26ABSTRACT39.4

Prefixed to this document in Fenn is the following title:— ‘A Petition to the Commons of England against Sir William Paston, Knight, a Judge of the Common Pleas, by William Dalling.’ This heading, however, has been taken from a more modern endorsement. No contemporaneous document, so far as I am aware, gives Judge Paston the designation of knight, or speaks of him as Sir William. In this petition itself he is called simply William Paston, one of the Justices; and although his name occurs frequently on the Patent Rolls, in commissions of the peace, of gaol delivery, and the like, down to the year of his death, the word ‘miles’ is never appended to it.The original commencement of this document has been crossed out. It was in these words:—Plesit to the righte sage and wyse Communes of this present Parlement,that wher every Justice of the Kyng is sworne that he shulde not take no fees ne reward for to be of councell with noo man, but oonly wyth our Soverayne Lorde the Kyng, and therto thei be swore. And ther is oon Will’ Paston, one of the Justice of our Soverayne Lorde in the Comene Place, taketh fees and rewarde.On the back of the original document is written, in a hand of the time, ‘Falsa billa Will’i Dalling, ad Parliamentum tempore quo Henr. Grey fuit vicecomes ante annum terciodecimum Regis Henr. vjti.’ Henry Grey was sheriff of Norfolk in 1430, and again in 1433–4. The Parliament referred to must either have been that of 8 Hen.VI.(1429–30) or that of 12 Hen.VI.(1433), which sat till 21st December. Probably the latter.1434(?)Pleseit to Commines of the present Parlement, that William Paston, on of the Justice of oure Saverayne Lorde Kyng, takyth diverse fees and rewardes of diverses persones withinne the shir of Norffolk and Suffolk, and is with holde with every matere in the sayde contrees, that is for to sey:—Of the Toune of Yernemuth, 1s.yerly; of the Abot of Seyn Benetys. xxvjs.viijd.; of the Prior of Seyn Feithes, xxs.; ‘and of my Lady Rothenhale,39.1xxs’; and of the Prior of Norwich, xs.; and of the Prior of Penteney, xxs.; and of the Toun of Lenn, xls.; and of the Prior of Walsyngham, xxs.; and of Katherine Shelton,39.2x. mrc. ayeins the Kyng for to be of hir councell for to destroye the right of the Kyng and of his warde, that is for to sey, Raf,39.3soon and eyer of John Shelton.38.1[From Fenn, iii. 14.]39.1This sentence in the original has a line drawn over it. She was a widow of Sir John Rothenhale, Knight, and dying at Caister, by Yarmouth, in 1440, was buried in Norwich Cathedral.—F.SeeNos. 13and15,ante.39.2Catharine, widow of William Shelton, Esq., and daughter of Simon Barret, was grandmother to Ralph, and died in 1456.—F.39.3Sir Ralph Shelton, Knight, son and heir of John Shelton, Esq., was born in 1430. He married Margaret, daughter of Robert Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and was High Sheriff of Norfolk.—F.26ABSTRACT39.41435SEPT. 26Lease made at Castre, on Monday before Michaelmas 14 HenryVI., by Geoffrey Walle, surveyor of the manors of Sir John Fastolf, to John Rakesond, son of Geoffrey Rakesond of Ormesby, of a messuage of Fastolf’s in Ormesby, called Reppes Place, etc.39.4[PhillippsMS., 9,735, No. 264.]27ABSTRACT40.11435SEPT. 30Avidimusor official attestation of two indentures relative to the custody of the castle of Le Mans between Sir John Fastolf, governor of Anjou and Maine, and captain of Le Mans under the Duke of Bedford, and Matthew Goth [Gough] and Thomas Gower as his lieutenants. The first indenture is for the quarter from 1st October to 31st December 1434, the second for the three quarters following, to 30th September 1435. A retinue is to be maintained of twenty-four lances and the ‘archiers de la personne dudit Mathieu,’ viz., sixty mounted and fourteen on foot, and 222 archers besides. Mounted archers to have 12d.a day, etc.The document is authenticated by thegarde du scel des obligations de la Viconté de Rouen, on the 8th March 1448 (i.e. 1449).28NOTE40.21432–5Building accounts of William Granere, master of the works at Caistre in 11, 12, and 13 HenryVI.40.1[Add. Charter 17,237, B.M.]40.2[Add. Charters 17,229–31, B.M.]29JOHN GYNE TO JOHN PASTON40.3To the worthy and worshipful sir and my good maister, John Paston of Trynyte hall in Cambrigge1435–6Rightworthy and worshipfull sir, and my good maister, I comaund me to yow. Like it yow to witte that on the Soneday next after the Ascencion of oure Lord, in the high weye betwex Cambrigge and the Bekyntre towardNewmarket, I fonde a purs with money ther inne. Th’entent of this my symple lettre is this, that it please to your good Maistership by weye of charite, and of your gentilnesse, to witte if ony of youre knowleche or ony other, swich as yow semeth best in your discrecion, have lost swich a purs, and, the toknes ther of told, he shal have it ageyn, what that ever he be, by the grace of oure Lord, Who ever have yow in his blissed kepyng. Wretyn at Sneylewell the Moneday next after the seid Soneday. By youre pover servaunt,John Gyn.40.3[Add.MS.34,888, f. 4.] Fenn has written on theMS.of this letter the date ‘circa1435–6,’ which, I agree with him, must have been about the time that it was written.30WILLIAM PASTON TO LORD ——41.11436Pastonrecomaund hym to youre good lordeship, willyng with all his herte to doo yow servise to his symple power. And as touching the maner of Walsham he seyth that at your comaundement he wille be redy to shewe yow and preve that the seid maner and all the vesture and crop therof this yeer by trewe title in lawe and conscience is his owen trewly, bowth and in gret party payed for, and that John Roys never hadde non estate in the seid maner, but oonly occupied it by suffraunce of the seid Paston and other feffes in the seid maner, and that be bargayn of the seid maner th’estate that the seid Roys shuld have hadde in the seid maner and in stoor therof shul have be condicionel to be voide and nought for defaute of payement, and that the seid John Roys ne kept not his dayes of the payementz, &c.; and that the seid William Paston, in the lyve of the seid John Roys, for defaute of payment entred in the seid maner with the seid the crop and the vesture of this yeer therof than therupon, and that the seid John Roys never at noo tyme payed to the seid John Baxtere sith the seid bargeyn, nother for the seid bargeyn ne for the dette he aught to hym, morethaune an C. and xl. marcz, wherof he borwed ageyn of the seid John Baxtere xlli.; and over that he oweth and beforn the seid bargeyn aught by his obligacion to the seid John Baxtere, of trew dette of mony borwed, other xlli., and hath hadde and taken the profitz of the seid maner by iij. hool yer before his deth to the value of xxxli.and more, and that he receyved in his said bargayn of the seid John Baxtere xl. marcz worth of stoor; the which iiiixxli. of dette and xxxli.of the profitz of the seid maner, and xl. marcz worth of stoor, maketh the somme of Cxxxvili.xiijs.iiijd.Wherof, thogh the lawe wille it not, were abated, if conscience required it, Cxl. marcz payed by the seid John Roys and xli.for the value of the seid crop, over the value of the verray ferme of the seid maner for this yeer, yet remanyneth dwe to the executoures of the seid John Baxter liijli.vjs.viijd., and all the title and interesse of the seid John Roys his heyres and assignes in the seid maner lawfully and in conscience extincted and adnulled. Wher upon the said Paston lowly besecheth your good lordeship that if it may be preved this mater be trew that ye wille not be displesed thogh he desire to have his fre disposicion of the seid maner.On the back of this letter are the following memoranda:—‘Hæc billa . . . . . . [testatur]42.1quod Johannes Baxtere vendidit Johanni Roys mesuagium suum [vocatum]42.1Walccham place, cum toto stauro ibidem vivo et mortuo in Bryanes, cum omnibus aliis terris et tenementis suis, liberis et nativis, cum pertinentiis, ex parte occidentali ecclesiæ North Walsham, et molendinum ventriticum et mesuagium nuper Rogeri atte Hille, cum omnibus redditibus et servitiis pertinentibus dictis mesuagio et tenemento ubicumque fuerint in comitatu Norffolk, pro iijC. marcis et l. marcis; unde dictus Johannes Roys solvit dicto Johanni Baxtere die Jovis proximo ante festum Apostolorum Simonis et Judæ anno regni regis HenriciVI.xij., C. m., et habet diem solvendi residuum, videlicet ad festum Nativitatis Domini et festum sancti Michaelis proximo futurum xl. marcas annuatim, quousque dictæ CCC. marcæ et l. marcæ plenarie persolvantur. Datum die Jovis prædicto. Hæc prædicta de manu Thomæ Whitewelle.’Then after two further imperfect entries relating to the same matter:—‘Memorandum, quod licet esset concordatum quod W. Roys haberet barganium, &c., quod, ut credo, non ita erit, tunc in festo Nativitatis Domini annoregni regis HenriciVI.xvº debentur executoribus de eodem barganio C. marcæ præter et ultra Cxl. marcas per Johannem Roys in vita sua solutas et xlli.de antiquo per dictum Johannem Roys Johanni Baxter debitas, videlicet per obligacionem suam xxxvli.inde, et ex mutua sua obligacione vli.de Perey Noble (?), ut patet per papirum dicti Baxter, et ultra xlli.per dictum Johannem Baxter post dictum barganium dicti Johanni Roys per obligacionem . . . ejusdem Johannis Roys præstitas. Memorandum eciam quod dictus Johannes Roys nec uxor ejus unquam protulerunt aliquem denarium solvendum dictis . . . dicti Johannis Baxter nec Willelmo Paston post mortem dicti Baxter. Set circa Nativitatem Domini anno regni dicti regis xiiijº et in quadragesima tunc proximo sequente uxor dicti Roys apud Paston dixit quod habuit xx. marcas paratas ad solvendum. Et sic dixit Johannes Roys tempore quo Domina Skales fuit apud Paston, videlicet ix. die Januarii dicto anno xiiijº et sic omnibus temporibus quibus dictus J. Roys et uxor ejus ut prædicitur dixerunt quod habuerunt xx. marcas paratas ad solvendum semper fuerunt arretro xlli.absque dictis xlli.novi debiti et xlli.antiqui debiti.’41.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 140.]42.1Mutilated.31NOTE1436MAY 19Fenn mentions an indenture, dated 19th May 1436, 14 HenryVI., and signed by the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Suffolk, from which he has given a facsimile of Suffolk’s signature. See vol. i. p. 36.—The original of this indenture I have not met with.32ABSTRACT43.11438AUG. 18Sir H. Inglose notifies his agreement with John Topy of Wyndham, jun., in an action for trespass done to him at Stalham. Dilhams, Monday after the Assumption of Our Lady, 16 HenryVI.43.1[Add. Charter 17,232, B.M.]33JOHN WILLOUGHBY TO LORD BEAUMONT44.1To my ryght noble and ryght[dra]dde lord, my Lord Beaumont.1432–40Ryghtwursshipfull sire, my ryghte noble, and ryghte dradde lorde, after dyw recommendacion to yowr reverens, please hit yow to know that yowr lordesship luste to empointe me to abyde yowr noble avys touching the landis of Latemer, which my Lorde Latemer holdith ate this day. My lord, I muste, and owe of dywte, abyde yowre empoyntement, and shall; how be hit I have be confortid to complaine me to my lordis and yow of the grete wronge that I have. But, sir, y have soe verray truste one yowre lordesship that I refuse all counsaille, abyding yowre empointemente and rewell, as my diwte is to doo; byseching yow, my lord, to remembre yow and compasse of yowre servaunt, and that ye lust of yowr grace to comyne with my Lord of Salisbury, and to fele him in the mater, and as ye fele him, hit please yowre lordesship I may have knowlege; and whate yowre pore bedman may do to yowre plesire, I ame redy ate yowre comaundement ate all howris, which knowith God, Hoe have yow, my ryghte noble lord, in His blessid gouvernauns.Write ate Broke, the v. day of Marche.Your pore bedman and servant,John Wylughby.44.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was the father of Robert, first Lord Willoughby de Broke, who afterwards laid claim to the barony of Latimer, as being descended from Elizabeth, sister and sole heir of John Nevill, fifth Lord Latimer, who died in 1430. He was, however, unsuccessful, as the title had been revived in 1432 by a writ of summons to George Nevill, a son of Ralph, first Earl of Westmoreland. This George died in 1469, and was succeeded by his grandson, Richard Neville, then an infant of two years old, who had summons to Parliament as Lord Latimer in 1492. The Lord Latimer here spoken of seems to be George Nevill, and it is probable that the letter was written between 1432 and 1440, as John, Lord Beaumont, was created Viscount in the latter year, while he is not so addressed here.34AGNES PASTON TO WILLIAM PASTON45.1To my worshepefull housbond, W. Paston, be this letter takyn1440(?)Derehousbond, I recomaunde me to yow, &c. Blessyd be God I sende yow gode tydynggs of the comyng, and the brynggyn hoom, of the gentylwomman45.2that ye wetyn of fro Redham, this same nyght, acordyng to poyntmen [appointment] that ye made ther for yowr self.And as for the furste aqweyntaunce be twhen John Paston45.3and the seyde gentylwomman, she made hym gentil cher in gyntyl wise, and seyde, he was verrayly your son. And so I hope ther shall nede no gret trete be twyxe hym.The parson of Stocton45.4toold me, yif ye wolde byin her a goune, here moder wolde yeve ther to a godely furre. The goune nedyth for to be had; and of colour it wolde be a godely blew, or erlys a bryghte sangueyn.I prey yow do byen for me ij. pypys of gold.45.5Your stewes45.6do weel.The Holy Trinite have you in governaunce.Wretyn at Paston, in hast, the Wednesday next afterDeus qui errantibus,45.7for defaute of a good secretarye. Yowres,Agn. Paston.45.1[From Fenn, i. 2.] This letter must have been written some little time before the marriage of John Paston and Margaret Mauteby, which seems to have been about 1440.45.2Margaret, daughter and heir of John Mauteby, shortly afterwards married to John Paston, Esq.45.3Son of William and Agnes Paston.45.4Laurence Baldware was rector of Stockton ‘about 1440.’—Blomefield, viii. 49.45.5Gold thread on pipes or rolls, for needlework or embroidery. —F.45.6Ponds to keep fish alive for present use. —F.45.7The Collect for the Third Sunday after Easter.35ABSTRACT46.1About 1440Draft Lease by Sir Simon Felbrygge; Oliver Groos, Esq.; John Berney of Redham, Esq.; William Paston of Paston; Thomas Stodhagh; Roger Taillour of Stafford Bernyngham; and Thomas Newport of Runham, executors of Robert Mawteby and John his son, to Margery, widow of the said John, of ‘two parts of manors, &c.’ and the reversion, &c., which they lately held along with Sir Miles Stapleton, Sir William Argenten, Sir John Hevenyngham, Sir John Carbonell, Sir William Calthorpe, John Boys, Esq., and William Caston, Esq., now deceased, by deed of Robert Mawteby. The remainder, after Margery’s death, is to go to Margaret, daughter of the said John and Margery, and the heirs of her body; then to Peter Mauteby, son of Robert and uncle of Margaret; then to Alianora, widow of Robert; then to Alianora, widow of William Calthorp and sister of Robert Mawteby, with reversion to the trustees to fulfil the will.[This paper is addressed to John Berney of Reedham, and appears, by an endorsement, to have been transmitted along with a letter of William Paston. The date is fixed by the contents within pretty narrow limits, for it is after the death of John Boys, Esq., which was in August 1439 (Inquis.post mortem, 18 Hen.VI., No. 2), and before that of Sir Simon Felbrigg in 1442 (Inquis.p. m., 21 Hen.VI., No. 33). It is easy to see, in fact, that the document had something to do with the marriage settlement of John Paston and Margaret Mauteby, which was about 1440.]36ROBERT REPPS TO JOHN PASTON46.2A mon tresreverent et treshonerable Maister John Paston soit doné.1440NOV. 1Salvete, &c. Tytyngs, the Duk of Orlyawnce46.3hath made his oath upon the Sacrement, and usyd it, never for to bere armes ayenst Englond, in the presence of the Kyng and all the Lordes, except my Lord of Gloucestre.46.4And proving my seyde Lord of Gloucestre agreyd never to hys delyveraunce, qwan the masse began he toke his barge, &c.God yef grace the seide Lord of Orlyaunce be trewe, for this same weke shall he to ward Fraunce.Also Freynchmen and Pykardes, a gret nowmbre, kome to Arfleet,47.1for to arescuyd [have rescued] it; and our Lordes wyth here smal pusaunce manly bytte [beat] them, and pytte hem to flyte, and, blyssyd be our Lord, have take the seide cite of Arflet; the qwych is a great juell to all Englond, and in especiall to our cuntre.Moreover there is j. [i.e.one] kome in to Englond, a Knyght out of Spayne, wyth a kercheff of plesaunce i wrapped aboute hys arme; the qwych Knyght wyl renne a cours wyth a sharpe spere for his sovereyn lady sake; qwom other [either] Sir Richard Wodvyle47.2or Sir Christofore Talbot47.3shall delyver, to the wyrchip of Englond and of hem selff, be Goddes grace.Ferthermore, ye be remembryd that an esquyer of Suffolk, callyd John Lyston, recoverydin assisa novæ disseisinæ47.4vijc[700] marc in damages ayenst Sir Robert Wyngfeld, &c. In avoydyng of the payement of the seid vij. c. marc, the seide Sir Robert Wyngfeld sotylly hath outlaywed the seide John Lyston in Notyngham shir, be the vertue of qwch outlagare, all maner of chattell to the seide John Lyston apperteynyng, arn acruwyd on to the Kyng, &c. And anon as the seide utlagare was certyfyed, my Lord Tresorer47.5graunted the seid vij. c. marc to my Lord of Norffolk, for the arrerag of hys sowde [pay] qwyl he was in Scotland; and, acordyng to this assignement forseide, taylles [tallies] delyvered. And my Lord of Norffolk hath relesyd the same vij. c. marc to Sir Robert Wyngfeld. And here is greet hevyng an shovyng be my Lord of Suffolk and all his counsell for to aspye hough this mater kam aboute, &c.Sir, I beseche recomende me on to my mastres your modyr, to my mastres your wyff, and to my mastres your suster,et omnibus alijs quorum interest, &c.Sir, I pray you, wyth all myn hert, hold me excusyd that I wryte thus homly and briefly on to you, for truly convenable space suffycyd me nowt.No more atte this tyme, butte the Trynyte have you in proteccion, &c.; and qwan your leysyr is, resorte ageyn on to your college, the Inner Temple, for ther ben many qwych sor desyr your presence, Welles and othyr, &c.Wretyn in le fest de touts Seynts, entre Messe et Mateyns,calamo festinante, &c.Yours,Rob. Reppes.46.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]46.2[From Fenn, i. 4.] This letter was written in 1440, the year of the release of the Duke of Orleans.46.3Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Agincourt in 1415, and had never since been released.46.4Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, uncle of the King, and before this time Protector.47.1Harfleur.47.2Afterwards Earl Rivers, father of Elizabeth, Queen of EdwardIV.47.3Third son of John, the famous Earl of Shrewsbury.47.4i.e., in an assize of novel disseisin—an ancient law process.47.5Ralph, Lord Cromwell.37ABSTRACT48.1—— ——to Friar Brackley (?).About 1440 (?)Touching a suit of Reynold Rowse against William Burgeys. This suit was instituted originally for 5s.4d.of rent; but when Rouse found he could not prevail by right, he maliciously sued the other for trespass in having fished his water, and driven him away by force. He afterwards got him arrested for treachery upon an obligation (i.e., a bond). Burgeys complained to Justice Paston, who counselled him not to plead; ‘For zyf thu do, he seyd, thu xalte hafe the werse, be thi case never so trewe, for he is feid with my Lord of [N]orthfolke, and mech he is of he [sic] counsel; and also, thu canst no man of lawe in Northfolke ne in Sowthfolke to be with the azens hym; and, for [s]othe no more myth I qwan I had a ple azens hym; and therfor myn counsel is, that thu make an end qwat so ever the pay, for he xal elles on do the and brynge the to nowte.’[This letter is mutilated, and in part defaced. It is addressed on the back— ‘Be this take to Mayster Brele (?) of the Greye Freres.’ Although the name seems to be written Brele, it was probably intended for Friar Brackley of Norwich, of whom we have several letters of a later period. The date must be between the year 1429, when William Paston was made a judge, and 1444, when he died; and as the name of Reginald Rows occurs in Blomefield (Hist. of Norfolk, ix. 441) ‘about 1440,’ this letter will probably not be far out of its true place if inserted in that year.]48.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]38MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON49.1To my worshepfull husbond, John Paston, abidyng at Petyrhous in Cambrigg.After 1440Rythreverent and worsepful husbon, I recomawnde me to zow with alle myn sympyl herte, and prey zow to wete that there come up xi. hundyr Flemyns at Waxham, quereof wer takyn, and kylte, and dronchyn [drowned] viij. hundryte. And thei had nowte a be, ze xul a be atte home this Qwesontyde, and I suppose that ze xul be atte home er owte long be.I thanke yow hertely for my lettyr, for I hadde none of zow syn I spooke with zow last of for the matyr of Jon Mariot; the qwest passyd nowte of that day, for my Lorde of Norfolke was in towne for Wedyrbys matyr,49.2qwer for he wolde nowt latyd pase off, for further (?) of I kowe [know?] Fynch ne Bylbys makethe no purwyans for hys gode.No mor I wryte to zow atte this tyme, but the Holy Trenyte hawe zow in kepyng. Wretyn in Norweche, on Trenyte Sune day.Yowr,Markaryte Paston.49.1[From Fenn, iii. 18.] The date of this letter is uncertain. From the fact of John Paston’s residence at Peter House in Cambridge, it would appear, as Fenn remarks, to have been written early in his married life, and we know that he was married as early as 1440.49.2Probably Thomas Wetherby, who was Mayor of Norwich in 1432–3, is referred to. He took offence at the Aldermen and Commons of the city for not naming the person he wished as his successor, and for some years afterwards showed his hostility by instigating prosecutions against the city, causing their attorneys to abandon their pleas, and so forth.39SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO HENRY INGLOSE AND JOHN BERNEY50.1To my ryght wel belovyd cosyns, HerryIngleseand Johan Berney, Escuiers.After 1440 (?)Ryghtwel belovyd cosyns, I comaund me to yow. And please you to hafe in knoulege that at whyche tyme ye were delyvered out of pryson by the moyen of ij. prysonners that y delyvered yow, whyche, as ye know wel, one was Burd Vynollys and the other Johan de Seint Johan dit Dolot, and in lyke wyse I boughte anothyr prysonner clepyt Johan Villers for the delyveraunce of Mautbye50.2Sqwyer, whyche mater ye knowythe welle. And for as moche as my wrytynges that makyth mencion of that delyveraunce of the said Mautbye be not in my warde, y pray you that ye wolle undre your seelys certyffye me the trouthe how the said Mautbye was delyveryd by my moyen. Y hafe found a cedule that makyth mencion of that prysonner, of whyche I sende you a double, to be better avertysed of the mater. And therfor, as my trust ys yn yow that ye sende me your gode remembraunce in as goodly haste as ye may. And our Lord kepe you. Wryt at Londone the v. day of November.John Fastolf,Chevalier.50.1[MS.in Pembroke College, Cambridge.] The date of this letter is quite uncertain; but as Fastolf is believed to have returned from abroad about 1440, we presume it was not earlier than that year.]50.2No doubt John Mauteby, son-in-law of John Berney and father of Margaret Paston.SeeBlomefield’sNorfolk, xi. 228.my ryght wel belovyd cosyns, Herry Inglese andtext unchanged: normal spelling is “Inglose”40ABSTRACT50.31441MAY 7Letters Patent, dated 7th May 19 HenryVI., by which Richard, Duke of York, Earl of March, etc., lieutenant and governor of France, grants to his beloved councillor, Sir John Fastolf, an annuity of £20.50.3[Add. Charter 14,598, B.M. (D. Turner’s Coll.)]41ABSTRACT51.11441OCT. 14Sir Thomas Keryell, lieutenant of Calais, notifies that his servant, John à Bekkes, mariner, master of his shipBonaventure, has sold it to Sir John Fastolf, and that he agrees to the sale. Calais, 14th October 1441. Signed ‘R. Wenlok.’ (Fine seal, mutilated.)51.1[Add. Charter 17,233, B.M.]42NOTE1442A proviso occurs for William Paston and Robert and Esmond Clere in an Act of Parliament 20 HenryVI., securing to them certain copyhold lands with two mansions thereon in Paston and Edithorp, Norfolk, held by the feoffees of the duchy of Lancaster, in exchange for other lands, called Charterhold, with two mansions thereon, in the same places.—Rolls of Parliament, v. 59.43ABSTRACT51.2John and Margaret Paston.1442APRIL 15Indenture tripartite, whereby Sir Simon Felbrigge, Oliver Groos, Esq., and William Paston, feoffees of Robert Mauteby, Esq., deceased, at the request of Margaret, wife of John Paston, daughter and heir of John Mauteby, son and heir of said Robert, and in consideration that the said John Paston and Margaret now have issue a son, John, whereby John Paston the father is by the law of England, for term of his life of the inheritance of his said wife, —— grant and confirm to the said John Paston the manors of Mauteby, Sparham, Basyngham, Westbekham, Matelask, and Briston, the manor of Salle called Kirkehalle, and the manor called Fleghalle in Wynterton, Somerton, Ormesby, Martham, Horseye, Waxstonesham, and Pallyng, and 100s.rent in Castre by Norwich and Merkeshale, Norfolk; and the manor of Freton in Suffolk; with certain reversions on the death of Eleanor, wife of Thomas Chambre, Esq., formerly wife of the said Robert Mauteby, Margery, wife of Ralph Garneys, Esq., mother of the said Margaret, formerly wife of John Mauteby, and of Edward Mauteby, Esq., and Thomas Mauteby, Esq., sons of the said Robert. To hold to the said John Paston, with remainder to Margaret and the heirs of her body; with contingent remainders in tail to Edw. Mauteby, Thomas Mauteby, &c.Dated Mauteby, 15 April, 20 Hen.VI.51.2[From a Bodl.MS.]44ABSTRACT52.11442APRIL 20Grant by John, Duke of Norfolk, to William Berdewell, Esq., of an annuity of 10 marks out of Stonham, Suffolk. Framlingham, 20th April 20 HenryVI.52.1[Add. Charter 17,234, B.M.]45ABSTRACT52.2Eleanor Chambre To William Paston.About 1442Thanks him for what he did for her at Sparham at their last interview. He then expected to have more leisure to attend to her affairs at London after this Hallowmass, when he would ordain that she should have lawful estate for life in the partition made ‘betwixt you and me, to for such that was there for my husband and for me at that time.’ Begs him to do it now, and deliver it to her brother, John Chambre, or her servant, John Coke, the bearer. Sends the deed of annuity under her husband’s signet and hers, which she must pay to Paston’s children.Welouby, Sunday after St. Martin.[Alianore, widow of Robert Mauteby, Esq., remarried Thomas Chambers, Esq., lord of Sparham in her right, in 20 HenryVI.Her son, John Mauteby, was the father of Margaret, wife of John Paston.—SeeBlomefield, xi. 228.]52.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.]46DEPOSITION AGAINST JOHN HAWTEYN52.31443SEPT. 8Primosuggessit Sanctissimo Papæ mentiendo quod coactus et constrictus [fuisset] metu parentum ordinem52.4intrare; secundo quod in insufficienti et prohibita ætate et in eodem ordine invite esset professus; Et tertio, quod ita fuerat invallatus et inclusus in ordinis arctitudine ut sibi tempus opportunum exeundi acquirere nequiret. Contraquæ sic depono, non per ficta et fantastice ymaginata, sed per visa et audita a fide dignis denunciata. Et primo, contra primum articulum, viz., quod metu parentum etc. quia, ut asserunt fide media quam plures fide digni quorum nomina perlongum esset enarrare, quod alter parentum, suple pater, neci submersionis suffocatus fuerat in Themisia diu antequam ordinem ingressus est prænotatus Johannes; ergo, dissonum videtur quod metu parentum ingressus est, sed tantum alterius parentis. Secundo, contra secundum articulum, scilicet quod ex insufficienti etc., quia per vere visa et audita a fide dignis personis contra illud testimonium perhibere volentibus verum est asserere quod xiiijcimannorum fuerat ætatis antequam indutus esset; quod sic evidet, quia natus erat in Swapham Markett, in loco qui Delgate dicitur, ubi parentes ejus commorabantur, quando primo intraverant villam antedictam pro annuali stipendio dato Thomæ Delgate, cujus erat ipsa mansio, et istud ad testimonium Adæ Ram, Roberti Sergaunte, Agnetis Ymay commatris53.1sæpedicti Johannis Hawteyn et Katerinæ Gannok, uxoris compatris53.1Johannis Hawteyn prædicti, viz. Johannis Gannok qui obiit anno Domini mccccxxxiiijº. Istis transactis, parentes dicti Johannis, viz. Haymundus Hawteyn, pater ejus, et Claricia Hawteyn mater ejus, conjunctim emerunt mansionem in eadem villa, viz. Swapham Markett, a Martino Waron anno regni Regis Ricardi Secundi post conquestum xxijº, quod datum, suple Regis Ricardi, præcessit nativitas Johannis Hawteyn in Delgate per testimonia præallegata. De facili ergo, probatur quod sit ætatis annorum xliiijºr ad minus, enumerando a xxijº anno regni Regis Ricardi Secundi post conquestum usque ad annum xxjmHenrici Sexti.Omnia in hac cedula quo ad Hawteyn dicta fuerunt Jacobo Gresham viijº die Septembris anno Regis Henrici vjtixxijº, prout scribuntur. Frater Johannes Alburugh dicit quod hoc medio intravit Johannes Hawteyn in ordinem. Circa xij. annum ætatis suæ missus fuit London’ essend’ cum quodamThoma Brown modo apprenticii; quod actum fuit, quodque sibi non bene complacuit, et cucurrit ad Fratres et dixit quod fuit nepos Alburugh, et ea de causa Reverendus Magister Walden54.1interrogavit eum si vellet esse frater, et dixit quod vellet et humiliter rogavit ex caritate. Et veraciter scit quod fuit ætatis xiiij. annorum et amplius tempore professionis suæ et moram traxit ibidem per iij. vel iiij. annos. Et postea fuit apud Maldon per duos annos, et ab illo loco exiit. Deinde captus et Norwico incarceratus per dimidium annum. Et postea in domo de Blakney per iiijºr annos mansit, et ibidem fuit terminarius et hospes; et cucurrit ab inde cum vestibus officii de domo hospicii furtive et cepit librum (?) Alburugh avunculi sui et canciavit illum apud Aylesham pro iiij. marcis et dimidia, quas dictus Alburugh solvit pro libro rehabendo.Et addidit idem Johannes Hawteyn vel Alburugh frater et avunculus dicti Johannis Hawteyn quod Johannes Hawteyn apostata fuit natus apud Swafham Market circa iiij. annum post transitum patris sui a Scheryngton usque Swafham. Et dicit quod Robertus frater ejus fuit pluris ætatis quam Johannes fuit per iiijºr annos, et dictus Robertus fuit natus apud Scherynton.Et serviens Daubeney dicit quod Hamond Hawteyn transivit a Scheryngton usque Swafham tempore quo Thomas Erpyngham custodivit Regem R. in Turre London.54.2Stephanus Plattyng de Aylesham pro vero dicit quod ad Festum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ anno regni Regis Henrici vjtixxjº elapsi fuerunt xxviijº anni postquam ipse primo habitavit in dicta villa de Aylesham; quo tempore Claricia quæ fuit uxor Hamonis Hawteyn fuit vidua et commorans in messuagium nunc Johannis Draper de Aylesham, et postea nupta fuit Petro Fysch, cæco, qui insimul vixerunt vj. vel vij. annos, et post obitum dicti Petri dicta Claricia cepit in virum Willelmum Punyant de Aylesham. Et ad dictum festum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ dicto anno xxjº dicti Ponyant et Claricia insimul in matrimonio cohabitaverunt per xxij. annos.Hoc de Pounyant cum Claricia affirmant. Et dicit idem Ponyant quod frater Johannes Hawteyn professus fuit post matrimonium inter ipsum et præfatam Clariciam et quod ipse ad ultimum exitum suum de ordine prædicto dimisit capam suam in domo dicti Ponyant apud Aylesham.Willelmus Barbour dicit quod quo ad nativitatem Johannis Hawteyn penitus ignorat, sed dicit quod habet quendam (sic) filiam ætatis xliiijºr annorum, et ultra vel circa, et dicit quod Johannes Hawteyn est talis ætatis. Et dicit quod Tiphania soror Hawteyn est manens in villa ultra London vocata Hawehunte, sed in quo comitatu ignorat.This paper is endorsed, ‘Hauteyn, Oxened.’

The original commencement of this document has been crossed out. It was in these words:—

Plesit to the righte sage and wyse Communes of this present Parlement,that wher every Justice of the Kyng is sworne that he shulde not take no fees ne reward for to be of councell with noo man, but oonly wyth our Soverayne Lorde the Kyng, and therto thei be swore. And ther is oon Will’ Paston, one of the Justice of our Soverayne Lorde in the Comene Place, taketh fees and rewarde.

On the back of the original document is written, in a hand of the time, ‘Falsa billa Will’i Dalling, ad Parliamentum tempore quo Henr. Grey fuit vicecomes ante annum terciodecimum Regis Henr. vjti.’ Henry Grey was sheriff of Norfolk in 1430, and again in 1433–4. The Parliament referred to must either have been that of 8 Hen.VI.(1429–30) or that of 12 Hen.VI.(1433), which sat till 21st December. Probably the latter.

1434(?)

Pleseit to Commines of the present Parlement, that William Paston, on of the Justice of oure Saverayne Lorde Kyng, takyth diverse fees and rewardes of diverses persones withinne the shir of Norffolk and Suffolk, and is with holde with every matere in the sayde contrees, that is for to sey:—Of the Toune of Yernemuth, 1s.yerly; of the Abot of Seyn Benetys. xxvjs.viijd.; of the Prior of Seyn Feithes, xxs.; ‘and of my Lady Rothenhale,39.1xxs’; and of the Prior of Norwich, xs.; and of the Prior of Penteney, xxs.; and of the Toun of Lenn, xls.; and of the Prior of Walsyngham, xxs.; and of Katherine Shelton,39.2x. mrc. ayeins the Kyng for to be of hir councell for to destroye the right of the Kyng and of his warde, that is for to sey, Raf,39.3soon and eyer of John Shelton.

38.1[From Fenn, iii. 14.]39.1This sentence in the original has a line drawn over it. She was a widow of Sir John Rothenhale, Knight, and dying at Caister, by Yarmouth, in 1440, was buried in Norwich Cathedral.—F.SeeNos. 13and15,ante.39.2Catharine, widow of William Shelton, Esq., and daughter of Simon Barret, was grandmother to Ralph, and died in 1456.—F.39.3Sir Ralph Shelton, Knight, son and heir of John Shelton, Esq., was born in 1430. He married Margaret, daughter of Robert Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and was High Sheriff of Norfolk.—F.

38.1[From Fenn, iii. 14.]

39.1This sentence in the original has a line drawn over it. She was a widow of Sir John Rothenhale, Knight, and dying at Caister, by Yarmouth, in 1440, was buried in Norwich Cathedral.—F.SeeNos. 13and15,ante.

39.2Catharine, widow of William Shelton, Esq., and daughter of Simon Barret, was grandmother to Ralph, and died in 1456.—F.

39.3Sir Ralph Shelton, Knight, son and heir of John Shelton, Esq., was born in 1430. He married Margaret, daughter of Robert Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and was High Sheriff of Norfolk.—F.

1435SEPT. 26

Lease made at Castre, on Monday before Michaelmas 14 HenryVI., by Geoffrey Walle, surveyor of the manors of Sir John Fastolf, to John Rakesond, son of Geoffrey Rakesond of Ormesby, of a messuage of Fastolf’s in Ormesby, called Reppes Place, etc.

39.4[PhillippsMS., 9,735, No. 264.]

1435SEPT. 30

Avidimusor official attestation of two indentures relative to the custody of the castle of Le Mans between Sir John Fastolf, governor of Anjou and Maine, and captain of Le Mans under the Duke of Bedford, and Matthew Goth [Gough] and Thomas Gower as his lieutenants. The first indenture is for the quarter from 1st October to 31st December 1434, the second for the three quarters following, to 30th September 1435. A retinue is to be maintained of twenty-four lances and the ‘archiers de la personne dudit Mathieu,’ viz., sixty mounted and fourteen on foot, and 222 archers besides. Mounted archers to have 12d.a day, etc.The document is authenticated by thegarde du scel des obligations de la Viconté de Rouen, on the 8th March 1448 (i.e. 1449).

The document is authenticated by thegarde du scel des obligations de la Viconté de Rouen, on the 8th March 1448 (i.e. 1449).

1432–5

Building accounts of William Granere, master of the works at Caistre in 11, 12, and 13 HenryVI.

40.1[Add. Charter 17,237, B.M.]40.2[Add. Charters 17,229–31, B.M.]

40.1[Add. Charter 17,237, B.M.]

40.2[Add. Charters 17,229–31, B.M.]

To the worthy and worshipful sir and my good maister, John Paston of Trynyte hall in Cambrigge

1435–6

Rightworthy and worshipfull sir, and my good maister, I comaund me to yow. Like it yow to witte that on the Soneday next after the Ascencion of oure Lord, in the high weye betwex Cambrigge and the Bekyntre towardNewmarket, I fonde a purs with money ther inne. Th’entent of this my symple lettre is this, that it please to your good Maistership by weye of charite, and of your gentilnesse, to witte if ony of youre knowleche or ony other, swich as yow semeth best in your discrecion, have lost swich a purs, and, the toknes ther of told, he shal have it ageyn, what that ever he be, by the grace of oure Lord, Who ever have yow in his blissed kepyng. Wretyn at Sneylewell the Moneday next after the seid Soneday. By youre pover servaunt,John Gyn.

40.3[Add.MS.34,888, f. 4.] Fenn has written on theMS.of this letter the date ‘circa1435–6,’ which, I agree with him, must have been about the time that it was written.

1436

Pastonrecomaund hym to youre good lordeship, willyng with all his herte to doo yow servise to his symple power. And as touching the maner of Walsham he seyth that at your comaundement he wille be redy to shewe yow and preve that the seid maner and all the vesture and crop therof this yeer by trewe title in lawe and conscience is his owen trewly, bowth and in gret party payed for, and that John Roys never hadde non estate in the seid maner, but oonly occupied it by suffraunce of the seid Paston and other feffes in the seid maner, and that be bargayn of the seid maner th’estate that the seid Roys shuld have hadde in the seid maner and in stoor therof shul have be condicionel to be voide and nought for defaute of payement, and that the seid John Roys ne kept not his dayes of the payementz, &c.; and that the seid William Paston, in the lyve of the seid John Roys, for defaute of payment entred in the seid maner with the seid the crop and the vesture of this yeer therof than therupon, and that the seid John Roys never at noo tyme payed to the seid John Baxtere sith the seid bargeyn, nother for the seid bargeyn ne for the dette he aught to hym, morethaune an C. and xl. marcz, wherof he borwed ageyn of the seid John Baxtere xlli.; and over that he oweth and beforn the seid bargeyn aught by his obligacion to the seid John Baxtere, of trew dette of mony borwed, other xlli., and hath hadde and taken the profitz of the seid maner by iij. hool yer before his deth to the value of xxxli.and more, and that he receyved in his said bargayn of the seid John Baxtere xl. marcz worth of stoor; the which iiiixxli. of dette and xxxli.of the profitz of the seid maner, and xl. marcz worth of stoor, maketh the somme of Cxxxvili.xiijs.iiijd.Wherof, thogh the lawe wille it not, were abated, if conscience required it, Cxl. marcz payed by the seid John Roys and xli.for the value of the seid crop, over the value of the verray ferme of the seid maner for this yeer, yet remanyneth dwe to the executoures of the seid John Baxter liijli.vjs.viijd., and all the title and interesse of the seid John Roys his heyres and assignes in the seid maner lawfully and in conscience extincted and adnulled. Wher upon the said Paston lowly besecheth your good lordeship that if it may be preved this mater be trew that ye wille not be displesed thogh he desire to have his fre disposicion of the seid maner.

On the back of this letter are the following memoranda:—‘Hæc billa . . . . . . [testatur]42.1quod Johannes Baxtere vendidit Johanni Roys mesuagium suum [vocatum]42.1Walccham place, cum toto stauro ibidem vivo et mortuo in Bryanes, cum omnibus aliis terris et tenementis suis, liberis et nativis, cum pertinentiis, ex parte occidentali ecclesiæ North Walsham, et molendinum ventriticum et mesuagium nuper Rogeri atte Hille, cum omnibus redditibus et servitiis pertinentibus dictis mesuagio et tenemento ubicumque fuerint in comitatu Norffolk, pro iijC. marcis et l. marcis; unde dictus Johannes Roys solvit dicto Johanni Baxtere die Jovis proximo ante festum Apostolorum Simonis et Judæ anno regni regis HenriciVI.xij., C. m., et habet diem solvendi residuum, videlicet ad festum Nativitatis Domini et festum sancti Michaelis proximo futurum xl. marcas annuatim, quousque dictæ CCC. marcæ et l. marcæ plenarie persolvantur. Datum die Jovis prædicto. Hæc prædicta de manu Thomæ Whitewelle.’Then after two further imperfect entries relating to the same matter:—‘Memorandum, quod licet esset concordatum quod W. Roys haberet barganium, &c., quod, ut credo, non ita erit, tunc in festo Nativitatis Domini annoregni regis HenriciVI.xvº debentur executoribus de eodem barganio C. marcæ præter et ultra Cxl. marcas per Johannem Roys in vita sua solutas et xlli.de antiquo per dictum Johannem Roys Johanni Baxter debitas, videlicet per obligacionem suam xxxvli.inde, et ex mutua sua obligacione vli.de Perey Noble (?), ut patet per papirum dicti Baxter, et ultra xlli.per dictum Johannem Baxter post dictum barganium dicti Johanni Roys per obligacionem . . . ejusdem Johannis Roys præstitas. Memorandum eciam quod dictus Johannes Roys nec uxor ejus unquam protulerunt aliquem denarium solvendum dictis . . . dicti Johannis Baxter nec Willelmo Paston post mortem dicti Baxter. Set circa Nativitatem Domini anno regni dicti regis xiiijº et in quadragesima tunc proximo sequente uxor dicti Roys apud Paston dixit quod habuit xx. marcas paratas ad solvendum. Et sic dixit Johannes Roys tempore quo Domina Skales fuit apud Paston, videlicet ix. die Januarii dicto anno xiiijº et sic omnibus temporibus quibus dictus J. Roys et uxor ejus ut prædicitur dixerunt quod habuerunt xx. marcas paratas ad solvendum semper fuerunt arretro xlli.absque dictis xlli.novi debiti et xlli.antiqui debiti.’

On the back of this letter are the following memoranda:—

‘Hæc billa . . . . . . [testatur]42.1quod Johannes Baxtere vendidit Johanni Roys mesuagium suum [vocatum]42.1Walccham place, cum toto stauro ibidem vivo et mortuo in Bryanes, cum omnibus aliis terris et tenementis suis, liberis et nativis, cum pertinentiis, ex parte occidentali ecclesiæ North Walsham, et molendinum ventriticum et mesuagium nuper Rogeri atte Hille, cum omnibus redditibus et servitiis pertinentibus dictis mesuagio et tenemento ubicumque fuerint in comitatu Norffolk, pro iijC. marcis et l. marcis; unde dictus Johannes Roys solvit dicto Johanni Baxtere die Jovis proximo ante festum Apostolorum Simonis et Judæ anno regni regis HenriciVI.xij., C. m., et habet diem solvendi residuum, videlicet ad festum Nativitatis Domini et festum sancti Michaelis proximo futurum xl. marcas annuatim, quousque dictæ CCC. marcæ et l. marcæ plenarie persolvantur. Datum die Jovis prædicto. Hæc prædicta de manu Thomæ Whitewelle.’

Then after two further imperfect entries relating to the same matter:—

‘Memorandum, quod licet esset concordatum quod W. Roys haberet barganium, &c., quod, ut credo, non ita erit, tunc in festo Nativitatis Domini annoregni regis HenriciVI.xvº debentur executoribus de eodem barganio C. marcæ præter et ultra Cxl. marcas per Johannem Roys in vita sua solutas et xlli.de antiquo per dictum Johannem Roys Johanni Baxter debitas, videlicet per obligacionem suam xxxvli.inde, et ex mutua sua obligacione vli.de Perey Noble (?), ut patet per papirum dicti Baxter, et ultra xlli.per dictum Johannem Baxter post dictum barganium dicti Johanni Roys per obligacionem . . . ejusdem Johannis Roys præstitas. Memorandum eciam quod dictus Johannes Roys nec uxor ejus unquam protulerunt aliquem denarium solvendum dictis . . . dicti Johannis Baxter nec Willelmo Paston post mortem dicti Baxter. Set circa Nativitatem Domini anno regni dicti regis xiiijº et in quadragesima tunc proximo sequente uxor dicti Roys apud Paston dixit quod habuit xx. marcas paratas ad solvendum. Et sic dixit Johannes Roys tempore quo Domina Skales fuit apud Paston, videlicet ix. die Januarii dicto anno xiiijº et sic omnibus temporibus quibus dictus J. Roys et uxor ejus ut prædicitur dixerunt quod habuerunt xx. marcas paratas ad solvendum semper fuerunt arretro xlli.absque dictis xlli.novi debiti et xlli.antiqui debiti.’

41.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 140.]42.1Mutilated.

41.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 140.]

42.1Mutilated.

1436MAY 19

Fenn mentions an indenture, dated 19th May 1436, 14 HenryVI., and signed by the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Suffolk, from which he has given a facsimile of Suffolk’s signature. See vol. i. p. 36.—The original of this indenture I have not met with.

1438AUG. 18

Sir H. Inglose notifies his agreement with John Topy of Wyndham, jun., in an action for trespass done to him at Stalham. Dilhams, Monday after the Assumption of Our Lady, 16 HenryVI.

43.1[Add. Charter 17,232, B.M.]

To my ryght noble and ryght[dra]dde lord, my Lord Beaumont.

1432–40

Ryghtwursshipfull sire, my ryghte noble, and ryghte dradde lorde, after dyw recommendacion to yowr reverens, please hit yow to know that yowr lordesship luste to empointe me to abyde yowr noble avys touching the landis of Latemer, which my Lorde Latemer holdith ate this day. My lord, I muste, and owe of dywte, abyde yowre empoyntement, and shall; how be hit I have be confortid to complaine me to my lordis and yow of the grete wronge that I have. But, sir, y have soe verray truste one yowre lordesship that I refuse all counsaille, abyding yowre empointemente and rewell, as my diwte is to doo; byseching yow, my lord, to remembre yow and compasse of yowre servaunt, and that ye lust of yowr grace to comyne with my Lord of Salisbury, and to fele him in the mater, and as ye fele him, hit please yowre lordesship I may have knowlege; and whate yowre pore bedman may do to yowre plesire, I ame redy ate yowre comaundement ate all howris, which knowith God, Hoe have yow, my ryghte noble lord, in His blessid gouvernauns.

Write ate Broke, the v. day of Marche.

Your pore bedman and servant,

John Wylughby.

44.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was the father of Robert, first Lord Willoughby de Broke, who afterwards laid claim to the barony of Latimer, as being descended from Elizabeth, sister and sole heir of John Nevill, fifth Lord Latimer, who died in 1430. He was, however, unsuccessful, as the title had been revived in 1432 by a writ of summons to George Nevill, a son of Ralph, first Earl of Westmoreland. This George died in 1469, and was succeeded by his grandson, Richard Neville, then an infant of two years old, who had summons to Parliament as Lord Latimer in 1492. The Lord Latimer here spoken of seems to be George Nevill, and it is probable that the letter was written between 1432 and 1440, as John, Lord Beaumont, was created Viscount in the latter year, while he is not so addressed here.

To my worshepefull housbond, W. Paston, be this letter takyn

1440(?)

Derehousbond, I recomaunde me to yow, &c. Blessyd be God I sende yow gode tydynggs of the comyng, and the brynggyn hoom, of the gentylwomman45.2that ye wetyn of fro Redham, this same nyght, acordyng to poyntmen [appointment] that ye made ther for yowr self.

And as for the furste aqweyntaunce be twhen John Paston45.3and the seyde gentylwomman, she made hym gentil cher in gyntyl wise, and seyde, he was verrayly your son. And so I hope ther shall nede no gret trete be twyxe hym.

The parson of Stocton45.4toold me, yif ye wolde byin her a goune, here moder wolde yeve ther to a godely furre. The goune nedyth for to be had; and of colour it wolde be a godely blew, or erlys a bryghte sangueyn.

I prey yow do byen for me ij. pypys of gold.45.5Your stewes45.6do weel.

The Holy Trinite have you in governaunce.

Wretyn at Paston, in hast, the Wednesday next afterDeus qui errantibus,45.7for defaute of a good secretarye. Yowres,Agn. Paston.

45.1[From Fenn, i. 2.] This letter must have been written some little time before the marriage of John Paston and Margaret Mauteby, which seems to have been about 1440.45.2Margaret, daughter and heir of John Mauteby, shortly afterwards married to John Paston, Esq.45.3Son of William and Agnes Paston.45.4Laurence Baldware was rector of Stockton ‘about 1440.’—Blomefield, viii. 49.45.5Gold thread on pipes or rolls, for needlework or embroidery. —F.45.6Ponds to keep fish alive for present use. —F.45.7The Collect for the Third Sunday after Easter.

45.1[From Fenn, i. 2.] This letter must have been written some little time before the marriage of John Paston and Margaret Mauteby, which seems to have been about 1440.

45.2Margaret, daughter and heir of John Mauteby, shortly afterwards married to John Paston, Esq.

45.3Son of William and Agnes Paston.

45.4Laurence Baldware was rector of Stockton ‘about 1440.’—Blomefield, viii. 49.

45.5Gold thread on pipes or rolls, for needlework or embroidery. —F.

45.6Ponds to keep fish alive for present use. —F.

45.7The Collect for the Third Sunday after Easter.

About 1440

Draft Lease by Sir Simon Felbrygge; Oliver Groos, Esq.; John Berney of Redham, Esq.; William Paston of Paston; Thomas Stodhagh; Roger Taillour of Stafford Bernyngham; and Thomas Newport of Runham, executors of Robert Mawteby and John his son, to Margery, widow of the said John, of ‘two parts of manors, &c.’ and the reversion, &c., which they lately held along with Sir Miles Stapleton, Sir William Argenten, Sir John Hevenyngham, Sir John Carbonell, Sir William Calthorpe, John Boys, Esq., and William Caston, Esq., now deceased, by deed of Robert Mawteby. The remainder, after Margery’s death, is to go to Margaret, daughter of the said John and Margery, and the heirs of her body; then to Peter Mauteby, son of Robert and uncle of Margaret; then to Alianora, widow of Robert; then to Alianora, widow of William Calthorp and sister of Robert Mawteby, with reversion to the trustees to fulfil the will.

[This paper is addressed to John Berney of Reedham, and appears, by an endorsement, to have been transmitted along with a letter of William Paston. The date is fixed by the contents within pretty narrow limits, for it is after the death of John Boys, Esq., which was in August 1439 (Inquis.post mortem, 18 Hen.VI., No. 2), and before that of Sir Simon Felbrigg in 1442 (Inquis.p. m., 21 Hen.VI., No. 33). It is easy to see, in fact, that the document had something to do with the marriage settlement of John Paston and Margaret Mauteby, which was about 1440.]

A mon tresreverent et treshonerable Maister John Paston soit doné.

1440NOV. 1

Salvete, &c. Tytyngs, the Duk of Orlyawnce46.3hath made his oath upon the Sacrement, and usyd it, never for to bere armes ayenst Englond, in the presence of the Kyng and all the Lordes, except my Lord of Gloucestre.46.4And proving my seyde Lord of Gloucestre agreyd never to hys delyveraunce, qwan the masse began he toke his barge, &c.

God yef grace the seide Lord of Orlyaunce be trewe, for this same weke shall he to ward Fraunce.

Also Freynchmen and Pykardes, a gret nowmbre, kome to Arfleet,47.1for to arescuyd [have rescued] it; and our Lordes wyth here smal pusaunce manly bytte [beat] them, and pytte hem to flyte, and, blyssyd be our Lord, have take the seide cite of Arflet; the qwych is a great juell to all Englond, and in especiall to our cuntre.

Moreover there is j. [i.e.one] kome in to Englond, a Knyght out of Spayne, wyth a kercheff of plesaunce i wrapped aboute hys arme; the qwych Knyght wyl renne a cours wyth a sharpe spere for his sovereyn lady sake; qwom other [either] Sir Richard Wodvyle47.2or Sir Christofore Talbot47.3shall delyver, to the wyrchip of Englond and of hem selff, be Goddes grace.

Ferthermore, ye be remembryd that an esquyer of Suffolk, callyd John Lyston, recoverydin assisa novæ disseisinæ47.4vijc[700] marc in damages ayenst Sir Robert Wyngfeld, &c. In avoydyng of the payement of the seid vij. c. marc, the seide Sir Robert Wyngfeld sotylly hath outlaywed the seide John Lyston in Notyngham shir, be the vertue of qwch outlagare, all maner of chattell to the seide John Lyston apperteynyng, arn acruwyd on to the Kyng, &c. And anon as the seide utlagare was certyfyed, my Lord Tresorer47.5graunted the seid vij. c. marc to my Lord of Norffolk, for the arrerag of hys sowde [pay] qwyl he was in Scotland; and, acordyng to this assignement forseide, taylles [tallies] delyvered. And my Lord of Norffolk hath relesyd the same vij. c. marc to Sir Robert Wyngfeld. And here is greet hevyng an shovyng be my Lord of Suffolk and all his counsell for to aspye hough this mater kam aboute, &c.

Sir, I beseche recomende me on to my mastres your modyr, to my mastres your wyff, and to my mastres your suster,et omnibus alijs quorum interest, &c.

Sir, I pray you, wyth all myn hert, hold me excusyd that I wryte thus homly and briefly on to you, for truly convenable space suffycyd me nowt.

No more atte this tyme, butte the Trynyte have you in proteccion, &c.; and qwan your leysyr is, resorte ageyn on to your college, the Inner Temple, for ther ben many qwych sor desyr your presence, Welles and othyr, &c.

Wretyn in le fest de touts Seynts, entre Messe et Mateyns,calamo festinante, &c.Yours,Rob. Reppes.

46.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]46.2[From Fenn, i. 4.] This letter was written in 1440, the year of the release of the Duke of Orleans.46.3Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Agincourt in 1415, and had never since been released.46.4Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, uncle of the King, and before this time Protector.47.1Harfleur.47.2Afterwards Earl Rivers, father of Elizabeth, Queen of EdwardIV.47.3Third son of John, the famous Earl of Shrewsbury.47.4i.e., in an assize of novel disseisin—an ancient law process.47.5Ralph, Lord Cromwell.

46.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

46.2[From Fenn, i. 4.] This letter was written in 1440, the year of the release of the Duke of Orleans.

46.3Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Agincourt in 1415, and had never since been released.

46.4Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, uncle of the King, and before this time Protector.

47.1Harfleur.

47.2Afterwards Earl Rivers, father of Elizabeth, Queen of EdwardIV.

47.3Third son of John, the famous Earl of Shrewsbury.

47.4i.e., in an assize of novel disseisin—an ancient law process.

47.5Ralph, Lord Cromwell.

—— ——to Friar Brackley (?).

About 1440 (?)

Touching a suit of Reynold Rowse against William Burgeys. This suit was instituted originally for 5s.4d.of rent; but when Rouse found he could not prevail by right, he maliciously sued the other for trespass in having fished his water, and driven him away by force. He afterwards got him arrested for treachery upon an obligation (i.e., a bond). Burgeys complained to Justice Paston, who counselled him not to plead; ‘For zyf thu do, he seyd, thu xalte hafe the werse, be thi case never so trewe, for he is feid with my Lord of [N]orthfolke, and mech he is of he [sic] counsel; and also, thu canst no man of lawe in Northfolke ne in Sowthfolke to be with the azens hym; and, for [s]othe no more myth I qwan I had a ple azens hym; and therfor myn counsel is, that thu make an end qwat so ever the pay, for he xal elles on do the and brynge the to nowte.’

[This letter is mutilated, and in part defaced. It is addressed on the back— ‘Be this take to Mayster Brele (?) of the Greye Freres.’ Although the name seems to be written Brele, it was probably intended for Friar Brackley of Norwich, of whom we have several letters of a later period. The date must be between the year 1429, when William Paston was made a judge, and 1444, when he died; and as the name of Reginald Rows occurs in Blomefield (Hist. of Norfolk, ix. 441) ‘about 1440,’ this letter will probably not be far out of its true place if inserted in that year.]

48.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

To my worshepfull husbond, John Paston, abidyng at Petyrhous in Cambrigg.

After 1440

Rythreverent and worsepful husbon, I recomawnde me to zow with alle myn sympyl herte, and prey zow to wete that there come up xi. hundyr Flemyns at Waxham, quereof wer takyn, and kylte, and dronchyn [drowned] viij. hundryte. And thei had nowte a be, ze xul a be atte home this Qwesontyde, and I suppose that ze xul be atte home er owte long be.

I thanke yow hertely for my lettyr, for I hadde none of zow syn I spooke with zow last of for the matyr of Jon Mariot; the qwest passyd nowte of that day, for my Lorde of Norfolke was in towne for Wedyrbys matyr,49.2qwer for he wolde nowt latyd pase off, for further (?) of I kowe [know?] Fynch ne Bylbys makethe no purwyans for hys gode.

No mor I wryte to zow atte this tyme, but the Holy Trenyte hawe zow in kepyng. Wretyn in Norweche, on Trenyte Sune day.Yowr,Markaryte Paston.

49.1[From Fenn, iii. 18.] The date of this letter is uncertain. From the fact of John Paston’s residence at Peter House in Cambridge, it would appear, as Fenn remarks, to have been written early in his married life, and we know that he was married as early as 1440.49.2Probably Thomas Wetherby, who was Mayor of Norwich in 1432–3, is referred to. He took offence at the Aldermen and Commons of the city for not naming the person he wished as his successor, and for some years afterwards showed his hostility by instigating prosecutions against the city, causing their attorneys to abandon their pleas, and so forth.

49.2Probably Thomas Wetherby, who was Mayor of Norwich in 1432–3, is referred to. He took offence at the Aldermen and Commons of the city for not naming the person he wished as his successor, and for some years afterwards showed his hostility by instigating prosecutions against the city, causing their attorneys to abandon their pleas, and so forth.

To my ryght wel belovyd cosyns, HerryIngleseand Johan Berney, Escuiers.

After 1440 (?)

Ryghtwel belovyd cosyns, I comaund me to yow. And please you to hafe in knoulege that at whyche tyme ye were delyvered out of pryson by the moyen of ij. prysonners that y delyvered yow, whyche, as ye know wel, one was Burd Vynollys and the other Johan de Seint Johan dit Dolot, and in lyke wyse I boughte anothyr prysonner clepyt Johan Villers for the delyveraunce of Mautbye50.2Sqwyer, whyche mater ye knowythe welle. And for as moche as my wrytynges that makyth mencion of that delyveraunce of the said Mautbye be not in my warde, y pray you that ye wolle undre your seelys certyffye me the trouthe how the said Mautbye was delyveryd by my moyen. Y hafe found a cedule that makyth mencion of that prysonner, of whyche I sende you a double, to be better avertysed of the mater. And therfor, as my trust ys yn yow that ye sende me your gode remembraunce in as goodly haste as ye may. And our Lord kepe you. Wryt at Londone the v. day of November.John Fastolf,Chevalier.

50.1[MS.in Pembroke College, Cambridge.] The date of this letter is quite uncertain; but as Fastolf is believed to have returned from abroad about 1440, we presume it was not earlier than that year.]50.2No doubt John Mauteby, son-in-law of John Berney and father of Margaret Paston.SeeBlomefield’sNorfolk, xi. 228.

50.1[MS.in Pembroke College, Cambridge.] The date of this letter is quite uncertain; but as Fastolf is believed to have returned from abroad about 1440, we presume it was not earlier than that year.]

50.2No doubt John Mauteby, son-in-law of John Berney and father of Margaret Paston.SeeBlomefield’sNorfolk, xi. 228.

my ryght wel belovyd cosyns, Herry Inglese andtext unchanged: normal spelling is “Inglose”

1441MAY 7

Letters Patent, dated 7th May 19 HenryVI., by which Richard, Duke of York, Earl of March, etc., lieutenant and governor of France, grants to his beloved councillor, Sir John Fastolf, an annuity of £20.

50.3[Add. Charter 14,598, B.M. (D. Turner’s Coll.)]

1441OCT. 14

Sir Thomas Keryell, lieutenant of Calais, notifies that his servant, John à Bekkes, mariner, master of his shipBonaventure, has sold it to Sir John Fastolf, and that he agrees to the sale. Calais, 14th October 1441. Signed ‘R. Wenlok.’ (Fine seal, mutilated.)

51.1[Add. Charter 17,233, B.M.]

1442

A proviso occurs for William Paston and Robert and Esmond Clere in an Act of Parliament 20 HenryVI., securing to them certain copyhold lands with two mansions thereon in Paston and Edithorp, Norfolk, held by the feoffees of the duchy of Lancaster, in exchange for other lands, called Charterhold, with two mansions thereon, in the same places.—Rolls of Parliament, v. 59.

John and Margaret Paston.

1442APRIL 15

Indenture tripartite, whereby Sir Simon Felbrigge, Oliver Groos, Esq., and William Paston, feoffees of Robert Mauteby, Esq., deceased, at the request of Margaret, wife of John Paston, daughter and heir of John Mauteby, son and heir of said Robert, and in consideration that the said John Paston and Margaret now have issue a son, John, whereby John Paston the father is by the law of England, for term of his life of the inheritance of his said wife, —— grant and confirm to the said John Paston the manors of Mauteby, Sparham, Basyngham, Westbekham, Matelask, and Briston, the manor of Salle called Kirkehalle, and the manor called Fleghalle in Wynterton, Somerton, Ormesby, Martham, Horseye, Waxstonesham, and Pallyng, and 100s.rent in Castre by Norwich and Merkeshale, Norfolk; and the manor of Freton in Suffolk; with certain reversions on the death of Eleanor, wife of Thomas Chambre, Esq., formerly wife of the said Robert Mauteby, Margery, wife of Ralph Garneys, Esq., mother of the said Margaret, formerly wife of John Mauteby, and of Edward Mauteby, Esq., and Thomas Mauteby, Esq., sons of the said Robert. To hold to the said John Paston, with remainder to Margaret and the heirs of her body; with contingent remainders in tail to Edw. Mauteby, Thomas Mauteby, &c.

Dated Mauteby, 15 April, 20 Hen.VI.

51.2[From a Bodl.MS.]

1442APRIL 20

Grant by John, Duke of Norfolk, to William Berdewell, Esq., of an annuity of 10 marks out of Stonham, Suffolk. Framlingham, 20th April 20 HenryVI.

52.1[Add. Charter 17,234, B.M.]

Eleanor Chambre To William Paston.

About 1442

Thanks him for what he did for her at Sparham at their last interview. He then expected to have more leisure to attend to her affairs at London after this Hallowmass, when he would ordain that she should have lawful estate for life in the partition made ‘betwixt you and me, to for such that was there for my husband and for me at that time.’ Begs him to do it now, and deliver it to her brother, John Chambre, or her servant, John Coke, the bearer. Sends the deed of annuity under her husband’s signet and hers, which she must pay to Paston’s children.

Welouby, Sunday after St. Martin.

[Alianore, widow of Robert Mauteby, Esq., remarried Thomas Chambers, Esq., lord of Sparham in her right, in 20 HenryVI.Her son, John Mauteby, was the father of Margaret, wife of John Paston.—SeeBlomefield, xi. 228.]

52.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

1443SEPT. 8

Primosuggessit Sanctissimo Papæ mentiendo quod coactus et constrictus [fuisset] metu parentum ordinem52.4intrare; secundo quod in insufficienti et prohibita ætate et in eodem ordine invite esset professus; Et tertio, quod ita fuerat invallatus et inclusus in ordinis arctitudine ut sibi tempus opportunum exeundi acquirere nequiret. Contraquæ sic depono, non per ficta et fantastice ymaginata, sed per visa et audita a fide dignis denunciata. Et primo, contra primum articulum, viz., quod metu parentum etc. quia, ut asserunt fide media quam plures fide digni quorum nomina perlongum esset enarrare, quod alter parentum, suple pater, neci submersionis suffocatus fuerat in Themisia diu antequam ordinem ingressus est prænotatus Johannes; ergo, dissonum videtur quod metu parentum ingressus est, sed tantum alterius parentis. Secundo, contra secundum articulum, scilicet quod ex insufficienti etc., quia per vere visa et audita a fide dignis personis contra illud testimonium perhibere volentibus verum est asserere quod xiiijcimannorum fuerat ætatis antequam indutus esset; quod sic evidet, quia natus erat in Swapham Markett, in loco qui Delgate dicitur, ubi parentes ejus commorabantur, quando primo intraverant villam antedictam pro annuali stipendio dato Thomæ Delgate, cujus erat ipsa mansio, et istud ad testimonium Adæ Ram, Roberti Sergaunte, Agnetis Ymay commatris53.1sæpedicti Johannis Hawteyn et Katerinæ Gannok, uxoris compatris53.1Johannis Hawteyn prædicti, viz. Johannis Gannok qui obiit anno Domini mccccxxxiiijº. Istis transactis, parentes dicti Johannis, viz. Haymundus Hawteyn, pater ejus, et Claricia Hawteyn mater ejus, conjunctim emerunt mansionem in eadem villa, viz. Swapham Markett, a Martino Waron anno regni Regis Ricardi Secundi post conquestum xxijº, quod datum, suple Regis Ricardi, præcessit nativitas Johannis Hawteyn in Delgate per testimonia præallegata. De facili ergo, probatur quod sit ætatis annorum xliiijºr ad minus, enumerando a xxijº anno regni Regis Ricardi Secundi post conquestum usque ad annum xxjmHenrici Sexti.

Omnia in hac cedula quo ad Hawteyn dicta fuerunt Jacobo Gresham viijº die Septembris anno Regis Henrici vjtixxijº, prout scribuntur. Frater Johannes Alburugh dicit quod hoc medio intravit Johannes Hawteyn in ordinem. Circa xij. annum ætatis suæ missus fuit London’ essend’ cum quodamThoma Brown modo apprenticii; quod actum fuit, quodque sibi non bene complacuit, et cucurrit ad Fratres et dixit quod fuit nepos Alburugh, et ea de causa Reverendus Magister Walden54.1interrogavit eum si vellet esse frater, et dixit quod vellet et humiliter rogavit ex caritate. Et veraciter scit quod fuit ætatis xiiij. annorum et amplius tempore professionis suæ et moram traxit ibidem per iij. vel iiij. annos. Et postea fuit apud Maldon per duos annos, et ab illo loco exiit. Deinde captus et Norwico incarceratus per dimidium annum. Et postea in domo de Blakney per iiijºr annos mansit, et ibidem fuit terminarius et hospes; et cucurrit ab inde cum vestibus officii de domo hospicii furtive et cepit librum (?) Alburugh avunculi sui et canciavit illum apud Aylesham pro iiij. marcis et dimidia, quas dictus Alburugh solvit pro libro rehabendo.

Et addidit idem Johannes Hawteyn vel Alburugh frater et avunculus dicti Johannis Hawteyn quod Johannes Hawteyn apostata fuit natus apud Swafham Market circa iiij. annum post transitum patris sui a Scheryngton usque Swafham. Et dicit quod Robertus frater ejus fuit pluris ætatis quam Johannes fuit per iiijºr annos, et dictus Robertus fuit natus apud Scherynton.

Et serviens Daubeney dicit quod Hamond Hawteyn transivit a Scheryngton usque Swafham tempore quo Thomas Erpyngham custodivit Regem R. in Turre London.54.2

Stephanus Plattyng de Aylesham pro vero dicit quod ad Festum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ anno regni Regis Henrici vjtixxjº elapsi fuerunt xxviijº anni postquam ipse primo habitavit in dicta villa de Aylesham; quo tempore Claricia quæ fuit uxor Hamonis Hawteyn fuit vidua et commorans in messuagium nunc Johannis Draper de Aylesham, et postea nupta fuit Petro Fysch, cæco, qui insimul vixerunt vj. vel vij. annos, et post obitum dicti Petri dicta Claricia cepit in virum Willelmum Punyant de Aylesham. Et ad dictum festum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ dicto anno xxjº dicti Ponyant et Claricia insimul in matrimonio cohabitaverunt per xxij. annos.Hoc de Pounyant cum Claricia affirmant. Et dicit idem Ponyant quod frater Johannes Hawteyn professus fuit post matrimonium inter ipsum et præfatam Clariciam et quod ipse ad ultimum exitum suum de ordine prædicto dimisit capam suam in domo dicti Ponyant apud Aylesham.

Willelmus Barbour dicit quod quo ad nativitatem Johannis Hawteyn penitus ignorat, sed dicit quod habet quendam (sic) filiam ætatis xliiijºr annorum, et ultra vel circa, et dicit quod Johannes Hawteyn est talis ætatis. Et dicit quod Tiphania soror Hawteyn est manens in villa ultra London vocata Hawehunte, sed in quo comitatu ignorat.

This paper is endorsed, ‘Hauteyn, Oxened.’

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