|b{The_Paston_Letters,}
|b{ed._James_Gairdner._Repr._(Microprint,_Gloucester:}
|b{Alan_Sutton_Publishing,_1983).}
|b{vol._3}
|b{pp.1-320}
|b{Note:_"<b>"_often_unbybed.}



|p1


                           |rHenry_VI

                              |r260

                 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON

To my rith wurchipfull brodir, Jon Paston, be this delyveryd.

[1454, Sept. 6] <b> RYTH wurchyfull brodyr, I recomande me to zow,
   desiryng to her of zowr willefar. Byllyng the
   serjant hathe byn in his contre, and he come to
Lundon this weke; he sent for me and ast me how I fared;
I tolde hym her is pestelens, and sayd I fard the better he was
in good hele, for it was noysyd that he was ded. A toke me
to him and ast how my suster dede, and I answeryd wyll,
never better. He seyd he was with the Lord Gray, and they
talkyd of j. jantilman qweche is ward to my Lord -- I re_member
he sayd it was Harry Gray that thei talkyd of; and
my Lord sayd, `I was besy with jn this fewe days to a maryd
hym to a jantyllwoman jn Norfolke that schall have iiij. C.



|p2


marc to hyr mariage, and now a wyll not be me, for iiij. C.
marc wulde do me hese; and now he wulde have his mariage
mony hymself, and therefore (quoth he) he schall mary hym
self for me.'
   This wurds had my Lorde to Byllyng, as he tollde me, he
understod that my Lord laboryd for his owne a vayle, and
consaylyd to byd her be wyse; and I thanlkeyd hym for hys
good consayll.
   I sent zow an answer of zowr letter of Sir Jon Fastolf
comyng hom, as he told me hem self; neverthe lesse he bode
longer than he sayd hymself he schull a do.
   He tolde me he schulde make j. [one] ende be twix
Skroop and my suster wulle he is in Norfolke. Many
wulde it schulde not prove, for thei say it is an onlykkely
mariage.
   In casse Cressener be talkyd of ony mor, he is countyd a
jantyllmanly man and a wurshepfull. Ze knowe he is most
wurchipfull better than I. At the reverens of Good, drawe to
sume conclusyn; it is time.
   My Lord Chanseler come not her sone I come to Lundon,
nether my Lord of Yorke.
   My Lord of Canterbury hathe received hys crosse, and
I was with hym in the kynggs chamber qwan he mad hys
homage. I tolde Harry Wylton the demeanyng betwix the
kyng and hym; it war to long to wrythe.
   As for the prist that dede areste me, I can not understand
that it is the pryste that ze mene.
   Her is gret pestelens. I purpose to fle in to the contre.
My Lord off Oxforthe is come azen fro the se, and he hath
geth hym lytyll thank in this countre. Much more thyng I
wulde wrythe to zow, but I lak lysore.
   Harry Wylton sey the Kyng. My Lord of Ely hathe



|p3


do hys fewthe [his fealty]. God have zow in his blyssyd
kepyng.
   Wretyn at Lundon on the Fryday be for owr Ladys day,
the Natyvite, in gret hast. I pray recomand me to my suster,
and cosyn Cler.
                   Be yowr broder, WM. PASTON.

                              |r261

                            {ABSTRACT}

                              |r262

              RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON
  To the right reverent and worshippfull John Paston, in haste.

[1454 (?), Oct. 6] <b> RIGHT reverent and worshippfull Sir, and my right
   trusti and welbelovid cosin, I recomaund me unto
   you, praiyng you hertily to remembr me unto my
Master Radclyff, so that by your gode meanes I shall mowe



|p4


have his gode mastershipp, the whiche I have effectuelly to
[m]y power sewed fore iij. yer, and never deserved the con_trarye
to my knowlegge, by my trouth; and if it can or
may be founden that I have, I will obeye me, and offre me
to abyde the rewle of you and my cosin your brothir, &c.
   Also my Lord of Caunterbury Master Waltier Bl[a]kette
will help forthe, if nede be; and as to the remenant of the
Lordes, if the case requir that ye may understand by your
wysdum thei be displeased with me -- as I trust to God thei
be not, -- I beseche you to remembr that I have aforetyme
b[en] accused unto the Kings Highnesse and the Quenes for
owyng my pore gode will and service unto my Lord of York
and other, &c. Wherof I suppose that Thomas Bagham is
remembred that I brought hym oones from my Lady a purs
and v. marc therin, and to Sir Phelipp Wenteworth an other
and a Cs. [100S.] therin for their gode will and advise therin
to my Lady and all us that were appelled for that cause, not_withstanding
the King wrote to my Lord by the meanes of
the Duc of Somersette, that we shuld be avoyded from hym,
&c. And within this ij. yer we wer in like wise laboured
ageyns to the Quene, so that she wrote to my Lord to
avoyde us, saiyng that the King and she coude nor myght
in no wyse be assured of hym and my Lady as long as we
wer aboute hym, with much other thing, as may be sufficiently
proved by the Quenes writing under herr own signett and
signe manuell, the whiche I shewd to my Lord of Caunterbury
and other Lordes, &c.
   I prey you have me excused that I encombr you with
thees matiers at this tyme, for me thinketh ye shuld will and
desire me to do any thing to your honour and pleaser at any
tyme, wherto I shal be redy and welwilled to my power by
the grace of God, who have you ever in his keping, and all
youres.
   Writon at Norwiche, on Seint Feithes day, in haste.
                     Youres,               RIC. SUTHWELL.



|p5


                           |r263

           THOMAS HOWES TO [JOHN PASTON ?]

[1454, Oct. or Nov.] <b> PLEASE your maistreship to wete, for as mych as the
   wryt directed to the exchetor cam not tyl in the Vigil
   of Symond and Jude, at viij. of the clocke at evyn,
whiche coude in no wyse profit us that day; notwithstondynge
we had a yoman of my Lords chamber, and were at Cowhaw,
havyng Bertylmeu Elys with us, and ther was Long Bernard
sytting to kepe a court. AId we at the furst Noy come in
the court, and Bertylmeu havynge this termys to Bernard,
seying, `Sir, forasmych as the Kyng hathe grauntyd be hese
lettres patent the wardship with the profites of the londes of
T. Fastolf duryng hese un age to you and T. H., wherfor
I am comyn as ther styward, be ther comaundement, upon
ther pocession to kep court and lete, whiche is of old custum
usyd upon thys day; wherfor I charge you, be the vertu herof,
to seas and kepe outhir court nor lete, for ye have non
autoryte.' Quod Bernard, `I wyll kepe bothe court and lete,
and ye shal non kepe here; for there is no man hath so gret
autoryte.' Than quod Bertylmeu, `I shal sytte by you, and
take a reconysaunce as ye do.' `Nay,' quod Bernard, `I wyl
suffre you to sytte, but not to wryte.' `Well,' quod Bertylmeu,
`thane forsybly ye put us from our pocession, whiche I doute
not but shalbe remembryd you anothir day,' &c. `But, Seres,'
quod he, ` ye that be tenaunts to this manoyr, we charge you
that ye do nowthir seute nor servise, o[r] paye ony rents or
fermys but to the use of John Paston and T.; fo[r] and ye
do, ye shal paye it ageyn; and as for on yeer past, we have
sewyrte of Skylly, whiche hath resevid it of you to ther use.'
And thus we departid, and Bernard kept court and lete.



|p6


   And ther was Ser. P. Wentworth and hise brothir, yong
Hopton, yong Brewse, yong Calthorp, with xxiiij. horse; and
we spoke with non of hem, nor they with non of us, for we
wold not seke upon hem. And we have enteryd in all othir
plasis undir this forme. I wold we had had the wryte betymes
lever than xxs. of myn owne, but it farith thus in many othir
maters, God amende hem.

   Memorandum. -- To sende hom wyn and ij. quart botelys.

                           |r264

                         {ABSTRACT}

                           |r265

           WILLIAM BARKER TO SIR J. FASTOLF
   To myn ryght worshipfull mayster, Sir John Fastolf.

[1454, Nov. 3] <b> PLEASE youre maystership, the cause of myn terying is
   that I must ben at Norwyche on Monday at the shyre
   to stoppe the oughtlawrye of John Porter, wheche but
if be holpen, he shalben dowble oughtlawed bothe atte the sewt



|p7

of the Kyng for a reskuse, as for serteyn money he oweth to on
Hewghe, a man of court. And also the next day I shuld ben,
if it please yow, at Saxthorp with a certeyn person, as I shal
telle youre maystership here after, of whom I shuld have
certeyn evydences of the maner of Saxthorp, and rentall, and
fyrmall as I am promysed. And, Sire, as for alle the maters
that I went fore in to Essex and Suffolk, I have spedde theym,
as I shal declare to youre maystership at myn comyng, and
brought wryghtyng from theym. And as for myn Lord of
Norffolk, towchyng your money, he seyth ye shal have hit with
inne this xiiij. dayes. Hit was his fyrst mater to me after I
hadde delyvered his rynge. The money is redye, but he seyd
that he must have stoor with inne hym, for he loked dayly
whan the Kyng wold send for hym. But as sone as Barette,
his tresorer, come home -- whom he hath sent for money, -- ye.
shall in contynent after have your Cli. [ 100]. I made to his
Lordship as I hadde no thyng know in the mater for onely
for the excuse of Sir Thomas, &c. And I beseche the blessed
Trinyte preserve yow, myn ryght wurshipfull mayster, after
his pleasaunce and youre herts desyre, &c.
   Wreten in hast at Wroxham, the Sonday after Allehallwen
day.
           Youre bedeman and servaunt,      WILLIAM BARKER.

                           |r266

          SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
To the worshypfull and my ryght welbelovyd cosyn, John Paston.

[1454, Nov. 11] <b> WORSHYPFULL and ryght welbelovyd cosyn, I
   comaund me to yow. Lyke you to wete that I
   have resseyved a lettre at thys tyme from John
Bokkyng, wyth a copie of the patent concernyng the warde_shyp
that ye wote off, by whych y understand that ye have
both wrought and holpen by your grete wysdem to bryng thys
matier aboute, whych y desyred your frendshyp and gode avice



|p8


for the suertee of the seyd waarde; and for expedicion of
whych y thank you ryzt hertlye, and pray you to contynew
foorth your gode labours in the same yn such wyse as it may
be made sure ynall wyse, thoy it cost me the more of my gode.
   And where as it ys remembred me by the seyd lettres that
y shuld labour to ghete the seyd ward yn to my gouvernance,
truely y can not see how y coude do it to be doon, for y have
none acqueyntaunce in that contree that y coude trust too,
wythoute the Shyreve myght be my tender frende in thys
cause, or othyr such as ye thynk best. Wherfor y pray yo
hertlye to take thys mater tenderly to hert, and that ye lyke
seke a moyen of such frendys as ye can best avyse, and may
verrayly trust uppon, to gyde thys mater yn such wyse as myne
entent myght be sped for the possession of it; for now that y
have go so ferre yn the matier, I wold not it faylled for no
gode, but it preved well, and toke to a gode conclusion.
   And where as y have understand late, by certeyn well
willers to you warde, whych have meoved me, that yn case the
seyd warde myght be had, that ye desyre an alliaunce shulde
take atwyx a doughter of yours and the seyd waard, of whych
mocion y was ryght glad to hyre off, and wylle be ryght well
wylling and helpyng that your blode and myne myght increse
yn alliaunces. And yff it please yow that by your wysdom and
gode conduyt that ye wolde help beere owte thys mater sub_staunciallie
ayenst my partie contrarie and eville willers, that I
myght have myne entent, I ensure you ye and y shuld appoynt
and accorde yn such wyse as ye shuld hale you ryght well plesed
both for the encresyng of your lynage and also of mye. And
y pray you be ware whom ye make of your counsaille and myne
yn thys mater, and that it may be well bore owte er ye com
thens, and yn a sure wey; and yff y had knowe rathyr |r[i.e.
|rearlier] of your entent, it shuld hafe cost me more of my gode
before thys, to hafe com to a gode conclusion, whych y pro_mysse
yhyt shall bee, and the mater take, by the fayth of my
bodye.
   Worshypfull and ryght welbelovyd cosyn, y pray God
spede you yn thys matier, and sede you your gode desyrs.



|p9


   Wreten at Castr, the xj. day of November anno xxxiijo R.
H. VI.
   Your cosyn,                               JOHN FASTOLFE.

   Item, cosyn, I pray yow when ye see tyme that my Lord of
Caunterbury and my Lord Cromewell may be spoke wyth
for the godes of my Lord Bedford, beyng yn dyvers men
handz, be compelled to be brought ynne, as ye shall see more
along of thys mater, wyth the wrytyngs that I have made
nencion, and left wyth John Bokkyng and William Barker.

                           |r267

               THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON
 To the wurshepfull Sir, and my good Maystyr John Paston,
                at London, in haste.

[1454, Nov. 13] <b> WURSHEPFULL and reverent Sir, and my good
   maistyr, I recomaund me to zow in as delygent
   wyse as on my part apperteineth, and p[le]a[s]e
yow to wete that my maistyr was right well pleasyd with
youre feithefull labour in fulfellyng the patent for the warrd of
A.B.C., and he wyll feithefully labour as ye have avysed hym
be wrytyng of John Bokyng. And putte my maistyr in more
corage, I meovyd to hym upon myn hed that encas be the
child wer wyse, that thanne it wer a good maryage be twen my
wyff youre doutir and hym; and, Sir, my maistyr was glad
whan he herd that moyen, cosetheryng that youre doutyr is
desendyd of hym be the modyr syde. And, Sir, I have
enqwerid aftyr the seyd child, and no dout of but he is lykly
and of gret wyt, as I her be report of sondr personez. And it
is so, as I am credebly enformyd, that Jeffrey Boley maketh
gret labour for maryage of the seyd child to on of hese douterez.
I wold well to hym, but bettyr to yow. Wherfor that ye



|p10


delygently labour for expedecyon of this mater, that encas ye
can fynde ony moyan ther to have the seyd child, and we shal
do feithefully owre delygens in lyke wyse her, as ye avyse
us, &c.
   And, Sir, as ye thynke with avyse of my Maistyr Yelverton,
Jenney, and otherez my maisterez counsell therin, that the
Shereff may be rewardyd, and yif my seyd maisterez counsell
thynke it be to do'n, that thanne ye lyke to take an actyoun
upon anenteynt [an attaint], wheche ye most with them take
upon yow at this tyme in my maisterez absence; for as ye do
in that mater, he woll hold hym content, for Wyllyam Barker
hathe an instruccyon of my maisterez intent upon the same.
And I send John Bokyng a copy of the panell, wheche I shewed
yow at Castr, &c. Almyghty Jesu have yow eternally in hese
mercyfull governaunce.
   Wretyn at Castr, the Wednysday next aftyr Seynt Martyn,
anno xxxiij.
                                                TH. HOWYS.

                            |r268

            SIR THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON
  To the wurshepfull and reverent Sir, my good Maystir
              John Paston, in all goodly haste.

[1454, Nov. 18] <b> REVERENT and wurshepfull Sir, and my good maistyr,
   I recomaund me to yow in as louly wyse as on my part
   aperteineth. And please yow to wete that my maistyr
is fully purposed to sewe ateynte, whereupon he wrytethe a
lettere directyd to yow and otherez, for the wheche I beseke
yow to be my good maystyr in pursewyng the seyd ateynte;
and also my maistyr is agreed what reward ye geve the Shereff
he holdeth hym content. Wherfor, that youre reward may be
the larger, so he woll ther upon returne the panell for the
seyd ateynte; and thanne yef Jenney wold meove my Lord of



|p11


Norffolke that he wold be my good Lord, amyttyng me for
hese chapeleyn, and Jhankyn Porter for hese servaunt, wheche
is hese chek roll, it shuld cause the matere to have the redyer
expedecyon, as well be the Shereff as be the gret jury. And
yef the processe may have so redy sped that it myght be had
be fore my Maystyr Yelwerton in this vaccacyon tyme, it wer a
gret counfort, &c. Beseking yow at the reverence of God, and
as ever my power servyse may be at your comaundement, that
ye effectualy labour this matere in the most spedfull wyse, as
youre descrecyon, with Jenneyez avyse, thinketh most exped_yent;
for I ferre gretly to be outlawed or the seyd processe
shuld be brought to a conclucyon withoute redy processe in the
seyd ateynte. And I here no sewer tydinges of a parlement;
but rather thanne I shuld be outlawed, I wold yeld my self to
preson, wheche shuld be myn undoyng, and thanne to be with
oute remedy. My refformacyon and counforte in eschewyng
that lythe holly in your helpe and Jenneyez at thys tyme, be
cause my maystyr hathe comytted the governaunce of the seyd
matere to yow, and what expense it draweth he agreyth to bere
it, &c.
   I beseke Almyghty Jesu have yow, my good maystyr,
eternaly in hese me[r]cyfull governaunce, and inspyre yow
with hese speryt of remembraunce effectualy to procede in this
matere.
   Wretyn breffly at Castre the Monday next be fore Seynt
Edmond the Kyng, anno xxxiij. Regis H. vjti.
   Item, Sir, as for mony to the sped of this matere, Bokkyng
hathe redy in comaundement to make delevery to yow what
that ye nede, so there shall be no defaute in that, &c.
                                                T. HOWYS.



|p12


                           |r269

               SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
         To my right welbilovyd cosyn, John Paston.

[1454-9].   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
.   .   wise, and for asmoche as it is  .   .    .    .
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   the Lady Hastinges
doughter, as I undrestande  .   .   .   .   .   .  is
lyneally descendid of my Lady Felbrig is sustre .   .   .
.   .   .   .   . she was maried to Sir Hug' Fastolf,
graunsir to this same Thomas; and the Lady Hastinges is
comen of Sir Robert Clyfton, which dwellid besyde Lynne.
I prey yow, cosyn, enquere of my Lady Felbrigge how nygh
they bethe of kynrede, and whethir they mow marie to ghedre
or not, and how many degrees in lynage they bethe a sundre,
for I reporte me to yowr wyse discrescion what the law wol
sey ther ynne.
   Item, it is so that Wyndam came yesterday to Jernemouth,
and is at Stapletons; and this day a man of Stapletons came
to me to wete if they sholde come speke with me or not, and
I have sent Sir Thomas to hem to know ther entent and what
they meane; and also he shal sey unto theym that I woll not
medle ther with but as law and consciens will.
   This is the tydinges that I have; I pray yow send me
some of yours. As towching the North cuntre, Sperling hathe
tolde yow. And God kepe yow. Wretyn at Castre this same
day.                                         J. FASTOLF.



|p13


                           |r270

                EDMUND CLERE TO JOHN PASTON
To my welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, be this delivered.

[1455, Jan. 9] <b> RIGHT welbeloved cosyn, I recomaund me to you, latyng
   you wite such tidings as we have.
   Blessed be God, the Kyng is wel amended, and hath
ben syn Cristemesday, and on Seint Jones day comaunded
his awmener [almoner] to ride to Caunterbury wyth his offryng,
and comaunded the secretarie to offre at Seint Edwards.
   And on the Moneday after noon the Queen came to him,
and brought my Lord Prynce with her. And then he askid
what the Princes name was, and the Queen told him Edward;
and than he hild up his hands and thankid God therof. And
he seid he never knew til that tyme, nor wist not what was
seid to him, nor wist not where he had be whils he hath be
seke til now. And he askid who was godfaders, and the Queen
told him, and he was wel apaid.
   And she told him that the Cardinal was dede, and he seid
he knew never therof til that tyme; and he seid oon of the
wisist Lords in this land was dede.
   And my Lord of Wynchestr and my Lord of Seint Jones
were with him on the morow after Tweltheday, and he speke
to hem as well as ever he did; and when thei come out thei
wept for joye.
   And he seith he is in charitee with all the world, and so



|p14


he wold all the Lords were. And now he seith matyns of Our
Lady and evesong, and herith his Masse devoutly; and Richard
shall tell yow more tidings by mouth.
   I pray yow recomaund me to my Lady Morley, and to
Maister Prior, and to my Lady Felbrigge, and to my Lady
Hevenyngham, and to my cosyn your moder, and to my
cosyn your wife.
   Wreten at Grenewich on Thursday after Twelftheday.
                  Be your cosyn,
                                          EDMUND CLERE.

                           |r271

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p15


                          |r272

            SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
To my right trusty and welbelovyd cosyn, John Paston,
                   in goodly haste.

[1455, Feb. 7] <b> RYGHT trusty and welbelovyd cosyn, I comaund me to
   yow. And please yow to wete that I am avertysed
   that at a dyner in Norwiche, wher as ye and othyr
jentylmen wer present, that that ther were certeyn personez,
jentylmen, whiche utteryd skornefull language of me, as in
thys wyse, with mor, seyeng, `War the, gosune [cousin ?] war,
and goo we to dyner; goo we wher? to Sir John Fastolf, and
ther we shall well paye ther fore.' What ther menyng was,
I knowe well to no good entent to me ward; wherfor, cosyn,
I prey yow, as my truste is in yow, that ye geve me knowelege
be writing what jentylmen they be that had this report with
more, and what mo jentylmen wer present, as ye wold I shuld
and wer my deute to do for yow in semblabyll wyse. And I
shall kepe yowr informatyon in this mater secret, and with
Godds grace so purvey for hem as they shall not all be well
pleasyd. At suche a tyme a man may knowe hese frendes and
hese fooes asonder, &c. Jesu preserve and kepe yow.
   Wretyn at Caster, the vij. day of Feverer, anno xxxiij.
R.H. vjti.                           JOHN FASTOLF, Knyght.



|p16


                            |r273

               THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON
To the right wurshepfull Sir, my good Maystyr John Paston.

[1455] <b> RIGHT worshepfull Sir, and my good maistyr, I re_comaund
   me louly unto you, thankyng youre good
   maystyrshep for your good remembraunce for the
cherche of Stokysby, wherupon I have desyred my trusty
frend, Wylliam Worcestre, to come be the Abot homward,
besekyng you to avertyse hym youre good avyse how he may
be have hym best in this mater to the seyd Abot, etc. And,
Sir, en cas ye myght be at a leyser to be with my mayster
upon Thursday next comyng, forasmyche as Maistyr Yelvyrton
and Jenney shal be her, ye shuld do my maistir ryght gret
pleasure. And I beseke you the rather for my sake, for at
that tyme the conveyaunce of al materez shal be comounyd
of; and I know verely your avyse shall peyse depper in my
maisterys conceyt thanne bothyn thers shal do. Ye have dayly
gret labour for me, God reward yow, and my pore preyer ye
shall have, &c. I beseke Almyghti Jesu have you in hese
mercyfull governaunce, and graunt you evyr that may be to
your most herte plessaunce, &c.
              Your chapeleyn and bedeman,
                                           THOMAS HOWYS.



|p17


                          |r274

       THE ABBOT OF ST. BENET'S TO JOHN PASTON
To my ryght well be lovyd John Paston, Esquyer, be this delivered.

[1455, March 17] <b> WURCHEPEFULL Sire, and right well be lovyd, I
   grete yow well, desyryng to here of youre well
   fare, praying you interlych to bie with me at dyner
on Seynt Benett day, the whiche xall be on Friday next
comyng, or ell[es] in brief tyme covenable to your ease, to
th'entent that I may commoun wyth yow of divers maters,
the whiche I purpose to have a doo in be your good advyse,
and in on especyall as for the chirche of Stokesby, whiche I
understand xall moche be reulyd after your advyse and con_tent;
tristyng our communicacion had in the seyd [matters]
xall cause pees and pleaser to all parties be leve of our Lord,
the whiche Lord mote preserve you in all goode.
   Wreten in my Monastery the xvij. day of Marche.
                   Be your good frend,
                                         THE ABBOT OF S. BENETTS.

                           |r275

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p18


                           |r276

          SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.
  To myn ryght weel beloved cosyn, John Paston, Squier.

[1455, March 29] <b> WORSHIPFULL cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow.
   And lyke yow to wete that at this tyme I sende
   to yow myn welbeloved frende and servant, Sir
Thomas Howys, to have youre good councell and advyse how
and in what wyse he may best be demened there at this tyme
in his yeldyng to the Sheref upon his exigend, wheche is and
shal be V. tymes called as on Monday next comyng, as I
understande; and, the same by good and discrete advyse con_cluded
and sette in a good weye by sewertes found to appere at
London the day of the retorn of the wrytte or otherwyse, that
thenne if ye thenke hit be to do'n [to do], ye lyke to take upon
yow to comon with myne Lord of Norwyche, recomaundyng
me to hys good and tender Lordship, and declaryng to hym
how and in what wyse the seyd Sir Thomas was demened in
the oyer and determyner, and sethe how he hath wrongously and
with ought cause be vexed by John Andrews and other, and
greetly trowbled, wherupon this atteynt now is grownded, in
such wyse as ye thenk best to be done; and that his Lordship
by youre medyacion here after geve not any favore to any
persone or persones on myne contrarye partye for any synystre
informacion geven other wyse than the trought in the mater
shal require, as he shal weel understande by youre good
reporte, for ye know the same mater weel. Wherfore, cosyn,
I praye yow that ye wole tender the same for the weel and
good speed therof, as myne syngler trust is in yow. And the
blessed Trinyte preserve yow to his pleaser.
   In hast, at Castre, the xxix. day of Marche.
                      Youre,               JOHN FASTOLF, Chr.



|p19


   Item, cosyn, I sende youre a lettre to delyver to myne
seyd Lord with a copye of the same, wheche I praye yow to
se, and if ye thenk hit be to do'n, delyveret [deliver it] youre
self, &c., to th'entent he myght know the disposicion of the
pepul how they be sette, &c.; for he weel advertysed in this
mater shalbe a greet supporter of trought in this be half, for
the partye contrarye wole do'n that they can to labore the
jure, and don to have theym rewled after theyr entent and
contrary to trought; wheche mater I remytte ondly to youre
ryght wyse discrecion.

                           |r277

       SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK

[1455, March |r(?)] <b> RIGHT hy and myghty Prynce, my right gode and
   gracyous Lord, I recomaund me to your gode Lord_ship,
   etc. And please itt your Hyghnesse to wete
that Sir Philip Wenteworth purchasid the Kyngs patentis of
the ward of the heyer and londes of a por kynnesman of
myne called John Fastolf of Cowhawe, late passed to God,
to the grett hurte and distruccion as well of the inherit_ance
of the seyd heyer as interrupcion and breking of the
last will of the seyd John, and also to my grett troble and
dammage; and for asmoche as it fortowned be grase the seyd
patentes to be mystake, so that they were not laufull ne
suffycyent, be avyce of conceyll, certeyn persones, to myn
use, purchesid be the Kyngs letters patentes suffycyent and
laufull of the ward of the seyd londes. And the rigth of thes
bothe patentes hath be putte in juges and lerned men, affor



|p20


hom the seyd Sir Philipp ne his conceyll cowd never prove hes
tytill lawfull be his seyd patents, and this notwithstanding in_tendith
be fors, as I understand, to take the profytes of the
seyd londes ageyns all lawe and concyence. Beseching your
Lordchip to tender me in myn age and sekenesse that may
not ryde ne help myself, and of your habundant grace to
supporte me in my right, that I be not be fors ageyns lawe
and concyence kepte from the possescion of the seyd londes
in this contre, wher ye be Pryce and Sovereyn ext owr
Sovereyn Lord.

   The following memoranda occur on the back: -- 

          Br[adwe]ll juxta Jernemut.
          Kirley juxta Leystoft, viijli.
          Foxhole . . . . . . .               }
          Cowhaw in Nakton                    }  xv.iijli.
            on this side Yepiswich, iij. myl, }
          Langston in Brustall,          }
            ij. myle beyond Yepiswich,   }       iijli.
          Bentele, ij. mile beyond Brustall, xiiijli. |r(?)

                           |r278

       SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK

[1455, April 2] <b> RIGHT high and myghty Prynce, my right noble and
   good Lord, in my right humble wyse I recomaunde
   me to your good grace. And for the noble lordship
and supportacion shewid unto me at all tymes, I beseche our
Lord God guerdon yow, where as I may not, but only as
yowr daily and contynuell bedeman, now in myn age, pray for



|p21


the good prosperite of youre right highe and noble estate, as I
am gretly bounde to doo; prayng tendirly yowre Highnesse
to contynue yowre good lordship and supportacion in the
materes touchyng your servaunt John Porter and my pore
Chappelleyn Sir Thomas Howes, trustyng verily to God that,
with the supportacion of your good Lordship, there mater
shall yette come to a good conclusion in punisshyng of perjure
and embracery that many yeris hathe ben and yette is usid in
this shire, whiche were grete merite, and to my conceyte, in
yow that ar soo noble a Prynce, a singler renoune, as for the
beste dede that may be doo for the weel of bothe shires.
   And in like wise that it please youre right good grace
to contynue youre noble favour and supportacion to me in
remedyeng the force doon by Sir Philip Wentworth, kepyng
now wrongful possession of certeyn londes in Suffolk, nygh
youre Castel of Framyngham; whiche londs certeyn of my
frendes, to myn use, have of the Kyngs graunte by his lettres
patent byfore ony patent that the seid Sir Philip hathe, whiche
is my singler matier in my owen parte that I have now to
doo, as my cosyn Paston can enforme yowr Lordship, for he
knowith the mater and myn hole entente, to whom your good
grace lyke to yife credence. He cometh to awaite upon your
Lordship at this tyme, as I understande, by my cosyn youre
servaunt Richard Suthwell, youre Lordship desired.
   Right highe and myghty Prynce, my noble and right good
Lord, I beseche the Holy Goste be with yow, and evere more
sende yow the accomplishment of youre right noble desires to
his plesir and youres.
   Writen at my pore place of Castre, the ijde day of Aprill.
              Your humble man and servaunt,
                                                J. FASTOLF.



|p22


                           |r279

                         {ABSTRACT}

                           |r280

                         {ABSTRACT}



|p23


                           |r281

                         {ABSTRACT}

                           |r282

                    |rMEMORIAL TO HENRY VI
                     Tradatur J. P.

[1455, May 21] <b> MOSTE Cristen Kyng, ryght hygh and myghty Prince,
   and our mooste redoubted souverayn Lorde, we
   recomaunde ws as humblye as we suffice unto your
hygh excellence, where unto please it to wete that for so
moche as we hyre and understand to our grettyst sorowe
erthlye that our ennemyes of approuved experience, such as
abyde and kepe theym sylf under the whyng of your Magestee
Royall, have throwen unto the same ryght stedyousely and
ryght fraudulentlye manye ambyguytees and doubtes of the
fayth, lygeaunce, and dewtee that, God knowyth, we beere
unto your Hyghnesse, and have put theym yn as grete devoyr
as they coude to enstraunge ws from your mooste noble
presonce and from the favour of your goode grace; whych



|p24


goode grace to ws ys and owe to be our singuler and mooste
desyred yoie and consolacion: We at thys tyme be comyng
wyth grace as your true and humble liege men, toward your
seyd Hygh Excellence to declare and shew therto at large
owr sayd fayth and ligeaunce, entendyng wyth the mercye of
Jesu yn the seyd comyng, to put ws yn as diligent and hertye
devoyr and dewtee as onye your lyege men on lyve to that at
may avaunce or preferre the honnour and wellfare off the sayd
Mageste Royalle and the seurte of the sayd most notable
person; the whych [we] beseche our blessed Creature to
prosper [in] as grete honnor, yoie, and felicitie as ever had
onye prince erthlye, and to your sayd Hyghnesse so to take,
accept, and repute ws, and not to plese to geve trust or con_fidence
unto the sinistrez, maliciouse, and fraudulent laboures
and rapportes of our sayd ennemyes unto our comyng to your
sayd moste noble presence; where unto we beseche humblye
that we may be admitted as your liege men, to th'entent to
show ws the same; wheroff yerstenday we wrote our lettres of
our entent to the ryght reverent fadre yn God, the Arche_bysshop
of Caunterburye, your Chauncellr of England,to be
shewed to your sayd Hyghnesse, whereoff, forsomoch as we
be not acerteyned whethyr our sayd entent be by hys fadre_hode
shewed unto your seyd goode grace or not, we sende
thereoff unto thys closed a copy of our said lettres of our
disposicion toward your sayd Hygh Excellence and the
honnour and weele of the land, whereynne we wolle per_severe
wyth the grace of our Lorde.



|p25


                           |r283

               |rTHE_BATTLE_OF_ST._ALBANS
               Bellum apud Seynt Albons.

[1455, May 21-22] <b> BE yt knowen and hadde in mynde that the xxj. day of
   May the xxxiij. zere of the regne of Kyng Herry the
   Sext, our sovereigne Lord Kyng toke his jurnay from
Westmynster toward Seynt Albones, and rested at Watford
all nyght; and on the morwe be tymes he cam to Seynt
Albones, and wyth him on his partye assembled under his
baner the Duyke of Bockigham, the Duke of Somersete, the
Erle of Penbrok, the Erle of Northumburlond, the Erle of
Devynsshire, the Erle of Stafford, the Erle of Dorsete, the
Erle of Wyltsshire, the Lorde Clyfford, the Lord Dudley, the
Lord Burneys, the Lord Rose, wyth other dyversse knyghtes,
squyeres, and other gentilmen and yemen to the nounbre of
ijml [2000] and moo. And upon the xxij. day of the seyde
moneth above rehersed assembled the Duyk of Yorke, and
wyth hym come yn companye the Erle of Salesbury, the Erle
of Warrewyke with diverse knyghtes and squyers unto ther
partye into the felde, called the Key Feld, besyde Seynt
Albones. Fyrthermore, oure seyd sovereyne Lord the Kyng,
heryng and knowyng of the seyde Dukes comyng with other
Lordes afore seyde, pygth his baner at the place called Boslawe
in Seynt Petrus Strete, whych place was called afore tyme past
Sandeforde, and commaundeth the warde and barrers to be
kepte in stronge wyse; the for seyde Duyk of York abydyng
in the feld aforeseyde frome vij. of the clokke in the morn tyl
yt was al most x. without ony stroke smeton on eyther partye.
The seyde Duke sende to the Kyng our sovereyne Lord, be
the avyse of his councell, prayng and be sekyng hym to take
him as his true man and humble suget; and to consider and
to tender at the reverence of Almyghty God, and in way of



|p26


charite the true entent of his comyng -- to be good and
gracyous sovereyne Lorde to his legemen, whech with al ther
power and mygth wille be redy at alle tymes to leve and dye
with hym in his rigth. And to what thyng yt shoulde lyke
his Mageste Ryall to commaunde hem, yf yt be his worsship,
kepyng right of the Croune and welffare of the londe; `More
over, gracyous Lord, plese yt zour Majeste Ryall of zour
grete goodnesse and ryghtwesnesse to enclyne zour wille to
here and fele the ryghtwyse partye of us zoure sugettes and
legemen; fyrst, prayng and besechyng to oure Lord Jesus of
his hye and myghty power to geve un to zou vertu and
prudence, and that thorugh the medyacyon of the glorious
martyr Seynt Albon to geve zou very knowleche to knowe
the entent of oure assembleng at this tyme; for God that is
[in] Heven knoweth than our entent is rightful and true.
And there fore we pray unto Al myghty Lord Jesus these
wordes -- Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostr. Wherefore,
gracyus Lord, plese it your hyghe Majeste to delyvere such
as we wole accuse, and they to have lyke, as they have
deserved and done, and ze to be honorabled and worsshepyt
as most ryghtffull Kyng and oure governour. For and we
shall now at this tyme be promysed, as afore this tyme ys not
unknowen, of promes broken whech ful fayth fully hath ben
promysed, and there upon grete othes made, we wyll not
now cesse for noon such promysse, surete, ne other, tyl we
have hem whych hav deserved deth, or elles we to dye
there fore.'
   And to that answered the Kyng our sovereyne Lord, and
seyde: `I, Kyng Herry, charge and comaund that no maner
persone, of what degre, or state, or condicyon that evere he
be, abyde not, but voyde the felde, and not be so hardy to
make ony resystens ageyne me in myn owne realme; for I
shall knowe what traytor dar be so bold to reyse apepull in
myn owne lond, where thorugh I am in grete desese and
hevynesse. And by the feyth that I owe to Seynt Edward
and to the Corone of Inglond, I shal destrye them every
moder sone, and they be hanged, and drawen, and quartered,
that may te taken afterward, of them to have ensample to alle



|p27


such traytours to be war to make ony such rysyng of peple
withinne my lond, and so traytorly to abyde her Kyng and
governour. And, for a conclusyon, rather then they shall
have ony Lorde here with me at this tyme, I shall this day,
for her sake, and in this quarrell my sylff lyve or dye.'
   Wych ansuere come to the Duke of Yorke, the wheche
Duke, by the avyce of the Lordes of hys Counceill, seyde
unto hem thise wordes: `The Kyng our sovereyne Lord will
not be reformed at our besechyng ne prayer, ne wylle not
understonde the entent that we be comen heder and assembled
fore and gadered at this tyme; but only ys full purpose, and
there noon other wey but that he wole with all his power
pursue us, and yf ben taken, to geve us a shameful deth,
losyng our lyvelode and goodes, and our heyres shamed for
evere. And ther fore, sythe yt wole be noon othere wyse but
that we shall ootterly dye, better yt ys for us to dye in the
feld than cowardly to be put to a grete rebuke and asshamefful
deth; more over, consederyng yn what peryle Inglonde stondes
inne at thys owre, therefore every man help to help power for
the ryght there offe, to redresse the myscheff that now regneth,
and to quyte us lyke men in this querell; preyng to that
Lord that ys Kyng of Glorye, that regneth in the kyngdom
celestyall, to kepe us and save us this day in our right, and
thorugh the helpe of His holy grace we may be made strong
to with stonde the grete abomynable and cruell malyse of
them that purpose fully to destrye us with shameful deth.
We ther fore, Lord, prey to The to be oure confort and
Defender, seyng the word afore seyde, Domine sis clipeus defen_sionis
nostr.'
   And whanne this was seyde, the seyde Duke of Yorke,
and the seyd Erle of Salesbury, and the Erle of Warrewyk,
betwene xj. and xij. of the clocke at noon, the broke into the
toun in thre diverse places and severelle places of the fore
seyd strete. The Kyng beyng then in the place of Edmond
Westby, hunderdere of the seyd toun of Seynt Albones,
comaundeth to sle alle maner men of lordes, knyghtes, end
squyeres, and zemen that myght be taken of the for seyde
Dukes of York. Thys don, the fore seyde Lord Clyfford



|p28


kept strongly the barrers that the seyde Duke of York myght
not in ony wise, with all the power that he hadde, entre ne
breke into the toun. The Erle of Warrewyk, knowyng ther
offe, toke and gadered his men to gedere and ferosly brake in
by the gardeyne sydes betuene the signe of the Keye and the
sygne of the Chekkere in Holwell strete; and anoon as they
wer wyth inne the toon, sodeynly the blew up trumpettes, and
sette a cry with asshout and a grete voyce, `A Warrewe! A
Warrewyk! A Warrewyk!' and into that tyme the Duke of
York mygth nevere have entre into the toun; and they with
strong hond kept yt, and myghttyly faught to gedere, and
anoon, forth with after the brekyng in, they sette on them
manfully. And as of Lordes of name were slayn the Lord
Clyfford, the Duke of Somersete, the Erle of Northumber_lond,
Sir Bartram Entuwysselle, Knynght; and of men of
courte, Wyllyam Zouch, John Batryaux, Raaff of Bapthorp
and hys sone, Wyllyam Corbyn, squyers; William Cotton,
receyver of the Ducherye of Lancastre; Gylbert Starbrok,
squyer; Malmer Pagentoun, William Botelore, yomen; Rogere
Mercroft, the Kynges messanger; Halyn, the Kynges porter;
Raufe Wyllerby; and xxv. mo, whych her names be not zet
knowen. And of hem that ben slayn ben beryed in Sent
Albonos xlviij. And at this same tyme were hurt Lordes of
name -- the Kyng, our sovereyne Lord, in the neck with an
arrowe; the Duke of Bukingham, with an arrowe in the
vysage; the Lord of Stafford in the hond, with an arowe;
the Lord of Dorsette, sore hurt that he myght not go, but he
was caryede hom in a cart; and Wenlok, Knyght, in lyke
wyse in a carte sore hurt; and other diverse knyghtes and
squyers sore hurt. The Erle of Wyldsshyre, Thorpe, and
many other flede, and left her harneys behynde hem cowardly,
and the substaunce of the Kynges partye were dyspoyled of
hors and harneys. This done, the seyde Lordes, that ys to
wote, the Duke of Yorke, the Erle of Salesbury, the Erle of
Warrewyke, come to the Kyng, our sovereyne Lord, and on
here knees be soughte hym of grace and foryevenesse of that
they hadde doon yn his presence, and be sought hym of his
Heynesse to take hem as hys true legemen, seyng that they



|p29


never attendyde [intended] hurt to his owne persone, and ther
fore [the] Kyng oure sovereyn Lord toke hem to grace, and
so desyred hem to cesse there peple, and that there shulde no
more harme be doon; and they obeyde hys commaundement,
and lote make a cry on the Kynges name that al maner of
pepull shulde cesse and not so hardy to stryke ony stoke more
after the proclamacyon of the crye; and so cessed the seyde
batayle, Deo gratias.
   And on the morwe the Kyng and the seyde Duke, with
other certeyn Lordes, come in to the Bysshops of London,
and there kept resydens with joye and solempnyte, concludyng
to holde the parlement at London, the ix. day of July next
comyng.

                          |r284

              |rTHE_BATTLE_OF_ST._ALBANS

[1455, May 22] <b> THE solecytouriz and causerys of the feld takyng at
   Seynt Albonys, ther namys shewyn her aftyr: --

                The Lord Clyfford.
                Rauff Percy.
                Thorpe.
                Tresham and Josep.

   The inony [enemy's] batayle was in the Market-place, and
the Kynges standard was pight, the Kynge beynge present
with these Lordes, whos namys folwe: --

The Duke of Bokyngham.
The Duke Somyrcete.           With many Knyghtes and
The Erle Devynshire.          Squyeriz, to the noumbre
The Erle of Northeombirlond.  in alle that faught that day
The Erle Stafford.            iijml. [3000], and it was done
The Erle Dorcete.             on Thursday last past atwyx
The Lord Clyfford.            xj. and xij. at mydday.
The Lord Ros.



|p30


   The namys of the Lordes that were on the othir party
shewyn here aftyr: --

The Duke of York.
The Erle of Salysbury.           With many otheriz, to
The Erle of Warwyk.              the noumbre of vml. [5000]
The Lord Clynton.                men.
Sir Robert Ocle.

   And Sir Rober Ocle tok vjc. [600] men of the Marchis,
and tok the Market-place or ony man was war; than the
larum belle was ronge, and every man yed to harneys, for at
that tyme every man was out of ther aray, and they joynid
batayle anon; and it was done with inne di. |r[i.e._one_half]
houre, and there were slayn the men, whos namys folwyn: --

The Duke Somyrcete.             With many othir men, to
The Erle Northombirlond.        the noumbre of iiijc [400],
The Lord Clyfford.              and as many or mo hurt.
The Lord Clynton.               The Kynge was hurt with
Sir Bartyn at Wessyll.          an harwe in the necke. The
Babthorpe and hese sone.        Duke of Bukkyngham hurt,
Cotton, Receyvour of the        and fled in to the Abbey.
   Duchye.                      The Erle Devynshire hurt.
Gryphet, Ussher of Hall.        The Erle Stafford and Dor_cetyr
Herry Loweys.                   gretly hurt. Fylongley
Wyllyam Regmayde.               faught manly, and was shet
John Raulyns. Asple.            thorwe the armys in iij. or
Harpour, Yoman of the Croune.   iiij. placys.

   The Duke of Norfolke come a day aftyr the jurney was
done with vjmll. [6000] men.
   And the Erle of Oxinford also.

The Erle of Shrewysbury,
Lord Crumwelle,                 with xmll.[10,000] men were
And Sir Thomas Stanley,         comynge.

   The Kynge with all the Lordes come to London to West_menstyr
on Fryday, at vj. of clocke at aftyr none, and London
went a generalle processyon the same day.



|p31


                          |r285

                JOHN CRANE TO JOHN PASTON
  Unto my worshipfull and welbeloved cosyn, John Paston,
              be this lettre delivred in hast.

[1455, May 25] <b> RIGHT worshipfull and entierly welbeloved Sir, I re_commaunde
   me unto you, desiring hertly to here of
   your welfare. Furthermore lettyng you wete, as for
such tydinges as we have here, such [these] thre Lordes be
dede, the Duke of Somerset, the Erle of Northombrelonde,
and the Lord Clyfford; and as for any other men of name, I
knowe noon save only Quotton of Cammbrigeshire. As for
any other Lordes, many of theym be hurt; and as for Fen_yngley,
he lyveth and fareth well, as fer as I can enquere, &c.
   And as for any grete multytude of people that ther was,
as we can tell, ther was at most slayn [x] vj. score. And as
for the Lordes that were with the Kyng, they and her men
wer pilled and spoyled out of all their harneys and horses;
and as for what rule we shall have yit I wote nett, save only
ther be made newe certayn officers.
   My Lord of Yorke, Constabil of Englande; my Lord of
Warweke is made captayn of Calyes; my Lord Burgchier is
made Treasorer of Englande; and as yit other tydinges have
I none.
   And as for our soverayn Lorde, thanked be God, he hathe
no grete harme.
   No more to you at this tyme, but I pray you send this
lettyr to my Maistresse Paston, when ye have sene hit; preyng
you to remembre my systir Margrete ageyne the tyme that
she shal be made nonne.
   Written at Lamehith, on Witsonday, &c.
                      By your cosyn,
                                                   JOHN CRANE.



|p32


                           |r286

                        {ABSTRACT}

                          |r287

         WILLIAM BARKER TO WILLIAM WORCESTER
  To William Worcester, be this lettre delyvered in hast.

[1455, June] <b> SIR, I recomaunde me to yow; and as for tydyngs, ye
   may enforme myn mayster, there is non but that he
   hath knowleche of, but that the Kyng, the Quene, and
the Prynce remeven to Hertford to morwen withought faute;
myn Lord York to the Fryres at Ware; myn Lord Warwyk
to Hunesdon; the Erle Salysburye to Rye; and there they
shall abyde to tyme the Parlement be gynne.
   The Duk Buk is come inne, and sworn that he shal be
rewled, and draw the lyne with theym; and ther to he and
his brethern ben bounde by reconysaunce in notable summes
to abyde the same.
   The Erle of Wylts sent to the Lordes from a place of his,
called Peterfeld, a lettre desyring to know if he shuld come,



|p33


and abyde abought the Kynges persone as he dede be fore;
and if he shuld not, than that they wold lycence hym to goon
in to Erland, and leve there upon his landes, &c., and before
this don, the Lordes were advysed to have made hym to don
as the Duk Buk hath don, and no more; but what that wolle
falle now therof, no man can telle as yet.
   The Baron of Dudley is in the Towre; what shal come
of hym, God wote. The Erle of Dorsete is in warde with
the Erle of Warrwyk.
   Hit was seyd, for sothe, that Harpere and ij. other of the
Kynges chamber were confedered to have steked the Deuk
York in the Kynges chamber; but hit was not so, for they
have clered theym therof.
   But London upon the same tale areysen, and every man
to harneys on Corpus Christi even, and moche adoo there
was.
   Syr William Oldhall a bydeth no lenger in Seyntwery than
the Chef Juge come, for that tyme he shal goo at large, and
sewe all his maters himself, &c.
   The Baron Dudley hath appeched many men; but what
they ben, as yet we can not wete. Sir Phillyp Wentworth
was in the feld, and bare the Kynges standard, and kest hit
down and fled. Myn Lord Norffolk seyth he shal be hanged
therfore, and so is he worthy. He is in Suffolk now. He
der not come abought the Kynge.
   Edmond Stendale was with Wenlok there in the feld, and
ffowly hurt.
   Fylongley is at home at his owen place with his wyf, and
shal doe ryght weel; but we have a greet losse of his absence
this terme, for hit wole be longe er he come this terme, I am
a ferde.
   Alle the Lordes that dyed at the jorney arn beryed at
Seynt Albones.
   Other thinges ben non here, but ye shal sene by Thomas
Scales lettre the rewle of the Frenshemen, &c.
   God spede us weel in our matres this terme, I praye to
God, who have yow in his kepyng, &c.
                                                      W.B.



|p34


                          |r288

         THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO JOHN PASTON
  To oure right trusti and welbelovid John Paston, Esquier.
               The Duchesse of Norffolk.

[1455, June 8] <b> RIGHT trusti and welbelovid, we grete you hertili weel.
   And for as muche as it is thought right necessarie for
   divers causes that my Lord have at this tyme in the
Parlement suche persones as longe unto him, and be of his
menyall servaunts, wherin we conceyve your good will and
diligence shal be right expedient, we hertili desire and pray
you that at the contemplacion of thise oure lettres, as our
special trust is in you, ye wil geve and applie your voice unto
our right welbelovid cosin and servaunts, John Howard and
Syr Roger Chambirlayn, to be Knyghts of the shire, exorting
all suche othir as be your wisdom shal now be behovefull, to
the good exployte and conclusion of the same.
   And in your faithful attendaunce and trewe devoyre in
this partie, ye shal do unto my Lord and us a singlere pleasir,
and cause us herafter to thank you therfore, as ye shal holde
you right weel content and agreid, with the grace of God, who
have you ever in his keping.
   Wreten in Framlyngham Castel, the viij. day of June.

                          |r289

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p35


                          |r290

            SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON

[1455 |r(?)]       .       .       .       .       .       .       .
       .       .       .       .       . J. FASTOLF.
   More overe, cosyn, I pray yow concyder . . . that yff
the plees for the mater ye [wit off] may be engroced be tyme
or the Courtys remefe, hyt may stand yn more suertee; and
ellys hyt wille stand yn a jubardye as to alle that hathe be
spended and doon heere before. And therfor, savyng your
better avice, I had lever ye were at London a weke the rather
and tymelyer then a weke to late. I pray yow doth somwhate
aftyr my councell as I wolle do by youres.



|p36


                          |r291

                WILLIAM PRYCE TO JOHN PASTON
  The copy of a Letter sent to John Paston be the Undir_Shreve
                       of Norff.

[1455, June 19] <b> RYGHT worchepfull Sir, I recomaund me on to you, &c.
   And, Sir, as for the eleccion of the Knyghts of the
   shire here in Norffolk, in good feyth her hath ben
moch to do; nevir the latyr, to lete yow have knowlech of
the demenyng, my Master Berney, my Master Grey and ye
had grettyst voyse, and I purpose me, as I woll answer God,
to retorne the dieu eleccion, that is aftir the sufficiente, yow
and Mastir Grey; nevir the latyr I have a master.
   Wretyn at Hederset, the Thursday next befor Midsomer.
                         By                WILL'M PRYCE.

                          |r292

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p37


                          |r293

           SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
        To my ryght trusty cosyn, John Paston.

[1455, June 22] <b> WORSHYPFULL Sir and cosyn, I commaund me to
   yow. And lyke yow wete that accordyng to your
   desyre I sende John Russe to yow to hafe your
informacion of such materis as shall be thought exspedient to
be laboured yn your absence for the mater of Wentworth, and
hafe geve hym in commaundment to entend it in all that he
can or may. And, Cosyn, he hath a lettre of credence to the
baylly of Dedham because of doubt of syght of the baylly ys
lettre ther for disclosyng, &c., to do after the wrytyng of
T. Denys. And y sende yow ij. lettres com to me from
London that maketh mencyon of grete besynesse ayenst us,
and an accion toke ayenst yow, Howys, Bokkyng, &c., that
most nedys be tendred; in case an essoyn can be take, so
moche the better. And therfor, cosyn, at reverence of God,
dispose yow to London yn all the haste that ye can. For the
atthacment can not be tille ye com. And on partie adverse
besyeth hem sore in your absence, facies hominis facies leonis.
And I have worde yn a nothere lettre that my Lord Chaun_cellor
ys yn the lyke wyse disposed yn owre one syde, and
therfor that ye kepe hym ynne to helpe bere the favour of
thys mater yn all wyse; And Byngham Justys ys full well
disposed also. Dyvers new processe ys ayenst Sir Thomas.
And all othere materis I commyt to your discrecion; yf nede
be, I com thedre my sylf. Y pray God kepe yow. Wryt
hastly uppon Sonday before Seynt John Baptiste. -- Your
cosyn,                                      J. FASTOLF.

   Item, after that I have word from yow, so wolle I be



|p38


gouverned, and com to London yff ye sende me worde,
and that I hafe word from yow yf nede be bytyme from
London.

                          |r294

             JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON
  To my wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Esquier.

[1455, June 24] <b> MI Maister Paston, I recomaunde me to you. And
   wher ye shulde be enformed that I shulde sey to
   Howard that ye labored to be Knyght of the
shire, I seid never soo to hym. I tolde my Lord of Norffolk
atte London that I labored diverse men for Sir Roger Chaum_berleyn,
and they seid to me they wolde have hym, but not
Howard, in asmeche as he hadde no lyvelode in the shire, nor
conversement |r[i.e._acquaintance?]; and I asked them hom
they wolde have, and they seid they wolde have you, and thus
I tolde hym. And he seid on avysely, as he kan doo full well,
I myght not sey ye labored ther, for I herde never sey ye
labored therfor, be the feithe I vowe to God.
   As for this writ of the Parlement of Norwich, I thanke
you that ye will labour ther in; as for my frendys ther, I
truste right well all the aldermen, except Broun and sech
as be in his dawnger. I prey you spekith to Walter Jeffrey
and Herry Wilton, and maketh them to labour to your entent.
I prey you that yf ye thenke that it wull not be, that it like
you that to sey that ye meve it of your self, and not be my



|p39


desire. Sum men holde it right straunge to be in this Parle_ment,
and me thenketh they be wyse men that soo doo.
   Wreten atte Intewode, on Sceint John day, in hast.
                   Your servaunt,
                                               JOHN JENNEY.

                          |r295

              JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON
    To my wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Squier.

[1455, June 25] <b> MI wurshipfull maister, I recomaunde me to you; and I
   thanke you that it plesith you to take seche labour
   for me as ye doo. My servaunt tolde me ye desired
to knowe what my Lord of Norffolk seid to me whan I spake
of you; and he seid in asmeche as Howard myght not be, he
wolde write a lettre to the Under-Shreve that the shire shulde
have fre eleccion, soo that Sir Thomas Todenham wer not,
nor none that was toward the Duc of Suffolk; he seid he
knewe ye wer never to hym ward. Ye may sende to the
Under-Shreve, and see my Lord lettre. Howard was as
wode as a wilde bullok; God sende hym seche wurshipp as
he deservith. It is a evill precedent for the shire that a
straunge man shulde be chosyn, and no wurshipp to my
Lord off Yorke, nor to my Lord of Norffolk to write for
hym; for yf the jentilmen of the shire will suffre sech in_convenyens,
in good feithe, the shire shall not be called of
seche wurshipp as it hathe be.
   Wreten atte Intewode, this Wednesday next after Sceint
John, in hast.       Your servaunt,
                                             JOHN JENNEY.



|p40


                          |r296

             ALICE CRANE TO MARGARET PASTON
To my cosyn, Margeret Paston, be this letter delyvred.

[About 1455 |r(?), June 29] <b> RYGHT worshipfull cosyn, I recomaund me unto you,
   desyryng to here of youre welfare; and if it like you
   to her of my welfar, at the makyng of this letter I
was in good hele, loved be God. The cause of my wrytyng
to you at this tyme is this, praying you to send me word of
youre welfare, and how ye do of youre seknesse, and if the
medycyn do you ony good that I send you wrytyng of last;
thankyng you of the grete frenship that ye have do to my
moder with all my hert.
   Also I pray you that ye wyll be good meyn to my cosyn
youre husbond, that he wyll se that my fader be well ruleyd in
his lyvelode for his worship and his profett.
   Also prayng you to hold me exschusyd that I have wryten
no ofter to you, for, in good feth, I had no leysir; for my
Lady hath be seke at London, ner hand this quarter of this
yere, and that hath be grete hevinesse to me; but now, blesyd
be God, she is amendyd and is in the contre agayne.
   Also thankyng you of the grete chere that I had of you
when I was with you laste with all my herte, prayng you of
good contenuanse, for I had never gretter nede than I have now,
and if I had leyser and space, I wolde write to you the cause.
   No more at this tyme, but the Holy Trenite have you in
his kepyng.
   Wryten at Wyndesore, the xxix. day of June,
           By youre pore bede oman and cosyn,
                                               ALICE CRANE.

   Also, cosyn, I pray you to sende me sum Norfoke threde
to do a boute my nekke to ryde with.



|p41


                          |r297

           WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON
                  To my Maister Paston.

[1455, July 7] <b> PLEASE your gode maistership to wete, that as yersten_day
   came lettres from London that the Parson most
   nedys up to London to safe the next amerciement;
and so ys forth to appiere, yff he nedys most, xv. Johannis,
as ye shall see by Barkers lettre, and shall be to morne at
London, and with Goddes grace he shall be releved by the
meene of the Parlement; by Sonday yee shall hafe weetyng.
   As for my maister, he departyth not to London tille the
next weke after thys, and |r[i.e._if] he ryde.
   As for tydyngs be none couthe |r[i.e._publicly_known], but
Ponyngs ys qwyt and delyvered of all tresons; and Sir
William Oldhale ys process yn the Kyngs Bynche reversed;
and the Priest that acoused Lordz Cromewell, Grey, and my



|p42


maister wolle confesse who caused hym to do it, so that he
may have hys lyve, &c.
   Assone as ye goodly may to see my maister, it shall be to
hym a singuler pleasir. Sir, a baylly of my maister ys yn
Drayton. John Eimond brought a lettre to yow, and he sent
me wetyng he was shent [abashed] uppon som mater, as he
supposyth, conteyned yn the lettre. Y pray you yn ryght be
hys gode maister, and that y may wete the cause, for y doubt
he shall and most obbey, yff he hath offended.
   At Castr, the noneday, vij. day Jullet.
                     Your,                    W. WORCESTRE.

   On the top of this letter, in a different hand, is written: --

   Prove ontrouthe in the Undir-Sherif, or that he dede othir wise thanne
your counsell avysid hym, and Paston shall demene hym accordyng.

                          |r298

            SIR J. FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
 To the worshypfull and my ryght welle belovyd cosyn,
                      John Paston.

[1455, July 10] <b> WORSHYPFULL and ryghte welbelovyd cosyn, I
   comaund me to you. Please you to wete that
   the pryour and convent of Norwych have wyth
holden certeyn rent for londes that they holden of me
wythynne my maner of Harlyston, and the ij. tapers of
wax of ijlb. wyghte by the space of xviij. yeers that mountyth
. . . . . . . xxjs. valued in money; and the lordes of
the seyd maner beying before me, and also y yn my tyme
have be seisid and possessed of the sayd rent. Praying you
to speek wyth the pryour, recomaundyng me unto hym, and



|p43


that ye lyke to meave hym to make me payment, as hys
dewtee ys, so as y have no cause to stirre further, and to doo
as justice requyryth. He holdyth xxx. acres land or more by
the sayd rent, and yhyt ought to pay me othyr rents more by
myne evidents of more ade. Y pray you, cosyn, that y may
speke wyth you or y ryde, and that on Thrysday by the
farthyst, and then y shall tell you tydyngs off the Parlement,
and that ye fayle not, as my trus ys yn you. Y pray God
have you yn Hys governance.
   Wreten at Castre, the x. day of Julle.
                        Your cosyn,
                                             JOHN FASTOLFE.

                          |r299

             HENRY WINDSOR TO BOKKYNG AND
                       WORCESTER
   Unto my moost faitfull brethern, John Bokkyng and
       William Worcestre, and to eyther of theym.

[1455, July 19] <b> WORSHIPFULL Sir, and my most hertely and best
   be loved brother, I recommaund me unto you in
   more loly wise than I can other thenk or write;
and with al my service and trewe herte thank you of your
gentill lettres, full brotherly written unto me at mony tymes
of old, and especiall of late tyme passed. And trwly, brother,
I thank Almyghty God of your welfare, of the which the
berer of this my pour lettre certified me of, &c.
   And, Sir, as touchyng al maner of newe tithinges, I knoo
well ye are averous; truly the day of makyng of this letter,
ther were nonn newe, but suche I herd of, ye shalbe served
with all.
   As for the first, the Kyng our souverain Lord, and all his
trwe Lordes stand in hele of there bodies, but not all at



|p44


hertes ees as we. Amonges other mervell, ij. dayes afore the
writyng of this letter, there was langage betwene my Lordes
of Warrewikke and Cromwell afore the Kyng, in somuch
as the Lord Cromwell wold have excused hym self of all the
steryng or moevyng of the male journey of Seynt Albones;
of the whiche excuse makyng, my Lord Warrewikke had
knolege, and in hast wasse with the Kyng, and sware by his
othe that the Lord Cromwell said not trouth, but that he was
begynner of all that journey at Seynt Albones; and so be_twene
my said ij. Lords of Warrewikke and Cromwell ther is
at this day grete grugyng, in somoch as the Erle of Shroues_bury
hath loged hym at the hospitall of Seynt James, beside
the Mewes, be the Lord Cromwells desire, for his sauf gard.
   And also all my Lord of Warrewikke men, my Lord of
York men, and also my Lord of Salesbury men goo with
harnes, and in harnes with strang wepons, and have stuffed
their Lordes barges full of wepon dayly unto Westminster.
And the day of makyng of this letter, ther was a pro_clamacion
made in the Chauncerie, on the Kyngs behalf,
that noman shuld nether bere wepon, ner were harnes de_fensible,
&c.
   Also, the day afore the makyng of this letter, ther passed
a bill both by the Kyng, Lords, and Comens, puttyng
Thorp, Josep, and my Lord of Somerset in all the defaute;
be the which bill all maner of actions that shuld growe to any
person or persones for any offenses at that journey doon, in
any maner of wise shuld be extynt and voide, affermyng all
thing doon there well doon, and nothing doon there never
after this tyme to be spoken of; to the which bill mony a
man groged full sore nowe it is passed.
   And if I myght be recommaunded unto my speciall
maister and youres, with all loliness and trewe service I
beseech you hertely as I can.
   And also to my brethern Th. Upton, Lodowick of Pole,
William Lynd Calyn [Lincoln ?], and John Merchall.



|p45


   No more, but our Lorde have you both in his perpetuell
kepyng.
   Writen at London, on Seynt Margarete Even, in hast;
and after this is rede and understonden, I pray you bren or
breke it, for I am loth to write any thing of any Lord. But
I moost neds; ther is no thing elles to write. Amen.
                       Your awn,
                                               H. WYNDESORE.

                          |r300

               JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON
To the right wurchepfull Sir, and my goode mayster, my Mayster
             John Paston, be this delivered.

[1455, July 25] <b> REVERENT and right wurchepfull Sir, and my gode
   mayster, I recomaund me to you, prayng you to wete
   that ther is reysed a slandrows noyse in this countre
up on my Mayster Yelverton and you and my Mayster
Alyngton, which I suppose is do to bryng you ought of the
conceyte of the pepyll, for at this day ye stand gretly in the
countreys conceyte. It is seyde be Heydon and his disciples
that my Mayster Yelverton and ye and my Mayster Alyng_ton
shuld have doo oon Sir John Tartyssale, parson of the
Estchurche of Warham and chapeleyn to the priour of
Walsyngham, to put in to the Parlement, a bille of divers
tresons don be my Lord of Norwich, Sir Thomas Tudenham,



|p46


and John Heydon, and ye shuld have set to your seales; and
if that Heydon had be vj. howrs fro the Parlement lenger
than he was, ther had be granted an oyer determiner to have
enquer of hem, &c. This was told yesterday in right wur_chepfull
audience, and a mong the thrifties men of this countre;
and thei seyd right shrewedly, for my lord of Norwich hath so
flatered the lay pepill as he hath redyn a bought his visitacion
that he hath thers herts. Wherfor, and it plese you to lete
me have knowlech what ye wuld I shuld sey to it, wher as I
her any such langage, I wull do my parte, and have do hed
toward as I have thought in my conceytes best, &c. And if
ther be any other servyce that ye wull comaund me, I am and
wull be redy at yowr comaundment with the grace of God,
how [who] ever have you in his blyssed kepyng.
   Wretyn at Wighton in hast, on Sent James day,
                 Be your servaunte,            JAMES GLOYS.

                          |r301

             JOHN PASTON TO JAMES GLOYS
                  To Sir James Gloys.

[1455, July 25] <b> THER be dyvers thynges in your letter sent to me; one
   that a slaw[n]derus noyse shuld renne ageyns Yel_verton,
   Alygton and me, to brynge us owte of the
conceytes of the puple be Heydon and his dyscyplis, of a bill
that shuld have do put uppe in to the Parlement ageyns my
Lord of Norwich and odir. I lete yow wete this is the furst
day that I herd of any seche, but I wold wete the namys of
hem that utter this langage and the mater of the bill. As for
my Lord of Norwych, I suppose ye know I have not usid to
meddel with Lordes maters meche forther than me nedith;
and as for Sir Thomas Todynham, he gaff me no cawse of late



|p47


tyme to labor ageyns hym, and also of seche mater I know
non deffaut in hym. And as for Heydon, when I putte a bill
ageyns hym I suppose he shall no cause have, ne his discyplis
nother, to avante of so short a remedy ther of, as ye wrygth
they sey now. As for that ye desyr that I shuld send yow
word what I shuld sey in this mater, I pray yow in this and
all other lyke, ask the seyeres if thei will abyd be ther langage,
and as for me, sey I prupose me to take no mater uppon me
butt that I woll abyde by; and in lek wys for Yelverton and
Aligton. And that ye send me the namys of them that ye
wryte that herd this langage seyd shrewedly, and what they
seyd; and that ye remembre what men of substance wer ther
that herde itt; for if this can be dreve to Heydon or his
dissyplis, as ye wryte, it wer a gode preve that they fere to be
appelyd of seche materes. And I thank yow for your godwill.
Wrete att Norwych, on Seynt James day.

                          |r302

         JOHN CHEDWORTH, BISHOP OF LINCOLN,
                     TO JOHN PASTON
  To the worshipfull and welbeloved John Paston, Esquyer.

[1455, July 26] <b> RIGHT worshipful and welbeloved Sir, I comaunde me
   unto you, and with all my hert thank you for the
   grete labours that ye oftymes have diligently doon for
my welbeloved servant John Ode, to th'entent that he shuld
mowe atteyne to entre and enjoy peasible his enheritaunce, as I
am enformed dew unto him; and pray you of youre goode con_tynuaunce,
certyfieng you that I have written unto Yelverton,
the justice, that he wol, at some sesonable tyme, common with
Sir Thomas Tudenham, knyght, and to offre him asmoche
reason as it shal be thought unto him and to you, that lawe



|p48


wol in that behalf require, prayng you that ye wol common
with the saide Yelverton, and to conceyve betwix you such
lawful meones of gyding of this matier that my said servaunt
may have peasebly with owten grete trouble his said enherit_aunce,
as I shal in case semblable do my labour unto your
pleasaunce. And pray you that of the disposicion of the said
Sir Thomas Tudenham in this behalf, I may be certified. And
Jesu preserve you.
   Written at London, the xxvj. day of July.
                                      J., BYSSHOPP OF LINCOLN.

                          |r303

            JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON
To my right worshipfull maister, John Paston, at Norwiche,
                   be this delyvred.

[1455, July 28] <b> PLEASE it your maistership to wete . . . .
   Here be many marvaylos tales of thynggs that shall
   falle this next moneth, as it is seyd; for it is talked
that oon Doktor Grene, a preest, hath kalked [calculated ?] and
reporteth, that by fore Seynt Andreu day next comyng shall
be the grettest bataill that was sith the bataill of Shrewisbury,
and it shall falle bytwene the Bisshoppes Inne of Salesbury
and Westminster Barres, and there shall deye vij. Lords,
whereof iij. shuld be bisshoppes. Althis and meche more is
talked and reported. I trust to God it shall not falle so.
   Also there is gret varyance bytwene the Erll of Devenshire
and the Lord Bonvyle, as hath be many day, and meche debat
is like to growe therby; for on Thursday at nyght last passed,



|p49


the Erll of Denshyres sone and heir come with lx. men of
armes to Radford's place in Devenshire, whiche was of coun_seil
with my Lord Bonvyle; and they sette an hous on fyer at
Radfords gate, and cryed and mad an noyse as though they
had be sory for the fyer; and by that cause Radfords men
set opyn the gats and yede owt to se the fyer; and for with
th'erll sone forseid entred into the place and intreted Radford
to come doun of his chambre to sp[e]ke with them, promyt_tyng
hym that he shuld no bodyly harm have; up on whiche
promysse he come doun, and spak with the seid Erll sone.
   In the mene tyme his menye robbe his chambre, and ryfled
his huches, and trussed suyche as they coude gete to gydder,
and caryed it awey on his own hors. Thanne th'erll sone seid,
`Radford, thou must come to my lord my fadir.' He seid he
wold, and bad oon of his men make redy his hors to ride with
hem, whiche answerd hym that alle his hors wern take awey;
thanne he seid to th'erll sone, `Sir, your men have robbed my
chambre, and thei have myn hors, that I may not ride with
you to my lord your fadir, wherfor, I pray you, lete me ride,
for I am old, and may not go.'
   It was answerid hym ageyn, that he shuld walke forth with
them on his feete; and so he dede till he was a flyte shote or
more from his place, and thanne he was . . . softly, for cawse
he myght not go fast. And whanne thei were thus departed,
he turned . . . oon; forwith come ix. men ageyn up on hym,
and smot hym in the hed, and fellid . . . . of them kyt his
throte.
   This was told to my Lord Chaunceler this fornoon
. . . . . . messengers as come of purpos owt of the same
cuntre. This matier is take gretly . . . . . . passed at ij.
after mydnyght rod owt of London, as it is seid, more thanne
. . . . . the best wyse. Summe seyne it was to ride toward



|p50


my Lord of York, and summe . . . . . k, so meche rumor is
here; what it menyth I wot not, God turne it . . . . . . at
Hertford, and summe men ar a ferd that he is seek ageyn.
I pray God . . . . . . my Lords of York, Warwyk, Salesbury
and other arn in purpos to conveye hym . . . . . . . . . &c.
The seid N. Crome, berer her of, shall telle you suche tyd_ynggs
 . . . . . . . . . in hast, at London, on Seint Simon
day and Jude.
                          Yowr poer                  J. GR.

                          |r304

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p51


                          |r305

            WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON
                     |rAND JOHN BOCKING
    To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, and
                 to my brothyr, John Bokkyng.

[1455, Nov. 13] <b> PLEASE it yow to have yn knowlege that y veele well my
   maister takyth gretely to hert the materes whych he
   hath wryt to you uppon the execucion of my Lord
of Bedford ys godes, and in especiall for the recuveryng of
hem, as well as of Sir Andreu O. executors as of Sir Robert
Whytyngham, &c. to th'entent that it myght be opynly knowe
yn hys lyve tyme that they be not yn his gouvernaunce no part
of it, and that hys factors after hym shuld not be troubled ne
charged for it. And seth the seyd mater ys of so grete wyght
and charge, and that he takyth it so gretely to hert, puttyng
hys grettist trust yn yow, to remembre thys seyd mater by
avyse of hys councell lerned, both spirituell as temporell, that
ye wolle not delay it, but wyth all your entencion remembred
there, as ye by your wysdoms shall thynk it moste expedient,
that som fruyt may grow of it.
   There ys ynowgh whereoff, and it myght be recuvered,
John Bokkyng, ye know ryght moch yn thys mater, and
mooste of my maister ys entent hereynne. And therfor, for
myne acquytaille, y wryte to you to shew the chieff wrytynges
of the copy of endentures of Sir Robert Whytyngham, and of
othyr wrytynges concernyng that to Maister Paston, that he
may be more rypelyer grounded yn the seyd mater when he



|p52


shall comyn wyth my Lordz of Caunterburye, Cromewell,
and with onye of my maister councell. And our Lord kepe
you.
   My maister carpyth so oft on it dayly, and that meovyth
me to wryte to yow both. Att Castre, xiij. day of November.
                   Your,                 W. WOR-H.R.-CESTRE.

                          |r306

            MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
      To my right wurshipfull husbonde, John Paston,
                be this delivered, in hast.

[1455, Nov. 25] <b> RIGHT wurshipfull husbonde, I recomaunde me unto
   you. Plesith you to witte that myn aunt Monde_forthe
   hath desiryd me to write to you, besechyng
you that ye wol wochesafe to chevesshe for her at London xxti
marke for to be payed to Mastre Ponyngs, outher on Saterday
or Sonday, weche schalbe Seint Andrwes Daye, in discharch_yng
of them that be bounden to Mastre Ponyngs of the s[ei]de
xxti marke for the wardeship of her doughter, the weche xxti
marke she hath delyvered to me in golde for you to have at
your comyn home, for she dare not aventure her money to be
brought up to London for feere of robbyng; for it is seide
heere that there goothe many thefys be twyx this and London,
weche causeth her to beseche you to content the seide money
in dischargyng of the matre, and of them that be bounden,
for she wolde for no goude that the day were broken. And
she thankyth you hertely for the greet labour and besynesse
that ye have had in that matre, and in all others touchyng her



|p53


and hers, wherfore she seithe she is ever bounden to be your
bed-woman, and ever wolle be whyle she levethe.
   My cosyn, her sone, and hese wife recomaundethe them
unto you, besechyng you that ye woll weche safe to be her
goode mastre, as ye have ben a fore tyme; for they be enformed
that Danyell is comen to Rysyng Castell, and hes men make
her bost that her mastre shal be a yene at Brayston withinne
shorte tyme.
   Ferthermore, as for the matre that my sone wrote to me
for the boxe wheron wreten Falce Carte Sproute that I shulde
enquer of William Wurcestre wher it were, the seide William
was not at home sen that I had hes letter; but as sone as
he comethe home, I shall enquere of hym, and sende you an
answer.
   As towchyng for your leveryes, ther can noon be gete here
of that coloure that ye wulde have of, nouther murrey, nor
blwe, nor goode russets, undrenethe iijs. the yerde at the lowest
price, and yet is ther not j nough of on clothe and coloure to
serve you. And as for to be purveid in Suffolk, it wul not be
purveide nought now a yenst this tyme, with oute they had
had warnyng at Michelmesse, as I am enformed. And the
blissed Trenyte have you in his kepyng.
   Wreten at Norweche, on Seint Kateryn Day.
                       Be your,
                                         MARGARET PASTON.

                          |r307

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p54


                          |r308

           RICHARD BINGHAM TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF
      Copie of my fader Bynghames lettre to my fadre F.

[About 1455] <b> RIGHT honorable and reverend maistre, after due and
   hertely recomendacion, I thank yow als hertily as I
   can that it likith your gode maisterschip, of your god_nesse,
to let to ferme to my son Scrope the pouer enheritance
that he schal enherit after your decesse, if God will that he
life therto. And I hafe for my saide son comonde with my
maistres of your counsell, that is to sey, Paston and other, and
I fynde them not straunge, bot right streyte to dele with in
the mater; and therfore my saide sone, and I for hym, must
sue to the well of mercy, that is to say, to your honurable
person, where is special refuge for my saide son in this cas.
My saide son is and hath be, and will be to hys lifes ende,
your true lad and servaunt, and glad and well willed to do that
myght be to your pleaser, wirschip, and profit, and als loth to
offend yow as any person in erth, gentill and well disposid to
every person. Wherfore I besech your gode grace that ye
will vouchesafe remember the premissez, my saide sons age, his
wirschipfull birth, and grete misere for verrey povert, for he
hath had no liflode to life opon sithen my lady his moder deed,
safe x. marc of liflode that ye vouched safe to gife hym this last



|p55


yer, and therfore to be his good maister and fader. And thof
he be not worthy to be your son, make hym your almesman,
that he may now in his age life of your almesse, and be your
bedeman, and pray for the prosperite of your noble person.
And if I durst, for your displesance, I wolde besech yow that
ye wolde vouchesafe lat my saide son hafe the saide lifelode
to ferme for terme of your life, payng to yow therfore yerely
CC. marc at ij. festes of the yere, that is to say, Cristemasse
and Middesomer, and ye schall be paied hit truly at London,
in Hillary terme for the feste of Cristemasse, and Trinite terme
for the feste of Midsomer; and I will be bounden for hym and
|r[i.e._if] your maisterschip will vouchesafe to take me, and he
and I schall ever pray for yow. And thof the saide lifelode
be better to yow in availl yerely then I offer yow therefore,
this summe of CC. marc schal be truly paid to yow yerely;
and God, that rewardeth every gode dede, schal pey for hym
the remenant to yow, for every peny an C., in relesyng of yow
in Purgatory, or ellys encresyng of your merite in Heven.
And how your maisterschip will that my saide son schall do
in this mater, I besech yow that he may be certified be your
writing.

                          |r309

           FASTOLF'S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN. -- I.
 Billa de debitis Regis in partibus Franci Johanni Fastolf
                     militi debitis.

[1455] <b> THESE ben the injuries, losses, and damages that the
   seyd Fastolf hath had, as well withynne this royaume
   of England as in othir parties in maner and fourme as
it ensewith.
   First, it is to consider how
that the seyd Fastolf hath ben



|p56


vexed and troubled seth he
came last into this lande by the
myght and power of the Duc of
Suffolk, and by the labour of
his counseill and servaunts in
divers wyses, as in grete oppres_sions,
grevous and outrageous
amerciemants and manye grete
horrible extorcions, as it may
appere more pleynly by a rolle
of articles thereuppon made, the
damages of which entenden to
the somme of    .    .    .              |rV.ml.marc.
   Item, the seyd Fastolf hath
be gretely damaged and hurt
by the myght and power of the
seyd Duc of Suffolk and his
counseill, in disseising and tak_ing
awey a maner of the seyd
Fastolf, called Dedham, in the
counte of Essex, to the value
of C. marks of yerly rent which
was halden from the seyd Fastolf
by the terme of iij. yere day
and more, to his grete hurt,
with CC. marks in costs ex_spended
in recouvere of the
same, the some in all,    .    .         |rVc.marc.
   Item, there ys cast in to the
Kyngs hands by untrew forged
offices and inquisicions, sup_posed
to be founde by dyvers
eschetours in the countees of
Norffolk and Suffolk, iij. cer_teyn
maners of the seyd Fastolf,
to the value of C. marks yeerly,
which seyd offices and inquisi_cions
were never dewly founde,



|p57


but forged by untrue imagina_cions
and meenys of certeyn
persones hys eville willers, as it
hath be confessed by thos that
were appoynted and named to
be uppon the enquestys; and
by the maliciouse labour of his
seyd evylle willers, the seyd
maners have ben troubled and
put in plee this iiij. yere day
and more, to the damage and
costs of the seyd Fastolf, the
somme    .    .    .    .    .          |rVc.marc
   Item, the seyd Fastolf hauy_ing
the yeft of the Baronyes and
Lordshipp of Sillie Guillem and
Lasuze, in the countee of Mayn,
to hym and to his assignes for
ever, the which weren goten by
the seyd Fastolf, and no charge
to the King, for the value and
denombrement [number] of iiij.
m. saluz of yerly rent, he was
commaunded by the Kinges
lettres to deliver upp the sayd
baronyes and lordshipps to the
Kyngs commissioners, promyss_yng
hym, by the Kyngs com_maundement
to have be recom_pensed
therefor, as the seyd
Fastolf hath to shewe, and he
not recompensed nor rewarded
no thing for the levyng of his
said baronyes and lordship, to



|p58


the damages of the seyd Fastolf
of the somme of   .   .   .           ml. ml. v.c [2,500] marc.
   Item, wher as the seyd Fas_tolf
had a prisonner of his owen
taking, called Guill'm Remond,
which was raunsonned, and
agreed to pay hym for his
raunson with the marks the
somme of xxxij. ml. saluz, the
prisonner, withoute knowelege
or licence of the seyd Fastolf,
was take awey from hym by the
Duc of Bedford, then beyng the
Kyngs Regent of Fraunce; and
with the seyd prisonner he
caused the towne of Compyn,
than leyng in the Frensh partye
ys gouvernaunce, for to be
yeldyn to the Kyng, and to his
seyd Regent in his name; and
the seyd Fastolf, after long
pursewts made to the Kyng and
his conseill, was recompensed
but to the value of ml. vjc.
saluz in lands in Normandye,
when they fortuned to falle
into the Kyngs hands, which
lands he hath also lost. And
also the seyd Fastolf hath lost
the residue of the seyd raunson,
besyde the seyd lands, to the
somme of    .    .    .    .         ml. ml. ml. ml. marc.
   Item, the seyd Fastolf ys
yhyt owyng for his porcion
and part for the recompens
and reward that shuld grow



|p59


and be dewe to hym for the
takyng of John, callyng hym
Duc of Alauncon, at the batayle
of Vernell, which that payd
for hys raunson xl. ml. marks,
which rewarde, besyde the Lord
Wyllughbye ys part, shuld ex_tend
to the somme of    .    .                ml. ml. ml. ml. marc.
   Item, ys dewe to the seyd
Fastolf, by the execucion of
the last wylle and testament of
John, Duc of Bedford, whos
soule God assoyle, for prestys
and othir charges for saufgarde
and keping of certeyn forter_esses,
castellys, and townes,
and for othir costs, prests, and
charges by hym born in his
service, as it may appiere in
certeyn articles writen in a
rolle partic'lerly of the same,
the somme of     .     .     .          iiijml. Dc. iiijxx. xix.
                                                [4,599] marc, vs. 6d.
   Summa totalis xxjml. iiijxxxix. [21,099] marc, vs. 6d.
   Item, seth the last comyng over of the seyd Fastolf into
this royaume, as by the space of xv. yere and more, he hath
born grete costs, charges, and expenss, at alle tymes intending
uppon the Kyngs highnesse and the Lordes of his counseille,
as he hath had in commaundement, and was his part to doo;
for the which and for all the service that he hath doo to the
right noble Prince Kyng Herry the iiijthe, ayle [grandfather] to
our Souvragn Lord that now ys, and to the most victorious
Prince and Kyng, his fader, whos soulys God assoyle, and
also to our seyd Sovereyn Lord, he hath had, nouther fee,
wagys, reward, ne recompense in this his royaume of England,
but hath born it of hys own propre godys, at all tymys to the
Kyngs honour and prouffit as to his power, which ys to hym



|p60


right grevouse and chargeable, trusting to have be considered
and rewarded as othir men of suche deservyng have be in the
tymes of the right noble progenitours of our seyd Souvreyn
Lords, late Kyngs of this seyd reaume.

|r[There is a corrected draft of the above paper, in William Worcester's hand_writing,
among the Paston MSS. in the British Museum, on the back of which are
the following additional memoranda: --

   Thees been the prestys and sommes of money that the [sic] Sir John
Fastolf, knyght, hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lorde that now is, at his
commaundement in his grete necesitees, at divers tymes with in this his reaume
of Englond: --
   Item, he seid Fastolf lent to oure
seid Soverayn Lorde, in the moneth of
September, the xv. yer of his seid regne,
as it appereth at the seid recept of West_minster,
the somme of    .    .    .    .                          ml li.
   It is also to be remembred that the seid
Fastolf hath lent to oure seid Soverayn
Lord, in the moneth of Feverer, the seid
xv. yer of his noble regne, as it appereth
at the Kynges receyt of Westminster, the
somme of    .    .    .    .    .    .                    ml marc.
   Item, he seid Fastolf lent to our seid
Soverayn Lorde, for the viage of Sir
Thomas Kiriel, and of his retinue in to
the Duchie of Normandye, in the xxviij.
yer of his noble regne the somme of CC.
marc. Also afore that tyme in the Kynges
grete necessite ageyn the coronacion of the
Quene, at his forseid commaundement, the
somme of Cli. Somme of bothe    .    .     iijc. xxxiijli. vjs. viijd.
   Item, the seyd Fastolf lent to the
voyage that Thomas Danyell made in to
Breteyn, as it is notorily knowen, of
which be ys not yhyt payd, the somme
of    .    .    .    .    .    .    .      Cli.
   Item, the seyd Fastolf hath born grete
charge and cost of a lone made for the
spede and help of a voyage whych the
Erle of Shrewysbury now last made in
to the Kynges Duchee of Gyen,    .    . -- 



|p61


                          |r310

            FASTOLF'S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN
   A Declaracion of the Costs which Sir John Fastolf was
            at, ben without this royaume.

<b> THE declaracions of certeyn prests, costys, and chargys
   don and born by Sir John Fastolf, aswel in the tyme
   of the moste noble and victoryouse Princes of blessed
memorie, Kyng Herry the iiijthe, Kyng Herry vth, as in the
tyme of our Souvereyn Lord Kyng that now is, in hys werrys
by yend the see, as by the articles that folowen more pleynly
apperyth: --

   First, it ys to be remembred
that to the sayd Fastolf ys
owyng for divers costys and
chargis by hym born for the
tyme that he occupied th'office
of the Constabulrye of Burdeux
for the saufgarde of the Kyngys
Duchie of Guyen, as it apperith
pleynlye by accompt made of
the sayd office of Constabulrye,
remaynyng in the Kyngs Cheker
at Westminster of record, wher_of
he yet nouther had payement
nor assignement of, the somme
of    .    .    .    .    .      ijc. xxvijli. xvs. iijd. ob.
   Item, in like wyse there ys
owyng to the seyd Fastolf for
wagys for hys service don to
the Kyng, and to the Duc of
Clarence, beyng the Kyng ys



|p62


Lieutenant in the seyd Duchie
of Guyen, as it may appere
under suffisaunt writing, the
somme of    .    .    .    .     ijc ijli. xs.
   Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng
to the seyd Fastolf for costys
and chargys that he bare when
he was Lieutenant of the towne
of Harflew in Normandie, as
yt shewith by a debentur made
to the seyd Fastolf, with hym
remaynyng,    .    .    .    .   Cxxxiijli. vjs. viijd.
   Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng
to the seyd Fastolf for the kep_ing
and vytaylyng of the Bas_tyle
of Saint Anthoyne in Paris,
as it apperith by writing suffi_saunt
and by the creditours of
Sir John Tyrell, Knyght, late
Tresourier of the Kyngs house,
remaynyng in the Escheker of
Westminster of record, the
somme of    .    .    .    .     xlijli.
   Item, there ys owyng to the
seyd Fastolf for the saufgarde
of the toune of Pount Melank
in the parties of Fraunce, as
it apperith by accompt therof
made in the Kyngs Escheker
of England of record, the
somme of    .    .    .    .     iiijxx ixli. xs. iiija. ob. q.
   Summa xlij. marc ixs. q.
   And in semblable wyse, over
all this ys owyng to the seyd
Fastolf for prests and wagys
of hym and his retenues beyng



|p63


in the Kings service is his roy_aume
of Fraunce and duchie
of Normandie, as wel abowte
the saufgarde and gouvern_aunce
of his tounys, castell,
and forteresses of Alaunson,
Fresney Le Vicounte, Vernell,
Honneflete, as for othir grete
causys and charges born and
payd in the Kyng our Souve_reyn
Lord ys dayes that nowys,
for the avauncement of his
conquest, the good and utilite
of hym, of his seyd royaume
and duchie forseid, as it ap_peryth
oppenly by accomptys
made in the Chambre of Ac_compts
of Paris and Roon,
wherof the vidimus remaynen
with the seyd Fastolf, and also
by certeyn debentur conteyn_yng
the seyd sommes, redy
to shewe, wherof the seyd Fas_tolf
hiderto hath had nouther
payement nor assignacion, the
somme of    .    .    .    .          v. ml. iiijxx ij. marc, xiijs.
                                        iijd. ob. sterling.
   Summa totalis vj. ml. cxxv. marc, ixs. ob. q.



|p64


   Item, overe this the seyd Fastolf lent
to the voyage that Sir Thomas Kyryell
made into Normandye, in the xxviij. yere
of the regne of the Kyng our Souverain
Lorde, the somme of CC. marc; also
lent to the Kyng afore that tyme in his
necessite the somme of Cli. The somme
of both,    .    .    .    .    .    .   ijc. xxxiijli. vjs. viijd.
   And also the seyd Fastolf hath borne
grete charge and cost of alone made for
the spede and helpe of the voyage whiche
the Erle of Shrowysbury now last made
into the Kynges duchie of Guyenne, to
whom God graunte good expedicion, as it
shewih by suffisaunt writyng, for whiche
at the commaundement of my Lord
Cardynalle the seyd Fastolf made a
chevyssaunce and leyd to wedd [i.e.
pawned] the substaunce of his pore juellys,
in the whiche chevyssaunce the seyd Fas_tolf
hath lost xxxvijli., and is like to lese
more herafter, by cause he is not of poer
to quyte hem oute; the seyd juellys lyne
as yet to plegge for the somme of    .    . iiijcli.
   Somme of the prestys and debtys abofe
rehersed,    .    .    .    .    .    . ijml. xlv. markes, vjs. vd. ob.

   The following is written on a separate paper, on the back of which occurs the
imperfect draft above referred to.

   Item, overe all thys grete debtes dew at thys day to the seyd Fastolf, he
desyryth and prayth that it may be pondered and concydered the grete lossez
and damages that he hath susteyned and born, as well in the parties of Fraunce
as in thys land; as at one tyme lost the somme and value of iiijml. mark for
Guillem Remond, hys prysonnere, that agreed to pay for hys raunsom xxxijml.
salux. The seyd prisonnere was take awey from hym, and delyvered the
toune of Compyne in to the obbeissaunce of our Souvereyn Lord. Also the
reward that the seyd Fastolf shuld hafe hys part for the takyng of the Duc off
Allaunson, whych shuld mount for hys seyd part iiijml. [4000] markes, the
grete losse that he hath in delyveryng upp the baronye of Syllye Guillem, in
the counte of Mayn, be thout [without] recompense or reward, whych was
gevyn to hym and hys assigneez in the value of ml. ml. [2000] salux off yerly
rent. Also the lesyng of hys pore lyvelode in Normandie that was of the yerly



|p65


value of l mark. The grete importune lossez and damages that he
hath had seth he came into England, whych hys evylle wyllers the officers and
servauntes of the Duc of Suffolk have, be thout [without] cause resonable,
made hym leese, as in causyng hym to be disseised wrongysly of iiij. of hys
maners of Dedham, Beyton, Bradwell, Hykelyng, and Tychewell, to the value
of ijc. [200] mark of yeerly rent; besyde othyr damages and lossez by colours
of the lawe, and by menys of extorcions, as it may shew by a rolle of articles
to the value of vjml. [6000] markes.

                          |r311

                         {NOTE}

                          |r312

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p66


                          |r313

              LORD CROMWELL TO JOHN PASTON
     To my right trusty ffrend, John Paston, Squier.

[Before 1456] <b> TRUSTY and welbeloved frend, I grete you wele. And
   for as much as hit is don me to understande that
   there is a greet straungenesse betwix my right trusty
frend John Radcliff and you, withoute any matier or cause
of substaunce, as I am lerned; wherfore, in as much as I love
you wele bothe, I am not content hit shulde so be.
   Praying you hertly to forbere the said straungenesse on
your partie to suche tyme as I speke with you next my
self, leting you wite I have wreten to him to do the same;
and that ye faile not herof, as I may do any thing for you
herafter. And our Lorde have you in His keping.
   Wretin at London, the x. day of Fevrier.
                                           CROMWELL.

                          |r314

               BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON
              To my maister, John Paston.

[1456, Jan. 6] <b> PLEASE your maistershyp to wete that I had sent yow
   word of the god chiere that the persons ye wote off
   had here uppon New Yeer Day, and how well they
toke it, but W. Barker coude playnly enforme yow. And



|p67


John Sadler of Ocle told me how they avaunted of it when
he of Lynne came by hym at nyzt lyeng, that he had neider
better chier, &c.
   My maister demaundyth me sondry tymes when ye shall
be here. I coude not sey till thys day be passed. William
Geney shall be here to morn, so wold Jesus ye were her then.
I asked licence to ryde yn to my contree, and my maistr dyd
not graunt it; he seyd hys wille was for to make, &c. Y
aunsuerd it fyt not me to know it. God gefe hym grace
of holsom councell, and of a gode disposicion; non est opus
unius diei, nec unius septiman.
   My Lord Bedford wylle was made yn so bryeff and
generall termys, that yn to thys day by the space of xx. yeer
can neider hafe ende, but all wey new to constrew and oppyn_able;
so a generallte shall ne may be so gode as a particuler
declaracion.
   I wryte blontly. I had foryete to hafe told yow Maister
Fylongley meoved me to enforme my maister to hafe a
generalle pease, so it myzt be worshypfull. Y hafe seyd no
word, for I can not medle yn hygh maters that passyth my
wyt; and therfor yff ye and W. Geney mete to gheders, ye
know and can devyne best what ys to be doon. Our Lord be
with yow.
   Wryt hastly, vj. day Januar.
                                         W. BOTONER, H.R.

                          |r315

                 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON

[1456 |r(?)]   Please yow to wete that my maister yn allwyse wille that I ryde to
Dedham to speke with Broke as well as wyth the stuard, and to gefe aunsuer
to Broke yn whate wyse he wille depart for the reuersyn; he was ryd or I
came home. And my maister wille comyn with yow for the moyens of a
chauntuarye to be founded of the place ye wote off; y seyd hym such charge_able
maters wold be doo betyme to know the certeyntee. And a greter lak ys



|p68


yn hym, he taryeth so long to put all thynges of charge yn a sure wey; hyt ys
for lake of sad councell to moove hym. And I most be at Castre by Thursday
next; and I pray yow let me not be lete of my voyage yn to my contree, and I
shall kepe Yorkesshyre with Spyrlyng, or such as shall ryde. The parson with
yow shall do well sort my maister evidences, and that ys one the grettist thyng
nedefull for the seurtee of hys lyfelode; and so it wold be remembred hym, for
now all thyng ys sett at appoynt, how it standyth with hys debtys and officers,
except that mater of grettist charge, and also to provyde for the approwement of
hys lyfelode.                                          W. BOTONER.

   And, syr, yff ye thynke to done (think it to be done), to meofe Cler of the
acre lond, but gefe hym no credence yn the contrarye, for I shall preffe it
trewe yn my seyng for onye man lyvyng. He that wille dysseyve hys servaunt
yn maryage for so litell a thyng, he wold disseyve another frende yn a gretter
thyng. He sekyth occasyons and querell to colour hys brekyng off.

                          |r316

                BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON

[About 1456]   Please yow to wete that as for ease of my maisters tenaunts in Dedham,
yff a lettre were devysed by Maister Geney yn my maister name or youres to
Thomas Hygham, one of the justices of pease in Suffolk that toke the veredyt,
he myzt do grete ease, as yn disavowyng of it or yn wythdrawyng it owte of
the bokes. Robert Dene, clerk of the pese, seyth that lete my maister councell
avise that whych he may do undammaged hymsylf, and he wille with all hys
hert. John Bokkyng ys well remembred that my maister caused the seyd
Thomas Hygham, by Maister Geney mocion, to be one of the justice of pease,
and one Jermyn of Suffolk also. Whych both Hygham and Jermyn hath
suffred my maister hafe, savyng your reverence, tweyn shrewde tornys seth that
they mizt hafe letted, as now the seyd Thomas Hygham myzt hafe letted the
presentment or a moderated othyrwyse, &c.
   At reverence of God, beyth as sone as ye may with my maister to ease hys
spyryttes. He questioneth and desputyth with hys servauntes here, and wolle
not be aunsuerd ne satisfyed som tyme but after hys wylfulnesse, for hyt suffysyth
not our simple wyttes to appease hys soule; but when he spekyth wyth Maister



|p69


Zelverton, yow, or wyth William Geney and suche othyrs as be auctorised yn
the law, and wyth haboundance of godes, he ys content and haldeth hym pleased
wyth your aunsuers and mocions, as reson ys that he be. So wold Jesus, one
of yow iij., or som suche othyr yn your stede, myzt hang at hys gyrdyll dayly
to aunsuer hys materes.
   I had but litille thyng to done when I scrybled tbys bille.
                            Your,                  W. BOTONER.

                          |r317

                        {ABSTRACT}

                          |r318

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p70


                          |r319

        SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AND OTHERS
 To my right trusty frendes, John Paston, Nicholas Molyneux,
              and Thomas West, Escuiers.

[1456, Jan. 26] <b> WORCHIPFULL Sirs, and my right trusty frendis, I
   commaunde me to you. And lyke you to wite that
   I desire to knowe in certayn, or evere I laboured to
London, by whate menys in the lawe spirituell or temporell I
might labour, or ellys my frendes and atturneys in my name
and in myne absence myght laboure best, for the recuvere of
the goodes of my Lord of Bedford, whos soule God assoyle,
and that his purchaced londes might be sold to fulfille his wille
and pay his debtes. And if it were thought that the most
spedyest and seurest wey were to have it doon by act of Par_lement,
than I desire and pray you, as my singuler trust is
in you, that ye wille do make a substanciall bille in my name
upon the said mater and for the said cause, to be grounded and
devised by avis of substanciall lerned man, as Thomas Yonge
and othir suche, and of civille lawe, and the said bille to be put
up to the Kyng, whiche is chief supervisor of my said Lordis
testament, and to the Lordes Spirituelle and Temporelle, as to
the Comyns, of this present Parlement, so as the iij. astates
may graunte and passe hem cleerly. And the said bille may
be grounded with so grete resons by your wysdomes and good
enformacion, and so rightfull and of conscience that it shall
not be denyed, ne letted to passe amonges the Lordes Spirituell
and Temporell, neythir amonges the Comyns, whan it comyth
before hem. And if this said bille, after it is devised and
made, and sent me a copie of hit, hit shold be to me a singuler
confort; for or evere I came to London, I wold that alle thing
shuld be made redy to my hande. And it were exspedient



|p71


and according that my Lord Chaunceller were meoved that it
might please his good Lordship to write a lettre to me, in case
I must come up for the said cause, and that by as muche he is
in the mater as souverain juge and ordinarie principalle under
the Pope in a cause testamentarie, and also by cause the wille
of my said Lord is aproved in his court before his predecessour.
And Alle myghty God kepe you.
   Writ at Castre, the xxvj. day of Januar.
                           Your,
                                                  J. FASTOLF.

   And I wolde this bille were devised by my Lord of
Caunterbury is avis and agreement, to th'entent that he may
tender the mater the more whan it shalle come in revolucion
before hym. And I pray you hertely to take this mater ten_dirlye
to hert, for it shall be to me my most singuler comfort,
and for my discharge a grete record as of myne acquitayle to
my said Lordis soule. Also ye must make frendes of suche as
be nere aboute my said Lord of Caunterbury, and may do, as
Maister John Stokys and his styward, for to remembre his
good Lordship as ofte as nede is. And that Davy Breknok
ne Sir Robert Whitingham wyffe be not foryeete.

                          |r320

           WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON
     To the worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier.

[1456, Jan. 27] <b> WORSHYPFULL, aftyr dew recomendacion, please
   your gode maistershyp to wete that where as my
   maister wrytith to yow so homelye of so manye
materes to yow of hys, to be remembred unto hys councell
lerned by mene of yow and of hys frendz and servauntz there,



|p72


y pray yow and requyre yow not to wyte [impute] it me that
y am the causer of it that my seyd maister noyeth yow with so
manye materes, for, be God, hym sylf remembryth the moste
part of hem; albe it the particler rehersell of the materes be
fressher yn my remembraunce then yn hys. And, Sir, yn
trouth he boldyth hym to wryte to yow for the grete lofe and
singler affeccion he hath yn yow before all othyr yn hys causes
spedyng, and that ye wille moste tendyrlye of ony othyr re_membre
hys servauntes as well as othyrs to whom belongyth
to spede the materes. He desyryth my Lord Chauncellor
shuld wryte to hym speciallye yff he most nedes com upp, and
a bille to be made yn to Parlement for recuvere of my Lord
Bedford godes.
   Sir, there ys one Haryngton of Doncastre, a besye soule,
that damagyth my maistre to gretely in Bentley. And Herry
Sotehille ys of my maister councell, but no thyng that ys pro_fytable
ys don to hym to remedye it, ye shall see by one Sir
John Vincentes letter sent to yow now, and W. Barker can
enforme yow. Yn the ende of thys terme y suppose to be at
London, and yn to west contre. My maistre wrytith to yow
for a rent of viijli. of annuite charged of a touneshyp called
Batham Wyly, that Maister Scrope he shall be beneficed yn
the ryzt of it. Ye have nede fare fayre with hym, for he ys
full daungerouse when he wille. Y gate hym gode evidensis
of the seyd rent that my maister ne my lady had nevere, and
he can not know it, &c. Also my maister hath wreten to yow
for avice of a new feffement to be made for the maners of
Tychewell and Beytone, and betyme he desyryth to be sent
hym. Y pray yow, and ye se Maister Yng at a leyser to
commaund me to hym, and trustyng hys gode maistershyp
that he wille be of my councell ayenst one William Fouler of
Bokyngham thath kepyth from me a litelle lond. And yff he
wille contynew hys gode maistershyp to me, ye may sey hym
that I cast duelle yn my contree, and wayt uppon hym to help
ghete ayen a pore gode of myn, for heere y thryve not, but
lose my tyme. Y pray our Lord have yow yn hys kepyng.
   Wryt hastlye, the xxvij. day of Januare.
                      Your,                W. WYRCESTRE.



|p73


                          |r321

           SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
 To the worshypfull Sir, and my ryght welbelovyd cosyn, John
    Paston; and in hys absence, to John Bokkyng and William
                        Barker.

[1456, Feb. 5] <b> WORSHYPFULL Sir and cosyn, I recomaund me to
   yow. And lyke yow to wete that y have a taylle
   with my cosyn Fenne of vc. [500] marc and more,
for to be chaunged uppon such places as a man myght have
moste spedye payment; and I pray yow hertlye to comyn
wyth the seyd Fenne, that y myght be ensured of the seyd
taylle to be eschaunged; and for whate rewarde competant to
be yeven uppon the same, I wolle agree it.
   Item, I desyre to know who ben the residew, the remenant
of the co-executors of the Lord Wyllughbye, now the Lord
Cromewell ys decesed; for thys cause. Hyt was so, that
there was dew to the Lord Wyllughbye and to me x. ml.
[10,000] marc for a reward, to be payd of my Lord Bedford
ys godes, for the takyng of the Duc of Allauncon. And the
seyd Lord Wyllughbye had but one thowsand marc payd, and
I ml. [1000] mrc, soo viij. ml. [8000] levyth [remains] yhyt
to pay; of whych somme iiij. ml. [4000] most grow to the
executors of the seyd Lord Wyllughby to dispose. And ther_for
y desyre that the executors, and such as most have intrest
in the Lord Wyllughby goodes, may be comyned wyth; that
they may [make] purseute for payment of the seyd iiij. ml.



|p74


[4000] marc, for hys part to be had, and y shall make for my
part.
   And |r[i.e._if] Maister Nevyle, the whych hath wedded my
Lady Wyllughbye, have power or intrest to resseyve the Lord
Wyllughby ys debts, then he to be labured untoo. And my
Lord of Salysburye woll be a grete helper yn thys cause.
   The Kyng, whych ys Supervisor of my Lord Bedford
testament, hath wreten and comaunded by sondry lettres, that
the seyd Lord Wyllughbye shuld be content for hys part.
And so moch the mater ys the furtherer.
   And ther ys one Yon', a servaunt of the Lord Wyllugh_bye,
whych pursewed thys mater; yff he were yn London, he
coude geve gode enformacion uppon thys mater.
Y pray yow wryte to me how my maters doth, and of
such noveltees as ye have there. And our Lord have yow yn
hys kepyng.
   Wreten at Castr hastlye, v. day of Feveryer, anno xxxiiijto
Regis Henrici vi.
                      Your cosyn,                  J. FASTOLF.

                          |r322

            JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF
   To the right reverent and worshipful Sir, and my right
    good maister, my maister Sir John Fastolf, at Castre.

[1456, Feb. 9] <b> RIGHT reverent and my right worshipful maister, I
   recomaunde me to yow in my right humble wise.
   Please hit your right good maistership to wyte that
on Sonday laste I sent yow many and divers lettres and
writynges, by Lampet, of all matiers that I hadde knowlege
at that tyme redy to answere. And now suche tidinges as
ar here, but fewe that ar straunge, excepte that this day my



|p75


Lordes York and Warwik comen to the Parlement in a good
aray, to the noumbre of iijc. [300] men, all jakkid and in
brigantiens, and noo lord elles, wherof many men mervailed.
It was seid on Saterday my Lord shuld have ben discharged
this same day. And this day was seide, but if he hadde come
stronge, he shuld have bene distrussid; and no man knoweth
or can sey that ony prefe may be hadde by whom, for men
thinken verily there is no man able to take ony suche
enterprinse.
   The Kyng, as it was tolde me by a grete man, wolde have
hym chief and princepall counceller, and soo to be called hise
chef counceller and lieutenant as longe as hit shuld lyke the
Kyng; and hise patent to be made in that forme, and not soo
large as it is by Parlement. But soome men thinken it wil
ner can otherwise bee; and men speke and devyne moche
matere of the comyng this day in suche array to West_minster.
And the Lordes speken this day in the Parlement
of a greet gleymyng sterre that but late hathe be seen diverse
tymes, merveilous in apperyng. The resumpsion, men truste,
shall forthe, and my Lordes of Yorkes first power of protec_torship
stande, and elles not. &c. The Quene is a grete and
strong labourid woman, for she spareth noo peyne to sue hire
thinges to an intent and conclusion to hir power.
   I have seid to the bringer here of more to declare yow alle
a longe. And as for hise comyng, ye like to understande that
your nevew, my Maister Filongley, hathe laboured and doon
that he cowde or myght to hise preferraunce; but as for to
make hym freman and at hise ease, to hise profite and worship,
it can not bee with owte William Lyne be here, that boughte
hise prentishode of his maister, to hise grete hurte and castyng
of bakke by ij. or iij. yere of tyme loste; and ne were it that
the maister and wardeyns of the Taillours tendre hym, be
cause of yow and of Fynynglee, hise firste maister, that solde
hym to William Lyne, as weel as the seide Lyne and Richard,
shuld alle lese ther fredoms, as ye shall more pleinly unter_stande
by the reporte of the seid Richard, &c.



|p76


   This day was my Lord Devenshire at Westminstre, and
shuld have apperid, but he was countermaundid. As to
youre matier of Wentworthe, the trety contynueth, and is
putte by the arbitrours in Fortescu and Yelverton, and we
have day of newe til Friday come sevenyght. God graunte
it take a good ende. The lawe is with us clerly, as weel
in th'atteynte as therinne as yette, blessid be our Lord, hoo
have you in hise most noble governaunce.
   Written in your place this Moneday of Fastyngange, ml.
cccclv.            Your humble servaunt,            J. B.

   And that ye like to write a good lettre for Richard Fastolf
to Sir Roger Chamberleyn, and to Thornton, Chamberleyn of
London, and to both of hem, &c.

                          |r323

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p77


                          |r324

HUGH A FENNE TO JOHN PASTON
   To the right worchepfull Sir, John Paston, at Norwich.

[1456, March 1] <b> RYGHT worchepfull Sir, I recumaunde me un to you.
   Leke you to wete my Maister Fastolf compert is
   spedde and demyd in the Eschequyer for hym a yens
the Kyng, wher in was crafti labour and cloos to the seid
spede, and laked no dylygence, for the matter was defused and
dubble intendementz after dyverse mennys appynyons.
   Her is Williem Brandon, late Eschetour, and wold have a
non molestando for Fulthorp; and be cause ye spake to me
that no mo shuld be sued owte, and I can gete no lybarate in
that case, therfore, as it is tolde me, he wyll have oon up on
Wenteworth is patente, and that wer to my maister bothe
velleny and hurte. I pray you send me heryn your avyse.
It is no grete maistre to gader up that mony, if it wer wele
labord. I have somwhat affrayed them, and made hem spend
mony, as I wot well ye shall her therof. Ye and I been dis_charged
of our maynprys.
   Now, Sir, for Goddis sake, as I have meved you a fore,



|p78


help to sette my maister in a worchepful dyreccion of his
maters to his honour, his profyte, and his hertis ease, that
which so doon he shall have the better leysour to dysspose
hym self godly, and be sette his londs and his goodys to the
plesour of God, and the wele of his sowle, that all men may
sey he deyeth a wyse man and a worchepfull. Yf ye wyste
what worchep shuld growe to you in favour and conseyte of
all men thus to do, I wot well ye wolde be right spedy therin,
for I beleve fully ye ar ryght well wylled therto; and if owte
I cowde helpe therto at myn nexte comyng, yf I knew your
entent, I wold do that I cowde. Yf it like you to wryte your
avyse in a bylle that I myght have it by Good Fryday at Seint
Benettys, Williem Norwyche wol send it theder. The Holy
Trinyte conserve you in honour and prosperite.
   From London, the furst day of Marche.
                   Your,                   HUGH A FENNE.

                          |r325

           JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON
    To my right worshipfull Maister, John Paston.

[1456 |r(?), March 24] <b> AFTER due recomendacion had, please it your maister_ship
   to wytte that William Yelverton was mevid by
   me to comene with my maister his fadir, as I wrot to
yow from Norwich. And now he tellith me that he hath
comened with his fadir; and he undirstondith that his fadir
seyth that he hath not knowelaged Fennes obligacion. And
he seyth that Maister Fastolf undirstood that Fen hadde title
to the maner of Haryngby, and therfor wold he that Fen
shuld have it after Maister F. lyve; and, by liklynes, ther
shall be labour made by Fenn to have releses of Maister
Yelverton, &c., but he hath not yet relesed. He can no more



|p79


undirstond of hym as yet. If he can undirstond ony more
pleynly this day, I shall have knowelage at Norwich on Friday
or Saterday next comyng. Please it you to have pacience,
though I write so brefly.
   In hast, at Walsyngham, the Wednesseday next to fore
Esterne.
                Youre pouere servaunt,         JAMES GR.

                          |r326

        ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF
     To the right worshipfull, and my right entierly
           welbeloved Sir John Fastolf, Knight.

[1456, March 27] <b> RIGHT worshipful, and my right entierly welbeloved, I
   grete you right hertly wele, thanking you specialy,
   and in full herty wise, for the verray geantle good_nesse that ye have shewid unto me at all tymes, praying you
of good contynuance.
   And as touching suche matiers as ye sente unto me fore, I
truste to God verraly, insomuche as the rule is amendid heer,
and the wedder waxeth seesonable and pleasante, to see you in
thise parties within short tyme, at whiche tyme I shal com_mune
and demeene unto you in suche wise, that ye shal be
right wele pleasid.
   And as for the matier concernyng my Lord of Bedford,
thinketh nat contrarye, but that ye shal finde me hertly wel_willid
to doo that I can or may for th'accomplesshment of
youre desire, as wel in that matier as in other, like as your
servaunte John Bokking, berer hereof, can clierlier reporte unto
you on my behalve; to whom like hit you to yeve feith and



|p80


credence in this partie. And the blissid Trinitee have you
everlastingly in His keping.
   Written in my Manoir of Lamehith, the xxvj. daie of
March.
           Your feithfull and trew,          TH. CANT.

                          |r327

            DAME ALICE OGARD TO JOHN PASTON
  To my right wurshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer.

[1456, March 30] <b> RYGHT worshippfull and enterly belovyd cosyn, I
   comaund me to yow hertyly; latyng yow wete that
   there ys a contraversie mevyd be twix my cosyn John
Radeclyff of Attylburgh and me for the advoweson of the
chirch of Attylburgh, the whech ys now voide, wheroff the
title is myn veryly as God knowith, the whech shall be oppenyd
unto yow; and upon Thursday next atte Wymondham, there
shall be take an enquerre de jure patronatus afore Master Robert
Popy and Master Symond Thornham, atte whech day I may
nought be my selff as God knowyth, and thow I myght, yt
were not convenyent.
   And therfore, ryght trusty cosyn, consideryng that I am a
wedowe impotent as of body, tendyrly and hertily I pray you,
yf yt lyke yow, to be there assistyng my councell in my right
as reson and lawe will upon Thursday next, be viij. of the
clokke; and Fyncham, Spelman, and othir of my councell
shall be than there waytyng upon yow. And, jentyll cosyn,
have me excused thowh I wryte thus brefly and homly to yow,
for in trouth I do it of a synguler trust and affection, the



|p81


wheche I have in yow, consideryng the goode nome and fame
of trouth, wysdom, and good conducte, the which I here of
you. And therfor, and ye may to youre well, I beseche you
hertyly to be there, and ye shall nought lese therby with the
grace of Almyghty Jesu, the wheche evyr preserve and pro_mote
you, gentill cosyn, in moche worship to youre hertys
ease.
   Atte Bokenham Castell, on Teuysday in Pache weke, in
hast.                                      D. A. OGARD.

                          |r328

              HUGH FENN TO JOHN PASTON
     To the worchepfull sir, John Paston esquyer.

[1456 |r(?), April 25] <b> WORCHEPFULL Sir, my reverent and right trusty
   maister and cosyn, I recommaunde me to you.
   Lyke you to wyte that wher I have made my fyne
of Ikburgh with Nicholas Waterman, thanne beyng feodary to
my Lorde of Yorke, as the same Nicholas wil recorde, wherof
sufficient writyng is had; the which payment, so made, is
sufficient in the lawe; in the which caas noo newe feodary is
chargeable nor I demaundable, but the seide Nicholas owe to
answere therof in his accompt; and if he concele, my Lorde
may have good remedy ageys hym, and so owe to do. The
which not withstandyng, oon I trowe called Osbarn, som tyme
your servant, now my Lordis feodary, hath often meved to do
I wote not, and now late hath distreyned my cattel, and seith
he wil dryve hem awey, &c., and wil have Cs. for fyne, wher
my uncle paied xxvjs. viijd., Herry Somer xxs., and so many
other ded. Sir, he may do me a pety shame in distreyning
and dryvyng awey to make me hevy, and hym not glad I hoop



|p82


at the loong, but wroong shal he nor any other do me, wher
I may gete remedy by the lawe in any place throw Goddis
mercy. Wherfor, sir, if he be stille in your servyse, lyke you
I myght have knowlech, and thanne if your discreccion semith
any thyng that I owe to do, by you I wil be advertysed and
ruled; and if I coude conceyve that I owe to pay ageyn, as
I understonde clerly the contrary, forsothe in right hasty seson
wold I provyde and send hym from my seid lorde a sufficient
discharge for myn more availl, that he shuld noght lose by me.
And that is reson aswele, for that I wil not, by Goddis grace
be hurted by hym, nor geve hym cause by my wil. I deserve
my lordis good lordeship as wele as any other of my simple
poer her. I besech you that by this simple bille I may be
recommaunded to my worchepful maistresse. The blissid
Trinite have you in His holy governaunce. Written, London
xxv. day of Aprill.
                    Youris owen,             HUGH A FENNE.

                          |r329

            SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
      To my worchepfull Cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer,
                    in hast goodly.

[1456, May 2] <b> WORCHEPFULL Cosyn, I comaunde me to yow.
   Lyke yow to wete that for als moche as my lord
   of Norwich shal the next wyke visite the hous of
Hykelyng, as on Thursday, as I understand, I pray yow that
ye lyke to informe my lord how it is appoynted atwix the
prior of the said hous and me that my title of xxv. marc of
yerly rente is put in the ordynaunce of yow and Fyncheham,
and if any variaunce fortune by twix yow that thanne we shall
stand to the rule and ordynaunce of my lord of Caunterbury



|p83


and of my seid lord of Norwich, they callyng to them ij. tem_porall
juges suche as them please, the ij. chef juges only except.
Wherfor that it please his good lordship to commaunde the
seid priour to be bound by obligacion to stand to the seid
appoyntement in lyke form as I at all tymes lefull am redy soe
to do, to th'entent that my lord may verily knowe that the
complysshyng of the seid appoyntement is nat deferred ner
delayed by me. Forthermore, Cosyn, I understand that ye
have a feodary concernyng all the knyght fees in this shire,
and for als moche as the lord Scalys cleymeth an homage of
my place called Essex in Hikelyng I pray yow that ye lyke to
sende me woord if it can be understand by the seid feodary if
suche an homage owe to be do or nay. Moreover like yow
to remembre that lateward I meved unto yow that I wold do
kyt out a litell fleet rennyng by twix the Comouns of your
lordship of Maulteby and Castre there it was of old tyme, and
now is over grounded and growen by reedes. Wherfor lyke
yow to write on to your baly of Mauteby to take your
tenauntes with hym to have a sight of the seid water and
ground, and that they bere half costes for ther part, and I wole
bere the other part. And all though my wrytyngges put yow
many tymes to gret labour and besynesses, I pray yow to take
it that I do it for the synguler affiaunce and feythful trust unto
yow. Besehyng All myghty God have yow, my worchepful
Cosyn, in his mercifull governaunce. Writ at Castre, the ijde.
day of Maij.
   And that ye lyke to come in to these partyes byfore ye
ryde to London, I pray yow hertely that I may speke with yow
for dyvers maters that I have to comowne with yow, &c.
                                              J. FASTOLF.



|p84


                          |r330

            JOHN BOCKYNG TO JOHN PASTON
     To my worshipful maister, John Paston, Squier.

[1456, May 8] <b> SIRE, please it your maistership to wyte that on Wednes_day,
   the v. day of Maij, I received a lettre from you
   by the prestis man of Walsyngham, and the Ascencion
Day, in the mornyng, I received a lettre from yow bi the
handes of John Frays, my maisteris man, in whiche bothe
moche thinge is conteyned whiche alle at this tyme I may not
answere un to my comyng the nexte weke. And as to our
atteynte, the Chief Justice hathe, sithe this day sevenyght,
kept the Gildehalle in London with alle the Lordes and Juges,
sauf one in eche place. My Maister Markham yesterday rode
owte of London be tymes. Notwithstandyng we called ther
upon, and hadde at the barre Chokke, Letelton, Jenney,
Illyngworth, John Jenney, and Dyne, and remembrid the
longe hangyng and the trouthe of the matier, with the grete
hurte of the partie in the tyme; and we have rule the next
terme betymes, and non otherwise, for to morwe the juges
sitten ayen in the toune. Mayster Yelverton can not be myry
for Wyrmegey, and as for the distresse, it is a non omittas, and
therfore Poley may and wil retorne what isseus he will. If
thei be smale, we shall suffre at this time; if thei be grete, we
must appere for Wyngfelde; and moche labour we have to
conceyve a goode warant of attorney. We shal plede the next



|p85


terme, for as at this tyme we wold on Monday enparle and
we may.
   Ye must suerly entrete the shireve, for we have moche
to doo with hym, as yesterday hadde we a grete day also in
th'eschequer. Myn maister is moche bounde to Haltofte,
and there we ar assigned day over to the next terme, and
dwelle in law. Our counsail was longe or thei come, but at
the laste thei acquitte them weel. The bille was thought not
by all that stode at the barre that wer of nother partie. We
ar joyned in the sute of the obligacion in the Comon Place
ayenst Jenney and Howes. As for attachement, ye may none
have withowte ye or on of yow make your othe in propre
persone before the barons. I wolde have doon it; I cowde
not be amytted. And as for other processe, it is advised that
by the cors of th'eschequer I shall take a venire facias ayenst
Wentworthe, Andrews, longe Barnard, and Deyvill ad respon_dendum
quare in possessionem, &c. ingressi sunt. And we must
telle where other Coughawe or Kirkeley, I suppose; and ther_upon
a distresse and an attachement; nevertheles by your
othe, &c., hereafter. And it is thought good that the same
men shal be in the writte of ravyshment. Jenney hath advised
us to ley it in Blithinge hundred, and I have taken of hym
names; for as for London it is to nyghe enbracerye, as ye
thought well, and soo is Middlesex. Maister Yelverton con_ceyvith
it weel to your entent. There are aboughte and in
Suffolk but fewe men as of gentilmen and men of substance,
but if [unless] it be in Blithing hundre, were Hopton is grete;
but Jenney dredeth it not we may have good men at large;
and as for the hundre, he wil doo inow thereinne.
   As for the tailes of iiijxxli. [four score pounds], as yette we
shal doo weel inowghe and thei were contentid; or thei that
shal have the silvere, the noyse were the lesse, for it shall, in
pledyng, alwey be rehersid by our contrarie party that for x.
marc we have alle that evere ther is, &c. I can not here how
Wentworthe takith this matier by no meane; what he meneth
I wote not. He is no thing pleasid with the matier of the
bille in th'eschequer. Thomas Denys come yesterday, and



|p86


none erste. I wold Arblaster and he spoke with yow this
vacacion. I write noo more til my comyng.
   As for tidinges, noon othere thanne I sent yow laste; but
forthe on the same, all is as it was with the Quene, the Prince
and myn Lord York ar stille at Tutbury and Sandale, and my
Lord of Warrewick at Wrarrewick. My Lord Bukingham
rode on Ascencion Even to Writell, noo thing wel plesid, and
sumwhat on easid of herte to his purpose; for the King hathe
ley in London Friday, Saterday, Sonday, Monday, Teusday,
and Wednesday remevid to Westminster agen. In alle whiche
tyme, men of London that wer chargid and sworne wolde not
nor hadde noo thing presentid sauf trespas; this day thei shal
sitte ayen. The peas is weel kepte, but the straungiers ar
soore a dradde, and dar not come on brode. Here is alle that
I knowe as yet. Our Lord Jesu be with yow.
   Write at Suthwerk the viij. day of Maij.
   I have paied to Dory Cs., and with moche peyne made
hym to ghete day of the other Cs. til the nexterme.
                                Your owen         J. B.

[Endorsed in a seventeenth-century hand. -- ] L'ra Joh'is Bokking, Attorn. in Com_muni Banco.

                          |r331

              JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON
                To my Maister Paston.

[1456, May 15] <b> WORSHIPFUL Sir, and my good maister, I re_comaunde
   me to yow. This day I come home;
   and as to our materes, I shall be with yow on
Monday and Teusday next, be my maisters advys, and enforme



|p87


yow of all, and of suche as I will not write. Your cofre is at
the Prinse Inne; sende for it whane ye like, be the token, I
hadde of Margret Goche a boke of lawe that Wigge brought
me. As for. tidyngs, my maistys your brother faren weel, and
recomaunde them to my maistresse, there moder, to yow, and
to all, &c.
   As for tidings elles, the Kyng is at Shene, the Quene and
Prince at Tutbury, but if it be the latter remevyng. Tidings
were that the Lord Beaumont was slayn, and my Lord Warre_wik
sore hurte, ml. [1000] men slayn, and vjxx. [six score]
knyghts and squiers hurte, and no thing trewe, blessed be
God. As for the Lumbards, ij. of the trespasers were hanged
on Monday, and there ar be this tyme proclamacions made, or
shall be, thorwe London, the pees to be kepte up on grete
peynes; and the Lumbards to occupie the merchaundizes as
thei dide til the Counsail or Parlament have otherwise deter_myned.
And noo more as yet.
   The atteynte abidith unreuled til the next terme, as I shal
telle yow, and it shal doo weel with God is grace, hoe have
yow in kepyng and all youres.
   Writen at Caster vigilia Pentecosten.
                                    Your owen            J. B.

                          |r332

            HENRY WINDSOR TO JOHN PASTON

[1456 |r(?), May 16] <b> AFTER humble and due recommendacion, please it your
   gode maistership to understand that atte makyng of
   this my pour letter ther were no noveltees with us,
but suche as yee understode full well afor your departyng,
except the Kyng woll in to Scotland in all maner wyse of



|p88


werre, and that my Lord of Weltshire shal be made Chaun_celler.
I suppose the better is but a sclaunder, and therfore be
ye avised howe ye delyver theym as tidynges.
   Also I wotte ful well where I lefte you in suche matiers as
it pleassed you to make me of your counsell, as touchyng oon
mater specially; and howe that ye said unto me whenne I
desired your goode maistership to shewe favour in suche as
ye best myght yf any thing shuld be shewed ad lumen, my
Maister F. except; and howe that ye answered and said as it
pleassed you that I was conquered, in trouth, that shuld preve
but a full grete unstabulnes in me with more, &c. But, Sir, I
pray you howe some ever my maister rekeneth with any of
his servaunts, bring not the matier in revolution in the open
Courte, for and it were ones opened afore the Juges howe that
any lettre patentes shuld be purchased of an ante date, and the
defaute faunde in me, ye wold be a ml. [thousand] tymes avised,
and my Maister F. both, or that ye wold amend me soo much
as I shuld be appered therbe. And therfor I beseche you be
well avised howe that matier be oponed for myn ease.
   I was not desired to write unto you of no on persone, so
God be my help, yourself except; but I wold ye wold take
avise and counsell of the Preest that hadde you soo long under
hand on Shorthursday, whenne I and my feleship, God thank



|p89


you, hadde of you right grete chere to our grete comfort and
your grete coste, howe that the same Preest understandeth this
letter of the Gospell underwriten: |r{11_lines_of_old_Latin_text}

My maister can doo no thing, the which shall come in
open audience at thise deies, but it shalbe called your dede.
Hit is not unknoon that cruell and vengible he hath byn ever,
and for the most parte with aute pite and mercy; I can no
more but vade et corripe eum, for truly he cannot bryng about
his matiers in this word [world], for the word is not for hym.
I suppose it wolnot chaunge yetts by likelenes, but I beseche
you, Sir, help not to amend hym onely, by [but ?] every other
man yf ye kno any mo mysse disposed.
   I canno more, but as I can or mey, I shal be his servaunt
and youres unto such tyme as ye woll comande me to sursese
and leve of, yf it please hym.
   Sir, I pray you take this copy of your statute, it is not
examined be me, for I found hit thise v. yeres pessed.
   Writan in my slepyng tyme at after none, on Wytsonday.
Also, Sir, yf I have rehersed wyttyngly the text of the Gospell
syngularly unto your maistership, I beseche you to be had
excused.
                         Your own,
                                                   H. W.



|p90


                          |r333

               JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON
             To my Maister Paston, in haaste.

[1456, June 1] <b> Please your good maistirship to wete that my Lord of Norffolk yaf in
   comaundement to Cristofre and to the balif of Colneise to laboure with us
   acording to your mocion. And as to Skilly, fermour of Cowhaugh, we enteryd
there, and seyd we wold have payment for the half yeer past, and sewrete for
the half yeer comynge, or ellys we wold distreyne and put hym out of pocession,
and put in a newe fermoure; and so oure demenyng was suche that we toke no
distresse, and yit we have hym bounde in an obligacion of xviijli. payabil at
Michelmesse without condecion, and vjs. viijd. we receyvid of hym for opoces_ion,
for the ferme as yit remayneth on gatherid in the fermourez handes. But
I seyd hym I wold be ther ageyn for the recedu of the half yeer ferme past
withinne this xiiij. dayes; and he seyd he wold do hise delygence to gather it
up. But he spak with Wentworth sethyn, whiche yef hym an uttyr rebuke, as
he swor to me, and seyd he wold have hys payment of Skylly, and sewe hise
oblygacion this next terme whiche he is bounden in to Wentworth for the yeerly
payment of the same ferme; and the seyd Wentworth seyd he wyll takyn an
accyon of trespas this next terme ageyn us that were there; and Devyle seyd
ye were hender the londes at the begynning of your sute thanne ye be now, and
that shalbe knowe be Lammesse nex comyng, for he hathe thynges to shewe ye
saw nevyr yit. Skilly offerid me xls. to have delyvered hym ageyn hise
obligacion, and he wold have put me in pocession of a distresse, and |r[i.e._if] I
wold have delyvered it hym; he seithe he dede nevyr so mad a dede, for
Wentworth wold no bettyr mean thane we had takyn a distresse. He shuld
sone have remedyed that; but now he seith Skylls is withoute remedy, but he
will be payd, &c.
   Item, Sir, as to the fermourez of the manor of Langston in Brustal, we
have also sewyrte be oblygacion withoute condecion payabil at Michilmesse, and
toke no distresse but enteryd the londes; but we had gret peyne to brynge hem
ther to, for ther is one John Cook of Braunford hath it in ferme of Wentworth
all, and he leteth it out ageyn be parcelles to iij. sondre persones. But he was
not at home, where for we have the same fermourez bounde for payment, and
they had no mony redy, but they have promysed to delyvere Herry Deye at
Yepiswiche this day xxs. in party of payment.
   Item, Sir, as to the fermour of the maner of Bentley, clepid Bentley
Houses, we have hym bonde in lyke wyse for the ferme of the seyd maner
from Michilmesse last past tyl Mychelmesse next comyng, in an obligacion of
x. marks payabil at Michilmesse next comyng, without ony condecyon; and in
party of payment I have receyvid of hym xiijs. iiijd., and he promyseth me iiij.



|p91


markes at Lammesse next comyng. And as for Bradwell, my maistir hathe
sewyrte; and as for Kyrley Hawe, I was with the fermour yistirday, but he
wyll paye no peny, nor be bounde neithir. Wherfor my maistir shal sende us
to take a distresse tomorwyn, and I truste we shal fynde sum meanys to have
hym bounde, &c.
   Item, John Andrewe hathe in fee yerly of the maner of Coughaugh xxs.,
and Thomas Denys xiijs. iiijd. of the maner of Foxhole, but as ferre as I can
enquere, there is payd no more feez out of non of the maneris to none othir men
but to these tweyne.
   Item, as for the endenturis, I sende here with a copy of Skyllyez endenture
and a copy of Deynis endenture, fermour of the maner of Bentley, clepid
Bentley Houses; and Herry Deye shal brynge a copy of John Cooks endenture
of the ferme of the maner of Langston in Brustall; and as for Wareyn Bonde,
he mad nevyr endenture for the ferme of Kyrkley Hawe, for he hathe ocupyed
it but sethin Michilmesse last past; and so he holdith it but be promyse upon
compnaunt [covenant ?]. And we shal gete a copy of Sewalys endenture,
fermour of Bradwelle, and me semyth, savyng your bettyr avyse, it war right
expedient that ye shuld for the sped of this mater be at London in al haste.
   Primo die Junii anno xxxiiij.
              Youre humble servaunt and bedeman,
                                                   JOHN RUSSE.

                          |r334

               JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON
     To my right good maister, John Paston, Squier, at
                 Norwiche, in haste.

[1456, June 7] <b> SIR, please it your maistership to wyte, I have my attache_ments
   graunted in open Courte with helpe of Litelton
   and Hewe at Fen, and was bide to make redy the
names, &c. before the Barons, of which Haltoft was one.
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .



|p92


   As for tidings, the Kyng is at Shene, the Quene at
Chestre; the Duc of Buk was, as I come hiderward, at
Writell, the Erle of Warrewyke at Werrewyke, and the Lords
Chaunceller, Tresorier, and th'Erle of Sar' [Salisbury] in
London, and noo more Lords at the begynyng this day of
the grete Counsail. Many men say that there shuld be, but
thei wote not what. The sege shall, as men say, come to
Caleys and to Guynes, for moche puple come overe the water
of Somme, and grete navies on the see.
   Th'Erle of Penbroke is with the Kyng, and noo more
Lordis. Th'Erle of Richemond and Griffith Suoh |r(?) are at
werre gretely in Wales. The Comons of Kent, as thei werre
wo[n]tte, er not all weel disposid, for there is in doyng amongs
hem what evere it bee. Of Scotts is here but litell talkyng.
My Lord York is at Sendall stille, and waytith on the Quene
and she up on hym.
   I dide my maistress your moderis erands, as ye have herde
of, for Maister William hath writen his entente, and he and
Clement faren weel.
   Writen at Horshighdone, vijmo die Junij.
   Rokewode and Crane faren weel, and thei and I re_comaunde
hem to my maistress your wif.
   And as I understande, the Clerke of the Rolles is owte of
charite with Maister Yelverton, and my Lord Chaunceller a
litell mevid, &c.
                    Your owen,                       J. B.



|p93


                          |r335

                        {ABSTRACT}

                          |r336

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p94


                          |r337

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p95


                          |r338

             FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON
  Honorabili viro Johanni Paston armigero ac confratri
              suo Willelmo germano uterino.

[1456 |r(?), June 29] <b> RYTE reverent Syre, &c. I am informyd credybily of a
   secrete frend that S. T. T. [Sir Thomas Tuddenham]
   and J. H. [John Heydon]. with J. A. [John Andrews ?]
and other of cursyd covy, wyl bryng with hem many gentylmen
of here bende to compleyn upon me at the next chapitle, &c.
And there fore, by the grace of God, I dispose me, with help
of zour good maysterschip and my Mayster Willyam, zour
brother. Where fore, at the reverens of God, that ze do
speke with the clerk men clepyn Brayn, that kepyth the bokys
of here inditementes at the oyer determyner, anno xxixo regni
Regis; and that an extret or a copy myte schortly be wrytyn
owt of as many namys as dedyn indyte T. T. and J. H. for
trespas, extorsyones, and oppressyonys done to other men, as
wele as to my Mayster Fastolff, etc., that I may be redy to
schew to my ordre, lyk a kalender, a legende of here lyvys
and here rewlyng of the cuntre, in destruccyon and gret
myschef of the cuntre in here dayes. At the reverens of



|p96


Jesu, forzet not this mater, ne the mater of Dedham, etc. I
wolde ze askyd my good lord and mayster, Yelverton, yf I
sent hym ony letter in the same mater, &c. |r{17_lines_of_old_Latin_text}
                                    F. J. B., Minorum minimus.

   I hafe a rolle redy of the inditements, that they were
indityd for trespase and extorsyon and oppressyon done to my
Mayster Fastolff, in the keping of W. Worceter, &c.
|r{5_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p97


                          |r339

           FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON

|r{34_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p98


                          |r340

         HENRY FYLUNGLEY TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF
   To my ryght worshipfull unkle, and my ryght good
           master, Syr John Fastalf, Knyght.

[1456 |r(?), July 17] <b> RYGHT worshipfull unkull, and my ryght good master,
   I recomaund me to yow wyth all my servys. And,
   Sir, my brother Paston and I have comened togeder
as touchinge to your colage that ye wold have made; and,
Sir, hit ys to gret a good that ys axed of yow for youre
lycens; for they ax for every C. marc that ye wold amortyse
D. marcz, and woll gefe hit noo better chepe.
   And, Sir, y told my brother Paston that my Lady of
Bargeveney hath, in dyvers Abbeyes in Lecestershyre, vij.
or viij. prestes singinge for her perpetuell, by my brother
Darcyes and my unkle Brokesbyes meanes, for they were
her executors; and they acorded for money, and gafe a cc.
or ccc. marc, as they myzt acord for a prest. And for the
suerte that he shuld synge in the same abbey for ever, they
had maners of good valew bounden to such persones as plesed
the sayd barthern [brethren], Brokkesby and my brother Darcy,
that the sayd servyse shulde be kept. And for lytell moore
then the Kynge axed hem for a lycence, they went thorgh
with the sayd abbots. And y hold this wey as sure as that
other. Ye may comen with youre councell therof.



|p99


   And yf there be any servyse that I can do for yow, hit
shall be redy at all tymes, with the grace of God, who have
yow in his kepynge.
   Wryten at London, the xvij. day of Juyll.
                   Your nevew and servaunt,
                                            HENRY FYLUNGLEY.

                          |r341

            SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
          To my worshipful cousyn, John Paston.

[1456, July 31] <b> RIGHT trusty and worshipful cousyn, I recomaunde me
   to yow. And like it yow to wyte, myn attorny,
   Raulyns, hathe enformed me that the Jugis have
ruled processe to goo owte ayenst the priour of Hikelyng of
distresse per omnia bona et catalla, of whiche the writte and
other ar not yet come fro London. I trust whan thei come,
be your good counsail and meane, the Shireve wil doo his
devoir; how be it, as I understande, thei have sente the Lord
Scales all there evidences, and he wil come and dwelle there
hym silf. And I am also enformed, for certeyn, that the
Bushop of Norwiche, for all the truste I hadde to hym, that
by his meane I shulde have knowen there fundacion, he hathe
warned his officeres not to have adoo therinne, by cause of the
Lord Scales, &c. Cousyn, I pray yow, in as moche as the
matere, by agrement, was putte in you and Fyncham, and
how that ye, for the same cause, specially kepte your day at
London, and toke not in there defaulte and not myn, that ye
wil soo in caas ye see Fyncham remembre, and to othere there
as ye seme it shulde profite to be knowen, and that yet never_theles
my sute soo ferforthe I wole yet, as I wolde thanne,
and at all tymes am redy; and soo I wolde the priour knewe,
and all othere, as weel his weelwillers as otheres, as the bringer



|p100


herof shall declare you more pleinly. As for tidinges, my
folkes ar not yet come fro London. The abbot of Seint
Benettes hathe ben with me, and suche as he tolde me the
bringer shall enforme you. And our Lord Jesu have you in
governaunce.
   Writen at Castre, the last day of Julle.
                   Your cousyn,                      J.F.

                          |r342

             LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON
    To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved frend,
                  John Paston, Squier.

[1456, Aug 10] <b> RIGHT trusty and entierly welbeloved frend, I grete you
   well, and wull ze wite that Danyell hath required me
   to write un to you, praying you that ze wyll kepe the
day upon Thursday vij. dayes nexst comyng, which shal be
for the best, as I trust; not with standyng I suppose lerned
men wyll not be easy for to gete be cause of this besy tyme of
hervest. Almyghty God have you in Hise governaunce.
Writen at Mydelton, the x. day of August.
                      Your frend,                   SCALES.

                          |r343

               LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON
To my right trusty and welbeloved frend, John Paston, Squier.

   Right trusty and welbeloved frend, I grete you hertly well. And for as
mych as I u[ndyrstond] a bill was made at Yermuth ageyns my cousyn Bryan



|p101


Stapylton and hise wy. . . . have set up the said bill in the Kynges
Bench, which bill is in your kepyng, pray[ing] you that ye wyll sende me the
same bill be the bringer herof, to the entent I m[ay] se it. And as I am
informed be my said cousyn, ye shewed hym grete gentilnesse and benyvolence,
wherof I thanke you right hertely. I pray God have you in governance.
   Writen at Midelton, the xx. day of Septembre.
                               Zowr frend,                 SCALES.

                          |r344

           ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO JOHN PASTON
To our right truste and right welbeloved John Paston, Esquier,
         and William Norwiche, and to either of theym.

[1456, Sept. 7] <b> RIGHT truste and right welbeloved, we grete you hertly
   wel. And where as Sir Nichol Bowet, Knight, sueth
   an appeelle in the countee of Norffolk ayenst oon
Robert Offord of Berking for the deeth of oon Sir Henry
Bowet, clerc, we being enformed that the matier is pitevous,
praie you hertly that ye wul in our behalve moeve and
entreete the Shirreve of the saide countee to surceese of the
execucion of any processe upon the exigent to hym directed
in that behalve unto the next terme, so that resonable meanes
maye be founden to save the saide Robert harmelesse; lating
hym wite that we have written to the saide Sir Nichol for a
convenient treetie to be taken in that behalve, as shalbe
thought according to right. And God have you ever in his
keping.
   Written in our Manoir of Mortelake, the vij. daie of
September.
                           T., ARCHBYSSHOPP OF CANTERBURY.



|p102


                          |r345

             JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON
     To my right worshipful Maister, John Paston.

[1456, Oct. 8] <b> RIGHT worshipfull Sir, and my good maister, I re_comaunde
   me to yow, and have receyvid a lettre
   from yow by Sir Thomas is man, berer here of. And
as for the accions, bothe of ravishement and th'attachement,
the declaracions ar made tunc solvend' and not solut', and as
moche amendid as we can or may be favour have amendid.
We hadde be beguyled and they hadde not be sen in Norffolk,
for here til this day come noo counsaill; and to have per
manus Johannis Wyngfelde it wole not be, for we can not
bringe it inne, and also it is to late.
   And as for iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds], Fenn and I mette
with Worsop this day, and he spake soore to Fenn and me,
and we put hym overe, saying we wolde doo as moche as we
myghte. I thinke verily that Fenn wole deserve ther inne a
thanke, but I can not understand hym what he wolde be
doon to, or how rewardid, for whanne I speke of it he is
desplesid, and seithe he desirith noo rewarde; but he farith as
a man wole sey he wold noo silvere, and lokith awaywardes
and takith a noble. And he hath written to yow of the matere
of Sir Philip Wentworthe touching this writte of liberate,
whiche is but a color and noo warant sufficient, ner we owe
not to doo no thinge that shuld obeye it, ner the Shireve
nother dothe but of favor that he dothe to hem, and hym liste
otherwise to doo, as Fenn writeth yow more pleinly. And as



|p103


for a supersedies [sic], there lithe noon, as he seith, up on a
liberate.
   And as for entryng in Bradwell, thei doo opyn wronge, for
after myn patent opteyned, there was a writte to sease it into
the Kynges hande, and soo it was and is. And as to your
patent, it is counsailled me to have a writte to th'eschetor de
custodia liberanda, whiche may not be denyed. And if we
myght have una cum exitibus a tempore mortis, it were a sove_reigne
writte. It shalbe assaied, and doo thertoo what can
lete; the fermours be promised to be saved harmeles and
chargid not to paie ony thing to them.
   And as for the iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds] to be sette on
Olivere is taile, I can not see it wole be, for there is noo suche
worlde to bringe it abowte. It is faire, and we can ghete it
on Fulthorp is dette by grete labor for agrement, for I drede
it wole be moste agayn us that it is of recorde soo longe
unpaied. And Hue at Fenn sueth now to Nailer to ghete
owte moo liberates, suche as the last were to the last eschetor.
And this God graunte thei take good spede.
   And as to your isseus, I shal accordyng to your lettre
speke with Gresham whanne he cometh, and the Juges and
Barons bothe shalbe enformed of the title of Wentworthe, as
ye write, and how it is up on a feyned dede upon surrender,
and a patent cancelled, &c., which Fenn hath promisid to doo.
   And as to Sir Thomas matier, I write un to yow and hym
joinctly what hathe be doon therinne at this tyme. And Jesu
have yow in kepyng.
   Writen at Suthwerk, the viij. day of Octobre.
   As to tidinges, the Kyng and the Quene ar at Coventre.
The Counsail be ganne there yesterday, and my Lord
Shrewyshbury, Tresorier of England, and John Wode shalb
[shall be] Under-Tresorer. Thus thei say in the Chequer.
                      Your owen,                     J. B.



|p104


                          |r346

                 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON
                To my Maister Paston.

[1456 |r(?), Oct. 12] <b> PLEASE yow to wete that I hafe remembred of the lan_gage
   that I hafe late lerned W. Barker had to yow and
   othyrs of his accomptes apposyng, and of that they be
not hole bethyn [between] ws, but yn division, &c. Sir, as I
may sey yow, hyt was nevere othyrwyse, ne nevere ys lyke to
be; for now they hafe do with Lowys, he that ys next shall
be yn the same as he was yn gelosye; for when my maister
comaundyth such as of force, by reson of her occupacion,
most be nere hym, to do a message to hys felow, or question
of hym, hyt shall be ymagyned amonges our felyshyp that he
doth make maters to my maister. And so it ys ymagyned of
me when I wryte lettres to London, to Bokkyng or Barker,
that yn such maters as please hem not, then it ys my doyng;
yff it take well to theyr entent, then it ys her [their] doyng.
And yn gode feyth, so it was ymagyned of me and othyrs that
wrote, by my maister comaundment, to Castre, to the parson
of Blofeld, Geffrey Spyrlyng, and othyrs, that of such maters
as was lykyng to hem and coude be sped by help of my
maister frendes as by theyr solicytyng, then it was seyd that
it was theyr avice, labour, and doyng. And yff the maters
went not to my maister entent, ne that they coude not bryng
aboute the mater, then it was imagyned and jangled that it
was my wrytyng and doyng. I bare nevere my maister purs,
ne condyt nevere chargeable mater alone of hys yn lawe, for
my discrecion ne connyng know not whate such maters menyth.



|p105


I knew nevere of oyer ne terminer, ne rad nevere patent
before, ne my maister knew nevere the condyt of such
thynges; and when he wrote of hys grevonse to hys frendys,
he commaunded no man to be endyted, for he wyst not whate
belonged to such thynges, ne the parson neyther, but remitted
it to his concell lerned. There was no man gretter at hert
with hym, as Andreus wyth Heydon, because of castyng
Bradwell and Tychewell yn the Kynges handes, and toke
awey the waarde. And I came nevere at the oyer and terminer.
   By God, my maister lost c. marc by a seute of Margyt
Bryg upon a defence of atteynt, because a quest passed ayenst
hyr of xij. penyworth lond by yeer; and I dar sey and prefe
it, my maister never spake of hyr, ne knew hyr not, ne wrote
to sew hyr at the oyer and terminer, as I am remembred.
Yhyt yt was well deffended, at my maister grete cost and
labour, and myne pore labour also. Yhyt ought not I, ne
none such yn my stede, beer the wyte [blame] wyth Sir
Thomas, ne none othyr; he that takyth the tolle most take
the charge, hyt ys hys negligence that wille take the labour
more then he may awey. I wold the parson ys wellfare
asmoch as man lyvyng, to my wreched power; and yff, or
when, ye hyre onye froward ymagynacions, I pray yow gefe
no credence tille ye hyre it aunsuerd. I am eased of my
spyrytes now that I hafe expressed my leude [ignorant]
menyng, because of my felow Barker, as of such othyr
berkers ayenst the mone, to make wysemen laugh at her
foyle. Our Lord kepe yow.
   Wryt at Castre the xij. day of October.
                      Your                   W. BOTONER.

   I hafe and do purchasse malgre to remembre of evidenses
lakkyng by negligence, &c. And therfor I most be muet and
suffre gretter losses but [unless] it be othyrwyse concydered.
I sende yow the copie of your patentes, in parchement, and I
hafe remembred as well as I can both the stuard and Bertilmeu
Elys for execucion ayenst the pleggs of your seyntuarye, car_penter |r(?)



|p106


Snow, that evere ys disposed to breke promysses.
Foryefe me of my leude lettre wrytyng, and I pray yow laugh
at it.

                          |r347

            SIR THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON
         To my right goode maister, John Paston.

[1456 or 1457] <b> REVERENT Sir, &c. Please yow to wete that it [is] so
   that my maister, of his owen frowardness, and of non
   other mannys mevyng, hat sent a warent to Cristefor
that he shuld delyver me no mony tyll the iiijxxli. [fourscore
pounds] where payed for Bokkyng and Wurcestre patent;
and yf the seyd Cristefore delyvered me any mony, that he
shuld take a sewerte of me therfor, nowthwithstandyng my
maister preyed me that I shuld reherce alle thynge in my
name, where of I held me content. And now I fele this
traytour wrytyng under nethe, and I nowth prevy ther to, at
my comyng owt causet me to thynk the more hevynes, &c.
Nevertheles, I prey yow that a mene nay be taken of trety by
the mene of Clopton or Ellys. Sende me word, and I shal
seke menys of trety, for, be God, I shal trust no more no
fayre wordes; and there to I shall lete alle the Lords of this
lond knowe what wrytyngs I have, and his disposicion. Save
yowre reverens, Cristyfor sal |r(?) have swyche a maister, &c.
I prey yow, as ever I may do yow service or be yowre bede_man



|p107


that ye wele sende me yowre avise. I had lever paye
xx. marke, or xli. in hande and xli. yerely furthe, with myn
enemyndz good love, than to yelde me to preson ayens here
entent, and sewe forth the tyncte. And no trost what my
maister wele do, for I can right evele beleve that he wele bere
owt the cost of the tyncte whan he maket straunge to ley
dowun the condempnacion, &c.
   Wretyn brevely at Horseydown the Wenesday after
messe, anno xxxvto.                             T. HOWYS.

   I shal nowt leve this mater to serve the most enemy
that he hat in Inglond. I wele non of his good. I have
lever other men go to the Dille [Devil?] for his good
than I do.

                          |r348

              JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON
 To the right worshipfull and myn especiall maister, John
        Paston, Esquyer, in hast be this delivered.

[1456, Oct. 16] <b> AFTER al due recomendacion, like it you to wete, that
   the day of your assise is die Lun proximo post tres
   septimanas Sancti Michaelis, whiche is on Moneday
come vij nyght; at whiche tyme I trost ye wole be here, or
ellis can I do lytell or nought there inne.
   As touchyng your mater ageynst Gunnore, that dwelleth
in lawe, I have spoken to Lyttelton, and comuned with hym
there in, but it is not yet spoke of atte barre. Gunnore
hath waged his lawe of that he haade his day to wage it
of, &c.



|p108


   As touchyng your issues at Wentworth sute, it is ijs., and
it was retourned er I come here. My Maister Fastolfs
councel taketh heed thereto, &c.
   As for tydynges, my Lord Chaunceler is discharged. In
his stede is my Lord of Wynchestre. And my Lord of
Shrewisbury is Tresorer, and Broun of your Inn is Under_tresorer.
If ye wold sende to hym to graunte you the namyng
of th'eschetorship of Norffolk, &c., it were weel do, for it is
told me he wold do moche for you.
   Maister Lawrence Bothe is Prive Seall. And it is seid
that my Lord of York hath be with the Kyng, and is
departed ageyn in right good conceyt with the Kyng, but
not in gret conceyt with the Whene [Queen]; and sum men
sey, ne hadde my Lord of Buks not have letted it, my Lord
of York had be distressed in his departyng.
   On Moneday last passed was a gret affray at Coventre
bytwene the Duke of Somersets men and the wechemen
[watchmen] of the toun, and ij. or iij. men of the toun were
kylled there, to gret disturbance of alle the Lords there; for
the larom belle was ronge, and the toun arose, and wold have
jouperdit to have distressed the Duke of Somerset, &c., ne
had the Duke of Buks not have take a direccion therein.
   Also it is seid the Duke of Buks taketh right straungely
that bothe his brethren arn so sodeynly discharged from ther
offices of Chauncellerie and Tresoryship; and that among
other causeth hym that his opynyon is contrary to the Whenes
[Queen's] entent, and many other also, as it is talked. Item,
sum men seyn, the counseal is dissolved, and that the Kyng



|p109


is forth to Chester, &c. Also summe sey that many of the
Lords shall resorte hiddir to London ageynst Alhalwen tyde.
   And as touchyng th'eleccion of Shirefs, men wene that my
Lord of Canterbury shall have a gret rule, and specyall in our
countre.
   I can no more, but Almyghty God send us as his most
pleaser is.
   Wretyn al in hast, the Saterday next after Seint Edwards
day.
                Your Servaunt,              JAMES GRESHAM.

                          |r349

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p110


                          |r350

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p111


                          |r351

          SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON
To the worshipful and my right welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, at
    the Temple, or to William Barker, at Suthwerk, be thit
    delvered.

[1456, Nov. 18] <b> WORSHIPFUL cosyn, I comaunde me to yow. And
   where as I late wrote unto yow in a lettre by
   Henre Hansson for the fundacion of my college,
I am soore sette therupon; and that is the cause I write now,
to remembre yow agayn to meve my Lords of Canterbury
and Wynchestre for the licence to be opteined, that I might
have the morteisying withowte ony grete fyne, in recompence
of my longe servise contynued and doon un to the Kyng, and
to his noble fader, whom God assoile, and nevere yette
guerdoonned or rewarded.
   And now sithe I have ordeyned to make the Kyng
founder, and evere to be prayed fore, and for his right noble
progenitors, hise fader, and uncles, me thinketh I shuld not
be denyed of my desire, but the rather to be remembrid and
spedde.
   Wherfore, as I wrote un to yow, I pray yow acqueynte



|p112


me and yow, for the rather spede here of, with a chapelleyn
of my Lord of Caunterbury, that in your absence may re_membre
me, and in like wise with my Lord Chaunceller;
for seyng the Kyngs disposicion, and also hise, un to the
edyfyeng of God is service, it myght in noo bettyr tyme be
mevid, &c.
   My Lord of Norffolk is remevid from Framlyngham on
foote to goo to Walsyngham, and deily I wayte that he wolde
come hidre.
                     Your cosyn,
                                               J. FASTOLF.

                          |r352

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p113


                          |r353

               JOHN DORY TO JOHN PASTON
 To my ryth wurchepfull sovereyn and master, John Paston,
               be this delyveryd in hast.

[About 1456 |r(?)] <b> RYTH wurshepfull master and sovereyn, I recomaunde
   me to you, besechyng you to pardon me that I
   cum not to awayte up on you like as Barkere wrote
to me. For I have notable and grete causis syth the lettere
cam from hym, the qweche hath chaungyd my purpos, and
be my master the Schreve is wrytyng, on to weche I must
aplie me, all excusis leyd apart. And as for the wrytyng
Barkere wrote to me, be the qweche he directyth a gret default
in my deputys for return of the habeas corpus with ducens tecum,
ther as is none, I dar seye, for John Rede spek to all my
master Fastolfs councell to advyse hym in the return, and to
have returnyd hit after ther conceyt, and thei wuld gyf hym
non advys. Nevertheles I now understande ther entent be
Barkere is wrytyng; for thei wuld put alle juparte up on me
to myn utter ondoyng, and yit to do my trewe part in execu_cion
of ther entent, for ye knowell my master hath put the
juparte and the losse, if any growe, to me on his part. And
ther for I may repent the tyme that ever I promysyd my trewe
and good wyll to that entent. For alle the malesse and evyl_will
that is owyng to me in alle the Schere ys for that mater
and non other, the qweche hath grettely hurt me, and in tyme
comyng schall hurt more. But lete them hold me excusyd,
thei schall not have my goodwill so feythfully as thei have
had, be my troweth, and I schall helpe my sefl [sic] as I may.
And, Sire, I be seche you, thynke not that I pyke this be
waye of qwarell, that I myth be this querell owe my good
wyll to the toder part, for thei schall never have yt in that



|p114


mater, nor in non other. And for good the qweche I have
receyvyd yff be thowth I have not deservyd yt I am abill to
content yt a geyn. And on Friday nexst foluwyng I schall
be with you atte Norwich be Goddys grace, and knowe your
entent in this mater.
   No more, &c., but &c. -- Be your man and servaunt,
                     JOHN DORY under Schreve of Norffolk.

                          |r354

           JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON

[1457 |r(?), April 2] <b> SIRE, lyke it your maistership to wete that I sende you
   at this tyme the rolle of the copies of all patentes, and
   the appoyntement with Wentworth laste, and also a
abstracte drawen as it come simply to my remembrance. And
I shalbe with you sumtyme the next weke. All men ar owte
at this tyme, as the Parson, Worcester, and Barker; and
therfore til thei come, I may not owte. H. Wyndesor
departid on Monday, and will doo that he can. He telleth
me Lumleys patent is in his awarde, but it is of noo force.
And also he hathe Constable is ij. [second?] patente, and that
is moste ayenst us, &c. He wil purveie therfore as ye knowe
myn maister comaundit hym to yow.
   Here hath ben Wilton with the dede of feffement yester_day,
and all men hadde ensealed sauf myn maister that now
hathe ensealed, and H. Inglose is right soory. I can no newe
tidinges, but that myn maister hath put his matier of Issabells
in Scroudeby, and the rente of the priour of Norwiche dieu to
Heilesdon in your hande and Thomas Grene. Ye shal the
next weke have the evidences. And Jesu kepe you and
youres.



|p115


   I sende myn Maistres Crane a lettre fro hir brother, but I
have the credence, whiche I can not say but if she appose me
for certein materes of hir brotheres.
   Writen at Castre, the ij. day of Aprill.
                Your owen servaunt,                    J. B.

                          |r355

                  BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON
                 To my Maister Paston.

[1457, April 20] <b> PLEASE you to wete that, after dew recommendacion,
   hyt yt so that my maister sendyth me to London for
   the mater of Rochestr, as for dyvers of hys oune
particuler maters which concern not the lawe, &c.; and I am
lyke to tarye till ye com, in case ye com wythynne iij. wekys.
   Sir, at reverence of God, seth my maister ys fully yn wille
to renew hys fefment, that it may be do be tyme by the surest
grounde that may be had, for, be it nevyr so suerly don, hyt
shall be thought lytille ynowgh to kepe hys lond owte of
trouble; and to spare for no councell ne cost to make sure,
for a peny yn seson spent wille safe a pounde. I comyned
with my broyder Spyrlyng, which seyth he wille do hys
attendaunce, and to kepe it ryzt close of the namys. Taryeng
drawyth parell.
   And ye meved a gode mater to the Parson and to me at
your last beyng at Castr, that my maister shud be lerned whate
hys housold standyth uppon yerlye, seth he kept it holye to
ghedr at one place; and that don, then to see by the revenues
of hys yeerly lyfelode whate may be leyd and assigned owte
for that cause to meynteyn hys seyd housold, and over that,
whate may be assigned to beere owte hys plees, and also do
pay for hys foreyn chargs and dedes of almes to a con_venyent
somme.



|p116


   And seth the grettist ordynarye charge most be hys
housold kepyng, hyt were moste exspedyent that ye wold note
well to remembre specially my maister to do hys audyt[or]es
cast up and make rollys of hys accompts concernyng the seyd
housold seth he came yn to Norffolk thys ij. yer and half,
whych was nevyr so long to doo thys xl. wynter as ye now.
And it ys pytee that hys audyt ys none ethyr wyse yn that
entended; ye must nedys, yff ye wille my maister know how
hyt stand with hym yerly of hys chargs, that thys be do fyrst,
as it was allwey accustomed. My maister wille acord it to be
don, but it ys forgete throwgh negligence of men yoven to
sensualite, as Thomas Upton, me, and othyrs. My maister
can not know wheder he go backward or forward till thys
be doon.
   I can not elles, but ye wille not foryete thys that the
audyt[or]es go verraily aboute it to an ende. And Haylysdon
accompts be behynde for ij. yeer to [too] grete pite ys, and it
wer yours or yn any wyseman gouveraunce.
   At Norwich hastly, the Wenstay in Ester weke.
                                         BOTO-H.R.-NER.

                          |r356

                 BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON
  To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier,
             beyng in Norwych, yn haste.

[1457, May 1] <b> RYGHT worshypfull Sir, aftyr dewe recommendacion,
   please yow to wete that I wrote a remembraunce to
   yow the day that I departed owte of Norwich, by
Rychard, the Parson ys servaunt of Blofeld, concernyng



|p117


certeyn maters to be remembred by your wysdom for my
maister ys avaylle, whych your grete wysdom can well undre_stand
ys ryght nedefull, as one thyng yn especiall, that Shyp_dam
and Spyrlyng ought to labour, fyrst of onye thyng that
belongyth, to audyt the accompts of the resseyt and despense
of my maister housold at Castr seth he came last in to Nor_ffolk,
whych aswell for the provisyons that ys had of hys oune
grownyng as in money payd; for till the seyd accompts be
made ordynatlye, whych be of a grete charge yeerlye, wete ye
for certeyn my maister shall nevere know whethyr he goth
bakward or forward. And manye othere accomptants that
maken lyvere of provysyons of cornys and catell to the house_hold
by the resseyvour and by the bayllyfs can not approve
theyr liberatz just tille the seyd housold bokes be made upp;
and seth it hath be kept ordynarylye seth my maister begen to
kepe house thys l. yeer almoste, and when he hath be absent
beyond see, &c., hyt ought to be more redelyer be doon and
made upp whyle he is present, and well the rathere that hys
housold menye were not so hole to ghedr thys xl. yer as be
now at Castr. Also hyz minustrs of accompts of hys chieff
maner of Haylysdon for iij. yeer to make upp and to examyn;
and I ensure yow full simplye approwed hys wollys and hys
fermys.
   And the iijd ys that so wold Jesus my maister audytors
wold faythfully and playnlye enforme my maistr of the trouth
of the yeerly grete damage he beryth in debursyng hys money
aboute shyppes and botes, kepyng an house up at Jermuch
[Yarmouth] to hys grete harme, and resseyvyth but chaffr and
waare for hys cornys and wollys, &c. and then most abyde
along day to make money; of such chaffr takyng he shall
nevere be monyed, ne be aunsuerd clerly of hys revenues
yeerly but [unless] those thyngs abofeseyd be amended be
tyme. Yn Lowys days xij. yeer to gheder my maister was
wont to ley upp money yeerly at London and Castr, and now
the contrarye -- de malo in pejus.
   I dar not be know of thys bille, but ye may question and



|p118


vele of the disposicion of thys maters of otheres, and then
undrstand yff I wryt justlye or no; and ye, as of your mocion
for my maister worshyp and profyt, exortyng hym, the stuard,
Shypdam, and Spyrlyng to take a labour and a peyn that thys
be reformed.
   I pray yow, and require yow kepe thys mater to your sylf.
                       Yowr,                   BOTONER.

   As for nouveltes none comth, but yt ys seyd the sege
shall com to Calix. The Erle of Warwyk ys yhyt at
Caunterbury with the Archbyship, and the Erle younger
brothere maryed to Sir Eadmund Yngylthorp doughter
uppon Seynt Marks Day. The Erle of Worcestr broght
aboute the maryage. The Queen and the Kyng at Herford,
the Lordes Bokyngham, Shrewsbury, and otheres ther. And
now it ys seyd Herbert shall com ynne, and apper at Ley_cester
before the Kyng and the Lordes, hys lyfe graunted and
godes, so he make amendys to theym he hath offended. Manye
be endyted, som causelese, which makyth Herbert partye
streng, and the burgeys and gentlemen aboute Herford wille
goo wyth the Kyng wyffe and chylde, but a pease be made or
the Kyng part thens, for ell[es] Herbert and hys affinite wille
acquyt them, as it ys seyd.
   The Erle of Warwyk hath had the folks of Caunter_bury
and Sandwych before hym, and thanked hem of her
gode herts and vytaillyng of Calix, and prayeth hem of
contynuaunce.
   I sende a bille of the namys endyted to my maister and



|p119


yow, to see and laugh at theyr Wellsh names descended of old
pedegris. Our Lord be with yow.
   Wryt hastly at London, the fyrst day of May.
                                                  BOTONER.

                          |r357

        SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON, ESQUIRE
     To myne worshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Squier.

[About 1457, Aug.]   Ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow, and thanke yow of
youre greet peyn and labores that ye daylye take for me in alle myn causes,
for wheche I am greetly holden to yow, God yelde hit yow. And, cosyn, hit
is so, as I am enformed, that a fermore of myn maner in Saxthorp, called John
Bennes, shuld come be fore yow for to appoynte for suche dewte as he oweth to
me upon his ferme. I sende to yow the bokes of his accompt to th'entent that
Spyrlyng may awayte upon yow at his comyng, and declare hym his dewte,
wheche, myn receyvore seyth, hit wole drawe to the summe of xlvli. [ 45],
and more money at Michelmasse now nex comyng. And the ferme is but
xxli. [ 20] yerly, by wheche ye may understande that he hath hadde greet
favore in his payementes to his weel and myn greet hurt, as I reporte me to
youre greet wysdome. Neverthelesse, sethe hit is so that he hath hadde this
advayle upon me, I wold seen now that suche dewte as shal ben dewly founde
upon hym by accompt to be made at this day, that I may ther of have paye_ment
in hande as reson wole, or of as moche as the day is ronne of; and for
the resydewe to have greable sewerte, that is to sey, of xxli. growen at Mihel_masse
next comyng, to have payement therof at the Festes of Seynt Andrew
and the Annunciacion of our Lady next comyng by even porcions, as in his
endenture made of the seyd lees more pleynerly is conteyned. And this don, I
am content that he goo at large, and elles that Spyrlyng take a rekenyng of hym,
so as I may be aunswered accordyng to the statute, &c. And, cosyn, that
overe this ye lyke to yeve credence to the brynger her of of that he shal
declare yow in this be half be mouth. And oure Lord kepe yow.
   Wreten in hast, at myne manoir of Castre, the Saterday next after our
Lady Day the Assumpcion.

   And, cosyn, I praye yow that he have none favore other wyse than lawe
wole, seyng he is so contraryows for any fayer promyse of his behalf, &c.
                      Your cosyn,             JOHN FASTOLF, Ch'r.



|p120


                          |r358

                        {ABSTRACT}

                          |r359

                        {ABSTRACT}

                          |r360

          SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO STEPHEN SCROOPE
                    A Stevyn Scrope.

[1457, Oct. 30] <b> WORSCHEPEFUL and my right wel beloved Sone,
   I comaund me to yow, and hertily thank yow for
   your good avertismentys, and right well avysed
lettres to me sent from tyme to tyme, and so pray yow of
your good continuance.



|p121


   Plese it yow to wete that, for as mech as the parson Sir
Thomas Howes cometh up at this tyme by the grevous pur_sewte
of John Andreus and Heydon, to apere be fore the right
worschepeful Sir, my right wel be loved brother, your fadir,
and other the Kynges Juges of the Kynges Benche, -- I pray
zow hertily that ye wille have in remembraunce for to recomaund
me to hym whan ye speke with hym, and for to thank hym for
his rightful favour shewed in Sir Thomas matier, and in alle
other maters that toucheth me, wheche ben attained in that hey
courte; and so it lyke yow, pray hym of his good continuance,
and I shall doo serve it unto hym to my symple power for his
good wyl to me shewed, and to myne; and I trust to God
that he shal hold hym plesid. And that it like yow to geve
credence to the seid Sir Thomas of that he shal sey to zow for
my worschepe and profyte, and that this lettre may recomaud
me to my doghtir your wyf, be sechyng the blissed Trinite to
sende yow the acomplyshment of your good desyre.
   Wretyn at Castre, the xxx. day of Octobr.
                                                    J. F.

                          |r361

            RICHARD, EARL OF SALISBURY, TO
                   |rVISCOUNT BEAUMONT
To the right worchipful and with al myn hert rigt entierly
         welebiloved Brother, the Viscount Beaumont.

[1458 |r(?), Jan. 24] <b> RIGHT worshipful, and, with al myn hert, right entierly
   wele bilovede brothre, I recomaunde me unto yow.
   And for somoche as by the Kings moste noblez lettrez
brought me late by Hagreston, oon of the gromes of his



|p122


chambre, I am desirede to come unto his Highnesse to Lon_don;
wherunto for suche grevous diseas and infirmitees as it
hath liked oure Lord to visit me with, wherof Robert Danby
can at large declare unto yow, I can ne mowe dispose me,
without feynyng, by the trouth I owe unto the King, but that
therby I doubt not, I shulde not rekever, daies of my lyfe,
suche hurt as, by the reason of the said diseas, wolde grow
unto me, the which hath right fervently and sore holden me in
many diversez bihalvez, so that, sith my last comyng frome
London I had not, by the space of vj. daies togidiez, my
helth.
   Wherfore, brothre, I pray yow, with al myn hool hert, that
it like yow to cal tofore yow the said Robert Danby, and to
take of him the vray trouth in the premissez, and therupon to
bee my good and tendre moyen, as by your wysdome can best
bee thought convenable, unto the Kinges goode grace, for
th'excuse of my nown comyng; prayng yow hertly to certifye
me, by comers bitwen, suche tidings as ye shal have in thos
partiez, with othre your good pleasir to be perfourmed at my
power, as knoweth oure Lord, to whom I biseche to ever have
yow in his blissed proteccion and keping.
   Wryten at Shirrifhoton, the xxiiij. day of Januare.

      Your trew brodir, wich prayth you hertely to excuse
         me to the Kings Heghnesse.
                                            R. SALISBURY.



|p123


                          |r362

                     AGNES PASTON
 Erands to London of Augnes Paston, the xxviij. day of
      Jenure, the yer of Kyng Henry the Sext, xxxvj.

[1458, Jan. 28] <b> TO prey Grenefeld to send me feythfully word, by wrytyn,
   who Clement Paston hath do his dever in lernyng.
   And if he hathe nought do well, nor wyll nought
amend, prey hym that he wyll trewly belassch hym, tyl he wyll
amend; and so ded the last maystr, and the best that ever he
had, att Caumbrege. And sey Grenefeld that if he wyll take
up on hym to brynge hym in to good rewyll and lernyng, that
I may verily know he doth hys dever, I wyll geve hym x.
marcs for hys labor, for I had lever he wer fayr beryed than
lost for defaute.
   Item, to se who many gownys Clement hathe; and the
that be bar, late hem be reysyd. He hathe achort [a short]
grene gowne, and achort musterdevelers gowne, wer never
reysyd; and achort blew gowne that was reysyd, and mad of a
syde gowne, whan I was last at London; and asyde russet
gowne, furryd with bevyr, was mad this tyme ij. yer; and
asyde murry gowne was mad this tyme twelmonth.
   Item, to do make me vj. sponys, of viij. ounce of troy
wyght, well facyond and dubbyl gylt.
   And sey Elyzabet Paston that she must use hyr selfe to
werke redyly, as other jentylwomen done, and sumwhat to
helpe hyr selfe ther with.
   Item, to pay the Lady Pole . . . xxvjs. viijd. for hyr
bord.
   And if Grenefeld have do wel hys dever to Clement, or
wyll do hys dever, geffe hym the nobyll.
                                            AGNES PASTON.



|p124


                          |r363

               AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
           Tho my wele be lovyd son, John Paston,
               be this delyvered in haste.

<b> SONNE, I grete zow wele, and lete zow wete that for as
   myche as zoure brothir Clement leteth me wete that ze
   desyre feythfully my blyssyng, -- that blyssyng that I
prayed zoure fadir to gyffe zow the laste day that ever he
spakke, and the blyssyng of all seyntes undir heven, and myn
mote come to zow all dayes and tymes; and thynke veryly
non other but that ze have it, and shal have it, with that that
I fynde zow kynde and wyllyng to the wele of zoure fadres
soule, and to the welfare of zoure bretheren.
   Be my conseyle dypose zoureselfe as myche as ze may to
have lesse to do in the worlde; zoure fadye sayde: In lityl
bysynes lyeth muche reste. This world is but a thorough fare,
and ful of woo; and whan we departe therefro, rizth nouzght
bere with us but oure good dedys and ylle. And ther knoweth
no man how soon God woll clepe hym, and therfor it is good
for every creature to be redy. Qhom God vysyteth him he
lovyth.
   And as for zoure bretheren, thei wylle I knowe certeynly
laboren all that in hem lyeth for yow. Oure Lorde have zow
in his blyssed kepyng, body and soule.
   Writen at Norwyche, the xxix. day of Octobyr.
                   Be zoure modir,                    A. P.



|p125


                          |r364

         WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF
   To my ryght worshypful master, Sir John Fastolf.

[1458, Feb. 1] <b> RYGHT worshypfull Sir, and my ryght gode maister, I
   recomaund me to yow yn my full humble wyse. Please
   yow to wete, as to nouveltees here both Christofr
Barker wryteth to you more along.
   The Kyng came the last weke to Westminster, and the
Duk of Yorke came to London with hys oune housole onlye
to the nombre of cxl. hors, as it ys seyd; the Erle of Salysburye
with iiijc. [400] hors yn hys companye, iiijxx [fourscore] knyghts
and sqwyers.
   The Duke of Somerset came to London last day of Janyver
with ijc. [200] hors, and loggyth wythoute Temple Barre, and
the Duc of Excestr shalle be here thys weke with a grete fely_shyp
and strong, as it ys seyd.
   The Erle of Warwyke ys not yhyt com, because the wynde
ys not for hym.
   And the Duke of Excester takyth a grete displesir that my
Lord Warewyke occupyeth hys office, and takyth the charge of
the kepyng of the see uppon hym.
   Item, as for tydyng of beyend see, I hyre none certeyn, but
that the Frensh Kyng shulde hafe maryed hys doughter to the
Kyng of Hungerye, whych had the descomfytur uppon the
Turks, and the seyd Kyng ys decesed wythynne thys vj. wekes,
or the spouselle was made; but he ordeyned or he dyed that
the Frensh Kyngs doughter shuld be named Quene of Hungerye
duryng hyr lyffe.



|p126


   Rygt worshypfull Sir, I beseche the blessed Trinite hafe
yow yn hys gouvernaunce.
   Wrete at London, the fyrst day of Feverzer, anno 36 R.
H. VI.

   Moreover, please you to wete that William Canyngs the
merchaunt wryteth an aunsuer of your lettre. I trust it shall
be the better for your wrytyng.
   My brother promytted me a certeyn somme when I maryed,
and I shall hafe it of my sister yff I may.
               Your humble servauntte,
                                  W. BOTONER, dit WORCESTYR.

                          |r365

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p127


                          |r366

          JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF
     To my Maister Fastolf, at Castre, in haste.

[1458, March 15] <b> LYKE it your maistership to wyte that, as for tidings,
   the Counsell is, the fornone, at the Blake Frires, for
   the ease of resorting of the Lordys that are withinne
the toun; and at afternone at the White Frirers in Fletstrete,
for the Lordis withowte the toun; and all thing shall come to
a good conclusion with God is grace, for the Kyng shall come
hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and
my Lord Buk, and Stafford with hire, and moche puple.
   My Lord of Caunterbury takith grete peyne up on hym
daily, and will write un to yow the certeynte of suche tidings
as falle; and shuld have doon or this tyme, saf for that he
wolde knowe an end of the matter.
   Other tidings here are none, sauf my Lord of Excestre
is displesid that the Erle of Warwyk shall kepe the see,
and hath therfore received this weke ml. li. [ 1000] of the
Hanupere.
   The messenger was on horsbak whanne I wrote yow this
bill, and therfore it was doon in haste; and our Lord Jesus
kepe yow.
   Writen at London the Wednesday after Midlenton.
   And my Lord of Caunterbury tolde me that the Frenche
men have ben before yow, and that ye shotte many gonnes;
and so he tolde all the Lords. I have desirid hym to move



|p128


the Counsell for refreshing of the toun of Yermowth with
stuff of ordnance and gonnes and gonne powdre, and he seid
he wolde.
                  Your humble servaunt,
                                               J. BOKKING.

                          |r367

         WILLIAM CALTHORPE TO JOHN PASTON
       To my worshipfull Cosyn John Paston.

[1458 |r(?), May 11 |r(?)] <b> RIGHT worshipfull Cosyn, I recommaund me unto
   you, certifying you that your man John Osberne of
   Walsyngham hath be with me and lete me have
knowlage of a commyssion chuld be doun from my lord
Chaunceler to Sir Robert Conyers, you other and me, and
that ye wold have your day upon Munday or Tewesday at
Crowemer, Blakeney or Walsyngham, &c. And after that
he was departed from me, ther cam a servaunt from my cosyn
Twyer, and seid that his maister hade a letter from you that
ze have set to be at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng.
And for as much as I stande in nonn certeyn be cause of
variaunce of the massangeres, therfore I send a man of myne
to you, praying yowe to sende me verray certeynte and a copy
of the commyssion, that my neybures may have knowlage of
the kingis entent if the case requyreth so, &c.
   I hold Blakeney a resonable place, and if ye kepe youre
purpose at Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng I shall mete
ther with you, with Goddis grace, Wheche have you ever
in His intyer kepyng, &c. Wretyn at Brunham upon the
Assencion day of our Lord, &c.,           By W. CALTHORPE.



|p129


                          |r368

                        {ABSTRACT}

                          |r369

          JOHN JERNYNGAN TO MARGARET PASTON
    Unto my ryght wurchipfull Cosyn, Marget Paston,
          this lettre be delyvered in haste.

[1458, June 1] <b> RYGHT wurchipfull and my moste beste beloved maystres
   and cosyn, I recommaund me unto you as lowly as I
   may, evermor desyring to here of your gode welfar;
the whiche I beseche Almyzthy Jesus to preserve you and
kepe you to his plesur, and to your gracious herts desyre.
   And yf it plese you to here of my welfar, I was in gode
hele at the makyng of this lettre, blessed be God.



|p130


   Prayng you that it plese you for to send me word yf my
fadyr wer at Norwiche with you at this Trenite Masse or no,
and how the matyr dothe be twene my Maystres Blawnche
Wychynham and me, and yf ze sopose that it shall be brought
a bowte or no; and how ze fele my fadyr, yf he be wele
wyllyng thereto or no; prayng you lowly that I may be
recomaund lowly unto my maystres, Arblastres wyfe, and
unto my Maystres Blawnche, her dowzther, specially.
   Ryght wurchipfull cosyn, yf it plese you for to her of
suche tydings as we have her, the basset [embassy] of Burgoyne
schall come to Calleys the Saturday eftyr Corpus Christi day,
as men say v. hondred horse of hem. Moreover, on Trenite
Sonday, in the mornyng, came tydings unto my Lord of
Warwyke that ther were xxviijte sayle of Spaynyards on the se,
and wherof ther was xvj. grete schippis of forecastell; and
then my Lord went and manned fyve schippis of forecastell,
and iij. carvells, and iiij. spynnes [pinnaces], and on the
Monday, on the mornyng eftyr Trenite Sonday, we met to
gedyr afore Caleis, at iiij. at the clokke in the mornyng, and
fawz thet gedyr till x. at the clokke; and ther we toke vj.
of her [their] schippis, and they slowe of oure men aboute
iiijxx [four score], and hurt a ij. hondred of us ryght sore; and
ther wer slayne on theyr parte abowte xijxx [twelve score], and
hurt a v. hondred of them.
   And haped me, at the fyrste abordyng of us, we toke a
schippe of iijc. [300] ton, and I was lefte therin and xxiij. men
with me; and thei fawzthe so sor that our men wer fayne to
leve hem, and then come they and aborded the schippe that I
was in, and ther I was taken, and was prisoner with them vj.
houris, and was delyvered agayne for theyr men that wer taken
beforne. And as men sayne, ther was not so gret a batayle
upon the se this xl. wyntyr. And for sothe, we wer wele and
trewly bette; and my Lord hathe sent for mor scheppis, and
lyke to fyzthe to gedyr agayne in haste.



|p131


   Nomor I write unto you at this tyme, but that it plese
you for to recomaund me unto my ryght reverent and wurchip_full
cosyn your husband, and myn ownkll Gournay, and to
myn awnte his wyfe, and to alle gode maysters and frends
where it schall plese yow; and eftyr the writyng I have from
you, I schall be at you in alle haste.
   Wretyn on Corpus Christi day in gret haste, be your owne
umble servant and cosyn,
                                             JOHN JERNYNGAN.

                          |r370

           HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON
    To my full speciall gode Maister, John Paston.

[1458 |r(?), Aug. 27] <b> WORSHIPFULL Sir, and my full speciall goode
   maister, after humble recommendacion, please it
   you to understand that such service as I can doo
to your plesir, as to myn understandyng, I have shewed my
diligence nowe this shorte season sithen your departyng, and
in especiall aboute suche a copie of a foundacion as your
maistership commaunded me to gete you a copie of, of the
which I sende unto you at this tyme, by my broder William
Worcestre, iij. copies writen by Luket, because I had no
leisir, but somoch besems in settyng forth my Maistr of the
Rolles. At this tyme, and in all this Kyngs deies, ye can
have noon oder accordyng any thing to your entent.



|p132



   And as for the names of the Poles, William hath more
wrytyng than ye and I coude fynde, foundon by labor made
by hym and me. And also, Sir, he hath caused me to examyn
olde and mony records, writen by some Frenshman, con_cernyng
the manour of Dedham; that was a comborous
labour,for these copies were full defectif, as it apereth by the
correctyng of them.
   Item, Sir, I may sey to you that William hath goon to
scole, to a Lumbard called Karoll Giles, to lern and to be red
in poetre or els in Frensh; for he hath byn with the same
Caroll every dey ij. tymes or iij., and hath bought divers boks
of hym, for the which, as I suppose, he hath put hymself in
daunger to the same Karoll. I made a mocion to William to
have knoen part of his besines, and he answered and seid that
he wold be as glad and as feyn of a good boke of Frensh
or of poetre as my Mastr Fastolf wold be to purchace a faire
manoir; and therby I understand he list not to be commynd
with all in such matiers.
   Item, Sir, as for any tidings, William can tell you here
at London ar but full fewe; but Henry Bourgchier is ded
sodenly at Ludlowe; my Lord of Caunterbury and my Lord
Bourgchier shall be this wyk at Hunnesdon, and hunte and
sporte theym with Sir William Oldhall.
   At this tyme nothyng els to your maistership; but and
it please you to remembre my maister at your best leiser,
wheder his old promise shall stande as touchyng my pre_ferryng
to the Boreshed in Suthwerke. Sir, I wold have
byn at a noddr place, and of my maisters owun mocion
he said that I shold sett uppon the Boreshed, in the which
matier I reporte me to William Worcestre, Bokkyng, and
William Barker, and most specially to my maisters awun
remembraunce.
   I know full well ther cann noo conclusion be taken to
myn asayle [avayle ?] without help of your maistership, unto
the which I utterly submitte me in this, and in all oder. And



|p133


our Lord Jesu preserve you and all youres, and send you your
herts desire with right.
   Writen at London on Sonday next after Seynt Bartholomu
Dey in hast.
   By your servaunt,                      HENRY WYNDESORE.

                          |r371

                       {ABSTRACT}

                          |r372

                  BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON
                 To my Maister Paston.

<b> SIR, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place,
   hyt fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked
   to gedre, and called me by my name, and both asked
how my maister fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to
see astate taked yn Lyncoln place by hym boght of Markham.
In the meene tyme the seyd Wymondham sent hys man to
speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of Sir Thomas how he



|p134


wille help labour to an ende, and had spoke with Heydon
yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell amercie_mentes
by their labour, and the [they ?] not beneficed, shewed
to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause,
&c. After my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd
that he desyred Sir Thomas to be gode meene to my maister
to hafe affeccion to the chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my
maister had before the maryage be laboured |r[i.e._if_my_master
|rhad_been_applied_to_before_the_marriage], hyt had [been]
moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because hys
fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold
hafe affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that
Thomas was with hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it
please my maister to sende for hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.
   I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of
Sir Thomas undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better,
whych to my power wold help make it knowen to Lordes and
all othyrs of the cruell amerciementes, the cruell juge to be
knowen as he ys, for I am of hys contrey, and know hys
rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At ix. at clok to
hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille |r(?).
                             Your,                     H. R.

                          |r373

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p135


                          |r374

         ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES PASTON
     To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston.

[1459, Jan 3] <b> RIGHT worshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder,
   in the most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre
   gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of
your moderly blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your wel_fare
and prosperite, the which I pray God to contynw and
encresce to your herts desyre. And yf it lyked your gode
moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of this
lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as for
my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes
call hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust
to Jesu non shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besy



|p136


as he can to make me sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde
in a bonde of mlli. to you mother, and to my brother John,
and to my brother William, and to Edmund Clere, the which
neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder,
as our most synguler trost is yn your gode moderhode, that
my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc at the
begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his
mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for
I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that
was oon of my best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym
in CCli., of which he reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng
of thys terme Cxxli., and yf he fayle therof at this tyme, he
wille clayme the hool of us, the which were to us to grete an
hurt; and he con not make an ende with noo of hys other
suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother
John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and
in all other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool, with whom I
sojerned, that ye wul be my tendr and gode moder that she
may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my mary_age,
and to Christofre Houson, as ye wrote unto my brother
John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese your gode
moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And
Jesu for his grete mercy save yow.
   Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of
Janyver.
                 By your humble doughter,
                                      ELYZABETH PONYNGGS.



|p137


                          |r375

     JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS FATHER
To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston, Esquyer,
        be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse.

[1459, March 5] <b> RYGHT worschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I
   comaund me to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow
   of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowr faderhod to
remembre and concydre the peyn and hevynesse that it
hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of thys contre, here
abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace,
and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr
plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner
have noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng
under thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dys_plesur,
ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre
for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner ease of yowr tenantys
whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng. Wherfor I
besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys
symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo
that schal please yow to the uttermest of my power and
labor; and if ther be any servyce that I may do if it please
yow to comaund me, or if y maye understonde it, I wyl be
as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer any thyng
that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but All_myghty
God have yow in kepyng.
   Wretyn the v. day of Marche.
                     By your older sone,
                                               JOHN PASTON.



|p138


                          |r376

                        {ABSTRACT}

                          |r377

             MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston, in hast.

[1459, April 29] <b> RYTHE worchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow.
   Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther
   wer browt unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on
of hem was indosyd to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve or



|p139


sexe odyr gentylmen; and anodyr was sent onto yowr sone,
and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and asynyd wythinne wyth
the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe that wer sent,
as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys
in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer
sent onto odyr gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was,
that they sshuwlde be wyth the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day
of May, wyth as many personys defensebylly arayid as they
myte acordyng to her degre, and that they schwld bryng wyth
hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the lettyr
that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to
Welyam Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt.
Hastynggs is forthe into Yorke schyr.
   I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye
wyl that yor sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that
ben yowr wel wyllerys, that ye may no lesse do than to send
hym forthe. As for hys demenyng, swn ye departyd, in
god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and delygent
inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the
whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at
hom. I hope he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyr_ward.
He desyryd Alblaster to bemene to yow for hym,
and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to yow, as I sent yow
word also be Alblaster, how I dede to hym aftyr that ye wer
go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf to be hys god
fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher
[worthier ?] heraftyr.
   As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr
schal do howr part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for
mony it comyth bwt slowly. And God have yow in hys
kepyng, and sen yow good sped in alle yowr matteris.
   Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the
Assencyon Day.
   Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [hear] swmme gode
tydynggys fro yow.
                      By yorys,                   M. P.



|p140


                          |r378

          OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON
  A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier.

[1459 |r(?), May 25] |r{26_lines_of_old_French_text}



|p141


|r{6_lines_of_old_French_text}

                          |r379

            WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON
To myn ryght worshypfull [m]ayster, John Paston, at London,
                    atte the Temple.

[1459, June 24] <b> PLEASE youre maystership that as to morwen a newe
   inquirendum shal be taken at Wycham Markette for
   the parsonage of Rendelesham for one Mayster John
Clerke, a chapeleyn of the Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas
shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an hors, and also hit
was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there; and, as
Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one
hadde bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn
self. But he seyth and |r[i.e._if] ye wold speke to myn Lord
Norwych, and enforme hym of the trought of the mater,
he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the ryght of the
patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald a
melius inquirendum. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John
Bulman all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit
please yow to comon with hym, ye shall understande all the
mater by hym how myn Lord is disposed. And [if] Mayster
Robert Eppeswell is now at London, hit were shame that they
shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip Wentworth groundeth not



|p142


his presentacion by the patent, but by the endenture a twyxt
the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe as ever
he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that
ye have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c.,
myn mayster is weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken
strangely, &c. Almyghty Jesu preserve yow, myn worship_full
mayster, to youre desyre after his pleser and youre trewe
entent.
   Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the
clokke at even. Youre owen man,
                                         W. BARKER,
                                      Per mandat, T. H.

                          |r380

                        {ABSTRACT}



|p143


                          |r381

       JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT
To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre,
                    my Lord Beaumont.

[Between 1454 and 1459] <b> Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord   Fadre, I recomaunde
   me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your
   writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Bagge_worth
for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be
right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure
shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship,
y by th'avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme
as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre
good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord
and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or
profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy
to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull
and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.
   Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.
   Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid
her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng
yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief
counceill, &c.
                                              JOHN, LORD LOVELL.

                          |r382

       ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO VISCOUNT
                        |rBEAUMONT
To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, the
                  Viscount Beaumont.

[1444-1460]   Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me to



|p144


you with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull
estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu
ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your
herts ease.
   Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt,
and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his
ewry, have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said
William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore,
cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th'instaunce
of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the
forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of
you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt
you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.
   And, cousin, in th'acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me
a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have
you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with
muche good worship.
   Writen at Framlynham, the viijth day of Marche.
                                 ELIANORE, the Duchess of Norfolk.

                          |r383

             FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON
To my Mayster, Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presentid.

   Jesu mercy.

[1459] <b> RYTE reverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly,
   comyth to Castre, and Zelverton with zow, and ze
   think it to be done; and sendyth home zowr men and
hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c. And by grace of God and zour
polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude more effectually in gret
matyers of substans, to my maysterys and zour worschip and
profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward, and is



|p145


ryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [weakened] and feblyd, &c.
And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made
at London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and
a crafty man, schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for
the inmorteysing of Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he
promittyd up [promised upon] a certeyn mony, &c., and undir_toke
it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys in the matere, &c.
And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do hise part, &c.
And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet, &c., or
elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri,
&c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze
come.
   Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be
myn trewthe, and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaunde_ment,
in zour letter haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to
my mayster, &c. Every day this v. dayes he seyth, `God send
me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I holde hym a feythful man,
and ever on man.' Cui ego, `That is soth,' &c. Et ille, `Schew
me not the mete, schew me the man.' |r{14_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p146


                          |r384

             WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON
        To my worshipful and right gode mayster,
                   John Paston, Squyer.

[1459 |r(?), Aug. (22)] <b> WURSHlPFUL sire, and my right gode mayster, I
   recomaunde me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour
   gode maystership that ze liked to sende my mayster
zour sone to Sporle with suych felaship as ze dede, for which
I am ever bounde to doo zou service, prayeng zou of zour
gode contenuaunce.
   Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek
with an axez [ague], and truly that caused me that I and my
felaship taryed; and so be cause theroffe I caused my lady to
wryte a specyall lettre to my Lord Scales. But for al that
Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of Suffolkys name.
And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was, that I
wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my
seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo
was right sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and
my lordes and my ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon
further. But if I had been heil and not seek, there shuld have
kome a wurshipful felaship out of Suffolk of so litel warnyng;
but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the axcez bothe Sunday
and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so kyndely
zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felaship



|p147


redy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng
Blake, and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze
have warnyng. And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle
tymys, as ze shewe me gret cause to doo zou service. Wreten
at Thelton, the Wednysday next before Seynt Bertilmew Day
in haste.
                    Your servaunt,            WILLIAM JENNEY.

                          |r385

              |rWILL_OF_SIR_JOHN_FASTOLF

[1459, Nov. 3]   In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year]
of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our
souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of
the moneth [of] Novembre, I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of
the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am
sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in
my soule how this world is tra . . . and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges
that is present or for to come, here is noe thynge in this onstable world so
serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe,
the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the
oure and tyme of deth -- Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche
goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise boun_teuous
grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed
as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of
God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most
oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo . . . for, the soule of John Fastolf,
my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas . . . . . my modir, and the soule
of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for
the soulez of othyr of myn . . . . . . . kynsefolke and speciall frendes here
undir wretyn, -- I ordeyn and . . . . . his my last will in fourme and maner
folwyng: --
             |r[First Draft.]                    |r[Second Draft.]
   *[Fyrst, I will and ordeyne that, if       Firste, Forasmyche as for the wel_fare
it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge        of my soule and of the soules
Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges,     forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpe



|p148


|r{1st_column}
for the longe contynwyd servise be me
in the daye of strengthe and helthe of
my body, to hym and to the noble
Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry
the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise
noble uncles John Duke of Bedford,
Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they
were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng
Lord and hise noble progenitorys for_seid,
in Fraunce and Normandy as in
cuntreez an othyr placis, consederynge
my many gret labourys, peynis, and
perilis in the seyd servise of oure
sovereyn Lord and hise noble pro_genitoris
forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous
grace withoutyn ony other . . . . . of
myn executores namyd in my testament,
or ellys for a resonable sume of [money]
whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith
me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr
meane, so as myn executores therein
shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn
Lord and hise counsell, or with hise
heire Kynges and here councell, to
lycence and graunte to them that be
feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis
manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes,
servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or
to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and
forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn
executores, to ordeyne, founde, and
stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or
dwelynge place late be me newe edified
and motid in the town of Castre, be
Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Nor_ffolk,
ffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place
I was born in, a collage of a prioury of
vj. religeous personis, monks of the
ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise
and graunte to the seyd priour and vj.
religeous personis, or to here succes_sorys,
the forseyd mancion or dwellynge
place, with all the appurtenauncez and
othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the
forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and
tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with
here appurtenauncez, for he sustenta_cion

|r{2nd_column}
of the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre
of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo
lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme
comyng withinne the gret mancion be
me late edified and motid in Castre
forseid, I have of long tyme been in
purpose to stablishe and founde a col_age
withinne the seyd gret mancion
and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd
and thought behoffefull for the seyd
cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde
inhabite in the seyd mancion with the
collagyens of the seyd collage: Ther_for,
and for the senguler love and trust
that I have to my seyd cosyn John
Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in
veray beleve that he will execute my
will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he
and I have covinauntyd and been ac_cordyd
that he shall, with inne reson_able
tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or
do founde . . . . and indewe withinne
the seid mancion a collage of vij.
religeous monkys or pristes, to preye
for the soules above seyd in perpetuite,
of whiche one to be cheif governour of
hem, and he to have xli., and iche
othyr prist or monk [of the said
co]llage x. marks yeerly for here
sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid
in mony, and that the seyd collagyens
shull be soo indewyd that be syde here
seyd pencions for here propir levynge
to be grauntyd hem, they . . . . .
inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore
folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd
mancion of Castre to preye for the
soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of
whiche pore folk iche of hem to have
xls. a yeer or th . . . . ere levynge,
fynding, and sustentacion; and that the
seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and
make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and
to the seyd pore folke a suffecient
summe, and a competent and an esy
dwellynge place . . . . . seid collag_yens
nor here successorys beryng no



|p149


|r{1st_column}
of the seyd priour and vj. religeous
personys and here successorys, and for
here othyr chargys and reparacionis,
and for vij. pore men in the seyd
collage in perpetuite, be the avise and
discrecion of myn executores forseid,
to be foundyd and susteynid; and that
thanne the forseyd feffees or her assig_nees
nees if they . . . . grauntes of othyr othyr
havyng entresse in this be halve requisit
lawefully shul make, founde, and stab_lishe,
or doo be made, founde, and
stablishid in the seyd collage, with the
seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever
to endure, for to prey for my soule and
for the soulez of my fadir and my
modir, and of all my kynsefolk and
good doeres, and for the soulez of
the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd,
Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte,
and the seyd noble Dukys, and for
the good astat and prosperite of oure
sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme,
and aftyr for hese soule, and for all
Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and
sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris
in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis,
proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of
the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme,
in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn
executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte,
or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to
the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion
and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], . . . . sufficient, swyr, and
cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres . . . . rentes, servisez, with
here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis . . . . . lithe next
the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour
and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij.
pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of
thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the
forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the
seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill
suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the for_seyd
vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis
withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore
seyd.]
   *[Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte of


|r{2nd_column}
reparacion there of, for whiche and for
othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I
will, graunte, and ordeyne that the
seyd John Paston shall have in fee
symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the
manerez, londes, and tenementes in
Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in
whiche the seyd John Paston or ony
othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in
or have title to, and that all feffeez
feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes,
and . . . er astat of the seyd manerez,
londes, and tenementes to suche per_sonys,
and at suche tymes and in suche
fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris
or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or
ony of hem. And the seyd John
Paston . . . . . seyd collage shal bere
and paye to my behoff, towardes the
paymentys of my dettes and othir
thynges, he my present will assygnid
to be do, mlmlmlml. [4000] mark, in
suche fourme and at suchc tyme as in
this my present will . . . . . . .
here aftir folwyng: --



|p150


oure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of
ony othyr . . . . entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffe_ciently
 . . . . . . . that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove
to . . . . . . of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode
or mony competent . . . . . seyd abot and covent or here successory, and my
seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewe_ment
and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in
the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd,
susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn
the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they
now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte
perpetualy be made be the avyse od myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmen_tacion,
susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent
and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in
perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.

|r{1st_column}
            |r[First Draft.]
   *[It]em, I will and ordeyne that
all and singuler lordshepis, maneres,
londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and
servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in
whiche ony persone or personys are
feffid in or have astat and possession
to myn use, in whiche sum ever
counteez or townez the said lordshepis,
maneres,londes, and tenementes, rentes,
and servisez bein withinne the ream
of Englond; and that all the forseyd
and senguler lordshepys, manerez,
tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with
here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony
person or personys been intitlyd to
myn use be the lawe, shull be sold
be my seyd executoris, except manerez,
londes, and tenementes, rentes, and
servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as
shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage,
if the fundacion thereof take effecte:
And that the mony of the sale or salys
comynge be disposed be my seyd
executores in executyng of thys my
last wyll and testament, and in othyr
dedes of almesse as my seyd executores
be here discrecion shal seme best to
plese God for the helthe of my soule
and for the soulys forseyd: And that
happe the fundacion os the seyd collage

|r{Second_column}
   |r[Second Draft.]
   Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte
that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes,
and tenementes, rentes, and servisez,
with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony
persone or personis been feffid in, or
have astat or possession, or be in titlid
to myn use be the lawe, except the
seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes,
rentes, and servisez, with here appur_tenauncez,
in the shirez of Norffolk,
Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article
next presedent specified, shull be sold
be the seyd John Paston and Thomas
Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And
I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the
seyd John and Thomas, and noon
othir while they leve, shall have the
sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of
all my londes forseyd, except before
except, and execucion of this my last
will and of every article there in; and
I will that the seid John and Thomas
shall have all the profitez and avaylez
and emolwements of the seyd maneris,
londes, and tenementes, rentes, and
servisez, with all othir comoditeez
therof comyng, til be them they be
sold, and the mony of the profites and
salis thereof comynge, be them to be
disposed for the welfare of my soule



|p151


|r{1st_column}
to take to noon effecte, nor the seyd
collage foundyd, that thanne the lord_shepis,
londes, and tenementes, rentes,
and servise, with here appurtenancez,
whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd
morteysyng, also shull be sold [be
my]n executores, and the mony there-of
comyng to be disposed be [myn]
executores in executyng and parform_ynge
of my will and testament, and in
othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores
for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.]*
   *[Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have
all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lord_shepys,
manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here
appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to
tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to
tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof
made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes,
profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And
also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the
issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except
l . . . . . londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to
tyme . . . . . and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd
admynistracion . . . . . . shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat
beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly
accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes,
profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And
if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd
executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and
emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes,
rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly
sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof,
be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof
made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof,
withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd
executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwe_mentes
afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall
seme beste to the plesure of God.]*
   Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes
pretende . . . . . . at this day to be next heneritere [inheritor] to me aftyr
my deseas, where . . . . . . . . . . . . knowe that no creature hathe title
or right to inheryte ony . . . . . . . . . . . londes and tenementes, rentes,
and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys . . . . . . have to
myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey . . . 
me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor
for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be ony

|r{2nd_column}
and of the soulez forseyd duryng the
lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and
in cas this my will be not executyd in
heyre [liv]es, hat thanne the exe_cucion
be thereof doon be othyr myn
executores that aftyr hem too shal
have the mynistracion of my goodes.



|p152


manner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes,
servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.
   Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd],
or the more part of them and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and inter_pretacion
of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in
this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and
wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle
or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche
articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage
othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion
of my seyd [too namyd] executors.
   Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be]
me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which
can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis,
offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone
hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently
and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be
speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to
thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience
and good feithe requyreth.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use
have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the
tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt
and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd
[lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd
to . . [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye
to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that
be tenauntes of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be
disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd], aftyr my will
approvid, and my dettes payd.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe
cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys,
observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in he seyd
parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer,
that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, with placebo and derige and messe,
be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes
accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd
annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd] that
londes or teneme[ntes] . . . . . . . . . . ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of
xxs., and that to be inmorteis . . . . . . . . swyr to the seyd prioury or



|p153


parishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere . . . . . and chargys of the
perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche
ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke
or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd
monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for
ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be
distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have
ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a reson_able
and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes he kept and govyn
to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of
myn executores be fore namyd.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche
be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my
goodes . . . . . havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and
of . . . . . Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here
. . . . . othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the
relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and
long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite
and kynred.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn
executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid
to be sold, and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and
evydently prove and shewe withoutyn my collucion, fraude, or male ingyne
suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche
taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for
a . . . . . . is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the
seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk , and where there be no lawefull
answere nor debarre of the tayle.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye
of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to
be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in
the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note the derige and messe of requyem
for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent,
my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the con_sanguynite
and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a
senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the
Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes
aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before
namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary
may be yeerly inperpetuite kept with placebo and derige and messe of requiem
benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attil_burgh,



|p154


|r{1st_column}
*[and a fundacion of a messe
there, or in othyr convenyent place to
be morteysid, for ever to seye and
preye for here soule and for here
auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn
executorys.]*

|r{2nd_column}
[Second Draft.]
* and that oon of the monkis or pristes
in the collage be me ordeynid in the
mancion of Castre forseid shall synge
specialy in perpetuite for the soule of
my modir and all here auncestryez,
and good dooerys.

   Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before
namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill
of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule
recomendid amonges . . . . . with an annversary to be kep yeerly and
perpetualy amonges hem with placebo and [derige and] messe of requyem be
note.

|r{1st_column}
   Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde
that myn [executores and] feffeez*
porsewe lawfully my right and title
that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly
rente, with all the areragis that of
right and concience is dewe to my

|r{2nd_column}
[Second Draft.]
* be the avise of myn executores
before namyd

feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and
payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and
covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, he bounden and astrict be wryting undyr
here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be
made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to
me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche
I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn
evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong
full entre doon . . . . . my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by
Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys
and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now
of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the
recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and
rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme
beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege,
beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng
and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff there_to
longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and
for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xxli.
   Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the
facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in
memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in
the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with
my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute
the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.



|p155


   Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me . . .
. . . . . . . made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in
the . . . . . . . . foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a
figure . . . . . . . . . . of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture
made of laton in on . . . . . . . iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes,
as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the
seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde,
auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn
aboute.

|r{1st_column}
   * [Item, I will that a provecion
be made for swerte of the maner of
Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to
the last wyll of Dame Marget
Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner
I stond enfeffed in to here use, and
serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge
that Dame Mary, my modir, pur_chasyd
to here and to hire heirez, that
Herry Braunche, my neweu, here
son . . . . seyd maner, provided

|r{2nd_column}
[Second Draft.]
   Item, that myn executores before
namyd helpe that the maner of Cow_lynge
be disposed and guydid aftyr
the will of Dame Marget Brannche,
my sastir, if my executoris thynke it
be to doo.

that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his]
modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be con_tynw[aly]
seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.]*
   Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of
London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in
the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to
whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes
were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe
in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his
executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes
accordyng to the trouthe and concience.
   * [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon
be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt
Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.] *
   Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for
to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys
in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the
Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis,
as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed,
be reson of whiche officez . . . . . many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my
name wretyn aboutyn . . . . . . . . . . . course (?) in the seyd castilys and
fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and . . . . . officerz beyng in dyverse suche
placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and
billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of
werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes
remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn,
and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys,



|p156


dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr
evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be
sealyd geyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez,
and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I
sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I
cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd

|r{1st_column}
wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte
with noon othyr seal of armys nor
sygnet thanne *[with this same seal
of armys and sygnet . . . . . . . . .
this my present will and my last testa_ment],*
and overmore that I have
enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte
be the space of xix. yeer with noo

|r{2nd_column}
            |r[Second Draft.]
* I have usyd this ij. yeer day last
passed.

seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor
of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor
mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in
pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre . . . . . . all Cristyn peple
to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor
provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my . . . . . . .
whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt,
hadde |r(?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and
never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as
wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.
   Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my
menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be
trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme
payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke
best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde
ageyns my . . . or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I
wy[ll hat he shall be ?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the
fel . . . . . . . . . . trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn
ex[ecutores].
|r{1st_column}
* [Item, I will and ordeyne that
amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and
kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the
discharge of my concience, be put in
remembraunce of preyeris for the
[good] affeccion I hadde on to them
that I desyre shuld he preyed fore,
is the soule of that blyssyd prynce,
Thomas Bedford, late Duke of Ex_cestre,
the soulys of the Lord Tibtot,
Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John
Radclife, my brothyr-in_lawe, and

|r{2nd_column}
[Second Draft.]
Item, I will and ordeyne that
amonges othir that I have put in re_membraunce
be this my will to be
preyed fore that suche as shalbe
bounden to preye for me, and be re_wardid
of myn almesse, shalbe chargid
be myn executoris be fore namyd to
preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn
Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of
all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and
of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye fore



|p157


|r{1st_column}
Dame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr,
whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir
Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr_in-law,
that deyde and was slayn in

|r{2nd_column}
or doo preye fore, and for hem that I
have hadde ony goodes of.

Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also
John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my
consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye;
Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt
Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of
Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf,
of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr
Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh,
Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak |r(?), marchaunt of Paryse, my
trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of
Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and
more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and
William Gunnour.] *
   Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of
hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon
|r{1st_column}
othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to
dettour of myn executoris, of what so
ever of astat or condecion that he be
of, withoute the * [knowynge, ples_saunce,
and assentynge of all myn
executorys, or the more part of
hem.] *

|r{2nd_column}
[Second Draft.]
* full wyll and assentynge of the seyd
John Paston and Thomas Howys,
clerk.

   Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge that none of myn executorys,
be him self, nor be noon othyr, in ony maner or condecion cautelous, colour
. . . . . . . shall sell, nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo alyen, withdrawe, or do
be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes, jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes
|r{1st_column}
or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of
sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr
utensylez, to my persone or houshold
perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of
myne, mevable or on mevablys, quyk
or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute
* [the knowyng, plessaunce, and as_sentynge
of all myn executorys, or
the more part of hem; and if it be
soo that ony of myn executores at_tempte
maleciously the contrary in
effecte, he fallith in the centense of
excommunicacion, doyng the contrary
to my last will.] *
   Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly
charge hat all my feffeez feffyd of
trust on to myn use of and in all my

|r{2nd_column}
[Second Draft.]
* the very will and assentyng of the
seyd Paston and Howys, and that
noon othyr attempte there in nor in
noon othir cause in this my will to
doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I
require hem in Goddes be halve.



|p158


manerez,lordshepis,londes, tenementes,
and rentes, and servisez, and profitez,
be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd                   |r[Second Draft.]
* [in all maner of counteez, citeez, or      * except before except, be me grauntid
burghes or townes with in the ream           to the seyd John Paston or hese
of Eng[lond] . . . . . ] * they that         assygnes.
hare astat, pocession, or tythe to myn
use, with all the goodly haste, . . . .
and withoute delay aftyr they be re_quyred
be myn executores * aftyr my                 * before namyd.
deseas, that they shall feffyn and make
lawefull astat in fee symple * [of and
in all maner lordshipys, londes, tene_mentes,
meswages, rentes, servisez,
and profitez forseyd, or of every
parcell of the same] * to that persone                |r[Second Draft.]
or personys to whom or to whiche *[my        * the seid John Paston and Thomas
seid executores in accomplisment of          Howys.
my last will, the said maneres, lord_shepys,
londes, tenementes, mecis,
rentes, and servisez, or ony parcell of
the same, * shall sell, or doo sell aftyr    * except before except.
the declaracion of this my last will *       * to dispose.
for the helthe of my soule, * [Dame          * and for the soulis above seyd.
Milcent, my wif, with all my progeni_torys,
cosynes, and benefactorys, and
all my frendes.]*
   * [Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of God
I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in effecte to
accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement and of mynistra_cion
of my last will, all he articlis there in conteynid they shall ransakyn
besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here remembraunce, that both in will
. . . . . . . . shal not omyttyn for to complishe the seyd articles in . . . . .
. . . . . Seynt Poule the Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt . . . . . . . .
God Almighty shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion . . . . . . his article
to otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in hurtynge
of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.] *
   * [Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the grace
of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the verteuous devocion
of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn owyn will, it happe ony good
werkes and profitable to the helthe of my soule necessarye or avayleable to come
be favour or wetnesse in to my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo
wryte suche thyngs worthy to be remembryd in ony codicilles or codicilles for to



|p159


he conyoinid to my testament or to my tast will, thanne I will and preye with
gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or articlys be me
expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or codicillys that they may
have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn
in the code of my testement and my last will.] *
   * [Item, I will, I ordeyne, and I hertely desyre, sethe that every mortall
creature is soget to the lymitez or merkys of mutabelyte and chaungeableness,
and mannys levynge in frelte and condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on
the behalve of Almyghty God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte,
beseche, and preye all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst,
and in the vertwe of the aspercion of
Hise holy blood, shed out graciously
for the savacion of all man kende, that       |r[Second Draft.]
for the more hasty delyveraunce of my         * Item, I wyll and ordeyne that
soule from the peynefull flawmes of           John Paston and Thomas Howys,
the fyre of Purgatory, on suche maner         clerk, geve and dispose.
and wise they dele and departe my
goodes feithfully be here discrecion
and prudence and polytik,]* the yeer
of my buryeng, in exspence of myn
entyrement and othyr almesse, the
same yeer, and dedys of pyete |r(?) for
the holsum estat of my soule amonges
pore peple and nedy to [be p]artyd and
distributid plenteuously and hastely, the     |r[Second Draft.]
sum of ml marke * [. . . . . . . .            * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
the space of v. or vij. yeer immediatly       of the salis of my londes and my goodes
folwyng by yeer Dxxxiijli. vjs. viijd.        be my will . . sygnid to be sold, be
in almessefull deds and charitable            fully disposid for the well of my soule
wirkys, with all goodly possibelyte that      in almessefull dedes [and] charitable
they shall soo dispose my goodes in           werkes with all goodly possibelite.
effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in
peynefull angwyshis, with holy Job, be
not compellyd to sey with gret lemen_tacion
and mornyng, Have mercy on
me, have mercy on me, namely yee that
my frendes shuld bee, for the hande of
Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously
touchyd me. These be the articlys,      |r[The following new clause at the end.]
xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the           Item, I will and ordeyne that the
intent and purpose of my last will be   seyd John Paston, for the payment of
the handes of myn executores, whiche    iiij. mll. marke forseid, shal bere and
I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and    paye to the seyd Thomas Howys,
beseche hem enterly feithefully to      clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them
execute, as they will have helpe of     have the mynistracion of my my goodes,
God and of hise holy Gospell. And       the seid sum [of] viijc. marke iche othyr
soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice,   yeer of the forseyd yeerrys in whiche



|p160


and concience to doo for me as they       that sum is ordeynid to be distributid
wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas          til he . . . . . be tho paymentes
lyche. In tokene and witnesse whereof,    born and payd the seyd sum of iiijml
to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, markes, and that soo paid to be dis_posed
above . . . . . . . . . . .] *            be the seyd [John Pa]ston and
                                          Thomas Howys, or be hem that shal
                                          aftyr them have the mynistracion of
                                          my goods in executyng [my] will in
awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo that my mevable goodes be mean of
that . . . . . . . shall the lenger indure in dedis of almesse.

                          |r386

               |rWILL_OF_SIR_JOHN_FASTOLF

|r{5_lines_of_old_Latin_text}
   John Fastolff, Knyght, the secunde and the thirde day of the moneth
of Novembre, the yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte after the
Conquest, xxxviij. yers, being of longe tyme, as he said, in purpos and wille to
founde and stablissh withynne the gret mansion at Castre, by hym late edified, a
college of vij. religious men, monkes or seculer prestes, and vij. pore folke,
to pray for his soule and the soulys of his wife, his fader and modir, and other
that he was beholde to, imperpetuite. And forasmuch as he had, as he
rehercid, a very truste and love to his cosyn, John Paston, and desired
the performyng of the purpoos and wille forsad to be accomplisshed, and that
the said Sir John shulde not he mevid ne sterid in his owne persone for
the said accomplisshing of the said purpoos and wille, ne with noon other
wordly maters, but at his oune request and plesire, wolde, graunted, and
ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle, withynne resonable tyme aftir the
dissese of the said Sir John, doo founde and stablisshe in the said mansion a
college of vij. monkes or prestes and vij. pore folke, for to pray for the soulys
above said imperpetuite; so that one of the said monkes or prestes be maister,
and have xli. yerely, and ich othir monke or preste x. marc yerely, and ich of
the pore folke xls. yerely; and that the said John Paston shalle make sure to
the said collegions a sufficient roume and a competent and an esy duelling place
in the said mansion, the said collegions nor her successours bering no charge of
reparacion therof. For which, and for othir charges and labours that the said



|p161


John Paston hath doon and take uppon hym, to the eas and profite of the said
John Fastolf, and for othir consideracions by hym rehercid, the said Sir
John Fastolff wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle
have alle the maners, landes, and tenementes in North[folk], Southfolk, and
Norwich, in which the said John Paston or any other are or were enfeffed or
have title to the use of the said Sir John Fastolf; and at [that] alle the feffees
infeffed in the said maners, londes, and tenementes shalle make and deliver
astate of the said maners, landes, and tenementes to such persones, at such
tymes, and in such forme as the said John Paston, his heirs, and his assignes
shalle requere thaym or any of thayme. And that the said John Paston shall
pay to othir of the said Sir Johns executours iiijml. [4000] marc of laufulle
money of England in the forme that folweth, that is to say: Where the said
Sir John hadde apointed and assigned that his executours shalle, the first yere
aftir his disses, dispoos for his soule and performyng his wille a ml. marks or a
mlli. [ 1000] of money, and yerely aftir, viijc. [800] marc, tille the goodes be
disposed, the said John Paston shalle pay iche othir yere the said summe of
viijc. marc till the summe of iiijm. [4000] be paid; so that the said mevabill
goodes shall the lenger endure to be disposed, by th'avise of his executours, for
the said soulys: And also the said Sir John said, forasmuch as it was the very
wille and entent of the said Sir John that the said John Paston shulde be thus
be avauntaged and in no wise hurte of his propir goodes, therfore the said Sir
John wolde graunted that if the said John Paston, aftir the dissese of the said
Sir John, by occasion and unlaufulle trouble in this reame, or by mayntenaunce
or myght of Lordes, or for defaute of justice, or by unresonable exaccions axid
of hym for the licence of the said fundacion, withoute coveyne or fraude of
hym selve, be lettid or taried of the making or stablesshing of the making
of the said fundacion, that thanne he fynde or doo finde yerely aftir the first
yere of thus dissese of the said Sir John, vij. prestes to pray for the said soulys
in the said mansion, if he can purvey so many, or els for as many prestes
as faile, yeve yerely aftir the said first yere, by th'avise of his executours, to
bedred men and othir nedy true pepille, as much money in almose for the said
sowlys as the salary or findyng of the prestes so faillyng is worthe or amounteth
to, unto the tyme he may laufully and peasably founde the said college and doo
his true devir for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. And the said Sir
John Fastolf wolde, graunted, and desired faithfully alle the residewe of his
executours and feffees to shewe the said John Paston favore in the said pay_mentes
and daies, and help hym for the Kinges interesse and the eschetours,
and furthir hym in that they may in alle othir thinges as they wolde doo to
hym selve, and not vex ne inquiete hym for the said fundacion in the meane
tyme. Ande where the said Sir John Fastolf made his wille and testament
the xiiij. day of June in somer last passed, he wolde, graunted, and ordeyned
that this his wille touching thes premissez, as welle as the said wille made the
said xiiij. day, except and voided out of his said wille, made the said xiiij. day,
alle that concerneth or perteyneth to the fundacion of a college, priory, or
chauntery, or of any religious persones, and all that concerneth the sale or
disposing of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, wherof this is the very
declaracion of his full wille, stand and be joyntly his very enteir and last wille,



|p162


and annexed and proved togedir. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, the
Tuysday next before the fest of Alle Saintes, and in the moneth of Septembre
the said yere, and the iij. day of Novembre, and diverse other tymes, at Castre
aforesaids wolde, ordeynyd, and declared his wille touching the making of the
said college, a welle as the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes
in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich, in fourme, manere, and substance aforeseid.
Also the said Sir John wolde and ordeyned that if the said John Paston, by
force or myght of any othir desiring to have the said mansion, were letted
to founde the seid college in the said mansion, that thanne the said John Paston
shulde doo poule down the said mansion and every stone and stikke therof, and
do founde iij. of the said vij. prestes or monkes at Saincte Benettes, and one at
Yermuth, one at Attilbrugh, and one at Sainte Oloves Church in Southwerke.
Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the iij. and iiij. daies of the moneth of
Novembir abovesaid, desired his said wille or writyng, touching the fundacion
of the said college and the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes
to the said John Paston, to be redde unto the said Sir John; and that same
wille redde and declared unto hym articulerly, the said Sir John Fastolffe
wolde, ordeyned, and graunted that the said John Paston shulde be discharged
of the payment of the said iiijml. markes, and noght pay therof in case he did
execute the remenaunte of the said wille.
   Also he said Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, aboute the tyme of hervest the
yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte, xxxvth yere at Castre faste by
Mikel Yermuth, in the shire of Norffolk, in presence of divers persones that
tyme called to by the said Sir John, did make astate and feffement and liverey
of the seasin of the maner of Castre aforesaid, and othir maners, landes, and
tenementes in Norffolk, to John Paston, Squier, and othir; and at that lyverey
of season therof delivered, a welle by the handes of the said Sir John as
by other, the said Sir John Fastolfe by his owne mouth declared his wille and
entente of that feffement and liverey of season made to the use of the said Sir
John asfor during his live onely, and aftir his decese, to the use of the said John
Paston and his heirs. And also the said Sir John said and declared that the
said John Paston was the best frende and helper and supporter to he said Sir
John, and that was his wille that the said John Paston shulde have and enherite
the same maners, landes, and tenementes and othir aftir his decese, and there to
duelle and abide and kepe householde; and desired Daun William Bokenham,
Priour of Yermouth, and Raufe Lampet, Squier, Bailly of Yermuth, that tyme
present, to recorde the same. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, he vj. day of
July next aftir the tyme of the sealing of his wille made the xiiij. day of June,
he xxxv. of King Henry the Sexte, and aftir in the presence of Daun
William Bokenham, that tyme Prioure of Yermouth, and other, wolde,
ordeyned, and declared by wille that the said John Paston shulde have alle
thynges as the said Sir John had graunted and declared to the said prioure and
othir at the tyme of the said [asta]te and feffement made to the [said] John
Paston, the said xxxv. yere of King Henry the vjth, the said John seyng
[saying] that he was of the same wille and purpoos as he was and declared at
the tyme [of the] said astate takyng. Also the said Sir John wolde that John
Paston and Thomas Howes, and noon othir of his executours, shulde selle



|p163


alle maners, landes, and tenementes in whiche any persones were enfeffed
to the use of the said Sir John, excepte the said maners, landes, and tene_mentes
in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich; and the same John Paston and
Thomas Howes shalle take and receyve the profites, ysshueys, and emolumentes
commyng of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, excepte before except,
tille they may resonably be solde; and that the said John Paston and Thomas,
the money comyng of the same sale, as welle of the said proufites, ysshuys, and
emolumentes, shulde dispoos in dedys of almose for the soule of the said Sir
John and the soulys aforesaid, and in executyng of his wille and testament:
And also the said Sir John wolde that alle the feffees enfeffed in the said
maners, landes, and tenementes assigned to be sold, whanne thay be required by
the said John Paston and Thomas Howes, shall make astate to persone or
persons as the said John Paston and Thomas shalle selle to, the said maners,
landes, and tenementes, or any parte therof, and that noon othir feffe [feoffee]
nor the executours of the said Sir John shall make any feffement, relece, ne
quitance of any londes befor assigned to be solde that wer at any tyme longing
to the said Sir John, withoute the assente of the said John Paston and Thomas
Howes. Datum anno Domini, mense, die et loco supradictis.

                          |r387

                 SIR JOHN FASTOLF'S WILL

|r{14_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p164


|r{45_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p165


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|p166


|r{24_lines_of_old_Latin_text}

                          |r388

         |rINVENTORY_OF_SIR_JOHN_FASTOLF'S_GOODS

[1459]   Memorandum that here aftir foloweth an inventarye of the gold and silver in
coyne and plate, and othir godes and catelles that sumtyme were Sir John
Fastolf, Knyght, whiche the said Sir John Fastolf gaf to John Paston, Squier,
and Thomas Howys, clerk, of trust and confidence, that the same godes shuld
the more saufly be kept to the use of the said Sir John duryng his lif, and aftir
his decesse to be disposed in satisfiyng of the duetees and dettes to God and
Holy Chirche, and to alle othir, and in fulfillyng and execucion of his legate
last wille and testament without eny defraudyng of the said Holy Chirche or of
eny creditours or persones.



|p167


First, in goold and silver, founden in th'abbey of Seynt Benet aftir
   the decesse of the said Sir John Fastolf, mlml iiijxx xiijli. iijs.
   iiijd.
Item, founden atte Castre, lxjli. vjs. viijd.
Item, receyved atte Bentlee by the handes of William Barker in money by
   hym receyved of John Heryngton, xxli.
Item, receyved atte London, CCCClxixli.

              Summa MlMlDCxliijli. xs. in coyne.

First, two peces of golde, weiyng xlviij. unces.
Item, two ewers of golde, weiyng xxvij. unces.
Item, j. flaget of silver, weiyng xxxviij. unces.
Item, ij. prikettys of silver, weiyng xxvij. unces et di.

   Summa of golde, lxxv. unces, and of silver, lv. unces.

Item, iij. chargeours of silver, weiyng vijxx iij. unces.
Item, xij. platers of silver, weiyng ixxx ix. unces.
Item, xij. disshes of silver, weiyng vijxx viij. unces.
Item, xij. sausers of silver, weiyng iiijxx xv. unces.

                    Summa vc lxxv. unces.

Item, xij. flat peces bolyond in the bothom, weiyng viijxx ix. unces.
Item, vj. bolles with oon coverecle [lid] of silver, the egges gilt, my
   maister helmet enameled in the myddes, weiyng viijxx iiij. unces.
Item, a candilstik, a priket and ij. sokettys of silver, weiyng xvij. unces.
Item, ij. potell pottes of silver wrethyn, the verges gilt with braunches
   enameled, with j. tree in the lyddys, weiyng vjxx xij. unces.
Item, ij. galon pottes of silver wrethyn, the verges gilt, enameled in the
   lyddes with iij. floures, weiyng xjxx ix. unces.
Item, j. roste iron with vij. staves and j. foldyng stele of silver, weiyng
   lxxiij. unces.
Item, j. flagons of silver, with gilt verges, and the cheynes enameled in the
   myddes, with j. hoke, weiyng ixxx unces.

                      Summa, ixc lxiiij. unces.

Item, a saltsaler like a bastell [a bastille or small tower], alle gilt with roses,
   weiyng lxxvij. unces.
Item, a paire of basyns, alle gylt, with an antelope in the myddes, weiyng
   xjxx unces.
Item, ij. ewers, gilt, pounsed with floures and braunches, weiyng xxxix.
   unces.
Item, j. spice plate, well gilt like a double rose, my maister helmet in
   the myddes, with rede roses of my maisters armes, weying vxx x.
   unces.



|p168


Item, ij. galon pottes, all gilt, enameled in the crownes with violet floures,
   weiyng xxx xiij. unces.
Item, vj. bolles, with oon coveracle gilt, with my maisters helmet enamelled
   in the myddes, weiyng viijxx vj. unces.
Item, j. stondyng cuppe, all gilt, with a coveracle, with my maisters helmet
   enamyled in the myddes, weiyng xlj. unces.
Item, another cuppe of the same facione, all gilt, weiyng xlij. unces.
Item, iiij. cuppes, gilt like founteyns, with j. columbyne floure enameled in
   the myddes, weiyng iiijxx xvj. unces.
                    Summa, DCCCClxv. unces.

Item, j. grete flagon, with stuf theryn, weiyng xvijxx xj. unces.

                    Summa, CCClj. unces.

Item, vj. platers, weiyng vijxx unces.
Item, xiiij. disshes, weiyng ixxx unces.
Item, xij. peces of dyvers sortes, weiyng vijxx xiij. unces.
Item, ij. grete galon pottes, playn, with gilt verges, my maisters helmet in
   the kever, weiyng xijxx xij. unces.
Item, j. paire basyns, the verges gilt, Harlyngs armes in the bottom, weiyng
   vxx xv. unces.
Item, ij. quart potts, with gilt verges, with the same armes in the lydde,
   weiyng lxx. unces.
Item, ij. ewers, the oon demi gilt, and the othir the bordures gilt, weiyng
   lj. unces.
Item, j. spice plate demi gilt, my maisters terget enamyled in the myddes,
   weiyng lxxj. unces.
                   Summa, DCCCCCxxxij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cuppe gilt, with j. kever, with j. rose in the toppe, weiyng
   xl. unces.
Item, anothir cuppe of the same facion, gilt, weiyng xlj. unces.

                   Summa, iiijxx j. unces.

Item, iij. grete chargeours, weiyng vijxx ij. unces.
Item, xij. platers, weiyng xjxx xij. unces.
Item, xij. disshes, weiyng ixxx viij. unces.
Item, xj. sausers, weiyng lxxvj. unces.

                   Summa, DCxxxviij. unces.

Item, j. paire basyns, with gilt verges and j. rose, with my maisters helmet
   enameled and gilt in the myddes, weiyng viijxx vj. unces.



|p169


Item, ij. ewers, gilt and enameled in like wise, weiyng lxxv. unces.
Item, xij. flatte peces, pounsed in the bottom, the verges gilt sortely, weiyng
   vijxx xvj. unces.
Item, j..spiceplate demi gilt, wrethyn, weiyng lxxij. unces.
Item, vj. bolles, with oon kever, the verges gilt, my maisters helmet in the
   myddes, weiyng viijxx iiij. unces.
Item, ij. grete pottes, eche of a galon, wrethyn the verges of bothe gilt with
   popy leves, with j. tre levedroses in the lidde, enameled, weiyng xjxx xvj.
   unces.
Item, ij. potelers, with gilt verges, enameled in the liddes, weiyng iiijxx ix.
   unces.
Item, ij. flagons, with gilt verges, and the cheyne enameled in the myddes,
   weiyng viijxx j. unces.
Item, j. candelstik, with j. priket and ij. soketts, weiyng xvij. unces.
                          Summa, xjc xxxvj. unces.

Item , j. saltsaler, with j. kever, well gilt, with many wyndowes, weiyng
   iiijxx. vj. unces.
Item, vj. bolles, all gilt, with j. kever and j. rose in the toppe, eche
   enameled in the bottom with my maisters helmet, weiyng viijxx vj.
   unces.
Item, ij. galon pottes, gilt playn, anameled in the lydde with my maisters
   target, weiyng vijxx xiiij. unces.
Item, j. stondyng cuppe, pounsed with floures, well gilt, weiyng xlij.
   unces.
Item, j. gilt cuppe, stondyng covered, pounsed with j. rose in the toppe,
   weiyng xlvij. unces.
Item, vj. gobelettes, wele gilt, with j. columbyne floure, weiyng vijxx vj.
   unces.
                            Summa, DCxlj. unces.

                                  Chapell.

Item, vij. prikettes, with gilt verges, weiyng iiijxx vj. unces.
Item, ij. stondyng candilstikkes, with gilt verges, weiyng iiijxx j. unces.
Item, j. ship, with gilt verges, weiyng ix. unces.
Item, j. box for syngyng brede, weiyng iiij. unces.
Item, j. haly water stop, with j. sprenkill and ij. cruettes, weiyng xij.
   unces.

                         Summa, C iiijxx xij. unces.

Item, j. brode pryket, all gilt, weiyng xlv. unces
Item,.j. paire basyns, all gilt, enameled in the bottom with roses, weiyng
   xl. unces.



|p170


Item, j. pyx, demi gilt, weiyng xxx. unces.
Item, j. crosse, all gilt, weiyng xlj. unces.
Item, j. ewer, all gilt, weiyng xvij. unces.
Item, j. chalice, alle gilt, weiyng xxvij. unces.
Item, j. lesser chalice, all gilt, weiyng xiiij. unces.
Item, ij. roses over gilt, weiyng xv. unces et di.
Item, j. ymage of Seynt Michell, weiyng viijxx x. unces.
Item, j. ymage of oure Lady and hir Childe in hir armes, weiyng vxx x.
   unces.

                    Summa, Dcxxix et di unces.

Item, j. grete flagon, weiyng xviijxx viij. unces.
Item, j. almesse disshe, weiyng vjxx xij. unces.

                        Summa, Dc unces.

Item, j. sensour of silver, and gilt, weiyng xl. unces.
Itemi j. ship, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, j. pece with j. kever, weiyng xx. unces.
Item, j. gobelet, gilt, weiyng xj. unces.
Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, weiyng xij. unces.

                        Summa, Cj. unces.

Item, iij. grete chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng xjxx xviij. unces.
Item, j. chaufer, to sette upon a table for hote water, weiyng iiijxx xiij.
   unces.
Item, iiij. holowe basyns, wherof oon is bolyons, weiyng all xxx xiij.
   unces.
Item, iij. botelles, of oon sorte, weiyng vijxx xiiij. unces.
Iiem, vj. grete peces, of oon sorte, weiyng vxx xvij. unces.
Item, xij. peces, all of oon sorte, weiyng xjxx xiiij. unces.
Item, iij. smale peces, weiyng xxv. unces.
Item, j. grete bolle, with j. kever, weiyng lxij. unces.
Item, iij. gobelettes, pounsed, weiyng xiiij. unces et di.
Item, j. powder box, and j. kever to j. cup, weiyng xxij. unces.
Item, ij. basyns, the verges gilt with popy leves, enameled with my
   maisters helmet in the bottom, weiyng viijxx ix. unces.
Item, ij. ewers, gilt, enameled in the same wise, weiyng iiijxx unces.
Item, iiij. ewers, of the olde facion, weiyng lxxvij. unces.

                    Summa, xvc xxij. unc' et di.

Item, j. litill flat pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxvij. unces.
Item, j. stondyng pece, all gilte, with j. kever, weying xxxviij. unces.
Item, j. litill stondyng pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxj. unces et di.

                    Summa, iiijxx vj. unc' et di.



|p171


                      Apud Sanctum Benedictum.
Item, ij. basyns, with gilt verges, and my maisters helmet in the botom,
   with ij. ewers, with gilt verges, and my maisters helme on the lyddes,
   weiyng togider CCxxxj. unces.
Item, iiij. prikettes, with gilt verges, weiyng xxxj. unces.
Item, ij. lesser prikettes, weiyng v. unces.
Item, j. basyn and j. ewer, with my maisters armes in the botom, weiyng
   lxiij. unces.
Item, ij. litill ewers, of ij. sortes, weiyng xxiiij. unces.
Item, j. spiceplate, with gilt verges, weiyng xliiij. unces.
Item, ij. galons, with gilt verges, with my maisters armes in the liddes,
   weiyng iiijxx xvj. unces.
Item, ij. potellers, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx iiij. unces.
Item, ij. othir potellers, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx xiij. unces.
Item, j. potell potte, of anothir sore, weiyng xxxv. unces.
Item, ij. quartelettes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xlviij. unces.
Item, j. litill botell, with j. cheyne and j. stopell, weiyng xxxviij. unces.
Item, j. brode priket, with gilt verges, weiyng xxiiij. unces.
Item, ij. candilstikkes, ij. prykettes, and iiij. sokettes, weiyng xxxvij.
   unces.
Item, vj. gobelettes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xxviij. unces.
Item, xiiij. peces, of dyvers sortes, weiyng vjxx xv. unces.
Item, j. old pece, with j. kever and j. knop, weiyng xxxij. unces.
Item, ij. chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng lxxviij. unces.
Item, vj. platers, of onn sorte, weiyng vijxx vij. unces.
Item, xviij. disshes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xxx xvj. unces.
Item, vj. sawsers, of oon sorte, weiyng xxviij. unces.

                     Summa, xvc xvij. unces.

Item, j. saltsaler, alle gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxxvij. unces.
Item, j. pese, with j. kever, all gilt, with j. knop, weiyng xxxj. unces.
Item, j. playne pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxvj. unces.
Item, j. litill pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xviij. unces.

                    Summa, vxx xij. unces.

Item, j. chargeour, weiyng xlv. unces.
Item, viij. platers, weiyng ixxx xj. unces.
Item, viij. disshes, weiyng vjxx v. unces.
Item, viij. saucers, weiyng xlix. unces.
Item, j. potell potte, with gilt verges, enameled in the top with violet leves,
   weiyng xlix. unces.
                      Summa, CCCC iiijxx iij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, all gilt, weiyng xxxviij. unces.
Item, j. founteyn, all gilt, with j. columbyne floure in the bottom, weiyng
   xxiij. unces.
                         Summa, lxj. unces.



|p172


Item, ij. saltsalers, weiyng xxxix. unces.
Item, j. candilstik, with ij. sokettes, weiyng xxj. unces.
Item, iiij. flat peces, pounsed in the bottom, weiyng xl. unces.
Item, ij. gobelettes, pounsed, weiyng ix. unces.
Item, xiij. spones, wherof oon is gilt, weiyng xvij. unces.
Item, j. ewer, with j. knop, weiyng xiij. unces.
Item, ij. potellers, with my maisters armes on the liddes, weiyng lxxji.
   unces.
Item, j. potell potte, with braunches on the lidde enamelid, weiyng xlix.
   unces.
Item, iij. pottes, enameled with j. garlond, weiyng vxx vij. unces.
Item, j. quart pot, weiyng xxix. unces.
Item, j. grete chargeour, weiyng lxxix. unces.
Item, iij. lesser chargeours, weiyng vxx xj. unces.
Item, v. platers, of oon sorte, weiyng vxx xv. unces.
Item, xij. disshes, of oon sorte, weiyng xxx ix. unces.
Item, ix. sausers, of oon sorte, weiyng lxiij. unces.

                      Summa, Ml iiijx xij. unces

Item, j. gobelet, gilt, with j. columbyne in the bottom, weiyng xxiiij.
   unces.
Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, weiyng xxxv. unces.

                        Summa, lix. unces.

                             Castre.

Item, ij. prykettys, with gilt verges, weiyng xvij. unces.
Item, ij. cruettes, oon lakkyng a lydde, weiyhg viij. unces.
Item, j. litill crosse, with j. fote, all gilt, weiyng vij. unces.
Item, j. sakeryng bell, weiyng xj. unces.
Item, j. chalice, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, j. saltsaler, weiyng v. unces.
Item, j. paxbrede, weiyng unces.
Item, j. grete saltsaler, with j. kever, weiyng xxvij. unces.
Item, j. playn basyn, with j. ewer, weiyng liij. unces.
Item, ij. flat peces, of oon sorte, weiyng xxij. unces.
Item, xvij. spones, of ij. sortes, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, iiiij. platers, weiyng iiijxx xiiij. unces.
Item, vj. disshes, weiyng iiijxx xiiij. unces.
Item, iiij. sausers, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, j. candilstik, withoute sokettes, weiyng xviij. unces.

                     Summa, CCCCx. unces.



|p173


Md of xlvj. unces gold and ijml. Dxxv. unces of silver plate taken
                      from Bermondesey.
      |r In primis, a peson of gold, it fayleth v. balles, weiyng xxiij. unces
      |r    gold.
      |r Item, j. paire basons, beyng bothe weiyng vxx ij. unces.
Sold  |r Item, j paire ewers, beyng bothe weiyng xlv. unces.
by    |r Item, j. paire of newe flagons, cheyned, everyche weiyng lxxiiij. unces
John  <    -- vijxx xiij. unces.
Yong  |r Item, iiij. platers. parcell of ix. platers not sortely, weiyng in all xxx ix.
of    |r    unces; so iche weieth xxiij. unces. Soo the weight of the same iiij.
London|r    platers, iiijxx xij. unces.
      |r Item, xij. disshes, weiyng in all ixxx ix. unces.
      |r Item, xij. sausers, weiyng in all iiijxx xvij. unces.
   Summa unciarum argenti, DClxxiij. unc', et de auro, xxiij. unc'.

Item, j. cup of golde, with an ewer, weiyng xxiij. unces.
Item, ij. spiceplates, weiyng bothe iiijxx xij. unces.
Item, ij. olde chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx viij. unces.
Item, j. grete plater, weiyng xxxviij. unces.
Item, v. olde disshes, weiyng in alle lxxvj. unces.
Item, v. sausers, weiyng xxix. unces.
Item, ij. quart pottes. weiyng liiij. unces.
Item, ix. platers, weiyng xvjxx iij. unces.
Item, a flat pece, playne, of silver, weiyng xvj. unces.
Item, a quart pot, of silver, with gilt verges, weiyng xxvj. unces.
Item, an holowe basyn, of silver, weiyng xxviij. unces.
 Summa unciarum de auro, xxiij. unc'; et de argento, DCClxx. unc'.

Item, ij.stondyng cuppes, gilt, of oon sorte, iche weiyng xxiiij. unces --
   lxviij. unces.
Item, vj. gobelettes, uncovered, weiyng xxiij. unces et di.
Item, j. layer, weiyng xxiiij. unces.
Item, j. saltsaler, gilt, weiyng xxxiiij. unces.
Item, ij. lesse chargeours, weiyng lxx. unces.
Item, v. platers, not sortely, parcell of ix. platers, weiyng in all xxx ix.
   unces; so iche plater weyeth by estymacion xxiij. unces. So the
   weight of v. platers, Cxv. unces.

                   Summa, CCCxxxiiij. unces di.

Item, j. saltsaler, gilt, with a cover, weiyng xxxj. unces.
Item, iiij. peces, gilt, with ij. coveres, weiyng lxxiiij. unces.
Item, vj. Parys cuppes, of silver, of the Monethes, with lowe fete, the
   bordures gilt, weiyng iiijxx x. unces.
Item, j. white stondyng cuppe, with a cover of silver, weiyng xij. unces di.



|p174


Item, j. knoppe, for a covere, gilt, weiyng j. unce.
Item, j. flagon, of silver and gilt, accordyng with the olde inventarie,
   weiyng xxx xviij unces.
Item, anothir flagon, of the same sorte and of the same weight, xxx xviij.
   unces.
                         Summa, DCxliiij. unces di.

Item, j. paire of olde flagons, iij. pynte, fayleth j. stopell, weiyng iiijxx x.
   unces.
Item, j. grete sawser, weiyng vj. unces di.
Item, ij. olde cruettes, weiyng vj. unces.

                          |r389

              SIR JOHN FASTOLF'S WARDROBE
                     Memorandum.

   That the last day of Octobre, the yere of the reyne of King Henri
the Sixt, Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, hath lefte in his warderope at Castre, this
stuffe of clothys, and othir harnays that followith, that is to wete: --

         Tog remanenci hoc tempore in Garderoba Domini.

   First, a goune of clothe of golde, with side slevis, sirples wise.
   Item, j. nothir gowne of clothe of golde, with streyght slevys, and lynyd
      withe blak clothe.
   Item, halfe a gowne of red felwett.
   Item, j. gowne of blewe felwett upon felwet longe furrid withe martyrs,
      and perfold of the same, slevys sengle.
   C. Item, j. gowne, clothe of grene, of iij. yerds.
   Item, j. side scarlet gownys, not lynyd.
   Item, j. rede gowne, of my Lorde Coromale is lyverey, lyned.
   Item, j. chymere cloke of blewe satayne, lynyd with blake silke.
   Item, iij. quarters of scarlet for a gowne, di. quarter of the same.
   Item, j. broken gowne of sangweyne, graynyd with the slevys.
   Item, j. gowne of Frenche russet, lynyd with blak clothe.



|p175


Item, j. chemer of blak, lynyd with blak bokerame.
Item, j. gowne of blak, lynyd with blak lynyng.
Item, iij. quarters of a russet gowne with ought slevys.
Item, j. jagged huke of blakke sengle, and di. of the same.

                         U.

              Tunica Remanentes ibidem.

Item, j. jakket of blewe felwett, lynyd in the body with smale lynen clothe,
   and the slevys withe blanket.
Item, j. jakket of russet felwet, lynyd with blanket clothe.
Item, j. jakket of red felwet, the ventis bounde with red lether.
Item, j. jakket of blakke felwet upon felwet, lynyd with smale lynen cloth.
Item, j. jaket, the bret and slevys of blak felvet, and the remanent of russet
   fustian.
Item, ij. jakketts of russet felwet, the one lynyd with blanket, t'other with
   lynen clothe.
Item, ij. jakketts of chamletts.
Item, j. jakket of sateyne fugre.
Item, j. dowblettis of red felwet uppon felwet.
Item, j. jakket of blak felwet, he body lynyd with blanket and the slevys
   with blak clothe.
Item, j. dowbelet of rede felwet, lynyd with lynen clothe.
Item, ij. jakketts of derys lether, with j. coler of blak felwet.
Item, j. dowbelet of white lynen clothe.
Item, j. pettecote of lynen clothe stoffyd with flokys.
Item, j. petticote of lynen clothe, withought slyves.
Item, ij. payre hosyn of blakke keyrse.
Item, iij. payre bounden with lether.
Item, j. payre of blake hosyn, vampayed with lether.
Item, ij. payre ol scarlet hosyn.

                             U
                             V

                     Capucia et Capell.

Item, j. russet hode, with owgt a typpet, of satyn russet.
Item, j. hode of blakke felwet, with a typpet, halfe damask and halfe
   felwet, y jaggyd.
Item, j. hode of depe grene felwet, jakgyd uppon the rolle.
Item. j. hode of russet felwet, with a typpet, half of the same and half of
   blewe felwet, lynyd with the same of damaske.



|p176


Item, j. hood of depe grene felwet, the typpet blake and grene felwet.
Item, j. hood of russet felwet withougt a typpet.
Item, j. hode of damaske russet, with j. typpet, fastyd with a lase of silke.
Item, j. rydyng hode of rede felwet with iiij. jaggys.
Item, j. hode of skarlet, with a rolle of purpill felwet, bordered with the
   same felwet.
Item, j. hode of blake satayne, the rolle of blake felwet.
Item, j. of purpill felwet, with owten rolle and typpet.
Item, j. hode of russet felwet, the typpet lynyd with russet silke.
Item, j. typpet, halfe russet and halfe blake felwet, with j. jagge.
Item, j. rydynghoode of blakalyere, lynyd with the same.
Item, j. rydyng hoode of blakke felwet, i-lynyd with blakke clothe.
Item, j. hatte of bever, lynyd withe damaske gilt, girdell, bokkell, and
   penaunt, with iiij. harrys of the same.
Item, j. gret rollyd cappe of sangweyn, greyned.
Item, ij. skarlet hoodys.
Item, iiij. hodys of sangweyn, graynyd.
Item, ij. hodys of perce blewe. Item, ij. hodys blakalyre.
Item, j. knitte cappe. Item, j. unsette poke.
Item, ij. poyntys of a hood of skarlot.
Item, j. blake rydyng hoode, sengle. Item, ij. strawen hattis.
Item, j. blewe hoode of the Garter.
Item, j. gowne of my ladys, sengle.

                   Ali res necessari ibidem.

Inprimis, j. canope of greene silke, borderyd with rede.
Item, iij. trapuris, with iij. clothis of the same sute.
Item, ij. old cheses plis [chasubles] of rede.
Item, ij. pokkettis stuffyd and embraudyd with white rosys after his
   devyce, of rede with crossis leten with silver.
Item, j. pece of scarlot, embraudit in the myddell, containing in length iij.
   yerds and di.
Item, j. pece of blewe, contaynyng in length iij. quarters, and in brede v.
   quarters.
Item, j. pece of skarlot for trappars for horsys, with rede crossis and
   rosys.
Item, ij. stripis of the same trappuris sutly.
Item, j. pece of Seynt George leveray, for j. hode.
Item, j. ball of coper gilt, embrauded rechely with j. skogen [scutcheon]
   hongyng therbi.
Item, ij. pencellis of his army.
Item, ij. yerds and j. quarter of white damaske.
Item, j. pece of white felwet ij. yerdis longe.
Item, j. pece of rede satayne, brauden [embroidered] with Me faunt fere.
Item, ij. strypes of the same.
Item, ij. cote armours of silke, aftir his own armys.



|p177


Item, j. cote armour of whyte silke of Seynt George.
Item, ij. pecys of clothe of golde of tyssent.
Item, j. pece of blak kersey with rosys, and embraudit with Me faunt
   fere.
Item, ij. stripis of the same sute.
Item, ij. peces of blewe canvas of xlij. yerds.
Item, j. pece of linnen cloth, steyned.
Item, j. pece of grene wurstet xxx. yards longe.
Item, iiij. clokys of murry derke.
Irem, j. bollok haftyd dager, harnesyd wyth sylver, and j. chape
   thertoo.
Item, j. lytyll schort armyng dager, withe j. gilt schape.
Item, iij. payre tablys of cipris, being in casys of lether.
Item, j. parre tablys of G., enrayed withowght, and here men in baggys
   longyng thertoo.

                          E.

Imprimis, v. pellowes of grene silke.
Item, j. pellow of silk the growund white wyth lyllys of blewe.
Item, ij. pellowes of rede felwet and the growund of ham blakke.
Item, v. pellowys of rede felwet.
Item, ij. pellowys of rede felwet beten upoo satayne.
Item, j. littill pellow of grene sike, full wythin of lavendre.
Item, j. pellow of purpyll silke and golde.
Item, j. pellowes of blew silke, with a schelde.
Item, v. large carpettys.

Imprimis, j. longe pillowe of fustian.
Item, iij. brode pillowes of fustyan.
Item, ij. pillowys of narwer sorte and more schorter, of fustyan.
Item, j. longe pellow of lynen clothe.
Item, j. pellow of a lasse sorte.
Item, j. brode pyllow of lynen clothe.
Item, ij. pillowes of lynen clothe of a lasser assyse.
Item, viij. pelowes of lynen clothe off a lasser assyse.
Item, v. of the lest assyse.

In primis, j. cover of grene silke to a bedde, lynyd with blewe silke.
Item, j. close bedde of palle grene and whyte, with levys of golde.
Item, j. covyr of the same.
Item, j. covyr of rede silke lynyd with bokerame.
Item, j. cover of white clothe, fyne and well-wrought, purpeynte [pourpoint
   or stiched] wyse.
Item, j. cover of raynis, wrowght with golde of damaske.
Item, j. donge [mattress or feather bed] of purle sylke.



|p178


Item, j. seler of white lynen clothe.
Item, j. testur of the same. Item, iij. curtaynys sutely.
Item, iij. cartaynyes of lynen clothe.
Item, iij. blankettis of fustian

         Clothis of Arras and of Tapstre warke.

Inprimis, j. clothe of arras, clyped the Schipherds clothe.
Item, j. of the Assumpsion of Oure Lady.
Item, j. newe banker of arras, with a bere holdyng j. pere in the middys of
   the clothe.
Item, j. tester of arras with ij. gentlewomen and ij. gentlemen, and one
   holdyng an hawke in his honde.
Item, j. clothe with iiij. gentle women.
Item, j. testour of arras with a lady crouned and a grete rolle aboughte her
   hede, the first letter N.
Item, j. clothe of ix. conquerouris.
Item, j. cover for a bedde, of newe arras, and a gentlewoman beyng ther
   in the corner with a whelp in hir honde and an Awnus Day abought
   hir nec.
Item, a seler of arras frangyd with silke, red, grene, and white.
Item, j. testir of the same, red, grene, and white.
Item, j. testur frangyd with grene silke. Item, j. seler of the same.
Item, j. clothe for the nether hall, of arras, with a geyaunt in the myddell,
   beryng a legge of a bere in his honde.
Item, j. clothe of arras for the dese [das] in the same halle, with j.
   wodewose [a savage] and j. chylde in his armys.
Item, j. clothe of the sege of Faleys for the west side of the halle.
Item, j. clothe of arras with iij. archowrys on scheting [shooting] a doke in
   the water with a cross bowe.
Item, j. clothe of arras withe a gentlewoman harpyng by j. castell in
   myddys of the clothe.
Item, j. cover of arras for a bedde, with a mane drawyng water in the
   myddel of the clothe ought of a welle.
Items j. lytell tester of arras, whith j. man and a woman in the myddyll.
Item, j. banker of arras with a man schetyng at j. blode hownde.
Item, j. clothe of arras with a lady crouned, and j. rolle abought her hedde
   with A. N., lynyd with gray canvas.
Item, j. clothe of arras with a condyte in the myddill.
Item, j. clothe of arras, with a gentlewoman holding j. lace of silke, and j.
   gentlewoman a hauke.
Item, ij. clothis portrayed full of popelers.
Item, j. testyr of blewe tapistry warke with viij. braunchys.
Item, j. blewe hallyng of the same sute.



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Item, j. rede clothe of v. yerds v. dim. of lenthe.
Item, j. banker of rede, with iij. white rosys and the armys of Fastolf.
Item, j. nothyr clothe of rede, with v. roses sutly.
Item, j. hallyng of blewe worstet, contayning in lenthe xiij. yerds, and in
   bredthe iiij. yerds.
Item, j. hallyng with men drawen in derke grene worsted.
Item, ij. pecys of whyte worsted, bothe of one lenthe.
Item, j. hallyng of depe grene, contayning in lenthe xj. yerds, and in
   bredthe ij. yerds and one halfe.
Item, j. hallyng of the same sute, lenthe, and brede.
Item, j. tester of grene and whyte, wyth braunchis sutely.

                           F.

                  Clothis of Arras.

Item, ij. clothis of arras for the chamboure over the nether halle, of
   huntyng and of haukyng.
Item, iij. clothis of grene and whyte, withe braunchis sutely to the other
   wreten before.
Item, a coveryng of a bedde of aras, withe hontyng of the bore, a man in
   blewe, with a jagged hoode, white and rede.

                           G.

 Canvas in the Warderop and fyne Lynen Clothe of dyvers sortes.

First ix. berys for fetherbeddys.
Item, iiij. transomers.
Item, j. pece of lynen clothe, countyng lenthe and brede iiijxx. ellys, and
   the tone ende kit and nought enselyd and the other ende hole.
Item, j. pece of lynen clothe, yerde brode, contaynyng xiiij. yerds and more,
   and not sealed.
Item, j. pece of grete lynen clothe, yerde brode, of xxij. yerds.
Item, j. pece of yerde brode, xxiv. yerds iij. quarters, pro Willelmo
   Schipdam.
Item, j. pece of a yerde and a halfe quarter brode, of xxv. yerds and iij.
   quarters, pro Willelmo Schypdam.
Item, j. pece of yerde brode, of xij. yerds and j. quarter.
Item, j. pece of fyne lynen clothe, yerd brode, of lvj. yerdys of lenthe.
Item, j. pece of grete clothe, yerde brode, of lvij. yerds.
Item, j. pece of grete clothe of xxiiij. yerds.
Item, j. pece of clothe leke of xxviij. yerds.
Item, j. pece of clothe of xxxvij. yerds et dim.
Item, j. pece of grete clothe of xxij. yerdys per Willm. Schypdham.
Item, j. pece of clothe lyke of xxxij. yerds and j. quarter.
Item, j. pece of lyke clothe of xxxvj. yerds, per Willm. Schypdam.



|p180


Item, j. pece of clothe of xxxiij. yerds and j. quarter, per Willm.
   Schypdam.
Item, j. pece of xxvij. yerds j. quarter. Item, j. pece of x. yerds
   dim.
Item, j. pece of viij. yerds. Item, j. pece of xxviij. yerds iij. quarters.
Item, j. pece of xix. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xxij. yerds j. quarter.
Item, j. pece of xiij. yerds j. quarter. Item, j. pece of xxiij. yerds.
Item, j. pece of xxvij. yerds j. quarter. Item, j. pece of xxx. yerds
   dim.
Item, j. pece of xxxij. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xlj. yerds and j.
   quarter.
Item, j. pece of xxxj. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xviij. yerds iij.
   quarters.
Item, j. pece of xiij. yerds. Item, j. pece of xiiij. yerds.
Item, j. pece of xlv. yerds. Item, j. pece of viii. yerds dim.
Item, j. pece of xiij. yerds dim. Item, j. pece of xxij. yerds j.
   quarter.
Item, j. pece of xxxix. yerds.
Item, j. pece of xxxiij. yerds j. quarter of beter clothe.
Item, ij. rollys of lynen clothe, both not moten. Item, lx. yerds of
   clothe.
Item, j. pece of Seland clothe, with dyvers sealys at the endys.

                   Summa totalis, xl. peces.

Summa totalis istius folij ultra ij. rolles conc' lx. virg' et in pece sigillat'
   cum Domini secreto sigillo uti in fine pagin, ml. xxxvij. virg. ij.
   quart. dim. per C. que re.

                 Manent, cum tribus pecijs restitutis.

                              H.

          Adhuc in Garderoba to domo Superiori.

Item, iij. grete brasse pottys of Frenche makyng.
Item, j. grete chafron of brasse. Item, ij. chafernes of a lase sorte.
Item, iiij. chafernes of the French gyse for sewys. Item, j. panne.
Item, j. litell potte of brasse. Item, ij. chamber basons of pewter.
Item, iiij. chargeourys. Item, vj. platowres. Item, vj. sawsers of
   pewter.
Item, iiij. candylstykkeys of my mayster is armys und my ladyes, copper
   and gilt.
Item, j. fountayne of latayne to sette in pottys of wine.
Item, ij. hangyng candylstykkes. Item, ij. maundys [baskets].
Item, j basket of wykers. Item, xxj. bowys.
Item, viij. schefe arrowys of swanne.



|p181


         Camera ultra Buttellarium pro extraneis.

Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. pillowe.
Item, ij. blankettys. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, j. purpeynt of white. Item, j. seloure. Item, j. testoure.
Item, ij. curtaynys of the same sute. Item, j. cobbord clothe of the
   same.

            Magna Camera ultra Aulam Estevalem.

In primis, j. fetherbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. seler.
Item, j. tester, withe one gentlewoman in grene, taking a mallard in hir
   hondes.
Item, j.coveryng, with j. geyaunt smytyng a wilde bore with a spere.
Item, iij. courtaynes or grene silke.
Item, j. clothe of arras, of the Schipherds.

The White Chambour next the Gret Chaumbur, sumtyme Nicholas Bokkeyng
                       is Chaumbre.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. pyllowe of doun.
Item, ij. blankettys bon.
Item, j. payre of schetys, every schete iiij. schete iiij. webbes.
Item, j. coveryng of whyte lynen clothe. Item, j. purpoynt.
Item, j. tester. Item, j. seler. Item, iij. curtaynys of whyte.
Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys.
Item, iij. payre of schetys. Item, ij. coverlettes of grene warke.
Item, j. cobbord clothe.

The Chaumboure, sumtyme for Stephen Scrope, hangyng clothys portrayed
                    with the Schipherds.

Item, j. federbedde. Item, j. bolster.
Item, ij. fustian blanketts, every of hem vj. webbys.
Item, j. pyllowye of downe. Item, j. pyllowe of lavendre.
Item, j. cover of apres [ypres ?], lynyd with lynen clothe.
Item, j. tester and j. seler of the same. Item, iij. curtaynes of rede saye.
Item, j. clothe hangyng of Schovelers.
Item, j. rede curtayne o saye for the chayre.
Item, iiij. cosschonys of rede say. Item, j. cobbord clothe.
Item, j. rynnyng bedde with a materas.
Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettis. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, j. coverlet of yellow clothe.

                        Raffman is Chambour.

Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. blanket.
Item, j. payre of schetys. Item, j. redde panne of kinyng skynnys.



|p182


Item, j. testour. Item, j. selour of rede saye.
Item, j. hangyng clothe of popelers. Item, ij. tapettis with clowdys.
Item, j. coveryng of grene saye. Item, j. coverlet of other warke.

           The Yeomen is Chambur for Straungers.

In primis, iij. fether beddys. Item, iij. bolsterys. Item, j. materas.
Item, v. blankettys. Item, iij. payre of schetys.
Item, j. coverlet of grene warke.
Item, ij. coverynges of white, grene, and blewe.
Item, ij. hangyng clothys of the same.

     The White hangyd Chambre next Inglose is Chamboure.

In primis, j. feddebedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys.
Item, j. payre of schetys. Item, j. pillowe of downe.
Item, j. purpoynt white hangyd. Item, j. hangyd bedde.
Item, j. selere. Item, j. testoure. Item, iij. curtaynys of white.
Item, j. curtayne of the same.

                      Inglose Chambre.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster.
Item, ij. blanketts of fustian, everyche of them vj. webbes.
Item, j. peyre of schetys, every schete iij. webbys. Item, j. hed schete.
Item, j. pillowe of downe. Item, j. pillowe of lavendre.
Item, j. covering of aras. Item, j. testoure.
Item, j. seleure of the same. Item, j. pane furryd with menevere.
Item, iij. courtaynys of rede saye. Item, v. clothes of tapserey warke.
Item, j. bankere clothe of the same. Item, j. cusschen of redde silke.
Item, iiij. of rede saye. Item, j. cobbordclothe. Item, j. paylette.
Item, j. bolster. Item, j. blanket. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, j. coverlyte. Item, j. grene carpette.

          The White hangyd Chambour next the Warderobe.

In primis j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys.
Item, j. payre of schettys. Item, j. hed schete. Item, j. pillow of
   downe.
Item, j. pillow of lavendre.
Item, j. purpoynt white, with a scuchon after an horse wyse, visure and
   braunchis of grene.
Item, j. selour. Item, j. testour. Item, iij. curtaynys of lynen clothe.

   Cole and Watkyn is Chamboure that was for the two auditourys.

Item, ij. materasse. Item, ij. blankettys. Item, ij. schetys.
Item, j. bolster. Item, j. coverlet of white warke withe burdys.
Item, j. testour of red saye. Item, j. seler of canvas.



|p183


                    The porter is Chambour.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, j. blankett. Item, j. coveryng cloth.
Item, j. curtayne of rede saye.

          The Chambour agenest the Porter is Chamboure.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, j. payre of blankettys. Item, ij. coverlettys of grene and yolowe.
Item, j. seler of blewe panes and white. Item, ij. pecys of saye.

                The Chamber over the Draught Brigge.

In primis, j. fedder bed, covered withe gray canvas. Item, j. bolster.
Item, ij. blankettys, j. payre of schettys.
Item, j. rede pane furryd withe connyngs.
Item, j. testour, and j. selour of rede saye with Me faunt fere.

                        Schipdam is Chambre.

In primis, j. fedderbedde. Ijem, ij. blangettis. Item, ij. schetys.
Item, j. bolster.
Item, j. coverlet of white rosys, at every corner iiij., and one in the
   myddell.
Item, j. seler of rede say.
Item, j. testour of rede say, lynyd wythe canvas. Item, j. chayre.
Item, j. pece of rede say for accomptyng borde.
Item, iiij. cosschonys rede say. Item, j. aundiren. Item, j. firepanne.
Item, j. payre of tongus. Item, iij. formys. Item, j. junyd stole.

                 The Inner Chaumbour over the Gatis.

In primis, j. federbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettes.
Item, j. gardevyaunt [meat safe]. Item, ij. cosschonys of blewe say.
Item, j. junyd stole.

                       The Myddell Chambour.

In primis, j. feder bedde. Item, j. materas. Item, j. quylt.
Item, ij. coverletts of rede say. Item, j. testour withe a selour.
Item, ij. courtaynys of rede say. Item, j. testoure of the same.
Item, j. payre of tongys.

                  Camera Bokkyng in le Basecourte.

In primis, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster.
Item, ij. payre of schetys. Item, ij. blankettys.
Item, j. coverlete of popelers, lynyd with whyte lynnyng clothe.
Item, j. selour. Item, j. testour of rede saye.



|p184


                     The Coke is Chambour.

Item, j. feder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. schetys.
Item, j. redde coverlyte of rosys and blood houndys hedys.

                Feraufe [or Fitzrauf] is Chambre.

Item, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, ij. blankettys. Item, j. coverlyte. Item, j. testour.
Item, j. selour of blewe clowded.

                   Thomas Fastolff Chamboure.

Item, j. fedderbed. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, ij. blankettis. Item, j. rede coverlet.
Item, j. coveryng of worstet. Item, j. testour.
Item, j. selour of rede say, withe the armys of Fastolf.

                 The Bedde in the grete Stabull.

Item, j. materas. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, j. coverlyt of blewe and rede.

                 The Bedde in the Sumer Stabull.

Item, j. materas. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, j. coverlyte of blewe and rede.

                  The Gardinares Chambre.

In primis, j. bolster. Item, j. materas. Item, j. payre of schetys.
Item, ij. blankettys. Item, j. coverlet of blewe.
Item, j. nother of better blewe. Item, j. materas. Item, j. bolster.
Item, j. carpet. Item, j. coveryng of grene say.
Item, j. coveryng of popelerys. Item, j. selour of blewe.

   My Maister is Chambre and the withe draughte withe the Stable.

In primis, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. donge of fyne blewe.
Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. blankettys of fustians.
Item, j. payre of schetis. Item, j. purpeynt.
Item, j. hangyd bedde of arras. Item, j. testour. Item, j. selour.
Item, j. coveryng.
Item, iij. curtaynes of grene worsted.
Item, j. bankeur of tapestre warke.
Item, iiij. peces hangyng of grene worsted.
Item, j. banker hangyng tapestry worke. Item, j. cobbord clothe.
Item, ij. staundyng aundyris. Item, j. feddefflok.
Item, j. chafern of laten. Item, j. payre of tongys.



|p185


Item, j. payre of bellewes. Item, j. litell.paylet. Item, ij. blankettys.
Item, j. payre of schetys. Item, j. coverlet.
Item, vj. white cosschynes. Item, ij. lytell bellys.
Item, j. foldyng table. Item, j. longe chayre. Item, j. grene chayre.
Item, j. hangyng candylstyk of laton.

 In Camera and Warda nuper pertinentibus Domin Mylcenti Fastolf.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, j. materas.
Item, j. quelte. Item, smale pyllowes of downe.
Item, j. hongyd bedde of fyne whyte. Item, ij. smale payletts.
Item, j. rede coverlet. Item, j. leddre pyllewe. Item, j. basyn.
Item, j. ewer. Item, ij. pottys.
Item, ij. lyttyll ewers of blew glasses, powdered withe golde.

       The Chambure there Margaret Hodessone laye.

Item, j. fedderbedde. Item, j. bolster. Item, ij. fustians.
Item, j. chayre withe j. pece of palle white and grene.

         The utmost Chambur nexte Winter Halle.

Item, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. bolster.
Item, j. coveryng of grene worsted. Item, ij. staundyng aundeirys.
Item, j. hangyng candylstyk of laton.
Item, j. cobbord clothe. Item, j. rede chayre.

    The White Draught Chamber for Lewys and William Worcester.

In primis, j. fedder bedde. Item, j. donge. Item, j. bolster.
Item, j. hangyd bedde. Item, j. testour.
Item, j. selour of rede worsted, i-hangyd with clothe of pale, blake, white,
   and grene. Item, j. arstellawe.

                            G

In primis, ij. pecys of satayne after the fassion of a dowblet to were under
   gownes.
Item, viij. quarters of silk, the slevys of the same rolled to gedder for
   jakketts.
Item, j. jakke of blakke lynen clothe stuffyd with mayle.
Item, vj. jakkes stuffyd with horne.
Item, j. jakke of blake clothe lyned with canvas mayled.
Item, xxiiij. cappes, stuffed withe horne, and sum withe mayle.
Item, vj. payre glovys of mayle, of schepys skynne, and of doos.
Item, iij. grete crosbowes of stele, with one grete dowble wyndas ther
   too.
Item, j. coffyre, full of quarrellys of a male sorte.
Item, xij. quarrellis of grete sorte, feddered with brasse.
Item, vj. payre curassis. Item, j. payre of breggandires.



|p186


Item, iij. harburyones of l'Milayne.
Item, v. ventayletts for bassenetts. Item, vj. peces of mayle.
Item, j. garbrasse. Item, j. polleson. Item, vj. payre grevys.
Item, iiij. payre thyes. Item, xj. bassenetts. Item, j. payre coschewe.
Item, j. payre bregandines, helyd with rede felwet. Item, j. spere.
Item, ij. bassenetts. Item, ij. saletts withe ij. visers.
Item, viij. saletts, white, withe oute vesoure. Item, v. payre vambras.
Item, iij. spere heddys. Item, j. swerde with a gyld chape.
Item, j. prikkyng hat, covered withe blake felwet.
Item, ij. tarcellys on hym be hynde. Item, iij. gonnes, called serpentins.
Item, j. white payre of brigaundiris. Item, ij. payre hosyn of blak
   kersey.
Item, payre bounde wyth lether. Item, ij. payre of skarlat.
Item, j. payre of blake vampayed withe lether.
Item, ij. jakketts of russet felwet. Item, ij. aundyrys, grete, of one
   sorte.
Item, ij. lasse, of anothyr sorte. Item, iij. lesser aundiris.
Item, xi. aunderis for lecchen. Item, j. iren spitte.
Item, ix. barrys of iren for curtaynes.
Item, ij. chaynes for the draught brigge.

                             Magna Aula.

xj. crosbowes whereof iij. of stele, and v. wyndas. Item, j. borespere.
Item, vj. wifles. Item, j. rede pavys. Item, j. target.
Item, xxj. speris. Item, j. launce gay. Item, iij. pecys of rede worsted.
Item, j. grene chayre. Item, j. red chayre.
Item, j. pece of rede worsted in the toure parloure.
Item, j. banker of tapestry worke.
Item, j. nothir of tapestry warke newe, in the hall wendewe.
Item, vij. cosschenys of tapestre.

                            Aula Yemalis.

Item, j. clothe of arras, of the Morysch daunce.
Item, ij. chayrys fraungyd. Item, j. rede chayre di. dos |r(?).
Item, di. dosn. of tapestrye warke. Item, j. banker of aras.
Item, ij. andyris stondyng.

                              Celar.

In the seler, certayn vessell whiche John Ouresby is chargid withe by an
   endenture, wherof the copy is annexed to this lese.
Item, ij. pypes of rede wyne.

                           The Bottre.

Item, ij. kervyng knyvys.
Item, iij. kneyves in a schethe, the haftys of every, withe naylys gilt.



|p187


Item, j. payre galon bottels of one sorte.
Item, j. payre of potell botellys of one sorte.
Item, j. nother potell bottell. Item, j. payre quartletts of one sorte.
Item, iiij. galon pottis of lether. Item, iij. pottelers of lether.
Item, j. trencher knyfe. Item, j. grete tankard.
Item, ij. grete and hoge bottelis. Item, xiiij. candylstykkys of laton.
Item, certayn pecys of napre, accordyng to a bylle endentyd annexed to
   this lese.
Item, j. quartelet for wine.

In primis, iij. chargeres argenti de parvo sorte. Item, v. platers argenti.
Item, xij. dissches argenti unius sortis.
Item, viij. dissches argenti minoris sortis.
Item, xj. sawseris argenti unius sortis.
Item, iij. crateras argenti, quarum, j. data Margaret Hoddsone.
Item, iij. covertorijs argenti enamelid and borage floures in les botimes.
Item, vj. chacyd pecys gilte bi the bordurys, with the towche of Paryce.
Item, ij. pottis argenti potlers, percell gilte and enameled with violetts and
   dayseys.
Item, ij. pottis of sylver, of the facion of goods enamelyd on the toppys
   withe hys armys.
Item, j. quarteler argenti, percel gift withe j. chase a bought of rosys and
   levys.
Item, j. rounde salt seler, gylt and covered with a wrethe toppe with this
   wordys wreten, Me faunt fere, a bowght.
Item, j. salt seler, pacell of the same fassion sengle.
Item, ij. salt selers of sylver, playne and smale with a dowble rose graven
   withe armys.
Item, j. basyn of sylver, percell gylte, with a dowble rose, his armis
   enamelid in the bottom be with his helme and his crest.

                   Liberat' London' cum Domino.

Item, j. nother bacyn, white, of the same facion, enamilid with his armys
   in the bottom.
Item, ij. ewars ther withe.
Item, j. lytyll sylver bacyn playne, with j. flat ewer.
Item, j. goboleit chaced, the bordours gilt.
Item, xvj. spony of sylver, withe knappys gylt lyke perle.
Item, j. candylstyk of sylver, percell gylt, dowble nosyd.
Item, j. rounde basyn argenti cum, j. ewer argenti playn.
Item, ij. grete bacyns of sylver, the bourdour is gylt and wretyn abought,
   Me faunt fere.
Item, ij. ewers accordyng ther to. Item, j. lytyll stert panne of sylver.
Item, ij. disschys of sylver founden in my lady is chambre.
Item, ij. smale pecys.
Item, j. saltseler boliouned inwarde, covered and gylt.
Item, j. stondyng coppe gylte, with j. knappe in maner like perle.



|p188


Item, ij. playn borde clothys for my maister is table, counte ix. yerds in
   lengthe.
Item, ij. playne clothis for my maisters table, ece counte vj. yerds.
Item, vj. napkyns playn.
Item, iiij. tewelles playn warke, eche cont' in lenthe ij. yerds, dim'.
Item, iiij. playne clothis for the hall, eche of vj. yerds.
Item, ij. wasschyng tewellys of warke, eche of x. yerds.
Item, j. pocter |r(?). Item, j. overpayn of Raynes

                           Capella.

Inprimis, ij. antyfeners. Item, j. legande of hoole servyce.
Item, ij.myssayles, the one noted and closyd wyth sylver, and the other not
   noted.
Item, j. sauter claspyd with sylver, and my mayster is armys and my ladyes
   ther uppon.
Item, j. mortellege covered withe white ledes.
Item, j. vestement covered withe crownes gilt in the mydde, with all the
   apparayle.
Item, j. vestement hole of redde damaske warke.
Item, j. vestement of blak clothe of golde, with the hole ornaments.
Item, j. auter clothe, withe a frontell of white damaske, the Trynete in the
   myddys.
Item, j. vestement of tunekell. Item, j. cope of white damaske, withe the
   ornaments.
Item, j. awbe. Item, j. stole.
Item, j. favon, encheked white and blewe. Item, j. auter clothe.
Item, ij. curtaynes of white sylke, withe a frontell of the same, with
   fauchouns of golde.
Item, j. vestement of divers colurys, withe a crosse of golde to the bakke,
   iiij. birdys quartelye.
Item, j. crosse of sylver and gylt, with oure Lady and Seynt John.
Item, j. chales sylver and gylt. Item, j. pax brede.
Item, j. crucyfyxe, thereon withe oure Lady and Seynt John enamelyd, and
   full of flour delys.
Item, ij. candylstykkys of sylver, the borduris gylt.
Item, ij. cruettys of sylver, percell gylt.
Item, iij. pyllowes stondyng on the autre off rede felwet withe flowrys
   enbrawderid.
Item, ij. carpettis. Item, iiij. cosschenys of grene worstede.
Item, j. chayre in the closet of Fraunce, fregid.
Item, j. cosschon of redde worsted. Item, j. sakeryng bell of sylver.

                            Pistrina.

Item, j. bulter. Item, j. ranell. Item, ij. payre wafer irens.
Item, ij. basketts. Item, j. seve. Item, j. payre trayes cum j. coler.
Item, j. materas. Item. j. blanket. Item, j. payre of chetis.
Item, j. coverlyte.



|p189


                           Brewhousee.

Item, xij. ledys. Item, j. mesynfate [mashing tub]. Item, j. yelfate [ale
   vat].
Item, viij. kelers, &c.

                           Coquena.

Item, j. gret bras pote. Item, vj. cours pottys of brasse.
Item, iiij. lytyll brasse pottis. Item, iiij. grete brasse pottis.
Item, iij. pike pannys of brasse.
Item, ij. ladels and ij. skymers of brasse.
Item, j. caudron, j. dytyn panne of brasse, j. droppyng panne.
Item, j. gredyren, iiij. rakkys, iij. cobardys, iij. trevitts.
Item, j. fryeyng panne, j. sclyse.
Item, ij. grete square spittys, ij. square spittys cocnos.
Item, ij. lytyll brocchys rounde, j. sars of brasse.
Item, j. brasyn morter cum j. pestell, j. grate, j. sarche of tre.
Item, j. flessche hoke, ij. potte hokys, j. payr tongys.
Item, j. dressyng knyfe, j. fyre schowle, ij. treys, j. streynour.
Item, j. venegre botell.

                          Larderia.

Item, iij. grete standere pannes, j. bochers axe.
Item, ij. saltyng tubbes. Item, viij. lynges. Item, iiij. mulwellfyche.
Item, j. barell, dim. alec. alb. di.
Item, j. barrell. anguill., unde car. cc. anguill.
Item, j. ferkyn anguill. hoole. Item, j. barrell.
Item, j. busschell salt albi. Item, j. quart. alb sal.


                          |r390

                  FASTOLF'S COLLEGE

|r{4_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p190


|r{37_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p191


|r{3_lines_of_old_Latin_text}

                          |r391

           WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
          To my Maistr Jon Paston in Norffolk.

[1459, Nov. 12] <b> RYTHE will belovyd broder, I recomand me to zow,
   sertefyeng zow that on Fryday last was in the morn yng,
   Wurceter and I wer come to London be viij. of
the clok, and we spak with my Lord Chanceler, and I fund
hym well disposyd in all thyng, and ze schall fynd hym ryth
profytabyll to zow, &c. And he desyred me to wrythe zow a
letter in hys name, and put trust in zow in gaderyng of the
good togeder, and pray zow to do so and have all his good
owthe of every place of his, and his awne place, qwer so ever
they wer, and ley it secretly wer as ze thowth best at zowr
assynement, and tyll that he speke with zow hym selff, and he
seyd ye schuld have all lawfull favor. I purpose to ryde to
him this day ffor wryttis of diem clawsit extremum, and I sopose
ze schall have a letter sent from hym selff to zow.
   As for the good of Powlis, it is safe j now [enough]; and
this day we have grant to have the good owthe of Barmundsey
with owthe avyse of any man, sawyng Worseter, Plomer, and
I my selff, and no body schall know of it but we thre.
   My Lord Treasorer spekyth fayr, but zet many avyse
me to put no trust in hym. Ther is laboryd many menys to
intytill the Kyng in his good. Sothewell is Eschetor, and he is



|p192


rythe good and well disposyd. My Lord of Exsater cleymyth
tytill in myn master plase, with the aportynancys in Sothewerk,
and veryly had purposyd to have entrid; and his consayll wer
with us, and spak with Wurseter and me. And now afterward
they have sent us word that they wold meve my Lord to sue
be menys of the lawe, &c. I have spoke with my Lord of Can terbury
and Master Jon Stokys, and I fynd hem rythe will
disposyd bothe, &c.
   Item, to morow ar the nexst day ze schall have a noder
letter, for be that tyme we schall know mor than we do now.
   My Lord Chanceler wold that my master schuld be beryed
wurchyply, and C. mark almes done for hym; but this day I
schall holly know his enthent. Master Jon Stokys hathe the
same consaythe and almes gevyng. Harry Fenyngley is not
in this towne, ner the Lord Bechamp.
   Item, we have gethe men of the speretuall law with haldyn
with us, qwat casse some ever hap. We have Master Robert
Kenthe, but in any wyse have all the good ther to gedyr, and
tary for no lettyng, thow ze schuld do it be day a lythe [day light]
opynly, for it is myn Lord Chanceler ffull in thenthe that
ze schuld do so.
   As for Wyllyam Worceter, he trustythe veryly ze wold do
for hym and for his avaylle, in reson; and I dowthe nott and
he may veryly and feythefully understand zow so disposyd to
hym ward, ze schall fynd hym feythefull to zow in leke wysse.
I understand by hym he will never have oder master butt his
old master; and to myn consaythe it were pete butt iff he
schull stand in suche casse be myn master that he schuld never
nede servyce, conserying [considering] how myn master trustyd
hym, and the long zers that he hathe be with hym in, and many
schrew jornay for his sake, &c.
   I wrythe zow no mor, be cawse ze schall [have] a noder
letter wretyn to morow. Wretyn at Lundon the xij. day of
Novembr, in hast, be
                                           WILLYAM PASTON.



|p193


                          |r392

         SIR JOHN FASTOLF AND JOHN PASTON

[1459, Nov. 26] <b> MEMORANDUM, that I Robert Fytzrawff, Esquyer,
   recorde that I, beyng in my Master Fastolff chambre,
   lenyng upon the gret bedde, at suche tyme as John
Paston, Esquyer, Master John Brackeley, Master Clement
Felmyngham, weere in comonycacion with my seid master of
dyvers gret maters towchyng his will, and serten appoyntmentes
a twyx my seid master and the seid John Paston, in the weke
next be ffor my seid master dissesid, I hard my seid master and
the seid John Paston appoynte and conclude that the seid John
Paston shulde take upon hym the rwle of my masters howsold
and of all his lyflod in Norffolk and Suffolk duryng his lyve;
and aftir his dissese the seid John Paston shulde do ffounde a
colage at Caster of vij. monkes or prestis, and pay iiij. ml. mark
of money be yeres to my seid masteres executoris, at eche pay ment
viijc. marke, till the seid som wer paid; and that the seid
John Paston shulde have all the lyvelode that was my seid
masters in Norffolk and Suffolk to hym and to his heyres in
fee. And aftir this seid mater rehersed my seid master seide
these wordes, `Cosyne, I pray you and requere you, lete this be
settled in all hast withowte tarying, for this is my very last
wille.' Also be it knowe to all men that I had knowlege
of this bargayne dyverse tymes halfe-yere past, and how my
seid Master Fastolff and the seid John Paston wer nye at a
conclucion of the seid maters a quarter of a yere be fore this
last bargayne was made.
   Wrete at Caster the xxvj. day of Novembre the xxxviij.
yere of Kyng Herry the Sexte. In witnesse wherof, I have
syngnyd this bull with myn own hand and sette to my seale.
                                            ROBT. FETZRAWFF.



|p194


                          |r393

             BISHOP WAYNFLETE'S ADVICE

<b> BE it remembred that forasmoch as Sir John Fastolf late
   decesed, of grete affeccion, hath put me yn trust to be
   one of hys executors, and seth hyt ys desyryd me to
know my disposicion hereynne, myne advyse is this, that fyrst
an inventorie be made holye of hys godes and catell yn all
places, and thayt they be leyd yn sure waard by your discrecions,
tille the executors, or the moste part of tho that he put hys
grete trust uppon, speke wyth me and make declaracion to me
of hys laste wille, to the accomplyshment whereoff I wolle be
speciall gode Lord.
   Ferthymore, as touchyng hys buryeng and month ys
mynde kepyng, that it be don worshyplye, accordyng to hys
degree and for the helth of hys soule, and that almesse be
yeven yn mass seyng, and to pore peple to the some of a
hundred mrcks tille that othyrwyse we speke to geder; and I
can agree ryzt well that hys servaunts haf theyr rewardes be
tymes accordyng to hys wylle, to th'entent that they may
be better disposed and to pray for the wellfare of hys soule,
takyng avyse of a lerned man yn spirituell lawe, for no
charge of administracion till the executors com to ghedr,
or the moste part that hys trust was most uppon, to tak
the administracion.                          W. WINTON.

                          |r394

                       {ABSTRACT}



|p195


                          |r395

           FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON
Carissimo suo magistro, Johanni Paston, armigero.
  Jesus, Maria, &c.

[1459] <b> RYTE reverent mayster and most trusty frend in erthe,
   as lowly as I kan or may, I recomaunde me, &c.
   Syr, in feyth I was sore aferd that ze had a gret
lettyng that ze come not on Wednysday to met, &c. Be
myn feythe, and ze had be here, ze schuld haf had ryte good
chere, &c., and hafe faryd ryte wele after zour pleser, &c.,
with more, &c.
   Sir John Tatirshall is at one with Heydon, &c., and Lord
Skalys hathe made a lofeday with the prior and Heydon in
alle materys except the matere of Snoryng, &c. And the
seyd pryor spake maysterly to the jurrorys, &c., and told hem
and |r[i.e._if] they had dred God and hurt of here sowlys, they
wold haf some instruccyon of the one party as wele as of the
other. But they were so bold they were not aferd, for they



|p196


fownde no bonys to sey in her verdyte, as T. T. and J. H.
wold, &c.
   A lewde |r[i.e._illiterate] doctor of Ludgate prechid on
Soneday fowrtenyte at Powlys, chargyng the peple that no
man schuld preyen for these Lords traytorys, &c.; and
he had lytyl thank, as he was worthy, &c. And for hyse
lewd demenyng his brethir arn had in the lesse favour at
London, &c. Doctor Pynchebek and Doctor Westhawe,
grete prechowrys and parsonys at London, bene now late
made monkys of Charterows at Schene, one at the on place
and an other at the other place, &c.
   The Chaunceler is not good to these Lords, &c., for
he feryth the Erle of Marche wyl cleyme by inheritans the
Erldam of Ha . . . . . &c., of which mater I herd gret
speche in Somercede schyre, &c. Wyndham, Heydon, Todyn ham,
Blake, W. Chambirleyn, Wentworth, have late commys syonys
to take for tretorys and send to the next gayl all
personys fawtorys and weelwyllerys to the seyd Lords, &c.
Mayster Radclyff and ze haf none of commyssyonys directid to
zow, &c., for ze bene holdyn favorabil, &c. Wyndham and
Heydon bene namyd here causerys of the commyssyonys, &c.
   On Moneday last at Crowmere was the ore and the bokys
of regystre of the amrelte takyn a wey from my Lord Scalys
men be a gret multitude of my Lord Rossys, &c. The Lord
Skalys is to my Lord Prince, &c., to wayte on hym, &c. He
seyth, per Deum Sanctum, as we sey here, he schal be amrel or
he schal ly there by, &c. Be my feyth, here is a coysy werd
[unsettled world]. Walsham of Chauncery, that never made
lesyng, told me that Bokkyng was with my Lord Chaunceler
this terme, but I askyd not how many tymys, &c.
   As I haf wrytyn to zow oftyn byfor this, |r{4_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p197


|r{17_lines_of_old_Latin_text}

                          |r396

          JOHN BOCKING TO YELVERTON, PASTON,
                     |rAND FILONGLEY
To my right worshipful maistris, William Yelverton, Justice,
  John Paston, and Herre Filongley, and to eche of them.

[1459, Dec. 7] <b> RIGHT worshepful Sers, I recomaunde me to yow.
   And like it yow to wete, that my Lord Chaunceller
   is right good and tendre Lord in all your materes,
and soo wil contynue, and my Lord Tresorier in like wise;
which bothen have answerid Wyndham, not aldermoste to
hise plesir, becaus of his noiseful langage, seyng [saying] how
he myght have noo lawe, and that my Lord Chaunceller was
not made executor but for meigntenaunce, with many othir



|p198


woordis noo thing profitable ner furtheryng his entents. As
for ony particuler materes, the parlament as yet abideth upon
the grete materes of atteyndre and forfetur; and soo there
be many and diverse particuler billes put inne, but noon redde,
ner touchyng us, as nygh as we can herken; to whiche Playter
and I attenden daily, trustyng on my Lords aboveseid, my
Lord Privy Seall, and other good Lords, and many also of
your acquayntance and owres, that and ony thing be, we shall
sone have knowlege.
   The Chief Justice is right herty, and seith ful wel and
kyndely of my maistr, whom Jesu for his mercy pardonne,
and have yow in His blessid governaunce.
   Writen at Coventre the morwne after Seint Nicholas.
   And as to money, I delyvered unto the Under-tresorier
a lettre from Maister Filongley, and I fonde hym right wele
disposid to doo that may please yow in all our materes; and
take noo money of hym as yette, for we have noo nede to
spend ony sumes as yette, ner with Gods grace shall not have.
I come to this town of Coventre suche day sevenyght as the
parlement byganne; and as for suche things as I coude herken
aftyr, I sende to William Worcetre a grete bille of tidings to
shewe yow and all.
   Yesterday in the mornyng come inne th'erle of Pembroke
with a good felechip; and the Duchesse of York come yester even
late, as the bringer here of shall more pleinly declare yow,
to whom ye like to gif credence. The Bushop of Excester
and the Lord Grey Ruthyn have declarid them ful worship fuly
to the Kings grete plesir. Playter and I writen you a
lettre by Norffolk, yoman for the Kyngs mouth.
                   Your                    JOHN BOKKING.



|p199


[The following list of those of the Duke of York's party who
   were attainted by Parliament was found by Fenn pinned
   to the above letter: --]

The Duc of York.           Edward Bourghcier, sq.
Therle of Marche.          A brother of his.
Therle of Rutland.         Thomas Vaughan.
Therle of Warrwyk.         Thomas Colte.
Therle of Salusbury.       Thomas Clay.
The Lord Powys.            John Denham.
The Lord Clynton.          Thomas Moryng.
The Countesse of Sarr.     John Oter.
Sir Thomas Nevyle.         Maistr Ric Fisher.
Sir John Nevyle.           Hastyngs and other that as
Sir Thomas Haryngton.        yet we can not know the
Sir Thomas o Parre.          names, &c.
Sir John Conyers.
Sir John Wenlok.           As for the Lord Powys, he come
Sir William Oldhall.         inne. and hadde grace as for his
                             lyf, but as for hise gods the for feture
                             passid.

                          |r397

            SIR PHILIP WENTWORTH'S PETITION

[1459, Nov. or Dec.] <b> MEKELY besechith Phelip Wentworth, Knyght, that
   where the warde and mariage of Thomas, sone and
   heire of John Fastolf, late of Cowhaugh in the
[county] of Suffolk, squyer, and of the lond of the same John,
belonged to the Kyng of rigth, and among other by reason of
the nonnage of the sayd heir, the maner of Bradwell in the
said counte was sesed in to his handes by vertu of an
enquest take a fore his Eschetour of the seid counte. The
whiche offices John Fastolf, Knyght, and other tented to



|p200


traverse, and by that meane had the sayd maner to ferme,
accordyng to the statute in that case made, and it was
founden and jugement yoven for the Kyng in the said
traversed by the labour of the said Phelipp, which, the xviij.
day of Novembre, the yer of the regne of the Kyng the
xxvj., bougth of Marmaduke Lampney, than Tresorer of
Englond, the said ward and mariage for an C. marc, as it
appereth in the Kynges receyte, be syde all other costes and
charges that the sad Phelipp hath don uppon the same, as
weel in fyndyng of the Kyngges title of the said ward, as in
the meyntenauns of all other sewtes dependyng uppon the
same, to the costes of the said Sir Phelypp more than D.
marc. And the said John Fastolf, Knyght, was adjuged in
the Kynges eschequer to pay an C.ixli xiijs. viijd. ob. for the
issuez and profites which he had take of the londes of the
same warde. And where the Kyngges lettres patentes be
entred in the remembrauns on the Tresorer parte in the said
eschequyer in this fourme:
|r{19_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p201


|r{16_lines_of_old_Latin_text}
   And after that an accorde is entred in the sayd Eschequer
in thys forme: -- 
|r{18_lines_of_old_Latin_text}
   So by the sayd lettres patentez and the sayd accorde the
sayd John Paston and Thomas Howys schuld have the sayd
C.ixli. xiijs. viijd. ob. and the sayd ward and mariage, the



|p202


whiche is worthe CCli., for the sayd x. marc only. And also,
for as moche as the sayd Tresorer recordeth in the Kyngges
High Court of Parlement begonne at Westminster the ix. day
of Jule the yer of the Kyngges noble regne xxxiij., that he
made never no suche accord wyth the sayd John Paston and
Thomas Howys of the sayd ward, the whiche mater is of
record in the Kyngges chauncerye certefyed by the sayd Erle
of Worceter, as weell as by other his lettres to dyvers persones
directed, sealed with his signet, wretyn and signet with hys
owen hand, as plenerly dooth appere: Where for plese it
your gret wysdams, the premisses considered, to pray the
Kyng oure soverayn Lord, that, by the advys and assent of
his Lordes spirituelx and temperelx, and by you hys comunes
in the present parlement assembled, stablysshed and inacted
that the sayd entre of accord and jugement theruppon be
anulled and of non effect. And the sayd Phelyppe schall pray
to God for you, &c.

                          |r398

                       {ABSTRACT}



|p203


                          |r399

            WILLIAM BOTONER TO JOHN BERNEY
 To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Berneye, Squier,
                   at Castre beyng.

[1460, Jan.] <b> RYGHT wohypfull Sir, I recommaund me to yow.
. . . . . . . As for tydyngs here, I sende
som of hend wreten to you and othyrs how the Lord
Ryvers, Sir Antonye, hys son, and othyrs hafe wonne Calix
be a feble assault made at Sandwich by Denham, Squyer, with
the nombre of viijc. men, on Twyesday betwene iiij. and v. at
cloks yn the mornyng. But my Lady Duchesse ys stille
ayen receved yn Kent. The Duke of York ys at Debylyn
[Dublin], strengthed with hys Erles and homagers, as ye shall
see by a bille. God sende the Kyng victorie of hys ennemyes,
and rest and pease among hys Lordes.
   I am rygt gretly hevyed for my pore wyfe, for the sorow
she takyth, and most leefe hyr and hyr contree. Y shall
nothing take from hyr more then a litell spendyng money,
tille better may bee. And the Blessed Trinite kepe and
sende you helth.
   Wret at London hastly, the Monday after I departed from
   you, 1459, x.             Your,
                              W. BOTONER, called WYRCESTER.



|p204


                           |r400

             WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
    To his right worshipfull brother, John Paston,
               be this lettre delyvered.

[1460, Jan. 28] <b> AFTER dewe recomendacion had, please you to wete
   that we cam to London uppon the Tewysday by
   none, nexst aftr our departour fro Norwich, and sent
our men to inquyre after my Lord Chaunceler, and Maister
John Stokys, and Malmesbury.
   And as for my Lord Chaunceler, he was departed fro
London, and was redyn to the Kyng ij. dayes er we were
come to London; and as we understand he hasted hym to
the Kyng by cause of my Lord Ryvers takyng at Sand wyche,
&c. . . . . . . . .
   As for tydyngs, my Lord Ryvers was brougth to Caleys,
and by for the Lords with viijxx. [eight score] torches, and
there my Lord of Salesbury reheted [rated] hym, callyng
hym knaves son, that he schuld be so rude to calle hym
and these other Lords traytors, for they schall be found the
Kyngs treue liege men, whan he schuld be found a traytour,
&c. And my Lord of Warrewyk rehetyd hym, and seyd
that his fader was but a squyer, and broute up with Kyng
Herry the Vte, and sethen hymself made by maryage, and also
made Lord, and that it was not his parte to have swyche
langage of Lords, beyng of the Kyngs blood. And my Lord
of Marche reheted hym in lyke wyse. And Sir Antony was
reheted for his langage of all iij. Lords in lyke wyse.



|p205


   Item, the Kyng cometh to London ward, and, as it is seyd,
rereth the pepyll as he come; but it is certayn ther be comys syons
made in to dyvers schyres that every man be redy in his
best aray to com whan the Kyng send for hem.
   Item, my Lord Roos is com fro Gynes.
   No more, but we pray to Jesu have you in his most
mercyfull kepyng. Amen.
   Wretyn at London, the Munday next after Seynt Powle
day.                   Yowr broder,
                                           WLLIAM PASTON.

                           |r401

                   WILLIAM BOTONER TO --

[1460, Feb. 7] <b> A VERY frende at nede experience will schewe be deede,
   as wele as be autorite of Aristotle in the Etiques that
   he made of moralite. Also by the famous Reamayn
Tullius in his litell booke De Amicicia; thangyng you for olde
contynued frendschip stidffastely grounded, as I wele [qu.
feel ?] be your letter of a goode disposicion made, as it appereth.
Where as it schewith to the understandyng of suche as you
write uppon that I schulde, be crafty councell of some men
sodenly have departed in to these parties, &c., and that I
straunched me from sertein persones to moche, &c.; as for
the furste, it schalbe to openly knowe that I departed not
hedre be councell of suche persons as they ymagyne, for in
trowthe no creature levyng, when I departed from Norwich,
knewe of it, saffe one that hath and evermore schal be next of
my knowlege in viagis makyng, alle be it I will not alwey
disclose the cause. I herde sey sith I come to London theye
weche ye dempte to be of my councell thanne where at



|p206


Wolsyngham or Thepala (?.) when I departed. I have wrete
the cauce to hym that of nature schulde be my beste frende,
that for as much I had labored as weele as W. Paston do my
maister frendes, chevised, and leyd money content out of his
purse to the some of Cli., and more for cloothe and other
thynges for my seide maister entencion, promyttyng payment
be fore Cristemesse, or right soone aftir, or to be at London,
and acquytyng me that I put me my dever. And be cause
my maister attorneys in that parties toke not to herte to make
the payementes here so hastely as they ded there, I had no
comffortable answere of spedyng the seid paymentes here.
And also I was not put in truste a mong the seid attorneys
there to yeve on peny for my maister sowle, but I paid it of
myn owne purse befoore; nother in trust ne favour to geve
an almesse gowne, but that I praid for it as a straunger schulde
doo, alle be it myn autorite is as grete as theris, and rather
more as I tolde you. And also my Lorde of Canturebury and
Maister John Stookes, his juge, had geve autorite to ministre
to a certein somme till the testament were proved. And these
preseidents consedred wolde discorage any man to a bide but
a litel amonges hem that so straunged hem self from me and
mistrusted me, be thut any cauce ye knowe wele how that
my maister man servauntes were put in gretter truste and
familiarite to handell, geve, and telle out of the bagghes my
maister money bothe at Seint Benetts and in Norwich in divers
places by grete summes and litell. And ye as other my
maister servauntes and I that helped gete my maister goode
and brynge it togedre were straunged, and as it semyd by
there demenyng mistrusted to oure grete vilanye and rebuke,
wheche muste be answerd the causes why, and we declared
|r[i.e._exculpated], and so shal I make it for my pore person,
and for my maister sowle heele. It is not soilied |r(?) knowen
that I was one of the cheeffe that kepte bothe my Maister
Paston and myn oncle in my maister favour and truste, and
if I wolde have labored the contrary, by my sowle -- that is the
grettest othe that I may swere of my silff -- they had never be



|p207


nygh my maister in that case they stonde nowe. And if they
woll labour to damage or hendre me, all the worlde woll
mysreporte of hem and litel truste hem, nowther they schal
not have wurschip nor profight bi it. I wolde be to them
as lowyng and as wele willyng as I gan, so I fynde cause, and
other I wolnot be to my fadre, and he weere a liffe. I requere
you a[n]swere for me as I wolde and have do for you whan
som of hem have seid ful nakedly of you, and suche as ye
deeme hafe mysereported causeles of me, I pray you that they
see my letter as weele as my frendes. My maister also (God
yelded is sowle) graunted to me a liffelode accordyng to my
degre, that I, my wiffe, and my childre, schulde have cause to
prey for hym. My wiffes uncle was present in his chapell at
Castre as wele as my wiffe, and comaunded her oncle to chese
the londe. This is trowthe be the blissed Sacrament that I
receyved at Pasch |r[i.e._Easter]. And because I demaunded
my right and dwte of my Maister Paston, he is not plesed.
I have lost more thanne x. mark worthe londe in my maister
servyce, by God, and not [unless] I be releved, alle the worlde
schal knowe it elles that I have to gret wrong. Wolde God
I kowde plese bothe Maister Paston and my oncle in reson,
who preserve you.
   Wrete hastely the vij. day of Feveryere.
                                Your,
                              W. BOTONER, dit Wurcester.



|p208


                           |r402

                W. LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON
   To the right worchipfull and reverent and myn good
          mayster Paston, Squyere, be this taken.

[1460, April 6] <b> MY ryght worchipfull mayster, I recomaunde me to yow,
   besechyng yow to hold me excusyd that I awaytyd
   noon otherwyse opon yow and my mastras at my
comyng from Norwich; for yn good feyth I was soo seke
that I hadde moche labour to come home, and syther that
tyme I have hadde my parte, &c. And, Sere, as for Berney,
he begynnyth to falle ought of the popell conceyte faster than
ever he fell yn, for serteyn causez, &c. I shalle telle yow yn
haste. But, Sere, blyssyd be God, as for yow, your love
yncresith amonge hem, and so I prey God it mot, for and I
herde the contrarie, ye shuld sone have wetyng. The under shrefe
dotht Mortoft favour, and lete hym goo yn Norwich as
hym lyst, and al the contre abought me sey right evyll of hym
for a mayntenor of the Kynges enime; for there ben an C.
[hundred] purposid to ride to the Kyng for hym, and he come
neer this contre, for they sey thow he hadde never doo with
his handes he hath seid a now to die. I have warend the
under-shreffe ther of, &c. Sere, forther, I am yn bildyng of
a pore hous. I truste God that ye shulle take your loggyng
ther yn here after whan ye come to your lordshippis on tho
partes. And I durste be soo bolde on your maystershep to
aske of yow xij. copill of oken sparris, I wold hertilly prey
yow not to have them, but ther they may be for bore beste,
and that is at a yard of yourz yn Saxthorpe, callid Barkerz.
I have eshe but noon oke, but litell now comyth the fellyng
ther of, &c. And me semyth ye myght take mony for wood
ther that stant and seryth and doth no good but harme, and



|p209


with yn fewe yeres ye shulnot wete where it is become, &c.
Also ther be serteyn materz betwyn soom of your tenuantez
and me. I abide your comyng and doo not [naught ?] at
the reverens of yow; they be knowelle yn the contre. And
God have yow yn his kepyng.
   Wretyn on Palme Sunday.
                      Be your servaunt,
                                             W. LOMNER.

                           |r403

          FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [WILLIAM PASTON]

[1460, before Easter] <b> JESU mercy, Marie help, cum Sanctis omnibus, trewe
   menyng executorys ffro fals terrauntes and alle tribu lacyonys.
   Amen. Ryte reverent Sire, &c., W. Y.
Judex and hise wyf were here with here meny and here hors
in our ladyes place, &c. on Saterday at evyn, and yedyn hens
on Monday after none, whan summe had drunkyn malvyseye
and tyre, &c. And I prechid on the Sonday byfore hem, not
warnyd tyl after mete. And than for lak of M. Vergeant, or
our wardeyn Barnard, I sodeynly seyd the sermon. And
byfore I had ryte ovyr and soleyn chere of hem bothe, &c.;
but after the sermon he seyd opely to the prior, heryng myche
folk in the chirch, `I haf herd hym oftyn here and ellys where,
but [this] is the best that ever I herd hym sey,' &c., and
at evyn drank to me, and made me good chere, half on the
splene, &c.
   But on Moneday, whan he had ny etyn and drunkyn a
now, he gan to rollyn hym in hise relatyvis, and we eldyd
hym, as many men thowtyn, ryte ongayly in hise gere, &c.;
hise wyf begynnyng the communicacyon with rite a sootyr |r(?)
chere. And he heeld on so sore he cowd not cese, &c. tyl



|p210


he went to his hors, &c. And the pryor demenyd hym
gentylly in hise talkyng. And there was not forgetyn non
unkyndnesse of my Mayster J. P., zour brother, of sleyn
[slaying] of hise man Wormegey, and of mariage of hise
dowghtyr, whiche now schal solempnely be maryed to Conerys,
a knytes sone, &c. And now last at Seynt Benettes, where
he so worschipful a justise and as kunnyng in lawe as ever
was zour fadyr, &c. as alle men knowyn, &c. And zour
brother J. P. brokyn owt be occasyon of zour langage, and
takyn wytnesse of Malmysbury, a man of my Lord of
Caunterbury, whiche hath spokyn with the seyd justise the
last terme in Westmyster Halle. And there he seyd more
tymes than one, `Sire, this the fyrst tyme that ever I spake
with zour Lordschip, &c.' And sythe after ze weryn at
Seynt Benettys forseyd, ze komyn not gentylly but ryte
malicyously disposid to myn Lady Felbrygg, and dede your
devoyr to haf put hym out of hir conceyt, and it wolde not
be, &c. And what vyolens my Mayster J. P., germanus
vester, dede to W. Wayt, &c. up on hise owne grownd at
Musshold, &c. And after al these materys, bare me on hand
that I had seyd to on of the worthiest of the schyre that the
seyd justise be gan the brekyng at Seynt Benettes; for I
suppose I seyd thus to my Lord Fyz Water, alias my Mayster
Radclyff, to whos in I went to, and zaf hym a potel of swete
wyne, he demaundyng me of that brekyng, &c., as I remembre
me, and suppose I seyd, `W. Y., justise, began to myn know lache
and understondyng.' Whan he seyd so fumowsly, `Who
so ever sey that of me, he lyeth falsly in hise hede, &c.' And
my Mayster Radclyff rode forthe with owt of towne to
Dokkyng and Brumham, and with hym rode W. Y., sone to
the justise. And yf the seyd Radclyff teld this to W. Y.,
I wote never. And yf he dede I merveyle sore. But and
al go to al, as is like to go, I may not sey nay, but I trow I
seyd so. Radclyf and ze bene grete frendes. I wold ze
wold lat hym knowe the trowth, &c.



|p211


   This mater mevyd the justisis wyf, and than he be gan
hise mater more boldly, seying to me be fore the pryour and
miche pepyl, that it was told hym the same day that I seyd,
as for the brekyng, the justise began. `Forsothe,' seyd I,
`whan I came into the chambre there, the fyrst word I hard
was this, that ze seyd to my mayster J. P., ``Who that ever
seyth so, I sey he lyeth falsly in hise hede,'' &c.' `Ya,' quod
the justise, `ze schuld haf told what mevyd me to sey so to
hym.' And I seyd I cowde not tellyn that I not herd, &c.
Et Judex -- `Ze schuld haf examyned the mater,' &c. And I
seyd, `Sire, it longyd not to me to examyne the mater, for I
knew wele I schuld not be juge in the mater, and alonly to a
juge it longyth to sene and stodyen illam Sacr Scriptur
clausulam, whiche holy Job seyd, Causam quam nesciebam
diligentissime investigabam.'
   And than, `No,' seyth he hardyly, `ze schal not be juge,
but yf ze had owt me as good wil as ze dede and do to Paston,
ze wold than have sergyd the cause of my gret greef, why I
seyd as I seyd, &c. But I haf sey the day, ze lovyd me beter
than hym, for he yaf zow never cause of love as I haf done,'
&c. `Sire,' I sey, `he hath yovyn me cause swyche as I am
behold to hym for,' &c. `Ya,' seyth he, `ze schal bere wyt nesse,
&c., and the other Mayster Clement and W. Schipdham.'
Cui ego -- `As for the wytnesse I schal bere, I schal say and
writyn as I knowe,' &c. Cui ille -- `I made hise testament,
and I knowe,' &c. Cui ego -- `I saw nevir testament of your
makyng; and as for on testament that he made, and I knowe
bothe the writer and maker, after hise wyl and intent, ze stonde
stille there in as ze dede than,' &c. Et tunc gavisus est, &c.
Et ille -- `I knowe ze haf a gret hert, &c., but I ensure zow, the
Lordes above at London arn infoormyd of zow, and they schal
delyn with zow wele anow.' Cui ego -- `He or they that hafe
infoormyd the Lordes wele of me, I am behold to hem; and
yf they be otherwyse infoormyd, I schal do as wele as I may.
But be myn trowthe I schal not be aferd to sey as I knowe for
none Lord of this lond, if I may go saf and come, |r{2_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p212


|r{6_lines_of_old_Latin_text} -- `There is no man besy to bryng us to gyder, &c., so
that I kan wele thynk it were lytil maysteri.' But in feyth I
knowe wele the Juge, W. Wayte his mawment |r[i.e._puppet],
hise boy Yimmys, with here hevedy and fumows langage, have
and ayly do uttyr lewd and schrewd dalyauns, &c.
   I sent zow bode of dyvers thinges be M. Roger Palle, and
I haf no answer, &c. I schuld go to Castre, and a man of my
Lordes Norfolk told here he came fro London, and there he
had commonly voysid that the Duke of Norfolk schuld be the
Kynges comaundement kepe hise Esterne at Castre for safe
gard of the cuntre ayens Warwyk and other swich of the Kinges
enmyes whiche may lytely be lyklynesse aryve at Waxham, &c.
My mayster zour brother, J. P., ne ye, ne M. T. Howys, ne I
may not esily be brokyd in the Jugys conscyens, &c. Sir Jon
Tatirshales man spake with yow at London, and than ye seyd
to hym to hafe comyn in your owne persone to our Lady
or this tyme, whiche was cause of myn abidyng here, &c. I
schal, be the grace of Jesu, be at Castre on Soneday next, &c.
|r{12_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p213


                           |r404

              FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON

[1460] |r{27_lines_of_old_Latin_text} `A



|p214


man schuld not trusty on a broke swerd, ne on a fool, ne on a
chyld, ne on a dobyl man, ne on a drunke man,' &c., thow that
he were an amewse and a notarye be W. W. Hibernicus he
schal knowe al, and be hym Colyn and Spirlyng the same
knowe schal, &c.
|r{8_lines_of_old_Latin_text}

                          |r405

            |rANONYMOUS TO H. B. OF LINCOLN
        To my good Maister, H. B. of Lincoln.

[1460, April 9] <b> RIGHT worchepful sir, after my recommendation, like
   you to wete I wold yisterday have spoken with you if
   ye had be allone at good leiser, for my aquytaile to
God and to you, and for the wele of my maister, God pardon
hym. I have many thynges to remembre you if ye wol.
Wherof diverse specialtes that I wold sey, I may not write.
For I meved you at your chamber wyndow at Lammes hom ward
from London some thynges of my good wil, and me
thought ye toke it gretely to displeisur; the which caused me
to sey the lesse of thynges that had be worchepfull to have be
doon. But, Sir, as I remembred you late at Norwich of the
variaunce by twix the worchepfull man and you, for Goddes
love and your most ease, folwe the meanes of his good wil by
help of holsom gentilmen, and also the feithfull love of other
that grucchen to you warde, as I fele moche thof thei speke litil



|p215


therof to you, rettyng in you singuler fastnesse ageyns kynde nesse
and reson; for with love and unyte ye shal do moost
good for oure maister to your worchep. And with the con trary
many mysse dispenses as han be and thanne moche lette
in doyng of good dedis to the causers perill and slawnder God
hath sent you wysdham grete that telleth you the best is to
drede God. A man shal never have love of God nor love nor
drede of good men for myskepyng of moche good thof it wer
his owen, for it is dampnable; but wher it is truly delt with
and godly disposed, thanne folwith bothe grete meryte and
worchep. Pety it is that mo more is do for hym. At the gate
is nowther mete, drynke or money, ut dicitur, no man wele
spekyng thof thacte above be not do necessary almesse to the
nedy that peynen wold and myght be do dayly. And, Sir, be
ware what ye talke to som men of the lordes your coexecutours,
and what is spent for the man, and what he was worth. Thei
reporten you unfavorabely and withoute credence, as men seyn,
and some I have herd. Also your entretyng and other for you
with them that have entres with you for to have your entent
sped, is tolde oute whow, and your iournay to lorde Beauchamp
to Cambrig is taken as men like, and your associacion is seid
made by your witt to your purpos. As somme fer of and
grete that may nor peraventur wiln not medle, somme ye wold
thei left, somme havyng no conduyt, somme no stomak, and
somme glosours and witnesses for lucre; this is not my seyyng,
I have often herd it. Therfor to have such a post as the seid
man is that ye be in variaunce; so he do wele, as I fully beleve,
he shuld help you to bere moche, and cause eschuyng of moche
of this noyse. This variaunce grew of mater of noght and
japes; the soner may be accorde. And thynke not, Sir, that
any persone hath stered me herto; for by the good Lorde I
trist to receyve this holy tyme it is my owen steryng and good
hert to you warde, for that I her and see, and moost of your
wele willers, in eschuyng of inconvenyentz as right many talke
must ensue to you ward. For I fonde you pleyn at Criste messe,
and I toke you that ye loved me, wher to fore, withoute
cause truly, to my seid maister moch ye hyndred me, as parte
he tolde me, and thanne I praied you in that your good



|p216


maistership and amendement, and sith I have be pleyn and wol
be. And I require you as ye arn a gentilman, kepe thees
maters secrete by twix God, you and me; for by Almyghty
Jhesu of me knoweth this non erthely creatur, nor shal knowe.
Other thynges been that sounden not wele, but as I fele your
wisdham take me in this, so herafter I wil demene me with you
in maters. I am urke of variaunces, for parties waxen wrooth
if men hold not with there oppynyons whan thei in angre trotte
over fer by yon hem self. I may not come by you to London
ward, I trow I must by Suffolk; elles I had not writen this.
Oure Blissed Lorde have you in His governaunce and be your
conduytour to His pleisur, Amen. This Wednesday, ix. day
Aprill.
   As ye arn a veray gentilman, be my true confessour as I am
youres and take me as I mene, thof my termes been not dis creet.
Brenne this scrowe or kepe it pryvy, as ye like and I
beseche you, if ye wil trist me, wil me pleyn, &c. -- Your owen,
&c., to my power.

                           |r406

              WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
     To hys rythe wurchyp[full] broder, Jon Paston,
                   [dwell]yng at Castre.

[1460, May 2] <b> BRODER, I comand me to zow, certhefieng zow that
   Playter is redyn to Lundon ward this day abowthe ij.
   afternone. And he taryed here, and schulde abedyn
styll till he had had an horse that Master Thomas Howys
schuld have lent hym. And so I thowthe he schuld have taried
to long; and so he hathe bowthe on off myn hors. And iff it
nede, he schall send zow word be his man fro Lundon how he
felythe the disposycyon off men ther, &c.; and he schall send



|p217


his man hom be Newmarket wey. And I have infurmyd hym
acording after the ententhe of zowr letter.
   I spak this day with Bokkyng. He had but few wurdes,
but I felt be hym he was rythe evyll disposyd to the parson and
zow, but coverthe langgage he had. I wene he be assentid to
the fyndyng of this offyce takyn at Bokynham, and Recheman
schall bryng zow the namys of the men that mad the verdythe
on Soneday nexst comyng. I pray send to myn broder
Clements fermor of Somerton for money for my broder
Clement, for to have sent to hym to Lundon. I schuld have
done it qwan I was at Caster; myn moder desyryd me, and I
sent a letter after to the parson, and prayed hym to receve it,
&c.
   Item, I prayd the parson to wrythe a letter in his name to
myn suster Ponyngges, as ze and I comunyd onys togeder,
cownsellyng her to take good avyse befor sche sold her wood
at Wrenham; and he schuld knowe ther by weder Ponyngges
wer in Kent ar nat, &c. I understond that this Bokkyng and
Worceter have grett trust in ther awne lewd consaythe, wathe
some ever it menythe, &c. Bokkyng told me this day that he
stood as well in consaythe with myn Maister Fastolff iii. days
befor he dyed as any man in Englond. I sayd I soposyd nay,
ner iij. zere before he dyed. I told hym that I had hard
dyveres talkynges of hym as men sayd, qweche I soposyd
schuld nat easly be browthe a bowthe, and he swore that he
talkyd never with no man in no mater that schuld be a zen
zow, &c. It is he that makythe William Wurceter so froward
as he is.
   I wold ze had a witnesse of Roberd Ingglows, thow he
wittnessyd no more but that myn master had his witthe,
becawse he was so lathe with myn master Fastolff. Worceter
sayd at Castre it schuld be nessessary for zow to have good
witnesse, as he saythe it schuld go streythe with zow wytheowt
zowr witnesse were rythe sofycyent. Myn cosyn Berney can
tell zow, &c.
   Item, remenbre to make the parson to make an instrument



|p218


up on his sayyng. I funde hym rythe good qwan I spak with
hym at Caster; and remembre the newe evydens.
   Item, Arblaster and I spakk togeder. I felle hym rythe
feythefully disposyd to zow ward, and he schall mow do myche
good and he go to Lundon, for he can labore will a monge
Lordes. He and I comuryd to geder of myn Lord Awbre;
lethe hym tell zow qwat it was, for he will speke with zow to
morow. It is full nessessary to mak zow strong be lord chep,
and be oder menys. Myn Lord Awbry hathe weddit the
Duke of Bokyngham dowter, and he was lathe with Master
Fastolff be fore he dyed, and he is gret with the Qwene.
   God have zow in His kepeng. Wretyn at Norwyche the
secund day of May.
                   Be zowr broder,               W. PASTON.

Omnya pro pecunya facta sunt.

                           |r407

         THE ABBOT OF LANGLEY TO JOHN STOKES
  To the ryght worchepfull Sere, Mayster John Stokes.

[1460, May 8] <b> RYGHT worshypfull Sere, I recomaund me to yow; and
   for asmyche as it is informyd me that it was appoynted
   that alle the executors of the worshepfull knyght, Sere
John Fastolf, whos soule God asoyle, shuld be at London as
on Monday next comyng, of wheche executors I am namyd
for on, as I ondyrstond; wherfore, in as myche as ye be
ordenary and on of the same executors, I prey yow tendre my
laboure, withoute my comyng, be youre dyscrecion, myght be
more profyt to the dede; for I conseyve it shuld be but
charge to the dede, and lytell avayleable, consyderyng that
John Paston, Squyere, and Thomas Howys, parson of Blofeeld,
schall come up at this time, wheche were the persones above



|p219


all other that the seyd Sere John Fastolf put in hys most
sengulere love and trust, and wold they shuld have the kepyng
and dysposicion of hys goods, as wele in hys lyve as after hys
deseas, to dyspose for the well of hys soule; and that non
other namyd hys executors, but only they tweyn, shuld have
ony kepyng or dysposyng of ony part of hese goods duryng
ther lyves; and that alle other namyd executors shuld supporte
them and geve them to the seyd John Paston and Thomas
Howys here good avyse in performyng of hys desyre in that
behalve. Wherfor that it lekyth yow in ony thyng ye desyre
me to do in thys cause or matere to geve yowre feyth and
credence to the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys; and
so desyred me the seyd Knyght feythefully to do, that
knowyth God, whom I be seke preserve yow from alle
adversyte.
   Wretyn in the Abbey of Langeley, the viij. day of the
monyth of May, the yeere of oure Lord ml.cccc.lx.
          Youre preest,               ABBOT OF LANGELEY.

                           |r408

            JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
   To my trusty cosyn, Margaret Paston, at Norwich,
                    be this delyvered.

[1460, June 19] <b> I RECOMAUNDE me to you, letyng you witte that I
   sent a letter to John Russe and Richard Kalle that thei,
   by th'advyse of Watkyn Shipdam and William Barker
shuld send me word of whom alle the maneres, londes, and
tenementes that were Sir John Fastolffes wern holde, preyng
you that ye wold do them spede them in that matier; and if
my feodaryes, whiche lye in the tye of my gret cofyr, may
ought wisse therin, lete them se it.



|p220


   Item, I wolde that William Barker shulde send me a copye
of the olde traverse of Tychewell and Beyton. And lete
Richard Kalle spede hym hidderward, and come by Snaylwel,
and take suyche mony as may be getyn there, and that he
suffre not the mony that the tenauntes owe to come in the
fermours handes.
   Item, that he come by Cambrigge and bryng with hym
Maister Brakkeles licence from the provynciall of the Grey
Freres. I prey you recomaunde me to ny nodir.
   Wretyn at London the Thursday next to fore Midde somer.
                                              JOHN PASTON.

                           |r409

            FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON

|r{17_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p221


|r{25_lines_of_old_Latin_text}

                           |r410

         |rTHE_YORKIST_LORDS_TO_THE_AUTHORITIES
                            |rIN_NORFOLK
    The Erlys of Marche, Warwyke, and Salysbury.

[1460, July 23] <b> RYGHT welbeloved, we grete you wele; and wher, for
   the tendre love that we have to the concervacion of
   the Kyngs peas, lawes, and justice in this his realme
of Englonde, we have comaunded the Kyngs peeple in his



|p222


name, be oure letters and diverse writyngs, that no man shulde
robbe or dispoile Sir Thomas Todenham, Knyght, John
Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry Todenham, and John
Andrws, and other weche have sued to us for oure seide
letters; we, wolyng to eschewe that any person shulde have
colour be oure seide letters to noyse us, or any of us, that
the seide Sir Thomas, John Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry,
and John Andrws, or any other of suspecte fame, be accorded
with us, or any of us, for suche wrongs as they, or any of
ham, have do to us, our servaunts and tenants or wellwellers,
or that we shulde hafe hem in tendrenesse or favour to dis corage
trewe people to swe a yen hem be the lawe; We
therfore notyfie to yow, as we woll that it be notyfid to all
people, that we, ne noon of us, intende not to favour or tendre
hem, or any other of suspecte fame, but rather to corecte
suche be the lawe, for we made our seid letters soly for kepyng
of the pease and justice, and not for favour of suspecte con dicione.
And the Holy Trynyte kepe yow.
   Wreten at London the xxiijti. day of Jule.
     To all Meyers, Sceryves, Balyfys, Constables, and all
       the Kynges Offecers and Ministres in Norffolk, and
       eche on of hem.

                            |r411

                          {ABSTRACT}



|p223


                           |r412

             JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
       To my wurschipfull coysyn, Margaret Paston,
              be this delyvered in haste.

[1460, July 28] <b> I RECOMAUNDE me unto you, letyng you witte that
   your unkyll, John Berney, is deed, whoos soule God
   have mercy; desyryng you to sende for Thomas Holler,
and enquere of hym wher his goode is, and what he is wurthe,
and that he take goode eede to all suche goods as he had bothe
meveable and on mevable; for I undre stande that he is
wurthe in money vc. [500] marke, and in plate to the valwe
of other vc. marke, beside other goods. Wherfor I wolde ye
schulde not lete hym wete of his dissese unto the tyme that ye



|p224


had enquered of the seide Thomas Holler of all suche maters
as be a bovyn wreten, and whan he hathe enformed you therof,
than lete hym wete verely that he is deede, desiryng hym that
no man come on to his place at Redham but hym selfe, unto
the tyme that I come.
   Item, I lete you witte that gret parte of his goode is at
William Taverners, as I undrestande. Thomas Holler woll
telle you justely the trouthe as I suppose, and deseyre hym on
my behalfe that he doo soo, and ther is writyng therof; and
telle Thomas Holler that I and he be executours named, and
therfore lete hym take heede that the goods be kept saffe, and
that nobody knowe wher it shall lie but ye and Thomas Holler.
And Thomas Holler, as your unkyll tolde me, is prevy wher
all his goode lithe and all his writyng, and so I wol that ye be
prevy to the same for casualte of deethe, and ye too shal be
his executours for me as longe as ye doo trewly, as I trowe
verely ye woll.
   Wreten at London, the xxviijt. day of Jule.

   I requer yow be of god cumfort and be not hevy, if ye
wil do owth for me.
                        Yowr,                JOHN PASTON.

                           |r413

                         {ABSTRACT}



|p225


                           |r414

           |rANONYMOUS_TO_YELVERTON_AND_PASTON
To the right worshipful Seres, my right welbeloved and trusted
   cosyns, William Yelverton, Justice, and John Paston.

[1460 |r(?)] <b> SIR, please your right worshipfll maystership that
   Mayster Paston come to London as on Thursdaye
   att none last past, and I trust verelye all maters here
were resonablye labored to his comyng, and now they shal be
better. Neverthelesse, I have ben mevid of tretye by dyvers
personez sith I came hidre, as wele for Tudenham, Wentworth,
Heydon, and other at this tyme not wel willed to yow and
yourez, seyng that such money as is spent a twix yowe is but
wastfully expendid and to non use vertuouse. I fele by theym
they be not right corageous in theyr werkes, ner nought wold
if they myght have a resonable trete. I meve not this that ze
shold thenk that they had conquered me by noyans, but I do
it to avertyse yow for th'eschewyng of the importable costes
that hath ben born by yow, and yet lyke to bee, aswele in the
elde maters hangyng as in newe at this tyme to be grownded,
if this werre shal rest and hold a twyx yowe, and specially for
the ease of hym that shalbe solicitour in the same. Ye nede
at this terme rather to have had thre solicitours than in any
other terme past this iij. yere, on concyderyng the maters
hangyng, &c.; of which please yow to send yowr gode advyse
and wille yf ye thenk it to be don, and els not, for this is but
a mocion, &c.



|p226


                           |r415

              FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON
    To my Mayster Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter
                         presentid.
  Jesus, Maria, &c.

[1460, Oct.] <b> RYTE reverent Sire, after du recommendacion, we sey in
   this cuntre that Heydon is for Barkschir in the Comon
   Hows. And the Lady of Suffolk hath sent up hyr
sone and hise wyf to my Lord of York to aske grace for a
schireve the next yer, Stapilton, Boleyn, or Tyrel, qui absit.
God send zow Ponyng, W. P., W. Rokewode, or Arblaster.
Ze haf myche to done; Jesu spede zow. Ze haf many good
preyers, what of the covent, cyte, and cuntre. God safe our
good Lords, Warwik, alle hise brether, Salisbury, &c., fro al
fals covetyse and favour of extorcyon, as they wil fle uttyr
schame and confusyon. God save hem, and preserve fro
treson and poyson; lete hem be war her of for the pite of
God; for yf owt come to my Lord Warwik but good, far
weel ze, far weel I, and al our frends! for be the weye of my
sowle, this lond wer uttirly on done, as God forbede. Her
[their] enmyes bostyn with good to come to her favour; but
God defende hem, and zeve hem grace to knowe her frends
fro her enmyes, and to cherisch and preferr her frends and
lesse the myte of alle her enmyes thorw owt the schiris of the
lond. And |r[i.e._if] my good Lord Warwik, with my Lord
his brother Chaunceler and my Lord her fadyr woldyn
opposyn, as dede Danyel, Fortesku, Alisaunder, Hody,
Doctor Aleyn, Heydon, and Thorp, of the writyng made be
hem at Covyntre Parlement, they schuld answer wers than sub



|p227


|r{16_lines_of_old_English_and_Latin_text}

                           |r416

           FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]

|r{17_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p228


|r{46_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p229


                           |r417

             FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON

|r{32_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p230


|r{37_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p231


                           |r418

            FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON

|r{26_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p232


|r{25_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p233


                           |r419

          CHRISTOPHER HANSSON TO JOHN PASTON
  To the right worshipfull Sir and Maister, John Paston,
      Escuier, at Norwiche, be this delyvered in hast.

[1460, Oct. 12] <b> RIGHT worschipfull Sir and Maister, I recomaund me un
   to you. Please you to wete, the Monday after oure
   Lady Day there come hider to my maister ys place,
my Maister Bowser, Sir Harry Ratford, John Clay, and the
Harbyger of my Lord of Marche, desyryng that my Lady of
York myght lye here untylle the comyng of my Lord of York
and hir tw sonnys, my Lorde George and my Lorde Richard,
and my Lady Margarete hir dawztyr, whiche y graunt hem in
youre name to ly here untylle Mychelmas. And she had not
ley here ij. dayes but sche had tythyng of the londyng of my
Lord at Chestre. The Tewesday next after, my Lord sent for
hir that sche shuld come to hym to Harford [Hereford], and
theder sche is gone. And sythe y left here bothe the sunys
and the dowztyr, and the Lord of Marche comyth every day to
se them.
   Item, my Lord of York hath dyvers straunge commissions
fro the Kyng for to sitte in dyvers townys comyng homward;
that is for to sey, in Ludlow, Schrrofysbury, Herford, Leycetre,
Coventre, and in other dyvers townys, to punych them by the
fawtes to the Kyngs lawys.
   As for tythyngs here, the Kyng is way at Eltham and at
Grenewych to hunt and to sport hym there, bydyng the Parle ment,



|p234


and the Quene and the Prynce byth in Walys alway.
And is with hir the Duc of Excestre and other, with a fewe
mayne, as men seythe here.
   And the Duc of Somerset he is in Depe [Dieppe]; withe
hym Maister John Ormound, Wyttyngham, Andrew Trollyp,
and other dyvers of the garyson of Gyanys, under the Kyng of
Fraunce safcondyte, and they seythe here, he porpose hym to
go to Walys to the Quene. And the Erle of Wyltschyre is
stylle in pece at Otryght at the Frerys [Friars], whiche is
seyntwary.
   Item, Colbyne ys come home to my maister is place, and
seyth that, at your departyng ouzt of London, ze send hym
word that he schuld come hedder to the place, and be here un
tylle your comyng a zene; and so he is here it, and seith he
wolle take no maister but be your avyce, nether the leese
[nevertheless] awaytythe uppon Maister Oldhall the most parte
at Redre at his place.
   Item, Maister Ponyngs hathe enteret on an two or iij. placys
uppon the Erle of Northomberlond, and he stondyth in good
grace of the Kyng, my Lord of Marche, my Lord Warwyk,
and my Lord of Salysbury. Most parte of the contre abought
his lyflod hold aythe withe hym. And my maisteras your
sister is not delyverd as yet; God yef hir god delyveraunce.
   No more to you at this tyme, but and ze wolle comaund
me any servyce y may doo, it is redy. And Jesu have you in
his blessid kepyng; and I beseche you this letter may comaund
me to my maisteras your moder, and my maisteras your wyfe,
and alle your houshold.
   Wreten at London the xij. day of Octobre.
         Your owne Servaunt,           CHRISTOFER HANSSON.



|p235


                           |r420

                         {ABSTRACT}

                           |r421

              THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON
        To my rygth worchipfull and my good maister,
              John Paston. Esquyer, in hast.

[1460, Oct.] <b> RYGTH worchipfull and my most speciall synguler good
   maister, I recomend me to you, besechyng your mais tership
   not to be dysplesed with my long taryans, and
also to take it to no gref thou it were long or I wrot to you;
for in good feyth I wend my self with in sevenygth after Seynt
Feythesmesse to have ben at London, and for asmoche as
Suthwell desyred me to tarye for evydens gevyng, &c. I
promysed hym so to do and tarye tyll the Munday after Seynt
Feythesmesse, or tyll the Tewysday sevenyth after at the



|p236


ferthest, and at tho dayes I hard no word fro hym. And so
uppon the Thursday after had I word that the under-eschetour
schuld sytte at Ocle the Tewysday after Seynt Luce; and so
I tarye as yette, and trust verely to be with you the Saterday at
the ferthest after Seynt Luce. Item, Sir, if my Maister of the
Rolles be not come, I trust to God to com tydely i now, as
for the traversys; and if ye besi you to the innyng ther of or
I com, Richard Ley schall delyver hem you, if ye send to hym
for it; for I left hem with hym to gete hem in if he mygth, and
promysed hym a reward for his labour. Item, my maistres
and all folkes be heyll and mery, blyssed be Jesu, ho have you
in his blyssed governans and proteccion.
                      By your,                THOMAS PLAITER.

                           |r422

            THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON
          To my maister, John Paston, Esquyer.

[1460, (Oct. 21)] <b> A[FTER] my most speciall recomendacion, like your
   maisterchip wete that the office is taken at Ocle in
   lyke forme as Suthwell can schew you, for Fraunceys
Costard hath sent it hym, and the jentylmen that passed uppon
the office wold fynd nor medyll nouther with the tenurs nor ho
is next here [heir]. Wherfor if ye wol have other wyse found,
Fraunceys Costard hath under take it, but it schal not be by
suche men of worchip [as] is yn this. Item, the under-chryf
was at Ocle, and ded and sayd to the jentylmen al that ever he
cowde to the lette of the matter. And as for Suffolk, I under stand
they have no warant, so I tarye as yet what cas that ever



|p237


falle. And if ye wold that I tarye not, that it lyke you by the
brynger her of to send me hasty wurd.
   I send you the names of the jure here in.
                     Your,                    THOMAS PLAITER.

|r[On_a_separate_paper_formerly_enclosed_in_the_preceding_is_the_following
List:_--_]

                Jurati pro Domino Rege.

     Willelmus Rokewood, armiger, jur'.
     Johannes Berney, armiger, jur'.
     Radulphus Lampytte, armiger, jur'.
     Johannes Byllyngford, armiger, jur'.
     [Jacobus Arblaster, armiger, jur'.]
     Willelmus Deymayne, armiger, jur'.
     Willelmus Dawbeney, armiger, jur'.
     Willelmus Julles, jur'.
     Christofre Norwiche, jur'.
     Thomas Holler, jur,.
     Johannes Berkyng, jur'.
     Robert Bryghtlede, jur'.
     Robertus Spany, jur'.
     Johannes Bernard, jur'
     Rogerus Iryng, jur'.
     Robertus Townesende.
     Johannes Grygges de Ranworth, jur'.
     Robertus Regestre, jur'.
     Johanes Maunvyle, jur'.
     Willelmus Rysyng.
     Johannes Doke.
     Robertus Jekkes, jur'.
     Johannes Why[te].
     Henr[icus] . . . ratte.
     Car[ol]us Barker.
     Johannes Cappe.
     Thomas Paternoster.



|p238


                           |r423

           MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
      To my ryth worchepfull husbond, Jon Paston,
              be thys delyveryd in hast.

[1460, Oct. 21] <b> RYTH worchepfull husbonde, I recomand me to yow.
   Plesyth it yow to weet that I receyvyd yowyr letter that
   ye sent me by Nycolas Colman on Sonday last past.
And as for the mater that ye desyiryd me to breke of to my
cosyn Rokwode, it fortunyd so that he came to me on Sonday
to dyner sone aftyr that I had yowyr letter; and when we had
dynyd, I mevyd to hym ther of in covert termys, as Playter
shall informe yow eraftyr. And as I thowt by hym, and so
ded Playter also by the langwage that he had to us, that he
wold be as feythfull as he kowd or myte be to that good Lorde
that ye wrot of, and to yow also, in ony thynge that he kowde
or myte do in case wer that he wer set in offyse, so that he
myth owte do; and ther to he seyd he wolde be bownde in a
ml. li. [ 1000] and he was so myche worthe.
   As for the todyr that ye desyiryd I scholde meve to of the
same mater, me semyth he is to yonge to take ony swhyche
thyngys up on hym; and also I knowe veryly that he scholl
never love feythfully the todyr man that ye desyiryd that he
schuld do, for when he rem[em]bryth the tyme that is paste,
and ther for I spak not to hym ther of.
   Thys day was holde a gret day at Okyll befor the undyr
schreve and the undyr exchetor, for the mater of Syr Jon
Fastolfys londys; and ther was my cosyn Rookwod and my
cosyn Jon Berney of Redham, and dyvers odyr jentylmen and
thryfty men of the contre; and the mater is well sped aftyr
your intent (blyssyd be God!) as ye schall have knowlage of
in hast.



|p239


   I suppose Playter schall be with yow on Sonday or on
Monday next comyng, if he may. Ye have many good prayers
of the poer pepyl that God schuld sped yow at thys Parlement,
for they leve in hope that ye schold helpe to set a wey that
they myte leve in better pese in thys contre thane they have
do befor, and that wollys schold be purveyd for, that they
schuld not go owt of thys lond as it hathe be suffryd to do be
for, and thane schall the poer pepyll more leve bettyr thane
they have do by her ocwpacion ther in.
   Thomas Bone hathe salde all yowyr wole her for xxd. a
stone, and goode swerte fownd to yow ther for, to be payid
a Myhellmas next comyng; and it is solde ryth well aftyr that
the wole was, for the moste part was ryte febyll. Item, ther
be bowt for yow iij. horse at Seynt Feythys feyer, and all be
trotterys, ryth fayir horse, God save hem, and they be well
kepyd. Item, your myllys at Heylysdon be late [let] for xij.
marke, and the myller to fynde the reparacion; and Rychard
Calle hathe let all yowyr londys at Caster; but as for Mawtby
londys, they be not let yet. Wylliam Whyte hathe payid me
a geyne thys daye hys x.li., and I have mad hym a qwetans
ther of, be cause I had not hys oblygacion.
   Ther is gret talkyng in thys contre of the desyir of my
Lorde of York. The pepyll reporte full worchepfully of my
Lord of Warwyk. They have no fer her but that he and
othyr scholde schewe to gret favor to hem that have be
rewyllers of thys contre be for tyme.
   I have done all yowyr erandys to Syr Thomas Howes that
ye wrote to me for. I ame rythe glade that ye have sped
welle in yowyr materys be twyx Syr Fylyp Wentworthe and
yow, and so I pray God ye may do in all othyr materys to hys
plesans. As for the wrytyngys that ye desyirid that Playter
schulde sende yow, Rychard Call told me that they wer at
Herry Barborys, at the Tempyll gate.
   The mayir and the mayires sent hedyr her dynerys thys
day, and Jon Dame came with hem, and they dynyd her. I
am beholde to hem, for they have sent to me dyvers tymys



|p240


sythe ye yed hense. The meyr seyth that ther is no jentyl man
in Northefolk that he woll do more for than he wole for
yow, if it laye in hys poer to do for yow. J. Perse is stylle in
prisone, but he wolle not cofese more thane he ded when ye
wer at home. Edmond Brome was with me, and tolde me
that Perse sent for hym for to come spek with hym, and he
tolde me that he was with hym and examynyd hym, but he
wold not be a knowe to hym that he hade no knowlage wher
no goode was of hys masterys more thane he hade knowlageyd
to yow. He tolde me that he sent for hym to desyir hym to
labor to yow and to me for hym if ye had be at home; and
he tolde me that he seyd to hym ayen that he wold never
labor for hym but [unless] he myth know that he wer trwe to
hys mastyr, thow it lay in hys power to do ryth myche for
hym. I suppose it schulde do none harme thow the seyd
Perse wer remevyd ferther. I pray to Gode yeve grace that
the trowthe may be knowe, and that the dede may have part
of hys owne goode. And the blissyd Trinyte have yow in
Hys kepyng.
   Wretyn in hast at Heylysden the Tuesday next aftyr
Seynt Lwke.
                      Be yowyrs,                 M. P.

                           |r424

                 PIERS TO MARGARET PASTON
   To my right reverent and worchipphull Maisterez Paston.
                    be this delivered.

[1460] <b> RIGHT reverent and wurchippfull maisteres, I recom aunde
   me un to yow, beseching yow of your good
   maisteresshipp to be myn good maisteres to help wit
your gracious woord un to myn right reverent and wurchip phull



|p241


maister and your to take of me, his pore presoner and
your, suerte queche I xall fynd to be bounde for me to brynge
me un to all answere, in to the tyme that my maister and ze
have dimisse me wit myn suerte. And bescheche your good
maistereschipp to prey myn mayster that he will yeve yow
lycense wit his wurchippfull counsaill and youre, in case that
myn maister may nout tarie, that ze in his absence may take
myn seid suerte. And if it please his heyghnesse and youre,
that I may have answere ayene be the bryngere of this, and
here up I xall send for myn suertes, queche I trust in Good
xul be to your plesure. No more att this tyme. I prey God
evyr have yow in kepyng.
                 Be your pore presonere,
                         PIERS, sum tyme the servaunt of
                                 John of Berneye.

                           |r425

                PERSE TO SIR ROBERT ROKESBY
       To my right worschipfull Sir, Robert Rokysby.

<b> RYGHT wurshipfull Sir, I recomaunde me to you,
   besechyng you, of your goode mastership, that ye
   wol wechesafe to speeke to Richard Kowven that he
myght brynge me or sende me the money that is betwen hym
and me in all the haste that he maye, for in goode feythe I
hadde never more neede for to have help of my goode as
I have at this tyme, for, Godwot, it stonde right straunge with
me; for the false chayler that kepeth me entretethe me worse
thanne it weere a dogge, for I am feterid worse thanne ever I
whas, and manacled in the hands by the daye and nyght, for
he is a feerde of me for brekyng a weye. He makethe false
tales of me, throw the means of a false qwene that was
tendyng to a Frensheman that is presoner to my Lord Roose,



|p242


and for be cause of that he bronde me every day be John of
Berney, that is goone to the tother Lords; but I truste to
God oonys to qwite hys meede. And, Sir, I thanke you
mekel of that ye have doone for me or seide; and, Sir, I shal
deserve it a yenst yow, be the grace of God, for i' feythe I am
be holden to you more thane to all men that ever I founde syn
I cam in preson.
   No more to you at this tyme, but God have you in His
kepyng.
           Be your servaunt and bedman,            PERSE.

                           |r426

               FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON
 To the rite worshipful esqwyr, John Paston, be this presentid.

  Jesus, Maria, Johannes Baptista. Franciscus, cum Sanctis
     omnibus, assistant vobis vestris in laboribus. Amen.

[1460, Oct. 24] <b> WORSCHlPFUL and most interely bitrustid mayster
   and specyal frend, after dute of al lowly recomen dacyon,
   ze schal conceyve that I certefye zow for
trewthe. I comonyd late with a worschipful and a wele namyd,
a good thrifty man of this cuntre, whiche told me in secrete
wyse that he herd Doctor Aleyn seyn after the Parlement of
Covintre that yf the Lords that tyme reynyng and now
discessid myte haf standyn in governans, that Fortesku the
justise, Doctor Moreton, Jon Heydon, Thorp and he, schuld
be made for evir; and yf it turnyd to contrary wyse, it schuld



|p243


growe to her fynal confusyon and uttyr destruccyon; for why,
the parlyows [perilous] writing and the myschevous inditing
was ymaginid, contrivid, and utterly concludid by her most
vengeable labour, &c., and her most malicyows conspiracye
ayens the innocent lords, knytis, gentilis, and comonys, and
alle her issu perpetuel, &c. And as I wrote last to zour
maysterschip the text of Jeremi co 8o
|r{31_lines_of_old_English_and_Latin_text}



|p244


|r{30_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p245


                           |r427

               MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
        To my ryth welbelovyd brodyr, Clement Paston,
         for to delyver to hys brodyr Jon, in haste.

[1460, Oct. 29] <b> RYTH w[urshepfu]ll husbonde, I recomande me to yow.
   Plesyth yow to weet that I receyvyd a lettyr on Seynt
   Symondys evyn and J[w]d, that came frome Jon Paston,
in the wyche lettyr he wrot that ye desyryd that I scholde do
Jon Paston or Thomas P[layter] looke in the gret standyng
chyste in on of the gret canvas baggys whyche standyth ageyns
the lokk, for the copys of the fals inqwest of ofys that was
fownde in Northefolk, and for the kopy of the comyssyon
that came to Jon Andrewys and Fylpot and Heydon, and othyr
thyngys towchynge the same mater, I have do. Jon Paston
sowte all iij. grete baggys in the seyd kofyr at ryth good leyser,
and he can non swhyche fynde. Plesyth it yow to remembre
ye sent me word in the fyrste lettyr that ye sent me, that ye
wolde that Playter scholde asent hem up to yow to London,
and I schewyd hym yowyr wryttyng howe that ye wrote to me
ther in. I suppose be cawse he purposyd to come up to
London hym selve hastely, he sent yow none answer ther of.
Rychard Calle tolde me that alle swhyche thyngys were
lefte with Hery Barbore at the Tempyle Gate when the last
terme was doo, and soo I sent yow worde in a lettyr whyche
was wretyn on the Twesday next aftyr Seynt Looke, and ther
in was an answer of all the fyrst lettyr that ye sent me. I sent
itt yow by yonge Thomas Elys. I sent yow anothyr lettyr by
Playter, the whyche was wretyn on Saterday last past.
   Item, I receyvyd a lettyr frome yow on Sonday, of the



|p246


whyche I sent yow an answher of ma lettyr on Seynt Symondes
Evyn and Jwde by Edmunde Clere of Stokysby; and as sone
as I hade the seyd lettyr on Sonday, I sent to Syr Thomas
Howes for the mater that ye desyryd that be scholde inqwer of
to Bokyng, and I sent a yene sethe to the seyd Syr Thomas for
to have knowlage of the same mater yestyrdaye, and I have non
answher of hym yet. He sent me worde he scholde do hys
part there in, but othyr answer have I none yet of hym. I
sende yow in a canvase bage, inselyd by Nycolas Colman, as
many of Crystofyr Hansonys acomptys as Jon Paston can fynde
ther as [where] ye sent worde that they were. Rychard Harbard
recomawndyth hym to yow, and prayth yowe that ye wole
wychesave to remembre the lettyr that scholde be sent fro my
Lorde of Warwyk to a man of hys beyng at Lowystofete; and
if it be not sent to hym, that it plese yow to do purvey that it
may be sent to hym in haste, if it maye be, as to morow ther
schall be keppyd a day at Bowunggey for Mastyr Fastolfys
londys be for the exchetore, and there schall be Wylliam
Barker and Rychard Call. Ye schall have knowlage in haste
what schall be do ther. And the blyssyd Trinite have yow in
Hys kepyng.
   Wretyn in haste at Norwyche or the Wednysday next aftyr
Seynt Symond and Jwde,
                        Be yowyr                     M. P.

                           |r428

        SIR GEOFFREY BOLEYN TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.
    To my ryght wurschypfull Ser, John Paston, Esquyer.

[1460 |r(?), Dec. 5] <b> RYGHT wurschypfull Ser, after ryzth hertely recomen dacion,
   lyke it yow to wete that my Maister Fastolf,
   hoose sowle God asoyle, whan I bowth of hym the
maner of Blyclyng, consideryng the gret payment that I payed



|p247


therfor, and the yerly annuyte duryng his lyfe after his entent,
was to me gret charge; and the same tyme, in his place at
Southwerk, by his othe made on his primer ther, grauntted and
promitted to me to have the maner of Guton, with all the
apportenaunce for a resonable pris afor ony other man. And,
Ser, as I understande ye be that person that my seid maister,
consideryng your gret wysdom, most trosted to have rewle and
dyreccion of his lyfelode and goodes, -- and, Ser, trewly, yf I
hed ben nere unto yow, I wold have spoken to yow herof be
for this tyme; neverthelasse I wolde desyre and pray yow to
schewe me yowr goode wyll and favour in this by halve, wher
inne ye schall dyscharge my seid maistres sowle of his othe and
promyse, and I schall do yow servyce in that I can or maye to
my power. And of yowr goode wyll and favour herynne I
pray yow to late me have wetyng, and I schall be redy to wayte
on yow at ony tyme and place wher ye wull assyne. And owr
blysyd Lord have yow in his kepyng. -- Wret the v. day of
Decembre.
                Be youer owyn,            GEFFREY BOLEYN.

                           |r429

             FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]

|r{7_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p248


|r{34_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p249


                           |r430

            CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
     To hys rythe worchypfwll broder, John Paston.

[1461, Jan. 23] <b> RYTHE reverent and worchypfwl broder, I recomawnde
   to yow, certyfyyng yow that yowr letter was delyveryd
   to me the xxiii. day of Januar abowthe none seasson,
and Rychard Calle rode in the mornyng, and therfor I brak
[opened] yowr letter, if ther wer any aftr mater; and I dede
Christofer Hauswan goo to my Lord of Cawnterbure to tell
him, as yowr letter rehersyd, and my Lord seyd he hadde
spokyn with yowr man ther of the day be fore, and if the
Byshop of Norwyche wod not doo so mwche for him, he hys
the les behold to him. Notwithstandyng, he sayd, he wold
save yow harmles agens John Yowng; but and ye do well
remember thys Lord have many maters to thynge on, and if it
be forgeten, the harm is yowrs, and also if the word [world]
torn, John Yong will not doo at hys prayer.
   And my Lord Fitzwater is ryden northewards, and it is
sayd in my Lord of Cawnterberys howse that he hethe takyn
ijc. [200] of Andrew Troloppys men. And as for Colt,
and Sir Jamys Strangwysse, and Sir Thomas Pykeryng, they
be takyn or ellys dede. The comyn voysse is that they
be de dede. Hopton and Hastyngs be with the Erle of
Marche, and wer no at the fewlde. Wat word that ever he
have fro my Lords that be here, it is well doo, and best for
yow, to see that the contre be allweys redy to come bothe fote



|p250


men and hors men, qwen they be sent for; for I have herd seyde
the ferthere Lords will be here soner that men wen, I have
arde sayde, er iij. weks to an ende; and also that ye xwld come
with more men, and clenlier arayed than anoder man of yowr
cwntre xwld, for it ly the more up on yowr worchyp, and
towcheythe yow more nere than odermen of that cwntre, and
also ye be mor had in favor with my Lords here. In this cwntre
every man is well wyllyng to goo with my Lords here, and I hope
God xall helpe hem, for the pepill in the northe robbe and styll,
and ben apoyntyd to pill all thys cwntre, and gyffe a way
menys goods and lufflods in all the sowthe cwntre, and that
wyll ask a myscheffe. My Lords that ben here have as moche
as they may do to kep down all thys cwntre more than iiij. or v.
schers, for they wold be up on the men in northe, for it ys for
the welle of all the sowthe.
   I pray yow recomawnde me to my moder, and that I prayed
her of her blyssyng. I pray yow exscwse me to her that I
wryte her no letter, for thys was y now a doo. I dare not
pray yow to recomawnde me to my swster yowr wyff, and the
masenger I trow be so wysse he can not doyt. Ye mwst pay
him for hys labor, for he taryd all nyt in thys town for thys
letter.
   Wrytyn the xxiij. day of Janware in haste, wan I was not
well at hesse. God have [you] in Hys keping.
                   By CLEMENT PASTON,          Yowr broder.

                           |r431

         THE PRIOR OF BROMHOLM TO JOHN PASTON
   Amicabili magistro nostro; Johanni Paston, armigero.

[1461, Jan. 31] <b> FUL reverend and worshipful, after all dewe reverence
   and recommendacion, your pore Preste besecheth
   humble it plese your good maystirship to understande
be this simple bylle that on the Friday next after the Feste of



|p251


the Conversion of Seynt Poule laste paste I was at your place
at Castre to a tolde yow what answer I hadde of Sir Thomas
Howis, parson of Blofeld; and in as moche as ye wer not at
hoom, I tolde it to my mastras your wyfe; and God thanke
her of her jentilnes, she made me grete cher, and mor over a
vysed me to sende yow a bille ther of to Lundon. This was
his answer, whan I had talked to hym as I cowde in lyke wyse
as ye averted me to do. He answered a geyn in these wordes,
`Nere is my kyrtyl, but nerre [nearer] is my smok.' And this
was his menyng that ye schulde be mor ner us and tender to
us than he, and that ye schulde rather owe us good wyl than
he, and that we schulde labour rather to yowr maystirship than
to hym; and also that good that he had to dispose he had be
sette it, and of passel he tolde me he had delyvered the Abbot
of Langele fourescor li., wher of, as he seyd to me, ye grutched
and wer in maner displesed, not withstandyng ye seyd a geyn
to hym ye shulde geve as moche. And he seyd to me ye
named the places wher; and therfor he avysed me to labour
effectualy to your good maystirship, for ye mych [might] helpe
us wele. For he seyd ye had moche good of the dede to
dispose, what of your fader, God blisse that sowle, what of
Berney, and what now of his good Mayster Fastolfe. And as
for Sir John Fastolfe, on hoose soule Jesu have mercy! he seyd
to me ye had of his good four, four, and four mor than he in
these same termes with owte ony summe.
   And after all oder talkyngs he tolde me he shulde be with
yow at Lundon hastyly, and that he wolde sey good worde to
yow to releve our poor place. Sir, I beseche bethe not dis plesed,
for truly and I woste to have your hevy maystership
therfor, I had lever it had bene on thoght. And is this that
whan Sir Thomas Howes and ye be saunne at Lundon, we
myght be so in your good grace, that our place myght be
broder to Langele, for that shulde glade us mor than the com mission
that the Bysshop of Norwich sente us on Thrusday



|p252


laste paste to gader the dymes, for that is a shrewde labour for
us, a grete coste and a shrewe juparde.
   Over mor that hy and myghty celestial Prince preserve
yow body and sowle, and sende yow coumforte of the
Holy Goost wele to performe all your hertis desir in all
your materes to his plesaunce, and your wurship, and solace to
alle your welle wyllers.
   Wretyn at Bromholm, on the Saturday next after the Feste
of the Conversion of Seynt Poule laste paste.
              From your Preste and Bedeman,
                                   JOHN, PRIOUR OF BROMHOLM.

                           |r432

             MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
         A Lettre to J. Paston, ar., from his wife.

[1461, March 1] <b> PLEASE it you to wytte that it is lete me witte by on
   that owith you good wyll that there is leid awayte up
   on you in this cuntre, yf ye come here at large, to
bryng you to the presence of syyche a Lord in the north as
shall not be for your ease, but to jopardie of your lyf, or
gret and importable losse of your goods. And he that
hath take up on hym this enterprise now was undr-shireff
to G. Sayntlowe. He hath gret favour herto by the meanes
of the sone of William Baxter that lyth beryed in the Grey
Freres; and, as it is reported, the seid sone hath geve gret
sylver to the Lords in the north to bryng the matier a bowte,
and now he and alle his olde felaweship put owt their fynnes,



|p253


and arn ryght flygge and mery, hopyng alle thyng is and
shalbe as they wole have it. Also it is tolde me that the fadr
of the bastard in this cuntre seid that now shuld this shire be
made sewir for hym and his heires hens forward, and for the
Baxsteris heyres also, wherby I conceyve they thynke that they
have none enemy but you, &c.
   Wherfor like it you to be the more war of your gydyng
for your persones saufgard, and also that ye be not to hasty to
come in to this cuntre til ye here the world more sewer. I
trowe the berar of this shall telle more by mowthe, as he shall
be enfourmed of the rewell in this cuntre. God have yow in
His kepyng.
   Wretyn in hast, the secund Sunday of Lent by candel
light at evyn.
                        By yours, &c.               M.

                           |r433

                JOHN DAVY TO JOHN PASTON
    On to my Maystyr Pastone, be this lettre delyveryd.

<b> RYTH wurchopful Sere, I recomaund me on to you.
   And iff it lyke you I have spokyn with Bussard, and
   demaundyd hym iff he had ony evydens, dedys, or
copyis, or ony other evydens of ony place or off ony lyflod
that longget on to my mayster, and seyth, Nay, be is feyth,
and be is trowthe, for, if he hadde, he wold send hem on to
you with a good wyl; for he seyth it xud don hym non ese.
And, Ser, iff it plese you I askyd hym if he knew ony evydens
that he had delyveryd on to William Wossetyr, bill, or deds, or
ony other evydens that xuld longgyn on to ony purchas or off
ony lyfflod on to my maystrys, and he seyth, Nay trewly; for
he seyth the last tyme that he wrot on to William Wusseter,



|p254


it was be ffor myssomyr, and thanne he wrot a cronekyl of
Jerewsalem, and the jornes that my mayster dede whyl he was
in Fraunce (that God on his sowle have mercy!); and he
seyth that this drow more than xx. whazerys [20 quires?] off
paper, and the wrytyng delyveryd on to William Wursseter,
and non other, ne knowyth not off non other be is feyth.
                 Be your man,                   J. DAVY.

                           |r434

             THOMAS SHOTBOLT TO JOHN PASTON
  To my worshipfull maister, Maister Paston of the Temple.

<b> WORSHIPFULL Sir, soo ye will send a polletik
   person to Ludgate in secrete wise to comune with
   me, and lete hym not in no wise speke of you to
hove |r(?) youre good maistership, and a resonable remedy shall
ease you of a gret part that the criour cleymeth of you for
Maister Fastolffs detts of xiij. or xiiij. yere at the lest, and be
that perave[ntu]re of the hole qui in uno est reus morbus [in
omnibus] reus . . . . . . . Sir, remembreth your worship if y
doo to ease you, lete me not be discoveryd, for ye knewe
not your worship y wold not doo thus. What ever ye have
of me, ye may sey it is found in the stywardes boks, and y
know that ye have desired favour to have hym seese for your
worship that procur hym ageyns you; whoo so shall kom to
me, he may kom in Maistre Nevills name, for with hym have
y a doo. As for your own servaunts, y ferd me lest they be
knowyn whethir it be servaunt or othir, send knowleche of my
reword and a bille under your seall or your own hands, or
bothe on your worship to have it close that y be not blamyd
for that; y shall telle you her after. Wretyn in Ludgate.
             Your servaunt and there prisoner,
                                         THOMAS SHOTBOLT.



|p255


                           |r435

              MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
         To my ryth worcepful husbonde, John Paston.

|r[Year_uncertain] <b> RYTH reverent and worcepfful husbonde, I recomande
   me to yow, desyryng hertely to here of yowre welle
   fare, thankyn yow for yowr letter and for the thyngys
that ye sent me ther with. And towchyn John Estegate, he
com nowdyr non sent hedyr nowt zyt; wer for I sopose I
must borrowyn money in schorte time but zyf [unless] ye
come sone home; for I sopose I xal non have of hym, so
Godd helpe me. I have but iiijs. and I howhe nerr as
meche mony as com to the for seyd some. I have do yowr
herrendys to my modyr and my hunckyl and as for the feffeys
of Stokysby, my hunckyll syth that ther be no mo than he
wrot to yow of that he knowit. And also I hauwe delyvyrit
the todyr thyng that ye sent me inselyd in the boxe as ye
comaundit me, and the man seyt, that I delyverid it to, that he
wylle nowt of the bargeyne that ye sent hym, but sweche
thynggys be do or he come ther that ye sent hym worde of,
he seyth that he wold nowt be noysyd with no sweche thyngis
of that is, that it wer do in hesse tyme for xx. marke. I
sopose he xal send yow word in shorte time ho he wylle do.
I pray yow that ye wylle weche save to beyn for me swech
lacys os I send yow exsaumpyll of in this letter and j. pesse of
blac lacys; as for cappys that ye sent me for the chylderyn
they be to lytyl for hem. I pray yow bey hem feyner cappys
and larger than tho wer. Also I pray yow that ye wylle
weche save to recomaunde me to my fadyr and my modyr and
tellyth heer that alle herr chyldyrryn ben in gode hele, blyssyd
be Godd. Heydonis wyffe had chyld on Sent Petyr day. I
horde seyne that herr husband wille nowt of her, nerr of her
chyld that sche had last nowdyr. I herd deyn that he seyd,



|p256


zyf sche come in hesse precence to make her exkewce that he
xuld kyt of her nose to makyn her be know wat sche is; and
yf her chyld come in hesse presence, he seyd he wyld kyllyn
he wolle nowt be intretit to have her ayun in no wysse, os I
herde seyn. The Holy Trinite have yow in Hesse kepyn and
send yow helth. Wretyn at Geldisto on the Wedynisday
nexte after Sent Thomas. -- Be yowris,         M. PASTON.

                           |r436

         |rA WHITSUNDAY SERMON OF FRIAR BRACKLEY

<b> FRENDS, this holy tyme, as owr moder Holy Chirch
   maketh mension, the Holy Gost came from hevyn,
   and lighted in the disciples of Crist, inflamyng them
with connyng, and strenghyng them with grace. And be
cause the doctrine and prechyng of them shuld go thurgh ought
all the werd, furst thei wer to be enfourmed and taught
connyng, and to be strenth with awdacide and grace, and
than to be endewed and yovyn all manner of langags that
thei myght prechyn to all maner of naciones, so that tho
naciones that thei preched to myght understond them, and
every naciones his owyn tonge; and so thees Appostilles, after
that thei wern enspired with the Holy Gost, wher so ever thei
preached, were ther never so many naciones present, ich nacion
thought that thei spokyn in ther owyn langage -- etenim illud
loquebantur variis linguis Apostoli.
   Frends, iij. thyngs be necessary in prechyng to hym that
shall prechyn thurgh the werd as the Appostell dede -- that is
to sey, connyng, boldnesse, and langags. If thei had had
connyng and none audacite, but have fered to have preched,
it shuld litill a profited, as we have examplles dayly at Cam brige,
exempli [gratia] de Clerico quis studuit sermonem,



|p257


&c. And if thei have bothyn connyng and audacite, and
have none eloquensye ner copiousnesse of langage, so that he
preche that his audiens is most excercised in, that thei may
understand hym, elles it profiteth not.
   Therfor thes holy Appostill[es], be for thei shuld prechyn,
furst thei wer to be confirmed and strenghed. Our Lord
strenghed them be under nemyng, enformyng, and helpyng,
culpando ut in Evangelium recumbentibus, &c. He strenghed
them with his help and grace whan he brethed in them, seyng
`Accipite Spiritum Sanctum; et quorum remiseritis peccata,
remittuntur eis, et quorum retinueritis retenta sunt,' &c. He
strenghed them also be his doctrine whan he seid `Petite et
accipietis; si quid petieritis Patrem in nomine meo, dabit
vobis.' How that ye shuld prayn to God and askyn, I taught
you on Estern day. Therfor ye shall pray to God be good
werkyng, right full lebyring, and in good deds perseveryng.
   Frends, ye owe for to ask of God that your joy may ben a
full joy and perfight; we may never have a full joy in this
werd, wher as ever among folwyth hevynesse. A man joyth
sumtyme in gold and sylver, and in gret substaunce of erdly
gods, in bewte of women, but this joy is not perfyght -- but
this joy is not stabill, but it is mutabill as a shadow; for he
that this joyth in the bewte of his wyffe, it may fortune to
morwyn he shall folwyn her to chirch up on a bere. But if
ye wull knowyn what is a full and a wery joy, truly forgeve nesse
of synne and everlestyng blisse, wher as is never sike nesse,
hunger, ner thurst, ner no maner of disseas, but all welth,
joy, and prosperite, &c. Ther be iij. maner of joys, the on
void, a nother half full, the thred is a full joy. The furst is
plente of werdly gods, the seconde is Gostly grace, the threde
is everlestyng blisse. The furst joy, that is affluens of tem porall gods,
is called a veyn joy, for if a man wer set at a bord
with delicate mets and drynks, and he sey a cawdron boyllyng
a forn hym with pykke and bronston, in the which he shuld
be throwyn naked as sone as he had dyned; for he shuld joy
mych in his deliciose mets, it shuld be but a veyn joy.
   Right so doth the joy of a covetouse man, if he sey what



|p258


peyn his sowle shuld suffre in helle for the myskepyn and
getyn of his good, he shuld not joy in his tresore,
|r{19_lines_of_old_Englisch_and_Latin_text}

                           |r437

            THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON
      To owre right Trusty and welbeloved John Paston

<b> RIGHT Trusty and welbeloved we grete yow well. And
   where as it is not unknowen to you that we wrot a
   bille to Maister Brakle, and yaf hym in comaunde ment
to delyver yow a bille indentyd of x. mark owyng to
John of Fen, as it apperith by a bille indentyd under the seall
of Robert Reppis, jentylman, wich by the will of John of Fen
is due un to us, wher of the sayd Robert shuld paye v. mark
by his owne instaunce at Lammesse next comyng; We pray



|p259


yow that ye woll receyve the forsayd money for us and delyver
it un to Maister Brakle as we trust yow. Wretyn in owr
manor of Wevenho the xxvti. day of Julij.

                           |r438

            THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON
    To my right trusty and right welbeloved John Paston.

   Right trusty and right welbeloved, I grete you wele. And I am enfourmed
that William Mathew of Norwich, Bocher, hath brought an accion of dette
agayn Nicholas Hert, a tenaunt of myn, berer hereof, and hath supposid by his
accyon that my said tenaunt shuld ow hym lxxs. for his hire of tyme that he
shuld a ben servaunt to my said tenaunt; wher it is said to me for trouthe that
he was aprentyce to my said tenaunt, and never othrwise with holde but as
aprentice, and owith no mony to haf of hym. I send to yow my said tenaunt
to gif yow clere informacyon of the mater, and I pray you that ye wole calle
the jurry before yow that arn impanellid betwen thaym, and opne thaym the
mater at large at myn instaunce, and desire thaym to do as concyens wole, and
to eschue perjury. And the Trinite kepe yow. If ye take the mater in rule,
I pray therof, and wole be content.
Wretyn at Wevenho, the xxviij. day of Decembr.
                                                       THE ERLE OF OXENFORD.

                           |r439

          SIR JOHN WINGFIELD TO JOHN PASTON
     To my welbelovyd brother, John Paston, Squier.

   Brother Paston, I recomaunde me unto you, praying you that ye take the
labour to speke with Thomas Ratclef of Frammesden for the delyveraunce of
part of an hous which lythe in his wode at Fraumesden, which hous the
owener hath caryed part therof to Orford, which so departed, the remenant
that remayneth ther in his wode schall do hym lytell good, and yt schall hurte
gretly the warkeman and the owener therof also, which is my tenaunt, and [i.e.
if] the hous schuld be set upon my ground.
  I wright unto you in this be halfe, be cause I understond he woll be moche
avised by you, and yf he do ony thynge at my request, I schall do as moche
that schall plese hym; and also the pore man schall gef hym ij. nobles or xxs.
rather than fayle. I pray you be as good a mene for hym as ye may in this be
halfe, as my verry trust is in you, and I schal be redy at all tymes to doo that



|p260


may be to your plesur. I rust to Jesu, who have you in His kepyng, and
sende you joy of all your ladyes.
   Wretyn at Lederyngham, the Tewesday in Whisson weke.
                                     Your brother and frende,
                                                       WYNGEFELD J.

                           |r440

          [JOHN PASTON ?] TO [RICHARD] SOUTHWELL

<b> BROTHER Suthwell, I comand me to yow, sertifiing
   yow that, on Thursday be the morwe, I spak with
   my cosine Wichingham at London, where he lete
me wet of the letter sent to Lee, wherby I conseyve the
stedfast godlordship and ladiship of my Lord and my Lady
in this mater, &c., whech gevith cause to all her servaunts
to trost verily in them and to do hem trew servise. I lete
yow wete that the seid Wychyngham, when I departid from
hym, had knowleche that Jane Boys shuld that nyght be come
to London, and he put in a bylle to the Lordis for to have
delyverauns of hyr and to have hese adversarys arestid. And
this nyght at Norwiche was told me newe tydyngges that she
shuld on Thursday after my departyng a be before the Lordis
and there asaide untrewly of her selff, as the berer hereof shal
informe yow if ye know it not before; of wheche tydyngges,
if they be trew, I am sory for her sake, and also I fere that
her frendys schuld sewe the more feyntely, wheche Godde
defende. For her seyng untrewly of her selff may hurt the
mater in no man but her selff; and thow she wol mescheve
her selff, it wer gret pete but if the mater were laborid forth,
not for her sake, but for the worchepe of the estatys and



|p261


other that have laboryd therin, and in ponyshing of the gret
oryble dede. Wherfore I send yow dyvers articlis in a bill
closid herin, wheche preve that she was raveshid ayens hyr
wel, what so ever she sey.

   Thes be provis that Jane Boys was ravischig [sic] ageyn her
wil, and not ber awn assent.
   One is that she, the tyme of her takyng, whan she was set
upon her hors, she revyled Lancasterother and callid hym
knave and wept, and kryid owte upon hym pitewly to her,
and seid as shrewdly to hym as coud come to her mende, and
fel doune of her hors unto that she was bound, and callid him
fals t[r]aytor that browth her the rabbettes.
   Item, whan she was bounde she callid upon her modyer,
wheche folwyd her as far as she myght on her feet, and whan
the seid Jane sey she myght goo no ferther, she kryid to her
modyer and seid that what so ever fel of her, she shuld never
be weddyd to that knave, to deye for it.
   Item, be the weye, at Shraggarys hous in Kokely Cley,
and at Brychehamwell, and in all other places wher she myght
see any people, she kryid owte upon hym, and lete people
wete whos dowtyr she was, and how she was raveshid ayens
her wyll, desyeryng the people to folwe her and reskew her.
   Item, Lancasterotherys prest of the Egle in Lyncolne shire,
wheche shroff her, seid that she told hym in confession that
she wold never be weddyd to hym, to deye for it; and the
same prest seid he wold not wedde hem togedyr for Ml.li.
   Item, she sent divers tokenes of massage to Sothwell be
Robert Inglose, wheche previth welle at that tyme she lovyd
not Lancasterother.
   Item, a man of the master of Carbrokes come dyvers
tymes in the weke before she was raveshid to Wychynghams
hous, and inquerid of her mayde whedyr her mastras was in suerid
to Sothwell or nay, the wheche prevyth well that Lan casterother
was not sure of her godwill ne knew not of her



|p262


counseyl, for if he had, he ne nedid not to have sent no
spyes.
   Whech seen, I avyse yow to move my Lord and my Lady
to do in this mater as affettualy as they have do before, for
this mater touchyth hem, consideryng that they have begonne;
and dowt not, what so ever falle of the woman, well or evel,
my Lord and my Lady shal have worchep of the mater if it be
wel laborid, and also ye shall have avayl therof and the advers
parte chall gret trobil.
   Also it were necessarie that Wychyngham were sent to and
cofortyd in hese seute, and that he avysid hym of seche articlis
and preves of the mater as I have sent to yow and put hem in
writing, but not to disclose non tho preves to non creature
unto that tyme that it fortune the mater to be tried be
enquest, or other wyse take end, but avyse hym for to seye to
the Lords and all |r(?) in generall termes that what so
ever Lancasterother or hese douter seyn nowh, it shal be wel
prevyd she was reveshid ayens her wyll; and let him desire of
the Lordis that his dowter mith be in his kepyng, and at large
fro Lancasterother un tylle the mater were duly examynd. I
wold this mater sped the bety[r] be cause my Lady spoke so
feythefully to me therin, and that mevyth me to wryte to yow
this long symple lettyr of myn intent. [Also wher ye be in formyd
that vj. men of Osbern Monforthes shuld a be at the
seid raveshing, I certifie yow verily it was not soo; for Osbern
Mondeford wol do in the mater all that ever he can or may
to help to punisse the doer, and desirith to know the grownd
of that tale, of whech I pray send me word if and what ye will
ellis.] God kepe yow.
   Wret at Norwich the Soneday nex before the fest of Sent
Margret.
   Item, [if] she had be of hes assent affter the time she was
in hes possescion in Lynkoln shire, hit had be bett --



|p263-264


                           |r441-448

                          {ABSTRACTS}



|p265


                           |r449

              JOHN PASTON THE YOUNGEST TO --

[1461] <b> I RECOMAND me to yow, and lete yow wete that not wythstandyng
   tydinggs come down, as ye know, that
   pepill shuld not come up tyll thei were sent fore, but to
be redy at all tymes; this notwithstandyng, most pepill owt
of this cuntre have take wages, seying thei woll goo up to
London; but thei have no capteyn, ner rewler assigned be the
commissioners to awayte upon, and so thei stragyll abowte be
them self, and be lyklynes are not like to come at London
half of them. And men that come from London sey, there
have not passid Thetford, not passyng CCCC.; and yet the
townes and the cuntere that have waged hem shall thynk thei
be discharged, and therfore if this Lords above wayte aftyr
more pepill in this cuntre, be lyklynes it woll not be easy to
get with owt a newe comission and warnyng. And yet it woll
be thought ryght straunge of hem that have waged pepill
to wage any more, for every towne hath waged and sent firth,
and are redy to send forth, as many as thei ded whan the



|p266


Kyng sent for hem be fore the feld at Lodlowe; and thei that
ar not go, be goyng in the same forme.
   Item, ther was shrewd rewle toward in this cuntre, for ther
was a certeyn person forth wyth after the jurney at Wakefeld,
gadered felaship to have mo[r]dered John Damme, as is seyd;
and also ther is at the Castell of Rysing, and in other ij. plases,
made gret gaderyng of pepill, and hyryng of harneys, and it is
wele undyrstand they be not to the Kyng ward, but rather the
contrary, and for to robbe. Wherfore my fadyr is in a dowte,
whedir he shall send my brother up or not, for he wold
have his owne men abowte hym, if nede were here; but not wythstandyng,
he wyll send up Dawbeney, his spere and bowes
with hym, as Stapilton and Calthrop or other men of worship
of this cuntre agree to doo. Wherfore demene yow in doyng
of yowr erandes ther aftyr, and if ye shall bryng any masage
from the Lords, take writyng, for Darcorts massage is not
verely beleved be cause he browt no wrytyng.
   Item, this cuntre wold fayne take these fals shrewes that
are of an oppynion contrary to the Kyng and his Counsell, if
they had no auctorite from the Kyng to do so.
   Item, my brother is redy[n] to Yarmowth for to lette
brybers that wold a robbed a ship undyr color of my Lord of
Warwyk, and longe nothyng to hem ward.

                           |r450

            W. PASTON AND THOMAS PLAYTERS TO
                       JOHN PASTON
          To my maister, John Paston, to hast.

[1461, April 4] <b> PLEASE you to knowe and wete of suche tydyngs as my
   Lady of York hath by a lettre of credens, under the
   signe manuel of oure Soverayn Lord King Edward,
whiche lettre cam un to oure sayd Lady this same day, Esterne



|p267


Evyn, at xj. clok, and was sene and red by me, William
Paston.
   Fyrst, oure Soverayn Lord hath wonne the feld, and
uppon the Munday next after Palmesunday, he was resseved
in to York with gret solempnyte and processyons. And the
Mair and Comons of the said cite mad ther menys to have
grace be Lord Montagu and Lord Barenars, whiche be for
the Kyngs coming in to the said cite desyred hym of grace
for the said cite, whiche graunted hem grace. On the Kyngs
parte is slayn Lord Fitz Water, and Lord Scrop sore hurt;
John Stafford, Horne of Kent ben ded; and Umfrey Stafford,
William Hastyngs mad knyghts with other; Blont is knygth,
&c.
   Un the contrary part is ded Lord Clyfford, Lord Nevyle,
Lord Welles, Lord Wyllouby, Antony Lord Scales, Lord
Harry, and be supposyng the Erle of Northumberland,
Andrew Trollop, with many other gentyll and comons to the
nomber of xx.ml. [20,000].
   Item, Kyng Harry, the Qwen, the Prince, Duke of
Somerset, Duke of Exeter, Lord Roos, be fledde in to Scotte land,
and they be chased and folwed, &c. We send no er
[no sooner] un to you be cause we had non certynges tyl now;
for un to this day London was as sory cite as myght. And
because Spordauns had no certeyn tydyngs, we thought ye
schuld take them a worthe tyl more certayn.
   Item, Thorp Waterfeld is yeldyn, as Spordauns can telle
you. And Jesu spede you. We pray you that this tydyngs
my moder may knowe.
                  Be your Broder,             W. PASTON.
                                            T. PLAYTERS.

[`On a piece of paper pinned to the above letter,' says Fenn, `is a list of the



|p268


names of the noblemen and knights, and the number of soldiers slain at the
above battle of Towton, as follow: --']

Comes Northumbri.                                Millites.
Comes Devon.                            Sir Rauff Gray.
Dominus de Beamunde.                    Sir Ric. Jeney.
Dominus de Clifford.                    Sir Harry Bekingham.
Dominus de Nevyll.                      Sir Andrew Trollop.
Dominus de Dacre.                       With xxviij.ml. [28,000]
Dominus Henricus de                      nomberd by Harralds.
   Bokyngham.
Dominus de Well[es].
Dominus de Scales
   Antony Revers.
Dominus de Wellugby.
Dominus de Malley
   Radulfus Bigot Miles.

                           |r451

           THOMAS PLAYTERS TO MASTER JOHN PASTON
            To my maister, John Paston, Esquyer.

[1461, April 18] <b> PLEASE your Maisterchep to wete, that I have spokyn
   with Essex, in the matter that ye wete of, and fynd
   him be his talkyng wel dysposed, not withstandyng he
woll not falle to no conclusyon to engrose up the mater, tyll
the chef baron be com to London, and that he be mad privy
to the mater, which we loke after this same secund Saterday
after Esterne; and as for Notyngham he is not yet comyn to
London.
   Item, as for tydyng, it is noysed and told for trouth of
men of worchip, and other, that the Erle of Wylchyr is taken,



|p269


Doctor Morton, and Doctor Makerell, and be brougth to the
kyng at York. Maister William also spak with a man that
sey hem.
   Item, sir, I herd of Sir John Borceter and Christofer
Hanson, that Herry the sext is in a place in York schire is
calle Coroumbr; suche a name it hath, or muche lyke. And
there is sege leyde abowte, and dyvers squyers of the Erle of
Northumbrelands, and gadered them to geder, a v. or vj.ml.
[five or six thousand] men, to byger [bicker] with the sege, that
in the mene while Herry the sexte myght have ben stole a
way at a lytyll posterne on the bak syde; at whiche byker
ben slayn iij.ml. [3000] men of the North. Sir Robert of Ocle
and Conyrs leyth the sege on our syde, and thei it is that have
do this acte. Sum say the Qwen, Somerset and the Prince
schuld be there. Item, it is talked now for trouthe, the Erle
of Northumberland is ded. Item, the Erle of Devenshire is
ded justely. Item, my Lord Chaunceler is to York. Item,
the King and the Lords com not here before Whitsontyde, as
it is sayde. Item, sir, sone uppon the chef baron comyng I
schall send you a lettre, with Godds grace, who preserve you,
and have you in His blyssed kepyng.                Your,
                                        THOMAS PLAYTERS.

   At Cokermouthe was the Erle of Wylchire taken, and
these other Doctors. Item, som men talke Lord Wellys,
Lord Wyllouby, and Skales ben on lyve. Item, Sir Robert
Veer is slayn in Cornewayll, as it is tok for trouthe.



|p270


                           |r452

           THOMAS PLAYTERS TO JOHN PASTON
To my rigth reverent and worchipfull John Paston, Esquyer,
               or to my maytres his wyf

[1461, May] <b> AFTER my most special recommendacion, lyke your
   maisterchip wete that the mater for you and my
   maistrez, your moder, ayens Powtrell and Tanfeld
hath ben called uppon as dylygently and as hastely this terme
as it mygth be; and al way dayes yeven hem by the Court to
answer, and than thei toke smale excepcions, and trifeled forth
the Court, and al wey excused them by cause the bylle is long,
and his councell had no leysur to se it. And they prayed
heryng of the testament of my maister your fader, and therof
made a nother mater, and argued it to putte hem fro it, be
cause they had emparled to us by fore; and than Hyllyng worth
to dryve it over this terme, allegged varians be twyx
the bille and the testament that John Damme was named in
the testament John Dawme, in whiche cas now the Court
must have sigth of the said testament. Where fore ye must
send it up the begynnyng of the next terme, or elles we schall
have no sped in the mater. And therfor, Maistres, if my
maister be not cum hom, and ye have not the sayd testament
in your kepyng, that than it plese you to speke un to my
maistres, your moder in lawe, for the seyd testament, that I
mygth redely have it here, and that it be sealed in a box, and
sent to me, and I schall kepe it safe, with Godds grace.



|p271


   And as for tytyngs, in good feyth we have non, seve the
Erle of Wylchir is hed is sette on London Brigge.
   Mayster William is reden hom to my Maistrs Ponyngs;
and as for Maister Ponyngs hymself, sche letteth as thow sche
wyst not where he were. A gentylman that kam fro York
told me my maister was heyl and mery, and rode to mete the
Kyng comyng fro Mydlam Castell.
   Berwyk is full of Scottys, and we loke be lyklyhod after
anoyther batayll now be twyx Skotts and us.
   And I pray Jesu have you in His blyssed kepyng.
                       Your,                 THOMAS PLAYTER.

                           |r453

             JOHN SMYTH TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR
To hys worschepfull mayster, John Paston the Eldest, Esquier.

[1461, May 10] <b> RYGHT worschepfull and my synguler mayster, I re comaunde
   me to you. If it plese your maysterschepe
   to wete, the cause of my wryghtyng is thys. I have
understande be comunyng with othyr credybell men that many
and the more part of the feffeys of the landys late Sir John
Fastolf, and also thei that pretende to ben executores of the
seyd Sir John, purpose them to sell to my Lord of Suffolk,
thow he recuver not be tayle, or to othyr myghty lordys, a
gret part of the landys of the seyd Sir John, to the entent that
ye schal not have them; upon wech sale thei wole make astate
and entre and put you to your accion, and thow ye recuver in
the lawe, as I am enformyd, ye schall recuver of hard and but



|p272


a part, the qwech schuld be dere of the sute. Qwer it semyth
to me, yt wer necessarye to you to se remedy for thys mater,
and eyther putt it in award or elles that my Lord of Wa[rwick],
the qwech is your good Lord, may meve that the Kyng, or
hym sylf, or my Lord Chawmbyrleyn or sum othyr wytty
me[n], may take a rewle betwexe you and your adversaryes;
for yf ye may not holde the forseyd landys ther schal growe
[great] losse bothe to the dede and to you, and men schal putt
you in defawte therof; your frendys schal be sory. It is
[better to] bere a lyttell losse than a gret rebuke. Your mater
hangyth longe in the audyens. Yf ye hadde ther your entent
your ad[versaries should] cese the rather. I beleve veryly yf
ye do your part to have pees, God of Hys gret grace schal
graunte it to you, the q[wech give] you the speryte of wysdam
to gyde you on to Hys pleser. Amen.
   We desyre to se your maysterschep in Norffolk; your
pr[esens] there be necessarye.
   From Norwych the x. day of May.
                     Your clerk,           [JOHN] SMYTH.

                           |r454

               THOMAS DENYES TO JOHN PASTON
                   To my maister Paston.

[1461, April |r(?)] <b> I LOWLY recomaund me to your maistership, thankyng
   you as a pouer man may do his maister for soccuryng
   my wyf, which I wete wele is wo begone; praying you
for love of our Lord Jhesu Criste to take no displesir though
I not sent ne wrote to you herbeforn in this troble that I haf.
For parde ye may conceyve that I was besy j nogh to shifft
my self til now. Truly the noise cam sodeynly and I was
withynne the walles of your Cite, God sauf the governour
therof, for he was besy to trappe me, more besy than he wole
be a know, et per fenestram in sporta dimissus sum per murum, et



|p273


sic effugi manus ejus; but he shal abye, by God, if I lyf, for
serchyng myn house. And, Sir, as for the fals noise, sauf
your reverence, that he leyth on me and on tweyn servauntz
of myn, he lyeth falsly, your reverence savid; for I may haf
an C. persones notable and thrifty, whan tyme comyth, that
wole prove and make good by every meane, that my servauntz,
which he nameth, wer that same our at Brisle which is thens
more than xvj. myle, and that the same our and the same day
and a greet space bothe beforn and afftir. But ever I besech
your maistership of contynuaunce, and that ye like to do my
wif help and comfort in hir dissese; for if she wer not, God
knowith, I shuld soone shyfft. And truly I haf no thought
ne sorwe but for hir. Wherfore I beseche you lowly for His
love that all socourith and susteyneth to be good maister and
comfort to her. It shal not be long to but that I shall send
to hir to labour hir to other place, as for ony thyng touchyng
me ellis but that. I pray you also, if the boy that is hurt dey,
to meve your tenauntz in that hundrid wher he was bete to do
for me and myn; ellis can I not desire ne write at this tyme
for lak of remembraunce, for I am not yet myn own man.
Besechyng yow alwey of good maistership, for Almyghty God
knowith that the mater was falsly begunne on me and usurie
it is and acursid, so wold our Lord I never had knowyn it;
but sith I delid therwith I myght never reche it to handle
the mater to trouth or reson. Wherfore I am compellid to
do therwith unresonably. But, gentill Sir, socour my wif, and
be not displesid with me, and than shal I do wele with Goddis
mercy, Who Almyghty preserve yow for His mercy. Wretyn
onavised, &c.
   I pray you socour my wif, for she is wedow yet for me,
and shal be til more is done, sith I se that neyther plee, trety
ne werre may make my peas; for I leve hir undir your pro teccion
til I write to hir to go thens, which shal be hastily, I
suppose, praying you to be alwey hir good maister, for I
purpose not to se hir of a while, though she remeve. Wrete
with sorwfull hert, &c. -- Yours,                  DENYES.



|p274


                           |r455

              THOMAS DENYES TO JOHN PASTON
                To my Maister Paston.

[1461, May] <b> RIGHT wurshipfull and myn especiall good maister, I
   recomaund me to yow with all my service, besechyng
   you hertily, at the reverence of God, to helpe me now
in the grettest extremite that I cam at sith my greet trobil with
Ingham. It is not oute of your remembraunce how Twyer
in Norff[olk] vexith me bothe by noise and serchyng myn
house for me, so that theer I can not be in quyete; and all
that, I am verily acerteyned, is by Heydens crafft. And heer
in the Kyngs house annenst Howard, wher I had hopid to a'
relevid myself, I am supplanted and cast oute from hym by a
clamour of all his servaunts at onys, and ne wer oonly that his
disposicion acordyth not to my pouer conceyte, which maketh
me to gif lesse force, be cause I desire not to dele ther [where]
bribery is like to be usid, ellis by my trouth this unhappy
unkyndenes wold I trow a' killed me. I pray yow, at the
reverence of Jesu Criste, to enfourme my Lord of Warwyk of
me. Parde I haf do hym service; I was with hym at Nor thampton,
that all men knew; and now agayn at Seynt
Albones, that knowth James Ratcliff; and ther lost I xxli.
wurth horse, herneys, and mony, and was hurte in diverse
places. I pray yow to gete me his good Lordship, and that I
may be toward hym in Norffolk in his Courts holdyng, or ellis,
if ony thyng he haf to do; and that ye wole gete me a letter
to Twyer to late me to sit in rest. For now if I made any



|p275


felaship agayn Twyer, I can haf no colour now the Shirref and
I be oute, so I must kepe me aparte, which I am lothe to do,
be God, if I myght better do.
   I besech yow to send me your intent by the next man that
come from yow. I shuld a' come to zow, but, so help me
God, my purs may no ferther. The Holy Trinite preserve
yow.
   Wretyn hastily at York, &c.
                 Your to his power,            DENYES.

                           |r456

           THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON
    To owre right trusty and welbeloved John Paston.

                   |rTH'ERL OF OXENFORD.

[1461, May 31] <b> RIGHT trusty and welbeloved, we grete yow well, and
   pray yow, as oure trust is in yow, that if ye or any of
   yowre men here that Howard purposith hym to make
any aray at owre manor of Wynche, that ye woll lete John
Keche, owre kepere ther of, haue wetyng by tymes, for and he
have warnyng he will kepe it in to the tyme that we come
thedir, with the grace of God, wiche have yow in His kepyng.
Wretyn in owre manor of Wyvynho the last day of May.
                                           OXENFORD.



|p276


                           |r457

              THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON
  To my right good maister, John Paston, in all hast.

[1461] <b> AFTER my most special recommendacion, please your
   maisterchip wete, the Kyng, be cause of the sege a
   boute Carelylle, chaunged his day of Coronacion to
be upon the Sunday nexst after Seynt John Baptyste, so
the'ntent to spede hym northward in all hast; and how be it,
blyssed be God, that he hath now good tydynggs, that Lord
Mountagu hath broken the sege, and slayn of Scotts vj.ml.
[6000] and ij. knyghes, whereof Lord Cliffords brother is one,
yet not wythstandyng he wol be crowned the sayd Sunday.
And John Jeney enformed me, and as I have verely lerned
sethen, ye ar inbylled to be made knygth at this Coronacion.
Wheder ye have understandyng before hand, I wot not; but
and it lyke you to take the worchip uppon you, consyderyng
the comfortable tytynggs afore seyd, and for the gladnesse and
plesour of al your welwyllers, and to the pyne and dyscomfort
of all your ille wyllers, it were tyme your gere necessarye on
that by halfe were purveyd fore, and also ye had nede higth
you to London, for as I conceyve the knygthes schuld be made
uppon the Saterday by for the Coronacion; and as moche as
may be purveyed for you in secrete wyse wythouten cost I
schall by speke for you, if nede be, ayens your comyng, in
trust of the best; neverthelesse, if ye be dysposed, ye had
nede send a man by fore in all hast, that no thing be to seke.
William Calthorp is inbylled, and Yelvertoun is inbylled,
whiche caused Markham; because Yelverton loked to have
ben chef juge, and Markham thynketh to plese hym thus.
And as for the mater ayens Poutrell, we can no farther pro cede,



|p277


tyl we have my maister your faders testament. I sent
my maistres a letter for it. No more, but I pray Al myghty
Jesu have you in His kepyng.
                        Your,              THOMAS PLAYTER.

                           |r458

               RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON
         To my right reverent worschipfull master,
                  my Master John Paston.

[1461, June 5] <b> RIGHT reverent and worschipfull master, I lowly re comande
   me unto your good masterschip. Plesith
   you to witte that I have ben at Framelyngham, and
spake Ric Sothwell to hafe hes advice in this mater; wherin he
wolde geve me but litell councell, and seide ze were straungely
disposed, for ye trusted no man, and had moche langage, weche
the berer herof schal enforme your masterschip.
   And as for the letters, they were delivered my Lorde at
the Logge, but I cowde not speke with hese Lordeschip. And
suche tyme as they were delyvered Fitz William whas there,
weche is now keper of Castre; and what tyme as my Lorde
had sene the lettres, he comaunded hym to avoide, and so he
did. And thanne my Lorde sent for Sothwell. And in the
meene tyme my Lorde sent a man to me, and axed me where
ye were, and I tolde hem ye were with the Kyng; and so he
sent me worde that an answere schulde be made be Sothwel to
the King, seyng that ii. or iij. eyers [heirs] had ben with my
Lorde, and shewed her |r[i.e._their] evidence, and delyvered it
to my Lorde, seyng they have had gret wrong, besechyng my
Lorde that it myght be reformed. Wherfor he comaunded me
that I shulde go hom, for other answer cowde I non have. So
I aboude uppon Sothwel to a' know my Lordes answer to the



|p278


Kyng; weche answere Sothwel tolde me was, that he writeth to
the Kyng that certeine points in your lettres be untrew, and
that he schal prove suche tyme as he cometh befor the Kyng,
besechyng the Kyng to take it to no displesur; for he is
advised to kepe it still unto the tyme that he hath spaken with
his Highnesse, for he trusteth to God to schewe suche evidence
to the Kyng and to the Lords, that he schulde have best right
and titill therto; and so he sent a man forthe to the Kyng
this day. It were right wele don ye awayted upon hes man
comyng, that ye myght knowe the redy entent of my Lordes
writyng.
   Berthelmew Elysse hathe ben with my Lorde, and made a
relesse to my Lord; and Sir Will Chamberleine was ther ij.
dayes afore I come thirder, I can thynke for the sam mater.
And Thomas Fastolf whas there the same tyme that I was
ther; and as I am enformed, they have delyvered my Lorde
serteine evidence. Wherfore me semeth it were right wele
don, savyng your better advice, to com hom and sele up your
evidence, and have hem with you to London, to prove his titill
noght. Ther be but ii. or iij. men with in the place, and if ye
thynke it best to do it, send word, and I suppose a remedy
schal be had.
   Also I here no word of Master William, nor of the writts
for the Parlament. Also it is tolde here that Tudenham and
Heydon have a pardon of the Kyng, and that they schal come
up to London with the Lady of Suffolk to the Coronacion.
Also as for the letter that ye sent to Thomas Wyngfeld, I have
it still, for he is at London. Some men sey he meved my Lord
for to entre, and some sey Fitz William is in defaute. So I
can see ther is but fewe goode. Also my master Sir Thomas
Howys schol send a letter to the person ye wote of, for to
deliver you the gere at London the next week. My right
wourschipfull and reverent master, Almyghti God preserve
you.
   Wreten at Norweche, on the morwe after Corpus Christi
Day.
            Your pore servant and bedman,            R.C.



|p279


                           |r459

             ROBERT LETHUM TO JOHN PASTON
  A tres reverent Sire, John Paston, Esquier, demouraunt
           ou lostell le Roy soit d[onne].

[1461, June 19] <b> RIGHT worshipfull sir, I recomaund me to you. And,
   sir, yesterday I resceived of you a lettre from oure
   sovereign lord the Kyng directe to John Fulman,
dyvers othir, and me, by the quych, for certeyn causes that
meved hym, and for the well and save gard of his person and
this his realme, he desired we chuld fynd men for kepyng of
the see. I said to you that I hade beyn dyvers tymes spoled
and robbed, as ye have herd, and also gretely vexed and sued
to me [my] unportab[l]e [charges]; nevir the les, to my pouer,
with my body and my gode, I chall be redy to do hym servyce in
resistyng his enmyse and rebelles. Also I said I dwelled uppon
the cost of the see here, and be langage hit were more necessare
to with hold men here than take men from hit. The said the
Kyng hade wreton to dyvers persones here quych hade promysed
men, queruppon I promysed a man, quych chall be redy at such
tyme I have knowelege quere the shippyng chall be, to waite
uppon yow, or quane the Kyng comaundes. I write to you of
my promyse as ye comaund me, and pray you I may have a
copy of the said lettre. And I pray Godd kepe you. Wrete
at Plumsted on the Fest of Seynt Gervaise and Prothase.
                       Your,                ROBT. LETHUM.



|p280


                           |r460

             JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON
    To my right worshipfull maister, John Paston, at
             Heylesdon in Norffolk, in hast.

[1461, June 21] <b> AFTER due recomendacion hadde; please it your
   Maistership to witte, that as for Plaiter he shall
   excuse the writte of the parlement, &c. As touch yng
my maister Howard, I cannot yet speke with hym, ne
with Moungomerye nether. But as for the day of Corona cion
of the Kyng, it shall be certeynly the Moneday next
after Mydsomer, and it is told me that ye among other ar
named to be made knyght atte Coronacion, &c.
   Item, it is seid that the Coronacion do, the Kyng wole in
to the north part forthwith; and therfor shall not the parle ment
holde, but writtes shall goo in to every shire to gyve
them, that ar chosyn knyghtes of the shire, day after Michel messe;
this is told me by suyche as arn right credible.
Maister Brakle shall preche at Poules on Sunday next
comyng as he tolde me, and he told me, that for cause
Childermesse day fal on the Suday, the Coronacion shall
on the Moneday, &c.
   Wretyn in hast at London, the Sunday next tofore
Mydsomer,
                           Your right pouere servant,
                                       JAMES GRESHAM.



|p281


                           |r461

             CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
  To my rythe worchypfull broder, John Paston, be thys
                   delyveryd in hast.

[1461, June 26] <b> BRODER, I recomawnde me to zow, desyeryng to here
   of yowre welfare, the qwyche I pray God mayntene.
   Plesse yow to wette that I have sent my moder a
letter for mony for my swster; and if ze wyll agre that I
may have xxtili. [20], I xall zeve zow acowmpts ther of, and
ze xall be payyd azen of the obligacyon that my moder hathe,
or ellys I xall take a swerte of my suster. I wysse obligacion
mwste nedes be swyd, and a doseyn accions more in her name,
and sche doo well thys terme; and it wyll be doo with in
fowertenyut. The Cowntas of Northumberlond and Robarde
Fenus ocupie all her lond, and that is a gret myscheffe. I
prey zow spe[ke] to my moder her of, and lat me have a
awnswer within this sevenyut. Also, broder, Wyndham is
come to town, and he seyd to me he wyll goo gett hym a
mayster, and me thowte by hym he wold be in the Kynges
servise, and he saythe that he wyll have Felbryg azen or
Myhelmes, or ther shal be v.c. [500] heds broke ther fore.
Brodere, I pray zow delyver the mony that I xwld have in to
swm prior of swm abbey to swm mayster of swm colage to be



|p282


delyveryd qwan I can espy ony londe to be porchasyd. I
pray zow send me word wyder ze wyll doo thus or no. No
more, but owre Lord have zow in Hys kepyng. Wrytyn on
Fryday nexst after Seynt John is day.
                      By zour broder,
                                       CLEMENT PASTON.

                           |r462

             MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
    To my right worchepfull hosbond, John Paston, be this
                 letter deliveryd in hast.

[1461, June] <b> RIGHT worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you.
   Please you to wete that thys day in the mornyng the
   parson of Snoryng came to Thomas Denys and fechyd
hym owt of hys hows, and beryth hym a hand, that he shuld
a mad byllys agayns Twyer and hym, and hathe a leed hym
ferthe with hem. Hys wyf hathe no knowlege of it. Ferther
more the seid parson seythe that the seyd Thomas Denys
shuld a take sowdyors owt of hys felachep whan he went to
Seynt Albons; that hys a nother of hys compleynts. Item,
anothyr of hys compleynts ys, a beryth the seyd Thomas a
hand, that he had awey a hors of John Coppyng of Bryslee,
and a nother of Kyng of Donham, the wyche hors were stole
be the seyd ij. personys. Wher for the seyd Thomas toke
hem as a comyshaner and delyveryd hem to the exchetor,
Frances Costard, and one of them he bowt of the seyd
Fraunces. And the seyd parson hathe a wey the seyd hors,



|p283


and seyth that he wolle the seyd thevys shuld be recompenst
be Thomas Denys. Thys I am enformyd of all thesse maters
be hys wyffe, and sche prayythe yow in the reverence of God
ye wolle be hyr good maister, and helpe that hyr hosbond may
have sume remedy be your labor in thys mater, [for she]
seythe syn that hyr hosbond ys the Kyngs offycer, that they
owt to spar hym the rather. But they that hathe hym take no
. . . . . . told me that they hope to have a newe
chonge in hast.
   Item, Pers that was with my unkyll Barney sent you a
l[etter] . . . . . . er desyryng to have your good
masterchep, and he woll fyynd sufficient suerte for hym for to
com . . . . . . whan som ever ye woll require hym.
I' good feyth it ys told me hys leggs ar all . . . . . .
[Send] me word, encas the suerte be sufficient, in what sum ye
woll have hem bownd for hy . . . . . . te in bayle.
Item, it ys told me that ther be many Freynche shyppys of se
a geyns Yamothe, a[nd . . . . . . t]hey woll do
harme on the coste. I pray yow hertely that ye woll send
me word in hast howe that ye do with my [Lord] of Norffolk,
and with your adversaryys. Item, I have do purveyed in thys
wareyn xj.xx. [eleven score] rabets and sent up be the berer
herof. The blyssyd Trinite have yow in Hys kepyng, and
send yow the better of all your adversariis, and good sped
in all your maters. Wretyn in hast, the same day that ye
departyd hens.
   Item, I pray yow that ye wolle remembre my unkyll
Barneys mater tochyng the executyng of his wylle, and how
ye wolle that we be demenyd for kepyng of hys yerday, and
that it lekyth you to send me word be Mr. John Smy[th].



|p284


                           |r463

           THOMAS DENYES TO MARGARET PASTON
 To my right noble and wurshipfull mastresse, my Mastresse
     Paston, or to William Paston if she be absent.

[1461, July] <b> RIGHT noble and wurshipfull mastresse, I recomaund
   me to yow with my pouer servise. And for so moche
   as I here no thyng of my maister your husbonds
comyng hastly home, -- and though he cam or come not, it
were expedient that the Kyng were infourmed of the de menyng
of the shire, -- therfore I send to yow a testymonyall,
which is made by a greet assent of greet multitude of comons,
to send to the Kyng. I pray you for the good spede therof
that in all hast possible ye like to send it to my said maister,
if he be with the Kyng; ellis fynde the meane to send it to
the Kyng, thogh my maister be thens; beside forthe that ye
vouchsauf to late diligent labour be made to a sufficient nombir
to assele for my Maister Paston allone, for if bothe holde not,
I wolde oon helde.
   I pray yow that it lyke you to send for my Maister
William Paston, and shew hym all thys, and that it were
hastid; for on the adversaire parte Judas slepith not.
   Berney promised to a' sent, but for our Lords love trust
not that; for I se his slouthe and sely labour, which is no
labour. And I wold ful fayn speke with yow, &c.
   My maister your husbond wole peraventure blame us all,
if this mater be not applied; for he may not of reson do so
largely heryn by his myght, be cause he is elyted, as the



|p285


Comons myght wisely do with help of his favour, if it wer
wisely wrought. If my Maister William Paston ride hastly
from a x. daies to London, I wole with hym, if he send me
word. The Holy Trinite preserve yow. Wretyn rudely in
hast the Sunday, &c.
   Men sey, send a wiseman on thy erand, and sey litell to
hym, wherfor I write brefly and litell.
                                            THOMAS DENYES.

                           |r464

            RICHARD CALL TO MARGARET PASTON
To my most reverent and worshipfull mastresse, my Mastresse
           Margaret Paston, this be delyuered.

[1461, July 3] <b> PLESITH it your mastresseship that my mastre wolde
   that ye alowe the berer hereof for hes costs, in asmoch
   as he come hether for that matre, and for non other;
but ye must lete Thomas Denys wif be prevy therto, for my
mastre wol that she bere the cost, for it is her matre; and
that ye make her goode cheere, and if ye wol have her hom to
you for a seacon, unto the tyme sche be out of her trouble,
my mastre is agreed. And if sche sende to my mastre for
any matre, let her sende her owne man upon her owne coste,
thowe ye paye the money for a secon, unto the tyme that sche
may pay you a yein, mastre holdeth hym content. My right
wurshipful mastresse, Almyghti Jesu kepe you. Wreten at
London the iij. day of Jul.
              Your poore seruaunt and bedman,
                                             RIC. CALL.



|p286


                           |r465

              WILLIAM LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON
To the right worchipfull and my good maister John Paston.

[1461, July 6] <b> RYGHT worchipfull and my good mayster I recomaunde
   me to yow. And, sir, yf the Coronacion had be
   on Relik Sunday, as it was apoyntyd, I shuld have
waytid on yow. And as for my Lord of Norffolks mene, I
told my mastres your wyfe, here disposission as I coude know,
the wheche I sopose she told yow, as I can espye some of his
meny was grette cause of T. D. deth, &c. Also ye have
knowlych how Fastolff is com yn to my Lord of Norffolks
hous, for ij. causez, as I understande; on is to enfors my
Lords entre yn Castre be his cleym; an other is to helpe his
fader yn lawe ayens Felbrigge, &c. For love of Good take
good awayte to your person, for the word [world] is right
wilde, and have be sythyn Heydonz sauffe gard was proclamyd
at Walsyngham; for yn good feyth I trow, but if |r[i.e._unless]
he be ponysshid the countre wille rise and doo moche harme,
and also for the comyssion Sir Miles Stapilton and Calthorp,
that arn among the comunes ought of conseite and reputid the
Kyngs enmez, as the brenger of this bille can telle yow, to
whom I beseche yow to be good mayster, for he hath doo the
Kyng good servyse as ony pore man of our contre, and yet is
he callid traitor be sweche as he can telle yow, soportid be
Roger Bolwer and Aleyn Roos, Heidonz owyn men [chif
constablez]. And it plese yow that John Yve and John
Brigge myght have your warentez for cheffe constable, &c.,
for they ocupye yn Kyng Herris name. Forther, sire, I am
gretly yn your danger and dette for my pension, for it is told



|p287


me ye have paied, and at your comyng I shalle make amendez
with your good maistreship, and suche servyse as lith yn my
pore powere is, and shalbe, redy at alle tymez with Godds
grace, how have yow yn His kepyng. Wretyn an hast at
Dallyng, on Sent Thomas Even, &c.
                     Be your Servaunt,                  L.

                           |r466

            MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
        To my ryth worchepfull hosbond, John Paston,
               be thys deliverid in hast.

[1461, July 9] <b> RIGHT worchepful hosbond, I recommand me to yow.
   Please yow to wete that I have spoke with Thomas
   Denys wyffe, and she recommand hyr to your good
masterchep, and she prayeth yow to be her good master, and
prayet yow of your good masterchep, that ye wolle geve her
your advice howe to be demenid for hyr person and hyr
goodes. For as towchyng hyr owne person, she dare not goo
home to hyr owne place, for she is thret if that she myght be
take, she shuld be slayne or be put in ferfull place, in shortyng
of hyr lyve dayes, and so she standyth in gret hevynes, God
her helpe. Ferther more she is nowe put be her brother in
Norwich with Awbry, and she thynkyth the place is right
conversaunt of pupyll for hyr to abeyd in, for she kepyth
hyr as close as she may for spyyng. Item, as I went to
Seynt Levenard ward, I spake with Maister John Salet, and
commonyd with hym of hyr, and me thowgt be hym that he
howyth hyr ryght good wylle. And than I haskyd hym howe
she myght be demenyd with hys goodes and hyr. He
cownseld me that she shuld get hyr a trosty frend, that war a
good, trewe, poor man, that had not moche to lese, and wold



|p288


be rewlyd after hyr, and to have a letter of ministracion; and
so I told hyr. Than she seyd she wold have hyr broder
advice therin. Item. she seyth ther be no mor feffes in hys
londes but ye and Rokwood, and she prayeth yow that it
please yow to speke to Rokwood that he make no relesse but
be your advice, as she trostyth to yowr good masterchep.
Item, the last tyme that I spake with hyr she mad suche a
petows mone and seyd that she wost ner howe to do for mony,
and so I lent vjs. viijd. Item, I sent my cosyn Barney the
bylle that John Pampyng wrot be yowr commanddement to
me, and he hath sent a letter of hys entent to yow and to
Rokwod therof, and also but if it please yow to take better
hed to hys mater than he can do hym self, I can thynk he
shall ellis fare the wors for i' feyth he standyth daly in gret
fere, for the false contrary party ageyns hym. Item, at the
reverence of God, be ware howe ye ryd or go, for nowgty and
evyll desposyd felacheps. I am put en fere dayly for myn
abydyng here, and cownsellyd be my moder and be other good
frendes, that I shuld not abeyd here but yf the world wher in
mor quiete than it is. God for hys merci send us a good
world, and send yow helthe in body and sowle, and good
speed in all your maters. Wreten in hast the Thursday next
after Seynt Thomas.
                          By your,                M. P.

                            |r467

             JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON AND
                     WYLLIAM ROKEWODE
   To the worshipfull John Paston and Wylliam Rokewode,
             Squyeris, and to everych of them.

[1461, July 10] <b> RIGHT worshipfull cosynes, I recummaund me to yow.
   And for as mech as I am credybilly informyd how that
   Sir Myles Stapylton knyght with other yll dysposed
persones, defame and falsly noyse me in morderyng of Thomas



|p289


Denys the Crowner, and how that I intend to make insurex yones
contrari unto the law; and that the seyd Stapylton
ferthermore noyseth me with gret robries; in whech defama cyones
and fals noysyngs the seyd Stapylton, and in that his
saying he is fals, that knowith God, &c. And for my playn
acquitayll, yf he or any substancyall gentylman wyll say it, and
avow it, I say to it contrari, and by lisens of the Kyng to
make it good as a gentylman. And in this my playn exskeus,
I pray yow to opyn it unto the Lords, that the seyd Stapylton,
&c., makyn gret gaderyngs of the Kyngs rebelyones, lying in
wayte to morder me. And in that I may make opyn proff.
Wretyn in hast the x. day of July anno regni Regis E. iiij.
primo.                                        JOHN BERNEYE.

   Remembre to take a wryht to chese crowneres in Norffolk.

                           |r468

            JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
             To my cosyn, Margaret Paston.

[1461, July 12] <b> I RECOMAUND me to yow, letyng yow wete tha the
   Undershreve doughtyth hym of John Berney; wherfore
   I pray yow bryng hem to gedyr, and set hem acord, if ye
can, so that the seyd Ondershreve be sure that he shall not be
hurt be hym, ner of hys cuntrymen. And eyf he woll not, lete
hym verely understonde that he shall be compellyd to fynd
hym suerte of the pes to agry in thys heed, and that shall
nowther be profitabyll, ner worchepful. And lete hym wete
that there have be many compleynts of hym be that knavyssh
knyght, Sir Miles Stapilton, as I sent yow word before; but
he shall come to hys excuse wele inow, so he have a mannys
hert, and the seyd Stapylton shall ben ondyrstand as he ys, a
fals shrewe. And he and hys wyfe and other have blaveryd



|p290


here of my kynred in hedermoder; but, be that tyme we
have rekned of old dayes and late dayes, myn shall be found
more worchepfull thanne hys and hys wyfes, or ellys I woll not
for hys gilt gypcer.
   Also telle the seyd Berney that the Shreve ys in a dought
whedyr he shall make a newe eleccion of knyghts of the shyre,
be cause of hym and Grey; where in it were bettyr for hym to
have the Shreves good wyll.
   Item, me thynkyth for quiete of the cuntre it were most
worchepfull that as wele Berney as Grey shuld get a record of
all suche that myght spend xls. ayere, that were at the day of
eleccon, whech of them that had fewest to geve it up as reson
wold. Wretyn at London, on Relyk Sonday.
   Item, that ye send abought for sylver acordyng to the old
bylle that I sent yow from Lynne.                JOHN PASTON.

                             |r469

               MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON

[1461, July 15] <b> I RECOMAND me to yow. Please yow to wete that
   I have sent to my cosyn Barney, acordyng to your desyr
   in the letter that ye deed wright on Relec Sonday to me,
wheropon he hathe wreten a letter to yow and anothyr bylle
to me, the wyche I send yow. He tolde the masanger that I
sent to hym that the Undershereve nedyth not to fer hym nor
non of hys; for he seyd, after the aleccion was doo, he spak
with hym at the Grey Fryers, and prayyd hym of hys good
masterchep, and seyd to hym that he feryd no man of bodely
harme, but only Twyer and hys felachep.
   Item, Sir John Tatersalle and the baly of Walsynsham and
the constabyll hathe take the parson of Snoryng and iiij. of hys
men, and sete hem fast in the stokkys on Monday at nyght;
and, as it is seyd, they shuld be carryyd up to the Kyng in
hast. God de fend yt but they be shastysyd as the lawe wolle.
Twyer and hys felachep beryth a gret wyght of Thomas Denys



|p291


dethe in this contry abowght Walsynham; and it is seyd ther
yf John Osberne hade owght hym as good wylle, as he deed
befor that he was acqueyntyd with Twyer, he shuld not
adyyd [have died], for he myght rewlyd al Walsynham as he
had lyst, as it ys seyd.
   Item, Will Lynys, that was with Master Fastolf, and
swyche other as he is with hym, goo fast abowght in the
contr, and ber men a hand, prests and others, they be Skotts,
and take brybys of hem and let hem goo ageyn. He toke the
last wek the parson of Freton, and but for my cosyn Jarnyng ham
the younger, ther wold a led hem forthe with hem; and
he told hem pleynly yf they mad any suche doyngs ther, but
|r[i.e._unless] they had the letter to schewe for hem, they shuld
aley on her bodyys. It wer welle do that they wer met with be
tymys. It is told me that the seyd Will reportyth of yow as
shamfully as he can in dyvers place. Jesu have yow in Hys
kepyng. Wreten in hast, the Wednysday after Relec Sonday.
   Yf the Undershereve come home, I woll a say to do for
hym as ye desyryd me in your letter. As for mony, I have
sent abowght, and I can get non but xiijs. iiijd. syn ye went
owght. I wolle do my parte to get mor as hastely as ye may.
                        By yowr,                       M.P.

                            |r470

                JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON
To the worshipfull John Paston, and to my cosyn, Wylliam
       Rokewode, Squyer, with my Lord of Cantyrburi.

[1461, July 16] <b> RIGHT worshipfull sir, I recummaund me to yow, pray ing
   yow hertyli to labour for that the Kyng may wryte
   unto me, gevyng me thankyng of the good wyll and
servyse that I haff doo unto hym, and in beyng with hym a



|p292


yens his adversaries and rebelyones, as well in the North, as in
this cuntre of Norffolk. And in that the Kyng shold please
the Comynnes in this cuntre; for they grudge and sey, how
that the Kyng resayvith sych of this cuntre, &c. as haff be his
gret eanemyes, and opresseors of the Comynes; and sych as
haff assystyd his Hynes, be not rewardyt; and it is to be con sederyd,
or ellys it wyll hurt, as me semyth by reason. And
in ayd of this chaungebyll rewle, it wer nessessary to move the
good Lords Spiretuall and Temperall, by the whech that myght
be reformyd, &c. And in cas that any of myn olde enemyes,
Tudynham, Stapylton, and Heydon, with theyr affenyte labur
the Kyng and Lords unto my hurt, I am and wylbe redy to
come to my souverayn Lord for my exskeus, soo that I may
come saff for unlawfull hurt, purveyed by my seyd ennemyes.
No more at this tyme, but God preserve yow in gras. Wretyn
at Wychyngham the xvj. day in the moneth of July, anno regni
Regis E. iijti. primo.                           JOHN BERNEYE.

   Please it yow to move this unto my Lords Cauntyrburi,
Ely, Norwych, &c.

                            |r471

                 JOHN BERNEY TO JOHN PASTON
  To the ryght worshipfull John Paston, Squyer, in hast.

[1461, July 17] <b> SIR, I recomaund me to zow, &c. And as for my playn
   dysposyssyon towards the Undyrshrewe, I wyll hym
   no bodyli hurt, nor shal not be hurt by me nor by noo
man that I may rewle. But the Comynnes throw all the
schyer be movyd agayn hym, for cause of his lyght demeanyng
towards them for this elexsyon of knygtts of the shyer for the
Parlement. And I suppose yf that he wyll, he may be hastyli
easyd as thus: -- lat hym make notys unto the seyd Comynnes
that this theyr eleccyon shall stande, or ellys lat hym purchas
a new wryt, and lat hym make wrytyng unto them what day



|p293


they shall come, and they to make a new eleccyon acordyng
unto the law. And, sir, I pray zow, sey to hym that it is
nott his oneste to lye upon too many men, noysyng them
rebyliones of Norff[olk], and Berney theyr c . . . No more
to zow at this tyme, but I haff sent zow j. letteris within this
viij. dayes. Wretyn the xvij. day of July anno regni Regis
E. iiijti. Imo.                                JOHN BERNEY.

                           |r472

             MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
  To my worchepful hosbonde, Jon Pastun, this letter be
                  delyvered in hast.

[1461, July 18] <b> RYTH worchepful husbond, I recomawnd me to yow.
   Plesyt yow to wete that I am desyrid be Sir John
   Tatersale to wryte to yow for a comyssion or a noyr
in termyner [oyer and terminer] for to be sent down in to this
cuntre to sit uppon the parson of Snoryng, and on soche as
was cause of Thomas Denyssys dethe, and for many and gret
horebyl robryys; and as for the costs ther of the cuntre wele
pay therfor, for they be sor aferd but |r[i.e._unless] the seyd
dethe be chastysed, and the seyd robryys, they ar aferde that
mo folks xal be servyd in lyke wyse.
   As for the prest and vj. of hese men that be takyn, they
be delyveryt to Twer [Twyer], and iiij. be with hem of the
cuntreys cost, for to be sent with to the Kyng; and yf they
be browt up at the reverens of God, do yowr parte that they
schape not, but that they may have the jugement of the lawe,
and as they have deservyd, and be comytyt to prison, not to
departe tyl they be inqueryd of her forseyd robery be soche a
comyssion that ye can get, that the Keng and the Lords may
hondyrstonde wat rewle they have be of, not hondely for the
moderys and the robbryys, but as wele for the gret insurrexsin



|p294


that they were lyke amade within the shyre. The preests of
Castyr they be streytely take hede at be Roberd Harmerer and
hoder, so that the seyde prestys may have no thyng out of
ther owne, ne of hodyr menys, but they be rassakyt, and the
plase ys watchyd bothe day and nyth. The prestys thynk ryth
longe tyl they tydynggs fro yow. At the reverens of God, be
ware hou ye goo and ryde, for that ys told me that ye thret of
hem that be nowty felawys that hathe be inclynyng to them,
that hathe be your hold adversarys.
   The blyssyd Trenyte have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn
in hast, the Saturday nex be fore Sent Margarete.
                      Be yours,                    M.P.

                           |r473

                  GRANT FROM THE CROWN
                   Pro Johanne Paston.

[1461, July 27] |r{6_lines_of_old_Latin_text}
   Edward, Kyng of Inglond and of Frauns, Lord of Irlond,
recorde and knoweleych that we have receyvyd of John Paston,
Squyer, and Thomas Hows, clerk, be the assent of oure trusty
and welbelovyd cosyn Thomas Archebysshop of Caunterbury,
[and?] Mayster John Stokys, clerk, an nowche of gold with a
gret poynted diamaunt set upon a rose enamellid white, and a
nowche of gold in facion of a ragged staff with ij. ymages of
man and woman garnysshed with a ruby, a dyamaunt and a
gret perle, which were leyd to plegge by oure fader, whom
Crist assoyle, to Sir John Fastolff, knyght, for CCCC. xxxlvijli.;
and also an obligacion wherby oure seid fader was bound to
the seid Sir John Fastolff in an C. marc; for which we graunt



|p295


and promitt in the word of a kyng to pay to the seid John
Paston and Thomas Hows, clerk, or to her assignez, D.CC.
mark of lawfull money of Englond at days underwritte, that
is to sey; att the Fest of All Seyntes than next folowyng after
the date of thys bille CC. mark, and other CC. mark at the Fest
of All Seyntis than next folowyng, and other CC. mark at the
Fest of All Seyntes than next folowyng, and an C. mark at the
Fest of All Seyntys thanne next folowyng. And also we graunte
that the seid John Paston and Thomas Hows shall have a signe ment
sufficient to hem aggreabill for the seid payment. And if
it fortune that the same John and Thomas be unpayd by the
seid assignement of any of the seid paymentis at any of the
seid Festis, thanne we graunt upon notice made to us therof
by the same John or Thomas to pay hem or her assignez that
payment so behynd onpaid oute of oure cofirs withoute delay.
In witnesse werof we have signed this bill with oure hand the
xij. day of Jule the first yere of [our] reign.
|r{21_lines_of_old_Latin_text}



|p296


                          |r474

           THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON
       To maister John Paston Esquyer in hast.

[1461, Aug. 1 |r(?)] <b> PLEASE your maistership wete that Danyell of Grayes
   In enfourmed me that Kyng of Dounham whiche slewe
   Thomas Denys is arested and in hold at Wysbyche
and had ben delyvered nor had Fraunceys Costard a taken
suerte of pees of hym; and so he is kept in by non other
meane but al onely by suerte of pees. And as I felt by the
said Danyell if he be craftyly handeled he woll accuse many
other; but Danyell is loth to name hem, but I suppose he
ment by Twyer and yet other mo, right sufficient, and kalled
of substans. Item, Haydon hath payed ccccc. marks and is
delivered. Item it is talked the parlement schal be proroged
tyl the iiij. day of Novembre and the kyng wol in to Scotland
in al hast. Wretyn in hast uppon the day of the Advencion.
 -- Youris,                                THOMAS PLAITER.

                          |r475

           JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON
        To my mastres Paston and Richard Calle.

[1461, Aug. 1] <b> FIRST, that Richard Calle fynde the meane that a distresse
   may be taken of such bestes as occupie the ground at
   Stratton, and that cleyme and contynuauns be made
of my possession in any wise, and that thei be not suffrid to



|p297


occupie withowt thei compoune with me; and that aftir the
distresse taken the undirshreve be spoke with all that he make
no replevyn with out agrement or apoyntement taken, that the
right of the lond may be undirstand.
   ij. Item, I here sey the peple is disposed to be at the shire
at Norwich on Sen Lauerauns Day for th'affermyng of that thei
have do afore, wherof I hold me wele content if thei do it of
her owne disposicion, but I woll not be the cause of the labour
of hem, ner bere no cost of hem at this tyme, for be the lawe
I am suer befor, but I am wel a payed it shall be on han
halyday for lettyng of the peples werk. I undirstand ther
shall be labour for a coroner that day, for ther is labour made
to me for my good wyll here, and I wyll nothyng graunt
withowt the under shreves assent, for he and I thought that
Richard Bloumvyle were good to that occupacion. Item, ye
shall undirstand that the undirshreve was some what fleker yng
whill he was here, for he informyd the Kyng that the
last eleccion was not peasibill, but the peple was jakkyd and
saletted, and riottously disposid, and put hym in fere of his
lyfe. Wherefore I gate of hym the writte whech I send yow
herwith, to that entent, thow any fals shrewe wold labour, he
shuld not be sure of the writ, and therfore ye most se that the
undirshreve have the writ at the day, in case the peple be
gadered, and thanne lete th'endentures be made up or er they
departe.
   iij. Item, that ye remembyr Thomas Denys wyfe that her
husbond had divers billes of extorcion don be Heydon and
other, whech that he told me that his seid wyfe beryid whan
the rumour was, so that thei were ny roten. Bidde her loke
hem up and take hem yow.
   iiij. Item, as for the seyd distreynyng at Stratton, I wold
that Dawbeney and Thomas Bon shuld knowe the closes and
the ground, that thei myght attende ther to, that Richard were
not lettyd of other occupacions, and I wold this were do as
sone as is possibill, or I come home. Notwithstandyng, I
trowe I shall come home or the shire, but I woll nat it be
knowe till the same day, for I will not come there with owt I
be sent fore be the peple to Heylisdonne. Notwithstandyng,



|p298


and the peple were wele avertised at that day, they shuld be
the more redy to shewe the oribyll extorcions and briberys
that hath be do upon hem to the Kyng at his comyng, desyring
hym that he shuld not have in favor the seyd extorcioners, but
compelle hem to make amendes and sethe [satisfaction] to the
pore peple.
   v. Item, that Berney and Richard Wright geve suche
folkys warnyng as wyll compleyne to be redy with her billes if
thei list to have any remedy.
   vj. Item, that the maters ayens Sir Miles Stapilton may at
Aylesham be remembyrd.
   vij. Also if ye can be any craft get a copy of the bille that
Sir Miles Stapilton hath of the corte rolles of Gemyngham,
that ye fayle not, but assay and do yowr devyr, for that shuld
preve some men shamefully fals. Master Brakle seyd he
shuld a get oon of Freston. I wold he shuld assay. or ellys
peraventure Skypwith, or ellys Master Sloley; for if Stapilton
were boren in hande that he shuld be founde fals and ontrewe,
and first founder of that mater, he wold bothe shewe the bille
and where he had it.
   viij. Item, I wold the prestis of Caster were content for
Midsomer term.
   ix. Item, ther is a whith box with evidens of Stratton, in on
of the canvas baggis in the gret cofir, or in the spruse chest.
Ric. Calle knowith it well, and ther is a ded of feffement and
a letter of atorne mad of the seyd londs in Stratton to John
Damm, W. Lomner, Ric. Calle, and John Russe. I wold a
new dede and letter of atorne were mad owth theroff be the
feffees of the same laund to Thome Gree, Thome Playter,
the parson of Heylisdon, Jacobo Gloys, klerke, Johanni
Pamping, and that the ded bere date nowh, and that it be
selid at the next shire; for than I suppose the seyd feffes will
be ther if it may not be don er that tyme. I wold have the



|p299


seyd dedis leyd in a box, both old and new, and left secretly at
Ric. Thornis hows at Stratton, that whan I com homwar I
mygh fynd it ther, and mak seson [seisin] and stat to be take
whil I wer ther. Wret at London on Lammes Day.

                          |r476

               JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON
    To my right worshypfull and reverent maistyr,
               John Paston, at Norwich.

[1461, Aug. 23] <b> RYGHT worshypfull sir, and my right honourable maister,
   I recomaunde me louly to you. And plese youre
   maistirshyp to wete that my Maister Clement, youre
brothyr, and Plater, wrot a letter to my mayster yore sone
yistirday, the tenure of whych was how ye fere entretyd there.
And as ye desyred me, so I enformyd hem the mater along,
for they wist not of it til I told hem; and they wrete the more
pleynerly inasmych as a worshypfull man rood the same day,
and bare the letter to my seyd maister youre sone.
   The Lord Bourgcher is with the Kynge, and my Lord
Warwyk still in the North, &c.
   Item, sir, thys day cam on John Waynflet from the Kyng
streyt weye, and he is of myn aqueyntaunce; and he teld me
there was no voyse nor spekyng aboute the Kyng of that
mater; and I teld hym all the mater along hou ye were
intretyd, whych he wyll put in remembraunce in ony place
that he cometh in in Suffolk or Esex as he goth homward, for
he owyth no good wil to youre adversary. And the seyd
Waynflet teld me that he knowyth for serteyn that the Kyng
cometh not to Northefolk til he hathe been upon the Marchys



|p300


of Walys, and so there is no serteynte of hyse comyng thys
many dayez. He teld me he lefte the Kyng with a smal
felashyp aboute hym.
   And I enqueryd hym of the gyding of my maystyr yore
sone, whiche he comendyd gretly, and seyd that he stood
well inconseyt, and dayly shuld increse; and he was well in
acqueyntaunce and be lovyd with jentilmen aboute the Kyng.
But he seyd ther shal no thyng hurte hym but youre streyt nesse
of mony to hym, for withoute he have mony in hyse
purse, so as he may resonably spende among hem, ellys they
wyll not sette by hem; and there be jentilmen sones of lesse
reputacion that hath mony more lyberal x. tymez than he hath,
and soo in that they seyd Waynflet seyd it were full necessary
for you to remembre, &c.
   As for tydyngs here bee noon newe, &c. I truste I shal
brynge you a letter from my mayster your sone, or thanne I
come, for whych I shal rather thanne fayle abyde on day the
lenger. And Jesu have you, my right honourable maister, in
Hyse mercyfull governaunce, and preserve you from adversyte.
Wretyn at London, on Seynt Bertylmewys Evyn.
   I can speke with noo man but that thynke the gydyng of
youre adversary hath been in many causez ryght straunce, and
as it is soposyd that he shal undyrstonde at the Parlament; but
for Gods sake have men inow aboute yow, for ye undyrstonde
is on manerly dysposecion.
             Your bedeman and servaunt,
                                             JOHN RUSSE.



|p301


                            |r477

        JOHN PASTON, THE ELDEST SON, TO HIS FATHER
To my rythg reverent and worchypfoll fader, John Paston, Esquyer,
    dwellyng in Heylysdon, be thys letter delyvered in haste.

[1461, Aug. 23] <b> MOST reverent and worschepfull fadyr, I rekomawnd
   me hertyly, and submytt me lowlely to your good
   faderhood, besechyng yow for cheryte of yowr dayly
blyssyng. I beseche yow to hold me ascewsyd that I sente to
yowe none erste no wrythgtyng, for I kowd not spede to myn
intent the maters that ye sent to me for. I have laboryd
dayly my Lord of Essexe, Treserer of Ynglond, to have
mevyd the Kyng bothe of the maner [of] Deddham and of the
byll copye of the Corte Roll, everye mornyng ore he went to
the Kyng, and often tymys inqueryd of hym and he had
mevyd the Kyng in these matyers. He answeryd me naye,
seyyng it was no tyme, and seyd he wold it war osse fayne
spedd os I myselfe, offed tymys de layding me that in trouthe
I thowt to have send yowe word that I felyd by hym that he
was not wyllyng to meve the Kyng ther in. Neverthe lesse
I lawberyd to hym contynually, and prayed Barronners hys
man to remembyr hym of it. I told offten tyms to my seyd
Lord that I had a man teryyn in town, that I schuld a sente to
yow for othyr sundry maters, and he teryid for no thyng
but that I mythg send yowe by hym an answer of the seyd
matyers; othyr tyms besechyng hym to spede me in theys
matyers for thys cawse, that ye schulde thynke no defawte in
me for remembryng in the seyd maters.
   And nowe of late, I, rememberyng hym of the same mater,
inqueryd if he had mevyd the Kyngs Hythgnes therin; and
he answeryd me that he hadde felte and mevyd the Kyng ther



|p302


in, rehersyng the Kyngys answer therin; how that, when he
had mevyd the Kyng in the seyd maner of Dedham, besechyng
hym to be yowr good Lord ther in, konsyderyng the servyse
and trewe part that ye have done, and owthg to hym, and in
espesyal the rygth that ye have therto, he seyd he wold be
your good Lord therin as he wold be to the porest man in
Inglond. He wold hold with yowe in yowr rygth; and as for
favor, he wyll nogth be under stand that he schal schewe favor
mor to one man then to anothyr, nowgth to on in lnglond.
   And as for the bille copyd of the Cort Rolle, when he
mevyd to him of it, he smylyd and seyd that suche a bylle
ther was, seyyng that ye wold an oppressyd sundreys of yowr
contremen of worchypfull men, and the for he kepyd it styll.
Never the lesse he seyd he schuld loke it uppe in haste, and he
schuld have it.
   Baronners undertoke to me twyes ore thryes that he
schuld so a' remembred hys lord and master, that I schuld
au had it with inne ij. or iij. dayes. He is often tyms absent,
and therfor I have it nowthg yyt; when I kan gete it, I schall
send it yowe, and of the Kyngs mowth, hys name that take it
hym.
   I scend you home Pekok a geyn. He is not for me.
God send grace that he may do yow good servyse, that be
extymacion is not lykelye. Ye schall have knowleche aftyr ward
how he hathe demenyd hym her with me. I wold,
savyng yowr dysplesure, that ye were delyvered of hym, for
he schalle never do yow profyte ner worchyp.
   I suppose ye understand that the monye that I hadde of
yowe att Londun maye not indur with me tyll that the Kyng
goo in to Walys an kome ageyn, for I under stand it schall be
long or he kome ageyn. Wher for I have sent to Londun to
myn onkyl Clement to gete an Cs. of Christofyr Hansom
yowr servaunt, and sene [send] it me be my seyd servaunt,
and myn herneys with it, whyche I lefte at Lundun to make
klene.
   I beseche yowe not to be dysplesyd with it, for I kowd
make non othyr cheysaunce [arrangement] but I schuld a



|p303


boruyed it of a strange man, sum of my felawys, who I
suppose schold not lyke yowe, and ye herd of it a nothyr
tyme. I ame in suerte wher as I schall have a nothyr maun in
the stede of Pekoke.
   My Lord of Estsexe seythe he wyll do as myche for yowe
as for any esquyer in Inglond, and Beronners hys man telht
me, seyy[n]g, `Yowr fadyr is myche be holdyng to my Lord,
for he lovyth hym well.' Berners mevyd me ons, and seyd
that ye must nedys do sum wate for my Lord and hys, and I
seyd I wost well that ye wold do for hym that laye in yowre
powar. And he seyd that ther was a lytyl mony be twyxe
yowe and a jantylman of Estsexe, callyd Dyrward, seyyng that
ther is as myche be wern [between] my seyd Lord and the
seyd jantylman, of the wyche mony he desieryth yowr part.
   It is talkyd here how that ye and Howard schuld a'
strevyn togueder on the scher daye, and on of Howards men
schuld a' strekyn yow twyess with a dagere, and soo ye schuld
a ben hurt but for a good dobelet that ye hadde on at that
tyme. Blyssyd be God that ye hadde it on. No mor I
wryth to yower good faderhod at thys tym, but All myghty
God have yowe in Hys kepyng, and sende yowe vyttorye of
yowr elmyes [enemies], and worschyp in cressyng to yowr lyvys
end yn. Wrytyn at Lewys, on Seynt Bertylmwes Eve.
           Be yowr servaunt and elder sone,
                                              JOHN PASTON.

                         |r478

             CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To hys rythe reverent and worchypfwll broder, John Paston.

[1461, Aug. 25] <b> RYTHE reveret and worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde
   me to yowr good broderhood, desieryng to herre of
   zour welfar and good prosperite, the gwyche I pray
God encresse to His pleswr and zowr herts hesse [heart's ease];



|p304


certyfyyng zow that I have spok with John Rwsse, and Playter
spok with him bothe, on Fryday be for Seynt Barthelmw. He
tolde us of Howards gydyng, gwyche mad us rythe sory tyl
we herde the conclusion that ze hadde non harme.
   Also I understond by W. Pekok that my nevew hadde
knowleche ther of also up on Saterday nexst be for Seynt
Barthelmwe, in the Kyngs howse. Not with standyng, up on
the same day Playter and I wryte letters on to him, rehersyng
al the mater, for cause if ther wer ony questionys mevyd to
hym ther of, that he xwlde telle the trowthe, in cas that the
qwestions wer mevyd by ony worchypfwll man, and namyd
my Lord Bowcher, for my Lord Bowcher was with the Kyng
at that tyme.
   I fele by W. Pekok that my nevew is not zet verily
aqweyntyd in the Kyngs howse, nor with the officers of the
Kyngs howse he is not takyn as non of that howse; for the
coks [cooks] be not charged to serve hym, nor the sewer to
gyve hym no dyche, for the sewer wyll not tak no men no
dyschys till they be comawndyd by the cownterroller. Also
he is not aqweyntyd with no body but with Weks; and
Weks ad told hym that he wold bryng hym to the Kyng, but
he hathe not zet do soo. Wherfor it were best for hym to
tak hys leve and cum hom, til ze hadd spok with swm body
to helpe hym forthe, for he is not bold y now to put forthe
hym selfe. But than I consyderyd that if he xwld now cum
hom, the Kyng wold thyng [think] that wan he xwld doo hym
ony servie som wer, that than ze wold have hym hom, the
qwyche xwld cause hym not to be hadde in favor; and also
men wold thynke that he wer put owte of servic. Also
W. Pekok tellythe me that his mony is spent, and not
ryotesly, but wysly and discretly, for the costs is gretter in
the Kyngs howse qwen he rydythe than ze wend it hadde be,
as Wyllam Pekok can tell zow; and therof wee must gett
hym jCs. at the lest, as by Wyllam Pekoks seyyng, and zet



|p305


that will be to lytill, and I wot well we kan not get xld. of
Christifyr Hanswm. So I xall be fayn to lend it hym of myn
owne silver. If I knew verily zour entent wer that he xwld
cum hom, I wold send hym non. Ther I wyll doo as me
thynkithe ze xwld be best plesyd, and that me thynkythe is to
send him the silver. Ther for I pray zow hastely as ze may
send me azen v. mark, and the remnawnte, I trow, I xall get
up on Christofir Hanswm and Lwket. I pray zow send me it
as hastely as ze may, for I xall leve my selfe rythe bare; and
I pray zow send me a letter how ze woll that he xull be de menyd.
Wrytyn on Twsday after Seynt Barthelmwe, &c.
Christus vos conservet!                     CLEMENT PASTON.

                            |r479

            LORD BEAUCHAMP TO SIR THOMAS HOWES
        To myn welbeloved frende, Sir Thomas Howys,
                    Parson of Blofeld.

[1461, Aug. 28] <b> WELBELOVED frende, I grete you well. And for as
   muche as I understonde that William Wurcester,
   late the servant unto Sir John Fastolf, Knyth,
whois soule God assoyle, ys not had in favour ne trust with
my right welbeloved frende, John Paston, nether with you, as
he seyth, namely in such maters and causes as concerneth the
wylle and testament of the said Sir John Fastolf; and as I am
informed the said William purposeth hym to go into his
cuntre, for the whiche cause he hath desired me to wryte unto
you that ye wolde ben a special good frend unto hym, for his
said mastris sake, to have alle suche things as reason and
consciens requireth, and that ye wolde be meane unto Paston
for hym in this mater to schewe hym the more favour at thys
tyme for this my writyng in doyng of eny truble to hym,
trusting that he wole demeane hym in suche wyse that he shal



|p306


have no cause unto hym, but to be his good master, as he
seyth. And yf ther be eny thing that I can do for you, I
wole be right glad to do it, and that knoweth Almyghty God,
whiche have you in his keping. Wretin at Grenewyche, the
xxviijth day of August.                      J.BEAUCHAMP.

                            |r480

         LORD HUNGERFORD AND ROBERT WHITYNGHAM
                   TO MARGARET OF ANJOU
           A la Reyne D'Engleterre [en] Escote.

[1461, Aug. 30] <b> MADAM, please it yowr gode God, we have sith our
   comyng hider, writen to your Highnes thryes. The
   last we sent by Bruges, to be sent to you by the
first vessell that went into Scotland; the oder ij. letters we
sent from Depe, the ton by the Carvell in the whiche we came,
and the oder in a noder vessell. But, ma dam, all was oon
thyng in substance, of puttyng you in knolege of the Kyng
your uncles deth, whom God assoyll, and howe we sta[n]de
arest [arrested], and doo yet; but on Tuysday next we trust
and understande, we shall up to the Kyng, your cosyn
germayn. His Comyssaries, at the first of our tarrying,
toke all our letters and writyngs, and bere theym up to the
Kyng, levyng my Lord of Somerset in kepyng atte Castell of
Arkes, and my felowe Whityngham and me, for we had sauff
conduct, in the town of Depe, where we ar yete. But on
Tyysday next we understand, that it pleaseth the said Kyngs
Highnes that we shall come to hys presence, and ar charged to
bring us up, Monsieur de Cressell, nowe Baillyf of Canse, and
Monsieur de la Mot.
   Madam, ferth [fear] you not, but be of gode comfort,



|p307


and beware that ye aventure not your person, ne my Lord
the Prynce, by the See, till ye have oder word from us, in less
than your person cannot be sure there as ye ar, [and] that
extreme necessite dryfe you thens; and for God sake the
Kyngs Highnes be advysed the same. For as we be en formed,
Th'erll of March is into Wales by land, and hath
sent his navy thider by see; and, Ma dame, thynketh verily,
we shall not soner be delyvered, but that we woll come streght
to you, withaut deth take us by the wey, the which we trust
he woll not, till we see the Kyng and you peissible ayene in
your Reame; the which we besech God soon to see, and to
send you that your Highnes desireth. Writen at Depe the
xxxti dey of August.
                Your true Subgettes and Liege men.
                                               HUNGERFORD.
                                               WHITYNGHAM.

[At the bottom of the Copy of the Letter is added: -- ]

   These ar the names of those men that ar in Scotland with
the Quene. The Kyng Herry is at Kirkhowbre with iiij. men
and a childe.
   Quene Margaret is at Edenburgh and hir son.
   The Lord Roos and his son.

John Ormond.              Sir Edmund Hampden.
William Taylboys.         Sir Henry Roos.
Sir John Fortescu.        John Courteney.
Sir Thomas Fyndern.       Myrfyn of Kent.
Waynesford of London.     Dauson.
Thomas Thompson of        Thomas Burnby.
   Guynes.                Borret of Sussex.
Thomas Brampton of        Sir John Welpdalle.
   Guynes.                Mr. Roger Clerk, of London.
John Audeley of Guynes.   John Retford, late Coubitt.
Langheyn of Irland.       Giles Senctlowe.
Thomas Philip of          John Hawt.
G[i]ppes wich.



|p308


                          |r481

         JOHN PAMPYNG TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR
To my right worshipfull master John Paston, the older, Squier.

[1461, Sept. 6] <b> PLEASE your mastirship to wete that I have be at Cotton,
   and spoke with Edward Dale, and he told me that
   Yelverton and Jenney were there on Friday, and a
toke distresse of xxvj. or more bullokks of the seid Edwards
in the Park, and drofe hem to a town therby; and a neygh bore
there undirstandyng the bests were Edward Dalis, and
bond hym to pay the ferme, or ellis to bryng in the bests be a
day. And whan the seid Edward undirstod the takyng of the
seid bests he went to Yelverton and Jenney, and bond hym in
an obligacon of xli., to pay hem his ferme at Mighelmes;
whech I told hym was not well do, for I told hym ye had be
abill to save hym harmeles. And because of discharge of his
neyghbour he seid he myght non other wise do. Nevirthelesse
as for mony thei get none of hym redely, ner of the tenaunts
nowthyr, as he can thynk yet. The seid Yelverton dyned on
Friday at Cotton, and there chargid the tenaunts thei shuld
pay no mony but to hym, and hath flaterid hem, and seith thei
shall be restorid ayen of such wrongs as thei have had be Sir
Philip Wentworth and other for Master Fastolff; and because
of such tales, your tenaunts owe hym the bettir will. And I
purposid to have gon to Cotton and spoke with the tenaunts,
and Edward Dale told me he supposid thei wold be this day at
Nakton. And because [I desired] to speke with hem as ye
comaundid me, I terid not but rod to Ipwich to my bed, and
there at the Sonne was the seid Yelverton and Jenney and
Thomas Fastolff; and myn ost told me, that the same aftir



|p309


none thei had be at Nakton, but what thei ded there I can not
telle, and whan I was undirstand your man, Hogon, Jenneys
man, askyd suerte of pes of me; and Jenney sent for an officer
to have hed me to prison; and so myn ost undirtoke for me
that nyght. And this day in the mornyng I wente to Sen
Lauerauns Chirche; and there I spak to hem and told hem ye
merveylid that thei wold take any distresse or warne any of
your tenaunts that thei shuld pay yow no mony. And Yel verton
seid ye had take a distresse falsly and ontrewly of hym
that ought yow no mony ner hem nowther. And he seid he
was infeffid as well as ye; and as for that I told hym he wost
odre [knew the contrary], and thow he were it was but your use,
and so I told hym that men were infeffid in his lond, and that
he shuld be servid the same withinne fewe dayes. And he
seid he wost well ye were not infeffid in his lond, and if ye
toke upon yow to make any trobill in his lond ye shall repente
it. And also he seid that he wold do in like wise in alle maners
that were Sir John Fastolffs in Norfolk as thei have begonne,
and other langage as I shall telle yow. And so I am with the
gayler, with a clogge upon myn hele for suerte of the pees;
wherefore please your mastirship to send me your avise.
   Item, John Andrews was with hem at Cotton, and thei have
set a man of the seid Andrews to kepe the plase.
   Item, Wymondham, Debenham and Tympirle come to
Yelverton this day at mase and speke with hym; and I speke
to Tymperle in your name that he wold not comforte ner be
with hem ayein in this mater; and he seid he undirstod no
such thyng, ner it was not his comyng hedir. Wretyn at
Ipwych the Sonday next before the Nativite of Owr Lady.
                    Yowr servaunt,          JOHN PAMPYNG.



|p310


                             |r482

                 JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON
   To the right reverent and wurchepfull Sir, and my gode
                mayster, John Paston, Esquyer.

[1461, Sept. 24] <b> RIGHT reverent and wurchepfull sir, I recomand me to
   your gode maystershep, prayng you to wete that I was
   at Blakkes, and spake with his wiffe; and she seth he
was not at hame this iij. weks, -- he ridith up the countre to
take accompts of balys [bailiffs], -- and that this day sevennyght
he shuld have satyn in Caystr by you up on accounts, and fro
thens he shuld have redyn to Lynne, and that he shall be at
home un Monday at nyght next comyng. Wherfor I have
left my heraund with her. But she seth that he shall not mown
comyn [be able so come] to you, for my Lady have sent for
hym in gret hast, bothyn be a letter and be a tokyn, to comyn
to her as hastly as he may; notwithstandyng she shall do the
herand to hym.
   As for Yelverton, I dede a gode fele to enquer of Yemmys
Skynner whan the seid Yelverton shuld go to London. He
seid not this sevynnyght. He cowde not tell what day till he
had spokyn with his son. His sone shuld come to hym or
his master shuld ridyn. I shall enquer mor at Walsyngham.
And for Godds love be not to longe fro London, for men seyn
ther, as I have be [told], that my Lord of Glowcetir shuld
have Cayster, and ther is gret noyse of this revell that was don
in Suffolk be Yelverton and Jeney; and your wele willers
thynkyn that if thei myght prevayle in this, thei wold attempt
you in other. But seas ther pore and malyce, and preserve



|p311


you from all evill. And at the reverence of God lete sum I
interposicion go a twix you and my mastres your moder or ye
go to London, and all that ye do shall spede the better; for
she is set on gret malyce, and every man that she spekith with
knowith her hert, and it is like to be a fowle noyse [over] all
the countre with aught it be sone sesid.
   Also, sir, it is told me that my Lord of Norfolk is comyn
to Framlyngham, and that ye be gretly comendyd in his hows hold.
Therfor it wer wele do, me semyth, that ye spake with
hym. The Holy Trynyte kepe you.
   Wretyn at Norwich, the Thursday next after Sent
Mathewe.
                  Your pore prest,                 JAMES GLOYS.

                            |r483

              HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON
To my full worshipfull, speciall gode maister, John Paston,
              Squyer, abidyng at Norwich.

[1461, Oct. 4] <b> RIGHT worshipfull sir, and some tyme my moost speciall
   gode master, I recommaunde me unto your gode mais tership,
   with all my pour service, if it may in any wise
suffice; and farthermore, sir, I beseche you, nowe beyng in your
countre, where ye may deily call unto you my maister Sir
Thomas Howys, ones to remembre my pour mater, and by
your discretions to take such a direction theryn, and so to
conclude, as may be to your discharge and to my furtherance,
accordyng to the will of hym that is passed unto Gode, whose
saull I pray Jesu pardone! for truly, sir, ther was in hym no
faute, but in me onely; yf it be not as I have remembred your
maistership affore thy[s] tyme. For truly, sir, I der say I shuld
have had as speciall and as gode a maister of you, as any pour man,
as I am, withyn England shuld have hadd of a worshipfull man,
as ye ar, yf ye had never medulled the godes of my maister F.,
and as moche ye wold have done, and labored fore me, in my



|p312


right, if it hadde byn in the handes of any oder man than of
your self anely. But, I truste in Gode, at your next comyng
to have an answere, such as I shalbe content with. And yf it
may be so, I am and shalbe your servaunt in that I can or may,
that knoith our Lord Jesu, whom I besech save and sende you
a gode ende in all your maters, to your pleiser and worship
everlastyng. Amen. Writton at London, iiijto die Octobris.
   As fore tidyngs, the Kyng wolbe at London withyn iij.
deies next comyng; and all the castelles and holdes in South
Wales, and in North Wales, ar gyfen and yelden up into the
Kynges hand. And the Duc of Excestre and th'erle of
Pembrok ar floon and taken the mounteyns, and dyvers
Lordes with gret puissans ar after them; and the moost part
of gentilmen and men of worship ar comen yn to the Kyng,
and have grace, of all Wales.
   The Duc of Somerset, the Lord Hungerford, Robert
Whityngham, and oder iiij. or v. Squyers are comen into
Normandy out of Scotland, and as yette they stand strete
under arest; and as merchauntes that ar comen late thens sey,
they ar like to be demed and jugged prisoners. My Lord
Wenlok, Sir John Cley, and the Dean of Seynt Severyens, have
abiden at Cales thise iij. wikes, and yette ar there, abidyng a
saufconduit, goyng uppon an ambassate to the Frenshe Kyng;
and Sir Wauter Blount, Tresorer of Cales, with a grete feleship
of souldeours of Cales, and many oder men of the Marches,
have leyn, and yette doo, at a seege afore the Castell of
Hampmes, by side Cales, and deily make gret werre, either
parte toother.
   Item, I send unto you a copy of a letter that was taken
uppon the see, made by the Lord Hungerford and Whytyng ham.
   Item, we shall have a gret ambassate out of Scotland in all
hast of Lordes.
          At your comaundement, and Servaunt,
                                            HENRY WYNDESORE.



|p313


                           |r484

             CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON
To his right reverent and worshipfull broder, John Paston,
       Esquier, be this delivered in great haste.

[1461, Oct. 11] <b> BROTHER, I recommende me to you. After all dewe
   recommendacions, &c. Sir, it was tolde me by rythe
   a worshipfull man that loveth you rythe well, and ye
him, and ye sall knowe his name hereafter, but put all things
out of doubt he is such a man as will not lye: on the xjth day
of October the Kinge said, `We have sent two privy sealys to
Paston by two yeomen of our chamber, and he disobeyeth
them; but we will send him anoder tomorrowe, and by Gods
mercye, and if he come not then he sall dye for it. We will
make all oder men beware by him how they sall disobey our
writinge. A servant of our hath made a complainte of him.
I cannot thinke that he hath informed us all truely, yet not for
that, we will not suffer him to disobey our writinge; but sithen
he disobeyeth our writinge, we may beleve the better his
gydinge is as we be informed.' And therwith he made a great
avowe that if he [ye] come not at the third commandement ye
xulde dye therefore. This man that told me this is as well
learned a man as any is in England; and the same xjth day of
October, he advised me to send a man to yow in all the hast
that might be to lett yow have knowlache, and that ye xulde
not lett for none excuse, but that ye xulde make the man
good cheere and come as hastily ye might to the Kinge, for he
understandeth so much that the King will keep his promise.
Notwithstanding, by mine advice, if ye have his letter or the
messenger come to you, come to the Kinge wards or ye meet



|p314


with him, and when ye come ye must be suer of a great excuse.
Also if ye doe well, come right stronge, for Howards wife
made her bost that if any of her husbands men might come to
yow ther yulde goe noe penny for your life; and Howard
hath with the Kinge a great fellowship.
   This letter was written the same day that the Kinge said
these words, and the same day that it was told me, and that
day was the xjth day of October as abovesaid; and on the next
morning send I forth a man to yow with this letter, and on
the same day send the Kinge the third privye seale to you.
Also he that tolde me this seid that it were better for yow to
come up than to be fotte out of your house with streingth, and
to abide the Kings judgement therin, for he will take your
contumacy to great displeasure. Also, as I understand, the
Duke of Norffolk hath made a great complaint of yow to
the King, and my Lord of Suffolk  and Howard and Wyng felde
helpe well to every day and call upon the King against
yow. The Kinge is at this day at Grenewich, and ther will
be still till the Parliament beginne. Some say he will goe to
Walsingham, but Mr. Sotyll seid in the aulle in the Temple
that he harde no worde of any such pilgrimage. No more,
&c. Written the xjth day of October at midnight.
   My nevew John tolde me also that he supposed ther were
out proclamacions against yow, &c. the same day.
                                    By CLEMENT PASTON,
                                       Your broder



|p315


                            |r485

              RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON
   To my ryght reverent and wurschipfull maystre, my
                    mastre John Paston.

[1461, Oct. 13] <b> PLESITH it your maystreschip to witte that Mr. John
   and I, with other mo, have ben at Cotton on Friday
   last passed, and there Jenney had do warned the corte
there to be the same Friday, and he was at Eye at the cescions
the Thorsday before; and on the Friday in the mornynge he
was comyng to Cotton to hoolde the corte there. And it
fortuned we had entred the place or he come; and he herd
therof and turned bac a yein to Oxon to my Lorde of
Norwiche, and there dyned with hym. And my Lorde sent
Mr. John Colleman to Cotton Halle to speke with you; and
at hes comyng he undrestode ye were not there, and if ye had,
my Lorde desired you to come and spoken with hym, and
that my Lorde desired to put your matre in a trety; in so
moche that Mr. John Colleman tolde to my master, John
Paston, that diverse of your elmees [enemies] had labored to
my Lorde to have a trety if he cowde brynge it aboute, &c.
And as for the tenaunts they wolde not come at the place on
to the tyme that I sent for hem, for they sey pleynly they
woll not have a do with hem; and so the corte whas holden
in your name, and the tenaunts ryght weele plesed ther of,
excepte Thurnberne and Agas, and as for any socour, they
have there ryght noone at all. And so Mr. John whas ther
Friday all day and Saterday tyll none; and than he toke hes
horse with xxx. men with hym and rode to Jeney place, and
toke there xxxvj. heede of nete, and brought hem in to
Norfolk; and so whas I left still at Cotton with xij. men with
me, be cauce they reporte and we abode there ij. dayes we



|p316



schulde be pult out be the heeds. And so we a mode [? abode]
there v. dayes and kepte the place, and I walked aboute all the
lordeschippes and spake with all the fermours and tennaunts
that longen to the maner to undrestande her disposessyon and
to receyve money of hem; and I fynde [them] ryght weele
disposed to you. And be cauce the corte whas warned in ther
name and not in youre, therfore they purvey no money; but
they have promysed me to pay no money to no man but to
you, so that ye woll safe hem harmeles; and I told hem ye
wold safe hem harmeles. They have apoynted with me to
make redy her money withinne a fornyght aftre Halowemesse,
&c. I have receyved of the tenaunts that I undrestod out
[owed] you werst wyll viij. marc, &c. And as for Edward
Dalys money it is redy, so that your maistreschip woll se that
he be not hurt be hes obligacion. Ferthermore, plesit your
maistreschip to sende worde if they entre into the maner ayein,
how we schall be rwled and gidyd; for the tenaunts fere hem
they wol entre whan we be gon, and than wol they distreyne
the tenaunts, for they sey there that my Lorde of Cauntyr bury
and other Lords woll relese to hem, notwithstandyng
that I have enformed hem other wice; wherfore, savyng your
better advice, me semethe it were ryght weele doo that ye had
a letter of my Lorde of Cauntirbury, and other to the tenaunts
of Cotton that it is her wyll and entent that ye schulde have
the rwle and gouernaunce, and receyve the money of that
maner, and other that were Sir John Fastolff, on whom God
have mercy, for I dought not and suche a lettre came downe
to the tenaunts there schulde no man sey nay to it. Besech yng
your maystreschyp to have an answere of how we schall
be gided and rwled, &c. Item, to sende worde howe we
schall doo with the geere that wee toke out at the Wyght
Freris, wether it schall be sent to you or nought. And Jesu
preserve you. Wreten at Norwiche upon Sein Edwards Day.
                 Be your servaunt and bedman,
                                        RIC. CALLE.



|p317


                        |r486

    WILLIAM NAUNTON TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR
To my Master Paston, the elder, be thys letter
              delyveryd in hast.

[1461, Oct.] <b> RYGHT wurchypful sir, I recommend me to zour good
   masterchyp. The cause qwy I wryth I let zour have
   knowlech of the mene that be in Cotton Halle, how
they be strangely dysposyd ageyns zow; for, as I here say,
they make revell there. They melt led and brek down zour
bregg, and make that no man go in to [the] place but on a
ledder, and make them as strong as they kan a geyns zow be
the supportacion of Jeney and Debenham, and hys sone; for
they seye ther that Jeney hath sold the lyflod on to Debynham,
and that hys son the knyth shall dwell ther, and ther forr they
have warnyd a cort ageyns Munday, and now they ar a vysed
to kepyt on Saturday be forr Munday. Qwat they mene
therby I wot never, but as for the felechyp in the place that
ys there now, and have be here al thys weke, there ys no man
of substans, as we here, and there have be but vij. or viij. al
thys wyke; but there wyll be a gret felechyp thys nyth or to
morwe up on Saturday, for than they wyl kepe the cort. And
as for Edward Dale, he dar not abyde wyl at hom, they thret
hym so, be cause he wyl send them no vytaly. And as for
me self, Edward Dale dar not let me wyll [well] be there for
takyng in suspecyon. And jas for the tenaunts, they be wel
dysposyd except j. or ij., so that ze wyl support them in hast,
for they may nowt kepe of ther katel of the ground long; and
specyally they desyr to have zowr owne presens, and they wold
be of gret cownfort. No mor I wryth to zour, but the Holy
Gost have zour in kepyng. Wretyn on the Fryday after my
departyng.          Be your Servaunt,
                                        WYLLYAM NANTON.



|p318


                            |r487

           RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON, JUNIOR
        To the right worschipfull sir and maistre,
               John Paston jun., esquyer.

[1461, Oct.] <b> RYGHT worschipfull sir, I recomaunde me unto your
   mastreschip, certifiyng you that Jenney and Yelverton
   hathe certified up in to the Kynges Benche inssur recions
[and] congregacions a yenste me; wherupon they have
sente to the scheryff a writte chargyng hym in peyne of Cli.
to brynge me in to the Kyngs Benche the morwe after Sein
Marteyn. And this daye the seide Jenney hathe sent doune
to the scheryff an other writte called an habeas corpus retornable
crastino Animarum, weche schalbe on Twesday next comyng be
cauce they were in dought and in greete feere that I schulde
have ben aquytte of the inditement of fellony now at this gayle
delyverye. And also my maistre hathe sente an other writte
for me retornable at the seid crastino Animarum. And so I
am like to ride to London warde to morwe. And the scheryff
wold make me to fynde suerte that I schulde appere in the
Kyngs Benche the seid daye; and yet, that notwithstandyng,
he wolde send me with strengthe of men as a presoner; and if
any thynge schall cauce me that I goo not up to London, it
schalbe be cauce I woll fynde no suerte; for in cas he wold
have suffred me to have gon up be my selfe at myn owne
coste, I wolde have founde hym suertee. And so at the
makyng of this bille we were not fully condesended hough we
schulde doo. My mastre is in goode hele, blissed be Godd,
and dothe and schall doo ryght weele in alle hes maters. Ther



|p319


is an ongracious felaschip of hem and a fals. They have sent
for Fitzraff and Schipdam, be a citacion for the proffe of the
testement, and alle is but for to delay it; yet it were weele
done ye rode over to Fitzraff and felte hes disposicion how he
woll be disposed, and in like wice with Schipdam, for I have
spoken with hem of that matre, in cas that any citacion come
doun for hem, how they wolde be disposed, and I have founde
the too straunchely disposed. God send us a good scheryf
thys yere, and thanne we schalle do weele inough, be the grace
of God.
   And, sir, your man tolde me that ye desired to knowe the
demenyng at Cotton of the tenaunts and other. I lete you
wete the moste parte of alle the tenaunts have bene here
with me for to see me, and they have tolde me all the de menyng
as it is undrewrete. Furst, as for the money that
they receyved there it drwe upon a xxiiijti li. and more silver,
for the tenaunts myght not cheese but they moste nedes
paye, for they distreyned on my Lords of Suffolk fee, my
Lords of Norwich fee, and on all men grounde, so that
they myght not have her catell in reste, weche cauced hem
to paye her money. I knowe weele i nough who payed and
wo paied not. All the grete fermours have payed. And as
for the kepyng of the place ther be therin iiij. men, and on
of Debenham men, called Sokelyng, and hes wyff, and on
Mannyng, a tenaunt, a fals knave; and they have enforced
them as stronke as they kan, and they have broken doune the
brigge and have leide a planke over, in cas that ye go theder ye
may not come at Dale is howce in no waie, for he have had
meche trouble for my mastre and for me; but and ye wolde
gete my Lords meane and pulle the knaves out be the heede,
it were weele done. I purpose me to com hom warde that
same wey. Item, I lete you witte that the gayle delyverye
holdeth not this daye, and alle is doone be cauce of mee,
Jenney wolde not lete the clerke of peas come hether this
daye for feere that I schulde have been aquytte of the
felonye, for in trouthe and tho it had holden, I had founde
the meane for to have ben quytte, for I whas through with
the scheryff and panel made aftyr myn avice; but though the



|p320


gayle delyver had holden, I cowde not have ben delyverd,
becauce of thes writtes that be come downe. Item, the
scheryff hathe a grete losse that this daye holdethe not, for
ther schulde have ben quytte xl. men this daye. Item, the
scheryff tolde me that my maistre tolde hym that I whas
assent to my takyng at Scoolys, weche was to me ryght
greete hevynes and discomforture nough in my trouble.
And God knoweth it was never my wylle ner myn entent, as
I mot be saved at the dredful day of Dome; for ther is no
man so sore hurte as I am be the takyng, bothe in losse, and
also in reprefe of myn owne persoune and of my frends, with oute
that my mastre be my good maistre, as I truste he wolle
be, or elles I am disseyved. He hathe my trewe servyce and
shal have whylle that I leve, what so ever his mastreschip do
to me, but I can thynke he hathe be enformed be myn elmyes
[enemies] that wold make hym disp[l]esed with me, and to
be myn evy [heavy] mastre, but dissimulacion dothe muche
harme, &c. I reporte me, &c. No more to you at this
tyme, but Jesu kepe you, and send you as much fortune
and grace as I wolde ye had, &c. I beseche [you] to be my
goode mastre as ye have be, for I never deserved nor wol
deserve the contrary.
                             Your servaunt, RIC. CALLE,
                                        presoner.
