Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

[Footnote 49.1: ‘Nicolas Radford,’ says Fenn in a note, ‘was an
eminent lawyer, and resided at Poghill, near Kyrton.’ In Pole’s
_Description of Devonshire_, p. 219, we find that one Nicolas
Radford dwelled at Upcot in Henry VI.’s time, ‘after whose death
controversy arose betwixt John Radford of Okeford and Thomazin,
sister of the said Nicholas,’ who had married Roger Prous.]

[Footnote 49.2: A hutch was a coffer or chest standing on legs.]

[Footnote 49.3: A flight was ‘a light arrow formed for very long
and straight shots.’ --Halliwell.]

[Footnote 49.4: Archbishop Bourchier.]

[Footnote 50.1: The King was at Hertford, as appears by the
Privy Seals, in August and September 1455, and not improbably in
October also.]

304

ABSTRACT[50.2]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF ‘TO MY RIGHT TRUSTY BROTHER, NICHOLAS MOLYNEUX.’

[Sidenote: 1455 / OCT. 30]

As I come not to London this winter, I beg you to see to my Lord’s matters, and labour to my Lord of Canterbury and Master John Stokys for the recovering of my Lord’s[50.3] [good]s. No man can say more in the matter than you where his goods are, ‘and where they be disposed,’ especially those that Sir Rob. Whytynham[50.4] had. Also the Lord Cromwell had ‘a certain number of plate.’ Your costs shall be paid out of the first money received. Hears from John de Leawe, one of Lord Willoughby’s executors, that they will labour to my Lord Beaumont to advance the process for recovery of his part of the reward for the taking of the Duke of Alençon. Fendykes, a learned man of the Temple, will help with his advice. Commend me to my sister your wife.

Castre, 30 Oct.

_In Worcester’s hand, and endorsed by him._-- ‘A John Paston et John
Bokkyng.’

[During the winter of 1455-56 we find several allusions to this
claim put forward by Fastolf to the goods of the late Duke of
Bedford. Unless we are to infer from the manner in which Lord
Cromwell is mentioned that he was dead when this letter was written,
it is probably of the year 1455.]

[Footnote 50.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 228.]]

[Footnote 50.3: The Duke of Bedford.]

[Footnote 50.4: Sir Robert Whityngham died on the 4th November
1452.--_Inq. post mortem_, 31 Hen. VI., No. 47.]

305

WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON AND JOHN BOCKING[51.1]

_To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, and to my brothyr, John Bokkyng._

[Sidenote: 1455 / NOV. 13]

Please it yow to have yn knowlege that y veele well my maister takyth gretely to hert the materes whych he hath wryt to you uppon the execucion of my Lord of Bedford ys godes, and in especiall for the recuveryng of hem, as well as of Sir Andreu O.[51.2] executors as of Sir Robert Whytyngham, &c. to th’entent that it myght be opynly knowe yn hys lyve tyme that they be not yn his gouvernaunce no part of it, and that hys factors after hym shuld not be troubled ne charged for it. And seth the seyd mater ys of so grete wyght and charge, and that he takyth it so gretely to hert, puttyng hys grettist trust yn yow, to remembre thys seyd mater by avyse of hys councell lerned, both spirituell as temporell, that ye wolle not delay it, but wyth all your entencion remembred there, as ye by your wysdoms shall thynk it moste expedient, that som fruyt may grow of it.

There ys ynowgh whereoff, and it myght be recuvered, John Bokkyng, ye know ryght moch yn thys mater, and mooste of my maister ys entent hereynne. And therfor, for myne acquytaille, y wryte to you to shew the chieff wrytynges of the copy of endentures of Sir Robert Whytyngham, and of othyr wrytynges concernyng that to Maister Paston, that he may be more rypelyer grounded yn the seyd mater when he shall comyn wyth my Lordz of Caunterburye, Cromewell, and with onye of my maister councell. And our Lord kepe you.

My maister carpyth so oft on it dayly, and that meovyth me to wryte to yow both. Att Castre, xiij. day of November.

Your,

W. WOR-H.R.-CESTRE.

[Footnote 51.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] On the 11th November
1454 Sir John Fastolf wrote to Paston about the goods of the
Duke of Bedford, but the subject recurred to his thoughts for
more than a year afterwards, and particularly in January 1456,
when all the other executors of the Duke were dead. This letter
is certainly before the death of Lord Cromwell, and therefore
not later than 1455; but it seems to indicate much greater
solicitude on the subject than Fastolf showed in the preceding
year.]

[Footnote 51.2: Sir Andrew Ogard, who died on the 13th October
1454.--_Inq. post mortem_, 33 Hen. VI., No. 25.]

306

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[52.1]

_To my right wurshipfull husbonde, John Paston, be this delivered, in hast._

[Sidenote: 1455 / NOV. 25]

Right wurshipfull husbonde, I recomaunde me unto you. Plesith you to witte that myn aunt Mondeforthe[52.2] hath desiryd me to write to you, besechyng you that ye wol wochesafe to chevesshe for her at London xx^ti marke for to be payed to Mastre Ponyngs, outher on Saterday or Sonday, weche schalbe Seint Andrwes Daye, in discharchyng of them that be bounden to Mastre Ponyngs of the s[ei]de xx^ti marke for the wardeship of her doughter, the weche xx^ti marke she hath delyvered to me in golde for you to have at your comyn home, for she dare not aventure her money to be brought up to London for feere of robbyng; for it is seide heere that there goothe many thefys be twyx this and London, weche causeth her to beseche you to content the seide money in dischargyng of the matre, and of them that be bounden, for she wolde for no goude that the day were broken. And she thankyth you hertely for the greet labour and besynesse that ye have had in that matre, and in all others touchyng her and hers, wherfore she seithe she is ever bounden to be your bed-woman, and ever wolle be whyle she levethe.

My cosyn, her sone, and hese wife recomaundethe them unto you, besechyng you that ye woll weche safe to be her goode mastre, as ye have ben a fore tyme; for they be enformed that Danyell is comen to Rysyng Castell, and hes men make her bost that her mastre shal be a yene at Brayston withinne shorte tyme.

Ferthermore, as for the matre that my sone wrote to me for the boxe wheron wreten _Falce Carte Sproute_ that I shulde enquer of William Wurcestre wher it were, the seide William was not at home sen that I had hes letter; but as sone as he comethe home, I shall enquere of hym, and sende you an answer.

As towchyng for your leveryes, ther can noon be gete here of that coloure that ye wulde have of, nouther murrey, nor blwe, nor goode russets, undrenethe iij_s._ the yerde at the lowest price, and yet is ther not j nough of on clothe and coloure to serve you. And as for to be purveid in Suffolk, it wul not be purveide nought now a yenst this tyme, with oute they had had warnyng at Michelmesse, as I am enformed. And the blissed Trenyte have you in his kepyng.

Wreten at Norweche, on Seint Kateryn Day.

Be your,

MARGARET PASTON.

[Footnote 52.1: [From Fenn, iii. 252.] St. Andrew’s day fell on
Sunday in 1455 and 1460. This letter must be written in one of
these two years, and the probabilities are greatly in favour of
the former, as John Paston and William Worcester were not on
good terms after the death of Sir John Fastolf.]

[Footnote 52.2: Osbert Moundford, Esq. of Hockwold, married
Elizabeth, daughter of John Berney, Esq., and by her had Mary,
their daughter and sole heir, who married Sir William Tindale,
Knight of the Bath.]

307

ABSTRACT[53.1]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON.

[Sidenote: [1455] / DEC. 11]

Thanks him for his pains in the advancement of his ‘chargeable matters.’ Was never so much bound to any kinsman as to Paston, who tenders so much his worship and profit. Sends Worcestre with important letters to my Lord Privy Seal and the Abbot of Bermundsey, and would like Paston to common with them. Thanks him for informing him of the answer made to the bill of Wentworth, ‘which I know had stand in great jeopardy had not ye be.’ Sends his evidences concerning Bradwell, that the Judges and Parliament may have better consideration of his right, and of the patents granted to Paston and Howys in that behalf. Desires credence for William Worcestre.

Castre, 11 Dec.

[The date of this letter must be between the year 1454, when Sir
John Fastolf settled at Caister, and 1458, as he was not alive in
December 1459. The reference to Parliament fixes it more precisely,
as 1455 was the only year during this period in which Parliament sat
in December.]

[Footnote 53.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 262.]]

308

RICHARD BINGHAM TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF[54.1]

_Copie of my fader Bynghames lettre to my fadre F._

[Sidenote: About 1455]

Right honorable and reverend maistre, after due and hertely recomendacion, I thank yow als hertily as I can that it likith your gode maisterschip, of your godnesse, to let to ferme to my son Scrope the pouer enheritance that he schal enherit after your decesse, if God will that he life therto. And I hafe for my saide son comonde with my maistres of your counsell, that is to sey, Paston and other, and I fynde them not straunge, bot right streyte to dele with in the mater; and therfore my saide sone, and I for hym, must sue to the well of mercy, that is to say, to your honurable person, where is special refuge for my saide son in this cas. My saide son is and hath be, and will be to hys lifes ende, your true lad and servaunt, and glad and well willed to do that myght be to your pleaser, wirschip, and profit, and als loth to offend yow as any person in erth, gentill and well disposid to every person. Wherfore I besech your gode grace that ye will vouchesafe remember the premissez, my saide sons age, his wirschipfull birth, and grete misere for verrey povert, for he hath had no liflode to life opon sithen my lady his moder deed, safe x. marc of liflode that ye vouched safe to gife hym this last yer, and therfore to be his good maister and fader. And thof he be not worthy to be your son, make hym your almesman, that he may now in his age life of your almesse, and be your bedeman, and pray for the prosperite of your noble person. And if I durst, for your displesance, I wolde besech yow that ye wolde vouchesafe lat my saide son hafe the saide lifelode to ferme for terme of your life, payng to yow therfore yerely CC. marc at ij. festes of the yere, that is to say, Cristemasse and Middesomer, and ye schall be paied hit truly at London, in Hillary terme for the feste of Cristemasse, and Trinite terme for the feste of Midsomer; and I will be bounden for hym and [_i.e._ if] your maisterschip will vouchesafe to take me, and he and I schall ever pray for yow. And thof the saide lifelode be better to yow in availl yerely then I offer yow therefore, this summe of CC. marc schal be truly paid to yow yerely; and God, that rewardeth every gode dede, schal pey for hym the remenant to yow, for every peny an C., in relesyng of yow in Purgatory, or ellys encresyng of your merite in Heven. And how your maisterschip will that my saide son schall do in this mater, I besech yow that he may be certified be your writing.

[Footnote 54.1: [From Castlecombe MSS., Add. 28,212, f. 26,
B.M.] This letter has been printed by Mr. Poulett Scrope in his
privately printed _History of Castle Combe_. From evidences
contained in other of the family muniments, Mr. Scrope supposes
it to have been written about the year 1455, which is probably
not far from the true date. Compare Letter 349 following.]

309

FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN.--I.[55.1]

_Billa de debitis Regis in partibus Franciæ Johanni Fastolf militi debitis._

[Sidenote: 1455]

These ben the injuries, losses, and damages that the seyd Fastolf hath had, as well withynne this royaume of England as in othir parties in maner and fourme as it ensewith.

First, it is to consider how that the seyd Fastolf hath ben vexed and troubled seth he came last into this lande by the myght and power of the Duc of Suffolk, and by the labour of his counseill and servaunts in divers wyses, as in grete oppressions, grevous and outrageous amerciemants and manye grete horrible extorcions, as it may appere more pleynly by a rolle of articles thereuppon made, the damages of which entenden to the somme of

V. m^{l}. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hath be gretely damaged and hurt by the myght and power of the seyd Duc of Suffolk and his counseill, in disseising and taking awey a maner of the seyd Fastolf, called Dedham, in the counte of Essex, to the value of C. marks of yerly rent which was halden from the seyd Fastolf by the terme of iij. yere day and more, to his grete hurt, with CC. marks in costs exspended in recouvere of the same, the some in all,

V^{c}. marc.

Item, there ys cast in to the Kyngs hands by untrew forged offices and inquisicions, supposed to be founde by dyvers eschetours in the countees of Norffolk and Suffolk, iij. certeyn maners of the seyd Fastolf, to the value of C. marks yeerly, which seyd offices and inquisicions were never dewly founde, but forged by untrue imaginacions and meenys of certeyn persones hys eville willers, as it hath be confessed by thos that were appoynted and named to be uppon the enquestys; and by the maliciouse labour of his seyd evylle willers, the seyd maners have ben troubled and put in plee this iiij. yere day and more, to the damage and costs of the seyd Fastolf, the somme

V^{c}. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hauying the yeft of the Baronyes and Lordshipp of Sillie Guillem[57.1] and Lasuze, in the countee of Mayn, to hym and to his assignes for ever, the which weren goten by the seyd Fastolf, and no charge to the King, for the value and denombrement [_number_] of iiij. m^{l}. saluz[57.2] of yerly rent, he was commaunded by the Kinges lettres to deliver upp the sayd baronyes and lordshipps to the Kyngs commissioners, promyssyng hym, by the Kyngs commaundement to have be recompensed therefor, as the seyd Fastolf hath to shewe, and he not recompensed nor rewarded no thing for the levyng of his seyd baronyes and lordship, to the damages of the seyd Fastolf of the somme of

m^{l}. m^{l}. v.^c [2,500] marc.

Item, wher as the seyd Fastolf had a prisonner of his owen taking, called Guill’m Remond,[58.1] which was raunsonned, and agreed to pay hym for his raunson with the marks the somme of xxxij. m^{l}. saluz, the prisonner, withoute knowelege or licence of the seyd Fastolf, was take awey from hym by the Duc of Bedford, then beyng the Kyngs Regent of Fraunce; and with the seyd prisonner he caused the towne of Compyn, than leyng in the Frensh partye ys gouvernaunce, for to be yeldyn to the Kyng, and to his seyd Regent in his name; and the seyd Fastolf, after long pursewts made to the Kyng and his conseill, was recompensed but to the value of m^{l}. vj^{c}. saluz in lands in Normandye, when they fortuned to falle into the Kyngs hands, which lands he hath also lost. And also the seyd Fastolf hath lost the residue of the seyd raunson, besyde the seyd lands, to the somme of

m^{l}. m^{l}. m^{l}. m^{l}. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf ys yhyt owyng for his porcion and part for the recompens and reward that shuld grow and be dewe to hym for the takyng of John, callyng hym Duc of Alauncon, at the batayle of Vernell,[59.1] which that payd for hys raunson xl. m^{l}. marks, which rewarde, besyde the Lord Wyllughbye ys part, shuld extend to the somme of

m^{l}. m^{l}. m^{l}. m^{l}. marc.

Item, ys dewe to the seyd Fastolf, by the execucion of the last wylle and testament of John, Duc of Bedford, whos soule God assoyle, for prestys and othir charges for saufgarde and keping of certeyn forteresses, castellys, and townes, and for othir costs, prests, and charges by hym born in his service, as it may appiere in certeyn articles writen in a rolle partic’lerly of the same, the somme of

iiij^{ml}. D^{c}. iiij^{xx}. xix. [4,599] marc, v_s._ 6_d._

Summa totalis xxj^{ml}. iiij^{xx}xix. [21,099] marc, v_s._ 6_d._

Item, seth the last comyng over of the seyd Fastolf into this royaume, as by the space of xv. yere and more, he hath born grete costs, charges, and expenss, at alle tymes intending uppon the Kyngs highnesse and the Lordes of his counseille, as he hath had in commaundement, and was his part to doo; for the which and for all the service that he hath doo to the right noble Prince Kyng Herry the iiij^the, ayle [_grandfather_] to our Souvragn Lord that now ys, and to the most victorious Prince and Kyng, his fader, whos soulys God assoyle, and also to our seyd Souvereyn Lord, he hath had, nouther fee, wagys, reward, ne recompense in this his royaume of England, but hath born it of hys own propre godys, at all tymys to the Kyngs honour and prouffit as to his power, which ys to hym right grevouse and chargeable, trusting to have be considered and rewarded as othir men of suche deservyng have be in the tymes of the right noble progenitours of our seyd Souvreyn Lords, late Kyngs of this seyd reaume.

There is a corrected draft of the above paper, in William
Worcester’s handwriting, among the Paston MSS. in the British
Museum, on the back of which are the following additional
memoranda:--

Thees been the prestys and sommes of money that the [_sic_] Sir John Fastolf, knyght, hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lorde that now is, at his commaundement in his grete necesitees, at divers tymes with in this his reaume of England:--

Item, the seid Fastolf lent to oure seid Soverayn Lorde, in the moneth of September, the xv. yer of his seid regne, as it appereth at the seid recept of Westminster, the somme of

m^l _li._

It is also to be remembred that the seid Fastolf hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lord, in the moneth of Feverer, the seid xv. yer of his noble regne, as it appereth at the Kynges receyt of Westminster, the somme of

m^l marc.

Item, the seid Fastolf lent to our seid Soverayn Lorde, for the viage of Sir Thomas Kiriel, and of his retinue in to the Duchie of Normandye, in the xxviij. yer of his noble regne the somme of CC. marc. Also afore that tyme in the Kynges grete necessite ageyn the coronacion of the Quene, at his forseid commaundement, the somme of C_li._ Somme of bothe

iij^{c}. xxxiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._[60.1]

Item, the seyd Fastolf lent to the voyage that Thomas Danyell made in to Breteyn, as it is notorily knowen, of which he ys not yhyt payd, the somme of

C_li._

Item, the seyd Fastolf hath born grete charge and cost of a lone made for the spede and help of a voyage whych the Erle of Shrewysbury now last made in to the Kynges Duchee of Gyen,

______ [60.2]

[Footnote 55.1: [From Fenn, iii. 260.] The date of this paper is
determined by the last paragraph, showing that it was composed
fifteen years after Sir John finally left France in 1440.]

[Footnote 57.1: Sir John took the castle of Sillie le Guillem in
1425, and from which he was dignified with the title of
baron.--F.]

[Footnote 57.2: The salute was a gold coin of Henry VI. current
in France for £1, 5s. English.--F.]

[Footnote 58.1: In 1423 he took the castle of Pacy, the governor
whereof was Guillaume Reymond.--F.]

[Footnote 59.1: This battle was fought in 1424.--F.]

[Footnote 60.1: So in MS. The total should be £100 less.]

[Footnote 60.2: A blank.]

310

FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN[61.1]

_A Declaracion of the Costs which Sir John Fastolf was at, ben without this royaume._

The declaracions of certeyn prests, costys, and chargys don and born by Sir John Fastolf, aswel in the tyme of the moste noble and victoryouse Princes of blessed memorie, Kyng Herry the iiij^the, Kyng Herry v^th, as in the tyme of our Souvereyn Lord Kyng that now is, in hys werrys by yend the see, as by the articles that folowen more pleynly apperyth:--

First, it ys to be remembred that to the sayd Fastolf ys owyng for divers costys and chargis by hym born for the tyme that he occupied th’office of the Constabulrye of Burdeux for the saufgarde of the Kyngys Duchie of Guyen, as it apperith pleynlye by accompt made of the sayd office of Constabulrye, remaynyng in the Kyngs Cheker at Westminster of record, wherof he yet nouther had payement nor assignement of, the somme of

ij^{c}. xxvij_li._ xv_s._ iij_d._ _ob._

Item, in like wyse there ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for wagys for hys service don to the Kyng, and to the Duc of Clarence, beyng the Kyng ys Lieutenant in the seyd Duchie of Guyen, as it may appere under suffisaunt writing, the somme of

ij^c ij_li._ x_s._

Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for costys and chargys that he bare when he was Lieutenant of the towne of Harflew[62.1] in Normandie, as yt shewith by a debentur made to the seyd Fastolf, with hym remaynyng,

Cxxxiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._

Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for the keping and vytaylyng of the Bastyle of Saint Anthoyne in Paris, as it apperith by writing suffisaunt and by the creditours of Sir John Tyrell, Knyght, late Tresourier of the Kyngs house, remaynyng in the Escheker of Westminster of record, the somme of

xlij_li._

Item, there ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for the saufgarde of the toune of Fount Melank[62.2] in the parties of Fraunce, as it apperith by accompt therof made in the Kyngs Escheker of England of record, the somme of

iiij^xx ix_li._ x_s._ iiij_d._ _ob. q._

Summa xlij. marc ix_s._ _q._

And in semblable wyse, over all this ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for prests and wagys of hym and his retenues beyng in the Kings service in his royaume of Fraunce and duchie of Normandie, as wel abowte the saufgarde and gouvernaunce of his tounys, castell, and forteresses of Alaunson, Fresney Le Vicounte, Vernell, Honneflete, as for othir grete causys and charges born and payd in the Kyng our Souvereyn Lord ys dayes that nowys, for the avauncement of his conquest, the good and utilite of hym, of his seyd royaume and duchie forseid, as it apperyth oppenly by accomptys made in the Chambre of Accompts of Paris and Roon, wherof the vidimus remaynen with the seyd Fastolf, and also by certeyn debentur conteynyng the seyd sommes, redy to shewe, wherof the seyd Fastolf hiderto hath had nouther payement nor assignacion, the somme of

v. m^{l}. iiij^xx ij. marc, xiij_s._ iij_d._ _ob._ sterling.

Summa totalis vj. m^{l}. cxxv. marc, ix_s._ _ob. q._

There are two drafts of the preceding statement among the Paston
MSS. in the British Museum, besides an imperfect draft hereafter
mentioned. These appear to have been drawn up as early as the year
1452. One of these is in William Worcester’s handwriting; the other
is a fair copy from it, with further corrections, in his hand. The
document printed above embodies all the corrections in the second
paper, and corresponds with it almost exactly in every point, except
that the latter places the second item relating to the Duke of
Clarence at the very end of the account, and contains the following
additional entries:--

And beside all this, there is yet owyng to the sayd Fastolf uppon the voyage that Thomas Danyell made into Bretayn, as it is openly knowen, the somme of

C_li._

Item, overe this the seyd Fastolf lent to the voyage that Sir Thomas Kyryell made into Normandye, in the xxviij. yere of the regne of the Kyng our Souverain Lorde, the somme of CC. marc; also lent to the Kyng afore that tyme in his necessite the somme of C_li._ The somme of both,

ij^{c}. xxxiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._

And also the seyd Fastolf hath borne grete charge and cost of alone made for the spede and helpe of the voyage whiche the Erle of Shrowysbury[64.1] now last made into the Kynges duchie of Guyenne, to whom God graunte good expedicion, as it shewith by suffisaunt writyng, for whiche at the commaundement of my Lord Cardynalle[64.2] the seyd Fastolf made a chevyssaunce and leyd to wedd [_i.e._ pawned] the substaunce of his pore juellys, in the whiche chevyssaunce the seyd Fastolf hath lost xxxvij_li._, and is like to lese more herafter, by cause he is not of poer to quyte hem oute; the seyd juellys lyne as yet to plegge for the somme of

iiij^{c}_li._

Somme of the prestys and debtys abofe rehersed,

ij^{ml}. xlv. markes, vj_s._ v_d._ _ob._

The following is written on a separate paper, on the back of which
occurs the imperfect draft above referred to.

Item, overe all thys grete debtes dew at thys day to the seyd Fastolf, he desyryth and prayth that it may be pondered and concydered the grete lossez and damages that he hath susteyned and born, as well in the parties of Fraunce as in thys land; as at one tyme lost the somme and value of iiij^{ml}. mark for Guillem Remond, hys prysonnere, that agreed to pay for hys raunsom xxxij^{ml}. salux. The seyd prisonnere was take awey from hym, and delyvered the toune of Compyne in to the obbeissaunce of our Souvereyn Lord. Also the reward that the seyd Fastolf shuld hafe hys part for the takyng of the Duc off Allaunson, whych shuld mount for hys seyd part iiij^{ml}. [4000] markes, the grete losse that he hath in delyveryng upp the baronye of Syllye Guillem, in the counte of Mayn, be thout [_without_] recompense or reward, whych was gevyn to hym and hys assigneez in the value of m^{l}. m^{l}. [2000] salux off yerly rent. Also the lesyng of hys pore lyvelode in Normandie that was of the yerly value of [65.1] mark. The grete importune lossez and damages that he hath had seth he came into England, whych hys evylle wyllers the officers and servauntes of the Duc of Suffolk have, be thout [_without_] cause resonable, made hym leese, as in causyng hym to be disseised wrongysly of iiij. of hys maners of Dedham, Beyton, Bradwell, Hykelyng, and Tychewell, to the value of ij^{c}. [200] mark of yeerly rent; besyde othyr damages and lossez by colours of the lawe, and by menys of extorcions, as it may shew by a rolle of articles to the value of vj^{ml}. [6000] markes.

[Footnote 61.1: [From Fenn, iii. 268.] This appears to be a
supplementary paper to the preceding. Two other copies or drafts
of this paper exist among the Paston MSS. in the British
Museum.]

[Footnote 62.1: Sir John Fastolf was Lieutenant of Harfleur in
1415.--F.]

[Footnote 62.2: Pont Meulent was taken in 1422.--F.]

[Footnote 64.1: John Talbot, first Earl, sent to France in 1452
to recover Guienne for the English; killed the following year in
endeavouring to relieve Castillon.]

[Footnote 64.2: Cardinal Kemp. --_See_ vol. ii. p. 160, Note 7.]

[Footnote 65.1: Blank in MS.]

[[iiij^xx ix_li._ x_s._ iiij_d._ _ob. q._
_text has “iiij_a._” (italic a for d)_]]

311

NOTE

‘Many of the letters in this collection,’ says Fenn (iii. 261, Note 1), ‘mention the disputes between the Duke of Suffolk and Sir John Fastolf concerning different manors and estates.’ This remark is made with reference to the complaints against Suffolk in No. 309 preceding. Only two of these letters have been seen by the present editor.

312

ABSTRACT[65.2]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON.

Sends by his servant an instruction to be engrossed, corrected by Paston’s advice, and a remembrance concerning Walsingham, which I hope by your help ‘shall be corryged.’ Certain friends of yours and mine have been here, and desire me to write to you ‘for your friendship and good will, passing all other men’s.’

[The date of this letter is quite uncertain, but it was probably
written some time during those later years of his life when Sir John
Fastolf resided at Caister. The signature, like some others during
that period, is not in Fastolf’s own hand.]

[Footnote 65.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 239.]]

[[No 239.]]

313

LORD CROMWELL TO JOHN PASTON[66.1]

_To my right trusty ffrend, John Paston, Squier._

[Sidenote: Before 1456]

Trusty and welbeloved frend, I grete you wele. And for as much as hit is don me to understande that there is a greet straungenesse betwix my right trusty frend John Radcliff and you, withoute any matier or cause of substaunce, as I am lerned; wherfore, in as much as I love you wele bothe, I am not content hit shulde so be.

Praying you hertly to forbere the said straungenesse on your partie to suche tyme as I speke with you next my self, leting you wite I have wreten to him to do the same; and that ye faile not herof, as I may do any thing for you herafter. And our Lorde have you in His keping.

Wretin at London, the x. day of Fevrier.

CROMWELL.

[Footnote 66.1: [From Fenn, ii. 290.] This letter was attributed
by Fenn to Humphrey Bourchier, who was created Lord Cromwell in
the first year of Edward IV., and it was accordingly placed by
him in that reign. The signature, however, of which Fenn gives a
facsimile, is not that of Humphrey Bourchier, Lord Cromwell, but
of Ralph, Lord Cromwell, who died on the 4th January 1456.]

314

BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON[66.2]

_To my maister, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1456 / JAN. 6]

Please your maistershyp to wete that I had sent yow word of the god chiere that the persons ye wote off had here uppon New Yeer Day, and how well they toke it, but W. Barker coude playnly enforme yow. And John Sadler of Ocle told me how they avaunted of it when he of Lynne came by hym at nyzt lyeng, that he had neider better chier, &c.

My maister demaundyth me sondry tymes when ye shall be here. I coude not sey till thys day be passed. William Geney shall be here to morn, so wold Jesus ye were her then. I asked licence to ryde yn to my contree, and my maistr dyd not graunt it; he seyd hys wille was for to make, &c. Y aunsuerd it fyt not me to know it. God gefe hym grace of holsom councell, and of a gode disposicion; _non est opus unius diei, nec unius septimanæ_.

My Lord Bedford wylle was made yn so bryeff and generall termys, that yn to thys day by the space of xx. yeer can neider hafe ende, but all wey new to constrew and oppynable; so a generallte shall ne may be so gode as a particuler declaracion.

I wryte blontly. I had foryete to hafe told yow Maister Fylongley meoved me to enforme my maister to hafe a generalle pease, so it myzt be worshypfull. Y hafe seyd no word, for I can not medle yn hygh maters that passyth my wyt; and therfor yff ye and W. Geney mete to gheders, ye know and can devyne best what ys to be doon. Our Lord be with yow.

Wryt hastly, vj. day Januar.

W. BOTONER, H.R.

[Footnote 66.2: [From Fenn, iii. 256.] By the reference to the
Duke of Bedford’s will as having been in dispute for twenty
years, it would appear that this letter was written in the
beginning of the year 1456. Bedford died at Rouen on the 14th
September 1435.]

315

BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON[67.1]

[Sidenote: 1456(?)]

Please yow to wete that my maister[67.2] yn allwyse wille that I ryde to Dedham to speke with Broke as well as wyth the stuard, and to gefe aunsuer to Broke yn whate wyse he wille depart for the reuersyn; he was ryd or I came home. And my maister wille comyn with yow for the moyens of a chauntuarye to be founded of the place ye wote off; y seyd hym such chargeable maters wold be doo betyme to know the certeyntee. And a greter lak ys yn hym, he taryeth so long to put all thynges of charge yn a sure wey; hyt ys for lake of sad councell to moove hym. And I most be at Castre by Thursday next; and I pray yow let me not be lete of my voyage yn to my contree, and I shall kepe Yorkesshyre with Spyrlyng, or such as shall ryde. The parson[68.1] with yow shall do well sort my maister evidences, and that ys one the grettist thyng nedefull for the seurtee of hys lyfelode; and so it wold be remembred hym, for now all thyng ys sett at appoynt, how it standyth with hys debtys and officers, except that mater of grettist charge, and also to provyde for the approwement of hys lyfelode.

W. BOTONER.

And, syr, yff ye thynke to done (_think it to be done_), to meofe Cler of the acre lond, but gefe hym no credence yn the contrarye, for I shall preffe it trewe yn my seyng for onye man lyvyng. He that wille dysseyve hys servaunt yn maryage for so litell a thyng, he wold disseyve another frende yn a gretter thyng. He sekyth occasyons and querell to colour hys brekyng off.

[Footnote 67.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the desire
expressed by the writer in this letter to visit his own country,
we may refer it to the same period as the last.]

[Footnote 67.2: Sir John Fastolf.]

[Footnote 68.1: Sir Thomas Howes.]

316

BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON[68.2]

[Sidenote: About 1456]

Please yow to wete that as for ease of my maisters[68.3] tenaunts in Dedham, yff a lettre were devysed by Maister Geney yn my maister name or youres to Thomas Hygham, one of the justices of pease in Suffolk that toke the veredyt, he myzt do grete ease, as yn disavowyng of it or yn wythdrawyng it owte of the bokes. Robert Dene, clerk of the pese, seyth that lete my maister councell avise that whych he may do undammaged hymsylf, and he wille with all hys hert. John Bokkyng ys well remembred that my maister caused the seyd Thomas Hygham, by Maister Geney mocion, to be one of the justice of pease, and one Jermyn of Suffolk also. Whych both Hygham and Jermyn hath suffred my maister hafe, savyng your reverence, tweyn shrewde tornys seth that they mizt hafe letted, as now the seyd Thomas Hygham myzt hafe letted the presentment or a moderated othyrwyse, &c.

At reverence of God, beyth as sone as ye may with my maister to ease hys spyryttes. He questioneth and desputyth with hys servauntes here, and wolle not be aunsuerd ne satisfyed som tyme but after hys wylfulnesse, for hyt suffysyth not our simple wyttes to appease hys soule; but when he spekyth wyth Maister Zelverton, yow, or wyth William Geney and suche othyrs as be auctorised yn the law, and wyth haboundance of godes, he ys content and haldeth hym pleased wyth your aunsuers and mocions, as reson ys that he be. So wold Jesus, one of yow iij., or som suche othyr yn your stede, myzt hang at hys gyrdyll dayly to aunsuer hys materes.

I had but litille thyng to done when I scrybled thys bille.

Your,

W. BOTONER.

[Footnote 68.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There is no address to
this letter, but it seems to have been intended for John Paston.
The exact time when it was written is uncertain, but we have
placed it after the last on account of the reference to Deddam.
The true date cannot be many years before or after 1456.]

[Footnote 68.3: Sir John Fastolf.]

317

ABSTRACT[69.1]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF ‘TO THE WORSHIPFUL LADY AND MY RIGHT WELLBELOVED SISTER, WHYTYNGHAM.’

[Sidenote: 1456 / JAN. 20]

As all the executors of my Lord Regent, except himself, are dead, and as he would not have her troubled in her age ‘for execution of my said Lord’s goods,’ nor for the evidences of his purchased lands, etc., which were left in keeping ‘with my brother your husband,’ sends John Paston and other his attorneys to common with her, and settle the matter, which will be a great discharge for her husband’s soul.

Castre, 20 Jan.

[This letter must have been written after the death of Lord
Cromwell, who was one of Bedford’s executors, and who died on the
4th January 1456. --_See_ his Epitaph in Dugdale’s _Baronage_, ii.
46.]

[Footnote 69.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 266.]]

318

ABSTRACT[69.2]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN BOKKING OR WILLIAM BARKER, TO DELIVER TO JOHN PASTON AT LONDON.

[Sidenote: 1456 / JAN. 25]

Copy of a letter of Fastolf’s to the wife of Sir Robert Whytyngham (the copy examined by Botoner) to the same effect as the preceding No., but with some slight differences in the wording, and dated 25th January instead of 20th.

_On the back is written:_-- ‘Cousin Paston, I pray you take Nicholas Molyneux, Thomas West, or Robert Waryn, whether ye may hafe at leyser, with you, to go speke with the gentlewoman.’

[Footnote 69.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 275.]]

319

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AND OTHERS[70.1]

_To my right trusty frendes, John Paston, Nicholas Molyneux, and Thomas West, Escuiers._

[Sidenote: 1456 / JAN. 26]

Worchipfull Sirs, and my right trusty frendis, I commaunde me to you. And lyke you to wite that I desire to knowe in certayn, or evere I laboured to London, by whate menys in the lawe spirituell or temporell I might labour, or ellys my frendes and atturneys in my name and in myne absence myght laboure best, for the recuvere of the goodes of my Lord of Bedford, whos soule God assoyle, and that his purchaced londes might be sold to fulfille his wille and pay his debtes. And if it were thought that the most spedyest and seurest wey were to have it doon by act of Parlement, than I desire and pray you, as my singuler trust is in you, that ye wille do make a substanciall bille in my name upon the said mater and for the said cause, to be grounded and devised by avis of substanciall lerned man, as Thomas Yonge and othir suche, and of civille lawe, and the said bille to be put up to the Kyng, whiche is chief supervisor of my said Lordis testament, and to the Lordes Spirituelle and Temporelle, as to the Comyns, of this present Parlement, so as the iij. astates may graunte and passe hem cleerly. And the said bille may be grounded with so grete resons by your wysdomes and good enformacion, and so rightfull and of conscience that it shall not be denyed, ne letted to passe amonges the Lordes Spirituell and Temporell, neythir amonges the Comyns, whan it comyth before hem. And if this said bille, after it is devised and made, and sent me a copie of hit, hit shold be to me a singuler confort; for or evere I came to London, I wold that alle thing shuld be made redy to my hande. And it were exspedient and according that my Lord Chaunceller[71.1] were meoved that it might please his good Lordship to write a lettre to me, in case I must come up for the said cause, and that by as muche he is in the mater as souverain juge and ordinarie principalle under the Pope in a cause testamentarie, and also by cause the wille of my said Lord is aproved in his court before his predecessour. And Alle myghty God kepe you.

Writ at Castre, the xxvj. day of Januar.

Your,

J. FASTOLF.

And I wolde this bille were devised by my Lord of Caunterbury is avis and agreement, to th’entent that he may tender the mater the more whan it shalle come in revolucion before hym. And I pray you hertely to take this mater tendirlye to hert, for it shall be to me my most singuler comfort, and for my discharge a grete record as of myne acquitayle to my said Lordis soule. Also ye must make frendes of suche as be nere aboute my said Lord of Caunterbury, and may do, as Maister John Stokys and his styward, for to remembre his good Lordship as ofte as nede is. And that Davy Breknok ne Sir Robert Whitingham wyffe be not foryeete.

[Footnote 70.1: [The original of this letter is the property of
W. A. Tyssen Amhurst, Esq. of Didlington Park, Brandon.] As this
letter was written during Sir John Fastolf’s residence at
Caister, and Parliament appears to have been sitting at the
time, the date must be 1456.]

[Footnote 71.1: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.]

320

WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON[71.2]

_To the worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier._

[Sidenote: 1456 / JAN. 27]

Worshypfull, aftyr dew recomendacion, please your gode maistershyp to wete that where as my maister wrytith to yow so homelye of so manye materes to yow of hys, to be remembred unto hys councell lerned by mene of yow and of hys frendz and servauntz there, y pray yow and requyre yow not to wyte [_impute_] it me that y am the causer of it that my seyd maister noyeth yow with so manye materes, for, be God, hym sylf remembryth the moste part of hem; albe it the particler rehersell of the materes be fressher yn my remembraunce then yn hys. And, Sir, yn trouth he boldyth hym to wryte to yow for the grete lofe and singler affeccion he hath yn yow before all othyr yn hys causes spedyng, and that ye wille moste tendyrlye of ony othyr remembre hys servauntes as well as othyrs to whom belongyth to spede the materes. He desyryth my Lord Chauncellor shuld wryte to hym speciallye yff he most nedes com upp, and a bille to be made yn to Parlement for recuvere of my Lord Bedford godes.

Sir, there ys one Haryngton of Doncastre, a besye soule, that damagyth my maistre to gretely in Bentley. And Herry Sotehille ys of my maister councell, but no thyng that ys profytable ys don to hym to remedye it, ye shall see by one Sir John Vincentes letter sent to yow now, and W. Barker can enforme yow. Yn the ende of thys terme y suppose to be at London, and yn to west contre. My maistre wrytith to yow for a rent of viij_li._ of annuite charged of a touneshyp called Batham Wyly, that Maister Scrope he shall be beneficed yn the ryzt of it. Ye have nede fare fayre with hym, for he ys full daungerouse when he wille. Y gate hym gode evidensis of the seyd rent that my maister ne my lady had nevere, and he can not know it, &c. Also my maister hath wreten to yow for avice of a new feffement to be made for the maners of Tychewell and Beytone, and betyme he desyryth to be sent hym. Y pray yow, and ye se Maister Yng at a leyser to commaund me to hym, and trustyng hys gode maistershyp that he wille be of my councell ayenst one William Fouler of Bokyngham thath kepyth from me a litelle lond. And yff he wille contynew hys gode maistershyp to me, ye may sey hym that I cast duelle yn my contree, and wayt uppon hym to help ghete ayen a pore gode of myn, for heere y thryve not, but lose my tyme. Y pray our Lord have yow yn hys kepyng.

Wryt hastlye, the xxvij. day of Januare.

Your,

W. WYRCESTRE.

[Footnote 71.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have
been written the day after the last, as this also speaks of a
bill being presented to Parliament for recovery of the Duke of
Bedford’s goods. The passage in which the writer proposes
visiting the west country confirms the date of Letter 314.]

321

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON[73.1]

_To the worshypfull Sir, and my ryght welbelovyd cosyn, John Paston; and in hys absence, to John Bokkyng and William Barker._

[Sidenote: 1456 / FEB. 5]

Worshypfull Sir and cosyn, I recomaund me to yow. And lyke yow to wete that y have a taylle[73.2] with my cosyn Fenne[73.3] of v^c. [500] marc and more, for to be chaunged uppon such places as a man myght have moste spedye payment; and I pray yow hertlye to comyn wyth the seyd Fenne, that y myght be ensured of the seyd taylle to be eschaunged; and for whate rewarde competant to be yeven uppon the same, I wolle agree it.

Item, I desyre to know who ben the residew, the remenant of the co-executors of the Lord Wyllughbye,[73.4] now the Lord Cromewell[73.5] ys decesed; for thys cause. Hyt was so, that there was dew to the Lord Wyllughbye and to me x. m^l. [10,000] marc for a reward, to be payd of my Lord Bedford ys godes, for the takyng of the Duc of Allauncon.[73.6] And the seyd Lord Wyllughbye had but one thowsand marc payd, and I m^l. [1000] mrc, soo viij. m^l. [8000] levyth [_remains_] yhyt to pay; of whych somme iiij. m^l. [4000] most grow to the executors of the seyd Lord Wyllughby to dispose. And therfor y desyre that the executors, and such as most have intrest in the Lord Wyllughby goodes, may be comyned wyth; that they may [make] purseute for payment of the seyd iiij. m^l. [4000] marc, for hys part to be had, and y shall make for my part.

And [_i.e._ if] Maister Nevyle,[74.1] the whych hath wedded my Lady Wyllughbye, have power or intrest to resseyve the Lord Wyllughby ys debts, then he to be labured untoo. And my Lord of Salysburye woll be a grete helper yn thys cause.

The Kyng, whych ys Supervisor of my Lord Bedford testament, hath wreten and comaunded by sondry lettres, that the seyd Lord Wyllughbye shuld be content for hys part. And so moch the mater ys the furtherer.

And ther ys one Yon’, a servaunt of the Lord Wyllughbye, whych pursewed thys mater; yff he were yn London, he coude geve gode enformacion uppon thys mater.

Y pray yow wryte to me how my maters doth, and of such noveltees as ye have there. And our Lord have yow yn hys kepyng.

Wreten at Castr hastlye, v. day of Feveryer, anno xxxiiij^to Regis Henrici VI.

Your cosyn,

J. FASTOLF.

[Footnote 73.1: [From Fenn, i. 120.]]

[Footnote 73.2: A tally. This was a cleft stick, in both parts
of which notches were cut to represent sums of money due; on
which one part was given to the creditor, the other being
retained by the debtor.]

[Footnote 73.3: Hugh Fenn.]

[Footnote 73.4: Robert, Lord Willoughby of Eresby.]

[Footnote 73.5: Ralph, Lord Cromwell.]

[Footnote 73.6: John, Duke of Alençon, taken prisoner at the
battle of Verneuil in 1424.]

[Footnote 74.1: Sir Thomas Nevill, a younger son of Richard,
Earl of Salisbury, married Maud, the widow of Robert, Lord
Willoughby.--Dugdale, ii. 86.]

322

JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF[74.2]

_To the right reverent and worshipful Sir, and my right good maister, my maister Sir John Fastolf, at Castre._

[Sidenote: 1456 / FEB. 9]

Right reverent and my right worshipful maister, I recomaunde me to yow in my right humble wise. Please hit your right good maistership to wyte that on Sonday laste I sent yow many and divers lettres and writynges, by Lampet, of all matiers that I hadde knowlege at that tyme redy to answere. And now suche tidinges as ar here, but fewe that ar straunge, excepte that this day my Lordes York and Warwik comen to the Parlement in a good aray, to the noumbre of iij^c. [300] men, all jakkid[75.1] and in brigantiens,[75.2] and noo lord elles, wherof many men mervailed. It was seid on Saterday my Lord shuld have ben discharged this same day. And this day was seide, but if he hadde come stronge, he shuld have bene distrussid; and no man knoweth or can sey that ony prefe may be hadde by whom, for men thinken verily there is no man able to take ony suche enterprinse.

The Kyng, as it was tolde me by a grete man, wolde have hym chief and princepall counceller, and soo to be called hise chef counceller and lieutenant as longe as hit shuld lyke the Kyng; and hise patent to be made in that forme, and not soo large as it is by Parlement. But soome men thinken it wil ner can otherwise bee; and men speke and devyne moche matere of the comyng this day in suche array to Westminster. And the Lordes speken this day in the Parlement of a greet gleymyng sterre that but late hathe be seen diverse tymes, merveilous in apperyng. The resumpsion, men truste, shall forthe, and my Lordes of Yorkes first power of protectorship stande, and elles not, &c. The Quene is a grete and strong labourid woman, for she spareth noo peyne to sue hire thinges to an intent and conclusion to hir power.

I have seid to the bringer here of more to declare yow alle a longe. And as for hise comyng, ye like to understande that your nevew, my Maister Filongley, hathe laboured and doon that he cowde or myght to hise preferraunce; but as for to make hym freman and at hise ease, to hise profite and worship, it can not bee with owte William Lyne be here, that boughte hise prentishode of his maister, to hise grete hurte and castyng of bakke by ij. or iij. yere of tyme loste; and ne were it that the maister and wardeyns of the Taillours tendre hym, be cause of yow and of Fynynglee, hise firste maister, that solde hym to William Lyne, as weel as the seide Lyne and Richard, shuld alle lese ther fredoms, as ye shall more pleinly understande by the reporte of the seid Richard, &c.

This day was my Lord Devenshire at Westminstre, and shuld have apperid, but he was countermaundid. As to youre matier of Wentworthe, the trety contynueth, and is putte by the arbitrours in Fortescu and Yelverton, and we have day of newe til Friday come sevenyght. God graunte it take a good ende. The lawe is with us clerly, as weel in th’atteynte as therinne as yette, blessid be our Lord, hoo have you in hise most noble governaunce.

Written in your place this Moneday of Fastyngange,[76.1] m^l. cccclv.

Your humble servaunt,

J. B.

And that ye like to write a good lettre for Richard Fastolf to Sir Roger Chamberleyn, and to Thornton, Chamberleyn of London, and to both of hem, &c.

[Footnote 74.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 265.]]

[Footnote 75.1: _i.e._ in coats of mail. --_See_ vol. ii. p. 322,
Note 3.]

[Footnote 75.2: _See_ vol. ii. p. 155, Note 2.]

[Footnote 76.1: Fastingong was Shrovetide. --_See_ vol. ii. p.
131, Note 1.]

323

ABSTRACT[76.2]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON

[Sidenote: 1456 / FEB. 12]

Thanks him for the pains he takes in his ‘chargeable matters,’ especially the ward of T. F., and his advice for the recovery of my Lord of Bedford’s goods. My servants Bokkyng and Barker have written to me for writings making mention of the jewels and goods of my Lord delivered to Sir Robert Whitingham that they cannot find there. I send, therefore, W. Worcestre with a copy of Whitingham’s account, which, however, is not a complete statement.

Castre, 12 Feb.

_P.S._--Has just received a letter from Paston, for which he thanks him.

[This letter was evidently written in the same year as No. 317.]

[Footnote 76.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 270.]]

324

HUGH A FENNE TO JOHN PASTON[77.1]

_To the right worchepfull Sir, John Paston, at Norwich._

[Sidenote: 1456 / MARCH 1]

Ryght worchepfull Sir, I recumaunde me un to you. Leke you to wete my Maister Fastolf compert[77.2] is spedde and demyd in the Eschequyer for hym a yens the Kyng, wher in was crafti labour and cloos to the seid spede, and laked no dylygence, for the matter was defused and dubble intendementz after dyverse mennys appynyons.