Chapter VIII: Letter 1049 (1)

1052

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[143-1]

_To my righte trusty and righte welbelovyd counceillours, Sir Rauff Shelton and Sir John Paston, Knyghtes._

[Sidenote: Year uncertain]

Righte trusty and righte welbelovyd counceillours, I comaunde me to you. And ffor as moche as one Thomas Charlys of Norwiche late hathe presentid unto me a bille of complaynte agaynste Symonde White, gentylman, dwellyng in Shotesham, shewing by the same suche wrongis as the saide Symonde hathe done and daily dothe to the saide Thomas, as by the saide bille, whiche I sende you with this, more playnely apperith; I therfor desire and pray you that ye woll do calle the saide parties byfore you, and upon due examinacion had upon the mater conteyned in the saide bille, ye take suche direction as may acorde with righte and gode consciens, so as the saide Thomas Charlis heraftur have no cause to resorte to me complaynyng. And Almightie God kepe you.

Writen at my castelle of Hedingham, the xv. daye of Septembre.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 143-1: [Douce MS. 393, f. 89.] This letter is quite
uncertain in point of date, except that it must have been written
between 1487 and 1503. We place it, therefore, for convenience,
after other letters of the Earl of Oxford.]

1053

WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[143-2]

_To the ryght worchepfull Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: 1492 / FEB. 18]

Aftyr all dew recomendacion, lyke it yow to undyrstond that Syr Herry Heydon schewyd me that it is agreyd be Syr Edmond Bedyngfeld, that the mater betwyx hym and my brodyr Yelverton[143-3] schalbe comynd at Norwyche, and there a dyreccion to be takyn in the same mater, mete for them bothe.

Syr, the Kyng sendythe ordynaunce dayly to the see syde, and hys tentes and alys [_pavilions_] be a makyng faste, and many of them be made; and there is also grete provysyon made be gentylmen that scholde goo wythe Hys Grace for hors, harnese, tents, halys, gardyvyans [_knapsacks_], cartes, and othyr thynges that scholde serve them for thys jurney that the Kynge entendythe to take on hand, soo that belykelyod Hys Grace wolbe goyng sone upon Ester. And so I entende, aftyr that I here heaftyr, to goo to Caleys to purvey me of harneys, and suche thynges as I schall nede besydes hors, undyr that forme that my costes schalbe payd fore.

Syr, I am as yet no bettyr horsyd than I was whan I was wythe yow, nor I wote not where to have none, for hors flesche is of suche a price here that my purce is schante [_scarce_] able to bye one hors; wherfor I beseche yow to herkyn [_hearken_] for some in yowre contre. Syr, my cosyn, John Heydon, tolde me that the Prior of Waburnes horse was rially amendyd, and that the Abott of Seynt Benetes schewed hym there was a bay hors of a persons nyght onto Seynt Benetis, and that the abot wolde gete hym for my cosyn Heydon at a resonable price. Syr, my cosyn, John Heydon, woll geve me hys entrest in that hors, if the abot have bowght hym, and so ye may lete the abot have knowlege; and if he have not bowght hym, I beseche yow sende to see hym, for I wote not how to do withowt yowre helpe aswell in horsyng of me as in other thynges.

At the makyng of thys lettyr, I cannot acerteyn yow what person it is that owythe thys hors. If I can know, I wolle send yow worde in a bylle I sende to Thomas Jullys be the berer herof.

Syr, as towardes my jurney to Caleys, the whyche I entende [_intended_] to have tane at my laste beyng with yow, it was so, I was dysapoyntyd of Thomas Dey and an other man I scholde have had be hys menys, as ye have had knowlege of or now; and also I had went [_thought_] to have had folkys a mette with me at Hedyngham, whyche ded nott. My lorde,[144-1] seyng me dysesyd, and also none otherwyse purveyd, wyllyd me in ony wyse to tary on tyl hys comyng to London, and sent myn excuse to my Lorde Dawbeney undyr thys forme how that I was sore disesyd; notwythestondyng I was welewyllyd to have come to fulfyll my promesse, but he cowde not sofyr me, seyng me soo dysesyd; and so my Lord Dawbeney was sory of my dysese and content that I taryd.

Syr, I beseche yow to holde me excusyd for kepyng of Thomas Lynsted, yowr servaunt, and hym bothe. It is soo that he and I bothe have ben in hand with my unkyll[145-1] for hys mater, and yett wee have hym at noo good poynt; but I troste we schall have. Syr, if I take thys jurney to Caleys, I moste beseche yow to forbere hym lenger, and if I goo not to Caleys, thow I be lothe to forbere hym, yet I schall brynge hym with me schortly in to Norfolke, ye to have hym, if ye lyste, with the grace of God, Who have yow in kepyng.

Wretyn at London, the xviij. day of February, with the hande of yowre pore brodyr,

WYLLIAM PASTON.

[Footnote 143-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter refers to
Henry VII.’s proposed invasion of France, which, after long
preparation, actually took place in October 1492.]

[Footnote 143-3: William Yelverton, the grandson of the Judge, who
married Anne Paston, the writer’s sister.]

[Footnote 144-1: The Earl of Oxford.]

[Footnote 145-1: William Paston the elder.]

[[Hys Grace for hors, harnese, tents,
_text reads “or hors”: corrected from Fenn_]]

1054

ROGER L’ESTRANGE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[145-2]

_To the ryth worchypfull Syr John Paston, Knyth, be thys delyveryd._

[Sidenote: 1492 / APRIL 16]

Mastyr Paston, I recomawnd me to yow. Syr, so it is that I am not yet purveyd of men to my nowmbyr of archers, suych as chold go hovyr see with me; wer for, syr, I be ceche yow that it wold plese yow at thys tyme to do so mych for me as to a purveyd me of ij. or iij., such as ye thynk chold be for me.

Syr, I undyrstond Syr Tery Robstertt lyth but lyttyll from yow, were, as I trow, he myde help me of j. by yowyr menys, and as for ther wages, they xall have the Kynges wages and some what elles, so that I trost that they xall be plessyd. Syr, I be cech yow to tak the peyne for me at thys tyme, and I xall do yow that servys that lyth in me, by the grace of Jesu, Ho preserve you.

On Monday next aftyr Palme Sonday, by yowyr howne to hys pouyr,

ROGER LESTRAUNGE.

Syr, I be sech yow that thys byll may recomawnd me on to my lady,[146-1] and I trost I xall a wayt on you sone on Estyr.

[Footnote 145-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is probably
of the year 1492, when the King was going over to France. But
there are other occasions, both earlier and later, on one of which
it might have been written.]

[Footnote 146-1: Probably Margaret, first wife of the Earl of
Oxford.]

1055

WILLIAM BARNARD TO WILLIAM PASTON[146-2]

_To his right wurchipfull master, William Paston, and Mr. Deryk dwellyng with my Lord of Oxinford, this lettir be delyvered in hast._

[Sidenote: About 1492]

Right wurchipfull Maister William Paston, with myn good Lord of Oxinford, and myn welbelovyd Mr. Deryk, I recomaund me on to you. And it is soo that I kepe a prisoner of my lordis to answer to William Greve, maryner of Gret Yermouth, the wiche he brought hym to me by my lordis auctorite of a warand from Bell Key; and the seid William Greve chargid me with his prisoner, named Phillyp Barbour, and chargid me with hym for x_li._, and so I kepe hym, and have kept hym this ij. yer and an half. And I have aftyr and many tymes askyd and requyred of the seid William Greve of mony for his bord, for he promysid and appoynted with me for every weke ij_s._, and I to take charge for to answer hym of hys prysoner aforseid; and so I have be chargith with hym ij. yeris and an half to my gret cost and charge, and nowh the seid William Greve intendith to pay me noon mony, butt he is a bowght to remeve the prysoner by a pryvy seall to abarre me from myn mony. Wher I am enformyd that noon prysoner of my lordis shuld nat be remevyd out of my lordis pryson, nor crafftid so out of pryson till he had answerd ther to seche causes as he lyth fore, and specially for alle suche costis and chargis as his kepar is charged for hym for his costis of exspensis; and that doon, I woll be redy to delyver hym to the seid William Greve [to] pay me for his costis as it shalbe demyd with reason. Besechynd and prayeng you bothen too to be so good ma[istris unto] me that ye woll shewe this mater on to my lord, and to knowe my lordis meend whedyr it shall please hym that I shall delyver hym by a pryvy seall in this causis or nay, for the bryngar herof is the prysoner. And if it be my lordis mend that the prysoner shall appere to that pryvy seall, that it woll plese my lord to be so good and gracyous lord on to the prysoner to send hym to his councell to London, to tendyr this mater for the pore prysoner, and to consydre the gret losse that the seid William Greve intendith to putto his servaunt William Barnard, marchall and kepar of [my] lordis gayle in Yermouth, and servaunt [to?] Robert Crowmer, depute for my lord in the partyes of Norffolk and Suffolk. I shuld a browte up my silf, but we be now in gret besynes in kepyng of my lordis honorabyll courtis in Norffolk and Suffolk.

Wretyn the last day of Aprill.

By your,

WILLIAM BARNARD,

that I can or may.

[Footnote 146-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter
is very uncertain, but it is probably about the year 1492, as
William Paston does not seem to have been in the Earl of Oxford’s
service many years before or after that date.]

1056

EDMUND PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[148-1]

_To the ryght wurshupfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyvered._

[Sidenote: Before 1493]

Ryght wurshypfull Sir, I recomawnd me to zow. As zesterday I was with my cosyn Clere;[148-2] he lythe at Borow, and my mastres hys wyveffe,[148-3] be cause the plage reygnyth at Ormysby. And so of hys own mocyon he mevyd to me of the maryage of my nevew zour soon, and as glad foolkes woold be to bargayn as ever ze wyste, and soo hathe shewyd me that ze shuld have as myche as Sir E. Bedyngfelld, whyche was v. C. marke. Moore over he shewyd that he woold depart with it to Sir Roger T.[148-4] or to Harry Colett, whyche he shewyd ze woold not of, but to have the mony at zour dysposyssyon; and me semys be hys report that he knowyth well that yf ze delle with Sir H. H.,[148-5] he wyll be in a suerte that the mony that he shuld depart with shuld goo to the redemyng of zour landes, and other zowr dawngeres. More over he shewyd me that the mony whyche ze skyftyd of H. Colett was th[oug]ht be Sir Harry H. that Sir R. Townesend shuld have ben contentte with it, whyche is knowyn the contrary, and causyd hym to geve delay in that be halffe to zow. I know well this jantylman berythe zow as good mynde as any man alyve, my mastres hys mother,[148-7] and allso my mastres hys wyve in lyeke wyesse; and me semys he makys not the dowghttes to delyver zow hys mony that other men do of the delyverye of thers. Foor trowthe, he shewythe me hys mynde, whyche is thus: yf ze wyll putt lande in feffement for zeres, to the full contentacyon of Townesend, Colett, and of my uncle, whyche he and all men thynke ze muste be charged to, or ever ze goo thorow, and that zour next frendes have the receyte of it tyll it be full contente and payed, thus, or suche a suer weye to be had for the well of all parteys, I darre say he is not alyve wyll indevour hym with better wyll to deele with zow, and, as my mynde servys me, streytte hymsylffe, as it may be booryn, be syde my mastes hys modyrs v. C. My mastres hys wyffe, on my feythe I darr say, the moste harty body to zow wordes in this be halffe that is alyve, and the fayneeste body woold be to have it accomplyshyd.

Syr, I thenke ze be to wardes London, and well I woot zowre mynde is to ease zour sylffe as hastely as ze may; I pray God ze do to zour honur, and to zour moste well to gederys.

Marchandes or new jantylmen I deme wyll proferr large; noon other dyspreysed, ze know the contynewance of this man, and how he is alyed. Well I woott yf ze depart to London, ze shall have proferes large; yf zour jornay be not but to ease yow in that be halfe, be my poor avyce slake for iij. or iiij. days, for ever me semys I shuld not have ben brokyn to so largely, but that they entende it hastely to say to zow. Sythe I was ther, I undyr stande yf it had not happyd me to have seyne them as zester day, she wold this day have made her cowntenance to have seyn her nes, Bothas (?) dowter, wyche is at Pallynges for fere of the plage, and have comyn seyne [_come and seen_] my wyffve, and specyally to have de syrid us to meve zow towardes them, and in trowthe so she hasse.

I pray God ze do as well to zour honur as I woold do my sylfe. Yf ze wyll tery thys lytell season be foor rehersyd, yf ze lyste, I woott well ze may have the mater moor largely comyned; and yf ze tary tyll Monday, I wyll awayte on zow to Hynengham, with Godes grace, Who ever preserve zow and zours.

Your,

E. PASTON.

[Footnote 148-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter cannot be
later than the year 1493, as Sir Roger Townsend died on the 9th
December in that year (Inq. p. m. 10 Hen. VII., No. 170). Moreover
the will of Elizabeth Clere of Ormesby was proved, according to
Blomefield, on the 6th March 1492-3. But as Sir John Paston’s
eldest son was only born in 1478, the date is not likely to be
many years earlier.]

[Footnote 148-2: Sir Robert Clere of Ormesby.]

[Footnote 148-3: Probably his first wife Anne, daughter of Sir
William Hopton. His second was Alice, daughter of Sir William
Boleyn.]

[Footnote 148-4: Townsend.]

[Footnote 148-5: Sir Henry Heydon.]

[Footnote 148-7: Elizabeth, widow of Robert Clere of Ormesby, the
father of Sir Robert. She was the daughter of Thomas Owydale,
Uvedale, or Dovedale, of Tacolneston, in Norfolk.]

[[Footnote and tag 148-7
_there is no note 148-6: numbering retained for cross-references_]]

1057

SIR HENRY HEYDON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[150-1]

_To myn ryght worchypfull cosyn, Sir John Paston, knyght._

[Sidenote: 1488-1492 / MARCH 4]

Cosyn Paston, I recommend me to you and wn to myne good ladie your wiff. As for your mater betwyx you and your wncle,[150-2] I have shewid it soe to my ladie of Norffolk and to hym, that it is agreed yee to entre in to Marlyngford and all other maners in debate in your name, and to kepe your courtes, sell your wodis, and to doo therwith as with your own. Wherupon I avise you, as soone as ye may, send som discrete man to kepe your courtis and to lette your fermys and selle your wodis to your most avayll. Your presens theer shall bee costly, and what is bee heende in the fermourz or tenauntz handez sethyn the rekenyng last be ffor myne ladiez servauntz and yourz, that thei bee warnyd kurtesly to paie it by a day, except in ony wise I avyse you nat to make ony thretis to ony fermour or tenaunt, for ony dealing affor this tyme, but to gett in fayernesse till I speke with you; and in ony wyse that yee nor ony your servauntz have noon wordis in this mater, but that it is agreed bee myne ladie you to have your peasebill possession. And as for Huntingffeldis, as yee have beffore ocupyed, ocupie still without noyse. I pray you folowe myne avise in this. I have hadde laubour, I trust thorowe your cause it shall nat be in vain _laboraverunt_, and suffyr this bill hyddyr too to speke to your sellf in privite, and to noon other. How yee and myne ladie, and in what sylk or clooth yee will have these tweyn yong innocentis[150-3] maried inne, iff it shuld bee purveyed at London to send me word, or ellys at Norwich, as it shall please you and myne ladie, ther after I shall applie me. For it must bee ordyrd be you in the yong husbondis name. Your penauns off your wncles mater shall yee knowe whan I kom hoome. Ther is non other meane but to sell your wodis and tymber in all your manors to your most avayll, except theere as it kan nat bee forborn for diverse causys. And iff you list to command mee ony thyng in these partyez, send me word be myn servaunt, berer heerof.

Wretin the iiij^th day off March.

Your own to his powr,

H. HEYDON.

[Footnote 150-1: [Add. MS. 33,597, f. 9.] This letter must be
addressed to the later Sir John. The manor of Marlingford belonged
to Agnes Paston, who died about the same time as her grandson the
first Sir John, and her right accordingly descended to his brother
John, who was knighted at the battle of Stoke, 16th June 1487. His
claim was disputed for a time by his uncle, but some arrangement
was come to, apparently before the year 1493. (_See_ No. 1056.)]

[Footnote 150-2: William Paston, son of the judge.]

[Footnote 150-3: Probably Sir John Paston’s eldest son and a
daughter of Sir Robert Clere. (_See_ No. 1056.)]

1058

SIR T. LYNG TO SIR JOHN PASTON[151-1]

_To my rigth wurchypful master, Sir John Paston, Knyth, in hast._

[Sidenote: 1494 / NOV.]

Memorandum, that thes be the namys that war mad Knytes of the Bath, the Thwrsday be for Alhalow Day.

Fyrst, My Lord Herry, Duke of Yorke.
My Lord Haryngton, Lord Marcas sun.[151-2]
My Lord Clyfford.
My Lord Fyvaren.
My Lord Dakyr of the Sowth.
My Lord Strange. Lord Stranges sun.
Sir John Arundell of the West.
Sir Water Grefyth of Lonkaschyre.
Sir Jarveys a Clyffton of Yorkechyre.
Sir Roberd Harcorth of the West.
Sir Edmund Trayford.
Sir Herry Marney of Esexe.
Sir Roger Newborow.
Sir Raff Rither of Yorkechyre.
Sir Thomas Bawd of Harforth chyre.
Sir John Speke.
Sir Houmfrey Fulford.
Sir Roberd Lytton.
Sir Pers Egecome.
Sir Roberd Clere.
Sir Thomas Fayrefaxe.
Sir Richard Knythley.
Sir Wyllem Cheke.

Also Master Robert Southwell is Hey Schreve of Norffolke.

Memorandum, that saforn is at xvj_s._ j_li._ the lowest price.

Also, the Kynge and the Qwene went crowned on Halowmesse Day last; and my Lord of Schrewsbery bare my Lord Harry, Duke of Yorke, in hys harmys; and x. byschopis, with myters on ther hedes, goyng be for the Kyng that day rownd a bowt Westmynster Hawle, with many odyr gret astates.

Sir, ther hath be so gret cownsell for the Kynges maters, that my Lord Chawnsler kept not the Ster Chawmber thys viij. days, but one day at London, on Sent Lenardes Day.

Be yowre pore prest and servaund,

SIR T. LYNG.

The lowest pryse of saforn is xvj_s._

Item, the Knytes of the Bath.

Item, the Knytes of the Schyre.

Item, of recordes a yenst me.

Syr, ther hath record a yenst me, Syr John Seyve, Vecry of Barton, John Anond, Richard Elwyn of Wytton, John Bowlond of Totyngton, sumnor, whech arne all forsworyn on the Crwsifyxe a yenst me.

[Footnote 151-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter gives the
list of the Knights of the Bath made on the occasion of Henry the
King’s second son being created Duke of York in 1494.]

[Footnote 151-2: Thomas Grey, son of Thomas Grey, first Marquis of
Dorset, who succeeded his father in 1501.]

[[Sir Thomas Bawd of Harforth chyre
_spacing unchanged_]]

1059

THE CORPORATION OF YARMOUTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON[153-1]

_To our right honorable and especyall good maister, Ser John Paston, Knyght, this letter be delyvered in hast._

[Sidenote: 1495 / JULY 11]

Right wurchipfull ser, we recomaund us onto your good maistership, sertefyeng you that Robart Albon of Yermouth with many more of our neybors, this Saterday arn comen hom from Caunterbury. And Robart Albon hath spokyn with the English captayns of the Kynges rebellys ther, part of theym that arn takyn; and Robart Albon and his company seith that ther wer takyn and slayn to the noumbre of vij^xx., wherof were v. captayns, iiij. of them he named, oon Mounford, Whyght, Belt, and Corbett: he coude nott telle the fyfft capteyns name. And they told hym that they have apoynted to have a town of strength, for they wold an had Sandwich, and the countre had nott a resistid them. And so Belt seid on to Robart Albon he wyst weell that he was but a deed man, and for asmoche as he wist that he was of Yermouth, he shewid hym that they woll have Yermouth or they xall dye for it, as Robart seyth to us.

And this is a mater of trewth, and therfore we desyre and pray your good maistership, that we may have your myghty help of ayde and socowr, and that it woll please you to comon with Maister Mayer of Norwiche, to meve hym of hys sokour, but in especyall that we may have your maistership amongs us, with suche strength of your good councell, as your maistership shall thynk most best for the Kynges pleasur, and for the sewyrtye of us alle; for we putt us in devyr to furnysh the town with all that we can doo, for we know noon oder but that they may be here by possybylyte this nyght or to morow att nyght at the ferdest. No more to you, but Jesu preserve you.

Wretyn at Yermouth, in hast, this Saterday, the xj. day of July.

Be your owyn, the Balyffes of Yermouth,
with our Brethern and
Comons of the same Town.

[Footnote 153-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter refers to
the attempt of Perkin Warbeck at Deal, where a number of his
followers landed on the 3rd July 1495, and were all either killed
or taken prisoners by the people.]

1060

ROBERT CROWMER TO SIR JOHN PASTON[154-1]

_To my right especyall and syngler good maister, Ser John Paston, Knyght, this letter be delyvered._

[Sidenote: 1495 / JULY 12]

Wurchipful ser, I recomaund me on to you. Maister Balyffes, with alle myn Maisteris of the town of Yermouth, thankith you hartilly, and trustyng feythfully of your ayde and comford at neede; and if any suche cause happith with us, they woll feythfully send you word in all the hast possyble, up on the syght of the shippis.

Ser, ferdermor, ther is a ship of our town come hom from Seint John of Amyas, and he seyth that on Seint Thomas Day[154-2] ther came to Seint Wallrens,[154-3] in Normandie, an hoye of Dorderyght, with viij. horsis, with many saddilles and brydilles; ther in wer viij. or ix. Englysh men, the wiche toke the shippes boot, and went on lond at Staplis,[154-4] and arn renne a wey up in to the cuntre. And the Admiralles Depewty sesonyd the ship and hors, and all that they found ther in, to the Kyng our soverayn Lordes behooff; and the Duche men were leyde in pryson. This is a mater of trowth, for William Carre of our town, maryner, and oder of our town, see this doon in deed. And as for the shippes with the Kynges rebellars, they be furth out of Cambyr[155-1] westwards; whyder they be, thei can not sey, but the Duche men seid to William Carre that they trustid on one man shuld help them with many men. Thes is suche tydynges as the Amyas men brout hom.

Ser, if it woll please your maistership that ye myght have leyser, I desyre and pray you to come sporte you, and to see how weell we have appareld and furnyshid our town, I wold be right gladd, and I trust to Almyghty God that it wold please your maistership right weell, and with your betyr advyce we woll doo more to our power, that knowith God, the wiche Lord preserve you.

Wretyn at Yermouth, on Relyk Sonday.[155-2]

By your servaunt,

ROBART CROWMER.

[Footnote 154-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter refers to
the dispersion of Warbeck’s fleet after the attempt at Deal. It
would appear, as Fenn remarks, that on receipt of the preceding
letter Sir John had promised aid to the town of Yarmouth, for
which promise they here return thanks. The handwriting of this
letter is the same as that of the last.]

[Footnote 154-2: The Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas
Apostle, 3rd July.]

[Footnote 154-3: _Qu._ St. Vallery?]

[Footnote 154-4: Etaples.]

[Footnote 155-1: The point called the Camber, near Rye.]

[Footnote 155-2: Relic Sunday is the third Sunday after Midsummer
Day, and fell on the 12th July in 1495.]

1061

ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO SIR WILLIAM KNIVET AND OTHERS[155-3]

_To my ryght entyerly and welbelovid frendes, Sire William Knevette, Sire John Paston, Sire Robert Clere, Knyghtes, the Kynges Attorney, Phelippe Calthorpe, Richard Suthwell, Squyers, and to yche of theym._

ELIZABETH, DUCHESSE OF NORFFOLK.

[Sidenote: 1495 / SEPT. 14]

Right entyerly welbelovyd frendys, I comaunde me to you. And for as moche as I understande that Sire Harry Grey, that is the verry owner and possessioner of the maner of Ketryngham, is nowe in gret age, and as it is seide, of right seekely disposicion, and that after his deceasse the right and title therof shall of right belonge to my right welbelovid servaunt Thomas Martyn, and his nevewe and heyre of blood, and his eyre therof by reason of entaylys:--What the seid Sire Harry entendith to do therin, I knowe not, but it rennyth in reporte, that he is in purpose to disherite the seid Thomas Martyn therof, contrary to all right and good conscience. In eschuenge wherof, I desire and pray you as hertely as I can, that it wull leeke you to be so good maistyrs to the seid Thomas as, by your wisdams and discrecion, the seid Sire Harry, by you or some of you, may be moved of conscience and of kyndenesse to his blood to have regard to the seid right, and not to do eny thyng that shuld be disheryson to his seid nevewe, and to have the more tender consideracion to your mocion, for that the seid Thomas is to dyverse of you of kynne and aliaunce, and to many other gentilmen within the shere in leeke cas. And for the consideracion that I have, that the seid Sire Harry and Thomas his nevewe, were of my lordes nere blode, whoes soule Jesu pardon and assoyle, it were to gret a pete to see hym by disheryson to falle to penury and poverte, wher by your good exortacion in consideracion of the premissis, and mo odir by your wisdamys to be remembred, in the lif of the seid Sire Harry suche inconveniences may be better remadyed; wherin ye shall not only do an almas dede, and a gret pleasir to God, but also to me for that blodes sake a singuler pleasir, and cause me heraftir therather to considir thynge that shall concerne your resonabill pleasir, with Goddes grace, Who ever kepe you.

At Erle Soham, this xiiij^ne day of Septembyr.

[Footnote 155-3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this
letter was the widow of John Mowbray, the last Duke of Norfolk of
that name, who died in 1475. She survived her husband many years,
and Fenn says, though I know not on what authority, that she was
alive in 1496. Sir Harry Grey, it appears, made his will on the
28th September 1492 (Blomefield, v. 93), and one might imagine
this letter was written in the same month and year. The
inquisition upon his death, however, was only taken on the 26th
October, 12 Hen. VII. (1496), and it does not state the day on
which he died. The jurors found Thomas Martyn, who was then thirty
years old and over, to be his kinsman and next heir, but that
Ketteringham Hall was devised to the use of his wife Jane and of
others after her death. It is certain, moreover, that this letter
could not have been written before the year 1495 when Sir Robert
Clere was knighted; and that is probably the very year, as Sir
Harry Grey was dead at least in October 1496, and most likely a
month or two earlier.]

1062

WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON[157-1]

_To my most special good father, Ser John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: About 1495(?)]

After most humbyl wyse of recommandacion, in my most lovyngly wyse, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng, showyng yow that I am at Ser John Fortescu place, be cause they swet so sor at Cambryge. Also I shew yow that Mr. Thomas Clark ys desessyd, hows sowle God have mercy.

Also, I beseche yow that ye wol se a remedy for the comun of Snaylwel, for the Bayly of Snaylwel and on of your fermors war with my tutor and me, and sheuyd me that all the comun shuld a be takyn away butt for Mr. Cotton and the Vecur of Fordan,[157-2] hom I beseche yow to thank. Fro Pamsborow.[157-3]

Be your most humbyl servaunt,

WILLIAM PASTON.

[Footnote 157-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Fenn says, I cannot tell
on what grounds, that this letter must have been written between
1491 and 1495. At the earlier of these dates the writer could not
have been more than twelve years old, but as lads were sent to the
university at a much earlier age in those days than in ours, even
the earlier of these dates is not impossible. The style of the
letter, however, is not boyish, and I should have been inclined to
place it a year or two later even than Fenn’s latest date, but
that there is no clear evidence to go by. The sweating sickness
was prevalent in England at different times during the reign of
Henry VII.; and there is no particular record of its visiting
Cambridge.]

[Footnote 157-2: Fordham in Cambridgeshire, north of Newmarket.
Snailwell lies between.]

[Footnote 157-3: Punsborne, near Hatfield, in Hertfordshire.]

1063

MARGARET, COUNTESS OF RICHMOND, TO ----[158-1]

BY THE KYNGES MODER.

[Sidenote: Between 1497 and 1503]

Trusty and right welbeloved, we greet you well. And wher by the meanes of our trusty and right welbeloved Sir Reynold Bray, Sir Thomas Lovell, and Sir Henry Heydon, Knights, there was a full agreement made and concluded, and also put in writinge, betwen our trusty and right welbeloved Sir John Savile, Knight, and Gilbert Talbot, Esquier, on th’one partie, and yow on th’other, for divers lands which they ought to have in the right of their wives, daughters and heyers to William Paston, Esquier, their late fader deceassed, which lands ye by mighty power kepe and withholde from them without any just title, as they afferme; and albeit the said agrement was made by your minde and consent, yet ye ne doe performe the same, to our merveile, if it be so. Wherefore we desier and also counsell yow without delay upon the sight hereof now shortly to ride to the court to the said arbitrators, now ther being, with whom ye shall finde your adverse partie, or other in their names fully authorized, to abide such final ende and conclusion in the premisses as shall be consonant with the said agrement, without further troubles or busines therin hereafter to be had; and that ye will thus do in any wise, so as we be not driven (through your defalte) to put to our hands for further remedye to be had in the premisses.

Yeven under our signet at our manner of Colly Weston, the x^th day of February.

[Footnote 158-1: [From Sandford’s _Paston Genealogy_.] William
Paston, the uncle of the two Sir Johns, died in 1496, and this
letter must have been written either in the year following or
between that date and 1503, when Sir Reginald Bray died. William
Paston’s will, which will be found in the Appendix, was dated 7th
September 1496, and proved on the 28th November following. He
married Anne Beaufort, daughter of Edmond, Duke of Somerset, and
was therefore uncle to the writer of this letter, Margaret,
Countess of Richmond, the mother of King Henry VII. The person to
whom the letter is addressed is not named, but it is not unlikely
to have been Sir John Paston the second.]

1064

ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO SIR JOHN PASTON[159-1]

_To my right welbeloved frende, Sire John Paston, Knyght._

ELIZABETH, DUCHES OF NORFFOLK.

[Sidenote: 1497(?) / FEB. 28]

I commaunde me to you, thankyng you as hartely as I can for your labour and substancyall serching owte of Thomas Martynz matyr, preing you of contenuance, and of your best advyse therin, how he shall breke the mater so as, by your helpe and wysdam, a frendely comunycacion may be hadde, so as the mater may be had in examynacion by suche gentylmen as shalbe named by th’assent of bothe parties, suche as tendyr and love the wele of bothe parties, and also the pees and tranquyllyte of the cuntre, and love to eschewe variaunce and parties in the cuntre, wherin ye shall not only do a greete pleasure to me, but a grete dede of charyte for the profight and ease of both parties, and also a pleasure to God, Who have you in keping.

At Erle Soham lodge, this xxviij. day of February.

N. E. N.

[Footnote 159-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It seems probable that
this letter was written in the February following Sir Harry Grey’s
death. (_See_ No. 1061.)]

1065

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON AND ANOTHER[160-1]

_To my right trusty and right welbel[oved Sir] John Paston, Knyght, and Sir . . . . . Knyght, . . . . of them._

[Sidenote: 1499 / AUG. 20]

Right trusty and welbeloved councellours, I comaunde me to you. And where the Kinges Grace is lately acerteinyed that Th’Erl of Suffolk is departid owt of this his Realme, Hys Grace hath commaundid me to wryte unto you that ye incontynent uppon the sight of this my writing endeovour you to enquyre aswell of such persones as be departid over with the seid Erle as of theim that accompanyed hym in his repayre to the see, and retornyd ageyn, or in any wyse were prevy to the same, and theruppon, in as goodly hast as ye kan, to put them and every of them in suertie savely to be kept, and therof t’acerteyn me, to th’entent ye maye knowe his ffurther pleasure in the same. And if ye shall at any tyme herafter perceyve any suspect person nyghe unto the see costes which shall seme unto you to be of the same affynyte, than His Grace will that ye put them in lyke suertie. And Almighti God have you in His keping.

Written at Gaddishill, in the Ile of Wight, the xx^ti daye of August.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 160-1: [Douce MS. 393, f. 87.] Edmund de la Pole, Earl
of Suffolk, escaped abroad on the 1st July 1499, and proclamations
were issued on the 20th August following (the day on which this
letter was written) against persons leaving the kingdom without a
license. (_See_ my _Letters and Papers Illustrative of the Reigns
of Richard III. and Henry VII._, vol. i. preface p. xl., vol. ii.
p. 377.) It appears that the King was at this time staying at
Godshill, in the Isle of Wight, the place from which this letter
is dated (see _Excerpta Historica_, p. 122).]

1066

HENRY VII. TO SIR JOHN PASTON[161-1]

_To our trusty and welbeloved knight, Sir John Paston._

BY THE KINGE.

[Sidenote: 1500 / MARCH 20]

Trusty and welbeloved, we grete yow well, letting yow wete that our derest cousins, the Kinge and Queene of Spaine, have signified unto us by their sundry letters that the right excellent Princesse, the Lady Katherine, ther daughter, shal be transported from the parties of Spaine aforesaid to this our Realme, about the moneth of Maye next comeinge, for the solempnization of matrimony betweene our deerest sonne the Prince and the said Princesse. Wherfore we, consideringe that it is right fittinge and necessarye, as well for the honor of us as for the lawde and praise of our said Realme, to have the said Princesse honourably received at her arriveall, have appointed yow to be one amonge others to yeve attendance for the receivinge of the said Princesse; willinge and desiringe yow to prepare yourselfe for that intent, and so to continue in redynesse upon an houres warninge, till that by our other letters we shall advertise yow of the day and time of her arrivall, and where ye shall yeve your said attendance; and not to fayle therin, as ye tender our pleasure, the honor of yourselfe, and of this our foresaid Realme.

Yeven under our signet at our manner of Richmount, the xx^ty day of Marche.

[Footnote 161-1: [From the _Paston Genealogy_, compiled by
Sandford, and printed by Mr. Worship, in the _Norfolk
Archæology_.] Catherine of Arragon was expected in England in the
spring of the year 1500, although she did not actually arrive till
October 1501, owing to some alteration of plans.]

1067

RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON[162-1]

_To the right reverent and honurable, my master, Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: Before 1503]

Plesitht it your mastership to remembre, I shewyd onto you in Lente that I had bought Baktons place. Sir, it is so that John Bakton graunted to John Trovy hes sone in lawe, hes mese with all the londes and tenements, &c., takyng of the seide John Trovy viij. marke of annuyte yerly, terme of hes lyf; wherupon endenture were made and a state delyverd. Upon the weche I bargeyned with Trovy, payng to hym for hes parte c. marke and x., wherof he hadde in hande iiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._ and xv_li._ xiij_s._ iiij_d._ shulde be payd at such tyme as I had a lawfull astate, weche was apoynted before Michelmes last past; weche is not yet done. Wherfore he hath forfeted an obligacion of xl_li._ that he was bounde in to me for the same astate; ther was no defaute in me, for my money was there redy. And, sir, in the same weke after your mastership departed out of this contre, Bakton and the seide Trovy come to Bakton, and sent for me, and there were we appoynted for the same bargeyn and accorded, wenynge to me and to all tho that were there it had ben fully concl[uded] . . . . . my suertes and for all other thynges. And sodenly Bakton departed hem be the avice of [the Prior of Bro]mholme, and John Bowle and other, weche meved Bakton that I shulde not have my bargein; and so they entende to putte me from my bergein. And master Fitzlawes, Kn[i]ght, of Esex, hath sent me a letter, weche I sende you closed herin; and at hes enstaunce I have graunted Trovy an ende for vj_li._ and my iiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._, and my costes that I have done on the place, weche with these mony and costes drawith xij_li._ If I may have all thes money payd onto me within xiiij. dayes after Cristemas, I wol take non avauntage of the obligacion, weche Trovy is bounde to me. I suppose Mr. Lawes woll speke to you of thes mater. I beseche you that ye wol be goode master to me herin, for I am lothe to be putte from my bergein. I am in suerte there is no man wol geve so moche for it as I wolde, and they nede not to fere them of ther payment, for I ofer them iiij. suertes, the worste of them is worthe all the lande; yet Bakton mystrustes me, and nede not. If I had it, I wolde truste to make it a goode thynge, for ther is moche thynge ther by that myght be had in to it, weche causeth me to be the more desirous to it. I shewe your mastership the previte of my mynde, trustynge ye wolbe good mastre to me, and I shal pray to God for you and for all youres.

Wreten at Felmyngham, the Saterday next before Sein Marteyn.

Be your servaunt,

R. CALLE.

[Footnote 162-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the mention of
‘Master Fitzlewes, Knight of Essex,’ I am inclined to think this
letter must be of the reign of Henry VII., and addressed to the
later Sir John. Sir Lewis Fitzlewes of West Horndon, in Essex, was
attainted as a Lancastrian in 1471, but the manor was restored to
his son, Sir Richard, by Henry VII., who presented to the living
from 1494 to 1519. The letter, however, must of course be earlier
than 1503, the year in which Sir John Paston died.]

1068

ABSTRACT[163-1]

[RICHARD CALLE] TO [SIR JOHN PASTON?]

[Sidenote: Year uncertain]

Reminds him that four or five years ago he received from the writer ‘certain wainscoat’ and certain fish for his household, a hogshead of wine, spars, ‘clapholt,’ etc. in full discharge of all former debts. Will always be ready to repay what his correspondent has paid for him to the King. Received of him a millstone, price £3, for which Calle gave a ryall in earnest, and delivered 1 quarter cod to Philip Loveday. I am grateful for the pains taken by ‘your mastership’ on my account, etc.

[The handwriting of this letter seems to be that of Richard Calle,
but much older looking than that of most of his letters. As there is
no distinct evidence of date, we place it after another letter of
his, which seems to be late.]

[Footnote 163-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

1069

SIR JOHN KENDAL TO SIR JOHN PASTON[164-1]

_To the right worshipful and my right entierly welbeloved cosin and frende, Sir John Paston, Knight._

[Sidenote: Before 1503]

Right worshipfull sir, I recommaunde me unto you. I wryte this onely unto you, to advise you that I was mynded that my cousin Clippesby,[164-2] berer herof, shuld wele have maryed here in thies partes, wherin your nyce[164-3] toke hevy conceyte, thinking in hir mynde, that I was not willing that my said cousin shulde marye with hir.

At that tyme I knewe not what love was bitwix them, but now I undrestand that bothe there myndes is to mary to geders; wherunto on my parte, I am agreble and wel content, desiring and praying you to be the same, and to be the better frende unto them at this my prayer and instaunce. And what pleasir as I may doo unto you in thies partes shal be redye, in that I may, at your desires. And I pray you to recommaunde me to my cousin your nyce. And Jesu preserve you.

Writen at London, the first day of Juyn.

Your own, the Priour of Saint Johns,

SIR JOHN KENDAL.

[Footnote 164-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Sir John Kendal was
Prior of St. John’s from 1491 to 1501, and probably later, so that
there is nothing clearly to fix the date of this letter, except
that it was written before the death of Sir John Paston in 1503.]

[Footnote 164-2: John Clippesby, Esq. of Oby.]

[Footnote 164-3: Constance, daughter of William Paston, Sir John’s
brother.]

1070

MARGARET, COUNTESS OF OXFORD, TO SIR JOHN PASTON[165-1]

_To my right trusty and hertely wilbilovede sone, Sir John Paston, Knyght._

[Sidenote: Year uncertain]

Right trusty and hertely wilbiloved sone, I recommennde me to you, and send you Godes blyssynge and myn. And where oon John Malpas my olde servaunt, brynger herof, hath purchacede a writt directede to you and othre Justices of Peace in the shires of Norffolk and Suffolk, and also to the Sheryff of the same, for to put hym in pessible possescion in such certayn landes of his, accordynge to the Kynges writt; I pray you therefor hertely, and of my blyssynge charche you that at this my pour request and desir ye wole pute you in your faythfull devoir with othere Justaces associete with you, to see the execuscion doon and performyede accordynge to the saide writt. And Almyghty God evere more preserve you, my nown dere sone.

Writene in my lordes castell of Hethyngham, the xv. day of January.

MARGRET OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 165-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] I see nothing certain
about the date of this letter, except that it must have been
addressed to the later Sir John Paston (for in his brother’s time
the Earl of Oxford was an exile, and his Countess Margaret in
needy circumstances), so that the date must lie between 1488 and
1503. For what reason the Countess calls Sir John her son I cannot
explain.]

[[my nown dere sone.
_spacing unchanged_]]

1071

SIR JOHN PASTON TO WILLIAM PASTON AND RICHARD LIGHTFOOTE[166-1]

_To my brother William Paston and my cosyn Richard Lightfoote, and to iche of theym._

[Sidenote: 1503]

Mastyrs bothe, I recomand me to yow, and send yow closid herin a booke of the seying of dyvers folkis, whiche testyfiee ayenst Thomas Rutty and other. I prey yow shewe it to my lordys[166-2] good lordshepe, and that I may know hys plesur ferther in as hasty wyse as may be, that I may ordre me ther aftyr. I had gret labore to come by the woman that was in servyse with Rutty, whiche sie [_saw_] all ther conversacyons many yeris. She is now in servyse with Richard Calle. And I have Thomas Bange in prison at Norwyche with the Shrevys of Norwych. The woman seythe he is as bold a theffe as eny is in Ingland; but he wyll nowghte confesse, nor I handelyd hym not sore to cause hym to confesse. But and Ruty knewe that he and the woman be in hold, and hathe told talis, I thynke it wyll cause Rutty to shewe the pleynesse.

Clerk and Roger Heron are endightid at this sessyons at Norwyche, last holdyn on Twysday last past, for robbing of the pardoner; and so is Rotty and all his felawshepe that the woman hathe apechid. According to hir apechement, Raff Taylour is over the see; Robert Fenne is dede; John Baker and William Taylour ar yett untakyn. If my lord send for T. Bange or the woman, some of my lordis servauntes had need to come for theym; for I can not do in the cause for lake of men and horse, for my wyff ridith this next week in to Kente, to the wydow, hir doughtir Leghe.

And as for Ramesey, liek a prowde, lewde, obstynat foole, he wyll not come befor my brothe[r] Sir R. Clere, nor me, but he seythe he wyll be with my lord hastyly, and shewe hys mynde to his lordshepe, whiche I beleve not. The substancyall marchantys of Norwyche hathe shewid ther myndys to my brother Sir R. Clere and me that he entendith to William Bayly gret wronge in his reknynges.

[Footnote 166-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is
anonymous, but is in the handwriting of Sir John Paston, the
younger of that name. From the mention of his wife and ‘the widow,
her daughter Leghe,’ it was evidently written not during the life
of Margery Brews, his first wife, who must have died about the
year 1495, but after his marriage to another. This second wife was
Agnes, daughter of Nicholas Morley, Esq., of the well-known family
at Glynd, in Sussex, and had already been twice married before her
marriage with Sir John. Her first husband was John Hervey, Esq. of
Thurleigh, Beds, Usher of the Chamber to King Edward IV. Her
second was John Isley of Sundridge, Kent. By the former she had a
daughter, Isabel, married to John Leghe or Alyghe, Esq. of
Addington, Surrey, who proved his father-in-law’s will in 1494.
She herself survived her own third husband, Sir John Paston, and
died in 1510. Her will, in which she calls herself ‘Dame Agnes
Paston,’ is at the principal registry at Somerset House, dated the
31st May in that year, and proved on the 19th June following. For
these particulars I was indebted to the genealogical researches of
the late Colonel Chester, and _Notes and Queries_, 5th S. ix. 326,
370, 414, 512.]

[Footnote 166-2: The Earl of Oxford.]

1072

THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON[167-1]

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

[Sidenote: After 1503?]

Right worshipfull and right intierly belovyd, I commaund me hartely to you. And where as your broder William, my servaunte, ys so troubelid with sekenes and crasid in his mynde, that I may not kepe hym aboute me, wherfor I am right sory, and at this tyme sende hym to you, prayng especially that he may be kepte surely and tendirly with you, to suche tyme as God fortune hym to be bettyr assurid of hym selfe and his myndes more sadly disposid, whiche I pray God may be in shorte tyme, and preserve you longe in gode prosperite.

Writen at my place in London, the xxvj. day of Juyn.

OXYNFORD.

[Footnote 167-1: [From Douce MS. 393, f. 86.] This letter is
probably later in date than the last, as it would appear that when
the last was written, William Paston was still in the Earl of
Oxford’s service.]

1073

THE EARL OF OXFORD’S STEWARD TO THE ‘BLACK KNIGHT’[168-1]

_Sinescallus Comitis Oxoniæ Nigro Militi._

Non decet Sinescallo tam magni Comitis
Ut Comes Oxoniæ verbis in Anglicis
Scrittere epistolas, vel suis in nuncijs
Aliquid proponere si non in Latinis.

Igitur ille pauperculus prædicti Comitis
Magnus Sinescallus magni Comitatis
Nuncupatur Norff. Latinis in verbis
Apud Knapton in curia in forma Judicis.

Tibi nigro militi salutem, et omnibus
Notifico, quod Langdon ille homunculus
Nullam pecuniam liberare vult gentibus,
Quod est magnum impedimentum nostris operibus.

Idcirco tibi mando sub pœna contemptus,
Quod tu indilate proprijs manubus
Scribas tuas lettras, quod ille homunculus
Copiam pecuniæ deliberet gentibus.

Sin autem per littras has nostras patentes
Ego et operarij, qui sunt consentientes
Omnes una voce promemus suos dentes
Nisi liberet pecuniam, cum simus egentes.

Teste meipso apud Knapton prædicta,
Est et michi testis Maria Benedicta,
Quod vicesimo die Julij non inde relicta
Erat summa solidi, res hæc non est ficta.

[Footnote 168-1: [From Fenn, iv. 458.] The ‘Black Knight,’ to whom
this facetious doggrel was addressed, seems to me to have been
most probably the later Sir John Paston, whose services the Earl
of Oxford, as the reader is aware, continually made use of. The
manor of Knapton came to John, 12th Earl of Oxford, who died in
1462, by his marriage with Elizabeth, grand-daughter of Sir John
Howard.]

1074

EAST BECKHAM[169-1]

[Sidenote: 1503 / FEB. 6]

Where Sir John Paston and Roger Townesende have agreed and promysed to obey as we, Jamys Hobart and John Yaxley will devyse for the varians of the maner of Estbekham: We devyse and a warde that Sir John Paston shall have the seid maner to hym, and to his heires; and he therfor shall paye to the seid Rogyr xl_li._ at Pentecoste nexte, and at Halowmesse nexte aftyr that xl_li._, and at Pentecoste next aftyr that xx_li._; and the same Syr John shall have the arrerages of the seid maner. And if the seid Sir John refuse to have the maner, then the seid Rogyr to have the same maner, with the arrerages as is a forseid, payeng to the seid Sir John the seid C_li._ at the dayes aforseid; and the seid Syr John to geve answer which he will chose the viij. daye of this moneth.

Yevyn the vj. daye of Februarii, anno R. R. H. vij. xviij^o.

And all this to be perfurmyd and put in surte after our avise. And we devise that he that shall have the land, shall paie to th’ other at Halwemes come twelvemonyth, ten mark, besides the seid C_li._, because th’arrerages have ben long in the tenauntes handes.

JOHN YAXLEE.

JAMYS HOBART.

[Footnote 169-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

1075

ARCHBISHOP WARHAM TO WILLIAM PASTON[170-1]

_To my cousyn Master William Paston._

[Sidenote: 1503 / SEPT. 6]