Chapter D: A. Ogard.81.1 (7)

Right worchepful sir, after my recommendation, like you to wete I wold yisterday have spoken with you if ye had be allone at good leiser, for my aquytaile to God and to you, and for the wele of my maister, God pardon hym. I have many thynges to remembre you if ye wol. Wherof diverse specialtes that I wold sey, I may not write. For I meved you at your chamber wyndow at Lammes homward from London some thynges of my good wil, and me thought ye toke it gretely to displeisur; the which caused me to sey the lesse of thynges that had be worchepfull to have be doon. But, Sir, as I remembred you late at Norwich of the variaunce by twix the worchepfull man and you, for Goddes love and your most ease, folwe the meanes of his good wil by help of holsom gentilmen, and also the feithfull love of other that grucchen to you warde, as I fele moche thof thei speke litil therof to you, rettyng in you singuler fastnesse ageyns kyndenesse and reson; for with love and unyte ye shal do moost good for oure maister to your worchep. And with the contrary many mysse dispenses as han be and thanne moche lette in doyng of good dedis to the causers perill and slawnder God hath sent you wysdham grete that telleth you the best is to drede God. A man shal never have love of God nor love nor drede of good men for myskepyng of moche good thof it wer his owen, for it is dampnable; but wher it is truly delt with and godly disposed, thanne folwith bothe grete meryte and worchep. Pety it is that mo more is do for hym. At the gate is nowther mete, drynke nor money, _ut dicitur_, no man wele spekyng thof thacte above be not do necessary almesse to the nedy that peynen wold and myght be do dayly. And, Sir, be ware what ye talke to som men of the lordes your coexecutours, and what is spent for the man, and what he was worth. Thei reporten you unfavorabely and withoute credence, as men seyn, and some I have herd. Also your entretyng and other for you with them that have entres with you for to have your entent sped, is tolde oute whow, and your iournay to lorde Beauchamp to Cambrig is taken as men like, and your associacion is seid made by your witt to your purpos. As somme fer of and grete that may nor peraventur wiln not medle, somme ye wold thei left, somme havyng no conduyt, somme no stomak, and somme glosours and witnesses for lucre; this is not my seyyng, I have often herd it. Therfor to have such a post as the seid man is that ye be in variaunce; so he do wele, as I fully beleve, he shuld help you to bere moche, and cause eschuyng of moche of this noyse. This variaunce grew of mater of noght and japes; the soner may be accorde. And thynke not, Sir, that any persone hath stered me herto; for by the good Lorde I trist to receyve this holy tyme it is my owen steryng and good hert to you warde, for that I her and see, and moost of your wele willers, in eschuyng of inconvenyentz as right many talke must ensue to you ward. For I fonde you pleyn at Cristemesse, and I toke you that ye loved me, wher to fore, withoute cause truly, to my seid maister moch ye hyndred me, as parte he tolde me, and thanne I praied you in that your good maistership and amendement, and sith I have be pleyn and wol be. And I require you as ye arn a gentilman, kepe thees maters secrete by twix God, you and me; for by Almyghty Jhesu of me knoweth this non erthely creatur, nor shal knowe. Other thynges been that sounden not wele, but as I fele your wisdham take me in this, so herafter I wil demene me with you in maters. I am urke of variaunces, for parties waxen wrooth if men hold not with there oppynyons whan thei in angre trotte over fer by yon hem self. I may not come by you to London ward, I trow I must by Suffolk; elles I had not writen this. Oure Blissed Lorde have you in His governaunce and be your conduytour to His pleisur, Amen. This Wednesday, ix. day Aprill.

As ye arn a veray gentilman, be my true confessour as I am youres and take me as I mene, thof my termes been not discreet. Brenne this scrowe or kepe it pryvy, as ye like and I beseche you, if ye wil trist me, wil me pleyn, &c.--Your owen, &c., to my power.

[Footnote 214.1: [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 143.] This letter is
mysterious, but seems to have some bearing on Sir John Fastolf’s
will, and may be assigned with tolerable certainty to the year
1460, as the 9th April, the day it was dated, was a Wednesday,
and one expression in it shows that it was written immediately
before Easter, which in that year fell on the 13th April.]

406

WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[216.1]

_To hys rythe wurchyp[full] broder, Jon Paston, [dwell]yng at Castre._

[Sidenote: 1460 / MAY 2]

Broder, I comand me to zow, certhefieng zow that Playter is redyn to Lundon ward this day abowthe ij. afternone. And he taryed here, and schulde abedyn styll till he had had an horse that Master Thomas Howys schuld have lent hym. And so I thowthe he schuld have taried to long; and so he hathe bowthe on off myn hors. And iff it nede, he schall send zow word be his man fro Lundon how he felythe the disposycyon off men ther, &c.; and he schall send his man hom be Newmarket wey. And I have infurmyd hym acording after the ententhe of zowr letter.

I spak this day with Bokkyng. He had but few wurdes, but I felt be hym he was rythe evyll disposyd to the parson and zow, but coverthe langgage he had. I wene he be assentid to the fyndyng of this offyce[217.1] takyn at Bokynham, and Recheman schall bryng zow the namys of the men that mad the verdythe on Soneday nexst comyng. I pray send to myn broder Clements fermor of Somerton for money for my broder Clement, for to have sent to hym to Lundon. I schuld have done it qwan I was at Caster; myn moder desyryd me, and I sent a letter after to the parson, and prayed hym to receve it, &c.

Item, I prayd the parson to wrythe a letter in his name to myn suster Ponyngges,[217.2] as ze and I comunyd onys togeder, cownsellyng her to take good avyse befor sche sold her wood at Wrenham; and he schuld knowe ther by weder Ponyngges wer in Kent ar nat, &c. I understond that this Bokkyng and Worceter have grett trust in ther awne lewd consaythe, wathe some ever it menythe, &c. Bokkyng told me this day that he stood as well in consaythe with myn Maister Fastolff iii. days befor he dyed as any man in Englond. I sayd I soposyd nay, ner iij. zere before he dyed. I told hym that I had hard dyveres talkynges of hym as men sayd, qweche I soposyd schuld nat easly be browthe a bowthe, and he swore that he talkyd never with no man in no mater that schuld be a zen zow, &c. It is he that makythe William Wurceter so froward as he is.

I wold ze had a witnesse of Roberd Ingglows, thow he wittnessyd no more but that myn master had his witthe, becawse he was so lathe with myn master Fastolff. Worceter sayd at Castre it schuld be nessessary for zow to have good witnesse, as he saythe it schuld go streythe with zow wytheowt zowr witnesse were rythe sofycyent. Myn cosyn Berney can tell zow, &c.

Item, remenbre to make the parson to make an instrument up on his sayyng. I funde hym rythe good qwan I spak with hym at Caster; and remembre the newe evydens.

Item, Arblaster and I spakk togeder. I felle hym rythe feythefully disposyd to zow ward, and he schall mow do myche good and he go to Lundon, for he can labore will a monge Lordes. He and I comunyd to geder of myn Lord Awbre;[218.1] lethe hym tell zow qwat it was, for he will speke with zow to morow. It is full nessessary to mak zow strong be lord chep, and be oder menys. Myn Lord Awbry hathe weddit the Duke of Bokyngham dowter,[218.2] and he was lathe with Master Fastolff be fore he dyed, and he is gret with the Qwene.

God have zow in His kepeng. Wretyn at Norwyche the secund day of May.

Be zowr broder,

W. PASTON.

Omnya pro pecunya facta sunt.

[Footnote 216.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this
letter is certainly in the year 1460, for it was written after
the death of Sir John Fastolf, and before the deposition of
Henry VI., Margaret of Anjou being still spoken of as ‘the
Queen.’]

[Footnote 217.1: _See_ p. 199, Note 2.]

[Footnote 217.2: Elizabeth Paston, now wife of Robert Poynings.]

[Footnote 218.1: Aubrey de Vere, son of the Earl of Oxford, who
suffered death, with his father, in February 1462.]

[Footnote 218.2: Anne, eldest daughter of Humphry, Duke of
Buckingham.]

407

THE ABBOT OF LANGLEY TO JOHN STOKES[218.3]

_To the ryght worchepfull Sere, Mayster John Stokes._

[Sidenote: 1460 / MAY 8]

Ryght worshypfull Sere, I recomaund me to yow; and for asmyche as it is informyd me that it was appoynted that alle the executors of the worshepfull knyght, Sere John Fastolf, whos soule God asoyle, shuld be at London as on Monday next comyng, of wheche executors I am namyd for on, as I ondyrstond; wherfore, in as myche as ye be ordenary and on of the same executors, I prey yow tendre my laboure, withoute my comyng, be youre dyscrecion, myght be more profyt to the dede; for I conseyve it shuld be but charge to the dede, and lytell avayleable, consyderyng that John Paston, Squyere, and Thomas Howys, parson of Blofeeld, schall come up at this time, wheche were[218.4] the persones above all other that the seyd Sere John Fastolf put in hys most sengulere love and trust, and wold they shuld have the kepyng and dysposicion of hys goods, as wele in hys lyve as after hys deseas, to dyspose for the well of hys soule; and that non other namyd hys executors, but only they tweyn, shuld have ony kepyng or dysposyng of ony part of hese goods duryng ther lyves; and that alle other namyd executors shuld supporte them and geve them to the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys here good avyse in performyng of hys desyre in that behalve. Wherfor that it lekyth yow in ony thyng ye desyre me to do in thys cause or matere to geve yowre feyth and credence to the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys; and so desyred me the seyd Knyght feythefully to do, that knowyth God, whom I be seke preserve yow from alle adversyte.

Wretyn in the Abbey of Langeley, the viij. day of the monyth of May, the yeere of oure Lord m^{l.}cccc.lx.

Youre preest,

ABBOT OF LANGELEY.[219.1]

[Footnote 218.3: [From Fenn, iii. 398.]]

[Footnote 218.4: This word is omitted in the literal transcript
in Fenn.]

[Footnote 219.1: His name was Nicholas.]

408

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[219.2]

_To my trusty cosyn, Margaret Paston, at Norwich, be this delyvered._[219.3]

[Sidenote: 1460 / JUNE 19]

I recomaunde me to you, letyng you witte that I sent a letter to John Russe and Richard Kalle that thei, by th’advyse of Watkyn Shipdam and William Barker shuld send me word of whom alle the maneres, londes, and tenementes that were Sir John Fastolffes wern holde, preyng you that ye wold do them spede them in that matier; and if my feodaryes, whiche lye in the tye of my gret cofyr, may ought wisse therin, lete them se it.

Item, I wolde that William Barker shulde send me a copye of the olde traverse of Tychewell and Beyton. And lete Richard Kalle spede hym hidderward, and come by Snaylwel, and take suyche mony as may be getyn there, and that he suffre not the mony that the tenauntes owe to come in the fermours handes.

Item, that he come by Cambrigge and bryng with hym Maister Brakkeles licence from the provynciall of the Grey Freres. I prey you recomaunde me to my modir.

Wretyn at London the Thursday next to fore Middesomer.

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 219.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears to
have been written the year after Fastolf’s death.]

[Footnote 219.3: Below this address is written, in another hand,
‘To Richard Calle, at Caster, be this deliverid in hast.’]

409

FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON[220.1]

_Venerabili armigero, Johanni Paston seniori, detur hæc litera._

[Sidenote: 1460 / JULY 6]

Honoris superni amorisque interni indissolubile vinculum tam venerabili viro in Christo condignum, præcordialissime magister ac amice singularis, non solum quales debeo sed quales valeo vobis refero grates cordiales pro vestris beneficiis quampluribus michi multiformiter exhibitis, pro quibus omnibus recompenset vos Altissimus. Honorabilis domine, causa motiva præsentis scripturæ est hæc. Ex magno cordis affectu audire desidero de vestra expeditione prospera in materia concernente testamentum et voluntatem venerabilis viri J. F.[220.2] militis per Ricardum Calle vel Johannem Pampyng, vestros fideles servientes; quod si fieri non possit per relationem latoris præsentium, michi certificare dignemini. Cujus verbis audienciam credulam præbere curetis, sicut et michi dare velletis si vobiscum personaliter interessem. Scire insuper dignetur vestra caritas quod iste frater, præsentium lator, est meus spiritualis filius, eo quod in ordinem per me indutus et professus et ad gradum sacerdotii promotus, jam per biennum continuum, fuit socius et servitor meus satis solaciosus in tempore meæ gravissimæ infirmitatis, in laboribus et vigiliis continuis, tam diurnis quam nocturnis, quorum occasione a suo libro et studio fuit multiformiter impeditus; sicque ad suos amicos non potuit habere recursum ad sui victus et vestitus adquirendum subsidium. Cui si placet intuitu caritatis elemosinam per vos graciose collatam Willelmo nepoti meo ingratissimo, utinam non infidelissimo, latori prædicto dare curetis, qui vobis suam indigenciam fideliter explanabit et dicti nepotis viciosa demerita certissime declarabit. Unum enim scitote, si frater prædictus circa meam personam non fuisset multiformiter solicitus ego pluries fuissem mortuus. Spero enim per Dei graciam circa festum ad Vincula Petri vestram graciosam visitare presenciam, et de dicti fratris gratitudinem clariorem dare noticiam. Cui propter Deum ad mei cordis multiforme solacium dicti beneficii ne denegetis suffragium, sicud in vobis gero confidenciam singularem. Non plura pro præsenti vobis offero calamo digna, sed vos, vestros et vestra defendat Trinitas alma, Quæ vos graciose conservet in prosperis et graciosissimis dirigat in agendis. Scriptum Donewici, in vigilia Translacionis Sancti Thomæ Martiris.

Vester ad vota promptissimus ac orator pauperculus.

FRATER J. B., Minorum minimus.

[Footnote 220.1: [Add MS. 34,888, f. 147.] This is a letter of
Friar Brackley, apparently written the year after Fastolf’s
death. It is in a large and regular handwriting, different from
some of his other letters.]

[Footnote 220.2: Sir John Fastolf.]

[[quod si fieri non possit _text has “qood”_]]

410

THE YORKIST LORDS TO THE AUTHORITIES IN NORFOLK[221.1]

_The Erlys of Marche, Warwyke, and Salysbury._

[Sidenote: 1460 / JULY 23]

Ryght welbeloved, we grete you wele; and wher, for the tendre love that we have to the concervacion of the Kyngs peas, lawes, and justice in this his realme of Englonde, we have comaunded the Kyngs peeple in his name, be oure letters and diverse writyngs, that no man shulde robbe or dispoile Sir Thomas Todenham, Knyght, John Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry Todenham, and John Andrws, and other weche have sued to us for oure seide letters; we, wolyng to eschewe that any person shulde have colour be oure seide letters to noyse us, or any of us, that the seide Sir Thomas, John Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry, and John Andrws, or any other of suspecte fame, be accorded with us, or any of us, for suche wrongs as they, or any of ham, have do to us, our servaunts and tenants or wellwellers, or that we shulde hafe hem in tendrenesse or favour to discorage trewe people to swe a yen hem be the lawe; We therfore notyfie to yow, as we woll that it be notyfid to all people, that we, ne noon of us, intende not to favour or tendre hem, or any other of suspecte fame, but rather to corecte suche be the lawe, for we made our seid letters soly for kepyng of the pease and justice, and not for favour of suspecte condicione. And the Holy Trynyte kepe yow.

Wreten at London the xxiij^ti. day of Jule.

To all Meyers, Sceryves, Balyfys, Constables, and all the Kynges Offecers and Ministres in Norffolk, and eche on of hem.

[Footnote 221.1: [From Fenn, iii. 244.] This manifesto must have
been issued in July 1460, after the battle of Northampton, when
the King was in the hands of the confederate Lords. It certainly
was not, as Fenn supposes, in 1455, after the battle of St.
Albans, when the Earl of March was only thirteen years old and
the Duke of York, his father, was made Protector. York had not
come over from Ireland in July 1460, and is consequently not
named in this document.]

411

ABSTRACT[222.1]

THE KING TO JOHN NEDHAM AND THOMAS LITILTON, JUSTICES OF THE COUNTY PALATINE OF LANCASTER

[Sidenote: 1460(?) / JULY 26]

Desires them to show favour to the defendants in an appeal of robbery sued before them out of malice by Thomas Bury against John Berney of Redham, Norf., Junior, Esq., John Paston of Norwich, Esq., John Berney of Redham, Norf., Senior, Esq., John Hevenyngham, of Norwich, Esq., and Christopher Norwich of Brundehale. They are to receive no writ returned in the name of the Sheriff of Norfolk touching that matter except by the hands of the sheriff himself, or of John Bernarde his under-sheriff.

London, 26 July.

II. Another letter, similar in substance, in which no justices’ names are given.

[These documents cannot be later than 1460, as the younger John
Berney died in July of that year (see next letter). But as Judge
Littleton was only made a King’s Serjeant in 1455, they cannot be
many years earlier, and they are not unlikely to be of the year 1460
itself.]

[Footnote 222.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

412

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[223.1]

_To my wurschipfull coysyn, Margaret Paston, be this delyvered in haste._

[Sidenote: 1460 / JULY 28]

I recomaunde me unto you, letyng you witte that your unkyll, John Berney, is deed, whoos soule God have mercy; desyryng you to sende for Thomas Holler,[223.2] and enquere of hym wher his goode is, and what he is wurthe, and that he take goode eede to all suche goods as he had bothe meveable and on mevable; for I undre stande that he is wurthe in money v^c. [500] marke, and in plate to the valwe of other v^c. marke, beside other goods. Wherfor I wolde ye schulde not lete hym wete of his dissese unto the tyme that ye had enquered of the seide Thomas Holler of all suche maters as be a bovyn wreten, and whan he hathe enformed you therof, than lete hym wete verely that he is deede, desiryng hym that no man come on to his place at Redham but hym selfe, unto the tyme that I come.

Item, I lete you witte that gret parte of his goode is at William Taverners, as I undrestande. Thomas Holler woll telle you justely the trouthe as I suppose, and deseyre hym on my behalfe that he doo soo, and ther is writyng therof; and telle Thomas Holler that I and he be executours named, and therfore lete hym take heede that the goods be kept saffe, and that nobody knowe wher it shall lie but ye and Thomas Holler. And Thomas Holler, as your unkyll tolde me, is prevy wher all his goode lithe and all his writyng, and so I wol that ye be prevy to the same for casualte of deethe, and ye too shal be his executours for me as longe as ye doo trewly, as I trowe verely ye woll.

Wreten at London, the xxviij^t. day of Jule.

I requer yow be of god cumfort and be not hevy, if ye wil do owth for me.

Yowr,

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 223.1: [From Fenn, iv. 36.] According to Fenn,
Margaret Paston’s uncle, John Berney, second son of John Berney,
Esq. of Reedham, died in July 1461, and he accordingly places
this letter in that year. It is evident, however, that John
Berney was dead at the date of Nos. 431 and 462, the former
written in January 1461, the latter certainly not so late as the
28th July in the same year, for Thomas Denys was murdered at the
very beginning of the month. Indeed, it is clear that in No. 462
Margaret Paston wishes to arrange about the approaching
anniversary of her uncle’s death. John Berney must therefore
have died in July 1460, although from the troubled character of
the times his will (which is preserved in the Principal Registry
at Somerset House), made on the 2nd June 1460 (Monday after the
Feast of St. Petronilla the Virgin), was not proved till the 1st
December 1461.]

[Footnote 223.2: When Berney’s will was proved at Lambeth, 1st
December 1461, administration was granted provisionally to
Thomas Hooler, who was to send in accounts before the morrow of
the Conversion of St. Paul (Jan. 26) following. Power was,
however, reserved of committing administration to John Paston.
But John Paston did not appear on the day, and left the
undivided administration to Hooler.]

[[written in January 1461 _text has “1561”_]]

413

ABSTRACT[224.1]

[Sidenote: 1460 / AUG. 1]

‘Soutwerk cum membris,’ No. 50 _a._-- ‘Inquisitio post mortem Johannis Fastolf militis capta per eschaetorem Regis, ubi mentio fit quorundam tenementorum, viz., the Berehouse, Boreshead, Hartshorne, et 2 molendinorum aquaticorum. Aug. 1, Hen. VI. 38.’

[Footnote 224.1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]]

414

ANONYMOUS TO YELVERTON AND PASTON[225.1]

_To the right worshipful Seres, my right welbeloved and trusted cosyns, William Yelverton, Justice, and John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1460(?)]

Sir, please your right worshipfull maystership that Mayster Paston come to London as on Thursdaye att none last past, and I trust verelye all maters here were resonablye labored to his comyng, and now they shal be better. Neverthelesse, I have ben mevid of tretye by dyvers personez sith I came hidre, as wele for Tudenham, Wentworth, Heydon, and other at this tyme not wel willed to yow and yourez, seyng that such money as is spent a twix yowe is but wastfully expendid and to non use vertuouse. I fele by theym they be not right corageous in theyr werkes, ner nought wold if they myght have a resonable trete. I meve not this that ze shold thenk that they had conquered me by noyans, but I do it to avertyse yow for th’eschewyng of the importable costes that hath ben born by yow, and yet lyke to bee, aswele in the elde maters hangyng as in newe at this tyme to be grownded, if this werre shal rest and hold a twyx yowe, and specially for the ease of hym that shalbe solicitour in the same. Ye nede at this terme rather to have had thre solicitours than in any other terme past this iij. yere, on concyderyng the maters hangyng, &c.; of which please yow to send yowr gode advyse and wille yf ye thenk it to be don, and els not, for this is but a mocion, &c.

[Footnote 225.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is by an
unknown writer, and very uncertain as to date. It shows that
Tuddenham, Wentworth, and Heydon, all adherents of the House of
Lancaster, were desirous of a compromise with Yelverton and
Paston. The year 1460, some time after the battle of
Northampton, is perhaps as likely a period as any.]

415

FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON[226.1]

_To my Mayster Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presented._

_Jesus, Maria, &c._

[Sidenote: 1460 / OCT.]

Ryte reverent Sire, after du recommendacion, we sey in this cuntre that Heydon is for Barkschir in the Comon Hows. And the Lady of Suffolk[226.2] hath sent up hyr sone[226.3] and hise wyf to my Lord of York to aske grace for a schireve the next yer, Stapilton, Boleyn, or Tyrel, qui absit. God send zow Ponyng, W. P., W. Rokewode, or Arblaster. Ze haf myche to done; Jesu spede zow. Ze haf many good preyers, what of the covent, cyte, and cuntre. God safe our good Lords, Warwik, alle hise brether, Salisbury, &c., fro al fals covetyse and favour of extorcyon, as they wil fle uttyr schame and confusyon. God save hem, and preserve fro treson and poyson; lete hem be war her of for the pite of God; for yf owt come to my Lord Warwik but good, far weel ze, far weel I, and al our frends! for be the weye of my sowle, this lond wer uttirly on done, as God forbede. Her [_their_] enmyes bostyn with good to come to her favour; but God defende hem, and zeve hem grace to knowe her frends fro her enmyes, and to cherisch and preferr her frends and lesse the myte of alle her enmyes thorw owt the schiris of the lond. And [_i.e._ if] my good Lord Warwik, with my Lord his brother Chaunceler[226.4] and my Lord her fadyr[226.5] woldyn opposyn, as dede Danyel, Fortesku, Alisaunder, Hody, Doctor Aleyn, Heydon, and Thorp, of the writyng made be hem at Covyntre Parlement, they schuld answer wers than sub cino or sub privo (?), and this generaly wold I sey at Powlys Cros, etc., and [_i.e._ if] I schuld come there, &c. It is verifyed of hem, 1º Jeremiæ, 8º, _Vere mendacium operatus est stilus mendax scribarum_, &c. And think of two vers of zour Sawter, _Scribantur hæc in generatione altera_ (hujus scilicet parliamenti) _et populus qui creabitur laudabit Dominum_,[227.1] &c. _Deleantur etiam tales perversi scriptores de libro viventium et cum justis non scribantur._[227.2] Et non plura, sed vos, vestros et vestra conservet Jesus graciose in prosperis et graciosius dirigat in agendis.

Ex Norwico, feria quarta,[227.3] nuncio festinante.

And I prey zow for Godds sake to be good mayster to Jon Lyster, &c. And I prey zow think, in this Parlement, of the text of Holy Scripture, _Quicunque fecerit contra legem Dei et contra legem Regis judicium fiet de eo, vel in condemnationem substantiæ ejus, vel in carcerem, vel in exilium, vel in mortem_ (Primo Esdræ, vij., et parti 2º Esdræ 8º).

[Footnote 226.1: [From Fenn, iii. 382.] This letter appears to
have been written just before the sitting of the Parliament of
October 1460, of which John Paston was a member. Warwick’s
brother was then Chancellor. No signature is attached to this
letter in Fenn’s literal copy, although the name is appended to
the modern transcript.]

[Footnote 226.2: Alice, widow of William, Duke of Suffolk.]

[Footnote 226.3: John de la Pole, second Duke of Suffolk. He
married Elizabeth, the Duke of York’s daughter.]

[Footnote 226.4: George Nevill, Bishop of Exeter.]

[Footnote 226.5: Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury.]

[Footnote 227.1: Psalm ci. (or cii.) 18.]

[Footnote 227.2: Psalm lxviii. (or lxix.) 28.]

[Footnote 227.3: ‘Feria quarta’ means Wednesday.]

416

FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]

[Sidenote: 1460 / [OCT.]]

Jesus, Maria, &c. Reverende domine, si contingat ut sitis Londoniæ hoc termino in principio parliamenti, hæc poteritis in secretis dicere domino Warwik ac domino Cancellario, quomodo Johannes W.[227.4] apud Felbrigg jacet cum manu forti contra pacem domini Regis et patriæ, qui quantum valere potest est hostis publicus et inimicus capitalis domini Regis et suorum fidelium dominorum utilitatem rei publicæ et communitatem Angliæ diligentium, pro quo taliter esset modo indilate et cum omni festinacione possibili providendum quod esset commissio directa sub pœna ligeanciæ et pœna mortis et privatione bonorum vicecomiti, domino M. Stapilton, domino W. Chambirleyn, W. Yelverton justiciario, W. Calthorp, Johanni Twyre, Johanni Geney, T. Gurnay, Johanni Fyncham, Johanni Yelverton Juniori, Edmundo Bokyngham, Johanni Gros, Johanni Dam, Johanni Lomenour, Jacobo Arblaster, T. Denys, ut assistant sub pœna prædicta sex primis militibus et armigeris ad excitandum populum de patria pro domino T. T.,[227.5] J. H.,[227.6] P. Wentworthe, J. A.,[227.7] T. Danyel, H. Hunton, J. Wode, W. Prentys, S. Gunnor, H. Todynham, Joh. Wyndham, Palmere Ballivo de Costsey, T. Brygge, et suis complicibus subito et secretiori modo capiendo et versus London adducendo cum manu forti, et in Turri vel Newgate firmiter cum Thorp de Scacario carcere collocando, &c. Et tunc eorum clientes et eis adhærentes non possent, ymmo nec auderent, nocere populo patriæ bonæ disposicionis. Certe si in hac parte fideliter laborare in effectu volueritis, dominus Comes Warwic, et omnes sibi et suis benivoli essent vobis multiformiter obligati, et tunc esset in Norffolchia mansio concors et valde pacificus. Utinam bona voluntas vestra non sit in hac materia pigra, &c.

2º. Item, quod Episcopus Norwicensis esset in curia Regis ad tempus, vel in parliamento omnino, quia hic parvum bonum facit, nisi supportando iniquos et paci patriæ contrarios; est enim satis dives ad comprestandum pecunias Regi in necessitate sua. Ipse enim cum ducissa Suff. et aliis personis prænominatis sunt Reginæ et principi maxime favorabiles cum totis suis viribus; et ideo maxime expediens est parti Regis et comitis Warwic subtrahere, diminuere, et pocius opprimere, vires omnium illorum prædictorum eis et suis continue malignantium ex adverso, &c.

3º. Item, vos et vestri præmunire poteritis, si placeat, Doctores Kyrry et Godard quomodo fama communis hic volat continue per Boreales et eorum fautores quod Regina ac sui firmiter statuerunt unanimi decreto ipsos doctores et me non solum morti ignominiose tradere sed etiam generaliter omnes Fratres Minores citra flumen Trent commorantes interfici facere. Sed Magister Vergeant cum socio qui in sermonibus Reginam cum principe solempniter recommendat et in suis missis Reginam nominatim specificat per instanciam Ducissæ Suff. erit cum socio privilegiatus ab hac punicione.

4º. Item, bonum esset quod juvenis dux Suff. cum suis militibus et armigeris uteretur suis calcaribus et jam probaretur in bello cui esset fidelis, an caro vel piscis. Si T. T. cum suis prius recitatis essent unde memorati in parliamento a dominis et communibus, non dubium quin puniti essent causatores insurrectionis falsorum Regis contra Comitem Warwic apud pontem Westmonasterii, &c.

5º. Item, memorari dignetur dominus Comes Warwic quomodo T. T., J. H., J. A., et H. T.,[228.1] J. W. et cæteri gravissime comminantur priorem Wals’ [Walsingham], &c.

6º. Item, caveant Comes Marchiæ et Comes Warwic ne quovis modo sit inter eos controversia, sed sint omnino unanimes et concordes, nec aliqua cupiditas consiliariorum suorum faveat alicui eorum adversario propter lucrum bonorum in finalem deperdicionem ipsorum et amicorum suorum.

7º. Item, fiat per decretum parliamenti diminutio juris peritorum ac legis attornatorum Suff. et Norff. punicioque taxata singulorum oppressorum, generosos ac eorum liberos, nativosque tenentes cotidie et annuatim gravissime infestancium.

8º. Continue ac continue cordialiter cogitate ac scrutinio diligenti sæpius revolvite quomodo inimici vestri et adversarii antiqui, spiritu rancoris et invidiæ maliciose agitati, nituntur pro posse suo, et totis viribus, vos, et vostros vobis benevolos funditus destruere et finaliter deperdere, quod absit omnino; quare ex naturali legis dictamine potestis et debetis vim vi volenter ac potenter reprimere ac repellere et eorum maliciis inveteratis virili congressu rigorose resistere, quia minus malim incomparabiliter videtur existere quod eorum obstinata malicia potestate politica sit diminuta et quasi dejecta quam vos et vestri affines, propinqui et amici essetis nimis depauperati, et quasi, quod absit, finaliter abjecti.

[Footnote 227.4: John Wyndham.]

[Footnote 227.5: Sir Thomas Tuddenham.]

[Footnote 227.6: John Heydon.]

[Footnote 227.7: John Andrews. _See_ p. 222.]

[Footnote 228.1: Henry Tuddenham.]

[[Sidenote: 1460 / [OCT.] _closing bracket missing or invisible_]]

[[propinqui et amici essetis nimis depauperati
_text has “propinuqi”_]]

417

FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON[229.1]

_Reverendo magistro meo et amico singulari Johanni Paston armigero detur._

[Sidenote: 1460 / OCT. (?)]

Jhesus, Maria, Raphael, Johannes Baptista, Johannes Ewangelista, Franciscus Guardianus, cum Sanctis omnibus, succurant mæstis in tribulationibus. Amen. Præcordialissime domine et amice maxime singularis, Omissis pro præsenti vestri gratitudinis beneficiis mihi sæpius impensis, me humilime vestræ reverenciæ recommendo. Pensetis, quæso, cum omni festinatione possibili instabilem virum, utinam Hibernicum[229.2] non ingratissimum, cujus nacionis aliquales proprietates sunt istæ:--animo sæva, vultu ferox, torva affatu, versupellis moribus et inconstancia in omnibus bonis viis suis; qui inter cætera magistro Clementi retulit quod expensæ annuales magistri Johannis Fastolff, bonæ memoriæ, secundum fidelem compotum se extendunt omni anno ad octingentas marcas in Norfolch et Suffolch, &c., et quod idem miles vobiscum faciens pactum pro iiij. M^l, &c., fuit purus fatuus; et quod idem vobis donatoriam literarum faciens fuit major fatuus, &c., et quod idem Hibernicus scit deteriorare, et diminuere bona militis ad summam viginti m^l marcarum, &c. Ob reverentiam Jhesu Christi, cavete quod impediatur omnino a suscipiendo onus testamenti quousque verum et integrum compotum reddiderit de defuncti bonis per eum receptis tot annorum evolutis et transactis curriculis, &c. Item, quod non vendat nec alienet maneria, terras, tenementa cum pertinentiis, nec commutat jocalia nec evidenciales literas, nec pecunias per vestrum germanum, W. P., et per ipsum receptas London, Bermondyseye, &c., cum jam sciat de multis ubi sunt, &c. Videtur mihi, salvo saltem vestro meliori judicio, quod de aliis personis et locis est cum omni celeritate possibili prudenter providendum et politice, ne idem W. W. oculis luscus et denigrato colore, in facie fuscus, sit cum W. Yelverton judice confederatus, et per Ducem Exoniæ satis tiranizantem supportatus et per suos complices, &c. Sapienti loquor; nam philosophorum princeps ait ‘Cave ab hiis quos natura signavit’; et metrice dicitur:

‘Nam fallax faciens mens, mores ac pariformes
Concludunt mutuo quod sit quasi fraudis ymago.’

Dixi vobis quod non esset pro vobis nec vestris utile in W. W. aliquam confidentiam gerere. Post vestrum didici recessum in 4^or nostri collegii famulis duplicibus et falsis cum omni perfidia contra voluntatem militis et ejus executores iniquitatis vinculo confederatis et astrictis, scilicet Colino Gallico, coquinæ clerico, W. W., militis secretario et W. Eton; nunc in promptuario propter Jhesum Christum deleantur de libro vertuose et unanimiter viventium et a modo cum justis nequaquam conscribantur, &c. Est vulgare proverbium ‘Accordyng to ryte reson that to oftyn it is in ceson, that in trust is gret treson.’ Ideo cavete quod Sapiens dicit ‘Qui cito credit, levis est corde.’[230.1] Et audite scripturæ sacræ sententiam ‘A malo inquit consiliario serva animam tuam,’[230.2] &c. Nam alibi Sapientis proclamat eloquium: ‘Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.’[230.3] Hæc ibi. In alienis negociis velox, nec vivax erit, qui in propriis causis piger existit. Rogo attendite et menti imprimite diligenter quod revolvite quomodo poteritis resistere homini tam perverso noxam volenti et nocumentum executoribus inferre. Mens mea particulam evangelii retinet: ‘Si in viridi ligno hoc faciunt in arido quid fiet?’[230.4] Quasi diceret, si iste W. W. executorum ultimus et merito novissimus et per vestram et magistri Thomæ Howes diligenciam inscriptus tantam proterviam gerit, in hoc quasi exordio, quid in fine maliciose sit facturus? Hoc penitus ignoro. Deo vos vestros et vestra commendo et præsentem causam. Recommendetis me si placeat recommendandis, &c. Scriptum festinanter, hora prima post prandium. W. B., lator præsentis, intendit vobis si placeat humilime et verissime servitorum. Ex Castre in die Sabbathi.

Vester ad vota promptissimus,

FRATER J. B., Minorum minimus.

[Footnote 229.1: [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 158.] This letter appears
to be holograph. If we are right that it was written just before
No. 418, we may place it early in October 1460.]

[Footnote 229.2: _See_ p. 213.]

[Footnote 230.1: Eccles. xix. 4.]

[Footnote 230.2: _Ibid._ xxxvii. 9 (8).]

[Footnote 230.3: Prov. xxi. 30.]

[Footnote 230.4: Luke xxiii. 31.]

418

FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON[231.1]

_Venerando suo magistro, Johanni Paston._

_Jesus, &c._

[Sidenote: 1460]

Reverende domine, &c. Propter Deum caveatis a confidentia in illo nigro Hibernico[231.2] oculis obliquo et lusco, qui utinam corde, ore et opere non esset obliquior; qui heri misit literam Colino Gallico; de quibus dicitur quod singuli caccant uno ano. Et parvus Adam hodie portavit (?) magistro suo responsum. Idem enim luscus dicit vos esse cupidissimum, quia multum afflixistis debitores patris vestri, persequendo eos cum omni rigore, &c. Item dicit quod cum pater vester fuerit judex ditissimus, quasi nihil fecistis pro eo in distribuendo elemosinam pro anima ejus, et cum nihil feceritis pro patre vestro, quomodo pro magistro Fastolf aliquid facietis? Item dicit ‘Utinam fuissem in morte magistri mei, quia in me ultra omnes homines mundi maxime confisus est,’ &c. Item dicit quod in hora qua obiit magister suus, obviavit sibi unus albus bubo, qui eodem tempore juxta unam ecclesiam continuo clamavit mirabiliter et volavit sæpius iteratis vicibus sub equo suo inter tibias equi sui &c. Item dixit cuidam fratri conventus mei, ‘Magister Brakle accipit super se magnum regimen, &c., et certe, si pecunia legata in ultima voluntate suis servientibus non fuerit in larga habundancia distributa, erit ad magnum dedecus et verecundiam personæ meæ,’ &c. Utinam caveritis ita bene de eo sicut ego cavebo, quia cum sit filius Hibernicus, ego de eo semper minus curabo. Ipse vellet habere bona ex parte sua, &c. Deo teste non fecit (?)[232.1] vos magistri sui, &c. Hæc omnia et plura dixit idem miser magistro Clementi, a quo hæc omnia et plura didici &c. Item dicit quod vos timetis adire locum parliament quia non vultis præstare pecunias Regi nec Reginæ et aliis; et ideo pigritia vestra in hoc passu erit bonis mortui satis nociva, &c. Ego tot et tanta audivi de illo quod, per Deum, nunquam confidam in illo, &c.; est enim miser multum malencolicus et in toto colericus, et, salva patientia vestra, reddat compotum de singulis antequam capiat onus testamenti, &c.

Judex[232.2] cras venturus est, &c., et sicut se hic gerit vestra caritas notitiam habebit, &c. Rogo detis mihi licentiam recedendi ad conventum Norwici, ad mutandum vestimenta mea propter sudores, &c., et ad studendum pro sermone, &c., ad honorem Dei, &c., qui vos vestros et vestra salvet in sæcula. Amen.

Vester orator,

FRATER J. B.

_On the back:_--Item dixit magistro Clementi quod ipse non vult esse Frere, veni mecum, nec canta secum, nec Dacok, nec facok, nec Frater, lava pedes, &c. Item dicit vos instruxisse magistrum suum contra eum de auferendo evidencias, &c., et ipse plures labores habuit pro eo quam vos vel aliquis alius, &c. Custodite literam ultimo a me vobis missam, &c. Utinam Upton et ipse essent extra locum, &c., quia hic fiunt consumptiones maximæ, &c.

_Endorsed in a 16th century hand:_-- A lettre much dispraising
W. Wircester, from Doctor Brakley.

[Footnote 231.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears by
the contents to have been written about the beginning of the
Parliament of 1460, to which it would seem Paston did not
immediately repair to take his place, thus giving occasion to an
insinuation that he did not wish to be called upon to vote money
for the King and Queen.]

[Footnote 231.2: _See_ p. 213.]

[Footnote 232.1: The word is ‘ft’ in the MS. And to make sense
of the passage, I must suppose another word to be omitted. ‘Non
fecit vos _amicum_ magistri sui,’ _i.e._ he did not make you out
to be any friend of his master.]

[Footnote 232.2: William Yelverton.]

419

CHRISTOPHER HANSSON TO JOHN PASTON[233.1]

_To the right worshipfull Sir and Maister, John Paston, Escuier, at Norwiche, be this delyvered in hast._

[Sidenote: 1460 / OCT. 12]

Right worschipfull Sir and Maister, I recomaund me un to you. Please you to wete, the Monday after oure Lady Day[233.2] there come hider to my maister ys place,[233.3] my Maister Bowser, Sir Harry Ratford, John Clay, and the Harbyger of my Lord of Marche, desyryng that my Lady of York[233.4] myght lye here untylle the comyng of my Lord of York and hir tw sonnys, my Lorde George[233.5] and my Lorde Richard,[233.6] and my Lady Margarete[233.7] hir dawztyr, whiche y graunt hem in youre name to ly here untylle Mychelmas. And she had not ley here ij. dayes but sche had tythyng of the londyng of my Lord at Chestre. The Tewesday next after, my Lord sent for hir that sche shuld come to hym to Harford [_Hereford_], and theder sche is gone. And sythe[233.8] y left here bothe the sunys and the dowztyr, and the Lord of Marche comyth every day to se them.

Item, my Lord of York hath dyvers straunge commissions fro the Kyng for to sitte in dyvers townys comyng homward; that is for to sey, in Ludlow, Schrrofysbury, Herford, Leycetre, Coventre, and in other dyvers townys, to punych them by the fawtes to the Kyngs lawys.

As for tythyngs here, the Kyng is way at Eltham and at Grenewych to hunt and to sport hym there, bydyng the Parlement, and the Quene and the Prynce byth in Walys alway. And is with hir the Duc of Excestre and other, with a fewe mayne, as men seythe here.

And the Duc of Somerset he is in Depe [_Dieppe_]; withe hym Maister John Ormound, Wyttyngham, Andrew Trollyp, and other dyvers of the garyson of Gyanys, under the Kyng of Fraunce safcondyte, and they seythe here, he porpose hym to go to Walys to the Quene. And the Erle of Wyltschyre[234.1] is stylle in pece at Otryght at the Frerys [_Friars_], whiche is seyntwary.

Item, Colbyne ys come home to my maister is place, and seyth that, at your departyng[234.2] ouzt of London, ze send hym word that he schuld come hedder to the place, and be here un tylle your comyng a zene; and so he is here it, and seith he wolle take no maister but be your avyce, nether the leese [_nevertheless_] awaytythe uppon Maister Oldhall the most parte at Redre[234.3] at his place.

Item, Maister Ponyngs hathe enteret on an two or iij. placys uppon the Erle of Northomberlond, and he stondyth in good grace of the Kyng, my Lord of Marche, my Lord Warwyk, and my Lord of Salysbury. Most parte of the contre abought his lyflod hold aythe withe hym. And my maisteras your sister[234.4] is not delyverd as yet; God yef hir god delyveraunce.

No more to you at this tyme, but and ze wolle comaund me any servyce y may doo, it is redy. And Jesu have you in his blessid kepyng; and I beseche you this letter may comaund me to my maisteras your moder, and my maisteras your wyfe, and alle your houshold.

Wreten at London the xij. day of Octobre.

Your owne Servaunt,

CHRISTOFER HANSSON.

[Footnote 233.1: [From Fenn, i. 198.] This letter must have been
written in the year 1460, when the Duke of York came over from
Ireland, his party having been victorious at the battle of
Northampton, and gained possession of the King’s person.]

[Footnote 233.2: The Nativity of Our Lady is on the 8th
September. The Monday following was in this year the 15th.]

[Footnote 233.3: Probably Sir John Fastolf’s place in
Southwark.]

[Footnote 233.4: Cecily, Duchess of York.]

[Footnote 233.5: Afterwards Duke of Clarence.]

[Footnote 233.6: Afterwards Richard III.]

[Footnote 233.7: Afterwards Duchess of Burgundy.]

[Footnote 233.8: The modern version in Fenn reads: ‘And she hath
left here.’]

[Footnote 234.1: James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond.]

[Footnote 234.2: Paston must have left London and gone to
Norwich not long before the Parliament, which began on the 7th
October; and, as we have already observed, he did not return in
time for its commencement.]

[Footnote 234.3: Redriff or Rotherhithe.]

[Footnote 234.4: Elizabeth, wife of Robert Poynings. --_See_ No.
406, p. 217.]

420

ABSTRACT[235.1]

ROBERT CALL TO [JOHN PASTON].

[Sidenote: 1460(?) / OCT. 17]

Has delivered the horse-litter to Robert Lynne according to his message. Cannot get a farmer for Mauteby. Sends John Deye. He will not pass one combe barley for an acre. He has fourteen acres ‘reasonably well dight to sow on wheat.’ None will take the close at Mauteby at the price agreed upon with Calle by Lynne and Robert Butler.

Caister, St. Luke’s Eve.

_P.S. on the back, unimportant._

[From what is said in Margaret Paston’s letter of the 20th October
following about the lands at Maultby being unlet, this may perhaps
have been written in the same year three days earlier.]

[Footnote 235.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

421

THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON[235.2]

_To my rygth worchipfull and my good maister, John Paston, Esquyer, in hast._

[Sidenote: 1460 / [OCT.]]

Rygth worchipfull and my most speciall synguler good maister, I recomend me to you, besechyng your maistership not to be dysplesed with my long taryans, and also to take it to no gref thou it were long or I wrot to you; for in good feyth I wend my self with in sevenygth after Seynt Feythesmesse[235.3] to have ben at London, and for asmoche as Suthwell[235.4] desyred me to tarye for evydens gevyng, &c. I promysed hym so to do and tarye tyll the Munday after Seynt Feythesmesse, or tyll the Tewysday sevenyth after at the ferthest, and at tho dayes I hard no word fro hym. And so uppon the Thursday after had I word that the under-eschetour schuld sytte at Ocle[236.1] the Tewysday after Seynt Luce;[236.2] and so I tarye as yette, and trust verely to be with you the Saterday at the ferthest after Seynt Luce. Item, Sir, if my Maister of the Rolles[236.3] be not come, I trust to God to com tydely i now, as for the traversys; and if ye besi you to the innyng ther of or I com, Richard Ley schall delyver hem you, if ye send to hym for it; for I left hem with hym to gete hem in if he mygth, and promysed hym a reward for his labour. Item, my maistres[236.4] and all folkes be heyll and mery, blyssed be Jesu, ho have you in his blyssed governans and proteccion.

By your,

THOMAS PLAITER.

[Footnote 235.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this
excuses his delay in coming to London, as he had been asked to
stay and give evidence before the under-escheator, who was to
sit at Acle on Tuesday after St. Luke’s Day. This refers to the
inquisition on the lands of Sir John Fastolf, which was taken at
Acle on that day in 1460.]

[Footnote 235.3: St. Faith’s Day is on the 6th of October.]

[Footnote 235.4: Richard Southwell, Escheator of Norfolk.]

[Footnote 236.1: Acle in Norfolk.]

[Footnote 236.2: St. Luke’s Day is the 18th October. The Tuesday
after it was the 21st in 1460.]

[Footnote 236.3: Thomas de Kirkeby.]

[Footnote 236.4: Margaret Paston.]

422

THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON[236.5]

_To my maister, John Paston, Esquyer._

[Sidenote: 1460 / [OCT. 21]]

A[fter] my most speciall recomendacion, like your maisterchip wete that the office[236.6] is taken at Ocle in lyke forme as Suthwell[236.7] can schew you, for Fraunceys Costard hath sent it hym, and the jentylmen that passed uppon the office wold fynd nor medyll nouther with the tenurs nor ho is next here [_heir_]. Wherfor if ye wol have other wyse found, Fraunceys Costard hath under take it, but it schal not be by suche men of worchip [as] is yn this. Item, the under-chryf was at Ocle, and ded and sayd to the jentylmen al that ever he cowde to the lette of the matter. And as for Suffolk, I understand they have no warant, so I tarye as yet what cas that ever falle. And if ye wold that I tarye not, that it lyke you by the brynger her of to send me hasty wurd.

I send you the names of the jure here in.

Your,

THOMAS PLAITER.

_On a separate paper formerly enclosed in the preceding is the following List:_--

_Jurati pro Domino Rege._[237.1]

Willelmus Rokewood, armiger, jur’.
Johannes Berney, armiger, jur’.
Radulphus Lampytte, armiger, jur’.
Johannes Byllyngford, armiger, jur’.
[Jacobus Arblaster, armiger, jur’.][237.2]
Willelmus Deymayne, armiger, jur’.
Willelmus Dawbeney, armiger, jur’.
Willelmus Julles, jur’.
Christofre Norwiche, jur’.
Thomas Holler, jur’.
Johannes Berkyng, jur’.
Robert Bryghtlede, jur’.
Robertus Spany, jur’.
Johannes Bernard, jur’.
Rogerus Iryng, jur’.
Robertus Townesende.
Johannes Grygges de Ranworth, jur’.
Robertus Regestre, jur’.
Johannes Maunvyle, jur’.
Willelmus Rysyng.
Johannes Doke.
Robertus Jekkes, jur’.
Johannes Why[te].
Henr[icus] . . . ratte.
Car[ol]us Barker.
Johannes Cappe.
Thomas Paternoster.

[Footnote 236.5: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have
been written immediately after the taking of the inquisition
referred to in the preceding. The list of the jury who took it
is on a separate paper found apart from this letter, in which it
was enclosed. The names of those indicated as sworn are
identical with those on the official record (Inquisitions
_post-mortem_, 38 and 39 Hen. VI., No. 48), but seven additional
names are included, besides one that is struck out.]

[Footnote 236.6: The inquisition. --_See_ p. 199, Note 2.]

[Footnote 236.7: Richard Southwell. --_See_ p. 191.]

[Footnote 237.1: This is a panel of the jury drawn up before the
inquisition was taken. The heading and the word ‘jur’’ opposite
the names of those sworn have been added afterwards.]

[Footnote 237.2: This name is scored out with the pen.]

423

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[238.1]

_To my ryth worchepfull husbond, Jon Paston, be thys delyveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1460 / OCT. 21]

Ryth worchepfull husbonde, I recomand me to yow. Plesyth it yow to weet that I receyvyd yowyr letter that ye sent me by Nycolas Colman on Sonday last past. And as for the mater that ye desyiryd me to breke of to my cosyn Rokwode, it fortunyd so that he came to me on Sonday to dyner sone aftyr that I had yowyr letter; and when we had dynyd, I mevyd to hym ther of in covert termys, as Playter shall informe yow eraftyr. And as I thowt by hym, and so ded Playter also by the langwage that he had to us, that he wold be as feythfull as he kowd or myte be to that good Lorde that ye wrot of, and to yow also, in ony thynge that he kowde or myte do in case wer that he wer set in offyse, so that he myth owte do; and ther to he seyd he wolde be bownde in a m^l. _li._ [£1000] and he was so myche worthe.

As for the todyr that ye desyiryd I scholde meve to of the same mater, me semyth he is to yonge to take ony swhyche thyngys up on hym; and also I knowe veryly that he scholl never love feythfully the todyr man that ye desyiryd that he schuld do, for when he rem[em]bryth the tyme that is paste, and ther for I spak not to hym ther of.

Thys day was holde a gret day at Okyll[238.2] befor the undyr schreve and the undyr exchetor, for the mater of Syr Jon Fastolfys londys; and ther was my cosyn Rookwod and my cosyn Jon Berney of Redham, and dyvers odyr jentylmen and thryfty men of the contre; and the mater is well sped aftyr your intent (blyssyd be God!) as ye schall have knowlage of in hast.

I suppose Playter schall be with yow on Sonday or on Monday next comyng, if he may. Ye have many good prayers of the poer pepyl that God schuld sped yow at thys Parlement, for they leve in hope that ye schold helpe to set a wey that they myte leve in better pese in thys contre thane they have do befor, and that wollys schold be purveyd for, that they schuld not go owt of thys lond as it hathe be suffryd to do be for, and thane schall the poer pepyll more leve bettyr thane they have do by her ocwpacion ther in.

Thomas Bone hathe salde all yowyr wole her for xx_d._ a stone, and goode swerte fownd to yow ther for, to be payid a Myhellmas next comyng; and it is solde ryth well aftyr that the wole was, for the moste part was ryte febyll. Item, ther be bowt for yow iij. horse at Seynt Feythys feyer, and all be trotterys, ryth fayir horse, God save hem, and they be well kepyd. Item, your myllys at Heylysdon be late [_let_] for xij. marke, and the myller to fynde the reparacion; and Rychard Calle hathe let all yowyr londys at Caster; but as for Mawtby londys, they be not let yet. Wylliam Whyte hathe payid me a geyne thys daye hys x._li._, and I have mad hym a qwetans ther of, be cause I had not hys oblygacion.

Ther is gret talkyng in thys contre of the desyir of my Lorde of York.[239.1] The pepyll reporte full worchepfully of my Lord of Warwyk. They have no fer her but that he and othyr scholde schewe to gret favor to hem that have be rewyllers of thys contre be for tyme.

I have done all yowyr erandys to Syr Thomas Howes that ye wrote to me for. I ame rythe glade that ye have sped welle in yowyr materys be twyx Syr Fylyp Wentworthe and yow, and so I pray God ye may do in all othyr materys to hys plesans. As for the wrytyngys that ye desyirid that Playter schulde sende yow, Rychard Call told me that they wer at Herry Barborys, at the Tempyll gate.