47MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON55.1

52.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.]52.4The Order of Carmelites.—SeeNote 1 on page 54.53.1Compaterandcommater(in Frenchcompèreandcommère) correspond in meaning to the old English wordgossip,i.e.god-sib, or related in baptism—generally applied to godfathers and godmothers.54.1The celebrated Thomas Netter of Walden, provincial of the Carmelite order in England; a great opponent of Wycliffe.54.2RichardII.was committed to the Tower in 1399, just before his formal resignation of the crown.47MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON55.1To my rygth worchepful husbond, John Paston, dwellyng in the Inner Temple at London, in hast.1443SEPT. 28Rythworchipful hosbon, I recomande me to yow, desyryng hertely to her of yowr wilfar, thanckyng God of yowr a mendyng of the grete dysese that ye have hade; and I thancke yow for the letter that ye sent me, for be my trowthe my moder and I wer nowth in hertys es fro the tyme that we woste of yowr sekenesse, tyl we woste verely of your a mendyng. My moder be hestyd a nodyr ymmage of wax of the weytte of yow to oyer Lady of Walsyngham, and sche sent iiij. nobelys to the iiij. Orderys of Frerys at Norweche to pray for yow, and I have be hestyd to gon on pylgreymmays to Walsingham, and to Sent Levenardys55.2for yow; be my trowth I had never so hevy a sesyn as I hadfrom the tyme that I woste of yowr sekenesse tyl I woste of yowr a mendyng, and zyth myn hert is in no grete esse, ne nowth xal be, tyl I wott that ze ben very hal. Your fader56.1and myn was dysday sevenyth [this day se’nnight] at Bekelys for a matyr of the Pryor of Bromholme, and he lay at Gerlyston that nyth, and was ther tyl it was ix. of the cloke, and the toder day. And I sentte thedyr for a goune, and my moder seyde that I xulde have dan [then], tyl I had be ther a non, and so thei cowde non gete.My fader Garneyss56.2senttee me worde that he xulde ben her the nexch weke, and my emme [uncle] also, and pleyn hem her with herr hawkys, and thei xulde have me hom with hem; and so God help me, I xal exscusse me of myn goyng dedyr yf I may, for I sopose that I xal redelyer have tydyngys from yow herr dan I xulde have ther. I xal sende my modyr a tokyn that sche toke me, for I sopose the time is cum that I xulde sendeth her, yf I kepe the be hest that I have made; I sopose I have tolde yow wat it was. I pray yow hertely that [ye] wol wochesaf to sende me a letter as hastely as ze may, yfwryhynbe non dysesse to yow, and that ye wollen wochesaf to sende me worde quowe your sor dott. Yf I mythe have had my wylle, I xulde a seyne yow er dystyme; I wolde ye wern at hom, yf it wer your ese, and your sor myth ben as wyl lokyth to her as it tys ther ze ben, now lever dan a goune zow [though] it wer of scarlette. I pray yow yf your sor be hol, and so that ze may indur to ryde, wan my fader com to London, that ze wol askyn leve, and com hom wan the hors xul be sentte hom a zeyn, for I hope ze xulde be kepte as tenderly herr as ze ben at London. I may non leyser have to do wrytyn half a quarter so meche as I xulde sey [say] to yow yf I myth speke with yow. I xall sende yow a nothyr letter as hastely as I may. I thanke yow that ze wolde wochesaffe to remember my gyrdyl, and that ze wolde wryte to me at the tyme, for I sopose that wrytyng was non esse for yow. All myth God have yow in his kepyn, and sende yow helth.Wretyn at Oxenede, in ryth grete hast, on Sent Mikyllys Evyn.Yorys,M. Paston.My modyr grette yow wel, and sendyth yow Goddys blyssyng and hers; and sche prayeth yow, and I pray yow also, that ye be wel dyetyd of mete and drynke, for that is the grettest helpe that ye may have now to your helthe ward. Your sone57.1faryth wel, blyssyd be God.55.1[From Fenn, iii. 20.] This letter was written after the birth of John Paston’s eldest son, who was born in 1442, and cannot be later than 1443, as William Paston, who is mentioned, died in August of the year following.55.2St. Leonard’s Priory, Norwich.56.1William Paston.56.2Perhaps her godfather. The family of Garneys were Lords of Gelderstone, the place called by Margaret Paston Gerlyston, a few lines above.57.1Almost certainly his eldest son, John, afterwards Sir John Paston.yf wryhyn be non dysesse to yowtext unchanged: error for “wrytyn”?48ABSTRACT57.2Land in Paston.1443OCT. 17Warrant to Sir Roger Frenles, Knight, Chief Steward of the Duchy lands in Norfolk and other counties, and Sir Thomas Tudenham, particular Steward of the lordship and manor of Gymyngham, to demise (dimittere et tradere) to the undertenants (bassis tenentibus) specified in an act of Parliament, certain charterhold land in Paston and Edithorp granted to the King by William Paston, Robert Clere, and Edmund Clere in exchange for certain parcels of copyhold land, in accordance with an act of the last Parliament holden at Westminster. The copyhold land granted to them consisted of 36½ acres 9 perches 1½ qr. of a perch and 1 pekke of land, pasture, heath, and marsh, with two houses built on certain parcels thereof, with 1/4 of a rood of waste land [not belonging to the Duchy?] in Paston; and it was given in recompense for 36½ acres 26½ perches and half a quarter of a perch, half a ‘pekke’ and one ‘naylle’ of land, pasture, and heath, called ‘Chartrehold,’ with two houses built on certain parcels thereof, in Paston and Edithorp, which are to be annexed to the Duchy. These parcels are specified in an inquisition dated 18 May 18 Hen.VI., remaining in the treasury of the Duchy, which was taken by virtue of letters of the Cardinal to Lord Bardolf and others.17 Oct. 22 Hen.VI.57.2[From the Chancery Roll of the Duchy of Lancaster, 22 Hen.VI., Y. 2 c., No. 79.]49WILLIAM PASTON AND WILLIAM JOYE58.11444Hecsunt hostilmenta et vutensilia domus, bona et catalla, que Willelmus Paston, in indentura presentibus annexa nominatus, tradidit et dimisit Willelmo Joye in eadem indentura nominato, secundum formam ejusdem indenture, ex communi assensu eorundem Willelmi et Willelmi, per Robertum Gynne, Johannem Albon de Paston et alios appreciata, assignata et specificata, modo subsequenti, videlicet: tres equi precii quinque marcarum; quatuor vacce, quelibet precii vijs.vjd.; una juvenca brendyt precii vs.; unus tauriculus, precii iiijs.; una juvencula dowet precii iijs.; due sues, quelibet precii iijs.iiijd.; tres porculi, quilibet precii xvjd.; tres porcelli, quilibet precii xijd.; quatuor alii porcelli, quilibet precii viijd.; una carecta, precii vjs.viijd.; apparatus carette, videlicet una sella, unum par des stroppys; duo paria dez trayses, precii ijs.; due caruce cum les hokys et stappilles; unum par rotarum; due herpice, precii vs.; quatuor paria dez trayses ad aratrum, precii viijd.; due furse fimose, precii vjd.; una vanga, precii iijd.; unus tribulus, precii iijd.Hec sunt blada et alia hostilmenta et utensilia domus, bona et catalla, per predictum Willelmum Paston predicto Willelmo Joye secundum formam dicte indenture similiter dimissa et non appreciata, videlicet: sex quarteria frumenti; xxv. quarteria ordei; viij. quarteria avenarum; quidam tassus pisarum in fine australi antique grangie messuagii predicti, qui est altitudinis iij. virgarum et iij. quarteriorum unius virge, et quidam alius tassus vescarum in boriali fine ejusdem grangie, altitudinis iij. virgarum et j. quarterii unius virge; qui quidem duo tassi fuerunt vesture xij. acrarum et dimidii, et dimidii rode terre; iij. vasa vocata Kelerys; j. Gilyngsat; iiij. stondes pro servitio; j. stonde in coquina; ij. patelle cum ligaminibus ferreis; j.parva patella cum ligamine ferreo; j. magna olla ennea [ænea]; alia olla ennea minor; j. parva olla ennea; j. tabula; j. par des trostelles; j. longum hostium jacens in boteria; j. par des trestelles, j. trow, ij. bolles, j. morter, j. thede, j. temse, j. mashsterell, j. tankard cum ligamine ferreo; j. bultyngpoke, j. magna trow pro farina, cista pro farina, j. fleshoke, j. tripes ferreum, j. veru ferreum; j. aunderun, j. par de tongys, j. lach’gres ennua, j. seturis, j. magnum lavacrum pendens, j. kynderkyn, ij. soos leeke, j. par de belwes, j. magnum planke super mensam coquine hargour; iij. perapsides; iij. disci; iij. sauserys de pewter; iij. perapsides; iij. disci; j. magnus discus, vj. sissorn, iij. ciphi de ligno, j. chayer; duo longa scanna, j. scannum mediocre longitudinis; ij. scanna vocata buffet stoles; ij. bankar; j. gladius, ij. ferra vocata aplates; j. chirne; j. chyrnyng staf; j. curta falx; j. candelabrum ferreum; j. parvum salerium; j. beryngsceppes, unum par dez pepyrquens, ij. uteri, j. cadus cum vergous; j. parva cista in boteria; j. selura supra servisiam; j. metesetell; j. pykforke; iij. longa bordclothis; j. towayll, j. san . . . et j. walet pro autumpno; j. lucerna; ij. vomeri et ij. cultri que ponderant xvij. li. et dim.; j. carectula, Anglice, a carre; j. sunvectorium (?); ij. novi rowintrees et j. curtum lignum in le carthows; ij. veteres bige; j. par rotarum ferratarum; ij. kemell cum hopys ferreis; j. frena, j. pelvis; viij. sacci; iiij. longa ligna fraxinora in pistrina; j. fetyrlok.In dorso—Summa catall’ infrascriptorum et appreciat’, vli.19s.8d.Summa granorum infrascriptorum ultra persas (?) et vesias, iiijli.xviijs.iiijd.Quarterium frumenti ad iiijs., quarterium ordei ijs.iiijd., et querterium avenarum ad ijs.Item, vestura xij. acrarum et di., et di. rod. pisarum et vescar’.Item, dicta vestura piseii et vescar. ad ls., lacr’ ad iiijs.de xij. acr’ et di. rod. non lax.Summa totalis, xiiijli.viijs.58.1[From Douce Charters in Bibl. Bodl., No. 18.]50OXNEAD AND FRIAR HAWTEYN60.11443–9Thisday at x. of the clok Edmund Paston and the parson of Oxened went owth of the Manor doun to Wantown Gapp, for thei herd tydynges that the freyr60.2was comyng; and with the seyd frier came John Cates and on Whalter Herman of Wheytte, and Wylliam Yemmys of Burgh, the frieres man. And Edmund Paston seyd to John Cates Welcome, and he askyd hem what here60.3cause was in commyng. The Frier seyd he cam for to speke with the gode lady, and Edmund seyd that he shuld speke with her. At this tyme sche was so ocupied he myth not speke with her. And he seyd that he shuld assay; and he cam redyng fro Wantown Gappe to the greteCate; and there he lyted and knokkyd on the gate; and we folwyd as yarn as we myth; and ther was with in John Jaallere and John Edmundes, and asked the friere what he wold; and he seyd that he wuld comyn inne for to speke with the gode ladi of the hows. And thei seyd nay, he shuld not come in. And than cam on Edmund Paston and the parson, and asked hym what was cause of his comyng at this tyme. And he seyd for to entre in the maner of Oxened, the which his fader was possessid of and his auncestres from kyng Edward the thred on to Colbys tyme, and that he had fownd a tayll ther of in the kynges bokes. And than Edmund Paston answeryd hym and seyd that it wher best declaryng of his evydence in Westminster hall. And he seyd a geyn, so he shuld whan he myth. And he seyd to hem that come with hym, ‘Serys, I chargge yow ber record how that I am kept owth with stronge hand, and may not take poscession.’ And evyn forth with he presyd to thegate ward to a leyd hand on the gate. And than the seyd Edmund put hym fro the gate and seyd, ‘Ne wer for reverence of thy lord and myn, and thow leyst any hand on the gate I xall sey thye hert blod or thow myn.’ And than the seyd frier seyd scornfully that he myth thanke his mayster. And than the seyd Edmund seyd that he myth sey his lord ryght wele; and than he stowpyd doun and toke up herd and delivered to his man, seying to hem that come with hym, ‘I charge yow all of the kynges behalffe ye bere record that I take here poscession of myn inheritance.’ And Edmund seyd that this takyng of poscession skylled nowgt. And than the friere seyd that sen he myth not have it nowe, he shuld come a geyn a nothir tyme. Edmund is rede forth to Heydon. It was told us this afternon that ther wer iij. men come fro Skeyton and mette with the frier in the feld and spoke with hym a gode while, and than redyn the same wey that they come.60.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 19.] This paper, like No. 63, which also refers to Friar Hauteyn’s claim to Oxnead, can be assigned to no definite year; but its date must be before the death of Edmund Paston in 1449. It is indorsed in a later hand: ‘A Frier came to take possession of the mannor of Oxned.’60.2John Hauteyn.60.3here(orher) fortheir.fro Wantown Gappe to the grete Catetext unchanged: error for “Gate”?51JAMES GRESHAM TO WILLIAM PASTON61.1To my right worthy and worshepfull Lord, William Paston, Justice, in hast.1444JAN. 29Pleaseit your good Lordship to wete that the Chief Justice of the Kynggs Benche61.2recomaundeth hym to yow, and is right sory of the matier that is cause of your noun comyng hedir, but he wole do al that he canor may for yow. He hath hadde a cyetica [sciatica] that hath letted hym a gret while to ride, and dar not yet come on non horses bak, and ther for he hath spoke to the Lordes of the Conseill, and enformed hem of your sekenesse and his also, that he may not ride at these next assizes to Estgrynsted; and though thoe assizes discontynuepuer noun venue dez Justicez, he hopeth to be excused and ye also. And as for the remenant of the assizes, he shall purvey to be ther by water. And Almyghty Jesu make yow heyle and strong.Wretyn right simply the Wednesseday next to fore ye Fest of the Purificacion of Our Lady at London.By your most symple servaunt,Jamys Gresham.61.1[From Fenn, iii. 26.] ‘From a memorandum,’ says Fenn, ‘on the back of this letter, dated in April 1444, it is probable that it was written on the 30th of January 1443.’ Did Fenn mean the 30th of January 1443–4? In the side-note immediately below the letter, he dates it in his usual exact manner, ‘Wednesday, 30th of January 1443, 22 H. vi.’ But unfortunately there is an error here. January in the 22d year of HenryVI., means January 1444 according to the modern computation, or 1443 in the style formerly in use, by which the year was reckoned from the 25th of March. But the 30th of January was a Wednesday in 1443, only according to the modern computation of the year,—that is to say, it was a Wednesday in the year 1442–3, not in 1443–4. I imagine, however, that the ‘30th of January’ should have been ‘29th of January,’ and that Fenn really meant 1443–4, corresponding with the 22nd year of HenryVI.; for the memorandum to which he refers is a draft agreement, dated on Passion Sunday, 22 Hen.VI.,A.D.1444.61.2The celebrated Sir John Fortescue.52JOHN GYNEY TO WILLIAM PASTON62.1To the worthy and worshipfull Sir and good Lord and Maister, William Paston, on of the Justices of oure Sovereign Lord, of his Commone Benche at Westminster.Not later than 1444Rightworthy and worshipfull Sir, and my good Lord and Maister, I recomaund me to yow. And where as ye, by your lettre direct to my Lady, your wyf, wold that my seid Lady shuld have Robert Tebald and me to geder, as sone as she myght, and the evidences which the seid Robert receyved of yow at your last beyng at Norwich, and that I shuld amende the defautes therinne, and that that doon there shuld of Baxteres Place of Honyng be taken estate to yow and to other, as your seid lettre requireth: Prey and beseche yow to witte that, on the Friday next after your departyng fro Paston, Thomas Walysh and William Burgh, in his owen persone, and the seid Thomas by William Inges and William Walsyngham, his attornies, by his lettre under his seal, where[were] at Honyng, and delyvred to my Lady Scarlet seson [seisin] in the seid place, and Colbyes and Donnynges in Walsham. And the seid Thomas Walyssh, as the seid Tebald told me, wold not enseale the seid lettre of attornie til the parson of Ingeworth come to hym therfore, and required hym to don it. Wychyngham in his owen persone in the nyght next beforn the seid Friday, as the seid Tebald infourmeth me, come to the same Tebaldes hows, and desired hym to enseale acquytaunce, as he seid, and the same Robert refused to don it.Nertheless, whether it were acquytaunce or were not, the same Robert kan not seye, for he myght noo sight have there of. And the seid Wychyngham the same nyght rood to John Willyot, and desired of hym the same, and refused also to don it. What is the best to be don in this matier my seid Lady, your wyf, kan not thynke with owt your advis and counseile. Wherfore as touchyng the takyng of th’estate to yow and other, as in your seid lettre is conteigned, is yet right nought doon.The Holy Trinite have yow in his blissed kepyng. Wretyn at North Walsham, the Thursday next after the Purificacion of oure Lady.My seid Lady, your wyf, preyeth yow to be remembred of here grene gynger of almondes for Lente, and of the leche of Orwelde, for here seknes encreseth dayly upon here, whereof she is sore a ferd.By youre servunt,John Gyney.62.1[From Fenn, iii. 28.] There is nothing to be said of the date of this letter, except that it is not later than 1444, when William Paston died.53ABSTRACT63.11444MARCH 15Indenture between the Prior and Convent of the Monastery of St. Andrew, Bromholme, impropriators of the Church of St. Margaret, Paston, and John Partrik, vicar of the said church, of the first part, William Paston of Paston, of the second part, and Edmund Palmer of Wytton, of the third part, relative to lands in Baketon and Wytton, and containing amongst other things a grant by the Prior and Convent to the said John Partrik, at the instance of the saidWilliam Paston, in consideration of which masses, calledcerteynes, are to be performed every Friday for the souls of William Paston and Agnes his wife, and the obit of Clement Paston, William’s father, is to kept yearly on St. Botolph’s day (17th June). Dated 15th March 22 HenryVI.Confirmedby Walter, Bishop of Norwich, and John, the Prior of the Cathedral of Norwich, and the chapter of that church, 11th and 21st March 1446[-7].63.1[Add. Charter 14,571, B.M. (D. Turner’s Coll.)]Confirmed by Walter, Bishop of Norwichtext reads “Comfirmed”54ABSTRACT64.1John Maryot to William Paston, Justice.Before 1444Is ready to fulfil the indentures of Becham made by W. P. with his late mother, if W. P. will send ‘the indenture of our part,’ that Maryot may know the terms and his own title. Will make no bargain else.—Crowmer, Monday after Our Lady’s Nativity.64.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This and the following letter are quite uncertain in point of date, except that they were of course written before the death of William Paston, to whom they were addressed.55ABSTRACT64.2William Wotton de Pagrave to Justice Paston.Sends his wife to him to explain some business about lands in Lytyl Pagrave, of which a woman of Sporle has already spoken to him; also touching some land at Castleacre.—On parchment.64.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.]56—— —— TO JOHN PASTON64.31444Rightereverent and my most worshipful maister, I recomaund me to yow. Please it yow to wite that I sende yow a copie of a verdite take before my maister Roberd Clere by vertu of a writdiem clausit extremum,64.4whichewrit I sende yow also with this, of whiche verdite the wordis arn as it folwith:—Inquisicio capta apud Wynterton, secundo die Novembris anno regni Regis Henrici vjtipost conquestum vicesimo tertio, coram Roberto Clere escaetore domini Regis in com. Norfolk et Suffolk, virtute brevis domini Regis sibi directi et presenti Inquisitioni consuti, per sacramentum Johannis Berkyng, Nicholai Pikeryng, Johannis Chapell, Johannis Jekkys, Willelmi Stiwardson, Roberti Hosele, Johannis Topy, Johannis Wacy, Johannis Rychers, Thomæ Broun, Walteri Heylok, Willelmi Stotevyle, Thomæ Mason, Roberti Marche, Johannis Kechon, legalium et proborum hominum in hac parte pro domino Rege juratorum: Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod Willelmus Paston nominatus in dicto brevi nulla terras et tenementa tenuit de domino Rege in capite die quo obiit in comitatu predicto. Et quod obiit quartodecimodie mensis Augusti, anno regni domini Regis predicti xxij. Et quod Johannes Paston filius ipsius Willelmi est hæres ejus propinquior, et ætatis xxiij. annorum.Ther is founde more of other thyngges be the same verdite touchyng other matieris, whiche he will not certifie yet. And for as moche as my maister Clere wetyth well that the seid verdite touchyng my maister your fader, hoes soule God assoyle, must have other maner of makyng thanne he kan make, he recomaundith hym to my maistres your moder, and yow also; and prey yow that ye will do it make as effectuel and availeabill for the wel of my maister your fader and yow as ye kan, and sele it with your seall, or what seall ellys ye will, in his name, and sealle it also with as many of other seales as ther be jerores, and delyvere it to William Bondes, his depute, to delyvere into the Chauncelre. And if William Bondes be fro London or this may be redy, thanne purveye ye for the speed of this matier in youre best wise; and what so ever ye do, or sey, or write, or seale, or avouche in this matier in my maister Cleris name, he shall avowe it, and [i.e.if] it shulde coste hym gret parte of his good.Sir, ther is noon enquerre take in Suffolk, for as moche as my maister your fader helde no londe ther but be my maistres your moder; but if ye will that he shall inquere ther as sone as he may wete it, it shall be doo; and if this forseide verditemay serve for bothe, he is right glad therof. He tolde me that he seide to the jurores, whiche have sealed her verdite: ‘Seris, I wot well this verdite after my makyng is not effectuel in lawe, and therfore may happe it shall be makid newe at London, and ellys peraventure I shulde be amercied in the Kyngges Courte; and therfore I truste yow, and [i.e.if] it be newe mad and newe sealed, ye will avowe it.’ And thei seide with a good herte ya; these wordes wern seidein secreta confessioneto v. or vj. of the reuleris of the seide jurre whiche he kan truste righte well. He preyith yow to holde hym excused that he writyth not to yow for this matier, for he is ocupied in other wise. He badde me write in this fourme to yow, which he supposith ye will beleve, and he knoweth alle this writyng, and is well concented and agreed therto. Sir, ther arn xv. jurores abowe to certifie ye, as many as ye will: but lete these men that be tottid be certified, for thei be the rewleris and t . . . . he spk (?) &c. Sir, atte reverence of God, if I shall make ony purvyaunce in this cuntre for my maistres comyng hom, lete me have reson[able] warnyng, and so God me helpe, and I shall do my dever. I here no tydyngges of Thom’ yet. My maistres Garneys, your moder, . . . . . .66.1Berney, and my maisteris your sonys and my maister your brother arn heyle and mery, and recommend hem to yow. And I beseche your [mastership]66.1that this sympil skrowe may recomaund me to my reverant and worshipful maistres, your moder. And I prey our Lord of his . . . . . .66.1bothe moche worship and wilfare, and graunte me to do and labour that is to your bothenerys pleaser.66.2Writen the Saterday next. . . . . . .66.3This letter appears to have been used as a wrapper for others. It is endorsed, ‘Literæ diversorum directæ J. Paston receptæ apud London per diversos annos ante festum Michaelis anno xxxiiij Hen.VI.Literæ Fastolff pro Costid (?). Literæ W. Wayt pro tempore suæ tribulationis. Literæ Windham.’64.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter is without a signature or address, and who the writer was does not appear. It was evidently written soon after the taking of the inquisition on the death of William Paston, the Judge, the date of which is given in the extract as 2nd November 23 HenryVI.,i.e.1444.64.4Seep. 16, Note 1.66.1Mutilated.66.2I.e., that which is to the pleasure of you both (?).66.3A little mutilated at bottom.Et quod obiit quarto decimo die mensis Augustitext has “dccimo”In the following Letter, line breaks have been added to accommodate the interlineations (Note 2).57WILL OF EDMUND NORMAN67.11444DEC. 6InDei nomine, amen. Ego Edmundus Norman de Fylby, compos mentis, die Dominica in festo sancti Nicholai Episcopi, anno domini Mlmoiiijcxl. iiij.to, condo testamentum meum in hunc mundum (sic). In primis do et lego animam meam Deo Patri, &c., corpusque meum sepeliendum in ecclesia sancti Petri de Crowmere. Item, summo altari ecclesiæ prædictævjs.viijd.67.2emendacioni ejusdem ecclesiævjs. viijd.67.2xld.Item, emendacioni ejusdem ecclesiæ xld.Item, summo altari ecclesiæ de Fylby xld.Item, emendationi ecclesiæ de Fylby prædictæ vel fenestræ de novo faciendæ et intrando in parte boriali ecclesiæ prædictæ in fine occidentali, x. marcas. Item, Edmondo, capellano sancti Johannis Baptistæ in eadem ecclesia, xld.Item, volo quod omnes feoffati in terris et tenementis remittant jus suum Edmundo Clere armigero, magistro meo, ut ipse vendat et disponat cum aliis executoribus meis pro salute animæ meæ, et patris, matris, et omnium quibuscumque teneor. Item, cuilibet ordini fratrum de Jernemoth, vjs.viiid.Item, fratribus ordinis Minorum de Walsyngham vjs.viiid.Item, lego Willelmo Bondis omnia bona mea existentia in hospicio meode CliffordeLondon’, videlicet lectum et indumenta mea. Item, lego Roberto Baketon et uxori ejus, firmario meo in Fylby, omnia utencilia mea infra mansionem meam ibidem præter lectum plumale postea legatum. Item, Edmundo filio dicti Roberti, filiolo meo, xls.Item, filiabus ejusdem Roberti, Elizabethæ et Margaretæ, cuilibet xxs.Item, Edmundo filio Roberti Norman de Ormesby, vjs.viiid.Item, Ricardo Kemp, xxvjs.viijd.Item, Johanni Grave, sonam meam deargent’.67.3Item, Nicholao Pekeryng de Fylby, meum optimum lectum plumale infra mansionem meam apud Fylby. Item, Johanni Spencer de Crowmere, xxs.Item, uxori Johannis Couche, pro labore et diligentia suis circa me dum infirmabar, vjs.viijd.Item,Edmundo Bataly capellanoxxs.68.1vjs.viiid.Item, lego Thomæ Stalham et uxori ejus meum lectum plumale apud Norwicum. Item, die obitus mei ad exequias, cuilibet capellano iiijd.et clerico, jd.Item, ad distribuendum inter pauperes die sepulturæ, xld.Residuum vero bonorum meorum non legatorum do et lego executoribus meis, quos ordino et constituto Edmundum Clere, armigerum, Magistrum meum Robertum Clere, Willelmum Bondes, Nicholaum Pekeryng, Magistrum Johannem Semecrofte et Ricardum Kemp, ut ipsi disponant pro salute animæ meæ.68.2Et lego dicto Edmundo Clere pro labore suo xli.si vult. Et Roberto Clere Cs., et similiter cuilibet aliorum executorum xls.Item, lego Pers. de Crowmere iijs.iiijd.Item, volo quod in fenestra ecclesiæ de Fylby tres68.3ymagines, videlicet, una ymago sancti Edmundi, alter[a] Sancti Johannis Baptistæ, alia Sanctæ Mariæ, et ibidem fiat scriptio:—Orate pro animabus Johannis Norman seniori, Margaretæ uxoris ejus, et Edmundi filii prædictiet tale armo (sic). [Here follows a sketch of a shield, the upper part marked as silver and the lower black, with the word‘Katerwole’ (?)upon it.]67.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 10.]67.2Interlineations by another hand.67.3Here occurs an illegible interlineation, in which only ‘xs.’ is visible.68.1Interlineations by another hand.68.2What follows is in a different hand, apparently the same as that of the interlineations noticed above.68.3Corrected from ‘quatuor.’58THE DUKE OF NORFOLK TO JOHN PASTON68.4To our right trusti and welbelovid John Paston, Squier. The Duc of Norff.Before 1444 (?)Trustiand right welbelovid, we grete you weel, lating you witte that for the trust that as weel we, as the heires of Edmund Swathyng, have unto you, we have appointed you to be one of the makeres up indifferently of theevydences betwix us and the seide heires. Wherfor we pray you hertily, that ye wil yeve attendaunce at such day and place as ye and our right trusti and welbelovid frende William Yelverton, with oure welbelovid servaunt Jenney, shal mow attende to the making up of the seide evidencez; and we shal send summe of our servauntz to awayte upon you for your reward and costis, that ye shal be pleasid with by the grace of God, who have you ever in his keping.Wreten undir our signet in oure Castel of Framlyngham,the xviij. day of ——.John69.1Mowbray.Norff.68.4[From Fenn, i. 10.] Fenn thinks this letter must have been written before 1444, when Yelverton was made a judge. This is, doubtless, most probable. There is, however, an Edmund Swathing, Esq., mentioned by Blomefield (Hist. of Norfolk, viii. 42) as alive in 1446, and if it be his executors who are referred to, the date would appear to be later.69.1The name ‘John Mowbray’ is represented by a curious monogram, in which every letter both of the Christian and the surname can be traced.59JOHN PASTON’S PETITION69.2To the Kyng our Soverayn Lord.After 1444Plesyour Hyghnes of your abundante grace, an consyderacion of the servys and plesure that your Hyghnes knowyth to yow don by William Paston, late one of your judgys, and old servaunt to that nobyll Prinse your fadyr, to graunte onto John Paston, Esquyer, sonn and heyir of the seyd Wylliam, your lettrys patents under the seel of yowr Duche of Lancastre, being in the keping of Thomas Chesham, aftyr affecte of note folowyng; and he schall pray to God for yow.Rex, etc. Sciatis, quod de gracia nostra speciali et ex mero motu nostro, ac pro bono et laudabyli servicio quod dilectuset fidelis nobis Willelmus Paston, nuper unus Justiciariorum nostrorum, defunctus, nobis in vita sua inpendydit, consessimus et hac presenti carta nostra confirmavimus, in quantum in nobis est, Johanni Paston armigero, filio et heredi dicti Willelmi, viginti tria mesuagia, quingintas triginta et iiij. acras pasture, bruere et marissy in villis de Paston, Edythorp, et Bakton, in comitatu nostro Norff. quas diversi tenentes nostri ibidem de nobis separatim native tenent ad voluntatem nostram per virgam sive copiam et per serta redditus et servissia, nativa annualia inde nobis reddend., que ad valorem novem librarum annuatim exeunt vel infra. Concessimus eciam eidem Johanni curiam lete, seu visus franciplegii nostri, in villis de Paston et Edithorp predictis, que est annui valoris viij. solidorum per estimacionem; ad quatuor libratas, quatuor solidatas et octo denariatas redditus. Redditum octo boschellorum avenarum et trium caponum cum pertinentiis in villis predictis, ac in villis Wytton et Easewyk in comitatu predicto, percipiendum anuatim de omnibus et singulis liberys tenentibus nostris ibidem pro tenementis suis qui de nobis separatim tenent in eisdem villis, una cum fidelitatibus et aliis serviciis eorundem tenentium et eorum cujuslibet, de, seu pro, tenementis illis et eorum qualibet parcella nobis debitis sive pertinentibus. Concessimus etiam eidem Johanni et heredibus suis officium parcarie ac costidie70.1parci nostri de Grymygham in com. nostro predicto, una cum proficuo agistamenti bestiarum ejusdem parci pro vadiis suis pro officio predicto annuatim percipiend: salvis no . . et hodierna sufficienti pastura ferarum nostrarum ibidem ut tempore nostro prius usitatum fuit; quod quidem proficuum agistamenti ad valorem x. marcarum extendit per annum. Habenda, tenenda et percipienda predicta messuagia, terram, pasturam, brueram, mariscum, curiam lete, et visus franciplegii, redditus, et servissia, officium et agistament’ proficu’ cum pertinentiis, prefato Johanni et heredibus suis de nobis et heredibus nostris, per fidelitatem et redditum unius rose rubie ad Festum Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptiste annuatim nobis solvendum, si petatur, pro omnibus serviciis, exaccionibus et demandis. Eo quodmessuagia, terra, pastura, bruera, mariscus, curia lete, redditus, servicia predicta, officium et agistament’ profic’, valorem supra specificatum excedant, vel valorem illum non attingant, aut aliquo actu, restriccione seu mandato facto, edito aut proviso non obstante. Volumus etiam et assignavimus quod omnes illi qui per nos seu ad usum nostrum, jus, titulum, seu statum in premissis, seu aliquo premissorum habuerunt seu habent, nobis antehac non relaxatum, jus, titulum et statum illa prefato Johanni et heredibus suis dimittent et relaxent. In cujus . . .

52.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

52.4The Order of Carmelites.—SeeNote 1 on page 54.

53.1Compaterandcommater(in Frenchcompèreandcommère) correspond in meaning to the old English wordgossip,i.e.god-sib, or related in baptism—generally applied to godfathers and godmothers.

54.1The celebrated Thomas Netter of Walden, provincial of the Carmelite order in England; a great opponent of Wycliffe.

54.2RichardII.was committed to the Tower in 1399, just before his formal resignation of the crown.

To my rygth worchepful husbond, John Paston, dwellyng in the Inner Temple at London, in hast.

1443SEPT. 28

Rythworchipful hosbon, I recomande me to yow, desyryng hertely to her of yowr wilfar, thanckyng God of yowr a mendyng of the grete dysese that ye have hade; and I thancke yow for the letter that ye sent me, for be my trowthe my moder and I wer nowth in hertys es fro the tyme that we woste of yowr sekenesse, tyl we woste verely of your a mendyng. My moder be hestyd a nodyr ymmage of wax of the weytte of yow to oyer Lady of Walsyngham, and sche sent iiij. nobelys to the iiij. Orderys of Frerys at Norweche to pray for yow, and I have be hestyd to gon on pylgreymmays to Walsingham, and to Sent Levenardys55.2for yow; be my trowth I had never so hevy a sesyn as I hadfrom the tyme that I woste of yowr sekenesse tyl I woste of yowr a mendyng, and zyth myn hert is in no grete esse, ne nowth xal be, tyl I wott that ze ben very hal. Your fader56.1and myn was dysday sevenyth [this day se’nnight] at Bekelys for a matyr of the Pryor of Bromholme, and he lay at Gerlyston that nyth, and was ther tyl it was ix. of the cloke, and the toder day. And I sentte thedyr for a goune, and my moder seyde that I xulde have dan [then], tyl I had be ther a non, and so thei cowde non gete.

My fader Garneyss56.2senttee me worde that he xulde ben her the nexch weke, and my emme [uncle] also, and pleyn hem her with herr hawkys, and thei xulde have me hom with hem; and so God help me, I xal exscusse me of myn goyng dedyr yf I may, for I sopose that I xal redelyer have tydyngys from yow herr dan I xulde have ther. I xal sende my modyr a tokyn that sche toke me, for I sopose the time is cum that I xulde sendeth her, yf I kepe the be hest that I have made; I sopose I have tolde yow wat it was. I pray yow hertely that [ye] wol wochesaf to sende me a letter as hastely as ze may, yfwryhynbe non dysesse to yow, and that ye wollen wochesaf to sende me worde quowe your sor dott. Yf I mythe have had my wylle, I xulde a seyne yow er dystyme; I wolde ye wern at hom, yf it wer your ese, and your sor myth ben as wyl lokyth to her as it tys ther ze ben, now lever dan a goune zow [though] it wer of scarlette. I pray yow yf your sor be hol, and so that ze may indur to ryde, wan my fader com to London, that ze wol askyn leve, and com hom wan the hors xul be sentte hom a zeyn, for I hope ze xulde be kepte as tenderly herr as ze ben at London. I may non leyser have to do wrytyn half a quarter so meche as I xulde sey [say] to yow yf I myth speke with yow. I xall sende yow a nothyr letter as hastely as I may. I thanke yow that ze wolde wochesaffe to remember my gyrdyl, and that ze wolde wryte to me at the tyme, for I sopose that wrytyng was non esse for yow. All myth God have yow in his kepyn, and sende yow helth.Wretyn at Oxenede, in ryth grete hast, on Sent Mikyllys Evyn.Yorys,M. Paston.

My modyr grette yow wel, and sendyth yow Goddys blyssyng and hers; and sche prayeth yow, and I pray yow also, that ye be wel dyetyd of mete and drynke, for that is the grettest helpe that ye may have now to your helthe ward. Your sone57.1faryth wel, blyssyd be God.

55.1[From Fenn, iii. 20.] This letter was written after the birth of John Paston’s eldest son, who was born in 1442, and cannot be later than 1443, as William Paston, who is mentioned, died in August of the year following.55.2St. Leonard’s Priory, Norwich.56.1William Paston.56.2Perhaps her godfather. The family of Garneys were Lords of Gelderstone, the place called by Margaret Paston Gerlyston, a few lines above.57.1Almost certainly his eldest son, John, afterwards Sir John Paston.

55.2St. Leonard’s Priory, Norwich.

56.1William Paston.

56.2Perhaps her godfather. The family of Garneys were Lords of Gelderstone, the place called by Margaret Paston Gerlyston, a few lines above.

57.1Almost certainly his eldest son, John, afterwards Sir John Paston.

yf wryhyn be non dysesse to yowtext unchanged: error for “wrytyn”?

Land in Paston.

1443OCT. 17

Warrant to Sir Roger Frenles, Knight, Chief Steward of the Duchy lands in Norfolk and other counties, and Sir Thomas Tudenham, particular Steward of the lordship and manor of Gymyngham, to demise (dimittere et tradere) to the undertenants (bassis tenentibus) specified in an act of Parliament, certain charterhold land in Paston and Edithorp granted to the King by William Paston, Robert Clere, and Edmund Clere in exchange for certain parcels of copyhold land, in accordance with an act of the last Parliament holden at Westminster. The copyhold land granted to them consisted of 36½ acres 9 perches 1½ qr. of a perch and 1 pekke of land, pasture, heath, and marsh, with two houses built on certain parcels thereof, with 1/4 of a rood of waste land [not belonging to the Duchy?] in Paston; and it was given in recompense for 36½ acres 26½ perches and half a quarter of a perch, half a ‘pekke’ and one ‘naylle’ of land, pasture, and heath, called ‘Chartrehold,’ with two houses built on certain parcels thereof, in Paston and Edithorp, which are to be annexed to the Duchy. These parcels are specified in an inquisition dated 18 May 18 Hen.VI., remaining in the treasury of the Duchy, which was taken by virtue of letters of the Cardinal to Lord Bardolf and others.

17 Oct. 22 Hen.VI.

57.2[From the Chancery Roll of the Duchy of Lancaster, 22 Hen.VI., Y. 2 c., No. 79.]

1444

Hecsunt hostilmenta et vutensilia domus, bona et catalla, que Willelmus Paston, in indentura presentibus annexa nominatus, tradidit et dimisit Willelmo Joye in eadem indentura nominato, secundum formam ejusdem indenture, ex communi assensu eorundem Willelmi et Willelmi, per Robertum Gynne, Johannem Albon de Paston et alios appreciata, assignata et specificata, modo subsequenti, videlicet: tres equi precii quinque marcarum; quatuor vacce, quelibet precii vijs.vjd.; una juvenca brendyt precii vs.; unus tauriculus, precii iiijs.; una juvencula dowet precii iijs.; due sues, quelibet precii iijs.iiijd.; tres porculi, quilibet precii xvjd.; tres porcelli, quilibet precii xijd.; quatuor alii porcelli, quilibet precii viijd.; una carecta, precii vjs.viijd.; apparatus carette, videlicet una sella, unum par des stroppys; duo paria dez trayses, precii ijs.; due caruce cum les hokys et stappilles; unum par rotarum; due herpice, precii vs.; quatuor paria dez trayses ad aratrum, precii viijd.; due furse fimose, precii vjd.; una vanga, precii iijd.; unus tribulus, precii iijd.

Hec sunt blada et alia hostilmenta et utensilia domus, bona et catalla, per predictum Willelmum Paston predicto Willelmo Joye secundum formam dicte indenture similiter dimissa et non appreciata, videlicet: sex quarteria frumenti; xxv. quarteria ordei; viij. quarteria avenarum; quidam tassus pisarum in fine australi antique grangie messuagii predicti, qui est altitudinis iij. virgarum et iij. quarteriorum unius virge, et quidam alius tassus vescarum in boriali fine ejusdem grangie, altitudinis iij. virgarum et j. quarterii unius virge; qui quidem duo tassi fuerunt vesture xij. acrarum et dimidii, et dimidii rode terre; iij. vasa vocata Kelerys; j. Gilyngsat; iiij. stondes pro servitio; j. stonde in coquina; ij. patelle cum ligaminibus ferreis; j.parva patella cum ligamine ferreo; j. magna olla ennea [ænea]; alia olla ennea minor; j. parva olla ennea; j. tabula; j. par des trostelles; j. longum hostium jacens in boteria; j. par des trestelles, j. trow, ij. bolles, j. morter, j. thede, j. temse, j. mashsterell, j. tankard cum ligamine ferreo; j. bultyngpoke, j. magna trow pro farina, cista pro farina, j. fleshoke, j. tripes ferreum, j. veru ferreum; j. aunderun, j. par de tongys, j. lach’gres ennua, j. seturis, j. magnum lavacrum pendens, j. kynderkyn, ij. soos leeke, j. par de belwes, j. magnum planke super mensam coquine hargour; iij. perapsides; iij. disci; iij. sauserys de pewter; iij. perapsides; iij. disci; j. magnus discus, vj. sissorn, iij. ciphi de ligno, j. chayer; duo longa scanna, j. scannum mediocre longitudinis; ij. scanna vocata buffet stoles; ij. bankar; j. gladius, ij. ferra vocata aplates; j. chirne; j. chyrnyng staf; j. curta falx; j. candelabrum ferreum; j. parvum salerium; j. beryngsceppes, unum par dez pepyrquens, ij. uteri, j. cadus cum vergous; j. parva cista in boteria; j. selura supra servisiam; j. metesetell; j. pykforke; iij. longa bordclothis; j. towayll, j. san . . . et j. walet pro autumpno; j. lucerna; ij. vomeri et ij. cultri que ponderant xvij. li. et dim.; j. carectula, Anglice, a carre; j. sunvectorium (?); ij. novi rowintrees et j. curtum lignum in le carthows; ij. veteres bige; j. par rotarum ferratarum; ij. kemell cum hopys ferreis; j. frena, j. pelvis; viij. sacci; iiij. longa ligna fraxinora in pistrina; j. fetyrlok.

In dorso—Summa catall’ infrascriptorum et appreciat’, vli.19s.8d.Summa granorum infrascriptorum ultra persas (?) et vesias, iiijli.xviijs.iiijd.Quarterium frumenti ad iiijs., quarterium ordei ijs.iiijd., et querterium avenarum ad ijs.Item, vestura xij. acrarum et di., et di. rod. pisarum et vescar’.Item, dicta vestura piseii et vescar. ad ls., lacr’ ad iiijs.de xij. acr’ et di. rod. non lax.Summa totalis, xiiijli.viijs.

In dorso—

Summa catall’ infrascriptorum et appreciat’, vli.19s.8d.Summa granorum infrascriptorum ultra persas (?) et vesias, iiijli.xviijs.iiijd.Quarterium frumenti ad iiijs., quarterium ordei ijs.iiijd., et querterium avenarum ad ijs.Item, vestura xij. acrarum et di., et di. rod. pisarum et vescar’.Item, dicta vestura piseii et vescar. ad ls., lacr’ ad iiijs.de xij. acr’ et di. rod. non lax.Summa totalis, xiiijli.viijs.

Summa catall’ infrascriptorum et appreciat’, vli.19s.8d.

Summa granorum infrascriptorum ultra persas (?) et vesias, iiijli.xviijs.iiijd.

Quarterium frumenti ad iiijs., quarterium ordei ijs.iiijd., et querterium avenarum ad ijs.

Item, vestura xij. acrarum et di., et di. rod. pisarum et vescar’.

Item, dicta vestura piseii et vescar. ad ls., lacr’ ad iiijs.de xij. acr’ et di. rod. non lax.

Summa totalis, xiiijli.viijs.

58.1[From Douce Charters in Bibl. Bodl., No. 18.]

1443–9

Thisday at x. of the clok Edmund Paston and the parson of Oxened went owth of the Manor doun to Wantown Gapp, for thei herd tydynges that the freyr60.2was comyng; and with the seyd frier came John Cates and on Whalter Herman of Wheytte, and Wylliam Yemmys of Burgh, the frieres man. And Edmund Paston seyd to John Cates Welcome, and he askyd hem what here60.3cause was in commyng. The Frier seyd he cam for to speke with the gode lady, and Edmund seyd that he shuld speke with her. At this tyme sche was so ocupied he myth not speke with her. And he seyd that he shuld assay; and he cam redyng fro Wantown Gappe to the greteCate; and there he lyted and knokkyd on the gate; and we folwyd as yarn as we myth; and ther was with in John Jaallere and John Edmundes, and asked the friere what he wold; and he seyd that he wuld comyn inne for to speke with the gode ladi of the hows. And thei seyd nay, he shuld not come in. And than cam on Edmund Paston and the parson, and asked hym what was cause of his comyng at this tyme. And he seyd for to entre in the maner of Oxened, the which his fader was possessid of and his auncestres from kyng Edward the thred on to Colbys tyme, and that he had fownd a tayll ther of in the kynges bokes. And than Edmund Paston answeryd hym and seyd that it wher best declaryng of his evydence in Westminster hall. And he seyd a geyn, so he shuld whan he myth. And he seyd to hem that come with hym, ‘Serys, I chargge yow ber record how that I am kept owth with stronge hand, and may not take poscession.’ And evyn forth with he presyd to thegate ward to a leyd hand on the gate. And than the seyd Edmund put hym fro the gate and seyd, ‘Ne wer for reverence of thy lord and myn, and thow leyst any hand on the gate I xall sey thye hert blod or thow myn.’ And than the seyd frier seyd scornfully that he myth thanke his mayster. And than the seyd Edmund seyd that he myth sey his lord ryght wele; and than he stowpyd doun and toke up herd and delivered to his man, seying to hem that come with hym, ‘I charge yow all of the kynges behalffe ye bere record that I take here poscession of myn inheritance.’ And Edmund seyd that this takyng of poscession skylled nowgt. And than the friere seyd that sen he myth not have it nowe, he shuld come a geyn a nothir tyme. Edmund is rede forth to Heydon. It was told us this afternon that ther wer iij. men come fro Skeyton and mette with the frier in the feld and spoke with hym a gode while, and than redyn the same wey that they come.

60.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 19.] This paper, like No. 63, which also refers to Friar Hauteyn’s claim to Oxnead, can be assigned to no definite year; but its date must be before the death of Edmund Paston in 1449. It is indorsed in a later hand: ‘A Frier came to take possession of the mannor of Oxned.’60.2John Hauteyn.60.3here(orher) fortheir.

60.2John Hauteyn.

60.3here(orher) fortheir.

fro Wantown Gappe to the grete Catetext unchanged: error for “Gate”?

To my right worthy and worshepfull Lord, William Paston, Justice, in hast.

1444JAN. 29

Pleaseit your good Lordship to wete that the Chief Justice of the Kynggs Benche61.2recomaundeth hym to yow, and is right sory of the matier that is cause of your noun comyng hedir, but he wole do al that he canor may for yow. He hath hadde a cyetica [sciatica] that hath letted hym a gret while to ride, and dar not yet come on non horses bak, and ther for he hath spoke to the Lordes of the Conseill, and enformed hem of your sekenesse and his also, that he may not ride at these next assizes to Estgrynsted; and though thoe assizes discontynuepuer noun venue dez Justicez, he hopeth to be excused and ye also. And as for the remenant of the assizes, he shall purvey to be ther by water. And Almyghty Jesu make yow heyle and strong.

Wretyn right simply the Wednesseday next to fore ye Fest of the Purificacion of Our Lady at London.By your most symple servaunt,Jamys Gresham.

61.1[From Fenn, iii. 26.] ‘From a memorandum,’ says Fenn, ‘on the back of this letter, dated in April 1444, it is probable that it was written on the 30th of January 1443.’ Did Fenn mean the 30th of January 1443–4? In the side-note immediately below the letter, he dates it in his usual exact manner, ‘Wednesday, 30th of January 1443, 22 H. vi.’ But unfortunately there is an error here. January in the 22d year of HenryVI., means January 1444 according to the modern computation, or 1443 in the style formerly in use, by which the year was reckoned from the 25th of March. But the 30th of January was a Wednesday in 1443, only according to the modern computation of the year,—that is to say, it was a Wednesday in the year 1442–3, not in 1443–4. I imagine, however, that the ‘30th of January’ should have been ‘29th of January,’ and that Fenn really meant 1443–4, corresponding with the 22nd year of HenryVI.; for the memorandum to which he refers is a draft agreement, dated on Passion Sunday, 22 Hen.VI.,A.D.1444.61.2The celebrated Sir John Fortescue.

61.2The celebrated Sir John Fortescue.

To the worthy and worshipfull Sir and good Lord and Maister, William Paston, on of the Justices of oure Sovereign Lord, of his Commone Benche at Westminster.

Not later than 1444

Rightworthy and worshipfull Sir, and my good Lord and Maister, I recomaund me to yow. And where as ye, by your lettre direct to my Lady, your wyf, wold that my seid Lady shuld have Robert Tebald and me to geder, as sone as she myght, and the evidences which the seid Robert receyved of yow at your last beyng at Norwich, and that I shuld amende the defautes therinne, and that that doon there shuld of Baxteres Place of Honyng be taken estate to yow and to other, as your seid lettre requireth: Prey and beseche yow to witte that, on the Friday next after your departyng fro Paston, Thomas Walysh and William Burgh, in his owen persone, and the seid Thomas by William Inges and William Walsyngham, his attornies, by his lettre under his seal, where[were] at Honyng, and delyvred to my Lady Scarlet seson [seisin] in the seid place, and Colbyes and Donnynges in Walsham. And the seid Thomas Walyssh, as the seid Tebald told me, wold not enseale the seid lettre of attornie til the parson of Ingeworth come to hym therfore, and required hym to don it. Wychyngham in his owen persone in the nyght next beforn the seid Friday, as the seid Tebald infourmeth me, come to the same Tebaldes hows, and desired hym to enseale acquytaunce, as he seid, and the same Robert refused to don it.

Nertheless, whether it were acquytaunce or were not, the same Robert kan not seye, for he myght noo sight have there of. And the seid Wychyngham the same nyght rood to John Willyot, and desired of hym the same, and refused also to don it. What is the best to be don in this matier my seid Lady, your wyf, kan not thynke with owt your advis and counseile. Wherfore as touchyng the takyng of th’estate to yow and other, as in your seid lettre is conteigned, is yet right nought doon.

The Holy Trinite have yow in his blissed kepyng. Wretyn at North Walsham, the Thursday next after the Purificacion of oure Lady.

My seid Lady, your wyf, preyeth yow to be remembred of here grene gynger of almondes for Lente, and of the leche of Orwelde, for here seknes encreseth dayly upon here, whereof she is sore a ferd.By youre servunt,John Gyney.

62.1[From Fenn, iii. 28.] There is nothing to be said of the date of this letter, except that it is not later than 1444, when William Paston died.

1444MARCH 15

Indenture between the Prior and Convent of the Monastery of St. Andrew, Bromholme, impropriators of the Church of St. Margaret, Paston, and John Partrik, vicar of the said church, of the first part, William Paston of Paston, of the second part, and Edmund Palmer of Wytton, of the third part, relative to lands in Baketon and Wytton, and containing amongst other things a grant by the Prior and Convent to the said John Partrik, at the instance of the saidWilliam Paston, in consideration of which masses, calledcerteynes, are to be performed every Friday for the souls of William Paston and Agnes his wife, and the obit of Clement Paston, William’s father, is to kept yearly on St. Botolph’s day (17th June). Dated 15th March 22 HenryVI.Confirmedby Walter, Bishop of Norwich, and John, the Prior of the Cathedral of Norwich, and the chapter of that church, 11th and 21st March 1446[-7].

63.1[Add. Charter 14,571, B.M. (D. Turner’s Coll.)]

Confirmed by Walter, Bishop of Norwichtext reads “Comfirmed”

John Maryot to William Paston, Justice.

Before 1444

Is ready to fulfil the indentures of Becham made by W. P. with his late mother, if W. P. will send ‘the indenture of our part,’ that Maryot may know the terms and his own title. Will make no bargain else.—Crowmer, Monday after Our Lady’s Nativity.

64.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This and the following letter are quite uncertain in point of date, except that they were of course written before the death of William Paston, to whom they were addressed.

William Wotton de Pagrave to Justice Paston.

Sends his wife to him to explain some business about lands in Lytyl Pagrave, of which a woman of Sporle has already spoken to him; also touching some land at Castleacre.—On parchment.

64.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

1444

Rightereverent and my most worshipful maister, I recomaund me to yow. Please it yow to wite that I sende yow a copie of a verdite take before my maister Roberd Clere by vertu of a writdiem clausit extremum,64.4whichewrit I sende yow also with this, of whiche verdite the wordis arn as it folwith:—

Inquisicio capta apud Wynterton, secundo die Novembris anno regni Regis Henrici vjtipost conquestum vicesimo tertio, coram Roberto Clere escaetore domini Regis in com. Norfolk et Suffolk, virtute brevis domini Regis sibi directi et presenti Inquisitioni consuti, per sacramentum Johannis Berkyng, Nicholai Pikeryng, Johannis Chapell, Johannis Jekkys, Willelmi Stiwardson, Roberti Hosele, Johannis Topy, Johannis Wacy, Johannis Rychers, Thomæ Broun, Walteri Heylok, Willelmi Stotevyle, Thomæ Mason, Roberti Marche, Johannis Kechon, legalium et proborum hominum in hac parte pro domino Rege juratorum: Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod Willelmus Paston nominatus in dicto brevi nulla terras et tenementa tenuit de domino Rege in capite die quo obiit in comitatu predicto. Et quod obiit quartodecimodie mensis Augusti, anno regni domini Regis predicti xxij. Et quod Johannes Paston filius ipsius Willelmi est hæres ejus propinquior, et ætatis xxiij. annorum.

Ther is founde more of other thyngges be the same verdite touchyng other matieris, whiche he will not certifie yet. And for as moche as my maister Clere wetyth well that the seid verdite touchyng my maister your fader, hoes soule God assoyle, must have other maner of makyng thanne he kan make, he recomaundith hym to my maistres your moder, and yow also; and prey yow that ye will do it make as effectuel and availeabill for the wel of my maister your fader and yow as ye kan, and sele it with your seall, or what seall ellys ye will, in his name, and sealle it also with as many of other seales as ther be jerores, and delyvere it to William Bondes, his depute, to delyvere into the Chauncelre. And if William Bondes be fro London or this may be redy, thanne purveye ye for the speed of this matier in youre best wise; and what so ever ye do, or sey, or write, or seale, or avouche in this matier in my maister Cleris name, he shall avowe it, and [i.e.if] it shulde coste hym gret parte of his good.

Sir, ther is noon enquerre take in Suffolk, for as moche as my maister your fader helde no londe ther but be my maistres your moder; but if ye will that he shall inquere ther as sone as he may wete it, it shall be doo; and if this forseide verditemay serve for bothe, he is right glad therof. He tolde me that he seide to the jurores, whiche have sealed her verdite: ‘Seris, I wot well this verdite after my makyng is not effectuel in lawe, and therfore may happe it shall be makid newe at London, and ellys peraventure I shulde be amercied in the Kyngges Courte; and therfore I truste yow, and [i.e.if] it be newe mad and newe sealed, ye will avowe it.’ And thei seide with a good herte ya; these wordes wern seidein secreta confessioneto v. or vj. of the reuleris of the seide jurre whiche he kan truste righte well. He preyith yow to holde hym excused that he writyth not to yow for this matier, for he is ocupied in other wise. He badde me write in this fourme to yow, which he supposith ye will beleve, and he knoweth alle this writyng, and is well concented and agreed therto. Sir, ther arn xv. jurores abowe to certifie ye, as many as ye will: but lete these men that be tottid be certified, for thei be the rewleris and t . . . . he spk (?) &c. Sir, atte reverence of God, if I shall make ony purvyaunce in this cuntre for my maistres comyng hom, lete me have reson[able] warnyng, and so God me helpe, and I shall do my dever. I here no tydyngges of Thom’ yet. My maistres Garneys, your moder, . . . . . .66.1Berney, and my maisteris your sonys and my maister your brother arn heyle and mery, and recommend hem to yow. And I beseche your [mastership]66.1that this sympil skrowe may recomaund me to my reverant and worshipful maistres, your moder. And I prey our Lord of his . . . . . .66.1bothe moche worship and wilfare, and graunte me to do and labour that is to your bothenerys pleaser.66.2

Writen the Saterday next. . . . . . .66.3

This letter appears to have been used as a wrapper for others. It is endorsed, ‘Literæ diversorum directæ J. Paston receptæ apud London per diversos annos ante festum Michaelis anno xxxiiij Hen.VI.Literæ Fastolff pro Costid (?). Literæ W. Wayt pro tempore suæ tribulationis. Literæ Windham.’

64.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter is without a signature or address, and who the writer was does not appear. It was evidently written soon after the taking of the inquisition on the death of William Paston, the Judge, the date of which is given in the extract as 2nd November 23 HenryVI.,i.e.1444.64.4Seep. 16, Note 1.66.1Mutilated.66.2I.e., that which is to the pleasure of you both (?).66.3A little mutilated at bottom.

64.4Seep. 16, Note 1.

66.1Mutilated.

66.2I.e., that which is to the pleasure of you both (?).

66.3A little mutilated at bottom.

Et quod obiit quarto decimo die mensis Augustitext has “dccimo”

In the following Letter, line breaks have been added to accommodate the interlineations (Note 2).

1444DEC. 6

InDei nomine, amen. Ego Edmundus Norman de Fylby, compos mentis, die Dominica in festo sancti Nicholai Episcopi, anno domini Mlmoiiijcxl. iiij.to, condo testamentum meum in hunc mundum (sic). In primis do et lego animam meam Deo Patri, &c., corpusque meum sepeliendum in ecclesia sancti Petri de Crowmere. Item, summo altari ecclesiæ prædictævjs.viijd.67.2emendacioni ejusdem ecclesiævjs. viijd.67.2xld.Item, emendacioni ejusdem ecclesiæ xld.Item, summo altari ecclesiæ de Fylby xld.Item, emendationi ecclesiæ de Fylby prædictæ vel fenestræ de novo faciendæ et intrando in parte boriali ecclesiæ prædictæ in fine occidentali, x. marcas. Item, Edmondo, capellano sancti Johannis Baptistæ in eadem ecclesia, xld.Item, volo quod omnes feoffati in terris et tenementis remittant jus suum Edmundo Clere armigero, magistro meo, ut ipse vendat et disponat cum aliis executoribus meis pro salute animæ meæ, et patris, matris, et omnium quibuscumque teneor. Item, cuilibet ordini fratrum de Jernemoth, vjs.viiid.Item, fratribus ordinis Minorum de Walsyngham vjs.viiid.Item, lego Willelmo Bondis omnia bona mea existentia in hospicio meode CliffordeLondon’, videlicet lectum et indumenta mea. Item, lego Roberto Baketon et uxori ejus, firmario meo in Fylby, omnia utencilia mea infra mansionem meam ibidem præter lectum plumale postea legatum. Item, Edmundo filio dicti Roberti, filiolo meo, xls.Item, filiabus ejusdem Roberti, Elizabethæ et Margaretæ, cuilibet xxs.Item, Edmundo filio Roberti Norman de Ormesby, vjs.viiid.Item, Ricardo Kemp, xxvjs.viijd.Item, Johanni Grave, sonam meam deargent’.67.3Item, Nicholao Pekeryng de Fylby, meum optimum lectum plumale infra mansionem meam apud Fylby. Item, Johanni Spencer de Crowmere, xxs.Item, uxori Johannis Couche, pro labore et diligentia suis circa me dum infirmabar, vjs.viijd.Item,Edmundo Bataly capellanoxxs.68.1vjs.viiid.Item, lego Thomæ Stalham et uxori ejus meum lectum plumale apud Norwicum. Item, die obitus mei ad exequias, cuilibet capellano iiijd.et clerico, jd.Item, ad distribuendum inter pauperes die sepulturæ, xld.Residuum vero bonorum meorum non legatorum do et lego executoribus meis, quos ordino et constituto Edmundum Clere, armigerum, Magistrum meum Robertum Clere, Willelmum Bondes, Nicholaum Pekeryng, Magistrum Johannem Semecrofte et Ricardum Kemp, ut ipsi disponant pro salute animæ meæ.

68.2Et lego dicto Edmundo Clere pro labore suo xli.si vult. Et Roberto Clere Cs., et similiter cuilibet aliorum executorum xls.

Item, lego Pers. de Crowmere iijs.iiijd.

Item, volo quod in fenestra ecclesiæ de Fylby tres68.3ymagines, videlicet, una ymago sancti Edmundi, alter[a] Sancti Johannis Baptistæ, alia Sanctæ Mariæ, et ibidem fiat scriptio:—Orate pro animabus Johannis Norman seniori, Margaretæ uxoris ejus, et Edmundi filii prædictiet tale armo (sic). [Here follows a sketch of a shield, the upper part marked as silver and the lower black, with the word‘Katerwole’ (?)upon it.]

67.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 10.]67.2Interlineations by another hand.67.3Here occurs an illegible interlineation, in which only ‘xs.’ is visible.68.1Interlineations by another hand.68.2What follows is in a different hand, apparently the same as that of the interlineations noticed above.68.3Corrected from ‘quatuor.’

67.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 10.]

67.2Interlineations by another hand.

67.3Here occurs an illegible interlineation, in which only ‘xs.’ is visible.

68.1Interlineations by another hand.

68.2What follows is in a different hand, apparently the same as that of the interlineations noticed above.

68.3Corrected from ‘quatuor.’

To our right trusti and welbelovid John Paston, Squier. The Duc of Norff.

Before 1444 (?)

Trustiand right welbelovid, we grete you weel, lating you witte that for the trust that as weel we, as the heires of Edmund Swathyng, have unto you, we have appointed you to be one of the makeres up indifferently of theevydences betwix us and the seide heires. Wherfor we pray you hertily, that ye wil yeve attendaunce at such day and place as ye and our right trusti and welbelovid frende William Yelverton, with oure welbelovid servaunt Jenney, shal mow attende to the making up of the seide evidencez; and we shal send summe of our servauntz to awayte upon you for your reward and costis, that ye shal be pleasid with by the grace of God, who have you ever in his keping.

Wreten undir our signet in oure Castel of Framlyngham,

the xviij. day of ——.

68.4[From Fenn, i. 10.] Fenn thinks this letter must have been written before 1444, when Yelverton was made a judge. This is, doubtless, most probable. There is, however, an Edmund Swathing, Esq., mentioned by Blomefield (Hist. of Norfolk, viii. 42) as alive in 1446, and if it be his executors who are referred to, the date would appear to be later.69.1The name ‘John Mowbray’ is represented by a curious monogram, in which every letter both of the Christian and the surname can be traced.

69.1The name ‘John Mowbray’ is represented by a curious monogram, in which every letter both of the Christian and the surname can be traced.

To the Kyng our Soverayn Lord.

After 1444

Plesyour Hyghnes of your abundante grace, an consyderacion of the servys and plesure that your Hyghnes knowyth to yow don by William Paston, late one of your judgys, and old servaunt to that nobyll Prinse your fadyr, to graunte onto John Paston, Esquyer, sonn and heyir of the seyd Wylliam, your lettrys patents under the seel of yowr Duche of Lancastre, being in the keping of Thomas Chesham, aftyr affecte of note folowyng; and he schall pray to God for yow.

Rex, etc. Sciatis, quod de gracia nostra speciali et ex mero motu nostro, ac pro bono et laudabyli servicio quod dilectuset fidelis nobis Willelmus Paston, nuper unus Justiciariorum nostrorum, defunctus, nobis in vita sua inpendydit, consessimus et hac presenti carta nostra confirmavimus, in quantum in nobis est, Johanni Paston armigero, filio et heredi dicti Willelmi, viginti tria mesuagia, quingintas triginta et iiij. acras pasture, bruere et marissy in villis de Paston, Edythorp, et Bakton, in comitatu nostro Norff. quas diversi tenentes nostri ibidem de nobis separatim native tenent ad voluntatem nostram per virgam sive copiam et per serta redditus et servissia, nativa annualia inde nobis reddend., que ad valorem novem librarum annuatim exeunt vel infra. Concessimus eciam eidem Johanni curiam lete, seu visus franciplegii nostri, in villis de Paston et Edithorp predictis, que est annui valoris viij. solidorum per estimacionem; ad quatuor libratas, quatuor solidatas et octo denariatas redditus. Redditum octo boschellorum avenarum et trium caponum cum pertinentiis in villis predictis, ac in villis Wytton et Easewyk in comitatu predicto, percipiendum anuatim de omnibus et singulis liberys tenentibus nostris ibidem pro tenementis suis qui de nobis separatim tenent in eisdem villis, una cum fidelitatibus et aliis serviciis eorundem tenentium et eorum cujuslibet, de, seu pro, tenementis illis et eorum qualibet parcella nobis debitis sive pertinentibus. Concessimus etiam eidem Johanni et heredibus suis officium parcarie ac costidie70.1parci nostri de Grymygham in com. nostro predicto, una cum proficuo agistamenti bestiarum ejusdem parci pro vadiis suis pro officio predicto annuatim percipiend: salvis no . . et hodierna sufficienti pastura ferarum nostrarum ibidem ut tempore nostro prius usitatum fuit; quod quidem proficuum agistamenti ad valorem x. marcarum extendit per annum. Habenda, tenenda et percipienda predicta messuagia, terram, pasturam, brueram, mariscum, curiam lete, et visus franciplegii, redditus, et servissia, officium et agistament’ proficu’ cum pertinentiis, prefato Johanni et heredibus suis de nobis et heredibus nostris, per fidelitatem et redditum unius rose rubie ad Festum Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptiste annuatim nobis solvendum, si petatur, pro omnibus serviciis, exaccionibus et demandis. Eo quodmessuagia, terra, pastura, bruera, mariscus, curia lete, redditus, servicia predicta, officium et agistament’ profic’, valorem supra specificatum excedant, vel valorem illum non attingant, aut aliquo actu, restriccione seu mandato facto, edito aut proviso non obstante. Volumus etiam et assignavimus quod omnes illi qui per nos seu ad usum nostrum, jus, titulum, seu statum in premissis, seu aliquo premissorum habuerunt seu habent, nobis antehac non relaxatum, jus, titulum et statum illa prefato Johanni et heredibus suis dimittent et relaxent. In cujus . . .

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