Chapter V: Letter 944: , p. 11, note 2 (4)

[Footnote 84-10: and singlier. A.]

[[Footnote 82-6
‘one Herry . . . . Owen Tydder’
_body text has “Henry”: confusion with following MS. citation?_

Footnote 82-11, 82-12
Footnote 84-9, 84-10
_each pair of footnotes printed as shown_

the Kyng our soveraign Lord[84-6] willith
_misplaced footnote tag? note 84-6 refers to verb_]]

1002

THE DUKE OF NORFOLK TO JOHN PASTON[85-1]

_To my welbelovyd frend, John Paston, be thys byll delyveryd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1485 / AUG.]

Welbelovyd frend, I cummaunde me to yow, letyng yow to undyrstond that the Kyngs enmysse be a land, and that the Kyng wold hafe set forthe as uppon Monday but only for Howre Lady Day;[85-2] but for serten he gothe forward as uppon Tewsday, for a servant of myne browt to me the sertente.

Wherfor, I pray yow that ye met with me at Bery,[85-3] for, be the grace of God, I purposse to lye at Bery as uppon Tewsday nyght, and that ye brynge with yow seche company of tall men as ye may goodly make at my cost and charge, be seyd that ye have promysyd the Kyng; and I pray yow ordeyne them jakets of my levery, and I shall contente yow at your metyng with me.

Yower lover,

J. NORFFOLK.

[Footnote 85-1: [From Fenn, ii. 334.] This letter must have been
written in August 1485, some days after the landing of the Earl of
Richmond, afterwards Henry VII., at Milford Haven.]

[Footnote 85-2: The Assumption of Our Lady, 15th of August.]

[Footnote 85-3: Bury St. Edmund’s in Suffolk.]

THE PASTON LETTERS

_Henry VII._

1003

DAME ELIZABETH BROWNE TO JOHN PASTON[86-1]

_To my ryght worchepfull and hertly beloved nevew, John Paston, Sqwyer._

[Sidenote: 1485 / SEPT. 23]

Right worchepfull, and my ryght hertly beloved nevew, I recomand me to yow. And wher as ye desier me to send yow woord whether my brodyr John Paston, your fadyr, was with my fadyr and hys, whom God assoyle, duryng hys last syknesse and at the tyme of hys dissease at Seynt Brydis, or nowght.

Nevew, I assarteyn yow upon my feythe and poore honore that I was xiiij., xv. yer or xvj. yer old, and[86-2] at Seynt Brydis with my fadyr and my modyr when my fadyrs last syknesse took hym, and tyll he was disseassid; and I dare depose befor ony persone honorable that when my fadyrs last siknesse tooke hym, my brodyr your fadyr was in Norffolk, and he came not to London tyll aftyr that my fadyr was disseassid, and that can Sir William Cootyng[86-3] and Jamys Gressham record, for they bothe were my fadyrs clerkys at that tyme. And I remembre and wot well that Jamys Gressham was with my fadyr at Seynt Brydys duryng all hys siknesse and at hys disseasse, and thys wyll I wyttnesse whyle I leve for a trowthe, as knowith God, Whom I beseche to preserve you and yours.

And, nevew, I prey yow recomand to my neese your wyff, whom I wold be glad to se onys a yen in London, wher thys bylle was wretyn, signed with myn hand, and sealed with my seale [the Thursday next befor Whyghtsonday, the second yer of Kyng Richard the Thred],[87-1] the xxiij. daye of September the first yer of the reyngne of Kyng Herry the vij^{th}.

Your loveing awnte,

EL[IZA]BETH BROWNE.

[Footnote 86-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The MS. from which this
letter is printed is not in the handwriting of Dame Eliz. Browne.
It is a corrected draft in the handwriting of John Paston, with
the address at the head.]

[Footnote 86-2: The words ‘xiiij. ---- old, and’ are an
interlineation, J. P. apparently did not know his sister’s exact
age at the time and wished her to supply it.]

[Footnote 86-3: Rector of Swainsthorpe from 1444 to 1450, and of
Titchwell from 1450 to 1457. He was presented to the former living
by Judge Paston and John Dam.]

[Footnote 87-1: This date is scratched through with the pen.]

[[Footnote 86-2
apparently did not know his sister’s exact age at the time
_text unchanged: error for “aunt’s”?_]]

1004

ELIZABETH, COUNTESS OF SURREY, TO JOHN PASTON[87-2]

_To myn ryght worshepfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer._

[Sidenote: 1485 / OCT. 3]

Myn ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomawnde me hertly to you, thankyng you of your greet kyndnes and lovyng disposicion towardys myn lord and me at all tymes, which I pray God I may leve to see the acquytell ther of to your plesure, prayeng you of your good continuans.

Cosyn, I shewyd you myn mynde that I wolde have myn shildern to Thorpe,[87-3] wher in, God yelde you, it pleasyd you to sey that I shulde have hors of you to help to conveye them thyder; but now I undirstonde myn Lord Fitz Walter[87-4] hath dischargyd myn lordys servauntes thens, affermyng up on them that they shulde have had unfittyng langage of the Kynges Grace. Cosyn, I trust that ye and all the jentilmen of the shire, which have had knowleche of myn lordes servauntes, kan sey that her to for they have not ben of that disposicion to be lavas of theyr tungys, whan they had moore cause of booldnes than they have nowe. I wolde not have thowght myn Lord Fitzwalter wolde have takyn so ferforth displeasure for the keepyng of x. or xij. men at Thorpe; I woot weell ther exceded not iij. mees[88-1] meet, good and bad. I truste, all thow I weer a soel woman, to mayntene so many at the leeste, what so evyr I dyde moore.

I trustyd to have fowndyn myn Lord Fitzwalter better lord to me, seyng whan I was wyth myn Lord of Oxenforth, up on myn desyre and request at that tyme made un to hym, he promysed me to be good lord to myn lord and me, wher of I praye you to put hym in remembrauns, trustyng yit be the meene of you to fynde hym better lord to me her aftyr.

I have fownde myn Lord of Oxenforth singuler very good and kynde lord to myn lord and me, and stedefaste in hys promys, wher by he hath wonne myn lordys service as longe as he leevyth, and me to be hys trewe beedwoman terme of myn lyve; for hym I drede mooste, and yit as hyther to I fynde hym beste. I pray you good cosyn, the rather by your meane, that I may have the continuauns of hys good lordship, and to myn poore power I truste to deserve it. I pray you, cosyn, that thys byll may recomawnde [me][88-2] to myn Lady Brews and to myn cosyn, your wyf.

From Mynster, in the Yle of Shepey, the iij^de day of Octobre. I pray you yeve credens to the berer of thys, and to Thomas Jenney, whan he comyth to you.

[88-3]Your faythefoull cosyene,

E. SURREY.

[Footnote 87-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have
been written either in 1485 or in 1486. Thomas Howard, Earl of
Surrey, was taken prisoner at the battle of Bosworth on the 22nd
August 1485, and was not released from confinement till 1487, in
which latter year also John Paston, to whom this letter is
addressed, was knighted at the battle of Stoke on the 16th June.
Most likely the letter is of the year 1485, at the beginning of
the Earl’s imprisonment, and when Henry VII. had been just six
weeks upon the throne.]

[Footnote 87-3: In Norfolk.--F.]

[Footnote 87-4: John Ratcliff, Lord Fitzwalter, who was summoned
to Parliament in September 1485.]

[Footnote 88-1: A mess was a party of four at dinner.]

[Footnote 88-2: Omitted in MS.]

[Footnote 88-3: These last words were written by the Countess, the
letter by her secretary.--F.]

1005

ELIZABETH, COUNTESS OF SURREY, TO WILLIAM HARWARD[89-1]

[Sidenote: 1485, or later]

Wylliam Harward, I woll that ze delyver to Robert Thorppe of Norwych v. marc off the next money that ze gadyr; for he hath lent it me, and I have sygned hym to be payed of yow as sone he comyth hom.

E. SURREY.

[Footnote 89-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 228.] This brief note, like
No. 1004, was probably written during the imprisonment of the
writer’s husband. The text is entirely crossed through, doubtless
to show that the transaction was closed.]

1006

THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK TO JOHN PASTON[89-2]

_To our trusty and welbeloved John Paston, Sheriff of Suffolk and Norfolk._

THE DUC OF SUFFOLK.

[Sidenote: 1485 / OCT. 20]

Right welbeloved, we grete you well. And for asmuche as the King our sovereigne Lord hath late addressed his letters of comission undre his seale unto us, reciting by the same that his highnesse undrestondith certayn his rebells associate to his old enmys of Scotlond, entending not only to trowble his peax, the nobles and subjects of this Realme to destroy, their goods and possessions to spoill, and reward at thair liberties, but also the lawes of this lond and holy Chirche to subvert.

Our said moost drad soverayn Lord, as a Cristen Prince, . . . . . . . . his said enmys and rebels to resist, hath assigned and comaunded us to do all maner . . . . and others defensible able to labour, as well archers as hobbyllers,[90-1] to come before us and charge them . . . . . armed and arayed, every man aftre his degre and power, to attend uppon his person, and uppon us, to do him service in defence as well of the Chirche as of the said nobles and subjects of this Realm, against his said enmys and rebels.

We therfore wull, and in our said sovereigne Lords name straitly charge and comaunde you, that in all possible hast ye do this to be proclamed:--And that all maner men able to do the King service, as well knights, esquiers, and gentlemen, as townships and hundreds, as well within franchesse and libertes as without, within the counties of Suffolk and Norffolk, and that they be charged to be redy at all tymes uppon an howre warnyng, and ordered according to the last comission afore this, to attend uppon his Grace and uppon us to do him service, whatsoever they shalbe comaunded, not failing herof, as ye wull answer at your perile. Goven at Long Stratton, the xx. day of October.

And forthermore, that ye yeve credence unto our servaunt this bringer, as this same day we receyved the Kings commission at iiij. aftre none.

SUFFOLK, yor frende.

[Footnote 89-2: [From Fenn, ii. 326.] John Paston was Sheriff of
Norfolk in the first year of Henry VII., and entered on his duties
at Michaelmas 1485. This letter therefore is of that year.]

[Footnote 90-1: Light horsemen.]

1007

MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[90-2]

_To my mastyr, John Paston, be this delyvird._

[Sidenote: 1486 / JAN. 21]

Ryght reverent and wortshepfull syre, in my most umbill weysse I recomaunde me to you, desyryng to here of your welfare, the wytche I beseche God to preserve to His plesur and so your hartes desyir. Syr, I thank you for the venyson that ye sent me; and youre schepe is seylyd owt of the havene as this daye.

Syr, I send you be my brodyr Wyllem your stomachere of damaske. As for youre teppet of velvet, it is not here; An seythe that ye put yt in your casket at London.

Syr, your chyldryn be in goode helle, bellsside be God.

Syr, I prey you sende me the gowild, that I spak to you of be the nexst man that comythe to Norwytche.

Syr, your mast that laye at Yermowyth is letyn to a scheppe of Hull for xiij_s._ iiij_d._, and if there fawyll ony hurt ther to, ye schall have a newe mast ther for.

No mor to you at this time, but Almyty God have you in His kepyng. Wretyn at Castyr Hawill, the xxj. daye of Janever, in the furst yere of Kyng Harry the vij^{th}.

Be your servaunt,

MARGERY PASTON.

I prey God no ladyis no more ovyr com you, that ye geve no lenggar respyt in your materys.

[Footnote 90-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

1008

ALICE, LADY FITZHUGH, TO JOHN PASTON[91-1]

_To my right trusty and welbeloved son,[91-2] Sir John Paston, be this delyvered._

[Sidenote: FEB. 24]

Jon Paston, I recommaunde me to you in my moste hertely maner. And wher I understande be my doghter Lovell, ye desyre to know whedir I woll have the bargane ye made for me in Norwich or nay, and if I wol, I moste content therfor now in mercs; Son, in good faith it is so, I shal receyve no mony of the revenowse of my lyvelod afore Mydsommer; and also I have payd accordyng to my promise to Sir William Cabell a great payment, the which ye knowe wel was due to be payde, so that I can not be of power to content therfore, for the which I am right sory, for I know well I shall never have such a bargane.

Also my doghtyr Lovell[92-1] makith great sute and labour for my sone hir husbande. Sir Edwarde Franke hath bene in the North to inquire for hym; he is comyn agayne, and cane nogth understonde wher he is. Wherfore her benevolers willith hir to continue hir sute and labour; and so I can not departe nor leve hir as ye know well; and if I might be there, I wold be full glad, as knowith our Lorde God, Whoo have you in His blissid kepynge.

From London, the xxiiij^th day of February.

Your loving moder,

ALISE, LADY FITZHUGH.

[Footnote 91-1: [From Fenn, ii. 336.] There is a difficulty in
dating this letter only from the address being to Sir John Paston.
It has every appearance of having been written in the year 1486,
when Francis, Viscount Lovel, lay concealed shortly before his
outbreak with Humphrey and Thomas Stafford. But in that case the
prefix ‘Sir’ before John Paston’s name must not be taken as
indicating that he was then a knight; for he was not knighted till
the battle of Stoke in June 1487.

The writer of this letter was the widow of Henry, Lord Fitzhugh,
who died on the 12th June 1472. She was the daughter of Richard
Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, and sister of Warwick the Kingmaker.]

[Footnote 91-2: I find no evidence of any real relationship
between Paston and Lady Fitzhugh.]

[Footnote 92-1: Francis, Viscount Lovel, married Anne, daughter of
Alice, Lady Fitzhugh.]

1009

MARGARET, COUNTESS OF OXFORD, TO JOHN PASTON[92-2]

_To my right trusti and welbiloved John Paston, Shrieve of Norffolk and Suffolk._

[Sidenote: 1486 / MAY 19]

Right trusti and welbiloved, I recomaund me unto you. And for as moche as I am credebly enfourmed that Fraunceis, late Lorde Lovell, is now of late resorted into the Yle of Ely, to the entente by alle lykelyhod, to finde the waies and meanes to gete him shipping and passage in your costes, or ellis to resorte ageyn to seintuary, if he can or maie;

I therfor hertily desire praie you, and neverthelesse, in the Kinges name, streitly chargie you that ye in all goodly haste endevore your self that suche wetche or other meanes be used and hadde in the poorts, and creks, and othre places wher ye thinke necessary by your discrecion, to the letting of his seid purpose; and that ye also use all the waies ye can or maie by your wisdom, to the taking of the same late Lorde Lovell. And what pleasur ye maie do to the Kings Grace in this matier, I am sure, is not to you unknowen. And God kepe you.

Wretyn at Lavenham, the xix. day of May.

MARGARET OXYNFORD.[93-1]

[Footnote 92-2: [From Fenn, ii. 338.] The date of this is quite
certain from the subject to which it refers, as well as from the
fact of John Paston being at the time Sheriff of Norfolk and
Suffolk. Francis, Viscount Lovel, was one of the principal
adherents of Richard III., and was attainted after the accession
of Henry VII. in 1485. For some time he lay concealed, but in the
spring of 1486 he attempted to raise an insurrection along with
Humphrey and Thomas Stafford, who had broken out of their
sanctuary at Colchester. He is said to have been drowned in the
Trent in 1487, in endeavouring to escape after the battle of
Stoke. But according to another story he lived in concealment for
some time after.]

[Footnote 93-1: Margaret, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of
Salisbury, and sister of Richard, the great Earl of Warwick, was
the first wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford.--F.]

1010

HENRY VII. TO JOHN PASTON[93-2]

_To our trusty and welbeloved John Paston, one of our Esquiers for our Body, Shreife of our countys of Norffolk and Suffolk._

BY THE KING.

[Sidenote: 1486 / AUG. 12]

Trusty and welbeloved, we greet you well. And whereas we send at this time our trusty and welbeloved clerke and counseilor, Mr. Edmunde Chaderton, to do and execute certein things by our commandement in those parties, like as he can shew to you more at large; We desire and pray you that ye not only yeve unto him therein credence, but also, for the effectuall and speedy performance of the same, ye will be unto him from time to time in everythinge, as the case shall require, adviseinge, aidinge, and assistinge, as we singularly trust you, and as ye desire to do us pleasure.

Yeven under our Signet at our manner of Shene, the xij^th day of August.

[Footnote 93-2: [From Sandford’s Genealogy of the Paston Family.]
This letter is derived from Mr. Worship’s article in the _Norfolk
Archæology_ on a MS. Genealogy of the Paston family. The date must
be 1486, during John Paston’s shrievalty. The transcript is of the
seventeenth century.]

1011

JOHN, LORD FITZWALTER, TO JOHN PASTON[94-1]

_To my right wurshipfull cosyn, John Paston, esquyer._

[Sidenote: 1486 / SEPT. 19]

Right wurshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to you, certifyeng you that, where as I understond ye have distreyned Richard Caus of Byngham[94-2] for issuez ronne uppon hym in th’escheker to the summe of iiij_li._ and odde sylver, I pray you that ye wull, the rather for my sake, showe hym the favour that ye may doo, savyng youre sylfe, and that ye wulle not be harde uppon hym; but if ye kan by th’advys of councell this next terme fynde the meanes for youre discharge uppon youre acompte in th’escheker, that than ye wull lete hym be so in reste and peas withoute more paymentz for that cause; the which I prey you to tendre the rather because I fynde the seid Richard Caus at all tymez my trewe servaunt, and I shall be as redy to the acomplyshment of all youre resonable desirez with Goddis grace, Who kepe you. At Attelburgh, this Tuesday next before Seint Mathuz Day.

Zowr Cosyn and frend,

J. SIEUR FYTZWAUTER.

[Footnote 94-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 176.] This letter is probably
of the year 1486, when John Paston was sheriff. Its contents, as
will be seen, are somewhat similar in character to those of No.
1024, written a year or two later, after John Paston had been
knighted.]

[Footnote 94-2: Binham in Norfolk.]

[[I fynde the seid Richard Caus
_text reads “Cans”_]]

1012

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON[95-1]

_To my right trusty and right welbelovyd Councellor, John Paston, Esquier._

[Sidenote: 1487 / JAN. 24]

John Paston, I comaund me to you. And as for such tithynge as ye have sent hider, the Kyng had knowlech therof more than a sevyn-nyght passed. And as for such names as ye have sent, supposyng theym to be gone with the Lord Lovell, they be yitt in England, for he is departyng with xiiij. personys and no moe. At the Kynges comyng to London I wold advise you to see his Highnes. And Almyghty God kepe you.

Writen at Wyndesore, the xxiiij^th day of January.

OXYNFORD.

_Endorsed_: The Countis of Oxfordes lettre.

[Footnote 95-1: [From Douce MS. 393, f. 78.] Francis, Viscount
Lovel, after trying to raise a rebellion in England in 1486,
escaped abroad to Flanders, and joined the Earl of Lincoln in the
following spring in an invasion of England in behalf of Lambert
Simnel. This letter appears therefore to have been written in the
beginning of the year 1487.]

1013

JOHN, PRIOR OF NORWICH, TO ----[95-2]

[Sidenote: 1487]

Right worchupfull serys, we recomaunde us all unto you in oure most herty wyse. And it is so that longe and many yerys ther hath ben hangyng a grete variaunce and a growge bitwix Annes Paston deceassed, late the wyff of William Paston, Justice, and William Paston now lyvyng, and Clement Paston deceassid, ther sones, one the oone parte, and John Paston, the sone of the seide William Paston, Justice, and of the seide Annes his wiff, also deceassid, and Ser John Paston, Knyght, deceassed, and John Paston yet lyvyng, sones to the seide John deceassid, on the othir parte. And now the seide variaunce contynueth betwixe the seide William and John that now is lyvyng of and upon the right, title, and possessioun of the maners of Sporle, Woodhall, Pagrave, Cressyngham, Swaynesthorpe, and Est Bekham, all [in] this cuntre of Norffolk.

Likith it you to wete that the seide William Paston, Justice, in his lyve was a speciall lover and frende to our monastery, and for synguler love and trust that he hadde to be remembred amonge us after hys deceasse, not with stondyng h[e de]yed at London, yet he bequest his body to be beryed, and is beryed in the chapell of Our Lady with inne oure monastery. [And] the seide William Paston, Justice, oftyn and many tymes in his pleyn lyfe, the seide Annes beyng present, he shewed unto the Priour of our monastery that was than, called Dawn John Heverlonde,[96-1] and to Dawn John Molett,[96-2] that was Priour after, to Dawn John Fornsett, Doctour of Devynyte, Dawn Richerd Walsham, our sexten, and to Dawn John Wechyngham, and to many dyverse other that were of his acqueyntaunce, and that he had trust unto to breke his mynde for the wele of his soule, that were thanne olde fadirs of our monastery, and arn now decessed, that it was his verry last will that ought of the seide maners schuld be perpetually immortaysed a serteyn londe, or annuyte of suche valewe, that every suche monke that syngith the last messe in the seide chapell, wher the body of the seide William Paston light beryed, schuld have that day that he songe messe ther iiij_d._ to pray for the soules of the seide William, and of Annes his wif, and for ther auncetrys, kynred, consanguynyte, affynyte, and frendes, and for all Cristen soules; and over that, a serteyn summe of money yerly to be payed to have the obytt of the seide William and Annes zerly kept with _dirige_ and masse in the seide chapell.

And it is so that many yeres aftir the decesse of the seide William, Justice, ther were many men lyvyng bothe of olde brethern of oures afore rehersyd, and of other that cowde aborne witnesse in this mater, and that knewe the mynde of the seide William Paston, Justice, that it was his last will, of whiche men many now be deceassed; and no merveill, for it is upon a xliij. yere past sithen the seide William, Justice, deyed. And also the seide Annes that was hys wif lyved more thanne xxx. wynter aftir hir husbonde, and was in singuler trust with her husbonde, and one of his executours, and wele knowen in this cuntre, a woman of vertuos lyvyng and disposicion, and of goode discrecioun and conscience, and knewe hir husbondes mynde and last will as wele as ony lyvyng creature; she witnessed alway that it was hire husbondes last will to have this perpetuall messe, and called on it all the dayes of hir lyfe, and also atte her decesse; and sche seide that [it] was the will of her husbonde that the annuyte schulde go oute of the seide maner of Swaynesthorpe. The seide John Paston decessed wolde have hadde it graunted owte of the seide maner of Cressyngham; and summe of the executours wolde have hadde the seide messe to a contynued but for the terme of iiij^xx. yere, and wolde have made writyng accordyng; but the seide Annes wolde not ther of, but seide alway that it was the last will of hir husbonde to have the messe made perpetuall, and the executours schewid to us that they wolde se the wyll perfourmed; and ther upon the executours, be ther comon assent, lefte a cofre with a grete substaunce of money of the goodes of the seide William, Justice, to be kepte with inne our monastery, and tolde and schewed to us that the seide gode schuld never be departid nor hadde oute of our place till we wer made sure of the seide annuyte. And duryng all that season that the seide cofer with the goodes was with ynne our monastery, it was alway schewid to us that the seide annuyte schulde be mortaysed in perpetuyte, and duryng all that season that the seid cofer was in our place, we hadde money yerly yoven us to pray for his soule to kepe [his obytt][97-1]; and be menys devysed with oute the knowleche of the seide Annes, or of ony of our brethern, all the goode that was in the seide cofre was conveyed oute of our monastery, and after that dede done, ther was no more money yoven us, nowther to kepe the seide obit, ner to pray for the soull of the seide William, as be the seide executours, savyng that the seide Annes, duryng her lyve, yaff us of hir owne cost yerly to remembre the soule, and that that hath be done sythen, hath be don of our owne devocion, and this many zerys ther hath no thing be yoven us, notwithstondyng of our own devocion we have rehersid his name in oure bede rolle every Sonday.

And now it is informed us that as wele the seide William as the seide John hath putt all ther title and interest, as wele in and of all the seide maners, londes, and tenementys as of the seide goodes in the awarde and jugement of the Right Reverend Fader in God, my Lord of Ely,[98-1] Chaunceler of Inglond, Ser Reynold Bray, Knyght, and in you tweyne. And in asmoche as ze be of our cuntre and speciall frendes to our monastery, and longest acqueyntyd with you, that makith me and all my brethren the more bolde to schewe this our mater and interest unto you, beseching yow bothe to tendre the mater, and to schewe it bothe to my Lorde of Ely and to Ser Reynolde Bray, that atte suche tyme as ze have the examynacion of the title of theise seide maners, that ze will vouche saff of your charite to schewe this mater and our interest in this behalf, and of the seide annuyte, and how that we aught of right to have a graunt of it oute of the seide maners.

And in this mater we hertily pray yow to take remembraunce and speciall labour, so that we may trust that it schall not askape your handes, nowe that the mater is putte in yowe; and all our monastery schall pray for you, and also rewarde you to your plesur, and over that, ze schall do her in suche a goode dede that God schall rewarde you.

Wretyn in our monastery, the ----[98-2] day of ----,[98-2] the secunde yer of the regne of Kyng Herry the vij^th.

By JOHN, Prior off Northwich
and the Covent.

[Footnote 95-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter
was John Bonwell, who was made Prior of Norwich in 1480, and died
in 1488. As it is actually dated in the second year of Henry VII.,
it must have been written either after the 22nd August in 1486 or
before that date in 1487. Most probably it is of the latter year.
It is endorsed in a contemporaneous hand--‘Billa Prioris Norwic’
pro missa perpetue fundanda.’ One or two words are now lost by the
decay of the paper, which seem to have been visible in the text
when Fenn copied the MS. for his fifth volume.]

[Footnote 96-1: John Haverland was Prior of Norwich from 1436 to
1453.]

[Footnote 96-2: Prior from 1453 to 1471.]

[Footnote 97-1: The writing is here blurred and indistinct, being
written on an erasure.]

[Footnote 98-1: John Alcock.]

[Footnote 98-2: Blanks in MS.]

1014

SIR EDMUND BEDINGFIELD TO JOHN PASTON[99-1]

_Un to my ryght wurshypfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer, for the Body._

[Sidenote: 1487 / MAY 16]

Ryght wurshypfull cosyn, I recomawnd me un to you as hertly as I can, letyng you wytte I was with my Lorde Stuarde[99-2] as on Munday laste paste, by the desyir of them that I myght not sey ney to. I herde all that was seyd there, but they gaate non avawntage, wurde, nor promyse off me; but they thought in asmoche as they ware the beste in the shere, that every man owghte to wayte and go with them. Wherto yt was answerd that oure master,[99-3] nexte the Kynge, havynge hys commysshon, muste nedys have the jentylmen and the contre to a wayte up on hym by the vertu of the same; but yt was thought I owght not to obeye no copy of the commisshon, withoute I had the same under wexe, where in hathe ben gret argument, whyche I understoode by reporte a fortnyte paste, and that causyd me to sende unto my lorde to have the very commysshon, whyche he sente me, and a letter, where off I sende you the copy here in closyd.

As for you, ye be sore takyn in sum place, seying that ye intende swyche thynges as ys lyke to folow gret myscheffe. I seyd I undyrstood non swyche, nor thynges lyke it; and yt ys thoughte ye intende nat to go forthe thys jorneye, nor no jentylman in that quarter but Robert Brandon that hath promysyd to go with them, as they seye.

I understonde Sir Wylliam Bolen[99-4] and Sir Harry Heydon[99-5] ware at Thetforde in to Kente ward, but they returnyd in to Norffolk a geyne; I thynke they wull not goo thys jorney, yff the Kynge nede. Ser Harry was at Attylborow on Saterday. I wene he had a vyce there to turne a zen; wher for, cosyn, yt ys good to understonde the sertente what jentylmen intende to goo, and be assuryd to go together, that I may have wurde; my cosyn Hoptun hathe promysyd that he wull be oon. As fore Wysman, he seythe he wull be off the same, but I can have no holde.

Furthermore, cosyn, yt ys seyd that after my lordys departyng to the Kynge ye ware mette at Barkwey, whyche ys construid that ye had ben with the Lady Lovell, but wrathe seyd never well; and in asmoche as we understonde my lordys plesur, yt ys well doon we dele wysly therafter. And, nexte to the Kynge, I answerd pleynly I was bownde to do him service, and to fullfylle hys comaundment to the uttermest off my powere, by the grace off God, Who ever preserve you to Hys plesur.

Wretyn at Oxburgh, the xvj. day of Maye.

Your cosyn,

E. BEDYNGFELD.[100-1]

[Footnote 99-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter and that
which follows were written during the period of Lambert Simnel’s
rebellion. The rebels were at this time in Ireland, but they soon
after invaded England, and were defeated at the battle of Stoke on
the 16th June 1487. Francis, Viscount Lovel, took part in the
movement, and is supposed to have perished in the battle, or
shortly after it.]

[Footnote 99-2: John Ratcliff, Lord Fitzwalter.--_See_ Campbell’s
_Materials for a History of Henry VII._, i. 92, 241.]

[Footnote 99-3: Probably the Earl of Oxford.--_See_ next letter.]

[Footnote 99-4: Sir William Boleyn, of Blickling, had been made a
Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Richard III. He died in
1505.--F.]

[Footnote 99-5: Sir Henry Heydon, of Baconsthorp, Knight, had been
steward of the household to Cecilia, Duchess of York, and died in
1503.--F.]

[Footnote 100-1: Sir Edmund Bedingfeld was made a Knight of the
Bath at the Coronation of Richard III. He was likewise in high
favour with Henry VII., who paid him a royal visit at Oxburgh, in
Norfolk. He died in 1496.--F.]

1015

[THE EARL OF OXFORD?] TO SIR EDMUND BEDINGFIELD[100-2]

[Sidenote: 1487 / MAY (?)]

Where as I understonde by your late wrytyng un to me, that ye have ryght well endevyrd you to th’execusion of the Kynges comission and comawndment, in preparyng your selffe with the jentylmen and other of the contre, to be redy to do the Kyng servyce, whyche I have shewid un to the Kynges Hyghnes, so that hys Grace ys ryght well content and ryght thankfully acceptyth the same, understondynge the ryght good myndys and dysposyschon off you and off other jentylmen there towardes hys Grace. How be yt, hys Hyghnes wull not as zytte put you to ony further labur or charge, for somoche as hys rebellys and enemyes be in to Irlande; neverthelesse hys Grace wull that the contre be redy at all tymis to do hys Hyghnes servyce up on resonabull warnyng; for so moche as the Kynges Grace intendythe to make provysyon to sende an armi in to Irlonde in haaste, nat knowyng as zytte whether that ye, and other aboute you shall be desyird to bere ony charge there to or no. And where as yt ys mervellyd that ye had not the Kynges comysshon, under hys gret seall, I send yt to you with thys my wrytyng, wyllynge you nat to precede further to eny execushon theroff tyll swyche tyme as ye have other wise in comawndment, alwey thankyng hertyly the jentylmen, and all other for ther good wyllys towardes me.

[Footnote 100-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The MS. from which this
letter was printed was evidently the copy of a letter, which was
enclosed in the preceding. Fenn supposes with great probability
that the writer was the Earl of Oxford, but the MS. being only a
copy, there is no signature attached. Commissions of array were
issued on the 7th April 1487 for the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk,
and Essex, with special instructions for repairing and guarding
the beacons for fear of an invasion. The Commissioners for the
County of Norfolk were John, Duke of Suffolk, John, Earl of
Oxford, John Radcliff, Lord Fitzwalter, and fifteen others, among
whom was John Paston.--See _Patent Roll_, 2 Hen. VII., p. 2, m. 6,
_in dorso_.]

1016

KNIGHTS MADE AT THE BATTLE OF STOKE[101-1]

[Sidenote: 1487 / JUNE 16]

Sir Edmond Benyngfeld.
Sir Jamys Blount.
Sir Richard Croft.
Sir [Humfrey] Stanley.
[Sir Richard De]levere.
Sir J[ohn] Mortumer.
Sir William Troutbeke.

_Knyghtes made at the same Batayll._

The sone and heyr of the Lord Audeley.[102-1]
Sir Edward Noreys.
Sir Robert Clyfford.
Sir George Hopton.
Sir John Paston.
Sir Thomas Lovell.
Sir Humfrey Savage.
Sir Herry Willoughby.
Sir John Sapcotes.
Sir William Vampage.
Sir Antony Brone.
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
Sir Gregory . . . .
Sir Thomas Bl[ount].
Sir Robert Cheyny.
Sir William Car[ew].
Sir John Wy[ndham].
Sir Simond . . . .
Sir Roger Be[llingham].
Sir John . . . . .
Sir George Nevil . .
Sir Robert Radcly[ff].
Sir Jamys Par[ker].
Sir Edward Dar[ell].
Sir Edward Pekeryn[g].
Sir Thomas of W[olton].
Sir William Sand[es].

A mutilated endorsement in Sir John Paston’s hand reads, ‘. . . . .
prisoners . . . . . fownd.’

[Footnote 101-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 135.] This is only a
fragment, the first part of which is lost. The seven names at the
beginning are the end of a list of knights bannerets made upon the
field. Then follow the names of those who were merely dubbed
knights; but this list, too, is imperfect, not merely by the
mutilation of some names, but because another leaf would certainly
have been required to give them all. Compare another copy of these
lists in Leland’s _Collectanea_, iv. 214-15, where the names in
the second list stand in a different order. Several of the
mutilated names here have been filled in from Leland; but,
curiously enough, that list gives no Sir Gregory and no Sir Simon.
Since this was in type the Editor has found a complete list, more
accurate than Leland’s, which will be printed at the end of these
letters.]

[Footnote 102-1: Sir James Audeley, as his name is given in
Leland’s list. This was Sir James Touchet, who succeeded his
father as Lord Audeley in 1491, and was beheaded and attainted in
1497.]

1017

DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON[102-2]

_To my rytth worchupfull son, Sir Jon Paston, be thys byll delyvyrd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1487, or later]

Ryth worchupfull son, I recommend me on to zow and to my lady zowyr wyf, and thankyng zow harttyly for the grett labyr thatt ze had on Thorys day for me, and for zowyr kyndnes; for and odyr had don asse ze ded, I had had my purpos; qwerfor I prey God do be them asse they do be me.

Son, I must prey zow to have a dosseyn men in harnes, with bowys and wepyn convenyent for them, that I may feche my stres ageyn. The schrevys man wasse here wythe me, and [j. of] yowyres, he seyth he ys, and he hatth mad me feythful promes that he wol be wyth me ageyn on Monday, qwerfor I prey zow harttyly, son, and reqwere zow that zowyr men may be wyth me on Monday, as my werry tros ys in zow, qwo sknowyth blyssyd Jesu, Hom haff zow and zowyr in Yss keppyng.

Be zowyr trew modyr,

DAM ELYSABETHE BREWYSSE.

[Footnote 102-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Fenn dates this letter
‘about 1487.’ It cannot be earlier than June of that year, and may
be a few years later. But the date is unimportant. This letter
appears to be a holograph. The next is written by a scribe.]

1018

DAME ELIZABETH BREWS TO SIR JOHN PASTON[103-1]

_To my right worshipfull son, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyverd._

[Sidenote: 1488(?)]

Right worshipfull son, I recommaund me unto you and to my lady my doughter your wyfe, and I send you both Cristes blyssyng and myne. And, son, I thank you hertely for my son, William Brews; and I moste pray you for the reverens of Jesu to help hym for your tenauntes and myne, or els John Dynne will owver rewle them. And, son, God thank you, ye helpyd ons Whyte of Metfeld, and so I must beseche you nowe to do, and that it wold pleas you to gyffe credans unto the Priour of the Wyhte Freres, for I have shewed unto hym my mynd; and as ye do, I hold me content.

And, son, we ladys and jentil women in this contrey that is wedows, be sore trobyld with the Bysshop of Chester,[104-1] and haskith of us more than we may pay, and that knowith All myghty Jesu, Who have you in His blyssed kepyng.

Be your moder,

DAME ELIZABETH BREWS.

[Footnote 103-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter
is nearly as indefinite as that of the last, but it certainly lies
between the year 1487, when Sir John Paston was knighted, and
1489, when William Brews died. If the latter part of the letter
refers to the levying of a subsidy, in which the Bishop of Chester
may have been one of the King’s agents, the date is probably about
the end of the year 1488. Sir Thomas Brews, the writer’s husband,
died in 1482.]

[Footnote 104-1: The Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield were often
called Bishops of Chester before the foundation of the modern
Bishopric of Chester by Henry VIII. John Hales or Halse was Bishop
of Coventry from 1459 to 1490.]

1019

SIR JOHN PASTON TO DAME MARGERY PASTON[104-2]

_To Dame Margery Paston, at Oxenhed._

[Sidenote: 1486-95]

Mastress Margerey, I recomand me to yow. And I prey yow in all hast possybyll to send me, by the next swer messenger that ye can gete, a large playster of your _flose ungwentorum_ for Kynges Attorney, Jamys Hobart, for all hys dysease is but an ache in hys knee. He is the man that brought yow and me togedyrs, and I had lever then xl_li._ ye koud with your playster depart hym and hys peyne. But when ye send me the playster, ye must send me wryghtyng hough it shold be leyd to and takyn fro hys knee, and hough longe it shold abyd on hys kne unremevyd, and hough longe the playster wyll laste good, and whethyr he must lape eny more clothys aboute the playster to kepe it warme or nought. And God be with yow.

Your,

JOHN PASTON.

[Footnote 104-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] James Hobart was the
King’s Attorney-General from 1486 to 1509, and Dame Margery Paston
died in 1495. There is nothing to fix the date of this letter more
precisely.]

1020

THE QUEEN TO THE EARL OF OXFORD[105-1]

_To oure right trusty and enterly beloved cosyn, Th’Erll of Oxon._

BY THE QUENE.

[Sidenote: 1487-1502]

Ryght trusty and entierly beloved cosyn, we grete you well, lattyng you wete hou it is commen un to oure knowlege that where as ze newly entred upon oure welbeloved Symon Blyant, gentilman, in to the maner of Hemnals in Cotton, descended and belongyng unto hym by right of enheritaunce, as it is seid, ze ther upon desired the same Symon to be agreable for hys part to put all maters of variance thenne dependyng atwene hym and oon Sir John Paston, Knyght, pretendyng a title unto the seid maner into th’award and jugement of two lenerd men, by you named and chosen as arbritrours atwene them; and in case that the same arbritrours of and upon the premisses neither yave oute nor made suche awarde be for the brekyng up of Pasche [_Easter_] terme nowe last passed, ze of your owne offre graunted and promysid unto the seid Symon, as we be enformed, to restore hym forwyth there upon unto hys possession of the seid maner. And how it be that the same Symon, at youre mocion and for the pleasir of youre lordshyp, as he seith, aggreed un to the seid compromyse, and ther upon brought and shewed hys evydence concernyng, and sufficiently provyng hys ryght in the seid maner un to the seid arbritrours, and that they have not made nor yolden out betwene the said parties any suche awarde; yet have not ze restored the same Symon unto hys possession of the seid maner, but contynuelly kepe hym owt of the same, wich, yf it so be, is not only to hys right grete hurt and hinderaunce, but also oure mervaile. Wherfore we desire and pray you ryght affectueusly that ze woll the rather at the contemplacion of thees oure lettres, shew unto the said Symon, in hys rightfull interesse and title in the seid maner all the favorable lordshyp that ze goodely may, doyng hym to be restored and put in to hys lawfull and peasible possession of the same, as fer as reason, equite, and good conscience shall require, and youre seid promise, in suche wyse that he may undyrstond hym selfe herynne to fare the better for oure sake, as oure verray trust is in you.

Yeven under oure signet at my Lordes Palois of Westmynstre, the xxv. day of Juyn.

[ELEZEBETH.][106-1]

Subskrybyd with the Quenys hand.

[Footnote 105-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter and that
which follows, relating to the manor of Cotton, are both quite
uncertain in point of date, except that they cannot be earlier
than 1487, when Sir John Paston was knighted, nor later than 1502,
as the Queen and Sir John Paston himself both died in the year
following.]

[Footnote 106-1: This name is written in a different character,
intended as a representation of the Queen’s signature which it
somewhat resembles. The writing, however, is crossed out. It is
probably the work of the same pen that wrote the words below,
though these are in a smaller hand.]

1021

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[106-2]

_To our hertly welbilovyd John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1487-1502]

Right hertly welbilovyd, I grete you wele. And where Sir John Howard, Knyght, Sir Gilberde Debenham, Knyght, gederith grete feloship of men, purposyng on Monday next comyng to take stresses of the Lady Roos; and I deme that they undre the colour of the same entende to set on Coton, and to gete it if they may; I therfor councelle you to sende downe a certeine of your men or elles come your silfe for the save garde of the said Coton. Also that ye yeve credence un to the brynger herof. And our Lorde kepe you.

Writyn at the lodge in Lavenham the last day of Juylle.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 106-2: [From Douce MS. 393, f. 84.] _See_ preliminary
note to the last letter.]

1022

JOHN DAUBENEY TO [SIR JOHN PASTON][107-1]

[Sidenote: [1487-1502] / AUG.]

Please your masterchep to have knowlage that my Lord Archebyschop of Yorke[107-2] is in god helle, blyssyd be God. And I came to hym as on Monday last past, and toke hym your letter. And whan I had takyn hym and he had over sey it, he merveylle sor of hyr dysposicion, a bad me not care, ye shuld do welle i nowe. And than he told me that he had spokyn to Master William Paston for a note of a letter, hewghe it is best to write to hyr. And so on Tewysday Master William and I, and Skerne of my Lord of Oxenfordis hows, and mad (_sic_) toke hym on Wednysday o [_i.e._ one] not of a letter the wyche I send you; and whan he sey it he thowght it to long, and mad one after his ownne entent, the wiche I send yow a copy of. Also I send yow a copy of the letter that the quene sent to my Lord of Oxenford for the maner of Cotton for Blyaunt; but my Lord of Yorke told to Skerne that he wold in any wysse that my Lord of Oxenford shuld help yow to kepe possession. And so Skerne purposythe to be with in thys v. deyes at home, for to enforme my Lord of Oxenford of my Lord of Yorke is entent, and that he se in no wysse that no man do yow no wrong as moche as my Lord of Oxenford powyr may help yow; for Skerne came from my Lord of Oxenford to my Lord of Yorke for the same mater, for that my Lord of Yorke shuld informe the quene of the mater, and be cause the quene hathe take hyr chambre my Lord of Yorke toke Skerne a rynge for a tokyn to my Lord Tresorer[107-3] that he shuld excuse my Lord of Oxenford to the quene, for as moche as ye hathe (_sic_) infeffid my Lord of Oxenford in a trost in the maner of Cotton he may no lesse doo but helpe yow. Item, thys day is the massenger gone to my Lady of Suffolk with my Lordis letter. I shall have a answer at the morn on Monday, I trost to God, ryght god, &c., it cowd non ere be sped. My Lord hath be all this weke at the Cowncell at Chelchyche and j. day at Chenne.[108-1] Item, I send yow iij. writtis for feleneys and trespace and ij. for Mariete mater. Also your flowyr; Also a letter of Cablys; Also a write for Playter, a letter to Mestres Clere. Item, my Lord wylle in any wyse that ye kepe welle all the lyvelod that ye have of Sir John Fastolff, and that ye suffyr no man to entre no lond nor place, lord nor other personys, what sum ever they be. Ye may veryly thynke he ys your speciall god lord, and that ye shall knowe in tyme comyng. I understand that Calle dothe passyngly welle in your maters in the spirituall lawe, as his letter makyth mencion, &c. Wretyn at London the Satyrday before Seynt Lawrens day.

Your servaunt,

JOHN DAUBENEY.

[Footnote 107-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 48.] The letter here
referred to from the Queen to the Earl of Oxford seems undoubtedly
to be No. 1020; and the date must accordingly be between 1487 and
1502. The reference to the Queen’s confinement does not help us to
much greater precision, for the time of year does not agree with
any known occasion. But some years are distinctly excluded, and
the only possible ones are 1487, 1488, 1490, or from 1493 to 1497
inclusive, or 1500, or 1501.]

[Footnote 107-2: Archbishop Rotherham.]

[Footnote 107-3: John, Lord Dynham.]

[Footnote 108-1: Sheen.]

1023

ABSTRACT[108-2]

R[OBERT] CLERE TO SIR JOHN PASTON, KNIGHT

[Sidenote: Not before 1487]

Your farmer of Mauteby has not given surety and paid poundage for his cattle, as he pretends. I hope you will not encourage him, when he tells you he owes me no duty, and that he took not my ‘merch’ for twenty years, but only so long as he continued in Heryngby farm. I denied him the replevin, because the ground of my farm is parcel of ancient demesne. Your tenants complain of me without cause. I hope you will not be displeased if I ask them simply for what is due to me. I never said ‘that ye shuld hang upon many bushes.’ I have always been glad to say or do my best for you, as any poor gentleman in Norfolk. I pray you bring forth my accuser that I may come to my answer, and know who would make variance between us.

Ormesby, 24 Oct.

[The writer of this letter was Robert Clere of Ormesby, who was
knighted in 1494, and was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1501.
The expression ‘your’ farmer of Mauteby, shows that it was written
after the death of Margaret Paston, and that the Sir John addressed
must have been her second son, to whom the manor of Mauteby
descended. The date is, therefore, not earlier than 1487 when this
Sir John was knighted, and may be many years later.]

[Footnote 108-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

1024

JOHN, LORD FITZWALTER, TO SIR JOHN PASTON[109-1]

_To my right worshipfull cosyn, Syr John Paston, Knight, be thys lettre delivered._

[Sidenote: 1488(?) / APRIL 7]

Right worshipfull cosyn, in my most herty wise I [comme]nd me to you. And where I am enformed that ye have takyn a disthresse within the [Du]chy of Lankastir for suche money as was commyng toward you of ryght for the tyme that ye were shiryef, me seme, cosyn, ye aught not to take it within the said Duchy of noon auncyen demene holdyn upon the King; for there be places inow to gadir it upon without the said auncyen demene, and so ye cannot lose it. And also, cosyn, I am enformed that it is paied alredy to oon John Burnam, which is of sufficyency inow. For whiche cause mesemythe it werne resone to levey it upon hym than ther where as is noon auctorite to levey it upon. Wherfore, cosyn, I pray you to be good mastir for my sake to thies pore men, whiche be the Kingz tenauntz, and to shew them the favour that ye may. And I shall be as glad to doo you as gret plesure in tyme commyng, by Goddz grace, Who preserve you.

Wretyn at Attylborow, the vij. daie of Apryll.

Zowir cosyn and frend,

[J.] SIR FYTZ WAUTER.

[Footnote 109-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Sir John Paston had been
sheriff in the year 1485-6, but he did not receive his knighthood
till June 1487 at the battle of Stoke, so that this letter cannot
be earlier than 1488. It is, however, not unlikely to have been
written in that year, or one or two years later. The writer, Lord
Fitzwalter, was beheaded and attainted in 1495 as an adherent of
Perkin Warbeck.]

1025

LORD FITZWALTER TO SIR JOHN PASTON[110-1]

_To my right wourschippfull and hertely welbeloved cousyn, Sir John Paston, Knyght, this be delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1488-94]

Right wourschippfull cousyn, in as hertely wyse as I cane, I recommaund me to you. And forasmoche as ther was appoynted a day that ye and my cousyn Heydon, Sir Robert Brandon, the Kynges Attorney, and other of the worschippfull of this schyr, should have mett here before this tyme of Estren, it was so longe or the Kynges Attorney was commen in to the contre, and the tyme so shorte, that it hathe bene thowght there myght be non convenable tyme affor this. Wherfor they be agreed that they and ye should mete here on Thursday next commyng. Prayinge you, therfor, that ye wolbe here at that tyme, trustynge to Godes mercy that a right good wey shalbe hadde betyx yow that all grugges and rancores shalbe layd a parte. And therfor, cousyn, I praye yow that ye wol not fayle for to be here, and what I canne do for yow, ye shall fynde it redy with Godes grace, Who have yow in His most blessed and assured kepyng.

Wreten on Good Fryday last passed.

Zowir lofyng cosyn,

J. SIR FITZ WAUTER.