Chapter II: Part 2

I recomawnde me to your good mastreschep, besechyng yow in the weye of charyte, and as I maye be your bedeman and servaunt, that ye wyll lete me have wetyng hoghe I maye be rewelyd ageyns the next schyer. It is seyd that ther xal be mych more pepyll than was the last; and also if I be in my Ladys place, or in ony other in the town, I xall be takyn owte. Also, mastres, that my Maystyr Radclyffs xal take all my catell and all other pore good that I have, and so but I maye have helpe of my mayster and of yow, I am but lost. Also my servaunt Maryot wyll go fro my wyfe to my ryght gret hurte. Wherfore, mastres, I besech your help in all thes, and I xal content the costs as ye xall be plesyd, be the grace of God, hoo ever preserve yow, &c.

Also, mastres, I can not be with owte your contynuall help, but I must selle or lete to ferme all that I have.

Mastres, my Lady sent to Cawnbrygg for a doctour of fesyk. If ye wyll ony thyng with hym, he xal abyde this daye and to morwe. He is ryght a konnyng man and gentyll.

[Footnote 21.1: [From Fenn, iv. 104.] This letter appears to have
been addressed to Margaret Paston at a period when her husband was
a man of some influence, and perhaps the year 1461 is not far from
the true date. It is not unlikely to have been written about the
same time as No. 500, which also refers to a meeting at the shire
or county court.]

502

ELIZABETH MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON[22.1]

_To my right worchipfull sir, and my right good neveu, John Paston, Squyer, be this lettre delyvered, &c._

[Sidenote: 1461-6]

Right worchipfull sir, and my right good neveu, I recomand me un to you with all myn herte. Plece it you to undyrstande the grete nessessyte of my wrytyng to you is this, that ther was made an exchaunge be the graunsyre of my hosbonds Mundeford, un hose sowle God have mercy, of the maner of Gressenale with the aunsetrys of Rows for the maner of Estlexham, the qwych is parte of my juntor, and my grauntfadyr Mundeford recoweryd the said maner of Estlexham be assyze[22.2] a geyne the aunsetrys of Rows, and so madyt clere; and nowe have Edmund Rows[22.3] claymyt the seyd maner of Estlexham be the verteu of a tayle [_an entail_], and hathe takyn possesseon, and made a feffement to my Lord of Warewyke,[22.4] and Water Gorge,[22.5] and to Curde.[22.6] And un Fryday be for Seynt Walentyne is Day Water Gorge and Curde enteryd and toke possessyon for my seyd Lord of Warewyke, and so bothe the forseyd manerys were ontayled, and at the tyme of the exchaunge made, the tayles and evydens of bothe for seyd manerys were delyvered un to the partyes indeferently be the avyse of men lernyd. Qwerfor I beshech you that it plese you to take the grete labor upon you to informe my Lordys good Lordchep of the trowthe in the forme a bowyn wreten, and that it plese you to undyrstand qwedyr that my Lord wyll a byde be the feffment made to hym or not; and that it shall plese my Lord that I may have right as lawe requeryt, for I trust to God be soche tyme as my Lord shall be informyd of the trowthe be you, that hese Lordchip wyll not supportt the forseyd Rows a geyne my right. And if I hadde very undyrstandyng that my Lord would take no parte in the mater a bowe seyd, I would trust to Godds mersy, and to you, and other of my good fryndes, to have possession a geyne in right hasty tyme, beshechyng you to pardon me of my symple wrytyng, for hadde no leyser. Right worchipfull and my right good neveu, I beshech the Blyssed Trenyte have you in Hese gracyous kepyng.

Wreten at Norwych in gret hast, the Tewysday aftyr Seynt Walentyne is Day.

Youre ouyn,

ELIZABETH MUNDEFORD.[23.1]

[Footnote 22.1: [From Fenn, iv. 108.] The date of this letter must
lie between the years 1461 and 1466. The writer’s husband, who is
spoken of as dead, was put to death in June 1460, and John Paston,
the person addressed, died in May 1466.]

[Footnote 22.2: Assize is a writ directed to the sheriff of the
county for recovery of the possession of things immovable, whereof
yourself or ancestors have been dispossessed.--F.]

[Footnote 22.3: Edmund Rous was second son of Henry Rous, Esq. of
Dennington, in Suffolk, the ancestor of the present Earl of
Stradbroke.]

[Footnote 22.4: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.]

[Footnote 22.5: Walter Gorges, Esq., married Mary, the daughter
and heir of Sir William Oldhall, and was at this time Lord of the
Manor of Oldhall, in Great Fransham. He died in 1466. His son and
heir, Sir Edmund Gorges, afterwards married a daughter of Sir John
Howard, Knight, the first Duke of Norfolk of that family.--F.]

[Footnote 22.6: John Curde was Lord of the Manor of Curde’s Hall,
in Fransham.--F.]

[Footnote 23.1: Elizabeth Mundeford was the widow of Osbert
Mundeford, Esq. of Hockwold, in Norfolk, and was daughter of John
Berney, Esq., by which means she was aunt to J. Paston.--F.]

503

SIR ROBERT WILLIAMSON TO AGNES PASTON[23.2]

_To my right reverent mastras, Agnes Paston, be this lettre delyveryd in haste._

[Sidenote: 1460-4]

Rygh wurchepful mastres, I recomaund me un to yow, thankyng yow of the gret chere that ze made me the last tyme that I was with zow. Mastres, in alle zour godys and ocupacyons that lyth in my simpil power to do in wurd, wil and dede, I have do my dylygens and my power therto, so I be savyd be fore God, and have owyn to your person ryght herty love; for the qwych I am ryght ille aqwyt, and it be as I understande yt; for it is do me to wete that I am swid with mor of my paryshchons for a reskuse makyng up on the offycers of the shrewys [_sheriff_], and I take God to record that it is wrongfully do on to us. And the gret fray that the [_they_] mad in the tyme of masse it ravyched my witts and mad me ful hevyly dysposyd. I pray Jesu gef hem grace to repent hem therof that the [_they_] that caused it may stand out of perel of soule.

Maystras, at the reverens of God, and as evyr I may do servyce that may be plesyng on to yow, send me justyly wurd be the brynger of this bylle ho ze wil that I be gydyd; for it is told me that if I be take I may no other remedy havyn but streyth to prison. For the whiche I have sold away xx_s._ wurth of stuffe; and the reswd [_residue_] of my stuff, I have put it in swier hande, for trwly I wil not abyde the joparte of the swth,--I have levir to go as far as my fet may ber me. Nevir the less as ze komand me to do, so it be not to my gret hurt, I wil fulfille it. Nomor to zow at this tyme, but God send yow that grace that ze may kome to His blyss.

Wreten at Bromholm in gret haste,

Be your

Sir ROBERT WILLYAMSON.

[Footnote 23.2: [From Fenn, iii. 48.] The writer of this letter
was Vicar of Paston from 1460 to 1464, and as he dates from
Bromholm, which is in the immediate neighbourhood of Paston, we
may presume that it was written during the time he held that
benefice.]

504

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[24.1]

_To my ryth worchepfull husbond, John Paston, be thys delyveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1462 / JAN. 7]

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet that I sent yow a lettyr by my cosyn Barneys man of Wychyngham wyche was wretyn on Seynt Thomas Day in Crystmas,[24.2] and I had no tydyngys nor lettyr of yow sene the wek before Crystmas; wher of I mervayle sore. I fere me it is not well with yow be cawse ye came not home or sent er thys tyme. I hopyd verily ye schold have ben at home by Twelthe at the ferthest. I pray yow hertly that ye wole wychesave to send me word how ye do as hastly as ye may, for my hert schall nevyr be in ese tyll I have tydyngys fro yow. Pepyll of this contre begynyth to wax wyld, and it is seyd her that my Lord of Clarans and the Dwek of Suthfolk and serteyn jwgys with hem schold come downe and syt on syche pepyll as be noysyd ryotous in thys contre. And also it is seyd here, that there is retornyd a newe rescwe up on that that was do at the scher. I suppose swyche talkynge comyth of false schrewys that wold mak a rwmor in this contre. The pepyll seyth here that they had levyr go up hole to the Kynge and compleyne of siche false screwys as they have be wrongyd by a fore, than they schold be compleynyd of with owt cause and be hangyd at ther owne dorys. In good feyth men fere sore here of a comone rysyng but if [_i.e._ unless] a bettyr remedy may be had to a pese the pepyll in hast, and that ther be sent swyche downe to tak a rewyll as the pepyll hathe a fantsy in, that wole be indeferent. They love not in no wyse the Dwke of Sowthfolk nor hys modyr. They sey that all the tretourys and extorsyonerys of thys contre be meynteynyd by them and by syche as they get to them with her goodys, to that intent to meynten suche extorsyon style as hathe be do by suche as hathe had the rewyll undyr them be fore tyme. Men wene, and the Dwke of Sowthfolk come ther scholl be a schrewd reuell but if [_unless_] ther come odyr that be bettyr belovyd than he is here. The pepyll feryth hem myche the more to be hurt, because that ye and my cosyn Barney come not home; they sey they wot welle it is not well with yow and if it be not well with yow, they sey they wot well, they that wole do yow wronge wole sone do them wronge, and that makyth them all most mad. God for Hys holy mersy geve grace that ther may be set a good rewyll and a sad in this contre in hast, for I herd nevyr sey of so myche robry and manslawter in thys contre as is now within a lytyll tyme. And as for gadyryng of mony, I sey nevyr a werse seson, for Rychard Calle seyth he can get but lytyll in substans of that is owyng, nowthyr of yowyr lyvelod nor of Fastolfys th’eyr. And John Paston seyth, they that may pay best they pay werst; they fare as thow they hopyd to have a newe werd [_world_]. And the blyssyd Trinite have yow in Hys kepyng and send us good tydyngys of yow.

Yelverton is a good thredbare frend for yow and for odyr in thys contre, as it is told me.

Wretyn in hast on the Thorsday nex aftyr Twelthe.

By yowyr

MARGARET PASTON.

[Footnote 24.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The contents of this
letter clearly show that it was written in January 1462, nine days
after No. 497.]

[Footnote 24.2: _See_ No. 497.]

505

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[26.1]

[Sidenote: 1462 / JAN. 27]

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet that Perse was delyveryd owt [of] preson by the generall pardon that the Kynge hathe grantyd, whyche was opynly proclamyd in the Gyld Hall. A none as he was delyveryd he cam hedyr to me, God wote in an evyll plyte, and he desyiryd me wepyng that I wold be hys good mastres and to be mene to yow to be hys good mastyr, and swore sore that he was nevyr defawty in that ye have thowte hym defawty in. He seyd that if ther wer ony coyne in the cofyr that was at Wylliam Tavernerys it was ther withowt hys knowlage, for hys mastyr wold nevyr lat hym se what was in that cofyr, and he told me that the keyis wer sent to Thomas Holler[26.2] by mastyr John Smyth. What Holler leyd in or took owte he wot not as he sweryth. He offyrd me to be rewlyd as ye and I wold have hym, and if I wold comand hym, to go ageyn to preson, whedyr I wold to the Castyll or to the Gyld Hall, he wold obey my comandment. And seth that he came of hys owne fre wyll withowt ony comandment of ony man or desyir, I seyd I wold not send hym ageyn to preson, so that he wold abyde yowyr rewyll when ye came home. And so he is here with me and schall be tyll ye send me word how ye wole that I do with hym. Where fore, I pray yow that ye wole lete me have knowlage in hast how ye wole that I do with hym.

Item, I have spok with John Dame and Playter for the lettyr testymonyall, and John Dame hathe promysyd to get it, and Playter schall bryng it to yow to London. Item, I have purveyd yow of a man that schall be here in Barsamys sted and ye wole, the wyche can bettyr cherysch yowyr wood, bothe in fellyng and fensyng there of than Barsam can; and he schall mak yow as many hyrdyllys as ye nede for yowyr fold, of yowyr owne wood at Drayton, and schall tak as lytyll to hys wagys as Barsam dothe; and he is holdyn a trew man. Item, Playter schall tell yow of a woman that compleynyd to the Dwk of Sowthefolk of yow, and the sey[d] Playter schall tell yow of the demenyng and answeryng of the scheryfe for yow, and also of the demenyng of the seyd Dwke, and of othir materys the wyche wer to longe mater to put in wryttyn. The pepyll of that kontre be ryth glad that the day yed [_went_] with yow on Monday as it ded. Ye wer nevyr so welcome in to Norfolk as ye schall be when ye come home, I trowe. And the blyssyd Trynyte have yow in Hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on Wednysday next aftyr Seynt Augnet the Fyrst.

By yowyr M. P.

Item, Ric. Calle told me that he hathe sent you a answer of all erands that ye wold shuld be do to Sir Thomas Howes. Sir Thomas Howes cam nowther to me nor sent syn that he cam home from London.

Will Worceter was at me in Cristemes at Heylysdon, and he told [me] that he spake with you dyvers tymys at London the last terme; and he told me that he hopyd that ye wolle be hys good master, and seyd he hopyd ye shuld have non other cause but for to be hys god maister. I hope and so do my moder and my cosyn Clere, that he wolle do well inowe, so that he be fayre fare with Dawbeney and Playter. Avise me to lete Peers go at large and to take a promys of hym to com to me a mong unto your comyng hom, and in the mene while his demenyng may be knowyn and espyed in mo thyngs.

[Footnote 26.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter relates to
the prisoner Piers mentioned in Nos. 423, 424, and 426. He seems
to have been delivered by a general pardon issued at the
commencement of the reign of Edward IV. The letter bears no
address. It is endorsed, but in a much later hand:-- ‘A lettre
to J. Paston, Ar., from his wife.’]

[Footnote 26.2: He was John Berney’s executor.]

506

JOHN DOWBIGGING TO JOHN PASTON[28.1]

_To the ryght reverent and worship sir, John Paston, sum tyme Lord of Gresham, and now fermour therof, as hit is seide._

Perys of Legh come to Lynne opon Cristynmesse Even in the fresshest wise, and there he dyned so as was; bot when my Lorde of Oxenforde herde hereof he with his feliship and suche as I and other your presoneres come rydyng unto Lynne, and even unto the Bysshop gaole where the seid Perys dyned with other of his feliship. My Lorde pulled hym oute of the seid gaole and made to kest hym opon an horse, and tyed an halter by his arme, and so ledde hym furth like hym selff. And even furthwith the seid Bysshop, the Mair, and other their feliship mette with my seide Lorde and your presoneres, and also the seide Perys tyed by an halter, the Bysshop havyng thies wordes unto my Lorde with his pillion[28.2] in his handes, ‘My Lordes, this is a presoner, ye may knowe by his tepet and staff. What will ye do with hym?’ Therto my Lorde seide, ‘He is my presoner nowe.’ Wherto the Bysshop seid, ‘Where is youre warraunt or commission therto?’ My Lorde seide, ‘I have warraunt sufficiaunt to me.’ And thus they departed, the Mair and all the cominaltie of Lynne kepyng theire silence. Bot when we weren goon, and Perys of Legh fast in Rysyng Castell, then the yates of Lynne, by the Bysshop comaundement weren fast sperred [_shut_] and keped with men of armes. And then the Bysshop and his squyers rebuked the Mair of Lynne and seid that he hade shamed both hym and his toun for ever, with muche other langage, &c.

The Bysshop shulde have keped his Cristenmesse at Gaywode, bot yet he come not oute of Lynne. In faith, my Lorde dyd quyte hym als curageousely as ever I wist man do. The Bysshop come to the toun with lx. persones the same tyme, and made to sper the yates after hym, bot when we mette, ther bode not with hym over xij. persones atte the most, with his serjaunt of armes; whiche serjaunt was fayn to lay doun his mase; and so atte the same yates we come in we went oute, and no blode drawen, God be thanked.

Yf ye will any thyng atte I may do, send me worde; hit shall be doon to my power, &c. Comaunde me to my maistresse your wyff, &c. And yf ye dar joperdie your suyrtie of C. marc I shall come and se you. And elles have me excused, for, &c.

From your oune,

JOHN DOUEBIGGYNG.

[Footnote 28.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is evidently
earlier in date than the last, and may perhaps have been written
at the close of the year 1460, but as it refers to the same
prisoner as the preceding No. we place it here for convenience. It
is printed in the fifth volume of Fenn’s edition as a letter of
Henry VII.’s time owing to a misreading of the address, which
might easily convey the impression that it was directed to ‘Sir
John Paston.’]

[Footnote 28.2: The hat worn by a Doctor of Divinity.]

[[ye may knowe by his tepet and staff
_text has “bv” (misprint or damaged type)_]]

507

RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON[29.1]

_To the ryght reverent and my mooste worschipful master, my Master John Paston, in the Inneer Tempyll._

[Sidenote: 1462 / FEB. 1]

Plesith it your maisterschip to witte that I have been at Burnewyll in Nacton to receyve the rentes and fermys of the tenauntes. And I undrestande be them, and be Robert Goordon that Mastre Jenney whas there and helde a coorte on the Mondaye next aftre Tlwelthe, and warned the tenauntes that they schulde pay no money to no man onto the tyme they had worde from hym, seyng that he whas on of the feffeys of the same maner, and that he whas feed with Sir John Fastolff, of weche fee he was be hynde for ij. yere; wherfore he desired the tenauntes that they schulde not be redy in payement onto the tyme they had word from hym, but that he myght be payed of his seide fee, lyke as the wylle of the deede was. Wherfore I can gete no money of them unto the tyme they have knowleche how it stond be twyx your maistership and Mr. Jenney; for withoute Jenney write to hem or come hom ward that wey, and have the tenauntes together and lete hem witte that ye ought to have the rentes and fermes of the seid maner, I can not see that ye be like to have but litell money there, withoute ye woll do distreyne throuout all the lordeschip. I have sette dayes to purvey but [_their_] money ayenst the first weke of cleene Lenton, and than they schul have an answere who shal receyve it. Wherfore that it please your maistership to remembre to speke to Mastre Jenney. The blissed Trinite preserve you and kepe you from all advercyte. Wreten at Yebbyshep[30.1] the furst daye of Februare.

Your pore servaunt and bedman,

R. CALLE.

Item, the maner of Stratton shuld paye of rente xxvj_s._ viij_d._, weche the fermour seythe my mastresse Brandon is acorded with you. He is be hynde for certeine yeres, &c.

[Footnote 29.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The manor of Burneviles
in Nacton, near Ipswich, was part of the lands of Sir John Fastolf
which Paston inherited by his will; but his claim was disputed by
Jenney, one of the executors. As Jenney is here said to have
complained that his fee was two years in arrear, we may presume
that it was little over two years since Fastolf’s death when this
letter was written. For further evidences of date compare No.
494. It may also be observed that we find undoubted evidence that
John Paston was residing in the Inner Temple six weeks later
(_see_ No. 511), whereas in the preceding year he was in Norfolk,
where his brother Clement wrote to him news from London
(No. 430).]

[Footnote 30.1: Ipswich?]

508

JOHN PASTON TO ----[30.2]

[Sidenote: 1462 / FEB. 9]

Right trusty and welbeloved, I grete yow hartily well, and will ye wite that where hit is so, that Sir John Fastolf, whom God assoyle, with other, was sum tyme by Sir Herry Inglose enfeffed of trust of his maner offe Pykewurthe in Rutlande, the which made his wille, proved, that the seid maner sholde by solde by Robert Inglose and Edmunde Wychingham his executours, to whom the seid Sir John hath relesed, as his dute was to do; now it is so that for John Browne[31.1] ther is shewed a dede under seall of armes berynge date byfore his reles made to the Duke of Norffoke, Henry Inglose and other, contrarie to the wille of the seid Sir Herry and the trust of the feoffement that the seid Sir John Fastolff was infeffed inne. And a letter of Attorney under the same seale of armes to yow, to deliver seison acordynge to the same feffement, to the gret disclaundre of the seid Sir John and all his, yef this be true. Wherfore I preie yow hertili that ye feithfully and truly rescribe to me in all the hast ye may what ye knowe in this mater such as ye wull stonde by with outen glose, and how ye can imagine that this crafte shulde be practised, and specially whether ye yourself delivered seison in Rutlond or noo. And this and what incedentes ye knowe, I preie yow by wrytinge certefie me in all hast, that I may be the more ripe to answer to this, to the wurship of the seid Sir John, that was your maister, so that thorowh your defaute your seid maisters soule ther for lie not in perell, but this disclaundre may be eesed and cesed as reson requireth, to the wurship of hym and all that longe to hym. And this I pray yow faile not offe as I truste yow. Wret at Londo[n] the ix. day of Februar.

Yowr frend,

JON PASTON.

[Footnote 30.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The MS. is a rough draft
signed by John Paston the eldest, and corrected in his hand. It
seems to have been written on the cover of a letter addressed to
himself; for on the back is this direction in another hand:-- ‘To
my most reverent and worchepfull maister, John Paston the eldest,
Esquier, be this deliveryd in hast.’

We have inserted this letter in the year 1462 as this was the
first year after Fastolf’s death, when John Paston appears to
have been residing in London in the beginning of February. The
only other possible years are 1463, 1465, and 1466.]

[Footnote 31.1: This name is substituted for ‘Herry Inglose,’
struck out.]

509

SIR THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON[31.2]

_To the ryght wurshipfull sir and meyster, myn Mayster John Paston, Squier._

[Sidenote: 1462 / [FEB.]]

Ryght worshipfull sire and mayster, I recomaunde me to yow. And please yow that the chirche of Drayton is or shal be resyngned in hast in to the Bysshopys hands by Sir John Bullok, desyryng yow hertly that ye lyke I may have the presentacion of the next avoydaunce for a newew of myn, callyd Sir Reynold Spendlove, whiche I truste youre maystership wold agree to make in youre name and myn as was last, &c. And, sir, please yow also that I have hadde diverse communicacions with Worcestr sethe Crystmesse,[32.1] and I fele by hym otterly that he wole not appoynt in other fourme than to have the londs of Feyrechildes and other londes in Drayton to the sume of x. marc of yow proprely, by syde that that he desyreth of myn mayster, whom God assoyle, whiche mater I remytte to your noble discrecion.

And as for answere of the bylles that I have, I have ben so sekelew seythe Crystmasse that I myght not yette don hem, but I shal in alle hast, wher inne ye may excuse yow by me if ye please tyl the next terme, at whiche tyme alle shal be aunswered, be Godds grace, who preserve yow and send yow th’ accomplyshement of youre desyres, &c.

Item, sere, please youre maystership hit was leten me wete in ryght secrete wyse that a pyssaunce is redy to aryve in thre parties of this londe, by the meane of Kyng Herry and the Quene that wes, and by the Dewk Somercete and others, of vi.^xx. m.^l. [120,000] men; and here day, if wynde and weder hadde servyd theym, shuld a’ ben here sone upon Candelmasse; at Trente to London werdes thei shuld a’ ben by Candelmasse or sone after, one parte of theym, and another parte comyng from Walys, and the thredde fro Yernessey and Garnesseye. Wher fore it is weel don ye enforme myn Lord Warwyk, that he may speke to the Kyng that good provy[s]ion be hadde for withstandyng there malicyous purpose and evyl wylle, whiche God graunt we may our come theym; and so we shuld, I dought not, if we were alle on [_one_]. There ben many medelers, and they ben best cheryshed, whyche wold hurt moche if these come to, as God diffende, &c.

T. HOWYS.

[Footnote 31.2: [From Fenn, iv. 68.] For evidence of the date of
this letter, Fenn quotes the following extracts from the
Institution Books in the Registry of the Bishop of Norwich:--

‘Draiton

‘Reg. xi. 124. 29 January 1460-1. Johannes Bullock ad
præsentationem Joh’is Paston arm. et Tho. Howys capellani.

‘Reg. xi. 131. 15 March 1461-2. Joh’es Flourdew ad præsentationem
eorundem.’

It thus appears that the living was resigned by John Bullock in
1461-2, and on the 15th March John Flourdew was presented to it,
not the person here recommended by Howes.]

[Footnote 32.1: This word is indicated by Fenn as indistinct in
the MS.]

510

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[33.1]

_To my ryth worchepfull husbond, John Paston, be this delyveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MARCH]

Plesyth yow to wete that John Wellys and his brodyr told me thys nyth that the Kyng lay at Cambryge as yestyrsnyth to Sandwyche ward, for ther is gret dyvysyen be twyx the Lordys and the schypmen ther, that causyth hym to goo thedyr to se a remedye therfor.

I thank God that John Paston yed non erst [_went no earlier_] forthe, for I trust to God all schall be do er he comyth. And it is told me that Syr John Howard is lek to lese hys hed.

If it plese yow to send to the seyd Wellys, he schall send yow mor tydyngys than I may wryt at thys tyme. God have yow in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn in hast at Thetford, at xj. of the clok in the nyth, the same day I departyd fro yow.

I thank Pampyng of hys good wyll, and them that wer cause of changyng of my hors, for they ded me a bettyr torne than I wend they had do, and I schall aquyt them anothyr day, and I maye.

By yor

M. P.

[Footnote 33.1: [From Fenn, ii. 288.] It appears by the dates of
the Privy Seal writs that Edward IV. was at Cambridge on the 2nd
and 3rd March 1462, and this is probably the visit alluded to,
although we do not find that the King went on to Sandwich
afterwards.]

[[To my ryth worchepfull husbond,
_text has “husbona” (italic a for d)_]]

511

JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER, TO HIS FATHER[34.1]

_To myn ryth reverent and worschypfull fader, John Paston, beyng in the Inder Temple._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MARCH 13]

Ryght reverent and wyrshypfull fader, I recomand me un to you, be sychyng you of your blessyng and gode faderhode. Pleasyt it you to understond the grete expens that I have dayly travelyng with the Kyng, as the berour here of can enfourme you; and howe long that I am lyke to tary here in thys country or I may speke with you a gayn, and howe I am chargyd to have myn hors and harnys redy, and in hasty wyse, besykyng you to consyder theys causes, and so to remembr me that I may have suche thynges as I may do my mayster servys with and pleasur, trusting in God it schall be to your wyrshyp and to myn and vayll [_avail_]. In especiall I besyche you, that I may be sur where to have mony somwhat be fore Estern, other of you, or by myn uncle Clement, when nede ys. Of othir causes the berour hereof can enfourme you. No more to you at thys tyme, but God have you in Hys kepyng.

Wryten at Stamford, the xiij. day of March.

Be yowr sone and servant,

JOHN PASTON, THE OLDER.

[Footnote 34.1: [From Fenn, iv. 126.] It appears by the dates of
the Privy Seal writs that Edward IV. was at Stamford, from the 9th
to the 17th March, in the second year of his reign, _i.e._ in
1462. This letter belongs therefore to that year.]

512

REPORT OF FRENCH PRISONERS[35.1]

_Memorandum. This is the confessyon of xvj. Frenshemen with the Mastyr, takyn at Sheryngam, the iij. wek of Lent._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MARCH]

Right worshipfull sir, I recomaund me to you, and lete you wytte, that I have be at Shiryngham, and examyned the Frenshmen to the nombre of xvj. with the maister. And thei telle that the Duke of Somerset is in to Scotland; and thei sey the Lord Hungyrforthe was on Monday last passed afore Sheryngham in to Scotland ward, in a kervyle [_carvel_] of Depe, no gret power with hym, ne with the seid Duk neyther. And thei sey that the Duk of Burgoyn[35.2] is poysened, and not like to recovere. And as for powers to be gadered ayenst our weelfare; thei sey, there shulde come in to Seyne CC. gret forstages[35.3] owt of Spayne, from the Kyng there;[35.4] and CCC. shippes from the Duk of Bretayne[35.5] with the navy of Fraunce, but thei be not yet assembled, ne vitayll there purveyd, as thei sey, ne men. And the Kyng of Fraunce[35.6] is in to Spayne on pilgrymage with fewe hors as thei sey; what the purpose is thei can not telle certeyn, &c. In hast at Norwich.

The Kyng of Frauns hath comitted the rewle of Bordews on to the marchaunds of the toun, and the browd[35.7] tha[t] be therin to be at ther wages; and like as Caleys is a Stapole of wolle here in England, so is that made staple of wyne.

John Fermer, presoner, seyth, on [_one_] John Gylys, a clerk that was with the Erle of Oxforthe, wych was some tym in Kyng Herrys hows, was a prevy secretary with the Erle of Oxforthe; and if any wrytyng wer made by the seyd Erle, the seyd Gylys knew ther of in this gret matyeres.

[Footnote 35.1: [From Fenn, i. 250.] This letter evidently refers
to the state of matters in the beginning of the year 1462, when
Henry VI. and Margaret of Anjou were in Scotland, and when the
Earl of Oxford had just been beheaded for conspiring against
Edward IV. The date of Oxford’s execution was the 20th of
February. This confession of the Frenchmen is dated in the third
week of Lent, that is to say, between the 14th and the 20th of
March.]

[Footnote 35.2: Philip the Good.]

[Footnote 35.3: Large ships with forestages or forecastles.]

[Footnote 35.4: Henry IV., King of Castile.]

[Footnote 35.5: Francis II., the last Duke.]

[Footnote 35.6: Lewis XI.]

[Footnote 35.7: This word, says Fenn, is imperfect in the
original.]

513

JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON[36.1]

_To my right singler maister, J. Paston, Squyer, in hast, &c._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MARCH 24]

After due recomendacion, please it your maistership to wyte Maister Yelverton, justice, seid in the Sessions that the Kyng shulde kepe his Estern at Bury, and from thens come unto this cuntre and se suyche riottes as have be in this cuntre punyshed in suche fourme as happely summe shulde hange by the nekke. And he tolde what thank he had of the Kyng at Cambrigg for cause he declarid so well the charge of extorcions doon by Shirefs and other officers, &c., for the whiche declaracion the Kyng tooke hym by the hand, and seid he cowde hym grett thanke, and prayed hym so to do in this cuntre, &c.

In hast, at Norwich, the Wednesseday next tofore th’Annunciacion, &c.

Your povere,

J. GRESHAM.

[Footnote 36.1: [From Fenn, iv. 76.] It does not appear that
Edward IV. ever did spend an Easter at Bury, as here projected. He
was, however, at Cambridge in the beginning of March 1462; from
which he proceeded to Peterborough, Stamford, Newark, and Lincoln,
and at Easter (18th April) he seems to have been at Leicester.]

514

JOHN WYKES TO JOHN PASTON[36.2]

_To my right trusti and welbelovid frend, John Paston, Esquier._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MARCH 25]

Right worshipfull, and myn enterly welbelovyd frend, I recomaund me un to you, hertely thankyng you of your gret present of fisch, and of the felyshipp that my cosyn your sonne shewid unto me att Norwiche, purposyng be the grace of God to deserve it un to you in tyme to come, in such place as I may do for you.

Desiryng you specyally, wher as a tenaunt of myne of Lavenham, called John Fermour, is sesid and arestid with in the towne of Yermowth, be cause he dwellid with the Erle of Oxonfords son, and purposid to have passid the see withou[t] lycence, and stondyth out of the conceyte of much peple, I wold desyre you, that ye wold wryte to the Baylyffs of Yermouth to delyver the seid John Fermor to my servaunt John Brenerigg, brynger of this, with an officer of the seid Towne, to be caried unto the Kyngs Castell of Rysing at my cost; ther to be examynid of certeyne Artycules, which I may not disclose, til I have spoke with the Kyngs Highnes: praying you to wryte to the seid Bayliffs, that I shall be her suffisant discharge ayenst the Kynge. Desyryng yow to geve credence to the brynger herof, as my verray trust is in yow.

Wretyn at Lavenham, the xxv^th. day of Marche.

Your trew and feithfull frend,
havyng no blame for my gode
wylle.

JOHN WYKES,

Ussher of the Kyngs Chambre.

[Footnote 36.2: [From Fenn, i. 252.] As this letter relates to the
arrest of a confederate of the Earl of Oxford and his son, who
were executed in February 1462, for conspiring against Edward IV.,
the date must be referred to that year.]

515

JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON[37.1]

_To the rigth reverent and worshipfull sir, and my right honourable maystyr, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1462 / APRIL (?)]

Right worshipfull sir, and my right honourable maistir, I recomaunde me to you in my most humble wise. And plese it youre good maistirshyp to wete that it is seyd here that my Lord Worcestre is lyk to be Tresorer, with whom I truste ye stonde right wel in conseit, with whiche God contynwe. Wherfor I beseke youre maistirshipp that if my seid Lord have the seid office, that it lyke you to desyre the nomynacion of on of the officez, eythyr of the countroller or serchorship of Jernemuth, for a servaunt of yowrez, and I shuld so gyde me in the office as I truste shuld be most profit to my seyd Lord. And if youre maistirshyp lyked to gete graunt thereof, that than it plesyd you to lycense on of youre servaunts to take out the patent of the seyd office; and if it cost v. or vj. or viij. marke, I shal trewly contente it ageyn; and yeerly as longe as I myght have the officez, or any of hem, I shal geve my maister youre sone v. marke toward an haukeney.

It shuld be to me right a good mean to stondyn as well in the trust as in the conseyt amongs marchaunts, with whom and with alle men I calle myself a servaunt of yourez, and soo wil do, if it plese you, which boldyth me the more to calle upon youre right wurshipful maistyrshyp in this mater, where in I beseke you to forgeve me my boldneyse in thys behalve. And if I knew that my Lord shuld have the office in sertayn, than I wold wayte upon youre good maystyrshyp there to opteyne the patent, if it plesyd youre good maystirship to gete me the graunt, &c.

No more on to you, my right honourable maister, at thys tyme, but Jesu I beseke sende you a good conclucyon in all yore maters, and graunt you ever youre herts desyre.

Yore contynwal servaunt and bedeman,

JOHN RUSSE.

[Footnote 37.1: [From Fenn, iv. 112.] This letter must have been
written before the 14th of April 1462, on which day the Earl of
Worcester was appointed Treasurer of the Exchequer (_Patent Roll_,
2 Edw. IV., p. 1, m. 19).]

516

W. C. TO JOHN PASTON[39.1]

_To myn ryght worshipfull and ryght singler good mayster, myn Mayster John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MAY 4]

Myn ryght worshipfull mayster, I recomaunde me to yow in myn ryght homble wyse. And please your maystership that I have ben at Wetyng and there hald the court and lete on Hokmonday[39.2] as hit hath bene of olde tyme accostomed; and the tenauntes have attorned and bene full gladde that myn lady shuld rejoyse hit and kepe here possession. The priour of Bromhill that was fermoure his terme is expired, and wole sewe to myn lady and hir councell to have a newe terme; but lete myn lady be ware, for, as I here seyn, he bydeth but a tyme that he myght gete a summe of money to geders of myn ladyes lyflode, and to gone ther with[39.3] a love of his sojornyng as yette in Hokehold. She hath bene dreven fro town to town for his sake. Hit is wele done ye advertyse myn lady, if she be in that cas that she hath governaunce of hir owen londes, that she do no thyng to that lyflode ner non other in Norffolk, with ought advyse of theym that have vysyted and overseen theym; for there hath bene straunge rewle, bothe in woodsales and sale of londes helde at wylle for fre rent, as ye shal knowe here after. Thoresby, a man that was generall attorney for myn Lord Oxenford that was, told me that the Kynge hadde made Keche generall receyvoure by priveseale of alle londes that were the Erle of Oxenford and Dame Elyzabet, ecept tho that Howard hadde entered and Lanham and an other graunted to Wykes, and certeyn lyflode in Kent that was assigned to the tresorer of howshold of the Kynges hows; and she shuld have be Keches hande v.^c. [500] mark, ij.^c. and l. [250] mark to bene payed at this Estern and the remulant at Mihelmasse. And of the remulant the Kyng shuld be answered. Ye shal sone understande how it is; and if hit be so, hit [is][39.4] but foly to laboure any ferther. I wold fayn knowe, for the courtes for the half yere wold bene holde for nede. And our Lord be with youre maystership and sende yow th’accomplyshement of youre noble desyres. Wreten hastely at Norwyche, the iiij^te day of May.

Youre servaunt to his power,

W. C.

And whan ye comon with myn ryght worshipfull lady I beseche yow remembre myn pore maters in whiche is greet concyens, &c.

[Footnote 39.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The manor of Weeting, in
Norfolk, came to John Vere, twelfth Earl of Oxford, by his
marriage with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of John Howard,
Esquire, son and heir of Sir John Howard, Knight. This Earl was
beheaded in February 1462, for treason against Edward IV., and the
present letter seems to have been written in May following.]

[Footnote 39.2: Hock Monday was a fortnight after Easter Monday.
In 1462 it fell on the 3rd May, the day before this letter was
written.]

[Footnote 39.3: _With_ repeated in MS.]

[Footnote 39.4: Omitted in MS.]

517

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[40.1]

_To my ryght wurschipful maister, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MAY 18]

I recomaunde me unto you. Plesith it you to witte that I have spoken with Furbuschour and other of the matre that ye spake to me off, and they have promysed me to be as feythefull in it as it where for hem selfe. Also I have spoken with my modre and seide to here as ye desired me to doo, and sche seide sche knewe the massache weele inowe before be other persones in like wice as ye comaunded hem to sey to her; and sche seide she wode fayne that ye dede weele what so ever ye sey and fille forthe in other talkyng. Me semethe che is displesed that ye came not to her or than ye roode foorthe. I schall telle you more whan that ye come home. Thomas Denys wyff whas at me, and desired me that I schulde sende to you and desire you that che myght have knowleche from you how ye woll that sche schall doo with her matre; sche seithe her brother and other of her frendes thynke that she schulde up to London and calle uppon her matre there, but she seithe pleynly sche woll nought doo therin withoute your advice. It whas toolde me that Bacon and Gonnor whas here to speke with me for the matre that Bacon spake to you of, and at that tyme I whas at Norweche and I herde no more of hem sethen. And as for my brother William, he is not purposed to come to London tyll aftre Pentecost; but my brother Clement is purposed to come forward on Monday or on Twesday next comyng at the ferthest. No more at this tyme but the blissed Trinite preserve you. Wreten the xviij. day of May.

Your MARGARET PASTON.

I prey yow that ye woll wete safe to remembre Johane Gayne matre, and that ye woll take John Paston that he remembre you of it, for Dawbeney and Pampyng woll sone for gete it.

[Footnote 40.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is evidently
not far removed in date from No. 489, in which ‘Joan Gayne’s
matter’ is also mentioned. The year, however, cannot be 1461, as
William Paston was in London that year as early as the 4th April.
It seems also from this letter that John Paston had recently left
home, which could not have been the case in 1461 if No. 453 be of
that year. We have therefore little doubt that the true date is
1462, and that the substance of the letter relates to proceedings
taken by the widow of Thomas Denys against her husband’s
murderers.]

518

JOHN PASTON, JUNIOR, TO HIS FATHER[41.1]

_To my ryght wurschipfull fadre, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1462 / MAY]

Plesit you to wete that I am at Leyn, and under stande be dyvers personys, as I am in formed, that the Mayster of Carbroke[41.2] wold take a rewle in the _Marè Talbot_ as for capteyn, and to yeve jaketes of his levery to dyvers personis qwych be waged be oder men, and nouth be hym, beyng in the said shep. Qwerfor in as moch as I have but few sowdeors in myn levery her, to strenketh me in that qwych is the Kynges commandement, I kepe with me yowr too men, Dawbenney and Calle, qwich I purpose shall seyle with me to Yermeth; for I have purveyed harneyse for hem. And ye shall well understande, be the grace of God, that the said Mayster of Carbroke shall have non rewle in the sheppes, as I had purposid he shuld have had, because of his besynesse, and for this is on of the specyall causes I kepe yowr said men with me, besechyng you ye takyt to non dysplesur of ther taryng with me. Nat withstanding, ther herden[42.1] at Wyggenalle shall be don this day be the grace of God, Whoo have you in kepyng.

Wreten at Leynn, the morow after my departyng from you.

Item, as far such tydynges as be here, Th. shall in forme you.

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 41.1: [From Fenn, iv. 100.] On the 29th May 1462 a
commission was granted to Sir John Howard and Sir Thomas Walgrave
to arrest the ships, the _Mary Talbot_ and the _Mary Thomson_,
both of Lynn, and other vessels in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex,
for a fleet which the King was fitting out (see _Patent Roll_,
2 Edw. IV., p. 1, m. 14, _in dorso_). Sir Thomas Walgrave may
perhaps have been the person designated in this letter as the
Master of Carbrooke. At all events, the date is clearly about this
time.]

[Footnote 41.2: At Carbrooke, in Norfolk, was a commandry formerly
belonging to the Knights Templars, which, like most of the
possessions of the order, when it was suppressed in Edward II.’s
time, was given to the Knights of St. John.]

[Footnote 42.1: I do not understand the meaning of the word
‘herden.’ --F.]

519

ABSTRACT[42.2]

[Sidenote: 1462 / JUNE 6]

Inventory of household stuff remaining at Castre, 6 June 2 Edward IV., viz. of robes, jewels, arras, etc.

[Footnote 42.2: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 354.]]

520

NOTE

[Sidenote: 1462]

Among some MSS., which seem formerly to have belonged to the Paston Collection in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, is one endorsed-- ‘A Pedigree showing how the manor of Caister was divided,’ tracing its descent from earlier owners to Sir John Fastolf.

521

J. DAUBENEY TO JOHN PASTON[42.3]

_To my most reverent and worchepfull maister, John Paston, dwellyng at Heylysdon, be this delyveryd._

Ih’s.

[Sidenote: 1462 / JULY 3]

Most reverent and worchepfull master, I recommaund me onto your god masterchep. Please you to have knowlage, on the Fryday at afternoon next after Seynt Peter, there was at the taveran in London old Debnam and young Debnam, Thomas Edmonds, and I; and ther the seyd Thomas Edmonds fell in communicacion with old Debnam, and seyd that my Lord Tresorer[43.1] had put hym to a gret charge for the vetelyng of _Mary Talbot_,[43.2] seyyng to old Debnam that he hard sey that he had a C. bulloks to selle, the wyche the seyd Edmonds wolle bey so that they may a cord of the price. Than the seyd old Debnam answerd ageyn, and seyd he wold, so that he myght have good payment, or elles the seyd Edmonds to be bound in abligacion to pay hym at suche dayys as they myght a cord. And noon upon thys same langwage, yong Debnam spake to hys fader, ‘Sir, I pray you that ye wolle take avisment of this mater tille to morowe, for I trost to your good faderhod that ye wolle late me have a serteyn of your bulloks for the vetelyng of the _Barge of Yermothe_, and I shall fynd you sufficiant suerte for the payment therof for Edmonds. I wolle that ye knowe I have be ther, and spoke with the owner and with the maister of the seyd barge, and they knowyn myn oppoyntment.’

Than the seyd Edmonds answered to yong Debnam, and told hym that the sety of Norwic and Yermothe hathe grauntyd, and send wrytyng to the Kynge and to the Lords that they wolle manne and veteylle the seyd barge of her owne cost fro the tym of hyr goyng owt tylle hyr comyng home; and thus the seyd Edmonds told hym that my Lord Tresorer and all the Lords that be at London thynk they do ryght well her devyer, and be worthey moche thanke of the Kyng. ‘Well,’ quod yong Debnam, ‘I had in commaundment for to have the rewle of the seyd barge, and I wolle be at Yermothe as thys day iiij. dayys, and man hyr and bryng hyr downne to the Gylys of Hulle, for that ys my chype.’

Also he seyd mor, with out that he myght have the seyd barge, he wolle note goo to see but hym self and hys xxiiij. men. And thus, yf please your maisterchep, he departyd from the taveran; and at hys departyng, he told the seyd Thomas Edmonds, ‘Thys ys Paston labor.’ Than the seyd Edmonds answerd hym ageyn, and seyd playnly he was to blame for to reporte so of your masterchep, for he knoythe veryly he seyd on trewly of you and of my master your son bothe, and ther on he wold take a hothe. And so, yf it please your good masterchep, late the cety of Norwic and Yermothe have knowlage of hys gret crakyng and bost, and let hym of hys purpose by the autorite that they have.

Item, my master your son wolle have to hys jakets murry[44.1] and tany [_tawny_], and that it please yow sum of my felachep may spek to on of the drapers for to ordeyn yt ageyns hys comyng hom, for I trowe it shall be thys day sevenyght ar he comithe home.

Item, sir, if please you, Skrowpe hathe sent to you to London be Byngham for the mony that ye knowe of, zit I spake not with hym; but I shall telle hym that I suppose ye shall be here in the last end of the terme, and I shall send your masterchep word what answer I have of hym.

Item, sir, if pleese suche tydyngs as I her of, I send you word. My Lord of Warwek hathe be in Skotlond, an take a castell of the Skoots; and upon thys ther came the Quene of Skoots[44.2] with other Lords of her contre, as ye shall her the namys, in basetry [_embassy_] to my seyd Lord of Werwek, and a trews is take betwyx thys and Seynt Bertylmew Day in Auguste. Thes is the last tydyngs that I knowe. No mor to your god masterchep at this tyme, but Jesu have [you] in kepyng.

Wretyn on the Saturday next after Seynt Peter.

By your por servaunt,

J. DAUBENEY.

[Footnote 42.3: [From Fenn, iv. 138.] The date of this letter is
shown by an entry on the _Patent Roll_, 2 Edw. IV., p. 1, m. 7,
_in dorso_. On the 27th June 1462 a commission was given to
Gilbert Debenham, Jun., Esquire, Walter Alderiche, master of the
_George_ of Yarmouth, and John Childe, to arrest for the King’s
service a ship called _The Barge of Yarmouth, alias The George_,
with victuals, masters, and mariners for the same.]

[Footnote 43.1: John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester. He was beheaded
in October 1470.--F.]

[Footnote 43.2: _See_ Preliminary Note to No. 518, p. 41, Note 1.]

[Footnote 44.1: Dark red or purple and yellowish colour.--F.]

[Footnote 44.2: Mary, daughter of Arnold, Duke of Gelders, and
mother to James III., King of Scotland.]

522

RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON, JUNIOR[45.1]

_To my maistre, John Paston the yonger, be this delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1462]