Chapter VI: Part 6

Also, the Kyng grauntith to be good and favorabill Lord to the seid John Paston, and inespeciall in all thyngs touchyng the execucion of the will of the seid Sir John Fastolf, and also to be good and favorabill Lord to the seid John Paston, in supportyng and helpyng hym, in that the Kyngs Highnesse may lawfulle do, in such maters as are in debate athwyx the seid John Paston and William Yelverton, or William Jenney, or any other, concernyng the londs and tenements, goods or cattell, that were the seid Sir John Fastolfs. Also the Kyng grauntith to help and support the seid John Paston to opteyne and have to the use of the seid Sir John Fastolf such goods as were the seid Fastolfs deseitfully aloyned out of the possession and knowlech of the seid John Paston; and that the Kyng shall graunt the seid John Paston such lawfull writynggs and lettirs from the Kyng, directed to such persones as shall be behovefull for the same, what tyme the seid John Paston suyth to the Kyngs Highnesse therfore.

Also where Yelverton, or Jenney, or any Justise of the Peas of the Shire of Suffolk hath recorded any riot, trespas, or offenses to be do ayens the Kyngs peas, by the seid John Paston, his servaunts, or tenaunts, or frends; or where any inditement or presentment is found ayens them, or any of them, before any of the seid Justises, for any such riot, offenses, trespas, or for any other mater remaynyng of record in the Kyngs Benche, or in any other plase, the Kyng grauntith to the seid John Paston, and all other persones named in the seid records or inditements, or in any of hem, and to alle her boroughs [_sureties_] and plegges, and to ich of hem that woll sue it, a pardon of all riotes, trespas, offenses, felonys, forfetures doon ayens the Kyngs peas, and of fynes therefore dempt [_adjudged_], or to be dempt, and of all other thyngs generally, treason except, and that the Kyng shall signe warants lawfull of the seid pardons, what tyme his Highnesse be requerid by the seid John Paston or his attornys.

And also that his Highnesse shall do inquere and examinacion be mad whedir the seid record of the seid Justises and presentments, and other informacions or compleynts mad ayens the seid John Paston, were do trewly and lawfully or nought; and if it be found that thei were do otherwise thanne trought, lawe, or consiens woll, thanne the Kyng grauntyth to cause the doers therof to recompense the seid John Paston and the seid other persones, as far as lawe and good consiens woll in that behalf.

And that if it fortune any compleynt to be mad ayens the seid John Paston, by any persone in tyme comyng, to the Kyng, that he shall take no displeasir to the seid John Paston till the tyme he come to his answer, and be found in defaut.

And that the Kyng shall receyve an C_li._ of the seid CCC. mark, what tyme he send for it, and the remnaunt as sone as the seid fundacion take effect; and also that his Highnesse shall gete the assent of the reverent fader in God, the Archebisshop of Caunterbury, in such apoyntments as is mad athwyx the Kyng and the seid John Paston, of such goods as were the seid Sir John Fastolfs, for the delivere therof; and that if the seid John Paston refuse the administracion of the goods and catell that were the seid Sir John Fastolfs, sufferyng other to take it opon hem, the Kyng, at the instauns of the seid John Paston, grauntith to be good and favorabill Lord to such other as the coors of the lawe, and assent of the seid John Paston, shall take the seid administracion in execucion of the seid Fastolfs will, touchyng the administracion of the goods and catell forseid, acordyng to the same wyll; and that the Kyng shall not cleyme nor desire any of the londs or tenements, goods or catell, that were the seid Sir John Fastolf, ayens the seid John Paston, or any other executor, administror, or feffe of the seid Sir John Fastolf, nor support or favour any other persone in cleymyng any of the seid londs or tenements, goods or catell, ayens any the seid administers, executores, or feffes.

And the Kyng grauntith that where as this bille is not sufficiently mad in clauses and termes according to th’entent therof, that his Highnesse woll take and execute the very entent therof, notwithstandyng the insufficiens of any such termes and clauses in thes bille. Wretyn at Marleburgh, the Monday next after the Nativite of oure Lady, the fourthe yere of the reigne of the Kyng.

[Footnote 113.1: [From Fenn, iv. 182.]]

572

ABSTRACTS[116.1]

OUTLAWRY OF JOHN PASTON.

[Sidenote: 1464 / NOV. 20]

The following writs and copies of writs stood originally on a file
in the order in which they are here noticed.

I. Edward IV. to the Prior of Norwich.--Orders him to deliver to the bearer all goods in his hands belonging to John Paston, Esq., who is outlawed. Reading, 20 Nov.

II. Writ to Edmund Clyre, Escheator of Norfolk, touching the above outlawry.--John Paston is here called ‘the elder.’ Dated 20 Nov.

III. _Supersedeas_ addressed to the Escheator of Cos. Cambridge and Hunts to stay confiscation of the goods of John Paston, who has been outlawed, first for trespass against William Jenney, and secondly for trespass against William Hogan; of which he was convicted in Suffolk on Monday, 10 Sept., 4 Edw. IV. Both cases are removed by writs of error into the King’s Bench.--Teste J. Markham apud Westin., 28 Nov., 4 Edw. IV.

IV. Copy of _supersedeas_ on the exigent issued at Jenney’s suit to the Sheriff of Suffolk.--Teste J. Markham apud Sekbrok, 24 Aug., 4 Edw. IV. With the return on the writ of exigent, notifying Paston’s non-appearance when proclaimed at the county courts held at Ipswich on Monday 21 May, Monday 18 June, Monday 16 July, and Monday 13 Aug., 4 Edw. IV. The _supersedeas_ was delivered to the sheriff by Richard Calle in Paston’s name on the 29 Aug.

V. Edward IV. to Sir John Markham, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.--Commands him to make _supersedeas_ upon the exigents. For, as the King understands, Jenney obtained judgment against Paston for £23 : 10s., and William Hogan by the support of Jenney took another action, and obtained a judgment of £16 : 13 : 4 ‘against conscience and law, as we be informed.’ If Paston has delivered to the sheriff any writs of error to send the actions to our court of parliament, he is to comply, according to the usual course in such cases.--Fotheringay, 3 Aug.

VI. Edward IV. to Thomas Croxton, Clerk of the Crown.--Commanding him to search the records and see that the processes of outlawry against John Paston have been well and sufficiently made out.--Reading, 3 Oct.

Memorandum subjoined, ‘that William Jenney’s counsel hath openly vaunted in Westminster Hall that the King hath sent another letter to the sheriff, commanding him to certify John Paston outlawed.’

⁂ V. and VI. are copies on the same paper.

[Footnote 116.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

573

SIR WALTER BLOUNT TO THE PRIOR OF NORWICH[117.1]

_To the Prior of Norwich._

[Sidenote: 1464 / NOV. 27]

Reverend fader in God, I recomaunde me to you. And for so muche the Kyngs hyghnesse is advertysed ye shuld have in . . . .[117.2] certayn goodes of John Pastons to the value of vij. or viij. m^l mark wherin the Kyng is entytilled by such processe of owtlawry as is awarded ayenst the said Paston; Wherefor in the Kynges name I charge you that if any such good be in your governance[117.3] or within your monastery, ye suffer noon of thayme to passe oute of your garde, but suerle to kepe thaym unto the Kynges behouffe, unto ye tyme ye have otherwise in comaundment, as ye will answer at your perille and in eschewing his gret displeasur and such jeopardies as by the lawe myght ensue to youre over gret damage, which I ne wold. And of your disposicion herin it like you I may be certified in writing by the berour herof. And Oure Lord have you in his keping. Wryten at London the xxvij. day of Novembre anno lxiiij^{to}.

By the Tresorer of Ingland,

SYR WATER BLOUNT.

[Footnote 117.1: [MS. in Pembroke College, Cambridge.]]

[Footnote 117.2: A word or two illegible.]

[Footnote 117.3: So the word seems to have been originally, but
the writing is faded, and a modern hand has attempted to restore
the beginning as ‘no . . .’]

574

ANONYMOUS TO JOHN PASTON[118.1]

_To my ryght worshipfull maister and brother, John Paston, this letter be taken._

[Sidenote: 1464(?) / DEC. 3]

Ryght worshipfull and reverend mayster and brother, with alle my service I recommaunde me on to yow. Please hit onto your grete wysedom to have yn your descrete remembrauns the streite Ordre on which we ben professid, and on which ze er bownden to kepe your residens, and specially on this tyme of Crystmas amonggis your confrerys of this holy Ordre, the Temple of Syon; for ynlesse than ze kepe dewly the poynts of your holy Religion, owr Maister Thomas Babyngton, maister and soverayn of owr Order of th’assent of his brythryn ben avysed to awarde azenste yow ryght sharp and hasty proces to do calle yow to do your obcervauns, and to obeye the poynts of your Religion, which wer on to me grete hevynesse. Wherfore I, as he that hath most grettest cause, and ys most bownden on to your grete gentylnesse, and also whom nature and kynde most specially byfore every of alle owr breth[r]yn bynden me to owe and wilne yow goode wylle and trewe hert, consyderyng the grete tyme of penawns that ze havyn ben yn fro sone upon Mighelmas hederto, that ys to say, yn relevyng and sustenawns of your evyn Crysten,[119.1] and also yn the charytable and meritory dede of almyssdoyng, that ys to say yn plenteous and liberall zeftis, which ys more precyusseur than goolde er sylver, which hath nat be at alle tymys to your grete ease, neyther hertis plesauns, but rather to your grete desese and yntollerable peyne. And wher Godds lawe and manys lawe acorden that hit shall nat be lawful to non erthely man to be so lyberall and plenteous of that that God sendith hym, that he sholde so despose hit so that he sholde nowgch have to lyve by; and forasmych as I have perfite knowlich of your freel[119.2] [_frail_] and naturall disposiseon so set on to theym that ben nedy and hunggery that of your selfe ze have no myght, neyther power to absteyne and rewle yourself, but also long as God sendith and zevyth yow whereof to dispose and help your evyn Crysten ze most nedis despose hit forth a monggus your evyn Cristen, I conseile yow that yn also hasty and goodely tyme as ze kan to come on to your holy brytheryn that ben of that devowt and clos conversacion, to th’entent that ze myght ben advertysid and lernyd by theym the goode rewle and messur that ze owght and sholde have yn the despociscion and delyng of your almys.

And also, sethnys ze haven chosen zow a place yn this seson of Avent, yn which ze have had a resonable leysour and space to do your penauns yn, which drawith fast to a ende; which hath been a convenyent place as for the ceson of the yer; and now hit drawith fast on to Cristmas, on which tyme every trewe Crysten man sholde be mery, jocunde, and glad. And sethnys ther is no place which by lyklyhod of reason ze shulde fynde yn your hert to be so gladde and yocunde yn as ze sholde be yn the place of your profession a mounggis your holy brytheryn; yn which place yn this ceson of the yer hit ys a custumyd to be alle maner of desport, lyke as hit is nat unknowe to your wisse descrescion; wherfore, as my symple reason ledith me your grete descrescion sholde rewle you that ze sholde approche nygh the plase of your holy relegion yn also hasty tyme as ze code er myght, of whos comyng alle your saide bretheryn wolde be glade and fayn, and yn especiall I, your servaunt and brother, lyke as I am most syngguler bownden to th’encresse of your prosperite and welfar, which I shall ever desir with Godds mersy, which have yow undir His blessid and favorable proteccion. Wrytten yn the Temple of Syon, iij^d. day of December, yn grete hast.

By your Servaunt and brother,

[Footnote 118.1: [From Fenn, iii. 418.] It is difficult to assign
with confidence either a date or a meaning to this strangely
worded epistle. The signature itself is a mystery. The order of
the Temple of Sion is unknown to archæologists, and the place from
which the letter is dated cannot be identified. From the peculiar
device used as a signature, resembling what in heraldry represents
a fountain, Fenn threw out a suggestion that Fountaine was the
writer’s name, remarking that a family of that name resided at
Salle, in Norfolk, and might have been related to Paston as the
writer claimed to be. But there seems to be an air of irony about
the whole communication which forbids us to construe any of its
statements seriously; nor do we find the slightest allusion to
this letter or its contents in all the rest of the correspondence.
For my part, I am inclined to think it was a mocking letter
addressed to John Paston by one of the prisoners in the Fleet,
where Paston had himself been confined in 1464. His imprisonment
on that occasion was probably of short duration, but I cannot tell
the precise date of his release. He was committed to the Fleet, as
we are informed by William Worcester (_Itinerary_, p. 366), on
Saturday the 3d November. If I am right in my conjecture about
this letter, he had, perhaps, been already liberated; but some of
his late fellow-prisoners, probably members of the Inner or Middle
Temple like himself, who had formed themselves into a fancy ‘Order
of the Temple of Sion,’ amused themselves by speculating on the
probability that he was not yet quite clear of the toils of the
law, and that he would be obliged to come back and spend Christmas
in gaol, among the jolly companions whom he had recently deserted.
I may remark that the name of Thomas Babington occurs in Dugdale’s
_Origines Juridiciales_, p. 163, as having been elected a reader
in the Inner Temple in 22 Hen. VII., when he seems to have been an
old man; for, owing to his sight failing, he was excused from
reading, and John Port, who was afterwards Attorney General, and,
later still, Justice of the King’s Bench, read in his place.]

[Footnote 119.1: _i.e._ your fellow-Christians.]

[Footnote 119.2: Fenn interprets this word _free will_, which I
cannot think to be the meaning intended.]

575

[JOHN PASTON] TO MARGARET PASTON AND OTHERS[121.1]

_To my mastres Margrete Paston, and to my welbelovid Frendis, John Daubeney and Richard Calle._

[Sidenote: 1465 / JAN. 15]

I pray yow, see to the god governaunce of my housold and guydynge of other thynges touchyng my profite, and that ye, with Daubeney and Richard Calle, and with other such of my frendis and servauntis as can avise yow aftir the mater requireth, wekely take a sad comunecacion of such thynges as be for to do, or oftenner and nede be, takyng avise of the master, and of the viker[121.2] and Sir Jamis,[121.3] that is for to say, as well for provision of stuffe for myn howsold as for the gaderyng of the revenew of my livelode or greynes, or for setting awerk of my servauntis, and for the more poletik meane of sellyng and carryng of my malt, and for all other thynges necessari for to be do; and that whanne I come home I have not an excuse, seying that ye spoke to my servauntis and that Daubeney and Calle exkuse them that thei wer so besy thei myght not attende; for I woll have my mater so guided that if on man may not attende a nother shall be comaunded to do it; and if my servauntis faile I had lever wage some other man, for a jorny or a season, thanne my mater should be on sped.

As for my livelode, I left with Daubeney a bille of many of my dettis, wherby ye alle myght have be indused whedir ye shulde have sent for silver.

It liketh me evill to here that my prestis and pore men be onpaiid, and that no mony sent to me more thanne x. markis be Berney of alle this season, and yet therof telle Richard Calle he sent me viii. nobils in goold for v. markis, and that as longe as gold was better payment thanne silver I had nevir so moche gold of hym at onys; and telle hym that I wolle nat that he shall kepe that use, for I trowe my tenauntis have but litell gold to pay.

Also remembir yow in any housold, felaship or cumpany that will be of good rewle, purvyauns must be had that every persone of it be helpyng and furtheryng aftir his discrecion and powyr, and he that woll not do so without he be kept of almes shuld be put out of the houshold or felachep.

Item, where ye desire me that I shuld take your sone[122.1] to grase, I woll for your sake do the better, and will ye knowe he shall not be so oute of my favour that I will suffir hym to mischefe without be eftsones his owne defaut. And hough be it that in his presumptuouse and ondiscrete demenyng he gaf bothe me and yow cause of displeasir, and to other of my servauntis ille exaumple, and that also guided hym to alle mennes undirstandyng that he was wery of bidyng in myn hows, and he not insurid of help in any other place; yet that greveth nat me so evill as doth that I nevir coud fele nor undirstand hym poletyk ne diligent in helpyng hym self, but as a drane amongis bees which labour for gaderyng hony in the feldis and the drane doth nought but takyth his part of it. And if this myght make hym to knowe the better hym self and put hym in remembrauns what tyme he hath lost, and hough he hath leved in idelnes, and that he coud for this eschewe to do so heraftir, it myght fortune for his best. But I here yet nevir from no plase that he hath be in of any poletyk demenyng or occupacion of hym. And in the kynges hows he coud put hym self foorth to be in favour or trust with any men of substauns that myght forther hym; neverthelesse as for your house and myne I purpose not he shall come there, ner be my will non othir but if [_i.e._ unless] he can do more thanne loke foorth and make a fase and countenauns.

Item, send me word whedir my glasier hath do at Bromholm and at the friers of the South Towne,[123.1] and whedir he be paiid such mony as I sent home word he shuld be paiid, and if he have do all he must have more mony, but I remembir not certeynly what, till I come home, for I remember nat what his bargeyn was for the work at the Southtowne. I trowe Mr. Clement can telle, and also fele hym self and send me word. Also that ye and Richard Calle and Daubeney see that Mr. Clement and Mr. Braklee[123.2] which hath grete nede I wote well, and my prestis and pore men be paiid and also all othir men. And that ye see that I be not callid on for that is my dewte. Also that ye see amongis yow that that is owynge me be not lost ne forborn for lewdnes, for that shall bothe hurt me and do my tenauntis harme. Lete Richard Calle remembir that my fermour of Sweynesthorp is falle in gret dette for defaut of callyng upon but be on [_one_] yere; And I deme that bothe John Willeys and my new fermour of Snaylewell arn like to be in the same case, and peraventure Aleyn of Gresham and other.

Item, remembir yow or evir I had a doo with Fastolffis livelode, whill I toke hede to my livelode my self, it both served myn expenses at home and at London and all other charges, and ye leid up mony in my cofirs every yere, as ye knowe. And I wote well that the payment of my prestis and other charges that I have for Fastolffis livelode is not so gret as the livelode is, thow part therof be in trobill. And thanne consider that I had nought of my livelode for myn expenses at London this twol monyth day; ye may verely undirstand that it is not guided wittely nor discretly; and therfore I pray yow hertly put alle your wittes to gedir and see for the reformation of it. And ye may remembre be this how ye shuld do if this wer yowris alone, and so do now.

And that ye woll remembir I have sent yow all many lettirs touchyng many maters, and also a bille now last by Pecok of erandis, desiryng yow to see hem alle to gedir and send me an answere articlerly; and such as ye can not spede at this tyme, lete hem be sped as sone as ye may, that ye se over my seyd lettirs oft tymes til they be sped.

Item, I remembir that myn heygh at Heylisdon the last yere was spent and wasted fwll recklesly and colored under my shep.[124.1] I pray yow see that I be not servid soo this yere.

Item, Pecok told me of a fermour that wold have had Mautby Mersh, paying xij. markis as it went afore; and Richard Calle told me of on [_one_] that wold pay more. Burgeys paiid me first xij. markis vj_s._ viij_d._, and I had the reed and the rushis, and he found the shepherdis hyre in shakke tyme for my fold; and sithen he brigged awey the shepherdis hyre and thanne the nobill, and I trowe he occupyth ne lenger hym self. And I remembir he told me vij. yere goo that my merssh shuld alwey apeyr [_impair_] till the prime were past the nombre of xix., and thanne it shuld amend a ix. or x. yers, promittyng me he wold thanne amend my ferme. I praye yowe help to lete it aswell as ye can, rather to hym thanne a nother man if he woll do aswell, and that ye comon with Pecok.

Item, as for the mater that I wrote of to the viker and other goode felaws, desire hem that thei be not to excessive hasty in the mater for non nede, but to do that the may do therin [goodly][124.2] and wittely as sone as thei may; And as for the respite of the mater here, lete hem not care therfore. I shall do well ineugh, telle hem; for certeyn, the mater is in as good case as any such mater was this xx. wynter, as my counsell tellyth me; but I will be sure of all weyes that I may have, and specially of the declaracion of the trought of my mater and of my frendis.

Item, as for the mater athwyx the parson of Mautby, Constantine[124.3] and the viker of Derham,[124.4] whedir it were smalle mater or gret I care not, but I am sure that too witnesse which I knowe were apposed therin before a juge spirituall, whech as I suppose was Master Robert Popy or some other; the viker of Derham can telle, and as I trowe can John Wynter of Mautby, or othir parysshons telle, where the sute was athwyx hem, and I can think it was in the chapitell; if ye can easely gette me what the witnesse seid, I wold nomore; but do no gret cost over it.

Item, recomaund me to Master Robert Popy, and telle hym, as for any thyng seid ayens hym in my mater then myn adversaris ment ontrewly, they proved nought but that he is a good man and a worshipfull and a trewe.

Item, if I have any otis beside my stuffe, or may any bye aftir xiiij_d._, spare not, and take good mesure of bartirre for some other chafers, and send me word hough moch ye may bye.

Item, it is told me ye make no wood, nowther at Caster nor Mautby, wherof I merveyle; remembir yow we must brenne wood a nodir yere.

Item, I send yow a titelyng that I mad whill I was at home, what malt I had by estimacion set at the lest; wherfore see that Brigge make a reknyng of his malt, and cast ye my book and loke what ye can amend it; and apeyre [_impair_] it shall not if alle folkis have do trewly; but I suppose fewe of you have take any heed at it as moch as I ded.

Item, I may selle here for vj_s._ viij_d._ a quarter clene fyed after Royston mesure, whech is lesse thanne the water mesure of London. Cambrigge shire malt is here at x_s._ Cast ye what I may selle of new and old, savyng stuffe for myn hows. Item, to remember that Guton malt must be shipped at Blakeney. Item, Lynstedis malt at Wolcote may be shipped there; therfore cast amongis yow what malt may best be sold.

Item, if on [_one_] man may not attende to gader silver, sende a nother, and send me word what hath be reseyved and spent.

Item, that I have an answer of alle my lettirs and of every article in hem.

Item, but if ye make such purvyauns that my prestis be paiid and pore men, beside other charges, and purvey mony for me beside; owther ye gadir shrewdly or ellis ye spend lewdly.

Item, I sent a lettir by Rauff Greneakyr to James Gresham and to yow, which he promised me shuld be at Norwich on Wednesday aftir Thwelth day, and therin wer divers maters; and in especiall of a mater that shuld be in communication on Teusday last past bethwyx Yelverton and Robert Wyngfeld, as in the seid lettir is specifiid. It is so that the seid Robard shall be here within this ij. dayes; if any thyng ye have aspied of it send me word. Item, yonge Knevet tellith me that he is my good frend, and he is come ridyng homeward on Friday last was. I pray yow, ley wetche whedir ye here any thyng that he medillyth hym at that mater, and send me word; for I wold understand whedir he wer just and trew or nought, and that do [_done_] it shall not ligh in his power to hurt me. But take ye hed and inquere and knowe other mennes purpos, and kepe your intent as close as ye can; and what some evir boost be mad, werk ye wisely and set not by it but send me word what ye here.

Item, Calle sendyth me word that Sir Thomas Howes is seke and not like to askape it, and Berney tellyth me the contrary; wherfore I pray yow take hed therat, and lete me have knowleche, for though I be not behold to hym I wold not he were ded for more thanne he is worth.

Item, take the viker the bille that I send yow herwyth.

Item, that ye, if ye can fynd the meane, to aspie what goodis Edmond Clere eschetith of any mannes.[126.1]

Item, remember well to tak heed at your gatis on nyghtis and dayes, for theves, for thei ride in divers contres with gret felaship like lordis, and ride out of on [_one_] shire in to a nother. Wretyn at London, the Tuisday next aftir Sent Hillary.

Item, that Richard Calle bryng me up mony, so that my prestis [_i.e._ borrowings] be paiid, and that he come up suerly with other men and attornis.

_Endorsed in a later hand:_-- ‘Some speciall lettres towching John
Paston’s trowbells and sute for Fastolfs landis by the Duke of
Suffolk.’

[Footnote 121.1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 15.] The contents of this
letter show it to be of the year 1465, when Daubeney and Calle, as
we know, were with Margaret Paston (_see_ No. 576). Reference is
made to the displeasure Sir John Paston had given to both his
parents in 1463 (_see_ No. 552), and what his mother writes about
his return home in May of this year (No. 579) goes to confirm the
date. Further proof will be found in the footnote at p. 126.]

[Footnote 121.2: If this be the vicar of Paston, it was William
Warner, who succeeded Robert Williamson in 1464.]

[Footnote 121.3: James Gloys, the priest.]

[Footnote 122.1: Sir John Paston.]

[Footnote 123.1: South Town, Yarmouth, where there was a house of
Austin Friars.]

[Footnote 123.2: Dr. John Brackley, the Grey Friar.]

[Footnote 124.1: Meaning, that the waste was attributed to his
sheep.]

[Footnote 124.2: This word ‘goodly’ has been lined out, and a very
illegible word inserted above it.]

[Footnote 124.3: Constantine Dalby had been rector of Mautby from
1453 to 1460, and appears also to have held the vicarage of East
Dereham from 1451 to 1458. He was succeeded at Mautby by Thomas
Howes from 1460 to 1465, and then by Robert Cutler or Cotteler,
who must be the ‘parson of Mautby’ spoken of just before.]

[Footnote 124.4: Robert Sheringham was vicar of East Dereham from
1458 to 1467.]

[Footnote 126.1: Edmund Clere, as appears by evidences in the
Record Office, was escheator of Norfolk and Suffolk from November
1464 to November 1465.]

[[I may selle here for vj_s._ viij_d._ a quarter
_text has “viij_a._” (italic a for d)_]]

576

JOHN WYKES TO MARGARET PASTON[127.1]

_Unto my maystres, Margageret Paston, be thys letter delyveryd in hast, &c._

[Sidenote: 1465 / FEB. 7]

Ryght wyrshypfull maystres, I recomaund me un to your gode maystresshyp. Please it you to wyte that my mayster your hosbond, my maystres youre moder, my mayster Sir John, Mr. Wyllyam, Mr. Clement, and all ther men, wer in gode helth, whon thys letter was wryten, thankyd be Jesu, and also ther maters be in a gode wey, for my Lord Chaunseler ys ther syngeler gode Lord in thys mater at thys tyme; and that it provyth, for he was yesterday in the Escheker, and ther he had a foren hym alle the Juges, all the Barons of the Escheker, and all the Shurgents, and ther argued wher that the Barons of the Escheker shold award any such Comyssyon or not, and uppon that the seyd Comyssyon shull be broght uppon Fryday unto the Chaunsery, and ther to be provyd, wher it be lafull or not, &c.

Item, and yf it please it you to gyve Daveney[127.2] knowlych that ther ys jugement gyven uppon the condempnacion a yenst Hall,[127.3] that he claymed for hys bond man, and the jugement ys gyven a yenst Daveney, Ric. Call, and Thomas Bon, and ther ys comen owte proces for to take ther bodys thys same day, and if thay or any of them be taken thay shull never gon oute of prison on to the tyme that they have satesfyed the party of viij^xx marc, and ther for lete them be ware. And the Holy Trinyte have you in Hys kypyng. Wryten at London, uppon Thursday next after the Purificacion of our Lady, &c.

By your Servaunt,

JOHN WYKS.

[Footnote 127.1: [From Fenn, iv. 134.] This letter must be later
than the year 1463, as Sir John Paston does not appear to have
been knighted so early as February in that year. But as John
Paston, the father, was at Caister and not at London in the early
part of the year 1464, it cannot be that year. Neither can we
assign it to 1466, the last year of John Paston’s life, as it
appears by a letter written on the 17th February in that year that
although John Paston was in London, his son Sir John could not
have been there for some time before. We are therefore shut up to
the year 1465 as the only possible date for this letter.]

[Footnote 127.2: So in Fenn, but the name ought certainly to be
Daubeney, perhaps spelt Dabeney.]

[Footnote 127.3: Robert Hall. I find that he brought an action in
Trinity term, 3 Edward IV., against John Daubeney of Norwich,
gentleman, and Thomas Boon and Richard Call of Norwich, yeomen,
for having, in conjunction with William Daubeney of Sharyngton,
Norfolk, Esq., unlawfully imprisoned him at Norwich for three
hours on the 20th February, 39 Hen. VI. (1461), until he gave them
a bond of £100 for his ransom.]

[[Unto my maystres, Margageret Paston _text unchanged_]]

577

WILLIAM WORCESTER TO ----[128.1]

[Sidenote: 1465 / MARCH 31]

Please your maistershyp to wete that aftyr recomendacion that I sende Thomas More to myne oncle the parson[128.2] wyth certeyn credence to hafe aunsuer uppon by hym for myn acquytaille another day, yff onye thyng falle sinistrely only yn theyr deffaut, as God defend, not be my wille, for I hafe as feythfulle demesned me seth I rode to London thys terme, and hedertoo as anye maner creatur yn reson coude desyre me; and hafe demened me at London accordyng to the message sent me by the baylly of Drayton, and I vele but littille that my gode wille ys allowed.[128.3] I hafe also, seth I came to Norwiche, enformed hym whate proffyt ease and avaylle I may help stand hem both yn my maister godes and yn hys lyvelode; yff he or hys frendys set littlle by it, I may nat do wyth all. And the blessed Trinite be with yow, because ye wolle the wellfare off my maister, whoos soule God hafe pytie on and bryng hym owte of peyn, as the wellfare of the parties it meovyth me wryte to yow the rathyr. I enformyd yow for trouth, and as I wille prefe, that I was the principall doer and cause that both Maister Paston and myne oncle came fyrst yn the testament viij. yeer goon, to a gode entent; and yff they wold wyrke ayenst me to minussh my power, theyr disposicion woll be construed ferther than they wille it were, and they not so avaylled as they weene yn all thynges. The blessed Trinete be wyth yow. Wryt on Passyon Sonday.

Your W. WYRCESTRE.

Memorandum to Thomas More that because ye myzt foryete myne erand to Maister Bernay, I pray you rede hym my bille, and that he wille take it to a gode entent; for how so evyr I wryte I meene well, and so shall.

[Footnote 128.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] In this letter reference
is made to a ‘testament’ drawn up by Sir John Fastolf eight years
previously. This, however, cannot be his last will, as that would
carry the date to a year after John Paston’s death, who seems to
be here spoken of as living. The settlement referred to is
doubtless the testamentary declaration of 1457 mentioned in No.
541.]

[Footnote 128.2: Sir Thomas Howes.]

[Footnote 128.3: _i.e._ Little credit is given me for my good
will.]

578

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[129.1]

_To my ryght worchepfull hosbond, Jon Paston, be this deliveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1465 / APRIL 8]

Right worchepfull hosbond, I recomand me to you. Please you to wet that I send you a copy of the deed that Jon Edmonds of Taveram sent to me, be the menys of Dorlet. He told Dorlet that he had suche a deed as he supposyd, that wold don ease in prevyng of the tytyll that the Duk of Suffolk cleymythe in Drayton;

[Sidenote: Carte Drayton.]

for the same deed that he sent me, the seale of armys is lyke onto the copy that I send you, and noo thyng leke to the Duk of Suffolks auncesters.

Item, the seyd Edmond seythe, yf he may fynd any other thyng that may do yow ease in that mater he wolle do hys part therin.

[Sidenote: Heylisdon, Brythyeve, Barker, Porter.]

Item, Jon Russe sent me word that Barker and Herry Porter told hym in councell that the Duk of Suffolk hathe bowght one Brytyeff ryghte, the wyche makythe a cleyme on to Heylysdon, and the seyd Duke is proposyd to entere within shorte tyme after Esterne, for in so moche the seyd Russe felle be the seyd Barber and Porter that all the feffees wolle make a relees on to the Duk and helpe hym that they can in to her power, for to have hys good lorchep.

[Sidenote: Bracium.]

Item, yf it please you, me thynkythe it war ryght nessessary that ye send word howe that ye wolle your old malte be purveyed for; for and any hote weder come affter that it hathe leyne this wynter season, it shall be but lost but yf [_unless_] it be sold be tymys, for as for the pryse [_price_] here, it is sore falle. I have sold a C. comb of malt that came fro Guton, to Jamys Golbeter, clenefyed, and strek met, and non inmet (?), for ij_s._ ij_d._, the comb, and to be payed at Mydsomer and Lammes.

[Sidenote: Sirpi pro reparatione de Mautby.]

Item, ther be dyvers of your tenantrys at Mauteby that had gret ned for to be reparyd, at [? but] the tenaunts be so por that they ar not a power to repare hem; wherfor yf leke you, I wold that the marche that Bryge had myght be kept in your owne hand this yer, that the tenaunts myght have ruschis to repare with her howsys. And also ther is wynfall wod at the maner that is of noo gret valewe, that myght helpe hem with toward toward the reparacion, yf it leke you to late hem have it that hathe most need therof.

[Sidenote: Burgoys, Mareshs, Mauteby.]

I have spoke with Borges that he shuld heyne [_raise_] the price of the mershe, or ellis I told hym that he shuld no lenger have it, for ye myght [have][130.1] other fermors therto that wold geve therfor as it was late befor, and yf he wold geve therfor as moche as another man wold, ye wold that he shuld have it befor any other man; and he seyd he shuld geve me answer be a fortenyght after Esterne. I can get non other fermor therto yet.

Item, I understand be Jon Pampyng that ye wolle not that your sone be take in to your hows, nor holpe be you, tylle suche tyme of yere as he was put owt therof, the wiche shall be abowght Seynt Thomas messe.[131.1]

[Sidenote: Pro recuperatione Johannis Paston.]

For Gods sake, sir, a pety on hym; remembre yow it hathe bed a long season syn he had owt of yow to helpe hym with, and he hathe obeyed hym to yow and wolle do at all tymis, and wolle do that he can or may to have your good faderood. And at the reverence of God be ye hys good fader, and have a faderly hert to hym; and I hope he shall ever knowe hymselff the better here after, and be the more ware to exchewe suche thyngs as shuld dysplease you, and for to take hed at that shuld please you. Pecoke shalle telle you be mothe of more thyngs than I may write to you at this tyme. The blyssyd Trinite have you in Hys kepyng. Wretyn at Caster in hast, the Monday next after Palme Sonday.

Your M. P.

[Footnote 129.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The claims laid by the
Duke of Suffolk to Drayton and Hellesden occupy a prominent place
in this correspondence during the year 1465, and I do not find
them alluded to in any letter of an earlier date. Moreover, the
purchase by virtue of which the Duke laid claim to the latter
manor, which is reported here as a secret, is mentioned again as a
piece of news in a letter undoubtedly written on the 10th May
1465. There can be little doubt therefore that this letter is of
the same year. The apostyle, or set of marginal notes appended, is
in the handwriting of John Paston.]

[Footnote 130.1: Omitted in MS.]

[Footnote 131.1: This might be the translation of St. Thomas the
Martyr, 7th July, or St. Thomas Apostle’s Day, 21st December; but
most probably it means the day of St. Thomas à Becket, 29th
December.]

[[for ij_s._ ij_d._, the comb _printed in roman (non-Italic) type_]]

[[that myght helpe hem with toward toward the reparacion
_text unchanged_]]

579

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[131.2]

_To my ryght wyrshypfull husband, John Paston, be thys delyveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1465 / MAY 3]

Ryght wyrshipful husbond, I recomaunde me unto you.

[Sidenote: Drayton tenaunts bony, perter ij.]

Pleasyd you to wyte that I have spokyn thys wyke with dyvers of youre tennaunts of Drayton and put hem in comfort that all shalbe well hereafter by the grace of God; and I fyle well by hem that they wylbe ryght glad to have ayen there olde mayster, and so wold they all except j. or ij. that be fals shrewys. And thys next wyke I purpose on Wensday or Thursday to be at Haylesdon, and to a byde ther a wyke or ij., and send oure men aboute to gedere money at Drayton and Haylesdon; and yf ye wyll I woll do kepe a corte at Drayton or I com thens. I pray yow send me word how ye wyll that I doo there in.

[Sidenote: Malt, barly.]

I recevyd ij. letters from you of Nicholl Tolman yesterday, werin ye desyre that we shuld purvey for your malte and barley; and soo shall we doo as well as we cann, and send you word howe that we may doo therewith in hast.

Item, yesterday Master Phylyp[132.1] toke Dorlets hors uppon Drayton lond as they went to the plowe for the hole yere ferm; and as it ys told me the tenaunts of Drayton tolde hym that he dyde hym wrong to make hym pay for the hole yere, for non of the tenaunts had payd hym but for the di’ [_half_] yere and he say thohg they had not payd but for the di’ yere,

[Sidenote: Dorlat et verba M.P.]

Paston shuld pay for the other di’ yere, and for moo yers also yf he lyvyd. But I trow to gyte Dorlet ayen hys hors or els Mr. Phylyp ys lyke to be unhorssyd ons, and we lyve all. Your son[132.2] shall com hom to moryn, as I trowe, and as he demenyth hym hyr after I shall lete you have knowlych;

[Sidenote: J. P., sen.]

and I pray you thynk not in me that I wyll supporte hym ne favour hym in no lewdnesse, for I wyl not. As I fynd hym hereafter, soo I wyll lete you have knowlych. I have put your evydens that com owte of the abbay[132.3] in a seck and enseylyd hem under Ric. Call ys seall that he shal not say but they eryn as he left hem;

[Sidenote: Rotuli prioris (?)]

but as for the place where they ern kypt he hath no knowlych . . . . . . . . . . . As for the gentylwoman that ye wrote to me for yn youre lettere, I . . . . . . . . . . . . there, yf it lykyd all folks as well as it shold doo me, I trow . . . . . . . a bowte yf her frends were as well a gryed therto, and as they . . . . . . . . parte, yf ye wyll that it be movyd of more hereafter I wyll . . . . . . . . wyll make a newe parson, at Drayton. Also it ys sayd that . . . . . . . . there, by cause it hath stond so long voyd; yet and any sh. . . . . . . had lever that he com in by the Byshop then by a . . . . . . . . doo therein yf ye wyll send hom any presentacion selyd . . . . . . . . we shall a say to gyte som gode priste and sette hym . . . . . . . . Wryten in haste at Caster on Holy Rode Day &c.

As . . . . . . . doo therein as well as I cann. I have gyte a replevyn . . . . . . . . CC shype, and yf they may not be hadde ayen, then he grau[nteth] . . . . . . . .

[Sidenote: Data obligacione (?) pro ovibus.]

We fynd hym ryght gode in that we desyre of him for you, and therfore yf it lyke you I wold he were th . . . . . .

[Footnote 131.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Holy Rood Day, on which
this letter is dated, commonly means the 14th of September (feast
of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross). Here I suspect it is the 3rd
May (Invention of the Holy Cross), as the contents of the letter
suit that date in the year 1465. It will be seen that Margaret
Paston dates from Caister, and proposes next week to be at
Hellesden. Her next letter, dated the 10th May, is from Hellesden,
and shows that she carried out the intention here expressed of
sending men to collect money at Drayton, and had left her eldest
son at Caister to keep the place. There is also a close agreement
between that letter and this, in what is said about the demeanour
of the tenants and Mr. Philip’s conduct. The apostyle of this
letter, as of the preceding, is in the hand of John Paston, very
ill written, and occasionally ambiguous.]

[Footnote 132.1: Philip Lipgate, the Duke of Suffolk’s bailiff.]

[Footnote 132.2: Sir John Paston.]

[Footnote 132.3: _See_ No. 561.]

580

JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON[133.1]

_To the right worshypfull sir, my right honourabyll maister, John Paston, at London._

[Sidenote: 1465 / MAY 6]