Chapter M: Paston (2)

Broder, I recomawnde me to zow, desyeryng to here of yowre welfare, the qwyche I pray God mayntene. Plesse yow to wette that I have sent my moder a letter for mony for my swster;[281.2] and if ze wyll agre that I may have xx^{ti}_li._ [£20], I xall zeve zow acowmpts ther of, and ze xall be payyd azen of the obligacyon that my moder hathe, or ellys I xall take a swerte of my suster. I wysse obligacion mwste nedes be swyd, and a doseyn accions more in her name, and sche doo well thys terme; and it wyll be doo with in fowertenyut. The Cowntas of Northumberlond[281.3] and Robarde Fenus[281.4] ocupie all her lond, and that is a gret myscheffe. I prey zow spe[ke] to my moder her of, and lat me have a awnswer within this sevenyut. Also, broder, Wyndham is come to town, and he seyd to me he wyll goo gett hym a mayster, and me thowte by hym he wold be in the Kynges servise, and he saythe that he wyll have Felbryg azen or Myhelmes, or ther shal be v.^c. [500] heds broke ther fore. Brodere, I pray zow delyver the mony that I xwld have in to swm prior of swm abbey to swm mayster of swm colage to be delyveryd qwan I can espy ony londe to be porchasyd. I pray zow send me word wyder ze wyll doo thus or no. No more, but owre Lord have zow in Hys kepyng. Wrytyn on Fryday nexst after Seynt John is day.

By zour broder,

CLEMENT PASTON.

[Footnote 281.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Elizabeth Paston, who,
as we have seen (No. 374), had been married to Robert Poynings
by the beginning of the year 1459, became his widow in 1461, her
husband having been killed in the second battle of St. Albans on
the 17th February. It would appear by this letter that she was
immediately after dispossessed of her husband’s lands by
Eleanor, Countess of Northumberland, who was Baroness Poynings
in her own right.]

[Footnote 281.2: Elizabeth Paston, now widow of Robert
Poynings.]

[Footnote 281.3: Eleanor, widow of Henry Percy, third Earl, who
was slain at Towton in 1461.]

[Footnote 281.4: Fenys.]

462

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[282.1]

_To my right worchepfull hosbond, John Paston, be this letter deliveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JUNE]

Right worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete that thys day in the mornyng the parson of Snoryng came to Thomas Denys and fechyd hym owt of hys hows, and beryth hym a hand,[282.2] that he shuld a mad byllys agayns Twyer and hym, and hathe a leed hym ferthe with hem. Hys wyf hathe no knowlege of it. Ferther more the seid parson seythe that the seyd Thomas Denys shuld a take sowdyors owt of hys felachep whan he went to Seynt Albons;[282.3] that hys a nother of hys compleynts. Item, anothyr of hys compleynts ys, a beryth the seyd Thomas a hand,[282.2] that he had awey a hors of John Coppyng of Bryslee, and a nother of Kyng of Donham, the wyche hors were stole be the seyd ij. personys. Wher for the seyd Thomas toke hem as a comyshaner and delyveryd hem to the exchetor, Frances Costard, and one of them he bowt of the seyd Fraunces. And the seyd parson hathe a wey the seyd hors, and seyth that he wolle the seyd thevys shuld be recompenst be Thomas Denys. Thys I am enformyd of all thesse maters be hys wyffe, and sche prayythe yow in the reverence of God ye wolle be hyr good maister, and helpe that hyr hosbond may have sume remedy be your labor in thys mater, [for she] seythe syn that hyr hosbond ys the Kyngs offycer, that they owt to spar hym the rather. But they that hathe hym take no . . . . . . told me that they hope to have a newe chonge in hast.

Item, Pers that was with my unkyll Barney[283.1] sent you a l[etter] . . . . . . er desyryng to have your good masterchep, and he woll fyynd sufficient suerte[283.2] for hym for to com . . . . . . whan som ever ye woll require hym. I’ good feyth it ys told me hys leggs ar all . . . . . . [Send] me word, encas the suerte be sufficient, in what sum ye woll have hem bownd for hy . . . . . . te in bayle. Item, it ys told me that ther be many Freynche shyppys of se a geyns Yamothe, a[nd . . . . . . t]hey woll do harme on the coste. I pray yow hertely that ye woll send me word in hast howe that ye do with my [Lord] of Norffolk, and with your adversaryys. Item, I have do purveyed in thys wareyn xj.^xx. [_eleven score_] rabets and sent up be the berer herof. The blyssyd Trinite have yow in Hys kepyng, and send yow the better of all your adversariis, and good sped in all your maters. Wretyn in hast, the same day that ye departyd hens.

Item, I pray yow that ye wolle remembre my unkyll Barneys mater tochyng the executyng of his wylle, and how ye wolle that we be demenyd for kepyng of hys yerday, and that it lekyth you to send me word be Mr. John Smy[th].

[Footnote 282.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter appears
from internal evidence to have been written some time after the
second battle of St. Albans, which was fought in February 1461,
and before the murder of Thomas Denys in July following. But to
all appearance it was not very long before the latter date. The
MS. is mutilated, and a few words are lost in eight consecutive
lines.]

[Footnote 282.2: _i.e._ accuses him. _See_ vol. ii. p. 110,
Note.]

[Footnote 282.3: Thomas Denys was at the second battle of St.
Albans in February 1461. _See_ No. 455.]

[Footnote 283.1: John Berney.]

[Footnote 283.2: _See_ Letter 424.]

463

THOMAS DENYES TO MARGARET PASTON[284.1]

_To my right noble and wurshipfull mastresse, my Mastresse Paston, or to William Paston if she be absent._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY]

Right noble and wurshipfull mastresse, I recomaund me to yow with my pouer servise. And for so moche as I here no thyng of my maister your husbonds comyng hastly home,--and though he cam or come not, it were expedient that the Kyng were infourmed of the demenyng of the shire,--therfore I send to yow a testymonyall, which is made by a greet assent of greet multitude of comons, to send to the Kyng. I pray you for the good spede therof that in all hast possible ye like to send it to my said maister, if he be with the Kyng; ellis fynde the meane to send it to the Kyng, thogh my maister be thens; beside forthe that ye vouchsauf to late diligent labour be made to a sufficient nombir to assele for my Maister Paston allone, for if bothe holde not, I wolde oon helde.

I pray yow that it lyke you to send for my Maister William Paston, and shew hym all thys, and that it were hastid; for on the adversaire parte Judas slepith not.

Berney promised to a’ sent, but for our Lords love trust not that; for I se his slouthe and sely labour, which is no labour. And I wold ful fayn speke with yow, &c.

My maister your husbond wole peraventure blame us all, if this mater be not applied; for he may not of reson do so largely heryn by his myght, be cause he is elyted, as the Comons myght wisely do with help of his favour, if it wer wisely wrought. If my Maister William Paston ride hastly from a x. daies to London, I wole with hym, if he send me word. The Holy Trinite preserve yow. Wretyn rudely in hast the Sunday, &c.

Men sey, send a wiseman on thy erand, and sey litell to hym, wherfor I write brefly and litell.

THOMAS DENYES.

[Footnote 284.1: [From Fenn, iv. 18.] This letter speaks of the
county of Norfolk as being in an unquiet state, and of John
Paston as having been elected knight of the shire. It will be
seen by No. 458 that writs for an election were expected as
early as the 5th of June in 1461, and as I find that the writer
of this letter was murdered on the 4th of July following, the
date is probably about the very beginning of that month. From
what is said at the beginning of the letter about Paston’s
absence from home, it was evidently some time after the last,
which was written on the very day of his departure.]

464

RICHARD CALL TO MARGARET PASTON[285.1]

_To my most reverent and worshipfull mastresse, my Mastresse Margaret Paston, this be delyuered._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 3]

Plesith it your mastresseship that my mastre[285.2] wolde that ye alowe the berer hereof for hes costs, in asmoch as he come hether for that matre, and for non other; but ye must lete Thomas Denys wif be prevy therto, for my mastre wol that she bere the cost, for it is her matre; and that ye make her goode cheere, and if ye wol have her hom to you for a seacon, unto the tyme sche be out of her trouble, my mastre is agreed. And if sche sende to my mastre for any matre, let her sende her owne man upon her owne coste, thowe ye paye the money for a secon, unto the tyme that sche may pay you a yein, mastre holdeth hym content. My right wurshipful mastresse, Almyghti Jesu kepe you. Wreten at London the iij. day of Jul.

Your poore seruaunt and bedman,

RIC. CALL.

On the back of this letter is the following memorandum:--
‘Memorandum of j. comb whete, whereof was mad iiij.^xx. and x.
[_fourscore and ten_] brown lovis and iiij.^xx. and xvj. white
lovis, after vj. j.^d. price the . . . .’

[Footnote 285.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter seems to
have been written in 1461, just before Thomas Denys was
murdered, in consequence of the occurrences mentioned in No.
462.]

[Footnote 285.2: John Paston.]

465

WILLIAM LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON[286.1]

_To the right worchipfull and my good maister John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 6]

Ryght worchipfull and my good mayster I recomaunde me to yow. And, sir, yf the Coronacion had be on Relik Sunday,[286.2] as it was apoyntyd, I shuld have waytid on yow. And as for my Lord of Norffolks mene, I told my mastres your wyfe, here disposission as I coude know, the wheche I sopose she told yow, as I can espye some of his meny was grette cause of T. D.[286.3] deth, &c. Also ye have knowlych how Fastolff[286.4] is com yn to my Lord of Norffolks hous, for ij. causez, as I understande; on is to enfors my Lords entre yn Castre be his cleym; an other is to helpe his fader yn lawe[286.5] ayens Felbrigge, &c. For love of Good take good awayte to your person, for the word [_world_] is right wilde, and have be sythyn Heydonz sauffe gard was proclamyd at Walsyngham; for yn good feyth I trow, but if [_i.e._ unless] he be ponysshid the countre wille rise and doo moche harme, and also for the comyssion Sir Miles Stapilton and Calthorp, that arn among the comunes ought of conseite and reputid the Kyngs enmez, as the brenger of this bille can telle yow, to whom I beseche yow to be good mayster, for he hath doo the Kyng good servyse as ony pore man of our contre, and yet is he callid traitor be sweche as he can telle yow, soportid be Roger Bolwer and Aleyn Roos, Heidonz owyn men [chif constablez].[286.6] And it plese yow that John Yve and John Brigge myght have your warentez for cheffe constable, &c., for they ocupye yn Kyng Herris name. Forther, sire, I am gretly yn your danger and dette for my pension, for it is told me ye have paied, and at your comyng I shalle make amendez with your good maistreship, and suche servyse as lith yn my pore powere is, and shalbe, redy at alle tymez with Godds grace, how have yow yn His kepyng. Wretyn yn hast at Dallyng, on Sent Thomas Even, &c.

Be your Servaunt,

L.

[Footnote 286.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the reference to
the coronation, it is quite evident that this letter must have
been written in the first year of King Edward the Fourth.]

[Footnote 286.2: 12th July in 1461.]

[Footnote 286.3: Thomas Denys.]

[Footnote 286.4: Thomas Fastolf of Cowhaw.]

[Footnote 286.5: This would seem to be John Wyndham, but I find
no mention of such a relationship between him and Fastolf.]

[Footnote 286.6: Interlined.]

466

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[287.1]

_To my ryth worchepfull hosbond, John Paston, be thys deliverid in hast._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 9]

Right worchepful hosbond, I recommand me to yow. Please yow to wete that I have spoke with Thomas Denys wyffe, and she recommand hyr to your good masterchep, and she prayeth yow to be her good master, and prayet yow of your good masterchep, that ye wolle geve her your advice howe to be demenid for hyr person and hyr goodes. For as towchyng hyr owne person, she dare not goo home to hyr owne place, for she is thret if that she myght be take, she shuld be slayne or be put in ferfull place, in shortyng of hyr lyve dayes, and so she standyth in gret hevynes, God her helpe. Ferther more she is nowe put be her brother in Norwich with Awbry, and she thynkyth the place is right conversaunt of pupyll for hyr to abeyd in, for she kepyth hyr as close as she may for spyyng. Item, as I went to Seynt Levenard ward, I spake with Maister John Salet, and commonyd with hym of hyr, and me thowgt be hym that he howyth hyr ryght good wylle. And than I haskyd hym howe she myght be demenyd with hys[287.2] goodes and hyr. He cownseld me that she shuld get hyr a trosty frend, that war a good, trewe, poor man, that had not moche to lese, and wold be rewlyd after hyr, and to have a letter of ministracion; and so I told hyr. Than she seyd she wold have hyr broder advice therin. Item, she seyth ther be no mor feffes in hys londes but ye and Rokwood, and she prayeth yow that it please yow to speke to Rokwood that he make no relesse but be your advice, as she trostyth to yowr good masterchep. Item, the last tyme that I spake with hyr she mad suche a petows mone and seyd that she wost ner howe to do for mony, and so I lent vj_s._ viij_d._ Item, I sent my cosyn Barney the bylle that John Pampyng wrot be yowr commanddement to me, and he hath sent a letter of hys entent to yow and to Rokwod therof, and also but if it please yow to take better hed to hys mater than he can do hym self, I can thynk he shall ellis fare the wors for i’ feyth he standyth daly in gret fere, for the false contrary party ageyns hym. Item, at the reverence of God, be ware howe ye ryd or go, for nowgty and evyll desposyd felacheps. I am put en fere dayly for myn abydyng here, and cownsellyd be my moder and be other good frendes, that I shuld not abeyd here but yf the world wher in mor quiete than it is. God for hys merci send us a good world, and send yow helthe in body and sowle, and good speed in all your maters. Wreten in hast the Thursday next after Seynt Thomas.

By your,

M. P.

[Footnote 287.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter clearly
relates to the affairs of Thomas Denys’s wife, after the murder
of her husband in 1461. John Paston and William Rokewood were
trustees of his lands, and Margaret’s cousin, John Berney of
Witchingham, it will be seen, wrote more than one letter to them
about this time.]

[Footnote 287.2: _i.e._ her husband’s.]

467

JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON AND WYLLIAM ROKEWODE[288.1]

_To the worshipfull John Paston and Wylliam Rokewode, Squyeris, and to everych of them._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 10]

Right worshipfull cosynes, I recummaund me to yow. And for as mech as I am credybilly informyd how that Sir Myles Stapylton knyght with other yll dysposed persones, defame and falsly noyse me in morderyng of Thomas Denys the Crowner, and how that I intend to make insurexyones contrari unto the law; and that the seyd Stapylton ferthermore noyseth me with gret robries; in whech defamacyones and fals noysyngs the seyd Stapylton, and in that his saying he is fals, that knowith God, &c. And for my playn acquitayll, yf he or any substancyall gentylman wyll say it, and avow it, I say to it contrari, and by lisens of the Kyng to make it good as a gentylman. And in this my playn exskeus, I pray yow to opyn it unto the Lords, that the seyd Stapylton, &c., makyn gret gaderyngs of the Kyngs rebelyones, lying in wayte to morder me. And in that I may make opyn proff. Wretyn in hast the x. day of July anno regni Regis E. iiij. primo.

JOHN BERNEYE.

Remembre to take a wryht to chese crowneres in Norffolk.

[Footnote 288.1: [From Fenn, i. 236.]]

468

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[289.1]

_To my cosyn, Margaret Paston._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 12]

I recomaund me to yow, letyng yow wete tha the Undershreve doughtyth hym of John Berney; wherfore I pray yow bryng hem to gedyr, and set hem acord, if ye can, so that the seyd Ondershreve be sure that he shall not be hurt be hym, ner of hys cuntrymen. And eyf he woll not, lete hym verely understonde that he shall be compellyd to fynd hym suerte of the pes to agry in thys heed, and that shall nowther be profitabyll, ner worchepful. And lete hym wete that there have be many compleynts of hym be that knavyssh knyght, Sir Miles Stapilton, as I sent yow word before; but he shall come to hys excuse wele inow, so he have a mannys hert, and the seyd Stapylton shall ben ondyrstand as he ys, a fals shrewe. And he and hys wyfe and other have blaveryd here of my kynred in hedermoder;[290.1] but, be that tyme we have rekned of old dayes and late dayes, myn shall be found more worchepfull thanne hys and hys wyfes, or ellys I woll not for hys gilt gypcer.

Also telle the seyd Berney that the Shreve ys in a dought whedyr he shall make a newe eleccion of knyghts of the shyre, be cause of hym and Grey; where in it were bettyr for hym to have the Shreves good wyll.

Item, me thynkyth for quiete of the cuntre it were most worchepfull that as wele Berney as Grey shuld get a record of all suche that myght spend xl_s._ ayere, that were at the day of eleccon, whech of them that had fewest to geve it up as reson wold. Wretyn at London, on Relyk Sonday.

Item, that ye send abought for sylver acordyng to the old bylle that I sent yow from Lynne.

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 289.1: [From Fenn, iv. 20.] This letter and the next,
which is an answer to it, are evidently of the same year as No.
471. Relic Sunday (the third Sunday after Midsummer Day) was the
12th July in 1461.]

[Footnote 290.1: In hugger-mugger, _i.e._ clandestinely.]

469

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[290.2]

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 15]

I recomand me to yow. Please yow to wete that I have sent to my cosyn Barney, acordyng to your desyr in the letter that ye deed wright on Relec Sonday to me, wheropon he hathe wreten a letter to yow and anothyr bylle to me, the wyche I send yow. He tolde the masanger that I sent to hym that the Undershereve nedyth not to fer hym nor non of hys; for he seyd, after the aleccion was doo, he spak with hym at the Grey Fryers, and prayyd hym of hys good masterchep, and seyd to hym that he feryd no man of bodely harme, but only Twyer and hys felachep.

Item, Sir John Tatersalle and the baly of Walsynsham and the constabyll hathe take the parson of Snoryng and iiij. of hys men, and sete hem fast in the stokkys on Monday at nyght; and, as it is seyd, they shuld be carryyd up to the Kyng in hast. God defend yt but they be shastysyd as the lawe wolle. Twyer and hys felachep beryth a gret wyght of Thomas Denys dethe in this contry abowght Walsynham; and it is seyd ther yf John Osberne hade owght hym as good wylle, as he deed befor that he was acqueyntyd with Twyer, he shuld not adyyd [_have died_] for he myght rewlyd al Walsynham as he had lyst, as it ys seyd.

Item, Will Lynys, that was with Master Fastolf, and swyche other as he is with hym, goo fast abowght in the contr, and ber men a hand,[291.1] prests and others, they be Skotts, and take brybys of hem and let hem goo ageyn. He toke the last wek the parson of Freton, and but for my cosyn Jarnyngham the younger,[291.2] ther wold a led hem forthe with hem; and he told hem pleynly yf they mad any suche doyngs ther, but [_i.e._ unless] they had the letter to schewe for hem, they shuld aley on her bodyys. It wer welle do that they wer met with be tymys. It is told me that the seyd Will reportyth of yow as shamfully as he can in dyvers place. Jesu have yow in Hys kepyng. Wreten in hast, the Wednysday after Relec Sonday.

Yf the Undershereve come home, I woll a say to do for hym as ye desyryd me in your letter. As for mony, I have sent abowght, and I can get non but xiij_s._ iiij_d._ syn ye went owght. I wolle do my parte to get mor as hastely as ye may.

By yowr,

M. P.

[Footnote 290.2: [From Fenn, iv. 24.] See note to preceding
letter, p. 289, Note 1.]

[Footnote 291.1: That is to say, make imputations against them.
_See_ vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.]

[Footnote 291.2: John Jerningham, junior, son of John
Jerningham, senior, of Somerleyton, Suffolk.]

470

JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON[291.3]

_To the worshipfull John Paston, and to my cosyn, Wylliam Rokewode, Squyer, with my Lord of Cantyrburi._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 16]

Right worshipfull sir, I recummaund me to yow, praying yow hertyli to labour for that the Kyng may wryte unto me, gevyng me thankyng of the good wyll and servyse that I haff doo unto hym, and in beyng with hym a yens his adversaries and rebelyones, as well in the North, as in this cuntre of Norffolk. And in that the Kyng shold please the Comynnes in this cuntre; for they grudge and sey, how that the Kyng resayvith sych of this cuntre, &c. as haff be his gret eanemyes, and opresseors of the Comynes; and sych as haff assystyd his Hynes, be not rewardyt; and it is to be consederyd, or ellys it wyll hurt, as me semyth by reason. And in ayd of this chaungebyll rewle, it wer nessessary to move the good Lords Spiretuall and Temperall, by the whech that myght be reformyd, &c. And in cas that any of myn olde enemyes, Tudynham, Stapylton, and Heydon, with theyr affenyte labur the Kyng and Lords unto my hurt, I am and wylbe redy to come to my souverayn Lord for my exskeus, soo that I may come saff for unlawfull hurt, purveyed by my seyd ennemyes. No more at this tyme, but God preserve yow in gras. Wretyn at Wychyngham the xvj. day in the moneth of July, anno regni Regis E. iiij^ti. primo.

JOHN BERNEYE.

Please it yow to move this unto my Lords Cauntyrburi, Ely, Norwych, &c.

[Footnote 291.3: [From Fenn, i. 238.]]

471

JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON[292.1]

_To the ryght worshipfull John Paston, Squyer, in hast._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 17]

Sir, I recomaund me to zow, &c. And as for my playn dysposyssyon towards the Undyrshrewe, I wyll hym no bodyli hurt, nor shal not be hurt by me nor by noo man that I may rewle. But the Comynnes throw all the schyer be movyd agayn hym, for cause of his lyght demeanyng towards them for this elexsyon of knygtts of the shyer for the Parlement. And I suppose yf that he wyll, he may be hastyli easyd as thus:--lat hym make notys unto the seyd Comynnes that this theyr eleccyon shall stande, or ellys lat hym purchas a new wryt, and lat hym make wrytyng unto them what day they shall come, and they to make a new eleccyon acordyng unto the law. And, sir, I pray zow, sey to hym that it is nott his oneste to lye upon too many men, noysyng them rebyliones of Norff[olk], and Berney theyr c . . . No more to zow at this tyme, but I naff sent zow ij. letteris within this viij. dayes. Wretyn the xvij. day of July anno regni Regis E. iiij^ti. 1^mo.

JOHN BERNEY.

[Footnote 292.1: [From Fenn, iv. 28.]]

472

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[293.1]

_To my worchepful hosbonde, Jon Pastun, this letter be delyvered in hast._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 18]

Ryth worchepful husbond, I recomawnd me to yow. Plesyt yow to wete that I am desyrid be Sir John Tatersale to wryte to yow for a comyssion or a noyr in termyner [_oyer and terminer_][293.2] for to be sent down in to this cuntre to sit uppon the parson of Snoryng, and on soche as was cause of Thomas Denyssys dethe, and for many and gret horebyl robryys; and as for the costs ther of the cuntre wele pay therfor, for they be sor aferd but [_i.e._ unless] the seyd dethe be chastysed, and the seyd robryys, they ar aferde that mo folks xal be servyd in lyke wyse.

As for the prest and vj. of hese men that be takyn, they be delyveryt to Twer [_Twyer_], and iiij. be with hem of the cuntreys cost, for to be sent with to the Kyng; and yf they be browt up at the reverens of God, do yowr parte that they schape not, but that they may have the jugement of the lawe, and as they have deservyd, and be comytyt to prison, not to departe tyl they be inqueryd of her forseyd robery be soche a comyssion that ye can get, that the Keng and the Lords may hondyrstonde wat rewle they have be of, not hondely for the moderys and the robbryys, but as wele for the gret insurrexsin that they were lyke amade within the shyre. The preests of Castyr they be streytely take hede at be Roberd Harmerer and hoder, so that the seyde prestys may have no thyng out of ther owne, ne of hodyr menys, but they be rassakyt, and the plase ys watchyd bothe day and nyth. The prestys thynk ryth longe tyl they tydynggs fro yow. At the reverens of God, be ware hou ye goo and ryde, for that ys told me that ye thret of hem that be nowty felawys that hathe be inclynyng to them, that hathe be your hold adversarys.

The blyssyd Trenyte have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast, the Saturday nex be fore Sent Margarete.

Be yours,

M. P.

[Footnote 293.1: [From Fenn, iv. 30.] The date of this letter is
certain, as it refers to the murder of Thomas Denys.]

[Footnote 293.2: _See_ vol. ii. p. 161, Note 3.]

473

GRANT FROM THE CROWN[294.1]

_Pro Johanne Paston._

[Sidenote: 1461 / JULY 27]

Rex omnibus ad quos &c. salutem. Cum Nos indebitati sumus Johanni Paston armigero et Thomæ Hows clerico in septingentis marcis legalis monetæ regni nostri Angliæ eisdem Johanni et Thomæ solvendis juxta formam cujusdam billæ manu nostra signatæ cujus tenor sequitur in hæc verba:--

Edward, Kyng of Inglond and of Frauns, Lord of Irlond, recorde and knoweleych that we have receyvyd of John Paston, Squyer, and Thomas Hows, clerk, be the assent of oure trusty and welbelovyd cosyn Thomas Archebysshop of Caunterbury, [and?] Mayster John Stokys, clerk, an nowche of gold with a gret poynted diamaunt set upon a rose enamellid white, and a nowche of gold in facion of a ragged staff with ij. ymages of man and woman garnysshed with a ruby, a dyamaunt and a gret perle, which were leyd to plegge by oure fader, whom Crist assoyle, to Sir John Fastolff, knyght, for CCCC. xxxlvij_li._; and also an obligacion wherby oure seid fader was bound to the seid Sir John Fastolff in an C. marc; for which we graunt and promitt in the word of a kyng to pay to the seid John Paston and Thomas Hows, clerk, or to her assignez, D.CC. mark of lawfull money of Englond at days underwritte, that is to sey; att the Fest of All Seyntes than next folowyng after the date of thys bille CC. mark, and other CC. mark at the Fest of All Seyntis than next folowyng, and other CC. mark at the Fest of All Seyntes than next folowyng, and an C. mark at the Fest of All Seyntys thanne next folowyng. And also we graunte that the seid John Paston and Thomas Hows shall have a signement sufficient to hem aggreabill for the seid payment. And if it fortune that the same John and Thomas be unpayd by the seid assignement of any of the seid paymentis at any of the seid Festis, thanne we graunt upon notice made to us therof by the same John or Thomas to pay hem or her assignez that payment so behynd onpaid oute of oure cofirs withoute delay. In witnesse werof we have signed this bill with oure hand the xij. day of Jule the first yere of [our] reign.

Nos solutionem summæ illius præfatis Johanni et Thomæ fieri et haberi volentes, ut tenemur, concessimus et per præsentes concedimus eisdem Johanni Paston et Thomæ Hows septingentas marcas monetæ prædictæ percipiendas modo et forma subsequentibus, videlicet, centum marcas inde annuatim percipiendas de primis denariis provenientibus et crescentibus de feodi firma civitatis nostræ Norwici et de omnibus aliis firmis, exitibus, proficuis et reventionibus de eadem civitate provenientibus per manus majoris, custodis, vicecomitum, civium seu ballivorum ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existentium aut aliorum receptorum, firmariorum seu appruatorum eorundem feodi firmarum, exituum, proficuorum et reventionum dictæ civitatis pro tempore existentium, et centum marcas inde annuatim percipiendas de firmis, redditibus, exitibus, proficuis et aliis commoditatibus quibuscumque de comitatibus nostris Norff’ et Suff’ provenientibus per manus vicecomitum eorumdem comitatuum pro tempore existentium quousque septingentæ marcæ eisdem Johanni Paston et Thomæ Hows plenarie persolutæ fuerint. In cujus &c. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, xxvij. die Julii.

_Per ipsum Regem oretenus._

[Footnote 294.1: [From _Patent Roll_, 1 Edw. IV., Part 3, No.
13.]]

474

THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON[296.1]

_To maister John Paston Esquyer in hast._

[Sidenote: 1461 / AUG. 1 (?)]

Please your maistership wete that Danyell of Grayes In enfourmed me that Kyng of Dounham whiche slewe Thomas Denys is arested and in hold at Wysbyche and had ben delyvered nor had Fraunceys Costard a taken suerte of pees of hym; and so he is kept in by non other meane but al onely by suerte of pees. And as I felt by the said Danyell if he be craftyly handeled he woll accuse many other; but Danyell is loth to name hem, but I suppose he ment by Twyer and yet other mo, right sufficient, and kalled of substans. Item, Haydon hath payed ccccc. marks and is delivered. Item it is talked the parlement schal be proroged tyl the iiij. day of Novembre and the kyng wol in to Scotland in al hast. Wretyn in hast uppon the day of the Advencion.[296.2]

Youris,

THOMAS PLAITER.

[Footnote 296.1: [Add. MS. 34,888, f. 181.] The year in which
this letter was written is certain, not only from the reference
to the murder of Thomas Denys, which was in July 1461, but also
from the mention of the prorogation of Parliament to the 4th of
November.]

[Footnote 296.2: Probably meaning the Feast of St. Peter ad
Vincula (1st August).]

475

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[296.3]

_To my mastres Paston and Richard Calle._

[Sidenote: 1461 / AUG. 1]

First, that Richard Calle fynde the meane that a distresse may be taken of such bestes as occupie the ground at Stratton, and that cleyme and contynuauns be made of my possession in any wise, and that thei be not suffrid to occupie withowt thei compoune with me; and that aftir the distresse taken the undirshreve be spoke with all that he make no replevyn with out agrement or apoyntement taken, that the right of the lond may be undirstand.

ij. Item, I here sey the peple is disposed to be at the shire at Norwich on Sen Lauerauns Day for th’affermyng of that thei have do afore, wherof I hold me wele content if thei do it of her owne disposicion, but I woll not be the cause of the labour of hem, ner bere no cost of hem at this tyme, for be the lawe I am suer befor, but I am wel a payed it shall be on han halyday for lettyng of the peples werk. I undirstand ther shall be labour for a coroner that day, for ther is labour made to me for my good wyll here, and I wyll nothyng graunt withowt the under shreves assent, for he and I thought that Richard Bloumvyle were good to that occupacion. Item, ye shall undirstand that the undirshreve was some what flekeryng whill he was here, for he informyd the Kyng that the last eleccion was not peasibill, but the peple was jakkyd and saletted, and riottously disposid, and put hym in fere of his lyfe. Wherefore I gate of hym the writte whech I send yow herwith, to that entent, thow any fals shrewe wold labour, he shuld not be sure of the writ, and therfore ye most se that the undirshreve have the writ at the day, in case the peple be gadered, and thanne lete th’endentures be made up or er they departe.

iij. Item, that ye remembyr Thomas Denys wyfe that her husbond had divers billes of extorcion don be Heydon and other, whech that he told me that his seid wyfe beryid whan the rumour was, so that thei were ny roten. Bidde her loke hem up and take hem yow.

iiij. Item, as for the seyd distreynyng at Stratton, I wold that Dawbeney and Thomas Bon shuld knowe the closes and the ground, that thei myght attende ther to, that Richard were not lettyd of other occupacions, and I wold this were do as sone as is possibill, or I come home. Notwithstandyng, I trowe I shall come home or the shire, but I woll nat it be knowe till the same day, for I will not come there with owt I be sent fore be the peple to Heylisdonne. Notwithstandyng, and the peple were wele avertised at that day, they shuld be the more redy to shewe the oribyll extorcions and briberys that hath be do upon hem to the Kyng at his comyng, desyring hym that he shuld not have in favor the seyd extorcioners, but compelle hem to make amendes and sethe [_satisfaction_] to the pore peple.

v. Item, that Berney and Richard Wright geve suche folkys warnyng as wyll compleyne to be redy with her billes if thei list to have any remedy.

vj. Item, that the maters ayens Sir Miles Stapilton may at Aylesham be remembyrd.

vij. Also if ye can be any craft get a copy of the bille that Sir Miles Stapilton hath of the corte rolles of Gemyngham, that ye fayle not, but assay and do yowr devyr, for that shuld preve some men shamefully fals. Master Brakle seyd he shuld a get oon of Freston. I wold he shuld assay, or ellys peraventure Skypwith, or ellys Master Sloley; for if Stapilton were boren in hande that he shuld be founde fals and ontrewe, and first founder of that mater, he wold bothe shewe the bille and where he had it.[298.1]

viij. Item, I wold the prestis of Caster were content for Midsomer term.

ix. Item, ther is a whith box with evidens of Stratton, in on of the canvas baggis in the gret cofir, or in the spruse chest. Ric. Calle knowith it well, and ther is a ded of feffement and a letter of atorne mad of the seyd londs in Stratton to John Damm, W. Lomner, Ric. Calle, and John Russe. I wold a new dede and letter of atorne were mad owth theroff be the feffees of the same laund to Thome Grene,[298.2] Thome Playter, the parson of Heylisdon, Jacobo Gloys, klerke,[298.3] Johanni Pamping, and that the ded bere date nowh, and that it be selid at the next shire; for than I suppose the seyd feffes will be ther if it may not be don er that tyme. I wold have the seyd dedis leyd in a box, both old and new, and left secretly at Ric. Thornis hows at Stratton, that whan I com homwar I mygh fynd it ther, and mak seson [_seisin_] and stat to be take whil I wer ther. Wret at London on Lammes Day.

[Footnote 296.3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed
from a draft which is partly in John Paston’s own hand. The
contents clearly refer to, first, the Norfolk election of 1461,
which it was proposed to confirm by a new meeting of the
electors at the shire-house; and secondly, the necessity of
electing a new coroner after the murder of Thomas Denys. The
date is therefore certain.]

[Footnote 298.1: Between this and the next paragraph is the
following sentence crossed out:-- ‘Item, I send yow a writ
direct to the Meyer and Shreves of Norwich for to receyve of hem
an C. [_hundred_] mark yerly for suche jowellys as the Kyng hath
of me.’]

[Footnote 298.2: This name is substituted for three others
crossed out, viz. ‘John Grenefeld, Thomas Playter, Water
Wrottisle, Squyer.’]

[Footnote 298.3: Here occurs the name, ‘Christofere Grenacre,’
crossed out.]

476

JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON[299.1]

_To my right worshypfull and reverent maistyr, John Paston, at Norwich._

[Sidenote: 1461 / AUG. 23]

Ryght worshypfull sir, and my right honourable maister, I recomaunde me louly to you. And plese youre maistirshyp to wete that my Maister Clement, youre brothyr, and Plater, wrot a letter to my mayster yore sone[299.2] yistirday, the tenure of whych was how ye were entretyd there. And as ye desyred me, so I enformyd hem the mater along, for they wist not of it til I told hem; and they wrete the more pleynerly inasmych as a worshypfull man rood the same day, and bare the letter to my seyd maister youre sone.

The Lord Bourgcher is with the Kynge, and my Lord Warwyk still in the North, &c.

Item, sir, thys day cam on John Waynflet from the Kyng streyt weye, and he is of myn aqueyntaunce; and he teld me there was no voyse nor spekyng aboute the Kyng of that mater; and I teld hym all the mater along hou ye were intretyd, whych he wyll put in remembraunce in ony place that he cometh in in Suffolk or Esex as he goth homward, for he owyth no good wil to youre adversary. And the seyd Waynflet teld me that he knowyth for serteyn that the Kyng cometh not to Northefolk til he hathe been upon the Marchys of Walys, and so there is no serteynte of hyse comyng thys many dayez. He teld me he lefte the Kyng with a smal felashyp aboute hym.

And I enqueryd hym of the gyding of my maystyr yore sone, whiche he comendyd gretly, and seyd that he stood well inconseyt, and dayly shuld increse; and he was well in acqueyntaunce and be lovyd with jentilmen aboute the Kyng. But he seyd ther shal no thyng hurte hym but youre streytnesse of mony to hym, for withoute he have mony in hyse purse, so as he may resonably spende among hem, ellys they wyll not sette by hem; and there be jentilmen sones of lesse reputacion that hath mony more lyberal x. tymez than he hath, and soo in that they seyd Waynflet seyd it were full necessary for you to remembre, &c.

As for tydyngs here bee noon newe, &c. I truste I shal brynge you a letter from my mayster your sone, or thanne I come, for whych I shal rather thanne fayle abyde on day the lenger. And Jesu have you, my right honourable maister, in Hyse mercyfull governaunce, and preserve you from adversyte. Wretyn at London, on Seynt Bertylmewys Evyn.

I can speke with noo man but that thynke the gydyng of youre adversary hath been in many causez ryght straunce, and as it is soposyd that he shal undyrstonde at the Parlament; but for Gods sake have men inow aboute yow, for ye undyrstonde is on manerly dysposecion.

Your bedeman and servaunt,

JOHN RUSSE.

[Footnote 299.1: [From Fenn, iv. 42.] Edward IV. went into the
Marches of Wales, as mentioned in this letter, in the autumn of
1461. He was at Gloucester on the 11th September, and at Ludlow
on the 21st, as appears by the dates of his privy seals. The
matter mentioned in the postscript is doubtless Howard’s
contention with Paston in the shire-house at Norwich, to which
allusion is made in the letter following.]

[Footnote 299.2: John Paston, the eldest son.]

477

JOHN PASTON, THE ELDEST SON, TO HIS FATHER[301.1]

_To my rythg reverent and worchypfoll fader, John Paston, Esquyer, dwellyng in Heylysdon, be thys letter delyvered in haste._

[Sidenote: 1461 / AUG. 23]

Most reverent and worschepfull fadyr, I rekomawnd me hertyly, and submytt me lowlely to your good faderhood, besechyng yow for cheryte of yowr dayly blyssyng. I beseche yow to hold me ascewsyd that I sente to yowe none erste no wrythgtyng, for I kowd not spede to myn intent the maters that ye sent to me for. I have laboryd dayly my Lord of Essexe, Treserer of Ynglond, to have mevyd the Kyng bothe of the maner [of] Deddham and of the byll copye of the Corte Roll, everye mornyng ore he went to the Kyng, and often tymys inqueryd of hym and he had mevyd the Kyng in these matyers. He answeryd me naye, seyyng it was no tyme, and seyd he wold it war osse fayne spedd os I myselfe, offed tymys de layding me that in trouthe I thowt to have send yowe word that I felyd by hym that he was not wyllyng to meve the Kyng ther in. Neverthe lesse I lawberyd to hym contynually, and prayed Barronners hys man to remembyr hym of it. I told offten tyms to my seyd Lord that I had a man teryyn in town, that I schuld a sente to yow for othyr sundry maters, and he teryid for no thyng but that I mythg send yowe by hym an answer of the seyd matyers; othyr tyms besechyng hym to spede me in theys matyers for thys cawse, that ye schulde thynke no defawte in me for remembryng in the seyd maters.

And nowe of late, I, rememberyng hym of the same mater, inqueryd if he had mevyd the Kyngs Hythgnes therin; and he answeryd me that he hadde felte and mevyd the Kyng ther in, rehersyng the Kyngys answer therin; how that, when he had mevyd the Kyng in the seyd maner of Dedham, besechyng hym to be yowr good Lord ther in, konsyderyng the servyse and trewe part that ye have done, and owthg to hym, and in espesyal the rygth that ye have therto, he seyd he wold be your good Lord therin as he wold be to the porest man in Inglond. He wold hold with yowe in yowr rygth; and as for favor, he wyll nogth be under stand that he schal schewe favor mor to one man then to anothyr, nowgth to on in Inglond.

And as for the bille copyd of the Cort Rolle, when he mevyd to him of it, he smylyd and seyd that suche a bylle ther was, seyyng that ye wold an oppressyd sundreys of yowr contremen of worchypfull men, and the for he kepyd it styll. Never the lesse he seyd he schuld loke it uppe in haste, and he schuld have it.

Baronners undertoke to me twyes ore thryes that he schuld so a’ remembred hys lord and master,[302.1] that I schuld au had it with inne ij. or iij. dayes. He is often tyms absent, and therfor I have it nowthg yyt; when I kan gete it, I schall send it yowe, and of the Kyngs mowth, hys name that take it hym.

I scend you home Pekok a geyn. He is not for me. God send grace that he may do yow good servyse, that be extymacion is not lykelye. Ye schall have knowleche aftyrward how he hathe demenyd hym her with me. I wold, savyng yowr dysplesure, that ye were delyvered of hym, for he schalle never do yow profyte ner worchyp.

I suppose ye understand that the monye that I hadde of yowe att Londun maye not indur with me tyll that the Kyng goo in to Walys an kome ageyn, for I under stand it schall be long or he kome ageyn. Wher for I have sent to Londun to myn onkyl Clement to gete an C_s._ of Christofyr Hansom yowr servaunt, and sene [_send_] it me be my seyd servaunt, and myn herneys with it, whyche I lefte at Lundun to make klene.

I beseche yowe not to be dysplesyd with it, for I kowd make non othyr cheysaunce [_arrangement_] but I schuld a boruyed it of a strange man, sum of my felawys, who I suppose schold not lyke yowe, and ye herd of it a nothyr tyme. I ame in suerte wher as I schall have a nothyr maun in the stede of Pekoke.

My Lord of Estsexe seythe he wyll do as myche for yowe as for any esquyer in Inglond, and Beronners hys man telht me, seyy[n]g, ‘Yowr fadyr is myche be holdyng to my Lord, for he lovyth hym well.’ Bernners mevyd me ons, and seyd that ye must nedys do sum wate for my Lord and hys, and I seyd I wost well that ye wold do for hym that laye in yowre powar. And he seyd that ther was a lytyl mony be twyxe yowe and a jantylman of Estsexe, callyd Dyrward, seyyng that ther is as myche be wern [_between_] my seyd Lord and the seyd jantylman, of the wyche mony he desieryth yowr part.

It is talkyd here how that ye and Howard schuld a’ strevyn togueder on the scher daye, and on of Howards men schuld a’ strekyn yow twyess with a dagere, and soo ye schuld a ben hurt but for a good dobelet that ye hadde on at that tyme. Blyssyd be God that ye hadde it on. No mor I wryth to yower good faderhod at thys tym, but All myghty God have yowe in Hys kepyng, and sende yowe vyttorye of yowr elmyes [_enemies_], and worschyp in cressyng to yowr lyvys end yn. Wrytyn at Lewys, on Seynt Bertylmwes Eve.

Be yowr servaunt and elder sone,

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 301.1: [From Fenn, iv. 46.] Allusion is made in this
letter, as in the last, to Edward IV.’s going into Wales in
1461. The writer appears to have been with the King, and
expecting to accompany him on the journey. Edward was at Battle
on the 21st August 1461, according to the dates of his privy
seals.]

[Footnote 302.1: Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex.]

478

CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[303.1]

_To hys rythe reverent and worchypfwll broder, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1461 / AUG. 25]

Rythe reverent and worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde me to yowr good broderhood, desieryng to herre of zour welfar and good prosperite, the gwyche I pray God encresse to His pleswr and zowr herts hesse [_heart’s ease_]; certyfyyng zow that I have spok with John Rwsse, and Playter spok with him bothe, on Fryday be for Seynt Barthelmw. He tolde us of Howards gydyng, gwyche mad us rythe sory tyl we herde the conclusion that ze hadde non harme.

Also I understond by W. Pekok that my nevew hadde knowleche ther of also up on Saterday nexst be for Seynt Barthelmwe, in the Kyngs howse. Not with standyng, up on the same day Playter and I wryte letters on to him, rehersyng al the mater, for cause if ther wer ony questionys mevyd to hym ther of, that he xwlde telle the trowthe, in cas that the qwestions wer mevyd by ony worchypfwll man, and namyd my Lord Bowcher,[304.1] for my Lord Bowcher was with the Kyng at that tyme.

I fele by W. Pekok that my nevew is not zet verily aqweyntyd in the Kyngs howse, nor with the officers of the Kyngs howse he is not takyn as non of that howse; for the coks [_cooks_] be not charged to serve hym, nor the sewer[304.2] to gyve hym no dyche, for the sewer wyll not tak no men no dyschys till they be comawndyd by the cownterroller. Also he is not aqweyntyd with no body but with Weks;[304.3] and Weks ad told hym that he wold bryng hym to the Kyng, but he hathe not zet do soo. Wherfor it were best for hym to tak hys leve and cum hom, til ze hadd spok with swm body to helpe hym forthe, for he is not bold y now to put forthe hym selfe. But than I consyderyd that if he xwld now cum hom, the Kyng wold thyng [_think_] that wan he xwld doo hym ony servie som wer, that than ze wold have hym hom, the qwyche xwld cause hym not to be hadde in favor; and also men wold thynke that he wer put owte of servic. Also W. Pekok tellythe me that his mony is spent, and not ryotesly, but wysly and discretly, for the costs is gretter in the Kyngs howse qwen he rydythe than ze wend it hadde be, as Wyllam Pekok can tell zow; and therof wee must gett hym jC_s._ at the lest, as by Wyllam Pekoks seyyng, and zet that will be to lytill, and I wot well we kan not get xl_d._ of Christifyr Hanswm. So I xall be fayn to lend it hym of myn owne silver. If I knew verily zour entent wer that he xwld cum hom, I wold send hym non. Ther I wyll doo as me thynkithe ze xwld be best plesyd, and that me thynkythe is to send him the silver. Ther for I pray zow hastely as ze may send me azen v. mark, and the remnawnte, I trow, I xall get up on Christofir Hanswm and Lwket. I pray zow send me it as hastely as ze may, for I xall leve my selfe rythe bare; and I pray zow send me a letter how ze woll that he xull be demenyd. Wrytyn on Twsday after Seynt Barthelmwe, &c. Christus vos conservet!

CLEMENT PASTON.

[Footnote 303.1: [From Fenn, iv. 52.] The references to Howard’s
conduct, and to John Paston the son being with the King, prove
this letter to be of the year 1461. Compare the last paragraph
of the letter immediately preceding with the first of this.]

[Footnote 304.1: Henry, Viscount Bourchier, who had been created
Earl of Essex on the 30th June preceding. The writer had
forgotten his new dignity.]

[Footnote 304.2: An officer who had the ordering of the dishes,
etc.]

[Footnote 304.3: John Wykes was an usher of the King’s chamber,
and a friend and cousin of J. Paston’s.--F.]

479

LORD BEAUCHAMP TO SIR THOMAS HOWES[305.1]

_To myn welbeloved frende, Sir Thomas Howys, Parson of Blofeld._

[Sidenote: 1461 / AUG. 28]