Chapter V: Part 5

[Footnote 94-3: [From Fenn, ii. 54.] It is sufficiently apparent
from the contents that this was written during the restoration of
Henry VI., and in anticipation of the attempt by King Edward,
which was very soon afterwards successful, to recover his throne.
Edward in fact landed at Ravenspur the very day this letter was
written.]

770

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO HENRY SPILMAN AND OTHERS[95-1]

_To my right trusty and welbelovyd Henry Spilman, Thos. Seyve, John Seyve, James Radclif, John Brampton the older, and to eche of them._

[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 19]

Trusty and welbeloved, I comende me to you, lettyng you witte that I have credible tydyngs that the Kyngs gret enemys and rebellis, acompanyed with enemys estraungers, be nowe aryved, and landyd in the north parties of this his land, to the utter destruction of his roiall persone, and subversion of all his realm, if they myght atayne; whom to encountre and resiste the Kings Highnesse hath comaunded and assigned me, under his seall, sufficient power and auctorite to call, reyse, gader, and assemble, fro tyme to tyme, all his liege people of the shire of Norff., and other places, to assiste, ayde, and strenght me in the same entent.

Wherfor, in the Kyngs name, and by auctorite aforesaid, I straitly charge and command you, and in my owne byhalf hertly desire and pray you, that, all excuses leid apart, ye, and eche of you in your owne persones defensibly araied, with asmony men as ye may goodly make, be on Fryday next comyng at Lynne, and so forth to Newark, where, with the leve of God, I shall not faile to be at that tyme; entendyng fro thence to goo foorth with the help of God, you, and my fryndes, to the recountr of the said enemyes; and that ye faill not hereof, as ye tendre the weele of our said sovereygne Lord, and all this his realme. Written at Bury, the xix^th day of Marche.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 95-1: [From Fenn, ii. 58.] This letter was evidently
written five days after the last.]

771

JAMES GRESHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON[96-1]

_To the right worshipfull and speciall singler maister, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1471]

After due recomendacion hadde with all my service, &c. . . . . . .[96-2]

As for tydyngs, here in this cuntre be many tales, and non accorth with other. It is tolde me by the Undirshireve that my Lord of Clarence is goon to his brother, late Kyng; in so moche that his men have the Gorget[96-3] on their breests, and the Rose over it. And it is seid that the Lord Howard hath proclamed Kyng E. Kyng of Inglond in Suff., &c.

Yours, and at your comandement,

JAMES GRESHAM.

[Footnote 96-1: [From Fenn, ii. 60.] The political news in this
letter show that it was written after the landing of Edward IV. in
Yorkshire.]

[Footnote 96-2: ‘Here,’ according to Fenn, ‘follow copies of
indictments and appeals procured against Sir John Paston and his
servants; and likewise other law business.’ The indictments and
appeals in question are doubtless those referred to in the next
No.]

[Footnote 96-3: A collar worn round the neck.--F.]

772

ABSTRACT[97-1]

A Register of Writs, etc., which was probably sent with the preceding letter. It is addressed on the back, ‘To Sir John Paston,’ and endorsed ‘James Gresham.’

* * *

_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston, late of Castre, for his appearance in the King’s Bench, Easter, 8 Edw. IV. ‘Per Contr. de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij.[97-2] Vynter.’

_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, late of Castre, with _capias_ against William Wykes, late of Castre; Edmund Brome, late of Redeham; and John Dawebeney, late of Castre; Thurstan Cokesson, _alias_ Starky, late of Castre; John Pampyng, late of Castre; and Henry Swete, late of Castre, yeoman, for their appearance in the King’s Bench in Easter to answer for offences against the statute _de ingressibus manu forti_. ‘Per Contr’ de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.’

‘Of these ij. writtes ar _supersedeas_ delyvered to the Undirshirreve.’

Writ of exigent against John Pampyng, late of Castre, gent., and Edmund Brome of Castre, gent., ‘Oct’ Joh’is,’ appealed by Cecilia, widow of John Colman, as principals in the death of her husband. Ro. 67. ‘Breve istud deliberatur de recordo, Hill. xlix. Sonde.’

Another writ of exigent against Pampyng and Brome at the King’s suit for divers felonies and murders. ‘Ro. xvj. Per Contr’ de Anno x^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xij^o Vynter.’

_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle for their appearance in the King’s Bench in Easter term, on an indictment for forcible entry. ‘Per Contr’ de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxix.’

_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ against John Wykes, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and Thurstan Cokesson, _alias_ Starky, late of Castre, for their appearance in the King’s Bench in Easter term, on an indictment of forcible entry. ‘Per Contr’ de Anno viij. E. iiij^ti. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.’

_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ against John Wykes, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and Thurstan, etc., for Easter. ‘Per Contr. de Anno viij. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.’

_Capias_ against John Pampyng, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, late of Redeham, William Bedford and Edmund Mason, late of Bychamwelle, laborer, and Alex. Cok of Norwich, yeoman, ‘xv. Pasch.,’ appealed by Christiana, widow of Thos. Mylys, in Easter term, as principals in the death of her husband. Also _capias_ against William Paston of Norwich and Ralph Lovell of Bychamwelle, gent., appealed as accessaries. Ro. lxix. Registrum Sonde.’

⁂ All the above writs are for the county of Norfolk.

[Footnote 97-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 97-2: The Controlment Roll 8 Edw. IV. is now missing.]

773

ABSTRACT[98-1]

[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 10]

‘30. Relaxatio Johannis Paston facta episc. Winton, et aliis totius juris in maneriis vocat. Akethorp in Leyestoft, Spitlings in Gorleston, Habland in Bradwell, etc., quæ quondam fuerunt Johannis Fastolf.--April 10, Edw. IV. 11.’

[Footnote 98-1: This is another entry from the old index of deeds
in Magdalen College, Oxford. There is probably some slight error
in the date, as Edward IV. was not acknowledged as King on the
10th April, in what would otherwise have been the eleventh year of
his reign. He was so acknowledged a few days later--_i.e._ after
the battle of Barnet, which was fought on the 14th April--so that
if the date had been, say, April 20, instead of April 10, it would
have been quite consistent. It is impossible, however, to say
where the error lies, so we place the document under the date
actually expressed in it.]

THE PASTON LETTERS

_Edward IV._

774

SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[99-1]

_To my Moodre._

[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 18]

Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette that, blyssed be God, my brother John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. Never the lesse he is hurt with an arow on hys ryght arme, be nethe the elbow; and I have sent hym a serjon, whyche hathe dressid hym, and he tellythe me that he trustythe that he schall be all holl with in ryght schort tyme. It is so that John Mylsent is ded, God have mercy on hys sowle! and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe, and hys other servants all be askepyd by all lyklihod.

Item, as ffor me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God; and in no joparte off my lyffe, as me lyst my self; for I am at my lyberte iff nede bee.

Item, my Lorde Archebysshop[99-2] is in the Towr; neverthelesse I trust to God that he schall do well i noghe; he hathe a saffe garde for hym and me bothe. Neverthelesse we have ben troblyd syns, but nowe I undrestande that he hathe a pardon; and so we hope well.

Ther was kyllyd uppon the ffelde, halffe a myle ffrom Bernett, on Esterne Daye, the Erle of Warwyk, the Marqweys Montacu, Sir William Terrell,[100-1] Sir Lewes Johns, and dyverse other Esquiers off owr contre, Godmerston and Bothe.

And on the Kynge Edwardes partye, the Lord Cromwell,[100-2] the Lord Saye,[100-3] Sir Omffrey Bowghsher[100-4] off owr contre, whyche is a sore moonyd man her, and other peple off bothe partyes to the nombre off mor then a m^l.

As for other tythynges, is undrestande her that the Qwyen Margrett is verrely londyd and hyr sone in the west contre, and I trow that as to morow, or ellys the next daye, the Kynge Edwarde wyll depart ffrom hense to hyr warde, to dryve her owt ageyn.

Item, I beseche yow that I may be recomendyd to my cosyn Lomner, and to thanke hym ffor hys goode wyll to me wardes, iff I had hadde nede, as I undrestoode by the berer heroff; and I beseche you on my behalve to advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng or langage as yit, ffor the worlde, I ensur yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall know with in thys monthe; the peple heer feerythe it soor.

God hathe schewyd Hym selffe marvelouslye lyke Hym that made all, and can undoo ageyn whan Hym lyst; and I kan thynke that by all lyklyod schall schewe Hym sylff as mervylous ageyn, and that in schort tyme; and, as I suppose, offter than onys in casis lyke.

Item, it is soo that my brother is on purveyed off monye. I have holpyn hym to my power and above. Wherffor as it pleasythe yow remembre hym, ffor kan not purveye ffor my selffe in the same case.

Wretyn at London the thorysdaye in Esterne weke. I hope hastely to see yow.

All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye not adoghtyd off the worlde, ffor I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe, I ame not all undon, nor noon off us; and iff otherwyse, then, &c. &c.

[Footnote 99-1: [From Fenn, ii. 62.] This letter, as shown by the
contents, was written just four days after the battle of Barnet,
by which Edward IV. recovered his throne. It is not signed, but
the writer is Sir John Paston.]

[Footnote 99-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York. It was from
the custody of this prelate that Edward escaped, after having been
surprised and taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick, in 1470:
perhaps the kind treatment of his then prisoner now procured his
pardon.--F.]

[Footnote 100-1: Sir William Tyrell was cousin to Sir James
Tyrell, the afterwards supposed murderer of Edward V. and his
brother the Duke of York.--F.]

[Footnote 100-2: Humphrey Bourchier, third son of Henry, Earl of
Essex, had summons to Parliament, in 1461, as Lord Cromwell, in
right of his wife.--F.]

[Footnote 100-3: William Fienes, Lord Say.]

[Footnote 100-4: Son of John, Lord Berners.]

775

[THE EARL OF OXFORD] TO A LADY[101-1]

_To the ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady._[101-2]

[Sidenote: 1471]

Ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady, I recomande me to yow, lettyng yow wete that I am in gret hevynes at the makyng of thys letter; but thankyd be God, I am eschapyd my selfe, and sodenly departyd fro my men; for I undyrstand my chapleyn wold have detrayed me; and if he com in to the contre, let hym be mad seuer, &c. Also ye shall gyff credence to the brynger of thys letter, and I beseke yow to reward hym to hys costs; for I was not in power at the makyng of thys letter to gyff hym, but as I wass put in trest by favar of strange pepyll, &c.

Also ye shall send me in all hast all the redi money that ye can make, and asse mone of my men asse can com well horsyd; and that they cum in dyverse parcellys. Also that my horsse be sent, with my stele sadelles; and byd the yoman of the horse cover theym with ledder. Also ye shall send to my moder,[101-3] and let hyr wete of thys letter, and pray hyr of hyr blessyng, and byd hyr send me my kasket, by thys tokyn; that she hathe the key theroff, but it is brokyn.

Also ye shall send to the Pryor of Thetford,[101-4] and byd hym send me the sum of gold that he seyd that I schuld have. Also sey to hym by thys token, that I schewyd hym the fyrst Prive Seale, &c. Also lete Pastun, Fylbryg, Brews, come to me. Also ye shall delyver the brynger of thys letter an horsse, sadell, and brydell. Also ye schallbe of gud cher, and take no thowght, for I schall brynge my purpose abowte now by the grace of God, Qwhome have yow in kepyng.

O . . . D (?).

[Footnote 101-1: [From Fenn, ii. 68.] The signature of this letter
is composed of flourishes which were probably devised on purpose
to make it unintelligible. Fenn suggests that the first character
may be taken for an O, and the last for a D; but to our thinking
the resemblance is rather difficult to trace. There is, however,
great probability in his conjecture that the writer was the Earl
of Oxford, and the date just after the battle of Barnet.]

[Footnote 101-2: Margaret, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of
Salisbury, sister to the late Earl of Warwick, and wife of John de
Vere, Earl of Oxford.--F.]

[Footnote 101-3: Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir John Howard,
Knight, who was the grandfather of John Howard, first Duke of
Norfolk of that name. She was now the widow of John de Vere, late
Earl of Oxford.]

[Footnote 101-4: John Vescey, Prior of Thetford, from 1441 to
1479.--F.]

776

JOHN PASTON OF GELSTON TO MARGARET PASTON[102-1]

[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 30]

Aftyr humbyll and most dew recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can, I beseche you of your blyssyng, preying God to reward you with as myche plesyer and hertys ease as I have latward causyd you to have trowbyll and thowght; and, with Godys grace, it shall not be longe to or then my wronges and othyr menys shall be redressyd, for the world was nevyr so lyek to be owyrs as it is now; werfor I prey you let Lomnor no be to besy as yet. Modyr, I beseche you, and ye may spare eny money, that ye wyll do your almesse on me and send me some in as hasty wyse as is possybyll; for by my trowthe my leche crafte and fesyk, and rewardys to them that have kept me and condyt me to London, hathe cost me sythe Estern Day[102-2] more than v_li._, and now I haue neythyr met, drynk, clothys, lechecraft, ner money but up on borowyng; and I have asayid my frendys so ferre, that they be gyn to fayle now in my gretest ned that evyr I was in. Also, modyr, I beseche yow, and my horse that was at lechecraft at the Holt[102-3] be not takyn up for the Kynges hawkys,[102-4] that he may be had hom and kept in your plase, and not to go owght to watyr, nor no whedyr ellys, but that the gat be shet, and he to be chasyd aftyr watyr within your plase, and that he have as myche met as he may ete; I have hey i new of myn owne, and as for otys, Dollys will purvey for hym, or who that dothe it I wyll paye. And I beseche yow that he have every wek iij. boshell of otys, and every day a penyworthe of bred; and if Botoner be not at Norwyche, and Syme kep hym, I shall geve hym well for hys labore. Also that Phelypp Loveday put the othyr horse to gresse ther, as he and I wer acordyd.

Item, that Botoner send me hyddyr the two shyrtys that wer in my casket, and that he send me hydyr xl_s._ by the next messenger that comyth to London.

Item, that Mastress Broom send me hedyr iij. longe gownys and ij. doblettes, and a jaket of plonket chamlett, and a morey bonet out of my cofyr. Sir Jamys hathe the key, as I sent hyr werd be for thys.

Item, that syche othyr wryghtynges and stuff as was in my kasket be in your kepyng, and that no body look my wryghtynges.

Item, that the horse that Purdy hathe of myne be put to some good gresse in haste; and if it plese yow to have knowlage of our royal person, I thank God I am hole of my syknesse, and trust to be clene hole of all my hurttys within a sevennyght at the ferthest, by wyche tym I trust to have othyr tydynges; and those tydynges onys had, I trust not to be longe owght of Norffolk, with Godys grace, Whom I beseche preserve you and your for my part.

Wretyn the last day of Apryll. The berer herof can tell you tydynges, syche as be trew for very serteyn.

Your humbylest servaunt,

J. OF GELSTON.

[Footnote 102-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was printed
by Fenn in his fifth volume, of which the original MSS. are now
recovered. It was evidently written in April 1471, when the writer
was recovering from the wound he had received at the battle of
Barnet (_see_ No. 774). It is not addressed, but is endorsed in a
later hand, ‘Litera Johannis Paston armigeri matri suæ.’]

[Footnote 102-2: The battle of Barnet was fought on Easter Day,
14th April 1471.]

[Footnote 102-3: A pasture so called, and means the groves, or
lands full of wood.--F.]

[Footnote 102-4: This may signify, in jocular language, if he be
not dead.--F.]

[[Footnote 102-1
... (_see_ No. 774).
_closing parenthesis missing_]]

777

THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY[104-1]

_Ded in the Feld._

[Sidenote: 1471 / MAY 4]

Edward that was called Prynce.
Lord John of Somerset.
Erle of Devenshire.
Lord Wenlok.
Sir William Vaus.
Sir Edmond Hamden.
Sir John Seymour.
Sir William Bermoth.
Water Barrow.
Mr. William Henmar.
Mr. Feldyng.[104-2]
Hervy, recorder.[104-3]
Mr. Herry, capteyn of Brystowe.
Sir Roberte Whetyngham.
Knoyll.

_Thes be men that were heveded._[104-4]

The Duke of Somerset.
The Lord of Sent Jones.[104-5]
Sir Jerveys Clyfton.
Humfrey Awdeley.
Lowes Miles.
Forey of Fraunce.
Sir John Delvys.[104-6]
Lord Foskew on lyffe.
Sir William Carre.
Sir Hew Courteney.
Sir Thomas Tressham.
Sir Herry Tressham.
Sir William Newbery.
Mr. Gower.[105-1]
Mr. Awdeley.[105-2]
Robert Clerke.
Lechefeld, mason of Westmynster.
Sir William Grymesby yet on lyffe.

_Thes be the Knyghtes that the Kyng mad in the Feld._

Lord Cobham.
Sir George Nevel.
Sir Philip Courtenay.
Sir Herry Bemonde.
Sir Moreys of Barkley.
Sir Richard Hastynges.
Sir Roberte Haryngton.
Sir Thomas Gray.
Sir James Terell.
Sir John Feres.
Sir Herry Feres.
Sir Herry Purpeynt.
Sir John Parre.
Sir John Downe.
Sir Roger Kyngstone.
Sir John Crokere.
Sir ---- Skerne.
Sir James Crowmere.
Sir William Sandalle.
Sir John Deverys.
Sir Herry Grey.
Sir Edward Wodehous.
Sir Richard Croft.
Sir John Pylkyngton.
Sir John Byngham.
Sir John Harley.
Sir John Boteler.
Sir Christofer Morysby.
Sir John Clay.
Sir Robert Wylleby.
Sir Robert Grene.
Sir Roger Ree.
Sir Richard Radclyffe.
Sir John Saundes.
Sir Thomas Strikelande.
Sir George Browne.
Sir William Motton.
Sir Tery Robsert.
Sir Thomas Cromewell.
Sir Robert Corbet.
Sir Nicholas Langford.
Sir John Seyntlowe.
Sir William Brandon.

[Footnote 104-1: [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 279.] This paper is
in a contemporary handwriting, and undoubtedly refers to the
battle of Tewkesbury.]

[Footnote 104-2: Sir William Fielding, according to Warkworth’s
Chronicle.]

[Footnote 104-3: These words, ‘Hervy, recorder,’ are written over
‘Herry, capteyn,’ as a correction; but the latter are not erased.
Warkworth mentions Sir Nicholas Hervy.]

[Footnote 104-4: Beheaded.]

[Footnote 104-5: Sir John Longstruther, Prior of St. John’s.]

[Footnote 104-6: Originally written ‘Mr. Delvys,’ and corrected.]

[Footnote 105-1: James Gower, according to Warkworth.]

[Footnote 105-2: Sir Humphrey Audeley.]

778

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[106-1]

[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 5]

Most worchepfull and my ryght specyall good modyr, as humbylly as I can, I recomand me on to yow, besechyng yow of your blyssyng. Please it yow to undyrstand that thys day I spake with Batcheler Water, whiche let me have undyrstandyng of your welfare, wherof I thank God with all my hert. Also he leet me have knowlage that the Lord Scalys had grauntyd yow to be my good lord, wherof I am no thyng prowd, for he may do leest with the gret mastyr; but he wold depert ovyr the see, as hastyly as he may; and because he wenyth that I wold go with hym, as I had promyseyd evyr, and he had kept foorthe hys jornay at that tyme, thys is the cause that he wyll be my good lord and help to get my pardon. The Kyng is not best pleasyd with hym for that he desyerthe to depert, in so myche that the Kyng hathe seyd of hym, that wen evyr he hathe most to do, then the Lord Scalys wyll sonest axe leve to depert, and weenyth that it is most be cause of kowardyese. As for pardon, I can never get, withowght I schold paye to myche money for it, and I am not so purveyd. As for Herry Hallman, my brodyr wyll axe hym no sylver tyll ye be payeyd; therfor ye may send to hym and have it.

Item, I am sory that ye have fadyrd my hors that was at Caster to be my Brodyr Edmundys, for I had leveer that they had hym style then owght ellys; wherfor thow they profyr hym yow from hense foorthe, let not my brodyr Edmund take hym, but let him sey whedyr they wyll let hym have hym or not, that I have promyseyd my brodyr Edmund a bettyr hors for hym, so that he wyll not cleyme the same for hys. As for tydyngs her be non but that the Scottys and Walyshe men be besy; what they meane I can not seye. My cosyn John Loveday can tell yow, and ther be eny odyr flyeyng talys, for he hathe walkyd in London, and so do not I. When I may I wyll come hom with Godys grace, whom I beseche to sende you your hertys desyeyr. Wretyn the v. daye of Julle.

Be yowr humblest sone and servant,

J. P.

[Footnote 106-1: [From Fenn, iv. 116.] From the mention of Lord
Scales in this letter it might be supposed that it was written not
later than the year 1469, when Anthony Woodville, the last Lord
Scales, became Earl Rivers by the death of his father; but I
believe the date to be 1471, and that the writer is simply
speaking of Earl Rivers by his old title. In the first place there
is no appearance of either of the John Pastons requiring a royal
pardon before the year 1471; secondly, it is not probable that
either of them would have spoken so slightingly of the value of
Lord Scales’s intercession at an earlier period; and thirdly, it
seems doubtful whether Edmund Paston could have been old enough to
own a war-horse many years before. Finally, we find by Letter 780
following that John Paston, the youngest, succeeded in obtaining a
pardon signed by the King on the 17th July 1471. If the reference
to the autograph plate in Fenn is correct, this letter was in the
hand of his elder brother, Sir John Paston, Knight; but as it is
not signed, like most of his letters, ‘John Paston, K.,’ we are
inclined to suspect that it was really written by the younger
brother, like No. 780.]

779

ABSTRACT[107-1]

[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 12]

Norff. and Suff. Deeds, No. 5. ‘Relaxatio Johannis Paston militis, Davidi Husband et Will. Gyfford totius juris in maneriis de Saxthorp, Tichwell, Haineford, Essex in Hickling, etc., Calcote, Leystoft, Habland, Broweston, Gorleston alias Spitlings, quæ quondam fuerunt Johannis Fastolf mil., et quæ Will. Waynflet episcopus Winton’ habuit ex dono Rad. Boteler domini de Sudley, et prædicti David et Willielmus ex dono episc. prædicti, necnon de et in 25 _markes redd._ precipiend. de priori de Hickling. Julii 12, Edw. IV. 11. With a scedule annexed touching the same release.’

[Footnote 107-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]]

780

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[107-2]

_To my most worchepfull Modyr, Margaret Paston, be thys delyveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1471 / JULY 17]

Ryght worchepfull modyr, I recomand me to yow, and as lowly as I can, I beseche yow of yowr blyssyng. Please yow to undyrstand that thys Wednysday Sir Thomas Wyngffeld sent to me, and let me wet that the Kyng had syngnyd my bylle of perdon, whyche the seid Sir Thomas delyveryd me; and so by Fryday, at the forthest, I tryst to have my perdon ensealyd by the Chanceler, and soone aftyr, so as I can fornyshe me, I tryst to se yow, if so be that eny of the Kynges hows com in to Norwyche. I wold fayne my gray horse wer kept in mewe for gnattys. Also, modyr, I beseche yow that Dollys and his felawe may be sent to, that I may have my money redy ayenst that I come home, whyche is dew to be payid, for thys mater hathe cost me the settyng over. Also that it may please yow that Purdy at Heylysdon maye be sent to for the horse that he hathe of myne, and that the horse may be kept well, and have as myche mete as he wyll eate be twyx thys and that I come home, and that Jakys nage have mete i now also. Also, and Syr Thomas Wyngfeld come to Norwyche, that he may have as good chere as it please yow to make on to that man that I am most behold to for hys gret kyndnesse and good wyll, for he takyth full my part ayenst my gretest enmyeys, Brandons and hys brodyr William; for at my fyrst comyng to Sir Thomas Wyngfeld, bothe William Wyngfeld and William Brandon the yonger wer with Sir Thomas, and had gret wordys to myn owne mowthe, and in cheff W. Wyngfeld; and wher so evyr he may met me on evyn grownd he wyll do myche; but and we met evynly, no fors, so I have yowr blyssyng. I prey yow, with owght it be to my Lady Calthorp, let ther be but fewe woordys of thys perdon. No more, but I prey God preserve yow and yours.

Wretyn the Wednysday next before Mary Mawdelen,

By your humblest sone,

J. P.

[Footnote 107-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter refers to a
pardon granted by the King to John Paston the younger, for having
taken part with the Lancastrians at the battle of Barnet. Though
the ‘bill’ for this pardon was signed by the King on the 17th
July, the pardon itself did not pass the Great Seal till the 7th
February following, under which date it is enrolled on the Pardon
Roll of 11 Edw. IV., memb. 9.]

781

SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[109-1]

_To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, Esqier, hyr sone, in hast._

[Sidenote: 1471 / SEPT. 15]

Ryght well belovyd brother, I comende me to yow, letyng yow wete that I am in wellffar, I thanke God, and have ben evyr syns that I spake last with yow; and mervayle for that ye sent never wryghtynge to me syns ye departyd; I herde nevyr synes that tyme any worde out off Norffolk; ye myght aft Bertlemai Feyr[109-2] have had messengers i nowe to London, and iff ye had sent to Wykys, he scholde have conveyed it to me. I herde yisterdaye, that a Worsted man of Norffolk, that solde worstedys[109-3] at Wynchester, seyde that my Lord of Norffolk and my Lady wer on pylgrymage at Our Lady[109-4] on ffoot, and so they went to Caster; and that at Norwyche on scholde have had large langage to yow, and callyd yow traytor, and pyked many quarellys to yow. Sende me worde ther off; it wer well doo, that ye wer a lytell sewrer off yowr pardon than ye be: avyse you, I deme ye woll her afftr ellys repent yow.

I undrestonde that Bastarde Fauconbryge[109-5] is owther hedyd or lyke to be, and hys brother bothe; some men seye he wolde have deservyd it, and som sey naye.

I purpose to be att London the ffyrst daye off the terme; send me worde whethyr ye schall be ther or nott.

Item, I wolde wete whether ye have spoken wyth my Lady off Norffolk or not, and off hyr disposicion and the howsoldys to me and to yow wardes, and whether it be a possible to have Caster ageyn and ther goodewylles or not; and also I praye yow undrestande what ffelaschyp and guydyng is in Caster, and have a spye resortyng in and owt, so maye ye know the secretys among them. Ther is moche adoo in the Northe, as men seyn; I pray yow be ware off yowr guydyng, and in cheff off yowr langage, and so that ffro hense fforthe by yowr langage noo man perceyve that ye ffavor any person contrary to the Kynges plesur. I undrestonde that the Lord Ryvers hathe lycence off the Kynge to goo to Portyngale now within thys vij. nyght. I pray yow recomande me to my modre, and beseche hyr off hyr blyssyng on my be halve.[110-1]

Item, I praye yow sende me worde iff any off owr ffrendys or wellwyllers be dede, ffor I feer that ther is grete dethe in Norwyche, and in other Borowgh townese in Norffolk, ffor I ensur you it is the most unyversall dethe that evyr I wyst in Ingelonde; ffor by my trowthe, I kan not her by pylgrymes that passe the contre, nor noon other man that rydethe or gothe any contre, that any Borow town in Ingelonde is ffree ffrom that sykenesse; God sease it whan it pleasyt Hym. Wherffor, ffor Goddysake, let my moodre take heede to my yonge brytheren that they be not in noon place wher that sykenesse is regnyng, nor that they dysport not with noon other yonge peple whyche resortythe wher any sykenesse is, and iff ther be any off that sykenesse ded or enffect in Norwyche, ffor Goddes sake, lete hyr sende them to som ffrende off hyrse in to the contre, and do ye the same by myn advyce; late my moodre rather remeve hyr howsesolde in to the contre.

Even now Thyrston browt me word ffro London that it was Doctor Aleyn that cawsyd yowr troble that ye had at Norwych; and that John Pampyng roode ffor a dyscharge ffor yow, and that he hathe sped well, but howghe, that wot I nott; iff ye be cleer owt off Doctor Aleyn danger, kepe yow ther, and her afftr ye maye schoffe as well at hys carte. I praye yow sende me worde off all the fforme off hys delyng with yow.

I had almost spoke with Mestresse Ann Hault, but I dyd not; nevyrthelesse thys next terme I hope to take on weye with hyr or other; sche is agreyd to speke with me, and sche hopythe to doo me ease as sche saythe.

I praye yow sende me worde hoghe ye doo with my Lady Elysabeth Boghscher; ye have a lytell chaffyd it, but I can not tell howe; sende me worde whether ye be in better hope or werse. I her seye that the Erle off Oxenffordys bretheryn be goon owt off Sceyntewarye. Sir Thomas Fulfforthe[111-1] is goon owt off Sceyntewarye, and a gret ffelaschyp ffettchyd hym, a iij.^xx., and they sey that with in v. myle off London he was CC. men; and no man watethe wher he is become not yit.

The Lordes Hastyngs and Howerd be in Caleys, and have it pesebely; and Sir Walter Wrettesle and Sir Jeffrey Gate be comyn thense, and woll be at London thys daye as it is seyde.

Wretyn at Waltham besyd Winchester the daye nex Holy Roode Daye.[111-2]

J. P., K.

[Footnote 109-1: [From Fenn, ii. 72.] Apart from the reference to
John Paston’s pardon, the date of this letter is fixed by what is
said of the bastard Falconbridge.]

[Footnote 109-2: Bartholomew Fair, in Smithfield.]

[Footnote 109-3: Worsted, in Norfolk, a town formerly famous for
the spinning of the fine thread with which the yarn called Worsted
is made.--F.]

[Footnote 109-4: Of Walsingham.]

[Footnote 109-5: Thomas Nevill, a natural son of William, Lord
Fauconberg. He was beheaded in 1471, and, as mentioned in Letter
782 following, his head was placed on London Bridge.]

[Footnote 110-1: Here follow, says Fenn, some directions about
payments of money.]

[Footnote 111-1: Sir Thomas Fulford was son of Sir Baldwin
Fulford, beheaded at Bristol in 1461; he likewise ended his life
on the scaffold.]

[Footnote 111-2: Holyrood Day, 14th of September.]

[[I pray yow recomande me to my modre
_text has “recomande mo”: corrected from Fenn_]]

782

SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[111-3]

_To hys well belovyd John Paston, Esquier, at Norwyche, or to Mestresse Margret, his Modre._

[Sidenote: 1471 / SEPT. 28]

I comande me to yow, letyng yow weet that, &c.[111-4]

I wolde ffayne have the mesur wher my ffadre lythe at Bromholm; bothe the thyknesse and compase off the peler at hys hed, and ffrom that the space to the alter, and the thyknesse off that alter, and imagery off tymbre werk; and what hyght the arche is to the grounde off the ilde, and how hye the grounde off the qwyr is hyer than the grownde off the ilde.

Item, I praye yowe late the mesur by pekthred be taken or elt mesured by yerde, how moche is ffrom the northe gate, ther the brygge was, at Gressham to the sowthewall, and in lyke fforme ffrom the este syde to the west, also the hyght off the estewall, and the hyght of the sowthest towr ffrom the grownde, iff ye maye easely. Also what bredde every towr is within the wall, and whych towr is moor then other within.

Alsso how manye ffote, or what brede eche towr takythe within iche corner off the quadrate[112-1] ovyrthwert the dorys, and how many taylors yards is from the moote syde, wher the brygg was, to the hyghe weye, or to the heddge all a longe the entre, and what brede the entre is be twyen the dykys. I praye yow, iff ye have a leyser in any wyse, se thys doone yowrselffe iff ye maye; or ellys iff Pampyng do it, or who that ye thynke can doo it, I wolle spende xx_d._ or as ye seme to have the sertayn off every thyng her in. And as for my ffaders tombe, I charge yow se it yowr selffe, and when I speke with yow I woll tell yow the cawses why that I desyr thys to be doon.

As ffor tydyngs, the Kyng, and the Qwyen, and moche other pepell, ar ryden and goon to Canterbery, nevyr so moche peple seyn in Pylgrymage hertofor at ones, as men seye.

Alsso it is seyde that the Erle of Penbroke[112-2] is taken on to Brettayn; and men saye that the Kynge schall have delyvere off hym hastely, and som seye that the Kynge off France woll se hym saffe, and schall sett hym at lyberte ageyn.

Item, Thomas Fauconbrydge hys hed was yesterdaye sett uppon London Brydge, lokyng into Kent warde; and men seye that hys brother was sor hurte, and scope to seyntwarye [_sanctuary_] to Beverle.

Sir Thomas Fulfforthe escaped owt of Westminster with an C. sperys, as men seye, and is in to Devenshyr; and ther he hathe strekyn off Sir John Crokkers hed, and kylt an other knyght off the Corteneys, as men seye. I wolde ye hadd yowr verry pardon at onys; wherfor I praye yow ffayle not to be at London within iiij. daye afftr Seynt Feythe;[113-1] ye schall do goode in many thynges, and I praye yow sende me worde heroff by the next massenger; and if it come to Mestresse Elysabeth Hyggens, at the Blak Swan, sche schall conveye it to me, ffor I woll not ffayle to be ther at London ageyn within thys vj. dayes.

Mestresse Elysabeth hathe a son, and was delyveryd within ij. dayes afftr Seynt Bertelmew;[113-2] and hyr dowtr A. H. was the next daye afftr delyveryd off an other sone, as sche seythe, xj. weks er hyr tyme; it was crystened John, and is ded. God save all! No mor tyll I speke with yow.

Wretyn at London on Mychellmesse Evyn.

J. P., K.

Item, I praye yow late some wytty felaw, or ellys yowrselff, goo to the townes ther as thes ij. women dwelle, and inquire whether they be maryed syns and ageyn or not, ffor I holde the hoorys weddyd; and iff they be, than the appelys wer abbatyd ther by. I remembr not ther names; ye knowe them better then I. Alsso in the Schreffvys bookys ther maye ye ffynde off them.

[Footnote 111-3: [From Fenn, ii. 80.] The evidences of date in
this letter are the same as in the last.]

[Footnote 111-4: Here follows an account that the Duchess of
Suffolk and Duke of Norfolk intend again commencing appeals
against Sir John Paston and his brother, etc., concerning Caister,
etc.--F.]

[Footnote 112-1: A drawing is here given in the original letter,
apparently designed as a plan of the quadrangle of Gresham, of
which the subjoined is a facsimile.

]

[Footnote 112-2: Jasper Tudor.]

[Footnote 113-1: 5th of October.]

[Footnote 113-2: 24th of August.]

783

R. L. TO JOHN PASTON[114-1]

_To hys worshipful master, John Paston, Esquier._

[Sidenote: 1471 / OCT. 21]

Ryght wurchupfull ser, I comaund me to your good maysterchepe, &c. Plese it you to understond that Redford desyryd me on your byhalfe that I chuld goo and comon with the woman that was the fullars wyfe of South Walsham, whech woman is now maryed to on Thom Styward, dwellyng in the parysch of Seynt Gyll in Norwych, whech woman seyd to me that che sewyd never the pele, but that she was by sotyle craft brought to the New In at Norwych, and ther was Maystir Southwell, and he entretyd hyr to be my Lords wewe [_widow_],[114-2] by the space of an hole yer next folwyn, and therto he mad hyr to be bowne in an obligacyon. And whan that yer was past he desyred hyr to be my Lords wedow another yer; and than she seyd that she had lever lose that that she had do, than to lose that and meer; and therfor she seyd pleynly that she wold no mor of that mater. And so she toke hyr an husbond, whech is the seyd Thom Styward; and she seyth that it was full sor ageyn hyr wylle that ever the mater went so forforth, for she had never non avayle therof, butt it was sewyd to hyr gret labor and losse, for she had never of my Lords councell, but berely hyr costs to London. No mor, but God have you in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn at Norwych, the Monday next after the Fest of Seynt Luke.

By your servant,

R. L.

[Footnote 114-1: [From Fenn, iv. 440.] In the postscript to the
preceding letter, Sir John Paston intimates his belief that the
two widows who had appealed his brother of the murder of their
husbands had married again, and that thereby the appeals were
abated. It appears by the present letter that this intelligence
was correct as regards one of them.]

[Footnote 114-2: The widow of a tenant in chivalry was called the
Lord’s widow.]

784

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[115-1]

[Sidenote: 1471 / OCT. 28]

Ryght worchepfull m[other, as lowly as] I can I recomand me to yow, besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng, praying yow to take thys key, and Sir Jam[ys] . . . . . [m]y broder E., or J. Pampyng, and to ondo the kofyr that standith at my bedys feet, and ther in a ly[tyl sqw]are box ye shall fy[nd two de]dys, wher of the seallys be wownd in whyght paper; my brodyr E. sye [_saw_] when I wond them up. The tone [begy]nyth ‘Sciant, &c., quod ego _Matilda Bigota_’; and the todyr begynyth ‘Sciant, &c., quod ego _Rogerus_ . . . . .’ [I pray y]ow lett [them be] sealyd and sent me by _Radley_ with the deedes there in. Sir Jamys knowyth the . . . . . . . But [if so] be that ye fynd not thys box with thes two deedes in that cofyr, then I prey yow take the k[ey] . . . . . . . . teye of the same cofyr, and opyn the cofyr that standyth in the utter chambyr, and ther ye shall fynd . . . . . . . . . [d]edes. My brodyr, Sir John, recomandyth hym to yow, and besechyth yow of your blyssyng; and as for hys mater [there is yet no conclu]syon of no poynt, but I tryst ther shall be with in thes ij. dayeys. Jenney, W. trowbly[th] . . . . . . . [my] brodyrs servauntes with old accyons and all syche thynges as he can renew to stoppe the oblygacio[ns w]hyche he is bownd in on to my broder; but all shall be easeyd, I tryst. As for Mrs. A. Hawlt, the mater is mevyd [by div]ers of the Qwenys consayll, and of ferre by R. Hault, but he wold it shold be fyrst of our mocyon, and we wold [it] shold com of theym fyrst; our mater shold be the bettyr.

Tydynges, ther is a generall pardon mevyd whyche my brodyr J. trystyth to have the preve[lege] of as soone as it is grantyd, whyche shall bee a bowght All Halow tyed at the ferthest. I have spok with my L[ord Rive]rs and with all myn old aqweyntance, and have good cheer of theym, hold as it maye. When we be conclud[yd in] eny poynte of our maters, ye shall have knowlage ther howhe to put yow in [comfort] er we have eny . . . but in veyn when we have comfort ye shall have parte. Newe tydynges, datys s . . . [s]ugyr of Mr. Kwte (?) x_d._ di.lb., and bettyr I tryst. No more, but I beseche God preserve yow and yours.

Wretyn on [Seint] Symondes Day and Jwde.

Your humblest sone and servaunt,

J. PASTON.

[Footnote 115-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There was a general
pardon in the latter part of the year 1471, and both John Paston
and his brother took advantage of it, as appears by the _Pardon
Roll_, 11 Edw. IV., membranes 9 and 25. The date of this letter is
also shown by the answer to it, written by Margaret Paston on the
5th November. Many of the words in this letter are lost by the
mutilation of the original MS., which is full of holes, from
having been exposed at one time to damp. The address is almost
completely lost, but a portion of the word ‘[Ma]rgaret’ is
visible, and a small fragment of an endorsement below in which the
word ‘Paston’ is legible.]

[[Footnote 115-1
_footnote number printed 2 for 1_]]

785

SIR JOHN PASTON’S DEEDS[116-1]

_In the square trussyng coffre._

A boxe with evydence off my place in Fletstrett.

A lytell box with obligacions off the Archbisshop off York and W. Jennyes oblygacion.

A box with evydence of Tytlyshall.

A box with the letter of attorney off Fastolffes londes by Sir John Paston.

j. A box de actis inter episcopum Wynt’ et J. P. militem. Item endentur’ de argento mutuato termino Trinitatis anno x^{o,} et testamentum W. Paston, Justic’.

Item, ij. pixides de novis cartis de terris Fastolffes.

Item, a litell box with the obligacion off T. Fastolff and one off James Gresham.

Item, a box with the dede off gyfft off J. P., and the byll assygnyd for the dyamant.

Item, the bagge de placitis in usu.

Item, the bagge with ger taken owt off my caskett.

Item, a bagge with the bondell where on was wreten ‘London.’

Item, a bagge with evydence off Est Bekham.

Item, a bondell de actis parlimenti et de excambia in Paston.

Item, a bondell de actis Cantuariensis.

Item, a bondell de fyrma Caster Berdolffis.

The endenture off Snaylwell by Wylleys.

A bondell of Gresham Moleyns.

A bondell off processe off th’eschekyr letter and byllys sirca (_sic_) festum Johannis anno ix^{o.}

Item, th’endenture off W. Jeney. Item, a bondell off letteris and byllis anno x^{o.}

A bondell with inquisicions not returnyd in to the Chanceri.

Copia voluntatis Fastolff ultima et probata.

Enventorium (_sic_) apud Caster per Episcopum Norwic’ et dominum de Scales et alia ad rediseisinam (?)

Apunctuamentum Regis et litera amici. Endentura de Fennes per patrem Hugonis Fenne.

The verray endenture off my mariage.

Item, a bondell off letteris from my brother John.

Item, iij. billis, the endenter of W. Jenney for Bacton, a byll of Wylleys and one off J. Owdin (?)

Item, a bondell with the names off them that had stoff from Heylesdon.

Item, a byll off Sweynesthorp. Item, a byll off Brok off Dedham off the purchace theroff, a quitance pro Scaccario.

A bonde towchyng the probatt off Fastolffes will, with mi olde testament.

A copie off a generalle releffe de terris Fastolffes.

[Footnote 116-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The following inventory
is in the handwriting of Sir John Paston. The date at which it was
drawn up must, from internal evidence, be later than the tenth
year of Edward IV.; so perhaps it may be a list of the contents of
the coffer mentioned by John Paston in Letter 784.]

[[Item, th’endenture ...
Apunctuamentum Regis ...
Item, a byll ...
_each section printed as shown, with two items in a paragraph_]]

786

ABSTRACT[117-1]

WILLIAM PEKOC TO SIR JOHN PASTON

[Sidenote: 1471(?) / NOV. 4]

Has received Wheteley’s letter, but though he has spoken to Sir John’s tenants at Paston, Bakton, etc., has obtained no money to send him. They are better pleased to pay Sir John than Master ‘Will. P.,’ so they be saved harmless. Has put them in good comfort, and Sir John must take care that they be not sued this term. The fishing was never worse. No herring to be got under 13_s._ 4_d._ a barrel, and 8_s._ 4_d._ a cade. The swans were sent the week after your departure. John Osborn and Munde are merry. None dead at Caster and Mawteby since Michaelmas, but much mortality still at Fylby, Ormysby, and Scrowby.

Mawteby, 4 Nov.

[This letter most probably belongs to the year 1471, which it will
be seen by the letter immediately following was a year of great
mortality.]

[Footnote 117-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

787

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[118-1]

[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV. 5]

I grete you wele, and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete that myn Cosyn Clere hathe sent to me for the C. marc that I borwed of her for your brother. It fortuned so that a frend of her of late hath loste better than CCC. marc, and he sent to her for money, and she had non that she myght comyn by, and ther for she sent to me for the seyd C. marc; and I know not how to do therfor, for by my trowth I have it not, nor I can not make shyft therfor, and I shuld go to preson; therfor comune with your brother her of, and send me word how that he wull make shyft ther for in hast. I must elles nedes sell all my woods, and that shall dysse avayll him better than a CC. marc, and I dey; and if I shuld selle them now, ther wull noman gewe so myche for them be ner an C. marc as they be worth, be cause ther be so many wood sales in Norfolke at thys tyme. Therfor lete hym make purvyaunce therfor in hast, as he wull have my good wyll, and wull that I save hym the seyd woods to the better a wayll, and send me word here of in hast if ye wull my welfare, for I shall never be in quiete tille I k[n]owe an ende in thys, for she hath therfor an obligacion of an C_li._ And it is not kepte cloos, ther be many persones now k[n]owyn it, which me semyth a greet rebuke to me that I departyd so largely with yowr brother that I reservyd not to pay that I was endaungered for hym, and so have dyverse seyd to me which of late have k[n]owyn it; and whan I remembre it, it is to myn hart a very spere, consideryng that he never gave comforte therein, ner of all the money that hath be reseyvyd wull never make shyft therfor. And he had yet be for thys tyme have sent me l. marc thereof, yet I wuld have thought that he had had summe consideracion of myn daungers that I have put me in for hym. Remembre hym how that I have excusyd hym of xx_li._ that the Prior of Bromholm had, which shuld elles have be in that daunger that it shuld have be to us a grete rebwke, with hought that he myght a ben holpyn wyth shuch money as he shuld have had of your fadyrs bequest; and I payd to the shereffe for hym also money. All thes shuld have holpe me wele therto, be syde other thynges that I have bor thys yeres that I speke not of; there fore lete hym helpe me now, or elles it shall dysawayll hym better than the trebyll the money, wheder that I leve or dey, with ought he hath better consideracion to the daungers that I stond in. Also I wulde ye shuld meve hym to take John Pampyng to hym, or elles to gete hym a servyce in the Chauncery, or in sume other place where as he myth be preferryd, for it ys pety that he lesyth hys tyme so her, and it is non a wayll to non of ws, and for diverse othyr thyngs whesch ye shall knowe her after, I wolde that I war hens in haste, for all maner of happys, constrw ye, &c. I can yw thanke for ywyr lettyr that ye sente me, and that ye have inquiryd of shwch thynges as ye thynk that shwld plese me. I send yow the boxe and the dedes that ye sente to me for, but as for the key of the cofyr in the wtter chambyr I can not fynd yt; yf the boxe had be ther in, ye cwdnat not have hadd yth but yf [_unless_] I had broke wp the cofyr; ther for remembre yw wer ye have do the key; I kep styll the key that ye sente me tyll that ye cwm home.

As for the tydynges here, ywr cosyn Barney of Wychshynggham ys passyd to Gode, hwm Gode asoyle. Veylys wife, and Lodonys wife, and Pycard the bacar of Twmlond, ben gone also; all thys hwlsold and thys parych ys as ye leftyd, blyssyd be Gode; we lewyn in fer, but we wut not qweder to fle, for to be better than we ben here. I send yw demi a riale for to by wyth swger[119-1] and dates for me. I pray yw do as wel as ye can, and sende it me as hastely as ye may, and sende me word qwat price a _li._ of peppyr, clowys, masis, gingyr, and sinamun, almannys, ryse, ganyngal, safrwn, reysonys of Corons, grenys,[120-1] of ych of these sende me the pryce of ych of these,[120-2] and yf that it be bettir shepe at London than it is here, I shal sende yw mony to bye wyth soch stwfe as I wull have. Remember that I spake to yw to spek to ywyr brother for the seyd C. marc wan ye departed hens. I trow ye had forgettyt, that ye sent me non answer ther of in ony wys. Lete me have an answer ther of in hast, and sende me woord how ywyr brother and ye spede in ywyr maters; and Goddes blissyng and myn mut ye have both, and send yw good sped in all ywyr maters.

Wretyn in hast on Sent Levnards Eve.[120-3]

By ywyr Moder.

[Footnote 118-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is not
addressed, and the MS. is in fact only a corrected draft, of which
a fair copy has since been found. The fair copy is not addressed
either. The letter was evidently written to John Paston in answer
to No. 784. The date is ascertained by the fact that John Berney
of Witchingham died in the year 1471.]

[Footnote 119-1: In Fenn’s edition this is printed ‘swgar, feg,
and dats.’ The word ‘feg’ is not in the MS. It seems to be a
misreading of ‘swg’’ (sugar), which the transcriber forgot to
cancel.]

[Footnote 120-1: F. adds ‘and comfyts,’ but the words are not in
the MS.]

[Footnote 120-2: F. reads ‘the price of a _li._,’ but this is not
in the MS.]

[Footnote 120-3: The following sentence is added in the fair copy:
‘I warn yw kepe this letter clos and lese yt not; rather brenyt.’]

788

BILL OF COSTS[120-4]

_Termino Sancti Michaelis Anno xj^o E. iiij^ti pro Ricardo Calle deff’ versus Willelmum Huggan q. in placito trans’._

[Sidenote: 1471 / NOV.]

In primis, for a copy of the bill,
iiij_d._

Item, for makyng of the awnswer to Mr. Pygot, Mr. Fayrefax, and to
Mr. Hosy,
x_s._

Item, wyne and perys at tavern ij. tymes,
xiiij_d._