THE PASTON LETTERS Henry VII. (continued 2)

Wretyn at London, the xviij. day of February, with the hande of yowre pore brodyr, Wylliam Paston.

Hys Grace for hors, harnese, tents, text reads “or hors”: corrected from Fenn

1054 ROGER L’ESTRANGE TO SIR JOHN PASTON145.2

To the ryth worchypfull Syr John Paston, Knyth, be thys delyveryd.

1492 APRIL 16

Mastyr Paston, I recomawnd me to yow. Syr, so it is that I am not yet purveyd of men to my nowmbyr of archers, suych as chold go hovyr see with me; wer for, syr, I be ceche yow that it wold plese yow at thys tyme to do so mych for me as to a purveyd me of ij. or iij., such as ye thynk chold be for me.

Syr, I undyrstond Syr Tery Robstertt lyth but lyttyll from yow, were, as I trow, he myde help me of j. by yowyr menys, and as for ther wages, they xall have the Kynges wages and some what elles, so that I trost that they xall be plessyd. Syr, I be cech yow to tak the peyne for me at thys tyme, and I xall do yow that servys that lyth in me, by the grace of Jesu, Ho preserve you.

On Monday next aftyr Palme Sonday, by yowyr howne to hys pouyr, Roger Lestraunge.

Syr, I be sech yow that thys byll may recomawnd me on to my lady,146.1 and I trost I xall a wayt on you sone on Estyr.

1055 WILLIAM BARNARD TO WILLIAM PASTON146.2

To his right wurchipfull master, William Paston, and Mr. Deryk dwellyng with my Lord of Oxinford, this lettir be delyvered in hast.

About 1492

Right wurchipfull Maister William Paston, with myn good Lord of Oxinford, and myn welbelovyd Mr. Deryk, I recomaund me on to you. And it is soo that I kepe a prisoner of my lordis to answer to William Greve, maryner of Gret Yermouth, the wiche he brought hym to me by my lordis auctorite of a warand from Bell Key; and the seid William Greve chargid me with his prisoner, named Phillyp Barbour, and chargid me with hym for xli., and so I kepe hym, and have kept hym this ij. yer and an half. And I have aftyr and many tymes askyd and requyred of the seid William Greve of mony for his bord, for he promysid and appoynted with me for every weke ijs., and I to take charge for to answer hym of hys prysoner aforseid; and so I have be chargith with hym ij. yeris and an half to my gret cost and charge, and nowh the seid William Greve intendith to pay me noon mony, butt he is a bowght to remeve the prysoner by a pryvy seall to abarre me from myn mony. Wher I am enformyd that noon prysoner of my lordis shuld nat be remevyd out of my lordis pryson, nor crafftid so out of pryson till he had answerd ther to seche causes as he lyth fore, and specially for alle suche costis and chargis as his kepar is charged for hym for his costis of exspensis; and that doon, I woll be redy to delyver hym to the seid William Greve [to] pay me for his costis as it shalbe demyd with reason. Besechynd and prayeng you bothen too to be so good ma[istris unto] me that ye woll shewe this mater on to my lord, and to knowe my lordis meend whedyr it shall please hym that I shall delyver hym by a pryvy seall in this causis or nay, for the bryngar herof is the prysoner. And if it be my lordis mend that the prysoner shall appere to that pryvy seall, that it woll plese my lord to be so good and gracyous lord on to the prysoner to send hym to his councell to London, to tendyr this mater for the pore prysoner, and to consydre the gret losse that the seid William Greve intendith to putto his servaunt William Barnard, marchall and kepar of [my] lordis gayle in Yermouth, and servaunt [to?] Robert Crowmer, depute for my lord in the partyes of Norffolk and Suffolk. I shuld a browte up my silf, but we be now in gret besynes in kepyng of my lordis honorabyll courtis in Norffolk and Suffolk.

Wretyn the last day of Aprill. By your, William Barnard, that I can or may.

1056 EDMUND PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON148.1

To the ryght wurshupfull Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyvered.

Before 1493

Ryght wurshypfull Sir, I recomawnd me to zow. As zesterday I was with my cosyn Clere;148.2 he lythe at Borow, and my mastres hys wyveffe,148.3 be cause the plage reygnyth at Ormysby. And so of hys own mocyon he mevyd to me of the maryage of my nevew zour soon, and as glad foolkes woold be to bargayn as ever ze wyste, and soo hathe shewyd me that ze shuld have as myche as Sir E. Bedyngfelld, whyche was v. C. marke. Moore over he shewyd that he woold depart with it to Sir Roger T.148.4 or to Harry Colett, whyche he shewyd ze woold not of, but to have the mony at zour dysposyssyon; and me semys be hys report that he knowyth well that yf ze delle with Sir H. H.,148.5 he wyll be in a suerte that the mony that he shuld depart with shuld goo to the redemyng of zour landes, and other zowr dawngeres. More over he shewyd me that the mony whyche ze skyftyd of H. Colett was th[oug]ht be Sir Harry H. that Sir R. Townesend shuld have ben contentte with it, whyche is knowyn the contrary, and causyd hym to geve delay in that be halffe to zow. I know well this jantylman berythe zow as good mynde as any man alyve, my mastres hys mother,148.7 and allso my mastres hys wyve in lyeke wyesse; and me semys he makys not the dowghttes to delyver zow hys mony that other men do of the delyverye of thers. Foor trowthe, he shewythe me hys mynde, whyche is thus: yf ze wyll putt lande in feffement for zeres, to the full contentacyon of Townesend, Colett, and of my uncle, whyche he and all men thynke ze muste be charged to, or ever ze goo thorow, and that zour next frendes have the receyte of it tyll it be full contente and payed, thus, or suche a suer weye to be had for the well of all parteys, I darre say he is not alyve wyll indevour hym with better wyll to deele with zow, and, as my mynde servys me, streytte hymsylffe, as it may be booryn, be syde my mastes hys modyrs v. C. My mastres hys wyffe, on my feythe I darr say, the moste harty body to zow wordes in this be halffe that is alyve, and the fayneeste body woold be to have it accomplyshyd.

Syr, I thenke ze be to wardes London, and well I woot zowre mynde is to ease zour sylffe as hastely as ze may; I pray God ze do to zour honur, and to zour moste well to gederys.

Marchandes or new jantylmen I deme wyll proferr large; noon other dyspreysed, ze know the contynewance of this man, and how he is alyed. Well I woott yf ze depart to London, ze shall have proferes large; yf zour jornay be not but to ease yow in that be halfe, be my poor avyce slake for iij. or iiij. days, for ever me semys I shuld not have ben brokyn to so largely, but that they entende it hastely to say to zow. Sythe I was ther, I undyr stande yf it had not happyd me to have seyne them as zester day, she wold this day have made her cowntenance to have seyn her nes, Bothas (?) dowter, wyche is at Pallynges for fere of the plage, and have comyn seyne [come and seen] my wyffve, and specyally to have de syrid us to meve zow towardes them, and in trowthe so she hasse.

I pray God ze do as well to zour honur as I woold do my sylfe. Yf ze wyll tery thys lytell season be foor rehersyd, yf ze lyste, I woott well ze may have the mater moor largely comyned; and yf ze tary tyll Monday, I wyll awayte on zow to Hynengham, with Godes grace, Who ever preserve zow and zours. Your, E. Paston.

Footnote and tag 148.7 there is no note 148.6: numbering retained for cross-references

1057 SIR HENRY HEYDON TO SIR JOHN PASTON150.1

To myn ryght worchypfull cosyn, Sir John Paston, knyght.

1488-1492 MARCH 4

Cosyn Paston, I recommend me to you and wn to myne good ladie your wiff. As for your mater betwyx you and your wncle,150.2 I have shewid it soe to my ladie of Norffolk and to hym, that it is agreed yee to entre in to Marlyngford and all other maners in debate in your name, and to kepe your courtes, sell your wodis, and to doo therwith as with your own. Wherupon I avise you, as soone as ye may, send som discrete man to kepe your courtis and to lette your fermys and selle your wodis to your most avayll. Your presens theer shall bee costly, and what is bee heende in the fermourz or tenauntz handez sethyn the rekenyng last be ffor myne ladiez servauntz and yourz, that thei bee warnyd kurtesly to paie it by a day, except in ony wise I avyse you nat to make ony thretis to ony fermour or tenaunt, for ony dealing affor this tyme, but to gett in fayernesse till I speke with you; and in ony wyse that yee nor ony your servauntz have noon wordis in this mater, but that it is agreed bee myne ladie you to have your peasebill possession. And as for Huntingffeldis, as yee have beffore ocupyed, ocupie still without noyse. I pray you folowe myne avise in this. I have hadde laubour, I trust thorowe your cause it shall nat be in vain laboraverunt, and suffyr this bill hyddyr too to speke to your sellf in privite, and to noon other. How yee and myne ladie, and in what sylk or clooth yee will have these tweyn yong innocentis150.3 maried inne, iff it shuld bee purveyed at London to send me word, or ellys at Norwich, as it shall please you and myne ladie, ther after I shall applie me. For it must bee ordyrd be you in the yong husbondis name. Your penauns off your wncles mater shall yee knowe whan I kom hoome. Ther is non other meane but to sell your wodis and tymber in all your manors to your most avayll, except theere as it kan nat bee forborn for diverse causys. And iff you list to command mee ony thyng in these partyez, send me word be myn servaunt, berer heerof.

Wretin the iiij^th day off March. Your own to his powr, H. Heydon.

1058 SIR T. LYNG TO SIR JOHN PASTON151.1

To my rigth wurchypful master, Sir John Paston, Knyth, in hast.

1494 NOV.

Memorandum, that thes be the namys that war mad Knytes of the Bath, the Thwrsday be for Alhalow Day.

Fyrst, My Lord Herry, Duke of Yorke.

My Lord Haryngton, Lord Marcas sun.151.2

My Lord Clyfford.

My Lord Fyvaren.

My Lord Dakyr of the Sowth.

My Lord Strange. Lord Stranges sun.

Sir John Arundell of the West.

Sir Water Grefyth of Lonkaschyre.

Sir Jarveys a Clyffton of Yorkechyre.

Sir Roberd Harcorth of the West.

Sir Edmund Trayford.

Sir Herry Marney of Esexe.

Sir Roger Newborow.

Sir Raff Rither of Yorkechyre.

Sir Thomas Bawd of Harforth chyre.

Sir John Speke.

Sir Houmfrey Fulford.

Sir Roberd Lytton.

Sir Pers Egecome.

Sir Roberd Clere.

Sir Thomas Fayrefaxe.

Sir Richard Knythley.

Sir Wyllem Cheke.

Also Master Robert Southwell is Hey Schreve of Norffolke.

Memorandum, that saforn is at xvjs. jli. the lowest price.

Also, the Kynge and the Qwene went crowned on Halowmesse Day last; and my Lord of Schrewsbery bare my Lord Harry, Duke of Yorke, in hys harmys; and x. byschopis, with myters on ther hedes, goyng be for the Kyng that day rownd a bowt Westmynster Hawle, with many odyr gret astates.

Sir, ther hath be so gret cownsell for the Kynges maters, that my Lord Chawnsler kept not the Ster Chawmber thys viij. days, but one day at London, on Sent Lenardes Day. Be yowre pore prest and servaund, Sir T. Lyng.

The lowest pryse of saforn is xvjs.

Item, the Knytes of the Bath.

Item, the Knytes of the Schyre.

Item, of recordes a yenst me.

Syr, ther hath record a yenst me, Syr John Seyve, Vecry of Barton, John Anond, Richard Elwyn of Wytton, John Bowlond of Totyngton, sumnor, whech arne all forsworyn on the Crwsifyxe a yenst me.

Sir Thomas Bawd of Harforth chyre spacing unchanged

1059 THE CORPORATION OF YARMOUTH TO SIR JOHN PASTON153.1

To our right honorable and especyall good maister, Ser John Paston, Knyght, this letter be delyvered in hast.

1495 JULY 11

Right wurchipfull ser, we recomaund us onto your good maistership, sertefyeng you that Robart Albon of Yermouth with many more of our neybors, this Saterday arn comen hom from Caunterbury. And Robart Albon hath spokyn with the English captayns of the Kynges rebellys ther, part of theym that arn takyn; and Robart Albon and his company seith that ther wer takyn and slayn to the noumbre of vij^xx., wherof were v. captayns, iiij. of them he named, oon Mounford, Whyght, Belt, and Corbett: he coude nott telle the fyfft capteyns name. And they told hym that they have apoynted to have a town of strength, for they wold an had Sandwich, and the countre had nott a resistid them. And so Belt seid on to Robart Albon he wyst weell that he was but a deed man, and for asmoche as he wist that he was of Yermouth, he shewid hym that they woll have Yermouth or they xall dye for it, as Robart seyth to us.

And this is a mater of trewth, and therfore we desyre and pray your good maistership, that we may have your myghty help of ayde and socowr, and that it woll please you to comon with Maister Mayer of Norwiche, to meve hym of hys sokour, but in especyall that we may have your maistership amongs us, with suche strength of your good councell, as your maistership shall thynk most best for the Kynges pleasur, and for the sewyrtye of us alle; for we putt us in devyr to furnysh the town with all that we can doo, for we know noon oder but that they may be here by possybylyte this nyght or to morow att nyght at the ferdest. No more to you, but Jesu preserve you.

Wretyn at Yermouth, in hast, this Saterday, the xj. day of July.

Be your owyn, the Balyffes of Yermouth, with our Brethern and Comons of the same Town.

1060 ROBERT CROWMER TO SIR JOHN PASTON154.1

To my right especyall and syngler good maister, Ser John Paston, Knyght, this letter be delyvered.

1495 JULY 12

Wurchipful ser, I recomaund me on to you. Maister Balyffes, with alle myn Maisteris of the town of Yermouth, thankith you hartilly, and trustyng feythfully of your ayde and comford at neede; and if any suche cause happith with us, they woll feythfully send you word in all the hast possyble, up on the syght of the shippis.

Ser, ferdermor, ther is a ship of our town come hom from Seint John of Amyas, and he seyth that on Seint Thomas Day154.2 ther came to Seint Wallrens,154.3 in Normandie, an hoye of Dorderyght, with viij. horsis, with many saddilles and brydilles; ther in wer viij. or ix. Englysh men, the wiche toke the shippes boot, and went on lond at Staplis,154.4 and arn renne a wey up in to the cuntre. And the Admiralles Depewty sesonyd the ship and hors, and all that they found ther in, to the Kyng our soverayn Lordes behooff; and the Duche men were leyde in pryson. This is a mater of trowth, for William Carre of our town, maryner, and oder of our town, see this doon in deed. And as for the shippes with the Kynges rebellars, they be furth out of Cambyr155.1 westwards; whyder they be, thei can not sey, but the Duche men seid to William Carre that they trustid on one man shuld help them with many men. Thes is suche tydynges as the Amyas men brout hom.

Ser, if it woll please your maistership that ye myght have leyser, I desyre and pray you to come sporte you, and to see how weell we have appareld and furnyshid our town, I wold be right gladd, and I trust to Almyghty God that it wold please your maistership right weell, and with your betyr advyce we woll doo more to our power, that knowith God, the wiche Lord preserve you.

Wretyn at Yermouth, on Relyk Sonday.155.2 By your servaunt, Robart Crowmer.

1061 ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO SIR WILLIAM KNIVET AND OTHERS155.3

To my ryght entyerly and welbelovid frendes, Sire William Knevette, Sire John Paston, Sire Robert Clere, Knyghtes, the Kynges Attorney, Phelippe Calthorpe, Richard Suthwell, Squyers, and to yche of theym.

Elizabeth, Duchesse of Norffolk.

1495 SEPT. 14

Right entyerly welbelovyd frendys, I comaunde me to you. And for as moche as I understande that Sire Harry Grey, that is the verry owner and possessioner of the maner of Ketryngham, is nowe in gret age, and as it is seide, of right seekely disposicion, and that after his deceasse the right and title therof shall of right belonge to my right welbelovid servaunt Thomas Martyn, and his nevewe and heyre of blood, and his eyre therof by reason of entaylys:—What the seid Sire Harry entendith to do therin, I knowe not, but it rennyth in reporte, that he is in purpose to disherite the seid Thomas Martyn therof, contrary to all right and good conscience. In eschuenge wherof, I desire and pray you as hertely as I can, that it wull leeke you to be so good maistyrs to the seid Thomas as, by your wisdams and discrecion, the seid Sire Harry, by you or some of you, may be moved of conscience and of kyndenesse to his blood to have regard to the seid right, and not to do eny thyng that shuld be disheryson to his seid nevewe, and to have the more tender consideracion to your mocion, for that the seid Thomas is to dyverse of you of kynne and aliaunce, and to many other gentilmen within the shere in leeke cas. And for the consideracion that I have, that the seid Sire Harry and Thomas his nevewe, were of my lordes nere blode, whoes soule Jesu pardon and assoyle, it were to gret a pete to see hym by disheryson to falle to penury and poverte, wher by your good exortacion in consideracion of the premissis, and mo odir by your wisdamys to be remembred, in the lif of the seid Sire Harry suche inconveniences may be better remadyed; wherin ye shall not only do an almas dede, and a gret pleasir to God, but also to me for that blodes sake a singuler pleasir, and cause me heraftir therather to considir thynge that shall concerne your resonabill pleasir, with Goddes grace, Who ever kepe you.

At Erle Soham, this xiiij^ne day of Septembyr.

1062 WILLIAM PASTON TO SIR JOHN PASTON157.1

To my most special good father, Ser John Paston, Knyght.

About 1495(?)

After most humbyl wyse of recommandacion, in my most lovyngly wyse, I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng, showyng yow that I am at Ser John Fortescu place, be cause they swet so sor at Cambryge. Also I shew yow that Mr. Thomas Clark ys desessyd, hows sowle God have mercy.

Also, I beseche yow that ye wol se a remedy for the comun of Snaylwel, for the Bayly of Snaylwel and on of your fermors war with my tutor and me, and sheuyd me that all the comun shuld a be takyn away butt for Mr. Cotton and the Vecur of Fordan,157.2 hom I beseche yow to thank. Fro Pamsborow.157.3 Be your most humbyl servaunt, William Paston.

1063 MARGARET, COUNTESS OF RICHMOND, TO ——158.1

By the Kynges Moder.

Between 1497 and 1503

Trusty and right welbeloved, we greet you well. And wher by the meanes of our trusty and right welbeloved Sir Reynold Bray, Sir Thomas Lovell, and Sir Henry Heydon, Knights, there was a full agreement made and concluded, and also put in writinge, betwen our trusty and right welbeloved Sir John Savile, Knight, and Gilbert Talbot, Esquier, on th’one partie, and yow on th’other, for divers lands which they ought to have in the right of their wives, daughters and heyers to William Paston, Esquier, their late fader deceassed, which lands ye by mighty power kepe and withholde from them without any just title, as they afferme; and albeit the said agrement was made by your minde and consent, yet ye ne doe performe the same, to our merveile, if it be so. Wherefore we desier and also counsell yow without delay upon the sight hereof now shortly to ride to the court to the said arbitrators, now ther being, with whom ye shall finde your adverse partie, or other in their names fully authorized, to abide such final ende and conclusion in the premisses as shall be consonant with the said agrement, without further troubles or busines therin hereafter to be had; and that ye will thus do in any wise, so as we be not driven (through your defalte) to put to our hands for further remedye to be had in the premisses.

Yeven under our signet at our manner of Colly Weston, the x^th day of February.

1064 ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO SIR JOHN PASTON159.1

To my right welbeloved frende, Sire John Paston, Knyght.

Elizabeth, Duches of Norffolk.

1497(?) FEB. 28

I commaunde me to you, thankyng you as hartely as I can for your labour and substancyall serching owte of Thomas Martynz matyr, preing you of contenuance, and of your best advyse therin, how he shall breke the mater so as, by your helpe and wysdam, a frendely comunycacion may be hadde, so as the mater may be had in examynacion by suche gentylmen as shalbe named by th’assent of bothe parties, suche as tendyr and love the wele of bothe parties, and also the pees and tranquyllyte of the cuntre, and love to eschewe variaunce and parties in the cuntre, wherin ye shall not only do a greete pleasure to me, but a grete dede of charyte for the profight and ease of both parties, and also a pleasure to God, Who have you in keping.

At Erle Soham lodge, this xxviij. day of February. N. E. N.

1065 THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON AND ANOTHER160.1

To my right trusty and right welbel[oved Sir] John Paston, Knyght, and Sir . . . . . Knyght, . . . . of them.

1499 AUG. 20

Right trusty and welbeloved councellours, I comaunde me to you. And where the Kinges Grace is lately acerteinyed that Th’Erl of Suffolk is departid owt of this his Realme, Hys Grace hath commaundid me to wryte unto you that ye incontynent uppon the sight of this my writing endeovour you to enquyre aswell of such persones as be departid over with the seid Erle as of theim that accompanyed hym in his repayre to the see, and retornyd ageyn, or in any wyse were prevy to the same, and theruppon, in as goodly hast as ye kan, to put them and every of them in suertie savely to be kept, and therof t’acerteyn me, to th’entent ye maye knowe his ffurther pleasure in the same. And if ye shall at any tyme herafter perceyve any suspect person nyghe unto the see costes which shall seme unto you to be of the same affynyte, than His Grace will that ye put them in lyke suertie. And Almighti God have you in His keping.

Written at Gaddishill, in the Ile of Wight, the xx^ti daye of August. Oxynford.

1066 HENRY VII. TO SIR JOHN PASTON161.1

To our trusty and welbeloved knight, Sir John Paston.

By the Kinge.

1500 MARCH 20

Trusty and welbeloved, we grete yow well, letting yow wete that our derest cousins, the Kinge and Queene of Spaine, have signified unto us by their sundry letters that the right excellent Princesse, the Lady Katherine, ther daughter, shal be transported from the parties of Spaine aforesaid to this our Realme, about the moneth of Maye next comeinge, for the solempnization of matrimony betweene our deerest sonne the Prince and the said Princesse.

Yeven under our signet at our manner of Richmount, the xx^ty day of Marche.

1067 RICHARD CALLE TO SIR JOHN PASTON162.1

To the right reverent and honurable, my master, Sir John Paston, Knyght.

Before 1503

Plesitht it your mastership to remembre, I shewyd onto you in Lente that I had bought Baktons place. Sir, it is so that John Bakton graunted to John Trovy hes sone in lawe, hes mese with all the londes and tenements, &c., takyng of the seide John Trovy viij. marke of annuyte yerly, terme of hes lyf; wherupon endenture were made and a state delyverd. Upon the weche I bargeyned with Trovy, payng to hym for hes parte c. marke and x., wherof he hadde in hande iiijli. vjs. viijd. and xvli. xiijs. iiijd. shulde be payd at such tyme as I had a lawfull astate, weche was apoynted before Michelmes last past; weche is not yet done. Wherfore he hath forfeted an obligacion of xlli. that he was bounde in to me for the same astate; ther was no defaute in me, for my money was there redy. And, sir, in the same weke after your mastership departed out of this contre, Bakton and the seide Trovy come to Bakton, and sent for me, and there were we appoynted for the same bargeyn and accorded, wenynge to me and to all tho that were there it had ben fully concl[uded] . . . . . my suertes and for all other thynges. And sodenly Bakton departed hem be the avice of [the Prior of Bro]mholme, and John Bowle and other, weche meved Bakton that I shulde not have my bargein; and so they entende to putte me from my bergein. And master Fitzlawes, Kn[i]ght, of Esex, hath sent me a letter, weche I sende you closed herin; and at hes enstaunce I have graunted Trovy an ende for vjli. and my iiijli. vjs. viijd., and my costes that I have done on the place, weche with these mony and costes drawith xijli. If I may have all thes money payd onto me within xiiij. dayes after Cristemas, I wol take non avauntage of the obligacion, weche Trovy is bounde to me. I suppose Mr. Lawes woll speke to you of thes mater. I beseche you that ye wol be goode master to me herin, for I am lothe to be putte from my bergein. I am in suerte there is no man wol geve so moche for it as I wolde, and they nede not to fere them of ther payment, for I ofer them iiij. suertes, the worste of them is worthe all the lande; yet Bakton mystrustes me, and nede not. If I had it, I wolde truste to make it a goode thynge, for ther is moche thynge ther by that myght be had in to it, weche causeth me to be the more desirous to it. I shewe your mastership the previte of my mynde, trustynge ye wolbe good mastre to me, and I shal pray to God for you and for all youres.

Wreten at Felmyngham, the Saterday next before Sein Marteyn. Be your servaunt, R. Calle.

1068 ABSTRACT163.1

[Richard Calle] to [Sir John Paston?]

Year uncertain

Reminds him that four or five years ago he received from the writer ‘certain wainscoat’ and certain fish for his household, a hogshead of wine, spars, ‘clapholt,’ etc. in full discharge of all former debts. Will always be ready to repay what his correspondent has paid for him to the King. Received of him a millstone, price £3, for which Calle gave a ryall in earnest, and delivered 1 quarter cod to Philip Loveday. I am grateful for the pains taken by ‘your mastership’ on my account, etc.

[The handwriting of this letter seems to be that of Richard Calle, but much older looking than that of most of his letters. As there is no distinct evidence of date, we place it after another letter of his, which seems to be late.]

1069 SIR JOHN KENDAL TO SIR JOHN PASTON164.1

To the right worshipful and my right entierly welbeloved cosin and frende, Sir John Paston, Knight.

Before 1503

Right worshipfull sir, I recommaunde me unto you. I wryte this onely unto you, to advise you that I was mynded that my cousin Clippesby,164.2 berer herof, shuld wele have maryed here in thies partes, wherin your nyce164.3 toke hevy conceyte, thinking in hir mynde, that I was not willing that my said cousin shulde marye with hir.

At that tyme I knewe not what love was bitwix them, but now I undrestand that bothe there myndes is to mary to geders; wherunto on my parte, I am agreble and wel content, desiring and praying you to be the same, and to be the better frende unto them at this my prayer and instaunce. And what pleasir as I may doo unto you in thies partes shal be redye, in that I may, at your desires. And I pray you to recommaunde me to my cousin your nyce. And Jesu preserve you.

Writen at London, the first day of Juyn. Your own, the Priour of Saint Johns, Sir John Kendal.

1070 MARGARET, COUNTESS OF OXFORD, TO SIR JOHN PASTON165.1

To my right trusty and hertely wilbilovede sone, Sir John Paston, Knyght.

Year uncertain

Right trusty and hertely wilbiloved sone, I recommennde me to you, and send you Godes blyssynge and myn. And where oon John Malpas my olde servaunt, brynger herof, hath purchacede a writt directede to you and othre Justices of Peace in the shires of Norffolk and Suffolk, and also to the Sheryff of the same, for to put hym in pessible possescion in such certayn landes of his, accordynge to the Kynges writt; I pray you therefor hertely, and of my blyssynge charche you that at this my pour request and desir ye wole pute you in your faythfull devoir with othere Justaces associete with you, to see the execuscion doon and performyede accordynge to the saide writt. And Almyghty God evere more preserve you, my nown dere sone.

Writene in my lordes castell of Hethyngham, the xv. day of January. Margret Oxynford.

And Almyghty God evere more preserve you, my nown dere sone. spacing unchanged

1071 SIR JOHN PASTON TO WILLIAM PASTON AND RICHARD LIGHTFOOTE166.1

To my brother William Paston and my cosyn Richard Lightfoote, and to iche of theym.

1503

Mastyrs bothe, I recomand me to yow, and send yow closid herin a booke of the seying of dyvers folkis, whiche testyfiee ayenst Thomas Rutty and other. I prey yow shewe it to my lordys166.2 good lordshepe, and that I may know hys plesur ferther in as hasty wyse as may be, that I may ordre me ther aftyr. I had gret labore to come by the woman that was in servyse with Rutty, whiche sie [saw] all ther conversacyons many yeris. She is now in servyse with Richard Calle. And I have Thomas Bange in prison at Norwyche with the Shrevys of Norwych. The woman seythe he is as bold a theffe as eny is in Ingland; but he wyll nowghte confesse, nor I handelyd hym not sore to cause hym to confesse. But and Ruty knewe that he and the woman be in hold, and hathe told talis, I thynke it wyll cause Rutty to shewe the pleynesse.

Clerk and Roger Heron are endightid at this sessyons at Norwyche, last holdyn on Twysday last past, for robbing of the pardoner; and so is Rotty and all his felawshepe that the woman hathe apechid. According to hir apechement, Raff Taylour is over the see; Robert Fenne is dede; John Baker and William Taylour ar yett untakyn. If my lord send for T. Bange or the woman, some of my lordis servauntes had need to come for theym; for I can not do in the cause for lake of men and horse, for my wyff ridith this next week in to Kente, to the wydow, hir doughtir Leghe.

And as for Ramesey, liek a prowde, lewde, obstynat foole, he wyll not come befor my brothe[r] Sir R. Clere, nor me, but he seythe he wyll be with my lord hastyly, and shewe hys mynde to his lordshepe, whiche I beleve not. The substancyall marchantys of Norwyche hathe shewid ther myndys to my brother Sir R. Clere and me that he entendith to William Bayly gret wronge in his reknynges.

1072 THE EARL OF OXFORD TO SIR JOHN PASTON167.1

To the right worshipfull and my right entierly welbelovyd Sir John Paston, Knyght.

After 1503?

Right worshipfull and right intierly belovyd, I commaund me hartely to you. And where as your broder William, my servaunte, ys so troubelid with sekenes and crasid in his mynde, that I may not kepe hym aboute me, wherfor I am right sory, and at this tyme sende hym to you, prayng especially that he may be kepte surely and tendirly with you, to suche tyme as God fortune hym to be bettyr assurid of hym selfe and his myndes more sadly disposid, whiche I pray God may be in shorte tyme, and preserve you longe in gode prosperite.

Writen at my place in London, the xxvj. day of Juyn. Oxynford.

1073 THE EARL OF OXFORD’S STEWARD TO THE ‘BLACK KNIGHT’168.1

Sinescallus Comitis Oxoniæ Nigro Militi.

1074 EAST BECKHAM169.1

1503 FEB. 6

Where Sir John Paston and Roger Townesende have agreed and promysed to obey as we, Jamys Hobart and John Yaxley will devyse for the varians of the maner of Estbekham: We devyse and a warde that Sir John Paston shall have the seid maner to hym, and to his heires; and he therfor shall paye to the seid Rogyr xlli. at Pentecoste nexte, and at Halowmesse nexte aftyr that xlli., and at Pentecoste next aftyr that xxli.; and the same Syr John shall have the arrerages of the seid maner. And if the seid Sir John refuse to have the maner, then the seid Rogyr to have the same maner, with the arrerages as is a forseid, payeng to the seid Sir John the seid Cli. at the dayes aforseid; and the seid Syr John to geve answer which he will chose the viij. daye of this moneth.

Yevyn the vj. daye of Februarii, anno R. R. H. vij. xviij^o.

And all this to be perfurmyd and put in surte after our avise. And we devise that he that shall have the land, shall paie to th’ other at Halwemes come twelvemonyth, ten mark, besides the seid Cli., because th’arrerages have ben long in the tenauntes handes. John Yaxlee. Jamys Hobart.

1075 ARCHBISHOP WARHAM TO WILLIAM PASTON170.1

To my cousyn Master William Paston.

1503 SEPT. 6

Cousyn Paston, I recommaunde me unto you, and have received your letter, by the which I have undrestand of the deth of my cousyn your fadre, whose soule Jesu assoile. I wol counsaile and exhorte you to take it as wel and as paciently as ye can, seeyng that we al be mortal and borne to dey. And where as ye desire to have a letter ad colligendum, after myne advise ye shal doo wel to be here with me at Michaelmas next commyng, and at your then commyng I shalbe glad to doo you the best confort and helpe that I can; counsailing that ye in the meane tyme doo not entremedyll in any wise with th’admynystring of any parte of your faders goodes, nor with the receiving of his debtes, for divers causes, as at your comyng hudre ye shal knowe more.

The meane season, loke that ye be of as confortable chere as ye can, exhorting my lady, your modre in lawe,170.2 to be in like wise, to whom I pray you to have me recommendyd. Thus fare ye hertily wel.

From London, the vj^th day of Septembre. Your, William, Electe of London.

1076 JOHN KENDAL TO [WILLIAM PASTON?]171.1

1503, or later (?)

Your pore servaunt and bedeman, John Kendale, be secheth your good and gracious masterschepp, at the reverence of God and in the wey of charyte, to remembre that my maister your fader, on whos soule God have mercy, had fro me x. acres of free londe that I bout of the executours of Nicholas Pekeryng of Filby for xx. marc paid on j. day, to pay to executours of Edmonde Norman for purchase of ij. partes of Holm Halle, somtyme Edmonde Norman.

Also my seide maister, your fader, had fro John Kendale the croppe of the seide x. acres londe, sowen with barly and peson, wherof v. acres were weel somerlayde171.2 to the seid barly, the whiche croppe the seide John Kendale schulde a made worth to hym iiijli. xiijs. iiijd., althow ther had be but xx. quarteres barly growyng on viij. acres and half of londe, that is to seyn up on an acre ij. quarter, iiij. busshelz, and the half acre in avayle, besyde j. acre and an half of peson, for the seide John Kendale solde his malt at Ormesby mad of the barly growyng the same yer that the foreseid croppe was taken fro hym, for iiijs. viijd. a quartere; and so he myght a solde the same and meche more if he had had it.

Also my seid maister, your fader, hath caused the foreseid John Kendale to a foreborne the ferme of the seide x. acres of londe be the space of ix. yer, be the yer xvjs. & viijd., that is, the ferme of j. acre xxd., wherof the somme conteyneth vijli. xs. beside j. yer receyved of Hagh.172.1

1077 ABSTRACT172.2

1504 DEC. 10

Receipt given by Thomas Bradbury, alderman of London, to William Paston, Esq. of Norfolk, 10th Dec. 1504, for £5 in full payment of half a year’s rent.

1078 WILLIAM MAKEFYRR TO DARCY AND ALYNGTON172.3

To the ryght worschypfull Master Roger Darsy and Master Gylys Alyngton, beyng at the Jeorge, in Lumberd Strett, be thys delyveryd in hast.

1506 JAN. 17

Ryght worschypfull masters, I recomend me un to you, certyfying you that the Kynges Grace and the Kyng of Castyle mett this day at thre of the cloke, apon Cleworth Greyn, ij. mylle owt of Wyndesower, and ther the Kyng reseyvyd hym in the goodlyest maner that ever I sawe, and ech of them enbracyd oder in armys.

To schew you the Kynges aparell of Yngland, thus it was:—hys hors of bay, trappyd with nedyll warke; a gown of purpuyr velvyt, a cheyn with a joerge of dyamondes, and a hood of purpuyr velvyt, whych he put not of at the mettyng of the seyd Kyng of Castylle; hys hatt and hys bonett he avalyd, and the Kyng of Castylle in cas lyke. And the Kyng of Castyll rod apon [a] sorellyd hoby, whych the Kyng gave un to hym; hys apparell was all blak, a gown of blak velvytt, a blak hood, a blak hatt, and hys hors harnes of blake velvytt.

To schew you of the Kynges company, my Lord Harry of Stafforth173.1 rod in a gown of cloth of tuyssew, tukkyd, furryd with sabulles, a hatt of goldsmyth worke, and full of stons, dyamondes, and rubys, rydyng apon a sorellyd courser bardyd with a bayrd of goldsmythes wark, with rosys and draguns red.

And my Lord Markas173.2 rydyng apon a bald sorelyd hors, with a deyp trapper full of long tassels of gold of Venys, and apon the crowper of hys hors a whytt fedyr, with a cott apon hys bak, the body goldsmyths wark, the slevys of cremysyne velvyt, with letters of gold.

My Lord of Kent173.3 apon a sorelyd hors, bald, the harnes of Venys gold, with a deyp frynges of half zerd of lengh. My Lord of Kent cott was on barr of cloth of gold, an oder of cremysyn velvyt, pyrlyd with a demy manche cut of by the elbowe. Thyes be the lords that bare the bruyt.

Sir Hew Waghan apon a bay hors trappyd with cremysyn velvyt full of gylt bels, a gown of blak velvyt, and a cheyn of gold, bawdryk wys, worth v. hondreth pownd.

Thys be the sperys: Master Sant John apon a blak hors, with harnes of cloth of gold with tasselles of plunkytt and whytt, a cott of plunkytt and whytt, the body of goldsmyths werk, the s[l]evys full of spanguls.

John Carr and William Parr cotts lyke, the horsys gray, of Parr trappyd with cremysyn velvyt with tasselles of gold, and bels gylt. Carr hors bay with an Almayn harnes of sylver, an ynch brod of betyn sylver, both the cottes of goldsmythes wark the bodys, the slevys on stryp of syllver, the oder gylt.

Edward Nevell apon a gray hors trappyd with blak velveyt full of small belles, hys cott the on half of greyn velvyt, the oder of whytt cloth of gold; thyse to the rutters of the spers, with oder dyvers well appontyd.

On the Kyng of Castylles party, the Lord Chamberlayn cheyff, I can not tell hys name as yett; hys apparell was sad, and so was all the resydeu of hys company with clokes of sad tawnye blake, gardyd, sum with velvyt and sum with sarsnyt, not passyng a dosyn in nowmber. It is sayd ther is many by hynd, wych cums with the Queyn of Castyll, wych schall cum apon Teyusday.

When the Kyng rod forth to Wyndesouer Castyle, the Kyng rode apon the ryght hand the Kynges of Castylle, how be it the Kynges Grace offeryd hym to take hym apon the ryght hand, the whych he refussyd. And at the lyghtyng the Kyng of Castylle was of hys hors a good space or owr Kyng was a lyght; and then the Kynges Grace offeryd to take hym by the arm, the whych he wold not, bot toke the Kyng by the arme, and so went to the Kynges of Castylle chamber, whych is the rychestly hangyd that ever I sawe; vij. chambers to geder hangyd with cloth of arras wroght with gold as thyk as cowd be; and as for iij. beds of astate, no kyng Crystyned can schew sych iij.

Thys is as fer as I can schew you of this day, and when I can know mor, ye schall have knowlege.

From Wyndesouer this Saterday, at v. of the cloke. By yours, William Makefyrr.

Master Sant John apon a blak hors, with harnes of cloth of gold text has “withh arnes”

1079 AN INVENTORY175.1

James Gloys, j. dongge,175.2 iijs.

Item, a coverlete, vs.

Item, ij. blankettes, vjs. viijd.

Item, ij. pare of shettes, xs.

Item, a sellore,175.3 xijd.

Item, a rosour, viijd.

Item, v. shertes, viijs.

Item, j. roset cape, iiijd.

Item, iiij. gownes, xxvjs. viijd.

Item, a curt baron, xld.

Item, iij. gyrdylles, vjd.

Item, iij. payre of hossen, vjs.

Item, j. song boke, pris xxd.

Item, j. dowbelet of fustian, iijs. iiijd.

Item, j. grene cotte, ijs.

Item, ij. payre schone, xiiijd.

Item, j. box with j. porse of cloth of gold, xld.

Item, j. crosse silver, xld.

Item, j. sawtere, vjs. viijd.

Item, j. premere, ijs.

Item, j. boke of statutis, xld.

Item, j. boke of vitas Patrum, ijs.

Item, j. purs in the bedstraw with xxs.

Item, j. boke of xij. chapetyrs of Lynccoln, and a boke of safistre,175.4 xs.

Item, vj. steyned paperis, xijd.

Item, ij. scochenes, viijd.

Item, a swerd, pris vjs. viijd.

Item, a towayle, xd.

Item, a supersedyas of Gloys, Osborn and Snallewell.

Item, a bleu gown of William Tavernerys, xs.

Item, a blake cloke, vjs.

Item, a bottell for wine of a potell, xijd.

Item, a peyre of tabille of horne and box, xvjd.

Item, a confessionall, ijs.

Herre Boll, a dongge, xld.

Item, a traunsom, ijs.

Item, a paire of schettis, iiijs.

Item, a blanket, iijs.

Item, a coverlet, ijs.

Item, a pillow of down, xijd.

Item, ij. curteynes, ijs.

Item, gownes, xs.

Item, a dowblet of fostian, xld.

Item, iij. schertes, vs.

Item, a towayle, viijd.

Item, a blake hod, ijs.

Item, ij. cofforys stuffet, ijs.

Unde, j. was sprwys chyst with, xxs.

Item, j. clasp of sylver, xijd.

Item, of payse money, xijd.

Item, ix. ferthynges, ijd. ob.

Item, a lytyll chyst, vjd.

Item, ij. pors with, ijs. vijd. ob.

Item, iiij. rynges, iijs.

Item, a box with bedys, qwere of ij. payre of jett, with Paternosterys of corall, xld.

Item, a poyre of jett, pris xijd.

Item, v. payre of box, xd.

Item, a payre of ambre, xviijd.

Item, a purs of welwet, viijd.

Item, iij. payre of knyffes, xd.

Item, a payr of hernishede knyffes, xijd.

Item, v. napettes, vd.

Item, iij. hedkercheffes, pris xijd.

Item, a box with sylke and perryll, iijs.

Item, a powche of rosset damaske, xxd.

Item, a payre of gold weghtes in a case, ijs.

Item, a broch of sylver with a crown, xvjd.

Item, a payre of beddes of segamore, iiijd.

Item, a box of tene with sylver wire.

Item, iij. new gyrdyll, pris ixd.

Item, in the second coffer was bokes, pris xvjd.

Item, a boke of Seynt Thomas de Veritatibus, pris xs.

Item, a red boke with Hugucio and Papie, xxs.

Item, iij. bokes of soffistre, xxd.

Item, maney other smale bokes, xs.

Item, iij. cappis, xd.

Item, a surplice, xld.

Item, iij. letterys of pardon, xs.

Item, a stevynyd177.1 clothe, a crucifix, xxd.

Item, a payre of dowbyll glovys, furredde with lambe, vjd.

Item, ij. payr of hosson, vs.

Item, a combe of veveri,177.2 vjd.

John Osborn, a cott of rosset, pris iijs. iiijd.

Item, a stomaucher of a zerd of gode new hollond clothe, xd.

Item, iiij. payre of sokkes, pris viijd.

Item, ij. payre of lyncloys, viijd.

Item, ij. payre of hossen, iiijs.

Item, a payre of schone, vijd.

Item, a payre schettes, iiijs.

Item, iij. gyrdyll, ixd.

Jamus Halmon, iiij. schettes, xs.

Item, ij. schertis and a quarter of lynclothe, ijs. vjd.

Item, a pelow bere, vjd.

Item, ij. payre of sockes, iijd.

Item, a gown furret with blake lom, xs.

Item, a payre of cremessen hossen, iijs.

Item, a payre spores, a pare of glovis, xvjd.

Item, iij. gyrdyll, ixd.

Item, a stomaker of lenclothe, viijd.

Item, a payre of shone, vijd.

Item, staffe, pris iiijd.

Item, a sakke, viijd.

Syngleton, a payr of bottes and a parre of sporis, iijs. iiijd.

Item, a sadyll, a paytrell and a brydoll and ij. gerthis, xs.

Item, a payre of dowbelet slevys of blake, Item, a payre of slevys of rosset, iijs.

Item, a payr of stokes of fustian, [viijd.]178.1

Item, a pare of schone, vijd.

Item, a schyrt, xxd.

Item, a purs with ijs.

Item, a gyrdyll, a payre of patanys, iiijd.

Item, a dagar knyffe, pris iiijd.

Katryn Wilton, a donge, iijs. iiijd.

Item, a coverlet, iijs. iiijd.

Item, a blanket, iijs.

Item, a payr of shettes, iiijs.

Item, a pelow of doun, xijd.

Item, a payre of new hosson, viijd.

Item, a gown and a kertyll, vjs. viijd.

Item, a cors harnesshet with blake, pris xxd.

Item, a hod, iijs. iiijd.

Item, a kercher of lawn, pris xxd.

Item, ij. kercher of therd, xijd.

Item, a payre off bedys of ambre, xxd.

Item, a new canvasse.

Jane Belton, a blanket, iijs. iiijd.

Item, a shette, ijs.

Item, a kerchey therd, and ther in was vjs. viijd. of gold.

Item, a payre of beydys of jette with Patter nosteris of corall, pris xxd.

Item, a payre of turnerys of lawn, xxd.

Item, a yerd of lynclothe, viijd.

Item, a payre of hossen, viijd.

Item, a smoke, xxd.

Item, a kercher of thred, viijd.

Symond Houston, a payre of bottes, a payre of sporis, iiijs.

Purrey, a blw gown, viijs.

Item, a bridull and a feterloke, xvjd.

Item, a payr of hossen, a payr of schon, ijs. vijd.

Item, a pare of furred glovys.

Frere John Alderiche, ij. quaris of prayeris. Item, a powtenere with a payre of bedys of jette. Item, a scapelerey with an hodde, vjs. viijd.

John Keduray, a payre of lynclothys, j. gown of blw, vjs. viijd.

Item, a payre of hossen, xxd.

Item, a payre of schone, vijd.

Item, a payre of glovys and a hatt, xijd.

Simond Sadiller, a payre of sporis, xijd.

Item, a knyff hernyshid with sylver, xijd.

Robert Fen, a gown, vjs.

Item, a cappe, iiijd.

Item, a peyre of hossen, xvjd.

Item, a chart (?), pris xvjd.

Richard Charlys, a peyr of hossen, xvjd.

Item, a dager, xvjd.

Item, a gyrdyll, ijd.

Item, a cappe of rosset, iiijd.

Jhon Faster, a horne, viijd.

John Judde, a chert, pris xvjd.

Item, a peyr of bedys of jett, viijd.

William Bemond, a custell, pris xvjd.

Item, a perre of bottes, pris ijs.

Item, a peyre of glovys of otter.

Water Wynter, a shert, xijd.

A dager, xijd.

A purs with xd.

Sander Koke, a mourey gown, vjs.

Item, a cotte of moster develers,180.1 xld.

Item, a blanket, iijs.

Item, a peyre of shettes, iiijs.

Item, iij. peyr of shoys, xxd.

Item, a peyr of sokkes, ijd.

Item, a hatt, xijd.

Item, a peyr of patanys, a cappe of violet, Item, iij. gyrdyll, and a cerchey [kerchief], xijd.

Item, ij. of180.2 of hossen, pris iijs.

Snallewell, a schet, pris xxd.

Item, ij. shurtes, a peyr ofe lynclothis, xxd.

Item, ij. dowbelettes, pris xld.

Item, iij. gyrdyll, ij. cappes, xvd.

Item, ij. peyr of hossen, xld.

Item, a lyneng to a gown, xxd.

Item, an hodde, xld.

John Bube (?), ane hatt, pris xd.

Item, a bowe, pris vjd.

Item, a peyr of bottes, xvjd.

Item, a purs with iiijd.

Item, a cappe, iiijd.

Herry Gunnold, tablys and stolys, pris vs.

Item, a swerd, pris

Item, a poyre of jett, pris text has “pris,” for both

Item, a pelow bere, / vjd. italic “d” misprinted as “a”

1080 WYKES’S BILL181.1

Towardis my Lord of Oxford.

In primis at Brentwode for horsmete, ijd.

Chelmesford

Item for our dyner there, iiijd. ob.

Item for horsmete there, ijd.

Brambtre

Item for horsmete there, jd.

Item for drynke there, ob.

Hydyngham

Item for oure soper there, iiijd.

Item for horsmete there, iiijd.

Item for wayshyng of my shert and botes, id. ob.

Laneham

Item for horsmete there, jd.

Hadlegh

Item for horsmete there, jd.

Item for brede and drynke there, jd.

Taderston

Item for horsmete there, ijd. ob.

Item for Williamis dyner there, ijd.

Coylchestere

Item for horsmete there, ixd.

Item for the sadelere, iijd.

Item payd to the smyth, vijd.

Item for brede and drynke there, ijd.

Wytham

Item for horsmete there, jd.

Item for brede and drynke there, jd. ob.

Chelmesford

Item for oure dyner there, iiijd.

Item for horsmete there, jd.

Brentwode

Item for horsmete there, jd.

Item for brede and drynke there, jd. ob.

Item for a dosyn poyntis, ijd.

Summa expens, vs.

Endorsed: Wykes.

Item for horsmete there, jd. Brentwode

Item for horsmete there, jd. italic “d” misprinted as “a” (one occurrence in each line)

1081 T. BALKEY TO JOHN PASTON183.1

To his ryght wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Esquier, this byll be delyverid in hast.

Date uncertain

Ryght wurshipfull and myne especyall good maister, I comaund me vonto your good maistership. Sir, it is so that there hath ben a gret rumour and mervelous noyse of yower departyng ffro Yermoth; for summe seid that ye were departed in a Duch ship and some seid in aspaynessh ship and some seid in yower ship, and some seid ayein your wyll ye were departed; of wych departyng my lord Steward hadde knowleche and comaunded a noon after your old servaunt Rychard Fitzwater to ryde to Norwich, and so to Yermoth, to knowe the trowth. And at Norwich I spoke with your seid servaunt, and ther he shewed vonto me that my lord hadde send another of his servauntis vonto my Lord of Oxynford to shew vonto his lordship of your departyng, &c., and fferthermore he shewed vonto me prevyly that my Lord hath imagyned and purposed many grevous thyngis ayens your Maistership; for wych cawse he shewed wnto me that in any wyse your mastership shuld not come that wey, and I shall shewe your maistership moch more at your comyng, with the grace of God, whoo ever preserve your good maistership. At Norwich the Sonday next after Sent Marke. Your servaunt, T. Balkey.

1082 ANONYMOUS TO MASTER PASTON184.1

Maister Paston, it is so that my Lord desireth to have his lyverey as for this yere to be of the colour that he hadde him self a demye gowne of, and his childern hadde of the same ayenst Cristmasse laste was; I wot never whether ye remembre it or nay. Yt was a medelled tawney, som what rede, and it was bought at Watkyn Stalworthes. I pray you assaye among the clothe makers in your countre howe a man may bye a cloth of them. Ye muste remembre the gentilmen muste have better than the yomen, and the yomen better than the gromes. And ye knowe well that ye and I the laste yere pourvoied my lord of the gentilmenes lyverey and the yomens for iijs. a yerde, one with a nother, and the gromes for ijs. viijd., and boughte all at the drapers in London. Wherfore my Lord woll thinke to be served of better clothe and lesse price at the clothe makers. I wolde have sente you an example but I can not gette it.

1083 ROBERT KYLLYGREWE TO RICHARD WASSE184.2

Thys letter be delyvyrde on to my fadyrynlav Rychard Wasse dewelly yn the parris of Morton.

Welle belovyd fadyr, y recommende me on to you, and y thonke you of your gode cherre to me beyng vyt you laste, &c. Fadyr, hyt ysso asfor the promysse that ys by twyxt you and me, y hope to God to contayne you of my promysse. So by that y am so lenge on y payde on to you, Fadyr, hyt ysso ye have y lefte me yn so grete a danger wyt the reparasyon of Wolston ande wythe Benet Barnarde that y am so lenge byhynde vyt you of my promys; nere the les y have sende you by Herry Penennec iiij. mark a fore Crystmas, ande the wederyng fyl so fowle a konnot go on to you. Fadyr, hyt yesso y have payde Benet Barnarde viij. marke for the fe that ye made on to hym, and more y moste pay hym for you, for he axyt of you yn holle xijli. wyt the fe, ande hys labor that a dyde for you yn London. For he sayt that ye nevyr payde hym of no fyne, nodyr for no odyr coste that a dyde for you wylle ye werre yn thys contray. Therfore y pray you to sende on to me a dyscharge for the sayde xijli., or ellys a wolle dystrayne me and put me to scharge an coste as a hath strayne my tenenttes byfore for thys mater and costys. For dermore Boryng hath take an accion yn the comyn law ayenst us bothe, entendyng to dryve us to a new particion, for a shewyth owre to tenentes to tempe ande meve them to cry fore a noder particion, ande to have suche as plesyth hym to hys reteyne; and therfore, but we have the better consayle hyt woll cost moch mony wyth owt dowt. Ther fore send me suche evydens as may dyscharge and save bothe you and me, wyche byth yn your hon dysposal; hyt hath coste me xls. for the accion that he hath take ayenst Tomas Snel and Wyllyam Snell, for bycause that T. Snell forbede185.1 Bouryng ys tenents fro my wode yn Boter towne, which bythe alders. Your doctor [daughter] recommende hyr on to you and prayyt of your dayly blessyng, and sche hat a son, bleste by God. Namore to you at thys tymme. God have you yn Hys kepyng. By your Son, Roberte Kylly Grewe.

1084 MEMORANDUM186.1

Memorandum to speke with William Byrde be the same tokne, I came home from London to Norwich on Mydsomer evyn last past, and the same even I cam home to his howse, and brought hym xs. for a gyrdyll off myn that he had in his kepyng for a plegge off myn; and if so be that he wilnat ley out thes money, let hym send me the bill indentyd off my jowellys closyd in a letter with a signet off myn that my wiff hath in her keping.

Endorsed—Vyall.

1085-8 ABSTRACTS186.2

The following letters are probably all of the time of Henry VII. They are all addressed to a Mr. William Paston, but perhaps not all to the same person. The first two are apparently to William Paston, the brother of the two Sir Johns. The third is doubtful. The last may be to the son of the second Sir John.

1085.—John Wryght to Master William Paston at Hynnyngham.—Has received from him a bill with 3s. 6d., part payment of the cotton russet. ‘The rest we shall drink when ye come to London.’ Does not understand Paston’s order for other 9 yards. Does he wish frieze, cotton or plain blanket?—London, St. Catherine’s Even.

1086.—John Breton of Hadley to Master William Paston.—Desires him to be good master to the bearer, ‘a poor kinsman of mine,’ to whom my lord186.3 has written sharply, that he may come before my lord for his answer.

1087.—Petyr Marham to his master, William Paston.—Desires his advice, as Robert Gaunley, sometime his ’prentice, has taken an action against him at the common law.

1088.—William Ocley to Master William Paston.—Has spoken with young Wyndam in Master Digby’s presence. He was grateful to Paston for his loving mind towards him, and said he would receive ‘the two riall’ himself, and buy no new gear till he knew the King’s pleasure touching his pardon.—London, 3 Sept.

NOTE TO NO. 1016.

As stated in the footnote at p. 101, since the above document was in type the Editor came upon a complete copy of this list of knights made at the battle of Stoke, which, being also more accurate than that in Leland’s Collectanea, is here printed in full. It is apparently the original MS. of which No. 1016 is a mutilated copy, and is written on two flyleaves of the copy of Caxton’s Game and Play of Chess in the King’s Library in the British Museum.

The names of the banerettes made at the batell of Stooke by syde Newerke apon Trent, the xvj. day of June the ij^de yer of Harry the vij.

Sir Gilbert Talbott.

Sir John Cheny.

Sir William Stoner.

Thes iij. wer made by fore the bataile, and after the bataile wer made the same day:—

Sir John of Arundell.

Sir Thomas Cookesay.

Sir John Forteskew.

Sir Edmond Benyngfeld.

Sir James Blount.

Sir Ric’ of Croffte.

Sir Humfrey Stanley.

Sir Ric’ Delaber.

Sir John Mortymer.

Sir William Troutbeke.

Knyghtys made at the same bataile:—

Sir ——187.1 Audeley, son and heyre of the Lord Audeley.

Sir Edward Norys.

Sir Robert Clyfford.

Sir George Hopton.

Sir Robert of Broughton.

Sir John Paston.

Sir Thomas Lovell.

Sir Humfrey Savage.

Sir Harry Wyloughby.

Sir John Sabacotys.

Sir William Vampage.

Sir Antony Browne.

Sir Ric’ Poole.

Sir Thomas Terell.

Sir Ric’ Lews.

Sir Thomas Grey.

Sir Nycholas Vaux.

Sir Edwarde of Borough.

Sir William Tyrwytt.

Sir Ameas Paullett.

Sir William Troutebeke.

Sir Raff Langforthe.

Sir James Haryngton.

Sir Harry Boulde.

Sir ——187.2 Devenyshe.

Sir William Redmyll.

Sir Gregory Lovell.

Sir Thomas Blount.

Sir Robert Cheyny.

Sir William Carew.

Sir John Wyndam.

Sir Roger Belyngam.

Sir John a Mosgrave.

Sir George Nevyll the bas[tard] of the Tour.187.3

Sir Robert Ratcleff.

Sir James Parker.

Sir Edward Darell.

Sir Edward Pykeryng.

Sir Thomas of Wolton.

Sir William Sandys.

Sir Robert Brandon.

Sir Thomas a Poole.

Sir Morys Barkeley.

Sir Rauffe Shyrley.

Sir John Longvyll.

Sir William Litylton.

Sir William Norys of Lancas . . .

Sir John Dygby.

Sir Thomas Hansard.

Sir Christofre Wroughton.

Sir Thomas Lyne.

Sir Morys a Barow.