Chapter IV: Part 4

Letter in English, on paper (signed W. W., but unaddressed), desiring some one to propose to ‘my Lord’ [the Bishop of Winchester?] the obtaining of a letter from Sir John Paston to the tenants of Titchwell that he will not claim any rents from them, and another from ‘my Lord,’ to the same effect, on behalf of Sir William Yelverton; and the sending a warrant to expend 4 or 6 marks upon making up the sea banks before the Titchwell pastures, because at Spring the sea breaks in upon them. Desires to know whether Sir W. Yelverton’s advice shall be taken upon business matters. ‘Frere’ Geffrey Westvale is going to be created Doctor in Theology at Cambridge, at the Feast of St. John, who twenty years past, when at Yarmouth convent, belonged to ‘my Maister Fastolf’; and Sir Thomas Howys, a month before his decease, promised to help him on Mr. Fastolf’s order. He would have come now to ‘my Lord’ to ask his alms had not the writer letted him. Desires to be informed whether ‘my Lord’ will help him. ‘Maister Briston yn lykewyse Maister Spicer, and Maister Stevyns, trustyn appon me and dyvers others to speke to my Lord for a relyeve,’ and Thomas Fastolf and Milcent Fastolf, and many others, ‘that make me noyed and werye.’

[Footnote 71-2: [From MS. Titchwell, 120, in Magdalen College,
Oxford.] From internal evidence it would seem that this letter
must have been written shortly before that which follows it. The
abstracts of these two letters have been kindly supplied to me by
Mr. Macray.]

745

ABSTRACT[72-1]

[Sidenote: 1470 / MAY 17]

Letter in English from W. Wyrcestre to Bishop Wayneflete.--Has been at Tychewell to endeavour to let the manor and farm, but none of the farmers there will take it without guarantees from Sir John Paston and Sir William Yelverton in writing against any distraint. . . . . the younger, who owes £9, will come to the Bishop about the letting. The writer represents his own poor condition. Has been at charges ten years in London, and in riding on the infinite process of ‘my Maister Fastolf’s testament yn the court of audience.’ Is now obliged to retire from London to Cambridge in order to live cheaply. Had been promised 25 marks on Paston’s behalf, 20 marks for ever of Fastolf’s lands, 5 marks of fee for his life, and £15 worth of land for ever. Has not had clearly 8 marks.

[Footnote 72-1: [From MS. Titchwell, 199, in Magdalen College,
Oxford.]]

746

JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[72-2]

_To Syr John Paston, Knyght, or to Thomas Stompys, to delyver to the seyd Syr John._

[Sidenote: 1470 / JUNE 22]

Ryght worchepfull syr, and my specyall good brodyr, I recomand me to yow; and for as myche as I can not send yow good tydyngs, ye shall have syche as I knowe.

It is so that on Wednysday last past ye and I, Pampyng, and Edmund Broom were endyttyd of felonye at the Sessyons her in Norwyche for shotyng of a gonne at Caster in August last past, whyche goone slowghe two men, I, Pampyng and Broom as pryncypall, and ye as accessary; notwithstandyng Townysend[73-1] and Lomner held an oppynyon that the verdytt is voyd, for ther wer ij. of th’enqwest that wold not agre to th’endyttment. And in as myche as they ij. wer agreyd in othyr maters, and not in that, and that they two wer not dyschargyd fro the remnant at syche tym as that verdyth of yowyr endytment was govyn, ther oppynyon is that all the vordyght is voyde, as well of all othyr maters as of yowyr. Whedyr ther opynyon be good or not, I can not determyne, nor them sylf neythyr.

I pray yow let not thys mater be slept, for I can thynk that my Lord of Norff. consaylle wyll cawse the wedows to tak an apell, and to remeve it up in to the Kyngs Benche at the begynyng of this term. Townysend hathe promysyd me that he shall be at London on Twysday next comyng, and then ye may comon with hym in that mater, and take hys avyse.

Item, Townysend and Lomner thynk that and ye have good consayll, ye may justyfye the kepyng of the plase for the pesybyll possessyon that ye have had in it mor then iij. yeer; but in conclusyon, all thys is doo for nowght ellys but for to enforse yow to take a dyreccyon with my Lord of Norff.

I undyrstood by R. Sothewell--for he and I comonyd in thys mater ryght largely betwyx hem and me--in so myche he tellyth me that and I be at London in the wek next aftyr Seynt Petyr, at whych tyme he shall be ther hym sylf, he seyth that my Lady hathe promysyd me hyr good ladyshep, and sent me woord by hym, in as myche as he spak for me to hyr, that she wold remembyr myn old servyse, and for get the gret dysplesyr in syche wyse that I shall undyrstand that the swtte that I have mad to my Lord hyr husbond and hyr shall torne to your avantage and myn, more then we weene as yett or shall undyrstand tyll syche tyme as I have spokyn with hyr good grace. And upon thys promesse I have promysyd Sothewell to meet with hym at London that same weeke next aftyr Seynt Petyr; wherfor I wold passyngly fayne that ye wer in London at that season, or nye abowght London, so that I myght undyrstand at your plase wher that I myght spek with yow or then I spek with my Lady.

I propose to go to Canterbery[74-1] on foot thys next week, with Godds grace, and so to com to London fro thense. I pray yow se that I be safe for Parker and Henry Coletts mater.

Sothewell[74-2] told me thys, that if so be that ye wyll your sylf, ye shall have bothe goode lordshep and ladyshep, and mony or lond, or both, and all your maters set cler. What that he menyth, I can not sey. As for all othyr maters in thys contre, I shall do as well as I may for fawt of monye tyll I spek with yow. I have many collars on, as I shall tell yow when I come.

No more, but God preserve yow and yours. Wretyn at Norwyche, Fryday next aftyr Corpus Christi Daye.

J. P.

I ded as myche as I kowd to have lettyd th’endyttment, but it wold not be, as I shall enform you; and Townysend knowyth the same.

[Footnote 72-2: [From Fenn, iv. 428.] As this letter refers to an
incident in the siege of Caister as having taken place ‘in August
last,’ there can be no doubt about the date.]

[Footnote 73-1: Probably Roger Townsend, afterwards Justice of the
Common Pleas.]

[Footnote 74-1: On pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Thomas
Becket, I suppose.--F.]

[Footnote 74-2: Richard Southwell, Esq. of Wood-Rising. He
acquired this estate by marrying Amy, daughter and co-heir of Sir
Edmund Wichingham, Knight.--F.]

747

JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[74-3]

_To Syr John Paston, Knyght, or to Thomas Stomppys, to delyver to the seyd Syr John._

[Sidenote: 1470 / JUNE 25]

As I sent yow woord by a lettyr that John Wymondham browght to London, J. Pampyng is endyghtyd of felony, and Edmund Broon as princypallys, and ye as axcessary, for schotyng of agonne in Awgust last past, whyche gonne kyllyd ij. men; and I trowe that my Lord of Norff. consayll wyll make on of the wedows, or bothe, to swe an apell up on the same endyghtment thys terme. Wherfor I pray yow se well to thys mater, that when it is sertyfyid in to the Kyngys Benche, Broom and Pampyng may have warnyng that they may purvey for hem self, if ther com eny _capyas_ owght for hem. Townysend can tell yow all the mater.

Also ye must in eny wyse be ware, for my grauntdam[75-1] and myn Lady Anne[75-2] and myn Oncyll Wyllam shall be at London within thes viij. or x. dayis, and I wot well it is for nowght ellys but to make myn Oncyll Wyllam swyr of hyr lond, notwithstandyng she hath reryd affyn of it be for Goodreed,[75-3] the Justyse, in my grauntfadyrs dayis, and my modyr tellyth me that ye have the copye of the same fyne; I wold avyse yow to have it redy, what so evyr betyd. I trow they wyll be the more besy abowght the same mater, because they thynk that ye dar not com in London, nor at Westmenstyr to lett [_stop_] them; but if so be that ye have not the copy of the same fynne, look that ye spare for no cost to do serche for itt, for it wyll stand yow on hand, I feell by the werkyng.

Thys day sevennyght I trust to God to be forward to Caunterbery at the ferthest, and upon Saterday com sevennygh I tryst to God to be in London; wherfor I pray yow leve woord at yowr plase in Fleet Strett wher I shall fynd yow, for I purpose not to be seyn in London tyll I have spook with yow.

I pray yow remembyr thes maters, for all is doon to make yow to drawe to an ende with thes Lordys that have your lond fro yow. No more, but I pray God send yow your herttys desyir in thees maters and in all othyr.

Wretyn at Norwyche, the Monday next aftyr Seynt John Baptyst.

J. P.

[Footnote 74-3: [From Fenn, iv. 434.] This letter, it will be
seen, refers in the beginning to the same matter as the
preceding.]

[Footnote 75-1: Agnes Paston, widow of William Paston, the Judge.]

[Footnote 75-2: Anne, daughter of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of
Somerset, married William Paston, the uncle of Sir John
Paston.--F.]

[Footnote 75-3: William Goodrede was created a Serjeant-at-Law in
1425. In 1431 he was appointed King’s Serjeant, and in 1434 became
a Justice of the King’s Bench.--F.]

748

ABSTRACT[76-1]

[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 3]

Indenture between Sir John Paston and Edmund Shaa, goldsmith, London, concerning 20 dishes and a saucer of silver pledged to the latter, 3rd July 10 Edw. IV.

[Footnote 76-1: [From Paston MSS.]]

749

ABSTRACT[76-2]

[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 8]

Indenture, dated London, 8th July 10 Edw. IV., whereby Sir John Paston places in pawn to Stephen Kelke, goldsmith, of London, 16 pottingers, weighing 22 lb. 10½ oz. Troy weight, for £40, till Whitsuntide following.

[Footnote 76-2: [From Add. Charter 17,249, B.M.]]

750

ABSTRACTS[76-3]

FASTOLF’S LANDS

[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 14]

‘11. A triparted indenture betweene William Bishop of Winton and John Paston, Knight, and others, touching the intent of two feoffmentes of the Bishop of Wynton, the one of the mannors of Drayton and Tolthorp, in the county of Norfolk and the city of Norwich, which were somtymes Sir John Falstofs; the other of the mannors of Wynterton, cald Bregmiles (?), of Reppys in Bastwyke, the third part of the mannor of Rowneham, londes and tenementes cald Cutts in Haringby, and lands cald Buley in Stokesby, to Guy Fairfax, John Paston, Squier, et aliis. July 14, Edw. IV. 10.’

‘17. Relaxatio Johannis Paston, Georgii Arch. Cant. et aliorum Willielmo Waynflet totius juris de et in omnibus maneriis, terris, &c. quæ fuerunt Johannis Falstolf in comit’ Norf., exceptis manerio de Castre et Spensers in Haringby, ac terris vocat’ Vaux, Redham, et Bosoms, et maner’ de Hayleydon, Drayton, et Tolthorp. Julii 14, Edw. IV. 10.’

‘28. An indenture contayning mutuall releases of the Bishop of Wynton to John Paston, Knight, et c^a. July 14, Edw. IV. 10.’

‘29 and 61. An indenture containing the agreement betweene Wylliam Wainflet, Bishop of Wynton, and Sir John Paston, concerning Sir John Fastolfes landes and goods. July 14, Edw. IV. 10.’

This last document, of which there is another copy or draft, numbered 36 in the Index, is more fully described, as follows, by Mr. Macray, in the Fourth Report of the Historical MSS. Commission:--

1470, 14 July, 10 Edw. IV. Indenture tripartite (very long, in
English) between Bishop Wayneflete and Sir John Paston, Knight,
containing an agreement for the termination of disputes between the
executors of the will of Sir John Fastolf, whereby the property of
the latter has been much wasted; dividing the manors between the
Bishop and Paston, and providing for the foundation of seven priests
and seven poor scholars in Magdalene College; Paston to deliver up
all deeds and muniments to the Priory of St. Mary Overy, in
Southwark, to be put in a chest, locked with two locks and two keys,
of which the Bishop to have one and Paston the other, and the Bishop
to bring thither also all his deeds; one part of this indenture to
remain with each of the parties, and the third with the Prior of St.
Mary Overy.

[Footnote 76-3: The following entries are taken from the old index
of deeds and writings relating to Norfolk and Suffolk, preserved
in the tower of Magdalen College, Oxford.]

751

PAMPYNG TO SIR JOHN PASTON[77-1]

_To my most reverent and worshipfull master, Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 15]

Right worshipfull sir and my good master, I recomaund me unto yow in my moost lowly wise. And please yow to wete I have with the mony ye sent me by Judy rewardid my felaship as ye comaundid, wretyn in a bille closid herin; and as for William Milsent I lete hym wete hough ye undirstood he was disposed to goo hoom to his fadere, wherof ye were pleasid and wold he shuld do so. He said he intendid not to be with his fadir, ner it was not in his power so to do; nevirthelesse he is home to his fadir and ther abidith, but what he purposith to do I wote not. Davy is at home and takyth heed to his lond. Homeworth is content and gooth to his labour. As for Stompis, I have be with the Abbot of Sen Benetts for hym as ye comaundid. And he recomaundith hym to yow, and said to me he was right glad that ye wold send to hym for any servaunt ye had, saying that if he coud do any thyng for yow, and for any servaunt of yours, he wold do it feithfully. And also he said he wold not fayle yow whill he levid in that he coud and myght do, trustyng heraftir to have your help and favour in that he shall have a do. And he told me and Stompis bothe, whanne so evir he come he shuld be welcome, and that he wold do as welle to hym as to fewe servauntes he had for yowr sake, and that he wold kepe hym for yow. As for my self my mastres saith she woll geve me mete and drynk for a season; nevirthelesse I am warnyd to be ware, for it is told me that ther is processe out upon the appele ayens me and other; wherfore I beseche yow that that mater may be take heed to as ye may, that we myght have knowlech of any processe ther be, that we may be ware, for I thynk verely, and I or any other come in ther hands this world, we shuld not escape without shame at the leest.

Item, as for the remnaunt of the mony biside this bille, ye owe to the parson of Sent Edmondes Caster for iiij. combe malt, and ij. combe whete, x_s._ whiche I promysid hym to pay; and Rob. Newton lymebrenner for lyme, xiij_s._ iiij_d._, calling upon me for it; and Robert Bery for shoyng, x_s._; and if it please yow that I make payment herof there shall remayne in my handes xxiij_s._ iiij_d._ And what ye woll I do herin, I beseche yow to send me word. Judy hath be with Thom Fastolff, he can telle yow answer in that mater. As for the rewle at Caster, they selle and make mony of such stuffe as they fond there, and kepe other rewle that the contre is full sory and irk of, and of my lordes men resortyng to hem, and riden about the contry onknowen, and by berynges on hand[78-1] take large bribys. I pray God be your spede and send yow some good meane for your wele and ease to them that owe yow servise. Wretyn at Norwich the Monday next aftir Relik Sonday,

Your pore servaunt,

PAMPYNG.

[Footnote 77-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Reference is made in this
letter to the appeal which the two widows were to sue against Sir
John Paston. _See_ Nos. 746, 747.]

[Footnote 78-1: _See_ vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.]

752

MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[79-1]

[Sidenote: 1470 / JULY 15]

I grete yow well and send yow Goddes blissyng and myne, letyng yow wete that your fermours have brought me a gret bille of reparacion, the which I send yow, with lx_s._ in mony. I wold have had the residue of the mony of them, and they said it was your agrement that this reparacion shuld be do and alowed now at this payment, and so I coud get no more mony of them. And they say that the parson[79-2] was prevy to the reparacion. If ye were thus agreed and woll have the reparacion examined ye may send word; but I wold ye shuld purvey for your self as hastely as ye may, and come home and take heed to your owne and to myn therto, otherwise thanne ye have do bifore this, bothe for my profite and for yours, or ellis I shall purvey for my self otherwise in hast, so that I trust shall be more ease and avayle for me and non ease nor profite to yow in tyme to come. I have litell help nor comfort of non of yow yet, God geve me grase to have heraftir. I wold ye shuld assay whedir it be more profitable for yow to serve me thanne for to serve such masters as ye have servid afore this, and that ye fynde mooste profitable theraftir do in tyme to come. Ye have assayed the werld resonabilly, ye shall knowe your self the bettir heraftir. I pray God we may be in quyete and in rest with oure own from hens forth. My power is nat so good as I wold it were for your sake and other; and if it were, we shuld not longe be in daungere. God brynge us oute of it; who have yow in His kepynge. Wretyn with onhertes ease the Monday next aftir Relike Sonday.

By your Modir.

[Footnote 79-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, although
subscribed ‘By your mother,’ is neither signed nor addressed. It
is, however, undoubtedly from Margaret Paston to her son Sir John.
It is written in Pampyng’s hand, and seems to be of the same year
as his own letter immediately preceding, which is dated on the
same day.]

[Footnote 79-2: Sir Thomas Howes.]

753

SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[80-1]

_. . . . . Paston, &c._

[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 5]

Brother, I comand me to yow, &c. . . .[80-2] Also telle John Pampyng that the mayde at the Bulle at Cludeys at Westminster sent me on a tyme by hym to the Moor a rynge of goolde to a tookne, whyche I hadde not off hym. Wherffor I wolle he scholde sende it hyedre, ffor sche most have itt ageyn, or ellys v_s._, ffor it was not hyrrys. Item, I praye yow be redye; the mater qwykennythe bothe ffor yowe and yowres as well as ffor us and howrys.

As ffor tydynges, my Lorde Erchebysshop[80-3] is at the Moor, but ther is beleffte with hym dyverse off the Kynges servantes, and as I understond he hathe lysence to tarry ther tyll he be sente ffor. Ther be many ffolkes uppe in the northe, soo that Percy[80-4] is not able to recyst them; and soo the Kynge hathe sente ffor hys ffeeodmen to koom to hym, for he woll goo to putt them downe. And soom seye that the Kynge sholde come ageyn to London, and that in haste, and as it is sayde Cortenayes be londyd in Devenschyr, and ther rewle.

Item, that the Lordes Clarance and Warwyk woll assaye to londe in Inglonde evyrye daye, as ffolkes ffeer.

I praye yow late not John Mylsent be longe ffrom me, with as moche as can be gaderyd: and also that ye wryght to me off all thynges that I have wretyn to yow ffor, so that I may have answer off every thynge. Other thynges Bacheler Walter, berer heroff, schall informe yow.

Wretyn at London, the Sondaye nexte beffor Seynt Lawrence Daye.[81-1]

Also my brother Edmonde is not yet remembryd. He hathe not to lyff with, thynk on hym, &c.

JOHN PASTON, KT.

[Footnote 80-1: [From Fenn, ii. 46.] This letter, as it will be
seen from the contents, was written at the period just before the
restoration of Henry VI.]

[Footnote 80-2: Here follows an order about searching for some
writings, etc.--F.]

[Footnote 80-3: This must mean George Neville, Archbishop of York,
and brother to the Earl of Warwick, who seems to have been
suspected by the King, and left at the Moor as a kind of state
prisoner.--F.]

[Footnote 80-4: Henry Percy, who was restored to the Earldom of
Northumberland this year on its surrender by John Nevill, Lord
Montague. _See_ No. 743.]

[Footnote 81-1: St. Laurence’s day is the 10th of August.]

[[... Bacheler Walter, berer heroff, schall informe yow.
_final . missing or invisible_]]

754

ABSTRACT[81-2]

[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 7]

Indenture, dated London, 7th Aug., 10 Edw. IV., whereby Sir John Paston puts in pawn to Ric. Rawlyn of London, grocer, 2 chargers and 4 potengers, weighing 11 lb. 1¾ oz. silver, for £20, till Whitsunday following.

[Footnote 81-2: [From Add. Charter 17,250, B.M.]]

[[weighing 11 lb. 1¾ oz. silver
_period in “oz.” missing_]]

755

ABSTRACT[81-3]

[Sidenote: 1470]

1470, 10 Aug., 10 Edw. IV., at Eshher. Undertaking in English by John Paston, Esq., son of John Paston, Esq., who was one of the feoffees and executors of Sir John Fastolf, that whereas Bishop Waynflete, also one of the feoffees, and now sole executor, has taken upon him to perform the will of the said Sir John, so far forth as it may be performed (it being in most substance not yet performed, and his property wasted and devoured), out of his manors and lands in Essex, Surrey, Norfolk, Suffolk, and the city of Norwich, he (the said John Paston) will do true and faithful service to the said Bishop, and will be aiding and assisting to him and Magdalen College, in order that the lands may be let to their greatest profit, he being rewarded by the Bishop, to show his very good will to the due performing of Fastolf’s will; and that before the Feast of All Saints next he will deliver up to the said Bishop all charters, deeds, evidences, rentals, accounts, etc., pertaining to any of the said manors, excepting such as concern solely the manor of Castre, which by covenant of the said Bishop with Sir John Paston, Knight, brother of the said John Paston, Squire, must remain with the same Sir John.

[Footnote 81-3: The following abstract, like some others
preceding, is taken from Mr. Macray’s Report to the Historical
MSS. Commission on the Records of Magdalen College, Oxford.]

[[1470, 10 Aug., 10 Edw. IV., at Eshher.
_spelling unchanged_]]

756

ABSTRACTS[82-1]

PAINTER’S WORK

[Sidenote: 1470]

1. Account of payments to Robert Spery, servant of Vyol, and others, for working at the Frerys[82-2] in June and July; also for varnish, lead, earthen pans, yellow ochre, oil, bristles to make brushes, etc., for painter’s work.

_Endorsed_: ‘Vialles byll comprisid in the iij. rolles of stuff and werkmanship to A. P.[82-3] place and the Freris, which, as Clargynet understondith, is paid to Viall.’

‘Memorandum: j. copy of this bill remayneth amonges the billes of werkmanship at the White Freres and Baretts place, and a noder among the billes of plate and Vialles plegis.’

2. ‘Bill indented,’ 15th Aug. 10 Edw. IV., between William Paston, Esq., and Thomas Vyall of Norwich, painter, relative to the pledging of certain coral beads and plate to the former, for £5.

3. Account of sums owing to one Vyall for certain persons ‘at the Freris,’ during August, September, and October. Total, 32_s._ 10_d._

_Endorsed_: ‘Viall’s reckoning written in the roll of the Freris werke not paid, and must be allowed of the £5 that was lent to Viall not yet content again.’

‘Memorandum: one copy of this bill remaineth amongs the bills of workmanship at the White Freris and Baretts place, and another bill amongs the bills of plate and pledges.’

[Footnote 82-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 82-2: Apparently the White Friars at Norwich.]

[Footnote 82-3: Agnes Paston’s?]

[[... not yet / content again.’
_close quote missing_]]

757

FASTOLF’S COLLEGE[82-4]

[Sidenote: 1470 / AUG. 27]

‘4. John Paston, Squier, bindes himself to doe true and faithfull service to the Bishop of Winton, and to be ayding to his college and other his officers and tenants, for the landes of Sir John Falstolf, and to deliver to him all deedes, evidences, etc., except such as concerne the manor of Castre. Aug. 27, Edw. IV. 10.’

[Footnote 82-4: This entry is from the same old index of deeds in
Magdalen College, Oxford, referred to in previous Nos.]

758

EDWARD IV. TO WILLIAM SWAN[83-1]

_To oure welbelovid William Swan, Gentilman._

R. E.

BY THE KING.

[Sidenote: 1470 / SEPT. 7]

Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And for soo muche as we be credibly acertayned that our auncient ennemyes of Fraunce and our outward rebells and traitors be drawe to gadre in acorde, and entende hastily to lande in our countre of Kent, or in the parties therof ner adjonyng, with grete might and power of Frenshemen, utterly to destroie us and our true subgietts, and to subverte the comon wele of the same our royalme: We straitly charge and commaunde you, upon the feyth and liegeaunce that ye bare unto us, that ye arredie you with alle the felaship ye can make, and as sone as ye may undrestonde that thay lande in our said countie or nerbye, that you draw thider, as we have comaunded othere our subgietts to doo, and put you in uttremost devoir with thaim to resiste the malice of our said ennemyes and traitours; and if thai and ye be not of power soo to doo, that thanne ye drawe you to our citie of London, by which tyme we trust to be there in our owne personne or nerby; and if we be not that, that thanne ye do farther all ye shal bee commaunded by our Counsail there, upon the payne above said.

Yeven undre oure signet at oure citie of York, the vij. day of Septembr.

[Footnote 83-1: [From Fenn, iv. 438.] This letter does not
properly belong to the Paston correspondence. It was copied by
Fenn from an original in the library of Brigg Price Fountaine,
Esq. of Narford, in Norfolk, nephew and heir of the celebrated
antiquary, Sir Andrew Fountaine. The MS. was contained in a
volume of State Papers, some of them originals, and some copies,
of various dates, which had belonged to Sir Edward Coke.

The date of the document is undoubtedly in September 1470, when
Edward was at York, anticipating the invasion of Clarence and
the Earl of Warwick, aided by the King of France.]

THE PASTON LETTERS

_Henry VI. Restored_

759

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[84-1]

_To my ryght worchipfull Modyr, Margaret Paston, be thys delyuered._

[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 12]

Aftyr humbyll and most dew recommendacyon, as lowly as I can, I beseche yow of yowr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to wet that, blyssyd be God, my brodyr and I be in good hele; and I tryst that we shall do ryght well in all owyr maters hastyly; ffor my Lady of Norff.[84-2] hathe promyssyd to be rewlyd by my Lord of Oxynforthe[84-3] in all syche maters as belonge to my brodyr and to me; and as for my Lord of Oxynforthe, he is bettyr Lord to me, by my trowthe, than I can wyshe hym in many maters; for he sente to my Lady of Norff. by John Bernard only for my mater, and for non othyr cause, my onwetyng [_i.e._ without my knowledge], or wythout eny preyer of me, for when he sente to hyr I was at London, and he at Colchestyr, and that is a lyeklyod he remembyrthe me.

The Dwk and the Dwchess swe to hym as humbylly as evyr I dyd to them; in so myche that my Lord of Oxynforth shall have the rwyll of them and thers, by ther owne desyirs and gret meanys.

As for the ofyces that ye wrot to my brodyr for and to me, they be for no poore men; but I tryst we shall sped of othyr ofyseys metly for us, for my Mastyr the Erle of Oxynforthe bydeth me axe and have. I trow my brodyr Syr John shall have the Constabyllshep of Norwyche Castyll, with xx_li._ of ffee; all the Lordys be agreyd to it.

Tydyngs, the Erle of Wyrcestyr[85-1] is lyek to dye this day, or to morow at the ferthest. John Pylkyngton, Mr. W. att Clyff, and Fowler ar takyn, and in the Castyll of Pomfrett, and ar lyek to dye hastyly, with owte they be dead. Sir T. Mongomere and Joudone be takyn; what shall falle of hem I can not sey.

The Qwen[85-2] that was, and the Dwchess of Bedford,[85-3] be in seyntuary at Westmestyr; the Bysheop of Ely[85-4] with othyr Bysheopys ar in Seynt Martyns. When I here more, I shall send yow more. I prey God send yow all your desyrs. Wretyn at London on Seynt Edwards Evyn.

Your sone and humbyll servant,

J. P.

Modyr, I beseche yow that Brome may be spoken to, to gadyr up my syllvyr at Gwton in all hast possybyll, for I have no mony. Also that it lyek yow that John Mylsent may be spoken to, to kep well my grey horse, and he be alyve, and that he spare no met on hym, and that he have konnyng lechys to look to hym. As for my comyng hom, I knowe no serteynte, for I terry tyll my Lady of Norff. com to go thorow with the maters, and she shall not be here tyll Sonday.

[Footnote 84-1: [From Fenn, ii. 50.] The contents of this letter
clearly refer to the state of matters on the restoration of Henry
VI.]

[Footnote 84-2: Elizabeth, daughter of John Talbot, first Earl of
Shrewsbury, was the wife of John Mowbray, fifth Duke of Norfolk.]

[Footnote 84-3: John de Vere, a staunch Lancastrian.]

[Footnote 85-1: John Tiptoft, Lord Treasurer and Chief-Constable
of England. He was beheaded on a charge of cruelty, 18th October
1470.]

[Footnote 85-2: Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of Edward IV.]

[Footnote 85-3: Jaquetta of Luxemburg, Duchess-Dowager of Bedford,
widow of Sir Richard Woodville, the mother of Edward’s queen.]

[Footnote 85-4: William Gray.]

760

THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK’S MEN[86-1]

_To the Baillies, Constables, and Chamberleyns of our Burgh of Eye, and to everch of them._

THE DUKE OF SUFF.

[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 22]

For asmuche as Edmond Lee and John Barker, which were waged for your town to awaite upon us in the Kings service to Lincolne Feld, and from thens to Excestre and ayen, and for that season, as we be enfourmed, thei ar not yet fully contented and paied of their wages; wherfore upon the sighte herof we woll and charge that ye, with oute any lenger delay, paie them their hooll duties acording the covenants that ye made with them, and ye faille not herof as ye entende our pleaser.

Wreten at Wyngefeld, the xxij^th day of Octobr.

SUFFOLK.

[Footnote 86-1: [From Fenn, iv. 448.] The battle here referred to
as ‘Lincoln Field’ is what is commonly called the battle of
Stamford, in which the insurrection of Sir Robert Welles in
Lincolnshire was completely defeated in March 1470. Just before
the date of this document, Edward IV. had left the kingdom, and
Henry VI. had been restored; but perhaps Suffolk was not aware of
the situation, or did not recognise it.]

761

MARGARET PASTON TO [JOHN PASTON][86-2]

[Sidenote: 1470 / OCT. 28]

I grete you wele and send you Goddis blyssyng and myn, and I sende you be the berere herof all the sylver vessell that your graundam[86-3] makyth so mych of, which she seid I had of myn husband, and myn husband shuld have had it of his fader. And wher as she seid that I shuld have had a garneys, I had ner see never more than I send you, that is to say, ij. plateris, vj. dysshes and vj. sawceris. The ij. playteris weyn xliij. unces di., and the vj. dysshes weyn lxxiiij. unces di. and the sawcers weyn xvij. unces j. quarter. And I marvayll that ye sent me not word what an unce of sylver is werth at London; for it had be lesse joparte to have sold it here and have sent you the money than the plate. I myght have sold it her for iij_s._ an unce, sum xx_li._ iiij_s._ iij_d._ Be ware how that ye spend it, but in acquityng you ageyn such as ye be in daunger to, or abought the good speed of your materis; for, but if ye take odere heed to your expensis, ye shall do your self and your frendis gret diswurchep and enpoveryssh so them that non of us shall help other, to owr elmys [_enemies’_] grete comfort. It is understand ryght now in this countre be such as cleyme to be frendly to you in what grete daunger and nede ye stande in, bothe to diverse of your frendis and to your elmyse. And also it is noysed that I have departed so largely with you that I may nowthere help yow, my self nor none of my frendis; which is no wurchep, and causeth me to set the lesse be us; and at this tyme it compellith me to breke up howshold and to sogeorn; which I am right loth to have to do if I myght otherwyse have chosyn; for it caused gret clamour in this town[87-1] that I shall do so; and it shuld not have neded if I had restreyned whan I myght. Therfore for Goddis sake take hede here to, and be ware from hens forth; for I have delivered and sent you bothyn my parte the dedis and yowris, and not restreyned nowthere for my self nor the dede. Where fore I thynk we spede and fare all the wers; for it is a fowle slaunder that he was so wurchepful beried and his qwethword not performed, and so litill do for hym sithen. And now though I wold do for hym, I have right not [_naught_] beside my lyffelode that I may make any chevysans with, with ought grete slaunder; and my lyffelode encreasith evill, for I am fayn to takyn Mautby in myn owyn hand, and to set up husbandry ther; and how it shall profite me God knowyth. The fermour owyth me lxxx_li._ and more. Whan I shall have it I wete never. Therfore be never the bolder in your expenses for any help ye trust to have of me. For I will fro hens forth bryng my self ought of such daunger as I stand in for your sakes, and do for the dede and for them that I have my goodis of; for till I do so, I know for certeyn that I shall fayll grace and displeas God, How [_who_] have you in His kepyng. Wretyn on Sent Symondis day and Judes in hast.--Be your Moder.

Item, I send zow ij. sherte clothys, iche of iii. zardis of the fynest that is in thys towne. I xuld a dohem mad here[88-1] but that xuld a be to long here [_ere_] ze xuld a had hem. Zour Awnte[88-2] or sum other good woman wule do her almes up on zow for the makyng of them. I thank zow for the gowne that ye gave me Halowmesse day I hope [I[88-3]] xole be wurshuped ther with. At reverence of God, be ware and take hed to soche thynggis as is wretyn with ynne thys letter. Telle your brother that the mony is not zet cownyd that I xuld send hym for thersarsenet (_sic_) and damaske that I spake to hym foor. As for the damaske that may be forebore tylle the nexte terme, but as for the sarsenet I woold have yt and yt mythe be, for I goo in my rentis. Late zour brothere[88-4] see thys letter. As fore your syster[88-5] I can send zow no good tydyngges of her, God make her a good wooman.

[Footnote 86-2: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 206.] This letter was written
by Margaret Paston to one of her two sons, Sir John or John, at a
time when they were both together. That was the case in October
1470, as appears by a letter of the younger brother, written on
the 12th (No. 759), to the postscript of which this seems to be an
answer.]

[Footnote 86-3: Agnes Paston, the judge’s widow.]

[Footnote 87-1: Norwich.]

[Footnote 88-1: ‘I xuld a dohem mad here’ = I should have got them
made here.]

[Footnote 88-2: Elizabeth, widow of Robert Poynings.]

[Footnote 88-3: Omitted in MS.]

[Footnote 88-4: Sir John Paston, if this letter be to the younger
brother.]

[Footnote 88-5: Margery Paston, now probably married to Richard
Calle.]

762

SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[88-6]

_To John Paston, Esquyere, in haste._

[Sidenote: 1470 / NOV. 15]

Brother, I comand me to yow, praying yow that thys be yow guydyng, if other folkys wy[ll] agree to the same, that Mr. Roos, olde Knevett, ye, and the worshypfullest that wyll do for owr sake, as Arblaster, John Gyneye, Wodhows, and al other gentelmen that at the daye wyll be in Norwyche, that ye all holl as on bodye come to geder, that my Lorde of Oxenforde maye ondrestande that som strenkethethe restyth ther by, whyche if it be well handely[d] and prove in the handely[ng], I trow Heydonnes parte woll be but an easy comparyson. Neverthelesse ye than most ye be war of on [_one_] payn, and that is thys: Heydon wyll of crafte sende amonge yow per case vj. or mor with harneyse for to sclandre yowr felawschep, with seyng that they be ryotous peple, and natt of substance. Requer the gentelmen above wretyn that if any men be in Norwyche of the contre that ber any suche harneyse, to do them leve it or any glysteryng byll.

The Meyr and siteseynes of Nowyche wher wonte to have asertayne[89-1] in harneyse of men of the town to the nombr of ij. or iij. or v.^c., whyche if they now do in lyke case, those wole owe better wyll to Mr. Roos and yow than to other folkys; and if it be so that the thowt nat to have non suche at thys tyme, I thynke the Meyr woll do it at the request of Mr. Roos and yow, if lak of tyme cawse it not.

Item, be well war of Clopton, for he hathe avysed my Lorde to be all to gydre rewled by Heydon, in so moche he hathe reportyd that all thyng and all materys of my Lordes, and in all the contre, scholde guydyd by Heydon. If Clopton or Hygham or Lowes John be besy, prese in to my Lorde byfor them, for the be no Suff.[89-2] materys, and tell the raylyng; prayng them not to cawse my Lorde to owe hys favor for the pleser to som folkys ther present. For if my Lorde favoryd or theye owther, by lykelyed my Lorde and they myght lose vj. tyme as many frendes as he scholde wynn by ther meanes. Also if ye cowde fynde the meanes, Mr. R. and ye, to cawse [the] Meyr in my Lordes ere to telle hym, thow he scholde bynde my Lorde to concell, that the love of the contre and syte restyth on owr syde, and that other folkys be not belovyd, ner nevyr wer, thys wolde do nonn harme, if it be soo that all thynge go olyver currant (?); with mor to remembre that ther is owt of that contre that be nat at Norw. besyde me, that be ryght worshypfull, and as worshypfull as few be lengyng to Norff., that woll and schall do my Lorde servyse the rather for my sake and Master Rossys, and the rather if my Lorde semyth nat moche thynge to Heydon guydyng.

Also, the godely menes wherby ye best can entrete my cosyn Sir W. Calthorpe at the seyde day, wse them to cawe hym, if itt wyll be, to come, ye in hys companye, and he in yow in cheff at yow cheff schew, and Mr. Roos and he in company, latyng my seyde cosyn wete that I tolde hym ones that I scholde meve hym of a thyng I trostyn scholde be encressyng bothe to hys honor and well.

I sende yow a lettyr, com to Norwyche by lyklyed to yow on Monday last past. It come some what the lattre, for I wende have dyed nat longe by foer it. Also I receyved on from yow by Mr. Blomvyle yister evyn. Tell my cosyn W. Yelverton that he may not appyr of a whylle in no wyse. I trow my cosyn hys fadr schall sende hym worde of the same. Do that ye can secretly that my Lorde be nat hevy Lorde on to hym. It is undrestande that itt is doon by the craffte of Heydon. He gate hym in to that offyce to have to be ageyn me, and nowe he sethe that he hathe don all that he can ageyn me, and now may doo no mor; nowe he wolde remeve hym. The daye is comen that he fastyd the evyn for, as an holye yonge monke fastyd mor than all the covent, aftr that for hys holynesse and fastyng hopyd to be abbott, whyche afterwarde was abbott; than lefte he hys abstynens, seyng, ‘The daye was come that he fast the evyn for.’

Brother, I pray yow recomand me to my Lord of Oxford gode Lordshyp. And wher as I told my Lord that I shuld have awayted uppon hys Lordsyp in Norff., I wold that I myght soo have don lever then a hundred _li._; but in godefeth thos maters that I told my Lord trewed shold lette me war not fynyshed tyl yesterday. Wherfor yf that cause, and also syn Halowmasse every other day myst not hold uppe myn heed, nor yet may, in semech that sythen the seyd day, in Westminster Halle and in other place, I have goon with a staffe as a goste, as men sayd, more lyke that I rose owte of the erth then owte of a fayr laydys bedd; and yet am in lyke case, savyng I am in gode hope to amende. Wherfor I beshyche hys Lordshyp to pardon me, and at a nother tyme I shall make dobell amends; for by my trouth a man cowyd not have hyred me for v. mark with so gode will to have ryden in to Norff. as to have at thys season ther to have awaytyd in hys Lordshyp, and also I wold have ben glad for my Lord shold have knowyn what servys that I myght have don hys Lordshyp in that contray.

Item, your geer ys send to you, as Thomas Stampes sayth, savyng Mylsents geer and the shafeson,[91-1] whych I cannot entrete Thomas Stampes to goo therfor thys iij. or iiij. days, wherfor I knokkyd hym on the crowne, &c.

Item, loke that ye take hyde that the letter wer not broken or that it com to your hands, &c. Wryten at London, on Thursday next after Seynt Erkenwolds Day, &c.

JOHN PASTON, K.

[Footnote 88-6: [From Fenn, iv. 450.] From what is said in this
letter about the Earl of Oxford, it is impossible that it could
have been written at any other time than during the brief
restoration of Henry VI., which only lasted from October 1470 till
April following.]

[Footnote 89-1: _A certain_, _i.e._ a number.]

[Footnote 89-2: I retain this word in the abbreviated form in
which it is printed in Fenn’s literal transcript; the copy in
modern spelling reads _sufficient_.]

[Footnote 91-1: _Chevron_, a covering for a horse’s head, made of
iron and leather.]

[[if it be soo that all thynge go olyver / currant (?)
_text has “that that”: corrected from Fenn_
_“olyver currant” may be the Old French “(avoir) l’olivier courant”
(to have a favorable wind)_]]

763

ABSTRACT[91-2]

[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 6]

[1470] 6 Dec., on paper. Notice in English from the Duke of Norfolk to Philippe Cosard, William Dux, and other of his servants and tenants in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, to depart out of the manor of Castre, and all other manors and lands which he bought of Sir W. Yelverton and other executors of Sir J. Fastolf, as soon as they can conveniently remove all his stuff and their own which is therein, he having consented, at the desire of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chancellor of England, and the Bishop of Winchester, to give up the said manor, etc. Signed by the Duke, ‘Norff.’ Small seal of arms, three lions passant, in chief, a label of three points, a straw round the seal.

[Footnote 91-2: The following abstract is taken from Mr. Macray’s
Report on the Documents in Magdalen College, Oxford, already
referred to.]

764

ABSTRACT[92-1]

[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 11]

1470, 11 Dec., 49 Hen. VI., ‘and of the readepcion of his roiall power 1.’ Release (in English) from John, Duke of Norfolk, to Bishop Wayneflete, of the manors of Castre, Wyntertone, Baytone, Bastwik, and Tolthorpe, in Norfolk, and of Caldecote, Burneviles or Burnegyles, in Suffolk, which had been sold to him by Nicholas, Abbot of Langle, Will. Yelverton, Knight, Justice, Thomas Howes, clerk, and Will. Worcetre, and of which the said Yelverton, Howes, and Will. Jenney, as feoffees, with others, for Sir J. Fastolf, of the said manors, enfeoffed the said Duke and others by deed, dated 1st. Oct., 8 Edw. IV. [1468], the said Duke being informed by the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, and by the said Bishop of Winchester, that the said bargain was made contrary to the will of the said Sir John Fastolf. Covenants also to deliver up all evidences concerning the same, specially the said deed of feoffment and two papers, one with four seals specifying the said bargain, and another with three seals specifying a license to enter on all Fastolf’s manors till the bargain be performed. And for this reconveyance the said Bishop pays to the said Duke 500 marks.

[Footnote 92-1: This abstract is also taken from Mr. Macray’s
Report on the Documents in Magdalen College.]

765

ABSTRACT[92-2]

[Sidenote: 1470 / DEC. 24]

1470, 24 Dec., 49 Hen. VI., ‘and of the readepcione of his royall power, the first.’ Acknowledgment by ‘the highe and myghti Prynce, John, Duke of Norff.,’ of the receipt of 100 marks from the Bishop of Winchester, being part of 250 marks which the said Bishop has promised to pay upon knowledge of the delivery of the manor of Castre, and other lordships specified in a writing between the said parties, unto the feoffees of the said Bishop.

[Footnote 92-2: This abstract is from the same report as the two
last.]

766

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[93-1]

_To John Paston the yonger, be this delivered in hast._

[Sidenote: 1470(?) / DEC. [28]]

I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, latyng you wete that sith ye departed my Cosyn Calthorp sent me a letter, compleyning in his wrytyng that for asmych as he can not be payd of his tenaunts as he hat be befor this tyme, he purposith to lesse his howshold, and to leve the streytlyer. Wharfor he desireth me to purvey for your suster Anne; he seth she waxeth hygh, and it wer tyme to purvey her a mariage.

I marveyll what causeth hym to write so now; outher she hath displeased hym, or ell[es] he hath takyn her with diffaught. Therfor I pray you comune with my Cosyn Clere at London, and wete how he is dysposyd to her ward, and send me word, for I shall be fayn to send for her, and with me she shall but lese her tyme, and with ought she wull be the better occupied she shall oftyn tymes meve me, and put me in gret inquietenesse. Remembr what labour I had with your suster, therfor do your parte to help her forth, that may be to your wurchiep and myn.

Item, remembr the bill that I spake to you of, to gete of your brother of such money as he hath receyvid of me sith your faders disseas. Se your Unkyll Mautby, if ye may, and send me sume tydyngs as sonee as ye may. God kepe you.

Wretyn the Fryday next befor Sent Thomas of Caunterbury, in hast.

By your Moder.

[Footnote 93-1: [From Fenn, iv. 288.] This letter was probably
written in or about the year 1470. Anne Paston, the sister of John
Paston, here mentioned, was married to William Yelverton, a
grandson of the Judge, in 1474 (Itin. W. Wyrc. 369), and the match
had been already determined (as will appear in a future letter)
before June 1472. At the date of this letter she was still staying
in Calthorpe’s household, into which, after the manner of the
times, she had been sent for her education; and Calthorpe desiring
to reduce his establishment, suggested, somewhat earlier than her
mother anticipated, that it was time to provide a husband for
her.]

767

ABSTRACT[94-1]

[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 12]

Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 50. ‘John Paston, Knight, binds himself to performe all appoyntments made betweene him and W. Wanflet, Byshop of Winton, concerning certayne landes which were Sir John Fastolfes. Feb. 12, Hen. VI. 49.’

[Footnote 94-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]]

768

ABSTRACT[94-2]

[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 14]

Release by John Beauchamp, Knight, Lord Beauchamp, to John Paston and Roger Townesend, Esqs., of his interest in the manors of Castre called Redhams, Vaus, and Bosoms; and in the manors of Begviles in Wyntirton, Spensers in Heryngby, Reppes in Bastwyk, and a third part of the manor of Runham; and in all lands called Billes in Stokesby, Cattes in Haringby, a messuage called Dengayns in Yarmouth, and all lands and tenements in the hundreds of East Flegge and West Flegge in Norfolk; which premises Lord Beauchamp lately had in conjunction with Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, William Yelverton, Justice, William Jenney, Serjeant-at-law, and William Paston, now surviving, and John Radclyff of Attylburgh, John Paston, Hen. Fylongley, Esqs., Thomas Howes, clerk, and Thomas Grene, now deceased, of the gift and feoffment of Ralph Boteler, Knight, Lord Sudeley, Sir William Oldhall, Ric. Waller, Esq., Thos. West, Esq., William Wangford, and Nich. Girlyngton.

Dated 14th Feb., 49 and 1 Hen. VI.

[Footnote 94-2: [From a MS. in the Bodleian Library.]]

769

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO THOMAS VERE[94-3]

_To my right dere and welbeloved brother, Thomas Veer._

[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 14]

Right dere and welbeloved brother, I command me hertly unto you; certyfying you that I have receyved your writing, directed now laste unto me, by my servant William Cooke, by which I understande the faithfull gwydyng and disposicion of the cuntre, to my gret cumfote and pleaser; which I dowbte not shall redunde to the grethest presyng and worship that ever dide till eny cuntre; certyfying you ferdermore that by Nicheson of your other tydyngs laste send unto me; also thes by Robt. Porter. I have disposed me with all the power that I can make in Essex and Suffolk, Cambrygeshire, and other places, to be on Monday next comyng at Bury, which purpose I intende to observe, with Godds grace, towards you in to Norffolk, to the assistence of you and the cuntre, in case Edwarde with his companye had aryved ther, and yete I shall do the same noughtwithstandyng; for if he aryve northwarde, like as ye wete by likelyhode he shulde, I caste to folow and porsew hym. And where ye desire that I shulde send you woorde what disposicion shalbe take in the cuntre wher ye be, I desire you that ye, by theadvyse of the gentilmen which ben there, chese iij. or iiij., and send theym to me at Bury on Monday next; and than I and they, with my Counceyle, shall take a direccion for the suretie of all that cuntre, by Godds grace; by whome I shall send than to you relacion, wheder ye shall remayne still ther your selff, or resorte to me with all thos that be accompanyed with you. And Jhesu preserve you. At Hithingham [_Hedingham_], the xiiij. day of Marche.

By your lovyng brothyr,

OXYNFORD.