372BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON133.3

133.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]133.2A.D.1457.Dampna Cli.’close quote missing or invisible372BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON133.3To my Maister Paston.1458Sir, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place, hyt fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked to gedre, and called me by my name, and both asked how my maister133.4fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to see astate taked yn Lyncoln place by hym boght of Markham. In the meene tyme the seyd Wymondham sent hys man to speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of Sir Thomas133.5how hewille help labour to an ende, and had spoke with Heydon yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell amerciementes by their labour, and the [they ?] not beneficed, shewed to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause, &c. After my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd that he desyred Sir Thomas to be gode meene to my maister to hafe affeccion to the chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my maister had before the maryage be laboured [i.e.if my master had been applied to before the marriage], hyt had [been] moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because hys fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold hafe affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that Thomas134.1was with hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it please my maister to sende for hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of Sir Thomas undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better, whych to my power wold help make it knowen to Lordes and all othyrs of the cruell amerciementes, the cruell juge to be knowen as he ys, for I am of hys contrey, and know hys rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At ix. at clok to hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille (?).Your,H. R.133.3[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 249.] This letter clearly relates to the subject of the preceding No.133.4Sir John Fastolf.133.5Howes.134.1Apparently Thomas Fastolf.373ABSTRACT134.2Roll of the Personal and other Expenses of John Pastonin the 36th and 37th years of Henry VI.For dress and cloth, various.‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17s.7d.‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19s.1d.‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101s.‘Item, eisdem et sosiis (sic) suis in regard’,’ 4s.2d.‘Item, eisdem apud London,’ etc.‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxvto.’ 13s.4d.‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26s.8d.‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’—‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod JohannesPaston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2s.1d.‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’ 3s.8d.‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’ apud Forncet,’ 3s.1d.‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’ 18d.To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3s.4d.Glazing Chapel at Mauteby, 10s.‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana Matthiæ,’ 3s.8d.Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks, 10s.‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5s.4d.‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’ 18d.‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8d.In Easter and Trinity terms.—Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’10s.For wine and spice with Fortescu and Wentworth, 23d.Hilary term.—Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40s.‘Item, exequiæ Edmundi Paston,’ 2s.4d.To divers poor people of Norwich for relief of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7s.134.2[From Add. Charter 17,246, B.M.]‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s.“s.” printed in roman (non-Italic) type374ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES PASTON135.1To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston.1459JAN. 3Rightworshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder, in the most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your welfare and prosperite, the which I pray God to contynw and encresce to your herts desyre. And yf it lyked your gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of this lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as for my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust to Jesu non shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besyas he can to make me sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde in a bonde of mlli.to you mother, and to my brother John, and to my brother William, and to Edmund Clere,136.1the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as our most synguler trost is yn your gode moderhode, that my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc at the begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that was oon of my best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym in CCli., of which he reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme Cxxli., and yf he fayle therof at this tyme, he wille clayme the hool of us, the which were to us to grete an hurt; and he con not make an ende with noon of hys other suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and in all other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool,136.2with whom I sojerned, that ye wul be my tendr and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage, and to Christofre Houson, as ye wrote unto my brother John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese your gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And Jesu for his grete mercy save yow.Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of Janyver.By your humble doughter,Elyzabeth Ponynggs.135.1[From Fenn, iii. 328.] The writer of this letter is Agnes Paston’s daughter Elizabeth, for whose marriage, as we have seen, there had been a good deal of negotiating in past years (seeNos. 93, 94, 236, 250, 252), and who has now become the wife of Robert Poynings. As the 3rd of January, the day on which this letter is dated, was a Wednesday, the year must be 1459. The 3rd of January did not fall on a Wednesday again till 1470, by which time Elizabeth Paston was no longer the wife of Robert Poynings, but his widow, for he was killed at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.Final sentence changed by editor in Errata; see also note 154.3 in Volume II. Original text:. . . by which time Elizabeth Paston and Robert Poynings must have been married several years, as will be seen by No. 126 preceding (vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3).136.1Edmund Clere was the second son of John Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and died in 1463.136.2Seep. 123.375JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS FATHER137.1To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston, Esquyer, be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse.1459MARCH 5Ryghtworschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I comaund me to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowr faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and hevynesse that it hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of thys contre, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner have noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng under thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesur, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner ease of yowr tenantys whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng. Wherfor I besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo that schal please yow to the uttermest of my power and labor; and if ther be any servyce that I may do if it please yow to comaund me, or if y maye understonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer any thyng that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng.Wretyn the v. day of Marche.By your older sone,John Paston.137.1[From Fenn, iii. 336.] By Letter 377 following, it will be seen that the writer of this letter had given displeasure to his father in the early part of the year 1459. There can be no doubt that this letter refers to the same occasion.376ABSTRACT138.1Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and Sir Thomas Howes, Parson of Blofeld1459APRIL 13As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’Castre, 13th April 37 Hen.VI.(Signature not Fastolf’s own.)138.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 254.]377MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON138.2Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston, in hast.1459APRIL 29Rytheworchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow. Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther wer browt unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on of hem was indosyd to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve orsexe odyr gentylmen; and anodyr was sent onto yowr sone, and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and asynyd wythinne wyth the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe that wer sent, as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer sent onto odyr gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was, that they sshuwlde be wyth the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day of May, wyth as many personys defensebylly arayid as they myte acordyng to her degre, and that they schwld bryng wyth hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the lettyr that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt. Hastynggs is forthe into Yorke schyr.I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye wyl that yor sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that ben yowr wel wyllerys, that ye may no lesse do than to send hym forthe. As for hys demenyng, swn ye departyd, in god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and delygent inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at hom. I hope he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyrward. He desyryd Alblaster to bemene139.1to yow for hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to yow, as I sent yow word also be Alblaster, how I dede to hym aftyr that ye wer go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher [worthier ?] heraftyr.As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr schal do howr part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for mony it comyth bwt slowly. And God have yow in hys kepyng, and sen yow good sped in alle yowr matteris.Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the Assencyon Day.Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [hear] swmme gode tydynggys fro yow.Be yorys,M. P.138.2[From Fenn, i. 174.] The only years during the married life of John and Margaret Paston (except when their eldest son was a mere child), in which the Sunday preceding Ascension Day fell some time before the 10th of May, were 1456 and 1459. In the former year the King could not either have been or have intended to be at Leicester on the 10th of May. In 1459 the Privy Seals show that he was at Northampton on the 14th, 18th, and 19th of May, and it is quite possible he may have been at Leicester on the 10th. In 1464 EdwardIV.was at Leicester in May, and the Sunday before Ascension Day was the 6th of May; but it is not probable this letter was written in that year, for two reasons. In the first place, Margaret Paston could hardly have hoped for an answer from her husband—who may be presumed to have been in London—in time to have sent his son to be at Leicester on the 10th; secondly, Letter 375, which is evidently of the same year as this, would probably have been signed ‘John Paston, K.’ (i.e.Knight).139.1To be mean,i.e.to be a mediator. Fenn has not apprehended the phrase, which he has modernised ‘to bemoan.’378OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON140.1A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier.1459(?)MAY 25TreshonnoureSire, je me recommande a vous tant que je puis, et vous prie qu’il vous plaise me recommander a ma maistresse vostre noble espouse et a tous voz enffans, et que ne soit point mis en oubly mon petit homme d’armes. Et oultre vous plaise me recommander a mon Maistre Yelverton et mon Maistre Caulthorpe, et a touz mes autres maistres et amis de pardela ou sera vostre bon plaisir. Et vous mercie des grans plaisirs et amitiez que avez faitz et monstrez a moy et aux miens, lesquelz Dieu me doint deservir. Treshonnoures Sire, plaise vous savoir que mon frere Jehan a Bernay ma escript dune matere dont me touchastes, moy estant parde la, a laquelle vostre desir vouldroit l’onneur des deux pars, et de laquelle matere le porteur de cestes vous informera, et des nouvelles de pardeca s’il vient a voz bons plaisirs. Et vouldroye bien que vous et mon dit frere Jehan a Bernay voulsissez communiquer avecques la personne aqui la matere touche, et que je peusse savoir son entente, affin dy otemperer, car je luy vouldroye faire plaisir et service; car je y suis tenu, et la chose sera en partie reglee par vous et par mondit frere, mais je veil estre le tiers, et une autre personne sera le quart. Treschere et treshonnoure Sire, je vous recommande tout mon fait de pardela, et sy faiz je la petite Marie, pour laquelle je vous mercie, et especiallement ma damoiselle vostre fame et noble espouse, et me desplaist de la grant paine et charge que avez pour elle; mas Dieu me doint grace que je le puisse aquicter.Priant nostre Seigneur qui soit garde de vous, et vous doint bonne vie et longue, et joyeulx acomplissement de touz voz desirs.Escript a Calais, le xxvmejour de May.Le tout votre serviteur,Osberne Mundeford.140.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was put to death at Calais on the 25th June 1460, having been taken at Sandwich when about to go thither in aid of the Duke of Somerset against the Earl of Warwick. The date cannot be in that year, and how much earlier it may be is quite uncertain, unless we suppose ‘mon petit homme d’armes’ to be Paston’s eldest son, who, as we have seen, was summoned to perform military service in 1459.379WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON141.1To myn ryght worshypfull[m]ayster, John Paston, at London, atte the Temple.1459JUNE 24Pleaseyoure maystership that as to morwen a neweinquirendumshal be taken at Wycham Markette for the parsonage of Rendelesham for one Mayster John Clerke, a chapeleyn of the Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas141.2shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an hors, and also hit was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there; and, as Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one hadde bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn self. But he seyth and [i.e.if] ye wold speke to myn Lord Norwych, and enforme hym of the trought of the mater, he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the ryght of the patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald amelius inquirendum. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John Bulman all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit please yow to comon with hym, ye shall understande all the mater by hym how myn Lord is disposed. And [if] Mayster Robert Eppeswell is now at London, hit were shame that they shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip Wentworth groundeth nothis presentacion by the patent, but by the endenture a twyxt the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe as ever he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that ye have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c., myn mayster is weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken strangely, &c. Almyghty Jesu preserve yow, myn worshipfull mayster, to youre desyre after his pleser and youre trewe entent.Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the clokke at even.Youre owen man,W. Barker,Per mandat’ T. H.141.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] It appears by the Bishops’ Registers at Norwich that John Clerk was instituted to the living of Rendlesham on the 20th June 1459 on the King’s presentation. This letter must have been written four days later in ignorance of the fact. Clerk’s predecessor was John Sybton, administration of whose goods was granted on the 19th May 1450.141.2Sir Thomas Howes.380ABSTRACT142.1Sir John Fastolf to John Paston1459JULY 3‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St. Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his intent, and given them full power to appoint with them.(Signature not his own.)Castre, 3 July 37 Hen.VI.Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.142.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.][FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]closing ] missing381JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.1To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, my Lord Beaumont.Between 1454 and 1459Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c.John, Lord Lovell.143.1[From Fenn, i. 128.] The writer of this succeeded to the barony of Lovel in 1454, and married Jane, the daughter of John, first Viscount Beaumont, the person addressed. As Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton on the 10th July 1460, this letter cannot be later than 1459, but may be some years earlier.382ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.2To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, the Viscount Beaumont.1444-1460Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me toyou with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his ewry,144.1have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.Writen at Framlynham, the viijthday of Marche.Elianore, the Duchess of Norfolk.143.2[From Fenn, i. 194.] Here we have another letter, of uncertain date, addressed to the same person as the last. The year when it was written is quite immaterial, but must have been between 1444, when John Mowbray, the writer’s husband, was confirmed in the dignity of Duke of Norfolk (which had belonged to his grandfather in the time of RichardII.), and 1460, when Viscount Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton.144.1An officer who had charge of the table linen, etc.383FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON144.2To my Mayster, Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presentid.Jesu mercy.1459Rytereverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly, comyth to Castre, and Zelverton144.3with zow, and ze think it to be done; and sendyth home zowr men and hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c. And by grace of God and zour polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude more effectually in gret matyers of substans, to my maysterys144.4and zour worschip and profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward, and isryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [weakened] and feblyd, &c. And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made at London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and a crafty man, schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for the inmorteysing of Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he promittyd up [promised upon] a certeyn mony, &c., and undirtoke it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys in the matere, &c. And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do hise part, &c. And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet, &c., or elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri, &c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze come.Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be myn trewthe, and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaundement, in zour letter haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to my mayster, &c. Every day this v. dayes he seyth, ‘God send me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I holde hym a feythful man, and ever on man.’ Cui ego, ‘That is soth,’ &c. Et ille, ‘Schew me not the mete, schew me the man.’ Hæc verba replicat sæpius cum magno stomacho, &c. Colinus Gallicus dicit in Jernemuta et aliis locis se esse executorem, &c. Dixit etiam heri coram pluribus, si semel fuerit London’ nunquam vult videre Norfolchiam, &c. Dicit etiam, ubi executores credunt se habituros claves, &c., post mortem alii habebunt claves, ita bene sicut illi, &c. Falsissimus est, et ego bene dixi in partem suam inter ipsum et me, &c. Propter Deum, faciatis Spirlyng venire juxta promissum in f’cū [factum ?], &c. Gallicus ipse maxime odit rectorem et vellet supplantare eum, &c. Item, valde desiderat suum, quietus est quia absit, &c.Henricus Todyham continue aspirat post mortem magistri cum mille habeat oculos nocendi, &c., si quorum duos deperderit, nullus cæteros timeret, &c.144.2[From Fenn, iii. 342.] No signature appears to be attached to this letter as Fenn has printed it, but the style is unmistakably that of Brackley, to whom he attributes it. The original was endorsed in an ancient hand, according to Fenn, ‘Littera fratris Doctoris Brackley per quam patet Jo. Fastolf valde desiderasse presentiam consanguinei sui Jo. Paston.’ The date seems to be shortly before Sir John Fastolf’s death, which happened on the 5th November 1459.144.3William Yelverton.144.4Sir John Fastolf.384WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON146.1To my worshipful and right gode mayster, John Paston, Squyer.1459(?)AUG. [22]Wurshipfulsire, and my right gode mayster, I recomaunde me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour gode maystership that ze liked to sende my mayster zour sone to Sporle with suych felaship as ze dede, for which I am ever bounde to doo zou service, prayeng zou of zour gode contenuaunce.Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek with an axez [ague], and truly that caused me that I and my felaship taryed; and so be cause theroffe I caused my lady to wryte a specyall lettre to my Lord Scales. But for al that Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of Suffolkys name. And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was, that I wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo was right sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and my lordes and my ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon further. But if I had been heil and not seek, there shuld have kome a wurshipful felaship out of Suffolk of so litel warnyng; but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the axcez bothe Sunday and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so kyndely zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felashipredy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng Blake, and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze have warnyng. And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle tymys, as ze shewe me gret cause to doo zou service. Wreten at Thelton,147.1the Wednysday next before Seynt Bertilmew Day in haste.Your servaunt,William Jenney.146.1[From Fenn, iv. 38.] This letter is referred by Fenn to the beginning of EdwardIV.’s reign, but on a careful examination I think it must be earlier, as William Jenney’s proceedings, even in the first year of EdwardIV., were by no means friendly to John Paston. The Lord Scales here mentioned must therefore be the Lord Scales of HenryVI.’s time, who was murdered in July 1460, and the letter, having been written in August, cannot be later than 1459. In that year, as will be seen by Letter 377, John Paston’s eldest son had already begun active life, and I am inclined to think that it is the precise year in which the present letter was written. John Paston, the second, was at that time not more than nineteen years of age, and we hear nothing of his doings earlier. The manor of Sporle was inherited by John Paston, senior, from his father the judge.147.1Thelveton, near Diss, in Norfolk.The sections headed First Draft and Second Draft were printed in facing columns. Asterisks and brackets are in the original, as explained in the first Footnote. Missing or misplaced brackets have been left as printed. All sections originally labeledSecond Draftare shown on a shaded background.385WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF147.21459NOV. 3In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre,147.3I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra  .  .  .  and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come, there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and tyme of deth—Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo  .  .  .  for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas  .  .  .  .  .  my modir, and the soule of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the soulez of othyr of myn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  kynsefolke and speciall frendes here undir wretyn,—I ordeyn and  .  .  .  .  .  this my last will in fourme and maner folwyng:—[Second Draft.][First Draft.]Firste, Forasmyche as for the welfare of my soule and of the soules forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpeof the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme comyng withinne the gret mancion be me late edified and motid in Castre forseid, I have of long tyme been in purpose to stablishe and founde a collage withinne the seyd gret mancion, and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd and thought behoffefull for the seyd cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd mancion with the collagyens of the seyd collage: Therfor, and for the senguler love and trust that I have to my seyd cosyn John Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray beleve that he will execute my will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he and I have covinauntyd and been accordyd that he shall, with inne resonable tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or do founde  .  .  .  .  and indewe withinne the seid mancion a collage of vij. religeous monkys or pristes, to preye for the soules above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche one to be cheif governour of hem, and he to have xli., and iche othyr prist or monk [of the said co]llage x. marks yeerly for here sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid in mony, and that the seyd collagyens shull be soo indewyd that be syde here seyd pencions for here propir levynge to be grauntyd hem, they  .  .  .  .  .  inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd mancion of Castre to preye for the soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of whiche pore folk iche of hem to have xls.a yeer or th  .  .  .  .  ere levynge, fynding, and sustentacion; and that the seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and to the seyd pore folke a suffecient summe, and a competent and an esy dwellynge place  .  .  .  .  .  seid collagyens nor here successorys beryng noreparacion there of, for whiche and for othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston shall have in fee symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the manerez, londes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in whiche the seyd John Paston or ony othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in or have title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes, and  .  .  .  er astat of the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes to suche personys, and at suche tymes and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or ony of hem. And the seyd John Paston  .  .  .  .  .  seyd collage shal bere and paye to my behoff, towardes the paymentys of my dettes and othir thynges, be my present will assygnid to be do, mlmlmlml.[4000] mark, in suche fourme and at suche tyme as in this my present will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  here aftir folwyng:—* [Fyrst, I will and ordeyne that, if it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges,for the longe contynwyd servise be me in the daye of strengthe and helthe of my body, to hym and to the noble Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise noble uncles John Duke of Bedford, Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng Lord and hise noble progenitorys forseid, in Fraunce and Normandy as in cuntreez and othyr placis, consederynge my many gret labourys, peynis, and perilis in the seyd servise of oure sovereyn Lord and hise noble progenitoris forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous grace withoutyn ony other  .  .  .  .  .  of myn executores namyd in my testament, or ellys for a resonable sume of [money] whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr meane, so as myn executores therein shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn Lord and hise counsell, or with hise heire Kynges and here councell, to lycence and graunte to them that be feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn executores, to ordeyne, founde, and stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or dwelynge place late be me newe edified and motid in the town of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Norffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place I was born in, a collage of a prioury of vj. religeous personis, monks of the ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise and graunte to the seyd priour and vj. religeous personis, or to here successorys, the forseyd mancion or dwellynge place, with all the appurtenauncez and othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, for the sustentacionof the seyd priour and vj. religeous personys and here successorys, and for here othyr chargys and reparacionis, and for vij. pore men in the seyd collage in perpetuite, be the avise and discrecion of myn executores forseid, to be foundyd and susteynid; and that thanne the forseyd feffees or her assignees if they  .  .  .  .  grauntes of othyr havyng entresse in this be halve requisit lawefully shul make, founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule, and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], .  .  .  .  sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres  .  .  .  .  rentes, servisez, with here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis  .  .  .  .  .  lithe next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore seyd.] ** [Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte ofoure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of ony othyr  .  .  .  .  entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove to  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent  .  .  .  .  .  seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony persone or personis been feffid in, or have astat or possession, or be in titlid to myn use be the lawe, except the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in the shirez of Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article next presedent specified, shull be sold be the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John and Thomas, and noon othir while they leve, shall have the sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of all my londes forseyd, except before except, and execucion of this my last will and of every article there in; and I will that the seid John and Thomas shall have all the profitez and avaylez and emolwements of the seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with all othir comoditeez thereof comyng, til be them they be sold, and the mony of the profites and salis thereof comynge, be them to be disposed for the welfare of my souleand of the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and in cas this my will be not executyd in theyre [liv]es, that thanne the execucion be thereof doon be othyr myn executores that aftyr hem too shal have the mynistracion of my goodes.* [It]em, I will and ordeyne that all and singuler lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in whiche ony persone or personys are feffid in or have astat and possession to myn use, in whiche sum ever counteez or townez the said lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez bein withinne the ream of Englond; and that all the forseyd and senguler lordshepys, manerez, tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony person or personys been intitlyd to myn use be the lawe, shull be sold be my seyd executoris, except manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage, if the fundacion thereof take effecte: And that the mony of the sale or salys comynge be disposed be my seyd executores in executyng of thys my last wyll and testament, and in othyr dedes of almesse as my seyd executores be here discrecion shal seme best to plese God for the helthe of my soule and for the soulys forseyd: And that happe the fundacion of the seyd collageto take to noon effecte, nor the seyd collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.] ** [Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l  .  .  .  .  .  londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to tyme  .  .  .  .  .  and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion  .  .  .  .  .  .  shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the plesure of God.] *Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes pretende  .  .  .  .  .  .  at this day to be next heneritere [inheritor] to me aftyr my deseas, where  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  knowe that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys  .  .  .  .  .  .  have to myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey  .  .  .  me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be onymanner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd], or the more part of them152.1and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd]152.2executors.Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd to  .  .  [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes152.3of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd],152.4aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, withplaceboandderigeand messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd]152.4that londes or teneme[ntes]  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xxs., and that to be inmorteis  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  swyr to the seyd prioury orparishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere  .  .  .  .  .  and chargys of the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of myn executores be fore namyd.153.1Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my goodes  .  .  .  .  .  havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and of  .  .  .  .  .  Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here  .  .  .  .  .  othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid to be sold,153.2and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion, fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for a  .  .  .  .  .  .  is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor debarre of the tayle.153.3Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note thederigeand messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.* and that oon of the monkis or pristes in the collage be me ordeynid in the mancion of Castre forseid shall synge specialy in perpetuite for the soule of my modir and all here auncestryez, and good dooerys.Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary may be yeerly inperpetuite kept withplaceboandderigeand messe of requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attilburgh,* [and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn executorys.] *Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule recomendid amonges  .  .  .  .  .  with an annversary to be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem withplaceboand [derigeand] messe of requyem be note.154.1* be the avise of myn executores before namydItem, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that myn [executores and]154.2feffeez* porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full entre doon  .  .  .  .  .  my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xxli.Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in the  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a figure  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.Item, that myn executores before namyd helpe that the maner of Cowlynge be disposed and guydid aftyr the will of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my executoris thynke it be to doo.* [Item, I will that a provecion be made for swerte of the maner of Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to the last wyll of Dame Marget Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner I stond enfeffed in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry Braunche, my neweu, here son  .  .  .  .  seyd maner, provided that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.] *Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes accordyng to the trouthe and concience.* [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.] *Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez  .  .  .  .  .  many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and  .  .  .  .  .  officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys,dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys nor sygnet thanne* I have usyd this ij. yeer day last passed.* [with this same seal of armys and sygnet  .  .  . .  .  .  .  .  .  this my present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre  .  .  .  .  .  .  all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my  .  .  .  or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn ex[ecutores].Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othir that I have put in remembraunce be this my will to be preyed fore that suche as shalbe bounden to preye for me, and be rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe chargid be myn executoris be fore namyd to preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye foreor doo preye fore, and for hem that I have hadde ony goodes of.* [Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the discharge of my concience, be put in remembraunce of preyeris for the [good] affeccion I hadde on to them that I desyre shuld be preyed fore, is the soule of that blyssyd prynce, Thomas Bedford,156.1late Duke of Excestre, the soulys of the Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, my brothyr-in-lawe, andDame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and William Gunnour.] ** full wyll and assentynge of the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or condecion that he be of, withoute the * [knowynge, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.] ** the very will and assentyng of the seyd Paston and Howys, and that noon othyr attempte there in nor in noon othir cause in this my will to doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I require hem in Goddes be halve.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge that none of myn executorys, be him self, nor be noon othyr, in ony maner or condecion cautelous, colour  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall sell, nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo alyen, withdrawe, or do be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes, jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr utensylez, to my persone or houshold perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of myne, mevable or on mevablys, quyk or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute * [the knowyng, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem; and if it be soo that ony of myn executores attempte maleciously the contrary in effecte, he fallith in the centense of excommunicacion, doyng the contrary to my last will.] ** except before except, be me grauntid to the seyd John Paston or hese assygnes.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge that all my feffeez feffyd of trust on to myn use of and in all mymanerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, and rentes, and servisez, and profitez, be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd * [in all maner of counteez, citeez, or burghes or townes with in the ream of Eng[lond]  .  .  .  .  .  ] * they that have astat, pocession, or tythe to myn use, with all the goodly haste,  .  .  .  .  and withoute delay aftyr they be requyred be myn* before namyd.executores* aftyr my deseas, that they shall feffyn and make lawefull astat in fee symple * [of and in all maner lordshipys, londes, tenementes, meswages, rentes, servisez, and profitez forseyd, or of every parcell of the same] * to that persone or personys to whom or to whiche* the seid John Paston and Thomas Howys.* [my seid executores in accomplisment of my last will, the said maneres, lordshepys, londes, tenementes, mecis, rentes, and servisez,* except before except.or ony parcell of the same,* shall sell, or doo sell aftyr the declaracion of* to dispose.this my last will * for the helthe* and for the soulis above seyd.of my soule, * [Dame Milcent, my wif, with all my progenitorys, cosynes, and benefactorys, and all my frendes.] ** [Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of God I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in effecte to accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement and of mynistracion of my last will, all the articlis there in conteynid they shall ransakyn besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here remembraunce, that both in will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shal not omyttyn for to complishe the seyd articles in  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Seynt Poule the Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  God Almighty shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion158.1.  .  .  .  .  .  this article to otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in hurtynge of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.] ** [Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the grace of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the verteuous devocion of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn owyn will, it happe ony good werkes and profitable to the helthe of my soule necessarye or avayleable to come be favour or swetnesse in to my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo wryte suche thyngs worthy to be remembryd in ony codicill or codicilles for tobe conyoinid to my testament or to my last will, thanne I will and preye with gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or articlys be me expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or codicillys that they may have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn in the code of my testement and my last will.] ** Item, I wyll and ordeyne that John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk, geve and dispose.* [Item, I will, I ordeyne, and I hertely desyre, sethe that every mortall creature is soget to the lymitez or merkys of mutabelyte and chaungeableness, and mannys levynge in frelte and condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on the behalve of Almyghty God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte, beseche, and preye all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst, and in the vertwe of the aspercion of Hise holy blood, shed out graciously for the savacion of all man kende, that for the more hasty delyveraunce of my soule from the peynefull flawmes of the fyre of Purgatory, on suche maner and wise they dele and departe my goodes feithfully be here discrecion and prudence and polytik,] * the yeer of my buryeng, in exspence of myn entyrement and othyr almesse, the same yeer, and dedys of pyete (?) for the holsum estat of my soule amonges pore peple and nedy to [be p]artyd and distributid plenteuously and hastely,* .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the salis of my londes and my goodes be my will  .  .  sygnid to be sold, be fully disposid for the well of my soule in almessefull dedes [and] charitable werkes with all goodly possibelite.the sum of mllmarke * [.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  the space of v. or vij. yeer immediatly folwyng by yeer Dxxxiijli.vjs.viijd.in almessefull deds and charitable wirkys, with all goodly possibelyte that they shall soo dispose my goodes in effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in peynefull angwyshis, with holy Job, be not compellyd to sey with gret lementacion and mornyng, Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, namely yee that my frendes shuld bee, for the hande of Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously touchyd me. These be the articlys, xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the intent and purpose of my last will be the handes of myn executores, whiche I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and beseche hem enterly feithefully to execute, as they will have helpe of God and of hise holy Gospell. And soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice,and concience to doo for me as they wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas lyche. In tokene and witnesse whereof, to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, above160.1.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .] *[The following new clause at the end.]Item, I will and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston, for the payment of iiij. mll.marke forseid, shal bere and paye to the seyd Thomas Howys, clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them have the mynistracion of my my goodes, the seid sum [of] viijc.marke iche othyr yeer of the forseyd yeerrys in whichethat sum is ordeynid to be distributid til he  .  .  .  .  . be tho paymentes born and payd the seyd sum of iiijmlmarkes, and that soo paid to be disposed be the seyd [John Pa]ston and Thomas Howys, or be hem that shal aftyr them have the mynistracion of my goods in executyng [my] will in awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo that my mevable goodes be mean of that  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall the lenger indure in dedis of almesse.

133.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]133.2A.D.1457.Dampna Cli.’close quote missing or invisible372BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON133.3To my Maister Paston.1458Sir, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place, hyt fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked to gedre, and called me by my name, and both asked how my maister133.4fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to see astate taked yn Lyncoln place by hym boght of Markham. In the meene tyme the seyd Wymondham sent hys man to speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of Sir Thomas133.5how hewille help labour to an ende, and had spoke with Heydon yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell amerciementes by their labour, and the [they ?] not beneficed, shewed to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause, &c. After my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd that he desyred Sir Thomas to be gode meene to my maister to hafe affeccion to the chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my maister had before the maryage be laboured [i.e.if my master had been applied to before the marriage], hyt had [been] moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because hys fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold hafe affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that Thomas134.1was with hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it please my maister to sende for hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of Sir Thomas undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better, whych to my power wold help make it knowen to Lordes and all othyrs of the cruell amerciementes, the cruell juge to be knowen as he ys, for I am of hys contrey, and know hys rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At ix. at clok to hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille (?).Your,H. R.133.3[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 249.] This letter clearly relates to the subject of the preceding No.133.4Sir John Fastolf.133.5Howes.134.1Apparently Thomas Fastolf.373ABSTRACT134.2Roll of the Personal and other Expenses of John Pastonin the 36th and 37th years of Henry VI.For dress and cloth, various.‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17s.7d.‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19s.1d.‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101s.‘Item, eisdem et sosiis (sic) suis in regard’,’ 4s.2d.‘Item, eisdem apud London,’ etc.‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxvto.’ 13s.4d.‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26s.8d.‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’—‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod JohannesPaston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2s.1d.‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’ 3s.8d.‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’ apud Forncet,’ 3s.1d.‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’ 18d.To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3s.4d.Glazing Chapel at Mauteby, 10s.‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana Matthiæ,’ 3s.8d.Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks, 10s.‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5s.4d.‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’ 18d.‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8d.In Easter and Trinity terms.—Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’10s.For wine and spice with Fortescu and Wentworth, 23d.Hilary term.—Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40s.‘Item, exequiæ Edmundi Paston,’ 2s.4d.To divers poor people of Norwich for relief of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7s.134.2[From Add. Charter 17,246, B.M.]‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s.“s.” printed in roman (non-Italic) type374ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES PASTON135.1To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston.1459JAN. 3Rightworshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder, in the most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your welfare and prosperite, the which I pray God to contynw and encresce to your herts desyre. And yf it lyked your gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of this lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as for my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust to Jesu non shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besyas he can to make me sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde in a bonde of mlli.to you mother, and to my brother John, and to my brother William, and to Edmund Clere,136.1the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as our most synguler trost is yn your gode moderhode, that my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc at the begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that was oon of my best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym in CCli., of which he reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme Cxxli., and yf he fayle therof at this tyme, he wille clayme the hool of us, the which were to us to grete an hurt; and he con not make an ende with noon of hys other suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and in all other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool,136.2with whom I sojerned, that ye wul be my tendr and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage, and to Christofre Houson, as ye wrote unto my brother John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese your gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And Jesu for his grete mercy save yow.Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of Janyver.By your humble doughter,Elyzabeth Ponynggs.135.1[From Fenn, iii. 328.] The writer of this letter is Agnes Paston’s daughter Elizabeth, for whose marriage, as we have seen, there had been a good deal of negotiating in past years (seeNos. 93, 94, 236, 250, 252), and who has now become the wife of Robert Poynings. As the 3rd of January, the day on which this letter is dated, was a Wednesday, the year must be 1459. The 3rd of January did not fall on a Wednesday again till 1470, by which time Elizabeth Paston was no longer the wife of Robert Poynings, but his widow, for he was killed at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.Final sentence changed by editor in Errata; see also note 154.3 in Volume II. Original text:. . . by which time Elizabeth Paston and Robert Poynings must have been married several years, as will be seen by No. 126 preceding (vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3).136.1Edmund Clere was the second son of John Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and died in 1463.136.2Seep. 123.375JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS FATHER137.1To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston, Esquyer, be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse.1459MARCH 5Ryghtworschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I comaund me to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowr faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and hevynesse that it hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of thys contre, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner have noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng under thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesur, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner ease of yowr tenantys whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng. Wherfor I besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo that schal please yow to the uttermest of my power and labor; and if ther be any servyce that I may do if it please yow to comaund me, or if y maye understonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer any thyng that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng.Wretyn the v. day of Marche.By your older sone,John Paston.137.1[From Fenn, iii. 336.] By Letter 377 following, it will be seen that the writer of this letter had given displeasure to his father in the early part of the year 1459. There can be no doubt that this letter refers to the same occasion.376ABSTRACT138.1Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and Sir Thomas Howes, Parson of Blofeld1459APRIL 13As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’Castre, 13th April 37 Hen.VI.(Signature not Fastolf’s own.)138.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 254.]377MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON138.2Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston, in hast.1459APRIL 29Rytheworchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow. Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther wer browt unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on of hem was indosyd to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve orsexe odyr gentylmen; and anodyr was sent onto yowr sone, and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and asynyd wythinne wyth the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe that wer sent, as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer sent onto odyr gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was, that they sshuwlde be wyth the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day of May, wyth as many personys defensebylly arayid as they myte acordyng to her degre, and that they schwld bryng wyth hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the lettyr that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt. Hastynggs is forthe into Yorke schyr.I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye wyl that yor sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that ben yowr wel wyllerys, that ye may no lesse do than to send hym forthe. As for hys demenyng, swn ye departyd, in god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and delygent inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at hom. I hope he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyrward. He desyryd Alblaster to bemene139.1to yow for hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to yow, as I sent yow word also be Alblaster, how I dede to hym aftyr that ye wer go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher [worthier ?] heraftyr.As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr schal do howr part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for mony it comyth bwt slowly. And God have yow in hys kepyng, and sen yow good sped in alle yowr matteris.Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the Assencyon Day.Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [hear] swmme gode tydynggys fro yow.Be yorys,M. P.138.2[From Fenn, i. 174.] The only years during the married life of John and Margaret Paston (except when their eldest son was a mere child), in which the Sunday preceding Ascension Day fell some time before the 10th of May, were 1456 and 1459. In the former year the King could not either have been or have intended to be at Leicester on the 10th of May. In 1459 the Privy Seals show that he was at Northampton on the 14th, 18th, and 19th of May, and it is quite possible he may have been at Leicester on the 10th. In 1464 EdwardIV.was at Leicester in May, and the Sunday before Ascension Day was the 6th of May; but it is not probable this letter was written in that year, for two reasons. In the first place, Margaret Paston could hardly have hoped for an answer from her husband—who may be presumed to have been in London—in time to have sent his son to be at Leicester on the 10th; secondly, Letter 375, which is evidently of the same year as this, would probably have been signed ‘John Paston, K.’ (i.e.Knight).139.1To be mean,i.e.to be a mediator. Fenn has not apprehended the phrase, which he has modernised ‘to bemoan.’378OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON140.1A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier.1459(?)MAY 25TreshonnoureSire, je me recommande a vous tant que je puis, et vous prie qu’il vous plaise me recommander a ma maistresse vostre noble espouse et a tous voz enffans, et que ne soit point mis en oubly mon petit homme d’armes. Et oultre vous plaise me recommander a mon Maistre Yelverton et mon Maistre Caulthorpe, et a touz mes autres maistres et amis de pardela ou sera vostre bon plaisir. Et vous mercie des grans plaisirs et amitiez que avez faitz et monstrez a moy et aux miens, lesquelz Dieu me doint deservir. Treshonnoures Sire, plaise vous savoir que mon frere Jehan a Bernay ma escript dune matere dont me touchastes, moy estant parde la, a laquelle vostre desir vouldroit l’onneur des deux pars, et de laquelle matere le porteur de cestes vous informera, et des nouvelles de pardeca s’il vient a voz bons plaisirs. Et vouldroye bien que vous et mon dit frere Jehan a Bernay voulsissez communiquer avecques la personne aqui la matere touche, et que je peusse savoir son entente, affin dy otemperer, car je luy vouldroye faire plaisir et service; car je y suis tenu, et la chose sera en partie reglee par vous et par mondit frere, mais je veil estre le tiers, et une autre personne sera le quart. Treschere et treshonnoure Sire, je vous recommande tout mon fait de pardela, et sy faiz je la petite Marie, pour laquelle je vous mercie, et especiallement ma damoiselle vostre fame et noble espouse, et me desplaist de la grant paine et charge que avez pour elle; mas Dieu me doint grace que je le puisse aquicter.Priant nostre Seigneur qui soit garde de vous, et vous doint bonne vie et longue, et joyeulx acomplissement de touz voz desirs.Escript a Calais, le xxvmejour de May.Le tout votre serviteur,Osberne Mundeford.140.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was put to death at Calais on the 25th June 1460, having been taken at Sandwich when about to go thither in aid of the Duke of Somerset against the Earl of Warwick. The date cannot be in that year, and how much earlier it may be is quite uncertain, unless we suppose ‘mon petit homme d’armes’ to be Paston’s eldest son, who, as we have seen, was summoned to perform military service in 1459.379WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON141.1To myn ryght worshypfull[m]ayster, John Paston, at London, atte the Temple.1459JUNE 24Pleaseyoure maystership that as to morwen a neweinquirendumshal be taken at Wycham Markette for the parsonage of Rendelesham for one Mayster John Clerke, a chapeleyn of the Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas141.2shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an hors, and also hit was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there; and, as Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one hadde bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn self. But he seyth and [i.e.if] ye wold speke to myn Lord Norwych, and enforme hym of the trought of the mater, he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the ryght of the patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald amelius inquirendum. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John Bulman all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit please yow to comon with hym, ye shall understande all the mater by hym how myn Lord is disposed. And [if] Mayster Robert Eppeswell is now at London, hit were shame that they shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip Wentworth groundeth nothis presentacion by the patent, but by the endenture a twyxt the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe as ever he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that ye have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c., myn mayster is weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken strangely, &c. Almyghty Jesu preserve yow, myn worshipfull mayster, to youre desyre after his pleser and youre trewe entent.Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the clokke at even.Youre owen man,W. Barker,Per mandat’ T. H.141.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] It appears by the Bishops’ Registers at Norwich that John Clerk was instituted to the living of Rendlesham on the 20th June 1459 on the King’s presentation. This letter must have been written four days later in ignorance of the fact. Clerk’s predecessor was John Sybton, administration of whose goods was granted on the 19th May 1450.141.2Sir Thomas Howes.380ABSTRACT142.1Sir John Fastolf to John Paston1459JULY 3‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St. Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his intent, and given them full power to appoint with them.(Signature not his own.)Castre, 3 July 37 Hen.VI.Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.142.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.][FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]closing ] missing381JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.1To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, my Lord Beaumont.Between 1454 and 1459Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c.John, Lord Lovell.143.1[From Fenn, i. 128.] The writer of this succeeded to the barony of Lovel in 1454, and married Jane, the daughter of John, first Viscount Beaumont, the person addressed. As Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton on the 10th July 1460, this letter cannot be later than 1459, but may be some years earlier.382ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT143.2To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, the Viscount Beaumont.1444-1460Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me toyou with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his ewry,144.1have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.Writen at Framlynham, the viijthday of Marche.Elianore, the Duchess of Norfolk.143.2[From Fenn, i. 194.] Here we have another letter, of uncertain date, addressed to the same person as the last. The year when it was written is quite immaterial, but must have been between 1444, when John Mowbray, the writer’s husband, was confirmed in the dignity of Duke of Norfolk (which had belonged to his grandfather in the time of RichardII.), and 1460, when Viscount Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton.144.1An officer who had charge of the table linen, etc.383FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON144.2To my Mayster, Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presentid.Jesu mercy.1459Rytereverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly, comyth to Castre, and Zelverton144.3with zow, and ze think it to be done; and sendyth home zowr men and hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c. And by grace of God and zour polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude more effectually in gret matyers of substans, to my maysterys144.4and zour worschip and profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward, and isryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [weakened] and feblyd, &c. And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made at London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and a crafty man, schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for the inmorteysing of Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he promittyd up [promised upon] a certeyn mony, &c., and undirtoke it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys in the matere, &c. And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do hise part, &c. And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet, &c., or elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri, &c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze come.Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be myn trewthe, and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaundement, in zour letter haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to my mayster, &c. Every day this v. dayes he seyth, ‘God send me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I holde hym a feythful man, and ever on man.’ Cui ego, ‘That is soth,’ &c. Et ille, ‘Schew me not the mete, schew me the man.’ Hæc verba replicat sæpius cum magno stomacho, &c. Colinus Gallicus dicit in Jernemuta et aliis locis se esse executorem, &c. Dixit etiam heri coram pluribus, si semel fuerit London’ nunquam vult videre Norfolchiam, &c. Dicit etiam, ubi executores credunt se habituros claves, &c., post mortem alii habebunt claves, ita bene sicut illi, &c. Falsissimus est, et ego bene dixi in partem suam inter ipsum et me, &c. Propter Deum, faciatis Spirlyng venire juxta promissum in f’cū [factum ?], &c. Gallicus ipse maxime odit rectorem et vellet supplantare eum, &c. Item, valde desiderat suum, quietus est quia absit, &c.Henricus Todyham continue aspirat post mortem magistri cum mille habeat oculos nocendi, &c., si quorum duos deperderit, nullus cæteros timeret, &c.144.2[From Fenn, iii. 342.] No signature appears to be attached to this letter as Fenn has printed it, but the style is unmistakably that of Brackley, to whom he attributes it. The original was endorsed in an ancient hand, according to Fenn, ‘Littera fratris Doctoris Brackley per quam patet Jo. Fastolf valde desiderasse presentiam consanguinei sui Jo. Paston.’ The date seems to be shortly before Sir John Fastolf’s death, which happened on the 5th November 1459.144.3William Yelverton.144.4Sir John Fastolf.384WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON146.1To my worshipful and right gode mayster, John Paston, Squyer.1459(?)AUG. [22]Wurshipfulsire, and my right gode mayster, I recomaunde me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour gode maystership that ze liked to sende my mayster zour sone to Sporle with suych felaship as ze dede, for which I am ever bounde to doo zou service, prayeng zou of zour gode contenuaunce.Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek with an axez [ague], and truly that caused me that I and my felaship taryed; and so be cause theroffe I caused my lady to wryte a specyall lettre to my Lord Scales. But for al that Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of Suffolkys name. And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was, that I wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo was right sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and my lordes and my ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon further. But if I had been heil and not seek, there shuld have kome a wurshipful felaship out of Suffolk of so litel warnyng; but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the axcez bothe Sunday and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so kyndely zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felashipredy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng Blake, and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze have warnyng. And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle tymys, as ze shewe me gret cause to doo zou service. Wreten at Thelton,147.1the Wednysday next before Seynt Bertilmew Day in haste.Your servaunt,William Jenney.146.1[From Fenn, iv. 38.] This letter is referred by Fenn to the beginning of EdwardIV.’s reign, but on a careful examination I think it must be earlier, as William Jenney’s proceedings, even in the first year of EdwardIV., were by no means friendly to John Paston. The Lord Scales here mentioned must therefore be the Lord Scales of HenryVI.’s time, who was murdered in July 1460, and the letter, having been written in August, cannot be later than 1459. In that year, as will be seen by Letter 377, John Paston’s eldest son had already begun active life, and I am inclined to think that it is the precise year in which the present letter was written. John Paston, the second, was at that time not more than nineteen years of age, and we hear nothing of his doings earlier. The manor of Sporle was inherited by John Paston, senior, from his father the judge.147.1Thelveton, near Diss, in Norfolk.The sections headed First Draft and Second Draft were printed in facing columns. Asterisks and brackets are in the original, as explained in the first Footnote. Missing or misplaced brackets have been left as printed. All sections originally labeledSecond Draftare shown on a shaded background.385WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF147.21459NOV. 3In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre,147.3I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra  .  .  .  and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come, there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and tyme of deth—Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo  .  .  .  for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas  .  .  .  .  .  my modir, and the soule of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the soulez of othyr of myn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  kynsefolke and speciall frendes here undir wretyn,—I ordeyn and  .  .  .  .  .  this my last will in fourme and maner folwyng:—[Second Draft.][First Draft.]Firste, Forasmyche as for the welfare of my soule and of the soules forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpeof the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme comyng withinne the gret mancion be me late edified and motid in Castre forseid, I have of long tyme been in purpose to stablishe and founde a collage withinne the seyd gret mancion, and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd and thought behoffefull for the seyd cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd mancion with the collagyens of the seyd collage: Therfor, and for the senguler love and trust that I have to my seyd cosyn John Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray beleve that he will execute my will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he and I have covinauntyd and been accordyd that he shall, with inne resonable tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or do founde  .  .  .  .  and indewe withinne the seid mancion a collage of vij. religeous monkys or pristes, to preye for the soules above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche one to be cheif governour of hem, and he to have xli., and iche othyr prist or monk [of the said co]llage x. marks yeerly for here sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid in mony, and that the seyd collagyens shull be soo indewyd that be syde here seyd pencions for here propir levynge to be grauntyd hem, they  .  .  .  .  .  inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd mancion of Castre to preye for the soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of whiche pore folk iche of hem to have xls.a yeer or th  .  .  .  .  ere levynge, fynding, and sustentacion; and that the seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and to the seyd pore folke a suffecient summe, and a competent and an esy dwellynge place  .  .  .  .  .  seid collagyens nor here successorys beryng noreparacion there of, for whiche and for othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston shall have in fee symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the manerez, londes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in whiche the seyd John Paston or ony othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in or have title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes, and  .  .  .  er astat of the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes to suche personys, and at suche tymes and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or ony of hem. And the seyd John Paston  .  .  .  .  .  seyd collage shal bere and paye to my behoff, towardes the paymentys of my dettes and othir thynges, be my present will assygnid to be do, mlmlmlml.[4000] mark, in suche fourme and at suche tyme as in this my present will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  here aftir folwyng:—* [Fyrst, I will and ordeyne that, if it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges,for the longe contynwyd servise be me in the daye of strengthe and helthe of my body, to hym and to the noble Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise noble uncles John Duke of Bedford, Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng Lord and hise noble progenitorys forseid, in Fraunce and Normandy as in cuntreez and othyr placis, consederynge my many gret labourys, peynis, and perilis in the seyd servise of oure sovereyn Lord and hise noble progenitoris forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous grace withoutyn ony other  .  .  .  .  .  of myn executores namyd in my testament, or ellys for a resonable sume of [money] whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr meane, so as myn executores therein shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn Lord and hise counsell, or with hise heire Kynges and here councell, to lycence and graunte to them that be feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn executores, to ordeyne, founde, and stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or dwelynge place late be me newe edified and motid in the town of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Norffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place I was born in, a collage of a prioury of vj. religeous personis, monks of the ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise and graunte to the seyd priour and vj. religeous personis, or to here successorys, the forseyd mancion or dwellynge place, with all the appurtenauncez and othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, for the sustentacionof the seyd priour and vj. religeous personys and here successorys, and for here othyr chargys and reparacionis, and for vij. pore men in the seyd collage in perpetuite, be the avise and discrecion of myn executores forseid, to be foundyd and susteynid; and that thanne the forseyd feffees or her assignees if they  .  .  .  .  grauntes of othyr havyng entresse in this be halve requisit lawefully shul make, founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule, and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], .  .  .  .  sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres  .  .  .  .  rentes, servisez, with here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis  .  .  .  .  .  lithe next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore seyd.] ** [Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte ofoure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of ony othyr  .  .  .  .  entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove to  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent  .  .  .  .  .  seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony persone or personis been feffid in, or have astat or possession, or be in titlid to myn use be the lawe, except the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in the shirez of Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article next presedent specified, shull be sold be the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John and Thomas, and noon othir while they leve, shall have the sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of all my londes forseyd, except before except, and execucion of this my last will and of every article there in; and I will that the seid John and Thomas shall have all the profitez and avaylez and emolwements of the seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with all othir comoditeez thereof comyng, til be them they be sold, and the mony of the profites and salis thereof comynge, be them to be disposed for the welfare of my souleand of the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and in cas this my will be not executyd in theyre [liv]es, that thanne the execucion be thereof doon be othyr myn executores that aftyr hem too shal have the mynistracion of my goodes.* [It]em, I will and ordeyne that all and singuler lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in whiche ony persone or personys are feffid in or have astat and possession to myn use, in whiche sum ever counteez or townez the said lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez bein withinne the ream of Englond; and that all the forseyd and senguler lordshepys, manerez, tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony person or personys been intitlyd to myn use be the lawe, shull be sold be my seyd executoris, except manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage, if the fundacion thereof take effecte: And that the mony of the sale or salys comynge be disposed be my seyd executores in executyng of thys my last wyll and testament, and in othyr dedes of almesse as my seyd executores be here discrecion shal seme best to plese God for the helthe of my soule and for the soulys forseyd: And that happe the fundacion of the seyd collageto take to noon effecte, nor the seyd collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.] ** [Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l  .  .  .  .  .  londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to tyme  .  .  .  .  .  and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion  .  .  .  .  .  .  shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the plesure of God.] *Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes pretende  .  .  .  .  .  .  at this day to be next heneritere [inheritor] to me aftyr my deseas, where  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  knowe that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys  .  .  .  .  .  .  have to myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey  .  .  .  me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be onymanner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd], or the more part of them152.1and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd]152.2executors.Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd to  .  .  [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes152.3of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd],152.4aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, withplaceboandderigeand messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd]152.4that londes or teneme[ntes]  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xxs., and that to be inmorteis  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  swyr to the seyd prioury orparishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere  .  .  .  .  .  and chargys of the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of myn executores be fore namyd.153.1Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my goodes  .  .  .  .  .  havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and of  .  .  .  .  .  Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here  .  .  .  .  .  othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid to be sold,153.2and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion, fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for a  .  .  .  .  .  .  is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor debarre of the tayle.153.3Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note thederigeand messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.* and that oon of the monkis or pristes in the collage be me ordeynid in the mancion of Castre forseid shall synge specialy in perpetuite for the soule of my modir and all here auncestryez, and good dooerys.Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary may be yeerly inperpetuite kept withplaceboandderigeand messe of requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attilburgh,* [and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn executorys.] *Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule recomendid amonges  .  .  .  .  .  with an annversary to be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem withplaceboand [derigeand] messe of requyem be note.154.1* be the avise of myn executores before namydItem, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that myn [executores and]154.2feffeez* porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full entre doon  .  .  .  .  .  my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xxli.Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in the  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a figure  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.Item, that myn executores before namyd helpe that the maner of Cowlynge be disposed and guydid aftyr the will of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my executoris thynke it be to doo.* [Item, I will that a provecion be made for swerte of the maner of Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to the last wyll of Dame Marget Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner I stond enfeffed in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry Braunche, my neweu, here son  .  .  .  .  seyd maner, provided that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.] *Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes accordyng to the trouthe and concience.* [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.] *Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez  .  .  .  .  .  many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and  .  .  .  .  .  officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys,dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys nor sygnet thanne* I have usyd this ij. yeer day last passed.* [with this same seal of armys and sygnet  .  .  . .  .  .  .  .  .  this my present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre  .  .  .  .  .  .  all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my  .  .  .  or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn ex[ecutores].Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othir that I have put in remembraunce be this my will to be preyed fore that suche as shalbe bounden to preye for me, and be rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe chargid be myn executoris be fore namyd to preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye foreor doo preye fore, and for hem that I have hadde ony goodes of.* [Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the discharge of my concience, be put in remembraunce of preyeris for the [good] affeccion I hadde on to them that I desyre shuld be preyed fore, is the soule of that blyssyd prynce, Thomas Bedford,156.1late Duke of Excestre, the soulys of the Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, my brothyr-in-lawe, andDame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and William Gunnour.] ** full wyll and assentynge of the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or condecion that he be of, withoute the * [knowynge, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.] ** the very will and assentyng of the seyd Paston and Howys, and that noon othyr attempte there in nor in noon othir cause in this my will to doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I require hem in Goddes be halve.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge that none of myn executorys, be him self, nor be noon othyr, in ony maner or condecion cautelous, colour  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall sell, nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo alyen, withdrawe, or do be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes, jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr utensylez, to my persone or houshold perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of myne, mevable or on mevablys, quyk or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute * [the knowyng, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem; and if it be soo that ony of myn executores attempte maleciously the contrary in effecte, he fallith in the centense of excommunicacion, doyng the contrary to my last will.] ** except before except, be me grauntid to the seyd John Paston or hese assygnes.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge that all my feffeez feffyd of trust on to myn use of and in all mymanerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, and rentes, and servisez, and profitez, be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd * [in all maner of counteez, citeez, or burghes or townes with in the ream of Eng[lond]  .  .  .  .  .  ] * they that have astat, pocession, or tythe to myn use, with all the goodly haste,  .  .  .  .  and withoute delay aftyr they be requyred be myn* before namyd.executores* aftyr my deseas, that they shall feffyn and make lawefull astat in fee symple * [of and in all maner lordshipys, londes, tenementes, meswages, rentes, servisez, and profitez forseyd, or of every parcell of the same] * to that persone or personys to whom or to whiche* the seid John Paston and Thomas Howys.* [my seid executores in accomplisment of my last will, the said maneres, lordshepys, londes, tenementes, mecis, rentes, and servisez,* except before except.or ony parcell of the same,* shall sell, or doo sell aftyr the declaracion of* to dispose.this my last will * for the helthe* and for the soulis above seyd.of my soule, * [Dame Milcent, my wif, with all my progenitorys, cosynes, and benefactorys, and all my frendes.] ** [Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of God I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in effecte to accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement and of mynistracion of my last will, all the articlis there in conteynid they shall ransakyn besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here remembraunce, that both in will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shal not omyttyn for to complishe the seyd articles in  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Seynt Poule the Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  God Almighty shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion158.1.  .  .  .  .  .  this article to otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in hurtynge of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.] ** [Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the grace of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the verteuous devocion of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn owyn will, it happe ony good werkes and profitable to the helthe of my soule necessarye or avayleable to come be favour or swetnesse in to my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo wryte suche thyngs worthy to be remembryd in ony codicill or codicilles for tobe conyoinid to my testament or to my last will, thanne I will and preye with gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or articlys be me expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or codicillys that they may have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn in the code of my testement and my last will.] ** Item, I wyll and ordeyne that John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk, geve and dispose.* [Item, I will, I ordeyne, and I hertely desyre, sethe that every mortall creature is soget to the lymitez or merkys of mutabelyte and chaungeableness, and mannys levynge in frelte and condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on the behalve of Almyghty God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte, beseche, and preye all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst, and in the vertwe of the aspercion of Hise holy blood, shed out graciously for the savacion of all man kende, that for the more hasty delyveraunce of my soule from the peynefull flawmes of the fyre of Purgatory, on suche maner and wise they dele and departe my goodes feithfully be here discrecion and prudence and polytik,] * the yeer of my buryeng, in exspence of myn entyrement and othyr almesse, the same yeer, and dedys of pyete (?) for the holsum estat of my soule amonges pore peple and nedy to [be p]artyd and distributid plenteuously and hastely,* .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the salis of my londes and my goodes be my will  .  .  sygnid to be sold, be fully disposid for the well of my soule in almessefull dedes [and] charitable werkes with all goodly possibelite.the sum of mllmarke * [.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  the space of v. or vij. yeer immediatly folwyng by yeer Dxxxiijli.vjs.viijd.in almessefull deds and charitable wirkys, with all goodly possibelyte that they shall soo dispose my goodes in effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in peynefull angwyshis, with holy Job, be not compellyd to sey with gret lementacion and mornyng, Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, namely yee that my frendes shuld bee, for the hande of Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously touchyd me. These be the articlys, xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the intent and purpose of my last will be the handes of myn executores, whiche I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and beseche hem enterly feithefully to execute, as they will have helpe of God and of hise holy Gospell. And soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice,and concience to doo for me as they wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas lyche. In tokene and witnesse whereof, to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, above160.1.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .] *[The following new clause at the end.]Item, I will and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston, for the payment of iiij. mll.marke forseid, shal bere and paye to the seyd Thomas Howys, clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them have the mynistracion of my my goodes, the seid sum [of] viijc.marke iche othyr yeer of the forseyd yeerrys in whichethat sum is ordeynid to be distributid til he  .  .  .  .  . be tho paymentes born and payd the seyd sum of iiijmlmarkes, and that soo paid to be disposed be the seyd [John Pa]ston and Thomas Howys, or be hem that shal aftyr them have the mynistracion of my goods in executyng [my] will in awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo that my mevable goodes be mean of that  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall the lenger indure in dedis of almesse.

133.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]133.2A.D.1457.

133.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

133.2A.D.1457.

Dampna Cli.’close quote missing or invisible

To my Maister Paston.

1458

Sir, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place, hyt fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked to gedre, and called me by my name, and both asked how my maister133.4fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to see astate taked yn Lyncoln place by hym boght of Markham. In the meene tyme the seyd Wymondham sent hys man to speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of Sir Thomas133.5how hewille help labour to an ende, and had spoke with Heydon yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell amerciementes by their labour, and the [they ?] not beneficed, shewed to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause, &c. After my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd that he desyred Sir Thomas to be gode meene to my maister to hafe affeccion to the chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my maister had before the maryage be laboured [i.e.if my master had been applied to before the marriage], hyt had [been] moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because hys fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold hafe affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that Thomas134.1was with hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it please my maister to sende for hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.

I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of Sir Thomas undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better, whych to my power wold help make it knowen to Lordes and all othyrs of the cruell amerciementes, the cruell juge to be knowen as he ys, for I am of hys contrey, and know hys rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At ix. at clok to hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille (?).Your,H. R.

133.3[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 249.] This letter clearly relates to the subject of the preceding No.133.4Sir John Fastolf.133.5Howes.134.1Apparently Thomas Fastolf.

133.3[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 249.] This letter clearly relates to the subject of the preceding No.

133.4Sir John Fastolf.

133.5Howes.

134.1Apparently Thomas Fastolf.

Roll of the Personal and other Expenses of John Pastonin the 36th and 37th years of Henry VI.

For dress and cloth, various.‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17s.7d.‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19s.1d.‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101s.‘Item, eisdem et sosiis (sic) suis in regard’,’ 4s.2d.‘Item, eisdem apud London,’ etc.‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxvto.’ 13s.4d.‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26s.8d.‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’—‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod JohannesPaston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2s.1d.‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’ 3s.8d.‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’ apud Forncet,’ 3s.1d.‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’ 18d.To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3s.4d.Glazing Chapel at Mauteby, 10s.‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana Matthiæ,’ 3s.8d.Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks, 10s.‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5s.4d.‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’ 18d.‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8d.In Easter and Trinity terms.—Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’10s.For wine and spice with Fortescu and Wentworth, 23d.Hilary term.—Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40s.‘Item, exequiæ Edmundi Paston,’ 2s.4d.To divers poor people of Norwich for relief of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7s.

For dress and cloth, various.

‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17s.7d.‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19s.1d.‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101s.‘Item, eisdem et sosiis (sic) suis in regard’,’ 4s.2d.‘Item, eisdem apud London,’ etc.

‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxvto.’ 13s.4d.‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26s.8d.

‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’—‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod JohannesPaston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2s.1d.‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’ 3s.8d.‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’ apud Forncet,’ 3s.1d.‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’ 18d.To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3s.4d.Glazing Chapel at Mauteby, 10s.‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana Matthiæ,’ 3s.8d.Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks, 10s.‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5s.4d.‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’ 18d.‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8d.

In Easter and Trinity terms.—Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’10s.For wine and spice with Fortescu and Wentworth, 23d.

Hilary term.—Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40s.‘Item, exequiæ Edmundi Paston,’ 2s.4d.To divers poor people of Norwich for relief of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7s.

134.2[From Add. Charter 17,246, B.M.]

‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s.“s.” printed in roman (non-Italic) type

To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston.

1459JAN. 3

Rightworshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder, in the most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your welfare and prosperite, the which I pray God to contynw and encresce to your herts desyre. And yf it lyked your gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of this lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as for my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust to Jesu non shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besyas he can to make me sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde in a bonde of mlli.to you mother, and to my brother John, and to my brother William, and to Edmund Clere,136.1the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as our most synguler trost is yn your gode moderhode, that my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc at the begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that was oon of my best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym in CCli., of which he reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme Cxxli., and yf he fayle therof at this tyme, he wille clayme the hool of us, the which were to us to grete an hurt; and he con not make an ende with noon of hys other suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and in all other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool,136.2with whom I sojerned, that ye wul be my tendr and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage, and to Christofre Houson, as ye wrote unto my brother John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese your gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And Jesu for his grete mercy save yow.

Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of Janyver.By your humble doughter,Elyzabeth Ponynggs.

135.1[From Fenn, iii. 328.] The writer of this letter is Agnes Paston’s daughter Elizabeth, for whose marriage, as we have seen, there had been a good deal of negotiating in past years (seeNos. 93, 94, 236, 250, 252), and who has now become the wife of Robert Poynings. As the 3rd of January, the day on which this letter is dated, was a Wednesday, the year must be 1459. The 3rd of January did not fall on a Wednesday again till 1470, by which time Elizabeth Paston was no longer the wife of Robert Poynings, but his widow, for he was killed at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.Final sentence changed by editor in Errata; see also note 154.3 in Volume II. Original text:. . . by which time Elizabeth Paston and Robert Poynings must have been married several years, as will be seen by No. 126 preceding (vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3).136.1Edmund Clere was the second son of John Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and died in 1463.136.2Seep. 123.

135.1[From Fenn, iii. 328.] The writer of this letter is Agnes Paston’s daughter Elizabeth, for whose marriage, as we have seen, there had been a good deal of negotiating in past years (seeNos. 93, 94, 236, 250, 252), and who has now become the wife of Robert Poynings. As the 3rd of January, the day on which this letter is dated, was a Wednesday, the year must be 1459. The 3rd of January did not fall on a Wednesday again till 1470, by which time Elizabeth Paston was no longer the wife of Robert Poynings, but his widow, for he was killed at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb. 1461.

Final sentence changed by editor in Errata; see also note 154.3 in Volume II. Original text:. . . by which time Elizabeth Paston and Robert Poynings must have been married several years, as will be seen by No. 126 preceding (vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3).

136.1Edmund Clere was the second son of John Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and died in 1463.

136.2Seep. 123.

To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston, Esquyer, be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse.

1459MARCH 5

Ryghtworschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I comaund me to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowr faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and hevynesse that it hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of thys contre, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner have noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng under thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesur, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner ease of yowr tenantys whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng. Wherfor I besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo that schal please yow to the uttermest of my power and labor; and if ther be any servyce that I may do if it please yow to comaund me, or if y maye understonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer any thyng that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but Allmyghty God have yow in kepyng.

Wretyn the v. day of Marche.By your older sone,John Paston.

137.1[From Fenn, iii. 336.] By Letter 377 following, it will be seen that the writer of this letter had given displeasure to his father in the early part of the year 1459. There can be no doubt that this letter refers to the same occasion.

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and Sir Thomas Howes, Parson of Blofeld

1459APRIL 13

As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’Castre, 13th April 37 Hen.VI.(Signature not Fastolf’s own.)

As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’

Castre, 13th April 37 Hen.VI.(Signature not Fastolf’s own.)

138.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 254.]

Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston, in hast.

1459APRIL 29

Rytheworchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow. Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther wer browt unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on of hem was indosyd to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve orsexe odyr gentylmen; and anodyr was sent onto yowr sone, and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and asynyd wythinne wyth the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe that wer sent, as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer sent onto odyr gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was, that they sshuwlde be wyth the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day of May, wyth as many personys defensebylly arayid as they myte acordyng to her degre, and that they schwld bryng wyth hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the lettyr that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt. Hastynggs is forthe into Yorke schyr.

I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye wyl that yor sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that ben yowr wel wyllerys, that ye may no lesse do than to send hym forthe. As for hys demenyng, swn ye departyd, in god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and delygent inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at hom. I hope he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyrward. He desyryd Alblaster to bemene139.1to yow for hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to yow, as I sent yow word also be Alblaster, how I dede to hym aftyr that ye wer go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher [worthier ?] heraftyr.

As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr schal do howr part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for mony it comyth bwt slowly. And God have yow in hys kepyng, and sen yow good sped in alle yowr matteris.

Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the Assencyon Day.

Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [hear] swmme gode tydynggys fro yow.Be yorys,M. P.

138.2[From Fenn, i. 174.] The only years during the married life of John and Margaret Paston (except when their eldest son was a mere child), in which the Sunday preceding Ascension Day fell some time before the 10th of May, were 1456 and 1459. In the former year the King could not either have been or have intended to be at Leicester on the 10th of May. In 1459 the Privy Seals show that he was at Northampton on the 14th, 18th, and 19th of May, and it is quite possible he may have been at Leicester on the 10th. In 1464 EdwardIV.was at Leicester in May, and the Sunday before Ascension Day was the 6th of May; but it is not probable this letter was written in that year, for two reasons. In the first place, Margaret Paston could hardly have hoped for an answer from her husband—who may be presumed to have been in London—in time to have sent his son to be at Leicester on the 10th; secondly, Letter 375, which is evidently of the same year as this, would probably have been signed ‘John Paston, K.’ (i.e.Knight).139.1To be mean,i.e.to be a mediator. Fenn has not apprehended the phrase, which he has modernised ‘to bemoan.’

138.2[From Fenn, i. 174.] The only years during the married life of John and Margaret Paston (except when their eldest son was a mere child), in which the Sunday preceding Ascension Day fell some time before the 10th of May, were 1456 and 1459. In the former year the King could not either have been or have intended to be at Leicester on the 10th of May. In 1459 the Privy Seals show that he was at Northampton on the 14th, 18th, and 19th of May, and it is quite possible he may have been at Leicester on the 10th. In 1464 EdwardIV.was at Leicester in May, and the Sunday before Ascension Day was the 6th of May; but it is not probable this letter was written in that year, for two reasons. In the first place, Margaret Paston could hardly have hoped for an answer from her husband—who may be presumed to have been in London—in time to have sent his son to be at Leicester on the 10th; secondly, Letter 375, which is evidently of the same year as this, would probably have been signed ‘John Paston, K.’ (i.e.Knight).

139.1To be mean,i.e.to be a mediator. Fenn has not apprehended the phrase, which he has modernised ‘to bemoan.’

A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier.

1459(?)MAY 25

TreshonnoureSire, je me recommande a vous tant que je puis, et vous prie qu’il vous plaise me recommander a ma maistresse vostre noble espouse et a tous voz enffans, et que ne soit point mis en oubly mon petit homme d’armes. Et oultre vous plaise me recommander a mon Maistre Yelverton et mon Maistre Caulthorpe, et a touz mes autres maistres et amis de pardela ou sera vostre bon plaisir. Et vous mercie des grans plaisirs et amitiez que avez faitz et monstrez a moy et aux miens, lesquelz Dieu me doint deservir. Treshonnoures Sire, plaise vous savoir que mon frere Jehan a Bernay ma escript dune matere dont me touchastes, moy estant parde la, a laquelle vostre desir vouldroit l’onneur des deux pars, et de laquelle matere le porteur de cestes vous informera, et des nouvelles de pardeca s’il vient a voz bons plaisirs. Et vouldroye bien que vous et mon dit frere Jehan a Bernay voulsissez communiquer avecques la personne aqui la matere touche, et que je peusse savoir son entente, affin dy otemperer, car je luy vouldroye faire plaisir et service; car je y suis tenu, et la chose sera en partie reglee par vous et par mondit frere, mais je veil estre le tiers, et une autre personne sera le quart. Treschere et treshonnoure Sire, je vous recommande tout mon fait de pardela, et sy faiz je la petite Marie, pour laquelle je vous mercie, et especiallement ma damoiselle vostre fame et noble espouse, et me desplaist de la grant paine et charge que avez pour elle; mas Dieu me doint grace que je le puisse aquicter.Priant nostre Seigneur qui soit garde de vous, et vous doint bonne vie et longue, et joyeulx acomplissement de touz voz desirs.

Escript a Calais, le xxvmejour de May.Le tout votre serviteur,Osberne Mundeford.

140.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was put to death at Calais on the 25th June 1460, having been taken at Sandwich when about to go thither in aid of the Duke of Somerset against the Earl of Warwick. The date cannot be in that year, and how much earlier it may be is quite uncertain, unless we suppose ‘mon petit homme d’armes’ to be Paston’s eldest son, who, as we have seen, was summoned to perform military service in 1459.

To myn ryght worshypfull[m]ayster, John Paston, at London, atte the Temple.

1459JUNE 24

Pleaseyoure maystership that as to morwen a neweinquirendumshal be taken at Wycham Markette for the parsonage of Rendelesham for one Mayster John Clerke, a chapeleyn of the Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas141.2shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an hors, and also hit was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there; and, as Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one hadde bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn self. But he seyth and [i.e.if] ye wold speke to myn Lord Norwych, and enforme hym of the trought of the mater, he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the ryght of the patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald amelius inquirendum. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John Bulman all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit please yow to comon with hym, ye shall understande all the mater by hym how myn Lord is disposed. And [if] Mayster Robert Eppeswell is now at London, hit were shame that they shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip Wentworth groundeth nothis presentacion by the patent, but by the endenture a twyxt the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe as ever he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that ye have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c., myn mayster is weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken strangely, &c. Almyghty Jesu preserve yow, myn worshipfull mayster, to youre desyre after his pleser and youre trewe entent.

Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the clokke at even.Youre owen man,W. Barker,Per mandat’ T. H.

141.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] It appears by the Bishops’ Registers at Norwich that John Clerk was instituted to the living of Rendlesham on the 20th June 1459 on the King’s presentation. This letter must have been written four days later in ignorance of the fact. Clerk’s predecessor was John Sybton, administration of whose goods was granted on the 19th May 1450.141.2Sir Thomas Howes.

141.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] It appears by the Bishops’ Registers at Norwich that John Clerk was instituted to the living of Rendlesham on the 20th June 1459 on the King’s presentation. This letter must have been written four days later in ignorance of the fact. Clerk’s predecessor was John Sybton, administration of whose goods was granted on the 19th May 1450.

141.2Sir Thomas Howes.

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston

1459JULY 3

‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St. Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his intent, and given them full power to appoint with them.(Signature not his own.)Castre, 3 July 37 Hen.VI.Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.

‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St. Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his intent, and given them full power to appoint with them.(Signature not his own.)

Castre, 3 July 37 Hen.VI.

Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.

142.1[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]

[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]closing ] missing

To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, my Lord Beaumont.

Between 1454 and 1459

Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c.John, Lord Lovell.

Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit, I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow. And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever in His blessid kepyng.

Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.

Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c.John, Lord Lovell.

143.1[From Fenn, i. 128.] The writer of this succeeded to the barony of Lovel in 1454, and married Jane, the daughter of John, first Viscount Beaumont, the person addressed. As Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton on the 10th July 1460, this letter cannot be later than 1459, but may be some years earlier.

To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, the Viscount Beaumont.

1444-1460

Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me toyou with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his ewry,144.1have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.Writen at Framlynham, the viijthday of Marche.Elianore, the Duchess of Norfolk.

Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me toyou with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship, to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.

Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William, yoman of his ewry,144.1have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing, graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office, with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you; trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.

And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.

Writen at Framlynham, the viijthday of Marche.Elianore, the Duchess of Norfolk.

143.2[From Fenn, i. 194.] Here we have another letter, of uncertain date, addressed to the same person as the last. The year when it was written is quite immaterial, but must have been between 1444, when John Mowbray, the writer’s husband, was confirmed in the dignity of Duke of Norfolk (which had belonged to his grandfather in the time of RichardII.), and 1460, when Viscount Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton.144.1An officer who had charge of the table linen, etc.

143.2[From Fenn, i. 194.] Here we have another letter, of uncertain date, addressed to the same person as the last. The year when it was written is quite immaterial, but must have been between 1444, when John Mowbray, the writer’s husband, was confirmed in the dignity of Duke of Norfolk (which had belonged to his grandfather in the time of RichardII.), and 1460, when Viscount Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton.

144.1An officer who had charge of the table linen, etc.

To my Mayster, Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter presentid.

Jesu mercy.

1459

Rytereverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly, comyth to Castre, and Zelverton144.3with zow, and ze think it to be done; and sendyth home zowr men and hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c. And by grace of God and zour polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude more effectually in gret matyers of substans, to my maysterys144.4and zour worschip and profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward, and isryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [weakened] and feblyd, &c. And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made at London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and a crafty man, schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for the inmorteysing of Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he promittyd up [promised upon] a certeyn mony, &c., and undirtoke it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys in the matere, &c. And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do hise part, &c. And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet, &c., or elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri, &c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze come.

Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be myn trewthe, and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaundement, in zour letter haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to my mayster, &c. Every day this v. dayes he seyth, ‘God send me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I holde hym a feythful man, and ever on man.’ Cui ego, ‘That is soth,’ &c. Et ille, ‘Schew me not the mete, schew me the man.’ Hæc verba replicat sæpius cum magno stomacho, &c. Colinus Gallicus dicit in Jernemuta et aliis locis se esse executorem, &c. Dixit etiam heri coram pluribus, si semel fuerit London’ nunquam vult videre Norfolchiam, &c. Dicit etiam, ubi executores credunt se habituros claves, &c., post mortem alii habebunt claves, ita bene sicut illi, &c. Falsissimus est, et ego bene dixi in partem suam inter ipsum et me, &c. Propter Deum, faciatis Spirlyng venire juxta promissum in f’cū [factum ?], &c. Gallicus ipse maxime odit rectorem et vellet supplantare eum, &c. Item, valde desiderat suum, quietus est quia absit, &c.

Henricus Todyham continue aspirat post mortem magistri cum mille habeat oculos nocendi, &c., si quorum duos deperderit, nullus cæteros timeret, &c.

144.2[From Fenn, iii. 342.] No signature appears to be attached to this letter as Fenn has printed it, but the style is unmistakably that of Brackley, to whom he attributes it. The original was endorsed in an ancient hand, according to Fenn, ‘Littera fratris Doctoris Brackley per quam patet Jo. Fastolf valde desiderasse presentiam consanguinei sui Jo. Paston.’ The date seems to be shortly before Sir John Fastolf’s death, which happened on the 5th November 1459.144.3William Yelverton.144.4Sir John Fastolf.

144.2[From Fenn, iii. 342.] No signature appears to be attached to this letter as Fenn has printed it, but the style is unmistakably that of Brackley, to whom he attributes it. The original was endorsed in an ancient hand, according to Fenn, ‘Littera fratris Doctoris Brackley per quam patet Jo. Fastolf valde desiderasse presentiam consanguinei sui Jo. Paston.’ The date seems to be shortly before Sir John Fastolf’s death, which happened on the 5th November 1459.

144.3William Yelverton.

144.4Sir John Fastolf.

To my worshipful and right gode mayster, John Paston, Squyer.

1459(?)AUG. [22]

Wurshipfulsire, and my right gode mayster, I recomaunde me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour gode maystership that ze liked to sende my mayster zour sone to Sporle with suych felaship as ze dede, for which I am ever bounde to doo zou service, prayeng zou of zour gode contenuaunce.

Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek with an axez [ague], and truly that caused me that I and my felaship taryed; and so be cause theroffe I caused my lady to wryte a specyall lettre to my Lord Scales. But for al that Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of Suffolkys name. And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was, that I wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo was right sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and my lordes and my ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon further. But if I had been heil and not seek, there shuld have kome a wurshipful felaship out of Suffolk of so litel warnyng; but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the axcez bothe Sunday and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so kyndely zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felashipredy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng Blake, and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze have warnyng. And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle tymys, as ze shewe me gret cause to doo zou service. Wreten at Thelton,147.1the Wednysday next before Seynt Bertilmew Day in haste.Your servaunt,William Jenney.

146.1[From Fenn, iv. 38.] This letter is referred by Fenn to the beginning of EdwardIV.’s reign, but on a careful examination I think it must be earlier, as William Jenney’s proceedings, even in the first year of EdwardIV., were by no means friendly to John Paston. The Lord Scales here mentioned must therefore be the Lord Scales of HenryVI.’s time, who was murdered in July 1460, and the letter, having been written in August, cannot be later than 1459. In that year, as will be seen by Letter 377, John Paston’s eldest son had already begun active life, and I am inclined to think that it is the precise year in which the present letter was written. John Paston, the second, was at that time not more than nineteen years of age, and we hear nothing of his doings earlier. The manor of Sporle was inherited by John Paston, senior, from his father the judge.147.1Thelveton, near Diss, in Norfolk.

146.1[From Fenn, iv. 38.] This letter is referred by Fenn to the beginning of EdwardIV.’s reign, but on a careful examination I think it must be earlier, as William Jenney’s proceedings, even in the first year of EdwardIV., were by no means friendly to John Paston. The Lord Scales here mentioned must therefore be the Lord Scales of HenryVI.’s time, who was murdered in July 1460, and the letter, having been written in August, cannot be later than 1459. In that year, as will be seen by Letter 377, John Paston’s eldest son had already begun active life, and I am inclined to think that it is the precise year in which the present letter was written. John Paston, the second, was at that time not more than nineteen years of age, and we hear nothing of his doings earlier. The manor of Sporle was inherited by John Paston, senior, from his father the judge.

147.1Thelveton, near Diss, in Norfolk.

The sections headed First Draft and Second Draft were printed in facing columns. Asterisks and brackets are in the original, as explained in the first Footnote. Missing or misplaced brackets have been left as printed. All sections originally labeledSecond Draftare shown on a shaded background.

1459NOV. 3

In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre,147.3I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra  .  .  .  and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come, there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and tyme of deth—Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo  .  .  .  for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas  .  .  .  .  .  my modir, and the soule of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the soulez of othyr of myn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  kynsefolke and speciall frendes here undir wretyn,—I ordeyn and  .  .  .  .  .  this my last will in fourme and maner folwyng:—[Second Draft.][First Draft.]Firste, Forasmyche as for the welfare of my soule and of the soules forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpeof the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme comyng withinne the gret mancion be me late edified and motid in Castre forseid, I have of long tyme been in purpose to stablishe and founde a collage withinne the seyd gret mancion, and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd and thought behoffefull for the seyd cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd mancion with the collagyens of the seyd collage: Therfor, and for the senguler love and trust that I have to my seyd cosyn John Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray beleve that he will execute my will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he and I have covinauntyd and been accordyd that he shall, with inne resonable tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or do founde  .  .  .  .  and indewe withinne the seid mancion a collage of vij. religeous monkys or pristes, to preye for the soules above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche one to be cheif governour of hem, and he to have xli., and iche othyr prist or monk [of the said co]llage x. marks yeerly for here sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid in mony, and that the seyd collagyens shull be soo indewyd that be syde here seyd pencions for here propir levynge to be grauntyd hem, they  .  .  .  .  .  inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd mancion of Castre to preye for the soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of whiche pore folk iche of hem to have xls.a yeer or th  .  .  .  .  ere levynge, fynding, and sustentacion; and that the seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and to the seyd pore folke a suffecient summe, and a competent and an esy dwellynge place  .  .  .  .  .  seid collagyens nor here successorys beryng noreparacion there of, for whiche and for othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston shall have in fee symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the manerez, londes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in whiche the seyd John Paston or ony othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in or have title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes, and  .  .  .  er astat of the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes to suche personys, and at suche tymes and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or ony of hem. And the seyd John Paston  .  .  .  .  .  seyd collage shal bere and paye to my behoff, towardes the paymentys of my dettes and othir thynges, be my present will assygnid to be do, mlmlmlml.[4000] mark, in suche fourme and at suche tyme as in this my present will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  here aftir folwyng:—* [Fyrst, I will and ordeyne that, if it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges,for the longe contynwyd servise be me in the daye of strengthe and helthe of my body, to hym and to the noble Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise noble uncles John Duke of Bedford, Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng Lord and hise noble progenitorys forseid, in Fraunce and Normandy as in cuntreez and othyr placis, consederynge my many gret labourys, peynis, and perilis in the seyd servise of oure sovereyn Lord and hise noble progenitoris forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous grace withoutyn ony other  .  .  .  .  .  of myn executores namyd in my testament, or ellys for a resonable sume of [money] whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr meane, so as myn executores therein shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn Lord and hise counsell, or with hise heire Kynges and here councell, to lycence and graunte to them that be feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn executores, to ordeyne, founde, and stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or dwelynge place late be me newe edified and motid in the town of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Norffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place I was born in, a collage of a prioury of vj. religeous personis, monks of the ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise and graunte to the seyd priour and vj. religeous personis, or to here successorys, the forseyd mancion or dwellynge place, with all the appurtenauncez and othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, for the sustentacionof the seyd priour and vj. religeous personys and here successorys, and for here othyr chargys and reparacionis, and for vij. pore men in the seyd collage in perpetuite, be the avise and discrecion of myn executores forseid, to be foundyd and susteynid; and that thanne the forseyd feffees or her assignees if they  .  .  .  .  grauntes of othyr havyng entresse in this be halve requisit lawefully shul make, founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule, and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], .  .  .  .  sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres  .  .  .  .  rentes, servisez, with here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis  .  .  .  .  .  lithe next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore seyd.] ** [Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte ofoure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of ony othyr  .  .  .  .  entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove to  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent  .  .  .  .  .  seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony persone or personis been feffid in, or have astat or possession, or be in titlid to myn use be the lawe, except the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in the shirez of Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article next presedent specified, shull be sold be the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John and Thomas, and noon othir while they leve, shall have the sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of all my londes forseyd, except before except, and execucion of this my last will and of every article there in; and I will that the seid John and Thomas shall have all the profitez and avaylez and emolwements of the seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with all othir comoditeez thereof comyng, til be them they be sold, and the mony of the profites and salis thereof comynge, be them to be disposed for the welfare of my souleand of the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and in cas this my will be not executyd in theyre [liv]es, that thanne the execucion be thereof doon be othyr myn executores that aftyr hem too shal have the mynistracion of my goodes.* [It]em, I will and ordeyne that all and singuler lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in whiche ony persone or personys are feffid in or have astat and possession to myn use, in whiche sum ever counteez or townez the said lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez bein withinne the ream of Englond; and that all the forseyd and senguler lordshepys, manerez, tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony person or personys been intitlyd to myn use be the lawe, shull be sold be my seyd executoris, except manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage, if the fundacion thereof take effecte: And that the mony of the sale or salys comynge be disposed be my seyd executores in executyng of thys my last wyll and testament, and in othyr dedes of almesse as my seyd executores be here discrecion shal seme best to plese God for the helthe of my soule and for the soulys forseyd: And that happe the fundacion of the seyd collageto take to noon effecte, nor the seyd collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.] ** [Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l  .  .  .  .  .  londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to tyme  .  .  .  .  .  and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion  .  .  .  .  .  .  shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the plesure of God.] *Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes pretende  .  .  .  .  .  .  at this day to be next heneritere [inheritor] to me aftyr my deseas, where  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  knowe that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys  .  .  .  .  .  .  have to myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey  .  .  .  me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be onymanner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd], or the more part of them152.1and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd]152.2executors.Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd to  .  .  [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes152.3of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd],152.4aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, withplaceboandderigeand messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd]152.4that londes or teneme[ntes]  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xxs., and that to be inmorteis  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  swyr to the seyd prioury orparishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere  .  .  .  .  .  and chargys of the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of myn executores be fore namyd.153.1Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my goodes  .  .  .  .  .  havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and of  .  .  .  .  .  Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here  .  .  .  .  .  othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid to be sold,153.2and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion, fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for a  .  .  .  .  .  .  is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor debarre of the tayle.153.3Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note thederigeand messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.* and that oon of the monkis or pristes in the collage be me ordeynid in the mancion of Castre forseid shall synge specialy in perpetuite for the soule of my modir and all here auncestryez, and good dooerys.Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary may be yeerly inperpetuite kept withplaceboandderigeand messe of requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attilburgh,* [and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn executorys.] *Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule recomendid amonges  .  .  .  .  .  with an annversary to be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem withplaceboand [derigeand] messe of requyem be note.154.1* be the avise of myn executores before namydItem, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that myn [executores and]154.2feffeez* porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full entre doon  .  .  .  .  .  my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xxli.Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in the  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a figure  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.Item, that myn executores before namyd helpe that the maner of Cowlynge be disposed and guydid aftyr the will of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my executoris thynke it be to doo.* [Item, I will that a provecion be made for swerte of the maner of Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to the last wyll of Dame Marget Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner I stond enfeffed in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry Braunche, my neweu, here son  .  .  .  .  seyd maner, provided that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.] *Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes accordyng to the trouthe and concience.* [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.] *Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez  .  .  .  .  .  many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and  .  .  .  .  .  officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys,dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys nor sygnet thanne* I have usyd this ij. yeer day last passed.* [with this same seal of armys and sygnet  .  .  . .  .  .  .  .  .  this my present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre  .  .  .  .  .  .  all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my  .  .  .  or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn ex[ecutores].Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othir that I have put in remembraunce be this my will to be preyed fore that suche as shalbe bounden to preye for me, and be rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe chargid be myn executoris be fore namyd to preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye foreor doo preye fore, and for hem that I have hadde ony goodes of.* [Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the discharge of my concience, be put in remembraunce of preyeris for the [good] affeccion I hadde on to them that I desyre shuld be preyed fore, is the soule of that blyssyd prynce, Thomas Bedford,156.1late Duke of Excestre, the soulys of the Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, my brothyr-in-lawe, andDame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and William Gunnour.] ** full wyll and assentynge of the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or condecion that he be of, withoute the * [knowynge, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.] ** the very will and assentyng of the seyd Paston and Howys, and that noon othyr attempte there in nor in noon othir cause in this my will to doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I require hem in Goddes be halve.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge that none of myn executorys, be him self, nor be noon othyr, in ony maner or condecion cautelous, colour  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall sell, nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo alyen, withdrawe, or do be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes, jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr utensylez, to my persone or houshold perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of myne, mevable or on mevablys, quyk or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute * [the knowyng, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem; and if it be soo that ony of myn executores attempte maleciously the contrary in effecte, he fallith in the centense of excommunicacion, doyng the contrary to my last will.] ** except before except, be me grauntid to the seyd John Paston or hese assygnes.Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge that all my feffeez feffyd of trust on to myn use of and in all mymanerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, and rentes, and servisez, and profitez, be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd * [in all maner of counteez, citeez, or burghes or townes with in the ream of Eng[lond]  .  .  .  .  .  ] * they that have astat, pocession, or tythe to myn use, with all the goodly haste,  .  .  .  .  and withoute delay aftyr they be requyred be myn* before namyd.executores* aftyr my deseas, that they shall feffyn and make lawefull astat in fee symple * [of and in all maner lordshipys, londes, tenementes, meswages, rentes, servisez, and profitez forseyd, or of every parcell of the same] * to that persone or personys to whom or to whiche* the seid John Paston and Thomas Howys.* [my seid executores in accomplisment of my last will, the said maneres, lordshepys, londes, tenementes, mecis, rentes, and servisez,* except before except.or ony parcell of the same,* shall sell, or doo sell aftyr the declaracion of* to dispose.this my last will * for the helthe* and for the soulis above seyd.of my soule, * [Dame Milcent, my wif, with all my progenitorys, cosynes, and benefactorys, and all my frendes.] ** [Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of God I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in effecte to accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement and of mynistracion of my last will, all the articlis there in conteynid they shall ransakyn besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here remembraunce, that both in will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shal not omyttyn for to complishe the seyd articles in  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Seynt Poule the Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  God Almighty shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion158.1.  .  .  .  .  .  this article to otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in hurtynge of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.] ** [Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the grace of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the verteuous devocion of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn owyn will, it happe ony good werkes and profitable to the helthe of my soule necessarye or avayleable to come be favour or swetnesse in to my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo wryte suche thyngs worthy to be remembryd in ony codicill or codicilles for tobe conyoinid to my testament or to my last will, thanne I will and preye with gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or articlys be me expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or codicillys that they may have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn in the code of my testement and my last will.] ** Item, I wyll and ordeyne that John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk, geve and dispose.* [Item, I will, I ordeyne, and I hertely desyre, sethe that every mortall creature is soget to the lymitez or merkys of mutabelyte and chaungeableness, and mannys levynge in frelte and condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on the behalve of Almyghty God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte, beseche, and preye all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst, and in the vertwe of the aspercion of Hise holy blood, shed out graciously for the savacion of all man kende, that for the more hasty delyveraunce of my soule from the peynefull flawmes of the fyre of Purgatory, on suche maner and wise they dele and departe my goodes feithfully be here discrecion and prudence and polytik,] * the yeer of my buryeng, in exspence of myn entyrement and othyr almesse, the same yeer, and dedys of pyete (?) for the holsum estat of my soule amonges pore peple and nedy to [be p]artyd and distributid plenteuously and hastely,* .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the salis of my londes and my goodes be my will  .  .  sygnid to be sold, be fully disposid for the well of my soule in almessefull dedes [and] charitable werkes with all goodly possibelite.the sum of mllmarke * [.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  the space of v. or vij. yeer immediatly folwyng by yeer Dxxxiijli.vjs.viijd.in almessefull deds and charitable wirkys, with all goodly possibelyte that they shall soo dispose my goodes in effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in peynefull angwyshis, with holy Job, be not compellyd to sey with gret lementacion and mornyng, Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, namely yee that my frendes shuld bee, for the hande of Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously touchyd me. These be the articlys, xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the intent and purpose of my last will be the handes of myn executores, whiche I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and beseche hem enterly feithefully to execute, as they will have helpe of God and of hise holy Gospell. And soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice,and concience to doo for me as they wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas lyche. In tokene and witnesse whereof, to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, above160.1.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .] *[The following new clause at the end.]Item, I will and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston, for the payment of iiij. mll.marke forseid, shal bere and paye to the seyd Thomas Howys, clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them have the mynistracion of my my goodes, the seid sum [of] viijc.marke iche othyr yeer of the forseyd yeerrys in whichethat sum is ordeynid to be distributid til he  .  .  .  .  . be tho paymentes born and payd the seyd sum of iiijmlmarkes, and that soo paid to be disposed be the seyd [John Pa]ston and Thomas Howys, or be hem that shal aftyr them have the mynistracion of my goods in executyng [my] will in awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo that my mevable goodes be mean of that  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall the lenger indure in dedis of almesse.

In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of [our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre,147.3I, John Fastolf of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra  .  .  .  and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come, there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and tyme of deth—Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye, that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and doo  .  .  .  for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary, doutyr of Nicholas  .  .  .  .  .  my modir, and the soule of Dame Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the soulez of othyr of myn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  kynsefolke and speciall frendes here undir wretyn,—I ordeyn and  .  .  .  .  .  this my last will in fourme and maner folwyng:—

[Second Draft.]

[First Draft.]

Firste, Forasmyche as for the welfare of my soule and of the soules forseyd, and for ese, support, and helpeof the pore inhabitantes in the cuntre of Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in tyme comyng withinne the gret mancion be me late edified and motid in Castre forseid, I have of long tyme been in purpose to stablishe and founde a collage withinne the seyd gret mancion, and soo to purveye that suche as I lovyd and thought behoffefull for the seyd cuntre, and that noon othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd mancion with the collagyens of the seyd collage: Therfor, and for the senguler love and trust that I have to my seyd cosyn John Paston, [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray beleve that he will execute my will here in, I will and ordeyne, as he and I have covinauntyd and been accordyd that he shall, with inne resonable tyme aftyr my deseas, founde or do founde  .  .  .  .  and indewe withinne the seid mancion a collage of vij. religeous monkys or pristes, to preye for the soules above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche one to be cheif governour of hem, and he to have xli., and iche othyr prist or monk [of the said co]llage x. marks yeerly for here sustenaunce and fynding, clerly paid in mony, and that the seyd collagyens shull be soo indewyd that be syde here seyd pencions for here propir levynge to be grauntyd hem, they  .  .  .  .  .  inmorteysid to hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly in perpetuite in the seyd mancion of Castre to preye for the soulis above seyd in perpetuite. Of whiche pore folk iche of hem to have xls.a yeer or th  .  .  .  .  ere levynge, fynding, and sustentacion; and that the seyd John Paston shall ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd collagyens, and to the seyd pore folke a suffecient summe, and a competent and an esy dwellynge place  .  .  .  .  .  seid collagyens nor here successorys beryng noreparacion there of, for whiche and for othyr consyderacionis above seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston shall have in fee symple, to hy[m and his heirs] all the manerez, londes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche in whiche the seyd John Paston or ony othyr to myn use are or were feffyd in or have title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in the seyd manerez, londes, and  .  .  .  er astat of the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes to suche personys, and at suche tymes and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston, hise heyris or his assigneez, shall requyre hem, or ony of hem. And the seyd John Paston  .  .  .  .  .  seyd collage shal bere and paye to my behoff, towardes the paymentys of my dettes and othir thynges, be my present will assygnid to be do, mlmlmlml.[4000] mark, in suche fourme and at suche tyme as in this my present will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  here aftir folwyng:—

* [Fyrst, I will and ordeyne that, if it plese oure sovereynge lord Kynge Herry the Sexte, or hese heyre Kynges,for the longe contynwyd servise be me in the daye of strengthe and helthe of my body, to hym and to the noble Kynge Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, hise progenitoris, and to hise noble uncles John Duke of Bedford, Thomas Duke of Clarence, whill they were in the werrys of oure seyd sovereyng Lord and hise noble progenitorys forseid, in Fraunce and Normandy as in cuntreez and othyr placis, consederynge my many gret labourys, peynis, and perilis in the seyd servise of oure sovereyn Lord and hise noble progenitoris forseyd, and hise pleyntyuous grace withoutyn ony other  .  .  .  .  .  of myn executores namyd in my testament, or ellys for a resonable sume of [money] whiche oure seyd sovereyn Lord owith me, or in othir wise, or be ony othyr meane, so as myn executores therein shall accorde with oure seyd sovereyn Lord and hise counsell, or with hise heire Kynges and here councell, to lycence and graunte to them that be feffyd to myn use in my Lordshepis manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenaunces, or to here assigneez aftyr the effecte and forme of the lawe, by the avyse of myn executores, to ordeyne, founde, and stablishe, withinne the gret mancion or dwelynge place late be me newe edified and motid in the town of Castre, be Gret Jernemuth, in the counte of Norffolk, whiche mancion or dwellyng place I was born in, a collage of a prioury of vj. religeous personis, monks of the ordir of Seynt Benett, and to inmorteise and graunte to the seyd priour and vj. religeous personis, or to here successorys, the forseyd mancion or dwellynge place, with all the appurtenauncez and othir suffecient and cleer lyflode of the forseyd lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, for the sustentacionof the seyd priour and vj. religeous personys and here successorys, and for here othyr chargys and reparacionis, and for vij. pore men in the seyd collage in perpetuite, be the avise and discrecion of myn executores forseid, to be foundyd and susteynid; and that thanne the forseyd feffees or her assignees if they  .  .  .  .  grauntes of othyr havyng entresse in this be halve requisit lawefully shul make, founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule, and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession, obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez, inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with the appurte[nances], .  .  .  .  sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the for seyd lordshepis maneres  .  .  .  .  rentes, servisez, with here appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis  .  .  .  .  .  lithe next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the] seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis, and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore seyd.] *

* [Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and graunte ofoure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the licence or graunt of ony othyr  .  .  .  .  entresse in this behalve be not lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  that thanne my seid executorys shall geve or do be gove to  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the monastery of Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent  .  .  .  .  .  seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj. monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.

Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony persone or personis been feffid in, or have astat or possession, or be in titlid to myn use be the lawe, except the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in the shirez of Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article next presedent specified, shull be sold be the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John and Thomas, and noon othir while they leve, shall have the sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of all my londes forseyd, except before except, and execucion of this my last will and of every article there in; and I will that the seid John and Thomas shall have all the profitez and avaylez and emolwements of the seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with all othir comoditeez thereof comyng, til be them they be sold, and the mony of the profites and salis thereof comynge, be them to be disposed for the welfare of my souleand of the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and in cas this my will be not executyd in theyre [liv]es, that thanne the execucion be thereof doon be othyr myn executores that aftyr hem too shal have the mynistracion of my goodes.

* [It]em, I will and ordeyne that all and singuler lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in whiche ony persone or personys are feffid in or have astat and possession to myn use, in whiche sum ever counteez or townez the said lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez bein withinne the ream of Englond; and that all the forseyd and senguler lordshepys, manerez, tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony person or personys been intitlyd to myn use be the lawe, shull be sold be my seyd executoris, except manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage, if the fundacion thereof take effecte: And that the mony of the sale or salys comynge be disposed be my seyd executores in executyng of thys my last wyll and testament, and in othyr dedes of almesse as my seyd executores be here discrecion shal seme best to plese God for the helthe of my soule and for the soulys forseyd: And that happe the fundacion of the seyd collageto take to noon effecte, nor the seyd collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.] *

* [Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l  .  .  .  .  .  londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to tyme  .  .  .  .  .  and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion  .  .  .  .  .  .  shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the plesure of God.] *

Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes pretende  .  .  .  .  .  .  at this day to be next heneritere [inheritor] to me aftyr my deseas, where  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  knowe that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys  .  .  .  .  .  .  have to myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey  .  .  .  me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be onymanner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.

Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd], or the more part of them152.1and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd]152.2executors.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.

Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd to  .  .  [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes152.3of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd],152.4aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.

Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, withplaceboandderigeand messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd]152.4that londes or teneme[ntes]  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xxs., and that to be inmorteis  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  swyr to the seyd prioury orparishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere  .  .  .  .  .  and chargys of the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.

Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of myn executores be fore namyd.153.1

Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my goodes  .  .  .  .  .  havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and of  .  .  .  .  .  Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here  .  .  .  .  .  othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.

Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid to be sold,153.2and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion, fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for a  .  .  .  .  .  .  is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor debarre of the tayle.153.3

Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note thederigeand messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.

* and that oon of the monkis or pristes in the collage be me ordeynid in the mancion of Castre forseid shall synge specialy in perpetuite for the soule of my modir and all here auncestryez, and good dooerys.

Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary may be yeerly inperpetuite kept withplaceboandderigeand messe of requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attilburgh,* [and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn executorys.] *

Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule recomendid amonges  .  .  .  .  .  with an annversary to be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem withplaceboand [derigeand] messe of requyem be note.154.1

* be the avise of myn executores before namyd

Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that myn [executores and]154.2feffeez* porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full entre doon  .  .  .  .  .  my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.

Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xxli.

Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.

Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in the  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a figure  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.

Item, that myn executores before namyd helpe that the maner of Cowlynge be disposed and guydid aftyr the will of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my executoris thynke it be to doo.

* [Item, I will that a provecion be made for swerte of the maner of Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to the last wyll of Dame Marget Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner I stond enfeffed in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry Braunche, my neweu, here son  .  .  .  .  seyd maner, provided that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.] *

Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes accordyng to the trouthe and concience.

* [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.] *

Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez  .  .  .  .  .  many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and  .  .  .  .  .  officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys,dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys nor sygnet thanne* I have usyd this ij. yeer day last passed.* [with this same seal of armys and sygnet  .  .  . .  .  .  .  .  .  this my present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre  .  .  .  .  .  .  all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.

Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my  .  .  .  or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn ex[ecutores].

Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othir that I have put in remembraunce be this my will to be preyed fore that suche as shalbe bounden to preye for me, and be rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe chargid be myn executoris be fore namyd to preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye foreor doo preye fore, and for hem that I have hadde ony goodes of.

* [Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the discharge of my concience, be put in remembraunce of preyeris for the [good] affeccion I hadde on to them that I desyre shuld be preyed fore, is the soule of that blyssyd prynce, Thomas Bedford,156.1late Duke of Excestre, the soulys of the Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, my brothyr-in-lawe, andDame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and William Gunnour.] *

* full wyll and assentynge of the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or condecion that he be of, withoute the * [knowynge, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.] *

* the very will and assentyng of the seyd Paston and Howys, and that noon othyr attempte there in nor in noon othir cause in this my will to doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I require hem in Goddes be halve.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge that none of myn executorys, be him self, nor be noon othyr, in ony maner or condecion cautelous, colour  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall sell, nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo alyen, withdrawe, or do be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes, jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr utensylez, to my persone or houshold perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of myne, mevable or on mevablys, quyk or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute * [the knowyng, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem; and if it be soo that ony of myn executores attempte maleciously the contrary in effecte, he fallith in the centense of excommunicacion, doyng the contrary to my last will.] *

* except before except, be me grauntid to the seyd John Paston or hese assygnes.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge that all my feffeez feffyd of trust on to myn use of and in all mymanerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, and rentes, and servisez, and profitez, be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd * [in all maner of counteez, citeez, or burghes or townes with in the ream of Eng[lond]  .  .  .  .  .  ] * they that have astat, pocession, or tythe to myn use, with all the goodly haste,  .  .  .  .  and withoute delay aftyr they be requyred be myn* before namyd.executores* aftyr my deseas, that they shall feffyn and make lawefull astat in fee symple * [of and in all maner lordshipys, londes, tenementes, meswages, rentes, servisez, and profitez forseyd, or of every parcell of the same] * to that persone or personys to whom or to whiche* the seid John Paston and Thomas Howys.* [my seid executores in accomplisment of my last will, the said maneres, lordshepys, londes, tenementes, mecis, rentes, and servisez,* except before except.or ony parcell of the same,* shall sell, or doo sell aftyr the declaracion of* to dispose.this my last will * for the helthe* and for the soulis above seyd.of my soule, * [Dame Milcent, my wif, with all my progenitorys, cosynes, and benefactorys, and all my frendes.] *

* [Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of God I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in effecte to accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement and of mynistracion of my last will, all the articlis there in conteynid they shall ransakyn besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here remembraunce, that both in will  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shal not omyttyn for to complishe the seyd articles in  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Seynt Poule the Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  God Almighty shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion158.1.  .  .  .  .  .  this article to otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in hurtynge of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.] *

* [Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the grace of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the verteuous devocion of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn owyn will, it happe ony good werkes and profitable to the helthe of my soule necessarye or avayleable to come be favour or swetnesse in to my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo wryte suche thyngs worthy to be remembryd in ony codicill or codicilles for tobe conyoinid to my testament or to my last will, thanne I will and preye with gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or articlys be me expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or codicillys that they may have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn in the code of my testement and my last will.] *

* Item, I wyll and ordeyne that John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk, geve and dispose.

* [Item, I will, I ordeyne, and I hertely desyre, sethe that every mortall creature is soget to the lymitez or merkys of mutabelyte and chaungeableness, and mannys levynge in frelte and condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on the behalve of Almyghty God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte, beseche, and preye all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst, and in the vertwe of the aspercion of Hise holy blood, shed out graciously for the savacion of all man kende, that for the more hasty delyveraunce of my soule from the peynefull flawmes of the fyre of Purgatory, on suche maner and wise they dele and departe my goodes feithfully be here discrecion and prudence and polytik,] * the yeer of my buryeng, in exspence of myn entyrement and othyr almesse, the same yeer, and dedys of pyete (?) for the holsum estat of my soule amonges pore peple and nedy to [be p]artyd and distributid plenteuously and hastely,* .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  of the salis of my londes and my goodes be my will  .  .  sygnid to be sold, be fully disposid for the well of my soule in almessefull dedes [and] charitable werkes with all goodly possibelite.the sum of mllmarke * [.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  the space of v. or vij. yeer immediatly folwyng by yeer Dxxxiijli.vjs.viijd.in almessefull deds and charitable wirkys, with all goodly possibelyte that they shall soo dispose my goodes in effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in peynefull angwyshis, with holy Job, be not compellyd to sey with gret lementacion and mornyng, Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, namely yee that my frendes shuld bee, for the hande of Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously touchyd me. These be the articlys, xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the intent and purpose of my last will be the handes of myn executores, whiche I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and beseche hem enterly feithefully to execute, as they will have helpe of God and of hise holy Gospell. And soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice,and concience to doo for me as they wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas lyche. In tokene and witnesse whereof, to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, above160.1.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .] *

[The following new clause at the end.]

Item, I will and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston, for the payment of iiij. mll.marke forseid, shal bere and paye to the seyd Thomas Howys, clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them have the mynistracion of my my goodes, the seid sum [of] viijc.marke iche othyr yeer of the forseyd yeerrys in whichethat sum is ordeynid to be distributid til he  .  .  .  .  . be tho paymentes born and payd the seyd sum of iiijmlmarkes, and that soo paid to be disposed be the seyd [John Pa]ston and Thomas Howys, or be hem that shal aftyr them have the mynistracion of my goods in executyng [my] will in awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo that my mevable goodes be mean of that  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  shall the lenger indure in dedis of almesse.

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