THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV (continued 2)
Reading edition
Item, I bequethe to Marie Tendalle, my goddoughter, my peir bedys of calcidenys gaudied52.2 with silver and gilt.
Item, I wull that iche of myn other godchilder be rewarded by th’avyse of John Paston, my sone.
Item, I bequeth to Agnes Swan my servaunt, my musterdevelys gown furred with blak, and a girdell of blak harneised with silver gilt and enamelled, and xxs. in money.
Item, to Simon Gerard my silver gobelet cured and a flatt pece with verges gilt, and myn hole litel white bedde in my chapell chaumber at Mauteby with the fetherbedde liche as it is nowe in the seid chapell, with a peire blankettes, a peire shetes, and a pilwe of doune.
Item, to John Heyth a materas with a traunsom, a peire shetes, a peire blankettes, and a coverlight.
Item, I wull that myn housholt be kept after my decesse by half a yer, and that my servauntes wages be truly paied at ther departing, and also that every persone being my servaunt the day of my decesse have a quarter wages beside that they at her departing have do service fore.
Item, I wull that alle suche maners, londes, and tenementes, rentes and services whiche are descended unto me by weye of inheritaunce immediatly after my decesse remayne unto myn heires accordyng to the last wille of Robert Mauteby, Squier, my grauntfader, except suche londes as I have putte in feffement to accomplissh therof my last wille, and except v. marc of annuyte which I have graunted out of the maner of Freton in Suffolk to Edmund Paston, my sone, Katherine his wiff, and Robert, ther sone, for terme of ther lyves.
Item, I bequeth to Anne, my doughter, xli. to hir propre use.
And to Osbern Berney x. marc of the money comyng of the londes by me put in feffement as is beforseid.
Item, I wull that the residewe of the stuffe of myn houshold unbiquothen be divided equally betwen Edmund and William, my sones, and Anne, my doughter.
The residewe of all my godes and catalle and dettes to me owing I yeve and comitte to the good disposicion of myn executours to performe this my testament and last wille, and in other dedes of mercye for my sowle, myn aunceterez sowlez, and alle Cristen sowles, to the most pleaser of God and profit to my sowle.
Of this my testament, I make and ordeyne the seid John Paston, Squier, my sone, Thomas Drentall, clerk, Simon Gerard and Walter Lymyngton myn executours.
And I bequeth to the seid John Paston for his labour xli.
And to iche of myn other executours for their labour v. marc.
In witnesse wherof to this my present testament I have putto my seal. Yevyn day and yer biforseid.
wherof oon is covered the hole bedde punctuation unchanged: missing comma after “covered”?
48.5 48.6 in the body text, footnote markers 5 and 6 are reversed, but see text and footnotes
979 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON54.1
To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston.
1482(?)
Ryght worchepfull modyr, in my most humble wyse I recomand me to yow, besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng. And when I may, I wyll with as good wyll be redy to recompence yow for the cost that my huswyff and I have put yow to, as I am now bond to thank yow for it, whyche I do in the best wyse I can. And, modyr, it pleasyd yow to have serteyn woordys to my wyff at hyr depertyng, towchyng your remembrance of the shortness that ye thynk your dayes of, and also of the mynd that ye have towardes my brethryn and systyr your chyldyr, and also of your servauntes, wher in ye wyllyd hyr to be a meane to me, that I wold tendyr and favore the same. Modyr, savyng your plesure, ther nedyth non enbasatours nor meanys betwyx yow and me; for ther is neyther wyff nor other frend shall make me to do that that your comandment shall make me to do, if I may have knowlage of it; and if I have no knowlage, in good feyth I am excuseabyll bothe to God and yow. And, well remembred, I wot well ye ought not to have me in jelusye for one thyng nor other that ye wold have me to accomplyshe, if I overleve yow; for I wot well non oo man a lyve hathe callyd so oft upon yow as I, to make your wylle and put iche thyng in serteynte, that ye wold have done for your sylff, and to your chyldre and servauntes. Also at the makyng of your wylle, and at every comunycacyon that I have ben at with yow towchyng the same, I nevyr contraryed thyng that ye wold have doon and performyd, but alweyso ffyrd my sylff to be bownde to the same. But, modyr, I am ryght glad that my wyff is eny thyng your favore or trust; but I am ryght sory that my wyff, or eny other chyld or servaunt of your shold be in bettyr favore or trist with yow then my sylff; for I wyll and must forbere and put fro me that, that all your other chyldre, servauntes, prestys, werkmen, and frendys of your that ye wyll ought bequethe to, shall take to theym. And thys have I, and evyr wylbe redy on to, whyll I leve, on my feyth, and nevyr thought other, so God be my helpe, Whom I beseche to preserve yow and send yow so good lyff and longe, that ye may do for youre sylff and me aftyr my dyssease; and I beshrewe ther hertys that wold other or shall cause yow to mystrust, or to be unkynd to me or my frendys.
At Norwyche, thys Monday, with the hand of your sone and trwest servaunt, John Paston.
but alweyso ffyrd my sylff text unchanged: error for “alweys offyrd”?
980 T. CRYNE TO JOHN PASTON55.1
To my wurshepfull and tendrest maister, John Paston, Esquyer.
1482 APRIL 10
Righ wurshepfulle, one of my most kyndest and tenderest, and undeserved most contynuell maister, I recomaunde me to you. And where your trusty maistershep willeth me to come to Norwich, pleas it you I may not; for ever, as in long tyme passed, on Thursday in Esterne Weke, begynne Maister Heydons courtes and letes, the vieu of the halfyere of the houshold accompte, the closyng up fynally of th’accomptes of alle baillievs, so that the resceyvour may make his fynall accompte, which wille extende in alle to xiiij. dayes and more; and to this season is my duete, and elles I shulde not faill your pleasure.
Moreover, pleas it you, my Lord Riviers in his owne persone hath bene atte Hikelyng, and his counseill lerned, and serched his fees for his homages, among which ye be for Begvyles pasture in Somerton, and, I suppose, Wynterton, late Sir John Fastolfes; my maistres your modre for Mawtebyes in Waxham; wherein I beseche you previde, for I have done therein hertofore, asfer as I myght, &c. What it meneth, my lord is sette sore to approwement and husbondry. His counseill hath tolde him he may sette his fynes for respite of homage at his pleasure, &c.
I besech you my maistresse may have worde of this. And oure blessed Lord ever mutte preserve you, and be your governour and defender.
Wreten at Thorplond, this Wednesday in Esterne Weke, fallyng the x. day of Aprill, anno E. iiijti xxij. Your servaunt, T. Cryne.
981 ABSTRACT56.1
1482 OCT. 9
Grant by Margaret Paston to her son Edmund and his wife Catherine and to Robert their son, of an annuity of five marks out of the manor of Freton, Suffolk, with power to distrain for payment.
9 Oct. 22 Edw. IV.
982 MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON56.2
To my right worshipfull master, John Paston, in haste.
1482(?) NOV. 1
Right reverent and worshipfull sir, in my moste umble vice, I recomaunde me unto yow, as lowly as I can, &c. Plese you to wete, John Howes, Alexander Qwharteyn, John Fille, with the parson and the newe myller of Marlyngforthe, have goten Thom’ At Welles carte of Estetodenham, fermour to myn uncle William Paston, Herry Hervy of Meelton Magna, fermour and baly to my seide uncle, Ric. Barkers carte of the seide towne of Meelton, late fermour, and yette is in daunger to57.1 my seide uncle, and William Smythes carte of Brandon juxta Bernham Broom, late fermour and baly, and also in daunger to57.1 my seide uncle, on Monday and Twesday last past, caryed a wey from Merlyngforth in to the place at Seint Edmondes in Norwich, xij. of yowr greete plankes, of the weche they made vj. loodes, beryng a bowte the seide cartes, bowes and gleves, for feere of takyng a wey. Sir, as for yowr servauntes of Marlyngforth, they withholde her catell and hem selfe bothe from the coorte, and come not within the lordship, nor make noon attornment, exept Thom’ Davy and John Water, weche absentyng of the tenauntes is to them a greet hurt and los, for lak of sedyng ther londes with ther wynter corn; besechyng you for Godes sake to remembre som remedy for them.
My Lady Caltorp hath ben at Geppeswich on pilgry mache, and came homward be my Lady of Norffolk, and ther was moche communicacion of yowr mater be twix you and myn uncle, seyng to my Lady Caltorp, ye nede not a gonne to London, ye myght have an ende at home; rememberyng to my seid Lady Caltorp of the mocion that he made towchyng the maner of Sporle, promyttyng to my lady to abyde that, and to write and seale as largely as any man wol desire hym. And at his departyng from my lady he was not mery, what the cauce was I wot not [but he was not mery of your departyng].57.2 My Lady Calthorp desireth me to write to yow to have ende, for he intendes largely to have a peace with yow, as he seth; but truste hym not to moche, for he is not goode.
My mother in lawe thynketh longe she here no word from you. She is in goode heele, blissed be God, and al yowr babees also. I mervel I here no word from you, weche greveth me ful evele; I sent you a letter be Brasiour sone of Norwiche, wher of I here no word. No more to you at this tyme, but Almyghty Jesu have you in Hes blissed kepyng.
Wreten at Norwich, on Allowmes Day at nyght. Be yowr servaunt and bedewoman, Margery Paston.
Sir, I prey yow, if ye tary longe at London, that it wil plese to sende for me, for I thynke longe sen I lay in yowr armes.
983 MARGERY PASTON TO JOHN PASTON58.1
To my ryght wurchupfull mayster, John Paston, Esquyer, be this letter delyverd in hast.
1482 NOV. [3]
Myne owyn swete hert, in my most humylwyse, I recomaund me on to you, desyryng hertly to here of your welfar, the wheche I beseche Alle myghty God preserve and kepe to His plesur, and your hertes desyer.
Ser, the cause of my wrytyng to you at this tyme: on Friday att nyght last past come Alexander Wharton, John Hous, and John Fille, with ij. good carts well mannyd and horsyd with hem to Marlyngford, and there at the maner of Malyngford and at the mille lodyn bothe cartes with mestlyon58.2 and whete, and betymys on Saturday, in the mornyng, they departyd fro Marlyngford towardes Bongey, as it is seyd; for the seyd cartes come fro Bongey, as I soppose, by the sendynge of Bryon, for he goth hastyly over the se, as it is seyd. And as I suppose he wyll have the mestlyon over with hym, for the most part of the cart loodes was mestlyon, &c.
Item, ser, on Saturday last past, I spacke with my cosyn Gornay, and he seyd, if I wold goo to my Lady of Norffolk, and beseche hyr good grace to be your good and gracyous lady, she wold so be, for he seyd that one word of a woman should do more than the wordes of xx. men, yiffe I coude rewyll my tonge, and speke non harme of myn unkyll. And if ye comaund me so for to do, I trist I shuld sey nothynge to my ladys displesure, but to your profyt; for me thynkyth bi the wordes of them and of your good fermore of Oxned, that thei wyll sone drawe to an ende. For he cursyth the tyme that ever he come in the ferme of Oxned, for he seyth that he wotyth well that he shall have a grette losse, and yet he wyll not be a knowyn wheder he hathe payd or nought; but whan he sethe his tyme, he wyll sey trowth.
I understond by my seyd cosyn Gornay that my lady is nere wery of hyr parte, and he seyth my lady shal come on pylgremage in to this towne, but he knowth not wheder afore Cristmes or aftyr; and if I wold thanne gete my Lady Calthorpe, my moder in lawe, and my moder, and myselfe, and come before my lady, besechyng hyr to be your good and gracyous lady, he thynkyth ye shull have an ende; for fayne she wold be redde of it with hyr onowr savyd, but yette money she wold have.
No more to you at this tyme, butte I mervell sore that I have no letter from you, but I prey God preserve you, and send me good tydynges from you, and spede you well in your materes. And as for me, I have gotyn me anothyr logyn felawe, the ferst letter of hyr name is Mastras Byschoppe. She recomaundyth hyr to you by the same tokyn that ye wold have had a tokyn to my Mayster Bryon.
Att Norwych, the Sonday next after the Fest of All Seyntes. Be yowr servaunt and bedewoman, Margery Paston.
984 B. R. TO JOHN PASTON60.1
To the right worshipfull John Paston, squier, with my lord Chamburlayn.
1479-83
Right worshipfull sir, y recommaunde me to you, as hartily as y can, desiring to undrestand zour welefare, and also to knowe somwhat certainly hou your matier dothe with your uncle, and hou fer ye be, for in thes parties y assertayne you, moche mater is shewed and proclaimed in worshipful presence, fer fro th’entent of your welewillers, of the discorage and reprofe in maner of you, and by such as men supposed you to have ben right wele favoured with, and the contrary shewed in the presence of right worshipfull, and right many, and as it is said, iij. scor in nombre, with such termes and under such forme, as it is reported, as is full hevy to diverse here for to here. Hou it is ye knowe beste, and hou it is I pray you lete your frendis in this cuntre undirstand; for right a worshipfull persone told me of this, to the which y coude not answer, I se al day the world so unsure. But, Sir, ye did of policy some thingis that peradventure, and it were to do, ye wold take anothir avise, &c. I can nomore but sapienti pauca, &c. And I biseche you, Sir, send me some tidingis of the parties beyonde the se, for owr wyves here speke of many thingis, &c. Moreovir, Sir, Margarete Ronhale told me late that my maistres your wif fareth wele, blissed be Almighti God, and all your other frendis here, blissed be God. Sir, it is so that, as y am enformed, there is a soudiour of Caleis called John Jacob, of olde tyme duelling in Lynne.60.2 I pray you to inquir secretly what maner man he ys, and in what condicion there, for I know a man hath to do with him; but be ye beknowen of no thinge, but that ye list wisely to enquere what he is and of what condicion, &c. And if there be any thing in thies parties that y can do you service yn, I pray you commaunde you, and I shalbe as redy to the accomplisshment therof to my power, as any man lyvyng; and that knowith God, Who I biseche to send me good tidingis fro you, and you your noble desires. From Weston. By yours, B. R.
985 WILLIAM PASTON AND SIR JOHN FASTOLF61.1
To alle maner of pepill to whome this present wrytyng shall come unto, se, or here, we, William Barker, late of Blofeld, in the cownte of Norffolk, clark, and Margret Wyssetour, wedow, late the wyf of William Wyssetyr, late of Pokethorp, be Norwich, gentylman, dyssesid, send gretyng in our Lord God Everlastyng.
For as meche as it is merytory to wytnesse and testyfy the treuth in materes dowtabill or beyng in varyaunce, whan ony persons is lefully ther to requyred, It is so that I, the seid William Barker, was late howshold servaunte be the space of xxj. yere with Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, dyssesid, and had wedded Annes, late dyssesid, that was the hoole syster, bothe on to Sir Thomas Howes, clerk, dyssesid, and also hoole syster to Isabell, modyr to the seid Margret Wyssetyr, which forseid Thomas Howys and William Wyssetyr were bothe howshold servauntes many yerys to the seid Sir John Fastolf, and were with hym in such syngler trust that he made them bothe his feoffes in alle his landes with in the reame of Ynglond, and also his exsecutores: Be it knowen to alle maner persons that we, the seid William Barker and Margret Wyssetyr, testyfy, depose, and wytnesse for trouthe that we have full serteyn prof and knowlache that William Paston, of the seid counte of Norffolk, jentylman, was kynnysman unto the seid Sir John Fastolf, and was with hym in ryght syngler gode favour and trust; wherupon the seid Sir John Fastolf made the seid William Paston one of his seid feoffes in all his seyd maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servyces with in this seid reame of Ynglond, and made this seid William prevy to many of his materys of gret charge, and putt the seid William Paston to many lawbores in his lyf, which the seid William Paston ded of gode love and kynd dysposycion, for he never had of the seid Sir John Fastolf fee ne reward in hys lyf; notwithstondyng he had for the seid Syr John Fastolf and for his materes many grete lawboures, costes, jornays, and besynesse in the lyf of the seid Sir John Fastolf, and ded for hym many kynd dedes at his owne charge, for the which the seid Sir John, and he had contenuyd lyff, wold have largely have recompensed. And also the seid William Paston had, aftir the desesse of the seid Sir John Fastolf, at the desyr and instans of the exsecutores of the seid Syr John, had many gret lawboures, costes, and jurnays to his gret peyne, as well in rydyng to London many and sundry tymes, contenuyng many yeres to help suche materes as were devysyd ayens the seid exsecutors, and also to answer to suche accions and sutys and byll putt into the Kynges Chauncery, wherupon wryttes of subpena dyvers and many tymes made upon gret peynys were delyvered to the seid William to appere in the Kynges Chauncery, which were taken be gret astates and be suche myghty persons as wold have recoveryd the lond wrongfully, and thus trobelyd the seid William Paston, be cause he was a feffee, and taryd hym there and his councell to his gret inportunabill charges. Wherupon we, the seid William Barker and Margret Wyssetyr depose, wytnesse, and be this present sertyfye for trouthe that we war present whan the seid Sir Thomas Howys and William Wyssetyr, in parcell of recompens of suche forseid lawbours and costes as the seid William Paston had had, as wele in the lyfe of the seid Sir John as after his dyssese, graunted and yaf to the seid William Paston a peyer of basons coveryd of sylver of Parysh towche and over gylt, powncyd and imbossyd with rooses, and with grete large amellys [enamels] in the botome of bothe basons, with serteyn bestys inbossyd stondyng with inn an hegge of sylver and gylt upon the seid amellys, which bothe basons ded way of Troy weyt ixxx. unces, and also a gredeyren of sylver of Parysse towche, not gylt, weying of Troy weyth ——63.1 unces, and also a gret chargeour of sylver of Parysse towche, not gylt, weying of Troy weyth ——63.1 unces, to have and to hold to the seid William, his eyres, excecutores, and assignes, as his own godes for ever. And also we wytnesse that we ware also present whan, for a serteyn som of mony to be payd be the seid William Paston, whereof a parte be comenawnt was payd be the seid William Paston to the seid Sir Thomas Howys, and a parte to on Edmond Holkham, and the remenaunt was payd to one Margret Holkham, syster to the seid Edmond; and so the seid William Paston had clerly payed all the seid mony. The seid Thomas Howse and William Wyssetyr bargayned, sold, and graunted to the seid William Paston, his eyres, exsecutores, and assignes, in fee sympille for ever, a tenement called Methis, otherwyse called Holkham, with alle the londes and tenementes, rentes and servyces, free or bond, and with all the apportenaunces ther to belongyng, in the town of Cayster ond oder townnys adjoynyng with inne the seid cownte of Norffolk, and delyvered to the seid [William] Paston and to his assignes a state of all the seid tenementes, londes, rentes, and servyces, with all the seid aportenaunces . . . . . . . sold and bargayned to the seid William Paston alle suche londes, rente, and servyces as the seid Sir John Fastolf . . . . . . . . or be the ryght of ony manere that he or ony man to his use had in possession, or that the seid Thoma[s] . . . . . . . ony other be the reson that they were feffes of trust of the seid John Fastolf had or claymed to have . . . . . . . or claymed to have to be yssant or chargeabill oute or upon the seid tenement called Methe[s] . . . . . . . . . . londes, tenementes, rentes, servyces at ony tyme afore or than longyng to the seid tenement or owt . . . . . . . a manere called Hornynghall, with the apportenaunces, late Clerys, in the seid town of Castyr, to have [and to hold to the said William] Paston, his eyres and assygnes, the seid lond, rent, and servyce for ever mor. And utterly be ther dede and . . . . . . . . . . . . . and dyscharged the seid William Paston, his eyres and his assygnes for yeldyng of payment of ony . . . . . . . . . . servyce; and also dyscharged all the seid tenement and the seid manere, and alle oder the premysses, with alle the . . . . . . . . . . as now have or shalle here aftir be possessoneres of the seid tenement or manere with the aportenaunces . . . . . . . . . . more. Alle whiche mater afore rehersid, and every parte therof, we, the seid William Barker and Margre[t Wyssetyr . . . . . . . ] trew, and we, and iche one of us, will at alle tyme be redy to wytnesse and depose the same be ony suche . . . . . . . . . persones outh to do or may do afore ony Juge Spyrytualle or Temperall as we will answer a fore God [at the dreadful] day of Dome. In wytnesse wherof we, the seid William Barker and Margret Wyssetyr, to this present have sett to our [sealles].
986 ABSTRACT65.1
W. Barker to [Margaret Paston?]
Begs her ‘maystrasshipp’ to inform his rightworshipful master of the conduct of Master Keche at Wetyng, who on Monday means to be there with a great fellowship.
[This letter is unimportant, but as being written by William Barker it may conveniently be placed after the last No., although probably addressed to Margaret Paston, and if so, most likely during the life of her husband. It appears by inquisition post-mortem, 1 Edw. IV., No. 46, that Elizabeth, Countess of Oxford, held the manor of Weting in Feltwell of the Duke of Norfolk.]
987 JOHN PASTON’S BOOKS65.2
The Inventory off Englysshe Boks off John . . . . . made the v. daye of Novembre, anno regni Regis E. iiij. . . . .
1. A boke had off myn ostesse at the George . . . . off the Dethe off Arthr begynyng at Cassab[elaun, Guy Earl of] Warwyk, Kyng Ri. Cur de Lyon, a Cronic[le] . . . . . to Edwarde the iij., prec. . . .
2. Item, a Boke of Troylus whyche William Bra . . . . . hath hadde neer x. yer, and lent it to Dame . . . . Wyngfelde, and ibi ego vidi; valet . . . . .
3. Item, a blak Boke with the Legende off Lad[ies, la Belle Dame] saunce Mercye, the Parlement off Byrd[es, the Temple of] Glasse, Palatyse and Scitacus, the Me[ditations of . . . . ] the Greene Knyght; valet,—
4. Item, a Boke in preente off the Pleye off the [Chess].
5. Item, a Boke lent Midelton, and therin is Bele Da[me sans] Mercy, the Parlement of Byrds, Balade . . . . . . off Guy and Colbronde, off the Goos th . . . . . , the Dysputson bytwyen Hope and Dyspeyr, . . . . . . Marchaunts, the Lyffe of Seynt Cry[stofer].
6. A reede Boke that Percyvall Robsart gaff m[e] . . . . . . . . off the medis off the Masse, the Lamentacion . . . . . . . . off Chylde Ypotis, a Preyer to the Vernyclr . . . . . . . . callyd the Abbeye off the Holy Goost, . . . . . . . .
7. Item, in quayers:—Tully de Senectute in . . . . . . . . . . wheroff ther is no mor cleer wretyn . . . . . . .
8. Item, in quayers:—Tully, or Cypio,66.1 de Ami[citia]66.2 leffte with William Worcester; valet . . . . . .
9. Item, in qwayers, a Boke of the Polecye of In . . . . .
10. Item, in qwayers, a Boke de Sapiencia . . . . . . wherin the ij. parson is liknyd to Sapi[ence] . . . . .
11. Item, a Boke de Othea,66.3 text and glose, valet . . . . . . in quayers.
Memorandum,66.4 myn olde Boke off Blasonyngs off a[rms].
Item, the nywe Boke portrayed and blasoned.
Item, a copy off Blasonyngs off armys and th . . . names to be fownde by letter.
Item, a Boke with armys portrayed in paper . . . . .
Memorandum, my Boke of Knyghthod and the man[er] off makyng off Knyghts, off Justs, off Tor[neaments] ffyghtyng in lystys, paces holden by so[ldiers] . . . . . and chalenges, statuts off weer, and de Regim[ine Principum], valet . . . . . . . . .
Item, a Boke off nyw Statuts ffrom Edward the iiij.
In the lists of book titles, all commas are editorial (Gairdner) but the titles are separately underlined in the MS.
3. ... the Greene Knyght; valet,— “valet” printed in italic type: corrected to match MS
5. ... Mercy, the Parlement of Byrds ... comma missing
Marchaunts, the Lyffe of Seynt Cry[stofer] text has “Marehaunts”: corrected from Fenn and MS
988 VERSES BY A LADY67.1
Verses written by a Lady in the reign of Henry VI. or Edward IV. to an absent Lord with whom she was in love.
My ryght good lord, most knyghtly gentyll knyght, On to your grace in my most humbyll wyse, I me comand, as it is dew and ryght, Besechyng yow at leyser to advise Upon thys byll, and pardon myn empryse, Growndyd on foly, for lak of provydence, On to your lordshep to wryght with owght lycence. But wher a man is with a fevyr shake, Now hot, now cold, as fallyth by aventure, He in hys mynd conjecte wyll, and take The nyghest meane to worche hys cuyre, More pacyently hys peynys to endure; And ryght so I, so it yow not dysplease, Wryght in thys wyse my peynys to apease. For when I cownt and mak a reknyng Betwyx my lyfe, my dethe, and my desyer, My lyfe, alas! it servyth of no thyng Sythe with your partyng, depertyd my plesyer. Wyshyng your presence setyth me on fyer; But then your absence dothe my hert so cold, That for the peyne I not68.1 me wher to hold. O owght on absence, ther foolys have no grace, I mene mysylf, nor yet no wytt to gwye Theym owt of peyne to com on to that place, Wher as presence may shape a remedye; For al dysease, now fye on my folye, For I dyspeyryd am of your soone metyng, That God I prey me to your presence bryng. Farwell, my lord, for I may wryght no more, So trowblyd is my hert with hevynesse; Envye also, it grewyth me most sore, That thys rude byll shall put hym sylf in presse68.2 To se your lordshepe of hys presumptuousnesse Er I my sylf; but yett ye shall not mysse To have my hert to for my byll, I wys. Whyche I comytt and all my hole servyse Into your hands, demeane it as you lyst; Of it I kepe68.3 to have no more franchyse Then I hertlesse swyrly me wyst, Savyng only that it be as tryst,68.4 And to yow trew as evyr was hert, and pleyn Tyll cruell dethe depart yt up on tweyn. Adew dysport, farwell good companye, In all thys world ther is no joye I weene; For ther as whyleom I sye with myn iee, A lusty lord leepyng upon a grene, The soyle is soole, no knyghts ther be seen, No ladyse walk ther they wer wont to doone; Alas, some folk depertyd hense to soone. Some tyme also men myght a wageor make, And with ther bowys a ffeld have it tryed, Or at the Paame ther, ther plesure for to take, Then wer they loose, that now stand as tyed, I not69.1 wher to thys world may be aplyed; For all good cher on evyn and on morow, Whyche then was made, now tornyth me to sorow.
989-991 ABSTRACTS69.2
The letters following are all probably of the reign of Edward IV., but their dates are quite uncertain.
989.
J. Paston [of Gelston] to Richard Croft
Will not venture to ride in this weather, not being well at ease. Sends three bills of John Calle and Robert Salle’s receipts and payments brought by the former. Cannot find the new fermall of Caster here, so he has given the bearer the key of his coffer at Yarmouth. If you would ride with him, I think you will find it there. Agrees to John Wynne’s bills, desiring to be allowed £5 for Byshoppis of Yarmouth, and for herring delivered to my cousin Loveday; but John Wynne must not sell my farm barley to pay them, as I wish all the barley in his charge malted for my Lord Mountjoy. I send a warrant for the sheriff to warn the persons in Flegge and Yarmouth impanelled between the King and me to be at Thetford assizes on Wednesday next. Give it to Simon Garrard.
Norwich, Wednesday.
990.
Sir Thomas Hert to his worshipful Mistress, [margaret Paston?]
Giving her an account of the numbers of her sheep and lambs at Sparham from Drayton and Taverham, and those with the shepherd at Heylesdon.
Heylisdon, Thursday before Lady Day the Nativity.69.3
[Under this letter is written in a modern hand—‘37 Hen. 6,’ but this date is certainly too early. Thomas Hert was Vicar of Stalham in 1482.]
991.
John Downyng to Edmund Paston
Is a simple servant of his mother and miller of Wood Mill. Complains of Will. Sybbeson, whom Edmund Paston well knows to have been ‘defawtyf in many other thyngs,’ and who embezzles wheat and rye, and prevents him getting any good of a close he holds of Paston’s mother.
North Walsham, Thursday before St. Brice.70.1
[Some memoranda of receipts are written across the back.]