THE PASTON LETTERS Henry VI (continued 5)

was adjuged in the Kynges eschequer to pay an C.ixli. xiijs. viijd. ob. . in “li.” invisible

398 ABSTRACT202.1

G. Sperlyng to John Paston

1460 JAN. 6

Paston was misinformed as to what Sperlyng said of his late master’s202.2 will. What he said was that about Hallowmas was twelvemonth he was about eight weeks with his said master, who one day examined him about the conveyance of his lands, and said there was no man of worship in Norfolk had so many auditors as he, yet he could never get the certainty how his livelode was disposed; but he had found a means to be quiet, ‘whereof,’ he said, ‘I am as glad as a man had geve me 1000 mark,’ by granting his cousin Paston all his livelode in Norfolk and Suffolk, on condition he should amortise sufficient lands to maintain a master and six secular priests at Castre. Paston was to take the risk of any counter claim and trouble hereafter, etc.

Norwich, Epiphany Day.

[The date of this letter must be 1460, as it is after Fastolf’s death, and speaks of a conversation the writer had with him about the management of his lands a twelvemonth before Hallowmas preceding the date of the letter. At Hallowmas 1459 Sir John was dying, and quite unable to support any conversation for want of breath, so that the reference must be to Hallowmas 1458.]

399 WILLIAM BOTONER TO JOHN BERNEY203.1

To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Berneye, Scuier, at Castre beyng.

1460 JAN.

Ryght wohypfull Sir, I recommaund me to yow.203.2. . . . . . . As for tydyngs here, I sende som of hend wreten to you and othyrs how the Lord Ryvers,203.3 Sir Antonye, hys son, and othyrs hafe wonne Calix203.4 be a feble assault made at Sandwich by Denham,203.5 Squyer, with the nombre of viij^c. men, on Twyesday betwene iiij. and v. at cloks yn the mornyng. But my Lady Duchesse203.6 ys stille ayen receved yn Kent. The Duke of York ys at Debylyn [Dublin], strengthed with hys Erles and homagers, as ye shall see by a bille. God sende the Kyng victorie of hys ennemyes, and rest and pease among hys Lordes.

I am rygt gretly hevyed for my pore wyfe, for the sorow she takyth, and most leefe hyr and hyr contree. Y shall nothing take from hyr more then a litell spendyng money, tille better may bee. And the Blessed Trinite kepe and sende you helth.

Wret at London hastly, the Monday after I departed from you, 1459, x. Your, W. Botoner, called Wyrcester.

Ryght wohypfull Sir text unchanged: error for “worshypfull”?

400 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON204.1

To his right worshipfull brother, John Paston, be this lettre delyvered.

1460 JAN. 28

After dewe recomendacion had, please you to wete that we cam to London uppon the Tewysday by none, nexst aftr our departour fro Norwich, and sent our men to inquyre after my Lord Chaunceler,204.2 and Maister John Stokys, and Malmesbury.

And as for my Lord Chaunceler, he was departed fro London, and was redyn to the Kyng ij. dayes er we were come to London; and as we understand he hasted hym to the Kyng by cause of my Lord Ryvers204.3 takyng at Sandwyche, &c.204.4. . . . . . . .

As for tydyngs, my Lord Ryvers was brougth to Caleys, and by for the Lords with viij^xx. [eight score] torches, and there my Lord of Salesbury reheted [rated] hym, callyng hym knaves son, that he schuld be so rude to calle hym and these other Lords traytors, for they schall be found the Kyngs treue liege men, whan he schuld be found a traytour, &c. And my Lord of Warrewyk rehetyd hym, and seyd that his fader was but a squyer, and broute up with Kyng Herry the V^te, and sethen hymself made by maryage, and also made Lord, and that it was not his parte to have swyche langage of Lords, beyng of the Kyngs blood. And my Lord of Marche reheted hym in lyke wyse. And Sir Antony204.5 was reheted for his langage of all iij. Lords in lyke wyse.

Item, the Kyng cometh to London ward, and, as it is seyd, rereth the pepyll as he come; but it is certayn ther be comyssyons made in to dyvers schyres that every man be redy in his best aray to com whan the Kyng send for hem.

Item, my Lord Roos is com fro Gynes.

No more, but we pray to Jesu have you in his most mercyfull kepyng. Amen.

Wretyn at London, the Munday next after Seynt Powle day.205.1 Yowr broder, William Paston.

401 WILLIAM BOTONER TO ——205.2

1460 FEB. 7

A very frende at nede experience will schewe be deede, as wele as be autorite of Aristotle in the Etiques that he made of moralite. Also by the famous Reamayn Tullius in his litell booke De Amicicia; thangyng you for olde contynued frendschip stidffastely grounded, as I wele [qu. feel?] be your letter of a goode disposicion made, as it appereth. Where as it schewith to the understandyng of suche as you write uppon that I schulde, be crafty councell of some men sodenly have departed in to these parties, &c., and that I straunched me from sertein persones to moche, &c.; as for the furste, it schalbe to openly knowe that I departed not hedre be councell of suche persons as they ymagyne, for in trowthe no creature levyng, when I departed from Norwich, knewe of it, saffe one that hath and evermore schal be next of my knowlege in viagis makyng, alle be it I will not alwey disclose the cause. I herde sey sith I come to London theye weche ye dempte to be of my councell thanne where at Wolsyngham or Thepala (?) when I departed. I have wrete the cauce to hym that of nature schulde be my beste frende, that for as much I had labored as weele as W. Paston do my maister frendes, chevised, and leyd money content out of his purse to the some of Cli., and more for cloothe and other thynges for my seide maister entencion, promyttyng payment be fore Cristemesse, or right soone aftir, or to be at London, and acquytyng me that I put me my dever. And be cause my maister attorneys in that parties toke not to herte to make the payementes here so hastely as they ded there, I had no comffortable answere of spedyng the seid paymentes here. And also I was not put in truste a mong the seid attorneys there to yeve on peny for my maister sowle, but I paid it of myn owne purse befoore; nother in trust ne favour to geve an almesse gowne, but that I praid for it as a straunger schulde doo, alle be it myn autorite is as grete as theris, and rather more as I tolde you. And also my Lorde of Canturebury and Maister John Stookes, his juge, had geve autorite to ministre to a certein somme till the testament were proved. And these preseidents consedred wolde discorage any man to a bide but a litel amonges hem that so straunged hem self from me and mistrusted me, be thut any cauce ye knowe wele how that my maister man servauntes were put in gretter truste and familiarite to handell, geve, and telle out of the bagghes my maister money bothe at Seint Benetts and in Norwich in divers places by grete summes and litell. And ye as other my maister servauntes and I that helped gete my maister goode and brynge it togedre were straunged, and as it semyd by there demenyng mistrusted to oure grete vilanye and rebuke, wheche muste be answerd the causes why, and we declared [i.e. exculpated], and so shal I make it for my pore person, and for my maister sowle heele. It is not soilied (?) knowen that I was one of the cheeffe that kepte bothe my Maister Paston and myn oncle206.1 in my maister favour and truste, and if I wolde have labored the contrary, by my sowle—that is the grettest othe that I may swere of my silff—they had never be nygh my maister in that case they stonde nowe. And if they woll labour to damage or hendre me, all the worlde woll mysreporte of hem and litel truste hem, nowther they schal not have wurschip nor profight bi it. I wolde be to them as lowyng and as wele willyng as I gan, so I fynde cause, and other I wolnot be to my fadre, and he weere a liffe. I requere you a[n]swere for me as I wolde and have do for you whan som of hem have seid ful nakedly of you, and suche as ye deeme hafe mysereported causeles of me, I pray you that they see my letter as weele as my frendes. My maister also (God yelded is sowle) graunted to me a liffelode accordyng to my degre, that I, my wiffe, and my childre, schulde have cause to prey for hym. My wiffes uncle207.1 was present in his chapell at Castre as wele as my wiffe, and comaunded her oncle to chese the londe. This is trowthe be the blissed Sacrament that I receyved at Pasch [i.e. Easter]. And because I demaunded my right and dwte of my Maister Paston, he is not plesed. I have lost more thanne x. mark worthe londe in my maister servyce, by God, and not [unless] I be releved, alle the worlde schal knowe it elles that I have to gret wrong. Wolde God I kowde plese bothe Maister Paston and my oncle in reson, who preserve you.

Wrete hastely the vij. day of Feveryere. Your, W. Botoner, dit Wurcester.

402 W. LOMNER TO JOHN PASTON208.1

To the right worchipfull and reverent and myn good mayster Paston, Squyere, be this taken.

1460 APRIL 6

My ryght worchipfull mayster, I recomaunde me to yow, besechyng yow to hold me excusyd that I awaytyd noon otherwyse opon yow and my mastras at my comyng from Norwich; for yn good feyth I was soo seke that I hadde moche labour to come home, and sythen that tyme I have hadde my parte, &c. And, Sere, as for Berney, he begynnyth to falle ought of the popell conceyte faster than ever he fell yn, for serteyn causez, &c. I shalle telle yow yn haste. But, Sere, blyssyd be God, as for yow, your love yncresith amonge hem, and so I prey God it mot, for and I herde the contrarie, ye shuld sone have wetyng. The under-shrefe dotht Mortoft favour, and lete hym goo yn Norwich as hym lyst, and al the contre abought me sey right evyll of hym for a mayntenor of the Kynges enime; for there ben an C. [hundred] purposid to ride to the Kyng for hym, and he come neer this contre, for they sey thow he hadde never doo with his handes he hath seid a now to die. I have warend the under-shreffe ther of, &c. Sere, forther, I am yn bildyng of a pore hous. I truste God that ye shulle take your loggyng ther yn here after whan ye come to your lordshippis on tho partes. And I durste be soo bolde on your maystershep to aske of yow xij. copill of oken sparris, I wold hertilly prey yow not to have them, but ther they may be for bore beste, and that is at a yard of yourz yn Saxthorpe, callid Barkerz. I have eshe but noon oke, but litell now comyth the fellyng ther of, &c. And me semyth ye myght take mony for wood ther that stant and seryth and doth no good but harme, and with yn fewe yeres ye shulnot wete where it is become, &c. Also ther be serteyn materz betwyn soom of your tenuantez and me. I abide your comyng and doo not [naught ?] at the reverens of yow; they be knowelle yn the contre. And God have yow yn his kepyng.

Wretyn on Palme Sunday. Be your servaunt, W. Lomner.

403 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [WILLIAM PASTON]209.1

1460 [before Easter]

Jesu mercy, Marie help, cum Sanctis omnibus, trewe menyng executorys ffro fals terrauntes and alle tribulacyonys. Amen. Ryte reverent Sire, &c., W. Y.209.2 Judex and hise wyf were here with here meny and here hors in our ladyes place, &c. on Saterday at evyn, and yedyn hens on Monday after none, whan summe had drunkyn malvyseye and tyre,209.3 &c. And I prechid on the Sonday byfore hem, not warnyd tyl after mete. And than for lak of M. Vergeant, or our wardeyn Barnard, I sodeynly seyd the sermon. And byfore I had ryte ovyr and soleyn chere of hem bothe, &c.; but after the sermon he seyd opely to the prior, heryng myche folk in the chirch, ‘I haf herd hym oftyn here and ellys where, but [this]209.4 is the best that ever I herd hym sey,’ &c., and at evyn drank to me, and made me good chere, half on the splene, &c.

But on Moneday, whan he had ny etyn and drunkyn a now, he gan to rollyn hym in hise relatyvis, and we eldyd hym, as many men thowtyn, ryte ongayly in hise gere, &c.; hise wyf begynnyng the communicacyon with rite a sootyr (?) chere. And he heeld on so sore he cowd not cese, &c. tyl he went to his hors, &c. And the pryor demenyd hym gentylly in hise talkyng. And there was not forgetyn non unkyndnesse of my Mayster J. P., zour brother, of sleyn [slaying] of hise man Wormegey, and of mariage of hise dowghtyr, whiche now schal solempnely be maryed to Conerys,210.1 a knytes sone, &c. And now last at Seynt Benettes, where he so worschipful a justise and as kunnyng in lawe as ever was zour fadyr, &c. as alle men knowyn, &c. And zour brother J. P. brokyn owt be occasyon of zour langage, and takyn wytnesse of Malmysbury, a man of my Lord of Caunterbury, whiche hath spokyn with the seyd justise the last terme in Westmyster Halle. And there he seyd more tymes than one, ‘Sire, this the fyrst tyme that ever I spake with zour Lordschip, &c.’ And sythe after ze weryn at Seynt Benettys forseyd, ze komyn not gentylly but ryte malicyously disposid to myn Lady Felbrygg, and dede your devoyr to haf put hym out of hir conceyt, and it wolde not be, &c. And what vyolens my Mayster J. P., germanus vester, dede to W. Wayt,210.2 &c. up on hise owne grownd at Musshold, &c. And after al these materys, bare me on hand210.3 that I had seyd to on of the worthiest of the schyre that the seyd justise be gan the brekyng at Seynt Benettes; for I suppose I seyd thus to my Lord Fyz Water, alias my Mayster Radclyff, to whos in I went to, and zaf hym a potel of swete wyne, he demaundyng me of that brekyng, &c., as I remembre me, and suppose I seyd, ‘W. Y., justise, began to myn knowlache and understondyng.’ Whan he seyd so fumowsly, ‘Who so ever sey that of me, he lyeth falsly in hise hede, &c.’ And my Mayster Radclyff rode forthe with owt of towne to Dokkyng and Brumham, and with hym rode W. Y., sone to the justise. And yf the seyd Radclyff teld this to W. Y., I wote never. And yf he dede I merveyle sore. But and al go to al, as is like to go, I may not sey nay, but I trow I seyd so. Radclyf and ze bene grete frendes. I wold ze wold lat hym knowe the trowth, &c.

This mater mevyd the justisis wyf, and than he be gan hise mater more boldly, seying to me be fore the pryour and miche pepyl, that it was told hym the same day that I seyd, as for the brekyng, the justise began. ‘Forsothe’ seyd I, ‘whan I came into the chambre there, the fyrst word I hard was this, that ze seyd to my mayster J. P., “Who that ever seyth so, I sey he lyeth falsly in hise hede,” &c.’ ‘Ya,’ quod the justise, ‘ze schuld haf told what mevyd me to sey so to hym.’ And I seyd I cowde not tellyn that I not herd, &c. Et Judex— ‘Ze schuld haf examyned the mater,’ &c. And I seyd, ‘Sire, it longyd not to me to examyne the mater, for I knew wele I schuld not be juge in the mater, and alonly to a juge it longyth to sene and stodyen illam Sacræ Scripturæ clausulam, whiche holy Job seyd, Causam quam nesciebam diligentissime investigabam.’

And than, ‘No,’ seyth he hardyly, ‘ze schal not be juge, but yf ze had owt me as good wil as ze dede and do to Paston, ze wold than have sergyd the cause of my gret greef, why I seyd as I seyd, &c. But I haf sey the day, ze lovyd me beter than hym, for he yaf zow never cause of love as I haf done,’ &c. ‘Sire,’ I sey, ‘he hath yovyn me cause swyche as I am behold to hym for,’ &c. ‘Ya,’ seyth he, ‘ze schal bere wytnesse, &c., and the other Mayster Clement and W. Schipdham.’ Cui ego— ‘As for the wytnesse I schal bere, I schal say and writyn as I knowe,’ &c. Cui ille—’I made hise testament,211.1 and I knowe,’ &c. Cui ego— ‘I saw nevir testament of your makyng; and as for on testament that he made, and I knowe bothe the writer and maker, after hise wyl and intent, ze stonde stille there in as ze dede than,’ &c. Et tunc gavisus est, &c. Et ille— ‘I knowe ze haf a gret hert, &c., but I ensure zow, the Lordes above at London arn infoormyd of zow, and they schal delyn with zow wele anow.’ Cui ego— ‘He or they that hafe infoormyd the Lordes wele of me, I am behold to hem; and yf they be otherwyse infoormyd, I schal do as wele as I may. But be myn trowthe I schal not be aferd to sey as I knowe for none Lord of this lond, if I may go saf and come, quod non credo, per Deum, propter evidencias multas,’ &c. Tunc prior — ‘Domine, non expedit nec rationi seu veræ conscientiæ congruit, quod vos contendatis cum Magistro Paston, vel ipse vobiscum, pro bonis defuncti, quæ solum sua et non vestra sunt. Miror valde,’ inquit, ‘cum prioribus temporibus tam magni fuistis amici, et non sic modo, quare valde doleo.’ Cui Judex— ‘There is no man besy to bryng us to gyder, &c., so that I kan wele thynk it were lytil maysteri.’ But in feyth I knowe wele the Juge, W. Wayte his mawment [i.e. puppet], hise boy Yimmys, with here hevedy and fumows langage, have and dayly do uttyr lewd and schrewd dalyauns, &c.

I sent zow bode of dyvers thinges be M. Roger Palle, and I haf no answer, &c. I schuld go to Castre, and a man of my Lordes Norfolk told here he came fro London, and there he had commonly voysid that the Duke of Norfolk schuld be the Kynges comaundement kepe hise Esterne at Castre for safe gard of the cuntre ayens Warwyk and other swich of the Kinges enmyes whiche may lytely be lyklynesse aryve at Waxham, &c. My mayster zour brother, J. P., ne ye, ne M. T. Howys, ne I may not esily be brokyd in the Jugys conscyens, &c. Sir Jon Tatirshales man spake with yow at London, and than ye seyd to hym to hafe comyn in your owne persone to our Lady or this tyme, whiche was cause of myn abidyng here, &c. I schal, be the grace of Jesu, be at Castre on Soneday next, &c. W. W., J. B., junior, Colinus Gallicus, et T. Upton multum, ut suppono, fuerunt assidui ad informationem malam dandam dominis diversis hujus regni contra vestrum germanum J. P., M. T. Howes, me, etc.; sed confido in vobis quod vos confiditis in Christo Jesu et Sanctis omnibus, qui vos vestros et vestra dirigat in agendis. Recommendetis me, si placeat, Magistro meo Johanni P., uxori, et matri, cum filiis suis nepotibus vestris, et Thomae Playtere vestro dilecto amico. Et quare vobis jam scribo et non vestro germane J. P. alias scietis, etc. Vester orator continuus, F. J. B., Minorum minimus.

404 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON213.1

1460

Jhesus Maria, &c.,—Reverende domine et præ omnibus mortalibus amantissime. Super omnia omnino oblivioni non tradenda faciatis ut W. P.213.2 germanus cum sua ac vestra prudenti industria sagaciter et secrete informet H. Fylongley de W. W.213.3 Hibernico ac Colino Gallico, qui suo malicioso proposito confederati sunt, adversusque dominum et magistrum suum militem defunctum et executores ejus ad dampnificandos eos et bona defuncti per ostensionem literarum secretarum olim dicto militi missarum, ex confidentia speciali, sicut solito more amicus amico solet scribere. Si hæc enim proditoria condicio esset insinuata per H. Fylongley vel per me, forsan Domino Comite Wilschirie, idem fallax et deceptorius Colinus Gallicus non esset cum dicto comite tam magnus et intimus cum dicto domino, sicut credit se esse unum de suis secretioribus, vel cum Regina per laborem sui germani ad magistrum Ormond ut ipsum faciat introduci ad favorem et servicium Reginæ. Si habueritis amicos circa Reginam, cito poteritis Colinum frustrare suo a proposito. Si W. P. vester germanus posset per subtilia media adquirere et adquiri facere casketum C. Gallici ac casketum W. W. Hibernici, audiretis et videretis aliqua non laude sed fraude plena, &c. Mitte sapientem et nihil ei dicas, &c. Prudenti viro pauca scribenda pro presenti propono quia scio vos ex paucis plura colligere et ex præambulo plura concludere. Item, propheta clamat, ‘Nolite confidere in verbum mendacii,’213.4 &c., et secundum eundem prophetam, ‘Non est confidendum super baculum arundineum confractum,’213.5 &c., et est commune et vulgare dictum: ‘A man schuld not trusty on a broke swerd, ne on a fool, ne on a chyld, ne on a dobyl man, ne on a drunke man,’ &c., thow that he were an amewse and a notarye be W. W. Hibernicus he schal knowe al, and be hym Colyn and Spirlyng the same knowe schal, &c., Hoc ideo dicite W. P., Cavete, &c., quia, Deo teste, bona fide et conscia non ficta, hæc suprascripta sunt in toto vera, &c. Feria secunda ad minus in prandio vos videbo, &c. Scriptum festinissime infra quarterium horæ, præsentis latore nimis sponsalium causa festinante. Recommendo vos vestros et vestra Deo. vester totus prius notus, Frater J. B. Minorum minimus.

405 ANONYMOUS TO H. B. OF LINCOLN214.1

To my good Maister, H. B. of Lincoln.

1460 APRIL 9

Right worchepful sir, after my recommendation, like you to wete I wold yisterday have spoken with you if ye had be allone at good leiser, for my aquytaile to God and to you, and for the wele of my maister, God pardon hym. I have many thynges to remembre you if ye wol. Wherof diverse specialtes that I wold sey, I may not write. For I meved you at your chamber wyndow at Lammes homward from London some thynges of my good wil, and me thought ye toke it gretely to displeisur; the which caused me to sey the lesse of thynges that had be worchepfull to have be doon. But, Sir, as I remembred you late at Norwich of the variaunce by twix the worchepfull man and you, for Goddes love and your most ease, folwe the meanes of his good wil by help of holsom gentilmen, and also the feithfull love of other that grucchen to you warde, as I fele moche thof thei speke litil therof to you, rettyng in you singuler fastnesse ageyns kyndenesse and reson; for with love and unyte ye shal do moost good for oure maister to your worchep. And with the contrary many mysse dispenses as han be and thanne moche lette in doyng of good dedis to the causers perill and slawnder God hath sent you wysdham grete that telleth you the best is to drede God. A man shal never have love of God nor love nor drede of good men for myskepyng of moche good thof it wer his owen, for it is dampnable; but wher it is truly delt with and godly disposed, thanne folwith bothe grete meryte and worchep. Pety it is that mo more is do for hym. At the gate is nowther mete, drynke nor money, ut dicitur, no man wele spekyng thof thacte above be not do necessary almesse to the nedy that peynen wold and myght be do dayly. And, Sir, be ware what ye talke to som men of the lordes your coexecutours, and what is spent for the man, and what he was worth. Thei reporten you unfavorabely and withoute credence, as men seyn, and some I have herd. Also your entretyng and other for you with them that have entres with you for to have your entent sped, is tolde oute whow, and your iournay to lorde Beauchamp to Cambrig is taken as men like, and your associacion is seid made by your witt to your purpos. As somme fer of and grete that may nor peraventur wiln not medle, somme ye wold thei left, somme havyng no conduyt, somme no stomak, and somme glosours and witnesses for lucre; this is not my seyyng, I have often herd it. Therfor to have such a post as the seid man is that ye be in variaunce; so he do wele, as I fully beleve, he shuld help you to bere moche, and cause eschuyng of moche of this noyse. This variaunce grew of mater of noght and japes; the soner may be accorde. And thynke not, Sir, that any persone hath stered me herto; for by the good Lorde I trist to receyve this holy tyme it is my owen steryng and good hert to you warde, for that I her and see, and moost of your wele willers, in eschuyng of inconvenyentz as right many talke must ensue to you ward. For I fonde you pleyn at Cristemesse, and I toke you that ye loved me, wher to fore, withoute cause truly, to my seid maister moch ye hyndred me, as parte he tolde me, and thanne I praied you in that your good maistership and amendement, and sith I have be pleyn and wol be. And I require you as ye arn a gentilman, kepe thees maters secrete by twix God, you and me; for by Almyghty Jhesu of me knoweth this non erthely creatur, nor shal knowe. Other thynges been that sounden not wele, but as I fele your wisdham take me in this, so herafter I wil demene me with you in maters. I am urke of variaunces, for parties waxen wrooth if men hold not with there oppynyons whan thei in angre trotte over fer by yon hem self. I may not come by you to London ward, I trow I must by Suffolk; elles I had not writen this. Oure Blissed Lorde have you in His governaunce and be your conduytour to His pleisur, Amen. This Wednesday, ix. day Aprill.

As ye arn a veray gentilman, be my true confessour as I am youres and take me as I mene, thof my termes been not discreet. Brenne this scrowe or kepe it pryvy, as ye like and I beseche you, if ye wil trist me, wil me pleyn, &c.—Your owen, &c., to my power.

406 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON216.1

To hys rythe wurchyp[full] broder, Jon Paston, [dwell]yng at Castre.

1460 MAY 2

Broder, I comand me to zow, certhefieng zow that Playter is redyn to Lundon ward this day abowthe ij. afternone. And he taryed here, and schulde abedyn styll till he had had an horse that Master Thomas Howys schuld have lent hym. And so I thowthe he schuld have taried to long; and so he hathe bowthe on off myn hors. And iff it nede, he schall send zow word be his man fro Lundon how he felythe the disposycyon off men ther, &c.; and he schall send his man hom be Newmarket wey. And I have infurmyd hym acording after the ententhe of zowr letter.

I spak this day with Bokkyng. He had but few wurdes, but I felt be hym he was rythe evyll disposyd to the parson and zow, but coverthe langgage he had. I wene he be assentid to the fyndyng of this offyce217.1 takyn at Bokynham, and Recheman schall bryng zow the namys of the men that mad the verdythe on Soneday nexst comyng. I pray send to myn broder Clements fermor of Somerton for money for my broder Clement, for to have sent to hym to Lundon. I schuld have done it qwan I was at Caster; myn moder desyryd me, and I sent a letter after to the parson, and prayed hym to receve it, &c.

Item, I prayd the parson to wrythe a letter in his name to myn suster Ponyngges,217.2 as ze and I comunyd onys togeder, cownsellyng her to take good avyse befor sche sold her wood at Wrenham; and he schuld knowe ther by weder Ponyngges wer in Kent ar nat, &c. I understond that this Bokkyng and Worceter have grett trust in ther awne lewd consaythe, wathe some ever it menythe, &c. Bokkyng told me this day that he stood as well in consaythe with myn Maister Fastolff iii. days befor he dyed as any man in Englond. I sayd I soposyd nay, ner iij. zere before he dyed. I told hym that I had hard dyveres talkynges of hym as men sayd, qweche I soposyd schuld nat easly be browthe a bowthe, and he swore that he talkyd never with no man in no mater that schuld be a zen zow, &c. It is he that makythe William Wurceter so froward as he is.

I wold ze had a witnesse of Roberd Ingglows, thow he wittnessyd no more but that myn master had his witthe, becawse he was so lathe with myn master Fastolff. Worceter sayd at Castre it schuld be nessessary for zow to have good witnesse, as he saythe it schuld go streythe with zow wytheowt zowr witnesse were rythe sofycyent. Myn cosyn Berney can tell zow, &c.

Item, remenbre to make the parson to make an instrument up on his sayyng. I funde hym rythe good qwan I spak with hym at Caster; and remembre the newe evydens.

Item, Arblaster and I spakk togeder. I felle hym rythe feythefully disposyd to zow ward, and he schall mow do myche good and he go to Lundon, for he can labore will a monge Lordes. He and I comunyd to geder of myn Lord Awbre;218.1 lethe hym tell zow qwat it was, for he will speke with zow to morow. It is full nessessary to mak zow strong be lord chep, and be oder menys. Myn Lord Awbry hathe weddit the Duke of Bokyngham dowter,218.2 and he was lathe with Master Fastolff be fore he dyed, and he is gret with the Qwene.

God have zow in His kepeng. Wretyn at Norwyche the secund day of May. Be zowr broder, W. Paston.

Omnya pro pecunya facta sunt.

407 THE ABBOT OF LANGLEY TO JOHN STOKES218.3

To the ryght worchepfull Sere, Mayster John Stokes.

1460 MAY 8

Ryght worshypfull Sere, I recomaund me to yow; and for asmyche as it is informyd me that it was appoynted that alle the executors of the worshepfull knyght, Sere John Fastolf, whos soule God asoyle, shuld be at London as on Monday next comyng, of wheche executors I am namyd for on, as I ondyrstond; wherfore, in as myche as ye be ordenary and on of the same executors, I prey yow tendre my laboure, withoute my comyng, be youre dyscrecion, myght be more profyt to the dede; for I conseyve it shuld be but charge to the dede, and lytell avayleable, consyderyng that John Paston, Squyere, and Thomas Howys, parson of Blofeeld, schall come up at this time, wheche were218.4 the persones above all other that the seyd Sere John Fastolf put in hys most sengulere love and trust, and wold they shuld have the kepyng and dysposicion of hys goods, as wele in hys lyve as after hys deseas, to dyspose for the well of hys soule; and that non other namyd hys executors, but only they tweyn, shuld have ony kepyng or dysposyng of ony part of hese goods duryng ther lyves; and that alle other namyd executors shuld supporte them and geve them to the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys here good avyse in performyng of hys desyre in that behalve. Wherfor that it lekyth yow in ony thyng ye desyre me to do in thys cause or matere to geve yowre feyth and credence to the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys; and so desyred me the seyd Knyght feythefully to do, that knowyth God, whom I be seke preserve yow from alle adversyte.

Wretyn in the Abbey of Langeley, the viij. day of the monyth of May, the yeere of oure Lord m^l.cccc.lx. Youre preest, Abbot of Langeley.219.1

408 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON219.2

To my trusty cosyn, Margaret Paston, at Norwich, be this delyvered.219.3

1460 JUNE 19

I recomaunde me to you, letyng you witte that I sent a letter to John Russe and Richard Kalle that thei, by th’advyse of Watkyn Shipdam and William Barker shuld send me word of whom alle the maneres, londes, and tenementes that were Sir John Fastolffes wern holde, preyng you that ye wold do them spede them in that matier; and if my feodaryes, whiche lye in the tye of my gret cofyr, may ought wisse therin, lete them se it.

Item, I wolde that William Barker shulde send me a copye of the olde traverse of Tychewell and Beyton. And lete Richard Kalle spede hym hidderward, and come by Snaylwel, and take suyche mony as may be getyn there, and that he suffre not the mony that the tenauntes owe to come in the fermours handes.

Item, that he come by Cambrigge and bryng with hym Maister Brakkeles licence from the provynciall of the Grey Freres. I prey you recomaunde me to my modir.

Wretyn at London the Thursday next to fore Middesomer. John Paston.

409 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON220.1

Venerabili armigero, Johanni Paston seniori, detur hæc litera.

1460 JULY 6

Honoris superni amorisque interni indissolubile vinculum tam venerabili viro in Christo condignum, præcordialissime magister ac amice singularis, non solum quales debeo sed quales valeo vobis refero grates cordiales pro vestris beneficiis quampluribus michi multiformiter exhibitis, pro quibus omnibus recompenset vos Altissimus. Honorabilis domine, causa motiva præsentis scripturæ est hæc. Ex magno cordis affectu audire desidero de vestra expeditione prospera in materia concernente testamentum et voluntatem venerabilis viri J. F.220.2 militis per Ricardum Calle vel Johannem Pampyng, vestros fideles servientes; quod si fieri non possit per relationem latoris præsentium, michi certificare dignemini. Cujus verbis audienciam credulam præbere curetis, sicut et michi dare velletis si vobiscum personaliter interessem. Scire insuper dignetur vestra caritas quod iste frater, præsentium lator, est meus spiritualis filius, eo quod in ordinem per me indutus et professus et ad gradum sacerdotii promotus, jam per biennum continuum, fuit socius et servitor meus satis solaciosus in tempore meæ gravissimæ infirmitatis, in laboribus et vigiliis continuis, tam diurnis quam nocturnis, quorum occasione a suo libro et studio fuit multiformiter impeditus; sicque ad suos amicos non potuit habere recursum ad sui victus et vestitus adquirendum subsidium. Cui si placet intuitu caritatis elemosinam per vos graciose collatam Willelmo nepoti meo ingratissimo, utinam non infidelissimo, latori prædicto dare curetis, qui vobis suam indigenciam fideliter explanabit et dicti nepotis viciosa demerita certissime declarabit. Unum enim scitote, si frater prædictus circa meam personam non fuisset multiformiter solicitus ego pluries fuissem mortuus. Spero enim per Dei graciam circa festum ad Vincula Petri vestram graciosam visitare presenciam, et de dicti fratris gratitudinem clariorem dare noticiam. Cui propter Deum ad mei cordis multiforme solacium dicti beneficii ne denegetis suffragium, sicud in vobis gero confidenciam singularem. Non plura pro præsenti vobis offero calamo digna, sed vos, vestros et vestra defendat Trinitas alma, Quæ vos graciose conservet in prosperis et graciosissimis dirigat in agendis. Scriptum Donewici, in vigilia Translacionis Sancti Thomæ Martiris.

Vester ad vota promptissimus ac orator pauperculus. Frater J. B., Minorum minimus.

quod si fieri non possit per relationem latoris præsentium text has “qood” for “quod”

410 THE YORKIST LORDS TO THE AUTHORITIES IN NORFOLK221.1

The Erlys of Marche, Warwyke, and Salysbury.

1460 JULY 23

Ryght welbeloved, we grete you wele; and wher, for the tendre love that we have to the concervacion of the Kyngs peas, lawes, and justice in this his realme of Englonde, we have comaunded the Kyngs peeple in his name, be oure letters and diverse writyngs, that no man shulde robbe or dispoile Sir Thomas Todenham, Knyght, John Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry Todenham, and John Andrws, and other weche have sued to us for oure seide letters; we, wolyng to eschewe that any person shulde have colour be oure seide letters to noyse us, or any of us, that the seide Sir Thomas, John Heyden, John Wyndham, Herry, and John Andrws, or any other of suspecte fame, be accorded with us, or any of us, for suche wrongs as they, or any of ham, have do to us, our servaunts and tenants or wellwellers, or that we shulde hafe hem in tendrenesse or favour to discorage trewe people to swe a yen hem be the lawe; We therfore notyfie to yow, as we woll that it be notyfid to all people, that we, ne noon of us, intende not to favour or tendre hem, or any other of suspecte fame, but rather to corecte suche be the lawe, for we made our seid letters soly for kepyng of the pease and justice, and not for favour of suspecte condicione. And the Holy Trynyte kepe yow.

Wreten at London the xxiij^ti. day of Jule.

To all Meyers, Sceryves, Balyfys, Constables, and all the Kynges Offecers and Ministres in Norffolk, and eche on of hem.

411 ABSTRACT222.1

The King to John Nedham and Thomas Litilton, Justices of the County Palatine of Lancaster

1460(?) JULY 26

Desires them to show favour to the defendants in an appeal of robbery sued before them out of malice by Thomas Bury against John Berney of Redham, Norf., Junior, Esq., John Paston of Norwich, Esq., John Berney of Redham, Norf., Senior, Esq., John Hevenyngham, of Norwich, Esq., and Christopher Norwich of Brundehale. They are to receive no writ returned in the name of the Sheriff of Norfolk touching that matter except by the hands of the sheriff himself, or of John Bernarde his under-sheriff.

London, 26 July.

II. Another letter, similar in substance, in which no justices’ names are given.

[These documents cannot be later than 1460, as the younger John Berney died in July of that year (see next letter). But as Judge Littleton was only made a King’s Serjeant in 1455, they cannot be many years earlier, and they are not unlikely to be of the year 1460 itself.]

412 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON223.1

To my wurschipfull coysyn, Margaret Paston, be this delyvered in haste.

1460 JULY 28

I recomaunde me unto you, letyng you witte that your unkyll, John Berney, is deed, whoos soule God have mercy; desyryng you to sende for Thomas Holler,223.2 and enquere of hym wher his goode is, and what he is wurthe, and that he take goode eede to all suche goods as he had bothe meveable and on mevable; for I undre stande that he is wurthe in money v^c. [500] marke, and in plate to the valwe of other v^c. marke, beside other goods. Wherfor I wolde ye schulde not lete hym wete of his dissese unto the tyme that ye had enquered of the seide Thomas Holler of all suche maters as be a bovyn wreten, and whan he hathe enformed you therof, than lete hym wete verely that he is deede, desiryng hym that no man come on to his place at Redham but hym selfe, unto the tyme that I come.

Item, I lete you witte that gret parte of his goode is at William Taverners, as I undrestande. Thomas Holler woll telle you justely the trouthe as I suppose, and deseyre hym on my behalfe that he doo soo, and ther is writyng therof; and telle Thomas Holler that I and he be executours named, and therfore lete hym take heede that the goods be kept saffe, and that nobody knowe wher it shall lie but ye and Thomas Holler. And Thomas Holler, as your unkyll tolde me, is prevy wher all his goode lithe and all his writyng, and so I wol that ye be prevy to the same for casualte of deethe, and ye too shal be his executours for me as longe as ye doo trewly, as I trowe verely ye woll.

Wreten at London, the xxviij^t. day of Jule.

I requer yow be of god cumfort and be not hevy, if ye wil do owth for me. Yowr, John Paston.

the former written in January 1461 text has “1561”

413 ABSTRACT224.1

1460 AUG. 1

‘Soutwerk cum membris,’ No. 50 a.— ‘Inquisitio post mortem Johannis Fastolf militis capta per eschaetorem Regis, ubi mentio fit quorundam tenementorum, viz., the Berehouse, Boreshead, Hartshorne, et 2 molendinorum aquaticorum. Aug. 1, Hen. VI. 38.’

414 ANONYMOUS TO YELVERTON AND PASTON225.1

To the right worshipful Seres, my right welbeloved and trusted cosyns, William Yelverton, Justice, and John Paston.

1460(?)

Sir, please your right worshipfull maystership that Mayster Paston come to London as on Thursdaye att none last past, and I trust verelye all maters here were resonablye labored to his comyng, and now they shal be better. Neverthelesse, I have ben mevid of tretye by dyvers personez sith I came hidre, as wele for Tudenham, Wentworth, Heydon, and other at this tyme not wel willed to yow and yourez, seyng that such money as is spent a twix yowe is but wastfully expendid and to non use vertuouse. I fele by theym they be not right corageous in theyr werkes, ner nought wold if they myght have a resonable trete. I meve not this that ze shold thenk that they had conquered me by noyans, but I do it to avertyse yow for th’eschewyng of the importable costes that hath ben born by yow, and yet lyke to bee, aswele in the elde maters hangyng as in newe at this tyme to be grownded, if this werre shal rest and hold a twyx yowe, and specially for the ease of hym that shalbe solicitour in the same. Ye nede at this terme rather to have had thre solicitours than in any other terme past this iij. yere, on concyderyng the maters hangyng, &c.; of which please yow to send yowr gode advyse and wille yf ye thenk it to be don, and els not, for this is but a mocion, &c.

415 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON226.1

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

Jesus, Maria, &c.

1460 OCT.

Ryte reverent Sire, after du recommendacion, we sey in this cuntre that Heydon is for Barkschir in the Comon Hows. And the Lady of Suffolk226.2 hath sent up hyr sone226.3 and hise wyf to my Lord of York to aske grace for a schireve the next yer, Stapilton, Boleyn, or Tyrel, qui absit. God send zow Ponyng, W. P., W. Rokewode, or Arblaster. Ze haf myche to done; Jesu spede zow. Ze haf many good preyers, what of the covent, cyte, and cuntre. God safe our good Lords, Warwik, alle hise brether, Salisbury, &c., fro al fals covetyse and favour of extorcyon, as they wil fle uttyr schame and confusyon. God save hem, and preserve fro treson and poyson; lete hem be war her of for the pite of God; for yf owt come to my Lord Warwik but good, far weel ze, far weel I, and al our frends! for be the weye of my sowle, this lond wer uttirly on done, as God forbede. Her [their] enmyes bostyn with good to come to her favour; but God defende hem, and zeve hem grace to knowe her frends fro her enmyes, and to cherisch and preferr her frends and lesse the myte of alle her enmyes thorw owt the schiris of the lond. And [i.e. if] my good Lord Warwik, with my Lord his brother Chaunceler226.4 and my Lord her fadyr226.5 woldyn opposyn, as dede Danyel, Fortesku, Alisaunder, Hody, Doctor Aleyn, Heydon, and Thorp, of the writyng made be hem at Covyntre Parlement, they schuld answer wers than sub cino or sub privo (?), and this generaly wold I sey at Powlys Cros, etc., and [i.e. if] I schuld come there, &c. It is verifyed of hem, 1º Jeremiæ, 8º, Vere mendacium operatus est stilus mendax scribarum, &c. And think of two vers of zour Sawter, Scribantur hæc in generatione altera (hujus scilicet parliamenti) et populus qui creabitur laudabit Dominum,227.1 &c. Deleantur etiam tales perversi scriptores de libro viventium et cum justis non scribantur.227.2 Et non plura, sed vos, vestros et vestra conservet Jesus graciose in prosperis et graciosius dirigat in agendis.

Ex Norwico, feria quarta,227.3 nuncio festinante.

And I prey zow for Godds sake to be good mayster to Jon Lyster, &c. And I prey zow think, in this Parlement, of the text of Holy Scripture, Quicunque fecerit contra legem Dei et contra legem Regis judicium fiet de eo, vel in condemnationem substantiæ ejus, vel in carcerem, vel in exilium, vel in mortem (Primo Esdræ, vij., et parti 2º Esdræ 8º).

416 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]

1460 [OCT.]

Jesus, Maria, &c. Reverende domine, si contingat ut sitis Londoniæ hoc termino in principio parliamenti, hæc poteritis in secretis dicere domino Warwik ac domino Cancellario, quomodo Johannes W.227.4 apud Felbrigg jacet cum manu forti contra pacem domini Regis et patriæ, qui quantum valere potest est hostis publicus et inimicus capitalis domini Regis et suorum fidelium dominorum utilitatem rei publicæ et communitatem Angliæ diligentium, pro quo taliter esset modo indilate et cum omni festinacione possibili providendum quod esset commissio directa sub pœna ligeanciæ et pœna mortis et privatione bonorum vicecomiti, domino M. Stapilton, domino W. Chambirleyn, W. Yelverton justiciario, W. Calthorp, Johanni Twyre, Johanni Geney, T. Gurnay, Johanni Fyncham, Johanni Yelverton Juniori, Edmundo Bokyngham, Johanni Gros, Johanni Dam, Johanni Lomenour, Jacobo Arblaster, T. Denys, ut assistant sub pœna prædicta sex primis militibus et armigeris ad excitandum populum de patria pro domino T. T.,227.5 J. H.,227.6 P. Wentworthe, J. A.,227.7 T. Danyel, H. Hunton, J. Wode, W. Prentys, S. Gunnor, H. Todynham, Joh. Wyndham, Palmere Ballivo de Costsey, T. Brygge, et suis complicibus subito et secretiori modo capiendo et versus London adducendo cum manu forti, et in Turri vel Newgate firmiter cum Thorp de Scacario carcere collocando, &c. Et tunc eorum clientes et eis adhærentes non possent, ymmo nec auderent, nocere populo patriæ bonæ disposicionis. Certe si in hac parte fideliter laborare in effectu volueritis, dominus Comes Warwic, et omnes sibi et suis benivoli essent vobis multiformiter obligati, et tunc esset in Norffolchia mansio concors et valde pacificus. Utinam bona voluntas vestra non sit in hac materia pigra, &c.

2º. Item, quod Episcopus Norwicensis esset in curia Regis ad tempus, vel in parliamento omnino, quia hic parvum bonum facit, nisi supportando iniquos et paci patriæ contrarios; est enim satis dives ad comprestandum pecunias Regi in necessitate sua. Ipse enim cum ducissa Suff. et aliis personis prænominatis sunt Reginæ et principi maxime favorabiles cum totis suis viribus; et ideo maxime expediens est parti Regis et comitis Warwic subtrahere, diminuere, et pocius opprimere, vires omnium illorum prædictorum eis et suis continue malignantium ex adverso, &c.

3º. Item, vos et vestri præmunire poteritis, si placeat, Doctores Kyrry et Godard quomodo fama communis hic volat continue per Boreales et eorum fautores quod Regina ac sui firmiter statuerunt unanimi decreto ipsos doctores et me non solum morti ignominiose tradere sed etiam generaliter omnes Fratres Minores citra flumen Trent commorantes interfici facere. Sed Magister Vergeant cum socio qui in sermonibus Reginam cum principe solempniter recommendat et in suis missis Reginam nominatim specificat per instanciam Ducissæ Suff. erit cum socio privilegiatus ab hac punicione.

4º. Item, bonum esset quod juvenis dux Suff. cum suis militibus et armigeris uteretur suis calcaribus et jam probaretur in bello cui esset fidelis, an caro vel piscis. Si T. T. cum suis prius recitatis essent unde memorati in parliamento a dominis et communibus, non dubium quin puniti essent causatores insurrectionis falsorum Regis contra Comitem Warwic apud pontem Westmonasterii, &c.

5º. Item, memorari dignetur dominus Comes Warwic quomodo T. T., J. H., J. A., et H. T.,228.1 J. W. et cæteri gravissime comminantur priorem Wals’ [Walsingham], &c.

6º. Item, caveant Comes Marchiæ et Comes Warwic ne quovis modo sit inter eos controversia, sed sint omnino unanimes et concordes, nec aliqua cupiditas consiliariorum suorum faveat alicui eorum adversario propter lucrum bonorum in finalem deperdicionem ipsorum et amicorum suorum.

7º. Item, fiat per decretum parliamenti diminutio juris peritorum ac legis attornatorum Suff. et Norff. punicioque taxata singulorum oppressorum, generosos ac eorum liberos, nativosque tenentes cotidie et annuatim gravissime infestancium.

8º. Continue ac continue cordialiter cogitate ac scrutinio diligenti sæpius revolvite quomodo inimici vestri et adversarii antiqui, spiritu rancoris et invidiæ maliciose agitati, nituntur pro posse suo, et totis viribus, vos, et vostros vobis benevolos funditus destruere et finaliter deperdere, quod absit omnino; quare ex naturali legis dictamine potestis et debetis vim vi volenter ac potenter reprimere ac repellere et eorum maliciis inveteratis virili congressu rigorose resistere, quia minus malim incomparabiliter videtur existere quod eorum obstinata malicia potestate politica sit diminuta et quasi dejecta quam vos et vestri affines, propinqui et amici essetis nimis depauperati, et quasi, quod absit, finaliter abjecti.

1460 / [OCT.] closing ] in sidenote missing or invisible

vos et vestri affines, propinqui et amici text has “propinuqi”

417 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON229.1

Reverendo magistro meo et amico singulari Johanni Paston armigero detur.

1460 OCT. (?)

Jhesus, Maria, Raphael, Johannes Baptista, Johannes Ewangelista, Franciscus Guardianus, cum Sanctis omnibus, succurant mæstis in tribulationibus. Amen. Præcordialissime domine et amice maxime singularis, Omissis pro præsenti vestri gratitudinis beneficiis mihi sæpius impensis, me humilime vestræ reverenciæ recommendo. Pensetis, quæso, cum omni festinatione possibili instabilem virum, utinam Hibernicum229.2 non ingratissimum, cujus nacionis aliquales proprietates sunt istæ:—animo sæva, vultu ferox, torva affatu, versupellis moribus et inconstancia in omnibus bonis viis suis; qui inter cætera magistro Clementi retulit quod expensæ annuales magistri Johannis Fastolff, bonæ memoriæ, secundum fidelem compotum se extendunt omni anno ad octingentas marcas in Norfolch et Suffolch, &c., et quod idem miles vobiscum faciens pactum pro iiij. M^l, &c., fuit purus fatuus; et quod idem vobis donatoriam literarum faciens fuit major fatuus, &c., et quod idem Hibernicus scit deteriorare, et diminuere bona militis ad summam viginti m^l marcarum, &c. Ob reverentiam Jhesu Christi, cavete quod impediatur omnino a suscipiendo onus testamenti quousque verum et integrum compotum reddiderit de defuncti bonis per eum receptis tot annorum evolutis et transactis curriculis, &c. Item, quod non vendat nec alienet maneria, terras, tenementa cum pertinentiis, nec commutat jocalia nec evidenciales literas, nec pecunias per vestrum germanum, W. P., et per ipsum receptas London, Bermondyseye, &c., cum jam sciat de multis ubi sunt, &c. Videtur mihi, salvo saltem vestro meliori judicio, quod de aliis personis et locis est cum omni celeritate possibili prudenter providendum et politice, ne idem W. W. oculis luscus et denigrato colore, in facie fuscus, sit cum W. Yelverton judice confederatus, et per Ducem Exoniæ satis tiranizantem supportatus et per suos complices, &c. Sapienti loquor; nam philosophorum princeps ait ‘Cave ab hiis quos natura signavit’; et metrice dicitur:

Dixi vobis quod non esset pro vobis nec vestris utile in W. W. aliquam confidentiam gerere. Post vestrum didici recessum in 4^or nostri collegii famulis duplicibus et falsis cum omni perfidia contra voluntatem militis et ejus executores iniquitatis vinculo confederatis et astrictis, scilicet Colino Gallico, coquinæ clerico, W. W., militis secretario et W. Eton; nunc in promptuario propter Jhesum Christum deleantur de libro vertuose et unanimiter viventium et a modo cum justis nequaquam conscribantur, &c. Est vulgare proverbium ‘Accordyng to ryte reson that to oftyn it is in ceson, that in trust is gret treson.’ Ideo cavete quod Sapiens dicit ‘Qui cito credit, levis est corde.’230.1 Et audite scripturæ sacræ sententiam ‘A malo inquit consiliario serva animam tuam,’230.2 &c. Nam alibi Sapientis proclamat eloquium: ‘Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.’230.3 Hæc ibi. In alienis negociis velox, nec vivax erit, qui in propriis causis piger existit. Rogo attendite et menti imprimite diligenter quod revolvite quomodo poteritis resistere homini tam perverso noxam volenti et nocumentum executoribus inferre. Mens mea particulam evangelii retinet: ‘Si in viridi ligno hoc faciunt in arido quid fiet?’230.4 Quasi diceret, si iste W. W. executorum ultimus et merito novissimus et per vestram et magistri Thomæ Howes diligenciam inscriptus tantam proterviam gerit, in hoc quasi exordio, quid in fine maliciose sit facturus? Hoc penitus ignoro. Deo vos vestros et vestra commendo et præsentem causam. Recommendetis me si placeat recommendandis, &c. Scriptum festinanter, hora prima post prandium. W. B., lator præsentis, intendit vobis si placeat humilime et verissime servitorum. Ex Castre in die Sabbathi.

Vester ad vota promptissimus, Frater J. B., Minorum minimus.

418 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON231.1

Venerando suo magistro, Johanni Paston.

Jesus, &c.

1460

Reverende domine, &c. Propter Deum caveatis a confidentia in illo nigro Hibernico231.2 oculis obliquo et lusco, qui utinam corde, ore et opere non esset obliquior; qui heri misit literam Colino Gallico; de quibus dicitur quod singuli caccant uno ano. Et parvus Adam hodie portavit (?) magistro suo responsum. Idem enim luscus dicit vos esse cupidissimum, quia multum afflixistis debitores patris vestri, persequendo eos cum omni rigore, &c. Item dicit quod cum pater vester fuerit judex ditissimus, quasi nihil fecistis pro eo in distribuendo elemosinam pro anima ejus, et cum nihil feceritis pro patre vestro, quomodo pro magistro Fastolf aliquid facietis? Item dicit ‘Utinam fuissem in morte magistri mei, quia in me ultra omnes homines mundi maxime confisus est,’ &c. Item dicit quod in hora qua obiit magister suus, obviavit sibi unus albus bubo, qui eodem tempore juxta unam ecclesiam continuo clamavit mirabiliter et volavit sæpius iteratis vicibus sub equo suo inter tibias equi sui &c. Item dixit cuidam fratri conventus mei, ‘Magister Brakle accipit super se magnum regimen, &c., et certe, si pecunia legata in ultima voluntate suis servientibus non fuerit in larga habundancia distributa, erit ad magnum dedecus et verecundiam personæ meæ,’ &c. Utinam caveritis ita bene de eo sicut ego cavebo, quia cum sit filius Hibernicus, ego de eo semper minus curabo. Ipse vellet habere bona ex parte sua, &c. Deo teste non fecit (?)232.1 vos magistri sui, &c. Hæc omnia et plura dixit idem miser magistro Clementi, a quo hæc omnia et plura didici &c. Item dicit quod vos timetis adire locum parliament quia non vultis præstare pecunias Regi nec Reginæ et aliis; et ideo pigritia vestra in hoc passu erit bonis mortui satis nociva, &c. Ego tot et tanta audivi de illo quod, per Deum, nunquam confidam in illo, &c.; est enim miser multum malencolicus et in toto colericus, et, salva patientia vestra, reddat compotum de singulis antequam capiat onus testamenti, &c.

Judex232.2 cras venturus est, &c., et sicut se hic gerit vestra caritas notitiam habebit, &c. Rogo detis mihi licentiam recedendi ad conventum Norwici, ad mutandum vestimenta mea propter sudores, &c., et ad studendum pro sermone, &c., ad honorem Dei, &c., qui vos vestros et vestra salvet in sæcula. Amen. Vester orator, Frater J. B.

On the back:—Item dixit magistro Clementi quod ipse non vult esse Frere, veni mecum, nec canta secum, nec Dacok, nec facok, nec Frater, lava pedes, &c. Item dicit vos instruxisse magistrum suum contra eum de auferendo evidencias, &c., et ipse plures labores habuit pro eo quam vos vel aliquis alius, &c. Custodite literam ultimo a me vobis missam, &c. Utinam Upton et ipse essent extra locum, &c., quia hic fiunt consumptiones maximæ, &c.

Endorsed in a 16th century hand:—A lettre much dispraising W. Wircester, from Doctor Brakley.

419 CHRISTOPHER HANSSON TO JOHN PASTON233.1

To the right worshipfull Sir and Maister, John Paston, Escuier, at Norwiche, be this delyvered in hast.

1460 OCT. 12

Right worschipfull Sir and Maister, I recomaund me un to you. Please you to wete, the Monday after oure Lady Day233.2 there come hider to my maister ys place,233.3 my Maister Bowser, Sir Harry Ratford, John Clay, and the Harbyger of my Lord of Marche, desyryng that my Lady of York233.4 myght lye here untylle the comyng of my Lord of York and hir tw sonnys, my Lorde George233.5 and my Lorde Richard,233.6 and my Lady Margarete233.7 hir dawztyr, whiche y graunt hem in youre name to ly here untylle Mychelmas. And she had not ley here ij. dayes but sche had tythyng of the londyng of my Lord at Chestre. The Tewesday next after, my Lord sent for hir that sche shuld come to hym to Harford [Hereford], and theder sche is gone. And sythe233.8 y left here bothe the sunys and the dowztyr, and the Lord of Marche comyth every day to se them.

Item, my Lord of York hath dyvers straunge commissions fro the Kyng for to sitte in dyvers townys comyng homward; that is for to sey, in Ludlow, Schrrofysbury, Herford, Leycetre, Coventre, and in other dyvers townys, to punych them by the fawtes to the Kyngs lawys.

As for tythyngs here, the Kyng is way at Eltham and at Grenewych to hunt and to sport hym there, bydyng the Parlement, and the Quene and the Prynce byth in Walys alway. And is with hir the Duc of Excestre and other, with a fewe mayne, as men seythe here.

And the Duc of Somerset he is in Depe [Dieppe]; withe hym Maister John Ormound, Wyttyngham, Andrew Trollyp, and other dyvers of the garyson of Gyanys, under the Kyng of Fraunce safcondyte, and they seythe here, he porpose hym to go to Walys to the Quene. And the Erle of Wyltschyre234.1 is stylle in pece at Otryght at the Frerys [Friars], whiche is seyntwary.

Item, Colbyne ys come home to my maister is place, and seyth that, at your departyng234.2 ouzt of London, ze send hym word that he schuld come hedder to the place, and be here un tylle your comyng a zene; and so he is here it, and seith he wolle take no maister but be your avyce, nether the leese [nevertheless] awaytythe uppon Maister Oldhall the most parte at Redre234.3 at his place.

Item, Maister Ponyngs hathe enteret on an two or iij. placys uppon the Erle of Northomberlond, and he stondyth in good grace of the Kyng, my Lord of Marche, my Lord Warwyk, and my Lord of Salysbury. Most parte of the contre abought his lyflod hold aythe withe hym. And my maisteras your sister234.4 is not delyverd as yet; God yef hir god delyveraunce.

No more to you at this tyme, but and ze wolle comaund me any servyce y may doo, it is redy. And Jesu have you in his blessid kepyng; and I beseche you this letter may comaund me to my maisteras your moder, and my maisteras your wyfe, and alle your houshold.

Wreten at London the xij. day of Octobre. Your owne Servaunt, Christofer Hansson.

420 ABSTRACT235.1

Robert Call to [John Paston].

1460(?) OCT. 17

Has delivered the horse-litter to Robert Lynne according to his message. Cannot get a farmer for Mauteby. Sends John Deye. He will not pass one combe barley for an acre. He has fourteen acres ‘reasonably well dight to sow on wheat.’ None will take the close at Mauteby at the price agreed upon with Calle by Lynne and Robert Butler.

Caister, St. Luke’s Eve.

P.S. on the back, unimportant.

[From what is said in Margaret Paston’s letter of the 20th October following about the lands at Maultby being unlet, this may perhaps have been written in the same year three days earlier.]

421 THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON235.2

To my rygth worchipfull and my good maister, John Paston, Esquyer, in hast.

1460 [OCT.]

Rygth worchipfull and my most speciall synguler good maister, I recomend me to you, besechyng your maistership not to be dysplesed with my long taryans, and also to take it to no gref thou it were long or I wrot to you; for in good feyth I wend my self with in sevenygth after Seynt Feythesmesse235.3 to have ben at London, and for asmoche as Suthwell235.4 desyred me to tarye for evydens gevyng, &c. I promysed hym so to do and tarye tyll the Munday after Seynt Feythesmesse, or tyll the Tewysday sevenyth after at the ferthest, and at tho dayes I hard no word fro hym. And so uppon the Thursday after had I word that the under-eschetour schuld sytte at Ocle236.1 the Tewysday after Seynt Luce;236.2 and so I tarye as yette, and trust verely to be with you the Saterday at the ferthest after Seynt Luce. Item, Sir, if my Maister of the Rolles236.3 be not come, I trust to God to com tydely i now, as for the traversys; and if ye besi you to the innyng ther of or I com, Richard Ley schall delyver hem you, if ye send to hym for it; for I left hem with hym to gete hem in if he mygth, and promysed hym a reward for his labour. Item, my maistres236.4 and all folkes be heyll and mery, blyssed be Jesu, ho have you in his blyssed governans and proteccion. By your, Thomas Plaiter.

422 THOMAS PLAITER TO JOHN PASTON236.5

To my maister, John Paston, Esquyer.

1460 [OCT. 21]

A[FTER] my most speciall recomendacion, like your maisterchip wete that the office236.6 is taken at Ocle in lyke forme as Suthwell236.7 can schew you, for Fraunceys Costard hath sent it hym, and the jentylmen that passed uppon the office wold fynd nor medyll nouther with the tenurs nor ho is next here [heir]. Wherfor if ye wol have other wyse found, Fraunceys Costard hath under take it, but it schal not be by suche men of worchip [as] is yn this. Item, the under-chryf was at Ocle, and ded and sayd to the jentylmen al that ever he cowde to the lette of the matter. And as for Suffolk, I understand they have no warant, so I tarye as yet what cas that ever falle. And if ye wold that I tarye not, that it lyke you by the brynger her of to send me hasty wurd.

I send you the names of the jure here in. Your, Thomas Plaiter.

On a separate paper formerly enclosed in the preceding is the following List:—

Jurati pro Domino Rege.237.1

Willelmus Rokewood, armiger, jur’.

Johannes Berney, armiger, jur’.

Radulphus Lampytte, armiger, jur’.

Johannes Byllyngford, armiger, jur’.

[Jacobus Arblaster, armiger, jur’.]237.2

Willelmus Deymayne, armiger, jur’.

Willelmus Dawbeney, armiger, jur’.

Willelmus Julles, jur’.

Christofre Norwiche, jur’.

Thomas Holler, jur’.

Johannes Berkyng, jur’.

Robert Bryghtlede, jur’.

Robertus Spany, jur’.

Johannes Bernard, jur’.

Rogerus Iryng, jur’.

Robertus Townesende.

Johannes Grygges de Ranworth, jur’.

Robertus Regestre, jur’.

Johannes Maunvyle, jur’.

Willelmus Rysyng.

Johannes Doke.

Robertus Jekkes, jur’.

Johannes Why[te].

Henr[icus] . . . ratte.

Car[ol]us Barker.

Johannes Cappe.

Thomas Paternoster.

423 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON238.1

To my ryth worchepfull husbond, Jon Paston, be thys delyveryd in hast.

1460 OCT. 21

Ryth worchepfull husbonde, I recomand me to yow. Plesyth it yow to weet that I receyvyd yowyr letter that ye sent me by Nycolas Colman on Sonday last past. And as for the mater that ye desyiryd me to breke of to my cosyn Rokwode, it fortunyd so that he came to me on Sonday to dyner sone aftyr that I had yowyr letter; and when we had dynyd, I mevyd to hym ther of in covert termys, as Playter shall informe yow eraftyr. And as I thowt by hym, and so ded Playter also by the langwage that he had to us, that he wold be as feythfull as he kowd or myte be to that good Lorde that ye wrot of, and to yow also, in ony thynge that he kowde or myte do in case wer that he wer set in offyse, so that he myth owte do; and ther to he seyd he wolde be bownde in a m^l. li. [£1000] and he was so myche worthe.

As for the todyr that ye desyiryd I scholde meve to of the same mater, me semyth he is to yonge to take ony swhyche thyngys up on hym; and also I knowe veryly that he scholl never love feythfully the todyr man that ye desyiryd that he schuld do, for when he rem[em]bryth the tyme that is paste, and ther for I spak not to hym ther of.

Thys day was holde a gret day at Okyll238.2 befor the undyr schreve and the undyr exchetor, for the mater of Syr Jon Fastolfys londys; and ther was my cosyn Rookwod and my cosyn Jon Berney of Redham, and dyvers odyr jentylmen and thryfty men of the contre; and the mater is well sped aftyr your intent (blyssyd be God!) as ye schall have knowlage of in hast.

I suppose Playter schall be with yow on Sonday or on Monday next comyng, if he may. Ye have many good prayers of the poer pepyl that God schuld sped yow at thys Parlement, for they leve in hope that ye schold helpe to set a wey that they myte leve in better pese in thys contre thane they have do befor, and that wollys schold be purveyd for, that they schuld not go owt of thys lond as it hathe be suffryd to do be for, and thane schall the poer pepyll more leve bettyr thane they have do by her ocwpacion ther in.

Thomas Bone hathe salde all yowyr wole her for xxd. a stone, and goode swerte fownd to yow ther for, to be payid a Myhellmas next comyng; and it is solde ryth well aftyr that the wole was, for the moste part was ryte febyll. Item, ther be bowt for yow iij. horse at Seynt Feythys feyer, and all be trotterys, ryth fayir horse, God save hem, and they be well kepyd. Item, your myllys at Heylysdon be late [let] for xij. marke, and the myller to fynde the reparacion; and Rychard Calle hathe let all yowyr londys at Caster; but as for Mawtby londys, they be not let yet. Wylliam Whyte hathe payid me a geyne thys daye hys x.li., and I have mad hym a qwetans ther of, be cause I had not hys oblygacion.

Ther is gret talkyng in thys contre of the desyir of my Lorde of York.239.1 The pepyll reporte full worchepfully of my Lord of Warwyk. They have no fer her but that he and othyr scholde schewe to gret favor to hem that have be rewyllers of thys contre be for tyme.

I have done all yowyr erandys to Syr Thomas Howes that ye wrote to me for. I ame rythe glade that ye have sped welle in yowyr materys be twyx Syr Fylyp Wentworthe and yow, and so I pray God ye may do in all othyr materys to hys plesans. As for the wrytyngys that ye desyirid that Playter schulde sende yow, Rychard Call told me that they wer at Herry Barborys, at the Tempyll gate.

The mayir239.2 and the mayires sent hedyr her dynerys thys day, and Jon Dame came with hem, and they dynyd her. I am beholde to hem, for they have sent to me dyvers tymys sythe ye yed hense. The meyr seyth that ther is no jentylman in Northefolk that he woll do more for than he wole for yow, if it laye in hys poer to do for yow. J. Perse is stylle in prisone, but he wolle not confese more thane he ded when ye wer at home. Edmond Brome was with me, and tolde me that Perse sent for hym for to come spek with hym, and he tolde me that he was with hym and examynyd hym, but he wold not be a knowe to hym that he hade no knowlage wher no goode was of hys masterys more thane he hade knowlageyd to yow. He tolde me that he sent for hym to desyir hym to labor to yow and to me for hym if ye had be at home; and he tolde me that he seyd to hym ayen that he wold never labor for hym but [unless] he myth know that he wer trwe to hys mastyr, thow it lay in hys power to do ryth myche for hym. I suppose it schulde do none harme thow the seyd Perse wer remevyd ferther. I pray to Gode yeve grace that the trowthe may be knowe, and that the dede may have part of hys owne goode. And the blissyd Trinyte have yow in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn in hast at Heylysden the Tuesday next aftyr Seynt Lwke. Be yowyrs, M. P.

424 PIERS TO MARGARET PASTON240.1

To myn right reverent and worchipphull Maisterez Paston, be this delivered.

1460

Right reverent and wurchippfull maisteres, I recomaunde me un to yow, beseching yow of your good maisteresshipp to be myn good maisteres to help wit your gracious woord un to myn right reverent and wurchipphull maister and your to take of me, his pore presoner and your, suerte queche I xall fynd to be bounde for me to brynge me un to all answere, in to the tyme that myn maister and ze have dimisse me wit myn suerte. And bescheche your good maistereschipp to prey myn mayster that he will yeve yow lycense wit his wurchippfull counsaill and youre, in case that myn maister may nout tarie, that ze in his absence may take myn seid suerte. And if it please his heyghnesse and youre, that I may have answere ayene be the bryngere of this, and here up I xall send for myn suertes, queche I trust in Good xul be to your plesure. No more att this tyme. I prey God evyr have yow in kepyng. Be your pore presonere, Piers, sum tyme the servaunt of John of Berneye.

425 PERSE TO SIR ROBERT ROKESBY241.1

To my right worschipfull Sir, Robert Rokysby.

1460

Ryght wurshipfull Sir, I recomaunde me to you, besechyng you, of your goode mastership, that ye wol wechesafe to speeke to Richard Kowven that he myght brynge me or sende me the money that is betwen hym and me in all the haste that he maye, for in goode feythe I hadde never more neede for to have help of my goode as I have at this tyme, for, Godwot, it stonde right straunge with me; for the false chayler that kepeth me entretethe me worse thanne it weere a dogge, for I am feterid worse thanne ever I whas, and manacled in the hands by the daye and nyght, for he is a feerde of me for brekyng a weye. He makethe false tales of me, throw the means of a false qwene that was tendyng to a Frensheman that is presoner to my Lord Roose,241.2 and for be cause of that he bronde me every day be John of Berney, that is goone to the tother Lords;242.1 but I truste to God oonys to qwite hys meede. And, Sir, I thanke you mekel of that ye have doone for me or seide; and, Sir, I shal deserve it a yenst yow, be the grace of God, for i’ feythe I am be holden to you more thane to all men that ever I founde syn I cam in preson.

No more to you at this tyme, but God have you in His kepyng. Be your servaunt and bedman, Perse.

426 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON242.2

To the rite worshipful esqwyr, John Paston, be this presentid.

Jesus, Maria, Johannes Baptista. Franciscus, cum Sanctis omnibus, assistant vobis vestris in laboribus. Amen.

1460 OCT. 24

Worschipful and most interely bitrustid mayster and specyal frend, after dute of al lowly recomendacyon, ze schal conceyve that I certefye zow for trewthe. I comonyd late with a worschipful and a wele namyd, a good thrifty man of this cuntre, whiche told me in secrete wyse that he herd Doctor Aleyn seyn after the Parlement of Covintre242.3 that yf the Lords that tyme reynyng and now discessid myte haf standyn in governans, that Fortesku the justise, Doctor Moreton, Jon Heydon, Thorp and he, schuld be made for evir; and yf it turnyd to contrary wyse, it schuld growe to her fynal confusyon and uttyr destruccyon; for why, the parlyows [perilous] writing and the myschevous inditing was ymaginid, contrivid, and utterly concludid by her most vengeable labour, &c., and her most malicyows conspiracye ayens the innocent lords, knytis, gentilis, and comonys, and alle her issu perpetuel, &c. And as I wrote last to zour maysterschip the text of Jeremias cº 8º Vere mendacium operatus est stilus mendax scribarum; it folwith in the same place, Confusi sunt sapientes, perterriti et capti sunt; verbum Domini projecerunt, et sapientia nulla est in eis. Propterea dabo mulieres eorum exteris; agros eorum hæredibus alienis, &c. I wolde myn Lord Chaunceler and my specyal Lord Erl, utinam Duke, of Warwyk, with al her trewe affinyte, schuld remembre this text, which is Holy Scripture, &c., as I wold do by for the Kyng and hise Lords at the Cros;243.1 for the principil of this text hath be contynued in dayly experiens sithe bifore the Parlement of Bury;243.2 but the conclusyon of this text came never zet to experiens, and that is gret rewthe. Consideret discretio vestra singulorum annorum curricula, et percipietis tunc perplurima exempla de dominorum fidelium atque communium morte satis injuriosa multiformiter lamentanda discurrendo per singula. Ex paucis scit discretio vestra perpendere plura, &c. Et ubi ego semel in ecclesia Pauli palam prædicavi hunc textum, Non credas inimico tuo in æternum (Ecc. 12º), et quidam hujus regni doctor et episcopus, utinam non indignus, asseruit eundem textum Scripturæ Sacræ non incorporatum, quid doctor Nicholaus de Lira super eundem textum dicit, contra audietis, Non credas, &c., id est, Nunquam credas ei quem probasti inimicum, &c. Sequitur in textu:—Sicut æramentum æruginat malicia illius, id est, rubiginem odii servat interius, licet contrarium ostendatur exterius. Ideo in textu sequitur:—Etsi humiliatus vadat corvus [curvus], tibi magnam reverenciam exhibendo, affirma, abice [abjice] animum tuum ab illo, nullo modo credendo ei, et custodi te ab illo. Non statuas illum penes te (id est, ipsum tibi familiarem exhibendo); ne conversus stet in loco suo [should be tuo] te supplantando; et in novissimo agnoscas verba mea esse vera, sed nimis tarde. Sequitur: Quis miserebitur incantatori a serpente percusso, &c.; et qui comitatur cum viro iniquo et obvolutus est in peccatis ejus? Una hora tecum permanebit; si autem declinaveris non supportabit. In labiis suis indulcat inimicus, et in corde suo insidiatur, ut subvertat te in foveam. In oculis suis lacrimatur inimicus, et si invenerit tempus non saciabitur sanguine. Si incurrerint tibi mala [invenies] eum illic priorem, &c. In finem rogo, videte textum et postillatores super eodem, ex quibus potestis plane considerare episcopum modernum aliquando Scripturam Sacram ignorare, &c. Utinam dominorum fidelium provida discrecio amicorum dileccionem sapienter sic pensaret quod inimicorum dileccionem nequaquam sic amaret, ut inimicis mortalibus confidenciam exhiberet; quare ut prius sic replico Jesu Sirach sanum et salubre consilium, Non credas inimico tuo in æternum. Sapienti, non insipienti scribo. Plura habeo vestræ reverentiæ scribere quæ jam non expedit calamo commendare. Uxor Johannis Berney de Redham jam infra triduum peperit filium, &c. Magistra mea uxor vestra sana est cum filiis vestris et filiabus ac tota familia. Conventus noster inter cæteros habet statum vestrum specialissime recommendatum in missis ac orationibus, consuetisque suffragiis; et cum jam sitis in parliamento præsenti pro milite electo, uti vobis consulo verbis Pauli Apostoli, Labora sicut bonus miles Jesu Christi;244.1 et alibi, Job utendo verbis, Militia super terram est vita hominis (Job 7). Viriliter igitur agite et confortetur cor vestrum quia speratis in Domino (in Psalmo).244.2 Quis, inquit Sapiens, speravit in Domino et confusus est, et permansit in mandatis Dei et derelictus est?244.3 quasi diceret, nullus.

Ex Norwico feria sexta post festum Sancti Lucæ Evangelistæ. [Not Signed.]

427 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON245.1

To my ryth welbelovyd brodyr, Clement Paston, for to delyver to hys brodyr Jon, in haste.

1460 OCT. 29

Ryth w[urshepfu]ll husbonde, I recomande me to yow. Plesyth yow to weet that I receyvyd a lettyr on Seynt Symondys evyn and J[w]d, that came frome Jon Paston,245.2 in the wyche lettyr he wrot that ye desyryd that I scholde do Jon Paston or Thomas P[layter] looke in the gret standyng chyste in on of the gret canvas baggys whyche standyth ageyns the lokk, for the copys of the fals inqwest of ofys that was fownde in Northefolk, and for the kopy of the comyssyon that came to Jon Andrewys and Fylpot and Heydon, and othyr thyngys towchynge the same mater, I have do. Jon Paston sowte all iij. grete baggys in the seyd kofyr at ryth good leyser, and he can non swhyche fynde. Plesyth it yow to remembre ye sent me word in the fyrste lettyr that ye sent me, that ye wolde that Playter scholde asent hem up to yow to London, and I schewyd hym yowyr wryttyng howe that ye wrote to me ther in. I suppose be cawse he purposyd to come up to London hym selve hastely, he sent yow none answer ther of. Rychard Calle tolde me that alle swhyche thyngys were lefte with Hery Barbore at the Tempyle Gate when the last terme was doo, and soo I sent yow worde in a lettyr whyche was wretyn on the Twesday next aftyr Seynt Looke,245.3 and ther in was an answer of all the fyrst lettyr that ye sent me. I sent itt yow by yonge Thomas Elys. I sent yow anothyr lettyr by Playter, the whyche was wretyn on Saterday245.4 last past.

Item, I receyvyd a lettyr frome yow on Sonday,245.5 of the wyche I sent yow an answher of ma lettyr on Seynt Symondes Evyn and Jwde by Edmunde Clere of Stokysby; and as sone as I hade the seyd lettyr on Sonday, I sent to Syr Thomas Howes for the mater that ye desyryd that he scholde inqwer of to Bokyng, and I sent a yene sethe to the seyd Syr Thomas for to have knowlage of the same mater yestyrdaye, and I have non answher of hym yet. He sent me worde he scholde do hys part there in, but othyr answer have I none yet of hym. I sende yow in a canvase bage, inselyd by Nycolas Colman, as many of Crystofyr Hansonys acomptys as Jon Paston can fynde ther as [where] ye sent worde that they were. Rychard Harbard recomawndyth hym to yow, and prayth yowe that ye wole wychesave to remembre the lettyr that scholde be sent fro my Lorde of Warwyk to a man of hys beyng at Lowystofete; and if it be not sent to hym, that it plese yow to do purvey that it may be sent to hym in haste, if it maye be, as to morow ther schall be keppyd a day at Bowunggey for Mastyr Fastolfys londys be for the exchetore, and there schall be Wylliam Barker and Rychard Call. Ye schall have knowlage in haste what schall be do ther. And the blyssyd Trinite have yow in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn in haste at Norwyche on the Wednysday next aftyr Seynt Symond and Jwde, Be yowyr M. P.

428 SIR GEOFFREY BOLEYN TO JOHN PASTON, ESQ.246.1

To my ryght wurschypfull Ser, John Paston, Esquyer.

1460(?) DEC. 5

Ryght wurschypfull Ser, after ryzth hertely recomendacion, lyke it yow to wete that my Maister Fastolf, hoose sowle God asoyle, whan I bowth of hym the maner of Blyclyng, consideryng the gret payment that I payed therfor, and the yerly annuyte duryng his lyfe after his entent, was to me gret charge; and the same tyme, in his place at Southwerk, by his othe made on his primer ther, grauntted and promitted to me to have the maner of Guton, with all the apportenaunce for a resonable pris afor ony other man. And, Ser, as I understande ye be that person that my seid maister, consideryng your gret wysdom, most trosted to have rewle and dyreccion of his lyfelode and goodes,—and, Ser, trewly, yf I hed ben nere unto yow, I wold have spoken to yow herof be for this tyme; neverthelasse I wolde desyre and pray yow to schewe me yowr goode wyll and favour in this by halve, wher inne ye schall dyscharge my seid maistres sowle of his othe and promyse, and I schall do yow servyce in that I can or maye to my power. And of yowr goode wyll and favour herynne I pray yow to late me have wetyng, and I schall be redy to wayte on yow at ony tyme and place wher ye wull assyne. And owr blysyd Lord have yow in his kepyng.—Wret the v. day of Decembre. Be youer owyn, Geffrey Boleyn.247.1

429 FRIAR BRACKLEY TO [JOHN PASTON]247.2

1461(?) JAN. (?)

Jhesus help, Marye mercy, et Franciscus cum Sanctis subveniant defuncto et suis in tribulationibus. Amen.

Præcordialissime in Jhesu Christo prædilecte, et omissis pro præsenti singulis vestram amicabilem benevolentiam concernentibus, propter quasdam materias mihi a fidedignis personis nuper relatas, &c., equitetis quam cito potestis secure pro corporis vestri conservatione. Scitote quod commissionarius J. Heydon, vester ac meus capitalis inimicus, Philippus Wentworth et J. Andrw malignantur maxime contra vos et M. T. H.248.1 et me et alios vestros. Et magister Clemens et ego sequemur vos usque Colcestriam, ibidem expectando donec vos aliquem nuncium de London illuc miseritis, et tunc ad vos veniemus cum duobus vel tribus famulis nostro proposito necessariis, R. Botilere Matthaeo Gowh vel Johanne Lore. Sumus nempe equestres pessimi, nec ascensum equi seu descensum scientes, sed adjutorium ad minus duorum est nobis duobus necessarium, &c. Certe si non esset aura tam contraria, et pluvialis nimis, quare equitare est nobis omnino necessarium; aliter vere melius profecissem pro me in itinere per ambulare quam per equitare. W. Y.248.2 judex cum omni consilio Johanni Heidon faciet contra vos et me et M. T. H. quicquid potest; quare dicit Gregorius, ‘Minus jacula feriunt quæ prævidentur.’ Si W. P., vester germanus, et T. Playtere, cum associatis antecederent, plura percipere possent quæ jam non cognoscent, &c., utinam velletis hoc instancia cordiali considerare in effectu. Notate q. .248.3 literam a me primo vobis scriptam de pigricia, &c., quanta mala proveniunt ex illa, &c., W. Rokewode est rogatus a W. Y. judice ut faveat sibi et Tendale contra Wyndham armigerum pro manerio de Felbrigge, cum pertinenciis, &c., et tunc scietur utrum J. H. favebit Wyndham vel Judici, &c., cum ejus flatus olim calidus, olimque frigidus existat, et aliquando nec calidus nec frigidus sed satis tepidus. Sed oretis cum propheta, ‘Confundantur qui me persequuntur et non confundar ego, paveant illi et non paveam ego; induc super eos diem affliccionis et duplici contritione contere eos,’248.4 domine Deus. Et Psalmista ait ‘Averte mala inimicis meis et in veritate tua disperde illos’248.5 et sequentia. Et [super] inimicos meos despexit oculus meus. Valete in Christo Jhesu. Scriptum festinantissime, feria vj^a. Recommendetis me specialissime magistro T. H. et J. Berneye, &c.—Vester ad vota, F. J. B.

R. Botilere Matthaeo Gowh vel Johanne Lore anomalous ae (for æ) in original

430 CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON249.1

To hys rythe worchypfwll broder, John Paston.

1461 JAN. 23

Rythe reverent and worchypfwl broder, I recomawnde to yow, certyfyyng yow that yowr letter was delyveryd to me the xxiii. day of Januar abowthe none seasson, and Rychard Calle rode in the mornyng, and therfor I brak [opened] yowr letter, if ther wer any aftr mater; and I dede Christofer Hauswan goo to my Lord of Cawnterbure249.2 to tell him, as yowr letter rehersyd, and my Lord seyd he hadde spokyn with yowr man ther of the day be fore, and if the Byshop of Norwyche wod not doo so mwche for him, he hys the les behold to him. Notwithstandyng, he sayd, he wold save yow harmles agens John Yowng; but and ye do well remember thys Lord have many maters to thynge on, and if it be forgeten, the harm is yowrs, and also if the word [world] torn, John Yong will not doo at hys prayer.

And my Lord Fitzwater249.3 is ryden northewards, and it is sayd in my Lord of Cawnterberys howse that he hethe takyn ij^c. [200] of Andrew Troloppys249.4 men. And as for Colt,249.5 and Sir Jamys Strangwysse, and Sir Thomas Pykeryng, they be takyn or ellys dede. The comyn voysse is that they be de dede. Hopton249.6 and Hastyngs249.7 be with the Erle of Marche, and wer no at the fewlde.249.8 Wat word that ever he have fro my Lords that be here, it is well doo, and best for yow, to see that the contre be allweys redy to come bothe fote men and hors men, qwen they be sent for; for I have herd seyde the ferthere Lords will be here soner that men wen, I have arde sayde, er iij. weks to an ende; and also that ye xwld come with more men, and clenlier arayed than anoder man of yowr cwntre xwld, for it ly the more up on yowr worchyp, and towcheythe yow more nere than odermen of that cwntre, and also ye be mor had in favor with my Lords here. In this cwntre every man is well wyllyng to goo with my Lords here, and I hope God xall helpe hem, for the pepill in the northe robbe and styll, and ben apoyntyd to pill all thys cwntre, and gyffe a way menys goods and lufflods in all the sowthe cwntre, and that wyll ask a myscheffe. My Lords that ben here have as moche as they may do to kep down all thys cwntre more than iiij. or v. schers, for they wold be up on the men in northe, for it ys for the welle of all the sowthe.

I pray yow recomawnde me to my moder, and that I prayed her of her blyssyng. I pray yow exscwse me to her that I wryte her no letter, for thys was y now a doo. I dare not pray yow to recomawnde me to my swster yowr wyff, and the masenger I trow be so wysse he can not doyt. Ye mwst pay him for hys labor, for he taryd all nyt in thys town for thys letter.

Wrytyn the xxiij. day of Janware in haste, wan I was not well at hesse. God have [you] in Hys keping. By Clement Paston, Yowr broder.

431 THE PRIOR OF BROMHOLM TO JOHN PASTON250.1

Amicabili magistro nostro, Johanni Paston, armigero.

1461 JAN. 31

Ful reverend and worshipful, after all dewe reverence and recommendacion, your pore Preste besecheth humble it plese your good maystirship to understande be this simple bylle that on the Friday next after the Feste of the Conversion of Seynt Poule laste paste I was at your place at Castre to a tolde yow what answer I hadde of Sir Thomas Howis, parson of Blofeld; and in as moche as ye wer not at hoom, I tolde it to my mastras your wyfe; and God thanke her of her jentilnes, she made me grete cher, and mor over a vysed me to sende yow a bille ther of to Lundon. This was his answer, whan I had talked to hym as I cowde in lyke wyse as ye averted me to do. He answered a geyn in these wordes, ‘Nere is my kyrtyl, but nerre [nearer] is my smok.’ And this was his menyng that ye schulde be mor ner us and tender to us than he, and that ye schulde rather owe us good wyl than he, and that we schulde labour rather to yowr maystirship than to hym; and also that good that he had to dispose he had be sette it, and of passel he tolde me he had delyvered the Abbot of Langele fourescor li., wher of, as he seyd to me, ye grutched and wer in maner displesed, not withstandyng ye seyd a geyn to hym ye shulde geve as moche. And he seyd to me ye named the places wher; and therfor he avysed me to labour effectualy to your good maystirship, for ye mych [might] helpe us251.1 wele. For he seyd ye had moche good of the dede to dispose, what of your fader, God blisse that sowle, what of Berney, and what now of his good Mayster Fastolfe. And as for Sir John Fastolfe, on hoose soule Jesu have mercy! he seyd to me ye had of his good four, four, and four mor than he in these same termes with owte ony summe.

And after all oder talkyngs he tolde me he shulde be with yow at Lundon hastyly, and that he wolde sey good worde to yow to releve our poor place. Sir, I beseche bethe not displesed, for truly and I woste to have your hevy maystership therfor, I had lever it had bene on thoght. And is this that whan Sir Thomas Howes and ye be saunne at Lundon, we myght be so in your good grace, that our place myght be broder to Langele, for that shulde glade us mor than the commission that the Bysshop of Norwich sente us on Thrusday laste paste to gader the dymes, for that is a shrewde labour for us, a grete coste and a shrewe juparde.

Over mor that hy and myghty celestial Prince preserve yow body and sowle, and sende yow coumforte of the Holy Goost wele to performe all your hertis desir in all your materes to his plesaunce, and your wurship, and solace to alle your welle wyllers.

Wretyn at Bromholm, on the Saturday next after the Feste of the Conversion of Seynt Poule laste paste. From your Preste and Bedeman, John, Priour of Bromholm.

432 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON252.1

A Lettre to J. Paston, ar., from his wife.252.2

1461 MARCH 1

Please it you to wytte that it is lete me witte by on that owith you good wyll that there is leid awayte up on you in this cuntre, yf ye come here at large, to bryng you to the presence of syyche a Lord in the north as shall not be for your ease, but to jopardie of your lyf, or gret and importable losse of your goods. And he that hath take up on hym this enterprise now was undr-shireff to G. Sayntlowe. He hath gret favour herto by the meanes of the sone of William Baxter that lyth beryed in the Grey Freres; and, as it is reported, the seid sone hath geve gret sylver to the Lords in the north to bryng the matier a bowte, and now he and alle his olde felaweship put owt their fynnes, and arn ryght flygge and mery, hopyng alle thyng is and shalbe as they wole have it. Also it is tolde me that the fadr of the bastard in this cuntre seid that now shuld this shire be made sewir for hym and his heires hens forward, and for the Baxsteris heyres also, wherby I conceyve they thynke that they have none enemy but you, &c.

Wherfor like it you to be the more war of your gydyng for your persones saufgard, and also that ye be not to hasty to come in to this cuntre til ye here the world more sewer. I trowe the berar of this shall telle more by mowthe, as he shall be enfourmed of the rewell in this cuntre. God have yow in His kepyng.

Wretyn in hast, the secund Sunday of Lent by candel light at evyn. By yours, &c. M.

433 JOHN DAVY TO JOHN PASTON253.1

On to my Maystyr Pastone, be this lettre deliveryd.

Ryth wurchopful Sere, I recomaund me on to you. And iff it lyke you I have spokyn with Bussard, and demaundyd hym iff he had ony evydens, dedys, or copyis, or ony other evydens of ony place or off ony lyflod that longget on to my mayster,253.2 and seyth, Nay, be is feyth, and be is trowthe, for, if he hadde, he wold send hem on to you with a good wyl; for he seyth it xud don hym non ese. And, Ser, iff it plese you I askyd hym if he knew ony evydens that he had delyveryd on to William Wossetyr, bill, or deds, or ony other evydens that xuld longgyn on to ony purchas or off ony lyfflod on to my maystrys, and he seyth, Nay trewly; for he seyth the last tyme that he wrot on to William Wusseter, it was be ffor myssomyr, and thanne he wrot a cronekyl of Jerewsalem, and the jornes that my mayster dede whyl he was in Fraunce (that God on his sowle have mercy!); and he seyth that this drow more than xx. whazerys [20 quires ?] off paper, and the wrytyng delyveryd on to William Wursseter, and non other, ne knowyth not off non other be is feyth. Be your man, J. Davy.

434 THOMAS SHOTBOLT TO JOHN PASTON254.1

To my worshipfull maister, Maister Paston of the Temple.

Worshipfull Sir, soo ye will send a polletik person to Ludgate in secrete wise to comune with me, and lete hym not in no wise speke of you to hove (?) youre good maistership, and a resonable remedy shall ease you of a gret part that the criour cleymeth of you for Maister Fastolffs detts of xiij. or xiiij. yere at the lest, and be that perave[ntu]re of the hole qui in uno est reus morbus [in omnibus] reus . . . . . . . Sir, remembreth your worship if y doo to ease you, lete me not be discoveryd, for ye knewe not your worship y wold not doo thus. What ever ye have of me, ye may sey it is found in the stywardes boks, and y know that ye have desired favour to have hym seese for your worship that procur hym ageyns you; whoo so shall kom to me, he may kom in Maistre Nevills name, for with hym have y a doo. As for your own servaunts, y ferd me lest they be knowyn whethir it be servaunt or othir, send knowleche of my reword and a bille under your seall or your own hands, or bothe on your worship to have it close that y be not blamyd for that; y shall telle you her after. Wretyn in Ludgate. Your servaunt and there prisoner, Thomas Shotbolt.

435 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON255.1

To my ryth worcepful husbonde, John Paston.

Year uncertain

Ryth reverent and worcepfful husbonde, I recomande me to yow, desyryng hertely to here of yowre welle fare, thankyn yow for yowr letter and for the thyngys that ye sent me ther with. And towchyn John Estegate, he com nowdyr non sent hedyr nowt zyt; wer for I sopose I must borrowyn money in schorte time but zyf [unless] ye come sone home; for I sopose I xal non have of hym, so Godd helpe me. I have but iiijs. and I howhe nerr as meche mony as com to the for seyd some. I have do yowr herrendys to my modyr and my hunckyl and as for the feffeys of Stokysby, my hunckyll syth that ther be no mo than he wrot to yow of that he knowit. And also I hauwe delyvyrit the todyr thyng that ye sent me inselyd in the boxe as ye comaundit me, and the man seyt, that I delyverid it to, that he wylle nowt of the bargeyne that ye sent hym, but sweche thynggys be do or he come ther that ye sent hym worde of, he seyth that he wold nowt be noysyd with no sweche thyngis of that is, that it wer do in hesse tyme for xx. marke. I sopose he xal send yow word in shorte time ho he wylle do. I pray yow that ye wylle weche save to beyn for me swech lacys os I send yow exsaumpyll of in this letter and j. pesse of blac lacys; as for cappys that ye sent me for the chylderyn they be to lytyl for hem. I pray yow bey hem feyner cappys and larger than tho wer. Also I pray yow that ye wylle weche save to recomaunde me to my fadyr and my modyr and tellyth heer that alle herr chyldyrryn ben in gode hele, blyssyd be Godd. Heydonis wyffe had chyld on Sent Petyr day. I horde seyne that herr husband wille nowt of her, nerr of her chyld that sche had last nowdyr. I herd seyn that he seyd, zyf sche come in hesse precence to make her exkewce that he xuld kyt of her nose to makyn her be know wat sche is; and yf her chyld come in hesse presence, he seyd he wyld kyllyn he wolle nowt be intretit to have her ayun in no wysse, os I herde seyn. The Holy Trinite have yow in Hesse kepyn and send yow helth. Wretyn at Geldiston on the Wedynisday nexte after Sent Thomas.—Be yowris, M. Paston.