126J. PAYN TO JOHN PASTON153.1

152.1[From Fenn, i. 52.]152.2Here, says Fenn, follow some orders respecting his affairs at Caister.152.3Approving lands or chattels meant turning them to profit, and in the former case commonly implied increasing the rents.152.4Use or profit.126J. PAYN TO JOHN PASTON153.1To my ryght honurabyll maister, John Paston.1450(written in 1465)Ryghthonurabyll and my ryght enterly bylovyd maister, I recomaunde me un to yow, with al maner of due reverence, in the moste louly wyse as we ought to do, evermor desyryng to here of your worshipfull state, prosperite, and welfar; the which I beseke God of his aboundant grace encrece and mayntene to his moste plesaunce, and to your hartis dssyre.Pleasyth it your gode and gracios maistershipp tendyrly to consedir the grete losses and hurts that your por peticioner haeth, and haeth jhad evyr seth the comons of Kent come to the Blakheth,153.2and that is at xv. yer passed, whereas my maister Syr John Fastolf, Knyght, that is youre testator,153.3commandyt your besecher to take a man, and ij. of the beste orsse that wer in his stabyll, with hym to ryde to the comens of Kent, to gete the articles that they come for. And so I dyd; and al so sone as I come to the Blakheth, the capteyn153.4made the comens to take me. And for the savacion of my maisters horse, I made my fellowe to ryde a wey with the ij. horses; and I was brought forth with befor the capteyn of Kent. And the capteyn demaundit me what was my cause of comyng thedyr, and why that I made my fellowe to stele a wey with the horse. And I seyd that I come thedyr to chere with my wyves brethren, and other that were my alys and gossippes of myn that were present there. And than was there oone there, and seid to the capteyn that I was one of Syr John Fastolfes men,and the ij. horse were Syr John Fastolfes; and then the capteyn lete cry treson upon me thorought all the felde, and brought me at iiij. partes of the feld with a harrawd of the Duke of Exetter154.1before me in the dukes cote of armes, makyng iiij.Oyesat iiij. partes of the feld; proclaymyng opynly by the seid harrawd that I was sent thedyr for to espy theyre pusaunce, and theyre abyllyments of werr, fro the grettyst traytor that was in Yngelond or in Fraunce, as the seyd capteyn made proclaymacion at that tyme, fro oone Syr John Fastolf, Knyght, the whech mynnysshed all the garrisons of Normaundy, and Manns, and Mayn, the whech was the cause of the lesyng of all the Kyngs tytyll and ryght of an herytaunce that he had by yonde see. And morovyr he seid that the seid Sir John Fastolf had furnysshyd his plase154.2with the olde sawdyors of Normaundy and abyllyments of werr, to destroy the comens of Kent whan that they come to Southewerk; and therfor he seyd playnly that I shulde lese my hede.And so furthewith I was taken, and led to the capteyns tent, and j. ax and j. blok was brought forth to have smetyn of myn hede; and than my maister Ponyngs, your brodyr,154.3with other of my frendes, come and lettyd the capteyn, and seyd pleynly that there shulde dye a C. or ij. [a hundred or two], that in case be that I dyed; and so by that meane my lyf was savyd at that tyme. And than I was sworen to the capteyn, and to the comens, that I shulde go to Southewerk, and aray me in the best wyse that I coude, and come ageyn to hem to helpe hem; and so I gote th’articles, and brought hem to my maister, and that cost me more emongs the comens that day than xxvijs.Wherupon I come to my maister Fastolf, and brought hym th’articles, and enformed hym of all the mater, and counseyled hym to put a wey all his abyllyments of werr and the oldesawdiors; and so he dyd, and went hymself to the Tour, and all his meyny with hym but Betts and j. [i.e.one] Mathew Brayn; and had not I ben, the comens wolde have brennyd his plase and all his tennuryes, wher thorough it cost me of my noune propr godes at that tyme more than vj. merks in mate and drynke; and nought withstondyng the capteyn that same tyme lete take me atte Whyte Harte in Suthewerk, and there comandyt Lovelase to dispoyle me oute of myn aray, and so he dyd. And there he toke a fyn gowne of muster dewyllers155.1furryd with fyn bevers, and j. peyr of Bregandyrns155.2kevert with blew fellewet [velvet] and gylt naile, with legharneyse, the vallew of the gown and the bregardyns viijli.Item, the capteyn sent certeyn of his meyny to my chamber in your rents, and there breke up my chest, and toke awey j. obligacion of myn that was due unto me of xxxvjli.by a prest of Poules, and j. nother obligacion of j. knyght of xli., and my purse with v. ryngs of golde, and xvijs.vjd.of golde and sylver; and j. herneyse [harness] complete of the touche of Milleyn;155.3and j. gowne of fyn perse155.4blewe furryd with martens; and ij. gounes, one furryd with bogey,155.5and j. nother lyned with fryse;155.6and ther wolde have smetyn of myn hede, whan that they had dyspoyled me atte White Hart. And there my Maister Ponyngs and my frends savyd me, and so I was put up tyll at nyght that the batayle was at London Brygge;155.7and than atte nyght the capteyn put me oute into the batayle atte Brygge, and there I was woundyt, and hurt nere hand to deth; and there I was vj. oures in the batayle, and myght nevyr come oute therof; and iiij. tymes before that tyme I was caryd abought thorought Kent and Sousex, and ther they wolde have smetyn of my hede.And in Kent there as my wyfe dwellyd, they toke awey all oure godes mevabyll that we had, and there wolde have hongyd my wyfe and v. of my chyldren, and lefte her no more gode but her kyrtyll and her smook. And a none aftyr that hurlyng, the Bysshop Roffe156.1apechyd me to the Quene, and so I was arestyd by the Quenes commaundment in to the Marchalsy, and there was in rygt grete durasse, and fere of myn lyf, and was thretenyd to have ben hongyd, drawen, and quarteryd; and so wold have made me to have pechyd my Maister Fastolf of treson. And by cause that I wolde not, they had me up to Westminster, and there wolde have sent me to the gole house at Wyndsor; but my wyves and j. coseyn of myn noune that were yomen of the Croune, they went to the Kyng, and got grase and j. chartyr of pardon.Per le vostre,J. Payn.153.1[From Fenn, i. 54.] This letter was actually written in the year 1465; but as the circumstances to which it relates belong to the year 1450, and are connected with the memorable insurrection of Jack Cade, we have thought it right, as Fenn did, to place it under the earlier year.153.2Jack Cade and his followers encamped on Blackheath on the 11th June 1450, and again from the 29th of June to the 1st July. Payn refers to the latter occasion.153.3Sir John Fastolf (who is dead at the date of this letter) left Paston his executor, as will be seen hereafter.153.4Jack Cade.154.1Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter. During the civil war which followed, he adhered to the House of Lancaster, though he married EdwardIV.’s sister. His herald had probably been seized by Cade’s followers, and pressed into their service.154.2Sir John Fastolf had a residence in Southwark.154.3Robert Poynings, who, some years before this letter was written, had married Elizabeth, the sister of John Paston, was sword-bearer and carver to Cade, and was accused of creating disturbances on more than one occasion afterwards. He was slain at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.Final sentence added by editor in Errata; see also note 135.1 in Volume III.155.1‘A kind of mixed grey woollen cloth, which continued in use to Elizabeth’s reign.’—Halliwell.155.2A brigandine was a coat of leather or quilted linen, with small iron plates sewed on.—SeeGrose’sAntient Armour. The back and breast of this coat were sometimes made separately, and called a pair.—Meyrick.155.3Milan was famous for its manufacture of arms and armour.155.4‘Skye or bluish grey. There was a kind of cloth so called.’—Halliwell.155.5Budge fur.155.6‘Frieze. A coarse narrow cloth, formerly much in use’— Halliwell.155.7The battle on London Bridge was on the 5th July.156.1Fenn gives this name ‘Rosse’ with two long s’s, but translates it Rochester, from which I presume it was written ‘Roffe’ forRoffensis. The Bishop of Rochester’s name was John Lowe.127JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON156.2To my right worshipfull[mai]ster John Paston at Wynchestre be this delyuered.1450JULY 3Afteral due recomendacion had, I recomaunde me to yow and prey yow to wete that Heydon seweth in his accion a geynst Osebern x.talesretournable xva.Johannis.Ideo mittetur vel loquatur Vicecomiti Norffolk, &c. And I suppose that as for Costardis accions thei wole havenisi prius, &c. As touchyng the matier of Oxened the frere156.3leveth his delagacie a abideth up on our plee of profession by as meche as we sey that long to fore the writte purchaced he was professed a frere and sey not and yet is professed, &c. And Sotyll and other of your counseill thynk the law is on our syde. Brampton brought me a lettre and a clowt sowed clos with thynggis therin, and a letter endorsed to yow from my maistresse your moder, whiche I sende yow with this. The lord Moleyns man brought ij. writtes to the Shirrefis depute of Norfolk, oon a geynst yow, myn eme157.1and James Gloysquare clausum suum apud Gresham fregerunt, &c., the othir writte a geynst yow and J. Gloysquare vi et armis in hominis et servientes ipsius apud Gresham insultum fecerunt, &c. And whanne the seid lord Moleyns man delyvered these wrettys, Lomnour stode be side and aspied it. And thanne the seid man desired to have ageyn the writtis, and toke hem a geyn; and whanne he had theym he seid they shuld not come in their handes a vii. nyght after. And so he kepeth theym stille. And Caly and Yates also have promysed me that ther shall no writte be retourned a geyn yow but that ye shall have copies ther of at reasonable tyme to make your avantage as the law wole, &c., to caste your esson157.2or suyche other, &c. Sir, I prey God yeld yow for your letter ye sent me by Lethom, whiche I receyved yistereuyn right late. Wherby I hope and conceyve that ye be in good cas for your maner of Gr[esham], for truly I was right weel comforted therof. As touchyng Skyner and his borwys the attachementes may not be wretyn but by the recordes of the reconysance, and alle the recordes of Chauncerye be at Wynchestre.Ideo, &c. I prey God be your good speed in all your matiers, Amen. Wretyn in hast at London the Friday next after seint Petir day.—Your servant,J. Gresham.156.2[Add.MS.34,888, f. 73.] The legal proceedings mentioned in this letter show that the year is the same as that of Gresham’s other letter immediately following (No. 128).156.3John Hauteyn.157.1‘eme,’i.e.uncle.157.2Essoin, a legal expression, meaning an excuse admitted for non-appearance in Court.128JAMES GRESHAM TO MASTER WHITE158.1To my Maister Whyte, Esquyer, with my Lord Cardynall,158.2for to take to John Paston.1450JULY 8Afteral due recomendacion, I recomaund me to yow, and do yow wete that this same Wednesseday I receyved your lettre whiche was wretyn on Saterday last passed, wherby ye willed me to send yow worde of your matiers, &c. As touchyng the frere,158.3he abydeth in lawe up on our plee of profession, like as I sent yow word by wrytyng, whiche I sent yow in a box with other stuf by a man of the Archedeken of Rychemond. I endorsed it thus, ‘To William Plumstede, with my Lord of Winchestre,158.4or to John Paston.’We shuld have amendet our plee of profession, but thanne your counseyll fereth he wolde take an issue that he is not professed, and that shuld158.5be tried by the certificat of the Dean of Poulys,sede vacante; and therfore we abide in lawe, and wole not amende our plee. The day of th’assises in Norffolk isdieVeneris proximo post Festum Nativitatis Beatæ Mariæ apud Norwicum, and Costardsnisi priusis take owt ageynst that day, and Prentisnisi priusageynst Halman also.As touchyng the sute ageyns Osebern and Foke, he hath geve day xv. Johannis with x.tales, as I have wretyn to yow to fore this tyme; and I suppose that he wole have anisi priusof the same atte seid assises. As touchynge the fyn in the Kyngs Benche for Osebern and Foke, the fyne were cessed this terme, but I hadde no leyser to talke with Croxton ther ofyet, &c. Your bedfelawe seigh bothe my other writynge and this, and he recomaundeth hym to yow, and shuld have wretyn to yow, if he had not be prevy to my writyng. Ye ar meche hold to hym, for he is diligent for yow, &c.As touchyng Drewe Barantyn, I myght not yet speke with hym, &c.Circumspecte agatis, and be war of lordis promysses, for it is tolde me in counseil ther is a writte of forcyble entre159.1in framyng ageynst yow.Almyghty God be your gyde. Wretyn in hast with inne an hour after the resceyte of your lettre, at Wesminster, the Wednesseday next after Seint Thomas day.159.2YoursJames Gre.158.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter appears to have been written in the year 1450, when Gresham was in London looking after John Paston’s interests in various lawsuits. Mr. White, to whom it is directed for the purpose of being conveyed to Paston, was a servant of Cardinal Kemp, who had been made Lord Chancellor in the beginning of the year. It is evident from other letters that John Paston took counsel of the Lord Chancellor’s servant in his causes.158.2Cardinal Kemp.158.3John Hawteyn.—SeeNos. 46and63.158.4William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.158.5The word ‘it’ is interlined in the original after ‘shuld,’ but is clearly superfluous.159.1For Gresham?159.2The translation of St. Thomas was on the 3rd July.The day of th’assises in Norffolk isdie Veneris proximotext has “aie” (Italic “a” for “d”)129ABSTRACT159.3James Gresham to [John Paston?].About 1450Inquiry made as to the injury of Sporle wood for lack of hedging. The three years’ growth of the wood availeth no man. The farmers now cannot sell it the better, so it must be either to your hurt or Halman’s. Hopes the wastes at Cressingham will be amended. Your tenants are treated unfairly about the Sheriff’s turn by those of the Prior of Norwich and John Coo. Can get no money, for Fulchier hopes he is not so far in arrear as you think. Halman can get no money; his corns are so cheap he will not sell, but he hopes to make purveyance at Michaelmas.Calybut says he never asked the Vicar of Sporle to be bound for him. They will meet with me at Gressenhale on St. Bartholomew’s day and seal the other part, so that they have notice from you at Swaffham Market, Saturday next before.Accounts of Sneylewell, Cressingham, and Sparham on the back.[We have placed this letter after the preceding as being probably not many years apart from it in date, if not the very same year. The name of Halman occurs in both, and also in a letter of the Vicar of Sporle, which will be found a little further on.]159.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.]130ABSTRACT160.1Sir J. Fastolf to Sir Thomas Howys, Parson of Castlecombe, at Caister.1450AUG. 8Has sent home letters by John Bedford. Sends by the bearer Thomas Medew eight writs of ‘green wax’160.2for certain processes he has in Norfolk, with adistringasfor Sir John Shypton, which he must get served with the advice of Thomas Grene and other of Fastolf’s trusty friends. The inquest must be certified of the truth and Shypton’s falsehood proved. Will give his testimonial, when needful, ‘that I never sealed none such quittance.’ Let Greene correct the roll of articles I send by Bedford. I hear you have omitted several of the extortions done to me (in margin, ‘eyer and determiner’). London, 8 August 28 HenryVI.Let Master Doket have a copy of the evidence of Rydlyngfeeld.‘Item, purvey me at the leest v. doseyn long bowes, with shot longyng thertoo. And purveyeth also quarell160.3hedys to be made ther, for the price ys derer heer then ther; and let no langage be had of ordenances makyng.’Signed.160.1[MS.Phillipps, 9735, f. 224.]160.2Writs under the seal of the Court of Exchequer, which was of green wax, directing the sheriff of a county to levy certain fines.160.3Seepage 101, Note 3.131JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON160.4To my right especiall maister, John Paston,160.5in hast.1450AUG. 19Ryghtworthy worshipfull sir, and myn especiall maister, I recomaund me to yow, and pray yow wete that I was [yesterdaye atte]160.6. . . .160.6my lord Chauncellers160.7hous, and there I spake with White; and he tolde me that he hadde the letter that ye sewed for from. . . . . . . .161.1directed to the Lord Moleyns of that substance that ye hadde sued to hym for an especiall assise161.2and anoieranddeterminer,161.3[and]161.1. . . . .161.1that he shuld comaunde his men beyng at Gresham to departe thens, and that the profitez thereof shuld be receyved by an endifferent [person]161.1. .161.1saufly to be kepte til the right were determyned be twen yow and my Lord M., &c., whiche letter White sente forthe [by]161.1a man of my Lord Chaunceller to the Lord Moleyns. And he sent his answer in writyng of this substance, that it shuld not like my Lord Chaunceller to graunte assise, &c., for als moche as the Lord M. hadde sore be laboured in his cuntre to peas and stille the poeple161.4there to restreyngne them from rysyng, and so he was dayly laboured there abowt in the Kynggs servyce, and that considered, he trustid veryly that there shuld non assise be graunted to your entent. And he seid forther in his answer, if he myght attende to be in Norffolk, and leve the necessary servyce that he dede to the Kyng now in Wyltshire, he wolde be but weel pleased that ye hadde your assise; for he knewe his title and his evydence so good for his part, that he durst weel putte it in my Lord Chaunceller, and in what juge he wolde calle to hym. And wher my Lord Chaunceller desired hym to avoyde his men from Gresham, he trustid that my Lord wolde not desire that, by cause he hadde his possession, and that it was his wyffs ryght, and so hym thought it a geynst reason that he shuld a voide utterly his possession.This same Moneday goth my Lord Chaunceller and my Lord of Buk161.5into Kent to sytte up on anoieranddetermyner161.6at Rorchestre; and Whyte told me that there is wretyn an generalloieranddetermynerto be in Norffolk, and what ther[fore]162.1and for the Lord Moleyns writyng, hym semyth it is not to your avayll to sewe for an especiall assise, ne for anoieranddetermyner.Whan I come hiddirward, I mette with my Lord of Norffolk betwen Berkewey and Baburgham homward, and whethir he shall come agayn hiddir or noght I wot not, but I trowe rather yes thanne nay; for it is seid that alle the Lords be sent for to be here on Moneday or Tuysday next comyng for a counseyll.The Chief Justice162.2is not here, ne noon other Justice, except Danvers162.3is now made Juge of the Comune Place, and is forth into Kent with the Lords, &c.Al this tofore was wretyn on the Moneday next after our Lady day. And this same Wednesseday was it told that Shirburgh162.4is goon, and we have not now a foote of londe in Normandie, and men arn ferd that Calese wole be beseged hastily, &c.Pynchamour shall telle yow by mowthe more thanne I have leyser to write now to yow. I wrot to myn em’162.5that there were ix. or x. ml.[nine or ten thousand] men up in Wiltshire, and I hadde it of the report of Whittocks mede; but I trowe it is not so, for here is now littel speche therof; ner the lesse, if I here more, I shall sende yow worde her after by sum loders that come to Seynt Bertilmews [fayre].162.1Wretyn in hast at London, the Wednesseday next after our Lady day, &c.Your own symple servaunt,James Gr.160.4[From Fenn, iii. 86.] The date of this letter is ascertained by the news contained in the last paragraph of the fall of Cherbourg, besides other internal evidence.160.5‘After John Paston had received this letter,’ says Fenn, ‘it seems as if he had sent it to my Lord Oxford, for on the back of it, in John Paston’s handwriting, is the following direction: “To the rith worspfull and my rith speciall lord, my Lord of Oxenford.”’160.6These passages, in which the text is broken by brackets or dots, are indicated by Fenn as illegible in the original.160.7John Kemp, Cardinal Archbishop of York, afterwards of Canterbury.161.1These passages, in which the text is broken by brackets or dots, are indicated by Fenn as illegible in the original.161.2A writ directed to the sheriff for recovery of possession of things immoveable, whereof yourself or ancestors have been disseised.—F.161.3Is a commission especially granted to certain persons for the hearing and determining of causes, and was formerly only in use upon some sudden outrage or insurrection in any place.—F.161.4These disturbances among the people were the remains of Cade’s rebellion, which had been lately suppressed.—F.161.5Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, fell in the battle of Northampton in July 1460.—F.161.6These commissions ofoyeranddeterminerwere to try those who had been concerned in the late rebellion under Cade.—F.162.1SeeNote 1, p. 161.162.2John Hody was at this time Chief Justice of the King’s Bench. —F.162.3Robert Danvers became a Judge of the Common Pleas 14th of August 1450. —F.162.4Cherbourg surrendered to the French on the 12th August 1450.—SeeStevenson’sReductio Normanniæ, p. 367.162.5‘Quære this abbreviated word,’ says Fenn. It is probablyeme, meaning uncle.132THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN PASTON163.1To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved John Paston, Squyer.1450(?)AUG. 21Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele, and wole and pray you that ye dispose your self to be with my Lord of Norffolk in al hast goodly, to that intent that where it was desired by dyvers gentilmen of this shire163.2that I shuld my self a be with his Lordship at Framyngham, to excuse me to his Lordship; for truly I haf suych writyn to my said Lord for myn excuse, which writyng I send to yow by Thomas Denyes, to whome I pray you to gif credens. And the Trinite kepe yow. Wretyn at Bury Seynt Edmond, the xxj. day of August.I pray you to speke with Sir Miles Stapilton and Brewes, and to delyver to thaym my lettres, wherof I send you copies, and make Brewes to send over a man to me with th’entent of my Lord of Norffolk, and with th’effect of your deligens, with a more credible message than Brewes ded to my wif; for I had never a wers jurney for a jape in my lif, ne a lewder, as ye shal wele conceyve.Oxenford.163.1[DouceMS.393, f. 88.] From the similarity of the contents of this and the two following letters, it is evident that they belong to the same year; and the mention of Thomas Denyes, from whom the Earl of Oxford was afterwards estranged, proves that it must have been before 1454. In the summer of 1450, there was disaffection in Norfolk, which led to the issuing of a special commission ofoyer and terminerin September. These three letters may, therefore, have belonged to that year.163.2‘This shire’ should be Suffolk, as the Earl dates from Bury St. Edmunds, but I should think Norfolk was intended, which the Earl had probably just left on his way up to London. Compare next number.133THE EARL OF OXFORD (?) TO SIR MILES STAPLETON AND THOMAS BREWES164.1To my ryght trusti and wyth all myn hert intyerly welbelovyd Sir Mylys Stapelton, Knyght.1450(?)AUG. 21Ryghttrusty and wyth all myn hert entierly welbelovyd, I grete yow wele, and wol that ye wete that a gentelman of your ally haghe [hath] ben wyth me, at whos instans and steryng and by hese good avyes I wold ful fayne amet [have met] wyth yow at Framyngham; but I may no lenger abyde here for the strayte comaundment that I have to be wyth the Kyng. Wherfore I pray yow to comown wyth Brews and Paston, and to put in artycles be ther avyses and be your wysdom the indisposicion of the people of this counte, and what were most necesary to be desierid of the Kyng and of my Lordis of the Councell for the restreynte of ther mourmour and the peas, and to sende it me be the brynger herof, to whom I pray yow gef credens. And the Holy Ternyte kepe yow. Wretyn at Wynche, the xxj. day of August.To my ryght trusty and entierly welbelovyd Thomas Brewes, Squyer.Ryghttrusty and intyerly welbelovid, I grete yow wele. And for as mouche as ye were with my wyf at Wynche in the name and behalve of the substaunce of the gentelys of this shyer, and cause my wyf to wryte tome for to turne agayn into Norffolk, be wheche wrytyng, and be your report it semyd to me that a gret asemble had be purposid wythin the counte heer. I therfore sayd unto yow, wolyng and mevyng yow aftyr your trowth, and as ye know, that ye do put in artycles the indisposicion of the people, and what your avyce is to be do for the restreynyng of the same; and this articles I pray yow set to your seal, and cause other gentelmen with wham ye have comonyng set ther seales, for this is necessary, and that I may schew it to the Kyng and to my Lordis of hese Councell, and that I fayle not here of for your honeste and myn excuse. And the Ternyte kepe yow. Wreten at Wynche, the xxj. day of August.164.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The two letters following are from contemporaneous copies written on the same paper. Being dated the same day as the preceding letter of the Earl of Oxford, and addressed to the two persons named in the postscript, we should have every reason to suppose they are the copies there mentioned, were it not for the circumstance that the Earl of Oxford’s seat at Wynche, near Lynn, in Norfolk, must have been a good day’s journey from Bury St. Edmunds. The internal evidence, however, is in other respects so strong that we have no doubt at all upon the subject. The difficulty as to the date may be accounted for by supposing that these two letters were really written at Wynche the day before, but that the date 21st August was filled in by the Earl at Bury St. Edmunds at the time he despatched his letter of the same date to John Paston.134[THE EARL OF OXFORD TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK]165.11450[AUG.]Ryghthigh and myghty Prynce and my right good Lord, I recomaunde me un to youre good Lordshep. And for asmouch as I am enformed [that] certeyn notable knyghtis and squyers of this counte dispose thaym self to be with youre Lordshep in hasty tyme at Fram[yngham], theer to have comonyngs with youre good Lordshep for the sad rule and governaunce of this counte, wych standyth ryght . . . . . indisposyd, God amend it; for qwych sad rule and governaunce to be had I wold full fayn a ben with your good [Lordship]. But for asmouch as the Kynge hath geve to me straitly in charge to be with hys Highnesse at Westminstre on Saterda[y]. . . . . . [I must] departe towards London. Therfore therof I beseche your good Lordship that ye vouchesaf to comon with the seyd k[nyghtes and squyers] as with yourfeytfull servaunts; and I trost to God to se youre good Lordship at Framyngham as I shall . . . . . And yf your Lordshep seme necessary that I now beynge at Westminster shall any thynge laboure or des[ire for the rule] and governaunce of the counte forsayd, or for reformacion of suche wronge as the peples herts most agrugge as . . . . . . . . lyke that I meve to the Kynge and the Lordes of the Counceyll, so wyll I meve, and none otherwyse as . . . . . . . . Wheryn I beseche your grace to know your entente by the brynger her of. And my service is redy to your Lords[hip] . . . . . mercy who kepe who kepe166.1nebbey (?) for hese grace.165.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This would seem by internal evidence to be the letter of excuse written by Oxford to the Duke of Norfolk, which the Earl mentions in his letter to John Paston of the 21st August. The original from which it is taken is a copy without signature or address, and mutilated in the margin.166.1So inMS.135JOHN PASTON AND LORD MOLEYNS166.2Un to the right reverent fadir in God and my right gracioux Lord, the Cardinal Archebisshop of York, Prymat and Chaunceller of Inglond.1450(?)Besechethmekely John Paston that where Robert Hungerford, Knyght, Lord Molens, and Alianore, his wyff, late with force and strength, and grete multitude of riottous peple, to the noumbre of a thousand persones and mo, gadered by th’excitacion and procuryng of John Heydon166.3a yenst the Kynggs pees, in riotous maner entred up on your seid besecher and othir enfeoffed to his use in the manoir of Gresham with th’appurtenaunces in the shire of Norffolk; whiche riotous peple brake, dispoiled, and drew doun the place of your seid besecher in the seid toun, and drafe out his wiffand servauntes there beyng, and ryfled, took, and bare awey alle the goodes and catalx that your seid besecher and his servauntes hadde there to the value of ccli.[£200] and more; and the seid manoir, after the seid riottous entre, kept with strong hande in manere of werre, as weel ayenst your seid besecher and his feffees, as ayenst oon of the Kyngges justicez of the pees in the seid shire, that come thedir to execute the statutes ordeigned and provyded ayenst suche forcible entrees and kepyng of possessions with force, as it appiereth by recorde of the seid justice certifyed in to the Chauncerie; and yet the seid Lord Molens the same manoir kepith with force and strengthe ayenst the fourme of the seid statutes: Please it your reverent Faderhood and gracioux Lordship, these premisses considered, to graunte on to your seid besecher for his feffees by hym to be named a special assise167.1ayenst the seid Lord Molens, Alianore, and John Heidon, and othir to be named by your seid besecher, and also an oyer and determyner167.2ayenst the seid Lord Molens, John Heidon, and othir of the seid riotous peple in like fourme to be named, to enquere, here and determyn all trespaces, extorcions, riottes, forcible entrees, mayntenaunces,167.3champerties,167.4embraceries,167.5offenses, and mesprisions167.6by hem or ony of hem doen, als weel atte sute of our sovereign Lord the Kyng, as of your seid besecher and his seid feffees, and every of hem, or of ony othir of the Kyngges lieges: atte reverence of God, and in weye of charite.

152.1[From Fenn, i. 52.]

152.2Here, says Fenn, follow some orders respecting his affairs at Caister.

152.3Approving lands or chattels meant turning them to profit, and in the former case commonly implied increasing the rents.

152.4Use or profit.

To my ryght honurabyll maister, John Paston.

1450(written in 1465)

Ryghthonurabyll and my ryght enterly bylovyd maister, I recomaunde me un to yow, with al maner of due reverence, in the moste louly wyse as we ought to do, evermor desyryng to here of your worshipfull state, prosperite, and welfar; the which I beseke God of his aboundant grace encrece and mayntene to his moste plesaunce, and to your hartis dssyre.

Pleasyth it your gode and gracios maistershipp tendyrly to consedir the grete losses and hurts that your por peticioner haeth, and haeth jhad evyr seth the comons of Kent come to the Blakheth,153.2and that is at xv. yer passed, whereas my maister Syr John Fastolf, Knyght, that is youre testator,153.3commandyt your besecher to take a man, and ij. of the beste orsse that wer in his stabyll, with hym to ryde to the comens of Kent, to gete the articles that they come for. And so I dyd; and al so sone as I come to the Blakheth, the capteyn153.4made the comens to take me. And for the savacion of my maisters horse, I made my fellowe to ryde a wey with the ij. horses; and I was brought forth with befor the capteyn of Kent. And the capteyn demaundit me what was my cause of comyng thedyr, and why that I made my fellowe to stele a wey with the horse. And I seyd that I come thedyr to chere with my wyves brethren, and other that were my alys and gossippes of myn that were present there. And than was there oone there, and seid to the capteyn that I was one of Syr John Fastolfes men,and the ij. horse were Syr John Fastolfes; and then the capteyn lete cry treson upon me thorought all the felde, and brought me at iiij. partes of the feld with a harrawd of the Duke of Exetter154.1before me in the dukes cote of armes, makyng iiij.Oyesat iiij. partes of the feld; proclaymyng opynly by the seid harrawd that I was sent thedyr for to espy theyre pusaunce, and theyre abyllyments of werr, fro the grettyst traytor that was in Yngelond or in Fraunce, as the seyd capteyn made proclaymacion at that tyme, fro oone Syr John Fastolf, Knyght, the whech mynnysshed all the garrisons of Normaundy, and Manns, and Mayn, the whech was the cause of the lesyng of all the Kyngs tytyll and ryght of an herytaunce that he had by yonde see. And morovyr he seid that the seid Sir John Fastolf had furnysshyd his plase154.2with the olde sawdyors of Normaundy and abyllyments of werr, to destroy the comens of Kent whan that they come to Southewerk; and therfor he seyd playnly that I shulde lese my hede.

And so furthewith I was taken, and led to the capteyns tent, and j. ax and j. blok was brought forth to have smetyn of myn hede; and than my maister Ponyngs, your brodyr,154.3with other of my frendes, come and lettyd the capteyn, and seyd pleynly that there shulde dye a C. or ij. [a hundred or two], that in case be that I dyed; and so by that meane my lyf was savyd at that tyme. And than I was sworen to the capteyn, and to the comens, that I shulde go to Southewerk, and aray me in the best wyse that I coude, and come ageyn to hem to helpe hem; and so I gote th’articles, and brought hem to my maister, and that cost me more emongs the comens that day than xxvijs.

Wherupon I come to my maister Fastolf, and brought hym th’articles, and enformed hym of all the mater, and counseyled hym to put a wey all his abyllyments of werr and the oldesawdiors; and so he dyd, and went hymself to the Tour, and all his meyny with hym but Betts and j. [i.e.one] Mathew Brayn; and had not I ben, the comens wolde have brennyd his plase and all his tennuryes, wher thorough it cost me of my noune propr godes at that tyme more than vj. merks in mate and drynke; and nought withstondyng the capteyn that same tyme lete take me atte Whyte Harte in Suthewerk, and there comandyt Lovelase to dispoyle me oute of myn aray, and so he dyd. And there he toke a fyn gowne of muster dewyllers155.1furryd with fyn bevers, and j. peyr of Bregandyrns155.2kevert with blew fellewet [velvet] and gylt naile, with legharneyse, the vallew of the gown and the bregardyns viijli.

Item, the capteyn sent certeyn of his meyny to my chamber in your rents, and there breke up my chest, and toke awey j. obligacion of myn that was due unto me of xxxvjli.by a prest of Poules, and j. nother obligacion of j. knyght of xli., and my purse with v. ryngs of golde, and xvijs.vjd.of golde and sylver; and j. herneyse [harness] complete of the touche of Milleyn;155.3and j. gowne of fyn perse155.4blewe furryd with martens; and ij. gounes, one furryd with bogey,155.5and j. nother lyned with fryse;155.6and ther wolde have smetyn of myn hede, whan that they had dyspoyled me atte White Hart. And there my Maister Ponyngs and my frends savyd me, and so I was put up tyll at nyght that the batayle was at London Brygge;155.7and than atte nyght the capteyn put me oute into the batayle atte Brygge, and there I was woundyt, and hurt nere hand to deth; and there I was vj. oures in the batayle, and myght nevyr come oute therof; and iiij. tymes before that tyme I was caryd abought thorought Kent and Sousex, and ther they wolde have smetyn of my hede.

And in Kent there as my wyfe dwellyd, they toke awey all oure godes mevabyll that we had, and there wolde have hongyd my wyfe and v. of my chyldren, and lefte her no more gode but her kyrtyll and her smook. And a none aftyr that hurlyng, the Bysshop Roffe156.1apechyd me to the Quene, and so I was arestyd by the Quenes commaundment in to the Marchalsy, and there was in rygt grete durasse, and fere of myn lyf, and was thretenyd to have ben hongyd, drawen, and quarteryd; and so wold have made me to have pechyd my Maister Fastolf of treson. And by cause that I wolde not, they had me up to Westminster, and there wolde have sent me to the gole house at Wyndsor; but my wyves and j. coseyn of myn noune that were yomen of the Croune, they went to the Kyng, and got grase and j. chartyr of pardon.Per le vostre,J. Payn.

153.1[From Fenn, i. 54.] This letter was actually written in the year 1465; but as the circumstances to which it relates belong to the year 1450, and are connected with the memorable insurrection of Jack Cade, we have thought it right, as Fenn did, to place it under the earlier year.153.2Jack Cade and his followers encamped on Blackheath on the 11th June 1450, and again from the 29th of June to the 1st July. Payn refers to the latter occasion.153.3Sir John Fastolf (who is dead at the date of this letter) left Paston his executor, as will be seen hereafter.153.4Jack Cade.154.1Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter. During the civil war which followed, he adhered to the House of Lancaster, though he married EdwardIV.’s sister. His herald had probably been seized by Cade’s followers, and pressed into their service.154.2Sir John Fastolf had a residence in Southwark.154.3Robert Poynings, who, some years before this letter was written, had married Elizabeth, the sister of John Paston, was sword-bearer and carver to Cade, and was accused of creating disturbances on more than one occasion afterwards. He was slain at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.Final sentence added by editor in Errata; see also note 135.1 in Volume III.155.1‘A kind of mixed grey woollen cloth, which continued in use to Elizabeth’s reign.’—Halliwell.155.2A brigandine was a coat of leather or quilted linen, with small iron plates sewed on.—SeeGrose’sAntient Armour. The back and breast of this coat were sometimes made separately, and called a pair.—Meyrick.155.3Milan was famous for its manufacture of arms and armour.155.4‘Skye or bluish grey. There was a kind of cloth so called.’—Halliwell.155.5Budge fur.155.6‘Frieze. A coarse narrow cloth, formerly much in use’— Halliwell.155.7The battle on London Bridge was on the 5th July.156.1Fenn gives this name ‘Rosse’ with two long s’s, but translates it Rochester, from which I presume it was written ‘Roffe’ forRoffensis. The Bishop of Rochester’s name was John Lowe.

153.2Jack Cade and his followers encamped on Blackheath on the 11th June 1450, and again from the 29th of June to the 1st July. Payn refers to the latter occasion.

153.3Sir John Fastolf (who is dead at the date of this letter) left Paston his executor, as will be seen hereafter.

153.4Jack Cade.

154.1Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter. During the civil war which followed, he adhered to the House of Lancaster, though he married EdwardIV.’s sister. His herald had probably been seized by Cade’s followers, and pressed into their service.

154.2Sir John Fastolf had a residence in Southwark.

154.3Robert Poynings, who, some years before this letter was written, had married Elizabeth, the sister of John Paston, was sword-bearer and carver to Cade, and was accused of creating disturbances on more than one occasion afterwards. He was slain at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.

Final sentence added by editor in Errata; see also note 135.1 in Volume III.

155.1‘A kind of mixed grey woollen cloth, which continued in use to Elizabeth’s reign.’—Halliwell.

155.2A brigandine was a coat of leather or quilted linen, with small iron plates sewed on.—SeeGrose’sAntient Armour. The back and breast of this coat were sometimes made separately, and called a pair.—Meyrick.

155.3Milan was famous for its manufacture of arms and armour.

155.4‘Skye or bluish grey. There was a kind of cloth so called.’—Halliwell.

155.5Budge fur.

155.6‘Frieze. A coarse narrow cloth, formerly much in use’— Halliwell.

155.7The battle on London Bridge was on the 5th July.

156.1Fenn gives this name ‘Rosse’ with two long s’s, but translates it Rochester, from which I presume it was written ‘Roffe’ forRoffensis. The Bishop of Rochester’s name was John Lowe.

To my right worshipfull[mai]ster John Paston at Wynchestre be this delyuered.

1450JULY 3

Afteral due recomendacion had, I recomaunde me to yow and prey yow to wete that Heydon seweth in his accion a geynst Osebern x.talesretournable xva.Johannis.Ideo mittetur vel loquatur Vicecomiti Norffolk, &c. And I suppose that as for Costardis accions thei wole havenisi prius, &c. As touchyng the matier of Oxened the frere156.3leveth his delagacie a abideth up on our plee of profession by as meche as we sey that long to fore the writte purchaced he was professed a frere and sey not and yet is professed, &c. And Sotyll and other of your counseill thynk the law is on our syde. Brampton brought me a lettre and a clowt sowed clos with thynggis therin, and a letter endorsed to yow from my maistresse your moder, whiche I sende yow with this. The lord Moleyns man brought ij. writtes to the Shirrefis depute of Norfolk, oon a geynst yow, myn eme157.1and James Gloysquare clausum suum apud Gresham fregerunt, &c., the othir writte a geynst yow and J. Gloysquare vi et armis in hominis et servientes ipsius apud Gresham insultum fecerunt, &c. And whanne the seid lord Moleyns man delyvered these wrettys, Lomnour stode be side and aspied it. And thanne the seid man desired to have ageyn the writtis, and toke hem a geyn; and whanne he had theym he seid they shuld not come in their handes a vii. nyght after. And so he kepeth theym stille. And Caly and Yates also have promysed me that ther shall no writte be retourned a geyn yow but that ye shall have copies ther of at reasonable tyme to make your avantage as the law wole, &c., to caste your esson157.2or suyche other, &c. Sir, I prey God yeld yow for your letter ye sent me by Lethom, whiche I receyved yistereuyn right late. Wherby I hope and conceyve that ye be in good cas for your maner of Gr[esham], for truly I was right weel comforted therof. As touchyng Skyner and his borwys the attachementes may not be wretyn but by the recordes of the reconysance, and alle the recordes of Chauncerye be at Wynchestre.Ideo, &c. I prey God be your good speed in all your matiers, Amen. Wretyn in hast at London the Friday next after seint Petir day.—Your servant,J. Gresham.

156.2[Add.MS.34,888, f. 73.] The legal proceedings mentioned in this letter show that the year is the same as that of Gresham’s other letter immediately following (No. 128).156.3John Hauteyn.157.1‘eme,’i.e.uncle.157.2Essoin, a legal expression, meaning an excuse admitted for non-appearance in Court.

156.2[Add.MS.34,888, f. 73.] The legal proceedings mentioned in this letter show that the year is the same as that of Gresham’s other letter immediately following (No. 128).

156.3John Hauteyn.

157.1‘eme,’i.e.uncle.

157.2Essoin, a legal expression, meaning an excuse admitted for non-appearance in Court.

To my Maister Whyte, Esquyer, with my Lord Cardynall,158.2for to take to John Paston.

1450JULY 8

Afteral due recomendacion, I recomaund me to yow, and do yow wete that this same Wednesseday I receyved your lettre whiche was wretyn on Saterday last passed, wherby ye willed me to send yow worde of your matiers, &c. As touchyng the frere,158.3he abydeth in lawe up on our plee of profession, like as I sent yow word by wrytyng, whiche I sent yow in a box with other stuf by a man of the Archedeken of Rychemond. I endorsed it thus, ‘To William Plumstede, with my Lord of Winchestre,158.4or to John Paston.’

We shuld have amendet our plee of profession, but thanne your counseyll fereth he wolde take an issue that he is not professed, and that shuld158.5be tried by the certificat of the Dean of Poulys,sede vacante; and therfore we abide in lawe, and wole not amende our plee. The day of th’assises in Norffolk isdieVeneris proximo post Festum Nativitatis Beatæ Mariæ apud Norwicum, and Costardsnisi priusis take owt ageynst that day, and Prentisnisi priusageynst Halman also.

As touchyng the sute ageyns Osebern and Foke, he hath geve day xv. Johannis with x.tales, as I have wretyn to yow to fore this tyme; and I suppose that he wole have anisi priusof the same atte seid assises. As touchynge the fyn in the Kyngs Benche for Osebern and Foke, the fyne were cessed this terme, but I hadde no leyser to talke with Croxton ther ofyet, &c. Your bedfelawe seigh bothe my other writynge and this, and he recomaundeth hym to yow, and shuld have wretyn to yow, if he had not be prevy to my writyng. Ye ar meche hold to hym, for he is diligent for yow, &c.

As touchyng Drewe Barantyn, I myght not yet speke with hym, &c.Circumspecte agatis, and be war of lordis promysses, for it is tolde me in counseil ther is a writte of forcyble entre159.1in framyng ageynst yow.

Almyghty God be your gyde. Wretyn in hast with inne an hour after the resceyte of your lettre, at Wesminster, the Wednesseday next after Seint Thomas day.159.2YoursJames Gre.

158.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter appears to have been written in the year 1450, when Gresham was in London looking after John Paston’s interests in various lawsuits. Mr. White, to whom it is directed for the purpose of being conveyed to Paston, was a servant of Cardinal Kemp, who had been made Lord Chancellor in the beginning of the year. It is evident from other letters that John Paston took counsel of the Lord Chancellor’s servant in his causes.158.2Cardinal Kemp.158.3John Hawteyn.—SeeNos. 46and63.158.4William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.158.5The word ‘it’ is interlined in the original after ‘shuld,’ but is clearly superfluous.159.1For Gresham?159.2The translation of St. Thomas was on the 3rd July.

158.2Cardinal Kemp.

158.3John Hawteyn.—SeeNos. 46and63.

158.4William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.

158.5The word ‘it’ is interlined in the original after ‘shuld,’ but is clearly superfluous.

159.1For Gresham?

159.2The translation of St. Thomas was on the 3rd July.

The day of th’assises in Norffolk isdie Veneris proximotext has “aie” (Italic “a” for “d”)

James Gresham to [John Paston?].

About 1450

Inquiry made as to the injury of Sporle wood for lack of hedging. The three years’ growth of the wood availeth no man. The farmers now cannot sell it the better, so it must be either to your hurt or Halman’s. Hopes the wastes at Cressingham will be amended. Your tenants are treated unfairly about the Sheriff’s turn by those of the Prior of Norwich and John Coo. Can get no money, for Fulchier hopes he is not so far in arrear as you think. Halman can get no money; his corns are so cheap he will not sell, but he hopes to make purveyance at Michaelmas.Calybut says he never asked the Vicar of Sporle to be bound for him. They will meet with me at Gressenhale on St. Bartholomew’s day and seal the other part, so that they have notice from you at Swaffham Market, Saturday next before.

Calybut says he never asked the Vicar of Sporle to be bound for him. They will meet with me at Gressenhale on St. Bartholomew’s day and seal the other part, so that they have notice from you at Swaffham Market, Saturday next before.

Accounts of Sneylewell, Cressingham, and Sparham on the back.

[We have placed this letter after the preceding as being probably not many years apart from it in date, if not the very same year. The name of Halman occurs in both, and also in a letter of the Vicar of Sporle, which will be found a little further on.]

159.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

Sir J. Fastolf to Sir Thomas Howys, Parson of Castlecombe, at Caister.

1450AUG. 8

Has sent home letters by John Bedford. Sends by the bearer Thomas Medew eight writs of ‘green wax’160.2for certain processes he has in Norfolk, with adistringasfor Sir John Shypton, which he must get served with the advice of Thomas Grene and other of Fastolf’s trusty friends. The inquest must be certified of the truth and Shypton’s falsehood proved. Will give his testimonial, when needful, ‘that I never sealed none such quittance.’ Let Greene correct the roll of articles I send by Bedford. I hear you have omitted several of the extortions done to me (in margin, ‘eyer and determiner’). London, 8 August 28 HenryVI.Let Master Doket have a copy of the evidence of Rydlyngfeeld.‘Item, purvey me at the leest v. doseyn long bowes, with shot longyng thertoo. And purveyeth also quarell160.3hedys to be made ther, for the price ys derer heer then ther; and let no langage be had of ordenances makyng.’Signed.

Let Master Doket have a copy of the evidence of Rydlyngfeeld.

‘Item, purvey me at the leest v. doseyn long bowes, with shot longyng thertoo. And purveyeth also quarell160.3hedys to be made ther, for the price ys derer heer then ther; and let no langage be had of ordenances makyng.’Signed.

160.1[MS.Phillipps, 9735, f. 224.]160.2Writs under the seal of the Court of Exchequer, which was of green wax, directing the sheriff of a county to levy certain fines.160.3Seepage 101, Note 3.

160.1[MS.Phillipps, 9735, f. 224.]

160.2Writs under the seal of the Court of Exchequer, which was of green wax, directing the sheriff of a county to levy certain fines.

160.3Seepage 101, Note 3.

To my right especiall maister, John Paston,160.5in hast.

1450AUG. 19

Ryghtworthy worshipfull sir, and myn especiall maister, I recomaund me to yow, and pray yow wete that I was [yesterdaye atte]160.6. . . .160.6my lord Chauncellers160.7hous, and there I spake with White; and he tolde me that he hadde the letter that ye sewed for from. . . . . . . .161.1directed to the Lord Moleyns of that substance that ye hadde sued to hym for an especiall assise161.2and anoieranddeterminer,161.3[and]161.1. . . . .161.1that he shuld comaunde his men beyng at Gresham to departe thens, and that the profitez thereof shuld be receyved by an endifferent [person]161.1. .161.1saufly to be kepte til the right were determyned be twen yow and my Lord M., &c., whiche letter White sente forthe [by]161.1a man of my Lord Chaunceller to the Lord Moleyns. And he sent his answer in writyng of this substance, that it shuld not like my Lord Chaunceller to graunte assise, &c., for als moche as the Lord M. hadde sore be laboured in his cuntre to peas and stille the poeple161.4there to restreyngne them from rysyng, and so he was dayly laboured there abowt in the Kynggs servyce, and that considered, he trustid veryly that there shuld non assise be graunted to your entent. And he seid forther in his answer, if he myght attende to be in Norffolk, and leve the necessary servyce that he dede to the Kyng now in Wyltshire, he wolde be but weel pleased that ye hadde your assise; for he knewe his title and his evydence so good for his part, that he durst weel putte it in my Lord Chaunceller, and in what juge he wolde calle to hym. And wher my Lord Chaunceller desired hym to avoyde his men from Gresham, he trustid that my Lord wolde not desire that, by cause he hadde his possession, and that it was his wyffs ryght, and so hym thought it a geynst reason that he shuld a voide utterly his possession.

This same Moneday goth my Lord Chaunceller and my Lord of Buk161.5into Kent to sytte up on anoieranddetermyner161.6at Rorchestre; and Whyte told me that there is wretyn an generalloieranddetermynerto be in Norffolk, and what ther[fore]162.1and for the Lord Moleyns writyng, hym semyth it is not to your avayll to sewe for an especiall assise, ne for anoieranddetermyner.

Whan I come hiddirward, I mette with my Lord of Norffolk betwen Berkewey and Baburgham homward, and whethir he shall come agayn hiddir or noght I wot not, but I trowe rather yes thanne nay; for it is seid that alle the Lords be sent for to be here on Moneday or Tuysday next comyng for a counseyll.

The Chief Justice162.2is not here, ne noon other Justice, except Danvers162.3is now made Juge of the Comune Place, and is forth into Kent with the Lords, &c.

Al this tofore was wretyn on the Moneday next after our Lady day. And this same Wednesseday was it told that Shirburgh162.4is goon, and we have not now a foote of londe in Normandie, and men arn ferd that Calese wole be beseged hastily, &c.

Pynchamour shall telle yow by mowthe more thanne I have leyser to write now to yow. I wrot to myn em’162.5that there were ix. or x. ml.[nine or ten thousand] men up in Wiltshire, and I hadde it of the report of Whittocks mede; but I trowe it is not so, for here is now littel speche therof; ner the lesse, if I here more, I shall sende yow worde her after by sum loders that come to Seynt Bertilmews [fayre].162.1

Wretyn in hast at London, the Wednesseday next after our Lady day, &c.Your own symple servaunt,James Gr.

160.4[From Fenn, iii. 86.] The date of this letter is ascertained by the news contained in the last paragraph of the fall of Cherbourg, besides other internal evidence.160.5‘After John Paston had received this letter,’ says Fenn, ‘it seems as if he had sent it to my Lord Oxford, for on the back of it, in John Paston’s handwriting, is the following direction: “To the rith worspfull and my rith speciall lord, my Lord of Oxenford.”’160.6These passages, in which the text is broken by brackets or dots, are indicated by Fenn as illegible in the original.160.7John Kemp, Cardinal Archbishop of York, afterwards of Canterbury.161.1These passages, in which the text is broken by brackets or dots, are indicated by Fenn as illegible in the original.161.2A writ directed to the sheriff for recovery of possession of things immoveable, whereof yourself or ancestors have been disseised.—F.161.3Is a commission especially granted to certain persons for the hearing and determining of causes, and was formerly only in use upon some sudden outrage or insurrection in any place.—F.161.4These disturbances among the people were the remains of Cade’s rebellion, which had been lately suppressed.—F.161.5Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, fell in the battle of Northampton in July 1460.—F.161.6These commissions ofoyeranddeterminerwere to try those who had been concerned in the late rebellion under Cade.—F.162.1SeeNote 1, p. 161.162.2John Hody was at this time Chief Justice of the King’s Bench. —F.162.3Robert Danvers became a Judge of the Common Pleas 14th of August 1450. —F.162.4Cherbourg surrendered to the French on the 12th August 1450.—SeeStevenson’sReductio Normanniæ, p. 367.162.5‘Quære this abbreviated word,’ says Fenn. It is probablyeme, meaning uncle.

160.4[From Fenn, iii. 86.] The date of this letter is ascertained by the news contained in the last paragraph of the fall of Cherbourg, besides other internal evidence.

160.5‘After John Paston had received this letter,’ says Fenn, ‘it seems as if he had sent it to my Lord Oxford, for on the back of it, in John Paston’s handwriting, is the following direction: “To the rith worspfull and my rith speciall lord, my Lord of Oxenford.”’

160.6These passages, in which the text is broken by brackets or dots, are indicated by Fenn as illegible in the original.

160.7John Kemp, Cardinal Archbishop of York, afterwards of Canterbury.

161.1These passages, in which the text is broken by brackets or dots, are indicated by Fenn as illegible in the original.

161.2A writ directed to the sheriff for recovery of possession of things immoveable, whereof yourself or ancestors have been disseised.—F.

161.3Is a commission especially granted to certain persons for the hearing and determining of causes, and was formerly only in use upon some sudden outrage or insurrection in any place.—F.

161.4These disturbances among the people were the remains of Cade’s rebellion, which had been lately suppressed.—F.

161.5Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, fell in the battle of Northampton in July 1460.—F.

161.6These commissions ofoyeranddeterminerwere to try those who had been concerned in the late rebellion under Cade.—F.

162.1SeeNote 1, p. 161.

162.2John Hody was at this time Chief Justice of the King’s Bench. —F.

162.3Robert Danvers became a Judge of the Common Pleas 14th of August 1450. —F.

162.4Cherbourg surrendered to the French on the 12th August 1450.—SeeStevenson’sReductio Normanniæ, p. 367.

162.5‘Quære this abbreviated word,’ says Fenn. It is probablyeme, meaning uncle.

To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved John Paston, Squyer.

1450(?)AUG. 21

Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele, and wole and pray you that ye dispose your self to be with my Lord of Norffolk in al hast goodly, to that intent that where it was desired by dyvers gentilmen of this shire163.2that I shuld my self a be with his Lordship at Framyngham, to excuse me to his Lordship; for truly I haf suych writyn to my said Lord for myn excuse, which writyng I send to yow by Thomas Denyes, to whome I pray you to gif credens. And the Trinite kepe yow. Wretyn at Bury Seynt Edmond, the xxj. day of August.

I pray you to speke with Sir Miles Stapilton and Brewes, and to delyver to thaym my lettres, wherof I send you copies, and make Brewes to send over a man to me with th’entent of my Lord of Norffolk, and with th’effect of your deligens, with a more credible message than Brewes ded to my wif; for I had never a wers jurney for a jape in my lif, ne a lewder, as ye shal wele conceyve.Oxenford.

163.1[DouceMS.393, f. 88.] From the similarity of the contents of this and the two following letters, it is evident that they belong to the same year; and the mention of Thomas Denyes, from whom the Earl of Oxford was afterwards estranged, proves that it must have been before 1454. In the summer of 1450, there was disaffection in Norfolk, which led to the issuing of a special commission ofoyer and terminerin September. These three letters may, therefore, have belonged to that year.163.2‘This shire’ should be Suffolk, as the Earl dates from Bury St. Edmunds, but I should think Norfolk was intended, which the Earl had probably just left on his way up to London. Compare next number.

163.2‘This shire’ should be Suffolk, as the Earl dates from Bury St. Edmunds, but I should think Norfolk was intended, which the Earl had probably just left on his way up to London. Compare next number.

To my ryght trusti and wyth all myn hert intyerly welbelovyd Sir Mylys Stapelton, Knyght.

1450(?)AUG. 21

Ryghttrusty and wyth all myn hert entierly welbelovyd, I grete yow wele, and wol that ye wete that a gentelman of your ally haghe [hath] ben wyth me, at whos instans and steryng and by hese good avyes I wold ful fayne amet [have met] wyth yow at Framyngham; but I may no lenger abyde here for the strayte comaundment that I have to be wyth the Kyng. Wherfore I pray yow to comown wyth Brews and Paston, and to put in artycles be ther avyses and be your wysdom the indisposicion of the people of this counte, and what were most necesary to be desierid of the Kyng and of my Lordis of the Councell for the restreynte of ther mourmour and the peas, and to sende it me be the brynger herof, to whom I pray yow gef credens. And the Holy Ternyte kepe yow. Wretyn at Wynche, the xxj. day of August.

To my ryght trusty and entierly welbelovyd Thomas Brewes, Squyer.

Ryghttrusty and intyerly welbelovid, I grete yow wele. And for as mouche as ye were with my wyf at Wynche in the name and behalve of the substaunce of the gentelys of this shyer, and cause my wyf to wryte tome for to turne agayn into Norffolk, be wheche wrytyng, and be your report it semyd to me that a gret asemble had be purposid wythin the counte heer. I therfore sayd unto yow, wolyng and mevyng yow aftyr your trowth, and as ye know, that ye do put in artycles the indisposicion of the people, and what your avyce is to be do for the restreynyng of the same; and this articles I pray yow set to your seal, and cause other gentelmen with wham ye have comonyng set ther seales, for this is necessary, and that I may schew it to the Kyng and to my Lordis of hese Councell, and that I fayle not here of for your honeste and myn excuse. And the Ternyte kepe yow. Wreten at Wynche, the xxj. day of August.

164.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The two letters following are from contemporaneous copies written on the same paper. Being dated the same day as the preceding letter of the Earl of Oxford, and addressed to the two persons named in the postscript, we should have every reason to suppose they are the copies there mentioned, were it not for the circumstance that the Earl of Oxford’s seat at Wynche, near Lynn, in Norfolk, must have been a good day’s journey from Bury St. Edmunds. The internal evidence, however, is in other respects so strong that we have no doubt at all upon the subject. The difficulty as to the date may be accounted for by supposing that these two letters were really written at Wynche the day before, but that the date 21st August was filled in by the Earl at Bury St. Edmunds at the time he despatched his letter of the same date to John Paston.

1450[AUG.]

Ryghthigh and myghty Prynce and my right good Lord, I recomaunde me un to youre good Lordshep. And for asmouch as I am enformed [that] certeyn notable knyghtis and squyers of this counte dispose thaym self to be with youre Lordshep in hasty tyme at Fram[yngham], theer to have comonyngs with youre good Lordshep for the sad rule and governaunce of this counte, wych standyth ryght . . . . . indisposyd, God amend it; for qwych sad rule and governaunce to be had I wold full fayn a ben with your good [Lordship]. But for asmouch as the Kynge hath geve to me straitly in charge to be with hys Highnesse at Westminstre on Saterda[y]. . . . . . [I must] departe towards London. Therfore therof I beseche your good Lordship that ye vouchesaf to comon with the seyd k[nyghtes and squyers] as with yourfeytfull servaunts; and I trost to God to se youre good Lordship at Framyngham as I shall . . . . . And yf your Lordshep seme necessary that I now beynge at Westminster shall any thynge laboure or des[ire for the rule] and governaunce of the counte forsayd, or for reformacion of suche wronge as the peples herts most agrugge as . . . . . . . . lyke that I meve to the Kynge and the Lordes of the Counceyll, so wyll I meve, and none otherwyse as . . . . . . . . Wheryn I beseche your grace to know your entente by the brynger her of. And my service is redy to your Lords[hip] . . . . . mercy who kepe who kepe166.1nebbey (?) for hese grace.

165.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This would seem by internal evidence to be the letter of excuse written by Oxford to the Duke of Norfolk, which the Earl mentions in his letter to John Paston of the 21st August. The original from which it is taken is a copy without signature or address, and mutilated in the margin.166.1So inMS.

166.1So inMS.

Un to the right reverent fadir in God and my right gracioux Lord, the Cardinal Archebisshop of York, Prymat and Chaunceller of Inglond.

1450(?)

Besechethmekely John Paston that where Robert Hungerford, Knyght, Lord Molens, and Alianore, his wyff, late with force and strength, and grete multitude of riottous peple, to the noumbre of a thousand persones and mo, gadered by th’excitacion and procuryng of John Heydon166.3a yenst the Kynggs pees, in riotous maner entred up on your seid besecher and othir enfeoffed to his use in the manoir of Gresham with th’appurtenaunces in the shire of Norffolk; whiche riotous peple brake, dispoiled, and drew doun the place of your seid besecher in the seid toun, and drafe out his wiffand servauntes there beyng, and ryfled, took, and bare awey alle the goodes and catalx that your seid besecher and his servauntes hadde there to the value of ccli.[£200] and more; and the seid manoir, after the seid riottous entre, kept with strong hande in manere of werre, as weel ayenst your seid besecher and his feffees, as ayenst oon of the Kyngges justicez of the pees in the seid shire, that come thedir to execute the statutes ordeigned and provyded ayenst suche forcible entrees and kepyng of possessions with force, as it appiereth by recorde of the seid justice certifyed in to the Chauncerie; and yet the seid Lord Molens the same manoir kepith with force and strengthe ayenst the fourme of the seid statutes: Please it your reverent Faderhood and gracioux Lordship, these premisses considered, to graunte on to your seid besecher for his feffees by hym to be named a special assise167.1ayenst the seid Lord Molens, Alianore, and John Heidon, and othir to be named by your seid besecher, and also an oyer and determyner167.2ayenst the seid Lord Molens, John Heidon, and othir of the seid riotous peple in like fourme to be named, to enquere, here and determyn all trespaces, extorcions, riottes, forcible entrees, mayntenaunces,167.3champerties,167.4embraceries,167.5offenses, and mesprisions167.6by hem or ony of hem doen, als weel atte sute of our sovereign Lord the Kyng, as of your seid besecher and his seid feffees, and every of hem, or of ony othir of the Kyngges lieges: atte reverence of God, and in weye of charite.

Back to Index Next