THE PASTON LETTERS Henry VII. 1003 DAME ELIZABETH BROWNE TO JOHN PASTON 86.1 |
To my ryght worchepfull and hertly beloved nevew, John Paston, Sqwyer. 1485
SEPT. 23 Right worchepfull, and my ryght hertly beloved nevew, Irecomand me to yow. And wher as ye desier me to send yow woord whether my brodyr John Paston, your fadyr, was with my fadyr and hys, whom God assoyle, duryng hys last syknesse and at the tyme of hys dissease at Seynt Brydis, or nowght. Nevew, I assarteyn yow upon my feythe and poore honore that I was xiiij., xv. yer or xvj. yer old, and86.2 at Seynt Brydis with my fadyr and my modyr when my fadyrs last syknesse took hym, and tyll he was disseassid; and I dare depose befor ony persone honorable that when my fadyrs last siknesse tooke hym, my brodyr your fadyr was in Norffolk, and he came not to London tyll aftyr that my fadyr was disseassid, and that can Sir William Cootyng86.3 and Jamys Gressham record, for they bothe were my fadyrs clerkys at that tyme. And I remembre and wot well that Jamys Gressham was with my fadyr at Seynt Brydys duryng all hys siknesse and at hys disseasse, and thys wyll I wyttnesse whyle I leve for a trowthe, as knowith God, Whom I beseche to preserve you and yours. And, nevew, I prey yow recomand to my neese your wyff, whom I wold be glad to se onys a yen in London, wher thys bylle was wretyn, signed with myn hand, and sealed with my seale [the Thursday next befor Whyghtsonday, the second yer of Kyng Richard the Thred],87.1 the xxiij. daye of September the first yer of the reyngne of Kyng Herry the vijth. Your loveing awnte, El[iza]beth Browne. Footnote 86.2: apparently did not know his sister’s exact age at the time
text unchanged: error for “aunt’s”? 1004
ELIZABETH, COUNTESS OF SURREY, TO JOHN PASTON87.2 To myn ryght worshepfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer. 1485
OCT. 3 Myn ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomawnde me hertly to you, thankyng you of your greet kyndnes and lovyng disposicion towardys myn lord and me at all tymes, which I pray God I may leve to see the acquytell ther of to your plesure, prayeng you of your good continuans. Cosyn, I shewyd you myn mynde that I wolde have myn shildern to Thorpe,87.3 wher in, God yelde you, it pleasyd you to sey that I shulde have hors of you to help to conveye them thyder; but now I undirstonde myn Lord Fitz Walter87.4 hath dischargyd myn lordys servauntes thens, affermyng up on them that they shulde have had unfittyng langage of the Kynges Grace. Cosyn, Itrust that ye and all the jentilmen of the shire, which have had knowleche of myn lordes servauntes, kan sey that her to for they have not ben of that disposicion to be lavas of theyr tungys, whan they had moore cause of booldnes than they have nowe. Iwolde not have thowght myn Lord Fitzwalter wolde have takyn so ferforth displeasure for the keepyng of x. or xij. men at Thorpe; Iwoot weell ther exceded not iij. mees88.1 meet, good and bad. Itruste, all thow I weer a soel woman, to mayntene so many at the leeste, what so evyr I dyde moore. I trustyd to have fowndyn myn Lord Fitzwalter better lord to me, seyng whan I was wyth myn Lord of Oxenforth, up on myn desyre and request at that tyme made un to hym, he promysed me to be good lord to myn lord and me, wher of I praye you to put hym in remembrauns, trustyng yit be the meene of you to fynde hym better lord to me her aftyr. I have fownde myn Lord of Oxenforth singuler very good and kynde lord to myn lord and me, and stedefaste in hys promys, wher by he hath wonne myn lordys service as longe as he leevyth, and me to be hys trewe beedwoman terme of myn lyve; for hym I drede mooste, and yit as hyther to I fynde hym beste. Ipray you good cosyn, the rather by your meane, that I may have the continuauns of hys good lordship, and to myn poore power I truste to deserve it. Ipray you, cosyn, that thys byll may recomawnde [me]88.2 to myn Lady Brews and to myn cosyn, your wyf. From Mynster, in the Yle of Shepey, the iijde day of Octobre. Ipray you yeve credens to the berer of thys, and to Thomas Jenney, whan he comyth to you. 88.3Your faythefoull cosyene, E. Surrey. 1005
ELIZABETH, COUNTESS OF SURREY, TO WILLIAM HARWARD89.1 1485, or later Wylliam Harward, I woll that ze delyver to Robert Thorppe of Norwych v. marc off the next money that ze gadyr; for he hath lent it me, and I have sygned hym to be payed of yow as sone he comyth hom. E. Surrey. 1006
THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK TO JOHN PASTON89.2 To our trusty and welbeloved John Paston, Sheriff of Suffolk and Norfolk. The Duc of Suffolk. 1485
OCT. 20 Right welbeloved, we grete you well. And for asmuche as the King our sovereigne Lord hath late addressed his letters of comission undre his seale unto us, reciting by the same that his highnesse undrestondith certayn his rebells associate to his old enmys of Scotlond, entending not only to trowble his peax, the nobles and subjects of this Realme to destroy, their goods and possessions to spoill, and reward at thair liberties, but also the lawes of this lond and holy Chirche to subvert. Our said moost drad soverayn Lord, as a Cristen Prince,. . . . . ...his said enmys and rebels to resist, hath assigned and comaunded us to do all maner.. ..and others defensible able to labour, as well archers as hobbyllers,90.1 to come before us and charge them.. . ..armed and arayed, every man aftre his degre and power, to attend uppon his person, and uppon us, to do him service in defence as well of the Chirche as of the said nobles and subjects of this Realm, against his said enmys and rebels. We therfore wull, and in our said sovereigne Lords name straitly charge and comaunde you, that in all possible hast ye do this to be proclamed:—And that all maner men able to do the King service, as well knights, esquiers, and gentlemen, as townships and hundreds, as well within franchesse and libertes as without, within the counties of Suffolk and Norffolk, and that they be charged to be redy at all tymes uppon an howre warnyng, and ordered according to the last comission afore this, to attend uppon his Grace and uppon us to do him service, whatsoever they shalbe comaunded, not failing herof, as ye wull answer at your perile. Goven at Long Stratton, the xx. day of October. And forthermore, that ye yeve credence unto our servaunt this bringer, as this same day we receyved the Kings commission at iiij. aftre none. Suffolk, yor frende. 1007
MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON90.2 To my mastyr, John Paston, be this delyvird. 1486
JAN. 21 Ryght reverent and wortshepfull syre, in my most umbill weysse I recomaunde me to you, desyryng to here of your welfare, the wytche I beseche God to preserve to His plesur and so your hartes desyir. Syr, Ithank you for the venyson that ye sent me; and youre schepe is seylyd owt of the havene as this daye. Syr, I send you be my brodyr Wyllem your stomachere of damaske. As for youre teppet of velvet, it is not here; An seythe that ye put yt in your casket at London. Syr, your chyldryn be in goode helle, bellsside be God. Syr, I prey you sende me the gowild, that I spak to you of be the nexst man that comythe to Norwytche. Syr, your mast that laye at Yermowyth is letyn to a scheppe of Hull for xiijs. iiijd., and if there fawyll ony hurt ther to, ye schall have a newe mast ther for. No mor to you at this time, but Almyty God have you in His kepyng. Wretyn at Castyr Hawill, the xxj. daye of Janever, in the furst yere of Kyng Harry the vijth. Be your servaunt, Margery Paston. I prey God no ladyis no more ovyr com you, that ye geve no lenggar respyt in your materys. 1008
ALICE, LADY FITZHUGH, TO JOHN PASTON91.1 To my right trusty and welbeloved son,91.2 Sir John Paston, be this delyvered. FEB. 24 Jon Paston, I recommaunde me to you in my moste hertely maner. And wher I understande be my doghter Lovell, ye desyre to know whedir I woll have the bargane ye made for me in Norwich or nay, and if I wol, Imoste content therfor now in mercs; Son, in good faith it is so, Ishal receyve no mony of the revenowse of my lyvelod afore Mydsommer; and also I have payd accordyng to my promise to Sir William Cabell a great payment, the which ye knowe wel was due to be payde, so that I can not be of power to content therfore, for the which I am right sory, for I know well I shall never have such a bargane. Also my doghtyr Lovell92.1 makith great sute and labour for my sone hir husbande. Sir Edwarde Franke hath bene in the North to inquire for hym; he is comyn agayne, and cane nogth understonde wher he is. Wherfore her benevolers willith hir to continue hir sute and labour; and so I can not departe nor leve hir as ye know well; and if I might be there, Iwold be full glad, as knowith our Lorde God, Whoo have you in His blissid kepynge. From London, the xxiiijth day of February. Your loving moder, Alise, Lady Fitzhugh. 1009
MARGARET, COUNTESS OF OXFORD, TO JOHN PASTON92.2 To my right trusti and welbiloved John Paston, Shrieve of Norffolk and Suffolk. 1486
MAY 19 Right trusti and welbiloved, I recomaund me unto you. And for as moche as I am credebly enfourmed that Fraunceis, late Lorde Lovell, is now of late resorted into the Yle of Ely, to the entente by alle lykelyhod, to finde the waies and meanes to gete him shipping and passage in your costes, or ellis to resorte ageyn to seintuary, if he can or maie; I therfor hertily desire praie you, and neverthelesse, in the Kinges name, streitly chargie you that ye in all goodly haste endevore your self that suche wetche or other meanes be used and hadde in the poorts, and creks, and othre places wher ye thinke necessary by your discrecion, to the letting of his seid purpose; and that ye also use all the waies ye can or maie by your wisdom, to the taking of the same late Lorde Lovell. And what pleasur ye maie do to the Kings Grace in this matier, Iam sure, is not to you unknowen. And God kepe you. Wretyn at Lavenham, the xix. day of May. Margaret Oxynford.93.1 1010
HENRY VII. TO JOHN PASTON93.2 To our trusty and welbeloved John Paston, one of our Esquiers for our Body, Shreife of our countys of Norffolk and Suffolk. By the King. 1486
AUG. 12 Trusty and welbeloved, we greet you well. And whereas we send at this time our trusty and welbeloved clerke and counseilor, Mr. Edmunde Chaderton, to do and execute certein things by our commandement in those parties, like as he can shew to you more at large; We desire and pray you that ye not only yeve unto him therein credence, but also, for the effectuall and speedy performance of the same, ye will be unto him from time to time in everythinge, as the case shall require, adviseinge, aidinge, and assistinge, as we singularly trust you, and as ye desire to do us pleasure. Yeven under our Signet at our manner of Shene, the xijth day of August. 1011
JOHN, LORD FITZWALTER, TO JOHN PASTON94.1 To my right wurshipfull cosyn, John Paston, esquyer. 1486
SEPT. 19 Right wurshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to you, certifyeng you that, where as I understond ye have distreyned Richard Caus of Byngham94.2 for issuez ronne uppon hym in th’escheker to the summe of iiijli. and odde sylver, Ipray you that ye wull, the rather for my sake, showe hym the favour that ye may doo, savyng youre sylfe, and that ye wulle not be harde uppon hym; but if ye kan by th’advys of councell this next terme fynde the meanes for youre discharge uppon youre acompte in th’escheker, that than ye wull lete hym be so in reste and peas withoute more paymentz for that cause; the which I prey you to tendre the rather because I fynde the seid Richard Caus at all tymez my trewe servaunt, and I shall be as redy to the acomplyshment of all youre resonable desirez with Goddis grace, Who kepe you. At Attelburgh, this Tuesday next before Seint Mathuz Day. Zowr Cosyn and frend, J. Sieur Fytzwauter. I fynde the seid Richard Caus
text reads “Cans” 1012
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON95.1 To my right trusty and right welbelovyd Councellor, John Paston, Esquier. 1487
JAN. 24 John Paston, I comaund me to you. And as for such tithynge as ye have sent hider, the Kyng had knowlech therof more than a sevyn-nyght passed. And as for such names as ye have sent, supposyng theym to be gone with the Lord Lovell, they be yitt in England, for he is departyng with xiiij. personys and no moe. At the Kynges comyng to London I wold advise you to see his Highnes. And Almyghty God kepe you. Writen at Wyndesore, the xxiiijth day of January. Oxynford. Endorsed: The Countis of Oxfordes lettre. 1013
JOHN, PRIOR OF NORWICH, TO ——95.2 1487 Right worchupfull serys, we recomaunde us all unto you in oure most herty wyse. And it is so that longe and many yerys ther hath ben hangyng a grete variaunce and a growge bitwix Annes Paston deceassed, late the wyff of William Paston, Justice, and William Paston now lyvyng, and Clement Paston deceassid, ther sones, one the oone parte, and John Paston, the sone of the seide William Paston, Justice, and of the seide Annes his wiff, also deceassid, and Ser John Paston, Knyght, deceassed, and John Paston yet lyvyng, sones to the seide John deceassid, on the othir parte. And now the seide variaunce contynueth betwixe the seide William and John that now is lyvyng of and upon the right, title, and possessioun of the maners of Sporle, Woodhall, Pagrave, Cressyngham, Swaynesthorpe, and Est Bekham, all [in] this cuntre of Norffolk. Likith it you to wete that the seide William Paston, Justice, in his lyve was a speciall lover and frende to our monastery, and for synguler love and trust that he hadde to be remembred amonge us after hys deceasse, not with stondyng h[e de]yed at London, yet he bequest his body to be beryed, and is beryed in the chapell of Our Lady with inne oure monastery. [And] the seide William Paston, Justice, oftyn and many tymes in his pleyn lyfe, the seide Annes beyng present, he shewed unto the Priour of our monastery that was than, called Dawn John Heverlonde,96.1 and to Dawn John Molett,96.2 that was Priour after, to Dawn John Fornsett, Doctour of Devynyte, Dawn Richerd Walsham, our sexten, and to Dawn John Wechyngham, and to many dyverse other that were of his acqueyntaunce, and that he had trust unto to breke his mynde for the wele of his soule, that were thanne olde fadirs of our monastery, and arn now decessed, that it was his verry last will that ought of the seide maners schuld be perpetually immortaysed a serteyn londe, or annuyte of suche valewe, that every suche monke that syngith the last messe in the seide chapell, wher the body of the seide William Paston light beryed, schuld have that day that he songe messe ther iiijd. to pray for the soules of the seide William, and of Annes his wif, and for ther auncetrys, kynred, consanguynyte, affynyte, and frendes, and for all Cristen soules; and over that, a serteyn summe of money yerly to be payed to have the obytt of the seide William and Annes zerly kept with dirige and masse in the seide chapell. And it is so that many yeres aftir the decesse of the seide William, Justice, ther were many men lyvyng bothe of olde brethern of oures afore rehersyd, and of other that cowde aborne witnesse in this mater, and that knewe the mynde of the seide William Paston, Justice, that it was his last will, of whiche men many now be deceassed; and no merveill, for it is upon a xliij. yere past sithen the seide William, Justice, deyed. And also the seide Annes that was hys wif lyved more thanne xxx. wynter aftir hir husbonde, and was in singuler trust with her husbonde, and one of his executours, and wele knowen in this cuntre, a woman of vertuos lyvyng and disposicion, and of goode discrecioun and conscience, and knewe hir husbondes mynde and last will as wele as ony lyvyng creature; she witnessed alway that it was hire husbondes last will to have this perpetuall messe, and called on it all the dayes of hir lyfe, and also atte her decesse; and sche seide that [it] was the will of her husbonde that the annuyte schulde go oute of the seide maner of Swaynesthorpe. The seide John Paston decessed wolde have hadde it graunted owte of the seide maner of Cressyngham; and summe of the executours wolde have hadde the seide messe to a contynued but for the terme of iiijxx. yere, and wolde have made writyng accordyng; but the seide Annes wolde not ther of, but seide alway that it was the last will of hir husbonde to have the messe made perpetuall, and the executours schewid to us that they wolde se the wyll perfourmed; and ther upon the executours, be ther comon assent, lefte a cofre with a grete substaunce of money of the goodes of the seide William, Justice, to be kepte with inne our monastery, and tolde and schewed to us that the seide gode schuld never be departid nor hadde oute of our place till we wer made sure of the seide annuyte. And duryng all that season that the seide cofer with the goodes was with ynne our monastery, it was alway schewid to us that the seide annuyte schulde be mortaysed in perpetuyte, and duryng all that season that the seid cofer was in our place, we hadde money yerly yoven us to pray for his soule to kepe [his obytt]97.1; and be menys devysed with oute the knowleche of the seide Annes, or of ony of our brethern, all the goode that was in the seide cofre was conveyed oute of our monastery, and after that dede done, ther was no more money yoven us, nowther to kepe the seide obit, ner to pray for the soull of the seide William, as be the seide executours, savyng that the seide Annes, duryng her lyve, yaff us of hir owne cost yerly to remembre the soule, and that that hath be done sythen, hath be don of our owne devocion, and this many zerys ther hath no thing be yoven us, notwithstondyng of our own devocion we have rehersid his name in oure bede rolle every Sonday. And now it is informed us that as wele the seide William as the seide John hath putt all ther title and interest, as wele in and of all the seide maners, londes, and tenementys as of the seide goodes in the awarde and jugement of the Right Reverend Fader in God, my Lord of Ely,98.1 Chaunceler of Inglond, Ser Reynold Bray, Knyght, and in you tweyne. And in asmoche as ze be of our cuntre and speciall frendes to our monastery, and longest acqueyntyd with you, that makith me and all my brethren the more bolde to schewe this our mater and interest unto you, beseching yow bothe to tendre the mater, and to schewe it bothe to my Lorde of Ely and to Ser Reynolde Bray, that atte suche tyme as ze have the examynacion of the title of theise seide maners, that ze will vouche saff of your charite to schewe this mater and our interest in this behalf, and of the seide annuyte, and how that we aught of right to have a graunt of it oute of the seide maners. And in this mater we hertily pray yow to take remembraunce and speciall labour, so that we may trust that it schall not askape your handes, nowe that the mater is putte in yowe; and all our monastery schall pray for you, and also rewarde you to your plesur, and over that, ze schall do her in suche a goode dede that God schall rewarde you. Wretyn in our monastery, the ——98.2 day of ——,98.2 the secunde yer of the regne of Kyng Herry the vijth. By John, Prior off Northwich
and the Covent. 1014
SIR EDMUND BEDINGFIELD TO JOHN PASTON99.1 Un to my ryght wurshypfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer, for the Body. 1487
MAY 16 Ryght wurshypfull cosyn, I recomawnd me un to you as hertly as I can, letyng you wytte I was with my Lorde Stuarde99.2 as on Munday laste paste, by the desyir of them that I myght not sey ney to. Iherde all that was seyd there, but they gaate non avawntage, wurde, nor promyse off me; but they thought in asmoche as they ware the beste in the shere, that every man owghte to wayte and go with them. Wherto yt was answerd that oure master,99.3 nexte the Kynge, havynge hys commysshon, muste nedys have the jentylmen and the contre to a wayte up on hym by the vertu of the same; but yt was thought I owght not to obeye no copy of the commisshon, withoute I had the same under wexe, where in hathe ben gret argument, whyche I understoode by reporte a fortnyte paste, and that causyd me to sende unto my lorde to have the very commysshon, whyche he sente me, and a letter, where off I sende you the copy here in closyd. As for you, ye be sore takyn in sum place, seying that ye intende swyche thynges as ys lyke to folow gret myscheffe. Iseyd I undyrstood non swyche, nor thynges lyke it; and yt ys thoughte ye intende nat to go forthe thys jorneye, nor no jentylman in that quarter but Robert Brandon that hath promysyd to go with them, as they seye. I understonde Sir Wylliam Bolen99.4 and Sir Harry Heydon99.5 ware at Thetforde in to Kente ward, but they returnyd in to Norffolk a geyne; Ithynke they wull not goo thys jorney, yff the Kynge nede. Ser Harry was at Attylborow on Saterday. Iwene he had a vyce there to turne a zen; wher for, cosyn, yt ys good to understonde the sertente what jentylmen intende to goo, and be assuryd to go together, that I may have wurde; my cosyn Hoptun hathe promysyd that he wull be oon. As fore Wysman, he seythe he wull be off the same, but I can have no holde. Furthermore, cosyn, yt ys seyd that after my lordys departyng to the Kynge ye ware mette at Barkwey, whyche ys construid that ye had ben with the Lady Lovell, but wrathe seyd never well; and in asmoche as we understonde my lordys plesur, yt ys well doon we dele wysly therafter. And, nexte to the Kynge, Ianswerd pleynly I was bownde to do him service, and to fullfylle hys comaundment to the uttermest off my powere, by the grace off God, Who ever preserve you to Hys plesur. Wretyn at Oxburgh, the xvj. day of Maye. Your cosyn, E. Bedyngfeld.100.1 1015
[THE EARL OF OXFORD?] TO SIR EDMUND BEDINGFIELD100.2 1487
MAY (?) Where as I understonde by your late wrytyng un to me, that ye have ryght well endevyrd you to th’execusion of the Kynges comission and comawndment, in preparyng your selffe with the jentylmen and other of the contre, to be redy to do the Kyng servyce, whyche I have shewid un to the Kynges Hyghnes, so that hys Grace ys ryght well content and ryght thankfully acceptyth the same, understondynge the ryght good myndys and dysposyschon off you and off other jentylmen there towardes hys Grace. How be yt, hys Hyghnes wull not as zytte put you to ony further labur or charge, for somoche as hys rebellys and enemyes be in to Irlande; neverthelesse hys Grace wull that the contre be redy at all tymis to do hys Hyghnes servyce up on resonabull warnyng; for so moche as the Kynges Grace intendythe to make provysyon to sende an armi in to Irlonde in haaste, nat knowyng as zytte whether that ye, and other aboute you shall be desyird to bere ony charge there to or no. And where as yt ys mervellyd that ye had not the Kynges comysshon, under hys gret seall, Isend yt to you with thys my wrytyng, wyllynge you nat to precede further to eny execushon theroff tyll swyche tyme as ye have other wise in comawndment, alwey thankyng hertyly the jentylmen, and all other for ther good wyllys towardes me. 1016
KNIGHTS MADE AT THE BATTLE OF STOKE101.1 1487
JUNE 16 Sir Edmond Benyngfeld. Sir Jamys Blount. Sir Richard Croft. Sir [Humfrey] Stanley. [Sir Richard De]levere. Sir J[ohn] Mortumer. Sir William Troutbeke. Knyghtes made at the same Batayll. The sone and heyr of the Lord Audeley.102.1 Sir Edward Noreys. Sir Robert Clyfford. Sir George Hopton. Sir John Paston. Sir Thomas Lovell. Sir Humfrey Savage. Sir Herry Willoughby. Sir John Sapcotes. Sir William Vampage. Sir Antony Brone. ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . Sir Gregory... . Sir Thomas Bl[ount]. Sir Robert Cheyny. Sir William Car[ew]. Sir John Wy[ndham]. Sir Simond... . Sir Roger Be[llingham]. Sir John..... Sir George Nevil. . Sir Robert Radcly[ff]. Sir Jamys Par[ker]. Sir Edward Dar[ell]. Sir Edward Pekeryn[g]. Sir Thomas of W[olton]. Sir William Sand[es]. A mutilated endorsement in Sir John Paston’s hand reads, ‘... ..prisoners... ..fownd.’ 1017
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON102.2 To my rytth worchupfull son, Sir Jon Paston, be thys byll delyvyrd in hast. 1487, or later Ryth worchupfull son, I recommend me on to zow and to my lady zowyr wyf, and thankyng zow harttyly for the grett labyr thatt ze had on Thorys day for me, and for zowyr kyndnes; for and odyr had don asse ze ded, I had had my purpos; qwerfor I prey God do be them asse they do be me. Son, I must prey zow to have a dosseyn men in harnes, with bowys and wepyn convenyent for them, that I may feche my stres ageyn. The schrevys man wasse here wythe me, and [j. of] yowyres, he seyth he ys, and he hatth mad me feythful promes that he wol be wyth me ageyn on Monday, qwerfor I prey zow harttyly, son, and reqwere zow that zowyr men may be wyth me on Monday, as my werry tros ys in zow, qwo sknowyth blyssyd Jesu, Hom haff zow and zowyr in Yss keppyng. Be zowyr trew modyr, Dam Elysabethe Brewysse. 1018
DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON103.1 To my right worshipfull son, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyverd. 1488(?) Right worshipfull son, I recommaund me unto you and to my lady my doughter your wyfe, and I send you both Cristes blyssyng and myne. And, son, Ithank you hertely for my son, William Brews; and I moste pray you for the reverens of Jesu to help hym for your tenauntes and myne, or els John Dynne will owver rewle them. And, son, God thank you, ye helpyd ons Whyte of Metfeld, and so I must beseche you nowe to do, and that it wold pleas you to gyffe credans unto the Priour of the Wyhte Freres, for I have shewed unto hym my mynd; and as ye do, Ihold me content. And, son, we ladys and jentil women in this contrey that is wedows, be sore trobyld with the Bysshop of Chester,104.1 and haskith of us more than we may pay, and that knowith All myghty Jesu, Who have you in His blyssed kepyng. Be your moder, Dame Elizabeth Brews. 1019
SIR JOHN PASTON TO DAME MARGERY PASTON104.2 To Dame Margery Paston, at Oxenhed. 1486-95 Mastress Margerey, I recomand me to yow. And I prey yow in all hast possybyll to send me, by the next swer messenger that ye can gete, a large playster of your flose ungwentorum for Kynges Attorney, Jamys Hobart, for all hys dysease is but an ache in hys knee. He is the man that brought yow and me togedyrs, and I had lever then xlli. ye koud with your playster depart hym and hys peyne. But when ye send me the playster, ye must send me wryghtyng hough it shold be leyd to and takyn fro hys knee, and hough longe it shold abyd on hys kne unremevyd, and hough longe the playster wyll laste good, and whethyr he must lape eny more clothys aboute the playster to kepe it warme or nought. And God be with yow. Your, John Paston. 1020
THE QUEEN TO THE EARL OF OXFORD105.1 To oure right trusty and enterly beloved cosyn, Th’Erll of Oxon. By the Quene. 1487-1502 Ryght trusty and entierly beloved cosyn, we grete you well, lattyng you wete hou it is commen un to oure knowlege that where as ze newly entred upon oure welbeloved Symon Blyant, gentilman, in to the maner of Hemnals in Cotton, descended and belongyng unto hym by right of enheritaunce, as it is seid, ze ther upon desired the same Symon to be agreable for hys part to put all maters of variance thenne dependyng atwene hym and oon Sir John Paston, Knyght, pretendyng a title unto the seid maner into th’award and jugement of two lenerd men, by you named and chosen as arbritrours atwene them; and in case that the same arbritrours of and upon the premisses neither yave oute nor made suche awarde be for the brekyng up of Pasche [Easter] terme nowe last passed, ze of your owne offre graunted and promysid unto the seid Symon, as we be enformed, to restore hym forwyth there upon unto hys possession of the seid maner. And how it be that the same Symon, at youre mocion and for the pleasir of youre lordshyp, as he seith, aggreed un to the seid compromyse, and ther upon brought and shewed hys evydence concernyng, and sufficiently provyng hys ryght in the seid maner un to the seid arbritrours, and that they have not made nor yolden out betwene the said parties any suche awarde; yet have not ze restored the same Symon unto hys possession of the seid maner, but contynuelly kepe hym owt of the same, wich, yf it so be, is not only to hys right grete hurt and hinderaunce, but also oure mervaile. Wherfore we desire and pray you ryght affectueusly that ze woll the rather at the contemplacion of thees oure lettres, shew unto the said Symon, in hys rightfull interesse and title in the seid maner all the favorable lordshyp that ze goodely may, doyng hym to be restored and put in to hys lawfull and peasible possession of the same, as fer as reason, equite, and good conscience shall require, and youre seid promise, in suche wyse that he may undyrstond hym selfe herynne to fare the better for oure sake, as oure verray trust is in you. Yeven under oure signet at my Lordes Palois of Westmynstre, the xxv. day of Juyn. [Elezebeth.]106.1 Subskrybyd with the Quenys hand. 1021
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON106.2 To our hertly welbilovyd John Paston, Knyght. 1487-1502 Right hertly welbilovyd, I grete you wele. And where Sir John Howard, Knyght, Sir Gilberde Debenham, Knyght, gederith grete feloship of men, purposyng on Monday next comyng to take stresses of the Lady Roos; and I deme that they undre the colour of the same entende to set on Coton, and to gete it if they may; Itherfor councelle you to sende downe a certeine of your men or elles come your silfe for the save garde of the said Coton. Also that ye yeve credence un to the brynger herof. And our Lorde kepe you. Writyn at the lodge in Lavenham the last day of Juylle. Oxynford. 1022
JOHN DAUBENEY TO [SIR JOHN PASTON]107.1 [1487-1502]
AUG. Please your masterchep to have knowlage that my Lord Archebyschop of Yorke107.2 is in god helle, blyssyd be God. And I came to hym as on Monday last past, and toke hym your letter. And whan I had takyn hym and he had over sey it, he merveylle sor of hyr dysposicion, a bad me not care, ye shuld do welle i nowe. And than he told me that he had spokyn to Master William Paston for a note of a letter, hewghe it is best to write to hyr. And so on Tewysday Master William and I, and Skerne of my Lord of Oxenfordis hows, and mad (sic) toke hym on Wednysday o [i.e. one] not of a letter the wyche I send you; and whan he sey it he thowght it to long, and mad one after his ownne entent, the wiche I send yow a copy of. Also I send yow a copy of the letter that the quene sent to my Lord of Oxenford for the maner of Cotton for Blyaunt; but my Lord of Yorke told to Skerne that he wold in any wysse that my Lord of Oxenford shuld help yow to kepe possession. And so Skerne purposythe to be with in thys v. deyes at home, for to enforme my Lord of Oxenford of my Lord of Yorke is entent, and that he se in no wysse that no man do yow no wrong as moche as my Lord of Oxenford powyr may help yow; for Skerne came from my Lord of Oxenford to my Lord of Yorke for the same mater, for that my Lord of Yorke shuld informe the quene of the mater, and be cause the quene hathe take hyr chambre my Lord of Yorke toke Skerne a rynge for a tokyn to my Lord Tresorer107.3 that he shuld excuse my Lord of Oxenford to the quene, for as moche as ye hathe (sic) infeffid my Lord of Oxenford in a trost in the maner of Cotton he may no lesse doo but helpe yow. Item, thys day is the massenger gone to my Lady of Suffolk with my Lordis letter. Ishall have a answer at the morn on Monday, Itrost to God, ryght god, &c., it cowd non ere be sped. My Lord hath be all this weke at the Cowncell at Chelchyche and j. day at Chenne.108.1 Item, Isend yow iij. writtis for feleneys and trespace and ij. for Mariete mater. Also your flowyr; Also a letter of Cablys; Also a write for Playter, a letter to Mestres Clere. Item, my Lord wylle in any wyse that ye kepe welle all the lyvelod that ye have of Sir John Fastolff, and that ye suffyr no man to entre no lond nor place, lord nor other personys, what sum ever they be. Ye may veryly thynke he ys your speciall god lord, and that ye shall knowe in tyme comyng. Iunderstand that Calle dothe passyngly welle in your maters in the spirituall lawe, as his letter makyth mencion, &c. Wretyn at London the Satyrday before Seynt Lawrens day. Your servaunt, John Daubeney. 1023
ABSTRACT108.2 R[obert] Clere to Sir John Paston, Knight Not before 1487 Your farmer of Mauteby has not given surety and paid poundage for his cattle, as he pretends. Ihope you will not encourage him, when he tells you he owes me no duty, and that he took not my ‘merch’ for twenty years, but only so long as he continued in Heryngby farm. Idenied him the replevin, because the ground of my farm is parcel of ancient demesne. Your tenants complain of me without cause. Ihope you will not be displeased if I ask them simply for what is due to me. Inever said ‘that ye shuld hang upon many bushes.’ I have always been glad to say or do my best for you, as any poor gentleman in Norfolk. Ipray you bring forth my accuser that I may come to my answer, and know who would make variance between us. Ormesby, 24 Oct. [The writer of this letter was Robert Clere of Ormesby, who was knighted in 1494, and was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1501. The expression ‘your’ farmer of Mauteby, shows that it was written after the death of Margaret Paston, and that the Sir John addressed must have been her second son, to whom the manor of Mauteby descended. The date is, therefore, not earlier than 1487 when this Sir John was knighted, and may be many years later.] 1024
JOHN, LORD FITZWALTER, TO SIR JOHN PASTON109.1 To my right worshipfull cosyn, Syr John Paston, Knight, be thys lettre delivered. 1488(?)
APRIL 7 Right worshipfull cosyn, in my most herty wise I [comme]nd me to you. And where I am enformed that ye have takyn a disthresse within the [Du]chy of Lankastir for suche money as was commyng toward you of ryght for the tyme that ye were shiryef, me seme, cosyn, ye aught not to take it within the said Duchy of noon auncyen demene holdyn upon the King; for there be places inow to gadir it upon without the said auncyen demene, and so ye cannot lose it. And also, cosyn, Iam enformed that it is paied alredy to oon John Burnam, which is of sufficyency inow. For whiche cause mesemythe it werne resone to levey it upon hym than ther where as is noon auctorite to levey it upon. Wherfore, cosyn, Ipray you to be good mastir for my sake to thies pore men, whiche be the Kingz tenauntz, and to shew them the favour that ye may. And I shall be as glad to doo you as gret plesure in tyme commyng, by Goddz grace, Who preserve you. Wretyn at Attylborow, the vij. daie of Apryll. Zowir cosyn and frend, [J.] Sir Fytz Wauter. 1025
LORD FITZWALTER TO SIR JOHN PASTON110.1 To my right wourschippfull and hertely welbeloved cousyn, Sir John Paston, Knyght, this be delyvered. 1488-94 Right wourschippfull cousyn, in as hertely wyse as I cane, Irecommaund me to you. And forasmoche as ther was appoynted a day that ye and my cousyn Heydon, Sir Robert Brandon, the Kynges Attorney, and other of the worschippfull of this schyr, should have mett here before this tyme of Estren, it was so longe or the Kynges Attorney was commen in to the contre, and the tyme so shorte, that it hathe bene thowght there myght be non convenable tyme affor this. Wherfor they be agreed that they and ye should mete here on Thursday next commyng. Prayinge you, therfor, that ye wolbe here at that tyme, trustynge to Godes mercy that a right good wey shalbe hadde betyx yow that all grugges and rancores shalbe layd a parte. And therfor, cousyn, Ipraye yow that ye wol not fayle for to be here, and what I canne do for yow, ye shall fynde it redy with Godes grace, Who have yow in His most blessed and assured kepyng. Wreten on Good Fryday last passed. Zowir lofyng cosyn, J. Sir Fitz Wauter. 1026
WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON111.1 To Sir John Paston, be thys lettyr delyvered. 1488
MAY 13 Aftyr all dewe recomendacion, pleasyt yow to undyrstonde that my lorde111.2 hathe ben with the Kynge in Wyndesour at Seynt Georgys Feste, and ther at the same feste were bothe the inbacetours of Breten and of Flaundyrs, as well fro the Kynge of Romayns111.3 as fro the yonge Duke.111.4 But I can not schew yow the certeyn whedyr we schall have with them warre or pease; but I undyrstonde for certeyn that all suche capeteyns as wente to the see in Lente, that is to sey, Sir Charlys Somersett, Sir Richard Hawte, and Syr Wylliam Vampage, makythe them redy to goo to the see ageyn as schortely as they can, to what intente I can not sey. Also, where as it was seyde that my Lord Woddevyle and other schulde have gone over in to Breten, to have eyded the Duke of Breten,111.5 I can not tell of non suche eyd. Butt upon that seynge ther came many men to Sowthehamton, where it was seyd that he schulde have takyn schyppyng, to have waytyd upon hym over; and soo whan he was countyrmaundyd, thos that resortyd thedyr, to have gone over with hym taryde there styll in hope that they schuld have ben lycensyd to have gone over; and whan they sey [saw] no lykeleod that they schuld have lycens, there was ij.C. of them that gete them in to a Breten schyppe, the whyche was late come over with salte, and bad the mayster sett them a lond in Breten. And they had nott seylyd not paste vj. leges butt they aspied a Frencheman, and the Frencheman mad over to them; and they ferde as thow they wolde not have medylde with them, and all the Englysche men went undyr the hetchys, soo that they schewyd no more but those that came to Sowthehamton with the schype, to cawse the Frenchemen to be the more gladder to medyll with them; and soo the Frencheman burdyd them, and then they that were undyr the hetches came up, and soo toke the Frencheman, and caryed the men, schyppe, and all in to Breaten. Also, ther was ther an inbacetour fro the Kynge of Schottes,112.1 who is now put in grete trobyll be hys son and other of the lordes of hys londe. Syr, as I came homewerde be London, I spake there with Emonde Dormand, and he seyd that he had wretyn onto yow, but he had none aunswere; wherfor he prayd me that if I knew ony man comynge towerdes Norwhyche, and I wold wrythe on to yow that he ferythe, if ye see none other dyreccion, that he schall be comittyd to the Flete. Also, he schewyd me that Herry Wyott wholde fynde the mene to have yow condemnyd, and recover the obligacion of xlli. ageyns yow, and soo he seythe he whote nott how to doo, for he is halfe dysmayd; he ferythe lesse that he schall never come home. But he intendythe to plede the obligacion fulfylyd at Norwyche, for he seythe ther is non other remedy to save yow fro the condemnacion, tyl that he herythe otherwyse from yow, whyche he thynketh longe aftyr. Wretyn at Henyngham, the xiijte day of May, with the hand of your brodyr, Wylliam Paston. 1027
THOMAS ANDREW TO WILLIAM PASTON113.1 To the ryght. . . . . . . .William Paston Squyer.. . ..my Lord of Ox[ford]. 1488(?)
DEC. 1 (?) Ryght worchipfull sir, in my best maner I recommend me unto you as he that is and shalbe at your commandment. Sir, Ibeseche you to showe my good lord and yours that a cordyng to his commandment I have sesed the good of the parson of Testerton113.2 and of Henry Fox, exsepe thos goodis of the sayd Fox that whare formerly sesed be the servantis of my Lord of Surrey; and, Sir, all thos goodis that I have sesed of them both are nat worthe lytyll mony lytyll past xls. or iijli. at the m[os]t, exsepe the parsons corne; and if that may betakyn a way thane the Chyrche may not be served, and that whar pety. Ibesech you that I may knowe my Lordis plesur in that be halfe, for els I thynke the baly of the franches will have all, for Testyrton is in the Dowchy. And so I am leek to have lytyll or nowt for all my lawbour and costis withowt my Lord be my good lord in that be halff be your mene. Sir,113.3 I pray you tell my Lord that the fryer of Lynne that...ak.. . . . . ..cheff, for he served a cherche in Norfolk callyd Hornyngtoft and ther.. . . ..rd a p.. ..s callyd Master Thomas Mertyn, and as I wene he had felows privy to that robery (?) an[d ot]her that be nat yet knowyn, and if he whare well a posed he wold tel[l], &c. Also113.4 Henry Fox and the parson of Testerton whar gretely (?) acuequyentyd and conversand with one Sir William, a chanon of Hempton Abbay, cause my Lord to inquere if he whar owt privy of the mony makyng or eny other of that Abbay of Hempton. Iknow nothyng but that they whar gret to gether, &c. Sir, Ibesech you, be good master to Fox wyff if ye may; how be it he is nowght, but peraventure he may amend, but she is ryght a good woman be my troughe, and it whar gret pety but she and her chyld myght have somwat. And, my Lord, or ye send me eny letter ye may send it me be John a More, this brynger, if he cum agayne, or els be Fox wyff if her husband be not gone to London. And ever Jhesu preserve you to your most gentyll hertis desyer. At Ryburgh this Monday next Sent Andrew. Your servant, Thomas Andrew. 1028
THOMAS ANDREW TO WILLIAM PASTON114.1 To the ryght worchipfull mayster, William Paston, Squyer, with my Lord of Oxynford, [be t]his bill delyverd in hast. 1488
DEC. 16 Ryght worchipfull sir, I recomaund me un to you in my best maner, acordyng to my deute. Sir, Isent you a letter by Henre Fox wyff, and I had non answer from you of it. On of the gretest thynges that I wrot to you of, was that the fryer shuld be aposed, howo was prevy with hym, whan he robbed Master Martyn, the prest, at Hornyngtoft in Norffolk; also that Fox and the parson of Testerton,114.2 shuld be aposed if eny of Hempton Abbay whar out [were aught] prevy to the mony makyng. Sir, now I beseche you to send me a copy of thes mony makers confeschon, and ther namys, for I ame bothe sworne on the quest of the oyer determiner, and also on the quest at large, and of that we most make our verdyte at the sessyons after Crystmes for the quest at large; for we toke day over at the last sessyons tyll the sessyons after Crestmes for the quest at large. Lytefot, of your hows, is sworne on the oyer determiner. I beseche you to speke with my lord, to know of his good lordchepe how we shall demene ourselff in that be half; and I beseche you send me word as sone as ye can. I thynk that Yelvertons servant, that is with you in preson, shall com a gayne hether, and he may bryng your letter to me. He115.1 bryngythe you this letter, and if it may be nat a fendyng, Ipray you be good master to Yelverton for my sake. Ihave fownd hym a good persone. Sir, I shall not be with my lady is grace115.2 this Crystmes, far her grace shalbe with the Kynges Grace after Crystmes; and thane I shall awayt on her grace, wher ye shall have my servyce be the grace of Jesu, He preserve you. At Ryburgh, the xvj. day of December. And ye hepe [help] nat, I am leke to losse moche mony of my costes for thes mony makers. Ipray helpe, &c. Your servant, Thomas Andrew. 1029
T. GRIGGS TO SIR JOHN PASTON115.3 To the Right Honorable Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyverid. 1489
FEB. 2 Right reverent and honorable, after the ordre of all diew recommendacion had, Irecomaunde me un to your maistership. Sir, it is so that John Talyour of Brytcham, debite [deputy] in your office of Th’admirallite, was with me this mornyng to have myn advyce in this mater folowyng, the whiche is this. There was taken ageyns Thornham, in the Kynges streeme, leyng ij. fadam and an halff depe upon the see, a whalle fyssh, by Thornham men labouryng all nyght on Sunday nyght last was, and so have slayn it, and brought to lande; upon the whiche your said debite hath ben ther as yister day, and seysed my lordes part therof; wherof the puple was glad it shuld so be. Than John a Lowe was there, and he seyd to your debite that he wold have the Kynges part in this wise, that the Kyng and my lord shuld part the halff. Sir, the lawe cyvylle seyth thus, ‘If any fyssh ryall be founde on the se, that is to say, whalle, bales, sturgion, porpeys, or gra[m]peys, that my Lord Admyrall shall have the halvendele,’ &c. I thynke my lord116.1 hath the Kynges prerogatyff upon the see, the whiche I remytte to your discrecion, &c. Sir, by lyklyhode, without ye take hede and send thedir som of youres, my lordes part shall be litill. It is a greet fissh and a ryall; your debite sheweth me it is xj. fadam and more of length, and ij. fadam of bygnes and depnes in the mydde fyssh. Sir, remembre what ye have to do; there came not suche a casualte in your tyme of your office, &c. Wherfore this, by th’enfourmacion of your sayd debite, cause me to wryte un to you this sympill bille, praying you to pardone me of the writyng, for it was don in hast; and this bille I sent to Willyam Brykkes your servant, to Matelask, by masse tyme, to brynke it to you. And this day they purpose to breke it. Do hereyn now as it please you, and Allmighti God have you and all youres in Hese kepyng; besechyng you that this symple bille may recomaunde my pouer wiff un to your maistershipp. Wretyn on Candilmas Day, in hast, at Welles. Your, T. Grigges. 1030
MARGERY PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON117.1 To my rygth wurchypfull mastyr, Syr John Paston, Knyth, this lettyr be delyvered in hast. 1489
FEB. 10 Rygth reverent and worchypfull sir, in the most owmble wyse I recomand me un to yow, desyryng to here of yowre welfare, the qwech God long contynew. Sir, myn brodyr Wyllyam recomawnd hym on to yow. And as for the lettyr that ze sent on to hym, he hath schewyd my lord the entent ther off, and he thynkyth hym self, that it is no part of hys dute to have any part of the fysch, or any mony that schuld grow ther of. Never the lasse, my lord, acordyng as yowr desyre was in the letter, had qwestyond John a Lowe of thys fych, afor the comyng of John Danyel, what he had doon with all; and he answerd, as for the nedyr chavyll [jaw] therof, he had put it in sewrte, and leyd it in a howse, be cawse youre debyte [deputy] seasyd it to myn lords use, tyll it myth be undyrstond wedyr the propyrte ware in the Kyng or in my lord; and so my lord held hym well content it schud be so, in so moche as the Kyng and my lord have comawndyd John a Lowe that thys forsayd chavyll schuld be browth up to the Kyng in all goodly hast. Fardermore, my brodyr Wyllyam perseyvyd be yowre wrytyng that ye cowd make the remnawnth of the fych worth a iiijli. to my lord. My lord wold ze schuld not trobyll yowre self no more with all, becawse he thynkyth that the propyrte is not in hym. And also anodyr, my brodyr Wyllyam heryth sey in the corte, that the Kyng and my lord be content that the remenaunt of the fych be to the use of them of the cuntre, the wech ze schall here the more serteyn therof here after. Also my broder Wyllyam seyth, that my lord wyllyd yow that ze schuld send the retorne of the comyscion as hastyly as ze can, and mervell that ze hath not sent it up or thys. As touards the brekyng up of the Parlement,118.1 many lykelywoodes ther be, that it schuld contynew no wyle, and these be they. My Lord the Archebyschop of Yorke departyd as zysterday, and my Lord of Northethomyrlond schall goo as on Fryday; and also all schuch folkys as schall goo in to Breten schall be at Portysmowth on Satyrday cum forthnyth, and the Munday after on see bord, at wech seassun the Kyng intentyd to be ther to take the mustyrs. And as for thos jantylmen that toke schyppyng to a gon over in to Breten up on a fortnyth a goo, that is to sey, Syr Richard Egecum, the cowntroller,118.2 Sir Roberd Clyfford, Sir John Trobylvyll, and John Motton, sarjant porter, be a ryvyd ageyn up on the cost of Yngland, save all only Syr Richard Egecum, wech londyd in Breten, and ther was in a towne callyd Morleys, wech a non up on hys comyng was besegyd with the Frenchmen, and so skapyd hardly with hys lyff, the wech towne the Frenchemen have gotyn, and also the town callyd Breest; how be it the castell holdyth, as we here say. And ther be apoyntyd serteyn captens at thys seasun, wech be Lord Bruke, Sir John Cheney, Sir John of Arundell, Sir John Becham, Sir John Gray, myn broder Awdley, myn unkyll Syr Gylberd Debnam,118.3 and Thomas Stafford, and many odyr knytys and esqwyrys. And, sir, I thanke yow for the lettyr that ze sent me. Also, syr, I have fulfyllyd myn pylgremage, thanke it be God. Also, sir, we undyrstond that it is anactyd of every x. marke of mevable goodes xxd. to the Kyng, besyd the tennyth of every mannys londys. And, sir, my brodyr Heydon schall send yow the serteyn of all odyr thyngys grawntyd at thys Parlement, for he hath cawsed John Danyell to tery all thys day for hys letter, be cawse he was with the Kyng at Westmestre, that he myth not entend to wryth it tyl nyth. Also, sir, Master Calthorp hath payd j.C. marke to the Kyng. Also, sir, Ihave delyverd the xli. to Master Hawes, and reseywed of hym the oblygacion. Also, Ihave delyverd the xxti marke to Edmund Dorman, be my brodyr Heydons comawndment. No more to yow at thys tyme, but God and the Holy Trinyte have yow in Her kepyng. And myn syster Anne, with all the company, recomawnd hem on to yow. Wretyn at London, the x. day of Februar. Be yowr servaunt, Margery Paston. 117.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is erroneously dated by Fenn 1487-8. Although Lord Woodville made an unauthorised expedition into Brittany in the spring of 1488, which is alluded to in No.1026, no succours were sent by Henry for the relief of the Duchy till after the crushing defeat of Duke Francis at the battle of St. Aubin (July 28, 1488). The Duke died on the 9th September following, and his daughter Anne became Duchess of Brittany. Commissions to raise archers for the relief of Brittany were issued in December, and musters were commanded to be taken in February 1489. 118.1 Parliament was dissolved on the 27th February 1489. 118.2 Sir Richard Edgecombe was Controller of the King’s Household. 118.3 Sir Thomas Brews, Margery Paston’s father, took for his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Giles, and sister of Sir Gilbert Debenham. 1031
WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON120.1 To hys broder, Sir John Paston, be thys letter delyvered. 1489
MARCH 7 Sir, I recomaunde me to yow, letynge yow wete that.. . . . . ...120.2 As for my Lord Treserer,120.3 he was not with the Kynge of all the counsell tyme, the whyche was endyd on the iijde day of Marche. And theder come my Lorde of Northethombyrland the fyrste day of Marche, and departyd the even afore the makyng of thys letter, and hath endentyd with the Kynge for the kepynge owt of the Schottys and warrynge on them, and schall have large money, Ican not telle the some for certeyn. Also ther is an rover takyn at Brystowe, on [one] Cowper, as I wene, and he is lyke to be hanged, and he confessythe more of hys felawis. Also Edward Heestowe of Dovere is apechyd of treson of many straunge poynts; and hys accuser and he were bothe afore the Kynge, and then they were takyn apert. And he hymselfe confessyd it that hys accusere accusyd hym of, and many other thyngs more than he was accusyd of. And he had many lords and gentylmen to aunswere for hys trowthe and his demenynge afore tyme, for, as I hard sey, bothe the Kynge in a maner, nor non of the tother lords nor gentylmen belevyd not hys accuser, tyl that he confessyd it hym selfe; and so he is in the Towre and lyke to be dede. As for the Kynges comynge into the contre. On Monday come fortenyght he well lye at the Abbey of Stratteforde and so to Chelmnsford, than to Syr Thomas Mongehombrey, than to Hevenyngham,121.1 than to Colchestyr, than to Ipswyche, than to Bery, than to Dame Anne Wyngfelds, and so to Norwych; and there woll he be on Palme Sunday Evyn,121.2 and so tary there all Ester, and than to Walsyngham. Wherefore ye had nede to warne Wylliam Gogyne and hys felaws to purvey them of wyne i now, for every man berythe me on hande121.3 that the towne schalbe dronkyn drye as Yorke was when the Kynge was there. Syr, Mayster Sampson recomaunde hym on to yow, and he hathe sende yow a rynge be Edmonde Dorman, and besydys that he requeryd me to wryte on to yow that it were best for yow to purvey yow of some gentyl meny thynges ageyns the Kyngs comyng, for suere he well brynge yow gests i now, and therfore purvey yow theraftyr. Also he sendythe yow worde that it is my lords mende that my syster with all other godely folkys there abowt scholde acompeny with Dame Elsebethe Calthrop121.4 because there is noo grete lady ther abowte ageyns the Kyngs comyng, for my lorde hathe made grete boste of the fayre and goode gentylwomen of the contre, and so the Kynge seyd he wolde see them sure. Syr, my lorde hathe sente on to the most parte of the gentyl men of Essex to wayte upon hym at Chelmnysford, where as he entendythe to mete with the Kynge, and that they be well apoyntyd, that the Lankeschere men may see that ther be gentylmen of as grete sobestaunce that thei be able to bye alle Lankeschere. Men thynke that ye amonge yow wol doo the same. Your contre is gretely bostyd of, and also the inabytors of the same. Ibeseche you to remembr my hors that ye promisyd me. God kepe yow. Wretyn at Schene in haste, the vij. day of Marche, with the hande of your brodyr, Wylliam Paston. be thys letter delyvered.
first italic “d” misprinted as “a” 1032
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON122.1 To the righte worshipfull and my righte intierly belovyd Sir John Paston, Knyghte. 1489
MARCH 12 Righte worshipfull and righte intierly belovyd, Icommaunde me to you. And acording to the Kyng our soverayne Lordis commaundemente late to me addressid, Idesire and pray you that ye woll in all godely haste, upon the sighte hereof, prepare youre selfe to be in a redinesse with as many personnes as ye herbyfore grauntid to do the Kyng servyce in my company diffensibely arayed and therupon so to resorte unto me in all godely haste possyble upon a day warnyng, horsid and harnessid, to be at the Kynges wayges. And God kepe yow. Writen at my castelle of Hedingham, the xij. day of Marche. Oxynford. 1033
WILLIAM PASTON TO THE BAILIFF OF MAUTBY123.1 To the Baly of Mawlteby. 1489 Mayster Baly, I recomaunde me on to yow, praynge yow that ye woll sende me be Wylliam Kokkys123.2 berer her of, iiij. nobylles in golde, putt in to the same boxe that thys byll is in, as thow it wer evydens; for I have tolde the masengere that he schulde brynge me nothyng but evydens, for he is in a manere departyng owt of my servyse, wherfore I wold nott he knew so myche of my counsell. And as for the remenaunte, Iwellde ze schulde kepe it tyll I come my selfe. And if Bayard be onsolde, I pray yow late hym be made fatte ageyns the Kynge come in to the contre, what so ever I pay for the kepyng of hym, and I schall wete how goode a corser I schall be my selfe, at my comyng in to the contre, be the grace of God, Who have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at Henyngham. Be your, Wylliam Paston. 1034
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO EDMUND PASTON124.1 To my right welbiloved Edmond Paston, Esquier. Between 1486-9 Right welbiloved, I grete you wele. And where as certein landes which late were the Lord Scales by title of enheritaunce, be discendid to me, and to my welbiloved cousin William Tyndale, it is accordid bitwixt me and my said cousin that the profites of the said landes, shalle neither be taken by my resceivoire nor his, but that an indifferent persone shalle take and resceive the same profittes to the use of us bothe till suche tyme as a resonable particion may laufully be made in that behalf. Wherfore as wele as I my said cousin, havyng speciall confidence and trust in you, desire and hertly pray you to take the laboure and peyn atte oure costes and charges, to take and resceive the profites of alle the said landes, to oure use and behofe, deliveryng alwey the oon moyte of your receites to my resceivoure, and the other moitee to my said cousin Tyndale, whan so ever the said profites by you so shalle be taken and resceived. Yevyng you full auctorite and power by this my writyng to execute the same. Written atte Newe Market the vijth day of Aprill. Oxynford. 1035
THE SCALES LANDS125.1 Edmund Paston, receyvor of the Scalys landes, askyth to be allowed of xijli. xijs. viijd. whiche hangith over his hede in his accompte made bifore Robert Sharp at the Feste of the Pureficacion of our Lady laste paste, for his costes and expenses for two yeres, as hyt apperith in the sayde accomptes. Item, the sayde Edmund askyth to be allowed for his costes and expenses of this yere, Cxviijli. iiijd., beside his costes commynge and goynge to this accompte. Item, for his rewarde of the saide iij. yeres ad placitum dominorum. Whereof ys allowed for his costes by the comaundement of my lorde, xli. Item, allowed by the125.2 Endorsed in same hand as the MS., Billa Edmundi Paston. of this yere, Cxviijli. iiijd.
text unchanged: error for “Cxviijs.”? 1036
HENRY VII. TO THE EARL OF OXFORD125.3 1489
APRIL 22 Right trusty and entierly beloved cousin, we grete you well. Inasmuch as it hath liked God to sende us good tidinges oute of Bretayn, such as we dought not but that ye be desirous to undrestonde, we wryte unto you of them as thay be comen to our knowlage, and as foloueth. The Lord Malpertuis, now late with us in ambassade from our dere cousine, the Duchesse of Bretayne, shippid at our porte of Dortmouth, and arrived at Saynt Powle de Lyon, in Bretayn, on Palme Sonday,126.1 at iiij. after noone, from whens he wrote us the disposicion and the state of the countre there, and of the landyng and the demeanyng of oure armee. We received his wrytyng on Monday last, at evynsong tyme; and be cause he was of Bretayn borne, and favorable to that partie, we ne gave such trust to his tidinges, as was thought to us surete to wryte to you theruppon. This daye, aftre High Masse, comyth unto us from oute of Bretayne forsaid, and with a new ambassade from our said cousine, Fawcon, oon of our pursivantes, that ratifieth the newes of the seid Lord Malpertuis, which ben these. After the garysson of Frenshmen in the towne of Gyngham126.2 had certeinte of the landyng of our armee, thei drewe downe the fabours126.3 of Gyngham, and made thayme mete to defende a siege; but assone as thei undirstode that our said armee jornayned towardes theim, thei left the same Gyngham, where our said armee arrived the Thursday next before Palme Sonday, and was received with procession, logged and received, refreshed in the town iiij. dayes. And goyng towardes the said Duchesse, thei must passe to the castell and borugh of Monconter. In that castell was also a garnisson of Frenshemen, which incontinently, upon worde that our said armee drwe towardes theym, the Frenshmen did cast downe gret parte of the walles, and fled from thens; in that castell and borugh our seid armee kept thair Estre. The castell of Chawson, adjoyning nere to the towne of Saynt Bryak, was also garnisond with Frenshmen; that castell they set on fire, and soo fled in the townes of Henebone and Vannes126.4 were garnisond with Frenshmen, which breke downe the walles of the townes, and putte them selff to fligth. Th’inhabitantes a bought Brest have layd siege therunto, and goten the Base Courte of the Frenshmen or the departyng of our said pursivaunt. The garnson of the towne of Concarnewe, which is oon of the grettest strenghes of all Bretayn, was besieged in like wyse, and drevyn to that necessite that thei with in offerid, ar his said departyng, to avoyde the towne with staffe in hande; how that is takyn, or what is more done sithens, he cannot telle. Oure said cousine, the Duchesse, is in her citee of Raynes; and our right trusti knyght and counsellour, Sir Richard Eggecombe, there also, havyng cheeff rule abowte her; and the Marchall of Bretayn arredieth hym to joyne with them in alle haste with a gode band of men. Mony noble men of that countree repair to our said armee to take their partie. These premisses in substaunce we have be wrytyng, aswell from the cheff capytaynes of our said armee, as from our comptrollour127.1 forsaid. And that our said armee, blessid be God, hath among theyme selfe kepte such love and accorde, that no maner of fray or debate hath bene bitwene theym sithens the tyme of thair departing out this our Reame. Yoven under our signed, at our castell at Hartford, the xxij. day of Aprill. Syr, thys is the copye of the lettyr that the Kynge sente my Lorde of Oxynford of tydyynges owte of Breten. Be yowre brodyr, Wylliam Paston. 1037
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON127.2 To the right worshipfull and my right welbeloved Sir John Paston, Knyght. 1489
APRIL 30 Right worshipfull and right welbeloved, I comaunde me to you. And for as moche as it is certeinly unto the Kynges Grace shewed that my Lord of Northumberland havyng the auctorite to se the Kynges money levied in the North parties, had knowleche that certeyne persones of combnes wer assembled at Topclif, and at a nother lordship of his nygh to the same, saying that they wolde pay no money; my seid Lord of Northumberland heryng therof, and that they wer but naked men, addressed hym self towardes theym withoute eny harneys in pesible maner, trustyng to have appeased theym. Howe be it, as hit is seid, that he is distressed and that they have taken hym or slayne hym; whiche the Kyng entendeth to punysshe. Itherfore desire and hertely pray you in all godely haste to be with me at Hedyngham, there for to knowe more clierly the Kynges plesir in this behalve. Writen at Hertford the last day of Aprile. Also I send to you a comyssion of licence to shepp corne, which I pray you to do to be proclaymed in alle haste. Oxynford. 1038
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON128.1 To the right worshipfull and my right welbeloved counceilour, Sir John Paston, Knyght. 1489
MAY 6 Right worshipfull and right welbeloved counceilour, Icomaunde me to you. And where as I understand by your wrytyng that a grete shippe is perisshed with you in thoo parties, and that ye have ben gretely occupied aboute the savyng of the goodes of the same; and that the merchauntes therof ben disposed to put their wynes to sale, of the whiche ye maye by a ton for Cs. and litel more; Imay by in this cuntrey for iiijli., wherfore if ye may by there eny better chepe, Ipray you to purveye for me, such as ye seme necessary. And forsomoche as ye may nat be here with me at this tyme, I desire and pray you to prepare and ordeyne your self with as many men in harneys as ye godely may, to do the Kyng service in my company, at the Kynges charge and costes, so as ye and they may be with me at Cambrige, upon Tewesday129.1 next comyng; and that ye faile nat herof, as my right especial trust is in you. Writen at my castell of Hedyngham, the vj. daye of May. Oxynford. 1039
WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON129.2 To hys brodyr, Syr John Paston. 1489
MAY Syr, I recomaunde me on to yow. And where as ye desyre that I schulde sende yow worde of suche tydyng as Phylyp Lewes and Wyndesor bryngythe fro the corte, they be come thens bothe, but we here of no tydynges that they brynge, but that yondyr folkys abyde stylle abowte the place where as thys onhappy dede was done, and not with no grete nowmbyr, they sey not paste with v. or vj. C., where they were moste. Howbeyt they have made proclamacions in the cuntrey to mete with oder of ther affynyte as on Tuesday last past, as it aperythe in the copy of ther proclamacion heraftyr folowyng. Also they schewe the Kynge intendythe to holde on hys jurney. And Phylyp Lewes is redyn ageyn to the Kyng, and schall brynge with hym money for all ther wages that schall be in my lordys retynew, as yow and vj. of Syr Wylliam Bolens servauntes and od[yrs]. Syr, Mr. Clopton sye [saw] yowre lettyr, and a seythe he knew my lordes mende suche, that he durste not meve hym with it. Ther was Syr Wylliam Say, but Clopton wolde not it schulde be knowen of non other but your selfe. He sent my lorde be a servaunt of hys xlli. to have excusyid hym, and it wolde not be takyn, and that I mervell of. Howbeyt he brake thus fer to my lorde; he asched hym how many he apoyntyd yow to brynge with yow, and he answerde hym xxti, and than he schewyd hym yowr charges that ye have had. My lorde seyd ye myght have men a nowe, and ther wages schal be payd for. Clopton aunswerde how that it wolde coste yow large money, besyde ther wages, to hors them and hernes them; and how that, to sey the trowthe, ye were not well at ese. Not withstandynge all thys, my lorde wyllyd that ye schulde come to hym to Cambryge on Tuesday at nyght, with as many as ye myght, and ye and he schulde do well i now. Soo Clopton thyngyth that and ye brynge a dosen with yow, it is suffycyent; howbeyt that Syr Emonde Bedyngfeld, Syr Thomas Tyrell, and Syr Ryc. Lewes have ben with my lorde, and yche of them have offyrde to mete with my lorde at Cambryge with xxx. men a pese of them. So I wolde not ye schulde be to ferre undyr them; wherfor I thynke best that ye purvey yow so as and ye schulde goo forthe yor selfe, for I can perseve non othyr wyse. My bedfelawe Cornwaleys is maryed in the Northe, and he came as yesternyght to my lorde streyt owt of the contre, and he scheythe [showeth] non othyr wyse but as I have wretyn here afore in thys lettyr. Ye schall have for yor self and for yche of your servauntes horsyd and hernessyd xxs. in hande at Cambryge for a monthe, and I truste we schal have done or xx. days to an ende, with the grace of God, Who have yow in kepynge. At Henyngham. Be your brodyr, Wylliam Paston. [The Rebels’ Proclamacion.] To be knowyn to all the northe partes of England, to every lorde, knyght, esquyer, gentylman, and yeman that they schalbe redy in ther defensable aray, in the est parte, on Tuysday next comyng, on Aldyrton More, and in the west parte on Gateley More, the same day, upon peyne of losyng of ther goodes and bodyes, for to geynstonde suche persons as is abowtward for to dystroy oure suffereyn Lorde the Kynge and the Comowns of Engelond, for suche unlawfull poyntes as Seynt Thomas of Cauntyrbery dyed for; and thys to be fulfyllyd and kept by every ylke comenere upon peyn of dethe. And thys is in the name of Mayster Hobbe Hyrste, Robyn Godfelaws brodyr he is, as I trow. howbeyt that Syr Emonde Bedyngfeld
“y” in “Bedvngfeld” either broken or misprinted as “v” 1040
THE BISHOP OF DURHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON131.1 To the right worshypful sire, and my right trusty and right entierly wel beloffyd freynde, Sire John Paston, Knyght. ??S. ???. 1490
JAN. 27 Ryght wortchipful sire, and myne especial and of long tyme apprevyd, trusty and feythful frende, Iin myne hertyeste wyse recommaunde me un to you. And for as myche as I hafe coles and odyr thynges in thise parties, and also ye hafe in those parties cornes, wyne, and wax, and as I am enfourmyd ye be noght evyl wyllyd to dele with me, no more than I am to dele with you in utteryng, and also in receyvyng of suche thynges, the whiche myght be to the profete of us bothe, Ither fore send un to you at thys tyme thys berer, William Walkere, gentylman usshere of my chamber, to commune with you herein, so that by delyberation suche a wey may be takyn in thys byhalfe as may be to the profete of either of us, and wher by our familiarite and frendeship may be encrescyd in tyme to cum. Where un to for our old acquayntance to gedyr, ye shal fynde me ful redy after my powere, by the grace of our Lorde, Who ever kepe you, and send you myche worship and long prosperite. Scribyllyd in the moste haste, at my castel or manoir of Aucland, the xxvij. day of January 1489.132.1 Your own trewe luffer and frende, John Duresme.132.2 1041
LUMEN HARYSON TO [SIR JOHN PASTON]132.3 About 1490(?) Onerabyll and well be lovyd knythe, I commend me on to zour masterchepe and to my lady zowyr wyffe. Ithanke zowyr mastyrchepe that ze have don for me. Isen my lady a lytyll pes of Renysch wyne of the best, of x. gallons, and halfe a hondyrd orrygys. Ischall send hyr mor a geyns Pencost that sche may have fresche. And Renold have not gyve me the to nobyls and xljd., that ze told me off for the wyne. And my servys be nyzt and be day to zowr commawndment. Zyff zowyr mastyrchep wyll ony thyng wyth me, Ixall be at Cley. No more than God be wyth zow. Wrytyn up on the Tuysday aftyr Palme Sonday. Lumen Haryson. At zowyr comawndment. 1042
SIR JOHN PASTON TO [LORD FITZWALTER]133.1 About 1490(?) Humbly besecheth your good lordshepe, your dayly servaunt and beedman, John Paston, more kayteff than knyght, that it may please you of your specyall grace to dyrect ought your lettres, sygned with your hand and sealid with your seall, to the dreedfull man, Jamys Radcliff of Byllingforth, Sqwyer, fermour of your wareyn ther, ought of wheys wareyn no maner of man nor vermyn dare take on hym, for dought of your seyd dredfull [man], to take or carye awey eny of your game ther, for fere [of being] hangyd up among other mysdoers and forfaytours, as wesellis, lobsters [stoats], polkattys, bosartys [hawks], and mayne currys,—that the seyd Jamys shall, upon the syght of your seyd wryghtyng, delyver, or cause to be delyverd, to your seyd besecher or to hys depute, delyverer of your seyd lettres, at hys fyrst syght of the same, vj. coupyll blake conyes or rennyng rabbettys, or some blake and some whyght to the seyd nombre, to store with a newe grownd of your seyd besechers at Oxenhed, more lyeke a pynnefold than a parke. And your seyd besecher shall daylye prey to God for the preservacyon of your noble estate longe t’endure. 1043
THE EARL OF SURREY TO SIR JOHN PASTON134.1 To my right worshipfull cousine, Sir John Paston, Knyght. 1490,
or later Right worshipfull cousine, in right harty wyse I commaunde me unto you. And where I understand by Thomas Hartforde, a bower of Norwiche, berer herof, hath been putt to grete vexacion and trouble by oon Thomas Hogan, scomaker, of Norwiche, and that I perceyve ye have harde the matier depending in travers bitwixt the saide parties; Itherfore desire you that, in the right of the forsayd Thomas Hartford, ye wolbe unto hym gode maistir, and the bettir for this myn instaunce, as my singler trust is in you. And where I conceyve also that the same Thomas is noysed in Norffolk for a Scotesman borne, ye shall understande that I perceyve wele, by suche honest folkes as I have hard speke within the citie of York, that the saide Thomas was borne their, and his fathir there inhabityng, and his god fathirs and mothers, the which bee right honest persones; and for that this is true, and not feyned, ye shall understand the Maiour of the citie of York and his brethern hath made grete instaunce unto me to writ for the saide Thomas, for whom I must nedes do, because thaye arre my nye neighbours, as our Lord knoweth, Who have you in His blissid saufegard. Written in the castell of Shirefhoton, the xxiiijth day of Aprill. Your lovyng cousin, Thomas Surrey. 1044
THE EARL OF SURREY TO SIR JOHN PASTON135.1 To my right worshipfull Cousin, Sir John Paston. 1490,
or later Cousin Paston, in my most herty wyse I recomaund me unto you, and thank you for many kindnesses of tyme past, and also for that ye have bene so good maister unto my sarvaunt William May, and now at his comyng to me ye have at your greate coste sent him to me dressed in suche wise as is veray necessary for me to have men appareled; for the whiche your kindnesse I think myselfe right muche beholden to do you pleasure and it moght lye in my power, which I wuld right gladly do, as knoweth our Lord, whom I beseche to send you moche harte pleasure. Wreten at Sherifhoton, the vjth day of July, with the hand of Your lovyng Cousin, Thomas Su[rrey].135.2 1045
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON135.3 To the right worshipfull and my right intierly welbelovyd counsellour, Sir John Paston, Knyght. 1491(?)
MARCH 27 Right worshipfull and right intierly welbelovyd councellour, Icommaund me hertely to you. And forasmoche as for certayne especiall causes moving, there be sessions appoynted to be holden at Gyppiswiche, the Friday sevenyght aftre Estre, which shall be the xv. day of Aprile, where I purpose then certaynly to be, and to have aswell the matere by twene Sir Edmounde Benyngfeld136.1 and Yelverton136.2 there to be harde and commenyd, as diverse othre grete maters in that contrey necessary to be had in comynycacion; Itherfor desire and pray you that ye fayle nat to be there the same day, bryngyng with you the forseide Yelverton, trusting that then suche direccion shall be takyn in that matere as can be thought resonable, and to the weale of the parties; nat doubting but that Sir Edmound Benyngfeld shall be there in like wise. And Almyghty God kepe you. Wretin at my castell of Hedingham, the xxvij. day of Marche. Oxynford. 135.3 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As ‘Friday se’nnight after Easter’ was the 15th April, Easter Day must have fallen on the 3rd in the year in which this letter was written. This would suit either 1491 or 1496. 136.1 Bedingfield. 136.2 William Yelverton, Sir John Paston’s brother-in-law, grandson of the Judge. 1046
HENRY VII. TO THE EARL OF OXFORD136.3 1491
APRIL 6 Ryght trusty and ryght welbelovyd cousyn, we grete yow well, &c. In that we desyer all the dogers [fishing smacks] of thos partes schuld have our licens to departe in the viage towardes Islond, as they have ben accustommyd to do yerly in tyme passyd, and that ye woll undertak they shall have with them no more quantites of graynes then woll only suffice for ther vitallyng and expensis; we late yow witte that owr fully interly belovyd cousyn the Kyng of Demarke hath showyd and compleynyd un to us by dyverse his letters, that when our subjectes come to the seid Islelond, beyng in hys obeissiance, they stelle, robbe, and exstorte his subjectes ther ageynse ryght and conciens. Wherfore, the seyd doggeres fyndyng sufficient surte be forne yow, such as ye will answer unto us, that they shall not have with them no graynes mo then shall only suffice for ther vitallyng, nor odyr thyng woth them that ys for bedyn, and that also they shall not in goyng, comyng, nor in ther beyng at the seyd Islond, take noo thyng but that they treuly pay or agre for, and frendly entrete our seyd cousyns subjectes withowth eny robbyng or exstartyng them in there bodyes ner goodys; we be content the seyd doggeres make ther viages thedyr at ther libertes, eny our wrytyng or comandment mad in to the contrary nat withstandyng; and ellys we woll that our restraynte of ther thedyr goyng stond styll in his strenthe and vertu. Yovyn ondir our signet, at our maner of Shene, the vjth day of Aprile. John Ver, Erle of Oxynford, Gret Chambyrleyn and Admirall of Ynglond, Viscount Bulbek, and Lord Skalys, to all them that this present writyng shall see or here, gretyng. And for asmuch as I late have recevyd the Kyng our Sovereyn Lords letters, beryng date the vjth day of this monyth of Aprile, accordyng to a copy of the same, signyd with myn hand, wiche my ritht trusty servant, John Rowe, Marchall of my Admyralite, hath for to showe; Know ye that I, the seyd Erle and Admirall, have assygned and deputyd my seyd servant to see our seyd Sovereyn Lordes lettyrs pleynly executyd acordyng to the tenure of the same, and by thys present wrytyng have yevyn to hym full autoryte and pouer to put undyr arest all such doggeres as be dysposyd to mak the viage towardes Islond, to such tyme as they have fownd surte afor me, accordyng to owr seyd Sovereyn Lordys comandment, for ther demenyng in the seyd viagys. Yovyn under myn signett and signee manuell the xth day of Aprile the vj. yere of the reygne of our seyd Sovereyn Lord Kyng Hery the vijth. our seyd Sovereyn Lord Kyng Hery the vijth.
final . missing or invisible 1047
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON138.1 To the right worshipfull and my right welbeloved Sir John Paston, Knyght. 1491(?)
JULY 31 Right worshipfull and right welbeloved, I comaunde me to you. And where as I late receyved your wrytyng, beryng date the xxvj. day of this present monthe, by the whiche I understand that one Richard Calle toke certeyne men of werre robbyng upon the coste there; and in somoche as I understand that they be under the obeissaunce of the Kyng of Denmarke, Iwolle and desyre you that ye delyver theym unto the seid Richard Calle to take his avauntage of theym as prisoners, seyng my dutee reserved in every thyng, as my trust is in you. And Almyghty God kepe you. Writen at my castell of Hedyngham, the last day of Jule. Oxynford. 1048
THE OLD AND NEW BAILIFFS OF YARMOUTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON138.2 To oure right reverent and worshipfull and special good maister, Maister Paston. 1491
[SEPT.] Right reverent and worshipfull sir, and oure veray lovyng and curteys good mayster, we recomaund us on to you in as feythefull wyse as on oure part aperteynith; and hertely we thanke you for your labour and letter, whiche ye sent to us be your servaunt, be the whiche we wer asserteynid of the Kynges pleasure, and to acomplyshe the same, we with the assistens of youre maistirship wyll put us in oure devoir. We were at your manoir of Castir to have sen your maistirshyp, but ye were departyd as well from Yermouth yistirday, as this day from Castre. We wold have ben joyous to have seen your maistirship, if our fortune so had ben. Sir, we be enfourmyd that ore old special good Lord of Oxford, in whom we founde as gret favour be the mediacion of your maystirship, as ever we had of any creature, as we have wryting to shewe, in recumpens of whiche at all tymes sethyn hise lordshyp hathe had our preyeris; and now we wold have waytid upon hise lordshyp, but your maystirship knowith well we may not be absent on Mychilmesse Day for dyverse consederacions. Wherfore we beseke your good maystirshyp, ye lyke of your jentilnesse, to recomaund us unto our seyd good lord, and to make our exkuse to hym, and to do hyse lordshyp [to be] presentyd with a porpeyse, whiche we send yow be the brynger of thys; and if we had any othyr deyntes to do hym a pleasure, we wold, that knowyth God, Whom we beseke of Hyse infenit mercy to preserve the Kyng our Soverayn Lord, and oure seyd good lord, and you, and all the frutys of you from all adversite. Youre loveres and bedmen, the old Baliffes of Yermouth, andthe newe Balyffes that now shalbe. 1049
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON140.1 To the right worshipfull and my right intierly welbelovyd counceillor, Sir John Paston, Knyght. About 1491(?)
OCT. 20 Right worshipfull and right intierly welbelovyd counceillor, Icomaund me to you. And where as I late have receyved your writing, wherby I.. . . ..the demeanyng of Richard Barkeley and his shipp as other, Ihave ta.. . . . . ..of hym to be redy at all tymes to answer to all suche thynges as can be l.. . . . . . ..he demeanyng. Iwoll therfor that ye suffre hym, his men and shippys,.. . . . . ..d as for a last of hering and an half, whiche I undirstond by hy.. . . ..of his, Iwoll that ye delyver hit to the countroller of my howshold. A.. . . . ..o put undyr suertie all suche hering so takyn or revid by the carveyll of.. . . . ..any other. And God kepe you. Wretin at Melford, the xx. day of Octobre. And where as I am enformyd that ye take hym nat for my servaunt, and so he ys noysed in the contrey ther, Iwoll that hit be knowin that I take hym as my servaunt, and so will do as long as I know no cause of the contrary. Oxynford. 1050
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON141.1 To the right worshipfull and my right intierly welbelovyd councellour, Sir John Paston, Knyght. About 1491(?)
OCT. Right worshipfull and right intierly welbeloved councellour, Icomaund me to you. And where as I undirstond, by your writing to me delyverid by this berar, the roborye and dispoyling of certayn Corvers of Holond and Selond, done by the shipp callyd the Foole, wherof Robert Spenser was maister, aswell in herryng, vitayle, and takelyng, as ye be enfourmyd by iij. personnys of the same shippe, and of th’entent and disposicion of the master and feleshyp of the same, whiche shewe, as ye write, that Barkeley, aswell with that shipp as with a prise that he hathe bought, late takyn of the Frenchemen, were disposid and determenyd to do myche harme, wherupon ye have indevorid you to breke the same; how be hit that the seid Barkeley hath be late with me, and found suertie in a Cli. to answer to all suche demeanyng, when he shall be callyd; and therupon I wrote to you to suffre hym, his men, and shippis to departe at libertie; yet nevyrtheless, concidering your large writing, Ican nat be content in my mynde to suche tyme as I may here bothe you and Barkeley to geder; willing therf[or that ye do] kepe the shippys and goodes in suertie, and to be with me your selfe.. . . . . ..well may, bringyng with you suche iij. personnys as have.. . . . . . ..certaynte of this mater; and so I have wretin to Barkeley.. . ..se to answer to the same. And God kepe you. Wretin. . . . . . .of Octobre. Also yf the be eny of the Duchemen. . . . . . . .any sute for ther gode, that ye then cause one of.. . . . ..to shewe and clayme ther owne. Oxynford. 1051
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON142.1 To the right worshipfull and my right welbeloved counceilour, Sir John Paston, Knyght. About 1491(?)
OCT. 28 Right worshipfull and right welbeloved counceilour, Icomaunde me to you. Certifieint you that I wolde have be right glad to have had you, the iij. persones that enformed you of Berkeleys demenyng, and Berkeley togeder, to th’entent that I myght have had ripe knowleche of their demenyng, to have shewed the Kynge at my comyng unto His Grace. Nevertheles, sith I understand by your late wrytyng, to me brought by the seid Berkeley the xxviij. day of this present monthe, beryng date the Monday next before Seynt Symond Day and Jude, that ther is nat so grete defaute in the same Berkeley as ye by your former writinges to me sent wend [thought] ther had be, and that the defaute, if eny be, is in one Spenser, maister of the shippe belongyng to the seid Berkeley, and that ye thynke also that such suretee as I have take of the same Berkeley is sufficient inogh, better or more than nedeth for that cause, and that in your mynde ye thynke he woll be of gode guydyng and demenyng in tyme comyng; Iwoll and desire you that ye delyver hym his shippes, men, and goodes, accordyng to my first wrytyng to you sent in that behalve. And Almyghty God kepe you. Writen at my castell of Hedingham, the xxviij. day of Octobre. Oxynford. 1052
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON143.1 To my righte trusty and righte welbelovyd counceillours, Sir Rauff Shelton and Sir John Paston, Knyghtes. Year uncertain Righte trusty and righte welbelovyd counceillours, Icomaunde me to you. And ffor as moche as one Thomas Charlys of Norwiche late hathe presentid unto me a bille of complaynte agaynste Symonde White, gentylman, dwellyng in Shotesham, shewing by the same suche wrongis as the saide Symonde hathe done and daily dothe to the saide Thomas, as by the saide bille, whiche I sende you with this, more playnely apperith; Itherfor desire and pray you that ye woll do calle the saide parties byfore you, and upon due examinacion had upon the mater conteyned in the saide bille, ye take suche direction as may acorde with righte and gode consciens, so as the saide Thomas Charlis heraftur have no cause to resorte to me complaynyng. And Almightie God kepe you. Writen at my castelle of Hedingham, the xv. daye of Septembre. Oxynford. 1053
WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON143.2 To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght. 1492
FEB. 18 Aftyr all dew recomendacion, lyke it yow to undyrstond that Syr Herry Heydon schewyd me that it is agreyd be Syr Edmond Bedyngfeld, that the mater betwyx hym and my brodyr Yelverton143.3 schalbe comynd at Norwyche, and there a dyreccion to be takyn in the same mater, mete for them bothe. Syr, the Kyng sendythe ordynaunce dayly to the see syde, and hys tentes and alys [pavilions] be a makyng faste, and many of them be made; and there is also grete provysyon made be gentylmen that scholde goo wythe Hys Grace for hors, harnese, tents, halys, gardyvyans [knapsacks], cartes, and othyr thynges that scholde serve them for thys jurney that the Kynge entendythe to take on hand, soo that belykelyod Hys Grace wolbe goyng sone upon Ester. And so I entende, aftyr that I here heaftyr, to goo to Caleys to purvey me of harneys, and suche thynges as I schall nede besydes hors, undyr that forme that my costes schalbe payd fore. Syr, I am as yet no bettyr horsyd than I was whan I was wythe yow, nor I wote not where to have none, for hors flesche is of suche a price here that my purce is schante [scarce] able to bye one hors; wherfor I beseche yow to herkyn [hearken] for some in yowre contre. Syr, my cosyn, John Heydon, tolde me that the Prior of Waburnes horse was rially amendyd, and that the Abott of Seynt Benetes schewed hym there was a bay hors of a persons nyght onto Seynt Benetis, and that the abot wolde gete hym for my cosyn Heydon at a resonable price. Syr, my cosyn, John Heydon, woll geve me hys entrest in that hors, if the abot have bowght hym, and so ye may lete the abot have knowlege; and if he have not bowght hym, Ibeseche yow sende to see hym, for I wote not how to do withowt yowre helpe aswell in horsyng of me as in other thynges. At the makyng of thys lettyr, I cannot acerteyn yow what person it is that owythe thys hors. If I can know, Iwolle send yow worde in a bylle I sende to Thomas Jullys be the berer herof. Syr, as towardes my jurney to Caleys, the whyche I entende [intended] to have tane at my laste beyng with yow, it was so, Iwas dysapoyntyd of Thomas Dey and an other man I scholde have had be hys menys, as ye have had knowlege of or now; and also I had went [thought] to have had folkys a mette with me at Hedyngham, whyche ded nott. My lorde,144.1 seyng me dysesyd, and also none otherwyse purveyd, wyllyd me in ony wyse to tary on tyl hys comyng to London, and sent myn excuse to my Lorde Dawbeney undyr thys forme how that I was sore disesyd; notwythestondyng I was welewyllyd to have come to fulfyll my promesse, but he cowde not sofyr me, seyng me soo dysesyd; and so my Lord Dawbeney was sory of my dysese and content that I taryd. Syr, I beseche yow to holde me excusyd for kepyng of Thomas Lynsted, yowr servaunt, and hym bothe. It is soo that he and I bothe have ben in hand with my unkyll145.1 for hys mater, and yett wee have hym at noo good poynt; but I troste we schall have. Syr, if I take thys jurney to Caleys, Imoste beseche yow to forbere hym lenger, and if I goo not to Caleys, thow I be lothe to forbere hym, yet I schall brynge hym with me schortly in to Norfolke, ye to have hym, if ye lyste, with the grace of God, Who have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at London, the xviij. day of February, with the hande of yowre pore brodyr, Wylliam Paston. Hys Grace for hors, harnese, tents,
text reads “or hors”: corrected from Fenn 1054
ROGER L’ESTRANGE TO SIR JOHN PASTON145.2 To the ryth worchypfull Syr John Paston, Knyth, be thys delyveryd. 1492
APRIL 16 Mastyr Paston, I recomawnd me to yow. Syr, so it is that I am not yet purveyd of men to my nowmbyr of archers, suych as chold go hovyr see with me; wer for, syr, Ibe ceche yow that it wold plese yow at thys tyme to do so mych for me as to a purveyd me of ij. or iij., such as ye thynk chold be for me. Syr, I undyrstond Syr Tery Robstertt lyth but lyttyll from yow, were, as I trow, he myde help me of j. by yowyr menys, and as for ther wages, they xall have the Kynges wages and some what elles, so that I trost that they xall be plessyd. Syr, Ibe cech yow to tak the peyne for me at thys tyme, and I xall do yow that servys that lyth in me, by the grace of Jesu, Ho preserve you. On Monday next aftyr Palme Sonday, by yowyr howne to hys pouyr, Roger Lestraunge. Syr, I be sech yow that thys byll may recomawnd me on to my lady,146.1 and I trost I xall a wayt on you sone on Estyr. 1055
WILLIAM BARNARD TO WILLIAM PASTON146.2 To his right wurchipfull master, William Paston, and Mr. Deryk dwellyng with my Lord of Oxinford, this lettir be delyvered in hast. About 1492 Right wurchipfull Maister William Paston, with myn good Lord of Oxinford, and myn welbelovyd Mr. Deryk, Irecomaund me on to you. And it is soo that I kepe a prisoner of my lordis to answer to William Greve, maryner of Gret Yermouth, the wiche he brought hym to me by my lordis auctorite of a warand from Bell Key; and the seid William Greve chargid me with his prisoner, named Phillyp Barbour, and chargid me with hym for xli., and so I kepe hym, and have kept hym this ij. yer and an half. And I have aftyr and many tymes askyd and requyred of the seid William Greve of mony for his bord, for he promysid and appoynted with me for every weke ijs., and I to take charge for to answer hym of hys prysoner aforseid; and so I have be chargith with hym ij. yeris and an half to my gret cost and charge, and nowh the seid William Greve intendith to pay me noon mony, butt he is a bowght to remeve the prysoner by a pryvy seall to abarre me from myn mony. Wher I am enformyd that noon prysoner of my lordis shuld nat be remevyd out of my lordis pryson, nor crafftid so out of pryson till he had answerd ther to seche causes as he lyth fore, and specially for alle suche costis and chargis as his kepar is charged for hym for his costis of exspensis; and that doon, Iwoll be redy to delyver hym to the seid William Greve [to] pay me for his costis as it shalbe demyd with reason. Besechynd and prayeng you bothen too to be so good ma[istris unto] me that ye woll shewe this mater on to my lord, and to knowe my lordis meend whedyr it shall please hym that I shall delyver hym by a pryvy seall in this causis or nay, for the bryngar herof is the prysoner. And if it be my lordis mend that the prysoner shall appere to that pryvy seall, that it woll plese my lord to be so good and gracyous lord on to the prysoner to send hym to his councell to London, to tendyr this mater for the pore prysoner, and to consydre the gret losse that the seid William Greve intendith to putto his servaunt William Barnard, marchall and kepar of [my] lordis gayle in Yermouth, and servaunt [to?] Robert Crowmer, depute for my lord in the partyes of Norffolk and Suffolk. Ishuld a browte up my silf, but we be now in gret besynes in kepyng of my lordis honorabyll courtis in Norffolk and Suffolk. Wretyn the last day of Aprill. By your, William Barnard, that I can or may. 1056
EDMUND PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON148.1 To the ryght wurshupfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyvered. Before 1493 Ryght wurshypfull Sir, I recomawnd me to zow. As zesterday I was with my cosyn Clere;148.2 he lythe at Borow, and my mastres hys wyveffe,148.3 be cause the plage reygnyth at Ormysby. And so of hys own mocyon he mevyd to me of the maryage of my nevew zour soon, and as glad foolkes woold be to bargayn as ever ze wyste, and soo hathe shewyd me that ze shuld have as myche as Sir E. Bedyngfelld, whyche was v. C. marke. Moore over he shewyd that he woold depart with it to Sir Roger T.148.4 or to Harry Colett, whyche he shewyd ze woold not of, but to have the mony at zour dysposyssyon; and me semys be hys report that he knowyth well that yf ze delle with Sir H.H.,148.5 he wyll be in a suerte that the mony that he shuld depart with shuld goo to the redemyng of zour landes, and other zowr dawngeres. More over he shewyd me that the mony whyche ze skyftyd of H. Colett was th[oug]ht be Sir Harry H. that Sir R. Townesend shuld have ben contentte with it, whyche is knowyn the contrary, and causyd hym to geve delay in that be halffe to zow. Iknow well this jantylman berythe zow as good mynde as any man alyve, my mastres hys mother,148.7 and allso my mastres hys wyve in lyeke wyesse; and me semys he makys not the dowghttes to delyver zow hys mony that other men do of the delyverye of thers. Foor trowthe, he shewythe me hys mynde, whyche is thus: yf ze wyll putt lande in feffement for zeres, to the full contentacyon of Townesend, Colett, and of my uncle, whyche he and all men thynke ze muste be charged to, or ever ze goo thorow, and that zour next frendes have the receyte of it tyll it be full contente and payed, thus, or suche a suer weye to be had for the well of all parteys, Idarre say he is not alyve wyll indevour hym with better wyll to deele with zow, and, as my mynde servys me, streytte hymsylffe, as it may be booryn, be syde my mastes hys modyrs v. C. My mastres hys wyffe, on my feythe I darr say, the moste harty body to zow wordes in this be halffe that is alyve, and the fayneeste body woold be to have it accomplyshyd. Syr, I thenke ze be to wardes London, and well I woot zowre mynde is to ease zour sylffe as hastely as ze may; Ipray God ze do to zour honur, and to zour moste well to gederys. Marchandes or new jantylmen I deme wyll proferr large; noon other dyspreysed, ze know the contynewance of this man, and how he is alyed. Well I woott yf ze depart to London, ze shall have proferes large; yf zour jornay be not but to ease yow in that be halfe, be my poor avyce slake for iij. or iiij. days, for ever me semys I shuld not have ben brokyn to so largely, but that they entende it hastely to say to zow. Sythe I was ther, Iundyr stande yf it had not happyd me to have seyne them as zester day, she wold this day have made her cowntenance to have seyn her nes, Bothas (?) dowter, wyche is at Pallynges for fere of the plage, and have comyn seyne [come and seen] my wyffve, and specyally to have de syrid us to meve zow towardes them, and in trowthe so she hasse. I pray God ze do as well to zour honur as I woold do my sylfe. Yf ze wyll tery thys lytell season be foor rehersyd, yf ze lyste, Iwoott well ze may have the mater moor largely comyned; and yf ze tary tyll Monday, Iwyll awayte on zow to Hynengham, with Godes grace, Who ever preserve zow and zours. Your, E. Paston. Footnote and tag 148.7
there is no note 148.6: numbering retained for cross-references 1057
SIR HENRY HEYDON TO SIR JOHN PASTON150.1 To myn ryght worchypfull cosyn, Sir John Paston, knyght. 1488-1492
MARCH 4 Cosyn Paston, I recommend me to you and wn to myne good ladie your wiff. As for your mater betwyx you and your wncle,150.2 I have shewid it soe to my ladie of Norffolk and to hym, that it is agreed yee to entre in to Marlyngford and all other maners in debate in your name, and to kepe your courtes, sell your wodis, and to doo therwith as with your own. Wherupon I avise you, as soone as ye may, send som discrete man to kepe your courtis and to lette your fermys and selle your wodis to your most avayll. Your presens theer shall bee costly, and what is bee heende in the fermourz or tenauntz handez sethyn the rekenyng last be ffor myne ladiez servauntz and yourz, that thei bee warnyd kurtesly to paie it by a day, except in ony wise I avyse you nat to make ony thretis to ony fermour or tenaunt, for ony dealing affor this tyme, but to gett in fayernesse till I speke with you; and in ony wyse that yee nor ony your servauntz have noon wordis in this mater, but that it is agreed bee myne ladie you to have your peasebill possession. And as for Huntingffeldis, as yee have beffore ocupyed, ocupie still without noyse. Ipray you folowe myne avise in this. Ihave hadde laubour, Itrust thorowe your cause it shall nat be in vain laboraverunt, and suffyr this bill hyddyr too to speke to your sellf in privite, and to noon other. How yee and myne ladie, and in what sylk or clooth yee will have these tweyn yong innocentis150.3 maried inne, iff it shuld bee purveyed at London to send me word, or ellys at Norwich, as it shall please you and myne ladie, ther after I shall applie me. For it must bee ordyrd be you in the yong husbondis name. Your penauns off your wncles mater shall yee knowe whan I kom hoome. Ther is non other meane but to sell your wodis and tymber in all your manors to your most avayll, except theere as it kan nat bee forborn for diverse causys. And iff you list to command mee ony thyng in these partyez, send me word be myn servaunt, berer heerof. Wretin the iiijth day off March. Your own to his powr, H. Heydon. 1058
SIR T. LYNG TO SIR JOHN PASTON151.1 To my rigth wurchypful master, Sir John Paston, Knyth, in hast. 1494
NOV. Memorandum, that thes be the namys that war mad Knytes of the Bath, the Thwrsday be for Alhalow Day. Fyrst, My Lord Herry, Duke of Yorke. My Lord Haryngton, Lord Marcas sun.151.2 My Lord Clyfford. My Lord Fyvaren. My Lord Dakyr of the Sowth. My Lord Strange. Lord Stranges sun. Sir John Arundell of the West. Sir Water Grefyth of Lonkaschyre. Sir Jarveys a Clyffton of Yorkechyre. Sir Roberd Harcorth of the West. Sir Edmund Trayford. Sir Herry Marney of Esexe. Sir Roger Newborow. Sir Raff Rither of Yorkechyre. Sir Thomas Bawd of Harforth chyre. Sir John Speke. Sir Houmfrey Fulford. Sir Roberd Lytton. Sir Pers Egecome. Sir Roberd Clere. Sir Thomas Fayrefaxe. Sir Richard Knythley. Sir Wyllem Cheke. Also Master Robert Southwell is Hey Schreve of Norffolke. Memorandum, that saforn is at xvjs. jli. the lowest price. Also, the Kynge and the Qwene went crowned on Halowmesse Day last; and my Lord of Schrewsbery bare my Lord Harry, Duke of Yorke, in hys harmys; and x. byschopis, with myters on ther hedes, goyng be for the Kyng that day rownd a bowt Westmynster Hawle, with many odyr gret astates. Sir, ther hath be so gret cownsell for the Kynges maters, that my Lord Chawnsler kept not the Ster Chawmber thys viij. days, but one day at London, on Sent Lenardes Day. Be yowre pore prest and servaund, Sir T. Lyng. The lowest pryse of saforn is xvjs. Item, the Knytes of the Bath. Item, the Knytes of the Schyre. Item, of recordes a yenst me. Syr, ther hath record a yenst me, Syr John Seyve, Vecry of Barton, John Anond, Richard Elwyn of Wytton, John Bowlond of Totyngton, sumnor, whech arne all forsworyn on the Crwsifyxe a yenst me. Sir Thomas Bawd of Harforth chyre
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THE CORPORATION OF YARMOUTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON153.1 To our right honorable and especyall good maister, Ser John Paston, Knyght, this letter be delyvered in hast. 1495
JULY 11 Right wurchipfull ser, we recomaund us onto your good maistership, sertefyeng you that Robart Albon of Yermouth with many more of our neybors, this Saterday arn comen hom from Caunterbury. And Robart Albon hath spokyn with the English captayns of the Kynges rebellys ther, part of theym that arn takyn; and Robart Albon and his company seith that ther wer takyn and slayn to the noumbre of vijxx., wherof were v. captayns, iiij. of them he named, oon Mounford, Whyght, Belt, and Corbett: he coude nott telle the fyfft capteyns name. And they told hym that they have apoynted to have a town of strength, for they wold an had Sandwich, and the countre had nott a resistid them. And so Belt seid on to Robart Albon he wyst weell that he was but a deed man, and for asmoche as he wist that he was of Yermouth, he shewid hym that they woll have Yermouth or they xall dye for it, as Robart seyth to us. And this is a mater of trewth, and therfore we desyre and pray your good maistership, that we may have your myghty help of ayde and socowr, and that it woll please you to comon with Maister Mayer of Norwiche, to meve hym of hys sokour, but in especyall that we may have your maistership amongs us, with suche strength of your good councell, as your maistership shall thynk most best for the Kynges pleasur, and for the sewyrtye of us alle; for we putt us in devyr to furnysh the town with all that we can doo, for we know noon oder but that they may be here by possybylyte this nyght or to morow att nyght at the ferdest. No more to you, but Jesu preserve you. Wretyn at Yermouth, in hast, this Saterday, the xj. day of July. Be your owyn, the Balyffes of Yermouth, with our Brethern and Comons of the same Town. 1060
ROBERT CROWMER TO SIR JOHN PASTON154.1 To my right especyall and syngler good maister, Ser John Paston, Knyght, this letter be delyvered. 1495
JULY 12 Wurchipful ser, I recomaund me on to you. Maister Balyffes, with alle myn Maisteris of the town of Yermouth, thankith you hartilly, and trustyng feythfully of your ayde and comford at neede; and if any suche cause happith with us, they woll feythfully send you word in all the hast possyble, up on the syght of the shippis. Ser, ferdermor, ther is a ship of our town come hom from Seint John of Amyas, and he seyth that on Seint Thomas Day154.2 ther came to Seint Wallrens,154.3 in Normandie, an hoye of Dorderyght, with viij. horsis, with many saddilles and brydilles; ther in wer viij. or ix. Englysh men, the wiche toke the shippes boot, and went on lond at Staplis,154.4 and arn renne a wey up in to the cuntre. And the Admiralles Depewty sesonyd the ship and hors, and all that they found ther in, to the Kyng our soverayn Lordes behooff; and the Duche men were leyde in pryson. This is a mater of trowth, for William Carre of our town, maryner, and oder of our town, see this doon in deed. And as for the shippes with the Kynges rebellars, they be furth out of Cambyr155.1 westwards; whyder they be, thei can not sey, but the Duche men seid to William Carre that they trustid on one man shuld help them with many men. Thes is suche tydynges as the Amyas men brout hom. Ser, if it woll please your maistership that ye myght have leyser, I desyre and pray you to come sporte you, and to see how weell we have appareld and furnyshid our town, Iwold be right gladd, and I trust to Almyghty God that it wold please your maistership right weell, and with your betyr advyce we woll doo more to our power, that knowith God, the wiche Lord preserve you. Wretyn at Yermouth, on Relyk Sonday.155.2 By your servaunt, Robart Crowmer. 154.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter refers to the dispersion of Warbeck’s fleet after the attempt at Deal. It would appear, as Fenn remarks, that on receipt of the preceding letter Sir John had promised aid to the town of Yarmouth, for which promise they here return thanks. The handwriting of this letter is the same as that of the last. 154.2 The Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas Apostle, 3rd July. 154.3 Qu. St. Vallery? 154.4 Etaples. 155.1 The point called the Camber, near Rye. 155.2 Relic Sunday is the third Sunday after Midsummer Day, and fell on the 12th July in 1495. 1061
ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO SIR WILLIAM KNIVET AND OTHERS155.3 To my ryght entyerly and welbelovid frendes, Sire William Knevette, Sire John Paston, Sire Robert Clere, Knyghtes, the Kynges Attorney, Phelippe Calthorpe, Richard Suthwell, Squyers, and to yche of theym. Elizabeth, Duchesse of Norffolk. 1495
SEPT. 14 Right entyerly welbelovyd frendys, I comaunde me to you. And for as moche as I understande that Sire Harry Grey, that is the verry owner and possessioner of the maner of Ketryngham, is nowe in gret age, and as it is seide, of right seekely disposicion, and that after his deceasse the right and title therof shall of right belonge to my right welbelovid servaunt Thomas Martyn, and his nevewe and heyre of blood, and his eyre therof by reason of entaylys:—What the seid Sire Harry entendith to do therin, Iknowe not, but it rennyth in reporte, that he is in purpose to disherite the seid Thomas Martyn therof, contrary to all right and good conscience. In eschuenge wherof, Idesire and pray you as hertely as I can, that it wull leeke you to be so good maistyrs to the seid Thomas as, by your wisdams and discrecion, the seid Sire Harry, by you or some of you, may be moved of conscience and of kyndenesse to his blood to have regard to the seid right, and not to do eny thyng that shuld be disheryson to his seid nevewe, and to have the more tender consideracion to your mocion, for that the seid Thomas is to dyverse of you of kynne and aliaunce, and to many other gentilmen within the shere in leeke cas. And for the consideracion that I have, that the seid Sire Harry and Thomas his nevewe, were of my lordes nere blode, whoes soule Jesu pardon and assoyle, it were to gret a pete to see hym by disheryson to falle to penury and poverte, wher by your good exortacion in consideracion of the premissis, and mo odir by your wisdamys to be remembred, in the lif of the seid Sire Harry suche inconveniences may be better remadyed; wherin ye shall not only do an almas dede, and a gret pleasir to God, but also to me for that blodes sake a singuler pleasir, and cause me heraftir therather to considir thynge that shall concerne your resonabill pleasir, with Goddes grace, Who ever kepe you. At Erle Soham, this xiiijne day of Septembyr. 1062
WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON157.1 To my most special good father, Ser John Paston, Knyght. About 1495(?) After most humbyl wyse of recommandacion, in my most lovyngly wyse, Ibeseche yow of your dayly blyssyng, showyng yow that I am at Ser John Fortescu place, be cause they swet so sor at Cambryge. Also I shew yow that Mr. Thomas Clark ys desessyd, hows sowle God have mercy. Also, I beseche yow that ye wol se a remedy for the comun of Snaylwel, for the Bayly of Snaylwel and on of your fermors war with my tutor and me, and sheuyd me that all the comun shuld a be takyn away butt for Mr. Cotton and the Vecur of Fordan,157.2 hom I beseche yow to thank. Fro Pamsborow.157.3 Be your most humbyl servaunt, William Paston. 1063
MARGARET, COUNTESS OF RICHMOND, TO ——158.1 By the Kynges Moder. Between 1497 and 1503 Trusty and right welbeloved, we greet you well. And wher by the meanes of our trusty and right welbeloved Sir Reynold Bray, Sir Thomas Lovell, and Sir Henry Heydon, Knights, there was a full agreement made and concluded, and also put in writinge, betwen our trusty and right welbeloved Sir John Savile, Knight, and Gilbert Talbot, Esquier, on th’one partie, and yow on th’other, for divers lands which they ought to have in the right of their wives, daughters and heyers to William Paston, Esquier, their late fader deceassed, which lands ye by mighty power kepe and withholde from them without any just title, as they afferme; and albeit the said agrement was made by your minde and consent, yet ye ne doe performe the same, to our merveile, if it be so. Wherefore we desier and also counsell yow without delay upon the sight hereof now shortly to ride to the court to the said arbitrators, now ther being, with whom ye shall finde your adverse partie, or other in their names fully authorized, to abide such final ende and conclusion in the premisses as shall be consonant with the said agrement, without further troubles or busines therin hereafter to be had; and that ye will thus do in any wise, so as we be not driven (through your defalte) to put to our hands for further remedye to be had in the premisses. Yeven under our signet at our manner of Colly Weston, the xth day of February. 1064
ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO SIR JOHN PASTON159.1 To my right welbeloved frende, Sire John Paston, Knyght. Elizabeth, Duches of Norffolk. 1497(?)
FEB. 28 Icommaunde me to you, thankyng you as hartely as I can for your labour and substancyall serching owte of Thomas Martynz matyr, preing you of contenuance, and of your best advyse therin, how he shall breke the mater so as, by your helpe and wysdam, a frendely comunycacion may be hadde, so as the mater may be had in examynacion by suche gentylmen as shalbe named by th’assent of bothe parties, suche as tendyr and love the wele of bothe parties, and also the pees and tranquyllyte of the cuntre, and love to eschewe variaunce and parties in the cuntre, wherin ye shall not only do a greete pleasure to me, but a grete dede of charyte for the profight and ease of both parties, and also a pleasure to God, Who have you in keping. At Erle Soham lodge, this xxviij. day of February. N. E. N. 1065
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON AND ANOTHER160.1 To my right trusty and right welbel[oved Sir] John Paston, Knyght, and Sir.....Knyght,.. ..of them. 1499
AUG. 20 Right trusty and welbeloved councellours, Icomaunde me to you. And where the Kinges Grace is lately acerteinyed that Th’Erl of Suffolk is departid owt of this his Realme, Hys Grace hath commaundid me to wryte unto you that ye incontynent uppon the sight of this my writing endeovour you to enquyre aswell of such persones as be departid over with the seid Erle as of theim that accompanyed hym in his repayre to the see, and retornyd ageyn, or in any wyse were prevy to the same, and theruppon, in as goodly hast as ye kan, to put them and every of them in suertie savely to be kept, and therof t’acerteyn me, to th’entent ye maye knowe his ffurther pleasure in the same. And if ye shall at any tyme herafter perceyve any suspect person nyghe unto the see costes which shall seme unto you to be of the same affynyte, than His Grace will that ye put them in lyke suertie. And Almighti God have you in His keping. Written at Gaddishill, in the Ile of Wight, the xxti daye of August. Oxynford. 1066
HENRY VII. TO SIR JOHN PASTON161.1 To our trusty and welbeloved knight, Sir John Paston. By the Kinge. 1500
MARCH 20 Trusty and welbeloved, we grete yow well, letting yow wete that our derest cousins, the Kinge and Queene of Spaine, have signified unto us by their sundry letters that the right excellent Princesse, the Lady Katherine, ther daughter, shal be transported from the parties of Spaine aforesaid to this our Realme, about the moneth of Maye next comeinge, for the solempnization of matrimony betweene our deerest sonne the Prince and the said Princesse. Wherfore we, consideringe that it is right fittinge and necessarye, as well for the honor of us as for the lawde and praise of our said Realme, to have the said Princesse honourably received at her arriveall, have appointed yow to be one amonge others to yeve attendance for the receivinge of the said Princesse; willinge and desiringe yow to prepare yourselfe for that intent, and so to continue in redynesse upon an houres warninge, till that by our other letters we shall advertise yow of the day and time of her arrivall, and where ye shall yeve your said attendance; and not to fayle therin, as ye tender our pleasure, the honor of yourselfe, and of this our foresaid Realme. Yeven under our signet at our manner of Richmount, the xxty day of Marche. 1067
RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON162.1 To the right reverent and honurable, my master, Sir John Paston, Knyght. Before 1503 Plesitht it your mastership to remembre, Ishewyd onto you in Lente that I had bought Baktons place. Sir, it is so that John Bakton graunted to John Trovy hes sone in lawe, hes mese with all the londes and tenements, &c., takyng of the seide John Trovy viij. marke of annuyte yerly, terme of hes lyf; wherupon endenture were made and a state delyverd. Upon the weche I bargeyned with Trovy, payng to hym for hes parte c. marke and x., wherof he hadde in hande iiijli. vjs. viijd. and xvli. xiijs. iiijd. shulde be payd at such tyme as I had a lawfull astate, weche was apoynted before Michelmes last past; weche is not yet done. Wherfore he hath forfeted an obligacion of xlli. that he was bounde in to me for the same astate; ther was no defaute in me, for my money was there redy. And, sir, in the same weke after your mastership departed out of this contre, Bakton and the seide Trovy come to Bakton, and sent for me, and there were we appoynted for the same bargeyn and accorded, wenynge to me and to all tho that were there it had ben fully concl[uded].....my suertes and for all other thynges. And sodenly Bakton departed hem be the avice of [the Prior of Bro]mholme, and John Bowle and other, weche meved Bakton that I shulde not have my bargein; and so they entende to putte me from my bergein. And master Fitzlawes, Kn[i]ght, of Esex, hath sent me a letter, weche I sende you closed herin; and at hes enstaunce I have graunted Trovy an ende for vjli. and my iiijli. vjs. viijd., and my costes that I have done on the place, weche with these mony and costes drawith xijli. If I may have all thes money payd onto me within xiiij. dayes after Cristemas, Iwol take non avauntage of the obligacion, weche Trovy is bounde to me. Isuppose Mr. Lawes woll speke to you of thes mater. Ibeseche you that ye wol be goode master to me herin, for I am lothe to be putte from my bergein. Iam in suerte there is no man wol geve so moche for it as I wolde, and they nede not to fere them of ther payment, for I ofer them iiij. suertes, the worste of them is worthe all the lande; yet Bakton mystrustes me, and nede not. If I had it, Iwolde truste to make it a goode thynge, for ther is moche thynge ther by that myght be had in to it, weche causeth me to be the more desirous to it. Ishewe your mastership the previte of my mynde, trustynge ye wolbe good mastre to me, and I shal pray to God for you and for all youres. Wreten at Felmyngham, the Saterday next before Sein Marteyn. Be your servaunt, R. Calle. 1068
ABSTRACT163.1 [Richard Calle] to [Sir John Paston?] Year uncertain Reminds him that four or five years ago he received from the writer ‘certain wainscoat’ and certain fish for his household, a hogshead of wine, spars, ‘clapholt,’ etc. in full discharge of all former debts. Will always be ready to repay what his correspondent has paid for him to the King. Received of him a millstone, price £3, for which Calle gave a ryall in earnest, and delivered 1 quarter cod to Philip Loveday. Iam grateful for the pains taken by ‘your mastership’ on my account, etc. [The handwriting of this letter seems to be that of Richard Calle, but much older looking than that of most of his letters. As there is no distinct evidence of date, we place it after another letter of his, which seems to be late.] 1069
SIR JOHN KENDAL TO SIR JOHN PASTON164.1 To the right worshipful and my right entierly welbeloved cosin and frende, Sir John Paston, Knight. Before 1503 Right worshipfull sir, I recommaunde me unto you. Iwryte this onely unto you, to advise you that I was mynded that my cousin Clippesby,164.2 berer herof, shuld wele have maryed here in thies partes, wherin your nyce164.3 toke hevy conceyte, thinking in hir mynde, that I was not willing that my said cousin shulde marye with hir. At that tyme I knewe not what love was bitwix them, but now I undrestand that bothe there myndes is to mary to geders; wherunto on my parte, Iam agreble and wel content, desiring and praying you to be the same, and to be the better frende unto them at this my prayer and instaunce. And what pleasir as I may doo unto you in thies partes shal be redye, in that I may, at your desires. And I pray you to recommaunde me to my cousin your nyce. And Jesu preserve you. Writen at London, the first day of Juyn. Your own, the Priour of Saint Johns, Sir John Kendal. 1070
MARGARET, COUNTESS OF OXFORD, TO SIR JOHN PASTON165.1 To my right trusty and hertely wilbilovede sone, Sir John Paston, Knyght. Year uncertain Right trusty and hertely wilbiloved sone, Irecommennde me to you, and send you Godes blyssynge and myn. And where oon John Malpas my olde servaunt, brynger herof, hath purchacede a writt directede to you and othre Justices of Peace in the shires of Norffolk and Suffolk, and also to the Sheryff of the same, for to put hym in pessible possescion in such certayn landes of his, accordynge to the Kynges writt; Ipray you therefor hertely, and of my blyssynge charche you that at this my pour request and desir ye wole pute you in your faythfull devoir with othere Justaces associete with you, to see the execuscion doon and performyede accordynge to the saide writt. And Almyghty God evere more preserve you, my nown dere sone. Writene in my lordes castell of Hethyngham, the xv. day of January. Margret Oxynford. And Almyghty God evere more preserve you, my nown dere sone.
spacing unchanged 1071
SIR JOHN PASTON TO WILLIAM PASTON AND RICHARD LIGHTFOOTE166.1 To my brother William Paston and my cosyn Richard Lightfoote, and to iche of theym. 1503 Mastyrs bothe, I recomand me to yow, and send yow closid herin a booke of the seying of dyvers folkis, whiche testyfiee ayenst Thomas Rutty and other. Iprey yow shewe it to my lordys166.2 good lordshepe, and that I may know hys plesur ferther in as hasty wyse as may be, that I may ordre me ther aftyr. Ihad gret labore to come by the woman that was in servyse with Rutty, whiche sie [saw] all ther conversacyons many yeris. She is now in servyse with Richard Calle. And I have Thomas Bange in prison at Norwyche with the Shrevys of Norwych. The woman seythe he is as bold a theffe as eny is in Ingland; but he wyll nowghte confesse, nor I handelyd hym not sore to cause hym to confesse. But and Ruty knewe that he and the woman be in hold, and hathe told talis, Ithynke it wyll cause Rutty to shewe the pleynesse. Clerk and Roger Heron are endightid at this sessyons at Norwyche, last holdyn on Twysday last past, for robbing of the pardoner; and so is Rotty and all his felawshepe that the woman hathe apechid. According to hir apechement, Raff Taylour is over the see; Robert Fenne is dede; John Baker and William Taylour ar yett untakyn. If my lord send for T. Bange or the woman, some of my lordis servauntes had need to come for theym; for I can not do in the cause for lake of men and horse, for my wyff ridith this next week in to Kente, to the wydow, hir doughtir Leghe. And as for Ramesey, liek a prowde, lewde, obstynat foole, he wyll not come befor my brothe[r] Sir R. Clere, nor me, but he seythe he wyll be with my lord hastyly, and shewe hys mynde to his lordshepe, whiche I beleve not. The substancyall marchantys of Norwyche hathe shewid ther myndys to my brother Sir R. Clere and me that he entendith to William Bayly gret wronge in his reknynges. 1072
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON167.1 To the right worshipfull and my right entierly welbelovyd Sir John Paston, Knyght. After 1503? Right worshipfull and right intierly belovyd, Icommaund me hartely to you. And where as your broder William, my servaunte, ys so troubelid with sekenes and crasid in his mynde, that I may not kepe hym aboute me, wherfor I am right sory, and at this tyme sende hym to you, prayng especially that he may be kepte surely and tendirly with you, to suche tyme as God fortune hym to be bettyr assurid of hym selfe and his myndes more sadly disposid, whiche I pray God may be in shorte tyme, and preserve you longe in gode prosperite. Writen at my place in London, the xxvj. day of Juyn. Oxynford. 1073
THE EARL OF OXFORD’S STEWARD TO THE ‘BLACK KNIGHT’168.1 Sinescallus Comitis OxoniÆ Nigro Militi. Non decet Sinescallo tam magni Comitis Ut Comes OxoniÆ verbis in Anglicis Scrittere epistolas, vel suis in nuncijs Aliquid proponere si non in Latinis. Igitur ille pauperculus prÆdicti Comitis Magnus Sinescallus magni Comitatis Nuncupatur Norff. Latinis in verbis Apud Knapton in curia in forma Judicis. Tibi nigro militi salutem, et omnibus Notifico, quod Langdon ille homunculus Nullam pecuniam liberare vult gentibus, Quod est magnum impedimentum nostris operibus. Idcirco tibi mando sub poena contemptus, Quod tu indilate proprijs manubus Scribas tuas lettras, quod ille homunculus Copiam pecuniÆ deliberet gentibus. Sin autem per littras has nostras patentes Ego et operarij, qui sunt consentientes Omnes una voce promemus suos dentes Nisi liberet pecuniam, cum simus egentes. Teste meipso apud Knapton prÆdicta, Est et michi testis Maria Benedicta, Quod vicesimo die Julij non inde relicta Erat summa solidi, res hÆc non est ficta. 1074
EAST BECKHAM169.1 1503
FEB. 6 Where Sir John Paston and Roger Townesende have agreed and promysed to obey as we, Jamys Hobart and John Yaxley will devyse for the varians of the maner of Estbekham: We devyse and a warde that Sir John Paston shall have the seid maner to hym, and to his heires; and he therfor shall paye to the seid Rogyr xlli. at Pentecoste nexte, and at Halowmesse nexte aftyr that xlli., and at Pentecoste next aftyr that xxli.; and the same Syr John shall have the arrerages of the seid maner. And if the seid Sir John refuse to have the maner, then the seid Rogyr to have the same maner, with the arrerages as is a forseid, payeng to the seid Sir John the seid Cli. at the dayes aforseid; and the seid Syr John to geve answer which he will chose the viij. daye of this moneth. Yevyn the vj. daye of Februarii, anno R. R. H. vij. xviijo. And all this to be perfurmyd and put in surte after our avise. And we devise that he that shall have the land, shall paie to th’ other at Halwemes come twelvemonyth, ten mark, besides the seid Cli., because th’arrerages have ben long in the tenauntes handes. John Yaxlee.
Jamys Hobart. 1075
ARCHBISHOP WARHAM TO WILLIAM PASTON170.1 To my cousyn Master William Paston. 1503
SEPT. 6 Cousyn Paston, I recommaunde me unto you, and have received your letter, by the which I have undrestand of the deth of my cousyn your fadre, whose soule Jesu assoile. Iwol counsaile and exhorte you to take it as wel and as paciently as ye can, seeyng that we al be mortal and borne to dey. And where as ye desire to have a letter ad colligendum, after myne advise ye shal doo wel to be here with me at Michaelmas next commyng, and at your then commyng I shalbe glad to doo you the best confort and helpe that I can; counsailing that ye in the meane tyme doo not entremedyll in any wise with th’admynystring of any parte of your faders goodes, nor with the receiving of his debtes, for divers causes, as at your comyng hudre ye shal knowe more. The meane season, loke that ye be of as confortable chere as ye can, exhorting my lady, your modre in lawe,170.2 to be in like wise, to whom I pray you to have me recommendyd. Thus fare ye hertily wel. From London, the vjth day of Septembre. Your, William, Electe of London. 1076
JOHN KENDAL TO [WILLIAM PASTON?]171.1 1503, or later (?) Your pore servaunt and bedeman, John Kendale, be secheth your good and gracious masterschepp, at the reverence of God and in the wey of charyte, to remembre that my maister your fader, on whos soule God have mercy, had fro me x. acres of free londe that I bout of the executours of Nicholas Pekeryng of Filby for xx. marc paid on j. day, to pay to executours of Edmonde Norman for purchase of ij. partes of Holm Halle, somtyme Edmonde Norman. Also my seide maister, your fader, had fro John Kendale the croppe of the seide x. acres londe, sowen with barly and peson, wherof v. acres were weel somerlayde171.2 to the seid barly, the whiche croppe the seide John Kendale schulde a made worth to hym iiijli. xiijs. iiijd., althow ther had be but xx. quarteres barly growyng on viij. acres and half of londe, that is to seyn up on an acre ij. quarter, iiij. busshelz, and the half acre in avayle, besyde j. acre and an half of peson, for the seide John Kendale solde his malt at Ormesby mad of the barly growyng the same yer that the foreseid croppe was taken fro hym, for iiijs. viijd. a quartere; and so he myght a solde the same and meche more if he had had it. Also my seid maister, your fader, hath caused the foreseid John Kendale to a foreborne the ferme of the seide x. acres of londe be the space of ix. yer, be the yer xvjs. & viijd., that is, the ferme of j. acre xxd., wherof the somme conteyneth vijli. xs. beside j. yer receyved of Hagh.172.1 1077
ABSTRACT172.2 1504
DEC. 10 Receipt given by Thomas Bradbury, alderman of London, to William Paston, Esq. of Norfolk, 10th Dec. 1504, for £5 in full payment of half a year’s rent. 1078
WILLIAM MAKEFYRR TO DARCY AND ALYNGTON172.3 To the ryght worschypfull Master Roger Darsy and Master Gylys Alyngton, beyng at the Jeorge, in Lumberd Strett, be thys delyveryd in hast. 1506
JAN. 17 Ryght worschypfull masters, I recomend me un to you, certyfying you that the Kynges Grace and the Kyng of Castyle mett this day at thre of the cloke, apon Cleworth Greyn, ij. mylle owt of Wyndesower, and ther the Kyng reseyvyd hym in the goodlyest maner that ever I sawe, and ech of them enbracyd oder in armys. To schew you the Kynges aparell of Yngland, thus it was:—hys hors of bay, trappyd with nedyll warke; a gown of purpuyr velvyt, a cheyn with a joerge of dyamondes, and a hood of purpuyr velvyt, whych he put not of at the mettyng of the seyd Kyng of Castylle; hys hatt and hys bonett he avalyd, and the Kyng of Castylle in cas lyke. And the Kyng of Castyll rod apon [a] sorellyd hoby, whych the Kyng gave un to hym; hys apparell was all blak, a gown of blak velvytt, a blak hood, a blak hatt, and hys hors harnes of blake velvytt. To schew you of the Kynges company, my Lord Harry of Stafforth173.1 rod in a gown of cloth of tuyssew, tukkyd, furryd with sabulles, a hatt of goldsmyth worke, and full of stons, dyamondes, and rubys, rydyng apon a sorellyd courser bardyd with a bayrd of goldsmythes wark, with rosys and draguns red. And my Lord Markas173.2 rydyng apon a bald sorelyd hors, with a deyp trapper full of long tassels of gold of Venys, and apon the crowper of hys hors a whytt fedyr, with a cott apon hys bak, the body goldsmyths wark, the slevys of cremysyne velvyt, with letters of gold. My Lord of Kent173.3 apon a sorelyd hors, bald, the harnes of Venys gold, with a deyp frynges of half zerd of lengh. My Lord of Kent cott was on barr of cloth of gold, an oder of cremysyn velvyt, pyrlyd with a demy manche cut of by the elbowe. Thyes be the lords that bare the bruyt. Sir Hew Waghan apon a bay hors trappyd with cremysyn velvyt full of gylt bels, a gown of blak velvyt, and a cheyn of gold, bawdryk wys, worth v. hondreth pownd. Thys be the sperys: Master Sant John apon a blak hors, with harnes of cloth of gold with tasselles of plunkytt and whytt, a cott of plunkytt and whytt, the body of goldsmyths werk, the s[l]evys full of spanguls. John Carr and William Parr cotts lyke, the horsys gray, of Parr trappyd with cremysyn velvyt with tasselles of gold, and bels gylt. Carr hors bay with an Almayn harnes of sylver, an ynch brod of betyn sylver, both the cottes of goldsmythes wark the bodys, the slevys on stryp of syllver, the oder gylt. Edward Nevell apon a gray hors trappyd with blak velveyt full of small belles, hys cott the on half of greyn velvyt, the oder of whytt cloth of gold; thyse to the rutters of the spers, with oder dyvers well appontyd. On the Kyng of Castylles party, the Lord Chamberlayn cheyff, I can not tell hys name as yett; hys apparell was sad, and so was all the resydeu of hys company with clokes of sad tawnye blake, gardyd, sum with velvyt and sum with sarsnyt, not passyng a dosyn in nowmber. It is sayd ther is many by hynd, wych cums with the Queyn of Castyll, wych schall cum apon Teyusday. When the Kyng rod forth to Wyndesouer Castyle, the Kyng rode apon the ryght hand the Kynges of Castylle, how be it the Kynges Grace offeryd hym to take hym apon the ryght hand, the whych he refussyd. And at the lyghtyng the Kyng of Castylle was of hys hors a good space or owr Kyng was a lyght; and then the Kynges Grace offeryd to take hym by the arm, the whych he wold not, bot toke the Kyng by the arme, and so went to the Kynges of Castylle chamber, whych is the rychestly hangyd that ever I sawe; vij. chambers to geder hangyd with cloth of arras wroght with gold as thyk as cowd be; and as for iij. beds of astate, no kyng Crystyned can schew sych iij. Thys is as fer as I can schew you of this day, and when I can know mor, ye schall have knowlege. From Wyndesouer this Saterday, at v. of the cloke. By yours, William Makefyrr. 172.3 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter gives an account of the meeting of Henry VII. and Philip, King of Castile, near Windsor, during the time when the latter was detained in England in the beginning of the year 1506. It is well known how after setting out from the Low Countries to take possession of his kingdom of Castile, Philip met with a storm, and was driven to land on our coast, and how, on hearing of it, Henry invited him to visit him at his Court, where he staid for some time while the damage done to his fleet was being repaired. 173.1 Henry, Earl of Stafford, eldest son and heir of Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, who was attainted and beheaded in 1521. 173.2 Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, was the son of Thomas, the late Marquis, who was the son of Elizabeth, Queen of Edward IV. by her first husband, Sir John Grey of Groby. This nobleman in the next reign became Lord of the Marches between England and Scotland, which he stoutly kept and boldly maintained. He died in 1530, 22 Hen. VIII.—F. 173.3 George Gray, Earl of Kent, was a true soldier to, and a favourite of Henry, and survived this pageant a very short time, dying within the year.—F. Master Sant John apon a blak hors, with harnes of cloth of gold
text has “withh arnes” 1079
AN INVENTORY175.1 | James Gloys, j. dongge,175.2 | iijs. | | | | Item, a coverlete, | vs. | | | Item, ij. blankettes, | vjs. | viijd. | | Item, ij. pare of shettes, | xs. | | | Item, a sellore,175.3 | | xijd. | | Item, a rosour, | | viijd. | | Item, v. shertes, | viijs. | | | Item, j. roset cape, | | iiijd. | | Item, iiij. gownes, | xxvjs. | viijd. | | Item, a curt baron, | | xld. | | Item, iij. gyrdylles, | | vjd. | | Item, iij. payre of hossen, | vjs. | | | Item, j. song boke, pris | | xxd. | | Item, j. dowbelet of fustian, | iijs. | iiijd. | | Item, j. grene cotte, | ijs. | | | Item, ij. payre schone, | | xiiijd. | | Item, j. box with j. porse of cloth of gold, | | xld. | | Item, j. crosse silver, | | xld. | | Item, j. sawtere, | vjs. | viijd. | | Item, j. premere, | ijs. | | | Item, j. boke of statutis, | | xld. | | Item, j. boke of vitas Patrum, | ijs. | | | Item, j. purs in the bedstraw with | xxs. | | | Item, j. boke of xij. chapetyrs of Lynccoln, and a boke of safistre,175.4 | xs. | | | Item, vj. steyned paperis, | | xijd. | | Item, ij. scochenes, | | viijd. | | Item, a swerd, pris | vjs. | viijd. | | Item, a towayle, | | xd. | | Item, a supersedyas of Gloys, Osborn and Snallewell. | | | | Item, a bleu gown of William Tavernerys, | xs. | | | Item, a blake cloke, | vjs. | | | Item, a bottell for wine of a potell, | | xijd. | | Item, a peyre of tabille of horne and box, | | xvjd. | | Item, a confessionall, | ijs. | | | Herre Boll, a dongge, | | xld. | | | Item, a traunsom, | ijs. | | | Item, a paire of schettis, | iiijs. | | | Item, a blanket, | iijs. | | | Item, a coverlet, | ijs. | | | Item, a pillow of down, | | xijd. | | Item, ij. curteynes, | ijs. | | | Item, gownes, | xs. | | | Item, a dowblet of fostian, | | xld. | | Item, iij. schertes, | vs. | | | Item, a towayle, | | viijd. | | Item, a blake hod, | ijs. | | | Item, ij. cofforys stuffet, | ijs. | | | Unde, j. was sprwys chyst with, | xxs. | | | Item, j. clasp of sylver, | | xijd. | | Item, of payse money, | | xijd. | | Item, ix. ferthynges, | | ijd. | ob. | | Item, a lytyll chyst, | | vjd. | | | Item, ij. pors with, | ijs. | vijd. | ob. | | Item, iiij. rynges, | iijs. | | | | Item, a box with bedys, qwere of ij. payre of jett, with Paternosterys of corall, | | xld. | | Item, a poyre of jett, pris | | xijd. | | Item, v. payre of box, | | xd. | | Item, a payre of ambre, | | xviijd. | | Item, a purs of welwet, | | viijd. | | Item, iij. payre of knyffes, | | xd. | | Item, a payr of hernishede knyffes, | | xijd. | | Item, v. napettes, | | vd. | | Item, iij. hedkercheffes, pris | | xijd. | | Item, a box with sylke and perryll, | iijs. | | | Item, a powche of rosset damaske, | | xxd. | | Item, a payre of gold weghtes in a case, | ijs. | | | Item, a broch of sylver with a crown, | | xvjd. | | Item, a payre of beddes of segamore, | | iiijd. | | Item, a box of tene with sylver wire. | | | Item, iij. new gyrdyll, pris | | ixd. | | Item, in the second coffer was bokes, pris | | xvjd. | | | Item, a boke of Seynt Thomas de Veritatibus, pris | xs. | | | Item, a red boke with Hugucio and Papie, | xxs. | | | Item, iij. bokes of soffistre, | | xxd. | | Item, maney other smale bokes, | xs. | | | Item, iij. cappis, | | xd. | | Item, a surplice, | | xld. | | Item, iij. letterys of pardon, | xs. | | | Item, a stevynyd177.1 clothe, a crucifix, | | xxd. | | Item, a payre of dowbyll glovys, furredde with lambe, | | vjd. | | Item, ij. payr of hosson, | vs. | | | Item, a combe of veveri,177.2 | | vjd. | | John Osborn, a cott of rosset, pris | iijs. | iiijd. | | | Item, a stomaucher of a zerd of gode new hollond clothe, | | xd. | | Item, iiij. payre of sokkes, pris | | viijd. | | Item, ij. payre of lyncloys, | | viijd. | | Item, ij. payre of hossen, | iiijs. | | | Item, a payre of schone, | | vijd. | | Item, a payre schettes, | iiijs. | | | Item, iij. gyrdyll, | | ixd. | | Jamus Halmon, iiij. schettes, | xs. | | | | Item, ij. schertis and a quarter of lynclothe, | | ijs. vjd. | | Item, a pelow bere, | | vjd. | | Item, ij. payre of sockes, | | iijd. | | Item, a gown furret with blake lom, | xs. | | | Item, a payre of cremessen hossen, | iijs. | | | Item, a payre spores, a pare of glovis, | | xvjd. | | Item, iij. gyrdyll, | | ixd. | | Item, a stomaker of lenclothe, | | viijd. | | Item, a payre of shone, | | vijd. | | Item, staffe, pris | | iiijd. | | Item, a sakke, | | viijd. | | Syngleton, a payr of bottes and a parre of sporis, | iijs. | iiijd. | | | Item, a sadyll, a paytrell and a brydoll and ij. gerthis, | xs. | | Item, a payre of dowbelet slevys of blake,
Item, a payre of slevys of rosset, | iijs. | | | Item, a payr of stokes of fustian, | | [viijd.]178.1 | | Item, a pare of schone, | | vijd. | | | Item, a schyrt, | | xxd. | | Item, a purs with | ijs. | | | Item, a gyrdyll, a payre of patanys, | | iiijd. | | Item, a dagar knyffe, pris | | iiijd. | | Katryn Wilton, a donge, | iijs. | iiijd. | | | Item, a coverlet, | iijs. | iiijd. | | Item, a blanket, | iijs. | | | Item, a payr of shettes, | iiijs. | | | Item, a pelow of doun, | | xijd. | | Item, a payre of new hosson, | | viijd. | | Item, a gown and a kertyll, | vjs. | viijd. | | Item, a cors harnesshet with blake, pris | | xxd. | | Item, a hod, | iijs. | iiijd. | | Item, a kercher of lawn, pris | | xxd. | | Item, ij. kercher of therd, | | xijd. | | Item, a payre off bedys of ambre, | | xxd. | | Item, a new canvasse. | | | Jane Belton, a blanket, | iijs. | iiijd. | | | Item, a shette, | ijs. | | | Item, a kerchey therd, and ther in was vjs. viijd. of gold. | | | Item, a payre of beydys of jette with Patter nosteris of corall, pris | | xxd. | | Item, a payre of turnerys of lawn, | | xxd. | | Item, a yerd of lynclothe, | | viijd. | | Item, a payre of hossen, | | viijd. | | Item, a smoke, | | xxd. | | Item, a kercher of thred, | | viijd. | | Symond Houston, a payre of bottes, a payre of sporis, | iiijs. | | | | Purrey, a blw gown, | viijs. | | | Item, a bridull and a feterloke, | | xvjd. | | Item, a payr of hossen, a payr of schon, | ijs. | vijd. | | Item, a pare of furred glovys. | | | Frere John Alderiche, ij. quaris of prayeris. Item, a powtenere with a payre of bedys of jette. Item, a scapelerey with an hodde, | vjs. | viijd. | | John Keduray, a payre of lynclothys, j. gown of blw, | vjs. | viijd. | | Item, a payre of hossen, | | xxd. | | Item, a payre of schone, | | vijd. | | Item, a payre of glovys and a hatt, | | xijd. | | Simond Sadiller, a payre of sporis, | | xijd. | | | Item, a knyff hernyshid with sylver, | | xijd. | | Robert Fen, a gown, | vjs. | | | Item, a cappe, | | iiijd. | | Item, a peyre of hossen, | | xvjd. | | Item, a chart (?), pris | | xvjd. | | Richard Charlys, a peyr of hossen, | | xvjd. | | Item, a dager, | | xvjd. | | Item, a gyrdyll, | | ijd. | | Item, a cappe of rosset, | | iiijd. | | Jhon Faster, a horne, | | viijd. | | | John Judde, a chert, pris | | xvjd. | | Item, a peyr of bedys of jett, | | viijd. | | William Bemond, a custell, pris | | xvjd. | | Item, a perre of bottes, pris | ijs. | | | Item, a peyre of glovys of otter. | | | Water Wynter, a shert, | | xijd. | | A dager, | | xijd. | | A purs with | | xd. | | Sander Koke, a mourey gown, | vjs. | | | | Item, a cotte of moster develers,180.1 | | xld. | | Item, a blanket, | iijs. | | | Item, a peyre of shettes, | iiijs. | | | Item, iij. peyr of shoys, | | xxd. | | Item, a peyr of sokkes, | | ijd. | | Item, a hatt, | | xijd. | Item, a peyr of patanys, a cappe of violet,
Item, iij. gyrdyll, and a cerchey [kerchief], | | xijd. | | Item, ij. of180.2 of hossen, pris | iijs. | | | Snallewell, a schet, pris | | xxd. | | | Item, ij. shurtes, a peyr ofe lynclothis, | | xxd. | | Item, ij. dowbelettes, pris | | xld. | | Item, iij. gyrdyll, ij. cappes, | | xvd. | | Item, ij. peyr of hossen, | | xld. | | Item, a lyneng to a gown, | | xxd. | | Item, an hodde, | | xld. | | John Bube (?), ane hatt, pris | | xd. | | Item, a bowe, pris | | vjd. | | Item, a peyr of bottes, | | xvjd. | | Item, a purs with | | iiijd. | | Item, a cappe, | | iiijd. | | Herry Gunnold, tablys and stolys, pris | vs. | | Item, a swerd, pris Item, a poyre of jett, pris
text has “pris,” for both Item, a pelow bere, / vjd.
italic “d” misprinted as “a” 1080
WYKES’S BILL181.1 Towardis my Lord of Oxford. | In primis at Brentwode for horsmete, | ijd. | | | Item for our dyner there, | iiijd. | ob. | | Item for horsmete there, | ijd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | jd. | | | Item for drynke there, | | ob. | | Item for oure soper there, | iiijd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | iiijd. | | | Item for wayshyng of my shert and botes, | id. | ob. | | Item for horsmete there, | jd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | jd. | | | Item for brede and drynke there, | jd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | ijd. | ob. | | Item for Williamis dyner there, | ijd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | ixd. | | | Item for the sadelere, | iijd. | | | Item payd to the smyth, | vijd. | | | Item for brede and drynke there, | ijd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | jd. | | | Item for brede and drynke there, | jd. | ob. | | Item for oure dyner there, | iiijd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | jd. | | | Item for horsmete there, | jd. | | | Item for brede and drynke there, | jd. | ob. | | Item for a dosyn poyntis, | ijd. | | | Summa expens, | vs. | Endorsed: Wykes. Item for horsmete there, jd.
Brentwode Item for horsmete there, jd.
italic “d” misprinted as “a” (one occurrence in each line) 1081
T. BALKEY TO JOHN PASTON183.1 To his ryght wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Esquier, this byll be delyverid in hast. Date uncertain Ryght wurshipfull and myne especyall good maister, Icomaund me vonto your good maistership. Sir, it is so that there hath ben a gret rumour and mervelous noyse of yower departyng ffro Yermoth; for summe seid that ye were departed in a Duch ship and some seid in aspaynessh ship and some seid in yower ship, and some seid ayein your wyll ye were departed; of wych departyng my lord Steward hadde knowleche and comaunded a noon after your old servaunt Rychard Fitzwater to ryde to Norwich, and so to Yermoth, to knowe the trowth. And at Norwich I spoke with your seid servaunt, and ther he shewed vonto me that my lord hadde send another of his servauntis vonto my Lord of Oxynford to shew vonto his lordship of your departyng, &c., and fferthermore he shewed vonto me prevyly that my Lord hath imagyned and purposed many grevous thyngis ayens your Maistership; for wych cawse he shewed wnto me that in any wyse your mastership shuld not come that wey, and I shall shewe your maistership moch more at your comyng, with the grace of God, whoo ever preserve your good maistership. At Norwich the Sonday next after Sent Marke. Your servaunt, T. Balkey. 1082
ANONYMOUS TO MASTER PASTON184.1 Maister Paston, it is so that my Lord desireth to have his lyverey as for this yere to be of the colour that he hadde him self a demye gowne of, and his childern hadde of the same ayenst Cristmasse laste was; Iwot never whether ye remembre it or nay. Yt was a medelled tawney, som what rede, and it was bought at Watkyn Stalworthes. Ipray you assaye among the clothe makers in your countre howe a man may bye a cloth of them. Ye muste remembre the gentilmen muste have better than the yomen, and the yomen better than the gromes. And ye knowe well that ye and I the laste yere pourvoied my lord of the gentilmenes lyverey and the yomens for iijs. a yerde, one with a nother, and the gromes for ijs. viijd., and boughte all at the drapers in London. Wherfore my Lord woll thinke to be served of better clothe and lesse price at the clothe makers. Iwolde have sente you an example but I can not gette it. 1083
ROBERT KYLLYGREWE TO RICHARD WASSE184.2 Thys letter be delyvyrde on to my fadyrynlav Rychard Wasse dewelly yn the parris of Morton. Welle belovyd fadyr, y recommende me on to you, and y thonke you of your gode cherre to me beyng vyt you laste, &c. Fadyr, hyt ysso asfor the promysse that ys by twyxt you and me, y hope to God to contayne you of my promysse. So by that y am so lenge on y payde on to you, Fadyr, hyt ysso ye have y lefte me yn so grete a danger wyt the reparasyon of Wolston ande wythe Benet Barnarde that y am so lenge byhynde vyt you of my promys; nere the les y have sende you by Herry Penennec iiij. mark a fore Crystmas, ande the wederyng fyl so fowle a konnot go on to you. Fadyr, hyt yesso y have payde Benet Barnarde viij. marke for the fe that ye made on to hym, and more y moste pay hym for you, for he axyt of you yn holle xijli. wyt the fe, ande hys labor that a dyde for you yn London. For he sayt that ye nevyr payde hym of no fyne, nodyr for no odyr coste that a dyde for you wylle ye werre yn thys contray. Therfore y pray you to sende on to me a dyscharge for the sayde xijli., or ellys a wolle dystrayne me and put me to scharge an coste as a hath strayne my tenenttes byfore for thys mater and costys. For dermore Boryng hath take an accion yn the comyn law ayenst us bothe, entendyng to dryve us to a new particion, for a shewyth owre to tenentes to tempe ande meve them to cry fore a noder particion, ande to have suche as plesyth hym to hys reteyne; and therfore, but we have the better consayle hyt woll cost moch mony wyth owt dowt. Ther fore send me suche evydens as may dyscharge and save bothe you and me, wyche byth yn your hon dysposal; hyt hath coste me xls. for the accion that he hath take ayenst Tomas Snel and Wyllyam Snell, for bycause that T. Snell forbede185.1 Bouryng ys tenents fro my wode yn Boter towne, which bythe alders. Your doctor [daughter] recommende hyr on to you and prayyt of your dayly blessyng, and sche hat a son, bleste by God. Namore to you at thys tymme. God have you yn Hys kepyng. By your Son, Roberte Kylly Grewe. 1084
MEMORANDUM186.1 Memorandum to speke with William Byrde be the same tokne, I came home from London to Norwich on Mydsomer evyn last past, and the same even I cam home to his howse, and brought hym xs. for a gyrdyll off myn that he had in his kepyng for a plegge off myn; and if so be that he wilnat ley out thes money, let hym send me the bill indentyd off my jowellys closyd in a letter with a signet off myn that my wiff hath in her keping. Endorsed—Vyall. 1085-8
ABSTRACTS186.2 The following letters are probably all of the time of Henry VII. They are all addressed to a Mr. William Paston, but perhaps not all to the same person. The first two are apparently to William Paston, the brother of the two Sir Johns. The third is doubtful. The last may be to the son of the second Sir John. 1085.—John Wryght to Master William Paston at Hynnyngham.—Has received from him a bill with 3s. 6d., part payment of the cotton russet. ‘The rest we shall drink when ye come to London.’ Does not understand Paston’s order for other 9 yards. Does he wish frieze, cotton or plain blanket?—London, St. Catherine’s Even.1086.—John Breton of Hadley to Master William Paston.—Desires him to be good master to the bearer, ‘a poor kinsman of mine,’ to whom my lord186.3 has written sharply, that he may come before my lord for his answer.1087.—Petyr Marham to his master, William Paston.—Desires his advice, as Robert Gaunley, sometime his ’prentice, has taken an action against him at the common law.1088.—William Ocley to Master William Paston.—Has spoken with young Wyndam in Master Digby’s presence. He was grateful to Paston for his loving mind towards him, and said he would receive ‘the two riall’ himself, and buy no new gear till he knew the King’s pleasure touching his pardon.—London, 3 Sept. NOTE TO NO. 1016. As stated in the footnote at p. 101, since the above document was in type the Editor came upon a complete copy of this list of knights made at the battle of Stoke, which, being also more accurate than that in Leland’s Collectanea, is here printed in full. It is apparently the original MS. of which No.1016 is a mutilated copy, and is written on two flyleaves of the copy of Caxton’s Game and Play of Chess in the King’s Library in the British Museum. The names of the banerettes made at the batell of Stooke by syde Newerke apon Trent, the xvj. day of June the ijde yer of Harry the vij. Sir Gilbert Talbott. Sir John Cheny. Sir William Stoner. Thes iij. wer made by fore the bataile, and after the bataile wer made the same day:— Sir John of Arundell. Sir Thomas Cookesay. Sir John Forteskew. Sir Edmond Benyngfeld. Sir James Blount. Sir Ric’ of Croffte. Sir Humfrey Stanley. Sir Ric’ Delaber. Sir John Mortymer. Sir William Troutbeke. Knyghtys made at the same bataile:— Sir ——187.1 Audeley, son and heyre of the Lord Audeley. Sir Edward Norys. Sir Robert Clyfford. Sir George Hopton. Sir Robert of Broughton. Sir John Paston. Sir Thomas Lovell. Sir Humfrey Savage. Sir Harry Wyloughby. Sir John Sabacotys. Sir William Vampage. Sir Antony Browne. Sir Ric’ Poole. Sir Thomas Terell. Sir Ric’ Lews. Sir Thomas Grey. Sir Nycholas Vaux. Sir Edwarde of Borough. Sir William Tyrwytt. Sir Ameas Paullett. Sir William Troutebeke. Sir Raff Langforthe. Sir James Haryngton. Sir Harry Boulde. Sir ——187.2 Devenyshe. Sir William Redmyll. Sir Gregory Lovell. Sir Thomas Blount. Sir Robert Cheyny. Sir William Carew. Sir John Wyndam. Sir Roger Belyngam. Sir John a Mosgrave. Sir George Nevyll the bas[tard] of the Tour.187.3 Sir Robert Ratcleff. Sir James Parker. Sir Edward Darell. Sir Edward Pykeryng. Sir Thomas of Wolton. Sir William Sandys. Sir Robert Brandon. Sir Thomas a Poole. Sir Morys Barkeley. Sir Rauffe Shyrley. Sir John Longvyll. Sir William Litylton. Sir William Norys of Lancas... Sir John Dygby. Sir Thomas Hansard. Sir Christofre Wroughton. Sir Thomas Lyne. Sir Morys a Barow.
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