Chapter M: Paston (1)

[Footnote 234.1: [From Fenn, iii. 84.] The date of this letter
depends upon the age of John Paston, who, in November 1444, was
found to be twenty-three years old. As he is now ‘upon the age
of thirty winters,’ this letter was probably written in 1451.]

[Footnote 234.2: His name was Laurence Baldewar.]

[Footnote 234.3: In 1444, according to Blomefield (_Hist. of
Norf._ iv. 40), a rent-charge out of the manor of Swainsthorp
was settled by John and Agnes Paston, the eldest son and the
widow of William Paston, the Justice, to find a priest to sing
for the soul of the said William in the chapel of our Lady the
Great in Norwich Cathedral.]

188

ABSTRACT[234.4]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO SIR THOS. HOWYS, at Castre in Flegg.

[Sidenote: 1451 / APRIL 21]

Sends two _venire facias_ for Beyton in Norfolk and Bradwell in Suffolk, returnable _in quindena Paschæ_, which is a short day. You must deliver them in haste to the Sheriff by Paston’s advice, by whom I send them. Labour to the Sheriff for the return of such panels as will speak for me, and not be shamed, for great labour will be made by Wentworth’s party. ‘Entreat the Sheriff as well ye can by reasonable rewards, rather than fail,’ for they have taken as false an issue as can be with me ‘by H. [_i.e._ Heydon’s] advice for cold love.’ I had traversed the plea in the inquisition that I had disseised Sir Hue Fastolf; but they put it now that I had only a joint interest in the manor. The names you sent for Bradwell are like to do well, except Hopton, who has married with the Lady Wentworth. I am also in doubt of one Reppes of Heringflete, who is Heydon’s man. Had purposed to have been at the oyer and terminer this time, but cannot, &c.

Horshighdoun, 21 April, 29 Hen. VI.

_Signed._

[Footnote 234.4: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 243.]]

189

DEBENHAM, TYMPERLEY, AND WHITE TO JOHN PASTON[235.1]

[Sidenote: 1451 / MAY 2]

Maister Paston, we comaund us to you, lattyng you witt that the Sheriff is noght so hole as he was, for now he wille shewe but a part of his frendeshippe. And also there is grete prese off pepill, and fewe frendes, as ferr as we can feel yitt. And therfore be ye sadly avised wheder ye seme best to come your self, or send or, &c., for we will assay in as much as in us is to prevaile to your entente. And yett, if it neded, we wolde have a man to giffe us informacion, or shewe evidence after the case requireth. Also the Shereffe enformed us that he hath writyng from the Kyng that he shall make such a panell to aquyte the Lord Moleynes. And also he tolde us, and as ferr as we can conceyve and feel, the Shereff wille panell gentylmen to aquyte the Lorde, and jowroures to a quyte his men; and we suppose that it is be the mocion and meanes of the othir party. And yif any meanes of tretie be proferd, we know not what meane shulde be to your pleasir. And therfore we wolde fayne have mor knowlege, yiff ye think it were to doo.

No more at this tyme, bot the holy Trinite have you in his kepyng. Wretin at Walsyngham, in hast, the secund day of May.--Be your trewe and feithfull frendes,

DEBENHAM, TYMPERLEY, AND WHITE.

And also, Sir, as we conceyve, the Lord Moleynes shall not be quyte before Thurseday; in as muche as he was indyted before the Justice, we undirstand he shall not be quyte but before the Justice. Wherfore we avise you, iff ye think it be to doo, to send your frendes in the meane tyme, and come your self to your place at Sperham, and there abyde unto tyme that we have knowlege how the saide mater will drawe, and till that we may have worde from you, and ye from us, &c.

[Footnote 235.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As this letter speaks
of the indictment and expected acquittal of Lord Molyns, the
date must be 1451. This letter is written on parchment.]

190

W. LOMNOR TO JOHN PASTON[236.1]

[Sidenote: 1451 / MAY (?)]

Ryght worchipfulle Sir, yours goode cosynes and frendes avyse yow to come to Walsyngham, and that ye be there to morw betymes at vj. on the clok; for the Lord Moleyns offreth a trete for the goodes, and amendes to be made, or he goth ought of this contre, and if it be not taken, his men shulle justifie; wherupon your title might be hurte. The Lord Skales, the Justis, and other knygtes and squyeres merveyle grettly ye come not, and thow they that have not so true and evident mater as ye have concelle yow to be absent; yet I wolde ye dede as ye be desyrd be that felaship, for many wolde yow right welle. Whanne ye come, I shalle telle yow more.

The Lorde Moleyns shulde not have be aquyte of his comaundement, hadde he not sworen on a boke, sweche evidens was ayens hym; and ther is no jentelman wolde aquite his men for no goode, &c.

W. LOMNOR.

[Footnote 236.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter has no
address, but there can be no doubt from the contents it was
intended for John Paston. It was evidently written about the
same time as the last, while the Sessions was sitting at
Walsingham, and Paston’s suit against Lord Molyns was still
pending.]

191

SIR JOHN HEVENINGHAM TO MARGARET PASTON[237.1]

_To my ryght worchipffull cosyn, Margarete Paston, be this letter delivered._

[Sidenote: 1451(?) / MAY 7]

Ryght worchipffull and welbeloved cosyn, I commaunde me to you as herteli as I can, thankyng you off your goode chere the last tyme I was with you. And, worchippffull cosyn, please that you to calle un to your remembrauns I wrote un to you for my cosyn Anneys Loveday to have ben in your service, and I reseyved from you a letter that your wyll was goode, but durst not to in to the tyme ye hadde spoke with my cosyn your husbonde.

Worchippffull cosyn, I have labored for hir in othir placez, but I can not have my entent as yet. Wherffor yff that hit please you to have hyr with you to in to the tyme that a mastris may be purveyeid for hir, I pray you ther off, and I shall contente you ffor hir boarde, that ye shal be wel pleased; for, cosyn, and I hadde a wyff, I wolde not care for hir. And ther as she is, she is not well at hir ease, for she is at Robert Lethum; and therfor I pray you herteli that ye wyll tendre this my writyng, and I beseche you that in cas be that ye wyll fulffylle hit that ye wel sende my cosyn Will Staunton for hir, and I shal kepe you trewe promys, as I have be for wretyn. And I beseche Almyghti Jesu preserve you. Wretyn at Hevenyngham, on the vij. day off May, &c.

Your oune cosyn,

JOHN HEVENYNGHAM, Knyght.

[Footnote 237.1: [From Fenn, iii. 144.] The date of this letter
is doubtful, but it was evidently written at a time when John
Paston had been for some considerable time absent from Norwich,
which appears to have been the case in the beginning of May
1451. The writer of this letter died in July 1453.]

192

SIR THOMAS HOWYS TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF[238.1]

_To my reverent and worchepfull mayster, Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, be this lettre delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1451 / MAY 9]

Right reverent and worchipfull maister, I recomaunde me louly un to yow. Please you to wete the Sonday next after the Fest of the Invencion of the Cros,[238.2] the ix. day of May, at Castre, I receyved a lettre from you by your clerk, W. Barker, the tenure wherof I shall do spede in all hast goodly. But for the more special cause of my wrytyng at this tyme is to gef you relacion of the un true demenyng of this oure determyner, by the parcialte of the Jugez of it; for whan the Counsell of the cite of Norwich, of the toun of Swafham, youres, my Maister Inglose,[238.3] Pastons, and many other playntyfs had put in and declared, bothe by writyng and by woord by fore the Jugez, the lawfull excepcions in many wise, the Juges by ther wilfulnesse myght nat fynde in ther hert to gef, not als moche as a bek nor a twynclyng of ther eye toward, but toke it to deriscion, God reforme such parcialte; and by cause Prisot[238.4] thought that yf the Sessions of the oyer determyner had be holden at Norwich as they bygonne, he supposed it shuld nat so fast passe to th’entent of Tudenham and Heydon and ther felawes, as it shuld do ell[es] in other place, but enjorned to Walsyngham, wher they have grettist rule, ther to be holden on Tuesday, iiij^te day of May.

This knowing, my Maister Yelverton,[238.5] Genney, and other myght weel conceyve how the governaunce of the oyer determyner shuld procede, for it was the most parcial place of alle the shire, and thedre wer cleped alle the frendez, knyghteys, and esquiers, and gentilmen that wolde in nowise do other wise than they wolde. And the seid Tudenham, Heydon, and other oppressours of ther set come doun theder, as I understand, with iiij^c. [400] hors and more; and consideryng how ther wellwillers wer ther assembled at ther instaunce, it had be right jowpertous and ferefull for any of the pleyntyfs to have be present, for ther was nat one of the pleyntyfs ner compleynuantez ther, but your right feithfull and trusty weel willer John Paston. And my Maister Yelverton seid full discretly, and countrolled the seid Prisot when he seid, sittyng, in the Guyhalle of Norwich, these wordys to the Meyre and Commonalte, ‘A, Sir Meyre and your brethren, as to the processe of youre compleyntez, we wole put them in contynuance, but in all other we wole procede;’ which wordys Yelverton thought right parciall. And by side this the seid Prisot wolde suffre no man that was lerned to speke for the pleyntyfs, but took it as a venom, and took them by the nose at every thred woord whiche myght weel by knowe for open parcialte.

And as for the Lord Scalys, ye knowe well what he is toward you, and namely for Hikelyng matter. Also to knowe som of your feynt frendes, at that tyme that my Lord Norffolk sat at Norwich up on the oyer determyner, Sir John Hevyngham myht nat fynde it in his hert to go iiij. furlong from his duellyng place to the shirehouse, but now he cowd ryde from Norwich to Walsyngham to syt as one of the Commyssioners. As to the rule of other, that ye wolde have supposed your wellewillers, how they have byhavyd them at Walsyngham, I shall sende yow woord in all hast whan Bernay[239.1] come hom to Castr, for he is nat yet come from Walsyngham. But this I knowe well, that they founde none obstacle ner impedyment in ther consciens in all your matter; but how they have do with Norwich, Swafham, and Paston, I am nat yet clerly informed; I suppose they arn put in respite. I here sey Heydon seweth for an ende to be had with the cite of Norwich, and as to the namys of them that passed on ther acquitaile ayenst yow, Broyn can weell informe yow. I understand that Sir Robert Conyers, Calthorp, Mundford wer capteyns, and Maister Ric. Doget also.

Item, as for the ij. _venire facias_ ye sent to be retorned for your manorz of Bradwell and Beyton, I have do them to be retorned of suche namys as I have sent woord before, savyng sume be take, and except out. Moreover, as for the mater of Sir John Sibton, Geney and Raulyns gef ful counsell that it shuld abyde tyl the mater of Bradwell myght procede, so that bothe maters myght take up on a day, for they sey it wold drawe xx. marc to labour the Jure to London, and yet it wer hard to bryng about. And they gef you counsell in all wise that ye labour to have Yelverton Juge at that tyme, and in all wise bothe in that materz and in all other, that ye be war that Prisot have not to have do in any wise, for than all wole be nought. Of alle other materz I shall send you woord in all hast goodly, for at thys tyme I had no leyser by cause of the hasty comyng up of Hug Fen, whom I beseche yow to fele of the demenyng of the oyer determyner, for he can telle yow moche and [_i.e._ if] he wole; whether he wole or nay, I can nat sey, for I know wele he was at Walsyngham. And I beseche All myghty Jesu have yow in his mercyfull governaunce. Wrete at Castre, the Sonday, ix. day of May anno xxixº Regis Henrici vj^ti.

* * *

_On the back of the letter is written--_

I prey yow be nowth displesed thow I have nowt subscribed my name withinne forth, for it is of neclygens, quoth Howys, Parson of Castlecomb.

[Footnote 238.1: [From Fenn, iii. 116.]]

[Footnote 238.2: The 3rd of May.]

[Footnote 238.3: Sir Harry Inglos.]

[Footnote 238.4: John Prisot, Chief Justice of the Common
Pleas.]

[Footnote 238.5: William Yelverton, Justice of the King’s Bench,
afterwards knighted by Edward IV.]

[Footnote 239.1: Probably Philip Berney.]

193

JOHN OSBERN TO JOHN PASTON[241.1]

_To my ryght reverent and worchepful Master, John Paston, be this delyverid._

[Sidenote: 1451 / MAY 27]

Plese it your masterchep to wete that I have spoke wyth the Shereff[241.2] at hese placez, mevyng to hym, as for that that was left wyth hese Under shereff, it is your wyl he shuld send a man of hese for it; for thow it were more ye wold gladly he shuld take it; he thanked yow, and sayde hese Under shereff was at London, and hymselff had non deserved, and if he had he wold a take it. And whan I departyd from hym, I desyerid hym a yen to send therffore, and than he seyde it shuld abyde tyl ye come hom, wherby I conceyve he wold have it, and be gladde to take it. Moreover, I remembred hym of hese promyses made before to yow at London, when he took hese oth and charche, and that ye were wyth hym when he toke hese oth, and oder dyvers tymes; and for tho promyses made be hym to yow at that tyme, and other tymes at the oyer determyner at Lynne, ye proposed yow be the trust that ye have in hym for to atempte and rere accions that shuld be to the avayle of hym and of hese office. He wold a know what the accions shuld be. I sayde I coude not telle hym, and than he seyde he wold do for yow that he may, excepte for the aquitell of the Lord Molyns men, in so meche as the Kyng hath wrete to hym for to shewe favour to the Lord Moleyns and hese men, and as he seyth the indytement longyth to the Kyng, and not to yow, and the Lord Molyns a gret lord. Also, as he seyth, now late the Lord Molyns hath sent hym a letter, and my Lord of Norffolk anoder, for to shew favour in these indytements, he darnot abide the joporte of that, that he shuld offende the Kinges commaundment. He know not how the Kyng may be informed of hym, and what shal be seyde to hym.

And than I sayde as for any joporte that he shuld abyde in any thing that he doth for yow, or be your desyre, you have offered hym, and wol performet, sufficient sewerte for to sawe hym harmeles, and therfore I supposid ther wold non resonable man thynk but that he myght do for yow wyth owte any joporte. And then he seyde he myth non sewerte take that passid C_li._; and the Lord Molyns is a gret lord, he myght soon cause hym to lese that, and meche mo. Than I sayde, be that meane, in defawte of a Shereff, every man may be put from hese lyvelod; and thann he seyde iff it were for the lyvelode, men wold take hem the nerer for to abyde a joporte; but be hese feyth, as he swore, if the Kyng wryte ayan to hym he wol no lenger abyde the joporte of the Kyngges wrytyng, but he trustyth to Godde to inpanell seche men as shuln to hise knowleche be indeferent, and non comon jurors. As me semyth it wold do goode and [_if_] ye wolde gett a comaundment of the Kyng to the Shereff for to shew yow favour, and to inpanell jantelmen, and not for to favour non seche riotts, &c.; for he seyde that he sent yow the letter that the Kyng sent hym, and ye seyde a man shuld gete seche on for a noble.

Item, I remembred hym of the promyses that he hath made to Temperley, and that if he wold make yow very trew promys, ye wold rewarde hym as meche as he wold desire, or any other resonable man for him, and asmoche and mor then any adverserry ye have wold gef hym; than he seyde he toke never no mony of non of hem alle. There was proferid hym at Walsyngham for the Lord Molyns xx. nobles, he had not a peny; moreover, I proferid hym, if he wold make yow promys that ye myght veryly trust upon hym, ye wold geff hym in hande as he wold desire, or to leve a summe if he wold a named it in a mene mannys hand, and seche as he hath trust to. And then he seyde, if he myght do for yow, or if he do any thyng for yow, then he wol take yowre mony wyth a good wyl; and other promys I coude not have of hym, but that he wol do for yow all that he may, excepte for the inditements. I conceyve veryly he hath made promys to do hese part that they shul be a quytte, but I suppose he hath made non other promys ayens yow for the lyvelode; but he lokyth aftyr a gret brybe, but it is not for to trust hym veryly wyth owte that he may not chese. I suppose he had no wrytyng fro my Lord of Norffolk as he seyde.

I was at Framyngham for to a spoke wyth Tymperley, Debnam, or Berry, and they were all ought. My Lord, as he came from London, he was at Yepysweche on Moneday, and when he wythowth the town toward Framyngham, he had all hese men ryde forth afore a gret pase, for he wolde felwe softely; and when hese men were owte of syght, he rode wyth v. men to a squieris place of hese therby, and on Tewsday, rodde my Lady to hym; and so I dede nought at Framyngham. No more at thys tyme, but All myghty Jesu spede yow, and have yow in hese kepyng. Wrete at Norwiche, the Thursday next aftyr Sent Austyn, &c.

Be your servunt,

JOHN OSBERN.

[Footnote 241.1: [From Fenn, iii. 308.] At the date of this
letter Lord Molyns had probably been acquitted, but the action
against his men was still pending. The year must therefore be
1451. The date ‘Thursday next after St. Austin’ is understood by
Fenn to be after the Feast of St. Austin, or Augustine, Bishop
of Hippo, which was celebrated on the 28th of August; but the
dates of the preceding letters make it more probable that the
writer means St. Augustine, the apostle of England, whose day
was the 26th of May.]

[Footnote 241.2: John Jermyn. --_See_ page 183, Note 2.]

194

AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[243.1]

_To [Herry][243.2] Barker of Synt Clements Parys, in Norwych, to delyver to my Master John Paston, in haste_.

[Sidenote: 1451 or later]

On Thurisday the wall was mad zarde hey, and a good wylle be fore evyn it reyned so sore that they were fayne to helle the wall, and leve werke. And the water is fallyn so sore that it standyt ondyr the wall a fote deppe to Ballys warde [i.e. _towards the land of a neighbour named Ball_]. And on Friday after sakeryng, one come fro cherch warde, and schoffe doune all that was thereon, and trad on the wall and brake sum, and wente over; but I cannot zet wete hoo it was. And Warne Kynges wyfe, as she went over the style, she cursyd Ball, and seyde that he had zevyn aweye the waye, and so it prevyt be John Paston is words. And after, Kyngs folke and odyr come and cryid on Annes Ball, seying to her the same. Zystyrnevyn wan I xul goo to my bede, the Vycare[244.1] seyde that Warne Kyng and Warne Harman, betwyxte messe and matynsse, toke Sir Roberd[244.2] in the vestry, and bad hym sey to me, verely the wall xulde doun a gayne. And wan the Vycar tolde me I wyste ther of no worde, nor zet do be Sir Roberde, for he syth he were loth to make any stryfe. And wan I com out of the cherch, Roberd Emundes schowyd me how I was amercyde for seute of corte the laste zer vj_d._, and seyd it was xij_d._ tylle Warne Kyng and he gat it awey vj_d._

I send zou word how John Jamys was demenyd at Cromere, to send to Jamys Gressham how he xall be demenyd. Gaffrey Benchard, Alexander Glover, heywards,[244.3] tokyn a dystresse of John Jamys or the bond tenent of A. Paston, calde Reynalds, in Cromer, the xxviij^ti yer of thys Kyng, and W. Goodwyn, Baly of Cromer, with the seyd J. Jamys, with forsse toke awey the dysstres, wech was ij. horsse and a plowe. And Good be with zou.

Be ANNES PASTON, your Modur.

[Footnote 243.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As this letter refers
to the 28th year of Henry VI., seemingly as a past date, it
cannot well be earlier than 1451. But probably it is not much,
if at all, later.]

[Footnote 243.2: The Christian name _Herry_ is crossed out, and
_Meye_ (?) appears to be written over.]

[Footnote 244.1: William Pope was vicar of Paston from 1447 to
1455.]

[Footnote 244.2: Probably the Vicar’s Curate.]

[Footnote 244.3: Haywards were (originally) persons who guarded
a farm and crops in the night, and blew a horn on an alarm or
robbers.--Halliwell.]

195

AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[245.1]

_To John Paston be thys byll deliverd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1451 or later]

I spacke thys day with a man of Paston syde, and he told me that a man of Paston told hym that Paston men wold not goo presessyon ferther than the chyrche yerde on Sent Markys day,[245.2] for he seyd the presessyon wey was stoppyd in, and seyd with in chort tyme men hopyd that the wall chuld be broke doun ageyn. Item, he seyd that I was amercyid for stoppyng of the seyd [way][245.3] at the last generall court, butt he cowd not tell who meche the mercyment was. And he that told it me askyd the man that told it hym if he had the mercyment in hys exstrete for to distreyn there fore; and he seid nay, but seyd he that chuld do it chuld bettyr doe take it up on hym than he chuld. Item, the same man told me that he mett with a man of Blyclyng, hyght Barker, that cam late fro London, and he told hym that I had a sute att London ageyn Wareyn Herman of Paston, and seyd that Roberd Branton was hys attornnye, and seyd he seygh hym ryght besy for hym att London. And for yete not yor sustyr;[245.4] and God have yow in kepyng. Wretyn att Norwyche the xij. day of May,

Be yor modyr,

A. PASTON.

[Footnote 245.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter has the
appearance, to judge from its contents, of being perhaps a few
weeks later than the preceding one. It is, however, in a
different hand.]

[Footnote 245.2: April 25.]

[Footnote 245.3: Omitted in MS.]

[Footnote 245.4: Elizabeth Paston?]

196

AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[246.1]

_John Paston, dwellyng in the Tempyll at London, be thys letter delyverd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1451 or later]

I grete yow wele, and lete yow wete that on the Sonday befor Sent Edmond, after evyn songe, Augnes Ball com to me to my closett and bad me good evyn, and Clement Spycer with hyr. And I acsyd hym what he wold? And he askyd me why I had stoppyd in the Kyngs wey? And I seyd to hym I stoppyd no wey butt myn owyn, and askyd hym why he had sold my lond to John Ball? And he sor [_swore_] he was nevyr a cordyd with your fadyr; and I told hym if hys fadyr had do as he dede, he wold a be a chamyd to a seyd as he seyd. And all that tyme Waryn Herman lenyd ovyr the parklos[246.2] and lystynd what we seyd, and seyd that the chaunge was a rewly chaunge, for the towne was un do therby, and is the werse by an C_li._ And I told hym it was no curtese to medyll hym in a mater butt if he wer callyd to councell; and prowdly goyn forthe with me in the cherche, he seyd the stoppyng of the wey xuld coste me xx. nobylls, and zet it shuld downe ageyn. And I lete hym wete he that putte it downe chull pay therfor. Also he seyd that it was well don that I sett men to werke to owle[246.3] meney whyll I was her, butt in the ende I chale lese my coste. Than he askyd me why I had a wey hys hey at Walsham, seyng to me he wold he had wyst it whan it was karryd, and he chuld a lettyd it; and I told hym it was myn owyn grownde, and for myn owyn I wold holde it; and he bad me take iiij. acre and go no ferther. And thus churtly he departyd from me in the cherche zerde. And syt [_since_] I spacke with a serteyn man, and acsyd hym if he herd owt sey why the dyner was mad att Norfolkys howse, and he told me [he] herd sey that serteyn men had sentt to London to gete a commyssyon owt of the chaunstre to putt downe ageyn the wall and the dyk.

I receyvyd yor letter by Robert Reppys thys day after thys letter wretyn thus far. I have red it, butt I conn yeve yow non aunswer mor than I have wretyn, save the wyfe of Harman hathe the name of owr Lady, whos blyssyn ye have and myn. Wretyn at Paston, on the day after Sent Edmond,[247.1]

Be yowyr modyr,

AUGNES PASTON.

[Footnote 246.1: [From Fenn, iii. 44.] This letter of Agnes
Paston’s refers to the same subject of dispute as the two
preceding, and was probably written after them; but the exact
year is not certain.]

[Footnote 246.2: The half door of her ‘closet’ or pew in
church.]

[Footnote 246.3: ‘To owl,’ says Fenn, ‘may signify to deceive,
as an owler is a person who carries contraband goods in the
night; though I rather think it means in this place to oil, that
is, to smooth to her purpose; but q.?’ The explanation certainly
is not very satisfactory. From the definition of ‘owler’ we
might perhaps conjecture with more probability that ‘to owl’ was
to work in the night time. Did Agnes Paston, to avoid
interruption, set men to build the wall by night?]

[Footnote 247.1: St. Edmund’s day was the 16th November.]

197

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[247.2]

_To my rygth worshipfull hosbond, John Paston, be this delyverid in hast._

[Sidenote: 1451 / [JUNE 3]]

Rygth wurchipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, desyring hertyly to her of your welfar, preying yow to wete that itt was told me this weke that ther is afayr plase to sell in Seynt Laueransis parysch, and stant ner the chirche, and by the water syde, the whiche place Toppis hath to sell. Pyte alyster [_a dyer_] bowgth itt of Toppis and now, for defawt of payment, Toppis hath enterid ayen therinne, and shall selle itt in hast, as it is told me. The seyd lyster dwellyth therinne at this tym, but he shall owte, for he is hald rygth apore man. I suppose if ye lyke to bye itt when ye com hom, ye shall mowe have itt of Toppis als godechepe or better than another shuld. Als for tydyngs, we have none gode in this contre; I pray God send us gode. Itt was told me that Rychard Sowthwell hath enterid in the maner of Hale,[248.1] the whiche is the Lady Boysys,[248.2] and kepyth itt with strength with seche another felashep as hath be att Brayston, and wastyth and dispoylyth all that theris; and the Lady Boys, as it is told me, is to London to compleyn to the Kyng and to the Lordys ther of. Itt semyth it was not for nowgth that he held with Charlys and his felashep. I prey yow that ye wol vowchesawf to speke to Jamys Gloys to bye the Ungwentum Album that I spake to hym for; and that ye woll remembr your fayr dowgteris gyrdyl. I hope ye shull be at hom so sone that I woll do wryte nomor tydyngs to yow. The blyssid Trinyte have yow in his keping, and send yow gode spede in all that ye woll spede well inne. Wretyn at Norwyche on the Asencion day.

Yours,

M. P.

[Footnote 247.2: [From Fenn, iii. 424.] Reference is made in
this letter to the forcible entry of Daniel into Brayston in
1450, and, from the terms of the allusion, that event must have
been pretty recent. The date of this letter, however, cannot be
earlier than 1451, as Lady Boys must have been a widow at the
time, and she only became so in December 1450. --_See_ Letter
162, p. 198.]

[Footnote 248.1: Holm Hale.]

[Footnote 248.2: Sibilla, daughter and heir of Sir Robert Ylley,
and widow of Sir Roger Boys, Knight. She was alive after
1450.--F.]

198

JAMES GRESHAM TO [JOHN PASTON][248.3]

[Sidenote: 1451 / June?]

Please it your maistership to wete that, as touchyng Blake of the Kyngges hous, I spak with hym, and he told me that if the Lord Moleyns wold take suyche appoyntement as ye agreed to, that he shuld lete me wete therof on Satirday after noon, as I tolde yow whanne ye dyd on your botes, &c. And sith that tyme I herd no word of hym. Item, there is laboured a _supersedeas_ for alle them that th’exigend[248.4] is ageyn, that arn convycted by record of my Lord of Oxenford, except ij. men which the Lord M. gyveth no fors of. Item, I send yow Treshams letter and a copie of the same. Item, I send yow the _cerciorari_ for my maistresse your modir. Item, I send yow the _scire facias_ for Osbern and Foke _versus_ Heydon and Wyndam. Item, I send yow a _distringas_ ageynst Tudenham, &c. Item, I beseche yow if it may be in cas my Lord of Oxenford have not Holt hundred, that ye wole take it to suyche on as yow seme best, for it is told me that Pertriche laboureth therfore. And that is by the setting on of Heydon, &c. As touchyng the _capias_ ageynst Pertrich, and the _pros._ a geynst Costard, &c., it wole not be hadde, &c.

[Footnote 248.3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is
anonymous, but it is in James Gresham’s handwriting. In Letter
190 we have Lord Molyns offering to treat with Paston for the
injury done to his property at Gresham. Apparently Paston has
now mentioned what terms he would accept. From what is said of
the _supersedeas_, it would seem that this letter was written
not long before the next, which is dated on Trinity Sunday.]

[Footnote 248.4: A writ of _exigent_ lies where the defendant in
a personal action cannot be found, or anything of his to
distrain. The sheriff is therein directed to proclaim him on
five county court days, requiring him to appear on pain of
outlawry.]

199

JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON[249.1]

_To the Ryght worshpful John Paston, Esquyer._

[Sidenote: 1451 / JUNE 20]

Ryght worshipfull, &c. Please zou to comfort and help my pouer tenaunt, Symond Sparre, whech ys a restyd by warant, at the sute of the Lord Scalys, for Sir T. Tudynham shepp. And, Sir, uppon Fryday last passyd, Blake, the Kynges secratory, tolde me that there was delyvered a _supersedyas_ for all men in that sute. But, Sir, as my verry trust is in zou for this, lat it be easyd, as I may doo for zou, &c.; for, Sir, I may not attent, by cause I am ocupyed with my suster, for hir husbond, Sir Rychard Veuuter,[249.2] dessessyd upoon Fryday last, &c. Wretyn in gret hast upon Trenyte Sunday.

Be zoure pouer cosyn,

JOHN BERNEYE.

[Footnote 249.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] For the date of this
letter see Note 3 on last page. Trinity Sunday fell on the 20th
of June in 1451.]

[Footnote 249.2: Blomefield mentions a Sir Richard Veutre, who
presented to the living of Cockthorp in 1450.--_Hist. Norf._ ix.
218.]

200

NOTE

[Sidenote: 1451 / JUNE 28]

A letter of Sir John Fastolf to Sir Thomas Howes, dated 28th June 1451, 29 Henry VI., is mentioned by Fenn in vol. iii., p. 133, in a footnote, and the following sentence extracted:-- ‘The untrouthe of the Pryour of Hykelyng draweth away my devotion in such causes.’ The original of this letter I have not met with.

201

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[250.1]

_To my rygth worshypfull hosbond Jon Paston, be this delyverd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1451 / JULY 1]

Rygth worchypfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, desyryng hertyly to her of yowr wellfar, preying yow to wete that I have spoke with my Lady Felbrygg[250.2] of that ye bad me speke to her of, and she seyd pleynly to me that she wold not, ne nevyr was avysyd, neyther to lete the Lord Moleyns ne non other to have ther intents as for that mater, whyll yet she levyth. And she was rygth evyll payd with Sawtr that he shuld reporte as itt was told yow that he shuld have reportyd; and she made rygth moche of yow, and seyd that she wold nowgth that no servaunte of herys shuld reporte no thyng that shuld be ayens yow other wyse than she wolld that your servawnts shud do or seyn ayens her; and if other your servawnts dede ayens her, or any of her ayens yow, she wold that itt shuld be reformyd be twyx yow and her, and that ye mygth ben all on; for she seyd in good feyth she desyryth your frendshep; and as for the report of Sawtr, she seyd she supposyd that he wold nowgth reporte so; and if she mygth know that he dede, she wold blame hym therfor. I told her that itt was told me syth that ye reden [? yeden, i.e. went], and that itt grevyd me mor that the seyd Sawtr shuld reporte as he dede than itt had be reportyd of another, in als moche as I had awgth hym goodwyll befor; and she prayid me that I shud not beleve seche reports tyll I knewe the trowth.

I was att Toppys at dyner on Seynt Petyrs day; ther my Lady Felbrygg and other jantyll women desyryd to have hadde yow ther. They seyd they shuld all abe [_have been_] the meryer if ye hadde ben ther. My cosyn Toppys hath moche car tyll she her goode tydyngs of her brotheris mater. Sche told me that they shuld kepte a day on Monday next komyng be twyx her brother and Ser Andrew Hugard and Wyndham. I pray yow send me word how they spede, and how ye spede in yowr owyn materys also. Also I pray yow hertyly that ye woll send me a potte with treacle in hast; for I have ben rygth evyll att ese, and your dowghter bothe, syth that ye yeden hens, and on of the tallest younge men of this parysch lyth syke and hath a grete myrr’. How he shall do God knowyth. I have sent myn unkyll Berney[251.1] the potte with treacle that ye dede bey for hym. Myn awnte recommawndeth her to yow, and prayith yow to do for her as the byll maketh mencion of that I send you with this letter, and as ye thenk best for to do therinne.

Ser Henry Inglose is passyd to God this nygth, hoys sowle God asoyll, and was caryid forthe this day at ix. of the clok to Seynt Feythis, and ther shall be beryid. If ye desyer to bey any of hys stuff, I pray you send me word therof in hast, and I shall speke to Robert Inglose and to Wychyngham therof; I suppose thei ben executors. The blyssyd Trinyte have you in his kepyng. Wretyn at Norwyche in hast on the Thursday next after Seynt Peter.[251.2]

I pray yow trost nott to the sheryve[251.3] for no fayr langage.

Yours,

M. P.

[Footnote 250.1: [From Fenn, iii. 124.] The mention made of the
death of Sir Harry Inglos at the end of this letter proves it to
have been written in the year 1451. According to the inquisition
_post mortem_ 29 Hen. VI., No. 9, he died on the 1st July 1451,
which corresponds exactly with ‘the Thursday next after St.
Peter,’ the day this letter was written.]

[Footnote 250.2: _See_ p. 224, Note 2.]

[Footnote 251.1: Philip Berney.]

[Footnote 251.2: St. Peter’s day was the 29th June.]

[Footnote 251.3: John Jermyn was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk
this year.]

202

ABSTRACT[252.1]

SIR J. FASTOLF to SIR THOMAS HOWYS, Parson of Castlecombe.

[Sidenote: 1451(?) / JULY 20]

Has received his letter by Herry Hansson. Does not think he authorised Howys to have Andrews and his other adversaries noted and corrected at _oyer and determyner_; but if there was any letter to that effect, F. will bear him out. Thinks even if there was any letter to that effect sent by negligence, Howys should have taken counsel, and he would not have been sued for conspiracy. If Andrews and the others had been sued in Suffolk instead of Norfolk, they could have had no grounds of action.

London, 20 July.

[John Andrews was one of Heydon’s adherents who gave trouble to
Fastolf and his friends on more than one occasion; but this letter
seems to have reference to the proceedings taken against several of
that faction in 1451.]

[Footnote 252.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 258.]]

203

ABSTRACT[252.2]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN BERNEY, SIR THOS. HOWYS, AND WALTER SHIPDAM.

[Sidenote: 1451 / SEPT.]

Begs them to hasten Rob. Boothe to London. Hears that the _oyer and termyner_ is to be at Norwich on Thursday[252.3] after Holyrood day, and that Will. Yelverton, justice, is to be there. Ascertain, therefore, how the substantial men of Norwich are inclined in my matter against Appulzerd, and take Paston’s advice in proceeding. Is advised to send John Bokkyng or Will. Barker to them before the time. Bids them send an indenture of Cornelys Floryson about wheat and malt. Has arrested the ship. As to the matter against Applierd, if Todenham, Heydon, Wymondham, &c., or any of them, will labour for their acquittal against me in the Lady Bardolf’s matter, you must oppose it. Trusts the present mayor and his predecessor know what he has done for the town, and Will. Jenney and his brother can testify to Applierd’s demeanour. You must get a copy of the indictment, lest he deny the presentment. Sends a lease of Lady Sterburgh’s part and Bardolf’s, made by Wichingham and Blake, and a confirmation of Sir Reynold Cobham,[253.1] and the said Lady Sterburgh his wife, &c. Commend me to my Lord of Ely[253.2] and my Lord of Oxford if they be there, and my coz. Yelverton, and ask my Lord of Norwich for tidings of Hikelyng. ‘Item, blessed be God of his visitation! I have been sore sick and am well amended, and trust to our Lord to see you hastily and other of my friends.’

(_Signature not F.’s own._)

[Footnote 252.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 233.] From the
reference to the date of the _oyer and termyner_ mentioned in
this letter, it is clear that it was written in the same year as
the letter following, and probably a few days earlier.]

[Footnote 252.3: September 16th, Holy Rood day being the 14th.]

[Footnote 253.1: Sir Reginald Cobham of Sterborough in Surrey,
father of the notorious Eleanor Cobham.]

[Footnote 253.2: Thomas Bourchier, afterwards Archbishop of
Canterbury.]

204

ABSTRACT[253.3]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN A BERNEY, JOHN PASTON, AND SIR THOMAS HOWYS.

[Sidenote: 1451 / SEPT. 14]

As the _oyer and termyner_ is to be at Norwich on Thursday next,[253.4] sends John Bokkyng to wait upon his counsel there to see to his matter against Appulzerd. They are to spare no cost to bring it to a good end, especially the bill of maintenance against Appulzerd, who was the greatest cause that the inquest passed against F. so untruly.

(_Signature not F.’s own._)

London, 14 Sept. 30 Hen. VI.

[Footnote 253.3: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 251.]]

[Footnote 253.4: 16th September.]

205

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO SIR THOMAS HOWES[253.5]

_To my trusty frendys, Sir Thomas Howys, Parson of Castellcombe, beyng at Castre._

[Sidenote: 1451 / SEPT. 23]

Ryght trusty frendys, I grete you well. Item where as the Bysshop of Norwych[253.6] makyth but delayes in my resonable desyre for an eende to be had in the xxv. marc of Hykelyng, y am uppon a appoyntement and throw wyth the heyr of Clyfford, that he shall entree in the hole maner that ys chargeable wyth my xxv. marc rent, which the Pryour and Convent have forfeted the seid hole manor to the heyers undre her Convent seele of record, because of myne nonne payment of xxv. marc; and so then the Pryour shall lese for ever iiij^xx [_four score_] marc of rent, and that wythout onye concience, for they have be fals both to the Clyffordys and to me thys vij. yeere day. And y trust to God to correct hem so by spirituell law and temporell law, that all othyr Relygyoux shall take an example to breke the covenant or wille of anye benefactor that avauncyth hem wyth londs, rents, or gode; and my confessours have exorted me gretely ther too. And Almyghty God kepe you. Wryt at London, the xxiij. day of September anno xxxº R. H. VI.

JOHN FASTOLF, Kt.

There is one Walsam wold desyre acquitaunce of pardon for the wydow of Hygham, I hafe no cause, for hyr husband left hyr whereoff to pay hyr debts suffisaunt, and for me he ferre the better. The wydow noysyth you, Sir Thomas, that ye sold a wey salt but for xx_s._ that she might hafe had xl_s._ for every wey, I pray you aunswer that for your acquytaille.

Item, sende me the value of Goold ys tenement in Drayton, wyth xx. acres lond therto, what it was worth yeerly when it stode hoole; for Sellyng seith it was worth but j. noble by yeer.

[Footnote 253.5: [From Fenn, iii. 132.]]

[Footnote 253.6: Walter Lyhart or Hart.]

206

RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON[254.1]

_To my mastir, John Paston, Esquier._

[Sidenote: 1451 / DEC. 18]

Right worshippful sir, I recomaunde me unto you. And please it you to witte of oure newe tydinges here; as this day com writing both to my Lorde[254.2] and to my Lady from London, that there be certein lettres directed to my Lorde from my Lady his moder,[255.1] and diverse other Lordes for to have Danyell[255.2] in his favour a geyne, and as it is supposed by the meanes of the Duc of Somersette,[255.3] for he hath ben right conversaunte with hym all this quarter of this yere. And also thei that sente this writing sayn playnly that the Lorde Skales is gode lorde to hym, and that he hath promysed hym to make Sir Thomas Tudenham, Heydon, and hym accorded, and other men in the cuntre, and that he shall be suffred to entre in to Brayston, and kepe it to th’entente that the cuntre shall thinke, and my Lord also, that he hathe grete favour amonge the Lordes of the Counsell, and cause men to fere hym the more. Whethir it be thus or non I can not say; never the lesse me thinketh ye shall sone knowe if Mounford will agree that he shall entre in to Brayston, and if that be trewe, all the remenant shall seme the more likly.

I pray you brenne this letter when ye have redde it. My Lorde and my Lady sayn ye shall be right welcome and ye will se theym this Crisemasse. I reporte me to your wisdom, and God have you in his keping. Writon at Framlyngham, the xviij. day of Decembre.

RIC. SOUTHWELL.

[Footnote 254.1: [From Fenn, iii. 366.] This letter must have
been written in 1451. It appears from No. 119 that Daniel
entered the manor of Brayston or Braydeston during the sitting
of the Parliament at Leicester in the spring of 1450. He was
dispossessed by Mundford and Heydon on the 7th September
following, but he entered the place a second time in the 30th
year of Henry VI., _i.e._ some time between the 1st September
1451 and the 31st August 1452. In this letter it is anticipated
that he will be enabled to enter the place by his influence with
Lord Scales and the Duke of Somerset. This cannot refer to his
first entry, as Somerset was in France for a long time before.]

[Footnote 254.2: John Mobray, Duke of Norfolk, married Ellenor,
daughter of William Bourchier, Earl of Ewe, in Normandy.--F.]

[Footnote 255.1: Catharine, daughter of Ralph, Earl of
Westmoreland, and widow of John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.--F.]

[Footnote 255.2: Thomas Daniel, Esq., was Constable of Rising
Castle, and married Margaret, sister of John Howard, afterwards
Duke of Norfolk.--F.]

[Footnote 255.3: Edmund Beaufort.]

207

AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[255.4]

_To John Paston dwyllyng in the Tempyll at London be this letter delyverid in haste._

[Sidenote: 1451 or later / NOV.]

I gret zou well, and lete zou wete that Warne Harman on the Sonday after Hallumesday after ensong seyd oponly in the cherch zerde that he wyst wyll that and the Wall were puddoun, thou he were an hundryd myle fro Paston he wyste well that I wolde sey he ded yt and he xuld bere the blame, seying Telle yte here ho so wyll, thou it xuld coste me xx. nobyllys it xall be puddoun azen. And the seyd Warnys wyfe with a lowd vosse seyd All the deuyllys of hell drawe her sowle to hell for the weye that she hat mad. And at euyn a sertyn man suppyd with me and tolde me that the patent[256.1] grantyt to closse but a perch on bred, and that I had clossyd more than the grant of the patent is as men seyd. And John Marchall tolde me that there was a thryfty woman come forby the watteryng and fond the weye stoppyde and askyd hym ho had stoppyd the weye, and he seyd, they that had pore to zeue it, and askyd here Wat was freer than zyfte, and he seyd she sey the day that Paston men wold not asofferyd that. And God be with zou. Wretyn at Paston on Monday after Hallumys day.

Be zour modyr,

ANNES PASTON.

[Footnote 255.4: [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 76.] This letter is
evidently of the same year as Nos. 194 and 196, which must be
1451 at the earliest.]

[Footnote 256.1: The patent granted to her husband in 1443
(21 Hen. VI.). _See_ Introduction.]

[[_See_ Introduction. _printed in Roman (non-Italic) type_]]

208

OSBERT MUNDFORD TO JOHN PASTON[256.2]

_To Right Worshipful sir and my gode maister Johan Paston, escuier, &c._

[Sidenote: 1452 / FEB. 9]

Right worshipful Sir, and my Right gode Maister, I Recommaunde to yow with al myne hert. Plese yow that I have understanden that Daniel hath entred in to Brayston, and put owte my servantes and dispoiled my godes, notwithstandinge I am here in the Kinges service and under his proteccion, which was shewed him; for the whiche owtrage I write to the King at this tyme and to other my gode lordes, for to be kepte in my pocession, and to be restored again to my godes. And if so be that I may not have my pocession ayene and be restored to my godes as I desire, I wol take an accion be your avis of forsable entre in my name and my wifes for owre title, &c., and an accion of trespasse for dispoiling of my godes ayenst him and al tho that were helpinge or consenting therto, &c., and assisse of a novel Disseson in my sonnes name, Johan of Berney, for to trye the title and ende debate with Goddes help and youres, &c.; for the whiche matere I write unto my fader, to myne Eme[257.1] Adam, to my Cosyn Fyncheham, to Edmond Piers, and to other divers of my frendes to be my helpers in thes mater in myne absence. For I may not come nor I wol not come, though I shulde lese al Brayston, and it were myne, considering that the enemyes drawen dailly hedirward, as it is openly said, &c. Wherfore I praye yow, as my ful trust is in yow, to tendre this matere in myne absence. And that it shal plese yow to recommaund me to my worshipful maistresse and gossip, your wif. And my maistresse recommaundes her vnto yow, and to her worshipful nece, and to al youres. Prayinge Almighty God to have yow in his kepinge and sende yow right gode lif and longe, after your awne hertes desire. And, Sir, if it plese yow to come to Calais with the king, ye shul have a stope of bere to comforte yow after your travaille of the see. And if ther be any service that ye wol commaund me to do for you here, ye shul fynde me your owne man. Written at Calais, the ix^e. day of Feveree, &c.--Your awne seruant,

OSBERNE MUNDEFORD.

[Footnote 256.2: [Add. 34,888, f. 79.] It appears by No. 119
that Daniel entered the manor of Braydeston, or Brayston, first
during the time of the Parliament at Leicester, 28 Hen. VI.
(_i.e._ May or June 1450), and a second time during the
thirtieth year of the King, _i.e._ 1451-2. As this letter is
dated February, 1452 must be the year.]

[Footnote 257.1: ‘Eme,’ _i.e._ uncle.]

209

JOHN CLOPTON TO JOHN PASTON[258.1]

_Unto myn right worshipfull sir, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1452 / APRIL 1]

Right worshipfull Sire and myn good maister, I recomaund me unto you, thankyng you of your gentilness chewed unto me; praying you of contenuance as myn full trust is. Furthermore, and it please you to be atte aleyser un Seynt Markis day next comyng and to be at Thetford, myn brodir Tyrell and I wole awayte uppon you ther for the matere ye woet of. And I praye you to hold me excused that I myght not kepe myn day in the Passion wike, for in good feight I was so occupied I myght not. And, Sire, yif this day may be hol . . I praye you sendith me woord that I myght send warnyng to the todir party. Also, Sire, I have warned your atteynt accordyng to your comawndment. Sir, the kyng hath sent unto me by Howard to be frendly to the lord Moleyns; not with stondyng myn service shall be redy at your comawndement in that matere er any othir by the grace of God, Who preserve you, body and sowle. Wreten at Melford, the furste day of Aprill.

Be youris,

J. CLOPTON.

[Footnote 258.1: [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 60.] The date of this
letter must no doubt be referred to the year when the writer was
Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, which he was from November 1451
to 1452.]

210

PROCLAMATION BY THE DUKE OF NORFOLK[258.2]

The Duc of Norffolk

[Sidenote: 1452 / [APRIL]]