513JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON36.1

35.1[From Fenn, i. 250.] This letter evidently refers to the state of matters in the beginning of the year 1462, when HenryVI.and Margaret of Anjou were in Scotland, and when the Earl of Oxford had just been beheaded for conspiring against EdwardIV.The date of Oxford’s execution was the 20th of February. This confession of the Frenchmen is dated in the third week of Lent, that is to say, between the 14th and the 20th of March.35.2Philip the Good.35.3Large ships with forestages or forecastles.35.4HenryIV., King of Castile.35.5FrancisII., the last Duke.35.6LewisXI.35.7This word, says Fenn, is imperfect in the original.513JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON36.1To my right singler maister, J. Paston, Squyer, in hast, &c.1462MARCH 24Afterdue recomendacion, please it your maistership to wyte Maister Yelverton, justice, seid in the Sessions that the Kyng shulde kepe his Estern at Bury, and from thens come unto this cuntre and se suyche riottes as have be in this cuntre punyshed in suche fourme as happely summe shulde hange by the nekke. And he tolde what thank he had of the Kyng at Cambrigg for cause he declarid so well the charge of extorcions doon by Shirefs and other officers, &c., for the whiche declaracion the Kyng tooke hym by the hand, and seid he cowde hym grett thanke, and prayed hym so to do in this cuntre, &c.In hast, at Norwich, the Wednesseday next tofore th’Annunciacion, &c.Your povere,J. Gresham.36.1[From Fenn, iv. 76.] It does not appear that EdwardIV.ever did spend an Easter at Bury, as here projected. He was, however, at Cambridge in the beginning of March 1462; from which he proceeded to Peterborough, Stamford, Newark, and Lincoln, and at Easter (18th April) he seems to have been at Leicester.514JOHN WYKES TO JOHN PASTON36.2To my right trusti and welbelovid frend, John Paston, Esquier.1462MARCH 25Rightworshipfull, and myn enterly welbelovyd frend, I recomaund me un to you, hertely thankyng you of your gret present of fisch, and of the felyshipp that my cosyn your sonne shewid unto me att Norwiche, purposyngbe the grace of God to deserve it un to you in tyme to come, in such place as I may do for you.Desiryng you specyally, wher as a tenaunt of myne of Lavenham, called John Fermour, is sesid and arestid with in the towne of Yermowth, be cause he dwellid with the Erle of Oxonfords son, and purposid to have passid the see withou[t] lycence, and stondyth out of the conceyte of much peple, I wold desyre you, that ye wold wryte to the Baylyffs of Yermouth to delyver the seid John Fermor to my servaunt John Brenerigg, brynger of this, with an officer of the seid Towne, to be caried unto the Kyngs Castell of Rysing at my cost; ther to be examynid of certeyne Artycules, which I may not disclose, til I have spoke with the Kyngs Highnes: praying you to wryte to the seid Bayliffs, that I shall be her suffisant discharge ayenst the Kynge. Desyryng yow to geve credence to the brynger herof, as my verray trust is in yow.Wretyn at Lavenham, the xxvth.day of Marche.Your trew and feithfull frend, havyng no blame for my gode wylle.John Wykes,Ussher of the Kyngs Chambre.36.2[From Fenn, i. 252.] As this letter relates to the arrest of a confederate of the Earl of Oxford and his son, who were executed in February 1462, for conspiring against EdwardIV., the date must be referred to that year.515JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON37.1To the rigth reverent and worshipfull sir, and my right honourable maystyr, John Paston.1462APRIL (?)Rightworshipfull sir, and my right honourable maistir, I recomaunde me to you in my most humble wise. And plese it youre good maistirshyp to wete that it is seyd here that my Lord Worcestre is lyk to be Tresorer, withwhom I truste ye stonde right wel in conseit, with whiche God contynwe. Wherfor I beseke youre maistirshipp that if my seid Lord have the seid office, that it lyke you to desyre the nomynacion of on of the officez, eythyr of the countroller or serchorship of Jernemuth, for a servaunt of yowrez, and I shuld so gyde me in the office as I truste shuld be most profit to my seyd Lord. And if youre maistirshyp lyked to gete graunt thereof, that than it plesyd you to lycense on of youre servaunts to take out the patent of the seyd office; and if it cost v. or vj. or viij. marke, I shal trewly contente it ageyn; and yeerly as longe as I myght have the officez, or any of hem, I shal geve my maister youre sone v. marke toward an haukeney.It shuld be to me right a good mean to stondyn as well in the trust as in the conseyt amongs marchaunts, with whom and with alle men I calle myself a servaunt of yourez, and soo wil do, if it plese you, which boldyth me the more to calle upon youre right wurshipful maistyrshyp in this mater, where in I beseke you to forgeve me my boldneyse in thys behalve. And if I knew that my Lord shuld have the office in sertayn, than I wold wayte upon youre good maystyrshyp there to opteyne the patent, if it plesyd youre good maystirship to gete me the graunt, &c.No more on to you, my right honourable maister, at thys tyme, but Jesu I beseke sende you a good conclucyon in all yore maters, and graunt you ever youre herts desyre.Yore contynwal servaunt and bedeman,John Russe.37.1[From Fenn, iv. 112.] This letter must have been written before the 14th of April 1462, on which day the Earl of Worcester was appointed Treasurer of the Exchequer (Patent Roll, 2 Edw.IV., p. 1, m. 19).516W. C. TO JOHN PASTON39.1To myn ryght worshipfull and ryght singler good mayster, myn Mayster John Paston.1462MAY 4Myn ryght worshipfull mayster, I recomaunde me to yow in myn ryght homble wyse. And please your maystership that I have ben at Wetyng and there hald the court and lete on Hokmonday39.2as hit hath bene of olde tyme accostomed; and the tenauntes have attorned and bene full gladde that myn lady shuld rejoyse hit and kepe here possession. The priour of Bromhill that was fermoure his terme is expired, and wole sewe to myn lady and hir councell to have a newe terme; but lete myn lady be ware, for, as I here seyn, he bydeth but a tyme that he myght gete a summe of money to geders of myn ladyes lyflode, and to gone ther with39.3a love of his sojornyng as yette in Hokehold. She hath bene dreven fro town to town for his sake. Hit is wele done ye advertyse myn lady, if she be in that cas that she hath governaunce of hir owen londes, that she do no thyng to that lyflode ner non other in Norffolk, with ought advyse of theym that have vysyted and overseen theym; for there hath bene straunge rewle, bothe in woodsales and sale of londes helde at wylle for fre rent, as ye shal knowe here after. Thoresby, a man that was generall attorney for myn Lord Oxenford that was, told me that the Kynge hadde made Keche generall receyvoure by priveseale of alle londes that were the Erle of Oxenford and Dame Elyzabet, ecept tho that Howard hadde entered and Lanham and an other graunted to Wykes, and certeyn lyflode in Kent that was assigned to the tresorer of howshold of the Kynges hows; and she shuld have be Keches hande v.c.[500] mark, ij.c.and l. [250] mark to bene payed at this Estern and the remulant at Mihelmasse. And of the remulant the Kyng shuld be answered. Ye shal sone understande how it is; and if hit be so, hit [is]39.4but foly to laboure any ferther. I wold fayn knowe, for the courtes for the half yere wold bene holde for nede. And our Lord be with youre maystership and sende yow th’accomplyshement of youre noble desyres. Wreten hastely at Norwyche, the iiijteday of May.Youre servaunt to his power,W. C.And whan ye comon with myn ryght worshipfull lady I beseche yow remembre myn pore maters in whiche is greet concyens, &c.39.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The manor of Weeting, in Norfolk, came to John Vere, twelfth Earl of Oxford, by his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of John Howard, Esquire, son and heir of Sir John Howard, Knight. This Earl was beheaded in February 1462, for treason against EdwardIV., and the present letter seems to have been written in May following.39.2Hock Monday was a fortnight after Easter Monday. In 1462 it fell on the 3rd May, the day before this letter was written.39.3Withrepeated inMS.39.4Omitted inMS.517MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON40.1To my ryght wurschipful maister, John Paston.1462MAY 18I recomaundeme unto you. Plesith it you to witte that I have spoken with Furbuschour and other of the matre that ye spake to me off, and they have promysed me to be as feythefull in it as it where for hem selfe. Also I have spoken with my modre and seide to here as ye desired me to doo, and sche seide sche knewe the massache weele inowe before be other persones in like wice as ye comaunded hem to sey to her; and sche seide she wode fayne that ye dede weele what so ever ye sey and fille forthe in other talkyng. Me semethe che is displesed that ye came not to her or than ye roode foorthe. I schall telle you more whan that ye come home. Thomas Denys wyff whas at me, and desired me that I schulde sende to you and desire you that che myght have knowleche from you how ye woll that sche schall doo with her matre; sche seithe her brother and other of her frendes thynke that she schulde up to London and calle uppon her matre there, but she seithe pleynly sche woll nought doo therin withoute your advice. It whas toolde me that Bacon and Gonnor whas here to speke with me for the matre that Bacon spake to you of, and at that tyme I whas at Norweche and I herde no more of hem sethen. And as for my brother William, he is not purposed to come to London tyll aftre Pentecost; but my brother Clement is purposed to come forward on Monday or on Twesday next comyng at theferthest. No more at this tyme but the blissed Trinite preserve you. Wreten the xviij. day of May.YourMargaret Paston.I prey yow that ye woll wete safe to remembre Johane Gayne matre, and that ye woll take John Paston that he remembre you of it, for Dawbeney and Pampyng woll sone for gete it.40.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter is evidently not far removed in date fromNo. 489, in which ‘Joan Gayne’s matter’ is also mentioned. The year, however, cannot be 1461, as William Paston was in London that year as early as the 4th April. It seems also from this letter that John Paston had recently left home, which could not have been the case in 1461 if No. 453 be of that year. We have therefore little doubt that the true date is 1462, and that the substance of the letter relates to proceedings taken by the widow of Thomas Denys against her husband’s murderers.518JOHN PASTON, JUNIOR, TO HIS FATHER41.1To my ryght wurschipfull fadre, John Paston.1462MAYPlesityou to wete that I am at Leyn, and under stande be dyvers personys, as I am in formed, that the Mayster of Carbroke41.2wold take a rewle in theMarè Talbotas for capteyn, and to yeve jaketes of his levery to dyvers personis qwych be waged be oder men, and nouth be hym, beyng in the said shep. Qwerfor in as moch as I have but few sowdeors in myn levery her, to strenketh me in that qwych is the Kynges commandement, I kepe with me yowr too men, Dawbenney and Calle, qwich I purpose shall seyle with me to Yermeth; for I have purveyed harneyse for hem. And ye shall well understande, be the grace of God, that the said Mayster of Carbroke shall have non rewle in the sheppes, as I had purposid he shuld have had, because of his besynesse, and for this is on of the specyall causes I kepe yowr said men with me, besechyng you ye takyt to non dysplesur of ther taryngwith me. Nat withstanding, ther herden42.1at Wyggenalle shall be don this day be the grace of God, Whoo have you in kepyng.Wreten at Leynn, the morow after my departyng from you.Item, as far such tydynges as be here, Th. shall in forme you.John Paston.41.1[From Fenn, iv. 100.] On the 29th May 1462 a commission was granted to Sir John Howard and Sir Thomas Walgrave to arrest the ships, theMary Talbotand theMary Thomson, both of Lynn, and other vessels in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, for a fleet which the King was fitting out (seePatent Roll, 2 Edw.IV., p. 1, m. 14,in dorso). Sir Thomas Walgrave may perhaps have been the person designated in this letter as the Master of Carbrooke. At all events, the date is clearly about this time.41.2At Carbrooke, in Norfolk, was a commandry formerly belonging to the Knights Templars, which, like most of the possessions of the order, when it was suppressed in EdwardII.’s time, was given to the Knights of St. John.42.1I do not understand the meaning of the word ‘herden.’—F.519ABSTRACT42.21462JUNE 6Inventory of household stuff remaining at Castre, 6 June 2 EdwardIV., viz. of robes, jewels, arras, etc.42.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 354.]520NOTE1462Among someMSS., which seem formerly to have belonged to the Paston Collection in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, is one endorsed— ‘A Pedigree showing how the manor of Caister was divided,’ tracing its descent from earlier owners to Sir John Fastolf.521J. DAUBENEY TO JOHN PASTON42.3To my most reverent and worchepfull maister, John Paston, dwellyng at Heylysdon, be this delyveryd.Ih’s.1462JULY 3Mostreverent and worchepfull master, I recommaund me onto your god masterchep. Please you to have knowlage, on the Fryday at afternoon next after Seynt Peter, there was at the taveran in London old Debnamand young Debnam, Thomas Edmonds, and I; and ther the seyd Thomas Edmonds fell in communicacion with old Debnam, and seyd that my Lord Tresorer43.1had put hym to a gret charge for the vetelyng ofMary Talbot,43.2seyyng to old Debnam that he hard sey that he had a C. bulloks to selle, the wyche the seyd Edmonds wolle bey so that they may a cord of the price. Than the seyd old Debnam answerd ageyn, and seyd he wold, so that he myght have good payment, or elles the seyd Edmonds to be bound in abligacion to pay hym at suche dayys as they myght a cord. And noon upon thys same langwage, yong Debnam spake to hys fader, ‘Sir, I pray you that ye wolle take avisment of this mater tille to morowe, for I trost to your good faderhod that ye wolle late me have a serteyn of your bulloks for the vetelyng of theBarge of Yermothe, and I shall fynd you sufficiant suerte for the payment therof for Edmonds. I wolle that ye knowe I have be ther, and spoke with the owner and with the maister of the seyd barge, and they knowyn myn oppoyntment.’Than the seyd Edmonds answered to yong Debnam, and told hym that the sety of Norwic and Yermothe hathe grauntyd, and send wrytyng to the Kynge and to the Lords that they wolle manne and veteylle the seyd barge of her owne cost fro the tym of hyr goyng owt tylle hyr comyng home; and thus the seyd Edmonds told hym that my Lord Tresorer and all the Lords that be at London thynk they do ryght well her devyer, and be worthey moche thanke of the Kyng. ‘Well,’ quod yong Debnam, ‘I had in commaundment for to have the rewle of the seyd barge, and I wolle be at Yermothe as thys day iiij. dayys, and man hyr and bryng hyr downne to the Gylys of Hulle, for that ys my chype.’Also he seyd mor, with out that he myght have the seyd barge, he wolle note goo to see but hym self and hys xxiiij. men. And thus, yf please your maisterchep, he departyd from the taveran; and at hys departyng, he told the seyd Thomas Edmonds, ‘Thys ys Paston labor.’ Than the seyd Edmonds answerd hym ageyn, and seyd playnly he was toblame for to reporte so of your masterchep, for he knoythe veryly he seyd on trewly of you and of my master your son bothe, and ther on he wold take a hothe. And so, yf it please your good masterchep, late the cety of Norwic and Yermothe have knowlage of hys gret crakyng and bost, and let hym of hys purpose by the autorite that they have.Item, my master your son wolle have to hys jakets murry44.1and tany [tawny], and that it please yow sum of my felachep may spek to on of the drapers for to ordeyn yt ageyns hys comyng hom, for I trowe it shall be thys day sevenyght ar he comithe home.Item, sir, if please you, Skrowpe hathe sent to you to London be Byngham for the mony that ye knowe of, zit I spake not with hym; but I shall telle hym that I suppose ye shall be here in the last end of the terme, and I shall send your masterchep word what answer I have of hym.Item, sir, if pleese suche tydyngs as I her of, I send you word. My Lord of Warwek hathe be in Skotlond, an take a castell of the Skoots; and upon thys ther came the Quene of Skoots44.2with other Lords of her contre, as ye shall her the namys, in basetry [embassy] to my seyd Lord of Werwek, and a trews is take betwyx thys and Seynt Bertylmew Day in Auguste. Thes is the last tydyngs that I knowe. No mor to your god masterchep at this tyme, but Jesu have [you] in kepyng.Wretyn on the Saturday next after Seynt Peter.By your por servaunt,J. Daubeney.42.3[From Fenn, iv. 138.] The date of this letter is shown by an entry on thePatent Roll, 2 Edw.IV., p. 1, m. 7,in dorso. On the 27th June 1462 a commission was given to Gilbert Debenham, Jun., Esquire, Walter Alderiche, master of theGeorgeof Yarmouth, and John Childe, to arrest for the King’s service a ship calledThe Barge of Yarmouth, alias The George, with victuals, masters, and mariners for the same.43.1John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester. He was beheaded in October 1470.—F.43.2SeePreliminary Note to No. 518,p. 41, Note 1.44.1Dark red or purple and yellowish colour.—F.44.2Mary, daughter of Arnold, Duke of Gelders, and mother to JamesIII., King of Scotland.522RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON, JUNIOR45.1To my maistre, John Paston the yonger, be this delyvered.1462Sere, I have receyved your lettre, wherin I undrestand that my maistre desired that my maistre your brother myght have the gidyng and governaunce of theBarge of Yermouthe. As to that, and men of Yermouthe had knowen my maistre entend a fornyght a goo, he had ben swer of it, but nough it is so that Debenham hathe a comyscion of the Kyng expressed oonly for that schip named in hes comyscion; and he hathe ben here at Yermouthe, and spoken with the balyffs and with the owners of the seide schip, and takyn suche a direccion that they may graunted it ne man but hym. And moreover he hathe endented with the owners of the schip what daye it schulbe redy as well vetaylled as manned; and also he hathe brought downe letters from my Lord Tresorer to all priours and gentlemen in this contre to helpe hym and assiste hym to vetayle and manne the seide schip, and hes men is here dayle, and gothe abought and gathereth whete, malt, money, and what so ever any man woll geve, &c.The blissed Trinyte preserve you. Wreten at Castre, the Friday next aftre I receyved your lettre.Item, is talked here that my maistre your brother and Debenham were at words at London, and that Debenham shuld have streken hym, had nought Howard a’ beene, &c., wherof I am ryght sory, &c. Neverthelesse I trust to God all schul be weell.Your servaunt,Ric. Calle.45.1[From Fenn, iv. 144.] This and the next letter were evidently written not very long after the last.523RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON46.1To my maistre, John Paston.Plesithyour maisterschip to wit that I whas at Scole, and spake with Alblastre, John Sadeler, and with other good yomen of the contre to undrestonde how they were gided for the vetelyng of theBarge of Yermouth. And I undrestonde be them that there [their] hundred have payed; nevertheles it is but litell. Ther was gatherd in that hundred xviijs.and certein corn, and some other hundred vj. marc and corne, and so they have payed in all the hundreds and townys here a boute, that is to sey, Est Flegge and West Flegge and up to Blofeld, Tunsted and up to Stalom, I undrestand, be the comiscion that Debenham hath. It is more large thanne master John is, as ye schal undrestand, wherof I send you a copy, weche causeth me that I labour no ferther therin. Notwithstandyng your maisterschip schal have knowleche what every hundred geve, and Yermeth bothe.Wreten at Wynterton, the morwe aftre I departed from your maisterschip.Youre poore bedman,Ric. Calle.46.1[From Fenn, iii. 430.]524ABSTRACT46.2Richard Calle to John Paston1462(?)[JULY 5]Cannot inform him how much malt he has at Castre, ‘for the malters have not moten all up yet,’—probably 400 quarters new and 160 comb old malt of Castre and Mauteby, of which 40 quarters will be spent in the household by Hallowmas. At Yarmouth it is now 2s.2d.a bushel—it was 2s.6d.But London is a better market. Thinks the price will fall here, as the fields arereasonably fair in Flegge, and so up to Norwich. The carriage from Yarmouth to London will be 6d.per quarter, ‘and I understand j. quartre of Yermothe mette makethe at London but vij. busschell.’Norwich, Monday after St. Peter’s Day.[As John Paston does not seem to have been in undisturbed possession of Caister before 1462, and we have evidence of Richard Calle having been there in that year about the time of year when this letter was written, we may with great probability refer it to that year.]46.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.]525JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON47.1To the right worshypful my right honourabyl mayster, John Paston.1462JULY 15Rightworshipfull sir, and my right honourabill maister, I recomaund me to you in my most humble wyse, and please your maistirship to wete that her is on Thomas Chapman, an evyl disposyd man al wey ayens you, as I have informyd youre maistirship many tymes, and now he hathe labouryd to my Lord Tresorer to subplante me, and brought down wryghting from the Kyng and my Lord Tresorer; but or hise wryting cam, Wydwell fond the meanys, be the supportacion of Maistir Feen, that we had a discharge for hym out of the Chauncery; wherfor the seyd Chapman proposyth to be at London in all haste, and to avertise the Kyng and my Lord Tresorer ageyn me to the grettest hurt he can imagyne. Wherfor I beseke youre maystirship, consedryng is evyl disposecion to yow, and also the rather at my pore instaunce, that ye lyke that my Lord Tresorer myght undyrstonde that the seyd Chapman is of no reputacion, but evyl disposyd to brybory of straungers, and be colour of hise office of supervisor of the searche shal gretly hurte the port. The seyd Chapman supportors is Blakeney, clerk of the sygnet, and Avery Cornburght, yoman of the Kynges chaumbre. He hathe here of Avereyes xxiiij. tune wyn, whereof at the long wey he shalmake the seyd Averey a lewd rekenyng. The seyd Chapman lovyth not you, nor no man to yow wards, &c.Sir, I prey God brynge you onys to regne amongs youre cuntre men in love, and to be dred. The lenger ye contynwe there the more hurt growyth to you. Men sey ye will neyther folwe the avyse of youre owyn kynred, nor of youre counsell, but contynwe your owyn wylfullnesse, whiche, but grace be, shal be youre distrucion. It is my part to enfourme youre maistirshyp as the comown voyse is, God betir it, and graunt yow onys herts ease; for it is half a deth to me to here the generall voyse of the pepyll, whiche dayli encreassyth, &c.Sir, I beseke youre maistirshyp to remembre my maystresse for the lytil sylvir, whiche for serteyn thyngs delyverid to youre use is dewe to me. I have nede of it now. I have bought salt and other thyngs, whiche hathe brought me out of myche sylvir. I wold trust, and I nedyd to borwe xxli., your maistirshyp wold ease me for a tyme, but thys that I desyre is myn owyn dute. And Jesu graunt yow ever yowr herts desyre to youre worshyp and profyt, and preserve yow my right honourabyll maister from all adversyte.Wretyn at Jernemuthe, the xv. day of July. Here is a kervyl [carvel] of Cane in Normandy, and he takyth Duchemen, and raunsumyth hem grevously.Yore servaunt and bedman,John Russe.47.1[From Fenn, iv. 120.] The precise year in which this letter was written is a little uncertain, but from the date and contents it would appear that Russe was now in possession of the office which inNo. 515he had asked Paston to procure for him; so that it cannot be earlier than 1462.526WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON48.1To myn wurchipfull broder, Jon Paston.1462JULYRyththewurchipfull broder, I recomand [me] to zow. Lekit it zow to wethe [wit], Jon of Dam is come to towne, and purposit hym to tary here a day ar ij. ar longar, I can thynk, and he be desyryd. Were fore I prayzow, and as I have afore this tyme desiryd zow the same, that suche materis as hathe be comunyd now lathe be twyx myn moder, zow and hym, may take some good conclucyon be twyx owre selff here at hom. And in myn consayt, savyng zow better avyse, it were so most convenyent and wurchipfull for us all, and comforthe to all owre fryndis. And for this ententhe I wold tary here the lengar; for I wold be as glad as any man a lyve that suche an ende mythe be take be twix us that iche off us all schuld inyoy the wylleffar off odyr, qweche I trust with zowr good help schall be rythe wyll, and I dowthe nat myn mastyr Markam wyll be will plesyd thus.I have tydynges from London, and a monge odyr tydynges I have knowlage thatCirstofreHanson is passid to God on Saterday last past, at ij. of clok after mydnythe. It is good to take hede there to, &c.Item, I sent to zow to have had zowre avyse qwat menys were best to make for the mater towchyng the Lord Scrop, qwere in I had an answer, but me thowthe it was not to the poynthe. I sopose, and I purposyd to make the labore that ze sent me word I schuld do towchyng me, I can thynk I schuld sone be answerid, meche sonar than he. I must send some answer to hym, were in I wold have zowr consayll; for he desirid the same, and I wold not he schold thynk that he were forgotyn be us.Be zowr pore broder,William Paston.I can thynk and he were here he wold be a feythfull frynd to zow; but and so were that ze thowthe that it were for to labore for any oder man, me thynkit it were for zow to remembre myn nevew. That were somewat lykly, and there to wold I be glad to help and lene to the toder. For as for me, I know so moche that sche will none have but iff he have, ar be leke to have, meche more lond than I have; and iff I knewe the contrary, it schuld nat be left for the labore, but I wold not be in a folis paradyce, and ze be myn good brodir. I trust thow to do rythe will, &c.48.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The reference to the death of Christopher Hanson proves this letter to have been written in July 1462, as the precise date of his death is given inLetter 528.I have knowlage that Cirstofre Hanson is passidtext unchanged: error for “Cristofre”?527THOMAS PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON50.1To my rigth good maister, John Paston the oldest, beyng at Heylesdon, besyde Norwiche, in hast.1462JULYPleaseyour maistership wete that Christofer Hanson is ded and beryed; and as for executor or testament, he mad non.As for tydyngs, the Erles of Warrewyk, of Essex, Lord Wenlok, Bysshop of Dereham, and other go in to Scotland of inbassat. And as for the sege of Kaleys, we here no mor ther of, blyssed be God, ho have you in His kepying.Item, as for Christofers papers that longeth to your tenants, I have goten of William Worcester; and as for all the remnaunt of Christofer good, William Worcester hath the reule as hym semeth most convenient.Your,Thoms Playter.50.1[From Fenn, iv. 124.] This letter, like the last, is dated by the letter following.528PLAYTER TO JOHN PASTON50.2To my maister, John Paston, at Heylesdon.1462JULYItem, plese you wete of other tytyngs. These Lords in your other letter,50.3with Lord Hastyngs and other, ben to Karlyle to resseve in the Qwen of Scotts;50.4and uppon this appoyntement, Erle Duglas50.5is comaunded to come thens, and as a sorwefull and a sore rebuked man lyth in the Abbeyof Seynt Albons; and by the said appoyntement schall not be reputed, nor taken, but as an Englyssheman, and if he come in the daunger of Scotts, they to sle hym.Item, Kyng Harry and his Aderents in Scotland schall be delyvered; and Lord Dakres of the Northe is wonne and yelden, and the seid Lord, Sir Richard Tunstall, and on Byllyngham in the said Castell ben taken and heded.Item, the Qwen and Prince ben in Fraunce and ha mad moche weyes and gret peple to com to Scotland and ther trust to have socour, and thens to com in to Inglond: what schall falle I can not sey, but I herd that these appoyntements were take by the yong Lords of Scotland, but not by the old.Your,Plaiter.Christofer dyed on the Satarday next be for Seynt Margret,51.1Anno. E. ijdo.50.2[From Fenn, i. 270.] This letter seems to have been penned immediately after the last was sent off.50.3i.e.the other letter to you—meaningNo. 527.50.4Mary of Gueldres, widow of JamesII.50.5James, Earl of Douglas, who had been banished from Scotland, but was made by EdwardIV.a Knight of the Garter.51.1St. Margaret’s Day was the 20th July. The Saturday before it in 1462 was the 17th.1462 / JULYsidenote missing, but see first footnote529JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON51.2To my right honorabil and worshypfull maister, my Maister Paston.1462SEPT.Pleaseit youre worshipfull maistyrshyp to wete, that it is informyd me thys day scretly, that there is dyrected out a commyssion to mayster Yelwyrton and maister Jenney, which shall tomorwyr syttyn be vertu of the same at Seynt Oleffes;51.3and the substaunce of jentilmen and yemen of Lodyngland be assygned to be afore the seyd commesyoners; and it is supposed it is for my maisters londs, for as the seydpersone informyd me, the seyd comesyoners have been at Cotton, and there entred, and holdyn a court. I can not informe youre maystyrship that it is thus in serteyn, but thus it was told me, and desyryd me to kepe it secret; but be cause I conseyve it is ageyn your maistyrship, it is my part to geve you relacion thereof.I sende you a letter which cometh from Worcestyr52.1to my maister youre brothyr. I wold ye undyrstod the intente of it, for as for Worcester, I knowe well he is not good. Sum men ar besy to make werre, for p’52.2the absentyng of my maister, the parson comyth not of hyse owyn mocyon, but I wold youre maistyrship knewe be whom it is mevyd. I herd you never calle hym false pryst, be my trouth, nor other language that is rehersyd hym, but Gode sende a good accord, for of varyaunce comyth gret hurt of tyn tyme, and I beseche Jesu sende youre maistyrship youre herts desyre, and amende hem that wold the contrary.Sir, yesterevyn a man came from London, and he seyth, the Kyng cam to London on Satyrday, and there dede make a proclamacion that all men that were be twyx lx. and xvj. shuld be redy to wayte upon hym whan so ever they were callyd; and it is seyd, that my Lord Warwyk had sent to the Kyng, and informyd hyse Hyghnesse that the Lord Summyrset had wretyn to hym to come to grace; but of the fleet of shyppis there is no tydings in serteyn at London on Monday last past.Youre bedman and servaunt,John Russe.

35.2Philip the Good.

35.3Large ships with forestages or forecastles.

35.4HenryIV., King of Castile.

35.5FrancisII., the last Duke.

35.6LewisXI.

35.7This word, says Fenn, is imperfect in the original.

To my right singler maister, J. Paston, Squyer, in hast, &c.

1462MARCH 24

Afterdue recomendacion, please it your maistership to wyte Maister Yelverton, justice, seid in the Sessions that the Kyng shulde kepe his Estern at Bury, and from thens come unto this cuntre and se suyche riottes as have be in this cuntre punyshed in suche fourme as happely summe shulde hange by the nekke. And he tolde what thank he had of the Kyng at Cambrigg for cause he declarid so well the charge of extorcions doon by Shirefs and other officers, &c., for the whiche declaracion the Kyng tooke hym by the hand, and seid he cowde hym grett thanke, and prayed hym so to do in this cuntre, &c.

In hast, at Norwich, the Wednesseday next tofore th’Annunciacion, &c.Your povere,J. Gresham.

36.1[From Fenn, iv. 76.] It does not appear that EdwardIV.ever did spend an Easter at Bury, as here projected. He was, however, at Cambridge in the beginning of March 1462; from which he proceeded to Peterborough, Stamford, Newark, and Lincoln, and at Easter (18th April) he seems to have been at Leicester.

To my right trusti and welbelovid frend, John Paston, Esquier.

1462MARCH 25

Rightworshipfull, and myn enterly welbelovyd frend, I recomaund me un to you, hertely thankyng you of your gret present of fisch, and of the felyshipp that my cosyn your sonne shewid unto me att Norwiche, purposyngbe the grace of God to deserve it un to you in tyme to come, in such place as I may do for you.

Desiryng you specyally, wher as a tenaunt of myne of Lavenham, called John Fermour, is sesid and arestid with in the towne of Yermowth, be cause he dwellid with the Erle of Oxonfords son, and purposid to have passid the see withou[t] lycence, and stondyth out of the conceyte of much peple, I wold desyre you, that ye wold wryte to the Baylyffs of Yermouth to delyver the seid John Fermor to my servaunt John Brenerigg, brynger of this, with an officer of the seid Towne, to be caried unto the Kyngs Castell of Rysing at my cost; ther to be examynid of certeyne Artycules, which I may not disclose, til I have spoke with the Kyngs Highnes: praying you to wryte to the seid Bayliffs, that I shall be her suffisant discharge ayenst the Kynge. Desyryng yow to geve credence to the brynger herof, as my verray trust is in yow.

Wretyn at Lavenham, the xxvth.day of Marche.

Your trew and feithfull frend, havyng no blame for my gode wylle.John Wykes,Ussher of the Kyngs Chambre.

36.2[From Fenn, i. 252.] As this letter relates to the arrest of a confederate of the Earl of Oxford and his son, who were executed in February 1462, for conspiring against EdwardIV., the date must be referred to that year.

To the rigth reverent and worshipfull sir, and my right honourable maystyr, John Paston.

1462APRIL (?)

Rightworshipfull sir, and my right honourable maistir, I recomaunde me to you in my most humble wise. And plese it youre good maistirshyp to wete that it is seyd here that my Lord Worcestre is lyk to be Tresorer, withwhom I truste ye stonde right wel in conseit, with whiche God contynwe. Wherfor I beseke youre maistirshipp that if my seid Lord have the seid office, that it lyke you to desyre the nomynacion of on of the officez, eythyr of the countroller or serchorship of Jernemuth, for a servaunt of yowrez, and I shuld so gyde me in the office as I truste shuld be most profit to my seyd Lord. And if youre maistirshyp lyked to gete graunt thereof, that than it plesyd you to lycense on of youre servaunts to take out the patent of the seyd office; and if it cost v. or vj. or viij. marke, I shal trewly contente it ageyn; and yeerly as longe as I myght have the officez, or any of hem, I shal geve my maister youre sone v. marke toward an haukeney.

It shuld be to me right a good mean to stondyn as well in the trust as in the conseyt amongs marchaunts, with whom and with alle men I calle myself a servaunt of yourez, and soo wil do, if it plese you, which boldyth me the more to calle upon youre right wurshipful maistyrshyp in this mater, where in I beseke you to forgeve me my boldneyse in thys behalve. And if I knew that my Lord shuld have the office in sertayn, than I wold wayte upon youre good maystyrshyp there to opteyne the patent, if it plesyd youre good maystirship to gete me the graunt, &c.

No more on to you, my right honourable maister, at thys tyme, but Jesu I beseke sende you a good conclucyon in all yore maters, and graunt you ever youre herts desyre.Yore contynwal servaunt and bedeman,John Russe.

37.1[From Fenn, iv. 112.] This letter must have been written before the 14th of April 1462, on which day the Earl of Worcester was appointed Treasurer of the Exchequer (Patent Roll, 2 Edw.IV., p. 1, m. 19).

To myn ryght worshipfull and ryght singler good mayster, myn Mayster John Paston.

1462MAY 4

Myn ryght worshipfull mayster, I recomaunde me to yow in myn ryght homble wyse. And please your maystership that I have ben at Wetyng and there hald the court and lete on Hokmonday39.2as hit hath bene of olde tyme accostomed; and the tenauntes have attorned and bene full gladde that myn lady shuld rejoyse hit and kepe here possession. The priour of Bromhill that was fermoure his terme is expired, and wole sewe to myn lady and hir councell to have a newe terme; but lete myn lady be ware, for, as I here seyn, he bydeth but a tyme that he myght gete a summe of money to geders of myn ladyes lyflode, and to gone ther with39.3a love of his sojornyng as yette in Hokehold. She hath bene dreven fro town to town for his sake. Hit is wele done ye advertyse myn lady, if she be in that cas that she hath governaunce of hir owen londes, that she do no thyng to that lyflode ner non other in Norffolk, with ought advyse of theym that have vysyted and overseen theym; for there hath bene straunge rewle, bothe in woodsales and sale of londes helde at wylle for fre rent, as ye shal knowe here after. Thoresby, a man that was generall attorney for myn Lord Oxenford that was, told me that the Kynge hadde made Keche generall receyvoure by priveseale of alle londes that were the Erle of Oxenford and Dame Elyzabet, ecept tho that Howard hadde entered and Lanham and an other graunted to Wykes, and certeyn lyflode in Kent that was assigned to the tresorer of howshold of the Kynges hows; and she shuld have be Keches hande v.c.[500] mark, ij.c.and l. [250] mark to bene payed at this Estern and the remulant at Mihelmasse. And of the remulant the Kyng shuld be answered. Ye shal sone understande how it is; and if hit be so, hit [is]39.4but foly to laboure any ferther. I wold fayn knowe, for the courtes for the half yere wold bene holde for nede. And our Lord be with youre maystership and sende yow th’accomplyshement of youre noble desyres. Wreten hastely at Norwyche, the iiijteday of May.Youre servaunt to his power,W. C.And whan ye comon with myn ryght worshipfull lady I beseche yow remembre myn pore maters in whiche is greet concyens, &c.

And whan ye comon with myn ryght worshipfull lady I beseche yow remembre myn pore maters in whiche is greet concyens, &c.

39.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The manor of Weeting, in Norfolk, came to John Vere, twelfth Earl of Oxford, by his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of John Howard, Esquire, son and heir of Sir John Howard, Knight. This Earl was beheaded in February 1462, for treason against EdwardIV., and the present letter seems to have been written in May following.39.2Hock Monday was a fortnight after Easter Monday. In 1462 it fell on the 3rd May, the day before this letter was written.39.3Withrepeated inMS.39.4Omitted inMS.

39.2Hock Monday was a fortnight after Easter Monday. In 1462 it fell on the 3rd May, the day before this letter was written.

39.3Withrepeated inMS.

39.4Omitted inMS.

To my ryght wurschipful maister, John Paston.

1462MAY 18

I recomaundeme unto you. Plesith it you to witte that I have spoken with Furbuschour and other of the matre that ye spake to me off, and they have promysed me to be as feythefull in it as it where for hem selfe. Also I have spoken with my modre and seide to here as ye desired me to doo, and sche seide sche knewe the massache weele inowe before be other persones in like wice as ye comaunded hem to sey to her; and sche seide she wode fayne that ye dede weele what so ever ye sey and fille forthe in other talkyng. Me semethe che is displesed that ye came not to her or than ye roode foorthe. I schall telle you more whan that ye come home. Thomas Denys wyff whas at me, and desired me that I schulde sende to you and desire you that che myght have knowleche from you how ye woll that sche schall doo with her matre; sche seithe her brother and other of her frendes thynke that she schulde up to London and calle uppon her matre there, but she seithe pleynly sche woll nought doo therin withoute your advice. It whas toolde me that Bacon and Gonnor whas here to speke with me for the matre that Bacon spake to you of, and at that tyme I whas at Norweche and I herde no more of hem sethen. And as for my brother William, he is not purposed to come to London tyll aftre Pentecost; but my brother Clement is purposed to come forward on Monday or on Twesday next comyng at theferthest. No more at this tyme but the blissed Trinite preserve you. Wreten the xviij. day of May.YourMargaret Paston.

I prey yow that ye woll wete safe to remembre Johane Gayne matre, and that ye woll take John Paston that he remembre you of it, for Dawbeney and Pampyng woll sone for gete it.

40.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter is evidently not far removed in date fromNo. 489, in which ‘Joan Gayne’s matter’ is also mentioned. The year, however, cannot be 1461, as William Paston was in London that year as early as the 4th April. It seems also from this letter that John Paston had recently left home, which could not have been the case in 1461 if No. 453 be of that year. We have therefore little doubt that the true date is 1462, and that the substance of the letter relates to proceedings taken by the widow of Thomas Denys against her husband’s murderers.

To my ryght wurschipfull fadre, John Paston.

1462MAY

Plesityou to wete that I am at Leyn, and under stande be dyvers personys, as I am in formed, that the Mayster of Carbroke41.2wold take a rewle in theMarè Talbotas for capteyn, and to yeve jaketes of his levery to dyvers personis qwych be waged be oder men, and nouth be hym, beyng in the said shep. Qwerfor in as moch as I have but few sowdeors in myn levery her, to strenketh me in that qwych is the Kynges commandement, I kepe with me yowr too men, Dawbenney and Calle, qwich I purpose shall seyle with me to Yermeth; for I have purveyed harneyse for hem. And ye shall well understande, be the grace of God, that the said Mayster of Carbroke shall have non rewle in the sheppes, as I had purposid he shuld have had, because of his besynesse, and for this is on of the specyall causes I kepe yowr said men with me, besechyng you ye takyt to non dysplesur of ther taryngwith me. Nat withstanding, ther herden42.1at Wyggenalle shall be don this day be the grace of God, Whoo have you in kepyng.

Wreten at Leynn, the morow after my departyng from you.

Item, as far such tydynges as be here, Th. shall in forme you.John Paston.

41.1[From Fenn, iv. 100.] On the 29th May 1462 a commission was granted to Sir John Howard and Sir Thomas Walgrave to arrest the ships, theMary Talbotand theMary Thomson, both of Lynn, and other vessels in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, for a fleet which the King was fitting out (seePatent Roll, 2 Edw.IV., p. 1, m. 14,in dorso). Sir Thomas Walgrave may perhaps have been the person designated in this letter as the Master of Carbrooke. At all events, the date is clearly about this time.41.2At Carbrooke, in Norfolk, was a commandry formerly belonging to the Knights Templars, which, like most of the possessions of the order, when it was suppressed in EdwardII.’s time, was given to the Knights of St. John.42.1I do not understand the meaning of the word ‘herden.’—F.

41.2At Carbrooke, in Norfolk, was a commandry formerly belonging to the Knights Templars, which, like most of the possessions of the order, when it was suppressed in EdwardII.’s time, was given to the Knights of St. John.

42.1I do not understand the meaning of the word ‘herden.’—F.

1462JUNE 6

Inventory of household stuff remaining at Castre, 6 June 2 EdwardIV., viz. of robes, jewels, arras, etc.

42.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 354.]

1462

Among someMSS., which seem formerly to have belonged to the Paston Collection in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, is one endorsed— ‘A Pedigree showing how the manor of Caister was divided,’ tracing its descent from earlier owners to Sir John Fastolf.

To my most reverent and worchepfull maister, John Paston, dwellyng at Heylysdon, be this delyveryd.

Ih’s.

1462JULY 3

Mostreverent and worchepfull master, I recommaund me onto your god masterchep. Please you to have knowlage, on the Fryday at afternoon next after Seynt Peter, there was at the taveran in London old Debnamand young Debnam, Thomas Edmonds, and I; and ther the seyd Thomas Edmonds fell in communicacion with old Debnam, and seyd that my Lord Tresorer43.1had put hym to a gret charge for the vetelyng ofMary Talbot,43.2seyyng to old Debnam that he hard sey that he had a C. bulloks to selle, the wyche the seyd Edmonds wolle bey so that they may a cord of the price. Than the seyd old Debnam answerd ageyn, and seyd he wold, so that he myght have good payment, or elles the seyd Edmonds to be bound in abligacion to pay hym at suche dayys as they myght a cord. And noon upon thys same langwage, yong Debnam spake to hys fader, ‘Sir, I pray you that ye wolle take avisment of this mater tille to morowe, for I trost to your good faderhod that ye wolle late me have a serteyn of your bulloks for the vetelyng of theBarge of Yermothe, and I shall fynd you sufficiant suerte for the payment therof for Edmonds. I wolle that ye knowe I have be ther, and spoke with the owner and with the maister of the seyd barge, and they knowyn myn oppoyntment.’

Than the seyd Edmonds answered to yong Debnam, and told hym that the sety of Norwic and Yermothe hathe grauntyd, and send wrytyng to the Kynge and to the Lords that they wolle manne and veteylle the seyd barge of her owne cost fro the tym of hyr goyng owt tylle hyr comyng home; and thus the seyd Edmonds told hym that my Lord Tresorer and all the Lords that be at London thynk they do ryght well her devyer, and be worthey moche thanke of the Kyng. ‘Well,’ quod yong Debnam, ‘I had in commaundment for to have the rewle of the seyd barge, and I wolle be at Yermothe as thys day iiij. dayys, and man hyr and bryng hyr downne to the Gylys of Hulle, for that ys my chype.’

Also he seyd mor, with out that he myght have the seyd barge, he wolle note goo to see but hym self and hys xxiiij. men. And thus, yf please your maisterchep, he departyd from the taveran; and at hys departyng, he told the seyd Thomas Edmonds, ‘Thys ys Paston labor.’ Than the seyd Edmonds answerd hym ageyn, and seyd playnly he was toblame for to reporte so of your masterchep, for he knoythe veryly he seyd on trewly of you and of my master your son bothe, and ther on he wold take a hothe. And so, yf it please your good masterchep, late the cety of Norwic and Yermothe have knowlage of hys gret crakyng and bost, and let hym of hys purpose by the autorite that they have.

Item, my master your son wolle have to hys jakets murry44.1and tany [tawny], and that it please yow sum of my felachep may spek to on of the drapers for to ordeyn yt ageyns hys comyng hom, for I trowe it shall be thys day sevenyght ar he comithe home.

Item, sir, if please you, Skrowpe hathe sent to you to London be Byngham for the mony that ye knowe of, zit I spake not with hym; but I shall telle hym that I suppose ye shall be here in the last end of the terme, and I shall send your masterchep word what answer I have of hym.

Item, sir, if pleese suche tydyngs as I her of, I send you word. My Lord of Warwek hathe be in Skotlond, an take a castell of the Skoots; and upon thys ther came the Quene of Skoots44.2with other Lords of her contre, as ye shall her the namys, in basetry [embassy] to my seyd Lord of Werwek, and a trews is take betwyx thys and Seynt Bertylmew Day in Auguste. Thes is the last tydyngs that I knowe. No mor to your god masterchep at this tyme, but Jesu have [you] in kepyng.Wretyn on the Saturday next after Seynt Peter.By your por servaunt,J. Daubeney.

42.3[From Fenn, iv. 138.] The date of this letter is shown by an entry on thePatent Roll, 2 Edw.IV., p. 1, m. 7,in dorso. On the 27th June 1462 a commission was given to Gilbert Debenham, Jun., Esquire, Walter Alderiche, master of theGeorgeof Yarmouth, and John Childe, to arrest for the King’s service a ship calledThe Barge of Yarmouth, alias The George, with victuals, masters, and mariners for the same.43.1John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester. He was beheaded in October 1470.—F.43.2SeePreliminary Note to No. 518,p. 41, Note 1.44.1Dark red or purple and yellowish colour.—F.44.2Mary, daughter of Arnold, Duke of Gelders, and mother to JamesIII., King of Scotland.

43.1John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester. He was beheaded in October 1470.—F.

43.2SeePreliminary Note to No. 518,p. 41, Note 1.

44.1Dark red or purple and yellowish colour.—F.

44.2Mary, daughter of Arnold, Duke of Gelders, and mother to JamesIII., King of Scotland.

To my maistre, John Paston the yonger, be this delyvered.

1462

Sere, I have receyved your lettre, wherin I undrestand that my maistre desired that my maistre your brother myght have the gidyng and governaunce of theBarge of Yermouthe. As to that, and men of Yermouthe had knowen my maistre entend a fornyght a goo, he had ben swer of it, but nough it is so that Debenham hathe a comyscion of the Kyng expressed oonly for that schip named in hes comyscion; and he hathe ben here at Yermouthe, and spoken with the balyffs and with the owners of the seide schip, and takyn suche a direccion that they may graunted it ne man but hym. And moreover he hathe endented with the owners of the schip what daye it schulbe redy as well vetaylled as manned; and also he hathe brought downe letters from my Lord Tresorer to all priours and gentlemen in this contre to helpe hym and assiste hym to vetayle and manne the seide schip, and hes men is here dayle, and gothe abought and gathereth whete, malt, money, and what so ever any man woll geve, &c.

The blissed Trinyte preserve you. Wreten at Castre, the Friday next aftre I receyved your lettre.

Item, is talked here that my maistre your brother and Debenham were at words at London, and that Debenham shuld have streken hym, had nought Howard a’ beene, &c., wherof I am ryght sory, &c. Neverthelesse I trust to God all schul be weell.Your servaunt,Ric. Calle.

45.1[From Fenn, iv. 144.] This and the next letter were evidently written not very long after the last.

To my maistre, John Paston.

Plesithyour maisterschip to wit that I whas at Scole, and spake with Alblastre, John Sadeler, and with other good yomen of the contre to undrestonde how they were gided for the vetelyng of theBarge of Yermouth. And I undrestonde be them that there [their] hundred have payed; nevertheles it is but litell. Ther was gatherd in that hundred xviijs.and certein corn, and some other hundred vj. marc and corne, and so they have payed in all the hundreds and townys here a boute, that is to sey, Est Flegge and West Flegge and up to Blofeld, Tunsted and up to Stalom, I undrestand, be the comiscion that Debenham hath. It is more large thanne master John is, as ye schal undrestand, wherof I send you a copy, weche causeth me that I labour no ferther therin. Notwithstandyng your maisterschip schal have knowleche what every hundred geve, and Yermeth bothe.

Wreten at Wynterton, the morwe aftre I departed from your maisterschip.Youre poore bedman,Ric. Calle.

46.1[From Fenn, iii. 430.]

Richard Calle to John Paston

1462(?)[JULY 5]

Cannot inform him how much malt he has at Castre, ‘for the malters have not moten all up yet,’—probably 400 quarters new and 160 comb old malt of Castre and Mauteby, of which 40 quarters will be spent in the household by Hallowmas. At Yarmouth it is now 2s.2d.a bushel—it was 2s.6d.But London is a better market. Thinks the price will fall here, as the fields arereasonably fair in Flegge, and so up to Norwich. The carriage from Yarmouth to London will be 6d.per quarter, ‘and I understand j. quartre of Yermothe mette makethe at London but vij. busschell.’

Norwich, Monday after St. Peter’s Day.

[As John Paston does not seem to have been in undisturbed possession of Caister before 1462, and we have evidence of Richard Calle having been there in that year about the time of year when this letter was written, we may with great probability refer it to that year.]

46.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

To the right worshypful my right honourabyl mayster, John Paston.

1462JULY 15

Rightworshipfull sir, and my right honourabill maister, I recomaund me to you in my most humble wyse, and please your maistirship to wete that her is on Thomas Chapman, an evyl disposyd man al wey ayens you, as I have informyd youre maistirship many tymes, and now he hathe labouryd to my Lord Tresorer to subplante me, and brought down wryghting from the Kyng and my Lord Tresorer; but or hise wryting cam, Wydwell fond the meanys, be the supportacion of Maistir Feen, that we had a discharge for hym out of the Chauncery; wherfor the seyd Chapman proposyth to be at London in all haste, and to avertise the Kyng and my Lord Tresorer ageyn me to the grettest hurt he can imagyne. Wherfor I beseke youre maystirship, consedryng is evyl disposecion to yow, and also the rather at my pore instaunce, that ye lyke that my Lord Tresorer myght undyrstonde that the seyd Chapman is of no reputacion, but evyl disposyd to brybory of straungers, and be colour of hise office of supervisor of the searche shal gretly hurte the port. The seyd Chapman supportors is Blakeney, clerk of the sygnet, and Avery Cornburght, yoman of the Kynges chaumbre. He hathe here of Avereyes xxiiij. tune wyn, whereof at the long wey he shalmake the seyd Averey a lewd rekenyng. The seyd Chapman lovyth not you, nor no man to yow wards, &c.

Sir, I prey God brynge you onys to regne amongs youre cuntre men in love, and to be dred. The lenger ye contynwe there the more hurt growyth to you. Men sey ye will neyther folwe the avyse of youre owyn kynred, nor of youre counsell, but contynwe your owyn wylfullnesse, whiche, but grace be, shal be youre distrucion. It is my part to enfourme youre maistirshyp as the comown voyse is, God betir it, and graunt yow onys herts ease; for it is half a deth to me to here the generall voyse of the pepyll, whiche dayli encreassyth, &c.

Sir, I beseke youre maistirshyp to remembre my maystresse for the lytil sylvir, whiche for serteyn thyngs delyverid to youre use is dewe to me. I have nede of it now. I have bought salt and other thyngs, whiche hathe brought me out of myche sylvir. I wold trust, and I nedyd to borwe xxli., your maistirshyp wold ease me for a tyme, but thys that I desyre is myn owyn dute. And Jesu graunt yow ever yowr herts desyre to youre worshyp and profyt, and preserve yow my right honourabyll maister from all adversyte.

Wretyn at Jernemuthe, the xv. day of July. Here is a kervyl [carvel] of Cane in Normandy, and he takyth Duchemen, and raunsumyth hem grevously.Yore servaunt and bedman,John Russe.

47.1[From Fenn, iv. 120.] The precise year in which this letter was written is a little uncertain, but from the date and contents it would appear that Russe was now in possession of the office which inNo. 515he had asked Paston to procure for him; so that it cannot be earlier than 1462.

To myn wurchipfull broder, Jon Paston.

1462JULY

Ryththewurchipfull broder, I recomand [me] to zow. Lekit it zow to wethe [wit], Jon of Dam is come to towne, and purposit hym to tary here a day ar ij. ar longar, I can thynk, and he be desyryd. Were fore I prayzow, and as I have afore this tyme desiryd zow the same, that suche materis as hathe be comunyd now lathe be twyx myn moder, zow and hym, may take some good conclucyon be twyx owre selff here at hom. And in myn consayt, savyng zow better avyse, it were so most convenyent and wurchipfull for us all, and comforthe to all owre fryndis. And for this ententhe I wold tary here the lengar; for I wold be as glad as any man a lyve that suche an ende mythe be take be twix us that iche off us all schuld inyoy the wylleffar off odyr, qweche I trust with zowr good help schall be rythe wyll, and I dowthe nat myn mastyr Markam wyll be will plesyd thus.

I have tydynges from London, and a monge odyr tydynges I have knowlage thatCirstofreHanson is passid to God on Saterday last past, at ij. of clok after mydnythe. It is good to take hede there to, &c.

Item, I sent to zow to have had zowre avyse qwat menys were best to make for the mater towchyng the Lord Scrop, qwere in I had an answer, but me thowthe it was not to the poynthe. I sopose, and I purposyd to make the labore that ze sent me word I schuld do towchyng me, I can thynk I schuld sone be answerid, meche sonar than he. I must send some answer to hym, were in I wold have zowr consayll; for he desirid the same, and I wold not he schold thynk that he were forgotyn be us.Be zowr pore broder,William Paston.

I can thynk and he were here he wold be a feythfull frynd to zow; but and so were that ze thowthe that it were for to labore for any oder man, me thynkit it were for zow to remembre myn nevew. That were somewat lykly, and there to wold I be glad to help and lene to the toder. For as for me, I know so moche that sche will none have but iff he have, ar be leke to have, meche more lond than I have; and iff I knewe the contrary, it schuld nat be left for the labore, but I wold not be in a folis paradyce, and ze be myn good brodir. I trust thow to do rythe will, &c.

48.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] The reference to the death of Christopher Hanson proves this letter to have been written in July 1462, as the precise date of his death is given inLetter 528.

I have knowlage that Cirstofre Hanson is passidtext unchanged: error for “Cristofre”?

To my rigth good maister, John Paston the oldest, beyng at Heylesdon, besyde Norwiche, in hast.

1462JULY

Pleaseyour maistership wete that Christofer Hanson is ded and beryed; and as for executor or testament, he mad non.

As for tydyngs, the Erles of Warrewyk, of Essex, Lord Wenlok, Bysshop of Dereham, and other go in to Scotland of inbassat. And as for the sege of Kaleys, we here no mor ther of, blyssed be God, ho have you in His kepying.

Item, as for Christofers papers that longeth to your tenants, I have goten of William Worcester; and as for all the remnaunt of Christofer good, William Worcester hath the reule as hym semeth most convenient.Your,Thoms Playter.

50.1[From Fenn, iv. 124.] This letter, like the last, is dated by the letter following.

To my maister, John Paston, at Heylesdon.

1462JULY

Item, plese you wete of other tytyngs. These Lords in your other letter,50.3with Lord Hastyngs and other, ben to Karlyle to resseve in the Qwen of Scotts;50.4and uppon this appoyntement, Erle Duglas50.5is comaunded to come thens, and as a sorwefull and a sore rebuked man lyth in the Abbeyof Seynt Albons; and by the said appoyntement schall not be reputed, nor taken, but as an Englyssheman, and if he come in the daunger of Scotts, they to sle hym.

Item, Kyng Harry and his Aderents in Scotland schall be delyvered; and Lord Dakres of the Northe is wonne and yelden, and the seid Lord, Sir Richard Tunstall, and on Byllyngham in the said Castell ben taken and heded.

Item, the Qwen and Prince ben in Fraunce and ha mad moche weyes and gret peple to com to Scotland and ther trust to have socour, and thens to com in to Inglond: what schall falle I can not sey, but I herd that these appoyntements were take by the yong Lords of Scotland, but not by the old.Your,Plaiter.

Christofer dyed on the Satarday next be for Seynt Margret,51.1Anno. E. ijdo.

50.2[From Fenn, i. 270.] This letter seems to have been penned immediately after the last was sent off.50.3i.e.the other letter to you—meaningNo. 527.50.4Mary of Gueldres, widow of JamesII.50.5James, Earl of Douglas, who had been banished from Scotland, but was made by EdwardIV.a Knight of the Garter.51.1St. Margaret’s Day was the 20th July. The Saturday before it in 1462 was the 17th.

50.2[From Fenn, i. 270.] This letter seems to have been penned immediately after the last was sent off.

50.3i.e.the other letter to you—meaningNo. 527.

50.4Mary of Gueldres, widow of JamesII.

50.5James, Earl of Douglas, who had been banished from Scotland, but was made by EdwardIV.a Knight of the Garter.

51.1St. Margaret’s Day was the 20th July. The Saturday before it in 1462 was the 17th.

1462 / JULYsidenote missing, but see first footnote

To my right honorabil and worshypfull maister, my Maister Paston.

1462SEPT.

Pleaseit youre worshipfull maistyrshyp to wete, that it is informyd me thys day scretly, that there is dyrected out a commyssion to mayster Yelwyrton and maister Jenney, which shall tomorwyr syttyn be vertu of the same at Seynt Oleffes;51.3and the substaunce of jentilmen and yemen of Lodyngland be assygned to be afore the seyd commesyoners; and it is supposed it is for my maisters londs, for as the seydpersone informyd me, the seyd comesyoners have been at Cotton, and there entred, and holdyn a court. I can not informe youre maystyrship that it is thus in serteyn, but thus it was told me, and desyryd me to kepe it secret; but be cause I conseyve it is ageyn your maistyrship, it is my part to geve you relacion thereof.

I sende you a letter which cometh from Worcestyr52.1to my maister youre brothyr. I wold ye undyrstod the intente of it, for as for Worcester, I knowe well he is not good. Sum men ar besy to make werre, for p’52.2the absentyng of my maister, the parson comyth not of hyse owyn mocyon, but I wold youre maistyrship knewe be whom it is mevyd. I herd you never calle hym false pryst, be my trouth, nor other language that is rehersyd hym, but Gode sende a good accord, for of varyaunce comyth gret hurt of tyn tyme, and I beseche Jesu sende youre maistyrship youre herts desyre, and amende hem that wold the contrary.

Sir, yesterevyn a man came from London, and he seyth, the Kyng cam to London on Satyrday, and there dede make a proclamacion that all men that were be twyx lx. and xvj. shuld be redy to wayte upon hym whan so ever they were callyd; and it is seyd, that my Lord Warwyk had sent to the Kyng, and informyd hyse Hyghnesse that the Lord Summyrset had wretyn to hym to come to grace; but of the fleet of shyppis there is no tydings in serteyn at London on Monday last past.Youre bedman and servaunt,John Russe.

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