Note 223.1 — THE PASTON LETTERS Henry VI (continued 5)

[From Fenn, iv. 36.] According to Fenn, Margaret Paston’s uncle, John Berney, second son of John Berney, Esq. of Reedham, died in July 1461, and he accordingly places this letter in that year. It is evident, however, that John Berney was dead at the date of Nos. 431 and 462, the former written in January 1461, the latter certainly not so late as the 28th July in the same year, for Thomas Denys was murdered at the very beginning of the month. Indeed, it is clear that in No. 462 Margaret Paston wishes to arrange about the approaching anniversary of her uncle’s death. John Berney must therefore have died in July 1460, although from the troubled character of the times his will (which is preserved in the Principal Registry at Somerset House), made on the 2nd June 1460 (Monday after the Feast of St. Petronilla the Virgin), was not proved till the 1st December 1461.

223.2 When Berney’s will was proved at Lambeth, 1st December 1461, administration was granted provisionally to Thomas Hooler, who was to send in accounts before the morrow of the Conversion of St. Paul (Jan. 26) following. Power was, however, reserved of committing administration to John Paston. But John Paston did not appear on the day, and left the undivided administration to Hooler.