Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

[Footnote 21.3: Who this Prior was we cannot say, the list of
the Priors of Bromholm being very defective. Blomefield says,
that a Prior John has been met with in the 11th of Edward III.,
and Robert, in the 14th of Henry VI.--that is to say, in 1435 or
1436, just ninety-nine years later. Nothing is known of the
Priors between these dates, even by the latest editors of
Dugdale.]

[Footnote 21.4: ‘Commoigne,’ i.e. brother monk. The writer also
calls him _apostata_, _i.e._ a monk who has run away and
renounced his order.]

[Footnote 22.1: These words occur in the draft, but are crossed
out.]

[Footnote 22.2: Thomas Brancaccio, Cardinal Bishop of Tricarico.
He was made a cardinal by his uncle, Pope John XXIII., and is
said to have been a man of very bad morals.]

[Footnote 22.3: Interlined, and afterwards erased.]

[Footnote 23.1: Above these words, and in the place where the
signature might have been expected, occur these names, one above
another--
‘Thomas Abbas de Leyston, in Com’ Suff.
‘Ricardus Fremelyngham, concanonichus ibidem.’
They do not, however, appear to be connected with the letter.
The following words are also scrawled between this letter and
the next:-- ‘N. persona ecclesiæ de Testerton in Com’ Norff.
Gees Cuttyng. Joh’ persona ecclesiæ de Yermuth (?), Alicia
Gosloth (?).’]

[Footnote 23.2: _Sic._]

[Footnote 23.3: The title ‘Sir’ was at this time commonly
prefixed to a priest’s name.]

[Footnote 23.4: The ‘vij.’ is struck out.]

[Footnote 23.5: Contiañce, MS. here and after.]

[Footnote 23.6: Struck out.]

[Footnote 24.1: Here occur the following words, crossed
out:-- ‘Ferthermore, touchant my persone, I mervaille that the
seyd ---- Ferthermore.’]

[Footnote 24.2: Struck out.]

[Footnote 24.3: Omitted in MS.]

[Footnote 24.4: The draft here ends abruptly.]

[[fuit seisitus de manerio _text has “d emanerio”_]]

11

JOHN PASTON _ALIAS_ WORTES[25.1]

_Venerables et discretes persones les courtesans demorans en l’ostel du Templebar en la cité de Londres, Mes treschiers et treshonnourés seigneurs et amis._

[Sidenote: 1426]

Treschiers et treshonnourés seigneurs et grans amis, toutte recommendation premise, plaisir vous soit de scavoir que je vous notifie et avertich pour le present que Wilhelmus Paston le Sargant est denunciés escommuniés, que plus plainement poes perchevoir per Instrument que vous envoye. Et pour tant, mez treschiers seigneurs, que je disire moult le salut de votre ames et l’onneur de cascun de vous, comme faire le doy, affin que vous u [_ou_] aucun de vous n’ayes aucune conversation u participation auvecquels le dit Wilhelmus, car il est aggrevés a cloquettes sonans, et tant que pour faire cesser en touttes eglises leur il voldroit aler. Mais jou qui suy homme d’eglise et sur touttes choses desire et convoite l’onneur et le bien dou Royaulme, car gy suy tenus, je ne envoye point pour le present les dittes aggravances, ne ossi voillans faire si grand mal que poroye jusquels a che que j’aray certaines novelles et responses comment li dis Wilhelmes se voldra ordonner en mes affaires, car nous avons en le loy que nuls os excumeniés ne puet et ne doit estre admis devant juge quelcunque. Mes treschiers seigneurs, se aucune chose vo plaise que faire puisse, mande le me et le feray de bon cuer. E le sancte Dieuls qui vous ait tous et cascun de vous en sa sancte garde. Et osy, mes treschiers et treshonourés seigneurs, plaise vous scavoir que encelle meyme cause li dis Wilhelmes est redevaules et enquews envers moy, par sentence diffinitive que j’ay obtenu pour moy, en mille deuls cens et trente ducas, et que li dis Wilhelmes ne puet yestre jamays absols sy non qu’il soit d’acort auvecquels moy. Escript a en la ville de Bruges le xxiij^e jour de Jenvier.

JOHANNES PASTON,[26.1] en temps passé Priour
de Broholm, et pour le present evesquels
de Corkagen, le tout vostre.

[Footnote 25.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] William Paston, who is
here spoken of as a Serjeant, attained that degree in 1421, and
was made Judge of the Common Pleas in 1429. But a closer
approximation to the date of this letter may be made by
comparing it with that which follows, which is certainly much
about the same time.]

[Footnote 26.1: William Paston, as appears by Nos. 12 and 14
following, disputed this writer’s right to call himself Paston,
and asserted that his real name was Wortes. It is curious that
neither in the list of the Bishops of Cork, nor in that of the
Priors of Bromholm, is the name either of Paston or Wortes to be
met with.]

12

WILLIAM PASTON TO WILLIAM WORSTED AND OTHERS[26.2]

_A mez treshonnourés Meistres Will’m Worstede, John Longham, et Meistre Piers Shelton soit donné._

[Sidenote: 1426 / MARCH 1]

Right worthy and worshepefull sires and maistres, I recomand me to yow, and thank yow with al my herte, of the gret tendrenesse ye lyke to have of the salvacion of my symple honeste, preying yow evermore of your good continuance. I have, after the advys of your lettre, doon dewely examyned the instrument by the wysest I coude fynde here, and in especial by on Maister Robert Sutton,[27.1] a courtezane of the Court of Rome, the which is the chief and most chier man with my Lord of Gloucestre, and his matier in the said court for my lady, his wyff;[27.2] and here aunswere is that al this processe, though it were in dede preceded as the instrument specifieth, is not suffisant in the lawe of Holy Cherche, and that hem semyth, by the sight of the instrument and by the defautes [that] ye espied in the same and other, and in maner by the knowelech of the notarie, that the processe, in gret part ther of, is fal[se and un]trewe. I have taken advys of Maister Robert Bruus, chauncellor with my Lord of Cantirbury,[27.3] and Maister Nicholl Billesdon,[27.4] cha[uncellor] of my Lord of Wynchestre,[27.5] and Maister John Blodwelle,[27.6] a weel lerned man holden, and a suffisant courtezan of the seyd court, and all these acorden to the seyd Maister Robert Sutton. Nought with stondyng that I herde nevere of this matier no maner lykly ne credible evidence unto that I sey your lettre and the instrument, yet I made an appell and a procuracie, and also a provocacion, at London, longe biforn Cristemasse, by the a[dvys] of Maister David Aprys, Maister Symond Kempston, and Maister James Cole, and sent al this, with an instruccion of al the matier, w[ith] my procuratours to Rome by your frere, my Maister Suppriour, and geff hym gold that he was content: and, evermore, nowe here by advys I make this day a newe appelle and a newe procuracion, and upon this alle the seyd worthy men here seyn and informe me pleynly I have no maner cause in lawe ne in conscience to drede aught in this matier. Myn adversarie[27.7] is become Bysshop of Cork in Irland, and ther arn ij. other persones provided to the same bysshopriche yet lyvyng, beforn my seyd adversarie; and by this acceptacion of this bysshopriche, he hath pryved hym self of the title that he claymed in Bromholm, and so adnulled the ground of his processe ageyn me, and also the tyme of his grevaunce pretendid, and the tyme of his sute he was _apostata_, and I trowe is yet, and so unable to sue any swich processe. I purpose me to come homward be London, to lerne more in this matier, if I may. I prey the Holy Trinite, lord of your cherche and of alle the werld, delyvere me of my iij. adversaries, of this cursed bysshop for Bromholm, Aslak for Sprouston,[28.1] and Julian Herberd for Thornham. I have nought trespassed ageyn noon of these iij., God knowing, and yet I am foule and noysyngly vexed with hem, to my gret unease, and al for my lordes and frendes matieres, and nought for myn owyn. I wot not whether it were best in any sermon or other audience, in your cherche or elles where, to declare aught of this matier in stoppyng of the noyse that renneth in this case. I submitte me and alle this matier to your good discrecion; and evere gremercy God, and ye, who ever have yow and me in His gracious governance. I suppose to see yow on Palm Sunday. Writen at Leycestre, the Friday the thredde wyke of Lente.

Alle the seyd lerned men telle me trewely ther is nother perill ne doubte in the takyng doun of the instrument and the bille to no creature. Which instrument and bille I send yow ageyn by the berare of this, which I prey you to kepe as pryve as ye may.

Yowr man,

W. PASTON.

I have preyed my Maister Hammond to write yow tydyngges, and smale (?) lesynges among.

[Footnote 26.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] About the year 1425 the
question of the validity of the Duke of Gloucester’s marriage
with Jacqueline of Hainault was before the Court of Rome. This
letter must have been written in the spring of the year
following, when Parliament was sitting at Leicester. The
original is slightly mutilated at the edge in one place.]

[Footnote 27.1: Prebendary of Lincoln, 1435-9. Died 1439.]

[Footnote 27.2: Jacqueline of Hainault, whom Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester, married, pretending that her former marriage with
John, Duke of Brabant, was void by consanguinity. The question
which of the two marriages was valid was at this time before the
Pope.]

[Footnote 27.3: Archbishop Chicheley.]

[Footnote 27.4: Dean of Salisbury, 1435-41. Died 1441.]

[Footnote 27.5: Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, afterwards
Cardinal.]

[Footnote 27.6: LL.D. Prebendary of Hereford about 1433, and of
Lichfield 1432-43.]

[Footnote 27.7: John Paston or Wortes, the writer of the
preceding letter.]

[Footnote 28.1: A lordship in Sprouston was acquired by John
Aslake of Bromholm in 14 Richard II., and seems to have
continued some time in that family. Blomefield notes that a
Walter Aslake, Esq. of Sprouston, had a protection in the 10th
of Henry VI., being in France in the retinue of John, Duke of
Bedford (Blomefield’s _Norfolk_, x. 462). Probably this was the
same Walter Aslak mentioned in No. 6 preceding. --_See_ p. 18.]

13

ABSTRACTS[29.1]

[Sidenote: 1426]

(1) _Capias_ against William Stayard of Great Yarmouth, late lieutenant of Thomas Chaucer,[29.2] chief butler of Henry V., for debts to the Crown.

(2) Release by William Steyard of Great Yarmouth, to Elizabeth, widow of John Rothenhale, Knight, of all personal actions against her as her husband’s executor. 7 April, 4 Hen. VI.

14

ABSTRACT[29.3]

JOHN PASTON _alias_ WORTES.

[Sidenote: 1426 / DEC. 1]

i. Draft writ to the Sheriff of Norwich to attach and bring before the Council John Paston _alias_ Wortes and others for violation of the statutes of Provisors 25 Edw. III. and 16 Ric. II., on the complaint of John Brundale, prior of Bromholm that although he, Brundale, was canonically elected prior, the said Paston or Wortes had crossed the sea without royal license, obtained a provision of the said priory in the Court of Rome, and got himself installed as prior, and the other expelled. Also the said John Paston or Wortes, and John Gees, a Carmelite friar of Norwich, Edmund Alderford, late of Norwich, clerk, Barth. Waryn, parson of Trunche, William Cuttyng of Worsted, clerk, John Gees of Crowemer, merchant, and Ralph Gunton of Norwich, scrivener, received the said instruments at Bakton, and put them into execution.--Dated 1 Dec.

ii. On the back of the preceding is another draft writ of the same date against the same parties for endeavouring to draw the prior out of the kingdom by a suit in the Court of Rome.

The paper is endorsed--’S. (?) Billæ vis. Veneris prox. post diem antedictum (?) Anno H. vj. v^to, et non necessario festinant’. Iterum supervidendum.’

_Endorsed in a later hand_-- ‘Towchynge Sir John Fastolffes landes
in Norffolk and Surrye.’

[Footnote 29.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 29.2: He is believed to have been son of Geoffrey
Chaucer, the famous poet, and his daughter Alice married William
De la Pole, at this time Earl, afterwards Duke, of Suffolk.]

[Footnote 29.3: [From a Bodl. MS.]]

[[Barth. Waryn, parson of Trunche _text has “Barth,” with , for ._]]

15

ABSTRACT[30.1]

---- ---- TO WILLIAM PASTON.

[Sidenote: 1426(?)]

‘Dear and well-beloved Cousin.’ --Is in good health, but ill at ease, being informed that she is in debt to Steyard for my lord’s debt, whose soul God assoil, £7 and a pipe of wine. Knew nothing of it in my lord’s life, except of 2 pipes for herself, and one for her mother-in-law, of which she has paid 20s. Since my Lord’s death, Steyard has never asked her for it. ‘For which time, as I was at Jernemouth abiding in the Frere Carmes the time of the pestilence, his wife came unto me,’ asking the writer to be good lady to him; and he asked no more then than the above 3 pipes. He asked no more last harvest when he was sick and like to die, when John of Berneye was present. Thinks, therefore, his asking is untrue. My Lord would have made me or some of his council privy to such a debt. Hopes Paston, whom my Lord made one of his feoffees, will see ‘that ye and I be discharged anemps the King as for the debt of Steyard.’ --Dated Castre, the day after the Conversion of St. Paul. Addressed, ‘A mon tres cher et bien ame cousin, Will’m Paston soit donné.’

[This letter is endorsed in another hand, ‘W. Paston, j. feoffatorum
et executorum Johannis Rothnale per lit’ Cz. (?)’ It seems,
therefore, to have been written by the Lady Elizabeth, widow of Sir
John Rothenhale, whose name occurs in No. 13 in connection with
William Steyard of Great Yarmouth. She was the daughter of Sir
Philip Branch, Kt., and had been previously married to John Clere of
Ormesby. She died at Caister, the place from which this letter is
dated, in 1440; and by her will, which was dated at Caister, 16th
October 1438, she bequeathed all her goods at Ormesby to her son
Robert Clere, and all her goods at Horning Hall, in Caister, to her
son Edmund. --_See_ Blomefield’s _Norfolk_, iv. 35, vi. 392, xi.
210.]

[Footnote 30.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[[whose name occurs in No. 13
_corrected by editor from “No. 8”_]]

16

ABSTRACT[30.2]

[Sidenote: 1426-7]

Depositions on the ---- day of ----, 5 Hen. VI., by Richard Wyoth, executor of Margery, daughter and heir of Edmund Bakon, touching the manor of Gressam which Bakon purchased, _temp._ Edw III. After the death of two brothers, Margery became sole possessor, and gave it to Wyoth and other executors to perform her will, with proviso that Philip Vache and Eliz., his wife, should have it during their lives, but that the reversion of it should be sold, giving William, son of Robert Moleyns, the first option of purchase. It was accordingly offered to him, but he refused to buy. On the death of said Eliz., however, he bought the manor for 420 marks, and held it two years, when Wyoth re-entered because part of the purchase-money was unpaid. W. Moleyns’s wife, however, induced him to accept security from Thos. Fawkoner, merchant of London, whose daughter the said William agreed that his son should marry, when he came of age; and it was arranged that meanwhile Fawkoner and Wyoth should be jointly enfeoffed of the manor, which was to be given in jointure, if the marriage took effect. The marriage did not take effect, and Fawkoner re-entered upon the manor according to the enfeoffment, but paid Wyoth nothing, till Thos. Chawsers,[31.1] Esq., a kinsman of the said Margery, made him understand that Wyoth might enter on his own portion, and had even a prior right to himself. At length Fawkoner sold his right to Chaucers and Wyoth, and released the manor on security for the payment. Wyoth then said he should have little advantage by the bargain, except in having easy days of payment; ‘et quod dictus Thomas Chaucers, pro bona voluntate quod (_sic_) erga dictum Willelmum Paston gessit, episcopum Londoni de emptione ejusdem manerii per longum tempus dilatavit, intentione ut idem Willelmus illud emeret si voluerit.’

17

ABSTRACT[31.2]

RAUF, Parson of Cressyngham, to WILLIAM PASTON, Justice.

[Sidenote: 1427-43]

Is he to deliver to John Halleman Paston’s evidences belonging to the manor of Wodhalle in Pagrave, and under what form? Hopes to see him at Norwich, on Tuesday or Wednesday after Michaelmas-day. Cressingham, 20 Sept.

On the back are written, in William Paston’s hand, some notes of a case touching ‘Frater Kensale.’

[Ralph Wolman _alias_ Harple was incumbent of Cressingham from 1427
to 1460; but this letter could not have been written later than
1443, as William Paston died in August of the following year.]

[Footnote 30.2: _Ibid._]

[Footnote 31.1: _See_ Note 2 on page 29. _See also_ Blomefield,
viii. 127.]

[Footnote 31.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

18

ABSTRACT[31.3]

Mutilated Letter in French, from JOHN VAUX, Parson of Edythorp, to ----.

[Sidenote: 1426]

Only the right-hand half of the letter remains. Names mentioned--Richard de Causton, William Coule. Date lost.

[John Vaux was Rector of Edingthorp in Norfolk, in 1388. His
successor was John Prentys, who was presented to the living in 1429
by the feoffees of the duchy of Lancaster.--Blomefield, xi. 29.]

[Footnote 31.3: _Ibid._]

19

ABSTRACT[32.1]

[Sidenote: 1426 / DEC. 7]

‘A grant of the Monastery of Bury to make William Paston, justice, brother of the Chapter-House.’ Day of St. Ambrose 1429.

[The description is taken from an endorsement. The document itself
is printed in Yates’s _Bury St. Edmunds_, p. 156.]

[Footnote 32.1: [Add. Charter 17,226, B.M.]]

20

WILLIAM PASTON TO THE VICAR OF THE ABBOT OF CLUGNY[32.2]

[Sidenote: 1430(?)]

My ryghte worthy and worshopeful lord, I recomaunde me to yow. And for as meche [as I] conseyve verrayly that ye arn Vicar general in Inggelond of the worthy Prelate, the Abbot of Clunie, and have hys power in many grete articles, and mong other in profession of monkes in Inggelond of the seyd ordere. And in my cuntre, but a myle fro the place where I was born, is the poure hous of Bromholm of the same ordre, in wheche arn divers vertuous yongge men, monkes clad and unprofessyd, that have abedyn there. . . . Abbyte ix. or x. yeer; and be lenger delaye of here profession, many inconvenientez arne lyke to falle. And also the priour of . . . hath resigned in to your worthy handes by certeins notables and resonables causes, as it apperyth by an instrument, and a symple lettre under the comune seal of the seyd hous of Bromholm, which the berare of this hath redy to shewe yow, wher up on I prey yow wyt al my herte, and as I evere may do yow service, that it lyke to your grace to graunte of your charite, by yowr worthy lettres to the priour of Thetford in Norfolk, of the seyde ordre of Clunye, autorite and power as your ministre and depute to professe in dwe forme the seyd monkes of Bromholm unprofessed. And that it lyke yow evermore to accepte and admitte the seyd resygnacion by your seyd autoritie and power, wyth the favour of your good lordshepe in comfort and consolacion of your pouere prestes, the monkes of the seyd hous of Bromholm, and there up to graunte your worthy lettres, wittenessyng the same acceptacion and admyssion of the seyd resignacion, and al your seyd lettres to delyvere to my clerke, to wham I prey yow to gyve feith and credence touchant this matier, and to delivere it hym in alle the hast resonable. And I am your man, and evere will be by the grace of God, which evere have yow in his kepyng. Writen at Norwich the [33.1] of Aprill.

Yowres,

WILL. PASTON.

[Footnote 32.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed
from a rough draft written on paper, corrected in William
Paston’s own hand, and scribbled over, after his fashion, with
numerous other drafts and jottings on both sides. Some of these
occur upside down between the lines of this letter. At the head
of the memoranda on the back are the words, ‘In parliamento,
anno H. vj. viijº.’ from which we may infer the date to be at
least as early.]

[Footnote 33.1: Blank in MS.]

21

ABSTRACT[33.2]

[Sidenote: 1429-30]

A Memorandum, dated 8 Henry VI., that Sir Simon Felbrigge, William Paston, &c., recovered certain land in Edithorp, Bakton, and Northwalsham, against Richard, Abbot of St. Benet’s, Hulme, John Roys, and others.

[Footnote 33.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

22

ABSTRACT[33.3]

ROBERT, LORD OF WILLUGHBY AND BEAUMESNIL, TO WILLIAM PASTON, ESQ.

[Sidenote: 1431 / JAN. 8]

Notifying that he has granted to Sir William Oldhall and Margaret, our sister, his wife, for moneys which Oldhall has lent and paid for him at need, an annuity of 120 marks on lands in Norfolk and Suffolk, in which ye (William Paston, Esq.) stand enfeoffed, to our behoof. Pont de l’Arche, 8 Jan. 1430, 9 Hen. VI.--_Signed. Fine seal, mutilated._

[Footnote 33.3: [Add. Charter 17,227, B.M.]]

23

ABSTRACT[34.1]

[Sidenote: 1432 / MAY 1]

Deed Poll, whereby Robert York, Prior of the church of St. Andrew of Broomholme, and the Convent of the same place, grant to Sir Simon Felbrygg, Knt., William Paston of Paston, and others, certain lands in Bacton Wood, &c., 1 May, 10 Henry VI. (_Fragment of seal._)

[Footnote 34.1: [Add. Charter 14,313, B.M. (Dr. Turner’s
Coll.)]]

24

EDUCATION OF HENRY VI[34.2]

_Articles de Monsr. de Warrewyk[34.3] touchant le bon regime du Roy, etc._[34.4]

[Sidenote: 1432 / NOV. 9]

For the goode reule, demesnyng and seuretee of the Kynges persone, and draught of him to vertue and connyng, and eschuyng of eny thing that mighte yeve empeschement or let therto, or cause eny charge, defaulte, or blame to be leyd upon the Erle of Warrewyk at eny tyme withouten his desert, he, considering that perill and besinesse of his charge aboute the Kinges persone groweth so that that auctoritee and power yeven to him before suffiseth him nought without more therto, desireth therfor thees thinges that folowen.

Furst, that considering that the charge of the reule, demesnyng, and governance, and also of nourture of the Kinges persone resteth upon the said Erle whiles it shal like the king, and the perille, daunger, and blame if eny lak or defaulte, were in eny of thees, the whiche lak or defaulte mighte be caused by ungodely or unvertuous men, if eny suche were aboute his persone; he desireth therfore, for the goode of the King, and for his owne seuretee, to have power and auctoritee to name, ordeigne, and assigne, and for cause that shal be thought to him resonable to remoeve thoo that [shal] be aboute the Kinges persone, of what estate or condicion that thei be, not entending to comprehende in this desir the Stuard, Chamberlein, Tresoror, Contrerollor, ne Sergeantz of offices, save suche as serve aboute the Kinges persone and for his mouth.

_Responsio._ As toward the namyng, ordeignance, and assignacion beforesaid, it is agreed, so that he take in noon of the iiij. knightes ne squyers for the body without th’advis of my Lord of Bedford,[35.1] him being in England, and him being out, of my Lord of Gloucestre[35.2] and of the remenant of the Kinges Counsail.

* * *

Item, the said Erle desireth that where he shal have eny persone in his discrecion suspect of mysgovernance, and not behoveful nor expedient to be aboute the King, except th’estates of the hous, that he may putte hem from excercise and occupacion of the Kinges service till that he shal mowe have speche with my Lordes of Bedford or of Gloucestre, and with the other Lordes of the Kinges Counsaile, to that ende that, the defaulte of eny suche persone knowen unto him, shal mowe ordeigne therupon as theim shel thenke expedient and behoveful.

_Responsio._ It is agreed as it is desired.

* * *

Item, the said Erle desireth that, for sikenesse and other causes necessaries and resonables, he may, by warnyng to my Lordes of Bedford or Gloucestre and the Kinges Counsail, be and stande freely descharged of the saide occupacion and besinesse about the Kinges persone, under the favour and goode grace of the King, my Lordes of Bedford and Gloucestre, and other Lordes of the Kinges Counsail.

_Responsio._ It is agreed as it is desired.

* * *

Item, that considering howe, blessed be God, the King is growen in yeers, in stature of his persone, and also in conceite and knouleche of his hiegh and royalle auctoritee and estat, the whiche naturelly causen him, and from day to day as he groweth shul causen him, more and more to grucche with chastising, and to lothe it, so that it may resonably be doubted leste he wol conceive ayeins the said Erle, or eny other that wol take upon him to chastise him for his defaultes, displesir, or indignacion therfore, the whiche, without due assistence, is not easy to be born: It like, therfore, to my Lord of Gloucestre, and to alle the Lordes of the Kinges Counsail, to promitte to the said Erle, and assure him, that thei shul fermely and trewely assisten him in the excercise of the charge and occupacion that he hathe aboute the Kinges persone, namely in chastising of him for his defaultes, and supporte the said Erle therinne; and if the King at eny tyme wol conceyve for that cause indignacion ayeins the said Erle, my said Lord of Gloucestre, and Lordes, shul do alle her [_i.e._ their] trewe diligence and power to remoeve the King therfro.

_Responsio._ It is agreed as it is desired.

* * *

Item, the said Erle desireth that for asmuche as it shal be necessarie to remoeve the Kinges persone at diverse tymes into sundry places, as the cases mowe require, that he may have power and auctoritee to remoeve the King, by his discrecion, into what place him thenketh necessarie for the helthe of his body and seuretee of his persone.

_Responsio._ It is agreed as it is desired.

* * *

Item, sith the said Erle hath take upon him the governance of the Kinges persone, he desireth that alle th’estates, officers, and servantz of the Kinges hous, of what estate and condicion thei be, have special commandement and charge yeven by my Lordes of Bedford and Gloucestre, and by the Lordes of the Kinges Counsail, that in alle manere thinges seyn and advised by the said Erles descrecion, that is, for the Kinges estate, worship, helthe, and profit, by his commandement and ordeignance, thei be attendant and obeissant in accomplisshing therof.

_Responsio._ It is agreed as it is desired.

* * *

Item, for asmuche as the said Erle hath knouleche that in speche that hath be had unto the King at part and in prive, not hering the said Erle nor eny of the knightes set aboute his persone, nor assigned by the said Erle, he hath be stured by summe from his lernyng, and spoken to of diverse materes not behovefull, the seid Erle doubting the harme that mighte falle to the King, and the inconvenientz that mighte ensue of suche speche at part if it were suffred, desireth that in al speche to be had with the King, he or oon of the iiij. knightes, or sum persone to be assigned by the said Erle, be present and prive to it.

_Responsio_. This article is agreed, excepting suche persones as for nieghnesse of blood, and for their estate, owe of reson to be suffred to speke with the King.

* * *

Item, to th’entent that it may be knowen to the King that it procedeth of th’assent, advis, and agreement of my Lord of Gloucestre, and alle my Lordes of the Kinges Counsail, that the King be chastised for his defaultes or trespasses, and that for awe therof he forbere the more to do mys, and entende the more besily to vertu and to lernyng, the said Erle desireth that my Lord of Gloucestre, and my said other Lords of the Counsail, or great part of hem, that is to say, the Chanceller and Tresorer, and of everych estate in the Counsail, spirituell and temporell, summe come to the Kinges presence, and there to make to be declared to him theire agreement in that behalve.

_Responsio._ Whan the King cometh next to London, all his Counsail shal come to his presence, and there this shal be declared to him.

* * *

Item, the said Erle, that all his dayes hath, aboven alle other erthely thinges, desired, and ever shal, to kepe his trouthe and worship unblemysshed and unhurt, and maye not for all that lette malicious and untrewe men to make informacions of his persone, suche as thei may not, ne dare not, stand by, ne be not trewe, besecheth therfore my Lord of Gloucestre, and alle my said Lords of the Counsail, that if thei, or eny of hem, have be enformed of eny thing that may be or soune to his charge or defaulte, and namely in his occupacion and reule aboute the Kinges persone, that the said Erle may have knowleche therof, to th’entent that he may answer therto, and not dwelle in hevy or synistre conceit or opinion, withoute his desert and without answere.

_Responsio._ It is agreed.

CROMWELL.

H. GLOUCESTRE.

J. EBOR. P. ELIEN.

W. LINCOLN. J. BATHON., Canc. J. ROFFEN.

SUFFOLK. H. STAFFORD.

J. HUNTYNGTON.

The foregoing document is written on a skin of parchment docqueted
with the words printed in italics at the head. The following
memorandum is also endorsed-- ‘xxixº die Novembris anno undecimo
apud Westm. lecti fuerunt præsentes articuli coram dominis infra et
subscribentibus et ad eosdem Responsiones dabantur secundum quod
infra patet, præsentibus dominis infrascriptis.’ There are also
other endorsements, but of a later date.

[Footnote 34.2: [Add. Charter 17,228, B.M.]]

[Footnote 34.3: Richard de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, who died
in 1439.]

[Footnote 34.4: This title is taken from a contemporary
endorsement.]

[Footnote 35.1: John, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France, the
King’s uncle, brother of the late King Henry V.]

[Footnote 35.2: Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Protector of
England, another uncle of the King, being the youngest brother
of Henry V. He was called ‘the Good Duke Humphrey.’]

25

DALLING’S PETITION[38.1]

[Sidenote: 1433(?)]

Prefixed to this document in Fenn is the following title:--
‘A Petition to the Commons of England against Sir William Paston,
Knight, a Judge of the Common Pleas, by William Dalling.’ This
heading, however, has been taken from a more modern endorsement. No
contemporaneous document, so far as I am aware, gives Judge Paston
the designation of knight, or speaks of him as Sir William. In this
petition itself he is called simply William Paston, one of the
Justices; and although his name occurs frequently on the Patent
Rolls, in commissions of the peace, of gaol delivery, and the like,
down to the year of his death, the word ‘miles’ is never appended to
it.

The original commencement of this document has been crossed out. It was in these words:--

Plesit to the righte sage and wyse Communes of this present
Parlement, that wher every Justice of the Kyng is sworne that he
shulde not take no fees ne reward for to be of councell with noo
man, but oonly wyth our Soverayne Lorde the Kyng, and therto thei be
swore. And ther is oon Will’ Paston, one of the Justice of our
Soverayne Lorde in the Comene Place, taketh fees and rewarde.

On the back of the original document is written, in a hand of the
time, ‘Falsa billa Will’i Dalling, ad Parliamentum tempore quo Henr.
Grey fuit vicecomes ante annum terciodecimum Regis Henr. vj^{ti}.’
Henry Grey was sheriff of Norfolk in 1430, and again in 1433-4. The
Parliament referred to must either have been that of 8 Hen. VI.
(1429-30) or that of 12 Hen. VI. (1433), which sat till 21st
December. Probably the latter.

[Sidenote: 1434(?)]

Plese it to Commines of the present Parlement, that William Paston, on of the Justice of oure Saverayne Lorde Kyng, takyth diverse fees and rewardes of diverses persones withinne the shir of Norffolk and Suffolk, and is with holde with every matere in the sayde contrees, that is for to sey:--Of the Toune of Yernemuth, 1_s._ yerly; of the Abot of Seyn Benetys. xxvj_s._ viij_d._; of the Prior of Seyn Feithes, xx_s._; ‘and of my Lady Rothenhale,[39.1] xx_s_’; and of the Prior of Norwich, x_s._; and of the Prior of Penteney, xx_s._; and of the Toun of Lenn, xl_s._; and of the Prior of Walsyngham, xx_s._; and of Katherine Shelton,[39.2] x. mrc. ayeins the Kyng for to be of hir councell for to destroye the right of the Kyng and of his warde, that is for to sey, Raf,[39.3] soon and eyer of John Shelton.

[Footnote 38.1: [From Fenn, iii. 14.]]

[Footnote 39.1: This sentence in the original has a line drawn
over it. She was a widow of Sir John Rothenhale, Knight, and
dying at Caister, by Yarmouth, in 1440, was buried in Norwich
Cathedral.--F. _See_ Nos. 13 and 15, _ante_.]

[Footnote 39.2: Catharine, widow of William Shelton, Esq., and
daughter of Simon Barret, was grandmother to Ralph, and died in
1456.--F.]

[Footnote 39.3: Sir Ralph Shelton, Knight, son and heir of John
Shelton, Esq., was born in 1430. He married Margaret, daughter
of Robert Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and was High Sheriff of
Norfolk.--F.]

26

ABSTRACT[39.4]

[Sidenote: 1435 / SEPT. 26]

Lease made at Castre, on Monday before Michaelmas 14 Henry VI., by Geoffrey Walle, surveyor of the manors of Sir John Fastolf, to John Rakesond, son of Geoffrey Rakesond of Ormesby, of a messuage of Fastolf’s in Ormesby, called Reppes Place, etc.

[Footnote 39.4: [Phillipps MS., 9,735, No. 264.]]

27

ABSTRACT[40.1]

[Sidenote: 1435 / SEPT. 30]

A _vidimus_ or official attestation of two indentures relative to the custody of the castle of Le Mans between Sir John Fastolf, governor of Anjou and Maine, and captain of Le Mans under the Duke of Bedford, and Matthew Goth [Gough] and Thomas Gower as his lieutenants. The first indenture is for the quarter from 1st October to 31st December 1434, the second for the three quarters following, to 30th September 1435. A retinue is to be maintained of twenty-four lances and the ‘archiers de la personne dudit Mathieu,’ viz., sixty mounted and fourteen on foot, and 222 archers besides. Mounted archers to have 12_d._ a day, etc.

The document is authenticated by the _garde du scel des obligations de la Viconté de Rouen_, on the 8th March 1448 (i.e. 1449).

28

NOTE[40.2]

[Sidenote: 1432-5]

Building accounts of William Granere, master of the works at Caistre in 11, 12, and 13 Henry VI.

[Footnote 40.1: [Add. Charter 17,237, B.M.]]

[Footnote 40.2: [Add. Charters 17,229-31, B.M.]]

29

JOHN GYNE TO JOHN PASTON[40.3]

_To the worthy and worshipful sir and my good maister, John Paston of Trynyte hall in Cambrigge_

[Sidenote: 1435-6]

Right worthy and worshipfull sir, and my good maister, I comaund me to yow. Like it yow to witte that on the Soneday next after the Ascencion of oure Lord, in the high weye betwex Cambrigge and the Bekyntre toward Newmarket, I fonde a purs with money ther inne. Th’entent of this my symple lettre is this, that it please to your good Maistership by weye of charite, and of your gentilnesse, to witte if ony of youre knowleche or ony other, swich as yow semeth best in your discrecion, have lost swich a purs, and, the toknes ther of told, he shal have it ageyn, what that ever he be, by the grace of oure Lord, Who ever have yow in his blissed kepyng. Wretyn at Sneylewell the Moneday next after the seid Soneday. By youre pover servaunt,

JOHN GYN.

[Footnote 40.3: [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 4.] Fenn has written on the
MS. of this letter the date ‘_circa_ 1435-6,’ which, I agree
with him, must have been about the time that it was written.]

30

WILLIAM PASTON TO LORD ----[41.1]

[Sidenote: 1436]

Paston recomaund hym to youre good lordeship, willyng with all his herte to doo yow servise to his symple power. And as touching the maner of Walsham he seyth that at your comaundement he wille be redy to shewe yow and preve that the seid maner and all the vesture and crop therof this yeer by trewe title in lawe and conscience is his owen trewly, bowth and in gret party payed for, and that John Roys never hadde non estate in the seid maner, but oonly occupied it by suffraunce of the seid Paston and other feffes in the seid maner, and that be bargayn of the seid maner th’estate that the seid Roys shuld have hadde in the seid maner and in stoor therof shul have be condicionel to be voide and nought for defaute of payement, and that the seid John Roys ne kept not his dayes of the payementz, &c.; and that the seid William Paston, in the lyve of the seid John Roys, for defaute of payment entred in the seid maner with the seid the crop and the vesture of this yeer therof than therupon, and that the seid John Roys never at noo tyme payed to the seid John Baxtere sith the seid bargeyn, nother for the seid bargeyn ne for the dette he aught to hym, more thaune an C. and xl. marcz, wherof he borwed ageyn of the seid John Baxtere xl_li._; and over that he oweth and beforn the seid bargeyn aught by his obligacion to the seid John Baxtere, of trew dette of mony borwed, other xl_li._, and hath hadde and taken the profitz of the seid maner by iij. hool yer before his deth to the value of xxx_li._ and more, and that he receyved in his said bargayn of the seid John Baxtere xl. marcz worth of stoor; the which iiii^{xx}li. of dette and xxx_li._ of the profitz of the seid maner, and xl. marcz worth of stoor, maketh the somme of Cxxxvi_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ Wherof, thogh the lawe wille it not, were abated, if conscience required it, Cxl. marcz payed by the seid John Roys and x_li._ for the value of the seid crop, over the value of the verray ferme of the seid maner for this yeer, yet remanyneth dwe to the executoures of the seid John Baxter liij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._, and all the title and interesse of the seid John Roys his heyres and assignes in the seid maner lawfully and in conscience extincted and adnulled. Wher upon the said Paston lowly besecheth your good lordeship that if it may be preved this mater be trew that ye wille not be displesed thogh he desire to have his fre disposicion of the seid maner.

On the back of this letter are the following memoranda:--

‘Hæc billa . . . . . . [testatur][42.1] quod Johannes Baxtere
vendidit Johanni Roys mesuagium suum [vocatum][42.1] Walccham place,
cum toto stauro ibidem vivo et mortuo in Bryanes, cum omnibus aliis
terris et tenementis suis, liberis et nativis, cum pertinentiis, ex
parte occidentali ecclesiæ North Walsham, et molendinum ventriticum
et mesuagium nuper Rogeri atte Hille, cum omnibus redditibus et
servitiis pertinentibus dictis mesuagio et tenemento ubicumque
fuerint in comitatu Norffolk, pro iijC. marcis et l. marcis; unde
dictus Johannes Roys solvit dicto Johanni Baxtere die Jovis proximo
ante festum Apostolorum Simonis et Judæ anno regni regis Henrici VI.
xij., C. m., et habet diem solvendi residuum, videlicet ad festum
Nativitatis Domini et festum sancti Michaelis proximo futurum xl.
marcas annuatim, quousque dictæ CCC. marcæ et l. marcæ plenarie
persolvantur. Datum die Jovis prædicto. Hæc prædicta de manu Thomæ
Whitewelle.’

Then after two further imperfect entries relating to the same
matter:--

‘Memorandum, quod licet esset concordatum quod W. Roys haberet
barganium, &c., quod, ut credo, non ita erit, tunc in festo
Nativitatis Domini anno regni regis Henrici VI. xvº debentur
executoribus de eodem barganio C. marcæ præter et ultra Cxl. marcas
per Johannem Roys in vita sua solutas et xl_li._ de antiquo per
dictum Johannem Roys Johanni Baxter debitas, videlicet per
obligacionem suam xxxv_li._ inde, et ex mutua sua obligacione v_li._
de Perey Noble (?), ut patet per papirum dicti Baxter, et ultra
xl_li._ per dictum Johannem Baxter post dictum barganium dicti
Johanni Roys per obligacionem . . . ejusdem Johannis Roys præstitas.
Memorandum eciam quod dictus Johannes Roys nec uxor ejus unquam
protulerunt aliquem denarium solvendum dictis . . . dicti Johannis
Baxter nec Willelmo Paston post mortem dicti Baxter. Set circa
Nativitatem Domini anno regni dicti regis xiiijº et in quadragesima
tunc proximo sequente uxor dicti Roys apud Paston dixit quod habuit
xx. marcas paratas ad solvendum. Et sic dixit Johannes Roys tempore
quo Domina Skales fuit apud Paston, videlicet ix. die Januarii dicto
anno xiiijº et sic omnibus temporibus quibus dictus J. Roys et uxor
ejus ut prædicitur dixerunt quod habuerunt xx. marcas paratas ad
solvendum semper fuerunt arretro xl_li._ absque dictis xl_li._ novi
debiti et xl_li._ antiqui debiti.’

[Footnote 41.1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 140.]]

[Footnote 42.1: Mutilated.]

31

NOTE

[Sidenote: 1436 / MAY 19]

Fenn mentions an indenture, dated 19th May 1436, 14 Henry VI., and signed by the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Suffolk, from which he has given a facsimile of Suffolk’s signature. See vol. i. p. 36.--The original of this indenture I have not met with.

32

ABSTRACT[43.1]

[Sidenote: 1438 / AUG. 18]

Sir H. Inglose notifies his agreement with John Topy of Wyndham, jun., in an action for trespass done to him at Stalham. Dilhams, Monday after the Assumption of Our Lady, 16 Henry VI.

[Footnote 43.1: [Add. Charter 17,232, B.M.]]

33

JOHN WILLOUGHBY TO LORD BEAUMONT[44.1]

_To my ryght noble and ryght [dra]dde lord, my Lord Beaumont._

[Sidenote: 1432-40]

Ryght wursshipfull sire, my ryghte noble, and ryghte dradde lorde, after dyw recommendacion to yowr reverens, please hit yow to know that yowr lordesship luste to empointe me to abyde yowr noble avys touching the landis of Latemer, which my Lorde Latemer holdith ate this day. My lord, I muste, and owe of dywte, abyde yowre empoyntement, and shall; how be hit I have be confortid to complaine me to my lordis and yow of the grete wronge that I have. But, sir, y have soe verray truste one yowre lordesship that I refuse all counsaille, abyding yowre empointemente and rewell, as my diwte is to doo; byseching yow, my lord, to remembre yow and compasse of yowre servaunt, and that ye lust of yowr grace to comyne with my Lord of Salisbury, and to fele him in the mater, and as ye fele him, hit please yowre lordesship I may have knowlege; and whate yowre pore bedman may do to yowre plesire, I ame redy ate yowre comaundement ate all howris, which knowith God, Hoe have yow, my ryghte noble lord, in His blessid gouvernauns.

Write ate Broke, the v. day of Marche.

Your pore bedman and servant,

JOHN WYLUGHBY.

[Footnote 44.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this
letter was the father of Robert, first Lord Willoughby de Broke,
who afterwards laid claim to the barony of Latimer, as being
descended from Elizabeth, sister and sole heir of John Nevill,
fifth Lord Latimer, who died in 1430. He was, however,
unsuccessful, as the title had been revived in 1432 by a writ of
summons to George Nevill, a son of Ralph, first Earl of
Westmoreland. This George died in 1469, and was succeeded by his
grandson, Richard Neville, then an infant of two years old, who
had summons to Parliament as Lord Latimer in 1492. The Lord
Latimer here spoken of seems to be George Nevill, and it is
probable that the letter was written between 1432 and 1440, as
John, Lord Beaumont, was created Viscount in the latter year,
while he is not so addressed here.]

34

AGNES PASTON TO WILLIAM PASTON[45.1]

_To my worshepefull housbond, W. Paston, be this letter takyn_

[Sidenote: 1440(?)]

Dere housbond, I recomaunde me to yow, &c. Blessyd be God I sende yow gode tydynggs of the comyng, and the brynggyn hoom, of the gentylwomman[45.2] that ye wetyn of fro Redham, this same nyght, acordyng to poyntmen [_appointment_] that ye made ther for yowr self.

And as for the furste aqweyntaunce be twhen John Paston[45.3] and the seyde gentylwomman, she made hym gentil cher in gyntyl wise, and seyde, he was verrayly your son. And so I hope ther shall nede no gret trete be twyxe hym.

The parson of Stocton[45.4] toold me, yif ye wolde byin her a goune, here moder wolde yeve ther to a godely furre. The goune nedyth for to be had; and of colour it wolde be a godely blew, or erlys a bryghte sangueyn.

I prey yow do byen for me ij. pypys of gold.[45.5] Your stewes[45.6] do weel.

The Holy Trinite have you in governaunce.

Wretyn at Paston, in hast, the Wednesday next after _Deus qui errantibus_,[45.7] for defaute of a good secretarye. Yowres,

AGN. PASTON.

[Footnote 45.1: [From Fenn, i. 2.] This letter must have been
written some little time before the marriage of John Paston and
Margaret Mauteby, which seems to have been about 1440.]

[Footnote 45.2: Margaret, daughter and heir of John Mauteby,
shortly afterwards married to John Paston, Esq.]

[Footnote 45.3: Son of William and Agnes Paston.]

[Footnote 45.4: Laurence Baldware was rector of Stockton ‘about
1440.’ --Blomefield, viii. 49.]

[Footnote 45.5: Gold thread on pipes or rolls, for needlework or
embroidery.--F.]

[Footnote 45.6: Ponds to keep fish alive for present use.--F.]

[Footnote 45.7: The Collect for the Third Sunday after Easter.]

35

ABSTRACT[46.1]

[Sidenote: About 1440]

Draft Lease by Sir Simon Felbrygge; Oliver Groos, Esq.; John Berney of Redham, Esq.; William Paston of Paston; Thomas Stodhagh; Roger Taillour of Stafford Bernyngham; and Thomas Newport of Runham, executors of Robert Mawteby and John his son, to Margery, widow of the said John, of ‘two parts of manors, &c.’ and the reversion, &c., which they lately held along with Sir Miles Stapleton, Sir William Argenten, Sir John Hevenyngham, Sir John Carbonell, Sir William Calthorpe, John Boys, Esq., and William Caston, Esq., now deceased, by deed of Robert Mawteby. The remainder, after Margery’s death, is to go to Margaret, daughter of the said John and Margery, and the heirs of her body; then to Peter Mauteby, son of Robert and uncle of Margaret; then to Alianora, widow of Robert; then to Alianora, widow of William Calthorp and sister of Robert Mawteby, with reversion to the trustees to fulfil the will.

[This paper is addressed to John Berney of Reedham, and appears, by
an endorsement, to have been transmitted along with a letter of
William Paston. The date is fixed by the contents within pretty
narrow limits, for it is after the death of John Boys, Esq., which
was in August 1439 (Inquis. _post mortem_, 18 Hen. VI., No. 2), and
before that of Sir Simon Felbrigg in 1442 (Inquis. _p. m._, 21 Hen.
VI., No. 33). It is easy to see, in fact, that the document had
something to do with the marriage settlement of John Paston and
Margaret Mauteby, which was about 1440.]

36

ROBERT REPPS TO JOHN PASTON[46.2]

_A mon tresreverent et treshonerable Maister John Paston soit doné._

[Sidenote: 1440 / NOV. 1]

Salvete, &c. Tytyngs, the Duk of Orlyawnce[46.3] hath made his oath upon the Sacrement, and usyd it, never for to bere armes ayenst Englond, in the presence of the Kyng and all the Lordes, except my Lord of Gloucestre.[46.4] And proving my seyde Lord of Gloucestre agreyd never to hys delyveraunce, qwan the masse began he toke his barge, &c.

God yef grace the seide Lord of Orlyaunce be trewe, for this same weke shall he to ward Fraunce.

Also Freynchmen and Pykardes, a gret nowmbre, kome to Arfleet,[47.1] for to arescuyd [_have rescued_] it; and our Lordes wyth here smal pusaunce manly bytte [_beat_] them, and pytte hem to flyte, and, blyssyd be our Lord, have take the seide cite of Arflet; the qwych is a great juell to all Englond, and in especiall to our cuntre.

Moreover there is j. [_i.e._ one] kome in to Englond, a Knyght out of Spayne, wyth a kercheff of plesaunce i wrapped aboute hys arme; the qwych Knyght wyl renne a cours wyth a sharpe spere for his sovereyn lady sake; qwom other [_either_] Sir Richard Wodvyle[47.2] or Sir Christofore Talbot[47.3] shall delyver, to the wyrchip of Englond and of hem selff, be Goddes grace.

Ferthermore, ye be remembryd that an esquyer of Suffolk, callyd John Lyston, recoveryd _in assisa novæ disseisinæ_[47.4] vij^c [700] marc in damages ayenst Sir Robert Wyngfeld, &c. In avoydyng of the payement of the seid vij. c. marc, the seide Sir Robert Wyngfeld sotylly hath outlaywed the seide John Lyston in Notyngham shir, be the vertue of qwch outlagare, all maner of chattell to the seide John Lyston apperteynyng, arn acruwyd on to the Kyng, &c. And anon as the seide utlagare was certyfyed, my Lord Tresorer[47.5] graunted the seid vij. c. marc to my Lord of Norffolk, for the arrerag of hys sowde [_pay_] qwyl he was in Scotland; and, acordyng to this assignement forseide, taylles [_tallies_] delyvered. And my Lord of Norffolk hath relesyd the same vij. c. marc to Sir Robert Wyngfeld. And here is greet hevyng an shovyng be my Lord of Suffolk and all his counsell for to aspye hough this mater kam aboute, &c.

Sir, I beseche recomende me on to my mastres your modyr, to my mastres your wyff, and to my mastres your suster, _et omnibus alijs quorum interest_, &c.

Sir, I pray you, wyth all myn hert, hold me excusyd that I wryte thus homly and briefly on to you, for truly convenable space suffycyd me nowt.

No more atte this tyme, butte the Trynyte have you in proteccion, &c.; and qwan your leysyr is, resorte ageyn on to your college, the Inner Temple, for ther ben many qwych sor desyr your presence, Welles and othyr, &c.

Wretyn in le fest de touts Seynts, entre Messe et Mateyns, _calamo festinante_, &c.

Yours,

ROB. REPPES.

[Footnote 46.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 46.2: [From Fenn, i. 4.] This letter was written in
1440, the year of the release of the Duke of Orleans.]

[Footnote 46.3: Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner
at the battle of Agincourt in 1415, and had never since been
released.]

[Footnote 46.4: Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, uncle of the King,
and before this time Protector.]

[Footnote 47.1: Harfleur.]

[Footnote 47.2: Afterwards Earl Rivers, father of Elizabeth,
Queen of Edward IV.]

[Footnote 47.3: Third son of John, the famous Earl of
Shrewsbury.]

[Footnote 47.4: _i.e._, in an assize of novel disseisin--an
ancient law process.]

[Footnote 47.5: Ralph, Lord Cromwell.]

37

ABSTRACT[48.1]

---- ---- TO FRIAR BRACKLEY (?).

[Sidenote: About 1440 (?)]

Touching a suit of Reynold Rowse against William Burgeys. This suit was instituted originally for 5_s._ 4_d._ of rent; but when Rouse found he could not prevail by right, he maliciously sued the other for trespass in having fished his water, and driven him away by force. He afterwards got him arrested for treachery upon an obligation (_i.e._, a bond). Burgeys complained to Justice Paston, who counselled him not to plead; ‘For zyf thu do, he seyd, thu xalte hafe the werse, be thi case never so trewe, for he is feid with my Lord of [N]orthfolke, and mech he is of he [_sic_] counsel; and also, thu canst no man of lawe in Northfolke ne in Sowthfolke to be with the azens hym; and, for [s]othe no more myth I qwan I had a ple azens hym; and therfor myn counsel is, that thu make an end qwat so ever the pay, for he xal elles on do the and brynge the to nowte.’

[This letter is mutilated, and in part defaced. It is addressed on
the back-- ‘Be this take to Mayster Brele (?) of the Greye Freres.’
Although the name seems to be written Brele, it was probably
intended for Friar Brackley of Norwich, of whom we have several
letters of a later period. The date must be between the year 1429,
when William Paston was made a judge, and 1444, when he died; and as
the name of Reginald Rows occurs in Blomefield (_Hist. of Norfolk_,
ix. 441) ‘about 1440,’ this letter will probably not be far out of
its true place if inserted in that year.]

[Footnote 48.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

38

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[49.1]

_To my worshepfull husbond, John Paston, abidyng at Petyrhous in Cambrigg._

[Sidenote: After 1440]

Ryth reverent and worsepful husbon, I recomawnde me to zow with alle myn sympyl herte, and prey zow to wete that there come up xi. hundyr Flemyns at Waxham, quereof wer takyn, and kylte, and dronchyn [_drowned_] viij. hundryte. And thei had nowte a be, ze xul a be atte home this Qwesontyde, and I suppose that ze xul be atte home er owte long be.

I thanke yow hertely for my lettyr, for I hadde none of zow syn I spooke with zow last of for the matyr of Jon Mariot; the qwest passyd nowte of that day, for my Lorde of Norfolke was in towne for Wedyrbys matyr,[49.2] qwer for he wolde nowt latyd pase off, for further (?) of I kowe [_know_?] Fynch ne Bylbys makethe no purwyans for hys gode.

No mor I wryte to zow atte this tyme, but the Holy Trenyte hawe zow in kepyng. Wretyn in Norweche, on Trenyte Sune day.

Yowr,

MARKARYTE PASTON.