Chapter VI: Letter 944: , p. 11, note 2 (5)

[Footnote 110-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter,
as of the last, must be between the years 1488 and 1494.]

1026

WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[111-1]

_To Sir John Paston, be thys lettyr delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1488 / MAY 13]

Aftyr all dewe recomendacion, pleasyt yow to undyrstonde that my lorde[111-2] hathe ben with the Kynge in Wyndesour at Seynt Georgys Feste, and ther at the same feste were bothe the inbacetours of Breten and of Flaundyrs, as well fro the Kynge of Romayns[111-3] as fro the yonge Duke.[111-4] But I can not schew yow the certeyn whedyr we schall have with them warre or pease; but I undyrstonde for certeyn that all suche capeteyns as wente to the see in Lente, that is to sey, Sir Charlys Somersett, Sir Richard Hawte, and Syr Wylliam Vampage, makythe them redy to goo to the see ageyn as schortely as they can, to what intente I can not sey.

Also, where as it was seyde that my Lord Woddevyle and other schulde have gone over in to Breten, to have eyded the Duke of Breten,[111-5] I can not tell of non suche eyd. Butt upon that seynge ther came many men to Sowthehamton, where it was seyd that he schulde have takyn schyppyng, to have waytyd upon hym over; and soo whan he was countyrmaundyd, thos that resortyd thedyr, to have gone over with hym taryde there styll in hope that they schuld have ben lycensyd to have gone over; and whan they sey [_saw_] no lykeleod that they schuld have lycens, there was ij.C. of them that gete them in to a Breten schyppe, the whyche was late come over with salte, and bad the mayster sett them a lond in Breten. And they had nott seylyd not paste vj. leges butt they aspied a Frencheman, and the Frencheman mad over to them; and they ferde as thow they wolde not have medylde with them, and all the Englysche men went undyr the hetchys, soo that they schewyd no more but those that came to Sowthehamton with the schype, to cawse the Frenchemen to be the more gladder to medyll with them; and soo the Frencheman burdyd them, and then they that were undyr the hetches came up, and soo toke the Frencheman, and caryed the men, schyppe, and all in to Breaten.

Also, ther was ther an inbacetour fro the Kynge of Schottes,[112-1] who is now put in grete trobyll be hys son and other of the lordes of hys londe.

Syr, as I came homewerde be London, I spake there with Emonde Dormand, and he seyd that he had wretyn onto yow, but he had none aunswere; wherfor he prayd me that if I knew ony man comynge towerdes Norwhyche, and I wold wrythe on to yow that he ferythe, if ye see none other dyreccion, that he schall be comittyd to the Flete.

Also, he schewyd me that Herry Wyott wholde fynde the mene to have yow condemnyd, and recover the obligacion of xl_li_. ageyns yow, and soo he seythe he whote nott how to doo, for he is halfe dysmayd; he ferythe lesse that he schall never come home. But he intendythe to plede the obligacion fulfylyd at Norwyche, for he seythe ther is non other remedy to save yow fro the condemnacion, tyl that he herythe otherwyse from yow, whyche he thynketh longe aftyr.

Wretyn at Henyngham, the xiij^te day of May, with the hand of your brodyr,

WYLLIAM PASTON.

[Footnote 111-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There can be no doubt
this letter was written in the year 1488, after Sir Edward
Woodville (called Lord Woodville) had gone over to aid the Duke of
Brittany against the French, and at the beginning of the rebellion
of the young Prince of Scotland (afterwards James IV.) against his
father, James III., who was defeated in battle, and afterwards
murdered in June of that year.]

[Footnote 111-2: The Earl of Oxford.]

[Footnote 111-3: Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, was elected King
of the Romans in 1486.]

[Footnote 111-4: Philip, Duke of Burgundy, son of Maximilian.]

[Footnote 111-5: Francis II., Duke of Brittany.]

[Footnote 112-1: James III.--_See_ preliminary note.]

1027

THOMAS ANDREW TO WILLIAM PASTON[113-1]

_To the ryght . . . . . . . . William Paston Squyer . . . . . my Lord of Ox[ford]._

[Sidenote: 1488(?) / DEC. 1 (?)]

Ryght worchipfull sir, in my best maner I recommend me unto you as he that is and shalbe at your commandment. Sir, I beseche you to showe my good lord and yours that a cordyng to his commandment I have sesed the good of the parson of Testerton[113-2] and of Henry Fox, exsepe thos goodis of the sayd Fox that whare formerly sesed be the servantis of my Lord of Surrey; and, Sir, all thos goodis that I have sesed of them both are nat worthe lytyll mony lytyll past xl_s._ or iij_li._ at the m[os]t, exsepe the parsons corne; and if that may betakyn a way thane the Chyrche may not be served, and that whar pety. I besech you that I may knowe my Lordis plesur in that be halfe, for els I thynke the baly of the franches will have all, for Testyrton is in the Dowchy. And so I am leek to have lytyll or nowt for all my lawbour and costis withowt my Lord be my good lord in that be halff be your mene.

Sir,[113-3] I pray you tell my Lord that the fryer of Lynne that . . . ak . . . . . . . . cheff, for he served a cherche in Norfolk callyd Hornyngtoft and ther . . . . . . rd a p . . . . s callyd Master Thomas Mertyn, and as I wene he had felows privy to that robery (?) an[d ot]her that be nat yet knowyn, and if he whare well a posed he wold tel[l], &c.

Also[113-4] Henry Fox and the parson of Testerton whar gretely (?) acuequyentyd and conversand with one Sir William, a chanon of Hempton Abbay, cause my Lord to inquere if he whar owt privy of the mony makyng or eny other of that Abbay of Hempton. I know nothyng but that they whar gret to gether, &c. Sir, I besech you, be good master to Fox wyff if ye may; how be it he is nowght, but peraventure he may amend, but she is ryght a good woman be my troughe, and it whar gret pety but she and her chyld myght have somwat. And, my Lord, or ye send me eny letter ye may send it me be John a More, this brynger, if he cum agayne, or els be Fox wyff if her husband be not gone to London. And ever Jhesu preserve you to your most gentyll hertis desyer. At Ryburgh this Monday next Sent Andrew.

Your servant,

THOMAS ANDREW.

[Footnote 113-1: [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 139.] This letter is
manifestly of the same year as No. 1028, which apparently was
written about A.D. 1488-1490. Most probably the exact year is
1488, when the ‘Monday next St. Andrew’ was the very day
following, _i.e._ 1st December--unless it was 1494, when the same
thing occurred.]

[Footnote 113-2: Richard Fenwyk.]

[Footnote 113-3: Opposite this and the next paragraph the word
‘No^ta’ occurs in the margin, in the same hand, apparently, as the
text.]

[Footnote 113-4: _See_ footnote 3 _supra_.]

1028

THOMAS ANDREW TO WILLIAM PASTON[114-1]

_To the ryght worchipfull mayster, William Paston, Squyer, with my Lord of Oxynford, [be t]his bill delyverd in hast._

[Sidenote: 1488 / DEC. 16]

Ryght worchipfull sir, I recomaund me un to you in my best maner, acordyng to my deute. Sir, I sent you a letter by Henre Fox wyff, and I had non answer from you of it. On of the gretest thynges that I wrot to you of, was that the fryer shuld be aposed, howo was prevy with hym, whan he robbed Master Martyn, the prest, at Hornyngtoft in Norffolk; also that Fox and the parson of Testerton,[114-2] shuld be aposed if eny of Hempton Abbay whar out [_were aught_] prevy to the mony makyng.

Sir, now I beseche you to send me a copy of thes mony makers confeschon, and ther namys, for I ame bothe sworne on the quest of the _oyer determiner_, and also on the quest at large, and of that we most make our verdyte at the sessyons after Crystmes for the quest at large; for we toke day over at the last sessyons tyll the sessyons after Crestmes for the quest at large. Lytefot, of your hows, is sworne on the _oyer determiner_.

I beseche you to speke with my lord, to know of his good lordchepe how we shall demene ourselff in that be half; and I beseche you send me word as sone as ye can.

I thynk that Yelvertons servant, that is with you in preson, shall com a gayne hether, and he may bryng your letter to me. He[115-1] bryngythe you this letter, and if it may be nat a fendyng, I pray you be good master to Yelverton for my sake. I have fownd hym a good persone.

Sir, I shall not be with my lady is grace[115-2] this Crystmes, far her grace shalbe with the Kynges Grace after Crystmes; and thane I shall awayt on her grace, wher ye shall have my servyce be the grace of Jesu, He preserve you.

At Ryburgh, the xvj. day of December.

And ye hepe [_help_] nat, I am leke to losse moche mony of my costes for thes mony makers. I pray helpe, &c.

Your servant,

THOMAS ANDREW.

[Footnote 114-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Thomas Andrew, the
writer of this letter, was a servant of William Paston, the uncle
of Sir John, but the William Paston to whom this letter is
addressed seems to have been Sir John’s brother, whom we find to
have been in service with the Earl of Oxford during the years
1488-90.]

[Footnote 114-2: Richard Fenwyk was rector of Testerton from
1482-1504.]

[Footnote 115-1: Apparently this ‘he’ means Yelverton himself, his
servant being at the time a prisoner in the Earl of Oxford’s
custody. Fenn erroneously reads ‘in person’ instead of ‘in preson’
in the previous sentence.]

[Footnote 115-2: Fenn supposes ‘my lady’s grace’ to be the
Countess of Richmond, the King’s mother. I should think, however,
it was more probably the Lady Anne Beaufort, wife of William
Paston the uncle, the writer being in their service.]

1029

T. GRIGGS TO SIR JOHN PASTON[115-3]

_To the Right Honorable Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyverid._

[Sidenote: 1489 / FEB. 2]

Right reverent and honorable, after the ordre of all diew recommendacion had, I recomaunde me un to your maistership. Sir, it is so that John Talyour of Brytcham, debite [_deputy_] in your office of Th’admirallite, was with me this mornyng to have myn advyce in this mater folowyng, the whiche is this.

There was taken ageyns Thornham, in the Kynges streeme, leyng ij. fadam and an halff depe upon the see, a whalle fyssh, by Thornham men labouryng all nyght on Sunday nyght last was, and so have slayn it, and brought to lande; upon the whiche your said debite hath ben ther as yister day, and seysed my lordes part therof; wherof the puple was glad it shuld so be. Than John a Lowe was there, and he seyd to your debite that he wold have the Kynges part in this wise, that the Kyng and my lord shuld part the halff. Sir, the lawe cyvylle seyth thus, ‘If any fyssh ryall be founde on the se, that is to say, _whalle, bales, sturgion, porpeys, or gra[m]peys_, that my Lord Admyrall shall have the halvendele,’ &c.

I thynke my lord[116-1] hath the Kynges prerogatyff upon the see, the whiche I remytte to your discrecion, &c.

Sir, by lyklyhode, without ye take hede and send thedir som of youres, my lordes part shall be litill. It is a greet fissh and a ryall; your debite sheweth me it is xj. fadam and more of length, and ij. fadam of bygnes and depnes in the mydde fyssh.

Sir, remembre what ye have to do; there came not suche a casualte in your tyme of your office, &c. Wherfore this, by th’enfourmacion of your sayd debite, cause me to wryte un to you this sympill bille, praying you to pardone me of the writyng, for it was don in hast; and this bille I sent to Willyam Brykkes your servant, to Matelask, by masse tyme, to brynke it to you. And this day they purpose to breke it. Do hereyn now as it please you, and Allmighti God have you and all youres in Hese kepyng; besechyng you that this symple bille may recomaunde my pouer wiff un to your maistershipp.

Wretyn on Candilmas Day, in hast, at Welles.

Your,

T. GRIGGES.

[Footnote 115-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is evidently
of the same year as that which follows it, to which we refer the
reader.]

[Footnote 116-1: The Earl of Oxford was Lord Admiral.]

1030

MARGERY PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[117-1]

_To my rygth wurchypfull mastyr, Syr John Paston, Knyth, this lettyr be delyvered in hast._

[Sidenote: 1489 / FEB. 10]

Rygth reverent and worchypfull sir, in the most owmble wyse I recomand me un to yow, desyryng to here of yowre welfare, the qwech God long contynew.

Sir, myn brodyr Wyllyam recomawnd hym on to yow. And as for the lettyr that ze sent on to hym, he hath schewyd my lord the entent ther off, and he thynkyth hym self, that it is no part of hys dute to have any part of the fysch, or any mony that schuld grow ther of. Never the lasse, my lord, acordyng as yowr desyre was in the letter, had qwestyond John a Lowe of thys fych, afor the comyng of John Danyel, what he had doon with all; and he answerd, as for the nedyr chavyll [_jaw_] therof, he had put it in sewrte, and leyd it in a howse, be cawse youre debyte [_deputy_] seasyd it to myn lords use, tyll it myth be undyrstond wedyr the propyrte ware in the Kyng or in my lord; and so my lord held hym well content it schud be so, in so moche as the Kyng and my lord have comawndyd John a Lowe that thys forsayd chavyll schuld be browth up to the Kyng in all goodly hast.

Fardermore, my brodyr Wyllyam perseyvyd be yowre wrytyng that ye cowd make the remnawnth of the fych worth a iiij_li._ to my lord. My lord wold ze schuld not trobyll yowre self no more with all, becawse he thynkyth that the propyrte is not in hym. And also anodyr, my brodyr Wyllyam heryth sey in the corte, that the Kyng and my lord be content that the remenaunt of the fych be to the use of them of the cuntre, the wech ze schall here the more serteyn therof here after.

Also my broder Wyllyam seyth, that my lord wyllyd yow that ze schuld send the retorne of the comyscion as hastyly as ze can, and mervell that ze hath not sent it up or thys.

As touards the brekyng up of the Parlement,[118-1] many lykelywoodes ther be, that it schuld contynew no wyle, and these be they. My Lord the Archebyschop of Yorke departyd as zysterday, and my Lord of Northethomyrlond schall goo as on Fryday; and also all schuch folkys as schall goo in to Breten schall be at Portysmowth on Satyrday cum forthnyth, and the Munday after on see bord, at wech seassun the Kyng intentyd to be ther to take the mustyrs.

And as for thos jantylmen that toke schyppyng to a gon over in to Breten up on a fortnyth a goo, that is to sey, Syr Richard Egecum, the cowntroller,[118-2] Sir Roberd Clyfford, Sir John Trobylvyll, and John Motton, sarjant porter, be a ryvyd ageyn up on the cost of Yngland, save all only Syr Richard Egecum, wech londyd in Breten, and ther was in a towne callyd Morleys, wech a non up on hys comyng was besegyd with the Frenchmen, and so skapyd hardly with hys lyff, the wech towne the Frenchemen have gotyn, and also the town callyd Breest; how be it the castell holdyth, as we here say.

And ther be apoyntyd serteyn captens at thys seasun, wech be Lord Bruke, Sir John Cheney, Sir John of Arundell, Sir John Becham, Sir John Gray, myn broder Awdley, myn unkyll Syr Gylberd Debnam,[118-3] and Thomas Stafford, and many odyr knytys and esqwyrys.

And, sir, I thanke yow for the lettyr that ze sent me. Also, syr, I have fulfyllyd myn pylgremage, thanke it be God.

Also, sir, we undyrstond that it is anactyd of every x. marke of mevable goodes xx_d._ to the Kyng, besyd the tennyth of every mannys londys.

And, sir, my brodyr Heydon schall send yow the serteyn of all odyr thyngys grawntyd at thys Parlement, for he hath cawsed John Danyell to tery all thys day for hys letter, be cawse he was with the Kyng at Westmestre, that he myth not entend to wryth it tyl nyth.

Also, sir, Master Calthorp hath payd j.C. marke to the Kyng. Also, sir, I have delyverd the x_li._ to Master Hawes, and reseywed of hym the oblygacion. Also, I have delyverd the xx^ti marke to Edmund Dorman, be my brodyr Heydons comawndment.

No more to yow at thys tyme, but God and the Holy Trinyte have yow in Her kepyng. And myn syster Anne, with all the company, recomawnd hem on to yow.

Wretyn at London, the x. day of Februar.

Be yowr servaunt,

MARGERY PASTON.

[Footnote 117-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is
erroneously dated by Fenn 1487-8. Although Lord Woodville made an
unauthorised expedition into Brittany in the spring of 1488, which
is alluded to in No. 1026, no succours were sent by Henry for the
relief of the Duchy till after the crushing defeat of Duke Francis
at the battle of St. Aubin (July 28, 1488). The Duke died on the
9th September following, and his daughter Anne became Duchess of
Brittany. Commissions to raise archers for the relief of Brittany
were issued in December, and musters were commanded to be taken in
February 1489.]

[Footnote 118-1: Parliament was dissolved on the 27th February
1489.]

[Footnote 118-2: Sir Richard Edgecombe was Controller of the
King’s Household.]

[Footnote 118-3: Sir Thomas Brews, Margery Paston’s father, took
for his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Giles, and sister
of Sir Gilbert Debenham.]

1031

WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[120-1]

_To hys broder, Sir John Paston, be thys letter delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1489 / MARCH 7]

Sir, I recomaunde me to yow, letynge yow wete that . . . . . . . . .[120-2]

As for my Lord Treserer,[120-3] he was not with the Kynge of all the counsell tyme, the whyche was endyd on the iij^de day of Marche. And theder come my Lorde of Northethombyrland the fyrste day of Marche, and departyd the even afore the makyng of thys letter, and hath endentyd with the Kynge for the kepynge owt of the Schottys and warrynge on them, and schall have large money, I can not telle the some for certeyn.

Also ther is an rover takyn at Brystowe, on [_one_] Cowper, as I wene, and he is lyke to be hanged, and he confessythe more of hys felawis. Also Edward Heestowe of Dovere is apechyd of treson of many straunge poynts; and hys accuser and he were bothe afore the Kynge, and then they were takyn apert. And he hymselfe confessyd it that hys accusere accusyd hym of, and many other thyngs more than he was accusyd of. And he had many lords and gentylmen to aunswere for hys trowthe and his demenynge afore tyme, for, as I hard sey, bothe the Kynge in a maner, nor non of the tother lords nor gentylmen belevyd not hys accuser, tyl that he confessyd it hym selfe; and so he is in the Towre and lyke to be dede.

As for the Kynges comynge into the contre. On Monday come fortenyght he well lye at the Abbey of Stratteforde and so to Chelmnsford, than to Syr Thomas Mongehombrey, than to Hevenyngham,[121-1] than to Colchestyr, than to Ipswyche, than to Bery, than to Dame Anne Wyngfelds, and so to Norwych; and there woll he be on Palme Sunday Evyn,[121-2] and so tary there all Ester, and than to Walsyngham. Wherefore ye had nede to warne Wylliam Gogyne and hys felaws to purvey them of wyne i now, for every man berythe me on hande[121-3] that the towne schalbe dronkyn drye as Yorke was when the Kynge was there.

Syr, Mayster Sampson recomaunde hym on to yow, and he hathe sende yow a rynge be Edmonde Dorman, and besydys that he requeryd me to wryte on to yow that it were best for yow to purvey yow of some gentyl meny thynges ageyns the Kyngs comyng, for suere he well brynge yow gests i now, and therfore purvey yow theraftyr. Also he sendythe yow worde that it is my lords mende that my syster with all other godely folkys there abowt scholde acompeny with Dame Elsebethe Calthrop[121-4] because there is noo grete lady ther abowte ageyns the Kyngs comyng, for my lorde hathe made grete boste of the fayre and goode gentylwomen of the contre, and so the Kynge seyd he wolde see them sure.

Syr, my lorde hathe sente on to the most parte of the gentyl men of Essex to wayte upon hym at Chelmnysford, where as he entendythe to mete with the Kynge, and that they be well apoyntyd, that the Lankeschere men may see that ther be gentylmen of as grete sobestaunce that thei be able to bye alle Lankeschere. Men thynke that ye amonge yow wol doo the same. Your contre is gretely bostyd of, and also the inabytors of the same. I beseche you to remembr my hors that ye promisyd me. God kepe yow.

Wretyn at Schene in haste, the vij. day of Marche, with the hande of your brodyr,

WYLLIAM PASTON.

[Footnote 120-1: [From Fenn, ii. 158.] This letter was
unquestionably written in the reign of Henry VII., and not in that
of Edward IV., to which Fenn assigned it. The writer, William
Paston, was only born in the year 1459, and was still pursuing his
studies at Eton so late in Edward’s reign as the year 1479, in the
end of which year his eldest brother, Sir John Paston, died. The
Sir John Paston to whom this is addressed must therefore be the
second son of John Paston, Esquire, who was knighted at the battle
of Stoke in 1487, and died in 1503. The year in which the letter
was written is, however, still doubtful. I do not find by the
Privy Seal dates of Henry VII. that such a progress as is here
spoken of was ever carried out. Apparently it was intended that,
beginning on Monday fortnight after the date of the letter, the
King should occupy a fortnight on the way from London to Norwich,
and arrive there on Palm Sunday Eve. The year must therefore have
been one in which Palm Sunday Eve fell between the 5th and the
11th of April, and Easter Day between the 13th and 19th April. The
earliest year that will suit these conditions is 1489, when Easter
fell on the 19th April; and that this was the true date of the
letter is made probable by several other circumstances. In 1489
the King was staying at Sheen during March. A great council had
certainly met in the end of the year 1488 about the affairs of
Brittany, and is very likely to have prolonged its meetings or
renewed them from time to time to the 3rd March following.
Moreover, if our date be correct, it supplies an interesting and
highly probable fact with regard to Henry, Earl of Northumberland,
the fourth of the line of Percy, who was slain in an insurrection
in the north in April following, showing that he was with the King
at Sheen in the beginning of March, and had undertaken by
indenture to protect the Borders against the Scots, not long
before he found himself called upon to put down the King’s
rebellious subjects in Yorkshire.]

[Footnote 120-2: Here follows some account relative to a grant
from the Crown, etc.--F.]

[Footnote 120-3: John, Lord Dynham.]

[Footnote 121-1: Not Haveningham in Suffolk, but Heveningham,
Hevingham, or, as it is now commonly written, Hedingham, in
Essex, the seat of the Earl of Oxford.]

[Footnote 121-2: 11th April.]

[Footnote 121-3: _See_ vol. ii. p. 110, Note 1.]

[Footnote 121-4: Elizabeth, wife of Sir William Calthorpe, was
daughter and coheir of Sir Miles Stapleton.]

[[be thys letter delyvered.
_first italic “d” misprinted as “a”_]]

1032

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[122-1]

_To the righte worshipfull and my righte intierly belovyd Sir John Paston, Knyghte._

[Sidenote: 1489 / MARCH 12]

Righte worshipfull and righte intierly belovyd, I commaunde me to you. And acording to the Kyng our soverayne Lordis commaundemente late to me addressid, I desire and pray you that ye woll in all godely haste, upon the sighte hereof, prepare youre selfe to be in a redinesse with as many personnes as ye herbyfore grauntid to do the Kyng servyce in my company diffensibely arayed and therupon so to resorte unto me in all godely haste possyble upon a day warnyng, horsid and harnessid, to be at the Kynges wayges. And God kepe yow.

Writen at my castelle of Hedingham, the xij. day of Marche.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 122-1: [Douce MS. 393, f. 79.] The date at which this
letter was written is uncertain, but it may very probably have
reference, like some later letters in this year, to the King’s
proposed journey northwards, as it will be seen by the last No.
that he intended to have visited the Earl at Hedingham.]

1033

WILLIAM PASTON TO THE BAILIFF OF MAUTBY[123-1]

_To the Baly of Mawlteby._

[Sidenote: 1489]

Mayster Baly, I recomaunde me on to yow, praynge yow that ye woll sende me be Wylliam Kokkys[123-2] berer her of, iiij. nobylles in golde, putt in to the same boxe that thys byll is in, as thow it wer evydens; for I have tolde the masengere that he schulde brynge me nothyng but evydens, for he is in a manere departyng owt of my servyse, wherfore I wold nott he knew so myche of my counsell. And as for the remenaunte, I wellde ze schulde kepe it tyll I come my selfe.

And if Bayard be onsolde, I pray yow late hym be made fatte ageyns the Kynge come in to the contre, what so ever I pay for the kepyng of hym, and I schall wete how goode a corser I schall be my selfe, at my comyng in to the contre, be the grace of God, Who have yow in kepyng.

Wretyn at Henyngham.

Be your,

WYLLIAM PASTON.

[Footnote 123-1: [From Fenn, iv. 310.] This letter is dated from
Heningham, or Hedingham, one of the places which, as we have seen
in No. 1031, the King was to have visited on his intended journey
northwards in 1489. I have little doubt, therefore, that it was
written in that year. The writer, according to Fenn, was William
Paston, Sir John’s uncle; but it is remarkable that in this same
year William Paston, Sir John’s brother, writes to him from
Heningham, and as the signatures of the two Williams were not very
unlike each other, one may fairly suspect that Fenn has here made
an error. This suspicion is, moreover, confirmed by the fact that
Mautby was the property of Margaret Paston, who died in 1484, and
that it could not possibly have descended to her brother-in-law
William, though her son William may have had an interest in it.]

[Footnote 123-2: Fenn prints the name ‘Hokkys,’ but as the reading
in the modernised version is Cocks, I presume this is a printer’s
error.]

1034

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO EDMUND PASTON[124-1]

_To my right welbiloved Edmond Paston, Esquier._

[Sidenote: Between 1486-9]

Right welbiloved, I grete you wele. And where as certein landes which late were the Lord Scales by title of enheritaunce, be discendid to me, and to my welbiloved cousin William Tyndale, it is accordid bitwixt me and my said cousin that the profites of the said landes, shalle neither be taken by my resceivoire nor his, but that an indifferent persone shalle take and resceive the same profittes to the use of us bothe till suche tyme as a resonable particion may laufully be made in that behalf. Wherfore as wele as I my said cousin, havyng speciall confidence and trust in you, desire and hertly pray you to take the laboure and peyn atte oure costes and charges, to take and resceive the profites of alle the said landes, to oure use and behofe, deliveryng alwey the oon moyte of your receites to my resceivoure, and the other moitee to my said cousin Tyndale, whan so ever the said profites by you so shalle be taken and resceived. Yevyng you full auctorite and power by this my writyng to execute the same.

Written atte Newe Market the vij^th day of Aprill.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 124-1: [Douce MS. 393, f. 81.] A portion of the lands of
Thomas, Lord Scales, whose widow, Elizabeth, married Anthony
Woodville, Earl of Rivers,--and among others the manor called
Scales’s Manor in Hockwold,--descended after the death of this
Elizabeth to William Tyndale, who was knighted at the coronation
of Arthur, Prince of Wales, on the 30th November 1489. (See
Blomefield, ii. 180, and Leland’s _Collectanea_, iv. 250-2.) As
this letter must have been written after the accession of Henry
VII., when the Earl of Oxford returned from banishment, and before
William Tyndale was made a knight, the date is between 1486 and
1489.]

1035

THE SCALES LANDS[125-1]

Edmund Paston, receyvor of the Scalys landes, askyth to be allowed of xij_li._ xij_s._ viij_d._ whiche hangith over his hede in his accompte made bifore Robert Sharp at the Feste of the Pureficacion of our Lady laste paste, for his costes and expenses for two yeres, as hyt apperith in the sayde accomptes.

Item, the sayde Edmund askyth to be allowed for his costes and expenses of this yere, Cxviij_li._ iiij_d._, beside his costes commynge and goynge to this accompte.

Item, for his rewarde of the saide iij. yeres _ad placitum dominorum_. Whereof ys allowed for his costes by the comaundement of my lorde,

x_li._

Item, allowed by the[125-2]

_Endorsed in same hand as the MS._, Billa Edmundi Paston.

[Footnote 125-1: [Douce MS. 393, f. 80.] It is evident that this
document is at least three years later than the preceding, but it
is placed here for convenience.]

[Footnote 125-2: Here the MS. breaks off abruptly.]

[[of this yere, Cxviij_li._ iiij_d._
_text unchanged: error for “Cxviij_s._”?_]]

1036

HENRY VII. TO THE EARL OF OXFORD[125-3]

[Sidenote: 1489 / APRIL 22]

Right trusty and entierly beloved cousin, we grete you well. Inasmuch as it hath liked God to sende us good tidinges oute of Bretayn, such as we dought not but that ye be desirous to undrestonde, we wryte unto you of them as thay be comen to our knowlage, and as foloueth.

The Lord Malpertuis, now late with us in ambassade from our dere cousine, the Duchesse of Bretayne, shippid at our porte of Dortmouth, and arrived at Saynt Powle de Lyon, in Bretayn, on Palme Sonday,[126-1] at iiij. after noone, from whens he wrote us the disposicion and the state of the countre there, and of the landyng and the demeanyng of oure armee. We received his wrytyng on Monday last, at evynsong tyme; and be cause he was of Bretayn borne, and favorable to that partie, we ne gave such trust to his tidinges, as was thought to us surete to wryte to you theruppon.

This daye, aftre High Masse, comyth unto us from oute of Bretayne forsaid, and with a new ambassade from our said cousine, Fawcon, oon of our pursivantes, that ratifieth the newes of the seid Lord Malpertuis, which ben these.

After the garysson of Frenshmen in the towne of Gyngham[126-2] had certeinte of the landyng of our armee, thei drewe downe the fabours[126-3] of Gyngham, and made thayme mete to defende a siege; but assone as thei undirstode that our said armee jornayned towardes theim, thei left the same Gyngham, where our said armee arrived the Thursday next before Palme Sonday, and was received with procession, logged and received, refreshed in the town iiij. dayes. And goyng towardes the said Duchesse, thei must passe to the castell and borugh of Monconter. In that castell was also a garnisson of Frenshemen, which incontinently, upon worde that our said armee drwe towardes theym, the Frenshmen did cast downe gret parte of the walles, and fled from thens; in that castell and borugh our seid armee kept thair Estre. The castell of Chawson, adjoyning nere to the towne of Saynt Bryak, was also garnisond with Frenshmen; that castell they set on fire, and soo fled in the townes of Henebone and Vannes[126-4] were garnisond with Frenshmen, which breke downe the walles of the townes, and putte them selff to fligth. Th’inhabitantes a bought Brest have layd siege therunto, and goten the Base Courte of the Frenshmen or the departyng of our said pursivaunt. The garnson of the towne of Concarnewe, which is oon of the grettest strenghes of all Bretayn, was besieged in like wyse, and drevyn to that necessite that thei with in offerid, ar his said departyng, to avoyde the towne with staffe in hande; how that is takyn, or what is more done sithens, he cannot telle.

Oure said cousine, the Duchesse, is in her citee of Raynes; and our right trusti knyght and counsellour, Sir Richard Eggecombe, there also, havyng cheeff rule abowte her; and the Marchall of Bretayn arredieth hym to joyne with them in alle haste with a gode band of men. Mony noble men of that countree repair to our said armee to take their partie.

These premisses in substaunce we have be wrytyng, aswell from the cheff capytaynes of our said armee, as from our comptrollour[127-1] forsaid. And that our said armee, blessid be God, hath among theyme selfe kepte such love and accorde, that no maner of fray or debate hath bene bitwene theym sithens the tyme of thair departing out this our Reame. Yoven under our signed, at our castell at Hartford, the xxij. day of Aprill.

Syr, thys is the copye of the lettyr that the Kynge sente my Lorde of Oxynford of tydyynges owte of Breten.

Be yowre brodyr,

WYLLIAM PASTON.

[Footnote 125-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was
evidently written in the same year as No. 1030, in which it is
mentioned that Sir Richard Edgecombe and others had gone over to
Brittany.]

[Footnote 126-1: 12th April.]

[Footnote 126-2: Guingamp.]

[Footnote 126-3: Fauxbourgs, which Fenn supposes here to mean
portcullises, but I know not if the word was ever used in such a
sense. Perhaps what is meant is, that they destroyed the suburbs
to fortify their position.]

[Footnote 126-4: The word ‘which’ appears to be omitted.]

[Footnote 127-1: Sir Richard Edgecombe.]

1037

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[127-2]

_To the right worshipfull and my right welbeloved Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1489 / APRIL 30]

Right worshipfull and right welbeloved, I comaunde me to you. And for as moche as it is certeinly unto the Kynges Grace shewed that my Lord of Northumberland havyng the auctorite to se the Kynges money levied in the North parties, had knowleche that certeyne persones of combnes wer assembled at Topclif, and at a nother lordship of his nygh to the same, saying that they wolde pay no money; my seid Lord of Northumberland heryng therof, and that they wer but naked men, addressed hym self towardes theym withoute eny harneys in pesible maner, trustyng to have appeased theym. Howe be it, as hit is seid, that he is distressed and that they have taken hym or slayne hym; whiche the Kyng entendeth to punysshe. I therfore desire and hertely pray you in all godely haste to be with me at Hedyngham, there for to knowe more clierly the Kynges plesir in this behalve. Writen at Hertford the last day of Aprile.

Also I send to you a comyssion of licence to shepp corne, which I pray you to do to be proclaymed in alle haste.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 127-2: [Douce MS. 393, f. 83.] The Earl of
Northumberland was slain in the North on the 28th April 1489,
while endeavouring to put down a revolt against payment of the
subsidy.]

1038

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[128-1]

_To the right worshipfull and my right welbeloved counceilour, Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1489 / MAY 6]

Right worshipfull and right welbeloved counceilour, I comaunde me to you. And where as I understand by your wrytyng that a grete shippe is perisshed with you in thoo parties, and that ye have ben gretely occupied aboute the savyng of the goodes of the same; and that the merchauntes therof ben disposed to put their wynes to sale, of the whiche ye maye by a ton for C_s._ and litel more; I may by in this cuntrey for iiij_li._, wherfore if ye may by there eny better chepe, I pray you to purveye for me, such as ye seme necessary.

And forsomoche as ye may nat be here with me at this tyme, I desire and pray you to prepare and ordeyne your self with as many men in harneys as ye godely may, to do the Kyng service in my company, at the Kynges charge and costes, so as ye and they may be with me at Cambrige, upon Tewesday[129-1] next comyng; and that ye faile nat herof, as my right especial trust is in you.

Writen at my castell of Hedyngham, the vj. daye of May.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 128-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] For the date of this
letter, see preliminary note to the next.]

[Footnote 129-1: 12th May.]

1039

WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[129-2]

_To hys brodyr, Syr John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1489 / MAY]

Syr, I recomaunde me on to yow. And where as ye desyre that I schulde sende yow worde of suche tydyng as Phylyp Lewes and Wyndesor bryngythe fro the corte, they be come thens bothe, but we here of no tydynges that they brynge, but that yondyr folkys abyde stylle abowte the place where as thys onhappy dede was done, and not with no grete nowmbyr, they sey not paste with v. or vj. C., where they were moste. Howbeyt they have made proclamacions in the cuntrey to mete with oder of ther affynyte as on Tuesday last past, as it aperythe in the copy of ther proclamacion heraftyr folowyng. Also they schewe the Kynge intendythe to holde on hys jurney. And Phylyp Lewes is redyn ageyn to the Kyng, and schall brynge with hym money for all ther wages that schall be in my lordys retynew, as yow and vj. of Syr Wylliam Bolens servauntes and od[yrs].

Syr, Mr. Clopton sye [_saw_] yowre lettyr, and a seythe he knew my lordes mende suche, that he durste not meve hym with it. Ther was Syr Wylliam Say, but Clopton wolde not it schulde be knowen of non other but your selfe. He sent my lorde be a servaunt of hys xl_li._ to have excusyid hym, and it wolde not be takyn, and that I mervell of. Howbeyt he brake thus fer to my lorde; he asched hym how many he apoyntyd yow to brynge with yow, and he answerde hym xx^ti, and than he schewyd hym yowr charges that ye have had. My lorde seyd ye myght have men a nowe, and ther wages schal be payd for. Clopton aunswerde how that it wolde coste yow large money, besyde ther wages, to hors them and hernes them; and how that, to sey the trowthe, ye were not well at ese.

Not withstandynge all thys, my lorde wyllyd that ye schulde come to hym to Cambryge on Tuesday at nyght, with as many as ye myght, and ye and he schulde do well i now. Soo Clopton thyngyth that and ye brynge a dosen with yow, it is suffycyent; howbeyt that Syr Emonde Bedyngfeld, Syr Thomas Tyrell, and Syr Ryc. Lewes have ben with my lorde, and yche of them have offyrde to mete with my lorde at Cambryge with xxx. men a pese of them. So I wolde not ye schulde be to ferre undyr them; wherfor I thynke best that ye purvey yow so as and ye schulde goo forthe yor selfe, for I can perseve non othyr wyse.

My bedfelawe Cornwaleys is maryed in the Northe, and he came as yesternyght to my lorde streyt owt of the contre, and he scheythe [_showeth_] non othyr wyse but as I have wretyn here afore in thys lettyr.

Ye schall have for yor self and for yche of your servauntes horsyd and hernessyd xx_s._ in hande at Cambryge for a monthe, and I truste we schal have done or xx. days to an ende, with the grace of God, Who have yow in kepynge.

At Henyngham.

Be your brodyr,

WYLLIAM PASTON.

[_The Rebels’ Proclamacion._]

To be knowyn to all the northe partes of England, to every lorde, knyght, esquyer, gentylman, and yeman that they schalbe redy in ther defensable aray, in the est parte, on Tuysday next comyng, on Aldyrton More, and in the west parte on Gateley More, the same day, upon peyne of losyng of ther goodes and bodyes, for to geynstonde suche persons as is abowtward for to dystroy oure suffereyn Lorde the Kynge and the Comowns of Engelond, for suche unlawfull poyntes as Seynt Thomas of Cauntyrbery dyed for; and thys to be fulfyllyd and kept by every ylke comenere upon peyn of dethe.

And thys is in the name of Mayster Hobbe Hyrste, Robyn Godfelaws brodyr he is, as I trow.

[Footnote 129-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this
letter was written shortly after the preceding, which is dated the
6th May. In that letter Paston is desired to be at Cambridge on
the Tuesday following to do the King service, and here we find
that it was intended by the King himself to have been there,
leading an army against some Northern rebels in person. The
expressions in the beginning of this letter leave very little
doubt that the insurrection referred to was that in which the Earl
of Northumberland was slain on the 28th April 1489.--_See_
Leland’s _Collectanea_, iv. 246.]

[[howbeyt that Syr Emonde Bedyngfeld
_“y” in “Bedvngfeld” either broken or misprinted as “v”_]]

1040

THE BISHOP OF DURHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON[131-1]

_To the right worshypful sire, and my right trusty and right entierly wel beloffyd freynde, Sire John Paston, Knyght._

ΙΗΣ. Χρς.

[Sidenote: 1490 / JAN. 27]

Ryght wortchipful sire, and myne especial and of long tyme apprevyd, trusty and feythful frende, I in myne hertyeste wyse recommaunde me un to you. And for as myche as I hafe coles and odyr thynges in thise parties, and also ye hafe in those parties cornes, wyne, and wax, and as I am enfourmyd ye be noght evyl wyllyd to dele with me, no more than I am to dele with you in utteryng, and also in receyvyng of suche thynges, the whiche myght be to the profete of us bothe, I ther fore send un to you at thys tyme thys berer, William Walkere, gentylman usshere of my chamber, to commune with you herein, so that by delyberation suche a wey may be takyn in thys byhalfe as may be to the profete of either of us, and wher by our familiarite and frendeship may be encrescyd in tyme to cum. Where un to for our old acquayntance to gedyr, ye shal fynde me ful redy after my powere, by the grace of our Lorde, Who ever kepe you, and send you myche worship and long prosperite.

Scribyllyd in the moste haste, at my castel or manoir of Aucland, the xxvij. day of January 1489.[132-1]

Your own trewe luffer and frende,

JOHN DURESME.[132-2]

[Footnote 131-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

[Footnote 132-1: 1490 according to the modern computation,
beginning the year in January instead of on the 25th March.]

[Footnote 132-2: John Sherwood, Bishop of Durham. He was appointed
to that see by the Pope in 1485 at the solicitation of King
Richard III. He was a man of high character and learning, and one
of the earliest Greek scholars in England.]

1041

LUMEN HARYSON TO [SIR JOHN PASTON][132-3]

[Sidenote: About 1490(?)]

Onerabyll and well be lovyd knythe, I commend me on to zour masterchepe and to my lady zowyr wyffe. I thanke zowyr mastyrchepe that ze have don for me. I sen my lady a lytyll pes of Renysch wyne of the best, of x. gallons, and halfe a hondyrd orrygys. I schall send hyr mor a geyns Pencost that sche may have fresche. And Renold have not gyve me the to nobyls and xlj_d._, that ze told me off for the wyne. And my servys be nyzt and be day to zowr commawndment. Zyff zowyr mastyrchep wyll ony thyng wyth me, I xall be at Cley. No more than God be wyth zow.

Wrytyn up on the Tuysday aftyr Palme Sonday.

LUMEN HARYSON.

At zowyr comawndment.

[Footnote 132-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was printed
in volume v. of the original edition, p. 380. I do not know Sir
John Fenn’s reason for considering it to have been written ‘about
1490,’ but as I see nothing to the contrary, I keep it under his
date. The writer was probably one of the German merchants of the
Hanse, and the name with which he signs the letter seems to have
been a little Anglicised. It is endorsed by Sir John, ‘Lumen
Henrikson.’]

1042

SIR JOHN PASTON TO [LORD FITZWALTER][133-1]

[Sidenote: About 1490(?)]

Humbly besecheth your good lordshepe, your dayly servaunt and beedman, John Paston, more kayteff than knyght, that it may please you of your specyall grace to dyrect ought your lettres, sygned with your hand and sealid with your seall, to the dreedfull man, Jamys Radcliff of Byllingforth, Sqwyer, fermour of your wareyn ther, ought of wheys wareyn no maner of man nor vermyn dare take on hym, for dought of your seyd dredfull [man], to take or carye awey eny of your game ther, for fere [of being] hangyd up among other mysdoers and forfaytours, as wesellis, lobsters [_stoats_], polkattys, bosartys [_hawks_], and mayne currys,--that the seyd Jamys shall, upon the syght of your seyd wryghtyng, delyver, or cause to be delyverd, to your seyd besecher or to hys depute, delyverer of your seyd lettres, at hys fyrst syght of the same, vj. coupyll blake conyes or rennyng rabbettys, or some blake and some whyght to the seyd nombre, to store with a newe grownd of your seyd besechers at Oxenhed, more lyeke a pynnefold than a parke. And your seyd besecher shall daylye prey to God for the preservacyon of your noble estate longe t’endure.

[Footnote 133-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This humorous petition,
though it bears no address, was certainly drawn up for
presentation to Sir John Radcliff, Lord Fitzwalter, the writer of
Letters 1024 and 1025, for he was lord of the manor of Billingford
in Norfolk, and James Radcliff, the farmer of his warren, was
evidently his kinsman. The date is probably, as Fenn suggests,
‘about 1490,’ certainly before 1495, when Lord Fitzwalter was
beheaded. The MS. is a rough draft in Paston’s hand.]

1043

THE EARL OF SURREY TO SIR JOHN PASTON[134-1]

_To my right worshipfull cousine, Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1490, or later]

Right worshipfull cousine, in right harty wyse I commaunde me unto you. And where I understand by Thomas Hartforde, a bower of Norwiche, berer herof, hath been putt to grete vexacion and trouble by oon Thomas Hogan, scomaker, of Norwiche, and that I perceyve ye have harde the matier depending in travers bitwixt the saide parties; I therfore desire you that, in the right of the forsayd Thomas Hartford, ye wolbe unto hym gode maistir, and the bettir for this myn instaunce, as my singler trust is in you.

And where I conceyve also that the same Thomas is noysed in Norffolk for a Scotesman borne, ye shall understande that I perceyve wele, by suche honest folkes as I have hard speke within the citie of York, that the saide Thomas was borne their, and his fathir there inhabityng, and his god fathirs and mothers, the which bee right honest persones; and for that this is true, and not feyned, ye shall understand the Maiour of the citie of York and his brethern hath made grete instaunce unto me to writ for the saide Thomas, for whom I must nedes do, because thaye arre my nye neighbours, as our Lord knoweth, Who have you in His blissid saufegard.

Written in the castell of Shirefhoton, the xxiiij^th day of Aprill.

Your lovyng cousin,

THOMAS SURREY.

[Footnote 134-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Thomas Howard, Earl of
Surrey, the writer of this letter, fought for Richard III. at the
battle of Bosworth, and was taken prisoner. He was, however, after
some years’ confinement, liberated from the Tower, and taken into
favour. In 1489 the King sent him into the North to put down the
rebellion in which the Earl of Northumberland was slain, and
afterwards made him his lieutenant-general north of Trent; and for
ten years he resided continually in those parts. The date of this
letter, therefore, cannot be earlier than 1490, though it may be
several years later.]

1044

THE EARL OF SURREY TO SIR JOHN PASTON[135-1]

_To my right worshipfull Cousin, Sir John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1490, or later]

Cousin Paston, in my most herty wyse I recomaund me unto you, and thank you for many kindnesses of tyme past, and also for that ye have bene so good maister unto my sarvaunt William May, and now at his comyng to me ye have at your greate coste sent him to me dressed in suche wise as is veray necessary for me to have men appareled; for the whiche your kindnesse I think myselfe right muche beholden to do you pleasure and it moght lye in my power, which I wuld right gladly do, as knoweth our Lord, whom I beseche to send you moche harte pleasure. Wreten at Sherifhoton, the vj^th day of July, with the hand of

Your lovyng Cousin,

THOMAS SU[RREY].[135-2]

[Footnote 135-1: [MS. in Pembroke College, Cambridge.] This letter
may well follow the last as being probably of the same year. At
all events it lies within much the same range of date.]

[Footnote 135-2: Mutilated. Below is written in a later hand, and
also mutilated: ‘Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, the . . . . of
Scots at Flodden.’ The letter is indorsed ‘Litt. Com. Surrey.’]

1045

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[135-3]

_To the right worshipfull and my right intierly welbelovyd counsellour, Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1491(?) / MARCH 27]

Right worshipfull and right intierly welbelovyd councellour, I commaund me hertely to you. And forasmoche as for certayne especiall causes moving, there be sessions appoynted to be holden at Gyppiswiche, the Friday sevenyght aftre Estre, which shall be the xv. day of Aprile, where I purpose then certaynly to be, and to have aswell the matere by twene Sir Edmounde Benyngfeld[136-1] and Yelverton[136-2] there to be harde and commenyd, as diverse othre grete maters in that contrey necessary to be had in comynycacion; I therfor desire and pray you that ye fayle nat to be there the same day, bryngyng with you the forseide Yelverton, trusting that then suche direccion shall be takyn in that matere as can be thought resonable, and to the weale of the parties; nat doubting but that Sir Edmound Benyngfeld shall be there in like wise. And Almyghty God kepe you.

Wretin at my castell of Hedingham, the xxvij. day of Marche.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 135-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As ‘Friday se’nnight
after Easter’ was the 15th April, Easter Day must have fallen on
the 3rd in the year in which this letter was written. This would
suit either 1491 or 1496.]

[Footnote 136-1: Bedingfield.]

[Footnote 136-2: William Yelverton, Sir John Paston’s
brother-in-law, grandson of the Judge.]

1046

HENRY VII. TO THE EARL OF OXFORD[136-3]

[Sidenote: 1491 / APRIL 6]