To my worshepefull housbond ^W. ^Paston be @is lettere takyn. Dere housbond, I recomaunde me to yow, &c. Blyssyd be God, I sende yow gode tydynggys of @e comyng and @e brynggyn hoom of @e gentylwomman @at ye wetyn of fro %^Redham @is same nyght, acordyng to poyntmen @at ye made @er-for yowre-self. And as for @e furste aqweyntaunce be-twhen ^John ^Paston and @e seyde gentilwomman, she made hym gentil chere in gyntyl wyse and seyde he was verrayly yowre son. And so I hope @er shal nede no gret trete* be-twyxe hym. @e parson of %^Stocton toold me yif ye wolde byin here a goune, here moder wolde yeue ther-to a godely furre. @e goune nedyth for to be had, and of coloure it wolde be a godely blew or ellys a bryghte sanggueyn. I prey yow do byen for me ij pypys of gold. Yowre stewes do weel. The Holy Trinite* have yow in gouernaunce. Wretyn at %^Paston in hast @e Wednesday next after $^Deus $qui $errantibus, for defaute of a good secretarye, &c. Yowres, ^Agnes ^Paston To ^Edmond ^Paston of Clyffordis Inne in %^London be this lettre take. To myn welbelouid sone I grete yow wel, and avyse yow to thynkke onis of the daie of yowre fadris counseyle to lerne the lawe; for he seyde manie tymis that ho so euer schuld dwelle at %^Paston schulde have nede to conne defende hymselfe. The vikarie of %^Paston and yowre fadre, in Lenttyn laste was, wher thorwe and acordidde, and doolis sette howe broode the weye schuld ben; and nowe he hathe pullid vppe the doolis and seithe he wolle makyn a dyche fro the cornere of his walle ry\ht overe the weye to the newe diche of the grete cloose. And there is a man in %^Truntche hy\ht ^Palmere to, @at hadde of yowre fadre certein londe in ^Truntche on vij yere ore viij yere agoone for corn, and trwli hathe paide all the yeris; and now he hathe suffrid the corne to ben with-sette for viij s. of rentte to %^Gymmyngham, wich yowre fadre paide nevere. ^Geffreie axid ^Palmere why the rentte was notte axid in myn husbonddis tyme, and ^Palmere seyde, for he was a grete man and a wyse man of the lawe, and that was the cawse men wolde not axe hym the rentte. I sende yow the namis of the men that kaste down the pittis that was ^Gynnis Close wretyn in a bille closid in this lettre. I sendde yow not this lettre to make yow wery of %^Paston, for I leve in hoope; and ye wolle lerne that they schulle be made werye of here werke, fore in good feyth I dare wel seyne it was yowre fadris laste wille to have do ry\ht wel to that plase, and that can I schewe of good prefe, thowe men wolde seye naye. God make yow ry\ht a good man, and sende Goddis blessyng and myn. Wrettyn in haste at %^Norwich the Thorsdaie aftir Candelmasse Daie. Wetith of yowre brothere ^John how manie gystis wolle serve the parlour and the chapelle at %^Paston, and what lenghthe they moste be and what brede and thykkenesse thei moste be; for yowre fadris wille was, as I weene veryli, that thei schuld be ix enchis on wey and vij another weye, and pourveiithe therfore that thei mow be squarid there and sentte hedre, for here can non soche be hadde in this conttre*. And seye to yowre brothir ^John it weere wel don to thinkke on %^Stansted chirche; and I praye yow to sende me tydynggis from be-yond see, for here thei arn aferde to telle soche as be reportid. By yowre modre ^Angneis ^Paston Wood mylle. This byll jndented mad the xxx daye of Octobere wittenessyth that ^Agnes ^Paston hath this daye the xxvti yere of Kyng ^H. the Sexte letyn to ^John ^Downyng, myllere, to ^Robert ^Cobbe, and to ^Robert ^Eemond my mylle callede Woodmyll for the terme of v yere, paying there-fore yerly to the seyd ^Agnes, to hire heyres or to hire certeyn attorny, x marke at iiij termes in the yere, that is to sey: at the Natiuite* of Owre Lord v nobl., and at the fest of the Anunciacion of Owr Lady v nobl., and at the fest of the Natiuite* of Seynt ^John the Baptest v nobl., and at the fest of Seynt ^Michaell v nobl.; to hauen and to helden to the seyd ^John, ^Robert, and ^Robert, doyng the costes of the reparacion, like as the mylleres haue do biforn, fro the fest of Seynt ^Mychaell last past duryng the terme a-boue seyd. Item, the seyd ^Agnes hath letyn to the seyd ^John, ^Robert, and to ^Robert the clos next the myll, paying to the seyd ^Agnes yerly duryng the terme a-boue seyd viij s. In wittenesse where-of the partyes han set here sealis. Yeuen the daye and the yere a-boue seyd. The endenture of ^Palmer of %^Trunche. This endenture made the teen day of Nouembre @e yeer of @e regne of Kyng ^Henry @e Sexte xxvti be-twen ^Anneys ^Paston, late the wyff of ^William ^Paston, on the ton parte and ^William ^Palmer of %^Trunche on the tothir parte witnessyth @at @e seyd ^Anneys hathe grauntyd and lete to ferme to @e seyd ^William ^Palmer a pece of londe, outetake @e medwe in and of @e same pece, conteynyng be estimacion ix acres in all, lyyng in %^Trunche feld, to haue and to hold @e seyd pece, outetake @e seyd medwe, to hym, his heires and hys assyngnes, fro the fest of Allehalwyn nowh last paste on-to the terme of teen yeer @an nexte folwyng fully endyd, payyng yeerly there-fore to the lordys of the fee the rentys, seruys and custumys, taxes and talagys of all the holl forseyd pece duryng the terme be-foreseyde. And the seyd ^William ^Palmere schall felle and dite the medwe and brynge home all the heie, and stakke it in seche an hous, in @e maner of the forseyd ^Anneys in %^Paston, os sche or her debite* wyll assyng hym; and yf sche kepe houssold there, he schall dyne or suppe there at @e bryngyng home. And the seyd ^Anneys schall warent the lond clere to the seyd ^William ^Palmer on-to @e daye of @e makyng of thise endenture. And yf the forseyd medwe be not dite in good tyme of @e yere, but appeyred or lost throwh @e defaute of @e forseyd ^Palmer, @at @an it be lawfull to the seyd ^Anneys or her assyngnes to distreyne op-on the holl forseyd pece of lond on-till the seyd ^Anneys be satysfyed of the valew of the heye, yf it had well a be dite. In witnesse where-of eche of them to othirs parte haue set her selys. Youe @e day and @e yeer a-boue seyd. ^Wareyn ^Baxstere of %^Knapton This indenture mad on Seynt ^Andrewes evyn the yere of the regne of Kyng ^Herry the Sexte xxvj wyttnessyth that it is a-cordyd a-twyx ^Agnes ^Paston and ^Waryn ^Baxtere that the seyd ^Waryn shall haue to hym and his heyres, at the wille of the lord of the maner of %^Knapton, all the londes and tenementes in %^Knapton that were ^Richard ^Redys that he late held to ferme for barly, except a messe conteynyng be estymacion di. acre that was sumtyme ^Robert at the ^Medwes, sold to ^William ^Boot, and iiij acre j rod sold to ^John ^Archall the yongere. And the seyd ^Waryn shall content and a-gre* wyth the seyd lord for the fyne of the seyd lond, that be estymasion is cxiiij s. vj d., and aquyte the seyd ^Agnes of all oder duteys dew to the seyd lord or to any oder persone except ^William ^Ward that claymyth xij s., ^Nicholus ^Crabbe that claymyth iiij s., and ^William ^Foucke that askyth xxviij d. for the seyd lond, be-for the day of the date of this indenture. And he shall pay xvj s. viij d. to ^Jone, late the wiffe of the seyd ^Richard ^Rede, and xxs. to ^John of ^Fen to the vse of the chirche of %^Knapton, and viij s. x d. to the same ^John to his awne vse. Also he shall pay to the seyd ^Agnes, on of the executoures of ^William ^Paston, xx combes of barly at Candylmes next comyng in fulle payment for all the ferme of the seyd lond. And the seyd ^Waryn knowlachyd that he is alowyd and content, as wele for that that he can aske of the seyd ^Agnes as wele for the seyd lond as for all oder thyng. Yowe the day and yere be-forseyd. Wittnes of ^William ^Dalton, ^Lauerans parson of %^Oxnede, ^John ^Fen, and ^Thomas of ^Fen. In witness wheroff @e parte*s haue sette her seles. To ^John ^Paston be @is letter delyueryd. Soon, I grete \ow wel wyth Goddys blyssyng and myn; and I latte \ow wette @at my cosyn ^Clere wrytted to me @at sche spake wyth ^Schrowpe aftyre @at he had byen wyth me at %^Norwyche, and tolde here what chere @at I had made hym; and he seyde to here he lyked wel by @e chere @at I made hym. He had swyche wordys to my cosyn ^Clere @at lesse @an \e made hym good chere and \af hym wordys of conforth at %^London he wolde no more speke of @e matyre. My cosyn ^Clere thynkyth @at it were a foly to forsake hym lesse @an \e knew of on owdyre as good ore bettere, and I haue assayde \owre sustere and I fonde here neuer so wylly to noon as sche is to hym, \yf it be so @at his londe stande cleere. I sent \ow a letter by ^Brawnton fore sylke and fore @is matyre be-fore my cosyn ^Clere wrote to me, @e qwyche was wrytten on @e ^Wednysday nex\t aftyre Mydsomere Day. Ser ^Herry ^Ynglows is ry\th besy a-bowt ^Schrowpe fore on of his do\thteres. I prey \ow fore-\ette no\th to brynge me my mony fro %^Horwelbery as \e com fro %^London, edyre all ore a grete parte. @e dew dette was at Crystemesse last paste, no thynge a-lowyd, vij li. xiiij s. viij d., and at @is Mydsomere it is v li. more; and thow I a-low hym all his askyng it is but xxvj s. vj d. lesse, but I am no\th so avysyth \ytt. As fore @e frere, he hath byen at Sent ^Benettys and at %^Norwyche, and made grete bowste of @e sewte @at he hath a-\ens me, and bow\the many boxes, to what jntent I wett neuer. It is well doen to be ware at %^London in drede \yf he bryng ony syse at Sent ^Margaretys tyme. I kan no more, but Almy\ty God be owre good lorde, who have \ow euer in kepyng. Wryten at %^Oxnede in grete hast on @e Satyr-[day] next aftyre Mydsomere. By \owre modyre A. P. Thys letter be delyuerd to ^John ^Paston, dwellyn jn the Indere In of the Tempyll + att %^London, in hast. I grete yow well, and lete yow wete that thys day I was wyth my doughtyr yor wyfe, and che was in good hele att the makyn of thys letter, thankyd be God. And sche lete yor sustyr and me wete of a letter wheche ye sent hyr, that ye haue be laboryd to fore Sere ^William ^Oldhall to haue your sustyr and desyryng in the seyd letter to haue an answere in schort tyme who sche wyll be demenyd in thys matere. Yor sustere recomaundyt hyr to yow, and thankyt yow hertyly that ye wyll remembyre hyr and lete hyr haue knowleche there-of; and preyt yow that ye wyll do your deuere to bryng it to a good conclusyon, for sche seythe to me that sche trystyt @at ye wyll do so that it xall be bothe fore hyr worchup and profyt. And as fore me, if ye can thynke that hys lond standyt clere, in as meche as I fele your sustyr well wyllyd there-to I hold me well content. And as fore the oblygacyon of the person of %^Marlynferthe, wheche I sent yow by ^John ^Newman, I prey yow lete it be suyd; and as fore the person and ^Lyndesey, they be acordyd. And God haue yow in kepyn and send yow hys blyssyn and myn. Wretyn att %^Norwyche on Puluer Wedenesday. Be yor modere ^Angnes ^Paston To ^John ^Paston, dwellyn in the Inder In of the Tempyll att %^London, be thys letter delyuerd in hast. Son, I grete yow and send yow ^Goddys blyssyng and myn; and as for my doughtyr your wyfe, che faryt well, blyssyd be God, as a woman in hyr plyte may do, and all your sonys and doughtrys. And for as meche as ye wyll send me no tydyngys, I send yow seche as ben in thys contre*. ^Rychard ^Lynsted cam thys day fro %^Paston, and letyt me wete that on Saturday last past ^Drawale, halfe brothere to ^Waryn ^Harman, was takyn wyth enemyis walkyn be the se syde and haue hym forthe wyth hem; and they tokyn ij pylgremys, a man and a woman, and they robbyd the woman and lete hyr gon and ledde the man to the see, and whan they knew he was a pylgreme they geffe hym money and sett hym ageyn on the lond. And they haue thys weke takyn iiij vessellys of %^Wyntyrton and %^Happysborough, and %^Ecles men ben sore aferd for takyn of mo, for there ben x grete vessellys of the enemyis. God yeue grace that the see may be bettere kepte than it is now, or ellys it chall ben a perlyous dwellyng be the se cost. I prey yow grete well your brethyrne, and sey hem that I send hem Goddys blyssyn and myn; and sey ^William that, if ^Jenett ^Lanton be nott payd for the krymsyn cors wheche ^Alson ^Crane wrote to hyr fore in hyr owyn name, that than he pay hyr and see ^Alson ^Cranys name strekyn owt of hyr boke, for che seythe che wyll aske no man the money butt ^Alson ^Crane. And I prey yow that ye wyll remembyr the letter that I sent yow last; and God be wyth yow. Wretyn att %^Norwyche the Wedenesday next before Sent ^Gregory. Be yor modere ^Angnes ^Paston To ^John ^Paston be thys byll delyuerd in hast. I spacke thys day wyth a man of %^Paston syde, and he told me that a man of %^Paston told hym that %^Paston men wold nott goo presessyon ferther than the chyrche-yerde on Sent ^Markys Day, for he seyd the presessyon wey was stoppyd in, and seyd wyth-in chort tyme men hopyd that the wall chuld be broke doun a-geyn. Item, he seyd that I was amercyid for stoppyng of the seyd [wey] att the last generall court, butt he cowd not tell who meche the mercyment was; and he that told it me askyd the man that told it hym if he had the mercyment in hys exstrete for to dystreyn there-fore; and he seyd nay, but seyd he that chuld do it chuld bettyr dor take it up-on hym than he chuld. Item, the same man told me that he mett wyth a man of %^Blyclyng hyght ^Barkere, that cam late fro %^London, and he told hym that I had a sute att %^London ageyn ^Waryn ^Herman of %^Paston, and seyd that ^Roberd ^Branton was hys attornye and seyd he seygh hym ryght besy for hym att %^London. And for-yete not yor sustyr, and God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn att %^Norwyche the xij day of May. Be yor modyr ^A. ^Paston To ^Meye ^Barkere of Synt ^Clementys parys in %^Norwych, to delyuer to my + master ^John ^Paston in haste. On Thurisday @e wall was mad \arde hey; and a good wylle be-fore euyn it reyned so sore @at @ey were fayne to helle @e wall and leue werke, and @e water is fallyn so sore @at it standyt ondyre @e wall a fote deppe to ^Ballys warde. And on Fryday after sakeryng on come fro cherch warde and schoffe doune all @at was @ere-on and trad on @e wall and brake sum and wente ouer. But I can not \et wete hoo it was. And ^Warne ^Kyngys wyfe, as she went ouer @e style, she cursyd ^Ball and seyde @at he had \euyn aweye @e waye, and so it preuyt be ^John ^Paston is wordys; and after, ^Kyngys folke and odyr come and cryid on ^Annes ^Ball, seying to here @e same. \ystyrneuyn wan I xul[[d]] goo to my bede @e vycare seyde @at ^Warne ^Kyng and ^Warne ^Harman be-twyxte messe and matynsse toke Ser ^Roberd in @e vestry and bad hym sey to me verely @e wall xullde doun a-gayne; and wan @e vycore tolde me I wyste @ere-of no worde, nor \et do, be Ser ^Roberde, for he syth he were loth to make any stryfe. And wan I cam out of @e cherch ^Roberd ^Emundys schewyd me how I was a-mercyde for seute of corte @e laste \ere vj d., and seyd it was xij d. tylle ^Warne ^Kyng and he gat it awey vj d. I send \ou word how ^John ^Jamys was de-menyd at %^Cromere, to send to ^Jamys ^Gressham how he xall be de-menyd. ^Gaffrey ^Benchard and ^Alexander ^Glouer, heywardys, tokyn a dystresse of ^John ^Jamys on @e bond tenement of ^A. ^Paston calde %^Reynaldys in %^Cromer @e xxviijti \ere of @ys kyng, and ^W. ^Goodwyn, baly of %^Cromer, wyth @e seyd ^J. ^Jamys wyth forsse toke awey @e dysstres, wech was ij horsse and a plowe. And Good be wyth \ou. Be ^Annes ^Paston \oure modyr To ^John ^Paston, dwyllyng in @e Tempyll at %^London, be @is letter delyuerid + in haste. I gret \ou well, and lete \ou wete @at ^Warne ^Harman, on @e Sonday after Hallumes Day after ensong, seyd oponly in @e cherch-\erde @at he wyst wyll @at and @e wall were puddoun, @ou he were an hondryd myle fro %^Paston, he wyste well @at I wolde sey he ded yt and he xuld bere @e blame, seying, 'Telle yte here ho so wyll, @ou it xuld coste me xx nobyllys it xall be puddoun a\en.' And @e seyd ^Warnys wyfe wyth a lovde vosse seyd, 'All @e deuyllys of hell drawe here sowle to hell for @e weye @at she hat mad!' And at euyn a sertyn man suppyd wyth me and tolde me @at @e patent grantyt to closse but a perch on bred, and @at I had clossyd more @an @e grant of @e patent is, as men seyd. And ^John ^Marchall tolde me @at @ere was a thryfty woman come forby @e watteryng and fond @e wey stoppyde, and askyd hym ho had stoppyd @e weye; and he seyd @ey @at had pore to \eue it, and askyd here wat was freere @an \yfte. And she seyd she sey @e day @at %^Paston men wold not a sofferyd @at. And God be wyth \ou. Wretyn at %^Paston on Monday after Hallumys Day. Be \oure modyr ^Annes ^Paston To ^John ^Paston, dwellyng jn @e Tempyll at %^London, be thys lettere delyuerd in hast. I grete yow well, and lete yow wete that on @e Sonday before Sent ^Edmond after euyn-songe ^Angnes ^Ball com to me to my closett and bad me good euyn, and ^Clement ^Spycere wyth hyr. And I acsyd hym what he wold, and he askyd me why I had stoppyd jn @e Kyngys wey; and i seyd to hym I stoppyd no way butt myn owyn, and askyd hym why he had sold my lond to ^John ^Ball; and he sore he was neuyr a-cordyd wyth your fadyr. And I told hym if hys fadyr had do as he dede, he wold a be a-chamyd to a seyd as he seyd. And all that tyme ^Waryn ^Herman lenyd ouyr @e parklos and lystynd whatt we seyd,and seyd @at @e chaunge was a rewly chaunge, for @e towne was vn-do @ereby and is @e wersse by an c li.; and I told hym it was no curtese* to medyll hym jn a mater butt if he were callyd to councell. And prowdly goyn forthe wyth me jn @e cherche, he seyd the stoppyng of @e wey xulld coste me xx nobyllys, and \et it chuld downe ageyn; and I lete hym wete he @at putte it downe chull pay @ere-fore. Also he seyd @at it was well don @at I sett men to werke to owle money whyll I was here, butt jn @e ende I chall lese my coste. Than he askyd me why I had a-wey hys hey at %^Walsam, seyng to me he wold he had wyst it whan it was karyyd and he chuld a lettyd it; and I told hym it was myn owyn grownde, and for myn owyn I wold holde it. And he bad me take iiij acre and goo no ferthere; and thus churtly he departyd fro me jn @e cherche-\erde. And syt, I spacke wyth a sertyn man and acsyd hym if he herd owt sey why @e dynere was mad att ^Norfolkys howse; and he told me [he] herd sey that serteyn men had sentt to %^London to gete a comyssyon owt of @e Chaunstre* to putt downe ageyn @e wall and @e dyke. I receyuyd yor lettere by ^Robert ^Reppys thys day after thys letter wretyn thus fare. I haue red it butt I can yeue yow non aunswere more than I haue wretyn, saue @e wyfe of ^Harman hathe @e name of Owre Lady, whos blyssyn ye haue, and myn. Wretyn at %^Paston on @e day aftere Sent ^Edmond. Be yowyr modyr ^Angnes ^Paston This lettre be delyuered to ^John ^Paston, beynge at %^London in the Innere In of the Temple. I grete you well, and sende you Goddes blissyng and myn; and as touchyng the mater wheche ye desyryd my cosyn ^Clere shulde write fore, she hath doo, and I sende you the copy closed in this lettre. As for the enquerre* I haue sent by ^Pynchemour to enquere, and sent myn owen men to ^William ^Bakton and don hem enquered in dyuerse places, and I can here no word of noon suych enquerans. I wot not what it menyth. ^Roberd ^Hill was at %^Paston this wyke, and the man that duelled in ^Bowres place is oute ther-of and seid to ^Roberd he durst no lenger a-byde there-in for ^Waryn ^Herman seyth to him it is his place. As for ^Coketes mater, my doughter youre wif told me yester-even the man that suyth him will now stonde to youre a-warde. ^Bertilmow ^White is condennyd in %^Fornecet court in xl marc., as it is seid. Item, as for ^Talfas, the sherevis han be-hest to do all the fauour thei may. I sente the parson of Seynt ^Edmundes to ^Gilberd, and he seide there was come a newe writ for to haue him vp by the xv day of Seynt ^Martyn; and how ^Caly hadde ben at hem and desired to carye vp ^Talfas on his owen cost and yeue hem goode wages. Item, ^John ^Osbern seide to me this day that he supposed thei will not haue him vp be-forn Estern, and ^Margerete ^Talfas seide to me the same day that men tolde hire that he shulde neuer han ende till he were at %^London, and asked me counsell wheder she myte yeue the sherevys syluer or non,and I tolde hire if she dede I supposed she shulde fynde hem the more frendly. Item, as for %^Horwelbury I sende you a bille of all the reseytes syn the deth of youre fadere, and a copy wrete on the bak how youre fader lete it to ferme to the seide ^Gurnay. I wulde ye shulde write ^Gurnay and charge him to mete wyth you fro %^London warde, and at the lest weye lete him purveye x li., for owyth be my reknyng at Myhelmesse last passed, be-syde youre faderes dette, xviij li. xiiij s. viij d. If ye wolde write to him to brynge suerte* bo@e for youre faderys dette and myn, and pay be dayes so @at the man myte leven and paye vs, I wolde for-yeue him of the olde arrerages x li., and he myte be mad to paye xx marc. be yere. On that condicion I wolde for-yeuen him x li., and so thynketh me he shulde han cause to preye for youre fader and me, and was it leten in my faderes tyme. I fele be ^Roberd his wif is right loth to gon thens; she seide that sche had leuer I shulde haue all here gode after here day than thei schulde go out there-of. Item, ^John ^Dam told me that @e Lady ^Boys will selle a place called %^Halys, but he seith sche speketh it prevyly and seith it is not tayled; as ^John ^Dam knoweth will, she hath seide as largely of o@er thyng @at hath not be so. Item, he tolde me as he herd seyn Sere ^John ^Fastolf hath sold %^Heylysdon to ^Boleyn of %^London, and if it be so it semeth he will selle more; wherfore I preye you, as ye will haue my loue and my blissyng, @at ye will helpe and do youre deuer that sumthyng were purchased for youre ij bretheren. I suppose @at Ser ^John ^Fastolf, and he were spoke to, wolde be gladere to lete his kensemen han parte than straunge men. Asay him in my name of suych places as ye suppose is most clere. It is seid in this contre* @at my lord of %^Norfolk seith Sere ^John ^Fastolf hath youen him %^Castre, and he will han [it] pleynly. I sende you a bille of ^Osbern hand whech was the ansuere of the sheref and ^John of ^Dam. Item, brynge me my lettre hom with you and my cosyn ^Clere is copy of here lettre and the copy of the reseyth of %^Horwelbury. And recomaunde me to ^Lomnour, and tell him his best be-loued fareth well, but sche is not yet come to %^Norwich, for thei deye yet, but not so sore as thei dede. And God be wyth you. Wrete at %^Norwych in right gret hast the xvj day of Nouembre. By youre moder ^Anneys ^Paston. To my welbelouyd son ^John ^Paston. Sone, I grete yow well and send you Godys blyssyng and myn, and lete you wete that ^Robert ^Hyll cam homward by %^Horwelle-bery; and ^Gurney tellyd hym he had byn at %^London for mony and kowd not spedyng, and behestyd ^Robert that he shuld sende me mony be you. I pray for-\et yt not as \e com homward, and speke sadly for j nothyr fermour. And as for tydyngys, ^Phylyppe ^Berney is passyd to God on Munday last past, wyt @e grettes peyn that evyr I sey man. And on Tuysday Sere ^Jon ^Heny[n]gham \ede to hys chyrche and herd iij massys,and cam hom agayn nevyr meryer, and seyd to hese wyf that he wuld go sey a lytyll deuocion in hese gardeyn and than he wuld dyne; and forth-wyth he felt a feyntyng in hese legge and syyd doun. Thys was at ix of @e clok, and he was ded or none. Myn cosyn ^Clere preyt you that \e lete no man se here letter wheche is in-selyd vndyr my selle. I prey you that \e wyl pay youre brothyr ^William for iiij vnce and j half of sylke as he payd, wheche he send me by ^William ^Tauyrnere, and bryng wyt you j quarter of j vnce evyn leke of the same that I sende you closyd in thys letter. And sey youre brothyr ^William that hese hors hath j farseyn and grete rennyng sorys in hese leggis. God haue you in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwyche on Sent ^Thomas Evyn in grete hast. Be youre modyr ^A. ^Paston This indenture made betwix ^Anneys that was @e wyfe of ^William ^Paston, ^John ^Paston hir sone, and ^John ^Dam on @e one partie and ^William ^Clopton, squyer, on @e other partie witnesseth that accord is take attwyn @e seid parties that ^John ^Clopton, sone and heir of @e seid ^William ^Clopton be @e grace of God, shall wedde ^Elizabeth, the doughter of @e seid ^Anneys. For which mareage the seid ^Anneys, &c., shall paye to @e seid ^John ^Clopton ccccth marc. in hand of lawfull mony of %^England; and ouer that, yf the seid mareage be holdyn with the seid ^Anneys, the seid ^Anneys shall bere @e costages @erof @e day of @e weddyng, with swech chaumbyr as shall be to @e plesir of @e seid ^Anneys. And @e seid ^William ^Clopton shall do his feffees make a lawfull estate to @e seid ^William of londes, tenementz, rentz, and seruysez to @e yerly value of xl li. [[ouer all chargez b]]orn to haue and hold to hym terme of his lyfe withoutyn enpechement of wast, the remaindre @erof to @e seid ^John and ^E[[lizabet]]h and to his heires male [[of]] hir body lawfully begotyn withoute enpechement of wast, withynne xij dayes after @e seid weddyng. And ouer that, withynne @e seid xij dayes the seid ^John shall do lawfull estate to be made to @e seid ^William of londes, tenementz, rentz, and seruysez to @e yerly value of xl marc. ouer all charges born, to haue and hold to @e seid ^William terme of his lyfe without enpechement of wast, the remayndre therof to @e seid ^Elizabeth to haue and hold to hir terme of hir lyfe withoute enpechement of wast. Also it is accorded that @e seid ^William shall make estate of all @e residue of his londes which he is sesid of, or any other man to his vse, to swech personys as the seid ^John shall name to @e vse of the seid ^John. Also the seid ^John ^Clopton shall do lawfull estate to be made to @e seid ^Elizabeth of londes, tenementz, rentz, and seruysez to @e yerly value of xxx li. ouer all chargez born, to haue and hold to hir duryng @e lyfe of the seid ^William. And moreouer the seid ^John promytteth and ensureth be @e feith of his body that he shall leve, ouer the xl li. worth lond aboueseid, to his heires and issue male of @e body of @e seid ^Elizabeth begotyn, londes in fee symple or in taill to @e yerly value of xl marc. in cas @e same issue male be gouernyd to the seid ^John as the sone oweth to be to the fadir. And &c. Erandys to %^London of ^Angnes ^Paston the xxviij day of Jeniuer the yere of Kyng ^Herry the Sext xxxvj. To prey ^Grenefeld to send me feythfully word by wrytyn who ^Clement ^Paston hath do his devere in lernyng. And if he hathe nought do well, nor wyll nought amend, prey hym that he wyll trewly belassch hym tyl he wyll amend; And so ded the last mayster, and @e best that euer he had, att %^Caumbrege. And sey ^Grenefeld that if he wyll take up-on hym to brynge hym in-to good rewyll and lernyng, that I may verily know he doth hys devere, I wyll geue hym x marc. for hys labore; for I had leuer he were fayr beryed than lost fore defaute. Item, to see who many gownys ^Clement hath, and tho that be bare, late hem be reysyd; he hathe a chort grene gowne, And a chort musterdevelerys gowne were neuer reysyd, And a chort blew gowne @at was reysyd and mad of a syde gowne whan I was last at %^London, And a syde russet gowne furryd wyth bevyr was mad this tyme ij yere, And a syde murry gowne was mad this tyme twelmoneth. Item, to do make me vj sponys of viij ounce of troy wyght, well facyond and dubbyl gylt. And sey ^Elyzabet ^Paston that che must vse hyr-selfe to werke redyly as other jentylwomen don, and sumwhat to helpe hyr-self ther-wyth. Item, to pay the Lady ^Pole - xxvj s. viij d. for hyr bord. And if ^Grenefeld haue do wel hys devere to ^Clement, or wyll do hys devere, yeffe hym @e nobyll. To ^John ^Paston at %^London be this delyuerd jn hast. I grete you welle, and lete you wete that this day ^Bertholomew ^Elys of %^Paston come to %^Norwych to me and shewyt me a rentall for the terme of Seynt ^Michel the yere of Kyng ^H. vixxxixti , and jn the ende of the seyd rentall, of ^Waryn ^Kynges hand, is wretyn ^Agnes ^Paston vij d. ob. Item, the same ^Agnes for v acre lond xx d. Item, ^Aleyn ^Bayfeld askyth the same rent for the yere last past at Michelmas. Item, I haue knowlech be a trew man that whan ^Sharpe the reseyuore was at %^Gemyngham last ^Waryn ^Herman was dyuers dayes wyth hym, and put hym in mynde @at @e mercyment for makyng of the walle chuld be askyd ageyn and be distreynyd @er-fore. Item, I sent you be Doctore ^Aleyns man the rescew of ^Waryn ^Herman and seche names as ^Cullynge and ^Sammys putt in of her owyn fre wylle be-fore ^John ^Northales, shereue of %^Norwyche, vnder her selis. God be wyth you and send you his blyssyng and myn. Wretyn at %^Norwych the Tuisday next after Seynt ^Andrew. Item, the seyd ^Bertholomew ^Elis seyth that @e seyd reseyuore wold not alowe the rent in %^Trunche nor the mercymentys for my sute to @e curt. ^Gonnore wold suffyr no man to answere for me. Be youre moder ^Agnes ^Paston Tho my wele be-louyd son ^John ^Paston be @is delyuered in haste. Sonne, I grete \ow wele and lete \ow wete @at, for as myche as \oure bro@ir ^Clement leteth me wete @at \e desyre feythfully my blyssyng, @at blyssyng @at I prayed \oure fadir to gyffe \ow @e laste day @at euer he spakke, and @e blyssyng of all seyntes vndir heven, and myn, mote come to \ow all dayes and tymes. And thynke veryly non o@er but @at \e haue it, and shal haue it wyth @at @at I fynde \ow kynde and wyllyng to @e wele of \oure fadres soule and to @e welfare of \oure bre@eren. Be my counseyle, dyspose \oure-selfe as myche as \e may to haue lesse to do in @e worlde, \oure fadyr sayde, 'In lityl bysynes lyeth myche reste.' @is worlde is but a @orugh-fare and ful of woo, and whan we departe @er-fro, ri\th nou\ght bere wyth vs but oure good dedys and ylle. And @er knoweth no man how soon God woll clepe hym, and @er-for it is good for euery creature to be redy. Qhom God vysyteth, him he louyth. And as for \oure bre@eren, @ei wylle I knowe certeynly laboren all @at in hem lyeth for \ow. Oure Lorde haue \ow in his blyssed kepyng, body and soule. Writen at %^Norwyche @e xxix day of Octobyr. To all to whom this present writting xal come I, ^Agnes ^Paston, late the wife of ^William ^Paston, Justice, send greting in God euer-lasting, lating hem know that I, the forseid ^Agnes, of goode and hole mende the xvj day of Septembre the vj yere of the reigne of Kyng ^E. the iiijth, and the yere of Our Lord a mlcccc lxvj, make and ordeyn my last will in al the maners, londys, tenementys, rentys, seruicys, mesuagys, and placys that ony person or personis ben seased of to myn vse and behof wyth-in %^Norwiche, %^Norffolk, %^Suffolk, %^Essex, %^Hertfordshere, or in any othere shere wyth-in %^Englond, praying and desiring al the personez so feffed to myn vse, after this my will writtyn and inceled vnder my seale be shewed vnto them, that they wol make astate to the persones lemitid in my seid will according. And in asmiche as myn husbond, whos soule God assoile, dyuerse tymes and specialy among othere the \ day of the moneth, rehersed to me that the lyvelod whiche he had assigned to his ij yongest, ^William and ^Clement, by his will in writting was so littill that they mi\t not leve theron wythou\t they shuld hold the plowe be the tayle, and ferthermore seying that he had dyuers oder maners, that is to say the maner of %^Sporle. %^Sweynsthorp, and %^Bekham, which maner of %^Bekham he was purposed to chaunge wyth the maner of %^Pagrave, and if he my\t bring it abou\t then xuld on of his ij yongest sones haue the seid maners of %^Sporle and %^Bekham and no more, and the other yongest sone xuld haue al the remenaunt, and he that had the maner of %^Sweynsthorp xuld be bound in a gret some to the Prior of the abbey of %^Norwiche to paie dayly for euer to the monke that for that day singeth the masse of the Holy Goste in Our Lady chapell in %^Norwiche, where he purposed to leye his body, euery day iiij d. to sing and pray for his sowle and myn and al the sowles that he and I haue hade any goode of or be beholdyn to pray for. And after that the \ day of \ next folowing my seid husbond, lying seke in his bed, in the presens of ^John ^Paston, his sone and myn, ^John ^Bakton, ^John ^Dame, and of me, declared his will towching certein of his childern and me, at whiche tyme he assigned to the seid ^John ^Paston the maner of ^Gressham in honde, and the reuercion of suche lyvelode as he \ave me after my decesse, askyng hym the question wheder he held hym not content, so seying to him in these termes: 'Sir, and thow do not I doo, for I will not geve so mekyll to on that the remenaunt xal haue to littill to leve on'; at the whiche And after @at @e \ day of @e monethe my seyd husbond, lyyng sek on hijs bede, sent fore me, ^John ^Paston, ^Bakton, and ^John a ^Dame to here hijs wyll rede. And in owre presens all he began to reede hijs wyll and spak fy[r]st of me and assynyd to me the maneris of %^Paston, %^Latymer, and %^Schypden and %^Ropers in %^Crowmer fore term of my lyffe, and the manerys of %^Merlyngforthe, %^Stonsted, and %^Horwelbury, wyche wasse myn own enheritans, and %^Oxned, wyche wasse my jontore; and seyde and [he] hadde do to lityll to ony it wasse to me, for fo[r] me he faryd @e better and so dede he for noo[n] of hem all, but he hadde more to care for wyche myn as well as hys. And @an he red ^John parte and assynyd to hym and to hys wyffe the maner of %^Gressam and after my desesse the maner of %^Oxned; and he, thynkyng by ^John ^Pastons demenyng @at he wasse not plesyd be-cause Swynne of slowthe @at hijs wyll wasse not made vp, 'but wat swm euer cwn of me, dame, I wyll \e know my wyll'; and seyd @at swyche lond as he hadde not wrytyn in hijs wyll, wat xwlde be do wyth-all he wolde hijs ij \ongest sonnys ^Wyllam and ^Clement xwlde haue, and owte of Sweyn- thorpe to haue hijs perpetuell masse. And of thys prayd me to reporte. record, and berre wyttnesse; in qwyche disposicion and intent he cont[i]nuyd on-to @e day off hijs dethe. And I darre rytgh largely deposse @at that sam wasse hijs last wyll the tym of hijs dethe, qwyche wyll inmediatly after my husbondys decesse I hopynd and declaryd to ^John ^Paston and al the other excectorys of my husbond, desyeryng hem to haue performyd it. And the seyd ^John ^Paston wold in no wysse agree there-to, seyyng @at by the lawe the seyd manerys xulde be hijs, in as moche as my husbonde made no wyll of hem in wrytyn; and gatte @e dedys owte of my possession and estat of the feffeez in @e seyde manerys myn vnknowyng. And after @at swyche tresowre of my husbons as wasse leyd in the abbey of %^Norwyche by the seyd ^John ^Paston, John ^Bakton, ^John ^Dam, and me, to delyuere a\en to vs all ex[cectorys] the seyde ^John ^Paston owte of @e seyde abbey, vnknowyn to @e Priour ore ony oder person of @e seyde abbey, and wyth-owte my wetyn and assente ore ony of owre felawys, toke and barre awey all, and kepyng it styll a-\ens my wyll and all the tothere excectorys wyllys, nothere restoryng the seyd ^Wyllam and ^Clement to @e forseyd lond nore of my husbondys tresore recompensyng theim and ordeynyng fore my husbondys sowle in hauyng of hijs perpetuell masse acordyn to hys wyll. Werefore in as moche as I know and vndere-stonde verrely @at it wasse my husbondys wyll @e tym of hys dethe @at the seyd ^Wyllam and ^Clement xwlde haue the seyd manerys of %^Sporle, %^Swey[n]sthorpe, and %^Bekham, and @e anuyte* fore hys perpetuell masse to be goyng owte of @e seyde maner of %^Sweynthorp, and @at they @at be possessioners of the seyd manerys at thys day wyll in no wysse by any fayere menez ore spekyng tendere my seyd husbondys sowle and myn, nere perform the wyll of my seyd husbon, I wyll haue and xall - by the grass of swyche lyuelode as I haue in my possession, @at is for to sey @e maner of %^Stonsted, %^Marlyngforthe, and %^Horwelbury, @at swm tym wasse my faderys and my moderys and cwm on-to me by them as myn enheritans, and after my decesse if I wolde soffere it to desend xwld goo to @e wronge posses[si]oners of the seyd manerys of %^Sporle, %^Swe[[yn]]sthorp, and %^Bekham, qwyche xall not be lettyd fore me but if it be thorow here owne defau[[te]], make, sta[[b]]lesse, and ordeyn myn husbondys p[[er]]pet[[uell]] masse and myn, and of @e remnaunt as swerly as can be made by the lawe I wyll the seyd ^Wyllam and ^Clement be recompensyd to @e valew of the seyde manerys of %^Sporle, %^Sweynthorpe, and %^Bekkam \erly on-to @e tyme @at they be restoryd to @e forseyd manerys of %^Sporle, %^Sweynthorp, and %^Bekkam in lik form and lyke estat, as xall be afterwardys lymytyd in thys my last. $pro $voluntate ^willelmi ^paston $justiciarij On the Thurseday at nyght before Our Ladys Day the Assumpcion, betwixt xj and xij of the clokk, in the yere of our Lord God ml cccc and xliiij, the Sondays lettre on the D, died my husbond, God assoyle his sowle. And on the Fryday after I sent for ^John ^Paston, ^William ^Bakton, and ^John ^Dam; and on the Wedynysday after cam ^John ^Paston, the Thurseday ^John ^Dam and ^William ^Bakton. And on the Fryday ^John ^Paston, ^John ^Dam, and I yode in-to the chambre whyche was ^Goodredys, and they desyred of me to see the wyll. I lete them see it, and ^John ^Dam redde it. And whan he had redde it ^John ^Paston walkyd vp and down in the chamer; ^John ^Dam and I knelyd at the beddys fete. The sayd ^John ^Dam askyd me what was my husbondys wyll shulde be done wyth %^Sporle, and I sayd it was his wyll that oone of his [[tw]]ayn yongest sonnys shulde haue it. He sayd preuely to me by his feyth he sayd the same to hym. Than the [[sa]]me tyme I lete them see he dede of yiffte which as I suppose was councell to all tho this dede was made on-to till I shewyd it them. And soo they swore all sauf ^John ^Paston and ^John ^Damme. After t[[hat]] my sonne ^John ^Paston had neuer ryght kynde wordys to me. And ^John ^Dam askyd me what justice and felowe of his my husbond trustyd most, and I aunsweryd hym as I knewe. [[Th]]an they yede home wyth the body in-to %^Norffolk and buryed it [[......]]ys whych I had takyn hym in his fadirs lyue whych oon longyd to the coffre at %^Ox[[nede]] wher-in my dedys were that now be forsworn. Whan my husbondys body was in-to %^Norffolk I went to %^Berkyng and [[...]] Michelmas com to ^Shipleys hows in %^London. And thider cam ^John ^Paston and ^John ^Dam and intreted me to put in [[...]] %^Sweynesthorp and %^Sporle that ^John shuld haue it. And I sayd it was neuer my husbondys [[......]] the ad[[uy]]s of my lord of %^Lyncoln. And ^John ^Dam lenyng vp-on a stole, I syttyng by hym, say[[d......]] to a prest to aske hym councell of suche a thyng he wolde nat byde hym dowte, but if he do it and go to the prest he wyll asoyle hym. I yede in-to Seint ^Elyne chirche and told to ^William ^Bakton how they had sayde to me, and told hym I coude not fynde in my herte to sette in the wyll that I knewe wel was the contrary. And he sayde he wolde not councell me therto; and soo we departed. After this cam ^John ^Damme and askyd me whyche of the justicys my husbond trusted most, and sayde to me, Be ye not remembrid of suche a day my maister helde wyth ^Maryott at %^Norwych?' I sayd, 'Yis, for I was ther my-selfe.' [[he]] sayd to me my husbond toke a certeyn man a thyng wryten and insealed of my husbondys hande, but what was in [[@er]]-in he wyste neuer. Also I bequeath to the Whight Fryers of the said city of %^Norwich, for I am there a suster, to helpe to pay hir debts xx li., which I will be gathered of the arrerage of my lyvelode. also I bequeath to the auter of Gracion of the seid house, wheras mine husband and I have a perpetuall masse a vestment which they have for a prist to judge in of rede satern. Also to the mendinge of the chappell of Our Ladie within the said place, wheras Sir ^Thomas ^Gerbredge my grandfather and Dame ^Elizabeth his wife and Sir ^Edmond ^Berry my father and Dame ^Alice his wife be buried, and ^Clement ^Paston my sonn. <#C #ENGLISH> <#A ^CLEMENT ^PASTON> <#T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON 1> <#N 114> <#D 14610123> <#L 0> To hijs rythe worchypfwll brodere ^John ^Paston. <#L 1> Rythe reuerent and worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde [me] to \ow, certyfyyng \ow @at \owre letter was delyueryd me @e xxiij day of Januari abowthe noone seison, and ^Rychard ^Calle rode in @e mornyng, and @erefore I brak \owre letter if @ere were ony asti mater. And I dede ^Cristofyre ^Hanswm goo to my lord of %^Cawnterburi to tell him as \owre letter rehersyd, and my lord seyd he hadde spokyn wyth \owre man @ere-of @e day before, and if @e Byssope of %^Norwyche wold not doo so mwche for him he hijs @e les be-hold to him. Not wythstondyng he sayd he wold saue \ow harmelez a\ens ^John ^\Owng; but, and \e do well, remembire thys lordys haue many materijs to thyng on, and if it be fore-getin @e harm is \owrys. And also if @e word torn ^John ^\Ong will not doo at hijs prayere. And my ^Lord ^FitzWatere is rydyn northe-wardys, and it is sayd in my lord of %^Cawnterberijs howse @at he hathe takyn ij c of ^Andrew ^Troloppys men. And as fore ^Colt and Sire ^Jamys ^Strangwysse and Sire ^Thomas ^Pykeryng, @ey be takyn ore ellys dede; @e comyn voysse is @at @ey be dede, ^Hopton and ^Hastyngys be wyth @[e] Erle of %^Marche, and wer not at @e fewlde. Wat word @at euer he haue fro my lordys @at be here, it is well doo and best fore \ow to see @at @e contre* be all-weys redy to com, bothe fote men and hors men, qwan they be sent fore; fore I haue hard seyde @e forthere lordys will be here sonere @an men wen, I haue arde sayde ore iij wekys to an ende; and also @at \e xwld com wyth more men and clenliere arayed @an a-nodere man of \owre cwntre* xwld, fore it lythe more vp-on \owre worchyp and towcheythe \ow more nere @an odere men of @at cwntre*, and also \e be more had in fauore wyth my lordys here . In thys cwntre* euery man is well wyllyng to goo wyth my lordys here, and I hope God xall helpe hem, fore @e pepill in @e northe robbe and styll and ben apoyntyd to pill all thys cwntre*, and gyffe a-way menys goodys and lyfflodys in all @e sowthe cwntre*, and that wyll ask a myscheffe. My lordys @at ben here haue as moche as @ey may doo to kep down all thys cwntre*, more @an iiij ore v scherys, fore @ey wold be vp on @e men in northe, fore it ys fore @e welle of all @e sowthe. I pray \ow recomawnde me to to my modere, and @at I prayed here of here blyssyng. I pray \ow exscwse me to here @at I wryte here no letter, fore thys was y-now a-doo. I dare not pray \ow to recomawnde me to my swster \owre wyff, and @e masangere, I trow, be so wysse he can not do yt. \e mwst pay him fore hijs labour, fore he taryd all nyt in thys town fore thys letter. Wrytyn ye xxiij day of Janwari in haste, wan I was not well at hesse. God haue [\ow] in hijs keping. By ^Clement ^Paston, \owre broder. <#T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON 1> <#N 115> <#D 14610626> <#L 0> To my rythe worchypfwll broder ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in haste. <#L 1> Brodere, I recomawnde me to \ow, desyeryng to here of \owre welfare, @e qwyche I pray God maynten. Plesse \ow to wette @at I haue sent my moder a letter fore mony fore my swster, and if \e wyll agre @at I may haue xxti li. I xall \eue \ow acowmptys @ere-of and \e xall be payyd a\en of @e obligacion @at my moder hathe, or ellys I xall tak a swerte* of my suster. I-wysse obligacion mwste nedys be swyd, and a doseyn accions more in her name and sche doo well thys terme, and it wyll be doo wyth- in fowrtenynt. The Cowntas of %^Northumberlond and ^Robarde ^Fenns ocupie all her lond, and @at is a gret myscheffe. I pray \ow spe[ke] to my moder her-of, and lat me haue a awnswere wyth-in @is seuenynt. Also, broder, ^Wymdam is com to town, and he seyd to me he wyll goo gett hym a mayster; and me thowte by hym he wold be in @e Kyngys seruise. And he saythe @at he wyll haue %^Felbryg a-\en ore Myhelmes, ore @ere xall be v c hedys brok @ere-fore. Brodere, I pray \ow delyuer @e mony @at I xwld haue in-to swm priore of swm abbey, to swm mayster of swm colage, to be delyueryd qwan I can espy ony londe to be purchasyd. I pray \ow send me word wyder \e wyll doo thus ore no. No more, but Owre Lord haue \ow in hys kepyng. Wrytyn on Fryday nexst after Seynt ^John is Day. By \our broder ^Clement ^Paston. <#T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON 1> <#N 116> <#D 14610825> <#L 0> To his rythe reuerent and worchypfwll broder ^John ^Paston. <#L 1> Rythe reuerent and worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde me to \owre good broderhood, desieryng to herre of \oure welfare and good prosperite*, the qwyche I pray God encresse to his pleswre and \owre hertys hesse; certyfyyng \ow @at I haue spok wyth ^John ^Rwsse, and ^Playter spak wyth him bothe, on Fryday be-fore Seynt ^Barthelmw. And he told vs of ^Howardys gydyng, qwyche mad vs rythe sory tyl we harde @e conclusion @at \e hadde non harme. Also I vnderstond by ^W.^Pekok @at my nevew hadde knowlache @ere-of also vp-on Saterday nexst be-fore Seynt ^Barthelmwe,in @e Kyngys howse. Not wyth-standyng vp-on @e sam day ^Playter and I wryte letterys on-to him rehersyng al the mater, fore cause if @ere were ony questionys meyyd to hym @ere-of @at he xwlde telle @e trowthe, in cas @at @e qwestions were meuyd by ony worchypfwll man, and namyd my Lord ^Bowchere, fore my Lord ^Bowchere was wyth @e Kyng at @at tym. I fele by ^W.^Pekok @at my nevew is not \et verily aqweyntyd in @e Kyngys howse, nore wyth @e officerys of @e Kyngys howse. He is not takyn as non of @at howse, fore @e cokys be not charged to serue hym nore @e sewere to gyue hym no dyche, fore @e sewere wyll not tak no men no dischys till @ey be comawndyd by @e cownterrollere. Also, he is not aqueyntyd wyth no body but wyth ^Wekys, and ^Wekys ad told hym @at he wold bryng hym to @e Kyng; but he hathe not \et do soo. Were-fore it were best fore hym to tak hijs leve and cum hom, till \e hadd spok wyth swm body to helpe hym forthe, fore he is not bold y-now to put forthe hym-selfe. But @an I consyderyd @at if he xwld now cum hom @e Kyng wold thyng @at wan he xwld doo hym ony seruice sum were, @at @an \e wold haue hym hom, @e qwyche xwld cause hym not to be hadde in fauore; and also men wold thynke @at he were put owte of seruice. Also ^W.^Pekok tellythe me @at hijs mony is spent, and not ryotesly but wysly and discretly, fore @e costys is gretter in @e Kyngys howse qwen he rydythe @an \e wend it hadde be, as ^Wyllam ^Pekok can tell \ow. And @ere wee mwst gett hym i c s. at @e lest, as by ^Wyllam ^Pekokys seyyng, and \et @at will be to lytill. And I wot well we kan not get xl d. of ^Cristofyre ^Hanswm, so I xall be fayn to lend it him of myn owne siluer. If I knew verily \our entent were @at he xwld cum hom I wold send hym non. There I wyll doo as me thynkithe \e xwld be best plesyd, and @at, me thynkythe, is to send him @e siluer. @ere-fore I pray \ow as hastely as \e may send me a-\en v mark, and @e remnawnte I trow I xall gett vp-on ^Cristofire ^Hanswm and ^Lwket. I pray \ow send me it as hastely as \e may, fore I xall leue my-selfe rythe bare; and I pray \ow send me a letter how \e woll @at he xall be demenyd. Wrytyn on Twsday after Seynt ^Barthelmwe, &c. $^Christus $vos $obseruet. By ^Cle[[ment ^Paston]]. <#T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON 1> <#N 117> <#D 14611011> C.U.L. Add.6968,pp.19-20.

Brother, I recommende me to you, after all dewe recommendacions, &c. Sir, it was tolde me by rythe a worshipfull man that loveth you rythe well. and ve him. and ye xall knowe his name hereafter, but put all things out of doubt he is such a man as will not lye. On the xjth day of October the Kinge seid, 'We have sent two privy sealys to ^Paston by two yeomen of our chamber, and he disobeyeth @em; but we will send him a-noder tomorrowe, and by Gods mercye and if he come not then he xall dye for it. We will make all oder men beware by him how they xall disobey our writinge. A servant of our hath made a complainte of him. I cannot thinke that he hath informed us all truely, yet not for that we will not suffer him to disobey our writinge; but sithen he disobeyeth our writinge we may beleve the better his gydinge is as we be informed'. And @erwith he made a gret a-vowe that if ye come not at the third commandement ye xulde dye therefore. This man that tolde me this is as well learned a man as any is in %^England. And the same xjth day of October he advised me to send a man to yow in all the hast that might be to lett yow have knowlache, and that ye xulde not lett for none excuse, but that ye xulde make the man good cheere and come as hastily ye might to the Kinge, for he understandeth so much that the Kinge will kepe his promise. Notwithstanding, by mine advice, if ye have this letter or the messenger come to you, come to the Kinge wards or ye meete with him, and when ye come ye must be suer of a great excuse. Also, if ye doe well, come right stronge, for ^Howards wife made her bost that if any of her husbands men might come to yow @er xulde goe noe penny for your life.; and ^Howard hath with the Kinge a great felloweship. This letter was written the same day that the Kinge said these words, and the same day that it was told me, and that day was the xjth day of October as abovesaid; and on the next morning send I forth a man to yow with this letter, and on the same day send the Kinge the third privye seale to you. Alsoe he @at tolde me this seid that it were better for yow to come upp then to be fotte out of your house with streingth, and to abide the Kings judgement @erin, for he will take your contumacy to great displeasure. Also, as I understand, the Duke of %^Norffolk hath made a great complaint of yow to the Kinge, and my Lord of %^Suffolk and ^Howard and ^Wyngfelde helpe well to every day and call upon the Kinge against yow. The Kinge is at this day at %^Grenewich, and @er will be still till the Parliament beginne. Some say he will goe to %^Walsingham, but Master ^Sotyll seid in the Aulle in the Temple that he harde no worde of any such pilgrimage. No more, &c. Written the xjth day of October at midnight. My nevew ^John tolde me also that he supposed @er were out proclamacions against yow, &c., the same day. By ^Clement ^Paston, your broder To hijs rythe worchypfwl broder ^John ^Paston the helder , sqwyere, be thys delyueryd. Brodere, I recomawnde me to \ow after all dew recomendacions, &c. As fore ^Hew ^Fennys obligacion, ^\Eluerton knowlacheyd it to be Sire ^John ^Fastolfe is dede opynly in @e Eschekere, and there he hadde is jugement to receyue @e mony and x li. fore damagys, and they report here @at they haue a schreve after here entent @at wyll mak hem execucion, ore ellis return @at \e haue wastyd @e godys of @e dede, so @at they wyll haue execucion of \owre own goodys ore ellys a wryt to tak \owre body. Thus \e may se they \eue no fors wat they doo, thow they xwld lesse and stroy all @e goodys of @e dede. And there-fore, fore sauacion of @e goodys of @e dede better it were to tak sum trete* @an to suffe[r] @e goodys thus to be lost. Also, ^\Eluerton hathe ben at all @e tenauntys in %^Sowthewerk and chargid hem to pay no mony but to hym. Also, the Kyng hathe ben in %^Glowceterschere and pwnyssede hijs rebellious a-\ens @e lawe, and so he entendithe to doo in %^Norfolk, and after @at in odere contreez. God \eue grasse and good spede in hijs jornay. No more, but I pray Gode haue \ow in hijs kepyng. Wretyn on Hasse Wednysday in haste. Also, I pray \ou send me xl s. @at I tok ^Jamez ^Gressam and ^John ^Pampyng fore \owre materys. Also, there is no man @at hathe contentyd ony thyng in @e Kyngys Benche of all thijs term for \our materys, and @at makythe the clerkys and \owre aturnay wery. I trow I xall be fayn to contente hem ore ellys they xall be vnpayyd. \owre brodere ^Clement ^Paston < 14640418> To my rygth worchypfull broder ^John ^Paston, sqwyere. Ryght worshypfull brothyre, I recomawnde me to \ow after all dew recomendacions, &c. Plesse it \ow to wett @at after @at I harde say @at @e parson of %^Blowfelde wasse com to town I went to hym to hys jn, and he bade @e masenger say @at he wasse not wyth-in. And I bad hym say a-gayn @at I com thyder to hym fore hijs own worchype and auayle, and @at I wasse sory @at I com so fere fore hym. And after @at he sent fore me and he cowde not fynde me, and I harde say there-of; and @an I wrott a letter resytyng how @at he wasse sworn \esterday fore to say @e trowthe of al maner of materis consernyng Sire ^John ^Fastolfe, auysyd hym to remembere qwat hijs wytnesse hadde sayd fore hijs sake and wat schame it xwlde be to hym to say @e contrary, and also if he sayde @e contrary \e wold here-after proue @e trowthe and con[t]rary to hys sayyng, and proue hym in a periuri. And also I badde hym remembere wyth wat maner of men he delt wythe, and I rehersyd how vntrwly they hadde don. And not wyth-stondyng thys, after I met wyth hym in @e strett and spak wyth hym, and I fownde hym passyng strawngely disposyd, and sor meuyd wyth consiens @at \e xwld haue @e lond and fownd @e colage but wyth an c marc. not wyth-stondyng he myth fynde in hijs consiens rythe well @at @e colage xwld be fowndyd in a-noder plasse but wyth an c marc., and @e remnaunt of @e lylode sold so @at he myth pwrce @e mony. So I felt by hym @at all hijs strawngenes from \ow is fore he demythe @at \e wold parte from no thyng, and I told hym @e co[n]trary there-of to be trwe. Az thys day he is exayminid vp-on a bok to sey @e trowthe of all thyngys as @e juge wyll aske hym fore @e jugeis jnformacion, wych I trowe wyll not be good. Also they haue pwt jn $testes a\ens \ow iijxx ore iiijxx men. Mayster ^Robard ^Kent wold fayn @at \e xwld gett \ow ij lycens of @e prioris of \owre wytnes Mayster ^Clement and @e monke, wyth on a datt beyng be-fore @e comying vp, fore @at must \e nedis haue. Also he wold fayn @at \e xwld com to thys towne. Me thowte by Sire ^Thomas @at they haue a swerte* in maner @at \e xall haue no lycens fore \our fundacion, and they be abowte to gett a lycens to fownde @e colage in a-noder place. Me thynkythe @at wold hurte. Here colour is fore cause \e can gett no lycens to fownde it at %^Castere, werfore, thow \our wyll were trwe, they myth lawfully fownde it in a-noder place. My lord Chawncelere is gone to %^\Ork and wyll not be here of all thys term. Wrytyn on Wednisday nexst be-for Saynt ^George. The Kyng hathe ben in %^Kent, and there ben endityd many fore ^Isleis dethe; and he wyll com to town thys day a-\en, and he wyl not tary here but forthe to %^\Ork straytt. By ^Clement ^Paston To hijs rythe worchypfwll mayster ^John ^Paston, sqwyere. 'the man wold not tak my letter but I wass fayen to gyue hym ij d. fore @e beryng. Rythe worchypfwll brodere, I recomawnde me to \ow; and as fore \our . letter to my lorde Chawncelere, I haue not delyueryd it, fore I askyd auysse @ere-in and I was aunsweryd @ere-in @at sythe he was takyn to baylle the Chawncelere cowde not compelle @e swertys to bryng hym in be-fore hijs day. Also me thowte \our letter was not most plesauntly wrytyn to tak to swyche a lorde. And as fore @e Tresorere, hijs name is Sire ^John ^Fooge; but he is not in %^London nore wythe @e Kyng, so I kan [not] haue @e letter sent hym but if I hyeryd a man to bere it. And as fore \our question of @e patentys, ^Grenfeld and ^Catesby and ^Sterkey holdyn it a good question, fore @e statut is Patentes dez tenementes dount null titill est troue* pur le roy de recorde sount voydez-Ao xviijo ^H. vj cao vjo. But I trow in \our cas, and be there opiniounis, @e acte of @e parlement is a tytyll of recorde. it is seyd to @e contrary intent, thow @e londys be forfetyd of record yet @ere is no certificacion of recorde qwat londys they be, nore were, nore in qwat place @ey lye; but and thys clawse be in @e patent, Non Obstante Quod Nulla Inquisicio Pro Nobis Inde Est Inuenta, by ^Grenfelde is consayte @e patent xwld be clerly goode. But me semythe @at amendyt not @e mater. fore be-fore @e makyng of @e statut aboue sayde patentys graunttyd of londys be-fore inquisicion were goode and effectuell and @e statut is generall, $quod patentes dount null tytill, &c. sount voydez. @an it folowyt well if @e acte of parlement be no tytyll for @e Kyng, @an is @ere no tytyll fore @e Kyng of recorde, fore @at clawse in @e patent is no tytyll. @an if @ere no tytyll, $ergo @e patent voyde. My suster standythe in @e same casse wythe my lord of %^Kent. Broder, I pray \ow send more mony fore my neuew ^John, fore he mwst ellys com hom a-\en, fore @e Kyng gothe in-to %^Scotlonde and he is nowthere horsyd nor harneysyd, fore hijs grett horse is lykly to dye . And if \e wyll sende it to me, or to ^Cristofyre ^Hany[n]gton, it xall be saue fore hym. I send \ow a letter from hym closyde her-in. And I pray spek to my moder @at my hors faylle not on Passyon Swnday, fore @an xall I be redy and @an xall owre redyng be don. Wrytyn on Twsday nexst after Seynt ^Gregory is Day. \owre broder ^Clement ^Paston $tradatur ^Johanni ^Past[on] of @e Inner In in the Temple att %^London. Ryth worschipfull brothir, I recomaund me to yow, &c. I preye write to myn modre of your owne hed as for to consell her howh @at sche kepe her preuye and tell no body ryth nowth of her counsell, for sche woll tell persones many of her counsell this day and to-morwe sche woll sey be Goddis faste @at the same men ben false. I haue seen parte of @e euydence and @e maner hathe be purchasid be parcell and certeyn feffementis mad of the auowson and certeyn pecis of lond enterlessant @e maner, and I wote well ye haue on collaterall rellesse wyth a warente of on of @e wyffys of ^Hauteyn of all @e holl maner. ^Steward, @e chiffe constable, told me he was enpanellyd vp-on @e assise be-twex yow and ^Frauncesse. He axyd me counsell what he myth do @er-jnne, for he told me it was take in Ser ^Thomas ^Tudham name. He wold fayne be chalengyd. I concellyd him swere the trowthe of the issue @at he schuld be swore to, and @anne he nedyd neuer to drede hym of noon atteynte. I yaue him this counsell and noon othir. He enqueryd me of the rewle of myn master ^Danyell and myn lord of %^Suffulke, and askyd wheche I thowte schuld rewle in @is schere, and I seyd bothe, as I trowh, and he @at suruyuyth to hold be @e uertue of @e suruyuyr, and he to thanke his frendes and to aquite his enmyys. So I fele by him he wold forsake his master and gette him a newh yf he wyste he schuld rewle. And so wene I meche of all @e contre* is so disposyd. @e Holy Trenyte* kepe yow. Wrete at %^Norwiche on @e Wednysday after Seynt ^Peter, in hast. Your broth[er] ^E. ^Paston Omnibus ^Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum peruenerit nos, ^Willelmus ^May, magister Noui Templi %^London', ^Johannes ^Bakton, gentilman, ^Thomas ^Parker, ciuis et sissor %^London', et ^Johannes ^Osbern, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Sciatis quod xxj die Marcij Anno Domini mlccccxlviij ^Edmundus ^Paston de comitatu %^Norff', armiger, in bona memoria ac sana mente existens, languens in extremis, in nostra presencia condidit et declarauit testamentum suum nuncupatiuum in hunc modum. In primis, legauit animam suam Deo Omnipotenti, Beate ^Marie Virgini, et omnibus sanctis, corpusque suum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Templi predicti siue in ecclesia Fratrum Carmelitarum %^London'. Item, dictus ^Edmundus, pro eo quod noluit circa bona siue negocia temporalia mentem siue animam suam affligere seu ocupare, set ad eternam felicitatem se preparare, dedit, legauit, ac comisit omnia bona et catalla sua predilecto fratri suo ^Johanni ^Paston, ex magna confidencia in ipso habita vt ea disponeret pro bono anime sue pro vt melius videret Deo placere ac anime sue prodesse. Et dictum ^Johannem ^Paston ordinauit et constituit executorem suum. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus. Tho my rytgh wurshfull brothere ^John ^Paston, jn hast. Rytgh wurshupful brothere, I recummawnd me to \ow, prayeng \ow hartely @at \e wyl remembyre soche maters as I wryth to \ow. I send \ow now be the brynggare here-of mony, wyche mony I prey \ow @at [\e] be-stowe yt as I wryth to \ow. I wend a don yt my-sylf, but consyderyng costys and othere dyuers thynggys I maynot bryng yt abowthe; where-fore I pray \ow hartely to take @e labore vp-on \ow, and I trust to deservyt. I pray \ow be-stow thys mony thus: to ^Crystofyre ^Hanyngton v s.; to @e Prynspall of Stapyl In v s. in parte of payment; also, I pray \ow to bye me iij \erddys of porpyl schamlet, price @e \erd iiij s.; a bonet of depe murry, pryce ij s. iiij d.; an hose clothe of \elow carsey of an ellyn, I trow yt wyl cost ij s.; a gyrdyl of plunkket ryban, price vj d.; iiij lacys of sylke, ij of on colore and ij of an othere, price viij d.; iij doseyn poynttys, wythe, red, and \elow, price vj d.; iij peyere of pateyns-- I pray \ow late ^Wylliam ^Mylsant purvey fore @em. I was wonte to pay but ij d. ob. fore a payere, but I pray \ow late them not be left behynd @ow I pay more. They must be lowe pateyns; late them be long j-now and brod vp-on @e hele. Among alle othere I pray \ow recummawnd me to Masteres ^Elyzabet ^Hygouns. I may sey pouerte* partys feleschepe; yf @at I had ben so well purveyde as I wend, I trowst to have ben wyth \ow here thys. Also I pray \ow recummawnd me to my brothere Ser ^John. I fere lesse he wyl take a dysplesure wyth me @at I send hym no mony; I pray \ow excuse me as wel as \e can. I trust to send hym sum a-bowth Candylmesse. I had a promyse of Masteres ^Elyzabet of a typet of welve[[t]], but and I myth haue a hatlase I woold thynk me well. I pray \ow sey thus myche on \our owyn hed, and yf \e can not spede of @e hatlase I pray \ow bye me on of xij d. ore xvj d. Also, ser, I send ^Parkare hys mony be the brynggare hare-of, and I haue desyered hym to lend me a gown of puke, and I haue send hym a typet of welvet to boredyre yt [[rown]]d a-bowthe; and I pray \ow be at schesyng there-of. And yf @at he wyl not, be ^Cryst calkestokke on hys hed! @at is schoryle in Englyshe; yt is a terme new browthe vp wyth my marschandys of %^Norwyche. Ser, ^John ^Pamppyng recummawnd hym to \ow, and pray \ow @at \e wyl remembyre hys harnes, and yf @at \e can get @e mony he pray \ow to delyuer ^Parkare x s. @at he howyth hym. Also, ser, my modyre gretys \ow wel and send \ow Goddys blyssyng and heres, and prays \ow @at \e wyl bye here a runlet of malmesey owthe of @e galey; and yf \e haue no mony sche byd @at \e schuld borow of my brothere Ser ^John ore of sum othere frend of \owers, and send h[[e]]re woord as hastely as @e haue yt and sche schale send @ow mony. And yf @at \e send yt home sche byd @at yt schuld be woond in a canmasse fore brochyng of @e caryars, fore sche sethe @at sche hath knowyn men serued soo be-fore. Also I pray @ow, yf \e speke wyth Master ^Rogere, tell hym @at yf he cum in-to thys cuntre* thys Crystem[a]s he schal haue hys x s., and yf @at he cum not I schal send yt hym be xij day at @e fardest. I pray \ow hartely remembyre my gere, and @at \e wyl desyere ^Wylliam ^Mylsant on my behalue to purvey fore @e caryage in as hasty wyse as yt can. Also I pray \ow @at @e weluet @at levyt of my typet may be send hom a-geyn, fore I woold strype a dobelet there-wyth. As fore Masteres ^Blakeny, I trow sche be in \our quarters. I woold I had @e same entyrepryce vp-on hyre @at ^John ^Bramppton of %^Atylborowe had vp-on Mastere ^Bryston. Alle @e coorte recummawnddys hem to \ow. I pray \ow, and \e can get me any profytabyl servyce, a-saye. My brothere Ser ^John was meved of my hawnt ^Ponynggys to haue ben wyth here. I woold haue rytgh an hesy seruyse tyl I were owthe of detys. God haue \ow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwyche @e Munday nex be-fore Sen ^Edmond @e Kyng. ^Edmond ^Paston To ^John ^Paston, esquyere. Syre, I recummawnd me to \ow. Please yt \ow to wette @at my modyre hathe causyd me to putte ^Gregory owte of my servyse; as God help, I wrythe to @ow the very cause why. Yt happyd hym to haue a knavys loste, in pleyn termes to swhyve a quene; and so dyd in @e konynere-closse. Yt foretunyd hym to be a-spyed be ij plowemen of my modyrs, whyche werene as fayne as he of @at matere, and desyerd hym to haue parte; and as kompany requereyd, seyd not nay, jn so myche @at @e plowemen had here alle a nythe in there stabylle and ^Gregory was clene delyuerd of here and, as he swhereys, had not a do wyth here wyth-in my modyres place. Not wyth-standdyng my modyre thynkkys @at he was grownd of @at matere, where-fore there is no remedy but he moste a-voyde. And in so myche @at at @e laste tyme @at \e were here [\e] desyerd hym of me yf @at he schuld departe from me, I send \ow @e very cawse of hys departyng as my modyre sethe. But I am in serteyn @e contrary is true-yt is nomore but @at he can not plese alle partys; but @at jantylman is hys woordys lord: he hathe seyd @at he woold lyfte whom @at hym plese, and as yt scheweyt welle he lyftyd on xiiij myle in a morenyng, and now he hathe ben cawsare of hys lyfte I wot not how fare but yf @at \e be hys better master. But and we a-mong vus geue not hym a lyfte, I pray God @at we neuer thryve, and @at is hys in-tente I trowe to bryng vus to. Where-fore I requere \ow, yf @at yt plese \ow to haue hym, @at \e wylle be @e better master to hym fore my sake, fore I am he @at js as sory to departe from hym as any man on lyue from hys seruant; and be my trowthe, as farforethe as I knowe he is as true as any on lyue. I troste my foretu[n]e schale be better @an euer to leue thus here, but yf I were hens wardys I ensuere \ow I woold not schange fore non @at I knowe. He is profytabylle on dyuers thynggys, as \e knowe welle. There has ben a gre[t] breke be-twyx ^Calle and me, as I schal enforeme \ow at my comyng, wyche schalle be on Wedynsday next, be @e grace of God, who preserue \ow. Wretyn at %^Mawteby on Wyteson Eue. ^Edmond ^Paston This endenture made the vij daye of Aprile the xvth yere of the reigne of Kyng ^Edward the iiij, betwixt the right high and mighty prince ^Rychard, Duc of %^Gloucestre, Constable and Admirall of %^Englond, on the on partie, and ^Edmond ^Paston, squyer, on that othyr partie, wyttenessith that the sayd ^Edmond ys reteyned and withholden with the sayd Duc to do him seruice of werre with the Kyng oure souuerayn lord now in his viage ouir the see for an hol yere at his spere, weell and sufficyently horsed, armed, and arrayed as it apperteyneth to a man of armes, and thre archers, well and sufficiently horsed, herneised, habilled, and arrayed as it apperteyneth to archers, takyng for hym-self xviij d. a daye and for euery archer vj d. by the daye, of the whiche wages the sayd ^Edmond hath reseyued for the first quarter of the sayd hol yere the daye of the sealing of these presentes, at whiche day the sayd Duc hath yeven knowleche to the sayd ^Edmond that he shal make moustres of hymself and hys sayd retenue at %^Portesdown in %^Hampshire the xxiiijty day of May next commyng or the same daye at any othyr plase vpon resounable warnyng. At that day and tyme the sayd ^Edmond byndeth hym by thise presentes to appere in hys propyr personne with his sayd retenue. And if it happen the sayd ^Edmond, aftyr the reseyte of his sayd fyrst paiement, to dicesse or be in suche sykenesse or disease that he may nat be able to come to the sayd moustresse in hys propyr personne, that thanne he shal fynd an able man in his sted with hys sayd retenue to performe his sayd seruise accordyng to the tenure of this endenture, or ellys to repaye to the sayd Duc that money by hym reseyued for hym and hys sayd retenue for the sayd quartere. And for the seconde quartere of the sayd yere the sayd ^Edmond shalbe payed by the sayd Duc of the wage of hym and of yche of his sayd retenue at the makyng of the mostres of hym and the same his retenue afore such comissioners as shal be deputed ther by the Kyng oure souuerayn lord, at wiche tyme shal begynne the terme of the sayd hole yere and nat affore. And aftyr the sayd moustresse and payement, with Goddes grase, to go to shyp at suche tyme as the Kyng and the sayd Duc shal comaunde theim. And for the othyr half of the sayd yere the sayd ^Edmond shalbe payed by the sayd Duc for hym-self and hys said retenue on the yondyr syd on the see, monethly in Englyshe money or in money there rennyng to the valu of Englysshe money, so all-waye that the same wages be payed with-in x days aftyr the end of eueryche of the sayd monethes or ell the sayd ^Edmond to be quited and discharged ayenst the Kyng and the sayd Duc of eny covenaunt specifeyd in these endenture, the same endenture nat withstandyng. And the sayd ^Edmond shal dvely and truely obeye al the Kynges proclamaciouns and ordinaunces and fulfylle the comaundment of the sayd Duc to his power, and shal make wacche and warde of hym-self and his sayd retenue frome tyme to tyme, whene and as ofte duryng the tyme aboue sayd as he ther-to shall dvly be warned and required by the sayd Duc or hys comiser. And in cas that any moustresse to be mad be-yond the see by the sayd ^Edmond of hys sayd retenue lakketh any of his nombre of the same othyrwyse than by dethe or sikenesse proued, thane the sayd wages of theim that so shal fayle shalbe rebated vp-on the payement to be made to the sayd ^Edmond frome tyme to tyme as the cas shall require. Also the sayd Duc shal haue the iijde parte of wynnynges of werre aswell of the sayd ^Edmond as the iijde of iijdz where-of iche of hys retenue shalbe answeryng vnto hym of there wynnynges of werre duryng the tyme aboue said, be yt prysoners, prayes, or othyr goodes or catalles what-soeuer thei be. And the sayd ^Edmond , or he or thay that shal so take suche prisoners or prayes, shal shewe vnto the said Duc with-in vj dayes aftire the so takyng aswell the names of the sayd prisoners as theire estate, degre*, or condicioun, and the quantite* and valu of the said gettynges bi estimacion, vpon paynne of forfacture of the sayd prysoners and wynnynges aboue sayd. Also the sayd ^Edmond shal haue almaner prysoners to hys propre vse that shal happe to be takyn by him or by ony of his sayd retenue duryng the tyme aboue sayd, except the iijde of iijdz aboue sayd, the Kynge oure souuerayn lordes aduersary, and all kynges and kynges sonnes, his aduersariers of %^Fraunce, and also all lieuetenauntz and chifteyns hauyng the sayd aduersariers powere, whiche shalbe and abyd prisoners to our sayd souuerayn lord, for the whyche he shal make resounable aggrement with the takers of theym, except also all othyre kynges, kynges sonnes, prynces, dukes, erles, and chyef capitaynes nat hauyng the sayd aduersariers power, whiche shalbe and abyde prisoners to the said Duc, for the whiche he shal make resounable aggrement with the takers of theim. And if it happen the sayd Duc with-in te sayd yere to dicesse, then the sayd ^Edmond and hys sayd retenue shal serue out the yere aboue sayd vndyr suche a capitaigne as the Kynge shal assyne and appoynt to haue the rule of hym and hys sayd retenue; and if the sayd Duc be takyn, hurt, or diseased with-in the sayd tyme so that he shal nat be able to do the Kynge seruise of werre, then the sayd ^Edmond and his retenue duryng the tyme of hys enprisounment, hurt, or disease shal serue oute the same tyme vndir his lyeuetenaunt or comyser. And that all these covenauntz aboue sayd by the sayd ^Edmond wele and truly to be obserued and kepte the same ^Edmond byndeth hym-self, his heires and executours to the sayd Duc in the somme of c li. sterlynges by these presentes. In wittenesse where-of the parties aboue sayd to thise present endentures enterchaungeably haue put to theire seales the day and yer aboue sayd. ^R. ^Gloucestre Suere dydyngys arn com to %^Norwyche @at my grandam is dyssessyd, whom God assoyle. Myn vncle had a messenger \esterday @at she shuld not escape, and this day cam a-nothere, at suche tyme as we were at masse fore my brothere ^Watere, whom God assoyle. Myn vncle was comyng to haue offered, but @e last messenger retornyd hym hastely, so @at he toke hys hors incontynent to enforme more of owur hevynes. My syster ys delyuerd, and @e chyld passyd to God, who send vus hys grace. ^Dokkyng told me sekretly @at fore any hast myn vncle shuld ryde by my lady of %^Norffolk to haue a iij skore persons. Whythere it is to convey my grandham hydere ore nowght he cowde not sey. I deme it is rathere to put them in possessyon of some of here londys. Wretyn the Saterdaye the xxj daye of August Ao E. iiijti xixo. To my brothere ^Wylliam ^Paston be this delyuerd. I hartely recomawnd me to \ow. Here is lately fallyn a wydow in %^Woorstede whyche was wyff to on ^Boolt, a worstede marchant, and worth a ml li., and gaff to hys wyff a c marke in mony, stuffe of howsold and plate to @e valew of an c marke, and x li. be \ere in land. She is callyd a fayere iantylwoman. I wyll fore \our sake se here. She is ryght systyre of fader and modyre to ^Herry ^Ynglows. I purpose to speke wyth hym to gett hys good wyll. This jantylwoman is abowght xxx \eres, and has but ij chylderen whyche shalbe at @e dedys charge. She was hys wyff but v \ere. Yf she be eny better @an I wryght fore, take it in worthe I shew the leeste. Thus lete me haue knowlache of \our mynde as shortly as \e can, and whan \e shall movn be in this cuntre*. And thus God send \ow good helth and good auenture. From %^Norwyche @e Saterday after xijthe Day. \our ^E. ^Paston To my ryght wurchypfull and especiall good mothere ^Margaret ^Paston. Ryght worchypfull and moste especialle good modyre, jn my moste vmble wyse wyth alle my dute* and seruyse I recomawnd me to yow, besechynge \ow of \our blyssyng, whyche is to me moste joy of erthely thynge. And it plese \ow to be so good and kynde modyre to forgeue me and also my wyffe of owur leude offence @at we haue not don owur dute*, whyche was to haue seyn and ave waytyd vp-on \ow ore now. My huswyffe trustythe to ley to \ow here huswyferey fore here excuse, wyche I muste beseche \ow not to accepte; fore jn good faythe I deme here mynde hathe ben othereweys ocapyed @an as to huswyfery, whyche semyth welle be @e latchesnes of @e tylthe of here landdys. I beseche God, fore @e forderawnce of them as now, rewarde \ow and @e good parson of %^Mautby, and also Mastyre ^Baley, who I wende woold not haue balkyd this pore loggeyng to %^Norwyche wardys. I vndyrstand by @e brynggere here-of @at \e entend to ryde to %^Walsyngham. Yf it please \ow @at I may wete @e seayson, as my dute* is I shalle be redy to awayte vp-on \ow. Plese it \ow @at @e brynggare here-of cam to me fore x s. viij d. whyche I shuld ow hys fadyre. Trew it was at my laste departyng from hym I owte hym so mych, but sertaynly ore I cam at %^Thetfford homewardys I thowt of concyence he owte to haue restoryd me as myche. I had my horsse wyth hym at lyvery, and amonge alle on of them was putte to gresse and to labure, so @at he dyed of a laxe by @e wey. I payed fore hard mete euer to hym. Plese it \ow to delyuer ^Kateryn v s. wyche I send \ow in this bylle. I am not assartaynd how she is purveyde of mony towardys here jornay. Yf here fadyre cowde not a cleymed j d. of me I woold not se here dysporveyd yf I myght, nore @e poreste chylde @at is belonggyng to hys loggeyng. Modyre, my wyffe is boold to send \ow a tokyn. I beseche \ow pardon alle thynggys not don acordyng to dute*. I beseche God send \ow @e accomplyshment of \our moste woorchypfull desyers. At %^Owby, @e Saterday next before Candylmes. \our vmble son and seruant ^Edmond ^Paston To the ryght wurshupfull Ser ^John ^Paston, knyght, be @is delyuerid. Ryght wurshypfull ser, I recomawnd me to \ow. As \esterday I was wyth my cosyn ^Clere. He lythe at %^Borow, and my mastres hys wyveffe, be-cause the plage reygnyth at %^Ormysby. And so of hys own mocyon he mevyd to me of the maryage of my nevewe \our soon, and as glad foolkys woold be to bargayn as euer \e wyste; and soo hathe shewyd me that \e shuld haue as myche as Ser ^E. ^Bedyngfelld, whyche was v c marke. Moore-ouer he shewyd that he woold depart wyth it to Ser ^Rogere ^T. ore to ^Harry ^Colett, whyche he shewyd \e woold not of but to haue the mony at \our dysposyssyon. And me semys be hys report that he knowyth well that yf \e delle wyth Ser ^H. ^H. he wyll be in a suerte* that the mony that he shuld depart wyth shuld goo to the redemyng of \our landys and othere \our dawngeres. More-ouer he shewyd me that the mony whyche \e skyftyd of ^H. ^Colett was th[[oug]]ht be Ser ^Harry ^H. that Ser ^R. ^Townesend shuld haue ben contentte wyth it, whyche is knowyn the contrary, and causyd hym to geue delaye in that be-halffe to \ow. I know well this jantylman berythe \ow as good mynde as any man alyve, my mastres hys mothere and allso my mastres hys wyve in lyeke wyesse; and me semys he makys not the dowghttys to delyuer \ow hys mony that othere men do of the delyuerye of thers. Foore trowthe he shewythe me hys mynde, whyche is thus. Yf \e wyll putt lande in feffement fore \eres, to the full contentacyon of ^Townesend, ^Colett, and of my vncle, whyche he and all men thynke \e muste be charged to ore euer \e goo thorow, and that \our next frendys haue the receyte of it tyll it be full contente and payed, thus ore suche a suere weye to be had fore the well of all parteys, I darre say he is not alyve wyll indevoure hym wyth better wyll to deele wyth \ow, and, as my mynde seruys me, streytte hym-sylffe as it may be booryn, be-syde my mast[r]es hys modyres v c. My mastres hys wyffe on my faythe I darre say the moste harty body to \ow wardys in this be-halffe that is alyve, and the fayneeste body woold be to haue it accomplyshyd. Ser, I thenke \e be to-wardys %^London, and well I woot \owur mynde is to ease \our-sylffe as hastely as \e may. I pray God \e do to \our honure and to \our moste well to-gederys. Marchandys ore new jantylmen I deme wyll proferre large. Noon othere dyspreysed, \e know the contynewance of this man and how he is alyed. Well I woott yf \e depart to %^London \e shall haue proferes large. Yf \our jornay be not but to ease \ow in that be-halffe, be my poore avyce slake fore iij ore iiij days, fore euer me semys I shuld not haue ben brokyn to so largely but that they entend it hastely to say to \ow. Sythe I was there I vndyre-stande yf it had not happyd me to haue seyne them as \esterday she woold this day haue made here cowntenance to haue seyn here nes, ^Bothes dowtere, whyche is at %^Pallyngys fore fere of the plage, and haue comyn seyne my wyffe, and specyallly to haue de-syred vus to meve \ow towardys them; and in trowthe so she hasse. I pray God \e do as well to \our honure as I woold do my-sylffe. Yf \e wyll tery thys lytell season be-foore rehersyd, yf \e lyste, I woott well \e may haue the mater moore largely comyned; and yf \e tary tyll Monday I wull awayte on \ow to %^Hynengham, wyth Godys grace, who euer preserue \ow and \ours. \our ^E. ^Paston $billa ^Edmundi ^Paston. ^Edmund ^Paston, receyvour of the ^Scalys landes, askyth to be allowed of xij li. xij s. viij d. whiche hangith ouer his hede in his accompte made bifore ^Robert ^Sharp at the Feste of the Pureficacion of Our Lady laste paste for his costes and expenses for two yeres as hyt apperith in the sayd accomptes. Item, the sayde ^Edmund askyth to be allowed for his costes and expenses of this yere cxviij s. iiij d., beside his costes commynge and goynge to this accompte. Item, for his rewarde of the saide iij yeres $ad $placitum $dominorum, whereof ys allowed for his costes by the comandement of my lorde=x li. Item, allowed by the To my right worshypfull moder ^Agnes ^Paston. Right worshipfull and my most entirely beloude moder, in the most louly maner I recommaund me vnto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, euer-more desiryng to here of your welfare and prosperite*, @e which I pray God to contynw and encresce to youre hertes desyre; and yf it lyked youre gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of thys lettre I was in gode hele of body, t[h]anked be ^Jesu. And as for my mayster, my bestbeloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon o@er cause, and as I trust to ^Jesu neuer shall; for he is full kynde vnto me, and is as besy as he can to make me sure of my joyntore, wherto he is jbounde in a bonde of ml li. to you, moder, and to my bro@er ^John, and to my bro@er ^William. and to ^Edmund ^Clere, the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as oure most syngler trost is yn youre gode moderhode, that my maystre, my best beloved, fayle not of the c marc at the begynnyng of this terme the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, wyth the remanent of the money of my faders wille. For I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman called ^Bain, that was oon of my bestbeloved suertees and was bounde for hym in cc li., of which he reherseth for to resseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme cxx li. And yf he fayle @erof at this tyme he wille clayme the hool of vs, the which were to vs to grete an hurt . And he con not make an ende wyth noon of hys o@er suertees wythoute this seyd syluer, and that con my bro@er ^John telle yow wel j-nough and it lusteth hym to do soo. And in all o@er thynges, as to my Lady ^Pool wyth hom I soiourned, that ye wil be my tendre and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage; and to ^Cristofre ^Hanson as ye wrote vnto my bro@er ^John that it shuld have ben so . And @at it plese youre gode moderhode to yeve credence to ^William ^Worcestre. And ^Jesu for his grete mercy save yow. Written at %^London the Wendysday the iij day of Janyuer. By youre humble doughter ^Elyzabeth ^Ponyngges To the worshipful Sir ^John ^Paston, knyght, be this delyueryd jn hast. Worshipfull and with all myn hert interly wilbeloued nevoue, I recomaunde me to yow, desyryng to here of your prosperite* and wilefayre, which I pray all-myghti God maynteyn and encres to his plesour and your hertes desire, thankyng God of your amendyng and helth; forthermore certefying yow @at Sir ^Robert ^Fenys hath doon grete hurte in @e lyuelode whiche perteyned to my husbond and me in @e shire of %^Kent, wherin ^William ^Kene and o@er persones arn enfeffid, and gretly troubleth hit and receyueth @e issuez and profitez of gret part of theym. And as of my seid husbondes lyuelode aswell in @e same shire as in o@er shirez, besyde myn jountur , my seid husbond whan he departyd towarde @e feld of %^Saint %^Albons made and ordeyned his wille @at I shuld haue @e rewell of all his lyuelode, and of ^Edwarde, his soon and myn, and to take @e issuez and profitez of @e seid lyuelode to @e fyndyng of his and myn seid son, to paie his detteez and to kepe @e right and title of @e same lyuelode which i myght nat accordyng occupie for Ser ^Edwarde ^Ponynges, myn seid husbondes brother. And so, sith myn seid husbondes departyng, I assigned @at @e seid Ser ^Edwarde for certeyn yereez shuld haue and take @e reuenuez of @e maners of %^Westwode, %^Estwell, %^Leuelond, %^Horsmonden, %^Totyndon, %^Eccles, %^Staundon, and %^Comebesden, parcell of @e seid lyuelode, which arn clerely yerely worth lxxvj li. xiijs.iiij d., to @e entent @at @e seid Ser ^Edwarde shuld paye myn husbondes detteez, for he wold not suffer me to be in rest without @at he myght haue a rewell in @e lyvelode. And after @e seid assignement made, @e seid ^Robert ^Fenes, contrary to trowth and withoute cause of right, interupted me and @e seid Ser ^Edwarde aswell of and in @e seid maners as of o@er maners vndirwretyn, wher-vppon @e same Ser ^Edwarde suet vnto @e Kynges highnesse and hade @e Kyngez honorable lettres vndir his signet directed to @e seid Ser ^Robert ^Fenys, @e tenour wher-of I send vnto yow herin inclossid. And as for residue of @e lyuelode of myn seid husbondes and myn within @e same shire of %^Kent wherin @e seid ^William ^Kene and o@er arn enfeffed, that is to say @e manerz of %^Tyrlyngha[[m]], %^Woluerton, %^Halton, %^Newyngton, %^Bartram, %^Rokesley, and %^Northcray, with th'appurtenauncez, I of them by myn seid husbondes wille shuld haue residue and take @e issuez and profitez of theym. Contrarye to right and conciens, takying away my ryght and brekyng my seid husbondes wille @e seid ^Robert ^Fenys hath doon gret wast and hurte ther, and longtym hath take vpe @e reuenuez and profitez of @e same, wherthorough I haue not my ryght and @e seid wille may not be parfourmed. Wherfor I hertely pray yow @at \e will laboure vnto @e Kynges highnes at yt lyketh hym addres his honorable lettres to be directed to @e seid ^Robert ^Fenys, dischargyng hym vtterly of @e menuraunce, occupacion, and receyt of @e reuenuez of @e said maners of %^Tyrlyngham and o@er, accordyng to @e tenour of @e lettres labored by Ser ^Edwarde for @e maners assigned to hym from @e Kynges highnes directyd to @e same ^Robert ^Fynez, or strayter if hit may be, and @at I and myn assignez may peasseble* reioce theym; and if eny person wold attempt to do @e contrarye @at a commaundement, yf it ples @e Kynges highnes, by hym myght be yevyn to my lorde Chaunceller to seall writtynges sufficiaunt with his gret seall in eydyng and assistyng me and myn assignez in @e same. And as for @e maners of %^Esthall, %^Faukham, %^Asshe, and %^Chelsfeld, with th'appurtenauncez. in @e said schire of %^Kent, wherof my husbond at his departur was seassed, and my son sethens vnto @e tyme @at @e Erle of %^Kent, without eny jnquis[i]sion or title of right for @e Kyng, by colour of @e Kynges lettres patentes entret in-to theym and hym ther-of put owte; and now myn lorde of %^Essexe occupieth them in lyke maner and fourme. Yf eny remedy therin wilbe hade I pray yow attempt hit. Also forther-more I hertely pray yow @at, if eny generall pardon be grauntyd, @at I may haue on for ^John ^Dane my s[e]ruaunt, whom @e said ^Robert ^Fenys of gret malice hath endyted of felonye; and @at \e secretly labour @is and send me an aunsewer in writtyng in as godly hast as \e may. As soon as yt may ples yow to send me passels of costez and expences \e bere and pay for @e said causez I will truely content yow hit of @e same, and ouer @at rewarde yow to your plessour, by @e grace of ^Jesu, quo haue yow in his blessed keping. Wrettyn in %^Suthwerk the xvte daie of Decembyre. By your awnt ^Elizabeth ^Ponynges By @e Kyng Tursti and welbelouyde, we grete yow wele; and for asmuche as we been enfourmed @at \e entend in hasti tyme to lewey and gader vpe the reuenuez and profitez commyng and growyng of and vppon @e maners of %^Westwode, %^Estwell, %^Levelond,%^Horsmonden, %^Totyngdon, %^Eccles, %^Stondon, and %^Comebesdane within our counte* of %^Kent, we for certeyn consideracions vs nowe moeuyng wol and charge you @at from hensse furth \e laye off your hondes and in no vise entermet of or in @e seid maners or of eny parcell @erof, in gaderyng of rentes ther or other-wise,eny commaundement or writtyng by vs to you yeven or made herbefore to @e contrare* herof natwithstonding; receyui[n]g @eis oure lettres towardes you for your sufficiaunt discharge in @at partie, nat failing herin as ye wol aunsewer vnto vs at your parilie. Yevyn To Ser ^Robert ^Fynys, Knyght The copie of \e lettre myssyue endossid by @e Kynges awn handes $in $dei $nomine, amen. The xviijth day of the moneth of May in the yere of oure Lord God mlcccclxxxvij and in the secund yere of the reign of King ^Henry the vij I, Dame ^Elisabeth, late wife of Sir ^George ^Brown, knyght, being of hoole mynde and in good memorye, thanked be Allmyghty God, make and ordeign this my present testament and last will yn maner and fourme folowing, that is to say: first, I bequeith my soul to Allmyghty God, our Lady Saint ^Mary, and to all the holy company of hevon, and my body to be buried withyn the churche of the Blak Freris within %^Ludgate, with my forsaid housband Sir ^George; to the whiche place I bequeith xxj li. for my said housbandes soul and myne, our fadres and modres soules, and for all Cristen soules to be praid for; and for xiij trentalles of Saint ^Gregory to be said and songyn for us and thaym by the freris of the said place, as in diriges and masses with all other obseruaunces belongyng to the same in maner and fourme folowing, that is to wete: in the day or morow after my discesse vij trentallis, and euery weke folowing vnto my monthes mynde oon trentall, and iij trentalles at my monthes mynde biside the solempne dirige and masse that is to be requyred for me at that tyme. And I charge myne executours to see that the premisses be done and perfourmed, and also the said freris to feche me from the place where I die vnto thair said place where I haue lymyted afore to be buried. Also, I wull that, as sone as my body is buryed and th'expenses therof done and paid, that myn executours provide and see that my dettes be contented and paid. Also, I bequeith to the vicare of the churche of %^Dorking in the county of %^Surre* for my forsaid housbandes soul and myne, oure faders and modres, and for all the soules that we be bound vnto to be praid for within the yere after my discesse, as in diriges and masses to be said or song by hym or his deputie, and to haue us specially in remembraunce in thayr memento by oon hole yere, xx s. also, I bequeith to the reparacion of the forsaid churche of %^Dorking xx s. Also, I bequeith to the parson of Saint ^Albans in %^Wodstrete within %^London, for diriges and masses to be said or song by hym or his deputie in like wise as the vicar of %^Dorking is charged as is afore rehersed, xxs. Also, I bequeith to the reparacion of the stepull of the said churche of Saint ^Albans xx solid. Also, I bequeith to the prisoners of Newgate, Ludgate, Kinges Benche, and Mershallsee, to euery of those places, to be praid for, xx d. Also, I bequeith to bedred folkes and other poure housholders, aswell men as women, dwelling within %^London and without in the suburbis of the same, and moste specially souche as haue knowen me and I thaym, xl s., as by the discrecions and advises of myne executours it shall be thought best to be done. More-ouer, I geue and biqueith to my doughter ^Mary, to the promocion of her mariage, all my plate and other juelles, with all myne hole apparell and all my stuff of houshold being within my dwelling place or any other within the citee of %^London or suburbes of the same, that is to say: first a standing cupp of siluer gilt chaced with plompes, weyeng with the cover, knopp, and devise xlij vnces and di.; jtem, a standing cupp of siluer and gilt chaced with flowres, weying with the cover, the knopp, and devise xxvij vnc. and di.; a playn standing cupp of siluer gilt, weing with the cover, the knopp, and the devise xxx vnc.; a standing cupp of siluer and gilt chaced with half plompes, weying with the cover, knopp, and devise xx vnc. and di.; a playn standing cupp of siluer gilt, weying with cover and the knoppe and the deuyse xxvij vnces and an half; a standing cuppe of siluer and gilt, weying with the couer, the knoppe and the deuyse xxvj vnces; a saltseler of syluer and gilte, weying with the couer, the knoppe, and the deuyse xxiij vnces; a saltseler of syluer and gilt without a couer weying xxij vnces and an halfe; a litill saltseler of syluer and gilt, weying with the cover and the knoppe and the deuyse xv vnces and an half; a litell saltseler of syluer and gilt without the couer weyng viij vnces and an halfe; and vj bolles of syluer parcelles gilt weyng iiijxx xviij vnces; and ij peces of syluer with a couer weyng xlviij vnces; a dosen and a half of siluer sponys weying xxiij vnces; and iij sponys of syluer and gilt weying iij vnces and iij quartrons; and a long spone of syluer and gilt for ginger weying j vnce and iij quartrons; jtem, a chafing disshe of syluer weying xxvj vnces; and two litell crewettes of syluer weying viij vnces; a chalese of syluer and gilt with the paten weying xj vnces; an haly water stok of siluer with the lid, handill, and spryngill weying xij vnces; an Agnus with a baleys, iij saphires, iij perlys, with an jmage of Saint ^Antony apon it; and a tablet with the Salutacion of Our Lady and the iij Kingis of %^Collayn; a bee with a grete perle, a dyamond, an emerawde, iij grete perlys hanging apon the same; a-nother bee with a grete perle with an emerawde and a saphire weying ij vnces iij quarters; a pece of the Holy Crosse, crossewise made, bordured with siluer aboute; iij brode girdilles, oone of tawny silke with bokill a[nd] pendaunt, a-nother of purpill with bokyll and pendaunt, and the iijde of purpill damaske with bokell and pendaunt and vj barres of siluer and gilt; and iij brode harnysed girdilles, oone white tisshew, a-nother red tysshewe gold, and the iijde a playne grene coorse; a muskeball of gold weying halfe an vnce; and ij bokilles and two pendauntes of gold, oone playne and the other pomisyd, weying an vnce and a quarter; and a harnysed girdill enameled with rowsclare weying halfe an vnce; a dymysoynt with a rubye and an amatyste weying j vnce and an halfe; an harnysed girdill of golde of %^Damaske, with a long pendaunt and a bokill of golde chekkyd, weying j vnce; a grete bed of a-state of verdure and a counterpoynt to the same; and iiij curteyns of grene tartron; a grete federbed; a bolstere; and vj fetherbeddys ouer-woren; vj bolsters; and iiij mattarasses lytyll ouer-woren; xij pellowes of downe; v newe carpettys of ij ellys in lengeth and yarde and halfe brode; iij fyne pelow beres; and a grete counterpoynt of tapstery werk of v yardes and a quarter longe and iiij yardes brode; a hanging for a chamber of grene say borduryd with acrons of xxxv yerdes longe; a whyte spervyour; ij counterpoyntes; an hanging bed with a lyon thereapon and the valence white, grene, and red, and iiij blew courtens to the same; and two couerlettes with lyons; a blak testour for a bed with iiij blak curtens and vj pecys of blak hanging to the same; ij cusshens of blak velvet; a cusshyn of blak damask; a cusshen of grene worstede; a long cusshen of blewe saten figure; a blak coueryng for a bed of borde ^Alisaunder; and xj peces of grene saye borduryd with acorns to hang with a chambre; a vestment of blak velwet with orfrayes browderyd with my saide husbondys armes and myne; an awbe; j chesyppill with a stole and all that belongeth therto; ij corporas casys of cloth of gold; j olde vestment; an awbe; an awter clothe wyth the jmage of \our Lorde; a corporas case of blewe cloth of golde, a-nother of blewe saten and russet; an awter clothe of staynyd werke; and iij stenyd clothes with jmagis in them to hang a chapell; ij awter clothes of white sylke with red crosses; and ij curtens with white frengis and red; and iiij curtens, ij of rayed sarsenet and two of grene; an awter clothe; a litell pece of grene tartron; a payer of fustyans of iiij breddys iij yerdys iij quarters long; a paire of fyne shetys ouerworne of iiij yerdes brede; an hede shete; and iij payer of newe shetys of iij levis of iij ellys and an half long; and two payer of shetys of ij levis and an half long; and iij hedshetys of ij bredys; and vj paiere of shetys ouer-worne of ij levis; and vj paier of houshold shetis; and two paier of wollen blankettes; and a violet gowne furryd with martrons; a blak gowne furryd with gray; a blak gowne furryd with white; a blak gowne furryd with ma[r]trons; and a nyght gowne of blak furryd with martrons; a kirtill of tawny chamlet; a purfill of ermyns of ij skynne depeth and iij yardys and an half long; a purfill of martrons of j skynne deppeth and iiij yardis long; a purfill of shankes of ij skynne deppeth and iiij yardis long; a bonet of poudred ermyns;and a pece of cloth of golde with dropis which was of a duplade; and a dosen of diaper napkyns of floure delyce werke and crownes; and a dosen and a half of naptkyns of playne clothe with blew pelowers; and a pece of clothe of diaper werke to make with a dosen naptkyns; a bordecloth of floure delice werk and crownes of x yardis and an half long and iij yardis brode; and a-nother bordecloth of floure delyce werk and crownes viij yardes and a half long, ij yardes and a quarter brode; a towell of diaper of flower delice werke and crownys of xxti yardys long and iij quarters brode; a-nother towell of flower delice werke and crownys of iij quarters brede and xviij yardes long; a-nother of latise werke and diaper of iij quarter brede, xiiij yerdes di. long; a-nother towell of iiij greynys and a fret of viij yerdes di. long; a-nother towell of latise werk and crownys vj yerdes and di. long and iij quarters brede; and two towellis of great diaper werk iij yerdes and a quarter long and iij quarter brode; and a pece of new creste clothe conteygnyng xxiij ellys; and two towellys of great diaper werkes of xiiij yerdes long and iij quarter in brede; and vij grete cofers, v chestis, ij almaryes like a chayer, and a blak cofer bounden with jron; vj yoyned stoles; iiij kaskettys; v litell ioynyd stoles; a litill table ij yerdes long; a rounde table; ij trestelles; ij garnysshe and di. of pewter vessell counterfete, wherof j garnysshe and di. is newe; and vj great kandelstikkis newe of laton, and iiij newe bellyd kandelstikkis ; ij litill kandelstikkes; vij basens of pewater; and v brasse pannys, of the which oon is xvj galons and two of them of viij gallons a pece; and the other ij more lesse; a grete standing chafere of laton with a lyon apon the lydde; ij chafers of brasse, and ij litill brasse pottys; ij grete cobardys and ij othere cobardys more and lesse; ij fyer pannys; a lityll skelet; a ladill and a scomer of laton; ij colondyrs; ij spyttys; ij dreping pannes of jron; iij dressing knyfys; ij lechyng knyfys; ij choppyng knyfys; a tryvet; a brasen morter with a pestell of jron; ij stone morters; ij gredyrons; j payer of potte hokys, a flesshe hoke, and a kolerake. Prouydid alwey that myn executours, by the aduyse of myn ouerseers, ordeigne and put in safegarde, to be kept after my discease in-to som religious place vnto the day of my said doughters mariage, and to the behofe and promocyon of the same, all and euery part of the forsaid plate and juelx, with all other stuffe of houshold by me to her as is aboue written yoven and bequethed, except souche stuffe as canne not be kept from mowghtes, which I will she haue the rule and gouernaunce of for the safegarde of the same and for her wele. And if my saide doughter ^Mary dye vnmaryed, then I yeve and bequethe all the forsaid plate, with all other stuffe of housholde, to my soon ^Mathewe her brothere. And if it fortune that he dye vnmaryd, as God forfende. then I yeve and bequeth all and euery part of my forsaid plate, juelx, and stuffe of housholde vnto my soon Sir ^Edward ^Ponyngis. And yef it fortune the said ^Edward to dye, as God defende, that then all the forsaid juelx and other stuffe aboue written, except a playne standing cuppe of syluer and gilt with the couer, the knoppe, and the deuyse of the same, with gryffons hede in the botom wrought apon blewe asure, weying xxvj vncis, which I geve to my doughter in lawe Dame ^Isabell ^Ponyngis, be dyuydyd by th'advice of the ouerseers of this my present testament and last wille, and euynly to be departid vnto ^Antony ^Browne and ^Robert ^Browne, my brethern-in-lawe, they to do with it thaire fre wille. And as touching myne Agnus, tablettes with dyamondys, saphires, perlys grete and small, crosses , gurdillis, dymyseyntes, gownys, with all other thingis longing to myne apparayle as is aboue written, yef it fortune my said doughter ^Mary decease I geve and bequethe all and euery part of it to my kynnyswoman ^Margaret ^Hasslake. And if the said ^Margaret dye, that then all the said apparell particularly written before remaigne to my said doughter-in-lawe Dame ^Isabelle ^Ponyngys. Also, xx merc. which I lent vnto my son Ser ^Edward ^Ponynges I woll that it be destributyd by the discrecion of myn executours and ouerseers among souche as been knowen my seruauntys at the day of my discease. The residue of all my singuler goodes, catallys, and juellys, after my dettys payde and my bequestes parfourmed and fulfyllyd and burying done, I geve and fully bequeth to my sonnys Ser ^Edward ^Ponyngis and ^Mathew ^Browne, and theym to dispose and do theire fre wille to pray and to do for my soule as they wolde I sholde do for them, as they will aunswere afore God. And of this my testament and last wille I make and ordeigne myne executours my forsaid sonnes Ser ^Edward ^Ponyngys and ^Mathew ^Browne, and theire superuysours ^Humfrey ^Conyngesby and ^Richard ^Tuke. And I bequeth to euery of myne executours for thaire labour lx s., and to euery of myne ouerseers for thaire labours xl s. In wittenesse hereof I, the said Dame ^Elizabeth, to this my present test[a]ment and last wille haue put my seale. Youen at %^London the day and yere abouesaide. Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum coram domino apud %^Lamehith xxvjto die mensis Junij anno Domini supradicto, ac approbatum, &c. Et commissa fuit administracio &c. ^Matheo ^Browne, filio eiusdem et executori, &c., de bene, &c. Ac de pleno jnuentario, &c. citra festum Sancti ^Petri quod dicitur Aduincula, reseruata potestate committendi &c. ^Edwardo ^Ponynges, militi, executori, &c.

To ^John ^Damme Ser, I recummaund me to you and thank yow of youre grete laboure wyth all myn hert; but as be youre bille my fader shul be bounde to pay all ^Wyllyam ^Maryottes dettes, or half at the leest, @at is c li., whych wyth the seid xl li. @at ^John shuld haue is twyes as meche as is owyng as I conseyve; the whyche shuld hurte me more @an avayle. And I was at that tyme at %^Crowmer, and wote well @at it was neythyr ^Maryottes mevyng ne my faders that he shuld be chargeable of more @an he oweth, hys paymentes, expences, and hys bargeyn alowed. I suppose they shall holde hem payed wyth this bill yf ther be ony more that hard it. I prey help they may enseale; but begyn at thise fyrst and theene send tor the toder. I wold we hade vj sealles yf it myght easly be. Ser, ^Jamys ^Gressham told me that \e thynk the bergeyn were not certen but yf it wer put in certeyn what the dettes be that shuld be content. Me thynketh that the xl li. makyth the bargeyne certen attwyx ^John and my fader, and thow it be not, wyth oder mater @at I haue it shal be certeyn j-now. My lady ^Morley, ^Hastingys, and my moder and I, &c., dyned this day at ^Lyncolne ^Kokys and suppyd this ny\t to-gedyr also, and dyuers persons were disposed to haue seid no good word of you; and after, or we departed, they that haue seid worst of yow seid better of yow than I herd hem sey thys twelmoneth day, and in substance contrary to all olde tales. $multa $habeo $vobis $dicere $que $non $sunt $in $libro $hoc. Be ^John ^Paston ^Herry ^Gunell N %^Basyngham N %^Matelask To the Kyng oure Souerayn Lord, and to the right wyse and discrete lordis assemblyd in this present Parlement Besechith mekly your homble liege man ^John ^Paston that, where he and oder enfeffed to his vse haue be pecybily poscessyd of the maner of %^Gresham within the counte* of %^Norffolk xx yere and more til the xvij day of Februarij the yere of your nobill regne xxvj, that ^Robert ^Hungerford, knyght, the Lord ^Molyns, entred in-to the seyd maner. And how be it that the seyd ^John ^Paston after the seid entre* sued to the seid Lord ^Molyns and his councell, in the most louly maner that he cowde, dayly fro tyme of the seid entre* on-to the fest of Mihelmes than next folwyng, duryng which tyme diuers communicasyons were had be-twix the councell of the seid lord and the councell of your seid besechere; and for asmych as in the seid communicasions no titill of right at any tyme was shewed for the seid lord but that was fully and clerly answeryd, so that the seid lordes councell remitted your seid besechere to sewe to the seid lord for his finall and rightfull answere, and after sute mad to the seid lord be your seid besechere, aswell at %^Salysbery as in oder places, to his gret coust, and non answere had but delays, which causyd your seid besechere the vj day of Octobre last past to inhabite hym in a mansion with-in the seid town, kepyng stille there his poscession on-tille the xxviij day of Januarij last past the seid lord sent to the seid mansion a riotous peple to the nombre of a thowsand persones, with blanket bendes of a sute as riseres a-geyn your pees, arrayd in maner of werre with curesse, brigaunderes, jakkes, salettes, gleyfes, bowes, arows, pavyse, gonnes, pannys with fier and teynes brennyng there-in, long cromes to draw doun howsis, ladderes, pikoys with which thei myned down the walles, and long trees with which thei broke vp yates and dores and so came in-to the seid mansion, the wiff of your seid besechere at that tyme beyng ther-in, and xij persones with here, the which persones thei dreve oute of the seid mansion and myned down the walle of the chambre where-in the wiff of your seid besechere was, and bare here oute at the yates and cutte a-sondre the postes of the howses and lete them falle, and broke vp all the chambres and coferes with-in the seid mansion, and rifelyd and in maner of robery bare a-wey all the stuffe, aray, and mony that your seyd besechere and his seruauntes had there, on-to the valew of cc li., and part there-of sold and part there-of yaffe, and the remenaunt thei departed among them to the grete and outrageous hurt of your seid besechere; sayng opynly that if thei myght haue found there your seid besechere, and on ^John ^Damme which is of councelle with hym, and diuers oder of the seruauntes of your seid besechere, thei shuld haue died. And yet diuers of the seid mysdoeres and ryotous peple onknowyn, contrary to your lawes, dayly kepe the seid maner with force and lyne in wayte of diuers of the frendis, tenauntes, and seruauntes of your seid besecher, and greuously vexe and trobill hem in diuers wise, and seke hem in her howsis, ransakyng and serchyng her shevys and strawe in her bernes and other places with bore speris, swerdes, and gesernys, as it semyth to sle hem if thei myght haue found hem; and summe haue bete and left for ded, so that thei, for doute of here lyves, dare not go home to here houses ner occupy here husbondry, to the gret hurte, fere, and drede aswele of youre seid besechere as of his seid frendis, tenauntes, and seruantes. And also thei compelle pore tenauntes of the seid maner, now with-in ther daungere, a-geyn ther wille to take feyned pleyntes in the courtes of the hundred there ageyn the seid frendis, tenauntes, and seruauntes of your seid besechere, whiche dare not apere to answere for fere of bodily harme, ne can gete no copijs of the seid pleyntes to remedi them be the lawe, because he that kepyth the seid courtis is of covyn with the seid misdoeres and was on of the seid ryseres which be coloure of the seid pleyntes greuously amercy the seid frendes, tenauntes, and seruauntes of your seid besechere to the[r] outrageous and importabille hurt. Please it your Hynesse, consideryng that if this gret insurreccyon, ryottis, and wrongis, and dayly continuans ther-of, so heynosly don a-geyn your crowne, dignite*, and peas shuld not be your hye myght be duly punysshid, it shall gefe grett boldnesse to them and alle oder mysdoeres to make congregacyouns and conuenticles riottously, on-abille to be seysed, to the subuersyon and finall distruccyon of your liege peple and lawes; and also how that your seid besecher is not abille to sue the commune lawe in redressyng of this heynos wrong for the gret myght and alyaunce of the seid lord; and also that your seid besechere canne haue non accyon be your lawe ageyn the seid riotous peple for the godis and catellis be hem so riottously and wrongfully take and bore a-wey, be-cause the seid peple be onknowe, aswelle here names as here persones, on-to hym; to purvey be the avyse of the lordis spirituall and temporall assembled in this present parlement that youre seid besechere may be restoryd to the seid godis and catellis thus riottously take awey, and that the seid Lord ^Molyns haue suche comaundment that your seid besechere be not thus, with force in maner of werre, hold oute of his seid maner contrary to alle your statutes mad a-geyn suych forcibille entrees and holdynges; and that the seid Lord ^Molyns and his seruauntes be sette in suche a rewle that your seid besechere, his frendis, tenauntes, and seruauntes may be sure and saffe from hurt of here persones and pesibily ocupy here londes and tenementes vnder your lawes with-oute oppressyoun or onrightfull vexasion of any of hem, and that the seid riseres and causeres therof may be punysshed that other may eschewe to make any suche rysyng in this your lond of peas in tyme comyng. And he shalle pray to God for yowe. Ser, I pray yow @at ye will send sum chyld to my lord of %^Bukingham place, and to @e Crown, wich as I conseiue is callid Gerardis Hall in %^Bredstret, to inquere whedir I haue any answere of my letter sent to %^Caleys whech ye know off, and that ye will remembre my bro@iris ston so @at it myth be mad er I cumm ageyn, and @at it [[be]] klenly wrowgth. It is told me @at @e man at %^Sent %^Bridis is no klenly portrayer, [[wh]]erfor I wold fayn it myth be portrayid be sum odir man, and he to graue it vp. [[...]] It is informyd sum personis in @is cuntre* @at ye know @at @e frere will sew a-nodir delegaci fro %^Rome direkt to sum bischop of %^Ingland to amend his mater, &c., and how be it @at it may not gretly hurt, yet @e seyd personis, &c., wold not he shuld haue his entent, in a[s]moch as his suggestion is vntrewe, but ra@er @ey wold spend mony to lette it. I suppose @e Abbot of %^Bery shuld labor for him rather @an anodir becawse [[@]]e sey[d] Abbot is aparteynor to @e lord @at is @e freris mayntener, &c.; wherfore, ser, my modir and I pray yow [[i]]nquere after a man callid ^Clederro whych is solisitor and attorne* with [[M]]aster ^Will ^Grey, @at late was @e Kinggis proktor at %^Rome, and @e seyd ^Clederro sendith maters and letters owth of %^Ingeland to his seyd master euer[y] monith, &c. He is well knowe in %^London and amo[n]g @e Lumbardis, and with @e Bischep of %^Winchesteres men, but I wot not wher he dwellit in %^London; and I suppos if ye speke with him he knowith me. Plese yow to comen with him of @is mater, but let him not wete of @e mater atwix my modir and him, but desir him to wryth to his master to lett @is if it may be; or ell to se @e best wey @at he haue not his intent, and to comon with @[e] proktor of @e Whith Freris at %^Rome to he[l]p forth. For @e freris here haue laborid to my modir and praiid her to help to lette his on-trewe intent, and haue wrete to her proketor befor @is; and I suppose if ye speke to @e prior of @e Freris at %^London he will writh to her seyd proktor, &c. But tell @e prior no word @at I know [[@er]]of, but let him wete if he will wryth to his proktor odir men shall help forth. [[M]]ore-ouer @at ye will tell ^Cledero @at I am not seker @at @e frere laborith @us [[bu]]t be talis of freris and odir. Neuertheles let him writh to his master @at whatsumevyr he do herin he shall be truly content for his labor and costis. And if ye thi[n]k @at ^Cledro will writh efectually herin, geff hym j noble. [[Le]]t hym let his master know @at my lord of %^Wynchester and ^Danyell ow godwill to @e part that he shall labor fore. And if @ere be fown no sech swth be @e seyd [[fre]]re, yet wold I haue sum thing fro %^Rome to anull @e old bull, &c., or to apeyre it [[if]] it myth be do esily, &c., and tydi[n]g wheder @er be any sech sute, &c. Yowr awn, &c. [[...]] how beit @at it may now@ir avayle ner hurt, yet my modir will @is be do. [[I]] send yow @e copi of @e bull and how execuciun was do, and informaciun of @e mater jn parte, &c. I pray yow red it ouer, and spede yow homward. And, ser, I sha[l] content yowr nobl[e], &c. Bry[n]g @is letter hom with yow, &c. Vn-to the right reuerent fadir in God and my right gracioux lord the Cardinal Archebisshop of %^York, Prymat and Chanceller of %^Inglond. Besecheth mekely ^John ^Paston that, where ^Robert ^Hungerford, knyght, Lord ^Molens, and ^Alianore his wyff late with force and strength and grete multitude of riottous peple, to @e noumbre of a thousand persones and mo, gadered by th' excitacion and procuryng of ^John ^Heydon a-yenst the Kyngges pees, in riotous maner enterd vp-on your seid besecher and othir enfeoffed to his vse in the manoir of %^Gresham, with @' appurtenauncez in @e shire of %^Norffolk; whiche riotous peple brake, dispoiled, and drew doun the place of your seid besecher in the seid toun and drafe out his wiff and seruauntes there beyng, and ryfled, took, and bare awey alle the goodes and catalx that your seid besecher and his seruauntes hadde there to @e value of cc li. and more, and the seid manoir after @e seid riottous entre* kept with strong hande in manere of werre, as weel ayenst your seid besecher and his feffees as ayenst oon of @e Kyngges justicez of his pees in @e seid shire that come thedir to execute @e statutes ordeigned and prouyded ayenst suche forcible entrees and kepyng of possessions with force, as it appiereth by recorde of @e seid justice certifyed in-to @e Chauncerie; and yet @e seid Lord ^Molens the same manoir kepith with force and strengthe ayenst @e fourme of @e seid statutes; please it your reuerent fadirhood and gracioux lordship, these premisses considered, to graunte on-to your seid besecher, for his feffees by hym to be named, a special assise ayenst @e seid Lord ^Molens, ^Alianore, and ^John ^Heidon, and othir to be named by your seid besecher, and also an oyer and determyner ayenst @e seid Lord ^Molens, ^John ^Heidon, and othir of the seid riotous peple in like fourme to be named, to enquere, here, and determyn all trespaces, extorcions, riottes, forcible entrees, mayntenaunces, champarties, embraceries, offenses, and mesprisions by hem or ony of hem doen; als weel atte sute of our souereign lord @e Kyng as of your seid besecher and his seid feffees and euery of hem, or of ony othir of @e Kyngges lieges. Atte reuer[en]ce of God and in weye of charite*. the copie of @e letter of ^J. ^P. ^James ^Gresham, I prey yow laboure forth to haue answer of my bille for myn especial assise and the oyer and termyner accordyng to my seid bille that I delyuered to my lord Chaunceler, letyng hym wete that, as for that his lordship conceyved the graunt of suyche a special matier myght cause a rumour in @e cuntre*, owt of dowte the cuntre* is not so disposed, for it is desired ageyn suche persones as the c[[untre*]] wolde were ponysshid. And if they be not ponysshid to refourme that they haue do amysse, by liklynesse the cuntre* wole rise up on th[[em]]. Me[[n]] talke that a general oier and termyner is graunted to the Duke of %^Norffolk, my lord of %^Ely, the Erll of %^Oxenford, the Lord ^Scales, Ser ^John ^Fastolf, Ser ^Thomas ^Fulthorp, and ^William ^Yeluerton,and men be right glad therof. Yet that not withstondyng, laboure ye forth for me, f[[or]] in a general oyer and termyner a $supersedeas may dassh al, and so shall not in a special. And also if @e justicez come at my reque[[st]] they shall sytte als long as I wole, and so shall thei not by the generall. And as for commyssioners in myn, &c., Ser ^John ^Fastolf must be pleyntyf als weel as I my-self, and so he may not be commyssioner; and as for alle the remenaunt I can thynke them indifferent j-now in @e matier except my Lord ^Scales, whos wyff is aunte to @e Lady ^Moleyns. And as for that @e Lord ^Moleyns hath wretyn, @at he dar put @e matier in awarde of my lord Chaunceler and in what juge he wole take to hym, &c., whiche offre as I suppose shall be tolde to yow for to make yow to cesse your labour, thanne lete @at be answerid and my lord Chaunceler enfourmed thus. The matier was in trete* by th' assent of @e Lord ^Moleyns atwene his counseil and myn, whiche assembled at %^London xvj dyuers dayes, and for @e more part there was a sergeant and vj or vij thrifty apprentisez; at whiche tyme the Lord ^Moleyns title was shewed and clerly answerid, in so meche @at his own counseil seide they cowde no forther in the matier, desiryng me to ride to %^Salesbury to @e Lord ^Moleyns, promyttyng of their part that thei wolde moeve the Lord ^Moleyns so @at @ei trusted I shuld haue myn entent or I come thens; of whiche title and answer I sende yow a copie that hath be put in-to @e parlement, the Lord ^Moleyns beyng there present, wherto he cowde not sey nay. Also by-fore @is tyme I haue agreed to put it in ij juges so @ei wolde determyne by our euydences the right, moevyng nother partie to yeve o@er by ony mene, but only the right determyned, he to be fully recompensed that hath right; wherto he wold not agree, but alle tymes wolde @at thoe juges shulde entrete the parties as they myght be drawe to, by offre and profre to my conceyte as men bye hors. Whiche matiers considerid, my conseil hath alwey conceyved that the tretees @at he offred hath be to non othir entent but to delaye the matier, or ellis to entrete me to relese my damages, for title hath he non. And he knowith weel the title shall neuer better be vndirstond thanne it hath be by his counseil and myn atte seid comunycacions. And also [[...]] my lord Chaunceler vndirstond that @e Lord ^Moleyns men toke and bar away more @anne cc li. worth of my goodes and catalles, wherof I delyuered hym a bylle of euery parcell wherto all[[e]] @e world knoweth he canne make no title; and if he were disposed to do right my counsell thynketh he shulde restore @at, for @erfor nedith nowthir comuny[ca]cion ne trete*. And with-owt he wole restore that, I trowe no [[m]]an can thynk that his trete* is to no good purpose. I preye yow hertily laboure ye so to my lord Chaunceller that owther he wole graunte me my desire or ellis that he wole denye it; and lete me haue answer from yow in wrytyng how ye spede. If my lord Chaunceler hath lost my bille @at I delyuered hym, wherof I sende yow a copie, that thanne ye put up to hym an othir of @e same, takyng a copie to your-self. Recomaund me to my cosyn ^William ^Whyte, and prey hym to gyf yow his help in this; and lete hym be prevy to @is letter, and lete hym w[[ete]] @at my cosyn his suster hath childe a doughter. Wretyn at %^Norwich the iiij day of September. Dyuerse men of my freendis auyse me to entre in-to @e maner of %^Gresham by force of my writte of restitucion, whiche I wole not do by cause @e maner is so decayed by the Lord ^Moleyns ocupacion that where it was worth to me l marc. clerly by yeere I cowde not now make it worth xx li.; for whiche hurt and for othir hurtis by @is special assise I trust to haue remedye. ^Charlys ^Nowel, ^Otywell ^Nowell, ^Robert ^Ledeham, ^John the sone of ^Hogge ^Ratkleff, ^Robert ^Dallyng, ^Herry ^Bangge, ^Roger ^Cherche, ^Nicholas ^Goldsmyth, ^Robert ^Taylour, ^Cristofore ^Grenescheve, ^Dunmowe, ^Elis ^Dokworth, ^Cristofir ^Bradle*, ^Jon ^Cokkow, assemblyng and gadderyng to hem gret multitude of mysrewled people, kepe a frunture and a forslet at the hows of the seid ^Robert ^Ledeham and issu ought at her pleser, sumtyme vj, sumtyme xij, sumtyme xxxti and mo, armed, jakked, and salettyd, wyth bowis, arwys, speris, and bylles, and over-ride the contre* and oppresse the people and do many orible and abhomynable dedis lyke to be distruccion of the shire of %^Norffolk wythoute the Kyng owre sovereyn lord seth it redressid. Vn Mydlent Soneday certeyn of the seid felechep in the chirche of %^Byrlyngham made afray vpon tweyne of the seruauntis of the reuerent fadyr in Godde Byshop of %^Norwiche, the seid seruauntis at that tyme knelyng to see the vsyng of the masse; and there and than the seid felechep wold have kelled the seid two servauntis at the prestis bakke ne had they be lettyd, as it semed. [Item, vn the Moneday next before Esterne Daye sex of the seid persones made a saute vpon ^John ^Paston and hese two seruauntis at the dore of the Cathedrall cherche of %^Norweche, wyth swerd, bokeler, and dagareis drawe smet at the seid ^Paston, on of them holdyng the seid ^Paston be bothe armes at hese bakke, as it semeth purposyng there to have morderid the seid ^Paston and they had not abe lettyd; and also smet on of the servauntis of the seid ^Paston vpon the naked hed wyth a swerd and poluted the seyntewary.] Item, on @e Monday next befo[re] Estern Day x of the seid persones lay in a wayte in the hey weye vndyre %^Thorp woode vp-on ^Phelep ^Berney, esquiere, and hese man, and shet at hem and smet her horse wyth arwes, and then over-rede hym and brake a bowe vn the seid ^Phelippis hed and toke hym presoner, callyng hym traytour; and when they had kepte hym as long as they lyst @ei led hym to the seyd Byshop of %^Norwiche and askid of hym swerte* of the peas, and forwyth relessed her suerte* and went her way. Item, iij of the seid felechep lay vn awayte vpon ^Emond ^Brome, jentelman, and with nakid swerdes fawte wyth hym be the space of a quarter of a owre, and toke hym presoner; and when they had kepte hym as long as they lyst, lete hym goo. Item, xlti of the same felechep come rydyng to %^Norwiche, jakked and salettyd, wyth bowys and arwys, byllys, gleves, vn Mavndy Thursday; and that day aftyre none when seruice was doo they, in lyke wyse arayid, wold have broke vp the Whyte Freris dores seying that they come to here Evesong, howbeit that they made her a-vaunte in towne they shuld have sum men owt of town qwhyke or deed; and there made a gret rumore where @e Mayre and the aldermen wyth gret multitud of peple asembled, and @er-vpond @e seyd feleschep departid. Item, dyvers tymes serteyn of the seid felechep have take fro ^John ^Wylton, wythoute any cause, hese net, hese shep, and odyre catell, and summe there-of have saltyd and eten, summe there-of have aloyned so that the seid ^Wylton wot not where for to seke hese bestis; and vn the morwe next aftyre Esterne Day last past they toke fro hym xj bestis and kepte hem two dayis wythowte any cause. Item, in lyke wyse they have do to ^John ^Coke and ^Kateryn ^Wylton. Item, in lyke wyse they have take the goodys and catelles of ^Thomas ^Baret and many odyre. Item, certeyn of the seid felechep late made a sawte vpon ^John ^Wylton in %^Plumsted cherche-yerd, and there beete hym so @at he was dowth of his liff. Item, in lyke wyse vpon ^John ^Coke of ^%Wytton, brekyng vp hese dores at xj of the clok in the nyght, and wyth her swerdis maymed hym and gaf hym vij grete woyndis. Item, smet the modyre of the seid ^Coke, a woman of iiijxx yeris of age, vpon the crowne of the heed wyth a swerd, wheche wownde was neuer hol to the daye of her deth. Item, @e seyd ^Dunmowe, on of the seid feleche[p] now late beet the parson of %^Hasyngham and brake hese hed in hese owne chauncell. [Item, iijxx of the seid felechep, arayid as men of werre, now late enterd wyth fors vpon ^Phelep ^Berney and dissesid hym of the maner of %^Rokelondtoftys; wheche darnot for feer of mordyre reentre hese owne lond, how be it he and hese aunseters have be pesibely possessid there-of many yeris.] Item, ^Alredis sone of ^Erll ^Some, fast be %^Framyngham, vn the Saterday next before Palme Soneday last past was pullid ought of a hows and kyllid. Whedyre any of the seid felechep were there or not men kan not sey, there be of hem so many of wheche many be vnknowe people. Item, the seid felechep make seche affrayis in the contre* abowte the seid ^Ledehams place, and so frayith the people, that dyvers persones for feer of mordyre darnot abyde in her howses ne ride ne walke abowte ther ocupacions wyth-owte they take gretter people abowte hem then acordith to her degre*, wheche they wolnot do in evel exaumple gevyng. Item, the seid felechep of afer-cast maleys and purpose now late toke ^Roger ^Cherche, on of there owne felechep, be hese owne assent; wheche ^Roger ^Cherche be her assent had mevid and sterid a risi[n]g in @e hundred of %^Blofeld and hath confessed hym-self to be at @at arysyng and hath enbylled, as it is seid, divers jentelmen and the most part of the trysty yemen and husbondis and men of good name and fame of the hundre abowte the seid ^Ledehams place, where the seid felechep is abydyng, and nameth hem wyth odyre suspecious people for risers, to the entent to hide and couer her awn gylt and to holde them @at be trw men and innosent [[in]] @at mater in a dawnger and feer that they shuld not gader peopell ner atempte to resiste ther riotows governauns of the seid reotows felechep. [Item, it is conceyved that if the seyd riotows felechep and they that drawe to them were dewly examyned it shuld be knowe that if there were any seche rysyng it was coniectyd, don, jmagened, and labored be the seid reotows felechep and be ther meanes, for aswele the seid ^Cherche as dyvers of the most suspeciows persones be the seid ^Cherche enbelled for rysers, as it is seid, be and have be of long tyme dayly in compeny wyth the seid reotows felechep. Item, on of the seid felechep of late tyme, as it is seide, to encresse her maliciows purpoce hath proferid rewardis and goode to a-nodyre persone for to take vpon hym to apele certyn persones and afferme the seying of the seid ^Roger ^Cherche.] In wytnesse of these premesses dyvers knytes and esquieris and jentelmen, whos names folwen, wheche knowe this mater be seying, heryng, or credible reporte to this wrytyng have set her seall, besechyng your lordcheppis to be meanes to the Kyng owre Sovereyn lord for remedy in this behalve. Wrete, &c. Item, ^Robert ^Taylour be[t] T. ^Baret be-cause his Memorandum @at ^Jon, sone of ^Roger ^Ratkliff, bet ^T. ^Baret, and ^Beston and ^Robyn ^Taylor tok and jmprysonyd ^Thomas ^Byrdon of %^Ly[n]gwode. Item, ^Robert ^Dalli[n]g bet ^Nich[ol]as ^Chirch at %^Stromsaw chirch. Memorandum of manassi[n]g of @e quest at %^Hengham. Item, ^Robert ^Dallyng bete ^Thomas ^Dallyng. Item, ^Beston and ^W. ^Berton asautid ^Spany in his hows. @e manassi[n]g and fraying of diuers personis @at @ei departid ow[t] of her how[s]is, @at is to sey ^T. ^Holler to %^Norwich, ^Spany to %^Aylesham, ^Holler to %^Yermoth, ^Wilton to %^Norwich, ^Oliuer ^Knivyte to %^Norwich, ^Philip ^Berney to %^Caster, ^T. ^Siluester to my lord of %^Norwich. ^Roger att ^Chirche, ^Robert ^Dallyng, and ^Herry ^Bang, wyth o@er, went wyth fors and armys and fechid ^William ^Clippisby oute of his faderys hous and brought hym to @e town of %^Walsham, and kept hym @er ij days and ij nytys, and fro thens had hym to %^Bungey and @er inpresonyd hym and made hym to enseale an oblygacion of c libr. made aft[er] her owyn desyre. ^Ledam To the right reuerent fader in God, Cardynale Archebusshop of %^York and Chauncelere of %^Inglond. Please it yowre gode lordeshep to know that oon ^Rogere ^Cherche, otherwyse callyd ^Roger ^Bylaugh, ^Roger ^Wryte, and ^Roger ^Baly, late was at a gaderyng and assemble* of xv persones in a feleshep vnder a wode in the town of %^Possewyke in the counte* of %^Norffolk, which feleshep, as it is seid be hem, was procured and gaderyd be the seid ^Rogere ^Cherche and be his councelores, the same ^Rogere seyng to summe of the same feleshep he had remembred a gode name for here capteyn, that shuld be ^John ^A-mend ^Alle. And the seyd ^Rogere after the seid gaderyng aggreyd hym-self to be take and examyned be persones of his owyn covyne, and be colour of his seid feleshep of xv persones be hym gaderyd enbilled diuers gentilmen and many thryfty and substanciall yomen, and thryfty husbondes and men of gode name and fame, noysyng and diffamyng to the Kyng and his councell that the seid gentilmen and yomen and thryfty husbondes, with other to the nombre of ccc persones, shuld haue mad a gaderyng and a risyng a-geyn the Kynges peas vnder the seid wode, contrary to the trought; which is veryly conceyved to be don of malyce to put the seid gentilmen and yomen in feer and trobill that thei, aswele as alle the contre*, shuld not be hardy to attempt ne lette the purposyd malyce of the seid ^Cherche and his councellores in diuers riottes extorciouns, forsibil entreys, and vnlawfull disherytauns of gentilmen and other of the Kynges liege peple in the seid shire that thei dayly vse; which riottes extorcions, aswele as the seid vntrewe diffamacions, causyth gret grudgyng, trobill, and comocyon in the seid shire. Please it yowre gode grace, thes premysses considered, not to suffre the seid ^Cherche to haue no pardon of the comune grace graunted be the Kyng, owre souerayn lord, vn Gode Fryday last past vn-to the tyme that he hath fownde sufficient suerte* of wel namyd persones of the seid shire of his gode beryng, and to direct a comyssion vn-to such notabill persones in the seid shire as please you, to take and examyn the seid ^Rogere ^Cherche, aswele as othre that them semyth necessary to examyn in this behalf, so that thei that be giltles in this may be so declared and that thei that be gilty may be ponysshed acordyng to here demerytes; and to beseche the Kyng, owre souerayn lord, in the behalf of the gentilmen of the seid shire that his Hignesse wull not take hem ne any of hem in conceyt to be of such rewle and disposicion vp-vn enformacion of such a mysse-rewled and encredibill man as the seid ^Roger. And thei shall pray to God for you. Reuere[n]t and Right wurchepfull ser, we comaund vs to yow. Please it yow to wete that we and othire jentilmen of the shire of %^Norffolk hath be in purpose to assuyd to @e hygh and migthi prens and owr right gode and gracyous lord the Duke of %^Norffolk to %^Framy[n]gham to haue enformyd his Highnesse of dyuers assautis and riott mad be ^Charlis ^Nowell and odir ageyn @e Ki[n]gis pees vpon ^Jon ^Paston and odir of owr kyn, frend, and neyboris, ne had be @at dayly @es x days jt hath be do vs to vndirstand @at hys Highnes shuld com in-to %^Norwich or %^Claxton. we not being in sertey[n] yet where he shall remeu[e]; prayi[n]g yow, as we trust @at ye tender @e welfare of @is shyre and of the gentilmen @erin, @at ye well let owr seyd lord haue know[ing] of owre intent, and after to send vs ansewere whedir it plese his Hynes we shuld com to his presens and at what plase, or to send owr compley[n]t to him, trosti[n]g to his god lords[h]ep of remedi in @is mater, whech do semith vs shall be to owr seyd lordis honure and gret rejoy to @e gentilmen of @is shyre, and cause @e pese to kep be @e grase of God, ho haue yow in his blesid kepi[n]g, &c. Wret at %^Norwych on Sent ^Georgis Day. Right wurchipfull, we commawnd us to yow. Please it yow to wete that we and othere jentilmen of the shyere of %^Norffolk hath be in purpose to assewyd to the hygh and myghty prynce and owre ryght gode lord the Duke of %^Norffolk to %^Framlyngham, to have enformyd his Highnesse of dyuers assaughtes and ryottes made be ^Charles ^Nowell and othere ageyn the Kyngys lawe and peas withowt any cause or occaciun vp-on ^John ^Paston and othere of owre kynne, frendes, and neyghborys, ne had be that dayly this x days it hath be do us to wete that his Highnesse shuld come in-to %^Norwych or %^Claxton, we not beyng in certeyn yet whedyre he shall remeve; prayng yow, as we trust that ye woll tendere the welfare of this shyere and of the jentylmen there-in, that ye woll lete owre seyd lord haue knowyng of owre entente in this, and aftere to send us answhere wheder it please his Highnesse we shuld come to his presens and in what place, or to send owre compleynt to hym if more informaciun be thowth behoffull, trosty[n]g to his gode lordshep of remedy in this matere, whiche do semyth vs shall be to owre seyd lordys honure and gret reioyng to all the jentylmen of this shyere, and cause the peas to be kept hereaftere be the grace of God, how have yow in hys blyssed kepy[n]g. Wretyn at %^Norwyche vn Seynt ^Georgys Day. Ser ^John ^Heuenynham, ^John ^Ferrers, ^Thomas ^Gurnay, ^John ^Groos, ^W. ^Rokewode, ^John ^Bakon, senior, ^John ^Bakon, junior, ^J. ^Pagraue, ^Robert ^Mortimer, ^Nichulas ^Appilyard. Reuerent and right wurchepfull ser, we recomaund vs to yow. Please it yow to wete that we and othre jentilmen of the shire of %^Norffolk hath be in purpose to haue sued to the high and myghty prynce and owre right gode lord the Duke of %^Norffolk to %^Framlyngham, to haue enformyd his Highnesse of diuers assaughtes and riottes mad be ^Charlles ^Nowell and othre a-geyn the Kynges lawe and peas wyth-ought any cause or occasyon vp-vn ^John ^Paston and othre of owre kynne, frendes, and neghbores, ne had be that dayly this x days it hath be do vs to wete that his Highnesse shuld come in-to %^Norwhich or %^Claxton, we not beyng in certeyn yet wheder he shall remeve; prayng yow, as we trust that ye wull tendere the welfare of this shire and of the jentilmen there-in, that ye wull lete owre seid lord haue knowyng of owre entent in this, and after to send vs answere wheder it please his Highnesse we shuld come to his presens and in what place, or to send owre conpleynt to hym if more enformacion be thought behoffefull; trustyng to his gode lordshep of remedy in this matere, which do semyth vs shall be to owre seid lordes honure and gret reioyng to all the jentilmen of this shire, and cause the peas to be kept here-after be the grace of God, how haue you in his blyssid kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwyche vn Seynt ^Georges Day. Reuerent and ryth worsepfull ser and my god master, I recommand me to yow. Plese yow to wete @at ^Charlis ^Nowell, with odir, hath in @is cuntre* mad many riot and savtis, and amo[n]g othir he and v of his felachip set vp-on me and to of my seruantis at @e Chathedrall chirch of %^Norwich, he smyti[n]g at me whilis on of his felaws held myn armis at my bak as the berer herof shall more playnly inform yow; whech was to me straw[n]ge cas, thi[n]k[i]ng in my co[n]seyth @at I was my lordis man and his homagere or ^Charlis knew hy[s] lo[r]dschipe and @at my lord was my god lord, @at I had be with my lord at %^London within viij day[[s]] be-for Lent, at which tyme he grantyd me his godlordship so largely @at it must cause me euer to be his trew serua[n]t to myn pow[er]. I thowt also @at I had neuer geff cawse to non of my lordis hous to ow me evill will, ne @at @er was non of @e hows but I wold haue do fore as I cowd desire animan to do for me, and yet will, except my aduersare*. And @us I and my frendis haff mwsid of @is, and thowt he was hired to do @us, and @is notwithstandi[n]g, assone as knowlech was had of my lordis coming to %^Frami[n]gham, neuer attemptid to procede ageyns him as justis and law wuld, but to trust to my seyd lord @at his Hyghnes wold se @is punischid, and desirid my mast[er] ^Howar[d], mi cosin ^Tymperle*, @e dene, and odir to dayly hath be redy with such jentilm[[en]] as dwelle here-a-bought that can record the trought to haue come compleyn to my lord, but we haue had contynually tydyngis of my lordis comyng heder that causid vs for to a-bide there-vp-vn, besechyng your gode maystershep that ye wull lete my lord haue knowlech of my compleynt, and that ye wull tender the gode spede of the entent of the letteris wretyn to you fro jentilmen of this shire, prayng you that ye woll yeve credens to the berere here-of, be his gode mayster in cas any man make any qwarell to hym. And what that I may do be your comaundment shall be redi with the grace of God, how haue you in his blissid kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwhich vn Seynt ^Georgis Day. To my lord @e [?]ch[[...]] of @is[[...]] Ryth worchepfull ser and cosyn, I recummand me to yow [and] pray yow @at ye will in mi behal[[f]] inform my lord of @e deme[n]i[n]g of ^Charlis ^Nowell to me ward, withow[t] occ[a]ciun gef on mi part, as @e berer her[of] shal rem[em]bre yo[w]. I am and was my lordis man and homager or @e seyd ^Charlis knew my lord, and will do my lord sech seruis as I can; and @at ye will tendre @e god sped of @e mater of @e letter direct to yow from serteyn gentilmen of @es shire, with whech jentilmen and odir to bere recor[d] of riot rowtis I haue be purp[[osed]] dayly toward my lord to compleyn to his lor[d]ship. But @e continuall tydi[n]gis of my seyd lordis coming heder hath cawsid vs to awayt @eropon; besechi[n]g yow, cosine, as my trust is in yow, @at ye will help to kepe @e god rewle of @es shire and my pore honestte*, and geff credens to @e berer herof and be his god master if any querel be mad to him. And what I may do for you, I am and euer shall be redi to do it, be the grace of God. hoo Brothir ^Suthwell, I comand me to yow, sertifij[n]g yow @at on Thursday be @e morwe I spak with my cosine ^Wichi[n]gham at %^London, where he lete me wet of yowr letter sent to ^Lee, wherby I conseyve @e stedfast godlordship and ladiship of my lord and my lady in @is mater &c., whech geuith cause to all her seruantis to trost verily in @em and to do hem trew seruise. I lete yow wete that the seyd ^Wychyngham, whan I departid from hym, had knowleche that ^Jane ^Boys shuld that nyght be come to %^London, and he put jn a bylle to the lordis for to have delyuerauns of hyr and to haue hese aduersarys arestid; and this nyght at %^Norwiche was told me newe tydynggis that she shuld vn Thursday after my departi[n]g a be before the lordis, and there a saide untrewly of her-selff, as the berer hereof shal informe yow if ye know it not before; of wheche tydynggis, if they be trew, I am sory for her sake, and also I fere that her frendys shuld sew the more feyntely, wheche Godde defende; for her seying vntreuly of her-selff may hurt @e mater in no man but her-selff, and thow she wol mescheue her-selff it were gret pete* but if the mater were laborid forth--not for her sake but for the worchepe of the estatys and other that have laboryd therin and in ponyshing of the gret oryble dede, wherfore I send yow dyuers articljs in a bill closed herin wheche preue that she was raveshid ayens hyr wel, what so ever she sey. @es be prouis that ^Jane ^Boys was rauischid ageyn her wil, and not be her own assent: On is that she, the tyme of her takyng whan she was set upon her hors, she revylid ^Lancasterother and callid hym knave, and wept and kryid owte upon hym pitow[s]ly to her, and seid as shrewdly to hym as coud come to her mende, and fel doune of her hors vnto that she was bound, and callid him fals t[r]aytur @at browth her @e rabbettis. Item, whan she was bounde she callid vpon her modyre,wheche folwyd her as far as she myght on her feet, and whan the seid ^Jane sey she myght goo no ferther she kryid to her modyre and seid that what so ever fel of her she shuld neuer be weddyd to that knave, to deye for it. Item, be the weye at ^Shraggarys hous in %^Kokely %^Cley, and at %^Brychehamwell and in all other places wher she myght see any people, she kryid owte vpon hym and lete people wete whos dowtyre she was and how she was raveshid a-yens her wyll, desyeryng the people to folwe her and reskew her. Item, %^Lancasterotherys prest of the Egle in %^Lyncolne-shire, wheche shroff her, seid that she told hym in confession that she wold neuer be weddyd to hym to deye for it, and the same prest seid he wold not wedde hem to-gedyre fo[r] ml li. Item, she sent diuers tokenes of massage to %^Sothwell be ^Robert ^Inglose, wheche previth welle at that tyme she louyd not ^Lancasterother. Item, a man of the master of %^Carbrokes come dyuers tymes in the weke before she was raveshid to ^Wychynghams hous and inquerid of her mayde whedyre her mastras was insuerid to ^Sothwell or nay, the wheche preuyth well that ^Lancasterother was not sure of her godwill, ne knew not of her counseyl, for if he had he ne nedid not to haue sent no spyes. Whech seen, I avyse yow to move my lord and my lady to do in this mater as affettualy as they have do before, for this mater touchyth hem, consideryng that they have be-gonne. And dowt not, what so euer falle of the woman, well or evel, my lord and my lady shal have worchep of the mater if it be wel laborid; and also ye shall auayl @erof and @e aduers parte chall gret trobil. Also, it were necessarie that ^Wychyngham were sent to and co[n]forted in hese seute, and that he a-vysid hym of seche articlis and preues of the mater as I haue sent to yow and put hem in wr[i]ti[n]g, but not to disclose non @e preues to non creature vnto the tyme that it fortune @e mater to be tried be enquest or other wyse take end; but avyse hym for to seye to @e lordis and all... in generall termes that what so euere ^Lancasterother or hese douter seyn nowh it shal be wel preuyd she was reveshid ayens her wyll, and let him desire of @e lordis @at his dowter mith be in his kepyng and at large fro ^Lancasterother vn-tylle the mater were duly examynd. I wold @is mater sped the betyre be-cause my lady sp[[a]]ke so feythefully to me therin, and that mevyth me to wryte to yow this long symple lettyre of myn jntent. [Wher ye be informyd that vj men of ^Osbern ^Monforthes shul a be at the seid raueshing. I sertifie you verely it was not soo, for ^Osbern ^Mondeford wol do in the mater all that ever he can or may to help to punish @e doer, and desirith to know @e grownd of @at tale, of wheche I pray send me word, and what ye will ellis.] God kep yow. Wret at %^Norwich @e Soneday nex before @e fest of Sent ^Margere[t]. Itt is to remembre vndere hos rule that @e gode lord is at this day, and whiche be of his new cownseyll. Item, that ^Debenham, ^Lee, ^Tymperle*, and his old cownseyl and attendans, as well as @e gode ladijs servawntys, be avoydyd, and ^Tymperle* of malys apelyd of treson. Item, that @e sescionys of @e pees wyth-owte cawse was warnyd in @e myddys of hervest, to grette trobill of the contre*, whiche was nevere se in %^Norffolk at seche tym of the yere; and itt was vnlawfully warnyd to appere wyth-inne iiij or v days aftere @e warnyng, howbeitt @e contre* was before warnyd at @e shyere day to have had @e sescionys the Tewysday before Michelmes. Item, @at at @e seid sescionys was non othere cawse of settyng thereof declaryd but a commysyon beryng dat before Estern, &c., to arest, take, and expungne traytorys and rebellys, of which be Goddis grace is no nede in this contre* at @is tyme, &c. Item, be @e demenyng of @e seyd sescionys was verily conseyvid be @e jantylmen of @e shyere @at it was set of purpose to have be indytementys defowlyd seche personys as were of @e old cownseyl wyth @e seid lord, and seche as kepe ^Wodhows lond, or seche as help or confort ^Osbern ^Munford, Marchale of %^Kalys, in his rygth of the manere of %^Brayston, of whiche he is now late wrongfully dyssesyd; and generally to have hurt all othere that wold not folwe @e oppynyons of @e seyd new cownseyll, &c., whiche malysiows purposid oppynyon @e jantylmen of @e seyd shyere @at were sworyn att @e seyd sescions kowd not fynde in her conciens to observe, but dede @e contrarye as it apperyth be here verdyte if itt be shewed, &c. Remembre @e verdyt of %^Brayston, &c. And where on ^Rogere ^Chirche, wyth on ^Robert ^Ledham, ^Charlys ^Nowell, ^John son of ^Hodge ^Ratcleff, and on ^Robert ^Dallyng had @e rewle and kepyng of @e seyd manere of %^Brayston to the vse of ^Thomas ^Danyell aftere @e dyssesing of @e seyd ^Osbern ^Monford, the seyd ^Rogere, be @e comon ascent of his seyd felashep, be @e colowre of xv personys gadderid be @e exitacion of @e seyd ^Rogere ^Chyrche and his felashep, accusid many notable and thryfty men that were well willid to @e seyd ^Munford for @e seid maner of %^Brayston to be ryseris, where as @e seyd thrifti men aswell as all @at contre* hath at all tymys be pesyble and of non seche disp[o]sicion. It was purposid after @e seid sescions, whan @e intentys of @e seyd new cownseyl mygth not be executyd be indytementys, than to have had @e seyd ^Roger ^Chirche owte of @e Kyngys gayle, seying @at he shuld appele for @e Kyng, and wold have do @e sheryff delyverid hym owte of preson howbeit he was comyttyd thiddere be @e justyse of assyse and gayl delyvere* be-cawse he was indytyd of fellonye and @at @er apperid not suffycient inquest to delyuer hym. Item, ^Day seth @ey labour feynid materis to hurt jentilmen and odir be soch acusementis, &c. Memorandum, as itt semyth be @e confescion of dyvers of @e seid xv personys @at @ei were innocent and knew not whi @ei assemelyd but only be @e excitacion of @e seyd ^Chirche and his menys, and after @e tym @at @ey conseyvid itt was do to no good intent @ei neuer medillid for@er in @e mater. Item, to remembre how suttely @e seyd ^Chirche was be his owyn assent led to my lord of %^Norffolk be his owyn felashep, to @e entent to accuse and defame seche as they lovyd nott. Memorandum of @e sescion at %^Norwich. Memorandum of my lord of Somerset and of @e %^Blakfrers. Memorandum @at ^Charlys ^Nowell is baly of %^Brayston and hath there ij d. on @e day, and of @at matere growyth his malys. Item, Memorandum of them that for fer of disclosid of her falsenes acusid odyr @at @ey shuld not be thowth gilti hemsellf, and labour to haue @e matere handlid be her frend, @at @e trowth shuld not be trijd owt. to ^John ^Norwode I lete you wete that ^Hache hath do no werk of myn where-fore he aught to haue receyvid any mony savyng only for the makyng of the litill hous a-bove the halle wyndownes, for the remenaunte was that fell down in his diffaute. And as for the makyng of that litill hous, he toke that in a comenaunte with makyng of too chymnyes of Ser ^Thomas ^Howys for xl s., which comenaunte may not hold be-cause that I must haue thre chymnyes and in a-nothere place. Item, the seid litill hows drawyth not v thowsand tyle, which after xvj d. the thowsand shuld drawe vj s. viij d. Notwithstandyng, if Ser ^Thomas thynk that he shuld be a-lowyd m[[o]], he shall be. And ye must remembre how that he hath receyvid vj s. viij d. of you, and of ^Robert ^Tolle be-fore Halwemesse, as apperith in his accompt, viij s.. And he hath receyvid of ^Tolle sith Halwemesse v s. iiij d. And than be this rekenyng he shuld be xiij s. iiij d. a-fore hand, which I wuld ye shuld gadere vp in this newe werk as wele as ye myght, for I am be-hold to do hym but litill favour. Item, be ware @er leve no firsis in @e deke @at ye repare, and @at @e wode be mad of fagot and leyd vp forthwith as it is fellid for taking away. I wold ye were her on Satirday at euy[n] thow ye red ageyn on Moneday. ^Jon ^Paston ^Robertus ^Ledam Thees be the persons that enformyd the justicez of the Kyngis Benche the last terme of suche ryottis as hath be don be ^Robert ^Ledham: the Lord ^Skales, Ser ^Thomas ^Todenham, Ser ^John ^Chalers, ^Edmond ^Clere, ^Watere ^George, ^John ^Alyngton, ^Gilbert ^Debenham, ^John ^Denston, ^William ^Whit, ^William ^Alyngton, ^Reynald ^Rows, ^John ^Berney, ^Richard ^Suthwell, ^John ^Paston, ^John ^Henyngham, ^Raff ^Shelton, ^Henry ^Grey. These be the names of the knyghtes and esquyers that endittyd ^Robert ^Ledham: ^Thomas ^Todenham, knyght, ^Androw ^Ogard, knyght, ^John ^Heny[n]gham, knyght, ^William ^Calthorp, esquyere, ^Bryan ^Stapelton, esquyere, ^Osbert ^Mondford, esquyer, ^John ^Groos, esquyere, ^William ^Rokwod, esquyere, ^Thomas ^Morle*, esquyere, ^Thomas ^Sholdham, esquyere, ^John ^Wyndham, esquyere, ^John ^Berney, esquyere, ^William ^Narbow, esquyere, ^John ^Chippysby, esquyere, ^William ^White, esquyere, ^John ^Bryston, esquyere, ^John ^Paston, esquyere. These be dyvers of the ryottis and offensis don in the hundred of %^Blofeld in the counte* of %^Norffolk, and in other townys, be ^Robert ^Lethum, otherwyse callyd ^Robert ^Ledham, of %^Wytton be %^Blofeld in the counte* of %^Norffolk, and by his ryottys men and by othere of his affinite*z and knowleche, whos names folowyn, and that they contynually folow and ressorte vnto his hous and ther be supported and maynteynet and confortid. These be the principall menealle men of the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham ys hous be the whiche the sayd ryottys haue be don, that vse in substaunce non o@er occupacion but ryottys: $in $primis, ^John ^Cokett, ^Thomas ^Bury, ^Thomas ^Cokowe, ^Cristofere ^Bradlee, ^Elys ^Dukworth, ^William ^Donmowe, ^Cristofere ^Grenesheve, ^Rogere ^Chirche. Notwythstondyng the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham kypith dayly many mo in his house and chaungeth suche as haue be opponly knowyn for riottis and takith o@er for hem as evill as they. And these be the moost principale persons comyng and resortyng vnto the house of the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham, and [[t]]her be supportid and mayntened in ryottis, be whom the sayd ryottes haue be don, that ys to sey: $in $primis, ^Robert ^Taillour, ^Henry ^Bang, ^Robert ^Dallyng, ^John ^Beston, ^Charles ^Navell, ^John the sone of ^Rogere ^Ratclyff, ^Robert ^Berton: notwythstondyng ther be money moo whos names ben vnknowyn. With the which persons and many moo vnknowyn the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham kept atte his hous in maner of a forcelet and issith ouute atte here pleaysoure and atte his lust the sayd ^Ledham to assigne; somtyme vj and somtyme xij, somtyme xxxti and moo, armyd, jakkid, and salettyd, with bowys and arrowys, speris, billys, and over-ryde the countrey and oppressid the Kyng[is] peple, and didde mony oryble and abhomynable dedes like to haue be destruccion of the enhabitantes in the sayd hundred, in the forme that folowyth, and warse: $in $primis, on the Monday next before Ester Day and the shire day, the xxx yere of oure souerayne lord the Kyng, x persons of the sayd riottours, with a brothere of the wyff of the sayd ^Robert ^Lethum, laye in awayte in the hyght way vnder %^Thorpe wode vppon ^Phillip ^Berney, esquyere, and his man comyng from the shire, and shette atte hym and smote the hors of the sayd ^Phillipp with arowes, and than over-rode hym and toke hym and bette hym and spoillid hym. And for thayr excuse of this ryot they ledde hym to the Bysshopp of %^Norwiche, axyng severte* of the pees, wher they hadde never waraunt hym to areste. Which affray shorttyd the lyffdayes of the sayd ^Phillippe, whiche dyed withynne shorte tyme after the said affray. Item, iij of the sayd riottys feloshipp, the same day, yere, and place, laye on awayte vppon ^Edmond ^Broune, gentilman, and with naked swerdes and o@er wepyng faght wyth hym be the space of on quarte of an houre, and toke and spoillyd hym, and kepte hym as long as them lyst and after that lette hym goo. Item, xlti of the sayd riottys felowshipp, be the comaundement of the same ^Robert ^Lethum, jakket and saletted, with bowes, arowys, billys, and gleyves, oppon Mauyndy Thursday atte iiij of the clokke atte affter noune, the same yere, comyn to the White Freres in %^Norwyche and wold haue brokyn thayre yates and dorys, feynyng thaym that they wold hire thayre eveson; where they ware aunswered suche seruice was non vsed to be there, nor with-yn the sayd citee, atte that tyme of the daye, and prayd them to departe. And they aunswered and sayd that affore thayre departyng they wold haue some persons ouute of that place qwykke or dede, in somoch the sayd freris were fayn to kype thaire place with forsse. And the mayre and the sheriffs of the sayd cite* were fayn to arere a powere to resyst the sayd riottis, which to hem on that holy tyme was tediose and heynous, consedryng the losse and lettyng of the holy seruice of that holy nyght. And theroppon the sayd ryotours departid. Item, the sayd ^Robert ^Lethum, on the Monday nest after Esterne Day the same yere, toke from on ^John ^Wilton iiij neet for rent arere, as he said and killid hem and layd them in salte and afterward ete hem. Item, the sayd ^Robert ^Lethum, with vj of his sayd ryottis, the same yere made assaute vppon ^John ^Wilton in %^Plumstede churche-yerde and theer so bete hym that he was in doute of his lyff; and also dede to hym many grete wronggys and oppression, vnto the vnto the vndoyng of the sayd ^John ^Wilton. Item, in lyke wyse the sayd ^Robert ^Lethum and his men assauted on ^John ^Coke of %^Witton, in brekyng vppe his dorys atte a xj of the cloke in the nyght; and wyth thaire swerdys maymed hym and gaff hym vij grete wondys, and toke from hym certayn goodys and catalls, of the whiche he hadde, nor yitte hath, no remedy nor restitution. Item, the same day and yere they bete the moder of the same ^John ^Coke, she beyng iiij xx yere of age and more, and smote hure vppon the crowne of here hed with a swerd; of the whiche hurte she myght never be helyd into the day of hure deth. Item, ^John the sone of ^Hodge ^Rat[c]leff, and o@er of the sayd felowshipp, toke on ^Thomas ^Baret of %^Byrly[n]gham out of his house, and bete hym and wondid hym that he kept his bedde a month, and toke from hym certayn goodes and catells. Item, the sayd ^Robert ^Taillour, be-cause the sayd ^Thomas ^Baret complayned of the same betyng, lay in awayte oppon hym, with o@er of his feloushipp, and bete hym agayn. Item, ^John ^Beston and the sayd ^Robert ^Taillour, and o@er of the sayd riottis felowshipp, toke on ^Thomas ^Byrden of %^Lyngewod and bete hym and prisoned hym till vnto suche tyme that he was delyuered by the mene of my lord of %^Norwych; and for that sorow, distres, and grete payne and betyng the sayd ^Thomas ^Byrden toke suche syknesse that he dyed. Item, the sayd ^Robert ^Dallyng and ^Herry ^Bange, and o@er of the sayd felowshipp, toke and bete on ^Nicholas ^Chirche atte %^Strumpeshawe, beyng in the church of the same towne, that he was dout of his lyff. Item, the sayd ^Robert ^Dallyng lay on awayt vppon ^Thomas ^Dallyng and hym grevously bete. Item, on Middleynt Sunday the xxxti yere of oure soueraigne lorde the Kyng that now ys, ^Robert ^Dallyng, ^Robert ^Churche, ^Robert ^Taillour, ^Herry ^Bang, ^Adam atte ^More, with other vnknowyn, be the comaundement and assent of the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham, made affray vppon ^Herry ^Smyth and ^Thomas ^Chambre atte %^Suthbirly[n]gham, the sayd ^Herry and ^Thomas at that tyme knelyng to see the vsyng of the masse, and than and there wold haue kyllyd the sayd ^Herry and ^Thomas atte the prestys bakke, ne had they be lettyd. Item, the sayd ^Robert ^Lethum, with his sayd ryottis felawshipp, the same yere dide and made so many ryottis in the hundred where he dwellyth that dyuers and many gentilmen, frankeleyns, and good men durst not abyde in here mansyon place ne ryde no@er walke aboute thaire occupacions without mo persons arrayd in maner and forme of werre attendyng and waytyng vppon them than thayr lyvelode wold extende to fynde hem. And so, for sauacion of thaire lyves and in eschewyng of suche inordinat costys as neuer was seen in that countrey befor, many of them forsoke and leffte thare owyn habitacion, wyff and childe, and drewe to forteresses and good townes as for that tyme: $in $primis, ^Phillipp ^Berney, esquyer, ^Edmond ^Broom to %^Castre; ^Thomas ^Hollere, ^John ^Wylton to %^Norwych: ^Oliuere ^Kubyte to %^Seynt %^Benettis; ^Robert ^Spany to %^Aylesham, ^Thomas ^Baret with many othere to %^Meche %^Yermouth and to o@er placys of strenght. Item, the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham, contynuyng in this wyse, callyd vnto hym his sayd mysgoverned felowshipp, consydryng the absence of many of the well-rewlyd people of the sayd hundred of affere-cast malice, and congected, purposed, and labored to the sheriff of the shire that the sayd ^Rogere ^Chirche, on of the sayd riottous felawshipp, was made bailly of the hundred, and affter causid the same ^Rogger to be begynnere of arysyng and to take oppon hym to be a captayn, and to excite the peple of the countrey @erto; and ther-oppon, be covyne of the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham, to appeche all these sayd well-rewlyd persons and aswell o@er diuers substanciall men of good fame and good gouernaunce that were hated be the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham, and promittyng the sayd ^Rogger harmeles and to sew his pardon be the mene of ^Danyell. To the which promyse the sayd ^Roggere aggreed, and was arested and take be the sayd ^Ledham be covyne betwixt hem, and appeched suche persons as they lust to the entente that the sayd substanciall men of the countre* shuld be by that mene so trowblyd and indaungered that they shuld not be of powere to lette and resist the mys-rewle of the sayd ^Ledham and his mysgouerned felawshipp; the whiche mater ys confessid by the sayd ^Roger ^Chirch. Item, ^William ^Berton and ^John ^Berton and othere of the sayd ryottis come into the place of on ^Robert ^Spany of %^Poswyke and serched his housez, hous be hous, for to haue bete hym yf they myght haue founde hym. Item, ^William ^Donmowe, seruaunt of the sayd ^Robert ^Ledham, and by his comaundement, the same yere bete the parson of %^Hashyngham and brake his hede in his owyn chauncell. Item, the sayd ^Thomas ^Bery, ^Elys ^Dukworth, ^Thomas ^Cukowe, ^George of ^Chamer, the v day of Novembre last past, with diuers o@er onknowyn men onto the nombre of xx persons, and noman of reputacion among hem, come vndur colour of huntyng and brake vppe gatys and closys of ^Osburne ^Monford atte %^Brayston. And xij persons of the same felowshipp, with bowys bent and arowys redy in thaire handys, abode alone be-twixt the manere of %^Brayston and the chirche, and there kept hem from vij of the clokke on @e mornyng vnto iij of the clokk after none, lyyng in awayte oppon the seruauntez of the sayd ^Osburne ^Monford, lorde of the sayd maner, so that nonne durst come ouut for doute of thaire lyves. Item, viij of the sayd felowshipp, on the Wennesday next affter, prevely in an hole layn in awayte oppon ^William ^Eworth and ^Robert ^Camplyon, seruauntz to the sayd ^Osburn ^Montford, comyng from %^Okyll market, till that tyme that the said ^William ^Owell and ^Robert come vppon hem onwarre, and theruppon chasid hem so that yf they had not be well horssyd and well askapped they had ben dede and slayne. Item, vj or vij of the sayd ^Ledamys men dayly, boyth workeday and haly day, vse to goo aboute in the countrey with bowys and arowys, shotyng and playng in mennys closis among men[nys] catall, goyng from alhous to alhousez and manassyng suche as they hated, and soght occasion and quarels and debate. Item, notwithstandyng that all the lyvelod that the sayd ^Ledham hath passith not xx li., be-sydes the reparacion and outchargez, and that he hath no connyng ne trew mene of getyng of any good in this countre* as fer as any man may conceyve, and yette kypith in his house dayly xx men, besydes women and gret multitude of suche mysgoverned peple as ben resortyng to hym, as ys aboue sayd, to the whiche he yevith clothyng, and yitte bysyde that he yevith to o@er men that be not dwellyng in his household. And of the said xx men ther passith not viij that vse occupacion of husbondrye; and all they that vse husbondrye, as well as o@er, be jakked and salettid redy for to werre, which yn this countrey ys thoght ryght strange, and ys verely so conceyved that he may not kepe this countenaunce be no good menes. Item, the sayd ^Ledham hath a $supersedias oute of the Chauncerie for hym and diuers of hys men, that no warant of justice of pees may be serued agayn hem. Item, please vnto your lordshipp to remembre that the sayd ^Ledham and his sayd mysgoverned feloushipp be endited of many of these articles, and of many moo not comprehendit here, and in especiall of the sayd rysyng agayn the Kyng. Wherfore, though the sayd ^Ledham can prove the sayd enditement of treson voyde in the lawe for symplenesse of them that gaffe the verdit, that it lyke you, for the Kyngis availl, not redely to suffre the sayd ^Ledham to departe atte large vnto the tyme that the mater of the sayd enditement be better enquered of for the Kyngis avayll, and that the sayd ^Ledham fynde surte* of his good aberyng. And the inhabytauntz of the sayd hundred of %^Blofeld shall pray for you; and els they be lyke to be destruyd for euer. Right wurchepfull and my right especiall lord, I recomaund me to yowre gode lordshep, besechyng youre lordshep that ye take not to displesauns thow I write you as I here say: that ^Agnes ^Denyes, be the meanes of your lordshep and of my lord the Cardynall, hos sowle God assoyle and forgeve, was set in preson beyng with child; which, and the sorough and shame there-of, was nygh here deth, and yet dayly is vexed and trobled, and here seruauntes in like wyse, to the vttermest distruccion of here person and godes. In which, my lord, at the reuerens of God, remembre that she was maried be you, and be my meanes be your comaundment and writyng, and drow there-to full sore a-geyn here entent in the be-gynnyng, and was worth v c marc. and better, and shuld haue had a gentilman of this contre* of an c marc. of lond and wele born, ne had be your gode lordshep and writyng to here and me. And this considered in your wise discrecion, I trost, my lord, thow here prisonyng were of oderes labore ye wuld help here; and if she be distroyd be this mariage my conscyens thynketh I am bownd to recompense here after my pore and sympill power. My lord, ye know I had litill cause to do for ^Thomas ^Denyes, savyng only for your gode lordshep. Also, my lord, I know wele that ^Watere ^Ingham was bete, the matere hangyng in myn a-ward, right fowle and shamefully; and also how the seid ^Thomas ^Denyes hath this last terme, a-geyn your nobill estat, right vn-wysely demened hym to his shame and grettest rebuke that euer he had in his lyve; where-fore it is right wele do his person be ponysshed as it pleaseth you. But this not withstondyng, for Goddes loue, my lord, remembre how the gentilwoman is accombred only for yowre sake, and help here; and if aught lyth in my powere to do that that myght please yowre lordshep, or cowde fynde any wey for ^Water ^Ingham a-vayll and wurchep, I wull do it to my powere, and the rathere if your lordshep support the jentilwoman, for I know the matere and that longe plee is litill a-vayll, and euery thing must haue an ende. I haue told my brothere ^Mathew ^Drury more to enfourme yowre lordshep than I may haue leysere to write for his hasty departyng. Right wurchepfull and my right especiall lord, I besech Allmyghty God send you asmych joy and wurchep as euer had any of my lordes yowre aunceteres, and kepe you and all yowres. ^Wretyn at %^Norwich the iiij Sonday of Lent. Yowre seruaunte to his powre, ^John ^Paston $dominus $de ^Grey. Right worshipfull and my ryght gode lord, I recommand me to yowre godelordship; and where as it pleasyd yowre lordship to dyrecte yowr lettere to me for a maryage fore my pore suster to a jantylman of yowre knowlech of ccc marc. lyflod in cas she were not maryd, wherefore I am gretely bownd to do your lordship servyse, forso@e my lord she is not marijd ne jnsurid to noman. Ther is, and hath be dyvers tymys and late comunycacion of seche maryagys wyth dyuers jantylmen not determynyd as yett; and wheddere the jantylman @at yowre lordchip menith of be on of hem or nay I dowth. And where as your seyd lettere specyfyith that I shuld send yow word wheddere I thowght ye shuld labour ferthere in the matere or nay, in that, my lord, I dare not preswme to wryte so to yow wythowte I knew the gentylmans name. Notwythstandyng, my lord, I shall take uppe-on me, wyth the avyse of othere of here frendys, that she shall nothere be marijd ner inswryd to no creatwre, ne forthere prosede in no seche matere, before the fest of the Assumpcion of Owre Lady next comyng; dwryng whyche tyme yowre lordship may send me, if itt please yow, certeyn informacion of the seyd gentylmannys name, and of the place and contrey where hys lyfflod lyth, and wheddere he hath any chyldere. And after I shall demene me in the matere as yowre lordship shall be pleasyd. For jn gode feyth, my lord, it were to me grette joy that my seyd pore sustere were, acordi[n]g to her pore degre*, marijd be yowre avyse, trustyng thanne that ye wold be here gode lord. Ryght wurchipfull and my ryght gode lord, I beseche Almyghty God to haue yow in his kepyng. Wrete att %^Norwych the xv day of Jull Right hy and myghty prynce, my right gode and gracyous lord, I recomand me to your godelordship, &c.; and please itt your Hyghnesse to wete @at Ser ^Philip ^Wentewurth purchasid @e Kyngis patentis of the ward of the heyere and londes of a pore kynnesman of myne called ^John ^Fastolf of %^Cowhawe, late passed to God, to @e grett hurte and distrucion aswell of @e inheritance of @e seyd heyer as interrupcion and breking of the last will of the seyd ^John, and also to my grett troble and dammage. And for asmeche as it fortowned be grase the seyd patentes to be mystake so @at they were not laufull ne suffycyent, be avyce of conceyll certeyn persones to myn vse purchesid be the Kyngis letteres patentes suffycyent and laufull of the ward of the seyd londes, and the rigth of these bothe patentis hath be putte in juges and lerned men, affor hom the seyd Ser ^Philipp ne his conceyll cowd neuer prove hes tytill lawfull be his seyd pat[enti]s; and @is notwythstanding, intendith be fors, as I vnderstand, to take @e profytes of @e seyd londis ageyns all lawe and concyence; beseching your lordchip to tender me in myn age and sekenesse @at may not ryde ne help myself, and of your habundant grace to supporte me in my right @at I be not be fors, ageyns lawe and concyence, kepte from @e possescion of @e seyd londes in this contre* wher ye be prynce and souereyn next owre souereyn lord. To Ser ^Jamis ^Gloys Ther be dyuers thyngis in your letter, sent to me, on that a slaw[n]derus noyse shuld renne ageyns ^Yeluerton, ^Aly[n]gton, and me to brynge us owte of the conceytis of the puple be ^Heydon and his dyscyplis of a bill that shuld haue do put uppe in-to the parlement ageyns my lord of %^Norwich and odir. I lete yow wete this is the furst day @at I herd of any seche, but I wold wete the namys of hem that vttere this langage and the mater of the bill. As for my lord of %^Norwych, I suppose ye know I haue not vsid to meddel wyth lordis materis meche forther than me nedith. And as for Ser ^Thomas ^Todynham, he gaff me no cawse of late tyme to labour ageyns hym, and also of seche mater I know non deffaut in hym. And as for ^Heydon, when I putte a bill ageyns hym I suppose he shall no cause have, ne his discyplis nothere, to avante of so short a remedy @er-of as ye wrygth they sey now. As for that ye desyre @at I shuld send yow word what ye shuld sey in this mater, I pray yow to in this and all o@er lyke ask @e seyeris if @ei will abyd be @er langage, and as for me sey I purpose me to take no mater uppon me butt @at I woll abyde by, and in lek wys for ^Yeluerto[n] and ^Ali[n]gton. And that ye send me the namys of them that ye wryte @at herd this langage and seyd shrewydly, and what they seyd, and that ye remembre what men of substance wer ther that herde itt; for if this can be dreve to ^Heydon or his dissyplis, as ye wryte, it wer a gode preve @at they fere to be appelyd of seche materis. And I thank yow for your godwill. Wrete att %^Norwych on Seynt ^James Day, &[c]. To my Maister ^Fastolf at %^Castre in %^Norffolk. Ryght worshypfull ser and my ryght gode maister, I recommaund me to yow. Please yov to wete that yerstenday I and othyr of youres were at your manere of %^Bentlay, whych ys ryght a fayre manere, and yn the shrewdest reule and gouernaunce that euer I sawe. Ye hafe had so manye officers and reulers there whych hafe caused dyuers parties kept yn your toune, to grete trouble of your tenauntes, and som for ylle wylle hafe be put owte of her landes, and your land leten by your officers to your hurt and othyr men ys grete avaylle. And there ys owyng yow by som man for vj yeere, som man for vij yeere, and som lesse and more to the somme of c li. before Myghellmasse; and besyde that for Estern pay drawyth xl li. owyng. The worst mater for yow that we hafe to doo ys that there ys so grete debt lyeng vppon your tenauntes at ones to rere, but we shall do the best that we may; for we be sure of gentlemen of the contree to wayt vppon ws and to help ws yn that at nedeth. And yerstenday there were many wyth ws; and ^Herry ^Sotehill of your lerned councell was there and hath tolde ws the weyes yn the lawe for remedye. Your tenauntes and accomptantes be full obedyent to ws, but they be ferd off debt; but we shall entrete hem as feyre as we can till we be sure. And yn asmoch as ^Barker sent me word that the atteynt hald not, we shall tarye the lenger; for I purpose to take a full conclusyon or I com thens. The Lord ^Egremont sent for my brother and tolde hym he wold see yow homward as he supposed; and therfor be ye avysed whate grauntes ye make, for ye hafe made to manye. Also y may lete %^Bentlay and hafe seurtee and it drew v c marc a yeere, but I can not take vppon me till I speke wyth yow because of @e trobill of @e leti[n]g of %^Wyghton, and also till ^Scrope hath spoke wyth yow, whych wille be wyth yow at thys tyme, as he seyd to me. Ser, please your maistershyp that som seruaunt of youres may survey my stabler yn my close at %^Maltby, as ^Robert ^Lynne or ^W. ^Eton or som othyre; but y wold hafe none of ^Rauff ^Wodreffes kynnesmen, for here ys hys eme, as lyke hym of condicions and contenaunce as euere I sawe onye. And Ovr Lord have yow in his kepi[n]g. Wret at %^Doncaster @e Wednisday in Pentecost Weke. Yowres to his power, ^Jon ^Paston ^T. ^Howys $copia $voluntatys $^Fastolf Anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono, mensis Novembris videlicet die Sabbati proximo post festum Omnium Sanctorum, ^Johannes ^Fastolff, miles, de comitatu %^Northfolchie, %^Norwicensis diocesis, in manerio suo de ^castre, dicte diocesis, quoad bona sua immobilia suam vltimam declarauit voluntatem prout sequitur: ^John ^Fastolff, knyght, the secunde and @e thirde day of the moneth of Nouembre, the yere of the reigne of King ^Henry the Sexte aftir the Conquest xxxviij yers, being of longe tyme, as he said, in purpos and wille to [[fo]]unde and stablissh withynne the gret mansion at %^Castre by hym late edified a college of vij religious men, monkes or seculer prestes, and vij porefolke, to pray for his soule and @e soulys of his wife, his fad[[ir]] and modir, and other @at he was beholde to, imperpetuite*; and forasmuch as he had, as he rehercid, a very truste and loue to his cosyn ^John ^Paston, and desired the parfourmyng of the purpoos and wille forsa[[i]]d to be accomplisshed, and that the said Sir ^John shulde not be mevid ne sterid in his owne persone for @e said accomplisshing of @e said purpoos and wille, ne with noon other worldly maters but at his oune request and plesire, wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said ^John ^Paston shalle, withynne resonable tyme aftir @e dissese of @e said Sir ^John, doo founde and stablissh in @e said mansion a college of vij monkes or prestes and vij porefolke, forto pray for the soulys abouesaid imperpetuite*; so that one of the said monkes or prestes be maister, and haue x li. yerely, and ich o@ir monke or preste x marc. yerely, and ich of the porefolke xl s. yerely, and @at the said ^John ^Paston shalle make sure to the said collegions a sufficient roume and a competent and an esy duelling place in the said mansion, the said collegions nor her successours bering no charge of reparacion therof. For which, and for othir charges and labours @at @e said ^John ^Paston hath doon and take vppon hym, to @e eas and profite of @e said ^John ^Fastolf, and for othir consideracions by hym rehercid, the said Sir ^John ^Fastolff wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that @e said ^John ^Paston shalle haue alle @e maners, landes, and tenementes in %^North[folk], %^Southfolk, and %^Norwich in which the said ^John ^Paston or any other are or were enfeffed or haue title to @e vse of the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf; and at alle @e feffees infeffed in @e said maners, londes, and tenementes shalle make and deliuer astate of @e said maners, landes, and tenementes to such persones, at such tymes, and in such forme as @e said ^John ^Paston, his heirs, and his assignes shalle requere thaym or any of thayme. And that the said ^John ^Paston shall pay to othir of the said Sir ^Johns executours iiij ml marc. of laufulle money of %^England in @e fourme @at folweth, that is to say: where @e said Sir ^John hadde apointed and assigned that his executours shalle, @e firste yere aftir his disses, dispoos for his soule and parfourmyng his wille a ml marc. or a ml li. of money, and yerely aftir viij c marc. tille @e goodes be disposed, the said ^John ^Paston shalle pay iche othir yere @e said summe of viij c marc. tille @e summe of iiij ml marc. be paid, so @at @e said mevabill goodes shalle @e lenger endure to be disposed, by @' avise of his executours, for @e said soulys. And also @e said Sir ^John said, forasmuch as it was the very wille and entent of @e said Sir ^John @at the said ^John ^Paston shulde be thus avauntaged and in no wise hurte of his propir goodes, therefore @e said Sir ^John wolde [and] graunted that if the said ^John ^Paston, aftir the dissese of the said Sir ^John, by occasion and vnlaufulle trouble in @is reame, or by mayntenaunce or myght of lordes, or for defaute of iustice, or by vnresonable exaccions axid of hym for @e licence of @e said fundacion, withoute coveyne or fraude of hym-selue, be lettid or taried of @e making or stablesshing of @e making of @e said fundacion, that thanne he fynde or doo finde yerely aftir @e first yere of the dissese of the said Sir ^John vij prestes to pray for @e said soulys in @e said mansion, if he can purvey so many, or els for asmany prestes as faile yeue yerely aftir @e said first yere, by @' auise of his executours, to bedredmen and othir nedy true pepille asmuch money in almose for the said sowlys as the salary or findyng of the prestes so faillyng is worthe or amounteth to, vnto the tyme he may laufully and peasably founde the said college and doo his true devir for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. And the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf wolde, graunted, and desired faithfully alle the resedewe of his executours and feffees to shewe the said ^John ^Paston fauoure in the said paymentes and daies, and help hym for the Kinges interesse and the eschetours, and furthir hym in that thay may in alle othir thinges as they wolde doo to hym-selue, and not vex ne inquiete hym for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. Ande where the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf made his wille and testament the xiiij day of June in somer last passed, he wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that this his wille touching thes premissez, aswelle as the said wille made the said xiiij day, except and voided oute of his said wille made the said xiiij day alle that concerneth or perteyneth to the fundacion of a college, priory, or chauntery, or of any religious persones, and alle that concerneth the sale or disposing of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, wherof this is the very declaracion of his full wille, stand and be ioyntly his very enteir and laste wille, and annexed and proued togedir. Also the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, the Tuysday next before the fest of All Saintes, and in @e moneth of Septembre the said yere, and the iij day of Novembre, and diuerse other tymes, at %^[[Ca]]stre aforesaid, wolde, ordenyd, and declared his wille touching the making of the said college, aswelle as the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes in %^Norffolk, %^Suffolk, and %^Norwich, in fourme, manere, and substance aforeseid. Also the said Sir ^John wolde and ordeyned that, if the said ^John ^Paston by force or myght of any othir desiring to haue the said mansion were letted to founde the seid college in the said mansion, that thanne the said ^John ^Paston shulde doo poule doun the said mansion and euery stone and stikke therof, and do founde iij of the said vij prestes or monkes at %^Saincte %^Benettes, and one at %^Yermuth, one at %^Attilbrugh, and one at Sainte ^Oloves church in %^Southwerk. Also the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf, the iij and the iiij daies of the moneth of Nouembir aforesaid, desired his said wille in writyng touching the fundacion of the said college and the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes to the said ^John ^Paston to be redde vnto the said Sir ^John; and that same wille redde and declared vnto hym articulerly, the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf wolde, ordeyned, and graunted that the said ^John ^Paston shulde be discharged of the payment of the said iiij ml markes, and noght pay therof in case he did execute the remenaunte of the said wille. Also the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, aboute the tyme of hervest the yere of @e reigne of King ^Henry the Sexte xxxvth yere, at %^Castre faste by %^Mikel %^Yermuth in the shire of %^Norffolk, in presence of diuers persones that tyme called to by the said Sir ^John, did make astate and feffement and liuerey of the season of the maner of %^Castre aforesaid, and othir maners, landes, and tenementes in %^Norffolk, to ^John ^Paston, squier, and othir; and at that lyuerey of season therof deliuered, aswelle by the handes of the said Sir ^John as by other, the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf by his owne mouth declared his wille and entente of that feffement and liverey of season made to the vse of the said Sir ^John asfor during his live onlye, and aftir his decese to the vse of the said ^John ^Paston and his heirs. And also the said Sir ^John said and declared that @e said ^John ^Paston was the best frende and helper and supporter to the said Sir ^John, and that was his wille that the said ^John ^Paston shulde haue and enherite the same maners, landes, and tenementes and othir aftir his decese, and there to duelle and abide and kepe householde; and desired Davn ^William ^Bokenham, Priour of %^Yermouth, and ^Raufe ^Lampet, squier, Bailly of %^Yermouth, that tyme present, to recorde the same. Also the said Sir ^John ^Fastolf, the vj day of July next aftir the tyme of the sealing of his wille made the xiiij day of June the xxxv of King ^Henry the Sexte, and aftir in @e presence of Davn ^William ^Bokenham, that tyme Prioure of %^Yermouth, and other, wolde, ordeyned, and declared [[his]] wille that the said ^John ^Paston shulde haue alle thynges as the said Sir ^John had graunted and declared to the said Prioure and othir at the tyme of the said [[asta]]te and feffement made to the [[said]] ^John ^Paston the said xxxv yere of King ^Henry the vjth, the said Sir ^John seyng that he was of the same wille and purpoos as he was and [[decla]]red at the tyme [[of th]]e said astate takyng. Also the said Sir ^John wolde that ^John ^Paston and ^Thomas ^Howes, and noon othir of his executours, shulde selle alle mane[[rs]], landes, and tenementes in whiche any persones were enfeffed to the vse of the said Sir ^John, excepte the said maners, landes, and tenementes in %^Norfolk, %^Suffolk, and %^Norwich; and the same ^John ^Paston and ^Thomas ^Howes shalle take and receyve the profites, ysshueys, and emolumentes commyng of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, excepte before except, tille thay may resonably be solde; and that the said ^John ^Paston and ^Thomas the money commyng of the same sale, aswelle of the said proufites, ysshuys, and emolumentes, shulde dispoos in dedys of almose for the soule of the said Sir ^John and the soulys aforesaid, and [[in]] executyng of his wille ande testament. And also the said Sir ^John wolde that alle the feffees enfeffed in the said maners, landes, and tenementes assigned to be solde, whanne thay be required by the said ^John ^Paston and ^Thomas ^Howes, shalle make astate to persone or persons as the said ^John ^Paston and ^Thomas shalle selle to the said maners, landes, and tenementes, or any parte therof; and that noon othir feffe* nor the executours of the said Sir ^John shall make any feffement, relece, ne quitaunce of any londes before assigned to be solde @at wer at any tyme longing to the said Sir ^John, withoute @e assente of the said ^John ^Paston and ^Thomas ^Howes. $datum $anno $Domini, $mense, $die, $et $loco $supradictis. To my trusty cosyn ^Margaret ^Paston at %^Norwich be this delyvered To ^Richard ^Calle at %^Castere be this deliuerid in hast. I recomaunde me to you, letyng you witte @at I sent a letter to ^John ^Russe and ^Richard ^Kalle that thei, by th' aduyse of ^Watkyn ^Shipdam and ^William ^Barker, shuld send me word of whom alle the maneres, londes, and tenementes @at were Ser ^John ^Fastolffes wern holde, preyng you @at ye wole do them spede them in @at matier. And if my feodaryes whiche lye in @e tye of my gret cofyr may ought wisse ther-in, lete them se it. Item, I wolde that ^William ^Barker shulde send me a copye of @e olde trauerse of %^Tychewell and %^Beyton. And lete ^Richard ^Kalle spede hym hidderward, and come by %^Snaylwel and take suyche mony as may be getyn there; and @at he suffre not @e mony @at @e tenauntes owe to come in @e fermours handes. Item, @at he come by %^Cambrigge and bryng with hym Maister ^Brakkele*s licence from @e prouynciall of @e Grey Freres. I prey you recomaunde me to my modir. Wretyn at %^London the Thursday next to-fore Middesomer. ^John ^Paston To my wurschipfull coosyn ^Margaret ^Paston be this delyuerd in haste. I recomaunde me vnto you, letyng you witte that your vnkyll ^John ^Berney is deed, whoos soule God haue mercy; desyryng you to sende for ^Thomas ^Holler and enquere of hym wher his goode is and what he is wurthe, and that he take goode eede to all suche goodes as he had, bothe meveable and on-mevable, for I vndre-stande that he is wurthe in money v c marke and in plate to the valwe of other v c marke, beside other goodes. Wherfor I wolde ye schulde not lete hym wete of his dissese vnto the tyme that ye had enquered of the seide ^Thomas ^Holler of all suche maters as be a-bovyn wreten. And whan he hathe enformed you therof, than lete hym wete verely that he is deede; desiryng hym that no man come on-to his place at %^Redham but hym-selfe vnto the tyme that I come. Item, I lete you witte that gret parte of his goode is at ^William ^Tauerners, as I vndrestande. ^Thomas ^Holler woll telle you justely the trouthe, as I suppose; and desyre hym on my behalfe that he doo soo. And ther is writyng therof, and telle ^Thomas ^Holler that I and he be executours named. And therfore lete hym take heede that the goodes be kept saffe, and that no body knowe wher it shall lie but ye and ^Thomas ^Holler. And ^Thomas ^Holler, as your vnkyll tolde me, is prevy wher all his goode lithe, and all his writyng; and so I wol that ye be prevy to the same for casualte* of deethe, and ye too schalbe his executours for me as longe as ye doo trewly, as I trowe verely ye woll. Wreten at %^London the xxviijti day of Jule. Yowre ^Jon ^Paston I requer yow be of god cumffoort and be not heuy if ye wil do owth for me. To @e Kyng ouyr souerayn lord Ples yowyr Hyghnes of yowyr abundant grace in consyderacion of @e seruys and plesur @at yowyr Hyghnes knowyth to yow don by ^William ^Paston, late on of yowyr jugys and old seruaunt to @at nobyll prinse yowyr fadyr, to graunt on-to ^John ^Paston, esquyer, sone and heyir of the seyd ^Wylliam, yowyr lettrys patentys vnder @e seel of yow[r] Duche* of %^Lancaster being in @e kepi[n]g of ^Thomas ^Tresham aftyr affecte of note folowyng; and he schall pray to God for yow. Rex &c. Sciatis quod de gracia nostra speciali et ex mero motu nostro ac pro bono et laudabyli seruicio quod dilectus et fidelis nobis ^Willelmus ^Paston, nuper vnus justiciariorum nostrorum, defunctus, nobis in vita sua jnpendydit, consessimus et hac presenti carta nostra confirmauimus, in quantum in nobis est, ^Johanni ^Paston, armigero, filio et heredi dicti ^Willelmi, viginti tria mesuagia, quingintas triginta et iiij acras pasture, bruere, et marissy in villis de %^Paston, %^Edythorp, et %^Bakton in comitatu nostro %^Norff' quas diuersi tenentes nostri ibidem de nobis separatim natiue tenent ad uoluntatem nostram per virgam siue copiam et per serta redditus et seruissia natiua annualia inde nobis reddenda que ad valorem novem librarum annuatim extendunt vel infra. Concessimus eciam eidem ^Johanni curiam lete seu visus franciplegij nostri in villis de %^Paston et %^Edithorp predictis, que est annui valoris viij solidorum per estimacionem, ad quatuor libratas, quatuor solidatas, et octo denariatas redditus. Redditum octo boschellorum auenarum et trium caponum, cum pertinensijs in villis predictis ac in villis %^Wytton et %^Casewyk in comitatu predicto, percipiendum anuatim de omnibus et singulis liberys tenentibus nostris ibidem pro tenementis suis qui de nobis separatim tenent in eisdem villis vna cum fidelitatibus et alijs seruicis eorundem tenentium et eorum cuiuslibet de seu pro tenementis illis et eorum qualibet parcella nobis debitis siue pertinentibus. Concessimus eciam eidem ^Johanni et heredibus suis officium parcarie ac costidie parci nostri de %^Gymy[n]gham in comitatu nostro predicto vna cum proficuo agistamenti bestiarum eiusdem parci pro vadijs suis pro officio predicto anuatim percipiendo, saluis nobis et heredibus nostris sufficienti pastura ferarum nostrarum ibidem vt tempore nostro prius vsitatum fuit, quod quidem proficuum agistamenti ad valorem x marcarum extendit per annum, habenda, tenenda, et percipienda predicta messuagia, tarram, pasturam, brueram, mariscum, curiam lete et visus franciplegij, redditus et seruisscia, officium et agistamenti proficuum, cum pertinencijs, prefato ^Johanni et heredibus suis de nobis et heredibus nostris per fidelitatem et redditum vnius rose rubie ad festum Natiuitatis Sancti ^Johannis Baptiste annuatim nobis solvendum, si petatur, pro omnibus seruicijs, exaccionibus, et demandis. Eo quod messuagia, terra, pastura, bruera, mariscus, curia lete, redditus, seruicia predicta, officium et agistamenti proficuum valorem supra specificatum [non] excedant vel valorem illam non attingant, aut aliquo actu, restriccione, seu mandato facto, edito, aut proviso non obstante. Volumus eciam et assignavimus quod omnes illi qui per nos seu ad vsum nostrum jus, titulum, seu statum in premissis seu aliquo premissorum habuerunt seu habent, nobis ante hec non relaxatum, jus, titulum, et statum illa prefato ^Johanni et heredibus suis dimittent et relaxent. In cuius. To my cosyn ^Margaret ^Paston I recomaund me to yow, letyng yow wete @at the vndershreve doughtyth hym of ^John ^Berney; wherfore I pray yow bryng hem to-gedyr and set hem acord if ye can, so @at the seyd vndershreve be sure @at he shall not be hurt be hym ner of hys cuntrymen. And yf he woll not, lete hym verely vndyrstonde @at he shall be compellyd to fynd hym suerte* of the pes, magry in hys heed; and @at shall nowther be profitabyll ner worchepfull. And lete hym wete @at there have be many compleyntes of hym be @at knavyssh knyght Ser ^Miles ^Stapilton, as I sent yow word before; but he shall come to hys excuse wele jnow so he have a mannys hert, and the seyd ^Stapylton shall be vndyrstand as he ys, a fals shrewe. And he and hys wyfe and other have blaveryd here of my kynred in hodermoder, but be @at tyme we have rekned of old dayes and late dayes myn shall be found more worchepfull thanne hys and hys wyfes, or ellys I woll not for hys gilt gypcer. Also telle the seyd ^Berney @at the shreve ys in a dought whedyr he shall make a newe eleccion of knyghtes of the shyre be-cause of hym and ^Grey, where-in it were bettyr for hym to have the shreves good wyll. Item, me thynkyth for quiete of the cuntre* it were most worchepfull @at as wele ^Berney as ^Grey shuld get a record of all suche @at myght spend xl s. a yere @at were at the day of eleccion, whech of them @at had fewest to geve it vp as reson wold. Wretyn at %^London on Relyk Sonday. Item, @at ye send a-bought for syluer acordyng to the old bylle @at I sent yow from %^Lynne. ^John ^Paston To my mastres ^Paston and ^Richard ^Calle. j. First, that ^Richard ^Calle fynde the meane that a distresse may be taken of such bestes as occupie the ground at %^Stratton, and that cleyme and contynuan[[s]] be made of my possession in any wise and that thei be not suffrid to occupie with-owt thei compoune with me; and that aftir the distresse taken the vndirshreve be spoke with-all that he make no replevyn with-out agrement or a-poyntement taken, that the right of the lond may be vndirstand. ij. Item, I here sey the peple is disposed to be at the shire at %^Norwich on Sen ^Lauerauns Day for th' affermyng of that thei have do afore, wherof I hold me wele content if thei do it of her owne disposicion; but I woll not be the cause of the labour of hem ner ber no cost of hem at this tyme, for be @e lawe I am suer befor, but I am wel a-payed it shall be on han halyday for lettyng of the peples werk. I vndirstand ther shall be labour for a coroner that day, for ther is labour made to me for my good wyll here, and I wyll no thyng graunt with-owt the vnder-shreves assent, for he and I thought that ^Richard ^Bloumvyle were good to that occupacion. Item, ye shall vndirstand that the vndirshreve was some-what flekeryng whill he was here, for he informyd the Kyng that the last eleccion was not peasibill, but the peple was iakkyd and saletted and riottously disposid, and put hym in fere of his lyfe; wherefore I gate of hym the writte whech I send yow herwith, to that entent thow any fals shrewe wold labour he shuld not be sure of the writ. And therfore ye most se that the vndirshreve have the writ at the day in case the peple be gadered, and thanne lete th' endentures be made vp or er they departe. iij. Item, that ye remembyr ^Thomas ^Denys wyfe that her husbond had diuers billes of extorcion don be ^Heydon and other, whech that he told me that his seid wyfe beryid whan the rumour was, so that thei were ny roten. Bidde her loke hem vp and take hem yow. iiij. Item, as for the seyd distreynyng at %^Stratton, I wold that ^Dawbeney and ^Thomas ^Bon shuld knowe the closes and the ground, that thei myght attende ther-to that ^Richard were not lettyd of other occupacions; and I wold this were do as sone as is possibill or I come home. Not withstandyng I trowe I shall come home or the shire, but I woll nat it be knowe till the same day, for I woll not come there with-owt I be sent fore be the peple to %^Heylisdoune. Not withstandyng, and the peple were wele auertised at that day they shuld be the more redy to shewe the oribyll extorcions and briborys that hath be do vpon hem to the Kyng at his comyng, desyring hym that he shuld not have in fauour the seyd extorcioners but compelle hem to make amendes and sethe to the pore peple. v.Item, that ^Berney and ^Richard ^Wright geve such folkys warnyng as wyll compleyne to be redy with her billes if thei list to have any remedy. vj. vij. Item, that the maters ayens Ser ^Miles ^Stapilton at %^Aylesham may be remembyrd. Also if ye can be any craft get a copy of the bille that Ser ^Miles ^Stapilton hath of the corte rolles of %^Gemyngham, that ye fayle not but assay and do yowre devyr, for that shuld preve some men shamefully fals. Master ^Brakle* seyd he shuld a get oon of %^Freston. I wold he shuld assay, or ellys parauenture ^Skypwith or ellys Master ^Sloley, for if ^Stapilton were boren in hande that he shuld be founde fals and ontrewe and first founder of that mater, he wold bothe shewe the bille and where he had it. viij. Item, I wold the prestis of %^Caster wer content for Midsomer term. ix. Item, ther is a whith box with evidens of %^Stratton in on of the canvas baggis jn the gret cofir or in the spruse chestt - ^Richard ^Call knowith it well; and therin is a ded of feffement and a letter of atorne* mad of @e seyd londis in %^Stratton to ^John ^Dam, ^W. ^Lomnour, ^Richard ^Call, and ^John ^Russe. I wold a new dede and letter of atorn[e*] were mad owth theroff be tho feffees of @e same land to ^Thome ^Grene, ^Th[o]me ^Playter, @e p[ar]son of %^Heylisdon, ^Jacobo ^Gloys, klerk, ^Joh[ann]i ^Pampi[n]g, and that the ded ber date nowh and @at it be selid at @e next shire; for than I suppose @e seyd feffe*s will be there, if it may not be don er that tym. I wold haue @e seyd dedis leyd in a box, both old and new, and left secretly at ^Richard ^Thornis hows at %^Stratton, @at whan I com homwar[d] I migh[t] fynd it ther and mak seson and stat to be take whil I wer there. Wret at %^London on Lammes Day. Shewyth and lowly compleynith on-to your good lordship ^John ^Paston the older, squier, that where Ser ^John ^Fastolff, knyght, cosyn to your seid besecher, was seasid of diuers maners, londes and tenementes in %^Norffolk, %^Suffolk, and %^Norwich the xxvij yere of Kyng ^Herry that was, and therof infeffid diuers persones to execute and performe his will, and mad his will in especiall that a college of vij monkes shuld be stabilisshed, founded, and indewed with-inne a plase late be the seid Ser ^John edified at %^Caster be the see in %^Norffolk, and certeyn livelode to be inmortesid therto to pray for his sowle, his faderes and moderes, in forme and maner as in his will mad at that tyme more pleynly specifith, whech will and feffement continued till the xxxv yere of the seid late kyng; and aftir, vpon diuers comunicacions had be diuers personys with the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff, and vpon diuers considera[[cions]] mevid to hym, the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff conceyvid that such monkes be hym there to be indewed shuld not be of power to susteyne and kepe the seid plase edified or the lond that shuld be inmortesid therto acordying to his seyd entent and will; whe[r]fore, and for good will that the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff had to the proferryng of your seid besecher, mevid hym to haue the seid plase and certeyn of his livelode of gretter valew than the charge of the seid college shuld drawe, and to found the seid college and to bere the reparacion and defens therof. Vpon whech mocion the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff and your seid besecher apoynted be word, withowt writyng at that tyme mad, that your seid besecher shuld, aftir the decese of the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff, haue the seid plase in %^Caster and all the maners that were the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolffes, or any other to his vse in %^Norffolk, %^Suffolk, and %^Norwich, vp trust that the same ^John ^Paston shuld founde ther a college of vij monkes or prestes, havyng a certeyn pension for her sustentacion payid clerly in mony withowt any charge, cost, reparacion, or joparde* of defens of the seid plase, or of any other livelode to be bore be @e seyd colegians, and more-over to pay a certeyn somme of mony of @e revenus of @e seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes to be disposed yerly be certeyn yeres for the sowle of the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff till @e som of v ml mark wer so disposid. Vpon whech apoyntement it was acordid be-thwyx the seid Ser ^John and your seid besecher, for asmoch as your seid besecher had non astate in the seid maners, londes, and tenementes, that for his more suerte* and vp-on trust that the seyd Ser ^Jon had to yow[r] seyd besecher in this behalve that a newe feffement shuld be mad of the seid plase and of the maner of %^Caster and all the seid maners, londes, and tenementes to your seid besecher and diuers other personis, to the vse of the seyd Ser ^John term of his liff and after his deses to the vse of yowr seyd besecher. And moreouer, for asmoch as your seid besecher was in dowte whedir God wold send hym tyme of lif to execute the seid apoyntement, intendyng that th' effect of the old purpose of the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff shuld not be all voyded, thow it so fortuned your seid besecher cowd not performe the seid apoyntement, mevid the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff that not withstandyng the seid apoyntement that he, aftir the seid feffement mad, shuld make his will for the seid college to be mad in all maner wise as thow the sey[d] Ser ^Jon ^Fastolff and your seid besecher shuld not make the seid apoyntement, and that, aftir that, the seid apoyntement to be ingrosid and mad so that the seyd colege shuld hold be the same apoyntement of your seid besecher, and ellis this seid will of @e sey[d] Ser ^Jon ^Fastolff to stand in effect for executyng of his seid purpose. And sone aftir this comunicacion and apoyntement, the seid feffement was made acordi[n]g and season deliuerid to your seid besecher at the seid plase edified in %^Caster, aswell as at the seid maners, londes, and tenementes, the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff beyng present at deliuery of season mad to your seid besecher of the seid plase and maner of %^Caster, where the seid Ser ^John, more largely expressyng the seid will and entent, deliuerid your seid besecher possession with his owne handes, declaryng to notabill personys there the same feffement to be mad to the vse of the seid Ser ^John as for terme of his lif only, and aftir his decese to the vse of your seid besecher and his heyres; and diuers tymes, in diuers yeres aftir, declared his entent in like wise to diuers personys, and aftir, be gret deliberacion and oft comunicacion of the seid mater, the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff and your seid besecher comenauntyd and apoynted be writi[n]g thoroughly for the seid mater, so that your seid besecher shuld haue the seid plase and all the seid maners, londes, and tenementes in %^Norffolk, %^Suffolk, and %^Norwich to hym and to his heyres, and that he shuld founde a college of vij monkes or prestes with-inne the seid plase perpetually, as is before seid, and to pay iiij ml mark to be disposed in serteyn yeris for the sowle of the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff. The whech apoyntement, declared and red before the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff, be good deliberacion was be the seid Ser ^John fully concludid, agreid, and stab[l]yshid for his last will in that be-halve. And also the seid comenauntes eftsonis callid to remembraunce be the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff, the same Ser ^John for certeyn consideracions movyng hym, be his word withowt writyng dischargid your seid besecher of the seid somme of iiij ml mark, desiryng hym so to ordeyn that ich of the seid monkes or prestes shull yerly haue as the prestes of the chauntry of %^Heylesdon had, and that vij pore men shull also be founde yerly in the seid plase inperpetuite* to pray for the sowles abovesayd. and aftir, that is to sey the Satirday, Sonday,and Monday next before the decese of the seid Ser ^John, the same Ser ^John, remembryng the diuersite* of @e forme of @e fundacion of @e seyd colege in hes former willis wret and in @e seyd appoyntement, also reme[[mbryng]] diuers maters and intentes in his mynd necessary for the wele of his sowle not expressid in writi[n]g in any will be hym mad before, nowithire in the seid apoyntement deklarid, wold haue on will mad and wrete after @e effecte of the seid apoyntementes towchi[n]g the fundacion of @e colege aswell as the seid other maters [not] declarid in his intent and will acordyng, comaundid to haue it so ingrosid and wrete, and wher your seid besecher hath don his part acordying to the seyd will and apoyntementes of the seid Ser ^John, aswell in fyndyng of the seid prestes and poremen as in all other thynges that to hym belongyth to do in that behalfe. and this notwithstandyng, ^William ^Yeluerton, knyght, and ^William ^Jenney, whech be infeffid joyntly with your seid besecher in diuers of the seid maners, londes, and tenementes, haue mad a sympill entre* in all the seid maners in %^Suffolk, and chargid the baylifs, fermores, and tenauntes of all the seid maners to pay hem the profitez and reuenews of the same maners, londes, and tenementes, and thus contrary to th' entent of the seid feffement and contrary to the will of the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff thei trobill and lette your seid besecher to take the profitez of the seid maners, londes, and tenementes, of whech your seid besecher hath no remedy at the comon lawe, Wherfore please your good and gracious lordship to direct seuerall writtes of $sub $pena to the seid ^William and ^William, chargyng hem seuerally vpon a peyne conuenient to appere before your lordship in the Chauncery at a certeyn day be your lordship to be limityd, to answer to these premisses and to do as right and consiens requirith. And your seid besecher shall pray God for yow. Causa festine barganie inter ^Fastolf et ^Paston Vltima exitacio domini ^Johannis ^Fastolf ad concludendum festinanter cum ^Johanne ^Paston fuit quod vicecomes ^Bemond, dux %^Somerset, comes %^Warwyk, voluerunt emere et quod intendebat quod executores sui desiderabant vendere et non stabilire colegium; quod totaliter fuit contra intencionem sui dicti ^Johannis ^Fastolf. Et considerabat quod certum medium pro licencia Regis et dominorum non prouidebatur, et sic tota fundacio colegij pendebat in dubijs. Et idio ad intencionem suam perimplendam desiderauit dictum barganium fieri cum ^Johanne ^Paston, sperans ipsum in mera voluntate perficiendi dictum colegium et ibidem manere ne in manibus dominorum veniat. Item, plures consiliarij sui dixerunt quod licet fundaret regulos seu presbiteros, aut eicientur per clamia falsa aut compellantur aderere dominis pro man[u]tenencia sostentacione qui ibidem ad costus colegij permanerent et morarent[ur] et colegium distruerent; et hac de causa consessit eos ditari in pencionibus certis ad modum cantarie %^Heylysdon, sic quod dictus ^Johannes haberet ad custus proprios conceruacionem terrarum erga querentes et clamatores, et ne executores diuersi propter contrarietates et dissimulaciones seu favores Item, considerabat quod vbi monechy vel canonesi haberent terras seu tenementa ad magnam valorem, scilicet ml vel ij ml, tam si[n]gulares monachi vel canoneci tantum per se resiperent xl s. per annum et prandium, et quod abbas, officiarij, et extraequitatores expendirent residuum in mundanis et riotis, et idio ordinauit dotacionem predictam in annuetatibus. Et quod non fuit intencio dicti ^Johnnis ^Fastolf in conuencione predicta mortificare ccc marcas terre, quia prima conuencio ^Johannis ^Paston est soluere v ml marcas in tribus annis et fundare colegium quod in intencione dicti ^Johannis ^Fastolf constaret ml li., et semper dedit ^Johanni ^Paston mancionem suam in manerio et tota terra in %^Northefolk et %^Sowthefolk assessa ad v c marcas annuatim; tunc ^Johannes ^Paston emeret reuercionem cc marcarum terre que valet predictas iiij ml marcas ad suam propriam aduenturam pro vj ml v c marcis. Item, pro tranquillita[te] et pace tempore vite, ita vt non perturbetur per seruos hospicij, balliuos, firmarios seu attornatos placitorum. Item, quod abbas de Sente ^Bede potuit resistere fundacioni, intencione vt tunc remaneat sibi et suis. To my most reuerent and worchepfull maister, ^John ^Paston @e eldest, esquier, be this deliueryd in hast. Right trusty and welbeloved, I grete yow hartily well, and will ye wyte @at where hit is so @at Ser ^John ^Fastolf, wham God assoyle, wi@ o@ur, was sum tyme by Ser ^Herry ^Inglose enfeffed of trust of his maner offe %^Pykewur@e in %^Rutlande, @e which made his wille, proved, @at @e seid maner sholde by solde by ^Robert ^Inglose and ^Edmunde ^Wychingham his executours, to whom @e seid Ser ^John ha@ relesed as his dute* was to do; now it is so @at for ^John ^Brow[n]e @er is shewed a dede vnder seall of armes berynge date byfore his reles made to @e Duk of %^Norffok, ^Henry ^Inglose, and o@ur, contrarie to @e wille of @e seid Ser ^Herry and @e trust of @e feffement @at @e seid Ser ^John ^Fastolf was enfeffed jnne, and a letter of attourney vnder @e same seal of armes to yow to deliuer seison acordynge to @e same feffement, to @e gret disclaundre of @e seid Ser ^John and all his, yef @is be true. Wherfore I preie yow hertili @at ye feithfully and truly rescribe to me in all @e hast ye may what ye knowe in @is mater such as ye wull stonde by wi@-outen glose, and how ye can jmagine @at @is crafte shulde be practised, and specially whe@er ye your-self deliuered seison in %^Rutland or noo. And @is and what incidentes ye knowe I preie yow by wrytinge certifie me in all hast, @at I may be @e more ripe to answer to @is to @e wurship of @e seid Ser ^John @at was your maister, so @at @orowh your defaute your seid maisters soule @er-for lie not in perell, but @is disclaundre may be eesed and cesed as reson require@, to @e wurship of hym and all @at longe to hym. And @is I pray yow faile not offe, as I truste yow. Wret at %^Londo[n] @e ix day of Februar. Yowr frend ^Jon ^Paston Memorandum, thys is the confescyon of xvj Frenshemen wyth the mastyr takyn at %^Sheryngham @[e] iij wek of Lent. Right worshipfull ser, I recomaund me to you and lete you wytte @at I haue be at %^Shiryngham and examyned @e Frenshmen, to @e nombre of xvj, with @e maister. And @ei telle @at @e duk of %^Somerset is in-to %^Skotlond, and @ei sey @e Lord ^Hungyrforthe was on Moneday last passed a-fore %^Sheryngham in-to %^Skotlondward in a kervyle of %^Depe, no gret power with hym ne @e seid Duk neyther. And @ei sey @at @e Duk of %^Burgoyn is poysened and not like to recouere. And as for powers to be gaderid a-geynst our weelfare, @ei sey @er shuld come in-to %^Seyne cc gret forstages owt of %^Spayne from @e kyng @ere, and ccc shippes from @e Duk of %^Bretayne with @e navy of %^Fraunce, but @ei be not yet assembled ne vitayll @ere purveyd, as @ei sey, ne men. And @e Kyng of %^Fraunce is in-to %^Spayne on pilgrymage with fewe hors, as @ei sey; what @e purpose is @ei can not telle certeyn, &c. In hast at %^Norwich. Ther wer vpon the costes of %^Norfolk and %^Suffolk a xiiij seyle of %^Depe, %^Ewe, %^Hareflew, wherof vij be smalle and passe nott xxiiij men a pese, and the remnawnt be of a vijxx men a pese, wherof ij be in-to %^Scotland ward. On is lade with wyne and whete and a-nother with iij c menes harneys, white and bregaunders. Item, ther be passed before tyme a vj or vij shippes in-to %^Scotland ward in the maner of marchaundes lade with wyne and whete. Memorandum of %^Burdews. The Kyng of %^Frauns hath comittid the rewle of %^Burdews on-to the marchaundis of the to[wn] and the sowiours tha[t] be therin to be at ther wages; and like as %^Caleys is a stapill of wolle here in %^England, so is that made stapill of wyne. ^John ^Fermer, presoner, seyth on ^John ^Gylys, a clerk @at was wyth the Erle of %^Oxforthe wych was some tym in Kyng ^Herrys hows, was a prevy secretary wyth the Erle of %^Oxforthe, and if ony wrytyng wer mad by the seid Erle the seyd ^Gylys knew ther-of in thes gret materys,&c. A remembrauns of the goodes that somtyme were Ser ^John ^Fastolffes, mad be ^John ^Paston aftir such examinacions and writyngges as he can fynd: First, in goold and siluer coyned = mlmldcxliij li. x s. Item, in plate of siluer gilt and ongilt xiij mllxvij vnc. price gilt ij s. x d. ongilt ij s. vj d. amountyng to the somme of a mldcxv li. sterlynges Item, in plate at %^London of siluer gilt and ongilt mlmldxxv vnc. prised, &c. wyth a cuppe and a peson of gold weyng xlvj vnc. prise the vnc. xx s. in all, amountyng to the somme of = ccciiijxxij li. xx d. sterlynges Summa totall of coyne and plate prised = iiijmldcxl li. xj s. viij d. Item, jowelis, nowches, and presious stones not prised: ij cuppes of goold and ij ewers weyng = lxxv vnc. Memorandum of a flaket and ij prekettes of siluer weying lxv vnc. lying wyth the seid cuppes. Item, jowellis leyd to plegge be my lord of %^York to Ser ^John ^Fastolff for vjc mark, that is to sey A gret diamant in a white rose. A ragged staff wyth diuers presious stones deliuerid to the Kyng by the assent and comaundement of my lord of %^Caunterbury. Item, a gret crosse of gold wyth a flatte diamant, a flat rubye, and iij gret perlis. Item, a litell nowche of gold mad chernell wise, wyth a poynted dyamant, a rubie, and iij perlis. Item, a-nother nowche mad fawcon wise, enamelid wyth white, a bukle of gold. Item, an other nowche mad treyfowle wise, wyth an emerawd in the middes wyth a long perle hangyng. Item, a ryng of Sent ^Lowes wyth a ston therin. Item, a litell cheyne of gold wyth a perle hangyng therby and ij spangell of gold. Item, a powche of blew velwet wyth pearlis therin ensealid. Item, a litell purse sealid, and therin certeyn seales of siluer broken, and a signet of gold. Item, a nowche of gold of the facion of a busshell, wyth a baleys, a safer loseynge, a greet orient pearle, and a square diamant, losenged wyth a strike of gold, garnysshed wyth iij rubies and iiij pearlis wyth iij pendauntes of gold. Item, a box of blak leder, a nowche of gold after the facion of a rote, wyth a gret safer and a gret perle set therin. Item, an nowche of gold after the facion of an aungell, wyth a flat dyamaunt loseyngewise wyth a dyamant flourrid, a rubye in the middes, and ij gret moder perlis on eyther side of the aungell. Item, an other nowche of gold mad aftir the facion of a jentilwoman, and therin a dyamant poynted square, a rubye and an emerawde in the middes, and ij gret orient perlis. Aras. Item, on hooll bed of aras of the largest assise, seler, tester, and coueryng, wyth a jentilwoman sittyng in a chayer. Item, viij costers of aras, wherof somme grete and some smalle, wherof on is of the sege of %^Phalist, an other of the shepperdes and her wifes, an other of the Morys daunse, an other of ^Jason and ^Launcelet, an other of a batayle, on of the coronacion of Our Lady, a-nother of the Assumpcion of Our Lady. As for an jnuentary of the warderobe and of beddyng [[and]] all stuffe of howsold remaynyng at %^Caster, the seid ^Paston hath no very knowlech ner informacion therof except of such parcellis as he reseyvid at the tyme of his first dwelling at %^Caster, wherof the parcellis be specified in a note of an indenture wretyn vpon the bak of this bille. Item, the seid ^John ^Paston giueth like answere as for an jnue[n]tare* of spendyng mony, ryngges and jowellis, clothes, silk, lyne, wollen, bokes Frenshe, Latyn, and Englyssh remaynyng in the chambre of the seid ^Fastolff. Item, in like wise as for an jnuentarie of the warderobe, beddyng, and all other stuffe of howsold remaynyng at %^Southwerk, the seid ^Paston hath no certeyn informacion therof, ner non cam to his handes except on bed specifijd on the bak of this bille. Item, as for an jnuentarie of quykke catell, there were goyng upon the maners iijml shep be estimacion prised ich ml at an c mark, except certeyn shep were taken a-wey be fors. Item, as for all hors and other catell, the seid ^Paston hath non informacion of it except of on ambelyng hors whech was shulderid and marrid. Item, as for an jnuentare* of all dettes, aswell be obligacion or be acompt or otherwise diew to the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff, the seid ^John ^Paston hath no certeyn informacion therof, ner he neuir reseyvid any part therof. Here is as moch as the seid ^Paston can make at this tyme touchyng the seid jnuentarie wyth-out sight and exam[in]acion of old jnuentaries and remembrauns and obligacions of creditores whech he hath not in his possession. Item, of old peces of velwet, reed and roset, to make of jakettes. Item, a furre of martirs to the valew of xviij s. be estimacion. Item, as for the remnaunt of the stuffe, plate, coyne, and jowellis conteynid in the seid jnuentari, ^Paston hath no maner of knowlech where it is kept or lyght at this day, except only of the seid ij cuppes and ewres of gold, and the seid iij nowches conteynid in the seid blak box of leder; whech cuppes, ewres, and nowches remayne in such plase as thei were first leyd be the seid ^John ^Paston and Ser ^Thomas ^Howes. Here folowen the reseytes of ^John ^Paston of the parce[[lles]] aboueseid: Memorandum of the sommes and parcelles of coyne and plate wythinne wretyn come to the hands and sole kepyng of wythinne wretyn ^John ^Paston: in coyne = ml xliij li. vj s. viij d. Item, in plate in %^Norffolk = iijml dcccclxviij vnc. valewed after the prise wythinne wretyn = dxij li. x s. Item, in plate at %^London = cccxxxiiij vnc. dj. after the valew and prise wythinne wretyn = xliiij li. ij s. vj d. summa mldiiij xx xix li. xix s. ij d. Item, of the prise of shep wythinne wretyn, after the nombre that remayned not take awey Item, as for all stuffe of howsold wythinne wretyn or any other stuffe that was the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolffes, of gonnes or artillrye remaynyng in the plase at %^Caster, the seid ^John hath reseyvid the parcellis vndir wretyn to the valew of xl or l mark be estimacion, and nomore to his knowlech; whech goodes the seid Ser ^John ^Fastolff neuer intended to voyde from the seid ^John ^Paston ner owt of the seid plase, but to haue left it bettir stuffid, as it is wele knowe. This endenture mad at %^Caster the vj day of June the yere of the reigne of Kyng ^Edward the iiijth the second witnessith that there remaynid in the place at %^Caster certeyn stuff of housold, that is to sey in the warderobe-xj peyre blankettes. Item, xvj peyre shetes and on old shete, wherof iij peyre be of iij webbis. Item, viij wovyn couerlites. Item, ij donges. Item, v smale fetherbeddes. Item, vj traunsomes. Item, v carpettes. Item, ij costeres of tapsery werk of huntyng, for the gret chamber ouer the halle. Item, on coster of tapseri for the somer halle. Item, ij costeris of reed tapsery pleyn. Item, j coueryng of pleyn tapsery. Item, iij white beddis wyth the selours and testeres. Item, ix curteyns. Item, iij purpoyntes of white lynen cloth. Item, a selour, j tester of white lynen cloth. Item, j coster of tapseri of jentilwomen pleying at the cardes. Item, j pece of grene say poudrid wyth levys. Item, j curteyne. Item, j pece of grene say. Item, iij old shetes. In ^Inglose chambre Item, j fedirbed. Item, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester aras, wyth a coueryng to the same. Item, iij redde curteyns of say. Item, j banker of tapseri. Item, iiij costers of tapseri werk. Item, j peyre blankettes. Item, xij koshyns of tapseri. In my Master ^Fastolffes chambre Item, j fedirbed. Item, j traunsom. Item, j selour,j tester of tapseri wyth jentilmen and jentilwomen. Item, j coster of tapseri. Item, j coster party white and grene wyth mapill levis. Item, in the warderobe Item, ij towaylis of diaper werk ich x yardes long. Item, iiij napkyns of diaper. Item, iiij tabill clothes of diaper. Item, v pleyn clothes. Item, j towayle of pleyn clothe. Item, ij old clothes. Item, iiij cuppebord clothis. Item, vj pillows of diuers sortes. Item, iij old pillows coueryd wyth lynen cloth. Item, ij lavendre pokes. Item, ij litill pillows stuffid wyth downe. Item, in the white chambre. Item, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, in the warderobe chambre, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour reed. Item, j peyre blankettes. In the chambre next the somyr halle, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester. Item, a coueryng of reed tapseri wyth iij curteyns of tarteryn. Item, j peyre fustiens. Item, iiij costers of coors tapseri. Item, j fedirbed for a paylet. Item, j peyre blankettes. Item, j cuppebord cloth. Item, ij pillows. Item, in the inner chambre. Item, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester, j coueryng of boord Alisaundre wyth iij curteyns of white lynen clothe. Item, j coster of tapseri. In the vtter ward in ^Bokkyngges chambre Item, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester, wyth popeleres. Item, j peyre blankettes. Item, ij couerlytes. Item, in the kechyn. Item, vij pottes of brasse, wherof iiij grete, iiij smale. Item, j chafor of laton. Item, iij spittes. Item, ij rakkes. Item, a ladill of brasse. Item, ij chaforis of brasse. Item, ij lache pannys. Item, ij chariours of peutir. Item, xj disshis. All whech Ser ^Thomas ^Howes, be the handes of ^John ^Russe, hath deliuerid to ^Richard ^Calle to deliuer to hise mastir ^John ^Paston the older, squier, at his comyng to housold to %^Caster. Wretyn the day and yere a-boueseid. Item, of the stuffe of howsold in %^Southwerk deliuered to ^John ^Paston, a bed of white lynen cloth wyth shetes and blankettes and a bed and a curyng. Item, ij gonnes wyth viij chambers shetyng a stone of vij inch thyk, xx vnch compas. Item, ij lesser gonnes wyth viij chambers shetyng a stone of v inch thyk, xv vnch compas. Item, a serpentyng wyth iij chambers shetyng a ston of x inch cumpas. Item, a-nother serpentyn shetyng a ston of vij inch cumpas. Item, iij fowlers shetyng a ston of xij inch cumpas. Item, ij short gonnes for shippes wyth vj chambers. Item, iij smale serpentynges to shete pellettes of leed. Item, iiij gonnes lying in stokkes to shete pellettes of leed. Item, vij hande gonnes wyth other apparell longyng to the seid gonnes. Item, xxiiij paveyz of elm bord, ij of baleyn. Item, viij white harneys of old facion. Item, x peyre breganders, febill. Item, xiiij jakkes of horn, febill. Item, j white jak. Item, x basenettes, xxiiij salettes, vj gorgettes. Item, xvi malles led. Item, ix billes and other peces harneys and wepon, and cappis of spelter and wyer of litell valew. Item, iiij gret crossebows of stell, ij of baleyn, iiij of ew. Item, ij haberions and a barell to skore hem. That it please my lordes good grase to be good lord and supporter to ^Paston in his right and possession of the maner till his right can be lawfully, or be trete*, dispreved by his aduersaries, consideryng that the seid ^Paston is my lordes homager and was neuir ayens his lordship, and that my lord is not gretly behold to do for the seid ^Pastons aduersaries, as he vndirstandith. And in case my lord woll not supporte the seid ^Paston in his right, but be indifferent athwyx bothe parties, that thanne it please my lord to haue consideracion to the right of the mater as folowyth in articles, and therupon to be remembird whedir it be resonably desired by ^Will ^Jenney or by ^Debenham as his waged man, or for his sake, that ^Paston shuld leve the possession or the takyng of the profitez of the seid maner. First, to be remembird that the seid maner, aswell as the maner of %^Nakton, were Ser ^John ^Fastolffes, and that the seid ^Paston of the seid maners toke estate at %^Cotton and atornement of the tenauntes viij or ix yere goo, in such wise as the tenauntes can reporte, and continued there in possession aswell in the live of the seid Ser ^John as sithen, and hath take the profitez therof sith the discese of the seid ^Fastolff except for the terme of Mighelmes a yere passed, whech tyme the tenauntes were compellid by fors of distresses to pay ayens ther willes part of the seid profitez. And that also the title of the seid ^Paston to the seid maner is not all only by the seid feffement, but aswell by a graunt and bargeyn mad a-thwyx the seid ^Fastolff and the seid ^Paston as by the last will of the seid ^Fastolff, whereby the seid ^Paston ought to take the hole profitez of the seid maner. And also it is lefull to the seid ^Paston to kepe the seid maner with fors, consideryng he hath be in possession iij yere and more; hough be it the seid ^Paston intendyth to kepe the seid maner pesibly and non otherwi[[se]]. And that the pretense and cleyme of the seid ^Jenney is that he shuld be infeffed with the seid ^Paston in the seid maner, by whech pretense, if it were trewe, yet the seid ^Paston by reason shuld not be put out of the seid maner; for who som evir had titell therto by feffement or by executrie, ^Paston shuld be on that had title. Hough be it the seid ^Paston cleymyth not in that forme, but by the titell of his bargeyn and by the seid ^Fastolffes will. Item, to be remembird whech tyme as my lord had wretyn his lettirs and sent his seruauntes for the eyde and supporte of the seid ^Paston to take the profitez of the seid maner of %^Nakton as of the maner of %^Cotton, desyry[n]g the tenauntis to the seid ^Paston, the seid ^Jenney wold haue no consideracion therto; hough be it, though he were a feffe* he had no titell to take the seid profitez, consideryng he is non executor; but presumptuosly, havyng no consideracion to my lordes lettir ner sendyng, compellid the tenauntes by distresses to pay hym more besely thanne any feffe* or executor, and now at this same tyme hath be at %^Nakton and reseyvid as moch mony as he coud gader there. Item, where at Mighelmesse the yere passed the seid ^Paston sent his sone, a seruaunt of my lordes, and also ^Richard ^Calle, seruaunt to the seid ^Paston put to hym by my lordes fader, to reseyve the profitez of the seid maner as thei had do many yeres [[befo]]re, the seid ^Jenney ded arest the seid ^Calle for a thef, and as a thef caried hym, to th' entent that the tenauntes shuld be discoraged to pay the seid ^Paston; whech tyme, at the request of the seid ^Calles kynred, it pleased my lord to write to the seid ^Jenney and ^Debenham for the deliuerauns of the seid ^Calle, to whech letteris they nouther toke hede ner reputacion [[bu]]t by that sotilte* reseyved the profitez of the seid maner, the seid ^Paston havyng non help by my seid lordes writyng ner sendyng. Wherfore, please my lordes good lordship to supporte the seid ^Paston in kepyng of his right and possession till it be dispreved or knowe onlawfull, and the seid ^Paston will applye to such meanes as it pleasith my lord to take wherby the right of the mater may be vndirstand and determined. And also that it like my lord to remembir that it is not behofefull for any prinse lightly to geve trust or to applye to the desires of any persones that haue geve hym cause of mistrust. To ^John ^Pamping, ^Richard ^Call, and ^John ^Wikes I grete yow well, dyssyryng yow to remembre @e jnstr[u]ccion @at I made yow for byllys and acciounys to be takyn ayenst ^Debnham by myn tenauntys at %^Calcot, wherine on thyng I haue forgete: @at \e moust make a remembraunce aparte, besyde @e byllys, in what howse, place, or close, or pece of grownde euery trespace or stres was done or made, and also whedre @at were of myn londes in ferme of aney of myn tenauntys, or ellys vpon ther owyn tenauntrys holdyn of me by copye or ellys holde of me frely, and by what rent as neye as \e maye, and whedre it was holdyn of me by %^Calcote %^Halle fee or ellys by %^Freton %^Halle fee: and yf @e trespace were don in aney othyre manys grownde or fee, telle hooys it was and by what coulloure myn tenauntys bestys went @er as @ei were dreuyn, as parauentowr by-cause of comune in chacke tyme or by-cause of her tenowr @at they hylde of othyre men, for wythoute I knowe @is my tenauntys myt be dysseyuyd in @er plee, for paraunture ^Debnham wylle of suttl[[te*]] justifie he toke them in suche a place as he dede not, and wythowte I knowe @e serteynte* I chal not conne answere hym. Also I woulde ^Debnham schulde haue as lytell knoweleche @at \e were abowte suche acciounys as myght be, yf \e maye do other-wyse. Also jn leke wyse, where as dyuers of myn tenauntys and fermors at %^Cotton haue be compellyd by force and dystresscys to paye ^Jenney and ^Debnham meche money ayenst @e wylle of myn tenauntys, I woulde, as I haue tolde ^John ^Paston @e youngere, that he and ^Richard ^Calle, wyth suche frendchyp as @e seyd ^John cane gete in @e same countre*, schulde ryde to %^Cotton askyng myn hole dute* exeppte of suche persons as were compellyd to paye $vt $supra and @at they chulde make bylles lyke myn seyde tenauntys at %^Calcote, and @ei to take acciounys @is nexte terme ayenst ^Debunham, &c. $vt $supra, and I wylle respyte them for @is onys al @at @ei haue in @is forme payed tylle it maye be recuryd by @e lawe, so @at they wylle dyssyre this and abyde therby; and ellys I woulde by myn fryndys poletekely put them in juparte* of losse of @er fermes and tenowr as they holde of me, and of @er catell. Item, at @e same jurne* I woulde ^Richard ^Calle chulde haue redy a bylle in a longe rolle of @e tenore of eche of myn tenauntys and fermorrys, as well of @e quantite* of @e londe as rent and ferme, wretyn to-gyddre and sumyd wyth a gret spase folowyng, @at \e maye, whane \e come to %^Cotton, redely write what catell of eche man was dystreynyd, and where and what daye, and whoo meche money @ei payed, and respit @at and ask @e remnant. @is bill is god inow to take acciouns by, and vnder this ^Richard ^Call may rekkon with euer[y] persone for The Statute of %^Westminster @e furst, the xxxviij chappeter. That no man be so hardy to seye ne telle oney false nouelte*s or tydyngys whero[[f]] aney dyscorde or slaundre may ryse or growe atuyxe @e Kyng and hys pepul o[[r]] the grete men of hys londe, and yf aney doo @at he be takyd and putt in preson tylle he hath founde hym that tolde @e tale. The secunde and @e xij yere of Kyng ^Richard the ijde. That no man be so hardy for to seye, telle, ne countrefet oney false nouelte*s, massonges, or othre falsse thyngys of prelates, dukys, erlus, barounys, and othyre nobles of the reaulme, ne of @e chauncelere, tresorere, clerk of @e preuy seall, stuard of the Kyngys howse, justice of @e comun banke or of @e thothyre, ne of hothre grete offycerys of @e realme wherthourowe oney dyscorde or sklaundre myght ryse wyth[i]nne @e realme; and yf he doo that he be inpresonyd tylle he fynde hym of hwome @e tale or mater was meuyd, and yf he cane not fynde hym @at he be punychyd be @e awyse of @e Kyngys cowncell. And in @es statute is rehersyd @e cauce of @e makyng therof, for as moche as be @e menys of suche tellerys and countre-feterys of tydyngys. nouelte*s and false mesagys dyuers lordys and othrys were dysslaundryd of thyngys @at they neuer thowte ne dede, wherthorowe debate and stryf grewe as well be-tuyxe lordys as betuyx lordys and comunys. Yf a lorde do an extorcion to me or entre in-to myn londe and make hym a tytell by coulloure of purchace or of kynrede whech is falsse and vntrue, I and myn seruauntys may laufully seye that he doth me wronge and vntrowth and telle @e trowthe of my mater and @e vntrowthe of hys mater as it is, and neuer offende @e statute. To my master ^Robert ^Wellis, cosyn and heyre to Ser ^Robert ^Wylloughby, knyght, late lorde of %^Erisby, and to the discrete executores and feffe*s of the seyde Ser ^Robert and to euery of them. Compleynyth on-to yow ^John ^Paston, esquier, that the seyd Ser ^Robert, dyuers tymes faylyng sufficente* of goodes to susteyne hys astate, opyned that to his trusty frynde Ser ^John ^Fastolff, knyght, and of hym hade and cheuysched dyuers tymes grete soummys of money, and in speciall cc marke in money at on tyme, for whech cc mark the seyd Ser ^Robert gaff and graunted to @e seyd ^Fastolff, and to hys heyrys and assignes, c s. of anuell rennt and odre seruice perteynyng to @e seyd Ser ^Robert be hys inherytaunse goyng owt of the manere of %^Heynforde in %^Norfolk, and also the seyd Ser ^Robert gaff, grauntyd, and obliged his maner of %^Walcot in %^Norffolk to the seyd ^Fastolff, his heyres and assignes, for her surte* and jndemnite* in case it fortuned the seyd c s. of rennt to be recouered or hade from hym, hys heyres or assignes, whos estat and tytill therof the seyd ^John ^Paston hath; ande that ^Robert ^Wylluby, esquere, as cosyn and heyre male to the seyde Ser ^Robert, hat recouered and opteyned the seyde c s. rent and othere seruice wyth the maner of %^Parham in %^Suffolk be @e vertue of a tayle of olde tyme therof made, be wheche he is inheritable as heyre male to @e seyd Ser ^Robert ^Wyllouby. And also ye, my seyd Mastre ^Wellys, as cosyn and heyre generall to @e seyd Ser ^Robert, cleyme and pretend to haue the s[e]yde manere of %^Walcotte frome the seyd ^Paston, howbeit the seyde manere was of late tyme purchased be @e fadre of @e seyd Ser ^Robert in fee sympple and ys not tayled; be whiche cleyme and pretence the seyd ^Paston taryeth and is lettyd and inqueetyd of the takyng of @e profettes of @e seyd manere of %^Walcotte, and hath forbore and lost the seyde c s. of rent and odre seruice x yere and more, to @e summe of l li., wytoute aney recoumpence or satisfac[c]ion hade therfore. whych is contrarye to seyde grauntes and gyftes made be @e seyde Sere ^Robert vndre the sealles of hys armys, to hym and his blode werdly dy[s]honoure and to hys soule grett perille, to yowr seyde supplyaunt grete wronge and damages; beschechyng yow to remembre and consedre that ye forseyde feffe*s and executores be bounde to redresse wronges don and commyttyd be yowr seyde feffowr and testatowr or be hys menys, and more-ouere yowr seyd feffowr and testatowr by expresse wrytyng declarid his last wylle, that his dettes and wronges by hym don schoulde be by yow satysfyed and payed and that hys fryndes, offi[c]eres and seruauntes schuld be made sure of alle profites, annuyte*s, and fees to hem or anney of them by hym grauntyd,aftere the trewe intent and effect of thoo grauntes, and that heys heyres schuld ratyfye and make the seyde grauntes suer before anney astate to hem made of any parte of hys lyflode, as in the seyde wylle more expressly apperyth; wherfor plese yowr gret wysdomys and goode consienses so to prouide that yowr seyd suppliaunt may pesibeli haue and jngoye the seyd maner of %^Walcottes that of ryght to hym belongyth be reson of the seyd graunt of the seyd Ser ^Robert. wyth resonable satisfaccion for the hurte that he hath hadde and sufferyd in that behalue. This is the plate @at was in my cofir at %^Norwich. A chaleys of goold playne, weyng ij pound. Item, a-nother chaleys of goold with this writyng, $Calicem $salutaris $accipiam, weyng xix vnc. Item, on table of gold with an jmage of Sen ^James set with precious stonys, weyng xiij vnc. iij quart. Item, on peyre of sensers of siluer and gilt with scripture, viz in the first part $Datum $est $eis, &c., and in the second parte $Ascendit $fumus, weying xiij li. and x vnc. Item, on box of siluer and gilt for the sacrement, with a crosse in the heyght and chased with lilijs, weying v li. iij vnc. di. Item, on potte callid a crismatorie to put in holy creme and oyle of siluer and gilt, weying j li. This is @e parcell be indentur receiued by ^Richard ^Calle of [[...]] day of Aprile @e forthe yer [[...]] as it apperit by @e copye @at @e seyde ^Richard sendyth me by ^John ^Threccher: vnam cistam rubeam cum xvij bundellis evidenc- [[...]] jn eadem cista content' quadraginta libras argenti in grossis et iiijxx nobil[[...]] duo turribula argenti et deaurata vnam pixidem argenti et deauratam vnum osculatorium cum jmagine Sancti ^Jacobi et[[...]] vnum cruett argenti et deauratum I left no cruet in @e cofer vnum crismatorium rotundum Md vnum calicem argenti et deauratum vnum alium calicem cum jmagine Sancte Trini[[...]] I left non soch in @e cofer but chalis of gold this is @e coppy of a bille drawin jn Englyche that I sent home [[...]] main of suche stuff as w[a]s in myn coffre in @e abb[[ey...]] by a letter sent wyth @e same bylle that he chowlde take hede that [[...]] yf he fonde aney more well be it, as it aperit in @e seyd lett[[...]] woulle be lokyd vppe. vnum calicem de auro playne ponderis duas li[[...]] vnum alium calicem de auro cum scriptura cal[[...]] thes to chalis after the vnc. xx s. ar worth xliij li. vnam tabulam de auro cum jmagine Sancti ^J[[...]] ponderis xiij vnc. et iij quart. this is worth xiij li. xv s. vnum par turribulorum argenti et deaurat' cum [[...]] et in secunda parte assendit fumus ponderis xiij lb. et [[...]] vnum pixidem argenti pro scacramento deaurat' cum cruce [[...]] lilijs ponderis v lb. et iij vnc. di. vnum ampullam argenti deaurat' ponderis j lb. thes be worth after xxx d. @e vnc. xxviij li. xiij s. ix d. all @is was put in a panere togyddre and [[...]] forto ber it in-to @e coffre. Item, xl mark in noblis and xl li. in gro[[...]] Item, euydens. To the Kyng owre sovereyn Lord Please it yowre Highnes to graunte vn-to yowre humble seruaunt ^John ^Paston the older, squier, yowr gracious lettres patentz of licence to fownde, stabilysh, and endewe in the gret mancion of %^Castre be %^Mekyll %^Yermowth in %^Norffolk, that late was ^John ^Fastolffes, knyght, cosyn to yowre seyd besecher, a colage of vij prystes, wheroff on to be master, and vij pourmen, to praye for your noble astate and for the sowle of the said ^Fastolff and suche othir as he was be-holde to inperpetuite* and to jnmortese and gyve to the seyd prystes and to ther successours, for the sustentacion of hem and of the seyd pourmen, c marke of annuite* and rent charge yerly goyng owt of all maneres, londes, and tenementz that were the seyd ^Fastolffes with-in the shyres of %^Norffolk and %^Suffolk, and vj acres of londe in the sayd town of %^Castre, and the iiij parte of the sayd mancion for the habitacion of the sayd prystes and pourmen to be repared at the costes of your seyd besecher and hys heyres and assignes for euer, as suerly and lawfully as your seyd besecher can devise; and also be your letteres patentz to graunt the same prystes to be on bodie incorperate and to have succession perpetuall and a comon seall, and to be persones abyll to plede and be impletid, and to purchase and alienyn all maner londes, tenementes, godes, and catell, be the name of the master and hys brethyrn of the collage of Saynt ^John ^Baptiste of %^Castre afore sayd; and also be your letteres patentz to licence the sayd prystes to make and receyve and to holde to theym and to ther successours the sayd annuite*, rente charge, vj acres of lond, auowsons, and the seyd iiij parte of the said mancion for euer, with-owte eny fyne or fee to be payde for the sayd lettres patentz, licens, or grauntes be your sayd besecher or be the said pristes. And thei shall pray hertly to God for you. To the Kyng oure liege Lord Besechyth lowly youre humble seruaunt ^John ^Paston the older, squire, that it please youre good grace, for such a fyne as youre Highnes hath apoynted youre seid besecher to content yow, wherof ye be put in suerte*, to graunt on-to youre seid besecher youre gracious lettirs patentes of licence to found, stabilissh, and endewe in the gret mancion of %^Caster in %^Flegge in %^Norffolk, that late was ^John ^Fastolffes, knyght, cosyn to youre seid besecher, a college of vij prestes, wherof on to be master, and of vij porefolk, to pray for youre noble astate and for the soule of the seid ^John ^Fastolff and such other as he was behold to inperpetuite*, aftir ordinauns by youre seid besecher in that behalff to be made; and to inmortese, geve, and graunt to the seid prestes and to ther successours, for the sustentacion of hem and of the seid porefolk, cxx mark of annuite* and rent charge, or annuite*s and rentes charge, yerly goyng out of the maners callid %^Redhams, %^Vaux, and %^Bosomes in %^Caster forseid, %^Begviles in %^Wynterton, %^Reppis in %^Bastewyk, %^Spencers in %^Heryngby, %^Loundhall in %^Saxthorp, %^Heylesdon, %^Drayton, %^Heynesford, %^Guton in %^Brandeston, %^Beyton, %^Techewell, and of the thrid part of the maner of %^Runham, with th' apportenauns, in the shire of %^Norffolk, and of the maners of %^Hemnalis in %^Cotton, %^Burneviles in %^Nakton, %^Akthorp in %^Leystoft, %^Calcotes, %^Havelound, %^Spitlyngges, with th' apportenauns, in the shire of %^Suffolk, and out of any part of the seid maners, with a clause of distresse for defaut of payment of the seid rente, and vj acres of lond in the seid towne of %^Caster, and the avowsons of the chirches of the same town, and the fourth part of the seid mancion, or any part therof, for the habitacion of the seid prestes and porefolk, to be reparid at the costes of youre seid besecher and his heires or assignes for evir; and also by youre seid lettirs patentes to graunt the same prestes to be on body incorperate and to haue succession perpetuall and a comon seall, and to be persones abill to plede and to be impletid, and to purchase and alienyn all maner londes, goodes, and catell, by the name of the master and his brethyrn of the college of Sen ^John ^Baptist of %^Castre aforeseid; and also by youre seid lettirs patentes to licence the seid prestes to take and reseyve and to hold to them and to ther successours the seid annuite*, rent charge, vj acres of lond, avousons, and the seid = part of the seid mancion for evir, and to geve youre chaunceler of %^Inglond for the tyme beyng comaundement, power, and auctorite* that where as in this petision is not comprehendid the certeynte* of termes, maters, clauses, and other circumstances conuenient and requisite after forme of lawe for licens of the seid fundacion, that youre seid chaunceler, that notwithstandyng, do make youre seid lettirs patentes in forme of lawe effectuall and sufficient in that behalff after the very entent aforeseid, not excedyng the valew and somme before specifijd, without any fyne or fee other thanne is afore specifijd to be paijd for the seid lettirs patentes, licens, or grauntes by youre seid besecher or by the seid prestes. And thei shall pray hertly to God for yow. I recomaund me to yow, and haue reseyvid your lettir, which causith me to write in the lettir @at I send to yow, ^Daubeney, and ^Richard ^Calle certeyn articles touchyng the rewle of myn hows and myn livelode, as ye shall vndirstand whanne ye see hem. Also I send yow in the same lettir a bille of all the malt @at remaynid at Mighelmes. I suppose ye haue non such of it; neuirthelesse it had be conuenient it had be had amonges your seruauntes and yow. Also I woll @at ye warne both ^Daubeney and ^Richard ^Calle @at thei disclose nat what malt I haue, ne what I shall selle, ne @at on marchaunt knowe nat what an other hath; for ther is gret spies leid here at %^London for ingrosers of malt to heyghne the prise, hough be it myne is not but of myn owne growyng and my tenauntes. Also I lete yow wete I faile mony here and must nedys haue vp mony at this tyme for sped of my maters, so @at it may come vp savely whanne ^James ^Gresham and other attorne*s come vp at the begynnyng of this terme, with whom ^Richard ^Calle may come the same tyme. And paraventure some trusty carier may c[[ome]] at this tyme, and with hym myght some mony come trussid in some fardell, not knowyng to the carier @at it is no mony but so[[m]]e other clothe or vestement of silk or thyng of charge. Wherfore take avise of such as ye tr[[ust]], and purvey @at I may haue vp at this time j c li. of gold aftir the old coynage and xx li. in grotes. Item, j[f] I myght haue sure cariage I wold haue heder all @e gylt plate @at ^Richard ^Call leyd vp = he can tell were, and I trowe ye know also; and ij potell pottis and a rosti[n]g jron of siluer lyth at @e same place, for it shuld stand me in gret ste[d] her if it mygth be do closly and suerly an take trew me[n] of yowr cowncel. Wret @e morwe next after Sent ^Hillary. Item, leve a bill indorcid what ye take a-wey, if ye take any. Yowr own, &[c]. To my mastres ^Margrete ^Paston and to my welbelovid frendes ^John ^Daubeney + and ^Richard ^Calle. I praye yow see to the god gouernaunce of my housold and guydyng of other thynges touchyng my profite, and @at ye, with ^Daubeney and ^Richard ^Calle and with other such of my frendes and seruauntes as can avise yow aftir the mater requirith, wekely take a sad communicacion of such thynges as be for to do, or oftenner and nede be; takyng avise of the master and of the viker and Ser ^Jamis in @at is for to say, aswell for provision of stuffe for myn howsold as for the gaderyng of the reveneus of my livelode or greynes, or for settyng awerk of my seruauntes, and for the more poletik meane of sellyng and carijng of my malt and for all other thynges necessarj for to be do, so @at whanne I come home I haue not an excuse seying @at ye spoke to my seruauntes and @at ^Daubeney and ^Calle exkuse hem @at @ei were so besy thei myght not attende; for I woll haue my mater so guided @at if on man may not attende a-nother shall be comaundid to do it. And if my seruauntes faile I had lever wage some other man for a iorny or a season thanne my mater shuld be on-sped. As for my livelode, I left with ^Daubeney a bille of many of my dettes, wherby ye all myght haue be indused whedir ye shuld haue sent for siluer. It liketh me evill to here @at my prestes and poremen be onpaijd, and @at no mony sent to me more thanne x mark be ^Berney of alle this season. And yet therof telle ^Richard ^Calle he sent me viij nobills in goold for v mark and @at as longe as gold was bettir payment thanne siluer I had neuir so moch gold of hym at onys; and telle hym @at I woll nat @at he shall kepe @at vse, for I trowe my tenauntes haue but litell gold to pay. Also, remembir yow in any howsold, felaship, or company @at will be of good rewle, purvyauns must be had @at euery persone of it be helpyng and fortheryng aftir his discrecion and powyre, and he @at woll not do so without he be kept of almes shuld be put out of the houshold or felachep. Item, where ye desire me @at I shuld take your sone to grase, I woll for your sake do the bettir, and will ye knowe @at he shall not be so oute of my favour that I will suffir hym to mischefe without be eftsones his owne defaut. And hough be it @at in his presumptuose and ondiscrete demenyng he gaf bothe me and yow cause of displeasir, and to other of my seruauntes ille exsaumple, and @at also guided hym to all mennes vndirstondyng @at he was wery of bidyng in myn hows, and he not insurid of help in any other place, yet @at grevyth nat me so evill as doth @at I neuir coud fele ner vndirstand hym poletyk ner diligent in helpyng hym-self, but as a drane amonges bees whech labour for gaderyng hony in the feldes and the drane doth nought but takyth his part of it. And if this myght make hym to knowe the bettir hym-self, and put hym in remembrauns what tyme he hath lost and hough he hath leved in jdelnes, and that he coud for this eschewe to do so heraftir, it myght fortune for his best. But I here yet neuir from no plase @at he hath be in of any poletyk demenyng or occupacion of hym: and in @e Kyngis hows he coud not put hym-self foorth to be in favour or trust with any men of substauns @at myght forther hym. Neuirthelesse, as for your house and myne, I purpose not he shall come there, ner be my will non other, but if he can do more thanne loke foorth and make a fase and countenauns. Item, send me word whedir my glasier hath do at %^Bromholm and at the Friers of the south towne, and whedir he be paijd such mony as I sent home word he shuld be paijd; and if he haue do all he must haue more mony, but I remembir nat certeynly what till I come home, for I remembir nat what his bargeyn was for @e werk at the south towne. I trowe Master ^Clement can telle, and also fele hym-selff and send me word. Also, @at ye and ^Richard ^Calle and ^Daubeney see @at Master ^Clement and Master ^Braklee, which hath gret nede I wote well, and my prestes and poremen be paijd, and also all other men; and @at ye see @at I be not callid on for @at is my dewte*. Also @at ye see amonges yow @at that is owyng me be not lost ne forborn for lewdnes, for @at shall bothe hurt me and do my tenauntes harme. Lete ^Richard ^Calle remembir @at my fermour of %^Sweynesthorp is falle in gret dette for defaut of callyng vpon but be on yere, and I deme @at bothe ^John ^Willeys and my newe fermour of %^Snaylewell arn like to be in the same case, and paraventure ^Aleyn of %^Gresham, and other. Item, remembir yow or evir I had a-doo with ^Fastolffes livelode, whill I toke hede to my livelode my-self it bothe servid myn exspenses at home and at %^London and all other charges, and ye leid vp mony in my cofirs every yere as ye knowe. And I wote well that the payment of my prestes and other charges @at I haue for ^Fastolffes livelode is not so gret as the livelode is, thow part therof be in trobill. And thanne consider that I had nought of my livelode for myn exspenses at %^London this thwolmonyth day. Ye may verely vndirstand @at it is not guided wittely ner discretly, and therfore I pray yow hertly put alle your wittes to-gedir and see for the reformacion of it. And ye may remembre be @is how ye shuld do if @is wer yowres alone, and so do now. And @at ye woll remembir I haue sent yow all many lettirs touchyng many maters, and also a bille now last by ^Pecok of erandes, desiryng yow to see hem alle to-gedir and send me an answere articlerly, and such as ye can not spede at this tyme, lete hem be sped as sone as ye may. @at ye se ouer my seyd lett[er]s oft tymis til @ey be sped. Item, I remembir @at myn heygh at %^Heylesdon the last yere was spent and wasted foull reklesly, and colored vnder my shep. I pray yow see @at I be not servid soo this yere. Item, ^Pecok told me of a fermour @at wold haue had %^Mautby Merssh, paying xij mark, as it went afore; and ^Richard ^Calle told me of on @at wold pay more. ^Burgeys paijd me first xij mark vj s. viij d., and I had the reed and the russhis and he fond the shepherdes hyre in shakke tyme for my fold; and sithen he brigged awey the shepherdes hyre and thanne the nobill, and I trowe he occupijth no lenger hym-self, and I remembir he told me vij yere goo @at my merssh shuld alwey apeyr till the prime were past the nombre of xix and thanne it shuld amend a ix or x yere, promittyng me he wold @anne amend my ferme. I pray yow help to lete it aswell as ye can, rather to hym @anne a-nother man if he woll do aswell, and @at ye comon with ^Pecok. Item, as for the mater @at I wrote of to the viker and other goode felaws, desire hem @at thei [[be]] not to excessiue hasty in the mater for non nede, but to do @at thei may do @erin mesurably and wittely as sone as thei may; and as for the respite of the mater here lete hem not care therfore, I shall do wel jnough. Telle hem for certeyn the mater is in as good case as any such mater was this xx wynter, as my counsell tellyth me; but I woll be sure of all weyes @at I may haue, and specially of the declaracion of the trought of my mater and of my frendes. Item, as for the mater athwyx the parson of %^Mautby, ^Constantine, and the viker of %^Derham, whedir it were small mater or gret I care not, but I am sure @at too witnesse which I knowe were apposed @erin before a juge sprituall, whech as I suppose was Master ^Robert ^Popy or some other. The viker of %^Derham can telle, and so I trowe can ^John ^Wynter of %^Mautby or other parysshons telle where the sute was athwyx hem, and I can thynk it was in the chapitell. If ye can safely gette me what the witnesse seid I wold nomore, but do no gret cost on it. Item, recomaund me to Master ^Robert ^Popy and telle hym as for any thyng seid ayens hym in my mater, thow myn aduersaris ment ontrewly thei prevyd nought but @at he is a good man and a worshipfull and a trewe. Item, if I haue any otes beside my stuffe, or may any bye aftir xiiij d., spare not and take good mesure or bartirre for some other chafare, and send me word hough moch ye may bye. Item, it is told me ye make no wood nouther at %^Caster ner %^Mautby, wherof I merveyle. Remembir yow we must brenne wood a-nodir yere. Item, I send yow a titelyng @at I mad whill I was at home, what malt I had by estimacion, set at the lest. Wherfore see @at ^Brigge make a reknyng of his malt, and cast ye my book and loke what ye can amend it; and apeyre it shall not if alle folkes haue do trewly, but I suppose fewe of yow haue take any heed at it asmoch as I ded. Item, I may selle here for vj s. viij d. a quarter clene-fyed after %^Royston mesure, whech is lesse thanne the water mesure of %^London. %^Cambriggeshire malt is here at x s. Cast ye what I may selle of newe and old, savyng stuffe for myn hows. Item, to remembir @at %^Guton malt must be shipped at %^Blakeney. Item, ^Lynstedes malt at %^Walcote may be shipped there; ore cast amonges yow what malt may best be sold. Item, if on man may not attende to gader siluer, sende a-nother; and send me word what hath be reseyvid and spent. Item, @at I haue an answere of alle my lettirs and of euery article in hem. Item, but if ye make such purvyauns @at my prestes be paijd and poremen, beside other charges, and purvey mony for me beside, outher ye gader shrewdly or ellis ye spend lewdly. Item, I sent a lettir by ^Rauff ^Greneakyr to ^James ^Gresham and to yow, which he promised me shuld be at %^Norwich on Wednesday aftir Thwelth Day. And therin were diuers maters, and inespeciall of a mater @at shuld be in comunicacion on Tuisday last past bithwyx ^Yeluerton and ^Robert ^Wyngfeld for %^Caster as in the seid lettir is specifijd. It is so @at the seid ^Robard shall be here with-inne this ij dayes; if any thyng ye haue aspied of it send me word. Item, yong ^Knevet tellith me @at he is my good frend, and he is come ridyng homward on Friday last was. I pray yow ley wetche whedir ye here any thyng @at he medillyth hym in @at mater, and send me word; for I wold vndirstand whedir he were iust and trew or nought, and that do, it shall not ligh in his power to hurt me. But take ye hed and inquere, and knowe other mennes purpos, and kepe your intent as close as ye can; and what some evir boost be mad, werk ye wisely and set not by it but send me word what ye here. Item, ^Calle sendyth me word @at Ser ^Thomas ^Howes is seke and not like to askape it, and ^Berney tellyth me the contrary; wherfore I pray yow take hed therat and lete me haue knowleche, for though I be not behold to hym I wold not he were ded for more thanne he is worth. Item, take the viker the bille @at I send yow herwyth. Item, @at ye, if ye can, fynd the meane to aspie what goodes ^Edmond ^Clere eschetith of any mannes. Item, remembir well to take heed at your gates on nyghtes and dayes for theves, for thei ride in diuers contre*s with gret felaship like lordes, and ride out of on shire in-to a-nother. Wretyn at %^London the Tuisday next aftir Sent ^Hillary. Item, @at ^Richard ^Calle brynge me vp mony so @at my prestes be paijd, and @at he come vp suerly with other men and attornis. To my cosyn ^Margret ^Paston and to ^Jon ^Dawbeney and ^Richard ^Call. [[I]] recumma[n]d me to yow, and haue receyvid a letter from yow and a-nother fro ^Richard ^Call be ^John ^Colma[[n]] and on be ^Roos, and I haue receyvid of ^Colman the plate and mony acordi[n]g [to] ^Richard ^Callis letteris. Item, I can yow thonk ye send me word the pr[i]se of corn. Item, as for yowre sone: I lete yow wete I wold he dede wel, but I vnderstand in hym no dispocicion of polecy ne of gouernans as man of the werld owt to do, but only leuith, and euer hath, as man disolut, with-owt any prouicion, ne that he besijth hym nothi[n]ge to vnderstand swhech materis as a man of lyuelode must nedis vnderstond. Ne I vnderstond nothi[n]g of what dispocicion he porposith to be, but only I kan thynk he wold dwell ageyn in yowr hows and myn, and ther ete and drink and slepe. @erfor I lete yow wete I wold know hym or he know myn ente[n]t, and how wel he hath ocupijd his tym now he hath had leyser. Euery pore man @at hath browt vp his chylder to the age of xij yer waytyth than to be holp and profitid be his childer, and euery gentilman that hath discrecion waytith that his ken and seruantis @at levith be hym and at his coste shuld help hym forthward. As for yowr sone, ye knowe well he neuer stode yow ne me in profite, ese, or help to valew of on grote, sauy[n]g at %^Calcot Hall whane [he] and hes brothir kept it on day ageyns ^Debenh[a]m, and yet was it at iij @e coste that euer ^Debenham sones put hym to; for be her police* they kepe %^Cotton at my cost and with the profitis of the same. Wherfor geff hem no favor tyle ye feel what he is and will be. Item, ^Call sendith me word that Master ^Phylip hat entrid in %^Drayton in my lord of %^Suffolk name, and hat odir purpose to entre in %^Heylisdon, and he askith myn auyse; whech is that ye conforte my tenantis and help hem til I come hom, and let hem wet I shall not lese it; and that the Dewk of %^Suffolk that last dijd wold haue bouth it of ^Fastolff, and for he mygth not haue it so he claymyd @e maner, seyi[n]g it was on ^Polis, and for his name was ^Poole he claymid to be eyr. He was ansueryid @at he com nothi[n]g of that stok, and how someuer were kyn to the ^Polis @at owth it, it hurt not for it was laufully bowth and sold; and he neuer kleymid it after. Item, I am in purpose to take assise ageynse hem at tis tyme, and ell I wold haue sent theder streyt be a letter of atorney to entre in my name. Neuer the les ye be a gentilwoman, and it is worshep for yow to confort yowr tenantis; wherfor I wold ye myth ryd to %^Heylisdon and %^Drayton and %^Sparh[a]m, and tari at %^Drayto[n] and speke with hem, and byd hem hold with ther old master til I com, and that ye haue sent me word but late, wherfor ye may haue non answer yet. And informe hem as I ha wrete to yo[w] with-in, and sey oupinly it is a shame that any man shuld set anny lord on so ontrwe a mater, and speciall a preste; and lete hem wete as sone as I am com hom I shall see hem. Item, that as for distreyn for rent or ferm, thow the Dewk had tytill, as he hath not, he may non ask til the next rent day after his entre*, that is Michelmes. And seye @at ye will be paijd euerj pene*, and aske hem it, and make mech of men of %^Cossey becawse @ey wer owr welwilleris when we wer neyboris ther; and lete hem wete @at @e begynneris of shech mater had neuer worchip ner profite of me, ne shall, and desyr god will of yowr neyboris, &c., and fyn[d] all othir menis @at ye kan to plese @e pepill. And lete yowr tenantes wete that @e Dewke may neuer be lawe compel hem to torn from me, and do all so well as ye can. And if any entyr be mad in %^Heylisdo[n], shuff him owt and set sum man to kepe @e pla[c]e if ned be, not with-standi[n]g it longith not to @e maner. Item, I wold fayn haue sum man to be bayle* of %^Heylisdon and %^Drayton, &c., @at mygth go amongis the tenantis; and ell I wolld han ^Richard ^Charllis to go among hem tyl I com hom, and also ^Richard ^Call whan he may. Item, he sent me word that the tenantis of %^Drayton wold not come to the Dewkis cort, and if @ey will be so ste[d]fast to me and kepe hem strawnge and froward from the Dewkis cowncell, all this mater shall turn to a jape and not hurt hem ner, and if @e[y] be waueri[n]g it shall hurt hem. Item, I lete yow wete @is is do to cause me to seese my labor ayens hym for %^Dedham, wh[e]ch I wil not for it. God kepe yow. Wret the Thursday be-for Sent ^Petris Day. Item, tel ^Richard ^Call jf [I] haue witten[e]ssis redy I wol spede this mater spirituall befor Estern. To my cosyn ^Margret ^Paston. I recummand me to yow and thank yow of yowr labowr and besynes with @e vnruly felechep that cam befor yow on Monday last past, wherof I herd report be ^John ^Hobbis; and in god feyth ye aquyt yow rygth wel and discretly, and hertyly to yowr wurchep and myn and to @e shame of yowr aduersarijs. And I am wel content @at ye avowid @at ye kept possescion at %^Drayton, and so wold doo; wherfor I pray yow make yowr word god if ye may, and at @e lest let myn aduersarijs not haue it in pees if ye may. ^Jon ^Hobbys tellith me @at ye be seekly, whech me lekith not to here, prayi[n]g yow hartyly @at ye take what may do yow eese and spare not, and in any wyse take no thowth ne to moch labor for @es materis, ne set it not so to yowr hert @at ye fare @e wers for it. And as for @e mater, so @ey ouercome yow not with fors ne bosting I shall have @e maner sewrlyer to me and myn @an @e Dewk shall haue %^Cossey, dowt ye not. And jn cas I come not hom within thre wekis, I pray yow come to me; and ^Wykes hath promisid to kepe the plase in yowr absens. Neuertheles, whan ye come set it in sech rewle as ye seme best and most suer bothe for %^Castre and %^Heylisdon, if @e werre hold. In cas ye haue pees, send me word. As for that it is desyrid I shuld shew my tytill and euyde[n]s to @e Dewk, me thi[n]kyth he had euyll cowncell to entre in opon me trusti[n]g I shuld shew hym euydens. And ye seme it may do yow god or eese, lete my lord of %^Norwich wet that @e maner of %^Drayton was a marchantis of %^London callid ^Jon ^Heylisdon longe er any of @e ^Polis @at @e seyd Dewk comyth of wer borne to any lond in %^Norffolk or %^Suffolk; and if @ey wer at that tyme born to no lond, how may @e seyd Dewk klaym %^Drayton be @at pedegre*? As for @e seyd ^John ^Heylisdon, he was a por man born, and from hym @e seyd maner dessendid to ^Alise his dowtyr, hos estat I haue; and I suppose @e seyd Dewk comyth not of hem. Item, as for the pedegre* of @e seyd Dewk, he is sone to ^William ^Pool, Dewk of %^Suffolk, sone to ^Mychell ^Pool, Erl of %^Suffolk, sone to ^Mychel Pool, @e furst ^Erl of %^Suffolk of @e ^Polis, mad be King ^Richard seth my fader was born. And @e seyd furst ^Mychell was sone to on ^William ^Pool of %^Hull, whech was a wurchepfull man grow be fortwne of @e werld, and he was furst a marchant and after a knygth, and after he was mad baneret. And if any of @ees hadde @e maner of %^Drayton I woll los c li., so @at any persone for @e Dewk will be bond in as mech to proue @e contrary. And I wot weel @e seyd Dewkis cowncell wil not claym @e seyd maner be @e tytill of @e fader of @e seyd ^William ^Pool. And what @e fader of @e seyd ^William was, as be @e pedegre* mad in @e seyd last Dewkis fadiris daijs, I know rygt weell; wherof I jnformyd ^Herry ^Boteler to tell my old lady of %^Suffolk, be-cawse he is of her cowncell, and more will I not tell in @es mater but if I be desyrid or compellid. Item, let my lord of %^Norwich wete @at it is not profitab[l]e ner @e comen well of gentilmen that any jentilman shuld be compellid be an entre* of a lord to shew his evidens or tytill to his lond, ner I nil not begine @at exsample ne thralldam of gentilmen ner of othir. It is god a lord take sad cowncell or he begyne any sech mater. And as for @e ^Poolis that owth %^Drayton, if @er were c of hem leuyng, as @er is non, yet haue they no tytill to @e seyd maner. God kepe yow. Wret @e Satirday, &c. Yowr ^Jon ^Paston I pray yow be as mery with yowr feluchep as ye kan. Item, I send hom writt and proses for yow[r] seruantis and myn. Item, I may sell yow[r] woll for xl d. @e ston redi mony, as ^Arblaster can tell yow, and malt for iiij s. @e quarter at daijs xxj for xx deliuerid of %^Yermoth mesur. If ye fayle mony ye most make it of yowr wole or malt. I send yow hom writtis of repleuin for @e shep and @e hors @at wer take, and avise yow lete @e writtis be deliuerd be-for my lord of %^Norwich and god rekord; and if ye may make men with fors to take @e catell agey[n] be waran of repleuyn, spar not rather than fayle. To my mastresse ^Margret ^Paston, ^James ^Gresham, and ^Richard ^Calle. I recomaund me to yow, and haue reseyvid ij lettirs from ^John ^Russe wherin he remembirth me that I shuld owe hym xix li. or ther-upon for diuers parcelles whech he seith he shuld haue deliuerid in-to myn hows, wherof he seith xiiij li. was deliuerid in-to myn howse ij yere g[[oo]] and that I had a bille deliuerid me therof, and the remnaunt sithen, and desireth of me payment of the seid xix li.; wherfore I certi[[fye]] yow as I vndirstand in the mater. Ye may lete ^John ^Russe come to yow and take such a direccion in the mater as reason and trought woll. I lete yow wete that abought ij yere goo the seid ^John ^Russe deliuerid me first a bille of the seid xiiij [[li.]], and I examined the parcelles; and as I remembir xj li. was my dewte*, wherof the certeyn somme is writen in my blak book of foreyn reseytes that yere, and the remnaunt was ^Richard ^Calles dewte*, wherof he was allowed, savyng a part was ^Elys dewte*. And as for the seid xj li., I offerid the seid ^John ^Russe payment in hand at @at tyme and desired hym he shuld nomore send in-to myn howse, and warnyd yow and ^Richard that ye shuld nomore stuffe take in-to myn hows without ye paijd in hand, nowther of hym ner of non other. And the seid ^John ^Russe praijd me to remembir that I had graunted hym the maner of %^Akthorp in %^Leystoft at a certeyn prise, as it apperyd by writyng vndir my seall, and desired me that I wold take the seid somme in party of payment. And I told hym that, as for such mony that shuld come from hym for that lond, I wold take it of hym and ley it vp by the self, that I myght purchase other lond therwith, bicause I wold lesse ^Fastolffes lyuelode for the college; but I wold pay hym his dewte* without any stoppage. And he thanne desired me to take @at same xj li. and ley it vp to the same vse, seying to me that it was as good to do so as I for to take it hym and he to take it me ayen. And thus he and I agreed and departed, and thanne he praijd me to take more chafar of hym, whech I denyed. And nough I merveyll what shuld cause hym to aske mony for that dewte*. Neuirethelesse I deme he supposith that he coud not opteyne his bargeyn by me bicause of the trobill that it standyth in, and for that or for some other cause he repentyth his bargeyn and woll nomore of it. Wherfore send for hym, and take ^James ^Gresham or some of your frendes and ^Richard ^Calle, and fele what he menyth; and if ye can fynd hym disposed to leve his bargeyn, yet though I myght kepe stille the seid mony, I wold he shuld not lese therby. Neuirthelesse, if he woll refuse his bargeyn, thanne take ayen the writyng that he hath of that bargeyn and a writyng of his hand that he dischargyth me of the graunt that I mad hym of that same bargeyn. And thanne loke that ye enquere what mony he hath reseyvid of the seid maner in my tyme, wherof the ferme is vj li. yerly, whech I suffird hym to occupie to his owne vse by fors of the seid bargeyn all my tyme; and aftir the parcellis cast what I haue had of hym, abbate @erof the mony that he hath reseyvid of the seid maner and also as moch of the xiiij li. as the seid ^Richard ^Calle and ^Elys owen, wherof he is allowid, and thanne see that the seid ^John ^Russe be content of the remnaunt of his parcellis that is dew by me; but loke ye pay non other mennes dewte*s. Also the seid ^John ^Russe writyth in his lettir that, rather thanne he shuld fayle this mony, that I wold lend hym asmoch to pay ayen at Cristemasse; wherfore, if he leve his bargeyn, I woll ye lend hym asmoch mony over his dewte* as shall make vp xx li., takyng of hym suerte* to pay ayen at Cristemasse, as he writyth. In case be that he will kepe stille his bargeyn, thanne ye may answere hym it is no reason that he shuld aske me any part of that mony ayen, for he owyth that and moch more. Item, the seyd ^John ^Rus sent me heder a man for @is mater only with-in thes ij daijs, wherfor let him know an ansue[r] betymes, for I fel well he hath mad a gret bargen but late wherfor he hath mor nede of mony now; and I wol do for hym that I may resonably. Neuertheles his wryti[n]g merweylith me that he askith @is mony as dewte* whech he toke me for parte of my payment. I deme it comith not all of his owne disposiciun. Inquier ye that ye ca[n] what it menith. God kepe yow. Wret @e Wednisday nex Lammes. Yow[r]is ^John ^Paston In cas ye han %^Drayton in any quiete, take sewerte* of yowr tenantis for paiment, as I haue wret befor. To my cosyn ^Margret [[^P]]aston, at %^Heylisdoune. I recomaund me to yow, and as for the letter that I send yow touchyng ^John ^Russe, I woll that ye and your counsell see it openly, and kepe this bille to your-self or to some secret frend of your. And I pray yow remembir ij thynges: on, if ye fynd hym in any maner wise disposed to leve his bargeyn, take it at his offer and take ayen the writyng that he hath of that bargeyn, or a writyng of his owne hand of relesyng his bargeyn to me; for paraventure at this tyme he woll be glad to leve his bargeyn, as I vndirstand, and whanne he sethe that I haue peas he woll calle ther-on ayen, wherfore I pray yow werk wisely herin, for he may in no maner wise aske the mony of me and kepe his bargeyn, for he hath diuers tymes desired me to haue take of hym more stuffe @erfore; a-nother, as sone as ye may, or ye breke this mater with ^John ^Russe, make due serche with the fermours at %^Akthorp what mony ^Russe hath reseyvid there in my tyme: that is to sey for Mighelmes the first, the ij, iij, iiij yeres of Kyng ^E., of whech he hath reseyvid ij paymentes, that is xij li. at the lest, or er the maner was trobelid by ^Jenney or ^Yeluerton. And I deme that he hath reseyvid some sithen, but that he kepith counsell. Item, for asmoch as Ser ^Thomas ^Howes gaderid for the xxxix yere of Kyng ^Herry, the seid ^John ^Russe woll, vnder colour of that, surmytte that he reseyvid in my tyme was therfore; wherfore ye must make a serche what he hath reseyvid sith Ser ^John ^Fastolff dyed, and what tyme, and therupon ye shall vndirstand what he hath reseyvid for me and what for hym. And in case he hath reseyvid xij li. and ^Richard hath paijd hym his dute* as he promised, thanne growyth nat to ^John ^Russe past iiij or v li. Notwithstandyng, fare fayre with hym and resonabilly, so @at he leve his bargeyn, and lend hym the remnaunt of the xx li. vpon suerte* for xx li. he desireth to haue outher by dewte* or borowyng at this tyme. Item, he that shall speke with the fermours of %^Akthorp, whos name is ^Langham, he must inquere generally what mony he hath paijd to all men sith Ser ^John ^Fastolff dyed, and see his billes of payment and take therof a titelyng. ^Richard ^Calle hath a bille of parcellis of euery mannes ferme, and he can serche this best in case he be not to favorabill to ^John ^Russe; wherfore I remitte this to your discrecion. But I suppose ^John ^Russe woll telle yow what he hath reseyvid, for [I] haue bifore this tyme wretyn by his seying what he had reseyvid, and I suppose and he remembird that he seid to me he wold not aske his mony in this forme. Neuirthelesse it shall do good so he leve his bargeyn by this meane. I merveyll that I here no tidyngges from yow hough ye haue do at the assises. The berer of this lettir is a comon carier and was at %^Norwich on Satirday, and brought me lettirs from other men; but your seruauntes inquere nat diligently after the comyng of cariers and other men. Wretyn at %^London the Wednesday next after Lammes Day. Ye shall haue lettirs of me this weke. ^John ^Paston To my cosyn ^Margret ^Paston. Myn owne dere souereyn lady, I recomaund me to yow and thank yow of the gret chere @at ye mad me here, to my gret cost and charge and labour. Nomore at this tyme but that I pray yow ye woll send me hedir ij elne of worsted for doblettes to happe me this cold wynter, and that ye inquere where ^William ^Paston bought his tepet of fyne worsted whech is almost like silk; and if that be moch fyner thanne @at ye shuld bye me after vij or viij s., thanne bye [[m]]e a quarter and the nayle therof for colers, thow it be derrer thanne the tother, for I wold make my doblet all worsted for worship of %^Norffolk rather thanne like ^Gonnores doblet. Item, as for the mater of the ix xx li. askyd by my lady of %^Bedford for the maner of %^Westthurrok, where as Ser ^Thomas ^Howes seith that he hath no writyng therof but @at Ser ^John ^Fastolff purchased the seid maner and paijd certeyn mony in ernest, and aftirward grauntyd his bargeyn to the Duc of %^Bedford, and so the mony @at he toke was for the mony that he had paijd; paraventure Ser ^Thomas hath writyng therof and knowyth it not, for if ther be any such mony paijd vpon any bargeyn he shall fynd it in ^Kyrtelyngges bookes @at was Ser ^John ^Fastolffes reseyvour. And it was abought such tyme as the Duc of %^Bedford was last in %^Inglond, whech as it is told me was the viij yere of Kyng ^Herry the Fift or the viij yere of Kyng ^Herry the Sext, and the somme that he paijd for the seid bargeyn was ccc mark. Also he shall fynd, the xxij yere of Kyng ^Herry or therabought, in the acomptes of on of ^Fastolffes reseyvours at %^London, that ther was take of Ser ^Thomas ^Tyrell and of the Duchesse of %^Excestre, that was wif to Ser ^Lowes ^John, fermours of the seid maner, certeyn mony for repayment of part of the seid ccc mark. Also he shall fynd in yeres after @at, or in that yere or ther-aboutes, that Ser ^John ^Fastolff reseyved mony of my Lord ^Revers @at now is, by the name of ^Richard ^Wydevile, for his owne dette dew to Ser ^John ^Fastolff. Wherfore if Ser ^Thomas be trewe to his master lete hym do his devoir to make @at ^Worseter, whech is vphold be hym with the dedes goodes, to be trewe to his master; or ellis it is tyme for Ser ^Thomas to forsake hym and help to punyssh hym, or men must sey that Ser ^Thomas is not trewe. And more-ouer lete Ser ^Thomas examine what he can fynd in this mater that I sent hym word of, whech mater he shall fynd in the seid reseyvours bookes, if he list to seke it. Item, wete of hym whedir any writte of $sub $pena cam to hym therfore. Item, I send hym a bille whech on ^Edmond ^Carvyle for ^Robert ^Otteley askyth of Ser ^John ^Fastolff, of whech, aswell as of a bille askyd by on ^Fraunses for makyng of houses in %^Southwerk, lete send hedir an answere; for and I coud answere hem I wold not send to hym. And that ^Richard ^Calle, or who so evir goo to hym of my seruauntes, lete hym vndirstand that such brethelles as be abought Ser ^Thomas wene that I sent to hym for maters of myn owne, and that I myght not forbere his frenship, whech is no-thyng so; and if it lay in his power to avayle me an c li., as he can not avayle me xx s., I wold [not] send to hym whill he is cuppilled with such felaship as he is. Wherfore he that shuld speke with hym were best to mete with hym at a sodeyn, where he were with some substanciall man that coud informe hym what were his trought to do in the mater; for it grevyth me full evill to send often to hym till he be of sadder demenyng. Item, if any answere I shall haue in this mater I must haue it at the ferthest by that tyme as ^James ^Gresham shall come hedir, for that tyme must I geve an answere; and if ye can get it ere, send it. Item, if the seid Ser ^Thomas be of good disposicion lete hym be spoke to that he be ware of the evidens of %^Dedham. He told ^John ^Pampyng that he had byd ^John ^Russe deliuere hem me, and nough he is turnyd and kepyth hem stille; and I dought lest by such as be abought hym it shall rather be appeyrid thanne amendyd, for this xx wynter hath ^Worseter vsed to bye and selle evidens. And ye can get hem of hym, take hem. Item, get yow copys of the jnquisicions take bifore Master ^John ^Selot for %^Drayton chirch and bifore ^Edmond ^Clere, exchetour, if any such were takyn; and also inquere what day ^Emond ^Clere satte, for he is bound to put in the inquisicion with-in a monyth after it is taken in the peyne of xl li. Item, I sent yow word ye shuld inquere what bribes or rewardes ^Edmond ^Clere toke of outlawed men in %^Norffolk, or any other fals prattes that he hath doon. Dought ye nat he woll not answere of half the good that he hath taken of outlawed men, if it were well inquered. ^James ^Gresham shall cone telle where ye shall best inquere, and such as ye can knowe send me iustly word. Item, that the exspence mad by ^Daubeney for myn howsold be mad vp, and that ^Daubeney be charged with all such somes as ye or I or ^Richard ^Calle haue paijd for hym, and ye for that he hath paijd for yow. As for that I paijd of that was ^Daubeneys charge, I toke ^Calle therof a bille, wherof lete ^Calle send me ayen a copy, and also send me the copy of the bille of your reseytes whech ye haue hom with yow from hens; and that ^Daubeney and ye and ^Call send me a remembrauns of the exspensis of myn housold and yowres, your children, and the college, and all other foreyn paymentes, and that in the makyng of ^Pecokkes acompt such thynges as he hath paijd for the college or the housold be mad as mony deliuerid to ^Calle or ^Daubeney, and that in ther acompt thei to aske alowaunce of the paymentes by the handes of ^Pecok, for I woll no-thyng haue charged nor discharged withinne the acomptes of any maners but only such as longyth to the exspensis of the seid maners. Item, that ye see all acomptes be mad vp, and in especiall for my barly. Notwithstandyng, inasmoch that ye haue had in moch barly and greynes for dettes of your tenauntes of %^Mautby, therfore ^Pecokes acompt must be mad first, that such greynes as he hath deliuerid may be charged vpon the maltster or vpon any other that haue reseyved it. Item, lete ^Pecokkes acompt be mad aftir the forme of ^Norwodes acompt, as I suppose is wretyn in your bille of erandes. Item, take good heed at the charge and discharge of the acompt of ^Fastolffes barly in all plases, for ye shall haue other increse there thanne ye shall haue at %^Mautby; for the mesure of the barly in diuers plases is gretter thanne the busshell at %^Caster, and also ye take an hepe at the comb of fermes, whech in a gret somme castith out a gret. Also the maltster must answere of the increse of maltyng acordyng to old acomptes of ^Fastolffes, and if ^Calle can not vndirstand @at wele thanne ye may send for ^Barker; and ye shall, whan ye haue mad all thyng redy to the acompt, for xl d. haue hym a day or ij, and he can as good skyll theron as ^Bernard can on his sheld. Notwithstandyng, the precedentes of ^Fastolffes acomptes can telle it aswell as he if ther were any man coud vndirstand it. Item, on the day after your departyng I reseyved lettirs by ^William ^Roo from your sones to me and to yow and to ^Richard ^Calle, wherby on of hem writyth @at my lord of %^Norwich, by the meane of Master ^John ^Selot, had geue a jugement in the mater of the presentacion for the chirche of %^Drayton or ^Eue[[r]]et cam thedir. Neuirthelesse I wote well the Bisshop may geve no jugement, for ther longyth no jugement to the mater. Paraventure he may amitte the Dukes presentacion and leve myn, in which case I and Ser ^Thomas ^Howes must take an accion ayens the Duc and the Bisshop and the prest, or ellis I shuld lese the patronage. Neuirthelesse, as for the Bisshop, so ye lete hym haue wetyng aforn secretly and in jentil wise, he woll take no displeasir; for it must be do for eschuyng of a gretter hurt. Notwithstandyng he shall bere no losse but if he woll. Wherfore send me word betymes the very certeynte* what is doon in this mater and what is the prestes name that the Duc presentid, and what is the prestes name that I presentid; and that Ser ^Thomas ^Howes be felt of his disposicion, whedir he be of hert to take and abide by an accion, as it is told me he woll. And if ye may fynd the meane that he may write a lettir to yow or me therfore, or to speke to ^James ^Gresham therfore, and he be thorougly felt in these maters aswell as in the maters wretyn in your bille of erandes. Me thynkyth and he were comond with-all bifore the prior of the White Freres, or some other frend of yours, it shuld cause hym to be the more substanciall in his answere. Item, beware and remembir hough Master ^John ^Selot hath deseyvid yow in this mater. Lerne wisdom therby and forgete it neuir. Item, your seid sones write hedir @at thei wold put some man in %^Cotton betymes, and @at your yonger sone seith he wold haue do it or this tyme but that he hath no mony in his purs to pay for his costes thedir, wherfore he desirith to haue some mony therfore till he myght gadir it vp. Wherfore, if thei be go or whan thei goo, remembir hem that thei haue diuers tymes had mony thedirward and do right nought, and myn aduersaries sent thedir men without mony and had ther intent. Item, hough be it that Mighelmesse payment may not be askyd till the day, yet ther is arerages jnough to gader more thanne xx li., as it is told me. Item, lete your sone ^John the yonger wete @at I reseyved his lettirs and billes for the thyng @at he serched fore, vndir his seall. Neuirthelesse I remembir I fayle certeyn writyngges and skrowes on paper and parchemyn touchyng the same mater, and in especiall of the obites and beryi[n]gis of diuers of the ^Poles and of on ^Pole was a wolle marchaunt paijd gret customes to the Kyng; but I am in dought whedir your seid sone lokyd not iustly ther in the box and bagge @at I bad hym, or ellis @at it were medelid with some other skrowes in the same, or ellis @at it be in a bagge of like maters in my reed chyste at %^Caster. Wherfore, if he may easely come ther-to without tarying of his gretter maters, lete hym assay. Item, he shall fynde a dede how my fadir wass infeffid in @e maner of %^Heylisdon and %^Drayton, whech I suppose be among @e euidens of %^Heylisdon wher I wole haue @e copy. Item, he sendyth me word that ther is a prest callid told Ser ^William ^Barbour that he hath speciall evidens longyng to the manoir of %^Drayton, and that he seid he wold I had hem, but he wold speke with me. Wherfore I pray yow lete Ser ^William ^Barbour, with some other frend of yours, goo speke with the seid prest and to fynd the meane that he wold deliuer yow the seid evidens; and in case he woll not deliuer hem till [he] hath spoke with me, thanne desire ye with some frend of yours to see hem, and if ye seme thei be licly desire hym to come to %^London with on of my men, and to pay for his costes to come hedir to me, and quite his labour. But and ye may, take hem of hym, though ye apoynt to take hem hym ayen or ellis to agree with hym therfore. Neuirthelesse, in the begynnyng lete hym be told @at ye merveyll @at he shuld haue any evidens of that maner, for ye herd me sey @at I had all the evidens of the maner. And lete this be do by-tymes and wittely, and be ware @at this be not do of a sotilte* to fele whedir @at I wold inquere aftir any evidens for faylyng. Item, I pray yow remembir and rede often my bille of erandes, and this lettir, till it be don; and all such maters or articles as ye spede herof, crosse hem @at ye may knowe hem from tho @at be not sped; and send me answere of your good speed. Item, send me hedir the avise what your counsell thynkyth best for the remedy of the chirch of %^Drayton. Though I write right certeynly, if ye loke hem lightly and see hem seld thei shall sone be forgete. Item, I shall telle yow a tale: ^Pampyng and I haue piked your male, and taken out pesis v, for vpon trust of ^Calles promise we may sone onthryve. And if ^Calle bryng vs hedir xx li., ye shall haue your peses ayen good and round; or ellis if he woll not pay yow the valew of the peses there, to the post do nayle his ere, or ellis do hym some other sorough, for I woll nomore in his defaut borough; and but if the reseyvyng of my livelod be bettir plyed, he shall ^Cristes curs and myn clene tryed. And loke ye be mery and take no thought, for this ryme is cunnyngly wrought. My Lord ^Persy and all this house recomaund them to yow, dogge, catte and mowse, and wysshe ye had be here stille, for the sey ye are a good gille. Nomore to yow at this tyme, but God hym saue @at mad this ryme. Wret @e vigill of Sent ^Math[ew] be yowr trew and trusti husbond, ^J, ^P. This is the instruccion for the messenger That ye grete well Ser ^William ^Yeluerton, letyng hym wete in our behalf we be informed that certeyn persones in the name of the right worshipfull oure cosyn the Duc of %^Suffolk, haue enterid in the manoir of %^Drayton that was ^Fastolffes, and haue dreven from the seid manoir and other xiijc shep and other bestes pastured vpon the seid manoir, notwithstandyng we merveyle gretly that the seid Ser ^William, his sones and seruauntes, as it is seid, assiste and counfort the seid persones soo entryng and withdrawyng the seid catell, seying that he is named bothe feffe* and executour; and all be it so that there is variaunce bithwene hym and oure welbelovid ^John ^Paston in oure coort, consernyng aswell the seid manoirs as other goodes that were Ser ^John ^Fastolffes, whom God assoyle, yit it may not acorde with worship and consiens for the seid Ser ^William to assiste the distruccion of the seid manoirs and goodes in the meane tyme. Wherfore we desire hym that he woll do his devour effectually to help to save the seid manoirs from all such pretense or titell, and to cause the seid catels to be restored to the manoirs aforeseid and not to be withdrawen and distroyed as they be; and @at he do his feithfull part in this behalf acordyng to the trust @at he was put in, as we may do for hym in tyme to come. To my rythg reuerent and worchypfoll fadere ^John ^Paston, esquyere, dwellyng jn %^Heylysdon, be thys lettere delyueryd jn haste. Most reuerent and worschepful fadyre, I rekomawnd me hertylye, and submytt me lowlely to yowre good faderhood, besechyng yow fore cheryte* of yowre dayly blyssyng. I beseche yow to hold me ascewsyd that I sente to yowe none erste no wrythgtyng, fore I kowd not spede to myn jntent the materys that ye sent to me fore. I laboryd dayly my lord of %^Estsexe, treserere of %^Ynglond, to haue meuyd the Kyng bothe of the manere [of] %^Deddham and of the byll copye of the corte rolle euerye mornyng ore he went to the Kyng, and often tymys jnquieryd of hym and he had meuyd the Kyng in these materys. He answeryd me naye, seyyng it was no tyme, and seyd he wold it ware osse fayne spedd os I my-selfe; so offte tymys de-layeng me that jn trowthe I thowt ta haue send yowe word that I felyd by hym that he was not wyllyng to meue the Kyng there-in. Neuerthe-lesse I lawboryd to hym contynually and prayed ^Baronners, hys man, to remembyre hym of it. I told offten tymys to my seyd lord that I had a man teryyn jn town that I schuld a sente to yow fore othyre sundry materys, and he teryid fore no thyng but that I mythg send yowe by hym an answere of the seyd materys; othyre tymys besechyng hym to spede me in thoys materys fore thys cawse that ye schuld thynke no defawte jn me fore rememberyng jn the seyd materys. And nowe of late I, rememberyng hym of the same mater, jnquiryd if he had meuyd the Kyngys hythgnes there-in; and he answeryd me @at he hadde felte and meuyd the Kyng there-in, rehersyng the Kyngys answere @er-in: how @at, when he had meuyd the Kyng in the seyd maner of %^Dedham, besechyng hym to be yowre good lord there-in, konsyderyng the seruyse and trewe hart that ye haue done and owthg to hym, and jn espesyal the rygth that ye haue there-to, he seyd he wold be yowre good lord therein as he wold be to the porest man jn %^Inglond. He wold hold wyth yowe jn yowre rygth; and as fore fauore, he wyll nogth he vndere-stand @at he schal schewe fauore more to one man then to anothyre, nowgth to on jn %^Inglond. And as fore the bille copye of the cort rolle, when he meuyd to hym of it he smylyd and seyd @at suche a bylle there was, seyyng @at ye wold an oppressyd syndrye of yowre contre*men of worchypfull men, and the[r]fore he kepyd it styll. Neuer the lesse he seyd he schuld loke it vppe in haste, and ye schuld haue it. ^Baronners vndertoke to me twyes ore thryes @at he sc[h]uld so a remembrid hys lord and master @at I schuld an had it wythinne ij ore iij dayes. He is often tymys absent, and there-fore I haue it nowthg yyt. When I kan gete it I schall send it yowe, and of the Kyngys mowth hys name @at toke it hym. I scend yow home ^Pekok a-geyn; he is not fore me. God send grase @at he may do yow good seruyse, that be extymacion js not lykelye. Ye schall haue knowlyche aftyrward how he hathe demenyd hym here wyth me. I wold, sauyng yowre dy[s]plesure, that ye were delyueryd of hym, fore he schalle neuer do yow profyte nere worchyp. I suppose ye vnderstand @at the monye that I hadde of yowe att %^Lundon maye not jndure wyth me tyll that the Kyng goo in-to %^Walys an kome ageyn, fore I vndere-stand it schall be long ore he kome a-geyn. Where-fore I haue send to %^Londun to myn onkyl ^Clement to gete an c s. of ^Cristofyre ^Hansom yowre seruaunt, and send it me be my seyd seruaunt, and myn herneys wyth it whyche I lefte at %^Lundun to make klene. I beseche yowe not to be dysplesyd wyth it, fore I kowd make non othyre cheysaunce but I schuld a boruyd it of a strange man, sum of my felawys, whe[che] I suppose schold not lyke yowe and ye herd of it a-nothyre tyme. I ame jn suerte* where as I schall haue a-nothyre mann jn the stede of ^Pekoke. My lord of %^Estsexe seythe he wyll do as myche fore yowe as fore any esquyere in %^Inglond, and ^Beronners hys man tellyt me, seyyng 'Yowre fadyre js myche be-holdyng to my lord, fore he louyth hym well.' ^Baruners meuyd me onys and seyd @at ye must nedys do sum-whate fore my lord and hys; and I seyd I wost well @at ye wold do fore hym @at laye jn yowre poware. And he seyd @at @er was a lytyl mony be-twyxe yowe and a jantylman of %^Estsexe callyd ^Dyrward, seyyng @at @er is as myche be-twejn my seyd lord and the seyd jantyilman, of the wyche mony he desieryth yowre part. It is talkyd here howe @at ye and ^Howard schuld a streuyn to-gyddyre on @e schere daye, and on of ^Howardys me[n] schuld a strekyn yow twyess wyth a dagere, and soo ye schuld a ben hurt but fore a good dobelet @at ye hadde on at that tyme. Blyssyd be God that ye hadde it on. No more I wryth to yowere good faderhod at thys tym, but Allmygthy God haue yowe in hys kepyng and send yowe vyttorye of yowre elmyse and worschyp jncressyng to yowre lyuys endyn. Wrytyn at %^Lewys on Seynt ^Bertylmweys Eue. Be yowre seruaunt and eldere sone ^John ^Paston To myn ryth reuerent and worschypful fadere ^John ^Paston, beyng jn the Indere Temple. Ryght reuerent and wyrshypfull fadere, I recommand me vn-to you, besychyng you of youre blessyng and gode faderhode. Pleasyt it you to vnderstond the grete expens that I haue dayly travelyng wyth the Kyng, as the berour here-of can enfourme you, and howe long that I am lyke to tary here in thys countray or I may speke wyth you a-gayn, and howe I am chargyd to haue myn hors and harnys redy and in hasty wyse; be-sykyng you to consydere theys causes and so to remembre me that I may haue suche thynges as I may do my maystere servys wyth and pleasure, trustyng in God it schall be to youre wyrshyp and to myn avayll. In esspeciall, I besyche you that I may be sure where to haue mony somwhat be-fore Estern, other of you or by myn vncle ^Clement when nede ys. Of othere causes the berour here-of can enfourme you. No more to you at thys tyme, but God haue you in hys kepyng. Wryten at %^Stamford the xiij day of March. By yowre sone and seruaunt ^John ^Paston @e oldere To my ryght wurschipfull fadre ^John ^Paston. Plesit you to wete that I am at %^Leyn, and vnder-stande be dyuers personys, as I am in-formed, @at @e Mayster of %^Carbroke wold take a rewle in the Mari Talbot as for capteyn, and to yeue jaketes of his leuery to dyuers personis qwych ben waged be oder men and nouth be hym, beyng in the said shep. Qwerfor, in as moch as I have but few sowdeors in myn dyuers personis qwych ben waged be oder men and nouth be hym, beyng in the said shep. Qwerfor, in as moch as I have but few sowdeors in myn leuery here to strenketh me in @at qwych is the Kynges cummandement, I kepe wyth me yowre too men ^Dawbenney and ^Calle, qwich I purpose shall seyle wyth me to %^Yermoth; for I have purueyed harneyse for hem, and ye shall well vnderstande, be @e grace of God, @at the said Maystere of %^Carbroke shall have non rewle in the sheppes as I had purposid he shuld haue had, be-cause of his besynesse, and for this is on of the specyall causes I kepe yowre said men wyth me, besechyng you ye takyt to non dysplesour of ther taryng wyth me. Nat wythstandyng @er herden at %^Wyggenalle shall ben don this day, be the grace of God, whoo haue you in kepyng. Wreten at %^Leyn the morow after my departyng from you. Item, as far such tydynges as ben here, ^Tht shall in-forme you. ^John ^Paston To my ryght wyrschypful fadre ^John ^Paston, esquyere, be thys letter delyueryd in hasty wyse. Ryght worschypful syre, jn the most lowly wyse I comaund me to yowre good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowre faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and heuynesse @at it hathe ben to me syn yowre departyng owt of thys contre*, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowre plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre @at I may not nere haue noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do sauyng vndre thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesure, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contre* for worschyp or profyht of yow nere ease of yowre tenauntys whych myght and scholde be to yowre pleasyng. Wherfor I beseche yow of yowre faderly pyte* to tendre @e more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her-afftere doo @at schal please yow to @e vttermest of my powere and labore. And if there be any servyce @at I may do, it it please yow to comaund me or if I maye vnderstonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it were any thyng @at myght be to yowre pleasyng. And nomore, but Allmyghty God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn the v day of Marche. By yowre oldere sone ^John ^Paston [[to]] hys ryght worschypful [[fa]]dre ^John ^Paston, beyng [[in t]]he Flete at %^London, be thys delyueryd. Ryght worschypful syre, jn the most lowly wyse I recomand me to yow Pleasyth it yow to wete @at i sente yow a letter but late agoo, in whych letter I lete yow haue vnderstondyng @at, if it pleasyd yow to grante and assente there-to, Syre ^Thomas ^Howes wolde resyngne the benefyce of %^Mawteby to a ful prestly man of %^Norwych callyd Syr ^Thomas ^Lyndys, whom I suppose ye haue knolech of. Neuerthe-lesse I wote wele he hath not ben grettly aquentyd wyth yow. But I and he haue ben moch aquentyd to-gedere, and I vnderstond and knowe hys vertews leuyng and dysposicion ryght wele, whyche herafftere I wote wele scholde please yow ryght wele. And that letter whyche I sente yow, as I vnderstod syns, ^Nycholas ^Colman the berere ther-of cam not owte of %^Norwych iiij or v dayes aftere that the bylle was delyueryd hym, whefor I am jn dowte whythere it is come to yowre handes [[or not]], whyche cawsyth me to wryght to yow ageyn jn thys wyse; besechyng yow, if it plese yow @at the seyd Syr ^Thomas ^Lyndys schal be of yowre promotyng jn @e wyse above wretyn, @at then it lyke yow @at I may haue answere by the berere herof, whych schal tary at %^London a day or ij and not passyng. Nomore to yow at thys tyme, but Alle-myghty God haue yow in guydyng. Wretyn at %^Heylesdon the Fryday next byfore Sceynt ^Mychell. By yowre oldere son ^John ^Paston To my brothere ^John ^Paston. Ryght worschypful and verrely welbelouyd brothere, I hertely comande me to yow, thankyng yow of yowre labore and dyligence that ye haue in kepyng of my place at %^Castre so sewerly, both wyth yowre hert and mynde, to yowr gret bisynesse and troble; and I ageynwarde haue hadde so lytell leysere that I haue not spedde bot fewe of yowre erendys, nere kannot before thys tyme. Asfore my lady ^Boleynes dysposicion to yow werdys, I kannot in no wyse fynde hyre a-greable @at ye scholde haue here dowter, for all the preuy meanes @at I kowde make; in so moche I hadde so lytell comfore by all the meanes @at I kowde make @at I dysdeyned in myn own person to comon wyth hyre there-in. Neuertheless I vndre-stande @at sche seythe, 'What if he and sche kan agre*, I wyll not lette it; but I will neuer advyse hyre therto in no wyse.' And vppon Tewesday last past sche rood hom in-to %^Norfolke; wherfore as ye thynke ye may fynde the meane to speke wyth hyre yowre-selfe, fore wyth-owt that, in myn conceyt, it wyll nat be. And as fore ^Crosseby, I vndrestand not @at @er is no maryage concludyd betwen them; neuer thelesse there is get langage @at it is lyke to be. Ye be personable, and par auentur yowre beyng ones in the syght of @e mayde, and a lytell descuueryng of your good wyl to hyre, byndyng hyre to kepe it secret, and @at ye kane fynde in yowre hert, wyth som comfort of hyre, to fynde the meane to brynge suche a mater abowt as schall be hyre pleasur and yowrys, but that thys ye kannot do wyth-owt som comfort of hyre in no wyse---. And bere yore-selfe as lowly to @e modere as ye lyst, but to @e mayde not to lowly, nere that ye be to gladde to spede nere to sory to fayle. And I alweys schall be yowre herault, bothe here if sche com hydder and at home when I kome hom, whych I hope hastyly wyth-in xl dayes at @e ferthes. My modre hathe a letter whych can tell yow more, and ye may lat ^Dawbeny se it. ^John ^Paston, K. I suppose and ye kall welle vppon ^R. ^Calle he schall puruey yow mony. I haue wretyn to hym j-now. This bille indentyd mad the first day of Maij the vij yere of the reigne of Kyng ^Edward the Fourthe bithwix ^John ^Paston, knyght, on the on partie, and ^Thomas ^Lomnour of %^London, mercer, on the othir partie, witnessith that the said ^Thomas ^Lomnour hath bargeyned, comenauntid and agreed wyth the seid ^John ^Paston in the forme folowyng, that is to say that the same ^Thomas hath sold to the said ^John an ambelyng hors vpon this condicion that if the day of mariage bithwyx the lord ^Charles, sone and heire to the Duc of %^Burgon and my lady ^Margret, sustir to oure souereyn lord the Kyng aboueseid, take effect, and the same lady ^Margret lawfully be maried to the said lord ^Charles wythinne ij yere aftir the date of thes present, thanne and at the same day of mariage the said ^John ^Paston grauntith to pay to the said ^Thomas ^Lomnour for the said hors vj marc. And if the said mariage take not effect wythinne the seid ij yere, yet the seid ^John ^Paston grauntith to pay to the said ^Thomas ^Lomnour at any day aftir the ij. yere aboueseid for the said hors xl s. and nomore. In witnesse wherof the parties abouesaid to these billes enterchaungeably haue set her seals the day and yere aboueseid. ^Jon ^Paston, K. To my ryght welbelouyd brothere ^John ^Paston, esquiere, beyng at %^Caster, or to ^John ^Dawbeney @er be thys letter delyueryd. Ryght welbelouyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wete @at I haue wagyd for to helpe yow and ^Dawbeney to kepe @e place at %^Castre iiij wel assuryd and trew men to do al maner of thyng what @at they be desyiryd to do in saue-gard ore enforcyng of @e seyd place. And moreouyre they be prouyd men and connyng in the werre and in fetys of armys, and they kan wele schote bothe gonnys and crossebowes and amende and strynge them, and devyse bolwerkys ore any thyngys that scholde be a strenkthe to @e place; and they wol, as nede is, kepe wecche and warde. They be sadde and wel advysed men, sauyng on of @em whyche is ballyd and callyd ^Wylliam ^Peny, whyche is as goode a man as gothe on the erthe, sauyng a lytyl he woll, as I vnderstand, be a lytel copschotyn; but yit he is no brawlere, but ful of cortesye, meche vppon ^James ^Halman. The othere iij be named ^Peryn ^Sale, ^John ^Chapman, ^Robert ^Jakys son; sauyng @at as yit they haue non herneyse comyn, but when it komyth it schall be sent to yow. And in the meane whyle I pray yow and ^Dawbeney to puruey them some. Also a cople of beddys they most nedys hue, whyche I pray yow by the help of my modre to puruey for them tyl @at I com home to yow. Ye schall fynde them gentylmanly, comfortable felawes, and that they wol and dare abyde be there takelyng. And if ye vndrestond @at any assawte scholde be towardys, I sende yow thes men becawse @at men of @e contre* there abowt yow scholde be frayed fore fere of losse of ther goodys; wherfore if there were any suche thyng towardys I wolde ye toke of men of the contre* but few, and that they were well assuryd men; fore ellys they myght discorage alle the remenant. And asfore any wryghtyng fro the Kyng, he hathe promysyd @at @er schall come non; and iff ther do hys vnwarys, yowr answere may be thys, how the Kyng hathe seyd, and so to delay them tyll I may haue worde, and I schall sone puruey a remedy. I vnderstond @at ye haue ben wyth my lorde of %^Norfolke now of late. What ye haue don I wote not; we se @at he schal be here ageyn thys daye. More-ouyre I trow ^John ^Alforde schall not longe abyde wyth my lorde. I schall sende yow tydyng of othere thyngys in haste, wyth the grace of God, who &c. Wretyn on Wednysday nexte before Seynt ^Martyn. ^John ^Paston I fere @at ^Dawbeney is not althere best storyd to contenew howsolde longe. Lete hym send me worde in hast, and I wyll releve hym to my powere, and ore longe to I hope to be wyth yow. ^R[o]ger ^Ree is scheryf of %^Norfolke, and he schall be good j-now; th'excheter I am not yit assertaynyd of. Also @at thes men be at @e begynnyng entretyd as corteysly as ye can. Also I pray yow to sende me my flowre be @e nexte massangere @at comyth. Also, as fore my Lorde ^Fytz-water oblygacion, I know non suche in myn adward as yit. Also @e obligacion of the Bisshop of %^Norwychys oblygacion, I neuer sye it @at I remembre, wherfore I wolde and prey my modre to loke it vp. Also as fore the byble @at the master hath, I wend the vttermest pryse had not passyd v mark, and so I trowe he wyl geue it. Wet, I pray yow. Also as fore Syre ^Wylliam ^Barbore and Syre ^Wylliam ^Falyate, I wolde, if they kan puruey fore them-selfe, folfayne be dyschargyd of them. To my well belouyd brothere ^John ^Paston, or to ^John ^Dawbeney in hys absence. Ryght worschypful and well belouyd brothere, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wete @at Syr ^Thomas ^Howes hadde a free chapell in %^Caster, where-of @e gyfte longyth to me, whyche chapell as I vnderstande scholde bee in the olde tyme, ere the place at %^Caster were bylte, wyth-in the motte; wherfore I ame but the better pleased. And soo it is now @at at the speciall request of the Qwen and othere especiall good lordes of myn I haue geuyn it to @e berere here-of, callyd Master ^John ^Yotton, a chapleyn of @e Qwenys. Neuerthelle[s] in tyme passyd I purposyd that @e master of the colegge scholde haue hadd it, and so ere longe to I hope he schall. Wherfore I thynke he most take possession, and that is the cawse of hys comyng; wherfore I pray yow make hym good chere. He is informyd that it scholde be worthe c s. be yere, whyche I belyue not; I thynke it dere jnow xl s. by yeere. He most haue it as it was hadde before. Item, thys daye I vnderstonde that there be comen letteris from my modere and yow and ^Dawbeney, wherin I schall send yow answere when I haue seyn them. No more at @is tyme, for wyth-in this iij dayes I schall lette yow haue knolech of othere materis. Wretyn @e xvij day of Marche. Whethere he nedyth indoccion ore institucion ore non I wot not. If it nede, brothere, ye may seale any suche thynge as well as I. Master ^Steuyn kan tell all suche thynges. ^John ^Paston, K. To my moodre and to my brothere ^John ^Paston. Brothere, it is so @at the Kynge schall come in-to %^Norffolk in hast, and I wot nat whethyre @at I may com wyth hym ore nowt. If I come I most do make a leuere* of xx gownes, whyche I most pyke owt by yowre advyse; and asfore clothe fore suche persones as be in @at contre*, if it myght be hadd there att %^Norwyche ore not I wot not, and what personys I am nott remembryd. Iff my modre be at %^Caster, as ther schall be no dowt fore the kepyng of @e place whyl the Kynge is in that contre*, than I may haue the most parte at %^Caster; and whethere ye woll offre yowre-selfe to wayte vppon my lorde of %^Norfolk ore not, I wolde ye dyd @at best were to do. I wolde do my lorde plesure and seruyse, and so I wolde ye dyde if I wyst to be sure of hys god lordeschyp in tyme to kome. He schall haue cc in a lyuerye blew and tawnye, and blew on the leffte syde and bothe derke colorys. I pray yow sende me worde and yow[r] advyse be ^Juddy of what men and what horse I cowde be purueyd of if so be @at I most nedys kome, and of yowre advyce in all thyngys be wryghtyng; and I schall sende yow hastil[[y]] othere tydyngys. ^John ^Paston, K. And asfore my materis my sariantys haue no dowt in it, wyth @e grace of God, that @is terme they schall do well j-now and haue an ende. Also sende ^John ^Russe worde @at he hathe don in the best wyse, and @at hys deposicion and @e examynacion in %^Canterbury cort acorde in the best wyse, and so hath Fryre ^Moghte don passynly wele. I haue wret to myn oncle @at my moodre kan tell hym more than I haue wret to hym. Late ^Sorell be well kepte. To Mastyre ^Wryttyll. Master ^Wryttyll, I recomande me to yow, besechyng yow hertely,as myn holl trust is in yow, that ye doo yowre devoyre to contynew trews tyll Friday ore Saterday in the mornyng, by whych tyme I hope the massanger shall come; and that ye be not dryuen to take an appoyntment iff ye kan vndrestand by any lyklyod that itt be able to be abydyn and recystyd, and that ye fele my brotherys dysposycion therin, as my trust is in yow; prayng yow to remembre that it restythe, as God helpe me, on all my well. Fore as God helpe me, I hadd leuyre the place were brennyd, my brother and seruantys sauyd, than the best appoyntment that euyre ye and I comonyd of scholde be my goode wyll be takyn, iff thys massage from the Kynge may reskwe it. And iff it be so that my lorde be remevyd by the Kynges comandement whyche restythe wyth hys honore, I may in tyme to kome do hym servyse as schall recompence any grodge ore dysplesure that he euyre had ore hathe to me ore myn. And ye, iff it the rathere by yowre wysdam and polesye the moene above wryten may be hadd, schall be as sewre of the servyce of my trewe brothere and seruantys and me as ye kan devyse, by my trowthe. Fore, in goode feythe, thys mater stykyth more nyghe myn hart and me than I kan wryght on-to yow, and to my brother and seruantys more nere than, as God knowyth, they wot off. Wherffor, Master ^Wryttyll, all owre welffare restyth in yow, besechyng yow to remembre it, for thys mater is to all vsse eyther makyng ore marryng. Item, asfore ^Arblaster ore ^Louell, I kan not thynke that they ore any of them may be wyth yow; wherffore in yow is all, and God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^London the day next afftre yowre departyng. I schall sende yow more knowleche to-morow, wyth Goddys grace. Yowrys, ^John ^Paston., K. Ryght worshypfull syre, I recomaund me to you, thankyng you of youre grete laboure, whych I haue no\t as yet but I shall deserue to my powere; and forthermore lyke you to wyte that I haue thoght ryght long aftere you. Neuyrthelesse I remembere well that ye delt wythe ryght delayous peple, my lord Archbyshop and othere of my lordys, and I dempte by-cawse of youre long tarryng that by youre sad dyscrescyon all hadde ben sett thorow. Neuer the lesse I vnderstond by youre wrytyng that my lord of %^Norffolkys concell thynketh that hys entent whych ye sertefyed me by youre wrytyng sholde be more to hys wyrshop than the appoyntementys and rewll made by the lordys of the Kyngys concell whych be to my seyd lord of %^Norffolk nere kyne, whych appoyntementys sythen youre departyng hath be largely remembryd a-mongys the seyd lordys here, thynkyng it in hem-selff so honorabyll to my lord of %^Norffolk that there shuld non off my lordys concell well avysed mevyd to the contrary. ^Jamys ^Hobart was sent fro my [lord] of %^Norffolk hedere, and spake wyth my lord Archbyshop, and awnswere he had of my seyd lord and howe my lord tendryd the matere yet, and wyll. I trowe he haue told you, and yf he haue not the bryngere her-of schall in-forme you. And he broght thys same appoyntement from my lord that my lord was well aggryed that I shuld ocupye. For my parte, jff I shud take no othere apoyntement but acordyng to youre letter it were hard for me and for my tytell to putte my lord in that possessyon, for there ys thyngys in erthe to myn esse in youre letter gode for me in that appoyntement, sauyng the suerty off my brothere lyffe and my seruauntys whych ye thynke dowtefull yf so be that they lakke stuff, shotte, and vytayll; mervaylyng sore and thynk it jnpossybell jn thys shorte season, or in iiij tyme the season hedere-towardys that thay shuld lakk, othere wythowte it soo be that my lordys men haue enterd owght the place and so had there stuffe from hem, whych I cannot thynk. Also, ser, for the tyme of youre comyng to my lord of %^Norffolk seruauntys of <...> my modere at %^Norwych, mouyng to send to my brothere hyre sone to delyuer the place vndere such a forme as youre lettere specefyeth and so I cannot vnderstand what regard myn lordys concell takyth to my lordys letter and to youre labour in thys behalf but that thay offeryd as largely afore. \e wryteth in youre lettere that ye durst nat passe youre credens. Please you to remembere that seyd youre credens affore the lordys was ryght large, and as large as myght well be in thys matere bothe to my lordys concell of %^Norffolk to wyth-drawe the seege, wyth moore othere matere as ye knowe, and to the justice of the peas and to the shyryff and hys offycers youre awtoryte* was grete j-now to jche of them. Wherfor, Mayster ^Wretell, I neuer for thys nere \et wyll take appoyntement in thys matere but as my lordys wyll and my lord Archbyshop, whych as well as I my-selff haue holy putte oure tryst to youre dyscrete dyreccyon; and my seyd lord [[syth]]en youre departere, \oure goyng, thynkyng you allys mete a man in executyng there comaundement as cowde be chosyn. Neuer the lesse, for awnswere to you at thys season my lord Archbyshop ys north-wardys towardys the Kyng, how be it it ys seyd vppon a metyng wyth my lord of %^Clarens my lord shuld retourne a-yen; and as \ester euyn he send a seruaunt of hys to me, wenyng to hys lordshyp that Ser ^Humfray and ye were in %^Castere as was appoynted, and ye shuld send to hys lordship answere of the gydyng there by wrytyng, comaundyng me that yff any such wrytyngys cam from you yf hys lordshyp wernot past iijxx myle [[from %^Lon]]don to com to hys lordshyp; wyth the same vnderstandyng for sertayn that he ys nat yet so ferre. Wherefore I will in al the hast possybell ryde ny\t and day till I see hys lordshyp, and aftere cominicacyon had wyth hys lordshyp, as sone as ys possybell that a man may go be-twext ye shall haue an aunswere of hys dysposicyon; for hys jntres is such that as I haue wryten I shall neuer do therin wyth-oute hym, as my cosyn, bryngere herof, more playnly shall enforme you. For I canne thynke ryght well that as \e wryteth to me my brodere wyll not delyuer the place to non erthly person but yf he see wrytyng fro my lord. It semyt be youre wrytyng that my lord of %^Norffolk consayll jntende not that my lord Archbyshop shuld dele in thys matere, for he ys not named in youre letter; wherof I mervayle, for it was movyd to you at youre departyng hens the Kyngys concell shuld haue take dyreccyon in thys matere or els my lord Cardenall, my lord of %^Clarens, my lord Archbyshop, and my lord of %^Essex. Neuer the lesse, Mayster ^Wrytyll, all profytht, maner, or lyfflod leyd apart, if it be so that thorow reklesnese my brothere and seruauntys be in such joparte* as ye haue wryten to me, whych shold be half jnpossybell in my mynd that thay shold myssvse so moch stuff in iiij tymes the space, and that ye haue euydent knowlych by my seyd brothere hym-self thereof,i wold praye yow to se hym and them in suerte* of there lyffys, what so euer shold fall of the lyfflode. How be it, I woldnot that my brothere and seruauntys shold gyff vpp the place, not for a ml li., yf thay myght in any wyse kepe it and save there lyves. And therefore, at the reuerens of God, sytht it ys so that my lord Archbyshop and my lordys all and I haue putte our trust in you that ye wyll do your deuoyere to haue the verrey knowlych of my brothere hym-sylf, and not of my lordys men, whedere he stante in such jopartye as youre letter specefyeth or nat, for I dowte not vppon the sy\th of thys letter and of the letter that ye had before that my brothere will put no mystrust in you, consyderyng that he knowyth that ye com from my lordys and my lord Archbyshop and haue my wrytyng. And as for my lord Archbyshop wrytyng an aunswere, such as it shalbe ye shall haue it in all the haste possybell; but I thynke veryly that my lord eschewyth to telle you any thyng wythout @at he myght speke wyth you allone, and me thynketh veryly that thay ought not to lette you to speke wyth hym allone, consyderyng that ye haue auctoryte* and wrytyng from the lordys so to do. And as for the justificacyon of entryng the place and sege layng [[to t]]he same, and the comaundement of the justice of the pease and the sherewe to assyste my lord in thys gydyng, I wote ye vnderstond that the lordys knowe all that matere, and ye herd it comened, and how thay toke it in there consaytys. There ys no more, Mayster ^Wrytell, but I commytt all thys wrytyng vn-to youre dyscrescyon; and as ye thynk best acordyng to such mennys desyre as haue entretyd you therin, and for my moyst avayle, I pray you, ser, soo doo, and I shall se vn-to youre besynes and labour that ye shall haue cause to do for me in tyme comyng and as the bryngere herof shall tell you. And I pray God haue you in hys kypyng. Wryten at %^London the x day of Septembre. By your frend for evere, ^John ^Paston, K. Moodre, vppon Saterday last was ^Dawbeney and ^Bernay were on lyve and mery, and I suppose ther cam no man owt of the place to yow syn that tyme that cowde haue asserteynyd to yow of there dethys. And as towchyng the fyrsenesse of the Duke ere of hys peple schewyd syn that tyme that ^Wryttel departyd, I trowe it was concludyd that trews and abstynence of werre scholde be hadde ere he departyd whych shalle dewre tyl Monday next comyng. And by that tyme I trow @at trews schall be takyn tyll that day vij nyght afftre, by whych tyme I hope of a goode dyreccion schall be hadde. And where as ye wryght to me @at I scholde sewe for letteris from my lordys of %^Clarance and %^Yorke, they be not here; and iff they wrot to hym as @ey haue don ij tymes, I trow it wolde nat advayle.And as fore to labore thois letteris and the rescu togedre, they ben ij sondry thyngys, fore when the rescu is redy that the cost there-of is don---for iff I be dreuyn therto to rescu it ere they com there that scholde do it, it shall cost a ml escutys and as moche afftre; whych wey were harde for me to take whyll @at i maye do it otherwyse. But as to sey @at they schall be rescuyd iff all the lande that I haue in ing[[elo]]nd, and frendys, maye do it, they schall, and God be frendly, and that as schortly as it may goodlely and wele be browt abut. And the grettest deffaut erthly is mony, and som frendys and neyborys to helpe; wherffore I beseche yow to sende me comfort what money ye coude fynde the menys to get ore cheuysche vppon suerte* sufficient ere vppon lyfflod to be jnmorgage ere yit solde, and what peple by lyklyod, yowre frendys and myn, kowde make vppon a schort warnyng, and to sende me worde in all the hast as it is nedffull. But, moodre, I fele by yowre wryghtyng that ye deme in me I scholde not do my deuyre wyth-owt ye wrot to me som hevye tydyngys; and, modre, iff I had nede to be qwykynyd wyth a letter in thys nede I were of my-selfe to slawe a felaw. But, moodre, I ensure yow @at I haue herde x tymes werse tydyngys syn the assege by-gan than any letter that ye wrot to me, and somtyme I haue herde ryght goode tydyngys both. But thys i ensure yow, that they that be wyth-in haue no werse reste than I haue, nere castyth more jupperte*. But whethyre I had goode tydyngys er ill, i take Gode to wittnesse @at I haue don my devoyre as I wolde be don fore in case lyke, and schall doo tyll ther be an ende of it. I haue sent to the Kynge to %^Yorke, and to @e lordys, and hope to haue ansswere from them by Wednysday at @e ferthest; and affter that answere shall I be rewlyd, and than send yow word, fore tyll that tyme kan I take non dyreccion. And to encomfort yow, dy[s]peyre yow not fore lak of vytayle ner of gonne-powdre, ner be natt to heuy ner to mery there-fore. Fore and heuynesse ore sorow wolde haue ben the remedy there-of, i knew neuyre matere in my lyffe @at I kowde haue ben so heuy ore sory fore. And wyth Goddys grace it schall be remedyed well j-now; for by my trowthe I hadde lever lose the maner of %^Caster than @e symplest mannys lyffe therin iff that may be hys saueacion. Wherfore I beseche yow to sende me worde wat mony and men ye thynke @at I am lyke to get in that contre*, fore the hasty purchace of mony and men schall be the getyng and rescu of it, and the sauevacion of most mennys lyffys, iff we take @at weye. Also thys daye I propose to sende to %^Yorke to @e Kyng fore a thyng, whych same only maye be lyklyod be the savacion of all. Ye must remembre that the rescue of it is the last remedy of all, and how it is nat easy to get. And also ye sende me worde @at I scholde nat kome hom wyth-owt @at I kome stronke; but iff I had hadd on othere stronge place in %^Norffolke to haue comen to, thowe I had browt ryght fewe wyth me I scholde, wyth Goddys grace, haue rescued it by thys tyme, ere ellys he scholde haue ben fayne to haue besegyd bothe placys ore yit, and the Duke had not kept %^Yarmoth owthe. But, mother, I beseche yow sende me som mony, fore by my trowth i haue but x s. [i] wot not wher to haue more, and moreouy[r] I haue ben x tymes in lyke case ore werse wyth-in thys x wekys. I sent to ^Rychard ^Call for money, but he sendyth me non. I beseche yow to gyde the euydence @at ^Pekok can tell yow off, and to se it saffe, for it is tolde me @at ^Richard ^Call hath hadd right large langage of them; I wolde nat they com in hys fyngrys. I haue no worde from yow of them, ner whethere ye haue yit in yowr kepyng the euydence of %^Est %^Bekham owt of hys handys, ner whethyre ye haue sent to my manerys that they schold not paye hym no more mony, ore not. Also @at it lyke yow to geve credence to ^Robyn in othere thyngys. Wret the Fryday next affter Holy Roode Daye. ^John ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, and to noon othyre I recomand me to yow, and promyse yow @at I haue and schall labore and fynde @e meane @at ye schall haue honore of yowre delyng, as ye haue hyddre-towardys, as all Ingelond and euery man reportythe. And moreouer I am in weye fore it by many dyuerse weys, wherof there schall be one exicutyd by thys day xiiij nyght at @e ferthest, and parauenture wyth-in vij dayes, and iff ye maye kepe it so longe I wolde be gladd. And afftre that, iff ye haue nott from me other wryghtyng, that than ye do there-in fore yowre saffgarde and yowre felaschep only, and to yowre worschypys; and asfore the place, no force therffore. Ye knowe thys hande, @erfore nedythe no mencion from whom it comythe. And more-ouyre, they that be abut yow be in obloquy of all men, and more-ouyre they haue ben wretyn to by alse speciall wryghtyng as myght be afftre the worlde @at now is, and [i] promyse yow @at the Dukes concell wolde @at they had neuyre be-gon it. And more-ouyr they be chargyd in payne of there lyvys that, thow they gate the place, they scholde not hurt on of yow. There is nowther ye ner none wyth yow but, and he knewe what is generaly reportyd of hym, he ore ye--and God fortewne yow wele- may thynke hym iiij tymes bettere in reputacion of all folk than euyre he was. Be ware whom ye make a consell to thys mater. Also, I lete yow wete @at I am in moche more comffort of yow @an I maye wryght, and they @at be abowt yow haue cawse to be more ferde than ye haue; and also beware of spendyng of yowre stuffe of qwarellys, powdre, and stone, so that iff they assawt yow ere we come that ye haue stuffe to dyffende yow of on, and than of my lyffe ye get nomore; and that yowre felaschyp be euyre ocopyed in renewyng of yowre stuffe. Wretyn the Mondaye next afftre Holy Roode Daye. I trow, thow ye be not preuy ther-to, ther is taken a trews new tyl thys day vij nygh[[t]] To Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston be thys delyueryd Ryght worchypffull moodre, I comand me to yow and beseche yow of yowre blyssyng, and God thanke yow fore yowre tendrenesse and helpe bothe to me, my brothre, and servantys; besechyng yow to sende me worde what is yowre plesure and advyse how that ye thynke were best to do wyth my servantys there wyth yow. Neuerthelesse somwhat I vndrestande by a letter from my brothere ^John and more-ouyre that he hathe myn euydence of %^Bekham. Item, ^Dawbeney, God haue hys sowle, hadde in kepyng an oblygacion in whyche ^James ^Gressham was bonde to me in an c mark, selyd wyth ^James sele, osse I suppose of hys office, and wyth grene waxe. I haue lente ^James and payd for hym abut xl li., and haue non othere sewerte*. I praye yow late it be lokyd vppe be tymes. I deme it is amonge hys gere at %^Norwyche. Item, that it lyke yow to speke to ^James ^Gressham that in any wyse he puruey hym mony to save me harmelez here thys terme ageyn Ser ^Thomas ^Mongomery. Item, myn oncle ^William scholde haue comen home euery daye thys vij nyght, and thys daye or to-morow he comyth homwardys. He and I be as goode as fallyn owt, for he hathe laten me pleynly wete @at he schalle haue alle my grauntdames lyfflod off here enherytance and of hyr joyntore also, wherin I trust to God that he schall helpe. I woll not yit speke of it, ner i praye yow doo not. Also I beseche yow sende me worde of the delyng of my sustre ^Margery and ^Rycharde ^Calle. I wolde nat @at they were maryed of a whyle, iff it maye be, fore dyuers concideracions. Iff it lyk yow to speke on my behalffe, and yowrys bothe, to @e Bysshop to tary it tyll Crystmesse, I hope by that tyme to fynde som remedye therffore; and to telle hym that I desyryd yow to speke to hym therin. And iff soo be that they sshall be maryed in haste, @at than ye sende me worde @er-of whether it be don or nott, and whoghe he purposythe to dele wyth hyre, and how he woll gyde hyre and wher he woll dwelle. Item, that it lyke yow to vndrestande what fellaschyp and what guydyng ys at %^Caster, and that ye haue alwey som spye that maye be grett wyth them and so to vndrestande it and to sende me worde. Item, iff ^Ebysham come nat hom wyth myn oncle w. @at than ye sende me @e ij Frenshe bookys @at he scholde haue wretyn, @at he may wryght them here. ^John ^Paston, K. The Kynge is comyn to %^London, and there com wyth hym and roode ageyn hym the Duke of %^Glowcestre, the Duke of %^Suffolk, @e Erle of %^Aroundell, the Erle of %^Northumbreland, the Erle of %^Essex, the lordez ^Harry and ^John of %^Bokyngham, the Lord ^Dakrez, the Lorde Chambreleyn, the Lorde ^Montjoye, and many other knyghtys and sqwyerys, the meyr of %^London, xxij aldremen in skarlett, and of the crafftys men of the town to @e nombre of cc all in blewe. The Kynge come thorow %^Chepe, thowe it were owt of hys weye, be-cawse he wold not be seyn; and he was acompanyed in all peple wyth ml horsse, som harneysyd and som nat. My lorde Arche- bysshop com wyth hym from %^Yorke and is at @e %^Moore, and my lorde of %^Oxenfford roode to haue mett @e Kyng, and he is wyth my lorde Archebysshop at @e %^Moore and com natt to town wyth @e Kyng. Som sey @at they were yisterdaye iij myle to @e Kyng wardys from the %^Moore, and that the Kyng sent them a massanger that they scholde come whan @at he sent fore them. I wot not what to suppose ther-in. The Kyng hym-selffe hathe good langage of the lordys of ^Claraunce, of %^Warwyk, and of lordys of %^York, of %^Oxenfford, seyng they be hys best frendys. But hys howsolde men haue other langage, so what schall hastily falle I cannot seye. My lorde of %^Norffolk schall be her thys nyght. I schall sende yow more when I knowe more $endentura ^Rogeri ^Towneshend $de $manerio $de %^Est %^Bekham This indenture made the vjte day of Nouembre the ixth yere of the reigne of Kynge ^Edward the Fourth bitwene Sir ^John ^Paston, knyght, on that one partie and ^Roger ^Tounesende, gentilman, on that other partie, witnesseth @at @e seid Sir ^John ^Paston hath graunted, bargayned, and solde to @e seid ^Roger his manoir of %^Estbekham in the counte* of %^Norffolk and all his londes and tenementes with @'appurtenaunces in %^Estbekham, %^Westbekham, %^Bodham, %^Sheryngham, %^Beston $iuxta $mare, %^Routon, %^Shipden, %^Felbrigge, %^Aylmerton, %^Sustede, and %^Gressham in the seid countee, which @e seid Sir ^John purchased and hadde of the yifte and feffement of ^John ^Mariet the elder of %^Estbekham, for an c marke of lawefull money of %^Englond, wherof @e seide Sir ^John is payed in redy money in hande liiij li. by the handes of the seid ^Roger. And so remayneth due to @e seid Sir ^John at @e makynge of thise presentes of the seid c mark only xij li. xiij s. iiij d. to be payed to @e same Sir ^John or his assignees by @e seid ^Roger or his assignees by @e fest of Seint ^Luke next commyng after the date of thise presentes. And for the due execucion and accomplisshyng of @e seid bargayn and sale, @e seid Sir ^John hath made a dede of feffement of the date of thise presentes to @e seid ^Roger and other cofeffees of @e seid ^Roger named in @e seide dede by @e seid ^Roger, to ther heires and assignees to @e vse of @e seid ^Roger, his heyres and assignees, of @e seid manoir, londes, and tenementes with @'appurtenaunces, and a warrant of attourney in @e same dede to make and deliuere an estate and season of and in the same manoirs, londes, and tenementes, with th'appurtenaunces, to @e seid ^Roger and his cofeffees after @e fourme and effect of the seid dede. And @ervppon @e seid Sir ^John deliuered to @e seid ^Roger @e dede of @e seid purchase of the seid Sir ^John and @e endentures of covenaunt and bargayne hadde and made bitwene @e seid Sir ^John and ^John ^Mariett of and for @e seid manoir, londes, and tenementes, and a dede made by ^James ^Andrewe to @e seid ^John ^Mariett, and a-nother dede made by @e seid ^James and one ^William ^Jamys to @e seide ^John ^Mariett and ^John ^Mariett of %^Runton of the premisses. And by the seid last dede @er passed neuer liuere* ne season,and @erfore @e dede made by @e seide ^James ^Andrewe alone after @e decese of @e seid cofeffees is good and effectuell, for therby passed liuere* and season. And where @e seid Sir ^John, by @e seid indentures of covenaunt made bitwene him and @e seid ^John ^Mariett, graunted @at @e same ^John ^Mariett and ^Elizabeth his wyf shuld haue @er dwellyng with-in @e mote of @e seid manoir, and an annuite* of x marke durynge @er lyves and @e lenger leuynge of theym, @e seid ^Roger is aggreabill to @e same; and ouer that the seid ^Roger is aggreabill @at, yf @e seid Sir ^John paye or do pay to @e seid ^Roger an an c marke of lawfull money of %^Englond by @e fest of All Seintes next commyng after @e date of @ise presentes, @at @anne @e seid ^Roger and his seid cofeffees, after dewe and resonable warnynge yeven vnto him at @e labour and costes of @e seid Sir ^John, shall enfeffe @e seid Sir ^John and such as he thanne will name in his dede withouten ony maner of warrantize. In witnesse wherof @e parties beforneseid to these endentures euery to o@er haan sette @eire seals the day and yere aboueseid. To the ryght worschypffull and hys best betrustyd frende, ^Rogere ^Townesende. Right worshipfull sir, I comaunde me to yow, praying yow hertly to remembre that, by the award made by-twen yow and me by ^Roger ^Townesend for a tenement in %^Stratton in %^Norffolk callid %^Rees, I shuld delyuer yow all the evydens apperteynyng to the said plase, and not from thens forth to chalenge ner interupte my lady your wife ner yow of the said tenement; and that for thes said causes ye shuld and therto were agreyd to geve me an horse and x li. to an harneys. And moreovir,bifore Cristemasse in the Kynges chambre ye ther ageyn promysed me that at such tyme as I send to yow home to yowre plase by any seruaunt of myne er any man from me that ye wold delyver it hym and send it me by hym. My brothir ^John hath send me word that he remembird yow therof on my behalfe, and that ye answerid hym that ye wold gyfe hym or me a fayre harneys at your comyng to %^London. I deme in yow that ye thynke par case to bye a fayre harneys here for x mark; but, cosyn, as God help me, I bowte an harneys syn that tyme for my-self which cost me xx li. But I can not desire of yow so moch; wherfore, cosyn, wyth all myn hert I pray yow acordyng to yowre promyse that it like yow to send me by my seruaunt, berer herof, the said somme of x li., as my trust is in yow and as I wolde in like case haue don to yow, and as in the premysses I delt feithfully wyth yow and evir so shall dele, wyth the grase of God, who have yow in hys kepyng wretyn at london the xij day of Feveryer. Yowre ^John ^Paston,K. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, beyng at %^Norwyche, be thys letter delyueryd. I comande me to yow, letyng yow wete that I haue receyuyd yowre letter in @e boxe, and the byllys also off yowre receytys where-in ye refferre yow to a rekenyng whyche ye made to me last, whyche I remembre nat, nere haue no byllys off it that I remembre. But thys was it that I desyred off yow to haue wreten ore asserteynyd me off in rekenyng off all the receyt, asswell olde as newe, off all that was be-hynde and owyng off the tenantys by the seyng and wryghtyng off ^Richard ^Call, and off whom and in what place and what daye and whyther off the olde arreragys ore ellys off the last yere. Item, ye wryghte to ^Osberne ^Berney vij li., refferryng yow to @e last rekenyng, and I haue not @at I knowe no suche rekenyng, nere I knowe nat wher that vij li. was payed nere where a-bowt spendyd. I praye yow iff ye haue any leysere to make bothe rekenyngys in on, and that I maye vndrestande what I owe in yowre conceyte in %^Norffolk, and what is owyng me. Item, I prey yow sende me the wryghtyng be-twen ^Townesende and me by the next massanger. Item, I haue not all the crosse bowez; I lak the tylere fore the mydell bowe, jtem a wyndase fore the bowe that was broken, and the %^Normandy byll. I praye yow sende them me in hast, fore I mervaylle that they come natt wyth @e othere gere. Item, I praye yow sende hydder a bowe @at wasse ^Dawbeneys, wyth a crokyd horn, how so euer ye doo fore ^Tom ^Stompys. Item, as fore Mestresse ^Kateryn ^Dudle*, I haue many tymez recomandyd yow to hyre, and sche is noo thynge dyspleasyd wyth itt. She rekkythe nat how many gentylmen love hyre sche is full of love. I haue betyn the mater for yow yowre onknowleche, as I tolde hyre. She answerythe me @at sche woll noon thys ij yere, and I beleve hyre, for I thynke sche hathe the lyffe @at sche can holde hyr content wyth. I trowe she woll be a sore laboryng woman @is ij yer for mede off hyre sowle. And Mestresse ^Gryseacresse is sure to ^Selengere wyth my lady off %^Exestre, a fowle losse. Item, I praye yow speke wyth ^Harcort off the %^Abbeye fore a lytell clokke whyche I sent hym by ^James ^Gressham to amend, and @at ye woll get it off hym, and it be redy, and sende it me; and asfore mony for hys labore, he hathe another clokk of myn whyche Syr ^Thomas ^Lyndez, God haue hys sowll, gaue me. He maye kepe that tyll I paye hym. Thys klok js my lordys Archebysshopis, but late not hym wete off it, and @at itt [be] easely caryed hyddre by yowre advyse. Also, as for orengez I schall sende yow a serteyn by the next caryere. And asfor tydynge, the berere heroff schall infforme yow; ye most geue credence to hym. Asfor my goode spede, I hope well I am offryd yit to haue Mestress ^Anne ^Haulte, and I schall haue helpe j-nowe, as some seye. Item, ther is a weye mevyd by the meane off my lorde off %^Wynchester betwen Syr ^William ^Yeluerton and me, and bothe Syr ^William ^Yeluerton and I agreyd to abyde hys awarde; wherffore I hope thys next terme ther schall be a weye taken and an ende; and, in concell be it, I fere not the adwarde. I may not wryght my goode hope ner suerte* there-off, iff Syr ^William ^Yeluerton will abyde by that he hathe seyde; and iff he do natt he is begyled, for my lorde of %^Wynchester hathe take admynestracion off Syr ^J. ^Fastolffys testment and Syr ^William ^Yeluerton is excludyd. Syr ^William ^Yeluerton wotythe nat her-off, and I rek not thowe ye tell hym not ther-off. But thys ye may sey to ^Wylliam ^Yeluerton, whyche hathe by-foore thys tyme feynet that he ment well and wold that we hadd ben acordyd, that ye vndrestand that suche a tretye is hadd be-twen hym and me, and that ye preye God make an ende betwen vs, and than schall we all be goode felawez ageyn; and that ye vndrestand @at ^Heydon woll be a gret letter her-off, for he louythe nowthe Syr ^W. ^Yeluerton in conclusion, nor me nowther, and that a gret whyle lawhyd at vs bothe; and iff we tweyn wer agreyd that nowthere of vsse bothe hathe no nede in tyme to kome to dele wyth hym, for off olde malyse he louyth vs nowthe but hatythe vs bothe. And more ouyre he hathe reportyd hymselff off Syr ^Wylliam ^Yeluerton @at he hathe not delt wyselye and that he hathe auenturyd, for malyse of me, hys welffare; and he had kowde haue knowen what he hadde don, but he seyde he was not wyse, seyng that and I hadde recuueryd ageyn hym in the Chancerye that he wer verrely ondon. But I ensure yow I rek not whethyre the tretyse take effecte ere nott, fore the[r] schall be a lyfft at it ere owght longe to, wyth the grace off God. I may not wryght the secretnesse heroff. Thys mater maye not be wyst to noo body but to my moodre and yowe onlye, nowther to Syr ^James ner noo bodye. Item, I preye yow remembre the oblygacion that ^Dawbeney, God haue hys sowle, hadde off ^James ^Gresham how he was bonde to me in c mark. Item, I vnderstande @at ^Thomas ^Wyngffelde and ye were at %^Walsyngham to-gedre; God speede yow. Item, asfore them that were jndyghtyd wyth me off forcyble entre*, ther schall no processe goo owt ageyn them, fore I haue purueyd an attorny for them in the Kynges Benche and haue jmparlyd for them tyll the next terme. Item, I praye yow to comon wyth myn oncle ^Wylliam and to haue a byll off hym what @at is betwen hym and me, and what I owe hym and vppon what pledgys, and to tell hym that thoys pledgys @at he thynkythe lest worthe @at he woll sende me worde, @at they may be fyrst pledgyd owt, for I may not well all at onez. But I preye yow sende me worde off hys dysposycion heryn, and also whethere he be off the same dysposicion in my grantdamez londe as he was at hys last beyng here, at whyche tyme he tolde me @at he scholde and wolde haue suche lond as I loked afftre, rehersyng moreouyre that myn oncle ^Clement had laboryd the same. Item, I praye yow to speke wyth the chancelere Doctour ^Pykenam so that I may haue the mony that was oweng me for Syr ^Thomas ^Lyndys, wheroff I toke a byll to Syr ^W. ^Marrys. It is a-bowt the some off v m[a]rke. Item, Doctur ^Pykenham tolde me at hys laste beyng here @at suche goodez as were Syr ^Thomas were yit reseruyd fore me, and noo thynge don for hym tyll that I be payd off my dewte*; and sende me worde. Item, it is soo @at I am halffe in purpose to com hom wyth-in a monythe here-afftre, or a-bowt Med-lente ore beffore Esterne, ondyre yowre coreccion iff so be that ye deme @at my mooder wolde helpe me to my costys, x m[a]rk or ther-a-bowt. I praye yow feele hyre dysposicion and sende me worde. Item, I cannot telle yow what woll falle off the worlde, for the Kyng verrely is dysposyd to goo in-to %^Lyncoln-schyre and men wot nat what wyll falle ther-off nere there-afftre. They wene my lorde off %^Norffolke scholde brynge x ml men. Item, ther is comen a newe litell Torke, whyche is a wele vysagyd felawe off the age off xl yere, and he is lowere than ^Manuell by an hanfful and lower then my lytell ^Tom by the scholderys, and more lytell above hys pappe. And he hathe, as he seyde to @e Kyng hym-selffe, iij or iiij sonys chyldre, iche on off hem as hyghe and asse lykly as the Kynge hym-selffe. And he is leggyd ryght j-now, and it is reportyd that hys pyntell is asse longe as hys legge. Item, I praye yow schewe ore rede to my moodre suche thyngez as ye thynke is fore here to knowe, afftre yowre dyscression, and to late hyre vndrestonde off the article off the trete* betwen Syre ^Wylliam ^Yeluerton and me. Item, my lorde off %^Warwyk, as it is supposyd, schall goo wyth @e Kynge in-to %^Lyncolne-schyre. Som men seye @at hys goyng shall do good, and som seye that it dothe harme. I praye yow euyre haue an eyghe to %^Caster to knowe the rewle there, and sende me worde; and whyther my wyse lorde and my lady be yit as sottyt vppon it as they were, and whether my seyd lorde resortythe thyddre as offte as he dyd or nott, and off the dysposycion off the contre*. ^J. ^P., K. The copy of the request to the Bishop of %^Wynchester by Ser ^John ^Paston, knyght Fyrst, Syr ^J. ^P. compleyneth and desyrethe, as he hathe dyuerse tymes dessyred, my lorde to make hym an aquitaunce of mlmlmlml mark whyche myght haue been claymed by vertu of wordes rehersed in the bergayne be-twyen Syr ^J.^Fastolf and ^John ^Paston, esquiere, fader, &c. And also off all goodes are any that weer Syr ^J.^Fastolff, that come [to] hys handes, hys faderys, or anye other to the vse off ^J.^Paston, esquier, acordyng to an endentur. Item, he desyrethe hys feffe*ys sholde be dyschargyd off any entresse in any londes @at weer Syr ^J. ^Fastolff in %^Flegge, in as moche as all they excede nott @e valure off l li. yerlye acordyng to @'endentur, as @e seyd Syr ^John is redy to make goode and preeff as reason wyll and concyence, ore ellys, &c. item, he desyrethe that my lorde off %^Wynchester and othere feffyes schulde make astate off the tenement callyd %^Fayrchyldes, parcell off the maners, londes, or tenementys callyd %^Heylesdon, %^Drayton, %^Tolthorp, ore tenementys in %^Norwyche to ^Guy ^Fayrffax, ^Roger ^Townesend, ^William ^Dauerse, and other to @e vse off the seyd lorde and @e seyde Syr ^John. Also @e seyd Syr ^J.^Paston desyrethe to be preuye and see the bullys off dyspensacion for the alteryng off the coledge to be fondyd nowe at %^Oxenforthe, wher it sholde and most ellys be at %^Caster. And @es be sufficienth bothe in lawe and conscience accordyng to @e prom[e]sse of @e said Busshop mad to hym. Also he desyrethe to be aserteyned and to se the letter off admynestracion whyche my lorde most gete on-to hym-selffe approuyd executur off @e wyll and testement off syr ^J.^Fast[[olf]]. Item, as for the maner of %^Guton, Syr ^J. ^Paston thynkythe that he oweth not to assent as yit that ^W. ^Passton shold relese, for ij causis: on for hys penalte* for %^Caster, and @e second fore the entresse off my lorde off %^Canterbury. Item, as for the maneris off %^Saxthorpe, %^Heynfforthe, %^Burnevyles in %^Nakton, %^Cotton, the seyd ^John ^Paston owythe to haue a prefferment and to haue theym or any parte off them byffor the amortysement for londys off lyke valew. As for the maneris off %^Calkotys, %^Browston, %^Spitelyngys, %^Hablond, %^Leystoffte in %^Suffolk, and off the maneris off %^Beyton, %^Tychewell, %^Esexe in %^Hyklyng, iff the lysense be hadde off dyspensacion to @e vse specefyed in the endentur, savyd on-to Syr ^J. ^Paston hys profferment off exchaunge, he is ag[[re]]yd as the cort wyll awarde. This indenture witnessith that Sir ^John ^Paston, knyght, being possessed of xx disshes and a sawser of siluer weying by Troy weight xxvij lb. ix vncis and di. in playn and open market in the Citee of %^London, hathe bargayned, sold, and deliuered the day of the date of thise indentures to ^Edmund ^Shaa, citezein and goldsmyth of %^London, the saide xx disshes and sawser for l li. sterlinges by the said ^Edmund to the forsaid Sir ^John ^Paston aforehand paid, wherof the same Sir ^John ^Paston knowlachith him-self truly contented and satisfied by thise presentes, to haue and to hold the forsaid xx disshes and sawser to the said ^Edmund, his executours and assignees as theire propre godes foreuermore; which bargayn, sale, and delyueree notwithstondyng, the same ^Edmund grauntith by thise presentes, if the said Sir ^John ^Paston pay or doo to be paid to the forsaid ^Edmund, to his executours or assignees, l li. sterlinges the xiijth day of Octobre next commyng after the date of thise indentures, or at any tyme byfore the same day, than the said xx disshes and sawser shalbe deliuered by the saide ^Edmund or his assignees to the forsaid Sir ^John ^Paston or to his attourney makyng the saide payment. And if defaulte be made in payment of the saide l li. in parte or in all at the saide xiijth day of Octobre, than the saide graunte made by the forsaid ^Edmund of reliueree of the saide xx disshes and sawser be void and of noon effect. But that than the saide Sir ^John ^Paston grauntith and byndith him by thise indentures and promiseth vpon his honoure and worship to warant the said xx disshes and sawser and the sale of the same to the said ^Edmund, his executours and assignees, ayenst almaner people foreuer. In witnesse wherof the parties aforsaid to thise indentures entierchaungeably haue sette theire sealles. Youen the third day of July in the xth yere of the reigne of Kyng ^Edward the Fourth. This endenture made at %^London the viij day of Julij the xthe yere of the regne of Kyng ^Edward the iiijthe by-twyxt Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght,of the on partye and ^Sthephen ^Kelke, citeseyne and goldsmyth of %^London, on the other partye, bereth witnesse @at the said Syr ^John the day of this present wrytyng hathe bargayned, delyuered, and solde to the forsayd ^Sthephen xvj potengers, weying of Troy weyght xxij li. x vnc of seluer di. vnc., for xl li. of laufull money of %^Englond receyued by @e same Syr ^John for the same bargayne. And the said ^Sthephen graunteth by this presentes that and the said Syr ^John, his executors or assignez, pay or do to be payed to @e said ^Sthephen xl li. of laufull money of %^Englond by-fore @e feste of Witsontyde next comyng, @at than the same ^Sthephen shall selle and delyuer a-yen to the said Syr ^John alle the forsaid dysshes and potengers of seluer; prouyded that, and the same potengers be take a-wey by any open robberye, that than @e said ^Sthephen be not bounden her-by to @e latter sale or relyuere*. In witnesse wher-of the partyes a-bouesayd to @is endentures enterchaungeabully haue set to theire seales @e day and yere a-foresaid. Magna indentura conuencionum factarum inter dominum episcopum Wintoniensem et ^J. ^Paston militem de qua materia tamen dictus ^Johannes generaliter relaxauit. This indenture made betwene the right reuerend fader in God ^William ^Wayneflete, Bisshop of %^Wynchestre, on the oone party, and ^John ^Paston, knyght, on the other party, wittenesseth that where ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, nowe dede, late beyng seised in his demene as of fee of dyuers maners, londis, and tenementes in the countees of %^Surre*, %^Essexe, %^Suffolk, and %^Norfolk, and in the cite* of %^Norwich, and beyng also possessed of right grete and notable summes of money, jowelex, plate, aras, and other godez and catallez qvyk and dede, caused a feoffement of the said maners, londes, and tenementez to be made to the seid reuerend fader and other, to haue to them and to theire heyres foreuermore to parfourme thereof the wille and entent of the seid Syr ^John ^Fastolf, the same Syr ^John ^Fastolf also made his testament and named and ordeyned the seid reuerend fader and other to be executoures of the same testament; which Syr ^John ^Fastolf, amonge othere pitueux and charitable dedes, willed and ordeyned vij prestys and vij poore folkes to be endowed perpetuelly to praye for the soulez of the same Syr ^John ^Fastolf and of Dame ^Millicent his wife and other of his frendes and benefactours. After the decesse of which Syr ^John ^Fastolf grete variance hathe growen betwene ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, fader of the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, on the oon party, and dyueres of the seid feoffe*z on the other party,for a bargayne alleged to be made betwene the said ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, and ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementez in the counte*z of %^Norfolk, %^Suffolk, and in the citee of %^Norwich; by occasion of which variance dyvers of the seid feoffe*z of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementez haue thereof made estat, summe to oon persone and summe to other, and grete summes of money and also grete substaunce of the said goodes and catallex and of th'issues and profettes growen and commen of the seid maners, londes, and tenementez, and the wodez of the same, haue be wasted, decaied, and spent, the verey wille of the seid Syr ^John ^Fastolf in many grete parties thereof delaied and not parfouremed yet nor executed, and the seid troublez contynued neuer likly in tyme cummyng to be executed. Wherefor the seid reuerend fader, seyng that all the seid named executours nowe in life, excepted hymself oonely, what for renownecyng of administracion of the seid testament, what for other cawses, may not now take vpon them the administracion thereof, considered also of the seid grete substance of lond and goodez the grete waste, destruccion, and perplexite*, havyng pite* and compassion that of so blessed and charitable entent of the seid ^John ^Fastolf no commendable effect shuld ensue, remembryng the singuler trust which the same ^John ^Fastolf to hym had, bothe in the seid feoffament and in th' execucion of the testament and of the premyssez, hathe taken vpon hym th'execucion of the seid testament, entendyng by the grace of God, bothe of the seid londes as farforthe as he may and also of such goodez of the seid ^John ^Fastolf as yet remayne vnspent and shal com to the hondys of the seid reuerend fadere, that the wille of the same ^John ^Fastolf therof shalbe executed. Therefore in ceesyyng of variances, pleez, and trowblez which haue fallen and hereaftir by likliode shuld be contynued, and in accomplesment of party of the will of the said ^John ^Fastolf, it is aggreed betwene the said parties in maner and fourme foloyng: that is to witt that the said ^John ^Paston and all othere personez by hym or to his vse havyng any title, posses- sion, or interesse in any maners, londes, tenementez, or other possessions which were of the seid ^John ^Fastolf in the counteez and citee aforesaid, except certeyn maners, londes, tenementez, and possessions with thaire appurtenauncez vnder writen, that is to wite the maner of %^Castre with appurtenance in the counte* of %^Norfolk, and all the londys and tenementez called %^Vaux, %^Redham, or %^Bosoms in %^Castre, the maner called %^Spencers in %^Haryngby, except also the maners of %^Hailesdon, %^Drayton, %^Tolthorp, and tenementez in the citee of %^Norwich, shal relenxe before the fest of Cristmasse to the seid reuerend fadere and to his heires foreuermore all theire right and intresse which thei haue in all the seid maners, londes, and tenementez, or in ony of them, excepted before excepted, discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or ony charge by them or ony of them made, other than the same maners, londes, tenementez, and possessions or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the said ^John ^Paston or to ony person or persones to th'use of the said ^John ^Paston. Also the said reuerend fader shal, before the said fest of Cristmasse, do to be made to @e seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, or such personez as the same1 ^John wol assigne, and to theire heires foreuermore, a lawfull and sufficiant dymysse of estate of fee symple of the said maner of %^Castre and of the seid maner called %^Spensers in %^Haryngby and of all the londes and tenementez in %^Castre and also the londes and tenementes in %^Haryngby called %^Spensers which were of the seid ^John ^Fastolf, and which the seid reuerend fadere to-gedir with ^John ^Beauechampe, knyght, Lord ^Beauechamp, and other had of the feoffament of ^Rauf Lord ^Suydeley and other such, and the hole estat as the seid reuerend fader and Lord ^Bewchamp have or had by reson of the same feoffement discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or any charge by theym or either of them made, other than the same maners, londes, and tenementez or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the same feoffement made. Also the seid reuerend fader graunteth to doo his effectuell deuoure to cause ^William ^Paston to make dymyss of his estat of fee theryn to the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, in the same fourme discharged, and that by sub pena if the case require. And forthermore the seid reuerend fader promitteth vpon his honoure to do his effectuell deuoure that before the feste of Witsontide next comyng ^John, Duke of %^Norfolk, and all other personez by the same Duke or to his vse beyng feoffed in the seid maner of %^Castre or in any of the seid londes and tenementes in %^Caster aforeseid, shal make laufull and sufficiant dymysse of theire estat, title, and interesse thereof to the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the same ^John ^Paston wol assigne and to theire heires foreuer- more, discheirged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or any charge other than the same maners, londes, and tenementes or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the seid Duke or to any person to th'use of the same Duke. And if ^William ^Yeluerton, knyght and justice, or ^William ^Geney, seriaunt, haue not relessed or graunted theire estat in the seid maner of %^Castre to the seid ^John, Duke of %^Norfolk, nor to none other persone to th'use of the same Duke, than the said reuerend fader shal doo his effectuell deuoure to cause the said ^William ^Yeluerton and ^William ^Geney to graunte theire said estat to the seid reuerend fader or to the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the seid ^John ^Paston wol assigne and to theire heires foreuermore, or relesse in-to theire possession before the seid fest of Cristmasse, discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion or any charge by theym or either of them made other than the same maners, londes, and tenementez or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the seid ^William ^Yeluerton and ^William ^Geney. And if th'estat of the seid maner of %^Caster to the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, be not so made by the seid Duke and other to his vse possessed thereof, the said reuerend fader graunteth that withyn iij monethes next foloyng the said fest of Witsontide to do make a laufull and sufficient estat of fee symple of the maner of %^Guton with th'appurtenaunce to the said ^John ^Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the same ^John wol assigne and to theire heires, discharged as it was tyme of the feoffement made thereof to the seid reuerend fader, or elles to paye and content to the same ^John ^Paston, knyght, or to his assignez withyn the same iij monethes dccxl markez laufull money of %^Englond. Also it is aggreed that if the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, haue not the seid maner [of] %^Guton to hym and to his heires as is aforesaid, than the same reuerend fader shal discharge the seid ^John ^Paston of promys of bargayne of the seid maner of %^Guton by the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, made to ^Thomas, Archebisshop of %^Canterburye. Also, as to the said maners of %^Halysdon, %^Drayton, %^Tolthorp, and tenementes in the cite* of %^Norwich with theire appurtenaunces, it is aggreed betwene the seid parties that the seid reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston, knyght, shal sue for the obteynyng thereof by laufull and resonable menes by aduyse of theire counseill and at theire owne cost; and suche thynge theryn as thei haue, or shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned by them or any of them, or by any other havyng therein title or interesse to th'use of any of them, shalbe equally dyvided betwene the said reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston, knyght, and theire bothe heyres, how be it that any of the seid reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston, knyght, decesse before the same recoueryng, getyng, or obteynyng. And neither of the same partiez, heyres, or executours shal take advauntage by the survyuer, butt oonely haue the halfdele of such thyngez as shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned. Also neither of the same partiez shal theryn take nor make ende nor relesse withoute assent of other. And it is also aggreed that the seid reuerend fader of the said maners of %^Drayton, %^Tolthorp, and tenementes in the citee of %^Norwych and londes, tenementez, and possessions in %^Drayton, %^Tolthorp, and %^Norwich with theire appurtenauncez which were of the said ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, shal thereof before the said fest of Cristmas enfeffe ^Guy ^Fairefaxe, serieant at lawe, ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, ^Roger ^Tounesend, ^Nicholas ^Hervy, and ^William ^Danvers, to haue to them and to theire heires, to th'use of the seid reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston in fourme abouesaid. And ouer this, as to the seid maner of %^Wynterton called %^Begvilez, the maner of %^Reppes in %^Bastwik, londes and tenementes called %^Cattes in %^Haryng- by, the thirde part of the maner of %^Rounham, londes and tenementez in %^Yernemouthe, londes and tenementez called %^Billez in %^Stokesby, with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentes, and appurtenauncez, it is aggreed betwene the said parties that the said reuerend fader shal there-of before the seid fest of Cristmas cause to be made to the said ^Guy ^Fairefaxe, ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, ^Roger ^Tounesend, ^Nicholas ^Hervy, and ^William ^Danvers a lawfull and sufficiant dymyss of estat of fee symple, aswell such and the hoole estat and partez of the same as the seid reuerend fader and the seid Lord ^Beauechamp now haue or at any tyme had by reson of the feoffement thereof made by the seid ^Rauf Lord ^Suydeley and other to the seid reuerend fader, Lord ^Beauchamp, and other, as such and the hole estat and partez of the same as the seid reuerend fader hathe or shal haue by relesse of the feoffe*s of the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, or by the seid Duke or other to his vse, or by the seid ^William ^Yeluerton and ^William ^Geney or any of [the] feoffe*s of the seid ^John ^Fastolf. Also the seid reuerend fader graunteth to doo his effectuell deuoure to cause ^William ^Paston to make thereof dymyss of his estat of fee in the same fourme, and that by sub pena as the case requyreth, which feoffement of the seid reuerend fader thereof in fourme aboueseid shalbe made to th'entent that the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, and his heires shal haue there-of as much londes and tenementez as to-gedir with the seid maner of %^Castre, londes and tenementez in %^Castre, the said maner, londes, and tenementez called %^Spencers in %^Haryngby, shal atteyne to the yerely value of l li. ouer all chargez and reprises at eleccion of the seid ^J. ^Paston. And the residue thereof aboue l li. yerely shalbe to th'use of the seid reuerend fader and his heires, to be disposed for the sowle of the seid ^John ^Fastolf. And that as wel the seid maners of %^Castre and %^Haryngby, the seid londes and tenementez in %^Castre and %^Haryngby, as the said maners of %^Wynterton, %^Reppes, the iijd part of the maner of %^Rounham, londes and tenementez called %^Cattys in %^Haryngby, londes and tenementes in %^Yernemouth, londes and tenementez called %^Billes in %^Stokesby, with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentes, and appurtenauncez, shalbe extended to an yerly value by the discrecion of ^Roger ^Tovnesend and ^William ^Danvers, the same extent to be made in writyng before the fest of %^Candelmas next foloyng; and if the seid ^Roger and ^William or any of them decesse before the seid extent made, than it is aggreed betwene the said partiez that euerych of @em shal for theire part name oone persone to make the same extent before the fest of Estre than next foloyng aftir the date of these presentez. And if the seid ^Roger and ^William, or if thei decesse before extent made the seid other personez named in fourme aboueseid, can not accord in makyng of the seid extent, than the seid partiez bethe aggreed that the same ^Roger and ^William, or if they decesse the seid other personez named, shal chese an vmpere to make the seid extent before the fest of Witsontide next foloyng; vnto which extent in any of the seid fourmez made bothe the seid parties shal stond. And if noone extent be made in any of the seid fourmez before the seid fest of Witsontid, than the seid feoffe*z shal suffre the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, to haue thereof, and of %^Castre and %^Haryngby as is aforeseid, to the yerely value of l li., and the seid reuerend fader shal haue the residue there-of ouer l li. Also the seid reuerend fader is aggreed att his owne charge to obteyne of the Pope a sufficiant dispensacion for chaungyng of the place and fundacion of the seid perpetuel prestes and poore folkes fro the seid maner of %^Castre. Also, withyn vj monethes next foloyng the seisyn and possession of @e same reuerend fader obteyned and had of all the seid maners, londes, and tenementes, excepted before excepted,the same reuerend fader graunteth to exhibit and fynd perpetuelly in his college att %^Oxonford vij prestys and vij poore scolers to praye for the sowles of the seid ^John ^Fastolf and of Dame ^Milicent his wife, his frendys and benefactoures. Also the same reuerend fader graunteth to acquyte and discharge the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, and th'executoure of ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, of mlmlmlml marcz which mought be claymed by the seid reuerend fader for the bargayne pretented to be made betwene the seid ^John ^Fastolf and ^John ^Paston, sqwyer; and ouer this the same reuerend fader graunteth to acquyte and discharge the same ^John ^Paston, knyght, of all summez of money, jowelx, plate, aras, and all goodes and catallex quyk or dede which late were of the seid ^John ^Fastolf and com to the hondes or to th'use of the seid ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, ^John ^Paston, knyght, or any of them, or any other persone to th'use of the seid ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, ^John ^Paston, knyght, or any of them. Also, if any of the seid maners, londes, and tenementes which shal remayne or be to th'use of the said reuerend fader lye to the pleasure of the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, @e same reuerend fader graunteth byfore th' amortezement thereof @e said ^John ^Paston to haue them to hym or to his heires by wey of eschaunge for othere maners, londes, and tenementez of suere title and like value. Also the same ^John ^Paston vpon his feith, knyghthode, and honeste* promytteth to delyvere before @e said fest of Cristmas to @e seid reuerend fader all dedes, chartres, euydences, and munimentz concernyng soolly any of @e said maners, londes, and tenementes which by vertu of this aggrement shal remayne toward @e said reuerend fader and which @e same ^John ^Paston, or any other person to his vse, now hathe or by the seid fest of Cristmas shal haue. And all such dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidencez which the same ^John ^Paston, or any other person to his vse, hathe concernyng aswel the seid maners, londes, and tenementes which as is foresaid shal remayne to the said reuerend fader, as to @e said maners, londes, and tenementes which by the seid aggrement shal remayne to @e said ^John ^Paston, knyght, the same ^John ^Paston as aboue promitteth to do bryng before the seid fest of Cristmas all the seid dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidences to @e Priory of Seynt ^Marie Ouerey in %^Suthwerk, there to be delyuered and putt in a chest lokked with ij lockes and ij keyes, whereof oon key shal remayne with the seid reuerend fader and a-nother key shal remayne with the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, to th'entent that bothe @e seid partiez may haue recourse to the seid euidences whan any of theire possessions be putt in plee or trowble; vnto which recourse so to be had bothe the seid partiez shalbe aggreable, aftir the trwe entent hereof declared by writyng endented and triparted, whereof oone part shal remayne with @e seid reuerend fader and a-nother part thereof shal remayne with the said ^John ^Paston, knyght, and @e iij part thereof shal remayne with the Priour of Seynt ^Marie Ouerey. And in like wise the seid reuerend fader promytteth on his honoure to delyuere to the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, before the seid fest of Cristmas all dedes, chartres, euidences, and munimentz conceryng soolly any of the seid maners, londes, and tenementez which by vertu of this aggrement shal remayne toward the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, and which the seid reuerend fader, or any persone to his vse, nowe hathe or by the seid fest of Cristmas shal haue. And all such dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidences which the seid reuerend fader, or any persone to his vse, hath concernyng aswel the seid maners, londes, and tenementz which shal remayne to @e seid reuerend fader as to @e seid maners, londes, and tene- mentez which shal remayne to @e seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, the seid reuerend fader as aboue promitteth to do bryng before @e seid fest of Cristmas all @e seid dedes, chartres ,munimentes, and euidences to @e seid Priory of Seynt ^Marie Ouerey, there to be delyuered and putt in-to the seid chest to th'entent aforesaid. In witnesse whereof the seid partiez vnto thies indentures chaungeable* haue putt theire sealez. Date is the xiiijthe daye of jule the xthe yere of the reyne of Kyng ^Edward the iiijthe. $indentura $inter $dominum $episcopum $Wintoniensem $et ^J. ^Paston $militem $de $acquietancia $et $relaxacione. ^E. iiijti xmo. This endenture made bitwene the right reuerent fader in God, ^William ^Wayneflete, Bisshop of %^Wynchestre, executour of the testament of Sir ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, on the oon parte and ^John ^Paston, knyght, son and heire of ^John ^Paston, squyer, and executoure of the testament of the same ^John ^Paston, squyer, named to be oon of th'executours of the testament of the said ^John ^Fastolff, on the other parte, witnesseth that where in other endentures made bitwene the same parties, wherof the date is the day of makyng of thiez presentz, of disposicion and departyng of alle the maners, londez, tenementz, possessions, and hereditamentes, with theire appurtenauncez whiche were of the said ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, in the counteez of %^Surre*, %^Essex, %^Suffolk and %^Norffolk, and in the citee of %^Norwich, the said ^John ^Paston, knyght, hath oonly therof taken and shall have toward hym-self and his heires and other to his vse the maner of %^Castre with th' appurtenauncez and the londes and tenementz called %^Vaux, %^Redham, and %^Bosoms in %^Castre, the manere called %^Spencers in %^Haryngby, and the londes and tenementz called %^Spensers in %^Haryngby with theire appurtenauncez, and also to have to hym and to his heires and other to his vse of the said maners, londez, and tenementz, togider with the maner of %^Wynterton called %^Begvyles, the manere of %^Reppes in %^Bastwyk, the third parte of the manere of %^Rounham, londes and tenementz called %^Cattes in %^Haryngby, londez and tenementz called %^Billes in %^Stokesby, londes and tenementz in %^Yernemouth with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentz, and appur- tenauncez to the yerly value of l li. over all charges and reprisez at eleccion of the said ^John ^Paston accordyng to the saide other indentures, and of the manerez of %^Haylesdon, %^Drayton, %^Tolthorp, and tenementz in the cite* of %^Norwich with theire appurtenauncez the said reuerent fader and ^John ^Paston, knyght, to have as in the said endentures more playnly may appiere, the said ^John ^Paston, knyght, not to have more of any of the maners, londes, tenementz, possessions, and hereditamentes whiche were of the said ^John ^Fastolf, but vtterly to leve theym to the said reuerent fader, to parfourme therof the wille and entent of the said ^John ^Fastolf, but if the said ^John ^Paston like to have of theym by waye of eschaunge as in the saide endentures more playnly may appiere. Therfore the said reuerent fader relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said ^John ^Paston ml ml ml ml marc. by reason of the bargayne allegged to be made bitwene the said ^John ^Fastolf and the said ^John ^Paston, squyer. The said reuerent fader also relesseth, dischargeth, and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said ^John ^Paston, knyghte, and his heires the fundacion or makyng of [a] college and endowyng of vij preestes and vij poure men to praie perpetuelly for the sowles of the said ^John ^Fastolf and of Dame ^Milcent his wif and theire benefactours, whiche fundacion, makyng, and endowyng the said ^John ^Paston, squyer, by reason of the said allegged bargayn was bownde and sholde have made. The said reuerent fader also relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said ^John ^Paston, knyght, alle manere of accions, claymes, and demaundes whiche the said reuerent fader hath or may have ayenst the said ^John ^Paston, knyght, his heires or execu- tourz, or ayenst th'executourz of the testament of the said ^John ^Paston, squyer, or any of theym by reason of the testament of the said ^John ^Fastolff and of the godes or catelles whiche were of the said ^John ^Fastolf and whiche cam to the handes of the said ^John ^Paston, squyer, ^John ^Paston, knyght, or any other persone to the vse of theym or of any of theym. And the same ^John ^Paston, knyght, relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentez to the said reuerent fader alle maner accions, claymes, and demaundez of londez, possessions, or godes whiche were of the said ^John ^Fastolf whiche the same ^John ^Paston hath, or may have by reason of the said allegged bargayn, or by reason of any agreement bifore tyme had or made bitwene the said reuerent fader and the same ^John ^Paston, or by any other reason or cause growen bifore the makyng of the saide other indentures; alwey forseen that this present endenture nor no graunte nor relesse therin con- teyned extend not to the avoydyng or dischargyng of any promys, covenaunt, penalite*, paiement of money, estate, or relesse of londez or tenementz, or liueree of evidences to be made , or graunte to be parfourmed or caused to be parfourmed by any of the saide partiez to o@er or any to their vse to be parfourmed herafter, conteyned in the said other indentures, but that all the poyntes and articles in the saide other indentures conteyned be truely parfourmed and kepte after the true intent of the same. In wittenesse wherof the said partiez vnto thies endentures have chaungeably putte theire seales the xiiij day of juyll the xth yere of the reigne of Kyng ^Edward the iiijth. ^John ^Paston, K. This indenture triparted made betwene the right reuerend fader in God, ^William, Bisshop of %^Wynchestre, on the oone part, and ^John ^Paston, knyght, ^Guy ^Fairfaxe, serieant at lawe, ^John ^Paston, sqvyer, ^Roger ^Tovnesend, ^Nicholas ^Hervy, and ^William ^Danvers on the other part, witn- esseth that where the said reuerend fader, by his chartre indented whereof date is @e daye of makyng of thies presentez, hathe enfeoffed @e said ^Guy, ^John ^Paston, sqvyer, ^Nicholas, and ^William of @e maners of %^Drayton and %^Tolthorp in @e counte* of %^Norfolk and all @e londes, tenementez, possessions, and hereditamentez in %^Drayton, %^Tolthorp, and in the cite* of %^Norwich with theire appurtenauncez which sumtyme were of ^John ^Fastolf, knyght, and which @e said reuerend fader, togider with other late ioyntly had to them, theire heirs and assignez, of @e dymysse and feoffement of ^Rauf ^Boteler, knyght, Lord ^Suydeley, and other as in the said chartre may appiere, th'entent of @e said feoffement is that such thyng as by the said reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston, any of them or theire heirs, shal thereof be recouered, goten, or obteyned shalbe equally dyvided betwene @e said reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston, knyght, and theire both heires, and nethir of @e said parties shal take advauntage by the survyver of other, but oonely haue the halfedele of such thynge as shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned. And forthermore, where the said reuerend fader by oon other chartre indented, whereof date is also the day of makyng of thies presentez, hathe enfeoffed the said ^Guy, ^John ^Paston, sqvyer, ^Roger, ^Nicholas, and ^William of @e maner of %^Wynterton called %^Begvilez, @e maner of %^Reppys in %^Bastwik, @e thirde part of the maner of %^Rowneham, londez and tenementez called %^Cattes in %^Haryngby, londes and tenementes called %^Billez in %^Stokesby, and all the londes, tenementes, possessions, and hereditamentez in %^Wynterton, %^Bastwik, %^Rounham, and %^Yernemouthe, with appurtenauncez, which sumtyme were of @e said ^John ^Fastolf and wich the said reuerend fader togider with other late ioyntly had to them, theire heires and assignes, of @e dymysse and feoffement of @e said ^Rauf Lord ^Suydeley and other as in the said chartre maye appiere, th'entent of the said feoffement is that of @e maners of %^Wynterton and %^Reppys, the iij parte of the maner of %^Rounham, londez and tenementez called %^Cattes in %^Haryngby, londes and tenementez called %^Billez in %^Stokesby, and all @e londez, tenementez, and possessions and hereditamentez in %^Wynterton, %^Bastwik, %^Rounham, and %^Yernemouth abouesaid, with th'appurtenauncez, the said ^John ^Paston, knyght, and his heirs shal haue as muche of maners, londes, and tenementez, togedir with the maner of %^Castre, londes and tenementez called %^Vaux, %^Redham, and %^Bosoms in %^Castre, the maner, londes, and tenementez called %^Spencers in %^Haryngby, shal atteyne to @e yerely value of l li. ouer all charges and reprises att eleccion of the said ^John ^Paston, and the residue thereof aboue l li. yerely shalbe to th'use of the said reuerend fader and of his heirs to be disposed for the soule of the said ^John ^Fastolf, alwey foreseen if any extent thereof be made in any fourme conteyned in other indentures thereof made betwene @e said reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston, knyght, or theire heyres that bothe the said partiez stond to the same extent so made. In witness whereof @e said partiez vnto thies indentures haue chaungeable* putt theire seales, the thirde part hereof ensealed with @e seales of the said reuerend fader and ^John ^Paston, knyght, remaynyng with the said ^Guy ^Fairefaxe. Date is the xiiijthe day of Juyll the xth yere of @e reigne of Kyng ^Edward the iiijth. $dominus $de ^Bewchamp And forasmoch as I am credibly enfourmed that my lord of %^Winchestre hath sent to you desiring that ye shold ensele dyuers writingys of graunt and relesse of your estat in alle such maners, londys, and tenementys as late wer of ^J. ^Fastolf, knyght, and wheryn ye, togider wyth other, be iointly enfeffed to th'use of the seid ^J. ^Fastolf I, considering the honorable disposicion and gret sadnesse of my seid lord of %^Winchestre, which is feffe* of the seid therin and hath now taken vpon hym th'administracion of testament of the seid ^J. ^F., trusting verryly that my seid lord wol as conscience requireth consider my title and interese in that behalf, praie you right hertely that, not wythstonding any labour or mocion on my part or for me in tyme passed made to you to ensele any writyng of graunt or relesse of youre seid estat to me or to myn vse, that ye wol now ensele and parfourme the entent and desir of my seid lord ^%Winchestre now made vnto you. Ser ^John ^Paston, K. Brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wete @at I sende yow a letter in a boxe by ^Corby, and another by ^Gulmyn the gonnere whyche I wote well is nat comen yit to yow; wherffor I praye yow to remembre the letter broght to yow by ^Coorby, and in cheff that the euydence whyche ye wote offe be here in all the haste, for by my trowthe and they be not her by Saterdaye itt is to me a reproche, I haue so largely appoyntyd and promysed ther-in. Item, I thynke @at Mestresse ^Kateryn ^Dodlee hathe lettyd yow, wherffor iff it soo be @at ^Dauerse com in-to %^Norffolke ere than ye haue serchyd fore the seyde euydence, he woll parcase desyre to helpe yow, whyche nedythe nat to doo, for I haue seyde by the assent off ^Dauerse to my lorde off %^Wynchester that he scholde helpe yow; neuyre the lesse ^Dauerse seythe he woll nowther desyre it nor besy hym abowt it. He schall com thedyre for other cawsesse, noo-thyng ageyn myn aduantage,wherffor I praye yow make hym goode cheer and holde hym company in that ye maye. Also telle ^Johne ^Pampyng that the mayde at @e Bulle at ^Cluddys at %^Westminster sent me on a tyme by hym to the %^Moore a rynge off goolde to a tookne, whyche I hadde not off hym; wherffor I wolde he scholde sende it hyddre, for sche most haue itt ageyn, ore ellys v s., for it was not hyrrys. Item, I praye yow be redye, the mater qwykennythe bothe for yowe and yowres as well as for vs and howrys. As for tydynges,my lorde Erche- bysshop is at the %^Moore, but ther is beleffte wyth hym dyuerse off the Kynges seruantes, and as I vnderstond he hathe lysence to tarye ther tyll he be sente foore. Ther be many folkes vppe in the Northe, soo @at ^Percy is not able to recyst them; and soo the Kyng hathe sente for hys feeod men to koom to hym, for he woll goo to putt them down, and soom seye @at the Kynge ssholde come ageyn to %^London and that in haste, and as itt is sayde ^Cortenayes be londyd in %^Deuenschyre and therre rewle. Item, that @e Lordes ^Clarance and %^Warwyk wooll assaye to londe in %^Ingelonde euyrye daye, as folkes feere. I praye yow late not ^John ^Mylsent be longe from me, wyth as moche as can be gaderyd, and also that ye wryght to me off all thynges that I haue wretyn to yow fore, so that I maye haue answere off eu[er]y thynge. Other thynges Bachelere ^Waltere, berere here-off, schall informe yow. Wretyn at %^London the Sondaye nexte beffor Seynt ^Lawrence Daye. Also my brother ^Edmonde is not yit remembryd. He hathe not to lyff wyth; thynke on hym,&c. ^John ^Paston, Kn. ^Richard ^Rawlyns This endenture made at %^London the vijthe day of August in @e xthe yere of the regne of Kyng ^Edward @e iiijthe bytwene Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, on the o partye, and ^Richard ^Rawlyn of %^London, grocere, on the other partye, witnesseth that @e said Syr ^John hathe @e day and yere afore said solde, bargayned, and delyuered to @e said ^Richard ij chargers, iiij potengers, weying xj li. Troy weyght on vnc. and iij quarter of seluer, for xx li. of lawfull money of %^Englond receyued by the said Syr ^John the day of makyng of this presentes. And the said ^Richard graunteth @at and the said Syr ^John, his executors or assigneez pay or do to be payed to the said ^Richard, his executors or assigneez xx li. of lawfull money of %^Englond by-fore @e feste of Wythsonday next comyng, that than he shall doo deluer to the said Syr ^John or his assigneez so paying the said xx li. all the forsaid dysshes of seluer. In wytnesse wher-of the partyes aboue said to this endentures haue set to ther seles the day and yere a-boue wreten. To ^John ^Paston, esquyere, in haste. Brother, I comand me to yow, prayng yow @at thys be yow[r] guydyng iff other folkys wy[ll] agre* to @e same: @at Master ^Roos, olde ^Kneuett, ye, and the worshypffullest @at wyll do for owre sake, as ^Arblaster, ^John ^Gyneye, ^Wodhows, and al other gentelmen @at at the daye wyll be in %^Norwyche, @at ye all holl os on bodye come to-gedre @at my lorde off %^Oxenfforde maye ondrestande @at som strenkethe restyth ther, by whyche iff it be well handely[d] and proue in the handely[ng] I trow ^Heydonnes parte woll be but an easy comparyson. Neuer the lesse ye than most ye be ware off on payn, and that is thys:^Heydon wyll off craffte sende amonge yow par case vj or more wyth harneyse fore to sclandre yowre felawschep wyth sey[[in]]g that they be ryotous peple and nott of substance. Requere the gentelmen aboue wretyn that iff any men be in %^Norwyche off the contre* that bere any suche harneyse to do them leue it, ore any glysteryng byll. The meyre and siteseynes off %^Norwyche wher wonte to haue a sertayne in harneyse off men off the town to @e nombre off ij ore iij ore vc, whyche iff they now do in lyke case those woll owe better wyll to Master ^Roos and yow @an to othere folkys; and iff it be so @at the thowte nat to haue non suche at thys tyme I thynke the meyre woll do it at @e request off Master ^Roos and yow,iff lak off tyme cawse it not. Item, be well ware off ^Clopton, fore he hathe avysed my lorde to be all to-gydre rewled by ^Heydon, in so moche he hathe reportyd that all thyng and all materys off my lordes, and in all the contre*, scholde [be] guydyd by ^Heydon. Iff ^Clopton ore ^Hygham ore ^Lowes ^John be besy, prese in to my lorde byffor the[m], fore the[r] be no %^Suffolk materys, and tell the raylyng, prayng them not to cawse my lorde to owe hys fauore fore there plesere to som folkes ther present, fore iff my lorde fauoryd, ore theye owthere, by lyklyod my lorde and they myght lose vj tyme as many frendes as he scholde wynn by there meanes. Also iff ye cowde fynde the menes, Master ^R. and ye, to cawse [the] meyre in my lordes ere to telle hym, thow he scholde bynde my lorde to concell, that the loue of the contre* and syte* restyth on owre syde, and that other folkys be not belouyd nere neuyre were, thys wolde do nonn harme, iff it be soo @at all thynge go olyuer currant; wyth more to remembre that there is owt off that contre* that be nat at %^Norwych besyde me, that be ryght worshypfull and as worshypffull as few be-longyng to %^Norffolk that woll and schall do my lorde seruyse, the rather fore my sake and Master ^Rossys, and the rathere iff my lorde remytt nat moche thynge to ^Heydon guydyng. Also the goodely menes wherby ye best can entrete my cosyn Syr ^W. ^Calthorpe at the seyde day, wse them to caw[s]e hym, iff itt wyll be,to come, ye in hys companye and he in yow[r] in cheff at yow[r] cheff schew, and Master ^Roos and he in company; latyng my seyde cosyn wete @at I tolde hym ones @at I scholde meue hym off a thyng I trostyd scholde be encressyng bothe to hys honore and well. I sende yow a lettyre com to %^Norwyche by lyklyod to yow on Monday last past; it come some-what the lattre, fore I wende haue dyed nat longe by-foore it. Also I receyued on from yow by Master ^Blomvyle yister euyn. Tell my cosyn ^W. ^Yeluerton that he may not appyre off a whylle in no wyse; I trow my cosyn hys fadre schall sende hym worde off the same. Do @at ye can secretly that my lorde be nat heuy lorde on-to hym. It is vndrestande @et itt is doon by the craffte off ^Heydon---he gate hym in-to that offyce to haue to be ageyn me, and nowe he sethe that he hathe done all @at he can ageyn me and now may doo no more, nowe he wolde remeve hym. The daye is comen @at he fastyd the euyn fore, as an holye yonge monke fastyd more than all the couent, afftre that fore hys holynesse and fastyng hopyd to be abbott, whyche afterwarde was abbot, than leffte he hys abstynens seyng the daye was come @at he fast the eeuyn fore. Brothere, I pray you recomand me to my lord of %^Oxfordes gode lordshyp, and where as I told my lord that I shuld haue awayted vppon hys lordshyp in %^Norffolk, I wold that I myght soo haue don leuer than a hundred li., but in godefeth thos maters that I told my lord [i] trowed shold lette me wer not fynyshed tyl yesterday, wherfor y[e]f that cause. And also syn Halowmasse euery othere day my\tnot hold vppe myn heed, nor yet may, insomoch that sythen the seyd day in %^Westminster Hall and in othere place I haue goon wyth a staffe as a goste, as men sayd, more lyke that I rose owte of the erth then owte of a fayre laydys bedd; and yet am in lyke case, sauyng I am in gode hope to amende. Wherfore I beshyche hys lordshyp to pardon me, and at a-nothere tyme I shall make dobell a-mendes, for by my trouth a man cowydnot haue hyred me for vc markis wyth so gode will to haue ryden in-to %^Norffolk as to haue at thys season, there to haue awaytyd un hys lordshyp; and also I wold haue ben glad, for my lord shold haue knowyn what seruys that I my\t haue don hys lordshyp in that contray. Item, youre geere ys send to you, as ^Thomas ^Stompes sayth, sauyng ^Mylsentes geere and the shaferon, whych I cannot entrete ^Thomas ^Stompes to goo therefore thys iij or iiij days, wherfor I knokkyd hym on the crowne, &c. Item, loke that ye take hyde that the lettere wernot broken or that it com to youre handes, &c. Wryten at %^London on Thursday next aftere Seynt ^Erkenwoldes Day, &c. ^John ^Paston, K. These vndirwretyn be the goodes and stuffe of howsold lefte in the maner plase of %^Caster by Sir ^John ^Paston at the entre* of my lord of %^Norffolk in- to the same maner, and born and led awey duryng my lordes possession there. First, xxiij barres of jron lying overthwart the jnner gate and the bakhows gate, ich worth ij s. iiij d. Item, ij gret fowlers wyth vj chambirs lying in the jnner gates. Item, a lesse fowler and a serpentyne wyth vj chambirs lying in Ser ^John ^Stilles chambir. Item, a gret serpentyne wyth iij chambirs lying vpon a carte. Item, a short potte gonne wyth ij chambirs lying in the chapell. Item, iiij gonnes lying in ij stokkes callid orgon gonnes, wyth ix chambirs. Item, a gret fowler lyimg in ^Bedfordes Towre wyth iij chambirs. Item, a small serpentyn wyth iij chambirs lying in ^Penys Towre. Item, a gret fowler wyth iij chambirs lying in the lavendre*. Item, a serpentyne wyth ij chambirs lying in the somer halle. Item, a fowler wyth iij chambirs lying in the kechyn. Item, a small serpentyne wyth iij chambirs lying in the botery. Item, ij smale serpentynes wyth vj chambirs lying in the gret towre. Item, a gret fowler wyth iij chambirs lying in the larder. Item, over the bakhows gate a small fowler wyth iij chambirs. Item, in the overmest chambir of the gret towre a gret standard and a peyre gardevyandes. Item, in the tresory ij standardes bounde wyth jron. Item, in the warderobe a gret standard and a cofir wyth quarell hedes a busshell. Item, iij panes of glasse of xviij fete wele wrought wyth jmages and armes and other besy werk set in the chambir wyndowe over the chapell. Item, ij panes of glasse of xij fete in the same chambir wrought wyth armes and other devises. Item, ij panes of glasse of ij fete wyth armes in the somer halle. Item, in the same halle and chambir next vj plates of coper and gilt wyth armes vpon, set in the walle for wax or candell to stonde on. Item, in the same halle ij longe tabils, on grene, a nothe[r] yelough. Item, ij peyre trostelis poyntid reed. Item, iij chayris, wherof ij were poyntid reed and on grene. Item, in ^Daubeneys chambir a cuppebord wyth a rennyng leed. Item, in the nethermest chambir of the gret towre a falt tabill. Item, a peire trostelis on-poyntid. Item, a long chayre poyntid reed in the chambir next the somer halle. Item, a long chayre onpoyntid in ^Inglose chambir. Item, a cuppebord and a long chayre poyntid in the prestes halle. Item, xij formes standyng in dyvers chambirs. Item, a morter of brasse set in a long stokke wyth a pestell therto. Item, a tornyng morter of free stoon wyth iiij holis. Item, ij gret spittis callid standardes. Item, a peyre quernes to grynd wyth mustard. Item, a gret leed to brewe wyth iiij comb malt. Item, a gret vessell of brasse set in a forneys to sethe in growte. Item, a gret gylyng fat for iiij comb malt. Item, ix ledes set in iij stokkes to cole in worte, ich conteynyng xx galons and more. Item, xij stondes to tonne in ale, ich conteynyng xxiiij gal. Item, ij spyndyls of jron for the hors mille. Item,ij ryngis for the same. Item, ij trendils for the same. Item, a pese of lede that coverid on of the rounde torettes of the jnner gate. Item, a-nother pese of leed that coveryd a litell toret comyng oute on to the clokke lede ouer Sir ^James chambir. Item, a pese of lede of a spowte of ij yardes long comyng by the gresis next the chapell. Item, a cranke of jron to wynde wyth the clokke. Item, xxv lokkes. Item To alle Cristen people whom this present writing shal come vnto ^John ^Paston, knyght, sendeth greting in our Lord God euerlasting. Where it is so that certein agrementes and accordes beth had betwene the right reuerend fader in God, ^William, Bisshop of %^Winchestre, on the oon part, and me the seid ^J. ^Paston on the other part, of the maners, lordshippes, londes, tenementes, possessions, and hereditamentes which sumtyme wer of ^J. ^Fastolf, knyght, as in endentures therof betwene vs made may appier; where also sithen the making of the same indentures iugement hath be yoven for me ayenst ^W. ^Yeluerton, knyght, in the Kynges Chauncerie vpon a bille sued by me in the same Chauncerie ayenst the seid ^W. ^Yeluerton and ^W. ^Genney, serieant; and ouer this where the seid reuerend fader hath sued ayenst ^W. ^Paston, vncle of me the seid ^J. ^Paston, a writte sub pena in the seid Chauncerie; know ye me the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, feithfully to promytte and graunt by thiez presentes and bynd me by the order of knyghthode and myn honeste* as ferforth and as straitly as I can to parfourme and fulfille on my behalf alle and euerich of the appointementes made betwene the seid reuerend fader and me natwithstonding the seid iugement, suytes, or any other cause or occasion what so euer it be. In witnesse wherof I haue vnto thies presentes put my seale xij day of February the xlix yer of the regne of our souerain lord King ^Henry the vjthe. To my moodre. Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette @at, blyssed be God, my brother ^John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. Neuer the lesse he is hurte wyth an arow on hys ryght arme be-nethe @e elbow, and I haue sent hym a sorion whyche hathe dressid hym, and he tellythe me @at he trustythe @at he schall be all holl wyth-in ryght schort tyme. It is so @at ^John ^Mylsent is ded, God haue mercy on hys sowle, and ^Wylliam ^Mylsent is on lyffe and hys othere seruantys all be askapyd by all lyklihod. Item, as for me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God, and in no joparte* off my lyff if me lyst my-selffe, fore I am at my lyberte* iff nede bee. Item, my lorde Arche-bysshop is in the Towre. Neuer the lesse I trust to God @at he schall do well j-noghe. He hathe a saffe-garde for hym and me bothe. Neuerthelesse we haue ben troblyd syns, but nowe I vndrestande @at he hathe a pardon, and so we hope well. There was kyllyd vppon the felde halffe a myle from %^Bernett, on Esterne Daye, the Erle off %^Warwykk, @e Marqweys ^Montacu, Syr ^William ^Terell, Syr ^Lowes ^John, and dyuerse other esquierys off owre contre*, ^Godmerston and ^Bothe. And on the Kyng ^Edwardes partye, the Lorde ^Cromwell, @e Lorde ^Saye, Syr ^Omffrey ^Bowghshere off owre contre*, whyche is a sore moonyd man here, and other peple off bothe partyes to @e nombre off more then a ml. As for othere tythynges is vndrestande here @at the Qwyen ^Margrett is verrely londyd, and hyre sone, in the west contre*, and I trow @at as to-morow ere ellys @e next daye the Kyng ^Edwarde wyll depart from hense to hyre warde to dryve her owt ageyn. Item, I beseche yow @at I maye be recomandyd to my cosyn ^Lomnore, and to thanke hym fore hys goode wyll to me wardes iff I had hadde nede, as I vndrestoode by the berer heroff. And I beseche yow on my behalue to advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng ore langage as yit, for the worlde, I ensure yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall knowe wyth-in thys monythe. The peple heere feerythe it soore. God hathe schewyd hym-selffe marvelouslye, lyke hym @at made all and can vndoo ageyn whan hym lyst; and I kan thynke @at by all lyklyod schall schewe hym-sylff as mervylous ageyn, and @at in schort tyme, and as I suppose offtere then onys in casis lyke. Item, it is soo that my brothere in on-purveyed off monye. I haue holpyn hym to my power and above, wherffore, as it pleasythe yow, remembre hym, for [i] kan not purueye for my-selffe in @e same case. Wretyn at %^London the Thorysdaye in Esterne Weke. I hope hastely to see yow. All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye nat adoghted off the worlde, for I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe I ame not all vndon, nere noon off vs; and iff otherwyse, then, &c. < D 14710712> I, ^John ^Paston, knyght, haue do this writyng of reles hereto annexed to be writen. And also I haue sealed the same writyng and delyuered hit to ^Robert ^Anketill to kepe as a cedule, and nott my dede as yet, vnto tyme that ^Dauid ^Husband and ^William ^Gifford, named in the same writyng, or oone of them, requyre the said ^Robert to delyuere to them or to oone of them the said writyng; att which tyme I wol that the same ^Robert delyuere to the said ^Dauid and ^William, or to oone of them, the foresaid writyng as my dede,the same writyng att the same delyuerance so to be made by the said ^Robert first to take effect as my dede and not before. To Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston, or to ^John ^Paston, esquier, hyr sone, in hast. Ryght well belouyd brother, I comande me to yow, letyng yow wete @at I am in wellffare, I thanke God, and haue ben euyre syns @at I spake last wyth yow; and mervayle sore @at ye sent neuer wryghtyng to me syns ye departyd. I herde neuyre syn @at tyme any worde owt off %^Norffolk. Ye myght att Bertelmev Feyre haue had massengerys j-nowe to %^London, and iff ye had sent to ^Wykys he scholde haue conveyd it to me. I herde yister-daye @at a worsted man off %^Norffolk @at solde worstedys at %^Wynchester seyde @at my lord off %^Norffolk and my lady wer on pylgrymage at Owre Lady on foote, and so they went to %^Caster; and @at at %^Norwyche on scholde haue had large langage to yow and callyd yow traytore, and pyked many quarellys to yow. Sende me worde ther-off. It were well doo @at ye wer a lytell sewrere off yowr pardon than ye be. Auyse yow; I deme ye woll her-afftre ellys repent yow. I vndrestonde @at Bastarde ^Fauconbryg is owther hedyd or lyke to be, and hys brother bothe. Som men seye he wolde haue deseruyd it, and som sey naye. I purpose to be att %^London the fyrst daye off the terme. Sende me worde whethyre ye schall be ther or nott. Item, I wolde wete whether ye haue spokyn wyth my lady off %^Norffolk or not, and off hyr dysposicion, and the howsoldys, to me and to yow wardes, and whether it be a possible to haue %^Caster ageyn and ther goode wyllis, or nott. And allso I praye yow vndrestande what felaschyp and guydyng is in %^Caster, and haue a spye resortyng in and owt; so maye ye know the secretys a-monge them. Ther is moche adoo in the Northe, as men seyn. I pray yow be ware off yowr guydyng, and in chyff off yowre langage, so @at fro hense forthe by yowr langage noo man parceyue @at ye fauor any person contrary to @e Kynges plesure. I vndrestonde @at @e Lord ^Ryuers hathe lycence off @e Kynge to goo to %^Portyngale, now wyth-in thys vij nyght. I pray yow recomande me to my moodre, and beseche hyr off hyr blyssyng on my be-halue. I herde not from hyre thys x wekys, nowther I wote not whether sche be payed off x li. at %^Sporle ore nott. I deme yis; neuerthelesse ^Harry ^Halman is a false schrew. For all my spekyng wyth hym my-selffe, and @er-to @e [daye] assyngnyd by hym-selffe, wher as he scholde haue payed at Candelmes to paye me, he hadd daye to paye ^Townesend tyll Fastyngonge; and at Mydsomer i vndrestonde he had not payed ^Townesende, as hym-selffe tolde me. He hathe don me an hurte @erby more than he wenythe. Iffe he haue not payed my moodre I praye yow see @at sche be payed, and scende to hym for it; and sende me worde how it is. Item, I praye yow scende me worde iff any off owre frendys or well- wyllerys be dede, fore I feer @at ther is grete deth in %^Norwyche and in other borowghe townese in %^Norffolk; for I ensure yow it is the most vnyuersall dethe @at euyre I wyst in %^Ingelonde, for by my trowthe I kan not her by pylgrymes @at passe @e contre*, ner noon other man @at rydethe er gothe any contre*, @at any borow town in %^Ingelonde is free from @at sykenesse. God sease it whan it pleasyt hym. Wherffor, for Goddysake, late my moodre take heede to my yonge brytheryn, that they be nat in noon place wher that sykenesse is regnyng, nor that they dysport not wyth noon other yonge peple whyche resortythe wher any sykenesse is. And iff @er be any off that syknesse ded or enffecte in %^Norwyche, for Goddes sake lete hyre sende them to som frende off hyrse in-to @e contre*, and do ye @e same, by myn advyce. Late my moodre rather remeve hyr howsolde in-to @e contre*. Euyn now ^Thyrston browt me worde fro %^Lundon @at it was Doctore ^Aleyn @at cawsyd yowre troble @at ye had at %^Norwych, and @at ^John ^Pampyng roode for a dyscharge fore yow and @at he hathe sped well; but hoghe, @at wot I nott. Iff ye be cleer owt off Doctore ^Aleyn danger, kepe yow ther and here-afftre ye maye schoffe as well at hys carte. I praye yow sende me worde of all the forme off hys delyng wyth yow. I had almost spoke wyth Mestresse ^An ^Hault, but I dyd not. Neuyre thelesse thys next terme I hope to take on weye wyth hyre ore othere. Sche is agreyd to speke wyth me, and sche hopythe to doo me ease, as sche saythe. I praye yow sende me worde hoghe ye doo wyth my lady ^Elysabeth ^Boghschere; ye haue a lytell chaffyd it, but I can not tell howe. Sende me worde whether ye be in better hope ore werse. I her seye @at the Erle off %^Oxenffordys bretheryn be goon owt off sceyntewarye. Syr ^Thomas ^Fulfforthe is goon owt off sceyntewarye and a gret felaschyp fettchyd hym, a iijxx, and they sey @at wyth-in v myle off %^London he was [wyth] cc men, and no man wotethe where he is become not yit. The Lordes ^Hastyngys and ^Howard be in %^Caleys and haue it pesebely, and Syr ^Walter ^Wrettesle* and Syr ^Ieffrey ^Gate be comyn thense and woll be at %^London thys daye, as it is seyde. Wretyn at %^Waltham besyd %^Wynchester the daye nex Holy Roode Daye. ^J. ^P., K. To hys well belovyd ^John ^Paston, esquier, at %^Norwyche, or to Mestresse ^Margret hys moodre. I comande me to yow, letyng yow weet @at I vndrestonde @at @e Duchesse off %^Suffolk and @e Duke of %^Norffolk concelle jntend verrely thys terme in the begynnyng to comence a-geyn the appelys ageyn me and yow and other off owr seruantys, wherffor itt is full convenyent @at we take goode heede and ryght goode advyce how to guyde vs for itt, and whether it is convenyent for me to appyre or nott; wher-in I wolde, as well as in other materys, fayne knowe yowre advyce and comon wyth yow and other off my frendes er I joparte any sertayn weye, for in my conseyt I most thys terme take oon wey or other. Wherffor I praye yow, iff ye maye in any wyse, @at ye wolde be her at %^London wyth-in iiij dayes afftre Seynt ^Feythe, as well for the materys above wretyn as for a fynall conclusion to be taken wyth Mestresse ^An ^Hault and wyth all other folkys. Item, I vnderstande be ^Juddy @at he hathe spoken wyth yowre cosyn ^Sampson at @e %^Barse, and he promyttyd ^Juddy @at he scholde hym-selffe haue spoken wyth yow er thys tym. He seyde alsso @at he hathe wretyn to yow twyes or thryes; howe it is syns I wote not. I wolde fayne haue the mesure wher my fadre lythe at %^Bromholm, bothe the thyknesse and compase off the peler at hys hed and from that the space to @e alter, and the thyknesse off that awtre and jmagery off tymbre werk, and what hyght the arche is to @e gronde off @e jlde, and how hye the grovnde off the qwyre is hyer than the grownde off the jlde. Item, I praye yowe late the mesure by pakthred be taken, or ell mesured by yerde, how moche is from the northe gate ther the brygge was at %^Gressham to @e sowthe wall, and in lyke forme from the este syde to @e west; also the hyght off the este wall and the hygh[t] off the sowthest towre from @e grownde, iff ye maye easely. Alsso what breede euery towre is wyth-in @e wall, and whych towre is moore than other wyth-in; allso how manye fote or what brede eche towre takythe, wythin jche cornere off @e quadrate ovyrethwert the dorys, and how many taylorys yerdys is from @e moote syde wher the brygg was to @e hyghe weye, or to @e heddge all a-longe the entre*, and what brede the entre* is be-twyen @e dykys. I praye yow, iff ye haue a leyser in any wyse, se thys doone yowr-selffe iff ye maye; or ellys iff ^Pampyng do it, or who @at ye thynke can doo it, I wolle spende xx d., or as ye seme, to haue the sertayn off euery thyng her-in. And as for my faderys tombe, I charge yow se it yowre-selffe, and when I speke wyth yow I woll tell yow the cawses why @at I desyre thys to be doon. As for tydyngys, the Kyng and @e Qwyen and moche other pepell ar ryden and goon to %^Canterbury, neuyr so moche peple seyn in pylgrymage her-to-foor at ones, as men seye. Alsso it is seyde @at @e Erle off %^Penbroke is taken in-to %^Brettayn, and men seye @at the Kyng schold haue delyuere* off hym hastely; and som seye @at the Kynge off %^France woll se hym saffe and schall sett hym at lyberte* ageyn. Item, ^Thomas ^Fauconbrydge hys hed was yesterdaye sett vppeon %^London Brydge lokyng in-to %^Kent warde, and men seye @at hys brother was sore hurte and scope to seyntwarye to %^Beuerle*. Syr ^Thomas ^Fulfforthe escapyd owt off %^Westminster wyth an c sperys, as men seye, and is in-to %^Deuenshyre, and ther he hathe strekyn off Syr ^John ^Crokkerys hed and kylt an other knyght off the ^Corteneys, as men seye. I wolde ye hadd yowre verrey pardon at onys, wherffor I praye yow fayle not to be at %^London wyth-in iiij daye afftre Seynt ^Feythe. Ye schall do goode in many thynges, and I praye yow sende me worde her-off by the next massenger, and iff it come to Mestresse ^Elysabeth ^Hyggens at @e Blak Swan sche schall comveye it to me, for I woll not fayle to be there at %^London ageyn wyth-in thys vj dayes. Mestresse ^Elysabeth hathe a son, and was delyueryd wyth-in ij day afftre Seynt ^Bertelmew, and hyre dowtre a.h. was @e next daye afftre delyueryd off an other sone, as sche seythe xj wekys er hyre tyme. It was crystened ^John, and is ded; God save all. Nomore tyll I speke wyth yow. Wretyn at %^London on Mychellmesse Euyn. ^J. ^P., K. Item, I praye yow late som wytty felaw, or ellys yowre selff, goo to @e townes ther as thes ij women dwelle, and inquire whether they be maryed syns and ageyn, or not; for I holde the hoorys weddyd, and iff they be than the appelys wer abbatyd ther-by. I remember not ther names; ye knowe them better than I. Alsso in @e schreffvys bookys ther maye ye fynde off them. In @e sqare trussyng coffre A boxe wyth euydence off my place in %^Fletstrett. A lytell box wyth obligacions off @e Archbisshop off %^York and ^W. ^Jennyes oblygacion. A box wyth euydence off %^Tytlyshall. A box wyth @e letter off attorney off ^Fastolffys londes by Syr ^John ^Paston. I, a box $de $actis $inter $episcopum $wyntoniensem $et ^J. ^P. $militem. Item, $endentura $de $argento $mutuato $termino $trinitatis ao xo $et $testamentum ^W. ^Paston $justiciarij. Item, ij $pixides $de $nouis $cartis $de $terris ^Fastolffis. Item, a litell box wyth @e obligacion off ^T. ^Fastolff, and on off ^James ^Gresham. Item, a box wyth the dede off gyfft off ^J. ^P. and @e byll assyngnyd for @e dyamant. Item, the bagge $de $placitis $in $vsu. Item, the bagge wyth ger taken owt off my caskett. Item, a bagge wyth the bondell wher-on was wreten %^London, Item, a bagge wyth euydence off %^Est %^Bekkham. Item, a bondell $de $actis $parlimenti $et $de $excambia $in %^Paston. Item, a bondell $de $actis $cantuariensibus. Item, a bondell $de $fyrma %^Caster %^Berdolffis. The endentur off %^Snaylwell by ^Wylleys. A bondell off %^Gresh[a]m, ^Moleyns. A bondell off processe off @'eschekyre, letter and byllys $sirca $festum ^Joh[ann]is, ao ixo. Item, th'endentur off ^W. ^Jeney. Item, a bondell off letteris and byllis, ao xo. A bondell wyth jnquisicions nott returnyd in-to @e Chanceri. $copia $voluntatis ^Fastolf $vltima $et $probata. $enventorium $apud %^Caster $per $episcopum $norwicensem $et $dominum $de ^Scales, $et $alia $ad $redisesinam. $apu[n]ctamentum $regis $et $litera $amici. $endentura $de ^Fennes $per $patrem ^Hugonis ^Fenne. The verray endentur off my mariage. Item, a bondell off letteris from my brother ^John. Item, iij billis, @e endenter off ^W. ^Jenney for %^Nacton, a byll off ^Wylleys, and on off ^J. ^Owen. Item, a bondell wyth @e names off them @at had stoff from %^Heylesdon. Item, a byll off %^Sweynesthorp. Item, a byll off ^Brok off %^Dedham off @e purchace @eroff. A quitance $pro $scaccario. A bonde towchyng the probatte off ^Fastolffis will, wyth mj olde testament. A copie off a generall releffe $de $terris ^Fastolffis. To my most honorable and tendre moo[[dre]], ^Margrette ^Paston, be thys letter delyueryd. Most worschypffull and kynde moodre, I comande me to yow and beseche yow off yowre dayly blyssyng and remembraunce. Please it yow to wete thatt I haue my pardon, as @e berere heroff can jnfforme yowe, for comffort wheroffe I haue been the merier thys Crystmesse, and haue been parte ther-off wyth Syr ^George ^Browen and wyth my lady myn aunte hys wyffe. And be-for Twelthe I come to my lorde Archebysshope, wher I haue hadde as greete cheer, and ben as welkom, as I cowde devyse, and iff I hadde ben in sewerte* @at %^Caster weere hadde ageyn I wolde comen homewardes thys daye; wherffor I sende thys man home nowe to late yow haue knowleche theroff, and my brother bothe, in chyeffe for thys cause, that iff theer be any crafftye delaye by ^Sothewell or ^Brandon, thatt than my brother maye late them haue knowleche ther-off, soo that my lordes concell off %^Norffolk maye vndrestand thatt my lorde neer noon other maye haue it off @e Kynges [[...]]as they ha[[u]]e been halffe [[...]] off heer-to-foore; besechyng yow to hast my brother in laboryng ther-abowt iff [[...]] be [[...]] soo thatt itt maye ones ageyn come to Crysten mennes handes. And by the latter ende off thys terme, iffe itt be hadde ageyn, I purpose to come home and see yow thys Lente and sette my londe in better rewle than itt hathe been heer-to-foore and repayre vppe my howses. And I beseche yow to remember my brother to doo hys deueyre thatt I maye haue ageyn my stuffe, my bookes and vestmentys, and my beddyng, how so euyre hee doo, thoghe I scholde gyffe xxti scutes by hys advyse to my lady ^Brandon or som othere goode felawe. As for any tydynges, ther be noon heer saffe @at the Kynge hathe kepte a ryall Crystmesse, and now they seye @at hastelye he woll northe, and some seye @at he woll in-to %^Walys, and some seye @at he woll in-to @e west contre*. As for Qween ^Margrett, I vndreston @at sche is remeuyd from %^Wyndeshore to %^Walyngfforthe nyghe to %^Ewhelme, my lady off %^Suffolk place in %^Oxenfforthe schyre. And men seye @at the Lorde ^Ryuerse schyppyd on Crystmesse euyn in-to %^Portyngale warde; I ame nott serteyn. Also the[r] schalle be a convocacion off the clergye in all haste, whyche men deeme wyll avayle the Kynge a dyme and an halffe, some seye. I beseche Gode sende yow goode heele and [[mo]]re joye in on yeer than ye haue hadde thys vij. Wretyn att the %^Moore the viij daye off Janeuer ao ^E. iiij xjo. By yowre soone ^John ^Paston, K. A ^Jehan ^Paston, esquiere, soit done*. Brother, I comande me to yow and praye yow to loke vppe my Temple off Glasse, and sende it me by the berer heroff. Item, as for tydyngys, I haue spoken wyth Mestresse ^Anne ^Hault at a praty leyser and, blyssyd be God, we be as ferfforthe as we weer to-foore, and soo I hoope we schall contenew; and I promysed hyre that at the next leyser that I kowd fynde ther-too @at I wolde come ageyn and see hyre, whyche wyll take a leysere as [i] deeme. Now syn thys obseruance is ones doon I purpose nott to tempte God noo moore soo . Yisterdaye the Kynge, the Qween, my lordes off ^Claraunce and %^Glowcester wente to %^Scheen to pardon, men sey nott alle in cheryte*. What wyll falle men can nott seye. The Kynge entretyth my lorde off ^Clarance for my lorde off %^Glowcester, and as itt is seyde he answerythe that he maye weell haue my ladye hys suster in lawe, butt they schall parte no lyvelod, as he seythe; so whatt wyll falle can I nott seye. Thys daye I purpose to see my lady off %^Norffolk ageyn, in goode howre be it. Ther is proferyd me marchauntys for %^Sporle woode, God sende me goode sale whan I be-gynne; @at poore woode is soore manased and thrett. Yitt woote I nott whethyr I come home beffoore Esterne or nott; I schall sende yow worde. No moor, &c. Wretyn the fyrst Tewesdaye off Lenton. ^John ^Paston, K. To Master ^John ^Paston, or to my mestresse hys moodre, be thys letter delyueryd in hast. Brother, I comand me to yow, prayng yow @at ye late ^William ^Barker weet @at I wolde @at he made hys acompt, and that acompt I wolde that eythere ^Geffrey ^Spyrlyng or som other auditore off %^Norwyche, wyth ^John ^Pampyng, toke itt off hym. And as for any presedentys ther-off, but iff ^Spyrlyng ore ^William ^Berker haue any them-selff, ellys I cann non puruey as yitt. Neuerthelesse I suppose that ^Goodknape off %^Ormessby hathe owther be experyence or ellys in wrytyng mater j-nowe to charge hym wyth. And as for the rent in %^Rakhythe longyng to %^Runham, I had levere itt wer respigtyd than @at ther scholde as yitt be any troble for itt. I praye yow that thys maye be doon, and thatt ^Pampyng in alle hast goo her-abowt. And as for the costys or audytorys rewarde that schalle growe off the same, it maye be payed by ^Barker. Also that he delyuer the remenant off the mony that is fonde in hys hande, soo that itt maye be sent me hyddre. Also I praye yow remembre @e mony for Syr ^Thomas ^Lynde. The daye @at Master ^John ^Smythe assyngnyd is past; and sende me word by ^Juddy. I sende yow a letter by ^Corby wyth-in iiij dayes byffor thys, and therwyth ij pottys off oyle for saladys, whyche oyle was goode as myght be when I delyueryd itt, and schall be goode at @e reseyuyng iff it be nott mysse- handelyd ner mysse-karyed. Item, as for tydyng, the Erle off %^Northomberlonde is hoome in-to @e Northe, and my lorde off %^Glowcester schall afftre as to-morow, men seye. Also thys daye ^Robert off %^Racclyff weddyd the Lady ^Dymmok at my place in %^Fleetstrett, and my ladye and yowrys Dame ^Ely[sa]beth ^Bowghcher is weddyd to @e Lorde ^Howardys soone and heyre. Also Syr ^Thomas ^Walgraue is ded off @e syknesse @at reygnyth, on Tewesdaye. Now theer for yowe. Also my lorde Archebysshope was browt to @e Towre on Saterday at nyght, and on Mondaye at mydnyght he was conveyd to a schyppe and so in-to @e see, and as yitt I can nott vndrestande whedyre he is sent nere whatt is fallen off hym. Men seye @at he hathe offendyd; but as ^John ^Foster seythe, som men sey naye. But all hys meny are dysparblyd, euery man hys weye, and som @at are greete klerkys and famous doctorys of hys goo now ageyn to %^Cambrygge to scoolle. As for any other tydyng, I heer noon. The Cowntesse off %^Oxenfford is stylle in Seynt ^Martyns; I heer no worde off hyre. The Qween hadde chylde, a dowghter, but late at %^Wyndeshor; ther-off I trow ye hadde worde. And as for me, I am in lyke case as I was. And as for my lorde chamberleyn, he is nott yit comen to town. When he comythe, than schall I woote whatt to doo. Syr ^John off %^Parre is yowre freende and myn, and I gaffe hym a fayre armyng sworde wyth-in thys iij dayes. I harde somwhatt by hym off a bakk freende off yowrys; ye schall knowe moore here-afftre. Wretyn the last daye off Aprylle. ^A ^Johan ^Paston, esquyere, soit done*. Worshypffull and weell belovyd brother, I recomaund me to yow, letyng yow weet @at I sente yow a letter and a rynge wyth a dyamand, in whyche letter ye myght well conceyue what I wold ye scholde do wyth @e same ryng, wyth manye other tydyngys and thyngys whyche I prayed yowe to haue doon for me; whyche letter ^Boton had the beryng off. It is soo nowe @at I vndrestond that he is owther deed ore ellys harde eskapyd, wheroff I am ryght heuye, and am not serteyn whethyre the seyd letter and rynge come to yowre handys ore nott. I wolde nott that letter were seyn wyth som folkys, wherffor I praye yow take goode heede hoghe thatt letter comythe to yowre handys, hooll or brokyn; and in especiall I praye yow gete it iff ye haue it nott. Also I praye yow feele my lady off %^Norffolkys dysposicion to me wardys, and whethyre she toke any dysplesure at my langage, ore mokkyd ore dysdeyned my wordys whyche I hadd to hyre at %^Yarmothe be-twyen the place wher I fyrst mett wyth hyre and hyre lodgyng. Fore my lady ^Brandon and Syr ^William also axhyd me what wordys I had had to hyre at that tyme. They seyde @at my lady seyde I gaff hyre ther-off, anf @at I sholde haue seyde @at my lady was worthye to haue a lordys soon in hyre belye, fore she cowde cheryshe itt and dele warlye wyth it. In trowthe, owther the same ore wordys moche lyke I had to hyre, whyche wordys I ment as I seyde. They leye to @at I seyde she toke hyre ease. Also I scholde haue seyde @at my ladye was off s[t]ature goode and had sydes longe and large, so that i was in goode hope she sholde bere a fayre chylde; he was nott lacyd nore bracyd jne to hys peyn, but @at she lefft hym rome to pleye hym in. They seye that I seyde my lady was large and grete, and that itt sholde haue rome jnow to goo owt att. And thus whyther my lady mokk me or theye I woote nott. I mente weell, by my trowthe, to hyre and to @at she is wyth, as any he @at owythe heere best wyll in %^Ingelond. If ye can by any meene weete whethyre my ladye take it to dysplesure or nowt, or whether she thynke i mokkyd hyre, or iff she wyght it but lewdnesse off my-selffe, I praye yow sende me worde, for I woot nott whethyre I maye trust thys Lady ^Brandon ore nott. Item, os fore tydynges, nowe heer be but fewe saff that, as I vndrestande, jmbassatorys off %^Bretayn shall come to %^London to-morowe, and men seye that the Lorde ^Ryuerse and ^Scalys shall hastelye come hom, and men seye @at ther is many off the sowdeorys @at went to hym in-to %^Bretayn been deede off the flyxe and othere jpedemye, and @at the remenant sholde come hom wyth the Lorde ^Skalys; and som seye @at thees jmbassatorys come for moore men. And thys daye rennyth a tale @at the Duke of %^Bretayne sholde be ded. I beleeff it nott. I sent yow worde off an hawke; I herde nott from yow syns. I do and shall doo @at is possible in such a neede. Also I canne nott vndrestond that my lorde off %^Norffolk shall come heere thys tyme, wherffore I am in a greet angonye howe js best fore me to sywe to hym fore rehauyng off my place. @at goode lorde woot full lytell how moche harme he doothe me, and how lytell goode ore worshyp it dothe hym. I praye yow sende me yowre advyce. No moore to yowe at thys tyme, but God haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^London @e iiij daye off Novembre ao ^E. iiijti xijo. I feere me @at jdelnesse ledythe yowre reyne. I praye yow rathere remembre Syr ^Hughe ^Lavernoys tyll yowre hauke come. ^John ^Paston, K. A ^John ^Paston, esquyer, soyt done*. Brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet @at wheer my moodre desyreth @at I sholde sende worde to my fermorys off %^Sporle that they sholde paye to my moodre x marke for my brother ^William, it weere nowe to short a warnyng, for I haue assyngnyd it to ^Townesende, the hoole as fore the yeer past. I haue alweyis offryd it hyre and she was neuyre ar nowe abowt to receyue it, and as yitt it nedyth not greetlye fore no charge @at she hathe moore than she was wont to haue abowt hym. Sche spendythe nott v mark by yeer on hym, as I conceyve. Neverthelesse, as for the next yeer I promyse yow she shall haue it for me, or ellys I shall purueye as weell for hym. Item, as for the aqwytance off the Bysshop off %^Wynchester, I shall doo for hyre as my part is to doo. I shall gete it iff I can, and iff I cannott, iff it be proffitable for hyre I wolde hyre consell had som other meene to gete it. Iff I gete it I am worthy thanke, and iff I gete it nott I am worthy no magrye. I shall doo as I can. Item, as for my suster ^Annys comyng hyddr, I shall puruey for hure wyth myn aunt iff I can, iff my moodre will depart wyth c s. be yere, wher-off I am not serteyn. Iff she wer heer at my settyng and my moodr had onys payed c s. for on yeer, I feer me she wolde be weery and lothe to paye an other c s. for the next. Neuerthelesse I woll purueye for hyre thoghe i sholde paye the c s. by yeer my-selffe, and yit she is nott my dowtre. As for the c li. to be payed in x yer, it is a strange proffre to a ientylwomanys mariage ward. By my trowthe, I offryd c marke wyth hyre, to be payed on a daye, besyde @at @at my moodre woll depart wyth, to haue had on that I soppose ye knowe, but it is not lyke to bee; it greuys me to remembre the onkyndnesse off the worlde. Neuerthelesse I hope to see a remedye ther-in . Folkys weene to be ther owne best freendys and are there owne moost fooys. Folkys be roonne so ferre ther-on that they woot not wher they be and growe paste shame. As fore the delyueraunce off the rynge to Mestresse ^Jane ^Rothon, i dowt nott but it shall be doon in the best wyse so @at ye shall geet me a thank moore than the rynge and I are worthe ore deserue. And wheer ye goo to my laydy off %^Norffolkys and wyll be theere att the takyng off hyre chambre, I praye God spede yow, and Owre Ladye hyre to hyre plesure, wyth as easye labore to overkom that she is abowt as euyre had any lady or gentyll-woman saff Owre Lady heer-selffe. And soo I hope she shall to hyre greet joye and all owres, and I prey God it maye be lyke hyre in worshyp, wytt, gentylnesse, and euery thynge excepte the verry verry thynge. As for the hawke @at I sende yow, thanke me for it, God save it, for I trow she woll neuer be nowght, as ^Cromer seythe. Neuerthelesse it is the best @at I can geet. wherffor prennes en gree, @er is noon othere remedee as yit, but iff I kan geet a better ye shall it habbe. I praye yow sende me worde off the ij letteris @at I sent yow. Item, I praye yow recomand me to ^Sampson. I am glad that he is ageyn in favore wyth my lorde and my ladye. Neuerthelesse I am sorye @at ^Rygge hathe bytyn hym soo by the bygge, and that lytell ^Qwayll pynchyd hys pendaunt so nyghe hys tayle. And as fore the pye that ye sent me worde off I remytt it to yowre dyscrecion. No moore to yow at thys tyme, but I woll sleepe an howre @e lengere to-morow by-cawse I wrote so longe and late to-nyght. Wretyn betwyen @e viij and @e ix daye off Novembre ao xijo ^E. iiijti. ^J. ^P., K. To Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston, or to ^John ^Paston, esquiere, or to ^Roose dwyllyng affore ther gate to delyuer to them. Please it yow to weete @at I have opteyned letterys from the Kynge to my lorde off %^Norffolke, to my lady off %^Norffolke, and to ther concell, whyche letter to there concell is nott superscrybyd for cawse we wyst nott serteyn whyche off the councell sholde be present when the massengere cowme, I therffor thynke @at thoos namys most be somwhatt by yowre advyce, and for-get nott ^Gornaye, nor yitt ^Brome, iff ye thynke so best, nor ^Sowthewelle. I trust to my cosyn ^Gornaye and on-to ^Brom and ^Barnard in cheffe, and as to ^Bernarde brothere I praye yow to take hys advyce, for I hope he is my welwyller, as ye know; and iffe he do me parffyght ease in thys mater I thynke verrely in tyme to come to gyff hym xx scutys, and yit a goode turne whan so euer it lythe in my power. The Kynge hathe specially doon for me in thys case and hathe pitte me, and so have @e lordys, in ryght greete comfort @at iff thys fayle @at I shalle haue ondelayed justyce; and he hathe sente a man off worshyp and in greet favore wyth hym on thys massage, whyche hathe nott offte ben seyne, whyche gentylman kan well do hys mastrys massage and brynge trywe reporte. I have gevyn hym v li. for hys costys; God sende hym and yow goode spede in thees werkys. I feere thatt he shall nott speke wyth my lady, for @at she hathe takyn hyre chambre. Iff she be my verry goode ladye, as she hathe seyde hertoffore @at she wolde be, I hope @at she wolle speke wyth hym. Neuerthelesse I praye yow by the meanys off Mestresse ^Jahne ^Rothen that [ye] will have my ladye mevyd fore me, and wher @at herre-to-fore I wolde have departyd wyth c m[a]rke to have hadde hyre goode helpe and to be restoryd to my place, whyche nott acceptyd I tolde my seyde lady @at I feeryd @at my power sholde natt be ther-afftre to gyff so large a plesyre; for at @at tyme I was in hope @at the Bysshop off %^Wynchester sholde have payd it, thoghe it hadde drawen a c li. Yit, for as moche as men may nott lure none hawkys wyth empty handys, I wolde yitt agre* to gyffe my lady xx li. for an horse and a sadell so @at I be restoryd to my place, and thatt doone to have a relesse off my lorde and my gounys and bokys to be restoryd iff it maye bee. Neuerthelesse thys mony is nott yit redy wyth me. I remytte thys to yowre dyscressyonys. Item, iff it be soo @at itt be thowte behovefull, I thynke @at thoghe nowthere ^Slyfelde nore ye, brother ^John, maye come in-to my ladyes chambre, @at my moodre, iff she weer at %^Norwyche, she myght speke wyth hyre, for @at she is a woman and off worshyppe. I thynke @at my moodre sholde meve my lady moche. I thynke @at ther most be som body for me havyng auctoryte* to conclude for me, or ellys knowyng myn entente; ellys they myght make delaye, and seye they wolle at @e Kyngys enstance comon wyth me, neuer the lesse I was nott ther present. Wherffor, rather than fayle yff neede be I wolle wyth-owte any abode iff I heere from yow come home, and ^Slyfelde is agreyd to tary the[r] a vij nyghte for my sake so @at the mater take effecte. I praye yow make hym goode cheere, and iff it be so that he tarye, I most remembre hys costys. Therffor iff I shall be sent for and he tery at %^Norwyche ther-whylys it wer best to sette hys horse at @e Maydes Hedde, and I shalle content for ther expencys. Item, ye maye largely sey on my behalve for suche servyse @at I sholde do to my lorde and lady hereaffter, whyche by my trowthe I thynke to doo. Neuerthelesse to sey @at I woll be hys sworyn man, I was neuer yitt lordys sworyn man, yit have I doone goode seruyce and nott leffte any at hys most neede nere for feere. But as Gode helpe me I thynke my lady shalle have my servyce a-bove any lady erthely, wheche she scholde weell have knowyn had I been in suche case as I hadde nott been alweye @e werse welkome for that on off myn herandys alweye was vndrestande @at it was for %^Caster, whyche was nott acceptable and I euyre the werse welkome. Item, brother, I ame concludyd wyth my lorde for yow @at ye shalle be at %^Caleys iff ye list, and have iij men in wagys vndre yow, wheroff my lorde seythe @at ^William ^Lovedaye most be on tyll tyme @at he have purveyd othere rome for hym. Iff ye be dysposyd to goo, as I tolde hym @at ye weer, yitt wer it nott best @at ye lete it be knowe tyll thys mater be doone, and than ye maye acordyng to yowre promyse lete my ladye have knowleche ther-off. Neuer @e lesse my lorde shall be here wyth-in xx dayes or ther-abowt; iff ye come thys weye ye maye speke wyth hym. Neuer the lesse ye shall nott lose no tyme iff ye weer at %^Caleys at thys owre, for my lorde promysed me @at he wolde wryght to ^Elkenhed, @e tresorer at %^Caleys, for yow by the next massenger thatt went. Item, ther hathe ^Perauntys wyffe wryte to me @at ^Bernaye seruyth hyre onkyndely. He owythe hyre xxxij s. and she is in noon hope @at euyre he woll come ther ageyn. Sende me worde iff he wyll. He shall nott lyff so weell and trywly to-geedr, I trowe, but iff he goo thyddre. I hadde comen home butt @at I ame nott yitt verrely purveyd for payment for my oncle ^William @e xxvj daye off thys mony[th], and he dothe me harme he delythe so oncurteysly wyth ^Towneshende, for he wille nott yitt paye hym the c m[a]rke payeable att Halowmesse whyche he hadde a monythe affore; wherffor I feere @at ^Towneshende wille nott do for me ageyn. I shall doo as I kan. Wretyn on Sondaye next Seynt ^Clement. ^John ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esqwyere, ore to Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston hys moodre, be thys letter delyueryd. Weell belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet @at I wrote yow a letter @e xxij daye off Januare whyche was delyueryd to ^Thomas ^Elys at %^Caleys the seyde daye, wenyng to me @at he sholde haue ben in %^Norffolk wyth-in vj or vij dayes afftre, but now I vndrestand that thys letter is lyke to be wyth yow as sone as it. It is so now @at I suppose verrely to be at %^London by the xiij or xiiij daye off Feverere but iff wynde ore wedre cawse it; at whyche daye, acordyng as the other letter spekyth off, I beseche my moodre @at ^Playtere maye mete wyth me there, lyke as he and I comonyd towchyng the maner off %^Sporle, and I trust to God that that mater shall be easyd. Item, I praye yow take goode heed to @e letter @at yonge ^Thomas ^Elys hathe the beryng off, to weete whether it hathe been oponyd ore nott; @e worde is full false. As for tydyngys heer, ther bee but fewe saff @at @e Duke off %^Borgoyn and my lady hys wyffe farethe well; I was wyth them on Thorysdaye last past at %^Gawnt. ^Peter ^Metteney farethe weell and Mestresse ^Gretkyn bothe, and ^Babekyn recomand hyre to yow. She hathe ben verry seke, but it hathe doon hyre goode for she is fayrer and slenderer than she was. And she cowde make me no cheere, but alwey my sawse was 'how faret Master ^John yowre brother?', wher-wyth I was wrothe and spake a jalous worde are too, dysdeynyng @at she shulde care so moche for yow when @at I was present. I pray yow make a goode bargeyn for my ferme barly in %^Fledge, so that I myght haue mony now at my beyng in %^Ingelond, whyche shall not contynew past a monyth by lyklyhod. Item, I pray yow take goode heede to myn olde stuffe at %^Norwyche soo that it appeyre nott, and sende me worde to ^Hoxonys in wrygtyng what goode @e bysshop ded fore me att %^Framynham and how my lorde, my lady, and all the cort are dysposyd to me wardys. I herd also seye @at my ladye and yowrys, Dame ^Margret ^Veere, is ded, God haue hyre sowle. Iff I weer not sorye for herre I trowe ye haue been. No moore to yow at thys tyme, but All-myghty Good haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Caleys @e iij daye off Februarye ao r.r. ^E. iiij xijo. ^.J ^P., K. A soun treschere et ben ame* freere, ^John de ^Paston, esquiere. Weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wete @at at the request off Mestresse ^Jane ^Hassett and yow I haue laboryd bothe @e knyghtys off @e sheere off %^Norffolk and the knyghtys off @e shyre off %^Suffolk. I vndrestod theere had ben made labore @at suche a thyng shulde haue ben as ye wrotte to me off, but now it is saff. ^Raff ^Blaundrehasset were a name to styrte an hare. I warant the[r] shall come no suche name in owre bokys nere in owre howse; it myght par case styrt xxti harys at onys. 'ware that', quod ^Perse. I redde there in the bylle off %^Norffolk off on ^John ^Tendall, esquiere, but I suppose it be not ment by owre ^Tendall, and iff it be he shall not rest theere iff I maye helpe it. As fore tydynges, the werst that I herde was that my moodre wyll not doo so moche fore me as she pit me in comffort off. Othere tydyngys, I herd sey fore serteyn @at @e Lady ^Fytzwater is ded and @at Master ^Fytzwater shall haue cccc m[a]rke a yere more than he had. I am not sory therffore. As fore the worlde, I woot nott what it menyth. Men seye heere,as weell as ^Hogan, @at we shall haue adoo in hast. I know no lyklyhod but that suche a rumore there is. Men sey the Qwyen wyth the Prynce shall come owt off %^Walys and kepe thys Esterne wyth the Kyng at %^Leycetre, and som seye nowthere off them shall com there. Item, off beyond @e see it is seyd @at the Frense Kyngys host hathe kyllyd the Erle off %^Armenak and all hys myry mene, som seye vndre appoyntment and som seye they were besegyd and gotyn by pleyn assault. Ferthermoore men seye that @e Frenshe Kynge is wyth hys ost vppon the water off %^Somme a lx myle froo %^Caleys. I leve them wheer I fand them. I made yowre answere to @e frendys off Mestresse ^Jane ^Godmerston acordyng to yowre instruccion. As for me, I am nott serteyn whether I shall to %^Caleys, to %^Leysetre, or come hom in-to %^Norffolk, but I shall hastely send yow worde. I praye yow be nott hasty vppon ^William ^Berker for Syr ^John ^Stille ner for ^John ^Koke , for by my feythe I may not forber it. Wretyn @e ij daye off Aprill ao ^E. 4. xiijo. < N 274> To ^John ^Paston, esquiere. Best belovyd brother, I recomand me on-to yow, letyng yow weet @at i receyuyd on Wednysday last past yow[r] angry lettre towchyng the troble @at ^Sandre ^Kok is in, wherin I haue largely comonyd wyth ^John ^Russe and advysed hym to take a curteys weye wyth ^Sandre for yowre sake and myn. He seythe he wold nott dysplease yow by hys wyll, and that he purposythe to entrete yow and wolde deserue it to yowe. He vndrestod @at ye had large langage to @e jurye @at passyd ageyn ^Saundre. I lete hym weete @at ye weere wrothe, and that he shall nowther please yow nere me but iff he dele curteyslye wyth ^Saundre. I tolde hym as fore the condempnacion vppon the accion off trespasse, I thoght it nowthere good ner worshypffull. Also I haue wretyn to @e person off %^Maultby to dele curteyslye wyth ^Sawndre iff he woll please yow ore me. Item, I sende yow herwythe the $supercedyas fore ^Saundre so that, iff ye fynde any meane for the condempnacions, @at than ye maye ease therwyth the suerte* off pease. ^John ^Russe, as I suppose, is att home thys daye. Item, as for tydynges heere, the Kynge rydeth fresselye thys daye to %^Northamton warde, there to be thys Esterne; and afftre Esterne he purposythe to be moche at %^Leysettre and in %^Leysettre shyre. Euery man seythe @at we shall have adoo ore Maye passe. ^Hogan the prophet is in the Towre. He wolde fayne speke wyth @e Kyng, but the Kynge seythe he shall not avaunt @at euyre he spake wyth hym. Item, as fore me, I most nedys to %^Caleyse warde to-morowe. I shall be heere ageyn iff I maye thys next terme. ^John ^Myryell, ^Thyrston, and ^W. ^Woode be goon from me, I shrewe them. My modre dothe me moore harme than good. I wende she wolde haue doon for me. ^Playter wroot to me @at she wolde haue leyde owt for me c li. and receyuyd it ageyn in v yere off the maner off %^Sporle, wherto I trustyd; whyche iff she had perfformyd I had nott ben in no juparte* off the maner off %^Sporle. Neuerthelesse i shall do whatt I kan, yit I preye yow calle vppon hyre fore the same; remembre hyre off that promyse. Item, I preye yow remembre hyre for my fadrys tombe at %^Bromholme. She dothe ryght nott; I am afferde off hyre @at she shall nott doo weell. ^Bedyngffelde shall mary Syr ^John ^Skottys doghtre, as I suppose. Item, ^Janore ^Lovedaye shall be weddyd to on ^Denyse, a fuattyd gentylman wyth Syr ^G.^Brown, nowther to weell ner to ylle. Item, as for me, iff I had hadd vj dayes leyser more than I hadd, and other also, I wolde haue hopyd to haue ben delyueryd off Mestresse ^Anne ^Hault. Hyr frendys the Quyen and ^Att[[cl]]if agreyd to comon and conclude wyth me iff I can fynde the meanys to dyscharge hyre concyence, whyche I trust to God to doo. Item, I praye yow that ye take a leysere thys Estern halydayes to ryde to %^Sporle and sende for ^John ^Osberne, and I wolde ye sholde conclude a bergayn wyth on ^Bochere, a woode byere, whyche ^Mendham @at was my fermore there can fecche hym to yow. And thys is myn entent. I wolde haue the dykys to stonde stylle acordyng as ^John ^Osberne and I comonyd, I trow xij foothe wyth-in the dyke. Item, @at @e standardys off suche mesure as he and I comonyd off maye also be reseruyd; I suppose it was xxx inche abowt a yerde from the grownde. Item, that it be surely fencyd at @e cost off @e woode byere in any wyse wyth a sure hedge, bothe hyghe and stronge. Item, that there be a weye taken wyth the fermorys fore the vndrewood so @at I lesse nott the ferme therffore yerly. Item, ^John ^Osbern can telle yow the meanys howe to entrete the fermorys, for ^Herry ^Halman hathe pleyed the false shrowe and fellyd my woode vppon a tenement off myn to @e valew off xx m[a]rke, as it is tolde me. I praye yow enquire that matre and sende me worde, and dele wyth hym ther-afftre. Item, iff the seyde wood, clere above all chargys excep as is above, be made any better than cc m[a]rke I woll seye that ye be a good huswyff. ^John ^Osberne seythe @at he woll doo me a frendys turne ther-in and yitt gete hym-selff an hake-neye. Memorandum that he haue nott past iij ore iiij yere off vutraunce at @e ferthest. Item, that I haue payement off the holl as shortly as ye kan, halffe in hande, the remenant at halffe yeere ore ellys at ij tymes wyth-in on yere at @e ferthest by Mydsomere xij monyth. And that ye make no ferthere bergayn than %^Sporle woode and the lawnde, not delyng wyth noon other woode nowther in the maner nor ellys wher in non other tenement. Item, that ye haue sufficient sewerte* for the monye, wyth penalte*s iff nede be, som othere men bonden wyth hym for the payement. Item, I wolle well be bownde to waraunt it to hym. Item, I sende yow herwyth a warant to yow and ^John ^Osberne joyntlye to bergayn, comone, and conclude that bergayn. Item, I suppose he woll, iff he conclude wyth yow, desyre to felle thys Maye and I to haue mony soon afftre. I reke not thowe he fellyd not tyll thys wynter, but iff he woll nedys begyn thys Maye, therffor I wryght yow thus hastelye. Entrete hym iff ye can that he felle not tyll wynter. Item, be ware howe ye bergeyn so @at he felle nott butt in sesonable tyme and sesonable wood, for he maye felle no vndrewood thys Maye, as I trowe. Item, as for yowre costys late th[[..]] newe fynde yow mete and I woll allow it them, ore ellys make me a bylle what it dra[[...]]nce yow. Item, I praye yow iff ye g[[...]] for me as ye can. I made my lady heer but easy cheer; neuerthelesse I gaff hyre [[...]]ys. I promysed hyre to purueye hyre a[[...]] weselys, but I was deseyuyd; yit I wend to haue had on. My lord of %^Norffolk hathe ben mevyd for %^Caster by my lord Cardenall and the Bysshop off %^Wynchester, but it woll take non effecte [[...]]y lady com. God gyff grace @at she brynge auctoryte* when she comythe thys next terme to common ther-in and conclude, and so I prey yow advyse hyre. Itt may haply paye for hyre costys. Nomore to yow, but wretyn at %^London the xij daye off apryll ao ^E. iiijti xiijo. I sende yow herwyth ij letteris from ^John ^Osbern to me, wherby and by hys billes ye may vndrestond @e verry valewe off the wood. I praye yow sende me wryghtyng ageyn by the Mondaye vij nyght afftre Estern. Iff ^Hoxon ore the goode man off the Goot haue it they shall conveye it to me. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, in %^Norffolk. I prey yow iff ^W. ^Mylsent go froo yow @at he myght come to me to %^Caleys. I woll haue hym. Wyrsshypffull and ryght hertyly belowyd brother, I recomande me on-to yow, letyng yow wete @at on Wednysdaye last past I wrote yow a letter wheroff ^John ^Garbalde had the beryng, promyttyng me @at ye shold haue it at %^Norwyche thys daye ore ellys to-morowe in the mornyng; wherin i praye yowe to take a labore acordyng afftre the tenure off the same, and @at I maye haue an answere at %^London to ^Hoxon iff any massenger come, as eu[er]e I maye doo fore yow. As for tydyngys, there was a truse taken at %^Brussellys abut the xxvj daye off Marche last past be-twyn the Duke off %^Borgoyn and @e Frense Kyngys jmbassatorys and Master ^William ^Atclyff for the Kyng heere, whyche is a pese be londe and water tyll the fyrst daye off Apryll nowe next comyng, betwyen %^Fraunce and %^Ingelond and also @e Dukys londes. God holde it for euere and grace be. Item, the Erle off %^Oxenfford was on Saterdaye at %^Depe, and is purposyd in-to %^Skotlond wyth a xij schyppys. I mystrust that werke. Item, there be in %^London many flyeng talys seyng that @er shold be a werke, and yit they wot not howe. Item, my lorde chamberleyn sendyth now at thys tyme to %^Caleys @e yonge Lorde ^Sowche and Syr ^Thomas ^Hongreffordys dowtre and heyre, and som seye @e yonge Lady ^Haryngton. Thes be iij grett jowellys. %^Caleys is a mery town; they shall dwell there, I wot not whyghe. No more, but I haue ben and ame troblyd wyth myn ouere large and curteys delyng wyth my seruantys and now wyth ther onkyndnesse. ^Plattyng, yowre man, wolde thys daye byd me fare-well to to-morow at %^Douer, not wythstondyng ^Thryston, yowre other man, is from me and ^John ^Myryell and ^W. ^Woode, whyche promysed yow and ^Dawbeney, God haue hys sowle, at %^Castre @at iff ye wolde take hym in to be ageyn wyth me @at than he wold neuer goo fro me; and ther-vppon I haue kepyd hym thys iij yere to pleye Seynt ^Jorge and ^Robynhod and the shryff off %^Notyngham, and now when I wolde haue good horse he is goon in-to %^Bernysdale, and I wyth-owt a kepere. Wretyn at %^Canterburye, to %^Caleys warde on Tewesday and happe be, vppon Good Frydaye @e xvj daye off apryll ao ^E. iiijti xiijo. Yowre ^J. ^P., K. Item, the most parte off the sowdyorys @at went ouer wyth Syr ^Robert ^Green haue leeff and be comyn hom, the hyghe-weye full. My cariage was be-hynd me ij howres lengere @an I lokyd afftre, but j-wysse I wende @at I myght haue etyn my parte on Good Frydaye, all my gownes and pryde had ben goon; but all was saffe. To ^John ^Paston, esquyer, in %^Norwyche. Ryght wershypffull brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow weet @at I receyuyd a lettre yisterdaye @at com fro yow, wretyn the viij daye off Maye, wherby I vndrestond @at the troble @at ^John ^Osberne has had hathe lettyd the bargeyn off the woode in %^Sporle, wheroff I make no grett forse so @at it maye be weell her-afftre. And as for ^John ^Osbernes beyng here, I heere no worde off hym. I wolde be glad to weet ones what I weer the rycher fore that woode. Item, I thynke, iff I haue leysere, to com and speke wyth my moodre. Bothe she and ^Playtere haue promysed me so largely @at it is shame for them to goo balke wyth it; and iff she wolde helpe me as she hathe promysed, @an all shall be weell. Sende me worde what wey ye haue taken for ^Saundre ^Cok. Ye weere at %^Yarmothe---on ^Nycoll, a man off ^R. ^Racclyffys, tolde me @at he spake wyth yow there, and @at ye promysed hym to haue sende me a letter by hym, but ye dyd nott. As for tydyngys, the Erle off %^Wylshyre and the Lord ^Sudele* be ded, and it was seyd @at Syr ^W. ^Stanle* was deed, but now it is seyd naye. As for ^W. ^Melsent, I woll nott haue hym but iff he had goon from yow, as it was tolde me that he was. As for ^Burgeys, iff I haue verry greet nede I shall sende yow worde; feell hys dysposicion and sende me worde by ^Juddy. Item, as for Master ^John ^Smythe, he delys harde wyth me. Late ^Juddy receyue off hym what he can geet; a marke is passyng lytell fo[r] vj m[a]rke. Item, the Fryres heer most be remembryd for there xx s. @at he bargayned for hy[s] grownde there, also a stoon for hym. Take what ye maye and afftre thatt cometh more. Item, as for ^Fastolff, he is nott curteyse. I praye yow deell wyth hym ther-afftre. Axe it as on-curteysly iff ye mete wyth hym. Item, I preye yow remembre the mater off ^John ^Kendall, so @at I maye haue a goode astate and relesys in my lond in %^Fylbye. Inquire afftre goode amblyng horse. Item, as for yowre goyng to %^Seyn %^James, I beleve it but atwyen ij. Item, ^John ^Osbern com to town thys afftre-non, and ryght now I spake wyth hym. He promysed me to doo @at in hym lythe when he comythe hom, whyche shall be in all hast, as he seythe. He wyll depart homwardys to-morow.. I herd seye that a man was thys daye examyned and he conffessed @at he knewe greet tresore was sende to @e Erle off %^Oxenfford, wheroff a ml li. sholde be conveyd by a monke of %^Westminster and som sey by a monke off %^Chartrehows. Item, that the same man schulde acuse c gentylmen in %^Norffolk and %^Suffolk @at have agreyd to assyst the seyd Erle at hys comyng thyddre, whyche as itt is seyd sholde be wyth-in viij dayes afftre Seynt ^Donston, iff wynde and weddre serffe hym---flyeng tales. No more at thys tyme, but God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^London on Seynt ^Donstones Daye, @e xviij daye off Maye ao ^E. iiijti xiijo. ^John ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, be thys delyueryd. Ryght wyrshypffull brother, I comand me to yow, latyng yow weet @at thys daye I was in verry purpose to %^Caleys warde, all redy to haue goon to @e barge, saff I teryed for a yonge man @at I thoght to haue had wyth me thyddre, on that was wyth ^Rows whyche is in the cowntre*. And becawse I cowde not geet hym, and @at I have nomore here wyth me butt ^Pampyng, ^Edward, and ^Jak, therffor ^Pampyng remembryd me that at %^Caleys he tolde me @at he purposyd to be wyth the Duchesse off %^Norffolk, my lady and yowrys; and ^Edward is syke and semythe nott abydyng---he wolde see what shold falle off thys worlde. And so I am as he that seythe, 'com hyddre, ^John, my men'. And as happe was yisterday ^Juddy went a-fore to %^Caleysward, wherffor I am nowe ille purueyd, whyche for owte @at i knowe yit is lyke to kepe me heere thys Wytsontyd. Wherffor, iff ye knowe any lykly men and fayre condycioned and good archerys, sende hem to me, thowe it be iiij, and I wyll have them and they shall haue iiij m[a]rke by yere and my levere*. He maye com to me hyddre to @e Gott, or yit to %^Caleys, wyth a riall iff he be wyse, whyche iff nede bee I wolde @at ^Berkere toke hym to com vppe wyth, iff it be suche on as ye tryst. Item, I suppose bothe ^Pytte and ^Kothye ^Plattyng shall goo from me in hast. I wyll neuer cherysshe knaves soo as I have don for ther sakys. Item, I praye yow sende me a newe vestment off whyght damaske fore a dekyn, whyche is among myn other geer at %^Norwyche, for he shall ther-too as ye woot off. I wyll make an armyng doblett off it, thow I sholde an other tyme gyff a longe gown off velwett fore an other vestment; and send it in all hast to ^Hoxon to send me. I hopyd to have been verry mery at %^Caleys thys Whytsontyd, and am weell apparayled and apoyntyd saff that thes folkys fayle me soo; and I have mater there to make off ryght excellent. Som man wolde have hastyd hym to %^Caleys thowe he had hadd no better erand, and som men thynke it wysdom and profyght to be theer now, weell owt off the weye. Item, as for the Bysshop and I, we bee nerre to a poynt than we weere, so that my part is nowe all the londes in %^Flegge holly, the maner off %^Heylesdon, %^Tolthorpe, and ten[emen]tys in %^Norwyche and %^Erlham excepte %^Fayrechyldys; but farweell %^Drayton, the devyll doytt them! Item, large and ferre comynycacion hathe ben bytwyen Syr ^John ^Fogge, ^Richard ^Hawlte, fore ther suster and me, byffore Doctore ^Wynterborne and ellys where, so that I am in better hope than I was by Seynt ^Lawrens that I shall haue a delyueraunce. Item, as for tydyngys heer, I trow ye have herde yowre parte howe @at @e Erle off %^Oxenfford londyd at %^Seynt %^Osyes in %^Esexe @e xxviij daye off Maye, saff he teryed nott longe; for iff he hadd the Erle off %^Essexe rod to hym wardys, and the lordys ^Denham and ^Durasse and other more, whyche by lyklyod sholde have dystrussyd hym. But yit hys comyng savyd ^Hogan hys hed, and hys profesye is the more belevyd, for he seyde that this troble sholde begyn in Maye, and @at the Kyng sholde northwardys and that @e Scottys sholde make vs werke and hym batayle. Men loke afftre they wot not what, but men by harneys fast. The Kyngys menyall men and @e Duke off ^Clarauncys are many in thys town; @e Lord ^Ryuerse com to-daye, me[n] sey to purueye in lyke wyse. Item, how @at @e Cowntesse off %^Warwyk is now owt off %^Beweley seynt- warye, and Syr ^James ^Tyrell conveyth hyre northwarde, men seye by the Kynges assent, wherto som men seye @at the Duke of ^Clarance is not agreyd. Item, men seye @at the Erle off %^Oxenfford is abowt the jlde off %^Tenett hoveryng, som seye wyth grett companye and som seye wyth fewe. No more, but God kepe yow. Wretyn at %^London the iij daye off June ao ^E. iiijti xiijo. ^John ^P., K. A ^Edmond ^Paston, esquyere, a %^Caleys soyt donne* Brothere ^Edmond, I grete yow weell, letyng yow weete @at abowt thys daye vij nyght I sende yow a letter by ^Nycholas ^Bardeslee, a sowdyore whyche is wont to be at borde [at] ^Perauntys, and also an hoseclothe off blak fore yow. I wende @at ye sholde haue hadde itt wyth-in ij dayes, but I am afferde @at he deseyued me. Item, I lete yow weet @at ^Plattyng is comen hyddre, and he seythe @at ye gaffe hym leve to fetche hys geere and ^Pittys, and that is hys erande hyddre and noon othere; nere he thowt neuer to goo fro me, nere he wyll nott goo fro me, as he seythe. Wherffor I praye yow sende me worde off hys condycions, and whyghe ye thynke @at he sholde neuer do me worshypp. He seythe also @at he and ^Pytte weer at @e takyng off the Esterlyngys, and that he was in the Pakkere and ^Pytte in the Crystoffre. I praye yow sende me worde howe bothe he and ^Pitte quytte them, by the report off som jndyfferent trewe man @at was there. Iff they quytte them weell I wolde love them the better, wherffore the next daye afftre the syte off thys letter I praye yow wryght ageyn, and sende it by the next passage. Item, I sende a lytell praty boxe herwith whyche I wolde @at ^Juddy sholde delyuer to @e woman @at he wotyth off, and praye hyre to take it to @e man @at she wotyth off; @at is to seye as moche as ye know all well j-now, bot ye maye nott make yow wyse in no wyse. Item, I praye yow sende me worde as ye were wont to do off heere well- ffare, and whether I weere owt and other jnne, ore nott; and whether she shall forsake %^Caleys as sone as ye sende me worde off, or nott. By God,i wolde be wyth yow as fayne as yowre-selff, and shall be in hast, wyth Goddys grace. Item, as for my brother ^John, I hope wyth-in thys monyth to see hym in %^Caleys, for by lyklyhod to-morowe or ellys the nexte daye he takyth shyppe at %^Yarmothe and goothe to %^Seynt %^James warde, and he hathe wretyn to me @at he wyll come homwarde by %^Caleys. Item, I suppose @at ^James ^Songer shall com wyth me to %^Caleys @e rather for yowre sake. Item, Mestresse ^Elysabett fareth well. but as yit ^Songer knoweth nott so parffytly all @at ye wolde weet @at he woll nott wryght to yow off thees ij dayes tyll he knowe moore. But iff she hadde ben bolde, and durst have abydyn styll at hyre gate and spoken wyth me, so God helpe me she had hadd thys same @at I sende nowe where ye woot off, whyche ye shall see woryn heer afftre. Itt is a praty ryban wyth praty aglettys and goodlye. Make yow nott wyse to ^Juddy, nowther not @at ye wolde weet any thynge, fore I maye sey to yowe at hys comyng ovre he browt goodly geere resonablye. Item, as for my byll @at is gylt, I wolde it weer taken heed too. There is on in the town @at can glaser weell j-nowe, as I herde sey. Also ther is on comythe euery markett daye fro %^Seynt %^Omerys to %^Caleys, and he bryngethe dagerys and fecchyth; also he maye haue it wyth hym and brynge it ageyn the next markett daye for xij d. or xvj at @e most; and ellys late it be weel oylyd and kepte tyll I come. No more. Wretyn at %^London @e v daye off jull ao ^E. iiijti xiijo. To my ryght wyrshypful Moodre, ^Margret ^Paston. Ryght wyrshypffull and my ryght tendre modre, I recomaunde me to yow, besechyng yow off yowre dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weet @at I herde nott from yow off longe tyme, whyche cawsythe me to be ryght hevye; nere at @e last tyme @at I sende to yow in wryghtyng I hadde from yowre-selffe noo wryghtyng ner answere ageyn saff by ^Playtere on tym and by my brother an other tyme, whyche answer off ^Playtere was noo-thyng acordyng but contraryaunt to other wryghtyng more comfortable @at he had sent me nott longe byffore thatt, on yowre behalve as he wrotte, whyche God amende. Neuerthelesse to my more heuynesse I herde seye @at ye sholde have been passhyng hevy for my sake, and in cheffe fore that I was lyke to late goo the maner off %^Sporle, wherin I was pytte in comffort to have had relyffe by the meanes off yow; and syns it was tolde me @at iff I leete it goo @at ye wolde therfore dysavauntage me more londe in tyme to come off syche as by poscybylyte* myght com to mee off yowrys. Vppon whyche corage my grauntdame and myn oncle to-gedre gaffe me an answere on hyr part moche lyke, and so my fadre, God have hys sowle, leffte me scant xl li. londe in rest, and ye leffe me as pleasythe yow, and my grauntdame at hyre plesure. Thus maye I have lytell hope off the worlde. Neuerthelesse I beseche yow to be my good moodre, how so euer ye doo wyth yowre londe, fore I feell weell @at iff I have on losse I am lyke therffor to have three. But as for %^Sporle, it shall nott goo iff I maye nere by my wyll, and iff ther hadde ben performed me as largelye as was promysed me by ^Playtere I were sewre it sholde nott have goon nor yit sholde nat goo. Neuerthelesse, iff ye and all my frendys and yowrys in %^Norffolk myght haue lende me so moche monye, and to haue takyn it vppe in v yere, I suppose they sholde par auentur have ben payed ageyn in a yere ore ij iff I had solde any woode. Neuerthelesse, plese yow to weet @at I have provyd my fadres wyll and testement, wherin I maye nowt dele on-to @e tyme that all the executorys have reffused, wherffore ther most be sende sitacions to yow and alle other that weer namyd my fadris executorys, wherin iff ye lyst not to take admynystracion, as I woot well ye woll nott off olde, ye most than make a proctore that must on yowre behalve byffor my lorde off %^Canterbury, wyth a sufficiant warant and autoryte*, vndre a notarys syngne ther in the corte reffuse to take admynestracion; and thys jnstrument and aultoryte* I beseche yow maye be redy and at %^London by the fyrst daye off @e terme. And iff ye be not aqueyntyd wyth non suche at %^London, iff it please yowe to take and avowe for yowre proctore and sende hym auctoryte*, on Master ^John ^Halsnothe, whyche was a clerke off Master ^Robert ^Centys and was so trusty to my fadre, God have hys sowle, and to sende me a letter off yowre wylle ther-in, I vndretake @at he shall nott do but as ye sende me worde. Plese it yow to gyff credence to ^Juddy her-in. No more to yow at thys tyme, but ^Jeshu have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn att %^Caleys the last daye saff on off Julle. Yowre s[[one]] ^J. ^P., K. Item, ^Arb[l]aster must mak a proctyr by yowre advyce, and iff he lyst to mak the seyd Master ^John ^Halsnothe he maye; ell he must sende vppe an other, and he must also make a letter off warant to @e seyde Master ^John ^Halsnothe vndre hys sell by yowre advyce in thys forme: Master ^John, &c., I recomande me &c., letyng yow weet @at I haue made yow my proctore towchyng the testement off ^John ^Paston, esquiere, wherffore I praye yow @at ye on my behalve reffuce the admynyst[r]acion off hys seyde testamen[t], fure I woll nowt have ado ther-wyth. Wherffo[r] loke @at ye on my behalve reffuce all admynestracion, entresse, ore besynesse @at I myght have there-by, and thys shewys yow my wyll her-in and shall be to yow a dyscharge att any tyme. No moore, &c. Yowre frend ^James ^Arblaster I wolde nat @at myn oncle ^William scholde cawse hym to take on hym as hys felaw, for iff myn oncle ^William doo thus moche in the corte I suppose it may her-afftre doo ease; for as God helpe me I cannot say verrely iff my fadre, God haue hys sowle, ag[r]eyd that he shold be on, but in my sowle he neuer thowt @at he sholde be, for he neuer namyd no moore butt my modre and me, and afftre yow whan I rehersyd myn oncle ^Clement, yow, and ^Arblaster, and than he chase yow, seyng he thoght @at ye were good and trewe. Kepe thys secrett. Iff myn oncle be noon executur it maye happely brynge ageyn a trussyng coffre wyth cc old peyse noblis whyche he toke from me as executur. < N 281> < L 0> To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, at %^Norwyche be thys delyueryd. < L 1 > Wyrshypffull and well belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet @at the worlde semyth qweysye heer, fore the most part that be abowt the Kyng haue sende hyddre for ther harneys; and it [is] seyd for serteyn that @e Duke of ^Claraunce makyth hym bygge in that he kan, schewyng as he wolde but dele wyth the Duke of %^Glowcester. Butt the Kyng ententyth in eschyewyng all jnconvenyentys to be as bygge as they bothe, and to be a styffelere atwyen them. And som men thynke @at vndre thys ther sholde be som other thynge entendyd and som treason conspyred, so what shall falle can I nott seye. item, it is seyde @at yisterdaye ij passagerys off %^Dovre were takyn. I fere @at iff ^Juddy had noon hasty passage, so @at iff he passyd nott on Sondaye or Mondaye, @at he is taken and som geer off myn @at I wolde nott for xx li. I hope and purpose to goo to %^Caleys warde on Sondaye ore Mondaye, or nyghe bye, for I ame nott acompanyed to do any seruyse heer, wherffor it were better for me to be owt off syght. Item, I praye yow calle vppon Doctore ^Pykenham and Master ^John ^Bulman, ^Hubberd, and other fore to make redy @e c li. @at I sholde haue off them. They grantyd me onys by the advyce of ^Fowlere @at I sholde have had it, so @at I hadd delyueryd them the oblygacion and fonde them sewerte* to save them harmeles, whyche suerte* was redy, and I neuer the neere . I shall preue my fadrys wyll and have a letter off admynestracion, and nott beer grett perell; whyche I nedyd nott to have don iff Doctore ^Pykenham had ben kynde and just. Wherffor I thynke they shall paye for parte off my costys iff I sewe them. Neuerthelesse I preye yow entrete them that iff I sende them the oblygacion and heer-afftre fynde them sewerte* to saff them harmlesse, @at than I maye wett where to have my mony herin. I pray yow sende me answer in all the hast. Item, ^Sprynge, @at wayted on my fadre when he was in jowelhows, whom my fadre at hys dyeng besett xl s., he cryethe euyr on me for it, and in weye off almesse he wolde be easyd thow it wer but xx s. or x; wherffor he hathe wretyn to my modre, and most have an answer ageyn. I wolde @at my moodre sende hym as thoghe she lende hym som whatt, and he woll be pleasyd, and ellys he can seye as shrewdely as any man in %^Ingelonde. Item, the Kynge hathe sent for hys greet seall. Som seye we shall have a newe chavnceler, but som thynke @at the Kynge dothe as he dyde at the last feldys: he wyll have the seall wyth hym. But thys daye Doctor ^Morton, Master off @e Rollys, rydethe to @e Kyng and berythe the seall wyth hym. Item, I had neuer more nede off mony than now, wherfore ^Fastolffys v m[a]rke and the mony off Master ^John ^Smythe wolde make me holl. item, I praye yow remembre alwey my moodre and ^Playtere bothe off ther promyse @at they made me off c ly. and to receyve it ageyn at %^Sporle off the ferme in v yere. Neuerthelesse iff I sell my wode I shall paye hyr in o yeere; jff I passe Mychelmesse I lose xx li., whyche wyll nott becom me in no wyse. I praye yow call on [them]. wretyn on Seynt ^Lenardys Daye ao r.r. ^E. iiijti xiijo. item, sende me my vestment acordyng to @e letter I sent yow by ^Symond ^Dam in all hast. ^J. ^P., K. [[t]]o ^John ^Paston, [[e]]squyere, be thys delyueryd. Ryght wyrshypfull and hertyly belovyd brothere, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wet @at I receyuyd a letter that com from yow wretyn sirca viij Mychaelys, wherin ye leet me weet off @e decesse off Syr ^James, and @at my moodre is in purpose to be at %^Norwyche; and I am ryght glad @at sche wyll now doo somwhat by yowre advyce. Wherffor be ware fro hense forthe @at noo suche felawe crepe in be-twyen hyre and yow, and iff ye lyst to take a lytell labore ye may lyff ryght well, and she pleasyd. It is as good that ye ryde wyth a cople off horse at hyre cost as Syre ^James ore ^Richard ^Calle. Ye sende me worde also @at she in noo wyse wyll purueye thyre c li. for @e redemyng off %^Sporle. Late it goo. As towchyng that mater, ^John ^Osbern tolde me that he comonyd wyth yow at %^Sporle off that mater. Ferre, he devysed @at ^Kokett ore suche an other man sholde, to haue it the better cheppe, leye owt the valewe off vj yere for to haue it vij yere, wherto I wolde agre*; and for Goddys sake iff thatt maye be browt a-bowt late it be doon. As ye woot off, it is laten for xxij li. by yere,yit @e fermorys graunt but xxj; but to ^Kokett it wolde be worthe xxv li., yea and better. Neuerthe lesse, iff ^Kokett wyll delyuer vjxx li. I wolde he had it for vij yeere, wyth thys that my moodre be agreable to @e same by-cawse off th'entresse that she hathe for my brother ^William , whyche shall nott be off age thys vij yeere. Neuerthe lesse, as ye know myn olde entent, I purpose to puruey for hym in an other plase better than theere, off whyche graunte off my moodre i praye yow to be my solycytore, in why[[c]]h[[e iff]] it be browt abowt %^Sporle shall be in as goode case as euyre he was. ^John ^Osbern willyd me to make yow a sufficiaunt waraunt to selle and felle wood at %^Sporle, whyche I remembre ye have in as ample forme as can be. Neuerthe lesse iff thys meane above wretyn, off letyng to ferme, maye be hadde, it shall I hope nat nede to felle nere selle moche; but I remytte that geere to yowre dyscrescion. But iff ye haue suche comfforte I praye yow sende me worde. I maye seye to yow ^John ^Osbern flateryd me, fore he wolde haue borowyd mony off me. Item, jn retaylyng off woode theere it weere harde to tryst hym, he is nedye. Iff ^Kokett ore whoo so euyre had that maner to ferme for vij yere and payd therffor but vjxx li. he sholde, to lete it ageyn, wynne xxxvj li., whyche we[re] moche; wherffore, iff it myght bee, yt were more resenable vjxx vij li. to be reseyuyd, and yit is there lost xxix li., ore ellys iff ye take lesse mony and fewere yerys so it be afftre the rate, so there be purueyd c li. at @e lest. Sende worde. Item, ye wroot @at lyke a trewe man ye sende me xviij s. by ^Richarde ^Radle*. Ye weere to trewe, but he semys to be a false shrewe, fore he browt me noon yitt. Whethyr he be owt off town ore nott kan I nott seye. Ye prayed me also to sende yow tydyngys how I spedde in my materis, and in cheff off Mestresse ^Anne ^Hault. I haue answere ageyn froo %^Roome that there is the welle off grace and salve sufficiaunt fore suche a soore, and that I may be dyspencyd wyth. Neuerthe lesse my proctore there axith a ml docatys, as he demythe, but Master ^Lacy, an other Rome-rennere heere, whyche knowyth my seyde proctore theere, as he seythe, as weell as ^Bernard knewe hys sheeld, seythe @at he menythe but an c docatys, ore cc at @e most; wherffor afftre thys comythe moore. He wrote to me also $quod $papa $hoc $facit $hodiernis $diebus $multociens. Item, as towchyng %^Caster, I tryst to God @at ye shall be in it to myn vse ore Crystmesse be past. Item, yowre ost ^Brygham recomand hym to yow, and when he and I rekenyd I gave hym ij noblis fore yowre borde whyll ye weere theere in hys absence; but in feythe he wolde, fore nowth @at I kowde doo, take j d., wherffore ye most thanke hym ore charge me to thanke hym on yowre behalve in som nexte epystyll @at ye wryght to me to %^Caleys. He leete me weet @at he wolde do moore for yow than soo. Item, my Lady ^Bowgchere was almost deed but she [[is]] amendyd. I trowe they com in-to %^Norffolk. Item, as for ^W. ^Berkere, I heere no worde from hym. I praye yow comon wyth ^Berney ther-in; he knoweth myn conceyt. And also I praye yow hast ^Berney ageyn. I wold not @at he pleyed the fooll nere wastyd hys tyme nere hys syluer. Item, as for the brace of growndes, ore on verry goode ore in especiall @e blak off ^Germynys, I can nott seye but ye be a trewe man, but ^William ^Mylsent isse a false shrewe, so mote I thee; and I trow hys master is too. Item, I most haue myn jnstrumentys hydder whyche are in the chyst in my chambre at %^Norwyche, whyche I praye yow and ^Berney to-gedre, joyntly but natt seuerallye, to trusse in a pedde and sende them me hyddre in hast, and a byll ther-in how many pecys. Thys most be had to avoyde jdelnesse at %^Caleys. Item, I praye yow take heed among thatt my stuffe take noon harme, nere that myn euydence wher ye wott off be owt off joparte*. Item, I praye yow doo for ^Berneye as ye kan so @at he maye be in sewerte* for hys annywyte*, and that it be nott costius fro hense forthe to hym any more to come ore sende for it. I praye yow wynne yowre sporys in thys mater. Item, I purposed to haue sent heere-wyth the testement off my fadre and the scytacions to my moodre, to yow, and ^Arblaster, but they be nott redy. Wyth-in ij dayes afftre the comyng off thys I suppose they shall be wyth yow, and than I shall wryght more to yow. As for other tydyngys, I trust to God thatt the ij Dukes off ^Clarans and %^Glowcester shall be sette att on by the adward off the Kyng. Item, I hope by the meanys off @e Duke of %^Glowcester @at my lord Archebysshop shall com hom. Item,as towchyng my sustre ^Anne, I vnderstand she hathe ben passyng seek, but I wende @at she had ben weddyd. As fore ^Yeluerton, he seyde but late @at he wold haue hyre iff she had hyre mony, and ellis nott; wherffor me thynkyth that they be nott verry sewre. But amonge all other thyngys i praye yow be ware @at @e olde love off ^Pampyng renewe natt. He is nowe fro me; I wott nat what he woll doo. No more. Wretyn at %^London the xxij daye of Novembre Ao r.r. ^E. iiijti xiijo. John Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere. Ryght wyrshypffull and well belovyd brother, I recomaund me to yow, letyng yow weet @at I sende yow herwyth j sitacion where-in ben my moodre and yee, wheroff I praye yow @at I maye haue hasty answeere. The effeccte theroff is no moore bute ye bothe most sende answere and make yow a proctore heere, and that most come hyddre ondre a notaryes syngne affermyng that ye make suche a man Master ^John ^Halsnothe, ore ellis yff ye will do @e cost to sende som other hyddre yowre proctore to take admynystracion ore to reffuse, and what so he dothe ye to holde it for ferme and stable. Than most my moodre and ye wryght a letter vndre my moodrys seall and yowre syngne manuell to me and Master ^John ^Halsnothe jn thys forme: we gret yow well, letyng yow weet @at we haue made yow, Master ^John ^Halsnoth, owre proctore in the testament off ^John ^Paston, husbond and fadre to yow, wherin we wyll @at an owre behalff ye reffuse the admynestracion off the seyde testament; and thys wryghtyng is to yow warant and dyscharge, and also the verry wyll off vsse.' Thys most we haue for owre dyscharge. Item, I pray yow take good hedde to my soster ^Anne lesse the olde love atwyen hyre and ^Pampyng renewe. Item I pray yow sende me worde howe my moodre is dysposyd to hyr wardys, and iffe so weer that a good mariage myght be had, what she wolde depart wyth. Item, I praye yow @at ye remembre hyr for the tombe off my fadre at %^Bromholme, and also the chapell at %^Mavteby, and sende me worde how she is dysposyd her-in. Item, iff I have %^Caster ageyn whethyre she wolle dwelle ther or nott, and I wyll fynde hyr a prest towardys at my charge and geve hyr the dovehowse and other comodyte*s ther; and iff any horsekeper off myn lye ther I wolle paye for hys borde also, as weell as for the prestys. Item, iff my moodre sholde haue a new prest I thynk @at my brother Syr ^J. ^Goos weere a metly man to be ther. He wolde also doo as ye wolde haue hym. Nowe bere the cuppe euyn, as whatcalle-ye-hym seyde to ^Aslake. Be ware off mynerys fro hense forthe, and sende me worde how ye trist Doctore ^Pykenham. I wolde, iff he wolde doo owght for my moodre, that he hastyd the sonner to paye me the c li. so @at I myght pledge owt %^Sporle. Item, as fore other tydyngys, the Erle off %^Oxenforthe is stille besegyd. Neuerthelesse onys he issued owt and toke a jentilman and hant hym wyth-in, but now off late he was besye and on espyed hym and shott at hym and strake in the verry fase wyth an arowe. I sye thys daye @e same man, and theer I leeff hym. Iff ^Arblaster come to yow ye maye see hys letter sente to hym by me, wherin I have wretyn @at he scholde take yowre advyce; but I pray yow above all thyngys that ye make hast so @at I heer from yow ageyn by thys day vij nyght. At %^London the xxv daye off novembre. ^John ^Paston, K. #MESTRESSE ^MARGRETT ^PASTON, AT %^NORWYCHE. Ryght honorable and most tendre good moodre, I recomand me to yowe, besechyng yow to haue, as my tryst is @at I have, yowre dayly blessyng; and thanke yow off yowre good moderhood, kyndenesse, cheere, charge, and coste whyche I had and pvtte yow to att my last beyng wyth yow, wh[y]che God gyffe me grace her-afftre to deserve. Please it yow to weet @at I thynke longe @at I heere nott from yow, ore from ^Pekok yowre seruaunt, fore the knowlege howe he hathe doon in @e sale off my ferme barlye, nere what is made there-off. Wherffore I beseche yow, iff it be not answeryd by that tyme @at thys bylle comythe to yowe, to hast hym and itt hyddrewardys, fore iff @at had nott taryed me I deme I had ben at %^Caleys by thys daye. For it is soo, as men seye, @at @e Frense Kynge wyth a gret hoste is at %^Amyas, but iijxx myle from %^Caleys, and iff he ore hys roode byffore %^Caleys and I nott theere, I wolde be sorye. Item, men seye @at the Erle off %^Oxenfford hathe ben constreynyd to sewe fore hys pardon only off hys lyffe, and hys body, goodes, londes, wyth all @e remenaunt at @e Kynges wyll, and soo sholde in all haste nowe com in to @e Kyng. And som men seye @at he is goon owt off @e %^Mownte, men wot not to what plase, and yit leffte a greet garnyson theere weell fornysshyd in vytayll and all other thyng. Item, as fore the hauyng ageyn off %^Castre, I trust to have good tydyngys theroff hastelye. Item, my brother ^John farethe weell, and hathe doon ryght delygentlye in my cosyn ^Elisabeth ^Berneys materys, wheroff hastely I trust he shall sende hyre tydyngys @at schall please hyre; and as to-morow he purposyth to take hys jurneye to %^Walys warde to @e Lord ^Ryverse. Nomore at thys tyme, but ^Jeswe haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^London the xx daye off Feuerere Ao ^E. iiijti xiijo. Yowre sone ^J. ^Paston, K. < T #TO #MARGARET #PASTON> <6 0> to Mestrese ^Margrett ^Paston at %^Norwyche, er to ^J. ^Paston in hyre absence. Ryght wyrshypfull and my moste kynd and tendre moodre, I recomaund me to yow, thankyng yow off the grete cost and off the greet chere @at ye dyd to me and myn at my last beyng wyth yowe; whyche cheere also hathe made me perffyghtly hooll, I thanke God and yow, in so moche @at where as I feeryd me @at for weykenesse, and so green recuveryd off my syknesse, @at I scholde have apeyryd by the weye, but, God thanke yow, I toke soo my crommys whyls I was wyth yow @at I felyd my-sylffe by the weye that God and ye had made me stronger than I wenyd @at I had ben, jn so moche @at i feell my-selffe euery daye hollere than othere. it was soo that I mett wyth myn onkle ^William by the weye, and there in the felde I payed hym the iiij li. whyche I had borowyd off hym, and he was passyng jnquisytyff howe @at I was purueyd fore recompensyng off ^Towneshend. I tolde hym I hopyd weell. He tolde me @at he vndrestood @at I had the c li. off the Bysshopys executorys,and he had herd seye @at I had also borowyd an other c li. off a marchaunt, and so I lakyd but an c marke. I deme he herde thys off ^T. ^Lovell, fore I tolde hym @at I was in hope to fynde suche a freende @at wolde lende me c li. He axed me who was that; I answeryd hym an olde marchaunt, a freende off myn; but myn oncle thowte @at sholde be by weye off chevyshanse and to myn horte, wherffore I was pleyne to hym and tolde hym that ye were sewerte* therffore and purueyed it off suche as wolde doo for yowe. And as for the forte c mark, he seyde to me @at as for that he wolde, rather than joparte* sholde be, purvey it by weye off chevyshaunce at %^London, jn so meche @at ere he come fro %^London he had for my sake leyde v c markys worthe off plate wyth ^Hewghe ^Fenne. The place at Warwykys Inne is large and my grawntdame is agyd; it had ben jopartous to leve moche plate wyth hyre, thoghe halffe were hyre owne. But iff I maye doo other wyse I purpose nott to chevyshe any mony by hys meane. Item, I have delyueryd yowre botell to ^Courbye @e caryere thys same daye, and he promysed me to be wyth yow on Mondaye nyghte ore ellys on Towesday tymely. He hathe also xl d. to paye fore the thryd hyryd horse, and he bryngythe the iij horse wyth hym and is contente for hys labore and for the mete largely. They be delyueryd hym in as good and rather better plyght than whan I had them forthe, and nott gallyd nore hurte. He hat[h]e also ij sadelys, on off my brotherys and an other hyred, as ye woot off. Item, he hathe a peyre botys off ^Edmond ^Reedys @e shomakere, whyche ^Saundre borowyd off hym. I beseche yowe that ^William ^Mylsent ore ^Symme maye se @at euery man have hys owne. Item, as fore my brother ^Edmond, blyssyd be God he is weell amendyd. Item, as fore Hankyn owre dogge, I am a-ferde neuer to see hym but iff yowre good helpe bee. Item, as for the bookys @at weer Syr ^James, iff it lyke yow @at I maye haue them I ame not able to by them; but som-what wolde I gyffe, and the remenaunt, wyth a goode devowte herte by my trowthe I wyll prey for hys sowle. Wherffor iff it lyke yow by the next massenger ore karyere to sende hem, in a daye I shall have them dressyd heer; and iff any off them be claymyd here-afftre in feythe I wyll restoore it. Wretyn on Saterdaye. ^John ^Paston, K <6 0> To Mestresse ^Margrete ^Paston, ore to ^Roose dwellyng byffore hyre gate at %^Norwyche. < L1> Afftre dew recomendacion, my most tendre and kynde moodre, I beseche yow off yowre dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weete @at I reseyvyd a lettre that come from yowe, wretyn @e xxvj daye off Octobre, non erst but on Wednysday last past; wherby I conceyvyd @at at @e wryghtyng off @at letter ye weere nott serteyn off the delyng betwyn ^Towneshende and me. It was so @at, God thanke yow, I receyvyd @e xx li. broght by ^Syme and also the mony browght by my brothere, wyth whyche mony, and wyth moore @at I had my-selff, I redemyd the maner off %^Sporle and payed ^Towneshend bothe @e cccc m[a]rke ther-fore and also x li. @at i owte hym besyde; and have off hym an aqwytaunce off all bargaynes and off all other dettys. Neuerthelesse, I assayed hym iff he wolde, iff nede hadde ben, gyvyn me a xij monyth lenger respyght, whyche he grauntyd to do. But in conclusyon I can nott entrete hym but @at he woll have the vttremest off hys bargayn, and thys xx li. payeable at Candelmesse and Esterne. I kan entrete hym noon other wyse as yit; wherfore I thynke iff I had passyd my daye it had ben harde to have trustyd to hys cortesye, jn so moche I fynde hym also ryght loose in the tonge. For %^Bekham, he spekyth no-thyng comfortably ther-in; what he wyll doo can I nott seye. Item, as for %^Castre, it nedyth nott to spore nore prykke me to doo owghte ther-in. I doo @at I can wyth goode wyll, and somwhat I hope to doo hastely @er-in @at shall doo goode. Item, as for the bokes @at weere Syre ^James, God haue hys sowle, whyche it lykethe yow @at I shall have them, I beseche yow @at I maye have them hyddre by the next massenger; and iff I be goon, yit that they be delyueryd to myn ostesse at @e George at %^Powlys %^Wharff, whyche wolle kepe them saffe, and @at it lyke yow to wryght to me whatt my peyne ore payment shall be for them. Item, it lyked yow to weet off myn heelle. I thanke God nowe @at I am nott greetly syke nere soore but in myn heele, wherin alle men know nott whatt peyne I feele. And wher ye advysed me to hast me owt off thys towne, I wolde full fayne be hense. I spende dayly more than I sholde doo iff I were hense, and I am nott well porveyed. Item, blessyd be Good my grauntdam is amendyd by suche tyme as myn oncle ^W. come hyddre, but my yongest cosyn ^Margret, hys doghtre, is ded and beryed er he come hom. I am as moche a-ferde off thys londe @at is in hys hande as I was off that @at was jn ^Towneshendys hande. I hope to wryght yow moore serteynte*s wyth-in iiij ore v dayes. Nomore, &c. Wretyn @e xx daye off Novembre Ao ^E. iiij xiiijo. Yowre sone ^J. ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esquyere, at %^Norwyche, ore to ^Roose dwellyng affore Mestresse ^Pastonys gate in %^Norwych. Ryght wyrshypfull and weell belovyd brother, I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weet @at I have comonyd wyth yowre freende ^Dawnson and have receyvyd yowre rynge off hym, and he hathe by myn advyce spoken wyth hyre ij tymes. He tellythe me off hyre delyng and answerys, whyche iff they were acordyng to hys seyng a feynter lovere than ye wolde, and weell aghte to, take ther-in greet comffort, so @at he myght haply slepe @e werse iij nyghtys afftre. And suche delyng in parte as was by-twyen my Lady ^W. and yowre freende ^Danson he wrote me a bylle theroff, whyche I sende yow herwyth; and that @at longythe to me to doo therin it shall nott fayle, to leeve all other bysynesse a-parte. Neuerthelesse, wyth-jn iiij dayes I hope so to deele here-in @at I suppose to sette yow in serteynte* hoghe @at ye shall fynde hyre fore evyre heer-afftre. It is so, as I vndrestande, @at ye be as besy on yowre syde fore yowre freende ^Dawnson wheer as ye be. I praye God sende yow bothe goode spede in thees werkys, whyche iff they be browte abowte, jche off yowe is moche be-holden to other. Yit weere it pyte* @at suche craffty wowerys as ye be bothe scholde speede weell but iff ye love trewly. Item, as fore ^Stoctonys doghtre, she shall be weddyd in haste to ^Skeerene, as she tolde hyre-selffe to my sylkemayde whyche makyth parte off suche as she shall weere, to whom she brake hyre harte and tolde hyre @at she sholde have hadde Master ^Paston, and my mayde wende it had been I @at she spake off; wyth moore, @at the same Master ^Paston kome where she was wyth xx men and wold have taken hyre aweye. I tolde my mayde @at she lyed off me, and @at I neuer spake wyth hyre in my lyff, nere @at i wolde not wedde hyre to have wyth hyre iij ml marke. Item, as for ^Ebortonys dowghtre, my brother ^Edmonde seythe @at he herde neuer moore speche @er-off syns yowre departyng, and @at ye wolde @at he sholde nott breke nore doo no-thynge ther-in but iff it come off theere begynnyng. Item, I had answere from my lorde @at he is my speciall goode lorde, and @at by wryghtyng; and as for ^Bernaye, he sette hym in hys owne wagys for my sake, and @at whan so euer I come to %^Caleys I shall fynde all thyng there as [I] woll have it, and rather better than it was heere-tofor. Item, @e Kynge come to @is towne on Wednysdaye. And as for the Frenshe enbassate @at is heere, they come nott in @e Kynges presense, by lyklihod, for men seye @at @e chyeff of them is he @at poysonyd bot[[he]] @e Duke off %^Berry and @e Duke off %^Calabre. Item, there was neuer more lyklyhood @at @e Kyng shall goo ouy[[re]] thys next yere than it is nowe. I praye yow remembre @at I maye have @e pewtre vessell hyddre by @e next karyer by the lattre [[ende]] off thys weke. Item, I praye yow remembre so @at I maye have the bokys by the same tyme whyche my moodre seyde she wolde sende me by the next cariere. Wretyn at %^London @e Sondaye @e xx daye off Novembre ao ^E. iiijti xiiijo. ^John ^Paston, K. to ^John ^Paston, esquiere. Brother, I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete @at I have, lyke as i promysed yowe, I have doon my devoyre to knowe my Lady ^Walgraues stomake, whyche, as God helpe me and to be pleyn to yowe, I fynde in hyre no mater nere cawse @at I myght take comfort off. Sche wyll in no wyse receyve nere kepe yowre rynge wyth hyre, and yit I tolde hyre @at she scholde not be any-thynge bownde therby but @at I knew by yowre herte off olde @at I wyst weell ye wolde be glad to forbere the levest thyng @at ye had in the world whyche myght be dayly in here presence @at sholde cawse hyre onys on a daye to remembre yow; but itt wolde not be. She wolde nott therby, as she seyde, putte yow nere kepe yow in any comffort ther-by, and more-ovyre she preyed me @at I sholde neuer take labore moore heere-in fore she wolde holde hyre to suche answere as she hadd gevyn yow to-foore; wherwyth she thowght bothe ye and I wolde have holde vs contente had nott been the wordys off hyre suster ^Geneffyeff. When I vndrestoode all thys, and that ouer nyght she bad hyre @at weent bytwyen hyre and me byd me brynge wyth me hyre muskeball whyche, &c., than I aftre all thys axid iff she weere dyspleasyd wyth me for it, and she seyde naye. Than I tolde hyre that I had nott sent it yowe fore synne off my sowle, and so I tolde hyre all how I had wretyn to yow why that I wold nott sende it yow by-cawse I wyst weell ye sholde have slepyd the werse. But nowe I tolde hyre, as God helpe me, @at I wolde sende it yow, and gyffe yow myn advyse nott to hope ouyre moche on hyre whyche is ovyre harde an hertyd lady for a yonge man to tryst on-to, whyche I thowght @at for all my wordys ye cowde nott nere wolde nott do fore all myn advyce. Yitt ageynwardys, she is nott dyspleasyd nor forbad me nott but that ye sholde have the kepyng off hyre mvskball. Wherffor do ye wyth itt as ye lyke. I wolde it hadd doon weell. By Good, I spake fore yow soo that in feythe I trowe I kowde nott seye so weell ageyn; wherffor I sende yow herwyth yowre rynge and the onhappy muskeball also. Make ye mater off it herafftre as ye kan. I am nott happy to wow, nowther for my-selff nere noon othere. I tolde hyre all @e process off the Lorde ^Howarde and off yowre grewndys as I kowde; all helpys notte. Item, I praye yow late my brothere ^Edmonde vndrestonde @at as for @e chevysshaunce @at myn oncle ^W. spake off, as God helpe me itt canne nott be, I cannott chevyshe for my-selffe. I feer @at I am lyke to be deseyuyd by hym; by God I had lever than c noblys @at I weer qwyte off hym. I can se noon other as yit, but that I ame nott lyke to goo to %^Caleys byffore Crestmesse but iff I wolde jopart it at hys curtesye. I am in an agonye wyth hym @at vexithe all my spyrytys. I heer no woorde from my brother ^E. ner fro ^R. ^Lynsted howe they have sped wyth ^Towneshende. Iff ther be any answere sent to myn oncle ^W. he makyth me nott prevye ther-to, whe[r]for I have to grett an hurte jff I wote nott in all haste howe @at ^Lynsted hathe doon wyth ^Towneshend and also att %^Snaylwell; wherffor in hast sende worde to me or to myn ostesse at @e George. I here no worde off my vessell nere off my bokys. I mervayll. No more. Wretyn at %^London the xj daye off decembre Ao ^E. iiijti xiiijo. ^J. ^P., K. To @e ryght worshypfull ^John ^Paston, esquiere, at %^Norwych ore to hys moodre ^Margreet ^Paston in hys absence, in haste. I recomande me to yow, prayng yow hertely @at I maye have weetyng whan @at my lorde and ladye off %^Norffolk shalle be at %^London, and howgh longe they shall tery theere, and in especiall my lorde off %^Norffolk, for vppon there comyng to %^London were it for me to be guydyd. Neuerthelesse I wolde be soory to come theere but iff I nedys most. I thynke it wolde be to yow ouyre erksom a labore to solycyte the materys a-twyen them and me but iff I weere theere my-selffe; wherffore iff ye thynke it be convenyent that I come thyddre, I praye yow sende me worde as hastely as ye maye, and by what tyme ye thynke most convenyent @at I sholde be theere, and off all suche counfforte as ye fynde ore heere off the towardnesse ther-off, and whan also @at ye shall be theer yowre-selffe. Fore it is so @at as tomorow I purpose to ryde in-to %^Flaundrys to purveye me off horse and herneys, and parcase I shall see the assege at %^Nwse ere I come ageyn iff I have tyme, wherffor jff I so doo by lyklyhod it woll be a xiiij dayes er i be heer ageyn. And afftre as I heere from yowe and other, then vppon that at @e next passage, and God woll, I purpose to come to %^London warde, God sende me goode spede, jn cheff for @e mater above wretyn and secondly fore to appoynt wyth the Kynge and my lorde for suche retynwe as I sholde have now in thees werrys in-to %^Frawnce. Wherffore I praye yow in %^Norffolk and other places comon wyth suche as ye thynke lykly fore yow and me @at are dysposyd to take wagys in gentylmennys howsys and ellys where so @at we maye be the moore redy whan @at nede is. Neuerthelesse at thys owre I wolde be gladde to have wyth me dayly iij ore iiij more than I have suche as weere lykly, for I lakke off my retynwe @at I have heere so many. I praye yow sende me som tydyngys suche as ye heere, and howghe @at my brother ^Edmonde dothe , for as for tydyngys heere, theere be but fewe saffe @at the assege lastyth stylle by the Duke off %^Burgoyn affoore %^Nuse and the Enperore hathe besegyd also, not ferre from thense, a castell and an other town in lyke wyse wher-in @e Dukys men been. And also @e Frenshe Kynge, men seye, is comyn nyghe to @e water off %^Somme wyth iiij ml sperys, and som men trowe @at he woll at @e daye off brekyng off trewse, or ellys byffoore, sette vppon the Dukys contreys heere. When i heere moore I shall sende yowe moore tydyngys. The Kyngys jnbassatorys, Syr ^Thomas ^Mongomere* and @e Master off the Rollys, be comyng homwardys from %^Nuse, and as for me I thynke @at I sholde be seke but iff i see it. Syre ^John off %^Parre and ^William ^Berkeley com thys weys to %^Flaundrys ward to by them horse and herneys, and [i] made Syr ^J. ^Parre goode cheere as I cowde for yowre sake, and he tolde me @at ye made hym haulte cheere &c. at %^Norwyche. No moore. Wretyn at %^Caleys the xvij daye off Janeuer Ao ^Edwardi iiijti xiiijo To hys brother ^John ^Paston, ore to hy[s] oncle ^William ^Paston in %^Werwykk %^Lane, ore to ^Edmond ^Paston at @e George at %^Powlys %^Wharffe: to delyuer any of them. Ryght worshypfull, I recomaunde me on-to yow, letyng yow weete @at i thynke longe @at I heere nott from yow syns Crystmesse nere have no serteyn knowleche whether @at ^Towneshend hathe performyd hys promysse ore nott, nere off my brothere ^Johnys beyng at %^London, nere off my lord ore lady off %^Norffolkys comyng to %^London, at whoys comyng sholde be @e cheffe labore and sewte @at I or any for me sholde labore. It was soo, God thanke yow bothe, @at iche off yow at my last beyng wyth yow grauntyd me to take labore vppon yow and iche off yow for the hauyng ageyn off my place in %^Castre. Now is it soo @at wher my verry purpose was to have comyn to %^London now, wyth the Master of the Rollys and Syr ^Thomas ^Mongomere*, demyng to fynde the Kyng at the parlement, and also @at my lorde and lady off %^Norffolk sholde nott by lyklyhod fayle to be theere also, wherffore me thoght the tyme was convenyent; but it happyd so @at suche tydyngys come hyddre off the Frenshe Kyngys hasty comyng in-to thees marchys off %^Pykardye whyche cawsyd my lordys depute* and cownsell heere to desyre and charge me soo streyghtly @at in noo wyse I maye, tyll I heere othere tydyngys, departe from hense. Notwythstondyng the marchall and counsell heere have wretyne to my lorde lywe-tenant for me , and moore-ouer desyryd both @e Master off @e Rollys and Syr ^T. ^Mongomere* to remembre my materys both to @e Kynge and to my lorde, in so moche @at iff the season be convenyent bothe @e seyd Master and Syre ^T. ^Mongomere* wille labore bothe the Kynge and my lorde to entrete my lorde of %^Norffolk, my lady hys wyff, and ther consell to do for me all that reason wyll, off whoys good willys and labore here-in I ame better ensuryd off than I kan,for lakke off leysere at thys tyme, wryght yowe wetyng off. Wher-for I praye yow and iche off yow, iff the season be convenyent, to take the labore that theese jentyllmen maye do for me and to my proffyght like as I feelle them dysposyd to doo; and moore-ouer I have somwhatt informyd them bothe ther-in. And also @at I maye hastyly heer from yow; and jff it come to @at any mony most be geuyn to my lorde ore lady off %^Norffolk for a plesyre herffore, I woll vppon as i heer from yow come to yow in alle hast possible, all thyngys leyde a-parte. Item, iff any letter be requeryth to be hadde, jn lyke forme as onys ther was from the Kyng to my lorde off %^Norffolk, Syr ^T. ^Mongomere* will by yowre advycys opteyne yow suche on off yowre ententys to my proffyghte in the premyssys, and by thys my wryghtyng I bynde me to repaye yowe iff any suche letter ore wryghtyng be opteynyd, what so euer it coste. No more for lakke off leyser. Wretyn at %^Caleys the v daye off Feuerere Ao ^E. iiij xiiijo. As for tydyngys heer, my masteris th'embassatorys, Syr ^T. ^Mongomere* and the Master off the Rollys, kom streyght from the Duke at hys assege at %^Nywysse, whyche wyll nott yit be wonne. Yowre ^John ^Paston, K. To Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston at %^Norwyche be thys delyueryd. Please it yow to weete @at I receyuyd a letter from yow wretyn @e Saterdaye next byffore Candelmesse, for answere wheroff lyke it yow to weete @at, as for the bokys @at weer Syr ^James, God haue hys sowle, I thynke best that they be styll wyth yow tyll @at I speke wyth yow my-selff. My mynde is now nott most vppon bokys. Item, as for xx li. @at ye sey @at yowre plate lythe fore, it is so @at i fownde my oncle ^William no sewerte* therffore. As ^Playtere and my brother ^John bothe cowde enfforme yowe, it was neuer desyryd off me, nere the tolde me nott @at any suche pledge laye for it, but @at ye hadd dyschargyd me off xx li. and chevysshyd it, and @at ye sholde repaye it in hast: wherin I woll do as ye woll, and as it pleasyth yow to sende me wetyng. Item, I ame sory @at ye be no bettre payd off @e xx li. @at I had off yowe, whyche ye sholde haue receyuyd ageyn off my londys in %^Flegge; iff the markett be nott goode yit I hope jt shall be better. Neuer the lesse my wyll is that ye sholde have yowre holl xx li. ageyn and nott lose j d.; wherffor iff it be soo @at ye be mysse seruyd there, I beseche yowe off pacyence tyll the begynnyng off the next yeere, and iff aught be behynd ye shall receyue vppe the remenaunt then, for as God helpe me I wolde be sory @at ye lost moore for me. I have pytte yow to cost, charge, and losse j-nowge, God thanke yowe off it, thoughe ye lose no more; wherffor jff %^Sporle woode sprynge any syluer ore golde it is my wyll @at fyrst off alle ye be yowre owne payere off all @at is be-hynde, and next thatt to paye myn oncle ^William vijxx vj li. xiij s. iiij d., and besyd that xvj li. lost vppon the chevysshaunce offe iiijxx li.; and so I owe viijxx ij li. xiij s. iiij d. Wherfor I beseche yow to make hast in repayment heroff as fast as it woll growe, as my trost is in yowe. Item, wher it pleasyd yow to weete off myn heele and a-mendyng, I thanke Godde I ame in goode case, and as goode a[s] full hooll bothe off the fevre agwe, off myn je, myn legge, and myn heele, saff @at I ame tendre off all theese and, were nott goode rewle, full like to feell off iche off them ryght soone. Neuerthelesse God thanke yow off yowre large profre, wheroff I wolde be ryght gladde iff I myght, fore trobles and other labore that I have takyn on me nowe in-to %^Fraunce warde. For the goode spede off me and @at jorneye I beseche yow off yowre preyerys and remembrance; and thatt jorney wyth Goddys grace onys doon, I purpose verrely wyth Goddys grace therafftre to daunce atendaunce most abowt yowre plesure and ease. And wyth Goddys grace soone vppon Esterne, ere euyre I goo forthe, I hope to se yow and fecche yowre blessyng. No moore at thys tyme, but ^Jesus have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^Caleys the xxij daye off Feuerere Ao ^E. iiijti xiiijo. Yowre sone ^John ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston ore to hys brother ^Edmond ^Paston at + @e George at %^Powles %^Wharff. Brother ^Edmonde, it is soo @at I heer telle @at ye be in hope to come hyddre and to be in suche wagys as ye schall can lyve lyke a jentylman, wheroff I wolde be gladde. Wherffor for yowre better speede I lete yow weete @at ^Heugh ^Beamond is deed, wherffor I wolde ye had hys roome, nowe ore neuer iff ye can brynge it a-bowt. Ellys, iff ye dyspose yowe to abyde in %^Inglonde, syns it is so @at the Bysshop of %^Lynkolne is chauncelere, hys seruyse is the meter for yow---he is next neyghbore to %^Norffolk off any astate. God sende yow som good warde off hys. I praye yow iff yowre leyser be ther-afftre to remembre ^Towneshende @at he wyth the advyse and assystence off my Master off @e Rollys have on daye off Marche wyth @e slawe Bysshope off %^Wynchester, @at he maye kepe me hys promyse; @at is to seye to entrete @e Duke and Duchesse off %^Norffolk for %^Caster. He promysed to doo it, and to ley owt an c li. for @e same. Item, I praye yow sende me som tydyngys wyth-in v dayes afftre @at ye see thys bylle. Wretyn at %^Caleys @e xiij daye off June. ^John ^Paston, K. To Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston, at %^Norwyche. Ryght reuerend and my most tendre and kyynde moodre, I recomaunde me to yow. Please it yow to weete @at, blessyd be God, thys wyage off the Kyngys is fynysshyd for thys tyme, and alle the Kyngys ost is comen to %^Caleys as on Mondaye last past, @at is to seye @e iiij daye off Septembre, and at thys daye many off hys host be passyd @e see in-to %^Inglond ageyn, and in especiall my lorde off %^Norffolk and my bretheryn. Item, I was jn goode hope to have hadde %^Caster ageyn. @e Kynge spake to my lorde off %^Norffolk for it and it was full lyke to have comyn, but in conclusyon it is delayed tyll @is next terme, by whyche tyme the Kynge hat[h]e comaundyd hym to take advyce off hys councell and to be sywere @at hys tytle be goode, ore ellys @e Kyng hathe asserteynyd hym @at for any favore he most do me ryght and justyce, &c. And iff %^Caster hadde comen, by my feythe I had comyn streyhte home. Notwytstondyng, iff i may do yow servyce or ease, as ye and I have comonyd heere-to-foore, afftre as I heere from yow, as God helpe me, I purpose to leeffe alle heere and come home to yow and be yowre hosbonde and balyff; wher-in I spake to my brothere ^John to telle yow myn advyce. I also mysselyke somwhat the heyre heer, for by my trowt[h]e I was in goode heele whan I come hyddre, and all hooll, and to my wetyng I hadde neuer a better stomake in my lyffe; and now wyth-in viij dayes I am crasyd ageyn. I suppose @at I most be at %^London at Mychelmesse and ther to purveye for payment for myn oncle ^William, by whyche tyme I praye yow @at I maye heer from yow, and off yowr advyce and helpe iff any thynge be growyn off %^Sporle woode, For had nott yit that danger have been, I mygh[t] yit have ben at home wyth yow at thys daye or wyth-in vij dayes afftre. No more, but I beseche ^Jesus have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Caleys the xj daye off Septembre. ^John ^Paston, K. [[to @e King]] our souuerain lord [[Sheweth]] vnto your highnesse your feythful liegeman and seruaunt ^John ^Paston, knight, that where Ser ^William ^Yeluerton, ^William ^Jenney, and ^Thomas ^Howes were infeffed in certain [[...to @e]] vse of youre said suppliaunt, they of great malice, confetered with oon or ij of @e counsell of my lord @e Duc of %^Norffolk, caused the same Duc to clayme tytle vnto [[@e mano]]ire of %^Caster and other landes of your said suppliant, wherinne @e said ^Yeluerton and his coofeffees were infeffed, contrary to @'entent and wille @at @ei were enfeffed fore; vpon whiche title the said Duc with great force assegid and entred @e said manoire of %^Castre and other landes of your said suppliant, putting hym from @e lawful possession and estate @at he had in @e same, and also take from him vjc shepe and xxx nete, and @e same with other stuf and ordinaunces longing to @e same manoire of @e value of c li. toke and caryed awey, and @e said manoire diffacid, hurt, and appeired, so @at it coude not be repaired with cc marc. Also @e revenues of @e said landes by @e space of iij yeres to @e value of vijxx li. @e same my lord the Duke receyued and @e owt rentes of @e same never payed; whiche great trouble was like to be @e vndoing of your said suppliant. Wherfore he was fayn to sue to @e said Duc and lord by @e meanes of his godsip @e Bisshop of %^Wynchestre, whiche was in his special favour; at whos contemplacion, and for vc marc whiche @e same your suppliant payed vnto the same Duc, he graunted him to haue ayen his said manoire and landes and to restore him to @e possession of the same, whiche was so doon. And your said suppliant being in peasible possession, my said lord @e Duc and his cofeffees, Ser ^William ^Brandon, ^Thomas ^Hoo, ^Rauf ^Ashton, and other, at @e desire of my said lord relessed @eire estate and interesse aswel vnder my said lordes sele as vnder @eire own seles; wherupon your said besecher continued in possession but half a yere, at whiche time he was chargid in reparacions to @e somme of c marc, and payed @e owt rentes dewe by @e space of @e said iij yere to @e somme of xl li. That doon, my said lord, by sinistre mocion and aduice with force ayen entred @e said manoire and other landes aforsaid, with alle stuf of howshold being in @e same manoire to @e value of c marc, and so long time hath kept and reioysed @e revenues of @e said landes, and in chief @e said manoire, to @e value of vjxx li, by @e space of iiij yere and more. For redresse wherof your said suppliant hath @is said space of iiij yere sued to my said lord and his counsell, and of alle @at time @e same my lord wold never suffre hym to comme in his presence ne here him, ne noon other for him, to declare or shewe his grief. And forthermore, whanne your said besecher hath sued to @e counsel of my said lord and desired @em to moue his lordship @erinne, and to ansuere him resonably and according to right, they ansuered @at @ei haue shewed my said lord his request, and @at he was, and is alwey, so moved and displesid with @em @at @ei dar nomore move him @erinne. And @us your said suppliant hath loste alle his coste and laboure, to his charge, by his feyth, this iiij yere in his sute @e somme of vc marc, and now is owt of remedye without youre habundant grace be shewed in @at behalue, in somoche as he is not of power t'attempte youre lawes ayenst so mighty and noble estate, nor t'abide @e displeser of him. Wherfore please it your moost noble grace, at @e reuerence of God, to move my said lord to withdrawe @e affeccion whiche he so hath to @e said manoire and landes, and to suffre your said besecher to haue and enioye @e possession of @e same according to right; and he at youre commandment shal relesse vnto my said lord alle @e dammages aboue wretyn, whiche amounte to @e somme of ml ccc liij li. vj s. viij d., and in time to comme, with Goddes grace, be @e more hable to do you seruice, and also specially preye to God for @e conseruacion of youre moost noble persone and estate royall. Lyke it yow to weete @at not in @e most happy season for me jt is so fortunyd @at wher as my lorde off %^Norffolke yisterdaye beyng in good heele, thys nyght dyed a-bowte mydnyght; wherffor it is for alle @at lovyd hym to doo and helpe nowe that that may be to hys honoure and weell to hys sowele. And it is soo @at thys contre* is nott weell purveyd off clothe off golde for the coveryng for hys bodye and herse, wherffor, euery man helpyng to hys powere, I putte the cowncell off my lorde in cownffort @at I hopyd to gete on for that daye if it weer so @at it be nott broken or putt to other vse. Wherffor please it yow to sende me worde iff it be so @at ye have or kan kom by the clothe off tyssywe @at I bowte for my faderys tombe; and I vndretake it shall be saffyd ageyn for yowe on-hur[t] at my perell. I deeme herby to gete greet thanke and greet assystence in tyme to come; and that owther ^Symme or Mother ^Broun maye delyuer it me to-morow by vij off @e clokke. Item, as for other meanys, I have sente my servant ^Richard ^Tornor to %^London, whyche I hope shall brynge me goode tydyngys ageyn; and wythin iiij dayes I hope to see yowe. Wretyn on Wednysdaye the xvij daye off Janyuere Ao ^E. iiijti xvo. ^John ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, at %^Norwyche be thys delyueryd. I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete @at I was jnfformyd by ^Richard ^Radle* @at on ^Scarlett, @at was vndrescheryff to ^Hastyngys, wolde sywe to me on yowre behalff fore thatt ye weere dyspleasyd wyth a returne off $nichyll vppon yow in @e seyde ^Hastyngys tyme; wherffor ^Richard ^Radle* thoghte @at the seyde ^Scarlett wolde be gladde to gyff yow a noble or a riall for a sadell to amendys, so @at ye wolde sease and stoppe the bylle whyche ye entende to putt in to @e corte ageyn hys master ^Hastyngys. Wherffor the seyde ^Scarlett com to me and prayed me to helpe in the same, and so I have don my devoyre to feele off hym the most @at he can fynde in hys stomake to departe wyth to please yow; and in conclusyon I trowe he shall gyff yow a doblett clothe off sylke, price xx s. ore @er-abowte, whyche vppon suche answeere as I heer from yowe I deme @at ^Bysshop the atornye shall, iff I conclude wyth hym on yowre behalve, paye in mony or otherwyse to whom @at ye woll assyngne heere. I shall by the meanys off ^Raddele* weete at whoys sywte it was takyn owte. I deme it som-thynge doon by craffte by the meanys off them @at have entresse in yowre lond to @'entent to noyse itt therys, or to make yow past shame off the sellyng ther-off. Item, I have receyvyd a letter from yowe, wretyn on Tywesdaye last. Item, wher @at som towardys my lady off %^Norffolk noyse @at I dyd onkyndely to sende so hastely to %^Caster as I dyd, @er is no dyscrete person @at so thynkyth; fore iff my lorde hade ben as kynde to me as he myght have ben, and acordyng to suche hert and seruyce as my grauntffadre, my fadre, yowre-selff, and I have owght and doon to my lordys off %^Norffolk @at ded ben, and yitt iff I hadde weddyd hys dowghtre, yitt most I have doon as I dydde. And moore-ovyre, iff I had hadde any demyng off my lordys dethe iiij howrys ore he dyed, I most nedys, but iff I wolde be knowyn a foolle, have entryd it the howre byffore hys dyscesse. But in effecte theygh that in @at matere have alweye ment onkyndely to me, they feyne @at rumore ageyn me; but there is noon thatt ment truly to hym @at dede is @at wolde be sory @at I hadde itt, and in especiall suche as love hys sowle. Item, wher it is demyd @at my lady wolde herafftre be the rather myn hevy lady for @at delyng, I thynke @at she is to resonable so to be, fore i dyd it nott onwyst to hyre cowncell. @er was no man thoght @at I sholde doo otherwysse, an as to seye @at I myght have hadde my ladyes advyce ore lyve, I myght have teryed yitt or I cowde have speken wyth hyre, ore yitt have hadde any body to have mevyd hyre on my be-halve. As ye wote, I dydde what I cowde. Moreouyre I taried by the advyce off Syr ^Robert ^Wyngffelde iij dayes @er for @at he putte me in comffort @at @e Lorde ^Howard and hys brother Syr ^John sholde have comyn to %^Norwyche, att whoys comyng he dowtyd nott but @at I sholde have a goode dyreccion takyn for me in thatt mater. They leyhe to me onkyndenesse for ouyrkyndenesse. Item, as for my mater heere, itt was thys daye beffoore alle the lordes off the cowncelle, and amonge them ale it was nott thowght @at in my sendyng off ^Whetley thyddre in-mediatly afftre the dyscese off @e Duke @at I dalte onkyndly ore onsyttyngly, but @at I was moore onresonably dalte wyth. Wherffor, late men deme whatt they wylle, grettest clerkys are nott alweye wysest men; but I hope hastely to have on weye in it ore othere. Item, I wende to have fownde a gowne off myn heere, but it come home the same daye @at I come owte, browght by ^Herry ^Berker, lodere. I wolde in alle hast possible have thatt same gowne off puke furryd wyth whyght lambe. Item, I wolde have my longe russett gowne off @e Frenshe russett in alle hast, for I have no gowne to goo in here. Item, I praye yow recomande me to my moodre, and late vs alle preye God sende my lady off %^Norffolk a soone, fore vppon @at restythe moche mater. For iff @e Kyngys soone mary my lordys dowghtre, the Kynge wolde @at hys soone sholde have a fayre place in %^Norffolk, thowhe he sholde gyffe me ij tymes @e valywe in other londe, as I am doon to weete. I praye yow sende me worde off my ladyes spede as soone as ye kan. Item, as for ^Bowen, I shall fele hym, and sholde have doon thowghe ye hadde nott sente. Item, ther is offryd me a goode mariage fore my suster ^Anne, ^Skypwyththys sone and heyre off %^Lynkolneshyre, a man v or vjc m[a]rke by yeere. No more. wretyn at %^London @e xxvij daye off Janyvere Ao ^E. iiijti xvo. Item, my lady off %^Excester is ded, and it was seyde @at bothe @e olde Dywchesse off %^Norffolk and @e Cowntesse off %^Oxenfforde weere ded, but itt is nott soo yitte. Item, I shall remembre %^Caleyse bothe for horse and alle. Item, ^Phylypp ^Lovedaye is heere comyn thys daye, and wyll be wyth yow in hast. He comythe home for goode and alle. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, ore to Mestresse ^Margrett ^Paston hys moodre, + in %^Norffolk. I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wete @at , blessyd be God, vppon Saterdaye last past my lorde and wee toke the see and come to %^Caleyes @e same daye. And as thys daye my lorde come to %^Guynesse, and theere was receyvyd honourablye wyth-owt any obstaklys; wheer as I fownde Master ^Fytzwalter and other, whyche wer ryght hevye fore the dethe off @e noble man thatt was theere to-foore. Itt happyd soo @at my seyd Master ^Fytzwalter axid me ryght hertely fore yow, and I lete hym weete @at I demyd ye wolde be heere in haste, wheroffe he seyde he was ryght soory, fore soo moche @at he entendyth to come in-to %^Englonde; and as I conceyve he wyll come to %^Attylborogh and brynge my mestresse hys wyffe wyth hym, and theer to stablysshe hys howse contynuall. Wherffor he thynketh @at he sholde have as grete a lakke off yow as off any on man in @at contre*, willyng me to wryght on-to yowe and to late yow weete off hys comynge. He also hathe tolde me moche off hys stomake and tendre fauur @at he owythe to yow, wherffore I asserteyn yow @at he is yowre verry especiall goode master, and iffe ye weere abydynge in thatt contre* whylse he weere theere, he is dysposyd to doo largely fore yowe in dyuerse wyse whyche weere to longe to wryght; in so moche @at I feele by hym @at he thynkyth @at itt sholde be longe ere he scholde be wery off yowre expencys off horse ore man. Now I remytte alle thynge to yowre dyscresion. Ye woote best what is fore yow. As for my lorde, I vndrestande nott yitt whethyre he wylle in-to %^Ingelonde the weke to-fore Esterne ore ellys afftre. I pray yow recomande me to my moodre; I wolde have wretyn to hyre, but in trowthe I ame some-whatt crased, what wyth the see and what wythe thys dyet heere. Nomoore to yow, but wretyn at %^Gynes the xij daye of Marche Ao ^E. xvj. By ^John ^Paston, K. To Mestresse ^Margrete ^Paston + at %^Norwyche, ore hyre sone ^John ^Paston, esquyere, and to euerych off them. I recomande me to yow. Like it yow to weete @at I am nott sertay[n]e yitte whethere my lorde and I shall come in-to %^Ingelonde @e weke byffoore Esterne ore ellys the weke afftre Esterne; wherffor, moodre, I beseche yow to take noo dysplesyre wyth me for my longe tarijnge, for I durst doo noon otherwyse fore dysplesyng off my lorde. I was noo-thynge gladde off thys jornaye iff I myght goodely have chosen. Neuerthelesse, savyng @at ye have cawse to be dyspleasyd wyth mee for the mater off ^Kokett, I am ellys ryght gladde, for I hope @at I ame ferre moore in favore wyth my lorde than I was to-foore. Item, I sende yow, brother ^John, a letter herwyth whyche was browte hyddre to %^Caleys from @e George at %^Powles %^Wharff; I deme it comythe from my brother ^Water. Item, iff ye entende hyddrewarde itt weere weell doon @at ye hyghed yowe, for I suppose @at my lorde wille take the vywe off alle hys retynywe heere nowe byffoore hys departyng, and I thynke @at he woolde be better contente wyth yowre comyng nowe than an other tyme. Doo as ye thynke best, and as ye maye. Item, wher Master ^Fytzwalter made me to wryght to yowe to advyse yow to tarye, I remytte thatt to yowre dyscrescion. As for tydyngys heere, we here from alle the worlde. Fyrst, the Lord ^Ryverse was at %^Roome right weell and honorably, and other lordys off %^Ynglonde, as @e Lorde ^Hurmonde and @e Lorde ^Scrope, and at there departyng xij myle on thyse halff %^Roome the Lorde ^Ryverse was robbyd off alle hys jowellys and plate, whyche was worthe ml marke or better, and is retornyd to %^Rome for a remedy. Item, @e Duke off %^Burgoyne hathe conqueryd %^Loreyn, and Quene ^Margreet shall nott nowe be lyklyhod have it; wher-for the Frenshe Kynge cherysshyth hyre butt easelye. Butt afftre thys conquest off %^Loreyn the Duke toke gret corage to goo vppon the londe off @e Swechys to conquere them; butt the berdyd hym att an onsett place, and hathe dystrussyd hym and hathe slayne the most parte off hys vamwarde and wonne all hys ordynaunce and artylrye, and more-ovyre alle stuffe thatt he hade in hys ost wyth hym exceppte men and horse @at fledde nott. But they roode @at nyght xx myle, and so the ryche salettys, heulmettys, garter nowchys gelte, and alle is goone, wyth tentys, pavylonys, and alle, and soo men deme hys pryde is abatyd. Men tolde hym that they weer frowarde karlys, butte he wolde nott be-leve it; and yitt men seye @at he woll to them ageyn. Gode spede them bothe! Item, Syr ^John ^Mydelton toke leve off @e Duke to sporte hym, but he is sett in pryson att %^Brissellys. I praye yowe sende me som worde iff ye thynke likly @at I maye entre %^Castre when I woll, by the nexte massenger. Wretyn at %^Caleys in resonable helthe off bodye and sowle, I thanke Good, the xxj daye off Marche Ao ^E. iiijti xvjo. ^J.^P.,K To Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston att %^Norwyche, ore to hyre sone ^John ^Paston. Please it yow to weete @at as for my materys, and theye appeyre nott, the doo, blessyd be Godde, as weell as I wolde they dyd, saffe that it shalle cost me grett mony and it hathe cost me moche laboore. It is soo @at the Kynge most have c m[a]rke, and other costys will draw xl marke. And my mater is examynyd by the Kyngys cowncell and declaryd affoore all the lordys, and nowe lakkythe noo-thynge bu[[tt pre]]vy sealys and wryghtyng to Master ^Colv[[i]]ll to avoyde. For th[[e Kynge hathe pro]]mysed me as moche as I wolde he scholde fulleffille, and alle the lordys, jugys, seriauntys, have affermyd my title goode. Nott wythstondyng ^Sowthewell, ^James ^Hubberde, and Syr ^W. ^Braundon where at there owne desyrys offryd to afferme and advowe my tytell for goode, and @at my lorde off %^Norffolk @at ded is hadde noo tytell thatt they knywe, they tolde my tale as ille as they cowde, and yitt a lye ore too to helpe it, and yit it seruyth them nott. They be knowen as they are, in cowncell be it seyde, and so most all thys letter be. I have moche payne to gete so moche mony. Neuerthe lesse, but iff myn oncle schewe hym-selffe werse than euer he was, I shalle nott fayle iff he kepe me promyse, and thatt is but as he dyde last, @at is butt to be my sywerte* and i to make hym sywerte* ageyn. The Kynge departythe thys daye and wille nott be heer tyll Frydaye, whyche lettyth me, ore ellys by thatt daye I wolde have hopyd to have comen homewardys, and erst par aventur. Nomoore, but ^Jesus have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^London @e xxvj daye off Maye, the Mondaye next Holy Thurrysdaye @e Assencion. @e Kynge wold[[e]] have bowte it, but he was enfformyd off the trowthe and @at it was nott for a prynce, and off the greet pryse @at I wolde selle it att for @at I myght nott for-ber it, for he scholde have payed ml ml m[a]rke ore moore iff he hadde hadde itt. Yowre sone ^J. ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, beyng at the syngne off the George at %^Powles %^Wharff. I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete @at I hav receyvyd yowre letter wretyn the next daye aftre Mydsomer; for answer wheroff I thynke @at to be bownde in vc m[a]rke I thynke it is to moche, where-as I felt by yow ye sholde have wyth @e gentylwoman but iiijc. Neuer the lesse I agree. But ye shall vndrestande @at I wyll nott be bownde for yow @at ye shall make hyre joyntoure past xx li. by yere wyth-in a sertayne daye lymyted, be it j yere ore ij; @at is @e largest @at ye maye performe. For as fore the maner off %^Sparham, my moodre and ye acorde nott in yowre sayngys. She wyll nowght graunte yow ther-in whylse she levyth, saff, as she seythe to me, she hathe grauntyd yow x m[a]rke by yeere tyll xl li. be payed, @at is but vj yeere. And afftre hyre dyscease she woll agree wyth goode will, so @at it maye be yowre proferment @at ye sholde have @at maner in joyntur wyth yowre wyffe to @e lenger lyvere off yow bothe, payng x m[a]rke by yeere, soo ore there as she wyll @at it shall be. Therfore as for l m[a]rke joyntur, I pray yow bynde me in no suche clawse butt iff it be for xx li. by a resonable daye, and xx m[a]rke afftre the dyssease off my moodre. Take example at %^Derby. Item, ye make yow sywerere than I deme yow bee, for I deme @at here frendes wyll nott be content wyth ^Bedyngffeldys sywerte* nore yowrys. I deme thys mater will ocopy lenger leysere than ye deme fore. Item, I remembre thatt thys mony @at she sholde have is nott redy, but in the handes off marchauntys off the Estaple, whyche at a prove ye shall fynde par case so slakke payerys @at ye myght be deseyvyd ther-by. I knowe dyverse have lost mony er they cowde gete ther dywte*s owte off th' Estaple. God spede yow and sende yow @at ye wolde have. I sende yow @e obligacion her-wyth acordyng to yowre desyre, and a letter to ^Bedyngffelde thankyng hym for yow, and more-ouer letyng hym know off myn entent. Opyn it and close it ageyn iff ye lyst. Item, wher I tolde yow @at the gowne clothe off olde chamlott I wolde have it hoome for my suster ^Anne, ye for-gate it. I praye yow sende it home by the next massenger, and a letter wyth it off suche tydyngys as ye knowe. Item, blissed be God, I have %^Castre at my will. God holde it better than it [was] doone her-to-foore. No moore, but wretyn the next daye afftre Seynt ^Petre, Ao ^E. iiijti xvjo. ^J. ^Paston, K. To Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston. Please it yow to wete @at I was vppon Tywesdaye, the daye @at I departyd froo yowe, wyth my brothere ^John at %^Atelborow by viij off the clokke at euyn, and founde hym in suche case as iff ye had seyn hym than ye wolde nowe be as gladde of hym osse off a nywe sone. I wenyd nott @at he scholde not have levyd tyll @e mornyng, in so moche @at by my trowthe i dare seye @at iff it had nott fortunyd vs to have comyn to hym, he had no[[t]] been on lyve on Wednysdaye; fore syns Saterdaye slepyd he nott iiij howrys, and yitt iij off them was syns I come thydyre, on-to thys nyght. And thys nyght, blessyd be God, he hathe slepyd well, and wyth Goddys grace I dowte nott but thatt he shall do weell, fore hys agywe is goone, and alle @at laye in hys stomake and vndre hys syde it weryth aweye. And wyth-in a daye ore ij I hope he shall be so stronge @at I maye come frome hym, and he hopyth to see yowe wyth-in fewe days afftre, as he seythe. On Wednysdaye I wysshyd to hym @at he and I hadde been at %^Norwyche; whervppon he harpyd all @at nyght, and fore caw[s]e he hadde nott so goode rest as he wolde, it fylle in hys brayne to come to %^Norwyche, and he in an angre wolde nedys to horse - he wolde non horsse litter, he was so stronge. Neuerthelesse we wenyd nott @at he sholde have been able to have redyn a myle, and wenyd @at it had nott been possible to have passyd %^Wyndham. Bott whan he was vppe fore @at we seyde he roode so welle he ledde vss a dawnce faster than alle we cowde weell folowe. He was at %^Wyndham, by my trowthe, in lesse @an an howre, by a large quartere, and ther restyd hym an howre, and to horse ageyne and was heere in lesse than an howre and on halffe. And now he dowtyth nott to slepe weell, fore he seythe @at he neuer faylyd to slepe weell in that bedde @at he hathe chosyn now at ^Frenshys; and thusse I hope he be sauffe. And I ame in dowte whethyre I shall wyth-in ij dayes owther come home to yow ore ellis to goo forthe as ye woote off. No more, &c. Wretyn on Frydaye next the Decollacion off Seynt ^John Baptyst. Item, I have the wryghtyngys off ^Richard ^Calle. Yowre sone ^J. ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esquyer, at %^Norwyche in hast. I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete @at yisterdaye beganne the grete cowncell to whyche all the astatys off @e londe shall com to, butt iff it be for gret and resonable excusis. And I suppose @e cheffe cawse of thys assemble* is to comon what is best to doo n[[o]]w vppon @e greet change by the dethe off @e Duke of %^Burgoyne, and for @e kepyng off %^Caleys and the %^Marchys, and for the preseruacion off @e amyte*ys taken late as weell wyth %^Fraunce as now wyth the membrys off %^Flaundrys; wher-to I dowt nott @er shall be jn all hast bothe @e Dukys off ^Clarance and %^Glowcestre, wheroff I wolde @at my brother ^E. wyst. Item, I feele butt litell effecte in the labore off ^W. ^Alyngton; neuerthelesse I deme it is nott for yow. She shall nott passe cc m[a]rke, as ferre as I can vndrestand aparte. Item, I will nott forget yow other-wyse. Itt is so @at thys daye I heer grett liklyhood @at my Lorde ^Hastyngys shall hastely goo to %^Caleys wyth greet company. Iff I thynke it be fore yow to be on, I shall nott for-geet yow. Item, thys daye the mater by-twyen Mestresse ^Anne ^Haulte and me hathe ben soore broken bothe to @e Cardynall, to my Lorde Chamberleyn, and to my-selffe, and I am in goode hope. When I heer and knowe moore, I shalle sende yow worde. It semythe @at the worlde is all qwaveryng. It will reboyle somwher, so @at I deme yonge men shall be cherysshyd; take yowre hert to yow. I feer @at I can nott be excusyd, but @at I shall forthe wyth my Lorde ^Hastyngys ouyre @e see; butt I shall sende yow worde in hast, and iff I goo I hope nott to tary longe. Item, to my brother ^Edmond: I am like to speke wyth Mestresse ^Dyxon in hast, and som deme @at @er shall be condyssendyd @at iff ^E.^P. come to %^London @at hys costys shall be payed fore. I shall hastely sende yow worde off more thyngys. Wretyn at %^London @e xiiij daye off Feuerere Ao ^E. iiijti xvjo, @e Frydaye a-fore Fastyngong. ^John ^Paston, K. To ^John ^Paston, esquyere, in hast. I have receyvyd yowre letter and yow[r] man ^J. ^Bykerton, by whom I knowe all @e mater off Mestresse ^Brews, whyche iff it be as he seythe I praye Godde brynge it to a goode ende. Item, as for thys mater off Mestresse ^Barly, I holde it butt a bare thynge. I feele weell @at itt passyth nott[[...]]marke. I syghe hyre fore yowre sake. She is a lytell onys; she maye be a woman heere-afftre, iff she be nott olde nowe: hire person semyth xiij yere off age, hyre yerys men sey ben full xviij. She k[n]owyth nott of the mater, I suppose. Neuerthelesse she desyryd to see me as gladde as I wasse to se hyre. I praye yow sende me som wryghtyng to %^Caleys off yowre spede wyth Mestresse ^Brewys. ^Bykerton tellyth me @at she lovyth yow weell. Iff I dyed I hadde lever ye hadde hyre than the Lady ^Wargrave; neuerthelesse she syngeth weell wyth an harpe. ^Clopton is aferde off Syr ^T. ^Greye, for he is a wydowere now late, and men sey @at he is aqueyntyd wyth hyre off olde. Nomore. Wretyn on Sondaye the ix daye off Marche Ao ^E. iiijti xvijo to %^Caleys warde. ^J. ^Paston, K. Iff ye haue Mestresse ^Brews and ^E. ^Paston Mestresse ^Bylyngford, ye be lyke to be bretheryn. To my ryght worshypfull moodre ^Margret ^Paston. Please it yow to weete @at I have receyvyd yowre letter wherin is remembryd the gret hurte @at by liklihod myght falle to my brother ^John iff so be @at thys mater betwyn hym and Syr ^Thomas ^Brewses doghtre take nott effecte wheroff I wolde be as sory as hym-selffe reasonably; and also @e welthy and convenyent mariage @at scholde be iff it take effecte, wheroff I wolde be as gladde as any man, and ame better content nowe @at he sholde have hyre than any other @at euyre he was hertoffoore abowte to have hadde - concyderyd hyre persone, hyre yowthe, and the stok @at she is comyn offe, @e love on bothe sydes, @e tendre fauore @at she is in wyth hyre fadre and moodre, the kyndenesse off hyre fadre and moodre to hyre in departyng wyth hyre, the favore also and goode conceyte @at they have in my brothere, the worshypfull and vertuous dysposicion off hire fadre and moodre, whyche prenostikyth @at of lyklihod the mayde sholde be vertuous and goode. All whyche concyderyd, and the necessary relyffe @at my brother most have, I mervayle the lesse @at ye have departyd and geuyn hym the maner of %^Sperham in suche forme as i haue knowleche off by ^W. ^Gornay, ^Lomnore, and ^Skypwyth; and i ame ryght gladde to se in yow suche kyndenesse on-to my brother as ye have doon to hym, and wolde by my trowthe levere than c li. @at it weere fee symple londe, as it is entaylyd, whyche by liklyhood scholde prospere wyth hym and hyis blode the better in tyme to come and sholde also neuer cavse debate in owre bloode in tyme to come, whyche Godde dyffende for that weere onnaturell. Item, an other jnconvenyence is, wher as i vndrestande @at the maner is gevyn to my brother and to hys wyff and to @e issywe bytwen them bygoten, iff the case weer soo @at he and she hadde yssywe togedre a dowtre ore moo, and hys wyffe dyed and he maried afftre an othere and hadde issywe a sone, @at sone sholde have noon londe. and he beyng hys fadris heyre. And for th'enconvenyence @at i have knowe late in vre in case lyke, and yit enduryth, in %^Kente by-twyen a jentylman and his sustre, i wolde ye toke the advyce off yowre concell in thys poynt. And that @at is past yow by wryghtyng ore by promyse i deme verrely in yow @at ye dyd it off kyndenesse and in eschywyng of a moore yll @at myght befall. Item, where as it pleasyth yow that i sholde ratefye, grawnt, ore conferme the seyde gyfte on-to my brother, it is so @at wyth myn honeste* i may nott, and for other cawses. The Pope will suffre a thyng to be vsyd, but he will nott lycence nor grant it to be vsyd ner don; and soo i. My brother ^John knowyth myn entent weell j-now heer-to-foore in thys mater. I will be fownde to hym as kynde a brother as i maye be. Item, iff it be soo @at Syr ^T. ^Brews and hys wyff thynke @at i wolde troble my brother and hys wyff in the seyde maner, i can fynde no meene to putte them in sywerte* @er-of but iff it weere to be bownde in an obligacion, wyth a condicion @at i shalle nott trowble ner inquiete them ther-in. Item, i thynke @at she is made sywer j-now in astate in the londe, and that off right i deme they shall make noone obstacles at my wryghtyng, for i hadde neuer non astate in the londe, nere i wolde nott @at i had hadde. No mor to yow at thys tyme, but All-myghty God have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Caleys the xxviij daye of Marche Ao ^E. iiij xvjjo . By yowr sone ^J. ^Paston,K. To ^John ^Paston, esquyere. Ryght worshypfull and hertely belovyd brother, i recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete @at as by ^Pyrse ^Moody when he was heer i hadde no leysere to sende answere in wryghtyng to yow and to my cosyne ^Gurnaye off yowre letteris; butt for a conclusion, ye shalle fynde me to yowe as kynde as i maye be, my conciense and worshyp savyd, whyche when i speke wyth yowe and them ye bothe shall weell vndrestande. And i praye God sende yow as goode speede in @at mater as i wolde ve hadde, and as i hope ye shall have er thys letter come to yow; and i praye Gode sende yow yssywe betwyne yow @at maye be as honorable as euer was any off yowre ancestris and theris, wheroff i wolde be as gladde in maner as off myn owne. Wherffor i praye yow sende me worde how ye doo, and iff Godde fortune me to doo weell, and be off any powere, i woll be to Syr ^Thomas ^Brewse and my lady hys wyffe a verry sone in lawe for yowre sake, and take them as ye doo, and doo for them as iff i weere in case lyke wyth them as ye bee. No moore, but ^Jesus have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Caleys the xiiij daye off Aprill Ao ^E. iiijti xvijo. As for tydyngys her, the Frenshe Kynge hathe gothen many off the townys off the Dukys off %^Borgoyne, as %^Seynt %^Quyntynys, %^Abevyle, %^Motrell, and now off late he hathe goten %^Betoyne and %^Hedynge wyth @e castell ther, whyche is on off @e ryallest castellys off the worlde; and on Sonday at euyn the Ameralle off %^Fraunce leyde seege at %^Boloyne, and thys daye it is seyde @at @e Frenshe Kynge shalle com thyddre, and thys nyght it is seyde @at ther was a vysion seyne abowte @e wallys off %^Boloyne, as it hadde ben a woman wyth a mervylowse lyght; men deme @at Owre Lady there will shewe hyre-selffe a lovere to @at towne. God forfende @at it weer Frenshe; it weer worthe xl ml li. @at it were Englyshe. ^J. ^Paston,k. To hys weell belovyd brothere ^John ^Paston, esquyere. I recomande me to yow, letyng yow weete @at i receyvyd a letter off yowrys by ^Edward ^Hensted ij dayes afftre @at ^Whetley was departyd from me, whyche he hadde forgetyn in hys caskett, as he seyde; wher[o]ff i sholde have sente yow answere by ^Whetley iff i had hadde it to-fore he wente. Notwythstondyng i am ryght lothe to wryghte in that mater offte, fore for a conclusion i wrote to my moodre by ^Peerse ^Moody alle @at i myght and wolde doo ther-in. Ye have also nowe wretyn ageyn. Yow neede nott to praye me to doo @at myght be to yowre profyght and worshyp, @at i myght doo, offter than onys, or to late me weete theroff; for to my powere i wolde do for yow and take as moche peyne for yowre weell, and remembre itt when par case ye sholde nott thynke on it yowre-selffe. I wolde be as gladde @at one gaffe yow a maner off xx li. by yeere as if he gave it to my selffe, by my trowthe. Item, wher ye thynke @at i may wyth concience recompence it ageyn on-to owre stokke off other londys @at i have off @at valywe in fee symple, it is so @at %^Snaylwell, by my grauntefadrys will onys and by my fadris will sceconderely, is entaylyd to @e issyw off my fadrys body. Item, as for %^Sporle xx li. by yeer, i hadde ther-off butt xx m[a]rke by yere, whyche xx marke by yeere and the x m[a]rke ouyre i have endangeryd, as ye weell knowe off @at bargayne, whyche iff itt be nott redemyd i most recompence som other maner of myn to on off my bretheryn for the seyde x marke ouyr xx m[a]rke @at longith to me; wherffor i kepe the maner off %^Runham. Than have i fe symple londe @e maner off %^Wynterton, wyth %^Bastwyk and %^Billys, whyche in alle is nott xx m[a]rke by yeere, whyche is nott to @e valywe off @e maner off %^Sparham. And as for %^Castre, it weer noo convenyent lond to exchange for suche a thyng, nore it weere nott polesy for me to sett @at maner jn suche case, for alle maner off happis. I nede nott to make thys excuse to yowe but @at yowre mynde is troblyd. I praye yow reioyse nott yowre-sylffe to moche in hope to opteyne thynge @at alle yowre freendys may nott ease yow off; for iff my moodre were dysposyd to gyve me and any woman in %^Ingelande the best maner @at she hathe, to have it to me and my wyffe and to @e heyrys off owre too bodyes begotyn, i wold nott take it off hyre, by God. Stablysshe yowre-selffe vppon a goode grownde, and grace shall folowe. Yowre mater is ferre spoken off and blowyn wyde, and iff it preve noo better i wolde @at it had neuer be spoken off. Also, @at mater noysyth me @at i am so onkynde @at i lette alle togedre. I thynke notte a mater happy, nore weell handelyd, nore poletykly dalte wyth, when jt can neuer be fynysshyd wyth-owte an inconvenyence, and to any suche bargayne i kepe neuer to be condescentyng nere off cowncell. Iffe i weere att the begynnyng off suche a mater, i wolde have hopyd to have made a better conclusyon, iff they mokke yow notte. Thys mater is drevyn thus ferforthe wyth-owte my cowncell; i praye yow make an ende wyth-owte my cowncell. Iffe it be weell, i wolde be glad; iff it be oderwyse, it is pite*. I praye yow troble me no moore in thys mater. To ^John ^Paston, esqwyere. I recomand me to yow, letyng yow weete @at i have spoken wyth ^Herry ^Colett and entretyd hym in my best wyse for yow, soo @at at @e last he is agreyd to a resonable respyght for @e xv li. @at ye sholde have payd hym at Mydsomer, as he seyth, and is gladde to do yow ease or plesyre in all @at he maye. And i tolde hym @at ye wolde, as i supposyd, be heere at %^London herre nott longe to, and than he lokyth afftre @at ye sholde com see hym, for he is sheryff and hathe a goodely hows. Item, my lady off %^Oxenfforth lokyth afftre yow, and ^Arblaster bothe. My lorde off %^Oxenfford is nott comen jn-to %^Inglonde @at i can perceyve, and so @e goode lady hathe nede off helpe and cowncell howe @at she shall doo. No moore at thys tyme, but God have yow in kepyng. Wretyn att %^London on Seynt ^Awdryes Daye Ao E. iiijti xvijo . Tydyngys, butt @at yisterdaye my lady Marqueys off %^Dorset, whyche is my Lady ^Hastyngys dowtre, hadd chylde a sone. Item, my Lord Chamberleyn is comen hyddre fro %^Caleys and redyn wyth @e Kynge to %^Wyndeshore, and @e Kynge wille be here ageyn on Mondaye. ^J.^P.,K. To @e ryght worshypfull Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston. Please it yow to weete @at i have receyvyd yowre letter wretyn @e Tywesdaye nexte afftre Seynt ^James Daye, wherin ye desyre me to remembre ^Kokett, and also to be helpyng to my brother ^Johnys mariage. As fore ^Kokett, as God helpe me i knowe nott yitt the meanys possible @at i myght paye hym by thatt daye; for thoos materis @at be off grettest wyght and charge and @at stonde nerrest my weell, @at is to seye the sywerte* off @e maner off %^Castre, and the mater bytwen ^Anne ^Hault and me, shall wyth Goddys grace thys terme be at a perffyght ende, whyche will charge me ferthere than i have mony as yitt, ore lyke to have byffore that tyme off myn owne, and as God helpe me i wote nott where to borow. Item, i most paye wyth-in thys iij yeere iiij m[a]rke to ^Towneshende ore ellis forffett the maner off %^Sporle, and thus my chargys be gretter than i maye a-weye wyth, concidryd suche helpe as i have. And iff it fortunyd @at i forffetyd the maner off %^Sporle, ye weere neuer lyke to se me myry afftre, so God helpe me. Ye gave me onys xx li. to it wardys, and ye promyttyd as moche, whyche i receyvyd; and synnys off my mony off seyde maner growyng @at come to yowre handys was receyvyd by yow ageyn the seyde xl li., whyche when ^Kokett scholde be payed was nott yowre ease to departe wyth. Neuerthelesse ye maye yitt, when yow lyketh, perfforme yowre sayde gyffte and promyse, and thys somme owyng to ^Kokett is nott so moche. Neuerthelesse i suppose @at ye be nott so weell purveyd; wherffore, iff it please yow at yowre ease here-afftre to performe yowre seyde gyffte and promysse, so @at i maye have it wyth-in a yere ore ij, ore yitt iij, i sholde par case gete yowre obligacion to yow ageyn from ^Kokett, and he pleasyd. Wherffor i beseche yow @at i maye have an assyngnement off suche dettys as been owyng yow, payeable at leysere off suche mony as is owyng for the woode at %^Basyngham ore ellys-wher, for so God helpe me i sholde ellys wylfully ondoo my-selffe; wherin i beseche yow to sende me an answere in hast. Item, as towchyng the mariage off my brother ^John, i have sente hym myn advyce and tolde hym wherto he shall truste, and i have grauntyd hym as moche as i maye. I wolde @at i weere at on comunycacion atwyen them for hys sake, whyche i sholde iff i myght. As fore my comyng home, i ame nott yitt sertayn theroff. I shalle hast me as faste as i canne, wyth @e grace off God, who have yow in hys kepyng. I beseche yow to remembre the premyssis and to helpe me, and wyth Goddys grace thes ij materis above wretyn, bothe off %^Castre and Mestresse ^Anne ^Hault, shall be endyd to my profyth and rest, and moore-ovyre ere awghte longe to, wyth Goddys grace, the maner off %^Sporle to be owte off dangere; promyttyng yow @at i shall doo jn ^Kokettys mater as moche as is possible for me to doo to yowre plesyre. It shall neuer neede to prykk nor threte a free horse. I shall do whatt i can. Wretyn the Thorysdaye next byffore Seynt ^Lawrence Ao E. iiijti xvijo. By yowre sone ^John ^Paston, K. [[I, ^John ^Paston, k]]nyght, in the last day of O[[ctober $anno]] $Domini mlcccclxxvijo, will, graunte, and be-queth my sowle to All-myghty God and to the [[...]] ^Marye, Seint ^John Baptist, Seint ^Gorge, Seint ^Cristofure, and Seint ^Barbara, and my body, yf i dyghe the cyte* of %^London [[...]], of Owre Lady in the Whithe Frerys there, at the northe-est cornere of the body of the chyrche, and there to be made an orator[[y]] [[...]]d or muche leke as ys ouer Syr ^Thomas ^Browne in the Frere Prechours, to the valour of xx li., so that it may cause [[...]] there prayours there the rathere to remenbre my sowle and to pray therefore; and that there be geuyn to the behoff [[...]]at plotte of grounde be made suere vnto me for euer the some of xx marc. [[...]]dayly be the space of an holl yere by soumme well disposed brothere of the same howse, and that the seyd brothe[[r]] [[...notw]]ithstonding yf i decesse in the counte* of %^Norffolk or there nye abouute, i wolde my bodye were buried at the prio[[ry]] [[of %^Bromholm ny]] vn-to the founders toumbe, which arche is vn-to the northsyde and ryght agayn my fadyre toum[[be]] [[...w]]ith an awtere and a toumbe for me to the value of xxli., and that the howse there have a rewarde [[...]] to the Frerys of %^London, and that there be also a broder of that howse to synge for my sowle by one [[...]]s salarye. [[..]]a closette made at my cost ouer my faders body there [[to the val]]ue of xx li. so that owre cousyns [[...]]y have the more deuocion to that place and the rathere reste there bodyes there the encresse of the [[...]] encrese and profite of the howse and reste on the religeus thereof lyke as owre auncetours have [[...a]]nd to the entent that i have disclosed but on-to fewe persons concernyng the fee ferme that is payed [[...t]]he Duke of %^Suffolk. [[...bro]]there ^John, yf i dye with-owth yssue leffull of my bodye, have the maner of %^Swaywell to hym and [[...]] accordyng to the willez both of myn graunfadere and of my fadere, on whos sowles God have mercye the [[...]]esse. [[...]] Bysshope of %^Wynchestere or his assygnes woll and fynde suerte* to do founde at the lyste iiij prestys [[...]] of ^John ^Fastolf and his frendys, &c., at %^Caster, and that there be bylded loggyng conueniant for those [[...]]r adioynyng vppon the bakhous ouer the gardeyn withouuth the mote on the weste syde of my [[...]]es in the seid maner or maners yn %^Caster graunt by chartour grounde, space, and londe conuenyant for such [[...]] entre* and yssue therunto and to that entent and byldyng or purchasyng of license of the Kyng [[...]] profitez of the seid maners holly be expendid the terme of vij yerez next after my dissece, and moreouer [[...]] resorte theder in his owne persone to ouer-see the werkys or byldyng or establyssyng of the seyd howse [[...h]]ave playn lyberte* to dwell with-jnne my seid maner and fortresse the seid terme of vij yerez and that t[[...]] [[...p]]restys. [[...cha]]pell of Seint ^John Baptyst withyn the seyd towne of %^Caster, with all the profitez yerly of that same, be geuyn [[...]]ed to the seyd college or howse for euermore. with lycence therunto had of the Kyng and of the Pope with [[...]] in %^Castre beforeseyd, which londis with the seyd chapell schalbe of the yerly value of vij li. yerly [[...]]ment of one prest aboue the charge that the Bysshope will do to pray for the sowles of my fadere [[...]] ^Thomas ^Lyndys, clerk, and of Syr ^John ^Dawbeney, and that after this aboue wretyn be performed, yf that [[...]]es make astate by fyne reryd and enrolled in the Kynges courte of the seid maner and maners in %^Castre [[...th]]e yssue of his bodye lauffully comyeng. And for defaute of yssue of his body lawfully [[...rem]]ayne to the issue of my moders lawfully commynge. And for defaute of yssue of here body lawfully commyng [[...]] myn vncle ^Edward ^Maudeby and the yssue of his body lawffully commynge. And that for defau[[te]] [[...com]]yng that the seyd maners remayn to my cousyn Syr ^William ^Calthorpe and to the right eyrez [[...]] for defaute of issue of his body lawfully commyng the seyd maners to reuerte to the [[...]] [[...chap]]ell of the seyd collage be presented by the lordys of my seid maner [[...]]gned by Syr ^John ^Fastolff. [[...]]eryng de eadem villa vendatur per executores meos ad perimplendum et persoluendum [[...]]em inuenerit securitatem ad redimendum manerium de %^Sporle predictum quod si ipse [[...]] x acre terre de eisdem perquesite de ^Johanne ^Kendall tempore debito dentur predicto ^Johanni fratri [[...legitti]]me procreatis. Et defectu exitus legittimi de predicto ^Johanne fratre meo tunc predicte terre et tenementa remaneant [[...]]y triaui mei legittime procreatis;et pro defectu exitus legittimi predicti triaui mei tunc remaneant ^Willelmo [[...i]]psius ^Willelmi legittime procreatis. Et pro defectu exitus legitt[[i]]mi predicti ^Willelmi tunc omnia predicta terre et tenementa [[...]] assignatis imperpetuum, proviso quod executores testamenti ^Willelmi ^Pekering habeant x marcas pro [[...]] habeat xxxvij acras terre de predictis terris sibi per volountatem patris eius assignatis siue legatis si tante [[...]] terre que idem ^Johannes vendidit sint de numero illarum acrarum sibi limitatarum per ^Nicholaum patrem predicti ^Johannis ac[[...]] recompensacionem eo quod idem ^Johannes forte credidit quod ipse iuste potuit vendere queque terras et tenementa in feofament[[o]] [[...pat]]ris, non obstante quod pater predictus non declarauit quicquid faciendum de dictis terris suis vltra certas acras [[...]]na ipsius patris. To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, ande to ^Osberne ^Berney and to eueryche off them be thys letter delyueryd. I recomaunde me to yowe, and thanke yow off yowre labore @at ye hadde at %^Heylesdon and %^Drayton in seyng @e woodys there; and it is soo heere @at ^Richard ^Ferore seyde @at he repentyd hym @at euyre he dalte wyth any woode theere, and iff i hadde sente hym but @e leest chylde @at i hadde to have warnyd hym to leve he wolde notte have dalte ther-wyth. And he fonde noo comfforte in the Chancery but @at he is lyke to contente me for the harmes and hurte @at is doone, and moore-ovyre he hathe an injoncyon @at he shall felle noo moore. Item, wheere as he desyryd me to be freendly to hym, i dalte so wyth hym @at i trowe he wylle reporte @at i seyde and dalte moore cortesly wyth hym than he demyd @at i woolde doo. Yitt for alle inconvenyencys @at myght falle, i wolde be gladde to have a weell stomakyd felawe @at wolde for my sake euerye daye see the seyde woodys off %^Heylesdon and %^Drayton and to knowe iff any weere fellyd heer-afftre, and iffe there be any fellyd syns that ^Whetley was theere, and i can preve it by wytnesse, I sholde have better recompence for euery tree than iiij trees weere worthe. Item, it is so @at he hathe answeryd to my bille, wheryn he seythe @at he neuer knywe byfor the subpena delyueryd hym @at i hadde any clayme or entrest in the maner off %^Heylesdon, but @at it was peasyble* my lordys off %^Suffolk. Wherffor i suppose @at there be many men in %^Norwyche @at comonyd wyth hym off the byenge off that woode ere evyr he made hys fulle bergayne; and par aventur some freendys off hys gave hym warnyng ther-off and off myn entrest. Iff any suche credyble mane @at hadde hadde any suche langage to hym, or in hys companye, ere than he bargayned, or any man @at he laboryd to be halffe marchant or byere wyth hym, ar any man @at refusyd to bye the seyde woode bycawse off myn entrest in the presence off ^Ferore, any such credyble man maye, iff he wyll wytnesse ther-in wyth me or @at dare avowe it, sholde be to me a remedy off alle that is fellyd. I praye yow iff ye can heere any suche @at ye will in the presence off them make a bylle off remembraunce theroff. and off ther sayng, so @at they maye her-afftre wytnesse in @e mater. Neuerthelesse trowthe it is that he hadde knowleche theroff j-nowe, and soo hadde euery man off hys havore in %^Norwych, i dowt nott. And as for hym, i ame sure he hadde knowleche, for so moche as he desyryd at hys bargayn to have a sywerte* to be savyd harmeles ageyn me, whyche was grawntyd hym butt nott executyd. No mor, butt i hope wyth Goddys grace to have hastely goode remedy for the hole maner, and off %^Drayton therto and alle the remenaunte. Wretyn a[[t]] %^London the v daye off Maye Ao ^E iiijti xviijo. To my ryght worshypfull moodre ^Margrete ^Paston be thys delyueryd. Please it yow to weete @at, where as i entendyd to have ben at home thys Mydsomer, and purposyd wyth yowre goode helpe to have bygonne vppon my fadrys tombe so @at it myght have ben endyd thys somyre, it is soo @at fore suche cawsys as are nowe bygvnne by-twyen my lorde off %^Suffolk and me for the manerys off %^Heylesdon, %^Drayton, &c., for whyche materis i most nedys be heere thys nexte terme, therffor i deme jt wolle be afftre Mydsomer ere than i can see yowe. Please it yow also to weete @at i comonyd wyth Master ^Pykenham to weete iffe he wolde bye the clothe off golde fore soo moche as he desyryd onys to have bowte it, and he offryd me onys xx marke therffore. Neuerthelesse it coste me xxiiij li.; yit nowe when @at i spake to hym ther-off he refusyd to bye it, and seyde @at he hadde nowe so many chargys @at he maye nott. Butt it is soo @at the kynge dothe make sertayne copys and vestymentys off like clothe whyche he entendyth to gyve to the coledge at %^Foodryngeye wher my lorde hys fadre is nowe buryed, and he byethe at a grete pryce. i comonyd wyth the vestment maker for to helpe me forthe wyth xij yerdys, and he hathe grauntyd me to doo, as ^Whetleye can telle yow; wherffor, iff it plese yow that it be bystowyd for to make a towmbe for my fadre at %^Bromholme, iff ye lyke to sende it hyddre, iffe it be solde i vndretake or Mychelmesse @at ther shalle be a tombe and somwhatt ellys ovyre my fadris grave, on whoys sowle God have mersye, @at ther shalle noone be lyke it in %^Norffolk, and as ye shalle be gladde herafftre to see it. And Gode sende me leyser @at i maye come home; and iff i doo nott, yitt the monye shalle be pitte to noon other vse but kepyd by some @at ye trust tylle @at it maye be bystowyd acordyng as is above wretyn; and ellys i gyve yow cawse neuyre to trust me whylle ye and i lyve. When i was last wyth yow ye grauntyd @at the seyde clothe off golde sholde be bywaryd abowte thys werke @at is above wretyn, whyche iff ye wylle perfforme, i vndretake @at ther shalle be suche a towmbe as ye shalle be pleased wyth, thowghe it cost me xx marke off myn owne purse besyde, iff i onys sette vppon it. No more, but i beseche Goode have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^London @e Wednysdaye in Whyghtsonweke Ao E. iiijti xviijo. Please it yow to sende me worde by ^Whetleye off yowre plesyre her-in. By yowre sone ^John ^Paston,K. To ^John ^Paston, esquyere, be thys lettre delyueryd, ore to my mestresse hys wyffe at %^Norwych to delyuer to hym. Brother ^John, i recomaund me to yow, and i thanke God, my sustre yowre wyffe, and yow off my fayre nevywe ^Crystofre whyche i vndrestande ye have, where-off i ame ryght gladde and i praye God sende yow manye iff it be hys plesyre. Neuerthelesse ye be nott kynde @at ye sende me no wetyng ther-off; i hadde knowleche by footemen ore euer ye kowde fynde any massanger on horsbak to brynge me worde ther-off. Syr, it is soo @at the Duke of %^Bokyngham shall come on pilgrymage to %^Walsyngham, and so to %^Bokenham Castell to my lady hys sustre, and then it is supposyd @at he shalle to my lady off %^Norffolk; and myn oncle ^William comythe wyth hym. And he tellyth me @at ther is like to be troble in the maner off %^Oxenhed, wherffore i praye yow take hede lesse @at the Duke off %^Suffolk councell pley therwyth now at the vacacion off the beneffyse as they ded wyth the beneffice off %^Drayton, whyche by the helpe off Master ^John ^Salett and ^Donne hys man ther was a qweste made by the seyde ^Donne @at fownde @at the Duke off %^Suffolk was verrye patrone, whyche was false yitt they ded it fore an euydence. But nowe iff any suche pratte scholde be laboryd it is, i hope, in bettre case, for suche a thynge most needys be fownde byffore Master ^John ^Smyth, whyche is owre olde freende; wherffor i praye yow labore hym @at iff neede bee he maye doo vsse a freendys torne ther-in. Item, bothe ye ande i most nedys take thys matere as owre owne, and it weere for noon other cawse butt for owre goode grawntdames sake. neuerthe lesse ye woote well thatt ther is an other entresse longyng to vsse afftre here dysceasse. Iffe ther be any suche thynge begune ther by suche a fryere or prest, as it is seyde, i mervayle @at ye sente me no worde ther-off; butt ye haue nowe wyffe and chylder, and so moche to kare fore thatt ye forgete me. Asfor tydyngys here, i her telle @at my cosyn Syr ^Robert ^Chamberleyn hathe entryd the maner off %^Scolton vppon yowre bedffelawe ^Conyerse, wher-off ye sende me no worde. Item, yonge ^William ^Brandon is in warde and arestyd fore thatt he scholde have by force ravysshyd and swyvyd an olde jentylwoman, and yitt was nott therwyth easyd but swyvyd hyr oldest dowtre and than wolde have swyvyd the othere sustre bothe, wher-fore men sey fowle off hym, that he wolde ete the henne and alle her chekynnys; and som sey @at the Kynge entendyth to sitte vppon hym, and men seye he is lyke to be hangyd, for he hathe weddyd a wedowe. Item, as for the pagent @at men say @at the Erle of %^Oxenfforde hathe pleyid atte %^Hammys, i suppose ye have herde theroff, itt is so longe agoo. i was nott jn thys contre* when the tydyngys come, therfor i sent yow no worde ther-off; butt for conclusion, as i here seye, he lyepe @e wallys and wente to @e dyke and in-to @e dyke to @e chynne, to whatt entent i cannott telle--- some sey to stele awey and some thynke he wolde have drownyd hym-selfe, and so it is demyd. No more, butt i ame nott sertayne whether i shall come home in hast ore nott. Wretyn at %^London the daye nexte Seynt ^Bartelmewe Ao E. iiijti xviijo. ^John ^Paston, K. To Mestresse ^Margrete ^Paston be thys delyueryd. Please it yow to weete @at i sende yow by ^Barkere, the berere heroff, iij triacle pottes off %^Geane, as my potecarie swerytht on-to me, and mooreouyre that they weer neuer ondoo syns @at they come from %^Geane; wheroff ye shalle take as many as pleasyth yow. Neuerthe lesse my brother ^John sente to me for ij; @erfore i most beseche yowe @at he maye have at @e leste on. There is on potte @at is morkyn ondre @e bottome ij tymes wyth thyes letteris, "^M.^P.", whyche potte i have best truste on-too, and nexte hym to @e wryghe potte; and i mystruste moost @e potte @at hathe a krotte abovyn in the toppe, lesse @at he hathe ben ondoone. And also the other ij pottys be prentyd wyth @e marchauntys marke too tymes on the coueryngys, and that other potte is butt onys morkyn but wyth on prente. Notwythstondyng i hadde lyke othe and promyse for on as well as for alle. Item, it was soo @at i was yisterdaye wyth myn oncle ^Mautebyes wyffe, and delyueryd yowre letter, and lete her wete also @at ye had wretyn to me to speke wyth hyre and to have delyuere* off suche euydencys as she hathe. And in effecte she is nott dysposyd to delyuer them on-to @e tyme @at she be in sywerte* off her mony off the arreragys on-to myn oncle here husbonde, whyche she seythe is abowte @e somme off xx li.; and that doone she woll delyuer them, and ellys nott. And than i prayed hyre to se them, and soo at @e laste she grauntyd me to see them, and so yisterdaye i sawe them; and ther come iiij off her neyborys and wer ther present, whyche as i conseyuyd wer but shewyd and browte vppe for @at i sholde thynke @at she lakked noon helpe; and many suche soleyn toyes she hathe, and she hopyth @at ye sholde depart wyth her wyth a fee off x m[a]rke or xx m[a]rke by yeer. Bott as God helpe me i thynke, contrary to her promyse made to me, she hathe laten other folkys see thos euydencys, for she knywe euery dede weelle j-nowe and browte me forthe fyrst iij boxis wyth olde euydencys, i syghe neuer older, but as to seye @at ther be any @at will avayle, as God helpe me i deme nott there is nott paste x ore xij olde dedys @at i wolde gyffe for a grote, and yitt ther be abowte a houndred olde dedys in alle iij boxis. And than for a seconde corse she browte me iij other deedys endentyd off suche astate as was made to myn ij onclys off %^Sall, %^Wynterton, &c., and off them wolde she speke no worde tyll @at i tolde heer @at she most needys have suche; and soo she wolde graunte noo more, saff @at i bare hyre soo on hande @at i wost weell ther were more, so at @e last she seyde @at she shalle delyuer alle iff she have her monye. It is a peyne to deele wyth hyre. I sawe the wylle and testament off myn oncle her hosbonde, whyche is prowyd and vndre my lorde Kardynallys sealle, and she provyd sool executryse and hathe taken admynestracion; i syghe it vndre sealle. Wherffor i thynke beste @at ye purveye the on halffe off her arreragys and sende it hyddre, and at @e receyvyng off that halffe i hope @at she shalle delyuer alle the euydencys and truste yow for @e other halffe tylle Candelmesse ore Esterne, as i deme. But jn effecte she moste be sworyn, and other bothe whyche as i shalle devyse, whyche i deme hathe ouyre-lokyd the euydencys; and soo we shall make the best ther-off @at can be, and ellys, as she seythe her-selffe and as she lokythe afftre, @at ye scholde cause here to be hadde byffor the Chauncelere. She is in many thyngys full lyke a wyffe off %^London and off %^Londone kyndenesse, and she woll needys take advise off Londonerys, wheche i telle here can nott advyse her howghe she scholde deele weell wyth any body off worshyp. And i tolde here @at she owghte off ryght to truste better to yowre promyse than ye scholde on-to herys, but ther-in she woll compare wyth a better woman than her-selffe as off her promyse, and yit i deme it is broken. I praye yow sende me worde her-off by the next massengere. I tolde her also @at but iffe she pleasyd yow @at she wer neuer lyke to have peny ther-off, for she canne nott dystreyne ther-for, and as for yow, ye neuer receyvyd peny theroff. Neuerthe lesse yowre wryghtyng to her and yowre promyse is j-nowghe to her to be in suerte* @at she shalle be payed. I hope to doo welle, and the better for that @at ye sente me, jn alle my materys. Memorandum vppon the presse at @e ferther ende is a box wyth ij ore ii[[j]] bondellis wyth euydence off %^Oxenhed and ^Hauteyn. Memorandum that ther is rollis tytelyd vppon them '$contra ^William ^Pas[[ton]]', and they be owther vppon 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 grauntda[[mys]] wylle, and whoo wrot itt, and whether she be buried or noo, and who weer present at hyre wylle makyng, and iff she spake owte off her londes. Inquire off the Kynge the Chaunceler Milorde Chamberleyn Syr ^Thomas ^Mongomere* Mi lorde Cardynall Master ^Bele and hys clerke for my faderys wille. To @e ryght worshypfull Mestresse ^Margret ^Paston be thys delyueryd. Please it yow to weete @at i have ben heer at %^London a xiiij nyght, wher[o]ff the first iiij dayes i was in suche feere off the syknesse, and also fownde my chambre and stuffe nott so clene as i demyd, whyche troblyd me soore; and as i tolde yow at my departyng i was nott weell monyed, for i hadde nott paste x m[a]rke, wheroff i departyd xl s. to be delyueryd off my olde bedfelawe, and then i rode be-yonde %^Donstaple and there spake wyth on off my cheffe wittnessis, whyche promysed me to take labore and to gete me wryghtyngys towchyng thys mater bytwyen me and @e Duke off %^Suffolk, and i rewardyd hym xx s; and then as i jnformyd yow i payed v m[a]rke jncontynent vppon my comyng hyddre to replegge owte my gow[n]e off velwett and other geer. And then i hopyd to have borowyd some off ^Towneshe[n]d, and he hathe foodyd me forthe euyre synys, and in effecte i cowde have at @e most and at @e soneste yisterdaye xx s.; wherffor i beseche yow to purveye me c s., and also to wryght to ^Pekok @at he purveye me as moche, c s., whyche i suppose @at he hathe gaderyd at %^Paston and other placys by thys tyme. For wyth-owte i have thys x li., as God helpe me, i fere i shalle doo butt litell goode in noo mater, nor yitt i woote nott howe to come home but iff i have it. Thys geer hathe troblyd me so @at it hathe made me moore than halffe seke, as God helpe me. Item, i vndrestande @at myn oncle ^William hathe made labor to @'exchetor, and @at he hathe bothe a wrytte off $diem $clawsyth $extremum and also a $supercedeas. I have wretyn to @e exchetor th[[e]]r-in off myn entent. Iff myn oncle hadde hys will in that, yitt sholde he be neuer nerre the londe, butt in effecte he shold have thys avauntage whyche is behovefull for a weyke matere, to have a coloure ore a clooke ore a botrase. But on Tywesdaye i was wyth @e Bysshop off %^Hely, whyche shewyth hym-selffe goode and worshypfull, and he seyde @at he sholde sende to myn oncle ^William @at he sholde nott procede in no suche mater till @at he speke wyth hym; and moore-ouyre @at he scholde cawse hym to be heer hastelye. In whyche mater is no remedy as nowe, butt iff it were soo @at @e exchetor, iff he be entretyd to sytte by myn oncle ^William, whyche par case he shall nott, @at iff my brother ^John and ^Lomnore have knowleche off the daye, and they myght be there, ^Lomnore can geve euydence j-now in that mater wyth-owte @e boke. And more-ouyre @at they see bothe the letter and the other noote @at i sende to @e exchetor, and wyth helpe off th'exchetor all myght be as beste is. And iff my brother and ^Lomnor take labor her-in, i shall recompence ther costys. Wretyn in haste wyth schort advisemen[t] on the Frydaye next Seyntys ^Symond and ^Jude A0 E. iiijti xixo. Late my brother ^John se thys bille, for he knoweth mor off thys mater. ^John ^Paston,K. The Inventory off Englysshe bokis off ^Joh[[...]] made @e v daye off Novembre Ao r.r. E. iiijti [[...]] 1. A boke had off myn ostesse at @e George [[...]] off @e Dethe off ^Arthur begynyng at ^Cassab[[...]] %^Warwyk, Kyng ^Richard Cure delyon, a croni[[...]] to ^Edwarde @e iij, pric-- 2. Item, a boke off ^Troylus whyche ^William ^Bra[[...]] hathe hadde neer x yer and lent it to Da[[...]] ^Wyngfelde, $et jbi $ego $vidi; $valet 3.Item, a blak boke wyth The Legende off Lad[[...]] saunce Mercye, @e Parlement off Byr[[...]] Glasse, ^Palatyse and ^Scitacus, The Med[[...]] the Greene Knyght, $valet- 4. Item, a boke jn preente off @e Pleye of @e[[...]] 5. Item, a boke lent ^Midelton, and therin is Bele Da[[...]] Mercy, @e Parlement off Byrdys, Balade [[...]] off ^Guy and ^Colbronde, Off the Goos, @e[[...]] @e Dysput[i]son bytwyen Hope and Dyspeyre[[...]] Marchauntys, @e Lyffe off Seint ^Cry[[...]] 6. A reede boke @at ^Percyvall ^Robsart gaff m[[...]] off the Medis off @e Masse, @e Lamentacion [[...]] off Chylde ^Ypotis, A Preyer to @e Vernycle[[...]] callyd The Abbeye off @e Holy Gooste[[...]] 7. Item, in quayerys ^Tully de Senectute in d[[...]] wheroff ther is noo more cleere wretyn[[...]] 8. Item, in quayerys ^Tully or ^Cypio de Ami[[...]] leffte wyth ^William ^Worcester, $valet- 9. Item, in quayerys a boke off @e Polecye off In[[...]] 10.Item, in qwayerys a boke $de $sapiencia[[...]] wherin @e ij parson is liknyd to $sapi[[...]] 11.Item, a boke $de ^Othea, text and glose, $valet[[...]] in quayerys- Memorandum, myn olde boke off blasonyngys off a[[...]] Item, the nywe boke portrayed and blasonyd[[...]] Item, a copy off blasonyngys off armys and t[[...]] names to be fownde by letter- Item, a boke wyth armys portrayed in paper v [[...]] Memorandum, my boke off knyghthod and ther-in [[...]] off makyng off knyghtys, off justys, of torn[[...]] fyghtyng in lystys, paces holden by sou[[...]] and chalengys, statutys off weer and $de $regimi[[...]] $valet- Item, a boke off nyw statutys from ^Edward[[...]] the iiij-