<A JOHN PASTON III>
<T PERHAPS TO THOMAS PLAYTER: DRAFT>
<D 146103>
<N 317>
<L 1>
I recomawnde me to yow, and lete yow wete @at notwythstandyng
tydingges come downe, os ye knowe, @at pepill shuld not come vp tyll
thei were sent fore, but to be redy at all tymes, this notwithstandyng
mech pepill owt of this cuntre* have take wages, seying thei woll goo
vp to %^London. But thei have no capteyn ner rewler assigned be the
comissioneres to awayte vp-on, and so thei stragyll abowte be them-self
and be lyklynes arn not leke to come at %^London, half of them. And men
that come from %^London sey there have not passid %^Thetford not passyng
cccc and yet the townes and the cuntre* that have waged hem shall thynk
thei be dischargid. And therfore if this lordes above wayte aftyr more
pepill in this cuntre*, be lyklynes it woll not be easy to get wyth-owt a
newe comission and warnyng; and yet it woll be thought ryght straunge
of hem that have waged pepill to wage any more, for euery towne hath
waged and sent forth, and arn redy to send forth as many as thei ded
whan the Kyng sent for hem be-fore the feld at %^Lodlowe, and thoo that
arn not goo be in goyng in the same forme.
Item, ther was shrewd rewle toward in this cuntre*, for ther was a
certeyn person forth-wyth aftyr the jurny at %^Wakefeld gadered felaship
to have mordered ^John ^Damme, as it is seyd; and also ther is at the castell
of %^Rysing and in other ij plases made gret gaderyng of pepill and hyryng
of harneys, and it is wele vndyrstand they be not to the Kyng ward, but
rather the contrary and for to robbe. Wherfore my fadyr is in a dowte
whedir he shall send my bro@er vp or not, for he wold have his owne
men abowte hym if nede were here, but notwythstandyng he wyll
send vp ^Dawbeney, his spere and bowes wyth hym, as ^Stapilton and
^Calthorp or other men of worship of this cuntre* agree to doo. Wherfore
demene yow in doyng of yowre erandes ther-aftyr, and iff ye shall bryng
any massage from the lordes take writyng, for ^Dancortes massage is not
verely beleved be-cause he browt no wrytyng.
Item, this cuntre* wold fayne take these fals shrewes that arn in
oppynion contrary yo the Kyng and his counsell, if they had any auctorite*
from the Kyng to do so.
Item, my brother is redyn to %^Yarmowth for to lette brybours that
wold a robbed ship vndyr colour of my lord of %^Warwyk, and longe nothyng
to hem ward.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14611110>
<N 318>
<L 0>
To my most reuerent and worchepfull fadyr ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd
in hast.
<L 1>
Most reuerent and worchepfull fadyr, i recomande me to yow lowly,
preying yow of yowyr blyssyng and hertly desyiryng to her of yowyr
welfare and prosperyte*, the whyche i prey God preserue and kepe to hys
plesans and to yowyr hertys desyir. Plesyt yow to haue knowlage @at i haue
spoke wyth ^Warwyk and ^Stwkle* fore the plase and @e londys in %^Arleham,
and they wyle not geue but vj d. for an acre, and they to kepe the reparacion
of the plase; but so i wold not lete heme haue it. But ^Stwkle* hathe promysyd
me @at all the londys schalle be purveyd for as for thys yer. ^Warwyk was
wyth my modyr as thys day, and he desyiryth to haue the londys in %^Arleham
for vij d. an acre as for thys yer. And in as myche as ^Stwkle* had promysyd
me to purvey for the londys for thys yer, i cownselyd my modyr @at he
schuld not haue heme wyth-owt he wold tak hem for a longer terme. As
for ^Kook, he wole no lenger hold the plase and the xviij acrys nowthyr
for vij nor viij d. an acr and to kepe the reparacion of the plase. He wole
geue but vj d. for an acr, and he to kepe the reparacion of the plase; and yet
he wole not be bownde to repare the plase. And so he wole no lenger haue
it but he may haue it for vj d.
i haue spoke wyth Dame ^Alys ^Neche and ^Jaferey ^Spyrlyng, and they
haue agreyd bothe @at ther schall be set a tenaunt by bothe ther assenttys
for to ocwpye the londys that they be at debat for tyll ye come home, and
as ye determyne the mater when ye come home they bothe hold hem wele
payid.
And All-mythy God haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on
Seynt ^Martynys Evyn.
Yowyr sone and seruaunt ^John ^Paston @e yonger
<T TO JOHN PASTON>
<D 14621101>
<N 319>
<L 0>
To my ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd
in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr, i recomand me on-to yow, besechyng
yow lowly of yowyr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to haue knowlage @at my lord
is purposyd to send for my lady, and is lyke to kepe hys Crystmas her in
%^Walys, for @e Kyng hathe desyiryd hym to do @e same. Wherfor i beseche
yow @at [ye] wole wychesaue to send me some mony by the berer herof, for
in good feythe, as it is not onknowyng to yow, @at i had but ij noblys in my
purse whyche @at ^Rychard ^Call took me by yowyr comandement when i
departyd frome yow owt of %^Norwyche. The berer her-of schuld bye me a
gowne wyth pert of the mony, if it plese yow to delyuer hym as myche
mony as he may bye it wyth; for i haue bot on gowne at %^Framyngham and
an other her, and @at is my leuere* gowne and we must wer hem euery day
for @e most part, and on gowne wyth-owt change wyll sone be done.
As for tydyngys, my lord of %^Warwyk yed forward in-to %^Scotlond as
on Saterday last past wyth xx ml men, and Syr ^Wylliam ^Tunstale is tak
wyth @e garyson of %^Bamborowhg, and is lyke to be hedyd, by @e menys of
Syr ^Rychard ^Tunstale is owne brodyr.
As sone as i her ony more tydyngys i schall send hem yow, by @e grace
of God who haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast at the casty[l] of @e
%^Holt vp-on Halowmas Daye.
Yowyr sone and lowly seruaunt ^J. ^Paston, junior
<A JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14621211>
<N 320>
<L 0>
To my ryth worchepfull brodyr [[^John]] ^Paston the older, sone of ^John
^Paston,
esqwyer, be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull brodyr, i recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet @at as
thys day we had tydyngys her that the Scottys wyll come in-to %^Inglond
wyth-in vij days aftyr the wryttyng of thys letter for to rescue these iij
castellys, %^Alnewyk, %^Donsamborowe, and %^Bameborowe, whyche castellys
wer besegyd as on yesterdaye. %^And at the sege of %^Allnewyk lythe my lord
of %^Kent and @e Lord ^Scalys, and at %^Donsameborow castyll lythe the Erle
of %^Wyrcetyr, Syr ^Rafe ^Grey, and at the castyll of %^Bameborow lythe the
Lord %^Montagwe and @e Lord ^Ogyll and othyr dyuers lordys and gentylmen
that i knowe not; and ther is to hem owte of %^New-castyll ordynans jnowe
bothe for the segys and for the feld in cas that ther be ony feld takyn, as i
trowe ther sc[h]all none be not yet, for the Scottys kepe no promes.
Lord of %^Warwyk lythe at @e castyll of %^Warcorthe but iij myle owt of
%^Alnewyk,
and he rydyth dayly to all thes castelys for to ouer-se the segys, and
if they want vetaylys or ony othyr thyng he is redy for to puruey it for
them to hys power. The Kyng comandyd my lord of %^Norfolk for to condyth
vetaylys and the ordynans owt of %^New-castyll on-to %^Warcorthe castyll to
my lord of %^Warwyk, and so my lord of %^Norfolk comandyd Syr ^John
^Howard, Syr ^William ^Peche, Syr ^Robert ^Chamberleyn, ^Rafe ^Ascheton,
and me and ^Calthorp and ^Gorge and othyr for to go forthe wyth the
vytalys and ordynans on-to my lord of %^Warwyk, and so we wer wyth my
lord of %^Warwyk wyth @e ordynans and vytalys yesterdaye.
The Kyng lythe at %^Durham and my lord of %^Norfolk at %^New-castyll; we
haue pepyll j-now her. In cas we abyd her i pray yow puruey @at i may
haue her more mony by Crystmas Evyn at the ferthest, for i may get leue
for to send non of my wagyd men home ageyn. No man can get no leue for
to go home but if they stell a-wey, and if they myth be knowe they schud
be scharply ponyschyd. Mak as mery as ye can, for ther is no joperte*
toward not yet; and ther be ony joperte* i schall sone send yow word, by
the grase of God. I wot well ye haue more tydyngys than we haue her, but
thes be trewe tydyngys. ^Yeluerton and ^Geney ar lek for to be gretly
ponyschyd for be-cause they come not hedyr to the Kyng; they ar morkyn
well j-now, and so is ^John ^Bylyngforthe and ^Thomas ^Playter, wher-for i
am ryth sory. i pray yow let them haue wetyng ther-of, @at the may
puruey ther excuse in hast so that the Kyng may haue knowlage why that
they come not to hym in ther one personys. Let them come or send ther
excuse to me in wrytyng, and i schall puruey that the Kyng schall haue
knowlage of ther excuse; for i am well aqueyntyd wyth my Lord ^Hastyngys
and my Lord Dakarys whyche be now gretest a-bowt the Kyngys person,
and also i am well aqweyntyd wyth the yonger ^Mortymer and ^Fererys,
^Hawte, ^Harpor, ^Crowmer, and ^Bosewell of the kyngys howse.
I pray yow let my grandam and my cosyn ^Cler haue knolage how that
i desyiryd yow to let hem haue knowlage of the tydyngys in thys letyr,
for i promysyd for to send them tydyngys. I pray yow let my modyr haue
cnowelege howe @at i and my felawsc[h]ep and your seruauntys are at @e
wrytyng of @is lettyr in good hell, blesyd be God. i pray yow let my
fadyr haue knowlage of thys lettyr and of the todyr lettyr @at i sent to
my modyr by ^Felbryggys man, and how that i pray bothe hym and my
modyr lowly of her blyssyngys. I pray yow that ye wole send me som lettyr
how ye do, and of yowyr tydyngys wyth yow, for i thynk longe that i her
no word fro my modyr and yow. I pray yow @at thys byll may recomand
me to my systyr ^Margery and to my mastres ^Jone ^Gayne and all god mastyrys
and felawys wyth-in %^Castyr. i sent no lettyr to my fadyr neuyr syn
i departyd fro yow, for i kowd get no man to %^London, and neuer sythe.
I pray yow in cas ye spek wyth my cosyn ^Margaret ^Clere recomande me
to hyr; and All-mythy God haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^Newcastyll
on Saterday next aftyr @e Consepsion of Owyr Lady.
Yowyr ^John ^Paston the yongest.
i pray yow let ^Rychard ^Call se thys lettyr.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14640301>
<N 321>
<L 0>
To my ry\te reuerent and worchepfull fadyr ^John ^Paston, dwellyng in
%^Castyr, be thys delyueryd.
<L 1>
Ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr, i recomand me on-to yow, besechyng
yow lowly of youyr blyssyng, desyiryng to her of youyr wellfar and prosperyte*,
the whyche i pray God preserue on-to hys plesans and to yowyr
hertys desyir; besechyng yow to haue me excusyd @at ye had no wrytyng
fro me syth @at i departyd frome [[y]]ow, for so God me helpe, i send
yow a lettyr to %^London a-non aftyr Kandylmas by a man [[of]] my lordys
and he for-gat to delyuer yt to yow, and so he browt to me the lettyr a-yen,
and sythe @at tyme i kowd get no messenger tyll now.
As for tydyngys, syche as we haue her i send yow. My lord and my
lady ar in good hele, blyssyd be God, and my lord hathe gret labor and cost
her in %^Walys for to tak dyuers gentyll-men her whyche wer consentyng
and helpyng on-to @e Dwke of %^Somersettys goyng; and they wer apelyd
of othyr se[r]teyn poyntys of treson. And thys mater, and by-cause the
Kyng sent my lord woord to keep thys contre*, is cause that my lord
terythe her thus longe. And now the Kyng hathe geue my lord power
whedyr he wole do execussyon vpon thes gentyllmen or pardon hem,
whedyr that hym lyst; and as fertheforthe as i kan vndyrstand yet they
schall haue grase. And as sone as thes men be com in, my lord is porposyd
to come to %^London, whyche i supose schall be wyth-in thys fortnyth.
The menys namys @at be apechyd ar thes.^John ^Hanmer and ^William
hys sone, ^Roger ^Pulyston and ^Edward of ^Madok. These be men of worchepe
@at schall come in. The comonys in %^Lancasher and %^Chescher wer
vp to the nombyr of a x ml or mor, but now they be downe a-yen, and on
or ij of hem was hedyd in %^Chestyr as on Saterday last past. ^Thomas
^Danyell is her in %^Chesscher, but i wot not in what plase. He hathe sent
iij or iiij letyrys to Syr ^John ^Howard syn my lord come hedyr. And othyr
tydyngys her we none her but @at i supose ye haue herd be-for.
i supose veryly @at it schall be so nye Estern er euer my lord come to
%^London @at i schal not moue come home to yow be-for Estern, wher-for
i beseche yow @at ye wole wychesaue that on of youyr men may send a
byll to myn oncyll ^Clement or to some othyr man, who @at ye wole, in
youyr name, @at they may delyuer me the mony tha[t] i am be-hynd of
@is quarter syne Crystmas, and for the next qwarter in parte of @at some
@at it plesyd yow to grant me by yer, for by my trowthe the felawchep
haue not so myche mony as we wend to haue had be ryth myche, for
my lo[r]d hathe had gret cost syn he cam hedyr; wherfor i beseche yow
that i may haue @is mony at Estern, for i haue borowyd mony @at i must
paye a-yen at Estern.
And i pray to All-myty God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn in @e castyll
of the %^Holte in %^Walys the fyrst daye of Marche.
Youyr sone and lowly seruant ^John ^Paston @e yongest
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
< 14640602>
<N 322>
<L 1>
Ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr, i recomand me on-to yow, bes[e]chyng
yow lowly of youyr blyssyng. Plesit yow to haue knowlage how @at i
haue be in %^Sowthefolk for syche materys as my cosyn ^Dawbeney took my
modyr a byll of towchyng the materys be-twyx yow and ^Jenney, and of all
the jentylmen that ye wold my modyr schold send to for thys mater ther
ar no more at home bot ^John ^Aly[n]gton; and i schewyd hym the byll of
the namys of the jnqwest, and [he] knew no more of hem all bot thes:
^John ^Depden, ^Thomas ^Wodborne, ^John ^Donemowe, ^Herry ^Chesten, and
^Adam ^Wrene. And to all them ^Aly[n]gton sent a man of hys for to fele
hem how they wer dysposyd. Thys was the answer of ^John ^Depden and
^Thomas ^Wodborne: they seyd the last tyme they wer at %^London iche of
ther costys stood hem on x s., and they seyd they wold no mor come at
%^London bot if they knew who schod pay for ther costys; bot me thowt by
^Alyngtonys man that they wold haue had a brybe of yow, be-syd @e
paying for ther issuys, for to haue bedyn at home, for they haue non othyr
leuyng but brybys. As for ^John ^Donemow and ^Herry ^Chesten, so that ther
issuys may be payd they wyll not come ther, nor in trowthe they schall not
come ther; wher-for ^Aly[n]gton prayith yow @at ther issuys may be payid.
^Adam ^Wrene was not spok to, for he is ^Jenneys baly or hys fermour. As
for the quest, they are not yet somonyd to aper, and but if they be somonyd
@er schall non of hem all aper. The most part of the todyr dwell a-bowt
%^Ippyswyche, and they be ^Debnamys tenauntys and ^Brewsys; and i kowd
get no man to spek wyth hem but if i schold haue spok wyth hem myselue,
and my spekyng wyth hem schold rather apeyryd the mater than
a-mendyd it.
And also i hyid me the faster home a-geyn for i lay at my cosyn ^Louedays
on Corpus Cristi Day at nyth, and he told me that the Duches of
%^Sofokys consell wold entre in-to %^Calcot %^Hall, and they wold kep it tyll
the
Duches knew who schold be her tenaunt, owthyr ye or ^Debnam. Thus
told on of the men of the seyd cowncell to ^Loueday, whyche man schold
ryd thedyr wyth hem, and thys schold be do as to-morow at aftyr non;
bot i trow they wole but tak a distres for the seruys of the maner whyche
is dwe, but i haue sent word to ^Rysyng and to the tenauntys that they
schold dryue a-wey ther catell. And as for the maner, my brodyr and i schall
kepe it so @at they schall not entyr as that daye, by the grase of God, nor
aftyr nowthyr and we may knowe of it, but if ye send vs othyr-wys word. As
for the namys that ye wold haue for to pase vpon the mater betwyx yow
and ^Hogan, i spak to ^Aly[n]gton and ^Loueday ther-of, and ^Loueday seyd
he knew non @at wold pas vp-on ony jnquest for hym, for he medylyd
wyth no syche men; and ^Alyngton seyd that he kowd assyne me non men
for serteyn, not tyll he had spok wyth some, whyche he seyd wold aske gret
leyser for he knew bot fewe in %^Sofolk - if it had be in %^Cambryge-schyre he
kowd haue get yow j-now. My modyr spak wyth old ^Banyard of %^Sibton
Abbey for the same mater, and he knew non @at wold pase vpon @e mater
at his desyir, but he asygnyd dyuers men @at loue not ^Jeney, whyche he
kowd thynk wold pase vpon it at yowr desyir if ye spak wyth hem youyrselue
or at @e lest iche of hem kowd get yow ij or iij men that wold sey as
they wold in cas ye spak wyth hem youyr-selue, whoys namys i send yow
in a byll by ^Loueday.
Item, as for @e gape at %^Nakton, ^Rychard ^Call seyth that it was a
thorn busche was leyd in wyth-owt a stake be-twyx ij thornys @at
grew; and as for ^Jeneys net, ther was not on lost her calfe that i can
jnquer of.
And i pray God forther yow in all youyr materys to hys plesans and
to youyr hertys desyir. Wretyn in hast at %^Hallysworthe the Saterday next
aftyr Trinite* Sonday.
My cosyn ^Heueny[n]gham is at %^London, and he kowd asygne yow men
that wold sey as he wold, mor than Syr ^John ^Wy[n]gfeld, ^Aly[n]gton,
and all.
youyr sone and lowly seruant ^John ^Paston @e yongest
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14650914>
<N 323>
<L 0>
To my mastras ^Margaret ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast at %^London.
<L 1>
Aftyr all humbyll and most dwe recomendacion, as lowly as i can i
beseche yow of youyr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to wet @at i haue sent to my
fadyr to haue an answer of syche maters as i haue sent to hym for in hast,
of whyche materys the grettest of substans is for the maner of %^Cotton;
besechyng yow to remembyr hym of the same mater, @at i may haue an
answer in @e most hasty wyse. Also i pray yow that myn ante ^Poonyngys
may be desyiryd to send me an answer of syche materys as sche wotyth of
by hym @at schall brynge me an answer of @e mater of %^Cotton.
Also, modyr, i beseche yow @at ther may be purueyd some meane @at
i myth haue sent me home by @e same mesenger ij peyir hose, j peyir blak
and an othyr peyir of roset, whyche be redy made for me at the hosers wyth
@e crokyd bak next to @e Blak Freyrs gate wyth-in %^Ludgate; ^John ^Pampyng
knowyth hym well j-now. i suppose and @e blak hose be payid for, he wyll
send me @e roset vnpayd for. I beseche yow @at @is ger be not forget, for
i haue not an hole hose for to do on. I trowe they schall cost bothe peyr
viij s.
My brodyr and my sustyr ^Anne and all @e garyson of %^Heylysdon fare
well, blyssyd be God, and recomand hem to yow euerychon. i pray yow
vysyt @e Rood of Northedor, and Seynt ^Sauyour at %^Barmonsey amonge
whyll ye abyd in %^London, and let my sustyr ^Margery goo wyth yow to
prey to them @at sche may haue a good hosbond or sche com hom ayen.
And now i pray yow send vs some tydyngys as ye wer wonte to comand
me. And the Holy Trinyte* haue yow in kepyng, and my fayir mastras of
@e Fleet. Wretyn at %^Norwhche on Holy Rood Daye.
Youyr sone and lowly seruaunt ^J. ^Paston @e yongest
<T TO JOHN PASTONI>
<D 14651003>
<N 324>
<L 0>
To my ryth reuerend and worchepfull fadyr ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd.
<L 1>
Aftyr all humbyll and most dwe recomendacion, as lowly as i can i beseche
yow of youyr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to haue knowlege @at, as on Sonday
next be-for Myhelmas Day, as my modyr came fro %^London ward sche cam
homward by %^Cotton; and sche sent for me to %^Heylysdon to come to hyr
thedyr, and so i haue ben in the plase euer sethyn. And as sone as Myhelmas
Day was past i be-gane to dystreyne the tenauntys and gadryd some
sylluyr, as myche i trowe as wyll pay for ouyr costys, and yet i cepe here
ryth a good felawschep, and mor wer promysyd me whyche @at came not
to me, wherby i was ner deseyuyd; for when ^Debnam herd sey how @at
i began to gadyr syluyr he reysyd many men wyth-in j daye and an halfe,
to @e nombyr of iijc men, as i was credebly assartaynyd by a yeman of @e
chambyr of my lordys that connythe me good wyll, whech yeman, as
sone as he had sene ther felauschep, rod streyth to my lord and jnformyd
hym of it; and also he informyd my lord how @at i had gadryd a-nothyr
gret felawschep, whyche felawschep he namyd more then we wer by jc
and an halfe and yett more. And he seyd on-to my lord and my lady and
to ther consell @at wyth-owt that my lord took a dyreccyon in the mater
that ther wer leek to be do gret harme on bothe ouyr pertyes, wheche wer
a gret dysworchep to my lord, consederyng how @at he takyth vs bothe for
hys men and so we be knowyn well j-now; vpon whyche jnformacion and
dysworchep to my lord @at tweyn of hys men schold debat so ner hym,
contrary to @e Kyngys pese, consedryd of my lord and lady and ther
cownsell, my lord sent for me and Syr ^Gylberd ^Debnam to come to hym
to %^Framlyngham bothe. And as it fortunyd well, my modyr come to me
to %^Cotton not half an owyr be-for @at the mesenger cam to me fro my
lord, wheche was late vpon Twysday last past at nyth, and the next day
on the mornyng i rod to my lord to %^Framlyngham, and so ded Syr ^Gylberd
also. And as sone as we wer come we wer sent for to come to my lord, and
when we came to my lord he desiyryd of vs bothe @at we schold neythyr
gadyr no felawschep, but syche men as we had gadryd @at we schold send
hem home a-yen and @at the coort schold be contenuyd in-to the tyme
@at my lord, or syche as he wold asyngne, had spok bothe wyth yow and
^Yeluerton and ^Jenney, and @at on jndeferent man chosyn by us bothe
schold be assynyd to kep the plase in-to @e tyme @at ye and they wer spook
wyth. And then i answ[er]ed my lord and seyd how @at at that tyme i had
my mastyr wyth-in @e maner of %^Cotton, whyche was my modyr, and in-to
the tyme @at i had spook wyth hyr i cowd geue none answer; and so my
lord sent ^Rychard ^Fulmerston, berer her-of, to my modyr thys day for
an answer, whyche answer he schold bryng to my lord to %^London, for my
lord rod to %^Londonward as yesterday, and @e soner be-cause he trustyd to
haue a good end of @is mater and alle othyr be-twyx yow, whyche he
takyth for a gret worchep to hym ward and a gret auantage bothe and he
cowd bryng @is mater abowt; for then he wold trust to haue youyr seruyse
alle, whyche wer to hym gret tresour and auantage. And @is was the answer
@at my modyr and i gaue hym, @at at @e instans of my lord and my ladye
we wold do @us myche as for to put @e coort in contenuans and no more
to receyue of @e profytys of @e maner than we had, and had dystresid for,
tyll in-to @e tym that sche and i had word ayen fro my lord and yow if so
wer @at @ey wold neythyr mak entreys nor dystreyn the tenauntys nor cepe
no coort more then we wold do; and we told ^Rychard ^Fulmerston that
thys my modyr and i ded at @e jnstans and gret request of my lord because
my lord intendyd pes, whyche resonably we wold not be ayenst,
and yet we seyd we knew well @at we schold haue no thank of yow when ye
knew of it wyth-owt it wer be-cause we ded it at my lordys jnstans. But
be-for thys answer we had receyvyd as myche syluyr full nye as ^Rychard
^Calle sent vs bokys of for to gadyr yt bye, and as for @e possessyon of @e
plase, we told hym @at we wold kepe it, and Syr ^Gylberd agreyd so that
^Yeluerton and ^Jeney wold do @e same, for it was tyme for hym to sey so
for my lord told hym @at he wold set hym fast by the feet ellys to be suyr of
hym @at he schold make non jnsurreccions in-to @e tyme @at my lord came
ayen fro %^London. I wene, and so dothe my modyr bothe, @at thys appoyntment
was mad in good tyme, for i was deseyuyd of bettyr than an c men
and an halfe @at i had promyse of to haue come to me when i sent for hem.
Thys promes had i be-for i sent to yow the last lettyr the daye aftyr
Seynt ^Myhell. ^Jenney herd sey ow @at i cepyd %^Cotton, and he rod to
%^Nacton and ther held a cort and receyuyd @e profytys of the maner.
I beseche yow @at i may haue knowlage in hast fro yow how ye wyll @at
i be demenyd in thys mater and in all othyr, and i schall aplye me to
fulfyll youyr intent in them to my power, by the grace of God, whom i
beseche haue yow in guydyng and sende yow yowyr hertys desyir. Wretyn
at %^Hemnalle %^Halle in %^Cotton the Thursday next be-for Seynt ^Feythe.
My modyr recomandyth hyr to yow, amd preyith yow to hold hyr
excusyd that sche wrytyth not to yow at thys tyme for sche may haue no
leyser.
The berer her-of schall informe yow whedyr ^Jeney wyll agre* to thys
appoy[n]tment or not. I thynk he dar do non othyr wyse.
Yowyr sone and lowly seruaunt ^John ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14670127>
<N 325>
<L 0>
To my mastyr Syr ^John ^Paston logyng in Fletstret be thys delyueryd.
<L 1>
Syr, lyekyth it yow to wet @at thys day my modyr sent me your lettyrs,
wer-by i vndy[r]stand, blessyd be God, all thyng standyth in good wey.
Also i vndyrstand by your lettyr sent to my modyr and me @at ye wold
haue your lyuelod gadyrd as hastyly as we myght do it. Syr, as to that, and
othyr folk do no wers ther deuer in gaderyng of othyr manerys then we
haue don in %^Caster, i tryst to God that ye schall not be long vnpayid; for
thys day we had in the last comb of barly that eny man owyth in %^Caster
towne, not wyth standyng ^Hew ^Awstyn and hys men hathe crakyd many
a gret woord in the tym @at it hathe ben in gaderyng. And twenty comb
^Hew ^Awstyns man had don cartyd, redy for to haue led it to %^Yermowth,
and when i herd ther-of i let slype a sertyn of whelpys, that gaue the cart
and the barly syche a torn @at it was fayne to tak couert in your bakhous
systern at %^Caster %^Halle; and it was wet wyth-in an owyr aftyr @at it cam
hom, and is nye redy to mak of good malt ale, ho ho. ^William ^Yeluerton
hathe ben at %^Gwton, and hathe set in a new bayly ther and hathe dystreynyd
the tenauntys, and hathe gen hem day tyll Candyllmas to pay syche mony
as he axyth of hem. Also the seyd ^Yelluerton hathe ben at %^Saxthorp, and
hathe dystreynyd the fermour ther and takyn of hym swerte* to paye hym.
And thys day the seyd ^Yeluerton and viij men wyth hym, wyth jakys and
trossyng dobletys all @e felawshep of hem, wer redy to ryd, and on of the
sam felawshep told to a man that sye hem all redy @at they shold ryd to
tak a dystres in serteyn maners @at wer Syr ^John ^Fastolffys. Wher-for i
suppose veryly that they be to %^Gwton and %^Saxthorp, wher-for to-morow i
purpose to send ^Dawbeney thedyr to wet what they do, and to comand
the tenauntys and fermors that they pay no mony to no body bot to yow.
^John ^Grey, othyrwyse callyd ^John de les ^Bay, and ^John ^Burgeys, they
be ^Yeluertons kapteyns, and they ryd and go dayly, as well in %^Norwyche as
in othyr plasys of yours and othyr menys in the contre*, in ther trossyng
dowbelettys. wyth bombardys and kanonys and chaseueleyns, and do what
so euer they wyll in the contre*. Ther dar no pore man dy[s]plese theym,
for what so euyr they do wyth ther swordys they make it lawe, and they
tak dystressys owt of menys howsys, horse or catell or what they wyll,
thow it be not on that fee that they ask the dwte* for. Wher-for me thynkys
wyth esy menys ye myth get a preuy seall of the Kyng to be dyrectyd to
the meyir of %^Norwyche, as for the towne of %^Norwyche, and for the contre*
a-nothyr preue* seall dyrect to me and and to som othyr good felaw, Syr
^Will[ia]m ^Calthorp, for he hatyth ^Grey, for to arest the seyd felaws for
syche ryot, and to bryng hem to the next preson ther to abyed wyth-owt
bayle tyll syche tym as the Kyng sendyth othyrwyse woord; and they
that the preue* sale shall be dyrect to to be chargyd vpon peyne of ther
alegeans to execut @e Kyngys comandment. And thys done i warant your
lyuelod @at my lord delys not wyth shall be gadyrd pesybylly. As to @at
lyuelod @at my lord clemys, i schall do my deuer, ouyr logyng kep, to
tak as myche profyt of it as i may, by the grase of God, whom i pray send
yow the acomplyshement of your hertys desyir, and othyr por folys thers. All
my felawshep ar mery and well at ease, blyssyd be God, and recomandyth
hem all on-to yow. Wretyn the Twysday next be-for Kandylmas.
your brodyr ^J.^P.
I pray yow let me and my felawshep not be long wyth-owt tydyngys from
yow
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14760207>
<N 326>
<L 1>
Syr, it is so @at thys Saterdaye ^John ^Rus sent me word by ^Robert ^Botler @at
^William ^Yeluerton hathe ben thys iij dayis in %^Yermothe for to get new
wytnessys vp to %^London, and it is thowt by the seyd ^John ^Rus amd ^Robert
^Botler ther wytnessyng is for to proue @at it was ^Syr ^John ^F. wyll @at
ther schold be morteysyd iijc mark by yer to @e colage, and also @at syche
astat as my fadyr took her at %^Caster at Lames next be-for @at Syr ^John
^F. dyid was delyueryd to my fadyr to @e intent for to perfo[r]m @e seyd wyll.
^Bartholomew ^Elys, ^John ^Appylby. and ^John ^Clerk ar the wytnessys. And
as for ^Bartholomew ^Elys, he is owtlawyd, and also men sey in %^Yermowthe
@at he is bawde be-twyx a clerk of %^Yermowthe and hys owne wyfe. And as
for ^John ^Appylby, he is halff frentyk, and so take in the towne, not
wythstandyng
he is an attorny, as ^Bartholomew ^Elys is, in the baylys coort of
%^Yermowthe.And as for ^John ^Clerk of %^Gorleston, he is owtlawyd at Syr
^John ^Fastolfys swte, and at dyuers othyr menys, not wythstandyng he
is thorow wyth ^Syr ^T. ^Howys for Syr ^J.^F., for thys cause @at the seyd
^Clerk was on of ^Syr ^T. ^Howys last wytnessys be-for thys. I trow ^John
^Loer shall be a-nothyr wyttnesse. As for ^Bartholomew ^Elys and ^John
^Appylby, they lye thys nyht at %^Blyborowgh onward on her wey to %^Londonward;
make good weche on hem.
I pray yow send vs some good tydyngys. Wretyn the Saterday lat at
nyght next aftyr Kandylmas Day. i pray yow remembyr ^John ^Grey and
^John ^Burgeys. We haue hom the most part of your barly saue fro
%^Wynterton, and @at i trost to haue @is next wek, or ellys we wyll scrat for
it, by the grace of God, whom i beseche mak yow good. I thynk ther
comyng vp is for to dysproue your wyttnessys @at ye had in-to the Chancery.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 146704>
<N 327>
<L 1>
Syr, plesyth yow to weet @at my modyr and i comonyd @is day wyth Freyr
^Mowght to vndyrstand what hys seying shall be in the coort when he
comyth vp to %^London, wheche is in @is wyse. He seyth at syche tyme as
he had shreuyn Master ^Brakley and howsyllyd hym bothe, he let hym wet
that he was enformyd by dyuers personys that the seyd Master ^Brakley
owt for to be in gret consyens for syche thyngys as he had doone and seyd,
and causyd my fadyr, whom God asoyle, for to do and seye allso, in
prouyng of Syr ^John ^Fastolfys wyll; to whom the seyd Mastyr ^Brakley
answerd thus agayne: 'i am ryght glad that it comyth to yow in mynd for
to meue me wyth thys mater in dyschargyng of my consyens ayenst God,'
seying ferther-mor to the seyd Freyir ^Mowght, be the wey @at hys sowle
shold to, that the wyll @at my fadyr put in to the coort was as veryly Syr
^John ^Fastolfys wyll as it was trew that he shold onys deye.
Thys was seyd on the Sonday, when @e seyd ^Brakley wend to haue
deyid. Then on the Monday he revyvyd a-yen and was well amendyd
tyll on the Wednysday. And on the Wednysday he sekynd a-yen, supposyng
to haue dyeyd forthe-wyth; and in hys syknes he callyd Freyr
^Mowght, whyche was conffessor on-to hym, of hys owne mosyon, seyng
on-to hym in thys wyse: 'Syr, [[wh]]er as of your owne mosyon ye meuyd
me the last day to tell yow aftyr my consyens of Syr ^John ^Fastolfys wyll
lyek wyse as i knew, and now of myn owne mocyon and in dyschargyng
of my sowle, for i know well @at i may not askape but @at i must dye in
hast, wherfor i desyir yow that [ye] wyll report aftyr my dethe @at i took
it vpon my sowle at my dying @at that wyll @at ^John ^Paston put in to be
prouyd was Syr ^John ^Fastolfys wyll.' And the seyd ^Brakley dyid the
same Wednysdaye.
And wher as ye wold haue had ^Rychard ^Calle to yow as on Sonday last
past, it was thys Twyisday or i had your lettyr; and wher as it plesyth yow
for to wyshe me at %^Eltam at the tornay for the good syth @at was ther,
by trowththe i had leuer se yow onys in %^Caster %^Halle then to se as many
kyngys tornay as myght be betwyx %^Eltam and %^London.
And, syr, wher as it lyekyth yow to desyir to haue knowlage how @at i
haue don wyth @e Lady ^Boleyn, by my feythe i haue don nor spokyn
nowght in @at mater, nor not wyll do tyll tyme @at ye com hom, and ye
com not thys vij yer. Not wythstandyng, @e Lady ^Boleyn was in %^Norwyche
in the week aftyr Estern, fro the Saterday tyll the Wednysday, and
^Heydons wyfe and Mastras ^Alys bothe; and i was at %^Caster and wyst not
of it. Hyr men seyd @at she had non othyr erend to the towne but for to
sport hyr; bot so God help me i supose @at she wend i wold haue ben in
%^Norwyche for to haue sen hyr dowghtyr.
I beseche yow wyth all my hart, hye yow hom, thow ye shold tery but a
day; for i promyse yow your folk thynk @at ye haue forgetyn hem, and the
most part of them must depart at Whytsontyd at the ferthest, they wyll
no lenger abyd.
Your ^J. ^Paston
And as for ^R. ^Calle, we can not get half a quarter @e mony @at we pay for
@e bare housold, besyd menys wagys. ^Daube nor i may no mor wyth-owt
coynage.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 146710?>
<N 328>
<L 1>
Ryght worshepfull modyr, i recomand me on-to yow, lowly besechyng
yow of your blyssyng. Plesyt yow to we[t] @at my brodyr and i be in good
hele, blyssyd be God, and all ouyr felawshep; and as for me, i tryst to God
to [[se]] yow by Halowmes or wyth-in iiij dayis aftyr at the ferthest, at
whyche tyme i tryst to fynd @e menys [[to]] dyscharge yow of syche folk
as ye kepe of my brodyrs. And @at must i do by myn owne menys, for as
for my brodyr, by my trowthe he is not of power to do it; for @is i ensure
yow, so God help me, he hathe at thys season not a peny in hys purs nor
wotys not wher to get eny.
And as for %^Bekham, i warant and ye wyll send the plate whyche ye and
i comond of for to helpe to paye hys dettys and for to swe forthe for hys
jwgement thys terme, it shall neythyr be morgagyd nor sold. Wherfor,
modyr, i and he bothe beseche yow @at ye wyll send hym the plate by ^Jwde*,
or ellys, so God help me, i wot not how he shall do; for by the feythe @at
i ow to God he lokyth euery day to be arestyd, and so i wene he shall, so
God helpe me. ^Jwde* had ned to be sped hastyly lest syche arestys falle in
the tyme.
And as for my lord of %^Norffolk, jt is promysyd me to haue hys good
lordshep, but i must tery a whylle, as my lady told yow, for the maners
sake.
And as for tydyngys her, so God help, neythyr the Kyng nor the lordys
can as yet vndyrstand no serteynte* whedyr they shall go to-gydyr a-yen
by the werre or not. When i here @e serteynte* i shall send yow word. Ye
may send mony by ^Jwde* for my sustyr ^Annys hood and for @e tepet of
sersenet, viij s. a yerd of damask and v s. for sarsenet; hyr hood wyll take
iij quarters.
No mor for lak of leyser; but i pray God send you your hertys desyir and
othyr pore folys thers.
Your sone and humbyll seruant ^J. ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D146803?>
<N 329>
<L 0>
To my mastyr Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, in Fletstret.
<L 1>
Syr, &c., jt is so that wyth-owght ye haue hasty reparacyon doon at %^Caster
ye be lyek to haue doubyll cost in hast, for the reyn hathe so moystyd the
wallys in many plasys that they may not tylle the howsys tyll the wallys
be reparyd, or ellys ye shall haue doubyll cost for to vntylle your howsys
ayen at syche tyme as ye shall amend the wallys; and if it be not do thys
yer many of the wallys wyll lye in the moot or longe to. Ye knowe the
febyllnesse of the vtter coort of old. ^John ^Pampyng hathe had home to
%^Caster as good as x ml tylle fro the plase at %^Yermouthe, and it wer pete*
that
the tyll wer lost, and the lenger @at it lythe vnleyd the wers it wyll be. I
haue thys day bespok as myche lyme as wyll serue for the tyll, wherfor
i prey you remembyr the cost of the werkmanshep and puruey the money
by oo mean or othyr, what shefte so euyr ye make.
And for your owne profyte remembyr to goo thorow wyth ^Hwghe of
^Fen, for by my trowthe ye wyll ellys repent yow or owght longe, for bothe
ye shall loose hys good wyll and lett par auenture that auantage that he
myght do yow in your lond recoueryng, wher as he may do yow harme and
he wyll, and then to late wyse.
Item, that ye remembyr your relesys and gounys of my lord of %^Norffolk
er ye com hom.
Item, i send yow by the berer herof a lettyr dyrect to yow that a man
of my lord of %^Oxenfortheys delyuerd me, whych lettyr comyth fro the
Kyng.
Item, that ye remembyr in eny wyse to serche for the fyne in syche plasys
as my modyr sent yow woord of in a lettyr, for myn oncyll and my grauntdam
report that they haue serchyd in all plasys ther as it shold be, but they
can not fynd no thyng of it. Also that ye look whedyr the fyne was reryd
to eny feoffeys mor then to my grauntfadyr and my grauntdam and ther
issu, for and ther wer eny feoffeys namyd in the fyn it is the bettyr for yow.
My lady and my grantdam be com to %^London for the same mater, wherfor
it wer well do that the jwgys wer enformyd of your mater befor they spak
wyth theym.
I prey yow hye yow hom hastyly and se your owne profyt your-sylf.
^Pampyng and i shall clowt vp your howsys as we may wyth the money @at
we haue tyll more com, but ye shold do bettyr your-sylf. i prey red thys
byll onys on a day tyll ye haue sped thes maters wretyn her-in. Thowe it be
to your peyne to labore theym, remembyr your profyt. Nomor, &c., but
God kep yow thys Lent fro lollardy of fleshe.
Wretyn at %^Norwyche the Twysday next aftyr that i depertyd fro yow.
^J.^P.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D14680708>
<N 330>
<L 0>
To my ryght reuerend and worchepfull modyr ^Margaret ^Paston, dwellylng at
%^Caster, be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth reuerend and worchepfull modyr, i recomand me on-to you as
humbylly as i can thynk, desyiryng most hertly to her of youyr welfare
and hertys ese, whyche i pray God send yow as hastyly as eny hert can
thynk. Plesyt yow to wet @at at the makyng of thys byll my brodyr and i
and all ouyr felawshep wer in good helle, blyssyd be God.
As for the gydyng her in thys contre*, it is as worchepfull as all the world
can deuyse it, and ther wer neuer Englyshe-men had so good cher owt of
%^Inglond that euer i herd of.
As for tydyngys her, but if it be of the fest i can non send yow, sauyng @at
my Lady ^Margaret was maryd on Sonday last past at a towne @at is callyd
%^The %^Dame, iij myle owt of %^Brugys, at v of the clok in the mornyng. And
sche was browt the same day to %^Bruggys to hyr dener, and ther sche was
receyuyd as worchepfully as all the world cowd deuyse, as wyth presessyon
wyth ladys and lordys best beseyn of eny pepyll that euer i sye or herd of,
and many pagentys wer pleyid in hyr wey in %^Bryggys to hyr welcomyng,
the best @at euer i sye. And the same Sonday my lord the Bastard took
vpon hym to answere xxiiij knytys and gentylmen wyth-in viij dayis at
jostys of pese; and when @at they wer answeryd they xxiiij and hym-selue
schold torney wyth othyr xxv the next day aftyr, whyche is on Monday next
comyng. And they that haue jostyd wyth hym in-to thys day haue ben as
rychely beseyn, and hym-selue also, as clothe of gold and sylk and syluyr
and goldsmythys werk myght mak hem; for of syche ger, and gold and
perle and stonys, they of the Dwkys coort, neythyr gentylmen nor gentylwomen,
they want non, for wyth-owt @at they haue it by wyshys, by my
trowthe i herd neuyr of so gret plente* as her is.
Thys day my Lord ^Scalys justyd wyth a lord of thys contre*, but nat
wyth the Bastard, for they mad promyse at %^London that non of them
bothe schold neuer dele wyth othyr in armys. But the Bastard was on of the
lordys @at browt the Lord ^Scalys in-to the feld, and of mysfortwne an
horse strake my lord Bastard on the lege, and hathe hurt hym so sore that
i can thynk he shalbe of no power to acomplyshe vp hys armys, and that
is gret pete*, for by my trowthe i trow God mad neuer mor worchepfull
knyt.
And asfor the Dwkys coort, as of lordy[s], ladys, and gentylwomen, knytys,
sqwyirs, and gentyllmen, i herd neuer of non lyek to it saue Kyng ^Artourys
cort. By my trowthe, i haue no wyt nor remembrans to wryte to yow halfe
the worchep that is her; but @at lakyth, as it comyth to mynd i shall tell
yow when i come home, whyche i tryst to God shalnot be long to; for we
depert owt of %^Brygys homward on Twysday next comyng, and all folk @at
cam wyth my lady of %^Burgoyn owt of %^Inglond, exept syche as shall abyd
her styll wyth hyr, whyche i wot well shall be but fewe. We depert the
soner for the Dwk hathe word that the Frenshe Kyng is purposyd to mak
wer vp-on hym hastyly, and that he is wythin iiij or v dayis jorney of
%^Brugys; and the Dwk rydythe on Twysday next comyng forward to met
wyth hym. God geue hym good sped, and all hys, for by my trowthe they
ar the goodlyest felawshep tha[t] euer i cam among, and best can behaue
them, and most lyek gentyllmen.
Othyr tydyngys haue we non her, but that the Dwke of %^Somerset and
all hys bend depertyd welbeseyn owt of %^Brugys a day be-for that my lady
the Dwches cam thedyr; and they sey her that he is to Qwen ^Margaret @at
was, and shall no mor come her a-yen nor be holpyn by the Dwk.
No mor, but i beseche yow of youyr blssyng as lowly as i can, whyche
i beseche yow forget not to geue me euery day onys. And, modyr, i beseche
yow @at ye wolbe good mastras to my lytyll man, and to se @at he go to
scole. I sent my cosyn ^Dawbeney v s. by ^Callys man for to bye for hym
syche ger as he nedyth. And, modyr, i pray yow thys byll may recomand
me to my sustyrs bothe, and to @e mastyr, my cosyn ^Dawbeney, Syr
^Jamys, Syr ^John ^Stylle, and to pray hym to be good mastyr to lytyll ^Jak
and to lerne hym well; and i pray yow @at thys byll may recomand me to
all youyr folkys and my well-wyllers.
And i pray God send yow youyr hertys desyr. Wretyn at %^Bruggys the
Fryday next aftyr Seynt ^Thomas.
Your sone and humbyll seruant ^J. ^Paston @e yonger
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14690407>
<N 331>
<L 0>
To master Syr ^John ^Paston.
<L 1>
Syr, i pray yow recomand me to my Lord ^Scalys good lordshep, and to let
hym weet @at in lyek wyse as hys lordshep gaue me in comandement i
haue enqweryd what @e gentyllmanys answer was that my lord of %^Norffolk
sent to, to awayte vp-on hym at the Kyngys comyng in-to thys contre*.
Hys answer was to my lord of %^Norfolkys messenger that he had promysyd
my Lord ^Scalys to awayte vp-on hym at the same seson, and in as myche
as he had promysyd my Lord ^Scalys he wold not false hys promesse for no
man on lyue. I fond the menys that the seyd gentyllmanys wyfe meuyd hyr
husbond wyth the same mater as thow she had axyd hym of hyr awne hed,
and he told hyr that he had geuyn thys answer. Thys gentylman is Syr ^W.
^Calthorp, but i pray yow tell my Lord ^Scalys that ye vndyrstand not who
it is, for he preyid me to be secret ther-in.
I pray wyth all my hart hye yow hom in hast, for we thynk longe tyll
ye coome. And i pray yow send me woord whedyr ye shall be mad a crysten
man or ye com home or nowt. And if so be @at ye send eny man hom
hastely, i pray yow send me an hat and a bonet by @e same man, and let
hym bryng the hat vp-on hys hed for mysfacyonyng of it. I haue ned to
bothe, for i may not ryd nor goo owt at @e doorys wyth non @at i haue,
they be so lewde: a murry bonet and a blak or a tawny hat.
And God send yow your desyr. Wretyn at %^Caster the vij day of Apryll.
Your ^J. ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 146905>
<N 332>
<L 1>
Syr, plesyth it to vndyrstand that i conceyue by your lettyr whyche @at ye
sent me by ^Jwde* @at ye haue herd of ^R.^C labor whyche he makyth by
ouyr vngracyous sustyrs assent; but wher as they wryet that they haue
my good wyll ther-in, sauyng your reuerence @ey falsly lye of it, for they
neuer spake to me of @at mater, nor non othyr body in ther name. ^Louell
axyd me onys a qwestyon whedyr @at i vndyrstood how it was betwyx
^R. ^C. and my sustyr. I can thynk @at it was by ^Callys menys, for when
i axyd hym whedyr ^C. desyird hym to meue me @at qwestyon or not, he
wold haue gotyn it aweye by hummys and by hays. But i wold not so be
answeryd, wherfor at @e last he told me @at hys oldest sone desyird hym
to spere whedyr @at ^R. ^C. wer swyr of hyr or nowt, for he seyd @at he
knew a good maryage for hyr. But i wot he lyeyd, for he is hole wyth
^R. ^Cale in @at mater; wher-for, to @at entent @at he nor they shold pyek
no comfort of me, i answerd hym @at and my fadyr, whom God asoyle,
wer a-lyue and had consentyd ther-to, and my modyr and ye bothe, he
shold neuer haue my good wyll for to make my sustyr to selle kandyll and
mustard in %^Framly[n]gham; and @us, wythe mor wyhche wer longe to
wryet to you, we departyd.
And wher as it plesythe yow in your lettyr to crye me mercy for @at ye
sent me not syche ger as i sent yow mony for, i crye yow mercy @at i was
so lewde to encomber yow wyth eny so sympyll a mater, consyderyng the
grette maters and weyghty @at ye haue to doo; but need compellyd me, for
in thys contre* is no syche stuffe as i sent to yow for.
Also, wher as it plesyth yow to send to ^Rychard ^Calle to delyuer me monye,
so God help me i wyll non axe hym for my-sylfe, nor non had i of hym,
nor of non othyr man but of myne owne, syne ye depertyd; but @at lytyll
@at i myght for-bere of myn owne i haue delyueryd to ^Dawbeney for
howsold, and payd it for yow in menys wagys. And ther-for who euer sendys
yow word @at i haue spent yow eny mony syne ye went hens, they must
geue yow an othyr reknyng, in sauyng in met and drynk, for i eete lyek an
horse of purpose to eete yow owte at the dorys; but @at nedythe not, for
ye com not wyth-in them, whe[r]for, so God help me, the felaushep her
thynkys  @at ye haue forgetyn vs alle. Wherfor, and eny thyng be ille rewlyd
when ye come home, wyet it your-selfe for defawt of ouer-syght.
Also i vndyrstand for verry se[r]teyn, and it is sent me so woord owt of
my lordys howse, that thys Pentcost is my lordys consell at %^Framlyngham,
and they purpose thys week and the next to hold coortys her at %^Caster and
at all othyr maners @at wer Syr ^John ^F., purchasyd of ^Yelluerton and of
Syr ^T. ^H., whom God asoyle; and how that my demenyng shalbe it is to
late to send to yow for auyse, wherfo[[r]] and i do well i axe no thank and
if i do ille i pray yow ley the defawt on ouyr lytyll wyte. But i purpose
to vse the fyrst poynt of hawkyng, to hold fast and i maye; but so God help
me, and they myht pulle downe @e howse on ouyr hedys i wyet hem not,
whyche i trust to God to kep hem from. For, by God that bowght me, the
best erle in %^Inglond wold not dele so wyth my lord and my lady as ye do
wyth-owt makyng of some menys to them; so God help me, who so
euer auyse yow to do so, he is not your frend. And i may, i tryst to God to
se yow a-bowght Mydsomer or be-for, for in good feythe i wene ye purpose
yow @at it shall be Estern er ye come hom; for all your seruauntys her wen
that ye purpose no more to dele wyth them, but to leue hem her in ostage to
my lord of %^Norfolk.
A[l]so, syr, i pray yow puruey what jne @at my brodyr ^Edmu[n]d
shall be in, for he losyth sore tyme her, i promyse yow. I pray yow send
me word by the next messenger @at comyth, and i shall eythyr send hym or
bryng hym vp wyth me to %^London.
Also, syr, we pore sanz deners of %^Caster haue brook iij or iij stelle
bowys; wherfor we beseche yow, and ther be eny maker of steelle bowys
jn %^London whyche is verry kunnyng, @at ye wyll send me woord,
and i shall send yow the bowys @at be brokyn, whyche be your owne
greet bowe and ^Roberd ^Jaksonys bowe and ^Johon ^Pampyng[[ys] bowe.
Thes iij haue kast so many caluys @at they shall neuer cast qwarellys tyll
they be new mad. I praye yow fynd the menys that my lord may haue
some resonable meane profyrd so @at he and my lady may vndyrstand that
ye desyir to haue hys good lordshep. I promyse yow jt shall do yow ease,
and your tenauntys both. And God preserue.
^J.^P.
<TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 146906>
<N 333>
<L 1>
To begyn, God yeld yow for my hatys.
The Kyng hathe ben in thys contre* and worchepfully receyuyd in-to
%^Norwyche, and had ryght good cher and gret gyftys in thys contre*, wherwythe
he holdyth hym so well content that he wyll hastyly be her agayn,
and the Qwen allso; wyth whom, by my power auyse, ye shall com if so
be that the terme be do by @at tym @at she com in-to @is contre*. And as for
yowr maters her, so God help me, i haue don as myche as in me was in
laboryng of theym as well to my Lord ^Reuers as to my Lord ^Scalys, Syr
^John ^Wydvyll, ^Thomas ^Wyngfeld, and othyr abowt the Kyng. And as for
the Lord ^Reuers, he seyd to myn oncyll ^William, ^Fayirfax, and me that he
shold meue the Kyng to spek to the two dwkys of %^Norffolk and %^Suffolk that
they shold leue of ther tytyls of syche lond as wer Syr ^John ^Fastolffys, and
if so be @at they wold do nowt at the Kyngys reqwest, @at then the Kyng
shold comand theyn to do no wastys nor mak non assawtys nor frayis vpon
yowyr tenauntys nor plasys tyll syche tym as the lawe hathe determynd
wyth yow or ayenst yow. @is was seyd by hym the sam day in the mornyng
that he depertyd at noon; whedyr he meuyd the %^Kyng wyth it or nowt i
can not seye. Myn oncyll ^Wylliam thynkys naye, and the same aftyr-none
folowyng i told my Lord ^Scalys that i had spokyn wyth my lord hys fadyr
in lyek forme as i haue rehersyd, and axyd hym whedyr that my lord hys
fadyr had spokyn to the Kyng or nowt; and he gaue me thys answer, that
whedyr he had spokyn to the Kyng or nowt @at the mater shold do well
j-now. ^Thomas ^Wy[n]gfeld told me and swore on-to me that when
^Brandon meuyd the Kyng and besowght hym to shew my lord fauour in
hys maters ayenst yow, that the Kyng seyd on-to hym a-yen, '^Brandon,
thow thou can begyll the Dwk of %^Norffolk, and bryng hym abow[t] the
thombe as thow lyst, i let the wet thow shalt not do me so, for i vndyrstand
thy fals delyng well j-now.' And he seyd on-to hym more-ouer that if my
lord of %^Norffolk left not of hys hold of that mater that ^Brandon shold
repent itt euery veyn in hys hert; for he told hym that he knew well j-now
that he myght rewyll my lord of %^Norffolk as he wold, and if my lord dyd
enythyng that wer contrary to hys lawys, the Kyng told hym he knew well
j-now that it was by no bodys menys but by hys; and thus he depertyd fro
the Kyng.
Item, as by wordys the Lord ^Scalys and Syr ^John ^Wydvyll tak tendyr
your maters mor then the Lord ^Reuers.
Item, Syr ^John ^Wydvyll told me when he was on horsbak at the Kyngys
depertyng that the Kyng had comandyd ^Brandon of purpose to ryd forthe
fro %^Norwyche to %^Lyne for to tak a conclusyon in your mater for yow,
and he bad me @at i shold cast no dowghtys but @at ye shold haue your
entent; and so dyd the Lord ^Scalys also. And when @at i preyd them at
eny tyme to shew ther fauor to your mater, they answerd that it was ther
mater as well as your, consyderyng the alyans betwyx yow. Comon wyth
^Jakys ^Hawt, and he shall tell yow what langage was spoken be-twen the
Duk of %^Suffolkys consell and hym and me. It is to long to wryght, but i
promyse yow ye ar be-hold to ^Jakys, for he sparyd not to spek.
Item, the Kyng rod thorow %^Heylysdon %^Waren towa[r]dys %^Walsy[n]gham,
and ^Thomas ^Wyngfeld promysyd me that he wold fy[[nd]] the menys
that my lord of %^Glowsestyr, and hym-sylf bothe, shold shew the Kyng the
loge @at was broke [[down]], and also @at they wold tell hym of @e brekyng
down of @e plase. Contrary to thys maters and all t[[he]] comfort that i had
of my Lord ^Scalys, Syr ^John ^Wydvyll, and ^Thomas ^Wy[n]gfeld, myn
oncyll ^Wylliam seythe that @e Kyng told hym hys owne mowthe when
he had redyn forby the loge in %^Heylysdon %^Waren that he supposyd as well
@at it myght falle downe by the self as be plukyd downe, for if it had be
plukyd down he seyd @at we myght haue put in ouyr byllys of it when hys
jugys sat on the oyeer determyner in %^Norwyche, he beyng ther. And then
myn oncyll seythe how that he answerd the Kyng that ye trustyd to hys
good grace that he shold set yow thorow wyth bothe @e dwkys by mene of
trete*, and he seyth @at the Kyng answerd hym that he wold neythyr tret
nor spek for yow but for to let the lawe proced; and so he seyth that they
depertyd. And by my trowthe, and my lord Tresorer encorage yow not more
then he dyd vs her, ye shall haue but esy help as on @at party; wherfor
labor your maters effectually, for by my trowthe it is ned, for, for all ther
woordys of plesur, i cannot vndyrstand what ther labor in thys contre* hathe
don good; wherfor be not ouyr swyft tyll ye be swyr of your lond, but labor
sore @e lawe, for by my trowthe tyll that be passyd wyth yow ye get but
esy help, as i can vndyrstand.
I had wyth me on day at dener in my modyrs plase, she beyng owt, the
Lord ^Scalys, Syr ^John ^Wydvyll, Syr ^John ^Haward, ^Nycolas ^Howard, ^John
of ^Parr, ^Thomas ^Garnet, ^Fostwe ^Cheyny, ^Trussell @e knyghtys son,
^Thomas ^Boleyn, $qua $propter, ^Brampton, ^Bernard, and ^Brom, ^Perse
^Howse, ^W. ^Tonstale, ^Lewes de ^Bretayll, and othyr, and mad hem good
cher so as they held them content.
Item, my lord of %^Norffolk gaue ^Bernard, ^Broom, nor me no gownys at
thys seson, wherfor i awaytyd not on hym; notwythstandyng i ofyrd my
seruyse for @at seson to my lady, but it was refusyd, i wot by auyse. Wherfor
i purpose no more to do so. As for ^Bernard, ^Barney, ^Broom, and ^W.
^Calthorp ar sworn my lord of %^Glowsetyrs men, but i stand yet at large
not wythstandyng my Lord ^Scalys spak to me to be wyth the Kyng; but i
mad no promes so to be, for i told hym @at i was not woorthe a groote
wyth-owt yow, and therfor i wold mak no promes to no body tyll they had
your good wyll fyrst; and so we depertyd.
It was told me @at ther was owt a preue* seall for yow to attend vpon the
Kyng northeward, and if it be so i thynk veryly it is do to haue yow fro
%^London be craft, @at ye shold not labor your maters to a conclusyon thys
terme but put them [in] delaye. I pray yow puruey yow on it to be at hom
as sone as the terme is doone, for be God i take gret hurt for myn absence
in dyuers plasys; and the most part of your men at %^Caster wyll deperte
wythowt abod and ye be not at hom wyth-in thys fortnyght. I pray yow
bryng hom poyntys and lasys of sylk for yow and me.
^J. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14690925?>
<N 334>
<L 0>
%^Caystre yelded ^J. ^P.
the obligacion of ^J. ^Gressham of c mrk lefft wyth ^Dawbeneye.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, i recomand me on-to yow. And as for the serteynte*
of the delyuerance of %^Caster, ^John ^Chapman can tell yow how @at we wer
enforsyd therto as well as my-sylf.As for ^John ^Chapman and hys iij
felaws, i have purueyd that they be payid iche of them xl s., wyth the mony
@at they had of yow and ^Dawbeney, and @at is j-now for the seson that
they haue don yow seruys. I pray yow geue them ther thank, for by my
trowthe they haue as well deseruyd it as eny men @at euer bare lyue; but
as for mony, ye ned not to geue hem wyth-owt ye wyll, for they be plesyd
wyth ther wagys.
^Wryttyll promysyd me to send yow the serteynte* of the apoyntment. We
wer, for lak of vetayll, gonepoudyr, menys hertys, lak of suerte* of rescwe,
dreuyn ther-to to take apoyntement.
If ye wyll @at i come to yow, send me woord and i shall poruey me for
to tery wyth yow a ij or iij dayis. By my trowthe, the rewardyng of syche
folkys as hathe ben wyth me dwryng the sege hathe putt me in gret danger
for the monye.
God preserue yow, and i pray yow be of good cher tyll i spek wyth yow;
and i trust to God to ese your hert in some thynggys.
^J. ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14691005>
<N 335>
<L 0>
To my master Syr ^John ^Paston in Flettstret.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, i recomand [me] on-to you praying yow that ye
wyll in all hast send me word how @at ye wyll @at Syr ^John ^Styll, ^John
^Pampyng, ^W. ^Mylsent, ^Nycolas ^Mondonet, ^T. ^Tomson shall be rwlyd, and
whedyr @at they shall sek hem newe seruysys or not, and ^Mathewe
and ^Bedford also, for he hathe be wyth me @is seson and is fro my modyr.
And if so be @at ye wyll haue thes to abyd wyth yow, or eny of them, send
word whyche @at they be; for be-twyx thys and Halowmas my modyr is
agreyd that they shall haue met and drynk of hyr for syche a serteyn wekly
as my modyr and ye and i can acord when we met. Notwythstandyng, if ye
kowd get ^Barney, or eny of thes seyd folkys whyche @at ye wyll not kepe,
eny seruyse in the mene seson it wer more worchep for yow then to put
them from yow lyek masterles hondys, for by my trowthe they ar as good
menys bodys as eny leue, and spescyally Syr ^John ^Stylle and ^John ^Pampyng.
And i wer of power to kepe them, and all thes befor rehersyd, by trowthe
they shold neuer depert fro me whyll i leueyd. If ye send me word that i
shall come to yow to %^London for to comon wyth yow of eny mater, so God
help me i haue neythyr mony to com vp wyth nor for to tery wyth yow
when i am ther but if ye send me some; for by my trowthe thes werkys
haue causyd me to ley owt for yow bettyr then x or xii li. besyd @at mony
@at i had of my modyr, whyche is abowt an viij li. God amend defawtys,
but @is i warant yow, wyth-owt @at it be ^Mathew whyche ye sent woord
by ^John ^Thressher that ye wold haue to awayt on yow, ther is no man @at
was hyryd for the tyme of thys sege that wyll axe yow a peny.
Also i pray yow send downe a comandment to ^Stutvylle or to some
awdytor to take acomptys of ^Dawbneys byllys, for hys executors ar sore
callyd vpon for to admynyster by @e Byshop, or ellys he seythe that he
wyll seqwester. ^Dawbeney set in hys dettys that ye owt hym xij li. and x s.
Whedyr it be so or nowt hys byllys of hys owne hand wyll not lye, for he
mad hys byllys clere or then the sege cam abowt vs.
As for the euydence of %^Bekham, my modyr sent to ^Calle for hem and he
sent hyr woord that he wold make hys acomptys and delyuer the euydence
and all to-gedyr. My modyr hathe sent to hym ayen for hem thys daye. If
she sped they shall be sent to yow in all hast, or ellys and ye send for me i
shall bryng hem wyth me. Send my modyr and me word who ye wyll @at
haue the rwyll of your lyuelod her in thys contre*, and in what forme @at
it shall be delt wyth. I wyll not make me mastyrfast wyth my lord of
%^Norffolk nor wyth non othyr tyll i spek wyth yow; and ye thynk it be to be
don, get me a mastyr.
Dell corteysly wyth the Qwen and @at felawshep, and wyth Mastras
^Anne ^Hawte for wappys tyll i spek wyth yow. Wretyn on Seynt ^Feythys
Euyn.
^J. ^Paston
I pray yow in all hast possybyll send me answer of euery thyng in thys
bylle, for it reqweryth hast.
My modyr had answer fro ^Calle er i had wret thys byll, and ^Call seyth
so @at he may haue swerte* to saue hym harmeles for the anuyte* that he
standyth bownd for, and for the oder mony @at he is suerte* to pay for
^Maryot (i trow it be xv or xvj li.) he wyll delyuer the euydense, or ellys
not. He wyll not haue yow bownd, and as for me i had leuer he wer
hangyd then to be bond to hym. Send me word how thys mater shall
be handyld, and also i pray yow send me tydyng of the Kyng and the
lordys, and of your master, how he is in fauor and ye wyth hym.
By Sent ^George, I and my felawshep stand in fer of my lord of %^Norffolkys
men, for we be thret sore, not wythstandyng the saue gardys @at
my felawshep haue. As for me, i haue non, nor non of your howsold men,
nor non wyll haue; it wer shame to take it.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 146909A>
<N 336>
<L 1>
Syr, i recomand me, &c. And as for ^Maryot, i haue reknyd wyth hym
and payid hym syche mony that he is owyng but v mark for hys anuyte*,
and all o@er reknyngys in-to thys owyr; whyche v mark and as myche
more as ^Calle is bond for as for Halowmes paye is owyng in the same
maner of %^Bekham, and he is agreyid to take it as it may be gadryd. As for
the aqwetans of ^W. ^Bakton and ^John ^Maryot, i spak not yet wyth ^Bakton,
but i purpose to do er then i com in %^Norwyche ayen. As for syche euydens
as ^John ^Maryot hathe of %^Bekham, he wyll delyuer them to me when i com
to %^Bekham, whyche i purpose to take in my wey homward to %^Norwyche.
Item, i send yow closyd her-in the copye of the condycyon whyche ye
be bownd for to ^John ^Maryot.
Item, i can not redyly tell yow what ye be endettyd for ^John ^Maryot,
wher-for i send yow the copy of the byll of hys dettys closyd her-in.
Item, as for Syr ^T. ^Mongomere*s man, ^John ^Maryot seyth that as for the
dett @at he owt to ^Symkyn ^Symondys, husbond to the same woman that
hathe hym condempnyd, he was onys sewyd for it by on ^Gargraue, mastyr,
and in that mater attorny to the seyd ^Symkyn, vp-on whyche swte the seyd
^John ^Maryot was owtlawyd, of whyche owtlawry he hathe hys chartyr
whyche is alowyd not wyth standyng, and ye can agre* for xiij s. iiij d. or for
xx s. ^J. ^Maryot woll well, but he wyll not passe that in no wyse.
Item, in eny wyse remembyr to sew ^J. ^Maryottys chartyr for hys last
owtlawry for hys det to ^John ^Sherman, fyshemonger of %^Norwyche, or ellys
by my trowthe ye do your-sylf a shame and vndo hym.
Item, as for ^Rychard ^Call hathe delyueryd me, as he seythe, all syche
wrytyngys as he had of your, sauyng an endentur of letyng of @e maner of
%^Saxthorp whyche is but a jape; but all that he hathe delyueryd me sauyng
a rentall of %^Snaylewell ar but acomptys and byllys of rekny[n]gys wretyn
wyth hys owne hand, sauyng an old bagge wyth as old wryty[n]gys whyche
be of no substans. And as i trow he hathe delyueryd me a iiij or v coort
rollys of Syr ^J. ^Fastolffys londys, of hys own hand also, and ij or iij rollys
of your owne cortys in dyuers plasys.

Item, as for the letyng me haue knowlage of the areragys of your lyuelod,
he hathe don resonably well hys deuer, as i haue prouyd.
As for hys abydyng, itt is in %^Blakborowgh nonry a lytyll fro %^Lynne, and
ouyr vnhappy sustyrs also; and as for hys seruyse, ther shall no man haue
it be-for yow and ye wyll. I her not spek of non othyr seruys of no lordys
@at he shold be in.
Item, as for ^Dawbneys executors, i spak not yet wyth them for your
oblygacyon nor for hys byllys, but i purpose to tak it in my wey homward.
Item, i send yow her-in a copy of the inventory whyche i mad at my
depertyng fro %^Caster.
Item, i purpose to be at %^Sporle to-morow or on Thorsday, and ther to
se what may be mad of the wood, and he @at wyll geue most for it in hand
and of @e [[...]] yow woord what @at he wyll geue, and tyll i haue answer
fro yo[[w...]] no percillys and [[...]]
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 146912>
<N 337>
<L 0>
To master Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght,.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, i recomand me to yow, &c. It is so @at thys day ther
cam a good felaw to me, whyche may not be dyscoueryd, and let me wet
that my lord of %^Norffolkys consayll hathe thys Crystmas gotyn the two
wydows whoys husbondys wer slayn at @e sege of %^Caster, and haue hem
bowndyn in a gret some @at they shall swe a peell ayenst me, and syche as
wer ther wyth me wyth-in the plase; and they be bownd also @at they shall
relese no man wyth-in the apell namyd tyll syche tyme as my lord of
%^Norffolk wyll lycence them.
Item, the cawse is thys, as it is told me by dyuers, that ye make no more
swte to my lord for your-sylf then ye do, and ther-for they do @e wers to
me for your sake.
Item, ^Sandyr ^Fastolff was her wyth me thys day, and seythe that the
sheryff of %^Suffolk hathe dystreynd hym for isswys that he lost for ^Maryottys
mater of %^Bekham, so that he hathe payid x s. and must pay othyr x s. at
Candylmas, and he thynkyth to be sauyd harmeles by yow ayenst Candylmas,
and to haue recompense ayen of the x s. @at he hathe payid. And also
he preyth yow @at he may haue @e mony at that day at the ferthest, for he
thynkyth @at he hathe deserueyd it in othyr maters.
Item, it is also let me wet @at my lord of %^Norffolk wyll send a man or two
in pesybyll wyse for to entre the maner of %^Gwton, and if so be @at they
that be ther of your men wyll not auoyd possessyon by them, then to send
thydyr mor pepyll so @at your men shall be of no power to a-byd ther
malys. I wyll thydyr my-sylf and ned be, and kep possessyon as longe as i
may.
As for %^Bekham, ^Townysend man and i wer ther yersterday and took
possessyon bothe, for lesse suspessyon.
As for your gowne, your mantyll, crosbowys, and your %^Normandy byll,
^Corby shall bryng hem yow thys week at the ferthest, and i shall send yow
my byllys as hastyly as i can make hem vp, i tryst wyth-in thes iiij dayis.
Item, i pray you labor effectwally for poore ^Pykryng, berer her-of; hys
tryst is all in yow and in non othyr man.
Item, the person of %^Heynforthe is sore trowblyd by ^W. ^Yeluerton for the
oblygacyon of viij li. that he is bownd in, whyche viij li. was payid to ^Call
be-for the makyng of the oblygacyon to ^W. ^Yeluerton, and he hathe hym
at an exigent.
Item, as for my comyng vp to %^London, so God help me and i may chose
i com not ther, for argent me fawlt, wyth-owt a pell or an jnkyr of som
specyall mater of your cawse it.
Item, i pray yow remembyr %^Caleys, for i am put owt of wagys in thys
contre*.
Item, i pray yow send me some tydyngys how the world gothe, $ad $confortandum
$stomacum.
Item, ye must puruey a newe atorny in thys contre* as for me, for ouyr
maters and clamore is to gret and owr purse and wytte to slendyr; but i
wyll rubbe on as longe as i maye, bothe wyth myn owne and othyr menys
@at wyll do for me, tyll bettyr pese be.
Wretyn thys Saterdaye at %^Norwyche.
^J.^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14700123>
<N 338>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull brodyr Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, be thys delyueryd.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow in my best wyse. Lyekyth
it yow to wet that, acordyng to yowyr desyir in dyuers of your lettyrs sent
on-to me, I haue spook wyth ^Heydon for the deed of %^Bekham whyche he
hathe; and he answeryth me that ^John ^Maryot owyth hym xxx li., and
at syche tym as he is payid of that mony he seyth he is redy to delyuer the
deed, and in-to syche tyme as he be payid of @at monye he wyll no deed
delyuer to no man.
Item, I haue spook wyth ^Storour, the vndyrsheryff of %^Norffolk, and am
acordyd wyth hym for all maner of proses a-yenst yow or eny of your
seruauntys tyll the next proses com owt, sauyng for a $fieri $facias is awardyd
owt of the Chekyr vp-on your londys of lviij s. whyche is geuyn to the Blak
Freyrs of %^Oxenforthe. And that haue I fownd swerte* and am bownd to hym
in v mark that he shall be payid by viij dayis aftyr Kandyllmas.
Item, ye must tak good heed that ye and your meen may be in swerte*
wyth-owt arest for the forsybyll entre* thys terme er eny more proses com
owt ayenst yow or them, or ellys they that [[b]]e in thys contre* ar lyek to
be trowblyd hastyly.
Item, yerstyrday ^W. ^Gornay entryd in-to %^Saxthorp, and ther was he
ke[[py]]ng of a coort, and had the tenauntys attornyd to hym. But er the
coort was all doon I cam thedyr, wyth a man wyth me and no more, and
ther be-for hym and all hys felawchep, ^Gayne, ^Bomsted, ^Hoppys, and iij
or iiij mor, I chargyd the tenauntys that they shold proced no ferther in
ther coort vp-on peyn @at myght falle of it; and they lettyd for a season,
but they sye that I was not abyll to make my pertye good, and so they
prosedyd forthe. And I sye that, and set me downe by the stward and
blottyd hys book wyth my fyngyr as he wrot, so that all the tenauntys
afermyd that the coort was enterupte by me as in yowyr ryght; and I
reqweryd them to record that ther was no pesybyll coort kepet, and so they
seyd they wold. ^W. ^Gornay and I dynyd to-gedyr the same daye, and he
told me that he had spokyn to yow of the same mater.
Item, ye must take hed for on ^Reed swyth dyuers of @e tenauntys of
%^Gwton for ocupying of serteyn londys in %^Gwton callyd ^Bullys londys,
and he hathe them at an exigent at thys terme, so @at the seyd tenauntys
dar not paye yow nor ocupye non of the seyd londys, and they wer letyn
for xxx s. be yer and more, and serteyn barly.
Item, the person of %^Heynforth is swyd by ^W. ^Yeluerton, and is at an
exygent also for viij li. whyche he payid to ^Rychard ^Calle. Ye must se that
he be sauyd harmles, bothe for consyens and shame.
Item, I haue thys day delyueryd your mantyll, your raye gowne, and your
crosbowys wyth telers and wyndas, and your %^Normandy byll to ^Korby to
bryng wyth hym to %^London. Item, in eny wyse, and ye can, axe the probate
of my fadyrs wyll to be geuyn yow wyth the bargayn @at ye make wyth my
lord of %^Canterbery, and I can thynk that ye may haue it; and as soone as it
is prouyd ye or I may haue a lettyr of mynystracyon vp-on the same and a
qwetance of my lord Cardnalle euyn foorthe-wyth, and thys wer on of the
best bargaynys that ye mad thys ij yer, I enswyr yow. And he may make
yow a qwetance, or get yow on of the Bysheop of %^Wynchestyr, for Syr ^John
^Fastolfys goodys also; and in my reson thys wer lyght to be browght
a-bowght wyth the same bargayn. And ye purpose to bargayn wyth hym
ye had need to hye yow, for it is told me that my lord of %^Norffolk wyl
entyr in-to it hastyly, and if he so doo it is the wers for yow, and it wyll
cawse them to profyr the lesse syluyr.
Item, I pray yow send me some secret tydyngys of the lyklyod of the
world by the next messenger that comyth betwen, that I may be eythyr
myryer or ellys mor sory then I am, and also @at I may gwyd me theraftyr.
Item, as for Syr ^R. ^Wyngfeld, I can get no x li. of hym, but he seyth @at
I shall haue the fayirest harneys thatt I can bye in %^London for syluyr; but
mony can I non get. I can not yet make my pesse wyth my lord of %^Norffolk
nor my lady by no meane, yet euery man tellyth me that my lady seyth
passy[n]gly well of me allweys. Notwythstandyng I trowe @at they wyll
swe the apell thys term, yet ther is no man of vs jndytyd but if it wer doon
afor the crowners or then we cam owte of @e plase. Ther is now but iij men
in it, and the bryggys alwey drawyn.
No mor, but ^God lant yow, myn her. Wretyn the Twysday nex aftyr
Seynt ^Agnet @e fyrst.
^J. ^P.
Thys day ^Edmu[n]d ^Reed, sowter of %^Norwyche, sone and heyir to ^Red
that swyth your tenauntys at %^Gwton, cam to %^Gwton and as to-morow he
purposeyth to entre ^Bullys londys; but I wyll lett hym and I can, I tryst
to ^God, who preserue yow. And need be I com to yow, or ellys nowt; and
all the lordys com [to] %^London I pray yow recomand [me] to ^John ^Leuenthorp
and ^Penne and all good felaws. Send tydyngys in hast, I pray yow.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14700301>
<N 339>
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow aftyr @e old maner, sertyfying
yow @at I haue comonyd wyth my modyr for your comyng hom, but
I can not fynd by hyr @at she wyll depert wyth eny syluyr for your costys,
for she and hyr cwrate alegge mor pouerte* then euer wasse.
Item, as for your clok at ^Harcortys, it wyll be nye Estern er it be redy,
for ther is stolyn owt of hys chambyr some of the ger @at belongyd therto,
and @at must haue leyser to be mad ayen.
Item, the caryer forgat your byll behynd hym, but it was delyueryd all
to-gedyr; but it shall be browght yow, and @e wyndas wyth @e teler, by
the next caryer, as myn orangys shall com to me, I tryst. Dame ^Elyzabet
^Calthorp is a fayir lady and longyth for orangys, thow she be not wyth
chyld.
Item, I pray yow that ye wyll make aqwetance on-to the person of
%^Mawtby and to ^John ^Seyue as executors to ^John ^Dawbeney, for they wyll
take non admynystracyon of hys goodys tyll they be aqwetansyd of you and
my modyr. Ye maye do it well j-nowgh, so ^God help me, for I wot well ye
owt hym mony and he nat yow, if so be @at he wer trewe when he dyid,
and I wot well we fond hym neuyr ontrew in hys lyue. But hys frendys and
othyr of the contre* putt grett defawt in me @at ther is no-thynk don for
hym, seying that he myght do no more for vs but lose hys lyfe in your
seruyse and myn, and now he is half forgotyn among vs; wherfor I pray
yow let thys be sped.
Item, as for Doctor ^Pykenham, ^J. ^Pampyng can tell yow he is not in
%^Norwyche. When he comyth I shall spek wyth hym and send yow hys
answer.
Item, as for myn oncyll ^Wylliam, I haue grant to haue a byll of hym what
euery thyng lythe for, but all thyng is not yet in rest ayen @at was remeuyd
for the chyrchyng of my Lady ^Anne. As sonne as I haue the byll I shall
send it yow, and hys answer whyche he wyll fyrst haue plegyd owght, and
also whethyr he purposyth to do as he seyd by my graundamys lond.
Item, ^Gefrey ^Spyrlyng hathe ofte spokyn to me to send to yow for to
vndyrstand how ye wyll deell wyth hym for hys place in %^Norwyche, for he
seythe that he had leuer haue your good mastyrshep ther-in then eny
othyr manys good lordshep; for and ye wyll be hys good mastyr he wyll
swe no ferther, or ellys he must.
Item, a[s] for myn old reknyng, I shall make it vp in hast and send it
yow for your bettyr remembrance, for as me thynkyth by your wrytyng ye
haue nye forgetyn it; but I am rype j-now in it for myn owne dyscharge.
Item, I pray yow take in-to your a-ward a short murry jornade of myn
whyche ^Jacobyn, ^Wykys woman, hathe, lest that she be flyttyng and @at it
be exchetyd.
Item, I prey yow send me swyr tydy[n]gys of the world in hast.
As for the Bysheop of %^Wynchestyr, ^W. ^Wyrcetyr told my modyr that
he had takyn charge x dayis or then ^Pampyng cam hom, but he wenyth
that the ^Byshop wyll be a-yenst yow, in so myche that [he] auysyd my
modyr to consell yow that ye shold labor to my lord Cardynall @at @e seyd
Byshop shold not be amyttyd to take admynystracyon.
No mor, &c. Wretyn at %^Norwyche the fyrst daye off Marche.
^J. ^P.
I pray get vs a wyfe somwher, for $'melius est nubere in domino quam
vrere' (capitulo primo).
<C LATIN>
Nouerint vniuersy per presentes me ^J. ^P. mylitem remisisse, &c.,
^Roberto ^Cotteler, persone eclesie de %^Mawtby in comitatu %^Norffolk et
^Johanni ^Seyue de %^Rollysby in eodem comitatu, executores testamenti
et ultime voluntatis ^Johannis ^Dawbeney, armygeri, nuper defuncti, omnimadas
acciones tam reales, &c., quas versus eundem ^Robertum siue
^Johannis ^Seyue habui, habeo, &c., racione alicuius debyti dicti
^Johannis ^Dawbeney iam defuncti mychi dicto ^J. ^Paston debite a
principio mundi vsque in diem, &c. In cuius, &c. Datum.
<C ENGLISH>
As for the yer of @e Kyng, let it be set in; but as for the daye and @e
monyth, let it be owt, for the day must be aftyr @e probate of the wyll
and the admynistracyon takyng. I pray yow let thys be sped in all hast
possybyll, and as for your obligacyon and syche ger as belongyth to yow,
I shalbe swyr of it er they haue the aqwetance.
Item, as for owyr afrayis her, ^J. ^Pampyng can tell yow; but and they get
me ye loose a brodyr, $quod $iuratum $est. It is good to do by the comandment
of your mastyr. Whyll I am so well boryn owte thys my lord of %^Norffolkys
galantys send me woord dayly $ad $confortandum $stomacum. Ye must spek
wyth your mastyr and comon some remedye hastyly, or be ^God I enswyr
yow whyll owyr Dwk is thus cherysheid wyth the Kyng ye nor I shall not
haue a man vnbetyn or slayn in thys contre*, nor ouyr-sylfe nowthyr, as
well ye as I, $quod $iuratum $est onys ayen. The Dwke, the Dwches, and
ther consell ar wrothe that ye make no meanys to them your-sylfe.
Item, I send yow ^Townysendys endentwre by ^John ^Pampyng.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14700514>
<N 340>
<L 0>
To mastyr Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, in hast.
<L 1>
Syr, I recomand me to yow, &c. ^W. ^Gorney and I ar apoyntyd that ther
shall no mony be takyn at %^Saxthorp tyll thys terme be past, for he hathe
promysyd me to spek wyth yow and your consell and @at ye shall tak a wey
be-twyx yow so @at ye shall be bothe plesyd. He had warnyd a coort at
%^Saxthorp to haue be kep vpon Holy Rood Day last past, and ther he wold
haue gadyrd the half yer ferm; but it fortunyd me to be ther er the coort
was half don, and I took syche a wey wyth hym that the qwest gaue no
verdyt, ner they procedyd no ferther in ther cort nor gadyrd no mony
ther, nor not shall do tyll syche tym as ye spek to-gedyr and ye be at
%^London thys term. But and ye be not at %^London I wold auyse yow to
let ^Townysend tak a wey wyth hym, for it lyeth not in my power
to keep werr wyth hym; for and I had not delt ryght corteysly vp-on Holy
Rood Day I had drownk to myn oystyrs, for yowng ^Heydon had reysyd
as many men as he kowd mak in harneys to haue holp ^Gornay, but when
^Heydon sye @at we delt so corteysly as we ded he wythdrew hys men and
mad hem to go hom a-yen. Not wyth-standyng they wer redy and ned had
be, and also my lord of %^Norffolkys men wyll be wyth hym ayenst me, I
wot well as yet, tyl bettyr pesse be.
Item, as for myn ownkyll ^William, I haue spook wyth hym and he seyth
@at he wyll make a byll in all hast of iche percell be-twyxt yow, and send
yow word in wryghtyng how that he wooll deell wyth yow; but I can not
se @at he besyth hym a-bowght it not wythstandyng I call vpon hym dayly
for it.
As for mony, I can non get neythyr at %^Snaylewell nor at %^Sporle tyll
Mydsomer, thow I wold dryue all the catell they haue. I was bond
to the shreuys for grenwax and for a $fyeri $facias @at is awardyd owt of
yowyr lond wyche drawyth in all bettyr than v mark, and I am fayn to
borow the mony to pay it, by @at Lord I beleue on, for I cowd not gadyr
a nobyll of areragys syn I was wyth yow at %^London of all the lyuelod
ye haue.
As for ^John ^Maryot, he is payid of hys anuyte* in-to a nobyll or x s. at
the most but, as for all hys dettors, I can not pay hem tyll I can gadyr more
mony, so God help me. I pray yow send a byll to ^John ^Pampyng that he
may ryed wyth me ouyr all your lyuelood and take a cler reknyng what is
owyng and what @at I haue receyuyd, that ye may haue a cler reknyng of
all that ye owe in thys contre* and what your tenauntys owe yow.
Item, I pray yow send me woord as hastyly as ye can how the world
goothe. No more, but God lant yow, lansman; and rather then to stand in
dowght remembyr what peyn it is a man to loose lyberte*. The Flet is a
fayir preson, but ye had but smale lyberte* ther-in, for ye must nedys aper
when ye wer callyd.
Item, I haue fownd ^Jamys ^Greshamys oblygacyon. Item, he comyth to
%^London ward thys day. Wretyn @e xiiij day of Maye.
^J.  ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14700525>
<N 341>
<L 1>
Ryght worche[p]full syr, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow @at I was
purposyd to haue com to %^London to haue mad my pese wyth my lady of
%^Norffolk, but I vndyrstand she is not in %^London. Notwythstandyng that
is no cause of myn abydyng at hom, but thys is the cause, so God help me:
I can get no mony, neythyr of your lyuelod ner of myn, to pay for my
costys nor for to ease yow wyth at my comyng. Not wythstandyng I am
promysyd som at %^Snaylewell, and if so be @at ^John can take eny ther he
shall bryng it yow wyth @is byll. I send yow her ij of my reknyngys that I
haue receyuyd and payd syn I delt wyth yowyr lyuelod, and by thes ij and
by @at reknyng @at I sent yow to %^London ye may know what is receyuyd
by me, and what I haue payid and howgh; and when so euyr ye wyll let
your tenauntys and fermours at all plasys be examynd, ye shall fynd it non
othyr-wyse. So God help me, as your lyuelod is payid it can not paye your
dettys in thys contre*, for it drawyth vp-on a x li. that ye owe yet in thys
contre* besyd the xij li. to %^Dawbney, and wyth-in thes vij dayis I shall
send yow a cler byll what ye owe, for ther ar axyid many thyngys @at I
knewe not of when I was wyth yow.
Also I enswyr yow by my trowthe I saw my modyr neuyr sorer meuyd
wyth no mater in hyr lyue then she was when she red the byll that ye gaue
me warnyng in that ^Perker had atamyd an axyon ayenst yow and me, for
she supposyth veryly @at it is doon by myn oncyll ^William meanys, to
make yow to sell your lond. But thys she comandyd me for to send yow
word, that and ye sell eny lond but paye your dettys wyth syche good as
my lord Archebyshop owyth yow, and eny law in %^Inglond can put fro yow
eny of hyr lond she sweryth by @at feyth that she owyth to God she wyll
put fro yow dobyll as myche lond as ye selle. And ther-for I wold auyse
yow call sharply vpon my lord @e Archebyshop, for ye ar not bond to vndo
your-sylf for hym.
Item, I pray yow se @at I tak no hurt by ^Parker. As for myn oncyll ^W.,
I can not mak hym to send yow the byll of syche stuff as he hathe of yowyr.
He seythe he woll, but he comyth no[t] of wyth it. He and I ar fowly fallyn
owght thys same day for a mater betwyx ^Louell and ^John ^Wallsam and hyr
sustyr. ^Louell hathe bowt ^Jone ^Walshamys part of hyr lyuelod and maryd
hyr to a knaue, and myn oncyll ^W. hath oft spoke wyth my modyr and me
for to delyuer ^Jone ^Walshamys euydence to ^Louell whyche I haue in
kepyng; and be-cause I wyll not delyuer ^Louell the euydence therfor we
fyll owt, in so myche @at he seyth he wyll stryp me fro the maner of
%^Sweynstho[r]p. Wherfor I pray yow in eny wyse send me by ^John ^Mylsent
a copye of the deed that I sent yow to %^London. Ther is in the same
deed %^Gresham and %^Snaylewell and %^Sporle and %^Sweynsthorp all to-gedyr, I
trow; and I prey yow let the date and the feoffeys namys and all be set
in. And I trust to God to mak yt so sewyr that he shall do me lytyll
harm.
^Gefrey ^Spyrlyng callyth oft vpon me to vndyrstand how ye wyll dell
wyth hym for hys plase in %^Norwyche. I pray you send me woord by ^John
what answer I may geue hym. He delyth alwey ryght frendly wyth yow.
Item, I send yow her-wyth ^Jamys ^Greshamys oblygacyon.
Item, I pray yow send serteyn woord how @e world gothe.
Wretyn @e xxv day of May.
^J. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14700622>
<N 342>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, or to ^Thomas ^Stompys to delyuer to @e seyd +
Syr ^John.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr and my specyall good brodyr, I recomand me to
yow. And for as myche as I can not send yow good tydy[n]gys, ye shall
haue syche as I knowe. It is so @at on Wednysday last past ye and ^J. ^Pampyng
and ^Edmu[n]d ^Broom wer endyttyd of felonye at the sessyons her in
%^Norwyche for shotyng of a gonne at %^Caster in August last past, whyche
goone slowghe two men: ^J. ^Pampyng and ^Broom as pryncypall and ye as
accessary. Notwythstandyng ^Townysend and ^Lomnor hold an oppynyon
that the verdytt is voyd, for ther wer ij of th'enqwest that wold not agre*
to th'endyttment, and in as myche as they ij wer agreyd in othyr maters
and not in that, and that they two wer not dyschargyd fro the remnant at
syche tym as that verdyth of yowyr endytment was gouyn, ther oppynyon
is that all the verdyght is voyde, as well of all othyr maters as of yowyr.
Whedyr ther opynyon be good or not I can not determyne, nor them-sylf
neythyr. I pray yow let not thys mater be slept, for I can thynk that my
lord of %^Norffolkys consaylle wyll cawse the wedows to tak an apell and to
remeue it vp in-to the Kyngys Benche at the begynyng of thys term.
^Townysend hathe promysyd me that he shall be at %^London on Twysday
next comyng, and then ye may comon wyth hym in that mater and take
hys auyse.
Item, ^Townysend and ^Lomnor thynk that and ye haue good consayll ye
may justyfye the kepyng of the plase for the pesybyll possessyon that ye
haue had in it mor then iij yeer. But in conclusyon all thys is doo for nowght
ellys but for to enforse yow to take a dyreccyon wyth my lord of %^Norffolk,
I vndyr-stood by ^R. ^Sothewell, for he and I comonyd in thys mater ryght
largely betwyx hym and me; in so myche he tellyth me that and I be at
%^London in the week next aftyr Seynt ^Petyr, at whyche tyme he shall be
ther hym-sylff, he seyth @at my lady hathe promysyd me hyr good ladyshep
and sent me woord by hym, in as myche as he spak for me to hyr, that she
wold remembyr myn old seruyse and for-get the gret dysplesyr, in syche
wyse that I shall vndyrstand that the swtte @at I haue mad to my lord hyr
husbond and hyr shall torne to your auantage, and myn bothe, more then
we weene as yett or shall vndyrstand tyll syche tyme as I haue spokyn
wyth hyr good grace. And vpon thys promesse I haue promysyd ^Sothewell
to meet wyth hym at %^London that same week next aftyr Seynt ^Petyr;
wherfor I wold passyngly fayne @at ye wer in %^London at @at season, or nye
abowght %^London, so that I myght vndyr-stand at your plase wher @at I
myght spek wyth yow or then I spek wyth my lady.
I purpose to go to %^Canterbery on foot thys next week, wyth Goddys
grace, and so to com to %^London fro thense. I pray yow se @at I be safe for
^Parker and ^Herry ^Colettys mater. ^Sothewell told me thys, that if so be @at
ye wyll your-sylff, ye shall haue bothe good lordshep and ladyshep and
mony or lond or both, and all your maters set cler. What @at he menyth I can
not sey.
As for all othyr maters in thys contre*, I shall do as well as I may, for
fawt of monye, tyll I spek wyth yow. I haue many callers on, as I shall
tell yow when I come.
No more, bot God preserue yow and your. Wretyn at %^Norwyche Fryday
next afftyr Corpus Cristi Daye.
^J. ^P.
I ded as myche as I kowd to haue lettyd th'endyttment, but it wold not be,
as I shall enform yow; and ^Townysend knowyth the same.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14700625>
<N 343>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, or to ^Thomas ^Stomppys to delyuer to the seyd +
Syr ^John.
<L 1>
As I sent yow woord by a lettyr that ^John ^Wymondham browght to %^London,
^J. ^Pampyng is endyghtyd of felony, and ^Edmu[n]d ^Broom as
principallys, and ye as axcessary, for schotyng of a gonne in Awgust last
past, whyche gonne kyllyd ij men; and I trowe that my lord of %^Norffolkys
consayll wyll make on of the wedows, or bothe, to swe an apell vp-on the
same endyghtment thys terme. Wherfor I pray yow se well to thys mater,
that when it is sertyfyid in-to the Kyngys Benche, ^Broom and ^Pampyng
may haue warnyng that they may puruey for hem-self if ther com eny
$capyas owght for hem. ^Townysend can tell yow all the mater.
Also ye must in eny wyse be ware, for my grauntdam and myn Lady
^Anne and myn oncyll ^Wylliam shall be at %^London wyth-in thes viij or x
dayis, and I wot well it is for nowght ellys but to make myn oncyll ^William
swyr of hyr lond. Notwythstandyng, she hath reryd a fyn of it be-for
^Goodreed the justyse in my grauntfadyrs dayis, and my modyr tellyth
me that ye haue the copye of the same fyne. I wold auyse yow to haue it
redy, what so euyr betyd. I trow they wyll be the more besy abowght the
same mater be-cause they thynk that ye dar not com in %^London nor at
%^Westmestyr to lett them. But if so be @at ye haue not the copy of the same
fynne, look that ye spare for no cost to do serche for itt, for it wyll stand
yow on hand, I feell by the werkyng.
Thys day seuennyght I trust to God to be forward to %^Caunterbery at
the ferthest, and vp-on Saterday com seuennygh[t] I tryst to be in %^London,
wherfor I pray yow leue woord at yowyr plase in Fleetstrett wher I shall
fynd yow, for I purpose not to be seyn in %^London tyll I haue spook wyth
yow.
I pray yow remembyr thes maters, for all is doon to make yow to drawe
to an end wyth thes lordys that haue your lond fro yow.
No more, but I pray God send yow your herttys desyir in thees maters
and in all othyr. Wretyn at %^Norwyche the Monday next aftyr Seynt ^John
Baptyst.
^J. ^P.
<T DECLARATION CONCERNING THE ^FASTOLF ESTATE>
<D 14700827>
<N 344>
<L 1>
Be it knowen by thies presentez that where the right reuerend fader in God
^William ^Wayneflete, Bisshop of %^Wynchestre, oone of @e feoffe*s of Ser ^John
^Fastolf, knyght, and also oon of th'executoures of the testament of the
same Ser ^John ^Fastolf, now sole hathe taken vpon hym th'execucion of @e
same testament, and also to parfourme @e wille of @e said Ser ^John as farforthe
as it may be parfourmed of suche maners, londes, and tenementez in
@e counteez of %^Surre*, %^Essexe, %^Norfolk and %^Suffolk and in the citee of
%^Norwich,
and of suche goodez of the said Ser ^John ^Fastolf which may be
obteyned and cum to @e hondys of @e said reuerend fader, I, ^John ^Paston,
sqvyer, son of ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, which ^John ^Paston my fader was also
named oone of @e feoffe*z of @e said Ser ^John ^Fastolf and oone of
th'executoures
of his testament, remembryng the grete busynesse and trowble
which my said fader had in his dayes bothe with @e maners, londes, tenementez,
and goodez of @e said Ser ^John ^Fastolf which haue beene wasted,
expended, and deuowred, the will of @e same Ser ^John in many parties
and most substaunce thereof nott yet parfouremed, trustyng by the grace
of God that @e said reuerend fader wol doo his effectuall deuoure to @e
verry parfouremyng therof in discharge of @e sowle of my fader aforesaid,
and for that @e said reuerend fadere hathe rewarded me to shew my verry
gode will to my power to @e full parfouremyng of @e will of @e said Ser
^John ^Fastolf, promytt by my trouthe and faithe which I owe to Almyghty
God, and also bynd me by thiese presentez, to doo trwe and faithfull
seruyce vnto @e said reuerend fader, and to be aydyng and assistyng to @e
said reuerend fader, his heyres and executoures, and to his college of Saynt
^Marye ^Mawdeleyne sett withoute @e est gate of %^Oxon., and to all officers,
stiwardes, receyuoures, bailliez, and other minystrers, fermers, and tenauntez
of @e said reuerend fader, his heirs and executoures, or of @e said
college and theire successoures, or of any other personez or persone hauyng
any thynge to th'use of the said reuerend fader, his heires or executours, or
to th'use of @e said college or theire successoures, in any of the said maners,
londes, and tenementez, so that @e said maners, londes, and tenementez,
and euery parcell of them, shal now be occupied and leten to theire grettest
profitt and @e rentez and commoditeez of the same truly and dwly gedered
and com to @e handys of @e same reuerend fadere, his heirs and executours,
and to @e handys of @e ministres of @e said college for @e tyme beyng or to
@e hondis of such persones or persone as the same reuerend fader wol
thereto assigne accordynge to the prouysion and ordynaunce of @e same
reuerend fader made or to be made in that behalf. And forthermore I, the
said ^John ^Paston, vpon my said trouthe and faithe promytt and bynd me
by thies presentez to delyuere to @e said reuerend fader, before @e feste of
All Sayntez next foloyng aftere @e date of these presentez, all maner of
chartres, dedes, euydencez, munimentez, court rollez, rentallez, and rollez
of accomptes, skrowes, writyngez, and copiez concernyng or specifiyng any
of @e said maners, londes, and tenementez which I, @e said ^John ^Paston,
or any persone to my vse now haue*; alway foreseen that @is promyss
extende nott to delyuerance of any chartres, dedes, euydencez, munymentez,
court rollez, rentallez, rollez of accomptes, or copiez of them concernyng
sooly @e maner of %^Castre with th'appurtenauncez, which by
couenant made betwene the said reuerend fader and Ser ^John ^Paston,
knyght, brother of me the said ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, most remayne with
the same Ser ^John ^Paston. And if att any tyme aftir @e said fest of All
Sayntez any dedes, chartres, munymentez, court rollez, rentallez, rollez
of accomptez, or copyez, other than soolly concernyng @e maner of %^Castre
with th'appurtenauncez as aboue, com to the hondys of me @e said ^John
^Paston, or of any other to myne vse, I faithfully promytt and bynde me by
thies presentez to make of @em delyuerance to @e said reuerend fader in
all conuenyent hast after thay so com to my hondis.
In witnesse whereof to thiese presentez I putt to my seale. Yeuen att
%^Esshher the xxvijthe daye of August the xthe yere of @e reigne of Kyng
^Edward the iiijthe.
^J. ^Paston
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14701012>
<N 345>
<L O>
To my ryght worchepful modyr ^Margaret ^Paston be thys delyuerd.
Aftyr humbyll and most dew recomendacyon, as lowly as I can I beseche
yow of your blyssyng. Plesyt yow to wet @at, blyssyd be God, my brodyr
and I be in good hele, and I tryst that we shall do ryght well in all owyr
maters hastyly, for my lady of %^Norffolk hathe promysyd to be rewlyd by
my lord of %^Oxynforthe in all syche maters as belonge to my brodyr and to
me. And as for my lord of %^Oxynforth, he is bettyr lord to me, by my trowthe,
then I can wyshe hym in many maters, for he sent to my lady of %^Norffolk
by ^John ^Bernard only for my mater and for non othyr cawse, myn onwetyng
or wythowt eny preyer of me, for when he sent to hyr I was at %^London
and he at %^Colchestyr, and @at is a lyeklyod he remembyrthe me. The Dwk
and the Dwchess swe to hym as humbylly as euyr I dyd to them, in so myche
that my lord of %^Oxynforth shall haue the rwyll of them and thers by ther
owne desyirs and gret meanys.
As for the ofyceys that ye wrot to my brodyr for, and to me, they be for
no poore men; but I tryst we shall sped of othyr ofyseys metly for vs, for
my mastyr the Erle of %^Oxynforthe bydyth me axe and haue. I trow my
brodyr Syr ^John shall haue the constabyllshep of %^Norwyche Castyll wyth
xx li. of fee; all the lordys be agreyd to it.
Tydyngys, the Erle of %^Wyrcestyr is lyek to dye @is day, or to-morow at
the ferthest. ^John ^Pylkyngton, Mastyr ^W. ^Attclyff, and ^Fowler ar takyn
and in the castyll of %^Pomfrett, and ar lyek to dye hastyly, wyth-owte @ey
be ded. Syr ^T. ^Mongomere* and ^Jon ^Done be takyn; what shall falle of hem
I can not sey. The qwen @at was and the Dwchesse of %^Bedford be in
seyntuary at %^Westmestyr. The Bysheop of %^Ely wyth othyr bisheopys ar in
Seynt ^Martyns. When I here more I shall send yow more.
I prey God send yow all your desyirs. Wretyn at %^London on Seynt
^Edwardys Euyn.
Your sone and humbyll seruaunt ^J. ^P.
Modyr, I beseche yow @at ^Brome may be spokyn to to gadyr vp my
sylluyr at %^Gwton in all hast possybyll, for I haue no mony. Also @at it lyek
yow @at ^John ^Mylsent may be spokyn to to kep well my grey horse and
he be a-lyue, and @at he spare no met on hym and @at he haue konnyng
lechys to look to hym. As for my comyng hom I knowe no serteynte*, for
I terry tyll my lady of %^Norffolk com to go thorow wyth tho maters, and
s[[he]] shall not be here tyll Sonday.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14710430>
<N 346>
<L 1>
Aftyr humbyll and most dew recomendacyon, jn as humbyll wyse as I can
I beseche yow of your blyssyng, preying God to reward yow wyth as myche
plesyer and hertys ease as I haue latward causyd you to haue trowbyll
and thowght. And wyth Godys grace it shall not be longe to or then my
wrongys and othyr menys shall be redressyd, for the world was neuyr so
lyek to be owyrs as it is now; werfor I prey yow let ^Lomnor no[t] be to
besy as yet.
Modyr, I beseche yow, and ye may spare eny money, @at ye wyll do
your almesse on me and send me some in as hasty wyse as is possybyll, for
by my trowthe my lechecrafte and fesyk, and rewardys to them that haue
kept me and condyt me to %^London, hathe cost me sythe Estern Day more
then v li. And now I haue neythyr met, drink, clothys, lechecraft, nor
money but vp-on borowyng, and I haue asayid my frendys so ferre that
they be-gyn to fayle now in my gretest ned that euyr I was in.
Also, modyr, I beseche yow, and my horse @at was at lechecraft at the
%^Holt be not takyn vp for the Kyngys hawkys, that he may be had hom and
kept in your plase, and not to go owght to watyr nor no whedyr ellys, but
that the gat be shet and he to be chasyd aftyr watyr wyth-in your plase, and
that he haue as myche met as he may ete. I haue hey j-now of myn owne,
and as for otys, ^Dollys wyll puruey for hym, or who that dothe it I wyll paye.
And I beseche yow @at he haue euery wek iij boshell of otys, and euery day
a peny worthe of bred. And if ^Boton be not at %^Norwyche and ^Syme kep
hym I shall geue hym well for hys labore. Also @at ^Phelypp ^Loueday put
the othyr horse to gresse ther as he and I wer acordyd.
Item, that ^Boton send me hyddyr the two shyrtys that wer in my casket,
and @at he send me hydyr xl s. by the next messenger @at comyth to
%^London.
Item, that Mastress ^Broom send me hedyr iij longe gownys and ij
doblettys, and a jaket of plonket chamlett, and a morey bonet owt of my
cofyr=Syr ^Jamys hathe the key = as I sent hyr word be-for thys.
Item, that syche othyr wryghtyngys and stuff as was in my kasket be in
your kepyng, and @at no body look my wryghtyngys.
Item, that the horse @at ^Purdy hathe of myne be put to some good gresse
in hast.
And if it plese yow to haue knowlage of ouyr royall person, I thank God
I am hole of my syknesse, and trust to be clene hole of all my hurttys wythin
a seuennyght at the ferthest, by wyche tym I trust to haue othyr tydyngys.
And those tydyngys onys had, I tryst not to be longe owght of %^Norffolk, wyth
Godys grace, whom I beseche preserue yow and your for my part.
Wretyn @e last day of Apryll. The berer her-of can tell you tydyngys
syche as be trew for very serteyn.
Your humbylest seruaunt ^J. of %^Gelston
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14710705>
<N 347>
<L 1>
Most worchepfull and my ryght specyall good modyr, as humbylly as I can
I recomand me on-to yow, besechyng yow of youyr blyssyng. Please it yow
to vndyrstand that thys day I spake wyth Bacheler ^Water, whyche let me
haue vndyrstandyng of your welfare, wherof I thank God wyth all my hert.
Also he leet me haue knowlage that the Lord ^Scalys had grauntyd yow to
be my good lord, wherof I am no-thyng prowd for he may do leest wyth
the gret mastyr, but he wold depert ouyr the see as hastyly as he may.
And because he wenyth that I wold go wyth hym, as I had promyseyd hym
euyr and he had kept foorthe hys jornay at that tyme, thys is the cause
that he wyll be my good lord and help to get my pardon. The Kyng is not
best pleaseyd wyth hym for that he desyerthe to depert, jn so myche that
the Kyng hathe seyd of hym that wen so euyr he hathe most to do, then
the Lord ^Scalys wyll sonest axe leue to depert, and weenyth that it is most
be-cause of kowardyese. As for perdon, I can non get wyth-owght I shold
paye to myche money for it, and I am not so purueyd. As for ^Herry ^Hallman,
my brodyr wyll axe hym no syluyr tyll ye be payeyd; therfor ye may
send to hym and haue it.
Item, I am sory that ye haue fadyrd my hors @at was at %^Caster to be my
brodyr ^Edmundys, for I had leueer @at they had hym styll then owght ellys;
wherfor thow they profyr hym yow fro hense foorthe, let not my brodyr
^Edmund take hym but let hym sey, whedyr they wyll let hym haue hym or
not, that I haue promyseyd my brodyr ^Edmund a bettyr hors for hym so
that he wyl not cleyme the same for hys.
As for tydyngys, her be non but @at the Scottys and Walyshe men be
besy. What they meane I can not seye. My cosyn ^John ^Loueday can tell
yow and ther be eny odyr flyeyng talys, for he hathe walkyd in %^London,
and so do not I.
When I may I wyll com hom, wyth Godys grace, whom I beseche to
send you your hertys desyeyr. Wretyn the v daye of Julle.
By your humblest sone and seruaunt ^J. ^P.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14710722>
<N 348>
<L 0>
To my most worchepfull modyr ^Margaret ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryght worshepfull modyr, I recomand me to yow, and as lowly as I can
I beseche yow of your blyssyng. Please yow to vndyrstand that thys
Wednysday Syr ^Thomas ^Wyngffeld sent to me and let me wet that the
Kyng had syngnyd my bylle of perdon, whyche the seyd Syr ^Thomas
delyueryd me; and so by Fryday at the forthest I tryst to haue my perdon
ensealyd by the Chanceler. And soone aftyr so as I can fornyshe me I tryst
to se yow, if so be that eny of the Kyngys hows com in-to %^Norwyche. I
wold fayne my gray horse wer kept in mewe for gnattys.
Also, modyr, I beseche yow that ^Dollys and hys felawe may be sent to
that I may haue my money redy ayenst that I com hom, whyche is dew
to be payid, for thys mater hathe cost me the settyng ouer. Also that it
may please yow that ^Purdy at %^Heylysdon maye be sent to for the horse
that he hathe of myne, and that the horse may be kept well and haue as
myche met as he wyll eate be-twyx thys and @at I com hom; and @at
^Jakys nage haue met j-now also.
Also, and Syr ^Thomas ^Wyngfeld com to %^Norwyche, that he may haue
as good cher as it please yow to make on-to that man that I am most behol[[d]]
to for hys gret kyndnesse and good wyll; for he takyth full my part
ayenst my gretest enmyeys, ^Brandons and hys brodyr ^William. For at my
fyrst comyng to Syr ^Thomas ^Wyngfeld bothe ^William ^Wyngfeld and
^William ^Brandon the yonger wer wyth Syr ^Thomas, and had gret wordys
to my owne mowthe, and in cheff ^W. ^Wyngfeld; and wher so euyr he may
met me on euyn grownd he wyll do myche, but and we met euynly no fors,
so I haue your blyssyng.
I prey yow wyth-owght it be to my Lady ^Calthorp let ther be but fewe
woordys of thys perdon.
No more, but I prey God preserue yow and yours. Wretyn the Wednysday
n[e]xt be-fore ^Mary ^Mawdelen.
By your humblest sone ^J. ^P.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14711028>
<N 349>
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull m[[odyr, as lowly as]] I can I recomand me to yow,
besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng, praying yow to take thys key, and
Syr ^Jam[[ys wyth y]]ow [[and m]]y broder ^E. or ^J. ^Pampyng, and to ondo @e
kofyr @at standith at my bedys feet, and ther jn a ly[[tyll s]]qware box ye
shall fy[[nd two de]]dys wher-of the seallys be wownd in whyght paper;
my brodyr ^E. sye when I wond them vp. The ton [[...begy]]nyth $sciant
&c. $quod $ego ^Matilda ^Bigota, and the todyr begynyth '$sciant &c. $quod
$ego ^Rogerus [[...]]. I [[pre]]y yow let [[them be]] sealyd and sent me by
^Radley wyth  the deedys ther-in. Syr ^Jamys knowyth the [[...]]. But [[if so
be]] that ye fynd not thys box wyth thes two deedys in @at cofyr, then I
prey yow take the k[ey...]]teye of the same cofyr and opyn the cofyr that
standyth in @e vtter chambyr, and ther ye shall fynd [[...de]]edys.
My brodyr Syr ^John recomandyth hym to yow, and besechyth yow of
your blyssyng. And as for hys mater [[ther is yet no conclu]]syon of no
poynt, but I tryst ther shall be wyth-in thes ij dayeys. ^Jenney ^W. trowbly[[th
...my]] brodyrs seruauntys wyth old accyons and all syche thyngys as he
can renew to stoppe the oblygacio[[ns w]]hyche he is bownd in on-to my
broder, but all shall be easeyd, I tryst. As for Mastres ^A. ^Hawlt, the mater
is mevyd [[by dyu]]ers of the Qwenys consayll, and of ferre by ^R. ^Hault;
but he wold it shold be fyrst of ouyr mocyon and we wold [[it]] shold com
of theym fyrst. Ouyr mater shold be the bettyr.
Tydyngys, ther is a generall perdon mevyd whyche my brodyr and I
trystyth to haue the preue[[leg]]e of as soone as it is grantyd, whyche shall
be a-bowght All Halow Tyed at the ferthest. I haue spok wyth my L[[ord
^Ryue]]rs and wyth all myn old aqweyntance, and haue good cheer of theym,
hold as it maye. When we be conclud[[yd in]] eny poynte of ouyr maters
ye shall haue knowlage howhe, to put yow in [[comfo]]rt er we haue eny
[[...]] but in veyn; when we haue comfort ye shall haue parte.
Newe tydyngys, datys v [[...s]]vgyr of iij kwte x d. a li. and bettyr I
tryst. No more, but I beseche God preserue yow and yours. Wretyn on
[[Seint]] ^Symondys Day and ^Jwde.
Your humblest sone and seruaunt ^J. ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 1471>
<N 350>
<L 1>
The very valew of %^Sporle wood passyth not c mark of no manys mony that
I can spek wyth, and to be payid by dayis as the byll that ^Jwde* shall
delyu[[er yow]] rehers, and ther-ayenst ye shold loose iij li. of the ferme of
@e maner yerly, whych standyth by vndyr-wood, and yet the fense must
stand yow on xij mark by the lest wey; but by God, and I wer as ye I wold
not sell it for c m[a]rk more then it is woorthe.
Syr ^John ^Styll recomandyth hym to your good mastyrshep, and seyth
pleynly if ye wyll he wyll com vp to yow and awayte on yow whersoeuer ye
be, coort or othyr. By Seynt ^Mary, he is owyng more mony then I wend,
for he is owyng for a twelmonthe and a quarter at thys Crystmas, sauyng
for hys boord xij d. a wek for iij quarters. And he seythe pleynly that ye and
^R. ^Call bothe bad hym syng styll for Syr ^John ^Fastolf as he dyd be-fore,
but I haue bodyn hym @at he shall get hym a seruyse now at thys Crystmas,
and so he shall wyth-owt that ye send hym othyr-wyse woord, or
ellys that ye or I may get hym som benefyse or fre chapell, or som othyr
good seruyse, whyche I praye yow enqwer for.
Item, and ye werk wysly, your mater myght com in wyth othyr maters of
the lordys in ther apoyntmentys wyth the Kyng, but it wold be labord to
a porpose @is Crystmas whyll ye haue leyser to spek wyth your mastyr.
Item, myn aqweyntans wyth @e Lord ^Reuers is non othyrwyse but as
it hathe ben alweys, sauyng and he go no[w] to %^Portygall to be at a day vp-on
the Serasyns I purpose and haue promysyd to be ther wyth hym; and
that jorney don, as ^Wykys seythe, farwell he. He purposyth to go forward
a-bowt Lent,
But Fortune wyth hyr smylyng contenans strange
Of all our purpose may mak a sodeyn change.
I ensuer yow he thynkyth all the world gothe on ther syd ayen. And as for
my comyng vp at the begynnyng of thys next term, wyth-owt ye send me
othyr-wyse woord @at I myght do yow som good when I wer com, by my
feyth I com not ther, for it shold put yow to a cost and me to a labor and
cost bothe; but [if] ye send for me I com streyght, thow I tery the lesse
whyll ther, and so I shall wyth-owt I may do yow som good, by my feythe.
I purpose to make vp my byllys cler, and send yow the copyse as hastyly
as I can.
Yonge ^Wyseman, othyrwyse callyd foole, told me that Syr ^W. ^Yeluerton
is abowt to make a bargayn wyth the Dwches of %^Suffolk or wyth my lord of
%^Norffolk, whyche he may get fyrst, fo[r] the maner of %^Gwton. I reseyue
all yet, God hold it. I praye yow recomand me to my brodyr ^Molyenewx
and all othyr good felaws.
^J. ^P.
<T VERSES: DRAFT>
<D 1471A?>
<L 1>
My ryght good lord, most knyghtly gentyll knyght,
On-to your grace in my most humbyll wyse
I me comand, as it is dew and ryght,
Besechyng yow at leyser to aduyse
Vp-on thys byll, and perdon myn empryse
Growndyd on foly for lak of prouydence
On-to your lordshep to wryght wyth-owght lycence.

But wher a man is wyth a feuyr shake,
Now hot, now cold, as fallyth by auenture,
He in hys mynd coniecte wyll and take
The nyghest meane to worche for hys cuyre,
More pacyently hys peynys to endure;
And ryght so I, so it not yow dysplease,
Wryght in thys wyse my peynys to apease.

For when I cownt and mak a reknyng
Betwyx my lyfe, my dethe, and my desyer,
My lyfe, alas, it seruyth of no thyng,
Sythe wyth your pertyng depertyd my plesyer.
Wyshyng youyr presence setyth me on fyer,
But then your absence dothe my hert so cold
That for the peyne I not me wher to hold.

O, owght on absence, ther foolys haue no grace=
I mene my-sylf=nor yet no wytt to gwye
Theym owt of peyne to com on-to that place
Wher as presence may shape a remedye
For al dysease; now fye on my folye,
For I dyspeyryd am of your soone metyng
That ^God I prey me to your presence bryng.

Farwell, my lord, for I may wryght no more,
So trowblyd is my hert wyth heuynesse.
Envye also it gremyth me most sore
That thys rwde byll shall put hym-sylf in presse
To se your lordshepe of hys presumptuousnesse
Er I my-sylf; but yett ye shall not mysse
To haue my hert to-for my byll, j-wys.

Whyche I comytt, and all my hole seruyse
In-to your handys, demeane it as you lyst.
Of it I kepe to haue no more franchyse
Then I hertlesse swyrly me wyst,
Sauyng only @at it may be as tryst
And to yow trew as euyr was hert, and pleyn,
Tyll cruell dethe depert yt vp-on tweyn.

[[A]]dew dysport, farwell good companye,
[[I]]n all thys world ther is no joye, I weene,
For ther as whyleom I sye wyth myn jee
A lusty lord leepyng vp-on a grene,
The soyle is soole, no knyghtys ther be seen,
No ladyse walk ther they wer wont to doone.
Alas, some folk depertyd hense to soone.

Som tyme also men myght a wageor make,
And wyth ther bowys a feld haue it tryed
Or at the paame ther ther plesure for to [[take]].
Then wer they loose @at now stand as tyed.
I not wher to thys world may be a-plyed
For all god cher on euyn and on morow
Whyche then was mad now tornyth me to sorowe.

<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14720605>
<N 352>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull brodyr Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow @at, as God
help me, I wend @at ^William ^Barker had ben wyth yow thys Whyghtsontyd
at %^London and browght yow monye, for so he promysyd bothe ^Jude*
and me @at he shold do, and also at hys comyng to %^London @at he shold
make yow ther a clere reknyng what mony he had receyuyd and delyuerd.
And tyll thys day that I spak wyth hys son I wend he had ben wyth yow
be-cause I herd not fro yow the contrary syn ^Jwde* was her. Hys son
hathe promysyd me that he shall be wyth me thys nyght or to-morow at
the ferthest, and if he com syche monye as he hathe I shall cause hym to
send it yow, and a vewe of hys acompte to-gedyr by the next messenger
that we can get to %^London, I promyse yow wyth-owght slawthyng. As for
an hole acompte, ^Gefrey ^Spyrlyng can not charge hym wyth non wythowght
a presedent. I trow ye haue acomptys of %^Wynterton and %^Bastwyk
and %^Runham among your euydence of %^Caster, and if ye send me woord
to look among your euydence for syche I schall, and then we may charge
hym wyth hys hole acompte and I fynd onys a presedent. I haue yesterday
sent to ^Herry ^Hallman to make your money redy a-yenst Mydsomer, and
as sone as I her fro hym ayen I shall send yow suyr woord when ye shall
send to hym for monye and not fayle.
Item, Mastyr ^John ^Smythe tellyth me @at Syr ^T. ^Lyndys goodys ar not
abyll to paye a quarter of hys dettys @at be axyd hym, wherfor syche money
as is be-left it most be devydyd to euery man a parte aftyr the quantyte*,
whyche dyuysyon is not yet mad; but when it is mad he hathe promyseyd
me @at your pert shalbe worthe iij @e best. I meuyd hym to haue sent yow
some monye befor the dyuysyon to haue pleasyd wyth the apotycary and @e
freers for a season, and I haue halfe a promesse that he wyll do so; I ensuer
yow by my trowthe, he nor Syr ^W. ^Marrys shall not forget it for lak of
callyng on. I tryst veryly ye shall haue the most parte @at ye get of theym
wyth-in thes vj dayis, for I fynd Master ^J. ^Smyth well wyllyng ther-to.
Item, as for ^J. of ^Barneys hors, who so haue leest need to hym he shall
cost hym xx mark, not a peny lesse. Ye send me woord of @e maryage of
my Lady ^Jane; o maryage for an other=ouyr norse and ^Bedford wer axid
in the chyrche on Son-day last past. As for my syst[er]^Anne, my modyr
wyll not remeue fro ^W. ^Yelluerton for ^Bedyngfeld, for she hathe comond
ferther in @at mater syn ye wer in @is contre*, as it aperyth in hyr lettyr @at
she sendyth yow by ^Thyrston.
Tydyngys her, my lady of %^Norffolk is wyth chyld, she wenyth hyr-sylf,
and so do all @e women a-bowght hyr, in so myche she waytys the qwyknyng
wyth-in thes vj wekys at the ferthest. Also ^W. ^Gornay wenyth that
^Heydon is swyr of %^Saxthorp and @e Lady ^Boleyn of %^Gwton. ^John ^Osbern
auysythe yow to take brethe for your wodsale at %^Sporle, for he hathe cast
it that it is woorthe as good as ix li. Be war of ^Montayn, for he may not
pay yow so myche mony wyth hys ease.
I prey yow recomand me to Syr ^John ^Parre wyth all my seruys, and
tell hym by my trouthe I longyd neuer sorer to se my lady then I do to se
hys mastershepe. And I prey God that he aryse neuer a mornyng fro my
lady his wyff wyth-owght it be ageyn hyr wyll tyll syche tyme as he bryng
hyr to Ouyr Lady of %^Walsyngham. Also I prey yow to recomand me in
my most humbyll wyse on-to @e good lordshepe of @e most corteys,
gentylest, wysest, kyndest, most compenabyll, freest, largeest and most
bowntefous knyght, my lord the Erle of %^Arran, whych hathe maryed the
Kyngys sustyr of %^Scotlon. Her-to, he is on the lyghtest, delyuerst, best
spokyn, fayirest archer, deuowghtest, most perfyght and trewest to hys
lady of all the knyghtys that euer I was aqweyntyd wyth; so wold God my
lady lyekyd me as well as I do hys person and most knyghtly condycyon,
wyth whom I prey yow to be aqweyntyd as you semyth best. He is lodgyd
at @e George in Lombard Strete. He hath a book of my syster ^Annys of
@e Sege of %^Thebes. When he hathe doon wyth it he promysyd to delyuer
it yow. I prey yow lete ^Portlond brynge @e book hom wyth hym. ^Portlond
is loggyd at @e George in Lombard Stret also.
And thys I promysse yow, ye schall not be so longe a-yen wyth-ought
a byll fro me as ye haue ben, thow I shold wryght how ofte the wynd changyth;
for I se be your wryghtyng ye can be wrothe and ye wyll. Wretyn
the v day of June. As for ^Rysy[n]g, I shall send hym woord to kepe hys
day $crastino ^Johannis.
^J. ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14720708>
<N 353>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull brodyr Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to you, sertyfying yow that I haue
spokyn wyth Mastyr ^John ^Smyth for Syr ^T. ^Lyndys, and he hathe shewyd
me your byll whyche ye axe to be content of. Your byll a-lone drawyth
iiij mark and ode monye, for ye haue set in your byll for wax a-lone xx s.,
whyche to Mastyr ^John ^S. jmagynacyon, and to all other ofycers of the
coort, shold not drawe past xx d. at hys berying. The byllys that be put
in to the coorte of Syr ^T. ^Lynys dettys drawe xxx li. xviij s. vj d., and all
the money that can be mad of hys house and goodys in thys contrey drawyth
but v li. Master ^J. ^Smyth wold ye shold send hym in to the coort an
jnventory of syche goodys as Syr ^T. had at %^London when he dyeid, and @at
jnventory onys had ye shall haue as comyth to your part, and more also.
Ye must send @e serteynte* whedyr the wax be xx s or xx d. And as for the
freers, Master ^John wyll not alowe theym a peny, for he seyth wher @e
dettys may not be payeid, set @e beqwestys at nowght. He is agreid to pay
the potycarye aftyr that he haue @e jnventory fro yow. ^Rysyng I trowe hathe
be wyth yow.
Item, as for ^John ^Maryot, I haue sent to hym for @e xl s., but I haue non
answer.
Item, I haue spok wyth ^Barker, and he hathe no money nor non can get
tyll haruest, when he may dystreyn the cropp vp-on @e grownd. He seyth
ther is not owyng past v mark, and on Saterday next comyng he shall send
me a vewe of hys acompte whyche I shall send yow as sone as I haue it. As
for ^Fastolffys v mark, ^J. ^Wyndham hathe be spokyn to by me half a doseyn
tymys to send to hym for it, and he seyth he hathe doon so.
Item, Syr ^John ^Styll hathe told ^Jwde* when ye shall haue the chalys. Ax
^Jwde* of your crwetys allso.
Item, the prowd, pevyshe, and euyll dysposyd prest to vs all, Syr ^Jamys,
seyth @at ye comandyd hym to delyuer @e book of vij Sagys to my brodyr
^Water, an he hathe it.
Item, I send yow the serteynte* her-wyth of as myche as can be enqweryd
for myn oncyll ^W. cleym in %^Caster. Those artyclys @at fayle, the tenauntys
of %^Caster shall enqwer theym and send to me hastyly. They haue
promysyd and they com ye shall haue theym sent yow by the next messenger
@at comyth to %^London.
Item, my modyr sendyth yow woord that she hathe neyther Master
^Robard ^Popyes oblygacyon nor the Byshopys. Item, my modyr wold ye
shold in all haste gete her aqwetance of the Byshop of %^Wynchester for
Syr ^John ^Fastolff goodys. She preyid yow to make it swyr by @e auyse of
your consayll, and she wyll pay for the costys. Item, she preyith yow to
spek to @e seyd Byshop for to get Master ^Clement ^Felmy[n]gham the viij
mark be yer dwryng hys lyffe that Syr ^J. ^Fastolff be-set hym. She preyid
yow to get hym an asygnement for it to som maner in %^Norffolk or in
%^Lothynglond.
Item, she wold ye shold get yow an other house to ley in youyr stuff
syche as cam fro %^Caster; she thynkyth on of the freerys is a fayir house.
She purposeyth to go in-to the contre* and ther to soiorn onys a-yen. Many
qwarellys ar pyekyd to get my brodyr ^E. and me ought of hyr howse.
We go not to bed vnchedyn lyghtly. All @at we do is ille doon, and all that
Syr ^Jamys and ^Pekok dothe is well doon. Syr ^Jamys and I be tweyn. We
fyll owght be-for my modyr wyth 'Thow prowd prest' and 'Thow prowd
sqwyer', my modyr takyng hys part, so I haue almost beshet @e bote as for
my modyrs house. Yet somer shalbe don or I get me eny mastyr.
My modyr purposeith hastyly to take estate in all hyr londys, and vp-on
that estate to make hyr wyll of @e seyd londys: parte to geue to my
yonger brethyrn for term of her lyuys and aftyr to remayn to yow, pert
to my syster ^Annys maryage tyll an c li. be payid, part for to make hyr
jle at %^Mawtby, parte for a prest to syng for hyr and my fadyr and ther
ancestrys, And in thys angyr betwen Syr ^Jamys and me she hathe promyseid
me that my parte shall be nowght; what your shalbe I can not sey.
God sped the plowghe! I feythe ye must puruey for my brodyr ^E. to go
ouer wyth yow, or he is on-don. He wyll bryng xx noblys in hys purse. My
modyr wyll nowthyr geue nor lend non of you bothe a peny forward.
Puruey a meane to haue %^Caster ayen or ye goo ouyr; my lord and my lady---
whyche for serteyn is gret wyth chyld---be wery ther-of, and all @e housold
also.
If ye wyll eny othyr thyn[g] to be don in thys contre*, send me woord
and I shalldo as well as I can, wyth Godys grace, who preserue yow.
Wretyn the viij day of Julle. I pray yow recomand me to my lord
of %^Aran, Syr ^John ^Par, Syr ^George ^Browne, ^Osbern ^Berney, ^R. ^Hyd,
^J. ^Hoxson, my cosyn hys wyfe ^Kate, ^W. ^Wood, and all. I prey brenne
thys by[ll] for losyng.
Your ^J. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14720921>
<N 354>
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wet @at your
desyer as for the knyghtys of the shyer was an impossybyl to be browhgt
a-bowght, for my lord of %^Norffolk and my lord of %^Suffolk wer agreid more
then a fortnyght go to haue Syr ^Robert ^Wyngfeld and Syr ^Rychard ^Harcort;
and that knew I not tyll it was Fryday last past. I had sent or I rod
to %^Framly[n]gham to warne as many of your frendys to be at %^Norwyche
as thys Monday to serue your entent as I koud; but when I cam to %^Framly[n]gham
and knew the apoy[n]tment that was takyn for the ij knyghtys,
I sent warnyng ayen to as many as I myght to tery at hom. And yet ther
cam to %^Norwyche thys day as many as ther costys drewe to ix s. j d. ob.,
payid and reknyd by ^Pekok and ^R. ^Capron, and yet they dyd but brak ther
fast and depertyd. And I thankyd hem in your name and told them that
ye wold haue noo voyse as thys day, for ye supposyd not to be in %^Inglond
when the perlement shold be. And so they cam not at the sherhous, for
if they had it was thowght by syche as be your frendys her that your
aduersarys wold haue reportyd @at ye had mad labor to haue ben on, and
@at ye koud not bryng your purpose a-bowght.
I sent to %^Yermowthe, and they haue promysyd also to Doctor ^Aleyn
and ^John ^Russe to be mor then iij wekys goo. ^Jamys ^Arblaster hathe
wretyn a letter to the bayle* of %^Maldon in %^Essex to haue you a borgeys ther.
How ^Jwde* shall sped let hym tell yow when ye spek to-gedyr.
Syr, I haue ben twyis at %^Framly[n]gham sythe your depertyng, but now
the last tym the consayll was ther I sye yowyr lettyr, whyche was bettyr
then well endyghtyd. ^R. ^T. was not at %^Framly[n]gham when the consayll
was ther, but I took myn owne auysse and delyuerd it to the consayll, wyth
a propocysion ther-wyth as well as I kowd spek it; and my wordys wer
well takyn, but your letter a thowsand fold bettyr. When they had red it
they shewyd it to my lady. Aftyr that my lady had sen it I spak wyth my
lady, offyryng to my lord and hyr your seruyse, and besyd @at ye to do my
lord a plesur and hyr a bettyr, so as ye myght depert, wyth-ought eny some
specyfyid. She wold not dell in that mater, but remyttyd me a-yen to the
consayll, for she seyd and she spake in it tyll my lord and the consayll wer
agreid they wold ley the wyght of all the mater on hyr, whyche shold be
reportyd to hyr shame; but thys she promyseid, to be helpyng so it wer
fyrst meuyd by the consayll. Then I went to the consayll and offyrd
befor them youyr seruyse to my lord, and to do hym a plesure for @e
haueing ayen of your place and londys in ^Caster xl li., not spekyng of your
stuff nor thyng ellys. So they answerd me your offyr was more then resonabyll,
and if the mater wer thers they seyd they wyst what conscyence wold
dryue hem to. They seyd they wold meue my lord wyth it, and so they
dyd; but then the tempest aros and he gaue hem syche an answer that
non of hem all wold tell it me. But when I axid an answer of hem they seyd
and som lordys or gretter men meuyd my lord wyth it the mater wer your.
Kepe consayle. And wyth thys answer I depertyd; but Syr ^W. ^Brandon,
^Sothewell, ^Tymperley, ^Herry ^Wentworthe, ^W. ^Gornay, and all other of
consayll vndyrstand that ye haue wronge, in so myche that they meuyd me
that ye shold take a recompence of other lond to the valew. But they wold
not avowe the offyr, for I anserd hem that if @ey had ryght they wold haue
ofyrd no recompence. Dyscwyr not thys; but in my reason, and my lord
Chamberleyn wold send my lady a letter wyth some p[[re]]uy tokyn betwyx
theym, and allso to meue my lord of %^Norffolk when he comyth to the
perlement, serteynly %^Caster is yours.
If ye mysse to be burgeys of %^Maldon and my lord Chamberleyn wyll, ye
may be in a-nother plase. Ther be a doseyn townys in %^Inglond that chesse
no borgeys whyche ought to do, and ye may be set in for on of those townys
and ye be frendyd. Also in eny wyse forget not in all hast to get some
goodly ryng, pryse of xx s., or som praty flowyr of the same pryse and not
vndyr, to geue to ^Jane ^Rodon, for she hathe ben the most specyall laborer
in your mater and hathe promysyd hyr good wyll foorthe, and she dothe
all wyth hyr mastresse. And my lord Chamberleyn wyll, he may cause my
lord of %^Norffolk to com vp soner to the perlement then he shold do, and
then he may apoynt wyth hym for yow or @e ferm corn be gadryd. I
profyrd but xl li., and if my lord Chamberleyn profyr my lady the remenaunt
I con thynk it shall be takyn; my lady must haue somwh[[at]] to
bye hyr kouercheffys be-syd my lord. A soper @at I payd for wher all the
consayll was at %^Framly[n]gham ij s. iij d., and my costys at %^Framly[n]gham,
twyis lying ther by viij dayis, wyth ix s. j ob. for costys of @e contre* at
%^Norwyche, drawyth a-bowght xx s., I trowe more, by Ouyr Lady=if it be
lesse, stand to your harmys; and $sic$ remanet v li. xiij s. iiij d.
I axe no more god of you, for all the seruyse @at I shall do yow whyll the
world standyth, but a gosshawke, if eny of my lord Chamberleyns men or
yours goo to %^Kaleys, or if eny be to get in %^London=that is a mewyd hawk,
for she may make yow sporte when ye com in-to %^Inglond a doseyn yer hens,
and to call vp-on yow owyrly, nyghtly, dayly, dyner, soper for thys
hawke.
I pray noo mor, but my brodyr ^E., ^J. ^Pampyng, ^Thyrston, ^J. ^Myryell,
^W. ^Pytte, ^T. ^Plattyng, ^Jwde*, ^Lityll ^Jak, I mastyr ^Boton, and ^W. ^Wood
to boote, to whyche persons I prey yow to comand me; and if all thes
lyst to spek to yow of thys mater when Syr ^George ^Browne, ^W. ^Knyuett,
^R. ^Hyd, or eny folkys of worchepp and of my aqweyntanse be in your
company, so @at they may helpe forthe, for all is lytyll j-nowe and ye be not
very well wyllyng, I shall so puruey for hem, and euer ye com to %^Norwyche
and they wyth yow, that they shall haue as deynte* vytayll and as
gret plente* ther-of for j d. as they shall haue of the tresorer of %^Caleys for
xv; and ye parauenture a pye of %^Wymondham to boote. Now thynk on me,
good lord, for jff I haue not an hawke I shall wax fatt for default of labor
and ded for defawlt of company, by my trowthe.
Nomore, but I pray God send you all your desyers, and me my mwyd
gosshawk in hast; or rather @en fayle a sowyr hawke. Ther is a grosser
dwellyng ryght ouerayenst the well wyth ij bokettys a lytyll fro Seynt
^Elyns hathe euyr hawkys to sell. Wretyn at %^Norwych the xxj day of
September.
^J. ^P.
Rather then faylle a tarssell prouyd wyll ocwpy the tyme tyll I com to
%^Caleys.
<T LETTER IN THE NAME OF JAMES ARBLASTER TO THE BAILIFF OF MALDON>
<D 14720920>
<N 354A>
<L 0>
To my ryght trusty frend ^John ^Carenton, Baylye of %^Maldon.
<L 1>
Ryght trysty frend, I comand me to yow, preying yow to call to your mynd
that, lyek as ye and I comonyd of, it wer necessary for my lady and you all,
hyr seruauntys and tenauntys, to haue thys perlement as for on of the
burgeys of the towne of %^Maldon syche a man of worchep and of wytt as
wer towardys my seyd lady, and al[[so]] syche on as is in fauor of the Kyng
and of @e lordys of hys consayll nyghe abought hys persone; sertyfyeing
yow that my seyd lady for hyr parte, and syche as be of hyr consayll, be
most agreabyll that bothe ye and all syche as be hyr fermors and tenauntys
and wellwyllers shold geue your voyse to a worchepful knyght and on of
my ladys consayll, Syr ^John ^Paston, whyche standys gretly in favore wyth
my lord Chamberleyn, and what my seyd lord Chamberleyn may do wyth
the Kyng and wyth all the lordys of %^Inglond I trowe it be not vnknowyn to
yow, most of eny on man alyue. Wherfor by the meanys of the seyd Syr
^John ^Paston to my seyd lord Chamberleyn bothe my lady and ye of the
towne kowd not haue a meeter man to be for yow in the perlement to haue
your needys sped at all seasons. Wherfor I prey yow labor all syche as be
my ladys seruauntys, tenauntys, and wellwyllers to geue ther voyseys to
the seyd Syr ^John ^Paston, and that ye fayle not to sped my ladys jntent in
thys mater, as ye entend to do hyr as gret a plesur as if ye gaue hyr an c li.
And God haue yow in hys keping. Wretyn at %^Fysheley the xx day of
Septembyr.
^J. ^Arblaster
I prey yow be redy wyth all the acomptanttys belongyng to my lady at the
ferthest wythin viij dayis next aftyr Perdon Sonday, for then I shall be
wyth yow, wyth Godys grace, who haue yow in keepyng.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14721016>
<N 355>
<L 0>
A monser ^J. ^Paston, cheualler.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I comand me to yow, sertyfying yow that ^Pekok
hathe receyuyd of Syr ^John ^Stylle by a bylle all syche stuff as he had of
your; and as for ^Kendallys mater, he hathe doon as myche in it as can be
doon. But as for ^Richard ^Calle, he hathe geuyn hym a pleyn answer @at
he wyll not seale to the lease @at ye haue mad to ^Kendalle, for he seyth he
wottyth not whether it be your wylle or not, notwythstandyng he sye yore
sealle vp-on it. I wold be sory to delyuer hym a subpena and ye sent it me.
I send yow herwyth the endenture betwyx yow and ^Townesend. My
modyr hathe herd of that mater by the reporte of old ^Wayte, whyche
rennyth on it wyth opyn mowthe in hys werst wyse. My modyr wepyth and
takyth on meruaylously, for she seythe she wotyth well it shall neuer be
pledgyd ought; wherfor she seythe that she wyll puruey for hyr lond @at
ye shall non selle of it, for she thynkys ye wold and it cam to yowr hand.
As for hyr wyll, and all syche maters as wer in hand at your last being here,
they thynk that it shall not lye in all oure porys to let it in on poynt.
Syr ^Jamys is euyr choppyng at me when my modyr is present, wyth syche
wordys as he thynkys wrathe me and also cause my modyr to be
dyspleaseid wyth me, evyn as who seyth he wold I wyst that he settyth not
by the best of vs. And when he hathe most vnsyttyng woordys to me, I
smylle a lytyll and tell hym it is good heryng of thes old talys. Syr ^Jamys is
parson of %^Stokysby by ^J. ^Bernays gyft. I trowe he beryth hym the hyeer.
Item, ye must sende in haste to ^W. ^Barker a warant to pay ^John ^Kook
xxxjj s., and to the woman of %^Yermothe for otys x s., and Syr ^John ^Styll
hys money, for they call dayly vp-on it.
Item, I prey yow send me some tydyngys howgh the world gothe, and
whether ye haue sent eny of your folk to %^Caleys. Me thynkys it costyth yow
to myche money for to kepe hem all in %^London at your charge.
Item, whethyr ye haue eny thyng spokyn of my going to %^Caleys.
Item, as for a goshawk or a terssell, I wend to haue had on of yours in
kepyng or thys tyme; but fere fro jee, fer fro hert. By my trowthe, I dye
for defawlt of labore. And it may be by eny meane possybyll, for Godys
sake let on be sent me in all hast, for if it be not had by Halowmess the
seson shall passe a-non. $memento $mei, and in feythe ye shall not loose on
it=nor yet myche wyne on it, by God, who preserue yow.
Wretyn on Seynt ^Mychell Day in %^Monte %^Tomba.
^J. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14721124>
<N 356>
<L 0>
To master Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly
of your dylygence and cost whyche ye had in gettyng of the hawk whyche
ye sent me, for well I wot your labore and trowbyll in that mater was as
myche as thow she had ben the best of the world. But so God help me,
as ferforthe as the most connyng estragers that euer I spak wyth can
jmagyn, she shall neuer serue but to ley eggys, for she is bothe a mwer de
haye and also she hathe ben so brooseid wyth cariage of fowle that she
is as good as lame in boothe hyr leggys, as euery man may se at jee; wherfor
all syche folk as haue seen hyr auyse me to cast hyr in-to some wood wher
as I wyll haue hyr to eyer. But I wyll do ther-in as ye wyll, whedyr ye
wyll I send hyr yow a-yen or cast hyr in %^Thorp wood and a tarsell wyth
hyr, for I woot wher on js. But now I dar no more put yow to the cost
of an hawke; but for Godys sak, and ther be eny tersell or good chep
goshawk that myght be gotyn, that the berer herof may haue hyr to bryng
me. And I ensuer yow be my trowthe ye shall haue ^Dollys and ^Browne
bonde to paye yow at Kandyllmas the pryse of the hawke. Now, and ye
haue as many ladyse as ye wer wont to haue, I reqwere yow for hyr sake
that ye best loue of theym alle, onys trowbyll yowr-syllf for me in thys
mater, and be owght of my clamor.
Item, as for the ryng, it is delyuerd, but I had as gret peyn to make hyr
take it as euer I had in syche a mater; but I haue promyseid yow to be hyr
knyght, and she hathe promyseid me to be more at yowr comandment then
at eny knyghtys in %^Inglond, my lord reseruyd, and that ye shall well
vnderstand
if ye haue owght to do wherin she may be an helper, for ther was
neuer knyght dyd so myche cost on hyr as ye haue doo.
I meruayll that I her no woord of the lettyrs that my lord Chamberleyn
shold send to my lord and my lady for %^Caster. It is best that my lord
Chamberleyn wryght to my lady by som preuy tokyn betwyx theym and
let a man of hys com wyth the lettrys. My lord Chamberleyn may speed
wyth my lady what maters he wyll, sauyng thd gret mater, and if ye inbyll
me for a solysitor, I shalbe a vouster comandment a touz iours.
Item, me thynkyth that ye do euyll that ye go not thorowgh wyth my lady
of %^Suffolk for %^Heylysdon and %^Drayton, for ther shold growe mony to yow
whyche wold qwyte yow ayenst ^R. ^T. and all other, and set yow befor for
euer. I prey yow, for your ease and all others to yow ward, plye thes maters.
As for all othe[r] thyngys, I shall send yow an answer when I com to
%^Norwyche, whyche shall be on Thorsday, wyth Godys grace. I haue teryd
her at %^Framly[n]gham thys s[e]uennyght, for [my] lady took not hyr
chambyr tyll yersterday.
A dewe. Wretyn on Seynt ^Kateryns Euyn.
^J. ^P.
I sye the pye and herd it spek, and be God it is not worthe a crowe. It is
fer wers then ye wend. Be God, it wer shame to kep it in a cage.
<T TO JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D<D 147211LATE>
<N 357>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght.
<L 1>
^Syme recomandyth hym to your good mastyrshep and preyeth yow that ye
wyll not forget, though he be a boye, to let hym were the same lyuere* that
your men do. And if it pleased yow to lete hys gowne clothe be sent hym
hom, that it myght be mad a-yenst your comeing in-to thys contre*, he wold
be as prowd as eny man ye haue.
Syr, as hertly as I can I thank yow for the hatt whyche is comyng, as I
vndyrstand by your wrytyng, sent by ^John the Abottys man of Seynt ^Benet.
My modyr sendys yow Godys blyssyng and hyrs, and preyes yow to get a
new lycence of my lord of %^Norwyche that she may haue the sacrement in
hyr chapell. I gat a lycence of hym for a yere and it is nyghe woryn
ought. Ye may get it for the Byshoppys lyue and ye wylle.
As for the lettyrs that ^Slyfeld shold get newe of the Kyng, whyche ye
shold bryng to my lord of %^Norffolk, it is myn avyse that ye shall come home
your-sylff as hastyly as ye maye so that ye may be at the crystenyng of the
chyld that my lady is wyth. It shall cause yow gret thank, and a gret fordell
in your mater. And as for the lettres, leue a man of your to awayte on ^Slyfeld
to bryng theym aftyr yow; of whyche lettres I avyse yow to haue
on dyrect fro the Kyng to yow, comandyng yow to be the messenger and
brynger of the other lettres to my lord, my lady, and ther consayll, for
your owne mater. And thys me thynkyth shall do well, for then shall ye
mou shewe to my lordys consayll the lettre dyrect to yow, that ye haue
awtoryte* to be your owne solycytour; and also it shall be thought that the
Kyng tendryth yow and your mater, when he wryghtyth to your-sylff for it.
My lady wayteth hyr tyme wyth-in viij dayes at @e ferthest.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14721218>
<N 358>
<L 0>
To my mastyr Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, be thys delyueryd.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, thankyng yow most hertly
of your gret cost whyche ye dyd on me at my last being wyth yow at %^London,
whyche to my power I wyll recompence yow wyth the best seruyse
that lythe in me to do for your plesure whyll my wyttys be myn owne.
Syr, as for the mater of %^Caster, it hathe be meuyd to my ladys good grace
by the Byshope of %^Wynchester as well as he kowd jmagyn to sey it, consederyng
the lytyll leyser that he had wyth hyr. And he told me that he had
Ryght an agreabyll answer of hyr, but what hys answer was he wold not
tell me. Then I axyd hym what answer I shold send yow, in as myche as
ye mad me a solysyter to hys lordshep for that mater. Then he bad me
that vndyr consayll I shold send yow woord that hyr answer was more to
your plesure then to the contrary, whych ye shall haue more pleyn knowlage
of thys next terme, att whyche tyme bothe my lord and she shall be at
%^London. The Byshop cam to %^Framlyngham on Wednysday at nyght, and
on Thursday by x of the clok be-for noon my yong lady was krystend and
namyd ^Anne. The Byshop crystynd it and was godfadyr bothe, and wythin
ij owyrs and lesse aftyr the crystenyng was do, my lord of %^Wynchester
departyd towardys %^Waltham. A lytyll be-for the Byshopys departyng my
lady sent for ^Thomas ^Davers, and ther he spak wyth hyr of dyuers thyngys;
so a-mong all he remembryd hyr of %^Caster, besechyng hyr to be good lady
in that mater as she had promysyd, and as he knewe well that she had ben
in tyme past, for he told hyr that it was a thyng that towchyd gretly the
honour of my lord of %^Wynchester in as myche as he promyseid yow the
pesybyll possessyon ther-of, whyche ye had not as yet. Then my lady
answeryd a-yen that thys next terme bothe my lord and she shold be at
%^London, and she knewe well that soone aftyr that they wer com to %^London
my lord and my lord of %^Wynchester shold meete, and aftyr thys lytyll
aqweyntance heere ther they shold haue more; at qwhyche tyme she
hyr-sylff wold devyse to my lord of %^Wynchester syche a wey to brek in
to my lord of that mater that he shold speed of hys entent. But er euer
^T. ^Dauers wold tell me what hys answer was of hyr, he mad me to be
sworyn that I shold neuer dy[s]couer it but to yow, and @at ye shold kepe
it secrett. And I let yow pleynly weet I am not the man I was, for I was
neuer so roughe in my mastyrs conseyt as I am now; and @at he told me
hym-sylff before ^Rychard ^Sothewell, ^Tymperley, Syr ^W. ^Brandon, and
twenty more, so that they @at lowryd nowgh laughe vpon me.
No mor, but God look. Wretyn at %^Framly[n]gham the Fryday next
aftyr @at I depertyd fro yow. Thys day my lord is towardys %^Walsyngham,
and comandyd me to ouertake hym to-morow at @e ferthest.
^J. ^P.
I prey yow recomand me to mastyr ^Josephe in my best wyse, and ^Sampson
dothe @e same.
<T TO THE DUKE OF NORFOLK: COPY>
<D 1472LATE>
<N 359>
<L 1>
To the right hyghe and myghty prince and my right good and gracious
lord, my lord the Dwke of %^Norffolk
Mekly besechyth your hyghness your poore and trew contynuall seruaunt
and oratour ^John ^Paston the yonger that it myght please your good grace
to call on-to your most discret and notabyll remembrance that lateward,
at the costys and charge of my brodyr ^John ^Paston, knyght, whyche most
entendith to do that myght please your hyghness, the ryght nobyll lord
the Bysshopp of %^Wynchester entretyd so and compouned wyth your lordshepp
that it liekyd the same to be so good and gracyous lord to my seyd
brodyr that, by forsse of serteyn dedys, relessis, and lettrys of attorney
selyd wyth the sealys of your good grace and of other serteyn personys
jnfeoffyd to your vse in the maner of %^Castre, late ^John ^Fastolffys, knyght,
in the conte* of %^Norffolk, my seyd brodyr and I, wyth other enffeoffyd to
my seyd brodyrs vse in the seyd maner, wer peasably possessyd of and in
the same tyll syche tyme as serteyn personys, seruauntys on-to your good
grace, entred in to the seyd maner, and therof haue takyn the jssues
and profitys in the name of your seyd hyghnesse by the space of thre yer and
m[[ore]], to the gret hurt of my seyd brodyr and me, your seyd seruaunt and
oratour. Wherfor, as I haue oft tymys befor thys, I beseche your good
grace, at the reuerence of God and in the wey of charyte*, that my seyd
brodyr may by your hyghness be a-yen restoryd in-to the possessyon of
the sey[d] maner accor[[dyng]] to the lawe and good conscyence. And we
shall prey to ^God for the preseruacyon of your most nobyll estate.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14730308>
<N 360>
<L 0>
A mysyr ^John ^Paston, scheualler, soyt done*.
<L 1>
$w
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow that, in
lyek wyse as I promysyd yow in the lettyr that ^Playter sent yow, I haue
be wyth my modyr, and as well as I cowde, and ^Playter bothe, we aduertyseid
hyr to make cheuesance for the c li.; but we bothe kowde not remeue
hyr fro hyr purpose, whyche ^Playters lettyr specyfyeth. Wherfor looke ye
tryst aftyr non other comfort as for hyr, and so she bad me send yow woord.
As for ^Barker, ^Jwde* can tell yow hys answer. As for ^John ^Kook, ye
promyseid hym payment your-sylff, and to Syr ^John ^Stylle v mark in
partye of payment; and therfor spake I to ^Barker. My modyr hathe sold
hyr barlye for xiiij d., and so I told ^Barker. As for Master ^John ^Smythe, I
meet non ofter wyth hym then I speek wyth hym of it, but I can not geet
yeet; but if I can geet it by eny meane possybyll I shall assay thys week,
for he shall keepe hys coortys heer in %^Norwyche all thys week and the next
bothe. And as for ^Fastolff, I can not do but speke to ^Wymondham, hys
fadyr in lawe, and that do I as ofte as I meet hym; I can no more do.
But as to the gret mater that requyryth an hasty answer lest the kok be
in perayle and that other shold be hyndyrd by reason of my slowthe, I wold
no syche jnconuenyence shold falle thorought me. Me thynkys ^Edmu[n]d
^Fastolff was a resonabyll man to ^Robert of %^Lyne, wherfor let my brodyr
^Edmund swe for the same, for on wyffe may serue for vs bothe tyll bettyr
pesse be. So God help me, ye maye alegge a pleyne excuse, I reke not who
knoweith it, that thees dyrk werrys haue so hyndyrd me that hyr lyuelode
and myne bothe shold be to lytyll to leue at oure ease tyll I wer
ferther befor the hand than I kowde be thys two yer, and she fownd aftyr
hyr honourre and my poore apetytt; wherfor I had leuer forbere that I
wold haue then to bryng hem in peyn that I wold haue. Sey bettyr for me,
for ye can and ye wylle. Thys mater must be honestly handyld, for I wot
well my yong lady of %^Oxenforthe shall heere of it.
We haue here no tydyngys, but a fewe Frenshemen be whyrlyng on the
coostys so @at ther dare no fyshers go owght but vndyr saue condyth.
I prey yow and ye haue eny more orangys then ye ocupye, that poore
men may haue parte for a gret-belyed lady. And we shall prey to God for
yow. Wretyn the fyrst Monday of Cleene Lent, Ao ^E. iiijti xiijo.
^J. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14730326>
<N 361>
<L 0>
To my master Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, be thys delyuerd in hast.
<L 1>
Syr, it is so that my cosyn ^John ^Blenerhasset is enformyd that for verry
serteyn he is chosyn to be on of the colectours of the taske in %^Norffolk,
wher in verry trowthe he hathe not a foot of lond wyth-in the shyer. Wherfor
I beseche yow that as hastyly as ye may aftyr @e syght of thys bylle @at
it may please yow to take the labore to comon wyth Syr ^Rychard ^Harrecorte,
and to let hym haue knowlage @at thys gentyllman hathe nowght
wyth-in the shyer, and @at ye tweyne may fynd the meane to get hym
owght of @at thanklesse offyce; for I promyse yow it encomberthe hym
evyll, and my mastresse hys wyffe and alle vs hys frendys here. And if so
be @at ye and Syr ^R. ^Harcorte may not fynd the meane betwyx yow, that
then it may please yow to meue my lord Chamberleyn wyth thys mater.
And so prayithe yow Master ^Harsset and Mastresse ^Jane hys wyff also,
for she lyekyth no-thyng by the ofyce. It is thowght her amonge vs @at
^Heydons be @e causers @at he was set in. I prey yow enqwer of Syr ^R.
^Harcort who was the cause, and @at it may be wyst in @e next byll @at
ye send me; for if they wer the causers it lythe in my cosyn ^Harsettys power
to qwytte theym.
We haue no tydyngys to send but @at our Frenshemen whyche kepte
our costys her ar home in-to %^France, for lake of vytayll we saye. ^Hogan is
put in @e gyldhalle in %^Norwyche, and shalbe browght vp to %^London for
reportyng of hys old talys; he varythe not.
No more, but I prey God send yow the Holy Gost amonge yow in the
parlement howse, and rather @e devyll, we sey, then ye shold grante eny
more taskys. Wretyn @e day next aftyr Ouyr Lady Day the Anuncyacyon
Ao xiij ^E. iiijti.
Yonge ^Heydon laborythe all @at he can to mary on of hys doughtyr to
yonge ^John ^Barney by @e mean of ^W. ^Calthorpp.
^J. ^P.
*as I was wryghtyng @is bylle Mastresse ^Jane ^Harsset comandyd me
streyghtly that I shold recomand hyr to yow in hyr best wyse, and she
sendyth yow word she wold be as fayne to here fro yow as an other poore
body.
<T TO 'MISTRESS ANNES'>
<D 14740722>
<N 362>
<L 1>
Sythe it is so that I may not, as oft as I wold, be ther as I myght do my
message my-sylff, myn owne fayir Mastresse ^Annes, I prey yow to
accepte thys byll for my messanger to recomand me to yow in my most
feythefull wyse, as he that faynest of all other desyerth to kn[[o]]we of
yowr welfare, whyche I prey God encresse to your most plesure. And
mastress, thow so be that I as yet haue govyn yow bot easy cause to
remembyr me for lake of aqweyntance, yet I beseche yow let me not be
forgotyn when ye rekyn vp all your seruauntys, to be sett in the nombyr
wyth other. And I prey yow, Mastresse ^Annes, for that servyse that I owe
yow, that in as short tyme as ye goodly may that I myght be assarteynyd
of your entent, and of your best frendys, jn syche maters as I haue brokyn
to yow of, whyche bothe your and myn ryght trusty frendys ^John ^Lee or
ellys my mastresse hys wyff promysyd befor yow and me at our fyrst and
last being togedyr, that as sone as they or eyther of theym knewe your
entent and your frendys that they shold send me woord. And if they do
so I tryst sone aftyr to se yow.
And now farwell, myn owne fayir lady, and God geue yow good rest,
for in feythe I trowe ye be in bed. Wretyn in my wey homward on ^Mary
^Maudeleyn Day at mydnyght.
Your owne ^John ^Paston
Mastresse ^Annes, I am prowd that ye can reed Inglyshe, wherfor I prey
yow aqweynt yow wyth thys my lewd hand, for my purpose is that ye
shalbe more aqweyntyd wyth it or ellys it shalbe ayenst my wyll. But yet
when ye haue red thys byll I prey yow brenne it or keepe it secret to
yoursylff, as my feythefull trust is in yow.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14740725>
<N 363>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, or to hys brodyr ^Edmu[n]d in hys absence, +
lodgyd at the George by Powlys Wharff in %^London.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, preying yow to remembyr,
or ye depert ought of %^London, to spek wyth ^Herry ^Ebertonys wiff, draper,
and to enforme hyr that I am profyrd a maryage in %^London whyche is
woorthe vjc mark and bettyr; wyth whom I preyid yow to comone in as
myche as I myght not tery in %^London my-sylff, alweys reseruyng that
if so be that Mastresse ^Eberton wyll dele wyth me, that ye shold not
conclud in the other place thow so wer that ^Eberton wold not geue so moche
wyth Mastress ^Elyzabet hys dowghtyr as I myght haue wyth the other, for
syche fantazy as I haue in the seyd Mastress ^Elyzabet ^Eberton; and that
it lyek yow to sey to ^Ebertons wyff that syche as I spak to hyr of shalbe
bettyrd rather then enpeyryd, as for my part, and if it lyek hyr to deele wyth
me I wylbe at %^London for that cawse only wyth-in xiiij dayis aftyr the
wryghtyng of thys byll, wyth Godys grace, who preserue yow and yours.
Wretyn at %^Norwyche on Seynt ^Jamys Day.
Also, syr, I prey yow that ye wyll, as I desyerd yow, comon wyth ^John
^Lee or hys wyf, or bothe, and to vndyrstand how the mater at the Blak
Freerys dothe, and that ye wyll see and spek wyth @e thyng your-syllf,
and wyth hyr fadyr and hyr modyr, or ye depert; and that it lyek yow to
desyer ^John ^Leeis wyff to send me a byll in all hast possybyll how ferforthe
the mater is and whedyr it shalbe necessary for me to come vp to
%^London hastyly or not, or ellys to kast all at the kok. Also, syr, I prey
yow that ^Pytt may trusse in a male whyche I lefft in your chambyr at %^London
my tawny gowne furyd wyth blak and the doblet of porpyll sateyn and the
doblet of blak sateyn, and my wryghtyng box of sypresse, and my book of
the metyng of the Dwke and of the Emperour; and when all thys gere is
trussyd in the male to delyuer it to the berer herof to bryng me to %^Norwyche.
^J. ^Paston
Item, I send yow herwyth the pylyon for the male and x s. for the hyer,
whyche is vsery, I tak God to rekord. Also that it lyek yow to spek wyth
your apotycary whyche was somtyme the Erle of %^Warwykys apotycary,
and to weet of hym what the wedow of the Blak Freiris is woorthe, and what
hyr husbondys name was. He can tell all, for he is excecutore to the wedous
husbond. I prey yow forget me not, no more then I do yow. I haue spokyn
thys day wyth ^Jamys ^Hubberd and ^Herry ^Smyth, and to-morow I shall
haue an answer of theym. Also, my modyr wyll labore thys mater wyth
effect that the cc mark may be had for the wood.
Also, brodyr ^Edmu[n]d, I prey yow and my brodyr Syr ^John be not in
%^London, that ye wyll labore all thys maters wyth effect, as my trust is
in yow, jn every poynt as is aboue wretyn. Also I assartayn yow that I was
wyth ^Ferrour thys day, and he had no leyser to comon wyth me, but I wyll
be wyth hym ayen to-morow by apoyntment bytwyx hym and me; and so
as I speed I shall send yow woord by the next man that comyth to %^London.
Also, I sent ^John ^Leeis wyff a lettyr by on %^Crawethorn, dwellyng in
Wood Street or ellys in Syluer Street at the end of Wood Street. I prey
yow weet whedyr she had it or nought. And she had it not, brodyr
^Edmu[n]d, I prey yow go to the same ^Crawethorn and tak the lettyr of hym
and delyuer it hyr in all hast.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14750329>
<N 364>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull modyr ^Margaret ^Paston, at %^Mawtby.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all humbyll recomendacyons as lowely as
I can I beseche yow of your blyssyng. Pleasyt yow to wet that late yesternyght
I cam to %^Norwyche purposeing to haue been as thys day wyth yow
at %^Mawtby, but it is so that I may not hold my purpose, for he that shall
pay me my quarter wagys for me and my retenew is in %^Norwyche and
waytyth ourly when hys money shall com to hym. It is oon ^Edmu[n]d
^Bowen of the Cheker, a specyall frend of myn, and he avysyth me to tery
tyll the money be com lest @at I be vnpayed; for who comyth fyrst to
the mylle fyrst must grynd. And as I was wryghtyng thys byll on of the
gromys of my lordys chambyr cam to me and told me that my lady wyll
be here in %^Norwyche to-morow at nyght, towardys %^Walsy[n]gham, whyche
shall I wot well be a-nother lett to me, but I had more need to be otherwyse
ocupyed then to awayte on ladyse; for ther is as yett, I trowe, no
sperre that shall go over the see so evyll horsyd as I am. But it is told me
that ^Rychard ^Call hathe a good horse to sell, and on ^John ^Bocher of
%^Oxborough hathe an other; and if it myght please yow to geue ^Syme leve
to ryd in-to that contre* at my cost and in your name, seying that ye wyll
geue on of your sonys an horse, desyiryng hym that he wyll geue yow a
penyworthe for a peny, and he shall, and the pryse be resonabyll, hold hym
pleasyd wyth yowr payment ought of my purse thow he knowe it not or
hys horse depert fro hys handys. Modyr, I bese[che] yow, and itt may please
yow, to geue ^Syme leue to ryde on thys message in your name, that he
may be here wyth me to-morow in the mornyng betymys; for wer I onys
horsyd I trowe I wer as ferforthe redy as some of my neyghborows.
I herd a lytyll word that ye purposeid to be here in %^Norwyche thys next
week. I prey God it be thys week. Modyr, I beseche yow that I may haue
an answer to-morow at the ferthest of thys mater, and of eny other seruyse
that it please yow to comand me, whyche I wyll at all seasons [be] redy to
accomplyshe, wyth Godys grace, whom I beseche to preserue yow and
yours. Wretyn at %^Norwyche thys Wednysday in Estern week.
By your sone and seruaunt ^J. ^P.
< T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14751010>
<N 365>
<L 0>
To the ryght worchepfull Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, lodgyd at the George by +
Powlys Wherff in %^London.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow that I haue
comonyd wyth ^Barnard and other your wellwyllers wyth my lord of
%^Norffolk, whyche avise me that ye shold for your nyghest meane to get
%^Caster a-yen labore to get a lettre fro the Kyng dyrect to ^R. ^Sothewell,
^Jamys ^Hubbard, and o@er of my lordys consayll being, and to jche of
theym; and in the seyd letter to lete theym haue knowlage that the Kyng
mevyd to my lord of the seyd mater beyond @e see, and hough my lord
answerd the Kyng that at hys comyng in-to %^Inglond he wold meue to hys
seyd consayll of the seyd mater and geue the Kyng an answer. Wherfor
the Kyng in the seyd lettyr must streyghtly charge theym, and iche of
theym, to comon wyth my lord in the seyd mater in syche wyse that the
Kyng may be sertyfyed of an answer fro my lord and theym at the ferthest
by $crastino $animarum, for ^Suthewell nor ^Jamys ^Hubbard shall not be at
%^London befor Halowmass. And thys is the best wey that ye may take, as
we thynk here. My lady sweryth, and so dothe ^Barnard on hyr byhalff,
that she wold as fayne ye had it as eny body; notwythstandyng she seyd
not so to me sythe I cam hom, for I spak not wyth hyr but onys sythe I
sye yow last. Yet she lythe in %^Norwyche, and shall do tyll she be delyuerd.
But I haue be seek ever sythe I cam on thys syd the see, but I trust
hastyly to amend, for all my seknesse that I had at %^Caleys, and sythe I cam
ouer also, cam but of cold; but I was never so well armyd for the werre as
I haue now armyd me for cold. Wherfor I avyse yow take exampyll by me
if it happyn yow to be seek, as ye wer when I was at %^Caleys: in eny wyse
kepe yow warme. I weene ^Herry ^Woodhous nor ^Jamys ^Arblaster ware
never at onys so many cotys, hose, and botewx as I doo, or ellys by God
we had gone therfor. What we shall yet I can not sey, but I bere me bold
on ij dayes amendyng.
My modyr sendyth yow Godys blyssing and hyrs, and she wold fayne
haue yow at hom wyth hyr; and if ye be onys mette she tellyth me ye shall
not lyghtly depart tyll dethe depart yow.
As I was wryghtyng thys lettyr on told me that the Kyng shold be at
%^Walsy[n]gham thys next [weke]; if it be so it wer best for yow to awayte
on the Kyng all the wey, and if ye haue not men and horse j-nowghe I shall
send yow. Do as ye thynk best, and as ye wyll haue me to do send me your
avyse and I shall accomplyshe it to my power, wyth Godys grace, who
preserue yow.
Wretyn at %^Norwyche the x day of October Ao xvo E. iiijti.
^P. ^J.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14751023>
<N 366>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, lodgyd at the George by Powlys Wherff in %^London
<L 1>
Aftyr all dwte*s of recomendacyon, please it yow to vndyrstand that I haue
spokyn wyth my lady sythe I wrot to yow last, and she told me that the
Kyng had no syche woordys to my lord for %^Caster as ye told me; but she
seyth that the Kyng axid my lord at hys departyng fro %^Caleys how
he wold deele wyth %^Caster, and my lord answerd nevyr a woord. Syr
^W. ^Brandon stood by, and the Kyng axid hym what my lord wold do in
that mater, seying that he had comandyd hym be-for tyme to meue my lord
wyth that mater. And Syr ^W. ^Brandon gaue the Kyng to answer that he
had doone so. Then the Kyng axid Syr ^W. ^B. what my lordys answer was
to hym, and Syr ^W. ^B. told the Kyng that my lordys answer was that the
Kyng shold as soone haue hys lyff as that place. And then the Kyng axed
my lord whedyr he seyd so or nought, and my lord seyd yee. And the Kyng
seyd not o woord ayen, but tornyd hys bak and went hys wey. But my lady
told me and the Kyng had spokyn eny woord in the world aftyr that to
my lord, my lord wold not haue seyd hym nay. And I haue gevyn my
lady warnyng that I wyll do my lord no more servys; but or we partyd she
mad me to make hyr promess that I shold let hyr haue knowlage or I
fastonyd my-sylff in eny other servysse. And so I departyd, and sye hyr
not syness nor nought purpose to doo tyll I spek wyth yow.
I prey yow bryng hom some hattys wyth yow, or and ye come not hastyly
send me on by ^Corby, whyche shall com homward on Fryday or Saterday
next comyng at the ferthest, and I shall pay yow for it a comb otys when
ye com hom. My modyr wold fayn haue yow at %^Mawtby. She rod thydyr
ought of %^Norwyche on Saterday last past to purvey your lodgyng redy
ayenst your comyng.
I haue been ryght seek a-yen sythe I wroote to yow last, and thys same
day haue I ben passyng seek. It wyll not ought of my stomak by no mean;
I am vndon. I may not ete halff j-nough when I haue most hungyr. I am
so well dyettyd, and yet it wyll not be. God send yow heele, for [I] haue
non iij dayes to-gedyr, do the best I can.
Wretyn at %^Norwyche the Monday next be-for Seynt ^Simond and ^Jude
Ao E. iiijti xvo.
^J. ^P.
Myn oncyll told ^Calle when he payed hym the money that I had ben at
%^London wyth hym to compasse hym. He ment that I cam thedyr to proue
hys kyndness to yow ward. I prey yow tell hym that I dyd nor seyd to
hym other-wyse then ye desyerd me to do. I promyse yow he is verry
wrothe wyth me, by ^Symys seying.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14760121>
<N 367>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull modyr ^Margaret ^Paston.
<L 1>
Aftyr all dewte*s of recomendacyon, pleasyt yow to weet that as yesterday
att noon my brodyr Syr ^John departyd fro %^Norwyche towardys %^London,
for as now all the sped is wyth the Kyng for the swerte* of the maner of
%^Caster, consyderyng the dyeing seasyd of my lord of %^Norffolk. He trustyth
to be in thys contre* ayen wyth-in x or xij dayes. And at hys departyng he
seyd to me that ye sent hym woord to selle the clothe of gold if he myght
selle it well, whyche clothe I thynk may be sold iff ye wyll agre*. Not
wythstandyng
I wylle make no bargayn for it tyll ye send me woord of the
serteyn some, what ye wyll haue for it or ellys ye to haue it a-yen. Syr
^Robard ^Wyngfeld offyrd me yest[er]day xx mark for it, but I wot well
ye shall haue more for it if ye wyll sell it; wher-for as ye wyll deele in thys
mater I prey yow send me woord to-morow be tymys, for if thys bargayn
be forsakyn I trow it wyll be longe or ye kan get an other bargayn to
selle it eny thyng aftyr that it is woorthe.
Modyr, in as humbyll wyse as I can I beseche yow of your blyssyng. I
trust fro hense foorthe that we shall haue our chyldyr in rest wyth-ought
rebwkyng for ther pleying wanton, for it is told me your ostass at %^Freton
hathe gotyn hyr syche a thyng to pley wyth that our other chyldyr shall
haue leue to sporte theym. God send hyr joye of it. Wrytyn at %^Norwyche
thys Sonday.
Your sone and humbyll seruaunt ^John ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14760123>
<N 368>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, at @e George at Powlys Wharffe.
<L 1>
Aftyr all dewte*s of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to weet that I ensuer yow
your sendyng to %^Caster is evyll takyn among my lordys folkys, in so myche
that some sey that ye tendryd lytyll my lordys dethe in as myche as ye wold
so sone entre vp-on hym aftyr hys dyssease wyth-ought avyse and assent
of my lordys consayll. Wherfor it is thought here by syche as be your
frendys in my lordys house that, if my lady haue onys the graunt of the
wardshepp of the chyld, that she wyll ocupye %^Caster wyth other londys and
ley the defaute on your vnkynd hastyness of entre* wyth-ought hyr assent.
Wherfor in eny wyse gete yow a patent of @e Kyng ensealyd be-for hyrs,
and ye may by eny meane possybyll.
Also, I prey yow comon wyth my lord Chamberleyn for me, and weet
hough that he wyll haue me demeanyd. It iss told me for serteyn that
ther is non hey to gete at %^Caleys; wherfor if I mygh[t] be pardond for eny
kepyng of horse at %^Caleys tyll myd-somer it wer a good torne.
The berer heroff shall com home ayen fro %^London wyth-in a day aftyr
that he comyth thedyr. If ye wyll ought comand hym I prey yow send me
woord by hym hough ye do wyth your maters, and I prey yow in eny
wyse lete me vndyrstand by the berer heroff hough ^Bowen of the Cheker
wyll dele wyth me; vjxx and x li. it is nough, and I wold haue vijxx li. and x
li.,
and I to plege it ought in iiij or v yer or ellys to forfet the maner.
Wretyn at %^Norwyche the Twysday next aftyr your departyng thens.
^John ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14760203>
<N 369>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, at the George by Powlys Wharff in %^London.
<L 1>
Aftyr all dwte*s of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wette that wyth-in thys
owyr past I recey[uy]d your letter wretyn the xxvij day of Januar, by whyche
I vndyrstand that ^Scarlet wold haue an end wyth me; but lesse then xl s.
is to lytyll, for if I wold do the vttermost to hym I shold recouer by the
statwte, I trow, xl li. or more, but lesse then xxxiij s. iiij d. I wyll in no
wyse. And ye may sey that ye of your owne hed wyll geue hym the ode
nobyll of xl s., and if ye haue the v noblys I prey yow let ^Parker of
Flettstret
haue ther-of xxx s., and lete ^Pytte and ^Rychard and ^Edward drynk
the xl d. As for your gownys, they shalbe sent yow in as hasty wyse as is
possybyll.
Thys must be consayll: it is promysyd my lady by my lord Chamberleyn
that the $diem $clausit $extremum for my lord shall not be delyuerd tyll
she be of power to labore hyr-sylff her most auauntage in that mater,
wherfor ye ned not to dele ouer largely wyth th'exchetour. Also consayll:
^Robard ^Brandon and ^John ^Colevyle haue by meanys enformyd my lady
that ye wold haue gotyn %^Caster fro hyr by stronge hand now thys frost,
whyll the mote is frosyn, in so myche that she was purposed to haue sent
thedyr ^R. ^Brandon and other to haue kept the place tyll syche tyme as she
made axe me the questyon whedyr ye entendet that wey or not. And I
auysed hyr that she shold rather sofyr ^R. ^Brandon and hys retenew to lye
in %^Norwyche of hys owne cost then to lye at the taverne at %^Yermouthe on
hyr cost; for I lete hyr haue knowlage that ye neuer entend non entre* in-to
that place but by hyr assent and knowlage, I wost well.
Syr, for Godys sake, in as hasty wyse as is possybyll send me woord how
ye feele my lord Chamberleyn and ^Bowen dysposed to me wardys, for I
shall neuer be in hertys ease tyll I vndyrstand ther twoys dysposysyon.
Also I prey yow let ^Symond ^Dame haue knowlage, as soone as ye haue
red thys lettyr, that I wold in eny wyse that he swe forthe the axions a-yenst
^Darby and other for %^Byskley, notwythstandyng the bylle that I sent hym to
the contrary by ^Edmu[n]d ^Jeney, for ^Darby and I ar brokyn of of our
entrete* whyche was apoyntyd at %^Thettford. God sped yow in thes maters,
and in all other.
Ye send me woord of a good maryage for my syster ^Anne. I prey yow
aspye some old thryffty draffwyff in %^London for me. ^Thomas ^Brampton
at the Blak Fryers in %^London, wyth syche other as he and I apoyntyd, wyll
helpe yow to aspye on for me on ther part. I prey yow @at I may be
recomandyd to hym, and prey hym that he wyll in as hasty wyse as he can
comforte me wyth on letter fro hym and fro the other persone that he
and I comond of; and I prey yow, as ye se hym at the Paruyse and ellys
where, calle on hym for the same letter, and telle hym that ye must nedys
haue on to me, and when ye haue it breke it, and ye lyst, or ye send it me.
<T TO LORD HASTINGS>
<D 1476302>
<N 370>
<L 0>
To my lord.
My most doughtyd and singuler good lord, aftyr most humble and dew
recomendacyon please it your good lordshepp to have knowlage that, accordyng
to your comandement, jn my wey homeward I remembred me
of a persone whyche to my thynkyng is meetly to be clerk of your
kechyn, whyche persone is now in seruyse wyth Master ^Fitzwater, and
was befor that wyth ^Whethyll at %^Gwynes and purveyor for hys house, and
at syche tyme as the Kyngys grace was ther last in hys vyage towardes
%^France. Thys man is meane of stature, yonge j-nough, well wittyd, well
manerd, a goodly yong man on horse and foote. He is well spokyn jn
Inglyshe, metly well in Frenshe, and verry parfite in Flemyshe. He can
wryght and reed. Hys name is ^Rychard ^Stratton. Hys modyr is ^Mastress
^Grame of %^Caleys. And when I had shewyd hym myn jntent he was agreable
and verry glad if that it myght please your lordshepp to accept hym in-to
your servyse, wherto I promysed hym my poore helpe as ferforthe as I
durst meve your good lordshepp for hym, trustyng that I shold have knowelage
of your plesure her-in or I departed towardes your lordshep ought of
this contrey. Wherfor I advysed hym to be redy wyth-in xiiij dayes of
Marche at the ferthest, that if it pleasyd your lordsheppe to accept hym or
to haue a syght of hym be-for your departyng to %^Caleys, that ther shold
be no slaughthe in hym. He desyred me to meve Master ^Fitzwater to be
good mastyr to hym in thys behalve, and so I dyd; and he was verry glad
and agreable ther-to, seying if hys sone had ben of age, and all the seruauntis
he hathe myght be in eny wyse acceptabell to your lordshepp,
that they all, and hym-silff in lyek wyse, shall be at your comandment whyll
he leveth.
And at my comyng hom to my poore house I sent for ^Robart ^Bernard
and shewid on-to hym that I had mevyd your lordshepp for hym, and he
in lyek forme is agreable to be redy by the xiiij day of Marche to awayte
on your lordshepp, be it to %^Caleys or ellys where, and fro that day so
foorthe for ever whyll hys lyff wyll last, wyth-ought grugeing or contrarying
your comandement and plesure in eny wyse that is in hym possibyll
t'accomplishe. I shewed on-to hym that I had preyed Master ^Talbot to be
a mean to your good lordshepp for hym, and if so wer that Mastyr ^Talbot
thought that your lordshepp wer content to take hys servyse then, that it
wold please Mastyr ^Talbot to meve my lady of %^Norffolkys grace to wryght
My most doughtyd and singuler good lord, aftyr most humble and dew
recomendacyon please it your good lordshepp to have knowlage that, accordyng
to your comandement, jn my wey homeward I remembred me
of a persone whyche to my thynkyng is meetly to be clerk of your
kechyn, whyche persone is now in seruyse wyth Master ^Fitzwater, and
was befor that wyth ^Whethyll at %^Gwynes and purveyor for hys house, and
at syche tyme as the Kyngys grace was ther last in hys vyage towardes
%^France. Thys man is meane of stature, yonge j-nough, well wittyd, well
manerd, a goodly yong man on horse and foote. He is well spokyn jn
Inglyshe, metly well in Frenshe, and verry parfite in Flemyshe. He can
wryght and reed. Hys name is ^Rychard ^Stratton. Hys modyr is Mastress
^Grame of %^Caleys. And when I had shewyd hym myn jntent he was agreable
and verry glad if that it myght please your lordshepp to accept hym in-to
your servyse, wherto I promysed hym my poore helpe as ferforthe as I
durst meve your good lordshepp for hym, trustyng that I shold have knowelage
of your plesure her-in or I departed towardes your lordshep ought of
this contrey. Wherfor I advysed hym to be redy wyth-in xiiij dayes of
Marche at the ferthest, that if it pleasyd your lordsheppe to accept hym or
to haue a syght of hym be-for your departyng to %^Caleys, that ther shold
be no slaughthe in hym. He desyred me to meve Master ^Fitzwater to be
good mastyr to hym in thys behalve, and so I dyd; and he was verry glad
and agreable ther-to, seying if hys sone had ben of age, and all the seruauntis
he hathe myght be in eny wyse acceptabell to your lordshepp,
that they all, and hym-silff in lyek wyse, shall be at your comandment whyll
he leveth.
And at my comyng hom to my poore house I sent for ^Robart ^Bernard
and shewid on-to hym that I had mevyd your lordshepp for hym, and he
in lyek forme is agreable to be redy by the xiiij day of Marche to awayte
on your lordshepp, be it to %^Caleys or ellys where, and fro that day so
foorthe for ever whyll hys lyff wyll last, wyth-ought grugeing or contrarying
your comandement and plesure in eny wyse that is in hym possibyll
t'accomplishe. I shewed on-to hym that I had preyed Master ^Talbot to be
a mean to your good lordshepp for hym, and if so wer that Mastyr Talbot
thought that your lordshepp wer content to take hys servyse then, that it
wold please Mastyr ^Talbot to meve my lady of %^Norffolkys grace to wryght
or send to ^Bernard puttyng hym in knowlage that hyr grace is content
that he shall become your menyall seruaunt; wherof he was passyng well
pleasyd. But that not wythstandyng, as I enformed your lordshepp, he is
not so reteyned neyther by fee nor promess but that he may let hym-sylff
loose to do your lordshepe seruyse when ye wyll receyue hym, and so
wyll he do; but your lordshepe so pleasid, leve wer bettyr.
^Rychard ^Stratton told me that whyll he was in servyse wyth ^Whethyll,
^John ^Redwe mocyond hym onys myche aftyr thys jntent, but at that tyme
^Whethyll wold not be so good mastyr to hym as to meve your lordshepe
for hym.
My lord, I trust that your lordshepe shall lyek bothe ther persones and
ther condicyons, and as for ther trowthes, if it may please your good
lor[d]shepe to accept my poore woord wyth thers, I wyll depose largely
for that. And as it pleasyth your good lordshepe to comand me in thes
maters and all other, jf it may please your lordshepe to shewe the same
to my brodyr ^Nessfeld, he knowith who shall sonest be wyth me to putt
me in knowlage of your plesure, whyche I shall be at all seasons redy
t'accomplyshe to my poore power, wyth Godys grace, whom I beseche
longe to contenue the prosperous astate of your good lordshepp.
Fro %^Norwyche the second day of Marche, wyth the hand of your most
humble seruaunt and beedman
^John ^Paston
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 147603?>
<N 371>
<L 1>
Aftyr all dewte*s of recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can I beseche
yow of your blyssyng. The cheff cause that I wryght to yow for at thys
season is for that I vndyrstand that my lady wold be ryght glad to haue
yow a-bought hyr at hyr labore, jn so myche that she hathe axyd the
questyon of dyuers gentyllwomen whedyr they thought that ye wold awayte
on hyr at that season or nought. And they answerd that they durst sey that
ye wold wyth ryght good wyll awayte on hyr at that tyme and at all other
seasons that she wold comand yow. And so I thynk that my lady wyll send
for yow; and if it wer your ease to be here I wold be ryght glad that ye
myght be here, for I thynk yowr being here shold do gret good to my
brodyrs maters that he hathe to sped wyth hyr. Wherfor, for Godys sake,
haue your horse and all your gere redy wyth yow wherso euer ye be, ought
or at home. And as for men, ye shall nott need many, for I wyll come for
yow and awayte on yow my-sylff, and on or ij wyth me. But I had nede to
vndyrstand wher to fynd yow, or ellys I shall happyly seeke yow at
%^Mautby when ye be at %^Freton; and my lady myght then fortune to be ferforthe
on hyr jorney or ye cam, if she wer as swyfte as ye wer onys on Good
Fryday.
And as for the mater in the latter end of my brodyr Syr ^Johnys lettyr,
me thynk he takyth a wronge wey if he go so to werk; for as for the peopyll
here, I vndyrstand non other but that all folkys here be ryght well dysposyd
towardys that mater, fro the hyghest degre* to the lowest, except ^Robart
^Brandon and ^John ^Colvyll. And it is a grete lyklyhod that the grettest body
is well dysposyd towardys that mater, in as myche as they wold put yow to
the labore aboue wretyn; and if they wer not, I thynk they wold not put
yow to that labore.
Also, here was here wyth me yesterday a man fro the Priour of %^Bromholme
to lete me haue knowlage of the ille speche whyche is in the contre*
now of new that the tombe is not mad. And also he seythe that the clothe
that lythe ouer the graue is all toryn and rotyn, and is not worthe ij d.,
and he seythe he hathe pachyd it onys or twyis; wherfor the Pryour hathe
sent yow at the leest to send thedyr a newe clothe a-yenst Estern.
Also, Mastyr ^Sloley preyith yow for Godys sake, and ye wyll do non
almess of tylle, that he myght borow some of yow tyll he may bye some,
and pay yow a-yen, for on the fayirest chambyrs of the Fryers standyth
halff oncouerd for defaulte of tylle, for her is yett non to get for no money.
And the Holy Trynyte* haue yow in kepyng. At %^Norwyche thys Twysday.
Your sone and humbyll seruaunt ^J. ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14760506>
<N 372>
<L 0>
To the ryght worchepfull Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght, lodgyd at the George by +
Powlys Wharff in %^London.
<L 1>
Aftyr all dewte*s of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wet that to my power
ye be welcom a-yen in-to %^Inglond. And as for the castell of %^Shene, ther is
no mor in jt but ^Colle and hys mak, and a goose may get it; but jn no wyse
I wold not that wey, and my modyr thynkyth the same. Take not that wey
if ther be eny other.
I vndyrstand that Mastres ^Fytzwater hathe a syster, a mayd, to mary. I
trow and ye entretyd hym she myght come in-to Crysten menys handys.
I prey yow spek wyth Mastyr ^Fytzwater of that mater for me. And ye may
telle hym, synse that he wyll haue my servyse, it wer as good, and syche
a bargayn myght be mad, that bothe she and I awaytyd on hym and my
mastress hys wyff at oure owne cost, as I a-lone to awayt on hym at hys
cost; for then he shold be swer that I shold not be flyttyng and I had syche
a qwarell to kepe me at home. And I haue hys good wylle it is non jnpossybyll
to bryng a-bowght.
I thynk to be at %^London wyth-in a xiiij dayes at the ferthest, and parauenture
my mastress also, in consayll be it clatryd.
God kepe yow and yours. At %^Norwyche the vj day of May Ao E. iiijti xvjo.
^J. ^P.
<T TO AN UNKNOWN LADY: DRAFT>
<D 1476?>
<N 373>
<L 1>
Mastresse, thow so be that I, vnaqweyntyd wyth yow as yet, tak vp-on
me to be thus bold as to wryght on-to yow wyth-ought your knowlage and
leue, yet, mastress, for syche pore seruyse as I now in my mynd owe
yow, purposyng, ye not dyspleasyd, duryng my lyff to contenu the same,
I beseche yow to pardon my boldness and not to dysdeyn but to accepte
thys sympyll bylle to recomand me to yow in syche wyse as I best can
or may jmagyn to your most plesure; and, mastress, for syche report
as I haue herd of yow by many and dyuerse persons, and specyally
by my ryght trusty frend ^Rychard ^Stratton, berer her-of, to whom I
beseche yow to geue credence in syche maters as he shall on my behalue
comon wyth yow of, if it lyke you to lysten hym, and that report
causythe me to be the more bold to wryght on-to yow so as I do for I
haue herd oft tymys ^Rychard ^Stratton sey that ye can and wyll take euery
thyng well that is well ment; whom I beleue and trust as myche as fewe
men leueing, I ensuer yow by my trowthe. And, mastress, I beseche yow
to thynk non other-wyse in me but that I wyll and shall at all seasons
be redy, wythe Godys grace, to acomplyshe all syche thyngys as I haue
enformyd and desyerd the seyd ^Rychard on my behalue to geue yow
knowlage of, but if it so be that a-geyn my wyll it come of yow that I
be cast off fro yowr seruyse and not wyllyngly by my desert; and that I am
and wylbe yours and at your comandmen[t] in every wyse dwryng my lyff.
Her I send yow thys bylle wretyn wyth my lewd hand and sealyd wyth
my sygnet to remayn wyth yow for a wyttnesse ayenst me, and to my
shame and dyshonour if I contrary it. And, mastress, I beseche yow in
easyng of the poore hert that somtyme was at my rewle, whyche now
is at yours, that in as short tyme as can be that I may haue knowlage
of your entent and hough ye wyll haue me demeanyd in thys mater. And
I wylbe at all seasons redy to parforme in thys mater and all others your
plesure as ferforth as lythe in my poore power to do, or in all thers that
ought wyll do for me, wyth Godys grace, whom I beseche to send yow the
accomplyshement of your most worchepfull desyers, myn owne fayer lady,
for I wyll no ferther labore but to yow on-to the tyme ye geue me leue
and tyll I be suer that ye shall take no dysplesu[r]e wyth my ferther labore.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14770308>
<N 374>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull modyr ^Margaret ^Paston.
<L 1>
Ryght worschepfull modyr, aftyr all dwte*s of recomendacyon, jn as
humble wyse as I can I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Modyr, pleasyt
you to wett that the cause that Dam ^Elyzabeth ^Brews desyreth to mete
wyth yow at %^Norwyche, and not at %^Langley as I apoyntyd wyth yow at my
last being at %^Mawtby, is by my meanys; for my brodyr ^Thomas ^Jermyn,
whyche knowyth nought of the mate[r], tellyth me that the causey or ye
can come to %^Bokenham Fery is so over-flowyn that ther is no man that
may an-ethe passe it, though he be ryght well horsyd; whyche is no mete
wey for yow to passe ouer, God defend it. But all thyngys rekynyd, it
shalbe lesse cost to yow to be at %^Norwyche as for a day or tweyn, and
passe not, then to mete at %^Langely wher every thyng is dere; and your
horse may be sent hom ayen the same Wednysday.
Modyr, I beseche yow for dyuers causys that my syster ^Anne may come
wyth yow to %^Norwyche. Modyr, the mater is in a resonable good wey,
and I trust, wyth Godys mercy and wyth your good help, that it shall take
effect bettyr to myn auauntage then I told yow of at %^Mawtby; for I trow
ther is not a kynder woman leueing then I shall haue to my modyr in
lawe if the mater take, nor yet a kynder fadyr in lawe then I shall haue,
though he be hard to me as yett. All the cyrcumstancys of the mater,
whyche I trust to tell yow at your comyng to %^Norwych, cowd not be
wretyn in iij levys of paper, and ye know my lewd hed well j-nough= I may
not wryght longe; wherfor I fery ouer all thyngys tyll I may awayte on
yow my-selff.
I shall do tonne in-to your place a doseyn ale, and bred acordyng,
ayenst Wednysday. If ^Syme myght be forborn, it wer well don that he
war at %^Norwyche on Wednysday in the mornyng at markett.
Dam ^Elyzabeth ^Brewse shall lye at ^Jon ^Cookys. If it myght please yow,
I wold be glad that she myght dyne in your howse on Thursday, for ther
shold ye haue most secret talkyng. And, modyr, at the reuerence of God,
beware that ye be so purveyd for that ye take no cold by the wey towardys
%^Norwyche, for it is the most peraylous marche that euer was seyn by
eny manys dayes that now lyueth.
And I prey to ^Jesu preserue you and yours. Wretyn at %^Topcroft the
viij day of Marche.
Your sone and humbyll seruaunt ^J. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14770309>
<N 375>
<L 0>
Thys bylle be delyuerd to ^Thomas ^Grene, good-man of the George by Powlys +
Wharffe, or to hys wyff, to send to Syr ^John ^Paston wherso evere he be, at +
%^Caleys, %^London, or other placys.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull syr and my most good and kynde brodyr, in as humbyll
wyse as I can I recomand me to yow. Syr, it is so that I haue, sythe ^John
^Bekurton departyd fro hens, ben at %^Toppcrofft at Syr ^Thomas ^Brewse.
And as for the mater that I sent yow word of by ^Jon ^Bekurton towchyng
my-sylff and Mastress ^Margery ^Brews, I am yet at no serteynte*, hyr fadyr
is so hard; but I trow I haue the good wyll of my lady hyr modyr and hyr.
But as the mater provyth I shall send yow woord, wyth Godys grace, in
short tyme. But as for ^John ^Bekurton, I prey yow dele wyth hym for suerte*
as a soudyor shold be delt wyth. Trust hym never the more for the bylle
that I sent yow by hym, but as a man at wylde, for euery thyng that he
told me is not trewe; for he departyd wyth-ought lycence of hys mastyr
Syr ^Thomas ^Brewse, and is fere endangeryd to dyuers in thys contrey. I
prey God that I wryht not to yow of hym to late; but for all thys I knowe
non vntrowthe in hym, but yet I prey yow trust hym not ouer myche,
vpon my woord.
Syr, ^Perse ^Mody recomandyth hym to your mastyrshep and besecheth
yow to send hym word in hast hough he shall be demeanyd at your place
at %^Caster, for he is asygnyd to no body as yet to take of mete and drynk, nor
yet wher @at he shall haue money to paye for hys mete and drynk; and now
is the cheff replenysheing of your waren there the auauntage of the dove
howse wer well for hym tyll ye come hom your-sylff.
Syr, I prey yow pardon me of my wryghtyng, hough so ever it be, for
carpenters of my crafte that I vse now haue not alderbest ther wyttys ther
owne. And ^Jesu preserue yow. Wretyn at %^Norwyche the ix day of Marche
Ao. E. iiijti septimodecymo.
^J. ^P.
<T MEMORANDUM OF MARRIAGE TERMS: DRAFT>
<D 1477>
<N 376>
<L 1>
Memorandum to let my cosyn ^Margaret ^Paston vndyrstand that for a jonter
to be mad in %^Sweynsthorp in hand, and for a jontore of no more but x mark
ought of %^Sparham, I wylle depart wyth cc mark in hand, and to geue
theym ther boord free as for ij or iij yer in serteyn, or ellys ccc mark
wythought
ther boord payable by l mark yerly tyll the some of ccc mark be full
payed.
Item, I wyll geve cccc mark, payable l li. in hand at the day of maryage
and l li. yerly tyll the some of cccc mark be full payed, vpon thes condycyons
folowing:
wher-of on condycyon is thys, that I wyll lend my cosyn ^John ^Paston
vjxx li. besyd hys maryage money to pledge ought the maner of %^Sweynsthorp
so that he may fynd syche a frend as wyll paye me a-yen the seyd
vjxx li. by xx mark a yer, so that it be not payed of the maryage money nor
of the propre goodys of my seyd cosyn ^John;
or ellys an other condycyon is thys: if it be so that my seyd cosyn ^John
may be suffred fro the day of hys maryage to my doughter to take the hole
profites of the maner of %^Sparham besyde the maner of %^Sweynsthorp for
terme of ther two lyves and the longest of theym leveing, yet wyll I be
agreable to depart wyth the seyd cccc mark, payable a-yen in forme
above seyd. And if thes or eny of the conclusyons may be takyn, I am
agreable to make the bargayn swer, or ellys no more to be spokyn of.
<T MEMORANDUM ON MARRIAGE NEGOTIATIONS>
<D 1477>
<N 377>
<L 1>
Memorandum to kepe secret fro my moder that the bargayn is full concludyd.
Item, to let hyr haue fyrst knowlage that in the chapell, wher as ye wold
had ben no book nye by x myle, that when Mastyr ^Brews seyd that he wold
shortly haue eyther more lond in joyntour then %^Sweynsthorp and x ma[r]k
ought of %^Sparham, or ellys that some frend of myne shold paye the vjxx li.
so that it shold not be payed of the maryage money, that then I sware on
a book to hym that I wold never of my mocyon endanger moder nor broder
ferther then I had done, for I thought that my modyr had done myche
for me to geue me the maner of %^Sparham in syche forme as she had
done, but Mastyr ^Breus wyll not agre* wyth-ought that my mastress hys
doughter and I be mad swer of it now in hand, and that we may take the
hole profytes what so euer fortune.
Item, to enforme my moder that, if so be that we may be pute in
possessyon of all the hole maner duryng oure two lyues and the lengest of
vs leveing, @at then Mastyr ^Brews wyll geve me in maryage wyth my
mastresse hys doughter cccc markys, payable in hand l li.; and so yerly
l li. tyll the some of cccc mark be full payed.
Item, that wher as he had leyd vp c li. for the maryage of a yonger
doughter of hys, he wylle lend me the same c li. and xx li. more to pledge
ought my lond, and he to be payed ayen hys c li. and xx li. by x li. by yer.
Item, to avyse my modyr that she brek not for the yerly valew of %^Sparham
aboue the x mark dwryng hyr lyve.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 1477>
<N 378>
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull and my most good and kynd moder, in as humbyll wyse
as I can or may I recomand me to yow and beseche yow of your dayly
blyssyng. Moder, please it yow to vndyrstand that tyll thys day Dame
^Elyzabeth ^Brews hathe ben so syke that she myght nevyr, sythe she cam
to %^Salle, haue leyser to comon of my mater wyth Master ^Brews tyll thys
day; and thys day wyth gret peyn, I thynk the rather because ^Heydon was
ther, the mater was comond. But other answer than she hathe sent yow in
hyr lettre closed her-in can she not haue of hyr husbond; wherfor modyr,
if it please yow, myn advyse is to send hyr answer a-yen in thys forme
folowing, of some other manys hand:
Ryght worchepfull and my verry good lady and cosyn, as hertly as I can
I recomand me to yow. And, madam, I am ryght sory, if it myght be
otherwyse, of the dysease as I vndyrstand by the berer herof that my
cosyn your husbond and ye also haue had a season, whyche I prey God
soone to redresse to your bothe easeis. And, madam, I thank yow hertly
that ye haue remembred the mater to my cosyn your husbond that I spak
wyth yow of at syche tyme as I was last wyth yow at %^Norwyche, to my
gret comfort. And j-wyse, madam, I am ryght sory that ^John ^Paston is
no more fortunate then he is in that mater; for, as I vndyrstand by your
lettyr, my cosyn your husbond wyll geue but an c li., whyche is no
money lyek for syche a joyntore as is desyred of my son, thow hys
possybylyte* wer ryght easy. But, madam, when I mad that large grant
in the maner of %^Sperham that I haue mad to hym and my cosyn your
doughter, he told me of an other some that he shold haue wyth hyr then,
of an c li. He hathe befor thys be wont to tell me non vntrowthe, and
what I shall deme in thys mater I can not sey; for me thynkyth, if more
then an c li. wer promysed on-to hym by my cosyn your husbond and
yow, that ye wold not lett to geve it hym wyth-ought so wer that I or
he abryggyd eny thyng of ouyr promess, whyche I wot well neyther I
nor he intend to do, if I may vndyrstand that hys seying to me was
trowthe and that it may be parformyd. But wyst I that he told me otherwyse
then my cosyn your husbond and ye promysed hym, to deseyue me
of %^Sparham, by my trowthe thow he haue it he shall lese as myche for it,
jff I leve, and that shall he well vndyrstand the next tyme I se hym. And,
madam, I prey God send vs good of thys mater, for as for hys broder Syr
^John also, I sent ones to hym for it to haue mad good the same
graunt that I grauntyd yow wyth hys assent to them and to ther issu
of ther ij bodyes lawfully comyng, and he dyd not ther-in as I desyred
hym; and ther-for I prey yow pardon me for sendyng on-to hym eny
more, for, madam, he is my sone and I can not fynd in my hert to becom
a dayly petycyoner of hys sythe he hathe denyed me onys myn axing.
Parauenture he had ben better to haue parformyd my desyer; and what
hys answer was vn-to me ^John ^Paston can tell yow as well as I. But.
madam, ye ar a moder as well as I, wher I prey tak it non other-wyse
bot well that I may not do by ^John ^Paston as ye wyll haue me to do;
for, madam, thow I wold he dyd well, I haue to purvey for more of my
chylder then hym, of whyche some be of that age that they can tell me
well j-now that I dele not evenly wyth theym, to geve ^John ^Paston so
large and theym so lytyll. And, madam, for syche grwgys and other
causys I am ryght sory that the graunte is knowyn that I haue mad
wyth-ought it myght take effect.
And therfor, madam, fro hensforthe I remyght all thyng to yowr
dyscressyon, besechyng yow the rather for my sake to be my son ^Johnis
good lady. And I prey God preserue yow to hys plesure, send yow hastyly
yowr hele a-yen, and my cosyn your husbond also, to whom I prey yow
that I may hertly be recomandyd, and to my cosyns ^Margery and
^Margaret ^Byllyngforthe. Wretyn at %^Mawtby on Seynt ^Petrys Day.
Your ^Margaret ^Paston
An other lettyr to me that I may shewe.
I gret yow well and send you Godys blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wet
that I vndyrstand well by my cosyn Dame ^Elyzabeth ^Brewsys
lettyr, whyche I send yow her-wyth wherby ye may vndyrstand the
same, that they entend not to parforme thos proferys that ye told
me they promysyd yow, trustyng that ye told me non other-wyse then was
promysed yow; wherfor I charge yow on my blyssyng that ye be well
ware how ye bestow your mynd wyth-ought ye haue a substance whervpon
to leve, for I wold be sory to wet yow myscary, for if ye do in
your defawt looke neuer aftyr helpe of me. And also I wold be as sory
for hyr as for eny genty[l]woman leveing, jn good feythe; wherfor I
warne yow be ware in eny wyse, and look ye be at %^Mawtby wyth me as
hastyly as ye can, and then I shall tell yow more.
And God kepe yow. Wretyn at %^Mawtby on Seynt ^Petrys Day.
Your modyr ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14780121>
<N 379>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull broder Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght.
<L 1>
Syr, aftyr all dute*s of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to vndyrstand that I
haue comond wyth dyuers folkys of the Dwk of %^Suffolk now thys Crystmass
and sythen, whyche let me in secret wyse haue knowlage, lyek as I wrott
on-to yow, that he must mak a shefft for money, and that in all hast.
Wherfor, syr, at the reuerence of God, let it not be lachesyd, but wyth effect
aplyed now whyll he is in %^London, and my lady hys wyff also; for I assarteyn
yow that c mark wyll do more now in ther need then ye shall
parauenture do wyth cc markys in tyme comyng and thys season be not
takyn. And alweys fynd the meane that my lady of %^Suffolk and Syr ^R.
^Chamberleyn may be your gwyd in thys mater, for as for my lord he
nedyth not to be mevyd wyth it tyll it shold be as good as redy to the
sealyng.
Syr, lyeketh yow also to remember that I told yow that Mastyr ^Yotton
had, as I cam last towardys %^London, desyred me by a lettre of attorney
wryttyn wyth hys owne hand to se th'enprowment of syche profytes as ar
growing of hys chapell in %^Caster that ye gaue hym. And at syche season
as I told yow of it ye seyd on-to me that ye wold asay to make a bargayn
wyth hym so that ye myght haue a prest to syng in %^Caster. Syr, me thynk
ye can not haue so good a season to meve hym wyth it as now thys parlement
tyme, for now I thynk he shalbe awaytyng on the Quen. And also, if
ye myght compone wyth hym or he wyst what the valew wer, it wer the
better. And I haue promysed hym to send hym woord thys terme of the
verry valew of it, and also syche money as I cowd gader of it. Wherfor, syr,
I prey yow that by the next messenger that ye can get to ^Pekok that ye wyll
send hym woord to paye me for the lond in xxx acres, as it hathe ben
answerd befor tym.
And as for tydyngys here, we haue non, but we wold fayne here of all
your royalte* at %^London, as of the maryage of my lord of %^York and other
parlement mater; and so I prey yow that I may doo when ye haue leyser.
Syr, I prey yow that ^Whetley may haue knowlage that my broder
^Yeluerton hathe promysed me to take hym xl d. he owyth me by reason of
hys fermore at %^Caster more then that.
And syr, as for my huswyff, I am fayne to cary hyr to se hyr fadyr and
hyr frendys now thys wynter, for I trow she wyll be ought of facyon in
somer. And so jn my progresse fro my fadyr ^Brews on-to %^Mawtby I took
Master ^Playter in my wey, at whoys hows I wrot thys bylle the xxj day of
January Ao E. iiijti xvijo. And I beseche God to preserue yow and yours.
Your ^J. ^Paston
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 14780203>
<N 380>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull modyr ^Margaret ^Paston.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwte*s of humble recomendacyon, in as
humble wyse as I can I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng. Pleasyt yow
to wett that at my being now at %^London, lyek as ye gaue me in comandment
I mevyd to Mastyr ^Pykenham and to ^Jamys ^Hubart for ther being
at %^Norwyche now thys Lent, that ye myght haue ther avyses in syche
maters as ye let me haue vndyrstandyng of. And as for Mastyr ^Pykenham,
he is now Juge of the Archys, and also he hathe an other offyce whyche is
callyd $auditor $causarum, and hys besyness is so gret in bothe thes offyces
that he can not tell the season when that he shall haue leyser to come in-to
%^Norffolk; but I left not tyll I had gotyn ^Jamys ^Hubbart and hym to-gedyrs,
and then I told theym your jntent. And then Mastyr ^Pykenham told ^Jamys
and me hys jntent, and he preyed ^Jamys that he shold in no wyse fayle to
be wyth yow thys Lent. Not wythstandyng it was no gret ned to prey hym
myche, for he told Doctore ^Pykenham that ther was no gentylwoman in
%^Inglond of so lytyll aqueyntance as he had wyth yow that he wold be
glader to do servyse on-to, and myche the glader for he purposeth fro
hensforthe duryng hys lyff to be a %^Norffolk man and to lye wyth-in ij myle
of %^Loddon, whyche is but viij or x myle at the most fro %^Mautby. And in
conclusyon he hathe appoyntyd to awayte on yow at %^Norwyche the weke
next aftyr Mydlent Sonday, all the hole weke if nede be, all other maters
leyd apart. Also I comond wyth my brodyr Syr ^John at %^London of syche
maters as ye wold haue amendyd in the bylle that he sent on-to yow, and
he stake not gretly at it.
Also, modyr, I herd whyle I was in %^London wher was a goodly yong
woman to mary whyche was doughter to on ^Seff, a merser, and she shall
haue cc li. in money to hyr maryage and xx mark by yer of lond aftyr the
dyssease of a steppe-modyr of hyrs whyche is vpon l yer of age. And or
I departyd ought of %^London I spak wyth some of the maydys frendys, and
haue gotyn ther good wyllys to haue hyr maryd to my brodyr ^Edmund.
Notwythstandyng those frendys of the maydys that I comond wyth avysyd
me to get the good wyll of on ^Sturmyn, whyche is in Mastyr ^Pykenhamys
danger so myche that he is glad to please hym. And so I mevyd thys mater
to Mastyr ^Pykenham, and jncontynent he sent for ^Sturmyn and desyred
hys good wyll for my brodyr ^Edmu[n]d, and he grantyd hym hys good
wyll so that he koud get the good wyll of the remenaunt that wer executours
to ^Seff, as well as the seyd ^Sturmyn was; and thusferforthe is the
mater. Wherfor, modyr, we must beseche yow to helpe vs forward wyth a
lettyr fro yow to Mastyr ^Pykenham to remembyr hym for to handyll well
and dylygently thys mater now thys Lent. And for I am aqueyntyd wyth
your condycyons of old, that ye reke not who endytyth more lettres then
ye, ther-for I haue drawyn a note to yowr secretarys hand Freir ^Perse,
whyche lettre we must prey yow to send vs by the berer herof, and I
trust it shall not be longe fro Mastyr ^Pykenham.
Your doughtyr of %^Sweynsthorp and hyr soiornaunt ^E. ^Paston recomandyth
hem to yow in ther most humble wyse, lowly besechyng yow of your
blyssyng. And as for my brodyr ^Edmu[n]d %^Sweynsthorp, for non jntrete*
that hys ostas your doughtyr nor I koud jntrete hym myght not kepe hym
but that he wold haue ben at home wyth you at %^Mautby on Sonday last past
at nyght; and as he was departyng fro hens had we word fro ^Frenshes wyf
that, God yeld yow, modyr, ye had govyn hym leve to dysporte hym her
wyth vs for a vij or viij dayes. And so the drevyll lost hys thank of vs, and
yet abod nevyr the lesse. Youyr doughtyr sendyth yow part of syche poore
stuff as I sent hyr fro %^London, besechyng yow to take it in gree though
it be lytyll plente* that she sendyth yow. But as for datys, I wyll sey trowthe
ye haue not so many by ij pownd as wer ment on-to yow, for she thynkys at
thys season datys ryght good mete, what so ever it mea[n]yth.
I prey God send vs good tydyngys, whom I beseche to preserue yow and
yours and to send yow your most desyred joye. At %^Sweynsthorp on Ashe
Wednysday.
Your sone and humble seruaunt ^J. ^Paston
Modyr, pleasit yow to remember that ye had need to be at %^Norwych v or
vj dayes befor that ^Jamys ^Hubbart and your consayll shall be ther wyth
yow, for to look vp your evydence and all other thyngys redy. Also, if ye
thynk that thys bylle that I send yow herwyth be good j-now to send to
Doctore ^Pykenham, ye may close vp the same and send it sealyd to me
ayen and I shall convey it forthe to hym.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14791106>
<N 381>
<L 0>
To Syr ^John ^Paston, knyght.
<L 1>
Syr, aftyr all dute*s of recomendacyon, pleasyt to vndyrstand that, acordyng
to your lettre sent me by ^Wyllson, ^Lomnore and I mett at %^Norwyche and
drew ought a formable bylle ought of your, and sent it a-yen to th'exchetore
^Palmer by my brodyr ^Edmund, whyche had an other erand in-to that
contre* to spek wyth ^H. ^Spylman to get hys good wyll towardys the bargayn
lyek to be fynyshed hastyly betwyx Mastress ^Clyppysby and hym. And,
syr, at the delyuere* of the bylle of jnquisicyon to th'exchetour, my brodyr
^Edmu[n]d told hym that, accordyng to your wryghtyng to me, I spak wyth
myn oncle ^William and told hym that I vndyrstood by yow that my lord of
%^Elye had aswell desyred hym in wryghtyng as you by mouthe that non of
you shold swe to haue the jnquisycion fond aftyr your jntentys tyll other
weyes of pese wer takyn betwyx yow; wherfor my brodyr ^Edmu[n]d
desyred hym that wyth-ought myn oncle labord to haue it fond for hym,
ellys that he shold not proced for yow. But th'exchetour answerd hym that
he wold fynd it for you aftyr your byll of hys owne autorite*, and so it was
fond. But, syr, ye must remembre that my lord of %^Ely desyred myn oncle
as well as you to surcease, as I putt my oncle in knowlage. And myn oncle
at the fyrst agreid that he wold make no more sute a-bought it, in trust
that ye wold do the same acordyng to my lord of %^Elys desyer; wherfor ye
had ned to be ware that th'exchetor slyppe not fro yow when he comyth
to %^London and sertyfye it or ye spek wyth hym. Th'exchetor shalbe at
%^London by Twysday or Wednysday next comyng, at ^John ^Leeis house,
for he shall ryd forwardys as on Monday next comyng betymys, &c.
Syr, your tenauntys at %^Crowmer sey that they know not who shalbe ther
lord; they marvayll that ye nor no man for yow hathe not yet ben there.
Also, when I was wyth myn oncle I had a longe pystyll of hym that ye had
sent %^Pekok to %^Paston and comandyd the tenauntys ther that they shold pay
non areragys to hym but if they wer bond to hym by oblygacyon for the
same. Myn oncle seythe it was other-wyse apoyntyd be-for the arbytrorys.
They thought, he seyth, as well my Mastyr ^Fytzwalter as other, that he
shold receyue that as it myght be gadryd; but now he seythe that he wottyth
well some shall renne awey and some shall wast it, so that it is nevyr lyek
to be gadryd, but lost. And so I trow it is lyek to be of some of the dettors,
what for casuelte* of dethe and thes other causes befor rehersyd. Wherfor
me thynkyth if it wer apoyntyd be-for the arbytrors that he shold
receyue theym as he seythe, it wer not for yow to brek it; or ellys if he be
pleyn executor to my grauntdam then also he ought to haue it. I spek lyek
a blynd man. Do ye as ye thynk, for I was at no syche apoyntment befor
th'arbytrors, nor I know not whethyr he is executor to my grauntdam or
not but by hys seying.
Also, syr, ye must of ryght, consyderyng my brodyr ^Edmundys diligence
in your maters sythe your departyng, helpe hym forwardys to myn
oncle Syr ^George ^Brown, as my brodyr ^Edmu[n]d preyid yow in hys lettyr
that he sent on-to yow by ^Mondys sone of %^Norwyche, dwellyng wyth ^Thomas
^Jenney, that myn oncle Syr ^George may gett to my brodyr ^Edmund of the
kyng @e wardshepp of ^John ^Clyppysby, son and heyer to ^John ^Clyppysby,
late of %^Owby in the conte* of %^Norffolk, sqwyr, dwryng the nonnage of my
lord and lady of %^York, thow it cost iiij or v mark the swte. Let myn oncle
Syr ^George be clerk of the hamper and kepe the patent, if it be grantyd,
tyll he haue hys mone*, and that shall not be longe to. Myn oncle Syr ^George
may enforme the Kyng for trowthe that the chyld shall haue no lond
dwryng hys yong modyrs lyff, and ther is no man her that wyll mary wyth
hym wyth-ought they haue some lond wyth hym; and so te gyft shall not
be gret that the Kyng shold geve hym. And yet I trow he shold get the
modyr by that meane, and in my conseyt the Kyng dothe but ryght if he
graunt my brodyr ^Edmu[n]d ^Clyppysbys son in recompence for takyng
my brodyr ^Edmundys son, otherwyse callyd ^Dyxsons, the chyldys fadyr
being alyve. ^Dyxson is ded, God haue hys sowle, whom I beseche to send
you your most desyred joye.
Wretyn at %^Norwyche on Seynt ^Leonardys Day.
^J. ^Paston
Syr, it is told me @at ^Nycolas ^Barlee, the scyuer, hathe takyn an axion
of dett ayenst me thys terme. I prey yow let ^Whetley or some body spek
wyth hym and lete hym wet that if he swe me softly thys terme that he
shall be payed or the next terme be at an end. It is a-bought vj li., and in
feythe he shold haue had it or thys tyme and our threshers of %^Sweynsthorp
had not dyed vpp. And if I myght haue payed it hym a yer ago, as
well as I trust I shall sone aftyr Crystmass, I wold not for xij li. haue brokyn
hym so many promessys as I haue.
Also, syr, I prey yow send me by the next man that comyth fro %^London
ij pottys of tryacle of %^Jenne = they shall cost xvj d.; for I haue spend ought
that I had wyth my yong wyff and my yong folkys and my-sylff. And I
shall pay hym that shall bryng hem to me, and for hys caryage. I prey yow
lett it be sped. The pepyll dyeth sore in %^Norwyche, and specyally a-bought
my house; but my wyff and my women come not ought, and fle ferther we
can not, for at %^Sweynsthorp sythe my departyng thens they haue dyed
and ben syke nye jn every house of the towne.
<T ACCOUNT>
<D 14791125A>
<N 382>
<L 1>
Receyuyd at %^Cressi[n]gham the Thursday nex aftyr Seynt ^Edmu[n]d at the
corte ther v li. x s. by the handys of me ^John ^Paston, sqwyer
Wherof payed to my modyr for costys don vp-on the berying
of ^Walter ^Paston and whyll he lay sek, and for the hyer of a man   xxix s.
comyng wyth the seyd Water fro %^Oxn. xx d.                          xj d.
Item, payed to ^William ^Gybson for j horse sadyll and brydyll
lent to ^Water ^Paston by the seyd ^William                            xvj s.
Item, gevyn the seyd man comyng fro %^Oxn. wyth the seyd
^Water by the handys of ^J. ^Paston                                     xx d.
Item, payed for dyuers thyngys whyll ^Water ^Paston lay sek            iiij d.
Item, for the costys of ^John ^Paston rydyng to kepe the coort at
%^Cressi[n]gham $anno $supradicto, whych was iiij dayes in doing
for the styward mygh[t] not be ther at @e day prefyxid.                iij s.
iiij d.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 147911>
<N 383>
<L 0>
To my ryght worc[[he]]pfull modyr ^Margarett ^Paston at Seynt ^Peters of +
%^Hundgate.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwte*s of humle recomendacyon, as
lowly as I can I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng and preye[r]s. And,
modyr, ^John ^Clement, berer heroff, can tell yow the mor pite* is, if it
pleasyd God, that my brodyr is beryed in the Whyght Fryers at %^London,
whych I thought shold not haue ben, for I supposyd that he wold haue
ben beryed at %^Bromholme. And that causyd me so sone to ryd to %^London
to haue purveyd hys brynging hom; and if it had ben hys wylle to haue leyn
at %^Bromholm, I had purposyd all the wey as I haue redyn to haue brought
hom my grauntdam and hym to-gedyrs, but that purpose is voyd as now.
But thys I thynk to do when I com to %^London, to spek wyth my lord
Chamberleyn and to wynne by hys meanys my lord of %^Ely if I can. And if
I may by eny of ther meanys cause the Kyng to take my servyse and my
quarell to-gedyrs, I wyll; and I thynk that Syr ^George ^Brown, ^Syr ^Jamys
^Radclyff, and other of myn aqueyntance whyche wayte most vpon the
Kyng and lye nyghtly in hys chamber wyll put to ther good wyllys. Thys
is my wey as yet. And, modyr, I beseche yow, as ye may get or send eny
messengers, to send me your avyse, and my cosyn ^Lomenors, to ^John
^Leeis hows, taylore, wyth-in %^Ludgate. I haue myche more to wryght, but
myn empty hed wyll not let me remember it.
Also, modyr, I prey that my brodyr ^Edmu[n]d may ryd to %^Marly[n]gforthe,
%^Oxenhed, %^Paston,%^Crowmer, and %^Caster and in all thes maners to
entre in my name, and to lete the tenauntys of %^Oxenhed and %^Marlyngfor[the]
know that I sent no word to hym to take no mony of theym but ther
attornement; wherfor he wyll not, tyll he her fro me ayen, axe hem non,
but let hym comand theym to pay to no seruaunt of myn oncles, nor to
hym-sylff nor to non othyr to hys vse, in peyne of payment a-yen to me. I
thynk if ther shold be eny money axid in my name, parauenture it wold
make my lady of %^Norffolk ayenst me and cause hyr to thynk I dellt more
contrary to hyr plesure than dyd my brodyr, whom God pardon of hys
gret mercy. I haue sent to entre at %^Stansted and at %^Orwellbery, and I haue
wretyn a bylle to ^Anne ^Montgomery and ^Jane ^Rodon to mak my lady of
%^Norffolk if it wyll be.
Your sone and humble seru[au]nt ^J. ^Paston
If myn vnkynd oncle make eny mastryes to gadre money, areragys or
other, my Mastyr ^Fytzwater, Syr ^Robart ^Wyngfeld, Syr ^Thomas ^Brew[s],
my brodyr ^Yeluerton, my brodyr ^Harecort, and other of my frendys I
trust wyll sey hym naye, if they haue knowlage.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 147912>
<N 384>
<L 0>
to my ryght worchepfull and most kynd modyr ^Margaret ^Paston.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dute*s of humble recomendacyon, as
lowly as I can I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng and preyer. Pleasyt
yow to vndyrstand that, wher as ye wyllyd me by ^Poiness to hast me ought
of the heyer that I am jn, it is so that I must put me in God, for her must
I be for a season; and in good feyth I shall never, whyll God sendyth me
lyff, dred mor dethe then shame. And thankyd be God, the sykness is well
seasyd here; and also my besyness puttyth a-wey my fere. I am drevyn to
labore in lettyng of th'execucyon of myn vnkynd onclys entent, wher-in I
haue as yet non other dyscorage but that I trust in God he shall fayle of it.
I haue spokyn wyth my lord of %^Ely dyvers tymys, whyche hathe put me
in serteynte* by hys woord that he wyll be wyth me ayenst myn oncle in
iche mater that I can shewe that he entendyth to wrong me in. And he wold
fayne haue a resonable end be-twyx vs, wher-to he wyll helpe, as he seythe.
And it is serteyn my brodyr, God haue hys soule, had promysed to a-byde
the reule of my lord Chamberleyn and of my lord of %^Ely, but I am not
yett so ferr forthe, nor not wyll be tyll I know my lord Chamberleyns
intent. And that I purpose to do to-morow, for then I thynk to be wyth
hym, wyth Godys leve.
And sythe it is so that God hathe purveyd me to be the solysytore of thys
mater, I thank hym of hys grace for the good lordys, mastyrs, and frendys
that he hathe sent me, whyche haue parfytely promysyd me to take my
cause as ther owne; and those frendys be not a fewe. And, modyr, as I
best can and may I thank yow and my cosyn ^Lomenore of the good avyse
that ye haue sent me, and I shall aplye me to do ther-aftyr. Also, modyr,
I beseche you on my behalff to thank myn cosyn ^Lomnorre for @e
kyndness that he hathe shewyd on-to me in gevyng of hys answer to myn
onclys seruaunt whyche was wyth hym.
Modyr, I wryght not so largely to yow as I wold do, for I haue not most
leyser. And also, when I haue ben wyth my lord Chamberleyn, I purpose
not to tery longe aftyr in %^London, but to dresse me to yow wardys; at
whyche tyme I trust I shall brynge yow more serteynte* of all the fordell
that I haue in my besyness then I can as yett wryght. I am put in serteynte*
by my most specyall good mastyr, my Mastyr of the Rollys, that my
lord of %^Ely is and shalbe bettyr lord to me then he hathe shewyd as yet; and
yet hathe he delt wyh me ryght well and honourably.
Modyr, I beseche yow that ^Pekok may be sent to to purvey me as myche
money as is possybyll for hym to make ayenst my comyng hom, for I haue
myche to pay her in %^London, what for the funerall costys, dettys, and
legattys that must be content in gretter hast then shalbe myn ease. Also I
wold the ferme barly in %^Flegge, as well as at %^Paston if ther be eny, wer
gadryd, and iff it may be resonably sold, then to be sold or putt to the
maltyng; but I wold at %^Caster that it were ought of the tenauntys handys,
for thyngys that I here. Kepe ye consell thys fro ^Pekok and all folkys;
whyche mater I shall appese if God wyll geve me leve.
<T MEMORANDUM OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST WILLIAM PASTON II: DRAFT>
<D 1479A>
<N 385>
<L 0>
Copyes of draughtes of the wrongys don by ^W. ^Paston to ^J. ^Paston fadyr,
Syr ^J. ^P. and ^J. ^P.
<L 1>
Thes be th'eniuryes and wrongys don by ^William ^Paston to ^John
^Paston hys nevew.
Fyrst, the maners of %^Marly[n]gforthe, %^Stansted, and %^Horwellbery was
gev[[en...]] ^William ^Paston, justyce, and to ^Agnes hys wyff and to th'eyers
of ther tw[[o bodyes]], to whom the seyd ^John ^Paston is cosyn and heyer,
that is to sey[[...]] son to ^John, son and heyer to the seyd ^William and
^Agnes.
Item, wher ^Edmund ^Clere wyth other enfeoffyd to the vse of the seyd
^Will[[iam ^Paston]] and of hys heyres, the whyche ^William mad hys wyll
that th[[e seyd ^Agnes]] hys [[wyf]] shold haue the seyd maner for terme
of hyr lyff, and aftyr th[[e seyd ^William]] dyed and the seyd ^Agnes occupyed
for terme of hyr seyd lyff [[...]] of the seyd feoffe*s the seyd maner;
and aftyrwardes the seyd [[^Agnes dyed]], afftyr whoys dethe Syr ^John
^Paston, knyght, as cosyn and heyer to t[[he seyd ^Agnes]] in-to the seyd
maner entred, and dyed wyth-ought issue of hys bodye [[...]] ^John as
brodyr and heyer to the seyd Syr ^John [[...]] seyd maner entred, and is
lettyd to take the profytys of the same by [[...]] of the maners of
%^Marly[n]gforthe,
%^Stansted, and %^Horwelbery befor r[[ehersyd]] by the meanys of the
seyd ^Wylliam.
<T TO MARGARET PASTON>
<D 1482-84>
<N 386>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull modyr ^Margaret ^Paston.
<L 1>
Ryght worchepfull modyr, jn my most humble wyse I recomand me to
yow, besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng; and when I may, I wyll with
as good wyll be redy to recompence yow for the cot that my huswyff and
I haue put yow to as I am now bond to thank yow for it, whyche I do in the
best wyse I can. And, modyr, it pleasyd yow to haue serteyn woordys to my
wyff at hyr depertyng towchyng your remembrance of the shortness that
ye thynk your dayes of, and also of the mynd that ye have towardys my
brethryn and systyr, your chyldyr, and also of your seruauntys, wher-in ye
wyllyd hyr to be a meane to me that I wold tendyr and favore the same.
Modyr, savyng your plesure, ther nedyth non enbasatours nor meanys
betwyx yow and me, for ther is neyther wyff nor other frend shall make
me to do that that your comandment shall make me to do, jf I may have
knowlage of it. And if I haue no knowlage, jn good feyth I am excuseabyll
bothe to God and yow. And well remembred, I wot well ye ought not to
haue me in jelusye for on thyng nor other that ye wold haue me to accomplyshe
if I overleve yow, for I wot well non oo man a-lyve hathe callyd so
oft vpon yow as I to make your wylle and put iche thyng in serteynte*
that ye wold have don for your-sylff and to your chyldre and seruauntys.
Also, at the makyng of your wylle, and at every comunycacyon that I haue
ben at wyth yow towchyng the same, I nevyr contraryed thyng that ye wold
have doon and parformyd, but alweys offyrd my-sylff to be bownde to
the same.
But, modyr, I am ryght glad that my wyff is eny-thyng [in] your favore or
trust, but I am ryght sory that my wyff or eny other chyld or seruaunt of
your shold be in bettyr favore or trist wyth yow then my-sylff; for I wyll
and must forbere and put fro me that that all your other chyldre, seruauntys,
prestys, werkmen and frendys of your that ye wyll ought
bequethe to shall take to theym. And thys haue I and evyr wylbe redy
on-to whyll I leve, on my feyth, and nevyr thought other, so God be my
helpe, whom I beseche to preserve yow and send yow so good lyff and
longe that ye may do for youre-sylff, and me aftyr my dyssease. And I
beshrewe ther hertys that wold other, or shall cause yow to mystrust or to
be vnkynd to me or my frendys.
At %^Norwyche thys Monday, wyth the hand of your sone and trwest
seruaunt
^John ^Paston
<T BILL OF COMPLAINT AGAINST WILLIAM PASTON II: DRAFT>
<D 1484>
<N 387>
<L 1>
All-so the seyde ^John ^Paston now compleynaunt seyth that ^John ^Paston,
fadyre off the same ^John, was seased off the manere callyd %^Hollwellhalle
wyth th'appurtenaunces in %^Estodenham joyntly wyth all the londis,
tenementes, rentes, and seruices whyche sume tyme were ^John ^Jerham,
^Ewstase ^Rows, ^John ^Davy, vikere off the chyrche off %^Estodenham, ande
^Watere ^Danyell, or any off thers, lyeng in the townys off %^Estodenham,
%^Mateshalle, %^Mateshaleberghe, and othire townys adyoynyng; ande off
all the londis, tenementes, rentes, seruices and lyberte*s, wyth ther
appurtenaunces, callyd %^Toleys lyeng in the townys off %^Wymondham and
%^Carleton, and othire townys adyoynyng whyche sume tyme were ^William
^Thuxston; and off the scite off on mese wyth a pece londe lyenge in a
croffte to the same mese adyoynyng wyche is  accomptyde xiiij acres off
londe wyth th'appurtenaunces callyd %^Colneys, othyre-wys callyd %^Whynnes
in %^Carleton,  in hys demene as off fee; ande so beyng seased
ther-of up-on trust enffeffede ^William ^Yeluerton, justys, ^John ^Fastolff,
knyght, ^Myles ^Stapelton, knyght, and othire to be hadde to them and to
theyre heyrs fore euer, be the fores wher-off they were there-off seased in
theyre demeane as off fee; ande afftyre the seyd feffment in forme afforseyd
mad the seyd ^John ^Paston the fadyr disseassed. The ryght off the
whyche maner, londis, tenementes, and othire the premysses afftyr the
desses of the seyd ^John the fadyr owith to come to the seyd ^John now
compleynaunt as sone and heyre off the seyd ^John ^Paston for as myche
as the seyd ^John the fadyre made no wylle nor mencyon of the aforseyd
maner, londis, tenementes, nore off other the premysses, whyche maner,
londis, tenementes and othire the premysses the seyd ^William ^Paston hath
and agenst the cours of the lawe ocupyeth.
Item, the seid ^John requerith an astate to be takyn in those londys
lymyted to ^William the sone for deffaut of issu off ^Clement ^Paston
by the will of there fadire accordyng to the seid will aswell as in those
londis that ar or shuld be purchased wyth the ml mark accordyng to
th'endenture mad by-twyn th'executors of ^William ^Paston, justice, that is
to sey to the seid ^William the son and to the eyres of his body, and for
defaute of yssue of his bodye to remayn to th'eyers of ^William ^Paston,
justice, which the seid ^John is.
All-so the seyd ^John ^Paston now compleynaunt seyth that there be
decayed at %^Marlyngfford and %^Oxenhed, be meane off th'enterupsion off the
seyd ^William, tweyn water melles, wher-off jche was letyn for x marke be
yere, and all-so othire howsyng be the same ockasion at %^Oxenhed,
%^Marlyngfford,
%^Stansted, and %^Orwelbury decayed to the hurt of the seyd ^John
^Paston off v c mark, whech the seyd ^John ^Paston desyreth to be recompensede.
Item, the seid ^John axith of the seid ^William for wast don in the maner
of ^Paston for lak of reparacion xl li.
Item, the seid ^William hath takyn awey owth of the maners of ^John
^Paston, that is to sey of hes maners of %^Paston, %^Oxened, %^Marlyngford,
%^Stansted, and %^Horwelburye, siche stoff and greynys, catell, and hotilementis
of the seid maners as were agreyd be th'executors of the seyd ^William
^Paston, justyse, to be left and latyn with the seid maners, to the value
of xl li.
Item, the seid ^John axith to be restored to all the euydence longyng to
the maners aforesaid, and othire the premysses, which the seid ^William
wrongfully witholdith.
Item, the seid ^John ax[[it]]h to hys possession which he hath of [[and]]
in the maner of %^Castere and othere maners adyongnyng the relesse of all
such title and interest as the seid ^William hath be wey of feffement in
the foresaid maner and maners jn like forme as othere his cofeffe*s have in
tyme past relassed to Sir ^John ^Paston, whoos eyre the seid ^John is.
Also the seid ^John ^Paston desireth the performance of diuerse comenauntis
and articles conteyned in diuerse indentures and writynges mad be the
avise of the reuerend fadire in God ^William, Bisschoppe of %^Lyncolne,
supervisour of the testement of the seid ^William ^Paston, justice, bytwix
th'executors of the same ^William ^Paston for kepyng of the trewe jntent and
will of the seid ^William ^Paston, justice, as by the same jndentures and
writynges redye to be schewed more pleynlye shall appere, the entent
and performa[n]ce of which writyng is jntervpted and brokyn by the seid
^William ^Paston and his meanys to the hurt and damage of the seyd
^John ^Paston now compleynaunt off
Item, the seid ^William hath contra[r]ye to trouuth and conscience vexed
and trouubled and put to cost and charge the seid ^John nowe be the space
of v yere saffe a quarter and hath distorbede the same ^John to take and
perceyue th'issus and profetes off the same maners to the hurt and damage
off the seyd ^John jn defendyng of his right off and in the maners
afforeseyd of ij ml mark be-syde greffe, gret laboure and disseace
that the seid ^John hath dayly be putt on-to by th'okcasion afforseyd.
Item, accordyng to will of ^William ^Paston, justice, the seid ^John axith
to be restored to parth of such goodis as hath ben dispendid by ^John
^Paston the fadere, Sir ^John ^Paston, and the seid ^John nowe compleynaunt,
in defence, kepyng, and recoveryng of such londis as were ^William ^Paston,
justice, which draweth aboue the summa of ml li.
Item, where on ^Lomnore had a cofure in kepyng and v ml mark in the
same be extymasion to the vse of ^John ^Paston, fadire of the forsayed Sir
^John and ^John, the seid ^William ^Paston fraudelently atteyned the seid
cofure wyth the seyd sume off money after the dissece of the seid ^John
the fadire, and had it in his kepyng serteyn dayes and did with it his
pleasure vnknowyn to the seid Sir ^John ^Paston and ^John ^Paston his
brothere, and after at ^Herry ^Colettes house the seid ^William brought the
seid cofure to the seid ^John ^Paston, knyght, and there openyd the seid
cofure, where was then lefte but cc old noblis which were by extimacion
in value c li., and the seid ^William toke there the seid gold awey with
hym ageyn the will of seid Sire ^John, and witholdith the same wherof the
seyd ^John preyeth to be restored.
Item, the seid ^William atteynyd and gate a peyere of basons of siluer and
parte or all gilt from the seid Sir ^John ^Paston and ^John ^Paston now
compleynant
abouuth such season as he toke the cofure and coyne aforerehersed,
which basons were in value c mark; and the seid ^William yet
witholdith the seid basons, to the whyche the seyd ^John preyeth also to
be restored.
Item, the seid ^William gate in-to his possession a chargere of siluer, in
value x marke, and iij bollys of siluer that were in kepyng of Bachelere
^Watere, a friere Carmelit of %^Norwich, to th'entent that a certeyn coost
shuld have ben doon vpon the liberarye of the Friers Carmelites aforesaid
for the sowlis of ^William ^Paston, justice, and ^Angnes his wiff, which
chargere and bollys the seid ^William yet with-holdith and kepith to his
owne vse, and therefore the seid charges ar not fulfylled.
Item, the seid ^John axith restitucion of suche jnportable charges as the
seid ^William hathe put the forsaid Sir ^John on-to by the space of many
yeres as in plesures doyng and rewardis, which apperith by writyng
of the hande of the seid Sire ^John, which pleasures and charges the seid Sir
^John was constreyned to doo in defence of the seid ^William; where-of
the seid ^John axeth to have amendys of cc mark.
Item, by the occacion and meanys of the seid ^William the seid Sir ^John
was constreyned to lende on-to the reuerende fadere in God ^George,
late Archeb[i]sschop of %^York, ml mark, whech was nat payed ageyn by the
summa of c li. The seid ^John axith to be restorid ther-of.
Item, the seid ^William hath fellyd tymbre and wodys in the maners of
the seid ^John, that is to sey the maners of %^Oxened and %^Marlyngford, to
the hurth of the seid ^John of xx li.
Item, the seyd ^John ^Paston complaynaunt axith to be restoryd to all syche
money as hathe be takyn and dyspendyd by all siche persones as haue
ben assigned by meanes of the seyd ^Wylliam to distorbe and jntervpt the
seyd ^John compleynaunt of hys ryght, tyghtyll, possessyon, entrest of
and in the maners, londis, and tenementes and other the premysses dwryng
the seyd v yer sauff a quarter, as well as to all syche money as hathe ben
dyspendyd dwryng the seyd v yer sauff a quarter by the seruauntys of the
seyd compleynaunt by hym assigned to tery and abyd vp-on the seyd
maners, londes, and tenementis and other the premysses, ther to kepe the
possessyon of the seyd compleynaunt, whyche extendith to the some of
xl li. and above.
Item, the seyd ^John compleyanunt axith to be restoryd to all syche money
as hathe ben receyved by meanys of the seyd ^William dwryng the seyd v yer
sauff a quarter of syche as ar or haue ben fermors or tenauntes of the maners,
londis, and ten[eme]ntis aforseyd duryng the seyd season, as well as to all
syche money as is not levyable of dyvers of the seyd fermors and tenauntes
fallyn in poverte* sythe the trowblows season of the v yer sauff a quarter
befor rehersed, whyche extendith to the some of cc li. or above.
<T DRAFT LETTER FROM ELIZABETH BROWNE>
<D 14850923B>
<N 388>
<L 0>
The copye of a lettre of Dame ^E. ^Brow[[n]]e ayenst ^William ^Paston.
<L 1>
To my ryght worchepfull and hertly beloved nevew ^John ^Paston, sqwyer.
Right worchepfull and my ryght hertly beloved nevew, I recomand me to
yow. And wher as ye desier me to send yow woord whether my brodyr ^John
^Paston your fadyr was wyth my fadyr and hys, wh[[om]] God assoyle,
duryng hys last syknesse and at the tyme of hys diss[[ea]]se at Seynt ^Brydis
or nowght, nevew, I assarteyn yow vpon my feythe and poore honor[[e]]
that I was xiiij, xv yer, or xvj yer old ande at Seynt ^Brydis wyth my fadyr
and my modyr when my fadyrs last syknes took hym, and tyll he was disseassid.
And I dare depose befor eny persone honorable that when my
fadyrs last siknesse tooke hym my brodyr your fadyr was in %^Norffolk,
and he came not to %^London tyll aftyr that my fadyr was disseassid. And
that can Syr ^William ^Cootyng and ^Jamys ^Gressham record, for they
bothe were my fadyrs clerkys at the tyme. And I remembre and wot
[[w]]ell that ^Jamys ^Gressham was wyth my fadyr at Seynt ^Brydys [[dur]]yng
all hys siknesse and at hys disseasse. And thys wyll I wyttnesse whyle I
leve for a trowthe, as knowith God, whom I beseche to preserue you and
yours.
And, nevew, I prey yow recomand [me] to my neese your wyff, whom I
wold be glad to se onys a-yen in %^London, wher thys bylle was wretyn,
signed wyth myn hand, and sealid wyth my seale the xxiij daye of September
the first yer of the reyngne of Kyng ^Herry the vijth.
Your loveing awnte ^El[[iza]]beth ^Browne
<T TO MARGERY PASTON>
<D 1487-95>
<N 389>
<L 0>
To Dame ^Margery ^Paston at %^Oxenhed.
<L 1>
Mastress ^Margery, I recomand me to yow, and I prey yow in all hast
possybyll to send me by the next swer messenger that ye can gete a large
playster of your $flose $vngwentorum for the Kynges Attorney ^Jamys ^Hobart;
for all hys dysease is but an ache in hys knee. He is the man that brought
yow and me togedyrs, and I had lever then xl li. ye koud wyth your
playster depart hym and hys peyne. But when ye send me the playster ye
must send me wryghtyng hough it shold be leyd to and takyn fro hys knee,
and hough longe it shold abyd on hys kne vnremevyd, and hough longe
the playster wyll laste good, and whethyr he must lape eny more clothys
a-bowte the playster to kepe it warme or nought.
And God be wyth yow.
Your ^John ^Paston
<T TO LORD FITZWALTER: DRAFT>
<D 1487-95>
<N 390>
<L 1>
Humbly besecheth your good lordshepe your dayly seruaunt and beedman
^John ^Paston, more kayteff than knyght, that it may please yow of your
specyall grace to dyrect ought your lettres sygned wyth your hand and
sealid wyth your seall to the dreedfull man ^Jamys ^Radcliff of %^Byllingforthe,
sqwyer, fermour of your wareyn ther---ought of whoys wareyn no maner
of man nor vermyn dare take on hym for dought of your seyd dredfull
[man] to take or carye a-wey eny of your game ther for fere of hangyd
vp among other mysdoers and forfaytours, as wesellis, lobsters, polkattys,
bosartys, and mayne currys=thatt the seyd ^Jamys shall vpon the
syght of your seyd wryghtyng delyver or cause to be delyverd to your seyd
besecher or to hys depute* delyuerer of your seyd lettres at hys fyrst syght
of the same vj coupyll blake conyes or rennyng rabettys, or some blake
and some whyght to the seyd nombre, to store wyth a newe grownd of your
seyd besechers at %^Oxenhed, more lyeke a pynnefold then a parke.
And your seyd besecher shall daylye prey to God for the preservacyon
of your noble estate longe t'endure.
<T TO RICHARD CROFT>
<D 1500?>
<N 391>
<L 1>
^Richard ^Croft, the wedyr is siche that I wyll not jopart to ryde as yet, for
I am not best at ease and a lytill colde myght mak me worse. I send yow by
this berer iij byllis that ^John ^Calle tooke me, whiche shewe every receyte
of ^John ^Callis and ^Robert ^Salles, and paymentys also. I can not fynde the
newe fermall of %^Caster here, wherfor I haue takyn to this berer the key of
my cofir at %^Yermouthe. I thynk and ye wyll ryde thedyr wyth hym ye
shall fynd in my cofir the last fermall of %^Caster, and other bokys wyth it.
And if need be, and ellis not, ye may cause ^Robert ^Salle and ^John ^Carter
to come hydyr on Fryday or Saterday next comyng and end ther acomptes
her at %^Norwyche.
I sye ^John ^Wynnys byllis that his man brought me yesterday, Twysday,
wherby I vndyrstand that he desyreth to be alowyd v li. for ^Byshoppis of
%^Yermouthe, and for hering delyuerd to myn cosyn ^Loveday; wherto I am
agreid, but I wyll not that ^John ^Wynne shall selle non of my ferme barly
to paye theym, for I woll haue all the barly in ^John ^Wynnys charge maltyd
for my Lord ^Mountioye. If he haue not money jnow of myn when he hathe
acomptyd to paye ^Byshopes ther v li. I wyll make vppe ther money ought
of myn owne purse.
Item, I send yow a waraunt fro the shreve to do warne those persones in
%^Flegge and %^Yermouthe that ar enpanellid betwyx the Kynge and me to be
at %^Thettford at the assises on Wednysday next comyng. I prey yow take
the warant to ^Symond ^Gerrard and prey hym in my name to send for the
bayly of the hundred and to cause hym to geve warnyng to theym that be
enpanellid to kepe ther day at %^Thettfford. And prey ^Symond ^Gerrard to
speke wyth as many of the quest hym-selff as he can, and to shew theym
that I haue ought my $nisi $prius by assent of the Kyngys Attorne*, and he
hym-silff comandid it ought.
And if the wedyr amend by none I wyll se yow this nyght, wyth Godys
grace. Fro %^Norwyche this Wednysday, by your frend
^J. ^Paston, ^K.
<T TO WILLIAM PASTON III AND RICHARD LIGHTFOOTE>
<D 150304A>
<N 392>
<L 0>
To my brother ^William ^Paston and my cosyn ^Richard ^Lightfoote, and to iche +
of theym.
<L 1>
Mastyrs bothe, I recomand me to yow and send yow closid her-in a booke
of the seying of dyvers folkis whiche testyfiee ayenst ^Thomas ^Rutty and
other. I prey yow shewe it to my lordys good lordshepe, and that I may
know hys plesur ferther in as hasty wyse as may be that I may ordere me
ther-aftyr. I had gret labore to come by the woman that was in servyse wyth
^Rutty, whiche sie all ther conversacyons many yeris. She is now in servyse
wyth ^Richard ^Calle. And I haue ^Thomas ^Bange in prison at %^Norwyche
wyth the shrevys of %^Norwych. The woman seythe he is as bold a theffe as
eny is in %^Ingland, but he wyll nowghte conffesse, nor I hand[[e]]lyd hym
not sore to cause hym to confesse, but and ^Ruty knowe that he and the
woman be in hold and hathe told talis I thynke it wyll cause ^Rutty to
shewe the pleynesse.
^Clerk and ^Roger ^Heron ar endightid at this sessyons at %^Norwyche, last
holdyn on Twysday last past for robbing of the pardoner, and so is ^Rotty
and all his felaw-shepe that the woman hathe apechid. According to hir
apechement ^Raff ^Taylour is over the see, ^Robert ^Fenne is dede, ^John ^Bakor
and ^William ^Taylour ar yett vntakyn. If my lord send for ^T. ^Bange or the
woman some of my lordis seruauntys had need to come for theym, for I
can not do in the cause for lake of men and horse, for my wyff ridith this
next week in-to %^Kente to the wydow hir doughtir ^Leghe.
And as for ^Ramesey, liek a prowde, lewde, obstynat foole, he wyll not
come befor my brothe[r] Syr ^R. ^Clere nor me, but he seythe he wyll be
wyth my lord hastyly and shewe his mynde to his lordshepe, whiche I
beleve not. The substancyall marchantys of %^Norwyche hathe shewid ther
myndys to my brother Syr ^R. ^Clere and me that he entendith to ^William
^Bayly gret wronge in his reknyngys.
<T TO AN UNKNOWN KNIGHT: DRAFT>
<D 1485A>
<N 393>
<C LATIN>
<L 1>
Non decet sinescallo tam magni comitis
Vt Comes Oxonie verbis in anglicis
S[[c]]ritter epistolas vell suis in nuncijs
Aliquid proponere si non in latinis.

Igitur ille pauperculus predicti Comitis
Magnus sinescallus magni comitatis
Nuncupatur %^Norffolk latin[i]s in verbis
Apud Knapton in curia in forma judicis.

Tibi Nigro Militi salutem, et omnibus
Notifico quod ^Langdon ille homunculus
Nullam pecuniam liberare vult gentibus,
Quod est magnum jmpedimentum nostris operibus.

Idcirco tibi mando sub pena contemptus
Quod tu indilate proprijs manubus
Scr[i]bas tuas littras quod ille homunculus
Copiam pecunie deliberet gentibus.

Sin autem per littras has nostras patentes
Ego et operarij qui sunt consencientes
Omnes vna voce pravemus suos dentes
Nisi liberet pecuniam cum sumus egentes.

Teste meipso apud Knapton predicta,
Est et michi testis ^Maria benedicta,
Quod vicesimo die Julij non inderelicta
Erat summa solidi, res hec non est ficta.
<C ENGLISH>
<A ^MARGARET ^PASTON>
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N  124>
<D 1441?>
<L O>
To my worshepfull husbon, ^John ^Paston, abidyng at Petyrhous in %^Cambrigg.
<L 1>
Ryth reuerent and worsepful husbon, I recomawnde me to \ow wyth alle
myn sympyl herte, and prey \ow to wete @at there come up xj hundyr
Flemyns at %^Waxham, qwere-of were takyn and kylte and dronchyn viij
hundyrte. And @a[t] had nowte a  be \e xul a be atte home @is Qwesontyde,
and I suppose @at \e xul be atte home er owte longke.
I thanke \ow hertely for my lettyr, for I hadde non of \ow syn I spake
wyth \ow last for @e matyr of ^Jon ^Mariot. @e qwest pasyd nowte of @at
day, for my lorde of %^Norfolke was in towne for ^Wedyrbys matyr; qwerefore
he wolde nowt latyd pase. As for-fur@e os I k[n]owe ^Fynche ne
^Kylbys make@e no purwyauns for hys gode.
No more I wryte to \ow atte @is tyme, but @e Holy Trenyte* hawe \ow
in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norweche on Trenyte* Sunne-day.
\ow[r] ^Markaryte ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 125>
<D 14411214>
<L 0>
To my ryth reuerent and worscheful husbond ^John ^Paston.
<L 1>
Ryth reuerent and worscheful husbond, I recomav[n]de me to yow, desyryng
hertyly to here of yowre wylfare, thankyng yow for @e tokyn @at ye sent me
be ^Edmunde ^Perys, preyng yow to wete @at my modyr sent to my fadyr
to %^London for a govne cloth of mvstyrddevyllers to make of a govne for me;
and he tolde my modyr and me wanne he was comme hom @at he cargeyt
yow to bey it aftyr @at he were come ovte of %^London. I pre yow, yf it be
not bowt, @at ye wyl wechesaf to by it and send yt hom as sone as ye may,
for I haue no govne to werre @is wyntyr but my blake and my grene a %^Lyere,
and @at ys so comerus @at I ham wery to wer yt.
As for @e gyrdyl @at my fadyr be-hestyt me, I spake to hym @er-of a
lytyl be-fore he \ede to %^London last, and he seyde to me @at @e favte was
in yow @at \e wolde not thynke @er-vppe-on to do mak yt; but i sopose @at
ys not so=he seyd yt but for a skevsacion. I pre yow, yf ye dor tak yt
vppe-on yow, @at ye wyl weche-safe to do mak yt a-yens ye come hom; for
I hadde neuer more nede @er-of @an I haue now, for I ham waxse so fetys
@at I may not be gyrte in no barre of no gyrdyl @at I haue but of on.
^Elysabet ^Peverel hath leye seke xv or xvj wekys of @e seyetyka, but sche
sent my modyr word be ^Kate @at sche xuld come hedyr wanne God sent
tyme, @oov sche xuld be crod in a barwe.
^Jon of ^Dam was here, and my modyr dyskevwyrd me to hym, and he
seyde be hys trovth @at he was not gladder of no thyng @at he harde
thys towlmonyth @an he was @er-of. I may no le[n]ger leve be my crafte,
i am dysscevwyrd of alle men @at se me. Of alle odyr thyngys @at ye
deseyreyd @at I xuld sende yow word of I haue sent yow word of in a letter
@at I dede wryte on Ovwyr Ladyis Day laste was.
@e Holy Trenyte* haue yow in hese kepyng. Wretyn at %^Oxnede in ryth
gret hast on @e Thrusday next be-fore Seynt ^Tomas Day.
I pre yow @at ye wyl were @e reyng wyth @e emage of Seynt ^Margrete
@at I sent yow for a rememrav[n]se tyl ye come hom. Ye haue lefte me
sweche a rememrav[n]se @at makyth me to thynke vppe-on yow bothe day
and nyth wanne I wold sclepe.
Yowre ys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 126>
<D 14430928>
<L 0>
To my rygth worchepful husbond ^Jhon ^Paston, dwellyng in @e Innere Temple
at %^London, in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth worchipful hosbon, I recomande me to yow, desyryng hertely to here
of your wilfare, thanckyng God of your a-mendyng of @e grete dysese @at
ye have hade; and I thancke yow for @e letter @at ye sent me, for be my
trowthe my moder and I were nowth in hertys es fro @e tyme @at we woste
of your sekenesse tyl we woste verely of your a-mendyng. My moder hat
be-hestyd a-nodyr ymmage of wax of @e weytte of yow to Oyur Lady of
%^Walsyngham, and sche sent iiij nobelys to @e iiij orderys of frerys at
%^Norweche to pray for yow; and I have be-hestyd to gon on pylgreymmays
to %^Walsyngham and to %^Sent %^Levenardys for yow. Be my trowth, I had
neuer so hevy a sesyn as I had fro @e tyme @at I woste of your sekenesse tyl
I woste of your a-mendyng, and \yth myn hert is in no grete esse, ne
nowth xal be tyl I wott @at \e ben very hol.
Your fader and myn was dys day sevenyth at %^Bekelys for a matyr of the
Pryor of %^Bromholme, and he lay at %^Gerlyston @at nyth and was @er tyl it
was ix of @e cloke and @e toder day. And I sentte thedyr for a gounne, and my
moder seyde @at I xulde non have dens tyl I had be @er a-\en; and so @ei
cowde non gete. My fader ^Garneyss sentte me worde @at he xulde ben
here @e nexth weke, and myn emme also, and pleyn hem here wyth herre
hawkys; and @ei xulde have me hom wyth hem. And, so God help me,
I xal exscusse me of myn goyng dedyr yf I may, for I sopose @at I xal
redelyer have tydyngys from yow herre dan i xulde have @er.
I xal sende my moder a tokyn @at sche toke me, for I sopose @e tyme is
cum @at I xulde sendeth here yf I kepe @e be-hest @at I have made- I
sopose I have tolde yow wat it was. I pray yow hertely @at [ye] wol wochesaf
to sende me a letter as hastely as \e may, yf wrytyn be non dysesse to yow,
and @at ye wollen wochesaf to sende me worde quowe your sor dott. Yf I
mythe have hade my wylle I xulde a seyne yow er dys tyme. I wolde \e
wern at hom, yf it were your ese and your sor myth ben as wyl lokyth to
here as it tys @er \e ben now, lever dan a new gounne, @ow it were of
scarlette. I pray yow, yf your sor be hol and so @at \e may indure to ryde,
wan my fader com to %^London @at \e wol askyn leve and com hom wan @e
hors xul be sentte hom a-\eyn; for I hope \e xulde be kepte as tenderly
herre as \e ben at %^London.
I may non leyser have to do wrytyn half a quarter so meche as I xulde
seyn to yow yf I myth speke wyth yow. I xal sende yow a-nothyr letter as
hastely as I may. I thanke yow @at \e wolde wochesaffe to remember my
gyrdyl, and @at \e wolde wryte to me at @is tyme, for I sopose @e wrytyng
was non esse to yow. All-myth God have yow in hys kepyn and sende
yow helth. Wretyn at %^Oxenede in ryth grete hast on Sent ^Mihyllys Evyn.
Yourrys, ^M. ^Paston
My modyr gretit \ow wel and sendyt \ow Goddys blyssyng and here, and
sche prayith \ow, and I pray \ow also, @at \e be wel dyetyd of mete and
dryngke, for @at is @e grettest helpe @at \e may haue now to your helthe
ward. Your sone faryth wel, blyssyd be God.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 127>
<D 14440708>
<L 0>
To myn ryth worcepful husbonde ^John ^Paston.
<L 1>
Ryth reuerent and worcepfful husbonde. I recomand me to yow, desyryng
hertely to here of yowre welle-fare, thankyn yow for yowre letter and for
@e thyngys @at ye sent me @er-wyth. And towchyn ^Jon ^Estegate, he com
nowdyr non sent hedyre nowt \yt, werefor I sopose I must borrowyn
mony in schorte time but \yf ye come sone home, for I sopose I xal non
haue of hym. So Godd helpe me, I haue but iiij s., and I howhe nerre as
meche mony as com to @e for-seyd some.
I haue do yowre herrendys to myn modyr and myn hunckyl, and as for @e
feffeys of %^Stokysby myn hunckyl syth @at @er be no mo @an he wrot to
yow of @at he knowit. And also I hauwe delyuyrit @e todyr thyng @at ye
sent me in-selyd in @e boxe as ye comaundit me, and @e man seyt @at
I delyuerid it to @at he wylle nowt of @e bargeyne but sweche thynggys
be do or he come @ere @at ye sent hym worde of. He seyth he wold nowt
be noysyd wyth no sweche thyngys os @at is @at it were do in hesse time
for xx marke. I sopose he xal send yow word in schorte time ho he wylle
do.
I pray yow @at ye wylle weche-saue to beyn for me swech lacys os I send
yow exsaunpyll of in @[i]s letter, and j pesse of blac lacys. As for cappys
@at ye sent me for @e chylderyn, @ey be to lytyl for hem. I pray yow bey
hem feynere cappys and largere @an @o were. Also I pray yow @at ye wille
wech-saue to recomaunde me to myn fadyr and myn modyr, and tellyth
herre @at alle herre chyldyrryn ben in gode hele, blyssyd be Godd.
^Heydonnis wyffe had chyld on Sent ^Petyr Day. I herde seyne @at herre
husbond wille nowt of here, nerre of here chyld @at sche had last
nowdyre. I herd seyn @at he seyd \yf sche come in hesse precence to make
here exkewce @at he xuld kyt of here nose to makyn here to be know
wat sche is, and yf here chyld come in hesse presence he seyd he wyld
kyllyn. He wolle nowt be intretit to haue here ay[e]n in no wysse, os I
herde seyn.
@e Holy Trinite* haue yow in hesse kepyn and send yow helth. Wretyn
at %^Geldiston on @e Wedynisday nexte after Sent ^Thomas.
Be yowrys, ^M. ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 128>
<D 144804>
<L 0>
To my ryth wurchypful hwsbond ^Jon ^Paston be @is lettyre delyveryd jn hast.
$litere $termino $pasche ao xxvj.
$litere $tangentes %^Oxenede %^Swensthorp %^Sparham
$ante [?]Mych. xxxiiij ^H. vjti.
<L 1>
Ryth wyrchypful hwsbond, I recomawnd me to \w, desyryng hertyly to
heryn of \wr wel-fare, praying \w to wete @at I was wyth my Lady ^Morley
on @e Satyrday nexst after @at \e departyd from hens, and told here qhat
answere @at \e had of ^Jon ^Butt; and sche toke jt ryth straw[n]gely and seyd
@at sche had told \w and schewyd \w j-now qhere-by \e myth have
knowleche @at @e releve owyth to ben payd to here. And sche seyd sche
wyst wel @at \e delay jt for@e @at sche xuld nowth have @at longyth to here
ryth. And sche told me hw jt was payd in ^Thomas ^Chawmberys tym, qhan
here dowter ^Hastyngys was weddyd; and sche seyd sythyn @at \e wyl make
none end wyth here sche wyl sew @er-fore as law wyl. I conseyvyd be here @at
sche had cwnsel to labore a\ens \w @er-jn wyth-jn ryth schort tym. And @an
I prayd here @at sche wuld vwche-save nowth to labowre a\ens \w jn @is
matere tyl \e kom hom; and sche seyd nay, be here feyth sche wuld no more
days \eve \w @er-jn. Sche seyd sche had sett \w so many days to a-kord
wyth here and \e had broke @em @at sche was ryth wery @er-of; and sche
seyd sche was but a woman, sche must don be here cownseyl, and here
cwnseyle had avysyd here, and so sche seyd sche wyld do. @an I prayd here
a\yn @at sche wuld teryn tyl \e kom hom, and I seyd I trostyd veryly @at
\e wuld don qhan \e kom hom as jtt longyth to \w to don; and jf \e myth
have very knowleche @at sche awyth of ryth for to have jtt, I seyd I wyst
wel @at \e wuld pay jt wyth ryth gode wyl, and told here @at \e had sergyd
to a fownd wrytyng @er-of and \e kwd non fynd in non wyse. And sche
sayd sche wyst wele @er was wrytyng @er-of j-now, and sche hath wrytyng
@er-of hw Syre ^Robert of %^Mawthby and Ser ^Jon and myn grawnsyre, and
dyverse o@er of myn awnceterys, payd jt and seyd nevyre nay @er-to. And
jn no wyse I kwd not getyn no grawnth of here to sesyn tyl \e kom hom.
And sche bad me @at I xuld don an erund to my moder; and qhan I kam
hom I dede myn erund to here, and sche axyd me jf I had spokyn to my
lady of @is forseyd matere, and I told here hw I had do and qhat answere I
had. And sche seyd sche xuld gon to my Lady ^Morle*s on @e nexst day, and
sche xuld speken to here @er-of and a-say to getyn grawnt of here to sesyn
of @e forsayd matere tyl @at \e kom hom. And truly my moder dede here
devere ryth feythfully @er-jn, as myn cosyn ^Clere xal tellyn \w qhan @at he
spekyth wyth \w, and sche gete grawnt of my seyd lady @at @er xuld nowth
ben don a\ens \w @er-jn and \e wold acordyn wyth here and don as \e
owyn to do be-twyx @is tym and Trinyte* Sunday.
^Laveraw[n]ce ^Rede of %^Mawthby recommaw[n]dyth hym to \u and
prayith \w @at \e wyl vwchesave to leten hym byn of \w @e ferm barly @at
\e xuld have of hym, and jf \e wyl laten hym have jt to a resonabyl pris he
wyl have jt wyth ryth a gode wyl. And he prayit \w, jf \e wyl @at he have
jt, @at \e wyl vwche-save to send hym wurd at qhat pris he xuld have @e
kowmb as hastyly as \e may, and ellys he must be purvayd in o@er plase.
As twchyng o@er tydyngys I sopose ^Jon of ^Dam xal send \w wurd jn
a letter. As jt js told me veryly, ^Heydon xal not kom at %^London @is term.
It is seyd jn @is contre* @at ^Danyel js owth of @e Kyngys gode grase, and he
xal dwn and all hys mene and all @at ben hys wele-wyllerys. @er xal no man
ben so hardy to don no@er seyn a\ens my lord of %^Sowthfolk nere non @at
longyth to hym; and all @at han don and seyd a\ens hym, @ey xul sore
repent @em.
^Kateryn ^Walsam xal be weddyd on @e Munday nexst after Trinyte*
Sonday, as it is told me, to @e galaw[n]nte wyth @e grete chene; and @er js
purvayd fore here meche gode aray of gwnys, gyrdelys, and atyrys, and
meche o@er gode aray. And he hathe purcheysyd a gret purcheys of v mark
be \ere to \evyn here to here joynture.
I am aferd @at ^Jon of ^Sparham js so schyttyl-wyttyd @at he wyl sett hys
gode to morgage to ^Heydon, or to sum o@er of vwre gode frendys, but jf I
can hold hym jnne @e better ere \e kom hom. He hath ben arestyd sythyn
@at \e went, and hath had moche sorw at @e sewte of Mayster ^Jon ^Stokys
of %^London for x mark @at ^Sparham owyth to hym; and jn gode feyth he
hath had so moche sorow and hevynesse @at he wyst nowth qhat he myth
don. I felt hym so disposyd @at he wold a sold and a sett to morgage all
@at he hath, he had nowth rowth to qhom so @at he myth an had mony to
an holpyn hym-self wyth. And I entretyd hym so @att I sopose he wyl
no@er sellyn nere sett to morgage no@er catel nere o@er gode of hese tyl
he speke wyth \w. He soposeth @at al @at js don to hym js att @e request
of @e parson of %^Sparham and ^Knatylsale. I sopose jt is almas to confort
hym, for jn gode feyth he js ryth hevy and hys wyf al-so. He js nowth nw
vnder arest, he hath payd hys feys and goth att large. He was arestyd att
%^Sparham of on of ^Knetysalys men.
^Hodge ^Foke told me @at ^Sym ^Schepherd js styl wyth ^Wylly, and jf
\e wyl I xal purvey @at he xal be browth hom ere \e kom hom. It js told
me @at he @at kepyth \wr schep was owth-lawyd on Munday at @e swth
of Ser ^Thomas ^Todynham, and jf jt be so \e arn nowth lyk to kepe hym
longe. And as twchyng @at @at \e bodeyn me spekyn for to ^Bakton, he seyth
he js wel avysed @at sche seyd sche wuld neuer have to done wyth all,
nere he kan not @enk @at sche hath non ryth to have jt. And he wyl say
lyche as he hath herd here seyd, and jf sche speke to hym @er-of he wyll
ra@er hold wyth \w @an wyth here.
I pray \w @at \e wyl vwche-save to send me wurd hw \e spede in \wr
mater twchyng %^Gressam, and hw ^Danyel js jn grace. ^Herry ^Goneld hath
browth to me xl s. of %^Gressam syn \e \ede, and he seyth I xal have more
or Qhythson tyd jf he may pyk jt vp. I sopose ^Jamys ^Gressam hath told \w
of o@er thyngys @at i have sped syn \e \edyn hens. If I here any straw[n]ge
tydyngys in @is contre* I xall send \w wurd. I pray \w @at I may ben
recommaw[n]dyd to my lord ^Danyel.
@e Holy Trynyte* have \w jn hys kepyng and send \w helth and gode
spede jn all \wr materys twchyng \wr ryth. Wretyn at %^Norwyche on @e
Wedenys-day nexst after @att \e partyd hens.
\wrys, ^Margarete ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 129>
<D 14480519>
<L 2>
Ryght worshipfull husbond, I recomaund me to yow, and prey yow to
wete @at on Friday last passed be-fore noon, @e parson of %^Oxened beyng
at messe in our parossh chirche, euyn atte leuacion of @e sakeryng, ^Jamys
^Gloys hadde ben in @e tovne and come homward by ^Wymondams gate.
And ^Wymondam stod in his gate and ^John ^Norwode his man stod by
hym, and ^Thomas ^Hawys his othir man stod in @e strete by @e canell
side. And ^Jamys ^Gloys come with his hatte on his hede betwen bothe
his men, as he was wont of custome to do . And whanne ^Gloys was a-yenst
^Wymondham he seid @us, 'couere thy heed'. And ^Gloys seid ageyn,
'so i shall for the'. And whanne ^Gloys was forther passed by @e space of
iij or iiij strede, ^Wymondham drew owt his dagger and seid, 'Shalt @ow so,
knave?' And @erwith ^Gloys turned hym and drewe owt his dagger and
defendet hym, fleyng in-to my moderis place; and ^Wymondham and his
man ^Hawys kest stonys and dreve ^Gloys into my moderis place. And ^Hawys
folwyd into my moderis place and kest a ston as meche as a forthyng lof
into @e halle after ^Gloys; and @an ran owt of @e place ageyn. And ^Gloys
folwyd owt and stod with-owt @e gate, and @anne ^Wymondham called
^Gloys thef and seid he shuld dye, and ^Gloys seid he lyed and called hym
charl, and bad hym come hym-self or ell @e best man he hadde, and ^Gloys
wold answere hym on for on. And @anne ^Haweys ran into ^Wymondhams
place and feched a spere and a swerd, and toke his maister his swerd. And
with @e noise of @is a-saut and affray my modir and I come owt of @e
chirche from @e sakeryng; and I bad ^Gloys go in to my moderis place
ageyn, and so he dede. And thanne ^Wymondham called my moder and me
strong hores, and seid @e ^Pastons and alle her kyn were [[...%^]]Myngham
[[...]]e seid he lyed, knave and charl as he was. And he had meche large
langage, as ye shall knowe her-after by mowthe.
After non my modir  and I yede to @e Priour of %^Norwich and told hym
al @is cas, and @e Priour sent for ^Wymondham and @erwhyle we yede hom
a-geyn and ^Pagraue come with vs hom. And whil ^Wymondham was with
@e Priour, and we were at hom in our places, ^Gloys stod in @e strete at my
moderis gate and ^Hawys aspyed hym @ere as he stod on @e Lady ^Hastyngis
chambre. A-non he come doun with a tohand swerd and assauted ageyn @e
seid ^Gloys and ^Thomas my moderis man, and lete flye a strok at ^Thomas
with @e sword and rippled his hand with his sword. And as for @e latter
assaut @e parson of %^Oxened sygh it and wole a-vowe it. And moche more
thyng was do, as ^Gloys can tell yow by mouthe, And for @e perilx of @at
myght happe by @ese premysses and @e circumstances @erof to be
eschewed, by @'aduyse of my modir and o@er I send yow ^Gloys to attend
up-on yow for a seson, for ease of myn owen hert; for in good feyth I
wolde not for xl li. haue suyche an-o@er trouble.
As touchyng my Lady ^Morle*, she seith @at she atte hire will wole haue
@e benyfyce of hire obligacion, for hir counseyll telleth hir, as she seith,
@at it is forfayt, And she wole not haue the relif til she hath your homage,
&c.
The Lord ^Moleyns man gaderyth up @e rent at %^Gresham a gret pace,
and ^Jamys ^Gresham shall telle yow more plenynly @erof at his comyng.
Nomore at @is tyme, but Almyghty God haue you in his kepyng. Wretyn
in hast on Trynyte* Sunday at euyn.
Yours, ^Margarete ^Paston
As touchyng ^Roger ^Foke, ^Gloys shall telle yow all, &c.
Qwhan ^Wymdham seyd @at ^Jamys xuld dy I seyd to hym @at I soposyd
@at he xuld repent hym jf he schlow hym or dede to hym any bodyly harm;
and he seyd nay, he xuld never repent hym ner have a ferdyng wurth of
harm @ow he kelyd \w and hym bothe. And I seyd \ys, and he sclow @e
lest chylde @at longyth to \wr kechyn, and jf he dede he were lyke, I
sopose, to dy for hym. It js told me @at he xall kom to %^London jn hast. I
pray \w be ware hw \e walkyn jf he be @ere, for he js ful cursyd-hertyd
and lwmysch. I wot wel he wyl not set vp-on \w manly, but I be-leve he
wyl styrt vp-on \w or on sum of \wr men leke a thef. I pray \w hertyly
@at \e late not ^Jamys kom hom a\en in non wyse tyl \e kom home, for myn
hertys ese; for be my trwth I wold not @at he were hurt, ner non man @at
longyth to \w jn \wr absens for xx pwnd. And in gode feyth he js sore
hatyd both of ^Wymdam and sum of hys men, and of o@er @at ^Wymdam
tellyth to hys tale as hym lyst, for @er as ^Wymdam tellyth hys tale he
makyth hem be-levy[n] @at ^Jamys js gylty and he no @yng gylty.
I pray \w hertyly here masse and o@er servys @at \e arn bwn to here wyth
a devwt hert, and I hope veryly @at \e xal spede ryth wele in all \wr
materys, be the grase of God. Trust veryly in God and leve hym and serve
hym, and he wyl not deseve \w. Of all o@er materys I xall sent \w wurd
jn hast.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 130>
<D 1448>
<L 0>
Ryt wurchipful hwsbond, I recomawnd me to \u and prey \w to gete som
crosse bowis, and wyndacis to bynd @em wyth, and quarell, for \wr hwsis
here ben so low @at @ere may non man schete owt wyth no long bowe @ow
we hadde neuer so moche nede. I sopose \e xuld haue seche thyngis of
Sere ^Jon ^Fastolf if \e wold send to hym. And also I wold \e xuld gete ij or
iij schort pelle-axis to kepe wyth doris, and als many jakkys and \e may.
^Partryche and his felaschep arn sore aferyd @at \e wold entren a\en
up-on hem, and @ey haue made grete ordynaw[n]ce wyth-jnne @e hwse,
as it is told me. @ey haue made barris to barre the dorys crosse-weyse, and
@ey han made wyketis on euery quarter of @e hwse to schete owte atte,
bothe wyth bowys and wyth hand gunnys; and @o holys @at ben made
forre hand gunnyss @ey ben scarse kne hey fro @e plawnchere, and of
seche holis ben made fyve. @ere can non man schete owt at @em wyth no
hand  bowys.
^Purry felle in felaschepe wyth ^Willyam ^Hasard at ^Querles, and told hym
@at he wold com and drynk wyth ^Partryche and wyth hym, and he seyd
he xuld ben welcom; and after none he went @edder for to aspye qhat @ey
dedyn and qhat fela-schep @ey hadde wyth @em. And qhan he com @edder
@e doris were fast sperid and @ere were non folkis wyth hem but ^Maryoth
and ^Capron and his wyff and ^Querles wyf a[n]d ano@er man in ablac \ede
sumqhate haltyng; I sopo[se] be his wurdis @at was ^Norfolk of %^Gemyngham.
And @e seyd ^Purry aspyde alle @is forseyd thyngis, and ^Marioth
and his felaschep had meche grette langage @at xall ben told \w qhen \e
kom hom.
I pray \w @at \e wyl vowche-save to don bye for me j li. of almandis
and j li. of sugyre, and @at \e wille do byen summe frese to maken of
\wr childeris gwnys; \e xall haue best chepe and best choyse of ^Hayis wyf,
as it is told me. And @at \e wyld bye a \erd of brode clothe of blac
for an hode fore me of xliijj d. or iiij s. a \erd, for [[@er]] is n[o]there
gode
cloth nere god fryse in this twn. As for @e childeris gwnys, and I haue cloth
I xal do hem maken. The Trynyte* haue \w jn his keping and send \w
gode spede in alle \wr materis.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 131>
<D 14490215>
<L 0>
To my ryt\ wurchipful mayster ^Jon ^Paston be @is delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryt wurchipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to \ou, desyryng hertyly to
heryn of \owr wele-fare, preyi[n]g \ou to weten @at I commawndyd ^Herry
^Goneld to gon to ^Gunnore to have copys of @e pleyntys in @e hundrede.
And ^Gunnore was not att hom, but @e seyd ^Herry spake wyth his clerk,
and he told hym pleynly he wost wele his mayster wuld not late hym have
no copys, @ow he wer att hom, tyl @e nexst hundred; qher-for I send \ou
@at byl @at was wownd abowt @e relefys. ^Custans ^Mak and ^Kentyng wold
a dysavowyd here swtys ryt\ fayn @e last hundred, as I herd sayn of ryt\
thryfty men; but @e Lord ^Moleynys men thrett hem @at bothe @ey xuld
ben betyn and lesen here hws and lond and all here goodys but if @ey wold
avow it. And after @at ^Osborn was gon, ^Hasard intretyd ^Kentyng and
^Mak to avow @e swtys after @at @ey hadde disavowyd itt, and \ave hem
mony to \ef to @e clerkys to entren a\en @e pleyntys. But jf \e seke a
remedy in hast for to remeve itt I sopose @ey wyl distreyn for @e
mersymentys er @e nexst hundred. As for ^Mak, he gate respyt @at he xuld
not sew tyl @e nexst hundred. As for ^Herry ^Goneld, he was dystreynyd
\ysterday for rent and ferm, and he must pay it to-morn, xxij s., or ell lesyn
his dystresse.@ey gadder money fast of all @e tenawntys. Al @e tenawntys
ben chargyd to pay all here rent and ferm be Fastyngong Sonday.
It ys told me @at @e Lord ^Moleynys xuld kepe his Fastyngong att ^Jon
^Wynterys plase. The seyd lordys men haddyn a letter on Thursday last
past; qhat tydyngys @ey hadde I wote nott, but on @e nexst mornnyng be
tymys ^Thomas ^Bampton, a man of @e Lord ^Moleynys, rod wyth a letter
to his lord, and @ey @at ben att %^Gressam waytyn after an answere of @e
letter in hast. ^Barow and ^Hegon and all @e Lord ^Moleynys men @at were
att %^Gressam qhan \e departyd hens ben there styll, save ^Bampton, and in
his stede is kom anothere, and i here sey @ei xul abyd here styll tyl here
lord kom [[...]] to ^Barow as \e komawndyd me, to weten qhatt @e cawse
was @at @ei thrett men [[...]]. ^Goneld and other of \owr servawntys and
wele-willerys to \ow @e qheche were namyd to hym @at were thrett
[[...s]]wore pleynly @att @ey were never thrett; but I know veryly @e
contrary, for of his own felaschep lay[[.]] in awayt sondery dayis and
nytys abowt ^Gunneldys, ^Purrys, and ^Bekkys plasys. And som of @em
\edyn in-to ^Bekkys and ^Purrys [[h]]wsys, bothen in @e hallys and @e
bernys, and askyd qher @ei were; and @ei were answeryd @at @ey were
owth, and @ei seydyn a\en @at @ey xuld meten wyth hem ano@er tym.
And be dyuers o@er thyngys I know if @ei myt\ a ben kawt o@er @ey xuld
a ben slayn or sore hurt.
I sent ^Kateryn on @is forseyd masage, for I kowd geten no man to do
it, and sent wyth here ^Jamys ^Halman and ^Herry ^Holt; and sche desyryd
of ^Barow to have an anshere of here masage, and if @ese forseyd men
myt\ levyn in pese for hem,and seyd @er xuld ell ben purveyd other
remedy for hem. And he made here grett chere, and hem @at were @ere
wyth here, and seyd @at he desyryd for to speken wyth me if it xuld ben
non displesans to me. And ^Kateryn seyd to hym @at sche supposyd @at
I desyryd not to speken  wyth hym. And he  seyd he xuld com forby @is
plase on huntyng after non, and @er xuld nomore com wyth hym but ^Hegon
and on of his owyn men, and @an he wold bryng seche an answere as xuld
plese me. And after none @ey com hydder and sent in to me to weten if @ei
myt\ speken wyth me, and praying @at @ei myt\ speken wyth me; and
@ey abedyn styl wyth-owt\ @e \atys, and I kam owth to hem and spak
wyth hem wyth-owt, and prayid hem @at @ey wold hold me exkusyd @at
I browth hem not in to @e plase. I seyd in as meche as @ei were nott wele-
wyllyng to @e godeman of @e plase I wold not take it up-on me to bryng
hem in to @e jantylwoman.@ey seyd I dede @e best, and @an we welk forthe
and desyryd an answere of hem for @at I hadde sent to hem fore. @ei sayd
to me @ei had browt\ me seche an answere as @ei hopyd xuld plese me,
and told me how @ei had comownd wyth all her felaschep of seche materis
as i had sent to hem fore, and @at @ei durst under-take @at @er xud no
man ben hurt of hem @att were rehersyd, nere noman @at longyth to \ou
no@er, for hem nere non of here felaschep; and @at @ey inswryd me be
here trowthis. Nevere lese I trest not to here promese in as meche as I fend
hem on-trew in o@er thyngys.
I conseyvyd wele be hem @at @ey were wery of @at @ei haden don. ^Barow
swor to me be his trowth @at he had lever @an xl s. and xl @at his lord had
not commawndyd hym to com to %^Gressam, and he seyd he was ryt\ sory
hidderward in as meche as he had knowleche of \w be-fore; he was ryt\
sory of @at @at was don. I seyd to hym @at he xuld haue compascion on \ou
and o@er @at were dissesyd of her lyvelode, in as meche as he had ben
dissesyd hym-self; and he seyd he was so, and told me @at he had sewyd
to my lord of %^Suffolk dyuers tymys, and wold don tyl he may gete his gode
a\en. I seyd to hym @at \e had sewyd to my Lord ^Moleynys dyuers tymys
for @e maner of %^Gressam syth \e wer dissesyd, and \e cowd neuer gete no
resonabyl answere of hym, and @er-fore \e entred a\en as \e hopid @at
was for @e best. And he seyd he xuld neuer blame my lord of %^Suffolk for
@e entre* in his lyvelode, for he seyd my seyd lord was sett @er-up-on be
@e informacion of a fals schrew. And I seyd to hym in lyke wyse is @e mater
be-twyx @e Lord ^Moleynys and \ou: I told hym I wost wele he sett neuer
@er-vp-on be no tytyl of ryt\ @at he hadde to @e maner of %^Gressam, but
only be @e informacion of a fals schrew. I rehersyd no name, but me thowt
be hem @at @ei wost ho I ment. Meche o@er langage we hadde qhyche
xuld taken long leysyr in wrytyng, I rehersyd to hem @at it xuld a be seyd
@att I xuld not longe dwell so nere hem as I do, and @ey for-swere it,
as @ei do o@er thyngys more, @at it was neuer seyd; and meche thyng
@at I know veryly was seyd.
I here seyn @at \e and ^Jon of ^Damme ben sore thrett alway, and seyn
@ow \e ben at %^London \e xul ben met wyth  there as wele as @ow \e were
here; and @er-for I pray \ou hertly beware hw \e walk @ere and haue a
gode felaschep wyth \ou qhan \e xul walk owt\. The Lord ^Moleynys
hathe a cumpany of brothell wyth hym @at rekk not qhat @ey don, and
seche are most for to drede. @ei @at ben at %^Gressam seyn @at @ey haue
not don so moche hurt to \ou as @ei were commawndyd to don.
^Rabert ^Laverawns is wele amendyd and I hope xall recure. He seyth
pleynly he wyl compleyn of his hurt, and I suppose ^Bek wyl compleyn also,
as he hath cause. ^Bek and ^Purry dare not abyd att hom tyl @ei here o@er
tydyngys. I wold not ^Jon of ^Damme xuld com hom tyl @e cuntre* be
storyd o@erwyse @an it is. I pray Godde grawnt @at it mot sone ben
o@erwyse @an it is. I pray \ou hertyly @at \e wil send me wurd how \e don
and how \e spede in \owr materis, for be my trowth I kan not ben wel att
ese in my hert, ner not xal ben, tyl I here tydyngys hw \e don.
@e most part of \owr stuff @at was at %^Gressam is sold and \ovyn away.
^Barow and his felaw spak to me in @e most plesaw[n]t wyse, and me semyth
be hem @ei wold fayn plese me. @ei seyd @ei wold do me servyse and
plesans, if it lay in here powrys to don owth for me, save only in @at @at
longyth to here lordys ryt\. I seyd to hem, as for seche servys as @ey hadde
do to \ow and to me I desyre nomore @at @ei xuld do no@er to \ow ner to
me. @ei seyd I myt an had of hem at %^Gressam qhat I hadde desyryd of hem,
and had as moche as I desyryd. I seyd nay, if I myt\ an had my desyre I
xuld no@er a departid owth of @e place nere from @e stuff @at was @er-in.
@ei seyd as for @e stuff, it was but esy. I seyd \e wold not a \oven @e stuff
@at was in @e place qhan @ei com jn not for a c li. @ei seyd @e stuff @at
@ei sey @ere was skars wurth xx li.
As for \owr moder and myn, sche faryth wel, blissid be God, and sche
had no tydyngys but gode \ett, blissid be God.
The blissyd Trynyte* have \ou in his kepyng and send \ou helt and gode
spede in al \owr materys. %^Wretyn at Sustede on @e Satyrday nexst after
Seynt ^Valentynys day. Here dare noman seyn a gode wurd for \ou in
@is cuntre*, Godde amend it.
\owrys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 132>
<D 14490228>
<L 0>
$litere $pertinentes $manerio $de %^Gresh
<L 1>
Ryt wurchypful hosbond, I recommawnd me to \ou, desyryng hertyly to
heryn of \owr wele-fare, be-seching \ou @at \e be not displesyd @ow I be
com fro @at place @at \e left me in; for be my trowth @er were browth me
seche tydyngys be dyuerys personys qhiche ben \owre wele-willerys and myn
@at I durst no lengere abyd there, of qhyche personys I xall late \ou have
wetyng qhan \e com hom. It was done me to wete @at dyuerys of @e Lord
^Moleynys men saydyn jf @ei myt gete me @ey xuld stele me and kepe me
wyth-jnne @e kastell, and @an @ey seyd @ei wold @at \e xuld feche me owth.
An @ei seydyn it xuld ben but a lytyll hert-brenny[n]g to \ou. And after
@at Iherd @ese tydyngys I kowd no rest have in myn hert tyl I was here,
nere I durst nowt owt of @e place @at I was jn tyll @at I was redy to ryden;
nere @er was non in @e place wist @at I xul com @ens save @e godewyf not
an owre be-fore @at I kam @ens. And I told here @at I xuld com hedder to
don maken seche gere as I wold haue made for me and for @e childer, and
seyd I sopposyd @at I xuld be here a fowrtennythe or iij wekys. I pray \ou
@at @e caws of my komyng away may ben kownsell tyl I speke wyth \ou,
for @ei @at lete me haue warnyng @er-of wold not for no good @at it were
diskuryd.
I spac wyth \owr modyr as I kam hidderwardys, and sche profyrd me,
if \e wold, @at I xuld abydyn in @is town. Sche wold wyth ryt\ a good
will @at we xul abyde in here place, and delyueryn me seche gere as sche
myt for-bere, to kepen wyth hwsold tyl \e myt\ ben purvayd of a place and
stuff of \owr owyn to kepe wyth howsold. I pray \ou send me word be @e
brynger of @is how \e wil @at I be demenyd. I wol ben ryt\ sory to dwel
so nere %^Gressam as I dede tyl @e mater were fully determynyd be-twix @e
Lord ^Moleynis and \ou.
^Barow told me that @er ware no better evydens in %^I[n]glond @an @e Lord
^Moleynys hathe of @e maner of %^Gressam. I told hym I sopposyd @at @ei
were seche evydens as ^Willyam ^Hasard seyd @at \owr were: he seyd @e
sellys of hem were not \ett kold. I seyd I sopposyd his lordys evydens were
seche. I seyd I wost wele, as for \owr evydens, @er myt\ no man haue non
better @an \e have, and I seyd @e selys of hem were to hundred \ere elder
@an he is. @e seyd ^Barow sayd to me if he com to %^London qhil \e were
there he wold drynk wyth \ou, for any angyr @at was be-twyx \ow. He
seyd he dede but as a servaw[n]t, and as he was commawndyd to don. ^Purry
xall tell \ou qhat langage was be-twyx ^Barow and me qhan I kam fro
%^Walsy[n]gham. I pray \ou hertyly, at @e reverens of God, be ware of @e
Lord ^Moleynys and his men, @ow @ei speke neuer so fayr to \ou trost hem
not, ne ete not nere drynk wyth hem, for @ei ben so fals it is not for to
trost in hem. And also I pray \ou be ware qhat \e eten ar drynk wyth any
othere felaschep, for @e pepyll is ful on-trosty.
I pray \ou hertylye @at \e wil vowche-save to send me word how \e don
and how \e speden in \owr materis be @e brynger of this. I merveyl meche
@at \e send me nomore tydyngys @an \e haue sent.
^Rogere ^Foke of %^Sparham sent to me and seythe @at he dare nott gon owt
of his hows for be kawse of @e sewte @at ^Heydon and ^Wymdam haue a\ens
hem, for he is thrett @at if he may be gette he xal be ladde to preson.
^Heydon sent ^Spendlove and o@er to wayte qhere he  were, and to arest hym
to @e kastell, and @e forseyd ^Roger is so aferd @at his drede makyth hym
so seke @at but if he haue sokowr sone it is lyke to ben his dethe.
Qhere-for i pray \ou, and he bothyn, @at \e wil purvay a remedy for hym,
@at he may gon at large, for it hurtit bothen \owr katel and hym. \owr
closys and \owr pastowr lythe all opyn be-kawse he may not gon abrodde
to don hem amendyn, and \owr schep ar not lokyd at as @ey xuld ben for
@er is no schepeherd but ^Hodgis sonys, for o@er schepherd dare non abyd
@er ner com up-on @e comown be-kause @at %^Wichyngham men thretyn hem
to bete if @ei comen on here komon. And but if \owr bestys mown comown
@er jt xall ben grette hurt to hem but if @e haue more pasture @an @ei
haue be-syd @att.
^Watkyn ^Schipdam recommawndyth hym to \ou, and prayt \ou @at \e
woll speke to Sere ^Jon ^Fastolf for @e harneys @at \e hadden of hym, and
tellyn hym how it is @at som @er-of is gon, and speke to hym @at @ei @at
arn bownd @er-for nere @ei @at delyueryd it ben no hurt.
I haue \ove ^Purry a gown; I pray \ou take heed qhat it is and send me
word if \e wil @at I purway all \owr leuere*s of @e same. @e pris of a \erd
@er-of is xiij d. ob., and so me semyt it is wele worth.
The parson of %^Sparrammys dowter and o@er talkedyn largely, and seydyn
@at \e haue hadde on schote and but if \e ben ware \e xall haue more
or Estern=\e xall for-bere %^Sporyl and %^Sweynysthorp also but if \e bere
\ou wele, er \e haue do wyth @e mater of %^Gressam. It is told me as for
%^Gressam @e Lord ^Moleynys xuld not cleym it now no@er be tayl nere be
evydens, but be infefment of on of his anseteris qhiche dyid sesynnyd, and
in @e same wise it is seyd @at %^Sweynysthorp xul be cleymyd. In qhat wyse
%^Sporyl xuld ben cleymyd i wote not; but if @er be any seche thing to-ward
I send \ou wor[d] here-of @at \e may taken hede the [[...]] ^Thomas
^Skipping seyd qhan he kam fro %^London to a man @at he wend xuld not a
dis[[kuryd]] it @at @[[...]]yke to for-gon @e maner of %^Sporyll wyth-in ryt\
schort tym. As for @e pleyntys in @e [[hundred]] ^Purry xa[[ll tell]] \ou
qhat is don and of o@er thingys more.
The Holy Trynyte* haue \ou in his keping. W[[retyn at]] %^Norwyche on
@e Fryday nexst after Puver Weddenysday.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 133>
<D 14490402>
<L 0>
To my ryt\ wurschipful mayster ^Jon ^Paston be @is delyverid in hast,
dwelling in @e Innere Tempill.
<L 1>
Ryt\ wurschipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to \ou, praying \ou to
wete @at my kosyn ^Clere dynyd wyth me @is day, and sche told me @at
^Heydon was wyth here \isterevyn late. And he told here @at he had a letter
from @e Lord ^Moleynys, and schewyd here @e same letter, praying hym
@at he wold seyn to his frendys and wele-willerrys in @is contre* @at he
thankyth hem of here godewill and for @at @ei haue don for hym, and
also praying ^Heydon @at he wold sey to ^Rychard ^Ernold of %^Crowmer
@at he was sory and evyl payd @at his men maden @e afray up-on hym,
for he seyd it was not be his will @at his men xuld make afray on noman
in @is contre* wyth-owth ryt\ grett cawse; and as for @at was don to \ou,
jf it myt\ ben prevyd @at he had don o@erwise to \ou @an ryt\ wold as for
\owr mevabyl godis, \e xuld ben content so @at \e xuld haue cawse to
kon hym @ank. And he prayd ^Heydon in @e letter @at it xuld ben reportid
in @e kontre* @at he wold don so if he had don o@erwyse @an he awth to don.
The frere @at cleymyth %^Oxned was in @is town \ustyrday and @is day,
and was lodgid att ^Beris; and @is after-non he rod, but qhedder I wote
not.He seyd pleynly in @is town @at he xal haue %^Oxnede, and @at he hath
my lord of %^Suffolkys good lordship and he wol ben his good lord in @at
matere. There was a persone warnyd my moder wyth-in @is to days @at
sche xuld ben ware, for @ei seyd pleynly sche was lyk to ben servyd as \e
were servyd at %^Gressam wyth-in ryt\ schort tym. Also @e Lord ^Moleyns
wrott in his forseyd letter @at he wold mytyly wyth his body and wyth his
godis stand be all @o @at had ben his frendys and his wel-willerys in @e
mater towching %^Gressam, and preyd ^Heydon @at he wold sey to @em @at
@ei xuld not ben aferd in non wyse, for @at was don it xuld ben abedyn by.
My moder prayith \ou @at \e wil send my bro@er ^Willyam to %^Kawmbrege
a nomynale and a bok of sofystre* of my bro@er ^Emundys, @e queche
my seyd bro@er be-hestid my moder @e last tym he spak wyth her @at he
xuld a sent to my bro@er ^Willyam.
@e blisseful Trinyte* haue \ou in his keping. Wretyn at %^Norwyche in hast
on @e Wedenysday nexst be-fore Palm Sonday.
\owrys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 134>
<D 1449>
<L 1>
I prey \ou if \e haue any old gownys for lynyngys and old schetys and old
schertis @at may non lengere se[r]ven \ou, I prey \ou send hem hom in hast,
for I must okupye seche thyngys in hast. Wymdam hath medyd @e
jvryorys and \af hem mony @at xuld passe on @e qwhest be-twyn \owr
modyr and hym. If @er myt ben purveyd any mene @at it myt ben dasched
in cas were @at it xuld passe a\ens \owr moder it were a good sport, for
@an he wold ben wode.He sent wyth his men to @e afray iij gunnys, in very
trowth. I haue jnquiryd veryly @er-after. He is wode wroth @at ^Danyel is
amrel, for it is told me @at on of his men is indytyd in @e amrellys cort
sythyn @at ^Danyel was made amerel.
I pray \ou beware in qhat felaschep \e ryd qhan \e com homward, for
@er gon many fals shrewys and thevys in @e contre*. ^Thomas ^Skipping
rod to %^Londonward on Friday last past in gret hast, and purposyd hym for
to ben at %^London on Sonday be none on erundys of his maysterrys. Qhat
@e cawse is I wote nott. On sent me wurd here-of @at knowyth it for
 trowth.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 135>
<D 14490509>
To my ryth wurchepfull mayster ^Jon ^Paston in hast
<L 0>
<L 1>
Ryt wurschipfull husbond, I recommand me to \ou, desyring hertyly to here
of \owr wellfare, prayi[n]g \ou to wete @at I haue spoken wyth ^Strawngys
wyf of @e mater @at \e spoken to me of. And sche seyth pleynly to me, be
here feyth, @at sche knew neuer non seche ner never herd of non scheche;
and told to me in lyk wyse as sche had seyd to ^Jamys ^Gloys. And sche seyd
to me if sche kowd jnquire of any o@er @at sche @ingkyth xuld haue knowleche
of any seche sche xuld wetyn of hem and letyn me haue knowleche
@er-of. And jf \e soppose @at any o@er be jn @is contre* @at ye thyng xuld
haue knowleche of @is forseyd mater, if ye wyll send me word there-of I
xall do my part there-in. Also, I haue ben att %^Sweynysthorp and spoken
wyth ^Kokett, and he seyth @at he woll don lyche as \e bad me @at I xuld
sey to hym for to don. And I haue spokyn wyth @e sexteyn and seyd to hym
as ye bad me that I xuld don, and he axid me ryt feythfully hw ye sped jn
\owr materys. I told him @at \e haddyn fayre be-hestys, and I seyd I hopyd
@at \e xuld don ryt\ well @er-jn; and he seyd he supposyd @at ^D. wold don
for \ou, but he seyd he was no hasty laborere jn non mater. He seyd be
hys feyth he wost qhere a man was @at laboryd to hym for a mater ryth a
long tym, and alwey he be-hestyd @at he wold labore itt effectualy, but
qhyll he sewyd to hym he kowd never haue remedy of his mater; and than,
qhan he @owth @at he xuld no remedy haue to sew to hym, he spak wyth
^Fynys @at is now Speker of @e Parlment, and prayid hym @at he wold don
for hym jn his mater, and \af hym a reward, and wyth-jnne ryth schort
tym after his mater was sped. And @e seyd sexteyn and o@er folkys @at ben
yowre ryth wele willerys haue kownselyd me @at I xuld kownsell \ou to
maken o@er menys @an ye haue made to other folkys @at wold spede yowr
materys better @an they haue don @att ye haue spoken to @er-of be-for
this tym. Sondery folkys haue seyd to me that they @ynk veryly but if \e
haue my lord of %^Suffolkys godelorchyp qhyll @e werd is as itt is ye kan
neuer leven jn pese wyth-owth ye haue his godelordschep. Therfor I pray
you wyth all myn herth @at ye wyll don yowre part to haue hys godelordschep
and his love jn ese of all the materis that ye haue to don, and jn
esyng of myn hert also. For be my trowth I am afferd ellys bothen of
these matery[s] the qhyche ye haue jn hand now, and of othere that ben
not don to yett but if he wyl don for \ou and be yowr godelord.
I pray \ow hertylye send me word how \e don and how ye speden jn
\owr materys; and I pray you, as for seche thyngys as ^Jamys hath a byll of,
@at I may haue hem as hastyly as \e may, and @at \e wyll vowchesave to
bey a pese of blak bukram for to lyn wyth a gown for me. I xuld bey me a
murrey gown to gon in this somer, and leyn in the kolere the satyn @at E
\eve me for an hodde, and I kan gettyn non gode bokeram jn @is town to
lyn it wyth.
The Holy Trinyte* haue yow in his kepyng and send \ou helth and good
spede in all yowre materis. Wretyn att %^Norwyche on @e Fryday nexst after
Crowchemesse Day.
\owrys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 136>
<D 14500312>
<L 0>
To my ryt\ worchypful maystyr ^Jon ^Paston be this delyveryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryt\ worchipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to \ow, desyring hertyly to
here of \owr well-fare, thankyng for @e letter @at \e sent to me, praying
\ow to wete @at I haue sent ^Henry to %^Maltby @is weke to do seche thyngys
as \e commaw[n]dyd in \owr letter. And as towching @e dyche a\ens the
maner gate, \owr tenawntys haue nere made itt as \e desyryd @at it shuld
ben made qhan \e were @ere, and it is made up-on @e old dyche. And as
for mony, I cowd haue @er at @is tym butt xxj s. viij d. And as for the flete,
@e man is not in @is contre* @at shuld make itt. \ow[r] tenawntys and o@er
men seyn @at it shal ben als gode makyng @er-of after Estern as it shuld
ben be-fore Estern.
I have spoke to ^Jon of ^Damme to do as \e sent me word in \owr letter,
and he seyth he wol don his part as \owr desyre is wyth all his hert. ^Jamys
^Gloys was in @at contre* sythyn he kom from %^London, and he spak wyth
^Henry ^Goneld; and @e seyd ^Henry told hym @at he herd seyn @at ^Partriche
hath sent a lettyr to @e lym-brennere byddyng hym @at he shuld fell @e
rede att %^Gressam, and so it is fellyd and karyid to ^Mariottys plase att
%^Bekkam. And @e seyd ^Henry seyth how it is seyd in %^Gressam that ^Partryche
sent hom word @at he shuld not com hom tyl he com wyth his lord, and
@at he seyd shuld ben wyth-jnne short tym, and @at he shuld ben
lodgyd at ^Jon ^Wynterys plase. And as for ^Capron, he dwellyth styl in
%^Gressam, and he seyth, and o@er @at ben a\ens \ow, thow \e entre in-to
@e manere @at \e shuld nevyre haue it long in pesebyl wyse.
^Wyllyam ^Butt, the whiche is wyth Sere ^Jon ^Hevenyngham, kom hom
from %^London \esterday, and he seyd pleynly to his mayster and to many
othere folkys @at the Duke of %^Suffolk is pardonyd and hath his men a\en
waytyng up-on hym, and is ryt\ wel at ese and mery, and is in the Kyngys
godegrase and in @e gode conseyt of all @e lordys as well as ever he was.
There ben many enmys a\ens ^%\Ermowth and %^Crowmere, and haue don
moche harm and taken many Englysch-men and put hem in grett destresse
and grettely rawnsommyd hem, and the seyd enmys ben so bolde that they
kom vp to @e lond and pleyn hem on %^Caster sondys and in othere plases
as homely as they were Englysch-men. Folkys ben ryt\ sore aferd @at they
wol don moche harm @is somer but if @er be made ryt\ grett purvyans
a\ens hem. Othere tydyngys know I non att @is tym.
The blysseful Trinyte* haue \ow in his kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwyche on
Seynt ^Gregorys Day
\owrys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 137>
<D 1451003>
<L 0>
To my rith wurshepfull hosbond ^Jon ^Paston
<L 1>
Rith worchipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, preying you to wete
that there is a gret noyse in @is town @at my lord of %^Oxforth and ^Yelverton
and ye ben endytid in %^Kent for mayntenyng of @e oyrdetermyner, and ^Jon
^Damme is endytyd @ere also of treson be-cawse @at he dede ^Heydon
endytyn of treson for takyng down of @e quarter of the man. And the
pepyll @at ben ayens Sere ^Thomas ^Todenham and ^Heydon ben sore
aferd be-cawse of @is noyse and of o@er langage that is had bo@e in @is town
and in @e contre* @at @ese seyd ^Todenham and ^Heydon shuld ben as well
at ese and haue as grett rewill as euer they hadde. ^Jamys ^Gloys tellith me
@at he hath sent yow word of ^Heydonys hors, and of o@er thyngys more, of
whiche I was purposid to a sent yow word of.
The Holy Trinyte* have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwiche the
Weddenysday next after Seynt ^Mathy.
yowris, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 138>
<D 14510315>
<L 0>
To myn ryth worshipfull hosbond ^Jon ^Paston.
<L 1>
Rith wurchipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, desiring hertily to
here of yowre welfare, preying yow to wete that ^Herry ^Halmannys wyf sent
to me word on Saturday last past that ^Prentys thretyth here hosbond sore,
and ^Jon ^Robynys, for seche thingys as ^Prentys seyth @at @ey haue don
ayens hym. He seyth he shall make hem so besy or he leve hem that he shall
make hem not wurth a peny, and they ben aferd @at he woll hold hem
connawnt if he have powyre there-to.
It is seyd here @at the Kyng shuld com in-to this contre*, and Ser ^Thomas
^Todenham and ^Heydon arn well cheryshid wyth hym; and also it is seyd
they shall have as grett rewill in @is contre* as evyre they hadde, and many
more folkys arn sory @erfore than mery. Ser ^Thomas ^Todenhamys men
and ^Heydonys sowyn this sedde all abowte @e contre*, @at here maysteris
shull cum hom in hast in here prosperite* and be als well att ese as euer they
were.
As for that ye desyryd @at I shuld enquyre where any stuff is of yowrys,
I wot not how to don @er-wyth, for if on were aspyid @at hath of yowr stuff,
and we had it from hym, o@er @at have more @er-of wold ben ware be hym
and avoyd seche stuff as they have of yowris. I suppose ^Jon ^Osbern shall
tell you whan ye com hom a gode meen to wete where meche @erof is
becom.
^Jamys ^Gloys is ayen to %^Gressam, and I suppose ^Jon ^Damme shall tell
yow what he hath don there. Yowre tenawntys wold fayn @at summe
mene of yowris shuld abyde amongis hem, for they ben in gred diswyre
what they may do, the langage is so grett on the to@er party that it makyth
@e tenawntys sore afferd that ye shuld not regoyse itt. I send to yow a letter
be ^Colynys of ^Frawnceys ^Costard, what dedis he woll don. It was told me
also that the Lord ^Molyns was lyke to have a day ayens yow att %^Thetford
at the next assyse. On @at louyth yow ryth well told me how it was told
hym so, and warnyd me @erof in secrete wyse. Itt is gode to ben ware of
there falsed.
I pray yow @at ye woll send me word in hast if ye wol have red to yowr
levery as ye were avysid, and if ye woll not, &c. And also I pray yow @at ye
woll do bey ij gode hattis for yowr sonys, for I can none getyn in @is town.
More tydyngys can I not send yow yett.
The Holy Trinyte* have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn att %^Norwiche on @e
fyrst Monday of Lent.
Yowrys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 139>
<D 14510330>
<L 0>
To my right wurchepfull husbond ^John ^Paston, beyng in the Innere Tempill, be
this delivered in has
<L 1>
Right wurchepfull husbond, I recomaund me to you, prayng you to wete
that myn vnkyll ^Phylyp ^Berney was at %^Lynne this last weke. And he was
at jnne at the balyffes hows of %^Lynne, and ^Partrych came in-to the same
place whill myn vnkyll was there. And the seid ^Partrych was wele aqueyntyd
with the balyffe, and the balyffe told hym that he sent a letter to the
Lord ^Molyns, and that the Lord ^Molyns had sent hym a-nothere letter
letyng him wete that he purposyd hym to be at %^Lynne thes weke. Than
^Partrych seid that he had word that thes seid lord purposyd hym to be
there at that tyme, but he said summe men supposyd that he wuld not come
here; and the balyffe seid that he was right glad that he shuld come in-to
this contre*. On of myn vnkyll men herd all this langage and told it myn
vnkill. The baly nere ^Partrych knewe not at that tyme what myn vnkyll
was to vs ward.
Also, I purposyd me to haue sent to ^Stapylton as ye sent me word be
^James ^Gresham, and it is told me that he is to %^London.
Item, it is noysed a-bowte %^Gresham and all that contre* that the Lord
^Molyns shuld be there in hast.
Item, ^Gonnore had right gret langage, and he trostyd that the word shall
turne sumwhat after there entent. Othere tydynges haue we non but that
^Tudenham and ^Heydon shuld haue a-geyn the rewele in this contre* assmych
as euer thei had, or more.
The Holy Trynyte* haue you in kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwhich vn the
Tuesday next be-fore Mydlente Sonday.
Yowre ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 140>
<D 14510603>
<L 0>
To my rygth worshipfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be @is delyverid in hast.
<L 1>
Rygth wurchipfull hosbond, i recommawnd me to yow, desyring hertyly
to here of yowr welfare, preying yow to wete that itt was told me @is weke
that @er is a fayre plase to sell in Seynt ^Laveransis parysch, and stant nere
the chirche and by @e watere syde, @e whiche place ^Toppis hath to sell.
^Pyte, a lystere, bowgth itt of ^Toppis, and now for defawt of payment
^Toppis hath enterid ayen @er-inne and shall selle itt in hast, as it is told
me.
The seyd lystere dwellyth @er-inne at @is tym, but he shall owte, for he is
hald rygth a pore man. I suppose if ye lyke to bye itt when ye com hom ye
shall mou have itt of ^Toppis als gode chepe or bettere than ano@er shuld.
Als for tydyngys, we have none gode in @is contre*; I pray God send us
gode. Itt was told me that ^Rychard ^Sowthwell hath enterid in @e manere
of %^Hale, @e whiche is @e Lady ^Boysys, and kepyth itt wyth strength wyth
seche anothere felashep as hath be att %^Brayston, and wastyth and dispoylyth
all @at @er is. And @e Lady ^Boys, as it is told me,is to %^London to conpleyn
to @e Kyng and to @e lordys there-of. Itt semyth it was not for nowgth
@at he held wyth ^Charlys and his felashep.
I prey yow @at ye wol vowchesawf to speke to ^Jamys ^Gloys to bye @e
$vngwentum $album @at I spake to hym fore, and @at ye woll remembre yowr
fayre dowgteris gyrdyl. I hope ye shull be at hom so sone that I woll do
wryte nomore tydyngys to yow.
The blyssid Trinyte* have yow in his keping and send yow gode spede
in all @at ye woll spede well inne. Wretyn at %^Norwyche on @e Ascencion
Day.
Yowris, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 141>
<D 14510701>
<L 0>
To my rygth worshypfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be this delyveryd in hast.
<L 1>
Rygth worchypfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, desyryng hertyly
to here of yowre wellfare, preying yow to wete that i have spoke wyth my
Lady ^Felbrygg of that ye bad me speke to here of. And she seyd pleynly
to me that she wold not ne nevyr was avysyd no@er to lete @e Lord ^Moleyns
ne non o@er to have ther intentys as for @at mater whyll @at she levyth.
And she was rygth evyll payd wyth ^Sawtre that he shuld reporte as itt was
told yow @at he shuld have reportyd, and she made rygth moche of yow
and seyd @at she wold nowgth @at no servaw[n]te of herys shuld reporte no
thyng @at shuld be ayens yow o@erwyse @an she wolld @at yowr servawntys
shud do or seyn ayens here. And jf o@er yowr servawntys dede ayens
here, or any of here ayens yow, she wold @at itt shuld be reformyd be-twyx
yow and here, and @at ye mygth ben all on, for she seyd in good feyth she
desyryth yowr frendshep. And as for @e report of ^Sawtre, she seyd she
supposyd @at he wold nowgth reporte so; and if she mygth know @at he
dede she wold blame hym @er-fore. I told here @at itt was told me syth @at
ye reden, and @at itt grevyd me more @at @e seyd ^Sawtre shuld reporte as
he dede @an itt had be reportyd of ano@er, in als moche as I had awgth
hym goodwyll before. And she prayid me @at I shud not beleve seche
reportys tyll i knew the trowth.
I was at ^Toppys att dynere on Seynt ^Peterys Day. There my Lady
^Felbrygg and o@er jantyll-women desyryd to have hadde yow there; they
seyd they shuld all a be @e meryere if ye hadde ben there.My cosyn ^Toppys
hath moche care tyll she here goode tydyngys of here bro@eris mater.
Sche told me @at @er shuld kepte a day on Monday next komyng be-twyx
here bro@er and Sere ^Andrew ^Hugard and ^Wymdham. I pray yow send
me word how they spede and how ye spede in yowr owyn materys also.
Also, I pray yow hertyley that ye woll send me a potte wyth triacle in
hast, for I have ben rygth evyll att ese, and yowr dowghtere bo@e, syth @at
ye yeden hens. And on of @e tallest younge men of @is parysch lyth syke
and hath a grette myrre; how he shall do God knowyth. I have sent myn
vnkyll ^Berney the potte wyth triacle @at ye dede bey for hym. Myn awnte
recommawndyth here to yow and prayith yow to do fore here as the byll
makyth mencion of that i send yow wyth this letter, and as ye thynk best
for to do @er-inne.
Ser ^Herry ^Inglose is passyd to God this nygth, hoys sowle God asoyll,
and was caryid for@ this day at ix of @e clok to %^Seynt %^Fey@is and there
shall be beryid. If ye desyer to bey any of hys stuff I pray you send me word
@er-of in hast, and I shall speke to ^Robert ^Inglose and to ^Wychyngham
@er-of. I suppose @ei ben executorys.
The blyssyd Trinyte* have you in his kepyng. Wretyn att %^Norwyche in
hast on @e Thursday next after Seynt ^Peter.
Yowrys, M. P.
I pray yow trost nott to @e sheryve for no fayre langage.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 142>
<D 14510706>
To my rygth wurchipfful hosbond ^John ^Paston be @is delyverid in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth worshipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, desyryng hertyly
to here of yowr welfare, praying yow @at ye woll send me word in hast how
ye be agreid wyth ^Wychyngham and ^Inglose for @at mater that ye spake to
me of at yowr departyng; for if I shuld purvey o@er wood or hey it shuld
be bowgth best chepe be-twyx @is and Seynt ^Margretys masse, as itt is
told me. As for ^Applyard, he com not yett to this town syn he com from
%^London. I have sent to Ser ^Bryse to lete me have knowleche when he
comyth to town, and he hath promysid @at I shall have knowleche; and
when he comyth I shall do yowr  commawndement.
My moder bad me send yow word @at ^Waron ^Herman hath dayly fyshid
hyre watere all @is yer, and @erfor she prayith yow to do @er-for whill ye be
att %^London as ye thynk best. ^Chyrche of %^Byrlyngham was take and browte
to @e castell yisterday be @e Beshopys men, and all his godys ben seysid
for @at he owyth to @e Boshop. And @e seid ^Chirche seyth as for @at he
hath seyd of hem @at he hath appelyd before @is tym, he woll awow itt and
abyd @erby; and seyth @at he woll appele on @at hath more nobelys @an
they have all @at he hath spoke of yett, and @at shall avayll @e Kyng mor
@an @ey have all @at he hath speke of yett; but whatt he is he woll not name
tyll he know more. I trow but if @er be the gretter labowr made ayens hym
he is lyke to have grett favowr of hem @at have be his supportorys. Men
thenk @at have spoke wyth hym @at he hopyth to haue good helpe.
I pray God that @e trowth mote be knowyn.
I pray yow @at ye woll vowchesaff to send me an o@er sugowr loff, for
my old is do. And also @at ye well do make a gyrdill for yowr dowgtere, for
she hath nede @er-of.
The blyssid Trinyte* have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwyche in
hast on @e Tewysday next before Seynt ^Thomas Day.
Yowrys, ^M. ^P.
Paper is deynty.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 143>
<D 14520421?>
<L 1>
Right wurchepfull howsbond, I recomand me to yow, praying yow to wete
that the parson of %^Oxened told me that ^Wymdham told hym that %^Sweynnysthorp
is hold of the Kyng be the thred part or the fourt part of a knyt
fye; and ho so euer had the maner of ^Sweynsthorp, he shuld fynde an
armyd man in tyme of werre in the Castell of %^Norwhic xl days to his owyn
cost; and that ye shuld pay xxx s. to the Kyng yerly owth of the seyd
maner; and it is fond also that your fader shuld a died seysyd, and that ye
shuld a entyrryd ther-in as heyre after your fader dysseys and that ye shuld
be now vp-on the age of xxx wynter. It semyth be that he seyd that he is
preuy to the seyd matere. Also the seyd ^Wymdham seyd to the seyd
parson that the Kyng hath yovyn it to the Provost of Eton. I suppose that
it myth not be graunted so hastyly after that it was seysyd.
It is seyd here that it is lyke that there shall be mad more affrays at
%^Lynne wyth-in short tyme. I herd sey that ^Bosvyle cam in-to %^Lynne wythin
this vij ny\t and mad affray vp-on a man of %^Lynne and yaffe hym a
buffette, and that shall turne to non esse or after. In gode feyth I here no
man sey but that ^Bosvyle is right a  mysgouernyd yong man, and he hath
many wordes myth wele be left. I suppose but if his mayster voyd hym he
shall repente hym be-cause of his mysgou[ern]auns wyth-in short tyme.
His mayster hath many moo elmyes than he shuld haue be-cause of his
mysgouernauns. I wold fayn that ye myth conceyle hym that he myth
a-voyd hym assone as he myth wyth his wurchep, for he shall ell repent
hym.
The Trinite* haue yow in his kepyng. Writen at %^Norwhic the Friday
next a-fore Seynt ^George.
Yowres, ^M. ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 144>
<D 14521105>
<L 0>
To my right worchepful husbond ^John ^Paston be this delyverid in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchepful husbond, I comaund me to yow, desieryng hertely to
here of your welfare, praying yow to wete that, as for your werk at %^Mauteby,
it is not lyke that there shal nomore be made there-of this yer but the gabels
of the chambere and the chapel wyndows, and the reder hath don wel hese
part to the halle. As for the lytel hows that ye wrete to me for, my vncle
and Ser ^Thomas sey it is not for your a-vayle for to have werkmen vn it
tyl wyntere be passid. The masons faylyd tyle more than fortenyght
aftyre that I cam thens. And as for men of %^Sparham, they wer not
recompensid the last weke for her comon as the master promysid yow,
as ^Folcard sent me word; for I sent to ^Folcard for to know the trowght.
My vncle ^Phelyppe comaund hym to yow, and he hath be so seke sith
that I come to %^Redham that I wend he shuld never an askapid it, nor not is
leke to do but if he have redy help; and therefore he shal into %^Suffolk this
next weke to myn aunt, for there is a good fesician and he shal loke to hym.
I cam to %^Norwiche vn Sowlemesday, and I shal abyde in ^Talvas place tyl
ye come hom; but as for yowre being there when ye come hom, the howses
be to smale for your men and your hors, and therfore ye had nede come
hom the soner to purvey yow of a-nodyre place. And as for stuff of howsold,
I can non bye at ^Inglos nor in non odyre place yet; and as for mony, it
cometh slauly jn. ^Gerrardys wyff is deed, and there is a fayre place of hers
to selle in Sent ^Gregorys parysh, as it is told me.I suppose if ye leke to bye
it ye shuld have it worth the mony.
There is falle a gret debate be-twen ^Heydon and ^Wymondham, as ye
shal here aftyre this; in good feyth, if it be trewe that my Lady ^Hastynges
and other report, ^Heydon hath falsly deseyved hym after that he trustyd
hym. Also, my Lady ^Hastynges told me that ^Heydon hath spoke to ^Geffrey
^Boleyn of %^London, and is a-greid wytht hym that he shuld bargeyn wyth
Ser ^John ^Fastolff to bye the maner of %^Blyklyng as it were for hym-selff, and
if ^Boleyn byet in trowght  ^Heydon shal have it. My Lady ^Hastynges prayid
me that I shuld wryte to yow to lete yow have knowleche there-of, and that
ye myght let it; for ^Heydon hath lost her good grace, lest as long as it maye.
^John ^Wodhows shal telle yow more of the mater if he speke wyth yow.
I pray yow that ye wol do bye ij doseyn trenchors, for I can none gete in
this town. Also, I pray yow that ye wol send me a booke wyth chardeqweyns
that I may have of in the mo[r]nyngges, for the eyeres be not holsom in
this town. Therfore I pray yow hertely lete ^John ^Suffeld bryng it hom wyth
hym.
Nomore, but the blyssid Ternyte* have yow in hese kepyng and send yow
good sped in all yowre maters. Wrete vn Sent ^Leonard Even . I pray yow
hold me excusid that I sent yow non ear non ansuere of seche thyngges as
ye desierid to have ansuer of, for in good feyth I myght not.
Your ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 145>
<D 14530130>
To my right wurshipfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be @is delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right worshippffull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, praying yow to
wete @at I spak yistirday wyth my sustere, and she told me @at she was sory
@at she myght not speke wyth yow or ye yede. And she desyrith, if itt
pleased yow, @at ye shuld yeve @e jantylman @at ye know of seche langage
as he myght fele by yow @at ye wull be wele willyng to @e mater @at ye
know of; for she told me @at he hath seyd before @is tym @at he conseyvid
@at ye haue sett but lytil @er-by. Wherefore she prayth yow @at ye woll be
here gode brothere, and @at ye myght haue a full answere at @is tym
wheddere it shall be ya or nay. For here modere hath seyd to here syth @at
ye redyn hens @at she hath no fantesy @er-inne, but @at it shall com to a
jape, and seyth to here @at @er is gode crafte in daubyng, and hath seche
langage to here @at she thynkyth right strange and so @at she is right wery
 @er-of. Wherefore she desyrith @e rathere to haue a full conclusyon @er-inne.
She seyth here full trost is in yow, and as ye do @er-inne she woll
agre* here @er-to.
Mayster ^Braklee was here yisterday to haue spoke wyth yow. I spak
wyth hym, but he wold not tell me what his erond was. It is seyd here @at
@e cescions shall be at %^Thetford on Saturday next komyng, and there shall
be my lord of %^Norffolk and othere wyth grette pupill, as it is seyd. O@er
tydyngys haue we none yett.
The blissefull Trynyte* haue yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwyche on
@e Tewysday next before Candelmesse. I pray yow @at ye woll vowchesawf
to remembre to purvey a thing for my nekke, and to do make my gyrdill.
Yowris, ^M. ^P.
My cosyn ^Crane recommawndyth here to yow and prayith yow to remembre
her mater, &c., for she may not slepe on nygtys for hym.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 146>
<D 14530420>
<L 0>
To my right wurshipfull maystere ^John ^Paston be @is delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right wurshippfull hosbond, I recommand me to yow, praying yow to wete
that @e man of %^Knapton @at owyth yow mony sent me this weke xxxix s.
viij d.; and as for @e remenant of @e mony, he hath promysid to bring itt at
Wytsontyd. And as for @e prest, ^Howardys sone, he yede to %^Canbryge @e
last weke and he shall nomore come hom tyll itt be mydsomer, and therfore
I myght not do yowr erunde.
As for tydyngys, @e Quene come in-to @is town on Tewysday last past
after none and abode here tyll itt was Thursday iij after none, and she sent
after my cosyn ^Elysabeth ^Clere be ^Sharynborn to come to here. And she
durst not dysabey here commandment, and come to here. And when she
come in @e Quenys presens @e Quene made ryght meche of here, and
desyrid here to have an hosbond, @e which ye shall know of here-after; but
as for that, he is non nerrere than he was before. The Quene was right well
pleasid wyth here answere, and reportyht of here in @e best wyse, and
seyth be here trowth she sey no jantylwomman syn she come into %^Norffolk
@at she lykyth better @an she doth here.
^Blake, @e bayle* of %^Swaffham, was here wyth @e Kyngys bro@er, and he
come to me wenyng @at ye had be at hom, and seyd @at @e Kyngys bro@er
desyrid hym @at he shuld pray yow in his name to come to hym, for he wold
right fayn that ye had come to hym if ye had be at hom. And he told me @at
he wost wele @at he shuld send for yow when he come to %^London, bo@e for
%^Cossey and othere thyngys. I pray yow @at ye woll do yowr cost on me
ayens Witsontyd, @at I may haue somme thyng for my nekke. When @e
Quene was here I borowd my cosyn ^Elysabet ^Cleris devys, for I durst not
for shame go wyth my bedys among so many fresch jantylwomman as here
were at @at tym.
The blissid Trinyte* have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at %^Norwych on @e
Fryday next before Seynt ^George.
Be yowrys, ^M. ^Paston.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<N 147>
<D 14530706>
<L 0>
To my ritht wurchipfull mayster ^John ^Paston be @is delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Rytht worchipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, praying yow to
wete @at I haue spoke wyth ^Newman for his plase, and I am thorow wyth
hym @erfore, but he wold not lete it in nowyse lesse than v marc. I told hym
@at sekyrly ye shuld not know but @at I hyrid it of hym for iij li. I seyd
as for @e noble I shuld payt of myn owyn purse, @at ye shuld no knowlech
haue @er-of. And @is day I haue had jnne ij cartfull of hey, and yowr stabyl
shall be made I hope @is next weke. I kowd not gette no grawnt of hym to
haue @e warehows. He seyth if he may in anywyse forbere itt her-after ye
shall haue itt, but he wull not grawnt itt in no connaw[n]t. He hath
grawntyd me @e hows be-twyx @e vowte and @e warehows, and @at he seyd
he grawntyd not yow.
And as for @e chamer @at ye assygnyd to myn vnkyl, God hath purveyd
for hym as hys will is: he passyd to God on Monday last past at xj of @e
clok before none, and Ser ^John ^Heveny[n]gham passyd to God on Tewysday
last past; hois sowlys both God assoyle. His sekenesse toke hym on
Tewysday at ix of @e clok before none, and be too after none he was dedd.
I haue be-gonne yowr jnventare* @at shuld haue be made or @is tym if I
had ben well at ease. I hope to make an ende @er-of, and of o@er thyngys
bo@e, @is next weke, and ben in @at o@er place if God send me helth. I must
do purvey for meche stuff or i come there, for @er is no@er bordys ne o@er
stuff @at must nedys be had or we come there. And ^Richard hath gadderid
butt lytill mony syth he come from yow. I haue sent ^John ^Norwod @is day
to %^Gresham, %^Besi[n]gham, and %^Matelask to gete als meche mony as he may.
The blissid Trinyte* haue yow in his keping. Wretyn at %^Norwych on @e
vtas day of ^Peter and ^Powll.
Yowrys, ^M. ^P.
<P PASTON LETTERS>
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14531015?>
<N 148>
<L 0>
To my right wurchipfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be @is delyverid in hast.
<L 1>
Right wurchipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, beseching yow that
ye be not displeasid wyth me thow my symplenesse cawsed yow for to be
displeasid wyth me. Be my trowth it is not my will no@er to do ne sey that
shuld cawse yow for to be displeasid, and if I haue do I am sory @er-of and
will amend itt; wherefore I beseche yow to forgeve me and @at ye bere
none hevynesse in yowr hert ayens me, for yowr displeasans shuld be to
hevy to me to indure wyth.
I send yow the roll that ye sent fore, in-selyd, be @e brynger here-of;
it was fownd in yowr trussing cofore. As for hering, I haue bowt an horslode
for iiij s. vjd.; I can gett none ell yett. As for bevere, @er is promysid me
somme, but I myt not gete it yett.
I sent to ^Jone ^Petche to haue an answere for @e wyndowis, for she myt
not come to me, and she sent me word that she had spoke @er-of to ^Thomas
^I[n]gham. And he seyd @at he shuld speke wyth yow hymself and he shuld
accord wyth yow wel jnow, and seyd to her it was not her part to desyr of
hym to stop @e lytys. And also he seyd itt was not his parte to do itt,
be-cawse @e place is his but for yeris. And as for all o@er erondys that ye
haue commandid for to be do, @ei shall be do als sone as @ei may be do.
The blissid Trynyte* haue yow in his keping. Wretyn at %^Norwyche on @e
Monday next after Seynt ^Edward.
Yowris, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14531114>
<N 149>
<L 0>
To my right wurshipfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be this delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchipfull hosbond, I recomand me to yow, praying yow to wete
that I have receyvid the mony that Maystere ^Brakle* had of yow, wherof he
hath ageyn v marc. uppon pledgis of the too basonys @at ye had of hym tyll
ye come hom. As for cloth for my gowne, I can non gete in this town better
than that is @at I send yow an exsample of, whiche me thynkyth to symple
bothe of colowr and of cloth; wherfore I pray yow @at ye woll vouchesauf
to do bey for me iij yerdys and j quarter of seche as it pleasith yow @at I
shuld have, and what colowr @at pleaset yow, for in gode feyth I haue do
sowte all the draperys shopis in this town and here is right febill cheys. Also
I pray yow @at ye woll do bey a loff of gode sugowr and di. j li. of holl
synamun, for @er is non gode in this town. And as for mony, @er is non of
yowr tenantys ne fermorys bryngyth non as yett.
As for tydyngys in this contre*, ^Herry ^Ingloses men have slayn ij men of
^%Tonsted on Thursday last past, as it is seyd, and all @at contre* is sore
trobelid @erwith; and if he had abedyn at hom he had be lyke to have be
fechid owte of his owyn hows, for the peple @er-abowgth is sore mevod
with hym. And on Saterday last past he come ryding thorow this town
toward %^Framy[n]gham, and if he had abedyn in this town he shuld haue
ben arestyd; for men of %^Tonsted and of the contre* pusewid after hym in-to
@is town and made a grett noyse of hym and required @e mayre and sheryves
that he ne his men shuld not pas the town but that they shuld do as it
longed to here parte to do, and told hem the cause why. And as it is seyd,
the sergeantys were fals and lete hym have knowleche @er-of, and he
hythid hym hens in hast, &c.
The blyssyd Trynyte* have yow in his keping. ^Wreten att %^Norwyche on
the Weddenesday next aftere Seynt ^Martyn.
Be yowrys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTONI>
<D 14540129>
<N 150>
To my right worchippfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchipfull hosbond, I recomand me to yow, desyring to here of
your welfare, praying yow to wete that Ser ^Thomas ^Howes hath purveyd
iiij dormantys for the drawte chamer and the malthouse and @e browern,
wherof he hath bought iij; and the forte, @at shall be the lengest and
grettest of all, he shall haue from %^Heylesdon, whiche he seyth my mayster
^Fastolf shall geue me be-cause my chamer shal be made @er-wyth. As for
@e leying of the seyd dormantys, they shall be leyd this next weke be-cause
of the malthous; and as for the remenant, I trow it shall abyde tyll ye come
hom be-cause I can nother be purveyd of joystys ne of bord not yette. I
haue take the mesure in the draute chamer @er as ye wold your coforys and
your cowntewery shuld be sette for the whyle, and @er is no space besyde
the bedd, thow the bed were remevyd to the dore, for to sette bothe your
bord and your koforys there and to haue space to go and sitte be syde.
Wherfore I haue purveyd that ye shall haue the same drawte chamer that
ye had befor, there as ye shall ly to yourself; and whan your gerre is remeved
owte of your lytil hous the dore shall be lokkyd and youre baggys leyd in
on of the grete koforis so @at they shall be sauff, I trost.
^Richard ^Charles and ^John ^Dow haue feched hom @e chyld from %^Rokelond
%^Toftes, and it is a praty boy; and it is told me @at ^Wyll is att %^Blyklyng
wyth
a pore man of @e town. A yonge woman that was somtyme wyth ^Burton of
this town sent me word @er-of. I pray yow send me word if ye woll @at any
thyng @at ye woll be do to hym or ye come hom. ^richard ^Charles sendyth
yow word @at ^Wylles hath be at hym here and offerid hym to make hym
astate in all thyngys according to there in-denture, and if he do the contrary
ye shall sone haue word.
My modere prayith yow for to remembre my suster, and to do your
parte feythfully or ye come hom to help to gette here a gode mariage. It
semyth be my moderys langage @at she wold neuer so fayn to haue be
delyueryd of her as she woll now. It was told here that ^Knyvet the heyer
is for to mary; bothe his wyff and childer be dede, as it was told here,
wherfor she wold @at ye shuld inquyre whedder it be so or no, and what hys
lyvelode is, and if ye thynke @at it be for to do to lete hym be spoke wyth
@er-of. I pray yow @at ye be not strange of wryting of letterys to me betwix
@is and @at ye come hom; if I myght I wold haue euery day on from
yow.
The blyssed Trinyte* haue yow in his kepyng. Wrete att ^%Norwyche on
@e Tesday next after @e Conuercion [of] Seynt ^Poull.
Be yourys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14540201>
<N 151>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchippfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be this delyueryd in hast
<L 1>
Right worchipfull hosbond, I recommand me to yow, praying yow to wete
that I haue receyved your letter this day @at ye sent me be ^Yelvertonys
man. As for your signette, I fond itt uppon your bord the same day @at ye
went hens, and I send it yow be ^Richard ^Heberd, brynger herof. As for
your erondys @at ye wrete to me fore, ^Richard ^Charles is owte abough[t]
your erendys abowte %^Gresham, and for his awyn materys also, and I suppose
he komyth not hom tyll it be Tesday or Weddenesday next komyng.
And alssone as he komyth hom he shall go abowte your erondys @at ye
wrete to me fore.
I sent yow a lettere wreten on Tesday last past, whiche as I suppose
^Roger ^Ormesby delyueryd yow. I toke it to ^Alson ^Pertryche; she rod wyth
^Clyppysbys wyff to %^London.
I pray yow if ye haue an othere sone that ye woll lete it be named ^Herry
in remembrans of your brother ^Herry. Also I pray yow that ye woll send
me datys and synamun as hastyly as ye may. I haue speke wyth ^John
^Damme of that ye bad me sey to hem to sey to ^Thomas ^Note, and he
sey[d] he was well payd @at ye seyd and thowgh[t] @er-in as ye dede.
Nerles I bad hym @at he shuld sey to the seyd ^Thomas @er-in as it were
of hymself, wyth-owte your avys or any otherys; and he seyd he shuld so,
and that it shuld be purveyd for this next weke at the ferthest.
The blyssed Trinyte* haue yow in his kepyng. Wretyn att %^Norwyche in
hast the Fryday next before Candelmesse Day.
Be youre gronyng wyff, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 145909?>
<N 152>
<L 1>
^Ryth worchepfull housbonde, I recomende me on-to yow. Plesyt yow to
wete @at I sent ^Tomas ^Bon to ^Edwarde ^Coteler to haue on ansuer of the
mater @at ye spak to hym of, and he sent me worde @at he hade spok to hys
man @er-of; and he tolde hym that he hade no wrytyng nor euidens of no
swyche thyng as ye spak to hym of, ner not wyst were he scholde haue cnowlage
of no swyche thyng, saue he tolde hym @at he receyvyd onys j c s. of
@e same rent. But and he may haue cnowlage of ony man @at havyth
ony wrytyng or ony thyng @at may out prevayle, he schal late yow have
cnoulage ther-of.
As for ^Wylliam ^Yellverton, he come here never syn ye yede. As for my
Lady ^Stapulton, att @e wrytyng of thys letter sche was not come home.
^Wyndhamys erend to my lady of %^Southefolk was to desiyr hyr gode ladychep,
and to beseche hyr @at sche wolde spek to my cosyn ^Evenyngham
@at he myt have hys gode wyll. For he levith jn hope to have hys modyr,
and he hath made menys to have hyr by ^John ^Gros and hys wyf, and by
^Bokynham and by odyr dyuers, and profiryth hyr to find suerete* to aquitt
hyr housbondys dettys @e qwyche is cc marc and to pay itt doune on
j day. And by thys mene, as he seyth, he hathe bargeynid wyth j marchande
of %^London and hath solde to hym @e mariage of hys son, for @e qwyche
he scal have vij c marc; and of @at @e iij c marc schoulde be payd for @e
forseyd dettys, and also he proforyth to yeue hyr @e maner of %^Felbryg to
hyr joyntour, and odyr la[r]ge proforys, as ye schal here eraffter. As for @e
good wyll of my cosyn ^Heuenyngham, he seyth Wyndh[[am]] he schall
neuer have hytt, nott for to have hyr gode. Konyth he hys soull hevy
ther of, for he js a-ferde @at and if @e large proforys may be perfor[m]yd
@at sche wyll have hym. My seyd cosyn preyith yow, att @e
reuerens of Gode, @at ye wyll do yowyr [part] @er-in to brec it and ye
can. He schall be here a-yen on Mychaell-mas Evyn; he was full sory @at
ye were outt att @is tyme, for he hopyd @at ye schoulde have do myche
goode att @is tyme. He hathe seyde as myche @er a-geyns as he dar do to
haue hyr gode modyrchep. My lady of %^Southefolce sent j letter to hyr
yester-day by ^Stanle*, @e qwyche is callyd j well cherysyd man wyth my
seyd lady, and desyiryng hyr in @e letter @at sche wolde owe hyr godde
wyll and favor to ^Wyndham in @at @at he desyiryd of hyr, and of more
matterys @at ye schall here er-after, for I suppose sche wyll schew yow @e
same letter and mak yow of hyr counsel in many thyngys. And I schall do
my part as feythfully as I can to lett ^Wyndhamys porpose tyl ye come home.
I pray yow sende me a copy of hys petygre* @at I may schew to hyr how
worcheppfull it is, for in goode feythe sche is informyd bi hyr gentyll son
^Gros and ^Bokenham @at he is mor worcheppfull in berthe and in lyuelode
@er-to than they or ony odyr can preue, as I suppose. I pray yow lett nott
thys mater be discuyryd tyl ye her more ther-of, or after, for my cosyn
^Heueny[n]gham tolde myche here-of in secret wyse, and of odyr thyngis
qwyche ye schall haue c[n]oulage of qwan ye come home, &c.
In hast, all jn hast.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14591224>
<N 153>
<L 1
Ryght wvrschipful husbond, I recomaund me on-to yov. Plese it yov to
wete that I sent yovr eldest svnne to my Lady ^Morlee to haue knolage qwat
sportys were husyd in here hows in Kyrstemesse next folloyng aftyr the
deceysse of my lord here husbond. And sche seyd that @ere were non
dysgysynggys nere harpyng nere lvtyng nere syngyn, nere non lowde
dysportys, but pleyng at the tabyllys and schesse and cardys, sweche
dysportys sche gave here folkys leve to play, and non odyr. Yovr svnne dede
hese heyrne ryght wele, as ye xal here aftyr @is. I sent yovr yongere svnne
to the Lady ^Stabylton, and sche seyd acordyng to my Lady ^Morlees
seyng in that, and as sche hadde seyn hvsyd in placys of wvrschip @ere as
sche hathe beyn.
 I pray you that ye woll asay to gett sume man at %^Castere to kepe your
botry, for the mane that ye lefte wyth me woll not take vp-on hym to breve
dayly as ye commandyt. He seyth he hath not vsyd to geve a rekenyng
nothyre of bred nor alle tyll at the wekys end, and he seyth he wot well that
he xuld not con don yth; and therfore I soposse he xhall not abyd. And I
trowe ye xall be fayne to porveye another man for ^Symond, for ye hare
nevere the nerer a wysse man for hym.
I am sory that ye xall not at hom be for Crystemes. I pray you that ye
woll come as sone as ye may. I xhall thynke my-selfe halfe a wedowe because
ye xal not be at home, &c.
God haue you in hys kepyng. Wretyn on Crystemes Evyn.
By your ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14601021>
<N 154>
<L 0>
To my ryth worchepfull husbond ^Jon ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
R[[yth]] worchepfull husbonde, I recomand me to yow. Plesyth it yow to
wet that I receyuyd yowyr letter @at ye sent me by ^Nycolas ^Colman on
Sonday last past; and as for the mater @at ye desyiryd me to breke of to my
cosyn ^Rokwode, it fortunyd so @at he came to me on Sonday to dyner sone
aftyr @at I had yowyr letter, and when we had dynyd I mevyd to hym
ther-of in couert termys, as ^Playter schall informe yow eraftyr. And as I
thowt by hym, and so ded ^Playter also by the langwage @at he had to vs,
@at he wold be as feythfull as he kowd or myte be to that good lorde @at
ye wrot of, and to yow also, in onythynge @at he kowde or myte do in case
wer @at he wer set in offyse so @at he myth owte do. And ther-to he seyd
he wolde be bownde in a ml li., and he wer so myche worthe. As for the
todyr @at ye desyiryd I scholde meue to of the same mater, me semyth he
is to yonge to take ony swhyche thyngys vp-on hym, and also I knowe
veryly @at he schall neuer loue feythfully the todyr man that ye desyiryd
@at he schuld do for when he rem[em]bryth the tyme @at is paste; and
ther-for I spak not to hym ther-of.
Thys day was holde a gret day at %^Okyll befor the vndyr-schreue and the
vndyr-exch[[etor, for]] the mater of Syr ^Jon ^Fastolfys londys, and there was
my cosyn ^Rookwod and my cosyn ^Jon ^Berney of %^[[Red]]ham and dyuers
odyr jentylmen and thryfty men of the contre*; and the mater is well sped
aftyr yowyr intent, blyssyd be God, as ye schall haue knowlage of in hast.
I suppose ^Playter schall be wyth yow on Sonday or on Monday next
comyng, if he may.
Ye haue many good prayers of the poer pepyl @at God schuld sped yow
at thys parlement, for they leue in hope @at ye schold helpe to set a wey
@at they myte leue in better pese in thys contre* thane they haue do befor,
and @at wollys schold be purueyd for @at they schuld not go owt of thys
lond as it hathe be suffryd to do be-fore; and thane schalle the poer pepyll
moue leue bettyr than they haue do by her ocwpacion ther-in.
^Thomas ^Bone hathe solde all yowyr wole her for xx d. a stone, and goode
swerte* fownd to yow ther-for to be payid a Myhellmas next comyng; and
it is solde ryth well aftyr @at the wole was, for the moste part was ryte
febyll.
Item, ther be bawt for yow iij horse at Seynt ^Feythys feyr, and all be
trotterys, ryth fayir horse, God saue hem, and they be well kepyd.
Item, yowyre myllys at %^Heylysdon be late for xij marke and the myller
to fynde the reparacion, and ^Rychard ^Calle hathe let all yowyr londys at
%^Caster; but as for %^Mawtby londys, they be not let yet. ^Wylliam ^Whyte
hathe payid me a-geyne thys daye hys x li., and I haue mad hym a
qwetans there-of be-cause I had not hys oblygacion.
Ther is gret talkyng in thys contre* of the desyir of my lorde of %^York.
The pepyll reporte full worchepfully of my lord of %^Warwyk. They haue no
fer her but @at he and othyr scholde schewe to gret favor to hem @at haue
be rewyllerys of thys contre* be-for tyme.
I haue done all yowyr erendys to Syr ^Thomas ^Howes @at ye wrote to me
for. I ame ryth glade @at ye haue sped welle in yowyr materys be-twyxe
Syr ^Fylyp ^Wentworthe and yow, and so I pray God ye may do in all othyr
materys to hys plesans. As for the wrytyngys @at ye desyiryd @at ^Playter
schulde sende yow, ^Rychard ^Call tolde me @at they wer at ^Herry
^Barborys at the Tempyll gate.
The meyir and the meyires sent hedyr her dynerys thys day, and ^Jon
^Dame came wyth hem, and they dynyd her. I am beholde to hem, for
they haue sent to me dyuers tymys sythe ye yed hense. The meyr seyth
@at ther is no jentylman in %^Northefolk @at he wolle do more for thane he
wole for yow, if it laye in hys poer to do for yow.
^Perse is stylle in presone, but he wolle not confese mor thane he ded
when ye wer at home. ^Edmond ^Brome was wyth me and tolde me @at ^Perse
sent for hym for to come spek wyth hym, and he tolde me @at he was
[[wyth h]]ym and examynyd hym, but he wold not be a-knowe to hym @at
he had no knowlage wher no goode was of hys masterys more thane he hade
knowlageyd to yow. He tolde me @at he sent for hym to desyir hym to
labore to yow and to me for hym if ye had be at home, and he tolde me
@at he seyd to hym a-yen @at he wold neuer labor for hym but he myth
know @at he wer trwe to hys mastyr, thow it lay in hys power to do ryth
myche for hym. I suppose it schulde do none harme thow the seyd ^Perse
wer remevyd ferther. I pray to Gode yeue grace @at the trowthe may be
knowe, and that the dede may haue part of hys owne goode.
And the blyssyd Trinyte* haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast at
%^Heylysdon the Tuesday next aftyr Seynt ^Lwke.
By yowyrs, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14601029>
<N 155>
<L 0>
To my ryth welbelovyd brodyr ^[[C]]lement ^Paston, for to delyuer [[t]]o hys +
brodyr ^Jon jn hast.
<L 1>
Ryth w[[orchepfu]]ll husbonde, I recomande me to yow. Plesyth yow to
weet @at I receyvyd a lettyr on Seynt ^Symondys Evyn and ^J[[w]]d @at
c[[a]]me frome ^Jon ^Paston, in the wyche lettyr he wrot @at ye desyiryd @at
I scholde do ^Jon ^Paston or ^Thomas ^Pl[[ayt]]er looke in the gret standyng
chyste in on of the gret canvas baggys whyche standyth a-geyns the lokk,
for the copys of the fals inqwest of ofys @at was fownde in %^Northefolk,
and for the kopy of the comyssyon @at came to ^Jon ^Andrewys and ^Fylpot
and ^Heydon, and othyr thyngys towchynge the same mater. I haue do ^Jon
^Paston sowte all iij gret baggys in the seyd kofyr at ryth good leyser, and
he can non swhyche fynde. Plesyth it yow to remembre ye sent me worde in
the fyrste lettyr @at ye sent me @at ye wolde @at ^Playter scholde a sent hem
vp to yow to %^London, and I schewyd hym yowyr wryttyng howe @at ye
wrote to me ther-in. I suppose be-cawse he purpoosyd to come vp to
%^London hym-selue hastely, he sent yow none answer ther-of. ^Rychard
^Calle told me @at all swhyche thyngys wer lefte wyth ^Hery ^Barbore at the
Tempyle gate when the laste terme was doo, and so I sent yow worde in
a lettyr whiche was wretyn on the Twesday next aftyr Seynt ^Lwke, and
ther-in was an answer of all the fyrst lettyr @at ye sent me. I sent it yow by
yonge ^Thomas ^Elys, and I sent yow a-nothyr lettyr by ^Playter the whyche
was wretyn on Saterday last past.
Item, I receyvyd a lettyr frome yow on Sonday, of the wyche I sent
yow an answher of in a lettyr on Seynt ^Symondys Euen and ^Jwde by
^Edmu[n]de ^Clere of %^Stokysby, and as sone as I hade the seyd lettyr on
Sonday I sent to Syr ^Thomas ^Howes for the mater @at ye desyiryd @at he
scholde inqwer of to ^Bokyng. And I sent  a-yene sethe to the seyd Syr
^Thomas for to have knowlage of the same mater yestyr-daye, and I haue
non answher of hym yet. He sent me worde he scholde do hys part ther-in,
but othyr answer have I none yet of hym.
I sende yow in a canvase bage inselyd by ^Nycolas ^Colman as many of
^Crystofyr ^Hansonys acomptys as I and ^Jon ^Paston cane fynde ther as ye
sent worde @at they wer. ^Rychard ^Harbard recomawndyth hym to yow,
and prayth yowe @at y[e] wole wyche-saue to remembre the lettyr that
scholde be sent fro my lorde of %^Warwyk to a man of hys beyng at %^Lowystofete,
and if it be not sent to hym @at it plese yow to do purvey @at it may
be sent to hym in haste if it maye be. As tomorow ther schall be keppyd
a day at %^Bownggey for Mastyr ^Fastolfys londys be-for the exchetore,
and ther schall be ^Wylliam ^Barker and ^Rychard ^Call. Ye schall haue
knowlage in haste what schall be do ther.
And the blyssyd Trinite* haue yow in hys keppyng. Wretyn in haste at
%^Norwyche on the Wednysday next aftyr Seynt ^Symond and ^Jwde.
By yowyr ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14601125>
<N 156>
<L 0>
To my right wurshipfull husbonde ^John ^Paston be this deliuerd in hast.
<L 1>
Right wurshipfull husbonde, I recomaunde me vnto you. Plesith you to
witte that myn avnte ^Mondeforthe hath desiryd me to write to you besechyng
you that ye wol wechesafe to chevesshe for her at %^London xxti
marke for to be payed to Mastre ^Ponyngys outher on Saterday or Sonday,
weche schalbe Seint ^Andrwes Daye, in discharchyng of them that be bounden
to Mastre ^Ponyngys of the seide xxti marke for the wardeship of here
doughter; the weche xxti marke she hath delyuerd to me in golde for you
to haue at your comyng home, for she dare not aventure here money to be
brought vp to %^London for feere of robbyng for it [is] [[sei]]de heere that
there goothe many thefys be-twyx this and %^London, weche causeth here to
beseche you to content the seide money in dischargyng of the matre and of
them that be bounden, for she wolde for no goode that the day were broken.
And she thankyth you hertely for the greet labour and besynesse that ye
haue had in that matre, and in all others touchyng her and hers, wherfore
she seithe she is ever bounden to be your bedwoman and ever wolbe whyle
she levethe. My cosyn, her sone, and hese wife recommaundethe them vnto
you, besechyng you that ye woll weche-safe to be her goode mastre, as ye
haue ben a-fore tyme. For they be enformed that ^Danyell is comen to
%^Rysyng %^Castell and hes men make her bost that her mastre shal be a-yene
at %^Brayston wythinne shorte tyme. Ferthermore, as for the matre that my
sone wrote to me for, the boxe wheron ys wreten '$falce $carte Sproute' that
I shulde enquere of ^William ^Wurcestre wher it were, the seide ^William
was not at home sen that I had hes letter, but as sone as he comethe home
I shall enquere of hym and sende you an answere.
As towchyng for your leveryes, ther can noon be gete heere of that
coloure that ye wolde haue of nouther murrey nor blwe nor goode russettys
vndrenethe iij s. the yerde at the lowest price, and yet is ther not
j-nough of on clothe and coloure to serue you. And as for to be purveid in
%^Suffolk it wolnot be purveide nought now a-yenst this tyme wythoute they
had had warnyng at Michelmesse, as I am enformed.
And the blissed Trenyte* haue you in his kepyng. Wreten at %^Norweche
on Seint ^Kateryn Day.
Be your ^Margaret ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14601201>
<N 157>
<L 0>
To my ryth worchepfull husbond ^Jon ^Paston be thys [[le]]ttyr delyueryd in
haste.
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyth it yow to wet
@at ^Jon ^Jeney was her wyth me thys daye and told me @at ye desyiryd @at
I schold do make a dyche at %^Heylysdon; and the seson is not for to do make
no new dechys nor to repare non old tyll it be aftyr Crystmas, as it is told
me, and so I sent yow word in a lettyr more thane a monythe goo. I wot
not whedyr ye had the lettyr or not, for I had non answer ther-of fro yow.
^Jone ^Dyngayne recomandyth hyr to yow, and prayith yow for Goddys
sake @at ye wole be hyr good mastyr and @at ye wole wychesaue to spek to
^Hwe of ^Fen for hyr; for it is so @at serteyn lyuelod whyche hyr husbond
had in %^Engham was cast in the Kyngys hand in hyr husbondys lyue, and
as sche vndyrstondyth it was do in hys fadyrys lyue, of the whyche hyr
husbond spak to ^Hwe of ^Fen ther-of in hys lyue, to helpe @at he myth be
dycharchyd ther-of. And ^Hwe of ^Fen promysyd hym verily @at he had mad
an ende ther-in and dychargyd hym, and @at he schold neuer be hurt nor
trublyd ther-for; and now the laste wek ^Barnard the vndyre-scheryfe
sent downe a warant to sese the lond for the Kynge. And so, but he haue
xx s. for a fyne wyth-in schorte tyme, he wol not suffyr hyr to haue the
auayle of the londys; wher-fore sche prayth yow for Goddys sak @at ye
wole puruey a mene @at ^Hwe of ^Fen may saue hyr harmeles, in as myche
as he promysyd hyr husbond to puruey the[r]fore in hys lyue. And if it
plese not yow to spek to hym ther-of, @at it plese yow to do ^Jon ^Paston or
^Thomas ^Playter or sume othyr @at ye thynk @at cane vndyr-stonde the
mater for to spek to the seyd ^Hwe of ^Fen ther-of in hyr name, and to
serge the Kyngys bokys ther-fore, if ye thynk @at it be for to do, and sche
woll ber the cost ther-of.
As for the mater @at ye wold I schold spek to ^William ^Worcester of
towchyng the false forgyd euydens, I can not spek wyth hym yet; hys wyfe
seyth allwe @at he is owte when @at I send for hym. Yowyr fermore of
%^Sweynysthorpe hathe fownde suerte* for yowyr dute*, as ^Rychard ^Calle
tellyth me, so @at ye schall be plesyd when ye come home.
And the blyssyd Trinite* haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on
the Monday next aftyr Seynt ^Andrew.
By yowyr ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14610301>
<N 158>
<L 0>
Please it you to wytte that it is lete me witte by on @at owith you good wyll
that @er is leid awayte up-on you  in @is cuntre* yf ye come here at large, to
bryng you to @e presence of suyche a lord in the north as shall not be for
your ease, but to iopardie of your lyf or gret and importable losse of your
goodes. And he that hath take up-on hym @is enterprise now was vndreshireff
to ^G. ^Sayntlowe; he hath gret fauour herto by the meanes of the
sone of ^William ^Baxter that lyth beryed in the Grey Freres. And as it is
reported the seid sone hath geue gret syluer to @e lordes in the north to
bryng @e matier a-bowte, and now he and alle his olde felaweship put owt
their fynnes and arn right flygge and mery, hopyng alle thyng is and shalbe
as they wole haue it. Also it is tolde me that the fadre of the Bastard in this
cuntre* seid that now shuld this shire be made sewir for hym and his heires
hens-forward, and for the ^Baxsteris heyres also; wherby I conceyve they
thynke that they haue none enemy but you, &c. Wherfor like it you to be
@e more ware of your gydyng for your persones sauf-gard, and also that ye
be not to hasty to come in-to @is cuntre* til ye here @e world more sewer.
I trowe the berar of this shall telle more by mowthe, as he shall be enfourmed,
of the revell in this cuntre*.
God haue you in his kepyng. Wretyn in hast the secund Sunday of Lent
by candel light at euyn.
By yours, &c. ^M.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14610702>
<N 159>
<L 0>
To my right worchepfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be @is letter deliueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete
@at thys day in @e mornyng the parson of %^Snoryng came to ^Thomas ^Denys
and fechyd hym owt of hys hows, and beryth hym a hand that he shuld a
mad byllys ageyns ^Twyer and hym, and hathe aleed hym forthe wyth
hem, hys wyf hathe no knowlege wer. Ferthermore @e seyd parson
seythe that @e seyd ^Thomas ^Denys shuld a take sowdyors owt of hys felachep
whan he went to %^Seynt %^Albons; that hys a-nother of hys compleyntys.
Item, a-nothyr of hys compleyntys ys, a beryth @e seyd ^Thomas a hand @at
he had a-wey a hors of ^John ^Coppyng of %^Bryslee and a-nother of ^Kyng of
%^Donham, @e wyche hors wer stole be @e seyd ij personys; wher-fore @e
seyd ^Thomas toke hem as a comyshaner, and delyueryd hem to @e exchetore
^Frances ^Costard, and on of them he bowt of the seyd ^Fraunces.
And @e seyd parson hathe a-wey @e seyd hors and seyth @at he
wolle @e seyd theuys shuld be recompenst be ^Thomas ^Denys. Thys I
am enformyd of all thesse maters be hys wyffe, and sche prayythe yow in
@e reverence of God ye wolle be hyr good maister and helpe @at hyr
hosbond may have sum remedy be your labore in thys mater [[...se]]ythe
syn that hyr hosbond ys @e Kyngys offycere that they owt to spare hym
@e rathere. But they @at hathe hym take no[[...]] told me @at they hope to
haue a newe chonge in hast.
Item, ^Perys that was wyth my vnkyll ^Barney sent you a l[[etter...]]er
desyryng to have your good masterchep, and he woll fyynd sufficient
suerte* for hym for to conn[[...]]ys whan som euer ye woll require hym. I
good feyth it ys told me hys leggys ar all[[...]] me word, en cas @e suerte*
be sufficient, in what sum ye woll have hem bownd for hy[[...]]te in
bayle.
Item, it ys told me that ther be many Freynche shyppys of se a-geyns
%^Yarmothe an[[... t]]hey woll do harme on @e coste. I pray yow hertely @at
ye woll send me word in hast howe @at ye do wyth my [[lord]] of %^Norffolk
and wyth your aduersaryys.
Item, I have do purveyed in thys wareyn xjxx rabetys, and sent vp be @e
berer her-of.
The blyssyd Trinite* have yow in hys kepyng, and send you @e better of
all your aduersarijs and good sped in all your maters. Wretyn in hast, @e
same day that ye departyd hens.
Item, I pray yow @at ye wolle remembre my vnkyll ^Barneys maters
tochyng @e executyng of hys wylle, and howe ye wolle @at we be demenyd
for kepyng of hys yerday; and @at it lekyth you to send me word be Maister
^John ^Smy[[th]].
Your ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14610709>
<N 160>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepffull hosbond ^John ^Paston be thys deliuerid in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchepful hosbond, I recommand me to yow. Please yow to wete
@at I have spoke wyth ^Thomas ^Denys wyffe, and she recommand hyr to
your good masterchep. And she prayeth yow to be here good master, and
prayet you of your good masterchep @at ye wolle geve her your advice
howe to be demenid for hyr person and hyr goodys; for as towchyng hyr
owne person she dare not goo home to hyr owne place, for she is thret if @at
she myght be take she shuld be slayne or be put in ferfull place in shorttyng
of hyr lyve-dayes, and so she standyth in gret heuynes, God her
helpe. Ferthermore she is nowe put be hyre broder in %^Norwich wyth
^Awbry and she thynkyth @e place is right conuersaunt of pupyll for hyr to
a-beyd in, for she kepyth hyr as close as she may for spyyng. Item, as I
went to %^Seynt %^Levenard ward I spake wyth Maister ^John ^Salet and commonyd
wyth hym of hyre, and me thowgt be hym that he howyth hyre
ryght good wylle. And than I haskyd hym howe she myght be demenyd
wyth his goodys and hyr. He cownseld me @at she shuld get hyr a trosty
frend @at ware a good trewe poore man @at had not moche to lese, and
wold be rewlyd after hyr, and to have a letter of ministracion; and so I
told hyr. Than she seyd she wold have hyr broder ad-vice therin. Item,
she seyth ther be nomore feffe*s in hys londys but ye and ^Rokwood, and
she prayeth yow @at it please yow to speke to ^Rokwod @at he make no
relesse but be your advice, as she trostyth to your good masterchep.
Item, @e last tyme @at I spake wyth hyre she mad suche a petows mone,
and seyd @at she wost ner howe to do for mony, and so I lent vj s. viij d.
Item, I sent my cosyn ^Barney @e bylle @at ^John ^Pampyng wrot be your
commanddement to me, and he hath sent a letter of hys entent to yow and
to ^Rokwod therof; and also but yf it please yow to take better hed to
hys mater than he can do hym-selff I can thynk he shall ellis fare @e wors,
for j feyth he standyth daly in gret fere for @e false contrary party ageyns
hym.
Item, at @e reuerence of God be ware howe ye ryd or go, for nowgty and
euyll desposyd felachepys. I am put en fere dayly for myn a-bydyng
here, and cownsellyd be my moder and be other good frendys @at I shuld
not a-beyd here but yf @e world wher in more quiete than it is.
God for hys merci send vs a good world, and send yow helthe in body
and sowle and good speed in all your maters. Wreten in hast @e Thursday
next after Seynt ^Thomas.
By your ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14610715>
<N 161>
<L 1>
I recommand me to yow. Please yow to wete that I have sent to my cosyn
^Barney acordyng to your desyre in @e letter @at ye deed wright on Relec
Sonday to me, whervpon he hathe wreten a letter to yow and a-nothyr bylle
to me @e wyche I send yow. He tolde @e masanger @at I sent to hym @at
@e vnder-shereve nedyth not to fere hym nor non of hys, for he seyd after
@e aleccion was doo he spak wyth hym at @e Grey Fryers and prayyd hym
of hys good masterchep, and seyd to hym @at he feryd no man of bodely
harme but only ^Twyer and hys felachep.
Item, Ser ^John ^Tatersalle and  @e baly of %^Walsyngham and @e constabyll
hathe take @e parson of %^Snoryng and iij of hys men and sett hem fast in @e
stokkys on Monday at nyght, and as it is seyd they shuld be caryyd vp to
ye Kyng in hast. God defend yt but they be shastysyd as @e lawe wolle.
^Twyer and hys felachep beryth a gret wyght of ^Thomas ^Denys dethe in
@e contry a-bowght %^Walsynham, and it is seyd ther yf ^John ^Osberne had
owght hym as good wylle as he deed be-for @at he was a-queyntyd wyth
^Twyer he shuld not a dyyd, for he myght rewlyd all %^Walsynham as he
had lyst, as it ys seyd.
Item, ^Will ^Lynys, @at was wyth Maister ^Fastolff, and swyche other as
he is wyth hym, goo fast abowght in @e contre* and ber men a hand, prestys
and other, they be Skottys, and take brybys of hem and let hem goo
a-geyn. He toke the last wek @e parson of %^Freton, and but for my cosyn
^Jarnyngham @e yonger, they wold a led hem forthe wyth hem. And he told
hem pley[n]ly yf they mad any suche doyngys ther, but they had @e letter
to schewe for hem they shuld a-bey on her bodyys. It wer welle do @at
they wer met wyth be tymys. It is told me @at @e seyd ^Will reportyth of
yow as shamfully as he can in dyuers place.
^Jesu have yow in hys kepyng. Wreten in hast @e Wednysday after
Relec Sonday.
By your ^M. ^P.
Yf @e vndershereve come home I woll a-say to do for hym as ye desyryd
me in your letter. As for mony, I haue sent abowght and I can get non but
xiij s. iiij. d. syn ye went owght. I wolle do my parte to get more as hastely
as I may.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 1461718>
<N 162>
<L 0>
To my worchepful hosbonde ^Jon ^Pastun @is letter be delyuer[[d]] in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomawnd me to yow. Plesyt yow to wete @at
I am desyrid be Ser ^Jon ^Tatersale to wryte to yow for a comyssion or a
neyre in termyner for to be sent down in-to @is cuntre* to sit vppon @e
parsun of %^Snoryng and on soche as was cause of ^Thomas ^Denyssys dethe
and for many and gret horebyl robryys. And as for @e costys @ere-of, @e
cuntre* wele pay @ere-fore, for @ey be sore a-ferd but @e seyd dethe be
chastysyd, and @e seyd robryys, @ey ar a-ferde @at mo folkys xal be seruyd
in lyke wyse. As for @e prest and vj of hese men @at ben takyn, @ey be
delyueryt to ^Twyere and iiij be wyth hem of @e cuntreys cost for to be sent
wyth to @e Kyng. And yf @e[[y]] be browt vp, at @e reuerens [[of]] God do
yowre parte @at @ey schape not but @at @ey may haue @e jugement of @e
lawe and as @ey haue deseruyd, and be comyt[[ty]]t to preson, not to departe
ty[[l]] @ey be in-queryd of here forseyd robery be soche a comyssiun @at ye
can get, @at @e Keng and @e lordys may hondyrstonde wat [[r]]ewle @ey
haue ben of, not hondely for @e morderrys and @e robbryys but as wele
for @e gret in-surrexsiun @at @ey were lyke a made wyth-in @e schyre.
@e prestys of %^Castyr @ey be streytely take hede at be ^Roberd ^Harmerer
and hoder, so @at @e seyde prestys may haue no thyng owt of @ere owne
ne of hodyr mennys but @ey be ransakyt, and @e plase ys watchyd bothe
day and nyth. @e prestys thynk ryth longe tyl they [haue] tydynggys from
yow. At @e reuerens of God be ware how ye goo and ryde, for yt ys told
me @at ye [be] thret of hem @at be nowtty felawys @at hathe be in-clynyng
to them @at hath be yowr hold aduersaryys.
The blyssyd Trenyte* haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast @e
Saterday nex be-fore Sent ^Margarete.
B[e] yowrys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14611102>
<N 163>
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet that
I receyvyd yowyr lettyr @at ye sent me by ^John ^Holme on Wednysday last
past. And also I receyvyd a-nothyr lettyr on Fryday at nyt @at ye sent me
by ^Nycolas ^Newmanys man, of the whyche lettrys I thanc yow, for I
schold ellys a thowt @at it had be wers wyth yow than it hathe be, or schall
be by the grace of almyty God. And yet I kowd not be mery sethyn I had
the last lettyr tyll thys day @at the meyir sent to me and sent me word @at
he had knowlage for very trowthe @at ye wer delyueryd owt of the Flet and
@at ^Howard was comytyd to ward for dyuers gret compleyntys @at wer
mad to the Kyng of hym. It was talkyd in %^Norwyche and in dyuers othyr
plasys in @e contre* on Saterday last past @at ye wer comytyd to Flet, and
in good feyth, as I herd say, the pepyle was ryth sory ther-of, bothe of
%^Norwyche and in the contre*. Ye are ryth myche bownde to thank God,
and all tho @at loue yow, @at ye haue so gret loue of the pepyll as ye haue.
Ye ar myche behold to the meyir and to ^Gylberd, and to dyuers othyr of
@e aldyrmen, for feythfully the owe yow good wyll to ther porys.
I haue spoke wyth Syr ^Thomas ^Howys for swyche thyngys as ye wrot
to me for, and he promysyd me @at he schold labour it aftyr yowyr intent
as fast as he kowd; and in good feyth, as my brodyr and ^Playter kan telle
yow, as be hys seying to vs he is and wole be feythfull to yow. And as for
^Wylliam ^Wyrcestyr, he hathe be set so vp-on the hone, what by the parson
and by othyr, as my brodyr and ^Playter schall telle yow, @at they hope he
wole do well inow. The parson seyd ryth well and pleynly to hym. The
parson tolde me @at he had spook wyth Syr ^Wylliam ^Chambyrleyn and
wyth hys wyfe, and he thynkyth @at they wole do well j-now aftyr yowyr
intent, so @at they be plesantly intretyd. The parson told me @at he wyst
well @at Syr ^Wylliam ^Chambyrleyn cowd do more ese in swyche materys
as ye wrot of towchyng my lord of %^Bedford than ony man  kowd do @at
leueyth at thys day. Also he told me @at he felt by hem @at they wold owe
yow ryth good wyll so @at ye wold owe hem good wyll. The parson hopyth
uerily to make yow acordyd when he comyth to %^London.
Item, my brodyr and ^Playter wer wyth ^Calthorp to inquer of the mater
@at ye wrot to me of. What answer he gaue hem they schall tell yow. I sent
the parson of %^Heylysdon to ^Gurnay to spek to hym of the same mater, and
he seyth feythefully ther was no swyche thyng desyiryd of hym, and thow
it had be desyiryd he wold nowthyr a seyd nor done a-yens yow. He seyd
he had euer fownde you louyng and feythfyll to hym, and so he seyd he
wold be to yow to hys power, and desyiryng me @at I wold not thynk hym
the contrary. As for ^John ^Gros, he is at %^Slole*; ther-for he myth not be
spok wyth.
I pray yow @at ye wole send me word whedyr ye wole @at I schall
remeue frome hens, for it begynyth to wax a cold abydyng her. Syr ^Thomas
^Howys and ^John ^Rus schall make an end of all thyngys aftyr yowyr intent
as myche as they can do ther-in @is wek, and he purposyth to come forward
to yow on @e Monday next aftyr Seynt ^Leonardys Day. My brodyr and
^Playter schold a be wyth yow er thys tym, but @at they wold a-byd tyl thys
day wer past be-cause of the schyer. I spak to my brodyr ^Wylliam as ye bad
me, and he told me, so God hym help, @at he hyryd ij horse ij dayis be-for
@at ye redyn, @at he myth a ryde forthe wyth yow; and be-cause @at ye
spak not to hym to ryde wyth yow he seyd @at he wend ye wold [not] haue
had hym wyth yow.
^Thomas ^Fastolfys modyr was her on @e next day aftyr ye wer redyn, to
haue spok wyth yow for hyr sone. Sche prayith yow, at the reuerens of
God, @at ye wole be hys good mastyr, and to help hym in hys ryth, @at he
may haue hys lyuelod owt of ther handys @at haue had it in hys nownage.
Sche seyth @at they wold mak him a yer yonger than he is, but sche
seyth @at he is more than xxj and vpon @at sche dare take an othe.
And the blyssyd Trynyte* haue yow in hys kepyng and send yow good
sped in all yowyr materys, and send @e vyctory of all yowyr enmyis. Wretyn
in hast on Sowlemas Daye.
By yowyrs, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14611116>
<N 164>
<L 0>
To my right wurchipfull husbond ^John ^Paston be this deliuerd in hast.
<L 1>
[[r]]yth wo[r]chepfull husbond, I recomande me to yow. Plesyth yow to
weet @at ^Thomas ^Grene was wyth me as on Saterday last paste, and let me
haue knowlage @at the scherre schold be as thys day at the gylde-hall in
%^Norwyche; and he desyiryd me @at the swte @at ye have a-geyns ^Thomas
^Jeryng and othyr myth be sesyd as for thys schere. And I seyd @at I durste
do ryth not ther-in, and he tolde me @at ^Thomas ^Jeryng was wyth yow
in %^Flegge the laste tyme @at ye wer ther, and ye seyd to hym @at he
scholde not be hvrte by the swte. And ^Thomas ^Grene tolde me @at if the
seyd ^Jeryng and othyr in the same wryte mad not an end wyth yow by the
nexte schere, @e whyche schall be thys day monyth, @at the seyd ^Thomas
^Grene wole purchese a new wryte of hys owne coste ayens @at daye. I
woste not @at the scher schuld be so sone when I wrote to yow yowyr
laste lettyr. And he remembyryd the trobulus werd @at is nowe, and also
@at they wer nowtye felawys @at ye svyd, and ther-fore he thowte @at it
wer best to let it be respyte at thys tyme; and so they schall be respyth at
thys tyme.
I haue sent to ^Jaferey ^Spyrlyng for the bokys @at ye sent to me fore, and
he seyth @at he hathe none ther-of, for he seyth he lefte hem wyth yow
when he was wyth yow in the northe contre*, for he seyth ye left hym behynd
yow at %^Lynkcolne; he supposyth they be at %^Kaster.
Item, my cosyn ^Crane recomandyth hyr to yow and prayith yow @at ye
wole wychesaue to spek to ^Jamys ^Gresham for to swe forthe the mater
betwyx Dame ^Margaret ^Spurdans and hyr; and sche prayith yow at the
reuerens of God @at ye wole tendyr @at mater well, for all hyr troste is in
yow.
Item, the tenauntys at %^Sweynysthorp prayid me for to wryte to yow for
to pray yow for Goddys sake @at ye wole help forto get hem a good baly of
the hu[n]dyryd @at they be in, for they sey @at they haue be gretly hurte by
swyche offyserys as they haue had ther be-for tyme. Folk wold fayne in
thys contre* @at ^Heydon scholde be purveyd for @at he goo not so at large
as he dothe, for he is in thys towne ner euery wek, and hathe be euer syne
ye y[e]d hens. And also it is seyd in thys towne @at ye haue be good master
thys terme to ^Yatys, and many be ryth sory ther-of, and @at he dothe so
well as it [is] seyd her @at he dothe. It is seyd @at he is scapyd all dangerys,
and he hathe tak new accionys ageyns hys neyborys, as it is seyd. Othyr
tydyngys haue we none here but @at ye haue more pleynly ther.
And the blyssyd Trinyte* haue yow in hys kepyng, and send yow good
sped in all yowyr materys. Wretyn in haste at %^Norwyche the Monday next
be-for Seynt ^Edmu[n]de the Kynge.
By yowyr ^M. ^P.
My modyr wold ryth fayne know how @at ye and my brodyr ^Wylliam wer
a-cordyd; sche wold ryth fayne @at all wer well be-twen yow.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14611120?>
<N 165>
<L 0>
To my ryth worchepfull [[hus]]bond ^John ^Paston be this delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet @at
I receyvyd yowyr lettyr @at ye sent by the gold-smyth as thys day in the
mornyng. As for Syr ^Thomas, he sent me word he schold to yow ward as
on Twysday last past. If he fayle ony thyng @at ye sent word he schold
bryng wyth hym it is not for no lak of remembrans, for I sent to hym thryis
or fowyr tymys ther-for, and @at he schold hast hym ther-in. As for
^Rychard ^Call, he was not at hom thys fortnyth. When he comyth I schall
do yowir erendys to hym. And as for all yowyr odyr erendys, I schall do
hem as well as I can.
I sent yow a byll yestyrday by old ^Tauerham, and a byll of ^Jone ^Gaynys
mater, the whyche bylle I pray yow may be delyueryd to ^Thomas ^Playter. I
spak to hym of the same mater or he yed hens, and I pray yow, if it plese
yow, to geue hym yowyr avyse what ye thynk is best to do ther-in. Sche
seyth sche is ryth sory if hyr old mastyr demene hym not well to yow. Sche
prayith yow @at ye wole be hyr good mastyr, and @at sche fare neuer the
werse for hys defawtys; and also I pray yow @at ye wole be ^John ^Lysterys
good mastyr in hys mater. He spak to ^Playter ther-of, and ^Playter seyd he
hopyd to fynd a mene, aftyr @at he had spook wyth yow, @at schold ese hym
ther-in.
I thank yow hertly for yowyr lettyr, for it was to me gret comfort to her
fro yow. God knowyth my modyr and I thowt ryth longe tyll we herd
tydyngys fro yow.
And the blyssyd Trinite* haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on
Seynt ^Edmu[n]dys Day the Kyng.
By yowyr ^M. ^P.
The pepyll was nevyr bettyr dysposyd to yow than they be at thys owyr.
The byll @at ^Howard hathe mad a-yens yow and odyr hathe set the pepyll
in thys contre* a rore. God yeue grace it be no werse than it is yet.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14611203>
<N 166>
<L 1>
Right wurchepfull husbond, I recomaund me to you. Please it you to wete
that myn awnte is dissesid, whos sowle God assoyll. And if it please you to
send word how ye wull @at we do for the lifflode that she had at %^Walcote,
wheder ye wull @at any body take possession there in your name or not,
and if it like you to haue wyth you my cosyn ^William, here sone, I trow ye
shuld fynde hym a necessary man to take hede to yowre howshold and to
bye all maner of stuffe nedefull @er-to, and to se to @e rewle and gode gidyn
@er-of; it hath be told me be-fore @at he can gode skill of such thynges. And
if ye wull @at I send for hym and speke wyth hym there-of I shall do as ye
send me word, for in feyth it is tyme to crone yowr old officere for diuerse
thynges, where-of I haue know parte be ^Dawbeney and more I shall telle
you whan ye come home.
Also it is thought be my cosyn ^Elisabeth ^Clere and @e vikere and othere
@at be yowr frendes that it is right necessary for you to haue ^Hew of ^Fen to
be yowr frende in yowr materes, for he is callid right feythfull and trosty to
his frendes @at trost hym. And as it is reported here he may do myche wyth
the Kyng and @e lordes, and it is seid @at he may do myche wyth hem @at
be yowr aduersaryes. And @erfore, for Goddes sake, if ye may haue his gode
wille forsake it not. Also it is thought the more lerned men that ye haue of
yowr owyn contre* of yowr councell the more wurchepful it is to you.
^Richard ^Callys brothere sent a letter heder to you which I send you be
^Dawbeney. I wuld, if it pleasid you, that he myght haue an answere
there-of as sone as ye may. Also, me semyth, savyng yowre better avyse,
@at it were wele do @at ye sent a letter to %^Yepeswhich to them @at were
^John ^Pampyngges borwys, thankyng them for there gode will, letyng hem
wete @at thei shall be savyd harmles; for, as I herd say, thei marveyle that
thei here no word from you, ner that he come not a-geyn to saue them
harmles.
Also, if ye be at home this Cristmes it were wele do ye shuld do puruey a
garnyssh or tweyn of pewter vesshell, ij basones and ij heweres and xij
candilstikes, for ye haue to few of any of thes to serue this place . I am
a-ferd
to purvey mych stuffe in this place till we be suerrere @er-of. Asfor the wode
at %^Mauby, I shall haue heder but litill till ye come home, @at ye may chese
where ye wull haue it. I hope it shall not be longe till ye come home, be the
grace of God. Asfor othire tydynges of @is countre*, ^Dawbeney shall tell you.
I pray you @at ye wull vochesaf to be gode mayster to ^Loveday, and @at
he may haue mony of you to bye such thynges as be necessary for hym, for
I wote wele he shuld go right evill or he shuld compleyne. And if it pleasid
you to purvey for hym @at he myght be in sum gode seruyce ye myght do
gret almesse vp-on hym, and so ye haue do be-fore this tyme, which I trost
God shall reward right wele.
The blissid Trinyte* haue you in his blissid kepyng. Wretyn the Thursday
next after Sent ^Andrew.
Be yowr ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14611229>
<N 167>
<L 0>
To my ryth worchepfull husbond ^Jonhn ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomande me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet @at
I receyvyd the lettyr @at ye sent me by a man of Seynt ^Mychell parysche on
Fryday next aftyr the Consepcion of Owyr Lad[y], and a-non as I had it I
sent my modyr the lettyr be-cause of swyche materys as longyd to hyr in
@at same lettyr; and sythyn @at tyme I kowd gete no massanger to %^London
but if I wold haue sent by the scheryfys men, and I knew nowthyr her
mastyr ner them nor whedyr they wer well wyllyng to yow or not, and
ther-for me thowt it had be no sendyng of no lettyr by hem.
And as for swyche materys as ^John ^Geney and ^Jamys ^Gresham spak to
me of, I sped hem as well as I kowd; and they bothe told me @at ye schold
veryly a ben at home be-for Crystmas, and that causyd me that I wrot not
to yow non answer. For if I had know @at ye schold not haue ben at home
er thys tyme I schold a sent some man to yow, for I thynk ryth longe tyll
I haue some god tydyngys fro yow. I fer me @at it is not well wyth yow @at
ye be fro home at thys good tyme. And many of yowyr contre*-men thynk
the same, but they be hertty j-now to yow ward and full fayn wold her god
tydyngys fro yow.
The[r] wer no byllys put to the scherryf at hys beyng her, ner non opyn
playnt mad that I [[...]] of no person be-cawse they  had so lyttyll knowlage
of hys comeyng in-to thys contre*. He demenyd hym full [[...]] and
jndeferently, as it was told me, and ^Yeluerton mad a fayir sermone at the
sesschyonys and seyd @at [[it was]] so that the Kyng was informyd @at ther
was a ryotows felawschep in thys contre*, wer-for the Kyng was gretly dysplesyd;
and @at the Kyng vndyrstood well @at it was not of ther owne
mosyon boot of cownselyng of one or ij @at ben evyll dysposyd folk. And
also he seyd if ony man wold put vp ony byllys of compleyntys of ony
extorcion or brybery don be ony men of thys contre* to them they wer
redy to receyue them and to make a-kord be-twyx hem; and if they cowd
not mak the acord, @at than they sho[[ld]] tak the byllys to the Kyng and
he schold set hem thorow. And the scheryfe seyd that he wold h[[...]] them
that wold compleyne and dorste not for fer put vp ther byllys. And
^Yelverton preyid the scheryfe @at if he had forget onythyng that the Kynge
seyd to hem at ther departtyng, @at he wold rehersyt ther. And than the
scheryf seyd @at he had seyd all that he remembryd saue only the Kyng
[[re]]h[[er]]syd to hem [[...]] ij personys, Syr ^Thomas ^Todenham and
^Heydon; and than ^Yeluerton seyd, 'A, that is trowthe', as thow [[...]] that
[[...]] ^Dame told me that he spak wyth the scheryfe aftyrward and let hym
haue k[[nowlage]] o[[f t]]he rewylle [[and]] demenyng of thys contre* and
what cawsyd the pepyll for to grwge a-yens swyche folkys as had the
rewyll be-fortyme; and he was pleyne to hym in many thyngys, as he told
me, and he fond the scheryfe ryth pleyne ayen to hym and well dysposyd
in that @at myth growe to the welfar of the scher. The scheryfe seyd he
vndyr-stood by swyche in-for-macion as he had syne he came in-to thys
contre* that they had not all gydyd hem well @at had the rewyill of thys
contre* be-for, and ther-for he seyd feythfully, and swore by gret othys
that he wold nowthyr spar for good nor loue nor fer, but @at he wold let
the Kynge haue knowlage of the trowthe and @at he wold do asmyche for
thys contre* as he cowd or myth do to the welfare ther-of, and seyd @at he
lekyd the contre* ryth well. And ^John of ^Dame seyd if the contre* had had
knowlage of hys comyng, he schold haue had byllys of compleyntys and
knowlage of myche more thyng than he myth haue knowlage of that tyme,
ore myth haue be-cause of schort aby[dy]ng; and he seyd he wold not be
longe owt of thys contre*. And also ^Yeluerton seyd opynly in the seschyons
they to come downe for @e same cause to set a rewyll in the contre*. And
yet he seyd he woste well @at the Kynge myth full evyll haue for-bor ony
of hem bothe, for as for a knyth there was non in the Kyngys howse @at
myth werse a be for-bore than @e scheryfe myth at that tyme.
I haue myche mor to wryt to yow of than I may haue leyser at thys tyme,
but I troste to God @at ye schall be at home yowyr-selfe in hast, and than
ye schall knowe all. And but if ye come home in haste, I schall send to
yow; and I pray yow hertly but if ye come home send me word in hast
how ye do.
And the blyssyd Trinyte* haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on
Seynt ^Thomas Day in Crystmas.
By yowyr ^Margaret ^Paston
Here was an evyll rewlyd felawschep yestyrday at the schere, and fard ryth
fowle wyth @e vndyr-scheryfe, and on-resnably as I herd sey.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14620107>
<N 168>
<L 0>
To my ryth worchepfull [[h]]usbond ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet @at I
sent yow a lettyr by ^Barneys man of %^Wychyngham wyche was wretyn on
Seynt ^Thomas Day in Crystmas, and I had no tydyngys nor lettyr of
yow sene the weke befor Crystmas, wher-of I mervayle sore. I fere me
it is not well wyth yow be-cawse ye came not home or sent er thys tyme. I
hopyd verily ye schold haue ben at home by Twelthe at @e ferthest. I
pray yow hertly @at ye wole wychesaue to send me word how ye do as
hastly as ye may, for my hert schall nevyr be in ese tyll I haue tydyngys
fro yow.
Pepyll of this contre* begynyth to wax wyld, and it is seyd her @at my
lord of ^Clarans and the Dwek of %^Suthfolk and serteyn jwgys wyth hem
schold come down and syt on syche pepyll as be noysyd ryotous in thys
contre*. And also it is seyd her @at ther is retornyd a newe rescwe vp-on
@at that was do at the last scher. I suppose swyche talkyng comyth of false
schrewys @at wold mak a rwmor in @is contre*. The pepyll seyth her @at
they had leuyr go vp hole to the Kyng and compleyne of siche fals
sc[h]rewys as they haue be wrongyd by a-for than they schold be compleynyd
of wyth-owt cause and be hangyd at ther owne dorys. In good
feyth men fer sor her of a comone rysyng but if a bettyr remedy may be
had to pese the pepyll in hast, and that ther be sent swyche downe to
tak a rewyll as the pepyll hathe a fantsy in that wole be jndeferent. They
loue not in no wyse the Dwke of %^Sowthfolk nor hys modyr. They sey that
all the tretourys and extorsyonerys of thys contre* be meyntynyd by them
and by syche as they get to them wyth her goodys, to that intent to meynten
suche extorsyon style as hathe be do by suche as hathe had the rewyll
vndyr them be-for-tyme. Men wene and the Dwke of %^Sowthfolk come
ther schall be a schrewd reuell, but if ther come odyr that be bettyr belovyd
than he is her. The pepyll feryth hem myche the mor to be hurt be-cause
@at ye and my cosyn ^Barney come not home. They sey they wot well it is
not well wyth yow, and if it be not well wyth yow they sey they wot well
they @at wole do yow wronge wole sone do them wronge, and that makyth
them all-most mad. God for hys holy mersy geue grace that ther may be
set a good rewyll and a sad in thys contre* in hast, for I herd nevyr sey of
so myche robry and manslawt in thys contre* as is now wyth-in a lytyll tyme.
And as for gadyryng of mony I sey nevyr a werse seson, for ^Rychard
^Calle seyth he can get but lytyll in substans of that is owyng, nowthyr of
yowyr lyuelod nor of ^Fastolfys. And ^John ^Paston seyth they that may
 pay best, they pay werst. They fare as thow they hopyd to haue a newe
werd.
And the Blyssyd Trinite* haue yow in hys kepyng and send vs good
tydyngys of yow. ^Yeluerton is a good thredbare frend for  yow and for odyr
in thys contre*, as it is told me. Wretyn in hast on the Thorsday nex aftyr
Twelthe.
By yowyr ^Margaret ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14620127>
<N 169>
<L 1>
Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet @at
^Perse was delyueryd owt [of] preson by the generall pardon that the Kynge
hathe grantyd, whyche was opynly proclamyd in the gyld-hall. A-none as
he was delyueryd he cam hedyr to me, God wote in an evyll plyte, and he
desyiryd me wepyng @at I wold be hys good mastres and to be mene to yow
to be hys good mastyr, and swore sor @at he was nevyr defawty in @at ye
haue thowte hym defawty in. He seyd @at if ther wer ony coyne in the
cofyr @at was at ^Wylliam ^Tauernerys it was ther wyth-owt hys knowlage,
for hys mastyr wold neuyr lat hym se what was in @at cofyr; and he tolde
me @at the keyis wer sent to ^Thomas ^Holler by Mastyr ^John ^Smyth.
What ^Holler leyd in or took owte he wot not, as he sweryth. He offyrd me
to be rewlyd as ye and I wold haue hym, and if I wold comand hym to go
a-geyn to preson, whedyr I wold to @e castyll or to the gyld-hall, he wold
obey my comandment; and seth that he cam of hys owne fre wyll wyth-owt
ony comandment of ony man or desyir. I seyd I wold not send hym ageyn
to preson so @at he wold a-byde yowyr rewyll when ye came home, and so
he is her wyth me and schall be tyll ye send me word how ye wole @at I do
wyth hym; wher-for I pray yow @at ye wole let me haue knowlage in hast
how ye wole @at I do wyth hym.
Item, I haue spok wyth ^John ^Dame and ^Playter for the lettyr testymonyall,
and ^John ^Dame hathe promysyd to get it, and ^Playter schall
bryng it to yow to ^%London.
Item, I haue purveyd yow of a man that schall be her in ^Barsamys sted
and ye wole, the wyche can bettyr cherysche yowyr wood bothe in
fellyng and fensyng ther-of than ^Barsam can; and he schall mak yow
as many hyrdyllys as ye ned for yowyr fold of yowyr owne wood at
%^Drayton, and schall tak as lytyll to hys wagys as ^Barsam dothe. And he is
holdyn a trew man.
Item, ^Playter schall tell yow of a woman @at compleynyd to the Dwk of
%^Sowthefolk of yow, and the sey[d] ^Playter schall tell yow of the demenyng
and answeryng of @e scheryfe for yow, and also of the demenyng of
the seyd Dwke and of othir materys wyche wer to longe mater to put in
wryttyn. The pepyll of thys contre* be ryth glad @at the day yed wyth yow
on Monday as it ded. Ye wer nevyr so welcome in-to %^Norfolk as ye schall
be when ye come home, I trowe.
And the blyssyd Trynyte* haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on
Wednysday next aftyr Seynt ^Angnet the fyrst.
By yowyr ^M. ^P.
Item, ^Richard ^Calle told me that he hathe sent you a answer of all
erandys @at ye wold shuld be do to Ser ^Thomas ^Howes. Ser ^Thomas ^Howis
cam nowther to me nor sent syn @at he cam home from %^London.
^Will ^Worcetre was at me in Cristemes at %^Heylysdon, and he told @at he
spak wyth you dyuers tymys at %^London @e last terme and he told me
@at he hopyd @at ye wolle be hys good master, and seyd he hopyd ye shuld
have non other cause but for to be hys god maister. I hope, and so do my
moder and my cosyn ^Clere, @at he wolle do well j-nowe so @at he be fayre
fare wyth.
^Dawbeney and ^Playter avise me to lete ^Peers go at large, and to take a
promys of hym to com to me a-mong vn-to your comyng hom; and in the
mene while his demenyng may be knowyn and espyed in mo thyngys.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 146203>
<N 170>
<L 0>
To my ryth worchepfull husbond ^John ^Paston be @is delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Plesyt yow to wet @at ^John ^Wellys and hys brodyr told me thys nyth @at
the Kyng lay at %^Cambryge as yestyr-nyth to %^Sandwyche ward, for ther is
gret dyuysyon be-twyx the lordys and the schypmen ther that causyth hym
to goo thedyr to se a remedye ther-for. I thank God that ^John ^Paston
yed non erst forthe, for I trust to God all schall be do er he comyth. And it
is told me that Syr ^John ^Howard is lek to lese hys hed. If it plese yow to
send to the seyd ^Wellys he schall send yow mor tydyngys than I may
wryt at thys tyme.
God haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast at %^Thetforthe at xj of the
clok in @e nyth the same day I departyd fro yow.
I thank ^Pampyng of hys good wyll, and them @at wer cause of changyng
of my hors, for they ded me a bettyr torne than I wend they had do; and I
schall aqwyt them a-nothyr day and I maye.
By yowyr ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14620518>
<N 171>
<L 0>
To my ryght wurschipful maistre ^John ^Paston.
<L 1>
I recomaunde me vnto you. Plesith it you to witte that I haue spoken wyth
^Furbuschour and other of the matre that ye spake to me off, and they haue
promysed me to be as feytheffull in it as it where for hem-selfe. Also I haue
spoken wyth my modre and seide to here as ye desired me to doo; and sche
seide sche knew the massache weele j-nowe be-fore be other persones, in
like wice as ye comaunded hem to sey to her, and sche seide she wode fayne
that ye dede weele, what so euer ye sey, and fille forthe in other talkyng.
Me semethe che is displesed that ye came not to her or than ye roode
foorthe. I schall telle you more whan that ye come home.
^Thomas ^Denys wyff whas at me and desired me that I schulde sende
to you and desire you that che myght haue knowleche from you how ye
woll that sche schall doo wyth her matre. Sche seithe her brother and other
of her frendes thynke that she schulde vp to %^London and calle vppon her
matre there, but she seithe pleynly sche woll nought doo therin wythoute
your advice.
It whas toolde me that ^Bacon and ^Gonnour whas here to speke wyth me
for the matre that ^Bacon spake to you of, and at that tyme I whas at %^Norweche
and I herde no more [[o]]f hem sethen. And as for my brother
^William, he is not purposed to come to %^London tyll aftre Pentecost, but my
brother ^Clement is purposed to come forward on Monday or on Twesday
next comyng at the ferthest.
Nomore at this tyme, but the blissed Trinite* preserue you. Wreten the
xviij day of Maij.
Your ^Margaret ^Paston
I prey you that ye woll wetesafe to remembre ^Johane ^Gayne matre, and
that ye woll take ^John ^Paston @at he remembre you of it, for ^Dawbeney and
^Pampyng woll sone for-gete it.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14630119>
<N 172>
<L 0>
To my right worchepful ^John ^Paston be @is letter deliueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete @at
I receyvyd a letter frome you on @e Sonday next after Twelthe Day weche
was sent be a prest of Seynt ^Gregorys paryche of %^Norwich; and wher as
ye mervaylyd I sent you no wrytyngs of suche letters as ye sent me be-fore,
I sent you a answer of @e substauns of suche maters as ye have wretyn of to
me be-fore, be ^Playter, @e weche he told me a sent hem to you to %^London.
And as towchyng @e erandys @at ye sent to me for to do to ^Richard ^Calle,
I have do as ye command me to do and callyd vp-on hym therfore bothe
be-fore your writyng and sithyn. He thare have non excuse for defavte
of leyser, for he hathe be but ryght litill her syn ye departyd hens. He is
owght at this tyme, and whan @at he comythe home I shall make hym make
yow a clere bylle of @e receyt of your lyvelod and ^Fastolff bothe, and I
shale send yow a clere bylle of my receytys and also of my paymentys
owght therof ageyn. And as for suche erandys @at shuld be do to Ser
^Thomas ^Howys, I have shewyd ^Richard ^Calle your writyng and told hym
your entent as for suche thyngys as ye wold he shuld sey to hym on hys
owne heed. Also I have do your erandys to my moder and to my cosyn
^Clere after your writyng.
Item, I have spoke to ^John ^Adam and to ^Playter of your entent of @e last
bylle @at ye sent me, and they sey they wolle do after your entent as moche
as they may and ye shalle have a answere therof in hast. Item, Ser ^Robert
^Coniors dinid wyth me thys day and shuyd me a letter @at came frome @e
Kyng to hym, desyryng hym @at he shuld a-wayt vpon hys welle be-louyd
broder @e Duk of %^Suffolk at %^Norwich on Monday next comyng for to be at
@e aleccion of knyghtys of @e chyer; and he told me @at euery jentylman of
%^Norffolk and %^Suffolk @at arne of any repetacion hathe writyng frome @e
Kyng in lyke wysse as he had. I felle hym be hys seyyng @at he ys right
welle disposyd to you ward. He seythe ther shall no man make hym to be
a-geyns you in no maner. ^Skypwyth shall telle you suche tydyngys as bethe
in @is contre*, and of ^Thomas ^Gorney and of hys man: hym-self is clerk
convicte and hys man is hangyn. Ye shalle here here-after what they and
oder were purposyd to a do to her master.
I thank you hertely of your writyng to me be-fore @at ^John ^Paston came
home, for God knowith I thowght right longe tyle I hard frome you. I shalle
send word in writyng of suche tydingys as we have here on Monday in
hast. ^Daubeney deseyryht to wet what tyme @at it please you @at he shuld
come ageyn to you. My moder and many other folkys makyth moche of
your son ^John @e older, and right glad of hys comyng hom, and lekyth
reght welle hys demenyng.
^Heydon son hathe bore owght @e syyd stowtly here @is Cristemes, and
whan @at he rydyth he hathe iiij or v men wyth hym in a clothyng, but
he hathe but lytyll fafore in @is contre* but yf it be of @e Bischop and [[of]]
@e Priore of %^Norwich. @e seyd Priore hathe grauntyd hym @e stewardchep
@at hys fader had [[...]] he hathe it vnder @e covent seale, and
^Spylman his tutore to lerne hym howe he shuld be dem[[enyd...]] it is seyd
a-bowght %^Bakynstorp @at ^Herry ^Heydon shuld a seyd @at it were welle do
@at men of [[...]] shuld make redy her bald battys and her clot shois and
go feche hom her knightys of c[[...]] ^Barney and it is promysyd hym @at
he shall be met wyth be-cause of hys lan[[...]] vs a good world and a
pesybyll. I shall purvey for all thyngys @at ye have sent to me for so [[...]]
be pleasyd.
The blyssyd Trinite* have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast @e Wednysday
[[...]] Seynt ^Agnet.
Your ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14630410B>
<N 173>
<L 1>
Please you to wet @at ^Will ^Jeney and ^Debham came to %^Calcote on Wednysday
be-fore non, and ther they spake wyth ^Rysyng and ^John ^Smythe, and
haskyd hem rent and ferme; and they seydyn they had payed you and so
they myght not paye hem also. Ferthermore they told hem that ye had hold
a corte ther syn @at they enteryd there. Than ^Jenney answerd ageyn,
'Be-cause he held a corte here we mad hym hold corte at %^London, and so
shall we make the to hold a corte at %^Ipysweche wyth-owt thowe wolt pay
vs @e rent and ferme.' 'Ser', quod ^Rysyng, 'I toke @e ferme of my master and
of Ser ^Thomas ^Howys.' ^Jenney seyd. 'And as for Ser ^Thomas, he
and we shall acord well j-nowe'. And so they hathe seled vp @e berne dorys,
and woll dryve a-wey @e catell, bothe of @e fermorys and of @e tenauntys,
wyth-owt @e fermor and ^John ^Smythe woll fynd hem suerte* to pay hem at
Esterne. And ^Jenney and ^Debham woll [be] bownd ageyn to hem in a
obligacion of xl li. to save hem harm-lese ageyns you. And so as yet ^Rysyng
standythe vnder award at %^Leystofte, so ^Rysyng hathe sent word to me @at
I shall knowe thys nyght or ellis to morowe what end they hathe mad.
Item, as towchyng @e burges of %^Yermothe, they were chosyn on Wednysday.
The baly ^Wydwell ys on, and as for the todyr @e Bischop sent to
@e towne for to have a man of hys owne. And so they be not a-cordyd yit
of hym; en cas they may not a-cord ^John ^Rus shall be the todyr.
Item, as towchyng ^Grene, a came not to %^Caster on Thursday, for he went
to %^Norwich @e same day, and so he is yet ther. ^Daubeney hathe spokyn
wyth ^Watkyn ^Shypdam for to be at %^Beyton on Monday to kepe a corte ther,
and so he woll be at %^Caster on Sonday and spek wyth you, for he seythe @at
^Fastolf hathe mad a cleyme ther-to. That is @e cause he wolle comon and
spek wyth you therof hym-selff.
Item, I can not, ner ^Daubeney nowther, fynd your wyght boke; it is not
in @e trussyng cofyr ner in @e sprucheste nothyr. ^Jon ^Walsham toke me a
quayere--I suppose it lo[n]gythe to @e same boke; @at same I send you and
@e byllis of %^Walcote wyth ale sealyd.
Wretyn @is day.
By your ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14631113>
<N 174>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be thys letter delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchepfull husbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wet
@at I was at %^Norwich this wek to purvey suche thyngys as nedythe me
ageyns thys wynter. And I was at my moders, and wille I was ther ther
came in on ^Wrothe, a kynnysman of ^Elysabet ^Clerys, and he sey your
dowter and preysyd hyr to my moder, and seyd @at she was a goodly yong
woman. And my moder prayd hym for to gett for hyr sum good mariage
yf he knewe any. And he seyd he knewe on shuld be of a ccc mark be yer,
@e wyche is Ser ^John ^Cley son that is chamberleyn wyth my lady of %^York;
and he ys of age of xviij yer old. \yf ye thynk it be for to be spok of, my
moder thynkyth @at it shuld be get for lesse mony nowe in thys world than
it shuld be her-after, owthyr @at j or sum other good mariage.
Item, I spake wyth Master ^John ^Estgate for ^Pekeryngys mater, after
your entent of @e mater of @e letter @at ye sent home; and he seyd to me
he shuld write to yow howe he had don ther-in, and so he sent you a letter
@e wyche was sent you be ^John ^Wodows man wyth other letters. As for
answer [of] other mater, ^Daubeney tellythe me he wret to you.
I be-seche alle-myghtty God have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^Caster
@e Sonday next after Seynt ^Marteyne.
By your ^M. ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 146311115>
<N 175>
<L 0>
To my welbelouyd son Ser ^John ^Paston be this deliueryd in hast.
<L 1>
I gret yow welle, and send yow Goddys blissyng and myn, latyng yow wet
that I have receyvyd a letter from you @e wyche ye deliueryd to Master
^Roger at %^Lynne, wherby I conseyve that ye thynke ye ded not well that ye
departyd hens wyth-owth my knowlage. Wherfor I late yow wett I was
ryght euyll payed wyth yow. Your fader thowght, and thynkyth yet, @at I
was asentyd to your departyng, and that hathe causyd me to have gret
hevinesse. I hope he wolle be your good fader her-after yf ye demene you
welle and do as ye owe to do to hym. And I sharge you vpon my blyssyng
@at in any thyng towchyng your fader @at shuld be hys worchep, profyte,
or avayle, that ye do your deuer and dylygent labore to @e fortherauns
therin, as ye wolle have my good wille; and @at shalle cause your fader to
be better fader to you. It was told me ye sent hym a letter to %^London. What
@e entent therof was I wot not, but thowge he toke it but lyghtly I wold
ye shuld not spare to write to hym ageyn as lowly as ye cane, besecheyng
hym to be your good fader, and send hym suche tydyngys as bethe in @e
contre* ther ye bethe in, and that ye be ware of your expence bettyr and
ye have be before thys tyme, and be your owne purse-berere. I trowe ye
shall fynd yt most profytalble to you. I wold ye shuld send me word
howghe ye doo and howghe ye have schevyste for your-self syn ye departyd
hens, be sum trosty man, and that your fader have no knowlage therof.
I durste not late hym knowe of @e laste letter @at ye wrot to me be-cause
he was so sore dyspleasyd wyth me at @at tyme.
Item, I wold ye shuld speke wyth ^Wekis and knowe hys dysposysion to
^Jane ^Walsham. She hathe seyd syn he departyd hens but she myght have
hym she wold neuer [be] maryyd; hyr hert ys sore set on hym. She told me
@at he seyd to hyr @at ther was no woman in @e world he lovyd so welle.
I wold not he shuld jape hyr, for she menythe good feythe, and yf he
wolle not have hyr late me wete in hast and I shall purvey for hyr in
othyr wysse.
As for your harneys and gere that ye left here, it ys in ^Daubeneys
kepyng. It was neuer remeuyd syn your departyng be-cause that he had
not @e keyes. I trowe it shall apeyer but if it be take hed hate be tymys.
Your fader knowythe not wher it is. I sent your grey hors to %^Ruston to
@e ferrore, and he seythe he shall neuer be nowght to rood nowthyr ryght
good to plowe nore to carte; he seythe he was splayyd and hys shulder rent
from @e body. I wot not what to do wyth hym. Your grandam wold fayne
her sum tydyngys from yow. It were welle do @at ye sent a letter to hyr
howe ye do as astely as ye may.
And God have you in hys kepyng and make yow a good man, and \yf
yow grace to do as well as I wold ye shuld do. Wretyn at %^Caster @e
Tewisday next be-for Seynt ^Edmond @e Kynge.
Your moder ^M. ^Paston
I wold ye shuld make meche of @e parson [of] %^Fylby, @e berer
her-of, and make hym good cher yf ye may.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14640506>
<N 176>
<L 0>
Tho my ryt worschopffull hossebond ^John ^Paston, in hast.
<L 1>
Rythe wourchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto \ow. Plesyth \ow to
wete @at on Thoris-day last was @er were browt on-to @is towne many
prevy selis; and on of hem was indosyd to \ow and to ^Hastynggys and to
fyve ore sexe odyre gentylmen, and a-nodyr was sent on-to \owre sone and
in-dosid to hym-selfe alone, and asynyd wyth-inne wyth @e Kynggys howyn
hand, and so were bwt fewe @at were sent, as it was told me, and also @er
were more specyal termys in hys @an wern in oderys. I sey a copy of @oo
@at were sent onto odyr gentylmen. @e intent of @e wrytyng was @at @ey
schwlde be wyth @e Kyngg at %^Leycestre @e x day of May, wyth as many
personys defensabylly arayid as @ey myte, acordyng to her degre*, and @at
@ey schwld bryng wyth hem fore here expensys fore ij monythis. As for @e
lettyr @at was indosyd to \ow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to ^Welyam
^\Elvyrton, for @ere aperyd no more of @e remwlawnt. ^Hastyngys js forthe
in-to %^\Orke-schyre. I prey \ow @at \e vowchesaf to send word in hast how
\e wyl @at \ore sone be demenyd her-in. Men thynk here @at byn \owre
wel-wyllerys @at \e may no lesse do @an to send hym forthe. As fore hys
demenyng swn \e departyd, in god feythe it hath byn ryth good and lowly,
and delygent in ovyrsythe of \owre servawntys and odyr th[i]nggys @e
weche I hope \e wold a be plesyd wyth and \e had be at hom. I hope he wyl
be wel de-menyd to plese \ow hereaftyrward. He desyryd ^Alblastere to
be mene to \ow fore hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to \ow. I
sent \ow word also be ^Alblastere how I dede to hym aftyr @at \e were
go, and I be-seche \ow hartyly @at \e wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, fore
I hope he is schastysyd and wil be @e warhere her-aftyr. As for alle odyr
t[h]ynggys at hom, I hope @at I and odyre schal do howre part @er-inne as
wel as we may; bwt as for mony, it comyth bw[t] slawly in.
God have \ow in hys kepyng and sen \ow good sped in alle \owre
materis. Wretyn in hast at %^Norwece on @e Sonday next be-fore @e Assencyon
Day. Sere, I wold be ryte glad to he[re] swmme gode tydynggys fro
\ow.
Be \orys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14640608>
<N 177>
<L 0>
To myn ryght worshypful hosbond ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in haste.
<L 1>
Ryght worshypful hosbond, I rekomaund me on-to you. Pleasyth you to
wete that I sent yisterday ^Louedaye to %^Norwyche to speke wyth the vykyre
of %^Derham fore the matere betwen Master ^Constantyn and hym. And he
seyth @at, as fore that matere, Master ^Constantyn sewyd hym fore feyth
and trowth brekyng, and he sewyd Master ^Constantyn in the temporal
curte vppon an oblygacion of x li.; and there was made appoyntment betwen
hem by the aduyce of bothe there conceylis be-fore Master ^Robert
^Popy @at eche of hem shuld relece othyre, and so they dede and the sewtys
were wythdrawyn on both partyes and jche of hem aquytauncyd othyre;
and as fore any copy of the plee he had neuer non, nere he nere Master
^John ^Estegate, @at was hys aturnay, remembryth nat @at it was regestryd.
And Master ^John ^Estegate seythe if it schuld be scergyd in the regester it
wold take a fortenyght werk and yit parauenture neuer be the nere. Syre
^Thomas ^Howes hathe ben ryght besy thys weke at %^Bloofeld in wrytyng and
lokyng vppe of gere, and ^John ^Russe hathe ben wyth hym there the moste
parte of alle thys weke. And thys daye was ^Robert ^Lynne there wyth hym;
what they haue do I wote nat, but I schal wete if I may. It was told me @at
Syre ^Thomas desyryd of ^John ^Russe to make hym a new jnventory of Syr
^John ^Fastolffys goodys. ^John ^Russe myght not be spoke wyth yit fore the
letter @at he shuld a wretyn whych ye sente me word of.
Item, it is tolde @at the Dwke of %^Suffolk is kome home, and owthyre he
is ded ore ellys ryght seke and not lyke to eskape. And Syre ^John ^Howard
is kome hom, and it is seyd @at the Lord ^Skalys and he haue a comyssyon
to enquere whye they of thys contre* @at were sent fore kame noon hastylare
vppe afftyre they were sent fore. It is reportyd @at the Kyng is gretly
dyspleasyd there-wyth.
At the reuerence of God, arme yowre-selue as myghtyly as ye kan ageyn
yowre enmyes, fore I know verrayly @at they wyl do ageyn yow as myghtyly
as they kan wyth all there powere. It is told me @at Syre ^Thomas shal kom
vppe in haste, and othyre suche as he kan make for hys partye. Also, fore
Goddys sake be ware what medesynys ye take of any fysissyanys of %^London.
I schal neuer trust to hem be-cause of yowre fadre and myn onkyl, whoys
sowlys God assoyle.
The blissyd Trynyte* haue yow in hys kepyng and sende yow helthe and
good spede in all yowre materris. Wretyn in haste on the Fryday next
before Sceynt ^Bernabye.
By yowrys, ^M. ^P.
Alle the gentylmen of thys contre* @at went vppe to the Kyng are contremaundyd
and are com home ageyn. It is told me @at ^Rowse of %^Suffolk is
ded. If ^John ^Gayn myght haue any relese of hys sone, if it myght do hym
ese it were a good torne fore hym.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14650408>
<N 178>
<L 0>
To my ryght worchepfull hosbond ^Jon ^Paston be @is deliueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Right worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wet
that I send you a copy of a deed that ^Jon ^Edmondys of %^Taueram sent to
me be @e menys of ^Dorlet. He told ^Dorlet that he had suche a deed as
he supposyd that wold don ease in prevyng of @e tytyll that the Duk of
%^Suffolk cleymythe in %^Drayton, for @e same deed that he sent me @e seale
of armys is lyke on-to @e copy @at I send you, and noo thyng leke to the
Duk of %^Suffolk auncesters. Item, @e seyd ^Edmond seythe yf he may fynd
any other thyng that may do yow ease in @at mater he wolle doo hys part
therin. Item, ^Jon ^Russe sent me word that ^Barker and ^Herry ^Porter told
hym in councell that @e Duk of %^Suffolk hathe bowght on ^Brytyeff ryght,
@e wyche makythe a cleyme on-to %^Heylysdon, and @e seyd Duke is purposyd
to entere wythin shorte tyme after Esterne; for in so moche @e
seyd ^Russe felte be @e seyd ^Barker and ^Porter that all @e feffees wolle
make a relees on-to @e Duk and helpe hym @at they can in-to her power,
for to have hys good lorchep.
Item, yf it please you, me thynkythe it ware ryght nessessary @at ye send
word howe @at ye wolle your old malte be purveyd fore, for and any hote
weder come affter @at it hathe leyne @is wynter season it shall be but lost
but yf it be sold be tymys. For as fore @e pryse here, it is sore falle. I have
sold a c comb of malt @at came fro %^Guton to ^Jamys ^Golbeter, clenefyed
and strek met and non jument [?], for ij s. ij d. @e comb, and to be payeed
at Mydsomer and Lammes.
Item, ther be dyuers of your tenauntrys at %^Mauteby that had gret ned for
to be reparyd, but @e tenauntys be so pore that they are not a power to
repare hem; whefor yf [it] leke you I wold that @e marche @at ^Bryge had
myght be kept in your owne hand @is yer, that @e tenauntys myght have
ruschys to repare wyth her howsys. And also ther is wyndfall wod at @e
maner @at is of noo gret valewe, @at myght helpe hem wyth to-ward @e
reparacion yf it leke you to late hem have it @at hathe most need therof. I
have spoke wyth ^Borges that he shuld heyne @e price of @e mershe or ellis
I told hym @at he shuld no lenger have it for ye myght [have] other
fermors therto that wold geve ther-fore as it was late be-fore; and yf he
wold geve therfore as moche as a-nother man wold, ye wold @at he shuld
have it be-for any other man. And he seyd he shuld geve me answere be a
fortenyght after Esterne. I can get non other fermor ther-to yet.
Item, I vnderstand be ^Jon ^Pampyng that ye wolle not @at your sone be
take in-to your hows nor holp be you tylle suche tyme of yere as he was
put owt therof, the wiche shalle be a-bowght Seynt ^Thomas messe. For
Godys sake, ser, a pety on hym and remembre yow it hathe be a long
season syn he had owt of you to helpe hym wyth, and he hathe obeyed hym
to yow and wolle do at all tymis, and wolle do that he can or may to have
your good faderhood. And at @e reuerence of God, be ye hys good fader
and have a faderly hert to hym. And I hope he shall euer knowe hym-selff
@e better her-after and be @e more ware to exchewe suche thyngys as shuld
dysplease you, and for to take hed at @at shuld please you. Pecoke shalle
telle you be mothe of more thyngys than I may write to you at @is tyme.
 The blysyd Trinite* have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^Caster in has[t]e
@e Monday next after Palme Sonday.
Your ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14650503>
<N 179>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypffull husbond ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryght wyrshypful husbond, I recomaunde me vn-to you. Pleasyd you to
wyte that I have spoken thys wyke wyth dyuers of youre tenauntys of
%^Drayton and put hem in confort that all shalbe well heraftere, by the
grace of God; and I fyle well by hem that they wylbe ryght glad to haue ayen
there olde mayster, and so wold they all except j or ij that be fals
shrewys.
And thys next wyke I purpose on Wensday or Thursday to be at %^Haylesdon
and to a-byde ther a wyke or ij and send oure men a-bovte to gedere
money at %^Drayton and %^Haylesdon, and yf ye wyll I woll do kepe a corte at
%^Drayton or I com thens. I pray you send me word how ye wyll that I doo
there-in. I recevyd ij letters from you of ^Nicholl ^Colman yestere-day,
wer-in ye desyre that we shuld purvey for your malte and barley, and soo
shall we doo as well as we cann and send you word howe that we may doo
there-wyth in hast.
Item, yester-day Maister ^Phylyp toke ^Dorletys hors vppon %^Drayton lond
as they went to the plowe, for the hol[[e]] yere ferm; and, as it ys told me,
the tenauntys of %^Drayton told hym that he dyde hym wrong to make hym
pay for the hole yere, for non of the tenauntys had payd hym but for the di.
yere. And he say[d] thohg they hadnot payd but for the di. yere ^Paston
shuld pay for the othere di. yere, and for moo yerys also yf he lyvyd. But I
trow to gyte ^Dorlet a-yen hys hors, or els Maister ^Phylyp ys lyke to be
vn-horssyd ons, and we lyve all.
Youre son shall com hom to moryn, as I trowe, and as he deme[n]yth
hym hyre-aftere I shall lete you haue knowlych; and I pray you thynk not
in me that I wyll supporte hym ne fauour hym in no lewdnesse, for I
wylnot. As I fynd hym here-aftere soo I wyll lete you haue knowlych.
I haue put youre evydens that com owte of the abbay in a seck, and enseylyd
hem vndere ^Richard ^Call ys seall, that he shalnot say but they
eryn as he left hem. But as for the place where they ern kypt, he hath no
knowlych and [[...]] tyll ye [[...]].
As fore the gentylwoman that ye wrote to me fore yn youre lettere, I
[[....]] there yf it lykyd all folkys as well as it shold doo me I trow [[...]]
a-bowte yf here frendys were as well a-gryed therto as they [[...]] parte. Yf
ye wyll that it be movyd of more here-after I wyll [[...]] wyll make a newe
parson at %^Drayton. Also it ys sayd that th[[...]] there by-cause it hath stond
so long voyd. Yet and any sh[[...]] had lever that he com in by the Byshop
then by a[[...]] doo there-in yf ye wyll send hom any presentacion selyd
[[...]] we shall a-say to gyte som gode pruste and sette hym [[...]].
Wryten in haste at %^Castere on Holy Rode Day, &c.
As [[...]] doo there-in as well as I cann. I haue gyte a replevyn [[...]] cc
shype, and yf thay may not be hadde a-yen then he gra[[...]]. We fynd
hym ryght gode in that we desyre of hym for you, and ther-fore yf it lyk
you I wold he were th[[...]].
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14650510>
<N 180>
<L 0>
To my maystere ^John ^Paston the oldest be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryght wyrshypfull husbond, I recomaund me vn-to you. Pleysed you to
wyte that on Wensday last passyd ^Dabeney, ^Naunton, ^Wykys, and ^John
^Love werre at %^Drayton for to speke wyth youre tenauntys there, to put hem
in confort and for to aske money of hem also.
And ^Pyrs ^Waryn, otherwyse callyd ^Pyrs at ^Sloth, whych ys a flykeryng
felowe and a besy wyth Maister ^Phylyp and the bayly of %^Cosshay, he had a
plowe goyng in youre lond in %^Drayton, and there youre seyd seruauntys at
that tyme toke hys plowe-ware, that ys to say ij marys, and broght hem to
%^Haylysdon, and there they be yet. And on the next mornyng aftere Maister
^Phylyp and the baylly of %^Cosshay com to %^Haylysdon wyth a grete nombere
of pepell, that ys to say viijxx men and more in harnysse, and there toke
from the parsouns plowe ij hors, prise iiij marc., and ij hors of ^Thomas
^Stermyns plowe, prise xl s., sayng to hem that there was taken a playnt
a-yenst hem in the hunderd by the seyd ^Pyrs for takyng of the forseyd
plowarre at %^Drayton, and but thay wold be bond to com to %^Drayton on
Tewysday next comyng to awnswere to such maters as shalbe sayd to them
there they shold not haue there bestys a-yen; whych they refusyd to do
on-to the tyme that they had an awnswere from you. And so they led the
bestys forth to %^Drayton, and from %^Drayton forth to %^Cosshay.
And the same aftere-non folwyng the parson of %^Haylesdon send hys man
to %^Drayton wyth ^Stermyn for to speke wyth Maister ^Phylyp, to know a way
yf they shuld haue a-yen there catell or not. And Maister ^Phylyp awnsweryd
them yf that they wold bryng hom there destresse a-yen @at was
taken of ^Pyrs ^Waryn, that then he wold delyuer hem thers, or els not. And
he lete hem playnly wyte that yf ye or any or youre seruauntys toke any
dystresse in %^Drayton, that were but the valew of an hen, they wold com to
%^Haylesdon and take ther the valew of an ox there-fore; and yf thay cannot
take the valew therof there, that then they wyll do breke youre tenauntys
howsys in %^Haylesdon and take as moch as they cowd fynd there-in. And
yf they be lettyd ther-of--wych shall neuer lye in youre powere for to do, for
the Duck of %^Suffolk ys abyll to kype dayly in hys hows more men then
^Dabeney hadde herys in hys hede yf hym lyst, and as for ^Dabeney he
ys a lewde felow and so he shalbe seruyd here-after, and I wold that he were
hyre--and therfore he seyd yf ye take vppon you to lette them so forto
do, that then they wold goo in-to any lyflode that ye had in %^Norffolk or
%^Suffolk and to take a destresse in lyke wysse as they wold do at %^Haylysdon.
And othere awnswerre cowde they non gyte, and so they departyd.
^Richard ^Calle axid the parson and ^Stermyn yf they wold take an accyon
for there catell, and the parson seyd he was agyd and syklow and he wold
not be trobelyd herafter; he sayd he had leuer lose hys catell, for he wyst
 well yf he dyde so he shold be endytyd and so vexid wyth hem that he
shold neuer haue rest by hem. As for ^Stermyn, he sayd at that tyme he
durst not take no sute a-yenst hem nothere, but aftere that ^Richard was
rydyn I spake wyth hym and he sayd he wold be rulyd as ye wold haue
hym; and I fond hym ryght herty and wel dysposyd in that matere. And he
is bownde to you an obligacyon of x li. sengyll wyth-outen condycyon that
he shall a-byde by such accyons as shalbe takyn by youre advyse in hys
name. Wherfore I haue send you a tytelyng therof in a byll closyd herin.
I axyd ^Thomas ^Gryne avyse when they had take the dystresse hyre,
and he avysyd me that herre destresse shold be delyueryd a-yen to them so
that we my\t haue a-yen ourys; and me thoght it was non awnswere after
myn entent, and wold not therof but axyd avyse of ^Skypwyth what hym
thoght that were best to doo ther-in and most wyrshypfull. He seyd by hys
avyse that I shold send to you in al the hast that I cowde, and that ye shuld
fynde a mene therfore a-bove by the avyse of youre lernyd counsell to haue
a wrytte from a-bove for to delyuer yt, of lesse then the vndershyrff werre
otherre wysse dysposyd to you then we fynde hym; for it symyth that he ys
made of the othere party. And as for the replevyn for the cc shype ys not yet
servyd. ^Skypwyth thynkyth that ye my\t haue a wrytte bothe fore the shype
and the destresse now taken at %^Haylysdon. I pray you that ye wyll send
word in hast how [ye] woll that we doo in thys maters.
^Skypwyth went wyth me to the Byshop of %^Norwych, and I lyte hym haue
knowlych of the ryotous and evyll dysposicyon of Maister ^Phylyp, desyryng
hys lordshyp that he wold see a mene tha[t] a correccyon my\t be hadde,
in as moch as he was chyf justice of the peas and hys ordynare, and in
asmoch as he was a prest and vndere hys correccyon that he shold haue
vnderstondyng of hys dysposicyon; and I made ^Dabeney to tell hym all the
matere how it was. And he seyd he wold send for hym and speke wyth
hym, and he told me of dyuers thyngys of the demenyng of hym wherby I
vnderstode he lykyd not by hys dysposicyon nor demenyng in thys
mater nor in no nothyre, for it symyd he had provyd hym what he ys in
othere maters.
My lord seyd to me that he wold ryght fayn that ye had a gode conclusyon
in youre maters, and seyd by hys trouth that he ought you ryght gode wyll
and wold ryght fayn that ye were com hom, and seyd to me that it shold be
a grete confort to youre frendys and neghbors and that youre presens shold
do more a-mongys hem than a c of youre men shold do in youre absens,
and more youre enmys wold ferre to do a-yens you yf ye myght be at home
and steryng a-mongys hem; and seyd full playnly in meny othere thyngys
it were to longe to wryte at thys time, as ^Skypwyth shall tell you
when he comy\t to you.
I pray you thanke ^Skypwyth of hys gode wyll. for he was ryght well
wyllyd to go wyth me and yeve me hys avyse. Me thynkyth he ys ry\t well
wyllyd to you.
Item, I pray you send hastely word how that ye wyll that we be gydyd
wyth thys place, for as it ys told me it ys lyke to stond in as grete jupardy in
hast as othere don. On Thursday al day there were kypt in %^Draton logge
in-to lx persons, and yet, as it ys told me, there be wyth-in dayly and ny\tly
in-to a xvj or xx persons.
Item, it ys told me that ^Thomas ^Elys of %^Norwych, whych nowe ys
chosyn mayere, seyd at %^Drayton that yf my lord of %^Suffolk nede a c men
he wold purvey hym ther-of, and yf any men of the town wold go to ^Paston
he wold do lay hem faste in preson. I wold youre men mygh[t] haue a $supersedias
owte of the Chauncere* and be ovte of the dangere of there men here,
and I pray you letnot ^Wyll ^Naunton be for-yete there-in. ^Richard ^Call and
othere can tell you of hys demenyng, and I pray you that ye be not dysplesyd
for hys a-bydyng wyth me, for in gode feth he hath ben a grete
confort to me syn ye departyd hens, as I wyll lete you wyte herafter. I pray
you yf hys brothere com to you for a relesse of hys londe, lette hym non
haue on-to the tyme that ye see hys faderys wyll, the whych I wote where
it ys, and @at it like you to desyre hym to be gode brothere to hym.
Item, I haue left ^John ^Paston the oldere at %^Castere to kype the place
there, as ^Richard can tell you, for I had levere, and it pleasyd you, to be
captenesse here then at %^Castere. Yet I was nothyng purposyd to a-byde
here when [i] com from hom but for a day or ij, but I shall a-byde here
tyll I here tydyngys from you.
Item, it ys told me that the Duck of %^Suffolk hath boght, or shal by in
hast, the ry\t that on ^Bryghtylhed hath in %^Haylesdon. &c.
Item, as for the evydens that ^Watkyn ^Shypdam hadd, he delyueryd to
hys wyffe a box enselyd wyth hys owyn seall by hys lyffe, for to be delyueryd
to you, whych box she delyueryd to ^Richard ^Call vndere the same seall aftere
hys dessesse. ^Richard can tell you of the gydyng of the cofere, wyth othere
bokys that were at ^Shypdams. And as for all youre othere evydens, ye
ther not feere as fore the sy\t of hem, for there hath nor shall no man sen
hem tyll ye com hom. I can not fynd that ye send to me fore to haue ovte
of the rolle.
Item, I hyre no word of ^Colte of %^New %^Castell, nor of no nothere from
you that shold haue youre malte; but I haue spoken to the vikere, ^John ^Rus,
and ^Robert ^Botelere to help for to sell youre malte, and as we can do there-in
we shall send you word.
The provest of %^Cambrygge ys com in-to thys contray, and ^Dabeney shall
receve of hym that longyth to you on Monday or Tewysday, and he shall
haue hyt delyueryd accordyng to youre wrytyng.
Item, my modere told me that she thynkyth ryght strange that she may
not haue the profectys of ^Clyre ys place in peasabyll wyse for you. She seyt
it ys hers and she hath payd most therfore yet, and she sayth she wyll haue
the profectys therof or ells she wyll make more folk to speke therof. She
seyth she knowyt not what ryght ne titell that ye haue ther-in but yf ye
luste to trobell wyth herre, and that shold be no wyrshep to you; and she
sayth she wylbe there thys somer and repayre the housyng ther. In gode feyth
I hyre moch langage of the demenyng be-twene you and herre. I wold
ryght fayn, and soo wold many moo of youre frendys, that it were otherwyse
by-twene you then it ys, and yf it were I hope ye shold haue the
betere spyde in all othere maters.
I pray God be youre gode spyde in all youre maters and yef you grace to
haue a gode conclusyon of hem in haste, for thys ys to wyry a lyffe to
a-byde for you and all youre. Wryten in haste at %^Haylysdon  the x day of
May. The cause that I send to you this hastely ys to haue an awnswere in
haste from you.
Yourys, ^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON I>
<D 14650513>
<N 181>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypfull mayster ^John ^Paston the oldest be @is delyueryd in
haste.
<L 1>
I recomaund me, &c.
Yf it pleasyd you I wold ryght fayn that ^John ^Jenney werre putt ovte of
the comyssyon of  the peas and that my brothere ^Wyll ^Lumner were set yn
in hys stede, for me thinkyth it were ryght necessere that there were such
a won in that countray that oght you gode wyll, and I knowe verely he
owyth you ryght gode wyll. He was wyth me at %^Castere but late. Yf there
be made any labour for Doctour ^Alyn to be justice of the peas, I pray you
for Godys sake let it be lettyd yf ye may, for he wyll take to moch apon hym
yf he werre. I woldnot that he were remembyrd of youre parte but yf he
be spokyn of of othere partys. He ys ryght grete wyth Maister ^Phylyp
^Lyp\ate and the baylyff of %^Cosshay.
Yf it please yow to wyte that ^Wykys dyde a-reste on ^Wyll ^Bylmyn of
%^Norwych, as ^Pampyng can enforme you of, for sertyn harnys wych he
delyueryd hym at %^Newcastell for to cary to %^Yarmoth by watere and there
to delyuer it to hym a-yen, whych harnys he kypt styll and may not be
delyueryd; and now ther ys com down an $habeas $corpus for hym, and most
appyre at the Comyn Place on Fryday next comyng. Wher-fore yf it
pleased you that there myght be taken an accyon in ^Wykys name of trespas,
vndere such forme as there may be a $capias a-wardyd a-yenst hys comyng,
for aftere that he was arestyd he dyde ^Dabeney to be arestyd for mayntenyng.
And as for the harnys, ^Wykys delyueryd it to hym the x day of Januare
the ij yere of Kyng ^E. in Pylgryme Strete at %^Newcastell: $in $primis, a payre
brygandyrs, a salet, a bore spere, a bawe, xviij arwys, ij payre polrondys, a
standerd of mayle, a payre slyvys of plate to the valew of v marc. And, at
the reuerens of God, slowth not youre maters nowe, and make an yend of
hem other puruey you to make hym or to marre hem in haste, for thys ys
to orybyll a coste and trobell that ye haue and haue had for to endure any
whyle, and it ys grete heuenys to youre frendys and welwyllers, and grete
joy and confort to youre ennemyes. My lord of %^Norwych seyd to me that
he wold not ha byden the sorow and trobell that ye haue a-byden to wyn
all Ser ^John ^Fastolf ys gode.
And God be your spyde in all yore maters. Wryten at %^Haylesdon the
xiij day of May.
Youre ^M. ^P.
I thynk ryght long to hyre tydyngys tyll I haue t[y]dyngys from you.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650520>
<N 182>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypfull husbond ^John ^Paston by thys delyuery[d] in hast.
<L 1>
Please it you to wyte that on Satour-day last youre seruauntys ^Naunton,
^Wykys, and othere were at %^Drayton and there toke a dystresse for the rent
and ferm that was to pay, to the nombere of lxxvij nete, and so broght
them hom to %^Hayllesdon and put hem in the pynfold, and so kept hem
styll there from the seyd Satour-day mornyng in-to Monday at iij at clok
at aftere-non. Fyrst on the same Satour-day the tenauntys folwyd vppon,
and desyryd to haue there catell a-yen, and I awnnsweryd hem yf thay
wold do pay such dewtys as they oght for to pay to you, that then they
shold haue there catell delyueryd a-yen; or els, yf they were not a powere
to pay redy money, that then they to fynd suffycyant suerty to pay the
money at such a day as they mygh[t] agrye wyth me, and there-to to be bonden
to you by obligacyon. And that they seyd they durst not for to take vppon
hem for to be bonden, and as for money they had non for to pay at that
tyme; and there-fore I kept stylle the bestys. ^Harleston was at %^Norwych
and send for the tenauntys the seyd Satour-day at aftere-non, and there
by the menys of the bayllyff of %^Coshay put the tenauntys in such feere,
sayng that yf they wold pay such dewtys, or ells for to be bonden to pay,
that then they wold put hem ovte of such londys as they huld bondly of the
lordshyp, and so to dystrayn hem and trobell hem that they shold be wery
of there part. And that put hem such feere that they drust nothere pay nor
be bonden. And on the sam day at evynsong tyme ^Harleston com to me to
%^Haylesdon, desyryng me that I wold delyuer a-yen the seyd dystresse, and
as for such dystressys as they had taken here of youre tenauntys shold be
delyueryd a-yen in lyke forme. And I seyd I wold not delyuer hem soo, and
told hem that I wold delyuer hem as ye wryten a-fore, and othere-wyse
not; and othere-wyse I wold not delyuer hem but by the form of lawe. And
othere comynycacyon was had by-twene vs at that tyme of dyuers maters
whych were to long to wryte at thys tyme, but ye shall haue knowlych
therof in hast.
And on Monday next aftere at ix at clok there com ^Pynchemore to
%^Haylesdon wyth a replevyn whych was made in ^Harleston ys name as
vnderstewerd  of the Duche*, sayng that the bestys were taken vppon the
Duche* fee; wherfore he desyryd me to mak hym lev[er]y of the seyd bestys
so taken, and I seyd I wold not delyuer hem on-to the tyme that I had
examenyd the tenauntys of the trough. And so I send thedere ^Wykys wyth
^Pynchemore to vnderstond what they wold say, and the tenauntys seyd
that there was taken non vppon the Duche* at there knowlych, saue only
^Pyrs ^Waryn the yongere and ^Payntere seyd that there catell was taken
vppon the Duche*, whych they con not prove by non record saue only by
there awyn sayng; and so we wold not a-bey that replevyn, and so they
departyd. And at iij at clock at aftere-non ^Pynchemore com to %^Haylysdon
a-yen wyth ij men whych broght wyth hem a replevyn from the shyryff,
whos namys be ^John ^Whycherley and ^Robert ^Ranson, whych requyryd me
by the same replevyn to make them delyuery of the seyd bestys taken at
%^Drayton. And so I, syyng the shyryffys replevyn vndere hys seall, bade my
men delyuer hem, and soo they were delyueryd. And as for all othere maters
that ye haue wryten to [me] of, I wyll spede me to send you a awnswere as
hastely as I may, for I may no leysour haue to wryte no more to you at thys
tyme.
The blyssyd Trynyte* haue you in hys kypyng. Wryten at %^Haylesdon
the xx day [[of ^May]].
By yourys, ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650527>
<N 183>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypfull husbond ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in haste.
<L 1>
Ryght wyrshypfull hosbonde, I recomaunde me to you. Please it you to
wyte that I haue send to Maister ^John ^Smyth and to Maister ^Stephyn to
haue a-vyse for the church of %^Drayton, and they send me word that there
moste be had a comyssion from the Byshop to calle in the person ^Flowredew,
and that most be proclaymyd in the church of %^Drayton iij tymes by
a deen; and aftere that, yff he appyre not wyth-in vj monthys aftere the
fyrst proclamacion, that then he for to be depryvyd and the patron to
present wham he luste; and ells youre presentacyon ys not sufficyant. And
I haue so purveyd @at a comyssyon ys hadde, and shalbe seruyd as hastely
as it may be. As for ^John ^Rysyng, I haue sent to hym to wyte the cause
that he ys not broght vp to %^London; and he sayth that he callyd vppon the
shyrff that he myght be had vp for [to] com to hys awnswere, and the
shyrff told hym that he wold not bryng hym vp at hys owyn coste. And ^John
^Andres seyd that he wold not haue hym vp, and so he ys styll in prison at
%^Ipswych and so shall he be but yf ye canne fynde the betere mene for to
haue hym ovte. I haue sent to hym xiij s. iiij d. to help hym-sylff there-wyth.
He payth for hys borde wykely xx d.; and ^Hopton and ^Smyth be there styll
allso, and thay haue money y-nogh, where som euer that they haue it.
Rysyng dymeth that they haue confort of the othere party. And I send you
a copy of the warant that they were a-restyd by, &c.
I spake not wyth my modere syn ^Rychard ^Calle broght me the letter
from you tochyng here matere, for I myght haue no lesour. When I speke
wyth here at leysure I wyll remembere here in that matere acordyng to
youre wrytyng. And as for youre tenauntys of %^Drayton, as I canne vnderstond
by hem they be ryght gode and trew hertyd to you to there powers,
and full fayn wold that ye had it a-yen in peasse; for they had as leffe
al-most be tenauntys to the Devell as to the Duke, except ^Wyll ^Herne,
^Pers at ^Sloth, and on ^Knott of the same towne, for they be not gode. All
youre tenauntys at %^Haylesdon and %^Drayton except thes iij be ryght glad
that we erre there a-mongys hem, and so be many othere of oure old
nebors and frendys.
And but yf ye com hom by Wensday or Thursday in Wytson Wyke, I
purpose me to see you in secrete wyse by Trynyte* Sonday, but yf ye send
to me contrary comaundement ere that tyme. And I pray you send me
youre avyse how ye wyll that we doo a-yenst the next shyre, whych shalbe
the Monday next aftere Trynyte* Sonday, as for callyng vppon the replevyn
that the bestys of %^Drayton were delyueryd by.
Item, ^Richard ^Calle told me that ye desyryd to haue Maister ^Phylyp ys
name; and hys name ys ^Phylyp ^Lyp\eate and I send you a lettere by
^Henre* ^Wylton ys man wherin I wrote Maister ^Phylyp ys name, and in the
same letter I wrote to you for ^Wyll ^Lumnour. I pray you send me word
yf ye haue it.
And the blysshyd Trynyte* haue you in hys kypyng. Wryten the Monday
next aftere Assencyon Day.
By yourys, ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650611>
<N 184>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be thys lettere delyueryd.
<L 1>
Ryght wyrshypfull husbond, I recomaunde me vn-to you. Please it you to
wyte that I recevyd letters from you on Wensday laste passyd the were
wryten the Monday next be-fore, wherof I thanke you of the lettere that ye
send to me. I wolde fayn doo well yf I cowde, and as I canne I wol doo to
youre pleasure and profet, and in such thyngys as I cannot skyle of I wyll
take avyse of such as I know that be youre frendys, and doo as well as I
canne.
Where as ye wrote to me that ^Lydham told you that I told hym that the
Duckys men werre not so besy as thay had be by-fore, no more thay were
not at that tyme; but sythen they haue be bysyere. What confort that thay
haue I canne not haue no knowlych as yet, but I suppose, and all youre
felshyp were gode, thay sholdnot haue so grete confort as thay haue, or
ells thay wold not be so besy as thay haue be. Grete bost they make that
the Duck shold haue %^Drayton in peas, and aftere thys %^Haylesdon, and that
wyth-in short tyme. Thay ere moch the boldere, I suppose, by-cause
that ye be where as ye be. At the reverens of God, yf ye may by any wyrshypfull
or resonabell mene, com ovte ther-of as sone as ye may, and com
hom a-mongys youre frendys and tenauntys, and that shold be to hem
the grettyst confort that thay my\t haue and the contrary to youre enmys.
It ys sayd here that the Duck of %^Suffolk shall com to %^Coshay in haste and
logge there for a season. I fyle well by youre tenauntys that yf ye were
peaseabyly possessyd and youre cort holden in peaseabyll wyse, and that
thay my\t be in pease a-yenst the othere many, than they wold take
accyons a-yenste hem for such wrongys as haue be don to hem. And ells
thay say that they thernot take it vppon hem, for they dwelle so ney to the
othere many that thay knowe well thay shold neuer be in ease yf thay dyde
soo whyle that thay dele a-mongys hem.
On Thursday last ^John ^Doket, the bayly ys son y lawe, and ^Thomas
^Ponte, wyth othere, erly in the mornyng an ovre by-fore the sonne rose
com to youre fold and drove away the flock at %^Drayton, both colyet and
othere, in-to %^Coshay fee or euer that the sh[y]pherd myght haue knowlych
therof. And than he fowlyd on and desyryd to haue hem a-yen, and thay
wold not suffere hym to haue them, no more but the colyet; and there were
c and j of yourys, and tho had thay forth wyth hem to %^Coshay. And the
same day we had a replevyn for the cc shype and replevyn for the hors that
were taken at %^Haylesdon, and how that thay were obbeyd ^Richard ^Call shall
enforme you, and of othere maters also the whych I may not wryte to you
of at thys tyme.
Item, I haue spoke w[[yth ^John]] ^Strange of the matere that ye wrote
to me of, and in gode feyth I fynd hym, as me symyth, ryght well dysposyd
to you wardys; and he hath acordyng to youre desyre spoken wyth ^Yeluerton
yesterday to fyle hys dysposision in that matere, and ^Yeluerton, as it
symyth by hym, roght not gretely thogh the matere brake so that he myght
haue any resonabell colour to breke. He ys so callyd vppon by ^Wayte and
othere of the Duck of %^Suffolk ys counsell that he ote not where to hold hym,
and he ys put in so grete confort, as I am enformyd, to receve money for
the lond; and that temptyth hym ryght sore, for wyth money he wold fayn
be in handelyng, as ye know he hath nede therof. He told ^John ^Straunge
that it ys informyd hym that ye haue vp an enquest to deprove there
wytnesse, and there-wyth ys he sore movyd. [[...]] that yf any thyngys be
don in temperall maters othere in spyrytu[[all...]] maters tochyng executours
or feoffeys or wyttnes tyll the day of [[...]] trety be passyd he wyll not
abyde no trety ther-in but do as [[...]] thynkyth best for to do there-in.
I told ^John ^Straunge that I kn[[ew...]] thogh it were soo @at shold passe
any such enquest it shol n[[ot...]] of them in provyng of here trothys, the
whych shold be no hurt [[...]] fore ^John ^Straunge desyryd me that I shuld
send to you in al haste tha[[t...]] any such folkys that thay shold not doo in
the matere tyll the day of [[...]] may haue knowlych how he and othere wold
doo in such maters as sh[[...]] he wold be loth that he shold haue any colour
to breke for any thyng [[...]] and ^Yeluerton sayth it shall not breke thorf hys
defaute yf ye wyll n[[ot...]] be ryght glad to haue youre gode wyll and to
goo thorgh in all maner mate[[rs...]] eschewyng of wastfull expens of the
dede ys godys and that the godys my\t be dyspendyd to the welle of the
dede. ^Straunge desyryd to knowe what appoyntementys he desyryth to
haue in the trety, and he sayd he wold not let that be vnderstond tyll the
tyme of trety cam. Me symyth, saue youre betere avyse, it were wel do
that thay that be com vp for you my\t be kypt in som secryte place and
not do in the matere tyll the tyme of the trety were passyd. The cost there-of
shall not be grete to that it my\t hurte yf the trety were broken by that meane.
And there ye may haue hem nyere, and yf ye thynk it be to doo ye
may haue hem to go to there matere aftere the seyd tyme, for of ij hurtys
the grettyst ys best to be eschewyd.
Item, as for youre houshold at %^Castere, sauyng youre betere avyse me
thynkyth that v or vj of youre folkys such as ye wyll assyngne were
[[...]] kype the place, and thay for to go to bord wyth the prustes and ye
not to kype no houshold there yet, and that ye shall fynd more profettabyll
than for to doo as we do nogh; for there expens, as I vnderstond, haue not
be moch the lesse by-fore Wytsontyde than it shold be thogh I had be at
hom, by-cause of resortyng of pepell thedere. And yf the houshold were
broke thay my\t haue a gode excuse in that, who som euer com. ^Richard
^Call shall enforme you of thys maters and mo othere more playnly than
I may do wryte at thys tyme. It ys necessary that possessyon be kypt hyre
yett tyll ye be more forthere forth in othere maters.
The blessyd Trynyte* haue you [in] hys kypyng and send you gode spyde
in all youre maters, and send you grace to haue a gode conclusyon in hem
in haste. Wryten on the Tewysday nex be-fore Corpus Cristi.
By youre faynt houswyff at thys tyme, ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650624>
<N 185>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrsh[y]pfull husbond ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryght wyrshypfull hosbond, I recomaund me to you. Please it you to wyte
that the same Wensday that ^Richard ^Call departyd hens I send ^Richard
^Charlys to speke wyth the vndershyrf, requyryng hym that he shold serue
the replevyn for the shype and hors that were take, &c.; and the shyrf sayd
playnly that he wolnot nor derst not serue it, not thogh I wold yeve hym
xx li. to serue it. And ^Richard ^Charlys axhyd the cause why, and he sayd
for he woldnot haue to doo wyth that felshyp; and so it ys yet vnservyd. I
suppose that ^Richard ^Calle hath told you what revell ther was by the
bayllyf of %^Coshay and hys felaw vppon youre men that shold haue seruyd
the replevyn.
Item, the same Wensday that ^Richard ^Call rode from hens the[r] were
endytyd v of [youre] men by the enquest of %^Fovrhoo hundere, as ^Crome
can enforme you. And on Fryday last paste ^John ^Paston [[t]]he yongere,
^Wykys, and ^Thomas ^Honeworth were endytyd at %^Dyram, by what menys
the berour herof, ^Crom, shall [[en]]forme you. I send thedere ^Richard
^Charlys, ^John ^Seve, and iij or iiij othere gode felows for to haue don othere
folkys as gode a torne, but it wold not be for the juge ys soo parcyall wyth
the othere party that I trowe there shalbe sped no maters be-fore hym
for you nor for non of yourys tyl it be otherwyse by-twene you than it ys.
^Crom shall tell you of hys demenyng at the last sessyons at %^Dyrham. I send
you a copy of both the endytementys. Youre son ^John ^Paston the yonger I
hope shal be wyth you thys wyke, and enforme you of mo thyngys, and
howe myn hors and hys sadell and harnys ys prysoner at %^Coshay halle, and
haue ben euer syn Wensday last.
Item, I recevyd a lettere from you on Satorday last whych was wryten on
Monday next be-fore, and I haue sent to Ser ^Thomas ^Howys the same day
for such maters as ye wrote to me of, and he sent me word that ^Wyllyam
^Worceter had a boke of remembraunce of recaytys that hath be recevyd by
Ser ^John ^Fastolf or any of hys sythen the iiijte yere [of] Kyng ^Harry both
of hys awyn lyflode or of any othere mannys that he had to doo wyth all.
He sayd yf ye wold send to ^Wyll ^Worcetere to loke therfore he sayd he
wyst well he wold lete you haue knowlych yf any such thyng may be
founde; and also he sayd that he wold send  to the seyd ^Wyll to serche
therfore. And as for such bokys as he hath hyre at hom, he wol doo loke
yf any remembraunce canne be founde therof, and ye shall haue knowlych
therof as he hath promysyd by Satourday next comyng. And as for the
woman that made the clayme that ye wrote of, he ys wellwyllyd that she
shold be seyn to in the way of almys, and, as I here say, it symyth by hym
that in any thyng that he canne doo tochyng the savacyon of the dedys
gode, othere in lyflode othere in othere godys, he sayth that he wyll doo.
I canne not haue no knowlych that ^Haydon mellyth in the matere of
%^Drayton. Yf he do oght therin he doyth it closely, as he ys wont to doo,
and wayshyth hys hondys therof as ^Pylate dyde. It shalnot be long to or
that I send to you of such tythyngys as we haue; I shall lete you haue knowlych
therof. I fynd ^Crom ryght welwyllyng to you in such thyngys as lyth
in hym for to do. I pray you lete hym be thankyd therfore, and that shall
cause hym to be the betere wyllyd. He hath not be rewardyd as yet but by
^Richard ^Call, as he canne tell you.
The blyssyd Trynyte* haue you in hys kypyng and send you gode spyde
in al youre maters. Wryten in hast on Mydsomer Day. As for ^Rysyng, but
yf ye purvey for hym he canne no helpe haue at home.
By yourys, ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON III>
<D 14650630?>
<N 186>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston the yongere.
<L 1>
I grete you wele, letyng you wete that asfor your sustrys beyng wyth my
lady, if your fadere wull aggrey ther-to I hold me right wele pleasyd, for
I wuld be right clad @at she shuld do here servyse be-for any othere, if
she cowde do that shuld pleas my ladyes good grace. Wherfore I wuld
that ye shuld speke to your fader @erof and lete hym wete @at I am
pleasid @at she shuld be there if he wuld. For I wuld be right glad and she
myght be proferrid be mariage or be servyce so @at it myght be to here
wurchep and profight in dischargyng of here frendes, and I pray you do
your parte ther-in for your owyn wurchep and herys.
And assone as ye may wyth-ought daungere, puruey @at I may haue
ageyn the vj marc @at ye wote of, for I wuld not @at your fadere wust it.
Item, if ye pas %^London send me ageyn my chene, and @e litill chene @at
I lent you be-fore, be sum trusty person. And if ye wull haue my good wille
eschewe such thynges as I spake to you of last in owre parissh chirch.
I pray God make you as good a man as euer was any of your kynne, and
Goddes blissyng mote ye haue and myn, so @at ye do wele, &c. Wretyn
the Sonday next after your departyng. And I pray you send me sum
tydynges as sone as ye may after @at ye be comyn to %^London how your
fader spedyth and your brothere in here materes.
Be your moder
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14650706>
<N 187>
<L 1>
I grete yow wele, letyng yow wetyn @at I  am informyd for certyn @e Duc
of %^Suffolk reysyth grete pepyl bothe in %^Norffolk and %^Suffolk to comyn
doune wyth hym to putte vs to a rebeuc and @ei may; querfor I wold in ony
wyse @at \e make yow as strong as \e can wyth-inne [@e] place, for I and
other moo suppose that \yff they fynd \ow not here they wyl seke \ow
@ere \e arn. I wold ^John ^Paston @e \onger schuld ryde a\yn to my lady of
%^Norffolk and be wyth hyr stylle tyl we haff other tydyngys, and @er may
he do sum good, after @at he heryth tydyngys, in goyng forth to hys fadyr
or in-to sum other place quere we may hafe remedy. For yt [ys] told me
@at @ere ar come to %^Cossey omward more than ij hundred, and @er ys
comyng, as yt ys seyd, more than a thowsand. I wold @at \e sende hyder
lytyl ^John, that I mygth sende hym abowte on myn errandys. Sende me
worde how that \e doo by summe of the tenantys @at be not knowyn.
Item, byd ^Richard ^Calle send me word in a bylle of how many materys
that he hath sent myn husbond an answere of, @e quych he sendt hom in
diuers letters for to be sped here; and of @e fermours of %^Tychwelle.
Item, \yf Ser ^Iamys ^Gloys may come to %^Norwych to ^Adam ^Talyurs
hows I wold he come on Munday by tymys and I schal sende to hym
thyder.
God kepe yow alle. Wretyn in hast on Satyrday.
By your modyr
Item, yt ys told me @at \ong ^Heydon reysyth mych pepyl in @e sokyn
and in othe[r] place.
Item, I wold \e schuld do ^Richard ^Calle hye hym of makeng of alle the
acountys, and \yf nede lete hym gete help; and kepe ^Thomas ^Hunworth
stille wyth yow, and be war of pykyng.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650712>
<N 188>
<L 0>
To my ryght worschipfull husbond ^John ^Paston, in hast.
<L 1>
Ryght worshypful husbond, I recomaund me to yow, preyeng you hertyly
@at ye wyl seke a meen @at yowre seruauntys may be in pees, for they be
dayly in fere of there lyvys. The Duke of %^Suffolk men thretyn dayly
^Dawbeney, ^Wykys, and ^Richard ^Calle @at where so euere they may gete
them they schold dye. And affrayes have ben made on ^Rychard ^Calle thes
weke, so @at he was in gret jupperte at %^Norwych among them. And gret
affrayes have ben made vppon me and my felashep here on Monday last
passyd, of whych ^Rychard ^Calle tellyth me @at he hath sent yow word of in
wryghtyng more pleynly than I may doo at thys tyme, but I shal jnforme
yow more pleynly heraftyre.
I suppose there schal be gret labore ageyn yow and yowre seruauntys at
the assysis and cesciouns here, wherfore me semyth, sauyng yowre better
advyce, it were wele do @at ye shold speke wyth @e justicys or they com
here. And yf ye wol @at I compleyn to them or to any othere, if Good fortune
me lyfe and helth I wol do as ye advyse me to do, for in good feyth I
haue ben symply intretyd amonge them. And what wyth syknesse and troble
@at I haue had I am browte ryght lowe and weyke, but to my powere I wyl
do as I can or may in yowre materys.
The Duk of %^Suffolk and bothe @e duchessys schal com to %^Claxton thys
day, as I am informyd, and thys next weke he schal be at %^Cossey ; whethere
he wol come ferthere hyddyrward ore not I wot not yit. It is seyd @at he
schold com hyddyre; and yit hys men seyd here on Monday @at he
cleymyd no tytyl to thys place. They seyd there comyng was but to take
owt such ryotus peple as was here wyth-in thys place, and suche as were
the Kyngys felonys, and jndytyd and owtlawyd men. Neuer the lesse they
wold schew no warauntys wherby to take non such, thow ther had ben
suche here. I suppose if they myght have com in pesably they wold haue
made an othere cawse of there comyng. Whan alle was doo and they scholde
departe, ^Harlyston and othere desyryd me @at I schold com and se myn
olde lady and sewe to my lorde, and if any thyng were amysse it schold be
amendyd. I seyd if I scholde sewe for any remedye @at I scholde sewe ferthere
(8)
and lete the Kynge and alle the lordys of thys londe to haue knowlech
what hathe be don to vs, if so were that the Deuk wolde maynten @at hathe
be don to vs by hys seruauntys, if ye wolde geue me leve. I pray yow sende
me worde if ye wyl @at I make any compleynt to the Duke or the Duchesse;
for as it is tolde me they know not the pleynesse that hathe ben don in such
thyngys as hathe ben don in here namys. I schold wryght muche more to
yow but for lak of leysere.
I comaundyd my mayster ^Tom thys day to have com ageyn by me from
%^Norwych when he had spokyn wyth ^Rychard ^Calle, but he cam not. I
wolde he were qwyte of hys jndytment, so @at he were qwyte of yowre
servyce, for by my trowthe I holde the place @e more ongracyous @at he
is in for hys dysposycion in dyuerce thyngys, @e whych ye schal be
jnformid of here-affter.
The Trynyte* haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn the Fryday next after Seynt
^Thomas.
By yowre ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650807>
<N 189>
<L 0>
To my ryght worschipful husbond ^John ^Paston be this delyuerd in hast.
<L 1>
Right wurchepfull husbond, I recomaund me to you. Please it you to wete
@at I sent on Lammesse Day to %^Drayton ^Thomas ^Bonde and Ser ^James
^Gloys to hold the court in your name and to clayme your tytill, for I cowde
gete non othere body to kepe the court ner that wuld go theder but @e seid
^Thomas ^Bonde, be-cause I suppose thei were a-ferd of the pepill @at shuld
be there of @e Duke of %^Suffolk parte. The seid ^Thomas and ^James, as the
Duke of %^Suffolk men, @at is to sey ^Harlesdon, @e parson of %^Salle, Mayster
^Phyllip, and ^William ^Yeluerton, @e which was styward, wyth a lx persones
or more be estymacion, and the tenauntes of the same town, sum of hem
hauyng rusty pollexis and byllys, comyn in-to @e maner yard to kepe the
court, met wyth them and told them that thei were comyn to kepe @e court
in your name and to clayme your titill. Wherefore the seid ^Harlesdon,
wyth-ought any more wordes or occasion yovyn of your men, comytted
the seid ^Thomas ^Bonde to @e kepyng of @e new baly of %^Drayton, ^William
^Dokket, seyng @at he shuld go to my lord and do his herand hym-self,
notwyth-stondyng @at Ser ^James dede the erandes to them and had the
wordes; where-fore thei toke @e seid ^Thomas wyth-ought occasion. Thei
wuld haue mad the seid ^Thomas to haue had the wordes, and @e said ^James
told hem that [he] had hem be-cause he was the more pesibill man, wham
afterward thei bode avoyde, and sithen led forth ^Thomas ^Bonde to %^Cossey,
and bownde his armes be-hynde hym wyth whippe-cord like a theffe, and
shuld haue led hym forth to @e Duke of %^Suffolk ner had be @at I had spokyn
wyth the juges in the morwyn or @ei yede to the shire hous, and enformed
hem of such ryottes and assaugthis as thei had mad vp-on me and
my men, the baly of %^Cossey and all @e Duke of %^Suffolk councell beyng there
present and all @e lerned men of %^Norffolk and ^William ^Jeney and my[[che]]
pepill of @e contre*; the juge callyng @e baly of %^Cossey be-for them all and
yaffe hym a gret rebuke, comaundyng the shereffe to se what pepill thei
had gadred at %^Drayton, which came after to %^Helesdon to se @e pepill there,
wyth weche [pe]pill he held hym wele content. And fro thens he rode
to %^Drayton to se there pepill which were avoyded or he came, and there he
desired to haue deliuered @e seid ^Thomas ^Bonde to hym. And thei excusid
hem and seid @ei had send hym to the Duke of %^Suffolk; notwythstandyng
afterward thei sent hym to %^Norwhich to hym, desiryng hym @at he shuld
deliuere hym not wyth-ought he mad a fyne be-cause he trobilled the
Kynges lete, for which thei mad l[[...]] to juges; but after @at I vnderstod
it I sent ^Danyell of %^Mershlond and ^Thomas ^Bonde to enforme the juges
how the seide ^Thomas was intreted amonges hem, and so he ded, and
the juges were gretly [[...]] wyth the Dukes men and forwyth comaunded
the scheryf to delyuer the seide ^Bone wythoute any fyne m[[ade]], seyng that
he out non to make. And in goode feythe I founde the juges ryght gentell
and forberable to me in my matres notwythstandyng the Dukes
councell had made her compleynt to them or I come in ther werst wice,
noysyng vs of gret gatheryng of peopell and many riotes thynges don be
me and your men. And after I enformed the juges of ther vntrouthe
and of ther gidyng, and of oure gidyng in like wice, and after the juges
vndrestod the trouthe he gaue the baly of %^Cossey be-for me and many
other a passyng gret rebuke, seyng wythoute he amended hes condicion
and gouernaunce thei w[[old]] enforme the Kyng and helpe that he schuld
be punyschet.
And wher as ye avyced m[[e...]] a felaschip to kepe the coorte at
%^Drayton wyth easy cost, it was thought be your councell it [[wer]] better
otherwice and not to gather no people, for it was told me that the Dukes
men had to the nombre of v c men, and your councel aviced me to gete
a felaschip to kepe my place at %^Heylesdon, for it was told me that they
schuld come and pulle me out of the place, weche cauced me to kepe the
place the strenger at that tyme.
And as for kepyng of any coorte for you at %^Drayton, I can not wete how
it cowde be brought a-boute wythoute helpe of other but if ther schuld
growe gret inconuenyence of it. And at the ass[[ises...]] made gret
labour to endite your men; notwythstandyng it was letted. And as for the
writtes of replevyn they were delyuerd openly be-for the juges to the scheryf,
and also other writtes wech ^Jamys ^Gresham brought, and aftre that
^Richard ^Calle spake wyth the high scheref for the servyng of hem, and so
he promysed to serue it and to send men of hes owne to serue it. And so he
sent ij of hes men wyth ^Richard ^Lynsted and wyth ij of [your] scheperdes
to %^Cossey for the schepe, and ther they were answer[d] @at ^Yeluerton
cleymeth the properte*, and so wer they answerd in all other places wher as
any catell was; and so they departed and come to the scheryf and enformed
hym, and I vndrestande the scheryf taketh it for an answere. Notwythstandyng,
I send hym word wythoute that ^Yeluerton had ben ther in hes
owne persone he myte not cleyme the properte*, and aviced hym to be ware
what retorne he made @at he were not hurte by it; and so he hathe made no
retorne yet. What he wol doo I wot nere. He is stylle in this contre* yet, and
schal be this iiij or v dayes, but your councell thynketh it were wele don
that ye gete an $allias and a $plurias that it myght be sent don to the scheryf,
and than he can make non excuce but nedys [[to serue]] it or ell to make
a retourne as he wol a-bide by. I can not wete how the catell wol be goten
ayen wythoute other processe be had more than we haue yet. Item, on
Twesday next comyng schal the sescions of the pees be at %^Wolsyngham.
What schal be do ther I wot not yet, for as for any jndytementes that we
schuld labor a-yenst them, it is but wast werk, for the scheryf ner the jurrours
wol no thyng do  a-yenst them.
Item, wher as ye desire to knowe what gentelmen wolde doo for you at
this tyme, jn goode feythe I founde ^Herry ^Greye, ^Lomnour, ^Alblastre,
^Wech[[yngham]], ^Berney of %^Redham, ^Skyppewyth, and ^Danyell of %^Mershelond
ryght weele disposed to you ward at this tyme in helpyng and in
gevyng ther goode avice to me for suche maters as I had to doo. Ye schal
haue more pleyne vndrestondyng of all thynges her-after than I may write
to you at this tyme.
Item, the $supersedias and the $supplicauit is delyuerd to ^Alblastre and to
^Wechyngham, and they haue mad out bothe warantes and $supersedias;
neuertheles ther is non seruyd yet.
Item, I receyued the box wyth the writte and the letter that ^Berney sent
to me on Friday last past and non er.
Item, as for the pris of malte, it is fallen here sore for it is worthe but ij
s.
viij d. j quarter at %^Yermoth.
Item, as for your wolle, I may selle a stoone for xl d. so that I wol geve
halfe yer day of paymen[[t]]. I prey you sende me word how I schal do in
this matre and in all other, &c. And God kepe you. Wreten in haste the
Wednesday next aftre Lammes Daye.
Your ^M. ^Paston
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650818>
<N 190>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypfull maystere ^John ^Paston be thys lettere delyueryd
in haste.
'^Thomas ^Bosewell dwellyng at the newe abbey
at %^Toure %^Hill in my Lord ^Revers plase.'
<L 1>
ryght wyrshypfull husbond, I recomaund me to you. Please it you to wyte
that I recevyd a lettere from you send by ^Laurens ^Rede on Fryday laste
past, wherby I vnderstond that ye had no tythyngys from me at that tyme
that youre lettere was wryten; wherof I mervayll, for I send you a lettere by
^Chyttock ys son that ys prenteys in %^London, the whych was delyueryd to
hym vppon the Thursday next aftere Lammas Day, and he promysyd to
ryde forward the same day and that ye shold haue it as hastely as he my\t
aftere hys comyng to %^London. And in the seyd lettere was of the demenyng
at the assyses at %^Norwych and of dyuers othere maters. I pray you send
me word yf ye haue it. As for the replevyns, ^Richard ^Call sayth he hath send
you an awnswere of hem and also the copys of them. As for the hygh shyrf,
he demenyd hym ryght well here to me, and he sayd to me as for the
replevyns he wold aske counseyll of lernyd men what he my\t doo there-in
and as largely as he my\t doo there-in, or in any othere matere twochyng
you, sauyng hym-sylf harmlys, he woll doo for you and for yourys that he
my\t doo.
The cause that I wrote to you non ere than I dyde aftere the sessyons
was by-cause that ^Yeluerton held sessyons at %^Dyrham and %^Walsyngham
the next wyke aftere the assyses, and to haue knowlych what labour that
was made there, and to haue send you word therof. There was grete labour
made by the bayly of %^Coshay and othere for to haue endytyd youre men
both at %^Dyrham and at %^Walsyngham, but I purvayd a mene that here purpose
was lettyd at thos ij tymes. I haue send to Ser ^Thomas ^Howys yesterday
^Richard ^Call, for the matere of my lady of %^Bedfford, but he my\t not
speke wyth hym nor I haue non awnswere therof yet, but I shall send to hym
a-yen thys wyke.
Item, I haue do layd in the presentacyon of %^Drayton, and haue presentyd
Ser ^Thomas ^Hakon, parson of %^Felthorp, the whych ys hold ryght a gode
man and wel dysposyd; and the Duck of %^Suffolk hath layd in a-nothere,
and there shall be take an inquisicyon ther-vppon, and Maister ^Styven ys
youre a-voked there-in.
Maister ^John ^Estgade ys passyd to God on Thursday last passyd, whos
sawle God assoyle; wherof in gode fayth I am ryght sory, for I fond hym
ryght faythfull to you. They dyy ryght sore in %^Norwych. Maister ^John
^Salet and Maister ^Godfray and Maister ^John ^Estgate ys brothere of %^London
ben hys excecutours, as it ys told me. Yf ye thynk it be to doo, me thynkyth
it were well doo that ye spake wyth hys brothere at %^London or he com in-to
%^Norffolk, yf he had any thyngys of yourys in kypyng towchyng youre
maters, and I shall send to Maister ^Godffray in lyke wyse.
I was at %^Castere all the last wyke for dyuers thyngys there the whych ye
shall haue knowlych of heraftere, and I cam not hom tyll yester yevyn
late. As for the matere that ye wrote to me of for ^John ^Rus twochyng the
bargyn, me thynkyth he wylnot in no wyse leve it, wherfore I haue made
purvyauns that he shall haue the money, as ye shall haue knowlych herof
heraftere. As for any money that he hath recevyd therof to hys awyn vse,
he sayth playnly that he neuer recevyd peny therof yet. As for the examynacyon
of the fermours, thay myght not be spoken wyth yet sythen I
recevyd youre lettere, but I sall do hem examyn here-aftere as hastely a[s]
y may.
^John ^Rus sayth the profetys that hath be taken of that same maner syn
Ser ^John ^Fastolf deyd hath be take by Ser ^Thomas ^Howys and ^Jenney.
^Hugh a ^Fen ys in %^Flegge. ^Richard ^Call spake wyth hym thys wyke, and he
sayd to ^Richard that he and hys wyff wold be wyth me here thys wyke
toward a place of hys that he hath purchasyd of ^Godehredys. Yf he com I
shall make hym gode chyre, for it ys told me of dyuers folkys that haue
spoke wyth hym sythen he com in-to %^Norffolk as thay fele by hys sayng
that he awyth you ryght gode wyll.
Item, as for my comyng to you, yf it please you that I com y hope I
shall purvey so for althyngys or I com that it shall be sayff y-nogh, by the
grace of God, tyll I com a-yen. But at the reuerens of God, yf ye may purvey
a mene that ye may com hom youre-sylf, for that shall be most profectabell
to you; for men cut large thongys here of othere mens lethere. I shall
wryte to you a-yen as hastely as I may.
God haue you in hys kypyng. Wryten in haste at %^Haylesdon the Sonday
next aftere the Assumpsyon of Oure Lady.
Item, my cosyn ^Elysabeth ^Clere ys at %^Ormesby, and youre modere
purposyth to be at here place at %^Castere thys wyke, for @e pestylens ys so
feruent in %^Norwych that thay there no lengere a-byde there. So God help,
me thynkyth by my modere that she wold ryght fayn that ye dyde well, and
that ye myght spyde ryght well in youre maters, and me thynkyth by my
cosyn ^Clere that she wold fayn haue youre gode wyll and that she hath
sworyn ryght faythfully to me that there shall no defaute be founde in
here, nor noght hath be yf the trogh myght be vnderstond, as she hopyth it
shall be heraftere. She sayth there ys no man a-lyff that she hath put here
truste in so moch as she hath doon in you. She sayth she wote well such
langage as hath be reportyd to you of here othere-wyse then she hath
deseruyd causyth you to be othere-wyse to here then ye shold be. She had
to me thys langage wypyng, and told me of dyuers othere thyngys the
whych ye shall haue knowlych of heraftere.
By yourys, ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 146508?>
<N 191>
<L 1>
Right worchepful hosbond, I recommand me to yow and pray you hertely
at @e reverence of God that ye be of good comfort and trost veryly be @e
grase of God that ye shall ouercome your enemys and your trobelows
maters ryght welle, yf ye wolle be of good comfort and not take your
maters to heuely, @at ye apeyr not your-self, and thynk veryly that ye be
strong j-nowe for all your enemys, be @e grace of God. My moder is your
good moder and takyth your maters ryght hertely, and \yf ye thynnk @at
I may do good in your maters yf I come vp to you, after I have knowlage of
your entent it shall not be longe or I be wyth you, be @e grace of God. And
as for any othyr thyngys of sharge that be in @is contre*, I hope I shall so
ordeyn therfore @at it shall be safe. I have delyueryd your older sonne xx
mark that I have receyvyd of ^Richard ^Calle, and I kowd [get] nomore of
hym syn ye departyd.
And I pray God hertely send vs good tydyngys of yow, and send @e
victory of your enemys. Wretyn in hast on Saterday.
Yours, ^M. ^P.
Item, I take your sonne of your faders ode mony @at was in @e lytyll
trussyng cofyr x mark, for my broder ^Clement seythe @at xx mark was to
lytyll for hym.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650927>
<N 192>
<L 1>
Ryght wourchipful husbonde, I recoumaunde me to yow, dyssyryng hertely
to here of yowr welfare, thankyng yow of yowr grett chere that ye made me
and of the coste that ye dede on me. Ye dede more cost thanne myn wylle
was that ye choulde do, but that it plesyd yow to do so. God gyf me grase
to do that may plese yow.
Plesyt yow to wett that on Fryday after myn departyng fromme yow I
was at %^Sudbury and spake wyth the schreve, and ^Richard ^Calle toke hym
the ij writtys and he brake them, and ^Richard hathe the cope*s of them. And
he seyd he wollde sende the writtys to hys vndreschryf and a l[e]tter therwyth
chargyng hym that he schowlde do ther-jne as largely as he owt
to do. And I and ^Richard informyd hym of the demenyng of hys vndr[e]chryf,
how parciall he hade be wyth the other partye, bothe in that mater
and also for the acciounys beyng in the schere; and he was nothyng wel
plesyd of the demenyng of hys vndresch[r]ef, and he hat wretyn to hym
that he choulde be indeferent for both partyes acordyng to the lawe bothe
for that materys and for alle othere. What @e vndreschryf wylle do @er-in
I wot nere, for he is not yet spokyn wyth.
Item, as for %^Cotton, I entryd in-to @e plase as on Sunday last was, and
ther I a-bode tyll vn Wednysday last pasyd. I have left ther ^John
^Paston @e youngere, ^Wykys, and other xij men for to receyve the profyttys
of the manere. And ayenst the day of kepyng of the corte I hope ther chall
be more to streynkyth them, yf it nede. ^John ^Paston hath be wyth myn lorde
of %^Norffolk seyth we entryd, and dyssyryd hys good lorchypp to strey[n]th
hym wyth hys howsolde men and other yf nede be, and he hath promysyd
he woulde do so. And I sent ^Richard ^Calle on Tusday to ^Knevett,dysyryng
hym that he woulde sende to hys baley and tenantys at %^Mendlesham
that thei choulde be redy to coume to ^John ^Paston whan he sent for them;
and he sent a man of hys forthwyth, chargyng them in aney wyse that they
choulde do so. And he sent me wourde be ^Richard, and hys soune also,
yf wee were nott stronge jnough that owther he or hys soune, or bothe
yf nede were, woulde com wyth suche feleschipp as they coude gett a-bowt
them and that @ei woulde do as feythfully as they kowde for yow, bothe
in that mater and in alle other.
Item, on Saterday last was ^Jenney ded warne a corte at %^Calcotte to be
holde ther in hys name as on Tusday last was, and ^Debunham de[d]
charge an other court ther @e Sunday next after to be holde ther @e same
Tusday in hys name. And ^Daubeney had knowleche ther-of, and he dede
send on Sunday at nyght to yowr eldere soune for to have soume men fro
thens, and so he sent ^Wykys and ^Bernay to hym on Munday in @e
mornyng. And assone as thei were coume to %^Caster @ei sent for men ther in
@e contre*, and so they gett them in-to a iijxx men; and ^Daubeney and ^Wekys
and ^Bernay rod to %^Calcott @e same Munday at nyght wyth ther felechypp,
and ther kept them prevye in @e pl[a]se so that non of alle @e tenauntys
kneve them ther saf ^Rysyngys wyff and her howsolde tylle the Thevsday
at x of @e cloke. And than Ser ^Thomas ^Brewys, ^Debunham @e fadre,
and @e knyt hys soune, ^Jenney, ^Mykelfylde, younge ^Jermyn, and younge
^Jernyngham and @e baley of %^Motforde, wyth other to @e nombre of a
iijxx persones, coum fro @e sessiounys at %^Becklys @e whech @ei hade keppt
ther on @e day byfore, coume to %^Seynt %^Olovys, and @er thei teryed and
dynyd; and whan thei hade dynyd Ser ^Gylberde ^Debunham came to %^Calcott
wyth xx hors for to wett whatt felechipp ther was in @e plase. And
than ^Wekys aspyed them commyng, and he and ^Bernay and ij wyth them
rode owt to a spoke wyth them; and whan Ser ^Gilberd aspyd them commyng
he and hys felechipp flede and rode ayen to %^Seynt %^Olovys. And
than they sent yovng ^Jernyngham and the baley of %^Mottforde to yowr
men, lettyng hem wete that the justice of @e pese wer coum doune wyth
^Debunham and ^Jenney to se that @e pese choulde be kepte, and that @ei
choulde entre and kepe @e courte in pesible wyse. And yowr men answeryd
and seyd that they knewe noman was possessyd ther-in ner hade no ryght
ther-in but ye, and so in yowr name and in yowr ryght they seyd they
woulde kepyt. And so they yede ayen wyth thys answere, and wer put
fromme ther purp[o]se that day; and all @e tenauntys bestys wer put fro
%^Calcott fee and challe be tylle other remedy maye be hadde. Yowr men
woulde not kepe ther a cort that daye by-cause it was warnyd by the
tother parte, but we wyl do warne a corte and kepyt, I hope in hast. Ye
wyll laugh for to here alle @e processe of the demenyng ther, wheche were
to longe to writt at thys tyme. ^Bernay challe telle yow whane he coume, but
he challe not coume to yow tylle after Seynt ^Feythesmesse, that he maye
bryng yow answerys of other materys.
It is tolde me the sessiounys choulle be her at %^Norwiche on Tusday
next coumyng, and in %^Suffolk the sessiounys challe be the same Tusday
owther at %^Dounwyche or at %^Ypswyche. I suppose ther challe be labowre
ayenst soume of owr folkys ther, but we challe assaye to lett ther pourp[o]se
yf we maye. It is told me yf ther hade no folkys a be left here in thys
plase whyll I haue be owt ther choulde a be neve mastrys here by thys
tyme. Therfor it is not good to leve it alone yett.
Item, ^Arblaster hathe sent a letter to myn lorde of %^Oxnefordys tenauntys
that be nerrest a-bowt %^Cotton to help ^John ^Paston yf they be sent to, &c.
Item, I was thys daye wyth myn lorde of %^Norwyche at %^Thorppe, and
informyd hym of the demenyng of the mater for %^Drayton chyrche,
and of alle @e demenyng and parcialte* of Master ^John ^Salatt and ^Ypswell, and
also I informyd [hym] what disposission that they were of that were vpon
@e quest; and jn good feyth me thynkyth by hym that he is ryght ille
plesyd that the mater was so gydyt. He seyde to me ryght pleynly that @e
jugis dedenot ther-in as thei owght to do, and he seyd thowe I hadde hade
noo councell that he howght of ryght to have assyngyd me councell suche
as I hadde dyssyrid; but he seyde he wyst well he dede in that mater as
he have do in other materys byfore. Me thynkyth by suche thyngys as I
harde there that @e seyd Master ^Johon ner the tother is not grettly in conseyt
at thys tyme, and so tolde me ^Aschefylde in councell. What @e cause was
he myght have no leysere to telle me. I mevyd my lorde in the mater,
acordyng to the jntent of yowr wrytyng, yf aney axcion were take, and he
seyd feythefully yf it myght provayle yow he woulde wyth ryght good wylle
that it choulde be doo, and ellys he woulde not in noo wyse that it choulde
be doo. And he dyssyryde me to sende to hym suche as be of yowr councell
lernyd, that they myght comune wyth hym @erin, for he seyd he woulde
not ye choulde take non axcion ther-in wythowt it myght provayle. He was
well payed that I tolde hym that ye woulde not do therin wythowt hys
knowleche and assent, and he seyd he woulde do @erin as he woulde do yf
the mater were hys owne. Be avyse of yowr councell I purpose to sende
^Loumnowr and ^Playter to comoune wyth hym ther-in. He seyd he woulde
fayne that ye wer owt of troble, and he seyd yf he myght doo owght to
helppe yow forwarde in aney of yowr materys he swore by heys feythe he
wode do hys parte feythfully ther-in. He purp[o]syth to be at %^Loundon
thys terme, and thanne he seyd he woulde speke wyth yow of maney
thyngys. He wycheyd herteley that he myght have spoke wyth yow on
owre. He mevyd to me of a mater of a jentyllman of %^Cornale. He seyd he
woulde speke wyth yow therof her-after; yf it myght be browt to it myght
do meche good in maney thyngys. I harde yow onys speke of the same--ye
tolde me ye hade be mevyd to therof by other.
Item, I receyvyd a letter frome yow yesterday, wherof I thanke yow
hertely, and I praye yow that I maye be as ye writt. And as for suche
materys as Ser ^Thomas ^Howys choulde be spoke to fore, I sent ^Richard
^Calle @is day to speke wyth hym, but he myght not speke wyth hym. But
as hastely as I may I challe do myn parte to spede the erandys and other. It
is tolde me that Ser ^Thomas wyll ressyng %^Mautby chyrche, and yf it plesyd
yow to geve it to on Ser ^Thomas ^Lyndis I truste verely that ye choulde
leke hym ryght well, for he is rit a prystly man and vertusly dysposyd. I
have knowe hym @is xx yere and more; he was brother to @e good parsone
of Seynt ^Michellys that ye lovyd ryght well. And yf he myght havyt he
woulde kepe an howsolde @ervpon and bylde well @e plase, and @erof
have it grete nede for it is now rit evyll reparyd; and I wott well he woll be
rulyd and gydyt as ye wyll have hym. I praye yow, yf it plese yow that
he have it, that it lekyth yow to sende me an answere by the berrer
herof.
Item, I haue do spoke for yowr worstede, but ye may not haue it tylle
Halowmesse; and thane I am promysyd ye challe haue as fyne as maye be
made. ^Richard ^Calle challe bryng it vp wyth hym.
Wretyn the Fryday next byfore Michelmas Day.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14650927>
<N 193>
<L 0>
To my ryght worschipfull husbond ^John ^Paston, in haste.
<L 1>
Item, it was tolde me thys day that Master ^John ^Salatt hathe made a serge
in the regestre this monethe aftre the wylles and testementys of suche
as hought the maners of %^Heylesdon and %^Drayton this c yere, and be that
hathe they founde suche evidence as schal be gret strenghthyng to the
Dukys tittle, as it is seide. I vndrestonde verely that Mastre ^John ^Salet is
all on that partye and no thyng wyth you. Item, as for the bill that ye sent
to Ser ^Thomas ^Howys touchyng on ^Edmond ^Carvyll and on ^Fraunces, I
wote ner whether he had hem or nought, for he is not spoken wyth yett in
tho maters. As wee spede owr materys we chall sende yow answerys of
them as hastely as we maye. At the reuerense of God, spede ye yowr
materys that ye maye coume owte of that loggyng that ye are in as hastely
as ye maye, for I haue non fansey wyth soume of @e felechipp. I tolde yow
as me thowth. I praye yow be ware, &c.
I praye yow yf it plese yow that I maye be recoumaundyd to my Lorde
^Percy and to myn mastres and to myn lorde Abott, and I pray God bryng
yow and them owt of troble and send yow good spede in alle yowr materys.
Wretyn in hast @e Fryday next afore Michellmes.
Be yowr ^M. ^P.
Yf it plese yow to send aney thyng by the berer herof, he is trusty jnough.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14651017>
<N 194>
<L 1>
On Tuesday in the morwyn whas ^John ^Botillere, o@erwyse callid ^John
^Palmere, and ^Davy ^Arnald your cook, and ^William ^Malthows of %^Aylsham
taken at %^Heylesdon be the balyf of %^Ey, callid ^Bottisforth, and led for to
%^Cossey, and there thei kepe hem yet wyth-ought any warant or autoryte*
of justice of peas; and thei sey thei wull carie hem forth to %^Ey preson, and
as many as thei may gete more of your men and tenauntes @at thei may
knowe that owe yow good wyll or hath be to you ward, thei be thret to be
slayn or presoned.
The Duke came to %^Norwich on Tuesday at x of clok wyth @e nombre
of v hundred men, and he sent after @e meyre and alderman wyth @e
sherefes, desiryng hem in the Kynges name @at thei shuld take an enqueraunce
of @e constablys of euery ward wyth-in the cyte* what men shuld a go
on your party to haue holpyn or socowryd your men at any tyme of @es
gaderynges, and if any thei cowde fynde @at thei shuld take and arest hym
and correct hym, and also certifie hym the names on Wyndenesse-day be
viij of clok; which the meyre dede and wull do any thyng @at he may for
hym and his. And here-vp-on the meyre hath arestid on @at was wyth me
callid ^Roberd ^Lovegold, brasere, and threte hym @at he shall be hanged be
the nek, wherfore I wuld @at there myght come down a writ to remeve hym,
if ye thynk it be to do. He was not wyth me, not saue that ^Harleston and
othere mad @e assaught vp-on me at Lammesse. He is right good and feythfull
on-to you, and therefore I wuld he had help. I haue non man at this tyme
to avayte vp-on me @at dare be avowyd but litill ^John. ^William ^Nawton is
here wyth me, but he dar not ben avowyd for he is sore thret. It is told
me @e old lady and @e Duke is set fervently a-geyn vs be the enformacion of
^Harlesdon, @e baly of %^Cossey, and ^Andrewys, and ^Doget @e balys sone, and
suych othere fals shrewys the which wuld haue thes matere born ought
for there owyn plesere; the which causith an evyll noyse in this contre* and
othere places.
And asfor Ser ^John ^Hevenyngham, Ser ^John ^Wyndefeld, and othere
wurchepfull men ben mad but here doggeboltes, the which I suppose wull
turne hem to diswurchep here-after. I spake wyth Ser ^John ^Heueny[n]gham
and enformed hym wyth the trough of @e matere, and of all owyre demenyng
at %^Drayton, and he seid he wuld @at all thyng wer wele and @at he wuld
enforme my lord as I seid to hym, but ^Harleston had all @e wordes and @e
rewle wyth the Duke here and after his avyse and Doctour ^Aleynes he was
avysed here at this tyme.
The logge and the remenaunte of your place was betyn down on Tuesday
and Wednesday, and @e Duke rode on Wednysday to %^Drayton and so for
to %^Cossey whill @e logge at %^Heylesdon was in @e betyng down. And @is
nyght at mydnyght ^Thomas ^Sleyforth, ^Grene, ^Portere, and ^Joh[n] ^Botesforth
the baly of %^Eye and othere had a cart and fetched awey fetherbeddes
and all @e stuffe @at was left at @e parsones and ^Thomas ^Wateres
hows to be kept of owres. I shall send you billes er-after as nere as I may
what stuffe we haue forborn. I pray you send me word how ye wull @at I
be demened, wheder ye wull @at [I] a-bide at %^Caystere or come to you to
%^London.
I haue no leysere to write nomore. God haue yow in his kepyng. Wretyn
at %^Norwich on Sent ^Lukes Evyn.
^M. ^P.
<T INVENTORY OF GOODS STOLEN>
<D 14651017AS>
<N 195>
<L 1>
Thys be the parcellys vnderwryten of such godys as were taken and boren
a-way at %^Haylesdon of ^John ^Pastons, hys sones, and hys seruauntys by the
Duk of %^Suffolk seruauntys and tenauntys the xiiij day of Octobere the v yere
of Kyng ^E. the iiijte, the whych day the place of %^Haylesdon was broken
and pullyd dowyn, &c.
In primis, there was lost of ^John ^Pastons there at that tyme in beddyng ij
federbeddys wyth ij bolsters, iiij materas wyth iiij bolsters, a grete seleur
wyth the testour and iiij corteyns of whyte lynen cloth, and a couerlyte of
whyte worstede, longyng thereto.
Item, a seleure wyth a testour and iij corteyns of blewe bokeram wyth a
coueryng of blew worstede longyng therto, v pylowys of dowyn, vj couerlytys
of werk of dyuers colours, vj payre blankettys, ij payre shytes of iij
webbys, ij hedshytes of ij webbys, vj payre shytes of ij webbys, ij basons of
pewtere, and iij candelstykkys of latyn for the chambere.
                              The Botere*
Item in primis, vj bord clothys, vj towellys, xij napkyns, vj candelstykkys of
laton, ij saltsalers of syluer, ij saltsalers of pewtere, ij basons of pewtere
wyth
ij ewers, a barell of vynegere, a barell of vergyous, xij ale stondys, ij
pantre*
knyves, a pyce of syluer, a pype for brede, a ale stole, xij spones of syluer,
&c.
                              The Browhern
Item, a grete lede to brew v comb malte wyth ons plawyng, a mayshfate,
ij kylyng fates, vj kylers, ij clensyng fates, a taptrogh, a temps to clense
wyth, a scyppe to bere malte, a syff to syft malte, a bultyng pype, ij knedyng
fatys, a moldyng bord.
                               The Kychyn
Item, ij dosyn pewtere vessellys, iiij grete bras pannes, iij pottys of bras, j
greddyron, ij broches, j dressyng knyff, j mortere of marbell wyth a pestell,
j litell panne of bras of di. galon, ij pothokys, ij rakkys of yron, ij
brendelettys,
a almary to kepe in mete, j axe to clyve wode, ij saltyng fatys to
salte in flesh.
                 Gere taken owte of the Chyrch
Item, in the stepell, ix sheffe arwys, ix bawys, ij handgonnes, iiij chambers
for gonnys, ij mallys of lede, ij jakkys. Item, in the church, a purs and iij
gold ryngys, a colere of syluer of the Kyngys lyuery, and a nobyll of viij s.
iiij d. the whych was ^Wykys. Item, a syde gowne of blewe of ^Wykys. Item,
a stokk gonne wyth iij chambers.
          Gere taken owte of the Chauntre* of ^Richard ^Calle
Item, a syde morrey gowne, a dobelet of blak satyn, a payre hosyn, a jakk,
the polrondys of a payre bryganders of rede sateyn fugre. Item, a payre of
large tabellys of box, price vj s. viij d.
Item, a staffe, price iij s. iiij d. Item, boke of Frensh, price iij s. iiij d.
                 Gere taken a-way of ^Margere* ^Pastons
Item, an vnce of gold of %^Venyse, di. pype of gold %^Damask, di. vnce of gold
of %^Gene, an vnce of sylk, a li. of threde, a close glasse of yvery, a grete
combe of yuere*, a fyne kerchy of fyne holond cloth, a quarter of blak
velwet.
                       Gere of ^Johan ^Gayns
Item, a ryng of gold wyth a dyamaunt, a typet of sarsenet, a nobyll of x s.,
a nobyll viij s. iiij d.
                       Gere of ^John ^Wykys
Item, a dobelet of blak fusteyn, a hors harnys vj s., a gray hors price xl s.,
ij shertys price iiij s.
                           ^Will ^Bedford
Item, a %^Normandy byll and a bawe, price of them both vj s.
                           ^John ^Botelere
Item, a payre botys, a payre sporys, a shert, a cappe, a hatte, a dobelet, a
payre hosyn, a brydell, ij cropers, v ston of woll, xxx wolfellys, a spere
staff.
                              Shepe
Item, taken a-way vppon %^Drayton grounde at on tyme by the baylly of
%^Cossey and othere, cc shepe callyd hoggys. Item, at a-nothere tyme vppon
the same grownd, iiijxx hoggys and xl theyves.
Item, at a-nothere tyme at %^Haylesdon, by the baylly of %^Cossey and
^Bottesford
and othere, viijc modere shype and cccc lambes.
Memorandum, a gowne of ^Richard ^Calle pris ix s., j peyre hosen iij s., j
swerd iij s., ij bonetes ij s. [[...]]j jakke xxvj s. viij d., j scherte iij s.
iiij d.
Memorandum, the pullyng downe of the place at %^Heylesdon to the hurtes
and skathes of
Item, the pullyng doune of the logge of %^Heylesdon.
Item, the distroynge of the waryne at %^Heylisdon.
Item, watt @e maner and @e warreyn is werse in \erly wolew.
Item, memorandum @e rydynges and costes of suthe.
Memorandum @e assaw mad up-on ^Margery ^Paston, Ser ^Jon ^Paston at
%^Heylysdon be-for @e place was pullyd.
Memorandum @e inpresonment of Ser ^John ^Paston in @e ^Flet and in @e
Kynges Benche.
                             B
This be @e parcellys of suche gere as was borun awey at %^Heylesdon of ^John
^Paston, hys sounys and hys seruauntys by the Duke of %^Suffolk seruauntys
and tenauntys the xiiij day of Octobre the vte yere of Kyng ^E. the iiijte, @e
weche day @e place of %^Heylesdon was brokyn and pullyd doune, &c.
                              ^John ^Paston
Item in primis, ther was lost of beddyng ij fedrebeddys wyth @e traunsouns,
iiij dongys wyth the traunsounys, a grette seloure wyth the testoure, and
iij courteynes of whit leynen clothe and a whitt kouerlytt of wourstede
longyng @erto. Item, a seloure wyth @e testoure and iij courteynes of blewe
bokeram wyth a couerlytt of blewe wourstede longyng @erto.
Item, v pelowys of downe.
Item, vj couerlytys of werkys of dyuers colourys.
Item, vj peyre blankettys.
Item, ij peyre schetys of iij webbys and ij hedshetys of ij webbys and vj
peyre schetys of ij webbys.
Item, ij basounys of pewtyre and iij candelstykys of latoun for @e chaumbre.
                               The Boterey
Item in primis, vj borde clothys, vj towellys, xij napkynys, vj candelstykys,
ij salttsalerys of syluer and ij salttsalerys of pewtyre, ij basounys, ij ewrys
pewtyre, a barell of vynegre, a barell of vergyous, xij alle stondys, ij
pantre* kneyuys, a pece syluer, a pyppe for bredde, an alestole, xij spones
of syluer.
                              The Brewerne
Item in primis, a grett ledde to brewe v coumbe maltt wyth onys plawyng.
Item, a macchefatt, ij geylyng fattys, vj kelers, a taptrowe, a temps to
clense wyth, a sckeppe to bere maltt, a seve to syft malt, a bultyng pype,
ij knedyng fattys, and a moldyng borde.
                            The Kychyn
Item in primis, ij dozeyn pewtyre vesellys, iiij grett brasse pannys, iij pottys
of brasse, j gredeyron, ij brochys, j dressyng knyff, j mortere of marble
wyth a pestell, j lytell panne of brasse of di. galon, ij potthokys, ij rackys
of
yron, ij brenledys, an halmerrey to kepe in mette, j axe to cleyue wode, ij
saltyngfattys to saltyn fleche.
                       Gerre takyn owt of @e Chyrche
Item, in the stepull ix cheff arrowes, ij handegownes, iiij chaumbres of
gouns, ij malles, ij jakkys, sawes, b[o]wes and arrowes. Item in @e chirche,
a pursse wyth rynges and a colere of syluer wheche was ^Wekys. Item, vj
bowes. Item, a stokke gounne wyth iij chaumbres.
Item, a seyde gowne of ^Wykys.
           Ser ^John ^Pastounys gere hadde owt of @e Chaumbre
Furst, a seydde morrey gowne, a dowbelett of blake sateyn, a peyre hozyn,
a jackke, the mahuturs of a peyre bryngaunderys of welluett, and the
perhawys of @e seyd bryngaunderys. Item, a peyre of large tablys of boxe,
price vj s. viij d. Item, a staffe pri[ce] iij s. vj d. Item, a boke of Freynsh
price xv d.
                           ^Margery ^Pastounys gere
Furst, an vnce of golde of %^Venysse and di. pipe of golde of %^Damask.
Item, di. vnce of golde of %^Gene. Item, j vnce sylke. Item, j li. of threde.
Item, a closse glasse of yuere* wyth a grett coumbe of yuere*. Item, a fyne
cerche of hollonde clothe. Item, a quarter of weluett.


                         ^Jone ^Gaynes gere

Furst, a ryng of golde wyth a deamant. Item, a tepett of sarsanett.
Item, a noble of x s. Item, a noble of viij s. iiij d.
                              ^John ^Botelerys gere
Furst, a peyre botys and a peyre sporys. Item, a chirte price xij d. Item, a
cappe and an hatt, a dowbelett, a peyre hozyn. Item, a brydell, ij crowperes.
Item, v ston of woulle. Item xxx woulle fellys.
Item, taken at %^Heylesdon and at %^Drayton xjc scheppe and iiijc lambes be @e
balyff of %^Cossey Master ^Philipp ^Lippieate and othre of @e Duke of %^Suffolk
men.
Memorandum that ^Pers ^Waron saythe that ther was takyn awey by @e Duke
of %^Suffolk men vpon %^Drayton g[r]ownde at on tyme cc scheppe callyd
hoggys.
Item, ther were takyn awey at anothire tyme vpon the same grownd iiijxx
hoggys and xl theyves.
Item, at an-othyre tyme at %^Heylesdon viijc modrecheppe and iiijc lambes.
Item, ther be takyn at %^Heylesdon for grenwaxe by @e vndre-schryf
farthare cij scheppe, wherof ther be iiijxx xvj ewys, xx hoggys, vj rammes.
                                                            v li. iiij s. ij d.
<T TO JOHN PASTON I>
<D 14651027>
<N 196>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypfull hosbond ^John ^Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
Ryght wyrshypfull hosbond, I recomand me to you. Please it you to wyte
that I haue spoken wyth ^John ^Rus to doo youre erantys to the parson of
%^Blowfyld for such maters as be cleymed for Ser ^John ^Fastolf, but I cannot
send hym the byllys that ye send to me. I toke them to ^Arblastere for to
haue delyuerd to Ser ^Thomas, and he told me that he had lefte the seyd
byllys at hom wyth ^Blaunch hys doghtere. I send to here for hem, and they
cannot be founde; but I haue take ^John ^Rus the namys of them that clayme
the money, and he shall bryng you an aunswere therof the wyke next aftere
Hallawmasse.
I send you a lettere by ^Gryne the lodere which was wryten vppon Wensday
last, how that ^John ^Botelere and hys felowys were delyueryd owte of
prison. ^John ^Rus told me that ^Jenney ys sore be-hated wyth the Duches of
%^Suffolk and here sone for the matere that ys be-twyne ^John ^Straunge and
on of here men, and he dymeth, and othere moo, that it ys the chyff cause
of the brekyng vppe of houshold. It ys told me that ^Jenney wyll be betere
dysposyd to you wardys then he hath be byfore yf he be spoken to of youre
maters.
^Barthollomew ^Whyte hath be straungely entretyd, and hys brothere and
othere that com to record wyth hym, and they were betyn and putte in
prison and fovle revylyd by ^Harleston and the bayly of %^Ey and othere of
the Duck of %^Suffolk ys men. But yf such thyngys as thay haue don may be
chaystyd be-tyme men dyme that thay wyll do more harme in haste. I was
at %^Haylesdon vppon Thorsday laste passyd and sey the place there, and
in gode feyth there wyll no cryature thynke how fowle and orubelly it ys
a-rayed but yf they sey it. There comyth moch pepyll dayly to wondere
there-vppon both of %^Norwych and of other placys, and they speke shamfully
therof. The Duck had be betere than a ml li. that it had neuer be don,
and ye haue the more gode wyll of the pepyll that it ys so foyll don. And
thay made youre tenauntys of %^Haylesdon and %^Drayton, wyth othere, to help
to breke down the wallys of the place and the logge both, God knowyth
full evyll a-yenst there wyllys but that they derst no nothere wysse don for
ferre. I haue spoken wyth youre tenauntys of %^Haylesdon and %^Drayton both,
and putte hem in confort as well as I canne.
The Duck ys men rensackyd the church and bare a-way all the gode that
was lefte there, both of ourys and of the tenauntys, and lefte not so moch
but that they stode vppon the hey awtere and ransackyd the jmages and
toke a-way such as thay myght fynd, and put a-way the parson owte of the
church tyll thay had don, and ransackyd euery mans hous in the town v or
vj tymys. And the chyff maysters of robbyng was the baylly of %^Ey, the
baylly of %^Stradbroke, ^Thomas ^Slyford. And ^Slyford was the chyff robbere
of the cherch, and he hath most of the robbory next the baylly of %^Ey, and
as for lede, bras, pewtere, yren, dorys, gatys, and othere stuffe of the hous,
men of %^Coshay and %^Cavston haue it, and that thay myght not cary thay
haue hewen it a-sondere in the most dysspytuose wyse. Yf it myght be I
wold som men of wyrshop myght be send from the Kyng to see how it ys
both there and at the logge, ore than any snowys com, that thay may make
report of the troth; ellys it shall not mo be seyn so playnly as it may now.
And at the reuerens of God, spyde youre maters nowe, for it ys to orybell
a cost and trobell that we haue now dayly and most haue tyll it be
othere-wyse; and youre men dere not goo a-bowte to gedere vppe youre
lyfflode, and we kype here dayly more then xxx persons for sauacyon of ous
and the place, for in very trowght and the place hadnot be kypyd strong the
Duck had com hethere.
The mayere of %^Norwych dede a-rest the baylly of %^Normandys, ^Lovegold,
^Grygory ^Cordonere, and ^Bartholomew ^Fullere wyth-ovten any autoryte*
saue only he sayth that he hath a comandement of the Duck to do so; and
he wyll not lete hem ovte of prison tyll he had suerty for ache of hem in
iiijxx li. for to awnswere to such maters as the Duck and hys counsell wyll
put a-yenst hem at any tyme that thay be callyd, and so woll he do to
othere, as many as he may gyte, that awe you any gode wyll. And also the
mayere wold haue had hem sworen that thay shold neuer be a-yenst the
Duck nor non of hys, whych thay wold not do in no wyse. Pore ^Bartholomew
lyeth styll for defaute of suerty. He was som tyme moch tendyng to gode
^Edmond ^Clyre. ^Arblastere thynketh verely that ^Hugh a ^Fen may do moch
in youre maters, and he thynkyth that he woll do for you faythfully yf ye
wyll, &c.
At the reuerens of God, yf any wyrshypfull and profetabill mene may be
take yn youre maters, for-sake it not in eschuyng of oure trobell and grete
costys and chargys that we haue and may growe here-aftere. It ys thoght
here that yf my lord of %^Norffolk wolld take vppon hym for you, and that he
may haue a comyssyon for to enquere of such ryottys and robboryes as
hath be don to you and othere in thys contray, that then all the contray wyll
a-wayte vppon hym and serue youre entent, for the pepyll lovyth and
dredyth hym more then any othere lord except the Kyng and my lord of
%^Warwyk, &c.
Item, yf it please you, there ys on ^Harald of %^Haynford hath boght a bond
tenantry of yourys of on ^John ^Whyte, and the parson had it in ferm be-fore
that it was sold. And he sayth that yf it shold be sold that he had a promyse
of the awnere that he shold by it be-fore any othere man; and the awnere
sayth that he made hym neuer non soch promys, nore recevyd neuer peny
of hym for no bargyn. Wher-vppon I haue don hym examyn a-fore the
same parson and all the parysh, and there he sware vppon a boke that he
made neuer bargyng wyth no man saue only wyth ^Harald; and ^Harald hath
payd hym there-fore by-fore suffycyaunt record and hath don coste vppon
the hous sythen that he boght it, and by-cause of evyll wyll that the parson
awyth to hym he wold haue it from hym, but the parson hath no gode
record of hys bargyn. I pray you thogh ye be enformyd by ^Richard ^Calle
for the parson ys parte that ye yffe no credans to hym therin, for ye shall
here the matere youre-sylf when ye com hom; for ^Richard holdyth more
wyth the parson for hys love then for the troght of the matere, and I pray
you that ^Harald may ocupy the land tyll the troght may be vnderstond.
And I pray you hertely send me word how ye do and how ye spyde in
youre maters in haste, and that I may haue knowlych how youre sonnys
doth. I com hom thys nyght late, and shalbe hyre tyll I hyre othere
tydyngys from you. Wykys com hom vppon Satore-day, but he met not
wyth youre sonys.
God haue you in hys kypyng and send ous gode tidyngys from you.
Wryten in haste vppon the Seynt ^Symon and ^Jude ys Evyn.
By yourys ^M. ^P.
<T PERHAPS TO JOHN BERNEY: DRAFT>
<D 14660513>
<N 197>
<L 1>
Cosyn, I recommaunde me to yow, letyng yow wete that I am informid
that the parson of %^Brandeston is take be yowre sowdiors and led forth
wyth hem, and thay haue ryfelid his godis and svmme of myn husbondis
also and of his ballyes weche were left wyth the seyd parson to kepe;
wherfore I avise yow and praye that he maye be lete goo a-gayn and to
haue ower godis as were take fro hym. Fore and yowr sowdioris be of
sweche disposicion that they wyll take that they may gete, it shall no
wurchip be to yow nor profite in tyme to come, and therof wolde I be
sory. And if the seyd parson be othirwyse disposid thanne he owth to be,
I wyll helpe that he shall be chaysteysid as conciens and lawe requerith.
I wolde ye shuld remember that ye haue bore blame for sweche thyngis
be-fore this tyme that hath be do othirwise thanne lawe hath requerid.
And God haue yow in his kepyng. Wrete at %^Norwiche.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14661029>
<N 198>
<L 0>
To my ryght wyrshypfull maystere Ser ^John ^Paston, kny\t, be thys lettere
delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
I grytte you well, and send you God ys blessyng and myn, desyryng you to
send me word how that ye spede in youre maters, for I thynk ryght long
tyll I here tydyngys from you. And in alwyse I avyse you for to be ware
that ye kepe wysly youre wrytyngys that ben of charge, that it com not in
here handys that may hurt you heraftere. Youre fadere, wham God assole,
in hys trobyll seson set more by hys wrytyngys and evydens than he dede
by any of his moveabell godys. Remembere that yf tho were had from you
ye kowd neuer gyte no moo such as tho be for youre parte, &c.
Item, I wold ye shold take hyde that yf any processe com owte a-yenste
me, or a-yenst any of tho that were endyted a-fore the coronere, that I
myght haue knowlych therof and to purvey a remedy therfore.
Item, as for youre fader ys wyll, I wold ye shold take ryght gode counsell
therin, as I am enformyd it may be provyd thogh no man take no charge
thys twelfmonth. Ye may haue a lettere of mynystracyon to such as ye wyll,
and mynestere the godys and take no charge. I avyse you that ye in no wyse
take no charge therof tyll ye know more than ye doo yet, for ye may verely
knowe by that youre vnkell ^Will seyd to you and to me that thay wyll lay
the charge vppon you and me for moo thyngys then ys exprest in youre
fadere ys wyll, the whych shud be to grete for you or me to bere. But as for
me, I will not be to hasty to take it vppon me, I ensure you.
And at the reuerens of God, spede youre maters soo thys terme that we
may be in rest heraftere, and lette not for no labour for the season; and
remembere the grete cost and charge that we haue had hedyre-toward,
and thynk verely it may not lange endure. Ye know what ye left when ye
were last at hom, and wyte it verely ther ys no more in thys countray to bere
owte no charge wyth. I avyse you to enquere wysely yf ye canne gyte any
more there as ye be, for els, by my feth, I feere els it will not be well wyth
ous. And send me word in hast hough ye doo, and whethere ye haue youre
laste dedys that ye fayled, for playnly thay ernot in thys contray. It ys told
me in consell that ^Richard ^Calle hath nyere conqueryd youre vncle ^Will
wyth fayre promyse twochyng hys lyflode and othere thyngys the whych
shold prevayll hym gretly, as he sayth. Be ware of hym and of hys felowe,
be myn avyse.
God send you gode spede in all youre maters. Wryten at %^Castere the
moren next aftere ^Symon and ^Jude, where as I wold not be at thys tyme
but for youre sake, so mot I they.
By youre modere
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14670711>
<N 199>
<L 0>
To Ser ^John ^Paston, knyght, be @is deliuered in hast.
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blissyng and myn, letyng you wete
that ^Blykklyng of %^Heylesdon came fro %^London this weke, and he is right
mery and maketh his bost that wyth-in this fourtnyght at %^Helesdon shuld
be bothe new lordes and new officeres. And also this day was brought me
word fro %^Cayster that ^Rysyng of %^Freton shuld haue herd seid, in diuerse
places there as he was in %^Suffolk, that ^Fastolf of %^Coughhawe maketh all the
strenght that he may and purposith hym to assaught %^Caystre and to entre
there if he may, in somych that it is seyd that he hath a v score men redy
and sendyth dayly aspies to vnderstand what felesshep kepe the place. Be
whos powere or favour or supportacion that he wull do this I knowe not,
but ye wote wele that I haue ben affrayd there be-fore this tyme whan that
I had othere comfort than I haue now. And I can not wele gide ner rewle
sodyour, and also thei set not be a woman as thei shuld set be a man. Therfore
I wold ye shuld send home your brothere or ell ^Dawbenye to haue a
rewle and to takyn in such men as were necessary for the saffegard of the
place, for if I were there wyth-ought I had the more saddere or wurchepfull
persones abought me, and there comyn a meny of knavys and prevaylled
in there entent, it shuld be to me but a vylney.
And I haue ben a-bought my liffelode to set a rewle there-in as I haue
wretyn to you, which is not yet all parfourmed after myn desyre, and I wuld
not go to %^Cayster till I had don. I wull nomore days make there-abowtyn if
I may; there-fore in any wyse send summe body home to kepe the place.
And whan that I haue do and parfourmed that I haue be-gunne I shall
purpose me thederward if I shuld do there any good, and ell I had leuer
be thens. I haue sent to ^Nicholas and such as kepe the place that thei shuld
takyn in summe feles to assiste and strengh them till ye send home sum
othere word or summe othere man to gouerne them @at ben there-in,
&c. I marvayll gretly that ye send me no word how that ye do, for your
elmyse be-gynne to wax right bold, and that puttith your frendes bothyn in
grete fere and dought. There-fore purvey that thei may haue summe
comfort @at thei be no more discoraged, for if we lese our frendes it shall
[be] hard in this troblelous werd to kete them ageyn.
The blissid Trynyte* spede you in your materes and send you the victory
of your elmyse to your hertes eas and there confusyon. Wretyn at %^Norwich
the Saterday next be-fore Relyke Sonday in hast.
I pray you remembre wele the materes @at I wrote to you fore in the
lettere @at ye had be ^James ^Greshams man, and send me an answere
there-of be @e next man @at comyth, &c.
By your moder ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14690312>
<N 200>
<L 0>
To Ser ^John ^Paston, knyght, be this deliuered in hast.
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, desiryng you to
recomaund me to my brothere ^William and to comune wyth hym and your
councell in such materes as I wright to you, that there may be purveyd be
summe writyng fro the Kyng that my lord of %^Norffolk and his councell seas
of the wast that thei don in your lordsheps and in especiall at %^Heynford;
for thei haue felled all the wood and this weke thei wull carie it a-wey, and
lete renne the wateres and take all the fyssh. And Ser ^William ^Yeluerton
and his sone ^William, ^John ^Grey, and ^Burgeys, ^Will ^Yeluerton men, haue
ben at %^Guton and takyn distresses, and wyth-ought that thei wull pay them
thei shall not set ought no plow to till there londe. Thei byd them lete
there lond lye on-tilled but if thei pay them, so that if the tenauntes haue
no remedy that thei may pesibily wyth-ought assaught or distresse takyng
be the seid ^Yeluerton or his men, or of any o@er in there names, at there
liberte* herye there londes wyth-in this vij days, there tylth in tho feldes
[shall] be lost for all thes yere and thei shall be on-doon. And though ye
shuld kepe it here-aftere pesibilly, ye shuld lese the ferme of this yere, for
thei
may not pay you but if thei may occupie there londes. Thei set not so sone
a plow ought at there gates but @er is a felesshep redy to take it. And thei
ride wyth speres and laungegays like men of werre, so that the seid tenauntes
arn a-ferd to kepe there owyn howses. Therfore purvey an redy
remedye, or ell ye lese the tenauntes hertes and ye gretly hurt, for it is gret
pety to here the swemefull and petowse compleyntes of the pore tenauntes
that come to me for comfort and socour, sumtyme be vj or vij to-geder.
Therfore, for Goddes love, se that thei ben holpyn, and desire my brothere
^William to geve you good councell here-in.
Also it is told me that my lady of %^Suffolk hath promysed you here good
will if your bargayn of the mariage holdyth, to do as largely as she shall
be disired, or largelyere if there be any appoyntement takyn a-twix you
for any materes a-twix here and you. And thei wuld avyse you to geve any
money to here to make here refuse or disclayme here titill, me semyth ye
may wele excuse you be the money that she had last and be the wronges
that were don be here and here men in fellyng of wood and pullyng doun
of your place and logge at %^Heylesdon and takyn a-wey of the shep and your
faderes goodes which were takyn a-wey at the pullyng don of the seid
place; whech wele considered she were wurthy to recompense you. And
the Kyng and the lordes were wele enformed thei wuld considere the
redilyere your hurtes. It semyth this Ser ^William ^Yeluerton hath comfort
that he is so bold, for [he] hath right prowde and fowle langage, and right
slaunderows, to the tenauntes, as thei haue reported to me; therfore be
right ware that ye bynde not your-self ner make non ensuraunce till ye be
suere of a pesibill possession of your londe, for oftyn tyme rape rueth, and
whan a man hath mad such a comenaunte he must kepit, he may not
chese; there[fore] be not to hasty till your londe be clere. And labore
hastly a remedy for thes premysses, or ell Ser ^John ^Fastolfes lyvelode,
thowgh ye entre it pesibilly, shall not be worth to you a grote this yere
wyth-ought ye wull on-do your tenauntes.
I pray you remembre a kerchye of cremyll for your suster ^Anne.
Remembre to labore sume remedy for your faderes will whill my lord
of %^Caunterbury lyvyth, for he is an old man and he is now frendly to you;
and if he happed to dye how shuld come after hym ye wote neuer. And if
he were a nedy man, in asmych as your fader was noysed of so greet valew
he wull be the more straunge to entrete; and lete this be not for-gete, for
were there on that aught vs no good wyll he myght calle vs vp to make
accounte of his goodes. And if we had not for to shewe for vs where-by we
haue occupied, he myght send doun assentence to curse vs in all the diosyse
and to make vs to deliuere his goodes, which were to vs a gret shame and a
rebuke. There-fore purvey hastly and wyssely @erfore whill he levyth, and
do not, as ye dede whill my lord of %^York was chancellor, make delays; for
if ye had labored in his tyme as ye haue do sith, ye had be thurgh in your
materes. Be ware be that, and lete slauth nomore take you in such diffaught.
Thynk of after-clappes and haue prevysion in all your werk, and ye shall do
the better.
God kepe you. Wretyn on Myd-lent Sonday in hast.
Be your modre, ^M. ^P.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14690403>
<N 201>
<L 0>
To Ser ^John ^Paston.
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blissyng and myn, thankyng you for
my seall that ye sent me; but I am right sory that ye dede so grete cost
@er-vp-on, for on of xl d. shuld haue serued me right wele. Send me word
what it cost you and I shall send you money there-fore. I send you a letter
be a man of %^Yarmoth. Send me word if ye haue it, for I marveyll ye sent
me non answere there-of be ^Juddy. I haue non very knowleche of your
ensuraunce, but if ye be ensured I pray God send you joy and wurchep
to-geder, and so I trost ye shull haue if it be as it is reported of here. And
a-nemps God ye arn as gretly bownd to here as ye were maried; and @erfore
I charge you vp-on my blissyng that ye be as trew to here as she were
maried on-to you in all degrees, and ye shall haue the more grace and the
better spede in all othere thynges. Also I wuld @at ye shuld not be to
hasty to be maried till ye were more suere of your lyvelode, for ye must
remembre what charge ye shall haue, and if ye haue not to mayntene it, it
wull be a gret rebuke; and therfore labour that ye may haue releses of the
lordes and be in more suerte* of your lond or than ye be maried.
The Duchesse of %^Suffolk is at %^Ewhelm in %^Oxford-shire, and it is thought
be your frendes here that it is do @at she myght be ferre and ought of the
wey, and @e rathere feyne excuse be-cause of age or sikenesse if @at the
Kyng wuld send for here for your materes.
Your elmyse be as bold here as thei were before, wherfore I can not thynk
but that thei haue summe comfort. I sent to %^Cayster that thei shuld be
ware in kepyng of @e place, as ye dede wright to me. Hast you to spede your
materes as spedily as ye can, that ye may haue lesse felesship at %^Cayster, for
the exspences and costes be grete and ye haue no nede @er-of and ye
remembre you wele what charges ye haue beside and how your liffelode is
dispoyled and wasted be your aduersaries.
Also I wuld ye shuld purvey for your suster to be wyth my lady of %^Oxford
or wyth my lady of %^Bedford or in summe othere wurchepfull place where
as ye thynk best, and I wull help to here fyndyng, for we be eythere of vs
wery of othere. I shall telle you more whan I speke wyth you. I pray you
do your deveyre here-in as ye wull my comfort and welefare and your
wurchep, for diuerse causes which ye shall vnderstand afterward, &c.
I spake wyth the Lord ^Skales at %^Norwich, and thanked hym for the
good lordshep that he had shewed to you, and desired his lordshep to be
your contynuall good lord. And he swore be his trought he wold do that he
myght do for you, and he told me that ^Yeluerton the justice had spoke
to hym in your matere, but he told me not what; but I trow and ye desired
hym to telle you, he wuld. Ye arn beholdyng to my lord of his good report
of you in this contre*, for he reported better of you than I trow ye deserue.
I felt be hym that there hath be profered hym large proferes on your aduersaries
parte ageyn you. Send me word as hastly as ye may after the
begynnyng of the terme how ye haue sped in all your materes, for I shall
thynk right long till I here summe good tidynges.
Item, I pray you recomaund me to the good mayster that ye gaffe to the
chapell of %^Cayster, and thank hym for the gret cost that he dede on me
at %^Norwich; and if I were a grette lady he shuld vnderstand that he shuld
fare the better fore me, for me semyth be his demenyng he shuld be right
a good man.
Item, I send you the nowche wyth the dyamaunth be the berere here-of.
I pray yow fore-gete not to send me a kersche of cremelle fore nekkerchys
fore yowr syster ^Anne, for I am schente of @e good lady @at sche is
wyth be-cawse sche hathe non, and I can non gette in alle thys towne. I
xuld wrythe more to yow but fore lakke of leysere.
God haue yow in hys kepyng and send yow good spede in alle yowr
materes. Wretyn in haste on Eestern Munday.
Be yowr moder
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14690831>
<N 202>
<L 0>
To Ser ^John ^Paston be this deliuered in ha[[st]].
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete
that Ser ^John ^Heuenyngham was at %^Norwich this day and spake wyth me
at my moderes; but he wuld not @at it shuld be vnderstand, for my lord
hath mad hym on of the capteynes at %^Cayster of @e pepill @at shuld kepe
the wetche abought the place @at no man shuld socour them if my lord
departed. I desired hym to favour them if any man shuld come to them fro
me or you, and he wuld not graunte it; but he desired me to write to you
to vnderstand if that my lord myght be mevyd to fynde suerte* to recompense
you all wronges and ye wuld suffre hym to entre pesibilly and the lawe after
his entre* wuld deme it you. Be ye avysed what answere ye wull geve.
Item, sith that @at I spake wyth hym and the same day a feythfull frende
of owres came on-to me and mevyd me if @at my lord myght be entreted to
suffre endifferent men to kepe the place and take the profites for bothe
parties till @e right be determyned be the lawe, and my lord for his parte
and ye for your parte to fynde sufficient suerte* @at your nowthere shuld
vex, lette, ner trobilled the seid endifferent men to kepe pesibilly the
possession of @e seid place, and to take @e profightes on-to the tyme it be
determyned be @e lawe to his behowe @at the lawe demeth it. And @o seid
persones @at so endifferently kepe possession before there entre* in-to the
seid place to fynde also sufficient suerte* to answere the parte* @at the lawe
demeth it to of @e profites, duryng there possession, and to suffre hym
pesibilly
to entre, or any in his name, whan so euer thei be required be the
parte* to whom the right is demyd. Of all @es premysses send word how ye
wull be demened be as good advyse as ye can gete, and make no lengere
delay; for thei must nedes haue hasty socour that be in the place, for thei
be sore hurt and haue non help. And if thei haue hasty help it shall be the
grettest wurchep @at euer ye had, and if @ei be not holpen it shall be to you a
gret diswurchep, and loke neuer to haue favour of your neybores and frendes
but if this spede wele. @er-fore prend it in your mend and purvey @er-fore
in hast, how so euer ye do.
God kepe you and send you the vittory of your elmyse, and geve you and
vs all grace to leve in peas. Wretyn on Sent ^Gyles Evyn at ix of @e belle
at nyght.
^Robyn came home yester evyn, and he brought me nowthere writyng
from you ner good answere of this mater, which grevyth me right ill @at I
haue sent you so many massangeres and haue so febill answeres ageyn.
Be your modere
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14690910>
<N 203>
<L 1>
I grete \ow wel and send \ow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng \ow wete
@at on Thurysday last was my moder and I where wyth my lord of
%^Norwych, and desyerd hym @at he woold nomore do in @e matere
towscheyng \owr syster tyl @at \e and my brothere, and othere @at wern
executors to \owr fader, mythe beyn here to-geder, fore they had @e rule
of here as weel as I. And he sayde playnly @at he had be requeryd so
oftyn fore to exameyn here @at he mythe not, nore woold, no lengare
delayyt, and schargyd me in peyn of cursyng @at sche schuld not be
deferred but @at sche xuld a-pere be-forn hym @e nexte day. And I sayd
pleynly @at I woold nowder bryng here nore send here; and @an he sayd
@at he woold send fore here hym-sylfe, and schargyd @at sche schuld be at
here lyberte* to cume wan he sent fore here. And he seyd be hys trowthe @at
he woold be as sory fore here and sche ded not welle as he wold be and sche
were ryth nere of hys kyn, bothe fore my moderys sake and myn and
othere of here frenddys; fore he woost welle @at here demenyng had
stekyd soore at owr hartys.
My moder and I in-formyd hym @at we kowd neuer onderstond be here
sayyng, be no language @at euer sche had to hym, @at neythere of hem were
bownd to othere, but @at they myth schese bothe. @an he seyd @at he woold
sey to here as wele as he kowde be-fore @at he exameynd here; and so yt
was told me be dyuerse persones @at he ded as welle and as pleynly as sche
had be rythe nere to hym, wych were to long to wrythe at thys tyme. Hereafty[r]
\e xalle wete, and hoo were laberers there-in. @e schanselere was not
so gylty there-in as I weend he had ben.
On Fryday the Bysschope sent fore here be ^Asschefeld and othere @at
arn ryth sory of here demenyng. And @e Bysschop seyd to here ryth pleynly,
and put here in rememberawns how sche was born, wat kyn and frenddys
@at sche had, and xuld haue mo yf sche were rulyd and gydyd aftyre
them; and yf sche ded not, wat rebuke and schame and los yt xuld be
to here yf sche were not gydyd be them, and cause of foresaky[n]g of here
fore any good ore helpe ore kownfort @at sche xuld haue of hem; and seyd
@at he had hard sey @at sche loued schecheon @at here frend were not
plesyd wyth @at sche xuld haue, and there-fore he bad here be ryth wel
a-vysyd how sche ded, and seyd @at he woold wndyrstond @e worddys @at
sche had seyd to hym, wheythere yt mad matramony ore not. And sche
rehersyd wat sche had seyd, and seyd yf thoo worddys mad yt not suhere,
sche seyd boldly @at sche wold make yt suerhere ore @at sche went
thens; fore sche sayd sche thowthe in here conschens sche was bownd, wat
so euere @e worddys wern. Thes leud worddys gereue me and here
grandam as myche as alle @e remnawnte. And @an @e Bysschop and the
schawnselere bothe seyd @at there was neythere I nere no frend of hers
wold reseyuere. And @an ^Calle was exameynd aparte be hym-sylfe, @at here
worddys and hys acordyd, and the tyme and where yt xuld a be don. And
@an @e Bysschop sayd @at he supposyd @at there xuld be fownd othere
thynggys ageyns hym @at mythe cause @e lettyng there-of, and there-fore
he say[d] he wold not be to has[[ty]] to geue sentens there-vp-on, and
sayd @at he wold geue ouere day tyl @e Wodynsday ore Thursday aftyre
Mykylmes, and so yt tys delayyd. They woold an had here wyl parformyd
in haste, but @e Bysschop seyd he woold non othere-wyse @an he had sayd.
I was wyth my moder at here plase wan sche was exameynd, and wan I hard
sey wat here demeny[n]g was I schargyd my seruantys @at sche xuld not be
reseyued in myn hows. I had \euen here warny[n]g, sche mythe a be ware
afore yf sche had a be grasyows. And I sent to on ore ij more @at they xuld
not reseyue here yf sche cam. Sche was browthe a-geyn to my place fore
to a be reseyued, and Ser ^Jamys tolde them @at browthe here @at I had
schargyd hem alle, and sche xuld not be reseyued; and soo my lord of
%^Norwych hath set here at ^Rogere ^Bestys to be there tyle @e day before
say[d], God knowyth fule euel ageyn hys wyle and hys wyvys, yf they
durst do othere-wyse. I am sory @at they arn a-cumyrd wyth here, but
\et I am better payed @at sche is there fore @e whyle @an sche had ben in
othere place, be-cause of @e sadnes and god dysposysion of hym-sylfe and
hys wyfe, fore sche xal not be souerd there to pleye @e brethele.
I pray \ow and requere \ow @at \e take yt not pensyly, fore I wot wele
yt gothe ryth nere \owr hart, and so doth yt to myn and to othere; but
remembyre \ow, and so do I, @at we haue lost of here but a brethele, and
setyt @e les to hart; fore and sche had be good, wat so euere sche had be
yt xuld not a ben os jt tys, fore and he were ded at thys owyre sche xuld
neuere be at myn hart as sche was. As fore @e devors @at \e wrete to me of,
I suppose wat \e ment, but I scharge \ow vpon my blyssyng @at \e do
not, nere cause non othere to do, @at xuld offend God and \owr conschens;
fore and \e do, ore cause fore to be do, God wul take vengawns there-vpon
and \e xuld put \owr-sylfe and othere in gret joparte*. Fore wottyt wele,
sche xal ful sore repent here leudnes here-aftyre, and I pray God sche mute
soo. I pray \ow, fore myn hard ys hese, be \e of a good cownfort in alle
thynggys. I trust God xal helpe ryth wele, and I pray God so do in alle
owr maters.
I wuld \e toke hed yf there were any labore mad in @e kort of %^Cawntyrbery
fore the leud matere fore sayd.
But yf the Duke be purveyd fore, he and hys wyse kow[n]sel xalle lese
thys cuntre*. Yt tys told me @at he sethe @at he wul not spare to do @at he
is purposyd fore no duke in %^Ynglond. God helpe at nede.
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14690912>
<N 204>
<L 1>
I grete you wele, letyng you wete that your brothere and his felesshep stond
in grete joparte* at %^Cayster and lakke vetayll; and ^Dawbeney and ^Berney be
dedde and diuerse othere gretly hurt, and thei fayll gonnepowder and
arrowes, and the place sore brokyn wyth gonnes of @e toder parte; so that,
but thei haue hasty help, thei be like to lese bothe there lyfes and the
place, to the grettest rebuke to you that euer came to any jentilman, for
euery man in this countre* marvaylleth gretly that ye suffre them to be so
longe in so gret joparte* wyth-ought help or othere remedy.
The Duke hath be more fervently set @er-vp-on, and more cruell, sith
@at ^Wretyll, my lord of ^Claraunce man, was ther than he was be-fore, and
he hath sent for all his tenauntes from euery place, and othere, to be
there at %^Cayster on Thorysday next comyng, that there is than like to be the
grettest multitude of pepill @at came @er yet. And thei purpose than to
make a gret assaught, for thei haue sent for gonnes to %^Lynne and othere
place be the seeys syde, @at wyth ther gret multitude of gonnes, wyth
othere shoot and ordynaunce, ther shall no man dar appere in @e place.
Thei shall hold them so besy wyth ther gret pepill @at it shall not lye in
there pore wyth-in to hold it a-geyn them wyth-ought God help them
or [thei] haue hasty socour from you. There-fore, as ye wull haue my
blyssyng, I charge you and require you @at ye se your brothere be holpyn
in hast. And if ye can haue non meane, rathere desire writyng fro my lord
of ^Clarens, if he be at %^London, or ell of my lord Archebusshop of %^York, to
@e Duke of %^Norffolk, @at he wull graunte them @at be in @e place here
lyfes and ther goodes. And in eschewyng of insurreccions, wyth othere
inconuenyens @at be like to growe wyth-in the shire of %^Norffolk, this
trobelows werd, be-cause of such conuenticles and gaderynges wyth-in the
seid shire for cause of @e seid place, thei shall suffre hym to entre vp-on
such appoyntment, or othere like, takyn be the advyse of your councell
there at %^London, if ye thynk this be not good, till the law hath determyned
othere-wyse; and lete hym write a-nothere letter to your brother
to deliuere the place vp-on the same appoyntment. And if ye thynk, as I
can suppose, that the Duke of %^Norffolk wull not aggre* to this be-cause he
graunted this a-forn and thei in the place wuld not accept it, than I
wuld the seid massangere shuld wyth the seid letteres bryng fro the seid
lord of ^Clarence, or ell my lord Archebusshop, to my lord of %^Oxenford
othere letteres to rescuse them forth-wyth, thoughe the seid Erle of
%^Oxenford shuld haue the place duryng his lyffe for his labour. Spare not
this to be don in hast if ye wull haue there lyves and be sett by in %^Norffolk,
though ye shuld leys the best maner of all for the rescuse. I had lever
ye lost @e lyffelode than there lyfes. Ye must gete a massangere of the
lordes or summe othere notabill man to bryng thes letteres.
Do your devour now, and lete me send yow nomore massangeres for this
materes; but send me be the berere here-of more certeyn comfort than ye
haue do be all othere that I haue sent be-fore. In any wyse, lete the letteres
@at shall come to @e Erle of %^Oxenford comyn wyth the letteres that shall
comyn to @e Duke of %^Norffolk, @at if he wull not aggree to the ton, that ye
may haue redy your rescuse @at it nede nomore to send @er-fore.
God kepe you. Wretyn the Tuesday next before Holy Rood Day, in hast.
Be your modere
<T TO JOHN PASTONII>
<D 14690922-30>
<N 205>
<L 0>
To Ser ^John ^Paston, in hast.
<L 1>
I grete \ow wele and send \ow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng \ow wete
@at me thynke be @e letter @at @e sent me be ^Robeyn @at \e thynke @at
I xuld wryte to \ow fabyls and ymagynacyons. But I do not soo; I haue
wrytyn as yt haue be enformed me, and wulle do. It was told me @at bothe
^Daubeney and ^Berney were dedee, but fore serten ^Daubeney is dede, God
asoyle hys sowle, where-of I am rythe sory, and yt had plesyd God @at yt
mythe a be odere-wysse.
Remembyre \ow \e haue had ij gret lossys wyth-yne thys towylemonthe,
of hym and of Ser ^Thomas. God wysythyt \ow as yt plesythe hym jn
sundery wyses. He woold \e xuld knowe hym and serue hym better @an \e
haue do be-fore thys tyme, and @an he wule send \ow @e more grace
to do wele in alle othere thynggys. And fore Goddys loue, remembyreyt
rythe welle and takeyt pacyentely, and thanke God of hys vysitacyon; and
yf any thyng haue be a mysse any othere wyse @an yt howte to haue ben
be-fore thys, owthere in pryde ore in laues expencys ore in any othere thyng
@at haue offendyd God, amend yt and pray hym of hys grace and helpe,
and entend welle to God and to \owr neybors; and thow \owr poore
hereaftyre be to aquyte hem of here maleys, \et be mersyfulle to
them, and God xale send \ow @e more grace to haue \owr entente
in othere thynggys. I remembyre thys clawsys be-cause of @e last letter
@at \e sent me.
I haue sent to ^Hary ^Halman of %^Sporylle to helpe to gette as \e desyerd
me, and he canne not gette passyd v ore viij at the most, and \et yt wule
not be but yf he cume @at \e trust vpon @at xuld cume, fore they long a
parte to hym. And ^Ryschard ^Schary[[ls]] hathe a-sayed on hys parte, and
he cane not gette passyd v, fore thoo @at long to vus there long also to
owr aduersarys, and they haue be desyerd be them and they woold nowte
do fore hem; and there-fore they thynke to haue magery of @e todere parte.
As fore @e jantylman @at ye desyerd me to speke wyth, I spake wyth hys
wyfe and sche told me he was not in thys cuntre* nere nowte woost wan he
xuld be here; and as fore the toder man, he hath bowthe hym a leuery in
%^Bromeholme Pryory and haue \euen vpe @e woord, &c.
Item, as fore mony I kowde gette but x li. vpon pledgys, and @at is spent
fore \owr materes here fore payeng of \owr men @at wern at %^Caster and
othere thynggys, and I woot not were to gette non, nowthere fore suerte*
ner fore pleggys. And as fore myn owyn lyuelod, I am so symppely payed
thereof @at I fere me I xale be fayn to borow fore my-sylfe ore ell to breke
vp howsold, ore bothe.
As fore @e \elddyng of the place at %^Caster, I trowe ^Wretyll hathe told
of the pow[n]tementys how yttys delyuerd. I woold @at had be so here thys
tyme, and \an there xuld not a be do so mykyle hurte as the[[re]] is in
dyuerse weyes, fore ma[n]y of owr wele-wylleres arn putte to loosse fore
owr sakys, And I fare me yt xale be long here yt be recumpensyd a-geyn,
and @at xale cause othere to do @e lesse fore vus here-aftyre.
I woold \e xuld [send] \owr brothere woord, and sum othere @at \e
truste, to see to \owr owyn lyuelod, to sette yt in a rule and to gader
there-of @at may be had in haste, and also of Ser ^John ^Fastolffys lyuelod
@at may be gadyrd in pesybyle wyse; fore as fore ^Ryschard ^Calle, he wulle
no more gadyre yt but yf \e comaund hym, and he woold fayn make hys
acowntte and haue \owr good maystyre-schepe, as yttys told me, and
delyuere @e euydens of %^Bekkeham and alle othere thynggys @at longgyth
to \ow @at he trusttythe @at \e wylle be hys good maystere here-aftyre.
And he sethe he wylle not take non newe master tyle \e refuse hys seruyse.
Remembyre @at \owr lyuelod may be set in soche a rule @at \e may knowe
how yttys and wat is owy[[ng]] to \ow, fore be my feythe I haue holppyn
as mysche as I may, and more, sauyng my-sylfe. And therefore take hede
ere yt be weers.
Thys letter was begune on Fryday was vij nythe and enddyd thys day
nexte afftyre Mykylmes Day. God kepe \ow and \eue \ow grace to do as
we[[le]] as I woold \e dede. And I scharge \ow be ware @at \e sette no lond
to morgage, fore yf any auyse \ow there-to they arn not \owr frenddys. Be
ware be tymes [be] myn a-vyse, &c. I trow yowr brothere wy[[lle send]]
\ow tydyngys in haste.
<T TO JOHN PASTON III>
<D 14700706>
<N 206>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston @e yongere be @is deliuered in hast.
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you
wete that sith ye departed my cosyn ^Calthorp sent me a letter compleynyng
in his wrytyng that for asmych as he can not be payd of his tenauntes as he
hat be before this tyme he purposith to lesse his howshold and to leve the
streytlyere; wherfore he desireth me to purvey for your suster ^Anne. He
seth she waxeth hygh, and it were tyme to purvey here a mariage. I marveyll
what causeth hym to write so now: owthere she hath displeased hym or ell
he hath takyn here wyth summe diffaught. There-fore I pray you comune
wyth my cosyn ^Clere at %^London and wete how he is disposyd to here ward,
and send me word, for I shall be fayn to send for here and wyth me she shall
but lese here tyme; and wyth-ought she wull be the better occupied she
shall oftyn tymes meve me and put me in gret inquietenesse. Remembre
what labour I had wyth your suster. @erfore do your parte to help here forth
that may be to your wurchep and myn.
Item, remembre the bill @at I spake to you of to gete of your brothere of
such money as he hath receyvid of me sith your faderes disseas. Se your
vnkyll ^Mautby if ye may, and send me summe tydynges as sone as ye may.
God kepe you. Wretyn the Fryday next be-fore Sent ^Thomas of
%^Canterbery in hast.
Be your moder
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14700715>
<N 207>
<L 1>
I grete yow well and send yow Goddis blissyng and myne, letyng yow wete
that your fermours have brought me a gret bille of reparacion, the which I
send yow wyth lx s. in mony. I wold haue had the residue of the mony of
them, and they said it was your agrement that this reparacion shuld be do
and alowed now at this payment, and so I coud get nomore mony of them.
And they say that the parson was prevy to the reparacion. If ye were thus
agreed and woll haue the reparacion examined, ye may send word; but I
wold ye shuld purvey for your-self as hastely as ye may and come home and
take heed to your owne, and to myn therto, otherwise thanne ye haue do
bifore this, bothe for my profite and for your; or ellis I shall purvey for
my-self otherwise in hast, so that I trust shall be more ease and avayle for
me and non ease nor pro[[fi]]te to yow in tyme to come. I haue litell help
nor comfort of non of yow yet; God geve me grase to haue heraftir.
I wold ye shuld assay whedir it be more profitable for yow to serve me
thanne for to serve such masters as ye haue servid afore this, and that ye
fynde moost profitable theraftir do in tyme to come. Ye haue assayed the
werld resonabilly; ye shall knowe your-self the bettir heraftir. I pray God
we may be in quyete and in rest wyth oure owne from hens forth. My power
is nat so good as I wold it were for your sake and other, and if it were we
shuld not longe be in daungere.
God bryng vs oute of it, who haue yow in his kepyng. Wretyn wyth
onhertis ease the Monday next aftir Relike Sonday.
By your modir
<T TO JOHN PASTON II>
<D 14701028>
<N 208>
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, and I send you
be the berere here-of all the syluer vessell that your graundam maketh so
mych of, which she seid I had of myn husbond and myn husbond shuld
haue had it of his fadere. And where as she seid @at I shuld had a garneys,
I had ner see neuer more than I send you; @at is to say, ij plateres, vj
dysshes, and vj sawceres. The ij plateres weyn xliij vnce di., and @e vj
dysshes weyn lxxiiij vnce di., and the sawceres weyn xvij vnce j quarter; and
I marvayll that ye sent me not word what an vnce of syluer is worth at
%^London, for it had be lesse joparte* to haue sold it here and haue sent you
the money than the plate. I myght haue sold it here for iij s. an vnce, &c.,
summa xx li. iiij s. iij d. Be ware how that ye spend it but in acquityng you
ageyn such as ye be in daungere to, or abought the good speed of your
materes; for but if ye take odere heed to your exspences ye shall do yourself
and your frendes gret diswurchep and enpoueryssh so them @at non
of vs shall help othere, to owre elmys grete comfort.
It is vnderstond right now in @is countre* be such as cleyme to be frendly
to you in what grete daungere and nede ye stande in, bothe to diuerse of
your frendes and to your elmyse. And also it is noysed @at I haue departed
so largely wyth you @at I may nowthere help you my-self ner non of my
frendes, which is no wurchep and causeth men to set the lesse be vs. And
at @is tyme it compellith me to breke vp howshold and to sogeorn, which
I am right loth to haue do if I myght othere-wyse haue chosyn, for it caused
gret clamour in @is town @at I shall do so, and it shuld not haue neded if I
had restreyned whan I myght. @er-fore, for Goddes sake, take hede hereto
and be ware from hens forth, for I haue deliuered and sent you bothyn my
parte, the dedes and yowres, and not restreyned nowthere for my-self nere
the dede. Where-fore I thynk we spede and fare all the wers, for it is a fowle
slaundere that he was so wurchepfull beried and his qwethword not parfourmed,
and so litill do for hym sithen; and now though I wuld do for hym
I haue right not beside my lyffelode @at I may make any chevyssans wyth
<P PASTON LETTERS>
wyth-ought grete slaundere, and my lyffelode encreassith evill for I am fayn
to takyn %^Mautby in myn owyn hand and to set vp husbondry @er, and how
it shall profite me God knowyth. The fermour owyth me lxxx li. and more;
whan I shall haue it I wote neuer. @erfore be neuer the boldere in yowre
exspences for any help @at [ye] trost to haue of me, for I wull fro hens-forth
bryng my-self ought of such daungere as I stond in for your sakes, and do
fore the dede and for them @at I haue my goodes of. For till I do so I know for
certeyn @at I shall fayll grace and displeas God, how haue you in his kepyng.
Wretyn on Sent ^Symondes Day and ^Judes in hast.
Be your moder
Item, I send \ow ij scherte clothys, iche of iij \ardys of @e fynest @at is in
thys towne. I xuld a do hem mad here but yt xuld a be to long here \e xuld
an had hem. \owr awnte ore sum othere good woman wule do here almes vpon
\ow fore @e makyng of them. I thank \ow fore the gowne @at \e gaue me.
Halowmesse Day I hope xale be wurshuped there-wyth. At reuerens of God,
be ware and take hed to soche thynggys as is wretyn wyth-ynne thys letter.
Telle \owr brothere @at the mony is not \et cownyd @at I xuld send
hym fore the sarsenet and damaske @at I spake to hym foore. As fore the
damaske, yt may be forebore tylle @e nexte terme, but as fore @e sarsenet,
I woold haue yt and yt mythe be, fore I goo in my rentys. Late \owr
brothere see thys letter. As fore \owr syster, I can send \ow no good tydynggys
of here. God make here a good wooman.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14711105>
<N 209>
<C A>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete
that myn cosyn Clere hath sent to me for the c marc. @at I borwed of her
for your brother. It fortuned so that a frend of here of late hath loste better
than ccc marc., and he sent to here fore money, and she had non @at she
myght comyn by and there-for she sent to me for @e seyd c marc. And I
knowe not how to do @er-fore, by my torowth, for I haue it not ner I
can not make shyft @er-fore and I shuld go to preson. @er-for comune wyth
youre brothere her-of and send me word how that he wull make shyft
ther-fore in hast. I must ell nedes sell all my woodes, and that shall
dysseavayll
hym better than a cc marc. and I dey, and if I shuld selle them
now ther wull noman gewe so myche fore them be ner an c marc. as they be
worth be-cause there be so many wood sales in %^Norfolke at thys tyme.
@er-fore lete hym make purvyaunce @er-fore in hast, as he wull haue
my good wyll and wull that I save hym the seyd woodes to @e better a-wayll,
and send me word here-of in hast if ye wull my welfare; for I shall neuer
be in quiete tille I k[n]owe an ende in thys, fore she hath @er-fore an
obligacion of an c li. and it is not kepte cloos-@er be many persones now
k[n]owyn it, which me semyth a greet rebuke to me @at I departyd so
largely wyth yowr brothere @at I reseruyd not to pay @at I was endaungered
fore hym, and so haue dyuerse seyd to me which of late haue k[n]owyn
it. And whan I remembreit it is to myn hart a very spere, consideryng
that he neuer gaue me comforte @er-in, ner of all @e money @at hath be
reseyvyd wull neuer make shyft @er-for. And he had yet be-fore thys tyme
haue sent me l marc. @er-of yet, I wuld haue thought @at he had had summe
consideracion of myn daungeres @at I haue put me in for hym. Remembre
hym how that I haue excusyd hym of xx li. @at @e Prior of %^Bromholm had
which shuld ell haue be in that daungere @at it shuld haue be to vs a grete
rebwke to us wyth-hought that he myght a ben holpyn wyth shuch
money as he shuld haue had of your fadyrs bequest; and I payd to @e
shereffe for hym also money. All thes shuld haue holpe me wele @er-to,
be-syde othere thynges @at I haue bore thys yeres @at I speke not of. Therefore
lete hym helpe me now, or ell it shall dysawayll hym better than @e
trebyll the money, wheder that I leue or dey, wyth-ought he hath better
consideracion to @e daungeres @at I stond in.
<S B>
I grete yw wel and send yw Goddys blyssyng and myn, lettyng yw wete that
myn cosyn Clere hath sent to me fore @e c marc. that I borwed of here fore
ywyre brothere. Yt fortunyd so that a frend of here late hath lost better than
ccc marc., and he sent to here fore money, and she had non @at she myth
comyn by and there-fore she sent to me fore @e seyd c marc. And I k[n]ow
not how to do therefore, by my trowth, fore I haue it not nere I can not
make shyfth there-fore and I shwld go to preson. @er-fore comune wyth
ywyre brothere here-of and send me woord how that he wull mak shyfth
there-fore in hast. Fore I mwst ell nedys sellyn all my woodys, and that
shall disawayll hym better than cc marc. yf I dey, an dyf I shwld sell them
now there wold non man geue fore hem so mych by nere an c marc. as
they be worth by-cause there be so many woodsalis in %^Norfolke at thys
tym. And there-fore let hym mak purvyaunce there-fore in hast, as he wull
haue myn good wyll and that I saue hym @e seyd woodys to @e better
avayll in tym comyng,and send me an answere there-of in hast yf ye wull
my welfare; fore I shall neuer ben in quiete tyll I know an ende in thys,
fore she hasth @er-fore an obligacion of an c li. and yt ys not kepte cloos-
@er ben many personis now k[n]owyn it, which me semyth a gret rebwke
to me @at I departyd so largely wyth ywyre brothyre @at I reservyd not to
pay @at I was in daunger fore hym, and so haue diuerse seyd to me which
of lat haue knowyn it. And whan I remembret it is to myn hart a very spere,
consideryng that he neuer gaue me comforte @er-in, nere of all @e mony @at
he hath reseyvyd wull neuer mak shyfth @er-fore. And he had yet be-forn
thys tyme haue sent me l marc. @er-of yet, I wold haue thowth that he had
had som consideracion of myn daungere that I haue put me in fore hym.
Remember hym that I haue excusyd hym of xx li. @at @e Priore of %^Bromholm
had which shwld ell haue be in that daungere @at yt shwld haue be to
ws a gret rebwke wyth-owt that he myth haue ben holpyn wyth shwch
money as he shuld haue had of ywyre fadyrs beqwest; and I payd to @e
shreue fore hym also money. All thes shwld haue holpyn me well @er-to,
by-syde othyre thyngys that I haue boryn these yerys @at I speke not of.
There-fore let hym helpe me now, or ell yt shall disawayll hym @e trebyll
@er-of, qweder I leue or dey, wyth-owt that he haue better consideracion
to @e daungere that I stond in.
<A CONTINUED>
Also I wulde ye shuld meve hym to take ^John ^Pampyng to hym, er ell
to gete hym a servyce in @e Chauncery or in summe other place wher as
he myth be preferryd, for it ys pety @at he lesyth hys tyme so here, and it
is non a-wayll to non of ws; and for diuerse othyre thyngys whwsch ye shall
know her-after I wolde that I ware hens in haste, fore all maner of
happys. Constrw ye, &c.
I can yw thanke fore ywyre letter that ye sente me, and that ye haue
inquiryd of shwch thyngys as ye thynke that shwld plese me. I send yw
@e boxe and @e dedys that ye sente to me fore, but as fore @e key of @e
cofyre in @e wtter chamber, I can not fyndyt. Yf @e box had be ther-in
ye cwdnat haue haddyth but yf I had broke wp @e cofyre; there-fore
remember yw were ye haue do @e key. I kep styll @e key that ye sente me
tyll that ye cwm hom.
As fore @e tydyngys here, ywre cosyn ^Barney of %^Wychshynggam ys
passyd to Gode, hwm Gode asoyle. ^Veylys wyfe and ^Londonys wyfe and
^Pycard @e bacar of %^Twmlond ben gon also. All thys hwlsold and thys
parych ys as ye leftyd, blyssyd be Gode. We lewyn in fere, bwt we wut
not qweder to fle fore to be better than we ben here. I send yw demi a riale
for to by wyth swger and datys fore me. I pray yw do as wel as y[[e c]]an
and send it me as hastely as ye may; and send me word qwat price a li. of
peper, clowys, masis, gingyr, and sinamun, almannys, rys, ganyngall,
safrwn, reysonys of corons, grenys-of ych of these send me @e price of
ych of these, and yf it be better shepe at %^London than yt ys here I shal
send yw mony to by wyth soch stwfe as I wull haue.
Remember that I spake to yw to spek to ywyre brothere fore @e  seyd
c marc. wan ye departyd hens; I trow ye fore-gettyt that ye sent me
non answere ther-of. In ony wys lete me haue an answere ther-of in hast
and send me woord how ywyre brothere and ye sped in ywyre maters.
And Goddys blissyng and myn mvt ye haue both, and send yw good
sped in all ywyre maters. Wretyn in hast on Sentt ^Levnardys Eve.
By ywyre moder
<B CONTINUED>
Also I wold ye shwld meue hym to take ^Pampyng to hym, or ell to get
hym a serwyce in @e Chauncery or in summe othere place were as he myth
be proferryd, fore it ys pety that he lesyth hys tyme here, and yt ys non
a-wayll to non of ws; and yf he were proferryd by ws yt war wurchype to
ws, be-cause that he hathe be so long wyth ws. Helpe ye on ywyre parte,
and fore diuerse othere causese I wold he war hens in hast, fore all maner
of happys. Constrw ye, &c. I shall tell yw more her-after.
I can yw thank fore @e letter that ye sente to me, and that ye haue inquiryd
of shwch thyngys as ye thynk shwld plece me. I send yw @e box
and @e dedys that ye sente to me fore, but as fore @e key of @e cofyr in @e
wtter chamber I can not fyndyth. Yf @e box had be there-in ye kowd not
haue haddyt but yf I had brok vp @e cofyre; remember yw were @e key is.
I kep styll @e key that ye sente me.
As fore tydyngys, my coseyn ^Barney of %^Wychshyngham, ^Veylys wyfe,
 ^Londonnys wyfe, and ^Pycard of %^Tumlond be passyd to God; God haue
here sollys. All thys howshold and this parych arn saue, blissyd be God
We leuyn in fere, but we wut not qweder to fle fore to be better than we
arn here. I send yw v s. to by wyth swger and datys fore me. I wold haue
iij or iiij li. of swger, and be-ware @e remnont in datys and send hem to me
as hastely as ye may, and send me woord qwath price a li. of peper, clowys,
macys, gynger, sinamun, almannys, rys, reysonys of coranis, gannyngall,
safrun, grenys and comfytys-of ych of these send me word wath a li. ys
worth, and yf yt be better shepe at %^London than yt ys here I shall send yw
money to by such stufe as I wull haue.
Remember I spak to yw to spek to ywyre brothere fore @e forseyd c marc.
qwan ye departyd hens; I trow ye had foregettyt that ye sente me non
answere there-of. In ony wys let me haue an answere there-of in haste,
and send me word how ywyre brothere and ye spede in ywyre maters.
And Goddys blissyng and myn mut ye haue both, and send yw good
sped in all ywyre maters to his plesaunce and to ywyre wurchype and
profyth. Wretyn in hast on Sent ^Levnardys Evyn. I warn yw kepe @is letter
close and lese yt not, rathere brenyt.
By ywyre moder
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D ?14701115>
<N 210>
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blissyng and myn, letyng you wete
that I send you be the berere her-of xl li. of ryall, which I haue chevysshed
and borwed for you be-cause I wuld not take that was leyd ought for you at
%^Norwich; for as I am enformed be Mayster ^John ^Smyth, the chauncellere,
and othere that we ben all a-cursed that we haue thus mynystred the
dedes godes wyth-ought licence or auctorite*, and I wene we spede all the
wers there-fore. At the reuerence of God, gete you a licens of my lord of
%^Caunterbery, in dischargyng of my conscyens and yowres, to mynystre a
certeyn summe of iij or iiijc marc., enfourmyng hym how that your
lyffelod hath stond this ij yere in such trobill @at ye myght right nought
haue of it, ner yet can take of it wyth-ought ye shuld hurt your tenauntes.
Thei haue so ben vexid be on-trew meanes be-fore this tyme, and ye haue
many grete materes on hand and may not haue to bere them ought ner
to save your right wyth-ought ye myght for a tyme takyn of your faderes
godes. And this, I hope, shall discharge owre conscyens of @at we haue
mynestred and spend be-fore; for we haue nomore to acquite this xl li.
and bere all othere charges but the xlvij li. that your vnkyll and ye is
prevy to, @at was leyd vp at %^Norwich.
I wuld ye were ware of large yeftes and rewardes gevyng, as othere
folkes avyse you to do; for though ye haue nede thei wull not be right
redy to help you of there owyn, and @at ye may vnderstond be that @at
thei haue taken a-wey from you be-fore this tyme. I wuld not in no wyse ye
shuld put your-self in no daungere to hym but as litill as ye may; for if
ye do it shall be right wele remembred you here-after. And be ware how ye
ben bownd in any obligacion to any creature but if it be leyd in endifferent
handes and trosty for yowre part; and remembre to gete the obligacion @at
ye mad to the Duchesse of %^Suffolk, for though it be in my lord Chauncelleres
hande it is iopartows be-cause of perell of deth.
Item, vnderstand wele the poyntes that ben in my cosyn ^Arblasteres
lettere that arn wretyn in yowre, and purvey redily there-fore for your owyn
a-vayll.
Item, send me home answeres of suche materes as arn now sent you
bothen [by] mowth and wrytyng at this tyme as hastly as ye can, or ell it
shall hurt you more than ye or I can yet vnderstonde.
Item, me semyth if ye shuld not comyn home this Crystmesse, or if ye
shuld be at my lady of %^Suffolk, it [were] necessary to haue ^Playtere there
wyth you if ye shuld engroos any appoyntmentes wyth here at that tyme,
for she is sotill and hath sotill councell wyth here; and @erfore it were wele
do ye shuld haue summe wyth you @at shuld be of your councell.
If ^John ^Paston be wyth you at %^London, desire hym to take hede to
yowre materes and in what case thei ben left at your departyng, @at if
nede be he may help you to labore for such causes as ^Wykes shall telle you
be mowth; and if he be not wyth you and ye wull, I shall send hym to you.
Item, spare of the xl li. asmych as ye may, that ye may parfourme vp
the mony that the Duchesse of %^Suffolk shuld haue in cas that it may not
be gadered of the lyvelode. Send home ^Wykes a sone as ye can, and how
ye wull @at I do in your materes and lyvelode at home
 God haue you in his kepyng. Wretyn the Thursday nex after Sent
^Martyn.
Be your modere
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 14711120>
<N 211>
<L 1>
I grete \ow well and send \ow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng \ow wete
@at I merevel @at \e send me no answere ageyn of @e letter @at I send \ow
be ^Rychard ^Raddeley; I woold \e schuld send me answere there-of in hast.
Item, remembyre I spake to \ow @at \owr broder and \e schuld purvey
a mene to haue a dysscharge of my lord of %^Cawntyrebery fore ocapyeng of
\owr fadyres goodys. Yt is no jape. Yt woold be remembyrd and don, fore
and @e seyde lord foretyn to dyssesse ere we haue a dysscharge othere @at
schull cum aftyre hym I suppose wul be more hasty vp-on hus @an he
hath ben. I woold he schuld be informyd wat scharge and lossesys we haue
had @at hath causyd @e godys to be spent so @at we be not abyl to perform
hys wyll, wherefore @at \e desyere a dysscharge. Yt is not on-knowyn to my
seyde lord @e gret scharge and cost @at we haue had synb he dyssessyd, whom
God assoyle. Yf my seyde lord be inforemyd there-of and remembyrd, I
hope he schuld be @e b[e]tter lord to vus and dysscharge vs @e more hastely.
At reuerens of God, latte yt not be fore-\et; fore and any of vus foretunyd
to dye, there woold no man take no scharge for vus but yf we haue a
dysscharge of hym fore @e seyde goodys. And as I am enformed but late
my seyde lord hath ore schal in hast be remembyrd to calle vp-on vs
therefor to \e[u]e an answere of @e seyde goodys; where-fore I woold thys
were don in hast ore he calle vp-on yt.
Item, I pray \ow remembyre @e spysys and @e malmesey @at I haue send
to \ow fore.
Grete well \owr brodthere, and Goddys blyssyng and myn mut \e haue
bothe, and send \ow good sped in alle \owr materes. I thynk long tyl I
here ho \e do. I may haue no leysere to wrytgh no more at thys tyme.
Wretyn on Sen ^Eddmond Day @e Kyng.
Be \owr modyre
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14711129>
<N 212>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston, esquiere, be thys delyuerd in hast.
<L 1>
I grete \ow welle and send \ow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng \ow wete
@at I haue a letter from \owr brothere where-by I vndyrstand @at he cannot
nere may make no purvyans fore @e c mark; @e wyche causythe me to be
rythgh hevy, and fore othere thynggys @at he wrytht to me of @at he is in
dawngere fore, remembereng wat we haue had before thys and ho symppylly
yt hath be spente, and to lytyl profythe to any of vus, and now arn in
soche casse @at non of vus may welle help othere wyth-owte @at we schuld
do @at were to gret a dysworeschup fore vus to do---owthere to selle wood
ore lond ore soche stuffe @at were nessessary fore vus to haue in owr howsys.
So mot I answere a-fore God, I woot not how to do fore @e seyde mony and
fore othere thynggys @at I haue to do of scharge, and my worshup saued;
yt is a deth to me to thynk vp-on yt. Me thynkkyth be \owr brotheres
wrythtyng @at he thynkkyth @at I am inforemed be sume @at be a-bowthe
me to do and to sey as I haue be-fore thys; but be my trowthe he demyth
a-mysse. Yt nedyth me not to be informed of no soche thenggys. I construe
is my owyn mend, and conseyve j-now, and to myche; and whan I haue
brokyn my conseyte to sume @at in happe he demytheyt too, they haue put
me in cownforth more @an I kowde haue be any jmajynasyon in my owyn
conseythe.
He wrythetyth to me also @at he hath spend thys terme xl li. Yt is a gret
thyng. Me thynkkyth be good dyscresyon there mythe myche there-of a
ben sparyd. \owr fadyre, God blysse hys sowle, hathe had as gret materes
to do as I trow he hathe had thys terme, and hath not spend halfe @e
mony vp-on them in so lytyl tyme, and hath do ryth well. At @e reuerens of
God, avyse hym \et to be ware of hys expencys and gydyng, @at yt be no
schame to vus alle. Yt is a schame, and a thyng @at is myche spokyn of in
thys contre*, @at \owr faders graue ston is not mad. Fore Goddys loue, late
yt be remembyrd and purveyde fore in hast---there hathe be myche more
spend in waste @an schuld haue mad @at. Me thynkkyth be \owr brothere
@at he is wery to wrythe to me, and there-fore I wylnot a-kumbyre hym
wyth wrythtyng to hym. \e may telle hym as I wryth to \ow.
Item, I woold \e schuld remembyre \owr brothere of ^Pekerenggys matere,
if he cum not hom hastely, @at \e and ^Townesend and ^Lumnore may
examynyt and sette yt thorow. @e pore man is almost on-don there-by,
and hys brothere suethe hym and trobylyth hym sore \et. And also fore @e
plesure of my koseyn ^Clere and @e Lady ^Bolen I woold yt were sette
thorow.
As fore my rowndlet of wyne, I schuld send \ow mony there-fore, but
I dare not putyt in joparte*, there be so many theves stereng. ^John
^Louedayes man was robbyd in-to hys schyrte as he cam hom ward. I trow
and \e assaye ^Towneshe[n]d ore ^Playtere ore sum othere good kuntery man
of owyrs to lend yt \ow fore me tyl they cum hom, they wyl do so myche
fore me and I schal contente them a-geyn.
Item, ^Jamys ^Gressham hath ben passyng sekke, and ys \et. ^Judy tellythe
me @at \owr brothere is avysed fore to sue hym. Fore Goddys sake, late non
onkyndnesse be schewed to hym, fore @at woold sone make an hend of
hym. Remembyre ho keynd and true hartyd he hath ben to vus, to hys
powre; and he had neuere takke @at offyce vpon hym @at he is in dawngere
fore ne had be fore owr sakkys. He hathe sold a gret parte of hys lond
there-fore, as I suppose \e haue knowlache of. Late yt be remembyrd, and
ellys owr enmyes wyl rejoysyt and there wyl no wurshup be there-in at long
way.
I schuld wryth more, but I haue no leysere at thys tyme. I trow \e wyl
sone kum hom, and there-fore I wryth the lesse. God kepe \ow and send
\ow good spede, &c. Wretyn @e Fryday, Sen ^Andrue Eue.
Be \owr modyre
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14711207?>
<N 213>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston, esquyere, be @is deliuered.
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, desyryng you to
send me word how that your brothere doth. It was told here that he shuld
haue be ded, which caused many folkes, and me bothyn, to be right hevy.
Also it was told me this day that ye were hurt be affray that was mad vp-on
you be feles disgysed. Ther-fore in any wyse send me word in hast how
your brothere doth, and ye bothyn, for I shall not ben wele at eas till I know
how @at ye do. And for Goddes love lete your brothere and ye be ware how
@at ye walken and wyth what felesshep ye etyn or drynkyn, and in what
place; for it was seid here pleynly that your brothere was poysoned.
And this weke was on of %^Drayton wyth me, and told me that there were
diuerse of the tenauntes seid that thei wost not what to do if that your
brothere come home, and there was on of the Duk of %^Suffolk men by and
bad them not feryn, for his wey shuld be shorted and he shuld come there.
Wherfore in any wyse be ware of your-self, for I can thynk thei geve no
fors what to do to be wenged and to put you fro your entent that thei
myght haue here wyll in Ser ^John ^Fastolfes lond. Thy[[nk]]e what gret
sorow it [[shu]]ld be to [[m]]e and any [[...you.]] I had leuer ye had neuer
know @e lond. Remembre it was @e distruccion of your fader. Trost not
mych vp-on promyses of lordes now a days that ye shuld be the suerere of
@e favour of @er men; for there was a man, and a lordes sone, seid but late
and toke it for an exampill, @at Ser ^Roberd ^Harecourt had the good will of
the lordes after @er comyng in, and yet wyth-in short tyme after here men
kylled hym in his owyn place. A mannes deth is litill set by now a days.
@erfore be ware of symulacion, for thei wull speke right fayr to you @at
wuld ye ferd right evyll.
The blissid Trynyte* haue you in his kepyng. Wretyn in gret hast the
Saterday next after Sent ^Andrewe. Lete this letter be brent whan ye haue
vnderstond it.
Item, I pray you send me iiij suger lofes, ich of them of iij li., and iiij li.
of dates if thei be newe. I send you x s. be the berere here-of; if ye pay more
I shall pay it you ageyn whan ye come home. And forgete not to send me
word be @e berere here-of how ye don, and remembre @e bylles and
remembrauns for the maner of %^Gresham that I wrote to your brother fore.
Be your modere
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 1472?>
<N 214>
<L 1>
I grete you wele, letyng you wete that @er was told me a thyng in your
absens @at goth right nere myn hert, be a wurchepfull man and such on as
ye wuld beleve and geffe credence to, and that owyth you right good wille,
which if it had comyn to myn remembraunce at your departere I wuld haue
spoke to you of it most specially befor all othere materes; but I am so
trobilled in my mende wyth your materes, that thei ber so delayd and take no
better conclusion, and wyth @e ontrowth @at is in seruauntes now a days but
if @er maysteres take better heed to @er handes, that such thynges as I wuld
rathest remembre I sonest for-gete.
It was told me that ye haue sold %^Sporle wood, of a right credebill and
wurchep[full] man; and @at was right hevy @at ye shuld be know of such
disposicion, consideryng how your fadere, whos sowle God assoyll,
cherysshed in euery maner his woodes. And for the more preffe @at @is
shuld be trought, the forseid person told me @at it was told hym of on @at
was toward Ser ^William ^Yeluerton, to whom ^Richard ^Calle shuld haue seid
in thes termes, @at %^Sporle wood shuld be sold and @at it shuld comyn now
in-to Cristen mennes handes; which if it were knowyn shuld cause bothyn
your elmyse and your frendes to thynk @at ye dede it for right gret nede,
or ell @at ye shuld be a wastour and wuld wast your lyvelode. If ye had do
so in Ser ^John ^Fastolfes lyffelode men shuld haue supposid that ye had do
it of good pollice* be-cause of @e onsuerte* @at it stant in, to haue takyn @at
ye had myght of it duryng your possession, to haue boryn ought the
daungeres of it wyth the same; but for to do @us of your owyn lyffelode men
shall thyng @at ye do it for pure nede. And in asmych as it is so ner your
most elmyse ere it shall be to you @e grettere vylney and shame to all your
frendes, and the grettest coragyng and plesere @at can be to your elmyse.
For if ye be thus disposid ye shall make them and all othere certeyn of @at
that be-for this tyme thei haue ben in dought, and cause them to purpose
the more cruelly ageyn you. Where-fore, in eschewyng of @e greet slaundre
and inconveniens @at may grow @er-of, I require you and more-ouer charge
you vp-on my blissyng, and as ye wull haue my good will, that if any such
sale or bargany be mad be your assent or wyth-ought, be ^Calle or any
othere in your name, that ye restreyn it; for I wuld not for a ml marc.
@at it were vnderstond @at ye were of @at disposicion, ner that ye were
comyn to so gret nede which shuld cause [[y]]ou to do so, for euery shuld
thynk @at it were thurgh your owyn mys-gouernaunce. There-fore I charge
you, if any such bargayn be mad, that ye send a bill as hastly as ye can to
^Herry ^Halman, @at he do all such as haue mad or takyn @at bargayn seasse,
and felle non of @e wood vp-on peyn that may falle @er-of. And how so euer
wull councell you the con[t]rary, do as I advyse you in this behalffe or ell
trost neuer to haue comfort of me. And if I may knowe ye be of such disposicion,
and I leve ij yere it shall disavayll you in my liffelode ccc marc.
There-fore send me word be @e berere here-of wheder ye haue assent to any
such thyng or nought, and how that ye be disposid to do there-in; for I shal
not be quiete in myn hert till I vnderstond yow of @e con[t]rary disposicion.
Be your moder
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14720205>
<N 215>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston, esquyere, be this deliuered.
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete
that the woman that sewyth the appell ageyn your brothere and his men is
comyn to %^London to calle there-vp-in, and whan that she shuld come to
%^London there was deliuered here c s. for to sewe wyth; so that, be that I
here in this countre* she wull not leve it but that she shall calle there-vp-on
such tyme as shall be to your most rebuke, but if ye ley the better wetch.
She hath evill councell, and @at wull see you gretely vttered, and @at ye may
vnderstond be the money that was take here whan she came vp; and ye
shuld fynd it, I knowe it wele, if thei myght haue you at avauntag. There-fore,
for Goddes sake, make diligent serge be the advyse of your councell that
there be no necglicens in you in this matere ner othere for diffaught of
labour, and call vp-on your brothere and telle hym that I send hym Goddes
blyssyng and myn, and desire hym that he wull now a while, whill he hath
the lordes at his entent, that he seke the meanes to make an ende of his
materes; for his elmyses arn gretly coraged now of late---what is the cause
I knowe not.
Also I pray you speke to ^Playtere that @er may be fownd a meane @at the
shereffe or the gaderere of the grene wax may be discharged of certeyn
issues that renne vp-on ^Fastolf for Mariottes matere, for the balyffe was at
hym this weke and shuld haue streyned hym, but @at he promysed hym @at
he shuld wyth-in this viij days labore the meanes that he shuld be discharged
or ell he must content hym, &c.
Also I send you be the berere here-of, closed in this letter, v s. of gold,
and pray you to bey me a sugere loffe and dates and almaundes and send it
me home, and if ye beware any more money, whan ye come home I shall
pait you ageyn.
The Holy Gost kepe you bothyn and deliuere you of your elmyse. Wretyn
on Sent ^Agas Day in hast.
Item, I pray you speke to Mayster ^Rogere for my sorepe, fore I had neuer
more nede there-of; and send it me as hastly as ye can.
^M. ^P.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 14720605>
<N 216>
<L 0>
To Ser ^John ^Paston, knythe, be thys delyuerid.
<L 1>
I gret \ow welle and send \ow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng \ow wet
@at I spakke wyth frendys of myn wyth-yne thys fewe days @at told me @at
I am lekke to be trobyld fore Ser ^John ^Fastolls goodys @e whyche were in
\owr fadyrs possessyon; and as fore me, I had neuer non of them. Where-fore
I pray \ow send me a kopy of @e dysse-charge whyche \e haue of my
lord of %^Wynschester @at \e told me @at \e had bothe fore my dyscharge
and \owyrs, wat sum euer @at be callyd vpon of eythere of vus here-aftere.
Item, yt ys told me @at ^Herry ^Heydon hat bowthe of @e seyd lord bothe
%^Saxthorpe and %^Tychewelle, and hathe takke possessyon there-in. We bette
@e busschysse, and haue @e losse and @e dy[s]worschuppe, and othere
men haue @e byrdys. My lord hathe falsse kownselle and sympylle @at
a-vyseythe hym there-to. And as yt ys told me, %^Guton ys leke to goo @e
same wey in hast; and as fore %^Heylysdon and %^Drayton, I trow yt is @ere yt
schalle be. Wat schalle falle of @e remnant God k[n]owythe; I trow as evelle
ore wheresse. We haue @e losse a-mong vus. Yt owythe to be remembyrd,
and they @at be defawty to haue konsyens there-in. And, so mot I thryve,
yt was told me but latte @at yt is seyd in kownselle of them @at ben at
%^Castere @at I am leke to haue but lytylle good of %^Mauteby yf @e Dukke of
%^Norfolke haue possessyon stylle in %^Caster; and yf we lesse @at , we lesse @e
fayere-este flowere of owr garlond. And there-fore helpe @at he may be owte
of possessyon there-of in haste, be myn a-vyse, wat so euer fortune
here-after.
Item, yt is seyde here @at my lord arche-bysschoppe is ded; and yf yt be
so, calle vp-on hys suerete*s fore @e mony @at is owyng to vus in hast be myn
avyse. And at reuerens of God, helpe @at I mythe be dyschargyd of @e
c mark @at \e wot of, owder be @at mene ore sum other, fore yt is to myche
fore me to ber wyth othere chargys @at I haue besyd @at. I am to hevy wan
I thynk vp-on yt.
As fore your syster ^Anne, Master ^Godfrey and hys wyffe and ^W. ^Grey
of %^Martyn arn vp-on a-powntment wyth me and your brothere ^John so
@at \e wylle a-gre ther-to and be here good brother. Sche schalle haue to
joyntor hys modyrs lyvelod after @e dyssesse of here and here husbond, and
I to pay x lj. be \ere to @e fynddyng of here and here husbond tylle c lj. be
payed. And yf hys grawntsyers lyvelod falle to hym here-aftere he hathe
promysyd to amend here joyntyre. Master ^Godfrey hathe promysyd hym
fore hys parte xl s. be \ere, and @an lakkythe but iiij nobyls of xx mark be
\ere, @e wyche they hope \e wylle make vpe fore \owr parte. ^Wylliam
^Grey told me he schuld speke wyth \ow here-in wan he kam to %^London
thys terme.
God kepe \ow. Wretyn in hast on Fryday next aftere Sen ^Pernelle.
Be yowr modyre
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14721023>
<N 217>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston @e yongere be @is deliuered in hast.
<L 1>
I grete you wele, letyng you wete that on Saterday last past wyth-in nyght
the felesshep at %^Cayster tokyn ought of %^Mautby Cloos xvj shep of diuerse
mennes @at were put there-in to pasture, and thei ledde them a-wey so
that euery man ferith to put any bestes or catell @er-in, to my grete hurt and
discoragyng of my fermour @at is now of late come theder. And the seid
evyll disposed persones affraid my seid fermour as he came from %^Yarmoth
this weke, and shotte at hym, @at if he had not had a good hors he had be
like to haue ben in joparte* of his lyfe; so that be thes rewle I am like to
lese
@e profite of @at lyfelode this yere but if there be purueyd the hastyere
remedy. Thei threte so my men that I dar send non theder to gadere it. Thei
stuffe and vetaylle sore the place, and it is reparted here that my lady of
%^Norfolk seth she wull not leas it in no wyse. And the Duchesse of %^Suffolkes
men sey that she wull not departe from %^Heylesdon ner %^Drayton, she wuld
rathere departe from money; but @at shuld not be wurchepfull for you, for
men shull not than set be you. There-for I wuld avyse you to haue rathere
the lyvelod than the money. Ye shall mown excuse you be the college,
which must contynue perpetuall, and money is sone lost and spent whan
@at lyfelode abideth.
Item, I lete you wete that ^Hastynges hath entred ageyn in-to his fee of @e
constabyll-shep of @e Castell of %^Norwich be the vertu of his patent @at he
had of Kyng ^Herry, and I here sey he hath it graunted to hym and his
heyeres. There was at his entres your vnkill ^Will and othere jentilmen
dwellyng in %^Norwych. @is was do be-fore @at ye sent me the letter be
^Pers. I had forgetyn to haue sent you word @er-of.
God kepe you. Wretyn @e Friday next after Sent ^Luke.
Be your moder
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14721119>
<N 218>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston, esquyere.
<L 1>
I grete you wele and send you Goddes blyssyng and myn, letyng you wete
that I haue sent to Doctour ^Aleyn wyffe to haue spoke wyth here as ye
desired me, and she was so syke that she myght not comyn. But she sent
here brodere elaw to me, and I lete hym wete the cause why that I wuld
haue spoke wyth here as ye desired me; and he told me that he shuld haue
brought me wrytyng this day from here be vij of the belle how @at she wull
that ye shuld haue labored or do for here, but he came nomore at me.
Neuerthelesse she sent me an nothere massangere and lete me wete that
here husbond had sent here a letter the same nyght from %^London that she
shuld come vp as fast as she cowde to labour to the lordes there in here
propre person, wh[[e]]refore she myght geve me non answere ner send you
word how that ye shuld do till [[that]] she had spokyn wyth here husbond or
had othere writyng from hym. Therfore I thynk t[[hat s]]he hath othere
councell that avyseth here to labour to othere than to you. I wuld not @at
[[ye were]] to besy in no such materes [[t]]ill the werd were more suere, and
in any wyse that w[[hile m]]y lord @e Chauncellere is in [[ocu]]pacion labore
to haue an ende of your grete materes and [[...]]macion and abide not
vp-[[on]] trost of an nothere seson, for so shall ye be disseyved a[[s ye
hau]]e ben be-fore this tyme. [[I]] haue vnderstand sith that ye departed
that @er [[...]] mad to subplant yo[[u]]. @erfore, for Goddes sake, in this
onstabil werd labore er[[...]] materes that thei may hau[[e]] summe good
conclusion, and that shall make y[[our elmyse]] fere you, and ell thei shall
[[...]] kepe you low and in trobill. And if any mater[[...]] be act of parlement
and pro[[fig]]ht lete your bill be mad redy, and lese not your [[ma]]teres
fore othere mennes, for if your elmyse may profight now at this tyme ye
shall be [[in]] wers case than euer ye were be-fore. All the con[[tra]]y wenyth
that ye shuld now ouercomyn all your trobill, which if ye do not ye shall
fall o[[ug]]ht of conceyte. I write as wele this to your brothere as to you.
@erfore lete no diffaught be in you nowthere.
Item, it was lete me to wete syth that ye departed, of such as were your
frendes and were conuersaunte wyth the toder parte*, that @er was mad
labore, and like to be concluded, that the eleccion of the knyghtes of @e
shire shuld be chaunged and new certificat mad, and ^John ^Jenney set
 there-in. There-fore do your devour to vnderstond the trought as sone as ye
can, for the seid ^Jenney this day rideth vp to %^London ward, and I suppo[[se
be]]cause of the same.
I pray you remembre your bothere to send me the evydence and
remembraunce towchyng the maner of %^Gresham which that I wrote to hym
be ^Juddy, and send them be sum suere man.
Item, take hede to the labour of your vnkyll, for he hath had right straunge
langage of your brothere of late to right wurchepfull persones. @erfore werk
wysely, and be ware wham that ye lete know your councell
Item, remembre ^Lomnours matere as ye may do there-in, and send me
word in hast. Mayster ^Roos shal be at %^London the next weke; there-fore ye
shall not nede to make my lord to write. But whan that he comyth, if my
lord can make hym to put it in indifferent and wurchepfull men, than that
it pleasith my lord to write to them that thei shuld take it vp-on them to set
a rewle ther-in. Wyth-ought better advyse, me semyth it were wele do.
The Holy Gost be your gyde and send yow good spede and councell, and
deliuere you ought of all trobill and disseas to his plesere. Wretyn the
Thursday next be-fore Sent ^Kateryn, in hast.
Recomaund me to my mastres ^Kateryn, and send me word how ye don,
&c.
Be your moder
Do my lord on Sonday send for the shereffes debute* to wete how thei be
disposid for certificate of @e knyghtes, and @er shall vnderstand if thei be
eschaunged; for on Sonday at nyght or on Monday it shall be put in and
[[after]] it is put in ther is no remedy. ^Geney seth he wull attempt the law
there-in.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 14721123>
<N 219>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston, esquyere, be this deliuered.
I grete you wele, letyng you wete that Doctour ^Aleyn wyffe hath be wyth
me and desired me to write to you to desire you to be good mayster to here
husbond and to here in here materes, for she tellith me that here trost is
full in you, and if she myght haue walked she shuld haue come to haue
spoke wyth you or than ye departed. Therfore I pray you do your devour
for here, for I conceyve that she feyneth not, notwythstondyng that I had
here in suspecion, as I haue wretyn to you be-fore, be-cause that she came
not. But I conceyve now the trought, and @at sikenesse caused that she
absent here. Therfore I pray you help here, for so God help me I haue
right gret pete* on here and it is right gret almes to help here, and I trow she
wull put here most trost and sewe speciall to you. Also I wuld ye shuld
desire your brothere to be good mayster on-to here, for I suppose be that
tyme ye haue herd here excuse in such materes as he shuld be displeased
wyth here husbond ye shall hold you pleased.
God kepe you and send you hes blyssyng wyth myn. Wretyn on Sent
^Clementes day at nyght, in hast.
Be your moder
<#PROBABLY TO ^JAMES ^GLOYS: DRAFT>
<D 14730118?>
<N 220>
<L 1>
I recomaund me to you, and thanke you hertyly of youre letteris and
delygente laboure @at ye haue had in thoes materis @at ye haue wretyn to me
of, and in all othere to my profette and worschep, and jn esspeciall atte
this sesons towchyng the matere @at I sent you @e jndenture of. Ye haue
lyghtyd myne hert @erin by a pound, for I was in fere @at it wold not haue
bene doo so hastyly with-oute dangere. And as for the letters @at ^Thomas
^Hollere son schuld haue brought me, I see nothere hym ne the letters @at
he schuld haue brought; wherefore I pray you hertely, yeue it be no dysese
to you, @at ye will take the laboure to bryng ^Walter theyr he schuld be,
and to poruaye for hym @at he may be sette in good and sad rewle, for I
were loth to lese hym; for I trust to haue more joye of hym @an I haue of
them @at bene owlder. Though it be more coste to me to send you forth
with hym, I hold me plesed for I wote wele ye schall best porvaye for hym,
and for suche thynges as is necessare to hym, than anothere schuld doo,
aftere myne jntent. And as for ane hors to lede hys gere, me thynke it were
best to porvaye one att %^Camberag, lesse than ye canne gytte ony carreours
from thens to %^Oxynforth more hastyly.
And I meruell @at the letters come not to me, and whethere I may leye the
defaute to the faudere or to the son @erof. And I wold ^Water schuld be
copilet with a bettere than ^Hollere son is @er as he schalbe. Howe beit, I
wold not @at he schuld make neuer the lesse of hym, by-cause he is his
contre*-man and neghboure.
And also I pray you wryte a lettere in my name to ^Watere aftere @at ye
haue knowne myne entent by-fore this to hym ward: so @at he doo welle,
lerne well, and be of good rowle and disposycion, @er shall nothyng faylle
hym @at I may helpe with, so @at it be nessessare to hym. And bydde hym
@at he benot to hasty of takyng of orderes @at schuld bynd hym till @at he
be of xxiiij yere of agee or more, thoff he be consaled the contrare*, for
oftyn rape rewith. I will loue hym bettere to be a good seculare man @an
to be a lewit prest.
And I am sore* @at my cosyn ^Bernay is seke, and I pray you yeff my white
 wine, or ony of my wateris, or ony othere thyng that I haue @at is in youre
awarde may doo hym ony comforth, lette hym haue it; for I wold be right
sory yf ony thyng schuld comme to hym botte good. And for Godsake
advise hym to doo make hys will, yeue it be not doo, and to doo well to my
cosyn his wiff, and els it were pete*; and I pray you to recomaunde me to
 hyr, and to my nawnte, and to all the gentillmen and gentillwomen there.
And as for ^John ^Daye, and he be dede I wold be sory, for I know not
howe to comme by my mony that he oweith me.
And I porpose @at ^Pacoke schall haue les to doo for me another yeree than
he haith had, if y may be bettere porvayed, with youre helpe, for he is for
hym-self bott not for me. And as for ony marchandes to my corn, I can
gytte none here. @erfor I pray you doo ye als wele @erin as ye canne. Also I
send you by the bereere herof the bill of myne resaytes, and yef ye go
forth with ^Waltere I pray you comme to me als sone as ye may after ye be
commyn home. And me lyketh myne abydyng and @e contre* here right
well, and I trust whan sommer comith and fayre wethere I schall lyke it
bettere, for I am cherysed here botte to well. And I constrew your letter
in othere materis well jnough, wherof I thanke you; and if it nede not
to send forth ^Walter hastyly I wald ye myght come to me, thowe ye
schuld com opon one day and goo ayane on @e next day-than schuld
I comon with you in all materis. And I hold best, if ye haue not @e letteris
@at ^Hollere son schuld haue brough[[t]] me, @at ye send ^Sym ouer for them,
this nyght @at I may haue them to-morowe, and yif ye may combe youreself
I wold be @e better playsed.
And I remembere @at water of mynte or water of millefole were good for
my cosyn ^Bernay to drynke for to make hym to browke; and yeue thei send
to Dame ^Elesebeth ^Callethroppe, @er ye shall not fayill of the tone or of
bothe. Sche haith othere wateris to make folkis to browke.
God kepe you. Wrytyn on @e Monday next after Sent ^Hillere*. I haue no
lengere leysere atte this tyme.
< #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 14750128>
<N 221>
<L 0>
To Ser ^John ^Paston, knyght, be thys delyueryd in hast...Ao xiiijo.
<L 1>
^Jesus
Ryght welbelouyd son, I gret yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and
myn, letyng yow wete @at I marveyle @at I have had no wrytyng from
yow sethyn ye sent me @e lettyr @at ye sent me be-for the Kyngys comyng
to %^Norwych, in the wyche lettyr ye wrot to me @at ye shuld a wretyn a-geyn
to me or ye shuld de-part owt of %^London. It ys so @at yowyr hunkyll
^William hath do payd to my cosyn ^Robard ^Clere but iiijxx li. of the c li.,
and
he wol no mor pay but yff he hath delyueraunc of my pleggys, the wych
war leyd to plegg for xxti li., the wych ben bettyr. I wot well be-cause of
the good well @at he owyt to me, as ye know, he wold ben in possessyon
ther-off. My cosyn ^Robard ^Cler was her wyth me thys weke and told me
@at yf he wold a deliueryd them he myth an had @e seyd xx li.; but he seyd
he wold nowt tyll he had spokyn wyth me. Be my trowth I fynd hym ryght
kyndly dysposyd to yow and to me bothe, and so I have desyryd hym to
kepe styll @e pleggys in hys possessyon tyll I have word from yow how ye
ar agreyd wyth yowyr hunkyll for the payment of the seyd mony. I wen
veryly @at ye have fownd hym swerte* for alle; and yff ye have soo do, I
wold ye shuld wryt to yowyr hunkyll ther-for @at I myth have my pleggys
a-geyn, for I war loth that they shuld com in hys fyngyrs.
Item, as for %^Sporyl wood, be-for the Kyngys comyng in-to %^Norffolk
I myth an had chapmen to a bowtyd a gret for xijxx mark, and now ther wol
no man byyt a gret by-cause of @e gret good @at the pepyll ys leyd to for
@e Kyng. Wer-for we ar a-bowth to retaylyt as well as we may, and as well
as yt can be browth too, and send yow word how we shall do as astely
as I may.
As for yowyr barly in thys cuntre*, yt cannot be sold a-bove x d. or xj d.;
@at ys the gretest prys of barly her, and but yt be at a bettyr prys I purpose
for to do yt malt. And as for mony, I cowd not get yet of ^Pecok but
iij li., and he seth @at, be than @at @e owt chargys be boryn and @e
repracion of @e myll at %^Wyntyrton, we ar lyke to haue but lytyll mor
mony be-syd the barly. Malt ys sold her but for xiij d., and whet ij s. or
xxvj d. at thys time and otys xij d. Ther ys non owtlod suffyrd to goo owth
of thys cuntre* as yet; the Kyng hath comaundyd @at ther shuld non gon
owth of thys lond. I fer me @at we shall have ryth a straung ward, God
a-mendyd whan hys wyll ys.
I thank yow for the flakons @at ye sent me; they be ryght good and plesyth
me ryght well. I shall be as good an huswyff for yow as I can, and as I
wold be for my-selff. Send me word how ye doo of yowyr syknes @at ye
had on yowyr hey and yowyr lege; and yff God wol nowt ssuffyr yow to
have helth, thank hym ther-off and takyt passhently, and com hom a-geyn
to me, and we shall lyve to-gedyr as God woll geve vs grase to do. And
as I have seyd to yow be-for thys, I wold ye war delyueryd of my Mastres
^A. ^H., and than I wold trost @at ye shuld do the bettyr.
As for the bokys that ye desyryd to have of Syr ^Jamys, the best of alle
and the fayrest ys cleymyd, ner yt ys not in hys jnventory. I shall a-say to
get yt for yow and I may. The prys of @e todyr bokys be-syd that ys xx s.
vj d., the wych I send yow a byll of. Yf ye lyk be @e prys of them and ye
wol haue them, send me word; and also I pray yow send me an ansswere
of thys lettyr be-cause I thynk long seth I hard from yow.
God have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at %^Mawdby on the Sattyrday nex
be-forn the Purificacion of Owyr Lady the xiiij yer of Kyng ^Edward the
iiijt
Yowyr modyr
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14750128>
<N 222>
<L 0>
To ^John ^Paston, sqwyer, be thys delyueryd in hast.
<L 1>
^Jesus
I gret yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wet
@at my cosyn ^Robard ^Clere was her wyth me thys weke and told me @at
he was nowt payd of the mony @at ye know @at was borowd of hys modyr
 and of hym but iiijxx li. @e xx li. @at my pleagys ly for ys on-payd. He seyd
@at he was desyryd to delyuere my pleggys and to have be payd @e xx li.,
but he wold not tyll he had spokyn wyth me be-cause of @e promys @at
he had mad to me be-for @at he shuld not delyuer them to non wyth-owt my
assent. I seyd to hym @at I suppose veryly @at yowyr brodyr hys a-greyd
wyth yowyr hunkyll @at he shuld paye all the hole, for I suppose he hath
a swerte* for ale @at and more. I wold vndyrstond how yt ys, and how @at
my seyd cosyn shall be content, for I war loth to lese my pleggys. I wot yt
well yowyr good hunkyll wold ben in possessyon wyth good well, but I wol
not soo. I wold @at ye shuld speke wyth yowyr hunkyll ther-jn and send
me word in hast what he seet.
I marvyll, be my trowth, @at I had no wrytyng fro yowyr brodyr er he
departyd fro %^London, as he promysyd in the last lettyr @at he sent me, the
wych was wretyn be-for the Kyngys comyng to %^Norwych. I went veryly
to have hard from hym ar thys tyme. I wold ye shuld send hym word of
yowyr hunkylys delyng in thys seyd mater, and send me an ansswer theroff.
Recomaund me to yowyr grauntdam. I wold she war her in %^Norffolk as
well at es as evyr I sy hyr, and as lytyll rewlyd be hyr son as evyr she was;
and than I wold hope @at we alle shuld far the bettyr for hyr. Yt ys told
me @at yowyr hunkyll hath mad gret menys and larg profyrs to ^John
^Bakton to make a relesse to hym of %^Oxinhed. Whedyr yt be don or nowt
I wot nowt yet, but I shall wot in hast yf I may. I wold ye shuld spekyn
wyth my lord of %^Norwych and a-say to get a lysen of hym @at I may have
@e sacrement her in the chapell, be-cause yt ys far to @e chyrche and I am
sekly, and @e parson ys oftyn owt. For all maner of caswelte*s of me and
myn I wold hauyt grauntyd yf I myth. Send me word yf ye her ony
tydyngys from yowyr brodyr, how he doth of hys seknes and in odyr
thyngys as farforth as ye know, as astely as ye may. I thynk long tyll I her
from hym for dyuers causys.
God kepe yow. Wretyn in hast at %^Mawdby on @e Satyrday next be-for
Candelmes Day. Send me an ansswer of thys lettyr in hast, and odyr
tydyngys, &c.
Be yowyr modyr
My cosyn ^Robard told me @at ther was mor than vij li. of @e mony @at
was payd hym @at was ryght on-rysty and he cowd nowt havyt chaungyd;
he was on-goodly servyd ther-jn.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON III>
<D 14750305>
<N 223>
<L 1>
^John ^Paston, I send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wete @at
I had non er thys lettyr than on Sent ^Mathuys ^Evyn. Yf I myth a had an
massengyr or thys tym I had sent yt yow. I can yow thank for @e lettyr @at
ye sent to my cosyn ^Calthorpp and me of @e tydyngys; I wold ye shuld
do soo mor.
As ye may remembyr @at I spak to yow for @e xxti li. for my cosyn ^Clere,
spek to yowyr hunkyll ther-of and send me an ansswer ther of in hast,
and for @e lycens @at I spak to yow for to have @e sacrement in my chapell.
Yf ye cannot getyt of @e Busshop of %^Norwych getyt of @e Busshop of
%^Caunterbery, for @at ys most swyr for all plas.
God kepe yow. Wretyn on Myd-lent Sunday.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 14750523>
<N 224>
<L 0>
Vn-to Syr ^John ^Paston be this delyuered in hast.
<L 1>
Ryght welbelouyd son, I grete you well and send you ^Cristes blissyng and
myne, desyringe to know how ye faire. I mervaile @at I haue herd no
tydynges from you sythe ye sent me @e lettyr off an answere off @e xxty li.
the which I haue layde pleages fore to my cosyn ^Cleere, the which letter
was wryten @e xxijty day off Februar. And as fore @at money, I can not
gete no lenger day @er-off @an Mydsomer, or fourte-nyght affter. And
towardys @at money, and @e xxty li. @at I send yow by-syde to %^London by
^Sym, I haue receyued no more money off yowres but as moch as I send
yow wryten in @is letter. And as for any discharge @at I promysed at @e
boroeng off @e xxty li. whan I leyde the pleages @er-fore, I thought not but
@at your vncle shuld a boroed @em owte, and I to haue had my pleages as
well as he his. Neuer @e less I shall be @e warere how I shall dele hereafftyr.
By my trouth, I wote not how to do @er-fore.
The Kyng goth so nere vs in @is cuntre*, both to pooere and ryche, @at I
wote not how we shall lyff but yff @e world a-mend. God a-mend it whan
his wyll is. We can no@er sell corne nere catell to no good preve. Malt is
here but at x d. a comb, wheete a comb xxviijty d., ootes a comb x d. And
@er-off is but lytell to geet here at this tyme. ^William ^Pecok shall send yow
a byll what he hath payde for yow for ij taskes at @is tyme, and how he hath
purveyde for @e remnaunte off your corne and also off o@er thynges @at
be necessary @at shuld be purveyd fore in your absence/
 Send me word also whome ye wyll desyre to do for yow in this contre*,
or ellys where, in your absence, and wryte to them to do for yow and they
wyll be the better wylled to do for yow. And I wyll do my deuyr for yow
also as well as I can.
The somma off money @at I haue receyuyd off ^Wylliam ^Pecok: Fyrst
xl s. off %^Runnham. Item, off %^Bastwyk xx s. Item, off %^Runnham xx s.
Item, off hym for barly at %^Runnham xx s. Item, off @e fyschynge at
%^Bastwyke xiij s. iiij d. Item, for barely sold at %^Runnham viij s. Summa
totalis vj. li. xvj d. Item, I haue receyuyd off ^Richard ^Call off %^Sporle
wodd xxvj s. viij d. And more shall I hope here-afftyr wyth-in short tym.
As I receyue for yow I hope to yeff yow a trew acownt; and @is is all @at I
haue receyuyd for yow \ytt sen ye departyd hens.
God bryng yow well a-geyn to @is contre*, to his pleasans and to your
wurshyp and profy\t. Wryten at %^Mawteby @e xxiijty day of May and @e
Tewsday next afftyr Trinyte* Sonday.
For Goddes loue, and your bre@er go ouer @e see, avyse them as ye thynk
best for here sauegarde, for som off them be but yonge sawgeres and wote
full lytyll what yt meneth to be as a saugere, nor for to endure to do as a
sowgere shuld do. God saue yow all and send me good tythynges off yow all.
And send ye me word in hast how ye do, for I thynk longe to I here off yow.
Be youre modyr
Item, I wold not in no wyse @at ye shuld no@er sell nor sett to pleage @at
ye haue in %^Runnham, what som euer fortune off @e remnaund, for yt is a
praty thyng and resonable well payde and nere thys towne. I wold be ryght
sory @at ye shuld for-bere that; I had leuer ye for-bore @at your vncle
hath to morgage than @at.
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II>
<D 14750809>
<N 225>
<L 0>
To the right worshipffull Ser ^John ^Paston, knyght, in haste.
<L 1>
Right welbeloued son, I grete yow wele and sende you Godes blissyng and
myn, desiryng to knowe how ye do and how ye fare. I mervell moche I
here no word from you in writyng sith the letter I sent you be ^Symme
weche he delyuerd you at %^London, wherin I sent you word that I desired
to knowe how ye wold that I, and other weche ye wold, shulde do for you
here bothe for your liflode and for other thynges and also for the mater
be-twix your vncle and you, and also be-twix yow and other folkes; for, as
God defende, and ought come to you but weele nowther I nor non other
that I knowe @at owyth yow wery goode wille wot not in what cace ye
stonde nor how ye wold it shulde be dalte wyth, nouther in lyfelode nor in
othyr thynges, weche is ryght hevy to me for to remembre concederyng
the viage weche ye be in nough at this tyme. I send to %^Spoorle to your
fermour for Midsomer pay last pasd, and he sende me word that ^Tounesend
wold haue it and charged your fermour to pay hym, and ell he
wold swe hes obligacion. I wend ye had ben through wyth ^Tounesend in
all thynges savyng for the c marke weche ye borewed of hym last. And
as for %^Sneylewell, I vndrestonde not who deleth for you there, wherof I
merwelle. And asfor suche money as I haue receyued of yours, non but for
the wode at %^Sporle xx li., and of ^Pecok for your lyfelode in %^Flegge ix li.
xv s. iij d., nor no more is like to haue this yere, as he telleth me, but for
xx quarter barly be-cauce of suche charges as hath be leide vpon your lond
this yere, as he sethe.
Item, on the Sonday next after Sein ^Jamys ^William ^Jenney come to %^Filby
and entred in-to %^Holme %^Halle londes, seyng that he entred in the ryght and
titell of his douterlawe weche was ^Boys doughter, and there openly made
the tenauntes to retourne be j d. and charged them that they shulde not pay
no money nor no dewte*s longyng to @at londe but only to hym or his son
or suche as they wol assigne, and he to saue them harmeles a-yen you and
all other. Wherfore I requere and prey you, as hastely as ye godely may, for
my hertes eace to sende me worde how ye and your brethern fare, and how
ye spede in your viages, and a knowelege how ye wold that I and other shulde
dele for you in thes maters a-boue wreten, ar in any other that ye thynke
shuld be profitable for you; and @at I may do I wol do aswele as I can.
And as for tidynges here in this contre*, we haue non but that the contry
is bareyn of money and @at my lady of %^Yorke and all her howsold is here at
Sein ^Benettes and purposed to a-bide there stille til the Kynge come from
be-yonde the see, and lenger if she like the eyre ther, as it is seide.
I thynke ryght longe tille I here som tidynges fro you and from your
brethern. I prey God sende you and al your company goode spede in your
journayes to his plesure, to your worshippes and profightes. Wreten at
%^Mauteby on Sein ^Laverens Even the xv yere of the regne of Kyng ^E.
the iiijth.
Be your moder
<T #TO #DAME ^ELIZABETH ^BREWS>
<D 14770611>
<N 226>
<L 0>
To @e ryght wurchy[[pful]] and my very go[[od lad]]y [[and co]]syn [[Dame
^El]]yz[[abeth ^B]]rews.
<L 1>
Ryght wurchepful and my cheff lady and cosyn, as hertly  as I  can I recomaunde
me to yow. Madam, lyeketh yow to vndyrstand that @e cheff
cause of my wrytyng to yow at thys season ys thys. I wot well yt ys not
vnremembred wyth yow the large comunycacyon that dyuers tymes hathe
ben had towchyng the maryage of my cosyn ^Margery yowyr dowghter and
my son ^John, of whyche I haue ben as glad, and now late-wardes as sory,
as euyr I was for eny maryage in myn lyve. And where or in whom the
defawte of @e breche ys, I can haue no parfyte knowlage; but, madam, yf
yt be in me or eny of myn, I prey yow assyngne a day when my cosyn yowyr
husbond and ye thynk to be at %^Norwych to-wardes %^Salle, and I wyll com
theder to yow, and I thynk or ye and I departe @at @e defawte schall be
knowe where yt ys, and also that, wyth yowyr advyse and helpe and myn
to-gedyrs, we schall take some wey @at yt schal not breke; for yf yt dyd yt
wer non honoure to neyther partyes, and in cheff to them in whom the
defawte ys, consyderyng that it ys so ferre spokun.
And madam, I prey yow @at I may haue parfyte knowlage be my son
^Yeluerton, berar here-of, when thys metyng schall be, yf ye thynk it
expedyent, and @e soner the better in eschewyng of worse; for, madam, I
know well yf yt be not concludyd in ryght schort tyme, that as for my son,
he entendyth to doo ryght well by my cosyn ^Margery and not so well by
hym-sylf, and @at schuld be to me, nor I trust to yow, no gret plesure yf
yt so fortunyd---as God deffend, whom I be-seche to send yow your levest
desyers.
Madam, I be-sech yow @at I may be recomawndyd by @is bylle to my
cosyn yowyr husbond, and to my cosyn ^Margery, to whom I supposyd to
haue gevyn an othyr name or thys tyme, Wretyn at %^Mawteby on Seynt
^Barnaby is Day.
By your ^Margaret ^Paston
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II: DRAFT>
<D 14770811>
<N 227>
<L 0>
Yt ys soo @at I vndyr-stonde be yowyr letter wretyn @e Thyrsday nexte
be-fore Seynt ^Lauerons @at \e wulde haue knowlage how @at I wuld be
demenyd in ^Cokettys matere, qweche I send yow here-vndyr wretyn. I
putte yow in certeyn @at I wull neuyr pay hym peny of @at duty @at ys
owyng to hym thow he sue me for yt, not of myn owyn pursse, for I wul
nat be compellyd to pay yowyr dettys a-\ens my well; and thow I wuld,
I may nat. Where-fore I a-wyse yow to see me sauyd harmelesse a-\ens
hym for yowyr owyn a-wavntage in tyme cumyng, for yf I pay yt, at
longe wey \e xall bere @e losse. And where as \e wryte to me @at I gaue
yow xx li. and promysyd odyr xx li., @at ys nat soo; for I wutte wele yf I
had soo doon \e wuld nat assynyd me, be yowyr letterys of yowyr owyn
hande-wrytyng @e whech I haue to schew, @at I schuld resseyue a-\en @e
same summe of ^Wylliam ^Pecok and of yowyr fermorys and byars of yowyr
wood of %^Sporle. And take @is for a full conclusyon in thys matere, for yt
xall be noon othyr-wyse for me @an I wryte here to yow.
I meruel meche @at \e haue delte a\en soo symply wyth %^Sporle, consyderyng
@at \e and yowyr frendys had so mech to doo for to geetyt yow
a-\en onys, and ye hauyng noo gretter materes of charge @an \e haue had
sythyn yt was laste pleggyt owte. Yt causyth me to be in gret dowte of
yow what yowyr dysposycion wul be here-aftyr for swheche lyfelood as
I haue be dysposyd be-fore @is tyme to leue yow after my decesse, for I
thynke veryly @at ye wulde be dysposyd here-aftyr to selle or sette to
morgage @e lond @at ye xulde haue after me, yowyr modyr, as gladdly
and rathyr @an @at lyfelood @at ye haue after yowyr fadyr. Yt greuyth me
to thynke vpon yowyr gydeyng after @e greet good @at \e haue had in
yowyr rewle sythyn yowyr fadyr deyyd, whom God assoyle, and soo
symply spendyt as yt hath ben. God geue yow grace to be of sadde and
good dysposyn here-after, to hys plesans and conforte to me and to all yowyr
frendys and to yowyr wurchyp and profyte here-after.
And as for yowyr brothyr ^Wylliam, I wuld ye xulde purvey for hys
fyndyng, for as I told yow @e laste tyme @at ye ware at home I wuld no
lenger fynde hym at my cost and charge. Hys boord and hys scole hyer
ys owyng sythyn Seynt ^Thomas day a-fore Cristmesse, and he hathe greet
nede of gownys and odyr gere @at whare necessary for hym to haue in haste.
I wulde \e xulde reme[m]byrt and purvey @ere-fore; as for me, I wul nat.
I thynke \e sette butte lytyl be myn blyssyng, and yf ye dede ye wulde a
desyyrdyt in yowyr wrytyng to me. God make yow a good man to hys
plesans. Wretyn at %^Mawteby @e day after Seynt ^Lauerons @e yere and @e
renge of Kyng ^E. @e iiijte @e xvij \ere.
By yowyr modyr
<T #TO ^JOHN ^PASTON II: DRAFT>
<D 14780527>
<N 228>
<L 1>
I greet yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng yow wete
@at I haue sent yow be ^Whetele* @e clothe of golde, chargyng yow @at it be
not solde to non othere vse @an to @e performyng of yowyr fadyrs tovmbe,
as \e send me worde in wrytyng. Yf ye sellyt to any othyr vse, by my
trowthe I xall neuer trost yow wyll I leue. Remembyr @at yt coste me xxti
marke @e pleggyng owte of yt, and yf I where nat glad to se @at made I
wolde not departe from it. Remembyr yow what charge I haue had wyth
yow of late, whyche wyl not be for my ease @is ij \ere. Whan \e may better
I trost \e whyll remembyr yt.
My cosyn ^Clere dothe as meche coste at %^Bromhom as whylle drawe an
c li. vpon @e deskys in @e quere and in othyr placys, and ^Heydon in lyke
whyse; and yf @ere xuld no thyng be don for \our fadyr, yt wolde be to
gret a schame for vs alle, and in cheffe to se hym lye as he dothe.
Also as I vnder-stond @at my cosyn ^Robert ^Clere thynkyth gret onkyndenesse
in delyng wyth hym of ^Pecoke for certeyn pasture @at \e
grawntyd hym to haue, and ^Pecok hath latyn it to othyr suche as he lyste
to lete yt to. Not wyth-stondyng my cosyn hath leyd @e pasture wyth hys
catell, and ^Pecok hathe strenyd them. I thynk @is delyng is not as yt xulde
be. I wolde @at iche of yow xulde do for othere, and leue as kynnysmen and
frendys; for suche seruawntys may make trobyll by-twyx yow, wheche
where a-geynste cortesey, so nyhe newborys as \e be. He ys a man of
substaunce and worchyp, and so wylle be takyn in thys schyre, and I were
lothe @at \e xulde lese @e good wylle of suche as may do for yow.
Item, where as \e haue begonne your cleyme in %^Heylysdon and %^Drayton,
I pray God send yow good sped and foderaunce in yt. \e haue as good a
ceason as \e wulde wysche, consyderyng @at your aduersary standys not in
best favyr wyth @e Kynge. Also \e haue @e voyse in @is contre* @at \e
may do as meche wyth @e Kyng as ony knygth @at ys longyng to @e Corte;
yf yt be so, I pray God contynuyt. And also @at \e xuld mary ryght nygth
of @e Qwenys blood. Qwat sche ys we are not as certeyn, but yf yt be so @at
yowyr lond schuld come a-gayne by @e reason of your maryage, and to be
sett in rest, at @e reuerence of God for-sake yt nowt yf \e can fynde in your
harte to loue hyr, so @at sche be suche on as \e can thynk to haue jssv by;
or ellys by my trowth I had rathere @at \e neuer maryd in your lyffe. Also
yf yowyr matere take not now to good effecte, \e and all yowyr frendys may
repent them @at \e be-gan your cleyme wyth-owte @at \e haue take suche
a suyr wey as may be to your intent, for many inconuenyens @at may falle
@ere-of.
God send yow good spede in all yowyr maters. Wretyn at %^Mawteby @e
day after Seynt ^Austyn in May, @e xviij \ere of Kyng ^Edward @e iiijte.
Be yowyr modyr
<T #INDENTURE OF LEASE>
<D 14800801>
<N 229>
<L 1>
This indenture made the first day of August the xx yer of the regne of
Kyng ^Edward the iiijth betwen ^Margaret ^Paston, late the wif of ^John ^Paston,
squier, on the one part, and ^Thomas ^Brigge of %^Salle, gentilman, on the
other part, witnesseth that the seid ^Margaret hath dimised and lete to
ferme to the seid ^Thomas hir maner in %^Salle in the shire of %^Norffolk callid
%^Kyrkhall, othirwise callid %^Flegge %^Halle, lying in %^Salle, %^Woddallyng,
%^Oulton,
%^Thyrnyng, %^Heydon, and other townys adioynyng, with the appurtenauntez,
and hir maner in %^Briston and other townys adioynyng, with all the appur-
tenauntez, and all other londes and tenementez lying in the seid townys, to
have and to hold the seid maners, londes, and tenementez, with the appur-
tenauntez, to the seid ^Thomas and to his assignes for the term of vij yerys,
the terme therof to begynne at the feste of Seint ^Michael th'arcaungell next
comyng after the date of thise presentez indentures and to endure to the
ende of vij yerys than next folowyng plenerly to be complete; paying therfore
yerly vnto the seid ^Margaret or hir assignes xviij li. of laufull Englissh
money at too termes, that is to sey, ix li. at Crouchemasse next after the date
forseid and ix li. at Halwemesse than next folowyng, and so forth yerly at
Crouchemesse and Halwemasse by evyn porcions during the seid terme, and
ix li. at Halwemasse next after the seid terme determyned. Ferthermore it
is accorded betwix the seid parties that the seid ^Thomas shall discharge the
seid ^Margaret and hir heires of all sewtes, rentes, and seruices perteignyng
to the seid maners or either of them during the seid terme at his coste, and
he shall have vnderwode and hokeware growyng in the seid maners for the
reparyng of the dekes, savyng the spryng, duryng the seid terme, and
levyng the dekes defensed sufficiently at the ende of his terme. Also the seid
^Thomas shall have the profitez of the courtes during his terme, and the
courtes shall be holde and kept by the styward of the seid ^Margaret or hir
depute* at the costes of the seid ^Thomas, provided allewey that the seid
^Thomas shall take non avauntage ne goodes of the bondemen and women
belongyng to the seid maners save onely her chyvage, sutez to courtes, and
amercymentes, and such seruice as is behouefull to the seid maners, they
takyng resonable wages as they deserue during the seid terme by licence of
the seid ^Margaret; but that the seid ^Margaret shall iustifie them and seise
them and ther goodes and manumyse them at hir pleaser, and such as duelle
with hir or hir sones to be discharged of sewte, seruice, and chyvage whiles
they duelle with them. Ferthermore, wher the seid ^Thomas and ^Thomas
^Herberd of %^Salle, chapman, are bounde to the seid ^Margaret by obligacion
of xl marc. bering date the day of the date of thise presentes, the seid
^Margaret graunteth and wulleth that if the seid ^Thomas paie or do paie to
the seid ^Margaret yerly xviij li. as is aboveseid, at such dayes as be lymyted
and afore specifijd, that than the seid obligacion shall stande in no strength
ne effect, and ellys it shall stande and remayne in strength and effect.
In witnesse wherof the parties beforseid have to thise paresentez indentures
alternatly sett ther sealles. Yevyn the day and yer aboveseid.
^Thomas ^Brygge
<T #COPY OF WILL>
<D 14820204>
<N 230>
<L 1>
In the name of God, amen. I, ^Margaret ^Paston, widowe, late the wiff of
^John ^Paston, squier, doughter and heire to ^John ^Mauteby, squier, hole of
spirit and mynde, with parfite avisement and good deliberacion, the iiijte
day of February in the yer of our Lord God a ml cccclxxxj, make my
testament and last wille in this fourme folowyng.
First, I betake my sowle to God Almyghty and to Our Lady his blissed
moder, Seint ^Michael, Seint ^John Baptist, and to alle seintes, and my body
to be beried in the ele of the cherch of %^Mauteby byfore the ymage of Our
Lady there, jn which ele reste the bodies of diuers of myn aunceteres, whos
sowles God assoile.
Item, I bequethe to the high awter of the seid cherch of
%^Mauteby xx s.
Item, I wulle that the seid ele in which my body shalbe beried be
newe roved, leded, and glased, and the walles therof heyned conuenyently
and werkmanly.
Item, I wull that myn executours purveye a stoon of marble to be leyde
alofte vpon my grave within a yer next after my decesse; and vpon that
stoon I wulle have iiij scochens sett at the iiij corners, wherof I wulle that
the first scochen shalbe of my husbondes armes and myn departed, the
ijde of ^Mawtebys armes and ^Berneys of %^Redham departed, the iijde of
^Mawtebys armes and the Lord ^Loveyn departed, the iijte of %^Mawtebys
armes and Sir ^Roger ^Beauchamp departed. And in myddys of the seid
stoon I wull have a scochen sett of ^Mawtebys armes allone, and vnder
the same thise wordes wretyn: 'In God is my trust'; with a scripture
wretyn in the verges therof rehersyng thise wordes: 'Here lieth ^Margret
^Paston, late the wif of ^John ^Paston, doughter and heire of ^John ^Mawteby,
squier', and forth in the same scripture rehersed the day of the moneth and
the yer that I shall decesse, 'on whos sowle God have mercy'.
Item, I wulle that myn executours shall purveye xij pore meen of my
tenauntes, or other if they suffice not, the which I wulle shalbe apparailled
in white gownes with hodes according, to holde xij torches abowte myn
herse or bere at such tyme as I shalbe beried, during the exequies and
masse of my berying; which xij torches I wille remayne in the seid cherch
of %^Mawteby whil they may last for my yerday. Which yerday I wull myn
heire kepe in the same cherch for me, my seid husbond, and myn aunceteres
yerly during the terme of xij yeres next after my decesse; and I wull
that ich of the seid xij pore meen the day of my beriing have iiij d. Also I
wull that iche preste being at my berying and masse have viij d. and ich
clerk in surplys iij d. Also I wull that the prest which shall berie me have
vj s. viij d., so that he seye ouer me at the tyme of my berying all the hole
seruice that to the berying belongeth.
Also I wull that from the day and tyme that I am beried vnto the ende of
vij yeres than next folowyng be ordeyned a taper of wexe of a li. to brenne
vpon my grave ich Sonday and haliday at all diuine seruice to be seid or
sunge in the seid cherch, and dailly at the masse of that preest that shall
singe there in the seid ele for my sowle.
Item, I wulle that vj tapers ich of iij li. brenne abowte myn herse the
day of my beryng, of which I wull that iiji yerly be kept to brenne abowte
myn herse whan my yerday shalbe kept aslong as they may honestly serue.
Item, I wulle have an honest seculer prest to synge and pray in the
seid ele for my sowle, the sowles of my father and mother, the sowle of
the seid ^John ^Paston, late my husbond, and for the sowlys of his aunceteres
and myn during the terme of vij yeres next after my decesse.
Item, I wull that myn executours purveye a compleet legende in oon
book and an antiphoner in an other book, which bookes I wull be yeven
to abide ther in the seid cherch to the wursship of God aslonge as they
may endure.
Item, I wulle that euery houshold in %^Mauteby, as hastily as it may be
conuenyently doo after my decesse, have xij d.
Item, to the emendyng of the cherch of %^Freton in %^Suffolk I bequethe a
chesiple and an awbe.
And I wull that ich houshold being my tenaunt there have vj d.
And I bequethe to the emendement of the cherch of %^Basyngham a
chesiple and an awbe.
And I wull that euery houshold there have  viij d.
Item, I bequeth to the emendyng of the cherch of %^Matelask a chesiple
and an awbe.
And I wull that euery pore houshold that are my tenauntes there have
viij d.
Item, I bequethe to the emendyng of the cherch of %^Gresham a chesiple
and an awbe.
And I wull that ich pore houshold that be my tenauntes there have vj d.
Item, I wull that ich pore houshold late my tenauntes at %^Sparham have
vj d.
Item, to the reparacion of the cherch of %^Redham, there as I was borne,
I bequeth v marc. and a chesiple of silk with as awbe with myn armes
therupon, to the emendement of the same cherche.
Item, to ich of the iiij houshes of freres in %^Norwich, xx s.
Item, to ich of the iiij houshes of freres of %^Yermouth and at the south
toun to pray for my sowle I bequeth xx s.
Item, to the ankeres at the Frere Prechours in %^Norwich I bequeth
iij s. iiij d.
And to the ankeres in %^Conesford I bequeth iij s. iiij d.
Item, to the anker at the White Freres in %^Norwich I bequeth iij s. iiij d.
Item, to ich hole and half susters at %^Normans in %^Norwich, viij d.
Item, to the Deen and his bretheren of the Chepell of Feld, to the vse of
the same place to seye a $dirige and a masse for my sowle, xx s.
Item, to the hospitall of Seint ^Gile in %^Norwich , also for a $dirige and a
masse for my sowle, xx s.
Item, to ich of the iiij pore meen and to either of the susters of the seid
hospitall, ij d.
Item, to the mother cherch of %^Norwich for a $dirige and masse, xx s.
Item, to iche lepre man and woman at the v yates in %^Norwich, iij d.
And to ich forgoer at euery of the seid yates, ij d.
Item, to ich lepre without the north gates at %^Yermouth, iij d., and to
the forgoer ther, ij d.
Item, to ich houshold of the parissh of Seint ^Peter of %^Hungate in %^Norwich
that wull receyve almes have iiij d.
Item, I wull have a $dirige and a masse for my sowle at the parissh cherch
of Seint ^Michael of %^Coslany in %^Norwich, and that euery preste ther havyng
his stipend being therat have iiij d., and ich clerk in surplys of the same
parissh than ther being have ij d., and the parissh clerk vj d., and the curat
that shall seye high masse have xx d. And I bequeth to the reparacion of the
bellys of the same cherch vj s. viii d., and to the sexteyn there, to rynge
at the seid $dirige and masse, xx d.
Item, I wull that myn executours shall geve to the sustentacion of the
parson or preste that shall for the tyme  mynystre the sacramentez and
diuine seruice in the cherch of Seint ^Petre of %^Hungate in %^Norwich xx li.
of laufull money, which xx li. I wull it be putt in the rule and disposicion
of the cherch reves of the same cherch for the tyme being, by the
ouersight of the substanciall persones of the seid parissh, to this intent
that the seid cherch reves, by the ouersight as is befor-seid, shall
yerly yeve, if it so be that @e profites of the seid cherch suffice not to fynde
a prest after ther discrecions, part of the seid xx li. to the seid parson or
preste vnto the seid xx li. be expended.
Item, I bequeth to ^Edmund ^Paston, my sone, a standing pece white
couered, with a white garleek heed vpon the knoppe and a gilt pece couered
with an vnicorne, a fetherbedde and a traumsom at %^Norwich and the
costers of worsted that he hath of me.
Item, I bequeth to ^Katerine his wiff a purpill girdill herneisid with
siluer and gilt, and my bygge bras chafour, a brasen morter with an jren
pestell, and a stoon morter of cragge.
Item, I yeve and graunte to ^Robert, sone of the seid ^Edmund, all my
swannes morken with the merke called ^Dawbeneys merk and with the merk
late ^Robert ^Cutler, clerk, to have, hold, and enjoye the seid swannes
with the seid merkes to the seid ^Robert and his heires for euermore.
Item, I bequeth to ^Anne, my doughter, wiff of ^William ^Yeluerton, my
grene hangyng in my parlour at %^Mauteby, a standing cuppe with a couer
gilt with a flatte knoppe, and a flatte pece with a couer gilt withoute,
xij siluer spones, a powder boxe with a foot and a knoppe enamelled blewe,
my best corse girdill, blewe herneised with siluer and gilt, my premer, my
 bedes of siluer enamelled. Item, I bequeth to the seid ^Anne my fetherbedde
with sillour, curteyns, and tester in my parlour at %^Mauteby, with a
white couering, a peir blankettes, ij peir of my fynest shetes ich of iij
webbes, a fyne hedshete of ij webbes, my best garnyssh of pewter vessell,
ij basyns with ij ewres, iij candelstekes of oon sorte, ij bras pottes, ij bras
pannes, a bras chafour to sett by the fyre, and a chafour for colys.
Item, I require myn executours to paie to the seid ^William ^Yelverton
and ^Anne the money that I shall owe them of ther mariage money the day
of my decesse, of such money as shalbe receyved of such londes as I have
putte in feffement to accomplissh my wille.
Item, I bequeth to ^William ^Paston, my sone, my standing cuppe chased
parcell gilt with a couer with myn armes in the botom, and a flatte pece
with a traill vpon the couer, xij siluer spones, ij siluer saltes wherof oon is
couered, the hole bedde of borde Alisaundre as it hangeth on the gret
chaumber at %^Mauteby, with the fetherbedde, bolster, blankettes, and
coueryng to the same, ij peir shetes, ij pilwes, and my best palet, a
basyn, an ewre, and a litel white bedde that hangeth ouer the gresyngges
in the litell chaumber at %^Mauteby for a trussyng bedde.
Item, I bequeth an c marc. in money to be paied and bestowed to the
vse and byhoff of the seid ^William ^Paston after this fourme folowyng, that
is to sey, in purchasyng of asmoch lond to him and to his heires as may
be had with the same money, or ellys to bye a warde to be maried to him if
eny such may be goten, or ellys to be paied to him assone as it may be
conuenyently gadered and receyved of succh londes as by me are put in
feffement as is beforseid, after the ele in %^Mauteby cherch be fynsshed and
parfourmed as is beforseid, and after the stipend of the preste lymyted to
singe for me be yerly levied, aswell as the money be dispended vpon the
 keping of my yerly obite. And if the seid ^William dye or he come to the age
of xxj yer, than the seid c marc. to be disposed for the wele of my sowle by
myn executours.
Item, I bequeth to ^John ^Paston, my sone, a gilt cuppe standyng with a
couer and a knoppe lich a garleek heed, vj gobelettes of siluer with oon
couer.
Item, I bequeth to ^Margery ^Paston, the wif of the seid ^John, my pixt of
siluer with ij siluer cruettes and my massebook, with all myn awterclothes.
Item, I bequeth to ^William ^Paston, sone of the seid ^John ^Paston, and
^Elizabeth his suster, c marc. whan they come to laufull age, to be take and
receyved of the londes beforseid. And if either of them die or they come
to the seid age, than I wull that the part of him or hir so deying remayne to
the survyver of them at laufull age; and if they bothe dye or they come to
the seid age, than I wull that the seid c marc. be disposed for the helth of
my sowle by th'avise of myn executours.
Item, I bequeth to Custaunce, bastard doughter of ^John ^Paston, knyght,
whan she is xx yer of age x marc., and if she die bifore the seid age, than I
wull that the seid x marc. be disposed by myn executours.
Item, I bequeth to ^John ^Calle, sone of ^Margery my doughter, xx li.
whan he cometh to the age of xxiiij yer. And if the seid ^John dye or he
cometh to the seid age, than I wulle that the seid xx li. evenly he diuided
attwen ^William and ^Richard, sones of the seid ^Margery, whan they come
to the  age of xxiiij yer; and if either of the seid ^William and ^Richard dye
or he come to the seid age, than I wull that the part of him so dying remayne
to the survyver. And if bothe the seid ^William and ^Richard dye or the
come to the seid age, than I wull that seid xx li. be disposed by the good
advys of myne executours for me and my frendes.
Item, I bequethe to ^Marie ^Tendall, my goddoughter, my peir bedys of
calcidenys gaudied with siluer and gilt.
Item, I wull that ich of myn other godchilder be rewarded by th'avyse
of ^John ^Paston my sone.
Item, I bequeth to ^Agnes ^Swan, my seruaunt, my musterdevelys gown
furred with blak, and a girdell of blak herneised with siluer gilt and
enamelled, and xx s. in money.
Item, to ^Simon ^Gerard my siluer gobelet cured, and a flatt pece with
verges gilt, and myn hole litel white bedde in my chapell chuamber at
%^Mauteby, with the fetherbedde lich as it is nowe in the seid chapell, with
a peir blankettes, a peir shetes, and a pilwe of doun.
Item, to ^John ^Heythe a materas with a traunsom, a peir shetes, a peir
blankettes, and a couerlight.
Item, I wull that myn housholt be kept after my decesse by half a yer,
and that my seruauntes wages be truly paied at ther departing, and also that
euery persone being my seruaunt the day of my decesse have a quarter
wages beside that they at her departing have do seruice fore.
Item, I wull that all such maners, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and
seruices which are descended vnto me by weye of inheritaunce immediatly
after my decesse remayne vnto myn heires accordyng to the last wille of
^Robert ^Mauteby, squier, my grauntfader, except such londes as I have
putte in feffement to accomplissh therof my last wille, and except v marc.
of annuyte* which I have graunted out of the maner of %^Freton in %^Suffolk to
^Edmund ^Paston my sone, ^Katerine his wiff, and ^Robert ther sone, for
terme of ther lyves.
Item, I bequeth to ^Anne, my doughter, x li. to hir propre vse.
And to ^Osbern ^Berney x marc. of the money comyng of the londes by
me put in feffement as is beforseid.
Item, I wull that the residewe of the stuffe of myn houshold vnbiquothen
be diuided equally betwen ^Edmund and ^William, my sones,
and ^Anne, my doughter.
The residewe of all my godes and catall, and dettes to me owing, I
yeve and comitte to the good disposicion of myn executours to parfourme
this my testament and last wille, and in other dedes of mercye for my sowle,
myn aunceterez sowlez, and alle Cristen sowles, to the most pleaser of
God and profit to my sowle.
Of this my testament I make and ordeyne the seid ^John ^Paston, squier,
my sone, ^Thomas ^Drentall, clerk, ^Simon ^Gerard, and ^Walter ^Lymyngton
myn executours.
And I bequeth to the seid ^John ^Paston for his labour x li.
And to iche of myn other executours for their labour v marc.
In witnesse wherof to this present testament I have putto my seal.
Yevyn day and yer biforseid.