THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 5)

Item, I received at letter frome yow yesterday, wherof I thanke yow hertely, and I praye yow that I maye be as ye writt. And as for suche materys as Sir Thomas Howys choulde be spoke to for194.1 I sent Ric. Calle this day to speke with hym, but he myght not speke with hym; but as hastely as I may I challe do myn parte to spede the erands and other. Ecclesia de Mautby. It is tolde me that Sir Thomas wyll ressyng Mautby chyrche, and yf it plesyd yow to geve it to on Sir Thomas Lyndis, I truste verely that ye choulde leke hym ryght well, for he is rit a prystly man and vertusly dysposyd. I have knowe hym this xx. yer and mor; he was brother to the goode parsone of Seynt Michellys that ye lovyd ryght well; and yf he myght havyt he woulde kepe an howsolde therupon and bylde (?) well the plase (?); and therof have it grete nede, for it is now rit evyll reparyd, and I wott well he woll be rulyd and gydyt as ye wyll have hym. Wursted. I praye yow, yf it plese yow that he have it, that it lekyth yow to sende me an answer by the berrer herof.

Item, I have do spoke for yowr worstede195.1 but ye may not have it tylle Halowmesse; and thane I am promysyd ye challe have as fyne as maye be made. Ric. Calle challe bryng it up with hym.

Wretyn the Fryday next before Michelmas day.

611 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON195.2

To my ryght worschipfull husbond, John Paston, in haste.

To get a copy [of] that he hath . . hed; notwith­standyng [I] wote well thei have found non such evidens as ye wene.

Item, it was tolde me thys day that Master John Salatt hathe made a serge in the regestre this monethe aftre the wylles and testements or suche as hought the maners of Heylesdon and Drayton this c. yere, and be that hathe they founde suche evidence as schal be gret strenghthyng to the Duks tittle, as it is seide. I undrestonde verely that Mastre John Salet is all on that partye, and no thyng with you.

Item, as for the bill that ye sent to Sir Thomas Howys touchyng on Edmond Carvyll and on Fraunces, I wote ner whether he had hem or nought, for he is not spoken with yett in the maters. As wee spede owr materys, we chall sende yow answers of them as hastely as we maye. At the reverense of God, spede ye yowr materys that ye maye come owte of that loggyng that ye ar in as hastely as ye maye, for I have non fansey with some of the felechipp. I tolde yow, as me thowth, I praye yow be ware, &c.

I praye yow yf it plese yow that I may be recommaundyd to my Lorde Percy, and to myn mastres, and to my Lorde Abott. And I pray God bryng yow and them owt of troble, and send yow good spede in alle yowr materys. Wretyn in hast, the Fryday next afor Michellmes. Be yowr, M. P.

Yf it plese yow to send aney thyng by the berer herof, he is trusty inough.

612 SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON196.1

[To] his ryght worschypful [fa]dre John Paston, beyng [in t]he Flete at London, be thys delyvered.

Ryght Worschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse I recomand me to you. Pleasyth it you to wet that I sente you a letter but late agoo, in whych letter I lete you have understondyng that if it pleasyd yow to grante and assente therto, Syr Thomas Howes wolde resyngne the benefyse of Mawteby to a ful prestly man of Norwych callyd Sir Thomas Lyndys, whom I suppose ye have knolech of. Neverthelesse I wote wele he hath not ben grettly aquentyd with you. But I and he have ben moch aquentyd to geder, and I understond and knowe hys vertews levyng and dysposicion ryght wele; whyche heraffter, I wote wele, sholde please you ryght wele. And that letter whyche I sente you as I understode syns Nycholas Calman the berer ther of came not owte of Norwych iiij. or v. dayes after that the bylle was delyveryd hym; wherefor I am in dowte whyther it is come to your handes.

Whych causyth me to wryght to you ageyn in thys wyse, besechyng yow, if it plese yow that the seyd Sir Thōs Lyndys schal be of your promotynge in the wyse above wretyn that there it lyke you that I may have answer by the berer herof; whych schal tary at London a day or ij., and not passynge. No more to yow at thys tyme, but Alle myghty God have yow in guydynge. Wretyn at Heylesdon the Fryday next byfore Seynt Mychell. By yowr older sone, John Paston.

tary at London a day or ij., and not passynge. final . invisible

613 SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON197.1

To my ryth reverrend and worchepfull fadre, John Paston, be thys delyveryd.

1465 OCT. 3

Aftyr all humbyll and most due recomendacion, as lowly as I can, I beseche yow of your blyssyng. Plesyt yow to have knowlege that as on Sonday next be for Myhelmas Day, as my modyr came fro London ward, sche cam homward by Cotton, and sche sent for me to Heylysdon to come to hyr thedyr, and so I have ben in the plase ever sethyn. And as sone as Myhelmas Day was past, I begane to dystreyne the tenants, and gadryd some syllvyr, as myche, I trowe, as wyll pay for our costs; and yet I cepe here ryth a good felawschep, and mor wer promysyd me, whyche that came not to me, wherby I was ner deseyvyd. For when Debnam herd sey how that I began to gadyr sylvyr, he reysyd many men with in j. daye and an halfe, to the nombyr of iij^c. men, as I was credebly assartaynyed by a yeman of the chambyr of my Lordys198.1 that owythe me good wyll, whech yeman, as sone as he had sene ther felauschep, rod streyth to my Lord and informyd hym of it; and also he informyd my Lord how that I had gadryd a nothyr gret felashschep, whyche felawschep he namyd more than we wer by j^c. and an halfe and yett more. And he seyd on to my Lord and my Lady, and to their consell, that with owt that my Lord took a dyrectyon in the mater, that ther wer leek to be do gret harme on bothe oure pertyes, wheche wer a gret dysworchep to my Lord, consederyng how that he takyth us bothe for hys men, and so we be knowyn well inow. Upon whyche informacion, and dysworchep to my Lord, that tweyn of hys men schold debat so ner hym, contrary to the Kyngs pese, consedryd of my Lord and my Lady and ther cownsell, my Lord sent for me and Syr Gylberd Debnam to come to hym to Framlyngham bothe, and as it fortunyd well my modyr come to me to Cotton not half an owyr be for that the mesenger came to me fro my Lord, wheche was late upon Twysday last past at nyth; and the next day on the mornyng I rod to my Lord to Framlyngham, and so ded Syr Gylberd also. And as sone as we wer come, we wer sent for to come to my Lord, and when we come to my Lord, he desiyryd of us bothe that we schold neythyrthyr gadyr no felawschep, but syche men as we had gadryd that we schold send hem home a yen, and that the coort schold be contenuyd in to the tyme that my Lord, or suche as he wold asyngne, had spok bothe with yow and Yelverton and Jenney, and that on indeferent man chosyn by us bothe schold be assynyd to kepe the plase in to the tyme that ye and they wer spook with.

And then I answed my Lord, and seyd how that at that tyme I had my maistyr within the maner of Cotton, whyche was my modyr, and in to the tyme that I had spook with hyr I cowd geve none answer; and so my Lord sent Rychord Fulmerston, berer hereof, to my modyr thys day for an answer, whyche answer he schold bryng to my Lord to London, for my Lord rod to Londons word as yesterday, and the soner be cause he trustyd to have a good end of this mater and alle othyr be twyx yow, whyche he takyth for a gret worchep to hym, and a gret avantage bothe, and he cowd bryng this mater abowt, for then he wold trust to have your servyse, alle whyche wer to hym gret tresour and avantage.

And this was the answer that my modyr and I gave hym, that at the instans of my Lord and my Ladye we wold do thus myche as for to put the coort in contenuans, and no more to receyve of the profyts of the maner than we had, and had dystresid for tyll in to the tym that sche and I had werd ayen fro my Lord and yow, if so wer that they wold neythyr mak entreys nor dystreyn the tenantys, nor chepe no coort mor then we wold do. And we told Rychord Fulmerston that thys my modyr and I ded at the instans and gret request of my Lord, be cause my Lord intendyd pes, whyche resonably we wold not be ayenst, and yet we seyd we knew well that we schold have no thank of yow when ye knew of it, with owt it wer be cause we ded it at my Lordys instans. But be for thys answer we had receyvyd as myche sylvyr full ner as Rychord Calle sent us bokys of for to gadyryt bye; and as for the possessyon of the plase, we told hym that we wold kepe it, and Syr Gylberd agreyd, so that Yelverton and Jeney would do the same; for it was tyme for hym to sey so, for my Lord told hym that he wold hym fast by the feet ellys, to be suyr of hym, that he schold make non insurreccions in to the tyme that my Lord came ayen fro London.

I wene, and so dothe my modyr bothe, that thys appoyntment was mad in good tyme; for I was deseyvyd of bettyr than an C. men and an halfe that I had promyse of to have come to me when I sent for hem. Thys promes had I befor that I sent to yow the last lettyr the daye aftyr Seynt Myhell. Jenney herd seye that I cepyd Cotton, and he rod to Nacton, and ther held a cort and receyvyd the profytys of the maner.

I beseche yow that I may have knowlage in hast fro yow ye wyll that I be demenyd in thys mater and in al othyr, and I schal aplye me to fulfyll your intent in them to my power by the grace of God, whom I beseche have yow in guydyng, and sende yow yowyr herts desyir. Wretyn at Hemnalle Halle, in Cotton, the Thursday next befor Seynt Feythe.

My modyr recomandyth her to yow, and preyith yow to hold hyr excusyd that sche wrytyth not to yow at thys tyme, for sche may have no leyser. The berer her of schall informe yow whedyr Jeney wyll agre to thys appoyntment or not. I thynk he dar do non othyr wyse. Your sone and lowly servaunt, John Paston.

614 THE DUKE OF NORFOLK TO JOHN PASTON, THE YOUNGEST200.1

To owr trusty and enterly beloved servaunt, John Paston, Esquyr.

The Deuke of Norff.

1465 OCT. 12

Ryght welbeloved servaunt, y grete yow hertly welle, sertefyng that we shulle be at fulle age on Fryday nexst comyng. Wherfor, wele consayled be the Lordes of owr Consayle and oder of owr Consayle, that ye, on of owr servaunts of howsholde, with oder, be with us at London on Fryday or Saterday nexst comyng at the ffurdest, too a companye us thann too owr worshyp, for we shull have thann levery of owr landes and offyces; and that ye ffayle us not, as ye woll have owr good Lordeshyp in tyme comyng; and also that ye doo warne owr ffeede men201.1 and servaunts, suche as be nye too yow, that they be ther thann in owr leverey. Y wreton the xij. day of October. Norff.

615 THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK’S ATTACK ON HELLESDON201.2

1465 OCT. 14

Thys be the parcell underwryten of such godys as were taken and beren away at Haylesdon, of John Pastons, hys sones and hys servaunts by the Duk of Suffolk servaunts and tenaunts the xiiij. day of October the v. yere of Kyng E. the iiij^te, the whych day the place of Haylesdon was broken and pullyd dowyn, &c.

In primis, ther was lost of John Pastons ther at that tyme in beddyng ij. ffeder bedds with ij. bolsters, iiij. materas, with iiij. bolsters; a grete seler with the testor, and iij. corteyns of whyte lynen cloth, and a coverlyte of whyte werstede longyng therto.

Item, a selere with a testore, and iij. corteyns of blewe bokeram with a coveryng of blew werstede longyng therto; v. pylowys of dowyn, vj. coverlyts of werk of dyvers colors, vj. payr blankettys, ij. payr shytes of iij. webbys, ij. hedshytes of ij. webbys, vj. payre shytes of ij. webbys, ij. basons of pewter, and iij. candelstykks of latyn for the chamber.

The Botere.

Item, in primis, vj. bord clothys, vj. towellys, xij. napkyns, vj. candelstykks of laton, ij. saltsalers of sylver, ij. saltsalers of pewter, ij. basons of pewter with ij. ewers, a barell of vyneger, a barell of vergyous, xij. ale stondys, ij. pantre knyves, a pyce of sylver, a pype for brede, a ale stole, xij. spones of sylver, &c.

The Browhern.

Item, a grete lede to brew v. comb malte with one plawyng, a mayshsate, ij. kylyng sates, vj. kylers, ij. clensyng sates, a taptrogh, a temps to clense, with a scyppe to bere malte, a syff to syft malte, a bultyng pype, ij. knedyng satys, a moldyng bord.

The Kychyn.

Item, ij. dosyn pewter vessell, iiij. grete bras pannes, iij. potts of bras, j. greddyron, ij. broches, j. dressyng knyff, j. morter of marbell with a pestell, j. litell panne of bras of di. galon, ij. pothoks, ij. rakks of yron, ij. brendeletts, a almary to kepe in mete, j. axe to clyve wode, ij. saltyng satys to salte in fflesh.

Gere taken owt of the Chyrch.

Item, in the stepell, ix. sheffe arwys, ix. bawys, ij. handgonnes, iiij. chambers for gonnys, ij. mallys of lede, ij. jakks.

Item, in the church, a purs and iij. gold ryngs, a coler of sylver of the Kyngs lyvery and a nobyll of viijs. iiijd. the whych was Wykys.

Item, a syde gowne of blewe of Wyks.

Item, a stokke gonne with iij. chambers.

Gere taken owte of the Chaumber of Ric. Calle.

Item, a syde morrey gowne, a dobelet of blak satyn, a payre hosyn, a jakks, the polronds of a payr bryganders of rede sateyn ffugr.

Item, a payr of large tabelles of box, pris vjs. viijd.

Item, a staffe, pris iijs. iiijd.

Item, boke of Frensh, pris iijs. iiijd.

Gere taken away of Margeret Pastons.

Item, an unce of gold of Venyse, di. pype of gold damask, di. unc’ of gold of Gene, an unc’ of sylk, a li. of threde, a close glasse of yvery, a grete combe of yvere, a fyne kerchy of fyne Holond cloth, a quarter of blak velwet.

Gere of Johanne Gayns.

Item, a ryng of gold with a dyamonics, a typet of sarsenet, a nobyll of xs., a nobyll viijs. iiijd.

Gere of John Wyks.

Item, a dobelet of blak fusteyn, a hers harnys, vjs. a gray hers, pris xls., ij. shertys, pris iiijs.

Will. Bedford.

Item, a Normandy byll and a bawe, pris of them both vjs.

John Boteler.

Item, a payr botys, a payr sporys, a shert, a cappe, a hatte, a dobelet, a payr hosyn, a brydell, ij. crepers, v. ston of wall, xxx. welfellys, a spere staff.

Shepe.

Item, taken away uppon Draytun grounde at on tyme by the baylly of Cossey and others, CC. shepe callyd hoggys.

Item, at a nother tyme, uppon the same ground, iiij^xx. hoggys and xl. theyves.

Item, at a nother tyme, at Haylesdon, by the baylly of Cossey and Bottesford and other, viij^cc. moder shype and CCCC. lambes.

Memorandum, a gowne of Richard Calle, pris ixs., j. peyr hosen, iijs., j. swerd, iijs., ij. bonets, ijs. . . . . j. jakk, xxvjs. viijd., j. schert, iijs. iiijd.

Memorandum, the pullyng downe of the place at Heylesden, to the hurts and skathes of ——

Item, the pullyng downe of the logge of Heylesden.

Item, the distroyng of the waryne at Heylesdon.

Item, . . . . the maner and the warreyn.

Item, memorandum, the rydyngs and costs off suthe.

Memorandum, the assaw made uppon Marg. Paston, Sir John Paston, at Heylysdon beeffor the place was . . . . . . .

Memorandum, the imprisonment off Sir John Paston in the Flet and in the Kyngs Benche.

Item, boke of Frensh, pris iijs. iiijd. text has “iiija.” (italic “a” for “d”)

616 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON204.1

1465 OCT. 17

On Tuesday in the morwyn whas John Botiller, otherwyse callid John Palmer, and Davy Arnald your cook, and William Malthows of Aylsham, takyn at Heylesdon be the balyf of Ey callid Bottisforth, and led for to Cossey, and ther thei kepe hem yet with ought any warant or autoryte of Justice of Peas. And thei saye thei will carie hem forth to Ey preson, and as many as thei may gete more of your men and tenaunts, that thei may know that owe yow good wyll or hath be to you ward, thei be thret to be slayn or presoned. The Duke came to Norwich204.2 on Tuesday at x. of clok with the nombre of v. hundred men. And he sent after the Meyr and Alderman with the Sherefs desiryng hem in the Kyngs name that thei shuld take an enqueraunce of the constablys of every ward with in the cyte what men shuld a go on your party to have holpyn or socowryd your men at any tyme of thes gaderyngs, and if any thei cowde fynde, that thei shuld take and arest hym and correct hym, and also certifie hym the names on Wyndenesse day [Wednesday] be viij. of clok. Which the Meyr dede, and wull do anythyng that he may for hym and his. And her up on the Meyr hath arestid on that was with me callid Roberd Lovegold, braser, and threte hym that he shall be hanged be the nek; wherfor I wuld that ther myght come down a writ to remeve hym if ye thynk it be to do. He was not with me not save that Harleston and other mad the assaught up on me and Lammesse; he is right good and feythfull on to you, and therfore I wuld he had help. I have non man at this tyme to avayte upon me that dare be avowyd but Litill John. William Nawton is here with me, but he dare not ben avowyd, for he is sore thret. It is told me the old Lady and the Duke is set fervently ageyn us be the enformacion of Harlesdon, the Bayly of Cossey and Andrewys and Doget the balys sone, and suych other fals shrewys the which wuld have thes mater born ought for ther owyn pleser; the which causith an205.1 evyll noyse in this contre and other places. And as for Sir John Hevenyngham, Sir John Wyndefeld and other wurchepfull men ben mad but her doggeboldes;205.2 the whiche I suppose wull turne hem to diswurchep here after. I spake with Sir John Hevenyngham and enformed hym with the trough of the mater, and of all owyr demenyng at Drayton, and he seid he wuld that all thyng wer wele, and that he wuld enforme my lord as I seid to hym, but Harleston had all the words and the rewle with the Duke here, and after his avyse and Doctor Aleynes he was avysed here at this tyme.

The logge and the remenaunte of your place was betyn down on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Duke rode on Wednysday to Drayton and so for to Cossey whille the logge at Heylesdon was in the betyng down. And this nyght at mydnyght Thomas Sleyforth, Grene Porter, and Joh. Botesforth the Baly of Eye, and other, had a cart and fetched awey fetherbeddes, and all the stuffe that was left at the parsones, and Thom Wateres hows to be kept of owrs. I shall send you billes er after, as ner as I may, what stuffe we have forborn. I pray you send me word how ye will that I be demened, wheder ye wull that [I]205.3 abide at Cayster or come to you to London. I have no leyser to write more. God have yow in His kepyng. Wretyn at Norwich on Sent Lukes Evyn. M. P.

617 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON206.1

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

1465 OCT. 27

Ryght wyrshypfull hosbond, I recomand me to you. Please it you to wyte that I was at Haylesden uppon Thersday laste passyd, and sey the place ther, and in gode feyth ther wyll no cryatur thynke how fowle and orubelly it ys arayed but yf they sey it. Ther comyth moch pepyll dayly to wonder ther uppon, both of Norwych and of other placys, and they speke shamfully therof. The Duck had be beter then a m^l.li. that it had never be don; and ye have the more gode wyll of the pepyll that it ys so foylle don. And they made youre tenauntys of Haylesdon and Drayton, with other, to help to breke down the wallys of the place and the logge both,—God knowyth full evyll ayenst ther wyllys, but that they derst no notherwysse don for ferre. I have spoken with your tenauntys of Haylesdon and Drayton both, and putte hem in comfort as well as I canne. The Duck ys men rensackyd the church, and bare a way all the gode that was lefte ther, both of ours and of the tenaunts, and lefte not so moch but that they stode uppon the hey awter, and ransackyd the images, and toke a way such as they myght fynd, and put a way the parson owte of the church till they had don, and ransackyd every mans hous in the towne v. or vj. tymys. And the chyff maysters of robbyng was the Baylly of Ey, the Baylly of Stradbroke, Thomas Slyford, and Porter; and Slyford was the chyff robber of the cherch, and he hath most of the robbery next the Baylly of Ey. And as for lede, bras, pewter, yren, dorys, gatys, and other stuffe of the hous, men of Coshay and Causton have it, and that thay myght not cary, thay have hewen it a sonder in the most dysspytuose wyse. Yf it myght be, I wold som men of wyrshop myght be send from the Kyng to see how it ys both ther and at the logge, or than any snowys207.1 com, that they may make report of the troth, ellys it shall not mo be seyn so playnly as it may now.

And at the reverens of God, spyde your maters nowe, for it ys to orybell a cost and trobell that we have now dayly, and most have tyll it be other wyse; and your men dar not goo abowte to geder uppe your lyfflode, and we kype here dayly more than xxx. persons for savacyon of us and the place, for, in very trowght, and the place had not be kypyd strong, the Duck had come hether. Arblaster thynketh verely that Hugh a Fen may do moch in your maters, and he thynkyth that he wole do for you faythfully, yf ye wyll, &c.

At the reverens of God, yf any wyrshypfull and profetabile mene may be take yn your maters, for sake it not in eschuyng of our trobell and gret costs and charges that we have, and may growe here after. It ys thoght here that yf my Lord of Norffolk wolld take uppon hym for you, and that he may have a comyssyon for to enquer of such ryotts and robberyes as hath be don to you and other in thys contray, that then all the contray wyll a wayte uppon hym, and serve your entent; for the pepyll lovyth and dredyth hym more then any other lord except the Kyng and my Lord of Warwyk, &c.

God have you in Hys kypyng, and send ous gode tydyngs from you. Wryten in haste, uppon the Sonday Seynt Symon and Jude ys Evyn. By yours, M. P.

618 MESSAGE TO SIR WILLIAM YELVERTON208.1

This is the Instruccion for the Messenger.

That ye grete well Sir William Yelverton, letyng hym wete in our behalf we be informed that certeyn persones, in the name of the right worshipfull our cosyn the Duc of Suffolk, have enterid in the manoir of Drayton that was Fastolffes, and have dreven from the seid manoir and other xiij^c. shep and other bestes pastured upon the seid manoir. Notwithstandyng, we merveyle gretly that the seid Sir William, his sones and servauntes, as it is seid, assiste and comfort the seid persones so entryng and withdrawyng the seid catell, seying that he is named both feffe and executour. And all be it so that there is variaunce bithwene hym and our welbelovid John Paston in our coort, consernyng as well the seid manoirs as other goodes that were Sir John Fastolffes, whom God assoyle, yit it may not acorde with worship and consiens for the seid Sir William to assiste the distruccion of the seid manoirs and goodes in the meane tyme. Wherfore we desire hym that he woll do his devoir effectually to help to save the seid manoirs from all such pretense of titell, and to cause the seid catels to be restored to the manoirs aforeseid, and not to be withdrawen and distroyed as they be; and that he do his feithfull part in this behalf acordyng to the trust that he was put in, as we may do for hym in tyme to come.

yit it may not acorde with worship and consiens text has “is may not”

619 JOHN WYMONDHAM TO JOHN PASTON209.1

To my worchipful cosyn, John Paston.

1465(?) NOV. 10

Rygth worchipful cosyn, I comaunde me to yow. And forasmoch as ther was a child ded at Asteles, and on other lik to be ded in the same place, what tyme that I rode oute aboute my litil livelod, my lady and I bothe thoughte pite on my mastres your wif to se her abide ther, and desirid here to com to my pore hous on to soch tyme as ye shuld a be othirwise avised, wyche, if it plese yow, I am right wel apaied.

Sythen, I undirstande be my lady that ye desire to knowe whedyr that I shulde abide here stille or nowe [or no]. As to that, I have non other place that I wold abide at, and my lady seith how she is avised to ende hir lif here. Also she seith how ye desire to have a stabil with inne my plas; and as to that, afeith, sir, I have none, but that must nedis serve for my wode. As for a chambre, ye shall have on for your men al redy, and as touching a stabil, Sir John Sparham and I have gote yow on ther [where] your hors stode the last tyme ye were in this town, and an hows to ley inne hey and straw, and cost yow not but making of a rak and a mangeour, and more to your ease there than here; and yf ye wyl that it be made redy for yow, send werd be the bringer of this letter. And, cosyn, as towching to paiment, I can not sey how ye shal be pleasid with my pore fare, but aftir that ye arn com home, and arn aqweintid there with, we shal so acorde as shal be plesir to us bothe, with the grace of God, which have [you] in His blissid governaunce, and send yow your moderis blissing.

Wreten at Norwich, on Seint Martyn is Even. Your poer cosyn and ffrend, J. Wymondham.

And how that ever ye do, hold up your manship.

620 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON210.1

To my Rightwurshipfull hosbond, John Paston, be this delyveryd in hast.

1441-65 NOV.

Riht worchipfull hosbond, I recomand me to yow, praying yow to wete that I have receyvid the mony that Mayster Brakle had of yow, wherof he hath ageyn v. marc. uppon pledgis of the too basonys that ye had of hym tyll ye come hom. As for cloth for my gowne, I can non gete in this town better than that is that I send yow an exsample of, whiche me thynkith to symple bothe of colour and of cloth. Wherfor I pray yow that ye woll vouchesauf to do bey for me iij. yerdis and j. quarter of seche as it pleasith yow that I shuld have, and what colour that pleaset yow, for in gode feyth I have do sowte all the draperis schopis in this town, and her is right febill cheys. Also I pray yow that ye woll do bey a loff of gode sugour and di. j. lb. [half one pound] of holl synamun, for ther is non gode in this town; and as for mony, ther is non of your tenantis ne fermouris bryngith non as yett. As for tydyngis in this countre, Herry Ingloses men have slayn ij. men of Tonsted on Thursday last past, as it is seyd, and all that countre is sore trobelid therwith; and if he had abedyn at home he had be lyke to have be fechid owte of his owyn hows, for the peple ther abowght is sor meved with hym. And on Saterday last past he come ryding thorow this town toward Framyngham; and if he had abedyn in this town he shuld have ben arestyd; for men of Tonsted and of the countre pusewid after hym in to this town, and made agrett noyse of hym, and required the mayre and sheryves that he ne his men shuld not pas the town, but that they shuld do as it longed to here parte to do, and told hem the cause why; and as it is seyd the sergeantis were fals, and lete hym have knowleche ther of, and he hythid hym hens in hast, &c. The blyssyd Trynyte have yow in His keping. Wreten att Norwyche on the Weddenesday next after Seynt Martyn. Be yowris, M. P.

621 NOTE

The letter of John Payn to John Paston (No. 126 in vol. ii.), which, on account of the circumstances to which it refers, we have placed in the year 1450, was written, as appears by the contents, fifteen years later, i.e. in 1465. We therefore call the reader’s attention to it in this place.

622 FUNERAL OF LADY KATHARINE HOWARD211.1

1465

This wrytenge, made at Stokeneylond the v^th yer of Kynge Edward the iiii^th and the morowe next affter Sowlemesse day, wytnesseth that this day and yer a bove said my lady, dame Kateren Howard, departed to God, and my master spent uppon her at this day a bove wreten at her beryinge, and also at her vij^th day, more than xxli.

Also my master spent uppon her at her xxx^ti day, in almesse and in odre costes, in primis to v.M^l. and ccc. of pore folke every pece takenge id. Summa xxijli. vs.

Item, my master gaff to vi^xxix. prestes and clerkes every pece vjd. Summa iijli. iiijs. vjd.

Item, my master gaff to lxviii. cheldren in the quere every pece iid. Summa xs. iiijd.

Item, my master paid for blakke cloth for gownes for his men vij^xx yerdes prise of every yerde iiis. iiiid. Summa xxjli.

Item, my master bout as myche waxe for torches and taprys as cost hym viij. markis. iijs. ijd.

Item, my master paid for xiij. pore mennes gownes for the clothe and for the makengs lijs.

Item, my master spent in all maner of spyces as myche as drew liijs. xjd.

Item, my master spent in wyne at the said day iij. pypes.

Item, my master spent in maltt for brewenge viij. seme.

Item, my master spent in bere at the same day xxxij. barelles.

Item, my master spent in whete to make brede and odre bakenge xiij. seme.

Item, my master spent at the said day in brawne ij. gret bores.

Item, in beff xij. gret oxsen.

Item, in moton xl. shepe.

Item, in porke xij. hogges.

Item, in pygges lxx.

Item, in swannes xij.

Item, in geese iiij^xx.

Item, in conyis c. cowple.

Item, in capons xxiiij.

Item, in chekens vij^xx.

Item, in venyson xxx. dois.

Item, in pertryches iiij. doseyn.

Item, in fesauntis xiv.

Item, in pekokkes vij.

Item, in mallardes iij. doseyn.

Item, in plovers iij. doseyn.

Item, in eggis viij. C.

Item, in mylke xxx. galons.

Item, in hony iij. galons.

623 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON THE YOUNGER213.1

To John Paston the younger.

Before 1466

I grete you wele, letyng you wete that as for213.2 your sustrys213.3 beyng with my Lady, if your fader wull aggrey therto I hold me right wele pleasyd; for I wuld be right clad that she shuld do her servyse be for any other, if she cowde do that shuld pleas my ladyes good grace. Wherfor I wuld that ye shuld speke to your fader therof and lete hym wete that I am pleasid that she shuld be ther if he wuld, for I wuld be right glad and she myght be preferrid by mariage or be servyce, so that it myght be to her wurchep and profight in dischargyng of her frendis; and I pray you do your parte therin for your owyn wurchep and herys. And assone as ye may with ought daunger, purvey that I may have ageyn the vj. marks that ye wote of, for I wuld not that your fader wust it. Item, if ye pas London, send me ageyn my chene and the litill chene that I lent you be for, be sum trusty person; and if ye wull have my good wille, eschewe such thyngis as I spake to you of last in owr parisch chirch. I pray God make you as good a man as ever was any of your kynne, and Goddis blissyng mote ye have and myn, so that ye do wele, &c. Wretyn the Sonday next after your departyng.

And I pray you, send me sum tydyngis as sone as ye may after that ye be comyn to London, how your fader spedyth and your brother in here materes. Be your moder.

624 JOHN RADCLIFF OF ATTLEBOROUGH TO JOHN PASTON214.1

To my ryght trusty and welbelovyd Frend, John Paston.

Rygth trusty and welbelovid, I cummaund me un to zow, lattyng zow wytte that there ys a tenawnt off Thyrnyng, on [one] Wyllyam Rust, whos dur ys selyd be a offycer off zowrys. Wherffor I pray zow that ze wyll se that the forsay tenawnt be not hurt; and yff there be oni thyng that ys dw for to pay, I wyll se that hyt schall be content. And therfore I pray zow that hyt may be repytyd un tyll the tyme that I speke with zow. No more at thys tyme, but the Hole Trinite hawe zow in kepyng. Wretyn at Attylburgth the xvij. day off Dyssembyre. John Radclyff De Attylburgth.

625 SIR JOHN FELBRIGGE TO JOHN PASTON215.1

To my Cosyn Paston, be thys letter delyverd yn haste.

1466(?) JAN. [20]

Ryght reverent and worshyppeful cosyn, y comawnd me on to you, desyryng to her off your welfare, the whyche Almyghty Jesu preserve to Hys plesawns, and to your own herts desyres. Forthermore and yff yt please your gentylnesse to be my trusty frend, as my ful truste ys yn you, as for swyche materys as the brynger off this lettre shall enforme you, and beth effectualy my frend, and brynge yt abowte, and by my trowthe y shall geve you an C. marke for your labowr. For yn trowthe y am aferde that Roberd Radclyff hathe deseyvyd me, for he laboryd to me dayly by my Lords comawndement off Warwyk, and brought with hym Yllyngworthe and oder off my Lords cownsel, and seen my evydens; and so we stoden uppon apoyntement, and y for to have had an unswere sent to Felbrygge Halle, and yff ne had be for ffendyng off my Lords lordschyppe, y myght have had my money for my ryght or y cam owt off London, as my man schall enforme you. For yn trowthe y muste now make an schiffte, for Wyndham hathe sold hys ryght, and rathere than yt schuld go that way to, y had lever my Lord had yt ij. C. marke with yn the pryse that y grawnt yt laste, and therfor y be scheche you to labowr to my Lord that y may have an unswer. And thies many townes longithe thereto, Felbrygge, Aylinton, Ronton, Colby, Bannyngham, Ingworthe, Styrston, besyde hamelets.

No mor to you at this tyme, but the Holy Trinyte have you yn His kepyng. Wryten at Felbrygg, the Monday affor Seynt Augnetes Day.216.1 By your cosyn, John Felbrygge.

626 JOHN WYKES TO SIR JOHN PASTON216.2

Un to the ryght wyrshypfull mayster, Sir John Paston, Knygt, be thys letter delyveryd.

1466 FEB. 17

Ryght wyrshypfull and my especyall gode mayster, I recomaund me unto your gode maystershyp, letyng you wyte that the berour herof told me that ye had grete mervyll that I send to you no word ne letter of awnswer of the letters that ye had send to me to London. As for on letter ye send to me by Rychard Playtorys man, and therof I send you an awnswer in a letter by a man of the Prior of Bromholm; and as for other letters, ther com no more to me but that on.

Item, Mayster Flemmyng lokyth dayly for hys hors, and at every tyme that I mete with hym, he askyth of me when hys hors shuld com, and when I here any word from you. Wherfore I pray you send me word in a letter how he shall be awnswerd, and yf the hors shall com, lette me knowe when; for and he had not trustyd theruppon, he wold have purveyd hym in a nother place, &c.

Item, John Oter ys not yet payd, but as I suppose it shall not be long to tyll he have it, for he hath spoken to my mayster your fader a yer therfor; and as for Gylmyn, he hath not spoken to my mayster as yet, &c.

Item, I truste he wylbe your gode fader, for John Say hath told hym playnly of hys demenyng ayenst you, and told hym that he had the lasse favour for your sake, &c.

Item, the Erle of Arundell ys217.1 son hath weddyd the Quyne ys suster.

Item, the Lord Lovell ys son217.2 hath weddyd my Lady Fytzhugh ys doghter, &c.

Item, Jenney desyryth a trety with my mayster, and spake to my mayster therof hym sylf in Westminster Hall.

Item, all felaws in the Kyngs hows fareid well, and wold have you ther.

No more to you at thys tyme, but the Holy Trynyte have you [in] kepyng. Wryten at London, the Monday next after Seynt Volentyn. Your servant, John Wykys.

be thys letter delyveryd. text has “delyverya” (italic “a” for “d”)

627 CLEMENT PASTON TO JOHN PASTON217.3

To hys rythe worchypfwll mayster, John Paston, Sqwyer.

1466 MARCH 18

Rythe worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde me to zow. And as for zour letter to my Lorde Chawnceler I have not delyveryd it; for I askyd avysse there in, and I was aunsweryd there in that sythen he was takyn to baylle, the Chawncelerer217.4 cowde not compelle the swertes to bryng hym in befor hys day. Also me thowte zour letter was not most plesauntly wrytyn to take to swyche a lorde. And as for the tresorer, hys name is Sir John Fooge, but he is not in London nor wythe the Kyng, so I kan [not] have the letter sent hym but if I hyeryd a man to bere it. And as for zour question of the patentes, Grenfeld and Catesby and Sterkey holdyn it a good question, for the statute is, Patentes dez tenements dount null titill est trouve pur le roy de recorde sount voydez, anno xviij. H. VI. ca. vj. But I trowe in zour cas that be ther opiniounis the Acte of the Parlement is a tytyll of recorde. It is said to the contrary intent, thow the londs be forfetyd of record, yet ther is no certificacion of recorde qwat londes they be, nor wer [where] nor in qwat place they lye; but and thys clawse be in the patents, Non obstante quod nulla inquisicio pro nobis inde est inventa, by Grenfelde is consayle the patents xwld be clerly goode. But me semythe that amendyt not the mater, for be for the makyng of the statute above sayde, patents graunttyd of londs be fore inquisicion were goode and effectuell and the statute is generall:—Patents dount null tytill, &c. sount voydez. Thanne it folowyt well if the Acte of Parlement be no tytyll for the Kyng thann is ther no tytyll for the Kyng of recorde, for that clawse in the patente is no tytyll; than if ther [be] no tytyll, ergo the patents voyde.

My suster218.1 standythe in the same casse with my Lord of Kent.

Broder, I pray zow send mor mony for my nevew John, for he mwst ellys com hom azen; for the Kyng gothe into Scotlonde, and he is nowther horsyd nor harneysyd, for his grett hors is lykly to dye; and if ze wyll sende it to me or to Christofyr Hanyngton it xall be save for hym. I send zow a letter from hym closyde herin. And I pray spek to my moder that my hors faylle not on Passyon Swnday,218.2 for thann xall I be redy and thanne xall ower redyng be don. Wrytyn on Twesday nexst after Seynt Gregory is Day. Zowr broder, Clement Paston.

On the back.—The man wold not tak my letter but I wass fayen to gyve hym ijd. for the beryng.

I wass fayen to gyve hym ijd. for the beryng. “d.” printed in roman (non-italic) type

628 FRIAR JOHN MOWTH TO JOHN PASTON219.1

To my worchepful mayster, John Paston the holdest, be this letter delyveryd in hast.

1466 MAY 12

Ryth reverent and worchepful sire, I hartyly recomende me on to your reverens, thankyng yow for the gret cher and comfortabyll words that ye yovyn on to me wat tyme that I was last yn yowr presens; desyryng ful specyaly of Almity God, owt of al your wordly tribulacyonys and adversyte, gracyowus delyverans, and yn al vertuows prosperite, good encres and contynuans. If yt like your maysterchep to know the cause of this wrytyng, it ys thys; it is nowth unknow219.2 on to yow that Mayster Brakle (Cryst rest hys sowle!), delyveryd to Wyllam Paston, your broder, certayn oblygacyonys, of the weche the dute xuld grow to my convent yn Norwyche. I have spoke on to Wyllam Paston her of, and he excuseth hym and seyth on this wyse; that be the wyl of Mayster Brakle, wat tyme that Sire Tomas Todenham,219.3 Knyth, xuld be put on to hys deth, he delyveryd hem on to hys confessor; the weche, as he seth, xuld a be Grey fryer, hows name he knowyth nowt; also he seyth that after the deth of the forseyd Knyt, he spake with the Fryer, confessor on to the Knyth, and hasked hym aftyr the forseyd oblygacyonys, and as he seyth, the Fryer seyd on to hym that he had delyveryd hem on to [the] Knyth Marchall. Werfor I beseche you, as specyaly as I may, that, now wyl your broder is at London, that ye of your grace wyl know the trowthe in this mater, for the comfort of the dede, and profyth of my convent. Nomor at this tyme, but that I be seche Almyty God in Trinyte conserve your, and kepe yow in all vertuows prosperite. Amen.

Wretyn at Heylysdon in gret hast, the xij. day of May, in your maner aftyr mete. The cause wy the mayster delyveryd hem to hym mor than to yow, was, as he seyd on to me, for as meche as ye had so many maters yn hand for yowr self, and also for the dede, that he durst not attempt yow with all; and al so be cause he had lesse for to do hys hope was that he xuld asped yt mor redyly.

Fr[e]re Willam Thorp dwellyng at Salisbury. By yowr pore orator and bedman, Frier Jan Mowth.

629 MARGARET PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON220.1

1466(?) NOV. 13 (?)

I grete you wele and send you Goddis blissyng and myn; letyng you wete that I send you be the berer herof xlli. of Ryall which I have chevysshed and borwed for you, be cause I wuld not take that was leyd ought for you at Norwich; for, as I am enformed be Mayster John Smyth, the Chaunceller, and other that we ben all a cursed that we have thus mynystred the dedis godes with ought licence or auctorite, and I wene we spede all the wers there fore. At the reverence of God, gete you a licens of my Lord of Caunterbery in dyschargyng of my conscyens and yowris, to mynystre a certeyn summe of iij. or iiij^c marcs, enfourmyng hym how that your lyffelod hath stond this ij. yer in such trobill that ye myght right nought have of it, ner yet can take of it with ought ye shuld hurt your tenauntis, thei have so ben vexid be on trew meanes before this tymes, And ye have many grete materis on hand and may not have to bere them ought, ner to save your ryght, withaught ye myght for a tyme takyn of your faderis godes. And this I hope shall discharge owr conscyens of that we have mynystred and spend be fore. For we have nomor to acquite this xlli. and bere all other charges but the xlviili. that your unkyll and ye is privy to, that was leyd up at Norwich. I wuld ye were ware of large theftis and rewardis gevyng, as otheris folkis avyse you to do, for though ye have nede thei wull not be right redy to help you of ther owyn; and that ye may understand be that that thei have taken a wey from you be for this tyme. I wuld not in no wyse ye shuld put your self in no daunger to hym but as litill as ye may; for if ye do, it shall be right wele remembred you her after. And be ware how ye ben bownd in any obligacion to any creature but if it be leyd in endifferent handis and trosty for yowr part. And remembre to gete the obligacion that ye mad to the Duchesse of Suffolk; for though it be in my Lord Chancelleris hande it is jepartows, be cause of perell of deth. Item, understand wele the poyntis that ben in my cosyn Arblasteris letter that arn wretyn in yowrs, and purvey redily ther for for your owyn a vayll. Item, send me home answeris of sueche materis as arn now sent you bethen (sic) mowth and wrytyng at this tyme as hastly as ye can, or ells it shall hurt yow mor than ye or I can yet understand. Item, me semyth, if ye shall not comyn home this Crystmesse, or if ye shuld be at my Lady of Suffolk, it [were221.1] necessary to have Playter there with you if ye shuld engroos any appoyntementis with here at that tyme. For she is sotill and hath sotill councell with here; and therfore it were wele do ye shuld have summe with you that shuld be of your councell. If John Paston be with you at London desire hym to take hede to yowris materis and in what case thei ben left at your departyng, that if nede be he may help you to labore for such causes as Wykes shall telle yow be mowth; and if he be not with yow, and ye wull I shall send hym to you. Item, spare of221.2 the xlli. as mych as ye may that ye may perfourme by the mony that the Duchesse of Suffolk shuld have, in cas that it may not be gadered of the lyvelode. Send home Wykes a sone as ye can, and how ye will that I do in your materis and lyvelode at home. God have you in His kepyng. Wretyn the Thursday next Sent Martyn. Be your Moder.

630 MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON222.1

To my right wurchipfull husbond, John Paston, be this deliverd in hast.

Year uncertain NOV.

Ryth worchepfull husbonde, I recomande me to yow. Plesyth yow to weet that Thomas Grene was with me as on Saterday last paste, and let me have knowlage that the scherre schold be as thys day at the Gyld Hall in Norwyche, and he desyiryd me that the swte that ye have ageyns Thomas Jeryng and othyr myth be sesyd as for thys schere; and I seyd that I durste do ryth not there in. And he tolde me that Thomas Jeryng was with yow in Flegge the laste tyme that ye wer ther, and ye seyd to hym that he scholde not be hurte by the swte. And Thomas Grene told me that if the seyd Jeryng and othyrs in the same wryte mad not an end with yow by the nexte schere, the whyche schall be thys day monyth, that he the seyd Thomas Grene wole purchese a new wryte of hys owne coste ayens that daye. I woste not that the scher shuld be so sone when I wrote to yow yowyr laste lettyr. And he remembyryd the trobulus werd [world] that is nowe, and also that they wer nowtye felawys that ye suyd, and ther fore he thowte that it war best to let it be respyte at thys tyme, and so they schall be respyth at thys tyme. I have sent to Jaferay Spyrlyng for the bokys that ye sent to me fore, and he seyth that he hathe none there of, for he seyth he lefte hem with yow when he was with yow in the Northe contre; for he seyth ye left hym behynd yow at Lynkcolne. He supposyth they be at Kaster.

Item, my cosyn Crane recomandyth hyr to yow, and prayith yow that ye wole wychesave to spek to Jamys Gresham for to swe ferthe the mater betwyx Dame Margaret Spurdans and hyr; and sche prayith yow at the reverens of God that ye wole tendyr that mater well, for all hyr troste is in yow.

Item, the tenauntys at Sweynysthorp prayid me for to wryte to yow for to pray yow for Goddys sake that ye wole help for to get hem a good baly of the hundyryd that they be in; for they sey that they have be gretly hurte by swyche offyserys as they have had ther be fore tyme. Folk wold fayne in thys contre that Heydon scholde be purveyd for, that he goo not so at large as he dothe, for he is in thys towne nere every wek, and hathe be ever syne ye yd hens. And also it is seyd in thys towne that ye have be good maister thys terme to Yatys, and many be ryth sory ther of, and that he dothe so well as it [is] seyd here that he dothe. It is seyd that he is scapyd all dangerys, and he hathe tak new accionys ageyns hys neyborys, as it is seyd. Othyr tydyngys have we none here but that ye have more pleynly there. And the Blyssyd Trinyte have yow in Hys kepyng, and send yow good sped in all yowyr materys. Wretyn in haste at Norwyche the Monday next be fore Seynt Edmunde the Kynge. Be yowyr, M. P.

My modyr wold ryth fayne know how that ye and my brodyr Wyllam wer acordyd, sche wold ryth fayne that all wer well betwene yow.

and he desyiryd me that the swte that ye have text has “be desyiryd me”

631 B. D. M. S. TO JOHN PASTON224.1

Be this delyvered to Mastyr John Paston.

I recomaunde me unto you as unknowyn. And as for the wryting I send unto you, the cause why yt was nate endossed was, for the berer ther of knew yow wel i now. And as for youre Cossyn Mary, she ys no longer with us, as a pon Seynt Mathewys Evyn she departyd from me, and went to Awdry Croxeston, and she told me that ye wold pay for her borde ther. But on thyng I let you know; she hathe demenyd her ful symply bothe for youre worship and also for her awne. Ther ys but few within oure plasse but they know how yt is with her, and al by her awne bessynes of her tunge. And I had knowyn as myche at the begynnyng as I have don sythe, I wold not have delt in the mater nat for xl. pound; for I wys she ys no thyng so sadde as I wold she wer.

No more to you at thys tyme, but the Holy Gost have you in His kepyng, and send you youre hertys esse. I pray you hertly that I may sp[e]ke with you. B. D. M. S.

632 ABSTRACT224.2

Richard Suthwell to John Paston, Esquire.

Thanks him for speaking to the Mayor and Recorder for the appearance of certain persons at this last session, as he wrote from Walsingham. Thomas Wolvesby and Colyns make great labor for the poor men’s undoing. Begs him to move the Mayor to have pity, considering their trouble at Walsingham, when they were prisoners.

Thetford, Shere-Thursday.

633 ABSTRACT225.1

John Paston, Junior, to his Father, John Paston

Has spoken ‘with Warwyk and Stwkle’ for the place and lands in Arleham. Declined their offer of 6d. an acre, they keeping the place in repair; but Stwkle has promised all the lands shall be purveyed for, as for this year. Warwyk this day offered my mother 7d. an acre for the lands in Arleham, but I counselled her to hold out for a longer term. Kook will no longer hold the place for 7d. or 8d. an acre, and will only give 6d., if he is to keep it in repair. Has spoken with Dame Alice Weche and Geoffrey Spyrlyng, who have agreed to set a tenant to occupy the lands in dispute till Paston comes home.

St. Martin’s Even.

634 ABSTRACT225.2

Thomas Gnatyshale to Mrs. Paston

I hope the young man I sent will please ‘my master and you.’ I hope you will not receive him at this time, and when my master comes home refuse him. As for your lands at Sparham, there are not many lands to let. Has inquired at Salle. Master Edward225.3 is clearly answered of £18 a year and 7s. or 8s. more. Bryston, Thyrnyng, and Owleton are let, which belong to the manor of Salle. So he is clearly answered twice a year at London, besides the fees, viz., of the receiver 26s. 8d., of the steward 20d., and of the bailliff 26s. 8d.

Sparham, Wednesday before Ascension.

635 ABSTRACT225.4

T. Gnatyshale to Mrs. Paston

James and Robert Radclef mean to take away my goods, and I shall be taken if I be at Norwich at next shire. Pray let my master know. I suppose it was by their commandment that my two neat were taken on Saturday last at Lyng, ‘for one that is under bailly of Richmond took hem.’ John Everyton will tell you more. The receipts of the manor of Sparham with costs are £10, 3s. 11½d. If any man of yours come to Norwich please send me your advice. (Signed) ‘T. Gnat.’

636 ABSTRACT226.1

James Arblaster to John Paston, [Squire]226.2

John à Berney of Wychyngham wishes to disinherit him of his liberty of faldage in Colyette. Desires the help of one of Paston’s men. As for my Lady of Oxford, ‘I have get you a trusty man against Tuesday or Wednesday next.’

[There is no distinct evidence of the date of this letter, except that it is probably not later than 1466, when John Paston died, though it may have been addressed to his younger son John. Compare Nos. 232, 233, and 234, in vol. ii.]

637 JOHN PASTON’S FUNERAL226.3

Expences paid by Gloys at Norwich the day the Cors was ther and befor.

1466

Fyrste. The iiii. orders of fryers, viiil. Item, almesse, iis. viid. Item, to xxiii. susters of Normandys,226.4 with the gardian eche of them, iiiid., and the gardian, viiid.—viiis. Item, in offering on Pentecost Tuesday226.5 for my master, id.; for the herse, xls. For xxiiii. yerdes of brod wythtys for gowns, xxviis. viiid.; for dyeng of the same, iiiis. For settyng on the tents, vid. For xxii. yerdes and iii. quarters of brod wythts, xxxiiiis. iiid. For grownedyng, iiis. iiiid. For dyeng, iiiis. To xxxviii. prests at the dyryge at Norwyche, when the cors lay ther, xiis. viiid. To xxxix. schyldern with surplyces within the schurche and without, iiis. iiiid. To xxvi. clerks with iiii. kepers of the torches, eche of them iid., iiis. iiiid. To the clerks of St. Peters and St. Stevens for the ryngers ageyn the cors, iis. To the iiii. orders of fryers that rede ageyn the cors——. To the Prioress of Carow, vis. viiid. To a maide that came with her, xxd. To the ancors [anchoress ?] xld. In almesse, xvs. To a woman that came from London with the cors to Norwyche, vis. viii[d].

Payments be Gloys and Calle at Bromholme.

Fyrste. To the Prior, be my masters bequest, xls. To ix. monks, eche of them vis. viiid., iiil. To an other monke, who was of the same place, xxd. For brinnyng of the Abbes with the torches, xxd. To the Priors boteler for bred, iis. xd. For wasshyng of napry, xiid. To the boteler for hys reward, xxd. To the baker for cccx. eggs, xixd. To hym for hys reward, iiis. iiiid. To xxviii. bedds with —— of clothys, and wasshyng of the same, vs. To ii. men that fyllyd the grave, viiid. To brueng of v. kome malte, xxd. For ix. pownd candyl, xid. To the clerks of Bromholm, viiid. For viii. peces of peuter lost of the Priors, xxd. Geven among the men of the bakhouse, xxd. To the parisshe schyrche of Bromholm, xs. To xii. schyrchys, ls. viiid. To the prest that cam with the cors from London, iiis. iiiid. To servytors that awaytyd upon hym by the komawndment of W. Paston, xxid. To Playters for hys offering, iiiid. To the vyker of Upton, iis. To the sexton of Bromholm for xxii. crossys geven to Marget and Modeley, per John Paston, iiiis. vid. To xiiii. rynggars, viis. To xxiiii. servertors, eche of them iiiid., viiis. To lxx. servertors, eche of them iiid., xviis. vid. Paid to Dawbeny for servertors, viis. For fyshh the day after the enterment, vis. xd. For vi. barells bere, xiis. For a roundlet of red wine of xv. gallonys, &c., xiis. xid. To a hors hyer for iii. days for Sir James, xiid. For a quarter malte, vs. For iiii. bushels wete, xxxiid. For a quarter of otys, iis. viiid. For x. kombe malte brueng, xld. For the boord of Rychard Hermer, wrythe, iii. days, and for hys hyer the sayde tyme, xiiid. ob. For William Yonge, barbor, v. days mete and drynke, and hys hyer the sayde tyme, xvid. For vi. pownd candyl, viid. ob. To xii. pore men beryng torches from London to Norfolk be vi. day, is., takyng eche of them on the day iiiid., and for iii. dayes in goyng homerward, takynge every day vid. Geven to Martyn Savage and Denschers awaytyng upon my master at London be vii. dayes before that he was caryed, iis. xd. For bred bowthe, xxiiiis. For vii. barels bere, xviis. vid. For a barel of the grettest assyse, iiis. iiiid. For iiii. barells of alee, xiiis. iiiid. For bred and alee for xii. men that bare torches, xiiid. ob. To a dole at Bromholm, vl. xiiis. iiiid. To William Colens, one of the botelers at Bromholm, xiid. To Wate Webster, another boteler, xiid. To Greg. Worsteler, one of the porters at Bromholm, iiiid. The parson at Mauteby,228.1 and Sir Thomas Lynes, to the prestes at the deryge at Bromholm, xliiis. In almesse, xlviis. vid.; more, xxs. To the glaser for takyn owte of ii. panys of the wyndows of the schyrche for to late owte the reke of the torches at the deryge, and sowderyng new of the same, xxd. [This part of the roll, according to Blomefield, or his continuator, seemed to be written by Gloys, above mentioned, in an indifferent hand. The remainder is in a very neat and curious old hand, which was supposed to be that of Margaret Paston.]

Vittelles bought by Richard Charles.

First. For xxvii. gees, xviis. For xxvii. frankyd gees, vis. viiid. lxx. caponnes, xviis. viid. For xxix.228.2 xvii. chekons, xvis. vid. For x. chekons, xd. For xli. pygges, xiiis. xd. For xlix. calvys, iiiil. xiiis. iiiid. For xxxiiii. lambys, xxviis. iid. For xxii. shep, xxxviis. vd. x. nete, iiiil. xvis. id. For ii. napronnes to Richard Lynstede, xd. For claretts and fawcetts, vid. MCCC. eggs, vis. vid. For xx. galons milk, xxd. For viii. galons creme, iis. viiid. For iiii. pints of butter, iiiid. For i. quarter and ii. bushels of whete mele, viis. xd. To the parson of Crostweyt for i. quarter of whete, vis. For xiiii. galons of ale, iis. To a labourer for iii. days, xiid. To xxiiii. galons of ale, iiiis. For xiii. salt fysshe, iiiis. iiiid. For the purveying of bred, ale, and fysshe, iiis. iiiid. To William Reynolds for lodgyng of Master Prowet, the Prior of the White Freres, the parson of Mautby, Sir Thomas Lynds, and other, by ii. nyghtis, vid. For bred, ale, and possets to the same persons, vid. To Herman, fleying bests by iii. days, iis., and to John Foke, by iii. days, xxd. For purveying of all the velys, lambes, x. beefins, certain piggs and polaly [poultry], xld.

Bill of the Prior of Bromholm.

Memorandum. The Prior toke to bord diverse persons laboryng abought the enterment, begynnyng the Thursday in Pentecost weke, the vi. yere of Kyng Edward the iiiith.

On Thursday I229.1 find 3 persons who had xiid. for their board and hire; on Friday 5 who had xvd.; on Saturday 8 who had xxiiid. On Monday all were employed; and on the day after I find 4 to be allowed for their board iiiid. ob., and for their hires vd.,—ixd. ob. Delivered by the Prior to Richard Charles:—Fyrst, v. quarters of otes, xiiis. iiiid.; v. swyne, xiis. vid.; ii. bushel of mestlyn, xvd.; v. pownd of candell, vd.; xx. quarters of malte, xiiis. iiiid., and with gryndyng and brewyng, xviiis. For a cartfull of hey, iiis. iiiid. For ii. swyne, vs. For ii. bushel otes, viiid. For a quarter of herryng, vid. For half a quarter makerell, viid. ob. To the parson of St. Peters for his fee of the wax abought the coors, beside ii. candels of i. lb. and i. hert candel of a pound, xxd. At my masters xxx. day for offeryng, id. Geven to churches and in almes by Gresham, toward Bromholm, v. marks. To the clerk of St. Peters of Hungate230.1 his felaship for ryngyng when the coors was in the church, xiid. To Dawbeney for bests and other stuffe for the enterment, xxl. To him in gold for to chaunge into small mony for the dole, xll. To W. Pecok, in iii. bags to bere to Bromholm, in copper, the 20th day, xxvi. marks. To Medeley for his reward, iiii. marks, and the same to Maryot. To Maryot for costs he bare by the way to Bromholm, iiil. xiid. More to Medeley for mony paid by him, xlis. xd. To the keper of the inne where myne husband dyed, for his reward, xxs. To Paston chirch, xs. To Bakton chirch, vis. viiid. To Gresham the London carrier, in full payment for the Chaundeler of London, vl. xixs. iiiid. More in almes mony, vis. viiid. More for wyne and bere, vii. marks. To the parson of St. Peters, vis. viiid. For wyne for the seingers when the coors was at Norwich, xxs. To Skolehouse in part of his bille for torches and wax made at Bromholm, for to brenne upon the grave, iiii. marks. For x. yerds of narow blak for the viker of Dallynge and Robert Gallawey, and for iii. yerds and quarter of brod cloth for Illee, xxs. xd. To Freton chirch, vis. viiid. For a cope called a frogge of worsted for the Prior of Bromholm, xxvis. viiid. For bred at the enterment, ixs. In almes, viiis. iiiid. In wyne and spices, ls. To Dom. John Loveday for cloth for a ridyng cope for himself, xiiiis. iid. To the makyng of Redham Stepill, viiis. iiiid. To John Orford, wax chandeler, for xii. torches and one candell of i. lb., lvs. iid. ob. To John Dewe for grey lynen cloth and sylk frenge for the hers, vil. xvis. iid. Given to the Austeners at the chapter at the . . . . . . of Yarmouth, lxxvs. To Daubeney for to kepe the yere day at Bromholm the first yere after his dethe, viiil. iis. iiiid. Given at Castor to xxv. howsholders, every houshold iiid. the said tyme, vis. iiid. To viii. pore men the said tyme, xviiid. To the master of the College the said tyme, vis. viiid. To Master Clement Felmyngham the said tyme, vis. viiid. To viii. prests at Castor the said tyme, iis. viiid. To childern in surplices and other pore folk at the said tyme, xiiid. To the parson of Hungate, vis. viiid. To the said parson for a certeyn231.1 unto Mighelmesse next after the said yere day, viiis. viiid. To Skolous, wax chandeler, for makyng of the hers at Bromholm, xxiil. ixs. viiid. To Philip Curson, draper, for cloths, ixl. iiis. ob. To Aubrey, draper, xxxiiiis. For a quarter of makerell, xiid. To the Prior of Bromholm for malte spent at the enterment, xls. For light kept on the grave, xs. Geven at Cristemasse next after the said yereday, to eche of the iiii. orders of friers, xs.,—xls. To the vyker of Dallyng for bryngyng home of a pardon from Rome, to pray for alle our frends sowles, viiis. iiiid. For a black gowne to the said viker, viiis.

To Master Clement Felmyngham the said tyme text has “Mastkr”: corrected from Blomefield

638 FASTOLF’S GOODS231.2

1466

Declaracio bonorum mobilium Johannis Fastolf militis ad manus Johannis Paston armigeri deveniencium et possidencium tam ex liberacione Thomæ Howys, Rectoris de Pulham, unius executoris dicti militis, quam ex Rapto aliorum hominum serviencium et tenencium suorum. Ac valorem in possessione dominiorum maneriorum terrarum et tenementorum suorum in eorum prima perquisicione per dictum militem solutorum et per heredem dicti Paston clameatorum pro nichilo solvendo, cum custubus edifficacionis eorundem. Et pro quibus omnibus supra specificatis executores dicti militis petiunt de heredibus et executoribus dicti Johannis Paston, solucionem restitucionem ac satisfacionem de dampnis occasione hujusmodi retencionis.

In primis.

Die octava mensis Novembris anno xxxviij. Regni Regis Henrici Sexti, videlicet tercio die post obitum Johannis Fastolf militis, Thomas Howys clericus, co-executor dicti Johannis Fastolf, deliberavit Johanni Paston armigero de bonis dicti Johannis Fastolf existentibus ad tunc sub salva custodia in abbathia Sancti Benedicti de Hulmo de parte majoris summe in auro, videlicet in nobilibus antiquis boni et justi ponderis ij^ml. cccc. nobilia, precii nobile viijs. iiijd., faciunt m^lli., et alia vice in moneta argenti xxiiijli. xvijs. ijd.; unde summa m^l.xxiiijli. xvijs. ijd.

Item, idem Thomas liberavit Johanni Paston dicto mense Novembris apud Norwicum, de vasis argenti diversarum specierum ad tunc habitarum extra thesauraium dicti militis manerij de Castre, iiij^ml. xxiij. unciarum ponderis Troie, precium uncie ijs. xd., faciunt v^c.lxixli. xviijs. vjd. Et eidem Johanni apud Norwicum alia vice, de vasis argenti, ponderis lvij. unciarum, precium uncie ut supra, vijli. iiijs. xd. Et eidem Johanni alia vice apud dictum Castre liberantur de vasis argenti Cxij. unciarum precium ut supra xvli. xvijs. iiijd.; unde summa v^c.iiij^xx.viijli. viijd.

Item, idem Thomas liberavit eidem Johanni Paston apud Norwicum dicto mense Novembris, in cyphis et vasis auri triati et finati, iij^xx.xv. unciarum ponderis Troie, precium uncie xls. Clli.

Item, idem Thomas liberavit dicto Johanni ad faciendum certum prestitum comiti de Salysberye de bonis dicti Johannis Fastolf, unde idem Johannes Paston habet sufficientem securitatem et obligacionem Episcopi Norwicensis xxxiijli. vjs. viijd. Et consimili modo liberavit dicto Johanni ad faciendum certum prestitum domino de Fitzwater, unde idem Johannes habet sufficientes securitates, xxxiijli. vjs. viijd. lxvjli. xiijs. iiijd.

Item, dictus Johannes Paston cepit de bonis dicti militis existentibus sub custodia Willelmi Worcetyr, contra agreamentum suum, et tradita per ipsum ad salvo custodiendum Thome Plummer de London scryvaner et Johanni Gressham de eadem capper, videlicet in vasis argenti diversarum specierum m^l.viij^c.iiij^xx.x. unciarum, precium uncie ut supra, CClxviijli. vs. Et consimiliter cepit cyphum coopertum de puro auro ponderis Troie xxiij. unc’, j. quart. di., precium uncie xls., xlvjli. xvs. Et similiter cepit unam cathenam auri puri, ponderis Troie xxiij. unc’ et dimidii, precium unc’ ut supra xlvijli. CCClxijli.

Item, idem Johannes Paston cepit consimili modo de bonis dicti militis traditis Willelmo Worcetyr ad custodiendum, dicto mense Novembris, videlicet London, apud domum dicti Thome Plummer, ultra Cxlli. per dictum Worcestre solutas pro panno nigro pro liberatis togarum datis erga funeralia dicti militis, et pro serico pro baneretis pictis cum armis, necnon pro vino et speciebus, videlicet viij^c.j. nobilia antiqua boni et justi ponderis, precium nobile viijs. iiijd., iij^c.xxxiijli. xvs. Et liberantur dicto Johanni Paston per manus dicti Thome Howys, London, de moneta tradita in custodia dicti Thome Plummer lxijli. xjs. iiijd.; pro toto CCCiiij^xx.xvjli. vjs. iiijd.

Item, dictus Johannes Paston cepit consimili modo de Willelmo Worcestre certa notabilia monilia et jocalia auri cum lapidibus preciosis garnizata, videlicet unum monile ditissimum vocata Anglice a White Rose nuper domini ducis Eborum233.1 cum magno precioso lapide vocato a poynted dyamant, qui in prima empcione constabat, ut dicitur iiij^or m^l. marcarum, ac alia duo jocalia nuper dicti domini ducis tradita in plegio quando dictus Johannes Fastolf obligatus fuit pro dicto duce in tribus milibus libris executoribus cardinalis Anglie233.2 super certis denariis prestitis dicto duci, et unde idem, dominus dux debebat dicto Johanni Fastolf in denariis prestitis CCCClxvjli. xiijs. iiijd. Et pro aliis justis causis CClxvjli. xiijs. iiijd. Et predicta tria jocalia per assensum dicti domini ducis sub sigillo armorum in scriptis tradita assignata fuerunt dicto Johanni Fastolf ut bona sua propria ad vendendum et disponendum in recompensacione debiti sui et aliis magnis laboribus et vexacionibus dicti militis pro dicto duce sustentatis et habitis dum modo locum tenens pro Rege fuit in Francia, ac postea in Anglia vij^c.xxxiijli. vjs. viijd.

Item, predictus Johannes Paston recepit exitus et proficua omnium maneriorum, terrarum et tenementorum dicti militis in comitatibus Norffolk, Suffolk, Essex et Surrie per manus ministrorum et servorum sine consensu executorum dicti militis, diversis annis ex quo obiit, per propinquam estimacionem m^l.vj^c.lxvjli. xiijs. iiijd.

Item, dictus Johannes Paston recepit diversa alia catalla et bestias dicti militis, videlicet equos et palefridos principales suos valoris xxxli. ac oves et animalia minuta cubancia in pasturis de Castre et aliis maneriis, videlicet ij^m.iiij^c.lvj. oves diversorum generum precium capitis xiiijd. Cxliijli. vs. iiijd. Et in precio xiij. magnarum bestiarum vjli. Et in valore vj^m. cuniculorum apud Warennam de Haylysdon anno quo dictus miles obiit per Warennarios ibidem per propinquam estimacionem assessatos precium m^l. xvs., xlvli. Similiter in precio vellerum lane ovium de stauro suo apud Haylysdon ante obitum suum remanencium, xxvjli. xiijs. iiijd. per ipsum recept’ CClli. xviijs. viijd.

Item, idem Johannes Paston recepit apud Castre predictam stuffuram et ordinacionem pro defensione patrie in artilleria, videlicet colubrinas librillas234.1 diversorum magnitudinum cum cameris in decem carectis oneratis ac in curassys, brigandinis jakkis, salectis, basnetes, habourjonnys, lanceis, crossebowes de calibe [chalybe], longbowes, arcubus, sagittis, gonnepowder, gonnestonys, et cetera hujusmodi defensibilia valoris Clli.

Item, recepit apud Castre per supervisum dicti Thome Howys in valore librorum pertinencium capelle ac in utenciliis garderobe dicti militis ibidem, videlicet in costeris et lectis de pluma et coopertoria de arras et tapestria ac penulis de martys cum togis necnon utencilia aule camerarum coquine et cetera hujusmodi, ut per billam de particulis patet, Cxxjli. vijs. iiijd. Et simili modo de utenciliis Warderobe et camerarum remanencium apud manerium suum in Suthwerk, valoris xxli., Cxljli. vijs. iiijd.

Item, dictus Johannes recepit per manus dicti Thome Howys, Willelmi Paston, Thome Playter, Thome Plummer de London, scryvaner, Christofori Hansson armigeri et Luce Nantron ad diversas vices tam Londoniis quam in Suthwerk, ut patet per billam de parcellis, Ciiijli. xjs. viijd.

Item, idem Willelmus Worcestre mense Julii anno v^to regni Regis Edwardi quarti solvit uxori dicti Thome Plumer pro debito dicti Johannis Paston ut pro panno nigro ac prestita facta et liberaciones argenti fact’ suo mandato diversis personis, xxxijli.

Item, idem Johannes recepit in valore et precio panni lanei nigri coloris per ipsum dati diversis hominibus de affinitate sua propria, ultra Clijli. ut in precio panni lanei nigri coloris provisi et dati amicis et servientibus dicti Johannis Fastolf erga funeralia sua tenenda, xlli. Et similiter idem Johannes Paston fecit prefatum Thomam Howys exponere et tradere diversis hominibus in regardis et solucionibus circa propria negocia dicti Paston expedienda London’ et alibi xxxli. xvjs. jd. Et consimiliter idem Johannes fecit dictum Thomam exponere et solvere in expensis victualium hospicii tenti apud Castre anno primo quo idem miles obiit, tam circa extraneos et notos supervenientes de affinitate et amicicia sua sine causa apud Castre Maner trahentes ibidem moram inutilem, ad summam iiij^xx.xli., prout evidenter patebit per certam declaracionem, Clxli. xvjs. jd.

Item, ultra predicta bona sic sibi applicata, prefatus Johannes Paston pretendebat habere et possidere, sine racione et scripto autentiquo, omnia dominia, terras et tenementa dicti militis in comitatibus, Norffolk, Suffolk et Norwico, ac sine solucione alicujus summe que constabant dicto militi in prima empcione ultra edifficaciones et repparaciones dictorum maneriorum, ix^ml.viij^c.li.

Item, considerandum est quod, ultra dictas perquisiciones, edifficacio manerii de Castre velut fortalicium defensionis patrie constabat in triginta annis vj^ml.li. Et edifficacio manerii de Haylysdon, cum clausura bosci et warenne, ac edifficacione duarum domorum vocatarum lez logges apud Haylysdon et Drayton, v^c.xlviijli. xiijs. iiijd. Et custus imparcacionis parci in Cotton cum repparacione manerii iiij^c.li. Et repparacio principalis mesuagii sui in villa de Jernemouth CCli. Edifficacio et repparacio tenementorum suorum in civitate Norwici CCxlli. vij^ml.CCCiiij^xx.viijli. xiijs. iiijd.

Item, ultra ista, prefatus Johannes Paston retinet in custodia sua principales evidencias maneriorum dicti militis vocatorum Dedham Netherhall et Dedham Overhall in comitatu Essex; que quidem maneria, in defectu dictarum evidenciarum per ipsum non prosequutorum a tempore obitus dicti militis pro recuperacione eorundem, et hucusque, existunt extra possessionem, in maximum prejudicium defuncti, pro eo quod dictum manerium vocatum Dedham Netherhall constabat dicto militi in prima empcione m^l.li., et predictum manerium vocatum Dedham Overhall Clxli. Et exitus et proficua dictorum maneriorum que ad manus executorum dicti militis medio tempore non devenerunt secundum ratam xlli. per annum ascendunt ad CCiiij^xx.li. Sic in toto, m^l.iiij^c. xlli.

Item, predictus Johannes Paston ... m^l.vj^c.lxvjli. xiijs. iiijd. “c.” (100) printed as subscript

639 ABSTRACT236.1

Examinations Touching Sir John Fastolf’s Will

1466 MAY and JUNE

A.D. 1466. The following witnesses were examined secretly and apart on behalf of Sir William Yelverton, ‘deceased,’236.2 in the house of the treasurer of St. Paul’s Cathedral by John Druell, LL.D.:—

May 17. John Monke alias Smyth.

19. John Dawson and John Gyrdyng.

20. William Boswell, Robert Inglys, Ric. Horne, and Thos. Pykeryng.

21. Henry Clerke, John Tovy, Thos. Hert, William Shawe, and Nich. Cherche.

22. Thos. Newton, Th. Spycer, and Thos. Neve.

23. John Rugge, John Clerke, and Rob. Bunche.

June 10. Stephen Scrope.

11. Ric. Fastolf.

I. John Monke, a smith of the parish of St. James, Pokethorpe, in Norwich, illiterate, of free condition, thirty-two years old and over, alleges bribery of witnesses by Paston and Howys, who offered to sell John Russe lands at Leystofte at little more than half their value. Howes made Russe a present of salt, barley, and malt to the value of £20, and promised him a full discharge of his account for goods of the testator in his custody to the value of £200 and over. He paid Robert Cutteler, vicar of Caster, ‘colore cujusdam ultimi vale dicti testatoris prius non debite’ (sic), money and corn to the value of 20 marks, and promised to present him to the living of Mawdeby whenever Thomas Howse resigned it. They gave Felmyngham an annuity of 8 marks, and 40s. to a boy who is his servant. They gave Robert Boteler a fee (feodum) of 5 marks [a year] for life, and the farm of a close called Mawdeby close, besides some other gifts which are specified. Hence the said John Russe, Rob. Cutteler, Clement Felmyngham, and Rob. Butteler, falsely deposed in answer to the second interrogatory that on the Saturday before the testator’s death they were present in a certain low room (bassa camera) in the manor of Caister, where the testator was principally between the hours of 8 and 11 A.M., and that with them were the said John Paston and John Brakley, and no others; for in reality there were present in the chamber with the testator on that day, and especially during those hours, the said Rob. Fitzrauf, Nich. Newman, and John Loer continually, and the said Dan John Davye, Dan Thomas Howys, Friar John Bernard, physician, and Henry Barbour, and several others [at intervals]. Moreover, Cutteler, Felmyngham, and Butteler, said Russe was present on that occasion, whereas both he and Cutteler were in other places. Moreover, bribes were given by Paston and Howes in various forms during the months of January, February, and March 1462[-3], and at other times in the parishes of Caister and Yarmouth, and in the city of London, to Ralph Lampet, brother William Bukenham, and the said Rob. Cutteler. Paston promised to promote Bukenham to the priory of Yarmouth, and also, as a reward for his testimony, to give him 13 acres of the testator’s land in Scroudby and Caister called Isabell, to the use of the prior and convent of Norwich. Hence the testimony of these witnesses was false, that Fastolf, about the beginning of Autumn five years ago, had made to John Paston estate and feoffment and livery of seisin of his manor of Caister, and other lands in Cos. Norf. and Suff., and the city of Norwich, to the use of the said testator while he lived, and afterwards to that of the said John Paston and his heirs; for if any such thing was done (which is not admitted) it was on the 16th October 1457, in the 36th year of Henry VI., after the Autumn of the said year, and not to the use of Paston and his heirs, but to the use of Fastolf himself, and for the accomplishment of his will. Further, the testimony of Russe, Cutteler, Bukenham, Felmyngham, and Butteler was untrue as to the alleged will of Fastolf that John Paston should obtain the King’s license for the foundation of a college at Caister. It was in truth Fastolf’s will that the executors should obtain the King’s license to found a college there of seven Benedictine monks of the same profession as the monastery of St. Benet at Hulme, of whom one should be prior, and of seven poor men, and that they should be endowed out of his lands to the extent of 300 marks a year, all charges deducted, to pray for the soul of Lady Milicent, his wife, his parents and benefactors; and if the executors were unable to obtain this license, they were to give the abbot and convent of St. Benet’s lands and money for the maintenance of six new monks and seven poor men in that monastery with a like object. Further, it is not true as alleged that on Saturday before his death, viz., 3rd Nov., between eight and eleven A.M., the testator openly declared his will with a clear voice in the hearing of bystanders, for he was so ill and weak from want of breath that he was unable to speak distinctly at any time that whole day, especially during the hours above mentioned.

Moreover, bribes were offered by Paston and Howes in May and June 1465, in the parishes of Caister and Yarmouth, and in the city of London, to Thomas Thorald, Robert Lawes, Will. Waterman, John Osbern, John Heydon, Will. Pykeryng, John Symmys, and John Shawe, for their testimony in this matter, viz. that they should have 20s. besides travelling expenses and divers other sums which were offered to them in Paston’s name by Cutteler, vicar of Caister, and Ric. Calle; and John Paston promised the said William Pykeryng that he should recover certain lands in the tenure of his brother John Pykeryng, in Fylby, to the value of 40s. Influenced by these bribes, Thos. Thorald deposed that on the Saturday before Fastolf’s death, Bartholomew Elys and John Davys came to his house in Belton, two miles and more from Yarmouth, about eight A.M., when he was in his grange, and asked him to come with them to divers manors of the said Sir John, to receive certain grain from his farmers; after which they drank in Thorald’s house, and he went with them to Freton, and to the manor called Calcote hall, and other places in Lothynlond until midday. Robert Lawes also deposed that on Friday before Fastolf’s death he went to Becclys, and next day, viz. Saturday, returning homeward (rediens domorsum), met on the way the said Bartholomew Elis, John Davy, and Thomas Thorald going to Freton, when Davy called him and bade him tell Thomas Howys or John Rus that on Monday or Tuesday next he would go to Caister and give an account of his stewardship. Afterwards, about two P.M., Lawes came to Caister and told John Rus his business in the absence of Howys. But the said William Waterman, being bribed as aforesaid, falsely declares that on the Saturday before Fastolf’s death Barth. Elys and John Davy came to his house at Gorlyston about seven A.M., and that he went with them to Thorald’s house, and that they went and spoke with Thorald at the grange while he waited for them at the gate. Afterwards they all entered the hall of Thomas Thorald and drank beer together, and all four went together to Calcote-halle and waited there till ten A.M., when Watyrman left the other three and returned home. And about two P.M. Elys and Davy returned and drank beer at Watyrman’s house. But the truth is that Elys and Davy were at Yarmouth that day from seven till past eleven A.M.

Further, John Osberne, Will. Pykerynge, and John Heydon were corrupt witnesses. John Osberne said that on Saturday before the Feast of St. Leonard, when Fastolf was ill of his last illness, the said Osberne, Pykerynge, and Heydon came to Caister to receive certain monies of John Rus for barley sold to him by Osberne; that about eight A.M. they entered the hall of the manor and found Robert Hert and others, servants of Fastolf, sitting at breakfast; and that John Russe immediately came to Osberne and talked to him about the payment. At last Russe took them into the claustrum, and leaving them, entered Fastolf’s chamber; then, after remaining two hours and more, returned into the claustrum and delivered the money to Osbern. This testimony was confirmed by Heydon and Pykeryng; but the truth is that Russe that Saturday, from seven till near twelve o’clock (a principio horæ septimæ usque ad finem horæ undecimæ), and Robert Hert from seven to ten A.M., were at Yarmouth, three miles off.

Further, John Symmys and John Shawe were corrupt witnesses, the former saying that Robert Hert was present in the said manor-house of Caister at eight A.M. on the said day, and even at nine o’clock at dinner-time (tempore prandii), and that he saw the said Robert Hert sitting among Fastolf’s other servants at breakfast (jentaculum); and that he (Symmys) and Henry Wynstall, Fastolf’s barber, were occupied together in shoeing horses in the said manor from breakfast-time aforesaid to dinner-time, and that at dinner-time Symmys saw the said Henry sitting in the hall with others; and that on the said Saturday, about eight A.M., and even at noon, Symmys saw John Rus in the hall of the said manor. Also John Shawe deposed that on the Saturday before Fastolf’s death he saw John Rus and Henry Wynstall in the hall of the said manor, both at eight A.M. at breakfast and at dinner at midday, and he also saw Robert Hert, porter at the gate of the manor, at those hours; and that between breakfast and dinner Shawe and Wynstall were occupied along with John Symmys in shoeing Sir John’s horses. But the truth is that both Rus and Hert were absent as above-mentioned, and Wynstall was with Fastolf in his chamber from nine A.M. to half-past ten. Also Symmys, William Pykeryng, Heydon, Osberne, and Lawes were all absent the whole of that Saturday, and certainly between eight and eleven A.M. And notwithstanding that the contrary is alleged against them, John Davy, Barth. Elys, John Bokkyng, John Davy, chaplain, Thos. Upton, Nich. Newman, John Loer, Wm. Eton, Robert Lynne, John Marshall, Wm. Lynne, Henry Wynstall, Robert Hert, and Robert Fitzrauff, gave honest testimony in behalf of Yelverton and Worceter, being men of good repute, sufficiently rich, and well worthy of credit.

Additional exceptions on the part of Yelverton and Worcester to the testimony of John Rus and Clement Felmyngham, showing that Paston had offered to let to the former a tenement in Yarmouth for less than its true value, and had promised the latter 100 marks for the Austin Friars at South-Town,239.1 which was not bequeathed in Fastolf’s will; also that he had given Master Robert Popy, besides his expenses, 20 marks for his testimony, and remitted to him 10s. of the rent of a fishery which was five years in arrear, and that he had also released to him 40 marks of a penalty of 100 marks due by Popy upon a bond; in consequence of which Popy deposed that on the 30th October three years previously,240.1 John Paston had reported to him at Caister that he had made an agreement with Fastolf by which he was to have all Fastolf’s lands in Norfolk, Suffolk, and the city of Norwich, after his death, paying for the same 4000 marks, and was to found a college in the manor, etc.; on hearing which Popy returned to Fastolf, and related to him what Paston had said to him, and Sir John confirmed it, requesting him to show the same goodwill towards Paston, as he had done to himself. But in truth Fastolf never asserted or confirmed any such thing.

Answers to interrogatories by the same deponent, viz.—1. As to his knowledge of the parties and witnesses.

2. As to the alleged instances of bribery, and the absence of Rus on the day referred to. The latter fact deponent says he knows, because he and Rus lay together in the chamber of Thomas Howys, and on Friday before Fastolf’s death Rus went to Yarmouth to buy victuals, and left with him the key of the chamber, Howys being then at Blowfeld; and Rus remained at Yarmouth all that Friday and the Saturday following, and returned on Sunday.

4. As to the condition of Fastolf on the Saturday before his death. He was so weak for want of breath that he could not speak distinctly; those about him could not hear what he said without inclining their ears to his mouth, and even then they could hardly understand him. And this deponent says he knows, because on Friday and Saturday before his death he was frequently in Sir John’s chamber, and when people spoke to him to comfort him in his illness he only answered by sighs, so that deponent and others could not tell what he meant. Moreover, Sir John was accustomed when in health daily to say certain prayers with his chaplain, but on that day the chaplain said the service alone, while Fastolf lay on his bed and said nothing.

6. As to Russe and Hert being at Yarmouth, he says he heard Thomas Howys that Saturday morning order the latter to take horse and ride thither to get provisions for the household, and he saw him ride out of the manor accordingly about seven A.M., and also saw him return with the provisions about ten A.M. [In the margin here is written ‘Nititur deponere de absencia Hert, sed non probat.’]

7. Knows that Henry Wynstall was absent from the hall of the manor from about nine to half-past ten, for he saw him enter the chamber with his instruments to shave Sir John, and wait there an hour and a half, and he could not have left without deponent seeing him. Moreover, John Symmys did not shoe horses in the manor that Saturday, for deponent had the custody of the forge and kept the keys.

Answers to another set of interrogatories proposed on behalf of Paston and Howes, and here quoted at length, to the following effect, viz.: 1. Where each witness has lived since he was born, and whether he be in the service of the party producing him? 2. As to his knowledge of the witnesses on the other side? 3. What particulars he can give as to any bribery he imputes to them, and what was its special object? 4. By what means he knew it, and by whom he has been asked to give testimony, and whether he has conferred with his fellow-witnesses; whether they have received instructions what to depose; how often he has come up to London to give evidence and returned without being called; and how much he was promised for coming? 5. Each witness is to declare how he knows the facts, and to be charged not to reveal to the others on what subjects he was questioned.

The only point of interest in these replies is that deponent was asked by William Worcester in the city of Norwich on Sunday eight days to give his testimony in the cause. He denies all communication with his fellow-witnesses, &c.

Note.—The evidence of this first witness runs to five or six times the length of any other, and we have noted all the material points in it. Of the depositions of the others we shall not give any summary, but mention briefly any new statements that seem to be of interest:—

II. John Dawson, husbandman (agricultor), of Blowfeld, where he has been for four years, having formerly lived five years in the manor of Caister, and before that in Cambridge three years, literatus, liberæ conditionis, about thirty years old.

His testimony generally agrees with that of Monke, and he says the covenant of Akethorpe was made in the February before Fastolf’s death. Between Christmas and Easter after his death deponent heard Howes in the manor of Caister say to Robert Cutteler the vicar that he should have 6 marks for his labour in giving evidence about Fastolf’s will; and afterwards Howes in his chamber in the said manor paid him 6 marks. Paston also promised him a benefice worth 40 marks. He says, about a month before Fastolf’s death, he heard Howes and Paston frequently repeat publicly in the household the tenor of Sir John Fastolf’s will. About St. John Baptist’s day last he was at Yarmouth, and heard John Symmys and John Shawe say they were hired by Paston and Howes to give evidence in the proving of Fastolf’s will.

III. John Gyrdynge of Fretenham, where he has lived four years; before which time he lived with the Prior of St. Faith’s two years, before that in the manor of Caster four years, before that with John Emeryngale of Wroxham two years, and before that in Norwich as an apprentice with Henry Toke five years; a cook, illiterate and of free condition, thirty-two years old and over.241.1 Agrees with the evidence of corruption against Rus and others. Was present in Fastolf’s room that Saturday forenoon, and saw the two chaplains celebrating mass. H. Wynstall the barber was present till ten A.M.

IV. William Boswell of Thetford, who was four years with Friar Bracley, &c., literatus, of free condition, thirty years old and more. Heard Howys, Paston, and Rus frequently confer at Caister about the sale of a house in Yarmouth, which Howys, at the request of Paston, at length granted to Rus at £20 less than its value, to the end that Rus might bear witness in their favour and in the proving of Fastolf’s will. [Here occurs a marginal note by another hand, ‘Male sonat. Quod alius consensit non probatur.’ At the head of this deposition also it is said that this witness has been proved corrupt.]

V. Robert Inglys of Lodon, gentleman, who has lived there two years, and before that in the parish of Hopton three years, before that with Henry None, Esq., for more than a year, before that with Sir John Fastolf two years, before that with the Abbot of Langley two years, and before that in Hopton with his father; illiterate, and of free condition, thirty years old and more.

VI. Richard Horne of Brundall, Norwich diocese, husbandman (agricultor), who has lived there four years, and before that with Thomas Howys six years, and before that in the parish of St. George, Southwark, three years; illiterate, of free condition, twenty-six years old.

VII. Thomas Pykeryng of Wroxham, Norwich diocese, who has been a schoolmaster at Norwich and Aylesham, and is now clerk to Robert Norwich, steward of the Abbot of St. Benet’s, Hulme.

VIII. Henry Clerke of Blowfeld, husbandman (agricultor), once in the service of Sir John Fastolf, illiterate, twenty-eight years old, of free condition. Says that on the Saturday before Fastolf’s death Howys sent him and John Shawe to Yarmouth about seven A.M., with a cart-load of malt to one named Chirche; that they arrived about eight, and were spoken to by John Rus and Robert Cutteler in the market-place; that they waited with their cart till two P.M., when deponent took leave of Russ and Cutteler in the street, having repeatedly seen them there in the interval. Also that at eight and nine A.M. he saw Robert Hert in Yarmouth, who soon after his arrival delivered him a sack containing meat, bought, as he said, by Rus for Fastolf’s household. He says also that between eight and nine he spoke with the said John Symmys, William Pykeryng, and John Osbern in Yarmouth.