Chapter III: Letter 944: , p. 11, note 2 (2)

[Footnote 36-2: A silver plate with a figure of the Crucifixion
upon it given to be kissed at Mass.]

[Footnote 39-1: These two entries are bracketed together in the
MS., and ‘Shend bi Ley’ (?) written in the margin.]

[[with a rose in the botom, weyeng
_text has “weyeng,”_

j. prikettes nuper Howis, / ix. unces ij. d. weight.
_text has “weight,”_

j. standing pece couvered, bought of Elingham,
_text has “Elingham.”_

j. cover to the same, weyeng,
_text has “weyeng,”_

j. paxe parcell gilte, Staunton,
_period after “j.” missing_

j. candilstykke ... and j. preket, P.
_text has “P,”_]]

969

ABSTRACT[39-2]

WILLIAM PASTON TO HIS BROTHER EDMUND PASTON

[Sidenote: After 1479]

Encloses the will of his father, ‘such as my brother hath’; who says he had it out of the register. My business is no further advanced since I left you, except that my brother has got a pardon of the alienation made by the Bishop of Winchester. Can get no estate in it except according to his father’s will, viz. to himself and his heirs-male. My brother’s will is that I should have Runham, which is £8 a year at least, in recompense of the 10 marks out of Sporle, if he would release all his right in that manor. There is nothing touching you in my brother’s[40-1] will, for I read it over and will write it also; ‘so that I woll have the same for my copy that he wrote with his own hand.’

Recommend me heartily to my sister your wife.

London, 22 Feb.

[The writer of this was William, the son of the eldest John Paston,
not that uncle William with whom the two younger John Pastons had so
many disputes. I see nothing to fix the date beyond the fact that
the letter was written after Sir John Paston’s death.]

[Footnote 39-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 40-1: Sir John Paston, who died in 1479.]

970

WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN KYNG[40-2]

_To John Kynge, Fermour of my Maner of Hartwelbury, in Kelsall, besides Royston, be this delyverd._

[Sidenote: 1480 / FEB. 24]

John Kyng, I grete yow hartely well; and I understond as well by my frende, Syr William Storar, as by Ric. Browne, that as well my kynnesman Syr John Paston that dede is, as my kynnesman John Paston that now leveth, have ben with yow, and yovyn yow many grete thretis, for that ye acordyng to the trowth, tolde unto them that ye ocupyed my maner of Harwelbury be my leese, and be my ryght. And further more I understond, notwithstondyng the seyde grete thretis, that ye, lyke a full trewe, harty frende, have delyd and fastely abedyn in my tytill, and wolde not retorne to none of them. Wherfor I hartely thank yow; and furthar more to corage yow in yowr fast dealyng, I schew onto yow that I have ryght bothe in law and in concience, wherby I promyse yow on my feythe to defende yow and save yow harmeles for the occupacion of the londe, or any thynge that ye schall doo in my titill a gaynst hym, and it schulde cost me as moche as the maner is worth, and also another tyme to doo as moche for yow, and it ly in my powre, yf ye have ony mater to doo ther as I may doo for yow.

And, also, I here say, by my seid frende, Syr William Storar, and by Ric. Brown, that ye ar of suche substaunce, and of suche trust, and suche favor in the contre ther, that it lithe in yowr powre to do a goode turne for yowr frende.

Wretyn at London, the xxiiij^ti day of Februari.

Be WILLIAM PASTON.

[Footnote 40-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is scarcely necessary
to point out that this letter was probably written within a year
after Sir John Paston’s death.]

971

GEORGE, SERVANT TO WILLIAM PASTON, TO JOHN KYNG[41-1]

_To John Kyng of Therfeld, in Herdfordshire._

[Sidenote: Date uncertain]

Right trusty and welbeloved frende, I comaunde me to you. And, Ser, I tolde my maister that ye wolde have ben with him or this; for which cause he mervaileth ye kepe nat your promyse. Wherfore I avise you to come and bryng my maister his money afore this fest of Cristmasse.

And, also, ye ar yerly behynde of a boore or els ten shillinges after the price of oon bore. And where ye be owyng your boore for ij. yerys, I wolde avyse you to delyver unto Ser William Storer the seid dute, or els I counceile you to send my maister a resonable somme of money with thies boores afore Cristmasse for your thanke, consideryng his kynde dealyng, as well in sufferaunce of your money as in your owne matier.

Writen at London, the xvj^th day of Decembre.

Be your frende, GEORGE,

servaunte to Mr. W. PASTON.[41-2]

[Footnote 41-1: We place this letter after the last for
convenience. Its date is unimportant.]

[Footnote 41-2: The subscription is in a different hand from the
letter itself, which is in a clerk’s hand, very well written.]

972

JOHN, PRIOR OF BROMHOLM, TO JOHN PASTON[41-3]

_To my right worchipful maister, John Paston, Sqwyer._

[Sidenote: 1480-7]

Right worchipful maister, I recomaunde me un to yow, desiryng to knowe of youre welfare and prosperyte, wheche Jesu maynteyne and encreese to His pleser after youre hertys desyre, thankyng yow ever of youre good maistership to me shewed at alle tymes withoute deserte on my behalve, prayng yow, and hirtely besechyng of youre goode contynuance. Please it yowre maistership, for as moche as it [is] moved on to the my good maisters, the counsell of the Duche of Lancastr, that they be weelwillyng to make laboure on to my Sovereyn Lady the Qween at youre good instaunce for certeyn tymber toward my dortour at Bromholm, in wheche myn specyall desyre is to have viij. princypall beemys, everych on in length xj. zerds. I am not expeert in makyng of any supplicacion, besechyng youre maistership to take it uppon you to do it make after your avyce, alegged all poverte, as youre worchipfull discrecion can moche better than I can enforme; and I remitte all to youre wysdam, ever besechyng you to calle this matyer to youre remembraunce. No more at this tyme, but the Holy Trinite mote have yow in His governaunce, and sende you longe lyf to endure to His pleser.

Wreten the xiiij^e day of Octobr.

Youre preest and chapeleyn,

JOHN, Priour of Bromholm.

[Footnote 41-3: [From Fenn, iii. 400.] On the date of this letter
Fenn remarks as follows:--‘John Titleshale was prior of Bromholm
from 1460 for about twenty years. This letter must have been
written therefore either on the 14th October 1460, or on the same
day in 1465, as Edward IV. married in that year, and J. Paston
died in May 1466. If it was written in the former, the request
[for timber] must have been to Queen Margaret; if in the latter,
to Elizabeth, the Queen of Edward IV.’ In these observations Fenn
overlooks the possibility of the letter having been addressed to
any other John Paston than the first of that name; and neither of
the two years, which alone suit that supposition, has much
internal probability. It is inconceivable that the letter could
have been written in 1460, when Queen Margaret had retired into
Wales after the battle of Northampton, and it is almost equally
improbable that the date could have been 1465, when John Paston,
the father, was in prison. We have very little doubt that the
letter was addressed to John Paston the youngest, called of
Gelston, long after his father’s death, and after that of his
brother Sir John also. John Tytleshale, who was Prior of Bromholm
in 1460, was succeeded, at what date we are not informed, by John
Macham; and after him John Underwood, Bishop of Chalcedon,
suffragan of the Bishop of Norwich, was prior in 1509. The date of
this letter, however, must lie between 1480 and 1487, in which
latter year John Paston the youngest was created a knight for his
services at the battle of Stoke.]

973

ABSTRACT[43-1]

[Sidenote: Not after 1481]

Appointment touching ‘Ayeseldys wyff.’ Her friends to labour for her acquittal of the felony, without letting of Wremmegey’s wife, etc. £20 to be deposited ‘in mene hand’ by the friends of A’s wife, to be delivered on her acquittal to Darby and other frends of W.’s wife. Also Master Yelverton shall have his £3 due to him from Ayseldys wife paid by both parties.

_Signed_--John Yelverton.

[I can find no other reference to the matter referred to in this
paper, and cannot tell the date; but as John Yelverton, the son of
the judge, died on the 9th July 1481 (Blomefield, x. 31), it cannot
be later than that year.]

[Footnote 43-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

974

EDMUND PASTON TO WILLIAM PASTON[43-2]

_To my brother, Wylliam Paston, be this delyverd._

[Sidenote: About 1481(?)]

I hartely recomawnd me to zow. Here is lately fallyn a wydow in Woorstede, whyche was wyff to one Bolt, a worstede marchaunt, and worth a m^l._li._, and gaff to hys wyff a C. marke in mony, stuffe of howsold, and plate to the valew of an C. marke, and x_li._ be zere in land. She is callyd a fayer jantylwoman. I wyll for zour sake se her. She is ryght systyr, of fader and modyr, to Herry Ynglows. I purpose to speke with hym to gett hys good wyll. Thes jantylwoman is abowght xxx. zeres, and has but ij. chyldern, whyche shalbe at the dedes charge; she was hys wyff but v. zere. Yf she be eny better than I wryght for, take it in woothe I shew the leeste. Thus lete me have knowlache of zowr mynde as shortly as ze can, and whan ze shall moun be in this cuntre. And thus God send zow good helth and good aventure.

From Norwyche, the Saterday after xij^the day.

Your,

E. PASTON.

[Footnote 43-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There is nothing to show
the date of this letter, except the fact that William Paston did
not come of age before the year 1481, so that it is not likely to
be earlier. Perhaps it may be a few years later, in which case the
widow would not have been very much his senior; but that
circumstance was not likely, in those days, to have been greatly
regarded in the matter.]

975

EDMUND PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[44-1]

_To my ryght wurchypfull and especiall good mother, Margaret Paston._

[Sidenote: Between 1481-4]

Ryght worchypfull and moste especialle good modyr, in my moste umble wyse, with alle my dute and servyse, I recomawnd me to yow, besechynge zow of zour blyssyng, whyche is to me moste joy of erthely thynge; and it plese zow to be so good and kynd modyr to me to forgeve me, and also my wyffe, of owr leude offence that we have not don ower dute, whyche was to have seyn and ave waytyd up on zow or now. My huswyffe trustythe to ley to zow her huswyferey for her excuse, wyche I muste beseche zow not to accepte, for in good faythe I deme her mynde hathe ben other weys ocapyed than as to huswyfery, whyche semyth welle by the latchesnes of the tylthe of her landdes. I beseche God for the forderawnce of them as now rewarde zow and the good parson of Mautby, and also Mastyer Baley, who I wende woold not have balkyd this pore loggeyng to Norwyche wardes.

I undyrstand by the bryngger here of that ze entende to ryde to Walsyngham; yf it please zow that I may wete the seayson, as my dute is, I shalle be redy to awayte up on zow.

Plese it zow that the brynggar here of cam to me for x_s._ viij_d._ whyche I shuld ow hys fadyr; trew it was at my laste departyng from hym, I owte hym somych, but sertaynly or I cam at Thetfford homewardes, I thowt of concyence he owte to have restoryd me as myche. I had my horsse with hym at lyvery, and amonge alle one of them was putte to gresse and to labur, so that he dyed of a laxe by the wey. I payed for hard mete ever to hym.

Plese it zow to delyver Kateryn v_s._, wyche I send zow in this bylle. I am not assartaynd how she is purveyde of mony towardes her jornay. Yf her fadyr cowde not acleymed j_d._ of me, I woold not se her dysporveyd, yf I myght, nor the poreste chyld that is belonggyng to hys loggeyng.

Modyr, my wyffe is boold to send zow a tokyn. I beseche zow pardon alle thyngges not done acordyng to dute. I beseche God send zow the accomplyshment of zour moste and woorchypfull desyers.

At Owby, the Saterday next before Candylmes.

Zour umble son and servant,

EDMOND PASTON.

[Footnote 44-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Fenn dates this letter
1479-80, suggesting that it must have been written very soon after
Edmund Paston’s marriage with the widow of William Clippesby, as
it seems to imply that he had not yet carried his bride to pay her
duty to his mother. I do not, for my part, know the date of this
marriage, and I suspect Fenn had no other clue to it than the fact
that William Clippesby, the lady’s first husband, died on the 24th
September 1479; but I presume his widow was still unmarried when
she proved his will on the 18th May 1480 (_see_ Blomefield, xi.
144). I consider, therefore, that the letter must have been
written between the years 1481 and 1484, as Margaret Paston died
in November of the latter year.]

976

MONASTERY OF ST. FAITH[45-1]

[Sidenote: 1481 / AUG.]

Robertus filius domini Walteri de Mauteby militis insp[ex]sit cartas an[tiquas] . . . . concessas Deo et monasterio Sanctæ Fidis quinque quarteria salis annualis redditus . . e olim . . . . . . quinque _wayes_ percipienda de salinis ma[r]issi de Mauteby secundum mensuram ejusdem [mari]ssi. Quam quidem concessionem prædictus Robertus ratificat . . . . . suum sub sigillo suo quid est[[45-2]]. And this deed sawe John Paston at the seid Seynt Feythes, mense Augusti Anno xxj^o Regis E. [Q]uarti. And for this rent a . . the prior and the monkys there shewyd [to th]e seyd John, the same moneth and tyme, thes obitis foloyng tightled in the . . . . . they s[ay]d that they . . . . . whiche wold be knowyn and wachid. So the sayd . . . . the obbites . . . . . . . . . . bi Maltby xij. die mensis Aprilis. Et d’ns d’nii (?)

JOHANNES DE MALTB[Y].

[Footnote 45-1: [Add. Charter 17,252, B.M.]]

[Footnote 45-2: Here occurs a representation of a shield in the
middle of the text of the MS.]

977

ABSTRACT[46-1]

ANONYMOUS TO MRS. [MARGARET PASTON?]

There is no tachment made in the land unless it be done privily. The sheriff has been thrice in our town in these three weeks. As for the panel of Frances’ matter, there is none of the sheriff’s deputies but Francis to inquire of.

[I am quite unable to attach a date to this letter, or to conjecture
by whom it was written. Even the person to whom it is addressed is
very uncertain, though I have suggested Margaret Paston.]

[Footnote 46-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

978

MARGARET PASTON’S WILL.[46-2]

[Sidenote: 1482 / FEB. 4]

In the name of God, amen. I, Margaret Paston, widowe, late the wiff of John Paston, Squier, doughter and heire to John Mauteby, Squier, hole of spirit and mynde, with perfite avisement and good deliberacion, the iiij^te day of February, in the yer of Our Lord God a m^{l.}cccclxxxj. make my testament and last wille in this fourme folowyng. First, I betake my sowle to God Almyghty and to Our Lady His blissid Moder, Seint Michael, Seint John Baptist, and to Alle Seintes, and my body to be beried in the ele of the cherch of Mauteby, byfore the ymage of Our Lady there. In which ele reste the bodies of divers of myn aunceteres, whos sowles God assoile.

Item, I bequethe to the high awter of the seid cherch of Mauteby xx_s._

Item, I wulle that the seid ele in which my body shalbe beried be newe robed, leded, and glased, and the walles therof heyned [_heightened_] convenyently and werkmanly.

Item, I wulle that myn executours purveye a stoon of marble to be leyde alofte upon my grave within a yer next after my decesse; and upon that stoon I wulle have iiij. scochens sett at the iiij. corners, wherof I wulle that the first scochen shalbe of my husbondes armes and myn departed, the ij^de of Mawtebysarmes and Berneys of Redham departed, the iij^de of Mawtebysarmes and the Lord Loveyn departed, the iiij^te of Mawtebysarmes and Sir Roger Beauchamp departed. And in myddys of the seid stoon I wull have a scochen sett of Mawtebysarmes allone, and under the same thise wordes wretyn, ‘In God is my trust,’ with a scripture wretyn in the verges therof rehersyng thise wordes, ‘Here lieth Margret Paston, late the wif of John Paston, doughter and heire of John Mawteby, Squier,’ and so forth, in the same scripture rehersed the day of the moneth and the yer that I shall decesse: ‘on whos sowle God have mercy.’

Item, I wulle that myn executours shall purveye xij. pore meen of my tenauntes, or other if they suffice not, the whiche I wulle shalbe apparailled in white gownes with hodes according, to holde xij. torches abowte myn herse or bere at such tyme as I shalbe beried, during the exequies and masse of my berying; which xij. torches I wille remayne in the seid cherch of Mawteby whil they may last for my yerday.

Which yerday I wull myn heire kepe in the same cherch for me my seid husbond and myn aunceteres yerly during the terme of xij. yeres next after my decesse;[47-1] and I wulle that ich of the seid xij. pore meen the day of my beriing have iiij_d._ Also, I wulle that iche preste being at my berying and masse have viij_d._, and ich clerk in surplys iij_d._ Also, I wull that the preste which shall berie me have vj_s._ viij_d._, so that he seye over me at the tyme of my berying all the whole service that to the berying belongeth.

Also, I wulle that from the day and tyme that I am beried unto the ende of vij. yeres than next folowyng be ordeyned a taper of wexe of a_li._ to brenne upon my grave ich Sonday and haliday at alle divine service to be seid or sunge in the seid cherch and dailly at the masse of that preest that shalle singe there in the seid ele for my sowle.

Item, I wulle that vj. tapers, ich of iiij_li._, brenne abowte myn herse the day of my beryng, of which I wull that iiij. yerly be kept to brenne abowte myn herse whan my yerday shalbe kept aslong as they may honestly serve.

Item, I wulle have an honest seculer prest to synge and pray in the seid ele for my sowle, the sowles of my father and mother, the sowle of the seid John Paston, late my husband, and for the sowlys of his aunceteres and myn during the terme of vij. yeres next after my decesse.

Item, I wulle that myn executours purveye a compleet legende in oon book, and an antiphoner in an other book, which bookes I wull be yeven to abide ther in the seid cherch to the wursship of God aslonge as they may endure.[48-1]

Item, I wulle that every houshold in Mauteby as hastily as it may be convenyently doo after my decesse have xij_d._

Item, to the emendyng of the cherch of Freton in Suffolk I bequethe a chesiple and an awbe.[48-2]

And I wulle that ich houshold being my tenaunt there have vj_d._

And I bequethe to the emendement of the cherch of Basyngham a chesiple and an awbe.[48-3]

And I wulle that every houshold there have viij_d._

Item, I bequeth to the emendyng of the cherch of Matelask a chesiple and an awbe.[48-4]

And I wull that every pore houshold that are my tenauntes there have viij_d._

Item, I bequethe to the emendyng of the cherch of Gresham a chesiple and an awbe.[48-6]

And I wulle that ich pore houshold that be my tenauntes there have vj_d._

Item, I wulle that ich pore houshold late my tenauntes at Sparham have vj_d._

Item, to the reparacion of the cherch of Redham there as I was borne I bequeth v. marc and a chesiple of silk with an awbe with myn armes therupon to the emendement of the same cherche.[48-5]

Item, to iche of the iiij. houshes of Freres in Norwich, xx_s._

Item, to iche of the iiij. houshes of Freres of Yermouth and at the South toun to pray for my sowle I bequeth xx_s._

Item, to the ankeres at the Frere Prechours in Norwich I bequeth iij_s._ iiij_d._

And to the ankeres in Conesford I bequeth iij_s._ iiij_d._

Item, to the anker at the White Freres in Norwich I bequethe iij_s._ iiij_d._

Item, to iche hole and half susters at Normans in Norwich, viij_d._

Item, to the Deen and his bretheren of the Chepell of Feld, to the use of the same place to seye a _dirige_ and a masse for my sowle, xx_s._

Item, to the hospitalle of Seint Gile in Norwich, also for a _dirige_ and a masse for my sowle, xx_s._

Item, to iche of the iiij. pore meen, and to either of the susters of the seid hospitall, ij_d._

Item, to the mother cherche of Norwiche for a _dirige_ and masse, xx_s._

Item, to iche lepre man and woman at the v. Yates in Norwich, iij_d._

And to iche forgoer at every of the seid yates, ij_d._

Item, to iche lepre without the North gates at Yermouth, iij_d._; and to the forgoer ther, ij_d._

Item, to iche houshold of the parish of Seint Peter of Hungate in Norwich that wull receyve almes, have iiij_d._

Item, I wull have a _dirige_ and a masse for my sowle at the parisshe cherche of Seint Michael of Coslany in Norwich, and that every preste ther havyng his stipend being therat have iiij_d._, and iche clerk in surplys of the same parissh than ther being have ij_d._, and the parissh clerk vj_d._, and the curat that shall seye high masse have xx_d._, and I bequeth to the reparacion of the bellys of the same cherche vj_s._ viij_d._, and to the sexteyn there to rynge at the seid _dirige_ and masse, xx_d._

Item, I wull that myn executours shall geve to the sustentacion of the parson or preste that shall for the tyme mynystre the sacramentez and divine service in the cherch of Seint Petre of Hungate in Norwich, xx_li._ of lawfull money;[50-1] whiche xx_li._ I will it be putt in the rule and disposicion of the cherch reves of the same cherche for the tyme being by the oversight of the substancialle persones of the seid parissh, to this intent, that the seid cherch reves, by the oversight as is before-seid, shall yerly yeve, if it so be that the profites of the seid cherch suffice not to fynde a prest after ther discrecions, part of the seid xx_li._ to the seid parson or preste, unto the seid xx_li._ be expended.

Item, I bequeth to Edmund Paston, my sone, a standing pece white covered, with a white garleek heed upon the knoppe, and a gilt pece covered with an unicorne, a fetherbedde and a traumsom at Norwich, and the costers[50-2] of worsted that he hath of me.

Item, I bequeth to Katerine his wiff a purpill girdill harneisid with silver and gilt and my bygge bras chafour, a brasen morter with an iren pestell, and a stoon morter of cragge.

Item, I yeve and graunte to Robert, sone of the seid Edmund, alle my swannes morken with the merke called Dawbeneys merk, and with the merk late Robert Cutler, clerk, to have hold and enjoye the seid swannes with the seid merkes to the seid Robert and his heirs for evermore.

Item, I bequeth to Anne, my doughter, wiff of William Yelverton, my grene hangyng in my parlour at Mauteby, a standing cuppe with a cover gilt with a flatte knoppe and a flatte pece with a cover gilt withoute, xij. silver spones, a powder boxe with a foot and a knoppe enamelled blewe, my best corse girdill blewe herneised with silver and gilt, my primer, my bedes of silver enamelled.

Item, I bequeth to the seid Anne, my fetherbedde with sillour,[50-3] curteyns and tester[50-4] in my parlour at Mauteby, with a white covering, a peire blankettes, ij. peire of my fynest shetes iche of iij. webbes, a fyne hedshete of ij. webbes, my best garnyssh of pewter vessell, ij. basyns with ij. ewres, iij. candelstekes of oon sorte, ij. bras pottes, ij. bras pannes, a bras chafour to sett by the fyre, and a chafour for colys.

Item, I require myn executours to paie to the seid William Yelverton and Anne the money that I shall owe them of ther mariage money the day of my decesse of such money as shalbe receyved of such londes as I have putte in feffement to accomplissh my wille.

Item, I bequeth to William Paston, my sone my standing cuppe chased parcell gilt with a cover with myn armes in the botom and a flatte pece with a traill upon the cover, xij. silver spones, ij. silver saltes wherof oon is covered the hole bedde of borde alisaundre as it hangeth on the gret chaumber at Mauteby, with the fetherbedde, bolster, blankettes, and coveryng to the same, ij. peire shetes, ij. pilwes, and my best palet, a basyn, an ewre, and a litel white bedde that hangeth over the gresyngges in the litell chaumber at Mauteby for a trussyng bedde.

Item, I bequeth an C. marc in money to be paied and bestowed to the use and byhoff of the seid William Paston after this forme folowyng; that is to sey, in purchasyng of as moche lond to him and to his heires as may be had with the same money, or ellys to bye a warde to be maried to him if eny suche may be goten, or ellys to be paied to him assone as it may be convenyently gadered and receyved of sucche londes as by me are put in feffement as is beforseid after the ele in Mauteby cherche be fynsshed and performed as is beforseid, and after the stipend of the preste lymyted to singe for me be yerly levied, as well as the money be dispended upon the keping of my yerly obite. And if the seid William dye or he come to the age of xxj. yer, than the seid C. marc to be disposed for the wele of my sowle by myn executours.

Item, I bequeth to John Paston my sone a gilt cuppe standyng with a cover and a knoppe liche a garkeek heed, vj. gobelettes of silver with oon cover.

Item, I bequeth to Margery Paston, the wif of the seid John, my pixt of silver with ij. silver cruettes and my massebook with all myn awterclothes.

Item,[52-1] I bequeth to William Paston, sone of the seid John Paston, and Elizabeth his suster, C. marc whan they come to laufull age, to be take and receyved of the londes beforseid; and if either of them die or they come to the seid age, than I wull that the part of him or hir so deying remayne to the survyver of them at laufull age, and if they bothe dye or they come to the seid age, than I wull that the seid C. marc be disposed for the helth of my sowle by th’avise of myn executours.

Item, I bequeth to Custaunce, bastard doughter of John Paston, Knyght, whan she is xx. yer of age, x. marc, and if she die bifore the seid age, than I wull that the seid x. marc be disposed by myn executours.

Item, I bequeth to John Calle, sone of Margery my doughter, xx_li._ whan he cometh to the age of xxiiij. yer, and if the seid John dye or he cometh to the seid age, than I wull that the seid xx_li._ evenly be divided attwen William and Richard, sones of the seid Margery, whan they come to the age of xxiiij. yer; and if either of the seid William and Richard dye or he come to the seid age, than I wull that the part of him so dying remayne to the survyver; and if bothe the seid William and Richard dye or the come to the seid age, than I wull that the seid xx_li._ be disposed by the good advys of myne executours for me and my frendes.

Item, I bequethe to Marie Tendalle, my goddoughter, my peir bedys of calcidenys gaudied[52-2] with silver and gilt.

Item, I wull that iche of myn other godchilder be rewarded by th’avyse of John Paston, my sone.

Item, I bequeth to Agnes Swan my servaunt, my musterdevelys gown furred with blak, and a girdell of blak harneised with silver gilt and enamelled, and xx_s._ in money.

Item, to Simon Gerard my silver gobelet cured and a flatt pece with verges gilt, and myn hole litel white bedde in my chapell chaumber at Mauteby with the fetherbedde liche as it is nowe in the seid chapell, with a peire blankettes, a peire shetes, and a pilwe of doune.

Item, to John Heyth a materas with a traunsom, a peire shetes, a peire blankettes, and a coverlight.

Item, I wull that myn housholt be kept after my decesse by half a yer, and that my servauntes wages be truly paied at ther departing, and also that every persone being my servaunt the day of my decesse have a quarter wages beside that they at her departing have do service fore.

Item, I wull that alle suche maners, londes, and tenementes, rentes and services whiche are descended unto me by weye of inheritaunce immediatly after my decesse remayne unto myn heires accordyng to the last wille of Robert Mauteby, Squier, my grauntfader, except suche londes as I have putte in feffement to accomplissh therof my last wille, and except v. marc of annuyte which I have graunted out of the maner of Freton in Suffolk to Edmund Paston, my sone, Katherine his wiff, and Robert, ther sone, for terme of ther lyves.

Item, I bequeth to Anne, my doughter, x_li._ to hir propre use.

And to Osbern Berney x. marc of the money comyng of the londes by me put in feffement as is beforseid.

Item, I wull that the residewe of the stuffe of myn houshold unbiquothen be divided equally betwen Edmund and William, my sones, and Anne, my doughter.

The residewe of all my godes and catalle and dettes to me owing I yeve and comitte to the good disposicion of myn executours to performe this my testament and last wille, and in other dedes of mercye for my sowle, myn aunceterez sowlez, and alle Cristen sowles, to the most pleaser of God and profit to my sowle.

Of this my testament, I make and ordeyne the seid John Paston, Squier, my sone, Thomas Drentall, clerk, Simon Gerard and Walter Lymyngton myn executours.

And I bequeth to the seid John Paston for his labour x_li._

And to iche of myn other executours for their labour v. marc.

In witnesse wherof to this my present testament I have putto my seal. Yevyn day and yer biforseid.

[Footnote 46-2: [Add. Charter, 17,253, B.M.]]

[Footnote 47-1: In the margin is written in John Paston’s hand,
‘Memorandum, v. yer to come to kepe the yerday.’]

[Footnote 48-1: In margin, ‘v_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._’ This and the
marginal notes which follow are all in John Paston’s hand.]

[Footnote 48-2: In margin, ‘xvj_s._ viij_d._’]

[Footnote 48-3: _Ibid._]

[Footnote 48-4: _Ibid._]

[Footnote 48-5: _Ibid._]

[Footnote 48-6: In margin, ‘v_li._’]

[Footnote 50-1: In margin, ‘xx_li._’]

[Footnote 50-2: Pieces of tapestry used on the sides of tables,
beds, etc.--_Halliwell._]

[Footnote 50-3: Canopy of tapestry.]

[Footnote 50-4: Head of the bedstead.]

[Footnote 52-1: Opposite this paragraph is written in the margin
in John Paston’s hand: ‘C. marke. Solut’ E. P. _l._ marke.’]

[Footnote 52-2: Halliwell explains ‘gaudees’ as ‘the larger beads
in a roll for prayer.’ According to Palsgrave they represented the
_Paternoster_.]

[[wherof oon is covered the hole bedde
_punctuation unchanged: missing comma after “covered”?_

[48-5] [48-6]
_in the body text, footnote markers 5 and 6 are reversed, but see
text and footnotes_]]

979

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[54-1]

_To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston._

[Sidenote: 1482(?)]

Ryght worchepfull modyr, in my most humble wyse I recomand me to yow, besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng. And when I may, I wyll with as good wyll be redy to recompence yow for the cost that my huswyff and I have put yow to, as I am now bond to thank yow for it, whyche I do in the best wyse I can. And, modyr, it pleasyd yow to have serteyn woordys to my wyff at hyr depertyng, towchyng your remembrance of the shortness that ye thynk your dayes of, and also of the mynd that ye have towardes my brethryn and systyr your chyldyr, and also of your servauntes, wher in ye wyllyd hyr to be a meane to me, that I wold tendyr and favore the same. Modyr, savyng your plesure, ther nedyth non enbasatours nor meanys betwyx yow and me; for ther is neyther wyff nor other frend shall make me to do that that your comandment shall make me to do, if I may have knowlage of it; and if I have no knowlage, in good feyth I am excuseabyll bothe to God and yow. And, well remembred, I wot well ye ought not to have me in jelusye for one thyng nor other that ye wold have me to accomplyshe, if I overleve yow; for I wot well non oo man a lyve hathe callyd so oft upon yow as I, to make your wylle and put iche thyng in serteynte, that ye wold have done for your sylff, and to your chyldre and servauntes. Also at the makyng of your wylle, and at every comunycacyon that I have ben at with yow towchyng the same, I nevyr contraryed thyng that ye wold have doon and performyd, but alweyso ffyrd my sylff to be bownde to the same. But, modyr, I am ryght glad that my wyff is eny thyng your favore or trust; but I am ryght sory that my wyff, or eny other chyld or servaunt of your shold be in bettyr favore or trist with yow then my sylff; for I wyll and must forbere and put fro me that, that all your other chyldre, servauntes, prestys, werkmen, and frendys of your that ye wyll ought bequethe to, shall take to theym. And thys have I, and evyr wylbe redy on to, whyll I leve, on my feyth, and nevyr thought other, so God be my helpe, Whom I beseche to preserve yow and send yow so good lyff and longe, that ye may do for youre sylff and me aftyr my dyssease; and I beshrewe ther hertys that wold other or shall cause yow to mystrust, or to be unkynd to me or my frendys.

At Norwyche, thys Monday, with the hand of your sone and trwest servaunt,

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 54-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, which was
undoubtedly written during the later years of Margaret Paston, may
be conveniently placed after her will.]

[[but alweyso ffyrd my sylff
_text unchanged: error for “alweys offyrd”?_]]

980

T. CRYNE TO JOHN PASTON[55-1]

_To my wurshepfull and tendrest maister, John Paston, Esquyer._

[Sidenote: 1482 / APRIL 10]

Righ wurshepfulle, one of my most kyndest and tenderest, and undeserved most contynuell maister, I recomaunde me to you. And where your trusty maistershep willeth me to come to Norwich, pleas it you I may not; for ever, as in long tyme passed, on Thursday in Esterne Weke, begynne Maister Heydons courtes and letes, the vieu of the halfyere of the houshold accompte, the closyng up fynally of th’accomptes of alle baillievs, so that the resceyvour may make his fynall accompte, which wille extende in alle to xiiij. dayes and more; and to this season is my duete, and elles I shulde not faill your pleasure.

Moreover, pleas it you, my Lord Riviers in his owne persone hath bene atte Hikelyng, and his counseill lerned, and serched his fees for his homages, among which ye be for Begvyles pasture in Somerton, and, I suppose, Wynterton, late Sir John Fastolfes; my maistres your modre for Mawtebyes in Waxham; wherein I beseche you previde, for I have done therein hertofore, asfer as I myght, &c. What it meneth, my lord is sette sore to approwement and husbondry. His counseill hath tolde him he may sette his fynes for respite of homage at his pleasure, &c.

I besech you my maistresse may have worde of this. And oure blessed Lord ever mutte preserve you, and be your governour and defender.

Wreten at Thorplond, this Wednesday in Esterne Weke, fallyng the x. day of Aprill, anno E. iiij^ti xxij.

Your servaunt,

T. CRYNE.

[Footnote 55-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

981

ABSTRACT[56-1]

[Sidenote: 1482 / OCT. 9]

Grant by Margaret Paston to her son Edmund and his wife Catherine and to Robert their son, of an annuity of five marks out of the manor of Freton, Suffolk, with power to distrain for payment.

9 Oct. 22 Edw. IV.

[Footnote 56-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

982

MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[56-2]

_To my right worshipfull master, John Paston, in haste._

[Sidenote: 1482(?) / NOV. 1]

Right reverent and worshipfull sir, in my moste umble vice, I recomaunde me unto yow, as lowly as I can, &c. Plese you to wete, John Howes, Alexander Qwharteyn, John Fille, with the parson and the newe myller of Marlyngforthe, have goten Thom’ At Welles carte of Estetodenham, fermour to myn uncle William Paston, Herry Hervy of Meelton Magna, fermour and baly to my seide uncle, Ric. Barkers carte of the seide towne of Meelton, late fermour, and yette is in daunger to[57-1] my seide uncle, and William Smythes carte of Brandon juxta Bernham Broom, late fermour and baly, and also in daunger to[57-1] my seide uncle, on Monday and Twesday last past, caryed a wey from Merlyngforth in to the place at Seint Edmondes in Norwich, xij. of yowr greete plankes, of the weche they made vj. loodes, beryng a bowte the seide cartes, bowes and gleves, for feere of takyng a wey. Sir, as for yowr servauntes of Marlyngforth, they withholde her catell and hem selfe bothe from the coorte, and come not within the lordship, nor make noon attornment, exept Thom’ Davy and John Water, weche absentyng of the tenauntes is to them a greet hurt and los, for lak of sedyng ther londes with ther wynter corn; besechyng you for Godes sake to remembre som remedy for them.

My Lady Caltorp hath ben at Geppeswich on pilgry mache, and came homward be my Lady of Norffolk, and ther was moche communicacion of yowr mater be twix you and myn uncle, seyng to my Lady Caltorp, ye nede not a gonne to London, ye myght have an ende at home; rememberyng to my seid Lady Caltorp of the mocion that he made towchyng the maner of Sporle, promyttyng to my lady to abyde that, and to write and seale as largely as any man wol desire hym. And at his departyng from my lady he was not mery, what the cauce was I wot not [but he was not mery of your departyng].[57-2] My Lady Calthorp desireth me to write to yow to have ende, for he intendes largely to have a peace with yow, as he seth; but truste hym not to moche, for he is not goode.

My mother in lawe thynketh longe she here no word from you. She is in goode heele, blissed be God, and al yowr babees also. I mervel I here no word from you, weche greveth me ful evele; I sent you a letter be Brasiour sone of Norwiche, wher of I here no word. No more to you at this tyme, but Almyghty Jesu have you in Hes blissed kepyng.

Wreten at Norwich, on Allowmes Day at nyght.

Be yowr servaunt and bedewoman,

MARGERY PASTON.

Sir, I prey yow, if ye tary longe at London, that it wil plese to sende for me, for I thynke longe sen I lay in yowr armes.

[Footnote 56-2: _Ibid._ This letter, it will be seen, must have
been written before the death of Margaret Paston in 1484, and from
what is stated in No. 953, it is certainly not earlier than 1479.
The date, moreover, must be between 1480 and 1482, for it is
stated that the outrages here complained of occurred on the Monday
and Tuesday before the letter was written; and in the next letter
we find that there was a new outrage of the same description on
Friday. If Hallowmas Day, the date of this letter, was a
Wednesday, the year must be 1480, if a Thursday 1481, and if
Friday 1482. We are rather inclined to think it was the latter.]

[Footnote 57-1: ‘In danger to’ signifies either in debt or
otherwise responsible to another person.]

[Footnote 57-2: These words are crossed out in the MS.]

983

MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[58-1]

_To my ryght wurchupfull mayster, John Paston, Esquyer, be this letter delyverd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1482 / NOV. [3]]

Myne owyn swete hert, in my most humylwyse, I recomaund me on to you, desyryng hertly to here of your welfar, the wheche I beseche Alle myghty God preserve and kepe to His plesur, and your hertes desyer.

Ser, the cause of my wrytyng to you at this tyme: on Friday att nyght last past come Alexander Wharton, John Hous, and John Fille, with ij. good carts well mannyd and horsyd with hem to Marlyngford, and there at the maner of Malyngford and at the mille lodyn bothe cartes with mestlyon[58-2] and whete, and betymys on Saturday, in the mornyng, they departyd fro Marlyngford towardes Bongey, as it is seyd; for the seyd cartes come fro Bongey, as I soppose, by the sendynge of Bryon, for he goth hastyly over the se, as it is seyd. And as I suppose he wyll have the mestlyon over with hym, for the most part of the cart loodes was mestlyon, &c.

Item, ser, on Saturday last past, I spacke with my cosyn Gornay, and he seyd, if I wold goo to my Lady of Norffolk, and beseche hyr good grace to be your good and gracyous lady, she wold so be, for he seyd that one word of a woman should do more than the wordes of xx. men, yiffe I coude rewyll my tonge, and speke non harme of myn unkyll. And if ye comaund me so for to do, I trist I shuld sey nothynge to my ladys displesure, but to your profyt; for me thynkyth bi the wordes of them and of your good fermore of Oxned, that thei wyll sone drawe to an ende. For he cursyth the tyme that ever he come in the ferme of Oxned, for he seyth that he wotyth well that he shall have a grette losse, and yet he wyll not be a knowyn wheder he hathe payd or nought; but whan he sethe his tyme, he wyll sey trowth.

I understond by my seyd cosyn Gornay that my lady is nere wery of hyr parte, and he seyth my lady shal come on pylgremage in to this towne, but he knowth not wheder afore Cristmes or aftyr; and if I wold thanne gete my Lady Calthorpe, my moder in lawe, and my moder, and myselfe, and come before my lady, besechyng hyr to be your good and gracyous lady, he thynkyth ye shull have an ende; for fayne she wold be redde of it with hyr onowr savyd, but yette money she wold have.

No more to you at this tyme, butte I mervell sore that I have no letter from you, but I prey God preserve you, and send me good tydynges from you, and spede you well in your materes. And as for me, I have gotyn me anothyr logyn felawe, the ferst letter of hyr name is Mastras Byschoppe. She recomaundyth hyr to you by the same tokyn that ye wold have had a tokyn to my Mayster Bryon.

Att Norwych, the Sonday next after the Fest of All Seyntes.

Be yowr servaunt and bedewoman,

MARGERY PASTON.

[Footnote 58-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] For evidence of date, see
preliminary note to last letter.]

[Footnote 58-2: Mixed corn, commonly rye and wheat, which were
most in demand to make bread of.]

984

B. R. TO JOHN PASTON[60-1]

_To the right worshipfull John Paston, squier, with my lord Chamburlayn._

[Sidenote: 1479-83]

Right worshipfull sir, y recommaunde me to you, as hartily as y can, desiring to undrestand zour welefare, and also to knowe somwhat certainly hou your matier dothe with your uncle, and hou fer ye be, for in thes parties y assertayne you, moche mater is shewed and proclaimed in worshipful presence, fer fro th’entent of your welewillers, of the discorage and reprofe in maner of you, and by such as men supposed you to have ben right wele favoured with, and the contrary shewed in the presence of right worshipfull, and right many, and as it is said, iij. scor in nombre, with such termes and under such forme, as it is reported, as is full hevy to diverse here for to here. Hou it is ye knowe beste, and hou it is I pray you lete your frendis in this cuntre undirstand; for right a worshipfull persone told me of this, to the which y coude not answer, I se al day the world so unsure. But, Sir, ye did of policy some thingis that peradventure, and it were to do, ye wold take anothir avise, &c. I can nomore but _sapienti pauca_, &c. And I biseche you, Sir, send me some tidingis of the parties beyonde the se, for owr wyves here speke of many thingis, &c. Moreovir, Sir, Margarete Ronhale told me late that my maistres your wif fareth wele, blissed be Almighti God, and all your other frendis here, blissed be God. Sir, it is so that, as y am enformed, there is a soudiour of Caleis called John Jacob, of olde tyme duelling in Lynne.[60-2] I pray you to inquir secretly what maner man he ys, and in what condicion there, for I know a man hath to do with him; but be ye beknowen of no thinge, but that ye list wisely to enquere what he is and of what condicion, &c. And if there be any thing in thies parties that y can do you service yn, I pray you commaunde you, and I shalbe as redy to the accomplisshment therof to my power, as any man lyvyng; and that knowith God, Who I biseche to send me good tidingis fro you, and you your noble desires. From Weston.

By yours,

B. R.

[Footnote 60-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 220.] This letter is probably
late in the reign of Edward IV. John Paston would seem to have
entered the service of Hastings, the Lord Chamberlain, some time
after the death of his brother Sir John in 1479. _See_ No. 993.]

[Footnote 60-2: Against this passage in the margin is written in
another hand:--‘M^{d}. pro Barnard.’]

985

WILLIAM PASTON AND SIR JOHN FASTOLF[61-1]

To alle maner of pepill to whome this present wrytyng shall come unto, se, or here, we, William Barker, late of Blofeld, in the cownte of Norffolk, clark, and Margret Wyssetour, wedow, late the wyf of William Wyssetyr, late of Pokethorp, be Norwich, gentylman, dyssesid, send gretyng in our Lord God Everlastyng.