  To my Moodre. 1471 Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette that, blyssed be God, my brother John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. Never the lesse he is hurt with an arow on hys ryght arme, be nethe the elbow; and I have sent hym a serjon, whyche hathe dressid hym, and he tellythe me that he trustythe that he schall be all holl with in ryght schort tyme. It is so that John Mylsent is ded, God have mercy on hys sowle! and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe, and hys other servants all be askepyd by all lyklihod. Item, as ffor me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God; and in no joparte off my lyffe, as me lyst my self; for I am at my lyberte iff nede bee. Item, my Lorde Archebysshop Ther was kyllyd uppon the ffelde, halffe a myle ffrom Bernett, on Esterne Daye, the Erle of Warwyk, the Marqweys Montacu, Sir William Terrell, And on the Kynge Edwardes partye, the Lord Cromwell, As for other tythynges, is undrestande her that the Qwyen Margrett is verrely londyd and hyr sone in the west contre, and I trow that as to morow, or ellys the next daye, the Kynge Edwarde wyll depart ffrom hense to hyr warde, to dryve her owt ageyn. Item, I beseche yow that I may be recomendyd to my cosyn Lomner, and to thanke hym ffor hys goode wyll to me wardes, iff I had hadde nede, as I undrestoode by the berer heroff; and I beseche you on my behalve to advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng or langage as yit, ffor the worlde, Iensur yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall know with in thys monthe; the peple heer feerythe it soor. God hathe schewyd Hym selffe marvelouslye lyke Hym that made all, and can undoo ageyn whan Hym lyst; and I kan thynke that by all lyklyod schall schewe Hym sylff as mervylous ageyn, and that in schort tyme; and, as I suppose, offter than onys in casis lyke. Item, it is soo that my brother is on purveyed off monye. I have holpyn hym to my power and above. Wherffor as it pleasythe yow remembre hym, ffor kan not purveye ffor my selffe in the same case. Wretyn at London the thorysdaye in Esterne weke. I hope hastely to see yow. All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye not adoghtyd off the worlde, ffor I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe, Iame not all undon, nor noon off us; and iff otherwyse, then, &c.&c.
[THE EARL OF OXFORD] TO A LADY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In primis, for a copy of the bill, | iiijd. | |
| Item, for makyng of the awnswer to Mr. Pygot, Mr. Fayrefax, and to Mr. Hosy, | xs. | |
| Item, wyne and perys at tavern ij. tymes, | xiiijd. | |
| Item, for a copy of record in the Kynges Bench, | iijs. | iiijd. |
| Item, for pledyng of the record in the Kynges Bench a yenst Wyll. Huggan, | xs. | |
| Item, gyven to Hosey, the xxvij. day of the same moneth, for to enparle | iijs. | iiijd. |
| Item, the xxx. day of October, for the copy of the tytelyng of Huggans plee, | iiijd. | |
| Item, for wyne at [the] Cardenall Hatte | vjd. | |
| Item, the iiij. day of November, gyven to Mr. Fayrfax and Mr. Hosey for puttyng yn of the replicacyon, | vjs. | viijd. |
| Item, the x. day of November, gyven to Mr. Fayrfax, Mr. Pygotte, and Mr. Hosey, for the seyng of the paper, and comenyng of the issewe a yenst Wyll. Huggan, | xs. | |
Item, for the wyne at the Cardenall Hatte, | ||
| Item, for the entre of the aunswere a yenst Huggan by Ric. Calle, payd to Sandys, | vs. | |
| Item, to Nedersole for makyng of the paper, | ijs. | vjd. |
| Item, for the copy of the same, | ijs. | vjd. |
| Summa totalis, lvjs. iiijd. | ||
... for makyng of the paper, ijs. vjd.
text has s, for s.
789
EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON121.2
EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
Tho my rytgh wurshepfull brother John Paston, in hast.
1471
NOV. 18
Rygh wurshipful brother, I recumawnd me to zow, prayeng zow hartely that ze wyl remembyr soche maters as I wryth to zow. Isend zow now be the brynggar her of mony, wycche mony I pray zow that [ye
On the back of the letter are the following memoranda:—
| In primis, to the pryncypall of Stapyll In | vs. |
| Item, for iiij. lasys | viijd. |
| Item, for iij. doseyn poyntes | vjd. |
| Item, for a plonket ryban | vjd. |
to boredyr yt [round
unclear punctuation or flyspeck between editorial “round” and footnote marker
790
ABSTRACT123.1
ABSTRACT
[Margaret Paston] to her Son [Sir John Paston]
1471(?)
NOV. 20
Wonders she has no answer to her letter by Ric. Raddeley. Wants him and his brother to get a discharge from my Lord of Canterbury, ‘for occupying of your father’s goods.’ If my Lord died before we got it, his successor might be ‘more hasty upon us than he hath been.’ My Lord knows the great charges we have had since he deceased, which have caused the goods to be spent. If any of us were to die, no one would take charge for us unless we have a discharge. Remember the spices and malmsey I have sent to you for.
St. Edmund’s Day the King.
Sealed.
[At the date of this letter, Sir John Paston and his brother John were together in London, and apparently the Archbishop of Canterbury was seriously ill. Of the latter fact we have no certain knowledge, but it appears by a subsequent letter that there was a report of his death in June 1472, and the two brothers were certainly in London together in November of the year preceding. It is probable therefore that the Archbishop was ill of the epidemic which prevailed in the latter part of 1471 and the spring of 1472. The two brothers were not together in November 1472.]
791
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON124.1
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier, be this delyverd in hast.
1471
NOV. 29
Igrete zow welle, and send zow Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng zow wete that I have a letter from zour brother, wherby I undyrstand that he cannot, ner may, make no porveyans for the C. mark; the wyche causythe me to be rythgh hevy, and for other thynges that he wrytht to me of that he is in dawnger. For remembering wat we have had befor thys and ho symppylly yt hath be spente and to lytyl profythe to any of us, and now arn in soche casse that non of us may welle helpe other with owte that we schuld do that wer to gret a dysworschip for us to do, owther to selle wood or lond or soche stuffe that were nessessary for us to have in owr howsys; so mot I answer a for God, Iwot not how to do for the seyde money, and for other thyngges that I have to do of scharge, and my worshup saved. Yt is a deth to me to thynk up on yt. Me thynkyth be zour brothers wrythtyng, that he thynkyth that I am informed be sume that be a bowthe me to do and to sey as I have be for thys, but be my trowthe he demyth a mysse; yt nedyth me not to be informed of no soche thengges. Iconstrue in my owyn mend, and conseyve i now and to myche, and whan I have brokyn my conseyte to sume that in happe he deniythe yt too, they have put me in cownforth more than I kowde have be any imajynasyon in my owyn conseythe. He wrythetyth to me also, that he hath spend thys terme xlli. Yt is a gret thyng; me thynkyth be good dyscresyon ther mythe myche ther of aben sparyd. Zour fadyr, God blysse hys sowle, hathe had as gret maters to do as I trowe he hathe had thys terme, and hath not spend halfe the mony up on them in so lytyl tyme, and hath do ryth well. At the reverens of God, avyse hym zet to be war of hys expences and gydyng that yt be no schame to us alle. Yt is a schame
As for my rowndlet of wyne, I schuld send zow mony there fore, but I dar not put yt in joperte, ther be so many theves stereng. John Lovedayes man was robbyd in to hys schyrte as he cam home ward. Itrow, and ze assaye Towneshend or Playter, or sum other good kuntery man of owrys to lend yt zow for me tyl they cum hom, they wyl do so myche for me and I schal contente them a geyn. Item, Jamys Gressham hath ben passyng sekke and ys zet. Judy tellythe me that zour brother is avysed for to sue hym. For Goddes sake, late non onkyndnesse be schewed to hym, for that woold sone make an hend of hym. Remembyr ho keynd and true hartyd he hath ben to us to hys powre; and he had nevere take that offyce upon hym that he is in dawnger for, ne had be for owr sakkes. He hathe sold a gret parte of hys lond there for, as I suppose ze have knowlache of. Late yt be remembyrd, and ellys owr enmyes wyl rejoysyt, and ther wyl no wurshup be ther in at long way.
I schuld wryth mor but I have no leyser at thys tyme. I trow ze wyl sone kum hom, and there fore I wryth the lesse. God kepe zow and send zow good speede, &c. Wretyn the Fryday, Sen Andrue Ev. Be zour modyr.
The following note is written on the back of the Letter in Sir John Fenn’s hand:—‘This letter was fastened by threads brought through with a needle and made fast by the seal. The threads being cut on the directed side, the letter is opened without breaking the seal.’
792
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE126.1
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE
To John Paston, Esquyer, be this deliuered.
1471(?)
DEC. [1]
Igrete you wele, and send you Goddis blyssyng and myn. Desyryng you to send me word how that your brother doth. It was told her that he shuld have be ded, which caused many folkis and me bothyn to be right hevy. Also it was told me this day that ye wer hurt be affray that was mad up on you be feles disgysed. Ther fore, in any wyse send me word in hast how your brother doth and ye bothyn; for I shall not ben wele at eas till I know how that ye do. And for Goddis love lete your brother and ye be ware how that ye walken, and with what felesshep ye etyn or drynkyn, and in what place, for it was seid here pleynly that your brothere was poysoned. And this weke was on of Drayton with me and told me that there were diverse of the tenauntis seid that thei wost not what to do if that your brothere came home; and ther was on of the Duk of Suffolkis men by, and bad them not feryn, for his wey shuld be shorted and [i.e. if] he shuld come there. Wherfore, in any wyse be ware of your self, for I can thynk thei geve no fors what to do to be wenged and to put you from your entent, that thei myght have her wyll in Ser John Fastolffis land. Thy[nke]
Lete this letter be brent whan ye have understond it. Item, I pray you send me iiij. suger lofis, ich of them of iijli., and iiijli. of datis if thei be newe. Isend you xs. be the berer hereof; if ye pay more I shall pay it you ageyn whan ye come home. And forgete not to send me word be the berere hereof how ye don; and remembre the bylles and remembrauns for the maner of Gresham that I wrote to your brother for. Be your moder.
793
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON127.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
1471
. . . . the very valew of Sporlewood passyth not C. mark of no manys mony that I can spek with, and to be payid by dayis as the byll that Jwde shall delyv[er] ... rehers; and ther ayenst ye shold loose iijli. of the ferme of the maner yerly, whych standyth by undyr wood; and yet the fense must stand yow over on xij. mark by the lest wey; but, by God, and I wer as ye, Iwold not sell it for C. mark more then it is woorthe. Syr John Styll recomandyth hym to your good mastyrsheppe, and seyth pleynly if ye wyll he wyll com up to yow and awayte on yow whersoever ye be, coort or othyr. By Seynt Mary, he is owyng more mony than I wend; for he is owyng for a twelmonthe and a quarter at thys Crystmas, savyng for hys boord, xijd. a wek for iij. quarters; and he seythe pleynly that ye and R.Calle both bad hym syng styll for Syr
Item, and ye werk wysly your mater myght com in with othyr maters of the lordes in ther apoyntmentes with the Kyng, but it wold be labord to a porpose this Crystmas whyll ye have leyser to spek with your mastyr. Item, myn aqweyntans with the Lord Revers is none othyrwyse but as it hathe ben alweys; savyng and he go no to Portygall to be at a day upon the Serasyns, Iporpose and have promysyd to be ther with hym; and that jorney don, as Wykys seythe, farwell he. He porposyth to go forward a bowt Lent, but Fortune with hyr smylyng contenans strange of all our porpose may mak a sodeyn change. Iensuer yow he thynkyth all the world gothe on ther syd ayen; and as for my comyng up at the begynnyng of thys next term, with owt ye send me othyrwyse woord that I myght do yow som good when I wer com, by my feyth I com not ther, for it shold put yow to a cost, and me to a labor and cost bothe; but [if] ye send for me I com streyght, thow I tery the lesse whyll ther, and so I shall withowt I may do yow som good. By my feythe I porpose to make up my byllys clere, and send yow the copyse as hastyly as I can. Yonge Wyseman othyrwye callyd Foole, told me that Sir W.Yelverton is abowt to make a bargayne with the Dwches of Suffolk or with my Lord of Norfolk, whyche he may get fyrst, for the maner of Gwton. Ireseyve all yet, God hold it.
I praye yow recomand me to my brodyr Molyenewx, and all othyr good felaws. J. P.
Yonge Wyseman othyrwye callyd Foole
text unchanged: error for “othyrwyse”?
794
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON129.1
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
1471
Igrete you wele; letyng you wete that ther was told me a thyng in your absens that goth right nere myn hert, be a wurchepfull man and such an as ye wuld beleve and geffe credence to, and that owyth you right good wille; which if it had comyn to myn remembraunce at your departer I wuld have spoke to you of it most specially befor all other materis; but I am so trobilled in my mende with your materis that thei be so delayd and take no better conclusion, and with the ontrowth that is in servantis now a days but if the maysteris take better heed to ther handis, that such thyngis as I wuld rathest remembre I sonest for gete. It was told me that ye have sold Sporle wood of a right credebill and wurchepful man, and that was right hevy that ye shuld be know of such disposicion, consederyng how your fader, whos sowle God assoyl, cherysshed in every manor his woodis. And for the more preffe that this shuld be trought, the forseid person told me that it was told hym of on [one] that was toward Sir William Yelverton, to whom Richard Calle shuld have seid in thes termes, that Sporle Wood shuld be sold, and that it shuld comyn now in to Cristen mennes handis. Which if it were knowyn shuld cause bothyn your elmyse [enemies] and your frendis to thynk that ye dede it for right gret nede, or ellis that ye shuld be a wastour and wuld wast your lyvelod. If ye had do so in Sir John Fastolfes lyffelode, men shuld have supposid that ye had do it of good pollice, be cause of the onsuerte that it stoonit (?) in, to have takyn that ye had myght of it duryng your possession, to have boryn ought the daungere of it with the same; but for to do this of your owyn lyffelode, men shall thyng that ye do it for pure nede. And in asmych as it is so nere your most elmyse ere, it shall be to you the gretter vylney and shame to all your frendis, and the grettest
795
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON130.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my most honorabl and tendre modre, Margrete Paston, be thys letter delivered.
1472
JAN. 8
Most worschypfull and kynde moodre, I comande me to yow, and beseche yow off yowr dayly blyssyng and remembraunce. Please it yow to wete thatt I have my pardon,
. . . . . . .
And I beseche yow to remembr my brother to doo hys deveyr thatt I maye have agayn my stuffe, my bookes and vestments, and my beddyng, how so evyr he doo, thoghe I scholde gyffe xxti scutes by hys advyse to my Lady Brandon, or some other goode felawe.
As for any tydynges ther be noon heer, saffe that the Kyng hath kept a ryall Crystmesse; and now they seye that hastelye he woll northe, and some seye that he woll into Walys, and some seye that he woll into the West Contre. As ffor Qween Margrett, Iunderstond that sche is remevyd from Wyndesor to Walyngfforthe, nyghe to Ewhelme, my Lady of Suffolk Place in Oxenforthe schyre.
And men seye that the Lorde Ryverse schyppyd on Crystmesse evyn in to Portyngale warde; Iam not serteyn.
Also the schalle be a convocacion off the Clergye in all haste, whyche men deeme will avayle the Kynge a dyme and an halffe, some seye. Ibeseche God sende yow goode heele and greater joye in on year then ye have hadde thys vij.
Wretyn att the Moor the viij. daye off Janever, Ao E. iiij. xj. By yowr soone, John Paston, K.
796
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON132.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Syr John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyveryd.
1472
JAN. 23
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow in my best wyse, lykeyth yow to wet
Item, in eny wyse, and [if] ye can axe the probate of my fadyrs wyll to be gevyn yow wyth the bargayn that ye make wyth my Lord of Canterbery, and I can thynk that ye may have it, and as soone as it is prevyd ye or I may have a lettyr of mynystracyon upon the same, and a qwetance of my Lord Cardinalle evyn foorthe wyth; and thys wer one of the best bargaynys that ye mad thys ij. yer I enswyr yow, and he may make yow aqwetance or get yow one of the Bysheop of Wynchestyr for Syr John Fastolfys goodes also, and in my reson thys wer lyght to be browght a bowght with the same bargayn. And ye purpose to bargayn with hym ye had need to hye yow, for it is tolde me that my Lord of Norffolk wyl entyr in to it hastyly, and if he so doo, it is the wers for yow, and it wyll cawse them to profyr the lesse sylvyr.
Item, I pray yow send me some secret tydyngs of the lyklyed of the world by the next messenger that comyth between, that I may be eyther myryer or ellys mor sory then I am, and also that I may gwyd me ther aftyr.
Item, as for Sir R. Wyngfeld, I can get no x. li. of hym,
Wretyn the Twysday next aftyr Seynt Agnet the fyrst.
Item, yestyrday W. Gornay entryd in to Saxthorp and ther was he kepyng of a coort, and had the tenaunts attou[r]nyd to him, but er the coort was all doon, Icam thedyr with a man with me and no more, and ther, befor hym and all hys feluwschep, Gayne, Bomsted, &c., Ichargyd the tenaunts that they shold proced no ferther in ther coort upon peyn that myght folle of it, and they lettyd for a seasen. But they sye that I was not abyll to make my partye good, and so they procedyd ferther; and I sye that, and set me downe by the stward and blottyd hys book wyth my fyngyr as he wrot, so that all tenaunts afermyd that the coort was enterupte by me as in yowr ryght, and I reqwered them to record that ther was no pesybyll coort kept, and so they seyd they wold.
I can get no x. li.
anomalous spacing unchanged
797
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON134.1
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, be thys delivered.
1472
FEB. 5
Igrete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete that the woman that sewyth the appell ageyn your brother and his men is comyn to London to call ther up on. And whan that she shuld come to London ther was delivered her C.s. for to sewe with, so that be that I here in this countre she wull not leve it, but that she shall calle ther up on such tyme as shall be to your most rebuke, but if [unless] ye ley the better wetch. She hath evill councell, and that wull see you gretely uttered, and that ye may understand be the money that was take her whan she came up, and ye shuld fynd it, Iknowe it wele, if ther myght have you at avauntage; ther for, for Godds sake make diligent serge be the advyce of your councell, that ther be no necglicens in you in this mater ner other for diffaught of labour, and call upon your brother, and telle hym that I send hym Godds blyssyng and myn, and desire hym that he wull now a while, whill he hath the Lords at his entent, that he seke the meanes to make an ende of his maters, for his elmyses arn gretly coraged now of late; what is the cause I knowe not. Also, Ipray you speke to Playter that ther may be fownd a meane that the shereffe or the gaderer of grene wax
Item, I pray you speke to Mayster Roger
C. s. .... v. s.
anomalous spacing unchanged
798
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON135.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
A Johan Paston, Esquier, soit donÉ.
1472
FEB. 17
Brother, I comande me to yow, and praye yow to loke uppe my Temple of Glasse,
Item, as for tydyngs, I have spoken with Mestresse Anne Hault, at a praty leyser, and, blyssyd be God, we be as ffer fforthe as we weer toffoor, and so I hoope we schall contenew; and I promysed hyr, that at the next leyser that I kowd ffynde therto that I wolde come ageyn and see hyr; whyche wyll take a leyser as [I] deeme now; syn thys observance is over doon, Ipurpose nott to tempte God noo moor soo.
Yisterday the Kynge, the Qween, my Lordes of Claraunce and Glowcester, wente to Scheen to pardon; men sey, nott alle in cheryte; what wyll falle, men can nott seye.
The Kynge entretyth my Lorde off Clarance ffor my Lorde of Glowcester; and, as itt is seyde, he answerythe,
Thys daye I purpose to see my Lady off Norffolk ageyn, in goode howr be it!
Ther is proferyd me marchaunts ffor Sporle woode. God sende me goode sale whan I be gynne; that poor woode is soor manashed and thrett.
Yitt woote I nott whether I come home beffoor Esterne or nott, I schall sende yow worde. No moor,&c.
Wretyn the ffyrst Tewesdaye off Lenton. John Paston, K.
799
ABSTRACT136.1
ABSTRACT
1472
APRIL 10
Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 38.—‘Relaxatio Johannis Paston facta Willielmo Wainflet et aliis totius juris in manerio vocat’ Pedham Hall in Beyton, etc., in omnibus terris, tenementis, redditibus, etc., in villis de Beyton, Akle, Birlingham, et Hykling, quÆ quondam fuerunt Johannis Fastolf.—April 10, Edw. IV., 12.’—There is a similar deed of the same date including the manor of Titchwell, numbered ‘Titchwell, 5,’ in the collection.
800
SIR JOHN PASTON TO HIS BROTHER, JOHN PASTON136.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO HIS BROTHER, JOHN PASTON
To Master John Paston, or to my mestresse, hys Modre, be this letter delyveryd in hast.
1472
APRIL 30
Brother, I comand me to yow
By Juddy I sende yow a letter by Corby with in iiij. dayes byffor thys; and ther with ij. potts off oyle for saladys,
Item, as ffor tydyngs, the Erle of Northomberlonde is hoome in to the Northe, and my Lord off Glowcester schall afftr as to morow, men seye. Also thys daye Robert of Racclyff weddyd the Lady Dymmok at my place in Fleet-street, and my Ladye and yowrs, Dame Elizbeth Bowghcher,
Wretyn the last daye of Apryll.
801
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON138.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Mastyr Syr John Paston, Knyght, in hast.
1472
MAY 14
Syr, I recomande me to yow, &c. W. Gorney and I ar apoyntyd that ther shall no mony be takyn at Saxthorp tyll thys terme be past, for he hathe promysyd me to spek with yow and your consell, and that ye shall tak a wey betwyx yow so that ye shall be bothe plesyd. He had warnyd a coort at Saxthorp and to have be kep upon Holy Rood Day last past, and ther he wold have gadyrd the half yere ferm, but it fortunyd me to be there ere the coort was half done, and I took syche a wey with hym that the qwest gave no verdyt, ner they procedyd no ferther in ther cort, nor gadyrd no mony ther, nor not shall do, tyll syche tym as ye spek to gedyr, and [if] ye be at London thys term; but and ye be not at London, Iwold avyse yow to let Townysend tak a wey with hym, for it lyeth not in my power to keep werre with hym; for and I had not delt ryght corteysly up on Holy Rood DayI had drownk to myn oystyrs, for yowng Heydon had reysyd as many men as he kowd mak in harneys to have holp Gornay; but when Heydon sye [saw] that we delt so corteysly as we ded he withdrew hys men and mad hem to go hom a yen, notwithstandyng they wer redy, and ned had be. And also my Lord of Norffolks men wyll be with hym ayenst me I wet well as yet, tyl bettyr pesse be.
Item, as for myn ownkyll William, I have spook with hym, and he seyth that he wyll make a byll in all hast of iche percelle be twyxt yow and send yow word in wryghtyng how that he wooll dyell with yow; but I can not se that he besyth hym abowght it, notwithstandyng I calle upon hym dayly for it. As for mony, Ican none get, neyther at Snaylewell nor at
Wretyn the xiiij. day of Maye. J. P.
802
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON139.4
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
1472
MAY 25
Ryght worchefull syr, I recomande me to yow, sertyfying yow that I was purposyd to have com to London to have made my pese with my Lady of Norffolk, but I undyrstand she is not in London; notwithstandyng that
Also I enswyr yow by my trowthe I saw my modyr nevyr sorer mevyd with no mater in hyr lyve then she was when she red the byll that ye gave me warnyng in that Perker had atainyd an axyon ayenst yow and me, for she supposyth veryly that it is doon by myn oncyll William meanys, to mak yow to sell your lond. But thys she comandyd me for to send yow word, that and ye sell eny lond, but paye your dettes with syche good as my Lord Archebyshopp owyth yow, and eny law in Inglond can put fro yow eny of hyr lond, she sweryth by that feyth that she owyth to God she wyll put fro yow dobyll as myche lond as ye selle. And therfor I wold avyse yow, calle sharply upon my Lord, the Archebyshop, for ye ar not bond to undo your sylf for hym.
Item, I pray yow se that I tak no hurt by Parker. As for myn oncyll W., Ican not mak hym to send you the byll of syche stuff as he hathe of yowrs. He seyth he woll, but he comyth no of with it.
Item, I send yow here wyth Jamys Greshamys oblygacyon.
Item, I pray yow send serteyn woorde how the world gothe.
Wretyn the xxv. day of May. J. P.
Endorsed—John Paston.
803
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON141.1
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Sir John Paston, Knythe, be thys delyverid.
1472
JUNE 5
Igret zow welle, and send zow Godds blyssyng and myn, latyng zow wet that I spakke with frends of myn with yne thys fewe days that told me that I am leke to be trobyld for Sir John Fastolles goodes, the whyche were in zour fadyrs possessyon, and as for me I had never none of them. Where fore I pray zow send me a kopy of the dyssecharge
Wretyn in hast on Fryday next after Sen Pernelle.
God kowythe
text unchanged: error for “knowythe”?
tylle cli., be payed
punctuation unchanged
804
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON143.2
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght.
1472
JUNE 5
Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow.
. . . . . . .
Item, Mastyr John Smythe tellyth me that Sir T. Lyneys goodys ar not abyll to paye a quarter of hys detts that be axyd hym; wherfor syche money as is be left it most be devydyd to every man a parte aftyr the quantyte, whyche dyvysyon is not yet mad, but when it is mad he hathe promyseyd me that your part shalbe worthe iij. the best,&c.
Item, as for J. of Barneys hors, whoso have leest need to hym he shall cost hym xx. marks, not a peny lesse.
Ye send me woord of the maryage of my Lady Jane; one maryage for an other on, Norse and Bedford were axed in the chyrche on Sonday last past. As for my syster Anne, my modyr wyll not remeve fro W.Yellverton for Bedyngfeld, for she hathe comend ferther in that mater, syn ye wer in this contre, as it aperyth in hyr lettyr that she sendyth yow by Thyrston.
Tydyngs her, my Lady of Norffolk is with chyld, she wenyth hyrsylf, and so do all the women abowght hyr, insomyche she waytys the qwyknyng with in thes vj. wekys at the ferthest. Also W.Gernay wenyth that Heydon is swyr of
I prey yow recomand me to Sir John Parre with all my servys, and tell hym by my trouthe I longyd never sorer to see my Lady than I do to se hys Mastershepe; and I prey God that he aryse never a mornyng fro my Lady hys wyff, with owght it be ageyn hyr wyll, tyll syche tyme as he bryng hyr to Our Lady of Walsyngham.
Also I prey yow to recomand me in my most humbyll wyse unto the good Lordshepe of the most corteys, gentylest, wysest, kyndest, most compenabyll, freest, largeest, most bowntesous knyght, my Lord the Erle of Arran,
· + · + · +
for lytyll.
· + · + · +
[Sidenote] JUNE 5
date supplied from body of letter
Page image (partial):
see text
805
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON145.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght.
1472
JULY 8
Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to you, sertyfying yow that I have spokyn wyth Mastyr John Smyth
Item, as for John Maryot, I have sent to hym for the xls. but I have non answer.
Item, I have spok with Barker, and he hathe no money, nor non can get tyll harvest, when he may dystreyn the cropp upon the grownd; he seyth there is not owyng past v. mark, and on Saturday next comyng he shall send me a vewe of hys
Item, Sir John Styll hathe told Jwde when ye shall have the chalys; ax Jwde of your crwets allso.
Item, the prowd, pevyshe, and evyll disposyd prest to us all, Sir James, seyth that ye comandyd hym to delyver the book of vij. Sagys to my brodyr Water, and he hathe it.
Item, I send you the serteynte her with of as myche as can be enqweryd for myn oncyll W. cleym in Caster; thase artyclys that fayle, the tenaunts of Caster shall enqwer theym, and send theym to me hastyly; they have promysyd, and they com, ye shall have theym sent yow by the next messenger that comyth to London.
Item, my modyr sendyth you woord that she hathe neyther Master Robard Popyes oblygacyon nor the Byshopys.
Item, my modyr wold ye shold in all haste gete hyr aqwetance of the Byshop
Item, she preyith you to spek to the seyd Byshop for to get Master Clement Felmyngham the viij. mark be yer dwryng hys lyffe that Sir J.Fastolff be set hym; she preyid you to get hym an asygnement for it to som maner in Norfolk or in Lothynglond.
Item, she wold ye shold get yow an other house to ley in your stuff syche as cam fro Caster. She thynkyth on of the Freerys is a fayir house; she purposeyth to go in to the contre, and ther to sojorn onys ayen.
Wretyn the viij. day of Julle. I pray yow recomand me to my Lord of Aran,
my syster Annys maryage,147.1
text reads “my syster Annys,147.1 maryage,”
806
ABSTRACT147.3
ABSTRACT
1472(?)
A paper endorsed ‘The copy of the request to the Bishop of Winchester by Sir John Paston, Knight.’
Complains of my Lord not making him an acquittance of 4000 marks which he has often claimed, etc.
[Sir John Paston is desired in Letters 796 and 805 to procure from the Bishop of Winchester an acquittance for Sir John Fastolf’s goods, and this paper may be presumed to be of the same year.]
807
ABSTRACT148.1
ABSTRACT
1472
AUG. 12
Norf. and Suff. Deeds, No. 63.—‘Relaxatio Willielmi Paston Will. Wainflete et aliis totius juris in manerio de Caldecots in Freton, in Akethorp, in Lowestoft, Spitlings in Gorleston, tenementi vocat’ Habland in Bradwell, et tenementi vocat’ Broweston in eadem villa, et aliis terris infra hundred de Loddinglond Aug. 12, Edw. IV. 12.’
808
JAMES ARBLASTER TO THE BAILIFF OF MALDEN148.2
JAMES ARBLASTER TO THE BAILIFF OF MALDEN
To my ryght trusty ffrend John Carenton, Baylye of Maldon.
1472
SEPT. 20
Ryght trusty frend, I comand me to yow, preying yow to call to your mynd that, lyek as ye and I comonyd of, it were necessary for my Lady and you all, hyr servaunts and tenaunts, to have thys Parlement as for one of the burgeys of the towne of Maldon, syche a man of worchep and of wytt as wer towardys my seyd Lady; and also syche on as is in favor of the Kyng and of the Lords of hys consayll nyghe abought hys persone. Sertyfying yow, that my seid Lady for hyr parte, and syche as be of hyr consayll be most agreeabyll, that bothe ye, and all syche as be hyr fermors and tenauntys, and wellwyllers, shold geve your voyse to a worchepfull knyght, and one of my Ladys consayll, Sir John Paston, whyche standys gretly in favore with my Lord Chamberleyn; and what my seyd Lord Chamberleyn may do with the Kyng and with all the Lordys of Inglond, Itrowe it be not unknowyn to you most of eny on man alyve. Wherefor, by the meenys of the seyd Sir John Paston to my seyd
Wretyn at Fysheley, the xx. day of Septembyr. J. Arblaster.
I prey yow be redy with all the acomptanttys belongyng to my Lady, at the ferthest within viij. dayes next aftyr Perdon Sonday, for then I shall be with yow with Gods Grace, Who have yow in keepyng.
809
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON149.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull brodyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght.
1472
SEPT. 21
Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wet that your desyer as for the Knyghts of the Shyer was an impossoybyl to be browght abowght; ffor my Lord of Norffolk and my Lord of Suffolk wer agreid i mor then a fortnyght go to have Sir Robert Wyngfeld, and Sir Rychard Harcort, and that knew I not tyll it was Fryday last past. Ihad sent or I rod to Framlynham, to warne as many of your frends to be at Norwyche as thys Monday, to serve your entent as I koud; but when I cam to Framlynham, and knew the apoyntment that was taken for the ij. knyghts, Isent warnyng ayen to as many I myght to tery at hom; and yet ther cam to Norwyche thys day as many as ther costs dreave to ixs. id. ob., payid and reknyd by Pekok and R.Capron, and yet they dyd but brak ther fest and depertyd.
I sent to Yermowthe, and they have promysyd also to Doctor Aleyn and John Russe to be mor then iij. wekys goo.
Jamys Arblaster hathe wretyn a lettyr to the Bayle of Maldon, in Essex, to have yow a bergeys ther; howe Jwde shall sped, let hym tell yow, when ye spek to gedyr.
Syr, I have ben twyis at Framlyngham sythe your departyng, but now, the last time the consayll was ther, Isye [saw] yow lettyr whyche was bettyr then well endyghtyd. R.C.
If ye mysse to be burgeys of Maldon, and my Lord Chamberleyn wyll, ye may be in a nother plase; ther be a doseyn townys in Inglond that chesse no bergeys, whyche ought to do, and ye may be set in for one of those townys, and ye be frendyd. Also in no wyse forget not in all hast to get some goodly ryng, pryse of xxs., or som praty flowyr of the same pryse, and not undyr, to geve to Jane Rodon, for she hathe ben the most specyall laborer in your mater, and hathe promysyd hyr good wyll foorthe, and she doeth all with hyr mastresse. And my Lord Chamberleyn wyll, he may cause my Lord of Norffolk to com up soner to the Parlement then he shold do, and then he may apoynt with hym for yow, or the ferm corn
I axe no more gods of you for all the servyse that I shall do yow whyll the world standyth, but a gosshawke,
Wretyn at Norwyche the xxj. day of September, Anno E. iiijti xijo. J. P.
Rather then faylle, a tarsell provyd wyll occupy the tyme tyll I com to Caleys.
by our Lady, if it be lesse
text reads “i it”: corrected from Fenn
T. Plattyng, Jwde
comma missing or invisible; there is no comma in Fenn, but the name “Plattyng” occurs several times
810
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON153.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
A Monsieur J. Paston, Chevaller.
1472
OCT. 16
Ryght worchepfull sir, I comand me to yow, sertyfying yow that Pekok hath receyvyd of Sir John Stylle by a bylle all suche stuff as he had of your. And as for Kendallys mater, he hathe doon as myche in it as can be doon: but as for Richard Calle, he hathe gevyn hym a pleyn answer that he wyll not seale to the lease that ye have mad to Kendalle, for he seyth he wottyth not whether it be your wylle or not, notwithstandyng he sye yore sealle up on it. Iwold be sory to delyver hym a subpena and ye sent it me.
I send you herwith the endenture betwyx yow and Townesend. My modyr hathe herd of that mater by the reporte of old Wayte, whyche rennyth on it with opyn mowthe in hys werst wyse. My modyr wepyth and takyth on mervaylously, for she seythe she wotyth well it shall never be pledgyd ought; wherfor she seythe that she wyll purvey for hyr lond that ye shall none selle of it, for she thynkys ye wold and it cam to yowr hand. As for hyr wyll and all syche maters as wer in hand at your last being here, they thynk that it shall not lye in all oure porys to let it in on poynt.
Sir Jamys is evyr choppyng at me, when my modyr is present, with syche wordys as he thynkys wrathe me, and also cause my modyr to be dyspleased with me, evyn as who seyth he wold I wyst that he settyth not by the best of us; and when he hathe most unfyttyng woordys to me, Ismylle a lytyll and tell hym it is good heryng of thes old talys. Sir Jamys is parson of Stokysby by J.Bernays gyft. Itrowe he beryth hym the hyeer.
Item, ye must sende in haste to W. Barker a warrant to
Item, I prey yow send me some tydynges howgh the world gothe, and whether ye have sent eny of your folk to Caleys. Me thynkes it costyth yow to myche money for to kepe hem all in London at your charge.
Item, whethyr ye have eny thyng spokyn of my going to Caleys.
Item, as for a goshawk or a terssell, I wend to have had on of yours in kepyng or thys tyme, but fere [far] fro iee fer fro hert; by my trowthe I dye for defawlt of labore. And it may be by eny meane possybyll, for Godes sake let on be sent me in all hast; for if it be not had by Halowmess, the seson shall passe a non, Memento mei, and in feythe ye shall not loose on it. Nor yet myche wyne on it by God, Who preserve yow.
Wretyn on Seynt Mychell Day, in Monte Tomba.
811
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON154.2
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, esquyer.
1472(?)
OCT. [23]
Igrete you wele; letyng you wete that on Saterday last past within nyght the felesshep at Cayster tokyn ought of Mawtby Cloos xvj. shep of diverse mennes that were put therein to pasture, and thei ledde them a wey, so that every man ferith to put any bestis or catell therin, to my grete hurt and discoragyng of my fermour that is now of late come theder. And the seid evill disposed persones affraid my seid fermour as
812
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON155.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
A Johan Paston, Esquyer, soit done.
1472
NOV. 4
Worshypfull and weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow weet that I sente yow a letter and a rynge with a dyamond, in whyche letter ye myght well conceyve what I wold ye scholde do with the same rynge, with menye other tydyngs and thyngs whyche
Also I praye yow feele my Lady off Norfolks dysposicion to me wards, and whethyr she toke any dysplesur at my langage, or mokkyd, or dysdeyned my words whyche I hadd to hyr at Yarmothe, be twyen the place wher I ffyrst mett with hyr and hyr lodgyng, ffor my Lady Brandon and Syr William
Iff ye can by any meed weete whethyr my Ladye take it to dysplesur or nowt, or whether she thynke I mokkyd hyr, or iff she wyght it but lewdnesse off my selffe, Ipray yow
Item, as ffor tydyngs nowe, heer be but ffewe, saff that, as I undrestande, imbassators off Bretayne shall come to London to morawe, and men seye that the Lorde Ryverse
I sent yow worde off an hawke; I herde nott from yow syns; I do and shall doo that is possible in suche a neede.
Also I canne nott undrestand that my Lord off Norffolk shall come heer thys tyme; wherffor I am in a greet agonye howe is best ffor me to sue to hym ffor rehavyng off my place; that goode Lorde weet full lytell how moche harme he doothe me, and how lytell goode or worshyp it dothe hym. Ipraye yow sende me yowr advyce. No moor to yow at thys tyme, but God have yow in Hys kepyng.
Wretyn at London the iiij. daye off Novembre, anno E. iiijti xijo. Ifeer me that idelnesse ledyth yowr reyne; Ipraye yow rather remembre Sir Hughe Levernoys tyll yowr hauke come. John Paston, K.
813
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON158.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
A John Paston, Esquyer, soyt done.
1472
NOV. 8
Brother, I comend me to yow, letyng yow weet, &c.
As for the delyverance off the rynge to Mestresse Jane Rothone, I dowt nott but it shall be doon in the best wyse, so that ye shall geet me a thank moor than the rynge and I ar worthe or deserve.
And wheer ye goo to my Laydy off Norffolk, and wyll be theer att the takyng off hyr chambre, Ipraye God spede yow, and our Ladye hyr, to hyr plesur, with as easye labor to overkome that she is abowt, as evyr had any lady or gentyllwoman, saff our Lady heer selffe, and soo I hope she shall to hyr greet joye, and all owres; and I prey God it maye be lyke hyr in worship, wytt, gentylnesse, and every thynge excepte the verry verry thynge.
No moor to yow at [this] thyme, but I woll sleepe an howr the lenger to-morrow by cawse I wrote so longe and late to nyght.
Wretyn betwen the viij. and the jx. daye off Novembre anno xijo E. iiijti. J. P., K.
every thynge excepte the verry verry thynge.
text unchanged: duplication at line break, but Fenn has the same text at mid-line
814
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON159.1
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer.
1472
NOV. 19
Igrete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete that I have sent to Doctor Aleyn wyffe to have spoke with her as ye desired me, and she was so syke that she myght not comyn; but she sent her broder elaw to me, and I lete hym wete the cause why that I wuld have spoke with her as ye desired me. And he told me that he shuld have brought me wrytyng this day from her be vij. of the belle, how that she wull that ye shuld have labored or do for her; but he came no mor at me. Nevertherlesse she sent me an nother massenger, and lete me wete
Therfore I thynk t[hat s]he hath other councell that avyseth her to labour to other than to you. Iwuld not that [you be] to besy in no such maters [ty]ll the werd [world] were mor suer, and in any wyse that w[hile my] Lord the Chaunceller is in [occu]pation, labore to have an ende of your grete materes and ... macion, and abide not up [on] trost of an nother seson, for so shall ye be disseyved a[s ye hav]e ben befor this tyme. Ihave understand sith that ye departed that ther ..... mad to subplant you; therfore, for Goddes sake, in this onstabill werd [world] labore
Item, it was lete me to wete syth ye departed of such as were your frendes and were conversaunte with the toder parte that ther was mad labor and like to be concluded, that the eleccion of the knyghtes of the shire shuld be chaunged, and new certificat mad and John Jenney set there in; ther for do your devoir to understond the trought as sone as ye can, for the seid Jenney this day rideth up to London ward, and I suppo[se be]cause of the same. Ipray you remembre your brother to send me the evydence and remembrance towchyng the maner of Gresham, which that I wrote to hym be Juddy, and send them be sum suer man.
Item, take hede to the labour of your unkyll, for he hath had right straunge langage of your brother of late to right wurchepfull persones; therfor werk wysely and bewar wham that ye lete know your councell.
Item, remembre Lomnors mater as ye may do therin, and send me werd in hast. Mayster Roos shall be at London the next weke; therfore ye shall not nede to make my Lord to write, but whan that he comyth, if my Lord can make hym to put it in indifferent and wurchepfull men, than that it pleasith my Lord to write to them that thei shuld take it upon them to set a rewle therin, with ought better advyse, me semyth it wer wele do. The Holy Gost be your gyde and send yow good spede and councell, and delivere you ought of all trobill and disseas to his pleser.
Wretyn the Thursday next be for Sent Kateryn,
Recomaund me to my Mastres Kateryn, and send me werd how ye don, &c. Be your Moder.
Do my Lord
Footnote 159.2 and body text:
Nevertherlesse she sent me an nother massenger ...
The words after ‘Neverthelesse’ ...
mismatched spelling unchanged
... in this onstabill werd [world] labore
italic “d” misprinted as “a”
815
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON161.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, Esquier, or to Roose dwyllyng affor ther gate, to delyver to them.
1472
NOV. 22
Please it yow to weete that I have opteyned letterys from the Kynge to my Lorde off Norffolke, to my Lady of Norffolk, and to ther concell, whyche letter to ther concell is nott superscrybyd, for cawse we wyst nott serteyn whyche of the councell sholde be present when the massenger cowme. Itherffor thynke that thoos namys most be somwhatt by yowr advyce; and for get nott Gornaye, nor yitt Brome, iff ye thynke so best, nor Sowthewelle. Itrust to my cosyn Gornaye, and on to Brome and Barnard in cheffe; and as to Bernarde, brother, Ipraye yow to take hys advyce, for I hope he is my welwyller, as ye know, and iffe he do me perffyght ease in thys mater, Ithynke verrely in tyme to come to gyff him xx. scutys, and yit a goode turne whan so ever it lythe in my power.
The Kynge hathe specially doon for me in thys case, and
Item, iff it be soo that itt be thowte behovefull, I thynke that thoghe nowther Slyfelde, nor ye, brother John, maye come in to my Ladyes chambre, that my moodre, iff she weer at Norwyche, she myght speke with hyr, for that she is a woman and off worshyppe. Ithynke that my moodre sholde meve my Lady moche. Ithynke that ther most be some body for me, havyng auctoryte to conclude for me, or ellys knowyng myn entente, they myght make delaye, and seye they wolle at the Kynges enstance comon with me; never the lesse I was nott ther present. Wherffor, rather than fayle, yff neede be, Iwolle with owte any abode, iff I heer from yow, come home; and Slyfelde is agreyd to tary the a vij. nyghte
Item, ye maye largely sey on my behalve for suche servyse that I sholde do to my Lorde and Lady hereaffter, whyche by my trowthe I thynke to doo; neverthelesse to sey that I woll be hys sworyn man, Iwas never yitt Lordys sworyn man, yit have I doone goode servyce, and nott leffte any at hys most neede ner for feer. But as Gode helpe me, Ithynke my Lady shalle have my servyce above any lady erthely, wheche she scholde weell have knowyn, had I been in suche case as I hadde nott been alweye the werse welkome; for that on of my herandes alweye was undrestande that it was for Caster, wnyche was nott acceptable, and I evyr the werse welkome.
Item, brother, I ame concludyd with my Lorde for yow, that ye shalle be at Caleys if ye list, and have iij. men in wages undre yow, wheroff my Lorde seythe that William Lovedaye most be on, tyll tyme that he have purveyed other rome for hym. Iff ye be dysposyd to goo, as I tolde hym that ye weer, yett wer it nott best that ye lete it be knowe tyll thys mater be doone, and then ye maye acordyng to yowr promyse lete my Ladye have knowleche ther off. Never the lesse my Lorde shalle be here with in xx. dayes or ther abowt; iff ye come thys weye ye maye speke with hym; neverthelesse ye shall nott lose no tyme, iff ye weer at Caleys at thys owr, for my Lorde promysed me that he wolde wryght to Elkenhed the tresorer at Caleys for yow by the next massenger thatt went.
Item, ther hathe Perauntes wyffe wryte to me that Bernaye servyth hyr onkyndely. He owythe hyr xxxijs. and she is in noon hope that evyr he will come ther ageyn; sende me worde iff he wyll. He shall nott lyf so weell and trywly to geedre, Itrowe, but iffe he goo thyddre.
I hadde comen home, butt that I ame nott yitt verrely purveyd for payment for my oncle William the xxvj. daye of thys monythe, and he dothe me harme. He delythe so oncurteysly with Towneshende, for he wille nott yitt paye hym
Wretyn on Sondaye next Seynt Clement. John Paston, K.
Slyfelde is agreyd to tary the a vij. nyghte
text unchanged: error for “ther(e)”?
Footnote 162-1:
Omitted in MS.
final . missing or invisible
816
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON164.1
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, be this delivered.
1472
NOV. 23
Igrete you wele, letyng you wete that Doctor Aleyns wyffe hath be with me and desired me to write to you to desire you to be good mayster to her husband and to her in her materes, for she tellith me that her trost is full in you, and if she myght have walked she shuld have come to have spoke with you or than ye departed; therfor, Ipray you do your devoir for her, for I conceyve that she feyneth not, notwithstandyng that I had her in suspecion as I have wretyn to you before, be cause that she came not, but I conceyve now the trought and that sikenesse caused thatt she absent her. TherforeI pray you help her, for, so God help me, Ihave right gret pete on her, and it is right grete almes to help her, and I trow she wull put her most trost and sewe specialle to you. AlsoI wuld ye shold desire your brother to be good mayster on to her, for I suppose be that tyme ye have herd her excuse in such materes as he shuld be displeased with her husband, ye shall hold you pleased. God kepe you and send you Hes blyssyng, with myn. Wretyn on Sent Clementes Day at nyght, in hast, Be your Moder.
817
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON165.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Master Sir John Paston, Knyght.
1472
NOV. 24
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly of your dylygence and cost whyche ye had in gettyng of the hawk, whyche ye sent me, for well I wot your labore and trowbyll in that mater was as myche as thow she had ben the best of the world; but, so God help me, as ferforthe as the most conyng estragers [falconers] that ever I spak with can imagyn, she shall never serve but to ley eggys, for she is bothe a mwer de haye, and also she hathe ben so brooseid with cariage of fewle that she is as good as lame in boothe hyr leggys, as every man may se at iee. Wherfor all syche folk as have seen hyr avyse me to cast hyr in to some wood, wher as I wyll have hyr to eyer [lay eggs]; but I wyll do ther in as ye wyll, whedyr ye wyll I send hyr yow ayen, or cast hyr in Thorpe wood and a tarsell with hyr, for I weit wher on is. But now I dar no more put yow to the cost of an hawke, but, for Godes sake, and ther be eny tersell or good chep goshawk that myght be gotyn, that the berer herof may have hyr to bryng me, and I ensuer yow be my trowthe ye shall have Dollys and Browne bonde to paye yow at Kandyllmas the pryse of the hawke. Now, and ye have as many ladyse as ye wer wont to have, Ireqwere yow for hyr sake that ye best love of theym all, onys trowbyll yowr syllf for me in thys mater, and be owght of my clamor.
Item, as for the ryng, it is delyverd, but I had as gret peyn to make hyr take it as ever I had in syche a mater; but I have promyseid yow to be hyr knyght, and she hathe promyseid me to be more at your comandment then at eny knyghtes in Inglond, my Lord reservyd; and that ye shall well undyrstand,
I mervyall that I her no woord of the lettyrs that my Lord Chamberleyn shold send to my Lord and my Lady for Caster. It is best that my Lord Chamberleyn wryght to my Lady by som prevy tokyn betwyx theym, and let a man of hys com with the lettrys. My Lord Chamberleyn may speed with my Lady what maters he wyll, savyng the gret mater; and if ye inbyll me for a solysitor, Ishal be a vouster comandment a touz jours.
Item, me thynkyth that ye do evyll that ye go not thorewgh with my Lady of Suffolk for Heylysdon and Drayton; for ther shold growe mony to you, whyche wold qwyte yow ayenst R.T. and all other, and set yow befor for ever.
I prey yow for your ease, and all others to you ward, plye thes maters. As for alle other thynges, Ishall send yow an answer, when I com to Norwyche, whyche shall be on Thorsday, with Godes grace. Ihave teryd her at Framlyngham thys sevennyght, for [my] Lady took not hyr chambyr tyll yersterday. Adewe.
Wretyn on Seynt Kateryns Evyn. J. P.
818
ABSTRACT166.2
ABSTRACT
1472
NOV. 26
‘Soutwerk cum membris,’ No. 17a.—‘LiterÆ patentes concessÆ a Rege ad petitionem Domini Fundatoris pro ponte fiendo in vico vocato le Bermoseystret. Dat. 26 Novembris anno regni Regis Ed. IV. 12o.’
819
JOHN OSBERN TO SIR JOHN PASTON167.1
JOHN OSBERN TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To the right worshepfull my master, Sir John Paston, Knyght.
Ao xij. E. R. quarti.
1472
Please it your masterschep to knowe that Johon Shawe and I have goten a carpenter fro Walsyngham to Sporle to valewe your wod the
And if ze shuld selle all this wode togedyr for redy sylver never lesse in the summa paste v. marc, if ze woll sell the wode ..... the lawnde wythin the dykes and the standardis thoo I shall wryte aftyr in this bille for to stande in any wyse less ... ... all the hole sum at the most paste xli. for who so ever shall by it he maye so leve and gete goode,&c.
The summa of your standardis for certeyn reconyd the Mondaye and the Tewsdaye whill I was at Sporle wyth in ..... and xij. fote wythin the dykes in forme above rehersid xjxx. And iche standarde a zard [yard] above the grownde ..... abowte an . . lesser till we come xij. inche and viij. inche besyde all odyr smale that arn of lesse mesure ... ... growe the wheche arn many and resonabely sufficient, &c., the nowmber off the standardis wythin your ..... cowntid and summe be estimacion of the mesures and formes above rehersid CCCCma xxxvjti.
As for your undyrwode I can not fynde the meane to valewid to your avayle, be cause it were necessary to knowe the purpose off your fellyng, where off beware,&c.
| As for the fensyng of your dykes, and ze shuld felle your bordorys off your wode the Suthsyde, viz., toward Pykenham fro the Wonges to Walsyngham Weye is lxxx. rodde at leste, the price of the rodde iiijd., dyggyng, plashyng, and heggyng. Summa, xxvjs. viijd. | |
| The Est syde toward Neyghton and Sparham vijxx. rodde at the leste, | Summa, xls. |
| Summa,xxvjs.viijd. | |
| The West syde toward Sporle be the Loyes vjxx. rodde, | Summa, xls. |
| Summa, vjli. xiijs. iiijd. | |
Where off sum is repayrid, sum maye be sperid, but at the lest it woll coste yow a vj. marc,&c.
If it please yow to take myn symple avyse in your wode sale, selle non in gret, but make fagottes and astell and lete alle your grete and goode tymber and trees stande, and ze shall make resonably mony to your worchep, and to your best avayle as John Shawe your servaunt shall telle yow, if I maye do zow any service in this c .... ze shall ffynde me redy, so that ze sende sufficient warant be the grace off Jesu, Who haue y[ow in His] kepyng. Wrete in hast, at Walsyngham, the Sundaye next aftyr the feest off the Assencion off owr [Lord] Jesu Cryste. Be your John Osbern.
I praye yow geff credens in alle these materes to Shawe, for he can telle yow more shortlyer then I shuld wryte, and I hold hym trewe to yow in hese menyng.
Endorsed—Per John Osbern, pro Sporl Wood.
820
RICHARD CALLE TO MARGARET PASTON168.1
RICHARD CALLE TO MARGARET PASTON
To the ryght reverent and worshipffull my mastres, Margaret Paston, in haste.
1472
NOV. 27
Plesith it you to wete that I have receyved your letter, wherin I conceyve ye wolde undrestonde how I do with the sale of Sporle Wode. It is so that I have begonne to felle asshe at the townes ende for to sette the contre on werke, and be that I shall undrestonde how the remnaunt wol doo. Ihave sette suche a classe [glass] before here ien [their eyes] ther, that they are madde upon it, so that I truste be Ester to make of money, what with the barke and with the asshe, at the leest l. marke for to retayle the wode our selfe, and be Cristemas next after that, other l. marke, and so yerely l. marke at Cristemesse as longe as the wode lasteth, to the some that I tolde you, and I truste more; and to this I durste be bound. Nevertheles, Iam a bowte to selle it all a grete and to brynge it to all moste to as goode proffe as thowe we retayled it oure silffe, for it is so that ther is a man of Carbroke, they calle hym Saunders, Imay have of hym for all the wode and barke that is in Sporle xjxx. marke, to paye at suche dayes a fore reherseyd, we to bere the costes of the fense and of the tithe; but we are not throw yet, nor nought shal be tille I have worde from you a yene, weche I
Item, mastres, as for your write [wright] ye may not have hym tille after Cristemas, for he had taken an howse to make while I was with you, it wolbe this iij. wekes yet or then he make an ende,&c.
Item, I mette with Robert at Heythe of Matelaske at Norwiche, when I come from you. Ifelle on hande with hym for Matelaske Kerre, Imyght have had of hym for that vij. marke and xxd. Dele nogh as ye thynke.
Item, as for money of the fermour of Sporle, he telles me he is bounde to Tounesende to pay hym at this Candelmesse. And he seythe if he may be discharged a yenst hym your money shalbe redy at hys daye, be Godes grace, Who have you in His blissed kepyng.
Wreten at Sporle, the Friday next after Seint Edmund the Kynge. Your servaunt, R. Calle.
821
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON169.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Sir John Paston, Knyght.
1472
NOV. or DEC.
Syme recomandyth hym to your good mastyrshep, and preyeth yow that ye wyll not forget, though he be a boye, to let hym were the same lyvere that your men do; and if it pleased yow to lete hys gowne clothe be sent hym home, that it myght be mad ayenst your comeing in to thys contre, he wold be as prowd as eny man ye have. Sir, as hertly as I can, Ithank yow for the hatt, whyche is comyng, as I undyrstand by your wrytyng, sent by John, the Abottys man of Seynt Benet.
My modyr sendys you Godes blyssyng and hyrs, and preyes yow to get a new lycence of my Lord of Norwyche
As for the lettyrs that Slyfeld shold get newe of the Kyng, whyche ye shold bryng to my Lord of Norffolk, it is myn avyse that ye shall come home your sylff as hasty ly as ye maye, so that ye may be at the crystenyng of the chyld that my Lady is with; it shall cause yow gret thank, and a gret fordell [advantage] in your mater. And as for the lettres, leve a man of yowr to awayte on Slyfeld to bryng theym after yow; of whyche lettres I avyse yow to have one dyrect fro the Kyng to yow, comandyng yow to be the messenger and brynger of the other lettres to my Lord, my Lady, and ther consayll, for your owne mater; and thys me thynkyth shall do well, for then shall the man shewe to my Lordes consayll the lettre dyrect to yow that ye have awtoryte to be your owne solycytour, and also it shall be thought that the Kyng tendryth yow and your mater, when he wryghtyth to your sylf for it.
My Lady wayteth hyr tyme with in viij. dayes at the ferthest.
822
ABSTRACT170.1
ABSTRACT
1472
DEC. 7
1472, 7 Dec.—‘Vigill of Concepcion of oure Lady,’ 12 Edw. IV. Indenture of agreement (inEnglish) between Bp. Waynflete and William Worceter, by which the latter undertakes to deliver to the Bishop all deeds, charters, rolls of courts, and accounts, and all other muniments which are in his hands relating to the manors and lands of the late Sir John Fastolf, excepting lands, etc. in Norfolk, called Fairchilds, and two tenements and two gardens called Walles, in Suthwerk, of which he himself is seised; and also, as executor of the will of Sir Thomas Howes, to deliver up all money and goods of Fastolf, and obligations for property, etc., sold by the said Thomas, which he can recover, over the sum of £40 due to him, the said William Worceter, for his marriage, and also to assist the said Bishop and his College at Oxford in all matters relating to Fastolf’s lands; in return for which the Bishop covenants to pay him £100, and also an allowance upon all sums of money recovered by him.
823
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON171.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my Mastyr, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyveryd.
1472
DEC. 18
Ryght worchepfull Syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly of your gret cost, whyche ye dyd on me at my last being with yow at London; whyche to my power I wyll recompence yow with the best servyse that lythe in me to do for your plesure, whyll my wytts be my owne.
Syr, as for the mater of Caster, it hathe be mevyd to my Ladys good grace by the Byshope of Wynchester, as well as he kowd imagyn to sey it, consederyng the lytyll leyser that he had with hyr; and he told me that he had ryght an agreabyll answer of hyr, but what hys answer was, he wold not tell me. ThenI axyd hym what answer I should send yow, in as myche as ye mad me a solysyter to hys Lordship for that mater; then he bad me that undyr consayll I shold send you woord that hyr answer was more to your plesure than to the contrary, whych ye shall have more pleyn knowlage of thys next terme, att whyche tyme bothe my Lord and she shall be at London.
The Byshop cam to Framlyngham on Wednysday at nyght, and on Thursday by x. of the clok befor noon, my yong Lady was krystend, and namyd Anne. The Byshop crystend it and was godfader bothe, and with in ij. owyrs and lesse aftyr the crystenyng was do, my Lord of Wynchester departyd towards Waltham.
Wretyn at Framlyngham, the Fryday next aftyr that I depertyd fro yow. Thys day my Lord is towardys Walsyngham, and comandyd me to overtake hym to morow at the ferthest. J. P.
824
JOHN PASTON TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK172.2
JOHN PASTON TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK
To the right hyghe and myghty Prince, and my right good and gracious Lord, my Lord the Dwke of Norffolk.
1472
Mekly besechyth your hyghness, your poore and trew contynuall servaunt and oratour, John Paston, the yonger, that it myght please your good grace to call on to your most discret and notabyll remembrance that lateward, at the cost and charge of my brodyr, John Paston, Knyght, whyche most entendith to do that myght please your hyghness, the ryght nobyll Lord, the Bysshop of Wynchester entretyd so, and compouned with your Lordshepp, that it liekyd the same to be so good and gracious Lord to my seyd brodyr, that by forsse of serteyn dedys, relessis, and lettrys of attorney selyd with the sealys of your good grace, and of other serteyn personys infeoffyd to your use in the maner of Caster, late John Fastolffes, Knyght, in the conte of Norffolk, my seyd brodyr and I, with other enfeoffyd to my seyd brodyrs use in the seyd maner, wer peasably possessyd of and in the same tyll syche tyme as serteyn personys, servaunts on to your good grace, entred in to the seyd maner, and therof have takyn the
825
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JAMES GLOYS(?)173.1
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JAMES GLOYS(?)
1473
JAN. 18
Irecomaund me to you, and thanke you hertyly of your letteris, and delygente labour that ye have had in thoes materis that ye have wretyn to me of, and in all other, to my profette and worschep, and in esspeciall atte this sesons towchyng the mater that I sent you the indenture of. Ye have lyghtyd myne hert therin by a pound, for I was in fere that it wold not have bene doo so hastyly with oute danger. And as for the letters that Thom Holler son schuld have brought me, Isee nother hym ne the letters that he schuld have brought; wherefor, Ipray you hertely, yeve it be no dysese to you, that ye will take the labour to bryng Walter theyr he schuld be, and to purvaye for hym that he may be sette in good and sad rewle. ForI were loth to lese hym, for I trust to have more joye of hym than I have of them that bene owlder; though it be more coste to me to send you forth with hym, Ihold me plesed, for I wote wele ye schall best purvaye for hym, and for suche thynges as is necessar to
And I am sore that my cosyn Bernay is seke, and I pray you yeff me white wine, or ony of my wateris, or ony other thyng that I have that is in your awarde, may doo hym ony comforth. Ilette hym have it; for I wold be right sory yf ony thyng schuld come to hym botte good. And for Godsake advise hym to doo make hys will, yeve it be not doo, and to doo well to my cosyn, his wiff, and els it were pete; and I pray you to recomaunde me to hyr, and to my nawnte, and to all the gentill men and gentil women there. And as for John Daye, and he be dede I wold be sory, for I know not howe to come by my mony that he oweith me; and I porpose that Pacoke schall have les to doo for me another yeres than he haith had, if I may be better porvayed with your helpe, for he is for hym self, bott not for me.
And as for ony marchandes to my corn, I can gytte none here; therfor I pray you, doo ye als wele therein as ye canne; also I send you by the bereer hereof the bill of myne resaytes. And yef ye go forth with Walter, Ipray you come to me als sone as ye may after ye be commyn home; and me lyketh
And I constrew your letter in other materis well i nough, whereof I thanke you; and if it nede not to send forth Walter hastyly, Iwald ye myght come to me, thowe ye schuld com opon one day and goo agayne on the next day, than schuld I comon with you in all materis; and I hold best if ye have not the letteris that Holler son schuld have brough me, that ye send Sym over for them this nyght that I may have them to morowe, and yif ye may combe your self, Iwold be the better playsed.
And I remember that water of mynte or water of millefole were good for my cosyn Bernay to drynke, for to make hym to browke,
Wrytyn on the Monday next after Sent Hiller.
I have no longer leyser atte this tyme.
826
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON175.3
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, or to Mestresse Margret Paston, hys Modre be thys letter delyveryd.
1473
FEB. 3
Weell belovyd Brother.
As ffor tydyngs heer, ther bee but fewe, saff that the Duke of Borgoyen
Sende me worde to Hoxons in wrygtyng, what goode the Bysshop ded ffor me at Framynham, and howe my Lorde, my Ladye, and all the cort or [are] dysposyd to me wards.
I here also seye that my Ladye and yowrs, Dame Margret Veer
No moor to yow at thys tyme, but All myghty Good have yow in kepyng.
Wretyn at Caleys the iij. daye of Februarye Anno R. R. E. iiij. xijo. J. P., K.
827
NOTE
NOTE
1473
FEB. 10
In Blomefield’s History of Norfolk, vol. xi. p. 208, it is stated that ‘on February 10 in the 13th of EdwardIV., an indenture was made between Sir William Yelverton, William Jenney, serjeant-at-law, and William Worcester, executors of Sir John [Fastolf] on one part, and Thomas Cager and Robert Kyrton on the other, whereby the said Robert was appointed surveyor of the lands and tenements in Southwark and other places in Surrey, late Sir John’s, to perform his last will; and also receiver of rents; who was to have 6 marks per ann., and to be allowed besides all reasonable costs that he shall do in the defence and keeping out John Paston, Esq., and of all others claiming by him.’
828
ABSTRACT177.1
ABSTRACT
‘J. P.’ [John Paston] to Sir John Paston
1473
MARCH 8
As I promised in the letter that Playter sent, Playter and I have been with my mother to get her to make chevesance for the £100, but she bade us send you word, you need look for no other comfort from her. Jwde can tell you Barker’s answer. As for John Kook you promised him payment yourself and to Sir John Styll 5 marks in part payment. My mother has sold her barley for 14d. I never meet John Smyth but I speak of it to him. He keeps his courts here at Norwich all the week. As for Fastolf, Ican only speak to Wymondham his father-in-law, which I do as often as I see him. Would be sorry the great matter which requires hasty answer ‘lest the kok be in perayle’ should be delayed by his negligence. Thinks Edmund Fastolf ‘was a reasonable man to Robert of Lyne. Wherefore, let my brother Edmund sue for the same, for one wife may serve for us both till better peace be. So God help me ye may allege a plain excuse that these dyrk wars have so hindered me that her lyvelode and mine both should be too little to live at our ease till I were further before the hand than I could be this two year, and she found after her honor and my poor appetite.’ Would rather forbear what he would have than bring them in pain. ‘Say better for me, for ye can and ye will. This matter must be honestly handled, for I wot well my young lady of Oxenforthe shall hear of it. We have here no tidings, but a few Frenchmen be whyrlyng on the coasts, so that there dare no fishers go out but under safe conducts. Ipray you, and ye have any more oranges than ye occupy, that poor men may have part for a great bellied lady.’ First Monday of Clean Lent, 13 Edw. IV.
Addressed—‘A Mysr John Paston, schevaller, soyt done.’ Endorsed—‘Mens’ Marcii Anno xiijo.’
829
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON177.2
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my Master, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyverd in hast.
1473
MARCH 26
As I was wryghtyng this bylle, Mastresse Jane Harsset comandyd me streyghtly that I shold recomand hyr to yow in hyr best wyse, and she sendyth yow word she wold be as fayne to here fro yow as an other poore body.
Syr, it is so that my cosyn John Blenerhasset
It is thowght her amonge us that Heydons be the causers that he was set in. Iprey yow enqwer of Sir R.Harcort who was the cause, and that it may be wyst in the next byll that ye send me; for if they wer the causers, it lythe in my cosyn Harsettes power to qwytte theym.
We have no tydynges to send, but that our Frenshemen
Hogan
Wretyn the day next aftyr our Lady Day, the Anuncyacyon, Anno xiij. E. iiijti.
Yong Heydon laborythe alle that he can to mary on
830
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON179.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
A son trescher & bon ame Freer, John de Paston, Esquier.
1473
APRIL 2
Weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wete that at the request of Mestresse Jane Hassett and yow, Ihave laboryd the knyghtys off the sheer off Norffolk, and the knyghtys off the shyre of Suffolk. Iunderstond ther had ben made labor that suche a thing shulde have ben as ye wrotte to me off, but now it is saff.
Raff Blaundrehasset wer a name to styrte an hare. I warrant ther shall come no suche name in owr bokys, ner in owr house; it myght per case styrt xxti harys at onys; ware that jd. perse.
As for tydyngs, the werst that I herde was that my moodre wyll not doo so moche ffor me as she put me in comffort off.
Other tydyngs, I herd sey ffor serteyn that the Lady Fitzwater is ded, and that Master Fytzwater shall have CCCC. mrke a yer more than he had. Iam not sory therffor.
As ffor the worlde I woot nott what it menyth, men seye heer, as weell as Hogan, that we shall have adoo in hast; Iknow no lyklyhod but that suche a rumor ther is.
Men sey the Qwyen with the Prynce shall come owt off Walys, and kepe thys Esterne with the Kyng at Leycetr, and some seye nowther off them shall com ther.
Item, off beyond the see, it is seyd that the Frense Kyngs
Ferthermoor men seye that the Frenshe Kynge is with hys ost uppon the water off Some a lx. myle froo Caleys; Ileve them wheer I ffond them.
I made yowr answer to the ffrends off Mestresse Jane Godnoston accordyng to yowr instrucions. As for me, Iam nott serteyn whether I shall to Caleys, to Leysetr, or come home into Norffolk, but I shall hastely send yow worde,&c.
Wretyn the ij. daye of Aprill, Anno E. iiij. xiijo.
831
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON180.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier.
1473
APRIL 12
Best belovyd brother, I recomend me on to yow, letyng yow weet that I receyvyd on Wednysday last past yow angery lettre towchyng the troble that Sandre Kok is in, wherein I have largely comonyd with John Russe, and advysed hym to take a curteys weye with Sandre, for yowre sake and myn. He seythe he wold not dysplease yow by hys wyll, and that he purposythe to entrete yow and wolde deserve it to yowe. He undrestod that ye had large langage to the jurye that passyd again Saundre. Ilete hym weete that ye weer wrothe, and that he shall nowther please yowe ner me, but iff he dele curteyslye with Saundre. Itolde hym as for the condempnacion uppon the accion off trespasse I thoght it nowther good ner worshypfull. AlsoI have wretyn to the person of Maultby to dele curteyslye with Saundre, iff he woll please yow or me.
Item, I sende yow herwythe the supercedyas for Saundre; so that iff ye fynde any meane for the condempnacions that than ye maye ease therwith the suerte off pease. John Russe, as I suppose, is att home thys daye.
Item, as for tydynges heer, the Kynge rydeth fresselye thys daye to Northamton warde, there to be thys Esterne, and after Esterne he purposythe to be moche at Leysettre, and in Leysettre shyre. Every man seythe that we shall have a doo or Maye passe. Hogan the prophet is in the Tower; he wolde fayne speke with the Kyng, but the Kynge seythe he shall not avaunt that evyr he spake with hym.
Item, as for me, I most nedys to Caleyse warde to morowe. I shall be heer ageyn, if I maye, thys next terme. John Myryell, Thyrston, and W.Woode be goon from me, Ishrewe them.
My modre dothe me moor harme than good; I wende she wolde have doon for me. Playter wroot to me that she wolde have leyde owt for me Cli., and receyvyd it ageyn in v. yer of the maner of Sporle, wherto I trustyd, whyche if she had performyd, Ihad nott ben in no juperte of the maner of Sporle. NeverthelesseI shall do whatt I kan yitt. Ipreye yow calle uppon hyr for the same, remembre hyr of that promyse.
Item, I preye yow remembre hyr for my fadrys tombe at Bromholme. She dothe ryght nott [naught]; Iam afferde of hyr that she shall nott doo weell. Bedyngfelde shall mary Sir John Skottes doghtre, as I suppose.
Item, Janore Lovedaye shall be weddyd to one Denyse, a ffuattyd (?) gentylman, with Sir G.Brown, nowther to weell ner to ylle.
Item, as for me, iff I had hadd vj. dayes leyser more than I hadd, and other also, Iwolde have hopyd to have ben delyveryd of Mestresse Anne Hault. Hyr frendes, the Quyen and Attclif agreyd to comon and conclude with me, if I can fynde the meanes to dyscharge hyr concyence, whyche I trust to God to doo.
i. Item, I praye yow that ye take a leyser thys Estern halydayes to ryde to Sporle and sende for John Osberne, and
ii. And thys is myn entent. I wolde have the dykes to stonde stylle, acordyng as John Osberne and I comonyd, Itrow xij. foothe with in the dyke.
iij. Item, that the standardes off suche mesur as he and I comonyd off maye also be reservyd. Isuppose it was xxx. inche, abowt a yerde from the grownde.
iiij. Item, that it be surely fencyd at the cost off the woode byer in any wyse with a sure hedge, bothe hyghe and stronge.
v. Item, that ther be a weye taken with the fermores for the undrewood, so that I lesse not the ferme therffore yerly. Item, John Osbern can telle yow the meanys howe to entrete the fermores, for Herry Halman hath pleyed the false shrowe and fellyd my woode uppon a tenement off myn to the valew off xx. marke, as it is tolde me. Ipraye yow enquire that matre and sende me worde and dele with hym ther afftre.
vj. Item, iff the seyde wood clere above alle charges excep as is above, be made any better than CC. marke, Iwolle seye that ye be a good huswyff. John Osberne seythe that he woll do me a frendes turne ther in and yitt gete hym self an hakeneye.
vij. Memorandum, that he have nott past iij. or iiij. yere off untraunce at the ferthest.
viij. Item, thatt I have payement off the holl as shortly as ye kan, halffe in hande, the remenaunt at halffe yeer, or ellys at ij. tymes with in one yere at the ferthest by mydsomer xij. monyth.
ix. And that ye make no ferther bergayn than Sporle woode and the lawnde, not delyng with noon other woode, nowther in the maner, nor ellys wher in none other tenement.
x. Item, that ye have sufficient sewerte for the monye, with penaltes iff nede be, some other men bonden with hym for the payement.
xj. Item, I wolle well be bownde to waraunt it to hym.
Item, I sende yow herwith a warant to yow and John
xij. Item, I suppose he woll, iff he conclude with yow, desyre to felle thys Maye, and I to have mony soon afftre. Ireke not thowe he fellyd not tyll thys wynter; but iff he woll nedes begyn thys Maye, therffor I wryght yow thus hastely entrete hym, iff ye can, that he felle not tyll wynter.
xiij. Item, be ware how ye bergeyn, so that he felle nott butt in sesonable tyme and sesonable wood, for he maye felle no undrewood thys Maye, as I trowe.
Item, as for yowr costes late th . . . . . . . newe fynde yow mete, and I woll allow it there, or ellys make me a bylle what it dra[weth to] . . . . . . . . yow.
Item, I praye yow iff ye g . . . . . for me as ye can. Imade my Lady heer but easy cheer, neverthelesse I gaff hyr . . . . . ys.
I promysed hyr to purveye hyr . . . . weselys, but I was deseyvyd; yit I wend to have had one.
My Lord of Norffolk hathe ben mevyd for Caster by my Lord Cardenall and the Bysshop of Wynchester, but it woll take non effecte . . . my Lady come. God gyff grace that she brynge auctoryte when she comythe thys next terme to common ther in and conclude, and so I prey yow advyse hyr. Itt may haply paye for hyr costes.
No mor to yow, but wretyn at London, the xij. daye of Apryll, Anno E. iiijti xiijo.
I sende yow her with ij. letteris from John Osbern to me, wherby and by hys billes ye may undrestond the verry valewe off the wood.
I praye yow sende me wryghtyng ageyn by the Mondaye vij. nyght afftre Ester; iff Hoxon or the goode man off the Goot have it, they shall conveye it welle.
... Maye, as I trowe.
final period (full stop) missing
832
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON184.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esqer, in Norffolk.
1473
APRIL 16
Wyrsshypfull and ryght hertyly belowyd brother, Irecomande me on to yow, letyng yow wete that on Wednysdaye last past I wrote yow a letter, wheroff John Carbalde had the beryng, promyttyng me that ye shold have it at Norwyche thys daye, or ellys to morowe in the mornyng, wherin I praye yowe to take a labor accordyng afftr the tenur off the same, and that I maye have an answer at London to Hoxon, iff any massenger come, as ene I maye doo ffor yow.
As ffor tydyngs, ther was a truse taken at Brussellys about the xxvj. daye off Marche last past, be twyn the Duke off Borgoyn and the Frense Kyngs imbassators and Master William At Clyff ffor the Kyng heer, whyche is a pese be londe and water tyll the ffyrst daye off Apryll nowe next comyng, betweyn Fraunce and Ingelond, and also the Dukys londes. God holde it ffor ever and grace be.
Item, the Erle of Oxenfford was on Saterdaye at Depe, and is purposyd into Skotlond with a xij. schyppys. Imystrust that werke.
Item, ther be in London many fflyeng talys, seying that ther shold be a werke, and yit they wot not howe.
Item, my Lorde Chamberleyn
No mor, but I have ben, and ame troblyd with myn over large and curteys delyng with my servants, and now with ther onkynd nesse; Plattyng, yowr men wolde thys daye byd me ffar well to to morow at Dover, notwithstandyng Thryston yowr other man is ffrom me, and John Myryell, and W.Woode whyche promysed yow and Dawbeney, God have hys sowle, at Castre, that iff ye wolde take hym in to be ageyn with me, that then he wold never goo ffro me, and ther uppon I have kepyd hym thys iij. yer to pleye Seynt Jorge and Robyn Hod and the Shryff off Notyngham, and now when I wolde have good horse he is goon into Bernysdale, and I withowt a keeper.
Wretyn at Canterburye, to Caleys warde on Tewesday and happe be, uppon Good Frydaye the xvj. daye off Apryll, Anno E. iiijti xiijo. Yowr, J. P., K.
Item, the most parte off the sowdyors that went over with Sir Robert Green have leeff, and be comyn hom, the hyghe weye ffull; my cariage was behynd me ij. hours longer than I lokyd afftr, but I wysse I wende that I myght have etyn my parte on Good Frydaye all my garees [finery] and pryde had ben goon, but all was saffe. Ipray yow iff W.Mylsent go ffroo yow, that he myght come to me at Caleys, Iwill have hym.
833
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON186.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, in Norwich.
1473
MAY 18
Ryght wershypfull brother, I recomand me to yow, &c.
As for tydyngs, the Erle of Wylshyr
Item, as ffor your goyng to Seyn James,
I herd seye that a man was thys daye examyned, and he confessed that he knewe greet tresor was sende to the Erle off Oxenfford, wheroff a mle li. [£1000] sholde be conveyd by a Monke off Westminster, and some seye by a Monke off Chartrehows.
Item, that the same man schulde acuse C. gentylmen in Norffolk and Suffolk that have agreyd to assyst the seyd Erle at hys comynge thyder, whyche as itt is seyd, sholde be within viij. dayes afftr Seynt Donston, iff wynde and weddyr serffe hym—fflyeng tales. No mor at thys tyme, but God have yow in kepyng.
Wretyn at London on Seynt Donstones daye, xviij. daye of Maye, Anno E. iiijti xiijo. John Paston, K.
xviij. daye of Maye, Anno E. iiijti
text reads “Maye, Anno, E.”
834
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON187.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esqer, be thys delyveryd.
1473
JUNE 3
Ryght wyrshypfull brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet that thys daye I was in very purpose to Caleys ward, all redy to have goon to the barge, saff I teryed ffor a yonge man that I thoght to have had with me thyddr, on that was with Rows, whyche is in the cowntre; and because I cowde not geet hym, and that I have no mor heer with me butt Pampyng, Edward, and Jak, therffor Pampyng remembryd me, that at Caleys he tolde me that he purposed to be with the Duchesse off Norffolk, my Lady and yowrs. And Edward is syke and semythe nott abydyng; he wolde see what shold falle off thys worlde; and so I am as he that seythe ‘Come hyddr John, my man.’ And as happe was yisterday, Juddy went affor to Caleysward; wherffor I am nowe ille purveyd, whyche ffor owte that I knowe yit is lyke to kepe me heer thys Wytsontyd.
He maye com to me hyddr to the Gott [Goat], or yit to Caleys with a riall
Item, I suppose bothe Pytte and Kothye Plattyng shall goo ffrom me in hast; Iwyll never cherysshe knaves soo as I have don, ffor ther sakys.
Item, I praye yow sende me a newe vestment off whyght damaske ffor a dekyne, whyche is among myn other geer at Norwiche, ffor he shall ther too as ye woot off: Iwyll make
I hopyd to have been verry mery at Caleys thys Whytsontyde, and am weell apparayled and apoyntyd, saff that thes ffolks ffayle me soo, and I have mater ther to make off ryght excellent. Som man wolde have hastyd hym to Caleys thowe he had hadd no better erand, and som men thynke it wysdom and profyght to be theer now weell owt off the weye.
Item, as ffor the Bysshop
Item, large and fferr comynycacion hathe ben bytwyen Sir John Fogge, Ric. Haulte, ffor ther suster and me, byffor Doctor Wyntborne and ellys wher, so that I am in better hope than I was, by Seynt Lawrens
Item, as ffor tydyngs heer, I trow ye have herde yowr parte, howe that the Erle off Oxenfford landyd by Seynt Osyes in Essexe, the xxviij. daye off Maye, saff he teryed nott longe, ffor iff he had, the Erle of Essexe
Men loke afftr they wot not what, but men by harneys ffast; the Kyngs menyall men and the Duke off Claraunces, ar many in thys town; the Lord Ryverse
Item, how that the Cowntesse off Warwyk
Item, men seye that the Erle off Oxenfford is abowt the Ilde off Tenett hoveryng, som seye wyth grett companye, and som seye, with ffewe.
No mor, but God kepe yow.
Wretyn at London the iij. daye off June, Anno E. iiijti xiijo. John Paston, K.
835
ABSTRACT189.1
ABSTRACT
1473
JUNE 13
Norf. and Suff. Deeds, No. 67. ‘Relaxatio Willielmi Paston facta Will. Wainflet et aliis de toto jure suo in manerio vocat’ Caldecots, Akethorp, Spitlings, Habland, Broweston, etc. Jun. 13, Edw. IV. 13.’
836
SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDMUND PASTON189.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDMUND PASTON
A Edmond Paston, Esquyer, a Caleys soyt donne.
1473
JULY 5
Brother Edmond, I grete yow weell, letyng yow weete that abowt thys daye vij. nyght I sende yow a letter by Nycholas Bardeslee a sowdyer, whyche is wont woute
Item, I lete yow weet that Plattyng is comen hyddr, and he seythe that ye gaffe hym leve to ffetche hys geer and Pittys, and that is hys erande hyddr and noon other, ner he thowt never to goo ffro me, ner he wyll nott goo ffro me as he seythe,
He seythe also that he and Pytte weer at the takyng off the Esterlyngs, and that he was in the Pakker, and Pytte in the Crystoffre. Ipraye yow sende me worde howe bothe he and Pytte quytte them, by the report off some indyfferent trewe man that was ther, iff they quytte them weell, Iwolde love them the better, wherffor the next daye afftr the syte of thys letter, Ipraye yow wryght ageyn, and sende it by the next passage.
Item, I sende a lytell praty boxe herwith, whyche I wolde that Juddy sholde delyver to the woman that he wetyth off, and praye hyr to take it to the man that she wetyth off; that is to seye, as moche as ye knowe all well i now, but ye maye nott make yow wyse in no wyse.
Item, I praye yow sende me worde as ye wer wont to do off heer wellffar, and whether I weer owt and other inne or nott; and whether she shall fforsake Caleys as sone as ye sende me worde off or nott.
By God I wolde be with yow as ffayne as yowr selff, and shall be in hast with Godds grace.
Item, as ffor my brother John, I hope within thys monyth to see hym in Caleys, ffor by lyklyhod to morowe or ellys the next daye he takyth shyppe at Yarmothe, and goothe to Seynt James
Item, I suppose that James Songer shall come with me to Caleys, the rather ffor yowr sake.
Item, Mestresse Elysabett ffareth well, but as yit Songer knoweth nott so perffytly all that ye wolde weet, that he woll nott wryght to yow off thees ij. dayes tyll he knowe moor, but iff she hadde ben bolde, and durst have abydyn styll at hyr gate, and spoken with me, so God helpe me, she had hadd thys same that I sende nowe wher ye woot off, whyche ye shall see woryn heer afftr, itt is a praty ryban with praty agletts
Make yow not wyse to Juddy, nowther not that ye wolde weet any thynge, ffor I maye sey to yowe at hys comyng ovr, he browt goodly geer reasonablye.
Item, as ffor my byll
Wretyn at London the v. daye of Julle, Anno E. iiijti xiijo
Footnote 190.1:
Note 5.
text has “Note. 5.”
837
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON191.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my ryght wyrshypful moodre, Margret Paston.
1473
JULY 30
Ryght wyrshypfull and my ryght tendre modre, Irecommaunde me to yow, besechyng yow of yowr dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weet that I herde not from yow off longe tyme, whyche cawsythe me to be ryght hevye; ner at the last tyme that I sende to yow in wryghtyng I hadde from yowr selffe noo wryghtyng ner answer ageyne, saff by Playter one tyme and by my brother one other tyme; whyche answer off Playter was noo thyng acordyng but contraryaunt to other wryghtyng more comfortable that he hadde sent me nott longe byffore that on yowr behalve, as he wrott, whyche God amende. Neverthelesse to my more hevynesse, Iherde seye that ye sholde have been passhyng hevy for my sake, and in cheffe for that I was lyke to late goo the maner off Sporle, wherin I was pytte in comfort
838
MARTIN RONDELLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON193.1
MARTIN RONDELLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON
Monseigneur Jehan Paston, chevalier d’ Engleterre.
1473
AUG. 28
Mon treschier et honnore seigneur, je me recomande a vous outant que je puis ne scay. Et vous plaise savoir que je ay oy novelles de vous par ung de vo marchans de Calais touchant unne armura de unna sella que je vous doy, et de una barbuta, laquelle est en diferansce entre vous et moy, de laquelle je vous ay aultre foix dist que je estoie contant de fere toute rexon [raison], et en quore le vous dige prexentement que je suis prest de fer tout chou qu’il apartient en tout rexon, set [c’est] asavoir de la barbute et de l’armura de sella. D’aultre chiox ne vous suis en riens tenut, forque en toute les chiox que me seroint posible de faire pour l’amour de vous a vostre honneur et a vostre profit, je suis tout jour prest a vostre comendement.
Item, en houltre, je ay entendut que vous voulles avoir unng harnax complet. Com je prins vostra mexure dernierement quant vous fustes en ceste ville de Bruges, saichies que je ay en quor vostre mexure de toutes lez piesces; pour quoy, se il vous plaist que je la vous fasa, je la vous faray de bon ceur, et tout cella que il vous plaira avoir fait; et au regard du pris, je faray tellement que vous seres content de moy pour tant quant il vous plaira lesiem savoir queles piesses que vous voles avoir, et la faisson et le jour que vous la voles avoir par quelcun aqui je puis in chauder en nom de vous, et qui me ballia argant de sus, je feray si bien que se Dieu plaist vous vous loeres de moy. Aultre chiox ne vous say que
Escript a Bruges, le xxviij. jour de Ahoust, l’an lxxiij. Le tout vostre serviteur,
Martin Rondelle,
Armurier de Monsire le
Bastart de Bourgogne.
Endorsed—Par Martyne Rowndell, armorer de Bruggys. Anno E. iiijti xiijo.
839
LORD HASTINGS TO SIR JOHN OF MIDDLETON AND SIR JOHN PASTON194.1
LORD HASTINGS TO SIR JOHN OF MIDDLETON AND SIR JOHN PASTON
To my right hertily beloved frends and felaws, Sir John of Middelton, and Sir John Paston, Knights.
1473
SEPT. 16
After herty recommendacion, I thank you of the gode attendance that ye yeve unto the Kings counsail at Calais; and the gode and effectuelle devoires that ye putte you in to assiste my depute Sir John Scot, in alle suche things as mowe concerne the saufgarde of my charge there. Leting you wite, that if ther be any thing that I can and may do for you, Ishal with right gode wil performe it to my power.
And I preye you to recommaunde me to my Lady Howard,
Writen at Notyngham, the xvj. day of Septembre.
Sir Joh Paston, I pray you to yeve credens to suche thing as my depute shall shew you fro me, and conforme you to the same. Your felaw, Hastyngs.
840
NOTE
NOTE
1473
NOV. 1
On the Close Roll 13 Edw. IV. m. 5, is an indenture tripartite bearing date 1Nov., 13 Edw. IV., between Thomas Byllyng, Chief-Justice, and others, including William Paston on the one part; Jane Ingaldesthorp, late wife of Edmund Ingaldesthorp, Knight, William Norys, Knt., and Isabel, Marquesse Montague, his wife, of the second part; and William Parker, citizen and tailor, London, of the third part.
841
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON195.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier, at Norwych, be thys delyvered.
1473
NOV. 6
Wyrshypfull and well belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet that the worlde semyth qweysye heer; ffor the most part that be abowt the Kyng have sende hyddr ffor ther harneys, and it [is] seyd ffor serteyn, that the Duke off Clarance makyth hym bygge in that he kan, schewyng as he wolde but dele with the Duke of Glowcester; but the Kyng ententyth, in eschyewying all inconvenyents, to be as bygge as they bothe, and to be a styffeler atweyn them; and som men thynke that undre thys ther sholde be som other thynge entendyd, and som treason conspyred; so what shall falle, can I nott seye.
Item, it is seyde that yisterdaye ij. passagers off Dovr wer takyn; I ffer that iff Juddy had noon hasty passage, so that iff he passyd nott on Sondaye or Mondaye, that he is taken, and som geer off myn, that I wolde not for xxli.
I hope and purpose to goo to Caleys warde on Sondaye or Mondaye or nyghe bye, ffor I am nott accompanyed to do any servyse heer; wherffor it wer better ffor me to be owt off syght.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item, Sprynge, that wayten on my ffadre when he was in Jowel hous [gaol house], whom my ffadre at hys dyeng besett xls. he cryethe evyr on me ffor it, and in weye off almess, and he wolde be easyd, thow it wer but xxs. or xs.; wherffor he hathe wretyn to my modr, and most have an answer ageyn; Iwolde that my moodr sende hym, as thoghe she lende hym som whatt, and he woll be pleasyd, and ellys he can seye as shrewdely as any man in Ingelonde.
Item, the Kynge hathe sent ffor hys Great Seall; some seye we shall have a newe Chauncelor, but som thynke that the Kynge dothe as he dyde at the last ffeldys, he wyll have the Seall with hym; but thys daye Doctor Morton, Master off the Rollys, rydethe to the Kynge, and berythe the Sease [Seals] with hym.
Item, I had never mor nede off mony than now; wherffor Fastolffes v. mrks and the mony off Master John Smythe wolde make me holl,&c.
Wretyn on Seynt Lenards Daye, Anno R. R. E. iiijti xiijo.
Item, sende me my vestment acordyng to the letter I sent yow by Symond Dam, in all hast. J. P., K.
842
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON196.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, be thys delyvered.
1473
NOV. 22
Ryght wyrshypfull and hertyly belovyd brother, Icomand me to yow, letyng you wet that I receyvyd a letter that come from yow, wretyn circa viij. Mychaelys,
Ye sende me worde also that she in noo wyse wyll purveye thyr Cli. for the redemyng off Sporle. Late it goo. As towchyng that mater, John Osbern tolde me that he comonyd with yow at Sporle of that mater; ferr he devysed that Kokett, or suche an other man, sholde, to have it the better cheppe, leye owt the valewe off vj. yere for to have it vij. yere, wherto I wolde agre; and for Goddys sake, if thatt maye be browt abowt, late it be doon. As ye woot of, it is laten for xxijli. be yere, yit the fermor graunt but xxj.; but to Kokett it wolde be worthe xxvli., yea and better. Neverthelesse, if Kokett wyll delyver vjxx.li., Iwolde he had it for vij. yeer, with thys that my moodre be agreable to the same, by cawse of th’entresse that she hathe for my brother William, whyche shall nott be off age thys vij. yeer; neverthelesse, as ye know myn olde entent, Ipurpose to purvey for hym in an other plase better than theer; whyche graunte off my moodre I praye yow to be my solycytor in, whyche [and] it be browt abowt, Sporle shall be in as goode case as evyr he was.
John Osbern willyd me to make yow a sufficiaunt waraunt to selle and felle wood at Sporle, whyche I remembre ye have in as ample forme as can be; neverthelesse iff thys meane above wretyn off letyng to ferme maye be hadde, it shall, Ihope, nat nede to felle ner selle moche. ButI remytte that geer to yowr dyscrescion, but iff ye have suche comforte, Ipraye yow sende me worde. Imaye seye to yow, John Osbern flateryd me, for he wolde have borowyd mony off me.
Item, in retaylyng of woode theer, it weer harde to tryst hym; he is nedye. If Kokett, or whoo so evyr had that maner to ferme for vij. yere, and payd therffor but vjxx.li., he sholde, to lete it ageyn, wynne xxxvjli., whyche we[re] moche; wherffor, iff it myght bee, yt wer more resenable vjxx. vijli. to
Item, ye wroot that lyke a trewe man ye sende me xviijs. by Richarde Radle. Ye weer to trewe; but he semys to be a false shrewe, for he browt me noon yitt. Whethyr he be owt of town or nott, kan I nott seye.
Ye prayed me also to sende yow tydynges how I spedde in my materis, and in cheff of Mestresse Anne Hault. Ihave answer ageyn fro Roome that there is the welle of grace and salve sufficiaunt for suche a soore, and that I may be dyspencyd with; neverthelesse my proctore there axith a ml. docatys, as he demythe. But Master Lacy, another Rome renner heer, whyche knowyth my seyde proctor theer, as he seythe, as weell as Bernard knewe hys sheeld, seythe that he menyth but an C. docates or CC. at the most; wherffor afftre thys comythe moor. He wrote to me also, quod Papa hoc facit hodiernis diebus multociens.
Item, as towchyng Caster, I tryst to God that ye shall be in it to myn use or Crystmesse be past.
Item, yowr ost Brygham recomand hym to yow, and when he and I rekenyd, Igave hym ij. noblis for yowr borde, whyll ye weer theer in hys absence; but in feythe he wolde, for nowth that I kowde doo, take jd. Wherffor ye most thanke hym or charge me to thanke hym on yowr behalve in some nexte epystyll that ye wryght to me to Caleys. He leete me weet that he wolde do moor for yow than soo.
Item, my Lady Bowgcher was almost deed, but she ys amendyd. I trowe they come in to Norffolk.
Item, as for W. Berker, I heer no worde from hym. I praye yow comon with Berney ther in, he knoweth myn conceyt; and also I praye yow hast Berney ageyn. Iwold not that he played the fooll, ner wastyd hys tyme ner hys sylver.
Item, as for the brace of growndes [greyhounds], or one verry goode, or in especiall the blak of Germynes, Ican nott seye but ye be a trewe man, but William Mylsent isse a false shrewe, so mote I thee, and I trow hys master ys too.
Item, I most have myn instrumentes hydder, whyche are in the chyst in my chambre at Norwyche, whyche I praye yow and Berney to gedre joyntly, but natt severally, to trusse in a pedde,
Item, I preye yow take heed among thatt my stuffe take noon harme, ner that myn evydence, wher ye wott of, be owt of joperte.
Item, I praye yow doo for Berneye as ye kan, so that he maye be in sewerte for hys annywyte, and that it be nott costious fro hense forthe to hym any mor to come, or sende for it. Ipray yow wynne yowr sporys in hys mater.
Item, I purposed to have sent heer with the testament off my fadre and the scytacions to my moodre to yow and Arblaster; but they be nott redy. Within ij. dayes aftre the comyng of thys, Isuppose they shall be with yow, and than I shall wryght mor to yow.
As for other tydynges, I trust to God thatt the ij. Dukes of Clarans and Glowcester shall be sette att one by the adward off the Kyng.
Item, I hope by the means of the Duke of Glowcester that my Lord Archebyshop
Item, as towchyng my sustre Anne,
No more. Wretyn at London, the xxij. daye of Novembre Anno R. R. E. iiijti xiijo. John Paston, Kt.
843
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON200.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier.
1473
NOV. 25
Ryght wyrshypfull and well belovyd brother, Irecomaund me to yow, letyng yow weet that I sende yow her with j. sitacion, where in ben my moodre and yee, wheroff I praye yow that I maye have hasty answeer. The effecte theroff is no moor, but ye bothe most sende answer, and make yow a proctor heer, and that most come hyddre ondre a notaryes syngne, affermyng that ye make suche a man, Master John Halsnothe, or ellis, yf ye will do the cost, to sende some other hyddre; yowr proctor to take admynystracion or to reffuse, and what so he dothe, ye to holde it for ferme and stable. Than most my moodre and ye wryght a lettre, undre my moodre seall and yowr syngne manuell, to me and Master John Halsnothe in thys forme:—‘We gret yow well, letyng yow weet that we have made yow, Master John Halsnothe, our proctor in the testament of John Paston, husband and fadre to yow, wherin we wyll that on owr behalff ye refuse the admynestracion of the seyde testament. And thys wryghtyng is to yow warantt and dyscharge, and also the verry wyll of usse.’ Thys most we have for owr dyscharge.
Item, I pray yow take good hedde to my soster Anne, lesse the old love atwyen hyr and Pampyng renewe.
Item, I pray yow sende me worde howe my moodre is dysposyd to hyr wardes, and iffe so weer that a good mariage myght be had, what she wolde depart with.
Item, I praye yow that ye remembre hyr for the tombe off my fadr at Bromholme, and also the chapell at Mauteby, and sende me worde how she is dysposyd her in.
Item, iff I have Caster ageyn, whethyr she wolle dwelle ther or nott, and I wyll fynde hyr a prest towardes at my charge, and geve hyr the dovehowse and other comodytes ther; and if any horsekeper on myn lye ther, Iwolle paye for hys borde also, as weell as for the prestes.
Item, iff my modre sholde have a new prest, I thynk that my brother Syr J.Goos weer a metly man to be ther. He wolde also doo, as ye wolde have hym nowe, ber the cuppe evyn, as What-calle-ye-hymseyde to Aslake.
Be war of Myneres fro hense forthe, and sende me worde how ye trist Doctor Pykenham. Iwolde, if he wolde doo owght for my moodre, that he hastyd the soner to paye me the Cli., so that I myght pledge owt Sporle.
Item, as for other tydynges, the Erle of Oxenforthe is stille besegyd. Neverthelesse, onys he issued owt, and toke a jentylman, and hant [dragged] hym within; but now off late he was besye, and one espyed hym, and shott at hym and strake in the verry fase with an arowe. Isye thys daye the same man, and theere I leef hym.
Iff Arblaster come to yow, ye maye see hys letter sente to hym by me, wherin I have wretyn that he scholde take yowr advyce; but I praye you, above all thynges, that me make hast so that I heer from yow ageyn by thys day vij. nyght.
At London, the xxv. daye of Novembre. John Paston, K.
...and hant [dragged] hym within
final italic “d” misprinted as “a”
844
THE TENANTS OF SPORLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON201.1
THE TENANTS OF SPORLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To oure specyall good lord and mayster, Syr John Paston, Knyght, be this delivered in hast.
Date uncertain
Right worchepfull and oure specyall good mayster and loord, after our dewe recomendacion with owre servyce. Please it yow to knowe that we arn grevously troubled, and not lyke to kepe oure tenourys, the whiche we holde of
845
NOTE
NOTE
1474
FEB. 9
It appears by the Early Chancery Proceedings printed by the Record Commission (vol. i. p.xc.), that a decree was given in Chancery in Hilary term, 13 Edw. IV. compelling William Paston and other trustees to fulfil a covenant between Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Elizabeth, Countess of Oxford. On the Close Roll, 13 Edw. IV. memb.1, is a release by William, Bishop of Ely, Sir Thomas Montgomery, John Wentworth, clk., William Paston, Esq., Roger Townesend and Jas. Arblaster to Richard, Duke of Gloucester, of all their right in Ocle Magna and Parva, etc., in Essex, which they have by enfeoffment of Eliz., Countess of Oxford, and in other manors in Norfolk and Suffolk which they lately had of the gift of the same. This release is dated 9th Feb. 13 Edw. IV., and was acknowledged in Chancery on the 11th Feb. Below it are enrolled three other deeds by the Countess and her feoffees to the Duke, dated 9th June, 12 Edw. IV., and acknowledged in Chancery, 25th June, 14 Edw. IV.
846
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON203.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
Mestresse Margrett Paston, at Norwyche.
1474
FEB. 20
Ryght honorable and most tendr good moodr, Irecomand me to yowe, besechyng yow to have, as my tryst is that I have, yowr dayly blessyng; and thanke yow off yowr good moderhood, kyndenesse, cheer, charge, and costes, whyche I had, and putte yow to, att my last beyng with yow, whyche God gyffe me grace her afftr to deserve!
Please it yow to weet, that I thynge longe that I heer nott ffrom yow or ffrom Pekok yowr servaunt, ffor the knowlege howe he hathe doon in the sale off my fferme barlye, ner whatt is made theroff; wherffor I beseche yowe, if it be not answeryd by that tyme that thys bylle cormythe to yowe, to hast hym and itt hyddre wards; ffor iff that had nott taryed me, Ideme I had been at Caleys by thys daye; ffor it is soo, as men seye, that the Frense Kynge with a gret hoste is at Amyans, but iijxx. myle from Caleys; and iff he, or hys, roode byffor Caleys, and I nott theer, Iwolde be sorye.
Item, men seye that the Erle of Oxenfford hathe ben constreynyd to sewe ffor hys pardon only off hys lyffe; and hys body, goodes, londes, with all the remenaunt, at the Kynges wyll, and soo sholde in all haste nowe come in to the Kyng; and some men seye that he is goon owt off the Mounte,
Item, as ffor the havyng ageyn off Castre, I trust to have good tydyngs theroff hastelye.
Item, my brother John ffarethe weell, and hathe doon ryght delygentlye in my cosyn Elizabet Berneys mater, wheroff hastely I trust he shall sende hyr tydyngs that schall please hyr; and as to morow he purposyth to take hys jurneye to Walys warde to the Lorde Ryverse. No mor at thys tyme, but Jeswe have yow in Hys kepyng.
Wretyn at London the xx. daye off Feverer, Anno E. iiijti xiijo. Yowr sone, J. Paston, K.
847
LORD HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON204.1
LORD HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON
To my right trusty and welbeloved servaunt, John Paston, Squier.
1474(?)
APRIL 26
John Paston, I recommaunde me unto you. And whereas I appointed and desired you to goo over unto Guysnes to yeve youre attendaunce and assistaunce upon my brother Sir Rauf Hastings in all suche things as concerne the suretie and defense of the Castell of Guysnes during his infirmyties; it is shewed unto me that ye have full truely and diligently acquyted you unto my saide brother, in all his besynesses sithe your comyng thider. WhereofI thanke you hertly. And as I conceive to my grete comfort and gladnesse, my saide brother is wele recovered and amended, thanked be God. And soo I truste he may nowe spare you. WheruponI have writen unto him, if he may soo doo, to licence you to come over unto me ayen. WhereforeI woll and desire you, th’assent of my saide brother had, to dispose you to come over in all goodly haste, as well for suche grete maters, as I fele by youre ffrends, ye have to doo here, as to yeve youre attendaunce upon me. And your retourne ye shall be to my welcome.
From London, the xxvj. day of Avrill.
848
SIR RALPH HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON205.1
SIR RALPH HASTINGS TO JOHN PASTON
To my feithful lovyng gode cousyn, Johan Paston.
1474(?)
MAY 9
Cousyn Paston, I recommaunde me to you in as speciall wise as I cane. And like you to witte, on Sondaye at even last I hadde writing and evedence frome my lorde by Punche of tidyngis and have understonde them wel al a longe. And on Monday erly in the mornyng I came to Calais to have spoken with you, but I came to late. Praying you to advertise my lord
I praye you to sende us some of your tidingis by this berer as oft as ye may. And if ther be anything I may do to your plesir, Ishal do it with as good hart as ye cane desire. Your tru luffuyng coussen, Rauff Hastyngis.
849
ABSTRACT206.1
ABSTRACT
1474
JULY 24
Letters patent, dated at Westminster, 24 July, 14 Edw. IV., for levying a subsidy in the county of Norfolk for a war against France.
850
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON206.2
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Sir John Paston, Knyght, or to hys brodyr Edmund in hys absence, lodgyd at the George by Powlys Wharff, in London.
1474
JULY 25
Ryght worchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, preying yow to remembyr, or ye depert ought of London, to spek with Herry Ebertonys wyf, draper, and to enforme hyr that I am profyrd a maryage in London, whyche is worth vjc. [600] mark and bettyr; with whom I preyid yow
Wretyn at Norwyche, on Seynt Jamys Day.
Also, sir, I prey yow that ye wyll, as I desyerd yow, comon with John Lee or hys wyf, or bothe, and to undyrstond how the mater at the Blak Freerys dothe, and that ye wylle see and spek with the thyng your sylf, and with hyr fadyr and modyr, or ye depert; and that it lyek yow to desyer John Lee is wyff to send me a byll in all hast possybyll, how fer forthe the mater is, and whedyr it shalbe necessary for me to come up to London hastyly or not, or ellys to kast all at the Kok.
Also, sir, I prey yow that Pytt may trusse in a male, whyche I left in your chambyr at London, my tawny gowne furyd with blak, and the doblet of porpyll sateyn, and the doblet of blak sateyn, and my wryghtyng box of syprese, and my book of the Metyng of the Dwke and of the Emperour, and when all thys gere is trussyd in the male, to delyver it to the berer herof, to brynge me to Norwyche.
Item, I send you herwith the pylyon for the male, and xs. for the hyer, whyche is usery, Itak God to rekord.
Also, that it lyek yow to spek with your apotycary, whyche was som tyme the Erle of Warwykes apotycary, and to weet of hym what the wedow of the Blak Freiris is woorthe, and what hyr husbondes name was. He can tell all, for he is executore to the wedous husbond. Iprey yow forget me not, no more then I do yow. Ihave spokyn thys day with Jamys Hubberd and Herry Smyth, and to morow I shall have an answer of theym.
Also, my modyr wyll labore thys mater with effect, that the CC. mark may be had for the wood.
Also, brodyr Edmund, I prey yow, and my brodyr Sir John be not in London, that ye wyll labore all thys maters with effect, as my trust is in yow in every poynt as is above wretyn.
Also, I assartayn yow that I was with Ferrour thys day, and he had no leyser to comon with me; but I wyll be with hym ayen to morow by apoyntment betwyx hym and me, and so as I speed I shall send yow woord by the next man that comyth to London.
Also, I sent John Lee is wyff a lettyr by on Crawethorn dwellyng in Wood street, or ellys in Sylver street at the end of Wood street. Iprey yow weet whedyr she had it or nought; and she had it not, brodyr Edmund, Iprey yow go to the same Crawethorn, and tak the lettyr of hym, and delyver it hyr in all hast. J. Paston.
... Who preserve yow and yours
final . missing or invisible
851
ABSTRACT208.2
ABSTRACT
1474
OCT. 24
‘Bill’ dated 24 Oct., 14 Edw. IV., relative to the pledging of certain parcels of plate by William Paston, Esq., to Elizabeth Clere of Ormesby. The parcels amount in all to 250 oz. 4dwt., and are pledged for £40. Sealed.
ii. Fair copy of the preceding.
852
ABSTRACT208.3
ABSTRACT
The Vicar of Paston to Margaret Paston
1474
NOV. 3
When my master Sir John’s baily was at Paston he scared your tenants, bidding them pay no rents to Mr. William Paston. On which Harry Warns wrote to Mr. William, who bade him warn them not to pay money to any one else; otherwise he would meet them at London ‘as the law would,’ or at some market or fair, and make them pay arrears to Midsummer. Beware of Warns,
[This and the letter following both appear to have been written at the time of Sir John Paston’s dispute with his uncle William, at the end of the year 1474.]
853
ABSTRACT209.1
ABSTRACT
[The Vicar of Paston] to Mrs. [Margaret Paston]
1474
John Qwale, farmer of Paston, is distressed by things that Herry Warns has done and said against him. Warns carried home ‘an esse’ [ash] blown down by the wind, and says it is your will, because Master John Paston has given him power over all that he has in Paston. ‘More awre he stondes in grete dowte to ery or to sawe’ [to harrow or to sow], for John of Bactun says he shall have no land, unless he find surety, ‘and it were no resun that he suld somerlay and compace hys londes to a noder mans hand.’ Warns says if Qwale put out any cattle at the gates, he will take it for the grain that Master William delivered to him. He says Mrs. Margaret Paston
854
[WILLIAM PASTON] TO SIR JOHN PASTON209.3
[WILLIAM PASTON] TO SIR JOHN PASTON
[To] my right worshipfull neview [Sir J]ohn Paston, Knyghte, be [this] lettre delivered in hast.
About 1474(?)
[Right] worshipful neview, I recommaund me to you. And, sir, I pray you ... . . . . . . . . . . ... that ther was none
Also I wold avyse you ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... my Lord of Norfolk.
Also, nevew, there is onne Fr ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... but hym silf and his wif and ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... wherfore I have writin to ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... in this matier; and I trust l ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... AndI pray yow that may ha ... . . . . . . ...
855
ABSTRACT210.1
ABSTRACT
Date uncertain
Fragment of a draft deed by which Sir John Paston and John Paston, Esq., mortgage certain premises not named to the use of Master John Morton, William Paston, Thomas Playter, and Thomas Lovell, for £114.
[Nothing is clear about the date of this document, but we place it here, as bearing, like the last, on money matters between Sir John Paston and his uncle William.]
856
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON211.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margrett Paston at Norwyche, or to J. Paston in hyr absence.
1474
Ryght wyrshypfull and my moste kynde and tendre moodre, Irecomaund me to yow, thankyng yow off the grete cost and off the greet chere that ye dyd to me and myn at my last beyng wyth yowe; whyche cheer also hath made me perfyghtly hooll, Ithanke God and yow, in so moche that where as I feeryd me that for weykenesse, and so green recuveryd off my syknesse, that I scholde have apeyryd by the weye; but, God thanke yow, Itoke so my crommys whyls I was wyth yow, that I felyd my sylfe by the weye that God and ye had made me stronger than I wenyd that I had ben, in so myche that I feell my selffe every daye holler than other.
It was soo that I mett wyth myn onkle William by the weye, and there in the felde I payed hym the iiijli. whyche I had borowyd off hym; and he was passyng inquisytyff howe that I was purveyd for recompensyng off Towneshend. Itolde hym I hopyd weell; he tolde me that he undrestood that I had the Cli. of the Bysshopys executores, and he had herde seye that I had also borowyd another Cli. of a marchaunt, and so I lakyd but an C. marke. Ideme he herde thys of T.Lovell, for I tolde hym that I was in hope to fynde suche a freende that wolde lende me Cli. He axed me, who was that? Iansweryd hym, an olde marchaunt, afreende of myn, but myn oncle thowte that shold be by weye of chevyshanse [usury], and to myn horte; wherffor I was pleyne to hym, and tolde hym that ye wer sewerte therffor, and purveyed it off suche as wolde doo for yowe. And as for the forte [fourth] C. mark, he seyde to me that as for that he
Item, I have delyveryd yowre botell to Courbye the caryer thys same daye, and he promysed me to be with yow on Mondaye nyghte, or ellys on Touesday tymely. He hathe also xld. to paye for the thryd hyryd horse, and he bryngythe the iij. horse wyth hym, and is contente for hys labor and for the mete largely. They be delyveryd hym in as good, and rather better plyght, than whan I had them forthe, and not gallyd nor hurte. He hate also ij. sadelys, one of my brotheres, and one other hyred, as ye woot off.
Item, he hathe a peyre botys off Edmond Reedes, the shomaker, whyche Saundre borowyd off hym. Ibeseche yowe that William Mylsent or Symme maye se that every man have hys owne.
Item, as for my brother Edmond, blyssyd be God, he is weell amendyd.
Item, as for Hankyn owr dogge, I am a fferde never to see hym, but if [unless] yowr good helpe bee.
Item, as for the bookes that weer Sir James, iff it lyke yow that I maye have them, Iame not able to by them; but somwhat wolde I gyffe, and the remenaunt with a goode devowte herte, by my trowthe, Iwyll prey for hys sowle. Wherffor iff it lyke yow by the next messenger or karyer to sende hem in a daye, Ishall have them dressyd heer; and iff any off them be claymyd here aftre, in feythe I wyll restoor it.
Wretyn on Saterdaye. John Paston, K.
857
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON213.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margrete Paston, or to Roose, dwellyng byffore hyr gate at Norwyche.
1474
NOV. 20
Aftre dew recomendacion, my most tendre and kynde moodre, Ibeseche yow off yowr dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weete that I reseyvyd a lettre thhat come from yowe, wretyn the xxvj. daye of Octobre, none erst but
Item, as for Castre, it nedyth nott to spore nor prykke me to doo owghte ther in. Idoo that I can with goode wyll, and somwhat I hope to doo hastely ther in that shall doo goode.
Item, as for the bokes that weer Syr James, God have hys sowle, whyche it lykethe yow that I shall have them, Ibeseche yow that I maye have them hyder by the next massenger, and
Item, it lyked yow to weet of myn heelle. I thanke God nowe that I am nott greetly syke ner soore, but in myn heele, wherin alle men know nott whatt peyne I feele. And wher ye advysed me to hast me owt of thys towne, Iwolde full fayne be hense. Ispende dayly mor than I sholde doo, if I wer hense, and I am nott well purveyed.
Item, blessyd be Good, my grauntdam is amendyd by suche tyme as myn oncle W. come hyddre. But my yongest cosyn Margret, hys doghtre, is ded and beryed er he come home.
I am as moche afferde off thys londe that is in hys hande as I was off that that was in Towneshendes hande. Ihope to wryght yow moor serteynte within iiij. or v. dayes. No more,&c.
Wretyn the xx. daye of Novembre, anno E. iiij. xiiijo. Yowr Sone, J. Paston, K.
I reseyvyd a lettre thhat come from yowe
spelling unchanged
858
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON214.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, at Norwyche, or to Roose, dwellyng affor Mestresse Pastonys gate, in Norwych.
1474
NOV. 20
Ryght wyrshypful and weell belovyd brother, Irecomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weet that I have comonyd with yowr ffreende Dawnson, and have receyvyd yowr rynge off hym, and he hathe by myn advyce spoken with hyr
Item, as ffor Stoctons doghtr, she shall be weddyd in haste to Skeerne, as she tolde hyrselffe to my sylke-mayde,
Item, as for Ebortons dowghtr, my brother Edmonde seythe, that he herde never moor speche theroff syns yowr departyng, and that ye wolde that he sholde nott breke, nor doo no thynge therin, but iff it come off theer begynnyng.
Item, I had answer ffrom my Lorde
Item, the Kyng come to this towne on Wednysdaye; as ffor the Frenshe Embassate that is heer, they come nott in the Kynges presence, by lykehod, ffor men seye that the chyeff off them is he that poysonyd bothe the Duke off Berry
Item, ther was never mor lyklyhod that the Kyng shall goo ovyr thys next yer than was nowe.
I praye yow remembre that I maye have the pewter vessell heddr by the next karyer by the lattr ende off thys weke.
Item, I praye yow remembr so that I may have the bokys by the same tyme, whyche my moodr seyde she wolde sende me by the next carier.
Wretyn at London, the Sondaye the xx. daye off Novembr, anno E. iiijti xiiijo. John Paston, K.
dwellyng affor Mestresse Pastonys gate
italic “d” misprinted as “a”
[Sidenote] NOV. 20
date supplied from body of letter
859
ABSTRACT216.3
ABSTRACT
1474
NOV. 29
Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 33. ‘The agreement and accord between the Bishop of Winton and John Paston, Knight, touching the building of the College at Castre of seven priests and seven poor men, translated by dispensation of the Pope to seven priests and seven poor scholars in Magdalene College, and touching the lands of Sir John Fastolf. November 29, Edw. IV. 14.’
860
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON216.4
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier.
1474
DEC. 11
Brother, I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I have, lyke as I promysyd yowe, Ihave doon my devoyr to know my Lady Walgraves stomacke, whyche, as God helpe me, and to be pleyn to yowe, Iffynde
When I undrestood all thys, and that over nyght she bad hyr that weent bytwyen hyr and me byd me brynge with me hyr muskeball
Than I tolde hyr, that I had nott sent it yowe, ffor synne off my sowle; and so I tolde hyr all, how I had wretyn to yow why that I wold nott sende it yow, by cawse I wyst weell ye sholde have slepyd the werse; but nowe, Itolde hyr, as God helpe me, that I wolde sende it yow, and gyffe yow myn advyse nott to hope ovyr moche on hyr, whyche is ovyr harde an hertyd lady ffor a yonge man to tryst on to; whyche I thowght that ffor all my words, ye cowde nott ner wolde nott do ffor all myn advyce.
Yitt ageynwards she is nott dyspleasyd, nor fforbad me nott but that ye sholde have the kepyng off hyr muskball; wherffor de ye with itt as ye lyke. Iwolde it hadd doon weel; by Good, Ispake ffor yow soo, that in ffeythe I trowe I kowde nott seye so weel ageyn.
Wherffor I sende yow herwith yowr rynge, and the onhappy muskeball. Also make ye mater off it herafftr as ye kan, Iam nott happy to wow nowther ffor my selff ner noon
. . . . . . .
I her no worde off my vessell, ner off my boks; I mervayll. No mor.
Wretyn at London, the xj. daye of Decembr, anno E. iiij.ti xiiijo. J. P., K.
wherffor de ye with itt
text unchanged: error for “do”?
861
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON218.2
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To the ryght worshypfull John Paston, Esquier, at Norwych, or to hys modr, Margreet Paston, in hys absence, in haste.
1475
JAN. 17
Irecomande me to yow, praying yow hertely, that I maye have weetyng when that my Lorde and Lady of Norffolk shalle be at London, and howgh longe they shall tery theer, and in especiall my Lorde of Norffolk; ffor uppon ther comyng to London wer it ffor me to be guydyd. NeverthelesseI wolde be soory to come theer but iff I neds most. Ithynke it wolde be to yow ovyr erksom a labor to solycyte the maters atwyen them and me, but iff I weer theer myselffe; wherffor, iff ye thynke it be convenyent that I com thyddr, Ipraye yow sende me worde as hastely as ye maye, and by what tyme ye thynke most convenyent, that I sholde be theer; and off all suche coumfforte as ye ffynde or heer off the towardnesse theroff, and when also that ye shall be theer yowr selffe. For it is so that as to morow I purpose to ryde in to Flaundrys to purveye me off horse and herneys, and percase I shall see the assege at Nwse
For as ffor tydyngs heer, ther be but ffewe, saffe that the assege lastyth stylle by the Duke off Burgoyn affoor Nuse, and the Emperor
The Kyngs inbassators, Sir Thomas Mongomere and the Master off the Rolls
Syr John off Parre and William Berkeley com thys weye to Flaundrs ward to by them horse and herneys, and [I] made Sir J.Parr goode cheer as I cowde ffor yowr sake; and he tolde me, that ye made hym haulte cheer, &c. at Norwyche. No moor.
Wretyn at Caleys, the xvij. daye off Janever, anno Edwardi iiijti xiiijo.
862
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON220.1
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Sqwyer, be thys delyveryd in hast.
Jh’s.
1475
JAN. 29
Igret yow well, and send yow Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wet that my cosyn Robard Clere was her with me thys weke, and told me that he was nowt payd of the mony that ye know that was borowd of hys modyr and of hym, but iiijxx.li. The xxli. that my plegges ly for ys on payd. He seyd that he was desyryd to delyvere my plegges, and to have be payd the xxli.; but he wold not, tyll he had spokyn with me, because of the promys that he had mad to me befor that he shuld not delyver them to non withowt my assent. Iseyd to hym that I suppose veryly that yowyr brodyr hys a greyd with yowyr hunkyll that he shuld paye all the hole, for I suppose he hath a swerte for ale that and more. Iwold undyrstond how yt ys, and how that my seyd cosyn shall be content, for I war loth to lese my plegges; Iwot yt well, yowyr good hunkyll wold ben in possessyon with good well, but I wol not soo. Iwold that ye shuld speke with yowyr hunkyll ther in, and send me word in hast what he seet [saith].
I marvyll, be my trowth, that I had no wrytyng fro yowyr brodyr, er he departyd fro London, as he promysyd in the last lettyr that he sent me, the wych was wretyn be for the Kynges comyng to Norwych; Iwent [expected] veryly to have hard from hym ar [ere] thys tyme. Iwold ye shuld send hym word of yowyr hunkyles delyng in thys seyd mater, and send me an ansswer ther off.
Recomaund me to yowyr grauntdam. I wold she war her in Norffolk, as well at es as evyr I sy hyr, and as lytyll rewlyd
I wold ye shuld spekyn with my Lord of Norwych, and a say to get a lysen of hym to that I may have the sacrement her in the chapell, because yt ys far to the chyrche, and I am sekly, and the parson ys oftyn owt. For all maner of casweltes of me and myn, Iwold havyt grauntyd, yf I myth.
Send me word yf ye her ony tydynges from yowyr brodyr how he doth of hys seknes, and in odyr thynges, as farforth as ye know, as astely as ye may. Ithynk long tyll I her from hym for dyvers causys. God kepe yow.
Wretyn in hast at Mawdby, on the Satyrday next be for Candelmes Day.
Send me an ansswer of thys lettyr in hast, and odyr tydynges, &c. Be yowyr modyr.
My cosyn Robard told me that ther was mor than vijli. of the mony that was payd hym that was ryght on rysty, and he cowd nowt havyt chaungyd. He was on goodly servyd ther in.
to have hard from hym ar [ere] thys tyme
printed without space between “ar” and brackets
863
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON221.1
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Ser John Paston, Knyght, be thys delyveryd in hast.
Jh’s.
1475
Ryght welbelovyd son, I gret yow well, and send yow Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wete that I marveyle that I have had no wrytyng from yow sethyn ye sent me the lettyr that ye sent me be for the Kynges comyng
Item, as for Sporyl wood, be ffor the Kynges comyng into Norffolk, I myth an had chapmen to abowtyd [have bought it] a gret [in whole] for xijxx. [twelve score] mark, and now ther wol no man by yt a gret, bycause of the gret good that the pepyll ys leyd to for the Kyng; werfor we ar a bowth to retaylyt as well as we may, and as well as yt can be browth too; and I send yow word how we shall do as astely as I may. As for yowyr barly in thys cuntre, yt cannot be sold above xd. or xjd.; that ys the gretest prys of barly her, and but yt be at a bettyr prys, Ipurpose for to do yt malt. And as for mony, Icowd not get yet of Pecok but iijli.; and he seth that be than that the owt chargys be boryn, and the repracion of the myll at Wyntyrton, we ar lyke to have but lytyll mor mony besyd the barly. Malt ys sold her but for xiijd. and whet ijs. or xxvjd. at thys time, and otys xijd. Ther ys non owtlod suffyrd to goo owth of thys cuntre as yet; the Kyng hath comaundyd that ther shuld non gon owth of thys lond. Ifer me that we shall have ryth a straung ward [world]; God a mendyd, whan Hys wyll ys. Ithank yow for the flakons
As for the bokys that ye desyryd to have of Syr Jamys,
Wretyn at Mawdby, on the Sattyrday nex be forn the Purificacion of owyr Lady, the xiiij. yer of Kyng Edward the iiijt. Yowyr Modyr.
Endorsed—Anno xiiijo.
he hath delyveraunc of my plegges
spelling unchanged
864
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON223.3
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To hys brother John Paston, or to hy[s] oncle William Paston, in Werwyk Lane, or to Edmond Paston, at the George, at Powlys Wharfe, to deliver any of them.
1475
FEB. 5
Ryght worshypffull, I recomaunde me on to yow, letyng yow weete that I thynke longe that I heer nott from yow syns Crystmesse, ner have no serteyn knowleche whether that Towneshend hathe performyd hys promysse or nott, ner off my brother Johnys beyng at London, ner off
Item, iff any letter be requesyth to be hadde, in lyke forme as oonys ther was from the Kyng to my Lorde off
Wretyn at Caleys, the v. day of Feverer, Anno E. iiij. xiiijo.
As for tydynges heer, my masteris th’embassatores, Sir T. Mongomere, and the Master of the Rollys, kom streyght from the Duke at hys assege at Nywysse, whyche wyll nott yitt be wone. Yowr John Paston, K.
labor and sewte that I or or any for me
text unchanged: printed at mid-line
865
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON225.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margret Paston, at Norwyche, be thys delyveryd.
1475
FEB. 22
Please it yow to weete that I receyvyd a letter from yow, wretyn the Saterdaye next byffor Candelmesse; for answer wheroff, lyke it yow to weete, that as for the bokys that weer Sir James (God have hys sowle!), Ithynke best that they be styll with yow, tyll that I speke with yow my selffe. My mynde is now nott most uppon bokes.
Item, as for xxli. that ye sey that yowr plate lythe for, it is so, that I fownde my oncle William no sewerte therffor, as Playter and my brother John bothe cowde enfforme yow; it was never desyryd of me, ner the tolde me nott that any suche pledge laye for it, but that ye hadd dyschargyd me of xxli. and chevysshyd it, and that ye sholde repaye it in hast; wherin I woll do as ye woll, and as it pleasyth yow to sende me wetyng.
Item, I ame sory that ye be no better payd off the xxli. that I had off yowe, whyche ye sholde have receyvyd ageyn off my londes in Flegge. Iff the markett be nott goode yit, Ihope it shall be better; never the lesse my wylle is that ye
Item, wher it pleasyd yow to weete of myn heele and amendyng; I thanke GoddeI ame in goode case, and as goode a full hooll, bothe off the fevre, agwe off myn ie, myn legge, and myn heele, saff that I ame tendre off all theese; and were nott goode rewle, full like to feell off iche off them ryght soone; neverthelesse, God thanke yow off yowr large profre, wheroff I wolde be ryght gladde iff I myght, for trobles and other labor that I have takyn on me nowe in to Fraunce warde; for the goode spede off me, and that jorneye, Ibeseche yow of yowr preyeres and remembrance; and thatt jorney, with Goddes grace, ones doon, Ipurpose verrely, with Goddes grace, therafftre to daunce atendaunce most abowt yowr plesure and ease: and with Goddes grace, soone uppon Esterne, er evyr I goo forthe, Ihope to se yow, and fecche your blessynge. No moor at thys tyme, but Jesus have yow in Hys kepyng.
Wretyn at Caleys, the xxij. daye of Feverer, anno E. iiijti xiiijo. Yowr Sone, John Paston, K.
On the back of the preceding letter is written in another hand, as follows:—
Memorandum, that Syr John Paston owthe to William Paston, acordyng to the endenture made be twex them,— viijxxijli. xiijs. iiijd.
Wheroff payable the firste day of Octobre for Townsend, C. marke.
Item, the xxvj. day off Novembre,— iiijxx.xvjli.
Item, the xxvj. day off Novembre,— iiijxx.xvjli.
final . missing or invisible
866
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON227.1
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
1475
MARCH 5
John Paston, I send yow Godds blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wete, that I hadd non er thys lettyr than on Sent Matheus Evyn; yf I myth a had an massenger or thys tym I had sent yt yow. Icon yow thank for the lettyr that ye sent to my cosyn Calthorpp and me of the tydyngs; Iwold ye shuld do soo mor. As ye may remembyr that I spak to yow for the xxtili. for my cosyn Clere, spek to yowr hunkyll therof, and send me an answer therof in hast. And for the lycens that I spak to yow for, to have the Sacrement in my Chapell, yf ye cannot getyt of the Busshop of Norwych, getyt of the Busshop of Caunterbery, for that ys most swyr for all plase. God kepe yow.
Wretyn on Mydlent Sunday.
867
RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON227.2
RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON
To the right worshippfull, and my right feithfull gode cosin, John Paston, Esquier.
1475
MARCH 26
Right worshippfull and my right feithfull gode cosin, Irecomaunde me unto you, and, as hertily as I can, thanke you of your right gentill and kynde remembraunce, that I consceyve well by your late writyng that ye have to me wardes, undeserved in dede, but not in will, so God helpe me, as ye shuld weell knowe, if my power might accorde with my will. And, cosin, in the mater that it liked you to remembre me in, bothe to my worshipp and pleaser, I
Writon at Woderysyng, the morn efter Our Lady Day, in haste.
I require you this bill may be secrete. By your trewe cosin, Ric. Suthwell.
868
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON228.1
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston, at Mawtby.
1475(?)
[MAR. 29]
Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all humbyll recomendacyons, as lowely as I can I beseche yow of your blyssyng. Pleasyt yow to wete that late yester nyght I cam to Norwyche, purposeing to have been as thys day with yow at Mawtby, but it is so that I may not hold my purpose, for he that shall pay me my quarter wagys for me and my retenew, is in Norwyche, and waytyth ourly when hys
And as I was wryghtyng thys byll, on of the gromys of my lords chambyr cam to me, and told me, that my lady wyll be here in Norwyche to morow at nyght towards Walsyngham, whyche shall, Iwot well, be a nother lett to me; but I had more need to be other wyse ocupyed then to awayte on ladyse, for ther is as yett, Itrowe, no sperre that shall go over the see, so evyll horsyd as I am. But it is told me that Rychard Call hathe a good horse to sell, and on John Becher of Oxborough hathe an other; and if it myght please yow to geve Syme leve to ryd in to that contre at my cost, and in your name, seying that ye wyll geve on of your sonys an horse, desyryng hym that he wyll geve yow a penyworthe for a peny, and he shall, and the pryse be resonabyll, hold hym pleasyd with your payment ought of my purse, thow he knowe it not or hys horse depert fro hys lands. Modyr, Ibese[che] yow, and it may please yow to geve Syme leve to ryde on thys message in your name, that he may be here with me to morow in the mornyng be tymys, for wer I onys horsyd, Itrowe I wer as ferforthe redy as some of my neyghborows. Iherd a lytyll word that ye purposeid to be here in Norwyche thys next week. Iprey God it be thys week. Modyr, beseche yow that I may have an answer to morow at the ferthest of thys mater, and of eny other servyse that it please yow to comand me, whyche I wyll [be] at all seasons redy to acomplyshe with Gods grace, WhomI beseche to preserve yow and yours.
Wretyn at Norwyche, thys Wednysday in Estern Week. By your sone and servaunt, J. P.
869
WILLIAM PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON230.1
WILLIAM PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my right worshupfull sistir, Margaret Paston.
1475
APRIL 7
Right worshupfull sustir, I recomaunde me to you, praying you to undirstonde, the priour of Bromeholme hath sent ayen to me for xxli.; and my cosyn William Whyte desired me to wryte to you for the rewarde that was offird hym to his churche and xxli. of my brothirs goodys to be lent hym upon sufficient suertee, and by a yeeris ende payd ayen; he hath and may doo for you and for my nevewe, Sir John, in many thynges, and is his kynnesman, and it were a gode frendely dede and no jopardy nor hurt. The Abbot of Wymondham hath sent to me too tymes. Frendship may not hang by the wynde, nor for faire eyne, but causis must be shewid; men wene that I hadd your coffers and my brothirs and maistir Fastolffes in myne awarde, and that ye wote wele, &c. Send your avise to my nevewe, Sir John, by the next messynger. Ye sent to me oonys for the same mater, but I may not leene my money to defende othir men is causis; your discrecion (?) thenkith that it were no reason. Ihave tolde them your saying; and as it is s[o] that ye may nat come to the coffers but all be togedir. Therfor ye must sende to my nevewe and to Arblastir how ye will have this answerd; for the Abbot will be heere on Monday at the sene, and labour must bee desired the next terme. Hit nedis nat to put you in remembrance of my mater touchyng my Fadirs soule, my modir and me, and God kepe you. Wreton at Norwich the vijth day of Aprill.
I have tolde thes folkis, as ye have seid to me all weys, that your will is gode, but that ye may not come theretoo withoute th’assent of all your felowes.
Item, I pray you remembre the obligacion that Wix hath, and that I may have my money of the parsone of Maudeby. By your brothir, William Paston.
870
EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON231.1
EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer.
1475(?)
[MAY 13]
Syr, I recummawnd me to zow. Please yt zow to wette that my modyr hathe causyd me to putte Gregory owte of my servyse, as, God help, Iwrythe to zow the very cause why. Yt happyd hym to have a knavys loste, in pleyn termes to swhyve a quene, and so dyd in the Konyneclosse. Yt fortunyd hym to be a spyed be ij. plowemen of my modyrs, whyche werne as fayne as he of that mater, and desyerd hym to have parte, and as kompany requeryd, seyd not nay; in so myche that the plowemen had her alle a nythe in ther stabylle, and Gregory was clere delyvered of her, and as he swherys had not a do with her within my modyrs place. Not with standdyng my modyr thynkks that he was grownd of that matier; wherfor ther is no remedy but he moste a voyde. And in so myche that at the laste tyme that ze wer her, [ye] desyerd hym of me, yf that he schuld departe from me, Isend zow the very cawse of hys departyng, as my modyr sethe; but I am in serteyn the contrary is true. Yt is nomor but that he can not plese all partys. But that jantylman
I troste my fortune schale be better than ever to leve thus her; but yf I wer hens wards, Iensuer zow I wold not schange for none that I knowe. He is profytabylle on dyvers thynggs as ze knowe welle.
Ther has ben a gret breke be twyx Calle and me, as I schal enforme zow at my coming, wyche schalle be on Wedynsday next be the grace of God, who preserve zow.
Wretyn at Mawteby, on Wyteson eve. Edmond Paston.
871
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON232.1
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
Un to Syr John Paston, be this delyvered in hast.
1475
MAY 23
Ryght welbelovyd son, I grete you well, and send you Cristes blissyng and myne, desyringe to know how ye faire. Imervaile that I have herd no tydynges from you sythe ye sent me the lettyr of an answere of the xxli. the which I have layde pleages for to my cosyn Cleere, the which letter was wryten the xxijty day of Februar; and as for that money, Ican not gete no lenger day therof than Mydsomer, or fourte nyght after; and towardys that money, and the xxtyli. that I send yow by syde to London by Sym, Ihave
The somma off money that I have receyvyd off Wylliam Pecok:—First, xls. off Runnham. Item, off Bastwyk, xxs. Item, off Runnham, xxs. Item, off him for barly at Runnham, xxs. Item, off the fyschynge at Bastwyke, xiijs. iiijd. Item, for barely sold at Runnham, viijs. Summa totalis, vjli. xvjd.
Item, I have receyvyd of Ric. Calle, of Sporle wodd, xxvjs. viijd., and more shall I hope here aftyr within short tyme; as I receyve for yow, Ihope to yeff yow a trew acownt; and this is all that I have receyvyd for yow zytt, sen ye departyd hens. God bryng yow well ageyn to this contre, to His pleasans, and to your wurshyp and profyzt.
Wryten at Mawteby, the xxiijty day of May, and the Tewsday next afftyr Trinyte Sonday.
For Goddes love, and your brether go over the see, avyse them as ye thynk best for her [their] save garde. For some
Item, I wold not in no wyse that ye shuld nother sell nor sett to pleage that ye have in Runnham, what som ever fortune of the remnaund; for yt is a praty thyng, and resonable well payde, and nere thys towne. Iwold be ryght sory that ye shuld for bere that; Ihad lever ye for bore that your uncle hath to morgage than that.
the xxtyli. that I send yow by syde
spelling unchanged
872
ABSTRACTS234.1
ABSTRACTS
Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 13.
1475
MAY 28
‘Johannes Paston miles relaxat Willielmo Wynton’ episc. et aliis totum jus de et in manerio de Tichwell, Essex in Hickling, Guton, Beyton, Newton, Calcotes in Fretton, Leyestoft, Habeland, Brodeston, et Gorleston. Maii 28, Edw. IV. 15.’
No. 32.
‘Charta Johannis Paston militis de terris Johannis Fastolf pert. prÆdict. Johanni, et continens concessionem quarundam evidentiarum episcopo Winton’, et relaxationem orationum, actionum, et demandarum versus prÆdictum episcopum. Maii 28, Edw. IV. 15.’
Footnote 234.1:
... Magd. Coll., Oxford.]
text has “Oxford].”
873
JOHN PASTON TO JOHN AND EDMUND PASTON235.1
JOHN PASTON TO JOHN AND EDMUND PASTON
To John Paston, or to hys brother Edmond Paston, at the George, at Powles Wharf.
1475
JUNE 13
Brother Edmonde, it is soo that I heer telle that ye be in hope to come hyddre, and to be in suche wages as ye schall come lyve lyke a jentylman, wheroff I wolde be gladde. Wherffor, for yowr better speede, Ilete you weete that Heugh Beamond is deed; wherffor I wolde ye had hys roome nowe or never, iff ye can brynge it abowt; ellys iff ye dispose yowe to abyde in Inglonde, syns it is so that the Bysshop of Lynkolne
I praye you, iff yowr leyser be ther aftre to remembre Towneshende, that he, with the advyse and assystence of my Master of the Rollys,
Item, I praye yow sende me some tydynges within v. dayes aftre that ye see thys bylle.
Wretyn at Caleys, the xiij. daye off June. John Paston, K.
JOHN PASTON TO ...
text unchanged: apparent error for “SIR JOHN”
874
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON236.1
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To the right worshipffull Sir John Paston, Knyght, in haste.
1475
AUG. 10
Right welbeloved sone, &c... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
As for tidyngs here in this contre, we have non, but that the contry is bareyn of money; and that my Lady of Yorke
I thynke ryght longe tille I here some tidyngs for [quÆre, from?] you and from your brethren. Iprey God sende you and al your company goode spede in your journeys, to His plesure, and to your worshippes and profights.
Wreten at Mauteby, on Sen Lawrens Even, the xv. yere of the regne of Kyng E. the iiijth. Be yor Moder.
875
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON237.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margret Paston, at Norwyche.
1475
SEPT. 11
Ryght reverend and my most tendre and kynde moodre, Irecomaunde me to yow. Please it yow to weete that, blessyd be God, thys wyage of the Kynges is fynysshyd for thys tyme, and alle the Kynges ost is comen to Caleys as on Mondaye last past, that is to seye, the iiij. daye of Septembre; and at thys daye many of hys host be passyd the see in to Inglond ageyn, and in especiall my Lorde off Norffolk and my bretheryn.
Item, I was in goode hope to have hadde Caster ageyn. The Kynge spake to my Lorde off Norffolk for it, and it was full lyke to have comyn; but in conclusyon it is delayed tyll this next terme, by whyche tyme the Kynge hat comaundyd hym to take advyce off hys councell, and to be sywer that hys tytle be goode, or ellys the Kyng hathe asserteynyd hym that for any favor he most do me ryght and justyce,&c.
And iff Caster hadde comen, by my feythe I had comyn streyhte home. Notwithstondyng, iff I may do yow servyce or eese, as ye and I have comonyd heer to foor, aftre as I heer from yow, as God helpe me, Ipurpose to leeffe alle heer, and come home to yow, and be yowr hosbonde and balyff; wher in I spake to my brother John to telle yow myn advyce.
I also mysselyke somwhat the heyr heer; for by my trowte I was in goode heele whan I come hyddre, and all hooll, and to my wetyng I hadde never a better stomake in my lyffe, and now with in viij. dayes I am crasyd ageyn. Isuppose that I most be at London at Mychelmesse, and ther to purveye for payment for myn oncle William, by whyche tyme I praye yow that I may heer from yow and off yowr advyce and helpe, iff any thynge be growyn off Sporle woode. For had nott yit
Wretyn at Caleys, the xj. daye of Septembre. John Paston, K.
876
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON238.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, by Powlys Wherf, in London.
1475
OCT. 10
Ryght werchepfull sir, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow that I have comonyd with Barnard and other your wellwyllers with my Lord of Norffolk, whyche avise me that ye shold, for your nyghest meane to get Caster a yen, labore to get a lettre fro the Kyng dyrect to R.Sothewell, Jamys Hubbard, and other of my lordys consayll being, and to iche of theym; and in the seyd letter to lete theym have knowlage that the Kyng mevyd to my lord of the seyd mater beyond the see, and hough my lord answerd the Kyng that at hys comyng in to Inglond he wold meve to hys seyd consayll of the seyd mater, and geve the Kyng an answer. Wherfor the Kyng in the seyd lettyr must streyghtly charge theym, and iche of theym, to comon with my lord in the seyd mater in syche wyse that the Kyng may be sertyfyed of an answer fro my lord and theym at the ferthest by crastino Animarum;
My lady sweryth, and so dothe Barnard on hyr behalff, that she wold as fayne ye had it as eny body; notwithstandyng she seyd not so to me, sythe I cam hom, for I spak not with hyr but onys sythe I sye yow last. Yet she lythe in Norwyche, and shall do tyll she be delyverd; but I have be seek ever sythe I cam on thys syd the see, but I trust hastyly to amend for all my seknesse that I had at Caleys, and sythe I cam over also,
My modyr sendyth yow Godes blyssing and hers, and she wold fayne have yow at home with hyr; and if ye be onys mette, she tellyth me ye shall not lyghtly depart tyll dethe depart yow.
As I was wryghtyng thys lettyr, on told me that the Kyng shold be at Walsyngham thys next.
Wretyn at Norwyche, the x. day of October, anno xvo E. iiijti. P. J.
877
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON239.3
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, by Powlys Wherff, in London.
1475
OCT. 23
Aftyr all dwtes of recomendacyon, please it yow to undyrstand that I have spoken with my lady
Sir W. Brandon
I prey yow bryng home some hattys with yow, or and ye come not hastyly, send me on, &c., and I shall pay yow for it a comb otys
My modyr wold fayn have yow at Mawtby; she rode thydyr ought of Norwyche on Saturday last past, to purvey your lodgyng redy ayenst your comyng.
I have been ryght seek ayen sythe I wroote to yow last, and thys same day have I ben pessyng seek; it wyll not ought of my stomak by no mean. Iam undon. Imay not ete halff i nough, when I have most hungyr, Iam so well dyettyd, and yet it wyll not be. God send yow heele, for [I] have non iij. dayes to gedyr, do the best I can.
Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday next be for Seynt Simone and Jude,
878
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON241.1
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
1475
Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can, Ibeseche yow of your blyssyng. The cheff cause that I wryght to yow for at thys season is, for that I undyrstand that my lady
And as for the mater in the latter end of my brodyr Sir Johnys lettyr, me thynk he takyth a wronge wey, if he go so to werk; for as for the peopyll here, Iundyrstand non other but that all folkys here be ryght well dysposyd towardes that mater, fro the hyghest degre to the lowest, except Robart Brandon and John Colvyll; and it is a grete lyklyhod that the grettest body is well dysposyd towardes that mater, in as myche as they wold put yow to the labore above wretyn, and if they wer not, Ithynk they wold not put yow to that labore.
Also here was here with me yesterday a man fro the Priour of Bromholme to lete me have knowlage of the ille speche whyche is in the contre now of new, that the tombe is not mad; and also he seythe that the clothe that lythe over the grave is all toryn and rotyn, and is not worth ijd., and he seythe he hathe pachyd it onys or twyis. Wherfor the Pryour hathe sent to yow at the leest to send thedyr a newe clothe a yenst Estern.
Also Mastyr Sloley prayith yow, for Godes sake, and ye wyll do non almess of tylle [tile] that he myght borow some of yow tyll he may bye some, and pay yow ayen; for on [one] the fayrist chambyrs of the Fryers, standyth half oncoverd for defaulte of tylle, for her is yett non to get for no money. And the Holy Trynyte have yow in kepyng.
At Norwyche, thys Twysday. Your sone and humbyll servaunt, J. Paston.
879
SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDWARD IV.242.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO EDWARD IV.
[To the King] our souverain Lord.
1475
[Sheweth] unto your highnesse your feythful liegeman and servaunt, John Paston, Knight, that wher Sir William Yelverton, William Jenney, and Thomas Howes were infeffed in certain ..... [to the] use of your said suppliaunt, they of grat malice confetered with oon or ij. of the counsell of my lord the Duc of Norffolk, caused the same Duc to clayme tytle unto [the mano]ir of Caster and other lands of your said suppliant, wherinne the said Yelverton and his coofeffees wer
Endorsed in a later hand— . . . . Paston mil. Regi pro . . . . . . ... Norff. in ..... de Caister.
880
ABSTRACT244.1
ABSTRACT
Robert Whynbergh to Sir John Paston
Has ridden 100 miles to get out the obligation of Craksheld and Salter. Has been opposed by Mr. Lovell, as they are his tenants. Understands it is in my lord’s closet, and the tenants are warned to pay no money without it. They keep from him the farm of the Priors Maner as well as Strehalle.
[From the reference to ‘the 14th year of this King,’ it is evident that this letter was written after 1474, the 14th year of EdwardIV. It may, perhaps, be of the reign of Henry VII.; in which case it was addressed to the younger John Paston, who was then a knight, his brother being dead, about the year 1500.]
881
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON245.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
1476
JAN. 17
Lyke it yow to weete, that not in the most happy season ffor me, it is so ffortunyd, that wher as my Lorde off Norffolke, yisterdaye beying in goode heele, thys nyght dyed abowte mydnyght, wherffor it is ffor alle that lovyd hym to doo and helpe nowe that, that maye be to hys honoure, and weell to hys sowele. And it is soo, that thys contre is nott weell purveyd off clothe off golde ffor the coveryng ffor hys bodye and herse; wherffor every man helpyng to hys power, Iputte the cowncell off my lorde in cowmffort, that I hoped to gete one ffor that daye, if it weer so that it be nott broken, or putt to other use.
Wherffor please it yow to sende me worde iff it be so, that ye have, or kan kom by the clothe off tyssywe that I bowte ffor our ffaders tombe, and I undretake it shall be saffyd ageyn ffor yowe on hurt at my perell; Ideeme herby to gete greet thanke, and greet assystence in tyme to come; and that owther Syme or Mother Brown maye deliver it me to morow by vij. off the clokke.
Item, as ffor other means, I have sente my servaunt Richard Toring to London, whyche I hope shall brynge me goode tydyngs ageyn, and with in iiij. dayes I hope to see yowe.
Wretyn on Wednysdaye, xvij. daye off Janyver, anno E. iiijti xvo. John Paston, K.
882
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON246.1
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my ryght worchepful modyr, Margaret Paston.
1476
JAN. 21
Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, pleasyt yow to weet that as yesterday att noon my brodyr Sir John departyd fro Norwyche towardes London; for as now all the sped is with the Kyng for the swerte of the maner of Caster, consyderyng the dyeing seasyd of my Lord of Norffolk. He trustyth to be in thys contre ayen with in x. or xij. dayes. And at hys departyng he seyd to me that ye sent hym woord to selle the clothe of gold, if he myght selle it well, whyche clothe I thynke may be sold, iff ye wyll agre; not withstandyng I wylle make no bargayn for it, tyll ye send me woord of the serteyn some what ye wyll have for it, or ellys ye to have it ayen. Sir Robard Wyngfeld offyrd me yesterday xx. mark for it, but I wot well ye shall have more for it, if ye wyll sell it; wher for, as ye wyll deele in this mater, Iprey yow send me woord to morew be tymys, for if thys bargayn be forsakyn, Itrow it wyll be longe er ye kan get an other bargayn to selle it eny thyng aftyr that is woorthe.
Modyr, in as humbyll wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your blyssyng. I trust fro hense foorthe that we shall have our chyldyr in rest with ought rebwkyng for ther pleying wanton; for it is told me your ostass at Freton hathe gotyn hyr syche a
Wretyn at Norwyche, thys Sonday. Your sone and humbyll servaunt, John Paston.
883
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON247.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Sir John Paston, Knyght, at the George, at Powlys Wharffe.
1476
JAN. 23
Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to weet that I ensuer yow your sendyng to Caster is evyll takyn among my lordes folkes, in so myche that some sey that ye tendryd lytyll my lordes dethe, in as myche as ye wold so sone entre upon hym aftyr hys dyssease, with ought avyse and assent of my lordes consayll; wherfor it is thought here by syche as be your frendes in my lordes house that if my lady have onys the graunt of the wardshepp of the chyld,
Also I prey yow comon with my Lord Chamberleyn for me, and weet hough that he wyll have me demeanyd.
It iss told me for serteyn that ther is none hey to gete at Caleys; wherfor if I mygh be pardond for eny kepyng of horse at Caleys till Myd somer, it wer a good torne.
The berer herof shall come home ayen fro London with in a day aftyr that he comyth thedyr, if ye wyll ought comand hym. Iprey yow send me woord by hym hough ye do with your maters, and I prey yow in eny wyse lete me undyrstand,
Wretyn at Norwyche, the Twysday next aftyr your departyng thens, xxiij. die Januarii, anno E. iiijti xvo. John Paston.
884
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON248.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier, at Norwyche, be thys delyveryd.
1476
JAN. 27
Irecomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I was infformyd by Ric. Radle, that on Scarlett, that was undrescheryff to Hastyngs,
Wherffor the seyde Scarlett com to me, and prayed me to helpe in the same, and so I have don my devoir to ffeele off hym the most that he can ffynde in hys stomake to depart with to please yow; and in conclusyon I trowe, he shall gyff yow a doblett clothe off sylke, price xxs. or therabout; whyche uppon suche answeer as I heer ffrom yowe, Ideme that Bysshop the atornye shall, iff I conclude with hym on yowr behalve, paye in mony or otherwyse, to whom that ye woll assynge heer.
I shall by the means of Raddele weet at whoys sywte it was takyn owte; Ideme it som thynge doon by craffte, by the means off them that have entresse in your lond, to th’entent to noyse itt therys, or to make yow past shame off the sellyng theroff.
Item, I have receyvyd a letter ffrom yowe wretyn on Tywesdaye last.
Item, wher that som towards my Lady of Norffolk noyse that I dyd onkyndely to sende so hastely to Caster as I dyd; there is no dyscrete person that so thynkyth, ffor iff my lorde hade ben as kynde to me as he myght have ben, and acordyng to suche hert and servyce as my grauntffadr, my ffadr, yowr selff, and I, have owght and doon to my Lords of Norffolk that ded ben, and yitt iff I hadde weddyd hys dowghtr, yitt most I have doon as I dydde.
And moor ovyr, iff I had hadde any demyng off my lordys dethe iiij. howrs or he dyed, Imost neds, but iff I wolde be knowyn a ffoole, have entryd it the howr byffor hys dycesse; but in effecte, theygh that in that mater have alweys ment onkyndely to me, they ffeyne that rumor ageyn me; but ther is noon that ment truly to hym that dede is, that wolde be sory that I hadde itt, and in especiall suche as love hys sowle.
Item, wher it is demyd that my lady wolde herafftr be the rather myn hevy lady ffor that delyng, Ithynke that she is to resonable so to be, ffor I did it nott onwyst to hyr cowncell; there was no man thoght that I sholde doo otherwysse; an as to seye, that I myght have hadde my ladyes advyce or lyve [leave], Imyght have teryed yitt, or I cowde have speken with hyr, or yitt have hadde any body to have mevyd hyr there on my behalve, as ye wote I dydde what I cowde. MoreovyrI taryed by the advyce off Sir Robert Wyngffelde iij. dayes there, ffor that he putte me in comffirt that the Lord Howard,
Item, as ffor my mater heer, itt was thys daye beffoor alle the lordes off the cowncelle, and amonge them all, it was nott thowght, that in my sendyng off Whetley thyddr, in mediately afftr the dycesse off the Duke, that I dalt onkyndly or onfyttyngly, but that I was moor onresonably dalte with; wherffor, late men deme what they wylle, grettest clerkys are nott alweye wysest men; but I hope hastely to have on weye in it or other.
Item, I wende [expected] to have ffownde a gowne off myn heer, but it come home the same daye that I come owte, browght by Herry Berker, loder [carrier]. Iwolde in alle hast possible have that same gowne off puke ffurryd with whyght lambe.
Item, I wolde have my longe russett gowne off the Frenshe russett in alle hast, ffor I have no gowne to goo in here.
Item, I praye yow recomande me to my moodr, and lat us alle prey God sende my Lady off Norffolk a soone, for uppon that restythe moche mater; ffor if the Kyngys soone
Item, as ffor Bowen I shall ffele hym, and sholde have doon, thowghe ye hadde nott sente.
Item, ther is offryd me a goode marriage for my suster Anne Skypwithys sone and heyr off Lynkolneshyre, aman v. or vj. mrke by year. No mor.
Wretyn at London, the xxvij. daye off Janyver, anno E. iiijti xvo.
Item, my Lady off Excester
Item, I shall remembr Caleyse bothe for horse and alle,&c.
885
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON251.3
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Sir John Paston, Knyght, at the George, by Powlys Wharf, in London.
1476
FEB. 3
Aftyr all dwtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wete, that with in thys owyr past, Ireceyd your letter wretyn the xxvij. day of Januar, by whyche I undyrstand that Scarlet wold have an end with me; but lesse then xls. is to lytyll, for iff I wold do the uttermost to hym, Ishold recover by the statwte, Itrow xlli. or more, but lesse then xxxiijs. iiijd. I wyll in no wyse; and ye may sey that ye of your owne hed wyll geve hym the ode nobyll of xls., and if ye have the v. noblys I prey yow let Parker of Flett stret have therof xxxs. and lete Pytte and Rychard and Edward drynk the xld. As for your gownys, they shalbe sent yow in as hasty wyse as is possybyll. Thys must be consayll:—It is promysyd my lady by my Lord Chamberleyn that the diem clausit extremum for my lord shall not be delyverd tyll she be of power to labore hyr sylff her most avauntage in that mater, wherfor ye ned not to dele over largely with thexchetoures. Also consayll:—Robard Brandon and Colevyle have by meanys enformyd my lady that ye wold have gotyn Caster fro hyr by stronge hand, now thys frost whyll the mote is frosyn, in so myche that she was porposed to have
Endorsed—iij. Februarij, anno xvo.
ye ned not to dele over largely
“e” in “over” invisible
886
JOHN PASTON TO LORD HASTINGS253.1
JOHN PASTON TO LORD HASTINGS
To my Lord.
1476
MARCH 2
My most doughtyd and singular good lord, aftyr most humble and dew recomendacyon, please it your good lordshepp to have knowlage that, accordyng to your comandement, in my wey homeward, Iremembred me of a persone whyche to my thynkyng is meetly to be clerk of your kechyn, whyche persone is now in servyse with Master Fitzwater, and was befor that with Whethyll at Gwynes, and purveyor for hys house, and at syche tyme as the Kynges grace was ther last in hys vyage towardes France. Thys man is meane of stature, yonge inough, well wittyd, well manerd, agoodly yong man on horse and foote. He is well spokyn in Inglyshe, metly well in Frenshe, and verry perfite in Flemyshe. He can wryght and reed. Hys name is Rychard Stratton; hys modyr is Mastress Grame of Caleys. And when I had shewyd hym myn intent, he was agreable and verry glad if that it myght please your lordshepp to accept hym in to your servyse; wherto I promysed hym my poore helpe, as ferforthe as I durst meve your good lordshepp for hym, trustyng that I shold have knowelage of your plesure her in, or I departed towardes your lordshep ought of this contrey. WherforI advysed hym to be redy with in xiiij. dayes of Marche at the ferthest, that if it pleasyd your lordsheppe to accept hym or to have a syght of hym be for your departyng to Caleys, that ther shold be no slaughthe in hym.
He desyred me to meve Master Fitzwater to be good mastyr to hym in thys behalve, and so I dyd; and he was verry glad and agreable ther to, seying if hys sone had ben of
And at my comyng home to my poore house, I sent for Robart Bernard, and shewid on to hym that I had mevyd your lordshepp for hym; and he in lyek forme is agreable to be redy by the xiiij. day of Marche to awayte on your lordshepp, be it to Caleys or ellys where, and fro that day so foorthe for ever, whyll hys lyff wyll last, with ought grugeing or contraying your comandement and plesure, in eny wyse that is in hym possibyll t’accomplishe.
I shewed on to hym that I had preyed Master Talbot to be a mean to your good lordshepp for hym, and if so wer that Mastyr Talbot thought that your lordshepp wer content to take hys servyse, then that it wold please Mr. Talbot to meve my Lady of Norffolkes grace to wryght or send to Bernard, puttyng hym in knowlage that hyr grace is content that he shall become your menyall servaunt. Wherof he was passyng well pleasyd; but, that notwithstandyng, as I enformed your lordshepp, he is not so reteyned, neyther by fee nor promess, but that he may let hym sylff loose to do your lordsheppe servyse when ye wyll receyve hym, and so wyll he do; but, your lordshepe so pleasid, leve wer bettyr. Rychard Stratton told me that whyll he was in servyse with Whethyll, John Redwe mocyond hym onys myche aftyr thys intent, but at that tyme Whethyll wold not be so good mastyr to hym as to meve your lordshepe for hym.
My lord, I trust that your lordshepe shall lyek bothe ther persones and ther condicyons; and as for ther trowthes, if it may please your good lordshepe to accept my poore woord with thers, Iwyll depose largely for that. And as it pleasyth your good lordshepe to comand me in thes maters, and all other, if it may please your lordshepe to shewe the same to my brodyr Nessfeld, he knowith who shall sonest be with me to putt me in knowlage of your plesure, whyche I shall be at all seasons redy t’accomplyshe to my poore power, with Godes grace, WhomI beseche longe to contenue the prosperous astate of your good lordshepp.
Fro Norwyche, the seconde daye of Marche, with the hand of your most humble servaunt and beedman, John Paston.
887
JOHN PASTON TO [MARGERY BREWS]255.1
JOHN PASTON TO [MARGERY BREWS]
1476(?)
Mastresse, thow so be that I, unaqweyntyd with yow as yet, tak up on me to be thus bold as to wryght on to yow with ought your knowlage and leve, yet, mastress, for syche pore servyse as I now in my mynd owe yow, purposyng, ye not dyspleasyd, duryng my lyff to contenu the same, Ibeseche yow to pardon my boldness, and not to dysdeyn, but to accepte thys sympyll byll to recomand me to yow in syche wyse as I best can or may imagyn to your most plesure. And, mastress, for sych report as I have herd of yow by many and dyverse persones, and specyally by my ryght trusty frend, Rychard Stratton, berer her of, to whom I beseche yow to geve credence in syche maters as he shall on my behalve comon with yow of, if it lyke you to lystyn hym, and that report causythe me to be the more bold to wryght on to yow, so as I do; for I have herd oft tymys Rychard Stratton sey that ye can and wyll take every thyng well that is well ment, whom I beleve and trust as myche as fewe men leveing, Iensuer yow by my trowthe. And, mastress, Ibeseche yow to thynk non other wyse in me but that I wyll and shall at all seasons be redy wythe Godes grace to accomplyshe all syche thynges as I have enformyd and desyerd the seyd Rychard on my behalve to geve yow knowlage of, but if [unless] it so be that a geyn my wyll it come of yow that I be cast off fro yowr servyse and not wyllyngly by my desert, and that I am and wylbe yours and at your comandmen in every
888
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON256.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier, or to Mestresse Margrett Paston, hys moodre, in Norfolk.
1476
MARCH 12
Irecomande me to yow, letyng yow wete that, blessyd be God, uppon Saterdaye last past my lorde
As for my lorde, I undrestande nott yitt whethyr he wylle in to Ingelonde the weke to foor Esterne, or ellys aftre.
I pray yow recomande me to my moodre. I wolde have wretyn to hyr, but in trowthe I ame somewhatt crased, what with the see and what wythe thys dyet heer.
No moor to yow, but wretyn at Gynes, the xij. daye off Marche, anno E. xvj. By John Paston, K.
889
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON257.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margrete Paston, at Norwyche, or hyr sone, John Paston, Esquyer, and to everych off them.
1476
MARCH 21
Irecomande me to yowe. Like it yow to weete that I am nott sertayne yitt whether my lorde
Item, I sende yow, brother John, a letter herwith, whyche was browte hyddr to Caleys, ffrom the George at Powles Wharff; Ideme it comethe ffrom my brother Water.
Item, iff ye entende hyddrewarde, itt weer weell doon that ye hygthed yowe, ffor I suppose that my lorde wille take the vywe off alle hys retynywe heer, nowe byffoor hys departyng; and I thynke that he woolde be better contente with yowr comyng nowe, than an other tyme; doo as ye thynke best, and as ye maye.
Item, wher Master Fytzwalter made me to wryght to yowe to advyse yow to tarye, Iremytte thatt to yowr dyscretion.
As ffor tydyngs heer, we her ffrom alle the worlde; ffyrst, the Lorde Ryverse was at Roome right weell and honorably, and other Lords off Ynglonde, as the Lord Hurmonde,
Item, the Duke of Burgoyne hath conqueryd Loreyn, and Quene Margreet shall nott nowe be lykelyhod have it; wherffor the Frenshe Kynge cheryssheth hyr butt easelye; but afftr thys conquest off Loreyn, the Duke toke grete corage to goo uppon the londe off the Swechys [Swiss] to conquer them, butt the [they] berded hym att an onsett place, and hathe dystrussyd hym, and hathe slayne the most parte off hys vanwarde, and wonne all hys ordynaunce and artylrye, and mor ovyr all stuffe thatt he hade in hys ost with hym; exceppte men and horse ffledde nott, but they roode that nyght xx. myle; and so the ryche saletts,
Item, Sir John Mydelton toke leve off the Duke to sporte hym, but he is sett in pryson att Brussellys.
I praye yowe sende me som worde iff ye thynke likly that I may entr Caster when I woll, by the next messenger.
Wretyn at Caleys, in resonable helthe off bodye and sowle, I thanke Good, the xxj. daye off Marche, anno E. iiijti xvjo. J. P., K.
departyng xij. myle on thyse-halff Roome
printed with ambiguous hyphen at line break
890
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON259.1
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, lodgyd at the George, by Powlys Wharf, in London.
1476
MAY 6
Aftyr all dewtes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wet, that to my power ye be welcom ayen in to Inglond. And as for the Castell of Shene, ther is no mor in it but Colle and hys mak, and a goose may get it; but in no wyse I wold not that wey, and my modyr thynkyth the same. Take not that wey, if ther be eny other.
I undyrstand that Mastres Fytzwater hathe a syster, a mayd, to mary. Itrow, and ye entretyd hym, she myght come into Crysten menys handys. Iprey yow spek with Mastyr Fytzwater of that mater for me, and ye may telle hym, synse that he wyll have my servyse, it wer as good, and syche a bargayn myght be mad, that bothe she and I awaytyd on hym and my mastress hys wyff at oure owne cost, as I a lone to awayt on hym at hys cost; for then he shold be swer that I shold not be flyttyng, and I had syche a qwarell to kepe me at home. AndI have hys good wylle, it is non inpossybyll to bryng a bowght.
I thynk to be at London with in a xiiij. dayes at the ferthest, and peraventure my mastress also, in consayll be it clatryd. God kepe yow and yours.
At Norwyche, the vj. day of May, anno E. iiijti xvjo. J. P.
891
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON260.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margret Paston, in Norwyche, or to hyr sone John Paston, Knyght.
1476
MAY 27
Please it yow to weete that as for my materes, and theye appeyre nott,
I have moche payne to gete so moche mony. Neverthelesse, but iff myne oncle schewe hym selfe werse than ever he was, Ishalle nott fayle, if he kepe me promyse, and thatt is but as he dyde last, that is butt to be my sywerte, and I to make hym sywerte ageyn.
The Kynge departythe thys daye, and wille nott be heer tyll Frydaye, whyche lettyth me, or ellys by thatt daye I wolde
Wretyn at London, the xxvj. daye of Maye, the Mondaye next Holy Thurrysdaye, the Assencion.
The Kynge wold have bowte it, but he was enfformyd off the trowthe, and that it was nott for a prynce, and off the greet pryse that I wolde selle it att; for that I myght nott for bere it, for he scholde have payed ml.ml. marke or moor, iff he hadde hadde it. Your sone, J. Paston, K.
[Salutation] or to hyr sone John Paston, Knyght.
printed as shown: misreading of Fenn’s header?
To Mestresse Margret Paston,
in Norwyche or to hyr Sone
John Paston Kt
892
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON261.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier, beyng at the Syngne of the George, at Powles Wharffe.
1476
JUNE 30
Irecomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete that I hav receyvyd yowr letter, wretyn the next daye aftre Mydsomer; for answer wheroff I thynke that to be bownde in vc. [500] marke, Ithynke it is to moche, where as I felt by yow ye sholde have with the gentylwoman but iiijc [400]; neverthelesse I agree. But ye shall undrestande that I wyll not be bownde for yow that ye shall make hyr joyntour past xxli. by yer, within a sertayne daye lymyted; be it j. yere or ij., that is the largest that ye maye performe. For as for the maner of Sparham, my moodre and ye acorde notte in yowr saynges; she wyll nowght graunte yow ther in, whylse she levyth, saff, as she seythe to me, she hathe grauntyd yow x. marke by yeer tyll xlli. be payed, that is but vj. yeer; and aftre hyr dyscease she woll agree with goode will, so that it maye be yowr proferment, that ye sholde have that maner in joynture with yowr wyffe to the lenger lyver off yow bothe, payng x. marke by yeer, soo or th ... as she wyll that it shall be. Therfore, as for l.marke joynture, Ipray yow
Item, ye make yow sywerer than I deme yow bee, for I deme that her frendes wyll nott be content with Bedyngfeldes sywerte, nor yowres. Ideme thys mater will ocopy lenger leyser than ye deme for.
Item, I remembre thatt thys mony that she sholde have is nott redy, but in the handes of marchauntes of the Estaple, whyche at a prove ye shall fynde per case so slakke payeres, that ye myght be deseyvyd ther by. Iknowe dyverse have lost mony er they cowde gete ther dywtes owte off the Staple. God spede yow, and sende yow that ye wolde have.
I sende yow the obligacion here with acordyng to yowr desyr, and a letter to Bedyngfelde, thankyng hym for yow, and more over letyng hym know of myn entent. Opyn it, and close it ageyn, if ye lyst.
Item, where I tolde yow that the gowne clothe off olde chamlott, I wolde have it hoome for my suster Anne; ye for gate it. Ipraye yow sende it home by the next massenger, and a letter with it of suche tydynges as ye knowe.
Item, blissed be God, I have Castre at my will. God holde it better than it doone her to foore.
No moore, but wretyn the next daye aftre Seynt Petre, anno E. iiijti xvjo. J. Paston, K.
893
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON262.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To Mestresse Margret Paston.
1476
[AUG. 30]
Please it yow to wete that I was uppon Tywesdaye, the daye that I departyd froo yowe, with my brother John at Atelborow by viij. of the clokke at evyn, and founde hym in suche case as iff ye had seyn hym than ye wolde have
Item, I have the wrythynges off Richard Calle. Your sone, J. Paston, K.
894
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON264.1
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON
To my wurschypfull cosyn, John Paston, be thys bill delyvered,&c.
1476
or
1477
Ryght wurschypfull cosyn, I recommande me un to yowe, thankyng zowe hertely for the grette chere that ze made me the last tyme that ze were with me at Norwych,&c.
And, cosyn, as for the mater that was put in my nowncle Hastynges and Henry Heydon, Iondyrstand be myn uncle, that ther was made non ende therin, whech I am ryght sory for. Cosyn, ze be remembred what ze promysed me that, and so were that myn uncle and Herry Heydon made none ende therin, that ze wold put the mater in me; and if it please zowe so for to do, in good faith, cosyn, Ischall goo as wele and as ryghtfully and consciensly as I can for both the partyes. And, cosyn, if it please zowe to com to Topcroft, and poynt ze what dey when ze will com, Ischall sende for my cosyn to be ther the same day. And, cosyn, Ipray zowe to sende me worde agayn be the brynger of thys letter, howe ze will do,&c.
And Almyghty Jesus hafe zowe in kepyng, &c. Be zour cosyn, Dame Elizabeth Brews.
895
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON265.1
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON
Un to my ryght wurschypffull cosyn, John Paston, be thys lettur delyvered,&c.
Ryght wurschypfull cosyn, I recommande me un [to] yowe, &c. And I send my husbonde a bill of the mater that ze knowe of, and he wrote an other bill to me agayn towchyng the same mater; and he wold that ze schuld go un to my maistresse yowr modur, and asaye if ze myght gete the hole xxli. in to zowr handes, and then he wolde be more gladd to marye with zowe, and will gyffe zowe an Cli. And, cosyn, that day that sche is maryed, my fadur will gyffe hyr l.merk. But and we acorde, Ischall gyffe yowe a grettere tresur, that is, awytty gentylwoman, and if I sey it, bothe good and vertuos; for if I schuld take money for hyr, Iwold not gyffe hyr for a mli. But, cosyn, Itrust zowe so meche that I wold thynke her wele besett on zowe, and ze were worthe meche more. And, cosyn, alytyll after that ze were gone, come a man fro my cosyn Derby, and broght me wurde that suche a chance fell that he myght not come at the day that was set, as I schall let zowe undyrstond more pleynly, when I speke with zowe, &c. But, cosyn, and it wold please zowe to come agayn what dey that ze will set, Idare undyrtake that they schall kepe the same daye; for I wold be glad that, and myn husbond and ze myght acorde in thys maryage, that it myght be my fortune to make and ende in thys mater betwene my cosyns and zowe, that yche of zowe myght love other in frendely wyse, &c. And, cosyn, if thys byll please not zowr entent, Ipray zowe that it may be brent,&c.
No more unto yowe at thys tyme, but Almyghty Jesus preserve zowe, &c. By zowr cosyn, Dame Elizabeth Brews.
896
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON266.1
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO JOHN PASTON
To my wurschypfull cosyne, John Paston, be this bill delyveryd,&c.
1477
FEB.
Cosyn, I recomande me un to yowe, thankyng yowe hertely for the grette chere that ye made me and all my folkys, the last tyme that I was at Norwych; and ye promysyd me, that ye wold never breke the mater to Margery unto suche tyme as ye and I were at a point. But ye hafe made hyr suche advokett for yowe, that I may never hafe rest nyght ner day, for callyng and cryeng uppon to brynge the saide mater to effecte,&c.
And, cosyn, uppon Fryday is Sent Volentynes Day, and every brydde chesyth hym a make [mate]; and yf it lyke yowe to come one Thursday at nyght, and so purvey yowe, that ye may abyde there tyll Monday, Itrusty to God, that ye schall so speke to myn husband; and I schall prey that we schall bryng the mater to a conclusyon, &c. For, cosyn,
It is but a sympill oke,
That [is] cut down at the first stroke.
For ye will be resonabill, I trust to God, Whech hafe yowe ever in Hys mercyfull kepyng, &c. Be yowr cosyn, Dame Elizabeth Brews,
otherwes schall be called be Godds grace.
897
MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON267.1
MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON
Unto my ryght welebelovyd Voluntyn, John Paston, Squyer, be this bill delyvered,&c.
1477
FEB.
Ryght reverent and wurschypfull, and my ryght welebeloved Voluntyne, Irecomande me unto yowe, ffull hertely desyring to here of yowr welefare, whech I beseche Almyghty God long for to preserve un to Hys plesur, and yowr herts desyre. And yf it please yowe to here of my welefar, Iam not in good heele of body, nor of herte, nor schall be tyll I her ffrom yowe;
For there wottys no creature what peyn that I endure,
And for to be deede, I dare it not dyscure [discover].
And my lady my moder hath labored the mater to my ffadur full delygently, but sche can no mor gete then ye knowe of, for the whech God knowyth I am full sory. But yf that ye loffe me, as I tryste verely that ye do, ye will not leffe me therefor; for if that ye hade not halfe the lyvelode that ye hafe, for to do the grettest labur that any woman on lyve myght, Iwold not forsake yowe.
And yf ye commande me to kepe me true wherever I go,
I wyse I will do all my myght yowe to love and never no mo.
And yf my freends say, that I do amys,
Thei schal not me let so for to do,
Myne herte me bydds ever more to love yowe
Truly over all erthely thing,
And yf thei be never so wroth,
I tryst it schall be better in tyme commyng.
No more to yowe at this tyme, but the Holy Trinite hafe yowe in kepyng. AndI besech yowe that this bill be not seyn of none erthely creatur safe only your selffe,&c.
And thys letter was indyte at Topcroft, with full hevy herte, &c. By your own, Margery Brews.
898
MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON268.1
MARGERY BREWS TO JOHN PASTON
To my ryght welebelovyd cosyn, John Paston, Swyer, be this letter delyveryd,&c.
1477
FEB.
Ryght wurschypfull and welebelovyd Volentyne, in my moste umble wyse, Irecommande me un to yowe, &c. And hertely I thanke yowe for the lettur whech that ye sende me be John Bekarton, wherby I undyrstonde and knowe, that ye be purposyd to come to Topcroft in schorte tyme, and withowte any erand or mater, but only to hafe a conclusyon of the mater betwyx my fader and yowe; Iwolde be most glad of any creatur on lyve, so that the mater myght growe to effect. And ther as ye say, and ye come and fynde the mater no more towards you then ye dyd afortyme, ye wold no more put my fader and my lady my moder to no cost ner besenesse, for that cause, agood wyle aftur, wech causyth myne herte to be full hevy; and yf that ye come, and the mater take to none effecte, then schuld I be meche mor sory and full of hevynesse.
And as for my selfe, I hafe done and undyrstond in the mater that I can or may, as Good knowyth; and I let yowe pleynly undyrstond, that my fader wyll no mor money parte with all in that behalfe, but an Cli. and l. marke, whech is ryght far fro the acomplyshment of yowr desyre.
Wherfore, yf that ye cowde be content with that good, and my por persone, Iwold be the meryest mayden on grounde; and yf ye thynke not yowr selffe so satysfyed, or that ye myght hafe mech mor good, as I hafe undyrstonde be yowe afor; good, trewe, and lovyng volentyne, that ye take no such labur uppon yowe, as to come more for that mater, but let is [it?] passe, and never more to be spokyn of, as I may be yowr trewe lover and bedewoman duryng my lyfe.
No more un to yowe at thys tyme, but Almyghty Jesus preserve yowe, bothe body and sowle, &c. Be your Voluntyne, Margery Brews.
899
THOMAS KELA TO JOHN PASTON269.1
THOMAS KELA TO JOHN PASTON
Un to my ryght wurschypfull maister, John Paston, Swhyer, be this bill delivered,&c.
1477
FEB.
Ryght wurschypfull sir, I recomande me un to yowe, lettyng yowe knowe, as for the yonge gentylwoman, sche owyth yowe hyr good herte and love, as I knowe be the comynicacion that I hafe hade with hyr for the same.
And, sir, ye knowe what my maister and my lady hath profered with hyr CC. merke. AndI dar sey, that hyr chambr and areyment schall be worthe C. merk. AndI harde my lady sey, that and the case required, both ye and sche schuld hafe yowr borde with my lady iij. yer aftr.
And I understand by my lady, that sche wold that ye schuld labur the mater to my maister, for it schuld be the bettr.
And I harde my lady sey,
That it was a febill oke,
That was kit down at the first stroke.
And ye be beholdyng un to my lady for hyr good wurde, for sche hath never preysyd yowe to mech.
Sir, lyke as I promysyd yowe, I am yowr man, and my good will ye schall hafe in worde and dede,&c.
And Jesus hafe yowe in Hys mercyfull kepyng, &c. Be yor man, Thomas Kela.
900
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON270.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, at Norwyche, in hast.
1477
FEB. 14
Irecomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete, that yisterdaye beganne the grete cowncell, to whyche alle the astats off the londe shall com to, butt if it be ffor gret and reasonable excusis; and I suppose the cheffe cawse off thys assemble is, to comon what is best to doo, now uppon the greet change by the dethe off the Duke of Burgoyne, and ffor the kepyng off Caleys and the Marchys, and ffor the preservacion off the amyteys taken late, as weell with Fraunce as now with the Membrys off Flaundres; wher to I dowt nott ther shall be in all hast bothe the Duks off Clarance and Glowcestre, wheroff I wolde that my brother E.
Item, I ffeele butt litell effecte in the labor off W. Alyngton; neverthelesse I deme it is nott for yow. She shall not passe CC. mark, as fferr as I can undrestand aparte.
Item, I will nott fforget yow otherwyse.
Itt is so that thys daye I heer grett liklyhood, that my Lorde Hastyngs shall hastely goo to Caleys with greet company; iff I thynke it be for yow to be on [one], Ishall nott fforgeet yow.
Item, thys daye the mater by twyen Mestresse Anne Haulte and me hathe been soor broken bothe to the Cardinall,
It semythe that the worlde is alle qwaveryng; it will reboyle somwher, so that I deme yonge men shall be cherysshyd; take yowr hert to yow. Iffeer that I can nott be excusyd, but that I shall fforthe with my Lorde Hastyngs ovyr the see, but I shall sende yow worde in hast, and iff I goo, Ihope nott to tary longe.
Item, to my brother Edmond. I am like to speke to Mestresse Dyxon in hast, and som deme that ther shall be condyssendyd, that iff E.P. come to London that hys costs shall be payed ffor.
I shall hastely sende yow worde off moor thyngs.
Wretyn at London, the xiiij. day off Feverer, anno E. iiijti xvj. the Fryday a for Fastyngong. John Paston, K.
901
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON271.1
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston.
1477
MARCH 8
Ryght worschepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of recommendacyon, in as humble wyse as I can, Ibeseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Modyr, please yt yow to wett, that the cause that Dame Elizabeth Brews desyreth to mete with yow at Norwyche, and not at Langley, as I apoyntyd with yow at my last being at Mawtby, is by my meanys, for my brodyr Thomas Jermyn, whyche knowyth nought of the mate [match], telyth me, that the causey or ye can comme to Bokenham Fery is so over flowyn that ther is no man that may on ethe passe it, though he be ryght well horsyd; whyche is no mete wey for yow to passe over, God defend it. But, all thyngs rekynyd, it shalbe lesse cost to yow to be at Norwyche, as for a day or tweyn, and passe not, then to mete at Langly, wher every thyng is dere; and your horse may be sent home ayen the same Wednysday.
Modyr, I beseche yow for dyvers causys, that my syster Anne may come with yow to Norwyche; modyr, the mater is in a resonable good wey, and I trust with Gods mercy, and with your good help, that it shall take effect bettyr to myn avauntage then I told yow of at Mawtby; for I trow ther is
Dame Elizabeth Brewse shall lye at Jon Cookys; if it myght please yow, Iwold be glad that she myght dyne in your howse on Thursday, for ther shold ye have most secret talkyng. And modyr, at the reverence of God, beware that ye be so purveyd for, that ye take no cold by the wey towards Norwyche, for it is the most peraylous marche that ever was seyn by eny manys dayes that now lyveth; and I prey to Jesu preserve yow and yours.
Wretyn at Topcroft, the viij. day of Marche. Your sone and humbyll servaunt, J. P.
902
SIR THOMAS BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON272.2
SIR THOMAS BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my ryght wurschypfull cosyn, Syr Jhon Paston, Knyght, be this letter delivered,&c.
1477
MARCH 8
Ryght wurschypfull, and my hertely welebelovyd cosyn, Irecommande me unto yowe, desyring to here of yowr welefar, whech I pray God may be as contynuall good as I wolde hafe myn own. And, cosyn, the cause of my wryting un to yow, at thys tyme, is, Ifele wele be my cosyn John yowr broder, that ye hafe undyrstondyng of a mater,
And cosyn, I hafe takyn my selfe so nere in levyng of this vjxx.li., that wher as I hade layde upp an Cli. for the maryage of a yonger doghter of myn, Ihafe nowe lent the saide Cli. and xxli. over that, to my cosyn yowr broder, to be paide ageyn be suche esy days as the obligacyon, weche I sende yowe herwyth, specyfyes. And, cosyn, Iwere ryght lothe to be stowe so mech uppon one doghter, that the other her susters schuld far the wars; wherfor, cosyn, yf ye wyll that thys mater schall take effect undyr suche forme as my cosyn yowr broder hath wretyn unto yowe, Ipray yowe put therto yowr good wylle, and sum of yowr coste, as I hafe done of myn more largely then ever I purpose to do to any tweyn of hyr susters, as God knowyth myn entent, WhomI besech to send yowe yowr levest herts desyr.
Wretyn at Topcroft, the viij. day of March, &c. Be your cosyn, Thomas Brews, Knight.
903
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON273.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer, in haste.
1477
MARCH 9
Ihave received yowr letter, and yow[r] man, J. Bykerton, by whom I knowe all the mater off Mestresse Brews, whyche iff it be as he seythe, Ipraye Godde brynge it to a goode ende.
Item, as for thys mater of Mestresse Barly,
I praye yow sende me some wryghtyng to Caleys off yowr spede with Mestresse Brewys. Bykerton tellyth me that she lovyth yow weell. IffI dyed, Ihadde lever ye hadde hyr than the Lady Wargrave; neverthelesse she syngeth weell with an harpe.
Clopton is aferde off Sir T. Greye, for he is a wydower now late, and men sey that he is aqueyntyd with hyr of olde.
No more. Wretyn on Sondaye, the ix. daye off Marche, anno E. iiijti xvijo to Caleys warde.
Iff ye have Mestresse Brews, and E. Paston Mestresse Bylyngford, ye be lyke to be bretheryn. J. Paston, K.
904
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON274.2
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
Thys bylle be delyverd to Thomas Grene, good man of the George, by Powlys Wharffe, or to hys wyff, to send to Sir John Paston, wherso evere he be, at Caleys, London, or other placys.
1477
MARCH 9
Ryght worchepfull sir, and my most good and kynde brodyr, in as humbyll wyse as I can, Irecomand me to yow. Sir, it is so that I have, sythe John Bekurton departyd fro hens, ben at Toppcrofft at Syr Tohmas Brewse; and as for the mater that I sent yow word of by Jon Bekurton, towchyng my sylff and Mastress Margery Brews, Iam yet at no serteynte, hyr fadyr is so hard; but I trow I have the good wyll of my lady hyr modyr and hyr; but as the mater
But as for John Bekurton, I prey yow dele with hym for suerte as a soudyor shold be delt with; trust hym never the more for the bylle that I sent yow by hym, but as a man at wylde, for every thyng that he told me is not trewe; for he departyd with ought lycence of hys mastyr, Syr Thomas Brewse, and is fere endangeryd [indebted] to dyvers in thys contrey. Iprey God that I wryght not to yow of hym to late; but for all thys I knowe none untrowthe in hym; but yet I prey yow, trust hym not over myche upon my woord.
Syr, Perse Mody
Sir, I prey yow pardon me of my wryghtyng, hough so ever it be, for carpenters of my crafte that I use now, have not alderbest ther wyttys ther owne. And Jesu preserve yow.
Wretyn at Norwyche, the ix. day of Marche, anno E iiijti septimo decymo. J. P.
905
SIR THOMAS BREWS275.2
SIR THOMAS BREWS
1477
Memorandum.—To let my cosyn, Margaret Paston, ondyrstand that for a jontor to be mad in Sweynsthorp in hand, and for a jontore of no more but x. mark ought of Sparham, Iwylle depart with CC. mark
Item, I wyll geve CCCC. mark, payable lli., in hand at the day of maryage, and lli. yerly tyll the some of CCCC. mark be full payed upon thes condycyons folowing.
Wher of on condycyon is thys, that I wyll lend my cosyn John Paston vjxx.li., besyd hys maryage money, to pledge ought the maner of Sweynsthorpe, so that he may fynd syche a frend as wyll pay me a yen the seyd vjxx.li. by xx. mark a yer, so that it be not payed of the maryage money, nor of the propre goodes of my seyd cosyn John.
Or ellys, an other condycyon is thys, if it be so that my seyd cosyn John may be suffred, fro the day of hys maryage to my doughter, to take the hole profites of the maner of Sparham, besyde the maner of Sweynsthorpe, for terme of ther two lyves, and the longest of theym leveing, yet wyll I be agreable to depart with the seyd CCC. mark, payable ayen in forme above seyd [and to geve theym ther boord for a yer or two].
And if thes or eny of the conclusyons may be takyn, I am agreable to make the bargayn swer, or ellys no more to be spokyn of.
906
JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON276.2
JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Master Sir John Paston, be this letter delyverid in Calis.
1477
[MARCH]
Honwre and joye be to yow, my ryght gode master, and most assured brother; letyng yow know that al yowre welwillers and servaunts, in these partyes, that I know, fare well, and better wold, if they mowht here of
Mary, we have herd sey, that the frowys
Syr, as for the more parts off my thowht, I praye yow recomaunde me un to yowr self, prayyng yow that y may contynew in such case as yowr godenes hath taken me of old, and if ye lyst to send eny tydyngs, or other thyng to the
And as for barley, hit is of the same pryce that hit was wont to be of, and is the most sure corne, and best enduryng that may be. And, syr, where that sumtyme was a lytyll hole in a wall, is now a dore large ynowh and esy passage, whereof ye were the deviser, and have thank for yowr labor of sum partyes, but no thyng lastyth evyr. Ymene that y trow, my passage shall hastyly faile me, and the dore shalbe shet up agayne, lesse than Fortun be agreable to have my counseile kept; for not long ago, makyng my entre at that passage, Isaw a sparow that useth those ewrys [eireys], and I saw her sytt so stille that y cowde not endure, but y must neds shote her, and so, God me help, Ismote her, Itrow evyn to the hert; and so I drede me lest owther the barley wyll ete the sparow, or ells the sparow wyll ete the barley, but as yet all is well, but reson shewt me that hit must neds fayle by contynewauns, lesse than I forsake bothe the sparow and the barley also.
Syr, I have thank for the shew that I onys made of yow and daily gramercy, and ye theire prayer.
Syr, forthemore I beseche yow, as ye wyll do eny thyng for me, that ye se o day for my sake, and for yowr own plesure, all the gode hors in Caleys, and if ther be among theym eny pric
I trow the Frenshe men have taken up al the gode hors in Pycardye, and also they be wont to be hevy hors in labor, and that I love not, but a hevy hors of flesh, and lyht of corage y love well, for y love no hors that wyll al way be lene and slender like grehounds. God kepe yow. Yowr, J. Pympe.
Y pray yow to recomaund me to my cosyn Sir John Scot and all his, in especiall Mastres Benyngfeld.
907
JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON279.2
JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Syr John Paston, Knyht, be this delyverid in Calice.
1477
[MARCH?]
Master Paston, I recommaund me to yow; and by cause that I have wrytyn to yow iij. long letteres; which as yet be answereles, Iwote not whether that the length of mater acumbred yow, or elles the simpylnes of the effect displesid yow, or elles that ye have utterly refusid the proferes of my pore servyce and frendeship; but which of these soo ever hit be, hit hevyeth me.
Syr, hit nedith not, I trow, to send yow the tidynges of these partyes, how be hit I have thryes send yow such as here were, in entent that ye shuld send us of yowres; but as long as my lord and yowres is there, ye can not faile to have the certeynte of all owre English aventures, which is grete ese to yowr frendes and servauntes in this contre, for so much as they may make her letteres shorter by so much.
Syr, at the wrytyng of this letter, I was in Kent, where all thyng that I rejoisid, Iwishid yow part of, or all; and as for
Syr, this is the v. letter that I have sent yow, whereyn thys entent that folowyth was all wayes on, that is to say, that hit plesid yow sum on day to take so much labour for me for to se the jentyllest hors in Calice that is to be sold, and to lett me know of his colowre, dedes, and price, remembryng that he be also large as mesure wyll, for I love no small hors, nor hors that wyll evyr be lene and slendyr; but I wold have hym hye truttyng, if hit wylbe, and if he be styryng with all, he shall plese me the better, for I wuld have hym all for the plesur, and for the werre, but if he myht be for bothe. Veryly ther is no tidynges on that side the se, safe only the welfare of yow and all other there, that I wuld so fayne here of as of a jentyll trottyng hors that were lyght and pleasaunt in dedes, if eny such be there. Flemysh hors I thenk ye have y nowh that wyll play for a myle or ij., but such we have here also; how be hit I pray yow send me word of yowre store, and be sewre of the price, if ye like eny, or elles let sum man for yow.
No more, but God kepe yow, prayyng yow to recommaund me to my cosyn Syr John Scot, and to Syr Tyry Robsert. Let the letter be sent to the godewif of yowr loggyng. By yowr John Pympe.
908
JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON280.1
JOHN PYMPE TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To Master Sir John Paston, Knight, be this letter delyvered in Calis.
1477
Fresh amorouse sihts of cuntreys ferre and straunge
Have all fordoone
In plesurys new, your hert dooth score and raunge
So hye and ferre, that like as the fawcon
Which is alofte, tellith scorne to loke a down
On hym that wont was her feders to pyke and ympe;
Ryht so forgotyn ye have your pore Pympe,
That wrytith, sendith, and wisshith alday your wele
More than his owne; but ye ne here, ne se,
Ne sey, ne send, and evyr I write and sele
In prose and ryme, as well as hit will be.
Sum evyll tong, I trow, myss sayeth of me
And ells your fast and feithfull frendelynes
Ye thenk mysspent on such as I, I gesse.
I wyll abate my customable concourse,
To yow so costuouse,
Which that I fele of reson, by the course
Of my proferid servyce, hath made yow so unfayne;
For veryly the water of the fowntayne
With brede only forthwith yowre presens
Me shuld content much more than your expense.
But ay deme I thus that Fortun hath hyryd yow,
For she but late of sorowys moo than many
Hath rakyd un to myn hert an hepe more than a moowe,
And wuld that ye shuld ley thereon on hye
Your hevy unkyndenes to make hit fast to lye,
And God knowth well hit cannot long lye there
But hit wyll bryng me to the chirch bere.
Take hit awaye therefore, y praye yow fayre,
For hardyly my hert beryth hevy y nowh,
For there is Sorow at rest as in hys chayre,
Fixid so fast with hys prikks rowh,
That in gode feith I wote not whan I lowh,
For, Master Paston, the thyng whereon my blisse
Was holly sette, is all fordoone, I wysse.
By your John Pympe,
thes beyng the vj. letter that I have send yow.
Alway prayyng yow to remembre the hors that I have in every letter wryten for; as thus, that hit wuld plese yow to undrestond who hath the gentyllest hors in trottyng and steryng that is in Calis, and if he be to sell, to send me word of hys pris, largenesse, and colour. Hytt is told me, that the Master Porter hath a coragiouse ronyd hors, and that he wuld putt hym away by cause he is daungerous in companye; and of that I force [care] not, so that he be not chorlissh at a spore, as plungyng; and also I sett not by hym, but if he trotte hye and gentilly. No more, but God kepe yow. John Pympe.
909
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON282.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To hys weell belovyd brother, John Paston, Esquyer.
1477
Irecomande me to yow, letyng yow weete that I receyvyd a letter of yowres by Edward Hensted ij. dayes aftre that Whetley was departyd from me, whyche he hadde forgetyn in hys caskett, as he seyde, wheroff I sholde have sent yow answer by Whetley, iff I had hadde it toffore he wente, notwithstandyng I am ryght lothe to wryghte in that mater offte; for for a conclusion I wrote to my moodre by Peerse Moody alle that I myght and wolde doo ther in. Ye have also nowe wretyn ageyn. Yow neede nott to praye me to doo that myght be to yowr profyght and worship, that I myght doo ofter than ones, or to late me weete theroff; for to my power I wolde do for yow, and take as moche peyne for yowr weell, and remembre itt when per case ye sholde nott thynke on it yowr selffe. Iwolde be as gladde that one gaffe yow a maner of xxli. by yeer, as iff he gave it to my selff by my trowthe.
Item, wher ye thynke that I may with concience recompence it ageyn on to owr stokke off other londys that I have
Item, as for Sporle xxli. by yeer, I hadde ther off butt xx. marke by yere, whyche xx. marke by yeer and the x. marke ovyr, Ihave endangeryd, as ye weell knowe off that bargayne, whyche, iff itt be nott redemyd, Imost recompence some other maner off myne to one off my bretheryn for the seyde x. marke, ovyr xx. marke that longyth to me; wherffor I kepe the maner off Runham. Than have I fe symple londe the maner of Wynterton with Bastwyk and Billys, whyche in alle is nott xx. marke by yeer, whyche is nott to the valywe off the maner off Sparham. And as for Castre, it weer noo convenyent londe to exchange for suche a thyng, nor it weer not polesy for me to sett that maner in suche case for alle maner of happis. Inede nott to make thys excuse to yowe, but that yowr mynde is troblyd. Ipraye yow rejoyse nott yowr sylffe to moche in hope to opteyne thynge that alle yowr freendys may nott ease yow off; for if my moodre were dysposyd to gyve me and any woman in Ingelande the best maner that she hathe, to have it to me and my wyffe, and to the heyres off our too bodyes begotyn, Iwolde nott take it off hyr, by God.
Stablysshe your selffe uppon a goode grownde, and grace shall folowe. Yowr mater is ferre spoken off, and blowyn wyde, and iff it preve noo better, Iwolde that it had never be spoken off. Also that mater noysyth me that I am so onkynde that I lett alle togedre. Ithynke notte a mater happy, nor weell handelyd, nor poletykly dalte with, when it can never be fynysshyd with owte an inconvenyence; and to any suche bargayne I kepe never to be condescentyng, ner of cowncell. IffeI weer att the begynnyng of suche a mater, Iwolde have hopyd to have made a better conclusyon, if they mokke yow notte. Thys mater is drevyn thus ferforthe with owte my cowncell, Ipraye yow make an ende with owte my cowncell. Iffe it be weell, Iwolde be glad; iff it be oderwyse, it is pite. Ipraye yow troble me no moore in thys mater.....
for for a conclusion I wrote to my moodre
text unchanged: probably not an error
910
JOHN PASTON AND MARGERY BREWS284.1
JOHN PASTON AND MARGERY BREWS
1477
Memorandum.—To kepe secret fro my moder that the bargayn is full concludyd.
Item, to let hyr have fyrst knowlage that in the chapell, wher as ye wold had ben no book nye by x. myle, that whyn Mastyr Brews seyd that he wold shortly have eyther more lond in joyntour then Sweynsthorp and x. mark ought of Sparham, or ellys that some frend of myne shold paye the vjxx.li., so that it shold not be payed of the maryage money, that then I sware on a book to hym that I wold never of my mocyon endanger moder nor broder ferther then I had done; for I thought that my modyr had done myche for me to geve me the maner of Sparham in syche forme as she had done. But Mastyr Breus wyll not agre, with ought that my mastress hys doughter and I be mad swer of it now in hand, and that we may take the hole profytes, what so ever fortune.
Item, to enforme my moder that if so be that we may be pute in possessyon of all the hole maner duryng oure two lyves, and the lengest of leveing, that then Mastyr Brews wyll geve me in maryage with my mastresse hys doughter CCCC. markes, payable in hand lli., and so yerly lli. tyll the some of CCCC. mark bew full payed.
Item, that wher as he had leyd up Cli. for the maryage of a yonger doughter of hys, he wylle lend me the same Cli. and xxli. more, to pledge ought my lond, and he to be payed ayen hys Cli. and xxli. by xli. by yer.
Item, to avyse my modyr that she brek not for the yerly valew of Sparham above the x. mark dwryng hyr lyve.
911
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON285.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my ryght worshypfull moodre, Margret Paston.
1477
MARCH 28
Please it yow to weete, that I have receyvyd yowr letter, wherein is remembryd the gret hurte, that by liklihod myght ffalle to my brother, iff so be that thys matter betwyn hym and Sir Thomas Brewses doghtre take nott effecte; wheroff I wolde be as sory as hym selffe reasonably; and also the welthy and convenyent marriage that scholde be iff it take effecte; wheroff I wolde be as gladde as any man; and ame better content nowe, that he sholde have hyr, than any other, that evyr he was hertoffoor abowte to have hadde, consyderyd hyr persone, her yowthe, and the stok that she is comyn offe, the love on bothe sydes, the tendre ffavor that she is in with hyr ffader and mooder, the kyndenesse off hyr ffadr and moodr to hyr in departyng with hyr, the ffavor also, and goode conceyte that they have in my brother, the worshypfull and vertuous dysposicion off hyr ffadr and moodr, whyche pronostikyth that, of lyklihod, the mayde sholde be vertuous and goode; all which concyderyd, and the necessary relyffe that my brother most have, Imervayle the lesse, that ye have departyd, and gevyn hym the maner off Sperham, in such fforme as I have knowleche off by W.Gornay, Lomner, and Skypwyth; and I ame ryght gladde to se in yow suche kyndenesse on to my brother as ye have doon to hym; and wolde by my trowthe lever than Cli. that it weer ffee symple londe, as it is entaylyd, whyche by liklyhood scholde prosper with hym and hys blode the better in tyme to come, and sholde also never cause debate in owr bloode in tyme to come, whyche Godde dyffende, ffor that weer onnaturell.
Item, another inconvenyence is, wher as I undrestande that the maner is gevyn to my brother, and to hys wyff, and to the issywe bytwen them bygoten; iff the case weer soo, that he
Item, wher as it pleasyth yow that I sholde ratefye, grawnt, or conferme the seyd gyfte on to my brother, it is so, that with myn honeste I may nott, and ffor other cawses. The Pope will suffre a thyng to be usyd, but he will nott lycence nor grant it to be usyd nor don, and soo I. My brother John knowyth myn entent weel i now heer to ffoor in this mater; Iwill be ffownde to hym as kynde a brother as I may be.
Item, iff it be soo that Sir T. Brews and hys wyff thynke that I wolde troble my brother and hys wyff in the seid maner, Ican ffynde no meene to putte them in sywerte ther off, but iff it neede, to be bownde in an obligacion with a condicion that I shalle nott trowble ner infete them therin.
Item, I thynke that she is made sywer i now in astate in the londe, and that off ryght I deme they shall make noone obstacles at my wryghtyng, ffor I hadde never none astate in the londe, ner I wolde nott that I had hadde.
No mor to yow at thys tyme, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng.
Wretyn at Caleys, the xxviij. daye of Marche, anno E. iiij. xvijo. By yowr sone, J. Paston, K.
J. Paston, K.
comma invisible
912
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON287.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer.
1477
APRIL 14
Ryght worshypfull and hertely belovyd brother, Irecomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete, that as by Pyrse Moody, when he was heer, Ihadde no leyser to sende answer in wryghtyng to yow, and to my cosyne Gurnaye, off yowr letteris; butt ffor a conclusion ye shalle ffynde me to yow as kynde as I maye be, my conciense and worshyp savyd, whiche, when I speke with yow and them, ye bothe shall weell undrestande. AndI praye God sende yow as goode speede in that mater as I wolde ye hadde, and as I hope ye shall have er thys letter come to yow; and I praye God sende yow yssywe betwyne yow, that maye be as honorable as ever was any off your ancestris and theris, wheroff I wolde be as gladde in maner as off myn owne. WherfforI praye yow sende me worde how ye doo, and iff Godde ffortune me to doo weell, and be off any power, Iwoll be to Sir Thomas Brewse, and my lady hys wyffe, averry sone in lawe ffor yowr sake, and take them as ye doo, and doo ffor them as iff I weer in case like with them as ye bee. No moor, but Jesus have yow in kepyng.
Wretyn at Caleys, the xiiij. daye off Aprill, anno E. iiij. xvijo.
As ffor tydyngs her, the Frenshe Kynge hathe gothen many off the towns off the Duk of Burgoyne, as Seynt Quyntyns, Abevyle, Motrell; and now off late he hathe goten Betoyne and Hedynge with the castell ther, whyche is one off the ryallest castells off the worlde; and on Sonday at evyn the Ameralle off Fraunce leyde seege at Boloyne; and thys daye it is seyde, that the Frenshe Kynge shalle come thyddr; and thys nyght it is seyde, that ther was a vysion seyne abowte the walls of Boloyne, as it hadde ben a woman
913
MARGARET PASTON TO DAME ELIZABETH BREWS288.1
MARGARET PASTON TO DAME ELIZABETH BREWS
To the ryght wurchypfull and my verry good [lady and cosyn, Dame Elyzabet]
1477
JUNE 11
Ryght wurchepful and my cheff lady and cosyn, as hertly as I can, Irecomaunde me to yow. Madam, lyeketh yow to undyrstand that the cheff cause of my wrytyng to yow at thys season ys thys: Iwot well yt ys not unremembred with yow the large comunycacyon that dyvers tymes hathe ben had towchyng the maryage of my cosyn Margery, yowyr dowghter, and my son John; of whyche I have ben as glad, and now late wardes as sory, as evyr I was for eny maryage in myn lyve. And wher or in whom the defawte of the breche ys, Ican have no perfyte knowlage; but, madam, yf yt be in me or eny of myn, Iprey yow assygne a day when my cosyn yowyr husbond and ye thynk to be at Norwych to wardes Salle, and I wyll com theder to yow; and I thynk or ye and I departe, that the defawte schall be knowe where yt ys, and also that, with yowyr advyse and helpe and myn to gedyrs, we schall take some wey that yt schal not breke; for yf yt dyd, yt wer non honoure to neyther partyes, and in cheff to them in whom the defawte ys, consyderyng that it ys so ferre spokun.
And, madam, I prey yow that I may have perfyte knowlage be my son Yelverton,
Madam, I besech yow that I may be recomawndyd by this bylle to my cosyn yowr husbond, and to my cosyn Margery, to whom I supposyd to have gevyn an othyr name or thys tyme.
Wretyn at Mawteby, on Seynt Barnaby is Day. By your, Margaret Paston.
914
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON289.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquyer.
1477
JUNE 23
Irecomand me to yow, letyng yow weete that I have spoken to Herry Colett,
Item, my Lady off Oxenfforth
My Lord off Oxenfford
No moor at thys tyme, butt God have yow in kepyng.
Wretyn att London on Seynt Awdryes Daye, anno E. iiijti xvijo.
Tydyngs butt that yisterdaye my Lady Marqueys off Dorset,
Item, my Lord Chamberleyn is comyn hyddr ffro Caleys, and redyn with the Kynge to Wyndeshor, and the Kyng will be here ageyn on Mondaye. J. P., K.
915
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON290.2
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
1477
JUNE 29
Ryght worchepfull and my most good and kynd moder. Moder, in as humbyll wyse as I can or may, Irecomand me to yow, and beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Moder, please it yow to undyrstond that tyll thys day Dame Elyzabeth Brews hathe ben so syke that she myght nevyr, sythe she cam to Salle, have leyser to comon of my mater with Master Brews tyll thys day; and thys day with gret peyn, Ithynk the rather because Heydon
[Margaret Paston to Dame Elyzabeth Brews.]
‘Ryght worchepfull and my verry good lady and cosyn,
‘And, madam, I pray God send us good of thys mater, for as for hys broder Sir John also, Isent ones to hym for it to have mad good the same graunt that I grauntyd yow with hys assent, to them and to ther issu of ther ij. bodyes lawfully comyng, and he dyd not ther in as I desyred hym. And ther for I prey yow pardon me for sendyng on to hym eny more; for, madam, he is my sone, and I can not fynd in my hert to becom a dayly petycyoner of hys, sythe he hathe denyed me onys myn axing. Peraventure he had ben better to have performyd my desyer; and what hys answer was on to me,
‘Wretyn at Mawtby, on Seynt Petrys Day. ‘Yowr, ‘Margaret Paston.’
‘An other lettyr to me that I may shewe.
‘I gret yow well, and send you Godes blessyng and myn, letyng yow wet that I undyrstand well by my cosyn, Dame Elyzabeth Brewsys lettyr, whyche I sende yow her with, wherby ye may undyrstand the same, that they intend not to performe thos proferys that ye told me they promysyd yow, trustyng that ye told me none other wyse then was promysed yow. WherforI charge yow on my blyssyng that ye be well ware how ye bestow your mynd with ought ye have a substance wher upon to leve; for I wold be sory to wet yow myscary; for if ye do, in your defawt looke never aftyr helpe of me. And also I wold be as sory for hyr as for eny gentywoman leveing, in good feythe; wherfor I warne yow, be ware in eny wyse; and look ye be at Mawtby with me as hastyly as ye can, and then I shall tell yow more. And God kepe yow.
‘Wretyn at Mawtby, on Seynt Petrys Day. ‘Your modyr, ‘M. P.’
916
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON293.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To the ryght worshypfull Mestresse Margret Paston.
1477
AUG. 7
Please it yow to weete that I have receyvyd yowr letter, wretyn the Tywesdaye nexte afftre Seynt James Daye, wherin ye desyre me to remembre Kokett, and also to be helpyng to my brother Johnes mariage. As for Kokett, as God helpe me, Iknowe nott yitt the meanes possible that I myght paye hym by thatt daye, ffor thoos materis that be off grettest wyght and charge, and that stonde nerrest my weell, that is to seye, the sywerte off the maner off Castre, and the mater betwen Anne Hault and me shall, with Goddes grace, thys terme be at a perffyght ende, whyche will charge me fferther than I have mony as yitt, or lyke to have byffor that tyme, off myne owne, and, as God helpe me, Iwote nott where to borow.
Item, I most paye with in thys iij. yeer iiijc. [400] marke to Towneshende, or ellis fforffett the maner off Sporle, and thus my charges be gretter than I maye a weye with, concidryd suche helpe as I have; and iff it ffortunyd that I fforffetyd the maner off Sporle, ye weer never lyke to se me myry afftre, so God helpe me. Ye gave me ones xxli. to it wardes, and ye promyttyd as moche, whyche I receyvyd, and synnys off my mony off seide maner growyng that come to yowr handys was receyvyd by yow ageyn the seyd xlli., whyche, when Kokett scholde be payed, was nott yowr ease to departe wyth. Neverthelesse ye may yitt, when yow lyketh, perfforme yowr sayde gyffte and promyse, and thys somme owyng to Kokett is nott so moche; neverthelesse I suppose that ye be nott so weell purveyed. Wherffor, iff it please yow at yowr ease her afftre to performe yowr seyde gyffte and promyse, so that I may have it with in a yer or ij. or yitt iij., Isholde per case gete yowr obligacion to yow ageyn ffrom Kokett, and he pleasyd.
Item, as towchyng the mariage off my brother John, I have sente hym myn advyce, and tolde hym wherto he shall truste, and I have grauntyd hym as moche as I maye. Iwolde that I weer at on communycacion atwyen them for hys sake, whyche I sholde if I myght. As for my comyng home, Iame nott yitt sertayn therof; Ishalle hast me as faste as I canne, with the grace of God, Who have yow in Hys kepyng.
I beseche yow to remembre the premyssis, and to helpe me, and with Goddes grace, thes ij. materis above wretyn, bothe of Castre and Mestresse Anne Hault, shall be endyd to my profyth and rest, and moor ovyr, er awghte longe to, with Goddes grace, the maner of Sporle to be owte of danger; promyttyng yow that I shall doo in Kokettes mater as moche as is possible for me to doo to yower plesyr. It shall never neede to prykk nor threte a free horse. Ishall do whatt I can.
Wretyn the Thorysdaye next byffore Seynt Lawrence, anno E. iiijti xvij. By yowre sone, John Paston, K.
917
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON294.1
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
1477
AUG. 11
Yt ys soo that I undyrstonde be yowyr letter wretyn the Thyrsday nexte be fore Seynt Lauerons, that ze wulde have knowlage how that I wuld be demenyd in Cokettes mater; qweche I send you here undyr wretyn. I
And where as ze wryte to me that I gave yow xxli., and promysyd odyr xxli., that ys nat soo, for I wutte wele yf I had soo doon, ze wuld nat assynyd me be yowyr letterys of yowyr owyn hande wrytyng, the whech I have to schew, that I schuld resseyve a zen the same summe of Wylliam Pecok, and of yowyr fermores, and byars of yowyr wood of Sporle; and take this for a full conclusyon in thys mater, for yt xall be noon othyr wyse for me than I wryte here to yow.
I mervel meche that ze have delte azen soo symply wyth Sporle, consyderyng that ze and yowyr frendys had so meche to doo for to geetyt yow azen onys; and ye havyng noo gretter materes of charge than ze have had sythyn yt was laste pleggyt owte, yt causyth me to be in gret dowte of yow what yowyr dysposycion wul be here aftyr for swheche lyfelood as I have be dysposyd before this tyme to leve yow after my decesse. ForI thynke veryly that ye wulde be dysposyd here aftyr to selle or sette to morgage the lond that ye xulde have after me yowyr modyr as gladdly and rathyr than that lyfe lood that ye have after yowyr fadyr. Yt grevyth me to thynke upon yowyr gydeyng after the greet good that ze have had in yowyr rewle sythyn yowyr fadyr deyyd, whom God assoyle, and soo symply spendyt as yt hath ben. God geve yow grace to be of sadde and good dysposyn here after to Hys plesans, and comforte to me, and to all yowyr frendys, and to yowyr wurchyp and profyte here after.
And as for yowyr brothyr Wylliam, I wuld ye xulde purvey for hys fyndyng, for as I told yow the laste tyme that ye ware at home, Iwuld no lenger fynde hym at my cost and charge; hys boord and hys scole hyer ys owyng sythyn Seynt Thomas Day afore Cristmesse, and he hathe greet nede of gownys and odyr gere that whare necessary for hym to have
Wretyn at Mawteby, the day after Seynt Lauerons, the yere and the renge of Kyng E. the iiijte the xvij. zere. Be yowyr Modyr.
918
EDMUND BEDYNGFELD TO SIR JOHN PASTON296.1
EDMUND BEDYNGFELD TO SIR JOHN PASTON
Un to the ryght wurschepful Sir John Paston, Knyght.
1477
AUG. 17
Master Paston, after all dew recomandacion, and herty dissire to here of your good hele, plese yt you to wete I have spoken with Sir John of Medilton as wel as I cowde, and yt had ben for myself, for his hoby that ye dissired, and tolde hym he myght wel forbere hym nowe in as moche as Mastres Jane was ded, and that yt is a great cost for hym to kepe moo hors than he nedyth; and he answered me, that he wold selle hym with good will, but ther shuld no man bie hym under xli. Flemesch;
And as for tydyngs in theyse partyes, the Frenche Keng leyzth at sege at Seynt Omers, on the one side of the town a myle of, but he hath no gret ordenaunce ther; and they of the town skyrmysh with them every day, and kepe a passage halff a myle with oute the town; and the French Keng hath brenned all the townys, and fayre abbeys, that were that way aboute Seynt Omers, and also the cornes weche ar there. And also, as yt ys seide for serteyn, the French Keng hath brenned Cassell, that ys myn hoold Lady of Burgeynys
Morover Sir Phylep de Crevekere hath takyn them that were in Fynys with inne this iiij. dayes to the noumbre of xiiij. personys, and the remnaunt where fled, and he had them to the French Keng, and he hath brentte all the place, and pulled down the towre, and a part of the wall, and disstroyed yt.
And as yt is seid, yf the French Keng can not gete Seynt Omers, that he intendyth to brenge his armye thorwe theyse marchys into Flaundres; wherefore my lord hath do brokyn all the passages excep Newham bryge, weche is wached, and the turne pyke shette every nyght. And the seide French Keng with inne these iij. dayes rayled gretely of my lord to Tygyr Pursevaunt, opynly byfore ij. hundred of his folks; wherefore yt ys thaught here that he wold feynde a quarell to sett upon thys town, yf he myght gete avantage. And as I understonde, the Emperorys sone
And I pray you to recomaunde me unto Sir Tyrry Robsert, and that yt plese you to lete hym knowe of your tydyngs, and Hour Lord have you in His kepyng.
At Calais, the Sunday next after Hour Lady the Assumpsion. Your, E. Bedyngfeld.
919
AGNES AND WILLIAM PASTON298.2
AGNES AND WILLIAM PASTON
1477
AUG. 22
The names of the maners of Agnes Pastons and William Paston, in Norfolk, how thai shuld be taken hede to this harvest, anno xvijo.
And a copy of the same send to Richard Lynstede, the xxij. day of August, anno xvijo, per Bacheler Water.
| Paston maner, | Se that the fermour in his corne on my moders fe. Seale dores and distrayne, and put in a newe fermour. |
| Wodemyl, | Distrayne. |
| Latymers, | Gadir the rente. |
| Sewardbys, | Gadir the rente. |
| Trunche, | Distrayne on the grounde after it is fellid, while it lieth on my moders fe. |
| Spriggeis, | Gader the rente. |
| Knapton fe, | |
| Crowmer, | Gadir the rente. |
| Owstoonde, | Distrayne. |
| Distrayne, and arest the fermour. | |
| Riston, | Lete Lynstedes brother gader the rente. |
| Oxned maner, | Se the fermour in his croppe, and after seale doris and distrayne, and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. |
| Oxned mylle, | Se the fermour in his croppe, and after seall doris and distrayne, and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. |
| Caster Cleres, | Aske the ferme. |
| Holkhams tenement, | Aske the ferme. |
| The mersh in Caster, | Aske the ferme. |
| Caster Bardolf, | Aske the ferme a rent. |
| Caster Clere rentes, | Distrayne tenauntes. |
| Holham rentes, | |
| Ormysby my fe, | |
| Somerton, | Se that he in his corn, and seall dores and distrayne, til he fynde suerty. |
| Thirn, | Aske the ferme. |
| Sowth Walsham, | |
| Halvyrzates, | |
| Todenham, | Aske the rente, and areste Smyth. |
| Cokfeldes, | Aske the rente. |
| Apawys, | Se he in his corn, and seall dores and distrayne. |
| Marlyngfor maner, | Sele doris and distrayne. |
| Marlyngford mylle, | Seale doris and distrayne. |
| Merlyngforde tenauntes, | Distrayne. |
| Melton, | Se the croppe inned, and seale doris and distrayne. |
| Bonwell, | Aske rente. |
| Carleton, | Aske rente. |
| Thuxstons, | Aske rente. |
| Lynghall nuper Dokkynges, | Aske rente fro Mich. xvj. till xvijo and distrayne. |
| Aske rente fro Mich. xvjo til xvijo, and exorte Martyn to kepe the ferme still, and if he woll not, praye hym to gete a noder. | |
| Yeaxham nuper Dokkynges, | Aske rente fro Mich. xvjo till xvijo, and gete a newe fermour, and increse the rente, and make a newe terrar and rentall. |
| Styberd nuper Dokkynges, | Aske rent fro Mich. xvo till Mich. xvijo, and distrayne, and allowe no dewty of Dokkynges in abatyng my rente. |
| Thymbilthorp nuper Dokkynges. | Aske rente fro Mich. xvo till Mich. xvijo, and distrayne, and allowe noe dewty of Dokkynges in abatyng my rente. |
These maners that are trahid take gode hede that ye be in gode suertye of them this harvest tyme.
920
SIR JOHN PASTON’S WILL300.1
SIR JOHN PASTON’S WILL
1477
OCT. 31
[I, JOHN PASTON,] Knyght, in the last day of O[ctober, Anno] Domini mlcccclxxvjo, will, graunte, and be queth my sowle to All myghty God, and to the ... ... Marye, Seint John Baptist, Seint Gorge, Seint Cristofur, and Seint Barbara; and my body, yf I dyghe ny the Cyte of London, [to the chapel] of Owre Lady in the Whithe Frerys there, at the Northeest corner of the body of the chyrche, and there to be made an orator[y] ..... or muche leke as ys over Sir Thomas Browne in the Frere Prechours, to the valour
. . . . . . . dayly, be the space of an holl yere, by soumme well disposed brother of the same howse, and that the seyd brother ... ... [not]withstondyng yf I decesse in the counte of Norffolk, or there nye abouute, Iwolde my bodye were buried at the prio[ry of Bromholm] ..... un to the Founders Toumbe, which arche is unto the North syde, and ryght agayn my fadyr toum[be] ... . . . ... ith an awter and a toumbe for me, to the value of xxli., and that the howse there have a rewarde ... . . . ... to the frerys of London, and that there be also a broder of that howse to synge for my sowle by one ... . . . . ... salarye.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a closette made at my cost over my faders body ther ... . . . . ... of xxli., so that owre cousyns ... . . . . ... have the more devocion to that place, and the rather reste there bodyes there the encresse of the ... . . . . ... encrese and profite of the howse, and reste on the religeus there of, lyke as owr auncetours have ... . . . ... [a]nd to the entent that I disclosed but on to fewe persons concernyng the fee ferme that is payed ... . . ... Duke of Suffolk.
[Item, I will that my bro]ther, John, yf I dye with owth yssue leffull of my bodye, have the maner of Swaywell to hym and ... . . ... accordyng to the willez both of myn graunfader and of my fader, on whos sowles God have mercye, the ... . . ... esse.
[Item, I will that the] Bysshoppe of Wynchester, or his assygnes, woll and fynde suerte to do founde at the lyste iiij. prestys ... . . . . ... of John Fastolf and his frendys, &c., at Caster, and that there be bylded loggyng conveniant for those ... . . . . . . . . ... adjoynyng uppon the bakhous over the gardeyn withouuth the
. . . . . . . . . . . . . [cha]pell of Seint John Baptyst, withyn the seyd towne of Caster, with all the profitez yerly of that same begeny[ng] ... . . . ... ed to the seyd college or howse for evermore, with lycence therunto had of the Kyng and of the Pope, with ... . . ... in Caster before seyd, which londis, with the seyd chapell, schalbe of the yerly value of vijli. yerly ..... ment of one prest above the charge that the Bysshope wyll do to pray for the sowles of my fader ... . . . ... Thomas Lyndys, clerk, and of Sir John Dawbeney. And that after this above wretyn be performed, yf that ... ... es make astate by fyne reryd and enrolled in the Kynges courte of the seid maner and maners in Castre ... . . . . . ... yssue of his bodye laufully comyeng, and for defaute of yssue of his body lawfully [rem]ayne to the issue of my moders lawfully commynge. And for defaute of yssue of her body lawfully commyng ... . . ... myn uncle, Edward Maudeby, and to the yssue of his body lawfully commynge. And that for defaute ... . . . ... [comm]yng that the seyd maners remayn to my cousyn, Sir William Calthorp, and to the right eyrez ... . . . . . . . ... defaute of issue of his body lawfully commynge, the seyd maners to reverte to the ... . . ...
[Item, I will that the priest of the chap]ell of the seyd collage be presented by the lordys of my seid maner ...
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . eryng de eadem villa vendatur per executores meos ad perimplendum et persolvendum... . . . . . . . ... em invenerit securitatem ad redimendum manerium de Sporle prÆdictum, quod si ipse ... . . . ... x. acr’ terrÆ de eisdem perquesit’ de Johanne Kendall tempore debito dentur prÆdicto Johanni fratri [meo et hÆredibus suis legiti]me procreatis; et defectu exitus legitimi de prÆdicto Johanne fratre meo, tunc prÆdictÆ terrÆ et tenementa remaneant ... . . . . . . . ... triavi mei, legittime procreatis; et pro defectu exitus legittimi prÆdicti triavi mei, tunc remaneant Willelmo ..... [et hÆredibus i]psius Willelmi legitime procreatis; et pro defectu exitus legitimi prÆdicti Willelmi, tunc omnia prÆdicta terrÆ et tenementa [remaneant] ... ... assignatis imperpetuum; proviso quod executores testamenti Willelmi Pekering habeant x. marcas pro ..... et habeat xxxvij. acras terrÆ de prÆdictis terris sibi per voluntatem patris ejus assignatis sive legatis si tantÆ ... . . . . ... terrÆ quÆ idem Johannes vendidit sint de numero illarum acrarum sibi limitatarum per Nicholaum patrem prÆdicti Johannis ac ... . . . ... recompensacionem; eo quod idem Johannes forte credidit quod ipse juste potuit vendere, quÆque terrÆ et tenementa in feofamento ..... [pat]ris, non obstante quod pater prÆdictus non declaravit quicquid faciendum de dictis terris suis ultra certas acras ... . . . ... na ipsius patris.
[Sidenote] 1477
printed as shown, but body text says “mlcccclxxvj” (1476)
invenerit securitatem ad redimendum
text reads “invenetit”
921
WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON304.1
WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my ryth worschepffull master, Sir John Paston, Knyth, logyd at the Goorge, be Powll Warffe, in London, in hast.
1477
NOV. 19
Ryth worchepful sir, I recomand me to yowr good masterchep. Plseyth you to wete that I have purweyid for for your heryng a non after your departyng, but I can yet no caryage, nowthir owte of Yermowth, ner in no oder place be twyn Wynterton and Leystoft, nowthir be lond nor be the se, not yet; and specyally for your swanes. Hery Cook seyth he wolle no more come on the se with his good wylle. Ther is no man wyllyng to del with your swanes. Also, as for your hors, ye most ordayne a nothir keper than they have, or ellis ye chal not leke wel be them whan ye se hem; they arn nowthir redyn nor corayd. Peris is meche owteward, and Whyte wol not a tende hem, nowdyr for Peris ner for me. They arn not watryd butt at the welle. Peris hath be ryth seke; and yet, but for dyspleser of you, Peris had ben in hand with Whyte or this tyme. Ye muste be proveyd of a nothir hors keper, or elles it wol do you harm on your hors. Also, Ihave had iiijli. for to a sent you if I cowde have gete ony trosty man to youward. As for barly, Ican non selle a bove xiiijd. the comb. As your leter that ye sent me, Ihave fownd a frere that hath promyssyd me to do’n his dever if it may be browte a bowte be ony mene in hast. Also there is a grete chyppe go to wrekke be for Wynterton, and there came up on your several grownd gret plente of bowe stawys and waynescotte, and clappalde
Item, I receyved a leter the Twis day befor Sen Edmunde the Kyng there as ye wryte to me for William Foster; his sewirtesse ston chargyd for iiijli. vjs. viijd., as John Seyve hath seyd to me or the tyme that I receyvyd your leter, but he hath ij. men of Norwech to sewirte to save hym and his felaw harmeless. Scharggar is on, and Vyncent the plomer is a nothir that chal bere the dawnger. And as for your swanes, Ihave gette a man that chal cary hem be lond, and that I chal send word with the swanes that the herynges chal com be water; and if the chuld have ony heryng for your store, it wold be purveyd for, for heryng wol be dere or Lente.
Item, there arn wyndownes blow opyn in the place, and the wyndown of the gonne hows with inne the brege is revyn. Iwot not whethir it was so or ye wente or not. My Lord of Norwech was at Caster Halle for to a cen the place as he cam to London ward. Ser, remembir your hors to have a better keper. Ser, to remembir thesse men of Scrowby, and comon with Master William Paston there in, for he partith with you both wrekke and growndage in Caster; and he wold take the accyon in his lordes name that he delyth for, it ware a good wey, be my sympil wyth. God preserve you, and kepe yow, and bryng yow home a yen to your contre.
Wretyn at Mawteby on Sen Edmundis Evyn, the Kyng, in hast, Be your man and servant, William Pekoc.
Plseyth you to wete that I have purweyid for for your heryng
all text unchanged: duplication is at mid-line in Gairdner but at line break in MS.
922
WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON306.1
WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON
1477
NOV. 30
Ryth worchypfull ser, I recomand me to your good masterchep. Plesyth you, as for Pekrynges mater, Isent a frere in John Pekerynges name for the evydens; and he had an answer that if he had a busschelful of evydenss, he chuld noon have of them, for he hath set the londe in trobill, nor he cowd have no seyte of none. Also remembir your ryth of your wreke at Wynterton. Thesse arn the menes namys of Wynterton, Robert Parker of West Somerton, John Longyard of Wynterton, Thomas Goodknape of the same, Will Wrantham and John Curteys of the same Wynterton, that caryid of your severel grownd xxij. carte ful of stuffe, viijxx. bowestavis, iijxx. and vij. waynescottes, xiiijc. clapalde,
And as for your heryng that chuld in to Essexkes, they arn there, be the grace of God. As for your swanes, they chal be there be Our Ladys Day next comyng, Itroste to God, Ho have your masterchyp in Is kepyng.
Wretyn at Mawteby, where as I am ryth werey, on Sen Andrews Day, Anno xvijoE.
Ser, if it plese your masterchep, I sold yet no barly, ner none can a bove xiiijd. the comb, as I sen word in a leter be John Russe; and I toke iiijli. in mony to bryng to your materchep. The prysse of your heryng is iiijli. iijs. iiijd.,
923
MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON307.1
MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To my ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, Jon Paston.
1477
DEC. 18
Ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, I recomaunde me to yow, desyryng hertyly to here of yowr wylfare, thankyng yow for the tokyn that ye sent me be Edmunde Perys, preyng yow to wete that my modyr sent to my fadyr to London for a goune cloth of mustyrddevyllers
I pre yow, yf it be not bowt, that ye wyl wechesaf to byit, and sendyt home as sone as ye may, for I have no goune to weyre this wyntyr but my blake and my grene a lyer,
As for the gyrdyl that my fadyr be hestyt me, I spake to hym ther of a lytyl before he zede to London last, and he seyde to me that the faute was in yow, that ze wolde not thynk ther uppe on to do makyt [to get it made]; but I sopose that ys not so; he seydyt but for a skwsacion. Ipre yow, yf ye dor takyt uppe on yow, that ye wyl weche safe to do makyt a yens ye come home, for I hadde never more nede ther of than I have now, for I ham waxse so fetys
Jon of Damm was here, and my modyr dyskevwyrd me to hym, and he seyed, be hys trouth that he was not gladder of no thyng that he harde thys towlmonyth, than he was ther of.
I may no lenger leve be my crafte, I am dysscevwyrd of alle men that se me.
Of alle odyr thyngys that ye deseyreyd that I xuld sende yow word of, Ihave sent yow word of in a letter that I dede wryte on Ouwyr Ladyis Day
Wretyn at Oxnede, in ryth gret hast, on the Thrusday next be fore Seynt Tomas Day.
I pre yow that ye wyl were the reyng with the emage of Seynt Margrete, that I sent yow for a rememraunse, tyl ye come home; ye have lefte me sweche a rememraunse, that makyth me to thynke uppe on yow bothe day and nyth wanne I wold sclepe. Your ys, M. P.
A facsimile of this letter was published in the European Magazine for March 1787, and we have carefully compared the text with this facsimile.
To my ryth reverent and worscheful husbond, Jon Paston.
text has “myryth” but words are separated in MS.
Note 307.3
what ‘a lyer’ is I cannot say
possibly Lier in Brabant
924
ABSTRACT309.1
ABSTRACT
1478(?)
Bill in Parliament confirming the statute of Marlborough [52 Hen. III.], with additions touching wardships, reliefs, etc., to take effect after Easter, 1480.
[The last Parliament before 1480 met on the 16th January 1478. This measure was probably introduced or intended for discussion at that period.]
925
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON309.2
JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull broder, Syr John Paston, Knyght.
1478
JAN. 21
Syr, aftyr all dutes of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to undyrstand that I have comond with dyvers folkys of the Dwk of Suffolk now thys Crystmas and sythen, whyche let me in secret wyse have knowlage, lyek as I wrott on to yow, that he must mak a shefft for money, and that in all hast. Wherfor, syr, at the reverence of God, let it not be lachesyd, but with effect aplyed now, whyll he is in London, and my lady hys wyff also; for I assarteyn yow that C. mark wyll do more now in ther neede then ye shall peraventure do with CC. marks in tyme comyng, and thys season be not takyn. And alweys fynd the meane that my Lady of Suffolk and Syr R.Chamberleyn may be yowr gwydes in thys mater, for as for my lord, he nedyth not to be mevyd with it tyll it shold be as good as redy to the sealyng.
Syr, lyeketh yow also to remember that I told yow that Mastyr Yotton
And as for tydynges here, we have none, but we wold fayne here of all your royalte at London, as of the maryage of my Lord of York,
Syr, I prey yow that Whetley may have knowlage that my broder Yelverton hathe promysed me to take hym xld.; he owyth me by reason of his fermore at Caster more then that.
And, syr, as for my huswyff, I am fayne to carry hyr to se hyr fadyr and hyr frendes now thys wynter, for I trow she wyll be ought of facyon in somer. And so in my progresse fro my fadyr Brews on to Mawtby, Itook Master Playter in my wey, at whoys hows I wrot thys bylle, the xxj. day of January, anno E. iiijti xvijo. AndI beseche God to preserve yow and yours. Yowr, J. Paston.
Endorsed by Sir John Paston, ‘J. P., anno xvijo.’
... second son to King Edward IV.
corrected by author from “Henry IV.”
926
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON311.1
JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston.
1478
FEB. 3
Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of humble recomendacyon, in as humble wyse as I can, Ibeseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Pleasyt yow to wett that at my being now at London, lyek as ye gave me in comandment, Imevyd to Mastyr Pykenham and to Jamys Hubart for ther being at Norwyche now thys Lent, that ye myght have ther avyses in syche maters as ye let me have understandyng of. And as for Mastyr Pykenham, he is now Juge of the Archys, and also he hathe an other offyce, whyche is callyd Auditor Causarum, and hys besyness is so gret in bothe thes offyces that he can not tell the season when that he shall have leyser to come in to Norffolk. ButI left not tyll I had gotyn Jamys Hubbart and hym togedyrs, and then I told theym your intent; and then Mastyr Pykenham told Jamys and me hys intent, and he preyed Jamys that he shold in no wyse fayle to be with yow thys Lent. Not withstandyng it was no grete nede to prey hym myche; for he told Doctore Pykenham that there was no gentyl woman in Inglond of so lytyll aqueyntance as he had with yow, that he wold be glader to be servyse on to; and myche the glader, for he purposeth fro hensforthe duryng hys lyff to be a Norffolk man, and to lye with in ii. myle of Loddon, whyche is but viij. or x. myle at the most fro Mautby. And in conclusyon he hathe appoyntyd to awayte on yow at Norwyche the weeke nexte aftyr Mydlent Sonday, all the hole weke, if nede be, all other maters leyd apart.
Also I comend with my brodyr Sir John at London of syche maters as ye wold have amendyd in the bylle that he sent on to yow, and he stake not gretly at it.
Also, modyr, I herd whyle I was in London wher was a goodly yong woman to mary, whyche was doughter to one Seff, amerser, and she shall have CCli. in money to hyr maryage, and xx. mark by yer of lond aftyr the dyssease of a steppe modyr of hyrs, whyche is upon l. yer of age; and or I departyd ought of London, Ispak with some of the maydys frendys, and have gotyn ther good wyllys to have hyr maryd to my brodyr Edmund. Notwithstandyng, those frendys of the maydys that I comond with avysyd me to get the good wyll of one Sturmyn, whyche is in Mastyr Pykenhamys danger
Your doughter of Sweynsthorpp and hyr sojornaunt E. Paston recomandyth hem to yow in ther most humble wyse, lowly besechyng yow of your blyssyng; and as for my brodyr, Edmund Sweynsthorpe, for none intrete that hys ostas your doughtyr, nor I koud intrete hym, myght not kepe hym, but that he wold have bene at home with you at Mautby on Sonday last past at nyght; and as he was departyng fro hens, had we word fro Frenshes wyf that, God yeld yow, modyr, ye had govyn hym leve to dysporte hym her with us for a vij. or
Your doughtyr sendyth yow part of syche poore stuff as I sent hyr fro London, besechyng yow to take it in gree, though it be lytyll plente that she sendyth yow. But as for datys, Iwyll sey trowthe, ye have not so many by ij. pownd as wer ment on to yow, for she thynkys at thys season datys ryght good mete. What so ever it menyth, Iprey God send us good tydynges, WhomI beseche to preserve yow and yours, and so send yow your myst desyred joye.
At Sweynsthorp, on Ashe Wednysday. Your sone and humble servaunt, J. Paston.
Modyr, pleasit yow to remember that ye had need to be at Norwyche v. or vj. dayes befor that Jamys Hubbart and your consayll shall be ther with yow, for to look up your evydence and all other thynges redy. Also if ye thynk that thys bylle that I send yow herwith be good i now to send to Doctore Pykenham, ye may close up the same, and send it sealyd to me ayen, and I shall convey it forthe to hym.
927
WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN PASTON313.1
WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To the Ryght worshypfull sir, Sir John Paston ch’l’r logged at the signe of the George next to Poulys Wharf; or to lefe thys letter at a barbourys house ovyr the seyd George to delyver it to Sir John Paston.
1478
MARCH 1
Plese yor gode masterschyp to wete that I herd thys day how a man wend that a jugement ys passed ayenst your entent yn the ende of the last terme (hyt was not of verray certeyn tolde me, but as a dreme) yn the kynges Chauncerye. Icoude gefe none aunswer therto. Iprai God
Item, Sir, I comyned wyth Doctor Yotton at Camebrygge late, because there ys no dyvyne service seyd yn the free chapelle at C.,
To J. P. c.
Item, I had foryete to hafe remembred your maystershyp to hafe a bille to your baylly Pecok for to delyver my fermour of Tyrkbye C. or ii C. lawre and asshe, and than to plant yn my tenement at Thyrkbye, or foras many ye lust; for I lost the last waraunt that ye wrote me truly, and so I was not served.
Item, yff ye wryte to me, hyt hath nede to be by a sure comer, for I had levyr a letter be brent then lost ne forte videant Romani ... and at reverence of Jhesu that my Robert lose no tyme, nether be idelle, for doubt of ymaginacions and temptacions. Itrust wyth your principale help to be wyth the worshypfull gentleman that made promysse to yow,&c.
Footnote 314.1, Gairdner’s addition:
This suggestion is quite a mistake.—See ‘my Robert’ in the PS., p.315.
928
CONSTANCE REYNFORTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON315.2
CONSTANCE REYNFORTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON
[To Sir] John Paston, Chevalier, be this byll delyveryd in hast.
1478
MARCH 21
Ryth reverent and worchepful ser, I recomend me on to yowr masterschep, effectually desyryng to here of yowr welfare and contynual prosperite; and if it ples yow to here of my pour estat, Iwas in good hele at the
Wretyn at Cobham, the xxj. day of Marche. By yowr woman and sevnt, Constans Reynforth.
929
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON316.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To John Paston, Esquier, ande to Osberne Berney, and to everyche off them, be thys letter delyveryd.
1478
MAY 5
Irecomaunde me to yowe, and thanke yow off yowr labor that ye hadde at Heylesdon and Drayton in seyng the woodys there. And it is soo heer that Ric. Ferore seyde, that he repentyd hym that evyr he dalte with any woode theer, and iff I hadde sente hym but the leest chylde that I hadde to have warnyd hym to leve he wolde notte have dalte therwyth; and he ffonde noe comfforte in the Chancery, but that he is lyke to contente me for the harmes and hurte that is doone, and moore ovyr he hathe an instrucyon that he shall ffelle noo moore.
Item, wheer as he desyryd me to be freendly to hym, I dalte so with hym, that I trowe he wylle reporte that I seyde
Item, it is so that he hathe answeryd to my bille, wheryn he seythe that he never knywe byfor the subpena delyveryd hym that I hadde any clayme or entrest in the maner off Heylesdon, but that it was peasyble my Lordys off Suffolk. WherfforI suppose that there be many men in Norwyche that comonyd with hym off the byenge off that woode ere evyr he made hys fulle bergayne, and per aventure some freendys off hys gave hym warnyng theroff, and off myn entrest. Iff any suche credyble mane that hadde hadde any suche langage to hym, or in hys companye, or than he bargayned, or any man that he laboryd to be halffe marchant or byer with hym, ar any man that refusyd to bye the seyd wood bycawse off myn entrest in the presence of Feror, any suche credyble man maye, iff he wyll, wytnesse ther in with me, or that dare avowe it, sholde be to me a remedy off alle that is fellyd. Ipraye yow, if ye can here any suche, that ye will in the presence off them make a bylle of remembraunce theroff, and off ther sayng, so that they maye her afftre wytnesse in the mater. Neverthelesse, trowthe it is that he hadde knowleche ther off i nowe, and soo hadde every man off hys havore [substance] in Norwych, Idowt nott; and as for hym, Iam sure he hadde knowleche, for so moche as he desyryd at hys bargayn to have a sywerte to be savyd harmeles ageyn me, whyche was grawntyd hym butt nott executyd. No mor, butt I hope with Goddys grace to have hastely goode remedy for the hole maner, and off Drayton therto, and alle the remenaunte.
Wretyn a London, the v. daye off Maye, anno E. iiijti xviijo.
930
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON318.1
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To my ryght worshypfull modre, Margret Paston, be thys delyvered.
1478
MAY 13
Please it yow to weete, that wher as I entendyd to have ben at home thys Mydsomer, and purposyd with yowr goode helpe to have bygonne uppon my ffadrys tombe, so that it myght have ben endyd thys somyr; it is soo, that ffor suche cawsys as ar nowe bygunne by twyen my Lorde off Suffolk and me, ffor the manerys off Heylesdon, Drayton, &c., for whyche materis I most nedys be heer thys nexte terme; therffor I deme it woll be afftr Mydsomer, er than I can see yow.
Please it yow also to weete that I comonyd with Master Pykenham to weete iff he wolde bye the clothe off golde, for soo moche as he desyryd ons to have bowte it, and he offryd me ons xx. marke therffor, neverthelesse it coste me xxiiijli.; yit nowe, when that I spake to hym ther off, he refusyd to bye it, and seyde that he hadde nowe so many chargys that he maye nott. Butt it is soo that the Kynge dothe mak sertayne copys and vestymentys off like clothe, whyche he entendyth to gyve to the Coledge at Foodryngdre, wher my lorde hys ffadre is nowe buryed, and he byethe at a grete pryce.
I comonyd with the vestment maker ffor to helpe me fforthe with xij. yerds, and he hathe grauntyd me to doo, as Whetleye can telle yow; wherffor, iff it please yow that it be bystowyd ffor to make a towmbe ffor my ffadre at Bromholme, iff ye lyke to sende it hyddr, iffe it be solde I undretake or Mychelmesse, that ther shalle be a tombe, and somwhatt ellys ovyr my ffadris grave, on whoys sowle God have mersye, that ther shall noone be lyke it in Norffolk; and as ye shalle be gladde herafftr to see it; and God sende me leyser that I maye come home, and iff I doo not, yit the monye shall be putte to noon
No mor, but I beseche Goode have yow in Hys kepyng.
Wretyn at London, the Wednysdaye in Whyghtsonweke, anno E. iiijti xviijo.
Please it yow to sende me worde by Whatley off yowr plesyr her in. By your Sone, John Paston, K.
931
WALTER PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON319.1
WALTER PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
To his worchypfull moder, Margaret Paston, dwellyng in Mawtby, be this letter delyveryd in hast.
1478
MAY 19
Rytgh reverent and worchypfull moder, I recomaund me on to yowr good moderchypp, besechyng yow to geve me yowr dayly benediccyon, desyeryng hartyly to heer of yowr prosperyte, whych God preserve to Hys plesure, and to yowr hartys desyyr, &c. Imarvel soor that yow sent me noo word of the letter wych I sent to yow by Master Wylliam Brown at Ester. Isent yow word that tym that I xold send yow myn exspenses partyculerly; but as at thys tym the berar her of had a letter sodenly that he xold come home, and there fore I kowd have no leysur to send them yow on that wys; and there fore I xall wryt to yow in thys letter the hool som of my exspenses sythyns I was with
The hool some of reseytys ys vli. xvijs. vjd., and the holl some of exspenses ys vjli. vs. vd. ob. qua., and that comth over the reseytys in my exspenses I have borowd of Master Edmund, and yt drawyth to viijs. And yet I recone none exspenses sythyns Ester. But as for them, they be non grete; and therfor I besech yow to send me mony by Syr Richard Cotman, brynger of thys letter, or ellys by the next masenger that yow kan have to me.
I besech yow that he that I sent by thys letter to yow may have good scher, yf he brynge yt hym selfe, as he telth me that he woll, for he ys a good lover of myn. Master Edmund Alyard recomaund hym specyaly to yow, and to all my brodyrn and systyrs, and to all yowr howshold; and I besech yow that I may be recomaundyd to all them also, and specyaly to my brodyr John the yonger. No more to yow at thys tym, but Allmythy Jhesus have yow in Hys kepyng. Amen.
Wretyn at Oxonforth, on Seynt Dunstonys Day and the xix. day of May. By your sonn and scoler, Walter Paston.
Rytgh reverent and worchypfull moder
spelling unchanged
932
J. WHETLEY TO SIR JOHN PASTON320.1
J. WHETLEY TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To the ryght worsh[yp]full Sir John Paston, Knyght, loged at the sygne off the George at Powlys Wharff, in London, be thys delyvered in hast.
1478
MAY 20
Pleas it your meastershep to understond the dealyng of every thyng, the wych I was charged with at my departyng frome your measterchep.
Fyrst, your suppena to Denton was delyvered by me on Trenite Sondaye, in hys parych cherch, at Matens tyme, be
And as for Haylysdon, my Lord of Suffolk was ther on Wedensday in Whytson Weke, and ther dined, and drew a stew and toke gret plente of fych; yet hath he left you a pyke or ij., agayn ye come, the wych wold be gret comford to all your frendes, and dyscomford to your enmys; for at hys beyng ther that daye ther was never no man that playd Herrod in Corpus Crysty
Also, sir, I trust to bryng or send hastely the cloth off gold, for it hath ben largely tempted; but as yet I have none playn answer, but put in hope. AlsoI have spoken with Popy for your money, and delyvered hym your letter, the wych, as he sayth, is a straunge thyng to hym, for, as I understond, he that owght thys deute was uncle to thys yong man, and he sayth that hys fader was never exsecutor to hym, nor never mynestred; and I told hym howe that hys fader was bound for the same deute, in so mech and my measter wold have forgevyn part of the same deute, he wold have payed it; and so he will be at London thys terme, and speke with you, and thys is hys answer.
Morover Wyllyam Worsestre, mevyd unto me of onne Sir Wylliam Bokkyng, exsecutor and brother to John Bokkyng, the whych was one of Sir John Fastolf hys clerkes, the whych mater I knewe not, nor had no comaundement be you to deall therin, and so I told hym. Never the lesse he sayd that ye promysed hym to have sent your will to have bene done in that mater by me, and so he troweth that it was owt of your mynd at my departyng. Yff so be that ye will any thyng to be doon by me or I come to yow in that mater, let me have knowlege schortly, for I thynk to be with yow in the weke folowyng aftyr thys wryten, with owt I may have more comford of money then I have yet.
And as for my meastres, your moder hath ben gretly deseased and so seke that she wened to have dyed, and hath made her wyll,
Also I spake with William Barker, and he sayth that I shall have the stuff or I depart, or els the monye agayn that he hade of Wylliam Pecoke.
Also, sir, as for your lond be syd Bromholm that ye had of Bakton, it hath layn un ocupyed syth ye were ther.
Moreover, my Lord of Suffolk
Wryten at Norwych, on Wedensday Corpus Crysty Evyn, anno E. iiijti xviijo.
Item, as for the knowleg that Ferror denyed by hys othe that he knew never no tytle nor entrest that ye had in and to Haylsdon and Dreton, as yet we can not know; but thys thay will record all that were at the delyveraunce of the wryt that he sayd my lord had promysed to save hym harmles, in so mech that Wysman was bownd to Ferrour to save hym harmeles, and he had for bryngyng that mater about, that Ferrour shuld have the wod, xxs. Your servaunt, J. Whetley.
be thys delyvered in hast
final italic “d” misprinted as “a”
933
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON323.2
MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON
To the ryght worshypfull Sir John Paston, Knyght.
1478
MAY 27
Igreet yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng yow wete that I have sent yow be Whetele the clothe of golde, chargyng yow that it be not solde to none other use than to the performyng of yowyr fadyrs toombe, as ye send me worde in wrytyng; yf ye sell yt to any othyr use, by my trowthe, Ishall never trost yow wyll I leve.
Remembyr that yt coste me xxti marke the pleggyng owte of yt, and yf I wher not glad to se that made, Iwolde not departe from it. Remembyr yow what charge I have had with yow of late, whyche wyl not be for my ease this ij. yer; whan ye may better, Itrost ye whyll remembyr yt.
My cosyn Clere dothe as meche coste at Bromhom as whylle drawe an Cli. upon the deskys in the quere, and in othyr places, and Heydon in lyke whyse, and yf ther shulde no thyng be don for yowyr fadyr, yt wolde be to gret a schame for us alle, and in cheffe to se hym lye as he dothe.
Also as I understond that my cosyn Robert Clere thynkyth gret on kyndenesse in delyng wyth hym of Pecoke, for certeyn pasture that ye
I thynk thys delyng is not as yt shulde be. I wolde that iche of yow shulde do for other, and leve as kynnysmen and frendys; for suche servawnts my make trobyll by twyxe yow, wheche wher a ageynste cortesy, so nyhe newbors as ye be, he is a man of substance and worchyp, and so wylle be takyn in thys schyr; and I wer lothe that ye shulde lese the good wylle of suche as may do for yow.
Item, wher as ye have begonne your cleyme in Heylysdon and Drayton, I pray God send yow good spede and foderance in yit. Ye have as good a season as ye wulde wysche, consyderyng that yowyr adversary standys not in best favyr with the Kynge.
Also ye have the voyse in this contre, that ye may do as meche with the Kyng, as any knygth that ys longyng to the corte. Yf yt be so, Ipray God contynu yt; and also that ye shuld mary rygth nygth of the Qwenys blood; qwat sche ys we are not as certeyn, but yf yt be so, that yowyr lond schuld come agayne by the reason of yowyr maryage, and to be sett in rest, at the reverence of God for sake yt nowt, yf ye can fynde in yowyr harte to love hyr, so that sche be suche one as ye can
Also, yf yowyr mater take not now to good effecte, ye and all yowyr frendys may repent them that ye began yowyr cleyme, with owte that ye have take suche a suyr wey, as may be to yowyr intent, for many inconvenyens that may falle ther of. God send yow good spede in all yowyr maters.
Wretyn at Mawteby, the day after Seynt Austyn in May, the xviij. yer of Kyng Edward the iiijte. Be yowyr Modyr.
934
OXNEAD PARSONAGE325.1
OXNEAD PARSONAGE
The comodytys off the parsonage and the valew off the benyfyce off Oxned.
1478
JULY 31
My new parson off Oxned, whan he is instute and inducte, at the first entre in to the chyrch and benefyce off Oxned, must off awncyent custom long contynued with in the dyosesse off Norwyche, pay to the byschopp off Norwych, for the first frutes off the seyd benefyce, xiiij. marke; for wyche xiiij. marke, iff the new parson be wytty and have favour a bowt the Byschops offycers, he schall have days off paiment to pay the seid xiiij. marke in xiiij. yere, that is, amarke a yere, till it be payd; so that he can fynd suffycyent mene to be bownd to the Bischopp be obligacion to kepe his days off payment.
And the chyrch is but litill, and is resonable plesaunt, and reparyd. [And the] dwellyng place of the parsonage is a yoynyng to the ... . ... d well howsyd and reparyd, hall, chamberes, barn, doffhowse, and all howsys off offyce.
And it hath a doffhowse worth a yere, xiiijs. iiijd.
And it hath ij. large gardens with frute, and is yonynge to the place and chyrch yard, wher off the frute is worth yerly, xxvjs. viijd.
And ther longith to the seid parsonage in fre lond, arable, pasture and medowe ayonyng to the seid parsonage, xxijti acre or more, wher off every acre is worth ijs.; to latyn [to let], iijli. iiijd.
And William Paston, Justice, qwan he
And the same yere the parson had all the awterage and oder profytes be syde the seyd xxiiijli.
It is yerly worth, as the world goth now, xli.
And it is butt an esy cure to kepe, ffor ther ar natt past xxti persons to be yerly howselyd.
The parsonage stant be a fresh ryver syde.
And ther is a good markett town callyd Alysham, within ij. myle off the parsonage.
And the cyte of Norwych is within vj. myle off the parsonage.
And the see is within x. myle off the parsonage.
And if a parson cam now, and warr presentyd, institute, and inducte, he shuld have by the lawe all the cropp that is now growyng, that was eryd and sowyn off the old parsons cost, growyng on the parsonage landes now, as his own good, and all the tyth off all maner graynys off the maner, londes, and tenantes londes,
The Beshop ought not to have the valew of this cropp for the arrerages of the fyrst fruttes that Sir Thomas Everard, last parson of Oxned, oght to the Bysshop whan he died, for the said Sir Thomas Everard was bond to the Bisshop in an obligacion for the said frutes, and the said Sir Thomas Everard, for to defraude the Bysshop and oder men that he owid mony to, gaff a way his gooddes to serten persons, qwech persons toke a way the said goodes, and also durres and wyndow of the said parsonage; and it is though that both the Bysshop and the patron myght take accions a gayns the said persons.
935
ABSTRACT327.2
ABSTRACT
1478
AUG. 5
Presentation by Agnes Paston of Richard Lyncoln, S.T.P., to the parish church of Oxened, vice Thomas Everard, deceased.
London, 5 Aug. 1478.
Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to His Majesty
at the Edinburgh University Press
THE
PASTON LETTERS
A.D. 1422–1509
NEW COMPLETE LIBRARY EDITION
EDITED WITH NOTES AND AN INTRODUCTION
BY
JAMES GAIRDNER
OF THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
VOLUME V
| LONDON CHATTO & WINDUS | leaf | EXETER JAMES G. COMMIN |
| 1904 | ||
The Paston Letters: Edward IV
The Paston Letters: Henry VI (restored)
The Paston Letters: Edward IV (restored)
Contents of this Volume
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