Paston letters and papers of the fifteenth century, Part I

William Paston II

TO JOHN PASTON I 1452, 06, 16

To myn most reuerent and wurchepful broder Jon Paston.

To myn most reuerent and wurchepful brodur. I recummend me hartely to ȝow, desiryng speciali to here of ȝowre wellefare and prosperité, qweche Almyty God contenu to ȝowre gosteli hele and bodili welfare: and if it plese ȝowre goode brodorod to here of myn wellefare, at þe makyng of þis bylle I was in good hele. And if it leke ȝowre good brodorod to remembre þe letter þat I sent to ȝow of þe noyse þat was telde of ȝow, þat ȝe schuld a be on of þe capetayns of þe ryserse in Norfolk, and how þat j scholere of Cambryg, qweche is parsone of Welle, schuld an vtteryd ferthere to ȝowre grete schalndyr, besechyng ȝow to vndyrstond þat þe seyde parsone of Welle was sone þat tyme at Lundon, were he harde sey of j swyre of ij c. marc be ȝere þat ȝe and Master Thomas Wellys wolde

sewe þe seyd parsone Welle for ȝowre schalndyr. And the seyde parsone come to Cambryg sothyn, and hathe pekyd a qwarell to on Mastyr Recheforthe, a knythys sone of Norfolke, and seyd to Rycheforremovethe þat he had be cause that ȝe schuld sewe hym. And the seyd parsone Welle thretyd Rycheferthe þat wat some euer þat ȝe causyd parson Welle to lese be ȝowre sewtys, þat Rycheforthe schul lese þe same to þe parson of Welle. Were-fore thys jentylman Rycheforthe taket grete thowt, and pray me to wrythe to ȝow þat ye wulde sese ȝowre suthe tylle þe tyme þat ȝe wulde asyne þat I mythe speke wythe ȝow, and odyr sundry haue speke wyth ȝow of þe same mater; for yt ware pithé þat Rycheforthe chuld haue ony hurthe there-by. I beseche ȝow holde me excusyd thow I wryth no better to ȝow at thys tyme, for in good feyth I had no leysere. þe bryremovenggar of thys letter can telle ȝow þe same. God haue ȝow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at Cambryg on Fryday senyth nexste be-fore Mydsomer Euyn. In case ȝe come be Cambryg I schal telle ȝow mo of it. I am sory I may wrythe no bettyr at þis tyme, but I trvst ȝe wyl be pacient. Be ȝowre pore broder W. Paston

MEMORANDUM ON FRENCH GRAMMAR 1450-4?

Memoorandum þat ho hath affeccion to lerne þis langage must first considre viij thinggis qweche byn full nessessarij to knowe to come to þe tru profescion of þis langage =

Frist, because it is not sownid as it removeis wretyn ȝe must considre þat this lettre s sondit neuer but qwan it stondit be-fore j of þis v letteris qweche ben callid wowellys, þat is to say a,e,i,o,v, and neuer þis letter sownit but in cas. The ij rewle is þis þat þere byn many wordis wretyn at the last ynd with an z, and oder with j s. Qwan ony word with j z, than þe vowel be-fore þe seyremoved z sownit long, example as buuez, venez, alez, portez, priez, amez.
Item, alle þe wordis qwech jnd with þis letter s, þe wowell be-fore þe s is schort, as bonnes, belles, mauuaises, rouges, blanches, verdes, noires, sanguines, blues, grises, gaunes.
Item, þere is a deferens be-twyn þe writyng of þis word il and jlz, for il seruit fore þe singlere nowremovember and ilz for the plure noumbre, and þe z sownit neuer, neithere the l, but be-fore j vowell; example as il est moun bon amy; here þe l sownyt be-cause of þe e qweche folowyt; example of jlz, ilz mayment bien la leur bonne mercy; here sownyt of ilz but only j mayment, &c. This z neuer sownit, and þe I sownit not be-cause an m folowyt here; and this is a general rewle.
Item, were two ar iij vowellis come to-geder þe vowell jn þe myddis is set a-side and is neþremoveer wretyn neithere sownyd, example as jayme; þat is as muche as je ayme, quantum breuyus tantum melyus.
Item, were ony verbe of plurell noumbre endit wremoveith an n and t, the n sownremoveith not; example as jayme, tu aymes, jl ayme, nous amons, vous amez, jlz ayment; this ayment sownit as aymet, and all suche oder.
Item, as in Latyn distjnccion is be -twix þe femynyn gender and þe masculyne gender, so is jn this langgage; were-fore rith nessessary it is to knowe þe pronons and þe declinacionis of þe verbis jn þe maner here- after folowyng: je or moy tu il nous vous ilz I thow he wremovee ȝe thei Ces choses sount nostres The thremoveinggis byn owres et lez autres choses sount vostres and þe oder thinggis byn ȝowr Ce cheval est moun et la cell est tenne þis horse is myn and þe sadil is thyn

Ce jument est mon et la veel tien This mare is myn and þe calfe thyn Cest escriptori est nostre et tout taunt This pener is owre and all aswell caniuet poinson forchettes et plumes penkremovenyf boitkyn cheris and pennes sount vostrez a faire du tout vostre frank volunté be ȝowris to do with all ȝowre fre wylle Tiell vn ad faith moy tort et je luy null Such on hath don me wrong and I hym non Je reporth moy du tout a deu qui congnoist tout I reporth me of all to God qwich knowit all Cest chastell est moun Ce mansyun est tenne This castell is myn þis howse is thyn Je ayme bien ma dame et mieulx moun seur I loue wyll myn lady and better myn lord myen teyne syene nostre vostre loure myn thyn hys howre ȝowre thers je dor tu veiles il song songere I slep thow wakyst he dremyth to dreme nous petrons vous courres ils saylent we walk ȝe renne they lepe ainsi sumus nous toutz seruiz solonc plesere thus be we all seruyd after plesansse je suy tu es il et nous sumus uous estez ils sont I am thow art he is we are ȝe are thei arn je estoie tu estoies il estoit nous estoioms uous estiez ilz estient I was thow were he was we were ȝe were they were je serroi tu serres il serra nous serrons uous serrez il sarront

I chal be thow chall be he chall bremovee we chall be ȝe chall be thei chall be I chuld be thow schuldyst be he schul be je sarroi tu serrois il sarroit nous serrons vous serrez ilz sarroient we schull be ȝe schull be thei schuld removebe jeusse esté tu eussez esté il vst esté I schuld haue be thow schuldist haue be, &c. nous vissomus esté vous eusses esté ilz vessent esté we schuld haue be ȝe schuld haue be thei shul haue bremovee je veul tu veulez il veult I wyll thow wylte he wyll nous voilleimus uous voilez jlz voilent we wyll ȝe wyll they wyll je vouldrai tu vuldres il vouldra I schall wyll thow schalt he chall wyll nous voldroms uous vouldres ilz vouldrunt we schall will ȝe schall wyll thei schall je vouldroi tu vouldrois il vouldroit I wold thow woldist he wolde nous vouldroms uous vouldroies ilz vuldroient we wolde ȝe wulde thei wulde Je confie in du qe tout serra bien I trust jn God þat all schall be wyll et qe nous aueroms bones nouelles dez totes nous améz and þat we schall haue good tidinggis of all howre frindis et qe la miere serra ben gardé et nous enméz discounfitéz and þat þe ce schall be wylle kepth and owre enmis disconfith

TO JOHN PASTON I 1454, 07, 00

To hys wurchypfull brodyr Jon Paston.

Ryth wurchypfull broder, I recomande removeme to ȝow; and as for tedyng, myn lord of ȝOrke hathe take myn lord of Exsater jn-to hys a-warde. The Duke of Somerset js styll jn preson, jn werse case than he was. Syr Jon Fastolf recomande hym to ȝow, &c. He wyll ryde jn-to Norfolke ward as on Trusday, and he wyll dwelle at Caster, and Skrop wyth hym. He saythe ȝe are the hartyest kynysman and frynd þat he knowyt. He wulde haue ȝow at Mawdeby dwellyng. I had gret chere of Byllyng be þe way, and he told me jn cownsayle wathe he sayd to Ledam. Ledam wulde a do hys wyse to a mad a complent to Pryremovesothe jn þe schere howse of ȝow, and Byllyng consallyd hym to leve and tolde Ledam ȝe and he were no felawys, and sayd to Ledam, 'Yt is the gyse of ȝowre contré-men to spend alle the good they haue on men and leuery gownys and hors and harnes, and so ber yt owth for j wylle, and at the laste they arn but beggarys; and so wyll ȝe do. I wylde ȝe schull do wyll, be-cause ȝe are a felaw jn Grays In, were I to was a felaw. As for Paston, he ys a swyre of wurchyp, and of gret lyuelode, and I wothe he wyll not spend alle hys good at onys, but he sparyt ȝerely c mark or j c li. He may do hys ennemy a scherewd turne and neuer fare the warse jn hys howsholde, ner the lesse men a-bowthe hym. ȝe may not do so, but if yt be for j sesun. I consayll ȝow not to contenu long as ȝe do. I wulle consalle ȝow to seke reste wyt Paston. And I thankkyd Byllyng on ȝowre behalfe. God haue ȝow in hys kepyng. Be ȝowre pore brodyr Wyllyam Paston Meche odyr thyng I can telle and I had lesur. Recomande me to myn suster Margeth removeand myn cosyn Elyzabet Clyre, I pray ȝow.

TO JOHN PASTON I 1454, 09, 06

To myn rith wurchipfull broder Jon Paston be þis delyueryd.

Ryth wurchypfull broder, I recomande me to ȝow, desiryng to here of ȝowre willefare. Byllyng þe seriant hathe byn in his contré, and he come to Lundon þis weke. He sent for me and ast me how I fard. I tolde hym here is pestelens, and sayd I farid þe better. He was in good hele, for it was noysyd þat he was ded. A toke me to him and ast how myn suster dede, and I anssweryd wyll, neuer better. He seyd he was wyth the Lord Gray, and they talkyd of j jantilman qweche is ward to myn lord, I remembre he sayd it was Harry Gray that thei talkyd of. And myn lord sayd, 'I was besy wyth-jn þis fewe days to a maryd hym to a jantyll-woman jn Norfolke that schall haue iiij c marc. to hyr mariage, and now a wyll not be me, for iiij c marc. wulde do me hese and now he wulde haue his mariage mony hym-self; and there-fore', quoth he, 'he schall mary hym- self for me.' þis wurdys had myn lord to Byllyng, as he tollde me. He vnderstod þat myn lord laboryd for his owne a-vayle, and consaylyd to byd here be wyse. And I thankkyd hym for hys good consayll. I sent ȝow an ansswere of ȝowre letter of Ser Jon Fastolf comyng hom, as he told me hem-self. Neuer the lesse he bode lenger than he sayd hym- self he schull a do. He tolde me he schulde make j ende be-twix Skrop and myn suster wulle he is in Norfolke. Many wulde it schulde not preue, for thei say it is an onlykkely mariage. In casse Cressener be talkyd of ony more, he is countyd a jantylmanly man and a wurchepfull. ȝe know ho is most wurchipfull better than I. At the reuerens of Good, drawe to summe conclusyun, it is time. Myn lord Chanselere come not here sone I come to Lundun, nere myn lord of Jorke. Myn lord of Cantirbury hathe receyued hys crosse, and I

was wyth hym in the Kynggys chamer qwan he mad hys homage. I tolde Harry Wylton þe demenyng betwix the Kyng and hym; it ware to long to wrythe. As for the prist þat dede areste me, I can not vnderstond þat it is þe pryste þat ȝe mene. Here is gret pestelens. I purpose to fle in-to the contré. Myn lord of Oxforthe is come a-ȝen fro the se and he hath geth hym lytyll thank in this countré. Muche more thyng I wulde wrythe to ȝow, but I lak lysore. Harry Wylton sey the Kyng. Myn lord of Ely hathe do hys fewthé. God haue ȝow in hys blyssyd kepyng, Wretyn at Lundon on the Fryday be-fore Owre Ladys Day the Natyuité in gret hast. I pray recomand me to myn suster and to myn cosyn Clere. Be ȝowre brodremoveer W. Paston

TO MARGARET PASTON 1458, 08, 10

To his rythe worchypffull and harthy wellebelouyd suster Margeré Paston, dwellyng jn Norwyche.

Rythe harthely well belouyd suster, I recomand me, &c.; and I haue receyued ȝowre letteres. And as fore myn nevewes, they lerne rythe well bothe, and there gownys and there gere schall be mad for hem acordyng to þe enthenthe of ȝowre letter, and all oder thynggys that behouyth on-to here profythe harddely to myn powere. And suster, God ȝelde ȝow for ȝowre labore fore me for gaderyng of myn mony. And I pray as sone as ȝe receyuyth, send it heder be some trusty man, and þat it plese to calle þere-on, &c. Myn suster and myn broder recomand hem to ȝow bothe, and I may say to ȝow in counsayll sche is op-on poyn of mariage so þat moder and myn broder sett frendely and stedfastely there-on, leke as I wothe well ȝe wolld and it lay in ȝow as it dothe jn hem, &c. I pray ȝow do ȝowre parthe to kall there-on. It were to long to wrythe on-to ȝow all þe maner of demenyng of þis mater, and there-for I haue spoke to Wyllyam Worsetere and to

Wethewell to tell it ȝow holly as it is. I wothe ryth well ȝowremover good labore may do moche; and send me word how ȝe here as hastely as ȝe may.
Item, Howard spak of a mariage be-twex his sone and myn nece Margeré ȝowre dothere. It were well do suche materes were nawthe sclawfully laboryd; it is wurchypffull, &c. Send me word. And God haue ȝow in his kepyng. Wretyn at London on Sent Lawrens Day in hast. Be ȝowre brodyre Wyllyaremovem Paston
Item, removei send ȝow a letter directyd to Wollysby. I pray ȝow lethe it be delyuered hym as hastely as ȝe may, and if ȝe come to þis contré I am leke to se ȝow and we schall make ryth mery, I trust.

TO JOHN PASTON I 1459, 11, 12

To myn master Jon Paston in Norffolk.

Rythe willbelouyd broder, I recomand me to ȝow, sertefyeng ȝow þat on Friday last was, in þe mornyng, Wurceter and I were come to London be viij of þe clok; and we spak wyth myn lord Chancelere, and I fund hym well dysposyd in all thyng, and ȝe schall fynd hym ryth profytabyll to ȝow, &c. And he desyryd me to wrythe ȝow a letter in hys name and put trust in ȝow in gaderyng of þe good togeder; and pray ȝow to do so and haue all his good owthe of euery place of his, his awne place, qwere so euer they were, and ley it secretly were as ȝe thowth best at ȝowre assynement, &c., tyll þat he speke wyth ȝow hym-selff; and he seyd ȝe schulld haue all lawfull fauore. I purpose to ryde to hym þis day fore wrythis of diem clawsit extremum, and I sopose ȝe schall haue a letter sent from hym-selff to ȝow. As fore the good of Powlis, it is safe j-now; and

þis day we haue grant to haue þe good owthe of Barmunsey wyth- owthe avyse of any man sauyng Worseter, Plomer, and I myn-selff, and no body schall know of it but we thre. Myn lord Tresorere spekyth fayre, but ȝet many avyse me to put no trost in hym. There is laboryd many menys to intytill þe Kyng in his good. Sothewell is eschetore, and he is rythe good and will disposyd. Myn lord of Exsater cleymyth tytill in myn master plase, wyth þe aportynantys, in Sothewerk, and ueryly had purposyd to haue entrid; and his consayll were wyth us, and spak wyth Wurseter and me, and now afterward they haue sent vs word that they wold meve myn lord to sue be menys of þe lawe, &c. I haue spoke wyth myn lord of Canterbury and Master Jon Stokys, and I fynd hem rythe will disposyd bothe,&c.
Item, to-morow are þe nexst day ȝe schall haue a-noder letter, for be that tyme we schall know more than we do now. Myn lord Chancelere wold þat myn master schulld be beryed wurchyply, and c mark almes done fore hym; but þis day I schall holly know his enthent. Master Jon Stokys hathe þe same consaythe and almes geuyng. Harry Fenyngley is nat in this towne, nere þe Lord Bechamp.
Item, we haue gethe men of þe speretuall law wyth-haldyn wyth vs, qwat casse some euer hap. We haue Master Roberd Kenthe. But in any wyse haue all þe good there togedyre, and tary for no lettyng thow ȝe schuld do it be day a lythe opynly; for it is myn lord Chancelere full in- thenthe that ȝe schuld do so. As for Wyllyam Worceter, he trustythe veryly ȝe wold do for hym and for his avayll in reson, and I dowthe natt and he may ueryly and feythe- fully vnderstand ȝow so disposyd to hym ward ȝe schall fynd hym feytheffull to ȝow in leke wysse. I vnderstand by hym he will neuer haue oder master but his old master, and to myn consaythe it were peté but iff he schull stand in suche casse be myn master that he schuld neuer nede seruyce, coremovenseremovederyng how myn master trusted hym and þe long ȝerys that he hathe be wyth hym in, and many schrew jornay fore his sake, &c. I wrythe ȝow no more, be-cawse ȝe schall removehaue a-noder letter wretyn to-morow. Wretyn at Lundon þe xij day of Nouembre in hast. Be William Paston

INVENTORY 1459??

An jmage off Owre Lady wyth ij awngellis sensyng gilthe viij xx vnc. vz xiij li. and iiij vnc.
Item, a crosse wyth a fott lx vnc. gilthe in to cassys gilt viij xx and xvij vnc. vz xiiij li. and ix vnc.
Item, an jmage off Sent Jon Vangelist gilthe weyng vij xx x vnc. vz xij li. vj vnc.
Item, an jmage of Sent Jon Baptist gilthe wyth þe lamb lviij vnc. vz iiij li. x vnc.
Item, an jmage off Sent Jamis wyth his staff gilthe weyng xxxvj vnc. vz iij li.
Item, an jmage off Owre Lady gilthe wyth a crowne and a lely weyng iij xx vj vnc. vz v li. vj vnc.
Item, an jmage off Sent Denys gilthe weyng l vnc. vz iiij li. ij vnc.
Item, an jmage off Owre Sauyowre gilt wyth his crosse, his diademe, and his fane v xx xj vnc. vz ix li. iij vnc. Summa vnc. xl xx viij vnc. Summa lxvij lib. iiij vnc. Sum in markis cj mark ij vnc. di. Memorandum j lib. continet xij vnc. j marc. continet viij vnc.

TO JOHN PASTON I 1460, 01, 28

to his right worshipfull brother John Paston be þis lettre delyuered.

After dewe recomendacion had, please you to wete that we cam to London vppon the Tewysday by non nexst after oure departour fro Norwich, and sent oure men to jnquyre after my lord Chaunceler and Maister John Stokys and Malmesbury. And as for my lord Chaunceler, he was departed fro London and was redyn to þe Kyng ij dayes or we were come to London; and as we vnderstand he hasted hym to þe Kyng by-cause of my Lord Ryuers takyng at Sandwyche, &c. And as for Maister John Stokys, he was at Mortelak, wheder we yede and spak wyth hym, and fond by hym by the begynnyng that he had ben labored a-yens you, but by whom we coude not knowyn for he wold not telle; but he sayd he was spoken to by on whiche he coude not remembre þat he schuld take good heed vppon the probat of my maisters wyll how his londys schuld be gyded by-cause there was a thyng ensealed as his wyll which was forged after my maisters decesse, &c. But or we had thus moche of his confessyon we were resonably well jn credens wyth hym; but it was long or we coude fynd hym feythfully dysposed in oure conceytys. and whan we had hym resonably after oure entent, we enfourmyd hym of Yeluerton nedeles wastyng of my maister godys and the mystrust that he had jn hem hom my maister most erthely trustyd, and how his desyre was synglerly to have had the kepyng of Castre and all stuffe wyth-jnne it, and there to have lodged hym-self; and also hou he dede meve my Lady Hevenyngham, &c. Wherfore he avyseth you, for ony wrytyng or citacion that cometh fro my lord of Caunterbury or fro hym, that ye your-self kepe the goodys stylle and lete hym a-lone for the purvyans of all suche wrytyngys or cytacions. We assked hym that, if Yeluerton wold not be refourmed, wheder for the dyscharge of all your concyens a mene mygth be found to a-voyde hym owte of the testament. And he sayd if he be fals to the dede it is a cause resonable, and per-juré is a-noþer cause; and if ye woll Maister Stokys com to Norwiche for the probat, &c., he woll com hym-self or make

a comyssyon to oþer persones as ye woll assigne, or ell as many as woll take charge wyth you to make a proxi,be it to me or to sum oþer,and send it hym and ye wyll ther-wyth, and it schall be proved by that mene. And all the fauour þat may be don for you schall be don. And to your bargeyn he woll owe and do all the fauour that he may wyth trouthe, and it schall not nede no wytnesse to youre bargeyn wyth- oute ther be a contradiccion; and if ther be a contradiccion iij or iiij wytnesse is j-now. And he hath no conceyte in Yeluerton as now, and also but lytyll jn Fenyngley for the seruyce that he oweth to my lord Tresorer, and oþer causes whiche we expresse not for cause of long wrytyng. And he avysed vs to go speke wyth my Lord Chaunceler and Lord Beauchamp to wete wheder they woll take ony charge or not, and to lete hym have knoweletch of ther dysposycion. And he geveth you leve wyth a-noþer executour, or wyth youre owyn clerk, to mynystre and geve almesse at his perill. And if he schuld com heder he had lever to com thes Fastegong tyde or after Esterne than jn Lenton, but jn Lenton he schall com if ye thynk it expedyent. And ther-for send vs word as ye woll we desyre hym jn that poynt if it lyke you.
Item, ser, William Worceter was com to London ij dayes or we were com, but we can not aspye openly that he maketh ony labour, nor prevely nouther, be no maner of harkenyng nor be no maner of talkyng; for I, Playter, have comonyd wyth hym and he seyth rygth not, savyng that he woll be rewarded for his long trewe seruice of my maisters good and lyke as my maister promyssed hym by his lyffe. And euer more whan I sey vn-to hym that it may not be gaynseyd but as touchyng to al my maister lond jn Norffolk and Suffolk it is his wyll and suffycyant prove ther-vppon that ye schuld have it, &c., and than he answereth and prayeth me no more to speke of that mater for he vnderstand no... covenaunt, &c.; and more can I not gete of hym. But for God I fele by hym jn my conceyte that he may help to save and gete a ml marc or to ml marc which wyth-oute his help may not be saved, as he seyth. And to fele hym wheder he lyed or seyd soth, I asked hym wheder he wold take that which mygth not be saved wyth-owte his help for his reward, and he sayd ya, wyth good wyll; and therfor wey ye all, &c.
Item, Ser Phelyp Wentworth acte is passed the Kyng, whiche I doute not mygth not a be with-oute my lord Chaunceler good wyll and assent; and William Worceter sueth to have a copy therof, whiche he mygth have had of me if he had lyst, &c.
Item, ser, I Playter speke wyth Maister Yeluerton, and he taketh it

gretely to dysplesour that it was noysed that he and William Wayte schuld have labored to an endyted Maister Th. Howys; for he seyth for ony anger he wold not do so, and if he mygth wete that W. Wayte labored it he schuld neuer do hym seruice. And as touchyng to the provokyng that my Lady Hevenyngham schuld sewe forth for Castre, he seyth he neuer thougth it, but the sendyng to my seyd lady was by a man of his, and removea-noþer of Fenyngley, to wete if sche hard ony tydyngys fro Coventré, and no oþer maner of langage. How be it I vnderstand he woll not be straunge to falle jn wyth you a-geyn, and also that he woll not hurte you jn your bargeyn if ye coude be frendely dysposed to hym ward as ye have ben; for wyth-oute a frendelyhood of your parte hym semeth he schuld not gretely help you jn your bargeyn, so I fele hym. He leueth sum-qwhat a-loffe, and not vtterly malycyous a-yens you. The cyrcumstans of oure talkyng were to long to wryte, and ther-for I expresse the substauns as I conceyve, &c. As for my lord Fortescu, we comond wyth hym seuerally, and for to wryte all thyng of oure comonyng it were to long; but jn conclusyon we vnderstand his good lordschip to you wardys, and all his fauour wyth trouth, for that is his seyng. I desyred William Jeney to calle vppon the maters jn lawe for the ward, &c., and he avyseth me to leve this terme and to take avysement a-yens the nexst terme, &c., and also I thynk it so best whyll my lord Chaunceler hath take it jn rewle, &c., to whom we purpose to ryde and comon wyth jn all maters, &c. As for tydyngys, my Lord Ryuers was brought to Caleys and by-for the lordys wyth viij xx torches, and there my lord of Salesbury reheted hym, callyng hym knaves son that he schuld be so rude to calle hym and these oþer lordys traytours, for they schull be found the Kyngys treue liege men whan he schuld be found a traytour, &c. And my lord of Warrewyk reheted hym and seyd that his fader was but a squyer and broute vp wyth Kyng Herry the vte, and sethen hym-self made by maryage and also made lord, and that it was not his parte to have swyche langage of lordys beyng of the Kyngys blood. And my lord of Marche reheted hym jn lyke wyse, and Ser Antony was reheted for his langage of all iij lordys jn lyke wyse.
Item, the Kyng cometh to London ward, and as it is seyd rereth the pepyll as he com; but þis is certayn, ther be comyssyons made jn-to dyuers schyres that euery man be redy jn his best aray to com whan the Kyng send for hem. plus jn tergo.
Item, my Lord Roos is com fro Gynes. No more, but we pray to Jesu

have you jn his most mercyfull kepyng, amen. Wretyn at London the Monday next after Seynt Powle Day. ȝwre broder Willyam Paston Thomas Playter
Item, send us heder a letter be-tymys, þat it may be heremovere be that tyme we come a-ȝen, for to-morwe we ryde toward myn lord Chancelere. Lethe us haue a letter be that we come a-ȝen, and that will removebe v days fore he is at Leyseter. ȝeluerton wold be glad to fall in to ȝow be soposyng, for Master Markam hathe sayd playnneley j-now to hym.

TO JOHN PASTON I 1460, 05, 02

to hys rythe wurchypffull broder Jon Paston, dwellyng at Caster.

Broder, I comand me to ȝow, certhefieng ȝow that Playter is redyn to Lundon ward þis day a-bowthe ij after non, and he taryed here and schulde abedyn styll till he had had an horse þat Master Thomas Howys schuld haue lent hym; and so I thowthe he schuld haue taried to long, and so he hathe bowthe on of myn hors. And iff it nede he schall send ȝow word be his man fro Lundon how he felythe þe disposycyun off men there, &c., and he schall send his man hom be Newmarket wey. And I haue jnfurmyd hym acording after þe ententhe of ȝowre letter. I spak þis day wyth Bokkyng. He had but few wurdys, but I felt be hym he was rythe euyll disposyd to þe parson and ȝow; but couerthe langgage he had. I wene he be assentid to þe fyndyng of þis offyce takyn at Bokynham, and Recheman schall bryng ȝow þe namys of þe men that mad þe verdythe on Soneday nexst comyng. I pray send to myn broder Clement fermore of Somerton fore mony fore myn broder Clement for

to haue sent to hym to Lundon. I schuld haue done it qwan I was at Caster-myn moder desyryd me, and I sent a letter after to þe parson and prayed hym to receyue it, &c.
Item, I prayd þe parson to wrythe a letter in his name to myn suster Ponynggys, as ȝe and I comunyd onys to-geder, cownsellyng here to take good auyse be-fore sche sold here wood at Wrenham, and he schuld knowe ther-by weder Ponynggys were in Kent are nat, &c. I vnderstond that this Bokkyng and Worceter haue grett trust in there awne lewd consaythe, wathe some euer it menythe, &c. Bokkyng told me þis day that he stood as well in consaythe wyth myn master Fastolff iiij days be-fore he dyed as any man in Englond. I sayd I soposyd nay, nere iij ȝere before he dyed. I told hym that I had hard dyueres talkyngys of hym as men sayd, qweche I soposyd schuld nat easly be browthe a-bowthe; and he swore that he talkyd neuer wyth no man in no mater þat schuld be a-ȝen ȝow, &c. It is he þat makythe William Wurceter so froward as he is. I wold ȝe had a witnesse of Roberd Ingglows, thow he wittnessyd no more but þat myn master had his witthe, be-cawse he was so lathe wyth myn master Fastolff. Worceter sayd at Caster it schuld be nessessary for ȝow to haue goode witnesse, as he saythe it schuld go streythe wyth ȝow wythe-owt ȝowre wittnesse were rythe sofycyent. Myn cosyn Berney can tell ȝow, &c.
Item, remembre to make þe parson to make an jnstrument up-on his sayyng; I funde hym rythe good qwan I spak wyth hym at Caster. And remembre þe newe euydens.
Item, Arblaster and I spakk to-geder. I felle hym rythe feythefully disposyd to ȝow ward, and he schall mow do myche good and he go to Lundon, fore he can labore will a-monge lordys. He and I comunyd to- geder of myn Lord Awbré. Lethe hym tell ȝow qwat it was, for he will speke wyth ȝow to-morow. It is full nessessary to make ȝow strong be lord-chep and be oder menys. Myn Lord Awbry hathe weddit þe Duke of Bokyngham dowter, and he was lathe wyth Master Fastolff before he dyed, and he is gret wyth þe Qwene. Gode haue ȝow in his kepeng. Wretyn at Norwyche þe secund day of May. omnya pro pecunya facta sunt. Be ȝowre broder W. Paston

TO JOHN PASTON I 1461, 04, 04

To my maister John Paston jn hast.

Please you to knowe and wete of suche tydyngys as my lady of York hath by a lettre of credens vnder the signe manuel of oure souerayn lord Kyng Edward, whiche lettre cam vn-to oure sayd lady this same day, Esterne Evyn, at xj clok, and was sene and red be me, William Paston. Fyrst, oure souerayn lord hath wonne the feld, and vppon the Munday next after Palme Sunday he was resseyued in-to York with gret solempnyté and processyonz. And the maire and comons of the said cité mad ther menys to haue grace be Lord Montagu and Lord Barenars, whiche be-for the Kyngys comyng in-to þe said cité desyred hym of grace for þe said cyté, whiche graunted hem grace. On the Kyngys parte is slayn Lord Fitzwater, and Lord Scrop sore hurt. John Stafford. Horne of Kent, ben ded, and Vmfrey Stafford, William Hastyngys, mad knyghtys, with oþer; Blont is knygth, &c. Vn the contrary part is ded Lord Clyfford, Lord Nevyle, Lord Welles, Lord Wyllouby, Antony Lord Scales, Lord Harry and be supposyng þe Erle of Northumberland, Andrew Trollop with many oþer gentyll and comons to þe nombre of xx ml.
Item, Kyng Herry, the Qwen, the Prince, Duk of Somerset, Duke of Exceter, Lord Roos, ben fledde in-to Scottelond, and they ben chased and folwed, &c. We send no er vn-to you be-cause we had non cerremoveteyn tydyngys tyl now; for vn-to þis day London was as sory cité as mygth, and be-cause Spordauns had no certeyn tydyngys we thougth ye schuld take them a worthe tyl more certayn.
Item, Thorp Waterfeld is yoldyn, as Spordauns can telle you.

And Jesu spede you. We pray you that this tydyngys my moder may knowe. Be ȝowre broder W. Paston Th. Playter Comes Northumbr' Comes Deuon' Dominus de Beamundo Dominus de Clifford Dominus de Neuyll Dominus de Dacre Dominus Henricus de Bokyngham Dominus de Welles Dominus de Scalis Antony Reuers Dominus de Welluyby Dominus de Malley Radulfus Bigot, miles Millites Sir Rauff Gray Sir Richard Percy Sir Harry Belyngham Sir Andrew Trollop With xxviij ml nomberd by harraldys

TO JOHN PASTON I 1462, 07, 20?

To myn wurchipfull broder Jon Paston.

Ryththe wurchipfull broder, I recomand removeme to ȝow. Lekit it ȝow to wethe Jon off Dam is come to towne and purposit hym to tary here a day are ij, are lengar, I can thynk, and he be desyryd; were-fore I pray ȝow, and as I haue a-fore þis tyme desiryd ȝow þe same, that suche materis as hathe be comunyd now lathe be-twyx myn moder, ȝow, and hym may take

some good conclucyon be-twyx owre-selff here at hom. And jn myn consayt. sauyng ȝowremover better avyse, it were so most conuenyent and wurchipfull for us all and comforthe to all owre fryndis. And for þis ententhe I wold tary here the lengare, for I wold be as glad as any man a-lyue that suche an ende mythe be take be-twix vs that jche off us all schuld jnyoy pe wylleffare off odyr, qweche I trust wyth ȝowre good help schall be rythe wyll. And I dowthe nat myn mastyr Markam wyll be will plesyd thus. I haue tydyngys from London, and a-monge odyr tydyngys I haue knowlage that Cirstofre Hanson is passid to God on Saterday last past at ij off clok after mydnythe. It is good to take hede there-to, &c.
Item, I sent to ȝow to haue had ȝowre auyse qwat menys were best to make for þe mater towchyng þe Lord Scrop, qwere-jn I had an answere; but me thowthe it was nat to þe poynthe. I sopose, and I purposyd to make the labore that ȝe sent me word I schuld do towchyng me, I can thynk I schuld sone be answerid, sonare than he. I must send some answere to hym were-jn I wold have ȝowre consayll,for he desirid þe same and I wold not he schold thynk that he were for-gotyn be us. Be ȝowre pore broder William Paston I can thynk and he were here he wold be a feythfull frynd to ȝow; but and so were that ȝe thowthe þat it were for to labore for any oder man, me thynkit it were for ȝow to remembre myn nevew that were somewat lykly, and there-to wold I be glad to help and lene to þe toder. For as for me, I know so moche that sche will non haue but iff he haue, ar be leke to haue, meche more lond than I haue; and iff I knewe þe contrary it schuld nat be left for þe labore, but I wold nat be in a folis paradyce. And ȝe be myn good brodir I trust thow to do rythe will, &c.

TO JOHN PASTON II 1467

To my right worshipfull nevew Sir John Paston, knyght.

Myn suster, Arblaster, and I haue apoyntyd þat we schall kepe non howsold þis terme but go to borde, were-fore we auyse ȝow to puruay for us a logynge nere a-bowt myn lord Chanselere þat be honest, for Arblaster will non oder.
Item, as for ȝow, we auyse ȝow jn any wyse gete ȝowr chamer assynyd wyth-in myn lordys place, and gete chamer a-lone iff ȝe may, þat Arblaster and I may haue a bed ther-in ȝiff it fortune us to be late there wyth ȝow.
Item, take hed to gete suyrtés for þe pore men þat come up, and þat þey may be sent hom a-ȝen forthe-wyth wyth-owt taryyng; and take auyse so þat þe proses may so go forthe þat þey may be qwett at þe nexst assysys. Take auyse off Townysend. As for ȝEluerton, fynd þe menys þat he speke nat wyth myn lord till we come. Iff any labore be mad to myn lord to asyne men to here þe mater jndefferently make labore to myn lord þat tho men be nat namyd till we come, for we can jnffurme hym soche as be parciall be there dedys here- affore qweche parauenture myn lord wold thynk were jndefferent j-now till he be jnfurmyd. It may be answerid be myn lord þat he will nat prosede no ferthar in þe mater till Arblaster comyng and myn, for we can best jnfurme þe mater.
Item, send a letter to Rychard Kall and to Ser Jamys Gloys to come up to London in any wyse, for there is no man can do in dyuers materys þat they can do jn answeryng suche mater as ȝEluerton wyll ley a-ȝens ȝow;

and also þey can best mak þe bill þat ȝe schuld put a-ȝens hem, and ther- for remembre.
Item, wrythe a letter to myn suster for þe c mark for myn Lady Soffolk, for we haue no uerry dyrect answer off her weder sche wyll send it ar nat.
Item, speke to ȝowr atorney in þe Kyngys Benche þat he take hed to all maner jndytamentys, both old and new, and to all oder materys þat hangyng there.
Item, do Pampyng comyn wyth owr sperituall concell suche mater as nedyn there, and haue newe wretyn þe attestacion þat lakkyn. þe same man þat wrott þe oder may wrythe that. For ȝEluerton mad gret auawnt þat ȝe schuld be hyndrid in that. Wrythe a letter to myn nevew Jon ȝonger to come up to preue þe wyll. Speke wyth Ser Gilberd Debenham qwill he is in cownt to leue uper Cotton.
Item, ȝEluerton, Howys, and Worceter make meche þat we haue put hem owt off possesscyon off the lond, qweche þey say is contrary to myn lord Chanseler comandement. And jn trowth Ser Jamys and Call meche spokyn to þe tenantys in myn lordys name, fore ȝEluerton thynkyt þat he may now breke þe treté; qwer-for take auyse here-in off Master Tresham and off Master Staueley, and jnfurme myn lord how myn broder qwas all-way in possescion till he was put owt for þe mater off bondage, and how ȝe fynd þe colage, and qwat an hurt it were to ȝow in noyse of contré iff any oder man schuld now receyue any proffitys off þe londys. They will labore þat jndeferent men schuld receyue, and þat wer nat good; myn lord may say þat he will end þe mater, but as for þe possescyon he will nat put ȝow owt. Labor þis in all hast possible. I pray yow send me an answere of all such thynges as requirith an answere in this contré, for Arblaster purposith to be wyth yow on Sonday sevenyght, and I purpose to be wyth yow ij dayes afore.

TO MARGARET PASTON 1469, 04, 07

To my right worshupfull suster Margaret Paston.

Right worshupfull sustir, I recomaunde me to you, prayng you to vndir- stonde the Priour of Bromeholme hath sent ayen to me for xx li., and my cosyn William Whyte desired me to wryte to you for the rewarde that was offird hym to his churche, and xx li. of my brothirs goodys to be lent hym vpon sufficient suertee and by a yeeris ende payd ayen. He hath and may doo for you, and for my nevewe Sir John, in many thynges, and is his kynnesman; and it were a gode frendely dede and no jopardy nor hurt. The Abbot of Wymoundham hath sent to me too tymes. Frendship may not hang by the wynde, nor for faire eyne, but causis must be shewid. Men wene that I hadd your coffers and my brothirs and Maistir Fastolff in myne awarde, and that ye wote wele, &c. Sende your avise to my nevewe Sir John by the next messynger. Ye sent to me oonys for the same mater, but I may not leene my money to defende othir men is causis. Your discrecion thenkith that it were no reason. I haue tolde them your saying, and as it is sremoveo that ye may not come to the coffers but all be togedir, therfor ye must sende to my nevewe and to Arblastir hou ye will haue this answerd; for the Abbot will be heere on Monday at the sene, and labour must bee desirid the next terme. Hit nedis nat to put you in remembraunce of my mater touchyng my fadirs soule, my modir, and me. And God kepe you. Wreton at Norwich the vijth day of Aprill. I haue tolde thes folkis, as ye haue seide to me all-weys, that your will is gode but that ye may not come theretoo withoute th'assent of all your felowes.
Item, I pray you remembre the obligacion that Wix hath, and that I may haue my money of the parsone of Maudeby. By your brothir William Paston

INDENTURE PLEDGING PLATE 1470, 09, 15

This bill endentid made the xv day of August the xth yer of King Edwarde þe iiijte betwixt William Paston, esquyer, on þe ton partie and Thomas Vyall of Norwich, payntur, witnessith þat þe saide Thomas Vyall hath borowid of þe saide William Paston v li. of lawfull mony, vpon plege of j par of corall bedys with xxj gaudys of siluer and gilte weyng vj vnc. with þe lace and þe knopp, xx siluer sponys weyng xvj vnc., j standyng pes of siluer with a couer weyng x vnc., a large maseer parcell gilt weyng, þe tymber and all, xv vnc., j maser siluer and gilt weyng viij vnc., a maser weyng vij vnc. dj. and j quarter and a maseremover with þe fote broken, not weyde. And the saide Thomas Vyall byndith hym-silff, his eyres and executours to pay to þe saide William Paston the saide v li. of lawfull mony at þe fest of þe Natiuité of Our Lorde next commyng affter þe date of this present writyng. In witnesse wher-of þe parties beforsaide enterchaungeably haue set to ther seallys. Writen þe day and yer above saide. Wylremoveiam Paston This jndenture had William Paston of William Bride, quinere, at such tyme as he delyuerd hym Viallys plegys and ressayuyd of hym v li. þe last day of September in þe presens of William Paston, Richard Lynsted, Gererd Bowen, John Clargenet, Richard Lee, Thomas Martyn, Richard Halle, George Venabuls.

INDENTURE PLEDGING PLATE 1474, 10, 24

This bille jndented made þe xxiiij day of Octobre the xiiij yer of þe regne of Kyng E. þe iiijte witnesse that William Paston, squyer, hath delyuered

and leyde vn-to plegge to Elizabeth Clere of Ormesby thise parcelles folwyng, that is to wete: a standyng coppe gylt wyth a cover ther-to plumyd weyng=xxiiij vnc. & di. ; a standyng cuppe couered gylt weyng xxxvj vnc., a-noþer standyng cuppe couered gylt of=xv vnc. iij quart. & di.;a gobelet couered gylt of xiiij vnc. j quart. & di.; a-noþer gobelet couered gylt of xij vnc. & jd. weyte; a-noþer gobelet gylt of vij vnc.; a standyng white pece wyth a couer wyth-ought a knoppe of=xxij vnc.; a salt wyth a pale couered of xiiij vnc. & j quart.; a round salt couered of xix vnc. j quart. & di.; a round salt oncouered of viij vnc.; a bason of xxxv vnc. & j qrt.; an ewer to þe same of xv vnc. & di. quart. ; j ewer of xiiij vnc. & di. quart.; vi siluer spones wyth oke cornes and long stalkes of v vnc, & di. & di. quart.; vj syluer spones wyth square scharp knoppes of v vnc. iij quart. j d. weyte; a spone for grene gynger of iij quart. & ij d. weight; which summa in all is xijxx & x vnc. & iiij d. weyte. Vppon whiche plegges the sayd Elizabeth hath delyuered to þe said William xl li., to be payed a-yen wythought delay by þe fest of Cristemes next folwyng þe date her-of. And if it be not payed by þe said fest of Cristemes, than þe said William by þis present graunteth that þe said Elizabeth schall selle al þe said plate for hir repayment, or kepe it to hir owen vse at hir plesure. In witnes of whiche þe said William to þis jndenture hath sette to his seale, remaynyng wyth þe said Elizabeth. Yoven þe day and yer a-bove. This jndentur mad the xxiiij day of Octobre the xiiijth yer of the reigne of Kyng E. þe iiijth witnessith that William Paston, squyer, hath deliuered and laide to plege to Elizabeth Clere of Ormesby these parcellys folowyng, that is to wete: a standyng cupp couered gilte weyng=xxiiij vnc. & dj. a-noder standyng cupp couered gilt of=xxxvj vnc. a-noder standyng cupp couered gilte of=xv vnc. iij quart. & dj. a goblet couered gilte of=xiiij vnc. j quart. di. a-noder goblet couered gilte of=xij vnc. & j d. a-noder goblet gilte of=vij vnc. a standyng white pes couered wythout knopp=xxij vnc. a salte wyth a pale couered of=xiiij vnc. j quart.

a rownde salte couered of=xix vnc. j quart. & dj. a rownde salte vncouered of=viij vnc. a basyn of=xxxv vnc. j quart. an ewer to þe same of=xv vnc. & di. quart. an ewer of=xiiij vnc. & dj. quart. vj siluer sponys wyth oke cornys and long stalkys of=v vnc. & dj. di. quart. vj siluer sponys wyth square sharpe knoppis of=v vnc. iij quart. & j d. a spone for grengynger of=iij quart. & ij d weight which summa in all is=xijxx x vnc. iiij d weight Vpon which plegys the saide Elizabeth hath deliuered the said William xl li., to be paide ayen wythout delay by the fest of Cristenmas next folowyng the date herof. And if it be not paide by the saide fest of Cristen- mas, than the saide William by these presentz grauntith þat the saide Elizabeth shall sell all þe saide plate for hir repayment, or kepe it to hir own vse at hir pleasur. In witnesse of which Robert Clere, by þe commandement of the saide Elizabeth his moder, hath to this jndenture set to his seel, remaynyng wyth the saide William. Yoven the day and yer above.

TO JOHN PASTON II 1474-5

To my right worshipfull neview John Paston, knyghte, be this lettre deliuered in hast.

... worshipfull neview, I recommaund me to you. And, ser. I pray you ... þat there was none obstacle ner lettinge þat ye found in me to ... saue me harmeles at whiche tyme it was thought aswel ... Johns by

obligacioun was not jnow to saue me harm ... n the meane seasoune for as youre reasoun will give ...ght fell of yow but goode. And if the caas so fill þat ...ys will take it on them than I to bere the losse wherup- po...ound to me to saue me harmeles. And for asmuche ...m by obligacioun of statute merchaunt for you the... in myne oune kepinge for my discharge and after a...estorid me ageyn at this Michelmas and m... till Candilmas and me thinke it is ... con... I shuld hange still ... as I did at þe begynn... obligaciouns paiable at... will kepe still the ... or sufficient and þat ... as wold pay at th... wyth me þan thus n... jndenture wherby ... for be cawse þat ye w ... experyens. Also I wold auyse you ... my lord of Norffolk. Also nevew, þer is onne Fr... but hym-silf and his wif and ... wherfore I haue writin to ... in this matier and I trust ... And I pray yow þat I may ha...

PART OF DRAFT DEED 1474-5

squyere and there heierez for euer. And also more-ouer the seid John Paston, knyght, and John Paston, squyere, by this presentes graunten that thei schall, by theire wrygtyng suffycient or othere-wyse, make notyse and yeve knowleche of thes seid graunte, bargeyne, and sale to all the seid now feffés and to all othere persones hauyng estate or interest in the seid maneres, londes, and tenementes or in ony parcell of them, requiryng them to stonde and be feffés therof to the vse of the seid Maister John Morton, William Paston, Thomas Playter and Thomas Louell and to there heierez in forme aboueseid wyth-owte ony reles, estate, feffement, or ony graunte of rent charge or annuyté of them or of ony of them a-for thys mad ar had are here-after desyryng to be had or made to ar by them or to ony othere contrarie to this presentes. And also the seid John Paston, knyght, and John Paston, squyere, by thes presentes graunten

that thei or one of them schall delyuere to the seid William Paston a bill of all the names of them that now at þis present tyme haue estate and be enfeffed in the seid maneres, londes, and tenementes wyth þe aporty- nances, wythowte frawde or deseyte, be-for the fest of Mydsomer nexst comyng, specyfyyng in þe seid bill þat þey stand jnffeffid from hens forth to such jntent as is specifyed in þis jndentur and yff it happyn the seid John Paston, knyght, and John Paston, squyere, to fayle of payment of the seid somme of c and xiiij li. in forme afore seid to be payed or ony parcell therof at the seid daye of payment, the seid John Paston, knyght, and John Paston, squyere, by this presentes graunten that then the seid Maister John Morton, William Paston, Thomas Playtere, and Thomas Louell schall from thense forthe haue and take th'issuez and profytez of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementes wyth þe aportenaremovences to theire owne vsee, and that thei nor ony of theym schall not be vexed, troboled, nor interupted to take and perceyue ony of the seid issues and profytes of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes and ser- uiremoveces wyth þe aportynances after any suche defaute of payment made by the seid John Paston, knyght, and John Paston, squyere, nor by ony of them, nor by ony othere person or persons for them or ony of them in there names; and that then the seid John Paston, knyght, and John Paston, squyere, schall delyuere ore cause to be delyuered to the seid William Paston all maner of chartours, evidencremoveez, monymentes, rolles of accomptes and courte rolles concernyng onely the seid londes and tenementes, rentes and seruremoveices wyth þe aportenances, or ony parcell therof which the same John Paston, knyght, and John Paston, squyere, haue or eythere of them hath, or ony man to there usee hathe, and of all suche evidencez and wryghtynges concernyng as well the seid maneres, londes, and tenementes.

MEMORANDUM ON RENT COLLECTION 1477, 08, 22

The names of the maners of Agnes Pastons and William Paston in Norffolk, how thai shulde be taken hede to this haruest anno xvijo.

And a copy of the same send to Richard Lynstede the xxij day of August anno xvijo per Bacheler Water. Paston maner=Se that the fermour jn his corn on my moders fe, seale doris and distrayne, and put in a newe fermour. Wodemyl=Distrayne. Latymers=Gadir the rente. Sewardbys=Gadir the rente. Trunche=Distrayne on þe grounde after it is fellid while it lieth on my moders fe. Spriggeis=Gader the rente. Knapton fe= Crowmer=Gadir the rente. Owstronde=Distrayne. Rowton=Distrayne and arest the fermour. Riston=Lete Lynstedis brother gader the rente. Oxned maner=Se the fermour in his croppe and after seale doris and distrayne, and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. Oxned mylle=Se the fermour in hiss croppe and after seall doris and distrayne and lete hym not renne in dette as other fermours did. Caster Cleres=Aske the ferme. Holkhams tenement=Aske the ferme. The mersh in Caster=Aske the ferme. Caster Bardolf=Aske the ferme aremovend rent. Caster Clere rentis=Distrayne tenauntis Holhremoveam rent= Ormysby myn fe= Somerton=Se that he jn his corn and seall doris and distrayne till he fynde suerty. Thirn=Aske the ferme. Sowth Walsham= Haluyrȝat= Todenham=Aske the rente and areste Smyth.

Cokfeldis=Aske the rente. Apawys=Se he jn his corn and seall doris and distrayne. Marlyngforremoved maner=Sele doris and distrayne. Marlyngford mylle=Seale doris and distrayne. Merlyngforde tenauntis=Distrayne. Melton=Se the croppe jnned and seale doris and distrayne. Bonwell=Aske rente. Carleton=Aske rente. Thuxstons=Aske rente. Lynghall nuper Dokkyngis=Asks rente fro Mich. xvj till xvijo and distrayne. Bulmans nuper Dokkyngis=Aske rente fro Mich. xvjo til xvijo and exorte Martyn to kepe the ferme still, and if he woll not praye hym to gete a-noder. Yeaxham nuperDokkyngis=Aske rente fro Mich. xvjo till xvijo and gete a newe fermour, and increse the rente and make a new terrar and rentall. Styberd nuper Dokkyngis=Aske rent fro Mich. xvo till Mich. xvijo and distrayne, and allowe no dewty of Dokkyngis in abatyng my rente. Tymbilthorp nuper Dokkyngis Aske rente fro Mich. xvo till Mich. xvijo and distrayne, and allowe noo dewty of Dokkyngis in abatyng my rente. These maners that ar trahid take gode hede that ye be in gode suertye of them this haruest tyme.

MEMORANDUM ON THE BENEFICE OF OXNEAD 1478, 07, 31

Parsonage of Oxnede made xxxj julij Ao xviijo E. iiijti.

The comodytys off the parsonage and the valew off the benyfyce off Oxned Euery new parson off Oxned, whan he is jnstremoveitute and jnducte, at the first entré in-to the chyrch and benefyce off Oxned must off awncyent custom long contynued with-in the dyosesse of Norwych pay to the Byschopp of Norwych for the first frutes off the seyd benefyce xiiij marke; for wyche xiiij merke, iff the new parson be wytty and haue fauour a-bowt the Byschops offycers, he schall haue days off paiment to pay the seid xiiij marke in xiiij yere, that is a marke a yere till it be payd, so that he can fynd suffycyent men to be bownd to þe Bischopp be obligacion to kepe his days off payment. And the Chyrch is but litill and is resonable plesaunt and reparyd ... dwellyng place of the parsonage is a-yoynyng to the ...d well howsyd and reparyd, hall, chamberys, barn, doffhowse, and all howsys off offyce. And it hath a doffhows worth a yere=xiiij s. iiij d. And it hath ij large gardens with frute, and is yonyng to the place and chyrch-yard, wher-off the frute is worth yerly-xxvj s. viij d. And ther longith to the seid parsonage in frelond, arable, pasture, and medowe a-yonyng to the seid parsonage xxxijti acre or more, wher-off euery acre is worth ij s. to latyn-iij li. iiij d. And William Paston, justice, qwan he cam fyrst to dwell in the maner of Oxned paid to the parson that was than for the corne growyng on the parsonage londys, and for the tythyngys ondely but in corn whan it was jnned in-to the barn-xxiiij li. And the same yere the parson had all the awterage and oder profytys be-syde þe seyd xxiiij li. It is yerly worth, as the world goth now-x li. And it is butt an esy cure to kepe, for þer ar natt past xxti persons to be yerly howselyd. The parsonage stant be a fresch ryuer syde. And ther is a good markett town callyd Alysham with-in ij myle off the parsonage. And the cyté off Norwych is with-in vj myle off the parsonage. And the see is with-in x myle off the parsonage. And if a parson cam now and warre presentyd, institute, and inducte, he shuld haue by the lawe all the cropp that is now growyng þat was eryd and sowyn off the old parsons cost, growyng on the parsonage landys now, as his own good, and all the tyth off all maner graynys off þe maner

londys and tenantys londys towardys his chargys off the fyrst frutes; and if it ware jnnyd it war, þis crop now growyng, worth his first frutes. He þat hath þis benefice, and he were a pore man, myght haue lycens to haue a seruice be-side. The Beshop oght not to haue þe valew of þis cropp for þe arreragys of þe fyrst fruttys þat Ser Thomas Euerard, last parson of Oxned, oght to þe Bysshop whan he died; for þe said Ser Thomas Eueraremoverd was bond to þe Bisshop in an obligacion for þe said frutys, and þe said Ser Thomas Euerard, for to defraude þe Bysshop and oder men þat he owid mony to gaff a-way his gooddys to serten persons, qwech persons toke a-way þe said goodys, and also durrys and wyndois of þe said parsonage, and it is thoughremovet þat both þe Bysshop and þe patron myght take accions a-gayns þe said persons.

TO NICHOLAS GOLDEWELL: DRAFT 1479, 10, 09

The copy of a lettre to Master Nicholas Goldewell, broder to þe Busshopp of Norwich, ixo Octobris Ao xviijo E. iiijti, by Ser William Vbgate, vicar of Castre.

Ryght wurchupfull sere, I recomaund me hartely on-to you. Plese it you to be remembryd how that I spacke on-to you on the Soneday for a lytill benyferemoves of the cherch of Oxned, where-to my moder had presentyd a clerke of hyrse, whech presentacyon was delyuerd to Mayster John Bulman, mi lord deputé, wyth-in þe tyme lymytid be þe law. Sere, I vnderstond this clerke is not admyttyd nor can nat be amyttyd be no labor þat he can make, where-in I vnderstond that my

moder is in wrongjd for cause off nown amyttans, where-fore, sere, I desyre ȝow to be þe mene to myn lord that the seyd clerke may haue in premys þat þat þe lawe requyrith. For who be it that the benyfys is small and of lytill valew, yet myn moder wolde be full loth to lose here ryght. ȝowr wysdam demyt þe same, and I can nat conceyue qwat þe delay off þe mater schuld auantage myn lord; and, sere, such dyreccion as shall ples ȝow to take in þis mater, þat it lyst ȝow to schew yt wyth ȝowremover good and favorabil auyse to Ser Will Vpgat, veker off Castre, brynger of þis por byll. And I pray Owr Lord send ȝow mech wyrchyp an as wellto far ȝe as I wold myn-selff. Wretyn at Norwich þe ix day of Octobre. Be hym þat is jowr to his power, Will Paston To þe ryth wyrchipffill and honorabbill sir, Mayster Nicolas Goldewell

TO WILLIAM POPE: DRAFT 1478, 10, 17

The copy of a lettre to William Pope of Bacton þe xvij day of Octobre Ao xviijo E. iiijti, by William Dam of Rughton.

Welbelouyd, I grete you welle, letyng you wete that I may nott be att the court att Paston on Monday next comyng, nor no man for me, nor I will haue no court kepte þere þat day. Where-fore I pray you that ye

wille warne all the tenontys to kepe here day att Paston, for þe court schall be ther suyrly on Friday next comyng, and warne euery man to bryng theder his rent and his ferme, for I will be there att the seyd court my-selfe. And I pray you that ye wyll warne all the tenontys of Bakton to-morow opynly in þe chyrch of þe seyd court to be kept on Friday next comyng and warne all oder tenantys off Swaffeld, Monysley, Edyngthorp, Wytton. Wretyn at Norwych þis Saterday after Sent Edward þe day off Octobyr. Be Will Paston

MEMORANDUM ON MARLINGFORD MANOR 1479, 01, 18

Erandys to Merlyngford þe xviij day of Januar Ao xviijo, wer-off a copy was delyuerid ... Sent Edmundys þe same day.

Do Gerald of Marlingford com to me, and know were he ys be-come; in qwat place he hydyt hym he dothe but distroyh hym-selff. Do on Steward of Colton, a tenaunte of Marlingford, com to me. Do Sir John Chapman, parson of Oure Ladys chyrche, send hider the bill of rekenyng of Richard Hervy shewyng what stokke was deliuered be Richard Hervy to Harry Hervy. And also a bill what costys þat Richard Hervy... of at that tyme Do John Brigg com to me and bryng me suyrté for hys dette, and know qwat wey þe parson off Melton takyt wyth hym. Do þe parson off Melton come to me to Norwych, for tell hym þat and he come nat hastely he schall nat fynd me here.

Item, pray þe parson off Melton to call vp-on þe parteculer tenantys off Melton þat haue had parteculer fermys fro Michelmas xvij till Michelmas xviij to pay þere fermys.

MEMORANDUM TO RICHARD LEE 1479, 03

Memorandum, the day þat the lapse went out, which is such day vj monethes as the seid parson died, was on Tewesday, Our Lady Day the Natiuité, the viijte day of Septembre last past, anno xviijo. The day of vj monethes affter Our seide Lady Day the Natiuité was on Seint Matheus Day the Apostell last past, whiche was the xxiiij day of Februare; and so I deme eythere the Bisshoppe of Norwiche hath presented

or els it is in the gifft of my lord Cardinall nowe. Inquere this mater, for the Bisshoppe of Norwich lyth in London, and shall doo till Our Ladys Day this Lenton, as it is said here. My moder deliuered Sir William Holle his presentacion the xiij day of August anno xviijo, which was nere a monethe or the day of the vj monethes went out and past; wherfore the Bisshoppe ought to present my moders

clarke. Neuerthelesse the Bisshoppys officeres aunsware this sayng þat if ij sondry persones deliuer ij sondrye presentacions for to diuerse clarkes to the Bisshoppes officeres for one benefice, þat than the seid partyes shuld sue to the Bisshop at ther cost to haue out an jnquerré to inquere de vero patrono,sayng forther-more þat if they sue nat out this jnquerré with affect and þat the lapse fall, þan it is lefull for the Bisshop to present. And it is told me þat the lawe is this, that the Bisshop, be his office without any sute of the parties, shall call an jnquerré afore hym to inquere de vero patrono, and he shall assign them a day to bryng in a verdett. And he shall warne bothe partyes to be ther-at, and he shall amytte his clarke þat is founde patron. ȝet the Bisshopp vseth nat to do this but there as bothe partyes that present are myghty to sue þe Bisshoppe if he did them any wrong, and where as ther is a doubtable mater; but in this case the prest þat... my moder is but a simple felowe and he is appostata, fore he was somtyme a White Frere, and of simple repetacion and of litill substans, as my moder can tell; wherfore bisshoppys vse nat in suche litill casys to take so streyte an jnquerré, and specyally where as one hath contynued patron with- out interupcion so long as my moder hath don, for she hath contynued more than l wyntere. Wherfore I pray you shewe my cousyn Louell this bill and fynde som meanes to jntrete the Bisshopp by the meane of James Hobard, which is grete with the Bisshop and is nowe Redere of Lyncoln Inne this Lent. And late my lady speke to James Hobard in the mater if it please my moder. There is a prest callid Sire... which is thought by the tenauntes of Oxned a metely man to be parson there, the most thyng þat I dowte bi-cause Sire William Holle, whom my moder presented, is ronne away. If the Bisshop will nat present my moders clarke in here title, þan I wold that the labour myght be made to the Bisshopp þat he myght present my moders clarke, suche on as she will name, in his one title. Richard Lee, like as ȝe may vnderstand be this writing, where as I vnderstod þat the Bisshopp myght haue kept the benefice but vj monethes after the þatrons vj monethes ware worn out, now I vnderstand the con- trary; for I vnderstand he may kepe it a twelm... and a day... if ...... by law... fall...Also, Richar......gner here-of is ... s...nd Reede ... of the consistoré in Norwich ... hath a broder in the Towre is master of the mynt vnder Brice, called Bartilmew Rede, and a-nothere broder is a goold-smyth dwellyng in the Chepe side called ... Reede; and he is eyther loged with on of these his breder or els at the Jorge in Lumbard Strete, ore els at þe Cok and þe Bell at Belinges Gate, a brue hous, for þe seid gold-smyth hath maried a bruewif and kepeth þe brue hous. And he can good skylle to helpe in this mater of the benefice of Oxned. Also, Richard Lee, who so euer shall...benefice of Oxned ȝe muste tell hym he must pay xiiij marc. to the frutes, and therfore shall he haue dayes of payment to pay a marc a ȝer if he may... And also, Richard, at the makyng of this letter I wend to haue ben sure of a prest, and now I am nat... fore if it please my moder me thynke it ware well don Ser William Storour had it, for I can non gete ȝet þat setteth billis vpon Powlys dorre par auentur wold be glad to... it and wold be glad also to... my lady and my moder for it for a season. I can no more sey, but purvay a mean to the Bisshop þat som mon may be put in by my moders title.

INDENTURE DEPOSITING PLATE 1479, 07, 07

Thys bille jndentyd mad þe vij day of Julij Ao r.r. E.iiijti xixo be-twyx William Paston and Jeffrey Hunt on þe ton partie and John Davy and Alice hys wyf, late þe wyf of John Gyggys of Burnham, on þe oder partie, witneseth þat þe seyd William Paston and Jeffrey Hunt, by þe handys of þe seyd Jeffrey Hunt, hath delyuered to þe seyd John Davy and Alice hys wyf, be þe presept of þe seyd William Paston, a rounde salt couered parcell gylt as þe borderys, weying xix vnc. j quarter di., and also vj syluer sponys, square sharp knoppys weying v vnc. iij quarter on peny weight, whiche seyd salt and sponys þe seyd John Davy and Alice hys wyf bynd them-self, þer heyrys, and executorys by thes presens to þe seyd William Paston and Jeffrey Hunt savely to kepe þe seyd salt and sponys to þe vse of þe seyd William Paston, and ferthermore to delyuer them a-geyn to þe possessyon and handys of þe seyd William Paston or Jeffrey Hunt bi-fore þe fest of Sent Feyth þe Virgyn next commyng after þe date of þis present bille jndentyd. In wetnesse where-of þe parties a-forn seyd alternatly haue sette þer seall þe day and ȝere a-bove wretyn.

TO THOMAS LYNSTED: DRAFT 1479, 07, 11

A letter to Thomas Linsted the ... day of Julij ao xix E. iiijti. To Thomas Lynsted.

Thomas Lynsted, I gret ȝow wele, and it is do me to vnderstond þat ȝe haue fellyd wood and fyrrys, and also ser, wer-off I wold be answerid,

Jullis hath do mad fall ȝattys and þei and þe wood þere be broke up ageyn. þerfor I pray ȝew fynd ȝe þe menys þat þe ȝong spryng may be sauevyd and þe wood fensyd, and inquere ho broke þe jatys, and also late me be answeryd both for þe hold payment and þe new off wood sale. And God kepe ȝew. Wretyn þe xj die Julij. Be William Paston. If Jullis haue made a gate it is the better for the spring, and as for the key it is accorded bitwix hym and me þat it shall be lefft wyth the millare, þat insomoche as ye haue felled wood wyth-in ye may haue resorte to the key and deliuer it to the millare ageyn.

TO HARRY WARYNS: DRAFT 1479, 07, 19

A letter to Herry Waryns the xx day of Jule Ao xixo E.iiijti by John Ancell

Harry Waryns, I grete you well, and I thanke you for youre labour. And as for the tenauntez of Knapton, I vnderstand by youre writing that they take non oder consideracion to myn sendyng but that I call so fast on my fee, for cawse þei thynke that I am aferd lest I shuld haue it no longere; and as for that I pray ȝow tell them for there vngentilnes I woll haue myn fee off them and in þat maner and in non oder place, and forthermore I schall fynde þe mene that they shall paye it more hastely here-affter, And as for the money þat þey offyre to pay at the fest of Advincula Sancti Petri, receyue je yt off them and I shall assign one to receyve it aȝen of yow. I fele be ȝowr wrytyng þey will non sonnar pay it thow þer catell schuld dye for fawth off mete; wer-fore as for the deliueré of the catell affor the mony be paid, I putt þat in

your discresseon wheder ye will deliuer them or nay. As ȝe do I hold me content. Also, as for Thomremoveas Child, I vnderstand be ȝowr wrytyng he will nat seale the jndenture be-cawse þer is no some of mony sertayn ne days of paymeremovent sett in þe jndentur, and as for þat I will neyther sett some ner days after his will, and if he will nat seale that he shall neuer seale non for me. And at last I am sure he schall sell. I send ȝow a-ȝen þe same jndentur þat ȝe sent me, þat ȝe may kepe it still as long as Thomremoveas Chyld abyde now at Paston, in auenture þe casse may hap þat he will sell yt her-after; and yff he be on departid , than send me both þe jnden- ture to London be some massenger. As for Waryn Kyng, wer I vnderstond be ȝowr wrytyn þat he seyth he delyuerremoveid me all euydens, I vnderstond nat þat; and as for rentall I am suyr he deliuerremoveid me non. And yff so be þat he can make þe rentall be hart, I wold he ded make on, for it war nessessaré for me, for I vnderstond be jow þat þer was no rent gaderid þis xv ar xvi ȝer for deffawth off a rentall, and reson yt is I had on. Call on þe Prior off Bromholm for þe xxx comb malt þat ȝe toke hym. Wretyn at Norton þe xix day off Jull. By W. Paston

TO ROBERT WALSCHE: DRAFT 1479, 11, 22

A letter to Robert Walsche of Colby þe ... day of Nouembre Ao xix

I recomand me to jow, marvaylyng gretly þat I am nat payd off myn fe acordyng to þe promysse þat ȝe and Fouke of Knapton mad on-to me wan ȝe war wyth me at Norton. þis demenyremoveng off jow in brekyng ȝor promyss me thynk ys nat comendabyll. All thow þe tenantis lak vnder- standyng off such jnconuenyens as may jnseu þere-by, I maruayll þe lasse for lak off conyng. As for jow, be þat knowlach þat I remembre off jow ȝe haue be so brokyn þat ȝe owth to vnderstaremovend mor þan they. I had a dystres and left yt for ȝowr sake. Such a dede awth to be consederyd be any dyscret man. As for þe tenantis, I haue sent to hem for myn fe and I fele rythe well, all thow þey say yt nat, þey delay yt indely for comyng off those persons that schuld com to þis awdyth, thynkyng par auentur yff þey wold bid nat to pay me to do after ther comune demening, all thow þe sequell þer-off schuld insew to ther hurte. And yf y knew those persowns that schuld com to þis awdyt schuld be her wyth-in a day ar tweyn, yet wold I tary, all be þat I haue taryd þer comyremoveng þis halff ȝer, for I deme hem suche men as schall well vndyrstond myn titill good. Yff any man haue good tytyll I am suyr þat myn is god. I dar well juparde to take a dystres, wedyr they come aremover nat, and so I wyll ȝe know. Wer-for, in so much as I left myn distress for jowr dysyr, se þat I be answerid off myn mony acordyng to myn ryth, ar else send me answer on ar oder, and lett me take þe auantage þat þe Kyng lawys will ȝeff me be dystress, qweche I haue delayd me thynk to long for any thank þat I haue. Wretyn at Norwich þe xxij Nouembre.

TO RICHARD ROOS 1479, 11, 28

To my Master Ros at Refham be þis lettre deliuerd.

Master Ros, I recommand me to you as humbly as I can, thankyng you nat allonly for... which ben grete deynté in this contré, and for your brawne and your crane, but also for the... labour that ye toke for me in commyng hider to Wodnorton to your grete disese. For I vndirstonde be Master... þat was her with me agein yisterday þat ye cam home both colde and late and causid hym and his broder both to abide with you al nyght and made them ful goode chier, as he saith. Sir, your seruauntes Symond Gonnour and Mils, whan they cam last from you, tolde me þat ye desired me to com by you to Norwiche wardes, and þat if I wolde so do ye wolde ride forth to Norwich. And morouer, ser, I rememberemover þat ye tolde me the last tyme þat I was with you at Refham þat ye wolde dispose your-silf affore this Cristenmas to take a journey to se my lady of Norffolk; which if ye will parfourme nowe I wolde be verrey glade to awaite vpon you and to accompany with you thider. And ye coude not take your journey thider in a better season, for ther is commyn hider to me a seruaunte of my lord of Bukynghams, which hath abiden her this iij or iiij dais and wil not departe hens till he haue me forth with hym to my lady of Norffolk for a serten mater touching my said lord of Bukyngham, which mater I trust if ye com I shal handill it so þat ye shal do both my lorde and hir a plesure. And ser, if ye wil take this journey I wil awaite vpon you and com homewardes ageyn with you be my Lady Beaumont and my cousyn Ser William... jntende to take this journey I pray you to sende me aunswer by the brynger herof, for my lordes seruaunte and I purpose to take our journey from hens on Monday in the mornyng and to ly at Norwiche that nyght, and vpon Tewisday to ride forth to my lady of Norffolk. And, ser, I wil assay to com by you as I ride to Norwiche and I may b... doute of it, for my lordes seruaunte callith so sore vpon me to go forth and to lese no tyme. Also, ser, if so be þat William Barker of Bloofeld be with you I wolde fayn speke with hym, wherfor I besiech you þat ye wil sende h... he shal not tary. Also, ser, I wolde pray you to convey me a lettre to Thomas Bettes of Ermyngham... Lord preserue you and my mastres your wif. Writen at Wodenorton the xxviij day of Nouembre. Be ȝowre owne seruaunt William Paston

TO RICHARD ROOS 1479, 12, 19

To my Master Roos at Refeham be this deliuered.

Mayster Roos, I recomaund me to ȝew in myn most humbill maner. Syr, myn lady of Norffolk faryth welle and recomaund her to ȝew, and gladly wold se ȝew. We sped all myn Lord Bokyngham intent with hyr grace. Syr, þe delyueraunce was at Derham on Thursday, and here was Syr William Alyngton, Heydon, Fyncham, and many odyr, and I spake with Heydon for þe mater hangyng be-twyx ȝew and hys fader, and I fownd hym ryth conformable to do ȝew plesore and ryght reuerent in hys utteraunce, with all dew reueraunce acordyng. And, syr, he told me þat he was at Reffham, to seke after ȝew and ȝe ware nat at hoom; and in conclusyon he told me þat þe mater was put in Townnysend and Fyncham. And, syr, he prayd me to wryte to ȝew, and to meve ȝew to send to them to a-poynt a day to here þe mater, þe soner þe leuer, and ȝe schal fynd hym resonable, as he seyth, and be glade to do ȝew plesore; and he hym-self spake to Fyncham to be redy qwanne ȝe sent for hym. Me thynk at Norwich were good metyng, and yf þe comminicacion be had will I am here I wolle help þat I can. As ȝe wolle do here-inne send me knowlache be þe brynger here-of. Syr, I pray ȝew send me knowlach yf William Barkare be com do hym com to me to Norwich on Munday. And Owre Lord preserue both ȝew and myn masteras and all ȝowres, as welle fare ȝe as I wold do myn-self.

Syr, myn lord of Ely, be þe menys of myn Lady Norffolk and myn lady Anne, and myn cosyn Southwell þat was masengere, sent me a suppena to a-pere aforn þe Kyng in þe peyn of a ml li. be-fore Crystmes; and I wold nat be in þe case þat I was in to dayes, tyl I knw þe mater, nat for xx li. And myn lady of Norffolk wold nat dyscouer þe mater tyll I had wretyn and sent myn seruauntes to London; and qwan thei where gon, than myn Lady Norffolk told me þe mater and tornyd to a jape þat was ernest with me a-fore, &c. Written at Estdereham this day Seturday the xix day of Decembre. ȝowre seruant W. Paston

MEMORANDA ON KNAPTON 1479-80

mater tochyng Knapton for my fee.

Master Thomremoveas Pasche off Wynsowr toke þe astat and retorne to þe Den and colage of Wynsowr jnffra Castrum. And on Holme, atornay off corte, is receyuor and was at stat takyn. Robert Walsch, off Colby, j myle and di. fro Blyklyng, is steward. Her folow reuys off Knapton: Fro Michelmas xvij till xviijo-Martyn Smyth Fremovero Michelmas xviij till xixo-Roberd Fuuk, his place bonde Fro Michelmas xix till xxo-Thomremoveas Frank, his place fre.

TO JOHN KYNG 1480, 02, 24

To John Kynge, fermour of my maner of Harwelbury in Kelsall be Royston, be this delyuerid.

John Kyng, I grete yow hartely well, and I vnderstond, as well by my frende Syr William Storar as by Richard Browne, that as well my kynnes- man Syr John Paston that dede is as my kynnesman John Paston that now leveth have ben wyth yow and yovyn yow many grete thretis for that ye, acordyng to the trowth, tolde vn-to them that ye ocupyed my maner of Harwelbury be my leese and be my ryght. And furthermore I vnderstond, not wythstondyng the seyde grete thretis, that ye, lyke a full trwe, harty frende, have delyd and fastely a-bedyn in my tytill and wolde not retorne to none of them. Wherfor I hartely thank yow, and furthar-more to corage yow in yowr fast dealyng I schew on-to yow that I have ryght bothe in law and in concience, wher-by I promyse yow on my feythe to de-fende yow and save yow harmeles for the occupacion of the londe, or any thynge that ye schall doo in my titill a-gaynst hym, and it schulde cost me as moche as the maner is worth; and also a-nother tyme to doo asmoche for yow and it ly in my powre, yf ye have ony mater to doo ther, as I may doo for yow. And also I here say by my seid frende Syr William Storar and by Richard Brown that ye ar of suche substaunce and of suche trust and suche favor in the contré ther that it lithe in yowr powre to do a goode turne for yowr frende. Wretyn at London the xxiiijti day of Februari. Be William Paston

MEMORANDUM TO THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK 1480??

The manere of Stanstid is in the countie of Suffolk. The astate of this manere passid nat by the dede that the astate was taken by at Huntingfeld in Norffolk, for it was nat in that shire; but I clayme this manere by my modires gifft by anothire titill sufficient jnow in the lawe. This manere is but a myle from Cloptons, and nat fer fram Smalbrigge where your grace is now. This manere is nere vp-on the value of xx li. Oon John Barell is fermour of this manere. This same John Barell cam with me whan I com to youre grace in- continent afftur my modirs decesse, at whiche tyme the seid John Barell confessid afore Piers Roidon, Rumbold, and William Smyth, youre seruauntez, that he was prevy of myn astate of that manere in my modirs daies and that he herd my moder speke it in hir persown and that he retorned to me and at that same tyme he toke the ferm of me, wherupon your seid seruauntez sealid me a testimonial in the presence of youre grace. Madam, this is the maner ye sent your seruaunte W. Smyth to, for to kepe the possession there, and after he had taried there a while he toke a promise of the fermour that he shuld paie noo mony to no bodie without comaundement from your grace, contrary to whiche promise, by the favour of som folkes that your grace can deme, he hath paide my nepueu a x li. er a xx li. Madame, I suppose itt shall nat nede to haue noo man to kepe posses- sion theire. I thinke, madame, itt is jnowgh if it pleased your grace to sende a seruaunte of yours thider and to shew vnto the fermour and tenauntes oponly your displeaser in alsmeche as he hath brokun his promise to your grace and also consedering afore your seruauntes he witnessid in his own persown myn astate and toke the ferme of me and retornd to me bothe in hir lif and affter hire decesse, and to shewe vnto hym that your grace will distreyn for itt and make hym to paie it ayen that he myght be put in suche a feere that he myght thinke that they of whom he hath his prevy comforth myght nat cowntur with your displeasure; and thus doon I trow he shulde contynue trew j-now heraffter.

The manere of Harwellbury in the countie of Hertford, iiij myle from your manere of Weston Baldok and ij myle from Roiston. This manere passid nat by the astate þat was taken in Norffolk for itt is nat in the same shire. Of this manere he receyued no mony, for the fermours are trewe and herty j-now and fere nat his thretes. I nede no grete helpe there. This manere is worthe an viij li.

WILL 1496, 09, 07

In Dei nomine, amen. The vijth day of the moneth of September in the yere of our Lord God ml cccclxxxxvj I, William Paston of London, gentil- man, being of hooll mynde and in good memory, laude and praysing be vnto Almighti God, make and ordeigne this my present testament and last wille in maner and fourme folowing, that is to sey: Furst, I geue and bequeith my soule vnto my saide Lorde God, to our blessed Lady Sainte Marye Virgyne, and to all the holy companye of heven. And I will that my body be buried in the church of Blak Frerez in London at the north ende of the high altar there by my Lady Anne, late my wife. Also, I will that there be yeuen vnto the saide church of Blak Frires, where my saide body shall lye, to be praide for and for the place of my saide burying to haue a large stone vpon the saide Lady Anne and me, a conuenient rewarde by th'advise and discrecion of myne executours vnderwriten. Also, I will that all my dettes be wele and truely contente and paide. Also, I wille that xx li. in money be geven and disposed for my soule ans all Cristen soules in dedes of pitee and charitee the day of my saide burying, that is to sey emonges pouer people and prisoners within the citee of London and withoute. Also, I will that I haue a preste of honest conuersacion to synge bothe for me and for suche as I am chargid to do syng for at Cambrige, as my seruant Thomas Andrew can shew by the space of viij yeres. Also, I will that for euery wronge by me done in my life tyme a dewe recompence be made there-fore by th'enformacion of my saide seruante Thomas Andrew in that behalf. Also, I will that all my landes and tenementes, with th'appurtenances, be deuyded bytwene my ij doughters Agnes and Elizabeth, by the discresion

of my executours vnderwritten and after th'enformacion of my saide seruaunte Thomas Andrew, to whome I haue shewid my entent and mynde in the same manye tymes and often, to haue to theym and to the heires of theire ij bodies lawfully begoten. Also, I wille that all the reuennuyes of my fee symple landes ouer and a-boue the reparacions and charges of the same that shalbe due at Mychel- mas next after ny deceasce be takyn of my tenauntes and fermours there by fauoure, and that the same reuenues go to the contentacion and pay- ment of my saide dettes assone as it can be conuenyently gadred and levied, &c. Also, I will that none of my tenantes nor fermers suche as be of grete age and fallith in pouerté be in any wise vexid or tremoveroublid after my deceasce by my executours vnderwritten for no maner of olde dettes due vnto me before the day of my deces. Also, I will that nether my heires, executours, nor non other person for theim nor in theire names in any wise vex, sue, or trouble the saide Thomas Andrew my seruaunte after ny deceasce of or for any maner of rekenynges or other maters bitwene hym and ne in all my life tyme, but vtterly therof I discharge hym and will that he be therof acquyte and discharged in that behalue, as I haue shewid and declared in my life vn-to my doughter Elizabeth, Mastres Hide, Master Vrsewik, Archedecon of Richemonde, Master Doctor Myddelton, Master Thomas Madies, chapeleyn to my Lorde Cardinall, Master John Shaa, alderman of London, Master Reede, Master Cristofer Middelton, proctours of the Courte of Canterbury, and many other honorable folkis and to my seruauntes in my life tyme, consideryng that he hathe ben my trewe and feithfull seruant these xix yeres or more, in which seasone he hath had dyuers grete paynfull besynes and labours in my causis, by whose gode policie and meanes I haue purchased moche of my saide fe symple landes, which also canne geve best enformacion how all suche landes as I haue purchased stonden and what consciens is there-in, and howe euery thyng shalbe ordred. Also, I will that the churche of Saynte Petre in Wodenorton haue a hole vestymennt of the price of v merc. Also, I will that Elizabeth Crane be wele maried at my costis, or ellis by the menes of my doughters, vn-to suche a persoune as may dispende by yere xx merc, or ellis to a gode marchaunt or other craftisman.
Item, I will that Cristofer Talbot be treuly contentid and paied of his yerely annuyté of v merke by yere duryng his life.

Item, I will that Thomas Dokkyng have surely his annuyté of xl s. by yere duryng his life.
Item, I wille that the bargayne of Adam Sowter be recompensid after th'enformacion had of my saide seruaunte Thomas Andrew. Also, I will that euery of my seruauntes be rewarded for theire good and diligent laboure and attendance had a-bowte me after the discresion of my executours vnderwritten, Also, I will that all suche of my godes moveable in Warwikes Inne and in my place callid Castre Clere in Norffolk and in my place in Norwiche be solde by the discresion of my executours tawarde and for the contentacion and payment of my saide dettes and performance of this my present will. Also, I will that the vicare of Fyncham be recompensid of his bargayne betwene hym and me after th'enformacion of the saide Thomas Andrewe.
Item, I will that all my seruauntes suche as be behynde of theire wages and dueties be trewly content and paied. Also, I will that all other my godes not bequethid, this my will fulfilled, my dettes paied, and all my wronges recompensed by th'enformacion of the saide Thomas Andrew, be departid bytwixte my ij doughter beforesaide after the discresion of my saide executours. And also, for as moche as I haue not sufficient redy money and that my dettis cannot be redely levied. þerfore I will that money be made of all suche plate as I haue for the haste of contentacion of my dettes that I owe of my buriallis. And of this my present testament and laste will I make and ordeyne and constitute my executours the moste reuerend fadre in God my Lorde Cardinall, the right high and myghty prynces my Lady the Kynges modre, my Lorde Dawbeney, and Sir Edwarde Poynynges, knyght, my nevew, whome I hartely beseche in executyng and performyng this my laste will to do and dispose concernyng the same in euery thyng as they shall thynke best to the pleasure of Almyghty God and for the helthe of my sowle and all Cristen sowles. Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum coram domino apud Lamehith xxviijo die mensis Nouembris anno Domini millesimo cccco nonagesimo sexto, juramento Thome Andrew et Laurencij Canwike testium, quibus Thome et Lawrencio commissa fuit administracio per viam intestati pro eo et ex eo quod executores in suo testamento nominati ex certis causis legitimis refutarunt de bene et fideliter administrando eadem iuxta et secundum vires ipsius defuncti testamentum siue vltimam voluntatem, ac primo de soluendo es alienum in quo idem defunctus huiusmodi mortis sue tempore extitit obligatus, deinde legata in huiusmodi suo testamento contenta quatenus bona et debita &c, ad sancta &c.