Chapter D: A. Ogard.81.1 (3)

Right worshipfull Cosyn, I recommaund me unto you, certifying you that your man John Osberne of Walsyngham hath be with me and lete me have knowlage of a commyssion chuld be doun from my lord Chaunceler to Sir Robert Conyers, you other and me, and that ye wold have your day upon Munday or Tewesday at Crowemer, Blakeney or Walsyngham, &c. And after that he was departed from me, ther cam a servaunt from my cosyn Twyer, and seid that his maister hade a letter from you that ze have set to be at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng. And for as much as I stande in nonn certeyn be cause of variaunce of the massangeres, therfore I send a man of myne to you, praying yowe to sende me verray certeynte and a copy of the commyssion, that my neybures may have knowlage of the kingis entent if the case requyreth so, &c.

I hold Blakeney a resonable place, and if ye kepe youre purpose at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng I shall mete ther with you, with Goddis grace, Wheche have you ever in His intyer kepyng, &c. Wretyn at Brunham upon the Assencion day of our Lord, &c.,

By W. CALTHORPE.

[Footnote 128.1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 163.] The date of this
letter is by no means certain, but may be 1458, after the
reconciliation of parties. The reference to ‘the King’s intent’
shows at least that it was not when the Duke of York was
Protector; and it is not likely to have been under Somerset’s
rule or in the reign of Edward IV. If 1458 was the year, the day
(Ascension Day) was the 11th May.]

368

ABSTRACT[129.1]

JOHN PASTON AND T. HOWYS[129.2] TO FASTOLF AT CASTRE

[Sidenote: 1458 / MAY 24]

Yesterday ‘I and other of yours’ were at your manor of Bentlay--a right fair manor, in the shrewdest rule and governance. You have had many officers there who, for ill-will, have put out the tenants, and let the lands to your hurt. Some owe for six, some for seven years, etc.

Yesterday Harry Sotehill, of your learned counsel, was with us, and has taken ways in the law, etc. As Barker sends word that the attaint held not, we shall stay the longer. The Lord Egremont sent for my brother, and told him ‘he would see you homeward, as he supposed.’ Take care, therefore, you make no more grants, for you have made too many. Could let Bentlay, with surety, for 500 marks a year; but will not venture, because of the trouble of letting Wyghton, ‘and also till Scrope hath spoken with you,’ who will be with you now, etc.

Doncaster, Wednesday in Pentecost week.

[It appears from an account of Paston’s expenses, of which an
abstract is given farther on, that he was at Doncaster in the 36th
year of Henry VI.]

[Footnote 129.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 267.]]

[Footnote 129.2: John Paston signs for both.]

369

JOHN JERNYNGAN TO MARGARET PASTON[129.3]

_Unto my ryght wurchipfull Cosyn, Marget Paston, this lettre be delyvered in haste._

[Sidenote: 1458 / JUNE 1]

Ryght wurchipfull and my moste beste beloved maystres and cosyn, I recommaund me unto you as lowly as I may, evermor desyring to here of your gode welfar; the whiche I beseche Almyzthy Jesus to preserve you and kepe you to his plesur, and to your gracious herts desyre.

And yf it plese you to here of my welfar, I was in gode hele at the makyng of this lettre, blessed be God.

Prayng you that it plese you for to send me word yf my fadyr wer at Norwiche with you at this Trenite Masse or no, and how the matyr dothe be twene my Maystres Blawnche Wychynham and me, and yf ze sopose that it shall be brought a bowte or no; and how ze fele my fadyr, yf he be wele wyllyng thereto or no; prayng you lowly that I may be recomaund lowly unto my maystres, Arblastres wyfe, and unto my Maystres Blawnche, her dowzther, specially.

Ryght wurchipfull cosyn, yf it plese you for to her of suche tydings as we have her, the basset [_embassy_] of Burgoyne schall come to Calleys the Saturday[130.1] eftyr Corpus Christi day, as men say v. hondred horse of hem. Moreover, on Trenite Sonday,[130.2] in the mornyng, came tydings unto my Lord of Warwyke that ther were xxviij^te sayle of Spaynyards on the se, and wherof ther was xvj. grete schippis of forecastell; and then my Lord went and manned fyve schippis of forecastell, and iij. carvells, and iiij. spynnes [_pinnaces_], and on the Monday,[130.3] on the mornyng eftyr Trenite Sonday, we met to gedyr afore Caleis, at iiij. at the clokke in the mornyng, and fawz thet gedyr till x. at the clokke; and ther we toke vj. of her [_their_] schippis, and they slowe of oure men aboute iiij^xx [_four score_], and hurt a ij. hondred of us ryght sore; and ther wer slayne on theyr parte abowte xij^xx [_twelve score_], and hurt a v. hondred of them.

And haped me, at the fyrste abordyng of us, we toke a schippe of iij^c. [300] ton, and I was lefte therin and xxiij. men with me; and thei fawzthe so sor[130.4] that our men wer fayne to leve hem,[130.5] and then come they and aborded the schippe that I was in, and ther I was taken, and was prisoner with them vj. houris, and was delyvered agayne for theyr men that wer taken beforne. And as men sayne, ther was not so gret a batayle upon the se this xl. wyntyr. And for sothe, we wer wele and trewly bette; and my Lord hathe sent for mor scheppis, and lyke to fyzthe to gedyr agayne in haste.

Nomor I write unto you at this tyme, but that it plese you for to recomaund me unto my ryght reverent and wurchipfull cosyn your husband, and myn ownkll Gournay, and to myn awnte his wyfe, and to alle gode maysters and frends where it schall plese yow; and eftyr the writyng I have from you, I schall be at you in alle haste.

Wretyn on Corpus Christi day in gret haste, be your owne umble servant and cosyn,

JOHN JERNYNGAN.

[Footnote 129.3: [From Fenn, i. 156.] The engagement at sea
described in this letter is dated by Fabyan on Trinity Sunday or
Monday 1458.]

[Footnote 130.1: June 3rd.]

[Footnote 130.2: May 28th.]

[Footnote 130.3: May 29th.]

[Footnote 130.4: ‘for’ in Fenn; seemingly a printer’s error, as
the word is ‘sore’ in the modern version.]

[Footnote 130.5: Here, according to Fenn, the words ‘and go the’
occur in the original, struck out.]

370

HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON[131.1]

_To my full speciall gode Maister, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1458(?) / [AUG. 27]]

Worshipfull Sir, and my full speciall goode maister, after humble recommendacion, please it you to understand that such service as I can doo to your plesir, as to myn understandyng, I have shewed my diligence nowe this shorte season sithen your departyng, and in especiall aboute suche a copie of a foundacion as your maistership commaunded me to gete you a copie of, of the which I sende unto you at this tyme, by my broder William Worcestre, iij. copies writen by Luket, because I had no leisir, but somoch besems in settyng forth my Maistr of the Rolles.[131.2] At this tyme, and in all this Kyngs deies, ye can have noon oder accordyng any thing to your entent.

And as for the names of the Poles,[132.1] William hath more wrytyng than ye and I coude fynde, foundon by labor made by hym and me. And also, Sir, he hath caused me to examyn olde and mony records, writen by some Frenshman, concernyng the manour of Dedham; that was a comborous labour, for these copies were full defectif, as it apereth by the correctyng of them.

Item, Sir, I may sey to you that William hath goon to scole, to a Lumbard called Karoll Giles, to lern and to be red in poetre or els in Frensh; for he hath byn with the same Caroll every dey ij. tymes or iij., and hath bought divers boks of hym, for the which, as I suppose, he hath put hymself in daunger to the same Karoll. I made a mocion to William to have knoen part of his besines, and he answered and seid that he wold be as glad and as feyn of a good boke of Frensh or of poetre as my Mastr Fastolf wold be to purchace a faire manoir; and therby I understand he list not to be commynd with all in such matiers.

Item, Sir, as for any tidings, William can tell you here at London ar but full fewe; but Henry Bourgchier is ded sodenly at Ludlowe; my Lord of Caunterbury and my Lord Bourgchier shall be this wyk at Hunnesdon, and hunte and sporte theym with Sir William Oldhall.

At this tyme nothyng els to your maistership; but and it please you to remembre my maister at your best leiser, wheder his old promise shall stande as touchyng my preferryng to the Boreshed in Suthwerke. Sir, I wold have byn at a noddr place, and of my maisters owun mocion he said that I shold sett uppon the Boreshed, in the which matier I reporte me to William Worcestre, Bokkyng, and William Barker, and most specially to my maisters awun remembraunce.

I know full well ther cann noo conclusion be taken to myn asayle [_avayle ?_] without help of your maistership, unto the which I utterly submitte me in this, and in all oder. And our Lord Jesu preserve you and all youres, and send you your herts desire with right.

Writen at London on Sonday next after Seynt Bartholomu Dey in hast.

By your servaunt,

HENRY WYNDESORE.

[Footnote 131.1: [From Fenn, i. 170.] At the date of this
letter Sir John Fastolf must have been in Norfolk, and William
Worcester in London. From the time that the former went into
Norfolk in 1454, till the end of the year 1457, Worcester seems
generally to have resided with him; but in the beginning of 1458
he was in London, and it appears by the Castlecombe MSS. (Add.
MS. 28,208, B.M. pp. 39, 42) that he was holding courts at
Castlecombe in Wiltshire in June and July of that year, and
that, in November of the same year, he and Fastolf were both
together in London. It is probable, therefore, that he was in
London in August, before Fastolf had come up. Indeed, he appears
not to have returned to Norfolk till January following; so that
in August he might quite well have devoted himself to the study
of French in the expectation of a lengthened stay.]

[Footnote 131.2: Thomas de Kirkeby.]

[Footnote 132.1: Apparently William Worcester was examining the
pedigree of the De la Poles, ancestors of the late Duke of
Suffolk, who had disputed with Fastolf the right to the manor of
Dedham.]

371

ABSTRACT[133.1]

[Sidenote: 1458 / SEPT. 1]

Writ of _pone_ procured by Thomas Howes, clerk, of Castre, against John Wyndham, Thomas Danyell of Rysyng Castle, Edmund Bukenham of Snyterton, Robert Lethum of Wytton by Blofeld, Simon Gunnor of Estbekham, and sixteen others, for maintaining a plea begun at Westminster without the King’s writ by John Andrew of Beylom, Suffolk, against Howes, whom he had maliciously procured to be indicted.

1 Sept. 37 Hen. VI.

_On the back are the words:_ ‘Manutenencia facta fuit iiij^to die Julii anno xxxv^{to}.[133.2] Dampna C_li._’

[Footnote 133.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 133.2: A.D. 1457.]

[[Dampna C_li._’ _close quote missing or invisible_]]

372

BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON[133.3]

_To my Maister Paston._

[Sidenote: 1458]

Sir, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place, hyt fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked to gedre, and called me by my name, and both asked how my maister[133.4] fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to see astate taked yn Lyncoln place by hym boght of Markham. In the meene tyme the seyd Wymondham sent hys man to speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of Sir Thomas[133.5] how he wille help labour to an ende, and had spoke with Heydon yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell amerciementes by their labour, and the [_they ?_] not beneficed, shewed to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause, &c. After my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd that he desyred Sir Thomas to be gode meene to my maister to hafe affeccion to the chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my maister had before the maryage be laboured [_i.e._ if my master had been applied to before the marriage], hyt had [been] moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because hys fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold hafe affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that Thomas[134.1] was with hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it please my maister to sende for hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.

I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of Sir Thomas undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better, whych to my power wold help make it knowen to Lordes and all othyrs of the cruell amerciementes, the cruell juge to be knowen as he ys, for I am of hys contrey, and know hys rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At ix. at clok to hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille (?).

Your,

H. R.

[Footnote 133.3: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 249.] This
letter clearly relates to the subject of the preceding No.]

[Footnote 133.4: Sir John Fastolf.]

[Footnote 133.5: Howes.]

[Footnote 134.1: Apparently Thomas Fastolf.]

373

ABSTRACT[134.2]

ROLL OF THE PERSONAL AND OTHER EXPENSES OF JOHN PASTON IN THE 36TH AND 37TH YEARS OF HENRY VI.

For dress and cloth, various.

‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17_s._ 7_d._ ‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19_s._ 1_d._ ‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101_s._ ‘Item, eisdem et sosiis (_sic_) suis in regard’,’ 4_s._ 2_d._ ‘Item, eisdem apud London,’ etc.

‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxv^{to.}’ 13_s._ 4_d._ ‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26_s._ 8_d._

‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’ --‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod Johannes Paston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2_s._ 1_d._ ‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’ 3_s._ 8_d._ ‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’ apud Forncet,’ 3_s._ 1_d._ ‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’ 18_d._ To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3_s._ 4_d._ Glazing Chapel at Mauteby, 10_s._ ‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana Matthiæ,’ 3_s._ 8_d._ Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks, 10_s._ ‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5_s._ 4_d._ ‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’ 18_d._ ‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8_d._

In Easter and Trinity terms.--Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10_s._ For wine and spice with Fortescu and Wentworth, 23_d._

Hilary term.--Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40_s._ ‘Item, exequiæ Edmundi Paston,’ 2_s._ 4_d._ To divers poor people of Norwich for relief of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7_s._

[Footnote 134.2: [From Add. Charter 17,246, B.M.]]

[[10s. For wine _printed in roman (non-Italic) type_]]

374

ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES PASTON[135.1]

_To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston._

[Sidenote: 1459 / JAN. 3]

Right worshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder, in the most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your welfare and prosperite, the which I pray God to contynw and encresce to your herts desyre. And yf it lyked your gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of this lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as for my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust to Jesu non shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besy as he can to make me sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde in a bonde of m^{l}_li._ to you mother, and to my brother John, and to my brother William, and to Edmund Clere,[136.1] the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as our most synguler trost is yn your gode moderhode, that my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc at the begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that was oon of my best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym in CC_li._, of which he reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme Cxx_li._, and yf he fayle therof at this tyme, he wille clayme the hool of us, the which were to us to grete an hurt; and he con not make an ende with noon of hys other suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and in all other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool,[136.2] with whom I sojerned, that ye wul be my tendr and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage, and to Christofre Houson, as ye wrote unto my brother John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese your gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And Jesu for his grete mercy save yow.

Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of Janyver.

By your humble doughter,

ELYZABETH PONYNGGS.

[Footnote 135.1: [From Fenn, iii. 328.] The writer of this
letter is Agnes Paston’s daughter Elizabeth, for whose marriage,
as we have seen, there had been a good deal of negotiating in
past years (_see_ Nos. 93, 94, 236, 250, 252), and who has now
become the wife of Robert Poynings. As the 3rd of January, the
day on which this letter is dated, was a Wednesday, the year
must be 1459. The 3rd of January did not fall on a Wednesday
again till 1470, by which time Elizabeth Paston was no longer
the wife of Robert Poynings, but his widow, for he was killed
at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.]

[Footnote 136.1: Edmund Clere was the second son of John Clere,
Esq. of Ormesby, and died in 1463.]

[Footnote 136.2: _See_ p. 123.]

[[Footnote 135.1: Text beginning “Elizabeth Paston” corrected by
author in Errata. Original text:
... by which time Elizabeth Paston and Robert Poynings must have
been married several years, as will be seen by No. 126 preceding
(vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3).]]

375

JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS FATHER[137.1]

_To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston, Esquyer, be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse._

[Sidenote: 1459 / MARCH 5]

Ryght worschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I comaund me to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowr faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and hevynesse that it hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of thys contre, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner have noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng under thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesur, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner ease of yowr tenantys whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng. Wherfor I besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo that schal please yow to the uttermest of my power and labor; and if ther be any servyce that I may do if it please yow to comaund me, or if y maye understonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer any thyng that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng.

Wretyn the v. day of Marche.

By your older sone,

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 137.1: [From Fenn, iii. 336.] By Letter 377 following,
it will be seen that the writer of this letter had given
displeasure to his father in the early part of the year 1459.
There can be no doubt that this letter refers to the same
occasion.]

376

ABSTRACT[138.1]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AND SIR THOMAS HOWES, PARSON OF BLOFELD

[Sidenote: 1459 / APRIL 13]

As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’

Castre, 13th April 37 Hen. VI.

(_Signature not Fastolf’s own._)

[Footnote 138.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 254.]]

377

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[138.2]

_Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston, in hast._

[Sidenote: 1459 / APRIL 29]

Rythe worchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow. Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther wer browt unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on of hem was indosyd to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve or sexe odyr gentylmen; and anodyr was sent onto yowr sone, and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and asynyd wythinne wyth the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe that wer sent, as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer sent onto odyr gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was, that they sshuwlde be wyth the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day of May, wyth as many personys defensebylly arayid as they myte acordyng to her degre, and that they schwld bryng wyth hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the lettyr that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt. Hastynggs is forthe into Yorke schyr.

I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye wyl that yor sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that ben yowr wel wyllerys, that ye may no lesse do than to send hym forthe. As for hys demenyng, swn ye departyd, in god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and delygent inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at hom. I hope he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyrward. He desyryd Alblaster to bemene[139.1] to yow for hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to yow, as I sent yow word also be Alblaster, how I dede to hym aftyr that ye wer go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher [_worthier ?_] heraftyr.

As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr schal do howr part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for mony it comyth bwt slowly. And God have yow in hys kepyng, and sen yow good sped in alle yowr matteris.

Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the Assencyon Day.

Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [_hear_] swmme gode tydynggys fro yow.

Be yorys,

M. P.

[Footnote 138.2: [From Fenn, i. 174.] The only years during the
married life of John and Margaret Paston (except when their
eldest son was a mere child), in which the Sunday preceding
Ascension Day fell some time before the 10th of May, were 1456
and 1459. In the former year the King could not either have been
or have intended to be at Leicester on the 10th of May. In 1459
the Privy Seals show that he was at Northampton on the 14th,
18th, and 19th of May, and it is quite possible he may have been
at Leicester on the 10th. In 1464 Edward IV. was at Leicester in
May, and the Sunday before Ascension Day was the 6th of May; but
it is not probable this letter was written in that year, for two
reasons. In the first place, Margaret Paston could hardly have
hoped for an answer from her husband--who may be presumed to
have been in London--in time to have sent his son to be at
Leicester on the 10th; secondly, Letter 375, which is evidently
of the same year as this, would probably have been signed ‘John
Paston, K.’ (_i.e._ Knight).]

[Footnote 139.1: To be mean, _i.e._ to be a mediator. Fenn has
not apprehended the phrase, which he has modernised ‘to
bemoan.’]

378

OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON[140.1]

_A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier._

[Sidenote: 1459(?) / MAY 25]

Treshonnoure Sire, je me recommande a vous tant que je puis, et vous prie qu’il vous plaise me recommander a ma maistresse vostre noble espouse et a tous voz enffans, et que ne soit point mis en oubly mon petit homme d’armes. Et oultre vous plaise me recommander a mon Maistre Yelverton et mon Maistre Caulthorpe, et a touz mes autres maistres et amis de pardela ou sera vostre bon plaisir. Et vous mercie des grans plaisirs et amitiez que avez faitz et monstrez a moy et aux miens, lesquelz Dieu me doint deservir. Treshonnoures Sire, plaise vous savoir que mon frere Jehan a Bernay ma escript dune matere dont me touchastes, moy estant parde la, a laquelle vostre desir vouldroit l’onneur des deux pars, et de laquelle matere le porteur de cestes vous informera, et des nouvelles de pardeca s’il vient a voz bons plaisirs. Et vouldroye bien que vous et mon dit frere Jehan a Bernay voulsissez communiquer avecques la personne aqui la matere touche, et que je peusse savoir son entente, affin dy otemperer, car je luy vouldroye faire plaisir et service; car je y suis tenu, et la chose sera en partie reglee par vous et par mondit frere, mais je veil estre le tiers, et une autre personne sera le quart. Treschere et treshonnoure Sire, je vous recommande tout mon fait de pardela, et sy faiz je la petite Marie, pour laquelle je vous mercie, et especiallement ma damoiselle vostre fame et noble espouse, et me desplaist de la grant paine et charge que avez pour elle; mas Dieu me doint grace que je le puisse aquicter. Priant nostre Seigneur qui soit garde de vous, et vous doint bonne vie et longue, et joyeulx acomplissement de touz voz desirs.

Escript a Calais, le xxv^me jour de May.

Le tout votre serviteur,

OSBERNE MUNDEFORD.

[Footnote 140.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this
letter was put to death at Calais on the 25th June 1460, having
been taken at Sandwich when about to go thither in aid of the
Duke of Somerset against the Earl of Warwick. The date cannot be
in that year, and how much earlier it may be is quite uncertain,
unless we suppose ‘mon petit homme d’armes’ to be Paston’s
eldest son, who, as we have seen, was summoned to perform
military service in 1459.]

379

WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON[141.1]

_To myn ryght worshypfull [m]ayster, John Paston, at London, atte the Temple._

[Sidenote: 1459 / JUNE 24]

Please youre maystership that as to morwen a newe _inquirendum_ shal be taken at Wycham Markette for the parsonage of Rendelesham for one Mayster John Clerke, a chapeleyn of the Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas[141.2] shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an hors, and also hit was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there; and, as Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one hadde bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn self. But he seyth and [_i.e._ if] ye wold speke to myn Lord Norwych, and enforme hym of the trought of the mater, he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the ryght of the patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald a _melius inquirendum_. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John Bulman all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit please yow to comon with hym, ye shall understande all the mater by hym how myn Lord is disposed. And [_if_] Mayster Robert Eppeswell is now at London, hit were shame that they shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip Wentworth groundeth not his presentacion by the patent, but by the endenture a twyxt the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe as ever he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that ye have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c., myn mayster is weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken strangely, &c. Almyghty Jesu preserve yow, myn worshipfull mayster, to youre desyre after his pleser and youre trewe entent.

Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the clokke at even.

Youre owen man,

W. BARKER,

Per mandat’ T. H.

[Footnote 141.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It appears by the
Bishops’ Registers at Norwich that John Clerk was instituted to
the living of Rendlesham on the 20th June 1459 on the King’s
presentation. This letter must have been written four days later
in ignorance of the fact. Clerk’s predecessor was John Sybton,
administration of whose goods was granted on the 19th May 1450.]

[Footnote 141.2: Sir Thomas Howes.]

380

ABSTRACT[142.1]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON

[Sidenote: 1459 / JULY 3]

‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St. Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his intent, and given them full power to appoint with them.

(_Signature not his own._)

Castre, 3 July 37 Hen. VI.

Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.

[Footnote 142.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]]

[[142.1: missing close-bracket]]

381

JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT[143.1]

_To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, my Lord Beaumont._

[Sidenote: Between 1454 and 1459]

Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.

Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.

Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c.

JOHN, LORD LOVELL.

[Footnote 143.1: [From Fenn, i. 128.] The writer of this
succeeded to the barony of Lovel in 1454, and married Jane, the
daughter of John, first Viscount Beaumont, the person addressed.
As Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton on the 10th
July 1460, this letter cannot be later than 1459, but may be
some years earlier.]

382

ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT[143.2]

_To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, the Viscount Beaumont._

[Sidenote: 1444-1460]

Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me to you with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.

Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his ewry,[144.1] have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.

And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.

Writen at Framlynham, the viij^th day of Marche.

ELIANORE, the Duchess of Norfolk.

[Footnote 143.2: [From Fenn, i. 194.] Here we have another
letter, of uncertain date, addressed to the same person as the
last. The year when it was written is quite immaterial, but must
have been between 1444, when John Mowbray, the writer’s husband,
was confirmed in the dignity of Duke of Norfolk (which had
belonged to his grandfather in the time of Richard II.), and
1460, when Viscount Beaumont was slain at the battle of
Northampton.]

[Footnote 144.1: An officer who had charge of the table linen,
etc.]

383

FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON[144.2]

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

_Jesu mercy._

[Sidenote: 1459]

Ryte reverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly, comyth to Castre, and Zelverton[144.3] with zow, and ze think it to be done; and sendyth home zowr men and hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c. And by grace of God and zour polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude more effectually in gret matyers of substans, to my maysterys[144.4] and zour worschip and profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward, and is ryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [_weakened_] and feblyd, &c. And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made at London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and a crafty man, schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for the inmorteysing of Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he promittyd up [_promised upon_] a certeyn mony, &c., and undirtoke it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys in the matere, &c. And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do hise part, &c. And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet, &c., or elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri, &c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze come.

Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be myn trewthe, and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaundement, in zour letter haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to my mayster, &c. Every day this v. dayes he seyth, ‘God send me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I holde hym a feythful man, and ever on man.’ Cui ego, ‘That is soth,’ &c. Et ille, ‘Schew me not the mete, schew me the man.’ Hæc verba replicat sæpius cum magno stomacho, &c. Colinus Gallicus dicit in Jernemuta et aliis locis se esse executorem, &c. Dixit etiam heri coram pluribus, si semel fuerit London’ nunquam vult videre Norfolchiam, &c. Dicit etiam, ubi executores credunt se habituros claves, &c., post mortem alii habebunt claves, ita bene sicut illi, &c. Falsissimus est, et ego bene dixi in partem suam inter ipsum et me, &c. Propter Deum, faciatis Spirlyng venire juxta promissum in f’cū [_factum ?_], &c. Gallicus ipse maxime odit rectorem et vellet supplantare eum, &c. Item, valde desiderat suum, quietus est quia absit, &c.

Henricus Todyham continue aspirat post mortem magistri cum mille habeat oculos nocendi, &c., si quorum duos deperderit, nullus cæteros timeret, &c.

[Footnote 144.2: [From Fenn, iii. 342.] No signature appears to
be attached to this letter as Fenn has printed it, but the style
is unmistakably that of Brackley, to whom he attributes it. The
original was endorsed in an ancient hand, according to Fenn,
‘Littera fratris Doctoris Brackley per quam patet Jo. Fastolf
valde desiderasse presentiam consanguinei sui Jo. Paston.’ The
date seems to be shortly before Sir John Fastolf’s death, which
happened on the 5th November 1459.]

[Footnote 144.3: William Yelverton.]

[Footnote 144.4: Sir John Fastolf.]

384

WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON[146.1]

_To my worshipful and right gode mayster, John Paston, Squyer._

[Sidenote: 1459(?) / AUG. [22]]

Wurshipful sire, and my right gode mayster, I recomaunde me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour gode maystership that ze liked to sende my mayster zour sone to Sporle with suych felaship as ze dede, for which I am ever bounde to doo zou service, prayeng zou of zour gode contenuaunce.

Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek with an axez [_ague_], and truly that caused me that I and my felaship taryed; and so be cause theroffe I caused my lady to wryte a specyall lettre to my Lord Scales. But for al that Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of Suffolkys name. And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was, that I wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo was right sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and my lordes and my ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon further. But if I had been heil and not seek, there shuld have kome a wurshipful felaship out of Suffolk of so litel warnyng; but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the axcez bothe Sunday and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so kyndely zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felaship redy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng Blake, and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze have warnyng. And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle tymys, as ze shewe me gret cause to doo zou service. Wreten at Thelton,[147.1] the Wednysday next before Seynt Bertilmew Day in haste.

Your servaunt,

WILLIAM JENNEY.

[Footnote 146.1: [From Fenn, iv. 38.] This letter is referred by
Fenn to the beginning of Edward IV.’s reign, but on a careful
examination I think it must be earlier, as William Jenney’s
proceedings, even in the first year of Edward IV., were by no
means friendly to John Paston. The Lord Scales here mentioned
must therefore be the Lord Scales of Henry VI.’s time, who was
murdered in July 1460, and the letter, having been written in
August, cannot be later than 1459. In that year, as will be seen
by Letter 377, John Paston’s eldest son had already begun active
life, and I am inclined to think that it is the precise year in
which the present letter was written. John Paston, the second,
was at that time not more than nineteen years of age, and we
hear nothing of his doings earlier. The manor of Sporle was
inherited by John Paston, senior, from his father the judge.]

[Footnote 147.1: Thelveton, near Diss, in Norfolk.]

[[The sections headed First Draft and Second Draft were printed in facing columns. They are shown here in separate blocks. Unlabeled paragraphs belong to the First Draft. Asterisks and brackets are in the original, as explained in the first Footnote. Missing or misplaced brackets have been left as printed.]]

385

WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF[147.2]

[Sidenote: 1459 / NOV. 3]

In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, M^{l}CCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre,[147.3] I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra . . . and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come, there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and tyme of deth--Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo . . . for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas . . . . . my modir, and the soule of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the soulez of othyr of myn . . . . . . . kynsefolke and speciall frendes here undir wretyn,--I ordeyn and . . . . . this my last will in fourme and maner folwyng:--

[_First Draft._]

*[_Fyrst_, I will and ordeyne that, if it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges, for the longe contynwyd servise be me in the daye of strengthe and helthe of my body, to hym and to the noble Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise noble uncles John Duke of Bedford, Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng Lord and hise noble progenitorys forseid, in Fraunce and Normandy as in cuntreez and othyr placis, consederynge my many gret labourys, peynis, and perilis in the seyd servise of oure sovereyn Lord and hise noble progenitoris forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous grace withoutyn ony other . . . . . of myn executores namyd in my testament, or ellys for a resonable sume of [money] whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr meane, so as myn executores therein shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn Lord and hise counsell, or with hise heire Kynges and here councell, to lycence and graunte to them that be feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn executores, to ordeyne, founde, and stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or dwelynge place late be me newe edified and motid in the town of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Norffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place I was born in, a collage of a prioury of vj. religeous personis, monks of the ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise and graunte to the seyd priour and vj. religeous personis, or to here successorys, the forseyd mancion or dwellynge place, with all the appurtenauncez and othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, for the sustentacion of the seyd priour and vj. religeous personys and here successorys, and for here othyr chargys and reparacionis, and for vij. pore men in the seyd collage in perpetuite, be the avise and discrecion of myn executores forseid, to be foundyd and susteynid; and that thanne the forseyd feffees or her assignees if they . . . . grauntes of othyr havyng entresse in this be halve requisit lawefully shul make, founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule, and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], . . . . sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres . . . . rentes, servisez, with here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis . . . . . lithe next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore seyd.]*

[_Second Draft._]

_Firste_, Forasmyche as for the welfare of my soule and of the soules forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpe of the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme comyng withinne the gret mancion be me late edified and motid in Castre forseid, I have of long tyme been in purpose to stablishe and founde a collage withinne the seyd gret mancion, and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd and thought behoffefull for the seyd cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd mancion with the collagyens of the seyd collage: Therfor, and for the senguler love and trust that I have to my seyd cosyn John Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray beleve that he will execute my will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he and I have covinauntyd and been accordyd that he shall, with inne resonable tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or do founde . . . . and indewe withinne the seid mancion a collage of vij. religeous monkys or pristes, to preye for the soules above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche one to be cheif governour of hem, and he to have x_li._, and iche othyr prist or monk [of the said co]llage x. marks yeerly for here sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid in mony, and that the seyd collagyens shull be soo indewyd that be syde here seyd pencions for here propir levynge to be grauntyd hem, they . . . . . inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd mancion of Castre to preye for the soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of whiche pore folk iche of hem to have xl_s._ a yeer or th . . . . ere levynge, fynding, and sustentacion; and that the seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and to the seyd pore folke a suffecient summe, and a competent and an esy dwellynge place . . . . . seid collagyens nor here successorys beryng no reparacion there of, for whiche and for othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston shall have in fee symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the manerez, londes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in whiche the seyd John Paston or ony othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in or have title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes, and . . . er astat of the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes to suche personys, and at suche tymes and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or ony of hem. And the seyd John Paston . . . . . seyd collage shal bere and paye to my behoff, towardes the paymentys of my dettes and othir thynges, be my present will assygnid to be do, m^{l}m^{l}m^{l}m^{l.} [4000] mark, in suche fourme and at suche tyme as in this my present will . . . . . . . here aftir folwyng:--

[_First Draft._]

*[Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte of oure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of ony othyr . . . . entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently . . . . . . . that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove to . . . . . . of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent . . . . . seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.