201.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 237.]201.3SeeNo. 153; alsoPS.toNo. 162.201.4This, which is written after the date, would appear to apply to Dallyng.165ANONYMOUS TO ——202.11450I preyzu if ze have any old gownys for lynynges and old schetys and old schertys that may non lenger seven zu, I prey zu send hem hom in hast, for I must okupye seche thyngis in hast. Wyndham hath medyd the juryorys and yaf hem mony that xuld passe on the qwhest be twyn zour modyr and hym; if ther myt ben purveyd any mene that it myt ben dasched in cas wer that it xuld passe azens zour modyr, it wer a good sport; for than he wold ben wode. He sent with his men to the afray iij. gunnys in very trowth. I have inquiryd veryly ther after. He is wode wroth that Daniel is amrel, for it is told me that on of his men is indytyd in the amrellys cort sythyn that Danyel was made amerel. I pray zu bewar in qhat felaschep ze ryd qhan ze com homward, for ther gon many fals shrewys and thevys in this contre.Thomas Skipping rod to Londonward on Friday last past in gret hast and purposyd hym for to ben at London on Sonday be none on erandys of his maysterrys: qhat the cawse is I wote nott. On sent me word her of that knowth it for trowth.202.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 150.] The date of this letter seems to be towards the close of the year 1450; for though I have not met with the date of Daniel’s appointment as Admiral, which would prove the year, it will be seen by the last paragraph ofNo. 142that Wyndham was indicted at that time along with Toddenham and Heydon, as one of the makers of disorder in Norfolk.166SIR JOHN FASTOLF203.1..........Item, that Sir John Ingelose and the Meyer be spoke to for here worship that the man weche that herd Heydon seye the langage upon wheche he is endyted, be sent heder; for that aught not to be kept prevye but oplyshed, seyng any thyng towchyng or sownyng to treson. And, on the other part, it is to grett necye (?) to noyse any man with ought cause, &c. Hit is not here worship this mater, if hit be trew, is so longe kept prevye with theym, &c.J. Fastolfe.203.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This is a mere fragment, containing nothing but the postscript of a letter, the date of which must be either towards the end of the year 1450, or the beginning of 1451. A passage to the same effect will be found in a letter of Fastolf’s, written on the 7th January 1451.167THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN JERMYN203.2To my ryght trusty and intierly welbeloved John Jermyn, Shirreve of Norffolk.1451JAN. 2Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele. And where late by the Kyngs comaundment in the tyme of his Parliament, holden now last at Westminster, I was in persone at Norwich, holdyng Sessions of oir determyner203.3with Yelverton, on of the Kyngs Juges, by greet space and greet attendaunce, which for to a do with suych diligence in the Parliament tyme I wold a be right lothe, but for the pupplyk wele of all the shire.It is also not oute of your remembraunce what indisposicionthe Commons of bothe countes in the ende of somer last passed wer of, and how the Kyng, by the hole advyse of all the greet Councell of Ingland, to sese their rumour, send hider his said Commission; and how I have do my part therynne, I reporte me to all the world. I here a gruggyng, neverthelesse, that trow favour in your office to the pople that hath compleyned by many and grete horible billes agayn certeyn persones shuld not be shewid at this next Sessions at Lenn, ne ferther in the said Comission, which, if it so were, as God defend, myght cause a latter errour wurs than the first.I pray yow, therfore, that ye wole write to me your disposicion how ye purpose to be demened, and how I shal take yow for th’execucion of the Kyngs Comission, and the pupplik wele of all the shire; and aftir that that ye write to me, so wole I take yow, latyng yow wete that I were lothe to labour ferther but if I wist that the Commons shuld be easid as Godds law wold; and if ony errour grow, the defaute shal not be founde in me.I pray yow more over to gif credence to the berer her of, and the Trinite kepe yow. Wretyn at Wynch, the second day of January.The Erle of Oxenford.203.2[From Fenn, iii. 106.] As this letter was written in the year that John Jermyn was Sheriff of Norfolk, the date must be 1451.203.3Seepage 161, Note 3.168THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF204.1To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved Sir John Fastolff, Knyght.1451(?)JAN. 2Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele, and pray yow to be right sadly advysed of the contynue of a bille of instruccion closid her ynne; and therupon, as I trust yow, to comon with suych my Lords of the Kyngs Councell as be present now at this tyme, in especiallmy Lord Chaunceller, and that ye wole send me instruccyon agayn of their avise, and how I shal demene me. And the Trinite preserve yow. Wretyn at Wynch, the second day of January.The Erle of Oxenford.204.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter, which is dated at the same place and on the same day as the preceding, was probably written in the same year also.169JOHN BOCKING TO WILLIAM WAYTE205.1To William Wayte.205.21451JAN. 2Rithfeithful and welbelovyd brother, Wiliam Wayte, I comaunde me to yow as the lord may to his tenant, praying you effectualy to recomaunde me to my singuler gode mayster and yours, excusyng me that I write not to hym, for I dar not envolde me in the same. And as for tydyngs her, I certifye you that all is nowght, or will be nowght. The Kyng borweth hes expense for Cristemesse; the Kyng of Aragon,205.3the Duc of Myleyn,205.4the Duc of Ostrich,205.5the Duc of Burgoyn205.6wolde ben assistent to us to make a conquest, and nothyng is aunswered, ner agreed in maner, save abydyng the grete deliberacon that at the last zall spill all to goder, &c.The Chief Yistice205.7hath waited to ben assauted all this sevenyght nyghtly in hes hous, but nothing come as yett, the more pite, &c. Onoyr and determiner205.8goth in to Kent, andCommissioners my Lord the Duc of York, Bouchier, my mayster,206.1that will not come there,de prodicionibus, &c., but Kent praeth hem to hang no men when thei come.Other tydyngs as yett can I non tell you, save Ulveston is Styward of the Mydill Inne, and Isley of the Inner Inne, be cause thei wold have officz for excuse for dwellyng this tyme from her wyves, &c. Sir T. T.206.2lost hes primer at the Tour Hill, and sent his man to seche [fetch(?)] it, and a good felaw wyshed hit in Norffolk, so he wold fetch hit there, &c. Men ween that Norffolk men wer hardier thanne thei be.God graunte, and at the reverence of God help too that an outas206.3and clamour be made upon the Lord Scalez,206.4preying hym for well of the cuntre, neyther susteyn ner help hym ner Heydon in no wyse, and that ye crye upon my mayster and yours that he obeye not the syrcorar [certiorari] as yett, as ye may se be hes lettre from my mayster, rudely and in hast be me endited, of which I pray excuse, &c. And pray Blake206.5to do Swafham men sey sum what to the matier.I wote well T. and H.206.6wil not come there at this tyme, as it is verily reported, &c.Mitte sapientem, &c.Brayn and I shalbe with you on Saturday nest at evyn, with the grace of Jesu, to whom I be take you. In hast, at London, the ijdeday of Januar.ByJ. Bockyng.205.1[From Fenn, iii. 134.] The evidence on which this letter has been assigned to the year 1451 will be seen in a footnote.205.2This is supplied by the Editor, there being no address in theMS.itself.205.3AlfonsoV.205.4Francis Sforza, one of the most able and successful generals of the time. He was a soldier of fortune, of peasant origin, and succeeded to the Duchy of Milan by his marriage with Bianca Maria, natural daughter of Philip Maria, the preceding Duke, whose interests he had at one time opposed as general of a league formed by the Pope and the Venetian and Florentine Republics against the Duchy.205.5Albert, surnamed the Prodigal, brother of the Emperor FredericIII.205.6Philip the Good.205.7Sir John Fortescue.205.8A commission ofoyer and terminerfor Kent and Sussex was issued in December 1450 to Richard, Duke of York, Lord Bourchier, Sir John Fastolf, and others.—Patent Roll, 29 Hen.VI.p. 1, m. 16indorso.206.1Sir John Fastolf, whose servant Bocking was.206.2Sir Thomas Tuddenham.206.3An outcry.206.4Seep. 196.206.5Elsewhere mentioned as bailiff of Swaffham.206.6Tuddenham and Heydon.170WILLIAM WAYTE TO JOHN PASTON207.1To my Ryght seuereandryght worchepfull mayster, my mayster Paston, in hast.1451JAN. 3RyghtReverent and ryght wurchepfull sir, I recomaunde me un to youre good maysterchep. Late yow wete that Blake the baly of Swafham cam hom from London on the Saterday after that my mayster departed from yow atte myn lord of Oxenfordis. And he told my mayster that he cam to London on Seint John day atte nyte. And he yede streyt to my lord Chaunceler and told my seyd lord that yf the Kyng pardoned sir Thomas Tudenham and Heydon her issewes that the shire of Suffolk wold paye no taxe; for what nedyth the kynge for to have the taxe of hese pore puple whanne he wyll not take hese issues of thos rych extorssioners and oppressours of hese puple. And also he told my seyd lord Chaunceler and many more lordes that yf the kynge pardon hym or graunted anysupersedeas, London shuld with inne short tyme have as moche for to do as they hadde for to kepe London Brygge whanne the Capteyn207.2cam thedir; for he told hym that ther was up in Norffolk redy to ryse V Ml.comons yf they have not execucion of theoyreandterminer. And whanne my lord Chaunceler herd this he was ryte glade therof, and dede Blake telle all this and moche more a forn the kynge and all hese lordes, that they blyssed him whanne they herden yt. And yf he hadde not a seyd this they shuld an hadd andsupersedeasand pardon also, for ther was made a gret suggestion that it hadde be don of grette malyce. And so the lord Scales meyntenyth Sir Thomas Tudenham in all that he may goodly, but he wyll not awowyt; but he shall come don to theoyre determinersekerly, and for to make anende atwex sir T. Tudenham and Swafham; for [he] hayth made and genttyl letter un to the parson, the bayly and the inhabitaunce of Swafham, and seth that he wyll do hese parte to sette them in reste and peas. And so my mayster understande that yf Swafham and he werne accorded that thei shuld sette lytyll be Norwych. And therfore my mayster prayeth yow that ye wyll speke with the Mayer and hese brethern that they purvey that ther be atte Lenn a sufficiaunt fellawshep to gedyr, and that ther be madde a grette noyse up on the lord Scales, bothe of Tudenham and Heydon, and for all thos that arne of that sekt, and that wyse purvyaunce ordenance he hadde how they shull be demened; for this same day was the parson of Swafham with my mayster, and they arne accorded that ther shall be of here lordshep and sufficiaunt fellawshep and they shall have here loggyng atte the Frere Menours atte Lenn. And they wyll not assentte to noone ende but as the Cety doyth. And it is here avyse that the meyre shuld purveye for hem in sum other Freres. For Tudenham and H[eydon] wyll brynge with hem sufficiaunt counceyll as any kun they gete in London; And also the Cetye must purvey that as many sufficiaunt mene as can be gette or spoke to, that they be redy yf it happe of any tryall. Also the Cetye hadde nede to have Sir Miles Stapulton ther show they shuld helpe to hese costys. Ware, Sir, atte the reverens of God be thenke yow well of all these maters. Blake was atte London on Thursday and herd no word of the stretes,208.1ne of Robson my lord of Oxffordis man, and or Blake cam to London Sir T. Terell hadde labored to Sir John Fastolf that Sir T. Tudenham shuld ave [been208.2] bownde to Sir John Fastolf in foure thowsand pounde to stande to hese rule and ordenance; and so whanne Blake cam and deysshsed all to gedyr, and so he dede Sir John Fastolf labor to the kynge and to the Chaunceler for to lette thesupersedeasand the pardon; and ther was grette langage atwex Blake and Tudenham; it wor to moche to wryte yt un to yow, but he hayth sore noyssed my mayster to the Kynge and to the lordes. Also Tudenhamis owte of the kynges hows, and Cotton is Warderopper, my mayster shall on Monday dyne with. Also, sir, it wore grette wysdam that my mayster hadde knowleche atte Walsyngham on Fryday nest comyng how the Maire and ze be accorded, for my mayster wyle be recaled therafter. William Geney sent un to my mayster for to ascuse hym that he shuld not come to Lenn un to the Wedenesday. And, Sir, that were agrette hurte bothe to the Cyte of Norwych and for Swafham; and therfor my mayster wold that the Mayer shuld send for hym, that he be ther be tyme on the Tuesday, and that moo bille be made ayens Tudenham and Heydon, what so ever falle. The Holy Gost have you and yours in hese kepyng. Wretyn atte Rougham, the Sonday nyte nest after newe zers day in hest as it semyth.—Be your servaunte,W. Wayte.207.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 63.] The date of this letter is sufficiently evident.207.2Jack Cade.208.1I.e.theestreats.208.2Omitted inMS.To my Ryght seuere and ryght worchepfull maystertext has “ana” (italic “a” for “d”)171ABSTRACT209.1Sir John Fastolf to John a Berney and Sir Thomas Howes.1451JAN. 7Sends John Bokkyng on matters to be sped at the oyer and terminer. They must remember acertiorariis out of the King’s Bench, and aprocedendowas granted at one time ‘for certain which had not appeared in the place and pleaded.’ Has received all the stuff contained in a bill dated 28th November, made by John Davye of Yarmouth, and delivered to one Roger Metsharp, master of the little boat calledThe Blythe. Wonders they did not send the great ship with malt. Desires provisions for Lent by next ship. Remind my cousin Inglos that the man that ‘appeched’ Heydon be sent hither, if he dare stand by his words. All the indictments against Heydon are not worth a halfpenny. Howes must take John à Berney’s advice about this matter.London, Thursday after Twelfth, 29 Hen.VI.Let all who were on the inquest for Bardolf’s matter be indicted, whatever it cost.Signed.209.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 246.]172WILLIAM WAYTE TO JOHN PASTON210.1To my ryght reverent and ryght worchepfull mayster, my mayster Paston in hest posybyll.1451JAN. 9Syr, lyke yt yow to know that my lord Scalys sent hese pursevaunt unto my mayster210.2on the Twelthe day, that my mayster shuld mete wyth hym atte Wynche aforn my Lord of Oxenford on the Thursday nest folwyng. And whanne my mayster cam thedyr, he delyvered my mayster a letter from my Lord Chauncheler, quych my mayster wyll shew yow atte Lenn. I shuld send yow a copy therof, but it is so longe that I had no leyser to wryte it. My mayster rode to Walsyngham on the Fryday folwyng, and ther he mette with the shereve, and the shereve lyveryd my mayster a letter from my Lord of Norffolk, qwych I send yow a copy of. And atte Walsyngham my mayster resceyvyd a letter from Osberne youre man. And ther Heydonis man made hese avaunte that he was the Justice of the Pease on Caustonheythe; and so it semyth be here contenaunce that they trost of a good zere. And, Syr, whanne my mayster cam hom on Saterday ther was lyvered my mayster a letter from Sir John Fastolf, and a neyther letter cam to me from John Bokkynge,210.3qwych I send you a copy of. Sir, God send us a fayre day atte210.4Lenn. And that ther may be pople jnow to crye up on the Lord Scales that he mayntene not Sir T. T. and H. in here wronges, as the copy of B letter makyth mencion. And, Sir, atte the reverens of God, laborth youre materis wysely and secretely, for Wyndam noysed yow sore aforn my Lord ofOxenford and my Lorde Scales that ze shuld reyse meche puple with grette arey owte of Norwyche. And therfor, Sir, late the puple be wysely and manly gydyd in here frekynge and demenynge. Also my Lord Scales sent for the parson of Sw[a]fham and divers men of the same town to mete with hym aforn my Lord of Oxenford the seyd Thursday, for to trete with hem for Sir Thomas Tudenham; and ther was the baly of Swafham and Sir Thomas Tudenham prest. And so my Lord Scales yave the parson of S. grette langage and to men of same towne. Y. and the parson answherd my Lord Scales manly in the best wyse. And ther was grette langage twexen Blake the baly and Tudenham prest that my lordys and my mayster worne acornberd therof. And so it is lyke that my Lord Scales shall make ther no loveday; and so Swafham wylbe ther in here best array. Also, Sir, Brygge was atte Walsyngham; and ther he craked grette wordes, and seyd to many divers men that it shuld be thanked alle tho that labored a yens hem. And he seyd that it worne but viij. personys, and yf men be men now it shuld be thanked hym and told hym atte Lenn. In the lest wysse he is now with the Lord Scales; the Lord Scales wyte Thomas Denyes, John Lyster and me all those indytementis. And the Lord Scales seyth that I made all the bylles and the panell; and so he is hevy lord to me and to Thomas Denyes. Prentys is atte hom with the Lord Scales; the shereve told me that he wyll do for the Cyte of Norwych as meche as he may. Sir, I wold ther worne a thowsand of good Maudby men to crye owte on Tudenham, Heydon, Prentys and Brygge for here falsse exstorciones. Also, Sir, atte the reverens of God, make an ende atwexen Sexeford and men of Salle; it lyeth in your power. I shall make redy youre forsebyll entres ayens Lenn, with the grace of God, Qwych have yow in Hese kepynge. Wretyn atte Rougham on Saterday nyte in hest.Sir, I send yow and lewde letter be Richerd Yenneys. I beseche yow be ware to whom ze shew your letters; lete them be brente.—Be your servaunt,W. Waytes.210.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 230.] This letter was evidently written on the Saturday after the same writer’s letter of the 3rd January immediately preceding.210.2Judge Yelverton. He was lord of the manor of Rougham, from which this letter is dated.210.3No. 169.210.4Atterepeated inMS.173ABSTRACT212.1Sir John Fastolf to Thomas Howys, Clerk, andJohn Bokkyng, in haste.1451JAN. 12Begs them to labour his matters, and forget not ‘that old shrew, Dallyng, for he is sore at my stomach.’ Sends by the Parson aprocedendoagainst Tudenham, which he has got out with great labour, with a letter to my brother Yelverton. ‘And as to an assize for Hikkelyng, I shall be there on in the beginning of this term; and for Tichewell in like wise.’ Bokkyng must remind my cousin Inglos about the indictments for treason of Heydon, ‘that the man might be sent up to preve the said matter.’ Fears it has slept too long. Wishes his shipThe Blythesent to him.London, 12 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.Get my Lord [Oxford] and Yelverton to write a letter to Blake of the King’s house, thanking him for his friendliness to the country; ‘and forget not that Dallyng be had before my Lord and Yelverton, and make his confession before hem, &c. And let the great men that have most matters against [him] help somewhat to this good end.’212.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 230.]174ABSTRACT212.2Sir J. Fastolf to Sir Thos. Howys and John Berneyat Castre, in hast; or at his place in Pokethorp, at Norwich.1451JAN. 28Master Hue Acton has been with him for the new evidences ensealed for the manor of Mundham, which F. has sold to the use of the Church of St. Giles that he is master of, &c. Thanks them for what they have done for him in his causes before the Commissioners ofoyer and terminerat Lynne, &c. Hears Appulzerd’s son expects the inquest of Mancroft in Norwich to be reversed. Speak to my cousin Inglose about this. Fastolf’s audit books. My cousin John Berney puts me in great comfort by seeing to the safeguard of my place in my absence. Would be sorry he should be injured by having respited his entry into Rokelond Toffts at my request.Make friends in Norwich against Easter when theoyer and termineris to be held again, for I must proceed in the matter against Appulzerd.London, 28 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.Begs them to send his grain and malt in a good vessel, well accompanied, with a good wind, as he has had great losses before. Speak to the Mayor of Norwich about Appulzerd’s matter; ‘for there was no city in England that I loved and trusted most upon, till they did so unkindly to me and against truth in the Lady Bardolf’s matter.’[This letter is referred to by Blomefield (Hist. of Norf.iv. 388, Note 9), and two short extracts are given from the beginning, relating to the Hospital of St. Giles.]212.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 236.]175MEMORANDA FOR PROSECUTIONS213.1Præsentationes factæ et fiendæ in audiendo et determinando.213.21451Foras meche as theoyer and termyneris thus restreynyd, not vythstandyng the wrytyngs and all the materis utterid be my Lord of Oxenford, but if ther folow sumwhat lyke to the perell lyke to be conceyved be maters that so wern utterid and be the seyd wrytyngs, ellis shall it gretly sowndyn ageyns the worchep and the weel of all the personys, lordis, and other that eyther have wreten or utterid owght, and lyke wyse of hem in whos name seche materis hath ben utterid, soo that hereaftyr, whan they have ryght gret nede to be herd, and to be wel spedde, they shul the rather fayle thereof bothen, and here enemyes the heyer up and the more bold, &c. And therfore herein men must hold fote as manhod woll wyth wysdom; and ellisnovissimus error pejor priori.Item, in the cyte of Norwyche must the falshodys and the fals getyngs of good ther don ben fowndyn, and thow summ maters ben not presentable, or peraventure in seche forme not corigyble ther, yet so that the mater in the self be orible and fowle, and so that summe other be sufficient, yet it semyth summe men best that all go forthe and be taken, and namely [especially] in this werd [world] that now is, &c.Item, in lyke wyse must it be in the shier, ther me thynkytit is reson that my Lordys sett bothe the day and the place of the Sessions, and all men kepe that wern the robberis at Gresham and to Plumstede, the shippyng of wolle ageyn the statute, that is felonye, and the lycence than, if ony be, ther shull come to lyght and disputed, and I suppose veryly be other statutes and be lawe fownde voyde, and the leveryes that Heydon hatht yoven to hem that arn not hese menyall men.Item, the presonment of John Porter of Blykelyng.Item, the presonment of John Langman of Swafham.Item, the presonment of Robert Patgrys of Burnham.Item, the extorcions in her [their] cortes.Item, the prisonynge of Dallynge, and of hese obligacion mad to Sir Thomas Todenham, and howe he was presonyd at Norwyche, at Thetforthe, at Lynne, and also of many other that ben don soo too.Item, to remembre T. Denyes of the tale that Fyncheham told whan he cam hom for Sir T. Todeham, that he be ware therof, &c.Item, for to indyte Pryntys of a voluntary eschete that where on Symond Hamond of Patesle wheche was indyted of felonye, and because of hese goods he lete hym owte of the castellanno xvjº Regis nunc.Item, for to indyte the same Prentys and William Goodwen of Swafham for the robbynge of Geffrey Sowle.Item, the same Prentys and Goodwyn robbed Thomas Irynge of Mylehamanno xxº Regis nunc.Item, the same Prentys toke of Wylliam Dallynge at Norwyche v. mark for smytynge of of hese feteris whan he was there in presonanno xixº Regis nunc.Item, to indyte the baly of Swaffham, T. Todenham, Heydon, Prentys, of felonye as excercarys [accessaries].Item, to speke to Feraris for hese mater at Thyrnyng. Item, to indyte a cowper at Geyton wheche slow a tenaunt of Danyell at Geyton. Hese name is Thomas Dowce that was slayn; and ther kan no man indyte hym, for Sir T. Todenham maynteynyth hym, and therfore he were worthy to be indyted as excercary,anno xxvº Regis nunc.Item, to indyte Heydon, because he rydyth armyd ayens the statute and the commyssion of the peas.Item, for takyng awey of John of Berneys haborjoun at Walsyngham.Item, to inquere what they dede to Alexaunder Reve of Cokely Clay.Item, what they dedyn to Shragger, and to hese sone, for they stokked hym and hese sone at Swafham.Item, what they deden to Gachecroft at Methewold.Item, to enquere what they deden to a chanon of Ingham; he was arestid, and set in prison at Swafham, and [they] dede hym make a obligacioun [forced him to give a bond].Item, how that be her comaundment Emond Wyghtton was arestid at Hempton, and put in the stokks at Fakenham more than iij. dayis, till he made a fyn of v. marks, and yet he spent and yave xls.besyde.Item, for to endyte Knatesale, John of Woode, Robert of Woode, for Ferers mater.Item, that William Kelynge of Castlelaker under eschetor, how that he rydyth armed, and reysith many men ayens the peas; he met wyth the Byschop at West Dereham with x. men of armys.Item, of extorcious amerciaments take of the Prior of Westacre at Narforthe and Swafham, and hese man there set openly and shamefully and gret oppression in stokks, and a flok of hoggs taken; and be whyche appressions and extorcions was the Prior of Westacre compellid to yeven Sir T. Todenham a fee of xls.a yere, and to make Shuldam her styward, and yeven hym a fee of xls.a yere there. W. Yelverton and all other aforn hym had but xxvjs.viijd.; but of these and of many mo wers it is a gret foly to laboren in as for any indytements, but if ye be ryght seker of the sherefes office; for if he lyst, he may returne men i nowe of Swafham, and seche as ye wold have for the enquest of the hunderid, and it is the more to drede of the undyrschereff that they arn asented, and drawe all aftyr her draught. And that they wold that no sessions shuld be because of the massage that he sent to my mayster be Nicholas Dowyldays clerks, and therfore ther must be thebegynnynge of all these maters, as ye wold save your worchepis, and eschewe shame and the peryll, &c.(At the bottom of the page)—Mdmof [blank] groond and of the extorcions of Sporlle.On the back of this document occur the following further memoranda in two columns:Maters sterid to hurt of both parties.Sir John Fastolf,Bisshoppis Wif.Est’.216.2The Priour of Norwich,The Cite.The Abbot of Wendlyng,The Cite.Est’.The Abbot of Leiston,William Jeney.Est’.Gregory Guybon,—216.3Perpoynt.John Tatleshale,Robert Mortymer.The Lady Bardolf,Sir John Fastolf.The Lord Moleyns,John Paston.Ambidexter.216.1Dux Norff.Dux Suff.Stockton,Est’.Ed. Wynter,John Mariot.Ferrers,Hobbes Wif.Est’.Prior Walsyngham,Ric. Doget.Est’.Mondford,Danyell.Est’.Sir John Curson,Maister John Selet.Est’.Sir John Curson,Will. Thurton.Est’.213.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This paper must belong to the early part of the year 1451, when it was proposed to indict Tuddenham and Heydon at Norwich.213.2This title is taken from a contemporaneous endorsement.216.1This term is applied to a juror who receives money of both parties in a suit.216.2This abbreviated word is probablyEstreat, indicating that an extract or official copy of the indictment had been made.216.3Blank inMS.176OPPRESSIONS OF TUDDENHAM AND HEYDON216.4These be names of men that arne myschevesly oppressed and wronged by Sir T. Tudenham and Heydon and here adherentes:—Yelverton.Fastolf.Paston.Gregorius Gybon.Joh. Maryot.Ferrers.Berney.Straunge.Framyngham.Trenchemer.Joh. Jenney, Senior.Joh. Damme.Nicholaus Grome.Joh. Ode.Joh. Knevet.Robert Clyfton.Thomas Hypgame.Homines de Swafham.Joh. atte Howe of Helloughton.Simon Blake.Joh. Botwryghe, Clerk.Item, many men indyted in Norffolk and Suffolk be Tudenham and Heydon, &c.Ric. Wryght of Saham.216.4[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This paper no doubt belongs to the same period as the last.The intended order of the list is ambiguous. The namesYelverton, Fastolf, // PastonandGybon, Maryot, // Ferrerswere shown in two columns straddling a page break, followed by the remaining names in a single column.177FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON217.11451(?)Primo. Sciat vestra veneranda discretio quod Episcopus hujus diocesis est Thomæ Danyell et suis fautoribus maxime benevolus et in ipso episcopo T. T., J. H.,217.2et suis complicibus est ipsius confidentia maxima, &c.2º Si justiciarii pacis hujus comitatus omnes et singuli debeant sua autoritate pacis media pro eorum posse per totum Norfolch. comitatum diligenter conservare et pacis ejusdemperturbatores carceri vel castro proprio mancipari facere, quæritur quare dictus episcopus, pacis, ut creditur, justiciarius, non vult in hac parte hujusmodi pacis perturbatoribus resistere; sed magis eisdem in talibus insolenciis favorem et auxilium in omnibus præbere.3º Si quærantur consiliarii dicti Episcopi, certum est quod Prior monachorum, M. J. Celot, J. Bulman, T. T.,218.1J. H.,218.2J. W.,218.3Johannes Yates cum consimilibus ceteris sunt etiam consiliarii dicti Danielis.4º Cum, secundum Apostolum,218.4furta, homicidia et talia vicia eis similia sunt abhominabilia Deo et hominibus, ac utriusque legis divinæ et humanæ contraria sacratis sanccionibus, in tantum quod non solum qui talia agunt digni sunt morte, sed etiam qui conscenciunt agentibus; ex quibus certe verisimiliter concluditur quod non solum Kervere, latro, et Daniel famulus, furator equi ac murre satis notorius, puniretur una cum fautoribus ejus.5º Vestra discretio dicta Christi in Ewangelio diligenter consideret, ‘Si in viridi ligno hæc faciant, in arido quid fiet?’218.56º Non solum hæc pensare debetis pro vestræ personæ defensione seu vestræ familiæ, sed magis movere vos debet zelus et amor rei publice totius vestræ patriæ.7º Si ista indilate et cum omni possibili celeritate citius non reformaveritis, timendum valde supponitur de insurreccione plebis, quod absit omnino.8º Novitque discretio vestra ex paucis indigestis plura politice percipere. Statui pro præsenti tempore finem scribendi imponere.
201.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 237.]201.3SeeNo. 153; alsoPS.toNo. 162.201.4This, which is written after the date, would appear to apply to Dallyng.165ANONYMOUS TO ——202.11450I preyzu if ze have any old gownys for lynynges and old schetys and old schertys that may non lenger seven zu, I prey zu send hem hom in hast, for I must okupye seche thyngis in hast. Wyndham hath medyd the juryorys and yaf hem mony that xuld passe on the qwhest be twyn zour modyr and hym; if ther myt ben purveyd any mene that it myt ben dasched in cas wer that it xuld passe azens zour modyr, it wer a good sport; for than he wold ben wode. He sent with his men to the afray iij. gunnys in very trowth. I have inquiryd veryly ther after. He is wode wroth that Daniel is amrel, for it is told me that on of his men is indytyd in the amrellys cort sythyn that Danyel was made amerel. I pray zu bewar in qhat felaschep ze ryd qhan ze com homward, for ther gon many fals shrewys and thevys in this contre.Thomas Skipping rod to Londonward on Friday last past in gret hast and purposyd hym for to ben at London on Sonday be none on erandys of his maysterrys: qhat the cawse is I wote nott. On sent me word her of that knowth it for trowth.202.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 150.] The date of this letter seems to be towards the close of the year 1450; for though I have not met with the date of Daniel’s appointment as Admiral, which would prove the year, it will be seen by the last paragraph ofNo. 142that Wyndham was indicted at that time along with Toddenham and Heydon, as one of the makers of disorder in Norfolk.166SIR JOHN FASTOLF203.1..........Item, that Sir John Ingelose and the Meyer be spoke to for here worship that the man weche that herd Heydon seye the langage upon wheche he is endyted, be sent heder; for that aught not to be kept prevye but oplyshed, seyng any thyng towchyng or sownyng to treson. And, on the other part, it is to grett necye (?) to noyse any man with ought cause, &c. Hit is not here worship this mater, if hit be trew, is so longe kept prevye with theym, &c.J. Fastolfe.203.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This is a mere fragment, containing nothing but the postscript of a letter, the date of which must be either towards the end of the year 1450, or the beginning of 1451. A passage to the same effect will be found in a letter of Fastolf’s, written on the 7th January 1451.167THE EARL OF OXFORD TO JOHN JERMYN203.2To my ryght trusty and intierly welbeloved John Jermyn, Shirreve of Norffolk.1451JAN. 2Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele. And where late by the Kyngs comaundment in the tyme of his Parliament, holden now last at Westminster, I was in persone at Norwich, holdyng Sessions of oir determyner203.3with Yelverton, on of the Kyngs Juges, by greet space and greet attendaunce, which for to a do with suych diligence in the Parliament tyme I wold a be right lothe, but for the pupplyk wele of all the shire.It is also not oute of your remembraunce what indisposicionthe Commons of bothe countes in the ende of somer last passed wer of, and how the Kyng, by the hole advyse of all the greet Councell of Ingland, to sese their rumour, send hider his said Commission; and how I have do my part therynne, I reporte me to all the world. I here a gruggyng, neverthelesse, that trow favour in your office to the pople that hath compleyned by many and grete horible billes agayn certeyn persones shuld not be shewid at this next Sessions at Lenn, ne ferther in the said Comission, which, if it so were, as God defend, myght cause a latter errour wurs than the first.I pray yow, therfore, that ye wole write to me your disposicion how ye purpose to be demened, and how I shal take yow for th’execucion of the Kyngs Comission, and the pupplik wele of all the shire; and aftir that that ye write to me, so wole I take yow, latyng yow wete that I were lothe to labour ferther but if I wist that the Commons shuld be easid as Godds law wold; and if ony errour grow, the defaute shal not be founde in me.I pray yow more over to gif credence to the berer her of, and the Trinite kepe yow. Wretyn at Wynch, the second day of January.The Erle of Oxenford.203.2[From Fenn, iii. 106.] As this letter was written in the year that John Jermyn was Sheriff of Norfolk, the date must be 1451.203.3Seepage 161, Note 3.168THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF204.1To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved Sir John Fastolff, Knyght.1451(?)JAN. 2Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele, and pray yow to be right sadly advysed of the contynue of a bille of instruccion closid her ynne; and therupon, as I trust yow, to comon with suych my Lords of the Kyngs Councell as be present now at this tyme, in especiallmy Lord Chaunceller, and that ye wole send me instruccyon agayn of their avise, and how I shal demene me. And the Trinite preserve yow. Wretyn at Wynch, the second day of January.The Erle of Oxenford.204.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter, which is dated at the same place and on the same day as the preceding, was probably written in the same year also.169JOHN BOCKING TO WILLIAM WAYTE205.1To William Wayte.205.21451JAN. 2Rithfeithful and welbelovyd brother, Wiliam Wayte, I comaunde me to yow as the lord may to his tenant, praying you effectualy to recomaunde me to my singuler gode mayster and yours, excusyng me that I write not to hym, for I dar not envolde me in the same. And as for tydyngs her, I certifye you that all is nowght, or will be nowght. The Kyng borweth hes expense for Cristemesse; the Kyng of Aragon,205.3the Duc of Myleyn,205.4the Duc of Ostrich,205.5the Duc of Burgoyn205.6wolde ben assistent to us to make a conquest, and nothyng is aunswered, ner agreed in maner, save abydyng the grete deliberacon that at the last zall spill all to goder, &c.The Chief Yistice205.7hath waited to ben assauted all this sevenyght nyghtly in hes hous, but nothing come as yett, the more pite, &c. Onoyr and determiner205.8goth in to Kent, andCommissioners my Lord the Duc of York, Bouchier, my mayster,206.1that will not come there,de prodicionibus, &c., but Kent praeth hem to hang no men when thei come.Other tydyngs as yett can I non tell you, save Ulveston is Styward of the Mydill Inne, and Isley of the Inner Inne, be cause thei wold have officz for excuse for dwellyng this tyme from her wyves, &c. Sir T. T.206.2lost hes primer at the Tour Hill, and sent his man to seche [fetch(?)] it, and a good felaw wyshed hit in Norffolk, so he wold fetch hit there, &c. Men ween that Norffolk men wer hardier thanne thei be.God graunte, and at the reverence of God help too that an outas206.3and clamour be made upon the Lord Scalez,206.4preying hym for well of the cuntre, neyther susteyn ner help hym ner Heydon in no wyse, and that ye crye upon my mayster and yours that he obeye not the syrcorar [certiorari] as yett, as ye may se be hes lettre from my mayster, rudely and in hast be me endited, of which I pray excuse, &c. And pray Blake206.5to do Swafham men sey sum what to the matier.I wote well T. and H.206.6wil not come there at this tyme, as it is verily reported, &c.Mitte sapientem, &c.Brayn and I shalbe with you on Saturday nest at evyn, with the grace of Jesu, to whom I be take you. In hast, at London, the ijdeday of Januar.ByJ. Bockyng.205.1[From Fenn, iii. 134.] The evidence on which this letter has been assigned to the year 1451 will be seen in a footnote.205.2This is supplied by the Editor, there being no address in theMS.itself.205.3AlfonsoV.205.4Francis Sforza, one of the most able and successful generals of the time. He was a soldier of fortune, of peasant origin, and succeeded to the Duchy of Milan by his marriage with Bianca Maria, natural daughter of Philip Maria, the preceding Duke, whose interests he had at one time opposed as general of a league formed by the Pope and the Venetian and Florentine Republics against the Duchy.205.5Albert, surnamed the Prodigal, brother of the Emperor FredericIII.205.6Philip the Good.205.7Sir John Fortescue.205.8A commission ofoyer and terminerfor Kent and Sussex was issued in December 1450 to Richard, Duke of York, Lord Bourchier, Sir John Fastolf, and others.—Patent Roll, 29 Hen.VI.p. 1, m. 16indorso.206.1Sir John Fastolf, whose servant Bocking was.206.2Sir Thomas Tuddenham.206.3An outcry.206.4Seep. 196.206.5Elsewhere mentioned as bailiff of Swaffham.206.6Tuddenham and Heydon.170WILLIAM WAYTE TO JOHN PASTON207.1To my Ryght seuereandryght worchepfull mayster, my mayster Paston, in hast.1451JAN. 3RyghtReverent and ryght wurchepfull sir, I recomaunde me un to youre good maysterchep. Late yow wete that Blake the baly of Swafham cam hom from London on the Saterday after that my mayster departed from yow atte myn lord of Oxenfordis. And he told my mayster that he cam to London on Seint John day atte nyte. And he yede streyt to my lord Chaunceler and told my seyd lord that yf the Kyng pardoned sir Thomas Tudenham and Heydon her issewes that the shire of Suffolk wold paye no taxe; for what nedyth the kynge for to have the taxe of hese pore puple whanne he wyll not take hese issues of thos rych extorssioners and oppressours of hese puple. And also he told my seyd lord Chaunceler and many more lordes that yf the kynge pardon hym or graunted anysupersedeas, London shuld with inne short tyme have as moche for to do as they hadde for to kepe London Brygge whanne the Capteyn207.2cam thedir; for he told hym that ther was up in Norffolk redy to ryse V Ml.comons yf they have not execucion of theoyreandterminer. And whanne my lord Chaunceler herd this he was ryte glade therof, and dede Blake telle all this and moche more a forn the kynge and all hese lordes, that they blyssed him whanne they herden yt. And yf he hadde not a seyd this they shuld an hadd andsupersedeasand pardon also, for ther was made a gret suggestion that it hadde be don of grette malyce. And so the lord Scales meyntenyth Sir Thomas Tudenham in all that he may goodly, but he wyll not awowyt; but he shall come don to theoyre determinersekerly, and for to make anende atwex sir T. Tudenham and Swafham; for [he] hayth made and genttyl letter un to the parson, the bayly and the inhabitaunce of Swafham, and seth that he wyll do hese parte to sette them in reste and peas. And so my mayster understande that yf Swafham and he werne accorded that thei shuld sette lytyll be Norwych. And therfore my mayster prayeth yow that ye wyll speke with the Mayer and hese brethern that they purvey that ther be atte Lenn a sufficiaunt fellawshep to gedyr, and that ther be madde a grette noyse up on the lord Scales, bothe of Tudenham and Heydon, and for all thos that arne of that sekt, and that wyse purvyaunce ordenance he hadde how they shull be demened; for this same day was the parson of Swafham with my mayster, and they arne accorded that ther shall be of here lordshep and sufficiaunt fellawshep and they shall have here loggyng atte the Frere Menours atte Lenn. And they wyll not assentte to noone ende but as the Cety doyth. And it is here avyse that the meyre shuld purveye for hem in sum other Freres. For Tudenham and H[eydon] wyll brynge with hem sufficiaunt counceyll as any kun they gete in London; And also the Cetye must purvey that as many sufficiaunt mene as can be gette or spoke to, that they be redy yf it happe of any tryall. Also the Cetye hadde nede to have Sir Miles Stapulton ther show they shuld helpe to hese costys. Ware, Sir, atte the reverens of God be thenke yow well of all these maters. Blake was atte London on Thursday and herd no word of the stretes,208.1ne of Robson my lord of Oxffordis man, and or Blake cam to London Sir T. Terell hadde labored to Sir John Fastolf that Sir T. Tudenham shuld ave [been208.2] bownde to Sir John Fastolf in foure thowsand pounde to stande to hese rule and ordenance; and so whanne Blake cam and deysshsed all to gedyr, and so he dede Sir John Fastolf labor to the kynge and to the Chaunceler for to lette thesupersedeasand the pardon; and ther was grette langage atwex Blake and Tudenham; it wor to moche to wryte yt un to yow, but he hayth sore noyssed my mayster to the Kynge and to the lordes. Also Tudenhamis owte of the kynges hows, and Cotton is Warderopper, my mayster shall on Monday dyne with. Also, sir, it wore grette wysdam that my mayster hadde knowleche atte Walsyngham on Fryday nest comyng how the Maire and ze be accorded, for my mayster wyle be recaled therafter. William Geney sent un to my mayster for to ascuse hym that he shuld not come to Lenn un to the Wedenesday. And, Sir, that were agrette hurte bothe to the Cyte of Norwych and for Swafham; and therfor my mayster wold that the Mayer shuld send for hym, that he be ther be tyme on the Tuesday, and that moo bille be made ayens Tudenham and Heydon, what so ever falle. The Holy Gost have you and yours in hese kepyng. Wretyn atte Rougham, the Sonday nyte nest after newe zers day in hest as it semyth.—Be your servaunte,W. Wayte.207.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 63.] The date of this letter is sufficiently evident.207.2Jack Cade.208.1I.e.theestreats.208.2Omitted inMS.To my Ryght seuere and ryght worchepfull maystertext has “ana” (italic “a” for “d”)171ABSTRACT209.1Sir John Fastolf to John a Berney and Sir Thomas Howes.1451JAN. 7Sends John Bokkyng on matters to be sped at the oyer and terminer. They must remember acertiorariis out of the King’s Bench, and aprocedendowas granted at one time ‘for certain which had not appeared in the place and pleaded.’ Has received all the stuff contained in a bill dated 28th November, made by John Davye of Yarmouth, and delivered to one Roger Metsharp, master of the little boat calledThe Blythe. Wonders they did not send the great ship with malt. Desires provisions for Lent by next ship. Remind my cousin Inglos that the man that ‘appeched’ Heydon be sent hither, if he dare stand by his words. All the indictments against Heydon are not worth a halfpenny. Howes must take John à Berney’s advice about this matter.London, Thursday after Twelfth, 29 Hen.VI.Let all who were on the inquest for Bardolf’s matter be indicted, whatever it cost.Signed.209.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 246.]172WILLIAM WAYTE TO JOHN PASTON210.1To my ryght reverent and ryght worchepfull mayster, my mayster Paston in hest posybyll.1451JAN. 9Syr, lyke yt yow to know that my lord Scalys sent hese pursevaunt unto my mayster210.2on the Twelthe day, that my mayster shuld mete wyth hym atte Wynche aforn my Lord of Oxenford on the Thursday nest folwyng. And whanne my mayster cam thedyr, he delyvered my mayster a letter from my Lord Chauncheler, quych my mayster wyll shew yow atte Lenn. I shuld send yow a copy therof, but it is so longe that I had no leyser to wryte it. My mayster rode to Walsyngham on the Fryday folwyng, and ther he mette with the shereve, and the shereve lyveryd my mayster a letter from my Lord of Norffolk, qwych I send yow a copy of. And atte Walsyngham my mayster resceyvyd a letter from Osberne youre man. And ther Heydonis man made hese avaunte that he was the Justice of the Pease on Caustonheythe; and so it semyth be here contenaunce that they trost of a good zere. And, Syr, whanne my mayster cam hom on Saterday ther was lyvered my mayster a letter from Sir John Fastolf, and a neyther letter cam to me from John Bokkynge,210.3qwych I send you a copy of. Sir, God send us a fayre day atte210.4Lenn. And that ther may be pople jnow to crye up on the Lord Scales that he mayntene not Sir T. T. and H. in here wronges, as the copy of B letter makyth mencion. And, Sir, atte the reverens of God, laborth youre materis wysely and secretely, for Wyndam noysed yow sore aforn my Lord ofOxenford and my Lorde Scales that ze shuld reyse meche puple with grette arey owte of Norwyche. And therfor, Sir, late the puple be wysely and manly gydyd in here frekynge and demenynge. Also my Lord Scales sent for the parson of Sw[a]fham and divers men of the same town to mete with hym aforn my Lord of Oxenford the seyd Thursday, for to trete with hem for Sir Thomas Tudenham; and ther was the baly of Swafham and Sir Thomas Tudenham prest. And so my Lord Scales yave the parson of S. grette langage and to men of same towne. Y. and the parson answherd my Lord Scales manly in the best wyse. And ther was grette langage twexen Blake the baly and Tudenham prest that my lordys and my mayster worne acornberd therof. And so it is lyke that my Lord Scales shall make ther no loveday; and so Swafham wylbe ther in here best array. Also, Sir, Brygge was atte Walsyngham; and ther he craked grette wordes, and seyd to many divers men that it shuld be thanked alle tho that labored a yens hem. And he seyd that it worne but viij. personys, and yf men be men now it shuld be thanked hym and told hym atte Lenn. In the lest wysse he is now with the Lord Scales; the Lord Scales wyte Thomas Denyes, John Lyster and me all those indytementis. And the Lord Scales seyth that I made all the bylles and the panell; and so he is hevy lord to me and to Thomas Denyes. Prentys is atte hom with the Lord Scales; the shereve told me that he wyll do for the Cyte of Norwych as meche as he may. Sir, I wold ther worne a thowsand of good Maudby men to crye owte on Tudenham, Heydon, Prentys and Brygge for here falsse exstorciones. Also, Sir, atte the reverens of God, make an ende atwexen Sexeford and men of Salle; it lyeth in your power. I shall make redy youre forsebyll entres ayens Lenn, with the grace of God, Qwych have yow in Hese kepynge. Wretyn atte Rougham on Saterday nyte in hest.Sir, I send yow and lewde letter be Richerd Yenneys. I beseche yow be ware to whom ze shew your letters; lete them be brente.—Be your servaunt,W. Waytes.210.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 230.] This letter was evidently written on the Saturday after the same writer’s letter of the 3rd January immediately preceding.210.2Judge Yelverton. He was lord of the manor of Rougham, from which this letter is dated.210.3No. 169.210.4Atterepeated inMS.173ABSTRACT212.1Sir John Fastolf to Thomas Howys, Clerk, andJohn Bokkyng, in haste.1451JAN. 12Begs them to labour his matters, and forget not ‘that old shrew, Dallyng, for he is sore at my stomach.’ Sends by the Parson aprocedendoagainst Tudenham, which he has got out with great labour, with a letter to my brother Yelverton. ‘And as to an assize for Hikkelyng, I shall be there on in the beginning of this term; and for Tichewell in like wise.’ Bokkyng must remind my cousin Inglos about the indictments for treason of Heydon, ‘that the man might be sent up to preve the said matter.’ Fears it has slept too long. Wishes his shipThe Blythesent to him.London, 12 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.Get my Lord [Oxford] and Yelverton to write a letter to Blake of the King’s house, thanking him for his friendliness to the country; ‘and forget not that Dallyng be had before my Lord and Yelverton, and make his confession before hem, &c. And let the great men that have most matters against [him] help somewhat to this good end.’212.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 230.]174ABSTRACT212.2Sir J. Fastolf to Sir Thos. Howys and John Berneyat Castre, in hast; or at his place in Pokethorp, at Norwich.1451JAN. 28Master Hue Acton has been with him for the new evidences ensealed for the manor of Mundham, which F. has sold to the use of the Church of St. Giles that he is master of, &c. Thanks them for what they have done for him in his causes before the Commissioners ofoyer and terminerat Lynne, &c. Hears Appulzerd’s son expects the inquest of Mancroft in Norwich to be reversed. Speak to my cousin Inglose about this. Fastolf’s audit books. My cousin John Berney puts me in great comfort by seeing to the safeguard of my place in my absence. Would be sorry he should be injured by having respited his entry into Rokelond Toffts at my request.Make friends in Norwich against Easter when theoyer and termineris to be held again, for I must proceed in the matter against Appulzerd.London, 28 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.Begs them to send his grain and malt in a good vessel, well accompanied, with a good wind, as he has had great losses before. Speak to the Mayor of Norwich about Appulzerd’s matter; ‘for there was no city in England that I loved and trusted most upon, till they did so unkindly to me and against truth in the Lady Bardolf’s matter.’[This letter is referred to by Blomefield (Hist. of Norf.iv. 388, Note 9), and two short extracts are given from the beginning, relating to the Hospital of St. Giles.]212.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 236.]175MEMORANDA FOR PROSECUTIONS213.1Præsentationes factæ et fiendæ in audiendo et determinando.213.21451Foras meche as theoyer and termyneris thus restreynyd, not vythstandyng the wrytyngs and all the materis utterid be my Lord of Oxenford, but if ther folow sumwhat lyke to the perell lyke to be conceyved be maters that so wern utterid and be the seyd wrytyngs, ellis shall it gretly sowndyn ageyns the worchep and the weel of all the personys, lordis, and other that eyther have wreten or utterid owght, and lyke wyse of hem in whos name seche materis hath ben utterid, soo that hereaftyr, whan they have ryght gret nede to be herd, and to be wel spedde, they shul the rather fayle thereof bothen, and here enemyes the heyer up and the more bold, &c. And therfore herein men must hold fote as manhod woll wyth wysdom; and ellisnovissimus error pejor priori.Item, in the cyte of Norwyche must the falshodys and the fals getyngs of good ther don ben fowndyn, and thow summ maters ben not presentable, or peraventure in seche forme not corigyble ther, yet so that the mater in the self be orible and fowle, and so that summe other be sufficient, yet it semyth summe men best that all go forthe and be taken, and namely [especially] in this werd [world] that now is, &c.Item, in lyke wyse must it be in the shier, ther me thynkytit is reson that my Lordys sett bothe the day and the place of the Sessions, and all men kepe that wern the robberis at Gresham and to Plumstede, the shippyng of wolle ageyn the statute, that is felonye, and the lycence than, if ony be, ther shull come to lyght and disputed, and I suppose veryly be other statutes and be lawe fownde voyde, and the leveryes that Heydon hatht yoven to hem that arn not hese menyall men.Item, the presonment of John Porter of Blykelyng.Item, the presonment of John Langman of Swafham.Item, the presonment of Robert Patgrys of Burnham.Item, the extorcions in her [their] cortes.Item, the prisonynge of Dallynge, and of hese obligacion mad to Sir Thomas Todenham, and howe he was presonyd at Norwyche, at Thetforthe, at Lynne, and also of many other that ben don soo too.Item, to remembre T. Denyes of the tale that Fyncheham told whan he cam hom for Sir T. Todeham, that he be ware therof, &c.Item, for to indyte Pryntys of a voluntary eschete that where on Symond Hamond of Patesle wheche was indyted of felonye, and because of hese goods he lete hym owte of the castellanno xvjº Regis nunc.Item, for to indyte the same Prentys and William Goodwen of Swafham for the robbynge of Geffrey Sowle.Item, the same Prentys and Goodwyn robbed Thomas Irynge of Mylehamanno xxº Regis nunc.Item, the same Prentys toke of Wylliam Dallynge at Norwyche v. mark for smytynge of of hese feteris whan he was there in presonanno xixº Regis nunc.Item, to indyte the baly of Swaffham, T. Todenham, Heydon, Prentys, of felonye as excercarys [accessaries].Item, to speke to Feraris for hese mater at Thyrnyng. Item, to indyte a cowper at Geyton wheche slow a tenaunt of Danyell at Geyton. Hese name is Thomas Dowce that was slayn; and ther kan no man indyte hym, for Sir T. Todenham maynteynyth hym, and therfore he were worthy to be indyted as excercary,anno xxvº Regis nunc.Item, to indyte Heydon, because he rydyth armyd ayens the statute and the commyssion of the peas.Item, for takyng awey of John of Berneys haborjoun at Walsyngham.Item, to inquere what they dede to Alexaunder Reve of Cokely Clay.Item, what they dedyn to Shragger, and to hese sone, for they stokked hym and hese sone at Swafham.Item, what they deden to Gachecroft at Methewold.Item, to enquere what they deden to a chanon of Ingham; he was arestid, and set in prison at Swafham, and [they] dede hym make a obligacioun [forced him to give a bond].Item, how that be her comaundment Emond Wyghtton was arestid at Hempton, and put in the stokks at Fakenham more than iij. dayis, till he made a fyn of v. marks, and yet he spent and yave xls.besyde.Item, for to endyte Knatesale, John of Woode, Robert of Woode, for Ferers mater.Item, that William Kelynge of Castlelaker under eschetor, how that he rydyth armed, and reysith many men ayens the peas; he met wyth the Byschop at West Dereham with x. men of armys.Item, of extorcious amerciaments take of the Prior of Westacre at Narforthe and Swafham, and hese man there set openly and shamefully and gret oppression in stokks, and a flok of hoggs taken; and be whyche appressions and extorcions was the Prior of Westacre compellid to yeven Sir T. Todenham a fee of xls.a yere, and to make Shuldam her styward, and yeven hym a fee of xls.a yere there. W. Yelverton and all other aforn hym had but xxvjs.viijd.; but of these and of many mo wers it is a gret foly to laboren in as for any indytements, but if ye be ryght seker of the sherefes office; for if he lyst, he may returne men i nowe of Swafham, and seche as ye wold have for the enquest of the hunderid, and it is the more to drede of the undyrschereff that they arn asented, and drawe all aftyr her draught. And that they wold that no sessions shuld be because of the massage that he sent to my mayster be Nicholas Dowyldays clerks, and therfore ther must be thebegynnynge of all these maters, as ye wold save your worchepis, and eschewe shame and the peryll, &c.(At the bottom of the page)—Mdmof [blank] groond and of the extorcions of Sporlle.On the back of this document occur the following further memoranda in two columns:Maters sterid to hurt of both parties.Sir John Fastolf,Bisshoppis Wif.Est’.216.2The Priour of Norwich,The Cite.The Abbot of Wendlyng,The Cite.Est’.The Abbot of Leiston,William Jeney.Est’.Gregory Guybon,—216.3Perpoynt.John Tatleshale,Robert Mortymer.The Lady Bardolf,Sir John Fastolf.The Lord Moleyns,John Paston.Ambidexter.216.1Dux Norff.Dux Suff.Stockton,Est’.Ed. Wynter,John Mariot.Ferrers,Hobbes Wif.Est’.Prior Walsyngham,Ric. Doget.Est’.Mondford,Danyell.Est’.Sir John Curson,Maister John Selet.Est’.Sir John Curson,Will. Thurton.Est’.213.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This paper must belong to the early part of the year 1451, when it was proposed to indict Tuddenham and Heydon at Norwich.213.2This title is taken from a contemporaneous endorsement.216.1This term is applied to a juror who receives money of both parties in a suit.216.2This abbreviated word is probablyEstreat, indicating that an extract or official copy of the indictment had been made.216.3Blank inMS.176OPPRESSIONS OF TUDDENHAM AND HEYDON216.4These be names of men that arne myschevesly oppressed and wronged by Sir T. Tudenham and Heydon and here adherentes:—Yelverton.Fastolf.Paston.Gregorius Gybon.Joh. Maryot.Ferrers.Berney.Straunge.Framyngham.Trenchemer.Joh. Jenney, Senior.Joh. Damme.Nicholaus Grome.Joh. Ode.Joh. Knevet.Robert Clyfton.Thomas Hypgame.Homines de Swafham.Joh. atte Howe of Helloughton.Simon Blake.Joh. Botwryghe, Clerk.Item, many men indyted in Norffolk and Suffolk be Tudenham and Heydon, &c.Ric. Wryght of Saham.216.4[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This paper no doubt belongs to the same period as the last.The intended order of the list is ambiguous. The namesYelverton, Fastolf, // PastonandGybon, Maryot, // Ferrerswere shown in two columns straddling a page break, followed by the remaining names in a single column.177FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON217.11451(?)Primo. Sciat vestra veneranda discretio quod Episcopus hujus diocesis est Thomæ Danyell et suis fautoribus maxime benevolus et in ipso episcopo T. T., J. H.,217.2et suis complicibus est ipsius confidentia maxima, &c.2º Si justiciarii pacis hujus comitatus omnes et singuli debeant sua autoritate pacis media pro eorum posse per totum Norfolch. comitatum diligenter conservare et pacis ejusdemperturbatores carceri vel castro proprio mancipari facere, quæritur quare dictus episcopus, pacis, ut creditur, justiciarius, non vult in hac parte hujusmodi pacis perturbatoribus resistere; sed magis eisdem in talibus insolenciis favorem et auxilium in omnibus præbere.3º Si quærantur consiliarii dicti Episcopi, certum est quod Prior monachorum, M. J. Celot, J. Bulman, T. T.,218.1J. H.,218.2J. W.,218.3Johannes Yates cum consimilibus ceteris sunt etiam consiliarii dicti Danielis.4º Cum, secundum Apostolum,218.4furta, homicidia et talia vicia eis similia sunt abhominabilia Deo et hominibus, ac utriusque legis divinæ et humanæ contraria sacratis sanccionibus, in tantum quod non solum qui talia agunt digni sunt morte, sed etiam qui conscenciunt agentibus; ex quibus certe verisimiliter concluditur quod non solum Kervere, latro, et Daniel famulus, furator equi ac murre satis notorius, puniretur una cum fautoribus ejus.5º Vestra discretio dicta Christi in Ewangelio diligenter consideret, ‘Si in viridi ligno hæc faciant, in arido quid fiet?’218.56º Non solum hæc pensare debetis pro vestræ personæ defensione seu vestræ familiæ, sed magis movere vos debet zelus et amor rei publice totius vestræ patriæ.7º Si ista indilate et cum omni possibili celeritate citius non reformaveritis, timendum valde supponitur de insurreccione plebis, quod absit omnino.8º Novitque discretio vestra ex paucis indigestis plura politice percipere. Statui pro præsenti tempore finem scribendi imponere.
201.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 237.]201.3SeeNo. 153; alsoPS.toNo. 162.201.4This, which is written after the date, would appear to apply to Dallyng.
201.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 237.]
201.3SeeNo. 153; alsoPS.toNo. 162.
201.4This, which is written after the date, would appear to apply to Dallyng.
1450
I preyzu if ze have any old gownys for lynynges and old schetys and old schertys that may non lenger seven zu, I prey zu send hem hom in hast, for I must okupye seche thyngis in hast. Wyndham hath medyd the juryorys and yaf hem mony that xuld passe on the qwhest be twyn zour modyr and hym; if ther myt ben purveyd any mene that it myt ben dasched in cas wer that it xuld passe azens zour modyr, it wer a good sport; for than he wold ben wode. He sent with his men to the afray iij. gunnys in very trowth. I have inquiryd veryly ther after. He is wode wroth that Daniel is amrel, for it is told me that on of his men is indytyd in the amrellys cort sythyn that Danyel was made amerel. I pray zu bewar in qhat felaschep ze ryd qhan ze com homward, for ther gon many fals shrewys and thevys in this contre.
Thomas Skipping rod to Londonward on Friday last past in gret hast and purposyd hym for to ben at London on Sonday be none on erandys of his maysterrys: qhat the cawse is I wote nott. On sent me word her of that knowth it for trowth.
202.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 150.] The date of this letter seems to be towards the close of the year 1450; for though I have not met with the date of Daniel’s appointment as Admiral, which would prove the year, it will be seen by the last paragraph ofNo. 142that Wyndham was indicted at that time along with Toddenham and Heydon, as one of the makers of disorder in Norfolk.
..........
Item, that Sir John Ingelose and the Meyer be spoke to for here worship that the man weche that herd Heydon seye the langage upon wheche he is endyted, be sent heder; for that aught not to be kept prevye but oplyshed, seyng any thyng towchyng or sownyng to treson. And, on the other part, it is to grett necye (?) to noyse any man with ought cause, &c. Hit is not here worship this mater, if hit be trew, is so longe kept prevye with theym, &c.J. Fastolfe.
203.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This is a mere fragment, containing nothing but the postscript of a letter, the date of which must be either towards the end of the year 1450, or the beginning of 1451. A passage to the same effect will be found in a letter of Fastolf’s, written on the 7th January 1451.
To my ryght trusty and intierly welbeloved John Jermyn, Shirreve of Norffolk.
1451JAN. 2
Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele. And where late by the Kyngs comaundment in the tyme of his Parliament, holden now last at Westminster, I was in persone at Norwich, holdyng Sessions of oir determyner203.3with Yelverton, on of the Kyngs Juges, by greet space and greet attendaunce, which for to a do with suych diligence in the Parliament tyme I wold a be right lothe, but for the pupplyk wele of all the shire.
It is also not oute of your remembraunce what indisposicionthe Commons of bothe countes in the ende of somer last passed wer of, and how the Kyng, by the hole advyse of all the greet Councell of Ingland, to sese their rumour, send hider his said Commission; and how I have do my part therynne, I reporte me to all the world. I here a gruggyng, neverthelesse, that trow favour in your office to the pople that hath compleyned by many and grete horible billes agayn certeyn persones shuld not be shewid at this next Sessions at Lenn, ne ferther in the said Comission, which, if it so were, as God defend, myght cause a latter errour wurs than the first.
I pray yow, therfore, that ye wole write to me your disposicion how ye purpose to be demened, and how I shal take yow for th’execucion of the Kyngs Comission, and the pupplik wele of all the shire; and aftir that that ye write to me, so wole I take yow, latyng yow wete that I were lothe to labour ferther but if I wist that the Commons shuld be easid as Godds law wold; and if ony errour grow, the defaute shal not be founde in me.
I pray yow more over to gif credence to the berer her of, and the Trinite kepe yow. Wretyn at Wynch, the second day of January.The Erle of Oxenford.
203.2[From Fenn, iii. 106.] As this letter was written in the year that John Jermyn was Sheriff of Norfolk, the date must be 1451.203.3Seepage 161, Note 3.
203.2[From Fenn, iii. 106.] As this letter was written in the year that John Jermyn was Sheriff of Norfolk, the date must be 1451.
203.3Seepage 161, Note 3.
To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved Sir John Fastolff, Knyght.
1451(?)JAN. 2
Righttrusty and intierly welbeloved, I grete yow wele, and pray yow to be right sadly advysed of the contynue of a bille of instruccion closid her ynne; and therupon, as I trust yow, to comon with suych my Lords of the Kyngs Councell as be present now at this tyme, in especiallmy Lord Chaunceller, and that ye wole send me instruccyon agayn of their avise, and how I shal demene me. And the Trinite preserve yow. Wretyn at Wynch, the second day of January.The Erle of Oxenford.
204.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter, which is dated at the same place and on the same day as the preceding, was probably written in the same year also.
To William Wayte.205.2
1451JAN. 2
Rithfeithful and welbelovyd brother, Wiliam Wayte, I comaunde me to yow as the lord may to his tenant, praying you effectualy to recomaunde me to my singuler gode mayster and yours, excusyng me that I write not to hym, for I dar not envolde me in the same. And as for tydyngs her, I certifye you that all is nowght, or will be nowght. The Kyng borweth hes expense for Cristemesse; the Kyng of Aragon,205.3the Duc of Myleyn,205.4the Duc of Ostrich,205.5the Duc of Burgoyn205.6wolde ben assistent to us to make a conquest, and nothyng is aunswered, ner agreed in maner, save abydyng the grete deliberacon that at the last zall spill all to goder, &c.
The Chief Yistice205.7hath waited to ben assauted all this sevenyght nyghtly in hes hous, but nothing come as yett, the more pite, &c. Onoyr and determiner205.8goth in to Kent, andCommissioners my Lord the Duc of York, Bouchier, my mayster,206.1that will not come there,de prodicionibus, &c., but Kent praeth hem to hang no men when thei come.
Other tydyngs as yett can I non tell you, save Ulveston is Styward of the Mydill Inne, and Isley of the Inner Inne, be cause thei wold have officz for excuse for dwellyng this tyme from her wyves, &c. Sir T. T.206.2lost hes primer at the Tour Hill, and sent his man to seche [fetch(?)] it, and a good felaw wyshed hit in Norffolk, so he wold fetch hit there, &c. Men ween that Norffolk men wer hardier thanne thei be.
God graunte, and at the reverence of God help too that an outas206.3and clamour be made upon the Lord Scalez,206.4preying hym for well of the cuntre, neyther susteyn ner help hym ner Heydon in no wyse, and that ye crye upon my mayster and yours that he obeye not the syrcorar [certiorari] as yett, as ye may se be hes lettre from my mayster, rudely and in hast be me endited, of which I pray excuse, &c. And pray Blake206.5to do Swafham men sey sum what to the matier.
I wote well T. and H.206.6wil not come there at this tyme, as it is verily reported, &c.Mitte sapientem, &c.Brayn and I shalbe with you on Saturday nest at evyn, with the grace of Jesu, to whom I be take you. In hast, at London, the ijdeday of Januar.ByJ. Bockyng.
205.1[From Fenn, iii. 134.] The evidence on which this letter has been assigned to the year 1451 will be seen in a footnote.205.2This is supplied by the Editor, there being no address in theMS.itself.205.3AlfonsoV.205.4Francis Sforza, one of the most able and successful generals of the time. He was a soldier of fortune, of peasant origin, and succeeded to the Duchy of Milan by his marriage with Bianca Maria, natural daughter of Philip Maria, the preceding Duke, whose interests he had at one time opposed as general of a league formed by the Pope and the Venetian and Florentine Republics against the Duchy.205.5Albert, surnamed the Prodigal, brother of the Emperor FredericIII.205.6Philip the Good.205.7Sir John Fortescue.205.8A commission ofoyer and terminerfor Kent and Sussex was issued in December 1450 to Richard, Duke of York, Lord Bourchier, Sir John Fastolf, and others.—Patent Roll, 29 Hen.VI.p. 1, m. 16indorso.206.1Sir John Fastolf, whose servant Bocking was.206.2Sir Thomas Tuddenham.206.3An outcry.206.4Seep. 196.206.5Elsewhere mentioned as bailiff of Swaffham.206.6Tuddenham and Heydon.
205.1[From Fenn, iii. 134.] The evidence on which this letter has been assigned to the year 1451 will be seen in a footnote.
205.2This is supplied by the Editor, there being no address in theMS.itself.
205.3AlfonsoV.
205.4Francis Sforza, one of the most able and successful generals of the time. He was a soldier of fortune, of peasant origin, and succeeded to the Duchy of Milan by his marriage with Bianca Maria, natural daughter of Philip Maria, the preceding Duke, whose interests he had at one time opposed as general of a league formed by the Pope and the Venetian and Florentine Republics against the Duchy.
205.5Albert, surnamed the Prodigal, brother of the Emperor FredericIII.
205.6Philip the Good.
205.7Sir John Fortescue.
205.8A commission ofoyer and terminerfor Kent and Sussex was issued in December 1450 to Richard, Duke of York, Lord Bourchier, Sir John Fastolf, and others.—Patent Roll, 29 Hen.VI.p. 1, m. 16indorso.
206.1Sir John Fastolf, whose servant Bocking was.
206.2Sir Thomas Tuddenham.
206.3An outcry.
206.4Seep. 196.
206.5Elsewhere mentioned as bailiff of Swaffham.
206.6Tuddenham and Heydon.
To my Ryght seuereandryght worchepfull mayster, my mayster Paston, in hast.
1451JAN. 3
RyghtReverent and ryght wurchepfull sir, I recomaunde me un to youre good maysterchep. Late yow wete that Blake the baly of Swafham cam hom from London on the Saterday after that my mayster departed from yow atte myn lord of Oxenfordis. And he told my mayster that he cam to London on Seint John day atte nyte. And he yede streyt to my lord Chaunceler and told my seyd lord that yf the Kyng pardoned sir Thomas Tudenham and Heydon her issewes that the shire of Suffolk wold paye no taxe; for what nedyth the kynge for to have the taxe of hese pore puple whanne he wyll not take hese issues of thos rych extorssioners and oppressours of hese puple. And also he told my seyd lord Chaunceler and many more lordes that yf the kynge pardon hym or graunted anysupersedeas, London shuld with inne short tyme have as moche for to do as they hadde for to kepe London Brygge whanne the Capteyn207.2cam thedir; for he told hym that ther was up in Norffolk redy to ryse V Ml.comons yf they have not execucion of theoyreandterminer. And whanne my lord Chaunceler herd this he was ryte glade therof, and dede Blake telle all this and moche more a forn the kynge and all hese lordes, that they blyssed him whanne they herden yt. And yf he hadde not a seyd this they shuld an hadd andsupersedeasand pardon also, for ther was made a gret suggestion that it hadde be don of grette malyce. And so the lord Scales meyntenyth Sir Thomas Tudenham in all that he may goodly, but he wyll not awowyt; but he shall come don to theoyre determinersekerly, and for to make anende atwex sir T. Tudenham and Swafham; for [he] hayth made and genttyl letter un to the parson, the bayly and the inhabitaunce of Swafham, and seth that he wyll do hese parte to sette them in reste and peas. And so my mayster understande that yf Swafham and he werne accorded that thei shuld sette lytyll be Norwych. And therfore my mayster prayeth yow that ye wyll speke with the Mayer and hese brethern that they purvey that ther be atte Lenn a sufficiaunt fellawshep to gedyr, and that ther be madde a grette noyse up on the lord Scales, bothe of Tudenham and Heydon, and for all thos that arne of that sekt, and that wyse purvyaunce ordenance he hadde how they shull be demened; for this same day was the parson of Swafham with my mayster, and they arne accorded that ther shall be of here lordshep and sufficiaunt fellawshep and they shall have here loggyng atte the Frere Menours atte Lenn. And they wyll not assentte to noone ende but as the Cety doyth. And it is here avyse that the meyre shuld purveye for hem in sum other Freres. For Tudenham and H[eydon] wyll brynge with hem sufficiaunt counceyll as any kun they gete in London; And also the Cetye must purvey that as many sufficiaunt mene as can be gette or spoke to, that they be redy yf it happe of any tryall. Also the Cetye hadde nede to have Sir Miles Stapulton ther show they shuld helpe to hese costys. Ware, Sir, atte the reverens of God be thenke yow well of all these maters. Blake was atte London on Thursday and herd no word of the stretes,208.1ne of Robson my lord of Oxffordis man, and or Blake cam to London Sir T. Terell hadde labored to Sir John Fastolf that Sir T. Tudenham shuld ave [been208.2] bownde to Sir John Fastolf in foure thowsand pounde to stande to hese rule and ordenance; and so whanne Blake cam and deysshsed all to gedyr, and so he dede Sir John Fastolf labor to the kynge and to the Chaunceler for to lette thesupersedeasand the pardon; and ther was grette langage atwex Blake and Tudenham; it wor to moche to wryte yt un to yow, but he hayth sore noyssed my mayster to the Kynge and to the lordes. Also Tudenhamis owte of the kynges hows, and Cotton is Warderopper, my mayster shall on Monday dyne with. Also, sir, it wore grette wysdam that my mayster hadde knowleche atte Walsyngham on Fryday nest comyng how the Maire and ze be accorded, for my mayster wyle be recaled therafter. William Geney sent un to my mayster for to ascuse hym that he shuld not come to Lenn un to the Wedenesday. And, Sir, that were agrette hurte bothe to the Cyte of Norwych and for Swafham; and therfor my mayster wold that the Mayer shuld send for hym, that he be ther be tyme on the Tuesday, and that moo bille be made ayens Tudenham and Heydon, what so ever falle. The Holy Gost have you and yours in hese kepyng. Wretyn atte Rougham, the Sonday nyte nest after newe zers day in hest as it semyth.—Be your servaunte,W. Wayte.
207.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 63.] The date of this letter is sufficiently evident.207.2Jack Cade.208.1I.e.theestreats.208.2Omitted inMS.
207.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 63.] The date of this letter is sufficiently evident.
207.2Jack Cade.
208.1I.e.theestreats.
208.2Omitted inMS.
To my Ryght seuere and ryght worchepfull maystertext has “ana” (italic “a” for “d”)
Sir John Fastolf to John a Berney and Sir Thomas Howes.
1451JAN. 7
Sends John Bokkyng on matters to be sped at the oyer and terminer. They must remember acertiorariis out of the King’s Bench, and aprocedendowas granted at one time ‘for certain which had not appeared in the place and pleaded.’ Has received all the stuff contained in a bill dated 28th November, made by John Davye of Yarmouth, and delivered to one Roger Metsharp, master of the little boat calledThe Blythe. Wonders they did not send the great ship with malt. Desires provisions for Lent by next ship. Remind my cousin Inglos that the man that ‘appeched’ Heydon be sent hither, if he dare stand by his words. All the indictments against Heydon are not worth a halfpenny. Howes must take John à Berney’s advice about this matter.London, Thursday after Twelfth, 29 Hen.VI.Let all who were on the inquest for Bardolf’s matter be indicted, whatever it cost.Signed.
Sends John Bokkyng on matters to be sped at the oyer and terminer. They must remember acertiorariis out of the King’s Bench, and aprocedendowas granted at one time ‘for certain which had not appeared in the place and pleaded.’ Has received all the stuff contained in a bill dated 28th November, made by John Davye of Yarmouth, and delivered to one Roger Metsharp, master of the little boat calledThe Blythe. Wonders they did not send the great ship with malt. Desires provisions for Lent by next ship. Remind my cousin Inglos that the man that ‘appeched’ Heydon be sent hither, if he dare stand by his words. All the indictments against Heydon are not worth a halfpenny. Howes must take John à Berney’s advice about this matter.
London, Thursday after Twelfth, 29 Hen.VI.
Let all who were on the inquest for Bardolf’s matter be indicted, whatever it cost.Signed.
209.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 246.]
To my ryght reverent and ryght worchepfull mayster, my mayster Paston in hest posybyll.
1451JAN. 9
Syr, lyke yt yow to know that my lord Scalys sent hese pursevaunt unto my mayster210.2on the Twelthe day, that my mayster shuld mete wyth hym atte Wynche aforn my Lord of Oxenford on the Thursday nest folwyng. And whanne my mayster cam thedyr, he delyvered my mayster a letter from my Lord Chauncheler, quych my mayster wyll shew yow atte Lenn. I shuld send yow a copy therof, but it is so longe that I had no leyser to wryte it. My mayster rode to Walsyngham on the Fryday folwyng, and ther he mette with the shereve, and the shereve lyveryd my mayster a letter from my Lord of Norffolk, qwych I send yow a copy of. And atte Walsyngham my mayster resceyvyd a letter from Osberne youre man. And ther Heydonis man made hese avaunte that he was the Justice of the Pease on Caustonheythe; and so it semyth be here contenaunce that they trost of a good zere. And, Syr, whanne my mayster cam hom on Saterday ther was lyvered my mayster a letter from Sir John Fastolf, and a neyther letter cam to me from John Bokkynge,210.3qwych I send you a copy of. Sir, God send us a fayre day atte210.4Lenn. And that ther may be pople jnow to crye up on the Lord Scales that he mayntene not Sir T. T. and H. in here wronges, as the copy of B letter makyth mencion. And, Sir, atte the reverens of God, laborth youre materis wysely and secretely, for Wyndam noysed yow sore aforn my Lord ofOxenford and my Lorde Scales that ze shuld reyse meche puple with grette arey owte of Norwyche. And therfor, Sir, late the puple be wysely and manly gydyd in here frekynge and demenynge. Also my Lord Scales sent for the parson of Sw[a]fham and divers men of the same town to mete with hym aforn my Lord of Oxenford the seyd Thursday, for to trete with hem for Sir Thomas Tudenham; and ther was the baly of Swafham and Sir Thomas Tudenham prest. And so my Lord Scales yave the parson of S. grette langage and to men of same towne. Y. and the parson answherd my Lord Scales manly in the best wyse. And ther was grette langage twexen Blake the baly and Tudenham prest that my lordys and my mayster worne acornberd therof. And so it is lyke that my Lord Scales shall make ther no loveday; and so Swafham wylbe ther in here best array. Also, Sir, Brygge was atte Walsyngham; and ther he craked grette wordes, and seyd to many divers men that it shuld be thanked alle tho that labored a yens hem. And he seyd that it worne but viij. personys, and yf men be men now it shuld be thanked hym and told hym atte Lenn. In the lest wysse he is now with the Lord Scales; the Lord Scales wyte Thomas Denyes, John Lyster and me all those indytementis. And the Lord Scales seyth that I made all the bylles and the panell; and so he is hevy lord to me and to Thomas Denyes. Prentys is atte hom with the Lord Scales; the shereve told me that he wyll do for the Cyte of Norwych as meche as he may. Sir, I wold ther worne a thowsand of good Maudby men to crye owte on Tudenham, Heydon, Prentys and Brygge for here falsse exstorciones. Also, Sir, atte the reverens of God, make an ende atwexen Sexeford and men of Salle; it lyeth in your power. I shall make redy youre forsebyll entres ayens Lenn, with the grace of God, Qwych have yow in Hese kepynge. Wretyn atte Rougham on Saterday nyte in hest.
Sir, I send yow and lewde letter be Richerd Yenneys. I beseche yow be ware to whom ze shew your letters; lete them be brente.—Be your servaunt,W. Waytes.
210.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 230.] This letter was evidently written on the Saturday after the same writer’s letter of the 3rd January immediately preceding.210.2Judge Yelverton. He was lord of the manor of Rougham, from which this letter is dated.210.3No. 169.210.4Atterepeated inMS.
210.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 230.] This letter was evidently written on the Saturday after the same writer’s letter of the 3rd January immediately preceding.
210.2Judge Yelverton. He was lord of the manor of Rougham, from which this letter is dated.
210.3No. 169.
210.4Atterepeated inMS.
Sir John Fastolf to Thomas Howys, Clerk, andJohn Bokkyng, in haste.
1451JAN. 12
Begs them to labour his matters, and forget not ‘that old shrew, Dallyng, for he is sore at my stomach.’ Sends by the Parson aprocedendoagainst Tudenham, which he has got out with great labour, with a letter to my brother Yelverton. ‘And as to an assize for Hikkelyng, I shall be there on in the beginning of this term; and for Tichewell in like wise.’ Bokkyng must remind my cousin Inglos about the indictments for treason of Heydon, ‘that the man might be sent up to preve the said matter.’ Fears it has slept too long. Wishes his shipThe Blythesent to him.London, 12 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.Get my Lord [Oxford] and Yelverton to write a letter to Blake of the King’s house, thanking him for his friendliness to the country; ‘and forget not that Dallyng be had before my Lord and Yelverton, and make his confession before hem, &c. And let the great men that have most matters against [him] help somewhat to this good end.’
Begs them to labour his matters, and forget not ‘that old shrew, Dallyng, for he is sore at my stomach.’ Sends by the Parson aprocedendoagainst Tudenham, which he has got out with great labour, with a letter to my brother Yelverton. ‘And as to an assize for Hikkelyng, I shall be there on in the beginning of this term; and for Tichewell in like wise.’ Bokkyng must remind my cousin Inglos about the indictments for treason of Heydon, ‘that the man might be sent up to preve the said matter.’ Fears it has slept too long. Wishes his shipThe Blythesent to him.
London, 12 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.
Get my Lord [Oxford] and Yelverton to write a letter to Blake of the King’s house, thanking him for his friendliness to the country; ‘and forget not that Dallyng be had before my Lord and Yelverton, and make his confession before hem, &c. And let the great men that have most matters against [him] help somewhat to this good end.’
212.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 230.]
Sir J. Fastolf to Sir Thos. Howys and John Berneyat Castre, in hast; or at his place in Pokethorp, at Norwich.
1451JAN. 28
Master Hue Acton has been with him for the new evidences ensealed for the manor of Mundham, which F. has sold to the use of the Church of St. Giles that he is master of, &c. Thanks them for what they have done for him in his causes before the Commissioners ofoyer and terminerat Lynne, &c. Hears Appulzerd’s son expects the inquest of Mancroft in Norwich to be reversed. Speak to my cousin Inglose about this. Fastolf’s audit books. My cousin John Berney puts me in great comfort by seeing to the safeguard of my place in my absence. Would be sorry he should be injured by having respited his entry into Rokelond Toffts at my request.Make friends in Norwich against Easter when theoyer and termineris to be held again, for I must proceed in the matter against Appulzerd.London, 28 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.Begs them to send his grain and malt in a good vessel, well accompanied, with a good wind, as he has had great losses before. Speak to the Mayor of Norwich about Appulzerd’s matter; ‘for there was no city in England that I loved and trusted most upon, till they did so unkindly to me and against truth in the Lady Bardolf’s matter.’
Master Hue Acton has been with him for the new evidences ensealed for the manor of Mundham, which F. has sold to the use of the Church of St. Giles that he is master of, &c. Thanks them for what they have done for him in his causes before the Commissioners ofoyer and terminerat Lynne, &c. Hears Appulzerd’s son expects the inquest of Mancroft in Norwich to be reversed. Speak to my cousin Inglose about this. Fastolf’s audit books. My cousin John Berney puts me in great comfort by seeing to the safeguard of my place in my absence. Would be sorry he should be injured by having respited his entry into Rokelond Toffts at my request.
Make friends in Norwich against Easter when theoyer and termineris to be held again, for I must proceed in the matter against Appulzerd.
London, 28 Jan. 29 Hen.VI.Signed.
Begs them to send his grain and malt in a good vessel, well accompanied, with a good wind, as he has had great losses before. Speak to the Mayor of Norwich about Appulzerd’s matter; ‘for there was no city in England that I loved and trusted most upon, till they did so unkindly to me and against truth in the Lady Bardolf’s matter.’
[This letter is referred to by Blomefield (Hist. of Norf.iv. 388, Note 9), and two short extracts are given from the beginning, relating to the Hospital of St. Giles.]
212.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 236.]
Præsentationes factæ et fiendæ in audiendo et determinando.213.2
1451
Foras meche as theoyer and termyneris thus restreynyd, not vythstandyng the wrytyngs and all the materis utterid be my Lord of Oxenford, but if ther folow sumwhat lyke to the perell lyke to be conceyved be maters that so wern utterid and be the seyd wrytyngs, ellis shall it gretly sowndyn ageyns the worchep and the weel of all the personys, lordis, and other that eyther have wreten or utterid owght, and lyke wyse of hem in whos name seche materis hath ben utterid, soo that hereaftyr, whan they have ryght gret nede to be herd, and to be wel spedde, they shul the rather fayle thereof bothen, and here enemyes the heyer up and the more bold, &c. And therfore herein men must hold fote as manhod woll wyth wysdom; and ellisnovissimus error pejor priori.
Item, in the cyte of Norwyche must the falshodys and the fals getyngs of good ther don ben fowndyn, and thow summ maters ben not presentable, or peraventure in seche forme not corigyble ther, yet so that the mater in the self be orible and fowle, and so that summe other be sufficient, yet it semyth summe men best that all go forthe and be taken, and namely [especially] in this werd [world] that now is, &c.
Item, in lyke wyse must it be in the shier, ther me thynkytit is reson that my Lordys sett bothe the day and the place of the Sessions, and all men kepe that wern the robberis at Gresham and to Plumstede, the shippyng of wolle ageyn the statute, that is felonye, and the lycence than, if ony be, ther shull come to lyght and disputed, and I suppose veryly be other statutes and be lawe fownde voyde, and the leveryes that Heydon hatht yoven to hem that arn not hese menyall men.
Item, the presonment of John Porter of Blykelyng.
Item, the presonment of John Langman of Swafham.
Item, the presonment of Robert Patgrys of Burnham.
Item, the extorcions in her [their] cortes.
Item, the prisonynge of Dallynge, and of hese obligacion mad to Sir Thomas Todenham, and howe he was presonyd at Norwyche, at Thetforthe, at Lynne, and also of many other that ben don soo too.
Item, to remembre T. Denyes of the tale that Fyncheham told whan he cam hom for Sir T. Todeham, that he be ware therof, &c.
Item, for to indyte Pryntys of a voluntary eschete that where on Symond Hamond of Patesle wheche was indyted of felonye, and because of hese goods he lete hym owte of the castellanno xvjº Regis nunc.
Item, for to indyte the same Prentys and William Goodwen of Swafham for the robbynge of Geffrey Sowle.
Item, the same Prentys and Goodwyn robbed Thomas Irynge of Mylehamanno xxº Regis nunc.
Item, the same Prentys toke of Wylliam Dallynge at Norwyche v. mark for smytynge of of hese feteris whan he was there in presonanno xixº Regis nunc.
Item, to indyte the baly of Swaffham, T. Todenham, Heydon, Prentys, of felonye as excercarys [accessaries].
Item, to speke to Feraris for hese mater at Thyrnyng. Item, to indyte a cowper at Geyton wheche slow a tenaunt of Danyell at Geyton. Hese name is Thomas Dowce that was slayn; and ther kan no man indyte hym, for Sir T. Todenham maynteynyth hym, and therfore he were worthy to be indyted as excercary,anno xxvº Regis nunc.
Item, to indyte Heydon, because he rydyth armyd ayens the statute and the commyssion of the peas.
Item, for takyng awey of John of Berneys haborjoun at Walsyngham.
Item, to inquere what they dede to Alexaunder Reve of Cokely Clay.
Item, what they dedyn to Shragger, and to hese sone, for they stokked hym and hese sone at Swafham.
Item, what they deden to Gachecroft at Methewold.
Item, to enquere what they deden to a chanon of Ingham; he was arestid, and set in prison at Swafham, and [they] dede hym make a obligacioun [forced him to give a bond].
Item, how that be her comaundment Emond Wyghtton was arestid at Hempton, and put in the stokks at Fakenham more than iij. dayis, till he made a fyn of v. marks, and yet he spent and yave xls.besyde.
Item, for to endyte Knatesale, John of Woode, Robert of Woode, for Ferers mater.
Item, that William Kelynge of Castlelaker under eschetor, how that he rydyth armed, and reysith many men ayens the peas; he met wyth the Byschop at West Dereham with x. men of armys.
Item, of extorcious amerciaments take of the Prior of Westacre at Narforthe and Swafham, and hese man there set openly and shamefully and gret oppression in stokks, and a flok of hoggs taken; and be whyche appressions and extorcions was the Prior of Westacre compellid to yeven Sir T. Todenham a fee of xls.a yere, and to make Shuldam her styward, and yeven hym a fee of xls.a yere there. W. Yelverton and all other aforn hym had but xxvjs.viijd.; but of these and of many mo wers it is a gret foly to laboren in as for any indytements, but if ye be ryght seker of the sherefes office; for if he lyst, he may returne men i nowe of Swafham, and seche as ye wold have for the enquest of the hunderid, and it is the more to drede of the undyrschereff that they arn asented, and drawe all aftyr her draught. And that they wold that no sessions shuld be because of the massage that he sent to my mayster be Nicholas Dowyldays clerks, and therfore ther must be thebegynnynge of all these maters, as ye wold save your worchepis, and eschewe shame and the peryll, &c.
(At the bottom of the page)—Mdmof [blank] groond and of the extorcions of Sporlle.
On the back of this document occur the following further memoranda in two columns:Maters sterid to hurt of both parties.Sir John Fastolf,Bisshoppis Wif.Est’.216.2The Priour of Norwich,The Cite.The Abbot of Wendlyng,The Cite.Est’.The Abbot of Leiston,William Jeney.Est’.Gregory Guybon,—216.3Perpoynt.John Tatleshale,Robert Mortymer.The Lady Bardolf,Sir John Fastolf.The Lord Moleyns,John Paston.Ambidexter.216.1Dux Norff.Dux Suff.Stockton,Est’.Ed. Wynter,John Mariot.Ferrers,Hobbes Wif.Est’.Prior Walsyngham,Ric. Doget.Est’.Mondford,Danyell.Est’.Sir John Curson,Maister John Selet.Est’.Sir John Curson,Will. Thurton.Est’.
On the back of this document occur the following further memoranda in two columns:
Maters sterid to hurt of both parties.Sir John Fastolf,Bisshoppis Wif.Est’.216.2The Priour of Norwich,The Cite.The Abbot of Wendlyng,The Cite.Est’.The Abbot of Leiston,William Jeney.Est’.Gregory Guybon,—216.3Perpoynt.John Tatleshale,Robert Mortymer.The Lady Bardolf,Sir John Fastolf.The Lord Moleyns,John Paston.Ambidexter.216.1Dux Norff.Dux Suff.Stockton,Est’.Ed. Wynter,John Mariot.Ferrers,Hobbes Wif.Est’.Prior Walsyngham,Ric. Doget.Est’.Mondford,Danyell.Est’.Sir John Curson,Maister John Selet.Est’.Sir John Curson,Will. Thurton.Est’.
213.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This paper must belong to the early part of the year 1451, when it was proposed to indict Tuddenham and Heydon at Norwich.213.2This title is taken from a contemporaneous endorsement.216.1This term is applied to a juror who receives money of both parties in a suit.216.2This abbreviated word is probablyEstreat, indicating that an extract or official copy of the indictment had been made.216.3Blank inMS.
213.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This paper must belong to the early part of the year 1451, when it was proposed to indict Tuddenham and Heydon at Norwich.
213.2This title is taken from a contemporaneous endorsement.
216.1This term is applied to a juror who receives money of both parties in a suit.
216.2This abbreviated word is probablyEstreat, indicating that an extract or official copy of the indictment had been made.
216.3Blank inMS.
These be names of men that arne myschevesly oppressed and wronged by Sir T. Tudenham and Heydon and here adherentes:—
Yelverton.Fastolf.Paston.Gregorius Gybon.Joh. Maryot.Ferrers.
Yelverton.
Fastolf.
Paston.
Gregorius Gybon.
Joh. Maryot.
Ferrers.
Berney.Straunge.Framyngham.Trenchemer.Joh. Jenney, Senior.Joh. Damme.Nicholaus Grome.Joh. Ode.Joh. Knevet.Robert Clyfton.Thomas Hypgame.Homines de Swafham.Joh. atte Howe of Helloughton.Simon Blake.Joh. Botwryghe, Clerk.Item, many men indyted in Norffolk and Suffolk be Tudenham and Heydon, &c.Ric. Wryght of Saham.
Berney.
Straunge.
Framyngham.
Trenchemer.
Joh. Jenney, Senior.
Joh. Damme.
Nicholaus Grome.
Joh. Ode.
Joh. Knevet.
Robert Clyfton.
Thomas Hypgame.
Homines de Swafham.
Joh. atte Howe of Helloughton.
Simon Blake.
Joh. Botwryghe, Clerk.
Item, many men indyted in Norffolk and Suffolk be Tudenham and Heydon, &c.
Ric. Wryght of Saham.
216.4[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This paper no doubt belongs to the same period as the last.
The intended order of the list is ambiguous. The namesYelverton, Fastolf, // PastonandGybon, Maryot, // Ferrerswere shown in two columns straddling a page break, followed by the remaining names in a single column.
1451(?)
Primo. Sciat vestra veneranda discretio quod Episcopus hujus diocesis est Thomæ Danyell et suis fautoribus maxime benevolus et in ipso episcopo T. T., J. H.,217.2et suis complicibus est ipsius confidentia maxima, &c.
2º Si justiciarii pacis hujus comitatus omnes et singuli debeant sua autoritate pacis media pro eorum posse per totum Norfolch. comitatum diligenter conservare et pacis ejusdemperturbatores carceri vel castro proprio mancipari facere, quæritur quare dictus episcopus, pacis, ut creditur, justiciarius, non vult in hac parte hujusmodi pacis perturbatoribus resistere; sed magis eisdem in talibus insolenciis favorem et auxilium in omnibus præbere.
3º Si quærantur consiliarii dicti Episcopi, certum est quod Prior monachorum, M. J. Celot, J. Bulman, T. T.,218.1J. H.,218.2J. W.,218.3Johannes Yates cum consimilibus ceteris sunt etiam consiliarii dicti Danielis.
4º Cum, secundum Apostolum,218.4furta, homicidia et talia vicia eis similia sunt abhominabilia Deo et hominibus, ac utriusque legis divinæ et humanæ contraria sacratis sanccionibus, in tantum quod non solum qui talia agunt digni sunt morte, sed etiam qui conscenciunt agentibus; ex quibus certe verisimiliter concluditur quod non solum Kervere, latro, et Daniel famulus, furator equi ac murre satis notorius, puniretur una cum fautoribus ejus.
5º Vestra discretio dicta Christi in Ewangelio diligenter consideret, ‘Si in viridi ligno hæc faciant, in arido quid fiet?’218.5
6º Non solum hæc pensare debetis pro vestræ personæ defensione seu vestræ familiæ, sed magis movere vos debet zelus et amor rei publice totius vestræ patriæ.
7º Si ista indilate et cum omni possibili celeritate citius non reformaveritis, timendum valde supponitur de insurreccione plebis, quod absit omnino.
8º Novitque discretio vestra ex paucis indigestis plura politice percipere. Statui pro præsenti tempore finem scribendi imponere.