Chapter XIII: Part 13

[Footnote 265.1: [Add. MS. 33,597, f. 3.] This letter appears to
have been written in the year 1467, like No. 661, which bears date
eleven days later. Besides what is said here of Yelverton, note
the reference to John Grey and John Burgeys, whose names appear in
the other letter also.]

[Footnote 266.1: ‘the’ repeated in MS.]

[Footnote 266.2: ‘Syr William--Grey’ is an interlineation.]

660

T. DAVERSE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[267.1]

_To my right good mayter, Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1467(?) / JAN. 29]

My right especiall good mayster, I recomand me to yow, thankyng you right hertely of your gentell letter late send to me. And as to Pynchester mater, &c., I wulde I were youre nygh kynnesman, yef hit plesed God, and than shuld I know yef hit shuld greve your herte asmeche as hit dothe other of my kynne and frendes to see me thus cowardly hurte and maimed[267.2] by Pynchester, causeles; and of myn entente in that mater, Wylliam Rabbes shall telle you more. All so I beseche yow to recomand me to my Lordes good grace, as to hym whom of erthely estates, next my dewte, I moste love and drede, and that shuld he well knowe and hit lay in my power, praying you hertely to declare his Lordship such mater as Wylliam Rabbes shall enfourme yow, and to send me my Lordes answere.

All so in asmoche as I understode by yow that money shuld cause you conclusion in your mater this next terme, and ye wull be at London on Monday at nyght or Tewsday by none, I truste that I have studyed such a mene that, up on surete as ye may make, to gete yow an C_li._ or CC. mark to be lante un to yow for an halfe yere, with oute any chevysshaunce or losse of good by yow, as Wylliam Rabbes shall telle you more, &c.

And as to Ovyde ‘De Arte Amandi,’ I shall send hym you this next weke, for I have hyt not now redy; but me thenkeyth Ovide ‘De Remedio’ were more mete for yow, but yef [_unless_] ye purposid to falle hastely in my Lady Anne P.[268.1] lappe, as white as whales bon, &c. Ye be the best cheser of a gentell woman that I knowe, &c. And I pray you to recomaunde me to my Lord of Oxford,[268.2] and to my goods Maysters Nedeham, Richemond, Chyppenham, Stavely, Bloxham, Stuard, and Ingulton in speciall, and all other good masters and frendes in generall, &c. And, sir, Maystres Gaydade recomand me [? _her_] to yow and said bessyng fare for charite, and she said me she wuld fayne have a new felet, &c.

Wreten at London, this xxix. day in Janyver.

With herte and servyse your,

T. D.[268.3]

[Footnote 267.1: [From Fenn, iv. 172.] The precise date of this
letter is by no means certain. Fenn dates it merely between 1463
and 1469; but if it be ‘my Lady of Oxford,’ and not ‘my Lord,’ who
is spoken of near the end (_see_ page 268, footnote 2), it may be
many years later. The Earl of Oxford was committed to the Tower in
the latter part of the year 1468. In 1470 he took part in the
brief restoration of Henry VI., and on the return of Edward IV. he
was obliged to quit the country. If the Earl, therefore, is
alluded to as living in England, the date cannot well be later
than 1468. Probably it is about the year 1467. In that year the
29th January fell on a Thursday, which would allow a reasonable
time for the writer to suggest to Sir John Paston the expediency
of his being in London on Monday or Tuesday following.]

[Footnote 267.2: The words ‘and maimed’ are inserted from the
right-hand copy in Fenn. They are not in the left-hand copy,
having been overlooked, apparently, by the transcriber.]

[Footnote 268.1: Who my Lady Anne P. was I cannot tell. The
expression ‘as white as whale’s bone’ is rather a strange one.]

[Footnote 268.2: The modern version in Fenn reads ‘my Lady of
Oxford,’ but ‘my Lord of Oxford’ is right.]

[Footnote 268.3: Fenn says this subscription is explained by ‘T.
Daverse’ being written under the direction, as he believes, in the
hand of the receiver.]

661

JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[268.4]

[Sidenote: 1467 / FEB. 7]

Syr, it is so that thys Saterday John Rus sent me word by Robert Botler, that William Yelverton hathe ben thys iij. dayis in Yermothe for to get new wytnessys up to London; and, as it is thowt by the seid John Rus and Robert Botler, ther wytnessyng is for to prove that it was Sir John Fastolfs wyll that ther schold be morteysyd iij.^c. mark by yer to the colage, and also that syche astat as my fadyr took her at Caster at Lames next befor that Sir John Fastolf dyid, was delyveryd to my fadyr to the intent for to perform the seyd wyll.

Bartholomew Elys, John Appylby, and John Clerk ar the wytnessys; and as for Barthew Elys, he is owtlawyd, and also men say in Yermowthe that he is bawde betwyx a clerk of Yermowthe and hys owne wyfe; and as for John Appylby, he is half frentyk, and so take in the towne, notwithstandyng he is an attorny, as Barthew Elys is, in the Baylys Coort of Yermowthe; and as for John Clerk of Gorleston, he is owtlawyd at Sir John Fastolfys swte, and at dyvers othyr menys, notwithstandyng he is thorow with Sir T. Howys[269.1] for Sir John Fastolf, for thys cause, that the seyd Clerk was on of Sir T. Howys[269.1] last wytnessys befor thys.

I trow John Loer shall be anothyr wyttnesse. As for Barthew Elys and John Appylby, they lye thys nyht at Blyborowgh onward on her wey to Londonward. Make good weche on hem.

I pray yow send us some good tydyngs. Wretyn the Saterday, lat at nyght, next aftyr Kandylmas Day.

I pray yow remembyr John Grey and John Burgeys. We have hom the most part of your barly, save fro Wynterton, and that I trost to have this next wek, or ellys we wyll strat [_distrain ?_] for it by the grace of God, whom I beseche mak yow good.

I thynk ther comyng up is for to dysprove your wyttnessys that he had in to the Chancery.

J. P.[269.2]

[Footnote 268.4: [From Fenn, iv. 276.] This letter must have been
written in February 1467. It was evidently after Sir John Paston
had succeeded to his father’s estates, but before any arrangement
had been come to between him and Yelverton. It will be found
hereafter that on the 11th January 1468 Sir John Fastolf’s
executors, including Yelverton, released their rights in Caister
and other manors to Sir John Paston. On the back of this letter,
Fenn says, is written in an ancient hand, ‘Testes idonei ad
negandum veritatem, ut patet infra.’]

[Footnote 269.1: Fenn has ‘Sir Thowys’ in his left-hand copy,
which we cannot help thinking a misreading of ‘Sir T. Howys.’]

[Footnote 269.2: Fenn says this letter ‘has neither subscription
nor date’; nevertheless these initials stand at the foot of the
text as he has printed it.]

662

SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[270.1]

_To my brother, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1467 / MARCH]

Ryght worschypful and verrely welbelovyd brother, I hertely comande me to yow, thankyng yow of yowr labor and dyligence that ye have in kepyng of my place at Castr so sewerly, both with yowr hert and mynde, to yowr gret bisynesse and troble; and I ageyn warde have hadde so lytell leyser that I have not spedde bot fewe of yowr erendys, ner kannot befor thys tyme.

As for my Lady Boleynes[270.2] dysposicion to yow werds, I kannot in no wyse fynde hyr a greable that ye scholde have her dowter, for all the prevy meanes that I kowde make, inso moche I hadde so lytell comfor by all the meanes that I kowde make, that I dysdeyned in myn own p[e]rson to comon with hyr ther in. Neverthelesse, I undrestande that sche seythe, ‘What if he and sche kan agre I wyll not lette it, but I will never advyse hyr therto in no wyse.’ And uppon Tewesday last past, sche rood hom in to Norfolke. Wherfor as ye thynke ye may fynde the meane to speke with hyr yowr selfe, for with owt that, in myn conceyt, it wyl not be.

And as for Crosseby, I undrestand not that ther is no maryage concluded betwen them, neverthelesse ther is gret langage that it is lyke to be. Ye be personable, and peraventure yowr beyng ones in the syght of the mayde, and a lytele descuveryng of your good wyl to her, byndyng hyr to kepe it secret, and that ye kan fynde in yowr hert, with som comfort of hyr, to fynde the meane to brynge suche a mater abowt as schall be hyr pleasur and yowrs, but that thys ye kannot do with owt som comfort of hyr in no wyse; and ber yor selfe as lowly to the moder as ye lyst, but to the mayde not to lowly, ner that ye be to gladde to spede, ner to sory to fayle. And I alweys schall be your herault bothe her, if sche com hydder, and at home when I kome hom, whych I hope hastly with in xl. dayes at the ferthest. My modre hathe a letter, whych can tell you mor, and ye may lat Dawebeney se it.

JOHN PASTON, K.

I suppose and ye kall welle upon R. Calle, he schall purvey yow mony. I have wretyn to hym inow.

[Footnote 270.1: [From Fenn, iv. 326.] This letter is evidently of
the same year as No. 666 following, and a little earlier in point
of date.]

[Footnote 270.2: Anne, widow of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn. She was
daughter of Thomas, Lord Hoo and Hastings. Sir Geoffrey had by her
three daughters, of whom the youngest, Alice, is here referred to.
This Alice was afterwards married to Sir John Fortescue.]

663

RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[271.1]

_To my ryght reverent and worschipfull mayster, Sir John Paston, Knight._

[Sidenote: 1467 / APRIL 3]

Plesith it you to wete that I have spoken with Henre Inglouse, and I fynde hym disposid weele; hough be it he hath be labored to nough of late be divers, nevertheles he woll not come withoute he have a suppena, and if he come up be suppena, he can sey nor nought woll sey, any thynge that schulde be prejudice or hurte to your mater, and so he hathe tolde them that hath labored to hym for it, weche hym thynkyth causith them to have no grete hast to have hym up. He tellith me that the Abbot of Langley schal come up and Wichyngham. Thes have her writtes of suppena delyverd unto them. Also ther cometh up Doctor Vergraunt and Frier Bernard. And as for Robert Inglouse, I have spoken with hym, and I fynde hym no thyng so weele disposid as his brother is; he hath be sore labored be the meanes of my Lord of Norffolk and of my Lord of Suffolk; he seyth largely that he knoweth moche of this mater, seyng to me that if he schulde be examyned be for a juge, he wolde my master your uncle[272.1] wer his juge, for he knoweth the mater as weele as any man. He seith if he be sworn be fore my Lorde Chaunceler, he woll desire of my Lord that Maister William schulde be sworn as weele as he; nevertheles I have so mevyd hym that withoute ther come a suppena for hym he woll not come, as he seth it is hard to truste hym. It were weele doo if ther were no suppena out for hym to cauce that ther schulde non come, nouther to hym nor to hes brother, &c. I can not undrestonde of no moo that schulde come up yet, but I schal enquere, and sende you word as hastely as I can. I have not spoken with John Maryot yet, but I schall speke with hym within this iij. dayes and sende you worde. &c.

Ferthermore, sir, like you to remembre the lees of the maner of Sporle; your fermours goth out at Michelmes next comyng. Henry Halman wolde have it for his sones, and if be schulde have it he wolde wete at this tyme, be cauce he wolde somerlay[272.2] and tylle the londe, otherwise then it is; it were tyme to lete it, wo so ever schulde have it. Henry woll geve for it but xx_li._; wherfor, if ye wol that he have it, plese you to sende word how we schal do with all, &c. Almyghty Godde spede you in all youre maters, and sende you hastely a goode ende in hem. Wreten at Castre on Friday next after Esterne Day.

Your own Servaunt, RIC. C.

[Footnote 271.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter seems to
relate to the summoning of witnesses to London for the probate of
Fastolf’s will, and being addressed to Sir John Paston, we may
presume that it was written in the year after his father’s death,
and before the final settlement of the dispute.]

[Footnote 272.1: William Paston.]

[Footnote 272.2: Halliwell gives the expression ‘to summerland a
ground’ which is used in Suffolk, meaning to lay it fallow a year.
For this he refers to Ray.]

664

[WILLIAM PASTON] TO SIR JOHN PASTON[273.1]

_To my right worshipfull nevew, Sir John Paston, knyght._

[Sidenote: 1467 / APRIL (?)]

Myne suster,[273.2] Arblaster[273.3] and I have apoyntyd that we chall kepe no howsold this terme,[273.4] but go to borde; wer for we avyse zow to purvay for us a logyng ner a bowt my lord Chanseler that be honest, for Arblaster will non oder.

Item, as for zow, we avyse zow in any wyse gete zowr chamer assynyd with in my Lordis place, and gete chamer a lone iff ze may, that Arblaster and I may have a bed ther in ziff it fortune us to be late ther with zow.

Item, take hed to get suyrtees for the pore men that come up and that they may be sent hom a zen forthe with with owt taryyng, and take avyse so that the proses may so go forthe that they may be qwett at the next assyssys; take avyse of Townysend.

As for Yelverton, fynd the menys that he speke not with my Lord till we come.

Iff any labore be mad to my Lord to asyne men to here the mater indefferently, make labore to my Lord that the men be nat namyd till we come, for we can inffurme hym soche as be parciall be ther dedis here affore, qweche peraventure my Lord wold thynk wer indefferent i now till he be infurmyd; it may be answerid be my Lord that he will nat prosede no ferther in the mater till Arblasters comyng and myn for we can best infurme the mater.

Item, send a letter to Richard Kalle and to Sir Jamys Gloys to come up to London in any wyse. For ther is no man can do in dyvers materis that they can do in answeryng suche mater as Zelverton wyll ley a zen zow. And also they can best mak the bill that ze schuld put a zens hem; and ther for remembre.

Item, wrythe a letter to myn suster for the C. marcs for my Lady Soffolk, for we have no verry dyrect answer of her weder sche wyll send it ar nat.

Item, speke to zowr atorney in the Kyngis benche that he take hed to all maner indytamentis both old and new and to all oder materis that hangyng ther.

Item, do Pampyng comyn with owr sperituall concell suche mater as nedyn ther. And have newe wretyn the attestacion that lakkyn. The same man that wrott the oder may wrythe that. For Zelverton mad gret avawnt that ye schuld be hyndrid in that.

Wrythe a letter to myn nevew John zonger to come up to prove the wyll.

Speke with Sir Gilberd Debenham qwill he is in cownt to leve uper Cotton.

Item, Zelverton, Howys and Worceter make meche that we have put them owt off possescyon of the lond; qweche they sey is contrary to my Lord Chanseler comandement, and in trowth Sir Jamys and Calle meche spokyn to the tenantis in my lordys name; For Zelverton thynketh that he may now breke the trete. Qwer for, take a vyse her in off M^r Tresham and of Master Staneley, and informe my Lord how my broder[274.1] qwas all way in possescion till he was put owt for the mater of bondage, and how ze fynd the colage, and qwat an hurt it wer to zow in noyse off contre iff any oder man schuld now receyve any proffitis off the londis. They will labor that indefferent men schuld receyve, and that wer nat good. My Lord may say that he will end the mater, but as for the possescyon, he will nat put zow owt. Labor this in all hast posible.

I pray yow send me an answer of all such thyngis as requirith an answere in this contre, for Arblaster purposeth to be with yow on Sonday sevenygth and I purpose to be with yow ij. dayes afore.

[Footnote 273.1: [Add. MS. 33,597, f. 8.] This is not a formal
letter but a set of memoranda on a long slip of paper. It is in
the handwriting of William Paston, son of the judge, and addressed
to his nephew, Sir John. The date may be about April 1467. _See_
No. 663.]

[Footnote 273.2: This must be his brother John’s widow, Margaret,
who was in London in the spring of 1467. _See_ No. 662, p. 271.]

[Footnote 273.3: James Arblaster, a confidential friend of the
family.]

[Footnote 273.4: Easter term began on the 15th April in 1467.]

[Footnote 274.1: John Paston, son of the judge. Dead in 1466.]

665

SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[275.1]

[Sidenote: 1467 / APRIL]

My hand was hurte at the torney at Eltham upon Wednesday last. I would that you had been there and seen it, for it was the goodliest sight that was sene in Inglande this forty yeares of so fewe men. There was upon the one side, within, the Kinge, my Lord Scalles, myselfe, and Sellenger; and without, my Lord Chamberlyn, Sir John Woodvyle, Sir Thomas Mountgomery, and John Aparre, &c.

By your brother,

JOHN PASTON, Mil.

[Footnote 275.1: This extract from a letter of Sir John Paston to
his brother is quoted in Sandford’s MS. Genealogy of the Paston
family, and is here reprinted from Mr. Worship’s article on that
genealogy in the _Norfolk Archæology_. The original letter I have
not been able to find. The tournament here referred to probably
took place shortly after Easter. The next letter is evidently
written in reply to this.]

666

JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[275.2]

[Sidenote: 1467]

Syr, plesyth yow to weet that my modyr and I comonyd this day with Freyr Mowght to undyrstand what hys seying shall be in the coort when he cometh up to London, wheche is in this wyse:-- He seyth at syche tyme as he had shrevyn Master Brakley, and howsyllyd hym bothe, he let hym wet that he was enformyd by dyvers personys that the seyd Master Brakley owt for to be in gret consyens for syche thyngys as he had doone and seyd, and causyd my fadyr, whom God asoyle, for to do and seye also, in proving of Sir John Fastolfys wyll. To whom the seyd Mastyr Brakley answerd thus agayne: ‘I am ryght glad that it comyth to yow in mynd for to meve me with thys mater in dyschargyng of my consyens ayenst God,’ seying ferther mor to the seyd Freyr Mowght, be the wey that hys sowle shold to, that the wyll that my fadyr put into the coort was as veryly Syr John Fastolfys wyll as it was trew that he shold onys deye. This was seyd on the Sonday when the seyd Brakley wend to have deyid then. On the Monday he revyvyd a yen, and was well amendyd tyll on the Wednysday, and on the Wednysday he sekyned a yen, supposyng to have dyeyd forthe with. And in hys syknes he callyd Freyr Mowght, whyche was confessor on to hym, of hys owne mosyon, seyng on to hym in thys wyse:-- ‘Syr, wher as of your owne mosyon ye mevyd me the last day to tell you aftyr my consyens of Sir John Fastolfys wyll lyek wyse as I knew, and now of myn owne mocyon, and in dischargyng of my sowle, for I know well that I may not askape, but that I must dye in hast, wharfor I desyr you that wyll report after my dethe, that I took it upon my sowle at my dying that that wyll that John Paston put in to be provyd was Syr John Fastolfys wyll.’ And the seyd Brakley dyid the same Wednesdaye.

And wher as ye wold have had Rychard Calle to yow as on Sonday last past, it was thys Twyisday or I had your lettyr; and wher as it plesyth yow for to wyshe me at Eltam, at the tornay, for the good syth that was ther, by trowththe I had lever se yow onys in Caster Hall then to se as many Kyngs tornay as myght be betwyx Eltam and London.

And, syr, whar as it lyekyth yow to desyir to have knowlage how that I have don with the Lady Boleyn,[276.1] by my feythe I have don nor spokyn nowght in that mater, nor not wyll do tyll tyme that ye com hom, and ye com not thys vij. yer. Not withstandyng, the Lady Boleyn was in Norwyche in the week aftyr Estern, fro the Saterday tyll the Wednysday, and Heydons wyfe[276.2] and Mastras Alys[276.3] bothe, and I was at Caster, and wyst not of it. Hyr men seyd that she had non othyr erend to the towne but for to sport hyr; bot so God help me, I suppose that she wend I wold have ben in Norwyche for to have sen hyr dowghter. I beseche yow with all my hart hye yow hom, thow ye shold tery but a day; for I promyse yow your folk thynk that ye have forgetyn hem, and the most part of them must depart at Whytsontyd at the ferthest, they wyll no lenger abyd. And as for R. Calle, we can not get half a quarter the mony that we pay for the bare housold, besyd menys wagys. Daube nor I may no mor with owt coynage.

Your,

J. PASTON.

[Footnote 275.2: [From Fenn, iv. 330.] This letter appears by the
contents to have been written more than a week after Easter. The
year must be 1467, as the dispute with Yelverton touching Sir John
Fastolf’s will seems to have come to an end before the January
following (_see_ No. 680). In 1467 Easter Day fell on 29th March.]

[Footnote 276.1: _See_ Note 2, p. 270.]

[Footnote 276.2: Anne, second daughter of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn.]

[Footnote 276.3: Third daughter of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn.]

667

ABSTRACT[277.1]

[Sidenote: 1467 / MAY 1]

‘Bill indented’ 1 May, 7 Edw. IV., between Sir John Paston and Thomas Lomnor, whereby the latter sells to the former an ambling horse ‘upon this condition, that if the marriage betwixt the Lord Charles, son and heir to the Duke of Burgon, and the Lady Margaret, sister to our Sovereign Lord the King’ take effect within two years, Sir John agrees to pay 6 marks for the horse on the day of the marriage; but if it do not take effect within that period he will pay only 40 shillings.

[There is a modern copy of this document in the Heralds’ College, in
the collection called Brooke’s _Aspilogia_, vol. i. f. 47, where a
drawing is given of Sir John Paston’s seal, which seems to have been
attached to it when the transcript was made. It has been since
removed at some time or other.]

[Footnote 277.1: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 192.]]

668

THE DUKE OF NORFOLK TO SIR JOHN HOWARD[277.2]

THE DUC OF NORFFOLK.

[Sidenote: 1467 / MAY 18]

Rygth trusty and enteerly beloved cousyn I comaunde me to you with all myn herte. And lyke it you to wete that God hath vyset me with grete infirmite and dissease, wherthurgh I neyther can nor may at this season and comynge of the Bastard of Burgoyne attende to th’execucion off myn offyce, as my wyll and duete were to, in myn owne persone. Wherfor of verray necessite I must depute suche a person in all goodly hast to ocupye as my deputee and to have my full power undere me at that season as is bothe of byrthe honorable and one all other wyse lykly. How be it that of long tyme contynnuynge I have ben enured of your stedfaste and preved feythful good cosyngnage and tendyrnesse to me shewed unfeyned to my gret refute[278.1] and hertes ease at all seasons. Wiche emboldeth me to call uppon you now; and also remembrynge the honour of the offyce doynge and the neighnesse of blode that ye be of to me, I thenke no person so convenable to ocupye in myn absence as you. For myn excuse, therfore, I specyally pray you, as my feythfull truste is holy in you, to take the labour uppon you and to do theryn be your discrecion to the most honour of the kynge, the realme, and be lyke as I am asured that ye can and wyll, puttynge you in surete that I wull become tributary to your costes and charges in that behalve. And as for all suche duteis as schall belonge to me at that tyme by reason of myn offyce, I gyff theme you for parcell of your said costes; and at such tyme as ye and I and myn counsell mete next ye schal not fayle to be agreid with, to your pleasure for the residue, by Goddis grace, Wiche ever preserve you. And, cousyn, I sende you be the berer herof the double of this lettre, praying that ye will subscribe it with your owne hande and send it me a geyn be hym. Wryten under my signet the xviij. day of May.

_To my rigth trusty and rigth enteerly belovyd cousyn, Sir John
Howard, knygth._

And this letter is assigned with my lordes own hande.

[Footnote 277.2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 59.] The famous tournament
between Lord Scales and the Bastard of Burgundy took place at
Smithfield on the 11th and 12th June 1467. See _Excerpta
Historica_, 176. This paper is evidently a copy of the original
letter.]

[Footnote 278.1: _Sic_ in MS.]

[[Footnote 277.2: ... _Excerpta Historica_, 176.
_final . invisible_]]

669

SIR JOHN HOWARD[279.1]

[Sidenote: 1467 / JUNE]

This wrytenge made at London the vij^th yer of kyng Edward the iiij^th and the ----[279.2] day of June wytnessyth what Jakettes my master Sir John Howard geveth at the fytenge betwyx my Lord Scales and the Bastard of Burgoyne.

John Alpherde
Brome
William Noryse
Herry Straunge
Robert Cumberton
Hastynges
John Fowler
John Nyter
Thomas Moleyns
John Waleys
Robart Thorppe
John Bleaunt
Thomas Thorppe
Davy Horell
Robert Cooke
Robart Clerke
John Hobbes
Wynche
John Wady
William Fernwale
Raff Barlyscose
Thomas Seynclew
Whyttebye
Kechyn
John de Spayn
Jenyn Saunpere
John Kyngton
Lytell Edmond
John Coles
Thomas Mershe
Rechard Leder
John Gylder
Rechard Waleys
Ravenysbye
Thomas a Chambre
Thomas Whytenge
Thomas Grymston
Roger Jewell
Colson
John Squyre[279.3]
Scarlett[279.3]
William West[279.4]
John Dykynson
Thomas Bowden
William Denny
John Starkeweder
George Hardwyn
Thomas Caunterbury
Dyott
Robart Messeden
John Mynshe
Richard Pulton
John Wakeleyn
Nicholas Shakerley
Hew Flynte
Thomas Newton
William Clerke
Robart Nosbet
Herry Nudygate
William Yngram
John Brodebryge
Aleyn Cowper
Rechard Roger
Herry Cooke
Edward Holman
Rechard Halbroke[280.1]
Robart Sleper
John Cheynour
John Hylle

[Footnote 279.1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 61.]]

[Footnote 279.2: Blank in MS.]

[Footnote 279.3: These two names, John Squyre and Scarlett, are
bracketed together, and the name ‘Alford’ written opposite.]

[Footnote 279.4: Opposite this name is written ‘Wal’ in the
margin.]

[Footnote 280.1: Opposite this name is written ‘chad’ in the
margin.]

670

JAMES GRESHAM TO SIMON DAMME[280.2]

_To my worshipfull cosyn, Symond Damme, [at] Lyncoln Inne, at London, [be] this delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1467(?) / JULY 2]

Right worshipfull sir, and as in my trost my veray speciall good maister, I recomande me to you with al the servyce I can and may. Lyke it you to wytte that I have do my bysynes to enquere for suyche dedes as ye wrot for on to me, and, so God me helpe, I can not wytte where I shuld spede to have ony suyche dedes. I spak to a persone that is your good lover, the whiche tolde me that ther was a gret plee bytwene my Lord of Suffolk and Sir John Fastolf for the maner of Drayton, for whiche matier William Wysetre was sent to enquere for evydencez touchyng the Pooles lyvelond in suyche places as thei were lords of in their dayes. And the seid Wysetre fonde evydencez that touched a maner called Mundham maner, sum tyme longyng to the Pooles that were owenners of Drayton, the whiche evydences eased meche Sir John Fastolf; but the seid persone that enfourmed me of this can not telle the armes, ne what evydencez tho shuld be in certeyn, savyng he thynkyth indoubted that William Worcetre shuld not be unremembred of this. Wherfore it is thought to the same persone that enfourmed me of this and by me also, that it shuld be expedyent for you to comune of this matier by your wysdam with the same William Wysetre, now beyng at London, for he by lyklyhod can telle you a certeynte. And as touchyng my maister, Sir Thomas Mongomery, I trost veryly that he nothyr hath ne shall have cause of grudger by my defaut, for I can not understond ony cause of grudger; for ever whanne my cosyn Damme[281.1] hath spoken with my seid maisters attourne to have knowelage by writyng of what thyng shuld be the cause of callyng on you, he answerith that my maister, W. Paston, hath a bille therof, but my cosyn can non gete. Wherfor I deme that the seid attourne meneth not weel. I entende noon other but in als meche as in me is to se your indempnyte with the grace of God, who ever mote be your guyde and protector. Wretyn at Norwich the ij. day of Juylle.

Your servaunt in that he can and may to his powar,

I, JAMES GRESHAM.

Cosyn, an noon after this was wretyn, had I knowelage of the massageris comyng to London berar of this, and I had thought to have wretyn the letter above wretyn newe, by cause of the foule wrytyng and interlynyeng, but now I lakke leyser. Wherfor I pray you understond the pyth of my seid wrytyng, and enfourme my seid maister Sir John P. of the same, for I wold fayne do that shulde please hym, &c. And the persone that enfourmed me dar not be a knowe of his name, ne he wold not it shuld be understond to them that be of counsell ageyn my maister. It was the parson of Heylesdon, &c. More over, as I have wretyn to you of late, Palmer, undershireve of Norffolk, hath sent his letter to his depute to acomplyssh our entent for Chyldes matier as ye and I were accordet. This told Wykes me for verray certeyn, &c., the ij. day of Juylle.

On the back of this letter are some scribblings in another hand,
viz.:--First, a partial copy of the address; second, the name ‘John
Dode’; third, the following inscription, ‘Orate pro anima Johnnes
(_sic_) de Boys _armenger_ de Londonn.’

[Footnote 280.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As this letter has
reference to the disputes between the Duke of Suffolk and the
Paston family about Drayton, it might be supposed to have been
written about the year 1464, but that the entire absence of any
mention of John Paston the father makes it probable that the true
date is after his death. It is therefore not unlikely to be of the
same year as No. 671, in which Margaret Paston mentions the
probability of Hellesdon being taken again out of their hands, and
also desires an answer to a letter that she had sent to her son,
Sir John, ‘by James Gresham’s man.’]

[Footnote 281.1: As it appears by the postscript that this letter
was hurriedly despatched, we may perhaps presume that it was
intended in the first instance for Sir John Paston, but that as
‘my cousin Damme’ required to be informed of the same particulars,
it was afterwards addressed to him, with instructions to
communicate the contents to Sir John.]

671

MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[282.1]

_To Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delivered in hast._

[Sidenote: 1467 / JULY 11]

I grete you wele, and send you Godds blissyng and myn, letyng you wete that Blykklyng of Heylesdon came fro London this weke, and he is right mery, and maketh his bost that with in this fourtnyght at Heylesdon shuld be bothe new lords and new officers. And also this day was brought me word fro Caystr that Rysyng of Freton shuld have herd seid in diverse places, ther as he was in Suffolk, that Fastolf of Coughawe maketh all the strenght that he may, and proposith hym to assaught Caystr, and to entre ther if he may, in samych that it is seyd that he hath a v. score men redy, and sendyth dayly aspies to understand what felesshep kepe the place. Be whos power, or favour, or supportacion that he wull do this, I knowe not; but ye wote wele that I have ben affrayd ther befor this tyme, whan that I had other comfort than I have now, and I can not wele gide ner rewle sodyours, and also thei set not be a woman as thei shuld set be a man. Therfor I wold ye shuld send home your brothers, or ell[es] Dawbenye, to have a rewle, and to takyn in such men as wer necessary for the saffegard of the place; for if I wer ther withought I had the mor sadder or wurchepfull persones abought me, and ther comyn a meny of knavys, and prevaylled in ther entent, it shuld be to me but a vylney. And I have ben abought my liffelode to set a rewle ther in, as I have wretyn to you, which is not yet all performed after myn desyre, and I wuld not goo to Caystr till I had don. I wull no mor days make ther abowtyn if I may; therfor in any wyse send sume body home to kepe the place, and whan that I have do and performed that I have be gunne, I shall purpose me thederward if I shuld do ther any good, and ell[es] I had lever be thens.

I have sent to Nicholas, and such as kepe the place, that thei shuld takyn in sume feles [_fellows_] to assiste and strengh them till ye send hame sume other word, or sume other man to governe them that ben therin, &c.

I marvayll gretly that ye send me no word how that ye do, for your elmyse [_enemies_] begynne to wax right bold, and that puttith your frends bothyn in grete fere and dought. Therfor purvey that thei may have sume comfort, that thei be no more discoraged; for if we lese our frends, it shall hard in this troubelous werd [_world_] to kete them ageyn.

The blissid Trynyte spede you in your mater, and send you the victory of your elmyse, to your herts eas and ther confusyon. Wretyn at Norwich, the Saterday next befor Relyke Sonday,[283.1] in hast.

I pray you remembre wele the maters that I wrote to you for in the letter that ye had be James Greshames man, and send me an answer ther of be the next man that comyth, &c.

Be your moder,

M. P.

[Footnote 282.1: [From Fenn, iv. 294.] This letter must have been
written some time after Sir John Paston had obtained possession of
Caister by virtue of the King’s warrant of the 17th July 1466
(No. 641), and before the Duke of Norfolk laid claim to it again
in 1469. Thus the date is certainly either 1467 or 1468. But in
the latter year Sir John Paston and his brother were both in
Flanders at the marriage of the Princess Margaret to the Duke of
Burgundy; and Daubeney could not have been with them, as he was
when this letter was written, for John Paston the younger says he
had sent him five shillings by Calle’s man. Thus 1467 appears to
be the only year possible.]

[Footnote 283.1: Relic Sunday (the third Sunday after Midsummer
Day) was the 12th July in 1467.]

672

DECLARATION OF SIR THOMAS HOWYS[284.1]

[Sidenote: 1467 / JULY 21]

Be it knowen to all men that this present wrytyng shall rede, see, or hyre. Forasmoche as I understande nowe late ther ys a newe contryved processe concernyng the variaunce uppon my maister Sir John Fastolf is testament and last will, whos soule God assoyle, made by Sir John Paston, Knyght, and his counsell in the seyd Pastons name and myne, ayenste Sir William Yelverton, Knyght, and William Worcetter, that is exhibited and putte in my lordys courte of Audience be fore his auditoure, me unwetyng or assentyng, in the vigille of Seint John Baptiste; in wheche processe ys surmyttyd and made mencion that William Worcetter in his owne persone, and by others in his name, hathe promysed and gevyn money to corupte certayne wytnesse to depose untreuly in a processe exhibit in John Pastons lyf tyme by Sir William Yelverton, Knyght, the sayd William Wissetter ayenste John Paston decesed and me; and wheche witnesse were Stephan Scrope, Squier, Richard Fastolf, gentilman, Thomas Neve, gentilman, William Boswell, clerk, John Monke, Nicholas Churche, John Rugge, John Daunson, Richard Horne, Thomas Pykeryng, Harry Clerk, John Tobye, Thomas Hart, Thomas Neuton, John Gyrdyng, Thomas Spycer, and others, frome the moneth of August into the moneth of March, the yere of Cryst M^{il.}CCCClxv., yn Yermouthe, Castre, Fretenham, Bloofeld, Thetford, Brundale, Wroxham, Borough, Southetoune, Yermouthe, Gorleston, Suthewerk, Norwych, and London; so they to be corupted in all the forseyd named tounes wyth prayer, price, and money to hem promised and gevyn, be syd har expences, her costs, and her labours, to be conducted to depose with Sir William Yelverton and William Worcetter partye ayenste the seyd John Paston and mee: I the sayd Thomas Howys so made partye, and unwetyng and assentyng, a yenste the [said][284.2] Sir William Yelverton and William Worcestre, sey and afferme for trouth in this matyer to be knowen, that for declaracion of trouth in this processe and mater, and for the discharge of my conscience and the trewe acquietall to my sayd Master Fastolf that putte me in grettyst charge of hys testament, and for grete remorse I have in my soule of the untrewe forgyng and contryvyng certayne testamentes and last wyll by naked wordes in my sayd Maister Fastolf name aftyr he was desesyd; y, in the name of the seyd Sir William Yelverton and William Worcetter, required and prayed the sayd above named witnesse and alle other wytnesse produced in Sir William Yelverton and William Wyssetter name before that tyme, excepte the forsayd Stephan Scrope, Esquier, and Richard Fastolf, to come to London, and appere in my lords house of audience before his auditour, and there to say, depose, and witnesse the trouthe as they knewe in especiall, in the absense of John Russe, Sir Robert Cotiler, late vycar of Castre, Robert Botyler beyng oute of the chamber of Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, there he lay seke in his maner of Castre, the Saterdaye next before the seid Sir John Fastolf discesyd, namely, from viij. tylle xj. atte belle affore mydday, and present in other placez, where diverse of the sayd named wytnesse and diverse other witnesse sawe ham. And the sayd Worcestre nother promysed ne yave hem gode, money, nother reward, neyther relessed no debtes, not soo nought payed not for har costes, nother dispenses by the wey comyng to London, taryeng, ne returnyng a yen, that lawe and reson wold understonde the sayd witnesse ought have for har costes and labours, weche was payed by my handes, I beyng present dayly and tymely diverse tymes most conversaunt at Jermuth wyth hem; and in especiall whan they taryed more than xxiiij. dayes in London or they coude be examyned; and I knowe well the sayd Sir William Yelverton, nouther the seyd William Worcestre promysed ne payed no maner money ne godes worth, nouther relessyng har dutes, yf any they axed they knowe yt not, as the seyd named witnesse wylle sey and certyfye the trouth. And as for ij. witnesse called Bunch and Shave, lete hem be examynyd, yf the seyd Sir William or William Worcestre fyrst procured, moved, or excited hem at Yermouth, or any other place, to come to London to depose in the said maters, or promysed or payed hem ony money, or any man for ham promysed or payed; and yf they be of trewe disposicion, they woll discharge the seyd Sir William Yelverton and William Worcestre, for ther was none in especiall but I, that labored hem alle to come to London to my lordis audience yn the seyd Yelvertons and Worcestre names; but I pryncipally required them to depose treuly as they knewe, be the owte promyse, mede, rewarde, or money, yn the discharge of my conscience, and for the trouthe of the mater to be knowen to all the worlde, as I am redy to preve, whyle God lendeth me lyffe, and yn the same quarell to dye. And I evyr seth that I understode the seyd John Paston is untrewe demenyng in the contryvynge of my Maister Fastolf testament and last wille, and was compellyd to appere before my lord ys auditour at Lambyth, to be sworn atte my ffree will to declar the trouth of my seyd maister trewe testament and last wyll befor my seyd Lord of Canturbury is auditur of his courte of audience, I nevyr varyed ne held aftyr wyth John Paston, but alwey have ben stedfast wyth the processe that I have enfourmed my Lord of Canterbury, and divers others astates also in like wyse have declared to the sayd Sir William Yelverton and William Worcestre to precede, and soo evyr woll be stedfaste. And in witness for trouth, I sele this declaracion wyth my signet, and subscrybe it wyth my hand and name, in presence of Maister John Prentyse, Sir Edmond Hall, John Smyth, John Robynson, Thomas Hoore, John Bullok, and Richard Batilmewe, the xxj^th day of Jule the yer of Crist M^{il.}CCCC^mo lxvijº.

T. HOWYS.

[Footnote 284.1: [From a MS. in the tower of Magd. Coll.,
Oxford.]]

[Footnote 284.2: Omitted in MS.]

673

JOHN PASTON TO HIS MOTHER[287.1]

[Sidenote: 1467(?)]

Ryght worchepfull modyr, I recomand me onto you, lowly besechyng yow of your blyssyng. Plesyt yow to we [_sic_] that my brodyr and I be in good hele, blyssyd be God, and all our felawshep; and as for me I tryst to God to . . . yow by Halowmes or within iiij. dayes aftyr at the ferthest; at whyche tyme I tryst to fynd the menys . . . dyscharge yow of syche folk as ye kepe of my brodyrs, and that must I do by myn owne menys; for as for my brodyr, by my trowthe he is not of power to do it; for this I ensure yow, so God help me, he hathe at thys season not a peny in hys purs, nor wotys not wher to get eny. And as for Bekham I warant, and ye wyll send the plate whych ye and I comond of for to helpe to paye hys dettis, and for to swe forthe for hys jwgement thys terme, it sholl neythyr be morgagyd nor sold. Wherfor, modyr, I and he bothe beseche yow that ye wyll send hym the plate by Jwde; or ellys, so God help me, I wot not how he shall do; for by the feythe that I ow to God he lokyth every day to be arestyd, and so I wene he sholl, so God helpe me. Jwde had ned to be sped hastyly lest syche arestys falle in the tyme. And as for my Lord of Norffolk, it is promysed me to have hys good lordshep, but I must tery a whylle, as my Lady told yow, for the maners sake. And as for tydynges her, so God help, neythyr the Kyng nor the Lordis can as yet undyrstand no serteynte, whedyr they shall go togedyr ayen by the werre or not. When I here the serteynte I shall send yow word. Ye may send mony by Jwde for my sustyr Annys hood and for the tepet of sersenet, viij_s._ a yerd of damask and v_s._ for sarsenet; hyr hood wyll take iij. quarters. No mor for lak of leyser, but I pray God send yow your hertis desyir and othyr pore folys thers.

Your sone and humbyll servant,

J. PASTON.

[Footnote 287.1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 196.] The date of this
letter is difficult to fix, but from the two brothers being
together (which was rather a rare occurrence), and both in good
health, the summer of 1467 seems not improbable. (_See_ No. 671.)
The date must at least be earlier than Nov. 1469, when Sir John
Paston, as we shall hereafter find, actually executed an indenture
for the sale of East Beckham. It seems quite impossible, moreover,
that this letter can be of the year 1469.]

674

SIR JOHN PASTON TO LORD BEAUCHAMP[288.1]

_To the Lord Bechampe_[288.2]

And forasmuch as I am credibly enformed that my lord of Winchestre hath sent to you desiring that ye shold ensele dyvers writinges of graunt and relesse of your estat in alle such maners, londes and tenementes as late wer of J. Fastolf knyght, and wheryn ye togider with other be jointly enfeffed to th’ use of the seid J. Fastolf, I, considering the honorable disposition and great sadnesse of my seid lord of Winchestre which[288.3] hath now taken upon [him][288.4] th’ administracion of testament of the seid J. F., trusting veryly that my seid lord wol as conscience requireth consider my title and interest in that behalf, praie you right hertely that not withstonding any labour or mocion on my part or for me in tyme passed made to you to ensele any writyng of graunt or relesse of your seid estat to me or to myn use, that ye wol now ensele and perfourme the entent and desir of my seid lord of Winchestre now made unto you.

SIR JOHN PASTON, K.

_Indorsed:_ Dominus de Bewchamp.

[Footnote 288.1: [Add. MS. 35,251, f. 25, B.M.] This letter
apparently was written in 1467, probably in August, just before
No. 675. The original is a corrected draft.]

[Footnote 288.2: This address is written in the margin, with a
note a little way below: ‘To myn oncle Wylliam in lyke forme.’]

[Footnote 288.3: Here occurs an interlineation of an incomplete
clause: ‘is feffe of the seid---- (_word crossed out_) and also
therein and----.’]

[Footnote 288.4: Omitted in MS.]

675

NOTE

The following is an extract from ‘An Index to Deeds and Writings in the Tower, Magdalen College, Oxford’:--

_Documents relating to Norf. and Suffolk, No. 47._

[Sidenote: 1467 / AUG. 28]

‘Thomas Archiep. Cant., Willielmus Episcopus Winton., et Johannes Beauchamp dominus de Beauchamp, juxta formam barganiæ et effectum ultimæ voluntatis Johannis Fastolf in curia Audientiæ, &c., concedunt Johanni Paston militi totum jus in maneriis de Castre vocatis Vaux, Bosoms, et Redhams, Spensers in Heringby, Reggisley, Reps, cum aliis terris in diversis villis; necnon in manerio de Guton cum advocatione ecclesiæ de Heinford in Saxthorp vocat. Loundhall, cum aliis terris in diversis villis, et in manerio de Caldecots et Akethorp, Spitlings, Habeland, &c., habit, ex feoffamento Rad. dom. de Sudley et aliorum.

Aug. 28. Edw. IV. 7.’

676

ABSTRACT[289.1]

[Sidenote: 1467 / AUG. 31]

A small slip of paper close written on both sides with accounts of wages. In the margin on one side is the name John Braham, with the memorandum, ‘Thys wrytynge, made the iiij^th yere of Kynge Edward the iiij^th, and in the monyth of Novembre, wytnessez of the wagez that my master payith to his men.’ A blank seems to have been left below this at first, but it was afterwards filled up in a different hand: ‘Memorandum that the v^e yer of Kyng Edward the iiij^e I rekenyd wyth my master at Stoke; and on the v. day of Aprylle for the yerys that I have be wyth my mastyr, whesche shal be at Hocke Monday next cumyng v^e yer and an halfe; for the whesche yerys I have reseyvyd at sondery tymeys v_li._ and iiij_s._, and thys seyd v. day I reseyvyd of my master v. marcs.’

On the other side, in the first hand, is an account extending from the 11th April, 5 Edw. IV. (1465) to the last day of August, 7 Edw. IV. (1467), of payments to a female named Rose,[289.2] for wages by ‘my master,’ Braham and Thorpe. These sums vary from 3_s._ 4_d._ to 8_s._ 4_d._, at a time; but there are also two items for presents made to her, viz. for 4 ells of Holland cloth at 8½_d._ the ell, 2_s._ 10½_d._, and for a pair of hosen, 12_d._ On the 7th Oct. 6 Edw. IV. (1466) it is said, ‘My master toke her for wages at Stoke, 5_s._’

[Footnote 289.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 289.2: It appears by other letters that she was a
servant ‘dwelling before Mrs. Paston’s gate.’]

677

NOTE

The following is another extract from the Index referred to in No. 675:--

[Sidenote: 1467 / OCT. 2]

‘12. Concessio Joh. Paston militis Johanni Duci Norfolk et aliis manerii sui vocati Hemnales in Cotton in Com.’ Suff., ac manerii sui de Haynford, et advocationis ecclesiæ ejusdem in Com.’ Norff., habit’ ex dono Th. Archiepisc. Cant. et Willielmi Episc. Wynton., cum littera attor. ad deliberandum seisinam. Oct. 2. Edw. IV. 7.’

678

ABSTRACT[290.1]

PETITION OF JOHN HERLYNG OF BASYNGHAM TO ‘LADY’ PASTON

[Sidenote: 1467 or later]

Requests ‘her Highness’ to confirm some grants of her late husband to him of land at Basyngham. William Swan claims, and has taken from him 2 perches of ground in breadth near his (Swan’s) gate, which has always been parcel of Herlyng’s tenement of Greyve’s during his and his father’s time. John Pykerell, too, has made mean to the Abbot of St. Benet’s to remove a boundary stone which has stood there sixty years. Pykerell also took the writer’s horse and used it in his field without leave, on Friday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 6 Edw. IV., which made the beast unserviceable till Fastegong next following. Pykerell has also done him other injuries.

[As this petition refers to the ‘Fastegong’ or Shrovetide after
Holy-Rood Day 6 Edw. IV. as a past date, it cannot have been drawn
up earlier than the year 1467. The manor of Basingham, in Norfolk,
belonged to the Mauteby family, and came to John Paston by marriage.
This paper, therefore, was addressed to his widow Margaret.]

[Footnote 290.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

679

CECILY DAWNE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[291.1]

_To the right worshipfull, and with my faithful hert and service full entyerly beloved gode maister, Sir John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1463-7 / NOV. 3]