day of Feverer, anno xxxiij. R. H. vjti. John Fastolf, Knyght.

15.1 [From Fenn, iii. 232.]

273
THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON16.1

To the right wurshepfull Sir, my good Maystyr John Paston.

1455

Right worshepfull Sir, and my good maistyr, I recomaund me louly unto you, thankyng youre good maystyrshep for your good remembraunce for the cherche of Stokysby, wherupon I have desyred my trusty frend, Wylliam Worcestre, to come be the Abot16.2 homward, besekyng you to avertyse hym youre good avyse how he may be have hym best in this mater to the seyd Abot, etc. And, Sir, en cas ye myght be at a leyser to be with my mayster upon Thursday next comyng, forasmyche as Maistyr Yelvyrton and Jenney shal be her, ye shuld do my maistir ryght gret pleasure. And I beseke you the rather for my sake, for at that tyme the conveyaunce of al materez shal be comounyd of; and I know verely your avyse shall peyse depper in my maisterys conceyt thanne bothyn thers shal do. Ye have dayly gret labour for me, God reward yow, and my pore preyer ye shall have, &c. I beseke Almyghti Jesu have you in hese mercyfull governaunce, and graunt you evyr that may be to your most herte plessaunce, &c. Your chapeleyn and bedeman, Thomas Howys.

16.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The rectory of Stokesby in Norfolk was vacant in the year 1455. The right of presentation ought to have belonged to Sir John Fastolf, as John Fastolf—doubtless of Cowhawe—had presented in 1444; but it was allowed to lapse to the Bishop, who presented Simon Thornham, LL.D. Afterwards it appears that James Gloys was rector, who must have been presented by John or Margaret Paston. This letter was probably written a few days before that which comes next.

16.2 Of St. Benet’s, Hulme. His name was John Martin.

274
THE ABBOT OF ST. BENET’S TO JOHN PASTON17.1

To my ryght well be lovyd John Paston, Esquyer, be this delivered.

1455
MARCH 17

Wurchepefull Sire, and right well be lovyd, I grete yow well, desyryng to here of youre well fare, praying you interlych to bie with me at dyner on Seynt Benett day, the whiche xall be on Friday next comyng, or ell[es] in brief tyme covenable to your ease, to th’entent that I may commoun wyth yow of divers maters, the whiche I purpose to have a doo in be your good advyse, and in on especyall as for the chirche of Stokesby, whiche I understand xall moche be reulyd after your advyse and content; tristyng our communicacion had in the seyd [matters] xall cause pees and pleaser to all parties be leve of our Lord, the whiche Lord mote preserve you in all goode.

Wreten in my Monastery the xvij. day of Marche. Be your good frend, The Abbot of S. Benetts.

17.1 [From Fenn, iii. 236.] This letter was written by John Martin, Lord Abbot of St. Benet’s of Hulme. The heads of this monastery were mitred abbots, and sat in Parliament. The date may be assigned to the year 1455 for two reasons—first, that in that year St. Benet’s day (the 21st of March) fell on a Friday; and second, that in the same year the living of Stokesby lapsed to the Bishop of Norwich.

275
ABSTRACT

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and —— Yelverton.

Between 1455-9

Thanks them for speeding his action against Thomas Fauconere. Begs them to sue it out, as Fauconere is obstinate, and has wrought against Byckwod right unjustly, who owes great sums to divers creditors, etc.

Castre, 20th March.

[The date of this letter must be during Sir John’s residence at Caister between 1455 and 1459.]

276
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.18.1

To myn ryght weel beloved cosyn, John Paston, Squier.

1455
MARCH 29

Worshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow. And lyke yow to wete that at this tyme I sende to yow myn welbeloved frende and servant, Sir Thomas Howys, to have youre good councell and advyse how and in what wyse he may best be demened there at this tyme in his yeldyng to the Sheref upon his exigend, wheche is and shal be v. tymes called as on Monday next comyng, as I understande; and, the same by good and discrete advyse concluded and sette in a good weye by sewertes found to appere at London the day of the retorn of the wrytte or otherwyse, that thenne if ye thenke hit be to do’n [to do], ye lyke to take upon yow to comon with myne Lord of Norwyche,18.2 recomaundyng me to hys good and tender Lordship, and declaryng to hym how and in what wyse the seyd Sir Thomas was demened in the oyer and determyner, and sethe how he hath wrongously and with ought cause be vexed by John Andrews and other, and greetly trowbled, wherupon this atteynt now is grownded, in such wyse as ye thenk best to be done; and that his Lordship by youre medyacion here after geve not any favore to any persone or persones on myne contrarye partye for any synystre informacion geven other wyse than the trought in the mater shal require, as he shal weel understande by youre good reporte, for ye know the same mater weel. Wherfore, cosyn, I praye yow that ye wole tender the same for the weel and good speed therof, as myne syngler trust is in yow. And the blessed Trinyte preserve yow to his pleaser.

In hast, at Castre, the xxix. day of Marche. Youre, John Fastolf, Chr.

Item, cosyn, I sende youre a lettre to delyver to myne seyd Lord with a copye of the same, wheche I praye yow to se, and if ye thenk hit be to do’n, delyveret [deliver it] youre self, &c., to th’entent he myght know the disposicion of the pepul how they be sette, &c.; for he weel advertysed in this mater shalbe a greet supporter of trought in this be half, for the partye contrarye wole do’n that they can to labore the jure, and don to have theym rewled after theyr entent and contrary to trought; wheche mater I remytte ondly to youre ryght wyse discrecion.

18.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The reference here made to the process of attaint, which Fastolf had resolved to sue in November 1454 (see No. 268), shows that this letter must belong to the month of March following. It is written in Barker’s hand.

18.2 I suspect ‘Norwyche’ is here a slip of the pen, and that ‘my Lord of Norfolk’ was intended.

277
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK19.1

1455
MARCH (?)

Right hy and myghty Prynce, my right gode and gracyous Lord, I recomaund me to your gode Lordship, etc. And please itt your Hyghnesse to wete that Sir Philip Wenteworth purchasid the Kyngs patentis of the ward of the heyer and londes of a por kynnesman of myne called John Fastolf of Cowhawe, late passed to God, to the grett hurte and distruccion as well of the inheritance of the seyd heyer as interrupcion and breking of the last will of the seyd John, and also to my grett troble and dammage; and for asmoche as it fortowned be grase the seyd patentes to be mystake, so that they were not laufull ne suffycyent, be avyce of conceyll, certeyn persones,19.2 to myn use, purchesid be the Kyngs letters patentes suffycyent and laufull of the ward of the seyd londes. And the rigth of thes bothe patentes hath be putte in juges and lerned men, affor hom the seyd Sir Philipp ne his conceyll cowd never prove hes tytill lawfull be his seyd patents, and this notwithstanding intendith be fors, as I understand, to take the profytes of the seyd londes ageyns all lawe and concyence. Beseching your Lordchip to tender me in myn age and sekenesse that may not ryde ne help myself, and of your habundant grace to supporte me in my right, that I be not be fors ageyns lawe and concyence kepte from the possescion of the seyd londes in this contre, wher ye be Prynce and Sovereyn next owr Sovereyn Lord.

The following memoranda occur on the back:—

Br[adwe]ll juxta Jernemut.
Kirley juxta Leystoft, viijli.
Foxhole | xviijli.

Cowhaw in Nakton
on this side Yepiswich, iij. myl,

Langston in Brustall,
ij. myle beyond Yepiswich,

iijli.

Bentele, ij. mile beyond Brustall, xiiijli. (?)

19.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The MS. of this is a corrected draft. Although the person addressed is not named, the style in which he is addressed, and particularly the last sentence, leave no doubt that it is the Duke of Norfolk. Indeed, this is not unlikely to be the letter mentioned in the postscript to the last, of which a copy or draft was sent along with the original to John Paston that he might deliver the latter, only if he approved of its contents. If so, it is probable that Paston withheld it, as we find by the letter immediately following that Fastolf addressed another memorial to the Duke on the subject of his dispute with Wentworth four days later.

19.2 They were John Paston and Thomas Howes, and their patent was dated 6th June 32 Hen. VI. (1454).—See Rolls of Parl. v. 371.

278
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK20.1

1455
APRIL 2

Right high and myghty Prynce, my right noble and good Lord, in my right humble wyse I recomaunde me to your good grace. And for the noble lordship and supportacion shewid unto me at all tymes, I beseche our Lord God guerdon yow, where as I may not, but only as yowr daily and contynuell bedeman, now in myn age, pray for the good prosperite of youre right highe and noble estate, as I am gretly bounde to doo; prayng tendirly yowre Highnesse to contynue yowre good lordship and supportacion in the materes touchyng your servaunt John Porter and my pore Chappelleyn Sir Thomas Howes, trustyng verily to God that, with the supportacion of your good Lordship, there mater shall yette come to a good conclusion in punisshyng of perjure and embracery that many yeris hathe ben and yette is usid in this shire, whiche were grete merite, and to my conceyte, in yow that ar soo noble a Prynce, a singler renoune, as for the beste dede that may be doo for the weel of bothe shires.

And in like wise that it please youre right good grace to contynue youre noble favour and supportacion to me in remedyeng the force doon by Sir Philip Wentworth, kepyng now wrongful possession of certeyn londes in Suffolk, nygh youre Castel of Framyngham; whiche londs certeyn of my frendes, to myn use, have of the Kyngs graunte by his lettres patent byfore ony patent that the seid Sir Philip hathe, whiche is my singler matier in myn owen parte that I have now to doo, as my cosyn Paston can enforme yowr Lordship, for he knowith the mater and myn hole entente, to whom your good grace lyke to yife credence. He cometh to awaite upon your Lordship at this tyme, as I understande, by my cosyn youre servaunt Richard Suthwell, youre Lordship desired.

Right highe and myghty Prynce, my noble and right good Lord, I beseche the Holy Goste be with yow, and evere more sende yow the accomplishment of youre right noble desires to his plesir and youres.

Writen at my pore place of Castre, the ijde day of Aprill. Your humble man and servaunt, J. Fastolf.

20.1 [From Fenn, iii. 338.] Although there is no direction upon this letter, it was evidently addressed to the Duke of Norfolk, as it speaks of ‘your Castle of Framlingham.’ The absence of any written address Fenn accounts for by supposing the letter to have been enclosed in a cover; but as it appears that the original contained at least one passage which was crossed out (see page 341 in Fenn), we may with greater probability consider it to have been a corrected draft, like the last, sent to John Paston for his approval. The dispute with Sir Philip Wentworth and the matters of John Porter and Sir Thomas Howes, here referred to, both point to the year 1455 as the date of this letter.—See Nos. 265, 268.

279
ABSTRACT22.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1455
MAY 3

Thanks him for his letters, and the answer he made to Bokkyng. Does not know how to answer him concerning the ward,22.2 the suit against William Jenney and Sir Thomas, etc. If Paston could be at London this term, even for three days, it would speed better than Fastolf’s writing, and Fastolf will pay his costs. If he cannot, Paston must use his own discretion, and Fastolf will abide by what he does. It would be a great rebuke if the matter of the ward went against us, ‘for nowadays ye know well that law goeth as it is favored, and after that the attorneys be wise and discreet in their conduct.’

Castre, 3 May.

[This letter, being dated at Caister in the month of May, cannot be earlier than 1455, and the references to the matter of the ward and the suit against Sir Thomas Howes seem to fix it to that year.]

22.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 244.]

22.2 Thomas Fastolf.—See vol. ii. p. 323, Note 1.

280
ABSTRACT22.3

Richard Calle to John Paston.

1455(?)
MAY 8

Thorne did not come to him, nor could he learn anything about him from Sir Thomas Howes, except that Howes had informed him of what Paston commanded Calle to tell his wife. Will not distrain till he hear from Paston. Howys trusts to make sufficient reckoning of all things touching Fastolf, so that neither he nor Paston be hurt. He will do nothing in future without Paston’s advice. Desires him to remember John Elger, Bocking, and others ‘for the rescues which was made for Jankyn Porter.’ Remember James Gresham to withdraw the suit for W. Magges. No News.

8 May.

[The allusion to John or Jankyn Porter in this letter makes it probable that it was written in the year 1455.—See No. 278.]

22.3 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

See No. 278.]
Closing bracket missing

281
ABSTRACT23.1

‘Thomas Canon, the Helder, of Mekyll Pagrave,’ to John Paston.

1455
MAY 16

Desires to hear of his ‘durat prosperite and welfare.’ Hopes he will protect him as he has done, if any man will put him to any wrong. Has land in Lytyl Pagrave and in Lytyldonham, called Strangys, which he wishes to sell to Paston before any other, on condition that he will ‘keep it counsel’ from John Pagrave till he and the writer have accorded.

At Sporle, Friday, after Ascension Day, 33 Hen. VI.

23.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 252.]

282
MEMORIAL TO HENRY VI23.2

Tradatur J. P.

1455
MAY 21

Moste Cristen Kyng, ryght hygh and myghty Prince, and our mooste redoubted souverayn Lorde, we recomaunde ws as humblye as we suffice unto your hygh excellence, where unto please it to wete that for so moche as we hyre and understand to our grettyst sorowe erthlye that our ennemyes of approuved experience, such as abyde and kepe theym sylf under the whyng of your Magestee Royall, have throwen unto the same ryght stedyousely and ryght fraudulentlye manye ambyguytees and doubtes of the fayth, lygeaunce, and dewtee that, God knowyth, we beere unto your Hyghnesse, and have put theym yn as grete devoyr as they coude to enstraunge ws from your mooste noble presonce and from the favour of your goode grace; whych goode grace to ws ys and owe to be our singuler and mooste desyred yoie and consolacion: We at thys tyme be comyng wyth grace as your true and humble liege men, toward your seyd Hygh Excellence to declare and shew therto at large owr sayd fayth and ligeaunce, entendyng wyth the mercye of Jesu yn the seyd comyng, to put ws yn as diligent and hertye devoyr and dewtee as onye your lyege men on lyve to that at may avaunce or preferre the honnour and wellfare off the sayd Mageste Royalle and the seurte of the sayd most notable person; the whych [we] beseche our blessed Creature to prosper [in] as grete honnor, yoie, and felicitie as ever had onye prince erthlye, and to your sayd Hyghnesse so to take, accept, and repute ws, and not to plese to geve trust or confidence unto the sinistrez, maliciouse, and fraudulent laboures and rapportes of our sayd ennemyes unto our comyng to your sayd moste noble presence; where unto we beseche humblye that we may be admitted as your liege men, to th’entent to show ws the same; wheroff yerstenday we wrote our lettres of our entent to the ryght reverent fadre yn God, the Archebysshop of Caunterburye,24.1 your Chauncellr of England, to be shewed to your sayd Hyghnesse, whereoff, forsomoch as we be not acerteyned whethyr our sayd entent be by hys fadrehode shewed unto your seyd goode grace or not, we sende thereoff unto thys closed a copy of our said lettres of our disposicion toward your sayd Hygh Excellence and the honnour and weele of the land, whereynne we wolle persevere wyth the grace of our Lorde.

23.2 [From Fenn, iii. 178.] This is a copy of the memorial drawn up by the Duke of York and the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury just before the first battle of St. Albans, which the Duke of Somerset and his friends would not allow to be presented to the King. Although this copy is without date, the original was dated at Ware, the 21st May.—See Rolls of Parl. v. 281, where the whole document is cited.

24.1 Fenn states that on the margin of the MS., in a hand nearly coeval with the letter itself, is written, ‘Memorandum quod dict’ literæ (?) Dominorum direct’ Archiepiscopo Cant. est apud  .  .  .  .  .’ What followed is lost, the paper being torn. The letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, however, will be found quoted at full length in the Rolls of Parliament, v. 280-1.

283
THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS25.1

Bellum apud Seynt Albons.

1455
MAY 21-22

Be yt knowen and hadde in mynde that the xxj. day of May the xxxiij. zere of the regne of Kyng Herry the Sext, our sovereigne Lord Kyng toke his jurnay from Westmynster toward Seynt Albones, and rested at Watford all nyght; and on the morwe be tymes he cam to Seynt Albones, and wyth him on his partye assembled under his baner the Duyke of Bockingham, the Duke of Somersete, the Erle of Penbrok, the Erle of Northumburlond, the Erle of Devynsshire, the Erle of Stafford, the Erle of Dorsete, the Erle of Wyltsshire, the Lorde Clyfford, the Lord Dudley, the Lord Burneys, the Lord Rose, wyth other dyversse knyghtes, squyeres, and other gentilmen and yemen to the nounbre of ijml [2000] and moo. And upon the xxij. day of the seyde moneth above rehersed assembled the Duyk of Yorke, and wyth hym come yn companye the Erle of Salesbury, the Erle of Warrewyke with diverse knyghtes and squyers unto ther partye into the felde, called the Key Feld, besyde Seynt Albones. Fyrthermore, oure seyd sovereyne Lord the Kyng, heryng and knowyng of the seyde Dukes comyng with other Lordes afore seyde, pygth his baner at the place called Boslawe in Seynt Petrus Strete, whych place was called afore tyme past Sandeforde, and commaundeth the warde and barrers to be kepte in stronge wyse; the for seyde Duyk of York abydyng in the feld aforeseyde frome vij. of the clokke in the morn tyl yt was al most x. without ony stroke smeton on eyther partye. The seyde Duke sende to the Kyng our sovereyne Lord, be the avyse of his councell, prayng and be sekyng hym to take him as his true man and humble suget; and to consider and to tender at the reverence of Almyghty God, and in way of charite the true entent of his comyng—to be good and gracyous sovereyne Lorde to his legemen, whech with al ther power and mygth wille be redy at alle tymes to leve and dye with hym in his rigth. And to what thyng yt shoulde lyke his Mageste Ryall to commaunde hem, yf yt be his worsship, kepyng right of the Croune and welffare of the londe; ‘More over, gracyous Lord, plese yt zour Majeste Ryall of zour grete goodnesse and ryghtwesnesse to enclyne zour wille to here and fele the ryghtwyse partye of us zoure sugettes and legemen; fyrst, prayng and besechyng to oure Lord Jesus of his hye and myghty power to geve un to zou vertu and prudence, and that thorugh the medyacyon of the glorious martyr Seynt Albon to geve zou very knowleche to knowe the entent of oure assembleng at this tyme; for God that is [in] Heven knoweth than our entent is rightful and true. And there fore we pray unto Al myghty Lord Jesus these wordes—Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostræ. Wherefore, gracyus Lord, plese it your hyghe Majeste to delyvere such as we wole accuse, and they to have lyke, as they have deserved and done, and ze to be honorabled and worsshepyt as most ryghtffull Kyng and oure governour. For and we shall now at this tyme be promysed, as afore this tyme ys not unknowen, of promes broken whech ful fayth fully hath ben promysed, and there upon grete othes made, we wyll not now cesse for noon such promysse, surete, ne other, tyl we have hem whych hav deserved deth, or elles we to dye there fore.’

And to that answered the Kyng our sovereyne Lord, and seyde: ‘I, Kyng Herry, charge and comaund that no maner persone, of what degre, or state, or condicyon that evere he be, abyde not, but voyde the felde, and not be so hardy to make ony resystens ageyne me in myn owne realme; for I shall knowe what traytor dar be so bold to reyse apepull in myn owne lond, where thorugh I am in grete desese and hevynesse. And by the feyth that I owe to Seynt Edward and to the Corone of Inglond, I shal destrye them every moder sone, and they be hanged, and drawen, and quartered, that may be taken afterward, of them to have ensample to alle such traytours to be war to make ony such rysyng of peple withinne my lond, and so traytorly to abyde her Kyng and governour. And, for a conclusyon, rather then they shall have ony Lorde here with me at this tyme, I shall this day, for her sake, and in this quarrell my sylff lyve or dye.’

Wych ansuere come to the Duke of Yorke, the wheche Duke, by the avyce of the Lordes of hys Counceill, seyde unto hem thise wordes: ‘The Kyng our sovereyne Lord will not be reformed at our besechyng ne prayer, ne wylle not understonde the entent that we be comen heder and assembled fore and gadered at this tyme; but only ys full purpose, and there noon other wey but that he wole with all his power pursue us, and yf ben taken, to geve us a shameful deth, losyng our lyvelode and goodes, and our heyres shamed for evere. And ther fore, sythe yt wole be noon othere wyse but that we shall ootterly dye, better yt ys for us to dye in the feld than cowardly to be put to a grete rebuke and asshamefful deth; more over, consederyng yn what peryle Inglonde stondes inne at thys owre, therefore every man help to help power for the ryght there offe, to redresse the myscheff that now regneth, and to quyte us lyke men in this querell; preyng to that Lord that ys Kyng of Glorye, that regneth in the kyngdom celestyall, to kepe us and save us this day in our right, and thorugh the helpe of His holy grace we may be made strong to with stonde the grete abomynable and cruell malyse of them that purpose fully to destrye us with shameful deth. We ther fore, Lord, prey to The to be oure confort and Defender, seyng the word afore seyde, Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostræ.’

And whanne this was seyde, the seyde Duke of Yorke, and the seyd Erle of Salesbury, and the Erle of Warrewyk, betwene xj. and xij. of the clocke at noon, the broke into the toun in thre diverse places and severelle places of the fore seyd strete. The Kyng beyng then in the place of Edmond Westby, hunderdere of the seyd toun of Seynt Albones, comaundeth to sle alle maner men of lordes, knygthtes, and squyeres, and zemen that myght be taken of the for seyde Dukes of York. Thys don, the fore seyde Lord Clyfford kept strongly the barrers that the seyde Duke of York myght not in ony wise, with all the power that he hadde, entre ne breke into the toun. The Erle of Warrewyk, knowyng ther offe, toke and gadered his men to gedere and ferosly brake in by the gardeyne sydes betuene the signe of the Keye and the sygne of the Chekkere in Holwell strete; and anoon as they wer wyth inne the toon, sodeynly the blew up trumpettes, and sette a cry with asshout and a grete voyce, ‘A Warrewe! A Warrewyk! A Warrewyk!’ and into that tyme the Duke of York mygth nevere have entre into the toun; and they with strong hond kept yt, and myghttyly faught to gedere, and anoon, forth with after the brekyng in, they sette on them manfully. And as of Lordes of name were slayn the Lord Clyfford, the Duke of Somersete, the Erle of Northumberlond, Sir Bartram Entuwysselle, Knynght; and of men of courte, Wyllyam Zouch, John Batryaux, Raaff of Bapthorp and hys sone, Wyllyam Corbyn, squyers; William Cotton, receyver of the Ducherye of Lancastre; Gylbert Starbrok, squyer; Malmer Pagentoun, William Botelore, yomen; Rogere Mercroft, the Kynges messanger; Halyn, the Kynges porter; Raufe Wyllerby; and xxv. mo, whych her names be not zet knowen. And of hem that ben slayn ben beryed in Sent Albonos xlviij. And at this same tyme were hurt Lordes of name—the Kyng, our sovereyne Lord, in the neck with an arrowe; the Duke of Bukingham, with an arrowe in the vysage;* the Lord of Stafford in the hond, with an arowe; the Lord of Dorsette, sore hurt that he myght not go, but he was caryede hom in a cart; and Wenlok, Knyght, in lyke wyse in a carte sore hurt; and other diverse knyghtes and squyers sore hurt. The Erle of Wyldsshyre, Thorpe, and many other flede, and left her harneys behynde hem cowardly, and the substaunce of the Kynges partye were dyspoyled of hors and harneys. This done, the seyde Lordes, that ys to wote, the Duke of Yorke, the Erle of Salesbury, the Erle of Warrewyke, come to the Kyng, our sovereyne Lord, and on here knees be soughte hym of grace and foryevenesse of that they hadde doon yn his presence, and be sought hym of his Heynesse to take hem as hys true legemen, seyng that they never attendyde [intended] hurt to his owne persone, and ther fore [the] Kyng oure sovereyn Lord toke hem to grace, and so desyred hem to cesse there peple, and that there shulde no more harme be doon; and they obeyde hys commaundement, and lote make a cry on the Kynges name that al maner of pepull shulde cesse and not so hardy to stryke ony stoke more after the proclamacyon of the crye; and so cessed the seyde batayle, Deo gratias.

And on the morwe the Kyng and the seyde Duke, with other certeyn Lordes, come in to the Bysshops of London, and there kept resydens with joye and solempnyte, concludyng to holde the parlement at London, the ix. day of July next comyng.

25.1 This paper is reprinted from the Archæologia, vol. xx. p. 519, to which it was communicated by Mr. Bayley, keeper of the records in the Tower, in 1822.

* ”. . . the Duke of Bukingham, with an arrowe in the vysage;”
Gairdner, following Bayley, omits the following line “the lord of Dudle, with an arowe in the vysage;”

the place called Boslawe in Seynt Petrus Strete
text unchanged; correct name is “Goslawe”

alle maner men of lordes, knygthtes, and squyeres
text has “end”

284
THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS29.1

1455
[MAY 22]

The solecytouriz and causerys of the feld takyng at Seynt Albonys, ther namys shewyn her aftyr:—

The Lord Clyfford.

Rauff Percy.

Thorpe.

Tresham and Josep.

The inony [enemy’s] batayle was in the Market-place, and the Kynges standard was pight, the Kynge beynge present with these Lordes, whos namys folwe:—

The Duke of Bokyngham.

The Duke Somyrcete.

The Erle Devynshire.

The Erle of Northeombirlond.

The Erle Stafford.

The Erle Dorcete.

The Lord Clyfford.

The Lord Ros.

With many Knyghtes and Squyeriz, to the noumbre in alle that faught that day iijml. [3000], and it was done on Thursday last past atwyx xj. and xij. at mydday.

The namys of the Lordes that were on the othir party shewyn here aftyr:—

The Duke of York.

The Erle of Salysbury.

The Erle of Warwyk.

The Lord Clynton.

Sir Robert Ocle.

With many otheriz, to the noumbre of vml. [5000] men.

And Sir Rober Ocle tok vjc. [600] men of the Marchis, and tok the Market-place or ony man was war; than the larum belle was ronge, and every man yed to harneys, for at that tyme every man was out of ther aray, and they joynid batayle anon; and it was done with inne di. [i.e. one half] houre, and there were slayn the men, whos namys folwyn:—

The Duke Somyrcete.

The Erle Northombirlond.

The Lord Clyfford.

The Lord Clynton.

Sir Bartyn at Wessyll.

Babthorpe and hese sone.

Cotton, Receyvour of the Duchye.

Gryphet, Ussher of Hall.

Herry Loweys.

Wyllyam Regmayde.

John Raulyns. Asple.

Harpour, Yoman of the Croune.

With many othir men, to the noumbre of iiijc [400], and as many or mo hurt. The Kynge was hurt with an harwe in the necke. The Duke of Bukkyngham hurt, and fled in to the Abbey. The Erle Devynshire hurt. The Erle Stafford and Dorcetyr gretly hurt. Fylongley faught manly, and was shet thorwe the armys in iij. or iiij. placys.

The Duke of Norfolke come a day aftyr the jurney was done with vjmll. [6000] men.

And the Erle of Oxinford also.

The Erle of Shrewysbury,

Lord Crumwelle,

And Sir Thomas Stanley,

with xmll. [10,000] men were comynge.

The Kynge with all the Lordes come to London to Westmenstyr on Fryday, at vj. of clocke at aftyr none, and London went a generalle processyon the same day.

29.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 278.]

285
JOHN CRANE TO JOHN PASTON31.1

Unto my worshipfull and welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, be this lettre delivred in hast.

1455
MAY 25

Right worshipfull and entierly welbeloved Sir, I recommaunde me unto you, desiring hertly to here of your welfare. Furthermore lettyng you wete, as for such tydinges as we have here, such [these] thre Lordes be dede, the Duke of Somerset, the Erle of Northombrelonde, and the Lord Clyfford; and as for any other men of name, I knowe noon save only Quotton of Cammbrigeshire. As for any other Lordes, many of theym be hurt; and as for Fenyngley, he lyveth and fareth well, as fer as I can enquere, &c.

And as for any grete multytude of people that ther was, as we can tell, ther was at most slayn [x]31.2 vj. score. And as for the Lordes that were with the Kyng, they and her men wer pilled and spoyled out of all their harneys and horses; and as for what rule we shall have yit I wote nett, save only ther be made newe certayn officers.

My Lord of Yorke, Constabil of Englande; my Lord of Warweke is made captayn of Calyes; my Lord Burgchier is made Treasorer of Englande; and as yit other tydinges have I none.

And as for our soverayn Lorde, thanked be God, he hathe no grete harme.

No more to you at this tyme, but I pray you send this lettyr to my Maistresse Paston, when ye have sene hit; preyng you to remembre my systir Margrete ageyne the tyme that she shal be made nonne.

Written at Lamehith, on Witsonday, &c. By your cosyn, John Crane.

31.1 [From Fenn, i. 100.] This letter relates to the first battle of St. Albans and the principal changes which took place immediately after it.

31.2 In the original letter, the x is struck out, and vj. placed after it in the same line.—F.

286
ABSTRACT32.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1455
MAY 28

Thanks him for his pains in speeding his causes at London this term. Understands the Sheriff of Norfolk’s officers are at Norwich, and now the writ of attaint is sent home by William Barker, which Fastolf sends again to Paston that he may consult with the Sheriff or his officers what to do. Both William Barker and Seffrey (sic) Spyrlyng are now at Norwich, and one of them, if need be, shall wait on Paston.

Castre, 28 May.

‘And I trust to God, as the world goeth now, the said attaint shall do right well.’

[The postscript of this letter seems to refer to the change of administration after the battle of St. Albans. As to the action of attaint sued by Fastolf, see Nos. 268 and 276.]

32.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 255.]

287
WILLIAM BARKER TO WILLIAM WORCESTER32.2

To William Worcester, be this lettre delyvered in hast.

1455
JUNE

Sir, I recomaunde me to yow; and as for tydyngs, ye may enforme myn mayster, there is non but that he hath knowleche of, but that the Kyng, the Quene, and the Prynce remeven to Hertford to morwen withought faute; myn Lord York to the Fryres at Ware; myn Lord Warwyk to Hunesdon; the Erle Salysburye to Rye; and there they shall abyde to tyme the Parlement be gynne.

The Duk Buk is come inne, and sworn that he shal be rewled, and draw the lyne with theym; and ther to he and his brethern ben bounde by reconysaunce in notable summes to abyde the same.

The Erle of Wylts sent to the Lordes from a place of his, called Peterfeld, a lettre desyring to know if he shuld come, and abyde abought the Kynges persone as he dede be fore; and if he shuld not, than that they wold lycence hym to goon in to Erland, and leve there upon his landes, &c., and before this don, the Lordes were advysed to have made hym to don as the Duk Buk hath don, and no more; but what that wolle falle now therof, no man can telle as yet.

The Baron of Dudley is in the Towre; what shal come of hym, God wote. The Erle of Dorsete is in warde with the Erle of Warrwyk.

Hit was seyd, for sothe, that Harpere and ij. other of the Kynges chamber were confedered to have steked the Deuk York in the Kynges chamber; but hit was not so, for they have clered theym therof.

But London upon the same tale areysen, and every man to harneys on Corpus Christi even, and moche adoo there was.

Syr William Oldhall a bydeth no lenger in Seyntwery than the Chef Juge come, for that tyme he shal goo at large, and sewe all his maters himself, &c.

The Baron Dudley hath appeched many men; but what they ben, as yet we can not wete. Sir Phillyp Wentworth was in the feld, and bare the Kynges standard, and kest hit down and fled. Myn Lord Norffolk seyth he shal be hanged therfore, and so is he worthy. He is in Suffolk now. He der not come abought the Kynge.

Edmond Stendale was with Wenlok there in the feld, and ffowly hurt.

Fylongley is at home at his owen place with his wyf, and shal doe ryght weel; but we have a greet losse of his absence this terme, for hit wole be longe er he come this terme, I am a ferde.

Alle the Lordes that dyed at the jorney arn beryed at Seynt Albones.

Other thinges ben non here, but ye shal sene by Thomas Scales lettre the rewle of the Frenshemen, &c.

God spede us weel in our matres this terme, I praye to God, who have yow in his kepyng, &c. W. B.

32.2 [From Fenn, i. 104.] This letter relates entirely to occurrences after the battle of St. Albans. The writer here only signs with his initials, but from the facsimile given by Fenn of his ‘W. B.,’ he can be clearly identified with William Barker.

288
THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO JOHN PASTON34.1

To oure right trusti and welbelovid John Paston, Esquier.

The Duchesse of Norfolk.

1455
JUNE 8

Right trusti and welbelovid, we grete you hertili weel. And for as muche as it is thought right necessarie for divers causes that my Lord have at this tyme in the Parlement suche persones as longe unto him, and be of his menyall servaunts, wherin we conceyve your good will and diligence shal be right expedient, we hertili desire and pray you that at the contemplacion of thise oure lettres, as our special trust is in you, ye wil geve and applie your voice unto our right welbelovid cosin and servaunts, John Howard and Syr Roger Chambirlayn, to be Knyghts of the shire, exorting all suche othir as be your wisdom shal now be behovefull, to the good exployte and conclusion of the same.

And in your faithful attendaunce and trewe devoyre in this partie, ye shal do unto my Lord and us a singlere pleasir, and cause us herafter to thank you therfore, as ye shal holde you right weel content and agreid, with the grace of God, who have you ever in his keping.

Wreten in Framlyngham Castel, the viij. day of June.

34.1 [From Fenn, i. 96.] From the time of year at which it was written, this letter must refer to the parliamentary election of 1455.

289
ABSTRACT34.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1455
JUNE 11

Thanks him for his letter sent from London. Bokkyng writes that a writ of ravishment de garde is taken, and Wentworth’s counsel ‘call sore upon the action of 200 marks in the Common Pleas, and John Andreus is ready there, and writs of capias ayenst John Porter as well as ayenst Sir Thomas.’ Begs him to hasten to London, as there is great labour against our intent. Wentworth has got Debenham, Radclyff, and others in my Lord’s house against us. Would rather he were at London two days too early than too late; for he trusts no man’s wit so much as Paston’s.

Castre, 11 June.

[The references in this letter to the affair of the wardship, and to the actions against John Porter and Sir Thomas Howes, all show that it belongs to the year 1455.]

34.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 269.]

290
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON35.1

1455(?)

.......

.....J. Fastolf.

More overe, cosyn, I pray yow concyder .  .  . that yff the plees for the mater ye [wit off] may be engroced be tyme or the Courtys remefe, hyt may stand yn more suertee; and ellys hyt wille stand yn a jubardye as to alle that hathe be spended and doon heere before. And therfor, savyng your better avice, I had lever ye were at London a weke the rather and tymelyer then a weke to late. I pray yow doth somwhate aftyr my councell as I wolle do by youres.

35.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is only the mutilated postscript of a letter without any address, though it was doubtless directed to John Paston. The anxiety expressed that Paston should be in London in good time corresponds so closely with the contents of the preceding letter that we may refer this to the same period, especially as both the preceding letter and this are in the handwriting of William Worcester. The matter, which was to be engrossed before the Courts removed, had reference probably to the wardship of Thomas Fastolf of Cowhawe.—See No. 292 following.

291
WILLIAM PRYCE TO JOHN PASTON36.1

The copy of a Letter sent to John Paston be the Undir-Shreve36.2 of Norff.

1455
JUNE 19

Ryght worchepfull Sir, I recomaund me on to you, &c. And, Sir, as for the eleccion of the Knyghts of the shire here in Norffolk, in good feyth her hath ben moch to do; nevir the latyr, to lete yow have knowlech of the demenyng, my Master Berney, my Master Grey and ye had grettyst voyse, and I purpose me, as I woll answer God, to retorne the dieu eleccion, that is aftir the sufficiente, yow and Mastir Grey; nevir the latyr I have a master.

Wretyn at Hederset, the Thursday next befor Midsomer. By Will’m Pryce.

36.1 [From Fenn, iii. 432.] The evidence of date in this letter is the same as in No. 288. Notwithstanding Pryce’s efforts, not one of the persons named in this letter was actually elected, the knights returned for Norfolk in 1455 being the Duke of Norfolk’s nominees, Sir Roger Chamberlain and John Howard.—See Nos. 294 and 295 following.

36.2 Shieve in Fenn is almost certainly a misreading.

292
ABSTRACT36.3

1455
JUNE 21

Writ to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer in pursuance of patent, 12th December last, granting to John Bokking and William Worcester the wardship, etc., of the heir of John Fastolf of Cowghawe.

Above in William Worcester’s hand:— ‘Bre. ad allocand. Vicecomitem de proficuis terr. Thomæ Fastolf in custodia Johannis Bokkyng.’

Inrolled, Trin., 33 Hen. VI., rot. 3.

[Memoranda below in William Worcester’s hand as to certain statements of Hugh Fenn about the form of the writ of livery directed to the Sheriff.]

36.3 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 261.]

293
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON37.1

To my ryght trusty cosyn, John Paston.

1455
JUNE 22

Worshypfull Sir and cosyn, I commaund me to yow. And lyke yow wete that accordyng to your desyre I sende John Russe to yow to hafe your informacion of such materis as shall be thought exspedient to be laboured yn your absence for the mater of Wentworth, and hafe geve hym in commaundment to entend it in all that he can or may. And, Cosyn, he hath a lettre of credence to the baylly of Dedham because of doubt of syght of the baylly ys lettre ther for disclosyng, &c., to do after the wrytyng of T. Denys. And y sende yow ij. lettres com to me from London that maketh mencyon of grete besynesse ayenst us, and an accion toke ayenst yow, Howys, Bokkyng, &c., that most nedys be tendred; in case an essoyn37.2 can be take, so moche the better. And therfor, cosyn, at reverence of God, dispose yow to London yn all the haste that ye can. For the atthacment can not be tille ye com. And on partie adverse besyeth hem sore in your absence, facies hominis facies leonis. And I have worde yn a nothere lettre that my Lord Chauncellor ys yn the lyke wyse disposed yn owre one syde, and therfor that ye kepe hym ynne to helpe bere the favour of thys mater yn all wyse; And Byngham Justys ys full well disposed also. Dyvers new processe ys ayenst Sir Thomas. And all othere materis I commyt to your discrecion; yf nede be, I com thedre my sylf. Y pray God kepe yow. Wryt hastly uppon Sonday before Seynt John Baptiste.—Your cosyn, J. Fastolf.

Item, after that I have word from yow, so wolle I be gouverned, and com to London yff ye sende me worde, and that I hafe word from yow yf nede be bytyme from London.

37.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 171.] There can be no reasonable doubt that this letter is of the same date as Nos. 289 and 290, i.e. of the year 1455.

37.2 An excuse allowed for not appearing in Court.

294
JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON38.1

To my wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Esquier.

1455
JUNE 24

Mi Maister Paston, I recomaunde me to you. And wher ye shulde be enformed that I shulde sey to Howard38.2 that ye labored to be Knyght of the shire, I seid never soo to hym. I tolde my Lord of Norffolk atte London that I labored diverse men for Sir Roger Chaumberleyn, and they seid to me they wolde have hym, but not Howard, in asmeche as he hadde no lyvelode in the shire, nor conversement [i.e. acquaintance?]; and I asked them hom they wolde have, and they seid they wolde have you, and thus I tolde hym. And he seid on avysely, as he kan doo full well, I myght not sey ye labored ther, for I herde never sey ye labored therfor, be the feithe I vowe to God.

As for this writ of the Parlement of Norwich, I thanke you that ye will labour ther in; as for my frendys ther, I truste right well all the aldermen, except Broun38.3 and sech as be in his dawnger.38.4 I prey you spekith to Walter Jeffrey38.5 and Herry Wilton,38.6 and maketh them to labour to your entent. I prey you that yf ye thenke that it wull not be, that it like you that to sey that ye meve it of your self, and not be my desire. Sum men holde it right straunge to be in this Parlement, and me thenketh they be wyse men that soo doo.

Wreten atte Intewode,39.1 on Sceint John day, in hast. Your servaunt, John Jenney.

38.1 [From Fenn, iii. 240.] The parliamentary election to which this letter refers is evidently the same as in Nos. 288 and 291. The election of Howard and Chamberlain actually took place on the 23rd June, the day before this letter was written, as I find by the original returns in the Record Office.

38.2 John Howard, the Duke of Norfolk’s cousin. He was afterwards created Duke of Norfolk himself by Richard III., in whose cause he fell fighting at the battle of Bosworth.

38.3 Richard Brown was Mayor of Norwich in 1454, and member for that city in 1460.—F.

38.4 This means in his debt, and therefore under his influence.—F.

38.5 Walter Jeffrey was Under-Sheriff of Norwich in 1451, 1452, and 1459.—F.

38.6 Henry Wilton was returned with John Jenney in 1477.—F.

39.1 This estate came to Jenney by his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Wetherby, a rich alderman of Norwich, who, after having twice served as Mayor, quarrelled with the city about the election of his successor in that office in 1433, and instigated various prosecutions against them. He died in 1445.

295
JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON39.2

To my wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Squier.

1455
JUNE 25

Mi wurshipfull maister, I recomaunde me to you; and I thanke you that it plesith you to take seche labour for me as ye doo. My servaunt tolde me ye desired to knowe what my Lord of Norffolk seid to me whan I spake of you; and he seid in asmeche as Howard39.3 myght not be, he wolde write a lettre to the Under-Shreve that the shire shulde have fre eleccion, soo that Sir Thomas Todenham wer not, nor none that was toward the Duc of Suffolk; he seid he knewe ye wer never to hym ward. Ye may39.4 sende to the Under-Shreve, and see my Lord lettre. Howard was as wode as a wilde bullok; God sende hym seche wurshipp as he deservith. It is a evill precedent for the shire that a straunge man shulde be chosyn, and no wurshipp to my Lord off Yorke, nor to my Lord of Norffolk to write for hym; for yf the jentilmen of the shire will suffre sech inconvenyens, in good feithe, the shire shall not be called of seche wurshipp as it hathe be.

Wreten atte Intewode, this Wednesday next after Sceint John, in hast. Your servaunt, John Jenney.

39.2 [From Fenn, iii. 380.] This letter clearly refers to the same matters as the preceding, and was written the day after.

39.3 See p. 38, Note 2.

39.4 The modern version in Fenn reads, ‘The Mayor sent to the Under-Sheriff, and saw my Lord’s letter.’

296
ALICE CRANE TO MARGARET PASTON40.1

To my cosyn, Margeret Paston, be this letter delyvred.

About 1455(?)
JUNE 29

Ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomaund me unto you, desyryng to here of youre welfare; and if it like you to her of my welfar, at the makyng of this letter I was in good hele, loved be God. The cause of my wrytyng to you at this tyme is this, praying you to send me word of youre welfare, and how ye do of youre seknesse, and if the medycyn do you ony good that I send you wrytyng of last; thankyng you of the grete frenship that ye have do to my moder with all my hert.

Also I pray you that ye wyll be good meyn to my cosyn youre husbond, that he wyll se that my fader be well ruleyd in his lyvelode for his worship and his profett.

Also prayng you to hold me exschusyd that I have wryten no ofter to you, for, in good feth, I had no leysir; for my Lady hath be seke at London, ner hand this quarter of this yere, and that hath be grete hevinesse to me; but now, blesyd be God, she is amendyd and is in the contre agayne.

Also thankyng you of the grete chere that I had of you when I was with you laste with all my herte, prayng you of good contenuanse, for I had never gretter nede than I have now, and if I had leyser and space, I wolde write to you the cause.

No more at this tyme, but the Holy Trenite have you in his kepyng.

Wryten at Wyndesore, the xxix. day of June, By youre pore bede oman and cosyn, Alice Crane.

Also, cosyn, I pray you to sende me sum Norfoke threde to do a boute my nekke to ryde with.

40.1 [From Fenn, iii. 146.] John Crane of Woodnorton, whom we suppose to have been the writer of Letters 121 and 285, had a wife of the name of Alice, who was apparently a widow in 1457, when she presented to the living of Woodnorton (see Blomefield, iv. 313). But the writer of this was more probably a daughter, serving in the household of a lady of rank according to the custom of the times. If so, the date is before John Crane’s death, which must have happened between 1455 and 1457.

297
WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON41.1

To my Maister Paston.

1455
JULY 7

Please your gode maistership to wete, that as yerstenday came lettres from London that the Parson41.2 most nedys up to London to safe the next amerciement; and so ys forth to appiere, yff he nedys most, xv. Johannis,41.3 as ye shall see by Barkers lettre, and shall be to morne at London, and with Goddes grace he shall be releved by the meene of the Parlement; by Sonday yee shall hafe weetyng.

As for my maister,41.4 he departyth not to London tille the next weke after thys, and [i.e. if] he ryde.

As for tydyngs be none couthe [i.e. publicly known], but Ponyngs41.5 ys qwyt and delyvered of all tresons; and Sir William Oldhale ys process yn the Kyngs Bynche reversed; and the Priest that accused Lordz Cromewell,41.6 Grey,41.7 and my maister wolle confesse who caused hym to do it, so that he may have hys lyve, &c.

Assone as ye goodly may to see my maister, it shall be to hym a singuler pleasir. Sir, a baylly of my maister ys yn Drayton. John Eimond brought a lettre to yow, and he sent me wetyng he was shent [abashed] uppon som mater, as he supposyth, conteyned yn the lettre. Y pray you yn ryght be hys gode maister, and that y may wete the cause, for y doubt he shall and most obbey, yff he hath offended.

At Castr, the noneday,42.1 vij. day Jullet. Your, W. Worcestre.

On the top of this letter, in a different hand, is written:—

Prove ontrouthe in the Undir-Sherif, or that he dede othir wise thanne your counsell avysid hym, and Paston shall demene hym accordyng.

41.1 [From Fenn, iii. 128.] At the date of this letter, William Worcester and his master, Sir John Fastolf, were both at Caister, though the latter was thinking of going up to London. This, being in July, cannot have been before 1455. Fenn supposes the pardon to Poynings to have been on account of his participation in Cade’s rebellion, and accordingly dates this letter ‘about 1451.’ But Poynings was accused of raising disturbances in 1453 and 1454. The reversal of Sir William Oldhall’s outlawry was in 1455; for we have seen in No. 287 that he was obliged to remain in sanctuary for some little time after the battle of St. Albans. It appears by an inspeximus on Patent Roll, 34 Hen. VI., m. 16, that he presented a petition to the King in Parliament on the 9th July, 33 Hen. VI. (1455), setting forth how he had served the King in France, and yet had been pronounced a traitor by the Parliament of Reading in 31 Hen. VI., but that his outlawry had been reversed in the King’s Bench.

41.2 Thomas Howes.

41.3 Quindena Johannis, or on the quinzaine of St. John, i.e. 8th July, the 15th day from St. John the Baptist’s day.

41.4 Sir John Fastolf.

41.5 Robert Poynings.—See vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3.

41.6 Ralph, Lord Cromwell. He was accused of treason by a priest named Robert Colynson.—See Nicolas’s Privy Council Proceedings, vi. 198.

41.7 Probably Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin; but there were at this time also a Lord Grey of Codnor and a Lord Grey of Wilton.

42.1 The day of the Nones.—F.

298
SIR J. FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON42.2

To the worshypfull and my ryght welle belovyd cosyn, John Paston.

1455
JULY 10

Worshypfull and ryghte welbelovyd cosyn, I comaund me to you. Please you to wete that the pryour and convent of Norwych have wyth holden certeyn rent for londes that they holden of me wythynne my maner of Harlyston, and the ij. tapers of wax of ijlb. wyghte by the space of xviij. yeers that mountyth .  .  .  .  .  .  . xxjs. valued in money; and the lordes of the seyd maner beying before me, and also y yn my tyme have be seisid and possessed of the sayd rent. Praying you to speek wyth the pryour, recomaundyng me unto hym, and that ye lyke to meave hym to make me payment, as hys dewtee ys, so as y have no cause to stirre further, and to doo as justice requyryth. He holdyth xxx. acres land or more by the sayd rent, and yhyt ought to pay me othyr rents more by myne evidents of more ade. Y pray you, cosyn, that y may speke wyth you or y ryde, and that on Thrysday by the farthyst, and then y shall tell you tydyngs off the Parlement, and that ye fayle not, as my trus ys yn you. Y pray God have you yn Hys governance.

Wreten at Castre, the x. day of Julle. Your cosyn, John Fastolfe.

42.2 [From a modern copy by Gough in Bodl. Library.] This letter was evidently written in the year 1455, as appears by the reference to the Parliament and to the intended journey of Sir John Fastolf up to London (see No. 297).

299
HENRY WINDSOR TO BOKKYNG AND WORCESTER43.1

Unto my moost faitfull brethern, John Bokkyng and William Worcestre, and to eyther of theym.

1455
JULY 19

Worshipfull Sir, and my most hertely and best be loved brother, I recommaund me unto you in more loly wise than I can other thenk or write; and with al my service and trewe herte thank you of your gentill lettres, full brotherly written unto me at mony tymes of old, and especiall of late tyme passed. And trwly, brother, I thank Almyghty God of your welfare, of the which the berer of this my pour lettre certified me of, &c.

And, Sir, as touchyng al maner of newe tithinges, I knoo well ye are averous; truly the day of makyng of this letter, ther were nonn newe, but suche I herd of, ye shalbe served with all.

As for the first, the Kyng our souverain Lord, and all his trwe Lordes stand in hele of there bodies, but not all at hertes ees as we. Amonges other mervell, ij. dayes afore the writyng of this letter, there was langage betwene my Lordes of Warrewikke and Cromwell afore the Kyng, in somuch as the Lord Cromwell wold have excused hym self of all the steryng or moevyng of the male journey of Seynt Albones; of the whiche excuse makyng, my Lord Warrewikke had knolege, and in hast wasse with the Kyng, and sware by his othe that the Lord Cromwell said not trouth, but that he was begynner of all that journey at Seynt Albones; and so betwene my said ij. Lords of Warrewikke and Cromwell ther is at this day grete grugyng, in somoch as the Erle of Shrouesbury hath loged hym at the hospitall of Seynt James, beside the Mewes, be the Lord Cromwells desire, for his sauf gard.

And also all my Lord of Warrewikke men, my Lord of York men, and also my Lord of Salesbury men goo with harnes, and in harnes with strang wepons, and have stuffed their Lordes barges full of wepon dayly unto Westminster. And the day of makyng of this letter, ther was a proclamacion made in the Chauncerie, on the Kyngs behalf, that noman shuld nether bere wepon, ner were harnes defensible, &c.

Also, the day afore the makyng of this letter, ther passed a bill44.1 both by the Kyng, Lords, and Comens, puttyng Thorp, Josep, and my Lord of Somerset in all the defaute; be the which bill all maner of actions that shuld growe to any person or persones for any offenses at that journey doon, in any maner of wise shuld be extynt and voide, affermyng all thing doon there well doon, and nothing doon there never after this tyme to be spoken of; to the which bill mony a man groged full sore nowe it is passed.

And if I myght be recommaunded unto my speciall maister and youres, with all loliness and trewe service I beseech you hertely as I can.

And also to my brethern Th. Upton,44.2 Lodowick of Pole, William Lynd Calyn [Lincoln ?], and John Merchall. No more, but our Lorde have you both in his perpetuell kepyng.

Writen at London, on Seynt Margarete Even,45.1 in hast; and after this is rede and understonden, I pray you bren or breke it, for I am loth to write any thing of any Lord. But I moost neds; ther is no thing elles to write. Amen. Your awn, H. Wyndesore.

43.1 [From Fenn, i. 108.] As this letter refers to the disputes which arose after the battle of St. Albans as to who should bear the blame of that occurrence, the date is certain.

44.1 See Rolls of Parl. v. 280.

44.2 Upon in Fenn, but Upton in the modern version on the opposite side of the page.

45.1 St. Margaret’s day is the 20th July, the eve the 19th.

300
JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON45.2

To the right wurchepfull Sir, ana my goode mayster, my Mayster John Paston, be this delivered.

1455
JULY 25

Reverent and right wurchepfull Sir, and my gode mayster, I recomaund me to you, prayng you to wete that ther is reysed a slandrows noyse in this countre up on my Mayster Yelverton and you and my Mayster Alyngton, which I suppose is do to bryng you ought of the conceyte of the pepyll, for at this day ye stand gretly in the countreys conceyte. It is seyde be Heydon and his disciples that my Mayster Yelverton and ye and my Mayster Alyngton shuld have doo oon Sir John Tartyssale, parson of the Estchurche45.3 of Warham and chapeleyn to the priour45.4 of Walsyngham, to put in to the Parlement, a bille of divers tresons don be my Lord of Norwich,45.5 Sir Thomas Tudenham, and John Heydon, and ye shuld have set to your seales; and if that Heydon had be vj. howrs fro the Parlement lenger than he was, ther had be granted an oyer determiner to have enquer of hem, &c. This was told yesterday in right wurchepfull audience, and a mong the thrifties men of this countre; and thei seyd right shrewedly, for my lord of Norwich hath so flatered the lay pepill as he hath redyn a bought his visitacion that he hath thers herts. Wherfor, and it plese you to lete me have knowlech what ye wuld I shuld sey to it, wher as I her any such langage, I wull do my parte, and have do hed toward as I have thought in my conceytes best, &c. And if ther be any other servyce that ye wull comaund me, I am and wull be redy at yowr comaundment with the grace of God, how [who] ever have you in his blyssed kepyng.

Wretyn at Wighton in hast, on Sent James day, Be your servaunte, James Gloys.46.1

45.2 [From Fenn, iv. 32.] This letter is attributed by Fenn to the year 1461, but that date is certainly inaccurate, as it was answered by John Paston at Norwich the very day it was written, whereas in July 1461 Paston was in London. Moreover, it certainly could not have been after 1461, as Sir Thomas Tuddenham was beheaded in February of the following year. It must therefore belong to the reign of Henry VI.; and considering the time of the year, 1455 is the only date at which it is at all likely that any one would have ventured to attempt the impeachment of Tuddenham and Heydon in Parliament, or could have been plausibly accused of such a design against persons of so much influence.

45.3 There were three churches in the parish of Warham.

45.4 Thomas Hunt.

45.5 Walter Lyhert, Bishop of Norwich.

46.1 He was a priest, and a dependant of the Pastons.

To the right wurchepfull Sir, and my goode mayster
text has “ana” (italic “a” for “d”)

301
JOHN PASTON TO JAMES GLOYS46.2

To Sir James Gloys.

1455
JULY 25

Ther be dyvers thynges in your letter sent to me; one that a slaw[n]derus noyse shuld renne ageyns Yelverton, Alygton and me, to brynge us owte of the conceytes of the puple be Heydon and his dyscyplis, of a bill that shuld have do put uppe in to the Parlement ageyns my Lord of Norwich and odir. I lete yow wete this is the furst day that I herd of any seche, but I wold wete the namys of hem that utter this langage and the mater of the bill. As for my Lord of Norwych, I suppose ye know I have not usid to meddel with Lordes maters meche forther than me nedith; and as for Sir Thomas Todynham, he gaff me no cawse of late tyme to labor ageyns hym, and also of seche mater I know non deffaut in hym. And as for Heydon, when I putte a bill ageyns hym I suppose he shall no cause have, ne his discyplis nother, to avante of so short a remedy ther of, as ye wrygth they sey now. As for that ye desyr that I shuld send yow word what I shuld sey in this mater, I pray yow in this and all other lyke, ask the seyeres if thei will abyd be ther langage, and as for me, sey I prupose me to take no mater uppon me butt that I woll abyde by; and in lek wys for Yelverton and Aligton. And that ye send me the namys of them that ye wryte that herd this langage seyd shrewedly, and what they seyd; and that ye remembre what men of substance wer ther that herde itt; for if this can be dreve to Heydon or his dissyplis, as ye wryte, it wer a gode preve that they fere to be appelyd of seche materes. And I thank yow for your godwill. Wrete att Norwych, on Seynt James day.

46.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, which is printed from a draft in John Paston’s hand, was written in answer to the preceding, to which the reader is referred for the evidence of its date.

302
JOHN CHEDWORTH, BISHOP OF LINCOLN, TO JOHN PASTON47.1

To the worshipfull and welbeloved John Paston, Esquyer.

1455
JULY 26

Right worshipful and welbeloved Sir, I comaunde me unto you, and with all my hert thank you for the grete labours that ye oftymes have diligently doon for my welbeloved servant John Ode, to th’entent that he shuld mowe atteyne to entre and enjoy peasible his enheritaunce, as I am enformed dew unto him; and pray you of youre goode contynuaunce, certyfieng you that I have written unto Yelverton, the justice, that he wol, at some sesonable tyme, common with Sir Thomas Tudenham, knyght, and to offre him asmoche reason as it shal be thought unto him and to you, that lawe wol in that behalf require, prayng you that ye wol common with the saide Yelverton, and to conceyve betwix you such lawful meones of gyding of this matier that my said servaunt may have peasebly with owten grete trouble his said enheritaunce, as I shal in case semblable do my labour unto your pleasaunce. And pray you that of the disposicion of the said Sir Thomas Tudenham in this behalf, I may be certified. And Jesu preserve you.

Written at London, the xxvj. day of July. J., Bysshopp of Lincoln.

47.1 [From Fenn, iii. 246.] The date of this letter is ascertained by a contemporaneous memorandum at the bottom of the original in these words, ‘Litt. direct. Joh’i Paston inter Michaelem xxxiij. et xxxiiij. Henr. Sexti.’

303
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON48.1

To my right worshipfull maister, John Paston, at Norwiche, be this delyvred.

1455
OCT. 28

Please it your maistership to wete48.2 .  .  .  .

Here be many marvaylos tales of thynggs that shall falle this next moneth, as it is seyd; for it is talked that oon Doktor Grene, a preest, hath kalked [calculated ?] and reporteth, that by fore Seynt Andreu day next comyng shall be the grettest bataill that was sith the bataill of Shrewisbury,48.3 and it shall falle bytwene the Bisshoppes Inne of Salesbury and Westminster Barres, and there shall deye vij. Lords, whereof iij. shuld be bisshoppes. Althis and meche more is talked and reported. I trust to God it shall not falle so.

Also there is gret varyance bytwene the Erll of Devenshire and the Lord Bonvyle, as hath be many day, and meche debat is like to growe therby; for on Thursday at nyght last passed, the Erll of Denshyres sone and heir come with lx. men of armes to Radford’s49.1 place in Devenshire, whiche was of counseil with my Lord Bonvyle; and they sette an hous on fyer at Radfords gate, and cryed and mad an noyse as though they had be sory for the fyer; and by that cause Radfords men set opyn the gats and yede owt to se the fyer; and for with th’erll sone forseid entred into the place and intreted Radford to come doun of his chambre to sp[e]ke with them, promyttyng hym that he shuld no bodyly harm have; up on whiche promysse he come doun, and spak with the seid Erll sone.

In the mene tyme his menye robbe his chambre, and ryfled his huches,49.2 and trussed suyche as they coude gete to gydder, and caryed it awey on his own hors. Thanne th’erll sone seid, ‘Radford, thou must come to my lord my fadir.’ He seid he wold, and bad oon of his men make redy his hors to ride with hem, whiche answerd hym that alle his hors wern take awey; thanne he seid to th’erll sone, ‘Sir, your men have robbed my chambre, and thei have myn hors, that I may not ride with you to my lord your fadir, wherfor, I pray you, lete me ride, for I am old, and may not go.’

It was answerid hym ageyn, that he shuld walke forth with them on his feete; and so he dede till he was a flyte49.3 shote or more from his place, and thanne he was  .  .  .  softly, for cawse he myght not go fast. And whanne thei were thus departed, he turned  .  .  .  oon; forwith come ix. men ageyn up on hym, and smot hym in the hed, and fellid  .  .  .  .  of them kyt his throte.

This was told to my Lord Chaunceler49.4 this fornoon  .  .  .  .  .  .  messengers as come of purpos owt of the same cuntre. This matier is take gretly  .  .  .  .  .  .  passed at ij. after mydnyght rod owt of London, as it is seid, more thanne  .  .  .  .  .  the best wyse. Summe seyne it was to ride toward my Lord of York, and summe  .  .  .  .  .  k, so meche rumor is here; what it menyth I wot not, God turne it  .  .  .  .  .  .  at Hertford,50.1 and summe men ar a ferd that he is seek ageyn. I pray God  .  .  .  .  .  .  my Lords of York, Warwyk, Salesbury and other arn in purpos to conveye hym  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  &c. The seid N. Crome, berer her of, shall telle you suche tydynggs  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  in hast, at London, on Seint Simon day and Jude. Yowr poer J. Gr.

48.1 [From Fenn, i. 114.] This letter was written in 1455, at the time of the King’s second attack of illness, which happened while he was under the control of the Duke of York and the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury, as mentioned at the end of the letter. In the latter part of the letter some words are lost by the decay of the original MS.

48.2 Here, says Fenn, follows an account of some law business, etc.

48.3 Fought in 1403 between King Henry IV. and the rebel Percies.

49.1 ‘Nicolas Radford,’ says Fenn in a note, ‘was an eminent lawyer, and resided at Poghill, near Kyrton.’ In Pole’s Description of Devonshire, p. 219, we find that one Nicolas Radford dwelled at Upcot in Henry VI.’s time, ‘after whose death controversy arose betwixt John Radford of Okeford and Thomazin, sister of the said Nicholas,’ who had married Roger Prous.

49.2 A hutch was a coffer or chest standing on legs.

49.3 A flight was ‘a light arrow formed for very long and straight shots.’—Halliwell.

49.4 Archbishop Bourchier.

50.1 The King was at Hertford, as appears by the Privy Seals, in August and September 1455, and not improbably in October also.

304
ABSTRACT50.2

Sir John Fastolf ‘to my right trusty Brother, Nicholas Molyneux.’

1455
OCT. 30

As I come not to London this winter, I beg you to see to my Lord’s matters, and labour to my Lord of Canterbury and Master John Stokys for the recovering of my Lord’s50.3 [good]s. No man can say more in the matter than you where his goods are, ‘and where they be disposed,’ especially those that Sir Rob. Whytynham50.4 had. Also the Lord Cromwell had ‘a certain number of plate.’ Your costs shall be paid out of the first money received. Hears from John de Leawe, one of Lord Willoughby’s executors, that they will labour to my Lord Beaumont to advance the process for recovery of his part of the reward for the taking of the Duke of Alençon. Fendykes, a learned man of the Temple, will help with his advice. Commend me to my sister your wife.

Castre, 30 Oct.

In Worcester’s hand, and endorsed by him.— ‘A John Paston et John Bokkyng.’

[During the winter of 1455-56 we find several allusions to this claim put forward by Fastolf to the goods of the late Duke of Bedford. Unless we are to infer from the manner in which Lord Cromwell is mentioned that he was dead when this letter was written, it is probably of the year 1455.]

50.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 228.]

50.3 The Duke of Bedford.

50.4 Sir Robert Whityngham died on the 4th November 1452.—Inq. post mortem, 31 Hen. VI., No. 47.

305
WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON AND JOHN BOCKING51.1

To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, and to my brothyr, John Bokkyng.

1455
NOV. 13

Please it yow to have yn knowlege that y veele well my maister takyth gretely to hert the materes whych he hath wryt to you uppon the execucion of my Lord of Bedford ys godes, and in especiall for the recuveryng of hem, as well as of Sir Andreu O.51.2 executors as of Sir Robert Whytyngham, &c. to th’entent that it myght be opynly knowe yn hys lyve tyme that they be not yn his gouvernaunce no part of it, and that hys factors after hym shuld not be troubled ne charged for it. And seth the seyd mater ys of so grete wyght and charge, and that he takyth it so gretely to hert, puttyng hys grettist trust yn yow, to remembre thys seyd mater by avyse of hys councell lerned, both spirituell as temporell, that ye wolle not delay it, but wyth all your entencion remembred there, as ye by your wysdoms shall thynk it moste expedient, that som fruyt may grow of it.

There ys ynowgh whereoff, and it myght be recuvered, John Bokkyng, ye know ryght moch yn thys mater, and mooste of my maister ys entent hereynne. And therfor, for myne acquytaille, y wryte to you to shew the chieff wrytynges of the copy of endentures of Sir Robert Whytyngham, and of othyr wrytynges concernyng that to Maister Paston, that he may be more rypelyer grounded yn the seyd mater when he shall comyn wyth my Lordz of Caunterburye, Cromewell, and with onye of my maister councell. And our Lord kepe you.

My maister carpyth so oft on it dayly, and that meovyth me to wryte to yow both. Att Castre, xiij. day of November. Your, W. Wor-H.R.-cestre.

51.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] On the 11th November 1454 Sir John Fastolf wrote to Paston about the goods of the Duke of Bedford, but the subject recurred to his thoughts for more than a year afterwards, and particularly in January 1456, when all the other executors of the Duke were dead. This letter is certainly before the death of Lord Cromwell, and therefore not later than 1455; but it seems to indicate much greater solicitude on the subject than Fastolf showed in the preceding year.

51.2 Sir Andrew Ogard, who died on the 13th October 1454.—Inq. post mortem, 33 Hen. VI., No. 25.

306
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON52.1

To my right wurshipfull husbonde, John Paston, be this delivered, in hast.

1455
NOV. 25

Right wurshipfull husbonde, I recomaunde me unto you. Plesith you to witte that myn aunt Mondeforthe52.2 hath desiryd me to write to you, besechyng you that ye wol wochesafe to chevesshe for her at London xxti marke for to be payed to Mastre Ponyngs, outher on Saterday or Sonday, weche schalbe Seint Andrwes Daye, in discharchyng of them that be bounden to Mastre Ponyngs of the s[ei]de xxti marke for the wardeship of her doughter, the weche xxti marke she hath delyvered to me in golde for you to have at your comyn home, for she dare not aventure her money to be brought up to London for feere of robbyng; for it is seide heere that there goothe many thefys be twyx this and London, weche causeth her to beseche you to content the seide money in dischargyng of the matre, and of them that be bounden, for she wolde for no goude that the day were broken. And she thankyth you hertely for the greet labour and besynesse that ye have had in that matre, and in all others touchyng her and hers, wherfore she seithe she is ever bounden to be your bed-woman, and ever wolle be whyle she levethe.

My cosyn, her sone, and hese wife recomaundethe them unto you, besechyng you that ye woll weche safe to be her goode mastre, as ye have ben a fore tyme; for they be enformed that Danyell is comen to Rysyng Castell, and hes men make her bost that her mastre shal be a yene at Brayston withinne shorte tyme.

Ferthermore, as for the matre that my sone wrote to me for the boxe wheron wreten Falce Carte Sproute that I shulde enquer of William Wurcestre wher it were, the seide William was not at home sen that I had hes letter; but as sone as he comethe home, I shall enquere of hym, and sende you an answer.

As towchyng for your leveryes, ther can noon be gete here of that coloure that ye wulde have of, nouther murrey, nor blwe, nor goode russets, undrenethe iijs. the yerde at the lowest price, and yet is ther not j nough of on clothe and coloure to serve you. And as for to be purveid in Suffolk, it wul not be purveide nought now a yenst this tyme, with oute they had had warnyng at Michelmesse, as I am enformed. And the blissed Trenyte have you in his kepyng.

Wreten at Norweche, on Seint Kateryn Day. Be your, Margaret Paston.

52.1 [From Fenn, iii. 252.] St. Andrew’s day fell on Sunday in 1455 and 1460. This letter must be written in one of these two years, and the probabilities are greatly in favour of the former, as John Paston and William Worcester were not on good terms after the death of Sir John Fastolf.

52.2 Osbert Moundford, Esq. of Hockwold, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Berney, Esq., and by her had Mary, their daughter and sole heir, who married Sir William Tindale, Knight of the Bath.

307
ABSTRACT53.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

[1455]
DEC. 11

Thanks him for his pains in the advancement of his ‘chargeable matters.’ Was never so much bound to any kinsman as to Paston, who tenders so much his worship and profit. Sends Worcestre with important letters to my Lord Privy Seal and the Abbot of Bermundsey, and would like Paston to common with them. Thanks him for informing him of the answer made to the bill of Wentworth, ‘which I know had stand in great jeopardy had not ye be.’ Sends his evidences concerning Bradwell, that the Judges and Parliament may have better consideration of his right, and of the patents granted to Paston and Howys in that behalf. Desires credence for William Worcestre.

Castre, 11 Dec.

[The date of this letter must be between the year 1454, when Sir John Fastolf settled at Caister, and 1458, as he was not alive in December 1459. The reference to Parliament fixes it more precisely, as 1455 was the only year during this period in which Parliament sat in December.]

53.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 262.]

308
RICHARD BINGHAM TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF54.1

Copie of my fader Bynghames lettre to my fadre F.

About
1455

Right honorable and reverend maistre, after due and hertely recomendacion, I thank yow als hertily as I can that it likith your gode maisterschip, of your godnesse, to let to ferme to my son Scrope the pouer enheritance that he schal enherit after your decesse, if God will that he life therto. And I hafe for my saide son comonde with my maistres of your counsell, that is to sey, Paston and other, and I fynde them not straunge, bot right streyte to dele with in the mater; and therfore my saide sone, and I for hym, must sue to the well of mercy, that is to say, to your honurable person, where is special refuge for my saide son in this cas. My saide son is and hath be, and will be to hys lifes ende, your true lad and servaunt, and glad and well willed to do that myght be to your pleaser, wirschip, and profit, and als loth to offend yow as any person in erth, gentill and well disposid to every person. Wherfore I besech your gode grace that ye will vouchesafe remember the premissez, my saide sons age, his wirschipfull birth, and grete misere for verrey povert, for he hath had no liflode to life opon sithen my lady his moder deed, safe x. marc of liflode that ye vouched safe to gife hym this last yer, and therfore to be his good maister and fader. And thof he be not worthy to be your son, make hym your almesman, that he may now in his age life of your almesse, and be your bedeman, and pray for the prosperite of your noble person. And if I durst, for your displesance, I wolde besech yow that ye wolde vouchesafe lat my saide son hafe the saide lifelode to ferme for terme of your life, payng to yow therfore yerely CC. marc at ij. festes of the yere, that is to say, Cristemasse and Middesomer, and ye schall be paied hit truly at London, in Hillary terme for the feste of Cristemasse, and Trinite terme for the feste of Midsomer; and I will be bounden for hym and [i.e. if] your maisterschip will vouchesafe to take me, and he and I schall ever pray for yow. And thof the saide lifelode be better to yow in availl yerely then I offer yow therefore, this summe of CC. marc schal be truly paid to yow yerely; and God, that rewardeth every gode dede, schal pey for hym the remenant to yow, for every peny an C., in relesyng of yow in Purgatory, or ellys encresyng of your merite in Heven. And how your maisterschip will that my saide son schall do in this mater, I besech yow that he may be certified be your writing.

54.1 [From Castlecombe MSS., Add. 28,212, f. 26, B.M.] This letter has been printed by Mr. Poulett Scrope in his privately printed History of Castle Combe. From evidences contained in other of the family muniments, Mr. Scrope supposes it to have been written about the year 1455, which is probably not far from the true date. Compare Letter 349 following.

309
FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN.—I.55.1

Billa de debitis Regis in partibus Franciæ Johanni Fastolf militi debitis.

1455

These ben the injuries, losses, and damages that the seyd Fastolf hath had, as well withynne this royaume of England as in othir parties in maner and fourme as it ensewith.

First, it is to consider how that the seyd Fastolf hath ben vexed and troubled seth he came last into this lande by the myght and power of the Duc of Suffolk, and by the labour of his counseill and servaunts in divers wyses, as in grete oppressions, grevous and outrageous amerciemants and manye grete horrible extorcions, as it may appere more pleynly by a rolle of articles thereuppon made, the damages of which entenden to the somme of

V. ml. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hath be gretely damaged and hurt by the myght and power of the seyd Duc of Suffolk and his counseill, in disseising and taking awey a maner of the seyd Fastolf, called Dedham, in the counte of Essex, to the value of C. marks of yerly rent which was halden from the seyd Fastolf by the terme of iij. yere day and more, to his grete hurt, with CC. marks in costs exspended in recouvere of the same, the some in all,

Vc. marc.

Item, there ys cast in to the Kyngs hands by untrew forged offices and inquisicions, supposed to be founde by dyvers eschetours in the countees of Norffolk and Suffolk, iij. certeyn maners of the seyd Fastolf, to the value of C. marks yeerly, which seyd offices and inquisicions were never dewly founde, but forged by untrue imaginacions and meenys of certeyn persones hys eville willers, as it hath be confessed by thos that were appoynted and named to be uppon the enquestys; and by the maliciouse labour of his seyd evylle willers, the seyd maners have ben troubled and put in plee this iiij. yere day and more, to the damage and costs of the seyd Fastolf, the somme

Vc. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hauying the yeft of the Baronyes and Lordshipp of Sillie Guillem57.1 and Lasuze, in the countee of Mayn, to hym and to his assignes for ever, the which weren goten by the seyd Fastolf, and no charge to the King, for the value and denombrement [number] of iiij. ml. saluz57.2 of yerly rent, he was commaunded by the Kinges lettres to deliver upp the sayd baronyes and lordshipps to the Kyngs commissioners, promyssyng hym, by the Kyngs commaundement to have be recompensed therefor, as the seyd Fastolf hath to shewe, and he not recompensed nor rewarded no thing for the levyng of his seyd baronyes and lordship, to the damages of the seyd Fastolf of the somme of
ml. ml. v.c [2,500] marc.

Item, wher as the seyd Fastolf had a prisonner of his owen taking, called Guill’m Remond,58.1 which was raunsonned, and agreed to pay hym for his raunson with the marks the somme of xxxij. ml. saluz, the prisonner, withoute knowelege or licence of the seyd Fastolf, was take awey from hym by the Duc of Bedford, then beyng the Kyngs Regent of Fraunce; and with the seyd prisonner he caused the towne of Compyn, than leyng in the Frensh partye ys gouvernaunce, for to be yeldyn to the Kyng, and to his seyd Regent in his name; and the seyd Fastolf, after long pursewts made to the Kyng and his conseill, was recompensed but to the value of ml. vjc. saluz in lands in Normandye, when they fortuned to falle into the Kyngs hands, which lands he hath also lost. And also the seyd Fastolf hath lost the residue of the seyd raunson, besyde the seyd lands, to the somme of
ml. ml. ml. ml. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf ys yhyt owyng for his porcion and part for the recompens and reward that shuld grow and be dewe to hym for the takyng of John, callyng hym Duc of Alauncon, at the batayle of Vernell,59.1 which that payd for hys raunson xl. ml. marks, which rewarde, besyde the Lord Wyllughbye ys part, shuld extend to the somme of
ml. ml. ml. ml. marc.

Item, ys dewe to the seyd Fastolf, by the execucion of the last wylle and testament of John, Duc of Bedford, whos soule God assoyle, for prestys and othir charges for saufgarde and keping of certeyn forteresses, castellys, and townes, and for othir costs, prests, and charges by hym born in his service, as it may appiere in certeyn articles writen in a rolle partic’lerly of the same, the somme of
iiijml. Dc. iiijxx. xix. [4,599] marc, vs. 6d.

Summa totalis xxjml. iiijxxxix. [21,099] marc, vs. 6d.

Item, seth the last comyng over of the seyd Fastolf into this royaume, as by the space of xv. yere and more, he hath born grete costs, charges, and expenss, at alle tymes intending uppon the Kyngs highnesse and the Lordes of his counseille, as he hath had in commaundement, and was his part to doo; for the which and for all the service that he hath doo to the right noble Prince Kyng Herry the iiijthe, ayle [grandfather] to our Souvragn Lord that now ys, and to the most victorious Prince and Kyng, his fader, whos soulys God assoyle, and also to our seyd Souvereyn Lord, he hath had, nouther fee, wagys, reward, ne recompense in this his royaume of England, but hath born it of hys own propre godys, at all tymys to the Kyngs honour and prouffit as to his power, which ys to hym right grevouse and chargeable, trusting to have be considered and rewarded as othir men of suche deservyng have be in the tymes of the right noble progenitours of our seyd Souvreyn Lords, late Kyngs of this seyd reaume.

There is a corrected draft of the above paper, in William Worcester’s handwriting, among the Paston MSS. in the British Museum, on the back of which are the following additional memoranda:—

Thees been the prestys and sommes of money that the [sic] Sir John Fastolf, knyght, hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lorde that now is, at his commaundement in his grete necesitees, at divers tymes with in this his reaume of England:—

Item, the seid Fastolf lent to oure seid Soverayn Lorde, in the moneth of September, the xv. yer of his seid regne, as it appereth at the seid recept of Westminster, the somme of
ml li.

It is also to be remembred that the seid Fastolf hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lord, in the moneth of Feverer, the seid xv. yer of his noble regne, as it appereth at the Kynges receyt of Westminster, the somme of
ml marc.

Item, the seid Fastolf lent to our seid Soverayn Lorde, for the viage of Sir Thomas Kiriel, and of his retinue in to the Duchie of Normandye, in the xxviij. yer of his noble regne the somme of CC. marc. Also afore that tyme in the Kynges grete necessite ageyn the coronacion of the Quene, at his forseid commaundement, the somme of Cli. Somme of bothe
iijc. xxxiijli. vjs. viijd.60.1

Item, the seyd Fastolf lent to the voyage that Thomas Danyell made in to Breteyn, as it is notorily knowen, of which he ys not yhyt payd, the somme of

Cli.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hath born grete charge and cost of a lone made for the spede and help of a voyage whych the Erle of Shrewysbury now last made in to the Kynges Duchee of Gyen,

———60.2

55.1 [From Fenn, iii. 260.] The date of this paper is determined by the last paragraph, showing that it was composed fifteen years after Sir John finally left France in 1440.

57.1 Sir John took the castle of Sillie le Guillem in 1425, and from which he was dignified with the title of baron.—F.

57.2 The salute was a gold coin of Henry VI. current in France for £1, 5s. English.—F.

58.1 In 1423 he took the castle of Pacy, the governor whereof was Guillaume Reymond.—F.

59.1 This battle was fought in 1424.—F.

60.1 So in MS. The total should be £100 less.

60.2 A blank.

310
FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN61.1

A Declaracion of the Costs which Sir John Fastolf was at, ben without this royaume.

The declaracions of certeyn prests, costys, and chargys don and born by Sir John Fastolf, aswel in the tyme of the moste noble and victoryouse Princes of blessed memorie, Kyng Herry the iiijthe, Kyng Herry vth, as in the tyme of our Souvereyn Lord Kyng that now is, in hys werrys by yend the see, as by the articles that folowen more pleynly apperyth:—

First, it ys to be remembred that to the sayd Fastolf ys owyng for divers costys and chargis by hym born for the tyme that he occupied th’office of the Constabulrye of Burdeux for the saufgarde of the Kyngys Duchie of Guyen, as it apperith pleynlye by accompt made of the sayd office of Constabulrye, remaynyng in the Kyngs Cheker at Westminster of record, wherof he yet nouther had payement nor assignement of, the somme of
ijc. xxvijli. xvs. iijd. ob.

Item, in like wyse there ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for wagys for hys service don to the Kyng, and to the Duc of Clarence, beyng the Kyng ys Lieutenant in the seyd Duchie of Guyen, as it may appere under suffisaunt writing, the somme of
ijc ijli. xs.

Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for costys and chargys that he bare when he was Lieutenant of the towne of Harflew62.1 in Normandie, as yt shewith by a debentur made to the seyd Fastolf, with hym remaynyng,

Cxxxiijli. vjs. viijd.

Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for the keping and vytaylyng of the Bastyle of Saint Anthoyne in Paris, as it apperith by writing suffisaunt and by the creditours of Sir John Tyrell, Knyght, late Tresourier of the Kyngs house, remaynyng in the Escheker of Westminster of record, the somme of
xlijli.

Item, there ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for the saufgarde of the toune of Fount Melank62.2 in the parties of Fraunce, as it apperith by accompt therof made in the Kyngs Escheker of England of record, the somme of
iiijxx ixli. xs. iiijd. ob. q.

Summa xlij. marc ixs. q.

And in semblable wyse, over all this ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for prests and wagys of hym and his retenues beyng in the Kings service in his royaume of Fraunce and duchie of Normandie, as wel abowte the saufgarde and gouvernaunce of his tounys, castell, and forteresses of Alaunson, Fresney Le Vicounte, Vernell, Honneflete, as for othir grete causys and charges born and payd in the Kyng our Souvereyn Lord ys dayes that nowys, for the avauncement of his conquest, the good and utilite of hym, of his seyd royaume and duchie forseid, as it apperyth oppenly by accomptys made in the Chambre of Accompts of Paris and Roon, wherof the vidimus remaynen with the seyd Fastolf, and also by certeyn debentur conteynyng the seyd sommes, redy to shewe, wherof the seyd Fastolf hiderto hath had nouther payement nor assignacion, the somme of
v. ml. iiijxx ij. marc, xiijs. iijd. ob. sterling.

Summa totalis vj. ml. cxxv. marc, ixs. ob. q.

There are two drafts of the preceding statement among the Paston MSS. in the British Museum, besides an imperfect draft hereafter mentioned. These appear to have been drawn up as early as the year 1452. One of these is in William Worcester’s handwriting; the other is a fair copy from it, with further corrections, in his hand. The document printed above embodies all the corrections in the second paper, and corresponds with it almost exactly in every point, except that the latter places the second item relating to the Duke of Clarence at the very end of the account, and contains the following additional entries:—

And beside all this, there is yet owyng to the sayd Fastolf uppon the voyage that Thomas Danyell made into Bretayn, as it is openly knowen, the somme of

Cli.

Item, overe this the seyd Fastolf lent to the voyage that Sir Thomas Kyryell made into Normandye, in the xxviij. yere of the regne of the Kyng our Souverain Lorde, the somme of CC. marc; also lent to the Kyng afore that tyme in his necessite the somme of Cli. The somme of both,
ijc. xxxiijli. vjs. viijd.

And also the seyd Fastolf hath borne grete charge and cost of alone made for the spede and helpe of the voyage whiche the Erle of Shrowysbury64.1 now last made into the Kynges duchie of Guyenne, to whom God graunte good expedicion, as it shewith by suffisaunt writyng, for whiche at the commaundement of my Lord Cardynalle64.2 the seyd Fastolf made a chevyssaunce and leyd to wedd [i.e. pawned] the substaunce of his pore juellys, in the whiche chevyssaunce the seyd Fastolf hath lost xxxvijli., and is like to lese more herafter, by cause he is not of poer to quyte hem oute; the seyd juellys lyne as yet to plegge for the somme of
iiijcli.

Somme of the prestys and debtys abofe rehersed,
ijml. xlv. markes, vjs. vd. ob.

The following is written on a separate paper, on the back of which occurs the imperfect draft above referred to.

Item, overe all thys grete debtes dew at thys day to the seyd Fastolf, he desyryth and prayth that it may be pondered and concydered the grete lossez and damages that he hath susteyned and born, as well in the parties of Fraunce as in thys land; as at one tyme lost the somme and value of iiijml. mark for Guillem Remond, hys prysonnere, that agreed to pay for hys raunsom xxxijml. salux. The seyd prisonnere was take awey from hym, and delyvered the toune of Compyne in to the obbeissaunce of our Souvereyn Lord. Also the reward that the seyd Fastolf shuld hafe hys part for the takyng of the Duc off Allaunson, whych shuld mount for hys seyd part iiijml. [4000] markes, the grete losse that he hath in delyveryng upp the baronye of Syllye Guillem, in the counte of Mayn, be thout [without] recompense or reward, whych was gevyn to hym and hys assigneez in the value of ml. ml. [2000] salux off yerly rent. Also the lesyng of hys pore lyvelode in Normandie that was of the yerly value of     65.1 mark. The grete importune lossez and damages that he hath had seth he came into England, whych hys evylle wyllers the officers and servauntes of the Duc of Suffolk have, be thout [without] cause resonable, made hym leese, as in causyng hym to be disseised wrongysly of iiij. of hys maners of Dedham, Beyton, Bradwell, Hykelyng, and Tychewell, to the value of ijc. [200] mark of yeerly rent; besyde othyr damages and lossez by colours of the lawe, and by menys of extorcions, as it may shew by a rolle of articles to the value of vjml. [6000] markes.

61.1 [From Fenn, iii. 268.] This appears to be a supplementary paper to the preceding. Two other copies or drafts of this paper exist among the Paston MSS. in the British Museum.

62.1 Sir John Fastolf was Lieutenant of Harfleur in 1415.—F.

62.2 Pont Meulent was taken in 1422.—F.

64.1 John Talbot, first Earl, sent to France in 1452 to recover Guienne for the English; killed the following year in endeavouring to relieve Castillon.

64.2 Cardinal Kemp.—See vol. ii. p. 160, Note 7.

65.1 Blank in MS.

iiijxx ixli. xs. iiijd. ob. q.
text has italic “a” for “d” in “iiijd.”

311
NOTE

‘Many of the letters in this collection,’ says Fenn (iii. 261, Note 1), ‘mention the disputes between the Duke of Suffolk and Sir John Fastolf concerning different manors and estates.’ This remark is made with reference to the complaints against Suffolk in No. 309 preceding. Only two of these letters have been seen by the present editor.

312
ABSTRACT65.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

Sends by his servant an instruction to be engrossed, corrected by Paston’s advice, and a remembrance concerning Walsingham, which I hope by your help ‘shall be corryged.’ Certain friends of yours and mine have been here, and desire me to write to you ‘for your friendship and good will, passing all other men’s.’

[The date of this letter is quite uncertain, but it was probably written some time during those later years of his life when Sir John Fastolf resided at Caister. The signature, like some others during that period, is not in Fastolf’s own hand.]

65.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 239.]

No. 239.
. after “No.” invisible

313
LORD CROMWELL TO JOHN PASTON66.1

To my right trusty ffrend, John Paston, Squier.

Before
1456

Trusty and welbeloved frend, I grete you wele. And for as much as hit is don me to understande that there is a greet straungenesse betwix my right trusty frend John Radcliff and you, withoute any matier or cause of substaunce, as I am lerned; wherfore, in as much as I love you wele bothe, I am not content hit shulde so be.

Praying you hertly to forbere the said straungenesse on your partie to suche tyme as I speke with you next my self, leting you wite I have wreten to him to do the same; and that ye faile not herof, as I may do any thing for you herafter. And our Lorde have you in His keping.

Wretin at London, the x. day of Fevrier. Cromwell.

66.1 [From Fenn, ii. 290.] This letter was attributed by Fenn to Humphrey Bourchier, who was created Lord Cromwell in the first year of Edward IV., and it was accordingly placed by him in that reign. The signature, however, of which Fenn gives a facsimile, is not that of Humphrey Bourchier, Lord Cromwell, but of Ralph, Lord Cromwell, who died on the 4th January 1456.

314
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON66.2

To my maister, John Paston.

1456
JAN. 6

Please your maistershyp to wete that I had sent yow word of the god chiere that the persons ye wote off had here uppon New Yeer Day, and how well they toke it, but W. Barker coude playnly enforme yow. And John Sadler of Ocle told me how they avaunted of it when he of Lynne came by hym at nyzt lyeng, that he had neider better chier, &c.

My maister demaundyth me sondry tymes when ye shall be here. I coude not sey till thys day be passed. William Geney shall be here to morn, so wold Jesus ye were her then. I asked licence to ryde yn to my contree, and my maistr dyd not graunt it; he seyd hys wille was for to make, &c. Y aunsuerd it fyt not me to know it. God gefe hym grace of holsom councell, and of a gode disposicion; non est opus unius diei, nec unius septimanæ.

My Lord Bedford wylle was made yn so bryeff and generall termys, that yn to thys day by the space of xx. yeer can neider hafe ende, but all wey new to constrew and oppynable; so a generallte shall ne may be so gode as a particuler declaracion.

I wryte blontly. I had foryete to hafe told yow Maister Fylongley meoved me to enforme my maister to hafe a generalle pease, so it myzt be worshypfull. Y hafe seyd no word, for I can not medle yn hygh maters that passyth my wyt; and therfor yff ye and W. Geney mete to gheders, ye know and can devyne best what ys to be doon. Our Lord be with yow.

Wryt hastly, vj. day Januar. W. Botoner, H.R.

66.2 [From Fenn, iii. 256.] By the reference to the Duke of Bedford’s will as having been in dispute for twenty years, it would appear that this letter was written in the beginning of the year 1456. Bedford died at Rouen on the 14th September 1435.

315
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON67.1

1456(?)

Please yow to wete that my maister67.2 yn allwyse wille that I ryde to Dedham to speke with Broke as well as wyth the stuard, and to gefe aunsuer to Broke yn whate wyse he wille depart for the reuersyn; he was ryd or I came home. And my maister wille comyn with yow for the moyens of a chauntuarye to be founded of the place ye wote off; y seyd hym such chargeable maters wold be doo betyme to know the certeyntee. And a greter lak ys yn hym, he taryeth so long to put all thynges of charge yn a sure wey; hyt ys for lake of sad councell to moove hym. And I most be at Castre by Thursday next; and I pray yow let me not be lete of my voyage yn to my contree, and I shall kepe Yorkesshyre with Spyrlyng, or such as shall ryde. The parson68.1 with yow shall do well sort my maister evidences, and that ys one the grettist thyng nedefull for the seurtee of hys lyfelode; and so it wold be remembred hym, for now all thyng ys sett at appoynt, how it standyth with hys debtys and officers, except that mater of grettist charge, and also to provyde for the approwement of hys lyfelode. W. Botoner.

And, syr, yff ye thynke to done (think it to be done), to meofe Cler of the acre lond, but gefe hym no credence yn the contrarye, for I shall preffe it trewe yn my seyng for onye man lyvyng. He that wille dysseyve hys servaunt yn maryage for so litell a thyng, he wold disseyve another frende yn a gretter thyng. He sekyth occasyons and querell to colour hys brekyng off.

67.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the desire expressed by the writer in this letter to visit his own country, we may refer it to the same period as the last.

67.2 Sir John Fastolf.

68.1 Sir Thomas Howes.

316
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON68.2

About 1456

Please yow to wete that as for ease of my maisters68.3 tenaunts in Dedham, yff a lettre were devysed by Maister Geney yn my maister name or youres to Thomas Hygham, one of the justices of pease in Suffolk that toke the veredyt, he myzt do grete ease, as yn disavowyng of it or yn wythdrawyng it owte of the bokes. Robert Dene, clerk of the pese, seyth that lete my maister councell avise that whych he may do undammaged hymsylf, and he wille with all hys hert. John Bokkyng ys well remembred that my maister caused the seyd Thomas Hygham, by Maister Geney mocion, to be one of the justice of pease, and one Jermyn of Suffolk also. Whych both Hygham and Jermyn hath suffred my maister hafe, savyng your reverence, tweyn shrewde tornys seth that they mizt hafe letted, as now the seyd Thomas Hygham myzt hafe letted the presentment or a moderated othyrwyse, &c.

At reverence of God, beyth as sone as ye may with my maister to ease hys spyryttes. He questioneth and desputyth with hys servauntes here, and wolle not be aunsuerd ne satisfyed som tyme but after hys wylfulnesse, for hyt suffysyth not our simple wyttes to appease hys soule; but when he spekyth wyth Maister Zelverton, yow, or wyth William Geney and suche othyrs as be auctorised yn the law, and wyth haboundance of godes, he ys content and haldeth hym pleased wyth your aunsuers and mocions, as reson ys that he be. So wold Jesus, one of yow iij., or som suche othyr yn your stede, myzt hang at hys gyrdyll dayly to aunsuer hys materes.

I had but litille thyng to done when I scrybled thys bille. Your, W. Botoner.

68.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There is no address to this letter, but it seems to have been intended for John Paston. The exact time when it was written is uncertain, but we have placed it after the last on account of the reference to Deddam. The true date cannot be many years before or after 1456.

68.3 Sir John Fastolf.

317
ABSTRACT69.1

Sir John Fastolf ‘to the worshipful Lady and my right wellbeloved Sister, Whytyngham.’

1456
JAN. 20

As all the executors of my Lord Regent, except himself, are dead, and as he would not have her troubled in her age ‘for execution of my said Lord’s goods,’ nor for the evidences of his purchased lands, etc., which were left in keeping ‘with my brother your husband,’ sends John Paston and other his attorneys to common with her, and settle the matter, which will be a great discharge for her husband’s soul.

Castre, 20 Jan.

[This letter must have been written after the death of Lord Cromwell, who was one of Bedford’s executors, and who died on the 4th January 1456.—See his Epitaph in Dugdale’s Baronage, ii. 46.]

69.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 266.]

318
ABSTRACT69.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Bokking or William Barker, to deliver to John Paston at London.

1456
JAN. 25

Copy of a letter of Fastolf’s to the wife of Sir Robert Whytyngham (the copy examined by Botoner) to the same effect as the preceding No., but with some slight differences in the wording, and dated 25th January instead of 20th.

On the back is written:— ‘Cousin Paston, I pray you take Nicholas Molyneux, Thomas West, or Robert Waryn, whether ye may hafe at leyser, with you, to go speke with the gentlewoman.’

69.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 275.]

319
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AND OTHERS70.1

To my right trusty frendes, John Paston, Nicholas Molyneux, and Thomas West, Escuiers.

1456
JAN. 26

Worchipfull Sirs, and my right trusty frendis, I commaunde me to you. And lyke you to wite that I desire to knowe in certayn, or evere I laboured to London, by whate menys in the lawe spirituell or temporell I might labour, or ellys my frendes and atturneys in my name and in myne absence myght laboure best, for the recuvere of the goodes of my Lord of Bedford, whos soule God assoyle, and that his purchaced londes might be sold to fulfille his wille and pay his debtes. And if it were thought that the most spedyest and seurest wey were to have it doon by act of Parlement, than I desire and pray you, as my singuler trust is in you, that ye wille do make a substanciall bille in my name upon the said mater and for the said cause, to be grounded and devised by avis of substanciall lerned man, as Thomas Yonge and othir suche, and of civille lawe, and the said bille to be put up to the Kyng, whiche is chief supervisor of my said Lordis testament, and to the Lordes Spirituelle and Temporelle, as to the Comyns, of this present Parlement, so as the iij. astates may graunte and passe hem cleerly. And the said bille may be grounded with so grete resons by your wysdomes and good enformacion, and so rightfull and of conscience that it shall not be denyed, ne letted to passe amonges the Lordes Spirituell and Temporell, neythir amonges the Comyns, whan it comyth before hem. And if this said bille, after it is devised and made, and sent me a copie of hit, hit shold be to me a singuler confort; for or evere I came to London, I wold that alle thing shuld be made redy to my hande. And it were exspedient and according that my Lord Chaunceller71.1 were meoved that it might please his good Lordship to write a lettre to me, in case I must come up for the said cause, and that by as muche he is in the mater as souverain juge and ordinarie principalle under the Pope in a cause testamentarie, and also by cause the wille of my said Lord is aproved in his court before his predecessour. And Alle myghty God kepe you.

Writ at Castre, the xxvj. day of Januar. Your, J. Fastolf.

And I wolde this bille were devised by my Lord of Caunterbury is avis and agreement, to th’entent that he may tender the mater the more whan it shalle come in revolucion before hym. And I pray you hertely to take this mater tendirlye to hert, for it shall be to me my most singuler comfort, and for my discharge a grete record as of myne acquitayle to my said Lordis soule. Also ye must make frendes of suche as be nere aboute my said Lord of Caunterbury, and may do, as Maister John Stokys and his styward, for to remembre his good Lordship as ofte as nede is. And that Davy Breknok ne Sir Robert Whitingham wyffe be not foryeete.

70.1 [The original of this letter is the property of W. A. Tyssen Amhurst, Esq. of Didlington Park, Brandon.] As this letter was written during Sir John Fastolf’s residence at Caister, and Parliament appears to have been sitting at the time, the date must be 1456.

71.1 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.

320
WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON71.2

To the worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier.

1456
JAN. 27

Worshypfull, aftyr dew recomendacion, please your gode maistershyp to wete that where as my maister wrytith to yow so homelye of so manye materes to yow of hys, to be remembred unto hys councell lerned by mene of yow and of hys frendz and servauntz there, y pray yow and requyre yow not to wyte [impute] it me that y am the causer of it that my seyd maister noyeth yow with so manye materes, for, be God, hym sylf remembryth the moste part of hem; albe it the particler rehersell of the materes be fressher yn my remembraunce then yn hys. And, Sir, yn trouth he boldyth hym to wryte to yow for the grete lofe and singler affeccion he hath yn yow before all othyr yn hys causes spedyng, and that ye wille moste tendyrlye of ony othyr remembre hys servauntes as well as othyrs to whom belongyth to spede the materes. He desyryth my Lord Chauncellor shuld wryte to hym speciallye yff he most nedes com upp, and a bille to be made yn to Parlement for recuvere of my Lord Bedford godes.

Sir, there ys one Haryngton of Doncastre, a besye soule, that damagyth my maistre to gretely in Bentley. And Herry Sotehille ys of my maister councell, but no thyng that ys profytable ys don to hym to remedye it, ye shall see by one Sir John Vincentes letter sent to yow now, and W. Barker can enforme yow. Yn the ende of thys terme y suppose to be at London, and yn to west contre. My maistre wrytith to yow for a rent of viijli. of annuite charged of a touneshyp called Batham Wyly, that Maister Scrope he shall be beneficed yn the ryzt of it. Ye have nede fare fayre with hym, for he ys full daungerouse when he wille. Y gate hym gode evidensis of the seyd rent that my maister ne my lady had nevere, and he can not know it, &c. Also my maister hath wreten to yow for avice of a new feffement to be made for the maners of Tychewell and Beytone, and betyme he desyryth to be sent hym. Y pray yow, and ye se Maister Yng at a leyser to commaund me to hym, and trustyng hys gode maistershyp that he wille be of my councell ayenst one William Fouler of Bokyngham thath kepyth from me a litelle lond. And yff he wille contynew hys gode maistershyp to me, ye may sey hym that I cast duelle yn my contree, and wayt uppon hym to help ghete ayen a pore gode of myn, for heere y thryve not, but lose my tyme. Y pray our Lord have yow yn hys kepyng.

Wryt hastlye, the xxvij. day of Januare. Your, W. Wyrcestre.

71.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have been written the day after the last, as this also speaks of a bill being presented to Parliament for recovery of the Duke of Bedford’s goods. The passage in which the writer proposes visiting the west country confirms the date of Letter 314.

321
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON73.1

To the worshypfull Sir, and my ryght welbelovyd cosyn, John Paston; and in hys absence, to John Bokkyng and William Barker.

1456
FEB. 5

Worshypfull Sir and cosyn, I recomaund me to yow. And lyke yow to wete that y have a taylle73.2 with my cosyn Fenne73.3 of vc. [500] marc and more, for to be chaunged uppon such places as a man myght have moste spedye payment; and I pray yow hertlye to comyn wyth the seyd Fenne, that y myght be ensured of the seyd taylle to be eschaunged; and for whate rewarde competant to be yeven uppon the same, I wolle agree it.

Item, I desyre to know who ben the residew, the remenant of the co-executors of the Lord Wyllughbye,73.4 now the Lord Cromewell73.5 ys decesed; for thys cause. Hyt was so, that there was dew to the Lord Wyllughbye and to me x. ml. [10,000] marc for a reward, to be payd of my Lord Bedford ys godes, for the takyng of the Duc of Allauncon.73.6 And the seyd Lord Wyllughbye had but one thowsand marc payd, and I ml. [1000] mrc, soo viij. ml. [8000] levyth [remains] yhyt to pay; of whych somme iiij. ml. [4000] most grow to the executors of the seyd Lord Wyllughby to dispose. And therfor y desyre that the executors, and such as most have intrest in the Lord Wyllughby goodes, may be comyned wyth; that they may [make] purseute for payment of the seyd iiij. ml. [4000] marc, for hys part to be had, and y shall make for my part.

And [i.e. if] Maister Nevyle,74.1 the whych hath wedded my Lady Wyllughbye, have power or intrest to resseyve the Lord Wyllughby ys debts, then he to be labured untoo. And my Lord of Salysburye woll be a grete helper yn thys cause.

The Kyng, whych ys Supervisor of my Lord Bedford testament, hath wreten and comaunded by sondry lettres, that the seyd Lord Wyllughbye shuld be content for hys part. And so moch the mater ys the furtherer.

And ther ys one Yon’, a servaunt of the Lord Wyllughbye, whych pursewed thys mater; yff he were yn London, he coude geve gode enformacion uppon thys mater.

Y pray yow wryte to me how my maters doth, and of such noveltees as ye have there. And our Lord have yow yn hys kepyng.

Wreten at Castr hastlye, v. day of Feveryer, anno xxxiiijto Regis Henrici VI. Your cosyn, J. Fastolf.

73.1 [From Fenn, i. 120.]

73.2 A tally. This was a cleft stick, in both parts of which notches were cut to represent sums of money due; on which one part was given to the creditor, the other being retained by the debtor.

73.3 Hugh Fenn.

73.4 Robert, Lord Willoughby of Eresby.

73.5 Ralph, Lord Cromwell.

73.6 John, Duke of Alençon, taken prisoner at the battle of Verneuil in 1424.

74.1 Sir Thomas Nevill, a younger son of Richard, Earl of Salisbury, married Maud, the widow of Robert, Lord Willoughby.—Dugdale, ii. 86.

322
JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF74.2

To the right reverent and worshipful Sir, and my right good maister, my maister Sir John Fastolf, at Castre.

1456
FEB. 9

Right reverent and my right worshipful maister, I recomaunde me to yow in my right humble wise. Please hit your right good maistership to wyte that on Sonday laste I sent yow many and divers lettres and writynges, by Lampet, of all matiers that I hadde knowlege at that tyme redy to answere. And now suche tidinges as ar here, but fewe that ar straunge, excepte that this day my Lordes York and Warwik comen to the Parlement in a good aray, to the noumbre of iijc. [300] men, all jakkid75.1 and in brigantiens,75.2 and noo lord elles, wherof many men mervailed. It was seid on Saterday my Lord shuld have ben discharged this same day. And this day was seide, but if he hadde come stronge, he shuld have bene distrussid; and no man knoweth or can sey that ony prefe may be hadde by whom, for men thinken verily there is no man able to take ony suche enterprinse.

The Kyng, as it was tolde me by a grete man, wolde have hym chief and princepall counceller, and soo to be called hise chef counceller and lieutenant as longe as hit shuld lyke the Kyng; and hise patent to be made in that forme, and not soo large as it is by Parlement. But soome men thinken it wil ner can otherwise bee; and men speke and devyne moche matere of the comyng this day in suche array to Westminster. And the Lordes speken this day in the Parlement of a greet gleymyng sterre that but late hathe be seen diverse tymes, merveilous in apperyng. The resumpsion, men truste, shall forthe, and my Lordes of Yorkes first power of protectorship stande, and elles not, &c. The Quene is a grete and strong labourid woman, for she spareth noo peyne to sue hire thinges to an intent and conclusion to hir power.

I have seid to the bringer here of more to declare yow alle a longe. And as for hise comyng, ye like to understande that your nevew, my Maister Filongley, hathe laboured and doon that he cowde or myght to hise preferraunce; but as for to make hym freman and at hise ease, to hise profite and worship, it can not bee with owte William Lyne be here, that boughte hise prentishode of his maister, to hise grete hurte and castyng of bakke by ij. or iij. yere of tyme loste; and ne were it that the maister and wardeyns of the Taillours tendre hym, be cause of yow and of Fynynglee, hise firste maister, that solde hym to William Lyne, as weel as the seide Lyne and Richard, shuld alle lese ther fredoms, as ye shall more pleinly understande by the reporte of the seid Richard, &c.

This day was my Lord Devenshire at Westminstre, and shuld have apperid, but he was countermaundid. As to youre matier of Wentworthe, the trety contynueth, and is putte by the arbitrours in Fortescu and Yelverton, and we have day of newe til Friday come sevenyght. God graunte it take a good ende. The lawe is with us clerly, as weel in th’atteynte as therinne as yette, blessid be our Lord, hoo have you in hise most noble governaunce.

Written in your place this Moneday of Fastyngange,76.1 ml. cccclv. Your humble servaunt, J. B.

And that ye like to write a good lettre for Richard Fastolf to Sir Roger Chamberleyn, and to Thornton, Chamberleyn of London, and to both of hem, &c.

74.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 265.]

75.1 i.e. in coats of mail.—See vol. ii. p. 322, Note 3.

75.2 See vol. ii. p. 155, Note 2.

76.1 Fastingong was Shrovetide.—See vol. ii. p. 131, Note 1.

323
ABSTRACT76.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston

1456
FEB. 12

Thanks him for the pains he takes in his ‘chargeable matters,’ especially the ward of T. F., and his advice for the recovery of my Lord of Bedford’s goods. My servants Bokkyng and Barker have written to me for writings making mention of the jewels and goods of my Lord delivered to Sir Robert Whitingham that they cannot find there. I send, therefore, W. Worcestre with a copy of Whitingham’s account, which, however, is not a complete statement.

Castre, 12 Feb.

P.S.—Has just received a letter from Paston, for which he thanks him.

[This letter was evidently written in the same year as No. 317.]

76.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 270.]

324
HUGH A FENNE TO JOHN PASTON77.1

To the right worchepfull Sir, John Paston, at Norwich.

1456
MARCH 1

Ryght worchepfull Sir, I recumaunde me un to you. Leke you to wete my Maister Fastolf compert77.2 is spedde and demyd in the Eschequyer for hym a yens the Kyng, wher in was crafti labour and cloos to the seid spede, and laked no dylygence, for the matter was defused and dubble intendementz after dyverse mennys appynyons.

Her is Williem Brandon, late Eschetour,77.3 and wold have a non molestando77.4 for Fulthorp; and be cause ye spake to me that no mo shuld be sued owte, and I can gete no lybarate77.5 in that case, therfore, as it is tolde me, he wyll have oon up on Wenteworth is patente, and that wer to my maister bothe velleny and hurte. I pray you send me heryn your avyse. It is no grete maistre to gader up that mony, if it wer wele labord. I have somwhat affrayed them, and made hem spend mony, as I wot well ye shall her therof. Ye and I been discharged of our maynprys.

Now, Sir, for Goddis sake, as I have meved you a fore, help to sette my maister in a worchepful dyreccion of his maters to his honour, his profyte, and his hertis ease, that which so doon he shall have the better leysour to dysspose hym self godly, and be sette his londs and his goodys to the plesour of God, and the wele of his sowle, that all men may sey he deyeth a wyse man and a worchepfull. Yf ye wyste what worchep shuld growe to you in favour and conseyte of all men thus to do, I wot well ye wolde be right spedy therin, for I beleve fully ye ar ryght well wylled therto; and if owte I cowde helpe therto at myn nexte comyng, yf I knew your entent, I wold do that I cowde. Yf it like you to wryte your avyse in a bylle that I myght have it by Good Fryday at Seint Benettys, Williem Norwyche wol send it theder. The Holy Trinyte conserve you in honour and prosperite.

From London, the furst day of Marche. Your, Hugh a Fenne.

77.1 [From Fenn, iii. 332.] The first paragraph of this letter seems to relate to Fastolf’s claims against the Crown set forth in Nos. 309 and 310, and as these seem to have been drawn up in the end of 1455, this letter probably belongs to the year following. The reference to William Brandon as ‘late escheator’ confirms this date; and also, perhaps, the mention, at the end, of William Norwich, who was Sheriff of Norwich this year.

77.2 Compertorium is a judicial inquest in civil proceedings made by Commissioners to find out, etc., the truth of a cause.—F.

77.3 An Escheator was a county officer who certified into the Exchequer the King’s escheats, i.e. lands which fell to the King, either for a time or altogether, as by the death of tenants in capite, minority of heirs, etc. William Brandon was Escheator of Norfolk and Suffolk from 13th November 33 Hen. VI. to 4th November 34 Hen. VI., i.e. from 1454 to 1455.

77.4 A writ which lies for him who is molested contrary to the King’s protection granted him.—F.

77.5 A writ of liberate is a warrant either for the payment of annual pensions, etc., granted under the Great Seal, or for delivery of possession of certain lands or goods in the custody of a sheriff.

325
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON78.1

To my right worshipfull Maister, John Paston.

1456(?)
[MAR. 24]

After due recomendacion had, please it your maistership to wytte that William Yelverton was mevid by me to comene with my maister his fadir, as I wrot to yow from Norwich. And now he tellith me that he hath comened with his fadir; and he undirstondith that his fadir seyth that he hath not knowelaged Fennes78.2 obligacion. And he seyth that Maister Fastolf undirstood that Fen hadde title to the maner of Haryngby, and therfor wold he that Fen shuld have it after Maister F. lyve; and, by liklynes, ther shall be labour made by Fenn to have releses of Maister Yelverton, &c., but he hath not yet relesed. He can no more undirstond of hym as yet. If he can undirstond ony more pleynly this day, I shall have knowelage at Norwich on Friday or Saterday next comyng. Please it you to have pacience, though I write so brefly.

In hast, at Walsyngham, the Wednesseday next to fore Esterne. Youre pouere servaunt, James Gr.

78.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As this letter relates to money matters of Fenn and Sir John Fastolf, it may most probably be referred to the same year as Nos. 321 and 324.

78.2 Hugh Fenn.—See No. 324.

326
ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF79.1

To the right worshipfull, and my right entierly welbeloved Sir John Fastolf, Knight.

1456
MARCH 27

Right worshipful, and my right entierly welbeloved, I grete you right hertly wele, thanking you specialy, and in full herty wise, for the verray geantle goodnesse that ye have shewid unto me at all tymes, praying you of good contynuance.

And as touching suche matiers as ye sente unto me fore, I truste to God verraly, insomuche as the rule is amendid heer, and the wedder waxeth seesonable and pleasante, to see you in thise parties within short tyme, at whiche tyme I shal commune and demeene unto you in suche wise, that ye shal be right wele pleasid.

And as for the matier concernyng my Lord of Bedford, thinketh nat contrarye, but that ye shal finde me hertly wel-willid to doo that I can or may for th’accomplesshment of youre desire, as wel in that matier as in other, like as your servaunte John Bokking, berer hereof, can clierlier reporte unto you on my behalve; to whom like hit you to yeve feith and credence in this partie. And the blissid Trinitee have you everlastingly in His keping.

Written in my Manoir of Lamehith, the xxvj. daie of March. Your feithfull and trew, Th. Cant.

79.1 [From Fenn, i. 124.] The date of this letter will appear tolerably certain on a comparison with No. 319. In that letter Fastolf talks of coming up to London, if necessary, about the matter of my Lord of Bedford’s goods, but expresses a wish that if he is to come, my Lord Chancellor—viz. the Archbishop of Canterbury—should be got to write him a letter about it.

327
DAME ALICE OGARD TO JOHN PASTON80.1

To my right wurshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer.

1456
MARCH 30

Ryght worshippfull and enterly belovyd cosyn, I comaund me to yow hertyly; latyng yow wete that there ys a contraversie mevyd be twix my cosyn John Radeclyff80.2 of Attylburgh and me for the advoweson of the chirch of Attylburgh, the whech ys now voide, wheroff the title is myn veryly as God knowith, the whech shall be oppenyd unto yow; and upon Thursday next atte Wymondham, there shall be take an enquerre de jure patronatus afore Master Robert Popy and Master Symond Thornham, atte whech day I may nought be my selff as God knowyth, and thow I myght, yt were not convenyent.

And therfore, ryght trusty cosyn, consideryng that I am a wedowe impotent as of body, tendyrly and hertily I pray you, yf yt lyke yow, to be there assistyng my councell in my right as reson and lawe will upon Thursday next, be viij. of the clokke; and Fyncham,80.3 Spelman, and othir of my councell shall be than there waytyng upon yow. And, jentyll cosyn, have me excused thowh I wryte thus brefly and homly to yow, for in trouth I do it of a synguler trust and affection, the wheche I have in yow, consideryng the goode nome and fame of trouth, wysdom, and good conducte, the which I here of you. And therfor, and ye may to youre well, I beseche you hertyly to be there, and ye shall nought lese therby with the grace of Almyghty Jesu, the wheche evyr preserve and promote you, gentill cosyn, in moche worship to youre hertys ease.

Atte Bokenham Castell, on Teuysday in Pache weke, in hast. D. A. Ogard.81.1

80.1 [From Fenn, iii. 290.] This letter would appear to have been written in the year 1456, as Thomas Fairclowe, D.D., was presented to the church of Attleborough on the 2nd August in that year by Dame Alice Ogard as patron.

80.2 John Radcliff, Esq., married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Walter, Lord Fitz-Walter. He was in her right called Lord Fitz-Walter, and was killed at Ferrybridge in 1461.

80.3 Simeon Fincham, of Fincham, Esq. His son John married Agnes, daughter of John Spelman, of Beckerton, Esq., I suppose the person here mentioned. He died in 1460, and Simeon in 1458.—F.

81.1 Dame Alice Ogard was the widow of Sir Andrew Ogard, Knight, whose first wife was Margaret, the daughter of Sir John Clifton, Knight, of Bokenham Castle. He died in 1454, and Alice, his relict, in 1460.—F.

328
HUGH FENN TO JOHN PASTON81.2

To the worchepfull sir, John Paston esquyer.

1456(?)
APRIL 25

Worchepfull Sir, my reverent and right trusty maister and cosyn, I recommaunde me to you. Lyke you to wyte that wher I have made my fyne of Ikburgh with Nicholas Waterman, thanne beyng feodary to my Lorde of Yorke, as the same Nicholas wil recorde, wherof sufficient writyng is had; the which payment, so made, is sufficient in the lawe; in the which caas noo newe feodary is chargeable nor I demaundable, but the seide Nicholas owe to answere therof in his accompt; and if he concele, my Lorde may have good remedy ageyns hym, and so owe to do. The which not withstandyng, oon I trowe called Osbarn, som tyme your servant, now my Lordis feodary, hath often meved to do I wote not, and now late hath distreyned my cattel, and seith he wil dryve hem awey, &c., and wil have Cs. for fyne, wher my uncle paied xxvjs. viijd., Herry Somer xxs., and so many other ded. Sir, he may do me a pety shame in distreyning and dryvyng awey to make me hevy, and hym not glad I hoop at the loong, but wroong shal he nor any other do me, wher I may gete remedy by the lawe in any place throw Goddis mercy. Wherfor, sir, if he be stille in your servyse, lyke you I myght have knowlech, and thanne if your discreccion semith any thyng that I owe to do, by you I wil be advertysed and ruled; and if I coude conceyve that I owe to pay ageyn, as I understonde clerly the contrary, forsothe in right hasty seson wold I provyde and send hym from my seid lorde a sufficient discharge for myn more availl, that he shuld noght lose by me. And that is reson aswele, for that I wil not, by Goddis grace be hurted by hym, nor geve hym cause by my wil. I deserve my lordis good lordeship as wele as any other of my simple poer her. I besech you that by this simple bille I may be recommaunded to my worchepful maistresse. The blissid Trinite have you in His holy governaunce. Written, London xxv. day of Aprill. Youris owen, Hugh a Fenne.

81.2 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 173.] The year of this letter is uncertain, but it must belong to the latter part of Henry VI.’s reign, and there is great probability that it was written in 1456, like No. 324, which is also written by Hugh Fenn from London.

329
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON82.1

To my worchepfull Cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer, in hast goodly.

1456
MAY 2

Worchepfull Cosyn, I comaunde me to yow. Lyke yow to wete that for als moche as my lord of Norwich shal the next wyke visite the hous of Hykelyng, as on Thursday, as I understand, I pray yow that ye lyke to informe my lord how it is appoynted atwix the prior of the said hous and me that my title of xxv. marc of yerly rente is put in the ordynaunce of yow and Fyncheham, and if any variaunce fortune by twix yow that thanne we shall stand to the rule and ordynaunce of my lord of Caunterbury and of my seid lord of Norwich, they callyng to them ij. temporall juges suche as them please, the ij. chef juges only except. Wherfor that it please his good lordship to commaunde the seid priour to be bound by obligacion to stand to the seid appoyntement in lyke form as I at all tymes lefull am redy soe to do, to th’entent that my lord may verily knowe that the complysshyng of the seid appoyntement is nat deferred ner delayed by me. Forthermore, Cosyn, I understand that ye have a feodary concernyng all the knyght fees in this shire, and for als moche as the lord Scalys cleymeth an homage of my place called Essex in Hikelyng I pray yow that ye lyke to sende me woord if it can be understand by the seid feodary if suche an homage owe to be do or nay. Moreover like yow to remembre that lateward I meved unto yow that I wold do kyt out a litell fleet rennyng by twix the Comouns of your lordship of Maulteby and Castre there it was of old tyme, and now is over grounded and growen by reedes. Wherfor lyke yow to write on to your baly of Mauteby to take your tenauntes with hym to have a sight of the seid water and ground, and that they bere half costes for ther part, and I wole bere the other part. And all though my wrytyngges put yow many tymes to gret labour and besynesses, I pray yow to take it that I do it for the synguler affiaunce and feythful trust unto yow. Besehyng All myghty God have yow, my worchepful Cosyn, in his mercifull governaunce. Writ at Castre, the ijde. day of Maij.

And that ye lyke to come in to these partyes byfore ye ryde to London, I pray yow hertely that I may speke with yow for dyvers maters that I have to comowne with yow, &c. J. Fastolf.

82.1 [Add. MS. 35,251, f. 24, B.M.] This letter seems to be of the same year as No. 341.

330
JOHN BOCKYNG TO JOHN PASTON84.1

To my worshipful maister, John Paston, Squier.

1456
MAY 8

Sire, please it your maistership to wyte that on Wednesday, the v. day of Maij, I received a lettre from you by the prestis man of Walsyngham, and the Ascencion Day,84.2 in the mornyng, I received a lettre from yow bi the handes of John Frays, my maisteris man, in whiche bothe moche thinge is conteyned whiche alle at this tyme I may not answere un to my comyng the nexte weke. And as to our atteynte,84.3 the Chief Justice hathe, sithe this day sevenyght, kept the Gildehalle in London with alle the Lordes and Juges, sauf one in eche place. My Maister Markham yesterday rode owte of London be tymes. Notwithstandyng we called ther upon, and hadde at the barre Chokke,84.4 Letelton,84.5 Jenney,84.6 Illyngworth,84.7 John Jenney, and Dyne, and remembrid the longe hangyng and the trouthe of the matier, with the grete hurte of the partie in the tyme; and we have rule the next terme betymes, and non otherwise, for to morwe the juges sitten ayen in the toune. Mayster Yelverton can not be myry for Wyrmegey, and as for the distresse, it is a non omittas, and therfore Poley may and wil retorne what isseus he will. If thei be smale, we shall suffre at this time; if thei be grete, we must appere for Wyngfelde; and moche labour we have to conceyve a goode warant of attorney. We shal plede the next terme, for as at this tyme we wold on Monday enparle and we may.

Ye must suerly entrete the shireve, for we have moche to doo with hym, as yesterday hadde we a grete day also in th’eschequer. Myn maister85.1 is moche bounde to Haltofte, and there we ar assigned day over to the next terme, and dwelle in law. Our counsail was longe or thei come, but at the laste thei acquitte them weel. The bille was thought not by all that stode at the barre that wer of nother partie. We ar joyned in the sute of the obligacion in the Comon Place ayenst Jenney and Howes. As for attachement, ye may none have withowte ye or on of yow make your othe in propre persone before the barons. I wolde have doon it; I cowde not be amytted. And as for other processe, it is advised that by the cors of th’eschequer I shall take a venire facias ayenst Wentworthe, Andrews, longe Barnard, and Deyvill ad respondendum quare in possessionem, &c. ingressi sunt. And we must telle where other Coughawe or Kirkeley, I suppose; and therupon a distresse and an attachement; nevertheles by your othe, &c., hereafter. And it is thought good that the same men shal be in the writte of ravyshment. Jenney hath advised us to ley it in Blithinge hundred, and I have taken of hym names; for as for London it is to nyghe enbracerye, as ye thought well, and soo is Middlesex. Maister Yelverton conceyvith it weel to your entent. There are aboughte and in Suffolk but fewe men as of gentilmen and men of substance, but if [unless] it be in Blithing hundre, were Hopton is grete; but Jenney dredeth it not we may have good men at large; and as for the hundre, he wil doo inow thereinne.

As for the tailes of iiijxxli. [four score pounds], as yette we shal doo weel inowghe and thei were contentid; or thei that shal have the silvere, the noyse were the lesse, for it shall, in pledyng, alwey be rehersid by our contrarie party that for x. marc we have alle that evere ther is, &c. I can not here how Wentworthe takith this matier by no meane; what he meneth I wote not. He is no thing pleasid with the matier of the bille in th’eschequer. Thomas Denys come yesterday, and none erste. I wolde Arblaster and he spoke with yow this vacacion. I write noo more til my comyng.

As for tidinges, noon othere thanne I sent yow laste; but forthe on the same, all is as it was with the Quene,86.1 the Prince and myn Lord York ar stille at Tutbury and Sandale, and my Lord of Warrewick at Warrewick. My Lord Bukingham rode on Ascencion Even to Writell, noo thing wel plesid, and sumwhat on easid of herte to his purpose; for the King hathe ley in London Friday, Saterday, Sonday, Monday, Teusday, and Wednesday remevid to Westminster agen. In alle whiche tyme, men of London that wer chargid and sworne wolde not nor hadde noo thing presentid sauf trespas; this day thei shal sitte ayen. The peas is weel kepte, but the straungiers86.2 ar soore a dradde, and dar not come on brode. Here is alle that I knowe as yet. Our Lord Jesu be with yow.

Writen at Suthwerk the viij. day of Maij.

I have paied to Dory Cs., and with moche peyne made hym to ghete day of the other Cs. til the nexterme. Your owen J. B.

Endorsed in a seventeenth-century hand.—L’ra Joh’is Bokking, Attorn. in Communi Banco.

84.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is quite certain, not only from the circumstance of the 5th May being a Wednesday in 1456, as mentioned in the beginning, but also from Ascension Day falling between that and the 8th, the day on which this letter was written.

84.2 Ascension Day was the 6th May in 1456.

84.3 See Nos. 267, 268, etc.

84.4 Richard Choke, Serjeant-at-law, afterwards Judge of the Common Pleas.

84.5 Thomas Lyttelton, the great lawyer, at this time King’s Serjeant, afterwards Judge of the Common Pleas, famous for his treatise on Tenures.

84.6 William Jenney.

84.7 Richard Illingworth, afterwards Chief Baron of the Exchequer.

85.1 Sir John Fastolf.

86.1 A full stop after ‘Quene’ would improve the grammar of this sentence, but the original is entirely without punctuation. The writer evidently meant that the Queen and Prince were at Tutbury, and the Duke of York at Sandal.

86.2 The foreign merchants. A riot took place about this time in London, in which the houses of foreigners were attacked.—See Fabyan’s Chronicle; also Brown’s Venetian Calendar, i. 81, 84.

331
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON86.3

To my Maister Paston.

1456
MAY 15

Worshipful Sir, and my good maister, I recomaunde me to yow. This day I come home; and as to our materes, I shall be with yow on Monday and Teusday next, be my maisters advys, and enforme yow of all, and of suche as I will not write. Your cofre is at the Prinse Inne; sende for it whane ye like, be the token, I hadde of Margret Goche a boke of lawe that Wigge brought me. As for tidyngs, my maistys your brother faren weel, and recomaunde them to my maistresse, there moder, to yow, and to all, &c.

As for tidings elles, the Kyng is at Shene, the Quene and Prince at Tutbury, but if it be the latter remevyng. Tidings were that the Lord Beaumont was slayn, and my Lord Warrewik sore hurte, ml. [1000] men slayn, and vjxx. [six score] knyghts and squiers hurte, and no thing trewe, blessed be God. As for the Lumbards,87.1 ij. of the trespasers were hanged on Monday, and there ar be this tyme proclamacions made, or shall be, thorwe London, the pees to be kepte up on grete peynes; and the Lumbards to occupie the merchaundizes as thei dide til the Counsail or Parlament have otherwise determyned. And noo more as yet.

The atteynte abidith unreuled til the next terme, as I shal telle yow, and it shal doo weel with God is grace, hoe have yow in kepyng and all youres.

Writen at Caster vigilia Pentecosten. Your owen J. B.

86.3 [From Fenn, i. 130.] Whitsun Eve, the day on which this letter is dated, fell on the 15th May in 1456, just a week after the date of last letter; and no one can doubt that they both belong to the same year.

87.1 See Note 2, preceding page.

332
HENRY WINDSOR TO JOHN PASTON87.2

1456(?)
[MAY 16]

After humble and due recommendacion, please it your gode maistership to understand that atte makyng of this my pour letter ther were no noveltees with us, but suche as yee understode full well afor your departyng, except the Kyng woll in to Scotland in all maner wyse of werre, and that my Lord of Weltshire shal be made Chaunceller. I suppose the better is but a sclaunder, and therfore be ye avised howe ye delyver theym as tidynges.

Also I wotte ful well where I lefte you in suche matiers as it pleassed you to make me of your counsell, as touchyng oon matier specially; and howe that ye said unto me whenne I desired your goode maistership to shewe favour in suche as ye best myght yf any thing shuld be shewed ad lumen, my Maister F. except; and howe that ye answered and said as it pleassed you that I was conquered, in trouth, that shuld preve but a full grete unstabulnes in me with more, &c. But, Sir, I pray you howe some ever my maister rekeneth with any of his servaunts, bring not the matier in revolution in the open Courte, for and it were ones opened afore the Juges howe that any lettre patentes shuld be purchased of an ante date,88.1 and the defaute faunde in me, ye wold be a ml. [thousand] tymes avised, and my Maister F. both, or that ye wold amend me soo much as I shuld be appered therbe. And therfor I beseche you be well avised howe that matier be oponed for myn ease.

I was not desired to write unto you of no on persone, so God be my help, yourself except; but I wold ye wold take avise and counsell of the Preest that hadde you soo long under hand on Shorthursday,88.2 whenne I and my feleship, God thank you, hadde of you right grete chere to our grete comfort and your grete coste, howe that the same Preest understandeth this letter of the Gospell underwriten: ‘Jesus dixit Simoni Petro, Si peccav[er]it in te frater tuus, vade et corripe eum inter te et ipsum solum; si te audierit lucratus es fratrem tuum. Si autem te non audierit, adhibe tecum adhuc unum vel duos, ut in ore duorum vel trium testium stet omne verbum. Quod si non audierit, dic ecclesiæ; si autem ecclesiam non audierit, sit tibi sicut ethnicus et publicanus,’ etc. And in another place, ‘Tunc accedens Petrus ad Jesum dixit, Domine, quotiens petevit [peccabit] in me frater meus, [et] dimittam ei? usque septies? Dicit illi Jesus, Non dico tibi, usque septies, set usque septuagesies septies.’89.1

My maister can doo no thing, the which shall come in open audience at thise deies, but it shalbe called your dede. Hit is not unknoon that cruell and vengible he hath byn ever, and for the most parte with aute pite and mercy; I can no more but vade et corripe eum, for truly he cannot bryng about his matiers in this word [world], for the word is not for hym. I suppose it wolnot chaunge yetts by likelenes, but I beseche you, Sir, help not to amend hym onely, by [but ?] every other man yf ye kno any mo mysse disposed.

I canno more, but as I can or mey, I shal be his servaunt and youres unto such tyme as ye woll comande me to sursese and leve of, yf it please hym.

Sir, I pray you take this copy89.2 of your statute, it is not examined be me, for I found hit thise v. yeres pessed.

Writan in my slepyng tyme at after none, on Wytsonday. Also, Sir, yf I have rehersed wyttyngly the text of the Gospell syngularly unto your maistership, I beseche you to be had excused. Your own, H. W.

87.2 [From Fenn, iii. 278.] The date of this letter is doubtful. The two pieces of intelligence at the beginning were certainly both false rumours, as the writer, indeed, seems to have suspected. Henry VI. never went to Scotland in manner of war, and the Earl of Wiltshire never was made Chancellor. But the time when those rumours seem most likely to have arisen was in the year 1456, when the Duke of York had been deprived of the Protectorate. The Earl of Wiltshire, being of the opposite party to York, was not unlikely to have been talked of as Chancellor, although the Chancellorship was given on the 7th of March to the Archbishop of Canterbury. As to the rumoured expedition against Scotland, we know that in the preceding year James II., in defiance of the truce, laid siege to Berwick, which offered a gallant resistance (Nicolas’s Privy Council Proceedings, vi. 248). This, however, does not appear immediately to have led to open war between the two countries. Diplomatic relations were still carried on till, on the 10th of May 1456, James II. despatched Lyon Herald to the King of England to declare plainly that the Truce of 1453 was injurious to Scotland, and that he did not mean to abide by it (Lambeth MS. 211, f. 146 b). No reply was made to this message till the 26th of July, when an answer was despatched by the Duke of York in the King’s name (see Rymer, xi. 383); but there can be little doubt the desire to punish the insolence of the Scots must have been very general long before.

88.1 A law was passed in the eighteenth year of Henry VI. to put a stop to the abuse of persons having interest about the Court procuring antedated letters patent, by means of which they were enabled to claim the emoluments of lands or offices granted to them from a date anterior to the actual passing of the grant.—See Hardy’s Introduction to the Patent Rolls of King John, p. xxx.

88.2 Shere or Shore Thursday, Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.

89.1 St. Matthew’s Gospel, chap. xviii. ver. 15, 16, 17, and ver. 21, 22.

89.2 This relates to papers sent with this letter, and accounts for there being no direction, as the whole was enclosed in a parcel.—F.

333
JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON90.1

To my Maister Paston, in haaste.

1456
JUNE 1

Please your good maistirship to wete that my Lord of Norffolk yaf in comaundement to Cristofre and to the balif of Colneise to laboure with us acording to your mocion. And as to Skilly, fermour of Cowhaugh, we enteryd there, and seyd we wold have payment for the half yeer past, and sewrete for the half yeer comynge, or ellys we wold distreyne and put hym out of pocession, and put in a newe fermoure; and so oure demenyng was suche that we toke no distresse, and yit we have hym bounde in an obligacion of xviijli. payabil at Michelmesse without condecion, and vjs. viijd. we receyvid of hym for opocession, for the ferme as yit remayneth on gatherid in the fermourez handes. But I seyd hym I wold be ther ageyn for the recedu of the half yeer ferme past withinne this xiiij. dayes; and he seyd he wold do hise delygence to gather it up. But he spak with Wentworth sethyn, whiche yef hym an uttyr rebuke, as he swor to me, and seyd he wold have hys payment of Skylly, and sewe hise oblygacion this next terme whiche he is bounden in to Wentworth for the yeerly payment of the same ferme; and the seyd Wentworth seyd he wyll takyn an accyon of trespas this next terme ageyn us that were there; and Devyle seyd ye were hender the londes at the begynning of your sute thanne ye be now, and that shalbe knowe be Lammesse next comyng, for he hathe thynges to shewe ye saw nevyr yit. Skilly offerid me xls. to have delyvered hym ageyn hise obligacion, and he wold have put me in pocession of a distresse, and [i.e. if] I wold have delyvered it hym; he seithe he dede nevyr so mad a dede, for Wentworth wold no bettyr mean thane we had takyn a distresse. He shuld sone have remedyed that; but now he seith Skylls is withoute remedy, but he will be payd, &c.

Item, Sir, as to the fermourez of the manor of Langston in Brustal, we have also sewyrte be oblygacion withoute condecion payabil at Michilmesse, and toke no distresse but enteryd the londes; but we had gret peyne to brynge hem ther to, for ther is one John Cook of Braunford hath it in ferme of Wentworth all, and he leteth it out ageyn be parcelles to iij. sondre persones. But he was not at home, where for we have the same fermourez bounde for payment, and they had no mony redy, but they have promysed to delyvere Herry Deye at Yepiswiche this day xxs. in party of payment.

Item, Sir, as to the fermour of the maner of Bentley, clepid Bentley Houses, we have hym bonde in lyke wyse for the ferme of the seyd maner from Michilmesse last past tyl Mychelmesse next comyng, in an obligacion of x. marks payabil at Michilmesse next comyng, without ony condecyon; and in party of payment I have receyvid of hym xiijs. iiijd., and he promyseth me iiij. markes at Lammesse next comyng. And as for Bradwell, my maistir91.1 hathe sewyrte; and as for Kyrley Hawe, I was with the fermour yistirday, but he wyll paye no peny, nor be bounde neithir. Wherfor my maistir shal sende us to take a distresse tomorwyn, and I truste we shal fynde sum meanys to have hym bounde, &c.

Item, John Andrewe hathe in fee yerly of the maner of Coughaugh xxs., and Thomas Denys xiijs. iiijd. of the maner of Foxhole, but as ferre as I can enquere, there is payd no more feez out of non of the maneris to none othir men but to these tweyne.

Item, as for the endenturis, I sende here with a copy of Skyllyez endenture and a copy of Deynis endenture, fermour of the maner of Bentley, clepid Bentley Houses; and Herry Deye shal brynge a copy of John Cooks endenture of the ferme of the maner of Langston in Brustall; and as for Wareyn Bonde, he mad nevyr endenture for the ferme of Kyrkley Hawe, for he hathe ocupyed it but sethin Michilmesse last past; and so he holdith it but be promyse upon compnaunt [covenant ?]. And we shal gete a copy of Sewalys endenture, fermour of Bradwelle, and me semyth, savyng your bettyr avyse, it war right expedient that ye shuld for the sped of this mater be at London in al haste.

Primo die Junii anno xxxiiij.91.2 Youre humble servaunt and bedeman, John Russe.

90.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

91.1 Sir John Fastolf.

91.2 The thirty-fourth year of the reign of Henry VI. This date is added in a different hand, apparently that of John Paston, to whom the letter is addressed.

334
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON91.3

To my right good maister, John Paston, Squier, at Norwiche, in haste.

1456
JUNE 7

Sir, please it your maistership to wyte, I have my attachements graunted in open Courte with helpe of Litelton91.4 and Hewe at Fen, and was bide to make redy the names, &c. before the Barons, of which Haltoft91.5 was one.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .91.6

As for tidings, the Kyng is at Shene, the Quene at Chestre; the Duc of Buk was, as I come hiderward, at Writell, the Erle of Warrewyke at Werrewyke, and the Lords Chaunceller,92.1 Tresorier,92.2 and th’Erle of Sar’ [Salisbury] in London, and noo more Lords at the begynyng this day of the grete Counsail. Many men say that there shuld be, but thei wote not what. The sege shall, as men say, come to Caleys and to Guynes, for moche puple come overe the water of Somme, and grete navies on the see.

Th’Erle of Penbroke92.3 is with the Kyng, and noo more Lordis. Th’Erle of Richemond92.4 and Griffith Suoh (?) are at werre gretely in Wales. The Comons of Kent, as thei werre wo[n]tte, er not all weel disposid, for there is in doyng amongs hem what evere it bee. Of Scotts is here but litell talkyng. My Lord York is at Sendall stille, and waytith on the Quene and she up on hym.

I dide my maistress your moderis erands, as ye have herde of, for Maister William hath writen his entente, and he and Clement faren weel.

Writen at Horshighdone, vijmo die Junij.

Rokewode and Crane faren weel, and thei and I recomaunde hem to my maistress your wif.

And as I understande, the Clerke of the Rolles is owte of charite with Maister Yelverton, and my Lord Chaunceller a litell mevid, &c. Your owen, J. B.

91.3 [From Fenn, i. 134.] On comparing this with the previous letters of Bocking, Nos. 330 and 331, it will be seen that they must all three be of the same year.

91.4 Thomas Lyttelton.—See p. 84, Note 5.

91.5 Gilbert Haltoft.

91.6 Here, in the original, followed various passages relating to law business, which Fenn has not printed.

92.1 Archbishop Bourchier.

92.2 Henry, Viscount Bourchier, was appointed Lord Treasurer on the 29th May 1455 (Patent Roll, 33 Hen. VI., p. 2, m. 12), and so continued till the 5th October 1456, when the office was taken from him and given to the Earl of Shrewsbury (Patent, 35 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 16).

92.3 Jasper Tudor.—See vol. ii. p. 298, Note 1.

92.4 Edmund Tudor.—See vol. ii. p. 297, Note 6.

335
ABSTRACT93.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston, Esq.

1456
JUNE 18

As to the matters on which Paston sent to him by Will. Barker to desire his advice, Paston knows that Fastolf has put his whole confidence in him, and begs he will do with the advice of Fastolf’s learned counsel whatever they jointly think for his weal; ‘for ye know well I am so visited by the hand of God that I may not deal with such troublous matters, without it should be to great hurt of my bodily welfare, which I trust ye would not desire.’ If you find my Lady of York disposed to visit this poor place, commend me to her, and tell her how it is with me that I cannot receive her as I ought.

Castre, 18 June.

[As it will appear a little further on that the Duchess of York visited Caister in 1456, this letter is probably of that year.]

93.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 242.]

336
ABSTRACT93.2

Sir J. Fastolf to John Paston.

1456
JUNE 24

To-day my cousin Sir Miles Stapleton, Sir James Braylyes, Andrew Grygges, ‘hyr resseyvor,’ and Grymston have been with Fastolf at Castre, and brought him 253 marks, which they would have paid if he had had the obligation here. Sends therefore a letter by his servant Colyn how Sir S. and he are agreed for its deliverance, etc. Sir S. made many strange insinuations that the money was paid before, partly by assignment to Clyffton, etc. On the 18th and 19th inst. ‘long Bernard, with a priest of Kent, to the number of 16 horse, hafe, at Nacton, Bentley, and other places of F., and entered by colour of a deed of feoffment made to the Lady Roos and others, and hafe right proud language to the farmers, that they will obtain their intent.’ Russe has written more plainly by Nich. Colman.

‘Item, I charge right greatly the matter of my Lord of Bedford for my discharge, and for the recovery of my Lord’s goods.’ Begs Paston to common with the Lord Chancellor and others about it; and desires him to give ‘mine attorney, Raulyns, and my serjeants’ a warning ‘to take more tenderness’ about the process of Hykelyng that has been so many years and days driven off.

St. John Baptist’s Day.

[From the reference to ‘the matter of my Lord of Bedford,’ this letter was most probably written in the year 1456.]

93.2 [Ibid., No. 263.]

337
ABSTRACT94.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

‘First it is to remember that, upon St. John’s day, there was Sir Symond Brayles, chaplain of my Lady of Suffolk, and in presence of Sir Miles Stapleton and Edward Grymston, said that the 200 marks was paid before in the Duke of Suffolk’s days.’ Can prove by writings that this was not so, and that he ‘offered to put it upon my Lord Chancellor and upon one or two of Lords of the King’s council as my said Lord Chancellor will call unto him,’ that it may be known whether my Lady is wronged or Fastolf. The £100 of the above sum was not paid by assignment to Clyffton. Sir Simon complains that the suit was stolen against Sir Thos. Tuddenham, and judgment given without my Lady’s counsel knowing of it; which can be disproved.

Castre, St. John Baptist’s Day.

‘Item, I remembered Sir Simon for the restitution of my revenues of Dedham 3 year day, and my damage of a mill put down,’ etc. I paid 500 marks for the ward of Sir Rob. Harlyng’s daughter for my Lord to Sir John Clyfton, of which the Duke had no right to receive one penny, for there was no land held of the King.

[This letter corresponds so closely with the last that it must have been written the same day.]

94.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 238.]

338
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON95.1

Honorabili viro Johanni Paston armigero ac confratri suo Willelmo germano uterino.95.2

1456(?)
[JUNE 29]

Ryte reverent Syre, &c. I am informyd credybily of a secrete frend that S. T. T. [Sir Thomas Tuddenham] and J. H. [John Heydon], with J. A. [John Andrews ?] and other of cursyd covy, wyl bryng with hem many gentylmen of here bende to compleyn upon me at the next chapitle, &c. And there fore, by the grace of God, I dispose me, with help of zour good maysterschip and my Mayster Willyam, zour brother. Where fore, at the reverens of God, that ze do speke with the clerk men clepyn Brayn, that kepyth the bokys of here inditementes at the oyer determyner, anno xxixº regni Regis; and that an extret or a copy myte schortly be wrytyn owt of as many namys as dedyn indyte T. T. and J. H. for trespas, extorsyones, and oppressyonys done to other men, as wele as to my Mayster Fastolff, etc., that I may be redy to schew to my ordre, lyk a kalender, a legende of here lyvys and here rewlyng of the cuntre, in destruccyon and gret myschef of the cuntre in here dayes. At the reverens of Jesu, forzet not this mater, ne the mater of Dedham, etc. I wolde ze askyd my good lord and mayster, Yelverton, yf I sent hym ony letter in the same mater, &c. Dicente Davitico Psalmo:96.1 Ne obliviscaris voces inimicorum tuorum, nam superbia eorum ascendit semper in psalmo; qui et si nunquam ascendant in cœlos, utinam nunquam desendant ab [ad] abissos, &c., etsi anima eorum in malis tabescebat, &c. Scriptum festinacione (?) feria 3a post festum Natalis Sancti Johannis Baptistæ.96.2 Recommendetis me magistro meo W. Paston, confratri vestro, et Thomæ Playter cognato meo, cui dicite quod faciat Willelmum Geneye sibi benivolum quia Sampson filius et heres J. Sampson olim mariti Katerinæ Fastolff apud Owlton mortuus, et ibi sunt duæ viduæ, major et minor, senior et junior. Eligatur quæ sibi melius placet.

Magister Thomas Howys vobis amantissimus se cordialissime recommendat vobis, etc. Item, Willelmus Wigorniensis recommendat se vobis ex toto corde. Scribo vobis, utinam ad placitum. Vester ad vota, F. J. B., Minorum minimus.

I hafe a rolle redy of the inditements, that they were indityd for trespase and extorsyon and oppressyon done to my Mayster Fastolff, in the keping of W. Worceter, &c.

Visa frangatur et in ignem post jaciatur. Si dignemini loqui cum effectu magistro Ricardo Fysscher, secretario domini mei comitis Warwicensis, pro cujus nomine et amore promptissimus sum adhuc plura pati, ut mittatur pro me litera magistro provinciali et diffinitoribus.

95.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Dr. John Brackley, the writer of this letter, was a Grey Friar of Norwich, of considerable celebrity as a preacher. Several letters of his are found in this collection, written in the years 1459 and 1460. This, however, must be a few years earlier, as in 1459 Brackley writes of William Worcester in very different terms. The handwriting also is not so close as that of his later letters. We cannot, however, carry the date further back than 1455, as it seems that Worcester and Howes were at this time together, which must have been at Caister. Nor will the year 1455 itself suit all the circumstances of the letter, for it is evident that John and William Paston were also together, and as the writer asks John Paston to speak to Yelverton, it may be presumed they were in London. Now, John Paston was certainly not in London within a week after St. John the Baptist’s Day in 1455. We have therefore placed the letter in 1456. It will be observed that, on the 1st of June in that year, John Russe advised Paston to go up to London.

95.2 This address is in William Worcester’s hand. The letter itself is in Brackley’s own.

96.1 See Psalm lxxiii. (or lxxiv.) 23.

96.2 St. John the Baptist’s Day is the 24th June. Feria tertia means Tuesday.

339
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON97.1

Magistro meo venerabili Johanni Paston Armigero detui.

Dixi enim magistro meo gardiano ante meum exitum quod magistri mei generosi et amici alii vellent me juvare pro die Jovis pro pascendo doctores, patres ac cæteros confratres nostri provincialis capituli; et in exitu meo consentire noluit, quia Gurnay suus socius et procurator, frater juvenis nostri conventus et unus sacerdos simplex, curatus de Worsted, et Bukle, cocus, super se diem prædictum assumpserunt. Et ego dixi, ‘Olim fuit modus quod unus ejusdem loci magister esset præferendus in tali diei eleccione. Sed unum scitote, si magistri mei certi generosi et ego cum eis habere non potuerimus diem quem elegimus, certe pro hoc tempore nullum alium diem habere volumus.’ Utinam placeret vobis ut magistra mea, uxor vestra, vellet mittere pro magistro gardiano, et dicere sibi quod ipsa quæsivit a me qualem diem ego haberem pro fratribus pascendis in tempore capituli et quod ego dixi me habiturum illum vel certe nullum aliter. Quæcumque ego potero procurare de pecuniis seu victualibus ego singula venderem et expendere vellem in reparacionibus, &c. Rogo vos ex caritate ut magistræ meæ matri vestræ ac aliis amicis vestris vobis notis, insinuetis nostram indigenciam pro faciliori relevamine capituli provincialis. Sic enim ad vestri et mei magistri mei specialem instanciam præsencialiter habere residenciam teneo, ut alia loca pro præsenti negocio accedere non valeam, &c. Non plura pro præsenti sunt calamo præsentanda, nisi quod vos, vestros et vestra Jesus Christus graciose conservet in prosperis et graciosius dirigat in agendis. Amen.

Recommendetis me, si placeat, uxori et matri et confratribus vestris W., &c. et domino meo Rectori de Blofeld, utinam de Hadle, &c.; cui dicatis quod hac nocte jacuit Colinus Gallicus cum pulcherima Amasia sua in camera conducta per eum, &c. Utinam nunquam vigeat, &c. Ipse proponit in vestra præsentia dicere dicto rectori satis perversa verba. Et spero quod dominus Rector faciat de sua speciali gratia meum negocium per Ricardum famulum suum crastina die summo mane expediendum, quia dies ista est dies ultima, &c. Ex manerio de Castre, Sabbato circa tempus prandii festinantissime.

Magister meus97.2 valde gavisus est quando audivit de vobis quomodo scienter, audacter, viriliter et veraciter respondistis adversariis vestris coram Domino Cancellario aliisque dominis, &c.

Vester præ cæteris orator, F. J. B., Minorum minimus.

97.1 This letter was copied by the Editor from one of the Royden Hall MSS. in 1875.

97.2 Sir John Fastolf.

340
HENRY FYLUNGLEY TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF98.1

To my ryght worshipfull unkle, and my ryght good master, Syr John Fastalf, Knyght.

1456(?)
JULY 17

Ryght worshipfull unkull, and my ryght good master, I recomaund me to yow wyth all my servys. And, Sir, my brother Paston and I have comened togeder as touchinge to your colage that ye wold have made; and, Sir, hit ys to gret a good that ys axed of yow for youre lycens; for they ax for every C. marc that ye wold amortyse D. marcz, and woll gefe hit noo better chepe.

And, Sir, y told my brother Paston that my Lady of Bargeveney98.2 hath, in dyvers Abbeyes in Lecestershyre, vij. or viij. prestes singinge for her perpetuell, by my brother Darcyes and my unkle Brokesbyes meanes, for they were her executors; and they acorded for money, and gafe a cc. or ccc. marc, as they myzt acord for a prest. And for the suerte that he shuld synge in the same abbey for ever, they had maners of good valew bounden to such persones as plesed the sayd barthern [brethren] Brokkesby and my brother Darcy, that the sayd servyse shulde be kept. And for lytell moore then the Kynge axed hem for a lycence, they went thorgh with the sayd abbots. And y hold this wey as sure as that other. Ye may comen with youre councell therof.

And yf there be any servyse that I can do for yow, hit shall be redy at all tymes, with the grace of God, who have yow in his kepynge.

Wryten at London, the xvij. day of Juyll. Your nevew and servaunt, Henry Fylungley.

98.1 [From Fenn, i. 166.] This letter must have been written about the time Sir John Fastolf first began to make inquiry on what terms he could obtain a licence for establishing a college at Caister,—a project which he had much at heart during the latter years of his life. A letter from Sir John himself upon this subject will be found a little further on, dated the 18th November (No. 351), and we think it probable that this is of the same year, 1456.

98.2 Edward Nevill, Lord Abergavenny, was twice married. His first wife, to whom he owed his title, was Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester. His second was Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Howard. The Lady here mentioned is probably the former, for though Dugdale says he obtained a dispensation for his second marriage in 1448, that date is inconsistent with the age of his son and other facts mentioned.

341
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON99.1

To my worshipful cousyn, John Paston.

1456
JULY 31

Right trusty and worshipful cousyn, I recomaunde me to yow. And like it yow to wyte, myn attorny, Raulyns, hathe enformed me that the Jugis have ruled processe to goo owte ayenst the priour of Hikelyng of distresse per omnia bona et catalla, of whiche the writte and other ar not yet come fro London. I trust whan thei come, be your good counsail and meane, the Shireve wil doo his devoir; how be it, as I understande, thei have sente the Lord Scales all there evidences, and he wil come and dwelle there hym silf. And I am also enformed, for certeyn, that the Bushop of Norwiche, for all the truste I hadde to hym, that by his meane I shulde have knowen there fundacion, he hathe warned his officeres not to have adoo therinne, by cause of the Lord Scales, &c. Cousyn, I pray yow, in as moche as the matere, by agrement, was putte in you and Fyncham, and how that ye, for the same cause, specially kepte your day at London, and toke not in there defaulte and not myn, that ye wil soo in caas ye see Fyncham remembre, and to othere there as ye seme it shulde profite to be knowen, and that yet nevertheles my sute soo ferforthe I wole yet, as I wolde thanne, and at all tymes am redy; and soo I wolde the priour knewe, and all othere, as weel his weelwillers as otheres, as the bringer herof shall declare you more pleinly. As for tidinges, my folkes ar not yet come fro London. The abbot of Seint Benettes hathe ben with me, and suche as he tolde me the bringer shall enforme you. And our Lord Jesu have you in governaunce.

Writen at Castre, the last day of Julle. Your cousyn, J. F.

99.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is doubtless of the same year as No. 336, in the end of which Fastolf wishes his attorney, Rawlyns, urged to greater activity in the matter of Hickling.

342
LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON100.1

To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved frend, John Paston, Squier.

1456
AUG. 10

Right trusty and entierly welbeloved frend, I grete you well, and wull ze wite that Danyell100.2 hath required me to write un to you, praying you that ze wyll kepe the day upon Thursday100.3 vij. dayes nexst comyng, which shal be for the best, as I trust; not with standyng I suppose lerned men wyll not be easy for to gete be cause of this besy tyme of hervest. Almyghty God have you in Hise governaunce.

Writen at Mydelton,100.4 the x. day of August. Your frend, Scales.

100.1 [From Fenn, i. 138.] This letter is dated by a memorandum at the bottom of the original, in the handwriting, as Fenn believes, of John Paston: ‘Lettera inter Mich. xxxiiij. et xxxv.’

100.2 Thomas Daniel of Rising.—See vol. ii. pp. 79, 80, 103, etc.

100.3 19th August.

100.4 In Norfolk.

343
LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON100.5

To my right trusty and welbeloved frend, John Paston, Squier.

About 1456(?)

Right trusty and welbeloved frend, I grete you hertly well. And for as mych as I u[ndyrstond] a bill was made at Yermuth ageyns my cousyn Bryan Stapylton and hise wy.  .  .  .  have set up the said bill in the Kynges Bench, which bill is in your kepyng, pray[ing] you that ye wyll sende me the same bill be the bringer herof, to the entent I m[ay] se it. And as I am informed be my said cousyn, ye shewed hym grete gentilnesse and benyvolence, wherof I thanke you right hertely. I pray God have you in governance.

Writen at Midelton, the xx. day of Septembre. Zowr frend, Scales.

100.5 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is placed immediately after another letter of Lord Scales, dated like this from his seat at Middleton in Norfolk, as probably belonging to the same period, though the exact year is uncertain.

344
ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO JOHN PASTON101.1

To our right truste and right welbeloved John Paston, Esquier, and William Norwiche101.2 and to either of theym.

1456
SEPT. 7

Right truste and right welbeloved, we grete you hertly wel. And where as Sir Nichol Bowet, Knight, sueth an appeelle in the countee of Norffolk ayenst oon Robert Offord of Berking for the deeth of oon Sir Henry Bowet, clerc, we being enformed that the matier is pitevous, praie you hertly that ye wul in our behalve moeve and entreete the Shirreve of the saide countee to surceese of the execucion of any processe upon the exigent101.3 to hym directed in that behalve unto the next terme, so that resonable meanes maye be founden to save the saide Robert harmelesse; lating hym wite that we have written to the saide Sir Nichol for a convenient treetie to be taken in that behalve, as shalbe thought according to right. And God have you ever in his keping.

Written in our Manoir of Mortelake, the vij. daie of September. T., Archbysshopp of Canterbury.

101.1 [From Fenn, iii. 276.] This letter may be presumed to have been written during the time that Archbishop Bourchier was Lord Chancellor, viz. between 7th March 1455 and 11th October 1456, when the Great Seal was given to Bishop Waynfleet. William Norwich, also, was Sheriff of Norwich in 1455, and is doubtless addressed in that capacity, but his year of office would not have begun so early as September. The letter therefore belongs to the following year.

101.2 Sheriff of Norwich, 1455; Mayor, 1461. Died, 1463-4.—Blomefield.

101.3 See vol. ii. p. 248, Note 4.

345
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON102.1

To my right worshipful Maister, John Paston.

1456
OCT. 8

Right worshipful Sir, and my good maister, I recomaunde me to yow, and have receyvid a lettre from yow by Sir Thomas is man, berer here of. And as for the accions,102.2 bothe of ravishement and th’attachement, the declaracions ar made tunc solvend’ and not solut’, and as moche amendid as we can or may be favour have amendid. We hadde be beguyled and they hadde not be sen in Norffolk, for here til this day come noo counsaill; and to have per manus Johannis Wyngfelde it wole not be, for we can not bringe it inne, and also it is to late.

And as for iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds],102.3 Fenn and I mette with Worsop this day, and he spake soore to Fenn and me, and we put hym overe, saying we wolde doo as moche as we myghte. I thinke verily that Fenn wole deserve ther inne a thanke, but I can not understande hym what he wolde be doon to, or how rewardid, for whanne I speke of it he is desplesid, and seithe he desirith noo rewarde; but he farith as a man wole sey he wold noo silvere, and lokith awaywardes and takith a noble. And he hath written to yow of the matere of Sir Philip Wentworthe touching this writte of liberate,102.4 whiche is but a color and noo warant sufficient, ner we owe not to doo no thinge that shuld obeye it, ner the Shireve nother dothe but of favor that he dothe to hem, and hym liste otherwise to doo, as Fenn writeth yow more pleinly. And as for a supersedies [sic], there lithe noon, as he seith, up on a liberate.

And as for entryng in Bradwell, thei doo opyn wronge, for after myn patent opteyned, there was a writte to sease it into the Kynges hande, and soo it was and is. And as to your patent, it is counsailled me to have a writte to th’eschetor de custodia liberanda, whiche may not be denyed. And if we myght have una cum exitibus a tempore mortis, it were a sovereigne writte. It shalbe assaied, and doo thertoo what can lete; the fermours be promised to be saved harmeles and chargid not to paie ony thing to them.

And as for the iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds] to be sette on Olivere is taile, I can not see it wole be, for there is noo suche worlde to bringe it abowte. It is faire, and we can ghete it on Fulthorp is dette by grete labor for agrement, for I drede it wole be moste agayn us that it is of recorde soo longe unpaied. And Hue at Fenn sueth now to Nailer to ghete owte moo liberates, suche as the last were to the last eschetor. And this God graunte thei take good spede.

And as to your isseus, I shal accordyng to your lettre speke with Gresham whanne he cometh, and the Juges and Barons bothe shalbe enformed of the title of Wentworthe, as ye write, and how it is up on a feyned dede upon surrender, and a patent cancelled, &c., which Fenn hath promisid to doo.

And as to Sir Thomas matier, I write un to yow and hym joinctly what hathe be doon therinne at this tyme. And Jesu have yow in kepyng.

Writen at Suthwerk, the viij. day of Octobre.

As to tidinges, the Kyng and the Quene ar at Coventre.103.1 The Counsail be ganne there yesterday, and my Lord Shrewyshbury,103.2 Tresorier of England, and John Wode shalb [shall be] Under-Tresorer. Thus thei say in the Chequer. Your owen, J. B.

102.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The body of this letter relates entirely to proceedings in the dispute between Sir John Fastolf and Sir Philip Wentworth about the wardship of Thomas Fastolf. The postscript alone relates to public matters. The date will appear by the footnotes.

102.2 Against Sir Philip Wentworth.

102.3 This sum was to be paid by John Bocking and William Worcester for a patent of the wardship of Thomas Fastolf.—See Letter 347 following.

102.4 See p. 77, Note 5.

103.1 The Privy Seal dates show the King to have been at Coventry between the 20th September and the 14th October 1456.

103.2 John Talbot, second Earl of Shrewsbury, was appointed Treasurer on the 5th October 1456.—Patent Roll, 35 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 16.

346
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON104.1

To my Maister Paston.

1456(?)
OCT. 12

Please yow to wete that I hafe remembred of the langage that I hafe late lerned W. Barker had to yow and othyrs of his accomptes apposyng,104.2 and of that they be not hole bethyn [between] ws, but yn division, &c. Sir, as I may sey yow, hyt was nevere othyrwyse, ne nevere ys lyke to be; for now they hafe do with Lowys, he that ys next shall be yn the same as he was yn gelosye; for when my maister comaundyth such as of force, by reson of her occupacion, most be nere hym, to do a message to hys felow, or question of hym, hyt shall be ymagyned amonges our felyshyp that he doth make maters to my maister. And so it ys ymagyned of me when I wryte lettres to London, to Bokkyng or Barker, that yn such maters as please hem not, then it ys my doyng; yff it take well to theyr entent, then it ys her [their] doyng. And yn gode feyth, so it was ymagyned of me and othyrs that wrote, by my maister comaundment, to Castre, to the parson of Blofeld, Geffrey Spyrlyng, and othyrs, that of such maters as was lykyng to hem and coude be sped by help of my maister frendes as by theyr solicytyng, then it was seyd that it was theyr avice, labour, and doyng. And yff the maters went not to my maister entent, ne that they coude not bryng aboute the mater, then it was imagyned and jangled that it was my wrytyng and doyng. I bare nevere my maister purs, ne condyt nevere chargeable mater alone of hys yn lawe, for my discrecion ne connyng know not whate such maters menyth. I knew nevere of oyer ne terminer, ne rad nevere patent before, ne my maister knew nevere the condyt of such thynges; and when he wrote of hys grevonse to hys frendys, he commaunded no man to be endyted, for he wyst not whate belonged to such thynges, ne the parson neyther, but remitted it to his councell lerned. There was no man gretter at hert with hym, as Andreus wyth Heydon, because of castyng Bradwell and Tychewell yn the Kynges handes, and toke awey the waarde. And I came nevere at the oyer and terminer.

By God, my maister lost c. marc by a seute of Margyt Bryg upon a defence of atteynt, because a quest passed ayenst hyr of xij. penyworth lond by yeer; and I dar sey and prefe it, my maister never spake of hyr, ne knew hyr not, ne wrote to sew hyr at the oyer and terminer, as I am remembred. Yhyt yt was well deffended, at my maister grete cost and labour, and myne pore labour also. Yhyt ought not I, ne none such yn my stede, beer the wyte [blame] wyth Sir Thomas, ne none othyr; he that takyth the tolle most take the charge, hyt ys hys negligence that wille take the labour more then he may awey. I wold the parson ys wellfare asmoch as man lyvyng, to my wreched power; and yff, or when, ye hyre onye froward ymagynacions, I pray yow gefe no credence tille ye hyre it aunsuerd. I am eased of my spyrytes now that I hafe expressed my leude [ignorant] menyng, because of my felow Barker, as of such othyr berkers ayenst the mone, to make wysemen laugh at her foyle. Our Lord kepe yow.

Wryt at Castre the xij. day of October. Your W. Botoner.

I hafe and do purchasse malgre to remembre of evidenses lakkyng by negligence, &c. And therfor I most be muet and suffre gretter losses but [unless] it be othyrwyse concydered. I sende yow the copie of your patentes,105.1 in parchement, and I hafe remembred as well as I can both the stuard and Bertilmeu Elys for execucion ayenst the pleggs of your seyntuarye, carpenter (?) Snow, that evere ys disposed to breke promysses. Foryefe me of my leude lettre wrytyng, and I pray yow laugh at it.

104.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is uncertain, but must be between the years 1454 and 1459, when Botoner was at Caister. Bocking and Barker seem to have been in London at the time, which we know was the case in February 1456; and as we have evidence that Bocking at least was still there in October, we may perhaps attribute this letter to the October of 1456.

104.2 The apposing of accounts was the charging of an accountant with the balance due by him to his employer.

105.1 Probably the patent of 6th June 1454, granting the wardship of Thomas Fastolf to John Paston and Thomas Howes.—See No. 248 (in vol. ii.), also the letter following.

347
SIR THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON106.1

To my right goode maister, John Paston.

1456
or
1457

Reverent Sir, &c. Please yow to wete that it [is] so that my maister, of his owen frowardness, and of non other mannys mevyng, hat sent a warent to Cristefor that he shuld delyver me no mony tyll the iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds] where payed for Bokkyng and Wurcestre patent;106.2 and yf the seyd Cristefore delyvered me any mony, that he shuld take a sewerte of me therfor, nowthwithstandyng my maister preyed me that I shuld reherce alle thynge in my name, where of I held me content. And now I fele this traytour wrytyng under nethe, and I nowth prevy ther to, at my comyng owt causet me to thynk the more hevynes, &c. Nevertheles, I prey yow that a mene may be taken of trety by the mene of Clopton or Ellys. Sende me word, and I shal seke menys of trety, for, be God, I shal trust no more no fayre wordes; and there to I shall lete alle the Lords of this lond knowe what wrytyngs I have, and his disposicion. Save yowre reverens, Cristyfor sal (?) have swyche a maister, &c. I prey yow, as ever I may do yow service or be yowre bedeman that ye wele sende me yowre avise. I had lever paye xx. marke, or xli. in hande and xli. yerely furthe, with myn enemyndz good love, than to yelde me to preson ayens here entent, and sewe forth the tyncte. And no trost what my maister wele do, for I can right evele beleve that he wele bere owt the cost of the tyncte whan he maket straunge to ley dowun the condempnacion, &c.

Wretyn brevely at Horseydown the Wenesday after messe, anno xxxvto. T. Howys.

I shal nowt leve this mater to serve the most enemy that he hat in Inglond. I wele non of his good. I have lever other men go to the Dille [Devil ?] for his good than I do.

106.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is dated by the writer in the 35th year of Henry VI., but he does not say in what month it was written. The 35th of Henry VI. was reckoned from the 1st September 1456 to the 31st August 1457. Taken in connection with the postscript of Botoner’s letter immediately preceding (the date of which letter this partly confirms), it is not unlikely that this was written about October. Perhaps ‘Wednesday after messe’ should have been ‘Wednesday after Michaelmesse.’ If so, the exact date would be October 6th.

106.2 The wardship of Thomas Fastolf was at first granted to John Paston and Thomas Howes, by patent of the 6th June 1454, and for this they agreed to pay 100 marks into the Exchequer. But, for some reason or other, a new arrangement was made, and the wardship was granted by another patent, dated 12th December 1454, to John Bokkyng and William Worcestre, who offered the King 20 marks over what Paston had offered, i.e. £80 in all.—See Patent Roll, 33 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 10.

348
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON107.1

To the right worshipfull and myn especiall maister, John Paston, Esquyer, in hast be this delivered.

1456
OCT. 16

After al due recomendacion, like it you to wete, that the day of your assise is die Lunæ proximo post tres septimanas Sancti Michaelis, whiche is on Moneday come vij. nyght; at whiche tyme I trost ye wole be here, or ellis can I do lytell or nought there inne.

As touchyng your mater ageynst Gunnore, that dwelleth in lawe, I have spoken to Lyttelton,107.2 and comuned with hym there in, but it is not yet spoke of atte barre. Gunnore hath waged his lawe107.3 of that he haade his day to wage it of, &c.

As touchyng your issues at Wentworth sute, it is ijs., and it was retourned er I come here. My Maister Fastolfs councel taketh heed thereto, &c.

As for tydynges, my Lord Chaunceler108.1 is discharged. In his stede is my Lord of Wynchestre.108.2 And my Lord of Shrewisbury108.3 is Tresorer, and Broun108.4 of your Inn is Undertresorer. If ye wold sende to hym to graunte you the namyng of th’eschetorship of Norffolk, &c., it were weel do, for it is told me he wold do moche for you.

Maister Lawrence Bothe108.5 is Prive Seall. And it is seid that my Lord of York108.6 hath be with the Kyng, and is departed ageyn in right good conceyt with the Kyng, but not in gret conceyt with the Whene [Queen]; and sum men sey, ne hadde my Lord of Buks108.7 not have letted it, my Lord of York had be distressed in his departyng.

On Moneday last passed was a gret affray at Coventre bytwene the Duke of Somersets men and the wechemen [watchmen] of the toun, and ij. or iij. men of the toun were kylled there, to gret disturbance of alle the Lords there; for the larom belle was ronge, and the toun arose, and wold have jouperdit to have distressed the Duke of Somerset, &c., ne had the Duke of Buks not have take a direccion therein.

Also it is seid the Duke of Buks taketh right straungely that bothe his brethren108.8 arn so sodeynly discharged from ther offices of Chauncellerie and Tresoryship; and that among other causeth hym that his opynyon is contrary to the Whenes [Queen’s] entent, and many other also, as it is talked. Item, sum men seyn, the counseal is dissolved, and that the Kyng is forth to Chester,109.1 &c. Also summe sey that many of the Lords shall resorte hiddir to London ageynst Alhalwen tyde.

And as touchyng th’eleccion of Shirefs, men wene that my Lord of Canterbury shall have a gret rule, and specyall in our countre.

I can no more, but Almyghty God send us as his most pleaser is.

Wretyn al in hast, the Saterday next after Seint Edwards day. Your Servaunt, James Gresham.

107.1 [From Fenn, i. 24.] This letter is assigned by Fenn to the year 1449, but the true date is 1456, as will be seen by the footnotes.

107.2 See p. 84, Note 5.

107.3 Wager of law was an ancient process by which a defendant cleared himself in an action of debt. He gave sureties that on a certain day he would ‘make his law,’ then took oath that he did not owe the plaintiff anything, as alleged, and called eleven compurgators to swear they believed him.

108.1 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, afterwards Cardinal.

108.2 William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, was appointed Chancellor in Archbishop Bourchier’s place on the 11th October 1456.

108.3 John Talbot, second Earl. He was appointed Treasurer on 5th October 1456.—Patent Roll, 35 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 16.

108.4 John Brown.—See William Wyrcestre’s Annals under the year 1468.

108.5 Afterwards Bishop of Durham, and finally Archbishop of York.

108.6 Richard, Duke of York.

108.7 Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.

108.8 The two Bourchiers, viz. Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Henry, Viscount Bourchier, the former of whom had been Lord Chancellor and the latter Lord Treasurer (see Notes 1, 2, and 3 above), were the Duke of Buckingham’s half-brothers by the mother’s side.

109.1 The Court had been staying at Coventry.

349
ABSTRACT109.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1456
NOV. 10

Begs him in the end of the term to come home by Dedham, along with William Worcester and Barker, to see to the accounts of barley and such husbandry as is used there. As to Wighton in Yorkshire, Bokkyng reminds me you spoke to me that my son Scrope and his father-in-law109.3 should have all the lyvelode of my wife’s in farm, to which I agreed, or else that Lord Vesey would have Wighton, as he once had, at a rent of £34—much more than I make it worth yearly. Do as you think best for me. I had rather my son Scrope had it with sufficient surety.

Castre, 10 Nov.

Begs him to common with William Worcester that by means of my Lord of Canterbury, or otherwise, Master William Clyf and others of the executors of John Wellis may be spoken to for the recovery of great good that William Worcester knows Wellis owed to Fastolf.

[The date of this letter appears to be 1456. Of the years when Fastolf resided at Caister, it is not 1454, because in that year Barker could not have been in London on the 10th November (see No. 265). It is not 1455, because Worcester appears to have been at that time at Caister (see Nos. 305 and 306). The same appears to have been the case in 1457, though we can only judge by a letter of the 29th October; and although Worcester certainly was in London in November 1458, Sir John Fastolf was then in London with him.]

109.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 241.]

109.3 Richard Bingham, Judge of the King’s Bench.

350
ABSTRACT110.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston at the Temple.

1456
NOV. 15

Received certain letters by Henry Hanson on Thursday last, including one from William Barker written in Lukett’s hand, and two bills of supplication, one of which, in the name of the tenants of Cotton, he has sent to Paston, as he has already written. John Russe and Geoff. Spyrlyng have ridden to Cotton in consequence, and will inform Paston how they speed. Thinks the bill ‘right good and well spoken according to the truth of their riotous demeaning.’ Received at the same time a bill written in his own name, of which he approves. Hears that young Henry Wentworth, young Calthorpe, and young Brews were at the distress-taking, among others. Has perfect confidence in Paston as to the treaty, and hopes to obtain again the manor of Bradwell by some means, as clear as he had it before his unhappy release. Hears that the Chief Justice ‘rectid the matter’ in Parliament before the Lords, and showed how Fastolf was wronged in that it was untruly found by the office that he had disseised Sir Hue Fastolf of the manor, whereas he has documents proving a true sale. My Lady of York has been here, ‘and sore moved me for the purchase of Castre.’ Begs him to devise means for the licence of mortising of certain buildings for the foundation of a college, ‘as ye and I have commoned of before.’ William Worcester can show him a copy of one passed by the King, and signed ready to the late Chancellor Stafford. Desires him to make himself acquainted with two chaplains about my Lord of Canterbury and my Lord Chancellor. William Barker writes of a general treaty, to which he can make no answer further than he has already done to Yelverton and Paston.

Castre, Monday after St. Martin.

[In this letter, as in the last, we have Worcester and Barker both in London, which, we have seen, points to the year 1456. It is clear also that this letter was written just before that which follows.]

110.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 259.]

351
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON111.1

To the worshipful and my right welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, at the Temple, or to William Barker, at Suthwerk, be this delvered.

1456
NOV. 18

Worshipful cosyn, I comaunde me to yow. And where as I late wrote unto yow in a lettre by Henre Hansson for the fundacion of my college, I am soore sette therupon; and that is the cause I write now, to remembre yow agayn to meve my Lords of Canterbury111.2 and Wynchestre111.3 for the licence to be opteined, that I might have the morteisying withowte ony grete fyne, in recompence of my longe servise contynued and doon un to the Kyng, and to his noble fader, whom God assoile, and nevere yette guerdoonned or rewarded.

And now sithe I have ordeyned to make the Kyng founder, and evere to be prayed fore, and for his right noble progenitors, hise fader, and uncles, me thinketh I shuld not be denyed of my desire, but the rather to be remembrid and spedde.

Wherfore, as I wrote un to yow, I pray yow acqueynte me and yow, for the rather spede here of, with a chapelleyn of my Lord of Caunterbury, that in your absence may remembre me, and in like wise with my Lord Chaunceller;112.1 for seyng the Kyngs disposicion, and also hise, un to the edyfyeng of God is service, it myght in noo bettyr tyme be mevid, &c.

My Lord of Norffolk is remevid from Framlyngham on foote to goo to Walsyngham,112.2 and deily I wayte that he wolde come hidre. Your cosyn, J. Fastolf.

111.1 [From Fenn, i. 164.] This letter, as printed by Fenn, bears no date in itself, but in the editorial note at the foot it is dated: ‘Caister, 18th of November.’ Probably this date is expressed in the original, but has been accidentally omitted in the printing. If so, the year in which it was written must be either 1456 or 1457, and most probably the former. In 1455 the Archbishop of Canterbury and my Lord Chancellor were one and the same person, which they evidently are not here; and in 1458 it appears by the Castlecombe MSS. that Sir John Fastolf was in London on the 26th November, so that he is not likely to have been expecting a visit from the Duke of Norfolk at Caister eight days before. On the other hand, if this was written in the year 1456, it must be remembered that Archbishop Bourchier had been just recently discharged of the office of Lord Chancellor, which was given to Bishop Waynfleet on the 11th October, and it is highly probable that the Archbishop had been already spoken to on the subject in his capacity of Chancellor.

111.2 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop.

111.3 William Waynfleet, Bishop.

112.1 William Waynfleet, the Bishop of Winchester before mentioned.

112.2 On pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham.

352
ABSTRACT112.3

Proceedings in a Suit in Michaelmas Term, 35 Hen. VI.

1456
NOV.

I. Writ to the Sheriff of Suffolk to attach John Andrewe of Boylom, and bring him before the Barons of the Exchequer on the morrow of All Souls to answer, along with Sir Philip Wentworth and Thos. Deyvill of Netlestede, to the suit of John Paston and Thomas Howys.

II. Pleadings. The King committed the wardship of Thomas, son and heir of John Fastolf of Cowhawe, to Paston and Howes by patent, 6th June 32 Hen. VI.; but on the 8th June 32 Hen. VI., Andrewe and Deyvill, with force and arms, entered Sholond Hall, Suffolk, and Foxhole, and Bentley Houses, etc., and took rents to the sum of £360, and underwood to the value of £40. Imparlance granted till 26th Nov., when the parties were not agreed. Venire facias was then awarded a die Sancti Helarii in xv. dies.

112.3 [Add. Charter 17,244, B.M.]

353
JOHN DORY TO JOHN PASTON 113.1

To my ryth wurchepfull sovereyn and master, John Paston, be this delyveryd in hast.

About 1456(?)

Ryth wurshepfull master and sovereyn, I recomaunde me to you, besechyng you to pardon me that I cum not to awayte up on you like as Barkere wrote to me. For I have notable and grete causis syth the lettere cam from hym, the qweche hath chaungyd my purpos, and be my master the Schreve is wrytyng, on to weche I must aplie me, all excusis leyd apart. And as for the wrytyng Barkere wrote to me, be the qweche he directyth a gret default in my deputys for return of the habeas corpus with ducens tecum, ther as is none, I dar seye, for John Rede spek to all my master Fastolfs councell to advyse hym in the return, and to have returnyd hit after ther conceyt, and thei wuld gyf hym non advys. Nevertheles I now understande ther entent be Barkere is wrytyng; for thei wuld put alle juparte up on me to myn utter ondoyng, and yit to do my trewe part in execucion of ther entent, for ye knowell my master hath put the juparte and the losse, if any growe, to me on his part. And ther for I may repent the tyme that ever I promysyd my trewe and good wyll to that entent. For alle the malesse and evylwill that is owyng to me in alle the Schere ys for that mater and non other, the qweche hath grettely hurt me, and in tyme comyng schall hurt more. But lete them hold me excusyd, thei schall not have my goodwill so feythfully as thei have had, be my troweth, and I schall helpe my sefl [sic] as I may. And, Sire, I be seche you, thynke not that I pyke this be waye of qwarell, that I myth be this querell owe my good wyll to the toder part, for thei schall never have yt in that mater, nor in non other. And for good the qweche I have receyvyd yff be thowth I have not deservyd yt I am abill to content yt a geyn. And on Friday nexst foluwyng I schall be with you atte Norwich be Goddys grace, and knowe your entent in this mater.

No more, &c., but &c. —Be your man and servaunt, John Dory under Schreve of Norffolk.

113.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 170.] The name of Dory occurs only once elsewhere in these letters, and then without a Christian name; but the person so referred to (at the end of No. 330) is probably the under-sheriff of Norfolk; and this letter, which is likewise concerned with Fastolf’s business, may have been written about the same period.

354
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON114.1

1457(?)
APRIL 2

Sire, lyke it your maistership to wete that I sende you at this tyme the rolle of the copies of all patentes, and the appoyntement with Wentworth laste, and also a abstracte drawen as it come simply to my remembrance. And I shalbe with you sumtyme the next weke. All men ar owte at this tyme, as the Parson,114.2 Worcester, and Barker; and therfore til thei come, I may not owte. H. Wyndesor departid on Monday, and will doo that he can. He telleth me Lumleys patent is in his awarde, but it is of noo force. And also he hathe Constable is ij. [second ?] patente, and that is moste ayenst us, &c. He wil purveie therfore as ye knowe myn maister114.3 comaundit hym to yow.

Here hath ben Wilton with the dede of feffement yesterday, and all men hadde ensealed sauf myn maister that now hathe ensealed, and H. Inglose is right soory. I can no newe tidinges, but that myn maister hath put his matier of Issabells in Scroudeby, and the rente of the priour of Norwiche dieu to Heilesdon in your hande and Thomas Grene. Ye shal the next weke have the evidences. And Jesu kepe you and youres.

I sende myn Maistres Crane a lettre fro hir brother, but I have the credence, whiche I can not say but if she appose me for certein materes of hir brotheres.

Writen at Castre, the ij. day of Aprill. Your owen servaunt, J. B.

114.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is very uncertain. In 1456 the writer dates from Southwark on the 8th of May, and in 1458 from London on the 14th of March, so that there is rather a presumption against his being at Caister on the 2nd of April in either of these years. But these points, it must be owned, are little to be relied on, as Bokking certainly passed to and fro a good deal between London and Norfolk. The date must, however, be between 1455 and 1459. The letter has no address, but was doubtless intended for John Paston.

114.2 Thomas Howes.

114.3 Sir John Fastolf.

355
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON115.1

To my Maister Paston.

1457
APRIL 20

Please you to wete that, after dew recommendacion, hyt yt so that my maister sendyth me to London for the mater of Rochestr, as for dyvers of hys oune particuler maters which concern not the lawe, &c.; and I am lyke to tarye till ye com, in case ye com wythynne iij. wekys.

Sir, at reverence of God, seth my maister ys fully yn wille to renew hys fefment, that it may be do be tyme by the surest grounde that may be had, for, be it nevyr so suerly don, hyt shall be thought lytille ynowgh to kepe hys lond owte of trouble; and to spare for no councell ne cost to make sure, for a peny yn seson spent wille safe a pounde. I comyned with my broyder Spyrlyng, which seyth he wille do hys attendaunce, and to kepe it ryzt close of the namys. Taryeng drawyth parell.

And ye meved a gode mater to the Parson and to me at your last beyng at Castr, that my maister shud be lerned whate hys housold standyth uppon yerlye, seth he kept it holye to ghedr at one place; and that don, then to see by the revenues of hys yeerly lyfelode whate may be leyd and assigned owte for that cause to meynteyn hys seyd housold, and over that, whate may be assigned to beere owte hys plees, and also do pay for hys foreyn chargs115.2 and dedes of almes to a convenyent somme.

And seth the grettist ordynarye charge most be hys housold kepyng, hyt were moste exspedyent that ye wold note well to remembre specially my maister to do hys audyt[or]es cast up and make rollys of hys accompts concernyng the seyd housold seth he came yn to Norffolk thys ij. yer and half, whych was nevyr so long to doo thys xl. wynter as ye now. And it ys pytee that hys audyt ys none ethyr wyse yn that entended; ye must nedys, yff ye wille my maister know how hyt stand with hym yerly of hys chargs, that thys be do fyrst, as it was allwey accustomed. My maister wille acord it to be don, but it ys forgete throwgh negligence of men yoven to sensualite, as Thomas Upton, me, and othyrs. My maister can not know wheder he go backward or forward till thys be doon.

I can not elles, but ye wille not foryete thys that the audyt[or]es go verraily aboute it to an ende. And Haylysdon accompts be behynde for ij. yeer to [too] grete pite ys, and it wer yours or yn any wyseman gouveraunce.

At Norwich hastly, the Wenstay in Ester weke. Boto-H.R.-Ner.

115.1 [From Fenn, iii. 294.] It appears from the contents of this letter that it was written two and a half years after Sir John Fastolf came to live in Norfolk, which he did in the autumn of 1454. The date therefore is certain.

115.2 Charges not connected with his household accounts.—F.

356
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON116.1

To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier, beyng in Norwych, yn haste.

1457
MAY 1

Ryght worshypfull Sir, aftyr dewe recommendacion, please yow to wete that I wrote a remembraunce to yow the day that I departed owte of Norwich, by Rychard, the Parson ys servaunt of Blofeld, concernyng certeyn maters to be remembred by your wysdom for my maister ys avaylle, whych your grete wysdom can well undrestand ys ryght nedefull, as one thyng yn especiall, that Shypdam and Spyrlyng ought to labour, fyrst of onye thyng that belongyth, to audyt the accompts of the resseyt and despense of my maister housold at Castr seth he came last in to Norffolk, whych aswell for the provisyons that ys had of hys oune grownyng as in money payd; for till the seyd accompts be made ordynatlye, whych be of a grete charge yeerlye, wete ye for certeyn my maister shall nevere know whethyr he goth bakward or forward. And manye othere accomptants that maken lyvere of provysyons of cornys and catell to the household by the resseyvour and by the bayllyfs can not approve theyr liberatz just tille the seyd housold bokes be made upp; and seth it hath be kept ordynarylye seth my maister begen to kepe house thys l. yeer almoste, and when he hath be absent beyond see, &c., hyt ought to be more redelyer be doon and made upp whyle he is present, and well the rathere that hys housold menye were not so hole to ghedr thys xl. yer as be now at Castr. Also hyz minustrs of accompts of hys chieff maner of Haylysdon for iij. yeer to make upp and to examyn; and I ensure yow full simplye approwed hys wollys and hys fermys.

And the iijd ys that so wold Jesus my maister audytors wold faythfully and playnlye enforme my maistr of the trouth of the yeerly grete damage he beryth in debursyng hys money aboute shyppes and botes, kepyng an house up at Jermuch [Yarmouth] to hys grete harme, and resseyvyth but chaffr and waare for hys cornys and wollys, &c. and then most abyde along day to make money; of such chaffr takyng he shall nevere117.1 be monyed, ne be aunsuerd clerly of hys revenues yeerly but [unless] those thyngs abofeseyd be amended be tyme. Yn Lowys days xij. yeer to gheder my maister was wont to ley upp money yeerly at London and Castr, and now the contrarye—de malo in pejus.

I dar not be know of thys bille, but ye may question and vele of the disposicion of thys maters of otheres, and then I undrstand yff I wryt justlye or no; and ye, as of your mocion for my maister worshyp and profyt, exortyng hym, the stuard, Shypdam, and Spyrlyng to take a labour and a peyn that thys be reformed.

I pray yow, and require yow kepe thys mater to your sylf. Yowr, Botoner.

As for nouveltes none comth,118.1 but yt ys seyd the sege shall com to Calix. The Erle of Warwyk118.2 ys yhyt at Caunterbury with the Archbyship,118.3 and the Erle younger brothere118.4 maryed to Sir Eadmund Yngylthorp doughter uppon Seynt Marks Day. The Erle of Worcestr118.5 broght aboute the maryage. The Queen and the Kyng at Herford,118.6 the Lordes Bokyngham,118.7 Shrewsbury,118.8 and otheres ther. And now it ys seyd Herbert118.9 shall com ynne, and apper at Leycester before the Kyng and the Lordes, hys lyfe graunted and godes, so he make amendys to theym he hath offended. Manye be endyted, som causelese, which makyth Herbert partye streng, and the burgeys and gentlemen aboute Herford wille goo wyth the Kyng wyffe and chylde, but a pease be made or the Kyng part thens, for ell[es] Herbert and hys affinite wille acquyt them, as it ys seyd.

The Erle of Warwyk hath had the folks of Caunterbury and Sandwych before hym, and thanked hem of her gode herts and vytaillyng of Calix, and prayeth hem of contynuaunce.

I sende a bille of the namys endyted to my maister and yow, to see and laugh at theyr Wellsh names descended of old pedegris. Our Lord be with yow.

Wryt hastly at London, the fyrst day of May. Botoner.

116.1 [From Fenn, iii. 298.] That this letter was written in the year 1457 appears pretty clear from its agreement with the last, in which Botoner speaks of the expediency of getting the accounts of Fastolf’s household audited, and mentions that his master was sending him up to London. A further confirmation of the date may be found in the dates of the Privy Seals of the 35th year of Henry VI., which show that the King was at Hereford during April, though he had removed to Worcester on the 4th of May.

117.1 The left-hand copy in Fenn reads ‘neide,’ but the modern version ‘never,’ which is clearly the true reading.

118.1 So in Fenn, but qu. ‘couth.’—See p. 41.

118.2 Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.

118.3 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.

118.4 John Neville, afterwards Marquis Montague, married Isabel, daughter and heir of Sir Edmund Ingoldesthorpe of Burgh Green, in Cambridgeshire, by his wife Jane, sister, and at length co-heir of John, Lord Tiptoft, first Earl of Worcester. He was slain in the battle of Barnet in 1471.

118.5 John Tiptoft.

118.6 Hereford.

118.7 Humphrey Stafford.

118.8 John Talbot, second Earl.

118.9 Sir William Herbert, afterwards Earl of Pembroke, a steady Yorkist.

357
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE119.1

To myne worshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Squier.

About 1457
AUG.

Ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow, and thanke yow of youre greet peyn and labores that ye daylye take for me in alle myn causes, for wheche I am greetly holden to yow, God yelde hit yow. And, cosyn, hit is so, as I am enformed, that a fermore of myn maner in Saxthorp, called John Bennes, shuld come be fore yow for to appoynte for suche dewte as he oweth to me upon his ferme. I sende to yow the bokes of his accompt to th’entent that Spyrlyng may awayte upon yow at his comyng, and declare hym his dewte, wheche, as myn receyvore seyth, hit wole drawe to the summe of xlvli. [£45], and more money at Michelmasse now next comyng. And the ferme is but xxli. [£20] yerly, by wheche ye may understande that he hath hadde greet favore in his payementes to his weel and myn greet hurt, as I reporte me to youre greet wysdome. Neverthelesse, sethe hit is so that he hath hadde this advayle upon me, I wold seen now that suche dewte as shal ben dewly founde upon hym by accompt to be made at this day, that I may ther of have payement in hande as reson wole, or of as moche as the day is ronne of; and for the resydewe to have greable sewerte, that is to sey, of xxli. growen at Mihelmasse next comyng, to have payement therof at the Festes of Seynt Andrew and the Annunciacion of our Lady next comyng by even porcions, as in his endenture made of the seyd lees more pleynerly is conteyned. And this don, I am content that he goo at large, and elles that Spyrlyng take a rekenyng of hym, so as I may be aunswered accordyng to the statute, &c. And, cosyn, that overe this ye lyke to yeve credence to the brynger her of of that he shal declare yow in this be half be mouth. And oure Lord kepe yow.

Wreten in hast, at myne manoir of Castre, the Saterday next after our Lady Day the Assumpcion.

And, cosyn, I praye yow that he have none favore other wyse than lawe wole, seyng he is so contraryows for any fayer promyse of his behalf, &c. Youre cosyn, John Fastolf, Ch’r.

119.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is a letter of pure business, and the date is uncertain; but as John Paston had been giving advice about money matters and the affairs of Fastolf’s household in 1457, we may insert it here.

358
ABSTRACT120.1

1457
OCT. 2

Copy of a charter granted by John Paston, [patron?] of the church of Gresham, and Robert Miller,  .  .  .  .  .  allowing the prior and convent of St. Sepulchre of The[tford] to distrain for a pension on the vicarage.

2 Oct. 36 Hen. VI.

[This document is mutilated. In the margin is the following note in a modern hand: ‘E. Coll. Fr. Blomefield, Hist. Norf. vol. i. fo. 436.’]

120.1 [Add. Charter 17,245, B.M.]

359
ABSTRACT120.2

Sir John Fastolf to ‘my Brother’ William Yelverton, Justice.

1457
OCT. 29

Begs him to continue his kindness especially, now that the Parson, Sir Thomas, comes up to appear before him and other the King’s judges ‘by the cruel and hasty suit of Androus and his affinity.’ Hopes the process sued by him so eagerly ‘upon the unjust condemnation shall be reformed and holpen by the attaint in chastising of perjury that reigneth so much now a days.’ It were a blessed deed if it were reformed by Yelverton. Desires credence for ‘my cousin Paston’ and Sir Thomas in the matter. (Signature not Fastolf’s own.)

Castre, 29 Oct.

[This letter is written in William Worcester’s hand. The suit of Andrews against Howes appears to have been in 1457, as it is referred to afterwards in a writ of the 1st September 1458, which will be found noticed under that date.]

120.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 268.]

360
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO STEPHEN SCROOPE120.3

A Stevyn Scrope.

1457
OCT. 30

Worschepeful and my right wel beloved Sone, I comaund me to yow, and hertily thank yow for your good avertismentys, and right well avysed lettres to me sent from tyme to tyme, and so pray yow of your good continuance.

Plese it yow to wete that, for as mech as the parson Sir Thomas Howes cometh up at this tyme by the grevous pursewte of John Andreus and Heydon, to apere be fore the right worschepeful Sir, my right wel be loved brother, your fadir,121.1 and other the Kynges Juges of the Kynges Benche,—I pray zow hertily that ye wille have in remembraunce for to recomaund me to hym whan ye speke with hym, and for to thank hym for his rightful favour shewed in Sir Thomas matier, and in alle other maters that toucheth me, wheche ben attained in that hey courte; and so it lyke yow, pray hym of his good continuance, and I shall doo serve it unto hym to my symple power for his good wyl to me shewed, and to myne; and I trust to God that he shal hold hym plesid. And that it like yow to geve credence to the seid Sir Thomas of that he shal sey to zow for my worschepe and profyte, and that this lettre may recomaund me to my doghtir your wyf, be sechyng the blissed Trinite to sende yow the acomplyshment of your good desyre.

Wretyn at Castre, the xxx. day of Octobr. J. F.

120.3 [From Fenn, iii. 42.] The date of this letter is clearly the same as that of the last, with only a day’s difference.

121.1 On comparing this letter with the last, the person here referred to would seem to be Justice Yelverton. Mr. Poulett Scrope, however, in his privately printed History of Castlecombe (p. 277), says it was Sir Richard Bingham, whose daughter Joan Stephen Scrope had by this time married. It is quite possible that Fastolf sent a similar message to Bingham by Scrope, and to Yelverton by Paston and Howes.

361
RICHARD, EARL OF SALISBURY, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT121.2

To the right worchipful and with al myn hert rigt entierly welebiloved Brother, the Viscount Beaumont.

1458(?)
JAN. 24

Right worshipful, and, with al myn hert, right entierly wele bilovede brothre, I recomaunde me unto yow. And for somoche as by the Kings moste noblez lettrez brought me late by Hagreston, oon of the gromes of his chambre, I am desirede to come unto his Highnesse to London; wherunto for suche grevous diseas and infirmitees as it hath liked oure Lord to visit me with, wherof Robert Danby can at large declare unto yow, I can ne mowe dispose me, without feynyng, by the trouth I owe unto the King, but that therby I doubt not, I shulde not rekever, daies of my lyfe, suche hurt as, by the reason of the said diseas, wolde grow unto me, the which hath right fervently and sore holden me in many diversez bihalvez, so that, sith my last comyng frome London I had not, by the space of vj. daies togidiez, my helth.

Wherfore, brothre, I pray yow, with al myn hool hert, that it like yow to cal tofore yow the said Robert Danby, and to take of him the vray trouth in the premissez, and therupon to bee my good and tendre moyen, as by your wysdome can best bee thought convenable, unto the Kinges goode grace, for th’excuse of my nown comyng; prayng yow hertly to certifye me, by comers bitwen, suche tidings as ye shal have in thos partiez, with othre your good pleasir to be perfourmed at my power, as knoweth oure Lord, to whom I biseche to ever have yow in his blissed proteccion and keping.

Wryten at Shirrifhoton, the xxiiij. day of Januare.

Your trew brodir, wich prayth you hertely to excuse me to the Kings Heghnesse. R. Salisbury.

121.2 [From Fenn, i. 146.] Fenn considers this letter to have been called forth by the summons sent by the King to the Lords of both parties to come to London, in the beginning of 1458, with a view to a reconciliation. On this view, the excuse of illness given by Salisbury is, of course, a mere pretence, and, moreover, was not adhered to, for within a week after it was penned Salisbury actually was in London with a company of 400 horse and 80 knights and squires (see Botoner’s letter of the 1st February). This sudden change of tactics on the part of the Earl seems to me hardly probable, and I see no reason why the letter should not refer to a genuine illness upon a different occasion. Nevertheless, as there is no positive evidence on the subject, I leave the date suggested by Fenn, with a query, on which the reader may use his own judgment.

362
AGNES PASTON123.1

Erands to London of Augnes Paston, the xxviij. day of Jenure, the yer of Kyng Henry the Sext, xxxvj.

1458
JAN. 28

To prey Grenefeld to send me feythfully word, by wrytyn, who Clement Paston hath do his dever in lernyng. And if he hathe nought do well, nor wyll nought amend, prey hym that he wyll trewly belassch hym, tyl he wyll amend; and so ded the last maystr, and the best that ever he had, att Caumbrege. And sey Grenefeld that if he wyll take up on hym to brynge hym in to good rewyll and lernyng, that I may verily know he doth hys dever, I wyll geve hym x. marcs for hys labor, for I had lever he wer fayr beryed than lost for defaute.

Item, to se who many gownys Clement hathe; and the that be bar, late hem be reysyd. He hathe achort [a short] grene gowne, and achort musterdevelers123.2 gowne, wer never reysyd; and achort blew gowne that was reysyd, and mad of a syde gowne, whan I was last at London; and asyde russet gowne, furryd with bevyr, was mad this tyme ij. yer; and asyde murry gowne was mad this tyme twelmonth.

Item, to do make me vj. sponys, of viij. ounce of troy wyght, well facyond and dubbyl gylt.

And sey Elyzabet Paston that she must use hyr selfe to werke redyly, as other jentylwomen done, and sumwhat to helpe hyr selfe ther with.

Item, to pay the Lady Pole  .  .  .  xxvjs. viijd. for hyr bord.

And if Grenefeld have do wel hys dever to Clement, or wyll do hys dever, geffe hym the nobyll. Agnes Paston.

123.1 [From Fenn, i. 142.]

123.2 See vol. ii. p. 155, Note 1.

363
AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON124.1

Tho my wele be lovyd son, John Paston, be this delyvered in haste.

Sonne, I grete zow wele, and lete zow wete that for as myche as zoure brothir Clement leteth me wete that ze desyre feythfully my blyssyng,—that blyssyng that I prayed zoure fadir to gyffe zow the laste day that ever he spakke, and the blyssyng of all seyntes undir heven, and myn mote come to zow all dayes and tymes; and thynke veryly non other but that ze have it, and shal have it, with that that I fynde zow kynde and wyllyng to the wele of zoure fadres soule, and to the welfare of zoure bretheren.

Be my conseyle dypose zoureselfe as myche as ze may to have lesse to do in the worlde; zoure fadye sayde: In lityl bysynes lyeth muche reste. This world is but a thorough fare, and ful of woo; and whan we departe therefro, rizth nouzght bere with us but oure good dedys and ylle. And ther knoweth no man how soon God woll clepe hym, and therfor it is good for every creature to be redy. Qhom God vysyteth him he lovyth.

And as for zoure bretheren, thei wylle I knowe certeynly laboren all that in hem lyeth for yow. Oure Lorde have zow in his blyssed kepyng, body and soule.

Writen at Norwyche, the xxix. day of Octobyr. Be zoure modir, A. P.

124.1 [From Fenn, iii. 40.] As there is no distinct evidence of the date of this letter, I have placed it after another paper written by Agnes Paston, and making mention of Clement, though I rather suspect it may be a little later. It certainly cannot have been, as Fenn supposes, written within a short time after William Paston’s death in 1444, as Clement Paston was then only two years old. From some of the expressions we might be led to suspect that John Paston was in trouble at the time.

364
WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF125.1

To my ryght worshypful master, Sir John Fastolf.

1458
FEB. 1

Ryght worshypfull Sir, and my ryght gode maister, I recomaund me to yow yn my full humble wyse. Please yow to wete, as to nouveltees here both125.2 Christofr Barker wryteth to you more along.

The Kyng came the last weke to Westminster, and the Duk of Yorke came to London with hys oune housole onlye to the nombre of cxl. hors, as it ys seyd; the Erle of Salysburye with iiijc. [400] hors yn hys companye, iiijxx [fourscore] knyghts and sqwyers.

The Duke of Somerset came to London last day of Janyver with ijc. [200] hors, and loggyth wythoute Temple Barre, and the Duc of Excestr shalle be here thys weke with a grete felyshyp and strong, as it ys seyd.

The Erle of Warwyke ys not yhyt com, because the wynde ys not for hym.

And the Duke of Excester takyth a grete displesir that my Lord Warewyke occupyeth hys office, and takyth the charge of the kepyng of the see uppon hym.

Item, as for tydyng of beyend see, I hyre none certeyn, but that the Frensh Kyng125.3 shulde hafe maryed hys doughter to the Kyng of Hungerye,125.4 whych had the descomfytur uppon the Turks, and the seyd Kyng ys decesed wythynne thys vj. wekes, or the spouselle was made; but he ordeyned or he dyed that the Frensh Kyngs doughter shuld be named Quene of Hungerye duryng hyr lyffe.

Rygt worshypfull Sir, I beseche the blessed Trinite hafe yow yn hys gouvernaunce.

Wrete at London, the fyrst day of Feverzer, anno 36 R. H. VI.

Moreover, please you to wete that William Canyngs the merchaunt wryteth an aunsuer of your lettre. I trust it shall be the better for your wrytyng.

My brother promytted me a certeyn somme when I maryed, and I shall hafe it of my sister yff I may. Your humble servauntte, W. Botoner, dit Worcestyr.

125.1 [From Fenn, i. 150.] Fenn states that he has omitted, as of no consequence, the first part of this letter relating to the holding of some courts and some other law matters wherein Yelverton, Fylongley, and others were concerned.

125.2 The modern version in Fenn reads ‘here being.’

125.3 Charles VII.

125.4 Ladislaus V., who died on the 23rd November 1457, when on the point of marriage with Magdalen, daughter of Charles VII. of France. He is believed to have been poisoned.

365
ABSTRACT126.1

William Botoner to Sir John Fastolf

1458(?)
[FEB.]

You shall know the governance here on Paston’s coming to you better than I can write. The King is gone to Berkhamstead, ‘and it is said my Lords Somerset, Exeter, Clifford, and Egremont, that rode upon Thursday last to the King, they come again to London; and the Lord of Northumberland is come to the King at this time after the Lords’ departing out of London with 3000 or 4000 people, as it is said, but all toke (?) to a good peace, and reconysances made to keep the peace in great sums till Michaelmas, that in the mean time to make a throw peace final by means of all the Lords.’ John Vyncent of Bentley was at the Priory of Lewes in Sussex this week, and says that sixty sail of Frenchmen were sailing before the coasts, keeping the sea. The Lord Fauconberg is at Hampton with his navy. Edmund Clere of the King’s house has heard from a soldier of Calais that Crowmer and Blakeney is much spoken of among Frenchmen. ‘The King’s safe conduct is not holden but broken, as it is voiced here, and that will do no good to merchants till it be amended.’ Figs and raisins are dear at 18s. the croc (?), ‘wherte’ at 10s. the qr., malt 5s. Remains here awaiting for the com[ing of your] officers of Castlecombe to bring up your money. Expects to send £40 by Master Paston.  .  .  .  .  (Mutilated at the bottom; date lost.)

[The King was at Berkhamstead in the end of June and beginning of July 1450; also on the 3rd March 1453 (from Reading, whither he returned immediately); also in February and March 1458 (from 20th February to 13th March). This letter must have been written in February 1458.]

126.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 274.]

366
JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF127.1

To my Maister Fastolf, at Castre, in haste.

1458
MARCH 15

Lyke it your maistership to wyte that, as for tidings, the Counsell is, the fornone, at the Blake Frires, for the ease of resorting of the Lordys that are withinne the toun; and at afternone at the White Frirers in Fletstrete, for the Lordis withowte the toun; and all thing shall come to a good conclusion with God is grace, for the Kyng shall come hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and my Lord Buk,127.2 and Stafford127.3 with hire, and moche puple.

My Lord of Caunterbury takith grete peyne up on hym daily, and will write un to yow the certeynte of suche tidings as falle; and shuld have doon or this tyme, saf for that he wolde knowe an end of the matter.

Other tidings here are none, sauf my Lord of Excestre127.4 is displesid that the Erle of Warwyk shall kepe the see, and hath therfore received this weke ml li. [£1000] of the Hanupere.127.5

The messenger was on horsbak whanne I wrote yow this bill, and therfore it was doon in haste; and our Lord Jesus kepe yow.

Writen at London the Wednesday after Midlenton.

And my Lord of Caunterbury tolde me that the Frenche men have ben before yow, and that ye shotte many gonnes; and so he tolde all the Lords. I have desirid hym to move the Counsell for refreshing of the toun of Yermowth with stuff of ordnance and gonnes and gonne powdre, and he seid he wolde. Your humble servaunt, J. Bokking.

127.1 [From Fenn, i. 154.] This letter relates to the temporary reconciliation effected between the Lords of the opposite parties in the spring of 1458.

127.2 Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.

127.3 Henry Stafford, Earl of Stafford, grandson of Buckingham, who succeeded him in the Dukedom in 1460.

127.4 Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter.

127.5 The Hanaper of Chancery.

367
WILLIAM CALTHORPE TO JOHN PASTON128.1

To my worshipfull Cosyn John Paston.

1458(?)
[MAY 11?]

Right worshipfull Cosyn, I recommaund me unto you, certifying you that your man John Osberne of Walsyngham hath be with me and lete me have knowlage of a commyssion chuld be doun from my lord Chaunceler to Sir Robert Conyers, you other and me, and that ye wold have your day upon Munday or Tewesday at Crowemer, Blakeney or Walsyngham, &c. And after that he was departed from me, ther cam a servaunt from my cosyn Twyer, and seid that his maister hade a letter from you that ze have set to be at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng. And for as much as I stande in nonn certeyn be cause of variaunce of the massangeres, therfore I send a man of myne to you, praying yowe to sende me verray certeynte and a copy of the commyssion, that my neybures may have knowlage of the kingis entent if the case requyreth so, &c.

I hold Blakeney a resonable place, and if ye kepe youre purpose at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng I shall mete ther with you, with Goddis grace, Wheche have you ever in His intyer kepyng, &c. Wretyn at Brunham upon the Assencion day of our Lord, &c., By W. Calthorpe.

128.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 163.] The date of this letter is by no means certain, but may be 1458, after the reconciliation of parties. The reference to ‘the King’s intent’ shows at least that it was not when the Duke of York was Protector; and it is not likely to have been under Somerset’s rule or in the reign of Edward IV. If 1458 was the year, the day (Ascension Day) was the 11th May.

368
ABSTRACT129.1

John Paston and T. Howys129.2 to Fastolf at Castre

1458
MAY 24

Yesterday ‘I and other of yours’ were at your manor of Bentlay—a right fair manor, in the shrewdest rule and governance. You have had many officers there who, for ill-will, have put out the tenants, and let the lands to your hurt. Some owe for six, some for seven years, etc.

Yesterday Harry Sotehill, of your learned counsel, was with us, and has taken ways in the law, etc. As Barker sends word that the attaint held not, we shall stay the longer. The Lord Egremont sent for my brother, and told him ‘he would see you homeward, as he supposed.’ Take care, therefore, you make no more grants, for you have made too many. Could let Bentlay, with surety, for 500 marks a year; but will not venture, because of the trouble of letting Wyghton, ‘and also till Scrope hath spoken with you,’ who will be with you now, etc.

Doncaster, Wednesday in Pentecost week.

[It appears from an account of Paston’s expenses, of which an abstract is given farther on, that he was at Doncaster in the 36th year of Henry VI.]

129.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 267.]

129.2 John Paston signs for both.

369
JOHN JERNYNGAN TO MARGARET PASTON129.3

Unto my ryght wurchipfull Cosyn, Marget Paston, this lettre be delyvered in haste.

1458
JUNE 1

Ryght wurchipfull and my moste beste beloved maystres and cosyn, I recommaund me unto you as lowly as I may, evermor desyring to here of your gode welfar; the whiche I beseche Almyzthy Jesus to preserve you and kepe you to his plesur, and to your gracious herts desyre.

And yf it plese you to here of my welfar, I was in gode hele at the makyng of this lettre, blessed be God.

Prayng you that it plese you for to send me word yf my fadyr wer at Norwiche with you at this Trenite Masse or no, and how the matyr dothe be twene my Maystres Blawnche Wychynham and me, and yf ze sopose that it shall be brought a bowte or no; and how ze fele my fadyr, yf he be wele wyllyng thereto or no; prayng you lowly that I may be recomaund lowly unto my maystres, Arblastres wyfe, and unto my Maystres Blawnche, her dowzther, specially.

Ryght wurchipfull cosyn, yf it plese you for to her of suche tydings as we have her, the basset [embassy] of Burgoyne schall come to Calleys the Saturday130.1 eftyr Corpus Christi day, as men say v. hondred horse of hem. Moreover, on Trenite Sonday,130.2 in the mornyng, came tydings unto my Lord of Warwyke that ther were xxviijte sayle of Spaynyards on the se, and wherof ther was xvj. grete schippis of forecastell; and then my Lord went and manned fyve schippis of forecastell, and iij. carvells, and iiij. spynnes [pinnaces], and on the Monday,130.3 on the mornyng eftyr Trenite Sonday, we met to gedyr afore Caleis, at iiij. at the clokke in the mornyng, and fawz thet gedyr till x. at the clokke; and ther we toke vj. of her [their] schippis, and they slowe of oure men aboute iiijxx [four score], and hurt a ij. hondred of us ryght sore; and ther wer slayne on theyr parte abowte xijxx [twelve score], and hurt a v. hondred of them.

And haped me, at the fyrste abordyng of us, we toke a schippe of iijc. [300] ton, and I was lefte therin and xxiij. men with me; and thei fawzthe so sor130.4 that our men wer fayne to leve hem,130.5 and then come they and aborded the schippe that I was in, and ther I was taken, and was prisoner with them vj. houris, and was delyvered agayne for theyr men that wer taken beforne. And as men sayne, ther was not so gret a batayle upon the se this xl. wyntyr. And for sothe, we wer wele and trewly bette; and my Lord hathe sent for mor scheppis, and lyke to fyzthe to gedyr agayne in haste.

Nomor I write unto you at this tyme, but that it plese you for to recomaund me unto my ryght reverent and wurchipfull cosyn your husband, and myn ownkll Gournay, and to myn awnte his wyfe, and to alle gode maysters and frends where it schall plese yow; and eftyr the writyng I have from you, I schall be at you in alle haste.

Wretyn on Corpus Christi day in gret haste, be your owne umble servant and cosyn, John Jernyngan.

129.3 [From Fenn, i. 156.] The engagement at sea described in this letter is dated by Fabyan on Trinity Sunday or Monday 1458.

130.1 June 3rd.

130.2 May 28th.

130.3 May 29th.

130.4 ‘for’ in Fenn; seemingly a printer’s error, as the word is ‘sore’ in the modern version.

130.5 Here, according to Fenn, the words ‘and go the’ occur in the original, struck out.

370
HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON131.1

To my full speciall gode Maister, John Paston.

1458(?)
[AUG. 27]

Worshipfull Sir, and my full speciall goode maister, after humble recommendacion, please it you to understand that such service as I can doo to your plesir, as to myn understandyng, I have shewed my diligence nowe this shorte season sithen your departyng, and in especiall aboute suche a copie of a foundacion as your maistership commaunded me to gete you a copie of, of the which I sende unto you at this tyme, by my broder William Worcestre, iij. copies writen by Luket, because I had no leisir, but somoch besems in settyng forth my Maistr of the Rolles.131.2 At this tyme, and in all this Kyngs deies, ye can have noon oder accordyng any thing to your entent.

And as for the names of the Poles,132.1 William hath more wrytyng than ye and I coude fynde, foundon by labor made by hym and me. And also, Sir, he hath caused me to examyn olde and mony records, writen by some Frenshman, concernyng the manour of Dedham; that was a comborous labour, for these copies were full defectif, as it apereth by the correctyng of them.

Item, Sir, I may sey to you that William hath goon to scole, to a Lumbard called Karoll Giles, to lern and to be red in poetre or els in Frensh; for he hath byn with the same Caroll every dey ij. tymes or iij., and hath bought divers boks of hym, for the which, as I suppose, he hath put hymself in daunger to the same Karoll. I made a mocion to William to have knoen part of his besines, and he answered and seid that he wold be as glad and as feyn of a good boke of Frensh or of poetre as my Mastr Fastolf wold be to purchace a faire manoir; and therby I understand he list not to be commynd with all in such matiers.

Item, Sir, as for any tidings, William can tell you here at London ar but full fewe; but Henry Bourgchier is ded sodenly at Ludlowe; my Lord of Caunterbury and my Lord Bourgchier shall be this wyk at Hunnesdon, and hunte and sporte theym with Sir William Oldhall.

At this tyme nothyng els to your maistership; but and it please you to remembre my maister at your best leiser, wheder his old promise shall stande as touchyng my preferryng to the Boreshed in Suthwerke. Sir, I wold have byn at a noddr place, and of my maisters owun mocion he said that I shold sett uppon the Boreshed, in the which matier I reporte me to William Worcestre, Bokkyng, and William Barker, and most specially to my maisters awun remembraunce.

I know full well ther cann noo conclusion be taken to myn asayle [avayle ?] without help of your maistership, unto the which I utterly submitte me in this, and in all oder. And our Lord Jesu preserve you and all youres, and send you your herts desire with right.

Writen at London on Sonday next after Seynt Bartholomu Dey in hast.

By your servaunt, Henry Wyndesore.

131.1 [From Fenn, i. 170.] At the date of this letter Sir John Fastolf must have been in Norfolk, and William Worcester in London. From the time that the former went into Norfolk in 1454, till the end of the year 1457, Worcester seems generally to have resided with him; but in the beginning of 1458 he was in London, and it appears by the Castlecombe MSS. (Add. MS. 28,208, B.M. pp. 39, 42) that he was holding courts at Castlecombe in Wiltshire in June and July of that year, and that, in November of the same year, he and Fastolf were both together in London. It is probable, therefore, that he was in London in August, before Fastolf had come up. Indeed, he appears not to have returned to Norfolk till January following; so that in August he might quite well have devoted himself to the study of French in the expectation of a lengthened stay.

131.2 Thomas de Kirkeby.

132.1 Apparently William Worcester was examining the pedigree of the De la Poles, ancestors of the late Duke of Suffolk, who had disputed with Fastolf the right to the manor of Dedham.

371
ABSTRACT133.1

1458
SEPT. 1

Writ of pone procured by Thomas Howes, clerk, of Castre, against John Wyndham, Thomas Danyell of Rysyng Castle, Edmund Bukenham of Snyterton, Robert Lethum of Wytton by Blofeld, Simon Gunnor of Estbekham, and sixteen others, for maintaining a plea begun at Westminster without the King’s writ by John Andrew of Beylom, Suffolk, against Howes, whom he had maliciously procured to be indicted.

1 Sept. 37 Hen. VI.

On the back are the words: ‘Manutenencia facta fuit iiijto die Julii anno xxxvto.133.2 Dampna Cli.’

133.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

133.2 A.D. 1457.

Dampna Cli.’
close quote missing or invisible

372
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON133.3

To my Maister Paston.

1458

Sir, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place, hyt fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked to gedre, and called me by my name, and both asked how my maister133.4 fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to see astate taked yn Lyncoln place by hym boght of Markham. In the meene tyme the seyd Wymondham sent hys man to speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of Sir Thomas133.5 how he wille help labour to an ende, and had spoke with Heydon yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell amerciementes by their labour, and the [they ?] not beneficed, shewed to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause, &c. After my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd that he desyred Sir Thomas to be gode meene to my maister to hafe affeccion to the chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my maister had before the maryage be laboured [i.e. if my master had been applied to before the marriage], hyt had [been] moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because hys fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold hafe affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that Thomas134.1 was with hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it please my maister to sende for hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.

I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of Sir Thomas undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better, whych to my power wold help make it knowen to Lordes and all othyrs of the cruell amerciementes, the cruell juge to be knowen as he ys, for I am of hys contrey, and know hys rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At ix. at clok to hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille (?). Your, H. R.

133.3 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 249.] This letter clearly relates to the subject of the preceding No.

133.4 Sir John Fastolf.

133.5 Howes.

134.1 Apparently Thomas Fastolf.

373
ABSTRACT134.2

Roll of the Personal and other Expenses of John Paston
in the 36th and 37th years of Henry VI.

For dress and cloth, various.

‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17s. 7d. ‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19s. 1d. ‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101s. ‘Item, eisdem et sosiis (sic) suis in regard’,’ 4s. 2d. ‘Item, eisdem apud London,’ etc.

‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxvto.’ 13s. 4d. ‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26s. 8d.

‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’—‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod Johannes Paston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2s. 1d. ‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’ 3s. 8d. ‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’ apud Forncet,’ 3s. 1d. ‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’ 18d. To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3s. 4d. Glazing Chapel at Mauteby, 10s. ‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana Matthiæ,’ 3s. 8d. Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks, 10s. ‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5s. 4d. ‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’ 18d. ‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8d.

In Easter and Trinity terms.—Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s. For wine and spice with Fortescu and Wentworth, 23d.

Hilary term.—Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40s. ‘Item, exequiæ Edmundi Paston,’ 2s. 4d. To divers poor people of Norwich for relief of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7s.

134.2 [From Add. Charter 17,246, B.M.]

‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s.
“s.” printed in roman (non-Italic) type

374
ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES PASTON135.1

To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston.

1459
JAN. 3

Right worshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder, in the most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your welfare and prosperite, the which I pray God to contynw and encresce to your herts desyre. And yf it lyked your gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of this lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as for my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust to Jesu non shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besy as he can to make me sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde in a bonde of mlli. to you mother, and to my brother John, and to my brother William, and to Edmund Clere,136.1 the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as our most synguler trost is yn your gode moderhode, that my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc at the begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that was oon of my best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym in CCli., of which he reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme Cxxli., and yf he fayle therof at this tyme, he wille clayme the hool of us, the which were to us to grete an hurt; and he con not make an ende with noon of hys other suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and in all other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool,136.2 with whom I sojerned, that ye wul be my tendr and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage, and to Christofre Houson, as ye wrote unto my brother John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese your gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And Jesu for his grete mercy save yow.

Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of Janyver. By your humble doughter, Elyzabeth Ponynggs.

135.1 [From Fenn, iii. 328.] The writer of this letter is Agnes Paston’s daughter Elizabeth, for whose marriage, as we have seen, there had been a good deal of negotiating in past years (see Nos. 93, 94, 236, 250, 252), and who has now become the wife of Robert Poynings. As the 3rd of January, the day on which this letter is dated, was a Wednesday, the year must be 1459. The 3rd of January did not fall on a Wednesday again till 1470, by which time Elizabeth Paston was no longer the wife of Robert Poynings, but his widow, for he was killed at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.

Final sentence changed by editor in Errata; see also note 154.3 in Volume II. Original text:
. . . by which time Elizabeth Paston and Robert Poynings must have been married several years, as will be seen by No. 126 preceding (vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3).

136.1 Edmund Clere was the second son of John Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and died in 1463.

136.2 See p. 123.

375
JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS FATHER137.1

To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston, Esquyer, be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse.

1459
MARCH 5

Ryght worschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I comaund me to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowr faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and hevynesse that it hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of thys contre, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner have noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng under thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesur, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner ease of yowr tenantys whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng. Wherfor I besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo that schal please yow to the uttermest of my power and labor; and if ther be any servyce that I may do if it please yow to comaund me, or if y maye understonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer any thyng that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng.

Wretyn the v. day of Marche. By your older sone, John Paston.

137.1 [From Fenn, iii. 336.] By Letter 377 following, it will be seen that the writer of this letter had given displeasure to his father in the early part of the year 1459. There can be no doubt that this letter refers to the same occasion.

376
ABSTRACT138.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and Sir Thomas Howes, Parson of Blofeld

1459
APRIL 13

As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’

Castre, 13th April 37 Hen. VI. (Signature not Fastolf’s own.)

138.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 254.]

377
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON138.2

Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston, in hast.

1459
APRIL 29

Rythe worchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow. Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther wer browt unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on of hem was indosyd to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve or sexe odyr gentylmen; and anodyr was sent onto yowr sone, and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and asynyd wythinne wyth the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe that wer sent, as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer sent onto odyr gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was, that they sshuwlde be wyth the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day of May, wyth as many personys defensebylly arayid as they myte acordyng to her degre, and that they schwld bryng wyth hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the lettyr that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt. Hastynggs is forthe into Yorke schyr.

I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye wyl that yor sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that ben yowr wel wyllerys, that ye may no lesse do than to send hym forthe. As for hys demenyng, swn ye departyd, in god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and delygent inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at hom. I hope he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyrward. He desyryd Alblaster to bemene139.1 to yow for hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to yow, as I sent yow word also be Alblaster, how I dede to hym aftyr that ye wer go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher [worthier ?] heraftyr.

As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr schal do howr part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for mony it comyth bwt slowly. And God have yow in hys kepyng, and sen yow good sped in alle yowr matteris.

Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the Assencyon Day.

Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [hear] swmme gode tydynggys fro yow. Be yorys, M. P.

138.2 [From Fenn, i. 174.] The only years during the married life of John and Margaret Paston (except when their eldest son was a mere child), in which the Sunday preceding Ascension Day fell some time before the 10th of May, were 1456 and 1459. In the former year the King could not either have been or have intended to be at Leicester on the 10th of May. In 1459 the Privy Seals show that he was at Northampton on the 14th, 18th, and 19th of May, and it is quite possible he may have been at Leicester on the 10th. In 1464 Edward IV. was at Leicester in May, and the Sunday before Ascension Day was the 6th of May; but it is not probable this letter was written in that year, for two reasons. In the first place, Margaret Paston could hardly have hoped for an answer from her husband—who may be presumed to have been in London—in time to have sent his son to be at Leicester on the 10th; secondly, Letter 375, which is evidently of the same year as this, would probably have been signed ‘John Paston, K.’ (i.e. Knight).

139.1 To be mean, i.e. to be a mediator. Fenn has not apprehended the phrase, which he has modernised ‘to bemoan.’

378
OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON140.1

A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier.

1459(?)
MAY 25

Treshonnoure Sire, je me recommande a vous tant que je puis, et vous prie qu’il vous plaise me recommander a ma maistresse vostre noble espouse et a tous voz enffans, et que ne soit point mis en oubly mon petit homme d’armes. Et oultre vous plaise me recommander a mon Maistre Yelverton et mon Maistre Caulthorpe, et a touz mes autres maistres et amis de pardela ou sera vostre bon plaisir. Et vous mercie des grans plaisirs et amitiez que avez faitz et monstrez a moy et aux miens, lesquelz Dieu me doint deservir. Treshonnoures Sire, plaise vous savoir que mon frere Jehan a Bernay ma escript dune matere dont me touchastes, moy estant parde la, a laquelle vostre desir vouldroit l’onneur des deux pars, et de laquelle matere le porteur de cestes vous informera, et des nouvelles de pardeca s’il vient a voz bons plaisirs. Et vouldroye bien que vous et mon dit frere Jehan a Bernay voulsissez communiquer avecques la personne aqui la matere touche, et que je peusse savoir son entente, affin dy otemperer, car je luy vouldroye faire plaisir et service; car je y suis tenu, et la chose sera en partie reglee par vous et par mondit frere, mais je veil estre le tiers, et une autre personne sera le quart. Treschere et treshonnoure Sire, je vous recommande tout mon fait de pardela, et sy faiz je la petite Marie, pour laquelle je vous mercie, et especiallement ma damoiselle vostre fame et noble espouse, et me desplaist de la grant paine et charge que avez pour elle; mas Dieu me doint grace que je le puisse aquicter. Priant nostre Seigneur qui soit garde de vous, et vous doint bonne vie et longue, et joyeulx acomplissement de touz voz desirs.

Escript a Calais, le xxvme jour de May. Le tout votre serviteur, Osberne Mundeford.

140.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was put to death at Calais on the 25th June 1460, having been taken at Sandwich when about to go thither in aid of the Duke of Somerset against the Earl of Warwick. The date cannot be in that year, and how much earlier it may be is quite uncertain, unless we suppose ‘mon petit homme d’armes’ to be Paston’s eldest son, who, as we have seen, was summoned to perform military service in 1459.

379
WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON141.1

To myn ryght worshypfull [m]ayster, John Paston, at London, atte the Temple.

1459
JUNE 24

Please youre maystership that as to morwen a newe inquirendum shal be taken at Wycham Markette for the parsonage of Rendelesham for one Mayster John Clerke, a chapeleyn of the Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas141.2 shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an hors, and also hit was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there; and, as Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one hadde bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn self. But he seyth and [i.e. if] ye wold speke to myn Lord Norwych, and enforme hym of the trought of the mater, he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the ryght of the patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald a melius inquirendum. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John Bulman all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit please yow to comon with hym, ye shall understande all the mater by hym how myn Lord is disposed. And [if] Mayster Robert Eppeswell is now at London, hit were shame that they shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip Wentworth groundeth not his presentacion by the patent, but by the endenture a twyxt the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe as ever he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that ye have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c., myn mayster is weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken strangely, &c. Almyghty Jesu preserve yow, myn worshipfull mayster, to youre desyre after his pleser and youre trewe entent.

Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the clokke at even. Youre owen man, W. Barker, Per mandat’ T. H.

141.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It appears by the Bishops’ Registers at Norwich that John Clerk was instituted to the living of Rendlesham on the 20th June 1459 on the King’s presentation. This letter must have been written four days later in ignorance of the fact. Clerk’s predecessor was John Sybton, administration of whose goods was granted on the 19th May 1450.

141.2 Sir Thomas Howes.

380
ABSTRACT142.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston

1459
JULY 3

‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St. Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his intent, and given them full power to appoint with them. (Signature not his own.)

Castre, 3 July 37 Hen. VI.

Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.

142.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]

[From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]
closing ] missing

381
JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.1

To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, my Lord Beaumont.

Between 1454 and 1459

Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.

Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.

Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c. John, Lord Lovell.

143.1 [From Fenn, i. 128.] The writer of this succeeded to the barony of Lovel in 1454, and married Jane, the daughter of John, first Viscount Beaumont, the person addressed. As Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton on the 10th July 1460, this letter cannot be later than 1459, but may be some years earlier.

382
ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.2

To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, the Viscount Beaumont.

1444-
1460

Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me to you with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.

Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his ewry,144.1 have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.

And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.

Writen at Framlynham, the viijth day of Marche. Elianore, the Duchess of Norfolk.

143.2 [From Fenn, i. 194.] Here we have another letter, of uncertain date, addressed to the same person as the last. The year when it was written is quite immaterial, but must have been between 1444, when John Mowbray, the writer’s husband, was confirmed in the dignity of Duke of Norfolk (which had belonged to his grandfather in the time of Richard II.), and 1460, when Viscount Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton.

144.1 An officer who had charge of the table linen, etc.

383
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON144.2

To my Mayster, Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presentid.

Jesu mercy.

1459

Ryte reverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly, comyth to Castre, and Zelverton144.3 with zow, and ze think it to be done; and sendyth home zowr men and hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c. And by grace of God and zour polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude more effectually in gret matyers of substans, to my maysterys144.4 and zour worschip and profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward, and is ryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [weakened] and feblyd, &c. And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made at London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and a crafty man, schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for the inmorteysing of Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he promittyd up [promised upon] a certeyn mony, &c., and undirtoke it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys in the matere, &c. And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do hise part, &c. And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet, &c., or elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri, &c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze come.

Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be myn trewthe, and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaundement, in zour letter haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to my mayster, &c. Every day this v. dayes he seyth, ‘God send me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I holde hym a feythful man, and ever on man.’ Cui ego, ‘That is soth,’ &c. Et ille, ‘Schew me not the mete, schew me the man.’ Hæc verba replicat sæpius cum magno stomacho, &c. Colinus Gallicus dicit in Jernemuta et aliis locis se esse executorem, &c. Dixit etiam heri coram pluribus, si semel fuerit London’ nunquam vult videre Norfolchiam, &c. Dicit etiam, ubi executores credunt se habituros claves, &c., post mortem alii habebunt claves, ita bene sicut illi, &c. Falsissimus est, et ego bene dixi in partem suam inter ipsum et me, &c. Propter Deum, faciatis Spirlyng venire juxta promissum in f’cū [factum ?], &c. Gallicus ipse maxime odit rectorem et vellet supplantare eum, &c. Item, valde desiderat suum, quietus est quia absit, &c.

Henricus Todyham continue aspirat post mortem magistri cum mille habeat oculos nocendi, &c., si quorum duos deperderit, nullus cæteros timeret, &c.

144.2 [From Fenn, iii. 342.] No signature appears to be attached to this letter as Fenn has printed it, but the style is unmistakably that of Brackley, to whom he attributes it. The original was endorsed in an ancient hand, according to Fenn, ‘Littera fratris Doctoris Brackley per quam patet Jo. Fastolf valde desiderasse presentiam consanguinei sui Jo. Paston.’ The date seems to be shortly before Sir John Fastolf’s death, which happened on the 5th November 1459.

144.3 William Yelverton.

144.4 Sir John Fastolf.

384
WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON146.1

To my worshipful and right gode mayster, John Paston, Squyer.

1459(?)
AUG. [22]

Wurshipful sire, and my right gode mayster, I recomaunde me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour gode maystership that ze liked to sende my mayster zour sone to Sporle with suych felaship as ze dede, for which I am ever bounde to doo zou service, prayeng zou of zour gode contenuaunce.

Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek with an axez [ague], and truly that caused me that I and my felaship taryed; and so be cause theroffe I caused my lady to wryte a specyall lettre to my Lord Scales. But for al that Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of Suffolkys name. And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was, that I wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo was right sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and my lordes and my ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon further. But if I had been heil and not seek, there shuld have kome a wurshipful felaship out of Suffolk of so litel warnyng; but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the axcez bothe Sunday and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so kyndely zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felaship redy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng Blake, and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze have warnyng. And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle tymys, as ze shewe me gret cause to doo zou service. Wreten at Thelton,147.1 the Wednysday next before Seynt Bertilmew Day in haste. Your servaunt, William Jenney.

146.1 [From Fenn, iv. 38.] This letter is referred by Fenn to the beginning of Edward IV.’s reign, but on a careful examination I think it must be earlier, as William Jenney’s proceedings, even in the first year of Edward IV., were by no means friendly to John Paston. The Lord Scales here mentioned must therefore be the Lord Scales of Henry VI.’s time, who was murdered in July 1460, and the letter, having been written in August, cannot be later than 1459. In that year, as will be seen by Letter 377, John Paston’s eldest son had already begun active life, and I am inclined to think that it is the precise year in which the present letter was written. John Paston, the second, was at that time not more than nineteen years of age, and we hear nothing of his doings earlier. The manor of Sporle was inherited by John Paston, senior, from his father the judge.

147.1 Thelveton, near Diss, in Norfolk.

The sections headed First Draft and Second Draft were printed in facing columns. Asterisks and brackets are in the original, as explained in the first Footnote. Missing or misplaced brackets have been left as printed. All sections originally labeled Second Draft are shown on a shaded background.

385
WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF147.2

1459
NOV. 3

In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre,147.3 I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra  .  .  .  and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come, there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and tyme of deth—Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo  .  .  .  for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas  .  .  .  .  .  my modir, and the soule of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the soulez of othyr of myn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  kynsefolke and speciall frendes here undir wretyn,—I ordeyn and  .  .  .  .  .  this my last will in fourme and maner folwyng:—

[Second Draft.]

[First Draft.]

Firste, Forasmyche as for the welfare of my soule and of the soules forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpe of the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme comyng withinne the gret mancion be me late edified and motid in Castre forseid, I have of long tyme been in purpose to stablishe and founde a collage withinne the seyd gret mancion, and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd and thought behoffefull for the seyd cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd mancion with the collagyens of the seyd collage: Therfor, and for the senguler love and trust that I have to my seyd cosyn John Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray beleve that he will execute my will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he and I have covinauntyd and been accordyd that he shall, with inne resonable tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or do founde  .  .  .  .  and indewe withinne the seid mancion a collage of vij. religeous monkys or pristes, to preye for the soules above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche one to be cheif governour of hem, and he to have xli., and iche othyr prist or monk [of the said co]llage x. marks yeerly for here sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid in mony, and that the seyd collagyens shull be soo indewyd that be syde here seyd pencions for here propir levynge to be grauntyd hem, they  .  .  .  .  .  inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd mancion of Castre to preye for the soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of whiche pore folk iche of hem to have xls. a yeer or th  .  .  .  .  ere levynge, fynding, and sustentacion; and that the seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and to the seyd pore folke a suffecient summe, and a competent and an esy dwellynge place  .  .  .  .  .  seid collagyens nor here successorys beryng no reparacion there of, for whiche and for othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston shall have in fee symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the manerez, londes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in whiche the seyd John Paston or ony othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in or have title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes, and  .  .  .  er astat of the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes to suche personys, and at suche tymes and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or ony of hem. And the seyd John Paston  .  .  .  .  .  seyd collage shal bere and paye to my behoff, towardes the paymentys of my dettes and othir thynges, be my present will assygnid to be do, mlmlmlml. [4000] mark, in suche fourme and at suche tyme as in this my present will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  here aftir folwyng:—

* [Fyrst, I will and ordeyne that, if it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges, for the longe contynwyd servise be me in the daye of strengthe and helthe of my body, to hym and to the noble Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise noble uncles John Duke of Bedford, Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng Lord and hise noble progenitorys forseid, in Fraunce and Normandy as in cuntreez and othyr placis, consederynge my many gret labourys, peynis, and perilis in the seyd servise of oure sovereyn Lord and hise noble progenitoris forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous grace withoutyn ony other  .  .  .  .  .  of myn executores namyd in my testament, or ellys for a resonable sume of [money] whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr meane, so as myn executores therein shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn Lord and hise counsell, or with hise heire Kynges and here councell, to lycence and graunte to them that be feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn executores, to ordeyne, founde, and stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or dwelynge place late be me newe edified and motid in the town of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Norffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place I was born in, a collage of a prioury of vj. religeous personis, monks of the ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise and graunte to the seyd priour and vj. religeous personis, or to here successorys, the forseyd mancion or dwellynge place, with all the appurtenauncez and othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, for the sustentacion of the seyd priour and vj. religeous personys and here successorys, and for here othyr chargys and reparacionis, and for vij. pore men in the seyd collage in perpetuite, be the avise and discrecion of myn executores forseid, to be foundyd and susteynid; and that thanne the forseyd feffees or her assignees if they  .  .  .  .  grauntes of othyr havyng entresse in this be halve requisit lawefully shul make, founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule, and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], .  .  .  .  sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres  .  .  .  .  rentes, servisez, with here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis  .  .  .  .  .  lithe next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore seyd.] *

* [Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte of oure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of ony othyr  .  .  .  .  entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove to  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent  .  .  .  .  .  seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.

Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony persone or personis been feffid in, or have astat or possession, or be in titlid to myn use be the lawe, except the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in the shirez of Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article next presedent specified, shull be sold be the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John and Thomas, and noon othir while they leve, shall have the sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of all my londes forseyd, except before except, and execucion of this my last will and of every article there in; and I will that the seid John and Thomas shall have all the profitez and avaylez and emolwements of the seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with all othir comoditeez thereof comyng, til be them they be sold, and the mony of the profites and salis thereof comynge, be them to be disposed for the welfare of my soule and of the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and in cas this my will be not executyd in theyre [liv]es, that thanne the execucion be thereof doon be othyr myn executores that aftyr hem too shal have the mynistracion of my goodes.

* [It]em, I will and ordeyne that all and singuler lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in whiche ony persone or personys are feffid in or have astat and possession to myn use, in whiche sum ever counteez or townez the said lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez bein withinne the ream of Englond; and that all the forseyd and senguler lordshepys, manerez, tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony person or personys been intitlyd to myn use be the lawe, shull be sold be my seyd executoris, except manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage, if the fundacion thereof take effecte: And that the mony of the sale or salys comynge be disposed be my seyd executores in executyng of thys my last wyll and testament, and in othyr dedes of almesse as my seyd executores be here discrecion shal seme best to plese God for the helthe of my soule and for the soulys forseyd: And that happe the fundacion of the seyd collage to take to noon effecte, nor the seyd collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.] *

* [Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l  .  .  .  .  .  londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to tyme  .  .  .  .  .  and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion  .  .  .  .  .  .  shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the plesure of God.] *

Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes pretende  .  .  .  .  .  .  at this day to be next heneritere [inheritor] to me aftyr my deseas, where  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  knowe that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys  .  .  .  .  .  .  have to myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey  .  .  .  me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be ony manner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.

Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd], or the more part of them152.1 and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd]152.2 executors.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.

Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd to  .  .  [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes152.3 of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd],152.4 aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.

Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, with placebo and derige and messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd]152.4 that londes or teneme[ntes]  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xxs., and that to be inmorteis  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  swyr to the seyd prioury or parishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere  .  .  .  .  .  and chargys of the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.

Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of myn executores be fore namyd.153.1

Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my goodes  .  .  .  .  .  havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and of  .  .  .  .  .  Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here  .  .  .  .  .  othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.

Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid to be sold,153.2 and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion, fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for a  .  .  .  .  .  .  is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor debarre of the tayle.153.3

Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note the derige and messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.

* and that oon of the monkis or pristes in the collage be me ordeynid in the mancion of Castre forseid shall synge specialy in perpetuite for the soule of my modir and all here auncestryez, and good dooerys.

Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary may be yeerly inperpetuite kept with placebo and derige and messe of requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attilburgh, * [and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn executorys.] *

Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule recomendid amonges  .  .  .  .  .  with an annversary to be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem with placebo and [derige and] messe of requyem be note.154.1

* be the avise of myn executores before namyd

Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that myn [executores and]154.2 feffeez* porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full entre doon  .  .  .  .  .  my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.

Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xxli.

Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.

Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in the  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a figure  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.

Item, that myn executores before namyd helpe that the maner of Cowlynge be disposed and guydid aftyr the will of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my executoris thynke it be to doo.

* [Item, I will that a provecion be made for swerte of the maner of Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to the last wyll of Dame Marget Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner I stond enfeffed in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry Braunche, my neweu, here son  .  .  .  .  seyd maner, provided that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.] *

Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes accordyng to the trouthe and concience.

* [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.] *

Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez  .  .  .  .  .  many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and  .  .  .  .  .  officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys, dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys nor sygnet thanne

* I have usyd this ij. yeer day last passed.

* [with this same seal of armys and sygnet  .  .  . .  .  .  .  .  .  this my present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre  .  .  .  .  .  .  all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.

Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my  .  .  .  or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn ex[ecutores].

Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othir that I have put in remembraunce be this my will to be preyed fore that suche as shalbe bounden to preye for me, and be rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe chargid be myn executoris be fore namyd to preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye fore or doo preye fore, and for hem that I have hadde ony goodes of.

* [Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the discharge of my concience, be put in remembraunce of preyeris for the [good] affeccion I hadde on to them that I desyre shuld be preyed fore, is the soule of that blyssyd prynce, Thomas Bedford,156.1 late Duke of Excestre, the soulys of the Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, my brothyr-in-lawe, and Dame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and William Gunnour.] *

* full wyll and assentynge of the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or condecion that he be of, withoute the * [knowynge, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.] *

* the very will and assentyng of the seyd Paston and Howys, and that noon othyr attempte there in nor in noon othir cause in this my will to doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I require hem in Goddes be halve.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge that none of myn executorys, be him self, nor be noon othyr, in ony maner or condecion cautelous, colour  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall sell, nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo alyen, withdrawe, or do be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes, jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr utensylez, to my persone or houshold perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of myne, mevable or on mevablys, quyk or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute * [the knowyng, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem; and if it be soo that ony of myn executores attempte maleciously the contrary in effecte, he fallith in the centense of excommunicacion, doyng the contrary to my last will.] *

* except before except, be me grauntid to the seyd John Paston or hese assygnes.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge that all my feffeez feffyd of trust on to myn use of and in all my manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, and rentes, and servisez, and profitez, be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd * [in all maner of counteez, citeez, or burghes or townes with in the ream of Eng[lond]  .  .  .  .  .  ] * they that have astat, pocession, or tythe to myn use, with all the goodly haste,  .  .  .  .  and withoute delay aftyr they be requyred be myn

* before namyd.

executores* aftyr my deseas, that they shall feffyn and make lawefull astat in fee symple * [of and in all maner lordshipys, londes, tenementes, meswages, rentes, servisez, and profitez forseyd, or of every parcell of the same] * to that persone or personys to whom or to whiche

* the seid John Paston and Thomas Howys.

* [my seid executores in accomplisment of my last will, the said maneres, lordshepys, londes, tenementes, mecis, rentes, and servisez,

* except before except.

or ony parcell of the same,* shall sell, or doo sell aftyr the declaracion of

* to dispose.

this my last will * for the helthe

* and for the soulis above seyd.

of my soule, * [Dame Milcent, my wif, with all my progenitorys, cosynes, and benefactorys, and all my frendes.] *

* [Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of God I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in effecte to accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement and of mynistracion of my last will, all the articlis there in conteynid they shall ransakyn besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here remembraunce, that both in will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shal not omyttyn for to complishe the seyd articles in  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Seynt Poule the Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  God Almighty shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion158.1  .  .  .  .  .  .  this article to otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in hurtynge of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.] *

* [Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the grace of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the verteuous devocion of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn owyn will, it happe ony good werkes and profitable to the helthe of my soule necessarye or avayleable to come be favour or swetnesse in to my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo wryte suche thyngs worthy to be remembryd in ony codicill or codicilles for to be conyoinid to my testament or to my last will, thanne I will and preye with gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or articlys be me expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or codicillys that they may have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn in the code of my testement and my last will.] *

* Item, I wyll and ordeyne that John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk, geve and dispose.

* [Item, I will, I ordeyne, and I hertely desyre, sethe that every mortall creature is soget to the lymitez or merkys of mutabelyte and chaungeableness, and mannys levynge in frelte and condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on the behalve of Almyghty God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte, beseche, and preye all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst, and in the vertwe of the aspercion of Hise holy blood, shed out graciously for the savacion of all man kende, that for the more hasty delyveraunce of my soule from the peynefull flawmes of the fyre of Purgatory, on suche maner and wise they dele and departe my goodes feithfully be here discrecion and prudence and polytik,] * the yeer of my buryeng, in exspence of myn entyrement and othyr almesse, the same yeer, and dedys of pyete (?) for the holsum estat of my soule amonges pore peple and nedy to [be p]artyd and distributid plenteuously and hastely,

* .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the salis of my londes and my goodes be my will  .  .  sygnid to be sold, be fully disposid for the well of my soule in almessefull dedes [and] charitable werkes with all goodly possibelite.

the sum of mll marke * [.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  the space of v. or vij. yeer immediatly folwyng by yeer Dxxxiijli. vjs. viijd. in almessefull deds and charitable wirkys, with all goodly possibelyte that they shall soo dispose my goodes in effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in peynefull angwyshis, with holy Job, be not compellyd to sey with gret lementacion and mornyng, Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, namely yee that my frendes shuld bee, for the hande of Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously touchyd me. These be the articlys, xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the intent and purpose of my last will be the handes of myn executores, whiche I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and beseche hem enterly feithefully to execute, as they will have helpe of God and of hise holy Gospell. And soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice, and concience to doo for me as they wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas lyche. In tokene and witnesse whereof, to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, above160.1  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .] *

[The following new clause at the end.]

Item, I will and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston, for the payment of iiij. mll. marke forseid, shal bere and paye to the seyd Thomas Howys, clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them have the mynistracion of my my goodes, the seid sum [of] viijc. marke iche othyr yeer of the forseyd yeerrys in whiche that sum is ordeynid to be distributid til he  .  .  .  .  . be tho paymentes born and payd the seyd sum of iiijml markes, and that soo paid to be disposed be the seyd [John Pa]ston and Thomas Howys, or be hem that shal aftyr them have the mynistracion of my goods in executyng [my] will in awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo that my mevable goodes be mean of that  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall the lenger indure in dedis of almesse.

147.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This document is printed from the original draft, in which a great part of the text has been crossed out, and other paragraphs substituted in the margin. The passages thus cancelled are enclosed within brackets with asterisks. Those substituted for them or inserted in a later hand are printed in a parallel column on the right. The passages bracketed without asterisks, and also the dotted spaces, are lost by mutilation.

147.3 The date was originally ‘the xiiij. day of the moneth of June.’

152.1 Or the more part of them.—These words are crossed out. The words ‘before namyd’ are an interlineation substituted for them by the second hand.

152.2 Interlineation by second hand.

152.3 ‘fermors’ inserted in a different hand.

152.4 Interlined by second hand.

153.1 be fore namyd.—These words are an interlineation by another hand.

153.2 be this my will ordeynid to be sold, interlined by another hand.

153.3 after the avyse—tayle.—These words are an interlineation by the second hand.

154.1 with an annversary—note, erased.

154.2 Erased.

156.1 Beaufort.

158.1 See 1 Cor. xiv. 38. The translation of this verse in the Vulgate— ‘Si quis autem ignorat ignorabitur’—conveys a materially different sense from that of our English version.

160.1 The original draft ends with this word at the bottom of the page. Apparently the last few words of the draft were written on a flyleaf, which is now lost.

386
WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF160.2

Anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono, mensis Novembris, videlicet, die Sabbati proximo post Festum Omnium Sanctorum, Johannes Fastolff, miles, de comitatu Northfolch, Norwicen Dioc’, in manerio suo de Castre, dictæ Diocesis, quoad bona sua immobilia suam ultimam declaravit voluntatem prout sequitur:

John Fastolff, Knyght, the secunde and the thirde day of the moneth of Novembre, the yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte after the Conquest, xxxviij. yers, being of longe tyme, as he said, in purpos and wille to founde and stablissh withynne the gret mansion at Castre, by hym late edified, a college of vij. religious men, monkes or seculer prestes, and vij. pore folke, to pray for his soule and the soulys of his wife, his fader and modir, and other that he was beholde to, imperpetuite. And forasmuch as he had, as he rehercid, a very truste and love to his cosyn, John Paston, and desired the performyng of the purpoos and wille forsad to be accomplisshed, and that the said Sir John shulde not be mevid ne sterid in his owne persone for the said accomplisshing of the said purpoos and wille, ne with noon other wordly maters, but at his oune request and plesire, wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle, withynne resonable tyme aftir the dissese of the said Sir John, doo founde and stablisshe in the said mansion a college of vij. monkes or prestes and vij. pore folke, for to pray for the soulys above said imperpetuite; so that one of the said monkes or prestes be maister, and have xli. yerely, and ich othir monke or preste x. marc yerely, and ich of the pore folke xls. yerely; and that the said John Paston shalle make sure to the said collegions a sufficient roume and a competent and an esy duelling place in the said mansion, the said collegions nor her successours bering no charge of reparacion therof. For which, and for othir charges and labours that the said John Paston hath doon and take uppon hym, to the eas and profite of the said John Fastolf, and for othir consideracions by hym rehercid, the said Sir John Fastolff wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle have alle the maners, landes, and tenementes in North[folk], Southfolk, and Norwich, in which the said John Paston or any other are or were enfeffed or have title to the use of the said Sir John Fastolf; and at [that] alle the feffees infeffed in the said maners, londes, and tenementes shalle make and deliver astate of the said maners, landes, and tenementes to such persones, at such tymes, and in such forme as the said John Paston, his heirs, and his assignes shalle requere thaym or any of thayme. And that the said John Paston shall pay to othir of the said Sir Johns executours iiijml. [4000] marc of laufulle money of England in the forme that folweth, that is to say: Where the said Sir John hadde apointed and assigned that his executours shalle, the first yere aftir his disses, dispoos for his soule and performyng his wille a ml. marks or a mlli. [£1000] of money, and yerely aftir, viijc. [800] marc, tille the goodes be disposed, the said John Paston shalle pay iche othir yere the said summe of viijc. marc till the summe of iiijm. [4000] be paid; so that the said mevabill goodes shall the lenger endure to be disposed, by th’avise of his executours, for the said soulys: And also the said Sir John said, forasmuch as it was the very wille and entent of the said Sir John that the said John Paston shulde be thus be avauntaged and in no wise hurte of his propir goodes, therfore the said Sir John wolde graunted that if the said John Paston, aftir the dissese of the said Sir John, by occasion and unlaufulle trouble in this reame, or by mayntenaunce or myght of Lordes, or for defaute of justice, or by unresonable exaccions axid of hym for the licence of the said fundacion, withoute coveyne or fraude of hym selve, be lettid or taried of the making or stablesshing of the making of the said fundacion, that thanne he fynde or doo finde yerely aftir the first yere of thus dissese of the said Sir John, vij. prestes to pray for the said soulys in the said mansion, if he can purvey so many, or els for as many prestes as faile, yeve yerely aftir the said first yere, by th’avise of his executours, to bedred men and othir nedy true pepille, as much money in almose for the said sowlys as the salary or findyng of the prestes so faillyng is worthe or amounteth to, unto the tyme he may laufully and peasably founde the said college and doo his true devir for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. And the said Sir John Fastolf wolde, graunted, and desired faithfully alle the residewe of his executours and feffees to shewe the said John Paston favore in the said paymentes and daies, and help hym for the Kinges interesse and the eschetours, and furthir hym in that they may in alle othir thinges as they wolde doo to hym selve, and not vex ne inquiete hym for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. Ande where the said Sir John Fastolf made his wille and testament the xiiij. day of June in somer last passed, he wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that this his wille touching thes premissez, as welle as the said wille made the said xiiij. day, except and voided out of his said wille, made the said xiiij. day, alle that concerneth or perteyneth to the fundacion of a college, priory, or chauntery, or of any religious persones, and all that concerneth the sale or disposing of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, wherof this is the very declaracion of his full wille, stand and be joyntly his very enteir and last wille, and annexed and proved togedir. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, the Tuysday next before the fest of Alle Saintes, and in the moneth of Septembre the said yere, and the iij. day of Novembre, and diverse other tymes, at Castre aforesaid, wolde, ordeynyd, and declared his wille touching the making of the said college, as welle as the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich, in fourme, manere, and substance aforeseid. Also the said Sir John wolde and ordeyned that if the said John Paston, by force or myght of any othir desiring to have the said mansion, were letted to founde the seid college in the said mansion, that thanne the said John Paston shulde doo poule down the said mansion and every stone and stikke therof, and do founde iij. of the said vij. prestes or monkes at Saincte Benettes, and one at Yermuth, one at Attilbrugh, and one at Sainte Oloves Church in Southwerke. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the iij. and iiij. daies of the moneth of Novembir abovesaid, desired his said wille or writyng, touching the fundacion of the said college and the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes to the said John Paston, to be redde unto the said Sir John; and that same wille redde and declared unto hym articulerly, the said Sir John Fastolffe wolde, ordeyned, and graunted that the said John Paston shulde be discharged of the payment of the said iiijml. markes, and noght pay therof in case he did execute the remenaunte of the said wille.

Also the said Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, aboute the tyme of hervest the yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte, xxxvth yere at Castre faste by Mikel Yermuth, in the shire of Norffolk, in presence of divers persones that tyme called to by the said Sir John, did make astate and feffement and liverey of the seasin of the maner of Castre aforesaid, and othir maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, to John Paston, Squier, and othir; and at that lyverey of season therof delivered, as welle by the handes of the said Sir John as by other, the said Sir John Fastolfe by his owne mouth declared his wille and entente of that feffement and liverey of season made to the use of the said Sir John asfor during his live onely, and aftir his decese, to the use of the said John Paston and his heirs. And also the said Sir John said and declared that the said John Paston was the best frende and helper and supporter to the said Sir John, and that was his wille that the said John Paston shulde have and enherite the same maners, landes, and tenementes and othir aftir his decese, and there to duelle and abide and kepe householde; and desired Daun William Bokenham, Priour of Yermouth, and Raufe Lampet, Squier, Bailly of Yermuth, that tyme present, to recorde the same. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the vj. day of July next aftir the tyme of the sealing of his wille made the xiiij. day of June, the xxxv. of King Henry the Sexte, and aftir in the presence of Daun William Bokenham, that tyme Prioure of Yermouth, and other, wolde, ordeyned, and declared by wille that the said John Paston shulde have alle thynges as the said Sir John had graunted and declared to the said prioure and othir at the tyme of the said [asta]te and feffement made to the [said] John Paston, the said xxxv. yere of King Henry the vjth, the said John seyng [saying] that he was of the same wille and purpoos as he was and declared at the tyme [of the] said astate takyng. Also the said Sir John wolde that John Paston and Thomas Howes, and noon othir of his executours, shulde selle alle maners, landes, and tenementes in whiche any persones were enfeffed to the use of the said Sir John, excepte the said maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich; and the same John Paston and Thomas Howes shalle take and receyve the profites, ysshueys, and emolumentes commyng of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, excepte before except, tille they may resonably be solde; and that the said John Paston and Thomas, the money comyng of the same sale, as welle of the said proufites, ysshuys, and emolumentes, shulde dispoos in dedys of almose for the soule of the said Sir John and the soulys aforesaid, and in executyng of his wille and testament: And also the said Sir John wolde that alle the feffees enfeffed in the said maners, landes, and tenementes assigned to be sold, whanne thay be required by the said John Paston and Thomas Howes, shall make astate to persone or persons as the said John Paston and Thomas shalle selle to, the said maners, landes, and tenementes, or any parte therof, and that noon othir feffe [feoffee] nor the executours of the said Sir John shall make any feffement, relece, ne quitance of any londes befor assigned to be solde that wer at any tyme longing to the said Sir John, withoute the assente of the said John Paston and Thomas Howes. Datum anno Domini, mense, die et loco supradictis.

160.2 [From Add. MS. 22,927, B.M.]

the said John Paston shulde be thus be avauntaged
text unchanged: superfluous “be” or error for “he”?

387
SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S WILL163.1

Anno Domini [millesimo]163.2 quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono, mensis Novembris, videlicet, die Sabbati proximo post Festum Omnium Sanctorum, Johannes Fastolffe, miles, de com’ Norfolk, Norvicen’ dioc‘, in manerio suo de Castre, dict’ dioc’, suum condidit testamentum, et ipsius ultimam declaravit voluntatem, prout sequitur:—In primis, commendavit et commisit animam suam Deo Omnipotenti, Creatori suo, ac gloriosæ Virgini Mariæ, matri Domini nostri Jesu Christi, et omnibus Sanctis. Item, legavit corpus suum, postquam ab hac luce migraverit, sepeliendum in ecclesia conventuali monasterii Sancti Benedicti in Hulmo, Norvicen’ dioc’, sub arcu novæ capellæ per ipsum ibidem de novo constructæ, ex parte australi chori sive cancelli, sub tumba marmorea, juxta corpus Milicenciæ olim consortis suæ ibidem sepultæ; ac voluit quod abbas et conventus monasterii prædicti, antequam corpus suum ibidem sepeliretur, securitatem facerent quod dabunt et concedent Johanni Paston et aliis per ipsum nominandis, licentiam dandi et concedendi septem monachis vel presbyteris et eorum successoribus in quodam collegio apud Castre prædict’ per prædictum Johannem Paston stabiliendo et dotando, terras et tenementa quæ idem Johannes Paston et alii feoffati per ipsum Johannem Fastolf seu suos feoffatos de dictis abbate et conventu tenent, vel tantum inde quantum idem Johannes dictis monachis vel presbyteris dare voluerit. Item legavit, ordinavit, et præcepit omnia debita sua fideliter persolvi et quæcumque per ipsum forisfacta de quibus constare poterit, emendari, restitui,164.1 et satisfieri cum effectu. Item legavit ad reparationem et sustentationem portus villæ Magnæ Jernemuth’, ac ad renovationem et sustentationem murorum dictæ villæ pro bono commodo reipublicæ, salva tuitione villæ prædictæ et patriæ adjacentis, centum marcas sterlingorum, sub conditione quod burgenses seu gubernatores dictæ villæ sine mora seu dilatione perficiant164.2 reparationem portus et murorum prædictorum quamdiu dicta summa a se extendet, ut gentes ibidem commorantes habeant animam suam in suis orationibus specialiter recommendatam. Item, cuilibet ecclesiæ parochiali singularum villarum in quibus habuit, aut aliquis ad suum usum habet, domum seu manerium, terras, et tenementa pro speciali recommendatione animæ suæ, unum vestimentum de serico panno pro missis ibidem celebrandis, et quod fiat in eodem scutum armorum suorum brodinatum secundum discretionem executorum suorum et indigentiam dictarum ecclesiarum. Item, legavit et ordinavit servientibus164.3 suis et familiaribus domesticis remunerationem condignam seu competentem de bonis suis mobilibus juxta statum suorum [sic] ad summam tres centum marcarum, ita quod quilibet generosus habeat duplicem ad valentiam, et sic descendendo successive juxta statum eorum seu exigentiam meritorum ministrorum suorum ac fidelium laborum, habita tamen consideratione ad certos servientes164.4 circa personam suam attendentes diebus et noctibus in laboribus, angustiis et vigiliis, tam in sanitate quam in infirmitate, circa præservationem corporis sui ac sanitatem celerius obtinendum. Item, legavit cuilibet ordini Fratrum religiosorum et domorum Mendicantium, tam in villa Magnæ Jernemouth quam in civitate Norwici, pro recommendatione animæ suæ, summam competentem secundum discretionem executorum suorum limitandum, cum nihil in proprio habeant unde sustentari valeant nisi de caritate et elemosina devotorum Christianorum. Residuum vero omnium bonorum suorum mobilium legata sua excedentium, ac catallorum suorum vivorum et mortuorum, ac debita singula quæ sibi debeantur, dedit et legavit executoribus suis infrascriptis juxta modum, formam et potestatem eisdem per eum superius limitatam, specificatam et ascriptam, ut ipsi eisdem modo et forma, per inde omni pondere discretionis et sani consilii, ea distribuant pro salute animæ suæ inter maxime debiles et pauperes, claudos et cæcos, ac alios impotentes in eorum lectis decumbentes, se et suos sustentare commode non valentes; habita consideratione speciali ad pauperes de consanguinitate et affinitate sua intimos et propinquos, et præsertim in locis ubi quondam possessiones, prædia, redditus et sua dominia fuerunt situata, et præsertim in villis et locis ubi habent, seu aliquis ad usum suum habet, dominia, maneria, terras, tenementa, et etiam ad emendationem pauperum ecclesiarum villarum prædictarum, viarum turpium et pontium communium reparationem, et in aliis piis elemosinariis usibus et caritatis operibus, specialiter in comitatibus Norfolk’ et Suffolk’; et quod circa funeralia et legata sua ac elemosinas supradictas primo anno post decessum suum mille marcæ seu mille libræ disponantur, et annuatim postea quingentæ libræ, triginta tres libræ, sex solidi et octo denarii, quousque bona sua mobilia et pecuniæ de venditione terrarum ac bonorum suorum vendendorum provenientia modo et forma prædictis plenarie disponantur, sicut coram Deo in die extremo Examinis voluerint respondere; et ad hoc eos exhortabatur in Domino Jesu Christo taliter pro165.1 ipso singula fideliter peragere vellent cum pro eis in casu consimili faceret juxta conscientiam, rationem, et justitiam. Et prædicti testamenti ac ultimæ voluntatis suæ suos executores ad exequendum, disponendum et ministrandum modo et forma per eum inferius limitatis et subscriptis, constituit, ordinavit, fecit et elegit Willelmum Wintoniensem episcopum; Johannem, Dominum de Beauchamp; Nicholaum, abbatem de Langle; Johannem Stokes, legum doctorem; Fratrem Johannem Brakley, doctorem theologiæ; Willelmum Yelverton, unum justiciariorum Domini Regis; Johannem Paston, armigerum; Henricum Filongley, armigerum; Dominum Thomam Howes, presbyterum; et Willelmum Worcester; quos modum et formam executionis et administrationis bonorum suorum per executores suos fiend’ sic limitavit, voluit, disposuit, et modificavit; videlicet, quod prædicti Johannes Paston et Thomas Howes solum et ante alios executores prædictos subeant et habeant administrationem et dispositionem omnium bonorum mobilium, catallorum ac denariorum ex venditione omnium terrarum et tenementorum suorum vendendorum et proficuorum eorundem terrarum et tenementorum provenientum, ut ipsi duo soli ea disponant pro salute animæ suæ, et quod alii executores supradicti abstineant se ab omni administratione dictorum bonorum suorum, nisi pro modo, forma, causa, loco, et tempore quibus per ipsos Johannem Paston et Thomam Howes ad eorem juramenta pro dicta administratione fuerint evocati pariter et rogati; et quod nullus dictorum aliorum executorum suorum sine consensu et voluntate ac advisamento dictorum Johannes Paston et Thomæ Howes capiat aliquid seu distribuat de bonis suis mobilibus et catallis prædictis, nec venditionem eorundem neque terrarum nec tenementorum prædictorum faciat, nec aliqua sibi debita recipiat, neque aliquos creditores suos quovis modo acquiet et, neque, prædictis Johanne Paston et Thoma Howes viventibus et administrare bona sua volentibus, aliquis alius executorum prædictorum administrationem bonorum suscipiat suorum, sed quod quantum dicti alii sui executores ad [sic] eorem singuli prædict’ Johanni Paston et Thomæ Howes in quibuscunque egibilibus [sic] quæ hujusmodi testamentum et ultimam voluntatem concernentibus, favorabiliter assistant et succurrant cum per eosdem fuerint ad hoc requisiti. Voluit tamen quod si alter prædictorum Johannis et Thomæ recusaverit onus administrationis bonorum hujusmodi subire, vel ante administrationem functam obierit, quod tunc ille dictorum duorum executorum suorum administrare volens eligat unum de executoribus prædictis sibi associandis quem putaverit in hiis sibi magis idoneum, et ita voluit fieri de omnibus aliis executoribus præscriptis; videlicet, quod uno moriente vel deficiente de duobus, alter loco ipsius ad electionem administrationem incumbent’ substituatur et assumatur. Si autem ambo executores prædicti onus recusaverint subire administrationis prædictæ, vel ambo executores administrationem incumbentes moriantur antequam substituantur executores alii, voluit quod tunc illi duo executores viventes prædictam administrationem subeant et habeant quos major pars executorum viventium sui testamenti duxerit eligendos, et quod illi duo administrationem subeuntes ad dictos Dominum Episcopum et Dominum de Beauchamp, Nicolaum Abbatem de Langley, Johannem Stokes, Fratrem Johannem Bracley, Willelmum Yelverton, Henricum Filongley, et Willelmum Worcester recursum habeant pro eorum consilio et advisamento obtinendo in causis arduis et materiis requisitis. Supervisores vero dicti testamenti reverendissimum in Christo patrem et dominum, Dominum Thomam Dei gratia Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, Walterum Episcopum Norwicensem, Magistrum Robertum Popy clericum, et Hugonem Fenn, Domini Regis auditorem, ordinavit et constituit, et voluit quod dicti duo executores onus administrationis subeuntes remunerarentur secundum merita laborum suorum et diligentiam in præmissis expediendis juxta discretionem dicti Domini Episcopi Wintoniensis et Magistri Johannis Stokes, seu majoris partis aliorum executorum viventium. Supervisores vero prædicti et cæteri executores remunerarentur secundum merita laborum suorum per discretionem duorum executorum dictæ administrationi incumbentium. Et voluit quod si quis prædictorum per eum superius nominatorum dictos Johannem Paston et Thomam Howes in officio suo hujusmodi seu circa administrationem bonorum ejusdem defuncti quoquomodo impediverit, turbaverit, vexaverit, molestaverit, vel inquietaverit, aut aliquid prædictorum facere præsumpserit vel conatus fuerit, ab administratione bonorum suorum omnino removeatur, et si quid præmissorum ante susceptionem administrationis hujusmodi attemptaverit, ipsum ad administrationem hujusmodi nullatenus admitti voluit et declaravit. Datum anno Domini, mense, die, loco supradictis.

163.1 From a modern copy among the MSS. at Narford, in the possession of Andrew Fountaine, Esq. The original of this document has not been met with, and the copy from which it is printed is unfortunately very corrupt; but no other text is obtainable. The more obvious inaccuracies have been corrected, but some obscurities remain, on which the reader may exercise his own judgment. For a knowledge of this document I am indebted to Mr. Tyssen Amhurst, of Didlington Hall, Brandon, to whom it was lent by the owner.

163.2 Omitted in MS.

164.1 restum, MS.

164.2 proficiant, MS.

164.3 finentibus, MS.

164.4 finentes, MS.

165.1 per, MS.

388
INVENTORY OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S GOODS166.1

1459

Memorandum that here aftir foloweth an inventarye of the gold and silver in coyne and plate, and othir godes and catelles that sumtyme were Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, whiche the said Sir John Fastolf gaf to John Paston, Squier, and Thomas Howys, clerk, of trust and confidence, that the same godes shuld the more saufly be kept to the use of the said Sir John duryng his lif, and aftir his decesse to be disposed in satisfiyng of the duetees and dettes to God and Holy Chirche, and to alle othir, and in fulfillyng and execucion of his legate last wille and testament without eny defraudyng of the said Holy Chirche or of eny creditours or persones.

First, in goold and silver, founden in th’abbey of Seynt Benet aftir the decesse of the said Sir John Fastolf, mlml iiijxx xiijli. iijs. iiijd.

Item, founden atte Castre, lxjli. vjs. viijd.

Item, receyved atte Bentlee by the handes of William Barker in money by hym receyved of John Heryngton, xxli.

Item, receyved atte London, CCCClxixli.

Summa MlMlDCxliijli. xs. in coyne.

First, two peces of golde, weiyng xlviij. unces.

Item, two ewers of golde, weiyng xxvij. unces.

Item, j. flaget of silver, weiyng xxxviij. unces.

Item, ij. prikettys of silver, weiyng xxvij. unces et di.

Summa of golde, lxxv. unces, and of silver, lv. unces.

Item, iij. chargeours of silver, weiyng vijxx iij. unces.

Item, xij. platers of silver, weiyng ixxx ix. unces.

Item, xij. disshes of silver, weiyng vijxx viij. unces.

Item, xij. sausers of silver, weiyng iiijxx xv. unces.

Summa vc lxxv. unces.

Item, xij. flat peces bolyond in the bothom, weiyng viijxx ix. unces.

Item, vj. bolles with oon coverecle [lid] of silver, the egges gilt, my maister helmet enameled in the myddes, weiyng viijxx iiij. unces.

Item, a candilstik, a priket and ij. sokettys of silver, weiyng xvij. unces.

Item, ij. potell pottes of silver wrethyn, the verges gilt with braunches enameled, with j. tree in the lyddys, weiyng vjxx xij. unces.

Item, ij. galon pottes of silver wrethyn, the verges gilt, enameled in the lyddes with iij. floures, weiyng xjxx ix. unces.

Item, j. roste iron with vij. staves and j. foldyng stele of silver, weiyng lxxiij. unces.

Item, ij. flagons of silver, with gilt verges, and the cheynes enameled in the myddes, with j. hoke, weiyng ixxx unces.

Summa, ixc lxiiij. unces.

Item, a saltsaler like a bastell [a bastille or small tower], alle gilt with roses, weiyng lxxvij. unces.

Item, a paire of basyns, alle gylt, with an antelope in the myddes, weiyng xjxx unces.

Item, ij. ewers, gilt, pounsed with floures and braunches, weiyng xxxix. unces.

Item, j. spice plate, well gilt like a double rose, my maister helmet in the myddes, with rede roses of my maisters armes, weiyng vxx x. unces.

Item, ij. galon pottes, all gilt, enameled in the crownes with violet floures, weiyng xxx xiij. unces.

Item, vj. bolles, with oon coveracle gilt, with my maisters helmet enamelled in the myddes, weiyng viijxx vj. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cuppe, all gilt, with a coveracle, with my maisters helmet enamyled in the myddes, weiyng xlj. unces.

Item, another cuppe of the same facione, all gilt, weiyng xlij. unces.

Item, iiij. cuppes, gilt like founteyns, with j. columbyne floure enameled in the myddes, weiyng iiijxx xvj. unces.

Summa, DCCCClxv. unces.

Item, j. grete flagon, with stuf theryn, weiyng xvijxx xj. unces.

Summa, CCClj. unces.

Item, vj. platers, weiyng vijxx unces.

Item, xiiij. disshes, weiyng ixxx unces.

Item, xij. peces of dyvers sortes, weiyng vijxx xiij. unces.

Item, ij. grete galon pottes, playn, with gilt verges, my maisters helmet in the kever, weiyng xijxx xij. unces.

Item, j. paire basyns, the verges gilt, Harlyngs168.1 armes in the bottom, weiyng vxx xv. unces.

Item, ij. quart potts, with gilt verges, with the same armes in the lydde, weiyng lxx. unces.

Item, ij. ewers, the oon demi gilt, and the othir the bordures gilt, weiyng lj. unces.

Item, j. spice plate demi gilt, my maisters terget enamyled in the myddes, weiyng lxxj. unces.

Summa, DCCCCCxxxij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cuppe gilt, with j. kever, with j. rose in the toppe, weiyng xl. unces.

Item, anothir cuppe of the same facion, gilt, weiyng xlj. unces.

Summa, iiijxx j. unces.

Item, iij. grete chargeours, weiyng vijxx ij. unces.

Item, xij. platers, weiyng xjxx xij. unces.

Item, xij. disshes, weiyng ixxx viij. unces.

Item, xj. sausers, weiyng lxxvj. unces.

Summa, DCxxxviij. unces.

Item, j. paire basyns, with gilt verges and j. rose, with my maisters helmet enameled and gilt in the myddes, weiyng viijxx vj. unces.

Item, ij. ewers, gilt and enameled in like wise, weiyng lxxv. unces.

Item, xij. flatte peces, pounsed in the bottom, the verges gilt sortely, weiyng vijxx xvj. unces.

Item, j. spiceplate demi gilt, wrethyn, weiyng lxxij. unces.

Item, vj. bolles, with oon kever, the verges gilt, my maisters helmet in the myddes, weiyng viijxx iiij. unces.

Item, ij. grete pottes, eche of a galon, wrethyn the verges of bothe gilt with popy leves, with j. tre levedroses in the lidde, enameled, weiyng xjxx xvj. unces.

Item, ij. potelers, with gilt verges, enameled in the liddes, weiyng iiijxx ix. unces.

Item, ij. flagons, with gilt verges, and the cheyne enameled in the myddes, weiyng viijxx j. unces.

Item, j. candelstik, with j. priket and ij. soketts, weiyng xvij. unces.

Summa, xjc xxxvj. unces.

Item, j. saltsaler, with j. kever, well gilt, with many wyndowes, weiyng iiijxx vj. unces.

Item, vj. bolles, all gilt, with j. kever and j. rose in the toppe, eche enameled in the bottom with my maisters helmet, weiyng viijxx vj. unces.

Item, ij. galon pottes, gilt playn, anameled in the lyddes with my maisters target, weiyng vijxx xiiij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cuppe, pounsed with floures, well gilt, weiyng xlij. unces.

Item, j. gilt cuppe, stondyng covered, pounsed with j. rose in the toppe, weiyng xlvij. unces.

Item, vj. gobelettes, wele gilt, with j. columbyne floure, weiyng vijxx vj. unces.

Summa, DCxlj. unces.

Chapell.

Item, vij. prikettes, with gilt verges, weiyng iiijxx vj. unces.

Item, ij. stondyng candilstikkes, with gilt verges, weiyng iiijxx j. unces.

Item, j. ship, with gilt verges, weiyng ix. unces.

Item, j. box for syngyng brede,169.1 weiyng iiij. unces.

Item, j. haly water stop, with j. sprenkill and ij. cruettes, weiyng xij. unces.

Summa, C iiijxx xij. unces.

Item, j. brode pryket, all gilt, weiyng xlv. unces.

Item, j. paire basyns, all gilt, enameled in the bottom with roses, weiyng xl. unces.

Item, j. pyx, demi gilt, weiyng xxx. unces.

Item, j. crosse, all gilt, weiyng xlj. unces.

Item, j. ewer, all gilt, weiyng xvij. unces.

Item, j. chalice, alle gilt, weiyng xxvij. unces.

Item, j. lesser chalice, all gilt, weiyng xiiij. unces.

Item, ij. roses over gilt, weiyng xv. unces et di.

Item, j. ymage of Seynt Michell, weiyng viijxx x. unces.

Item, j. ymage of oure Lady and hir Childe in hir armes, weiyng vxx x. unces.

Summa, Dcxxix et di unces.

Item, j. grete flagon, weiyng xviijxx viij. unces.

Item, j. almesse disshe, weiyng vjxx xij. unces.

Summa, Dc unces.

Item, j. sensour of silver, and gilt, weiyng xl. unces.

Item, j. ship, weiyng xviij. unces.

Item, j. pece with j. kever, weiyng xx. unces.

Item, j. gobelet, gilt, weiyng xj. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, weiyng xij. unces.

Summa, Cj. unces.

Item, iij. grete chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng xjxx xviij. unces.

Item, j. chaufer, to sette upon a table for hote water, weiyng iiijxx xiij. unces.

Item, iiij. holowe basyns, wherof oon is bolyons, weiyng all xxx xiij. unces.

Item, iij. botelles, of oon sorte, weiyng vijxx xiiij. unces.

Item, vj. grete peces, of oon sorte, weiyng vxx xvij. unces.

Item, xij. peces, all of oon sorte, weiyng xjxx xiiij. unces.

Item, iij. smale peces, weiyng xxv. unces.

Item, j. grete bolle, with j. kever, weiyng lxij. unces.

Item, iij. gobelettes, pounsed, weiyng xiiij. unces et di.

Item, j. powder box, and j. kever to j. cup, weiyng xxij. unces.

Item, ij. basyns, the verges gilt with popy leves, enameled with my maisters helmet in the bottom, weiyng viijxx ix. unces.

Item, ij. ewers, gilt, enameled in the same wise, weiyng iiijxx unces.

Item, iiij. ewers, of the olde facion, weiyng lxxvij. unces.

Summa, xvc xxij. unc’ et di.

Item, j. litill flat pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxvij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng pece, all gilte, with j. kever, weiyng xxxviij. unces.

Item, j. litill stondyng pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxj. unces et di.

Summa, iiijxx vj. unc’ et di.

Apud Sanctum Benedictum.

Item, ij. basyns, with gilt verges, and my maisters helmet in the botom, with ij. ewers, with gilt verges, and my maisters helme on the lyddes, weiyng togider CCxxxj. unces.

Item, iiij. prikettes, with gilt verges, weiyng xxxj. unces.

Item, ij. lesser prikettes, weiyng v. unces.

Item, j. basyn and j. ewer, with my maisters armes in the botom, weiyng lxiij. unces.

Item, ij. litill ewers, of ij. sortes, weiyng xxiiij. unces.

Item, j. spiceplate, with gilt verges, weiyng xliiij. unces.

Item, ij. galons, with gilt verges, with my maisters armes in the liddes, weiyng iiijxx xvj. unces.

Item, ij. potellers, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx iiij. unces.

Item, ij. othir potellers, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx xiij. unces.

Item, j. potell potte, of anothir sorte, weiyng xxxv. unces.

Item, ij. quartelettes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xlviij. unces.

Item, j. litill botell, with j. cheyne and j. stopell, weiyng xxxviij. unces.

Item, j. brode priket, with gilt verges, weiyng xxiiij. unces.

Item, ij. candilstikkes, ij. prykettes, and iiij. sokettes, weiyng xxxvij. unces.

Item, vj. gobelettes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xxviij. unces.

Item, xiiij. peces, of dyvers sortes, weiyng vjxx xv. unces.

Item, j. old pece, with j. kever and j. knop, weiyng xxxij. unces.

Item, ij. chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng lxxviij. unces.

Item, vj. platers, of oon sorte, weiyng vijxx vij. unces.

Item, xviij. disshes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xxx xvj. unces.

Item, vj. sawsers, of oon sorte, weiyng xxviij. unces.

Summa, xvc xvij. unces.

Item, j. saltsaler, alle gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxxvij. unces.

Item, j. pese, with j. kever, all gilt, with j. knop, weiyng xxxj. unces.

Item, j. playne pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxvj. unces.

Item, j. litill pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xviij. unces.

Summa, vxx xij. unces.

Item, j. chargeour, weiyng xlv. unces.

Item, viij. platers, weiyng ixxx xj. unces.

Item, viij. disshes, weiyng vjxx v. unces.

Item, viij. saucers, weiyng xlix. unces.

Item, j. potell potte, with gilt verges, enameled in the top with violet leves, weiyng xlix. unces.

Summa, CCCC iiijxx iij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, all gilt, weiyng xxxviij. unces.

Item, j. founteyn, all gilt, with j. columbyne floure in the bottom, weiyng xxiij. unces.

Summa, lxj. unces.

Item, ij. saltsalers, weiyng xxxix. unces.

Item, j. candilstik, with ij. sokettes, weiyng xxj. unces.

Item, iiij. flat peces, pounsed in the bottom, weiyng xl. unces.

Item, ij. gobelettes, pounsed, weiyng ix. unces.

Item, xiij. spones, wherof oon is gilt, weiyng xvij. unces.

Item, j. ewer, with j. knop, weiyng xiij. unces.

Item, ij. potellers, with my maisters armes on the liddes, weiyng lxxji. unces.

Item, j. potell potte, with braunches on the lidde enamelid, weiyng xlix. unces.

Item, iij. pottes, enameled with j. garlond, weiyng vxx vij. unces.

Item, j. quart pot, weiyng xxix. unces.

Item, j. grete chargeour, weiyng lxxix. unces.

Item, iij. lesser chargeours, weiyng vxx xj. unces.

Item, v. platers, of oon sorte, weiyng vxx xv. unces.

Item, xij. disshes, of oon sorte, weiyng xxx ix. unces.

Item, ix. sausers, of oon sorte, weiyng lxiij. unces.

Summa, Ml iiijx xij. unces.

Item, j. gobelet, gilt, with j. columbyne in the bottom, weiyng xxiiij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, weiyng xxxv. unces.

Summa, lix. unces.

Castre.

Item, ij. prykettys, with gilt verges, weiyng xvij. unces.

Item, ij. cruettes, oon lakkyng a lydde, weiyng viij. unces.

Item, j. litill crosse, with j. fote, all gilt, weiyng vij. unces.

Item, j. sakeryng bell, weiyng xj. unces.

Item, j. chalice, weiyng xviij. unces.

Item, j. saltsaler, weiyng v. unces.

Item, j. paxbrede,172.1 weiyng     172.2unces.

Item, j. grete saltsaler, with j. kever, weiyng xxvij. unces.

Item, j. playn basyn, with j. ewer, weiyng liij. unces.

Item, ij. flat peces, of oon sorte, weiyng xxij. unces.

Item, xvij. spones, of ij. sortes, weiyng xviij. unces.

Item, iiij. platers, weiyng iiijxx xiiij. unces.

Item, vj. disshes, weiyng iiijxx xiiij. unces.

Item, iiij. sausers, weiyng xviij. unces.

Item, j. candilstik, withoute sokettes, weiyng xviij. unces.

Summa, CCCCx. unces.

Md of xlvj. unces gold and ijml. Dxxv. unces of silver plate taken from Bermondesey.

Sold by John Yong of London.

In primis, a peson173.1 of gold, it fayleth v. balles, weiyng xxiij. unces gold.

Item, j. paire basons, beyng173.2 bothe weiyng vxx ij. unces.

Item, j. paire ewers, beyng173.2 bothe weiyng xlv. unces.

Item, j. paire of newe flagons, cheyned, everyche weiyng lxxiiij. unces—vijxx xiij. unces.

Item, iiij. platers, parcell of ix. platers not sortely, weiyng in all xxx ix. unces; so iche weieth xxiij. unces. Soo the weight of the same iiij. platers, iiijxx xij. unces.

Item, xij. disshes, weiyng in all ixxx ix. unces.

Item, xij. sausers, weiyng in all iiijxx xvij. unces.

Summa unciarum argenti, DClxxiij. unc‘, et de auro, xxiij. unc’.

Item, j. cup of golde, with an ewer, weiyng xxiij. unces.

Item, ij. spiceplates, weiyng bothe iiijxx xij. unces.

Item, ij. olde chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx viij. unces.

Item, j. grete plater, weiyng xxxviij. unces.

Item, v. olde disshes, weiyng in alle lxxvj. unces.

Item, v. sausers, weiyng xxix. unces.

Item, ij. quart pottes, weiyng liiij. unces.

Item, ix. platers, weiyng xvjxx iij. unces.

Item, a flat pece, playne, of silver, weiyng xvj. unces.

Item, a quart pot, of silver, with gilt verges, weiyng xxvj. unces.

Item, an holowe basyn, of silver, weiyng xxviij. unces.

Summa unciarum de auro, xxiij. unc‘; et de argento, DCClxx. unc’.

Item, ij. stondyng cuppes, gilt, of oon sorte, iche weiyng xxiiij. unces—lxviij. unces.

Item, vj. gobelettes, uncovered, weiyng xxiij. unces et di.

Item, j. layer, weiyng xxiiij. unces.

Item, j. saltsaler, gilt, weiyng xxxiiij. unces.

Item, ij. lesse chargeours, weiyng lxx. unces.

Item, v. platers, not sortely, parcell of ix. platers, weiyng in all xxx ix. unces; so iche plater weyeth by estymacion xxiij. unces. So the weight of v. platers, Cxv. unces.

Summa, CCCxxxiiij. unces di.

Item, j. saltsaler, gilt, with a cover, weiyng xxxj. unces.

Item, iiij. peces, gilt, with ij. coveres, weiyng lxxiiij. unces.

Item, vj. Parys cuppes, of silver, of the Monethes, with lowe fete, the bordures gilt, weiyng iiijxx x. unces.

Item, j. white stondyng cuppe, with a cover of silver, weiyng xij. unces di.

Item, j. knoppe, for a covere, gilt, weiyng j. unce.

Item, j. flagon, of silver and gilt, accordyng with the olde inventarie, weiyng xxx xviij unces.

Item, anothir flagon, of the same sorte and of the same weight, xxx xviij. unces.

Summa, DCxliiij. unces di.

Item, j. paire of olde flagons, iij. pyntes, fayleth j. stopell, weiyng iiijxx x. unces.

Item, j. grete sawser, weiyng vj. unces di.

Item, ij. olde cruettes, weiyng vj. unces.

166.1 [From Add. Charter 17,247, B.M.] The MS. from which this document is printed is a roll which appears to have been at one time in the possession of Blomefield, the historian of Norfolk. At the end is the following note in his handwriting:— ‘March 7, 1743.—A true coppy of this roll given to Sr. Andr. Fountain, Kt., by me, Fra. Blomefield.’

168.1 Sir Robert Harling of East Harling, in Norfolk, was a companion in arms of Fastolf, and was killed at Paris in 1435.

169.1 The round cakes or wafers intended for consecration in the Eucharist.

172.1 A small tablet with a representation of the Crucifixion on it, presented to be kissed during the mass.

172.2 Blank in MS.

173.1 An instrument in the form of a staff, with balls or crockets, used for weighing, before scales were employed for that purpose.

173.2 The word ‘beyng’ in these two places seems to have been altered to ‘weyng,’ which was unnecessary.

Item, j. brode pryket, all gilt, weiyng xlv. unces.
Summa, Ml iiijx xij. unces.
final . missing or invisible in both

Item, ij. cruettes, oon lakkyng a lydde, weiyng viij. unces.
text has “weiyhg”

Item, j. paire ewers
. after “j.” invisible

389
SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S WARDROBE174.1

Memorandum.

That the last day of Octobre, the       yere of the reyne of King Henri the Sixt, Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, hath lefte in his warderope at Castre, this stuffe of clothys, and othir harnays that followith, that is to wete:—

Togæ remanenciæ hoc tempore in Garderoba Domini.

First, a goune of clothe of golde, with side slevis, sirples wise.

Item, j. nothir gowne of clothe of golde, with streyght slevys, and lynyd withe blak clothe.

Item, halfe a gowne of red felwett.

Item, j. gowne of blewe felwett upon felwet longe furrid withe martyrs, and perfold174.2 of the same, slevys sengle.

C. Item, j. gowne, clothe of grene, of iij. yerds.

Item, j. side scarlet gownys, not lynyd.

Item, j. rede gowne, of my Lorde Coromale174.3 is lyverey, lyned.

Item, j. chymere174.4 cloke of blewe satayne, lynyd with blake silke.

Item, iij. quarters of scarlet for a gowne, di. quarter of the same.

Item, j. broken gowne of sangweyne, graynyd with the slevys.

Item, j. gowne of Frenche russet, lynyd with blak clothe.

Item, j. chemer of blak, lynyd with blak bokerame.

Item, j. gowne of blak, lynyd with blak lynyng.

Item, iij. quarters of a russet gowne with ought slevys.

Item, j. jagged huke175.1 of blakke sengle, and di. of the same.

U.

Tunicæ Remanentes ibidem.

Item, j. jakket of blewe felwett, lynyd in the body with smale lynen clothe, and the slevys withe blanket.

Item, j. jakket of russet felwet, lynyd with blanket clothe.

Item, j. jakket of red felwet, the ventis bounde with red lether.

Item, j. jakket of blakke felwet upon felwet, lynyd with smale lynen cloth.

Item, j. jaket, the bret and slevys of blak felvet, and the remanent of russet fustian.

Item, ij. jakketts of russet felwet, the one lynyd with blanket, t’other with lynen clothe.

Item, ij. jakketts of chamletts.

Item, j. jakket of sateyne fugre.175.2

Item, j. dowblettis of red felwet uppon felwet.

Item, j. jakket of blak felwet, the body lynyd with blanket and the slevys with blak clothe.

Item, j. dowbelet of rede felwet, lynyd with lynen clothe.

Item, ij. jakketts of derys lether, with j. coler of blak felwet.

Item, j. dowbelet of white lynen clothe.

Item, j. pettecote of lynen clothe stoffyd with flokys.

Item, j. petticote of lynen clothe, withought slyves.

Item, ij. payre hosyn of blakke keyrse.

Item, iij. payre bounden with lether.

Item, j. payre of blake hosyn, vampayed with lether.

Item, ij. payre of scarlet hosyn.

U
V

Capucia et Capellæ.

Item, j. russet hode, with owgt a typpet, of satyn russet.

Item, j. hode of blakke felwet, with a typpet, halfe damask and halfe felwet, y jaggyd.

Item, j. hode of depe grene felwet, jakgyd uppon the rolle.

Item, j. hode of russet felwet, with a typpet, half of the same and half of blewe felwet, lynyd with the same of damaske.

Item, j. hood of depe grene felwet, the typpet blake and grene felwet.

Item, j. hood of russet felwet withougt a typpet.

Item, j. hode of damaske russet, with j. typpet, fastyd with a lase of silke.

Item, j. rydyng hode of rede felwet with iiij. jaggys.

Item, j. hode of skarlet, with a rolle of purpill felwet, bordered with the same felwet.

Item, j. hode of blake satayne, the rolle of blake felwet.

Item, j. of purpill felwet, with owten rolle and typpet.

Item, j. hode of russet felwet, the typpet lynyd with russet silke.

Item, j. typpet, halfe russet and halfe blake felwet, with j. jagge.

Item, j. rydynghoode of blakalyere, lynyd with the same.

Item, j. rydyng hoode of blakke felwet, i-lynyd with blakke clothe.

Item, j. hatte of bever, lynyd withe damaske gilt, girdell, bokkell, and penaunt, with iiij. barrys of the same.

Item, j. gret rollyd cappe of sangweyn, greyned.

Item, ij. skarlet hoodys.

Item, iiij. hodys of sangweyn, graynyd.

Item, ij. hodys of perce blewe. Item, ij. hodys blakalyre.

Item, j. knitte cappe. Item, j. unsette poke.

Item, ij. poyntys of a hood of skarlot.

Item, j. blake rydyng hoode, sengle. Item, ij. strawen hattis.

Item, j. blewe hoode of the Garter.

Item, j. gowne of my ladys, sengle.

Aliæ res necessariæ ibidem.

Inprimis, j. canope of greene silke, borderyd with rede.

Item, iij. trapuris, with iij. clothis of the same sute.

Item, ij. old cheses plis [chasubles] of rede.

Item, ij. pokkettis stuffyd and embraudyd with white rosys after his devyce, of rede with crossis leten with silver.

Item, j. pece of scarlot, embraudit in the myddell, containing in length iij. yerds and di.

Item, j. pece of blewe, contaynyng in length iij. quarters, and in brede v. quarters.

Item, j. pece of skarlot for trappars for horsys, with rede crossis and rosys.

Item, ij. stripis of the same trappuris sutly.

Item, j. pece of Seynt George leveray, for j. hode.

Item, j. ball of coper gilt, embrauded rechely with j. skogen [scutcheon] hongyng therbi.

Item, ij. pencellis of his armys.

Item, ij. yerds and j. quarter of white damaske.

Item, j. pece of white felwet ij. yerdis longe.

Item, j. pece of rede satayne, brauden [embroidered] with Me faunt fere.

Item, ij. strypes of the same.

Item, ij. cote armours of silke, aftir his own armys.

Item, j. cote armour of whyte silke of Seynt George.

Item, ij. pecys of clothe of golde of tyssent.

Item, j. pece of blak kersey with rosys, and embraudit with Me faunt fere.

Item, ij. stripis of the same sute.

Item, ij. peces of blewe canvas of xlij. yerds.

Item, j. pece of linnen cloth, steyned.

Item, j. pece of grene wurstet xxx. yards longe.

Item, iiij. clokys of murry177.1 derke.

Item, j. bollok haftyd dager, harnesyd wyth sylver,177.2 and j. chape177.3 thertoo.

Item, j. lytyll schort armyng dager, withe j. gilt schape.

Item, iij. payre tablys of cipris, being in casys of lether.

Item, j. parre tablys of G., enrayed withowght, and here men in baggys longyng thertoo.

E.

Imprimis, v. pellowes of grene silke.

Item, j. pellow of silk the growund white wyth lyllys of blewe.

Item, ij. pellowes of rede felwet and the growund of ham blakke.

Item, v. pellowys of rede felwet.

Item, ij. pellowys of rede felwet beten upon satayne.

Item, j. littill pellow of grene sike, full wythin of lavendre.

Item, j. pellow of purpyll silke and golde.

Item, ij. pellowes of blew silke, with a schelde.

Item, v. large carpettys.

Imprimis, j. longe pillowe of fustian.

Item, iij. brode pillowes of fustyan.

Item, ij. pillowys of narwer sorte and more schorter, of fustyan.

Item, j. longe pellow of lynen clothe.

Item, j. pellow of a lasse sorte.

Item, j. brode pyllow of lynen clothe.

Item, ij. pillowes of lynen clothe of a lasser assyse.

Item, viij. pelowes of lynen clothe off a lasser assyse.

Item, v. of the lest assyse.

In primis, j. cover of grene silke to a bedde, lynyd with blewe silke.

Item, j. close bedde of palle grene and whyte, with levys of golde.

Item, j. covyr of the same.

Item, j. covyr of rede silke lynyd with bokerame.

Item, j. cover of white clothe, fyne and well-wrought, purpeynte [pourpointé or stitched] wyse.

Item, j. cover of raynis, wrowght with golde of damaske.

Item, j. donge [mattress or feather bed] of purle sylke.

Item, j. seler of white lynen clothe.

Item, j. testur of the same. Item, iij. curtaynys sutely.

Item, iij. cartaynyes of lynen clothe.

Item, iij. blankettis of fustian.

Clothis of Arras and of Tapstre warke.

Inprimis, j. clothe of arras, clyped the Schipherds clothe.178.1

Item, j. of the Assumpsion of Oure Lady.

Item, j. newe banker of arras, with a bere holdyng j. spere in the middys of the clothe.

Item, j. tester of arras with ij. gentlewomen and ij. gentlemen, and one holdyng an hawke in his honde.

Item, j. clothe with iiij. gentle women.

Item, j. testour of arras with a lady crouned and a grete rolle aboughte her hede, the first letter N.

Item, j. clothe of ix. conquerouris.

Item, j. cover for a bedde, of newe arras, and a gentlewoman beyng ther in the corner with a whelp in hir honde and an Awnus Day abought hir nec.

Item, a seler of arras frangyd with silke, red, grene, and white.

Item, j. testir of the same, red, grene, and white.

Item, j. testur frangyd with grene silke. Item, j. seler of the same.

Item, j. clothe for the nether hall, of arras, with a geyaunt in the myddell, beryng a legge of a bere in his honde.

Item, j. clothe of arras for the dese [daïs] in the same halle, with j. wodewose [a savage] and j. chylde in his armys.

Item, j. clothe of the sege of Faleys for the west side of the halle.

Item, j. clothe of arras with iij. archowrys on scheting [shooting] a doke in the water with a cross bowe.

Item, j. clothe of arras withe a gentlewoman harpyng by j. castell in myddys of the clothe.

Item, j. cover of arras for a bedde, with a mane drawyng water in the myddel of the clothe ought of a welle.

Item, j. lytell tester of arras, whith j. man and a woman in the myddyll.

Item, j. banker178.2 of arras with a man schetyng at j. blode hownde.

Item, j. clothe of arras with a lady crouned, and j. rolle abought her hedde with A. N., lynyd with gray canvas.

Item, j. clothe of arras with a condyte in the myddill.

Item, j. clothe of arras, with a gentlewoman holding j. lace of silke, and j. gentlewoman a hauke.

Item, ij. clothis portrayed full of popelers.

Item, j. testyr of blewe tapistry warke with viij. braunchys.

Item, j. blewe hallyng178.3 of the same sute.

Item, j. rede clothe of v. yerds v. dim. of lenthe.

Item, j. banker of rede, with iij. white rosys and the armys of Fastolf.

Item, j. nothyr clothe of rede, with v. roses sutly.

Item, j. hallyng of blewe worstet, contayning in lenthe xiij. yerds, and in bredthe iiij. yerds.

Item, j. hallyng with men drawen in derke grene worsted.

Item, ij. pecys of whyte worsted, bothe of one lenthe.

Item, j. hallyng of depe grene, contayning in lenthe xj. yerds, and in bredthe ij. yerds and one halfe.

Item, j. hallyng of the same sute, lenthe, and brede.

Item, j. tester of grene and whyte, wyth braunchis sutely.

F.

Clothis of Arras.

Item, ij. clothis of arras for the chamboure over the nether halle, of huntyng and of haukyng.

Item, iij. clothis of grene and whyte, withe braunchis sutely to the other wreten before.

Item, a coveryng of a bedde of aras, withe hontyng of the bore, a man in blewe, with a jagged hoode, white and rede.

G.

Canvas in the Warderop and fyne Lynen Clothe of dyvers sortes.

First ix. berys for fetherbeddys.

Item, iiij. transomers.

Item, j. pece of lynen clothe, countyng lenthe and brede iiijxx. ellys, and the tone ende kit and nought enselyd and the other ende hole.

Item, j. pece of lynen clothe, yerde brode, contaynyng xiiij. yerds and more, and not sealed.

Item, j. pece of grete lynen clothe, yerde brode, of xxij. yerds.

Item, j. pece of yerde brode, xxiv. yerds iij. quarters, pro Willelmo Schipdam.

Item, j. pece of a yerde and a halfe quarter brode, of xxv. yerds and iij. quarters, pro Willelmo Schypdam.

Item, j. pece of yerde brode, of xij. yerds and j. quarter.

Item, j. pece of fyne lynen clothe, yerd brode, of lvj. yerdys of lenthe.

Item, j. pece of grete clothe, yerde brode, of lvij. yerds.

Item, j. pece of grete clothe of xxiiij. yerds.

Item, j. pece of clothe leke of xxviij. yerds.

Item, j. pece of clothe of xxxvij. yerds et dim.

Item, j. pece of grete clothe of xxij. yerdys per Willm. Schypdham.

Item, j. pece of clothe lyke of xxxij. yerds and j. quarter.

Item, j. pece of lyke clothe of xxxvj. yerds, per Willm. Schypdam.

Item, j. pece of clothe of xxxiij. yerds and j. quarter, per Willm. Schypdam.

Item, j. pece of xxvij. yerds j. quarter. Item, j. pece of x. yerds dim.

Item, j. pece of viij. yerds. Item, j. pece of xxviij. yerds iij. quarters.

Item, j. pece of xix. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xxij. yerds j. quarter.

Item, j. pece of xiij. yerds j. quarter. Item, j. pece of xxiij. yerds.

Item, j. pece of xxvij. yerds j. quarter. Item, j. pece of xxx. yerds dim.

Item, j. pece of xxxij. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xlj. yerds and j. quarter.

Item, j. pece of xxxj. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xviij. yerds iij. quarters.

Item, j. pece of xiij. yerds. Item, j. pece of xiiij. yerds.

Item, j. pece of xlv. yerds. Item, j. pece of viii. yerds dim.

Item, j. pece of xiij. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xxij. yerds j. quarter.

Item, j. pece of xxxix. yerds.

Item, j. pece of xxxiij. yerds j. quarter of beter clothe.

Item, ij. rollys of lynen clothe, both not moten. Item, lx. yerds of clothe.

Item, j. pece of Seland clothe, with dyvers sealys at the endys.

Summa totalis, xl. peces.

Summa totalis istius folij ultra ij. rolles conc’ lx. virg’ et in pece sigillat’ cum Domini secreto sigillo uti in fine paginæ, ml. xxxvij. virg. ij. quart. dim. per C. que re.

Manent, cum tribus pecijs restitutis.

H.

Adhuc in Garderoba in domo Superiori.

Item, iij. grete brasse pottys of Frenche makyng.

Item, j. grete chafron of brasse. Item, ij. chafernes of a lase sorte.

Item, iiij. chafernes of the French gyse for sewys. Item, j. panne.

Item, j. litell potte of brasse. Item, ij. chamber basons of pewter.

Item, iiij. chargeourys. Item, vj. platowres. Item, vj. sawsers of pewter.

Item, iiij. candylstykkeys of my mayster is armys und my ladyes, copper and gilt.

Item, j. fountayne of latayne to sette in pottys of wine.

Item, ij. hangyng candylstykkes. Item, ij. maundys [baskets].

Item, j. basket of wykers. Item, xxj. bowys.

Item, viij. schefe arrowys of swanne.

Camera ultra Buttellarium pro extraneis.

Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. pillowe.

Item, ij. blankettys. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, j. purpeynt of white. Item, j. seloure. Item, j. testoure.

Item, ij. curtaynys of the same sute. Item, j. cobbord clothe of the same.

Magna Camera ultra Aulam Estevalem.

In primis, j. fetherbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. seler.

Item, j. tester, withe one gentlewoman in grene, taking a mallard in hir hondes.

Item, j. coveryng, with j. geyaunt smytyng a wilde bore with a spere.

Item, iij. courtaynes of grene silke.

Item, j. clothe of arras, of the Schipherds.

The White Chambour next the Gret Chaumbur,
sumtyme Nicholas Bokkeyng is Chaumbre.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. pyllowe of doun.

Item, ij. blankettys bon.

Item, j. payre of schetys, every schete iiij. schete iiij. webbes.

Item, j. coveryng of whyte lynen clothe. Item, j. purpoynt.

Item, j. tester. Item, j. seler. Item, iij. curtaynys of whyte.

Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys.

Item, iij. payre of schetys. Item, ij. coverlettes of grene warke.

Item, j. cobbord clothe.

The Chaumboure, sumtyme for Stephen Scrope,
hangyng clothys portrayed with the Schipherds.

Item, j. federbedde. Item, j. bolster.

Item, ij. fustian blanketts, every of hem vj. webbys.

Item, j. pyllowye of downe. Item, j. pyllowe of lavendre.

Item, j. cover of apres [ypres ?], lynyd with lynen clothe.

Item, j. tester and j. seler of the same. Item, iij. curtaynes of rede saye.

Item, j. clothe hangyng of Schovelers.

Item, j. rede curtayne o saye for the chayre.

Item, iiij. cosschonys of rede say. Item, j. cobbord clothe.

Item, j. rynnyng bedde with a materas.

Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettis. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, j. coverlet of yellow clothe.

Raffman is Chambour.

Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. blanket.

Item, j. payre of schetys. Item, j. redde panne of kinyng skynnys.

Item, j. testour. Item, j. selour of rede saye.

Item, j. hangyng clothe of popelers. Item, ij. tapettis with clowdys.

Item, j. coveryng of grene saye. Item, j. coverlet of other warke.

The Yeomen is Chambur for Straungers.

In primis, iij. fether beddys. Item, iij. bolsterys. Item, j. materas.

Item, v. blankettys. Item, iij. payre of schetys.

Item, j. coverlet of grene warke.

Item, ij. coverynges of white, grene, and blewe.

Item, ij. hangyng clothys of the same.

The White hangyd Chambre next Inglose is Chamboure.

In primis, j. feddebedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys.

Item, j. payre of schetys. Item, j. pillowe of downe.

Item, j. purpoynt white hangyd. Item, j. hangyd bedde.

Item, j. selere. Item, j. testoure. Item, iij. curtaynys of white.

Item, j. curtayne of the same.

Inglose Chambre.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster.

Item, ij. blanketts of fustian, everyche of them vj. webbes.

Item, j. peyre of schetys, every schete iij. webbys. Item, j. hed schete.

Item, j. pillowe of downe. Item, j. pillowe of lavendre.

Item, j. covering of aras. Item, j. testoure.

Item, j. seleure of the same. Item, j. pane furryd with menevere.

Item, iij. courtaynys of rede saye. Item, v. clothes of tapserey warke.

Item, j. bankere clothe of the same. Item, j. cusschen of redde silke.

Item, iiij. of rede saye. Item, j. cobbordclothe. Item, j. paylette.

Item, j. bolster. Item, j. blanket. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, j. coverlyte. Item, j. grene carpette.

The White hangyd Chambour next the Warderobe.

In primis j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys.

Item, j. payre of schettys. Item, j. hed schete. Item, j. pillow of downe.

Item, j. pillow of lavendre.

Item, j. purpoynt white, with a scuchon after an horse wyse, visure and braunchis of grene.

Item, j. selour. Item, j. testour. Item, iij. curtaynys of lynen clothe.

Cole and Watkyn is Chamboure that was for the two auditourys.

Item, ij. materasse. Item, ij. blankettys. Item, ij. schetys.

Item, j. bolster. Item, j. coverlet of white warke withe burdys.

Item, j. testour of red saye. Item, j. seler of canvas.

The Porter is Chambour.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, j. blankett. Item, j. coveryng cloth.

Item, j. curtayne of rede saye.

The Chambour agenest the Porter is Chamboure.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, j. payre of blankettys. Item, ij. coverlettys of grene and yolowe.

Item, j. seler of blewe panes and white. Item, ij. pecys of saye.

The Chamber over the Draught Brigge.

In primis, j. fedder bed, covered withe gray canvas. Item, j. bolster.

Item, ij. blankettys, j. payre of schettys.

Item, j. rede pane furryd withe connyngs.

Item, j. testour, and j. selour of rede saye with Me faunt fere.

Schipdam is Chambre.

In primis, j. fedderbedde. Ijem, ij. blangettis. Item, ij. schetys.

Item, j. bolster.

Item, j. coverlet of white rosys, at every corner iiij., and one in the myddell.

Item, j. seler of rede say.

Item, j. testour of rede say, lynyd wythe canvas. Item, j. chayre.

Item, j. pece of rede say for accomptyng borde.

Item, iiij. cosschonys rede say. Item, j. aundiren. Item, j. firepanne.

Item, j. payre of tongus. Item, iij. formys. Item, j. junyd stole.

The Inner Chaumbour over the Gatis.

In primis, j. federbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettes.

Item, j. gardevyaunt [meat safe]. Item, ij. cosschonys of blewe say.

Item, j. junyd stole.

The Myddell Chambour.

In primis, j. feder bedde. Item, j. materas. Item, j. quylt.

Item, ij. coverletts of rede say. Item, j. testour withe a selour.

Item, ij. courtaynys of rede say. Item, j. testoure of the same.

Item, j. payre of tongys.

Camera Bokkyng in le Basecourte.

In primis, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster.

Item, ij. payre of schetys. Item, ij. blankettys.

Item, j. coverlete of popelers, lynyd with whyte lynnyng clothe.

Item, j. selour. Item, j. testour of rede saye.

The Coke is Chambour.

Item, j. feder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. schetys.

Item, j. redde coverlyte of rosys and blood houndys hedys.

Feraufe [or Fitzrauf] is Chambre.

Item, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item. j. payre of schetys.

Item, ij. blankettys. Item, j. coverlyte. Item, j. testour.

Item, j. selour of blewe clowded.

Thomas Fastolff Chamboure.

Item, j. fedderbed. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, ij. blankettis. Item, j. rede coverlet.

Item, j. coveryng of worstet. Item, j. testour.

Item, j. selour of rede say, withe the armys of Fastolf.

The Bedde in the grete Stabull.

Item, j. materas. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, j. coverlyt of blewe and rede.

The Bedde in the Sumer Stabull.

Item, j. materas. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, j. coverlyte of blewe and rede.

The Gardinares Chambre.

In primis, j. bolster. Item, j. materas. Item, j. payre of schetys.

Item, ij. blankettys. Item, j. coverlet of blewe.

Item, j. nother of better blewe. Item, j. materas. Item, j. bolster.

Item, j. carpet. Item, j. coveryng of grene say.

Item, j. coveryng of popelerys. Item, j. selour of blewe.

My Maister is Chambre and the withe draughte withe the Stable.

In primis, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. donge of fyne blewe.

Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys of fustians.

Item, j. payre of schetis. Item, j. purpeynt.

Item, j. hangyd bedde of arras. Item, j. testour. Item, j. selour.

Item, j. coveryng.

Item, iij. curtaynes of grene worsted.

Item, j. bankeur of tapestre warke.

Item, iiij. peces hangyng of grene worsted.

Item, j. banker hangyng tapestry worke. Item, j. cobbord clothe.

Item, ij. staundyng aundyris. Item, j. feddefflok.

Item, j. chafern of laten. Item, j. payre of tongys.

Item, j. payre of bellewes. Item, j. litell paylet. Item, ij. blankettys.

Item, j. payre of schetys. Item, j. coverlet.

Item, vj. white cosschynes. Item, ij. lytell bellys.

Item, j. foldyng table. Item, j. longe chayre. Item, j. grene chayre.

Item, j. hangyng candylstyk of laton.

In Camera and Warda nuper pertinentibus Dominæ Mylcentiæ Fastolf.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. materas.

Item, j. quelte. Item, smale pyllowes of downe.

Item, j. hongyd bedde of fyne whyte. Item, ij. smale payletts.

Item, j. rede coverlet. Item, j. leddre pyllewe. Item, j. basyn.

Item, j. ewer. Item, ij. pottys.

Item, ij. lyttyll ewers of blew glasses, powdered withe golde.

The Chambure there Margaret Hodessone laye.

Item, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. fustians.

Item, j. chayre withe j. pece of palle white and grene.

The utmost Chambur nexte Winter Halle.

Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster.

Item, j. coveryng of grene worsted. Item, ij. staundyng aundeirys.

Item, j. hangyng candylstyk of laton.

Item, j. cobbord clothe. Item, j. rede chayre.

The White Draught Chamber for Lewys and William Worcester.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. donge. Item, j. bolster.

Item, j. hangyd bedde. Item, j. testour.

Item, j. selour of rede worsted, i-hangyd with clothe of pale, blake, white, and grene. Item, j. arstellawe.

G.

In primis, ij. pecys of satayne after the fassion of a dowblet to were under gownes.

Item, viij. quarters of silk, the slevys of the same rolled to gedder for jakketts.

Item, j. jakke of blakke lynen clothe stuffyd with mayle.

Item, vj. jakkes stuffyd with horne.

Item, j. jakke of blake clothe lyned with canvas mayled.

Item, xxiiij. cappes, stuffed withe horne, and sum withe mayle.

Item, vj. payre glovys of mayle, of schepys skynne, and of doos.

Item, iij. grete crosbowes of stele, with one grete dowble wyndas ther too.

Item, j. coffyre, full of quarrellys of a smale sorte.

Item, xij. quarrellis of grete sorte, feddered with brasse.

Item, vj. payre curassis. Item, j. payre of breggandires.

Item, iij. harburyones of l’Milayne.

Item, v. ventayletts for bassenetts. Item, vj. peces of mayle.

Item, j. garbrasse. Item, j. polleson. Item, vj. payre grevys.

Item, iiij. payre thyes. Item, xj. bassenetts. Item, j. payre coschewes.

Item, j. payre bregandines, helyd with rede felwet. Item, j. spere.

Item, ij. bassenetts. Item, ij. saletts withe ij. visers.

Item, viij. saletts, white, withe oute vesoure. Item, v. payre vambras.

Item, iij. spere heddys. Item, j. swerde with a gyld chape.

Item, j. prikkyng hat, covered withe blake felwet.

Item, ij. tarcellys on hym be hynde. Item, iij. gonnes, called serpentins.

Item, ij. white payre of brigaundiris. Item, ij. payre hosyn of blak kersey.

Item, payre bounde wyth lether. Item, ij. payre of skarlat.

Item, j. payre of blake vampayed withe lether.

Item, ij. jakketts of russet felwet. Item, ij. aundyrys, grete, of one sorte.

Item, ij. lasse, of anothyr sorte. Item, iij. lesser aundiris.

Item, xi. aunderis for lecchen. Item, j. iren spitte.

Item, ix. barrys of iren for curtaynes.

Item, ij. chaynes for the draught brigge.

Magna Aula.

xj. crosbowes whereof iij. of stele, and v. wyndas. Item, j. borespere.

Item, vj. wifles. Item, j. rede pavys. Item, j. target.

Item, xxj. speris. Item, j. launce gay. Item, iij. pecys of rede worsted.

Item, j. grene chayre. Item, j. red chayre.

Item, j. pece of rede worsted in the toure parloure.

Item, j. banker of tapestry worke.

Item, j. nothir of tapestry warke newe, in the hall wendewe.

Item, vij. cosschenys of tapestre.

Aula Yemalis.

Item, j. clothe of arras, of the Morysch daunce.

Item, ij. chayrys fraungyd. Item, j. rede chayre di. dos (?).

Item, di. dosn. of tapestrye warke. Item, j. banker of aras.

Item, ij. andyris stondyng.

Celar.

In the seler, certayn vessell whiche John Ouresby is chargid withe by an endenture, wherof the copy is annexed to this lese.

Item, ij. pypes of rede wyne.

The Bottre.

Item, ij. kervyng knyvys.

Item, iij. kneyves in a schethe, the haftys of every, withe naylys gilt.

Item, j. payre galon bottels of one sorte.

Item, j. payre of potell botellys of one sorte.

Item, j. nother potell bottell. Item, j. payre quartletts of one sorte.

Item, iiij. galon pottis of lether. Item, iij. pottelers of lether.

Item, j. trencher knyfe. Item, j. grete tankard.

Item, ij. grete and hoge bottelis. Item, xiiij. candylstykkys of laton.

Item, certayn pecys of napre, accordyng to a bylle endentyd annexed to this lese.

Item, j. quartelet for wine.

In primis, iij. chargeres argenti de parvo sorte. Item, v. platers argenti.

Item, xij. dissches argenti unius sortis.

Item, viij. dissches argenti minoris sortis.

Item, xj. sawseris argenti unius sortis.

Item, iij. crateras argenti, quarum, j. data Margaretæ Hoddsone.

Item, iij. covertorijs argenti enamelid and borage floures in les botimes.

Item, vj. chacyd pecys gilte bi the bordurys, with the towche of Paryce.

Item, ij. pottis argenti potlers, percell gilte and enameled with violetts and dayseys.

Item, ij. pottis of sylver, of the facion of goods enamelyd on the toppys withe hys armys.

Item, j. quarteler argenti, percel gift withe j. chase a bought of rosys and levys.

Item, j. rounde salt seler, gylt and covered with a wrethe toppe with this wordys wreten, Me faunt fere, a bowght.

Item, j. salt seler, pacell of the same fassion sengle.

Item, ij. salt selers of sylver, playne and smale with a dowble rose graven withe armys.

Item, j. basyn of sylver, percell gylte, with a dowble rose, his armis enamelid in the bottom be with his helme and his crest.

Liberat’ London’ cum Domino.

Item, j. nother bacyn, white, of the same facion, enamilid with his armys in the bottom.

Item, ij. ewars ther withe.

Item, j. lytyll sylver bacyn playne, with j. flat ewer.

Item, j. goboleit chaced, the bordours gilt.

Item, xvj. sponys of sylver, withe knappys gylt lyke perle.

Item, j. candylstyk of sylver, percell gylt, dowble nosyd.

Item, j. rounde basyn argenti cum, j. ewer argenti playn.

Item, ij. grete bacyns of sylver, the bourdour is gylt and wretyn abought, Me faunt fere.

Item, ij. ewers accordyng ther to. Item, j. lytyll stert panne of sylver.

Item, ij. disschys of sylver founden in my lady is chambre.

Item, ij. smale pecys.

Item, j. saltseler boliouned inwarde, covered and gylt.

Item, j. stondyng coppe gylte, with j. knappe in maner like perle.

Item, ij. playn borde clothys for my maister is table, counte ix. yerds in lengthe.

Item, ij. playne clothis for my maisters table, ece counte vj. yerds.

Item, vj. napkyns playn.

Item, iiij. tewelles playn warke, eche cont’ in lenthe ij. yerds, dim’.

Item, iiij. playne clothis for the hall, eche of vj. yerds.

Item, ij. wasschyng tewellys of warke, eche of x. yerds.

Item, j. pocter (?). Item, j. overpayn of Raynes.

Capella.

Inprimis, ij. antyfeners. Item, j. legande of hoole servyce.

Item, ij. myssayles, the one noted and closyd wyth sylver, and the other not noted.

Item, j. sauter claspyd with sylver, and my mayster is armys and my ladyes ther uppon.

Item, j. mortellege covered withe white ledes.

Item, j. vestement covered withe crownes gilt in the myddes, with all the apparayle.

Item, j. vestement hole of redde damaske warke.

Item, j. vestement of blak clothe of golde, with the hole ornaments.

Item, j. auter clothe, withe a frontell of white damaske, the Trynete in the myddys.

Item, j. vestement of tunekell. Item, j. cope of white damaske, withe the ornaments.

Item, j. awbe. Item, j. stole.

Item, j. favon, encheked white and blewe. Item, j. auter clothe.

Item, ij. curtaynes of white sylke, withe a frontell of the same, with fauchouns of golde.

Item, j. vestement of divers colurys, withe a crosse of golde to the bakke, iiij. birdys quartelye.

Item, j. crosse of sylver and gylt, with oure Lady and Seynt John.

Item, j. chales sylver and gylt. Item, j. pax brede.

Item, j. crucyfyxe, thereon withe oure Lady and Seynt John enamelyd, and full of flour delys.

Item, ij. candylstykkys of sylver, the borduris gylt.

Item, ij. cruettys of sylver, percell gylt.

Item, iij. pyllowes stondyng on the autre off rede felwet withe flowrys enbrawderid.

Item, ij. carpettis. Item, iiij. cosschenys of grene worstede.

Item, j. chayre in the closet of Fraunce, fregid.

Item, j. cosschon of redde worsted. Item, j. sakeryng bell of sylver.

Pistrina.

Item, j. bulter. Item, j. ranell. Item, ij. payre wafer irens.

Item, ij. basketts. Item, j. seve. Item, j. payre trayes cum j. coler.

Item, j. materas. Item, j. blanket. Item, j. payre of chetis.

Item, j. coverlyte.

Brewhousee.

Item, xij. ledys. Item, j. mesynfate [mashing tub]. Item, j. yelfate [ale vat].

Item, viij. kelers, &c.

Coquena.

Item, j. gret bras pote. Item, vj. cours pottys of brasse.

Item, iiij. lytyll brasse pottis. Item, iiij. grete brasse pottis.

Item, iij. pike pannys of brasse.

Item, ij. ladels and ij. skymers of brasse.

Item, j. caudron, j. dytyn panne of brasse, j. droppyng panne.

Item, j. gredyren, iiij. rakkys, iij. cobardys, iij. trevitts.

Item, j. fryeyng panne, j. sclyse.

Item, ij. grete square spittys, ij. square spittys cocnos.

Item, ij. lytyll brocchys rounde, j. sars of brasse.

Item, j. brasyn morter cum j. pestell, j. grate, j. sarche of tre.

Item, j. flessche hoke, ij. potte hokys, j. payr tongys.

Item, j. dressyng knyfe, j. fyre schowle, ij. treys, j. streynour.

Item, j. venegre botell.

Larderia.

Item, iij. grete standere pannes, j. bochers axe.

Item, ij. saltyng tubbes. Item, viij. lynges. Item, iiij. mulwellfyche.

Item, j. barell, dim. alec. alb. di.

Item, j. barrell. anguill., unde car. cc. anguill.

Item, j. ferkyn anguill. hoole. Item, j. barrell.

Item, j. busschell salt albi. Item, j. quart, alb. sal.

174.1 [From Archæologia, xxi. 252.] This roll and the preceding are both printed in the Archæologia from transcripts made by Blomefield, the Norfolk historian, for his friend Sir Andrew Fountaine. The original of this second roll we have not met with.

174.2 Trimmed. The word is more commonly written ‘purfled.’

174.3 Cromwell.

174.4 The chammer or shamew was a gown cut in the middle.—See Strutt’s Dress and Habits of the People of England, ii. 359.

175.1 A kind of mantle.—See Strutt’s Dress and Habits, ii. 363.

175.2 Figured or branched satin.

177.1 Dark or brownish red.

177.2 Silver twisted round the haft.

177.3 The schape or chape was the ferule of the scabbard.—Dr. Meyrick.

178.1 Probably representing the Adoration of the Shepherds.

178.2 Covering for a bench.

178.3 Hanging for a hall.

Item, iij. blankettis of fustian.
final . missing or invisible

In primis, j. fedderbedde. Ijem, ij. blangettis. Item, ij. schetys.
text unchanged: error for “Item”?

Item, j. pocter (?). Item, j. overpayn of Raynes.
final . missing or invisible

Item, j. busschell salt albi. Item, j. quart, alb. sal.
. in “alb.” missing

390
FASTOLF’S COLLEGE189.1

Ultima exitacio domini Johannis Fastolf ad concludendum festinanter cum Johanne Paston fuit quod vicecomes Bemond, Dux Somerset, comes Warwyk, voluerunt emere, et quod intendebat quod executores sui desiderabant vendere et non stabilire colegium; quod totaliter fuit contra intencionem sui dicti Johannis Fastolf; et considerabat quod certum medium pro licencia Regis et dominorum non providebatur, et sic tota fundatio colegii pendebat in dubiis; et ideo ad intencionem suam perimplendam desideravit dictum barganium fieri cum Johanne Paston, sperans ipsum in mera voluntate perficiendi dictum colegium et ibidem manere ne in manibus dominorum veniat.

Item, plures consiliarii sui dixerunt quod licet fundaret regulos seu presbiteros, aut eicientur per clamia falsa aut compellantur adherere dominis pro manutinencia, qui ibidem ad costus colegii permanerent et morarent[ur] et colegium destruerent; et hac de causa consessit eos ditari in pencionibus certis ad modum cantariæ Heylysdon, sic quod dictus Johannes haberet ad custus proprios conservacionem (?) terrarum erga querentes et clamatores; et ne executores diversi propter contrarietates et dissimulaciones se favores——190.1

Item, considerabat quod ubi monechy et canonesi [monachi et canonici] haberent terras seu tenementa ad magnam [sic] valorem, scilicet ml. [1000] vel ij. ml. [2000 sc. librarum], tam singulares monachi et canoneci tantum per se resiperent [reciperent] xls. per annum et prandium, et quod abbas, officiarii et extraequitatores expenderent residuum in mundanis et riotis; et ideo ordinavit dotacionem prædictam in annuetatibus.

Et quod non fuit intencio dicti Johannis Fastolf in convencione prædicta mortificare CCC. marcas terræ, quia prima convencio Johannis Paston est solvere v. ml. [5000] marcas in tribus annis et fundare colegium quod in intencione dicti Johannis Fastolf constaret ml. [1000] libr., et semper dedit Johanni Paston mancionem suam in manerio et tota terra [sic] in Northefolk et Southefolk assessa ad v. C. [500] marcas annuatim, tunc Johannes Paston emeret revercionem CC. marcarum terræ quæ valet iiij.190.2 ml. [4000] marcas ad suam propriam adventuram pro vj. ml. v. C. [6500] marcis.

Item, pro tranquillita[te] et pace tempore vitæ, ita ut non perturbetur per servos hospicii, ballivos, firmarios seu attornatos placitorum.

Item quod abbas de Sente Bede191.1 potuit resistere fundationi, intentione ut tunc (?) remaneat sibi et suis.

Endorsed:— ‘Causa festinæ barganiæ inter Fastolf et Paston.’

189.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This paper is a very rough draft, full of errors in grammar and spelling. Additions have been made to the text here and there in the handwriting of John Paston. It was evidently written after Sir John Fastolf’s death, possibly several years later.

190.1 Sic—the sentence left unfinished.

190.2 The figures ‘iiij.’ are blurred.

191.1 Apparently St. Benet’s is intended.

391
WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON191.2

To my Maistr Jon Paston in Norffolk.

1459
NOV. 12

Rythe will belovyd broder, I recomand me to zow, sertefyeng zow that on Fryday last was in the mornyng, Wurceter and I wer come to London be viij. of the clok, and we spak with my Lord Chanceler,191.3 and I fund hym well disposyd in all thyng, and ze schall fynd hym ryth profytabyll to zow, &c. And he desyred me to wrythe zow a letter in hys name, and put trust in zow in gaderyng of the good togeder, and pray zow to do so and have all his good owthe of every place of his, and his awne place, qwer so ever they wer, and ley it secretly wer as ze thowth best at zowr assynement, and tyll that he speke with zow hym selff, and he seyd ye schuld have all lawfull favor. I purpose to ryde to him this day ffor wryttis of diem clawsit extremum,191.4 and I sopose ze schall have a letter sent from hym selff to zow.

As for the good of Powlis, it is safe j now [enough]; and this day we have grant to have the good owthe of Barmundsey with owthe avyse of any man, sawyng Worseter, Plomer, and I my selff, and no body schall know of it but we thre.

My Lord191.5 Treasorer191.6 spekyth fayr, but zet many avyse me to put no trust in hym. Ther is laboryd many menys to intytill the Kyng in his good. Sothewell191.7 is Eschetor, and he is rythe good and well disposyd. My Lord of Exsater192.1 cleymyth tytill in myn master plase, with the aportynancys in Sothewerk, and veryly had purposyd to have entrid; and his consayll wer with us, and spak with Wurseter and me. And now afterward they have sent us word that they wold meve my Lord to sue be menys of the lawe, &c. I have spoke with my Lord of Canterbury and Master Jon Stokys, and I fynd hem rythe will disposyd bothe, &c.

Item, to morow ar the nexst day ze schall have a noder letter, for be that tyme we schall know mor than we do now.

My Lord Chanceler wold that my master schuld be beryed wurchyply, and C. mark almes done for hym; but this day I schall holly know his enthent. Master Jon Stokys hathe the same consaythe and almes gevyng. Harry Fenyngley is not in this towne, ner the Lord Bechamp.

Item, we have gethe men of the speretuall law with haldyn with us, qwat casse some ever hap. We have Master Robert Kenthe, but in any wyse have all the good ther to gedyr, and tary for no lettyng, thow ze schuld do it be day a lythe [daylight] opynly, for it is myn Lord Chanceler ffull in thenthe that ze schuld do so.

As for Wyllyam Worceter, he trustythe veryly ze wold do for hym and for his avaylle, in reson; and I dowthe nott and he may veryly and feythefully understand zow so disposyd to hym ward, ze schall fynd hym feythefull to zow in leke wysse. I understand by hym he will never have oder master butt his old master; and to myn consaythe it were pete butt iff he schull stand in suche casse be myn master that he schuld never nede servyce, conserying [considering] how myn master trustyd hym, and the long zers that he hathe be with hym in, and many schrew jornay for his sake, &c.

I wrythe zow no mor, be cawse ze schall [have] a noder letter wretyn to morow. Wretyn at Lundon the xij. day of Novembr, in hast, be Willyam Paston.

191.2 [From Fenn, iii. 352.] This letter gives an account of the steps taken by William Paston in behalf of his brother, who was Sir John Fastolf’s principal executor, to secure the goods of the deceased knight immediately after his death.

191.3 William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.

191.4 See vol. ii. p. 16, Note 1.

191.5 The left-hand copy in Fenn reads ‘brod,’ which seems to be a misprint.

191.6 James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond. Beheaded in 1461.—F.

191.7 Richard Southwell.

192.1 Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter.

392
SIR JOHN FASTOLF AND JOHN PASTON193.1

1459
NOV. 26

Memorandum, that I Robert Fytzrawff, Esquyer, recorde that I, beyng in my Master Fastolff chambre, lenyng upon the gret bedde, at suche tyme as John Paston, Esquyer, Master John Brackeley, Master Clement Felmyngham, weere in comonycacion with my seid master of dyvers gret maters towchyng his will, and serten appoyntmentes a twyx my seid master and the seid John Paston, in the weke next be ffor my seid master dissesid, I hard my seid master and the seid John Paston appoynte and conclude that the seid John Paston shulde take upon hym the rwle of my masters howsold and of all his lyflod in Norffolk and Suffolk duryng his lyve; and aftir his dissese the seid John Paston shulde do ffounde a colage at Caster of vij. monkes or prestis, and pay iiij. ml. mark of money be yeres to my seid masteres executoris, at eche payment viijc. marke, till the seid som wer paid; and that the seid John Paston shulde have all the lyvelode that was my seid masters in Norffolk and Suffolk to hym and to his heyres in fee. And aftir this seid mater rehersed my seid master seide these wordes, ‘Cosyne, I pray you and requere you, lete this be settled in all hast withowte tarying, for this is my very last wille.’ Also be it knowe to all men that I had knowlege of this bargayne dyverse tymes halfe-yere past, and how my seid Master Fastolff and the seid John Paston wer nye at a conclucion of the seid maters a quarter of a yere be fore this last bargayne was made.

Wrete at Caster the xxvj. day of Novembre the xxxviij. yere of Kyng Herry the Sexte. In witnesse wherof, I have syngnyd this bull with myn own hand and sette to my seale. Robt. Fetzrawff.

193.1 [From a Bodl. MS.]

393
BISHOP WAYNFLETE’S ADVICE194.1

Be it remembred that forasmoch as Sir John Fastolf late decesed, of grete affeccion, hath put me yn trust to be one of hys executors, and seth hyt ys desyryd me to know my disposicion hereynne, myne advyse is this, that fyrst an inventorie be made holye of hys godes and catell yn all places, and thayt they be leyd yn sure waard by your discrecions, tille the executors, or the moste part of tho that he put hys grete trust uppon, speke wyth me and make declaracion to me of hys laste wille, to the accomplyshment whereoff I wolle be speciall gode Lord.

Ferthymore, as touchyng hys buryeng and month ys mynde194.2 kepyng, that it be don worshyplye, accordyng to hys degree and for the helth of hys soule, and that almesse be yeven yn mass seyng, and to pore peple to the some of a hundred mrcks tille that othyrwyse we speke to geder; and I can agree ryzt well that hys servaunts haf theyr rewardes be tymes accordyng to hys wylle, to th’entent that they may be better disposed and to pray for the wellfare of hys soule, takyng avyse of a lerned man yn spirituell lawe, for no charge of administracion till the executors com to ghedr, or the moste part that hys trust was most uppon, to tak the administracion. W. Winton.

194.1 [From Fenn, iii. 358.]

194.2 A monthly celebration in memory of a deceased person, when prayers were said and alms offered for the good of his soul.

394
ABSTRACT194.3

Robert Spany of Possewyke to the Wife of John Paston, Esquire

Between 1459 and 1466

Begs her influence with her husband and Sir T. Howes, executors of Sir J. Fastolf, for reparation of a wrong done by Sir John, who refused to ratify a purchase made by the writer from his surveyor, Sir John Kyrteling, of a place and lands in Tunstale, sometime called Wrightes of Smalbergh, without receiving 10 marks over what was bargained.

[This letter must have been written between the death of Fastolf in 1459 and that of Paston in 1466.]

194.3 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

395
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON195.1

Carissimo suo magistro, Johanni Paston, armigero.

Jesus, Maria, &c.

1459

Ryte reverent mayster and most trusty frend in erthe, as lowly as I kan or may, I recomaunde me, &c. Syr, in feyth I was sore aferd that ze had a gret lettyng that ze come not on Wednysday to met, &c. Be myn feythe, and ze had be here, ze schuld haf had ryte good chere, &c., and hafe faryd ryte wele after zour pleser, &c., with more, &c.

Sir John Tatirshall is at one with Heydon, &c., and Lord Skalys hathe made a lofeday195.2 with the prior and Heydon in alle materys except the matere of Snoryng, &c. And the seyd pryor spake maysterly to the jurrorys, &c., and told hem and [i.e. if] they had dred God and hurt of here sowlys, they wold haf some instruccyon of the one party as wele as of the other. But they were so bold they were not aferd, for they fownde no bonys to sey in her verdyte, as T. T.196.1 and J. H.196.2 wold, &c.

A lewde [i.e. illiterate] doctor of Ludgate prechid on Soneday fowrtenyte at Powlys, chargyng the peple that no man schuld preyen for these Lords traytorys,196.3 &c.; and he had lytyl thank, as he was worthy, &c. And for hyse lewd demenyng his brethir arn had in the lesse favour at London, &c. Doctor Pynchebek and Doctor Westhawe, grete prechowrys and parsonys at London, bene now late made monkys of Charterows at Schene, one at the on place and an other at the other place, &c.

The Chaunceler196.4 is not good to these Lords, &c., for he feryth the Erle of Marche wyl cleyme by inheritans the Erldam of Ha  .  .  .  .  .196.5 &c., of which mater I herd gret speche in Somercede schyre, &c. Wyndham, Heydon, Todynham, Blake, W. Chambirleyn, Wentworth, have late commyssyonys to take for tretorys and send to the next gayl all personys fawtorys and weelwyllerys to the seyd Lords, &c. Mayster Radclyff and ze haf none of commyssyonys directid to zow, &c., for ze bene holdyn favorabil, &c. Wyndham and Heydon bene namyd here causerys of the commyssyonys, &c.

On Moneday last at Crowmere was the ore and the bokys of regystre of the amrelte takyn a wey from my Lord Scalys men be a gret multitude of my Lord Rossys, &c. The Lord Skalys is to my Lord Prince,196.6 &c., to wayte on hym, &c. He seyth, per Deum Sanctum, as we sey here, he schal be amrel or he schal ly there by, &c. Be my feyth, here is a coysy werd [unsettled world]. Walsham of Chauncery, that never made lesyng, told me that Bokkyng was with my Lord Chaunceler this terme, but I askyd not how many tymys, &c.

As I haf wrytyn to zow oftyn byfor this, Facite vobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis, quia de facto. T. T., J. H., et J. W. [J. Wyndham] cum ceteris Magistri Fastolf fallacibus famulis magnam gerunt ad vos invidiam, quod excelleritis eos in bonis, &c., Judas non dormit, &c. Noli zelare facientes iniquitatem, quoniam tanquam fenum velociter arescent et quemadmodum olera herbarum cito per Dei gratiam decident. Ideo sic in Psalmo: Spera in Domino et fac bonitatem et pasceris in divitiis ejus et delectare in Domino, et dabit tibi petitiones cordis tui.197.1 Et aliter: Jacta cogitatum tuum in Domino et ipse te enutriet.197.2 Utinam, inquit Apostolus, abscindantur qui vos conturbant,197.3 &c. Et alibi: Cavete vos a malis et importunis hominibus.197.4 Precor ergo Deum qui vos et me creavit et suo pretioso sanguine nos redemit, vos vestros et vestra gratiose conservet in prosperis et gratiosius dirigat in agendis.

Scriptum Walsham, feria quarta197.5 in nocte cum magna festinatione, &c. Utinam iste mundus malignus transiret et concupiscentia ejus.

Vester ad vota promptissimus, Frater J. Brackley,
Minorum minimus.

195.1 [From Fenn, iii. 346.] This letter belongs to the latter part of the year 1459. After the dispersion of the Duke of York’s army near Ludlow in October of that year, commissions were granted to various persons to arrest and punish his adherents. Even as early as the 14th of October, Lord Rivers and others were commissioned to seize their lands and goods in different counties (see Patent Roll, 38 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 12, in dorso). But this letter, we are inclined to think, was written about six or seven weeks later, for it will be seen by the next that Bocking, who is here stated to have been with my Lord Chancellor ‘this term,’ must have been in attendance on him before the 7th December, and therefore, we may presume, during Michaelmas term, which ended on the 28th November. It is, however, difficult to judge, from the very slender allusion to Sir John Fastolf, whether this letter was written before or after the old knight’s death. Brackley here speaks of having been quite recently in Somersetshire, which is not unlikely to have been in the middle of October, when the Earls of March, Warwick, and Salisbury withdrew into the West. Brackley, as will be seen, was a great partisan of these Lords, and may very well have accompanied them; but not long before Fastolf’s death he appears to have been at Norwich.

195.2 Love days were days appointed for the settlement of disputes by arbitration.

196.1 Sir Thomas Tuddenham.

196.2 John Heydon.

196.3 Meaning the Earls of March, Warwick, and Salisbury.

196.4 William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.

196.5 The original letter is here defective.—F.

196.6 Edward, Prince of Wales.

197.1 Psalm xxxvi. (or xxxvii.) 1-4.

197.2 Psalm liv. (or lv.) 22.

197.3 Gal. v. 12.

197.4 2 Thess. iii. 2.

197.5 ‘Feria quarta’ means Wednesday.

396
JOHN BOCKING TO YELVERTON, PASTON,
AND FILONGLEY197.6

To my right worshipful maistris, William Yelverton, Justice,
John Paston, and Herre Filongley, and to eche of them.

1459
DEC. 7

Right worshepful Sers, I recomaunde me to yow. And like it yow to wete, that my Lord Chaunceller197.7 is right good and tendre Lord in all your materes, and soo wil contynue, and my Lord Tresorier197.8 in like wise; which bothen have answerid Wyndham, not aldermoste to hise plesir, becaus of his noiseful langage, seyng [saying] how he myght have noo lawe, and that my Lord Chaunceller was not made executor but for meigntenaunce,197.9 with many othir woordis noo thing profitable ner furtheryng his entents. As for ony particular materes, the parlament as yet abideth upon the grete materes of atteyndre and forfetur;198.1 and soo there be many and diverse particuler billes put inne, but noon redde, ner touchyng us, as nygh as we can herken; to whiche Playter and I attenden daily, trustyng on my Lords aboveseid, my Lord Privy Seall,198.2 and other good Lords, and many also of your acquayntance and owres, that and ony thing be, we shall sone have knowlege.

The Chief Justice198.3 is right herty, and seith ful wel and kyndely of my maistr, whom Jesu for his mercy pardonne, and have yow in His blessid governaunce.

Writen at Coventre the morwne after Seint Nicholas.198.4

And as to money, I delyvered unto the Under-tresorier198.5 a lettre from Maister Filongley, and I fonde hym right wele disposid to doo that may please yow in all our materes; and take noo money of hym as yette, for we have noo nede to spend ony sumes as yette, ner with Gods grace shall not have. I come to this town of Coventre suche day sevenyght as the parlement byganne; and as for suche things as I coude herken aftyr, I sende to William Worcetre a grete bille of tidings to shewe yow and all.

Yesterday in the mornyng come inne th’erle of Pembroke198.6 with a good felechip; and the Duchesse of York198.7 come yestereven late, as the bringer here of shall more pleinly declare yow, to whom ye like to gif credence. The Bushop of Excester198.8 and the Lord Grey Ruthyn198.9 have declarid them ful worshipfuly to the Kings grete plesir. Playter and I writen you a lettre by Norffolk, yoman for the Kyngs mouth. Your John Bokking.

The following list of those of the Duke of York’s party who were attainted by Parliament was found by Fenn pinned to the above letter:—

The Duc of York.

Therle of Marche.

Therle of Rutland.

Therle of Warrwyk.

Therle of Salusbury.

The Lord Powys.

The Lord Clynton.

The Countesse of Sarr.

Sir Thomas Nevyle.

Sir John Nevyle.

Sir Thomas Haryngton.

Sir Thomas o Parre.

Sir John Conyers.

Sir John Wenlok.

Sir William Oldhall.

Edward Bourghcier, sq.

A brother of his.

Thomas Vaughan.

Thomas Colte.

Thomas Clay.

John Denham.

Thomas Moryng.

John Oter.

Maistr Ric Fisher.

Hastyngs and other that as yet we can not know the names, &c.

As for the Lord Powys, he come inne, and hadde grace as for his lyf, but as for hise gods the forfeture passid.

197.6 [From Fenn, i. 178.] This letter was written at Coventry during the Parliament which sat there in 1459, when the Duke of York and his adherents were attainted.

197.7 William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.

197.8 James, Earl of Wiltshire, was made Treasurer of England on the 30th October 1458.—Patent Roll, 37 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 21.

197.9 See vol. ii. p. 167, Note 3.

198.1 Against the Duke of York and his adherents.

198.2 Lawrence Booth.

198.3 Sir John Fortescue.

198.4 St. Nicholas’ Day is the 6th December.

198.5 ‘Undertresouer’ in Fenn must, I think, be a misprint.

198.6 Jasper Tudor.—See vol. ii. p. 298, Note 1.

198.7 Cecily, daughter of Ralph Nevill, Earl of Westmoreland.

198.8 George Nevill, son of Richard, Earl of Salisbury, brother of Richard, Earl of Warwick. He was afterwards Archbishop of York.

198.9 Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, afterwards created Earl of Kent.

397
SIR PHILIP WENTWORTH’S PETITION199.1

1459
NOV. or DEC.

Mekely besechith Phelip Wentworth, Knyght, that where the warde and mariage of Thomas, sone and heire of John Fastolf, late of Cowhaugh in the [county] of Suffolk, squyer, and of the lond of the same John, belonged to the Kyng of rigth, and among other by reason of the nonnage of the sayd heir, the maner of Bradwell in the said counte was sesed in to his handes by vertu of an enquest take a fore his Eschetour of the seid counte. The whiche offices199.2 John Fastolf, Knyght, and other tented to traverse, and by that meane had the sayd maner to ferme, accordyng to the statute in that case made, and it was founden and jugement yoven for the Kyng in the said traverse by the labour of the said Phelipp, which, the xviij. day of Novembre, the yer of the regne of the Kyng the xxvj.,200.1 bougth of Marmaduke Lampney, than Tresorer of Englond, the said ward and mariage for an C. marc, as it appereth in the Kynges receyte, be syde all other costes and charges that the said Phelipp hath don uppon the same, as weel in fyndyng of the Kyngges title of the said ward, as in the meyntenauns of all other sewtes dependyng uppon the same, to the costes of the said Sir Phelypp more than D. marc. And the said John Fastolf, Knyght, was adjuged in the Kynges eschequer to pay an C.ixli. xiijs. viijd. ob. for the issuez and profites which he had take of the londes of the same warde. And where the Kyngges lettres patentes be entred in the remembrauns on the Tresorer parte in the said eschequyer in this fourme:

Rex omnibus ad quos, &c., salutem. Sciatis quod per manucaptionem Thomæ West de London armigeri, et Willelmi Barker de Norwico gentilman, commisimus Johanni Paston armigero et Thomæ Howes clerico custodiam omnium terrarum et tenementorum cum pertinentiis quæ fuerunt Johannis Fastolf de Cowhaugh in com Suffolk armigeri die quo obiit et quæ per mortem ejusdem Johannis Fastolf ac ratione minoris ætatis Thomæ, filii et hæredis dicti Johannis Fastolf, ad manus nostras devenerunt et in manibus nostris ad huc existunt; habendam a tempore mortis præfati Johannis Fastolf usque ad plenam ætatem dicti hæredis, una cum maritagio ejusdem hæredis, absque disparagatione; et si de hærede illo humanitus contingat antequam ad plenam ætatem suam pervenerit, hærede illo infra ætatem existente non maritato, tunc dicti Johannes Paston et Thomas Howes habeant custodiam et maritagium hujusmodi hæredis, simul cum custodia omnium terrarum et tenementorum prædictorum; et sic de hærede in hæredem quousque aliquis hæres hæredum prædictorum ad plenam ætatem suam pervenerit: Reddendo nobis prout concordari poterit cum Thesaurario nostro Angliæ citra festum Paschæ proximo futuro, ac sustentando domos clausuras et ædificia, necnon supportando alia onera dictis terris et tenementis cum pertinentiis spectantia sive aliquo modo incumbentia quam diu custodiam habuerint supradictam, ac inveniendo dicto hæredi compententem sustentationem suam: Eo quod expressa mentio de vero valore annuo præmissorum in præsentibus minime facta existit, aut aliquo statuto, actu sive ordinacione in contrarium edito sive proviso non obstante. Proviso semper quod si aliquis alius plus dare voluerit de incremento per annum pro custodia et maritagio prædictis, quod tunc prædicti Johannes Paston et Thomas Howys tantum pro eisdem solvere teneantur si custodiam et maritagium habere voluerint supradictam. In cujus &c. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium vjto die Junij anno H. vjti xxxijdo.

And after that an accorde is entred in the sayd Eschequer in thys forme:—In Hillarii record’, anno xxxvjto Regis H. vjti ex parte Remembr’ Thesaurarii:

Et modo, xx. die Februarii hoc termino, prædicti Johannes Paston et Thomas Howys venerunt hic in propriis personis suis et optulerunt se ad concordandum cum Thesaurario Angliæ pro custodia omnium terrarum et tenementorum, una cum maritagio ejusdem hæredis. Et super hoc concordatum est inter Johannem Comitem Wigorniæ, Thesaurario Angliæ et præfatos Johannem Paston et Thomam Howys quod ipsi solvent domino Regi pro custodia omnium terrarum et tenementorum prædictorum, videlicet a tempore mortis præfati Johannis Fastolf usque ad plenam ætatem dicti hæredis ac maritagium ejusdem hæredis, decem marcas tantum; de quibus quidem x. marcis consideratum est per Barones quod prædicti Johannes Paston et Thomas Howys et manucaptores sui prædicti pro custodia et maritagio prædictis erga Regem onerentur prætextu Regis literarum patentium et concordiæ predictorum ac aliorum præmissorum.

So by the sayd lettres patentez and the sayd accorde the sayd John Paston and Thomas Howys schuld have the sayd C.ixli. xiijs. viijd. ob. and the sayd ward and mariage, the whiche is worthe CCli., for the sayd x. marc only. And also, for as moche as the sayd Tresorer recordeth in the Kyngges High Court of Parlement begonne at Westminster the ix. day of Jule the yer of the Kyngges noble regne xxxiij., that he made never no suche accord wyth the sayd John Paston and Thomas Howys of the sayd ward, the whiche mater is of record in the Kyngges chauncerye certefyed by the sayd Erle of Worceter, as weell as by other his lettres to dyvers persones directed, sealed with his signet, wretyn and signet with hys owen hand, as plenerly dooth appere: Where for plese it your gret wysdams, the premisses considered, to pray the Kyng oure soverayn Lord, that, by the advys and assent of his Lordes spirituelx and temperelx, and by you hys comunes in the present parlement assembled, stablysshed and inacted that the sayd entre of accord and jugement theruppon be anulled and of non effect. And the sayd Phelyppe schall pray to God for you, &c.

199.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This petition was presented to the Parliament which sat at Coventry in 1459, and received the Royal assent. It has already been printed in the Rolls of Parl., v. 371.

199.2 An inquisition taken before an escheator, by virtue of his office, was frequently called an office.

200.1 A.D. 1447.

was adjuged in the Kynges eschequer to pay an C.ixli. xiijs. viijd. ob.
. in “li.” invisible

398
ABSTRACT202.1

G. Sperlyng to John Paston

1460
JAN. 6

Paston was misinformed as to what Sperlyng said of his late master’s202.2 will. What he said was that about Hallowmas was twelvemonth he was about eight weeks with his said master, who one day examined him about the conveyance of his lands, and said there was no man of worship in Norfolk had so many auditors as he, yet he could never get the certainty how his livelode was disposed; but he had found a means to be quiet, ‘whereof,’ he said, ‘I am as glad as a man had geve me 1000 mark,’ by granting his cousin Paston all his livelode in Norfolk and Suffolk, on condition he should amortise sufficient lands to maintain a master and six secular priests at Castre. Paston was to take the risk of any counter claim and trouble hereafter, etc.

Norwich, Epiphany Day.

[The date of this letter must be 1460, as it is after Fastolf’s death, and speaks of a conversation the writer had with him about the management of his lands a twelvemonth before Hallowmas preceding the date of the letter. At Hallowmas 1459 Sir John was dying, and quite unable to support any conversation for want of breath, so that the reference must be to Hallowmas 1458.]

202.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

202.2 Sir John Fastolf.

399
WILLIAM BOTONER TO JOHN BERNEY203.1

To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Berneye, Scuier, at Castre beyng.

1460
JAN.

Ryght wohypfull Sir, I recommaund me to yow.203.2.  .  .  .  .  .  .  As for tydyngs here, I sende som of hend wreten to you and othyrs how the Lord Ryvers,203.3 Sir Antonye, hys son, and othyrs hafe wonne Calix203.4 be a feble assault made at Sandwich by Denham,203.5 Squyer, with the nombre of viijc. men, on Twyesday betwene iiij. and v. at cloks yn the mornyng. But my Lady Duchesse203.6 ys stille ayen receved yn Kent. The Duke of York ys at Debylyn [Dublin], strengthed with hys Erles and homagers, as ye shall see by a bille. God sende the Kyng victorie of hys ennemyes, and rest and pease among hys Lordes.

I am rygt gretly hevyed for my pore wyfe, for the sorow she takyth, and most leefe hyr and hyr contree. Y shall nothing take from hyr more then a litell spendyng money, tille better may bee. And the Blessed Trinite kepe and sende you helth.

Wret at London hastly, the Monday after I departed from you, 1459, x. Your, W. Botoner, called Wyrcester.

203.1 [From Fenn, i. 182.] The date of this letter is ascertained partly by the reference in the suppressed passage to Sir John Fastolf’s interment, and partly by the allusion to the capture of Rivers and his son by John Denham. Compare the letter following.

203.2 ‘Here,’ says Fenn, ‘follow complaints against Frere Brakle, etc., concerning Sir John Fastolf’s interment, affairs, etc.’

203.3 Richard Widville, Lord Rivers, afterwards created an Earl by King Edward IV., who married his daughter Elizabeth.

203.4 This must be a sneer. The truth, as recorded by Botoner himself in his annals, was that John Denham and others secretly sailed from Calais, and surprised Sandwich, where they took Lord Rivers and his son Anthony prisoners, and carried them back to Calais.

203.5 John Denham or Dynham, afterwards Lord Dynham.

203.6 Cecily, Duchess of York.

Ryght wohypfull Sir
text unchanged: error for “worshypfull”?

400
WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON204.1

To his right worshipfull brother, John Paston, be this lettre delyvered.

1460
JAN. 28

After dewe recomendacion had, please you to wete that we cam to London uppon the Tewysday by none, nexst aftr our departour fro Norwich, and sent our men to inquyre after my Lord Chaunceler,204.2 and Maister John Stokys, and Malmesbury.

And as for my Lord Chaunceler, he was departed fro London, and was redyn to the Kyng ij. dayes er we were come to London; and as we understand he hasted hym to the Kyng by cause of my Lord Ryvers204.3 takyng at Sandwyche, &c.204.4.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

As for tydyngs, my Lord Ryvers was brougth to Caleys, and by for the Lords with viijxx. [eight score] torches, and there my Lord of Salesbury reheted [rated] hym, callyng hym knaves son, that he schuld be so rude to calle hym and these other Lords traytors, for they schall be found the Kyngs treue liege men, whan he schuld be found a traytour, &c. And my Lord of Warrewyk rehetyd hym, and seyd that his fader was but a squyer, and broute up with Kyng Herry the Vte, and sethen hymself made by maryage, and also made Lord, and that it was not his parte to have swyche langage of Lords, beyng of the Kyngs blood. And my Lord of Marche reheted hym in lyke wyse. And Sir Antony204.5 was reheted for his langage of all iij. Lords in lyke wyse.

Item, the Kyng cometh to London ward, and, as it is seyd, rereth the pepyll as he come; but it is certayn ther be comyssyons made in to dyvers schyres that every man be redy in his best aray to com whan the Kyng send for hem.

Item, my Lord Roos is com fro Gynes.

No more, but we pray to Jesu have you in his most mercyfull kepyng. Amen.

Wretyn at London, the Munday next after Seynt Powle day.205.1 Yowr broder, William Paston.

204.1 [From Fenn, i. 186.] This letter, like the last, refers to the capture of Lord Rivers and his son at Sandwich, an incident dated by William Worcester in his annals shortly after the Christmas of 1459, which probably means just after the New Year.

204.2 William de Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.

204.3 See p. 203, Note 3.

204.4 ‘Then follows,’ says Fenn, ‘a long account of private business, which is here omitted.’

204.5 Sir Anthony Widville, afterwards Lord Scales and Earl Rivers.

205.1 The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is on the 25th of January.

401
WILLIAM BOTONER TO ——205.2

1460
FEB. 7

A very frende at nede experience will schewe be deede, as wele as be autorite of Aristotle in the Etiques that he made of moralite. Also by the famous Reamayn Tullius in his litell booke De Amicicia; thangyng you for olde contynued frendschip stidffastely grounded, as I wele [qu. feel?] be your letter of a goode disposicion made, as it appereth. Where as it schewith to the understandyng of suche as you write uppon that I schulde, be crafty councell of some men sodenly have departed in to these parties, &c., and that I straunched me from sertein persones to moche, &c.; as for the furste, it schalbe to openly knowe that I departed not hedre be councell of suche persons as they ymagyne, for in trowthe no creature levyng, when I departed from Norwich, knewe of it, saffe one that hath and evermore schal be next of my knowlege in viagis makyng, alle be it I will not alwey disclose the cause. I herde sey sith I come to London theye weche ye dempte to be of my councell thanne where at Wolsyngham or Thepala (?) when I departed. I have wrete the cauce to hym that of nature schulde be my beste frende, that for as much I had labored as weele as W. Paston do my maister frendes, chevised, and leyd money content out of his purse to the some of Cli., and more for cloothe and other thynges for my seide maister entencion, promyttyng payment be fore Cristemesse, or right soone aftir, or to be at London, and acquytyng me that I put me my dever. And be cause my maister attorneys in that parties toke not to herte to make the payementes here so hastely as they ded there, I had no comffortable answere of spedyng the seid paymentes here. And also I was not put in truste a mong the seid attorneys there to yeve on peny for my maister sowle, but I paid it of myn owne purse befoore; nother in trust ne favour to geve an almesse gowne, but that I praid for it as a straunger schulde doo, alle be it myn autorite is as grete as theris, and rather more as I tolde you. And also my Lorde of Canturebury and Maister John Stookes, his juge, had geve autorite to ministre to a certein somme till the testament were proved. And these preseidents consedred wolde discorage any man to a bide but a litel amonges hem that so straunged hem self from me and mistrusted me, be thut any cauce ye knowe wele how that my maister man servauntes were put in gretter truste and familiarite to handell, geve, and telle out of the bagghes my maister money bothe at Seint Benetts and in Norwich in divers places by grete summes and litell. And ye as other my maister servauntes and I that helped gete my maister goode and brynge it togedre were straunged, and as it semyd by there demenyng mistrusted to oure grete vilanye and rebuke, wheche muste be answerd the causes why, and we declared [i.e. exculpated], and so shal I make it for my pore person, and for my maister sowle heele. It is not soilied (?) knowen that I was one of the cheeffe that kepte bothe my Maister Paston and myn oncle206.1 in my maister favour and truste, and if I wolde have labored the contrary, by my sowle—that is the grettest othe that I may swere of my silff—they had never be nygh my maister in that case they stonde nowe. And if they woll labour to damage or hendre me, all the worlde woll mysreporte of hem and litel truste hem, nowther they schal not have wurschip nor profight bi it. I wolde be to them as lowyng and as wele willyng as I gan, so I fynde cause, and other I wolnot be to my fadre, and he weere a liffe. I requere you a[n]swere for me as I wolde and have do for you whan som of hem have seid ful nakedly of you, and suche as ye deeme hafe mysereported causeles of me, I pray you that they see my letter as weele as my frendes. My maister also (God yelded is sowle) graunted to me a liffelode accordyng to my degre, that I, my wiffe, and my childre, schulde have cause to prey for hym. My wiffes uncle207.1 was present in his chapell at Castre as wele as my wiffe, and comaunded her oncle to chese the londe. This is trowthe be the blissed Sacrament that I receyved at Pasch [i.e. Easter]. And because I demaunded my right and dwte of my Maister Paston, he is not plesed. I have lost more thanne x. mark worthe londe in my maister servyce, by God, and not [unless] I be releved, alle the worlde schal knowe it elles that I have to gret wrong. Wolde God I kowde plese bothe Maister Paston and my oncle in reson, who preserve you.

Wrete hastely the vij. day of Feveryere. Your, W. Botoner, dit Wurcester.

205.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The MS. of this letter is not an original, but a copy in the handwriting of John Paston. It appears to be written on the cover of a letter from his wife, addressed on the back, ‘To my ryght wurschipfull husbond, John Paston, be this delyvered in haste.’ The date must be 1460, as it is clearly not long after the death of Sir John Fastolf; and as the writer speaks of having recently left Norwich, it was probably not many days or weeks after No. 399.

206.1 Botoner’s wife, whose Christian name was Margaret, was a niece of Thomas Howes, parson of Blofield. He therefore calls Howes his uncle.

207.1 See Note on last page.

402
W. LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON208.1

To the right worchipfull and reverent and myn good mayster Paston, Squyere, be this taken.

1460
APRIL 6

My ryght worchipfull mayster, I recomaunde me to yow, besechyng yow to hold me excusyd that I awaytyd noon otherwyse opon yow and my mastras at my comyng from Norwich; for yn good feyth I was soo seke that I hadde moche labour to come home, and sythen that tyme I have hadde my parte, &c. And, Sere, as for Berney, he begynnyth to falle ought of the popell conceyte faster than ever he fell yn, for serteyn causez, &c. I shalle telle yow yn haste. But, Sere, blyssyd be God, as for yow, your love yncresith amonge hem, and so I prey God it mot, for and I herde the contrarie, ye shuld sone have wetyng. The under-shrefe dotht Mortoft favour, and lete hym goo yn Norwich as hym lyst, and al the contre abought me sey right evyll of hym for a mayntenor of the Kynges enime; for there ben an C. [hundred] purposid to ride to the Kyng for hym, and he come neer this contre, for they sey thow he hadde never doo with his handes he hath seid a now to die. I have warend the under-shreffe ther of, &c. Sere, forther, I am yn bildyng of a pore hous. I truste God that ye shulle take your loggyng ther yn here after whan ye come to your lordshippis on tho partes. And I durste be soo bolde on your maystershep to aske of yow xij. copill of oken sparris, I wold hertilly prey yow not to have them, but ther they may be for bore beste, and that is at a yard of yourz yn Saxthorpe, callid Barkerz. I have eshe but noon oke, but litell now comyth the fellyng ther of, &c. And me semyth ye myght take mony for wood ther that stant and seryth and doth no good but harme, and with yn fewe yeres ye shulnot wete where it is become, &c. Also ther be serteyn materz betwyn soom of your tenuantez and me. I abide your comyng and doo not [naught ?] at the reverens of yow; they be knowelle yn the contre. And God have yow yn his kepyng.

Wretyn on Palme Sunday. Be your servaunt, W. Lomner.

208.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter must be after the death of Sir John Fastolf, and before John Paston had gone to take possession of his lands in Norfolk. Saxthorpe was one of Fastolf’s manors which so came to him. The year may therefore be presumed to be 1460.

403
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [WILLIAM PASTON]209.1

1460
[before Easter]

Jesu mercy, Marie help, cum Sanctis omnibus, trewe menyng executorys ffro fals terrauntes and alle tribulacyonys. Amen. Ryte reverent Sire, &c., W. Y.209.2 Judex and hise wyf were here with here meny and here hors in our ladyes place, &c. on Saterday at evyn, and yedyn hens on Monday after none, whan summe had drunkyn malvyseye and tyre,209.3 &c. And I prechid on the Sonday byfore hem, not warnyd tyl after mete. And than for lak of M. Vergeant, or our wardeyn Barnard, I sodeynly seyd the sermon. And byfore I had ryte ovyr and soleyn chere of hem bothe, &c.; but after the sermon he seyd opely to the prior, heryng myche folk in the chirch, ‘I haf herd hym oftyn here and ellys where, but [this]209.4 is the best that ever I herd hym sey,’ &c., and at evyn drank to me, and made me good chere, half on the splene, &c.

But on Moneday, whan he had ny etyn and drunkyn a now, he gan to rollyn hym in hise relatyvis, and we eldyd hym, as many men thowtyn, ryte ongayly in hise gere, &c.; hise wyf begynnyng the communicacyon with rite a sootyr (?) chere. And he heeld on so sore he cowd not cese, &c. tyl he went to his hors, &c. And the pryor demenyd hym gentylly in hise talkyng. And there was not forgetyn non unkyndnesse of my Mayster J. P., zour brother, of sleyn [slaying] of hise man Wormegey, and of mariage of hise dowghtyr, whiche now schal solempnely be maryed to Conerys,210.1 a knytes sone, &c. And now last at Seynt Benettes, where he so worschipful a justise and as kunnyng in lawe as ever was zour fadyr, &c. as alle men knowyn, &c. And zour brother J. P. brokyn owt be occasyon of zour langage, and takyn wytnesse of Malmysbury, a man of my Lord of Caunterbury, whiche hath spokyn with the seyd justise the last terme in Westmyster Halle. And there he seyd more tymes than one, ‘Sire, this the fyrst tyme that ever I spake with zour Lordschip, &c.’ And sythe after ze weryn at Seynt Benettys forseyd, ze komyn not gentylly but ryte malicyously disposid to myn Lady Felbrygg, and dede your devoyr to haf put hym out of hir conceyt, and it wolde not be, &c. And what vyolens my Mayster J. P., germanus vester, dede to W. Wayt,210.2 &c. up on hise owne grownd at Musshold, &c. And after al these materys, bare me on hand210.3 that I had seyd to on of the worthiest of the schyre that the seyd justise be gan the brekyng at Seynt Benettes; for I suppose I seyd thus to my Lord Fyz Water, alias my Mayster Radclyff, to whos in I went to, and zaf hym a potel of swete wyne, he demaundyng me of that brekyng, &c., as I remembre me, and suppose I seyd, ‘W. Y., justise, began to myn knowlache and understondyng.’ Whan he seyd so fumowsly, ‘Who so ever sey that of me, he lyeth falsly in hise hede, &c.’ And my Mayster Radclyff rode forthe with owt of towne to Dokkyng and Brumham, and with hym rode W. Y., sone to the justise. And yf the seyd Radclyff teld this to W. Y., I wote never. And yf he dede I merveyle sore. But and al go to al, as is like to go, I may not sey nay, but I trow I seyd so. Radclyf and ze bene grete frendes. I wold ze wold lat hym knowe the trowth, &c.

This mater mevyd the justisis wyf, and than he be gan hise mater more boldly, seying to me be fore the pryour and miche pepyl, that it was told hym the same day that I seyd, as for the brekyng, the justise began. ‘Forsothe’ seyd I, ‘whan I came into the chambre there, the fyrst word I hard was this, that ze seyd to my mayster J. P., “Who that ever seyth so, I sey he lyeth falsly in hise hede,” &c.’ ‘Ya,’ quod the justise, ‘ze schuld haf told what mevyd me to sey so to hym.’ And I seyd I cowde not tellyn that I not herd, &c. Et Judex— ‘Ze schuld haf examyned the mater,’ &c. And I seyd, ‘Sire, it longyd not to me to examyne the mater, for I knew wele I schuld not be juge in the mater, and alonly to a juge it longyth to sene and stodyen illam Sacræ Scripturæ clausulam, whiche holy Job seyd, Causam quam nesciebam diligentissime investigabam.’

And than, ‘No,’ seyth he hardyly, ‘ze schal not be juge, but yf ze had owt me as good wil as ze dede and do to Paston, ze wold than have sergyd the cause of my gret greef, why I seyd as I seyd, &c. But I haf sey the day, ze lovyd me beter than hym, for he yaf zow never cause of love as I haf done,’ &c. ‘Sire,’ I sey, ‘he hath yovyn me cause swyche as I am behold to hym for,’ &c. ‘Ya,’ seyth he, ‘ze schal bere wytnesse, &c., and the other Mayster Clement and W. Schipdham.’ Cui ego— ‘As for the wytnesse I schal bere, I schal say and writyn as I knowe,’ &c. Cui ille—’I made hise testament,211.1 and I knowe,’ &c. Cui ego— ‘I saw nevir testament of your makyng; and as for on testament that he made, and I knowe bothe the writer and maker, after hise wyl and intent, ze stonde stille there in as ze dede than,’ &c. Et tunc gavisus est, &c. Et ille— ‘I knowe ze haf a gret hert, &c., but I ensure zow, the Lordes above at London arn infoormyd of zow, and they schal delyn with zow wele anow.’ Cui ego— ‘He or they that hafe infoormyd the Lordes wele of me, I am behold to hem; and yf they be otherwyse infoormyd, I schal do as wele as I may. But be myn trowthe I schal not be aferd to sey as I knowe for none Lord of this lond, if I may go saf and come, quod non credo, per Deum, propter evidencias multas,’ &c. Tunc prior — ‘Domine, non expedit nec rationi seu veræ conscientiæ congruit, quod vos contendatis cum Magistro Paston, vel ipse vobiscum, pro bonis defuncti, quæ solum sua et non vestra sunt. Miror valde,’ inquit, ‘cum prioribus temporibus tam magni fuistis amici, et non sic modo, quare valde doleo.’ Cui Judex— ‘There is no man besy to bryng us to gyder, &c., so that I kan wele thynk it were lytil maysteri.’ But in feyth I knowe wele the Juge, W. Wayte his mawment [i.e. puppet], hise boy Yimmys, with here hevedy and fumows langage, have and dayly do uttyr lewd and schrewd dalyauns, &c.

I sent zow bode of dyvers thinges be M. Roger Palle, and I haf no answer, &c. I schuld go to Castre, and a man of my Lordes Norfolk told here he came fro London, and there he had commonly voysid that the Duke of Norfolk schuld be the Kynges comaundement kepe hise Esterne at Castre for safe gard of the cuntre ayens Warwyk and other swich of the Kinges enmyes whiche may lytely be lyklynesse aryve at Waxham, &c. My mayster zour brother, J. P., ne ye, ne M. T. Howys, ne I may not esily be brokyd in the Jugys conscyens, &c. Sir Jon Tatirshales man spake with yow at London, and than ye seyd to hym to hafe comyn in your owne persone to our Lady or this tyme, whiche was cause of myn abidyng here, &c. I schal, be the grace of Jesu, be at Castre on Soneday next, &c. W. W., J. B., junior, Colinus Gallicus, et T. Upton multum, ut suppono, fuerunt assidui ad informationem malam dandam dominis diversis hujus regni contra vestrum germanum J. P., M. T. Howes, me, etc.; sed confido in vobis quod vos confiditis in Christo Jesu et Sanctis omnibus, qui vos vestros et vestra dirigat in agendis. Recommendetis me, si placeat, Magistro meo Johanni P., uxori, et matri, cum filiis suis nepotibus vestris, et Thomae Playtere vestro dilecto amico. Et quare vobis jam scribo et non vestro germane J. P. alias scietis, etc. Vester orator continuus, F. J. B., Minorum minimus.

209.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From what is said of the expectation of a descent of Warwick upon the coast, it appears that this letter was written in the spring of 1460.

209.2 William Yelverton.

209.3 Tier; a bitter drink or liquor.—Halliwell.

209.4 Omission in MS.

210.1 John, son of Sir Robert Conyers, knight, married Eleanor, daughter of William Yelverton, Justice of the King’s Bench.—Blomefield, i. 483.

210.2 Judge Yelverton’s clerk, the writer of No. 142. See vol. ii. p. 174, Note 3.

210.3 See vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.

211.1 This seems to refer to the will of Sir John Fastolf, though he is not named.

404
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON213.1

1460

Jhesus Maria, &c.,—Reverende domine et præ omnibus mortalibus amantissime. Super omnia omnino oblivioni non tradenda faciatis ut W. P.213.2 germanus cum sua ac vestra prudenti industria sagaciter et secrete informet H. Fylongley de W. W.213.3 Hibernico ac Colino Gallico, qui suo malicioso proposito confederati sunt, adversusque dominum et magistrum suum militem defunctum et executores ejus ad dampnificandos eos et bona defuncti per ostensionem literarum secretarum olim dicto militi missarum, ex confidentia speciali, sicut solito more amicus amico solet scribere. Si hæc enim proditoria condicio esset insinuata per H. Fylongley vel per me, forsan Domino Comite Wilschirie, idem fallax et deceptorius Colinus Gallicus non esset cum dicto comite tam magnus et intimus cum dicto domino, sicut credit se esse unum de suis secretioribus, vel cum Regina per laborem sui germani ad magistrum Ormond ut ipsum faciat introduci ad favorem et servicium Reginæ. Si habueritis amicos circa Reginam, cito poteritis Colinum frustrare suo a proposito. Si W. P. vester germanus posset per subtilia media adquirere et adquiri facere casketum C. Gallici ac casketum W. W. Hibernici, audiretis et videretis aliqua non laude sed fraude plena, &c. Mitte sapientem et nihil ei dicas, &c. Prudenti viro pauca scribenda pro presenti propono quia scio vos ex paucis plura colligere et ex præambulo plura concludere. Item, propheta clamat, ‘Nolite confidere in verbum mendacii,’213.4 &c., et secundum eundem prophetam, ‘Non est confidendum super baculum arundineum confractum,’213.5 &c., et est commune et vulgare dictum: ‘A man schuld not trusty on a broke swerd, ne on a fool, ne on a chyld, ne on a dobyl man, ne on a drunke man,’ &c., thow that he were an amewse and a notarye be W. W. Hibernicus he schal knowe al, and be hym Colyn and Spirlyng the same knowe schal, &c., Hoc ideo dicite W. P., Cavete, &c., quia, Deo teste, bona fide et conscia non ficta, hæc suprascripta sunt in toto vera, &c. Feria secunda ad minus in prandio vos videbo, &c. Scriptum festinissime infra quarterium horæ, præsentis latore nimis sponsalium causa festinante. Recommendo vos vestros et vestra Deo. vester totus prius notus, Frater J. B. Minorum minimus.

213.1 [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 161.] This letter is evidently holograph. The date might be at the very end of the year 1459, after the death of Fastolf and after the attainder of the Yorkists at Coventry; but is more probably in the early part of 1460, between January and May. Indeed, though the language is mysterious, its substance is probably not unconnected with that of the preceding letter.

213.2 William Paston, son of the judge.

213.3 The initials ‘W. W.’ suggest the name of William Worcester; but he was not an Irishman, and before this letter was discovered he was believed to be Brackley’s ‘Colinus Gallicus,’ who, however, is here mentioned as a different person.

213.4 Jerem. vii. 4.

213.5 Referring apparently to Isaiah xxxvi. 6—not ‘the same prophet.’

405
ANONYMOUS TO H. B. OF LINCOLN214.1

To my good Maister, H. B. of Lincoln.

1460
APRIL 9

Right worchepful sir, after my recommendation, like you to wete I wold yisterday have spoken with you if ye had be allone at good leiser, for my aquytaile to God and to you, and for the wele of my maister, God pardon hym. I have many thynges to remembre you if ye wol. Wherof diverse specialtes that I wold sey, I may not write. For I meved you at your chamber wyndow at Lammes homward from London some thynges of my good wil, and me thought ye toke it gretely to displeisur; the which caused me to sey the lesse of thynges that had be worchepfull to have be doon. But, Sir, as I remembred you late at Norwich of the variaunce by twix the worchepfull man and you, for Goddes love and your most ease, folwe the meanes of his good wil by help of holsom gentilmen, and also the feithfull love of other that grucchen to you warde, as I fele moche thof thei speke litil therof to you, rettyng in you singuler fastnesse ageyns kyndenesse and reson; for with love and unyte ye shal do moost good for oure maister to your worchep. And with the contrary many mysse dispenses as han be and thanne moche lette in doyng of good dedis to the causers perill and slawnder God hath sent you wysdham grete that telleth you the best is to drede God. A man shal never have love of God nor love nor drede of good men for myskepyng of moche good thof it wer his owen, for it is dampnable; but wher it is truly delt with and godly disposed, thanne folwith bothe grete meryte and worchep. Pety it is that mo more is do for hym. At the gate is nowther mete, drynke nor money, ut dicitur, no man wele spekyng thof thacte above be not do necessary almesse to the nedy that peynen wold and myght be do dayly. And, Sir, be ware what ye talke to som men of the lordes your coexecutours, and what is spent for the man, and what he was worth. Thei reporten you unfavorabely and withoute credence, as men seyn, and some I have herd. Also your entretyng and other for you with them that have entres with you for to have your entent sped, is tolde oute whow, and your iournay to lorde Beauchamp to Cambrig is taken as men like, and your associacion is seid made by your witt to your purpos. As somme fer of and grete that may nor peraventur wiln not medle, somme ye wold thei left, somme havyng no conduyt, somme no stomak, and somme glosours and witnesses for lucre; this is not my seyyng, I have often herd it. Therfor to have such a post as the seid man is that ye be in variaunce; so he do wele, as I fully beleve, he shuld help you to bere moche, and cause eschuyng of moche of this noyse. This variaunce grew of mater of noght and japes; the soner may be accorde. And thynke not, Sir, that any persone hath stered me herto; for by the good Lorde I trist to receyve this holy tyme it is my owen steryng and good hert to you warde, for that I her and see, and moost of your wele willers, in eschuyng of inconvenyentz as right many talke must ensue to you ward. For I fonde you pleyn at Cristemesse, and I toke you that ye loved me, wher to fore, withoute cause truly, to my seid maister moch ye hyndred me, as parte he tolde me, and thanne I praied you in that your good maistership and amendement, and sith I have be pleyn and wol be. And I require you as ye arn a gentilman, kepe thees maters secrete by twix God, you and me; for by Almyghty Jhesu of me knoweth this non erthely creatur, nor shal knowe. Other thynges been that sounden not wele, but as I fele your wisdham take me in this, so herafter I wil demene me with you in maters. I am urke of variaunces, for parties waxen wrooth if men hold not with there oppynyons whan thei in angre trotte over fer by yon hem self. I may not come by you to London ward, I trow I must by Suffolk; elles I had not writen this. Oure Blissed Lorde have you in His governaunce and be your conduytour to His pleisur, Amen. This Wednesday, ix. day Aprill.

As ye arn a veray gentilman, be my true confessour as I am youres and take me as I mene, thof my termes been not discreet. Brenne this scrowe or kepe it pryvy, as ye like and I beseche you, if ye wil trist me, wil me pleyn, &c.—Your owen, &c., to my power.

214.1 [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 143.] This letter is mysterious, but seems to have some bearing on Sir John Fastolf’s will, and may be assigned with tolerable certainty to the year 1460, as the 9th April, the day it was dated, was a Wednesday, and one expression in it shows that it was written immediately before Easter, which in that year fell on the 13th April.

406
WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON216.1

To hys rythe wurchyp[full] broder, Jon Paston, [dwell]yng at Castre.

1460
MAY 2

Broder, I comand me to zow, certhefieng zow that Playter is redyn to Lundon ward this day abowthe ij. afternone. And he taryed here, and schulde abedyn styll till he had had an horse that Master Thomas Howys schuld have lent hym. And so I thowthe he schuld have taried to long; and so he hathe bowthe on off myn hors. And iff it nede, he schall send zow word be his man fro Lundon how he felythe the disposycyon off men ther, &c.; and he schall send his man hom be Newmarket wey. And I have infurmyd hym acording after the ententhe of zowr letter.

I spak this day with Bokkyng. He had but few wurdes, but I felt be hym he was rythe evyll disposyd to the parson and zow, but coverthe langgage he had. I wene he be assentid to the fyndyng of this offyce217.1 takyn at Bokynham, and Recheman schall bryng zow the namys of the men that mad the verdythe on Soneday nexst comyng. I pray send to myn broder Clements fermor of Somerton for money for my broder Clement, for to have sent to hym to Lundon. I schuld have done it qwan I was at Caster; myn moder desyryd me, and I sent a letter after to the parson, and prayed hym to receve it, &c.

Item, I prayd the parson to wrythe a letter in his name to myn suster Ponyngges,217.2 as ze and I comunyd onys togeder, cownsellyng her to take good avyse befor sche sold her wood at Wrenham; and he schuld knowe ther by weder Ponyngges wer in Kent ar nat, &c. I understond that this Bokkyng and Worceter have grett trust in ther awne lewd consaythe, wathe some ever it menythe, &c. Bokkyng told me this day that he stood as well in consaythe with myn Maister Fastolff iii. days befor he dyed as any man in Englond. I sayd I soposyd nay, ner iij. zere before he dyed. I told hym that I had hard dyveres talkynges of hym as men sayd, qweche I soposyd schuld nat easly be browthe a bowthe, and he swore that he talkyd never with no man in no mater that schuld be a zen zow, &c. It is he that makythe William Wurceter so froward as he is.

I wold ze had a witnesse of Roberd Ingglows, thow he wittnessyd no more but that myn master had his witthe, becawse he was so lathe with myn master Fastolff. Worceter sayd at Castre it schuld be nessessary for zow to have good witnesse, as he saythe it schuld go streythe with zow wytheowt zowr witnesse were rythe sofycyent. Myn cosyn Berney can tell zow, &c.

Item, remenbre to make the parson to make an instrument up on his sayyng. I funde hym rythe good qwan I spak with hym at Caster; and remembre the newe evydens.

Item, Arblaster and I spakk togeder. I felle hym rythe feythefully disposyd to zow ward, and he schall mow do myche good and he go to Lundon, for he can labore will a monge Lordes. He and I comunyd to geder of myn Lord Awbre;218.1 lethe hym tell zow qwat it was, for he will speke with zow to morow. It is full nessessary to mak zow strong be lord chep, and be oder menys. Myn Lord Awbry hathe weddit the Duke of Bokyngham dowter,218.2 and he was lathe with Master Fastolff be fore he dyed, and he is gret with the Qwene.

God have zow in His kepeng. Wretyn at Norwyche the secund day of May. Be zowr broder, W. Paston.

Omnya pro pecunya facta sunt.

216.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is certainly in the year 1460, for it was written after the death of Sir John Fastolf, and before the deposition of Henry VI., Margaret of Anjou being still spoken of as ‘the Queen.’

217.1 See p. 199, Note 2.

217.2 Elizabeth Paston, now wife of Robert Poynings.

218.1 Aubrey de Vere, son of the Earl of Oxford, who suffered death, with his father, in February 1462.

218.2 Anne, eldest daughter of Humphry, Duke of Buckingham.

407
THE ABBOT OF LANGLEY TO JOHN STOKES218.3

To the ryght worchepfull Sere, Mayster John Stokes.

1460
MAY 8

Ryght worshypfull Sere, I recomaund me to yow; and for asmyche as it is informyd me that it was appoynted that alle the executors of the worshepfull knyght, Sere John Fastolf, whos soule God asoyle, shuld be at London as on Monday next comyng, of wheche executors I am namyd for on, as I ondyrstond; wherfore, in as myche as ye be ordenary and on of the same executors, I prey yow tendre my laboure, withoute my comyng, be youre dyscrecion, myght be more profyt to the dede; for I conseyve it shuld be but charge to the dede, and lytell avayleable, consyderyng that John Paston, Squyere, and Thomas Howys, parson of Blofeeld, schall come up at this time, wheche were218.4 the persones above all other that the seyd Sere John Fastolf put in hys most sengulere love and trust, and wold they shuld have the kepyng and dysposicion of hys goods, as wele in hys lyve as after hys deseas, to dyspose for the well of hys soule; and that non other namyd hys executors, but only they tweyn, shuld have ony kepyng or dysposyng of ony part of hese goods duryng ther lyves; and that alle other namyd executors shuld supporte them and geve them to the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys here good avyse in performyng of hys desyre in that behalve. Wherfor that it lekyth yow in ony thyng ye desyre me to do in thys cause or matere to geve yowre feyth and credence to the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys; and so desyred me the seyd Knyght feythefully to do, that knowyth God, whom I be seke preserve yow from alle adversyte.

Wretyn in the Abbey of Langeley, the viij. day of the monyth of May, the yeere of oure Lord ml.cccc.lx. Youre preest, Abbot of Langeley.219.1

218.3 [From Fenn, iii. 398.]

218.4 This word is omitted in the literal transcript in Fenn.

219.1 His name was Nicholas.

408
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON219.2

To my trusty cosyn, Margaret Paston, at Norwich, be this delyvered.219.3

1460
JUNE 19

I  recomaunde me to you, letyng you witte that I sent a letter to John Russe and Richard Kalle that thei, by th’advyse of Watkyn Shipdam and William Barker shuld send me word of whom alle the maneres, londes, and tenementes that were Sir John Fastolffes wern holde, preyng you that ye wold do them spede them in that matier; and if my feodaryes, whiche lye in the tye of my gret cofyr, may ought wisse therin, lete them se it.

Item, I wolde that William Barker shulde send me a copye of the olde traverse of Tychewell and Beyton. And lete Richard Kalle spede hym hidderward, and come by Snaylwel, and take suyche mony as may be getyn there, and that he suffre not the mony that the tenauntes owe to come in the fermours handes.

Item, that he come by Cambrigge and bryng with hym Maister Brakkeles licence from the provynciall of the Grey Freres. I prey you recomaunde me to my modir.

Wretyn at London the Thursday next to fore Middesomer. John Paston.

219.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears to have been written the year after Fastolf’s death.

219.3 Below this address is written, in another hand, ‘To Richard Calle, at Caster, be this deliverid in hast.’

409
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON220.1

Venerabili armigero, Johanni Paston seniori, detur hæc litera.

1460
JULY 6

Honoris superni amorisque interni indissolubile vinculum tam venerabili viro in Christo condignum, præcordialissime magister ac amice singularis, non solum quales debeo sed quales valeo vobis refero grates cordiales pro vestris beneficiis quampluribus michi multiformiter exhibitis, pro quibus omnibus recompenset vos Altissimus. Honorabilis domine, causa motiva præsentis scripturæ est hæc. Ex magno cordis affectu audire desidero de vestra expeditione prospera in materia concernente testamentum et voluntatem venerabilis viri J. F.220.2 militis per Ricardum Calle vel Johannem Pampyng, vestros fideles servientes; quod si fieri non possit per relationem latoris præsentium, michi certificare dignemini. Cujus verbis audienciam credulam præbere curetis, sicut et michi dare velletis si vobiscum personaliter interessem. Scire insuper dignetur vestra caritas quod iste frater, præsentium lator, est meus spiritualis filius, eo quod in ordinem per me indutus et professus et ad gradum sacerdotii promotus, jam per biennum continuum, fuit socius et servitor meus satis solaciosus in tempore meæ gravissimæ infirmitatis, in laboribus et vigiliis continuis, tam diurnis quam nocturnis, quorum occasione a suo libro et studio fuit multiformiter impeditus; sicque ad suos amicos non potuit habere recursum ad sui victus et vestitus adquirendum subsidium. Cui si placet intuitu caritatis elemosinam per vos graciose collatam Willelmo nepoti meo ingratissimo, utinam non infidelissimo, latori prædicto dare curetis, qui vobis suam indigenciam fideliter explanabit et dicti nepotis viciosa demerita certissime declarabit. Unum enim scitote, si frater prædictus circa meam personam non fuisset multiformiter solicitus ego pluries fuissem mortuus. Spero enim per Dei graciam circa festum ad Vincula Petri vestram graciosam visitare presenciam, et de dicti fratris gratitudinem clariorem dare noticiam. Cui propter Deum ad mei cordis multiforme solacium dicti beneficii ne denegetis suffragium, sicud in vobis gero confidenciam singularem. Non plura pro præsenti vobis offero calamo digna, sed vos, vestros et vestra defendat Trinitas alma, Quæ vos graciose conservet in prosperis et graciosissimis dirigat in agendis. Scriptum Donewici, in vigilia Translacionis Sancti Thomæ Martiris.

Vester ad vota promptissimus ac orator pauperculus. Frater J. B., Minorum minimus.

220.1 [Add MS. 34,888, f. 147.] This is a letter of Friar Brackley, apparently written the year after Fastolf’s death. It is in a large and regular handwriting, different from some of his other letters.

220.2 Sir John Fastolf.

quod si fieri non possit per relationem latoris præsentium
text has “qood” for “quod”

410
THE YORKIST LORDS TO THE AUTHORITIES IN NORFOLK221.1

The Erlys of Marche, Warwyke, and Salysbury.

1460
JULY 23

Ryght welbeloved, we grete you wele; and wher, for the tendre love that we have to the concervacion of the Kyngs peas, lawes, and justice in this his realme of Englonde, we have comaunded the Kyngs peeple in his name, be oure letters and diverse writyngs, that no man shulde robbe or dispoile Sir Thomas Todenham, Knyght, John Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry Todenham, and John Andrws, and other weche have sued to us for oure seide letters; we, wolyng to eschewe that any person shulde have colour be oure seide letters to noyse us, or any of us, that the seide Sir Thomas, John Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry, and John Andrws, or any other of suspecte fame, be accorded with us, or any of us, for suche wrongs as they, or any of ham, have do to us, our servaunts and tenants or wellwellers, or that we shulde hafe hem in tendrenesse or favour to discorage trewe people to swe a yen hem be the lawe; We therfore notyfie to yow, as we woll that it be notyfid to all people, that we, ne noon of us, intende not to favour or tendre hem, or any other of suspecte fame, but rather to corecte suche be the lawe, for we made our seid letters soly for kepyng of the pease and justice, and not for favour of suspecte condicione. And the Holy Trynyte kepe yow.

Wreten at London the xxiijti. day of Jule.

To all Meyers, Sceryves, Balyfys, Constables, and all the Kynges Offecers and Ministres in Norffolk, and eche on of hem.

221.1 [From Fenn, iii. 244.] This manifesto must have been issued in July 1460, after the battle of Northampton, when the King was in the hands of the confederate Lords. It certainly was not, as Fenn supposes, in 1455, after the battle of St. Albans, when the Earl of March was only thirteen years old and the Duke of York, his father, was made Protector. York had not come over from Ireland in July 1460, and is consequently not named in this document.

411
ABSTRACT222.1

The King to John Nedham and Thomas Litilton, Justices of the County Palatine of Lancaster

1460(?)
JULY 26

Desires them to show favour to the defendants in an appeal of robbery sued before them out of malice by Thomas Bury against John Berney of Redham, Norf., Junior, Esq., John Paston of Norwich, Esq., John Berney of Redham, Norf., Senior, Esq., John Hevenyngham, of Norwich, Esq., and Christopher Norwich of Brundehale. They are to receive no writ returned in the name of the Sheriff of Norfolk touching that matter except by the hands of the sheriff himself, or of John Bernarde his under-sheriff.

London, 26 July.

II. Another letter, similar in substance, in which no justices’ names are given.

[These documents cannot be later than 1460, as the younger John Berney died in July of that year (see next letter). But as Judge Littleton was only made a King’s Serjeant in 1455, they cannot be many years earlier, and they are not unlikely to be of the year 1460 itself.]

222.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

412
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON223.1

To my wurschipfull coysyn, Margaret Paston, be this delyvered in haste.

1460
JULY 28

I  recomaunde me unto you, letyng you witte that your unkyll, John Berney, is deed, whoos soule God have mercy; desyryng you to sende for Thomas Holler,223.2 and enquere of hym wher his goode is, and what he is wurthe, and that he take goode eede to all suche goods as he had bothe meveable and on mevable; for I undre stande that he is wurthe in money vc. [500] marke, and in plate to the valwe of other vc. marke, beside other goods. Wherfor I wolde ye schulde not lete hym wete of his dissese unto the tyme that ye had enquered of the seide Thomas Holler of all suche maters as be a bovyn wreten, and whan he hathe enformed you therof, than lete hym wete verely that he is deede, desiryng hym that no man come on to his place at Redham but hym selfe, unto the tyme that I come.

Item, I lete you witte that gret parte of his goode is at William Taverners, as I undrestande. Thomas Holler woll telle you justely the trouthe as I suppose, and deseyre hym on my behalfe that he doo soo, and ther is writyng therof; and telle Thomas Holler that I and he be executours named, and therfore lete hym take heede that the goods be kept saffe, and that nobody knowe wher it shall lie but ye and Thomas Holler. And Thomas Holler, as your unkyll tolde me, is prevy wher all his goode lithe and all his writyng, and so I wol that ye be prevy to the same for casualte of deethe, and ye too shal be his executours for me as longe as ye doo trewly, as I trowe verely ye woll.

Wreten at London, the xxviijt. day of Jule.

I requer yow be of god cumfort and be not hevy, if ye wil do owth for me. Yowr, John Paston.

223.1 [From Fenn, iv. 36.] According to Fenn, Margaret Paston’s uncle, John Berney, second son of John Berney, Esq. of Reedham, died in July 1461, and he accordingly places this letter in that year. It is evident, however, that John Berney was dead at the date of Nos. 431 and 462, the former written in January 1461, the latter certainly not so late as the 28th July in the same year, for Thomas Denys was murdered at the very beginning of the month. Indeed, it is clear that in No. 462 Margaret Paston wishes to arrange about the approaching anniversary of her uncle’s death. John Berney must therefore have died in July 1460, although from the troubled character of the times his will (which is preserved in the Principal Registry at Somerset House), made on the 2nd June 1460 (Monday after the Feast of St. Petronilla the Virgin), was not proved till the 1st December 1461.

223.2 When Berney’s will was proved at Lambeth, 1st December 1461, administration was granted provisionally to Thomas Hooler, who was to send in accounts before the morrow of the Conversion of St. Paul (Jan. 26) following. Power was, however, reserved of committing administration to John Paston. But John Paston did not appear on the day, and left the undivided administration to Hooler.

the former written in January 1461
text has “1561”

413
ABSTRACT224.1

1460
AUG. 1

‘Soutwerk cum membris,’ No. 50 a.— ‘Inquisitio post mortem Johannis Fastolf militis capta per eschaetorem Regis, ubi mentio fit quorundam tenementorum, viz., the Berehouse, Boreshead, Hartshorne, et 2 molendinorum aquaticorum. Aug. 1, Hen. VI. 38.’

224.1 [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]

414
ANONYMOUS TO YELVERTON AND PASTON225.1

To the right worshipful Seres, my right welbeloved and trusted cosyns, William Yelverton, Justice, and John Paston.

1460(?)

Sir, please your right worshipfull maystership that Mayster Paston come to London as on Thursdaye att none last past, and I trust verelye all maters here were resonablye labored to his comyng, and now they shal be better. Neverthelesse, I have ben mevid of tretye by dyvers personez sith I came hidre, as wele for Tudenham, Wentworth, Heydon, and other at this tyme not wel willed to yow and yourez, seyng that such money as is spent a twix yowe is but wastfully expendid and to non use vertuouse. I fele by theym they be not right corageous in theyr werkes, ner nought wold if they myght have a resonable trete. I meve not this that ze shold thenk that they had conquered me by noyans, but I do it to avertyse yow for th’eschewyng of the importable costes that hath ben born by yow, and yet lyke to bee, aswele in the elde maters hangyng as in newe at this tyme to be grownded, if this werre shal rest and hold a twyx yowe, and specially for the ease of hym that shalbe solicitour in the same. Ye nede at this terme rather to have had thre solicitours than in any other terme past this iij. yere, on concyderyng the maters hangyng, &c.; of which please yow to send yowr gode advyse and wille yf ye thenk it to be don, and els not, for this is but a mocion, &c.

225.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is by an unknown writer, and very uncertain as to date. It shows that Tuddenham, Wentworth, and Heydon, all adherents of the House of Lancaster, were desirous of a compromise with Yelverton and Paston. The year 1460, some time after the battle of Northampton, is perhaps as likely a period as any.

415
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON226.1

To my Mayster Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presented.

Jesus, Maria, &c.

1460
OCT.

Ryte reverent Sire, after du recommendacion, we sey in this cuntre that Heydon is for Barkschir in the Comon Hows. And the Lady of Suffolk226.2 hath sent up hyr sone226.3 and hise wyf to my Lord of York to aske grace for a schireve the next yer, Stapilton, Boleyn, or Tyrel, qui absit. God send zow Ponyng, W. P., W. Rokewode, or Arblaster. Ze haf myche to done; Jesu spede zow. Ze haf many good preyers, what of the covent, cyte, and cuntre. God safe our good Lords, Warwik, alle hise brether, Salisbury, &c., fro al fals covetyse and favour of extorcyon, as they wil fle uttyr schame and confusyon. God save hem, and preserve fro treson and poyson; lete hem be war her of for the pite of God; for yf owt come to my Lord Warwik but good, far weel ze, far weel I, and al our frends! for be the weye of my sowle, this lond wer uttirly on done, as God forbede. Her [their] enmyes bostyn with good to come to her favour; but God defende hem, and zeve hem grace to knowe her frends fro her enmyes, and to cherisch and preferr her frends and lesse the myte of alle her enmyes thorw owt the schiris of the lond. And [i.e. if] my good Lord Warwik, with my Lord his brother Chaunceler226.4 and my Lord her fadyr226.5 woldyn opposyn, as dede Danyel, Fortesku, Alisaunder, Hody, Doctor Aleyn, Heydon, and Thorp, of the writyng made be hem at Covyntre Parlement, they schuld answer wers than sub cino or sub privo (?), and this generaly wold I sey at Powlys Cros, etc., and [i.e. if] I schuld come there, &c. It is verifyed of hem, 1º Jeremiæ, 8º, Vere mendacium operatus est stilus mendax scribarum, &c. And think of two vers of zour Sawter, Scribantur hæc in generatione altera (hujus scilicet parliamenti) et populus qui creabitur laudabit Dominum,227.1 &c. Deleantur etiam tales perversi scriptores de libro viventium et cum justis non scribantur.227.2 Et non plura, sed vos, vestros et vestra conservet Jesus graciose in prosperis et graciosius dirigat in agendis.

Ex Norwico, feria quarta,227.3 nuncio festinante.

And I prey zow for Godds sake to be good mayster to Jon Lyster, &c. And I prey zow think, in this Parlement, of the text of Holy Scripture, Quicunque fecerit contra legem Dei et contra legem Regis judicium fiet de eo, vel in condemnationem substantiæ ejus, vel in carcerem, vel in exilium, vel in mortem (Primo Esdræ, vij., et parti 2º Esdræ 8º).

226.1 [From Fenn, iii. 382.] This letter appears to have been written just before the sitting of the Parliament of October 1460, of which John Paston was a member. Warwick’s brother was then Chancellor. No signature is attached to this letter in Fenn’s literal copy, although the name is appended to the modern transcript.

226.2 Alice, widow of William, Duke of Suffolk.

226.3 John de la Pole, second Duke of Suffolk. He married Elizabeth, the Duke of York’s daughter.

226.4 George Nevill, Bishop of Exeter.

226.5 Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury.

227.1 Psalm ci. (or cii.) 18.

227.2 Psalm lxviii. (or lxix.) 28.

227.3 ‘Feria quarta’ means Wednesday.

416
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]

1460
[OCT.]

Jesus, Maria, &c. Reverende domine, si contingat ut sitis Londoniæ hoc termino in principio parliamenti, hæc poteritis in secretis dicere domino Warwik ac domino Cancellario, quomodo Johannes W.227.4 apud Felbrigg jacet cum manu forti contra pacem domini Regis et patriæ, qui quantum valere potest est hostis publicus et inimicus capitalis domini Regis et suorum fidelium dominorum utilitatem rei publicæ et communitatem Angliæ diligentium, pro quo taliter esset modo indilate et cum omni festinacione possibili providendum quod esset commissio directa sub pœna ligeanciæ et pœna mortis et privatione bonorum vicecomiti, domino M. Stapilton, domino W. Chambirleyn, W. Yelverton justiciario, W. Calthorp, Johanni Twyre, Johanni Geney, T. Gurnay, Johanni Fyncham, Johanni Yelverton Juniori, Edmundo Bokyngham, Johanni Gros, Johanni Dam, Johanni Lomenour, Jacobo Arblaster, T. Denys, ut assistant sub pœna prædicta sex primis militibus et armigeris ad excitandum populum de patria pro domino T. T.,227.5 J. H.,227.6 P. Wentworthe, J. A.,227.7 T. Danyel, H. Hunton, J. Wode, W. Prentys, S. Gunnor, H. Todynham, Joh. Wyndham, Palmere Ballivo de Costsey, T. Brygge, et suis complicibus subito et secretiori modo capiendo et versus London adducendo cum manu forti, et in Turri vel Newgate firmiter cum Thorp de Scacario carcere collocando, &c. Et tunc eorum clientes et eis adhærentes non possent, ymmo nec auderent, nocere populo patriæ bonæ disposicionis. Certe si in hac parte fideliter laborare in effectu volueritis, dominus Comes Warwic, et omnes sibi et suis benivoli essent vobis multiformiter obligati, et tunc esset in Norffolchia mansio concors et valde pacificus. Utinam bona voluntas vestra non sit in hac materia pigra, &c.

2º. Item, quod Episcopus Norwicensis esset in curia Regis ad tempus, vel in parliamento omnino, quia hic parvum bonum facit, nisi supportando iniquos et paci patriæ contrarios; est enim satis dives ad comprestandum pecunias Regi in necessitate sua. Ipse enim cum ducissa Suff. et aliis personis prænominatis sunt Reginæ et principi maxime favorabiles cum totis suis viribus; et ideo maxime expediens est parti Regis et comitis Warwic subtrahere, diminuere, et pocius opprimere, vires omnium illorum prædictorum eis et suis continue malignantium ex adverso, &c.

3º. Item, vos et vestri præmunire poteritis, si placeat, Doctores Kyrry et Godard quomodo fama communis hic volat continue per Boreales et eorum fautores quod Regina ac sui firmiter statuerunt unanimi decreto ipsos doctores et me non solum morti ignominiose tradere sed etiam generaliter omnes Fratres Minores citra flumen Trent commorantes interfici facere. Sed Magister Vergeant cum socio qui in sermonibus Reginam cum principe solempniter recommendat et in suis missis Reginam nominatim specificat per instanciam Ducissæ Suff. erit cum socio privilegiatus ab hac punicione.

4º. Item, bonum esset quod juvenis dux Suff. cum suis militibus et armigeris uteretur suis calcaribus et jam probaretur in bello cui esset fidelis, an caro vel piscis. Si T. T. cum suis prius recitatis essent unde memorati in parliamento a dominis et communibus, non dubium quin puniti essent causatores insurrectionis falsorum Regis contra Comitem Warwic apud pontem Westmonasterii, &c.

5º. Item, memorari dignetur dominus Comes Warwic quomodo T. T., J. H., J. A., et H. T.,228.1 J. W. et cæteri gravissime comminantur priorem Wals’ [Walsingham], &c.

6º. Item, caveant Comes Marchiæ et Comes Warwic ne quovis modo sit inter eos controversia, sed sint omnino unanimes et concordes, nec aliqua cupiditas consiliariorum suorum faveat alicui eorum adversario propter lucrum bonorum in finalem deperdicionem ipsorum et amicorum suorum.

7º. Item, fiat per decretum parliamenti diminutio juris peritorum ac legis attornatorum Suff. et Norff. punicioque taxata singulorum oppressorum, generosos ac eorum liberos, nativosque tenentes cotidie et annuatim gravissime infestancium.

8º. Continue ac continue cordialiter cogitate ac scrutinio diligenti sæpius revolvite quomodo inimici vestri et adversarii antiqui, spiritu rancoris et invidiæ maliciose agitati, nituntur pro posse suo, et totis viribus, vos, et vostros vobis benevolos funditus destruere et finaliter deperdere, quod absit omnino; quare ex naturali legis dictamine potestis et debetis vim vi volenter ac potenter reprimere ac repellere et eorum maliciis inveteratis virili congressu rigorose resistere, quia minus malim incomparabiliter videtur existere quod eorum obstinata malicia potestate politica sit diminuta et quasi dejecta quam vos et vestri affines, propinqui et amici essetis nimis depauperati, et quasi, quod absit, finaliter abjecti.

227.4 John Wyndham.

227.5 Sir Thomas Tuddenham.

227.6 John Heydon.

227.7 John Andrews. See p. 222.

228.1 Henry Tuddenham.

1460 / [OCT.]
closing ] in sidenote missing or invisible
vos et vestri affines, propinqui et amici
text has “propinuqi”

417
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON229.1

Reverendo magistro meo et amico singulari Johanni Paston armigero detur.

1460
OCT. (?)

Jhesus, Maria, Raphael, Johannes Baptista, Johannes Ewangelista, Franciscus Guardianus, cum Sanctis omnibus, succurant mæstis in tribulationibus. Amen. Præcordialissime domine et amice maxime singularis, Omissis pro præsenti vestri gratitudinis beneficiis mihi sæpius impensis, me humilime vestræ reverenciæ recommendo. Pensetis, quæso, cum omni festinatione possibili instabilem virum, utinam Hibernicum229.2 non ingratissimum, cujus nacionis aliquales proprietates sunt istæ:—animo sæva, vultu ferox, torva affatu, versupellis moribus et inconstancia in omnibus bonis viis suis; qui inter cætera magistro Clementi retulit quod expensæ annuales magistri Johannis Fastolff, bonæ memoriæ, secundum fidelem compotum se extendunt omni anno ad octingentas marcas in Norfolch et Suffolch, &c., et quod idem miles vobiscum faciens pactum pro iiij. Ml, &c., fuit purus fatuus; et quod idem vobis donatoriam literarum faciens fuit major fatuus, &c., et quod idem Hibernicus scit deteriorare, et diminuere bona militis ad summam viginti ml marcarum, &c. Ob reverentiam Jhesu Christi, cavete quod impediatur omnino a suscipiendo onus testamenti quousque verum et integrum compotum reddiderit de defuncti bonis per eum receptis tot annorum evolutis et transactis curriculis, &c. Item, quod non vendat nec alienet maneria, terras, tenementa cum pertinentiis, nec commutat jocalia nec evidenciales literas, nec pecunias per vestrum germanum, W. P., et per ipsum receptas London, Bermondyseye, &c., cum jam sciat de multis ubi sunt, &c. Videtur mihi, salvo saltem vestro meliori judicio, quod de aliis personis et locis est cum omni celeritate possibili prudenter providendum et politice, ne idem W. W. oculis luscus et denigrato colore, in facie fuscus, sit cum W. Yelverton judice confederatus, et per Ducem Exoniæ satis tiranizantem supportatus et per suos complices, &c. Sapienti loquor; nam philosophorum princeps ait ‘Cave ab hiis quos natura signavit’; et metrice dicitur:

‘Nam fallax faciens mens, mores ac pariformes

Concludunt mutuo quod sit quasi fraudis ymago.’

Dixi vobis quod non esset pro vobis nec vestris utile in W. W. aliquam confidentiam gerere. Post vestrum didici recessum in 4or nostri collegii famulis duplicibus et falsis cum omni perfidia contra voluntatem militis et ejus executores iniquitatis vinculo confederatis et astrictis, scilicet Colino Gallico, coquinæ clerico, W. W., militis secretario et W. Eton; nunc in promptuario propter Jhesum Christum deleantur de libro vertuose et unanimiter viventium et a modo cum justis nequaquam conscribantur, &c. Est vulgare proverbium ‘Accordyng to ryte reson that to oftyn it is in ceson, that in trust is gret treson.’ Ideo cavete quod Sapiens dicit ‘Qui cito credit, levis est corde.’230.1 Et audite scripturæ sacræ sententiam ‘A malo inquit consiliario serva animam tuam,’230.2 &c. Nam alibi Sapientis proclamat eloquium: ‘Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.’230.3 Hæc ibi. In alienis negociis velox, nec vivax erit, qui in propriis causis piger existit. Rogo attendite et menti imprimite diligenter quod revolvite quomodo poteritis resistere homini tam perverso noxam volenti et nocumentum executoribus inferre. Mens mea particulam evangelii retinet: ‘Si in viridi ligno hoc faciunt in arido quid fiet?’230.4 Quasi diceret, si iste W. W. executorum ultimus et merito novissimus et per vestram et magistri Thomæ Howes diligenciam inscriptus tantam proterviam gerit, in hoc quasi exordio, quid in fine maliciose sit facturus? Hoc penitus ignoro. Deo vos vestros et vestra commendo et præsentem causam. Recommendetis me si placeat recommendandis, &c. Scriptum festinanter, hora prima post prandium. W. B., lator præsentis, intendit vobis si placeat humilime et verissime servitorum. Ex Castre in die Sabbathi.

Vester ad vota promptissimus, Frater J. B., Minorum minimus.

229.1 [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 158.] This letter appears to be holograph. If we are right that it was written just before No. 418, we may place it early in October 1460.

229.2 See p. 213.

230.1 Eccles. xix. 4.

230.2 Ibid. xxxvii. 9 (8).

230.3 Prov. xxi. 30.

230.4 Luke xxiii. 31.

418
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON231.1

Venerando suo magistro, Johanni Paston.

Jesus, &c.

1460

Reverende domine, &c. Propter Deum caveatis a confidentia in illo nigro Hibernico231.2 oculis obliquo et lusco, qui utinam corde, ore et opere non esset obliquior; qui heri misit literam Colino Gallico; de quibus dicitur quod singuli caccant uno ano. Et parvus Adam hodie portavit (?) magistro suo responsum. Idem enim luscus dicit vos esse cupidissimum, quia multum afflixistis debitores patris vestri, persequendo eos cum omni rigore, &c. Item dicit quod cum pater vester fuerit judex ditissimus, quasi nihil fecistis pro eo in distribuendo elemosinam pro anima ejus, et cum nihil feceritis pro patre vestro, quomodo pro magistro Fastolf aliquid facietis? Item dicit ‘Utinam fuissem in morte magistri mei, quia in me ultra omnes homines mundi maxime confisus est,’ &c. Item dicit quod in hora qua obiit magister suus, obviavit sibi unus albus bubo, qui eodem tempore juxta unam ecclesiam continuo clamavit mirabiliter et volavit sæpius iteratis vicibus sub equo suo inter tibias equi sui &c. Item dixit cuidam fratri conventus mei, ‘Magister Brakle accipit super se magnum regimen, &c., et certe, si pecunia legata in ultima voluntate suis servientibus non fuerit in larga habundancia distributa, erit ad magnum dedecus et verecundiam personæ meæ,’ &c. Utinam caveritis ita bene de eo sicut ego cavebo, quia cum sit filius Hibernicus, ego de eo semper minus curabo. Ipse vellet habere bona ex parte sua, &c. Deo teste non fecit (?)232.1 vos magistri sui, &c. Hæc omnia et plura dixit idem miser magistro Clementi, a quo hæc omnia et plura didici &c. Item dicit quod vos timetis adire locum parliament quia non vultis præstare pecunias Regi nec Reginæ et aliis; et ideo pigritia vestra in hoc passu erit bonis mortui satis nociva, &c. Ego tot et tanta audivi de illo quod, per Deum, nunquam confidam in illo, &c.; est enim miser multum malencolicus et in toto colericus, et, salva patientia vestra, reddat compotum de singulis antequam capiat onus testamenti, &c.

Judex232.2 cras venturus est, &c., et sicut se hic gerit vestra caritas notitiam habebit, &c. Rogo detis mihi licentiam recedendi ad conventum Norwici, ad mutandum vestimenta mea propter sudores, &c., et ad studendum pro sermone, &c., ad honorem Dei, &c., qui vos vestros et vestra salvet in sæcula. Amen. Vester orator, Frater J. B.

On the back:—Item dixit magistro Clementi quod ipse non vult esse Frere, veni mecum, nec canta secum, nec Dacok, nec facok, nec Frater, lava pedes, &c. Item dicit vos instruxisse magistrum suum contra eum de auferendo evidencias, &c., et ipse plures labores habuit pro eo quam vos vel aliquis alius, &c. Custodite literam ultimo a me vobis missam, &c. Utinam Upton et ipse essent extra locum, &c., quia hic fiunt consumptiones maximæ, &c.

Endorsed in a 16th century hand:—A lettre much dispraising W. Wircester, from Doctor Brakley.

231.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears by the contents to have been written about the beginning of the Parliament of 1460, to which it would seem Paston did not immediately repair to take his place, thus giving occasion to an insinuation that he did not wish to be called upon to vote money for the King and Queen.

231.2 See p. 213.

232.1 The word is ‘ft’ in the MS. And to make sense of the passage, I must suppose another word to be omitted. ‘Non fecit vos amicum magistri sui,’ i.e. he did not make you out to be any friend of his master.

232.2 William Yelverton.

419
CHRISTOPHER HANSSON TO JOHN PASTON233.1

To the right worshipfull Sir and Maister, John Paston, Escuier, at Norwiche, be this delyvered in hast.

1460
OCT. 12

Right worschipfull Sir and Maister, I recomaund me un to you. Please you to wete, the Monday after oure Lady Day233.2 there come hider to my maister ys place,233.3 my Maister Bowser, Sir Harry Ratford, John Clay, and the Harbyger of my Lord of Marche, desyryng that my Lady of York233.4 myght lye here untylle the comyng of my Lord of York and hir tw sonnys, my Lorde George233.5 and my Lorde Richard,233.6 and my Lady Margarete233.7 hir dawztyr, whiche y graunt hem in youre name to ly here untylle Mychelmas. And she had not ley here ij. dayes but sche had tythyng of the londyng of my Lord at Chestre. The Tewesday next after, my Lord sent for hir that sche shuld come to hym to Harford [Hereford], and theder sche is gone. And sythe233.8 y left here bothe the sunys and the dowztyr, and the Lord of Marche comyth every day to se them.

Item, my Lord of York hath dyvers straunge commissions fro the Kyng for to sitte in dyvers townys comyng homward; that is for to sey, in Ludlow, Schrrofysbury, Herford, Leycetre, Coventre, and in other dyvers townys, to punych them by the fawtes to the Kyngs lawys.

As for tythyngs here, the Kyng is way at Eltham and at Grenewych to hunt and to sport hym there, bydyng the Parlement, and the Quene and the Prynce byth in Walys alway. And is with hir the Duc of Excestre and other, with a fewe mayne, as men seythe here.

And the Duc of Somerset he is in Depe [Dieppe]; withe hym Maister John Ormound, Wyttyngham, Andrew Trollyp, and other dyvers of the garyson of Gyanys, under the Kyng of Fraunce safcondyte, and they seythe here, he porpose hym to go to Walys to the Quene. And the Erle of Wyltschyre234.1 is stylle in pece at Otryght at the Frerys [Friars], whiche is seyntwary.

Item, Colbyne ys come home to my maister is place, and seyth that, at your departyng234.2 ouzt of London, ze send hym word that he schuld come hedder to the place, and be here un tylle your comyng a zene; and so he is here it, and seith he wolle take no maister but be your avyce, nether the leese [nevertheless] awaytythe uppon Maister Oldhall the most parte at Redre234.3 at his place.

Item, Maister Ponyngs hathe enteret on an two or iij. placys uppon the Erle of Northomberlond, and he stondyth in good grace of the Kyng, my Lord of Marche, my Lord Warwyk, and my Lord of Salysbury. Most parte of the contre abought his lyflod hold aythe withe hym. And my maisteras your sister234.4 is not delyverd as yet; God yef hir god delyveraunce.

No more to you at this tyme, but and ze wolle comaund me any servyce y may doo, it is redy. And Jesu have you in his blessid kepyng; and I beseche you this letter may comaund me to my maisteras your moder, and my maisteras your wyfe, and alle your houshold.

Wreten at London the xij. day of Octobre. Your owne Servaunt, Christofer Hansson.

233.1 [From Fenn, i. 198.] This letter must have been written in the year 1460, when the Duke of York came over from Ireland, his party having been victorious at the battle of Northampton, and gained possession of the King’s person.

233.2 The Nativity of Our Lady is on the 8th September. The Monday following was in this year the 15th.

233.3 Probably Sir John Fastolf’s place in Southwark.

233.4 Cecily, Duchess of York.

233.5 Afterwards Duke of Clarence.

233.6 Afterwards Richard III.

233.7 Afterwards Duchess of Burgundy.

233.8 The modern version in Fenn reads: ‘And she hath left here.’

234.1 James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond.

234.2 Paston must have left London and gone to Norwich not long before the Parliament, which began on the 7th October; and, as we have already observed, he did not return in time for its commencement.

234.3 Redriff or Rotherhithe.

234.4 Elizabeth, wife of Robert Poynings.—See No. 406, p. 217.

420
ABSTRACT235.1

Robert Call to [John Paston].

1460(?)
OCT. 17

Has delivered the horse-litter to Robert Lynne according to his message. Cannot get a farmer for Mauteby. Sends John Deye. He will not pass one combe barley for an acre. He has fourteen acres ‘reasonably well dight to sow on wheat.’ None will take the close at Mauteby at the price agreed upon with Calle by Lynne and Robert Butler.

Caister, St. Luke’s Eve.

P.S. on the back, unimportant.

[From what is said in Margaret Paston’s letter of the 20th October following about the lands at Maultby being unlet, this may perhaps have been written in the same year three days earlier.]

235.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

421
THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON235.2

To my rygth worchipfull and my good maister, John Paston, Esquyer, in hast.

1460
[OCT.]

Rygth worchipfull and my most speciall synguler good maister, I recomend me to you, besechyng your maistership not to be dysplesed with my long taryans, and also to take it to no gref thou it were long or I wrot to you; for in good feyth I wend my self with in sevenygth after Seynt Feythesmesse235.3 to have ben at London, and for asmoche as Suthwell235.4 desyred me to tarye for evydens gevyng, &c. I promysed hym so to do and tarye tyll the Munday after Seynt Feythesmesse, or tyll the Tewysday sevenyth after at the ferthest, and at tho dayes I hard no word fro hym. And so uppon the Thursday after had I word that the under-eschetour schuld sytte at Ocle236.1 the Tewysday after Seynt Luce;236.2 and so I tarye as yette, and trust verely to be with you the Saterday at the ferthest after Seynt Luce. Item, Sir, if my Maister of the Rolles236.3 be not come, I trust to God to com tydely i now, as for the traversys; and if ye besi you to the innyng ther of or I com, Richard Ley schall delyver hem you, if ye send to hym for it; for I left hem with hym to gete hem in if he mygth, and promysed hym a reward for his labour. Item, my maistres236.4 and all folkes be heyll and mery, blyssed be Jesu, ho have you in his blyssed governans and proteccion. By your, Thomas Plaiter.

235.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this excuses his delay in coming to London, as he had been asked to stay and give evidence before the under-escheator, who was to sit at Acle on Tuesday after St. Luke’s Day. This refers to the inquisition on the lands of Sir John Fastolf, which was taken at Acle on that day in 1460.

235.3 St. Faith’s Day is on the 6th of October.

235.4 Richard Southwell, Escheator of Norfolk.

236.1 Acle in Norfolk.

236.2 St. Luke’s Day is the 18th October. The Tuesday after it was the 21st in 1460.

236.3 Thomas de Kirkeby.

236.4 Margaret Paston.

422
THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON236.5

To my maister, John Paston, Esquyer.

1460
[OCT. 21]

A[FTER] my most speciall recomendacion, like your maisterchip wete that the office236.6 is taken at Ocle in lyke forme as Suthwell236.7 can schew you, for Fraunceys Costard hath sent it hym, and the jentylmen that passed uppon the office wold fynd nor medyll nouther with the tenurs nor ho is next here [heir]. Wherfor if ye wol have other wyse found, Fraunceys Costard hath under take it, but it schal not be by suche men of worchip [as] is yn this. Item, the under-chryf was at Ocle, and ded and sayd to the jentylmen al that ever he cowde to the lette of the matter. And as for Suffolk, I understand they have no warant, so I tarye as yet what cas that ever falle. And if ye wold that I tarye not, that it lyke you by the brynger her of to send me hasty wurd.

I send you the names of the jure here in. Your, Thomas Plaiter.

On a separate paper formerly enclosed in the preceding is the following List:—

Jurati pro Domino Rege.237.1

Willelmus Rokewood, armiger, jur’.

Johannes Berney, armiger, jur’.

Radulphus Lampytte, armiger, jur’.

Johannes Byllyngford, armiger, jur’.

[Jacobus Arblaster, armiger, jur’.]237.2

Willelmus Deymayne, armiger, jur’.

Willelmus Dawbeney, armiger, jur’.

Willelmus Julles, jur’.

Christofre Norwiche, jur’.

Thomas Holler, jur’.

Johannes Berkyng, jur’.

Robert Bryghtlede, jur’.

Robertus Spany, jur’.

Johannes Bernard, jur’.

Rogerus Iryng, jur’.

Robertus Townesende.

Johannes Grygges de Ranworth, jur’.

Robertus Regestre, jur’.

Johannes Maunvyle, jur’.

Willelmus Rysyng.

Johannes Doke.

Robertus Jekkes, jur’.

Johannes Why[te].

Henr[icus] .  .  . ratte.

Car[ol]us Barker.

Johannes Cappe.

Thomas Paternoster.

236.5 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have been written immediately after the taking of the inquisition referred to in the preceding. The list of the jury who took it is on a separate paper found apart from this letter, in which it was enclosed. The names of those indicated as sworn are identical with those on the official record (Inquisitions post-mortem, 38 and 39 Hen. VI., No. 48), but seven additional names are included, besides one that is struck out.

236.6 The inquisition.—See p. 199, Note 2.

236.7 Richard Southwell.—See p. 191.

237.1 This is a panel of the jury drawn up before the inquisition was taken. The heading and the word ‘jur’’ opposite the names of those sworn have been added afterwards.

237.2 This name is scored out with the pen.

423
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON238.1

To my ryth worchepfull husbond, Jon Paston, be thys delyveryd in hast.

1460
OCT. 21

Ryth worchepfull husbonde, I recomand me to yow. Plesyth it yow to weet that I receyvyd yowyr letter that ye sent me by Nycolas Colman on Sonday last past. And as for the mater that ye desyiryd me to breke of to my cosyn Rokwode, it fortunyd so that he came to me on Sonday to dyner sone aftyr that I had yowyr letter; and when we had dynyd, I mevyd to hym ther of in covert termys, as Playter shall informe yow eraftyr. And as I thowt by hym, and so ded Playter also by the langwage that he had to us, that he wold be as feythfull as he kowd or myte be to that good Lorde that ye wrot of, and to yow also, in ony thynge that he kowde or myte do in case wer that he wer set in offyse, so that he myth owte do; and ther to he seyd he wolde be bownde in a ml. li. [£1000] and he was so myche worthe.

As for the todyr that ye desyiryd I scholde meve to of the same mater, me semyth he is to yonge to take ony swhyche thyngys up on hym; and also I knowe veryly that he scholl never love feythfully the todyr man that ye desyiryd that he schuld do, for when he rem[em]bryth the tyme that is paste, and ther for I spak not to hym ther of.

Thys day was holde a gret day at Okyll238.2 befor the undyr schreve and the undyr exchetor, for the mater of Syr Jon Fastolfys londys; and ther was my cosyn Rookwod and my cosyn Jon Berney of Redham, and dyvers odyr jentylmen and thryfty men of the contre; and the mater is well sped aftyr your intent (blyssyd be God!) as ye schall have knowlage of in hast.

I suppose Playter schall be with yow on Sonday or on Monday next comyng, if he may. Ye have many good prayers of the poer pepyl that God schuld sped yow at thys Parlement, for they leve in hope that ye schold helpe to set a wey that they myte leve in better pese in thys contre thane they have do befor, and that wollys schold be purveyd for, that they schuld not go owt of thys lond as it hathe be suffryd to do be for, and thane schall the poer pepyll more leve bettyr thane they have do by her ocwpacion ther in.

Thomas Bone hathe salde all yowyr wole her for xxd. a stone, and goode swerte fownd to yow ther for, to be payid a Myhellmas next comyng; and it is solde ryth well aftyr that the wole was, for the moste part was ryte febyll. Item, ther be bowt for yow iij. horse at Seynt Feythys feyer, and all be trotterys, ryth fayir horse, God save hem, and they be well kepyd. Item, your myllys at Heylysdon be late [let] for xij. marke, and the myller to fynde the reparacion; and Rychard Calle hathe let all yowyr londys at Caster; but as for Mawtby londys, they be not let yet. Wylliam Whyte hathe payid me a geyne thys daye hys x.li., and I have mad hym a qwetans ther of, be cause I had not hys oblygacion.

Ther is gret talkyng in thys contre of the desyir of my Lorde of York.239.1 The pepyll reporte full worchepfully of my Lord of Warwyk. They have no fer her but that he and othyr scholde schewe to gret favor to hem that have be rewyllers of thys contre be for tyme.

I have done all yowyr erandys to Syr Thomas Howes that ye wrote to me for. I ame rythe glade that ye have sped welle in yowyr materys be twyx Syr Fylyp Wentworthe and yow, and so I pray God ye may do in all othyr materys to hys plesans. As for the wrytyngys that ye desyirid that Playter schulde sende yow, Rychard Call told me that they wer at Herry Barborys, at the Tempyll gate.

The mayir239.2 and the mayires sent hedyr her dynerys thys day, and Jon Dame came with hem, and they dynyd her. I am beholde to hem, for they have sent to me dyvers tymys sythe ye yed hense. The meyr seyth that ther is no jentylman in Northefolk that he woll do more for than he wole for yow, if it laye in hys poer to do for yow. J. Perse is stylle in prisone, but he wolle not confese more thane he ded when ye wer at home. Edmond Brome was with me, and tolde me that Perse sent for hym for to come spek with hym, and he tolde me that he was with hym and examynyd hym, but he wold not be a knowe to hym that he hade no knowlage wher no goode was of hys masterys more thane he hade knowlageyd to yow. He tolde me that he sent for hym to desyir hym to labor to yow and to me for hym if ye had be at home; and he tolde me that he seyd to hym ayen that he wold never labor for hym but [unless] he myth know that he wer trwe to hys mastyr, thow it lay in hys power to do ryth myche for hym. I suppose it schulde do none harme thow the seyd Perse wer remevyd ferther. I pray to Gode yeve grace that the trowthe may be knowe, and that the dede may have part of hys owne goode. And the blissyd Trinyte have yow in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn in hast at Heylysden the Tuesday next aftyr Seynt Lwke. Be yowyrs, M. P.

238.1 [From Fenn, iv. 194.] Reference is made in this letter, as in the preceding, to the holding of the inquisition on Sir John Fastolf’s lands at Acle, which was on Tuesday the 21st October 1460, the day this letter was written.

238.2 Acle, in Norfolk.

239.1 The claim made by Richard, Duke of York, to the Crown in Parliament on the 17 October 1460.

239.2 John Gilbert, Mayor of Norwich.

424
PIERS TO MARGARET PASTON240.1

To myn right reverent and worchipphull Maisterez Paston, be this delivered.

1460

Right reverent and wurchippfull maisteres, I recomaunde me un to yow, beseching yow of your good maisteresshipp to be myn good maisteres to help wit your gracious woord un to myn right reverent and wurchipphull maister and your to take of me, his pore presoner and your, suerte queche I xall fynd to be bounde for me to brynge me un to all answere, in to the tyme that myn maister and ze have dimisse me wit myn suerte. And bescheche your good maistereschipp to prey myn mayster that he will yeve yow lycense wit his wurchippfull counsaill and youre, in case that myn maister may nout tarie, that ze in his absence may take myn seid suerte. And if it please his heyghnesse and youre, that I may have answere ayene be the bryngere of this, and here up I xall send for myn suertes, queche I trust in Good xul be to your plesure. No more att this tyme. I prey God evyr have yow in kepyng. Be your pore presonere, Piers, sum tyme the servaunt of John of Berneye.

240.1 This and the letter following appear to have been written by the prisoner spoken of in the end of Margaret Paston’s letter immediately preceding. We have accordingly placed them here as belonging to the same period, though from a subsequent letter (No. 462) we may rather surmise that this first of the two was written in 1461.

425
PERSE TO SIR ROBERT ROKESBY241.1

To my right worschipfull Sir, Robert Rokysby.

1460

Ryght wurshipfull Sir, I recomaunde me to you, besechyng you, of your goode mastership, that ye wol wechesafe to speeke to Richard Kowven that he myght brynge me or sende me the money that is betwen hym and me in all the haste that he maye, for in goode feythe I hadde never more neede for to have help of my goode as I have at this tyme, for, Godwot, it stonde right straunge with me; for the false chayler that kepeth me entretethe me worse thanne it weere a dogge, for I am feterid worse thanne ever I whas, and manacled in the hands by the daye and nyght, for he is a feerde of me for brekyng a weye. He makethe false tales of me, throw the means of a false qwene that was tendyng to a Frensheman that is presoner to my Lord Roose,241.2 and for be cause of that he bronde me every day be John of Berney, that is goone to the tother Lords;242.1 but I truste to God oonys to qwite hys meede. And, Sir, I thanke you mekel of that ye have doone for me or seide; and, Sir, I shal deserve it a yenst yow, be the grace of God, for i’ feythe I am be holden to you more thane to all men that ever I founde syn I cam in preson.

No more to you at this tyme, but God have you in His kepyng. Be your servaunt and bedman, Perse.

241.1 [From Fenn, iii. 432.]

241.2 Thomas, Lord Roos. He fled to Scotland with Margaret of Anjou after the battle of Towton in 1461, and was beheaded at Newcastle after the battle of Hexham in 1464.

242.1 The Lords of the Duke of York’s party.

426
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON242.2

To the rite worshipful esqwyr, John Paston, be this presentid.

Jesus, Maria, Johannes Baptista. Franciscus, cum Sanctis omnibus, assistant vobis vestris in laboribus. Amen.

1460
OCT. 24

Worschipful and most interely bitrustid mayster and specyal frend, after dute of al lowly recomendacyon, ze schal conceyve that I certefye zow for trewthe. I comonyd late with a worschipful and a wele namyd, a good thrifty man of this cuntre, whiche told me in secrete wyse that he herd Doctor Aleyn seyn after the Parlement of Covintre242.3 that yf the Lords that tyme reynyng and now discessid myte haf standyn in governans, that Fortesku the justise, Doctor Moreton, Jon Heydon, Thorp and he, schuld be made for evir; and yf it turnyd to contrary wyse, it schuld growe to her fynal confusyon and uttyr destruccyon; for why, the parlyows [perilous] writing and the myschevous inditing was ymaginid, contrivid, and utterly concludid by her most vengeable labour, &c., and her most malicyows conspiracye ayens the innocent lords, knytis, gentilis, and comonys, and alle her issu perpetuel, &c. And as I wrote last to zour maysterschip the text of Jeremias cº 8º Vere mendacium operatus est stilus mendax scribarum; it folwith in the same place, Confusi sunt sapientes, perterriti et capti sunt; verbum Domini projecerunt, et sapientia nulla est in eis. Propterea dabo mulieres eorum exteris; agros eorum hæredibus alienis, &c. I wolde myn Lord Chaunceler and my specyal Lord Erl, utinam Duke, of Warwyk, with al her trewe affinyte, schuld remembre this text, which is Holy Scripture, &c., as I wold do by for the Kyng and hise Lords at the Cros;243.1 for the principil of this text hath be contynued in dayly experiens sithe bifore the Parlement of Bury;243.2 but the conclusyon of this text came never zet to experiens, and that is gret rewthe. Consideret discretio vestra singulorum annorum curricula, et percipietis tunc perplurima exempla de dominorum fidelium atque communium morte satis injuriosa multiformiter lamentanda discurrendo per singula. Ex paucis scit discretio vestra perpendere plura, &c. Et ubi ego semel in ecclesia Pauli palam prædicavi hunc textum, Non credas inimico tuo in æternum (Ecc. 12º), et quidam hujus regni doctor et episcopus, utinam non indignus, asseruit eundem textum Scripturæ Sacræ non incorporatum, quid doctor Nicholaus de Lira super eundem textum dicit, contra audietis, Non credas, &c., id est, Nunquam credas ei quem probasti inimicum, &c. Sequitur in textu:—Sicut æramentum æruginat malicia illius, id est, rubiginem odii servat interius, licet contrarium ostendatur exterius. Ideo in textu sequitur:—Etsi humiliatus vadat corvus [curvus], tibi magnam reverenciam exhibendo, affirma, abice [abjice] animum tuum ab illo, nullo modo credendo ei, et custodi te ab illo. Non statuas illum penes te (id est, ipsum tibi familiarem exhibendo); ne conversus stet in loco suo [should be tuo] te supplantando; et in novissimo agnoscas verba mea esse vera, sed nimis tarde. Sequitur: Quis miserebitur incantatori a serpente percusso, &c.; et qui comitatur cum viro iniquo et obvolutus est in peccatis ejus? Una hora tecum permanebit; si autem declinaveris non supportabit. In labiis suis indulcat inimicus, et in corde suo insidiatur, ut subvertat te in foveam. In oculis suis lacrimatur inimicus, et si invenerit tempus non saciabitur sanguine. Si incurrerint tibi mala [invenies] eum illic priorem, &c. In finem rogo, videte textum et postillatores super eodem, ex quibus potestis plane considerare episcopum modernum aliquando Scripturam Sacram ignorare, &c. Utinam dominorum fidelium provida discrecio amicorum dileccionem sapienter sic pensaret quod inimicorum dileccionem nequaquam sic amaret, ut inimicis mortalibus confidenciam exhiberet; quare ut prius sic replico Jesu Sirach sanum et salubre consilium, Non credas inimico tuo in æternum. Sapienti, non insipienti scribo. Plura habeo vestræ reverentiæ scribere quæ jam non expedit calamo commendare. Uxor Johannis Berney de Redham jam infra triduum peperit filium, &c. Magistra mea uxor vestra sana est cum filiis vestris et filiabus ac tota familia. Conventus noster inter cæteros habet statum vestrum specialissime recommendatum in missis ac orationibus, consuetisque suffragiis; et cum jam sitis in parliamento præsenti pro milite electo, uti vobis consulo verbis Pauli Apostoli, Labora sicut bonus miles Jesu Christi;244.1 et alibi, Job utendo verbis, Militia super terram est vita hominis (Job 7). Viriliter igitur agite et confortetur cor vestrum quia speratis in Domino (in Psalmo).244.2 Quis, inquit Sapiens, speravit in Domino et confusus est, et permansit in mandatis Dei et derelictus est?244.3 quasi diceret, nullus.

Ex Norwico feria sexta post festum Sancti Lucæ Evangelistæ. [Not Signed.]

242.2 [From Fenn, iii. 386.] This letter was clearly written after the battle of Northampton in 1460, by which the state of parties at the Parliament of Coventry in 1459 was exactly reversed.

With regard to this and other letters of Dr. Brackley, the original editor, Sir John Fenn, has expressed a misgiving that he may in some instances have misread the contractions used in the Latin words. This was certainly the case in the present letter, in which misreadings have been corrected, and some passages supplied from the MS.

242.3 Held in December 1459.

243.1 Paul’s Cross.

243.2 In 1447.

244.1 2 Tim. ii. 3.

244.2 Psalm xxx. (xxxi.) 24.

244.3 Eccles. ii. 11, 12 (v. 10 of our English version).

427
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON245.1

To my ryth welbelovyd brodyr, Clement Paston, for to delyver to hys brodyr Jon, in haste.

1460
OCT. 29

Ryth w[urshepfu]ll husbonde, I recomande me to yow. Plesyth yow to weet that I receyvyd a lettyr on Seynt Symondys evyn and J[w]d, that came frome Jon Paston,245.2 in the wyche lettyr he wrot that ye desyryd that I scholde do Jon Paston or Thomas P[layter] looke in the gret standyng chyste in on of the gret canvas baggys whyche standyth ageyns the lokk, for the copys of the fals inqwest of ofys that was fownde in Northefolk, and for the kopy of the comyssyon that came to Jon Andrewys and Fylpot and Heydon, and othyr thyngys towchynge the same mater, I have do. Jon Paston sowte all iij. grete baggys in the seyd kofyr at ryth good leyser, and he can non swhyche fynde. Plesyth it yow to remembre ye sent me word in the fyrste lettyr that ye sent me, that ye wolde that Playter scholde asent hem up to yow to London, and I schewyd hym yowyr wryttyng howe that ye wrote to me ther in. I suppose be cawse he purposyd to come up to London hym selve hastely, he sent yow none answer ther of. Rychard Calle tolde me that alle swhyche thyngys were lefte with Hery Barbore at the Tempyle Gate when the last terme was doo, and soo I sent yow worde in a lettyr whyche was wretyn on the Twesday next aftyr Seynt Looke,245.3 and ther in was an answer of all the fyrst lettyr that ye sent me. I sent itt yow by yonge Thomas Elys. I sent yow anothyr lettyr by Playter, the whyche was wretyn on Saterday245.4 last past.

Item, I receyvyd a lettyr frome yow on Sonday,245.5 of the wyche I sent yow an answher of ma lettyr on Seynt Symondes Evyn and Jwde by Edmunde Clere of Stokysby; and as sone as I hade the seyd lettyr on Sonday, I sent to Syr Thomas Howes for the mater that ye desyryd that he scholde inqwer of to Bokyng, and I sent a yene sethe to the seyd Syr Thomas for to have knowlage of the same mater yestyrdaye, and I have non answher of hym yet. He sent me worde he scholde do hys part there in, but othyr answer have I none yet of hym. I sende yow in a canvase bage, inselyd by Nycolas Colman, as many of Crystofyr Hansonys acomptys as Jon Paston can fynde ther as [where] ye sent worde that they were. Rychard Harbard recomawndyth hym to yow, and prayth yowe that ye wole wychesave to remembre the lettyr that scholde be sent fro my Lorde of Warwyk to a man of hys beyng at Lowystofete; and if it be not sent to hym, that it plese yow to do purvey that it may be sent to hym in haste, if it maye be, as to morow ther schall be keppyd a day at Bowunggey for Mastyr Fastolfys londys be for the exchetore, and there schall be Wylliam Barker and Rychard Call. Ye schall have knowlage in haste what schall be do ther. And the blyssyd Trinite have yow in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn in haste at Norwyche on the Wednysday next aftyr Seynt Symond and Jwde, Be yowyr M. P.

245.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is ascertained by the statement at the end that, on the morrow, a ‘day’ was to be kept at Bungay for Fastolf’s lands. The inquisition on Fastolf’s lands in the county of Suffolk was held at Bungay on Thursday before All Saints, 39 Henry VI., i.e. 30th October 1460.—(Inquisitions post mortem, 38 and 39 Hen. VI., No. 48.)

245.2 The elder son of that name.

245.3 See No. 423.

245.4 October 25th.

245.5 October 26th.

428
SIR GEOFFREY BOLEYN TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.246.1

To my ryght wurschypfull Ser, John Paston, Esquyer.

1460(?)
DEC. 5

Ryght wurschypfull Ser, after ryzth hertely recomendacion, lyke it yow to wete that my Maister Fastolf, hoose sowle God asoyle, whan I bowth of hym the maner of Blyclyng, consideryng the gret payment that I payed therfor, and the yerly annuyte duryng his lyfe after his entent, was to me gret charge; and the same tyme, in his place at Southwerk, by his othe made on his primer ther, grauntted and promitted to me to have the maner of Guton, with all the apportenaunce for a resonable pris afor ony other man. And, Ser, as I understande ye be that person that my seid maister, consideryng your gret wysdom, most trosted to have rewle and dyreccion of his lyfelode and goodes,—and, Ser, trewly, yf I hed ben nere unto yow, I wold have spoken to yow herof be for this tyme; neverthelasse I wolde desyre and pray yow to schewe me yowr goode wyll and favour in this by halve, wher inne ye schall dyscharge my seid maistres sowle of his othe and promyse, and I schall do yow servyce in that I can or maye to my power. And of yowr goode wyll and favour herynne I pray yow to late me have wetyng, and I schall be redy to wayte on yow at ony tyme and place wher ye wull assyne. And owr blysyd Lord have yow in his kepyng.—Wret the v. day of Decembre. Be youer owyn, Geffrey Boleyn.247.1

246.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was probably written in the year 1460. It is evident some time had elapsed since Sir John Fastolf’s death, but as the subject was one which the writer wished to bring early before Paston’s notice, it is not likely that he allowed much more than a twelvemonth to pass by.

247.1 The subscription and signature only are in Boleyn’s hand.

429
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]247.2

1461(?)
JAN. (?)

Jhesus help, Marye mercy, et Franciscus cum Sanctis subveniant defuncto et suis in tribulationibus. Amen.

Præcordialissime in Jhesu Christo prædilecte, et omissis pro præsenti singulis vestram amicabilem benevolentiam concernentibus, propter quasdam materias mihi a fidedignis personis nuper relatas, &c., equitetis quam cito potestis secure pro corporis vestri conservatione. Scitote quod commissionarius J. Heydon, vester ac meus capitalis inimicus, Philippus Wentworth et J. Andrw malignantur maxime contra vos et M. T. H.248.1 et me et alios vestros. Et magister Clemens et ego sequemur vos usque Colcestriam, ibidem expectando donec vos aliquem nuncium de London illuc miseritis, et tunc ad vos veniemus cum duobus vel tribus famulis nostro proposito necessariis, R. Botilere Matthaeo Gowh vel Johanne Lore. Sumus nempe equestres pessimi, nec ascensum equi seu descensum scientes, sed adjutorium ad minus duorum est nobis duobus necessarium, &c. Certe si non esset aura tam contraria, et pluvialis nimis, quare equitare est nobis omnino necessarium; aliter vere melius profecissem pro me in itinere per ambulare quam per equitare. W. Y.248.2 judex cum omni consilio Johanni Heidon faciet contra vos et me et M. T. H. quicquid potest; quare dicit Gregorius, ‘Minus jacula feriunt quæ prævidentur.’ Si W. P., vester germanus, et T. Playtere, cum associatis antecederent, plura percipere possent quæ jam non cognoscent, &c., utinam velletis hoc instancia cordiali considerare in effectu. Notate q.  .248.3 literam a me primo vobis scriptam de pigricia, &c., quanta mala proveniunt ex illa, &c., W. Rokewode est rogatus a W. Y. judice ut faveat sibi et Tendale contra Wyndham armigerum pro manerio de Felbrigge, cum pertinenciis, &c., et tunc scietur utrum J. H. favebit Wyndham vel Judici, &c., cum ejus flatus olim calidus, olimque frigidus existat, et aliquando nec calidus nec frigidus sed satis tepidus. Sed oretis cum propheta, ‘Confundantur qui me persequuntur et non confundar ego, paveant illi et non paveam ego; induc super eos diem affliccionis et duplici contritione contere eos,’248.4 domine Deus. Et Psalmista ait ‘Averte mala inimicis meis et in veritate tua disperde illos’248.5 et sequentia. Et [super] inimicos meos despexit oculus meus. Valete in Christo Jhesu. Scriptum festinantissime, feria vja. Recommendetis me specialissime magistro T. H. et J. Berneye, &c.—Vester ad vota, F. J. B.

247.2 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 156.] This letter has no date, except that it was written on a Friday (feria sexta). It might, perhaps, be a little hazardous to date it Friday the 2nd January 1461, just after news of the defeat and death of the Duke of York reached Norfolk; but this date agrees well with the warning to John Paston to ride to London with all haste for his safety, which can hardly mean anything else than that the Lancastrian party, with their Norfolk supporters (several of whom, indeed, are expressly named here), were now sure to bear rule.

248.1 Magistrum Thomam Howys.

248.2 William Yelverton.

248.3 A contraction perhaps meant for quandam and blurred. If so, it should have been struck out altogether; for the words a me primo (which are an insertion in the margin) make the sense definite.

248.4 Jer. xvii. 18.

248.5 Ps. liii. (liv.) 5.

R. Botilere Matthaeo Gowh vel Johanne Lore
anomalous ae (for æ) in original

430
CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON249.1

To hys rythe worchypfwll broder, John Paston.

1461
JAN. 23

Rythe reverent and worchypfwl broder, I recomawnde to yow, certyfyyng yow that yowr letter was delyveryd to me the xxiii. day of Januar abowthe none seasson, and Rychard Calle rode in the mornyng, and therfor I brak [opened] yowr letter, if ther wer any aftr mater; and I dede Christofer Hauswan goo to my Lord of Cawnterbure249.2 to tell him, as yowr letter rehersyd, and my Lord seyd he hadde spokyn with yowr man ther of the day be fore, and if the Byshop of Norwyche wod not doo so mwche for him, he hys the les behold to him. Notwithstandyng, he sayd, he wold save yow harmles agens John Yowng; but and ye do well remember thys Lord have many maters to thynge on, and if it be forgeten, the harm is yowrs, and also if the word [world] torn, John Yong will not doo at hys prayer.

And my Lord Fitzwater249.3 is ryden northewards, and it is sayd in my Lord of Cawnterberys howse that he hethe takyn ijc. [200] of Andrew Troloppys249.4 men. And as for Colt,249.5 and Sir Jamys Strangwysse, and Sir Thomas Pykeryng, they be takyn or ellys dede. The comyn voysse is that they be de dede. Hopton249.6 and Hastyngs249.7 be with the Erle of Marche, and wer no at the fewlde.249.8 Wat word that ever he have fro my Lords that be here, it is well doo, and best for yow, to see that the contre be allweys redy to come bothe fote men and hors men, qwen they be sent for; for I have herd seyde the ferthere Lords will be here soner that men wen, I have arde sayde, er iij. weks to an ende; and also that ye xwld come with more men, and clenlier arayed than anoder man of yowr cwntre xwld, for it ly the more up on yowr worchyp, and towcheythe yow more nere than odermen of that cwntre, and also ye be mor had in favor with my Lords here. In this cwntre every man is well wyllyng to goo with my Lords here, and I hope God xall helpe hem, for the pepill in the northe robbe and styll, and ben apoyntyd to pill all thys cwntre, and gyffe a way menys goods and lufflods in all the sowthe cwntre, and that wyll ask a myscheffe. My Lords that ben here have as moche as they may do to kep down all thys cwntre more than iiij. or v. schers, for they wold be up on the men in northe, for it ys for the welle of all the sowthe.

I pray yow recomawnde me to my moder, and that I prayed her of her blyssyng. I pray yow exscwse me to her that I wryte her no letter, for thys was y now a doo. I dare not pray yow to recomawnde me to my swster yowr wyff, and the masenger I trow be so wysse he can not doyt. Ye mwst pay him for hys labor, for he taryd all nyt in thys town for thys letter.

Wrytyn the xxiij. day of Janware in haste, wan I was not well at hesse. God have [you] in Hys keping. By Clement Paston, Yowr broder.

249.1 [From Fenn, i. 202.] This letter appears to have been written after the battle of Wakefield, when the victorious army, led on by Margaret of Anjou, was marching southwards.

249.2 Archbishop Bourchier.

249.3 Sir John Radcliff of Attleborough, styled Lord Fitzwalter in right of his wife, only daughter and heiress of Walter Fitzwalter, seventh lord. This John was at the battle of Ferrybridge on the 29th March 1461, and died, probably of his wounds, on the 6th April following.—See G. E. C.’s Complete Peerage.

249.4 Andrew Trollope, whose desertion of the Duke of York at Ludlow in 1459 caused the dispersion of the Yorkist leaders. He was killed at the battle of Towton in March 1461, fighting on the Lancastrian side.

249.5 Thomas Colt.—See Rolls of Parliament, v. 348.

249.6 Walter Hopton.—See Rolls of Parliament, v. 368.

249.7 William, son of Sir Leonard Hastings.—See Rolls of Parliament, ib.

249.8 The battle of Wakefield.

431
THE PRIOR OF BROMHOLM TO JOHN PASTON250.1

Amicabili magistro nostro, Johanni Paston, armigero.

1461
JAN. 31

Ful reverend and worshipful, after all dewe reverence and recommendacion, your pore Preste besecheth humble it plese your good maystirship to understande be this simple bylle that on the Friday next after the Feste of the Conversion of Seynt Poule laste paste I was at your place at Castre to a tolde yow what answer I hadde of Sir Thomas Howis, parson of Blofeld; and in as moche as ye wer not at hoom, I tolde it to my mastras your wyfe; and God thanke her of her jentilnes, she made me grete cher, and mor over a vysed me to sende yow a bille ther of to Lundon. This was his answer, whan I had talked to hym as I cowde in lyke wyse as ye averted me to do. He answered a geyn in these wordes, ‘Nere is my kyrtyl, but nerre [nearer] is my smok.’ And this was his menyng that ye schulde be mor ner us and tender to us than he, and that ye schulde rather owe us good wyl than he, and that we schulde labour rather to yowr maystirship than to hym; and also that good that he had to dispose he had be sette it, and of passel he tolde me he had delyvered the Abbot of Langele fourescor li., wher of, as he seyd to me, ye grutched and wer in maner displesed, not withstandyng ye seyd a geyn to hym ye shulde geve as moche. And he seyd to me ye named the places wher; and therfor he avysed me to labour effectualy to your good maystirship, for ye mych [might] helpe us251.1 wele. For he seyd ye had moche good of the dede to dispose, what of your fader, God blisse that sowle, what of Berney, and what now of his good Mayster Fastolfe. And as for Sir John Fastolfe, on hoose soule Jesu have mercy! he seyd to me ye had of his good four, four, and four mor than he in these same termes with owte ony summe.

And after all oder talkyngs he tolde me he shulde be with yow at Lundon hastyly, and that he wolde sey good worde to yow to releve our poor place. Sir, I beseche bethe not displesed, for truly and I woste to have your hevy maystership therfor, I had lever it had bene on thoght. And is this that whan Sir Thomas Howes and ye be saunne at Lundon, we myght be so in your good grace, that our place myght be broder to Langele, for that shulde glade us mor than the commission that the Bysshop of Norwich sente us on Thrusday laste paste to gader the dymes, for that is a shrewde labour for us, a grete coste and a shrewe juparde.

Over mor that hy and myghty celestial Prince preserve yow body and sowle, and sende yow coumforte of the Holy Goost wele to performe all your hertis desir in all your materes to his plesaunce, and your wurship, and solace to alle your welle wyllers.

Wretyn at Bromholm, on the Saturday next after the Feste of the Conversion of Seynt Poule laste paste. From your Preste and Bedeman, John, Priour of Bromholm.

250.1 [From Fenn, iii. 404.] As executor to Sir John Fastolf, Paston must have taken possession of Caister soon after his death. The Duke of Norfolk, however, pretended a title to it, and, as we shall find hereafter, had dispossessed Paston by June 1461. This letter, dated on Saturday after the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, must therefore have been written in January 1461, as in 1460—the only other probable year—that feast (25th January) fell on Friday, and a letter written on Saturday after the feast would not have referred to the Friday after the same feast as a past date.

251.1 us. The word is no in Fenn’s literal copy, which must be a misprint.

432
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON252.1

A Lettre to J. Paston, ar., from his wife.252.2

1461
MARCH 1

Please it you to wytte that it is lete me witte by on that owith you good wyll that there is leid awayte up on you in this cuntre, yf ye come here at large, to bryng you to the presence of syyche a Lord in the north as shall not be for your ease, but to jopardie of your lyf, or gret and importable losse of your goods. And he that hath take up on hym this enterprise now was undr-shireff to G. Sayntlowe. He hath gret favour herto by the meanes of the sone of William Baxter that lyth beryed in the Grey Freres; and, as it is reported, the seid sone hath geve gret sylver to the Lords in the north to bryng the matier a bowte, and now he and alle his olde felaweship put owt their fynnes, and arn ryght flygge and mery, hopyng alle thyng is and shalbe as they wole have it. Also it is tolde me that the fadr of the bastard in this cuntre seid that now shuld this shire be made sewir for hym and his heires hens forward, and for the Baxsteris heyres also, wherby I conceyve they thynke that they have none enemy but you, &c.

Wherfor like it you to be the more war of your gydyng for your persones saufgard, and also that ye be not to hasty to come in to this cuntre til ye here the world more sewer. I trowe the berar of this shall telle more by mowthe, as he shall be enfourmed of the rewell in this cuntre. God have yow in His kepyng.

Wretyn in hast, the secund Sunday of Lent by candel light at evyn. By yours, &c. M.

252.1 [From Fenn, iii. 412.] ‘This letter,’ says Fenn, ‘has no direction, and lest it should be opened, the paper which fastens the seal is, along the edge, marked with lines by a pen, which communicate with the latter (qu. with the letter?), by which means the receiver might easily have discovered any attempts to have opened it, as the lines would not then have exactly coincided again. On the back of it, but in a later hand, is written, “A lettre to J. Paston, ar., from his wife.”’

Fenn considers, I think with great probability, that this letter was written ‘just before the important crisis that finished Henry’s reign, and placed Edward on the throne,’ when Margaret of Anjou was expected in London after winning the second battle of St. Albans. Giles Saint Loe was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1458.

252.2 This title is taken from an endorsement in a later hand.

433
JOHN DAVY TO JOHN PASTON253.1

On to my Maystyr Pastone, be this lettre deliveryd.

Ryth wurchopful Sere, I recomaund me on to you. And iff it lyke you I have spokyn with Bussard, and demaundyd hym iff he had ony evydens, dedys, or copyis, or ony other evydens of ony place or off ony lyflod that longget on to my mayster,253.2 and seyth, Nay, be is feyth, and be is trowthe, for, if he hadde, he wold send hem on to you with a good wyl; for he seyth it xud don hym non ese. And, Ser, iff it plese you I askyd hym if he knew ony evydens that he had delyveryd on to William Wossetyr, bill, or deds, or ony other evydens that xuld longgyn on to ony purchas or off ony lyfflod on to my maystrys, and he seyth, Nay trewly; for he seyth the last tyme that he wrot on to William Wusseter, it was be ffor myssomyr, and thanne he wrot a cronekyl of Jerewsalem, and the jornes that my mayster dede whyl he was in Fraunce (that God on his sowle have mercy!); and he seyth that this drow more than xx. whazerys [20 quires ?] off paper, and the wrytyng delyveryd on to William Wursseter, and non other, ne knowyth not off non other be is feyth. Be your man, J. Davy.

253.1 [From Fenn, iv. 78.] This letter was written some time after the death of Sir John Fastolf—not unlikely, as Fenn imagines, in the reign of Edward IV.; but the exact date is immaterial.

253.2 Sir John Fastolf.

434
THOMAS SHOTBOLT TO JOHN PASTON254.1

To my worshipfull maister, Maister Paston of the Temple.

Worshipfull Sir, soo ye will send a polletik person to Ludgate in secrete wise to comune with me, and lete hym not in no wise speke of you to hove (?) youre good maistership, and a resonable remedy shall ease you of a gret part that the criour cleymeth of you for Maister Fastolffs detts of xiij. or xiiij. yere at the lest, and be that perave[ntu]re of the hole qui in uno est reus morbus [in omnibus] reus  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Sir, remembreth your worship if y doo to ease you, lete me not be discoveryd, for ye knewe not your worship y wold not doo thus. What ever ye have of me, ye may sey it is found in the stywardes boks, and y know that ye have desired favour to have hym seese for your worship that procur hym ageyns you; whoo so shall kom to me, he may kom in Maistre Nevills name, for with hym have y a doo. As for your own servaunts, y ferd me lest they be knowyn whethir it be servaunt or othir, send knowleche of my reword and a bille under your seall or your own hands, or bothe on your worship to have it close that y be not blamyd for that; y shall telle you her after. Wretyn in Ludgate. Your servaunt and there prisoner, Thomas Shotbolt.

254.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Beyond the evident fact that this letter was written between the death of Sir John Fastolf in 1459 and that of John Paston in 1466, there is not much clue to the date.

435
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON255.1

To my ryth worcepful husbonde, John Paston.

Year uncertain

Ryth reverent and worcepfful husbonde, I recomande me to yow, desyryng hertely to here of yowre welle fare, thankyn yow for yowr letter and for the thyngys that ye sent me ther with. And towchyn John Estegate, he com nowdyr non sent hedyr nowt zyt; wer for I sopose I must borrowyn money in schorte time but zyf [unless] ye come sone home; for I sopose I xal non have of hym, so Godd helpe me. I have but iiijs. and I howhe nerr as meche mony as com to the for seyd some. I have do yowr herrendys to my modyr and my hunckyl and as for the feffeys of Stokysby, my hunckyll syth that ther be no mo than he wrot to yow of that he knowit. And also I hauwe delyvyrit the todyr thyng that ye sent me inselyd in the boxe as ye comaundit me, and the man seyt, that I delyverid it to, that he wylle nowt of the bargeyne that ye sent hym, but sweche thynggys be do or he come ther that ye sent hym worde of, he seyth that he wold nowt be noysyd with no sweche thyngis of that is, that it wer do in hesse tyme for xx. marke. I sopose he xal send yow word in shorte time ho he wylle do. I pray yow that ye wylle weche save to beyn for me swech lacys os I send yow exsaumpyll of in this letter and j. pesse of blac lacys; as for cappys that ye sent me for the chylderyn they be to lytyl for hem. I pray yow bey hem feyner cappys and larger than tho wer. Also I pray yow that ye wylle weche save to recomaunde me to my fadyr and my modyr and tellyth heer that alle herr chyldyrryn ben in gode hele, blyssyd be Godd. Heydonis wyffe had chyld on Sent Petyr day. I horde seyne that herr husband wille nowt of her, nerr of her chyld that sche had last nowdyr. I herd seyn that he seyd, zyf sche come in hesse precence to make her exkewce that he xuld kyt of her nose to makyn her be know wat sche is; and yf her chyld come in hesse presence, he seyd he wyld kyllyn he wolle nowt be intretit to have her ayun in no wysse, os I herde seyn. The Holy Trinite have yow in Hesse kepyn and send yow helth. Wretyn at Geldiston on the Wedynisday nexte after Sent Thomas.—Be yowris, M. Paston.

255.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 199.] The date of this letter is not clear, and we place it at the end of Henry VI.’s reign. It is probably much earlier.

436
A WHITSUNDAY SERMON OF FRIAR BRACKLEY256.1

Frends, this holy tyme, as owr moder Holy Chirch maketh mension, the Holy Gost came from hevyn, and lighted in the disciples of Crist, inflamyng them with connyng, and strenghyng them with grace. And be cause the doctrine and prechyng of them shuld go thurghought all the werd, furst thei wer to be enfourmed and taught connyng, and to be strenth with awdacide and grace, and than to be endewed and yovyn all manner of langags that thei myght prechyn to all maner of naciones, so that tho naciones that thei preched to myght understond them, and every naciones his owyn tonge; and so thees Appostilles, after that thei wern enspired with the Holy Gost, wher so ever thei preached, were ther never so many naciones present, ich nacion thought that thei spokyn in ther owyn langage—etenim illud loquebantur variis linguis Apostoli.

Frends, iij. thyngs be necessary in prechyng to hym that shall prechyn thurgh the werd as the Appostell dede—that is to sey, connyng, boldnesse, and langags. If thei had had connyng and none audacite, but have fered to have preched, it shuld litill a profited, as we have examplles dayly at Cambrige, exempli [gratia]256.2 de Clerico quis studuit sermonem, &c. And if thei have bothyn connyng and audacite, and have none eloquensye ner copiousnesse of langage, so that he preche that his audiens is most excercised in, that thei may understand hym, elles it profiteth not.

Therfor thes holy Appostill[es], be for thei shuld prechyn, furst thei wer to be confirmed and strenghed. Our Lord strenghed them be under nemyng,257.1 enformyng, and helpyng, culpando ut in Evangelium recumbentibus, &c. He strenghed them with his help and grace whan he brethed in them, seyng ‘Accipite Spiritum Sanctum; et quorum remiseritis peccata, remittuntur eis, et quorum retinueritis retenta sunt,’257.2 &c. He strenghed them also be his doctrine whan he seid ‘Petite et accipietis; si quid petieritis Patrem in nomine meo, dabit vobis.’257.3 How that ye shuld prayn to God and askyn, I taught you on Estern day. Therfor ye shall pray to God be good werkyng, right full lebyring, and in good deds perseveryng.

Frends, ye owe for to ask of God that your joy may ben a full joy and perfight; we may never have a full joy in this werd, wher as ever among folwyth hevynesse. A man joyth sumtyme in gold and sylver, and in gret substaunce of erdly gods, in bewte of women, but this joy is not perfyght—but this joy is not stabill, but it is mutabill as a shadow; for he that this joyth in the bewte of his wyffe, it may fortune to morwyn he shall folwyn her to chirch up on a bere. But if ye wull knowyn what is a full and a wery joy, truly forgevenesse of synne and everlestyng blisse, wher as is never sikenesse, hunger, ner thurst, ner no maner of disseas, but all welth, joy, and prosperite, &c. Ther be iij. maner of joys, the on void, a nother half full, the thred is a full joy. The furst is plente of werdly gods, the seconde is Gostly grace, the threde is everlestyng blisse. The furst joy, that is affluens of temporall gods, is called a veyn joy, for if a man wer set at a bord with delicate mets and drynks, and he sey a cawdron boyllyng a forn hym with pykke and bronston, in the which he shuld be throwyn naked as sone as he had dyned; for he shuld joy mych in his deliciose mets, it shuld be but a veyn joy.

Right so doth the joy of a covetouse man, if he sey what peyn his sowle shuld suffre in helle for the myskepyn and getyn of his good, he shuld not joy in his tresore, ut in Libro Decalogorum, ‘Quidam homo dives,’ &c.

Semiplenum gaudium est quando quis in præsenti gaudet et tunc cogitans de futuris dolet, ut in quodam libro Græco, ‘Quidam Rex Græciæ,’ &c. Her ye may se but half a joy; how [who] shuld joy in this werd, if he remembred hym of the peynes of the toder werd? ‘Non glorietur fortis in fortitudine sua, nec sapiens in sapientia sua, nec dives in divitiis suis.’258.1 De quibus dicitur, qui confidunt in multitudine divitiarum suarum, quasi oves in inferno positi sunt.258.2 ‘Qui gloriatur, in Domino glorietur.’258.3 Therfor lete us joy in hope of everlestyng joy and blis. ‘Gaudete quia nomina vestra scripta sunt in cælo,’258.4 ut gaudium vestrum sit plenum. A full joy is in hevyn. Et in hoc apparet quod magnum gaudium est in cælo, quoniam ibi est gaudium quod ‘oculus non vidit, nec auris audivit, et in cor hominis non ascendit, quæ Deus præparavit diligentibus,’258.5 et ideo, fratres, variis linguis loquens [precor] ut gaudium vestrum sit plenum, vel habeatis gaudium sempiternum.

256.1 [From Fenn, iii. 392.] The original MS. of this sermon was endorsed, of course in a much later hand than the document, ‘An ancient Whitsunday sermon preached by Frier Brackley (whose hand it is) in the Friers Minors Church, in Norwich.’ Of this and the remaining papers of Henry VI.’s time the dates are very uncertain.

256.2 Omitted in Fenn’s literal transcript.

257.1 i.e. reproving.

257.2 John xx. 22, 23.

257.3 John xvi. 23, 24.

258.1 Jer. ix. 23.

258.2 Psalm xlviii. (xlix.) 6, 14.

258.3 1 Cor. i. 31.

258.4 Luke x. 20.

258.5 1 Cor. ii. 9.

437
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON258.6

To owre right Trusty and welbeloved John Paston

Right Trusty and welbeloved we grete yow well. And where as it is not unknowen to you that we wrot a bille to Maister Brakle, and yaf hym in comaundement to delyver yow a bille indentyd of x. mark owyng to John of Fen, as it apperith by a bille indentyd under the seall of Robert Reppis, jentylman, wich by the will of John of Fen is due un to us, wher of the sayd Robert shuld paye v. mark by his owne instaunce at Lammesse next comyng; We pray yow that ye woll receyve the forsayd money for us and delyver it un to Maister Brakle as we trust yow. Wretyn in owr manor of Wevenho the xxvti. day of Julij.

258.6 [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 166.]

438
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON259.1

To my right trusty and right welbeloved John Paston.

Right trusty and right welbeloved, I grete you wele. And I am enfourmed that William Mathew of Norwich, Bocher, hath brought an accion of dette agayn Nicholas Hert, a tenaunt of myn, berer hereof, and hath supposid by his accyon that my said tenaunt shuld ow hym lxxs. for his hire of tyme that he shuld a ben servaunt to my said tenaunt; wher it is said to me for trouthe that he was aprentyce to my said tenaunt, and never othrwise with holde but as aprentice, and owith no mony to haf of hym. I send to yow my said tenaunt to gif yow clere informacyon of the mater, and I pray you that ye wole calle the jurry before yow that arn impanellid betwen thaym, and opne thaym the mater at large at myn instaunce, and desire thaym to do as concyens wole, and to eschue perjury. And the Trinite kepe yow. If ye take the mater in rule, I pray therof, and wole be content.

Wretyn at Wevenho, the xxviij. day of Decembr. The Erle of Oxenford.

259.1 [From Fenn, iii. 138.]

439
SIR JOHN WINGFIELD TO JOHN PASTON259.2

To my welbelovyd brother, John Paston, Squier.

Brother Paston, I recomaunde me unto you, praying you that ye take the labour to speke with Thomas Ratclef of Frammesden for the delyveraunce of part of an hous which lythe in his wode at Fraumesden, which hous the owener hath caryed part therof to Orford, which so departed, the remenant that remayneth ther in his wode schall do hym lytell good, and yt schall hurte gretly the warkeman and the owener therof also, which is my tenaunt, and [i.e. if] the hous schuld be set upon my ground.

I wright unto you in this be halfe, be cause I understood he woll be moche avised by you, and yf he do ony thynge at my request, I schall do as moche that schall plese hym; and also the pore man schall gef hym ij. nobles or xxs. rather than fayle. I pray you be as good a mene for hym as ye may in this be halfe, as my verry trust is in you, and I schal be redy at all tymes to doo that may be to your plesur. I trust to Jesu, who have you in His kepyng, and sende you joy of all your ladyes.

Wretyn at Lederyngham, the Tewesday in Whisson weke. Your brother and frende, Wyngefeld J.

259.2 [From Fenn, iii. 140.]

440
[JOHN PASTON?] TO [RICHARD] SOUTHWELL260.1

Brother Suthwell, I comand me to yow, sertifiing yow that, on Thursday be the morwe, I spak with my cosine Wichingham at London, where he lete me wet of the letter sent to Lee, wherby I conseyve the stedfast godlordship and ladiship of my Lord and my Lady260.2 in this mater, &c., whech gevith cause to all her servaunts to trost verily in them and to do hem trew servise. I lete yow wete that the seid Wychyngham, when I departid from hym, had knowleche that Jane Boys shuld that nyght be come to London, and he put in a bylle to the Lordis for to have delyverauns of hyr and to have hese adversarys arestid. And this nyght at Norwiche was told me newe tydyngges that she shuld on Thursday after my departyng a be before the Lordis and there asaide untrewly of her selff, as the berer hereof shal informe yow if ye know it not before; of wheche tydyngges, if they be trew, I am sory for her sake, and also I fere that her frendys schuld sewe the more feyntely, wheche Godde defende. For her seyng untrewly of her selff may hurt the mater in no man but her selff; and thow she wol mescheve her selff, it wer gret pete but if the mater were laborid forth, not for her sake, but for the worchepe of the estatys and other that have laboryd therin, and in ponyshing of the gret oryble dede. Wherfore I send yow dyvers articlis in a bill closid herin, wheche preve that she was raveshid ayens hyr wel, what so ever she sey.

Thes be provis that Jane Boys was ravischig [sic] ageyn her wil, and not ber awn assent.

One is that she, the tyme of her takyng, whan she was set upon her hors, she revyled Lancasterother261.1 and callid hym knave and wept, and kryid owte upon hym pitewly to her, and seid as shrewdly to hym as coud come to her mende, and fel doune of her hors unto that she was bound, and callid him fals t[r]aytor that browth her the rabbettes.

Item, whan she was bounde she callid upon her modyer, wheche folwyd her as far as she myght on her feet, and whan the seid Jane sey she myght goo no ferther, she kryid to her modyer and seid that what so ever fel of her, she shuld never be weddyd to that knave, to deye for it.

Item, be the weye, at Shraggarys hous in Kokely Cley, and at Brychehamwell, and in all other places wher she myght see any people, she kryid owte upon hym, and lete people wete whos dowtyr she was, and how she was raveshid ayens her wyll, desyeryng the people to folwe her and reskew her.

Item, Lancasterotherys prest of the Egle in Lyncolne shire, wheche shroff her, seid that she told hym in confession that she wold never be weddyd to hym, to deye for it; and the same prest seid he wold not wedde hem togedyr for Ml.li.

Item, she sent divers tokenes of massage to Sothwell be Robert Inglose, wheche previth welle at that tyme she lovyd not Lancasterother.

Item, a man of the master of Carbrokes come dyvers tymes in the weke before she was raveshid to Wychynghams hous, and inquerid of her mayde whedyr her mastras was insuerid to Sothwell or nay, the wheche prevyth well that Lancasterother was not sure of her godwill ne knew not of her counseyl, for if he had, he ne nedid not to have sent no spyes.

Whech seen, I avyse yow to move my Lord and my Lady to do in this mater as affettualy as they have do before, for this mater touchyth hem, consideryng that they have begonne; and dowt not, what so ever falle of the woman, well or evel, my Lord and my Lady shal have worchep of the mater if it be wel laborid, and also ye shall have avayl therof and the advers parte chall gret trobil.

Also it were necessarie that Wychyngham were sent to and cofortyd in hese seute, and that he avysid hym of seche articlis and preves of the mater as I have sent to yow and put hem in writing, but not to disclose non tho preves to non creature unto that tyme that it fortune the mater to be tried be enquest, or other wyse take end, but avyse hym for to seye to the Lords and all  (?) in generall termes that what so ever Lancasterother or hese douter seyn nowh, it shal be wel prevyd she was reveshid ayens her wyll; and let him desire of the Lordis that his dowter mith be in his kepyng, and at large fro Lancasterother un tylle the mater were duly examynd. I wold this mater sped the bety[r] be cause my Lady spoke so feythefully to me therin, and that mevyth me to wryte to yow this long symple lettyr of myn intent. 262.1[Also wher ye be informyd that vj. men of Osbern Monforthes shuld a be at the seid raveshing, I certifie yow verily it was not soo; for Osbern Mondeford wol do in the mater all that ever he can or may to help to punisse the doer, and desirith to know the grownd of that tale, of whech I pray send me word if and what ye will ellis.] God kepe yow.

Wret at Norwich the Soneday nex before the fest of Sent Margret.

Item, [if] she had be of hes assent affter the time she was in hes possescion in Lynkoln shire, hit had be bett—262.2

260.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed from a corrected draft in a hand which may be that of Margaret Paston, writing in her husband’s name. The beginning may perhaps refer to the impending marriage of Richard Southwell with Amy, daughter of Sir Edmund Wichingham, which took place, according to Blomefield (x. 274), about the beginning of Edward IV.’s reign. From the mention made of Osbert Mundford, however, the letter cannot be later than 1460. The ravishment of Jane Boys, as here related, corresponds so closely with that of Dame Joan Beaumont, of which notice will be found in the Rolls of Parl., v. 269, that we might almost surmise the same person is spoken of; but this can hardly be.

260.2 Probably the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.

261.1 According to Blomefield (viii. 299) Joan (or Jane), one of the four daughters of Edmund de Wichingham, married, first, Robert Longstrather, and afterwards Robert Boys of Honing, in Norfolk.

262.1 This passage is crossed out in the MS.

262.2 Sentence left incomplete.

441-448
ABSTRACTS263.1

The following letters and papers cannot be referred to any certain date, though probably of the reign of Henry VI. Being of very little interest, they are noticed as briefly as possible merely for the sake of completeness.

441.— W., Bishop of Norwich, to William Yelverton, steward of his lands, and John Intwode, his surveyor. —Desires them to inquire at Bacton into the demand made by Richard Blake in a bill enclosed, and minister to him as right and law will. —London, 8 Nov.

442.— Memoranda of John Berney against Simon Corbrygg, who obtained lands by a charter forged by Broke, a scrivener, late owner of Weggs, and has injured Berney for eight years past or more in the possession of the manor of Cleyhall.

443.— William Jenney to John Paston, Esq. —Has been shown by his neighbour, Robert Tylyard, a piece of evidence of certain ‘lyfelode’ he has in Whetacre, by which it appears that Lord Wellys should have no ward of the same, unless he can produce contrary evidence. As Paston is of my Lord’s council, and has the rule of his ‘lyflode’ in this country, desires he will write to him that the matter be indifferently seen. —Theberton, 13 Dec.

444.— J. Burton to Margaret Paston. —Sends hogsheads of wine by Plumton the carter, etc. Desires her to send the money to ‘dawn’ William Dallyng.—Dated, ‘Wednesday after I parted from you.’

445.— W. Cotyng263.2 to Margaret Paston. —Has received to-day £9:0:2 from Simon Miller, her farmer at Tichwell, for Midsummer payment. Sends it by Roger, servant of the Parson of Thorp. Simon has paid five shillings for finding a man to the King for Tichwell, and but for me you would have paid a mark. Charges for repairs. As for your lining cloth, my brother is still beyond the sea. —Brankaster, 31 July.

446.— —— to ——. —My father and I bought the reversion of Olton, etc., of Ralph Lampet and Alexander Kyngyston. They have now made a new sale of it to William Jenney without giving notice to me or my father. We ask your mediation with Jenney, whom we trusted most.

447.— Eliz. C[lere] to John Paston. —Concerning a pasture in the town of N. overgrown with whins. Wants advice as to the conditions of the right of pasturage. Your mother prays you to think on Horwellebery. —25 May.

448.— Memoranda to inquire:— (1) If William Cofe were enfeoffed in Rothnall Hall? (2) If Tylerd knew William Cofe of Northcofe264.1 before the day of his death two years, one year, half a year, or a quarter, etc.; what seal he used? (3) If Tylerd were not about him, to common with Gernyngham and such as were about him. (4) Item, in case it can be understood that he made none estate, ‘than lete Wodesyde goo to Robert Prymer in his owyn name, saying that John P. (Paston) is his good mayster in hys mater,’ etc.

263.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

263.2 He was rector of Swainsthorp, to which he was presented by William Paston and John Dam in 1444, and which he exchanged for the living of Tichwell in 1450.—Blomefield, v. 63.

264.1 William Cove of North Cove, Suffolk.—See Suckling’s Hist. of Suffolk, i. 48.

THE PASTON LETTERS
Edward IV

449
JOHN PASTON THE YOUNGEST TO ——265.1

1461

I  recomand me to yow, and lete yow wete that notwythstandyng tydinggs come down, as ye know, that pepill shuld not come up tyll thei were sent fore, but to be redy at all tymes; this notwithstandyng, most pepill owt of this cuntre have take wages, seying thei woll goo up to London; but thei have no capteyn, ner rewler assigned be the commissioners to awayte upon, and so thei stragyll abowte be them self, and be lyklynes are not like to come at London half of them. And men that come from London sey, there have not passid Thetford, not passyng CCCC.; and yet the townes and the cuntere that have waged hem shall thynk thei be discharged, and therfore if this Lords above wayte aftyr more pepill in this cuntre, be lyklynes it woll not be easy to get with owt a newe comission and warnyng. And yet it woll be thought ryght straunge of hem that have waged pepill to wage any more, for every towne hath waged and sent firth, and are redy to send forth, as many as thei ded whan the Kyng sent for hem be fore the feld at Lodlowe;266.1 and thei that ar not go, be goyng in the same forme.

Item, ther was shrewd rewle toward in this cuntre, for ther was a certeyn person forth wyth after the jurney at Wakefeld, gadered felaship to have mo[r]dered John Damme, as is seyd; and also ther is at the Castell of Rysing, and in other ij. plases, made gret gaderyng of pepill, and hyryng of harneys, and it is wele undyrstand they be not to the Kyng ward, but rather the contrary, and for to robbe. Wherfore my fadyr is in a dowte, whedir he shall send my brother up or not, for he wold have his owne men abowte hym, if nede were here; but notwythstandyng, he wyll send up Dawbeney, his spere and bowes with hym, as Stapilton and Calthrop or other men of worship of this cuntre agree to doo. Wherfore demene yow in doyng of yowr erandes ther aftyr, and if ye shall bryng any masage from the Lords, take writyng, for Darcorts massage is not verely beleved be cause he browt no wrytyng.

Item, this cuntre wold fayne take these fals shrewes that are of an oppynion contrary to the Kyng and his Counsell, if they had no auctorite from the Kyng to do so.

Item, my brother is redy[n] to Yarmowth for to lette brybers that wold a robbed a ship undyr color of my Lord of Warwyk, and longe nothyng to hem ward.

265.1 [From Fenn, i. 226.] According to Fenn, this letter is in the original ‘without either date, name, or direction,’ the contents only proving it to have been written by ‘one of John Paston’s sons.’ Nevertheless, in a very misleading way, the signature ‘John Paston’ is inserted at the foot of the right-hand copy, with a reference to a facsimile of the signature of John Paston the youngest. There is every appearance, however, that John Paston the youngest really was the writer, and that the date is, as Fenn supposes, just after the accession of Edward IV.

266.1 The battle of Mortimer’s Cross, near Ludlow, gained by Edward IV. before he was king, on the 3rd February 1461.

450
W. PASTON AND THOMAS PLAYTERS TO JOHN PASTON266.2

To my maister, John Paston, in hast.

1461
APRIL 4

Please you to knowe and wete of suche tydyngs as my Lady of York hath by a lettre of credens, under the signe manuel of oure Soverayn Lord King Edward, whiche lettre cam un to oure sayd Lady this same day, Esterne Evyn,267.1 at xj. clok, and was sene and red by me, William Paston.

Fyrst, oure Soverayn Lord hath wonne the feld,267.2 and uppon the Munday267.3 next after Palmesunday, he was resseved in to York with gret solempnyte and processyons. And the Mair and Comons of the said cite mad ther menys to have grace be Lord Montagu267.4 and Lord Barenars,267.5 whiche be for the Kyngs coming in to the said cite desyred hym of grace for the said cite, whiche graunted hem grace. On the Kyngs parte is slayn Lord Fitz Water, and Lord Scrop sore hurt; John Stafford, Horne of Kent ben ded; and Umfrey Stafford, William Hastyngs mad knyghts with other; Blont is knygth, &c.

Un the contrary part is ded Lord Clyfford, Lord Nevyle, Lord Welles, Lord Wyllouby, Antony Lord Scales, Lord Harry, and be supposyng the Erle of Northumberland, Andrew Trollop, with many other gentyll and comons to the nomber of xx.ml. [20,000].

Item, Kyng Harry, the Qwen, the Prince, Duke of Somerset, Duke of Exeter, Lord Roos, be fledde in to Scotteland, and they be chased and folwed, &c. We send no er [no sooner] un to you be cause we had non certynges tyl now; for un to this day London was as sory cite as myght. And because Spordauns had no certeyn tydyngs, we thought ye schuld take them a worthe tyl more certayn.

Item, Thorp Waterfeld is yeldyn, as Spordauns can telle you. And Jesu spede you. We pray you that this tydyngs my moder may knowe. Be your Broder, W. Paston. T. Playters.

‘On a piece of paper pinned to the above letter,’ says Fenn, ‘is a list of the names of the noblemen and knights, and the number of soldiers slain at the above battle of Towton, as follow:—’

Comes Northumbriæ.

Comes Devon.

Dominus de Beamunde.

Dominus de Clifford.

Dominus de Nevyll.

Dominus de Dacre.

Dominus Henricus de Bokyngham.

Dominus de Well[es].

Dominus de Scales Antony Revers.

Dominus de Wellugby.

Dominus de Malley Radulfus Bigot Miles.

Millites.

Sir Rauff Gray.

Sir Ric. Jeney.

Sir Harry Bekingham.

Sir Andrew Trollop.

With xxviij.ml. [28,000] nomberd by Harralds.

266.2 [From Fenn, i. 216.] The date of this letter is sufficiently apparent from the contents.

267.1 4th April.

267.2 The battle of Towton, fought on Palm Sunday, the 29th March 1461.

267.3 30th March.

267.4 John Nevill, Lord Montague, brother of the Earl of Warwick.

267.5 Sir John Bourchier, Lord Berners.

451
THOMAS PLAYTERS TO MASTER JOHN PASTON268.1

To my maister, John Paston, Esquyer.

1461
APRIL 18

Please your Maisterchep to wete, that I have spokyn with Essex, in the matter that ye wete of, and fynd him be his talkyng wel dysposed, not withstandyng he woll not falle to no conclusyon to engrose up the mater, tyll the chef baron268.2 be com to London, and that he be mad privy to the mater, which we loke after this same secund Saterday268.3 after Esterne; and as for Notyngham he is not yet comyn to London.

Item, as for tydyng, it is noysed and told for trouth of men of worchip, and other, that the Erle of Wylchyr is taken, Doctor Morton,269.1 and Doctor Makerell, and be brougth to the kyng at York. Maister William also spak with a man that sey hem.

Item, sir, I herd of Sir John Borceter and Christofer Hanson, that Herry the sext is in a place in York schire is calle Coroumbr; suche a name it hath, or muche lyke. And there is sege leyde abowte, and dyvers squyers of the Erle of Northumbrelands, and gadered them to geder, a v. or vj.ml. [five or six thousand] men, to byger [bicker] with the sege, that in the mene while Herry the sexte myght have ben stole a way at a lytyll posterne on the bak syde; at whiche byker ben slayn iij.ml. [3000] men of the North. Sir Robert of Ocle and Conyrs leyth the sege on our syde, and thei it is that have do this acte. Sum say the Qwen, Somerset and the Prince schuld be there. Item, it is talked now for trouthe, the Erle of Northumberland is ded. Item, the Erle of Devenshire is ded justely.269.2 Item, my Lord Chaunceler is to York. Item, the King and the Lords com not here before Whitsontyde, as it is sayde. Item, sir, sone uppon the chef baron comyng I schall send you a lettre, with Godds grace, who preserve you, and have you in His blyssed kepyng. Your, Thomas Playters.

At Cokermouthe was the Erle of Wylchire taken, and these other Doctors. Item, som men talke Lord Wellys, Lord Wyllouby, and Skales ben on lyve. Item, Sir Robert Veer is slayn in Cornewayll, as it is tok for trouthe.

268.1 [From Fenn, i. 222.] This letter relates mainly to occurrences just after the battle of Towton in April 1461.

268.2 Peter Arderne.

268.3 18th April in 1461.

269.1 Afterwards Cardinal, the Minister of Henry VII.

269.2 He was beheaded at York after the battle of Towton.

452
THOMAS PLAYTERS TO JOHN PASTON270.1

To my rigth reverent and worchipfull John Paston, Esquyer, or to my maytres his wyf.

1461
MAY

After my most special recommendacion, lyke your maisterchip wete that the mater for you and my maistrez, your moder, ayens Powtrell and Tanfeld hath ben called uppon as dylygently and as hastely this terme as it mygth be; and al way dayes yeven hem by the Court to answer, and than thei toke smale excepcions, and trifeled forth the Court, and al wey excused them by cause the bylle is long, and his councell had no leysur to se it. And they prayed heryng of the testament of my maister your fader,270.2 and therof made a nother mater, and argued it to putte hem fro it, be cause they had emparled to us by fore; and than Hyllyngworth to dryve it over this terme, allegged varians be twyx the bille and the testament that John Damme was named in the testament John Dawme, in whiche cas now the Court must have sigth of the said testament. Where fore ye must send it up the begynnyng of the next terme, or elles we schall have no sped in the mater. And therfor, Maistres, if my maister be not cum hom, and ye have not the sayd testament in your kepyng, that than it plese you to speke un to my maistres, your moder in lawe,270.3 for the seyd testament, that I mygth redely have it here, and that it be sealed in a box, and sent to me, and I schall kepe it safe, with Godds grace.

And as for tytyngs, in good feyth we have non, seve the Erle of Wylchir271.1 is hed is sette on London Brigge.

Mayster William is reden hom to my Maistrs Ponyngs; and as for Maister Ponyngs hymself, sche letteth as thow sche wyst not where he were. A gentylman that kam fro York told me my maister was heyl and mery, and rode to mete the Kyng comyng fro Mydlam Castell.

Berwyk271.2 is full of Scottys, and we loke be lyklyhod after anoyther batayll now be twyx Skotts and us.

And I pray Jesu have you in His blyssed kepyng. Your, Thomas Playter.

270.1 [From Fenn, iv. 2.] The reference to the Earl of Wiltshire’s head having been set on London Bridge shows this letter to have been written not very long after the battle of Towton. The exact date is probably about the beginning of May, as it appears, by the Privy Seal dates in the Record Office, that Edward IV. was at Middleham on the 6th of that month on his way southwards, having gone on to Durham and Newcastle after the victory.

270.2 William Paston, the Judge, who died in 1444.

270.3 Agnes Paston, the widow of the Judge.

271.1 James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond.

271.2 Henry VI. and his Queen after the battle escaped to Berwick, and from thence retired to Edinburgh.—F.

453
JOHN SMYTH TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR271.3

To hys worschepfull mayster, John Paston the Eldest, Esquier.

1461
MAY 10

Ryght worschepfull and my synguler mayster, I recomaunde me to you. If it plese your maysterschepe to wete, the cause of my wryghtyng is thys. I have understande be comunyng with othyr credybell men that many and the more part of the feffeys of the landys late Sir John Fastolf, and also thei that pretende to ben executores of the seyd Sir John, purpose them to sell to my Lord of Suffolk, thow he recuver not be tayle, or to othyr myghty lordys, a gret part of the landys of the seyd Sir John, to the entent that ye schal not have them; upon wech sale thei wole make astate and entre and put you to your accion, and thow ye recuver in the lawe, as I am enformyd, ye schall recuver of hard and but a part, the qwech schuld be dere of the sute. Qwer it semyth to me, yt wer necessarye to you to se remedy for thys mater, and eyther putt it in award or elles that my Lord of Wa[rwick], the qwech is your good Lord, may meve that the Kyng, or hym sylf, or my Lord Chawmbyrleyn or sum othyr wytty me[n], may take a rewle betwexe you and your adversaryes; for yf ye may not holde the forseyd landys ther schal growe [great] losse bothe to the dede and to you, and men schal putt you in defawte therof; your frendys schal be sory. It is [better to] bere a lyttell losse than a gret rebuke. Your mater hangyth longe in the audyens. Yf ye hadde ther your entent your ad[versaries should] cese the rather. I beleve veryly yf ye do your part to have pees, God of Hys gret grace schal graunte it to you, the q[wech give] you the speryte of wysdam to gyde you on to Hys pleser. Amen.

We desyre to se your maysterschep in Norffolk; your pr[esens] there be necessarye.

From Norwych the x. day of May. Your clerk, [John] Smyth.

271.3 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was evidently written in the beginning of Edward IV.’s reign; and as it appears by No. 458 that Paston had already been dispossessed of Caister, not indeed by the Duke of Suffolk, but by the Duke of Norfolk, as early as the 5th June 1461, we may presume that this letter, dated in May, belongs to that year. The margin of the letter is slightly mutilated, but the words which are lost are obvious, and have been supplied in brackets.

454
THOMAS DENYES TO JOHN PASTON272.1

To my maister Paston.

1461

I  lowly recomaund me to your maistership, thankyng you as a pouer man may do his maister for soccuryng my wyf, which I wete wele is wo begone; praying you for love of our Lord Jhesu Criste to take no displesir though I not sent ne wrote to you herbeforn in this troble that I haf. For parde ye may conceyve that I was besy j nogh to shifft my self til now. Truly the noise cam sodeynly and I was withynne the walles of your Cite, God sauf the governour therof, for he was besy to trappe me, more besy than he wole be a know, et per fenestram in sporta dimissus sum per murum, et sic effugi manus ejus; but he shal abye, by God, if I lyf, for serchyng myn house. And, Sir, as for the fals noise, sauf your reverence, that he leyth on me and on tweyn servauntz of myn, he lyeth falsly, your reverence savid; for I may haf an C. persones notable and thrifty, whan tyme comyth, that wole prove and make good by every meane, that my servauntz, which he nameth, wer that same our at Brisle which is thens more than xvj. myle, and that the same our and the same day and a greet space bothe beforn and afftir. But ever I besech your maistership of contynuaunce, and that ye like to do my wif help and comfort in hir dissese; for if she wer not, God knowith, I shuld soone shyfft. And truly I haf no thought ne sorwe but for hir. Wherfore I beseche you lowly for His love that all socourith and susteyneth to be good maister and comfort to her. It shal not be long to but that I shall send to hir to labour hir to other place, as for ony thyng touchyng me ellis but that. I pray you also, if the boy that is hurt dey, to meve your tenauntz in that hundrid wher he was bete to do for me and myn; ellis can I not desire ne write at this tyme for lak of remembraunce, for I am not yet myn own man. Besechyng yow alwey of good maistership, for Almyghty God knowith that the mater was falsly begunne on me and usurie it is and acursid, so wold our Lord I never had knowyn it; but sith I delid therwith I myght never reche it to handle the mater to trouth or reson. Wherfore I am compellid to do therwith unresonably. But, gentill Sir, socour my wif, and be not displesid with me, and than shal I do wele with Goddis mercy, Who Almyghty preserve yow for His mercy. Wretyn onavised, &c.

I pray you socour my wif, for she is wedow yet for me, and shal be til more is done, sith I se that neyther plee, trety ne werre may make my peas; for I leve hir undir your proteccion til I write to hir to go thens, which shal be hastily, I suppose, praying you to be alwey hir good maister, for I purpose not to se hir of a while, though she remeve. Wrete with sorwfull hert, &c. Yours, Denyes.

272.1 [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 175.] The date of this letter is probably a little earlier than that of the next (No. 455).

455
THOMAS DENYES TO JOHN PASTON274.1

To my Maister Paston.

1461
MAY

Right wurshipfull and myn especiall good maister, I recomaund me to yow with all my service, besechyng you hertily, at the reverence of God, to helpe me now in the grettest extremite that I cam at sith my greet trobil with Ingham.274.2 It is not oute of your remembraunce how Twyer in Norff[olk] vexith me bothe by noise and serchyng myn house for me, so that theer I can not be in quyete; and all that, I am verily acerteyned, is by Heydens crafft. And heer in the Kyngs house annenst Howard,274.3 wher I had hopid to a’ relevid myself, I am supplanted and cast oute from hym by a clamour of all his servaunts at onys, and ne wer oonly that his disposicion acordyth not to my pouer conceyte, which maketh me to gif lesse force, be cause I desire not to dele ther [where] bribery is like to be usid, ellis by my trouth this unhappy unkyndenes wold I trow a’ killed me. I pray yow, at the reverence of Jesu Criste, to enfourme my Lord of Warwyk of me. Parde I haf do hym service; I was with hym at Northampton, that all men knew; and now agayn at Seynt Albones, that knowth James Ratcliff; and ther lost I xxli. wurth horse, herneys, and mony, and was hurte in diverse places. I pray yow to gete me his good Lordship, and that I may be toward hym in Norffolk in his Courts holdyng, or ellis, if ony thyng he haf to do; and that ye wole gete me a letter to Twyer to late me to sit in rest. For now if I made any felaship agayn Twyer, I can haf no colour now the Shirref and I be oute, so I must kepe me aparte, which I am lothe to do, be God, if I myght better do.

I besech yow to send me your intent by the next man that come from yow. I shuld a’ come to zow, but, so help me God, my purs may no ferther. The Holy Trinite preserve yow.

Wretyn hastily at York, &c. Your to his power, Denyes.

274.1 [From Fenn, iv. 10.] The writer of this letter speaks of having served with the Earl of Warwick at the battle of Northampton in July 1460, and again at the second battle of St. Albans in February 1461. We know from later letters that he was murdered in the beginning of July following. As he dates from York, and speaks of being ‘here in the King’s house,’ the date would appear to be about the 10th of May, on which day we find by the dates of the Privy Seals that Edward IV. was at York.

274.2 See vol. ii. Nos. 238, 239.

274.3 Sir John Howard, who was sheriff of Norfolk this year.

456
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON275.1

To owre right trusty and welbeloved John Paston.

Th’erl of Oxenford.

1461
MAY 31

Right trusty and welbeloved, we grete yow well, and pray yow, as oure trust is in yow, that if ye or any of yowre men here that Howard purposith hym to make any aray at owre manor of Wynche, that ye woll lete John Keche, owre kepere ther of, haue wetyng by tymes, for and he have warnyng he will kepe it in to the tyme that we come thedir, with the grace of God, wiche have yow in His kepyng. Wretyn in owre manor of Wyvynho the last day of May. Oxenford.

275.1 [Douce MS. 393, f. 85.] The date of this letter may, with great probability, be attributed to the year 1461. It certainly cannot be later, as the writer was executed for high treason in February 1462. He was found to have been corresponding with Margaret of Anjou for the restoration of Henry VI., but the discovery must have been much later than May 1461. Sir John Howard, who, for his services to the House of York, was afterwards made Duke of Norfolk, appears to have had great influence just after the accession of Edward IV., which he used in a very overbearing manner; and we have already seen, by the last letter, that the Earl of Oxford’s servant, Thomas Denyes, was at this very time suffering much persecution at his hands.

457
THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON276.1

To my right good maister, John Paston, in all hast.

1461

After my most special recommendacion, please your maisterchip wete, the Kyng, be cause of the sege a boute Carelylle, chaunged his day of Coronacion to be upon the Sunday276.2 nexst after Seynt John Baptyste, so the’ntent to spede hym northward in all hast; and how be it, blyssed be God, that he hath now good tydynggs, that Lord Mountagu hath broken the sege, and slayn of Scotts vj.ml. [6000] and ij. knyghes, whereof Lord Cliffords brother is one, yet not wythstandyng he wol be crowned the sayd Sunday. And John Jeney enformed me, and as I have verely lerned sethen, ye ar inbylled to be made knygth at this Coronacion.276.3 Wheder ye have understandyng before hand, I wot not; but and it lyke you to take the worchip uppon you, consyderyng the comfortable tytynggs afore seyd, and for the gladnesse and plesour of al your welwyllers, and to the pyne and dyscomfort of all your ille wyllers, it were tyme your gere necessarye on that by halfe were purveyd fore, and also ye had nede higth you to London, for as I conceyve the knygthes schuld be made uppon the Saterday by for the Coronacion; and as moche as may be purveyed for you in secrete wyse wythouten cost I schall by speke for you, if nede be, ayens your comyng, in trust of the best; neverthelesse, if ye be dysposed, ye had nede send a man by fore in all hast, that no thing be to seke. William Calthorp is inbylled, and Yelvertoun is inbylled, whiche caused Markham; because Yelverton loked to have ben chef juge, and Markham thynketh to plese hym thus. And as for the mater ayens Poutrell, we can no farther procede, tyl we have my maister your faders testament. I sent my maistres a letter for it. No more, but I pray Al myghty Jesu have you in His kepyng. Your, Thomas Playter.

276.1 [From Fenn, i. 230.] It is evident from the contents that this letter was written some time before the coronation of Edward IV.

276.2 28th June.

276.3 John Paston was not made knight at the coronation of Edward IV., but his eldest son was made knight, probably as a substitute for himself, within two years after.

458
RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON277.1

To my right reverent worschipfull master, my Master John Paston.

1461
JUNE 5

Right reverent and worschipfull master, I lowly recomande me unto your good masterschip. Plesith you to witte that I have ben at Framelyngham, and spake Ric Sothwell to hafe hes advice in this mater; wherin he wolde geve me but litell councell, and seide ze were straungely disposed, for ye trusted no man, and had moche langage, weche the berer herof schal enforme your masterschip.

And as for the letters, they were delivered my Lorde277.2 at the Logge, but I cowde not speke with hese Lordeschip. And suche tyme as they were delyvered Fitz William whas there, weche is now keper of Castre; and what tyme as my Lorde had sene the lettres, he comaunded hym to avoide, and so he did. And thanne my Lorde sent for Sothwell. And in the meene tyme my Lorde sent a man to me, and axed me where ye were, and I tolde hem ye were with the Kyng; and so he sent me worde that an answere schulde be made be Sothwel to the King, seyng that ii. or iij. eyers [heirs] had ben with my Lorde, and shewed her [i.e. their] evidence, and delyvered it to my Lorde, seyng they have had gret wrong, besechyng my Lorde that it myght be reformed. Wherfor he comaunded me that I shulde go hom, for other answer cowde I non have. So I aboude uppon Sothwel to a’ know my Lordes answer to the Kyng; weche answere Sothwel tolde me was, that he writeth to the Kyng that certeine points in your lettres be untrew, and that he schal prove suche tyme as he cometh befor the Kyng, besechyng the Kyng to take it to no displesur; for he is advised to kepe it still unto the tyme that he hath spaken with his Highnesse, for he trusteth to God to schewe suche evidence to the Kyng and to the Lords, that he schulde have best right and titill therto; and so he sent a man forthe to the Kyng this day. It were right wele don ye awayted upon hes man comyng, that ye myght knowe the redy entent of my Lordes writyng.

Berthelmew Elysse hathe ben with my Lorde, and made a relesse to my Lord; and Sir Will Chamberleine was ther ij. dayes afore I come thirder, I can thynke for the sam mater. And Thomas Fastolf whas there the same tyme that I was ther; and as I am enformed, they have delyvered my Lorde serteine evidence. Wherfore me semeth it were right wele don, savyng your better advice, to com hom and sele up your evidence, and have hem with you to London, to prove his titill noght. Ther be but ii. or iij. men with in the place, and if ye thynke it best to do it, send word, and I suppose a remedy schal be had.

Also I here no word of Master William, nor of the writts for the Parlament. Also it is tolde here that Tudenham278.1 and Heydon have a pardon of the Kyng, and that they schal come up to London with the Lady of Suffolk to the Coronacion. Also as for the letter that ye sent to Thomas Wyngfeld, I have it still, for he is at London. Some men sey he meved my Lord for to entre, and some sey Fitz William is in defaute. So I can see ther is but fewe goode. Also my master Sir Thomas Howys schol send a letter to the person ye wote of, for to deliver you the gere at London the next week. My right wourschipfull and reverent master, Almyghti God preserve you.

Wreten at Norweche, on the morwe after Corpus Christi Day. Your pore servant and bedman, R. C.

277.1 [From Fenn, iv. 6.] The date of this letter, like that of the last, is shown by a reference to the approaching coronation of Edward IV.

277.2 The Duke of Norfolk, who appears by this time to have taken possession of Caister, and appointed a keeper for it.

278.1 Sir Thomas Tuddenham was beheaded in February following.

459
ROBERT LETHUM TO JOHN PASTON279.1

A tres reverent Sire, John Paston, Esquier, demouraunt ou lostell le Roy soit d[onne].

1461
JUNE 19

Right worshipfull sir, I recomaund me to you. And, sir, yesterday I resceived of you a lettre from oure sovereign lord the Kyng directe to John Fulman, dyvers othir, and me, by the quych, for certeyn causes that meved hym, and for the well and save gard of his person and this his realme, he desired we chuld fynd men for kepyng of the see. I said to you that I hade beyn dyvers tymes spoled and robbed, as ye have herd, and also gretely vexed and sued to me [my] unportab[l]e [charges];279.2 nevir the les, to my pouer, with my body and my gode, I chall be redy to do hym servyce in resistyng his enmyse and rebelles. Also I said I dwelled uppon the cost of the see here, and be langage hit were more necessare to with hold men here than take men from hit. The said the Kyng hade wreton to dyvers persones here quych hade promysed men, queruppon I promysed a man, quych chall be redy at such tyme I have knowelege quere the shippyng chall be, to waite uppon yow, or quane the Kyng comaundes. I write to you of my promyse as ye comaund me, and pray you I may have a copy of the said lettre. And I pray Godd kepe you. Wrete at Plumsted on the Fest of Seynt Gervaise and Prothase.279.3 Your, Robt. Lethum.

279.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As we find by the last letter that John Paston was with the King in the beginning of June 1461, this may with great probability be attributed to the same year.

279.2 Omitted in MS.

279.3 19th June.

460
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON280.1

To my right worshipful maister, John Paston, at Heylesdon in Norfolk, in hast.

1461
JUNE 21

After due recomendacion hadde; please it your Maistership to witte, that as for Plaiter he shall excuse the writte of the parlement, &c. As touchyng my maister Howard,280.2 I cannot yet speke with hym, ne with Moungomerye280.3 nether. But as for the day of Coronacion of the Kyng, it shall be certeynly the Moneday next after Mydsomer, and it is told me that ye among other ar named to be made knyght atte Coronacion, &c.

Item, it is seid that the Coronacion do, the Kyng wole in to the north part forthwith; and therfor shall not the parlement holde, but writtes shall goo in to every shire to gyve them, that ar chosyn knyghtes of the shire, day after Michelmesse; this is told me by suyche as arn right credible. Maister Brakle shall preche at Poules on Sunday next comyng as he tolde me, and he told me, that for cause Childermesse day280.4 fal on the Sunday, the Coronacion shall on the Moneday, &c.

Wretyn in hast at London, the Sunday next tofore Mydsomer, Your right pouere servant, James Gresham.

280.1 [From Fenn, i. 232.] Like Nos. 457 and 458, this letter refers to the approaching coronation of Edward IV.

280.2 Sir John Howard.

280.3 Sir Thomas Montgomery.

280.4 Childermas, or Holy Innocents’ Day, the 28th of December, fell on Sunday in the year 1460. The day of the week on which it fell used to be considered ominous or unlucky during the whole ensuing year. This superstition seems to have continued as late as the beginning of the eighteenth century, and is alluded to by Addison in the seventh number of the Spectator. It is not true, however, that Edward’s coronation was put off till Monday. It took place on the Sunday which had been originally appointed for it, but the processions and pageantry were deferred till next day. The following is the account of the matter given in a contemporary chronicle in the Cottonian MS., Vitellius, A. xvi:—

‘And upon the morn, Sunday, which was St. Peter’s Even, and the 28th day of June, he was crowned at Westminster with great solemnity of bishops and other temporal lords. And upon the morn after, the King went crowned again in Westminster Abbey, in the worship of God and St. Peter. And upon the next morn he went also crowned in St. Paul’s in the worship of God and St. Paul; and there the angel came down and censed him. At which time was as great a multitude of people in Paul’s as ever was seen afore in any days.’

461
CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON281.1

To my rythe worchypfull broder, John Paston, be thys delyveryd in hast.

1461
JUNE 26

Broder, I recomawnde me to zow, desyeryng to here of yowre welfare, the qwyche I pray God mayntene. Plesse yow to wette that I have sent my moder a letter for mony for my swster;281.2 and if ze wyll agre that I may have xxtili. [£20], I xall zeve zow acowmpts ther of, and ze xall be payyd azen of the obligacyon that my moder hathe, or ellys I xall take a swerte of my suster. I wysse obligacion mwste nedes be swyd, and a doseyn accions more in her name, and sche doo well thys terme; and it wyll be doo with in fowertenyut. The Cowntas of Northumberlond281.3 and Robarde Fenus281.4 ocupie all her lond, and that is a gret myscheffe. I prey zow spe[ke] to my moder her of, and lat me have a awnswer within this sevenyut. Also, broder, Wyndham is come to town, and he seyd to me he wyll goo gett hym a mayster, and me thowte by hym he wold be in the Kynges servise, and he saythe that he wyll have Felbryg azen or Myhelmes, or ther shal be v.c. [500] heds broke ther fore. Brodere, I pray zow delyver the mony that I xwld have in to swm prior of swm abbey to swm mayster of swm colage to be delyveryd qwan I can espy ony londe to be porchasyd. I pray zow send me word wyder ze wyll doo thus or no. No more, but owre Lord have zow in Hys kepyng. Wrytyn on Fryday nexst after Seynt John is day. By zour broder, Clement Paston.

281.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Elizabeth Paston, who, as we have seen (No. 374), had been married to Robert Poynings by the beginning of the year 1459, became his widow in 1461, her husband having been killed in the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th February. It would appear by this letter that she was immediately after dispossessed of her husband’s lands by Eleanor, Countess of Northumberland, who was Baroness Poynings in her own right.

281.2 Elizabeth Paston, now widow of Robert Poynings.

281.3 Eleanor, widow of Henry Percy, third Earl, who was slain at Towton in 1461.

281.4 Fenys.

462
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON282.1

To my right worchepfull hosbond, John Paston, be this letter deliveryd in hast.

1461
JUNE

Right worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete that thys day in the mornyng the parson of Snoryng came to Thomas Denys and fechyd hym owt of hys hows, and beryth hym a hand,282.2 that he shuld a mad byllys agayns Twyer and hym, and hathe a leed hym ferthe with hem. Hys wyf hathe no knowlege of it. Ferther more the seid parson seythe that the seyd Thomas Denys shuld a take sowdyors owt of hys felachep whan he went to Seynt Albons;282.3 that hys a nother of hys compleynts. Item, anothyr of hys compleynts ys, a beryth the seyd Thomas a hand,282.2 that he had awey a hors of John Coppyng of Bryslee, and a nother of Kyng of Donham, the wyche hors were stole be the seyd ij. personys. Wher for the seyd Thomas toke hem as a comyshaner and delyveryd hem to the exchetor, Frances Costard, and one of them he bowt of the seyd Fraunces. And the seyd parson hathe a wey the seyd hors, and seyth that he wolle the seyd thevys shuld be recompenst be Thomas Denys. Thys I am enformyd of all thesse maters be hys wyffe, and sche prayythe yow in the reverence of God ye wolle be hyr good maister, and helpe that hyr hosbond may have sume remedy be your labor in thys mater, [for she] seythe syn that hyr hosbond ys the Kyngs offycer, that they owt to spar hym the rather. But they that hathe hym take no  .  .  .  .  .  .  told me that they hope to have a newe chonge in hast.

Item, Pers that was with my unkyll Barney283.1 sent you a l[etter]  .  .  .  .  .  .  er desyryng to have your good masterchep, and he woll fyynd sufficient suerte283.2 for hym for to com  .  .  .  .  .  .  whan som ever ye woll require hym. I’ good feyth it ys told me hys leggs ar all  .  .  .  .  .  .  [Send] me word, encas the suerte be sufficient, in what sum ye woll have hem bownd for hy  .  .  .  .  .  .  te in bayle. Item, it ys told me that ther be many Freynche shyppys of se a geyns Yamothe, a[nd  .  .  .  .  .  .  t]hey woll do harme on the coste. I pray yow hertely that ye woll send me word in hast howe that ye do with my [Lord] of Norffolk, and with your adversaryys. Item, I have do purveyed in thys wareyn xj.xx. [eleven score] rabets and sent up be the berer herof. The blyssyd Trinite have yow in Hys kepyng, and send yow the better of all your adversariis, and good sped in all your maters. Wretyn in hast, the same day that ye departyd hens.

Item, I pray yow that ye wolle remembre my unkyll Barneys mater tochyng the executyng of his wylle, and how ye wolle that we be demenyd for kepyng of hys yerday, and that it lekyth you to send me word be Mr. John Smy[th].

282.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears from internal evidence to have been written some time after the second battle of St. Albans, which was fought in February 1461, and before the murder of Thomas Denys in July following. But to all appearance it was not very long before the latter date. The MS. is mutilated, and a few words are lost in eight consecutive lines.

282.2 i.e. accuses him. See vol. ii. p. 110, Note.

282.3 Thomas Denys was at the second battle of St. Albans in February 1461. See No. 455.

283.1 John Berney.

283.2 See Letter 424.

463
THOMAS DENYES TO MARGARET PASTON284.1

To my right noble and wurshipfull mastresse, my Mastresse Paston, or to William Paston if she be absent.

1461
JULY

Right noble and wurshipfull mastresse, I recomaund me to yow with my pouer servise. And for so moche as I here no thyng of my maister your husbonds comyng hastly home,—and though he cam or come not, it were expedient that the Kyng were infourmed of the demenyng of the shire,—therfore I send to yow a testymonyall, which is made by a greet assent of greet multitude of comons, to send to the Kyng. I pray you for the good spede therof that in all hast possible ye like to send it to my said maister, if he be with the Kyng; ellis fynde the meane to send it to the Kyng, thogh my maister be thens; beside forthe that ye vouchsauf to late diligent labour be made to a sufficient nombir to assele for my Maister Paston allone, for if bothe holde not, I wolde oon helde.

I pray yow that it lyke you to send for my Maister William Paston, and shew hym all thys, and that it were hastid; for on the adversaire parte Judas slepith not.

Berney promised to a’ sent, but for our Lords love trust not that; for I se his slouthe and sely labour, which is no labour. And I wold ful fayn speke with yow, &c.

My maister your husbond wole peraventure blame us all, if this mater be not applied; for he may not of reson do so largely heryn by his myght, be cause he is elyted, as the Comons myght wisely do with help of his favour, if it wer wisely wrought. If my Maister William Paston ride hastly from a x. daies to London, I wole with hym, if he send me word. The Holy Trinite preserve yow. Wretyn rudely in hast the Sunday, &c.

Men sey, send a wiseman on thy erand, and sey litell to hym, wherfor I write brefly and litell. Thomas Denyes.

284.1 [From Fenn, iv. 18.] This letter speaks of the county of Norfolk as being in an unquiet state, and of John Paston as having been elected knight of the shire. It will be seen by No. 458 that writs for an election were expected as early as the 5th of June in 1461, and as I find that the writer of this letter was murdered on the 4th of July following, the date is probably about the very beginning of that month. From what is said at the beginning of the letter about Paston’s absence from home, it was evidently some time after the last, which was written on the very day of his departure.

464
RICHARD CALL TO MARGARET PASTON285.1

To my most reverent and worshipfull mastresse, my Mastresse Margaret Paston, this be delyuered.

1461
JULY 3

Plesith it your mastresseship that my mastre285.2 wolde that ye alowe the berer hereof for hes costs, in asmoch as he come hether for that matre, and for non other; but ye must lete Thomas Denys wif be prevy therto, for my mastre wol that she bere the cost, for it is her matre; and that ye make her goode cheere, and if ye wol have her hom to you for a seacon, unto the tyme sche be out of her trouble, my mastre is agreed. And if sche sende to my mastre for any matre, let her sende her owne man upon her owne coste, thowe ye paye the money for a secon, unto the tyme that sche may pay you a yein, mastre holdeth hym content. My right wurshipful mastresse, Almyghti Jesu kepe you. Wreten at London the iij. day of Jul. Your poore seruaunt and bedman, Ric. Call.

On the back of this letter is the following memorandum:— ‘Memorandum of j. comb whete, whereof was mad iiij.xx. and x. [fourscore and ten] brown lovis and iiij.xx. and xvj. white lovis, after vj. j.d. price the  .  .  .  .’

285.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter seems to have been written in 1461, just before Thomas Denys was murdered, in consequence of the occurrences mentioned in No. 462.

285.2 John Paston.

465
WILLIAM LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON286.1

To the right worchipfull and my good maister John Paston.

1461
JULY 6

Ryght worchipfull and my good mayster I recomaunde me to yow. And, sir, yf the Coronacion had be on Relik Sunday,286.2 as it was apoyntyd, I shuld have waytid on yow. And as for my Lord of Norffolks mene, I told my mastres your wyfe, here disposission as I coude know, the wheche I sopose she told yow, as I can espye some of his meny was grette cause of T. D.286.3 deth, &c. Also ye have knowlych how Fastolff286.4 is com yn to my Lord of Norffolks hous, for ij. causez, as I understande; on is to enfors my Lords entre yn Castre be his cleym; an other is to helpe his fader yn lawe286.5 ayens Felbrigge, &c. For love of Good take good awayte to your person, for the word [world] is right wilde, and have be sythyn Heydonz sauffe gard was proclamyd at Walsyngham; for yn good feyth I trow, but if [i.e. unless] he be ponysshid the countre wille rise and doo moche harme, and also for the comyssion Sir Miles Stapilton and Calthorp, that arn among the comunes ought of conseite and reputid the Kyngs enmez, as the brenger of this bille can telle yow, to whom I beseche yow to be good mayster, for he hath doo the Kyng good servyse as ony pore man of our contre, and yet is he callid traitor be sweche as he can telle yow, soportid be Roger Bolwer and Aleyn Roos, Heidonz owyn men [chif constablez].286.6 And it plese yow that John Yve and John Brigge myght have your warentez for cheffe constable, &c., for they ocupye yn Kyng Herris name. Forther, sire, I am gretly yn your danger and dette for my pension, for it is told me ye have paied, and at your comyng I shalle make amendez with your good maistreship, and suche servyse as lith yn my pore powere is, and shalbe, redy at alle tymez with Godds grace, how have yow yn His kepyng. Wretyn yn hast at Dallyng, on Sent Thomas Even, &c. Be your Servaunt, L.

286.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the reference to the coronation, it is quite evident that this letter must have been written in the first year of King Edward the Fourth.

286.2 12th July in 1461.

286.3 Thomas Denys.

286.4 Thomas Fastolf of Cowhaw.

286.5 This would seem to be John Wyndham, but I find no mention of such a relationship between him and Fastolf.

286.6 Interlined.

466
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON287.1

To my ryth worchepfull hosbond, John Paston, be thys deliverid in hast.

1461
JULY 9

Right worchepful hosbond, I recommand me to yow. Please yow to wete that I have spoke with Thomas Denys wyffe, and she recommand hyr to your good masterchep, and she prayeth yow to be her good master, and prayet yow of your good masterchep, that ye wolle geve her your advice howe to be demenid for hyr person and hyr goodes. For as towchyng hyr owne person, she dare not goo home to hyr owne place, for she is thret if that she myght be take, she shuld be slayne or be put in ferfull place, in shortyng of hyr lyve dayes, and so she standyth in gret hevynes, God her helpe. Ferther more she is nowe put be her brother in Norwich with Awbry, and she thynkyth the place is right conversaunt of pupyll for hyr to abeyd in, for she kepyth hyr as close as she may for spyyng. Item, as I went to Seynt Levenard ward, I spake with Maister John Salet, and commonyd with hym of hyr, and me thowgt be hym that he howyth hyr ryght good wylle. And than I haskyd hym howe she myght be demenyd with hys287.2 goodes and hyr. He cownseld me that she shuld get hyr a trosty frend, that war a good, trewe, poor man, that had not moche to lese, and wold be rewlyd after hyr, and to have a letter of ministracion; and so I told hyr. Than she seyd she wold have hyr broder advice therin. Item, she seyth ther be no mor feffes in hys londes but ye and Rokwood, and she prayeth yow that it please yow to speke to Rokwood that he make no relesse but be your advice, as she trostyth to yowr good masterchep. Item, the last tyme that I spake with hyr she mad suche a petows mone and seyd that she wost ner howe to do for mony, and so I lent vjs. viijd. Item, I sent my cosyn Barney the bylle that John Pampyng wrot be yowr commanddement to me, and he hath sent a letter of hys entent to yow and to Rokwod therof, and also but if it please yow to take better hed to hys mater than he can do hym self, I can thynk he shall ellis fare the wors for i’ feyth he standyth daly in gret fere, for the false contrary party ageyns hym. Item, at the reverence of God, be ware howe ye ryd or go, for nowgty and evyll desposyd felacheps. I am put en fere dayly for myn abydyng here, and cownsellyd be my moder and be other good frendes, that I shuld not abeyd here but yf the world wher in mor quiete than it is. God for hys merci send us a good world, and send yow helthe in body and sowle, and good speed in all your maters. Wreten in hast the Thursday next after Seynt Thomas. By your, M. P.

287.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter clearly relates to the affairs of Thomas Denys’s wife, after the murder of her husband in 1461. John Paston and William Rokewood were trustees of his lands, and Margaret’s cousin, John Berney of Witchingham, it will be seen, wrote more than one letter to them about this time.

287.2 i.e. her husband’s.

467
JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON
AND WYLLIAM ROKEWODE288.1

To the worshipfull John Paston and Wylliam Rokewode, Squyeris,
and to everych of them.

1461
JULY 10

Right worshipfull cosynes, I recummaund me to yow. And for as mech as I am credybilly informyd how that Sir Myles Stapylton knyght with other yll dysposed persones, defame and falsly noyse me in morderyng of Thomas Denys the Crowner, and how that I intend to make insurexyones contrari unto the law; and that the seyd Stapylton ferthermore noyseth me with gret robries; in whech defamacyones and fals noysyngs the seyd Stapylton, and in that his saying he is fals, that knowith God, &c. And for my playn acquitayll, yf he or any substancyall gentylman wyll say it, and avow it, I say to it contrari, and by lisens of the Kyng to make it good as a gentylman. And in this my playn exskeus, I pray yow to opyn it unto the Lords, that the seyd Stapylton, &c., makyn gret gaderyngs of the Kyngs rebelyones, lying in wayte to morder me. And in that I may make opyn proff. Wretyn in hast the x. day of July anno regni Regis E. iiij. primo. John Berneye.

Remembre to take a wryht to chese crowneres in Norffolk.

288.1 [From Fenn, i. 236.]

468
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON289.1

To my cosyn, Margaret Paston.

1461
JULY 12

I  recomaund me to yow, letyng yow wete tha the Undershreve doughtyth hym of John Berney; wherfore I pray yow bryng hem to gedyr, and set hem acord, if ye can, so that the seyd Ondershreve be sure that he shall not be hurt be hym, ner of hys cuntrymen. And eyf he woll not, lete hym verely understonde that he shall be compellyd to fynd hym suerte of the pes to agry in thys heed, and that shall nowther be profitabyll, ner worchepful. And lete hym wete that there have be many compleynts of hym be that knavyssh knyght, Sir Miles Stapilton, as I sent yow word before; but he shall come to hys excuse wele inow, so he have a mannys hert, and the seyd Stapylton shall ben ondyrstand as he ys, a fals shrewe. And he and hys wyfe and other have blaveryd here of my kynred in hedermoder;290.1 but, be that tyme we have rekned of old dayes and late dayes, myn shall be found more worchepfull thanne hys and hys wyfes, or ellys I woll not for hys gilt gypcer.

Also telle the seyd Berney that the Shreve ys in a dought whedyr he shall make a newe eleccion of knyghts of the shyre, be cause of hym and Grey; where in it were bettyr for hym to have the Shreves good wyll.

Item, me thynkyth for quiete of the cuntre it were most worchepfull that as wele Berney as Grey shuld get a record of all suche that myght spend xls. ayere, that were at the day of eleccon, whech of them that had fewest to geve it up as reson wold. Wretyn at London, on Relyk Sonday.

Item, that ye send abought for sylver acordyng to the old bylle that I sent yow from Lynne. John Paston.

289.1 [From Fenn, iv. 20.] This letter and the next, which is an answer to it, are evidently of the same year as No. 471. Relic Sunday (the third Sunday after Midsummer Day) was the 12th July in 1461.

290.1 In hugger-mugger, i.e. clandestinely.

469
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON290.2

1461
JULY 15

I  recomand me to yow. Please yow to wete that I have sent to my cosyn Barney, acordyng to your desyr in the letter that ye deed wright on Relec Sonday to me, wheropon he hathe wreten a letter to yow and anothyr bylle to me, the wyche I send yow. He tolde the masanger that I sent to hym that the Undershereve nedyth not to fer hym nor non of hys; for he seyd, after the aleccion was doo, he spak with hym at the Grey Fryers, and prayyd hym of hys good masterchep, and seyd to hym that he feryd no man of bodely harme, but only Twyer and hys felachep.

Item, Sir John Tatersalle and the baly of Walsynsham and the constabyll hathe take the parson of Snoryng and iiij. of hys men, and sete hem fast in the stokkys on Monday at nyght; and, as it is seyd, they shuld be carryyd up to the Kyng in hast. God defend yt but they be shastysyd as the lawe wolle. Twyer and hys felachep beryth a gret wyght of Thomas Denys dethe in this contry abowght Walsynham; and it is seyd ther yf John Osberne hade owght hym as good wylle, as he deed befor that he was acqueyntyd with Twyer, he shuld not adyyd [have died] for he myght rewlyd al Walsynham as he had lyst, as it ys seyd.

Item, Will Lynys, that was with Master Fastolf, and swyche other as he is with hym, goo fast abowght in the contr, and ber men a hand,291.1 prests and others, they be Skotts, and take brybys of hem and let hem goo ageyn. He toke the last wek the parson of Freton, and but for my cosyn Jarnyngham the younger,291.2 ther wold a led hem forthe with hem; and he told hem pleynly yf they mad any suche doyngs ther, but [i.e. unless] they had the letter to schewe for hem, they shuld aley on her bodyys. It wer welle do that they wer met with be tymys. It is told me that the seyd Will reportyth of yow as shamfully as he can in dyvers place. Jesu have yow in Hys kepyng. Wreten in hast, the Wednysday after Relec Sonday.

Yf the Undershereve come home, I woll a say to do for hym as ye desyryd me in your letter. As for mony, I have sent abowght, and I can get non but xiijs. iiijd. syn ye went owght. I wolle do my parte to get mor as hastely as ye may. By yowr, M. P.

290.2 [From Fenn, iv. 24.] See note to preceding letter, p. 289, Note 1.

291.1 That is to say, make imputations against them. See vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.

291.2 John Jerningham, junior, son of John Jerningham, senior, of Somerleyton, Suffolk.

470
JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON291.3

To the worshipfull John Paston, and to my cosyn, Wylliam Rokewode, Squyer, with my Lord of Cantyrburi.

1461
JULY 16

Right worshipfull sir, I recummaund me to yow, praying yow hertyli to labour for that the Kyng may wryte unto me, gevyng me thankyng of the good wyll and servyse that I haff doo unto hym, and in beyng with hym a yens his adversaries and rebelyones, as well in the North, as in this cuntre of Norffolk. And in that the Kyng shold please the Comynnes in this cuntre; for they grudge and sey, how that the Kyng resayvith sych of this cuntre, &c. as haff be his gret eanemyes, and opresseors of the Comynes; and sych as haff assystyd his Hynes, be not rewardyt; and it is to be consederyd, or ellys it wyll hurt, as me semyth by reason. And in ayd of this chaungebyll rewle, it wer nessessary to move the good Lords Spiretuall and Temperall, by the whech that myght be reformyd, &c. And in cas that any of myn olde enemyes, Tudynham, Stapylton, and Heydon, with theyr affenyte labur the Kyng and Lords unto my hurt, I am and wylbe redy to come to my souverayn Lord for my exskeus, soo that I may come saff for unlawfull hurt, purveyed by my seyd ennemyes. No more at this tyme, but God preserve yow in gras. Wretyn at Wychyngham the xvj. day in the moneth of July, anno regni Regis E. iiijti. primo. John Berneye.

Please it yow to move this unto my Lords Cauntyrburi, Ely, Norwych, &c.

291.3 [From Fenn, i. 238.]

471
JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON292.1

To the ryght worshipfull John Paston, Squyer, in hast.

1461
JULY 17

Sir, I recomaund me to zow, &c. And as for my playn dysposyssyon towards the Undyrshrewe, I wyll hym no bodyli hurt, nor shal not be hurt by me nor by noo man that I may rewle. But the Comynnes throw all the schyer be movyd agayn hym, for cause of his lyght demeanyng towards them for this elexsyon of knygtts of the shyer for the Parlement. And I suppose yf that he wyll, he may be hastyli easyd as thus:—lat hym make notys unto the seyd Comynnes that this theyr eleccyon shall stande, or ellys lat hym purchas a new wryt, and lat hym make wrytyng unto them what day they shall come, and they to make a new eleccyon acordyng unto the law. And, sir, I pray zow, sey to hym that it is nott his oneste to lye upon too many men, noysyng them rebyliones of Norff[olk], and Berney theyr c  .  .  .  No more to zow at this tyme, but I naff sent zow ij. letteris within this viij. dayes. Wretyn the xvij. day of July anno regni Regis E. iiijti. 1mo. John Berney.

292.1 [From Fenn, iv. 28.]

472
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON293.1

To my worchepful hosbonde, Jon Pastun, this letter be delyvered in hast.

1461
JULY 18

Ryth worchepful husbond, I recomawnd me to yow. Plesyt yow to wete that I am desyrid be Sir John Tatersale to wryte to yow for a comyssion or a noyr in termyner [oyer and terminer]293.2 for to be sent down in to this cuntre to sit uppon the parson of Snoryng, and on soche as was cause of Thomas Denyssys dethe, and for many and gret horebyl robryys; and as for the costs ther of the cuntre wele pay therfor, for they be sor aferd but [i.e. unless] the seyd dethe be chastysed, and the seyd robryys, they ar aferde that mo folks xal be servyd in lyke wyse.

As for the prest and vj. of hese men that be takyn, they be delyveryt to Twer [Twyer], and iiij. be with hem of the cuntreys cost, for to be sent with to the Kyng; and yf they be browt up at the reverens of God, do yowr parte that they schape not, but that they may have the jugement of the lawe, and as they have deservyd, and be comytyt to prison, not to departe tyl they be inqueryd of her forseyd robery be soche a comyssion that ye can get, that the Keng and the Lords may hondyrstonde wat rewle they have be of, not hondely for the moderys and the robbryys, but as wele for the gret insurrexsin that they were lyke amade within the shyre. The preests of Castyr they be streytely take hede at be Roberd Harmerer and hoder, so that the seyde prestys may have no thyng out of ther owne, ne of hodyr menys, but they be rassakyt, and the plase ys watchyd bothe day and nyth. The prestys thynk ryth longe tyl they tydynggs fro yow. At the reverens of God, be ware hou ye goo and ryde, for that ys told me that ye thret of hem that be nowty felawys that hathe be inclynyng to them, that hathe be your hold adversarys.

The blyssyd Trenyte have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast, the Saturday nex be fore Sent Margarete. Be yours, M. P.

293.1 [From Fenn, iv. 30.] The date of this letter is certain, as it refers to the murder of Thomas Denys.

293.2 See vol. ii. p. 161, Note 3.

473
GRANT FROM THE CROWN294.1

Pro Johanne Paston.

1461
JULY 27

Rex omnibus ad quos &c. salutem. Cum Nos indebitati sumus Johanni Paston armigero et Thomæ Hows clerico in septingentis marcis legalis monetæ regni nostri Angliæ eisdem Johanni et Thomæ solvendis juxta formam cujusdam billæ manu nostra signatæ cujus tenor sequitur in hæc verba:—

Edward, Kyng of Inglond and of Frauns, Lord of Irlond, recorde and knoweleych that we have receyvyd of John Paston, Squyer, and Thomas Hows, clerk, be the assent of oure trusty and welbelovyd cosyn Thomas Archebysshop of Caunterbury, [and?] Mayster John Stokys, clerk, an nowche of gold with a gret poynted diamaunt set upon a rose enamellid white, and a nowche of gold in facion of a ragged staff with ij. ymages of man and woman garnysshed with a ruby, a dyamaunt and a gret perle, which were leyd to plegge by oure fader, whom Crist assoyle, to Sir John Fastolff, knyght, for CCCC. xxxlvijli.; and also an obligacion wherby oure seid fader was bound to the seid Sir John Fastolff in an C. marc; for which we graunt and promitt in the word of a kyng to pay to the seid John Paston and Thomas Hows, clerk, or to her assignez, D.CC. mark of lawfull money of Englond at days underwritte, that is to sey; att the Fest of All Seyntes than next folowyng after the date of thys bille CC. mark, and other CC. mark at the Fest of All Seyntis than next folowyng, and other CC. mark at the Fest of All Seyntes than next folowyng, and an C. mark at the Fest of All Seyntys thanne next folowyng. And also we graunte that the seid John Paston and Thomas Hows shall have a signement sufficient to hem aggreabill for the seid payment. And if it fortune that the same John and Thomas be unpayd by the seid assignement of any of the seid paymentis at any of the seid Festis, thanne we graunt upon notice made to us therof by the same John or Thomas to pay hem or her assignez that payment so behynd onpaid oute of oure cofirs withoute delay. In witnesse werof we have signed this bill with oure hand the xij. day of Jule the first yere of [our] reign.

Nos solutionem summæ illius præfatis Johanni et Thomæ fieri et haberi volentes, ut tenemur, concessimus et per præsentes concedimus eisdem Johanni Paston et Thomæ Hows septingentas marcas monetæ prædictæ percipiendas modo et forma subsequentibus, videlicet, centum marcas inde annuatim percipiendas de primis denariis provenientibus et crescentibus de feodi firma civitatis nostræ Norwici et de omnibus aliis firmis, exitibus, proficuis et reventionibus de eadem civitate provenientibus per manus majoris, custodis, vicecomitum, civium seu ballivorum ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existentium aut aliorum receptorum, firmariorum seu appruatorum eorundem feodi firmarum, exituum, proficuorum et reventionum dictæ civitatis pro tempore existentium, et centum marcas inde annuatim percipiendas de firmis, redditibus, exitibus, proficuis et aliis commoditatibus quibuscumque de comitatibus nostris Norff’ et Suff’ provenientibus per manus vicecomitum eorumdem comitatuum pro tempore existentium quousque septingentæ marcæ eisdem Johanni Paston et Thomæ Hows plenarie persolutæ fuerint. In cujus &c. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, xxvij. die Julii. Per ipsum Regem oretenus.

294.1 [From Patent Roll, 1 Edw. IV., Part 3, No. 13.]

474
THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON296.1

To maister John Paston Esquyer in hast.

1461
AUG. 1 (?)

Please your maistership wete that Danyell of Grayes In enfourmed me that Kyng of Dounham whiche slewe Thomas Denys is arested and in hold at Wysbyche and had ben delyvered nor had Fraunceys Costard a taken suerte of pees of hym; and so he is kept in by non other meane but al onely by suerte of pees. And as I felt by the said Danyell if he be craftyly handeled he woll accuse many other; but Danyell is loth to name hem, but I suppose he ment by Twyer and yet other mo, right sufficient, and kalled of substans. Item, Haydon hath payed ccccc. marks and is delivered. Item it is talked the parlement schal be proroged tyl the iiij. day of Novembre and the kyng wol in to Scotland in al hast. Wretyn in hast uppon the day of the Advencion.296.2 —Youris, Thomas Plaiter.

296.1 [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 181.] The year in which this letter was written is certain, not only from the reference to the murder of Thomas Denys, which was in July 1461, but also from the mention of the prorogation of Parliament to the 4th of November.

296.2 Probably meaning the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula (1st August).

475
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON296.3

To my mastres Paston and Richard Calle.

1461
AUG. 1

First, that Richard Calle fynde the meane that a distresse may be taken of such bestes as occupie the ground at Stratton, and that cleyme and contynuauns be made of my possession in any wise, and that thei be not suffrid to occupie withowt thei compoune with me; and that aftir the distresse taken the undirshreve be spoke with all that he make no replevyn with out agrement or apoyntement taken, that the right of the lond may be undirstand.

ij. Item, I here sey the peple is disposed to be at the shire at Norwich on Sen Lauerauns Day for th’affermyng of that thei have do afore, wherof I hold me wele content if thei do it of her owne disposicion, but I woll not be the cause of the labour of hem, ner bere no cost of hem at this tyme, for be the lawe I am suer befor, but I am wel a payed it shall be on han halyday for lettyng of the peples werk. I undirstand ther shall be labour for a coroner that day, for ther is labour made to me for my good wyll here, and I wyll nothyng graunt withowt the under shreves assent, for he and I thought that Richard Bloumvyle were good to that occupacion. Item, ye shall undirstand that the undirshreve was some what flekeryng whill he was here, for he informyd the Kyng that the last eleccion was not peasibill, but the peple was jakkyd and saletted, and riottously disposid, and put hym in fere of his lyfe. Wherefore I gate of hym the writte whech I send yow herwith, to that entent, thow any fals shrewe wold labour, he shuld not be sure of the writ, and therfore ye most se that the undirshreve have the writ at the day, in case the peple be gadered, and thanne lete th’endentures be made up or er they departe.

iij. Item, that ye remembyr Thomas Denys wyfe that her husbond had divers billes of extorcion don be Heydon and other, whech that he told me that his seid wyfe beryid whan the rumour was, so that thei were ny roten. Bidde her loke hem up and take hem yow.

iiij. Item, as for the seyd distreynyng at Stratton, I wold that Dawbeney and Thomas Bon shuld knowe the closes and the ground, that thei myght attende ther to, that Richard were not lettyd of other occupacions, and I wold this were do as sone as is possibill, or I come home. Notwithstandyng, I trowe I shall come home or the shire, but I woll nat it be knowe till the same day, for I will not come there with owt I be sent fore be the peple to Heylisdonne. Notwithstandyng, and the peple were wele avertised at that day, they shuld be the more redy to shewe the oribyll extorcions and briberys that hath be do upon hem to the Kyng at his comyng, desyring hym that he shuld not have in favor the seyd extorcioners, but compelle hem to make amendes and sethe [satisfaction] to the pore peple.

v. Item, that Berney and Richard Wright geve suche folkys warnyng as wyll compleyne to be redy with her billes if thei list to have any remedy.

vj. Item, that the maters ayens Sir Miles Stapilton may at Aylesham be remembyrd.

vij. Also if ye can be any craft get a copy of the bille that Sir Miles Stapilton hath of the corte rolles of Gemyngham, that ye fayle not, but assay and do yowr devyr, for that shuld preve some men shamefully fals. Master Brakle seyd he shuld a get oon of Freston. I wold he shuld assay, or ellys peraventure Skypwith, or ellys Master Sloley; for if Stapilton were boren in hande that he shuld be founde fals and ontrewe, and first founder of that mater, he wold bothe shewe the bille and where he had it.298.1
viij. Item, I wold the prestis of Caster were content for Midsomer term.

ix. Item, ther is a whith box with evidens of Stratton, in on of the canvas baggis in the gret cofir, or in the spruse chest. Ric. Calle knowith it well, and ther is a ded of feffement and a letter of atorne mad of the seyd londs in Stratton to John Damm, W. Lomner, Ric. Calle, and John Russe. I wold a new dede and letter of atorne were mad owth theroff be the feffees of the same laund to Thome Grene,298.2 Thome Playter, the parson of Heylisdon, Jacobo Gloys, klerke,298.3 Johanni Pamping, and that the ded bere date nowh, and that it be selid at the next shire; for than I suppose the seyd feffes will be ther if it may not be don er that tyme. I wold have the seyd dedis leyd in a box, both old and new, and left secretly at Ric. Thornis hows at Stratton, that whan I com homwar I mygh fynd it ther, and mak seson [seisin] and stat to be take whil I wer ther. Wret at London on Lammes Day.

296.3 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed from a draft which is partly in John Paston’s own hand. The contents clearly refer to, first, the Norfolk election of 1461, which it was proposed to confirm by a new meeting of the electors at the shire-house; and secondly, the necessity of electing a new coroner after the murder of Thomas Denys. The date is therefore certain.

298.1 Between this and the next paragraph is the following sentence crossed out:— ‘Item, I send yow a writ direct to the Meyer and Shreves of Norwich for to receyve of hem an C. [hundred] mark yerly for suche jowellys as the Kyng hath of me.’

298.2 This name is substituted for three others crossed out, viz. ‘John Grenefeld, Thomas Playter, Water Wrottisle, Squyer.’

298.3 Here occurs the name, ‘Christofere Grenacre,’ crossed out.

476
JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON299.1

To my right worshypfull and reverent maistyr, John Paston, at Norwich.

1461
AUG. 23

Ryght worshypfull sir, and my right honourable maister, I recomaunde me louly to you. And plese youre maistirshyp to wete that my Maister Clement, youre brothyr, and Plater, wrot a letter to my mayster yore sone299.2 yistirday, the tenure of whych was how ye were entretyd there. And as ye desyred me, so I enformyd hem the mater along, for they wist not of it til I told hem; and they wrete the more pleynerly inasmych as a worshypfull man rood the same day, and bare the letter to my seyd maister youre sone.

The Lord Bourgcher is with the Kynge, and my Lord Warwyk still in the North, &c.

Item, sir, thys day cam on John Waynflet from the Kyng streyt weye, and he is of myn aqueyntaunce; and he teld me there was no voyse nor spekyng aboute the Kyng of that mater; and I teld hym all the mater along hou ye were intretyd, whych he wyll put in remembraunce in ony place that he cometh in in Suffolk or Esex as he goth homward, for he owyth no good wil to youre adversary. And the seyd Waynflet teld me that he knowyth for serteyn that the Kyng cometh not to Northefolk til he hathe been upon the Marchys of Walys, and so there is no serteynte of hyse comyng thys many dayez. He teld me he lefte the Kyng with a smal felashyp aboute hym.

And I enqueryd hym of the gyding of my maystyr yore sone, whiche he comendyd gretly, and seyd that he stood well inconseyt, and dayly shuld increse; and he was well in acqueyntaunce and be lovyd with jentilmen aboute the Kyng. But he seyd ther shal no thyng hurte hym but youre streytnesse of mony to hym, for withoute he have mony in hyse purse, so as he may resonably spende among hem, ellys they wyll not sette by hem; and there be jentilmen sones of lesse reputacion that hath mony more lyberal x. tymez than he hath, and soo in that they seyd Waynflet seyd it were full necessary for you to remembre, &c.

As for tydyngs here bee noon newe, &c. I truste I shal brynge you a letter from my mayster your sone, or thanne I come, for whych I shal rather thanne fayle abyde on day the lenger. And Jesu have you, my right honourable maister, in Hyse mercyfull governaunce, and preserve you from adversyte. Wretyn at London, on Seynt Bertylmewys Evyn.

I can speke with noo man but that thynke the gydyng of youre adversary hath been in many causez ryght straunce, and as it is soposyd that he shal undyrstonde at the Parlament; but for Gods sake have men inow aboute yow, for ye undyrstonde is on manerly dysposecion. Your bedeman and servaunt, John Russe.

299.1 [From Fenn, iv. 42.] Edward IV. went into the Marches of Wales, as mentioned in this letter, in the autumn of 1461. He was at Gloucester on the 11th September, and at Ludlow on the 21st, as appears by the dates of his privy seals. The matter mentioned in the postscript is doubtless Howard’s contention with Paston in the shire-house at Norwich, to which allusion is made in the letter following.

299.2 John Paston, the eldest son.

477
JOHN PASTON, THE ELDEST SON, TO HIS FATHER301.1

To my rythg reverent and worchypfoll fader, John Paston, Esquyer, dwellyng in Heylysdon, be thys letter delyvered in haste.

1461
AUG. 23

Most reverent and worschepfull fadyr, I rekomawnd me hertyly, and submytt me lowlely to your good faderhood, besechyng yow for cheryte of yowr dayly blyssyng. I beseche yow to hold me ascewsyd that I sente to yowe none erste no wrythgtyng, for I kowd not spede to myn intent the maters that ye sent to me for. I have laboryd dayly my Lord of Essexe, Treserer of Ynglond, to have mevyd the Kyng bothe of the maner [of] Deddham and of the byll copye of the Corte Roll, everye mornyng ore he went to the Kyng, and often tymys inqueryd of hym and he had mevyd the Kyng in these matyers. He answeryd me naye, seyyng it was no tyme, and seyd he wold it war osse fayne spedd os I myselfe, offed tymys de layding me that in trouthe I thowt to have send yowe word that I felyd by hym that he was not wyllyng to meve the Kyng ther in. Neverthe lesse I lawberyd to hym contynually, and prayed Barronners hys man to remembyr hym of it. I told offten tyms to my seyd Lord that I had a man teryyn in town, that I schuld a sente to yow for othyr sundry maters, and he teryid for no thyng but that I mythg send yowe by hym an answer of the seyd matyers; othyr tyms besechyng hym to spede me in theys matyers for thys cawse, that ye schulde thynke no defawte in me for remembryng in the seyd maters.

And nowe of late, I, rememberyng hym of the same mater, inqueryd if he had mevyd the Kyngs Hythgnes therin; and he answeryd me that he hadde felte and mevyd the Kyng ther in, rehersyng the Kyngys answer therin; how that, when he had mevyd the Kyng in the seyd maner of Dedham, besechyng hym to be yowr good Lord ther in, konsyderyng the servyse and trewe part that ye have done, and owthg to hym, and in espesyal the rygth that ye have therto, he seyd he wold be your good Lord therin as he wold be to the porest man in Inglond. He wold hold with yowe in yowr rygth; and as for favor, he wyll nogth be under stand that he schal schewe favor mor to one man then to anothyr, nowgth to on in Inglond.

And as for the bille copyd of the Cort Rolle, when he mevyd to him of it, he smylyd and seyd that suche a bylle ther was, seyyng that ye wold an oppressyd sundreys of yowr contremen of worchypfull men, and the for he kepyd it styll. Never the lesse he seyd he schuld loke it uppe in haste, and he schuld have it.

Baronners undertoke to me twyes ore thryes that he schuld so a’ remembred hys lord and master,302.1 that I schuld au had it with inne ij. or iij. dayes. He is often tyms absent, and therfor I have it nowthg yyt; when I kan gete it, I schall send it yowe, and of the Kyngs mowth, hys name that take it hym.

I scend you home Pekok a geyn. He is not for me. God send grace that he may do yow good servyse, that be extymacion is not lykelye. Ye schall have knowleche aftyrward how he hathe demenyd hym her with me. I wold, savyng yowr dysplesure, that ye were delyvered of hym, for he schalle never do yow profyte ner worchyp.

I suppose ye understand that the monye that I hadde of yowe att Londun maye not indur with me tyll that the Kyng goo in to Walys an kome ageyn, for I under stand it schall be long or he kome ageyn. Wher for I have sent to Londun to myn onkyl Clement to gete an Cs. of Christofyr Hansom yowr servaunt, and sene [send] it me be my seyd servaunt, and myn herneys with it, whyche I lefte at Lundun to make klene.

I beseche yowe not to be dysplesyd with it, for I kowd make non othyr cheysaunce [arrangement] but I schuld a boruyed it of a strange man, sum of my felawys, who I suppose schold not lyke yowe, and ye herd of it a nothyr tyme. I ame in suerte wher as I schall have a nothyr maun in the stede of Pekoke.

My Lord of Estsexe seythe he wyll do as myche for yowe as for any esquyer in Inglond, and Beronners hys man telht me, seyy[n]g, ‘Yowr fadyr is myche be holdyng to my Lord, for he lovyth hym well.’ Bernners mevyd me ons, and seyd that ye must nedys do sum wate for my Lord and hys, and I seyd I wost well that ye wold do for hym that laye in yowre powar. And he seyd that ther was a lytyl mony be twyxe yowe and a jantylman of Estsexe, callyd Dyrward, seyyng that ther is as myche be wern [between] my seyd Lord and the seyd jantylman, of the wyche mony he desieryth yowr part.

It is talkyd here how that ye and Howard schuld a’ strevyn togueder on the scher daye, and on of Howards men schuld a’ strekyn yow twyess with a dagere, and soo ye schuld a ben hurt but for a good dobelet that ye hadde on at that tyme. Blyssyd be God that ye hadde it on. No mor I wryth to yower good faderhod at thys tym, but All myghty God have yowe in Hys kepyng, and sende yowe vyttorye of yowr elmyes [enemies], and worschyp in cressyng to yowr lyvys end yn. Wrytyn at Lewys, on Seynt Bertylmwes Eve. Be yowr servaunt and elder sone, John Paston.

301.1 [From Fenn, iv. 46.] Allusion is made in this letter, as in the last, to Edward IV.’s going into Wales in 1461. The writer appears to have been with the King, and expecting to accompany him on the journey. Edward was at Battle on the 21st August 1461, according to the dates of his privy seals.

302.1 Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex.

478
CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON303.1

To hys rythe reverent and worchypfwll broder, John Paston.

1461
AUG. 25

Rythe reverent and worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde me to yowr good broderhood, desieryng to herre of zour welfar and good prosperite, the gwyche I pray God encresse to His pleswr and zowr herts hesse [heart’s ease]; certyfyyng zow that I have spok with John Rwsse, and Playter spok with him bothe, on Fryday be for Seynt Barthelmw. He tolde us of Howards gydyng, gwyche mad us rythe sory tyl we herde the conclusion that ze hadde non harme.

Also I understond by W. Pekok that my nevew hadde knowleche ther of also up on Saterday nexst be for Seynt Barthelmwe, in the Kyngs howse. Not with standyng, up on the same day Playter and I wryte letters on to him, rehersyng al the mater, for cause if ther wer ony questionys mevyd to hym ther of, that he xwlde telle the trowthe, in cas that the qwestions wer mevyd by ony worchypfwll man, and namyd my Lord Bowcher,304.1 for my Lord Bowcher was with the Kyng at that tyme.

I fele by W. Pekok that my nevew is not zet verily aqweyntyd in the Kyngs howse, nor with the officers of the Kyngs howse he is not takyn as non of that howse; for the coks [cooks] be not charged to serve hym, nor the sewer304.2 to gyve hym no dyche, for the sewer wyll not tak no men no dyschys till they be comawndyd by the cownterroller. Also he is not aqweyntyd with no body but with Weks;304.3 and Weks ad told hym that he wold bryng hym to the Kyng, but he hathe not zet do soo. Wherfor it were best for hym to tak hys leve and cum hom, til ze hadd spok with swm body to helpe hym forthe, for he is not bold y now to put forthe hym selfe. But than I consyderyd that if he xwld now cum hom, the Kyng wold thyng [think] that wan he xwld doo hym ony servie som wer, that than ze wold have hym hom, the qwyche xwld cause hym not to be hadde in favor; and also men wold thynke that he wer put owte of servic. Also W. Pekok tellythe me that his mony is spent, and not ryotesly, but wysly and discretly, for the costs is gretter in the Kyngs howse qwen he rydythe than ze wend it hadde be, as Wyllam Pekok can tell zow; and therof wee must gett hym jCs. at the lest, as by Wyllam Pekoks seyyng, and zet that will be to lytill, and I wot well we kan not get xld. of Christifyr Hanswm. So I xall be fayn to lend it hym of myn owne silver. If I knew verily zour entent wer that he xwld cum hom, I wold send hym non. Ther I wyll doo as me thynkithe ze xwld be best plesyd, and that me thynkythe is to send him the silver. Ther for I pray zow hastely as ze may send me azen v. mark, and the remnawnte, I trow, I xall get up on Christofir Hanswm and Lwket. I pray zow send me it as hastely as ze may, for I xall leve my selfe rythe bare; and I pray zow send me a letter how ze woll that he xull be demenyd. Wrytyn on Twsday after Seynt Barthelmwe, &c. Christus vos conservet! Clement Paston.

303.1 [From Fenn, iv. 52.] The references to Howard’s conduct, and to John Paston the son being with the King, prove this letter to be of the year 1461. Compare the last paragraph of the letter immediately preceding with the first of this.

304.1 Henry, Viscount Bourchier, who had been created Earl of Essex on the 30th June preceding. The writer had forgotten his new dignity.

304.2 An officer who had the ordering of the dishes, etc.

304.3 John Wykes was an usher of the King’s chamber, and a friend and cousin of J. Paston’s.—F.

479
LORD BEAUCHAMP TO SIR THOMAS HOWES305.1

To myn welbeloved frende, Sir Thomas Howys, Parson of Blofeld.

1461
AUG. 28

Welbeloved frende, I grete you well. And for as muche as I understonde that William Wurcester, late the servant unto Sir John Fastolf, Knyth, whois soule God assoyle, ys not had in favour ne trust with my right welbeloved frende, John Paston, nether with you, as he seyth, namely in such maters and causes as concerneth the wylle and testament of the said Sir John Fastolf; and as I am informed the said William purposeth hym to go into his cuntre, for the whiche cause he hath desired me to wryte unto you that ye wolde ben a special good frend unto hym, for his said mastris sake, to have alle suche things as reason and consciens requireth, and that ye wolde be meane unto Paston for hym in this mater to schewe hym the more favour at thys tyme for this my writyng in doyng of eny truble to hym, trusting that he wole demeane hym in suche wyse that he shal have no cause unto hym, but to be his good master, as he seyth. And yf ther be eny thing that I can do for you, I wole be right glad to do it, and that knoweth Almyghty God, whiche have you in his keping. Wretin at Grenewyche, the xxviijth day of August. J. Beauchamp.

305.1 [From Fenn, iv. 96.] This letter was probably written in the year 1461, if not in the year preceding. The disputes about Fastolf’s will came before the Spiritual Court in the year 1465; but at the date of this letter they could not have proceeded very far.

480
LORD HUNGERFORD AND ROBERT WHITYNGHAM TO MARGARET OF ANJOU306.1

A la Reyne D’Engleterre [en] Escote.

1461
AUG. 30

Madam, please it yowr gode God, we have sith our comyng hider, writen to your Highnes thryes. The last we sent by Bruges, to be sent to you by the first vessell that went into Scotland; the oder ij. letters we sent from Depe, the ton by the Carvell in the whiche we came, and the oder in a noder vessell. But, ma dam, all was oon thyng in substance, of puttyng you in knolege of the Kyng your uncles306.2 deth, whom God assoyll, and howe we sta[n]de arest [arrested], and doo yet; but on Tuysday next we trust and understande, we shall up to the Kyng, your cosyn germayn.306.3 His Comyssaries, at the first of our tarrying, toke all our letters and writyngs, and bere theym up to the Kyng, levyng my Lord of Somerset in kepyng atte Castell of Arkes,306.4 and my felowe Whityngham and me, for we had sauff conduct, in the town of Depe, where we ar yete. But on Tyysday next we understand, that it pleaseth the said Kyngs Highnes that we shall come to hys presence, and ar charged to bring us up, Monsieur de Cressell, nowe Baillyf of Canse, and Monsieur de la Mot.

Ma dam[, ferth [fear] you not, but be of gode comfort, and beware that ye aventure not your person, ne my Lord the Prynce,307.1 by the See, till ye have oder word from us, in less than your person cannot be sure there as ye ar, [and] that extreme necessite dryfe you thens; and for God sake the Kyngs Highnes be advysed the same. For as we be enformed, Th’erll of March307.2 is into Wales by land, and hath sent his navy thider by see; and, Ma dame, thynketh verily, we shall not soner be delyvered, but that we woll come streght to you, withaut deth take us by the wey, the which we trust he woll not, till we see the Kyng and you peissible ayene in your Reame; the which we besech God soon to see, and to send you that your Highnes desireth. Writen at Depe the xxxti dey of August. Your true Subgettes and Liege men. Hungerford. Whityngham.

At the bottom of the Copy of the Letter is added:—

These ar the names of those men that ar in Scotland with the Quene. The Kyng Herry is at Kirkhowbre with iiij. men and a childe.

Quene Margaret is at Edenburgh and hir son.

The Lord Roos and his son.

John Ormond.

William Taylboys.

Sir John Fortescu.

Sir Thomas Fyndern.

Waynesford of London.

Thomas Thompson of Guynes.

Thomas Brampton of Guynes.

John Audeley of Guynes.

Langheyn of Irland.

Thomas Philip of G[i]ppeswich.

Sir Edmund Hampden.

Sir Henry Roos.

John Courteney.

Myrfyn of Kent.

Dauson.

Thomas Burnby.

Borret of Sussex.

Sir John Welpdalle.

Mr. Roger Clerk, of London.

John Retford, late Coubitt.

Giles Senctlowe.

John Hawt.

306.1 [From Fenn, i. 246.] That this letter was written in the year 1461 is sufficiently evident from its contents. The MS. from which it was printed by Fenn was a copy in the handwriting of Henry Windsor, and was manifestly the enclosure referred to in his letter No. 483. It bore the same paper-mark as that letter.

306.2 Charles VII. of France. He died on the 22nd July 1461.

306.3 Lewis XI., son of Charles VII.

306.4 Arques, in Normandy, south of Dieppe.

307.1 Edward, son of Henry VI.

307.2 Edward IV., whom the Lancastrians did not yet recognise as king.

481
JOHN PAMPYNG TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR308.1

To my right worshipfull master John Paston, the older, Squier.

1461
SEPT. 6

Please your mastirship to wete that I have be at Cotton, and spoke with Edward Dale, and he told me that Yelverton and Jenney were there on Friday,308.2 and a toke distresse of xxvj. or more bullokks of the seid Edwards in the Park, and drofe hem to a town therby; and a neyghbore there undirstandyng the bests were Edward Dalis,308.3 and bond hym to pay the ferme, or ellis to bryng in the bests be a day. And whan the seid Edward undirstod the takyng of the seid bests he went to Yelverton and Jenney, and bond hym in an obligacon of xli., to pay hem his ferme at Mighelmes; whech I told hym was not well do, for I told hym ye had be abill to save hym harmeles. And because of discharge of his neyghbour he seid he myght non other wise do. Nevirthelesse as for mony thei get none of hym redely, ner of the tenaunts nowthyr, as he can thynk yet. The seid Yelverton dyned on Friday at Cotton, and there chargid the tenaunts thei shuld pay no mony but to hym, and hath flaterid hem, and seith thei shall be restorid ayen of such wrongs as thei have had be Sir Philip Wentworth and other for Master Fastolff; and because of such tales, your tenaunts owe hym the bettir will. And I purposid to have gon to Cotton and spoke with the tenaunts, and Edward Dale told me he supposid thei wold be this day at Nakton. And because [I desired]308.4 to speke with hem as ye comaundid me, I terid not but rod to Ipwich to my bed, and there at the Sonne was the seid Yelverton and Jenney and Thomas Fastolff; and myn ost told me, that the same aftir none thei had be at Nakton, but what thei ded there I can not telle, and whan I was undirstand your man, Hogon, Jenneys man, askyd suerte of pes of me; and Jenney sent for an officer to have hed me to prison; and so myn ost undirtoke for me that nyght. And this day in the mornyng I wente to Sen Lauerauns Chirche; and there I spak to hem and told hem ye merveylid that thei wold take any distresse or warne any of your tenaunts that thei shuld pay yow no mony. And Yelverton seid ye had take a distresse falsly and ontrewly of hym that ought yow no mony ner hem nowther. And he seid he was infeffid as well as ye; and as for that I told hym he wost odre [knew the contrary], and thow he were it was but your use, and so I told hym that men were infeffid in his lond, and that he shuld be servid the same withinne fewe dayes. And he seid he wost well ye were not infeffid in his lond, and if ye toke upon yow to make any trobill in his lond ye shall repente it. And also he seid that he wold do in like wise in alle maners that were Sir John Fastolffs in Norfolk as thei have begonne, and other langage as I shall telle yow. And so I am with the gayler, with a clogge upon myn hele for suerte of the pees; wherefore please your mastirship to send me your avise.

Item, John Andrews was with hem at Cotton, and thei have set a man of the seid Andrews to kepe the plase.

Item, Wymondham, Debenham and Tympirle come to Yelverton this day at masse and speke with hym; and I speke to Tymperle in your name that he wold not comforte ner be with hem ayein in this mater; and he seid he undirstod no such thyng, ner it was not his comyng hedir. Wretyn at Ipwych the Sonday next before the Nativite of Owr Lady. Yowr servaunt, John Pampyng.

The back is covered with some rough memoranda in Richard Calle’s hand, of moneys received at different times of year by Richard Charlys, Thomas Howys, William Berton, baker, of Southwark, Ralph Lovel, John Prentyng, Richard Coomber, and John de Dorylot. Some of these payments are made through Dawbeney, John Paston, junior, and John Paston, senior (per manus Johannis Paston Senioris).

308.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] In the letter of James Gloys, which follows (No. 482), will be found an allusion to a recent ‘revel done in Suffolk’ by Yelverton and Jenney. That the affair alluded to was the same which is described in this letter will appear beyond doubt if the reader will refer to Letter 487.

308.2 4th September.

308.3 Apparently the writer has omitted a word or more here.

308.4 Omitted in MS.

482
JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON310.1

To the right reverent and wurchepfull Sir, and my gode mayster, John Paston, Esquyer.

1461
SEPT. 24

Right reverent and wurchepfull sir, I recomand me to your gode maystershep, prayng you to wete that I was at Blakkes, and spake with his wiffe; and she seth he was not at hame this iij. weks,—he ridith up the countre to take accompts of balys [bailiffs],—and that this day sevennyght he shuld have satyn in Caystr by you up on accounts, and fro thens he shuld have redyn to Lynne, and that he shall be at home un Monday at nyght next comyng. Wherfor I have left my heraund with her. But she seth that he shall not mown comyn [be able to come] to you, for my Lady310.2 have sent for hym in gret hast, bothyn be a letter and be a tokyn, to comyn to her as hastly as he may; notwithstandyng she shall do the herand to hym.

As for Yelverton, I dede a gode fele to enquer of Yemmys Skynner whan the seid Yelverton shuld go to London. He seid not this sevynnyght. He cowde not tell what day till he had spokyn with his son. His sone shuld come to hym or his master shuld ridyn. I shall enquer mor at Walsyngham. And for Godds love be not to longe fro London, for men seyn ther, as I have be [told], that my Lord of Glowcetir310.3 shuld have Cayster, and ther is gret noyse of this revell that was don in Suffolk be Yelverton and Jeney; and your wele willers thynkyn that if thei myght prevayle in this, thei wold attempt you in other. But seas ther pore and malyce, and preserve you from all evill. And at the reverence of God lete sum interposicion go a twix you and my mastres your moder or ye go to London, and all that ye do shall spede the better; for she is set on gret malyce, and every man that she spekith with knowith her hert, and it is like to be a fowle noyse [over] all the countre with aught it be sone sesid.

Also, sir, it is told me that my Lord of Norfolk is comyn to Framlyngham, and that ye be gretly comendyd in his howshold. Therfor it wer wele do, me semyth, that ye spake with hym. The Holy Trynyte kepe you.

Wretyn at Norwich, the Thursday next after Sent Mathewe. Your pore prest, James Gloys.

310.1 [From Fenn, iv. 58.] On the back of this letter is the following memorandum in a contemporaneous hand:— ‘De Ric’o Calle pro ordio (i.e. hordeo) ibidem pro ij. annis terminatis ad Mic’ anno primo regni Regis E. iiij., xxvjs. viijd.’ This shows that the letter itself could not have been written later than 1461, and as there was no ‘Lord of Gloucester’ before that year, it could not have been earlier.

310.2 Alice, Duchess of Suffolk.

310.3 Richard, the King’s brother, afterwards Richard III.

483
HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON311.1

To my full worshipfull, speciall gode maister, John Paston, Squyer, abidyng at Norwich.

1461
OCT. 4

Right worshipfull sir, and some tyme my moost speciall gode master, I recommaunde me unto your gode maistership, with all my pour service, if it may in any wise suffice; and farthermore, sir, I beseche you, nowe beyng in your countre, where ye may deily call unto you my maister Sir Thomas Howys, ones to remembre my pour mater, and by your discretions to take such a direction theryn, and so to conclude, as may be to your discharge and to my furtherance, accordyng to the will of hym that is passed unto Gode, whose saull I pray Jesu pardone! for truly, sir, ther was in hym no faute, but in me onely; yf it be not as I have remembred your maistership affore thy[s] tyme. For truly, sir, I der say I shuld have had as speciall and as gode a maister of you, as any pour man, as I am, withyn England shuld have hadd of a worshipfull man, as ye ar, yf ye had never medulled the godes of my maister F., and as moche ye wold have done, and labored fore me, in my right, if it hadde byn in the handes of any oder man than of your self anely. But, I truste in Gode, at your next comyng to have an answere, such as I shalbe content with. And yf it may be so, I am and shalbe your servaunt in that I can or may, that knoith our Lord Jesu, whom I besech save and sende you a gode ende in all your maters, to your pleiser and worship everlastyng. Amen. Writton at London, iiijto die Octobris.

As fore tidyngs, the Kyng wolbe at London withyn iij. deies next comyng; and all the castelles and holdes in South Wales, and in North Wales, ar gyfen and yelden up into the Kynges hand. And the Duc of Excestre312.1 and th’erle of Pembrok312.2 ar floon and taken the mounteyns, and dyvers Lordes with gret puissans ar after them; and the moost part of gentilmen and men of worship ar comen yn to the Kyng, and have grace, of all Wales.

The Duc of Somerset, the Lord Hungerford, Robert Whityngham, and oder iiij. or v. Squyers are comen into Normandy out of Scotland, and as yette they stand strete under arest; and as merchauntes that ar comen late thens sey, they ar like to be demed and jugged prisoners. My Lord Wenlok, Sir John Cley, and the Dean of Seynt Severyens, have abiden at Cales thise iij. wikes, and yette ar there, abidyng a saufconduit, goyng uppon an ambassate to the Frenshe Kyng; and Sir Wauter Blount, Tresorer of Cales, with a grete feleship of souldeours of Cales, and many oder men of the Marches, have leyn, and yette doo, at a seege afore the Castell of Hampmes, by side Cales, and deily make gret werre, either parte toother.

Item, I send unto you a copy of a letter that was taken uppon the see, made by the Lord Hungerford and Whytyngham.

Item, we shall have a gret ambassate out of Scotland in all hast of Lordes. At your comaundement, and Servaunt, Henry Wyndesore.

311.1 [From Fenn, i. 240.] For the date of this letter, compare No. 480.

312.1 Henry Holland. He married Anne, sister of King Edward IV., but remained a steady Lancastrian, and was attainted this year in Parliament.

312.2 Jasper Tudor, half-brother of Henry VI.

484
CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON313.1

To his right reverent and worshipfull broder, John Paston, Esquier, be this delivered in great haste.

1461
OCT. 11

Brother, I recommende me to you. After all dewe recommendacions, &c. Sir, it was tolde me by rythe a worshipfull man that loveth you rythe well, and ye him, and ye sall knowe his name hereafter, but put all things out of doubt he is such a man as will not lye: on the xjth day of October the Kinge said, ‘We have sent two privy sealys to Paston by two yeomen of our chamber, and he disobeyeth them; but we will send him anoder tomorrowe, and by Gods mercye, and if he come not then he sall dye for it. We will make all oder men beware by him how they sall disobey our writinge. A servant of our hath made a complainte of him. I cannot thinke that he hath informed us all truely, yet not for that, we will not suffer him to disobey our writinge; but sithen he disobeyeth our writinge, we may beleve the better his gydinge is as we be informed.’ And therwith he made a great avowe that if he [ye] come not at the third commandement ye xulde dye therefore. This man that told me this is as well learned a man as any is in England; and the same xjth day of October, he advised me to send a man to yow in all the hast that might be to lett yow have knowlache, and that ye xulde not lett for none excuse, but that ye xulde make the man good cheere and come as hastily ye might to the Kinge, for he understandeth so much that the King will keep his promise. Notwithstanding, by mine advice, if ye have his letter or the messenger come to you, come to the Kinge wards or ye meet with him, and when ye come ye must be suer of a great excuse. Also if ye doe well, come right stronge, for Howards wife made her bost that if any of her husbands men might come to yow ther yulde goe noe penny for your life; and Howard hath with the Kinge a great fellowship.

This letter was written the same day that the Kinge said these words, and the same day that it was told me, and that day was the xjth day of October as abovesaid; and on the next morning send I forth a man to yow with this letter, and on the same day send the Kinge the third privye seale to you. Also he that tolde me this seid that it were better for yow to come up than to be fotte out of your house with streingth, and to abide the Kings judgement therin, for he will take your contumacy to great displeasure. Also, as I understand, the Duke of Norffolk hath made a great complaint of yow to the King, and my Lord of Suffolk314.1 and Howard and Wyngfelde helpe well to every day and call upon the King against yow. The Kinge is at this day at Grenewich, and ther will be still till the Parliament beginne. Some say he will goe to Walsingham, but Mr. Sotyll seid in the aulle in the Temple that he harde no worde of any such pilgrimage. No more, &c. Written the xjth day of October at midnight.

My nevew John tolde me also that he supposed ther were out proclamacions against yow, &c. the same day. By Clement Paston, your broder.

313.1 This letter is reprinted from the Norfolk Archæology, vol. iv. p. 26, where it is edited from a transcript contained in a MS. genealogy of the Paston family drawn up by Sandford, author of the Genealogical History of England. The references to Howard’s animosity against Paston, and to an approaching Parliament, prove clearly that this letter is of the year 1461.

314.1 John de la Pole, son and heir of William, Duke of Suffolk, who was attainted in 1450, was not restored to the Dukedom till the 23rd of March 1463; but being in favour at court, and having married Edward IV.’s sister, he seems even at this time to have been popularly called ‘my Lord of Suffolk.’

485
RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON315.1

To my ryght reverent and wurschipfull maystre, my mastre John Paston.

1461
OCT. 13

Plesith it your maystreschip to witte that Mr. John and I, with other mo, have ben at Cotton on Friday315.2 last passed, and there Jenney had do warned the corte there to be the same Friday, and he was at Eye at the cescions the Thorsday before; and on the Friday in the mornynge he was comyng to Cotton to hoolde the corte there. And it fortuned we had entred the place or he come; and he herd therof and turned bac a yein to Oxon315.3 to my Lorde of Norwiche, and there dyned with hym. And my Lorde sent Mr. John Colleman to Cotton Halle to speke with you; and at hes comyng he undrestode ye were not there, and if ye had, my Lorde desired you to come and spoken with hym, and that my Lorde desired to put your matre in a trety; in so moche that Mr. John Colleman tolde to my master, John Paston, that diverse of your elmees [enemies] had labored to my Lorde to have a trety if he cowde brynge it aboute, &c. And as for the tenaunts they wolde not come at the place on to the tyme that I sent for hem, for they sey pleynly they woll not have a do with hem; and so the corte whas holden in your name, and the tenaunts ryght weele plesed ther of, excepte Thurnberne and Agas, and as for any socour, they have there ryght noone at all. And so Mr. John whas ther Friday all day and Saterday tyll none; and than he toke hes horse with xxx. men with hym and rode to Jeney place, and toke there xxxvj. heede of nete, and brought hem in to Norfolk; and so whas I left still at Cotton with xij. men with me, be cauce they reporte and we abode there ij. dayes we schulde be pult out be the heeds. And so we a mode [? abode] there v. dayes and kepte the place, and I walked aboute all the lordeschippes and spake with all the fermours and tennaunts that longen to the maner to undrestande her disposessyon and to receyve money of hem; and I fynde [them] ryght weele disposed to you. And be cauce the corte whas warned in ther name and not in youre, therfore they purvey no money; but they have promysed me to pay no money to no man but to you, so that ye woll safe hem harmeles; and I told hem ye wold safe hem harmeles. They have apoynted with me to make redy her money withinne a fornyght aftre Halowemesse, &c. I have receyved of the tenaunts that I undrestod out [owed] you werst wyll viij. marc, &c. And as for Edward Dalys money it is redy, so that your maistreschip woll se that he be not hurt be hes obligacion. Ferthermore, plesit your maistreschip to sende worde if they entre into the maner ayein, how we schall be rwled and gidyd; for the tenaunts fere hem they wol entre whan we be gon, and than wol they distreyne the tenaunts, for they sey there that my Lorde of Cauntyrbury and other Lords woll relese to hem, notwithstandyng that I have enformed hem other wice; wherfore, savyng your better advice, me semethe it were ryght weele doo that ye had a letter of my Lorde of Cauntirbury, and other to the tenaunts of Cotton that it is her wyll and entent that ye schulde have the rwle and gouernaunce, and receyve the money of that maner, and other that were Sir John Fastolff, on whom God have mercy, for I dought not and suche a lettre came downe to the tenaunts there schulde no man sey nay to it. Besechyng your maystreschyp to have an answere of how we schall be gided and rwled, &c. Item, to sende worde howe we schall doo with the geere that wee toke out at the Wyght Freris, wether it schall be sent to you or nought. And Jesu preserve you. Wreten at Norwiche upon Sein Edwards Day. Be your servaunt and bedman, Ric. Calle.

Endorsed in a hand nearly contemporaneous: ‘Litter’ sirca anno (sic) E. 4 iij. vel iiijo.’

315.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] On comparing this letter with No. 481, no one will doubt that both were written in the same year.

315.2 9th October.

315.3 Hoxne.

486
WILLIAM NAUNTON TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR317.1

To my Master Paston, the elder, be thys letter delyveryd in hast.

1461
OCT.

Ryght wurchypful sir, I recommend me to zour good masterchyp. The cause qwy I wryth I let zour have knowlech of the mene that be in Cotton Halle, how they be strangely dysposyd ageyns zow; for, as I here say, they make revell there. They melt led and brek down zour bregg, and make that no man go in to [the] place but on a ledder, and make them as strong as they kan a geyns zow be the supportacion of Jeney and Debenham, and hys sone; for they seye ther that Jeney hath sold the lyflod on to Debynham, and that hys son the knyth shall dwell ther, and ther forr they have warnyd a cort ageyns Munday, and now they ar a vysed to kepyt on Saturday be forr Munday. Qwat they mene therby I wot never, but as for the felechyp in the place that ys there now, and have be here al thys weke, there ys no man of substans, as we here, and there have be but vij. or viij. al thys wyke; but there wyll be a gret felechyp thys nyth or to morwe up on Saturday, for than they wyl kepe the cort. And as for Edward Dale, he dar not abyde wyl at horn, they thret hym so, be cause he wyl send them no vytaly. And as for me self, Edward Dale dar not let me wyll [well] be there for takyng in suspecyon. And jas for the tenaunts, they be wel dysposyd except j. or ij., so that ze wyl support them in hast, for they may nowt kepe of ther katel of the ground long; and specyally they desyr to have zowr owne presens, and they wold be of gret cownfort. No mor I wryth to zour, but the Holy Gost have zour in kepyng. Wretyn on the Fryday after my departyng. Be your Servaunt, Wyllyam Nanton.

317.1 [From Fenn, iii. 414.] This letter corresponds so closely with the next in what is said about the occupants of Cotton Hall, that it is clear they were both written about the same time.

487
RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON, JUNIOR318.1

To the right worschipfull sir and maistre, John Paston jun., esquyer.

1461
OCT.

Ryght worschipfull sir, I recomaunde me unto your mastreschip, certifiyng you that Jenney and Yelverton hathe certified up in to the Kynges Benche inssurrecions [and] congregacions a yenste me; wherupon they have sente to the scheryff a writte chargyng hym in peyne of Cli. to brynge me in to the Kyngs Benche the morwe after Sein Marteyn. And this daye the seide Jenney hathe sent doune to the scheryff an other writte called an habeas corpus retornable crastino Animarum, weche schalbe on Twesday next comyng be cauce they were in dought and in greete feere that I schulde have ben aquytte of the inditement of fellony now at this gayle delyverye. And also my maistre hathe sente an other writte for me retornable at the seid crastino Animarum. And so I am like to ride to London warde to morwe. And the scheryff wold make me to fynde suerte that I schulde appere in the Kyngs Benche the seid daye; and yet, that notwithstandyng, he wolde send me with strengthe of men as a presoner; and if any thynge schall cauce me that I goo not up to London, it schalbe be cauce I woll fynde no suerte; for in cas he wold have suffred me to have gon up be my selfe at myn owne coste, I wolde have founde hym suertee. And so at the makyng of this bille we were not fully condesended hough we schulde doo. My mastre is in goode hele, blissed be Godd, and dothe and schall doo ryght weele in alle hes maters. Ther is an ongracious felaschip of hem and a fals. They have sent for Fitzraff and Schipdam, be a citacion for the proffe of the testement, and alle is but for to delay it; yet it were weele done ye rode over to Fitzraff and felte hes disposicion how he woll be disposed, and in like wice with Schipdam, for I have spoken with hem of that matre, in cas that any citacion come doun for hem, how they wolde be disposed, and I have founde the too straunchely disposed. God send us a good scheryf thys yere, and thanne we schalle do weele inough, be the grace of God.

And, sir, your man tolde me that ye desired to knowe the demenyng at Cotton of the tenaunts and other. I lete you wete the moste parte of alle the tenaunts have bene here with me for to see me, and they have tolde me all the demenyng as it is undrewrete. Furst, as for the money that they receyved there it drwe upon a xxiiijti li. and more silver, for the tenaunts myght not cheese but they moste nedes paye, for they distreyned on my Lords of Suffolk fee, my Lords of Norwich fee, and on all men grounde, so that they myght not have her catell in reste, weche cauced hem to paye her money. I knowe weele i nough who payed and wo paied not. All the grete fermours have payed. And as for the kepyng of the place ther be therin iiij. men, and on of Debenham men, called Sokelyng, and hes wyff, and on Mannyng, a tenaunt, a fals knave; and they have enforced them as stronke as they kan, and they have broken doune the brigge and have leide a planke over, in cas that ye go theder ye may not come at Dale is howce in no waie, for he have had meche trouble for my mastre and for me; but and ye wolde gete my Lords meane and pulle the knaves out be the heede, it were weele done. I purpose me to com hom warde that same wey. Item, I lete you witte that the gayle delyverye holdeth not this daye, and alle is doone be cauce of mee, Jenney wolde not lete the clerke of peas come hether this daye for feere that I schulde have been aquytte of the felonye, for in trouthe and tho it had holden, I had founde the meane for to have ben quytte, for I whas through with the scheryff and panel made aftyr myn avice; but though the gayle delyver had holden, I cowde not have ben delyverd, becauce of thes writtes that be come downe. Item, the scheryff hathe a grete losse that this daye holdethe not, for ther schulde have ben quytte xl. men this daye. Item, the scheryff tolde me that my maistre tolde hym that I whas assent to my takyng at Scoolys, weche was to me ryght greete hevynes and discomforture nough in my trouble. And God knoweth it was never my wylle ner myn entent, as I mot be saved at the dredful day of Dome; for ther is no man so sore hurte as I am be the takyng, bothe in losse, and also in reprefe of myn owne persoune and of my frends, withoute that my mastre be my good maistre, as I truste he wolle be, or elles I am disseyved. He hathe my trewe servyce and shal have whylle that I leve, what so ever his mastreschip do to me, but I can thynke he hathe be enformed be myn elmyes [enemies] that wold make hym disp[l]esed with me, and to be myn evy [heavy] mastre, but dissimulacion dothe muche harme, &c. I reporte me, &c. No more to you at this tyme, but Jesu kepe you, and send you as much fortune and grace as I wolde ye had, &c. I beseche [you] to be my goode mastre as ye have be, for I never deserved nor wol deserve the contrary. Your servaunt, Ric. Calle, presoner.

318.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was written in a year in which the morrow of All Souls’ Day (i.e. the 3rd November) fell on Tuesday. The Dominical letter of the year must therefore be D. This was the case in 1461, and no other year will suit a letter addressed to John Paston, junior. For if we go back there is no earlier year in which D was the Dominical letter till we come to 1450, when John Paston, junior, was only ten years old; and if we go forward the next is 1467, which was after John Paston the father’s death.

END OF VOLUME III

Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to His Majesty
at the Edinburgh University Press

Contents of Volume III
(added by transcriber)

| Year | Letter
Henry VI | 1454 | 260
| 1455 | 270
| 1456 | 314
| 1457 | 354
| 1458 | 361
| 1459 | 374
| 1460 | 398
| 1461 | 429
date uncertain | 435
Edward IV | 1461 | 449

Title Page

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 III

LONDON
CHATTO & WINDUS

EXETER
JAMES G. COMMIN

1904

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PASTON LETTERS, A.D. 1422-1509. VOLUME 3 (OF 6) ***

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Table of Contents

THE PASTON LETTERS A.D. 1422-1509

THE PASTON LETTERS Henry VI

260 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON1.1
261 ABSTRACT3.1
262 RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON3.2
263 THOMAS HOWES TO [JOHN PASTON?]5.1
264 ABSTRACT6.1
265 WILLIAM BARKER TO SIR J. FASTOLF6.2
266 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON7.1
267 THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON9.3
268 SIR THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON10.2
269 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON12.1
270 EDMUND CLERE TO JOHN PASTON13.1
271 ABSTRACT14.5
272 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
273 THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON16.1

274 THE ABBOT OF ST. BENET’S TO JOHN PASTON17.1

275 ABSTRACT

276 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.18.1

277 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK19.1

278 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK20.1

279 ABSTRACT22.1
280 ABSTRACT22.3
281 ABSTRACT23.1
282 MEMORIAL TO HENRY VI23.2
283 THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS25.1
284 THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS29.1
285 JOHN CRANE TO JOHN PASTON31.1
286 ABSTRACT32.1
287 WILLIAM BARKER TO WILLIAM WORCESTER32.2
288 THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO JOHN PASTON34.1
289 ABSTRACT34.2
290 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON35.1
291 WILLIAM PRYCE TO JOHN PASTON36.1
292 ABSTRACT36.3
293 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON37.1
294 JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON38.1
295 JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON39.2
296 ALICE CRANE TO MARGARET PASTON40.1
297 WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON41.1
298 SIR J. FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON42.2

299 HENRY WINDSOR TO BOKKYNG AND WORCESTER43.1

300 JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON45.2

301 JOHN PASTON TO JAMES GLOYS46.2

302 JOHN CHEDWORTH, BISHOP OF LINCOLN, TO JOHN PASTON47.1

303 JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON48.1

304 ABSTRACT50.2

305 WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON AND JOHN BOCKING51.1

306 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON52.1
307 ABSTRACT53.1
308 RICHARD BINGHAM TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF54.1

309 FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN.—I.55.1

310 FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN61.1
311 NOTE
312 ABSTRACT65.2
313 LORD CROMWELL TO JOHN PASTON66.1
314 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON66.2
315 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON67.1
316 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON68.2
317 ABSTRACT69.1
318 ABSTRACT69.2

319 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AND OTHERS70.1

320 WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON71.2
321 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON73.1
322 JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF74.2
323 ABSTRACT76.2
324 HUGH A FENNE TO JOHN PASTON77.1
325 JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON78.1

326 ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF79.1

327 DAME ALICE OGARD TO JOHN PASTON80.1
328 HUGH FENN TO JOHN PASTON81.2
329 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON82.1
330 JOHN BOCKYNG TO JOHN PASTON84.1
331 JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON86.3
332 HENRY WINDSOR TO JOHN PASTON87.2
333 JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON90.1
334 JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON91.3
335 ABSTRACT93.1
336 ABSTRACT93.2
337 ABSTRACT94.1
338 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON95.1
339 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON97.1
340 HENRY FYLUNGLEY TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF98.1
341 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON99.1
342 LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON100.1
343 LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON100.5
344 ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO JOHN PASTON101.1
345 JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON102.1
346 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON104.1
347 SIR THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON106.1
348 JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON107.1
349 ABSTRACT109.2
350 ABSTRACT110.1
351 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON111.1
352 ABSTRACT112.3
353 JOHN DORY TO JOHN PASTON 113.1
354 JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON114.1
355 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON115.1
356 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON116.1

357 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE119.1

358 ABSTRACT120.1
359 ABSTRACT120.2
360 SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO STEPHEN SCROOPE120.3

361 RICHARD, EARL OF SALISBURY, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT121.2

362 AGNES PASTON123.1
363 AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON124.1
364 WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF125.1
365 ABSTRACT126.1
366 JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF127.1
367 WILLIAM CALTHORPE TO JOHN PASTON128.1
368 ABSTRACT129.1
369 JOHN JERNYNGAN TO MARGARET PASTON129.3
370 HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON131.1
371 ABSTRACT133.1
372 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON133.3
373 ABSTRACT134.2
374 ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES PASTON135.1

375 JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS FATHER137.1

376 ABSTRACT138.1
377 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON138.2
378 OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON140.1
379 WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON141.1
380 ABSTRACT142.1

381 JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.1

382 ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.2

383 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON144.2
384 WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON146.1
385 WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF147.2
386 WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF160.2
387 SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S WILL163.1

388 INVENTORY OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S GOODS166.1

389 SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S WARDROBE174.1

- U.

- U V

- E.

- F.

- G.

- H.

- G.

390 FASTOLF’S COLLEGE189.1
391 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON191.2
392 SIR JOHN FASTOLF AND JOHN PASTON193.1
393 BISHOP WAYNFLETE’S ADVICE194.1
394 ABSTRACT194.3
395 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON195.1

396 JOHN BOCKING TO YELVERTON, PASTON, AND FILONGLEY197.6

397 SIR PHILIP WENTWORTH’S PETITION199.1
398 ABSTRACT202.1
399 WILLIAM BOTONER TO JOHN BERNEY203.1
400 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON204.1
401 WILLIAM BOTONER TO ——205.2
402 W. LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON208.1
403 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [WILLIAM PASTON]209.1
404 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON213.1
405 ANONYMOUS TO H. B. OF LINCOLN214.1
406 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON216.1
407 THE ABBOT OF LANGLEY TO JOHN STOKES218.3
408 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON219.2
409 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON220.1

410 THE YORKIST LORDS TO THE AUTHORITIES IN NORFOLK221.1

411 ABSTRACT222.1
412 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON223.1
413 ABSTRACT224.1
414 ANONYMOUS TO YELVERTON AND PASTON225.1
415 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON226.1
416 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]
417 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON229.1
418 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON231.1
419 CHRISTOPHER HANSSON TO JOHN PASTON233.1
420 ABSTRACT235.1
421 THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON235.2
422 THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON236.5
423 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON238.1
424 PIERS TO MARGARET PASTON240.1
425 PERSE TO SIR ROBERT ROKESBY241.1
426 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON242.2
427 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON245.1

428 SIR GEOFFREY BOLEYN TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.246.1

429 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]247.2
430 CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON249.1
431 THE PRIOR OF BROMHOLM TO JOHN PASTON250.1
432 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON252.1
433 JOHN DAVY TO JOHN PASTON253.1
434 THOMAS SHOTBOLT TO JOHN PASTON254.1
435 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON255.1

436 A WHITSUNDAY SERMON OF FRIAR BRACKLEY256.1

437 THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON258.6
438 THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON259.1
439 SIR JOHN WINGFIELD TO JOHN PASTON259.2

440 [JOHN PASTON?] TO [RICHARD] SOUTHWELL260.1

441-448 ABSTRACTS263.1

THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV

- 449 JOHN PASTON THE YOUNGEST TO ——265.1

- 450 W. PASTON AND THOMAS PLAYTERS TO JOHN PASTON266.2

- 451 THOMAS PLAYTERS TO MASTER JOHN PASTON268.1

- 452 THOMAS PLAYTERS TO JOHN PASTON270.1
- 453 JOHN SMYTH TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR271.3
- 454 THOMAS DENYES TO JOHN PASTON272.1
- 455 THOMAS DENYES TO JOHN PASTON274.1
- 456 THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON275.1
- 457 THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON276.1
- 458 RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON277.1
- 459 ROBERT LETHUM TO JOHN PASTON279.1
- 460 JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON280.1
- 461 CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON281.1
- 462 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON282.1
- 463 THOMAS DENYES TO MARGARET PASTON284.1
- 464 RICHARD CALL TO MARGARET PASTON285.1
- 465 WILLIAM LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON286.1
- 466 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON287.1

- 467 JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON AND WYLLIAM ROKEWODE288.1

- 468 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON289.1
- 469 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON290.2
- 470 JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON291.3
- 471 JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON292.1
- 472 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON293.1
- 473 GRANT FROM THE CROWN294.1
- 474 THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON296.1
- 475 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON296.3
- 476 JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON299.1

- 477 JOHN PASTON, THE ELDEST SON, TO HIS FATHER301.1

- 478 CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON303.1

- 479 LORD BEAUCHAMP TO SIR THOMAS HOWES305.1

- 480 LORD HUNGERFORD AND ROBERT WHITYNGHAM TO MARGARET OF ANJOU306.1

- 481 JOHN PAMPYNG TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR308.1

- 482 JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON310.1
- 483 HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON311.1
- 484 CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON313.1
- 485 RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON315.1

- 486 WILLIAM NAUNTON TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR317.1

- 487 RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON, JUNIOR318.1

- Contents of Volume III (added by transcriber)

- Title Page

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