Chapter D: A. Ogard.81.1 (2)

Please yow to wete that I hafe remembred of the langage that I hafe late lerned W. Barker had to yow and othyrs of his accomptes apposyng,[104.2] and of that they be not hole bethyn [_between_] ws, but yn division, &c. Sir, as I may sey yow, hyt was nevere othyrwyse, ne nevere ys lyke to be; for now they hafe do with Lowys, he that ys next shall be yn the same as he was yn gelosye; for when my maister comaundyth such as of force, by reson of her occupacion, most be nere hym, to do a message to hys felow, or question of hym, hyt shall be ymagyned amonges our felyshyp that he doth make maters to my maister. And so it ys ymagyned of me when I wryte lettres to London, to Bokkyng or Barker, that yn such maters as please hem not, then it ys my doyng; yff it take well to theyr entent, then it ys her [_their_] doyng. And yn gode feyth, so it was ymagyned of me and othyrs that wrote, by my maister comaundment, to Castre, to the parson of Blofeld, Geffrey Spyrlyng, and othyrs, that of such maters as was lykyng to hem and coude be sped by help of my maister frendes as by theyr solicytyng, then it was seyd that it was theyr avice, labour, and doyng. And yff the maters went not to my maister entent, ne that they coude not bryng aboute the mater, then it was imagyned and jangled that it was my wrytyng and doyng. I bare nevere my maister purs, ne condyt nevere chargeable mater alone of hys yn lawe, for my discrecion ne connyng know not whate such maters menyth. I knew nevere of _oyer_ ne _terminer_, ne rad nevere patent before, ne my maister knew nevere the condyt of such thynges; and when he wrote of hys grevonse to hys frendys, he commaunded no man to be endyted, for he wyst not whate belonged to such thynges, ne the parson neyther, but remitted it to his councell lerned. There was no man gretter at hert with hym, as Andreus wyth Heydon, because of castyng Bradwell and Tychewell yn the Kynges handes, and toke awey the waarde. And I came nevere at the _oyer and terminer_.

By God, my maister lost c. marc by a seute of Margyt Bryg upon a defence of atteynt, because a quest passed ayenst hyr of xij. penyworth lond by yeer; and I dar sey and prefe it, my maister never spake of hyr, ne knew hyr not, ne wrote to sew hyr at the _oyer and terminer_, as I am remembred. Yhyt yt was well deffended, at my maister grete cost and labour, and myne pore labour also. Yhyt ought not I, ne none such yn my stede, beer the wyte [_blame_] wyth Sir Thomas, ne none othyr; he that takyth the tolle most take the charge, hyt ys hys negligence that wille take the labour more then he may awey. I wold the parson ys wellfare asmoch as man lyvyng, to my wreched power; and yff, or when, ye hyre onye froward ymagynacions, I pray yow gefe no credence tille ye hyre it aunsuerd. I am eased of my spyrytes now that I hafe expressed my leude [_ignorant_] menyng, because of my felow Barker, as of such othyr berkers ayenst the mone, to make wysemen laugh at her foyle. Our Lord kepe yow.

Wryt at Castre the xij. day of October.

Your

W. BOTONER.

I hafe and do purchasse malgre to remembre of evidenses lakkyng by negligence, &c. And therfor I most be muet and suffre gretter losses but [_unless_] it be othyrwyse concydered. I sende yow the copie of your patentes,[105.1] in parchement, and I hafe remembred as well as I can both the stuard and Bertilmeu Elys for execucion ayenst the pleggs of your seyntuarye, carpenter (?) Snow, that evere ys disposed to breke promysses. Foryefe me of my leude lettre wrytyng, and I pray yow laugh at it.

[Footnote 104.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this
letter is uncertain, but must be between the years 1454 and
1459, when Botoner was at Caister. Bocking and Barker seem to
have been in London at the time, which we know was the case in
February 1456; and as we have evidence that Bocking at least was
still there in October, we may perhaps attribute this letter to
the October of 1456.]

[Footnote 104.2: The _apposing_ of accounts was the charging of
an accountant with the balance due by him to his employer.]

[Footnote 105.1: Probably the patent of 6th June 1454, granting
the wardship of Thomas Fastolf to John Paston and Thomas
Howes. --_See_ No. 248 (in vol. ii.), also the letter following.]

347

SIR THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON[106.1]

_To my right goode maister, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1456 or 1457]

Reverent Sir, &c. Please yow to wete that it [is] so that my maister, of his owen frowardness, and of non other mannys mevyng, hat sent a warent to Cristefor that he shuld delyver me no mony tyll the iiij^{xx}_li._ [_fourscore pounds_] where payed for Bokkyng and Wurcestre patent;[106.2] and yf the seyd Cristefore delyvered me any mony, that he shuld take a sewerte of me therfor, nowthwithstandyng my maister preyed me that I shuld reherce alle thynge in my name, where of I held me content. And now I fele this traytour wrytyng under nethe, and I nowth prevy ther to, at my comyng owt causet me to thynk the more hevynes, &c. Nevertheles, I prey yow that a mene may be taken of trety by the mene of Clopton or Ellys. Sende me word, and I shal seke menys of trety, for, be God, I shal trust no more no fayre wordes; and there to I shall lete alle the Lords of this lond knowe what wrytyngs I have, and his disposicion. Save yowre reverens, Cristyfor sal (?) have swyche a maister, &c. I prey yow, as ever I may do yow service or be yowre bedeman that ye wele sende me yowre avise. I had lever paye xx. marke, or x_li._ in hande and x_li._ yerely furthe, with myn enemyndz good love, than to yelde me to preson ayens here entent, and sewe forth the tyncte. And no trost what my maister wele do, for I can right evele beleve that he wele bere owt the cost of the tyncte whan he maket straunge to ley dowun the condempnacion, &c.

Wretyn brevely at Horseydown the Wenesday after messe, anno xxxv^to.

T. HOWYS.

I shal nowt leve this mater to serve the most enemy that he hat in Inglond. I wele non of his good. I have lever other men go to the Dille [_Devil ?_] for his good than I do.

[Footnote 106.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is dated
by the writer in the 35th year of Henry VI., but he does not say
in what month it was written. The 35th of Henry VI. was reckoned
from the 1st September 1456 to the 31st August 1457. Taken in
connection with the postscript of Botoner’s letter immediately
preceding (the date of which letter this partly confirms), it is
not unlikely that this was written about October. Perhaps
‘Wednesday after messe’ should have been ‘Wednesday after
Michaelmesse.’ If so, the exact date would be October 6th.]

[Footnote 106.2: The wardship of Thomas Fastolf was at first
granted to John Paston and Thomas Howes, by patent of the 6th
June 1454, and for this they agreed to pay 100 marks into the
Exchequer. But, for some reason or other, a new arrangement was
made, and the wardship was granted by another patent, dated 12th
December 1454, to John Bokkyng and William Worcestre, who
offered the King 20 marks over what Paston had offered, _i.e._
£80 in all.--See _Patent Roll_, 33 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 10.]

348

JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON[107.1]

_To the right worshipfull and myn especiall maister, John Paston, Esquyer, in hast be this delivered._

[Sidenote: 1456 / OCT. 16]

After al due recomendacion, like it you to wete, that the day of your assise is _die Lunæ proximo post tres septimanas Sancti Michaelis_, whiche is on Moneday come vij. nyght; at whiche tyme I trost ye wole be here, or ellis can I do lytell or nought there inne.

As touchyng your mater ageynst Gunnore, that dwelleth in lawe, I have spoken to Lyttelton,[107.2] and comuned with hym there in, but it is not yet spoke of atte barre. Gunnore hath waged his lawe[107.3] of that he haade his day to wage it of, &c.

As touchyng your issues at Wentworth sute, it is ij_s._, and it was retourned er I come here. My Maister Fastolfs councel taketh heed thereto, &c.

As for tydynges, my Lord Chaunceler[108.1] is discharged. In his stede is my Lord of Wynchestre.[108.2] And my Lord of Shrewisbury[108.3] is Tresorer, and Broun[108.4] of your Inn is Undertresorer. If ye wold sende to hym to graunte you the namyng of th’eschetorship of Norffolk, &c., it were weel do, for it is told me he wold do moche for you.

Maister Lawrence Bothe[108.5] is Prive Seall. And it is seid that my Lord of York[108.6] hath be with the Kyng, and is departed ageyn in right good conceyt with the Kyng, but not in gret conceyt with the Whene [_Queen_]; and sum men sey, ne hadde my Lord of Buks[108.7] not have letted it, my Lord of York had be distressed in his departyng.

On Moneday last passed was a gret affray at Coventre bytwene the Duke of Somersets men and the wechemen [_watchmen_] of the toun, and ij. or iij. men of the toun were kylled there, to gret disturbance of alle the Lords there; for the larom belle was ronge, and the toun arose, and wold have jouperdit to have distressed the Duke of Somerset, &c., ne had the Duke of Buks not have take a direccion therein.

Also it is seid the Duke of Buks taketh right straungely that bothe his brethren[108.8] arn so sodeynly discharged from ther offices of Chauncellerie and Tresoryship; and that among other causeth hym that his opynyon is contrary to the Whenes [_Queen’s_] entent, and many other also, as it is talked. Item, sum men seyn, the counseal is dissolved, and that the Kyng is forth to Chester,[109.1] &c. Also summe sey that many of the Lords shall resorte hiddir to London ageynst Alhalwen tyde.

And as touchyng th’eleccion of Shirefs, men wene that my Lord of Canterbury shall have a gret rule, and specyall in our countre.

I can no more, but Almyghty God send us as his most pleaser is.

Wretyn al in hast, the Saterday next after Seint Edwards day.

Your Servaunt,

JAMES GRESHAM.

[Footnote 107.1: [From Fenn, i. 24.] This letter is assigned by
Fenn to the year 1449, but the true date is 1456, as will be
seen by the footnotes.]

[Footnote 107.2: _See_ p. 84, Note 5.]

[Footnote 107.3: Wager of law was an ancient process by which a
defendant cleared himself in an action of debt. He gave sureties
that on a certain day he would ‘make his law,’ then took oath
that he did not owe the plaintiff anything, as alleged, and
called eleven compurgators to swear they believed him.]

[Footnote 108.1: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury,
afterwards Cardinal.]

[Footnote 108.2: William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, was
appointed Chancellor in Archbishop Bourchier’s place on the 11th
October 1456.]

[Footnote 108.3: John Talbot, second Earl. He was appointed
Treasurer on 5th October 1456.--_Patent Roll_, 35 Hen. VI., p.
1, m. 16.]

[Footnote 108.4: John Brown. --_See_ William Wyrcestre’s _Annals_
under the year 1468.]

[Footnote 108.5: Afterwards Bishop of Durham, and finally
Archbishop of York.]

[Footnote 108.6: Richard, Duke of York.]

[Footnote 108.7: Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.]

[Footnote 108.8: The two Bourchiers, viz. Thomas Bourchier,
Archbishop of Canterbury, and Henry, Viscount Bourchier, the
former of whom had been Lord Chancellor and the latter Lord
Treasurer (_see_ Notes 1, 2, and 3 above), were the Duke of
Buckingham’s half-brothers by the mother’s side.]

[Footnote 109.1: The Court had been staying at Coventry.]

349

ABSTRACT[109.2]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON.

[Sidenote: 1456 / NOV. 10]

Begs him in the end of the term to come home by Dedham, along with William Worcester and Barker, to see to the accounts of barley and such husbandry as is used there. As to Wighton in Yorkshire, Bokkyng reminds me you spoke to me that my son Scrope and his father-in-law[109.3] should have all the lyvelode of my wife’s in farm, to which I agreed, or else that Lord Vesey would have Wighton, as he once had, at a rent of £34--much more than I make it worth yearly. Do as you think best for me. I had rather my son Scrope had it with sufficient surety.

Castre, 10 Nov.

* * *

Begs him to common with William Worcester that by means of my Lord of Canterbury, or otherwise, Master William Clyf and others of the executors of John Wellis may be spoken to for the recovery of great good that William Worcester knows Wellis owed to Fastolf.

[The date of this letter appears to be 1456. Of the years when
Fastolf resided at Caister, it is not 1454, because in that year
Barker could not have been in London on the 10th November (_see_ No.
265). It is not 1455, because Worcester appears to have been at that
time at Caister (_see_ Nos. 305 and 306). The same appears to have
been the case in 1457, though we can only judge by a letter of the
29th October; and although Worcester certainly was in London in
November 1458, Sir John Fastolf was then in London with him.]

[Footnote 109.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 241.]]

[Footnote 109.3: Richard Bingham, Judge of the King’s Bench.]

350

ABSTRACT[110.1]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AT THE TEMPLE.

[Sidenote: 1456 / NOV. 15]

Received certain letters by Henry Hanson on Thursday last, including one from William Barker written in Lukett’s hand, and two bills of supplication, one of which, in the name of the tenants of Cotton, he has sent to Paston, as he has already written. John Russe and Geoff. Spyrlyng have ridden to Cotton in consequence, and will inform Paston how they speed. Thinks the bill ‘right good and well spoken according to the truth of their riotous demeaning.’ Received at the same time a bill written in his own name, of which he approves. Hears that young Henry Wentworth, young Calthorpe, and young Brews were at the distress-taking, among others. Has perfect confidence in Paston as to the treaty, and hopes to obtain again the manor of Bradwell by some means, as clear as he had it before his unhappy release. Hears that the Chief Justice ‘rectid the matter’ in Parliament before the Lords, and showed how Fastolf was wronged in that it was untruly found by the office that he had disseised Sir Hue Fastolf of the manor, whereas he has documents proving a true sale. My Lady of York has been here, ‘and sore moved me for the purchase of Castre.’ Begs him to devise means for the licence of mortising of certain buildings for the foundation of a college, ‘as ye and I have commoned of before.’ William Worcester can show him a copy of one passed by the King, and signed ready to the late Chancellor Stafford. Desires him to make himself acquainted with two chaplains about my Lord of Canterbury and my Lord Chancellor. William Barker writes of a general treaty, to which he can make no answer further than he has already done to Yelverton and Paston.

Castre, Monday after St. Martin.

[In this letter, as in the last, we have Worcester and Barker both
in London, which, we have seen, points to the year 1456. It is clear
also that this letter was written just before that which follows.]

[Footnote 110.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 259.]]

351

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON[111.1]

_To the worshipful and my right welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, at the Temple, or to William Barker, at Suthwerk, be this delvered._

[Sidenote: 1456 / NOV. 18]

Worshipful cosyn, I comaunde me to yow. And where as I late wrote unto yow in a lettre by Henre Hansson for the fundacion of my college, I am soore sette therupon; and that is the cause I write now, to remembre yow agayn to meve my Lords of Canterbury[111.2] and Wynchestre[111.3] for the licence to be opteined, that I might have the morteisying withowte ony grete fyne, in recompence of my longe servise contynued and doon un to the Kyng, and to his noble fader, whom God assoile, and nevere yette guerdoonned or rewarded.

And now sithe I have ordeyned to make the Kyng founder, and evere to be prayed fore, and for his right noble progenitors, hise fader, and uncles, me thinketh I shuld not be denyed of my desire, but the rather to be remembrid and spedde.

Wherfore, as I wrote un to yow, I pray yow acqueynte me and yow, for the rather spede here of, with a chapelleyn of my Lord of Caunterbury, that in your absence may remembre me, and in like wise with my Lord Chaunceller;[112.1] for seyng the Kyngs disposicion, and also hise, un to the edyfyeng of God is service, it myght in noo bettyr tyme be mevid, &c.

My Lord of Norffolk is remevid from Framlyngham on foote to goo to Walsyngham,[112.2] and deily I wayte that he wolde come hidre.

Your cosyn,

J. FASTOLF.

[Footnote 111.1: [From Fenn, i. 164.] This letter, as printed by
Fenn, bears no date in itself, but in the editorial note at the
foot it is dated: ‘Caister, 18th of November.’ Probably this
date is expressed in the original, but has been accidentally
omitted in the printing. If so, the year in which it was written
must be either 1456 or 1457, and most probably the former. In
1455 the Archbishop of Canterbury and my Lord Chancellor were
one and the same person, which they evidently are not here; and
in 1458 it appears by the Castlecombe MSS. that Sir John Fastolf
was in London on the 26th November, so that he is not likely to
have been expecting a visit from the Duke of Norfolk at Caister
eight days before. On the other hand, if this was written in the
year 1456, it must be remembered that Archbishop Bourchier had
been just recently discharged of the office of Lord Chancellor,
which was given to Bishop Waynfleet on the 11th October, and it
is highly probable that the Archbishop had been already spoken
to on the subject in his capacity of Chancellor.]

[Footnote 111.2: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop.]

[Footnote 111.3: William Waynfleet, Bishop.]

[Footnote 112.1: William Waynfleet, the Bishop of Winchester
before mentioned.]

[Footnote 112.2: On pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Our Lady
at Walsingham.]

352

ABSTRACT[112.3]

PROCEEDINGS IN A SUIT IN MICHAELMAS TERM, 35 HEN. VI.

[Sidenote: 1456 / NOV.]

I. Writ to the Sheriff of Suffolk to attach John Andrewe of Boylom, and bring him before the Barons of the Exchequer on the morrow of All Souls to answer, along with Sir Philip Wentworth and Thos. Deyvill of Netlestede, to the suit of John Paston and Thomas Howys.

II. Pleadings. The King committed the wardship of Thomas, son and heir of John Fastolf of Cowhawe, to Paston and Howes by patent, 6th June 32 Hen. VI.; but on the 8th June 32 Hen. VI., Andrewe and Deyvill, with force and arms, entered Sholond Hall, Suffolk, and Foxhole, and Bentley Houses, etc., and took rents to the sum of £360, and underwood to the value of £40. Imparlance granted till 26th Nov., when the parties were not agreed. _Venire facias_ was then awarded _a die Sancti Helarii in xv. dies_.

[Footnote 112.3: [Add. Charter 17,244, B.M.]]

353

JOHN DORY TO JOHN PASTON [113.1]

_To my ryth wurchepfull sovereyn and master, John Paston, be this delyveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: About 1456(?)]

Ryth wurshepfull master and sovereyn, I recomaunde me to you, besechyng you to pardon me that I cum not to awayte up on you like as Barkere wrote to me. For I have notable and grete causis syth the lettere cam from hym, the qweche hath chaungyd my purpos, and be my master the Schreve is wrytyng, on to weche I must aplie me, all excusis leyd apart. And as for the wrytyng Barkere wrote to me, be the qweche he directyth a gret default in my deputys for return of the _habeas corpus_ with _ducens tecum_, ther as is none, I dar seye, for John Rede spek to all my master Fastolfs councell to advyse hym in the return, and to have returnyd hit after ther conceyt, and thei wuld gyf hym non advys. Nevertheles I now understande ther entent be Barkere is wrytyng; for thei wuld put alle juparte up on me to myn utter ondoyng, and yit to do my trewe part in execucion of ther entent, for ye knowell my master hath put the juparte and the losse, if any growe, to me on his part. And ther for I may repent the tyme that ever I promysyd my trewe and good wyll to that entent. For alle the malesse and evylwill that is owyng to me in alle the Schere ys for that mater and non other, the qweche hath grettely hurt me, and in tyme comyng schall hurt more. But lete them hold me excusyd, thei schall not have my goodwill so feythfully as thei have had, be my troweth, and I schall helpe my sefl [_sic_] as I may. And, Sire, I be seche you, thynke not that I pyke this be waye of qwarell, that I myth be this querell owe my good wyll to the toder part, for thei schall never have yt in that mater, nor in non other. And for good the qweche I have receyvyd yff be thowth I have not deservyd yt I am abill to content yt a geyn. And on Friday nexst foluwyng I schall be with you atte Norwich be Goddys grace, and knowe your entent in this mater.

No more, &c., but &c.

Be your man and servaunt,

JOHN DORY under Schreve of Norffolk.

[Footnote 113.1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 170.] The name of Dory
occurs only once elsewhere in these letters, and then without a
Christian name; but the person so referred to (at the end of No.
330) is probably the under-sheriff of Norfolk; and this letter,
which is likewise concerned with Fastolf’s business, may have
been written about the same period.]

354

JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON[114.1]

[Sidenote: 1457(?) / APRIL 2]

Sire, lyke it your maistership to wete that I sende you at this tyme the rolle of the copies of all patentes, and the appoyntement with Wentworth laste, and also a abstracte drawen as it come simply to my remembrance. And I shalbe with you sumtyme the next weke. All men ar owte at this tyme, as the Parson,[114.2] Worcester, and Barker; and therfore til thei come, I may not owte. H. Wyndesor departid on Monday, and will doo that he can. He telleth me Lumleys patent is in his awarde, but it is of noo force. And also he hathe Constable is ij. [_second ?_] patente, and that is moste ayenst us, &c. He wil purveie therfore as ye knowe myn maister[114.3] comaundit hym to yow.

Here hath ben Wilton with the dede of feffement yesterday, and all men hadde ensealed sauf myn maister that now hathe ensealed, and H. Inglose is right soory. I can no newe tidinges, but that myn maister hath put his matier of Issabells in Scroudeby, and the rente of the priour of Norwiche dieu to Heilesdon in your hande and Thomas Grene. Ye shal the next weke have the evidences. And Jesu kepe you and youres.

I sende myn Maistres Crane a lettre fro hir brother, but I have the credence, whiche I can not say but if she appose me for certein materes of hir brotheres.

Writen at Castre, the ij. day of Aprill.

Your owen servaunt,

J. B.

[Footnote 114.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this
letter is very uncertain. In 1456 the writer dates from
Southwark on the 8th of May, and in 1458 from London on the 14th
of March, so that there is rather a presumption against his
being at Caister on the 2nd of April in either of these years.
But these points, it must be owned, are little to be relied on,
as Bokking certainly passed to and fro a good deal between
London and Norfolk. The date must, however, be between 1455 and
1459. The letter has no address, but was doubtless intended for
John Paston.]

[Footnote 114.2: Thomas Howes.]

[Footnote 114.3: Sir John Fastolf.]

355

BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON[115.1]

_To my Maister Paston._

[Sidenote: 1457 / APRIL 20]

Please you to wete that, after dew recommendacion, hyt yt so that my maister sendyth me to London for the mater of Rochestr, as for dyvers of hys oune particuler maters which concern not the lawe, &c.; and I am lyke to tarye till ye com, in case ye com wythynne iij. wekys.

Sir, at reverence of God, seth my maister ys fully yn wille to renew hys fefment, that it may be do be tyme by the surest grounde that may be had, for, be it nevyr so suerly don, hyt shall be thought lytille ynowgh to kepe hys lond owte of trouble; and to spare for no councell ne cost to make sure, for a peny yn seson spent wille safe a pounde. I comyned with my broyder Spyrlyng, which seyth he wille do hys attendaunce, and to kepe it ryzt close of the namys. Taryeng drawyth parell.

And ye meved a gode mater to the Parson and to me at your last beyng at Castr, that my maister shud be lerned whate hys housold standyth uppon yerlye, seth he kept it holye to ghedr at one place; and that don, then to see by the revenues of hys yeerly lyfelode whate may be leyd and assigned owte for that cause to meynteyn hys seyd housold, and over that, whate may be assigned to beere owte hys plees, and also do pay for hys foreyn chargs[115.2] and dedes of almes to a convenyent somme.

And seth the grettist ordynarye charge most be hys housold kepyng, hyt were moste exspedyent that ye wold note well to remembre specially my maister to do hys audyt[or]es cast up and make rollys of hys accompts concernyng the seyd housold seth he came yn to Norffolk thys ij. yer and half, whych was nevyr so long to doo thys xl. wynter as ye now. And it ys pytee that hys audyt ys none ethyr wyse yn that entended; ye must nedys, yff ye wille my maister know how hyt stand with hym yerly of hys chargs, that thys be do fyrst, as it was allwey accustomed. My maister wille acord it to be don, but it ys forgete throwgh negligence of men yoven to sensualite, as Thomas Upton, me, and othyrs. My maister can not know wheder he go backward or forward till thys be doon.

I can not elles, but ye wille not foryete thys that the audyt[or]es go verraily aboute it to an ende. And Haylysdon accompts be behynde for ij. yeer to [_too_] grete pite ys, and it wer yours or yn any wyseman gouveraunce.

At Norwich hastly, the Wenstay in Ester weke.

BOTO-H.R.-NER.

[Footnote 115.1: [From Fenn, iii. 294.] It appears from the
contents of this letter that it was written two and a half years
after Sir John Fastolf came to live in Norfolk, which he did in
the autumn of 1454. The date therefore is certain.]

[Footnote 115.2: Charges not connected with his household
accounts.--F.]

356

BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON[116.1]

_To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier, beyng in Norwych, yn haste._

[Sidenote: 1457 / MAY 1]

Ryght worshypfull Sir, aftyr dewe recommendacion, please yow to wete that I wrote a remembraunce to yow the day that I departed owte of Norwich, by Rychard, the Parson ys servaunt of Blofeld, concernyng certeyn maters to be remembred by your wysdom for my maister ys avaylle, whych your grete wysdom can well undrestand ys ryght nedefull, as one thyng yn especiall, that Shypdam and Spyrlyng ought to labour, fyrst of onye thyng that belongyth, to audyt the accompts of the resseyt and despense of my maister housold at Castr seth he came last in to Norffolk, whych aswell for the provisyons that ys had of hys oune grownyng as in money payd; for till the seyd accompts be made ordynatlye, whych be of a grete charge yeerlye, wete ye for certeyn my maister shall nevere know whethyr he goth bakward or forward. And manye othere accomptants that maken lyvere of provysyons of cornys and catell to the household by the resseyvour and by the bayllyfs can not approve theyr liberatz just tille the seyd housold bokes be made upp; and seth it hath be kept ordynarylye seth my maister begen to kepe house thys l. yeer almoste, and when he hath be absent beyond see, &c., hyt ought to be more redelyer be doon and made upp whyle he is present, and well the rathere that hys housold menye were not so hole to ghedr thys xl. yer as be now at Castr. Also hyz minustrs of accompts of hys chieff maner of Haylysdon for iij. yeer to make upp and to examyn; and I ensure yow full simplye approwed hys wollys and hys fermys.

And the iij^d ys that so wold Jesus my maister audytors wold faythfully and playnlye enforme my maistr of the trouth of the yeerly grete damage he beryth in debursyng hys money aboute shyppes and botes, kepyng an house up at Jermuch [_Yarmouth_] to hys grete harme, and resseyvyth but chaffr and waare for hys cornys and wollys, &c. and then most abyde along day to make money; of such chaffr takyng he shall nevere[117.1] be monyed, ne be aunsuerd clerly of hys revenues yeerly but [_unless_] those thyngs abofeseyd be amended be tyme. Yn Lowys days xij. yeer to gheder my maister was wont to ley upp money yeerly at London and Castr, and now the contrarye--_de malo in pejus_.

I dar not be know of thys bille, but ye may question and vele of the disposicion of thys maters of otheres, and then I undrstand yff I wryt justlye or no; and ye, as of your mocion for my maister worshyp and profyt, exortyng hym, the stuard, Shypdam, and Spyrlyng to take a labour and a peyn that thys be reformed.

I pray yow, and require yow kepe thys mater to your sylf.

Yowr,

BOTONER.

As for nouveltes none comth,[118.1] but yt ys seyd the sege shall com to Calix. The Erle of Warwyk[118.2] ys yhyt at Caunterbury with the Archbyship,[118.3] and the Erle younger brothere[118.4] maryed to Sir Eadmund Yngylthorp doughter uppon Seynt Marks Day. The Erle of Worcestr[118.5] broght aboute the maryage. The Queen and the Kyng at Herford,[118.6] the Lordes Bokyngham,[118.7] Shrewsbury,[118.8] and otheres ther. And now it ys seyd Herbert[118.9] shall com ynne, and apper at Leycester before the Kyng and the Lordes, hys lyfe graunted and godes, so he make amendys to theym he hath offended. Manye be endyted, som causelese, which makyth Herbert partye streng, and the burgeys and gentlemen aboute Herford wille goo wyth the Kyng wyffe and chylde, but a pease be made or the Kyng part thens, for ell[es] Herbert and hys affinite wille acquyt them, as it ys seyd.

The Erle of Warwyk hath had the folks of Caunterbury and Sandwych before hym, and thanked hem of her gode herts and vytaillyng of Calix, and prayeth hem of contynuaunce.

I sende a bille of the namys endyted to my maister and yow, to see and laugh at theyr Wellsh names descended of old pedegris. Our Lord be with yow.

Wryt hastly at London, the fyrst day of May.

BOTONER.

[Footnote 116.1: [From Fenn, iii. 298.] That this letter was
written in the year 1457 appears pretty clear from its agreement
with the last, in which Botoner speaks of the expediency of
getting the accounts of Fastolf’s household audited, and
mentions that his master was sending him up to London. A further
confirmation of the date may be found in the dates of the Privy
Seals of the 35th year of Henry VI., which show that the King
was at Hereford during April, though he had removed to Worcester
on the 4th of May.]

[Footnote 117.1: The left-hand copy in Fenn reads ‘neide,’ but
the modern version ‘never,’ which is clearly the true reading.]

[Footnote 118.1: So in Fenn, but qu. ‘couth.’ --_See_ p. 41.]

[Footnote 118.2: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.]

[Footnote 118.3: Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.]

[Footnote 118.4: John Neville, afterwards Marquis Montague,
married Isabel, daughter and heir of Sir Edmund Ingoldesthorpe
of Burgh Green, in Cambridgeshire, by his wife Jane, sister, and
at length co-heir of John, Lord Tiptoft, first Earl of
Worcester. He was slain in the battle of Barnet in 1471.]

[Footnote 118.5: John Tiptoft.]

[Footnote 118.6: Hereford.]

[Footnote 118.7: Humphrey Stafford.]

[Footnote 118.8: John Talbot, second Earl.]

[Footnote 118.9: Sir William Herbert, afterwards Earl of
Pembroke, a steady Yorkist.]

357

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE[119.1]

_To myne worshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Squier._

[Sidenote: About 1457 / AUG.]

Ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow, and thanke yow of youre greet peyn and labores that ye daylye take for me in alle myn causes, for wheche I am greetly holden to yow, God yelde hit yow. And, cosyn, hit is so, as I am enformed, that a fermore of myn maner in Saxthorp, called John Bennes, shuld come be fore yow for to appoynte for suche dewte as he oweth to me upon his ferme. I sende to yow the bokes of his accompt to th’entent that Spyrlyng may awayte upon yow at his comyng, and declare hym his dewte, wheche, as myn receyvore seyth, hit wole drawe to the summe of xlv_li._ [£45], and more money at Michelmasse now next comyng. And the ferme is but xx_li._ [£20] yerly, by wheche ye may understande that he hath hadde greet favore in his payementes to his weel and myn greet hurt, as I reporte me to youre greet wysdome. Neverthelesse, sethe hit is so that he hath hadde this advayle upon me, I wold seen now that suche dewte as shal ben dewly founde upon hym by accompt to be made at this day, that I may ther of have payement in hande as reson wole, or of as moche as the day is ronne of; and for the resydewe to have greable sewerte, that is to sey, of xx_li._ growen at Mihelmasse next comyng, to have payement therof at the Festes of Seynt Andrew and the Annunciacion of our Lady next comyng by even porcions, as in his endenture made of the seyd lees more pleynerly is conteyned. And this don, I am content that he goo at large, and elles that Spyrlyng take a rekenyng of hym, so as I may be aunswered accordyng to the statute, &c. And, cosyn, that overe this ye lyke to yeve credence to the brynger her of of that he shal declare yow in this be half be mouth. And oure Lord kepe yow.

Wreten in hast, at myne manoir of Castre, the Saterday next after our Lady Day the Assumpcion.

* * *

And, cosyn, I praye yow that he have none favore other wyse than lawe wole, seyng he is so contraryows for any fayer promyse of his behalf, &c.

Youre cosyn,

JOHN FASTOLF, Ch’r.

[Footnote 119.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is a letter of
pure business, and the date is uncertain; but as John Paston had
been giving advice about money matters and the affairs of
Fastolf’s household in 1457, we may insert it here.]

358

ABSTRACT[120.1]

[Sidenote: 1457 / OCT. 2]

Copy of a charter granted by John Paston, [patron?] of the church of Gresham, and Robert Miller, . . . . . allowing the prior and convent of St. Sepulchre of The[tford] to distrain for a pension on the vicarage.

2 Oct. 36 Hen. VI.

[This document is mutilated. In the margin is the following note in
a modern hand: ‘E. Coll. Fr. Blomefield, _Hist. Norf._ vol. i. fo.
436.’]

[Footnote 120.1: [Add. Charter 17,245, B.M.]]

359

ABSTRACT[120.2]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO ‘MY BROTHER’ WILLIAM YELVERTON, JUSTICE.

[Sidenote: 1457 / OCT. 29]

Begs him to continue his kindness especially, now that the Parson, Sir Thomas, comes up to appear before him and other the King’s judges ‘by the cruel and hasty suit of Androus and his affinity.’ Hopes the process sued by him so eagerly ‘upon the unjust condemnation shall be reformed and holpen by the attaint in chastising of perjury that reigneth so much now a days.’ It were a blessed deed if it were reformed by Yelverton. Desires credence for ‘my cousin Paston’ and Sir Thomas in the matter.

(_Signature not Fastolf’s own._)

Castre, 29 Oct.

[This letter is written in William Worcester’s hand. The suit of
Andrews against Howes appears to have been in 1457, as it is
referred to afterwards in a writ of the 1st September 1458, which
will be found noticed under that date.]

[Footnote 120.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 268.]]

360

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO STEPHEN SCROOPE[120.3]

_A Stevyn Scrope._

[Sidenote: 1457 / OCT. 30]

Worschepeful and my right wel beloved Sone, I comaund me to yow, and hertily thank yow for your good avertismentys, and right well avysed lettres to me sent from tyme to tyme, and so pray yow of your good continuance.

Plese it yow to wete that, for as mech as the parson Sir Thomas Howes cometh up at this tyme by the grevous pursewte of John Andreus and Heydon, to apere be fore the right worschepeful Sir, my right wel be loved brother, your fadir,[121.1] and other the Kynges Juges of the Kynges Benche,--I pray zow hertily that ye wille have in remembraunce for to recomaund me to hym whan ye speke with hym, and for to thank hym for his rightful favour shewed in Sir Thomas matier, and in alle other maters that toucheth me, wheche ben attained in that hey courte; and so it lyke yow, pray hym of his good continuance, and I shall doo serve it unto hym to my symple power for his good wyl to me shewed, and to myne; and I trust to God that he shal hold hym plesid. And that it like yow to geve credence to the seid Sir Thomas of that he shal sey to zow for my worschepe and profyte, and that this lettre may recomaund me to my doghtir your wyf, be sechyng the blissed Trinite to sende yow the acomplyshment of your good desyre.

Wretyn at Castre, the xxx. day of Octobr.

J. F.

[Footnote 120.3: [From Fenn, iii. 42.] The date of this letter
is clearly the same as that of the last, with only a day’s
difference.]

[Footnote 121.1: On comparing this letter with the last, the
person here referred to would seem to be Justice Yelverton. Mr.
Poulett Scrope, however, in his privately printed _History of
Castlecombe_ (p. 277), says it was Sir Richard Bingham, whose
daughter Joan Stephen Scrope had by this time married. It is
quite possible that Fastolf sent a similar message to Bingham by
Scrope, and to Yelverton by Paston and Howes.]

361

RICHARD, EARL OF SALISBURY, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT[121.2]

_To the right worchipful and with al myn hert rigt entierly welebiloved Brother, the Viscount Beaumont._

[Sidenote: 1458(?) / JAN. 24]

Right worshipful, and, with al myn hert, right entierly wele bilovede brothre, I recomaunde me unto yow. And for somoche as by the Kings moste noblez lettrez brought me late by Hagreston, oon of the gromes of his chambre, I am desirede to come unto his Highnesse to London; wherunto for suche grevous diseas and infirmitees as it hath liked oure Lord to visit me with, wherof Robert Danby can at large declare unto yow, I can ne mowe dispose me, without feynyng, by the trouth I owe unto the King, but that therby I doubt not, I shulde not rekever, daies of my lyfe, suche hurt as, by the reason of the said diseas, wolde grow unto me, the which hath right fervently and sore holden me in many diversez bihalvez, so that, sith my last comyng frome London I had not, by the space of vj. daies togidiez, my helth.

Wherfore, brothre, I pray yow, with al myn hool hert, that it like yow to cal tofore yow the said Robert Danby, and to take of him the vray trouth in the premissez, and therupon to bee my good and tendre moyen, as by your wysdome can best bee thought convenable, unto the Kinges goode grace, for th’excuse of my nown comyng; prayng yow hertly to certifye me, by comers bitwen, suche tidings as ye shal have in thos partiez, with othre your good pleasir to be perfourmed at my power, as knoweth oure Lord, to whom I biseche to ever have yow in his blissed proteccion and keping.

Wryten at Shirrifhoton, the xxiiij. day of Januare.

Your trew brodir, wich prayth you hertely to excuse me
to the Kings Heghnesse.

R. SALISBURY.

[Footnote 121.2: [From Fenn, i. 146.] Fenn considers this letter
to have been called forth by the summons sent by the King to the
Lords of both parties to come to London, in the beginning of
1458, with a view to a reconciliation. On this view, the excuse
of illness given by Salisbury is, of course, a mere pretence,
and, moreover, was not adhered to, for within a week after it
was penned Salisbury actually was in London with a company of
400 horse and 80 knights and squires (_see_ Botoner’s letter of
the 1st February). This sudden change of tactics on the part of
the Earl seems to me hardly probable, and I see no reason why
the letter should not refer to a genuine illness upon a
different occasion. Nevertheless, as there is no positive
evidence on the subject, I leave the date suggested by Fenn,
with a query, on which the reader may use his own judgment.]

362

AGNES PASTON[123.1]

_Erands to London of Augnes Paston, the xxviij. day of Jenure, the yer of Kyng Henry the Sext, xxxvj._

[Sidenote: 1458 / JAN. 28]

To prey Grenefeld to send me feythfully word, by wrytyn, who Clement Paston hath do his dever in lernyng. And if he hathe nought do well, nor wyll nought amend, prey hym that he wyll trewly belassch hym, tyl he wyll amend; and so ded the last maystr, and the best that ever he had, att Caumbrege. And sey Grenefeld that if he wyll take up on hym to brynge hym in to good rewyll and lernyng, that I may verily know he doth hys dever, I wyll geve hym x. marcs for hys labor, for I had lever he wer fayr beryed than lost for defaute.

Item, to se who many gownys Clement hathe; and the that be bar, late hem be reysyd. He hathe achort [_a short_] grene gowne, and achort musterdevelers[123.2] gowne, wer never reysyd; and achort blew gowne that was reysyd, and mad of a syde gowne, whan I was last at London; and asyde russet gowne, furryd with bevyr, was mad this tyme ij. yer; and asyde murry gowne was mad this tyme twelmonth.

Item, to do make me vj. sponys, of viij. ounce of troy wyght, well facyond and dubbyl gylt.

And sey Elyzabet Paston that she must use hyr selfe to werke redyly, as other jentylwomen done, and sumwhat to helpe hyr selfe ther with.

Item, to pay the Lady Pole . . . xxvj_s._ viij_d._ for hyr bord.

And if Grenefeld have do wel hys dever to Clement, or wyll do hys dever, geffe hym the nobyll.

AGNES PASTON.

[Footnote 123.1: [From Fenn, i. 142.]]

[Footnote 123.2: _See_ vol. ii. p. 155, Note 1.]

363

AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[124.1]

_Tho my wele be lovyd son, John Paston, be this delyvered in haste._

Sonne, I grete zow wele, and lete zow wete that for as myche as zoure brothir Clement leteth me wete that ze desyre feythfully my blyssyng,--that blyssyng that I prayed zoure fadir to gyffe zow the laste day that ever he spakke, and the blyssyng of all seyntes undir heven, and myn mote come to zow all dayes and tymes; and thynke veryly non other but that ze have it, and shal have it, with that that I fynde zow kynde and wyllyng to the wele of zoure fadres soule, and to the welfare of zoure bretheren.

Be my conseyle dypose zoureselfe as myche as ze may to have lesse to do in the worlde; zoure fadye sayde: In lityl bysynes lyeth muche reste. This world is but a thorough fare, and ful of woo; and whan we departe therefro, rizth nouzght bere with us but oure good dedys and ylle. And ther knoweth no man how soon God woll clepe hym, and therfor it is good for every creature to be redy. Qhom God vysyteth him he lovyth.

And as for zoure bretheren, thei wylle I knowe certeynly laboren all that in hem lyeth for yow. Oure Lorde have zow in his blyssed kepyng, body and soule.

Writen at Norwyche, the xxix. day of Octobyr.

Be zoure modir,

A. P.

[Footnote 124.1: [From Fenn, iii. 40.] As there is no distinct
evidence of the date of this letter, I have placed it after
another paper written by Agnes Paston, and making mention of
Clement, though I rather suspect it may be a little later. It
certainly cannot have been, as Fenn supposes, written within a
short time after William Paston’s death in 1444, as Clement
Paston was then only two years old. From some of the expressions
we might be led to suspect that John Paston was in trouble at
the time.]

364

WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF[125.1]

_To my ryght worshypful master, Sir John Fastolf._

[Sidenote: 1458 / FEB. 1]

Ryght worshypfull Sir, and my ryght gode maister, I recomaund me to yow yn my full humble wyse. Please yow to wete, as to nouveltees here both[125.2] Christofr Barker wryteth to you more along.

The Kyng came the last weke to Westminster, and the Duk of Yorke came to London with hys oune housole onlye to the nombre of cxl. hors, as it ys seyd; the Erle of Salysburye with iiij^c. [400] hors yn hys companye, iiij^xx [_fourscore_] knyghts and sqwyers.

The Duke of Somerset came to London last day of Janyver with ij^c. [200] hors, and loggyth wythoute Temple Barre, and the Duc of Excestr shalle be here thys weke with a grete felyshyp and strong, as it ys seyd.

The Erle of Warwyke ys not yhyt com, because the wynde ys not for hym.

And the Duke of Excester takyth a grete displesir that my Lord Warewyke occupyeth hys office, and takyth the charge of the kepyng of the see uppon hym.

Item, as for tydyng of beyend see, I hyre none certeyn, but that the Frensh Kyng[125.3] shulde hafe maryed hys doughter to the Kyng of Hungerye,[125.4] whych had the descomfytur uppon the Turks, and the seyd Kyng ys decesed wythynne thys vj. wekes, or the spouselle was made; but he ordeyned or he dyed that the Frensh Kyngs doughter shuld be named Quene of Hungerye duryng hyr lyffe.

Rygt worshypfull Sir, I beseche the blessed Trinite hafe yow yn hys gouvernaunce.

Wrete at London, the fyrst day of Feverzer, anno 36 R. H. VI.

* * *

Moreover, please you to wete that William Canyngs the merchaunt wryteth an aunsuer of your lettre. I trust it shall be the better for your wrytyng.

My brother promytted me a certeyn somme when I maryed, and I shall hafe it of my sister yff I may.

Your humble servauntte,

W. BOTONER, _dit_ WORCESTYR.

[Footnote 125.1: [From Fenn, i. 150.] Fenn states that he has
omitted, as of no consequence, the first part of this letter
relating to the holding of some courts and some other law
matters wherein Yelverton, Fylongley, and others were
concerned.]

[Footnote 125.2: The modern version in Fenn reads ‘here being.’]

[Footnote 125.3: Charles VII.]

[Footnote 125.4: Ladislaus V., who died on the 23rd November
1457, when on the point of marriage with Magdalen, daughter of
Charles VII. of France. He is believed to have been poisoned.]

365

ABSTRACT[126.1]

WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF

[Sidenote: 1458(?) / [FEB.]]

You shall know the governance here on Paston’s coming to you better than I can write. The King is gone to Berkhamstead, ‘and it is said my Lords Somerset, Exeter, Clifford, and Egremont, that rode upon Thursday last to the King, they come again to London; and the Lord of Northumberland is come to the King at this time after the Lords’ departing out of London with 3000 or 4000 people, as it is said, but all toke (?) to a good peace, and reconysances made to keep the peace in great sums till Michaelmas, that in the mean time to make a throw peace final by means of all the Lords.’ John Vyncent of Bentley was at the Priory of Lewes in Sussex this week, and says that sixty sail of Frenchmen were sailing before the coasts, keeping the sea. The Lord Fauconberg is at Hampton with his navy. Edmund Clere of the King’s house has heard from a soldier of Calais that Crowmer and Blakeney is much spoken of among Frenchmen. ‘The King’s safe conduct is not holden but broken, as it is voiced here, and that will do no good to merchants till it be amended.’ Figs and raisins are dear at 18_s._ the croc (?), ‘wherte’ at 10_s._ the qr., malt 5_s._ Remains here awaiting for the com[ing of your] officers of Castlecombe to bring up your money. Expects to send £40 by Master Paston. . . . . (_Mutilated at the bottom; date lost._)

[The King was at Berkhamstead in the end of June and beginning of
July 1450; also on the 3rd March 1453 (from Reading, whither he
returned immediately); also in February and March 1458 (from 20th
February to 13th March). This letter must have been written in
February 1458.]

[Footnote 126.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 274.]]

366

JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF[127.1]

_To my Maister Fastolf, at Castre, in haste._

[Sidenote: 1458 / MARCH 15]

Lyke it your maistership to wyte that, as for tidings, the Counsell is, the fornone, at the Blake Frires, for the ease of resorting of the Lordys that are withinne the toun; and at afternone at the White Frirers in Fletstrete, for the Lordis withowte the toun; and all thing shall come to a good conclusion with God is grace, for the Kyng shall come hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and my Lord Buk,[127.2] and Stafford[127.3] with hire, and moche puple.

My Lord of Caunterbury takith grete peyne up on hym daily, and will write un to yow the certeynte of suche tidings as falle; and shuld have doon or this tyme, saf for that he wolde knowe an end of the matter.

Other tidings here are none, sauf my Lord of Excestre[127.4] is displesid that the Erle of Warwyk shall kepe the see, and hath therfore received this weke m^l _li._ [£1000] of the Hanupere.[127.5]

The messenger was on horsbak whanne I wrote yow this bill, and therfore it was doon in haste; and our Lord Jesus kepe yow.

Writen at London the Wednesday after Midlenton.

And my Lord of Caunterbury tolde me that the Frenche men have ben before yow, and that ye shotte many gonnes; and so he tolde all the Lords. I have desirid hym to move the Counsell for refreshing of the toun of Yermowth with stuff of ordnance and gonnes and gonne powdre, and he seid he wolde.

Your humble servaunt,

J. BOKKING.

[Footnote 127.1: [From Fenn, i. 154.] This letter relates to the
temporary reconciliation effected between the Lords of the
opposite parties in the spring of 1458.]

[Footnote 127.2: Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.]

[Footnote 127.3: Henry Stafford, Earl of Stafford, grandson of
Buckingham, who succeeded him in the Dukedom in 1460.]

[Footnote 127.4: Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter.]

[Footnote 127.5: The Hanaper of Chancery.]

367

WILLIAM CALTHORPE TO JOHN PASTON[128.1]

_To my worshipfull Cosyn John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1458(?) / [MAY 11?]]]