76LORD SCALES TO THOMAS GNATESHALE87.1

84.1[From Fenn, iii. 54.] The date of this letter is fixed by an endorsement in these words, ‘Literæ termino Paschæ anno xxvj.,’ showing that it was written in Easter term, in the 26th year of HenryVI.Easter term in that year lasted from the 10th of April to the 6th of May.84.2Isabel, widow of Thomas, Lord Morley, who died in 1435. She was the daughter of Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk. Fenn confounds her with the widow of the Lord Morley who died in 1417, who was a daughter of Edward, Lord Dispencer, and had previously married Sir Hugh Hastings. But this lady died about 1426 (Blomefield, ii. 440), and cannot be the lady mentioned in the text.84.3Ann, married to John Hastyngs.—SeeBlomefield, ii. 430.85.1Probably William, eldest son of Robert Clere of Ormesby, who died in 1446.—SeeBlomefield, vi. 336.86.1Thomas Daniel.86.2Seep. 80, note 2.86.3William Paston, son of the Judge (?).Laueraw[n]ce Rede of Mawthhy recommawndeth hym to zutext unchanged: error for “Mawthby”?at the sewte of mayster Joh Stokstext unchanged: error for “Joh.” or “Jon”?76LORD SCALES TO THOMAS GNATESHALE87.1To Thomas Gnateshale.Date uncertainThomas Gnateshale, I wul ze wite it was oute of my remembrance that Paston hade pout in my determinacion the discort betwene you and hym. I was the more favourable to your entent, but in so mych as I had forgete that beforesaid, I praye you that ye suffre the cornes in mene hand til that I have determined the matier betwene you too be the advis of lerned men whech han knowelich in such causses, the which thing I wul do in as short tyme as may, wherof ze shal have knowelich.Writen at Myddelton, the xiiij. day of August.The Lord Scales.87.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The person to whom this is addressed is probably the same ‘Knatysale’ mentioned in the preceding letter, and as it contains no evidence of any definite date, we think best to insert it here.77ABSTRACT88.1Margaret Paston to her Husband(not addressed).1448MAY 19On Friday last, the Parson of Oxened ‘being at messe in one Parossh Chirche, evyn at levacion of the sakeryng, Jamys Gloys had been in the town, and come homeward by Wymondam’s gate,’ when he was attacked by Wymondham who had two of his men with him, and driven into ‘my mother’s place’ for refuge. With the noise of this, my mother and I came out of the church from the sakeryng, and Wymondham ‘called my mother and me strong whores, and said, ye Pastons and all her kin were . . . . . . . yngham said he lied, knave and churl as he was.’ After noon my mother and I reported this to the Prior of Norwich, who sent for Wymondham; and Pagrave came with us. While Wymondham was with the Prior, and we at home, Gloys was assaulted again in the street, ‘as he stood in the Lady Hastyngs’ chamber,’ by Thomas Hawys, one of Wymondham’s men. This last assault the Parson of Oxened saw. Sends Gloys to her husband for fear of further trouble. The Lady Morle ‘would have the benefice of her obligacion,’ as her counsel tells her it is forfeit, and she would not have the relief till she have your homage. The Lord Moleyns’ man is collecting the rent at Gresham ‘a great pace,’ as James Gresham will report to you.Trinity Sunday, at even.Further statement about the assault added in a different hand (qu. Agnes Paston’s?).[From the fact of Lord Molyns being in possession of Gresham, and collecting rents there, it is clear that the date of this letter is 1448. This date also agrees with what is said in Letter 75 about a relief claimed by Lady Morley.]88.1[From PhillippsMS.9735, No. 256.]78JOHN NORTHWOOD TO JOHN, VISCOUNT BEAUMONT88.2To my worschypful and reverent Lord, John, Vicont Beaumont.1448MAY 28Rygthworschypfull, and my reverent and most spesiall Lord, y recomaund me un to yowr good grace in the most humble and lowly wyse that y canne or may, desyryng to her of your prosperite and well fare [as to my]88.3most syngeler joy and spesiall comfort.And gyf hyt plees your Hygnes, as towchyng the soden aventuer that fell latly at Coventre, plees hyt your Lordshyp to her that, on Corpus Christi Even89.1last passed, be twene viij. and ix. of the clok at a[fternon],89.2Syr Umfrey Stafford89.3had browth my mayster Syr James of Urmond89.4towa[r]d hys yn [inn] from my Lady of Shrewesb[ery,89.5and]89.2reterned from hym toward hys yn, he met with Syr Robert Harcourt89.6comyng from hys moder towards hys yn, and pass[ed Syr]89.2Umfrey; and Richard, hys son, came somewhat be hynd, and when they met to gyder, they fell in handes togyder, and [Sir Robert]89.2smot hym a grette st[r]oke on the hed with hys sord, and Richard with hys dagger hastely went toward hym. And as he stombled, on of Harcourts men smot hym in the bak with a knyfe; men wotte not ho hyt was reddely. Hys fader hard noys, and rode toward hem, and hys men ronne befor hym thyder ward; and in the goyng downe of hys hors, on, he wotte not ho, be hynd hym smot hym on the hede with a nege tole, men know not with us with what wepone, that he fell downe; and hys son fell downe be fore hym as good as dede. And all thys was don, as men sey, in a Pater Noster wyle. And forth with Syr Umfrey Stafford men foloed after, and slew ij. men of Harcowrttus, on Swynerton, and Bradshawe, and mo ben hurt; sum ben gonne, and sum be in pryson in the jayll at Coventre.And before the coroner of Coventre, up on the sygth of the bodyes, ther ben endited, as prynsipall for the deth of Richard Stafford, Syr Robert Harcourt and the ij. men that ben dede. And for the ij. men of Harcourts that ben dede, ther ben endited ij. men of Syr Umfrey as prynsipall. And as gytte ther hath ben no thyng fownden before the Justice ofthe Pees of Coventre of thys riot, be caws the shreffe of Warwyk shyre is dede,90.1and they may not sytt in to the tyme ther be a new shreve.And all thys myschef fell be cawse of a nold debate that was be twene heme for takyng of a dystres, as hyt is told.And All mygthty Jesu preserve yowr hye astat, my spesiall Lord, and send yow long lyve and good hele.Wryten at Coventre on Tewusday next after Corpus Christi day, &c.Be yowr own pore Servant,John Northwod.88.2[From Fenn, i. 12.] The date of this letter will appear by a foot-note.88.3The bracketed words are noted by Fenn as ‘imperfect in the original, the paper being chafed.’89.122nd May.89.2The bracketed words are noted by Fenn as ‘imperfect in the original, the paper being chafed.’89.3Killed in an engagement with Jack Cade in June 1450.89.4Probably Sir James Butler, son and heir-apparent of James, fourth Earl of Ormond, who in 1449 was created Earl of Wiltshire.89.5Wife of John Talbot, the famous Earl of Shrewsbury.89.6He signalised himself in the wars of HenryVI.and EdwardIV., was a Knight of the Garter, and in November 1470, 10 EdwardIV., was slain by the Staffords, perhaps in revenge for this murder of Richard Stafford.—F.90.1Thomas Porter was sheriff of the counties of Warwick and Leicester in 26 HenryVI., and died in his year of office on Monday after Corpus Christi day (27th May 1448), the day before this letter was written.—Inquisitionpost mortem, 27 HenryVI., No. 13.79LORD MOLYNS TO THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER90.2To the worschypful Fader yn God, and my ryth gode Lord, the Bysshop of Wynchestyr.90.31448JUNE 13WorschypfulFader yn God, and my rythe gode Lord, as hertely as y canne, y recomaund me to your gode Lordschyp; to the wyche plese hyt to wyt that y have resayvyd your lettre, by the wyche y oundyrstond the dayely sute to your Lordschyp as of Pastun, as for the mater betwyx hym and me, wer yn also y fele that he ys wyllyd that comynycasyon and trete schold be had betwyxt hys counsayle and myne, now at Mydsomer; to the wyche, my Lord, y am at the reverens of your Lordschyp wel agreyd, and have send to my counsayle at Loundon, aftyr the seyng of thys your last letter, as for the trete by twyxt hym and me, and that they schold yeve ful attendauns to the end of the materby twne the sayde Pastun and me, as thow y were present with hem.And, my Lord, hyt were to grete a thyng, and hyte laye yn my power, but y wold do at the reverens of your Lordschyp, yn las than hyt schold hurt me to gretly, wyche y wote wel your Lordschyp wol nevyr desyr.And God for hys mercy have you, rythe worschypful Fadyr yn God, and my rythe gode Lord, yn hys blessyd kepyng.Wrytyn with my noune chaunsery hand, yn hast, the xiij. daye of June, at Teffaunt.Vere hartely your,Molyns.90.2[From Fenn, i. 190.] It appears, by John Paston’s petition presented to Parliament two years later, that after he had been dispossessed of Gresham by Lord Molyns in February 1448, communications passed between his counsel and that of Lord Molyns on the subject until Michaelmas following. This letter must refer to the first overtures.90.3The celebrated William of Waynflete.80ANONYMOUS TO JOHN PASTON91.11448Worchepefulmayster I recomend me to yow: and I pray yow to wete I was at Katefeld in Cobbes place for to se the armes as ye comaunded me,shield as describedand the feld is gold wyth iii. bukkeles of sylver mad on the wyse as it is her, wyth floweris of sylver on the bukkelis mad of iiij. lyke a trewlove. Also, syr, I have spoke to a fryer that is conversaunt at Wykelwode wyth Randolffis dowter and he hath behestid me for to gete me Randolffis armes of hese dowter Wyltones wyf; but I have not yet spoke wyth the frier a yen. Also I pray yow to wete that I was at Mauteby and ye have there CC. combz of malt if ye wyl gef for xiiiid.a combz in the comes and xxi. for xx. ye shal have redy mony, as I suppose, for Pykeryng sellyth for xid.and xiid.the lest that hath, as the parson of Mauteby tellyth me. And the parsonand I have do throche your qwete for it was ete wyth myse to petowsly for to se; and if it plese yow I pray yow that ye wyl send me word qwhedyr ye wyl selle your malt and your qhete aftyr the pryse of the countre or (?) it shal be purveyid for to kepe it til ye may sett. And I have spoke to Lawrauns Reede for the ferme; but he wyl not take it, as I conseyve, til he speke wyth yow. I suppos for to a made a covienaunt wyth hym, but he hath no sewerte yet, and the londis shal not be in your handis til myhelmes as he seyeth; ther for he is the mor terying, &c. I beseche all myti Jhesu spede yow and kepe yow.[Not signed.]On the back are some names of families in a contemporary hand, and five shields of arms tricked in a modern hand, the latter being apparently the armorial bearings of ancestors of the Earl of Yarmouth, to whom there is a letter addressed by ‘Wm. Smyth’ upon this subject at f. 146 of theMS.91.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 143.] This letter is neither signed nor addressed, but there is no doubt the person for whom it was intended was John Paston the eldest, who possessed property at Mautby in right of his wife. The reference to Laurence Reede seems further to show that it is of the year 1448. See p. 85.81JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON92.1To my Ryght Wurchepfull master John Paston be this deliuered in hast.1448DEC. 3Rightreverent and wurchepfull sir, I recommande me to yow, desyryng to here of yowr welfare, the which gracyows God contynually preserve and kepe to yowr gostly hele and bodily welfare; praying yow to wete that as for the broke sylver that my mastres wend for to a sent yow whan she dede wryte her letter, ther is none in your forcer; she supposyd that ye left it at Norwiche in yowr cofere, wher of ye have the key. Also my mastres yowr moder grete yow wele, and pray yow to send her word how she shall do with Edward of Whode of Paston; for she dede seys his corn on the lond the last hervest, and he led it a wey after that it whasseysyd with awth licens and leve of here or any of here offyceris. Item, my mastres yowr syster recommand her hertly to yow, and pray yow that and ye wold wochesaff to speke to my master Edmund, and pray hym if that he hath bowth here ger that she sent to hym fore, that he wold send it her home; in cas that93.1he have not bowth it, that he wold be it and sent it here in all the hast that he may goodly. Forthermore if it plese yow to her of my master Berney, he was at Gresham with my mastres on the Tuysday next after Halwemasday, the same day that we dystreynyd Jamys Rokkysson, and I had mette a litill a fore with Pertrych, and he thrett me, and sayd that we shuld not long kepe the dystresse, and there for my mastres dede us don on owr jakkys and owr salettis. My master Berney cam in and the parson of Oxened with hym and sey us in owre jakkis, and he wexe as pale as any herd and wold right fayn a ben thens. So my mastres dede hym dyne, and whill thei wher at dynar Herry Collys told my mastres openly among us all that the same tyme that Pertrych entryd a geyn up on yow, his master was at Causton to yow ward, and there it was told hym that Pertrych had putt yow owth and all your men, and that ye and my mastres wher redyn a geyn to Norwhich, and all your howshold, and that causyd hym that he cam no forther that tyme; and my Master Berney confermyd all this and seyd that it was so. Whan thei had etyn he had mych hast to a be thens, so my mastres desyryd and prayd hym that he wold come a geyn or aght long; and so with mych praying he be hest her if he mythe. And Herry Collys stode ther bysyde and seyd to my felachep, ‘What shuld my master do here,’ quod he, ‘lete yowr master send after his kynnysmen at Mautby, for thei have nowth that thei mawn lese.’ And so thei redyn her wey. And with in a sevenygt after my master Berney sent Davy to my mastres, and prayd my mastres that she wold hold his master excusyd, for he had hurt his owyn hors that he rode up on; and he dede Davy sadillyn an oder hors; and he stode by and made water whill he sadyllyd hym, and as Davy shuld a kyrt the hors, he slenkyd behynd and toke his master on the hepe suyche a stroke thatnever man may trust hym after, and brake his hepe. And he had sent Herry Collys to Norwhich for medycynys, so he must ryde hom the same nygt; for his master had no man at home. So my mastres was rygth sory, and wend that it had be trowth, but I know wele that it was not so. It happyd that I rod the next day to Norwhich, and I rood in to my mastres your moder, and she dede aske me after my master Berney, and I told here how he was hurt. And she askyd the parson of Oxened if he wer hurt, and he seyd nay; for Davy lay with hym the same nygt a fore and told hym that he was heyll and mery, and prayd hym that he wold be with hym the Sonday next after; and so Davy lay the same nygt after that he had told my mastres the tale with the parson of Oxened. I beseche yow of yowre gode masterchep that ye wold not do wreythe this letter, for and my mastres knew that I sent yow suyche a letter I were never abyll to loke up on her, nor to abyde in her heysyte. My mastres yowr moder hath sent yow ij. letteris; she hathin dosydhem to my master Edmunde, and she wuld wete if ye had hem or nawth. The Holy Trynyte have yow in kepyng. Wrytyne at Norwhich on Sent Clementis evyn. In hast.—Your servaunt,Jamis Gloys.92.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 57.] This letter bears upon the dispute about Gresham, and is probably of the year 1448, for it is to be presumed that Edmund Paston died shortly after the date of his nuncupative will, 21st March 1449.93.1The word ‘that’ is repeated in theMS.by inadvertence.she hath in dosyd hem to my master Edmundetext unchanged: error for “in closyd” or “in dorsyd”?82MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON94.1To my ryght worchippfull hosbond, John Paston, be this delyveryd in hast.1449(?)JAN. 31Rightworchipfull hosbond, I recommand me to yow, praying yow to wete that I have receyved your letter this day that ye sent me be Yelvertonys man. As for your signette, I fond itt uppon your bord the same day that yewent hens, and I send it yow be Richrad Heberd, bringer herof. As for your eronds that ye wrete to me fore, Richard Charles is owte abough your eronds abowte Gresham, and for his awyn maters also, and I suppose he komyth not hom tyll it be Tesday or Weddenesday next komyng; and alssone as he komyth hom, he shall go abowte your eronds that ye wrete to me fore.I sent yow a letter wreten on Tesday last past, whiche, as I suppose, Roger Ormesby delyveryd yow. I toke it to Alson Pertryche. She rod with Clyppysbys wyff to London.I pray yow if ye have an other sone that you woll lete it be named Herry, in remembrans of your brother Herry;95.1also I pray yow that ye woll send me dats and synamun as hastyly as ye may. I have speke with John Damme of that ye bad me sey to hem to sey to Thomas Note, and he sey he was wel payd that ye seyd and thowgh therin as ye dede. Ner’les I bad hym that he shuld sey to the seyd Thomas therin as it wer of hymself with owte your avys or any others; and he seyd he shuld so, and that it shuld be purveyd for this next weke at the ferthest. The blyssed Trinyte have yow in his kepyng.Wretyn att Norwyche, in hast, the Fryday next befor Candelmesse day.Be your gronyng wyff, M. P.94.1[From Fenn, iii. 408.] Fenn thinks this was written about 1460, but I do not see on what evidence. From the reference to Gresham, I should rather suppose it belongs to 1449. By the subscription, it would appear that the writer was very near the time of lying in; but we cannot tell the exact date of the birth of any of her children. Lord Molyns dispossessed John Paston of the lordship of Gresham on the 17th of February 1448. After repeated remonstrances on the subject to no purpose, Paston went and took up his quarters there again on the 6th October 1449, and succeeded in keeping possession till the 28th January 1450, when the place was attacked, in his absence, by Lord Molyns’ men, who undermined the walls, and drove out Paston’s wife. The ‘errands about Gresham’ probably refer to the time of Lord Molyns’ first occupation.95.1No notice is taken elsewhere of John Paston having a brother named Harry.83MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON95.21449FEB. 28Begs him not to be displeased though she be out of the place he left her in; for she heard such tidings that she durst not abide there. Divers of my Lord Moleyns’ men said if they might get her they would steal her and keep her in the castle; ‘and than they said they would that ye should fetch me out. Theysaid it should be but a little heartburning to you.’ After that I could have no rest till I was here. I did not venture out of the place till I was ready to ride, and no one knew an hour before but the good wife, whom I told that I was coming here to get gear made for me and the children. I beg you will keep secret the cause of my coming away till I see you. I spoke with your mother on my way hither, who offered to let me abide in her place if you wished me to stay in Norwich, and to give me such gear as she could spare till you can be purveyed of a place of your own. Let me know what to do. I should be sorry to dwell so near Grassam as I did, till the matter between you and the Lord Moleyns is settled. Barow said there was no better evidence in England than Lord M. had of Gressam. I said I supposed they were such as William Hasard spoke of, the seals of which were not yet cold, and that you had evidence with seals 200 years older. Do not on any account trust Lord Moleyns and his men, or eat or drink with them, though they speak ever so fair. Roger Foke of Sparham dare not leave his house for the suit Heydon and Wyndham have against him. Watkin Shipdam wishes you to speak to Sir J. Fastolf about the harness you had of him,etc.Norwich, Friday after Pulver Wednesday.95.2This abstract was made from one of the Roydon HallMSS.shown to the Editor in 1875. Since that date he has not seen the original.about the harness you had of him, etc.final . missing or invisible84ROBERT, PRIOR OF BROMHOLM, TO JOHN PASTON96.1To my Sovereyn, John Paston.1449(?)MARCH 5I recomendme hertily, thankyng yow for the tydings, and the good awysse that ze sent me be the Parson of Thorpe;96.2latyng zow wittin that the Byschope of the todir syde of the see sent laate to me a man, the qwych wuld abydin uppon my leyser, for to an had me ovyr wyt hym to the seyd Byschope, and so forth to the Courte.96.3So the seydman and I arryn a poynted that he schal comyn ageyn a purpose fro the Byschope, to be my gyde ovyr the see, and so I purpose me fully forthe a noon aftir this Estryn. I mak me evyre day fulli redy as privyli as I can, be sekyng zow, as I trost on zow, and as I am zour trow bede man, as labor for me her that I mythe haf a wyrte of passagche directid un[to] swyche men as zow thyng that schyd best yife me my schargche.The best takyng of schepynge is at Yernemuthe er Kyrley, or som othir place in Norfolk syde. I schal haf favour he now [enough] wyt ther seergiours [searchers]; bod all my goode spede and all my wel lythe in you heer, for ther on I trost fully.Som cownsel me to haf a letter of exschawnge, thow it wer bode of xls.er lees, bod I comitte all my best in this matir to zour wysdam, and qwat at evyr ze pay in this matir, I schal truly at owr metyng repay ageyn to zow. Bod for Godds love purvey for my sped her, for ell [else] I lees all my purvyans, and ther too I schyd jaape97.1the Byschope man, and caus hym to com in to Yngland, and lees all his labour. For Goddis love, send me down this wyrte, er ell bryng it wyt zow, that I mythe haf fro zow a letter of tydings and comforthe; for I had nevyr verray need of zour labor til now, bod my hert hangithe in gret langor.All my brethir wenyth that I schyd no forthir goo than to the Byschope, and undir that colour schal I weel go forthe to the Courte. I haf gret stody til I haf tydings fro zow. Avyr mor All mythi Good haf zow in kepyng, bodi and soule.Writtin in hast, the Wednesday in the fyrst week of clen Lent.97.2Your Orator,Robt., P. of B.I sent zow a letter, bod I hade non answer ageyn.96.1[From Fenn, iii. 80.] There is no distinct clue to the date of this letter; but Fenn throws out a conjecture which, in default of any better guide, may be accepted as not improbable, that ‘the Bishop of the other side of the sea’ was Walter Lyhert, Bishop of Norwich, who in the beginning of 1449 must have been in Savoy, having been sent thither by the King to persuade the anti-pope FelixV.to renounce his claim to NicholasV.for the peace of the Church. This Felix actually did in the beginning of this year, and Wharton considers Bishop Lyhert to have been the cause of his doing so (Angl. Sac. i. 418). Fenn, however, dates this letter 1450, on the supposition that the Bishop would have been still abroad in the beginning of that year, which is a mistake, as his name appears in the Rolls of Parliament as a trier of petitions as early as February.96.2Robert Rogers was parson of Thorpe from 1445 to 1476.96.3Court of Rome.97.1Deceive.97.2The first week in Clean Lent means the firstentireweek in Lent beginning on a Sunday.85NUNCUPATIVE WILL OF EDMUND PASTON98.11449MARCH 21OmnibusChristi fidelibus ad quos præsens scriptum pervenerit, Nos, Willelmus May, Magister Novi Templi, London’, Johannes Bakton gentilman, Thomas Parker, civis et cissor Londoni, et Johannes Osbern, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Sciatis quod xxj. die Martij Anno Domini mccccxlviij.98.2Edmundus Paston de comitatu Norff., armiger, in bona memoria ac sana mente existens, languens in extremis, in nostra præsentia, condidit et declaravit testamentum suum nuncupativum in hunc modum:—In primis, legavit animam suam Deo Omnipotenti, Beatæ Mariæ Virgini et omnibus Sanctis, corpusque suum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Templi prædicti, sive in ecclesia Fratrum Carmelitarum London’ [ad electionem sui confessoris98.3]. Item dictus Edmundus, pro eo quod noluit circa bona sive negocia temporalia mentem sive animam suam affligere seu occupare, set ad æternam felicitatem se præparare, dedit, legavit ac commisit omnia bona et catalla sua prædilecto fratri suo Johanni Paston, ex magna confidencia in ipso habita ut ea disponeret pro bono animæ suæ, prout melius videret Deo placere ac animæ suæ prodesse. Et dictum Johannem Paston ordinavit et constituit executorem suum. In cujus rei testimonum præsentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus.Endorsed—Copia ultimæ voluntatis Edmundi Paston.Endorsed in a later hand—Testamentum Edmundi Paston secundi filii Willelmi Paston Justiciarii.98.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]98.2This is 1449 according to the modern computation, which begins the year on the 1st of January instead of the 25th March.98.3These words are erased.86LORD MOLYNS TO THE TENANTS OF GRESHAM99.1To my trusty and wel belovyd, the Vycary and Tenaunts of my Lordschepe of Gressham.1449MARCH 24Trustyand welbeloved frendys, I grete yowe well, and putte yowe all owte of doute for all that ye have doon for me; and the money that ye pay to my welbeloved servaunt, John Partrich, I will be your warant as for your discharge, and save yowe harmeles ayenst all thoo that wold greve yowe, to my power. And, as hertly as I can, I thanke yow of the gud wyl ye have had, and have, toward me. And as to the tytyll of rigth that I have to the Lordship of Gressam schal with in short tyme be knoweyn, and be the lawe so determynyd, that ye schall all be glad that hathe ought me youre gud wyll therin.And All Myghty God kepe yow; and, be His grace, I schall be with yowe son aftyr the Parlement es endyd.Wrytten atte London, on Oure Lady evyn last past.R. H.,Lord Molyns.99.1[From Fenn, i. 192.] Lord Molyns took possession of Gresham, as already shown—seepage 94, note 1,—on the 17th of February 1448; but the reference to Parliament as sitting at the date of this letter proves it to belong either to 1449 or 1450. The latter date, however, is not very probable.87MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON99.2To my rytz wurschipful Mayster, Jon Paston, be this delyverid in hast, dwelling in the Inner Tempill.1449APRIL 2Rytzwurschipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to zu, praying zu to wete that my kosyn Cler99.3dynyd with me this day; and sche told me that Heydon was with her yister evyn late, and he told her that he had a letter fromthe Lord Moleynys, and schewyd her the same letter, praying hym that he wold seyn to his frends and wele willerres in this contre that he thanketh hem of her godewill, and for that thei have done for hym; and also praying Heydon that he wold sey to Rychard Ernold of Crowmer that he was sory and evyl payd that his men maden the afray up on hym, for he seyd it was not be his will that his men xuld make afray on noman in this contre with owth rytz grett cause. And as for that was don to zu if it mytz ben prevyd that he had don otherwise to zu than rytz wold as for the mevabyl godis, ze xuld ben content, so that ze xuld have cawse to kon hym thank; and he prayd Heydon in the letter that it xuld ben reportid in this kontre that he wold don so, if he had don otherwyse than he owth to don.The frere100.1that cleymyth Oxned was in this town zastyrday and this day, and was ledgid att Beris, and this afternon he rod, but qhedder I wote not. He seyd pleynly in this town that he xal have Oxnede, and that he hath my lord of Suffolkes100.2good lordschip, and he wol ben his good lord in that mater. There was a persone warnyd my moder with in this to days that sche xuld ben ware, for thei seyd pleynly sche was lyk to ben servyd as ze were servyd at Gressam with in rytz schort tyme. Also the Lord Moleyns wrott in his forseyd letter that he wold mytyly, with his body and with his godis, stand be all tho that had ben his frends and his wel willers in the mater towching Gressam, and preyd Heydon that he wold sey to them that thei xuld not ben aferd in non wyse, for that was don it xuld ben abedyn by.My moder prayith zu that ze wil send my brother Willyam to Kawmbrege anomynale100.3and abok of sofystre of my brother Emundes100.4, the qheche my seyd brother be hestid my moder the last tyme he spak with her, that he xuld asent [should have sent] to my brother Willyam. The blisseful Trinyte have zu in his keping.Wretyn at Norwyche in hast, on the Wodenysday next be for Palm Sonday.Zowres, M. P.99.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is evidently both after Paston’s expulsion from Gresham by Lord Molyns in February 1448, and after the death of Edmund Paston in 1449. It cannot, however, be so late as 1450, else Hauteyn would not have expected to obtain possession of Oxnead through the Duke of Suffolk’s influence.99.3Elizabeth, widow of Robert Clere of Ormesby.100.1John Hawteyn.—SeeNos. 46and50.100.2William De la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.100.3Anominale.100.4Edmund Paston, who must have died very shortly after declaring his will on the 21st of March 1449.88[MARGARET PASTON] TO [JOHN PASTON]101.11449(?)Rytwurchipful hwsbond, I recomawnd me to zu, and prey zw to gete som crosse bowis, and wyndacs101.2to bynd them with, and quarrels;101.3for zour hwsis her ben so low that ther may non man schet owt with no long bowe, thow we hadde never so moche nede.I sopose ze xuld have seche thyngs of Ser Jon Fastolf, if ze wold send to hym; and also I wold ze xuld gete ij. or iij. schort pelleaxis to kepe with doris, and als many jakkys, and ye may.Partryche101.4and his felaschep arn sor aferyd that ze wold entren azen up on them, and they have made grete ordynaw[n]ce with inne the hwse, as it is told me. They have made barris to barre the dorys crosse weyse, and they have made wykets on every quarter of the hwse to schote owte atte, bothe with bowys and with hand gunnys; and the holys that ben made forr hand gunnys, they ben scarse kne hey fro the plawncher [floor], and of soche holis ben made fyve. There can non man schete owt at them with no hand bowys.Purry felle in felaschepe with Willyum Hasard at Querles, and told hym that he wold com and drynk with Partryche and with hym, and he seyd he xuld ben welcome, and after nonehe went thedder for to aspye qhat they dedyn, and qhat felachep they hadde with them; and qhan he com thedder, the dors were fast sperid [fastened], and there wer non folks with hem but Maryoth, and Capron and hys wyf, and Querles wyf, a[n]d another man in ablac (?) zede sum qhate haltyng, I sopose be his words that it was Norfolk of Gemyngham; and the seyd Purry aspyde alle this forseyd thyngs. And Marioth and his felaschep had meche grette langage that xall ben told zw qhen ze kom hom.I pray zw that ze wyl vowche save to don bye for me j. li. [1lb.] of almands and j. li. of sugyr, and that ze wille do byen sume frese to maken of zour child is gwnys; ze xall have best chepe and best choyse of Hayis wyf, as it is told me. And that ze wyld bye a zerd of brode clothe of blac for an hode fore me of xliiijd.or iiijs.a zerd, for ther is nether gode cloth ner god fryse in this twn. As for the child is gwnys, and I have them, I wel do hem maken.The Trynyte have zw in his keping, and send zw gode spede i[n] alle zour materis.

84.2Isabel, widow of Thomas, Lord Morley, who died in 1435. She was the daughter of Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk. Fenn confounds her with the widow of the Lord Morley who died in 1417, who was a daughter of Edward, Lord Dispencer, and had previously married Sir Hugh Hastings. But this lady died about 1426 (Blomefield, ii. 440), and cannot be the lady mentioned in the text.

84.3Ann, married to John Hastyngs.—SeeBlomefield, ii. 430.

85.1Probably William, eldest son of Robert Clere of Ormesby, who died in 1446.—SeeBlomefield, vi. 336.

86.1Thomas Daniel.

86.2Seep. 80, note 2.

86.3William Paston, son of the Judge (?).

Laueraw[n]ce Rede of Mawthhy recommawndeth hym to zutext unchanged: error for “Mawthby”?at the sewte of mayster Joh Stokstext unchanged: error for “Joh.” or “Jon”?

Laueraw[n]ce Rede of Mawthhy recommawndeth hym to zutext unchanged: error for “Mawthby”?

at the sewte of mayster Joh Stokstext unchanged: error for “Joh.” or “Jon”?

To Thomas Gnateshale.

Date uncertain

Thomas Gnateshale, I wul ze wite it was oute of my remembrance that Paston hade pout in my determinacion the discort betwene you and hym. I was the more favourable to your entent, but in so mych as I had forgete that beforesaid, I praye you that ye suffre the cornes in mene hand til that I have determined the matier betwene you too be the advis of lerned men whech han knowelich in such causses, the which thing I wul do in as short tyme as may, wherof ze shal have knowelich.Writen at Myddelton, the xiiij. day of August.The Lord Scales.

Writen at Myddelton, the xiiij. day of August.The Lord Scales.

87.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The person to whom this is addressed is probably the same ‘Knatysale’ mentioned in the preceding letter, and as it contains no evidence of any definite date, we think best to insert it here.

Margaret Paston to her Husband(not addressed).

1448MAY 19

On Friday last, the Parson of Oxened ‘being at messe in one Parossh Chirche, evyn at levacion of the sakeryng, Jamys Gloys had been in the town, and come homeward by Wymondam’s gate,’ when he was attacked by Wymondham who had two of his men with him, and driven into ‘my mother’s place’ for refuge. With the noise of this, my mother and I came out of the church from the sakeryng, and Wymondham ‘called my mother and me strong whores, and said, ye Pastons and all her kin were . . . . . . . yngham said he lied, knave and churl as he was.’ After noon my mother and I reported this to the Prior of Norwich, who sent for Wymondham; and Pagrave came with us. While Wymondham was with the Prior, and we at home, Gloys was assaulted again in the street, ‘as he stood in the Lady Hastyngs’ chamber,’ by Thomas Hawys, one of Wymondham’s men. This last assault the Parson of Oxened saw. Sends Gloys to her husband for fear of further trouble. The Lady Morle ‘would have the benefice of her obligacion,’ as her counsel tells her it is forfeit, and she would not have the relief till she have your homage. The Lord Moleyns’ man is collecting the rent at Gresham ‘a great pace,’ as James Gresham will report to you.Trinity Sunday, at even.Further statement about the assault added in a different hand (qu. Agnes Paston’s?).

Trinity Sunday, at even.

Further statement about the assault added in a different hand (qu. Agnes Paston’s?).

[From the fact of Lord Molyns being in possession of Gresham, and collecting rents there, it is clear that the date of this letter is 1448. This date also agrees with what is said in Letter 75 about a relief claimed by Lady Morley.]

88.1[From PhillippsMS.9735, No. 256.]

To my worschypful and reverent Lord, John, Vicont Beaumont.

1448MAY 28

Rygthworschypfull, and my reverent and most spesiall Lord, y recomaund me un to yowr good grace in the most humble and lowly wyse that y canne or may, desyryng to her of your prosperite and well fare [as to my]88.3most syngeler joy and spesiall comfort.

And gyf hyt plees your Hygnes, as towchyng the soden aventuer that fell latly at Coventre, plees hyt your Lordshyp to her that, on Corpus Christi Even89.1last passed, be twene viij. and ix. of the clok at a[fternon],89.2Syr Umfrey Stafford89.3had browth my mayster Syr James of Urmond89.4towa[r]d hys yn [inn] from my Lady of Shrewesb[ery,89.5and]89.2reterned from hym toward hys yn, he met with Syr Robert Harcourt89.6comyng from hys moder towards hys yn, and pass[ed Syr]89.2Umfrey; and Richard, hys son, came somewhat be hynd, and when they met to gyder, they fell in handes togyder, and [Sir Robert]89.2smot hym a grette st[r]oke on the hed with hys sord, and Richard with hys dagger hastely went toward hym. And as he stombled, on of Harcourts men smot hym in the bak with a knyfe; men wotte not ho hyt was reddely. Hys fader hard noys, and rode toward hem, and hys men ronne befor hym thyder ward; and in the goyng downe of hys hors, on, he wotte not ho, be hynd hym smot hym on the hede with a nege tole, men know not with us with what wepone, that he fell downe; and hys son fell downe be fore hym as good as dede. And all thys was don, as men sey, in a Pater Noster wyle. And forth with Syr Umfrey Stafford men foloed after, and slew ij. men of Harcowrttus, on Swynerton, and Bradshawe, and mo ben hurt; sum ben gonne, and sum be in pryson in the jayll at Coventre.

And before the coroner of Coventre, up on the sygth of the bodyes, ther ben endited, as prynsipall for the deth of Richard Stafford, Syr Robert Harcourt and the ij. men that ben dede. And for the ij. men of Harcourts that ben dede, ther ben endited ij. men of Syr Umfrey as prynsipall. And as gytte ther hath ben no thyng fownden before the Justice ofthe Pees of Coventre of thys riot, be caws the shreffe of Warwyk shyre is dede,90.1and they may not sytt in to the tyme ther be a new shreve.

And all thys myschef fell be cawse of a nold debate that was be twene heme for takyng of a dystres, as hyt is told.

And All mygthty Jesu preserve yowr hye astat, my spesiall Lord, and send yow long lyve and good hele.

Wryten at Coventre on Tewusday next after Corpus Christi day, &c.Be yowr own pore Servant,John Northwod.

88.2[From Fenn, i. 12.] The date of this letter will appear by a foot-note.88.3The bracketed words are noted by Fenn as ‘imperfect in the original, the paper being chafed.’89.122nd May.89.2The bracketed words are noted by Fenn as ‘imperfect in the original, the paper being chafed.’89.3Killed in an engagement with Jack Cade in June 1450.89.4Probably Sir James Butler, son and heir-apparent of James, fourth Earl of Ormond, who in 1449 was created Earl of Wiltshire.89.5Wife of John Talbot, the famous Earl of Shrewsbury.89.6He signalised himself in the wars of HenryVI.and EdwardIV., was a Knight of the Garter, and in November 1470, 10 EdwardIV., was slain by the Staffords, perhaps in revenge for this murder of Richard Stafford.—F.90.1Thomas Porter was sheriff of the counties of Warwick and Leicester in 26 HenryVI., and died in his year of office on Monday after Corpus Christi day (27th May 1448), the day before this letter was written.—Inquisitionpost mortem, 27 HenryVI., No. 13.

88.2[From Fenn, i. 12.] The date of this letter will appear by a foot-note.

88.3The bracketed words are noted by Fenn as ‘imperfect in the original, the paper being chafed.’

89.122nd May.

89.2The bracketed words are noted by Fenn as ‘imperfect in the original, the paper being chafed.’

89.3Killed in an engagement with Jack Cade in June 1450.

89.4Probably Sir James Butler, son and heir-apparent of James, fourth Earl of Ormond, who in 1449 was created Earl of Wiltshire.

89.5Wife of John Talbot, the famous Earl of Shrewsbury.

89.6He signalised himself in the wars of HenryVI.and EdwardIV., was a Knight of the Garter, and in November 1470, 10 EdwardIV., was slain by the Staffords, perhaps in revenge for this murder of Richard Stafford.—F.

90.1Thomas Porter was sheriff of the counties of Warwick and Leicester in 26 HenryVI., and died in his year of office on Monday after Corpus Christi day (27th May 1448), the day before this letter was written.—Inquisitionpost mortem, 27 HenryVI., No. 13.

To the worschypful Fader yn God, and my ryth gode Lord, the Bysshop of Wynchestyr.90.3

1448JUNE 13

WorschypfulFader yn God, and my rythe gode Lord, as hertely as y canne, y recomaund me to your gode Lordschyp; to the wyche plese hyt to wyt that y have resayvyd your lettre, by the wyche y oundyrstond the dayely sute to your Lordschyp as of Pastun, as for the mater betwyx hym and me, wer yn also y fele that he ys wyllyd that comynycasyon and trete schold be had betwyxt hys counsayle and myne, now at Mydsomer; to the wyche, my Lord, y am at the reverens of your Lordschyp wel agreyd, and have send to my counsayle at Loundon, aftyr the seyng of thys your last letter, as for the trete by twyxt hym and me, and that they schold yeve ful attendauns to the end of the materby twne the sayde Pastun and me, as thow y were present with hem.

And, my Lord, hyt were to grete a thyng, and hyte laye yn my power, but y wold do at the reverens of your Lordschyp, yn las than hyt schold hurt me to gretly, wyche y wote wel your Lordschyp wol nevyr desyr.

And God for hys mercy have you, rythe worschypful Fadyr yn God, and my rythe gode Lord, yn hys blessyd kepyng.

Wrytyn with my noune chaunsery hand, yn hast, the xiij. daye of June, at Teffaunt.Vere hartely your,Molyns.

90.2[From Fenn, i. 190.] It appears, by John Paston’s petition presented to Parliament two years later, that after he had been dispossessed of Gresham by Lord Molyns in February 1448, communications passed between his counsel and that of Lord Molyns on the subject until Michaelmas following. This letter must refer to the first overtures.90.3The celebrated William of Waynflete.

90.3The celebrated William of Waynflete.

1448

Worchepefulmayster I recomend me to yow: and I pray yow to wete I was at Katefeld in Cobbes place for to se the armes as ye comaunded me,shield as describedand the feld is gold wyth iii. bukkeles of sylver mad on the wyse as it is her, wyth floweris of sylver on the bukkelis mad of iiij. lyke a trewlove. Also, syr, I have spoke to a fryer that is conversaunt at Wykelwode wyth Randolffis dowter and he hath behestid me for to gete me Randolffis armes of hese dowter Wyltones wyf; but I have not yet spoke wyth the frier a yen. Also I pray yow to wete that I was at Mauteby and ye have there CC. combz of malt if ye wyl gef for xiiiid.a combz in the comes and xxi. for xx. ye shal have redy mony, as I suppose, for Pykeryng sellyth for xid.and xiid.the lest that hath, as the parson of Mauteby tellyth me. And the parsonand I have do throche your qwete for it was ete wyth myse to petowsly for to se; and if it plese yow I pray yow that ye wyl send me word qwhedyr ye wyl selle your malt and your qhete aftyr the pryse of the countre or (?) it shal be purveyid for to kepe it til ye may sett. And I have spoke to Lawrauns Reede for the ferme; but he wyl not take it, as I conseyve, til he speke wyth yow. I suppos for to a made a covienaunt wyth hym, but he hath no sewerte yet, and the londis shal not be in your handis til myhelmes as he seyeth; ther for he is the mor terying, &c. I beseche all myti Jhesu spede yow and kepe yow.[Not signed.]

On the back are some names of families in a contemporary hand, and five shields of arms tricked in a modern hand, the latter being apparently the armorial bearings of ancestors of the Earl of Yarmouth, to whom there is a letter addressed by ‘Wm. Smyth’ upon this subject at f. 146 of theMS.

91.1[Add.MS.34,889, f. 143.] This letter is neither signed nor addressed, but there is no doubt the person for whom it was intended was John Paston the eldest, who possessed property at Mautby in right of his wife. The reference to Laurence Reede seems further to show that it is of the year 1448. See p. 85.

To my Ryght Wurchepfull master John Paston be this deliuered in hast.

1448DEC. 3

Rightreverent and wurchepfull sir, I recommande me to yow, desyryng to here of yowr welfare, the which gracyows God contynually preserve and kepe to yowr gostly hele and bodily welfare; praying yow to wete that as for the broke sylver that my mastres wend for to a sent yow whan she dede wryte her letter, ther is none in your forcer; she supposyd that ye left it at Norwiche in yowr cofere, wher of ye have the key. Also my mastres yowr moder grete yow wele, and pray yow to send her word how she shall do with Edward of Whode of Paston; for she dede seys his corn on the lond the last hervest, and he led it a wey after that it whasseysyd with awth licens and leve of here or any of here offyceris. Item, my mastres yowr syster recommand her hertly to yow, and pray yow that and ye wold wochesaff to speke to my master Edmund, and pray hym if that he hath bowth here ger that she sent to hym fore, that he wold send it her home; in cas that93.1he have not bowth it, that he wold be it and sent it here in all the hast that he may goodly. Forthermore if it plese yow to her of my master Berney, he was at Gresham with my mastres on the Tuysday next after Halwemasday, the same day that we dystreynyd Jamys Rokkysson, and I had mette a litill a fore with Pertrych, and he thrett me, and sayd that we shuld not long kepe the dystresse, and there for my mastres dede us don on owr jakkys and owr salettis. My master Berney cam in and the parson of Oxened with hym and sey us in owre jakkis, and he wexe as pale as any herd and wold right fayn a ben thens. So my mastres dede hym dyne, and whill thei wher at dynar Herry Collys told my mastres openly among us all that the same tyme that Pertrych entryd a geyn up on yow, his master was at Causton to yow ward, and there it was told hym that Pertrych had putt yow owth and all your men, and that ye and my mastres wher redyn a geyn to Norwhich, and all your howshold, and that causyd hym that he cam no forther that tyme; and my Master Berney confermyd all this and seyd that it was so. Whan thei had etyn he had mych hast to a be thens, so my mastres desyryd and prayd hym that he wold come a geyn or aght long; and so with mych praying he be hest her if he mythe. And Herry Collys stode ther bysyde and seyd to my felachep, ‘What shuld my master do here,’ quod he, ‘lete yowr master send after his kynnysmen at Mautby, for thei have nowth that thei mawn lese.’ And so thei redyn her wey. And with in a sevenygt after my master Berney sent Davy to my mastres, and prayd my mastres that she wold hold his master excusyd, for he had hurt his owyn hors that he rode up on; and he dede Davy sadillyn an oder hors; and he stode by and made water whill he sadyllyd hym, and as Davy shuld a kyrt the hors, he slenkyd behynd and toke his master on the hepe suyche a stroke thatnever man may trust hym after, and brake his hepe. And he had sent Herry Collys to Norwhich for medycynys, so he must ryde hom the same nygt; for his master had no man at home. So my mastres was rygth sory, and wend that it had be trowth, but I know wele that it was not so. It happyd that I rod the next day to Norwhich, and I rood in to my mastres your moder, and she dede aske me after my master Berney, and I told here how he was hurt. And she askyd the parson of Oxened if he wer hurt, and he seyd nay; for Davy lay with hym the same nygt a fore and told hym that he was heyll and mery, and prayd hym that he wold be with hym the Sonday next after; and so Davy lay the same nygt after that he had told my mastres the tale with the parson of Oxened. I beseche yow of yowre gode masterchep that ye wold not do wreythe this letter, for and my mastres knew that I sent yow suyche a letter I were never abyll to loke up on her, nor to abyde in her heysyte. My mastres yowr moder hath sent yow ij. letteris; she hathin dosydhem to my master Edmunde, and she wuld wete if ye had hem or nawth. The Holy Trynyte have yow in kepyng. Wrytyne at Norwhich on Sent Clementis evyn. In hast.—Your servaunt,Jamis Gloys.

92.1[Add.MS.34,888, f. 57.] This letter bears upon the dispute about Gresham, and is probably of the year 1448, for it is to be presumed that Edmund Paston died shortly after the date of his nuncupative will, 21st March 1449.93.1The word ‘that’ is repeated in theMS.by inadvertence.

93.1The word ‘that’ is repeated in theMS.by inadvertence.

she hath in dosyd hem to my master Edmundetext unchanged: error for “in closyd” or “in dorsyd”?

To my ryght worchippfull hosbond, John Paston, be this delyveryd in hast.

1449(?)JAN. 31

Rightworchipfull hosbond, I recommand me to yow, praying yow to wete that I have receyved your letter this day that ye sent me be Yelvertonys man. As for your signette, I fond itt uppon your bord the same day that yewent hens, and I send it yow be Richrad Heberd, bringer herof. As for your eronds that ye wrete to me fore, Richard Charles is owte abough your eronds abowte Gresham, and for his awyn maters also, and I suppose he komyth not hom tyll it be Tesday or Weddenesday next komyng; and alssone as he komyth hom, he shall go abowte your eronds that ye wrete to me fore.

I sent yow a letter wreten on Tesday last past, whiche, as I suppose, Roger Ormesby delyveryd yow. I toke it to Alson Pertryche. She rod with Clyppysbys wyff to London.

I pray yow if ye have an other sone that you woll lete it be named Herry, in remembrans of your brother Herry;95.1also I pray yow that ye woll send me dats and synamun as hastyly as ye may. I have speke with John Damme of that ye bad me sey to hem to sey to Thomas Note, and he sey he was wel payd that ye seyd and thowgh therin as ye dede. Ner’les I bad hym that he shuld sey to the seyd Thomas therin as it wer of hymself with owte your avys or any others; and he seyd he shuld so, and that it shuld be purveyd for this next weke at the ferthest. The blyssed Trinyte have yow in his kepyng.

Wretyn att Norwyche, in hast, the Fryday next befor Candelmesse day.Be your gronyng wyff, M. P.

94.1[From Fenn, iii. 408.] Fenn thinks this was written about 1460, but I do not see on what evidence. From the reference to Gresham, I should rather suppose it belongs to 1449. By the subscription, it would appear that the writer was very near the time of lying in; but we cannot tell the exact date of the birth of any of her children. Lord Molyns dispossessed John Paston of the lordship of Gresham on the 17th of February 1448. After repeated remonstrances on the subject to no purpose, Paston went and took up his quarters there again on the 6th October 1449, and succeeded in keeping possession till the 28th January 1450, when the place was attacked, in his absence, by Lord Molyns’ men, who undermined the walls, and drove out Paston’s wife. The ‘errands about Gresham’ probably refer to the time of Lord Molyns’ first occupation.95.1No notice is taken elsewhere of John Paston having a brother named Harry.

95.1No notice is taken elsewhere of John Paston having a brother named Harry.

1449FEB. 28

Begs him not to be displeased though she be out of the place he left her in; for she heard such tidings that she durst not abide there. Divers of my Lord Moleyns’ men said if they might get her they would steal her and keep her in the castle; ‘and than they said they would that ye should fetch me out. Theysaid it should be but a little heartburning to you.’ After that I could have no rest till I was here. I did not venture out of the place till I was ready to ride, and no one knew an hour before but the good wife, whom I told that I was coming here to get gear made for me and the children. I beg you will keep secret the cause of my coming away till I see you. I spoke with your mother on my way hither, who offered to let me abide in her place if you wished me to stay in Norwich, and to give me such gear as she could spare till you can be purveyed of a place of your own. Let me know what to do. I should be sorry to dwell so near Grassam as I did, till the matter between you and the Lord Moleyns is settled. Barow said there was no better evidence in England than Lord M. had of Gressam. I said I supposed they were such as William Hasard spoke of, the seals of which were not yet cold, and that you had evidence with seals 200 years older. Do not on any account trust Lord Moleyns and his men, or eat or drink with them, though they speak ever so fair. Roger Foke of Sparham dare not leave his house for the suit Heydon and Wyndham have against him. Watkin Shipdam wishes you to speak to Sir J. Fastolf about the harness you had of him,etc.

Norwich, Friday after Pulver Wednesday.

95.2This abstract was made from one of the Roydon HallMSS.shown to the Editor in 1875. Since that date he has not seen the original.

about the harness you had of him, etc.final . missing or invisible

To my Sovereyn, John Paston.

1449(?)MARCH 5

I recomendme hertily, thankyng yow for the tydings, and the good awysse that ze sent me be the Parson of Thorpe;96.2latyng zow wittin that the Byschope of the todir syde of the see sent laate to me a man, the qwych wuld abydin uppon my leyser, for to an had me ovyr wyt hym to the seyd Byschope, and so forth to the Courte.96.3So the seydman and I arryn a poynted that he schal comyn ageyn a purpose fro the Byschope, to be my gyde ovyr the see, and so I purpose me fully forthe a noon aftir this Estryn. I mak me evyre day fulli redy as privyli as I can, be sekyng zow, as I trost on zow, and as I am zour trow bede man, as labor for me her that I mythe haf a wyrte of passagche directid un[to] swyche men as zow thyng that schyd best yife me my schargche.

The best takyng of schepynge is at Yernemuthe er Kyrley, or som othir place in Norfolk syde. I schal haf favour he now [enough] wyt ther seergiours [searchers]; bod all my goode spede and all my wel lythe in you heer, for ther on I trost fully.

Som cownsel me to haf a letter of exschawnge, thow it wer bode of xls.er lees, bod I comitte all my best in this matir to zour wysdam, and qwat at evyr ze pay in this matir, I schal truly at owr metyng repay ageyn to zow. Bod for Godds love purvey for my sped her, for ell [else] I lees all my purvyans, and ther too I schyd jaape97.1the Byschope man, and caus hym to com in to Yngland, and lees all his labour. For Goddis love, send me down this wyrte, er ell bryng it wyt zow, that I mythe haf fro zow a letter of tydings and comforthe; for I had nevyr verray need of zour labor til now, bod my hert hangithe in gret langor.

All my brethir wenyth that I schyd no forthir goo than to the Byschope, and undir that colour schal I weel go forthe to the Courte. I haf gret stody til I haf tydings fro zow. Avyr mor All mythi Good haf zow in kepyng, bodi and soule.

Writtin in hast, the Wednesday in the fyrst week of clen Lent.97.2Your Orator,Robt., P. of B.

I sent zow a letter, bod I hade non answer ageyn.

96.1[From Fenn, iii. 80.] There is no distinct clue to the date of this letter; but Fenn throws out a conjecture which, in default of any better guide, may be accepted as not improbable, that ‘the Bishop of the other side of the sea’ was Walter Lyhert, Bishop of Norwich, who in the beginning of 1449 must have been in Savoy, having been sent thither by the King to persuade the anti-pope FelixV.to renounce his claim to NicholasV.for the peace of the Church. This Felix actually did in the beginning of this year, and Wharton considers Bishop Lyhert to have been the cause of his doing so (Angl. Sac. i. 418). Fenn, however, dates this letter 1450, on the supposition that the Bishop would have been still abroad in the beginning of that year, which is a mistake, as his name appears in the Rolls of Parliament as a trier of petitions as early as February.96.2Robert Rogers was parson of Thorpe from 1445 to 1476.96.3Court of Rome.97.1Deceive.97.2The first week in Clean Lent means the firstentireweek in Lent beginning on a Sunday.

96.2Robert Rogers was parson of Thorpe from 1445 to 1476.

96.3Court of Rome.

97.1Deceive.

97.2The first week in Clean Lent means the firstentireweek in Lent beginning on a Sunday.

1449MARCH 21

OmnibusChristi fidelibus ad quos præsens scriptum pervenerit, Nos, Willelmus May, Magister Novi Templi, London’, Johannes Bakton gentilman, Thomas Parker, civis et cissor Londoni, et Johannes Osbern, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Sciatis quod xxj. die Martij Anno Domini mccccxlviij.98.2Edmundus Paston de comitatu Norff., armiger, in bona memoria ac sana mente existens, languens in extremis, in nostra præsentia, condidit et declaravit testamentum suum nuncupativum in hunc modum:—In primis, legavit animam suam Deo Omnipotenti, Beatæ Mariæ Virgini et omnibus Sanctis, corpusque suum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Templi prædicti, sive in ecclesia Fratrum Carmelitarum London’ [ad electionem sui confessoris98.3]. Item dictus Edmundus, pro eo quod noluit circa bona sive negocia temporalia mentem sive animam suam affligere seu occupare, set ad æternam felicitatem se præparare, dedit, legavit ac commisit omnia bona et catalla sua prædilecto fratri suo Johanni Paston, ex magna confidencia in ipso habita ut ea disponeret pro bono animæ suæ, prout melius videret Deo placere ac animæ suæ prodesse. Et dictum Johannem Paston ordinavit et constituit executorem suum. In cujus rei testimonum præsentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus.

Endorsed—Copia ultimæ voluntatis Edmundi Paston.Endorsed in a later hand—Testamentum Edmundi Paston secundi filii Willelmi Paston Justiciarii.

Endorsed—Copia ultimæ voluntatis Edmundi Paston.

Endorsed in a later hand—Testamentum Edmundi Paston secundi filii Willelmi Paston Justiciarii.

98.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]98.2This is 1449 according to the modern computation, which begins the year on the 1st of January instead of the 25th March.98.3These words are erased.

98.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

98.2This is 1449 according to the modern computation, which begins the year on the 1st of January instead of the 25th March.

98.3These words are erased.

To my trusty and wel belovyd, the Vycary and Tenaunts of my Lordschepe of Gressham.

1449MARCH 24

Trustyand welbeloved frendys, I grete yowe well, and putte yowe all owte of doute for all that ye have doon for me; and the money that ye pay to my welbeloved servaunt, John Partrich, I will be your warant as for your discharge, and save yowe harmeles ayenst all thoo that wold greve yowe, to my power. And, as hertly as I can, I thanke yow of the gud wyl ye have had, and have, toward me. And as to the tytyll of rigth that I have to the Lordship of Gressam schal with in short tyme be knoweyn, and be the lawe so determynyd, that ye schall all be glad that hathe ought me youre gud wyll therin.

And All Myghty God kepe yow; and, be His grace, I schall be with yowe son aftyr the Parlement es endyd.

Wrytten atte London, on Oure Lady evyn last past.R. H.,Lord Molyns.

99.1[From Fenn, i. 192.] Lord Molyns took possession of Gresham, as already shown—seepage 94, note 1,—on the 17th of February 1448; but the reference to Parliament as sitting at the date of this letter proves it to belong either to 1449 or 1450. The latter date, however, is not very probable.

To my rytz wurschipful Mayster, Jon Paston, be this delyverid in hast, dwelling in the Inner Tempill.

1449APRIL 2

Rytzwurschipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to zu, praying zu to wete that my kosyn Cler99.3dynyd with me this day; and sche told me that Heydon was with her yister evyn late, and he told her that he had a letter fromthe Lord Moleynys, and schewyd her the same letter, praying hym that he wold seyn to his frends and wele willerres in this contre that he thanketh hem of her godewill, and for that thei have done for hym; and also praying Heydon that he wold sey to Rychard Ernold of Crowmer that he was sory and evyl payd that his men maden the afray up on hym, for he seyd it was not be his will that his men xuld make afray on noman in this contre with owth rytz grett cause. And as for that was don to zu if it mytz ben prevyd that he had don otherwise to zu than rytz wold as for the mevabyl godis, ze xuld ben content, so that ze xuld have cawse to kon hym thank; and he prayd Heydon in the letter that it xuld ben reportid in this kontre that he wold don so, if he had don otherwyse than he owth to don.

The frere100.1that cleymyth Oxned was in this town zastyrday and this day, and was ledgid att Beris, and this afternon he rod, but qhedder I wote not. He seyd pleynly in this town that he xal have Oxnede, and that he hath my lord of Suffolkes100.2good lordschip, and he wol ben his good lord in that mater. There was a persone warnyd my moder with in this to days that sche xuld ben ware, for thei seyd pleynly sche was lyk to ben servyd as ze were servyd at Gressam with in rytz schort tyme. Also the Lord Moleyns wrott in his forseyd letter that he wold mytyly, with his body and with his godis, stand be all tho that had ben his frends and his wel willers in the mater towching Gressam, and preyd Heydon that he wold sey to them that thei xuld not ben aferd in non wyse, for that was don it xuld ben abedyn by.

My moder prayith zu that ze wil send my brother Willyam to Kawmbrege anomynale100.3and abok of sofystre of my brother Emundes100.4, the qheche my seyd brother be hestid my moder the last tyme he spak with her, that he xuld asent [should have sent] to my brother Willyam. The blisseful Trinyte have zu in his keping.

Wretyn at Norwyche in hast, on the Wodenysday next be for Palm Sonday.Zowres, M. P.

99.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is evidently both after Paston’s expulsion from Gresham by Lord Molyns in February 1448, and after the death of Edmund Paston in 1449. It cannot, however, be so late as 1450, else Hauteyn would not have expected to obtain possession of Oxnead through the Duke of Suffolk’s influence.99.3Elizabeth, widow of Robert Clere of Ormesby.100.1John Hawteyn.—SeeNos. 46and50.100.2William De la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.100.3Anominale.100.4Edmund Paston, who must have died very shortly after declaring his will on the 21st of March 1449.

99.3Elizabeth, widow of Robert Clere of Ormesby.

100.1John Hawteyn.—SeeNos. 46and50.

100.2William De la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.

100.3Anominale.

100.4Edmund Paston, who must have died very shortly after declaring his will on the 21st of March 1449.

1449(?)

Rytwurchipful hwsbond, I recomawnd me to zu, and prey zw to gete som crosse bowis, and wyndacs101.2to bynd them with, and quarrels;101.3for zour hwsis her ben so low that ther may non man schet owt with no long bowe, thow we hadde never so moche nede.

I sopose ze xuld have seche thyngs of Ser Jon Fastolf, if ze wold send to hym; and also I wold ze xuld gete ij. or iij. schort pelleaxis to kepe with doris, and als many jakkys, and ye may.

Partryche101.4and his felaschep arn sor aferyd that ze wold entren azen up on them, and they have made grete ordynaw[n]ce with inne the hwse, as it is told me. They have made barris to barre the dorys crosse weyse, and they have made wykets on every quarter of the hwse to schote owte atte, bothe with bowys and with hand gunnys; and the holys that ben made forr hand gunnys, they ben scarse kne hey fro the plawncher [floor], and of soche holis ben made fyve. There can non man schete owt at them with no hand bowys.

Purry felle in felaschepe with Willyum Hasard at Querles, and told hym that he wold com and drynk with Partryche and with hym, and he seyd he xuld ben welcome, and after nonehe went thedder for to aspye qhat they dedyn, and qhat felachep they hadde with them; and qhan he com thedder, the dors were fast sperid [fastened], and there wer non folks with hem but Maryoth, and Capron and hys wyf, and Querles wyf, a[n]d another man in ablac (?) zede sum qhate haltyng, I sopose be his words that it was Norfolk of Gemyngham; and the seyd Purry aspyde alle this forseyd thyngs. And Marioth and his felaschep had meche grette langage that xall ben told zw qhen ze kom hom.

I pray zw that ze wyl vowche save to don bye for me j. li. [1lb.] of almands and j. li. of sugyr, and that ze wille do byen sume frese to maken of zour child is gwnys; ze xall have best chepe and best choyse of Hayis wyf, as it is told me. And that ze wyld bye a zerd of brode clothe of blac for an hode fore me of xliiijd.or iiijs.a zerd, for ther is nether gode cloth ner god fryse in this twn. As for the child is gwnys, and I have them, I wel do hem maken.

The Trynyte have zw in his keping, and send zw gode spede i[n] alle zour materis.

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