THE PASTON LETTERS Edward IV

936 SIR JOHN PASTON TO JOHN PASTON1.1

To John Paston, Esquyer, be thys lettre delyveryd, or to my mestresse, hys wyffe, at Norwych, to delyver to hym.

1478 AUG. 25

Brother John, I recomaund me to yow, and I thanke God, my sustr yowr wyffe, and yow, off my ffayr nevywe Crystofore, whyche I undrestande ye have, wher off I ame ryght gladde, and I praye God sende yow manye, if it be Hys plesyr; nevertheless ye be nott kynde, that ye sende me no wetyng ther off; I hadde knowlege by ffootemen, or ever ye kowde ffynde any messenger on horsbak to brynge me worde theroff.

Sir, it is soo, that the Duke off Bokyngham shall come on pilgrymage to Walsyngham, and so to Bokenham Castell to my lady hys sustr;1.2 and then it is supposyd that he shalle to my Lady off Norffolk.1.3 And myn oncle William comythe with hym; and he tellyth me, that ther is like to be troble in the maner off Oxenhed; wherffor I praye yow take hedde lesse that the Duke off Suffolk councell pley therwith now at the vacacion1.4 off the beneffyse, as they ded with the beneffice off Drayton, whyche by the helpe off Mr. John Salett and Donne hys man, ther was a qweste made by the seyde Donne, that ffownde that the Duke off Suffolk was verrye patrone, whyche was ffalse, yitt they ded it ffor an evydence; but nowe iff any suche pratte scholde be laboryd, it is I hope in bettr case, ffor suche a thynge most needs be ffownde byffor Master John Smyth, whyche is owr olde ffreende; wherffor I praye yow labor hym, that, iff neede bee, he maye doo use a ffreends torne therin.

Item, bothe ye and I most neds take thys mater as owr owne, and it weer ffor noon other cawse butt ffor owr goode grawnt dames sake; neverthelesse ye woote well, thatt ther is an other entresse longyng to usse afftr her dyscease; iffe ther be any suche thynge begune ther by suche a fryer or prest, as it is seyde, I mervayle that ye sente me no worde ther off; butt ye have nowe wyffe and chyld, and so moche to kar ffor, thatt ye fforgete me.

As for tydyngs her, I her telle that my cosyn Sir Robert Chamberleyn hathe entyrd the maner of Scolton uppon yowr bedffelawe2.1 Conyerse, wheroff ye sende me no worde.

Item, yonge William Brandon is in warde and arestyd ffor thatt he scholde have by fforce ravysshyd and swyvyd an olde jentylwoman, and yitt was nott therwith easyd, butt swyvyd hyr oldest dowtr, and than wolde have swyvyd the other sustr bothe; wherffor men sey ffowle off hym, and that he wolde ete the henne and alle hyr chekynnys; and som seye that the Kynge entendyth to sitte uppon hym, and men seye he is lyke to be hangyd, ffor he hathe weddyd a wedowe.

Item, as ffor the pagent that men sey that the Erle off Oxenforde2.2 hathe pleyid atte Hammys, I suppose ye have herde theroff; itt is so longe agoo, I was nott in thys contre when the tydyngs come, therfor I sent yow no worde theroff.

But ffor conclusion, as I her seye, he lyepe the wallys, and wente to the dyke, and in to the dyke to the chynne; to whatt entent I can nott telle; some sey, to stele awey, and some thynke he wolde have drownyd hymselffe, and so it is demyd.

No mor, but I ame nott sertayne whether I shall come home in haste or nott.

Wretyn at London, the daye nexte Seynt Bartelmewe,3.1 anno E. iiij^ti xviij^o. John Paston, K.

937 ABSTRACT3.2

William Paston to Nicholas Goldewell

1478 OCT. 9

Spoke to him on Sunday about a clerk presented by William Paston’s mother to the Church of Oxnead, and not admitted, though the presentation was delivered to Master John Bulman, my lord’s deputy, within the time limited by law. Requests him to get the Bishop to do him justice. The living is of small value, and the delay can be of little benefit to my lord. Desires an answer by the bearer, Sir William Upgate, Vicar of Castre.

Norwich, 9 Oct.

[The MS. is a corrected draft partly in William Paston’s own hand, endorsed ‘The copy of a lettre to Mr. Nicholas Goldewell, broder to the Busshopp of Norwich, ix^o Octobris, anno xviij^o E. iiij^ti, by Sir William Ubgate, Vicar of Castre.’]

938 ABSTRACT3.3

William Paston To William Pope of Bacton

1478 OCT. 17

Cannot be at the Court at Paston on Monday next. Bids him warn the tenants to keep the Court on Friday instead, and to bring their rents, for he will be there himself. He is also to warn the tenants of Bakton to-morrow openly in the church of the said Court to be kept on Friday next; also the tenants of Swaffeld, Mundesley,4.1 Edyngthorpe, and Wytton.

Norwich, Saturday after St. Edward,4.2 the —— October.

[The MS. is a draft with corrections in the handwriting of William Paston, endorsed—‘The copy of a lettre to William Pope of Bacton, the xvij. day of Octobre, anno xviij^o E. iiij^ti, by William Dam of Rughton.’]

939 WILLIAM PASTON, JUNIOR, TO JOHN PASTON4.3

To hys worchepful brodyr, John Paston, be thys delyvered in hast.

1478 NOV. 7

Ryght reverent and worchepful brodyr, I recomaunde me on to yow, desyrynge to here of yowre welfare and prosperite; letynge yow wete that I have resevyd of Alwedyr a lettyr and a nobyll in gowlde therin. Ferthermor my creansyr [creditor], Mayster Thomas,4.4 hertely recomandyd hym to yow, and he praythe yow to sende hym sum mony for my comons; for he seythe ye be xx^tis. in hys dette, for a monthe was to pay for when he had mony laste.

Also I beseche yow to sende me a hose clothe, one for the halydays of sum colore, and a nothyr for the workyng days, how corse so ever it be it makyth no matyr; and a stomechere, and ij. schyrtes, and a peyer of sclyppers. And if it lyke yow that I may come with Alwedyr be watyr, and sporte me with yow at London a day or ij. thys terme tyme, than ye may let all thys be tyl the tyme that I come, and than I wol telle you when I schall be redy to come from Eton, by the grace of God, Whom have yow in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn the Saturday next aftyr All Halown Day, with the hand of your brodyr, Wylliam Paston.

940 ERRANDS TO MARLINGFORD5.1

1479 JAN. 18

Do5.2 Gerald of Marlingford come to me, and know were he ys become; in qw[at] place he hydyth hym, he dothe but distroyh hym selff.

Do on Steward [of] Colton, a tenaunte of Marlingford, come to me.

Do5.2 Sir John Chapman,5.3 parson of Oure Ladies Chyrche, send hider the bill of rekenyng of Richard Hervy, shewyng what stokke was delivered be Richard Hervy to Harry Hervy, and also a bille what costes that Richard H[ervy] . . . . of at that tyme.5.4

Do5.2 John Brigg come to me and bryng me suyrte for hys dette, and know qwat wey the parson off Melton takyth with hym.

. . de the par[sone] off Melton come to me to Norwych, for tell [him that] and he come nat hastely he schall nat fynd me here.

Item, pray the parson off Melton to call up on the parteculer tenauntes off Melton that have had parteculer fermys fro Michaelmas xvij. til Michaelmas xviij. to pay ther fermys.

[Sidenote] JAN. 18 date printed as shown, but see first footnote

Footnote 5.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] comma missing or invisible

941 WILLIAM PYKENHAM TO MARGARET PASTON6.1

To my Mastresse M[argaret Paston], att Norwiche.

1479 FEB. 2

My worschypfull mastresse, I recomende me un to yow, and thanke yow of yowr approvyd ensewryd gyudenesse evermore shewde, and so I pray yow to contenew. I have resyvyd yowr letter, and undrestonde yowr desyre, wyche ys ageyns the lawe for three causys. Oon ys, for yowr son Watre ys nott tonsewryd, in modre tunge callyd Benett; a nodre cause, he ys not xxiiij. yeer of aghe, wyche ys requiryd complete; the thyrde, ye owte [he ought] of ryzte to be preyst within dwelmothe after that he ys parson, wyth owte so were he hadd a dyspensacion fro Rome be owre Holy Fadre the Pope, wyche I am certen can not be hadde. Therfor I present not yowr desyre un to my lorde,6.2 lest ye [he] wolde have takyn yt to a dysplesur, or else to take a grete sympylnesse in yowr desyre, wyche shulde cause hym, in suche matres as xall fortune yow to spede with hym a nodre tyme, to shew un to yow the rigur of the lawe, wyche I wolde be lothe; therfor present a nodre man abyll. Haske consell of Mr. John Smythe, and sease of yowr desyre in thysse partey, for yt ys not goodely nether Goddely; and lete not yowr desyre be knowyn, aftyr my avyse. Be not wrothe, thowe I sende un to yow thusse playnyly in the matre; for I wolde ye dede as wele as any woman in Norfolke, [that ys, wyth rygth],6.3 to yowr honor, prosperite, an to the plesur of Godde, with yowre and all yowres, Ho have yow in Hyse blessyd kepyng.

From Hoxne on Candylmasse Day. William Pykynham.7.1

I sende yow yowr presente agen in the boxe.

942 WILLIAM PASTON, JUNIOR, TO JOHN PASTON7.2

To his worchepfull broder, John Paston, be thys delivered in hast.

1479 FEB. 23

Ryght reverent and worchepfull broder, after all dewtes of recomendacion, I recomaunde me to yow, desyryng to here of your prosperite and welfare, whych I pray God long to contynew to Hys plesore, and to your herts desyr; letyng yow wete that I receyved a letter from yow, in the whyche letter was viijd. with the whyche I schuld bye a peyer of slyppers.

Ferthermor certyfying yow, as for the xiijs. iiijd. whyche ye sende by a jentylmannys man, for my borde, cawlyd Thomas Newton, was delyvered to myn hostes, and soo to my creancer [creditor], Mr. Thomas Stevenson; and he hertely recomended hym to yow.

Also ye sende me worde in the letter of xijli. fyggs and viijli. reysons. I have them not delyvered, but I dowte not I shal have, for Alwedyr tolde me of them, and he seyde that they came aftyr in an other barge.

And as for the yong jentylwoman, I wol certyfye yow how I fryste felle in qweyntaince with hyr. Hir ffader is dede; ther be ij. systers of them; the elder is just weddyd; at the whych weddyng I was with myn hostes, and also desyryd by the jentylman hym selfe, cawlyd Wylliam Swanne, whos dwyllynge is in Eton.

So it fortuned that myne hostes reportyd on me odyrwyse than I was wordy; so that hyr moder comaundyd hyr to make me good chere, and soo in good feythe sche ded. Sche is not a bydynge ther sche is now; hyr dwellyng is in London; but hyr moder and sche come to a place of hyrs v. myle from Eton, were the weddyng was, for because it was nye to the jentylman whych weddyd hyr dowtyr. And on Monday next comynge, that is to sey, the fyrst Monday of Clene Lente, hyr moder and sche wyl goo to the pardon at Schene, and soo forthe to London, and ther to abyde in a place of hyrs in Bowe Chyrche Yerde; and if it plese yow to inquere of hyr, hyr modyrs name is Mestres Alborow, the name of the dowtyr is Margarete Alborow, the age of hyr is be all lykelyod xviij. or xix. yere at the fertheste. And as for the mony and plate, it is redy when soo ever sche were weddyd; but as for the lyvelod, I trow not tyll after hyr modyrs desese, but I can not telle yow, for very certeyn, but yow may know by inqueryng. And as for hyr bewte, juge yow that when ye see hyr, yf so be that ye take the laubore, and specialy beolde hyr handys, for and if it be as it is tolde me, sche is dysposyd to be thyke.

And as for my comynge from Eton, I lake no thynge but wersyfyynge, whyche I troste to have with a lytyll contynuance.

Quæritur, Quomodo non valet hora, valet mora? Unde dicitur?

And thes too verse afore seyde be of myn own makyng.

No more to yow at thys tyme, but God have yow in Hys kepyng.

Wretyn at Eton the Even of Seynt Matthy the Apostyll in haste, with the hande of your broder. Wyll’m Paston, Jun^r.

but hyr moder and sche come to a place of hyrs text has “sch come”: corrected from Fenn

943 PARSONAGE OF OXNEAD9.1

1479

Memorandum.—The day that the lapse went out, which is such day vj. monethes as the seid parson died, was on Tewesday, Our Lady Day, the Nativite, the viij^te day of Septembre last past, anno xviij^o.

The day of vj. monethes affter Our seide Lady Day, the Nativite was on Seint Mathes Day9.2 the Apostell, last past, whiche was the xxiiij. day of Februare, and so I deme eyther the Bisshoppe of Norwiche hath presented or els it is in the gifft of my Lord Cardinall9.3 nowe. Inquere this mater, for the Bisshoppe of Norwich lythe in London, and shall doo till Our Ladys Day this Lenton, as it is said here.

My moder delivered Sir William Holle his presentacion the xiij. day of August, anno xviij^o, which was nere a monethe or the day of the vj. monethes went out and past. Wherfore the Bisshoppe ought to present my moders clarke. Neverthelesse the Bisshoppys officeres aunsware this sayng, that if sondry persones deliver ij. sondrye presentacions for to diverse clarkes to the Bisshoppes officers for one benefice, that then the seid partyes shuld sue to the Bisshop at ther cost to have out an inquerre to inquere de vero patrono, sayng forther more, that if they sue nat out this inquerre with affect, and that the lapse fall, than it is lefull for the Bisshop to present, and it is told me that the lawe is this, that the Bisshoppe, be his office with out any sute of the parties, shall call an inquerre afore hym to inquere de vero patrono, and he shall assign them a day to bryng in a verdett, and he shall warne bothe partyes to be ther at, and he shall amytte his clarke that is founde patron.

Yet the Bisshopp useth nat to do this, but there as bothe partyes that present are myghty [and wher as he thynketh it were a jopardy to hym]10.1 to sue the Bisshoppe if he did them any wrong, and wher as ther is a doubtable mater; but in this case the prest that troubleth my moder is but a simple felowe, and he is appostata, for he was somtyme a White Frere, and of simple repetacyon, and of litill substans, as my moder can tell, wherfore Bisshoppys use nat in suche litill casys to take so streyte an inquerre, and specyally wher as one hath contynued patron with out interupcion so long as my moder hath done, for she hath contynued more than l. wynter; wherfore I pray yow shewe my cousyn Lovell this bill, and fynde some meanes to intrete the Bisshopp by the meane of James Hobard,10.2 which is grete with the Bisshopp, and is nowe Reder of Lyncoln Inne this Lent. And late my lady speke to James Hobard in the mater. If it please my moder ther is a prest callde Sir ——10.3 which is thought by the tenauntes of Oxned a metely man to be parson ther; the most thyng that I dowte, bicause Sir William Holle, whom my moder presented, is ronne away, and if the Bisshop will nat present my moders clarke in her title, than I wold that the labour myght be made to the Bisshopp, that he myght present my moders clarke, suche on as shoe will name, in his one title.

Ric. Lee, like as ze may understand be this writing, where as I understod that the Bisshopp myght have kept the benefice but vj. monethes after the patrons vj. monethes war worn out, now I understand the contrary, for I understand he may kepe it a twelmo[nethe] and a day . . . . [several lines lost] . . . . . .

Also, if ze knew any yong preste in London that setteth billis upon Powlys dorr per aventure wold be glad to have it, and woll be glad also to serve my lady and my moder for it for a season, I can no more say but purvay a mean to the Bisshopp, that som mon may be put in by my moders title.

. . . . . of the consistore in Norwich, and he hath a broder in the Tower, is master of the Mynt under Brice, called Bartilmew Rede, and a nother broder is a goold smyth dwellyng in the Chepe Side called ———11.1 Reede. And he is eyther loged with on of these, his breder, or els at the Jorge in Lumbard Strete, or els at the Cok and the Bell at Billinges gate, a brue hous, for the sei[d] gold smyth hath maried a bruewyf, and kepeth the brue hous, (?) and he can good skylle to helpe in this mater of the benefice of Oxned.

Also, Ric. Lee, who so ever shalbe [presented to the] benefice of Oxned, he muste tell hym, I must pay xiiij. marc to the frutes, and ther for shall he have [da]yes of payment to pay a marc azey[n] if he d[o] gete hym frendschip. And also, Richard, at the makyng of this letter I mend (?) to have ben sure (?) . . . . . . and now I in na . . . . . for if it please my moder, me thynke it was well done, Sir William Storor had . . . .

[The rest unintelligible.]

944 EDMUND ALYARD TO MARGARET PASTON11.2

To his worshepful mastres, Mastres Margaret Paston.

1479 MARCH 4

Right worshepful mastres, I recommande me unto yow as lowly as I kan, thankyng yow for your goodnes at all tymis; God graunt me to deserve it, and do that may plese yow.

As for your son Water, his labor and lernyng hathe be, and is, yn the Faculte of Art, and is well sped there yn, and may be Bacheler at soche tyme as shall lyke yow, and then to go to lawe. I kan thynk it to his preferryng, but it is not good he know it on to the tyme he shal chaunge; and as I conceyve ther shal non have that exibeshyon to the Faculte of Lawe. Therfore meve ze the executores that at soche tyme as he shal leve it, ye may put a nother yn his place, soche as shal lyke you to prefer. If he shal go to law, and be made Bacheler of Art be fore, and ye wolle have hym hom this yere, then may he be Bacheler at Mydsomor, and be with yow yn the vacacion, and go to lawe at Mihelmas. Qwhat it shal lyke yow to commande me yn this or eny odir, ye shal have myn service redy.

I pray yow be the next masenger to send me your entent, that swech as shal be necessary may be purveyid yn seson. And Jesu preserve yow.

At Oxinforth, the iiij. day of March. Your scoler, Edmund Alyard.

945 WALTER PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON12.1

To hys ryth reverend broder, Sir John Paston, at Caster Hall, in Norfolk.

1479 MAY 22

After all dw reverens and recomendacions, likyth yt yow to understond that I reseyvyd a letter fro my broder John, where by I understod that my moder and yow wold know what the costes of my procedyng schold be. I sent a letter to my broder John, certyfyyng my costes, and the causys why that I wold procede; but as I have sent word to my moder, I purpose to tary now tyll yt be Mychylmas, for yf I tary tyll than, sum of my costys schall be payyd; for I supposed, whan that I sent the letter to my broder John, that the Qwenys broder12.2 schold have procedyd at Mydsomer, but he woll tary now tyll Michylmas; but as I send word to my moder, I wold be Inceptor be fore Mydsomer, and there fore I besechyd her to send me sum mony, for yt woll be sum cost to me, but not mych.

And, syr, I besech yow to send me word what answer ye have of the Buschopp of Wynchester for that mater whych ye spak to hym of for me whan I was with yow at London. I thowth for to have had word there of or thys tyme. I wold yt wold come, for owr fyndyng of the Buschopp of Norwych begynnyth to be slake in payment. And yf ye know not whath thys term menyth, ‘Inceptor,’ Master Edmund, that was my rewler at Oxforth, berar here of, kan tell yow, or ellys any oder gradwat.

Also I pray yow send me word what ys do with the hors I left at Totnam, and whyder the man be content that I had yt of, or nat. Jesu preserve yow to Hys pleswre and to yowr most hartys desyyr.

Wretyn at Oxforth, the Saturday next after Ascensyon of Yowr Lord. Walter Paston.

946 WALTER PASTON TO JOHN PASTON13.1

To hys ryth trusty and hartyly belovyd broder, John Paston, abydyng at the Georg, at Powlys Qwharfe, in London, be this letter delyveryd.

1479 JUNE 30

Rygth worchypfull and hartyly belovyd broder, I recomaund me on to yow, desyeryng feythfoly to here of yowr prosperyte, qwhych God preserve, thankyng yow of dyverse letterys that yow sent me. In the last letter that yow sent to me, ye wryt that yow schold have wryt in the letter that yow sent by Master Brown, how that I schold send yow word what tyme that I schold procede, but ther was non such wrytyng in that letter. The letter is yet to schew, and yf yow come to Oxon, ye schal see the letter, and all the leterys that yow sent me sythynnys I came to Oxon.

And also Master Brown had that same tyme mysch mony in a bage, so that he durst nat bryng yt with hym, and that same letter was in that same bage, and he had for gete to take owt the letter, and he sent all to geder by London, so that yt was the next day after that I was maad Bachyler or than the letter cam, and so the fawt was not in me.

And yf ye wyl know what day I was maad Baschyler, I was maad on Fryday was sevynyth, and I mad my fest on the Munday after. I was promysyd venyson a geyn my fest of my Lady Harcort, and of a noder man to, but I was deseyvyd of both; but my gestes hewld them plesyd with such mete as they had, blyssyd be God, Hoo have yow in Hys kepyng. Amen.

Wretyn at Oxon, on the Wedenys day next after Seynt Peter. W. Paston.

947 ABSTRACT14.1

1479 JULY 7

Bill witnessing the delivery of plate by Geoffrey Hunt on behalf of William Paston to John Davy and Alice, his wife, late wife of John Gygges of Burnham, 7 July, 19 Edw. IV. The parcels are:—‘A round salt covered, parcel gilt at the borders, weighing 19 oz. 1½ qr., and also 6 silver spoons, square sharp knoppys, weighing 5 oz. 3 qr. 1 dwt.’; which Davy and his wife engage to keep safely, and redeliver to William Paston or Geoffrey Hunt before the feast of St. Faith next coming.

[Two seals.]

948 ABSTRACT14.2

William Paston to Thomas Lynsted

1479 JULY 11

Hears that he has felled wood and firs, etc. ‘Also Jullis hath do made saw (?) zattes.’ Desires him to ‘find the means that the young spring may be saved, and the wood fenced. . . . . And also let me be answered both for the old payment and the new of wood sale.’

11 July.

P.S.—‘If Jullis have made a gate, it is the better for the spring,’ etc.

[The MS. is a very illegible note in William Paston’s hand, written on a small scrap of paper, and endorsed ‘A letter to Thomas Linsti[d], the —— (blank) day of Julii, anno xix. E. iiij^ti.’]

949 WILLIAM PASTON TO HENRY WARYNS15.1

1479 JULY 19

Harry Waryns, I grete you well, and I thanke you for youre labour. And as for the tenauntez of Knapton, I understand by youre writing that they take non oder consideration to my sendyng but that I call so fast on my fee, for cause they thynke that I am aferd lest I shuld have it no longer; and as for that, I pray yow tell them for ther ungentilnes I woll have my fee of them, and in that maner and in non oder place; and ferthermor I shall fynd the mene that they shall paye it more hastely here after. And as for the money that they offyr to pay at the fest of Advincula Sancti Petri, receyve ye it off them and I shall assign one to receyve it azen of yow. As for the delivere of the catell, I fele be zowr wrytyng they will non sounar pay it thow ther catell shuld dye ffor ffawte off mete. Wer for, affor the money be paid I putt that in zour discresseon wheder ze will deliver them or nay; as ze do I hold me content.

Also as for Thomas Child, I understand be zour wrytyng he will not seale the indenture be cawse ther is no some of mony sertayne ne days of payment sett in the indentur; and as for that, I will neyther sett some nor days after his will; and if he will nat seale that, he shall never seale none for me; and at last I am sure he shall sell. I send zow azen the same indenture that ze sent me, that ze may kepe it still as long as Thomas Chyld abyde now at Paston, in aventure the casse may hap that he will sell yt herafter; and yff he be on departid, than send me both the indenture[s] to London be some massenger. As for Waryn Kynge, wer I understand be zour wrytyn that he seyth he delyver me all evydens, I understand not that; and as for rentall I am sure he deliver me none, and yff so be that he can make the rentall be hart, I wold he did make on [one], for it war necessare for me; for I understand be zow that ther was no rent gaderid this xv. ar xvj. zer for defallte off a rentall; and therfor yt is I had a call on the prior of Bromholm for the xxx. comb malt that ze toke hym. Wrytyn at Norton the xix. day of Jull’ By W. Paston.

Endorsed by the writer:—

‘A letter to Harry Waryns the xix day of Jule, A^o xix E. iiij^ti by John Ancell off Paston.’

950 WILL OF WALTER PASTON16.1

1479 AUG. 18

In Dei nomine, Amen. Ego, Walterus Paston, clericus, in bona et sana memoria existens, condo testamentum meum apud Norwicum xviiij^o die mensis Augusti in hunc modum. Inprimis lego animam meam Deo Omnipotenti, Beatæ Mariæ et omnibus Sanctis, et corpus meum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Sancti Petri de Hundegate, coram ymagine Sancti Johannis Baptistæ. Item, lego summo altari præfatæ ecclesiæ, iijs. iiijd. Item, lego reparacioni ecclesiæ supradictæ, ijs. vjd. Item, Fratri Johanni Somerton, bachalaureo, vs. Item, lego Magistro Edmundo unam togam penulatam cum manicis de mynkys. Item, lego Roberto Wulff unam togam viridem ——16.2 cum chamelet. Item, lego Roberto Holand, filio spirituali, togam meam curtam. Item, lego Magistro Roberto Hollar unam togam penulatam cum gray. Item, lego Johanni Parker mantellum meum rubeum. Item, lego Magistro Roberto Hollere unum pulvinar vocatum le bolstar. Item, lego Magistro Edmundo Alyard unum pulvinar. Item, lego Ricardo Richardson unam togam penulatam ad manus cum menyver. Item, volo quod residuum bonorum meorum in Oxonia sit ad usum Magistri Edmundi Alyard, sic quod solvat . . . .17.1 Johanni Skelton et Thomæ Coco. Item, volo quod oves meæ, quas habet Willelmus Bataly senior in villa de Mawteby, dividantur equaliter inter fratrem meum Edmundum Paston, et sororem meam Annam Yelverton, et sororem meam Margeriam Paston, uxorem fratris mei Johannis Paston. Item, lego terras et tenementa manerij mei de Cressyngham, si possum dare, fratri meo Johanni Paston armigero, sibi et hæredibus suis, sub condicione ista, quod si contingat fratrem meum prædictum, Johannem Paston, esse hæredem patris mei, quod nullo modo habeat terras et tenementa prædicta, sed quod frater meus Edmundus Paston habeat terras et tenementa prædicta sibi et suis hæredibus. Residuum vero bonorum non legatorum lego et do disposicioni executorum meorum, ut et ipsi fideliter disponant pro anima mea.

Hujus autem testamenti mei executores condo per præsentes, fratrem meum Johannem Paston, armigerum, pro ista patria, et Magistrum Edmundum Alyard pro bonis meis remanentibus Oxoniæ.

[Sidenote] AUG. 18 printed as shown, but text of letter says “xviiij” (19)

951 WILLIAM PASTON’S PLATE17.2

1479 AUG. 19

This indenture made the xix. day of August, anno xix^o [witnesseth]17.3 that I, Richard Lee, have delivered to Mr. John Russhe thes parcellis folowyng of plate [and]17.4 of silver:—

First, a bason and an ewer with iij. combis in a skochyn.

Item, a silver potte.

A layer of silver, parte gilte with an acorne on the knoppe.

A gilte stonding couppe ponsid with a cover.

A chasid pece with a cover aparte gilte.

ij. playne pecys.

ij. deppe disshis.

x. sponys.

A white playne coppe with a starre in the botom with a cover.

A standing coppe gilte with a cover.

A candellstik of silver with a sokette.

A trevett of silver.

A salt of silver with a brokyn cover.

A cover for a playn pece, the knoppe gravid with armys. Richard Lee.

Endorsed—‘Plate of William Paston left with John Russhe, the xiij. day of Sept., a^o xix^o.’

952 [EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON18.1]

1479 AUG. 21

Suer dydynges arn com to Norwyche that my grandam is dyssessyd, whom God assoyle. Myn uncle had a messenger zesterday that she shuld not escape, and this day cam a nother at suche tyme as we were at masse for my brother Water, whom God assoyle! Myn uncle was comyng to have offered, but the last messenger retornyd hym hastely, so that he toke hys hors incontynent to enforme more of owr hevynes. My syster ys delyverd, and the chyld passyd to God, Who send us Hys grace.

Dokkyng told me sekretly that for any hast myn uncle shuld ryde by my Lady of Norffolk to have a iij. skore persons, whyther it is to convey my grandham hyder or nowght he cowde not sey; I deme it is rather to put them in possessyon of some of her londes.

Wretyn the Saterdaye the xxi. daye of August, anno E. iiij^ti xix^o.

953 ABSTRACT19.1

Manor of Marlingford

1479 AUG. 26

Declaration by Robert Mill, John Hobbes, John Claryngton, Thomas Davy, John Brygge, John Watyr, and William Parson, tenants of the manor of Marlyngford, before the Abbot of St. Benet’s, John [R]adclyf Fywater,19.2 Mr. John Smyth, Robert Ippeswell, William Lomnor, John Paston, Esq., William Yelverton, senior, John Coke, alderman, William Bastard, gentleman, and William Fuller, that they have always held of the manor in the name of Agnes Paston, daughter, and one of the heirs of Edmund Bery, Knt., and in her name only, till Saturday [21 Aug.] before St. Bartholomew Apostle, 19 Edw. IV., when her son, William Paston, desired them to attorn to him without showing writing or evidence.

Done in the parlour of John Cooke, 26 Aug., 19 Edw. IV. Signed: ‘Thomas, Abbot of Seynt Benettes of Hulme.’—‘J. Radclyff Fytzwauter.’—‘John Smyth, clerk.’—‘Robert Ipeswell.’—‘Will. Lomnor.’—‘W. Yelverton.’—‘John Cook.’—‘Will’m Bastard.’—‘Will. Fuller.’

954 MEMORANDA19.3

1479 AUG.

Memorandum, uppon the presse at the ferther ende is a box with ij. or iij. bondellis with evydence off Oxenhed and Hawteyn.

Memorandum, that ther is rollis tytelyd uppon them ‘Contra Willelmum Pas[ton],’ and they be owther uppon the presse, or on the cowntre, or on the shelffe by the cowntre, or ellys in the cowntre on . . . that syde next the shelffe.

To enquire, off myn, oncle William, off Jane, off my grauntd[ames] wylle, and whoo wrot itt, and whether she be buried or noo, and who were present at hyr wylle makyng, and iff she spoke . . . . . owte off her londes.

Inquire—

Off the Kynge,

The Chaunceler,

Milorde Chamberleyn,

Sir Thomas Mongomere,

Mi Lorde Cardynall,

Master Bele, and hys clerke, ffor my faderes wille.

To enquire, off myn, oncle William text unchanged: superfluous comma after “myn”?

955 RICHARD CALLE TO MARGARET PASTON20.1

1479, or earlier

Plesith it your mastresship to witte that I sende you a boxe with evidence of Baktons londes, weche plesith it you to delyver to my master, Sir John, so that I may have my money that is behynde. And as for Sporle, I sende you an endenture of the bercars20.2 and iij. obligacions eche of v. marke. And as for any endenture of the wode sale I made non, but a noote breefely of the effecte, wech I sende you, as I tolde my mastre at Cristemas, and that tyme he seide to me he was the better plesid, and so I ded no more therto; and an obligacion of Cli. weche they be bounde to hym to performe ther ther covinauntes; weche remayneth in the handes of the veker of Sporle. And I send you also ij. billes of the parcell of the wode sale, bothe the wynter sale and the somer sale, wherof the veker of Sporle and William Halman have the other parties of them, as he comaunded hym selfe at the begynnyng. And lete my countrelle doo what hym liste. I fynd hym a trewe man; he dothe as he hath reported that he shuld go on my harond, and so I undrestond from the[m] he hath do; but thow I have lost a frende of hym in that quarter, I have mo frendes in that contre the[n] hee, etc. Mastres, it were goode to remembre your stuffe of heryng nough this fisshyng tyme. I have goten me a frende in Lestoftot to helpe to purvey me of an vij. or viij. barell, and shal not stonde me upon above vjs. viijd. a barell, so that he may have money nough in the begynnyng, ye shal do more nough with xls. then ye shal do at Cristemes with v. marke. The fisshyng at Yermouth wol not be so goode as it wolbe at Leystoft, for the haven wol not prove yette, etc. Almyghty God kepe you. Wrete this daye. Be your servaunt, R. C.

956 SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON21.1

To the ryght worshypfull mestresse, Margret Paston, be thys delyveryd.

1479 OCT. 29

Please it yow to weet, that I have ben heer at London a xiiij. nyght, wheroff the ffyrst iiij. dayes I was in suche ffeer off the syknesse, and also ffownde my chambr and stuffe nott so clene as I demyd, whyche troblyd me soor; and as I tolde yow at my departyng, I was nott weell monyed, ffor I hadde nott paste x. marke, wheroff I departyd xls. to be delyveryd off my olde bedfelawe; and then I rode be yonde Donstaple, and ther spake with on off my cheffe witnessis, whyche promysed me to take labor, and to gete me wryghtyngs towchyng thys mater bytwyen me and the Duke of Suffolk,21.2 and I rewardyd hym xxs.; and then, as I informyd yow, I payed v. marke incontynent uppon my comyng hyddr to replegge owte my gowne off velwett and other geer.

And then I hopyd to have borowyd some off Townesend, and he hath ffoodyd me21.3 fforthe evyrsynys, and in effecte I cowde have at the most, and at the sonest yisterdaye xxs. wherffor I beseche yow to purveye me Cs. and also to wryght to Pekok, that he purveye me as moche, Cs. whyche I supose that he hathe gaddryd at Paston and other places, by thys tyme; ffor with owte I have thys xli., as God helpe me, I ffer I shalle doo butt litell goode in noo mater, nor yitt I woote nott howe to come home, but iff I have it.

This geer hathe troblyd me so, that itt hathe made me moor than halffe seke, as God helpe me.

Item, I undrestande that myn oncle William hathe made labor to th’ Exchetor, and that he hathe bothe a wrytte off essend. clowsyth extr.; and also a supercedeas. I have wretyn to the Exchetor ther in off myn entent, iff myn oncle hadde hys wyll in that, yitt sholde he be never the nerre the londe, butt in effecte he shold have thys advantage, whyche is behovefull ffor a weyke mater to have a colour, or a clooke, or a botrase.

But on Tywesdaye I was with the Bysshop off Hely,22.1 whyche shewyth hymselffe goode and worshypfull; and he seyde that he sholde sende to myn oncle William, that he sholde nott procede in no suche mater, till that he speke with hym; and moor ovyr that he sholde cawse hym to be heer hastelye; in whyche mater is no remedy as nowe, but iff it wer soo, that the Exchetor, iff he be entretyd to sytte by myn oncle William, whyche percase he shall nott, that iff my brother John and Lomnor have knowleche off the daye, and they myght be ther; Lomnor can geve evydence i now in that mater with owte the boke; and mor ovyr that they see bothe the letter and the other noote, that I sente to the Exchetor, and with helpe off the Exchetor all myght be as beste is; and iff my brother and Lomnor take labor her in, I shal recompence ther costs.

Wretyn in haste with schort advisement on the Frydaye next Seynt Symonds and Jude, anno E. iiij^ti xix^o.

Late my brother John se thys bille, for he knoweth mor off thys mater. John Paston, K.

957 JOHN PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON23.1

To Syr John Paston, Knyght.

1479 NOV. 6

Syr, aftyr all dwtes of recomendacyon, pleasyt to undyrstand, that, acordyng to your lettre sent me by Wyllson, Lomnore and I mett at Norwyche and drew ought a formable bylle ought of your, and send it ayen to th’Exchetore Palmer by my brodyr Edmund, whyche had an other erand in to that contre to spek with H. Spylman, to get hys good wyll towardes the bargayn lyek to be fynyshed hastyly betwyx Mastres Clyppysby and hym. And, syr, at the delyvere of the bylle of inquisicyon to th’Exchetour, my brodyr Edmund told hym that accordyng to your wryghtyng to me, I spak with myn oncle William, and told hym that I undyrstood by yow that my Lord of Elye had aswell desyred hym in wryghtyng as you by mouthe, that non of you shold swe to have the inquisycion fond aftyr your intentys tyll other weyes of pese wer takyn betwyx you; wherfor my brodyr Edmund desyred hym that with ought myn oncle labord to have it fond for hym, ellys that he shold not procede for yow; but th’Exchetour answerd hym that he wold fynd it for you, aftyr your byll, of hys owne autorite; and so it was fond. But, syr, ye must remembre that my Lord of Ely desyred myn oncle as well as you to surcease, as I put myn oncle in knowlage, and myn oncle at the fyrst agreid that he wold make no more sute a bought it, in trust that ye wold do the same, acordyng to my Lord of Elys desyer; wherfor ye had ned to be ware that th’Exchetor skyppe not from you, when he comyth to London, and sertyfye it, or ye spek with hym. Th’Exchetor shalbe at London by Twysdaye or Wednysday next comyng, at John Leeis house, for he shall ryd forwardys as on Monday next comyng be tymys, &c.

Syr, your tenauntes at Crowmer sey that they know not who shalbe ther lord; they marvayll that ye nor no man for yow hathe not yet ben there. Also, when I was with myn oncle, I had a longe pystyll of hym, that ye had sent Pekok to Paston, and comandyd the tenauntes ther that they shold pay non areragys to hym, but if [unless] they wer bond to hym by obligacyon for the same; myn oncle seythe it was other wyse apoyntyd be for the arbytrorys; they thought, he seythe, as well my Mastyr Fytzwalter as other, that he shold receyve that as it myght be gadryd; but now he seythe, that he wottyth well some shall renne away, and some shall wast it, so that it is nevyr lyek to be gadryd, but lost, and so I trow it is lyek to be of some of the dettors, what for casuelte of dethe and thes other causes befor rehersyd; wherfor me thynkyth if it were apoyntyd befor the arbytrors that he shold receyve theym, as he seythe, it wer not for you to brek it, or ellys if he be pleyn executor to my grauntdam, then also he ought to have it. I spek lyek a blynd man, do ye as ye thynk, for I was at no syche apoyntment befor th’arbytrors, nor I know not whethyr he is executor to my grauntdam or not, but by hys seying.

Also, syr, ye must of ryght, consyderyng my brodyr Edmundys diligence in your maters, sythe your departyng, helpe hym forwardys to myn oncle Syr George Brown, as my brodyr Edmund preyid yow in hys lettyr that he sent on to yow by Mondys sone of Norwyche, dwellyng with Thomas Jenney, that myn oncle Syr George may gett to my brodyr Edmund of the Kyng the wardshepp of John Clyppysby, son and heyer to John Clyppysby,24.1 late of Owby, in the conte of Norffolk, Sqwyr, dwryng the nonnage of my Lord and Lady of York,24.2 thow it cost iiij. or v. mark the swte. Let myn oncle Syr George be clerk of the haniper, and kepe the patent, if it be grantyd, tyll he have hys mone, and that shall not be longe to.

Myn oncle Syr George may enforme the Kyng for trowthe, that the chyld shall have no lond duryng hys yong modyrs lyff, and ther is no man her that wyll mary with hym withought they have some lond with hym, and so the gyft shall not be gret that the Kyng shold geve hym; and yet I trow he shold get the modyr by that meane, and in my conseyt the Kyng dothe but ryght if he graunt my brodyr Edmund Clyppysbys son in recompense for takyng my brodyr Edmundes son, otherwyse callyd Dyxsons, the chyldys fadyr being alyve. Dyxson is ded, God have hys sowle, Whom I beseche to send you your most desyred joye.

Wretyn at Norwyche, on Seynt Leonardes Day. J. Paston.

Syr, it is told me that Nycolas Barlee, the Scyuer, hathe takyn an axion of dett ayenst me thys terme. I prey yow let Whetley or some body spek with hym, and lete hym wet that if he swe me softly thys terme, that he shall be payed or the nexte terme be at an end. It is a bought vjli., and in feythe he shold have had it or thys tyme, and our threshers of Sweynsthorp had not dyed upp; and if I myght have payed it hym a yer ago, as well as I trust I shall sone aftyr Crystmass, I wold not for xijli. have brokyn hym so many promessys as I have.

Also, syr, I prey yow send me by the next man that comyth fro London ij. pottys of tryacle of Jenne,—they shall cost xvjd.,—for I have spent ought that I had with my yong wyf, and my yong folkys, and my sylff, and I shall pay hym that shall bryng hem to me, and for hys caryage. I pray you lett it be sped.

The pepyll dyeth sore in Norwyche, and specyally abought my house, but my wyff and my women come not ought, and fle ferther we can not; for at Sweynsthorpe, sythe my departyng thens, they have dyed, and ben syke nye in every house of the towne.

958 WILLIAM PASTON TO ROBERT WALSH26.1

1479 NOV. 22

Yet wold I tary, all be yt I have taryd your comyg this halff yer, for I deme her suche men as schall well undyrstond myn titill good; yff any man have good tytyll I am suyr that myn is gode. I dar well juperde to take a dystres, wedyr they come or nat, and so I wyll ze know. Wer for, in so much as I left myn distress for iowr dysyr, so that I be answerid off myn mony acordyng to myn ryth, ar else send me answer, one ar oder [one or other], and lett me take the avantage that the Kynge lawys will zeff me be dystress qweche I have delayed, me thynk to long, for any thank that I have.

Wretyn at Norwich, the xxij. Novembre.

959 JULLYE TO HIS FATHER26.2

1479 NOV.

Well beloved fader, my master prayed you that ye will sende knowlach be my broder as sone as these men be come to Knapton, and that ye may laye a weche to knowe ho sone they be come, and sende me be your sone ar else be some other trusty man; and I have take your son a grote for his laubour. And do this in hast; for wheder they com or nat I wille take a distresse ther, and thatt will abide26.3 till I knowe the dealing of them this ij. ar iij. dayes for to know wheder they wille come or nat, and ther after shall I be demeaned.

Endorsed in William Paston’s hand—A letter fro ——26.4 Jullye, clark of Sent Edmundes, to his fadyr, to North Walsham, the ——26.4 day Novembr’, anno xix.

960 MANOR OF KNAPTON27.1

Mr. Thomas Pasche of Wynsowr toke the astate and retorne to the Dean and Colage of Wynsowr infra Castrum.

And one ——27.2 Holme, atornay off corte, is recognis (?) and was at stat takyn.

Robert Walsch off Colby j. myl. et di’ fro Blyklyng is steward.

Here folow revys of Knapton:—

Fro M. xvij. till xviij^o, Martyn Smyth.

F[ro] M. xviij. till xix^o, Roberd Fraunk (?), his place bonde.

Fro M. xix. till xx^o, Thomas Frank, his place fre.

961 CRESSINGHAM MANOR27.3

1479 NOV. 25

Receyved at Cressingham, the Thirsday nex aftyr Seynt Edmund27.4 at the corte ther vli. xs. by the handes of me, John Paston, Sqwyer.

Wherof payed to my modyr for costys don up on the berying of Walter Paston, and whyll he lay sek, and for the hyer of a man comyng with the seyd Water fro Oxenford xxd. xxixs. xjd.

Item, payed to William Gybson for j. horse sadyll and brydyll lent to Water Paston by the seyd William, xvjs.

Item, gevyn the seyd man comyng fro Oxenford with the seyd Water by the handys of J. Paston, xxd.

Item, payed for dyvers thynges whyll Water Paston lay sek, iiijd.

Item, for the costes of John Paston rydyng to kepe the coort at Cressingham, anno supradicto, whych was iiij. dayes in doing, for the styward mygh not be ther at the day prefyxid, iijs. iiijd.

the seyd Water fro Oxenford spelling “Water” unchanged

Item, payed to William Gybson ... xvjs. “s.” in plain (non-italic) type

962 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON28.1

To my ryght worchepfull modyr, Margaret Paston, at Seynt Peter of Hundgate.

1479 NOV.

Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtes of humble recomendacyon, as lowly as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng and preyeres. And, moder, John Clement, berer heroff, can tell yow, the mor pite is, if it pleasyd God, that my brodyr is beryed in the Whyghte Fryers at London; whych I thought shold not have ben, for I supposyd that he wold have ben beryed at Bromholme, and that causyd me so sone to ryd to London to have purveyd hys brynging hom, and if it had ben hys wylle to have leyn at Bromholm, I had purposyd all the wey as I have redyn to have brought hom my grauntdame28.2 and hym to gedyrs; but that purpose is voyd as now. But thys I thynke to do when I com to London to spek with my Lord Chamberleyn,28.3 and to wynne by hys meanys my Lord of Ely,28.4 if I can; and if I may by eny of ther meanys cause the Kyng to take my servyse and my quarrell to gedyrs, I wyll, and I thynk that Sir George Brown, Sir Jamys Radclyff, and other of myn aqueyntance, whyche wayte most upon the Kyng, and lye nyghtly in hys chamber, wyll put to ther good wyllys. Thys is my wey as yet. And, modyr, I beseche yow, as ye may get or send eny messengers, to send me yowr avyse and my cosyn Lomeners to John Leeis hows, taylere, with in Ludgate. I have myche more to wryght, but myn empty hed wyll not let me remembre it.

Also, modyr, I prey that my brodyr Edmond may ryd to Marlyngforthe, Oxenhed, Paston, Crowmer, and Caster, and all thes maners to entre in my name, and to lete the tenants of Oxenhed and Marlyngfor know that I sent no word to hym to take no mony of theym but ther attornement; wherfor he wyll not, tyll he her fro me ayen, axe hem non, but lete hym comand theym to pay to servaunts of myn oncles, nor to hymsylff, nor to non othyr to hys use, in peyne of payment ayen to me. I thynk if ther shold be eny money axid in my name, peraventure it wold make my Lady of Norfolk ayenst me, and cause hyr to thynk I dellt more contrary to hyr plesure than dyd my brodyr, whom God pardon of Hys gret mercy. I have sent to entre at Stansted and at Orwellbery, and I have wretyn a bylle to Anne Montgomery and Jane Rodon to make my Lady of Norffolk, if it wyll be. Your sone and humble servaunt, J. Paston.

963 WILLIAM LOMNOR TO JOHN PASTON29.1

To the ryght worchypfull John Paston, Squyer, yn haste.

1479 NOV. 28

My Master Paston, I recomaunde me to yow, preyyng God to have mercy on my master your brother sowle, to whom ye ar heyre, and also to my mastras your grauntdam. Wherfore be th’avyse of my mastras your carful moder, your brothere Edmund, on Sunday next before Sent Andrew, rod to Marlyngforth, and before alle the tenauntez, examynid on James, kepere ther for Will. Paston, where he was the weke next before Sent Andrew, and there he seyd that he was not at Marlingforth from the Monday unto the Thorday at evyn, and soo there was no man there but your brothers man at the tyme of his decese; so be that your brothere dyyd sesid, and your brothere E. bad your man kepe possession to your behoffe, and warned the tenauntez to pay noo man, til ye hadde spoke them. So mesemyth that ys a remyttir to your old taylyd titell; comon with your concell. Forther, at afternoon he was at Oxned to understande how they had doo, and Peris kepyd your brotheres possession at that tyme; and your oncle his man was not there, but he assyned anothere pore man to be ther. Whethere that contynuid the possession of W. Paston or not be remembrid, &c.

And after the decese, &c., W. Paston sent the man that kepyd possession to fore to entre and kepe possession, wheche was noo warent be tha poyntment, for ye stande at your liberte as for ony apoyntment or comunycacion hadde before, and soo men seme it wer good for yow to stande at large til ye here more; yf ye myght have my Lord Chamberleyns good faver and lordship, it were ryght expedyent. As for my Lord of Ely, dele not wyth hym be owr avyse, for he woll move for trete, and elles be displesid. Your brother Edmund sent to John Wymond, and he sent word he wolle be a mene of trete, but wold take noo parte, and as I sopose that was be Heydons avyse; for your uncle sent to me to be with hym, and also the same man rodd to Heydon and Wymondham, &c. The brenger of this letter can tell, for he was with your brothere E. at these placez.

Forther, my mastras your moder gretyth yow well, and sendyth yow her blessyng, requiryng yow to come oute of that here [air] alsone as ye may; and your brothere E. comaundid hym to yow, and he doth hys dylygens, and parte for yow full well and saddely yn many behalvys, and hath brought my maistras your wife to Topcrofte on Friday last, and they fare all well there; and he yntendith to see my Master Fitz Water, whech lythe at Freton, ner Long Stratton. And God be your gide yn all your maters, and brenge yow sone home.

Wretyn at Norwyche, on Sonday at nyght next before Sent Andrew, and delyverd on Monday next be the morwyn. Be your, W. Lomnour.

964 ABSTRACT31.1

[William Paston to Robert Walsh]

Thinks his dealing not very commendable, seeing that the writer is not paid his fee, according to the promise made by him and Fouke of Knapton, when they were with him at Norton. I had a distress and left it for your sake, but you show no consideration for me, etc.

[This is a draft in the handwriting of William Paston. To it is attached a small slip with these words, ‘A letter fro William Paston to Robert Walsch and Robert Fouk of Knapton.’]

965 JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON31.2

To my ryght worchepfull and most kynd modyr, Margarett Paston.

1479 DEC.

Ryght werchepfull modyr, aftyr all dutes of humble recomendacyon, as lowly as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blessyng and preyer. Pleasyt yow to undyrstand that wher as ye wyllyd me by Poiness to hast me ought of the heyer that I am in, it is so that I must pwt me in God, for her must I be for a season, and in good feyth I shall never, whyll God sendyth me lyff, dred mor dethe than shame; and thankyd be God, the sykness is well seasyd here, and also my besyness puttyth awey my fere. I am drevyn to labore in lettyng of th’execucyon of myn unkynd onclys entent, wher in I have as yet non other dyscorage, but that I trust in God he shall fayle of it.

I have spokyn with my Lord of Ely32.1 dyvers tymys, whyche hathe put me in serteynte by hys woord, that he wyll be with me ayenst myn oncle in iche mater that I can shewe that he entendyth to wrong me in; and he wold fayne have a resonable end betwyx us, wher to he wyll helpe, as he seythe. And it is serteyn my brodyr, God have hys soule, had promysed to a byde the reule of my Lord Chamberleyn32.2 and of my Lord Ely; but I am not yett so far forthe, nor not wyll be, tyll I know my Lord Chamberleyns intent, and that I purpose to do to morow, for then I thynk to bewith hym, with Godes leve. And sythe it is so that God hathe purveyd me to be the solysytore of thys mater, I thank Hym of Hys grace for the good lordes, mastrys, and frendys that He hathe sent me, whyche have perfytely promysyd me to take my cause as ther owne, and those frendes be not a fewe.

And, modyr, as I best can and may, I thank yow and my cosyn Lomenore of the good avyse that ye have sent me, and I shall aplye me to do ther aftyr. Also, modyr, I beseche you on my behalf to thank myn cosyn Lomnorre for the kindness that he hathe shewyd on to me in gevyng of hys answer to myn onclys servaunt, whyche was with hym.

Modyr, I wryght not so largely to yow as I wold do, for I have not most leyser; and also when I have ben with my Lord Chamberleyn, I purpose not to tery longe aftyr in London, but to dresse me to yow wardes; at whyche tyme I trust I shall brynge yow more serteynte of all the fordell [advantage] that I have in my besyness then I can as yett wryght.

I am put in serteynte by my most specyall good mastyr, my Mastyr of the Rollys,32.3 that my Lord of Ely is, and shal be bettyr lord to me then he hathe shewyd as yet, and yet hathe he delt with me ryght well and honourably.

Modyr, I beseche yow that Pekok may be sent to purvey me as myche money as is possybyll for hym to make ayenst my comyng home, for I have myche to pay her in London, what for the funerall costes, dettes, and legattes that must be content in gretter hast then shalbe myn ease. Also I wold the ferme barly in Flegge, as well as at Paston, if ther be eny, wer gadryd, and iff it may be resonably sold, then to be sold or putt to the maltyng; but I wold at Caster that it were ought of the tenauntes handys for thynges that I here (kepe ye consell thys fro Pekok and all folkys), whyche mater I shall appese, if God wyll geve me leve.

966 JOHN PASTON AND HIS UNCLE WILLIAM33.1

After 1479

Thes be th’enjuryes and wrongys done by William Paston to John Paston, hys nevew.

Fyrst, the maners of Marlyngforthe, Stansted, and Horwellbery wes gev[en to] William Paston, Justyce, and to Agnes, hys wyff, and to th’eyers of ther tw . . . . to whom the seyd John Paston is cosyn and heyer, that is to sey, son to John, son and heyer to the seyd William and Agnes.

Item, wher the [seyd William Paston was seasyd of the maner of ——], Ed. Clere with other infeofyd to the use of the seyd Will[iam]33.2 and of hys heyres, the whyche William made hys wyll that th[e said Agnes], hys [wife], shold have the seyd maner for terme of hyr lyff. And aftyr th[at he] dyed, and the seyd Agnes occupyed for terme of hyr seyd lyff . . . . of the seyd feoffes the seyd maner; and aftyrwardes the seyd . . . . . . Afftyr whoys dethe Sir John Paston, Knyght, as cosyn and heyer to t[he said William], in to the seyd maner entred, and dyed with ought issue of hys bodye. . . . . . John as brodyr and heyer to the seyd Sir John, [and cosyn and heyer is lett . .],34.1 . . seyd maner entred, and is lettyd to take the profytys of the same by . . . . of the maners of Marlyngforthe, Stansted, and Horwelbery befor r . . . . by the meanys of the seyd Wylliam.

967 JOHN PASTON TO ——34.2

1479-80

Sir, I pray yow that ye will send sum chyld to my Lord of Bukingham place, and to the Crown, wich as I conseive is called Gerardes Hall, in Bred Stret, to inquere whedir I have any answer of my letter sent to Caleys, whech ye know off; and that ye will remembre my brotheris ston, so that it myth be mad er I cumm ageyn, and that it be klenly wrowgth. It is told me that the man at Sent Bridis is no klenly portrayer; [the]rfor I wold fayn it myth be portrayed be sum odir man, and he to grave it up.

Sir, it is informyd sum personis in this cuntre that ye know that the frere will sew a nodir delegaci fro Rome, direkt to sum byschop of Ingland, to amend his mater, &c.; and how be it that it may not gretly hurt, yet the seyd persones, &c., wold not he shuld have his entent, in asmoch as his suggestion is untrew, but rather they wold spend mony to lette it. I suppose the Abbot of Bery shuld labor for him rather than anodir, becawse the sey Abbot is a perteynor to the lord that is the freris mayntener, &c.; wherefor, ser, my moder and I pray yow enquere after a man callid Clederro, whych is solisitor and attorne with Master Will. Grey, that late was the Kingges proktor at Rome, and the seyd Clederro sendith matiers and letters owth of Ingelond to his seyd master ever[y] monith, &c. He is well knowe in London, and among the Lumbardes, and with the Bischop of Winchesteris men, but I wot not wher he dwellit in London, and I suppos if ye speke with him, he knowith me. Plese yow to comone with him of this mater, but let him not wete of the mater atwix my modir and him; but desir him to wryth to his master to lett this, if it may be, or elles to se the best wey that he have not his intent, and to comon with the proktor of the Whith Freris at Rome to hep forth, for the freris here have laborid to my moder, and praid her to lette his ontrewe intent, and have wrete to her proketor befor this. And I suppose if ye speke to the prior of the freris at London, he will writh to her seyd proktor, &c., but tell the prior no word that I know [ther]of, but let him wete if he will wryth to his proktor, odir men shall help forth.

More over, that ye will tell Cledero that I am not seker that the frere laborith thus, but be talis of freris and odir; nevertheles let him writh to his master that [for] whatsomevyr he do herin, he shall be truly content for his labor and costes. And if ye think that Cledro will writh effectually herin, geff hym j. noble, [bid] hym let his master know that my Lord of Wynchester35.1 and Danyell ow godwill to the part that he shall labor for. And if thar be fown no sech sewth be the seyd [fre]re, yet wold I have sum thing fro Rome to anull the old bull, &c., or to apeyr [impair] it [if] it myth be do esily, &c., and tyding wheder ther be any sech sute, &c. Your own, &c.

[For] how beit that it may nowthir avayl ner hurt, yet my moder will this be do. [I] send yow the copi of the bull, and how execucion was do, and informacion of the mater imparte, &c. And, sir, I sha content your noble, &c. And I pray yow red it over, and spede yow homeward, and bring this letter home with yow, &c.

968 AN INVENTORY OF PLATE36.1

1479

In primis, a sallt with j. cover, xx. unces di. & di. quart.

j. stumpe of a salte, ij. unces & di.

j. flat salt with a squyrell, j. unce iij. quarters.

iiij. Parys cuppis with a cover, with a rose in the botom, weyeng lvj. unces j. quarter.

ij. holowe disshes, xxix. unces iij. quarter di.

j. chafre of silver, ix. unces j. quarter.

xij. sylver spones, wereof my lady hath one.

j. lytil spone of Rippyngales, j. quarter & di. quarter, j. d. ob. q^a. di.

j. lityll spone for egges, j. quarter & di. quarter ob.

j. prikettes nuper Howis, ix. unces ij. d. weight.

j. preket nuper Howis, viij. unces iij. quarters & di.

j. long sokett.

j. nother long soket.

vj. soketes, with branches to remeve.

iij. wherwilles to the same.

j. playne pees for potage, per estimacionem, xj. unces j. quarter.

j. playn pees nuper Frere Water, iiij. unces j. quarter.

j. nother playn peece nuper Frere Walter, iiij. unces di. quarter.

j. chaleis, xv. unces & di. quarter.

ij. cruettes, vij. unces iij. quarters.

a paxbred,36.2 iij. unces di. quarter j. d.

j. holowe barbore bason, bought of Colet.

j. standing pece couvered, bought of Elingham, xv. unces & j. quarter.

iij. gilt spones.

j. spone for grene gynger, gilt, j. unce j. quarter j. q^a. & di.

j. gilte cup covered, wel shapen with trayle, with j. knop with a kroune enamelid, xxiij. unces & di. & di. quarter.

j. nothir cupp standing covered, gilt, bell shapen with trailles, with a playn knopp not enamelid, xxiij. unces & j. quarter.

j. maser Sipton.

ij. masers.

iij. gilt spones.

j. gynger spone.

j. bag whiteleder, wherin is all this stuff folowyng this lyne:— iij. girdels Staunton. j. girdel upholdester. Fawcon Skern coppe. Hans Eborlyn girdel. Purs gold with Jane Aske harnes. ij. lynen bagges lityll with broke silver and j. old harneis gilt.

Furst, a standing cuppe with a cover therto plommed, weyeng xxiiij. unces di.

Item, a standing coppe curid gilt, weyeng xxxvj. unces.

Item, a nother standing cupp cuerid gilt, weying xv. unces iij. q^a. & di.

Item, a goblette of silver and gilt covered xiiij. unces j. quarter & di.

Item, a nother goblett gilt, weyeng xij. unc’ & j. d. weight.

Item, a nothir goblet gilt, weyeng vij. unc’.

Item, a standing white pees with a cover withoute a knoppe, weyeng xxij. unces.

Item, a salt with a pale covered, xiiij. unc’ j. quarter.

Item, a rounde salt covered, xix. unc’ j. quarter di.

Item, a rounde salt uncovered, viij. unces.

Item, a basonne of xxxv. unc’ j. quarter.

Item, an ewer to the same of xv. unc’ & di. quarter.

Item, an ewer, xiiij. unc’ di. quarter.

Item, vj. silver sponys with square sharp knoppes of v. unces iij. quarter j. d. wight.

Item, spone for grene gynger of iij. quarters & ij. d. wight.

Item, a grete gilt chalis with a patent longing to the same, weying xlij. unces j. quarter.

Item, a litil standing pece chacid plumtes, with a kover to the same, x. unces j. quarter.

Item, a blak notte standing of silver and gilt, with a kover to the same, weying xviij. unc’.

Item, a grete maser with a prend in the botom, and the armes of Seint Jorge, weying xv. unc’ j. quarter & di.

Item, a nother maser sownde in the botom and a sengilbonde, viij. unc’ & j. quarter.

Item, a lytil maser with a foote, weying viij. unc’.

Item, a nother maser with a lytill foote, weing viij. unc’.

Item, a nothir litill maser with an higher foote, weying x. unces & j. quarter.

Item, xx^ti spones on a bundell, weying xvj. unc. j. quarter.

Item, vj. spones with acorns, weying v. unc’ & di. quarter.

Item, a peyre bedes of corall with paternostris of silver and gilt, and a knopp of smale perle, weying vj. unc’ j. quarter.

In primis, j. standing cuppe covered playne with a rounde knoppe, weyeng xxv. unces.

j. nodir cuppe of golde covered playne with a chacid knoppe, weying xxiij. unces iij. quarters.

j. layer of gold with a crokid spoute, weyeng xiij. unces iij. quarters.

j. nothir layer of golde, weyeng xiij. unces j. quarter j. d.

j. chaleis of fyne golde in pecis broken, xxiiij. unces.

j. coppe of golde covered, chacid with a perle, xxj. unces.

j. salte covered with a berall gairneshid, v. unces j. quarter.

j. nothir salt covered, garnyshed with stones, v. unces iij. quarter.

j. par of gilt basouns covered, weyeng viij^xx. xix. unces & di.

j. salte gilte, weyeng xxviij. unces di. quarter.

j. cover to the same, weyeng viij. unces j. quarter.

j. nothir salte gilte withoute a cover, xxvij. unces iij. quarters.

j. standing pees gilte, with a cover Skern, xxxvij. unces j. quarter.

j. nothir standing pees gilte with a cover, A. P. xxj. unces di. & di. quarter.

j. flatte pees covered, gilt, A. P. xviij. unces & di.

j. potte for grene gynger gilte, x. unces & di. iiij. d. ob.

j. cover to the same, weying j. unce & j. quarter.

j. stonding cuppe covered parcell gilt, Sir Buk, xvj. unces & j. quarter.

j. salt covered parcell gilt, Sir Ric.’, xij. unces & di.

j. paxe parcell gilte, Staunton, xiij. unces.

j. standing cuppe with a kever, parcell gilt, Staunton, xix. unces & di.

j. goblett for Rynesh wyne covered, xj. unces & di. quarter.

j. powder boxe, vj. unces j. quarter di. quarter.

j. noder powder boxe, viij. unces j. quarter.

j. candilstykke with a lous [loose] sokett and j. preket, P. xvij. unces di. quarter.

ij. candilstikkes with ij. lous preketes, Skern, xxxj. unces j. quarter di.

di. doss. [half a dozen] sylver spones, Shipton, vj. unces di. & di. quarter.

di. doss. spones, Stanton, vij. unces.

j. bason, P. xlv. unces di.

j. bason, Sparke, lx. unces.

j. bason, Sturmer, with a spoute, xxxiiij. unces. j. quarter j. d. q.

j. bason, Sturmer, withoute a spoute, xxxij. unces j. quarter di. quarter j. d. q^a.

j. bason, Rous, l. unces iij. quarters.

j. ewer, P. xvj. unces & di. & di. quarter.

j. ewer, Sparke, xx. unces.

j. ewer, Sturmer, xiiij. unces j. quarter and di. quarter q^a.

j. ewer, Sturmer, xiiij. unces di. di. quarter j. d. ob. q^a.

j. ewer, Rous, xviij. unces.

j. pott, Hous, lvij. unces.

j. pott, P. xxviij. unces iij. quarter di. ij.

j. pott, S. . . . lett, xv. unces.

j. pott, Rous, xxxv. unces.

j. pott, Spark, xxvij. unces j. quarter.

j. flagon, xxxix. unces.

j. layer, ix. unces a quarter & di.

j. layer, ix. unces j. quarter & ij. di.

vj. Parys cuppis with a cover, Skerne, lxx. unces iij. quarters di.

j. grete boll pees, with a cover, Noris, xl. unces j. quarter.

xxiij. disshis of sylver, Skerne, xvij^xx.vj. unces di.

iiij. chargeours, v^xx.x. unces.

xxvij. dishes, xx^xx.xj. unces di. & di. quarter.

xxiij. sawcers, vj^xx.xv. unces.

39.1xij. flatt cuppis of silver, P. and Staunton, v^xx.v. unces iij. quarters.

39.1iiij. coveres to the same, P. and Staunton, xl. unces.

j. chargeour priour (?) water, xlvj. unces j. quarter di.

with a rose in the botom, weyeng text has “weyeng,”

j. prikettes nuper Howis, / ix. unces ij. d. weight. text has “weight,”

j. standing pece couvered, bought of Elingham, text has “Elingham.”

j. cover to the same, weyeng text has “weyeng,”

j. paxe parcell gilte, Staunton, period after “j.” missing

j. candilstykke ... and j. preket, P. text has “P,”

969 ABSTRACT39.2

William Paston to his Brother Edmund Paston

After 1479

Encloses the will of his father, ‘such as my brother hath’; who says he had it out of the register. My business is no further advanced since I left you, except that my brother has got a pardon of the alienation made by the Bishop of Winchester. Can get no estate in it except according to his father’s will, viz. to himself and his heirs-male. My brother’s will is that I should have Runham, which is £8 a year at least, in recompense of the 10 marks out of Sporle, if he would release all his right in that manor. There is nothing touching you in my brother’s40.1 will, for I read it over and will write it also; ‘so that I woll have the same for my copy that he wrote with his own hand.’

Recommend me heartily to my sister your wife.

London, 22 Feb.

[The writer of this was William, the son of the eldest John Paston, not that uncle William with whom the two younger John Pastons had so many disputes. I see nothing to fix the date beyond the fact that the letter was written after Sir John Paston’s death.]

970 WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN KYNG40.2

To John Kynge, Fermour of my Maner of Hartwelbury, in Kelsall, besides Royston, be this delyverd.

1480 FEB. 24

John Kyng, I grete yow hartely well; and I understond as well by my frende, Syr William Storar, as by Ric. Browne, that as well my kynnesman Syr John Paston that dede is, as my kynnesman John Paston that now leveth, have ben with yow, and yovyn yow many grete thretis, for that ye acordyng to the trowth, tolde unto them that ye ocupyed my maner of Harwelbury be my leese, and be my ryght. And further more I understond, notwithstondyng the seyde grete thretis, that ye, lyke a full trewe, harty frende, have delyd and fastely abedyn in my tytill, and wolde not retorne to none of them. Wherfor I hartely thank yow; and furthar more to corage yow in yowr fast dealyng, I schew onto yow that I have ryght bothe in law and in concience, wherby I promyse yow on my feythe to defende yow and save yow harmeles for the occupacion of the londe, or any thynge that ye schall doo in my titill a gaynst hym, and it schulde cost me as moche as the maner is worth, and also another tyme to doo as moche for yow, and it ly in my powre, yf ye have ony mater to doo ther as I may doo for yow.

And, also, I here say, by my seid frende, Syr William Storar, and by Ric. Brown, that ye ar of suche substaunce, and of suche trust, and suche favor in the contre ther, that it lithe in yowr powre to do a goode turne for yowr frende.

Wretyn at London, the xxiiij^ti day of Februari. Be William Paston.

971 GEORGE, SERVANT TO WILLIAM PASTON, TO JOHN KYNG41.1

To John Kyng of Therfeld, in Herdfordshire.

Date uncertain

Right trusty and welbeloved frende, I comaunde me to you. And, Ser, I tolde my maister that ye wolde have ben with him or this; for which cause he mervaileth ye kepe nat your promyse. Wherfore I avise you to come and bryng my maister his money afore this fest of Cristmasse.

And, also, ye ar yerly behynde of a boore or els ten shillinges after the price of oon bore. And where ye be owyng your boore for ij. yerys, I wolde avyse you to delyver unto Ser William Storer the seid dute, or els I counceile you to send my maister a resonable somme of money with thies boores afore Cristmasse for your thanke, consideryng his kynde dealyng, as well in sufferaunce of your money as in your owne matier.

Writen at London, the xvj^th day of Decembre. Be your frende, George, servaunte to Mr. W. Paston.41.2

972 JOHN, PRIOR OF BROMHOLM, TO JOHN PASTON41.3

To my right worchipful maister, John Paston, Sqwyer.

1480-7

Right worchipful maister, I recomaunde me un to yow, desiryng to knowe of youre welfare and prosperyte, wheche Jesu maynteyne and encreese to His pleser after youre hertys desyre, thankyng yow ever of youre good maistership to me shewed at alle tymes withoute deserte on my behalve, prayng yow, and hirtely besechyng of youre goode contynuance. Please it yowre maistership, for as moche as it [is] moved on to the my good maisters, the counsell of the Duche of Lancastr, that they be weelwillyng to make laboure on to my Sovereyn Lady the Qween at youre good instaunce for certeyn tymber toward my dortour at Bromholm, in wheche myn specyall desyre is to have viij. princypall beemys, everych on in length xj. zerds. I am not expeert in makyng of any supplicacion, besechyng youre maistership to take it uppon you to do it make after your avyce, alegged all poverte, as youre worchipfull discrecion can moche better than I can enforme; and I remitte all to youre wysdam, ever besechyng you to calle this matyer to youre remembraunce. No more at this tyme, but the Holy Trinite mote have yow in His governaunce, and sende you longe lyf to endure to His pleser.

Wreten the xiiij^e day of Octobr. Youre preest and chapeleyn, John, Priour of Bromholm.

973 ABSTRACT43.1

Not after 1481

Appointment touching ‘Ayeseldys wyff.’ Her friends to labour for her acquittal of the felony, without letting of Wremmegey’s wife, etc. £20 to be deposited ‘in mene hand’ by the friends of A’s wife, to be delivered on her acquittal to Darby and other frends of W.’s wife. Also Master Yelverton shall have his £3 due to him from Ayseldys wife paid by both parties.

Signed—John Yelverton.

[I can find no other reference to the matter referred to in this paper, and cannot tell the date; but as John Yelverton, the son of the judge, died on the 9th July 1481 (Blomefield, x. 31), it cannot be later than that year.]

974 EDMUND PASTON TO WILLIAM PASTON43.2

To my brother, Wylliam Paston, be this delyverd.

About 1481(?)

I hartely recomawnd me to zow. Here is lately fallyn a wydow in Woorstede, whyche was wyff to one Bolt, a worstede marchaunt, and worth a m^l.li., and gaff to hys wyff a C. marke in mony, stuffe of howsold, and plate to the valew of an C. marke, and xli. be zere in land. She is callyd a fayer jantylwoman. I wyll for zour sake se her. She is ryght systyr, of fader and modyr, to Herry Ynglows. I purpose to speke with hym to gett hys good wyll. Thes jantylwoman is abowght xxx. zeres, and has but ij. chyldern, whyche shalbe at the dedes charge; she was hys wyff but v. zere. Yf she be eny better than I wryght for, take it in woothe I shew the leeste. Thus lete me have knowlache of zowr mynde as shortly as ze can, and whan ze shall moun be in this cuntre. And thus God send zow good helth and good aventure.

From Norwyche, the Saterday after xij^the day. Your, E. Paston.

975 EDMUND PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON44.1

To my ryght wurchypfull and especiall good mother, Margaret Paston.

Between 1481-4

Ryght worchypfull and moste especialle good modyr, in my moste umble wyse, with alle my dute and servyse, I recomawnd me to yow, besechynge zow of zour blyssyng, whyche is to me moste joy of erthely thynge; and it plese zow to be so good and kynd modyr to me to forgeve me, and also my wyffe, of owr leude offence that we have not don ower dute, whyche was to have seyn and ave waytyd up on zow or now. My huswyffe trustythe to ley to zow her huswyferey for her excuse, wyche I muste beseche zow not to accepte, for in good faythe I deme her mynde hathe ben other weys ocapyed than as to huswyfery, whyche semyth welle by the latchesnes of the tylthe of her landdes. I beseche God for the forderawnce of them as now rewarde zow and the good parson of Mautby, and also Mastyer Baley, who I wende woold not have balkyd this pore loggeyng to Norwyche wardes.

I undyrstand by the bryngger here of that ze entende to ryde to Walsyngham; yf it please zow that I may wete the seayson, as my dute is, I shalle be redy to awayte up on zow.

Plese it zow that the brynggar here of cam to me for xs. viijd. whyche I shuld ow hys fadyr; trew it was at my laste departyng from hym, I owte hym somych, but sertaynly or I cam at Thetfford homewardes, I thowt of concyence he owte to have restoryd me as myche. I had my horsse with hym at lyvery, and amonge alle one of them was putte to gresse and to labur, so that he dyed of a laxe by the wey. I payed for hard mete ever to hym.

Plese it zow to delyver Kateryn vs., wyche I send zow in this bylle. I am not assartaynd how she is purveyde of mony towardes her jornay. Yf her fadyr cowde not acleymed jd. of me, I woold not se her dysporveyd, yf I myght, nor the poreste chyld that is belonggyng to hys loggeyng.

Modyr, my wyffe is boold to send zow a tokyn. I beseche zow pardon alle thyngges not done acordyng to dute. I beseche God send zow the accomplyshment of zour moste and woorchypfull desyers.

At Owby, the Saterday next before Candylmes. Zour umble son and servant, Edmond Paston.

976 MONASTERY OF ST. FAITH45.1

1481 AUG.

Robertus filius domini Walteri de Mauteby militis insp[ex]sit cartas an[tiquas] . . . . concessas Deo et monasterio Sanctæ Fidis quinque quarteria salis annualis redditus . . e olim . . . . . . quinque wayes percipienda de salinis ma[r]issi de Mauteby secundum mensuram ejusdem [mari]ssi. Quam quidem concessionem prædictus Robertus ratificat . . . . . suum sub sigillo suo quid est[45.2]. And this deed sawe John Paston at the seid Seynt Feythes, mense Augusti Anno xxj^o Regis E. [Q]uarti. And for this rent a . . the prior and the monkys there shewyd [to th]e seyd John, the same moneth and tyme, thes obitis foloyng tightled in the . . . . . they s[ay]d that they . . . . . whiche wold be knowyn and wachid. So the sayd . . . . the obbites . . . . . . . . . . bi Maltby xij. die mensis Aprilis. Et d’ns d’nii (?) Johannes de Maltb[y].

977 ABSTRACT46.1

Anonymous to Mrs. [Margaret Paston?]

There is no tachment made in the land unless it be done privily. The sheriff has been thrice in our town in these three weeks. As for the panel of Frances’ matter, there is none of the sheriff’s deputies but Francis to inquire of.

[I am quite unable to attach a date to this letter, or to conjecture by whom it was written. Even the person to whom it is addressed is very uncertain, though I have suggested Margaret Paston.]

978 MARGARET PASTON’S WILL.46.2

1482 FEB. 4

In the name of God, amen. I, Margaret Paston, widowe, late the wiff of John Paston, Squier, doughter and heire to John Mauteby, Squier, hole of spirit and mynde, with perfite avisement and good deliberacion, the iiij^te day of February, in the yer of Our Lord God a m^l.cccclxxxj. make my testament and last wille in this fourme folowyng. First, I betake my sowle to God Almyghty and to Our Lady His blissid Moder, Seint Michael, Seint John Baptist, and to Alle Seintes, and my body to be beried in the ele of the cherch of Mauteby, byfore the ymage of Our Lady there. In which ele reste the bodies of divers of myn aunceteres, whos sowles God assoile.

Item, I bequethe to the high awter of the seid cherch of Mauteby xxs.

Item, I wulle that the seid ele in which my body shalbe beried be newe robed, leded, and glased, and the walles therof heyned [heightened] convenyently and werkmanly.

Item, I wulle that myn executours purveye a stoon of marble to be leyde alofte upon my grave within a yer next after my decesse; and upon that stoon I wulle have iiij. scochens sett at the iiij. corners, wherof I wulle that the first scochen shalbe of my husbondes armes and myn departed, the ij^de of Mawtebysarmes and Berneys of Redham departed, the iij^de of Mawtebysarmes and the Lord Loveyn departed, the iiij^te of Mawtebysarmes and Sir Roger Beauchamp departed. And in myddys of the seid stoon I wull have a scochen sett of Mawtebysarmes allone, and under the same thise wordes wretyn, ‘In God is my trust,’ with a scripture wretyn in the verges therof rehersyng thise wordes, ‘Here lieth Margret Paston, late the wif of John Paston, doughter and heire of John Mawteby, Squier,’ and so forth, in the same scripture rehersed the day of the moneth and the yer that I shall decesse: ‘on whos sowle God have mercy.’

Item, I wulle that myn executours shall purveye xij. pore meen of my tenauntes, or other if they suffice not, the whiche I wulle shalbe apparailled in white gownes with hodes according, to holde xij. torches abowte myn herse or bere at such tyme as I shalbe beried, during the exequies and masse of my berying; which xij. torches I wille remayne in the seid cherch of Mawteby whil they may last for my yerday.

Which yerday I wull myn heire kepe in the same cherch for me my seid husbond and myn aunceteres yerly during the terme of xij. yeres next after my decesse;47.1 and I wulle that ich of the seid xij. pore meen the day of my beriing have iiijd. Also, I wulle that iche preste being at my berying and masse have viijd., and ich clerk in surplys iijd. Also, I wull that the preste which shall berie me have vjs. viijd., so that he seye over me at the tyme of my berying all the whole service that to the berying belongeth.

Also, I wulle that from the day and tyme that I am beried unto the ende of vij. yeres than next folowyng be ordeyned a taper of wexe of ali. to brenne upon my grave ich Sonday and haliday at alle divine service to be seid or sunge in the seid cherch and dailly at the masse of that preest that shalle singe there in the seid ele for my sowle.

Item, I wulle that vj. tapers, ich of iiijli., brenne abowte myn herse the day of my beryng, of which I wull that iiij. yerly be kept to brenne abowte myn herse whan my yerday shalbe kept aslong as they may honestly serve.

Item, I wulle have an honest seculer prest to synge and pray in the seid ele for my sowle, the sowles of my father and mother, the sowle of the seid John Paston, late my husband, and for the sowlys of his aunceteres and myn during the terme of vij. yeres next after my decesse.

Item, I wulle that myn executours purveye a compleet legende in oon book, and an antiphoner in an other book, which bookes I wull be yeven to abide ther in the seid cherch to the wursship of God aslonge as they may endure.48.1

Item, I wulle that every houshold in Mauteby as hastily as it may be convenyently doo after my decesse have xijd.

Item, to the emendyng of the cherch of Freton in Suffolk I bequethe a chesiple and an awbe.48.2

And I wulle that ich houshold being my tenaunt there have vjd.

And I bequethe to the emendement of the cherch of Basyngham a chesiple and an awbe.48.3

And I wulle that every houshold there have viijd.

Item, I bequeth to the emendyng of the cherch of Matelask a chesiple and an awbe.48.4

And I wull that every pore houshold that are my tenauntes there have viijd.

Item, I bequethe to the emendyng of the cherch of Gresham a chesiple and an awbe.48.6

And I wulle that ich pore houshold that be my tenauntes there have vjd.

Item, I wulle that ich pore houshold late my tenauntes at Sparham have vjd.

Item, to the reparacion of the cherch of Redham there as I was borne I bequeth v. marc and a chesiple of silk with an awbe with myn armes therupon to the emendement of the same cherche.48.5

Item, to iche of the iiij. houshes of Freres in Norwich, xxs.

Item, to iche of the iiij. houshes of Freres of Yermouth and at the South toun to pray for my sowle I bequeth xxs.

Item, to the ankeres at the Frere Prechours in Norwich I bequeth iijs. iiijd.

And to the ankeres in Conesford I bequeth iijs. iiijd.

Item, to the anker at the White Freres in Norwich I bequethe iijs. iiijd.

Item, to iche hole and half susters at Normans in Norwich, viijd.

Item, to the Deen and his bretheren of the Chepell of Feld, to the use of the same place to seye a dirige and a masse for my sowle, xxs.

Item, to the hospitalle of Seint Gile in Norwich, also for a dirige and a masse for my sowle, xxs.

Item, to iche of the iiij. pore meen, and to either of the susters of the seid hospitall, ijd.

Item, to the mother cherche of Norwiche for a dirige and masse, xxs.

Item, to iche lepre man and woman at the v. Yates in Norwich, iijd.

And to iche forgoer at every of the seid yates, ijd.

Item, to iche lepre without the North gates at Yermouth, iijd.; and to the forgoer ther, ijd.

Item, to iche houshold of the parish of Seint Peter of Hungate in Norwich that wull receyve almes, have iiijd.

Item, I wull have a dirige and a masse for my sowle at the parisshe cherche of Seint Michael of Coslany in Norwich, and that every preste ther havyng his stipend being therat have iiijd., and iche clerk in surplys of the same parissh than ther being have ijd., and the parissh clerk vjd., and the curat that shall seye high masse have xxd., and I bequeth to the reparacion of the bellys of the same cherche vjs. viijd., and to the sexteyn there to rynge at the seid dirige and masse, xxd.

Item, I wull that myn executours shall geve to the sustentacion of the parson or preste that shall for the tyme mynystre the sacramentez and divine service in the cherch of Seint Petre of Hungate in Norwich, xxli. of lawfull money;50.1 whiche xxli. I will it be putt in the rule and disposicion of the cherch reves of the same cherche for the tyme being by the oversight of the substancialle persones of the seid parissh, to this intent, that the seid cherch reves, by the oversight as is before-seid, shall yerly yeve, if it so be that the profites of the seid cherch suffice not to fynde a prest after ther discrecions, part of the seid xxli. to the seid parson or preste, unto the seid xxli. be expended.

Item, I bequeth to Edmund Paston, my sone, a standing pece white covered, with a white garleek heed upon the knoppe, and a gilt pece covered with an unicorne, a fetherbedde and a traumsom at Norwich, and the costers50.2 of worsted that he hath of me.

Item, I bequeth to Katerine his wiff a purpill girdill harneisid with silver and gilt and my bygge bras chafour, a brasen morter with an iren pestell, and a stoon morter of cragge.

Item, I yeve and graunte to Robert, sone of the seid Edmund, alle my swannes morken with the merke called Dawbeneys merk, and with the merk late Robert Cutler, clerk, to have hold and enjoye the seid swannes with the seid merkes to the seid Robert and his heirs for evermore.

Item, I bequeth to Anne, my doughter, wiff of William Yelverton, my grene hangyng in my parlour at Mauteby, a standing cuppe with a cover gilt with a flatte knoppe and a flatte pece with a cover gilt withoute, xij. silver spones, a powder boxe with a foot and a knoppe enamelled blewe, my best corse girdill blewe herneised with silver and gilt, my primer, my bedes of silver enamelled.

Item, I bequeth to the seid Anne, my fetherbedde with sillour,50.3 curteyns and tester50.4 in my parlour at Mauteby, with a white covering, a peire blankettes, ij. peire of my fynest shetes iche of iij. webbes, a fyne hedshete of ij. webbes, my best garnyssh of pewter vessell, ij. basyns with ij. ewres, iij. candelstekes of oon sorte, ij. bras pottes, ij. bras pannes, a bras chafour to sett by the fyre, and a chafour for colys.

Item, I require myn executours to paie to the seid William Yelverton and Anne the money that I shall owe them of ther mariage money the day of my decesse of such money as shalbe receyved of such londes as I have putte in feffement to accomplissh my wille.

Item, I bequeth to William Paston, my sone my standing cuppe chased parcell gilt with a cover with myn armes in the botom and a flatte pece with a traill upon the cover, xij. silver spones, ij. silver saltes wherof oon is covered the hole bedde of borde alisaundre as it hangeth on the gret chaumber at Mauteby, with the fetherbedde, bolster, blankettes, and coveryng to the same, ij. peire shetes, ij. pilwes, and my best palet, a basyn, an ewre, and a litel white bedde that hangeth over the gresyngges in the litell chaumber at Mauteby for a trussyng bedde.

Item, I bequeth an C. marc in money to be paied and bestowed to the use and byhoff of the seid William Paston after this forme folowyng; that is to sey, in purchasyng of as moche lond to him and to his heires as may be had with the same money, or ellys to bye a warde to be maried to him if eny suche may be goten, or ellys to be paied to him assone as it may be convenyently gadered and receyved of sucche londes as by me are put in feffement as is beforseid after the ele in Mauteby cherche be fynsshed and performed as is beforseid, and after the stipend of the preste lymyted to singe for me be yerly levied, as well as the money be dispended upon the keping of my yerly obite. And if the seid William dye or he come to the age of xxj. yer, than the seid C. marc to be disposed for the wele of my sowle by myn executours.

Item, I bequeth to John Paston my sone a gilt cuppe standyng with a cover and a knoppe liche a garkeek heed, vj. gobelettes of silver with oon cover.

Item, I bequeth to Margery Paston, the wif of the seid John, my pixt of silver with ij. silver cruettes and my massebook with all myn awterclothes.

Item,52.1 I bequeth to William Paston, sone of the seid John Paston, and Elizabeth his suster, C. marc whan they come to laufull age, to be take and receyved of the londes beforseid; and if either of them die or they come to the seid age, than I wull that the part of him or hir so deying remayne to the survyver of them at laufull age, and if they bothe dye or they come to the seid age, than I wull that the seid C. marc be disposed for the helth of my sowle by th’avise of myn executours.

Item, I bequeth to Custaunce, bastard doughter of John Paston, Knyght, whan she is xx. yer of age, x. marc, and if she die bifore the seid age, than I wull that the seid x. marc be disposed by myn executours.

Item, I bequeth to John Calle, sone of Margery my doughter, xxli. whan he cometh to the age of xxiiij. yer, and if the seid John dye or he cometh to the seid age, than I wull that the seid xxli. evenly be divided attwen William and Richard, sones of the seid Margery, whan they come to the age of xxiiij. yer; and if either of the seid William and Richard dye or he come to the seid age, than I wull that the part of him so dying remayne to the survyver; and if bothe the seid William and Richard dye or the come to the seid age, than I wull that the seid xxli. be disposed by the good advys of myne executours for me and my frendes.