538RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON68.1

Please your maistership wete, that as for my Lord of Norwich cosyns deth, Thomas Gurneys man hath confessed that he slewe hym by commaundment ofhis maister, and confessed over that the same dager he slewe hym with, he kest it in a sege [a jakes] whiche is founden and taken up al to-bowyd [bent together], for he cowde not breke it, and in prison is bothe he and his maister.. . . . . . . .Also on Thursday next after Cristemasse was a man slayn, by whom no man woot, nor what he is that was slayn no man knowe, his face is so mangled.67.7These extracts are quoted by Fenn from a letter now lost, in reference to what is said in the last letter about Thomas Gurney and his man.538RICHARD CALLE TO JOHN PASTON68.1To my ryght reverent and wurschip[full]mayster, my Mayster John Paston in the Ynner Temple at London.1463[FEB.]Plesithyour goode maystrechip to witte that ther comen doune to the undrescheryff of Norwiche, a writte to a tache Mr. John P. the yongere, wherof I sende you a copy closed herin, but they woll not a reeste hym within Norwich; but I undrestande ther is comen an other writte to the undrescheryff of Norfolk bothe for hym and me, and for all thoo that ben indyghted. Wherfore I purpose me to ride to Hoonyng to the scheryff thys day, to undrestande how he is disposed, and to desire hym to shewe favour to your pore tenaunts; and as I feele hym disposed I schall send your maystreship answer.And as for tidyngs here in this contre, we have noon but that ther be many Frenchemen upon the see and do moche answer upon the coosts. Mr. Yelver[ton] knew of the comyng up of thetestewithin ij. dayes after they were goon, &c. My ryght reverent and wurschipful maystre, the blissed Trinite preserve and kepe and ferther you in all your maters.Sir William Wyllugby whas at Risynge Castell, and yesterday he come home a yenne. On Tentale hathe entred in to a parte of Felbregge lyvelod, and a corte holden, and the tenaunts retorned. Item, as for the cort that Deben[ham] schuld holde at Calcot we here not of it.Your pore servaunt and bedman, R. C.Rex vi[ce]comitibus Norwici, salutem. Præcepimus vobis quod capiatis Johannem Paston juniorem, nuper de Norwico, armigerum, si inventus fuerit in balliva vestra, et eum salvo custodiatis, ita quod habeatis corpus ejus coram nobis a die Paschæ in unum mensem ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ad respondendum nobis de quibusdam feloniis et transgressionibus unde in comitatu nostro Suffolchiæ indictatus est. Et si prædictus Johannes in balliva vestra inveniri non poterit, tunc ad duos comitatus in balliva vestra citra terminum prædictum proximo tenendos juxta formam statuti in hujusmodi casu provisi proclamari faciatis quod idem Johannes sit coram nobis ad præfatum terminum ad respondendum nobis de præmissis. Et habeatis ibi hoc breve. Teste Johanne Markham apud Westmonasterium, xxxjº die Januarii, anno regni nostri secundo.Croxton.Rotulo xxvjº R. Per contr’ Anno secundo Regis Ed. iiijtir. xiij. Irrotulatur coram Rege de recordo, termino Hillarii anno secundo Regis Ed. iiijti, prout patet in rotulo infrascripto.69.168.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] As the writ, of which a copy is subjoined to this letter, is dated on the 31st January in the second year of EdwardIV.(1463), the letter itself must have been written in February.69.1This note is to imply that the writ is enrolled among what are called the Records on the Coram Rege Roll of Hilary term, 2 Edw.IV., rot. 26, a former writ against John Paston, junior, being enrolled in the Controlment Roll, 2 Edw.IV., rot. 13.539MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON69.21463FEB.orMARCHPleaseyou to wet that Will. Jeney and Debham cam to Calcote on Wednysday before none, and ther they spake with Rysyng and John Smythe, and haskyd hem rent and ferme, and they seydyn they had payed you, and so they myght not paye hem. Also, ferthermore, they told hem that ye had hold a corte ther syn that they enteryd there. Than Jenney answerd ageyn ‘Be cause he held a corte here we mad hym hold corte at London, and so shall we make the to hold a corte at Ipysweche withowt thow wolt pay us the rent and ferme.’ ‘Sir,’ quod Rysyng, ‘I toke the ferme of my master and of Sir Thomas Howys.’ Jenney seyd, ‘And as for Sir Thomas, he and we schall acord well i nowe.’ And so they hahte seled up the berne dore and woll dryve a wey the catellbothe of the fermores and of the tenauntes, withowt the fermor and John Smythe woll fynd hem suerte to pay hem at Esterne, and Jenney and Debham woll [be] bownd ageyn to hem in a obligacion of xlli.to save hem harmelese ageyns you. And so as yet Rysyng standythe under award at Leystofte. So Rysyng hathe sent word to me that I shall knowe thys nyght or ellis to morowe what end they hathe mad.Item, as towchyng the burges of Yermothe they wer chosyn on Wednysday. The Baly Wydwell ys on; and as for the todyr the Bischoppe sent to the towne for to have a man of hys owne, and so they be not acordyd yit of hym; en cas they may not acord, John Rus shall be the todyr.Item, as towchyng Grene, a came not to Caster on Thursday, for he went to Norwich the same day, and so he is yet ther. Daubeney hathe spokyn with Watkyn Shypdam for to be at Beyton on Monday to kepe a corte ther; and so he woll be at Caster on Sonday and spek with you, for he seythe that Fastolfe70.1hathe mad a cleyme ther to; that is the cause he wolle comon and speke with you ther of hym selff.Item, I can not, ner Daubeney nowther, fynd your wyght boke; it is not in the trussyng cofyr, ner in the sprucheste nothyr. Jon Walsham toke me a quayer, I suppose it lo[n]gythe to the same boke, that same I send you, and the byllis of Walcote with ale sealyd. Wretyn this day.By your,M. P.On the back are the following accounts, written, in a very careless hand, by Richard Calle:—Forene’ Recept’.De Johanne Prentice de Castelaere ad festum Sanctæ Fidis per manus vicarii de Sporle,lxs.De Roberto Wylley clerico post Nativitatem Domini,cs.De Willelmo Whyte, vigil’ Conversionis Sancti Pauli,vjli.xiijs.iiijd.De Edmundo Wynter, mason, de Bermynghem circa Conversionem Sancti Pauli,vjs.viijd.De Willelmo Elys de Wynterton ad Pascha,vjs.viijd.De Warino Herman ad Pascha,xiijs.iiijd.De Johanna Bakeney uxore Gerard,xiijs.iiijd.Item, de Johanne Russe.Rec. de Willelmo Norwich et M. Johanne Smythe venditio jocalium Johannis Berney de Redham pro tant’ denar’ pro me pro debito ipsius Berney apud Redham solut’,xxli.xvjs.Recept’ de Tesauro.Inprimis, pro viagio Johannis Paston, Jun. cum Rege et aliis causis (?) versus Annewyke de denariis receptis de debito prioris Norwicensis,lli.Item, de auro remanente de Coppes in eadem baga,lxs.Item, de baga pecuniæ prestandæ eodem tempore,viij. marc’.Item, de remanent’ in forcerio tesaur’ li’berat’71.1frater meus Will’ Yelv’n,xs.iiijd.Termino Michaelis.71.2Item, de pecunia remanente cum Thoma Gresham apud London; termino Michaelis xxli., termino Hillarij, xxxiijs.iiijd.,xxjli.xiijs.iiijd.Item, de tesauro London termino Michaelis, l. marc’, termino Hillarij l. marc’, termino Paschæ l. marc’,cli.Item, de tesauro Norffolk cariat’ versus London termino Paschæ, ultra xlli.remanens (sic) apud terminum Trinitatis,xl. marc’.69.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter, though not addressed, seems to have been written by Margaret Paston to her husband. The election referred to must have been that for the Parliament of 1463. From one expression used it is clear that it was written some time before Easter, and the dispute with Jenney and Debenham about Calcote proves the date to a certainty. CompareNos. 538and 540.70.1Thomas Fastolf of Cowhawe.71.1The words ‘tesaur’ liberat’’ are interlined and apparently intended to be inserted here. I must leave the grammar of the sentence as it stands in the original. The word at the end, which I believe stands for ‘Yelverton,’ is very ambiguous from the careless writing.71.2These words are inserted between the lines, but whether they were intended for a heading is a little uncertain.540ABSTRACT71.3[John Paston] to John Pampyng, Richard Calle, and William Wykes.1463Remember my instructions about bills and actions against Debenham by my tenants at Calcote. Make a ‘remembrance apart’ of the ground on which every trespass has been committed, whether it be in my lands or in those of my tenants, and whether the land was holden of me by Calcote Hall fee, or Freton Hall fee, lest Debenham justify [on the plea that] he took them elsewhere. As my tenants at Cotton have been compelled to pay much money to Jenney and Debenham against their wills, I would, as I have told John Paston the younger, that he should ride to Cotton with Richard Calle and such friendship as he can get, and demand my duties, except from those who had been compelled to pay the others. The latter to take actions next term against Debenham. Will respite them for this once all they have paid, till it may be recovered by law;that is, provided they ask it: otherwise, will politicly put them in jeopardy of losing their farms. Desires Calle to make a roll of the tenants and when he comes to Cotton enter therein how much cattle has been distrained from each.It appears by the last letter that a writ was issued, evidently at the suit of Debenham, against John Paston, junior, and the other agents of his father in Suffolk. From the present paper it would seem that John Paston also instituted a prosecution on behalf of his tenants against Debenham. We shall find by later letters that these suits were going on in 1463, and were not terminated in the beginning of the following year. TheMS.from which the above abstract has been made is a draft with a heading in John Paston’s hand. On the back are notes of the Statutes of Westminster and of RichardII.touchingscandalum magnatum, etc.71.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.]541RALPH LAMPET’S TESTIMONY72.11463MARCH 19Toall tho to whom this present wrytyng shall come, Rauff Lampet, Squier, sendyth gretyng in our Lord. And forasmoch as it is meritory to bere witnesse of trought, and that I knowe and herd the disposicion and will of Ser John Fastolff, knyght, aftir the forme folowyng, and am requered to sey the trought, I record and testifie, and bere witnesse that Ser John Fastolff, knyght, abought the tyme of hervest was v. yere, that was the yere of our Lord Mlcccclvij. at Caster, fast by Mekyll Yarmouth, in the Shire of Norffolk, in presens of divers persones that tyme callid to by the seid Ser John, ded make estat and feffement and livery of seison of the maner of Caster aforeseid, and other maners, londs, and tenements in Norffolk to John Paston, Squier, and other. And at that livery of season thereof delivered, as well by the hands of the seid Ser John as be other, the seid Ser John Fastolff by his owne mouth declared his will and entent of that feffement and livery of season, mad to the use of the seid Ser John as for duryng his life only, and aftir his decese to the use of the seid John Paston and his heyrs. And also the seid Ser John seid and declared, that the seid John Paston was best frend, and helper, and supporter to the seid Ser John, and that it was his will that the seid John Paston shuld have and inherite the samemaners, londs, and tenements, and other, aftir his decese, and ther to dwelle and abide, and kepe howsold, seying that he knew well that the disposicion of the seid Paston was to do good in the contry, and be non oppressor of the pore pepill. And the seid Ser John desired me, and Daune William Bokenham, that tyme Prior of Yarmouth, beynge presente, to record as he had seid to us. And this I record and witnesse for trought be the feyght that I owe to God and all Seynts. In witnesse wherof to this my writyng I have set to my seall and signe manuell the xix. day of March, the third yer of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourth.R. Lampet.72.1[TannerMS., 106, f. 35 b.]542ABSTRACT73.1Raff Lampet to his Cousin DaubeneyDate uncertainReminds him that he spoke to him at Redham, in the church, about certain lands ‘which John of Berney bought of me,’ and for which there is still owing him 13s. 4d., and a rent of 6d. four years in arrear. Begs him to speak to Master Paston to get him the money.We place this letter immediately after another document signed by Ralph Lampet, the exact date being uncertain and immaterial. It is probably, however, about this period, as it may be surmised to be after the death of John Berney.73.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]543ABSTRACT73.21463APRIL 6Testimony of Sir Roger Chamberlain, witnessed by Reginald Tylneye, prior of Ixworth, and Sir John Rose [a brother of the house], that he was with the Duke of Norfolk in September before Sir John Fastolf died, when my Lord urged Fastolf to sell him the reversion of Caister, or (as he wished to give it to the Abbey of St. Benet’s) to exchange it for a manor of my Lord’s in South Walsham, which lay more convenient for the Abbey. Sir John, however, begged him not to press it, as he had appointed with his cousin, JohnPaston, to have Caister and all his other livelode in Norfolk and Suffolk in order to endow a college of seven priests and seven poor men. My Lord said, many thought Sir John would make Paston his heir; to which he replied that there was no man living that he would like better to be his heir, and begged my Lord to be his good lord if it so fortuned, which the Duke promised to do. Has heard the Duke since often acknowledge that Sir John had declared plainly he would make Paston his heir. Not having his own seal present, has sealed this with that of the prior of Ixworth, and requested him to put his seal to it besides. Ixworth, 6 April 1463.73.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 280.]544MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON74.1To my rytz wurchepfull mayster, Jon Paston, in hast.1463MAY 6Rytwurschipfull hosbond, I recommand me to zou, desyring hertyly to her of zour wellfar, praying zou to wete, that I [have] spoken with Strawngs wyf of the matter that ze spoken to me of; and sche seyth pleynly to me, be her feyth, that sche knew never non seche ne never herd of non scheche, and told to me in lyk wyse as sche had seyd to Jamys Gloys. And sche seyd to me if sche kowd inquier of any other that sche thinght xuld have knowleche of any seche, sche xuld wetyn of hem, and letyn me have knowleche therof; and if ze soppose that any other be in this contre that ye thync xuld have knowleche of this forseyd mater, yf ye wyll send me word ther of, I xall do my part ther in.Also I have ben att Sweyngsthorp and spoken with Kokett, and he seyth that he woll don lyche as ye bad me that I xuld sey to hym for to don. And I have spokyn with the sexteyn, and seyd to hym as ye bad me that I xuld don, and he axid me ryt feythfully hw ye sped in zour materys.I teld hym that ze haddyn fayr be hests, and I seyd I hopyd that ze xuld don rytz well therin; and he seyd that hesupposyd that D.75.1wold don for zou; but he seyd he was no hasty laborer in non mater. He seyd be hys feyth he wost qher a man was that laboryd to hym for amater ryth along tym, and alwey he be hestyd that he wold labor itt effectualy, but qhyll he sewyd to hym that he kowd never have remedy of his mater; and than qhan he thowth that he xuld no remedy have to sew to hym, he spak with Fynys,75.2that is now Speker of the Parlment, and prayid hym that he wold don for hym in hys mater, and zaf hym areward; and withinne ryth short tym after his mater was sped. And the seyd sexteyn75.3and other folkys that ben yowr ryth wele willers have kownselyd me that I xuld kownsell zou to maken other menys than ye have made to other folks, that wold spede your materys better than they have don thatt ye have spoken to therof be for this tym. Sondery folks have seyd to me that they thynk veryly, but if [unless] ye have my Lord of Suffolks75.4godelorchyp, qhyll the werd [world] is as itt is, ye kan never leven in pese with owth ye have his godelordschep; therfor I pray that with all myn herth, that ye wyll don yowr part to have his godelordschep and his love in ese of all the materis that ye have to don, and in esyng of myn hert also; for be my trowth I am afferd ellys bothen of these materys the qhyche ye have in hand now, and of other that ben not don to yett, but if he wyl don for zou and be your godelord. I pray yow hertylye send me werd how ze don, and how ye speden in zour materys; and I pray you as for seche thyngs as Jamys hath a byll of, that I may have hem as hastyly as ze may; andthat ze wyll vowchesave to bey apese of blak bukram for to lyn with a gown for me, I xuld bey me amurrey gown to gon in this somer, and leyn in the koler the satyn that ze zeve me for an hodde; and I kan gettyn non gode bokeram in this town to lyn it with. The Holy Trinyte have yow in His kepyng, and send zou helth and good spede in all yowr maters.Wretyn att Norwyche, on ye Fryday nexst after Crowchemesse Day.76.1Yours,M. P.74.1[From Fenn, iv. 188.] Our reason for believing this letter to have been written in the year 1463 will be seen in a footnote.75.1Possibly John Damme.75.2This looks like a mistake, for no Speaker of the name of Fynes is met with during this period. The expression, however, suggests that the letter was written about the beginning of a new Parliament, which could only have been that which met on the 29th April 1463. On the following day the Commons elected John Say as their Speaker, whose name Margaret Paston seems to have confounded with the family name of William Fenys, Lord Say, the trusty friend of EdwardIV.who accompanied him into exile when he fled from his kingdom in 1470. It does not appear, however, that John Say, the Speaker, was related to that family.75.3The Sacrist or Sexton of the Priory of Norwich was the officer who had the care of Sacra, or Holy Things, as the Church Plate, Copes, etc.; he was likewise Secretary, Auditor, and Chancellor of the Convent, and had a Sub-sacrist or Deputy to perform the servile parts of his office. In 1444 Brother Richard de Walsham was appointed Sacrist.—F.75.4John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.—F.76.1Crouchmas Day, or the Invention of the Cross, was on the 3rd of May.—F.545[JAMES GRESHAM] TO JOHN PASTON76.2To mygth rigthgoodand speciall maister, John Paston, dwellyng at Heylesdon be syde Norwich.1463JULYRigthreverent, &c. Please your maisterchip wete that I resseived your letter whiche ye sent by Crome, and as for the examinacion of, &c. that I wrot to you of in my former letter to be taken on the Munday or on Tewysday, &c. this was the cause. Ye yaff me informacion at my last departyng fro you that the murdre was don uppon the day nexst after Seynt Petre. And for doute lesse ye had be ougth at the comyng of my seid letter, and for dowte that I supposed that my maistres, your wyf, had not be remembred of the day, it caused me, accordyng to your informacion, to wryte the uttermost day for her remembrans. Neverthelesse, if ye certifie that ye toke the examinacion with in the yere and day, and sette the day in certayn, your certificat is sufficiant inlawe and shall bynd any of the parties to sey the contrary. And also the writte is that ye schuld certefiesine dilatione, and no day expresly yoven you whan to certifie it; wherfor ye may kepe uncertefiet tyl the nexst terme. And so do sir, for it schal do no hurt; but if ony questions or jangelyng schuld be mad when the examinacion was, let a sufficiant day with inne the yere be noysed, and if thetestebe to schort we schal fynd the mene it schal be amendyd by hym that wrot it. For after the informacion that I had of Crome the Sunday was the uttermest day, and therefor it was happy that sche was examined thenne. And where that ye wold I schuld tak the advice of Maister Markham, &c., if all thyng were laufull, and elles not, it is full hard to my self to determine the certaynte of every circumstans of the mater, and it is not gretely to be comuned of with other, nor to comune of casez lyke; for whan the mater schuld come in revelysshon it wold cause prevy titlers and flaterers ougth of suche questions to ymagyn, and contryve mater of distourbans. Wherfor uppon the certeynte of myn determinacion I brak the mater to Master Markham, which called to hym Master Byngham, and so thei ij. meved Y.77.1; and after that mocion he kept not his owyn councell but brak to every man of it. Hou be it he was sore mevyd with it, I wote it well, and glad to take avyse and comfort of other personez than of Masters Markham and Byngham. Al circumstans were to long to wryte, but I hope to speke with you be tymes i nougth or ye schall nede to certefye, &c. And, sir, in conclucion, Masters Markham and Byngham thynk it sufficiant i nougth to take his promys and his othe with ougth obligacion that he schal mak amends if profe here after can be mad uppon hym. And to this Maister Markham prayed you to agre by the same token ye mevyd hym to sette an ende be twyx you and my masters your brethern. Neverthelesse if ye thynk this wey not sufficiant, ye may lete sum other handele the mater at hom to hym if that ye hope to gete good pref in the mater, for with ougth evydent proffe the mater schall be but noysefull to you, and cause men to thynk that it growyth of your ille wyll to hymward, &c.; for he noyseth and seyth, because of ille wyll ye have caused a mad woman to take apell a yens hym.Item, sir, as for Leukenore he is not at London, but peraventure I schal make hym to be meved in the mater here after.Item, I dede your erand to my maister your son.Item, as for John Say,78.1he recomendyth hym to you, bothe for your billes and for your labour, and prayeth you if ony land that lyth for the priour ease mygth be aspyed, that ye wold help to gete it hym and send hym word; and as for the morteysyng. . . . . .and at his cost and labour.Item, as for tydyngs, the Kyng and the counsell is at Northampton,78.2and the Convocacion schall be. . . . . . . . .after Relyk Sunday. And ther be ij. marchaunts come fro Caleys, and they mygth no leve have to com[e]. . . . . . . . .schuld bere the Kyng certeyn lettres and juste tytyngs that sege is comyng to Caleys. And trew[s]. . . . . . . .[ou]re Lady Day, as I herd sey.Item, it is talked that Duchemen and Englysshemen ben at contraversie with in. . . . . . .76.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter seems to be in James Gresham’s handwriting. It is evident that it was written shortly after Midsummer. Rather more than a year and a day had elapsed since a murder committed on the morrow of St. Peter’s Day (i.e.on the 30th June), and it is mentioned that Convocation was to sit some little time after Relic Sunday, which always falls in the middle of July. Further, the King is said to be at Northampton, which he was in July 1463, and no other year appears to suit.77.1Yelverton.78.1Probably the Speaker of the Parliament of 1463, whom Margaret Paston named Fynes inLetter 544.Seep. 75, Note 2.78.2According to the dates of the Privy Seals the King was at Northampton from the 8th to the 28th July 1463; also on the 2nd May 1464.To mygth rigth good and speciall maistertext has “gooa” (italic “a” for “d”)546JAMES GRESHAM TO MARGARET PASTON78.3To my right wurshepfull mastres, my Mastres Margret Paston, at Caster.1463Pleaseit your good mastresship to wete that afieri faciasis come out of the Exchequir for Hue Fen to the Shireff of Norffolk to make levy of CC. mark of the propir goods and catels of my masters, as executor of SirJohn Fastolf; of whechfieri faciaswe sent my master word, whech sent us word ayen by Berney that we shuld lete the Shiref undirstand that my master nevir toke upon hym as executor, and so for that cause that writte was no warant to take my masters goods; and also that my master mad a dede of gift of all his goods and catels to Master Prewet and Clement Paston and other, so that my master hath no goods whereof he shuld make levy of the forseid summe; and if the Shireff wold not take this for non answere, that thanne my master wold he shuld be lettid in Master Prowetts and Clement Pastons name. Nevirthelesse we spak with the Shireff this day, and lete hym undirstand the causes aforeseid, and he agreid, so that he myght have suerte to safe hym harmeles, to mak such retorne as my master or his counsell coud devise. And because my master wrote by Berney that he wold not fynd the Shireff no suerte, we wold not apoynt with hym in that wyse; and so we toke avyse of Thomas Grene, and by cause the Undir-Shireff shall be on Monday at Hygham, by Bastewyk brygg, and he and we thought that it was best that Master Prowet shuld mete with the Shireff there, and require and charge hym that by colour of the foreseidfieri faciasthat he make no levy of any goods and catels of the seid Prowetts and Clement Pastons ayens the seid John Pastons, letyng hym vete that such goods as the seid Paston had, be now the seid Prowetts and Clement Pastons by vertu of a dede of gift mad to hem almost ij. yere agoo; and if the Shireff woll be besy aftir that to take any catell, that he be lettid in Master Prowetts name and Clement Pastons by Daubeney and other; whech besines of the Shireff shall be on Tuisday or Wednesday, and as we understand at Heylesdon. Wherfor ye must send thedir Daubeney with Pecok, and the may gete hym here more felasep by the avise of Master Sir John Paston.James Gresham.78.3[From Fenn, iv. 130.] John Paston’s eldest son appears to have been knighted in the course of the year 1463. The earliest notice which I find of him as knight is in a writ dated 11th July, 3 EdwardIV., entered on the Coram Rege Roll of Trinity term, 3 EdwardIV.This letter is not unlikely to have been written about that time, as it appears by a subsequent letter (No. 550) that Sir John Paston remained for some time at home in Norfolk, when the friends of the family thought he ought to be abroad in the world.547ABSTRACT80.11463AUG. 15Deed poll whereby Elizabeth, widow of John Vere, Earl of Oxford, Lady of the manor of Knapton, Norfolk, grants to Agnes, widow of William Paston, the right of removing obstructions in two watercourses belonging to the mill called Wodmyll in Bacton; the first of which watercourses flows out of Knapton Fen, and the second from the mill of the Abbot of St. Benet’s of Holme.Stratford of the Bowe, 15th Aug. 1463, 3 EdwardIV.Fine Seal.80.1[From Add. Charter 14,514, B.M., D. Turner’s Coll.]548THE DUKE OF NORFOLK TO JOHN PASTON, SENIOR80.2To oure right trusty and entierly welbelovid servaunt, John Paston, th’elder.The Duc of Norff.1463AUG. 31Righttrusty and entierly welbelovid servaunt, we grete you hertily well, and specially praying you that ye will be with us at Framlyngham on Sonday next comyng, that we may comon with you there, and have youre sadde advise in suche matiers as concernyth gretly to oure weel, whiche shall be mynestred unto you at youre comyng. Prayng you that ye fayle not herof, as our speciall trust is in you. And our Lord preserve you in His keping.Written at Framlyngham the xxxj. day of August.Norff.80.2[From Fenn, iv. 250.] John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, the writer of this letter, succeeded his father in the dukedom in November 1461, being at the time only seventeen years of age. A year afterwards, in November 1462, we find him living at his castle of Holt in Denbighshire, where he proposed to spend Christmas (seeNo. 532), but before that season came he was sent for by the King to serve against the Scots (No. 533). I am inclined to think this letter was written in the August of 1463; for although the Duke was again living at Holt in March following, it seems probable that he would have visited his chief family seat at Framlingham in the meanwhile. John Paston, the youngest, who was attached to his household, was certainly at home with his family in the latter part of this year (seeNo. 560).549THE ABBOT OF LANGLEY TO SIR JOHN PASTON81.1To the ryght worcheppful Sere John Paston, Knyght, be this delyvered.1463SEPT. 4Ryghtworchepful ser, and tendyrly belovyd in our Lord God, I comend me to you, sendyng you knowyng that I dede your erand to my brother, the persoon of Blofeeld, on Wednysdaye was sevenyght, after the undyrstandyng that I had of you and from you be this brynger; whech man I felte ryght wele and favorabelye dysposyd to you ward, and more favorable wole be than to ony other jentylman levand, the wylle of the dede performyd, and his conscyens savyd; and more thinges seyd favorabely for yow which I entytelyd in a scrowe to a’ certyfyed to your servaunt Calle, yf he had come, as ye sent me woord he sculd ado, and xuld, as ye behestyd me, abrowte me our ferme for Heylesdon, which not don, causeth me to wryte, prayng your jantylnesse that I send no more therfore, for it is unpayed for the zeer afore the Halwemesse that my Mayster Fastolf deyed, and for the same zer that he deyed in, and sythen for ij. zer, and vs.unpayed of a zer, and come Myhelmesse nexte xal be another zer unpayed. Thus is iiij. zer unpayed and vs., and at Myhelmesse next xal be v. zer and vs.This thus kepte from Holy Chirche that is Holy Chirchez good, may not be withoute grete parelle of soule; wher the parelle is God knoweth, I pray God amend it, and geve hem grace that have his goods so to dyspose them, that thei and the dede both may be oute of parelle. And the Trynyte have you in His mercyful kepyng. Wretyn at Langle, on Soneday, at evyn late, next after Seynt Johne Daye Decollacion.81.2Be your welewylland,Abbot of Langeleye.81.1[From Fenn, iv. 146.] The date of this letter is clear, from the statement it contains as to the length of time which has elapsed since the decease of Sir John Fastolf.81.2The Decollation of St. John the Baptist was observed on the 29th August.550R. C. V. C. TO JOHN PASTON THE ELDEST82.1To my worcheppefull master, Master Paston the heldest.1463(?)Rythworchepfull master, I recommend me on to zowr masterchepe. And of on mater at reverens of God take hede, for in trowth I her meche talkyng therof, and that is both in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwyche, among halle men of worchepe, as welle that love zow as oder, and that is of my master, your son, Syr Jon, causse he is so at home, and no noderwyse set for. Summe sey that ze and he both stond howth of the Kyngs good gras, and summe sey that ze kepe hym at home for negard chepe, and wyll no thyng ware [spend] up on hym; and so heche man sey is avyse as it plese hem to talke. And I have hanqwerryd [inquired], and seyd the most cause is inparty for cause ze har so meche howte, that he is the rather at home for the save gard of the costs. But at the referens of God, excheuyng of common langage, se that he may worchepfull be set for, heyder in the Kyngs servyse, or in maryache; for as towchyng the Lady Chaberlen82.2that mater is don, for I spake with the parson therof, and I hard be hym that that mater wyll not pre [proceed ?].No more, but God spede zow as well in all maters, as I wold ze xuld do, I be seche zow that this leter be kept secrete.Be zow[r] bede man,R. C. V. C.82.1[From Fenn, iv. 128.] In the preceding letter Sir John Paston seems to have been at home; inLetter 552, we find that he had left home without leave. It is very probable, therefore, that the present letter was written in the interval between them, seeing that the writer complains of Sir John being kept at home.82.2This Lady Chamberlayne was Anne, daughter and sole heir of Sir Robert Herling, Knight, by Jane, daughter and heir of John Gonvile, Esq. Her first husband was Sir William Chamberlayne, Knight of the Garter, a renowned and valiant soldier, who died in 1462. She was at this time his widow, and inherited from her father a very considerable fortune.She afterwards married Sir Robert Wingfield, and after his decease she became the wife of John, Lord Scroop of Bolton.By the name of Lady Scroop she founded and endowed a Fellowship in the College ofGonville and Caiusat Cambridge, originally founded by an ancestor of her Ladyship’s.She was born in 1426, and was alive in 1502.At the time this letter was written she must have been nearly forty years old, when Sir John Paston could not have been much above twenty.—F.she founded and endowed a Fellowship in the College of Gonville and Caius at Cambridgeeditor’s error for “Gonville” alone (John Caius was born in 1510)551MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON83.1To my ryght worchipfull hosbond, John Paston, be thys letter delyveryd in hast.1463NOV. 13Rihtworchepfull husbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete that I was at Norwic this wek to purvey suche thyngs as nedythe me ageyns thys wynter; and I was at my modder, and wille I was ther, ther cam in on Wrothe, a kynnysman of Elysabet Clers, and he sey your dowter, and preysyd hyr to my moder, and seyd that she was a goodly yong woman; and my moder prayd hym for to gett for hyr on good mariage yf he knewe any; and he seyd he knewe on shuld be of a CCC. mark be yer, the wyche is Sir John Cley son, that is Chamberleyn with my Lady of York,83.2and he ys of age of xviij. yer old. Zyf ye thynk it be for to be spok of, my moder thynkyth that it shuld be get for lesse mony nowe in thys world than it shuld be her after, owthyr that j. [one], or sum other good mariage.Item, I spake with Master John Estgate for Pekerynes mater after your entent of the mater of the letter that ye sent home, and he seyd to me he shuld write to yow howe he had don ther in; and so he sent you a letter, the wyche was sent you be John Wodows84.1man with other letters.As for answer [of] other mater, Daubeney tellythe me he wret to you. I be seche Alle myghty God have you in Hys kepyng. Wretyn at Caster, the Sonday next after Seynt Marteyne.Be yourM. Paston.

. . . . . . . .

Also on Thursday next after Cristemasse was a man slayn, by whom no man woot, nor what he is that was slayn no man knowe, his face is so mangled.

67.7These extracts are quoted by Fenn from a letter now lost, in reference to what is said in the last letter about Thomas Gurney and his man.

To my ryght reverent and wurschip[full]mayster, my Mayster John Paston in the Ynner Temple at London.

1463[FEB.]

Plesithyour goode maystrechip to witte that ther comen doune to the undrescheryff of Norwiche, a writte to a tache Mr. John P. the yongere, wherof I sende you a copy closed herin, but they woll not a reeste hym within Norwich; but I undrestande ther is comen an other writte to the undrescheryff of Norfolk bothe for hym and me, and for all thoo that ben indyghted. Wherfore I purpose me to ride to Hoonyng to the scheryff thys day, to undrestande how he is disposed, and to desire hym to shewe favour to your pore tenaunts; and as I feele hym disposed I schall send your maystreship answer.

And as for tidyngs here in this contre, we have noon but that ther be many Frenchemen upon the see and do moche answer upon the coosts. Mr. Yelver[ton] knew of the comyng up of thetestewithin ij. dayes after they were goon, &c. My ryght reverent and wurschipful maystre, the blissed Trinite preserve and kepe and ferther you in all your maters.

Sir William Wyllugby whas at Risynge Castell, and yesterday he come home a yenne. On Tentale hathe entred in to a parte of Felbregge lyvelod, and a corte holden, and the tenaunts retorned. Item, as for the cort that Deben[ham] schuld holde at Calcot we here not of it.

Your pore servaunt and bedman, R. C.

Rex vi[ce]comitibus Norwici, salutem. Præcepimus vobis quod capiatis Johannem Paston juniorem, nuper de Norwico, armigerum, si inventus fuerit in balliva vestra, et eum salvo custodiatis, ita quod habeatis corpus ejus coram nobis a die Paschæ in unum mensem ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ad respondendum nobis de quibusdam feloniis et transgressionibus unde in comitatu nostro Suffolchiæ indictatus est. Et si prædictus Johannes in balliva vestra inveniri non poterit, tunc ad duos comitatus in balliva vestra citra terminum prædictum proximo tenendos juxta formam statuti in hujusmodi casu provisi proclamari faciatis quod idem Johannes sit coram nobis ad præfatum terminum ad respondendum nobis de præmissis. Et habeatis ibi hoc breve. Teste Johanne Markham apud Westmonasterium, xxxjº die Januarii, anno regni nostri secundo.Croxton.

Rotulo xxvjº R. Per contr’ Anno secundo Regis Ed. iiijtir. xiij. Irrotulatur coram Rege de recordo, termino Hillarii anno secundo Regis Ed. iiijti, prout patet in rotulo infrascripto.69.1

68.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.] As the writ, of which a copy is subjoined to this letter, is dated on the 31st January in the second year of EdwardIV.(1463), the letter itself must have been written in February.69.1This note is to imply that the writ is enrolled among what are called the Records on the Coram Rege Roll of Hilary term, 2 Edw.IV., rot. 26, a former writ against John Paston, junior, being enrolled in the Controlment Roll, 2 Edw.IV., rot. 13.

69.1This note is to imply that the writ is enrolled among what are called the Records on the Coram Rege Roll of Hilary term, 2 Edw.IV., rot. 26, a former writ against John Paston, junior, being enrolled in the Controlment Roll, 2 Edw.IV., rot. 13.

1463FEB.orMARCH

Pleaseyou to wet that Will. Jeney and Debham cam to Calcote on Wednysday before none, and ther they spake with Rysyng and John Smythe, and haskyd hem rent and ferme, and they seydyn they had payed you, and so they myght not paye hem. Also, ferthermore, they told hem that ye had hold a corte ther syn that they enteryd there. Than Jenney answerd ageyn ‘Be cause he held a corte here we mad hym hold corte at London, and so shall we make the to hold a corte at Ipysweche withowt thow wolt pay us the rent and ferme.’ ‘Sir,’ quod Rysyng, ‘I toke the ferme of my master and of Sir Thomas Howys.’ Jenney seyd, ‘And as for Sir Thomas, he and we schall acord well i nowe.’ And so they hahte seled up the berne dore and woll dryve a wey the catellbothe of the fermores and of the tenauntes, withowt the fermor and John Smythe woll fynd hem suerte to pay hem at Esterne, and Jenney and Debham woll [be] bownd ageyn to hem in a obligacion of xlli.to save hem harmelese ageyns you. And so as yet Rysyng standythe under award at Leystofte. So Rysyng hathe sent word to me that I shall knowe thys nyght or ellis to morowe what end they hathe mad.

Item, as towchyng the burges of Yermothe they wer chosyn on Wednysday. The Baly Wydwell ys on; and as for the todyr the Bischoppe sent to the towne for to have a man of hys owne, and so they be not acordyd yit of hym; en cas they may not acord, John Rus shall be the todyr.

Item, as towchyng Grene, a came not to Caster on Thursday, for he went to Norwich the same day, and so he is yet ther. Daubeney hathe spokyn with Watkyn Shypdam for to be at Beyton on Monday to kepe a corte ther; and so he woll be at Caster on Sonday and spek with you, for he seythe that Fastolfe70.1hathe mad a cleyme ther to; that is the cause he wolle comon and speke with you ther of hym selff.

Item, I can not, ner Daubeney nowther, fynd your wyght boke; it is not in the trussyng cofyr, ner in the sprucheste nothyr. Jon Walsham toke me a quayer, I suppose it lo[n]gythe to the same boke, that same I send you, and the byllis of Walcote with ale sealyd. Wretyn this day.By your,M. P.

On the back are the following accounts, written, in a very careless hand, by Richard Calle:—

De Johanne Prentice de Castelaere ad festum Sanctæ Fidis per manus vicarii de Sporle,

De Roberto Wylley clerico post Nativitatem Domini,

De Willelmo Whyte, vigil’ Conversionis Sancti Pauli,

De Edmundo Wynter, mason, de Bermynghem circa Conversionem Sancti Pauli,

De Willelmo Elys de Wynterton ad Pascha,

De Warino Herman ad Pascha,

De Johanna Bakeney uxore Gerard,

Rec. de Willelmo Norwich et M. Johanne Smythe venditio jocalium Johannis Berney de Redham pro tant’ denar’ pro me pro debito ipsius Berney apud Redham solut’,

Inprimis, pro viagio Johannis Paston, Jun. cum Rege et aliis causis (?) versus Annewyke de denariis receptis de debito prioris Norwicensis,

Item, de auro remanente de Coppes in eadem baga,

Item, de baga pecuniæ prestandæ eodem tempore,

Item, de remanent’ in forcerio tesaur’ li’berat’71.1frater meus Will’ Yelv’n,

Item, de pecunia remanente cum Thoma Gresham apud London; termino Michaelis xxli., termino Hillarij, xxxiijs.iiijd.,

Item, de tesauro London termino Michaelis, l. marc’, termino Hillarij l. marc’, termino Paschæ l. marc’,

Item, de tesauro Norffolk cariat’ versus London termino Paschæ, ultra xlli.remanens (sic) apud terminum Trinitatis,

69.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter, though not addressed, seems to have been written by Margaret Paston to her husband. The election referred to must have been that for the Parliament of 1463. From one expression used it is clear that it was written some time before Easter, and the dispute with Jenney and Debenham about Calcote proves the date to a certainty. CompareNos. 538and 540.70.1Thomas Fastolf of Cowhawe.71.1The words ‘tesaur’ liberat’’ are interlined and apparently intended to be inserted here. I must leave the grammar of the sentence as it stands in the original. The word at the end, which I believe stands for ‘Yelverton,’ is very ambiguous from the careless writing.71.2These words are inserted between the lines, but whether they were intended for a heading is a little uncertain.

70.1Thomas Fastolf of Cowhawe.

71.1The words ‘tesaur’ liberat’’ are interlined and apparently intended to be inserted here. I must leave the grammar of the sentence as it stands in the original. The word at the end, which I believe stands for ‘Yelverton,’ is very ambiguous from the careless writing.

71.2These words are inserted between the lines, but whether they were intended for a heading is a little uncertain.

[John Paston] to John Pampyng, Richard Calle, and William Wykes.

1463

Remember my instructions about bills and actions against Debenham by my tenants at Calcote. Make a ‘remembrance apart’ of the ground on which every trespass has been committed, whether it be in my lands or in those of my tenants, and whether the land was holden of me by Calcote Hall fee, or Freton Hall fee, lest Debenham justify [on the plea that] he took them elsewhere. As my tenants at Cotton have been compelled to pay much money to Jenney and Debenham against their wills, I would, as I have told John Paston the younger, that he should ride to Cotton with Richard Calle and such friendship as he can get, and demand my duties, except from those who had been compelled to pay the others. The latter to take actions next term against Debenham. Will respite them for this once all they have paid, till it may be recovered by law;that is, provided they ask it: otherwise, will politicly put them in jeopardy of losing their farms. Desires Calle to make a roll of the tenants and when he comes to Cotton enter therein how much cattle has been distrained from each.

It appears by the last letter that a writ was issued, evidently at the suit of Debenham, against John Paston, junior, and the other agents of his father in Suffolk. From the present paper it would seem that John Paston also instituted a prosecution on behalf of his tenants against Debenham. We shall find by later letters that these suits were going on in 1463, and were not terminated in the beginning of the following year. TheMS.from which the above abstract has been made is a draft with a heading in John Paston’s hand. On the back are notes of the Statutes of Westminster and of RichardII.touchingscandalum magnatum, etc.

71.3[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

1463MARCH 19

Toall tho to whom this present wrytyng shall come, Rauff Lampet, Squier, sendyth gretyng in our Lord. And forasmoch as it is meritory to bere witnesse of trought, and that I knowe and herd the disposicion and will of Ser John Fastolff, knyght, aftir the forme folowyng, and am requered to sey the trought, I record and testifie, and bere witnesse that Ser John Fastolff, knyght, abought the tyme of hervest was v. yere, that was the yere of our Lord Mlcccclvij. at Caster, fast by Mekyll Yarmouth, in the Shire of Norffolk, in presens of divers persones that tyme callid to by the seid Ser John, ded make estat and feffement and livery of seison of the maner of Caster aforeseid, and other maners, londs, and tenements in Norffolk to John Paston, Squier, and other. And at that livery of season thereof delivered, as well by the hands of the seid Ser John as be other, the seid Ser John Fastolff by his owne mouth declared his will and entent of that feffement and livery of season, mad to the use of the seid Ser John as for duryng his life only, and aftir his decese to the use of the seid John Paston and his heyrs. And also the seid Ser John seid and declared, that the seid John Paston was best frend, and helper, and supporter to the seid Ser John, and that it was his will that the seid John Paston shuld have and inherite the samemaners, londs, and tenements, and other, aftir his decese, and ther to dwelle and abide, and kepe howsold, seying that he knew well that the disposicion of the seid Paston was to do good in the contry, and be non oppressor of the pore pepill. And the seid Ser John desired me, and Daune William Bokenham, that tyme Prior of Yarmouth, beynge presente, to record as he had seid to us. And this I record and witnesse for trought be the feyght that I owe to God and all Seynts. In witnesse wherof to this my writyng I have set to my seall and signe manuell the xix. day of March, the third yer of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourth.R. Lampet.

72.1[TannerMS., 106, f. 35 b.]

Raff Lampet to his Cousin Daubeney

Date uncertain

Reminds him that he spoke to him at Redham, in the church, about certain lands ‘which John of Berney bought of me,’ and for which there is still owing him 13s. 4d., and a rent of 6d. four years in arrear. Begs him to speak to Master Paston to get him the money.

We place this letter immediately after another document signed by Ralph Lampet, the exact date being uncertain and immaterial. It is probably, however, about this period, as it may be surmised to be after the death of John Berney.

73.1[From PastonMSS., B.M.]

1463APRIL 6

Testimony of Sir Roger Chamberlain, witnessed by Reginald Tylneye, prior of Ixworth, and Sir John Rose [a brother of the house], that he was with the Duke of Norfolk in September before Sir John Fastolf died, when my Lord urged Fastolf to sell him the reversion of Caister, or (as he wished to give it to the Abbey of St. Benet’s) to exchange it for a manor of my Lord’s in South Walsham, which lay more convenient for the Abbey. Sir John, however, begged him not to press it, as he had appointed with his cousin, JohnPaston, to have Caister and all his other livelode in Norfolk and Suffolk in order to endow a college of seven priests and seven poor men. My Lord said, many thought Sir John would make Paston his heir; to which he replied that there was no man living that he would like better to be his heir, and begged my Lord to be his good lord if it so fortuned, which the Duke promised to do. Has heard the Duke since often acknowledge that Sir John had declared plainly he would make Paston his heir. Not having his own seal present, has sealed this with that of the prior of Ixworth, and requested him to put his seal to it besides. Ixworth, 6 April 1463.

73.2[FromMS.Phillipps, 9735, No. 280.]

To my rytz wurchepfull mayster, Jon Paston, in hast.

1463MAY 6

Rytwurschipfull hosbond, I recommand me to zou, desyring hertyly to her of zour wellfar, praying zou to wete, that I [have] spoken with Strawngs wyf of the matter that ze spoken to me of; and sche seyth pleynly to me, be her feyth, that sche knew never non seche ne never herd of non scheche, and told to me in lyk wyse as sche had seyd to Jamys Gloys. And sche seyd to me if sche kowd inquier of any other that sche thinght xuld have knowleche of any seche, sche xuld wetyn of hem, and letyn me have knowleche therof; and if ze soppose that any other be in this contre that ye thync xuld have knowleche of this forseyd mater, yf ye wyll send me word ther of, I xall do my part ther in.

Also I have ben att Sweyngsthorp and spoken with Kokett, and he seyth that he woll don lyche as ye bad me that I xuld sey to hym for to don. And I have spokyn with the sexteyn, and seyd to hym as ye bad me that I xuld don, and he axid me ryt feythfully hw ye sped in zour materys.

I teld hym that ze haddyn fayr be hests, and I seyd I hopyd that ze xuld don rytz well therin; and he seyd that hesupposyd that D.75.1wold don for zou; but he seyd he was no hasty laborer in non mater. He seyd be hys feyth he wost qher a man was that laboryd to hym for amater ryth along tym, and alwey he be hestyd that he wold labor itt effectualy, but qhyll he sewyd to hym that he kowd never have remedy of his mater; and than qhan he thowth that he xuld no remedy have to sew to hym, he spak with Fynys,75.2that is now Speker of the Parlment, and prayid hym that he wold don for hym in hys mater, and zaf hym areward; and withinne ryth short tym after his mater was sped. And the seyd sexteyn75.3and other folkys that ben yowr ryth wele willers have kownselyd me that I xuld kownsell zou to maken other menys than ye have made to other folks, that wold spede your materys better than they have don thatt ye have spoken to therof be for this tym. Sondery folks have seyd to me that they thynk veryly, but if [unless] ye have my Lord of Suffolks75.4godelorchyp, qhyll the werd [world] is as itt is, ye kan never leven in pese with owth ye have his godelordschep; therfor I pray that with all myn herth, that ye wyll don yowr part to have his godelordschep and his love in ese of all the materis that ye have to don, and in esyng of myn hert also; for be my trowth I am afferd ellys bothen of these materys the qhyche ye have in hand now, and of other that ben not don to yett, but if he wyl don for zou and be your godelord. I pray yow hertylye send me werd how ze don, and how ye speden in zour materys; and I pray you as for seche thyngs as Jamys hath a byll of, that I may have hem as hastyly as ze may; andthat ze wyll vowchesave to bey apese of blak bukram for to lyn with a gown for me, I xuld bey me amurrey gown to gon in this somer, and leyn in the koler the satyn that ze zeve me for an hodde; and I kan gettyn non gode bokeram in this town to lyn it with. The Holy Trinyte have yow in His kepyng, and send zou helth and good spede in all yowr maters.

Wretyn att Norwyche, on ye Fryday nexst after Crowchemesse Day.76.1Yours,M. P.

74.1[From Fenn, iv. 188.] Our reason for believing this letter to have been written in the year 1463 will be seen in a footnote.75.1Possibly John Damme.75.2This looks like a mistake, for no Speaker of the name of Fynes is met with during this period. The expression, however, suggests that the letter was written about the beginning of a new Parliament, which could only have been that which met on the 29th April 1463. On the following day the Commons elected John Say as their Speaker, whose name Margaret Paston seems to have confounded with the family name of William Fenys, Lord Say, the trusty friend of EdwardIV.who accompanied him into exile when he fled from his kingdom in 1470. It does not appear, however, that John Say, the Speaker, was related to that family.75.3The Sacrist or Sexton of the Priory of Norwich was the officer who had the care of Sacra, or Holy Things, as the Church Plate, Copes, etc.; he was likewise Secretary, Auditor, and Chancellor of the Convent, and had a Sub-sacrist or Deputy to perform the servile parts of his office. In 1444 Brother Richard de Walsham was appointed Sacrist.—F.75.4John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.—F.76.1Crouchmas Day, or the Invention of the Cross, was on the 3rd of May.—F.

74.1[From Fenn, iv. 188.] Our reason for believing this letter to have been written in the year 1463 will be seen in a footnote.

75.1Possibly John Damme.

75.2This looks like a mistake, for no Speaker of the name of Fynes is met with during this period. The expression, however, suggests that the letter was written about the beginning of a new Parliament, which could only have been that which met on the 29th April 1463. On the following day the Commons elected John Say as their Speaker, whose name Margaret Paston seems to have confounded with the family name of William Fenys, Lord Say, the trusty friend of EdwardIV.who accompanied him into exile when he fled from his kingdom in 1470. It does not appear, however, that John Say, the Speaker, was related to that family.

75.3The Sacrist or Sexton of the Priory of Norwich was the officer who had the care of Sacra, or Holy Things, as the Church Plate, Copes, etc.; he was likewise Secretary, Auditor, and Chancellor of the Convent, and had a Sub-sacrist or Deputy to perform the servile parts of his office. In 1444 Brother Richard de Walsham was appointed Sacrist.—F.

75.4John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.—F.

76.1Crouchmas Day, or the Invention of the Cross, was on the 3rd of May.—F.

To mygth rigthgoodand speciall maister, John Paston, dwellyng at Heylesdon be syde Norwich.

1463JULY

Rigthreverent, &c. Please your maisterchip wete that I resseived your letter whiche ye sent by Crome, and as for the examinacion of, &c. that I wrot to you of in my former letter to be taken on the Munday or on Tewysday, &c. this was the cause. Ye yaff me informacion at my last departyng fro you that the murdre was don uppon the day nexst after Seynt Petre. And for doute lesse ye had be ougth at the comyng of my seid letter, and for dowte that I supposed that my maistres, your wyf, had not be remembred of the day, it caused me, accordyng to your informacion, to wryte the uttermost day for her remembrans. Neverthelesse, if ye certifie that ye toke the examinacion with in the yere and day, and sette the day in certayn, your certificat is sufficiant inlawe and shall bynd any of the parties to sey the contrary. And also the writte is that ye schuld certefiesine dilatione, and no day expresly yoven you whan to certifie it; wherfor ye may kepe uncertefiet tyl the nexst terme. And so do sir, for it schal do no hurt; but if ony questions or jangelyng schuld be mad when the examinacion was, let a sufficiant day with inne the yere be noysed, and if thetestebe to schort we schal fynd the mene it schal be amendyd by hym that wrot it. For after the informacion that I had of Crome the Sunday was the uttermest day, and therefor it was happy that sche was examined thenne. And where that ye wold I schuld tak the advice of Maister Markham, &c., if all thyng were laufull, and elles not, it is full hard to my self to determine the certaynte of every circumstans of the mater, and it is not gretely to be comuned of with other, nor to comune of casez lyke; for whan the mater schuld come in revelysshon it wold cause prevy titlers and flaterers ougth of suche questions to ymagyn, and contryve mater of distourbans. Wherfor uppon the certeynte of myn determinacion I brak the mater to Master Markham, which called to hym Master Byngham, and so thei ij. meved Y.77.1; and after that mocion he kept not his owyn councell but brak to every man of it. Hou be it he was sore mevyd with it, I wote it well, and glad to take avyse and comfort of other personez than of Masters Markham and Byngham. Al circumstans were to long to wryte, but I hope to speke with you be tymes i nougth or ye schall nede to certefye, &c. And, sir, in conclucion, Masters Markham and Byngham thynk it sufficiant i nougth to take his promys and his othe with ougth obligacion that he schal mak amends if profe here after can be mad uppon hym. And to this Maister Markham prayed you to agre by the same token ye mevyd hym to sette an ende be twyx you and my masters your brethern. Neverthelesse if ye thynk this wey not sufficiant, ye may lete sum other handele the mater at hom to hym if that ye hope to gete good pref in the mater, for with ougth evydent proffe the mater schall be but noysefull to you, and cause men to thynk that it growyth of your ille wyll to hymward, &c.; for he noyseth and seyth, because of ille wyll ye have caused a mad woman to take apell a yens hym.

Item, sir, as for Leukenore he is not at London, but peraventure I schal make hym to be meved in the mater here after.

Item, I dede your erand to my maister your son.

Item, as for John Say,78.1he recomendyth hym to you, bothe for your billes and for your labour, and prayeth you if ony land that lyth for the priour ease mygth be aspyed, that ye wold help to gete it hym and send hym word; and as for the morteysyng. . . . . .and at his cost and labour.

Item, as for tydyngs, the Kyng and the counsell is at Northampton,78.2and the Convocacion schall be. . . . . . . . .after Relyk Sunday. And ther be ij. marchaunts come fro Caleys, and they mygth no leve have to com[e]. . . . . . . . .schuld bere the Kyng certeyn lettres and juste tytyngs that sege is comyng to Caleys. And trew[s]. . . . . . . .[ou]re Lady Day, as I herd sey.

Item, it is talked that Duchemen and Englysshemen ben at contraversie with in. . . . . . .

76.2[From PastonMSS., B.M.] This letter seems to be in James Gresham’s handwriting. It is evident that it was written shortly after Midsummer. Rather more than a year and a day had elapsed since a murder committed on the morrow of St. Peter’s Day (i.e.on the 30th June), and it is mentioned that Convocation was to sit some little time after Relic Sunday, which always falls in the middle of July. Further, the King is said to be at Northampton, which he was in July 1463, and no other year appears to suit.77.1Yelverton.78.1Probably the Speaker of the Parliament of 1463, whom Margaret Paston named Fynes inLetter 544.Seep. 75, Note 2.78.2According to the dates of the Privy Seals the King was at Northampton from the 8th to the 28th July 1463; also on the 2nd May 1464.

77.1Yelverton.

78.1Probably the Speaker of the Parliament of 1463, whom Margaret Paston named Fynes inLetter 544.Seep. 75, Note 2.

78.2According to the dates of the Privy Seals the King was at Northampton from the 8th to the 28th July 1463; also on the 2nd May 1464.

To mygth rigth good and speciall maistertext has “gooa” (italic “a” for “d”)

To my right wurshepfull mastres, my Mastres Margret Paston, at Caster.

1463

Pleaseit your good mastresship to wete that afieri faciasis come out of the Exchequir for Hue Fen to the Shireff of Norffolk to make levy of CC. mark of the propir goods and catels of my masters, as executor of SirJohn Fastolf; of whechfieri faciaswe sent my master word, whech sent us word ayen by Berney that we shuld lete the Shiref undirstand that my master nevir toke upon hym as executor, and so for that cause that writte was no warant to take my masters goods; and also that my master mad a dede of gift of all his goods and catels to Master Prewet and Clement Paston and other, so that my master hath no goods whereof he shuld make levy of the forseid summe; and if the Shireff wold not take this for non answere, that thanne my master wold he shuld be lettid in Master Prowetts and Clement Pastons name. Nevirthelesse we spak with the Shireff this day, and lete hym undirstand the causes aforeseid, and he agreid, so that he myght have suerte to safe hym harmeles, to mak such retorne as my master or his counsell coud devise. And because my master wrote by Berney that he wold not fynd the Shireff no suerte, we wold not apoynt with hym in that wyse; and so we toke avyse of Thomas Grene, and by cause the Undir-Shireff shall be on Monday at Hygham, by Bastewyk brygg, and he and we thought that it was best that Master Prowet shuld mete with the Shireff there, and require and charge hym that by colour of the foreseidfieri faciasthat he make no levy of any goods and catels of the seid Prowetts and Clement Pastons ayens the seid John Pastons, letyng hym vete that such goods as the seid Paston had, be now the seid Prowetts and Clement Pastons by vertu of a dede of gift mad to hem almost ij. yere agoo; and if the Shireff woll be besy aftir that to take any catell, that he be lettid in Master Prowetts name and Clement Pastons by Daubeney and other; whech besines of the Shireff shall be on Tuisday or Wednesday, and as we understand at Heylesdon. Wherfor ye must send thedir Daubeney with Pecok, and the may gete hym here more felasep by the avise of Master Sir John Paston.James Gresham.

78.3[From Fenn, iv. 130.] John Paston’s eldest son appears to have been knighted in the course of the year 1463. The earliest notice which I find of him as knight is in a writ dated 11th July, 3 EdwardIV., entered on the Coram Rege Roll of Trinity term, 3 EdwardIV.This letter is not unlikely to have been written about that time, as it appears by a subsequent letter (No. 550) that Sir John Paston remained for some time at home in Norfolk, when the friends of the family thought he ought to be abroad in the world.

1463AUG. 15

Deed poll whereby Elizabeth, widow of John Vere, Earl of Oxford, Lady of the manor of Knapton, Norfolk, grants to Agnes, widow of William Paston, the right of removing obstructions in two watercourses belonging to the mill called Wodmyll in Bacton; the first of which watercourses flows out of Knapton Fen, and the second from the mill of the Abbot of St. Benet’s of Holme.Stratford of the Bowe, 15th Aug. 1463, 3 EdwardIV.Fine Seal.

Stratford of the Bowe, 15th Aug. 1463, 3 EdwardIV.

Fine Seal.

80.1[From Add. Charter 14,514, B.M., D. Turner’s Coll.]

To oure right trusty and entierly welbelovid servaunt, John Paston, th’elder.

The Duc of Norff.

1463AUG. 31

Righttrusty and entierly welbelovid servaunt, we grete you hertily well, and specially praying you that ye will be with us at Framlyngham on Sonday next comyng, that we may comon with you there, and have youre sadde advise in suche matiers as concernyth gretly to oure weel, whiche shall be mynestred unto you at youre comyng. Prayng you that ye fayle not herof, as our speciall trust is in you. And our Lord preserve you in His keping.

Written at Framlyngham the xxxj. day of August.Norff.

80.2[From Fenn, iv. 250.] John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, the writer of this letter, succeeded his father in the dukedom in November 1461, being at the time only seventeen years of age. A year afterwards, in November 1462, we find him living at his castle of Holt in Denbighshire, where he proposed to spend Christmas (seeNo. 532), but before that season came he was sent for by the King to serve against the Scots (No. 533). I am inclined to think this letter was written in the August of 1463; for although the Duke was again living at Holt in March following, it seems probable that he would have visited his chief family seat at Framlingham in the meanwhile. John Paston, the youngest, who was attached to his household, was certainly at home with his family in the latter part of this year (seeNo. 560).

To the ryght worcheppful Sere John Paston, Knyght, be this delyvered.

1463SEPT. 4

Ryghtworchepful ser, and tendyrly belovyd in our Lord God, I comend me to you, sendyng you knowyng that I dede your erand to my brother, the persoon of Blofeeld, on Wednysdaye was sevenyght, after the undyrstandyng that I had of you and from you be this brynger; whech man I felte ryght wele and favorabelye dysposyd to you ward, and more favorable wole be than to ony other jentylman levand, the wylle of the dede performyd, and his conscyens savyd; and more thinges seyd favorabely for yow which I entytelyd in a scrowe to a’ certyfyed to your servaunt Calle, yf he had come, as ye sent me woord he sculd ado, and xuld, as ye behestyd me, abrowte me our ferme for Heylesdon, which not don, causeth me to wryte, prayng your jantylnesse that I send no more therfore, for it is unpayed for the zeer afore the Halwemesse that my Mayster Fastolf deyed, and for the same zer that he deyed in, and sythen for ij. zer, and vs.unpayed of a zer, and come Myhelmesse nexte xal be another zer unpayed. Thus is iiij. zer unpayed and vs., and at Myhelmesse next xal be v. zer and vs.

This thus kepte from Holy Chirche that is Holy Chirchez good, may not be withoute grete parelle of soule; wher the parelle is God knoweth, I pray God amend it, and geve hem grace that have his goods so to dyspose them, that thei and the dede both may be oute of parelle. And the Trynyte have you in His mercyful kepyng. Wretyn at Langle, on Soneday, at evyn late, next after Seynt Johne Daye Decollacion.81.2Be your welewylland,Abbot of Langeleye.

81.1[From Fenn, iv. 146.] The date of this letter is clear, from the statement it contains as to the length of time which has elapsed since the decease of Sir John Fastolf.81.2The Decollation of St. John the Baptist was observed on the 29th August.

81.1[From Fenn, iv. 146.] The date of this letter is clear, from the statement it contains as to the length of time which has elapsed since the decease of Sir John Fastolf.

81.2The Decollation of St. John the Baptist was observed on the 29th August.

To my worcheppefull master, Master Paston the heldest.

1463(?)

Rythworchepfull master, I recommend me on to zowr masterchepe. And of on mater at reverens of God take hede, for in trowth I her meche talkyng therof, and that is both in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwyche, among halle men of worchepe, as welle that love zow as oder, and that is of my master, your son, Syr Jon, causse he is so at home, and no noderwyse set for. Summe sey that ze and he both stond howth of the Kyngs good gras, and summe sey that ze kepe hym at home for negard chepe, and wyll no thyng ware [spend] up on hym; and so heche man sey is avyse as it plese hem to talke. And I have hanqwerryd [inquired], and seyd the most cause is inparty for cause ze har so meche howte, that he is the rather at home for the save gard of the costs. But at the referens of God, excheuyng of common langage, se that he may worchepfull be set for, heyder in the Kyngs servyse, or in maryache; for as towchyng the Lady Chaberlen82.2that mater is don, for I spake with the parson therof, and I hard be hym that that mater wyll not pre [proceed ?].

No more, but God spede zow as well in all maters, as I wold ze xuld do, I be seche zow that this leter be kept secrete.Be zow[r] bede man,R. C. V. C.

82.1[From Fenn, iv. 128.] In the preceding letter Sir John Paston seems to have been at home; inLetter 552, we find that he had left home without leave. It is very probable, therefore, that the present letter was written in the interval between them, seeing that the writer complains of Sir John being kept at home.82.2This Lady Chamberlayne was Anne, daughter and sole heir of Sir Robert Herling, Knight, by Jane, daughter and heir of John Gonvile, Esq. Her first husband was Sir William Chamberlayne, Knight of the Garter, a renowned and valiant soldier, who died in 1462. She was at this time his widow, and inherited from her father a very considerable fortune.She afterwards married Sir Robert Wingfield, and after his decease she became the wife of John, Lord Scroop of Bolton.By the name of Lady Scroop she founded and endowed a Fellowship in the College ofGonville and Caiusat Cambridge, originally founded by an ancestor of her Ladyship’s.She was born in 1426, and was alive in 1502.At the time this letter was written she must have been nearly forty years old, when Sir John Paston could not have been much above twenty.—F.

82.2This Lady Chamberlayne was Anne, daughter and sole heir of Sir Robert Herling, Knight, by Jane, daughter and heir of John Gonvile, Esq. Her first husband was Sir William Chamberlayne, Knight of the Garter, a renowned and valiant soldier, who died in 1462. She was at this time his widow, and inherited from her father a very considerable fortune.

She afterwards married Sir Robert Wingfield, and after his decease she became the wife of John, Lord Scroop of Bolton.

By the name of Lady Scroop she founded and endowed a Fellowship in the College ofGonville and Caiusat Cambridge, originally founded by an ancestor of her Ladyship’s.

She was born in 1426, and was alive in 1502.

At the time this letter was written she must have been nearly forty years old, when Sir John Paston could not have been much above twenty.—F.

she founded and endowed a Fellowship in the College of Gonville and Caius at Cambridgeeditor’s error for “Gonville” alone (John Caius was born in 1510)

To my ryght worchipfull hosbond, John Paston, be thys letter delyveryd in hast.

1463NOV. 13

Rihtworchepfull husbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete that I was at Norwic this wek to purvey suche thyngs as nedythe me ageyns thys wynter; and I was at my modder, and wille I was ther, ther cam in on Wrothe, a kynnysman of Elysabet Clers, and he sey your dowter, and preysyd hyr to my moder, and seyd that she was a goodly yong woman; and my moder prayd hym for to gett for hyr on good mariage yf he knewe any; and he seyd he knewe on shuld be of a CCC. mark be yer, the wyche is Sir John Cley son, that is Chamberleyn with my Lady of York,83.2and he ys of age of xviij. yer old. Zyf ye thynk it be for to be spok of, my moder thynkyth that it shuld be get for lesse mony nowe in thys world than it shuld be her after, owthyr that j. [one], or sum other good mariage.

Item, I spake with Master John Estgate for Pekerynes mater after your entent of the mater of the letter that ye sent home, and he seyd to me he shuld write to yow howe he had don ther in; and so he sent you a letter, the wyche was sent you be John Wodows84.1man with other letters.

As for answer [of] other mater, Daubeney tellythe me he wret to you. I be seche Alle myghty God have you in Hys kepyng. Wretyn at Caster, the Sonday next after Seynt Marteyne.Be yourM. Paston.

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