Sount duez a mon sir Will Bardolf de sez gages en lez lyuerés a + Caleys de mon treshonnuré sir le Count de Warrewyk, capitayn + illeoqes, jusqes al iiijte iour de fevrier l' an de Roy Henri Sysme tierce + ccccxiij li. xvj s. x d. qa.

To my weel beloued John Staynford of Furnyvales Inne. þe instruccion to comune of to John Robynson of Carleton bysyde Snayth. To enquerre and wyte whether þe stoon may be sawed or nought, and whether it wille chippe or chynne or affraye with frost or weder or water. Al-so þat euery pece of þe stoon be iij foote longe and þat xv tunne tyght of þe stoon be euery stoon weel bedded in-to þe walle and a foote thikke þat it ryse in heighte a foote in þe walle, and x stones of þe stoon must be ij foote brood and at þe leste a foote and an half thikke. A stoon wil drawe þe wighte of a pipe, as I suppose. þo grete stones and nought þe smallere stones shuld be sawed so þat euery pece sawed shuld holde þe seid lengthe of iij foote and þe seid brede of ij foote, and to be, after it is sawed, half a fote or lesse on thikkenesse; and thenne þo brode sawed stones shulde euere stonde in þe werk betwen þe seid weel bedded stonys þat shuld rise but a fote in þe walle and ben ankered iche of hem with other; and þis werk shal be strong j-nowe, as werkmen seyn, and drawe but litill cariage. I wold haue swiche stoon a xxti tunne tight caried to Moneslee in Norffolk, betwen Crowmere and Bromholm and but a myle fro Bromholm. To reporte plein answere of this bylle writen and how sone I myght haue the seid stoon caried to Moneslé a-forn seid, and for what price. þis werk is for a myll. per W. Paston

Do writen ij copies of þis note in papier wyde writen, and gete a copie of þe + writte in þe Eschekyr ageyn yow.

Right worthy and worshepefull ser, I recomaunde me to yow and thank yow for þe good, trew, and diligent labour ye haue hadde for þe matier betwen þe Priour of Bromholm and his commoigne apostata John Wortes, þat namyth hym-self Paston and affermith hym vntrewely to be my cousyn. God defende þat any of my pouere kyn shuld be of swych gouernaunce as he is of. Maister John Ixworth told me þat he hadde lettres fro a frend of yowres in þe court of Rome þat is of þe seyd Prioures counseill in þis mater as ye be, whos name I knowe nought, specifyeng þat þe seyd John Wortes, aduersarius Prioris, desperat in causa et co+ncordiam querit. It is told me sithen þat þe seyd John Wortes is in þe court of Rome sacred a bysshop of Irland, videlicet episcopus Corcag+ ensis; wherby it is seyd here þat his pretense of his title to þe priourie of Bromholm is adnulled and voide in yowr lawe. þe seyd John Wortes and a contréman of myn in þe seyd court, Maister John Vrry, haue sent me lettres wher-of I send yow copies and a trewe instruccion of þe seyd matier closed with þis bille, þe whiche lettres and þe matier ther-of me semyth meruaillous and straunge. A prest of Norffolk þat spak with yow in Jull or August last passed told me þat he yede with yow to þe cardinales hous Trikaricensis to espie if any swych processe were sued ageyn me as þe seyd lettres specifien, and þat ye told þe same prest at alle tymes þer was þan no swich processe sued ne had; þe which relacion I trust and beleue bettre þan þe seyd lettres. I haue, by aduys of counseill, in makyng a procuracie ad agendum defendendum prouocandum et appellandum to yow and þe seyd Maister John Vrry and þe Wynsolaw de Swysco, and also a general appelle þe engrossyng of wych þe messager of this bill myght nought abide; þe which procuracie and appelle I shal sende to yowr persone tantumodowith moneye onward on trust. My wille is ye haue þe chief gouernaunce of þis matier and þat þis article be counseill; wher-vpon I prey yow hertily to be saddely auysed in þese matieres and, as nede is, so to gouerne hem by yowr wysdam þat þe seyd Prioures estat and honesté, and myn also, to yowr worshepe be saued, and þat in alle hast resonable ye lyke to sende me redé lettres of alle þe seyd matier and þe circumstances ther-of, and whou ye wil I be gouerned in þis mater. I was neuere somouned ne neuer hadde tydynges of þis matier but by seyd lettres and other fleyng tales þat I haue herd sithen, ne neuere hadde to do more with þe seyd John Wortes þan is specified in þe seyd instruccion.

Al-myghty God haue yow in his gouernaunce. Writen at London þe v day of Nouembre. Yowre frend and vnknowen

Right worthy and worshepefull ser, I recomaunde me to yow, preyeng yow to wite þat I haue resceyued yowr goodly lettres makyng mencion þat Ser John Paston vt asserit hath optyned me condempnyd to hym in ccc marcz and cs. and þat þe same John, atte reuerence of yowr right worthy persone, hath cesed of his sute of certeins processes ageyns me vp-on þe seyd condempnacion, takyng continuance of þe same matier vn-to Cristemasse next comyng; by whiche lettres ye conseille me to make ende with þe seyd John ne deterius inde contingat. I send yow closed with this bille copie of vn frendly lettre þat þe seyd John hath sent to me late touchant þe same matier. þe seyd Priour hath sent also to yow and to Mayster Will Swan, which longe tyme hath be his procuratour, a procuracie for my persone and v marcz of moneye onward. Wher-vp in þe seyd Prioures name and in myn owyn also I prey yow hertily to sette al these matieres in continuaunce vn-to yowr comyng in-to Ingeland, and be-cause ye arn her beneficed, owr cuntréman, and of worshepe and cunnyng worthyly endowed, þe seyd Priour, his brether, and I also willen gladdely in these matieres be treted by yow; and if þis mesure be accepted and we may haue knowyng here ther-of, it shal cause þe attemptacion of diuerses matieres a-geyn summe frendes of þe seyd John to cese. And if þis continuance be refused I prey yow with al my power þat of yowr wysdom and good discrecion ye wille in þe seyd Prioures name and myn defenden þe seyd sutes, and alle other þat þe seyd John sueth a-geyn þe seyd Priour and me, in yowr best maner, and to be of owr counseill in þese matieres; and as ye lyke resonablely to write to vs so we wil be gouerned in yowr rewarde and al other circumstaunces of þe same matieres. I conceyve by yowr seyd lettres þat þe grete of þe matier conteigned in þe same ye haue of þe informacion and assercion of þe seyd John, and as he hath enformed yow I wot weel ye trewely writen; but I hope and trust verrayly þe matier of his informacion is vntrewe. þe Priour of Bromholm sued a-geyn þe seyd John and other in Ingeland a wryt of premunire facias, and I was ther-in of þe same Prioures conseill, as þe lawe of Ingelond and myn office willen, and more I haue nought hadde to do with þe seyd John; and I can nought beleue þat in þis cas þe same John myght by yowr lawe any swich sute haue ageyn me as yowr lettre specifieth, Also Will, þe prest specified in yowr lettre, told me þat he, after þat ye told hym of þis matier lyke as ye write, he comuned with Maister Will Swan, and he told þe seyd prest þer was no processe in þe courte ageyn me in no maner.

a mez treshonnurés meistres William Worstede, John Longham, et meistre Piers Shelton soit donné.

Right worthy and worshepefull seres and maistres, I recomand me to yow and thank yow with al my herte of þe gret tendrenesse ye lyke to haue of þe saluacion of my symple honesté, preyng yow euermore of yowr good continuance. I haue, after þe aduys of yowr lettre, doon dwely examyned þe jnstrument by þe wysest I coude fynde here, and in especial by on Maister Robert Sutton, a courtezane of þe court of Rome, þe which is þe chief and most chier man with my lord of Gloucestre and his matier in þe seyd court for my lady his wyff. And here aunswere is þat al þis processe, þough it were in dede proceded as þe instrument specifieth, is not suffisant in þe lawe of Holy Cherche, and þat hem semyth by þe sight of þe instrument and by þe defautes þat ye espied in þe same and other, and in maner by þe knowelech of þe notarie, þat þe processe in gret part ther-of is false and vntrewe. I haue taken aduys of Maister Robert Bruus, chaunceller with my lord of Cantirbury, and Maister Nicholl Billesdon, chaunceller of my lord of Wynchestre, and Maister John Blodwelle, a weel lerned man holden and a suffisant courtezan of þe seyd court; and alle þese acorden to þe seyd Maister Robert Sutton. Nought with-stondyng þat I herde neuere of þis matier no maner lykly ne credible euidence vn-to þat I sey yowr lettre and þe jnstrument, yet I made an appell and a procuracie and also a prouocacion at London longe beforn Cristemasse by þe aduys of Maister Dauid Aprys, Maister Symond Kempston, and Maister James Cole, and sent al þis with an jnstruccion of al þe matier to my procuratours to Rome by yowr frere my maister suppriour, and gaff hym gold þat he was content. and ouermore now here by aduys I make þis day a newe apelle and a newe procuracie, and vp-on þis alle þe seyd worthy men here seyn and informe me pleynly I haue no maner cause in lawe ne in conscience to drede aught in þis matier. Myn aduersarie is become bysshop of Cork in Irland, and ther arn ij other persones prouided to þe same bysshopriche yet lyuyng beforn my seyd aduersarie; and by this acceptacion of þis bysshopriche he hath pryued hym-self of þe title þat he claymed in Bromholm, and so adnulled þe ground of his processe a-geyn me. And also þe tyme of his greuaunce pretendid and þe tyme of his sute he was apostata, and I trowe is yet, and so vnable to sue any swich processe. I purpose me to come homward be London to lerne more in þis matier if I may. I prey þe Holy Trinité, lord of yowr cherche and of alle þe werl+ d, delyuere me of my iij aduersaries, of þis cursed bysshop for Bromholm, Aslak for Sprouston, and Julian Herberd for Thornham. I haue nought trespassed a-geyn noon of these iij, God knowith, and yet I am foule and noysyngly vexed with hem to my gret vnease, and al for my lordes and frendes matieres and nought for myn owyn. I wot not whether it were best in any sermon or other audience in yowr cherche or elles-where to declare ought of þis matier in stoppyng of þe noyse þat renneth in þis case. I submitte me and alle þis matier to yowr good discrecion, and euere gremercy God and ye, who euere haue yow and me in his gracious gouernaunce. I suppose to se yow on Palme Sunday. Writen at Leycestre þe Friday þe thredde wyke of Lente. Alle þe seyd lerned men telle me trewely þer is nother perill ne doute in þe takyng doun of þe instrument and þe bille to no creature, which jnstrument and bille I send yow a-geyn by þe berare of this, which I prey yow to kepe as pryué as ye may. I haue preyed my maister Hamond to write yow tydyngges and smale lesynges among. Yowr man, W. Paston

My ryghte worthy and worshepeful lord, I recomaunde me to yow. And for as meche as I conseyue verrayly þat ye arn vicar general in Inggelo+ nd of þe worthy prelate þe Abbot of Clunie, and have hys powre in many grete articles, and among other in profession of monkes in Inggelond of þe seyd ordere. And in my cuntré, but a myle fro þe place where I was born, is þe povre hous of Bromholm of þe same ordre, in wheche arn diuers vertuous yongge men, monkes clad and vn-professyd, þat have abedyn þere wythowt abbyte ix or x yeere, and be lenger delaye of here profession many inconuenientez arn lyke to falle. And also þe Priour of þe seyd hous hath resigned in-to yowre worthy handes by certeins notables and resonables causes, as it apperyth by an instrument and a symple lettre vnder þe comune seal of þe seyd hous of Bromholm which þe berare of this hath redy to shewe yow. Wher-vp-on I prey yow wyt al my herte, and as I euere may do yow seruice, þat it lyke to yowr grace to graunte of yowr charité by yowre worthy lettres to þe Priour of Thetford in Norffolk, of þe seyde ordre of Clunye, autorité and powere as yowr ministre and deputé, to professe in dwe forme þe seyd monkes of Bromholm vn-professed; and þat it lyke yow ouermore to accepte and admitte þe seyd resygnacion by yowr seyd autorité and powere wyth þe fauour of yowr good lordshepe, in confort and consolacion of yowre pouere prestes þe monkes of þe seyd hous of Bromholm; and ther-vp to graunte yowr worthy lettres wittenessyng þe same acceptacion and admyssion of þe seyd resignacion, and al yowr seid lettres to delyuere to my clerk, to wham I prey yow to gyve feith and credence touchant þis matier, and to delyuere hym in alle þe hast resonable. And I am yowr man and euere will be, by þe grace of God, which euere haue yow in his kepyng. Writen at Norwich þe of Aprill. Yowres, William Paston

Pur faire holsom drynk of ale, Recipe sauge, auence, rose maryn, tyme, chopped right smal, and put þis and a newe leyd hennes ey in a bage and hange it in þe barell. Item, clowys, maces, and spikenard grounden and put in a bagge and hangen in þe barell. And nota þat þe ey of þe henne shal kepe þe ale fro sourynge. Par Sibill Boys.

Paston recomaund hym to your good lordeship, willyng with all his herte to doo yow seruise to his symple power. And as touchyng þe maner of Walsham he seyth þat at your comaundement he wille be redy to shewe yow and preve þat þe seid maner and all þe vesture and crop þer-of þis yeer by trewe title in lawe and conscience is his owen, trewly bowth and in gret partye payed for, and þat John Roys never hadde non estate in þe seid maner but oonly occupied it by suffraunce of þe seid Paston and other feffés in þe seid maner, and þat by þe bargayn of þe seid maner þ'estate þat þe seid Roys shuld have hadde in þe seid maner and in stoor ther-of shul have be condicionel to be voide and nought for defaute of payement, and þat þe seid John Roys ne kept not his dayes of þe payementz, &c., and þat þe seid Will Paston, in þe lyve of þe seid John Roys, for defaute of payment entred in þe seid maner with þe seid crop and þe vesture of þis yeer þer-of þan þer-vpon, and þat þe seid John Roys never at noo tyme payed to þe seid John Baxtere sith þe seid bargeyn, nether for þe seid bargayn ne for þe dette he aught to hym, more þanne an c and xl marcz, wher-of he borwed ageyn of þe seid John Baxtere xl li. and over þat he oweth; and beforn þe seid bargeyn aught by his obligacion to þe seid John Baxtere of trewe dette of mony borwed other xl li., and hath hadde and taken þe profitz of þe seid maner by iij hool yeer beforn his deth to þe value of xxx li. and more, and he receyved in his seid bargayn of þe seid John Baxtere xl marcz worth of stoor, the which iiijxx li. of dette and xxx li. of þe profitz of þe seid maner and xl marcz worth of stoor maketh þe somme of cxxxvj li. xiij s. iiij d. Wher-of, thogh þe lawe wille it not, were abated, if conscience required it, cxl marcz payed by þe seid John Roys and x li. for þe value of þe seid crop ouer þe value of þe verray ferme of the seid maner for þis yeer; yet remaigneth dwe to þe executoures of þe seid John Baxter liij li. vj s. viij d., and all þe title and interesse of þe seid John Roys, his heires and assignes, in þe seid maner lawfully and in conscience extincted and adnulled. Wher-vpon þe seid Paston lowly besecheth your good lordeship þat if it may be preved þis mater be trewe þat ye wille not be displesed þogh he desire to have his fre disposicion of þe seid maner.

To þe worthy and worshepfull ser, John Berneye of Redham:+ litera Willelmi Paston + copia statu$facture Margerie nuper vxori Johannis Mauteby

þis note is not made to þ'entent þat dedes acordyng ther-to shuld be engrossed with-oute more comunicacion and sadde aduys of alle þe feffés to-gedere, or elles counseill by here comune assignement. Ferther- more þe note of þe condicion of þe reseruacion of the rent is not yet noted.

Sciant presentes et futuri quod nos Simon Felbrygge, miles, Oliuerus Groos, armiger, Johannes Berneye de Redham, armiger, Willelmus Paston de Paston, Thomas Stodhagh, Rogerus Taillour de Stafford Bernyngham, et Thomas Newport de Runham, iuxta effectum et formam vltimarum voluntatum Roberti Mawteby de Mawteby, armigeri, et Johannis de Mawteby filij sui, iam defunctorum, dimisimus, liberauimus, assignauimus, et hac presenti carta nostra tripartita et indentata con+ firmauimus / Margerie que fuit vxor predicti Johannis Mawteby duas partes maneriorum, &c., ac reuercionem, &c., que nos prefati Simon, Oliuerus, Willelmus, Thomas Stodhagh, Rogerus, et Thomas Newport, vna cum Milone Stapilton, milite, Willelmo Argenten, milite, Johanne Heuenyngham, milite, Johanne Carbonell, milite, Willelmo Calthorpe, milite, Johanne Boys, armigero, et Willelmo Caston, armigero, iam de+ functis, / nuper habuimus ex dono, feoffamento, remissione, et relaxacione predicti Roberti Mawteby, prout in quibusdam cartis et scriptis inde confectis plenius continetur, habendas et tenendas predictas duas partes ac reuercionem, &c., prefate Margerie et assignatis suis ad totam vitam suam de nobis et heredibus nostris, reddendo inde nobis et heredibus nostris annuatim legalis monete Anglie ad festa Pasche et Sancti Michaelis equis porcionibus, faciendi gracia inde et reddendi pro nobis et heredibus nostris, capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum, reddita et seruicia inde debita et consueta. Ita quod predicte due partes, &c., ac reuercio, &c., post mortem predicte Margerie integre remaneant Margarete, filie predictorum Johannis Mawteby et Margerie, et heredibus de corpore eiusdem Margarete exeuntibus; videlicet quod si eadem Margareta sine herede de corpore suo exeunte obierit, aut si ipsa aut heredes sui predicti donum aut talliam predictam, in forma predicta factam per feoffamentum scriptum siue factum aut alio modo, discontinuarint aut discontinuari fecerint, quod tunc due partes, &c., integre remaneant Petro Mawteby, filio predicti Roberti Mawteby et avunculo supradicte Margarete, et heredibus de corpore predicti Petri legitime exeuntibus, sub certis forma et condicionibus subsequentibus: videlicet quod si idem Petrus sine herede de corpore suo exeunte obierit, aut si ipse aut heredes sui predicti discontinuauerint, &c., quod tunc predicte, &c., integre remaneant Thome Mawteby, fratri predicti Petri, et heredibus de corpore suo legitime exeuntibus, tenende, &c., vt supra, reddendo et faciendo, &c., vt supra, sub forma et condicionibus subsequentibus: videlicet quod si predictus Thomas obierit sine herede de corpore suo legitime exeunte, aut si ipse aut heredes sui, &c., discontinuauerint, &c., quod tunc predicte, &c., integre remaneant Alianore que fuit vxor predicti Roberti, habende et tenende sibi et assignatis suis de nobis, &c., ad terminum vite sue. faciendo et reddendo vt supra. Et quod ex tunc predicte, &c., post mortem predicte Alianore integre remaneant heredibus de corpore Alianore que fuit vxor predicti Willelmi Calthorpe, sororis predicti Roberti Mawteby, legitime exeuntibus. Et si nullus fuerit heres de corpore predicte Alianore que fuit vxor predicti Willelmi Calthorpe legitime exiens, aut si aliquis huiusmodi heres de corpore eiusdem Alianore legitime exiens donum, &c., discontinuauerit, &c., quod tunc predicte, &c., ad nos prefatos Simonem, Oliuerum, Johannem Berneye, Willelmum Paston, Thomam Stodhagh, Rogerum Taillour, et Thomam Newport et heredes nostros integre reuertantur ad faciendam inde et debite exequendam predictam vltimam voluntatem predicti Roberti Mawteby. In cuius rei testimonium duabus partibus presentis carte indentate nos prefati Simon, &c., sigilla nostra apposuimus, tercie vero parti eiusdem carte penes nos et heredes nostros remanenti predicti Johannes Mawteby, Edwardus Mawteby, Petrus Mawteby, Thomas Mawteby, Alianora que fuit vxor predicti Roberti Mawteby, et Willelmus Calthorpe, armiger, consanguineus et heres predicte Alianore que fuit vxor Willelmi Calthorpe de corpore eiusdem Alianore legitime exiens, sigilla sua apposuerunt hijs testibus, &c., data, &c.

Hec sunt hostilmenta et vtensilia domus, bona et catalla, que Willelmus Paston, in indentura presentibus annexa nominatus, tradidit et dimisit Willelmo Joye, in eadem indentura nominato, secundum formam eiusdem indenture ex communi assensu eorundem Willelmi et Willelmi per Robertum Gynne, Johannem Albon de Paston, et alios appreciata, assignata, et specificata modo subsequenti, videlicet: tres equi precij quinque marcarum; quatuor vacce quelibet precij vij s. vj d.; vna juuenca brendit precij v s.; vnus tauriculus precij iiij s.; vna juvencula dowet precij iij s.; due sues quelibet precij iij s. iiij d.; tres porculi quilibet precij xvj d.; tres porcelli quilibet precij xij d.; quatuor alij porcelli quil+ ibet precij viij d.; vna carecta precij vj s. viij d.; apparatus carecte, videlicet vna sella, vnum par des stroppys, duo paria dez trayses precij ij s.; due caruce cum lez hokys et stappilles, vnum par rotarum, due herpice precij v s.; quatuor paria dez trayses ad aratrum precij viij d.; due furse fimose precij vj d.; vna vanga precij iij d.; vnus tribulus precij iij d. Hec sunt blada et alia hostilmenta et vtensilia domus, bona et catalla, per predictum Willelmum Paston predicto Willelmo Joye secundum formam dicte indenture similiter dimissa et non appreciata, videlicet: sex quarteria frumenti; xxv quarteria ordei; viij quarteria auenarum; quidam tassus pisarum in fine australi antique grangie mesuagij predicti, qui est altitudinis iij virgarum et iij quarteriorum vnius virge, et quidam alius tassus vescarum in boriali fine eiusdem grangie, altitudinis iij virgarum et j quarterij vnius virge, qui quidem duo tassi fuerunt vesture xij acrarum et dimidij et dimidij rode terre; iij vasa vocata kelerys; j gilyngfat; iiij stondes pro seruicia; j stonde in coquina; ij patelle cum ligaminibus ferreis; j parua patella cum ligamine ferreo; j magna olla ennea;eacute; alia olla ennea minor; j parua olla ennea;eacute; j tabula; j par des trostelles; j longum hostium iacens in boteria; j par des trostelles; j trow; ij bolles; j morter; j thede; j temse; j mashsterell; j tankard cum ligamine ferreo; j bultyngpoke; j magna trow pro farina; j cista pro farina; j fleshoke; j tripes ferreum; j veru ferreum; j aundern; j par de tongys; j lachgres ennea;eacute; j securis; j magnum lauacrum pendens; j kynderkyn; ij soos leeke; j par de belwes; j magnum planke super mensam coquine; j chargour; iij perapsides; iij disci; iij sauserys de pewter; iij perapsides; iij disci; j magnus discus; vj sissorij; iij ciphi de ligno; j chayer; duo longa scanna; j scannum mediocre longitudinis; ij scanna vocata buffetstoles; ij bankare; j gladius; ij ferra vocata aplates; j chirne; j chyrnyngstaf; j curta falx; j candelabrum ferreum; j paruum salerium; ij beryngsceppes; vnum par dez pepyrquerns; ij vteri; j cadus cum vergous; j parua cista in boteria; j selura supra seruisiam; j metesetell; j pykforke; iij longe bordclothys; j towayll; j sanap et j walet pro autumpno; j lucerna; ij vomerj et ij cultri que ponderant xvij li. et di.; j carectula, anglice a carre; j sunvectorium; ij noui rowmtrees et j curtum lignum in le carthows; ij veteres bige; j par rotarum ferratarum; ij kemell cum hopys ferreis; j frena; j peluis; viij sacci; iiij longa ligna fraxinora in pistrina; j fetyrlok.

In Dei nomine, amen. Ego Willelmus Paston de Paston, sane mentis et memorie, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. In primis, lego animam meam Omnipotenti Deo, Beate Marie, et omnibus sanctis, et corpus meum sepeliendum ad finem australem altaris in capella Beate Marie in fine orientali ecclesie cathedralis Sancte Trinitatis Norwici. et si contingat corpus meum ibidem sepeliri, lego cuilibet monacho sacerdoti ecclesie predicte qui singulis diebus aliqua septimana per septem annos proximo sequentes post mortem meam missam de Spiritu Sancto in capella predicta tempore celebracionis summe misse in eadem ecclesia decantauerit, ad exorandum in eadem missa de Spiritu Sancto et in alijs diuinis per ipsum diebus illis factis pro anima mea et animabus vxoris mee, patrum, matrum, et omnium consanguineorum et benefactorum nostrorum, et omnium quorum debitores sumus, et omnium per nos iniuriam paciencium, et eorum omnium pro quibus Deo est deprecandum, et omnium fidelium defunctorum, septem denarios. Item, lego Roberto nunc priori ecclesie Sancti Andree de Bromholm quadraginta solidos; et cuilibet monacho eiusdem ecclesie conuentus de Bromholm sex solidos et octo denarios; et executoribus testamenti Ricardi Causton nuper vicarij ecclesie de Paston viginti solidos; et executoribus testamenti Ade nuper vicarij ecclesie de Bakton sex solidos et octo denarios, ita quod remittant et relaxent in consciencijs suis animabus predictis si que per earum aliquam sibi debita fuerint. Et si hoc remittere et relaxare recusauerint, de predictis legatis nihil habeant, sed in omnibus que sibi per animas predictas vel earum aliquam deberi racionabiliter aut euidenter, in consciencia vel aliter, iuxta discrecionem executorum meorum aut maioris partis eorundem, probauerint aut verificauerint, sibi satisfaciant executores mei. Residuum vero bonorum meorum omnium non legatorum do et lego Agneti vxori mee, Johanni filio meo, Willelmo Bakton, et Johanni Damme de Sustede, quos ordino et constituo executores huius testamenti mei, vt ipsi inde disponant prout in iustis consciencijs suis magis viderint Deo placere et animabus predictis prodesse. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Datum decimo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo. Huius autem testamenti mei venerabilem in Christo patrem et dominum Dominum Willelmum Lincolniensem episcopum ordino et constituo superuisorem.

((Extracts from last Will:)) ... Ita quod eadem maneria de Oxenede, Marlyngforde, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, et terre et tenementa que fuerunt Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem prefate Agnetis remaneant heredibus de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exeuntibus. Et predicta manerium de Shipdene et parcella manerij de Latymers ac dicta mesuagia, molendinum, terre et tenementa nuper Clementis Paston et Hugonis atte Fen, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem predicte Agnetis ad predictas personas feoffatas seu feoffandas, heredes et assignatos suos reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et si nullus extiterit heres de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exiens, quod tunc post mortem eiusdem Agnetis predictum manerium de Oxenede et dicta terre et tenementa nuper predictorum Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu vnius eorum, cum pertinencijs, ad predictos feoffatos et heredes suos similiter reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et quod predicta maneria de Marlyngford, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, cum pertinencijs, remaneant rectis heredibus Edmundi Barry, militis, patris predicte Agnetis, imperpetuum. Item, volo quod predicte persone vt predicitur, feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, paciantur et permittant Robertum Clere, armigerum, Edmundum Clere, armigerum, Johannem Pagraue, armigerum, Willelmum Bakton de Bakton, et Johannem Damme de Sustede, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Snaylwell et predicta alia terras et tenementa in Snaylwell in toto, per communem estimacionem, ad valenciam quadraginta marcarum per annum occupare et exitus et proficua inde percipere et habere a festo Sancti Michaelis proximo sequenti post mortem meam vsque Edmundus filius meus iam etatis xviij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xxj annorum.... Et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Edmundo filio meo, quousque ad dictam etatem xxj annorum peruenerit, racionabiles victum, vestitum, apparatum, et sustentacionem, iuxta gradus sui exigenciam sic quod non superbiat, inueniant, et eum tam ad artis dialectice per dimidium annum, iuris ciuilis per vnum annum, ac iuris regni Anglie postea ad sufficienciam, si fieri poterit, sub sana tutela prouidenter ponant et ipsum in eisdem continuare et residere faciant prout eisdem melius visum fuerit ipsum Edmundum in hac parte sapere et intelligere et sibi in futurum prodesse; et domos, muros, edificia, et clausuras in eodem manerio nostro existencia racionabiliter reparari faciant, et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluant, et hoc quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem dicti Edmundi remanserit iuxta sanas consciencias suas eidem Edmundo satisfaciant tempore quo ipse iuxta hanc voluntatem meam statum de eodem manerio receperit et habuerit. Item, volo quod predicte persone prout predicitur, feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictos Robertum Clere, Edmundum Clere, Johannem Pagraue, Willelmum Bakton, et Johannem Damme, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Beauchamp et Hollewelhalle et dicta alia mesuagia, terras, tenementa, tofta, clausuras, redditus et seruicia quondam Ricardi Doket, Willelmi Thuxton, Johannis Patgris senioris, Johannis Whynne, et Eustachij Rows, seu aliquorum vel alicuius eorum, in Wymondham, Carleton, Bonnewell, Estodenham, et alijs villis adiacentibus, per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ... et proficua inde percipere et habere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Willelmus filius meus iam etatis vij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xviij annorum, et quod ijdem Robertus Clere, Edmundus Clere, Johannes Pagraue, Willelmus Bakton, et Johannes Damme, vel dicti duo eorum, quinque marcas annuatim prouenientes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis per octo annos proximo sequentes predictum festum Sancti Michaelis, per discrecionem ... predicte Agnetis annuatim distribuant inter pauperes et debiles predictos et pro missis, oracionibus, et suffragijs celebrandis ... in forma predicta et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Willelmo filio meo vsque ad dictam etatem xviij annorum ... statum et sustentacionem iuxta gradus sui exigenciam, sic quod non superbiat, inueniant et tribuant ... scolas ponant et ibidem ... reside+ re faciant prout predicitur de predicto filio meo Edmundo, et domos, muros, et clausuras ... repararent et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde soluant et de residuo dictorum exituum et proficuorum dicto Willelmo filio meo satisfaciant ... statum de eisdem manerio, terris, et tenementis iuxta hanc voluntatem meam ... heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictam Agnetem ... West Somerton, Hennesby, Martham, et Wynterton, tam illa que fuerunt ... de Reston in toto per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ... gaudere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Clemens filius meus ... xviij annorum, et quod eadem Agnes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Clementi Paston ... xviij annorum, et Elizabeth filie mee quousque maritetur, racionabiles victum, vestitum ... exigenciam, sic quod non superbiant, et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis nutriatur honeste ... filiam predictam Elizabeth prout statui suo conuenit, ac inueniat et ponat predictum Clementem ... scolas grammaticales quam alias et ceteras erudiciones prout predicitur de predictis fratribus suis; et domos, muros, clausuras, et edificia in eisdem mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis existencia racionabiliter reparari faciat et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluat ac annuatim quousque ... Clemens filius meus ad dictam etatem xviij annorum peruenerit distribuat manu propria in elemosinis iuxta discrecionem suam inter magis pauperes et debiles creaturas, in honore quinque principalium vulnerum et passionis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi et quinque gaudiorum Beate Marie Virginis et Matris eius, pro animabus predictis, quinque marcas. Et de hoc quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem predicti Clementis filij mei remanserit, satisfaciat eadem Agnes iuxta sanam conscienciam suam eidem Clementi tempore quo ipse iuxta hanc voluntatem meam statum de eisdem manerio, mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis de predictis personis feoffatis siue feoffandis receperit; et quod dicte persone feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, infra xl dies proximo sequentes postquam ipsi post festum Sancti Michaelis proximum post mortem meam per Johannem Paston filium meum primogenitum racionabiliter fuerint requisiti, per facta sua tripartita et indentata dimittent, liberent, et assignent predicto Johanni Paston, iam etatis xx annorum et amplius, predictum manerium de Gresham cum pertinencijs, habendum eidem Johanni ad totam vitam suam; ita quod si contingat predictum Johannem Paston aliquem exitum vel heredem de corpore Margarete nunc vxoris sue procreare, quod tunc idem manerium cum pertinencijs post mortem eiusdem Johannis remaneat dicte vxori sue, tenendum sibi ad terminum vite eiusdem vxoris. Et si predictus Johannes Paston nullum exitum vel heredem de corpore dicte vxoris sue procreauerit, tunc immediate post mortem eiusdem Johannis idem manerium cum pertinencijs heredibus masculis de corpore meo exeuntibus integre remaneat.... ((Provision for many contingencies follows.)) Item, volo quod predicta Elizabeth filia mea habeat ducentas libras legalis monete ad maritagium suum si ipsa per auisamentum predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum maritetur, prouiso semper quod eadem Elizabeth pari sexu et etate in bona et competenti consanguinitatis linea maritata sit, et per maritagium illud habeat statum sufficientem et securum in lege sibi et viro suo et heredibus de corporibus suis exeuntibus, si fieri poterit, seu saltem ad totam vitam suam, in terris et tenementis valoris quadraginta librarum per annum ad minus. Et si eadem Elizabeth antequam maritata fuerit obierit, quod tunc dicte pecunie summa pro maritagio eius limitata in solucione debitorum que me debere contingat et in reformacione et satisfactione mesprisionum et extorcionum, si quas fecerim, et pro animabus predictis fideliter distribuatur per discrecionem predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum. In cuius rei testimonium ego prefatus Willelmus Paston presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Datum vicesimo primo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo. Probata fuerunt predicta testamentum et vltima voluntas coram nobis Alexandro Prowet, decretorum inceptore, ac reuerendissimi in Christo patris et domini Domini Johannis, permissione diuina Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, commissario generali, &c., vicesimo quarto die mensis Nouembris anno Domini millesimo ccccmo xliiijto ....

tradatur Johanni Paston of þe Inner In in the Temple att London.

Ryth worschipfull brothir, I recomaund me to yow, &c. I preye write to myn modre of your owne hed as for to consell her howh þat sche kepe her preuye and tell no body ryth nowth of her counsell, for sche woll tell persones many of her counsell this day and to-morwe sche woll sey be Goddis faste þat the same men ben false. I haue seen parte of þe euydence and þe maner hathe be purchasid be parcell and certeyn feffementis mad of the auowson and certeyn pecis of lond enterlessant þe maner, and I wote well ye haue on collaterall rellesse wyth a warente of on of þe wyffys of Hauteyn of all þe holl maner. Steward, þe chiffe constable, told me he was enpanellyd vp-on þe assise be-twex yow and Frauncesse. He axyd me counsell what he myth do þer-jnne, for he told me it was take in Ser Thomas Tudham name. He wold fayne be chalengyd. I concellyd him swere the trowthe of the issue þat he schuld be swore to, and þanne he nedyd neuer to drede hym of noon atteynte. I yaue him this counsell and noon othir. He enqueryd me of the rewle of myn master Danyell and myn lord of Suffulke, and askyd wheche I thowte schuld rewle in þis schere, and I seyd bothe, as I trowh, and he þat suruyuyth to hold be þe uertue of þe suruyuyr, and he to thanke his frendes and to aquite his enmyys. So I fele by him he wold forsake his master and gette him a newh yf he wyste he schuld rewle. And so wene I meche of all þe contré is so disposyd. þe Holy Trenyté kepe yow. Wrete at Norwiche on þe Wednysday after Seynt Peter, in hast. Your brother E. Paston

Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum peruenerit nos, Willelmus May, magister Noui Templi London', Johannes Bakton, gentilman, Thomas Parker, ciuis et sissor London', et Johannes Osbern, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Sciatis quod xxj die Marcij Anno Domini mlccccxlviij Edmundus Paston de comitatu Norff', armiger, in bona memoria ac sana mente existens, languens in extremis, in nostra presencia condidit et declarauit testamentum suum nuncupatiuum in hunc modum. In primis, legauit animam suam Deo Omnipotenti, Beate Marie Virgini, et omnibus sanctis, corpusque suum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Templi predicti siue in ecclesia Fratrum Carmelitarum London'. Item, dictus Edmundus, pro eo quod noluit circa bona siue negocia temporalia mentem siue animam suam affligere seu ocupare, set ad eternam felicitatem se preparare, dedit, legauit, ac comisit omnia bona et catalla sua predilecto fratri suo Johanni Paston, ex magna confidencia in ipso habita vt ea disponeret pro bono anime sue pro vt melius videret Deo placere ac anime sue prodesse. Et dictum Johannem Paston ordinauit et constituit executorem suum. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus.

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 Rycheforthe 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 brynggar 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

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 is 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 seyd 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 nowmber 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 neþer 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 with an n and t, the n sownith 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 we ȝe thei Ces choses sount nostres The thinggis 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 penknyf 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 be 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 be 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 be 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 hys wurchypfull brodyr Jon Paston.

Ryth wurchypfull broder, I recomande me 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 Prysothe 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 and myn cosyn Elyzabet Clyre, I pray ȝow.

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 broder W. Paston

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 ȝowr 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 Wyllyam Paston Item, i 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 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, consederyng 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 haue a-noder letter wretyn to-morow. Wretyn at Lundon þe xij day of Nouembre in hast. Be William Paston

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 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 a-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 here 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 be 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 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 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 certeyn 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 myn wurchipfull broder Jon Paston.

Ryththe wurchipfull broder, I recomand me 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 ȝowr 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 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 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 so 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

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 maser 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. Wyliam 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.

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 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...

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 aportenances 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- uices 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, evidencez, monymentes, rolles of accomptes and courte rolles concernyng onely the seid londes and tenementes, rentes and seruices 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.

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 and rent. Caster Clere rentis=Distrayne tenauntis Holham 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. Marlyngford 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.

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 jnstitute 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 Euerard 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 thought þat both þe Bysshop and þe patron myght take accions a-gayns þe said persons.

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 benyfes 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 ȝowr 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

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

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, 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.

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.

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.

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 Thomas Child, I vnderstand be ȝowr wrytyng he will nat seale the jndenture be-cawse þer is no some of mony sertayn ne days of payment 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 Thomas 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 delyuerid me all euydens, I vnderstond nat þat; and as for rentall I am suyr he deliuerid 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

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 demenyng 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 vnderstand 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 comyng 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 ar 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 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 remember 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 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

mater tochyng Knapton for my fee.

Master Thomas 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 Fro Michelmas xviij till xixo-Roberd Fuuk, his place bonde Fro Michelmas xix till xxo-Thomas Frank, his place fre.

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

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 troublid 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.

To hijs rythe worchypfwll brodere John Paston.

Rythe reuerent and worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde me to ȝow, certyfyyng ȝow þat ȝowre letter was delyueryd me þe xxiij day of Januari abowthe noone seison, and Rychard Calle rode in þe mornyng, and þerefore I brak ȝowre letter if þere were ony asti mater. And I dede Cristofyre Hanswm goo to my lord of Cawnterburi to tell him as ȝowre letter rehersyd, and my lord seyd he hadde spokyn wyth ȝowre man þere-of þe day before, and if þe Byssope of Norwyche wold not doo so mwche for him he hijs þe les be-hold to him. Not wythstondyng he sayd he wold saue ȝow harmelez aȝens John ȝOwng; but, and ȝe do well, remembire thys lordys haue many materijs to thyng on, and if it be fore-getin þe harm is ȝowrys. And also if þe word torn John ȝOng will not doo at hijs prayere. And my Lord FitzWatere is rydyn northe-wardys, and it is sayd in my lord of Cawnterberijs howse þat he hathe takyn ij c of Andrew Troloppys men. And as fore Colt and Sire Jamys Strangwysse and Sire Thomas Pykeryng, þey be takyn ore ellys dede; þe comyn voysse is þat þey be dede, Hopton and Hastyngys be wyth þe Erle of Marche, and wer not at þe fewlde. Wat word þat euer he haue fro my lordys þat be here, it is well doo and best fore ȝow to see þat þe contré be all-weys redy to com, bothe fote men and hors men, qwan they be sent fore; fore I haue hard seyde þe forthere lordys will be here sonere þan men wen, I haue arde sayde ore iij wekys to an ende; and also þat ȝe xwld com wyth more men and clenliere arayed þan a-nodere man of ȝowre cwntré xwld, fore it lythe more vp-on ȝowre worchyp and towcheythe ȝow more nere þan odere men of þat cwntré, and also ȝe be more had in fauore wyth my lordys here . In thys cwntré euery man is well wyllyng to goo wyth my lordys here, and I hope God xall helpe hem, fore þe pepill in þe northe robbe and styll and ben apoyntyd to pill all thys cwntré, and gyffe a-way menys goodys and lyfflodys in all þe sowthe cwntré, and that wyll ask a myscheffe. My lordys þat ben here haue as moche as þey may doo to kep down all thys cwntré, more þan iiij ore v scherys, fore þey wold be vp on þe men in northe, fore it ys fore þe welle of all þe sowthe. I pray ȝow recomawnde me to to my modere, and þat I prayed here of here blyssyng. I pray ȝow exscwse me to here þat I wryte here no letter, fore thys was y-now a-doo. I dare not pray ȝow to recomawnde me to my swster ȝowre wyff, and þe masangere, I trow, be so wysse he can not do yt. ȝe mwst pay him fore hijs labour, fore he taryd all nyt in thys town fore thys letter. Wrytyn ye xxiij day of Janwari in haste, wan I was not well at hesse. God haue ȝow in hijs keping. By Clement Paston, ȝowre broder.

To my rythe worchypfwll broder John Paston be thys delyueryd in haste.

Brodere, I recomawnde me to ȝow, desyeryng to here of ȝowre welfare, þe qwyche I pray God maynten. Plesse ȝow to wette þat I haue sent my moder a letter fore mony fore my swster, and if ȝe wyll agre þat I may haue xxti li. I xall ȝeue ȝow acowmptys þere-of and ȝe xall be payyd aȝen of þe obligacion þat my moder hathe, or ellys I xall tak a swerté of my suster. I-wysse obligacion mwste nedys be swyd, and a doseyn accions more in her name and sche doo well thys terme, and it wyll be doo wyth- in fowrtenynt. The Cowntas of Northumberlond and Robarde Fenns ocupie all her lond, and þat is a gret myscheffe. I pray ȝow speke to my moder her-of, and lat me haue a awnswere wyth-in þis seuenynt. Also, broder, Wymdam is com to town, and he seyd to me he wyll goo gett hym a mayster; and me thowte by hym he wold be in þe Kyngys seruise. And he saythe þat he wyll haue Felbryg a-ȝen ore Myhelmes, ore þere xall be v c hedys brok þere-fore. Brodere, I pray ȝow delyuer þe mony þat I xwld haue in-to swm priore of swm abbey, to swm mayster of swm colage, to be delyueryd qwan I can espy ony londe to be purchasyd. I pray ȝow send me word wyder ȝe wyll doo thus ore no. No more, but Owre Lord haue ȝow in hys kepyng. Wrytyn on Fryday nexst after Seynt John is Day. By ȝour broder Clement Paston.

To his rythe reuerent and worchypfwll broder John Paston.

Rythe reuerent and worchypfwll broder, I recomawnde me to ȝowre good broderhood, desieryng to herre of ȝoure welfare and good prosperité, the qwyche I pray God encresse to his pleswre and ȝowre hertys hesse; certyfyyng ȝow þat I haue spok wyth John Rwsse, and Playter spak wyth him bothe, on Fryday be-fore Seynt Barthelmw. And he told vs of Howardys gydyng, qwyche mad vs rythe sory tyl we harde þe conclusion þat ȝe hadde non harme. Also I vnderstond by W.Pekok þat my nevew hadde knowlache þere-of also vp-on Saterday nexst be-fore Seynt Barthelmwe,in þe Kyngys howse. Not wyth-standyng vp-on þe sam day Playter and I wryte letterys on-to him rehersyng al the mater, fore cause if þere were ony questionys meyyd to hym þere-of þat he xwlde telle þe trowthe, in cas þat þe qwestions were meuyd by ony worchypfwll man, and namyd my Lord Bowchere, fore my Lord Bowchere was wyth þe Kyng at þat tym. I fele by W.Pekok þat my nevew is not ȝet verily aqweyntyd in þe Kyngys howse, nore wyth þe officerys of þe Kyngys howse. He is not takyn as non of þat howse, fore þe cokys be not charged to serue hym nore þe sewere to gyue hym no dyche, fore þe sewere wyll not tak no men no dischys till þey be comawndyd by þe cownterrollere. Also, he is not aqueyntyd wyth no body but wyth Wekys, and Wekys ad told hym þat he wold bryng hym to þe Kyng; but he hathe not ȝet do soo. Were-fore it were best fore hym to tak hijs leve and cum hom, till ȝe hadd spok wyth swm body to helpe hym forthe, fore he is not bold y-now to put forthe hym-selfe. But þan I consyderyd þat if he xwld now cum hom þe Kyng wold thyng þat wan he xwld doo hym ony seruice sum were, þat þan ȝe wold haue hym hom, þe qwyche xwld cause hym not to be hadde in fauore; and also men wold thynke þat he were put owte of seruice. Also W.Pekok tellythe me þat hijs mony is spent, and not ryotesly but wysly and discretly, fore þe costys is gretter in þe Kyngys howse qwen he rydythe þan ȝe wend it hadde be, as Wyllam Pekok can tell ȝow. And þere wee mwst gett hym i c s. at þe lest, as by Wyllam Pekokys seyyng, and ȝet þat will be to lytill. And I wot well we kan not get xl d. of Cristofyre Hanswm, so I xall be fayn to lend it him of myn owne siluer. If I knew verily ȝour entent were þat he xwld cum hom I wold send hym non. There I wyll doo as me thynkithe ȝe xwld be best plesyd, and þat, me thynkythe, is to send him þe siluer. þere-fore I pray ȝow as hastely as ȝe may send me a-ȝen v mark, and þe remnawnte I trow I xall gett vp-on Cristofire Hanswm and Lwket. I pray ȝow send me it as hastely as ȝe may, fore I xall leue my-selfe rythe bare; and I pray ȝow send me a letter how ȝe woll þat he xall be demenyd. Wrytyn on Twsday after Seynt Barthelmwe, &c. Christus vos obseruet. By Clement Paston.

U.L. Add.6968,pp.19-20.

Brother, I recommende me to you, after all dewe recommendacions, &c. Sir, it was tolde me by rythe a worshipfull man that loveth you rythe well. and ve him. and ye xall knowe his name hereafter, but put all things out of doubt he is such a man as will not lye. On the xjth day of October the Kinge seid, 'We have sent two privy sealys to Paston by two yeomen of our chamber, and he disobeyeth þem; but we will send him a-noder tomorrowe, and by Gods mercye and if he come not then he xall dye for it. We will make all oder men beware by him how they xall disobey our writinge. A servant of our hath made a complainte of him. I cannot thinke that he hath informed us all truely, yet not for that we will not suffer him to disobey our writinge; but sithen he disobeyeth our writinge we may beleve the better his gydinge is as we be informed'. And þerwith he made a gret a-vowe that if ye come not at the third commandement ye xulde dye therefore. This man that tolde me this is as well learned a man as any is in England. And the same xjth day of October he advised me to send a man to yow in all the hast that might be to lett yow have knowlache, and that ye xulde not lett for none excuse, but that ye xulde make the man good cheere and come as hastily ye might to the Kinge, for he understandeth so much that the Kinge will kepe his promise. Notwithstanding, by mine advice, if ye have this letter or the messenger come to you, come to the Kinge wards or ye meete with him, and when ye come ye must be suer of a great excuse. Also, if ye doe well, come right stronge, for Howards wife made her bost that if any of her husbands men might come to yow þer xulde goe noe penny for your life.; and Howard hath with the Kinge a great felloweship. This letter was written the same day that the Kinge said these words, and the same day that it was told me, and that day was the xjth day of October as abovesaid; and on the next morning send I forth a man to yow with this letter, and on the same day send the Kinge the third privye seale to you. Alsoe he þat tolde me this seid that it were better for yow to come upp then to be fotte out of your house with streingth, and to abide the Kings judgement þerin, for he will take your contumacy to great displeasure. Also, as I understand, the Duke of Norffolk hath made a great complaint of yow to the Kinge, and my Lord of Suffolk and Howard and Wyngfelde helpe well to every day and call upon the Kinge against yow. The Kinge is at this day at Grenewich, and þer will be still till the Parliament beginne. Some say he will goe to Walsingham, but Master Sotyll seid in the Aulle in the Temple that he harde no worde of any such pilgrimage. No more, &c. Written the xjth day of October at midnight. My nevew John tolde me also that he supposed þer were out proclamacions against yow, &c., the same day. By Clement Paston, your broder

To hijs rythe worchypfwl broder John Paston the helder , sqwyere, be thys delyueryd. Brodere, I recomawnde me to ȝow after all dew recomendacions, &c. As fore Hew Fennys obligacion, ȝEluerton knowlacheyd it to be Sire John Fastolfe is dede opynly in þe Eschekere, and there he hadde is jugement to receyue þe mony and x li. fore damagys, and they report here þat they haue a schreve after here entent þat wyll mak hem execucion, ore ellis return þat ȝe haue wastyd þe godys of þe dede, so þat they wyll haue execucion of ȝowre own goodys ore ellys a wryt to tak ȝowre body. Thus ȝe may se they ȝeue no fors wat they doo, thow they xwld lesse and stroy all þe goodys of þe dede. And there-fore, fore sauacion of þe goodys of þe dede better it were to tak sum treté þan to suffer þe goodys thus to be lost. Also, ȝEluerton hathe ben at all þe tenauntys in Sowthewerk and chargid hem to pay no mony but to hym. Also, the Kyng hathe ben in Glowceterschere and pwnyssede hijs rebellious a-ȝens þe lawe, and so he entendithe to doo in Norfolk, and after þat in odere contreez. God ȝeue grasse and good spede in hijs jornay. No more, but I pray Gode haue ȝow in hijs kepyng. Wretyn on Hasse Wednysday in haste. Also, I pray ȝou send me xl s. þat I tok Jamez Gressam and John Pampyng fore ȝowre materys. Also, there is no man þat hathe contentyd ony thyng in þe Kyngys Benche of all thijs term for ȝour materys, and þat makythe the clerkys and ȝowre aturnay wery. I trow I xall be fayn to contente hem ore ellys they xall be vnpayyd. ȝowre brodere Clement Paston

To my rygth worchypfull broder John Paston, sqwyere.

Ryght worshypfull brothyre, I recomawnde me to ȝow after all dew recomendacions, &c. Plesse it ȝow to wett þat after þat I harde say þat þe parson of Blowfelde wasse com to town I went to hym to hys jn, and he bade þe masenger say þat he wasse not wyth-in. And I bad hym say a-gayn þat I com thyder to hym fore hijs own worchype and auayle, and þat I wasse sory þat I com so fere fore hym. And after þat he sent fore me and he cowde not fynde me, and I harde say there-of; and þan I wrott a letter resytyng how þat he wasse sworn ȝesterday fore to say þe trowthe of al maner of materis consernyng Sire John Fastolfe, auysyd hym to remembere qwat hijs wytnesse hadde sayd fore hijs sake and wat schame it xwlde be to hym to say þe contrary, and also if he sayde þe contrary ȝe wold here-after proue þe trowthe and contrary to hys sayyng, and proue hym in a periuri. And also I badde hym remembere wyth wat maner of men he delt wythe, and I rehersyd how vntrwly they hadde don. And not wyth-stondyng thys, after I met wyth hym in þe strett and spak wyth hym, and I fownde hym passyng strawngely disposyd, and sor meuyd wyth consiens þat ȝe xwld haue þe lond and fownd þe colage but wyth an c marc. not wyth-stondyng he myth fynde in hijs consiens rythe well þat þe colage xwld be fowndyd in a-noder plasse but wyth an c marc., and þe remnaunt of þe lylode sold so þat he myth pwrce þe mony. So I felt by hym þat all hijs strawngenes from ȝow is fore he demythe þat ȝe wold parte from no thyng, and I told hym þe contrary there-of to be trwe. Az thys day he is exayminid vp-on a bok to sey þe trowthe of all thyngys as þe juge wyll aske hym fore þe jugeis jnformacion, wych I trowe wyll not be good. Also they haue pwt jn testesaȝens ȝow iijxx ore iiijxx men. Mayster Robard Kent wold fayn þat ȝe xwld gett ȝow ij lycens of þe prioris of ȝowre wytnes Mayster Clement and þe monke, wyth on a datt beyng be-fore þe comying vp, fore þat must ȝe nedis haue. Also he wold fayn þat ȝe xwld com to thys towne. Me thowte by Sire Thomas þat they haue a swerté in maner þat ȝe xall haue no lycens fore ȝour fundacion, and they be abowte to gett a lycens to fownde þe colage in a-noder place. Me thynkythe þat wold hurte. Here colour is fore cause ȝe can gett no lycens to fownde it at Castere, werfore, thow ȝour wyll were trwe, they myth lawfully fownde it in a-noder place. My lord Chawncelere is gone to ȝOrk and wyll not be here of all thys term. Wrytyn on Wednisday nexst be-for Saynt George. The Kyng hathe ben in Kent, and there ben endityd many fore Isleis dethe; and he wyll com to town thys day a-ȝen, and he wyl not tary here but forthe to ȝOrk straytt. By Clement Paston

To hijs rythe worchypfwll mayster John Paston, sqwyere. 'the man wold not tak my letter but I wass fayen to gyue hym ij d. fore þe beryng.

Rythe worchypfwll brodere, I recomawnde me to ȝow; and as fore ȝour . letter to my lorde Chawncelere, I haue not delyueryd it, fore I askyd auysse þere-in and I was aunsweryd þere-in þat sythe he was takyn to baylle the Chawncelere cowde not compelle þe swertys to bryng hym in be-fore hijs day. Also me thowte ȝour letter was not most plesauntly wrytyn to tak to swyche a lorde. And as fore þe Tresorere, hijs name is Sire John Fooge; but he is not in London nore wythe þe Kyng, so I kan not haue þe letter sent hym but if I hyeryd a man to bere it. And as fore ȝour question of þe patentys, Grenfeld and Catesby and Sterkey holdyn it a good question, fore þe statut is Patentes dez tenementes dount null titill est troué pur le roy de recorde sount voydez-Ao xviijo H. vj cao vjo. But I trow in ȝour cas, and be there opiniounis, þe acte of þe parlement is a tytyll of recorde. it is seyd to þe contrary intent, thow þe londys be forfetyd of record yet þere is no certificacion of recorde qwat londys they be, nore were, nore in qwat place þey lye; but and thys clawse be in þe patent, Non Obstante Quod Nulla Inquisicio Pro Nobis Inde Est Inuenta, by Grenfelde is consayte þe patent xwld be clerly goode. But me semythe þat amendyt not þe mater. fore be-fore þe makyng of þe statut aboue sayde patentys graunttyd of londys be-fore inquisicion were goode and effectuell and þe statut is generall, quod patentes dount null tytill, &c. sount voydez. þan it folowyt well if þe acte of parlement be no tytyll for þe Kyng, þan is þere no tytyll fore þe Kyng of recorde, fore þat clawse in þe patent is no tytyll. þan if þere no tytyll, ergo þe patent voyde. My suster standythe in þe same casse wythe my lord of Kent. Broder, I pray ȝow send more mony fore my neuew John, fore he mwst ellys com hom a-ȝen, fore þe Kyng gothe in-to Scotlonde and he is nowthere horsyd nor harneysyd, fore hijs grett horse is lykly to dye . And if ȝe wyll sende it to me, or to Cristofyre Hanyngton, it xall be saue fore hym. I send ȝow a letter from hym closyde her-in. And I pray spek to my moder þat my hors faylle not on Passyon Swnday, fore þan xall I be redy and þan xall owre redyng be don. Wrytyn on Twsday nexst after Seynt Gregory is Day. ȝowre broder Clement Paston

To my right worshypfull moder Agnes Paston.

Right worshipfull and my most entirely beloude moder, in the most louly maner I recommaund me vnto youre gode moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly blissing, euer-more desiryng to here of your welfare and prosperité, þe which I pray God to contynw and encresce to youre hertes desyre; and yf it lyked youre gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the makyng of thys lettre I was in gode hele of body, thanked be Jesu. And as for my mayster, my bestbeloved that ye call, and I must nedes call hym so now, for I fynde noon oþer cause, and as I trust to Jesu neuer shall; for he is full kynde vnto me, and is as besy as he can to make me sure of my joyntore, wherto he is jbounde in a bonde of ml li. to you, moder, and to my broþer John, and to my broþer William. and to Edmund Clere, the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke you, gode moder, as oure most syngler trost is yn youre gode moderhode, that my maystre, my best beloved, fayle not of the c marc at the begynnyng of this terme the which ye promysed hym to his mariage, wyth the remanent of the money of my faders wille. For I have promytted faithfully to a gentilman called Bain, that was oon of my bestbeloved suertees and was bounde for hym in cc li., of which he reherseth for to resseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme cxx li. And yf he fayle þerof at this tyme he wille clayme the hool of vs, the which were to vs to grete an hurt . And he con not make an ende wyth noon of hys oþer suertees wythoute this seyd syluer, and that con my broþer John telle yow wel j-nough and it lusteth hym to do soo. And in all oþer thynges, as to my Lady Pool wyth hom I soiourned, that ye wil be my tendre and gode moder that she may be payde for all the costes doon to me before my maryage; and to Cristofre Hanson as ye wrote vnto my broþer John that it shuld have ben so . And þat it plese youre gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestre. And Jesu for his grete mercy save yow. Written at London the Wendysday the iij day of Janyuer. By youre humble doughter Elyzabeth Ponyngges

To the worshipful Sir John Paston, knyght, be this delyueryd jn hast.

Worshipfull and with all myn hert interly wilbeloued nevoue, I recomaunde me to yow, desyryng to here of your prosperité and wilefayre, which I pray all-myghti God maynteyn and encres to his plesour and your hertes desire, thankyng God of your amendyng and helth; forthermore certefying yow þat Sir Robert Fenys hath doon grete hurte in þe lyuelode whiche perteyned to my husbond and me in þe shire of Kent, wherin William Kene and oþer persones arn enfeffid, and gretly troubleth hit and receyueth þe issuez and profitez of gret part of theym. And as of my seid husbondes lyuelode aswell in þe same shire as in oþer shirez, besyde myn jountur , my seid husbond whan he departyd towarde þe feld of Saint Albons made and ordeyned his wille þat I shuld haue þe rewell of all his lyuelode, and of Edwarde, his soon and myn, and to take þe issuez and profitez of þe seid lyuelode to þe fyndyng of his and myn seid son, to paie his detteez and to kepe þe right and title of þe same lyuelode which i myght nat accordyng occupie for Ser Edwarde Ponynges, myn seid husbondes brother. And so, sith myn seid husbondes departyng, I assigned þat þe seid Ser Edwarde for certeyn yereez shuld haue and take þe reuenuez of þe maners of Westwode, Estwell, Leuelond, Horsmonden, Totyndon, Eccles, Staundon, and Comebesden, parcell of þe seid lyuelode, which arn clerely yerely worth lxxvj li. xiijs.iiij d., to þe entent þat þe seid Ser Edwarde shuld paye myn husbondes detteez, for he wold not suffer me to be in rest without þat he myght haue a rewell in þe lyvelode. And after þe seid assignement made, þe seid Robert Fenes, contrary to trowth and withoute cause of right, interupted me and þe seid Ser Edwarde aswell of and in þe seid maners as of oþer maners vndirwretyn, wher-vppon þe same Ser Edwarde suet vnto þe Kynges highnesse and hade þe Kyngez honorable lettres vndir his signet directed to þe seid Ser Robert Fenys, þe tenour wher-of I send vnto yow herin inclossid. And as for residue of þe lyuelode of myn seid husbondes and myn within þe same shire of Kent wherin þe seid William Kene and oþer arn enfeffed, that is to say þe manerz of Tyrlyngham, Woluerton, Halton, Newyngton, Bartram, Rokesley, and Northcray, with th'appurtenauncez, I of them by myn seid husbondes wille shuld haue residue and take þe issuez and profitez of theym. Contrarye to right and conciens, takying away my ryght and brekyng my seid husbondes wille þe seid Robert Fenys hath doon gret wast and hurte ther, and longtym hath take vpe þe reuenuez and profitez of þe same, wherthorough I haue not my ryght and þe seid wille may not be parfourmed. Wherfor I hertely pray yow þat ȝe will laboure vnto þe Kynges highnes at yt lyketh hym addres his honorable lettres to be directed to þe seid Robert Fenys, dischargyng hym vtterly of þe menuraunce, occupacion, and receyt of þe reuenuez of þe said maners of Tyrlyngham and oþer, accordyng to þe tenour of þe lettres labored by Ser Edwarde for þe maners assigned to hym from þe Kynges highnes directyd to þe same Robert Fynez, or strayter if hit may be, and þat I and myn assignez may peasseblé reioce theym; and if eny person wold attempt to do þe contrarye þat a commaundement, yf it ples þe Kynges highnes, by hym myght be yevyn to my lorde Chaunceller to seall writtynges sufficiaunt with his gret seall in eydyng and assistyng me and myn assignez in þe same. And as for þe maners of Esthall, Faukham, Asshe, and Chelsfeld, with th'appurtenauncez. in þe said schire of Kent, wherof my husbond at his departur was seassed, and my son sethens vnto þe tyme þat þe Erle of Kent, without eny jnquisision or title of right for þe Kyng, by colour of þe Kynges lettres patentes entret in-to theym and hym ther-of put owte; and now myn lorde of Essexe occupieth them in lyke maner and fourme. Yf eny remedy therin wilbe hade I pray yow attempt hit. Also forther-more I hertely pray yow þat, if eny generall pardon be grauntyd, þat I may haue on for John Dane my seruaunt, whom þe said Robert Fenys of gret malice hath endyted of felonye; and þat ȝe secretly labour þis and send me an aunsewer in writtyng in as godly hast as ȝe may. As soon as yt may ples yow to send me passels of costez and expences ȝe bere and pay for þe said causez I will truely content yow hit of þe same, and ouer þat rewarde yow to your plessour, by þe grace of Jesu, quo haue yow in his blessed keping. Wrettyn in Suthwerk the xvte daie of Decembyre. By your awnt Elizabeth Ponynges

By þe Kyng Tursti and welbelouyde, we grete yow wele; and for asmuche as we been enfourmed þat ȝe entend in hasti tyme to lewey and gader vpe the reuenuez and profitez commyng and growyng of and vppon þe maners of Westwode, Estwell, Levelond,Horsmonden, Totyngdon, Eccles, Stondon, and Comebesdane within our counté of Kent, we for certeyn consideracions vs nowe moeuyng wol and charge you þat from hensse furth ȝe laye off your hondes and in no vise entermet of or in þe seid maners or of eny parcell þerof, in gaderyng of rentes ther or other-wise,eny commaundement or writtyng by vs to you yeven or made herbefore to þe contraré herof natwithstonding; receyuing þeis oure lettres towardes you for your sufficiaunt discharge in þat partie, nat failing herin as ye wol aunsewer vnto vs at your parilie. Yevyn To Ser Robert Fynys, Knyght The copie of ȝe lettre myssyue endossid by þe Kynges awn handes

in dei nomine, amen. The xviijth day of the moneth of May in the yere of oure Lord God mlcccclxxxvij and in the secund yere of the reign of King Henry the vij I, Dame Elisabeth, late wife of Sir George Brown, knyght, being of hoole mynde and in good memorye, thanked be Allmyghty God, make and ordeign this my present testament and last will yn maner and fourme folowing, that is to say: first, I bequeith my soul to Allmyghty God, our Lady Saint Mary, and to all the holy company of hevon, and my body to be buried withyn the churche of the Blak Freris within Ludgate, with my forsaid housband Sir George; to the whiche place I bequeith xxj li. for my said housbandes soul and myne, our fadres and modres soules, and for all Cristen soules to be praid for; and for xiij trentalles of Saint Gregory to be said and songyn for us and thaym by the freris of the said place, as in diriges and masses with all other obseruaunces belongyng to the same in maner and fourme folowing, that is to wete: in the day or morow after my discesse vij trentallis, and euery weke folowing vnto my monthes mynde oon trentall, and iij trentalles at my monthes mynde biside the solempne dirige and masse that is to be requyred for me at that tyme. And I charge myne executours to see that the premisses be done and perfourmed, and also the said freris to feche me from the place where I die vnto thair said place where I haue lymyted afore to be buried. Also, I wull that, as sone as my body is buryed and th'expenses therof done and paid, that myn executours provide and see that my dettes be contented and paid. Also, I bequeith to the vicare of the churche of Dorking in the county of Surré for my forsaid housbandes soul and myne, oure faders and modres, and for all the soules that we be bound vnto to be praid for within the yere after my discesse, as in diriges and masses to be said or song by hym or his deputie, and to haue us specially in remembraunce in thayr memento by oon hole yere, xx s. also, I bequeith to the reparacion of the forsaid churche of Dorking xx s. Also, I bequeith to the parson of Saint Albans in Wodstrete within London, for diriges and masses to be said or song by hym or his deputie in like wise as the vicar of Dorking is charged as is afore rehersed, xxs. Also, I bequeith to the reparacion of the stepull of the said churche of Saint Albans xx solid. Also, I bequeith to the prisoners of Newgate, Ludgate, Kinges Benche, and Mershallsee, to euery of those places, to be praid for, xx d. Also, I bequeith to bedred folkes and other poure housholders, aswell men as women, dwelling within London and without in the suburbis of the same, and moste specially souche as haue knowen me and I thaym, xl s., as by the discrecions and advises of myne executours it shall be thought best to be done. More-ouer, I geue and biqueith to my doughter Mary, to the promocion of her mariage, all my plate and other juelles, with all myne hole apparell and all my stuff of houshold being within my dwelling place or any other within the citee of London or suburbes of the same, that is to say: first a standing cupp of siluer gilt chaced with plompes, weyeng with the cover, knopp, and devise xlij vnces and di.; jtem, a standing cupp of siluer and gilt chaced with flowres, weying with the cover, the knopp, and devise xxvij vnc. and di.; a playn standing cupp of siluer gilt, weing with the cover, the knopp, and the devise xxx vnc.; a standing cupp of siluer and gilt chaced with half plompes, weying with the cover, knopp, and devise xx vnc. and di.; a playn standing cupp of siluer gilt, weying with cover and the knoppe and the deuyse xxvij vnces and an half; a standing cuppe of siluer and gilt, weying with the couer, the knoppe and the deuyse xxvj vnces; a saltseler of syluer and gilte, weying with the couer, the knoppe, and the deuyse xxiij vnces; a saltseler of syluer and gilt without a couer weying xxij vnces and an halfe; a litill saltseler of syluer and gilt, weying with the cover and the knoppe and the deuyse xv vnces and an half; a litell saltseler of syluer and gilt without the couer weyng viij vnces and an halfe; and vj bolles of syluer parcelles gilt weyng iiijxx xviij vnces; and ij peces of syluer with a couer weyng xlviij vnces; a dosen and a half of siluer sponys weying xxiij vnces; and iij sponys of syluer and gilt weying iij vnces and iij quartrons; and a long spone of syluer and gilt for ginger weying j vnce and iij quartrons; jtem, a chafing disshe of syluer weying xxvj vnces; and two litell crewettes of syluer weying viij vnces; a chalese of syluer and gilt with the paten weying xj vnces; an haly water stok of siluer with the lid, handill, and spryngill weying xij vnces; an Agnus with a baleys, iij saphires, iij perlys, with an jmage of Saint Antony apon it; and a tablet with the Salutacion of Our Lady and the iij Kingis of Collayn; a bee with a grete perle, a dyamond, an emerawde, iij grete perlys hanging apon the same; a-nother bee with a grete perle with an emerawde and a saphire weying ij vnces iij quarters; a pece of the Holy Crosse, crossewise made, bordured with siluer aboute; iij brode girdilles, oone of tawny silke with bokill and pendaunt, a-nother of purpill with bokyll and pendaunt, and the iijde of purpill damaske with bokell and pendaunt and vj barres of siluer and gilt; and iij brode harnysed girdilles, oone white tisshew, a-nother red tysshewe gold, and the iijde a playne grene coorse; a muskeball of gold weying halfe an vnce; and ij bokilles and two pendauntes of gold, oone playne and the other pomisyd, weying an vnce and a quarter; and a harnysed girdill enameled with rowsclare weying halfe an vnce; a dymysoynt with a rubye and an amatyste weying j vnce and an halfe; an harnysed girdill of golde of Damaske, with a long pendaunt and a bokill of golde chekkyd, weying j vnce; a grete bed of a-state of verdure and a counterpoynt to the same; and iiij curteyns of grene tartron; a grete federbed; a bolstere; and vj fetherbeddys ouer-woren; vj bolsters; and iiij mattarasses lytyll ouer-woren; xij pellowes of downe; v newe carpettys of ij ellys in lengeth and yarde and halfe brode; iij fyne pelow beres; and a grete counterpoynt of tapstery werk of v yardes and a quarter longe and iiij yardes brode; a hanging for a chamber of grene say borduryd with acrons of xxxv yerdes longe; a whyte spervyour; ij counterpoyntes; an hanging bed with a lyon thereapon and the valence white, grene, and red, and iiij blew courtens to the same; and two couerlettes with lyons; a blak testour for a bed with iiij blak curtens and vj pecys of blak hanging to the same; ij cusshens of blak velvet; a cusshyn of blak damask; a cusshen of grene worstede; a long cusshen of blewe saten figure; a blak coueryng for a bed of borde Alisaunder; and xj peces of grene saye borduryd with acorns to hang with a chambre; a vestment of blak velwet with orfrayes browderyd with my saide husbondys armes and myne; an awbe; j chesyppill with a stole and all that belongeth therto; ij corporas casys of cloth of gold; j olde vestment; an awbe; an awter clothe wyth the jmage of ȝour Lorde; a corporas case of blewe cloth of golde, a-nother of blewe saten and russet; an awter clothe of staynyd werke; and iij stenyd clothes with jmagis in them to hang a chapell; ij awter clothes of white sylke with red crosses; and ij curtens with white frengis and red; and iiij curtens, ij of rayed sarsenet and two of grene; an awter clothe; a litell pece of grene tartron; a payer of fustyans of iiij breddys iij yerdys iij quarters long; a paire of fyne shetys ouerworne of iiij yerdes brede; an hede shete; and iij payer of newe shetys of iij levis of iij ellys and an half long; and two payer of shetys of ij levis and an half long; and iij hedshetys of ij bredys; and vj paiere of shetys ouer-worne of ij levis; and vj paier of houshold shetis; and two paier of wollen blankettes; and a violet gowne furryd with martrons; a blak gowne furryd with gray; a blak gowne furryd with white; a blak gowne furryd with martrons; and a nyght gowne of blak furryd with martrons; a kirtill of tawny chamlet; a purfill of ermyns of ij skynne depeth and iij yardys and an half long; a purfill of martrons of j skynne deppeth and iiij yardis long; a purfill of shankes of ij skynne deppeth and iiij yardis long; a bonet of poudred ermyns;and a pece of cloth of golde with dropis which was of a duplade; and a dosen of diaper napkyns of floure delyce werke and crownes; and a dosen and a half of naptkyns of playne clothe with blew pelowers; and a pece of clothe of diaper werke to make with a dosen naptkyns; a bordecloth of floure delice werk and crownes of x yardis and an half long and iij yardis brode; and a-nother bordecloth of floure delyce werk and crownes viij yardes and a half long, ij yardes and a quarter brode; a towell of diaper of flower delice werke and crownys of xxti yardys long and iij quarters brode; a-nother towell of flower delice werke and crownys of iij quarters brede and xviij yardes long; a-nother of latise werke and diaper of iij quarter brede, xiiij yerdes di. long; a-nother towell of iiij greynys and a fret of viij yerdes di. long; a-nother towell of latise werk and crownys vj yerdes and di. long and iij quarters brede; and two towellis of great diaper werk iij yerdes and a quarter long and iij quarter brode; and a pece of new creste clothe conteygnyng xxiij ellys; and two towellys of great diaper werkes of xiiij yerdes long and iij quarter in brede; and vij grete cofers, v chestis, ij almaryes like a chayer, and a blak cofer bounden with jron; vj yoyned stoles; iiij kaskettys; v litell ioynyd stoles; a litill table ij yerdes long; a rounde table; ij trestelles; ij garnysshe and di. of pewter vessell counterfete, wherof j garnysshe and di. is newe; and vj great kandelstikkis newe of laton, and iiij newe bellyd kandelstikkis ; ij litill kandelstikkes; vij basens of pewater; and v brasse pannys, of the which oon is xvj galons and two of them of viij gallons a pece; and the other ij more lesse; a grete standing chafere of laton with a lyon apon the lydde; ij chafers of brasse, and ij litill brasse pottys; ij grete cobardys and ij othere cobardys more and lesse; ij fyer pannys; a lityll skelet; a ladill and a scomer of laton; ij colondyrs; ij spyttys; ij dreping pannes of jron; iij dressing knyfys; ij lechyng knyfys; ij choppyng knyfys; a tryvet; a brasen morter with a pestell of jron; ij stone morters; ij gredyrons; j payer of potte hokys, a flesshe hoke, and a kolerake. Prouydid alwey that myn executours, by the aduyse of myn ouerseers, ordeigne and put in safegarde, to be kept after my discease in-to som religious place vnto the day of my said doughters mariage, and to the behofe and promocyon of the same, all and euery part of the forsaid plate and juelx, with all other stuffe of houshold by me to her as is aboue written yoven and bequethed, except souche stuffe as canne not be kept from mowghtes, which I will she haue the rule and gouernaunce of for the safegarde of the same and for her wele. And if my saide doughter Mary dye vnmaryed, then I yeve and bequethe all the forsaid plate, with all other stuffe of housholde, to my soon Mathewe her brothere. And if it fortune that he dye vnmaryd, as God forfende. then I yeve and bequeth all and euery part of my forsaid plate, juelx, and stuffe of housholde vnto my soon Sir Edward Ponyngis. And yef it fortune the said Edward to dye, as God defende, that then all the forsaid juelx and other stuffe aboue written, except a playne standing cuppe of syluer and gilt with the couer, the knoppe, and the deuyse of the same, with gryffons hede in the botom wrought apon blewe asure, weying xxvj vncis, which I geve to my doughter in lawe Dame Isabell Ponyngis, be dyuydyd by th'advice of the ouerseers of this my present testament and last wille, and euynly to be departid vnto Antony Browne and Robert Browne, my brethern-in-lawe, they to do with it thaire fre wille. And as touching myne Agnus, tablettes with dyamondys, saphires, perlys grete and small, crosses , gurdillis, dymyseyntes, gownys, with all other thingis longing to myne apparayle as is aboue written, yef it fortune my said doughter Mary decease I geve and bequethe all and euery part of it to my kynnyswoman Margaret Hasslake. And if the said Margaret dye, that then all the said apparell particularly written before remaigne to my said doughter-in-lawe Dame Isabelle Ponyngys. Also, xx merc. which I lent vnto my son Ser Edward Ponynges I woll that it be destributyd by the discrecion of myn executours and ouerseers among souche as been knowen my seruauntys at the day of my discease. The residue of all my singuler goodes, catallys, and juellys, after my dettys payde and my bequestes parfourmed and fulfyllyd and burying done, I geve and fully bequeth to my sonnys Ser Edward Ponyngis and Mathew Browne, and theym to dispose and do theire fre wille to pray and to do for my soule as they wolde I sholde do for them, as they will aunswere afore God. And of this my testament and last wille I make and ordeigne myne executours my forsaid sonnes Ser Edward Ponyngys and Mathew Browne, and theire superuysours Humfrey Conyngesby and Richard Tuke. And I bequeth to euery of myne executours for thaire labour lx s., and to euery of myne ouerseers for thaire labours xl s. In wittenesse hereof I, the said Dame Elizabeth, to this my present testament and last wille haue put my seale. Youen at London the day and yere abouesaide. Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum coram domino apud Lamehith xxvjto die mensis Junij anno Domini supradicto, ac approbatum, &c. Et commissa fuit administracio &c. Matheo Browne, filio eiusdem et executori, &c., de bene, &c. Ac de pleno jnuentario, &c. citra festum Sancti Petri quod dicitur Aduincula, reseruata potestate committendi &c. Edwardo Ponynges, militi, executori, &c.

To my worshepfull husbon, John Paston, abidyng at Petyrhous in Cambrigg.

Ryth reuerent and worsepful husbon, I recomawnde me to ȝow wyth alle myn sympyl herte, and prey ȝow to wete þat there come up xj hundyr Flemyns at Waxham, qwere-of were takyn and kylte and dronchyn viij hundyrte. And þat had nowte a be ȝe xul a be atte home þis Qwesontyde, and I suppose þat ȝe xul be atte home er owte longke. I thanke ȝow hertely for my lettyr, for I hadde non of ȝow syn I spake wyth ȝow last for þe matyr of Jon Mariot. þe qwest pasyd nowte of þat day, for my lorde of Norfolke was in towne for Wedyrbys matyr; qwerefore he wolde nowt latyd pase. As for-furþe os I knowe Fynche ne Kylbys makeþe no purwyauns for hys gode. No more I wryte to ȝow atte þis tyme, but þe Holy Trenyté hawe ȝow in kepyng. Wretyn at Norweche on Trenyté Sunne-day. ȝowr Markaryte Paston

To my ryth reuerent and worscheful husbond John Paston.

Ryth reuerent and worscheful husbond, I recomavnde me to yow, desyryng hertyly to here of yowre wylfare, thankyng yow for þe tokyn þat ye sent me be Edmunde Perys, preyng yow to wete þat 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 þat he cargeyt yow to bey it aftyr þat he were come ovte of London. I pre yow, yf it be not bowt, þat ye wyl wechesaf to by it and send yt hom as sone as ye may, for I haue no govne to werre þis wyntyr but my blake and my grene a Lyere, and þat ys so comerus þat I ham wery to wer yt. As for þe gyrdyl þat my fadyr be-hestyt me, I spake to hym þer-of a lytyl be-fore he ȝede to London last, and he seyde to me þat þe favte was in yow þat ȝe wolde not thynke þer-vppe-on to do mak yt; but i sopose þat ys not so=he seyd yt but for a skevsacion. I pre yow, yf ye dor tak yt vppe-on yow, þat ye wyl weche-safe to do mak yt a-yens ye come hom; for I hadde neuer more nede þer-of þan I haue now, for I ham waxse so fetys þat I may not be gyrte in no barre of no gyrdyl þat I haue but of on. Elysabet Peverel hath leye seke xv or xvj wekys of þe seyetyka, but sche sent my modyr word be Kate þat sche xuld come hedyr wanne God sent tyme, þoov 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 þat he was not gladder of no thyng þat he harde thys towlmonyth þan he was þer-of. I may no lenger leve be my crafte, i am dysscevwyrd of alle men þat se me. Of alle odyr thyngys þat ye deseyreyd þat I xuld sende yow word of I haue sent yow word of in a letter þat I dede wryte on Ovwyr Ladyis Day laste was. þe Holy Trenyté haue yow in hese kepyng. Wretyn at Oxnede in ryth gret hast on þe Thrusday next be-fore Seynt Tomas Day. I pre yow þat ye wyl were þe reyng wyth þe emage of Seynt Margrete þat I sent yow for a rememravnse tyl ye come hom. Ye haue lefte me sweche a rememravnse þat makyth me to thynke vppe-on yow bothe day and nyth wanne I wold sclepe. Yowre ys, M. P.

To my rygth worchepful husbond Jhon Paston, dwellyng in þe Innere Temple at London, in hast.

Ryth worchipful hosbon, I recomande me to yow, desyryng hertely to here of your wilfare, thanckyng God of your a-mendyng of þe grete dysese þat ye have hade; and I thancke yow for þe letter þat ye sent me, for be my trowthe my moder and I were nowth in hertys es fro þe tyme þat we woste of your sekenesse tyl we woste verely of your a-mendyng. My moder hat be-hestyd a-nodyr ymmage of wax of þe weytte of yow to Oyur Lady of Walsyngham, and sche sent iiij nobelys to þe 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 þe tyme þat I woste of your sekenesse tyl I woste of your a-mendyng, and ȝyth myn hert is in no grete esse, ne nowth xal be tyl I wott þat ȝe 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 þat nyth and was þer tyl it was ix of þe cloke and þe toder day. And I sentte thedyr for a gounne, and my moder seyde þat I xulde non have dens tyl I had be þer a-ȝen; and so þei cowde non gete. My fader Garneyss sentte me worde þat he xulde ben here þe nexth weke, and myn emme also, and pleyn hem here wyth herre hawkys; and þei 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 þat I xal redelyer have tydyngys from yow herre dan i xulde have þer. I xal sende my moder a tokyn þat sche toke me, for I sopose þe tyme is cum þat I xulde sendeth here yf I kepe þe be-hest þat I have made- I sopose I have tolde yow wat it was. I pray yow hertely þat ye wol wochesaf to sende me a letter as hastely as ȝe may, yf wrytyn be non dysesse to yow, and þat 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 ȝe wern at hom, yf it were your ese and your sor myth ben as wyl lokyth to here as it tys þer ȝe ben now, lever dan a new gounne, þow it were of scarlette. I pray yow, yf your sor be hol and so þat ȝe may indure to ryde, wan my fader com to London þat ȝe wol askyn leve and com hom wan þe hors xul be sentte hom a-ȝeyn; for I hope ȝe xulde be kepte as tenderly herre as ȝe 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 þat ȝe wolde wochesaffe to remember my gyrdyl, and þat ȝe wolde wryte to me at þis tyme, for I sopose þe 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 ȝow wel and sendyt ȝow Goddys blyssyng and here, and sche prayith ȝow, and I pray ȝow also, þat ȝe be wel dyetyd of mete and dryngke, for þat is þe grettest helpe þat ȝe may haue now to your helthe ward. Your sone faryth wel, blyssyd be God.

To myn ryth worcepful husbonde John Paston.

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 þe thyngys þat ye sent me þer-wyth. And towchyn Jon Estegate, he com nowdyr non sent hedyre nowt ȝyt, werefor I sopose I must borrowyn mony in schorte time but ȝyf 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 þe for-seyd some. I haue do yowre herrendys to myn modyr and myn hunckyl, and as for þe feffeys of Stokysby myn hunckyl syth þat þer be no mo þan he wrot to yow of þat he knowit. And also I hauwe delyuyrit þe todyr thyng þat ye sent me in-selyd in þe boxe as ye comaundit me, and þe man seyt þat I delyuerid it to þat he wylle nowt of þe bargeyne but sweche thynggys be do or he come þere þat ye sent hym worde of. He seyth he wold nowt be noysyd wyth no sweche thyngys os þat is þat 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 þat ye wylle weche-saue to beyn for me swech lacys os I send yow exsaunpyll of in þis letter, and j pesse of blac lacys. As for cappys þat ye sent me for þe chylderyn, þey be to lytyl for hem. I pray yow bey hem feynere cappys and largere þan þo were. Also I pray yow þat ye wille wech-saue to recomaunde me to myn fadyr and myn modyr, and tellyth herre þat alle herre chyldyrryn ben in gode hele, blyssyd be Godd. Heydonnis wyffe had chyld on Sent Petyr Day. I herde seyne þat herre husbond wille nowt of here, nerre of here chyld þat sche had last nowdyre. I herd seyn þat he seyd ȝyf sche come in hesse precence to make here exkewce þat 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 ayen in no wysse, os I herde seyn. þe Holy Trinité haue yow in hesse kepyn and send yow helth. Wretyn at Geldiston on þe Wedynisday nexte after Sent Thomas. Be yowrys, M. Paston

Ryt wurchipful hwsbond, I recomawnd me to ȝu and prey ȝw to gete som crosse bowis, and wyndacis to bynd þem wyth, and quarell, for ȝwr hwsis here ben so low þat þere may non man schete owt wyth no long bowe þow we hadde neuer so moche nede. I sopose ȝe xuld haue seche thyngis of Sere Jon Fastolf if ȝe wold send to hym. And also I wold ȝe xuld gete ij or iij schort pelle-axis to kepe wyth doris, and als many jakkys and ȝe may. Partryche and his felaschep arn sore aferyd þat ȝe wold entren aȝen up-on hem, and þey haue made grete ordynawnce wyth-jnne þe hwse, as it is told me. þey haue made barris to barre the dorys crosse-weyse, and þey han made wyketis on euery quarter of þe hwse to schete owte atte, bothe wyth bowys and wyth hand gunnys; and þo holys þat ben made forre hand gunnyss þey ben scarse kne hey fro þe plawnchere, and of seche holis ben made fyve. þere can non man schete owt at þem wyth no hand bowys. Purry felle in felaschepe wyth Willyam Hasard at Querles, and told hym þat he wold com and drynk wyth Partryche and wyth hym, and he seyd he xuld ben welcom; and after none he went þedder for to aspye qhat þey dedyn and qhat fela-schep þey hadde wyth þem. And qhan he com þedder þe doris were fast sperid and þere were non folkis wyth hem but Maryoth and Capron and his wyff and Querles wyf and anoþer man in ablac ȝede sumqhate haltyng; I sopose be his wurdis þat was Norfolk of Gemyngham. And þe seyd Purry aspyde alle þis forseyd thyngis, and Marioth and his felaschep had meche grette langage þat xall ben told ȝw qhen ȝe kom hom. I pray ȝw þat ȝe wyl vowche-save to don bye for me j li. of almandis and j li. of sugyre, and þat ȝe wille do byen summe frese to maken of ȝwr childeris gwnys; ȝe xall haue best chepe and best choyse of Hayis wyf, as it is told me. And þat ȝe wyld bye a ȝerd of brode clothe of blac for an hode fore me of xliijj d. or iiij s. a ȝerd, for þer is nothere gode cloth nere god fryse in this twn. As for þe childeris gwnys, and I haue cloth I xal do hem maken. The Trynyté haue ȝw jn his keping and send ȝw gode spede in alle ȝwr materis.

To my rytȝ wurchipful mayster Jon Paston be þis delyueryd in hast.

Ryt wurchipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to ȝou, desyryng hertyly to heryn of ȝowr wele-fare, preying ȝou to weten þat I commawndyd Herry Goneld to gon to Gunnore to have copys of þe pleyntys in þe hundrede. And Gunnore was not att hom, but þe seyd Herry spake wyth his clerk, and he told hym pleynly he wost wele his mayster wuld not late hym have no copys, þow he wer att hom, tyl þe nexst hundred; qher-for I send ȝou þat byl þat was wownd abowt þe relefys. Custans Mak and Kentyng wold a dysavowyd here swtys rytȝ fayn þe last hundred, as I herd sayn of rytȝ thryfty men; but þe Lord Moleynys men thrett hem þat bothe þey xuld ben betyn and lesen here hws and lond and all here goodys but if þey wold avow it. And after þat Osborn was gon, Hasard intretyd Kentyng and Mak to avow þe swtys after þat þey hadde disavowyd itt, and ȝave hem mony to ȝef to þe clerkys to entren aȝen þe pleyntys. But jf ȝe seke a remedy in hast for to remeve itt I sopose þey wyl distreyn for þe mersymentys er þe nexst hundred. As for Mak, he gate respyt þat he xuld not sew tyl þe nexst hundred. As for Herry Goneld, he was dystreynyd ȝysterday for rent and ferm, and he must pay it to-morn, xxij s., or ell lesyn his dystresse.þey gadder money fast of all þe tenawntys. Al þe tenawntys ben chargyd to pay all here rent and ferm be Fastyngong Sonday. It ys told me þat þe Lord Moleynys xuld kepe his Fastyngong att Jon Wynterys plase. The seyd lordys men haddyn a letter on Thursday last past; qhat tydyngys þey hadde I wote nott, but on þe nexst mornnyng be tymys Thomas Bampton, a man of þe Lord Moleynys, rod wyth a letter to his lord, and þey þat ben att Gressam waytyn after an answere of þe letter in hast. Barow and Hegon and all þe Lord Moleynys men þat were att Gressam qhan ȝe departyd hens ben there styll, save Bampton, and in his stede is kom anothere, and i here sey þei xul abyd here styll tyl here lord kom ... to Barow as ȝe komawndyd me, to weten qhatt þe cawse was þat þei thrett men .... Goneld and other of ȝowr servawntys and wele-willerys to ȝow þe qheche were namyd to hym þat were thrett ...swore pleynly þatt þey were never thrett; but I know veryly þe contrary, for of his own felaschep lay. in awayt sondery dayis and nytys abowt Gunneldys, Purrys, and Bekkys plasys. And som of þem ȝedyn in-to Bekkys and Purrys hwsys, bothen in þe hallys and þe bernys, and askyd qher þei were; and þei were answeryd þat þey were owth, and þei seydyn aȝen þat þey xuld meten wyth hem anoþer tym. And be dyuers oþer thyngys I know if þei mytȝ a ben kawt oþer þey xuld a ben slayn or sore hurt. I sent Kateryn on þis 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 þese forseyd men mytȝ levyn in pese for hem,and seyd þer xuld ell ben purveyd other remedy for hem. And he made here grett chere, and hem þat were þere wyth here, and seyd þat he desyryd for to speken wyth me if it xuld ben non displesans to me. And Kateryn seyd to hym þat sche supposyd þat I desyryd not to speken wyth hym. And he seyd he xuld com forby þis plase on huntyng after non, and þer xuld nomore com wyth hym but Hegon and on of his owyn men, and þan he wold bryng seche an answere as xuld plese me. And after none þey com hydder and sent in to me to weten if þei mytȝ speken wyth me, and praying þat þei mytȝ speken wyth me; and þey abedyn styl wyth-owtȝ þe ȝatys, and I kam owth to hem and spak wyth hem wyth-owt, and prayid hem þat þey wold hold me exkusyd þat I browth hem not in to þe plase. I seyd in as meche as þei were nott wele- wyllyng to þe godeman of þe plase I wold not take it up-on me to bryng hem in to þe jantylwoman.þey seyd I dede þe best, and þan we welk forthe and desyryd an answere of hem for þat I hadde sent to hem fore. þei sayd to me þei had browtȝ me seche an answere as þei hopyd xuld plese me, and told me how þei had comownd wyth all her felaschep of seche materis as i had sent to hem fore, and þat þei durst under-take þat þer xud no man ben hurt of hem þatt were rehersyd, nere noman þat longyth to ȝou noþer, for hem nere non of here felaschep; and þat þey inswryd me be here trowthis. Nevere lese I trest not to here promese in as meche as I fend hem on-trew in oþer thyngys. I conseyvyd wele be hem þat þey were wery of þat þei haden don. Barow swor to me be his trowth þat he had lever þan xl s. and xl þat his lord had not commawndyd hym to com to Gressam, and he seyd he was rytȝ sory hidderward in as meche as he had knowleche of ȝw be-fore; he was rytȝ sory of þat þat was don. I seyd to hym þat he xuld haue compascion on ȝou and oþer þat were dissesyd of her lyvelode, in as meche as he had ben dissesyd hym-self; and he seyd he was so, and told me þat he had sewyd to my lord of Suffolk dyuers tymys, and wold don tyl he may gete his gode aȝen. I seyd to hym þat ȝe had sewyd to my Lord Moleynys dyuers tymys for þe maner of Gressam syth ȝe wer dissesyd, and ȝe cowd neuer gete no resonabyl answere of hym, and þer-fore ȝe entred aȝen as ȝe hopid þat was for þe best. And he seyd he xuld neuer blame my lord of Suffolk for þe entré in his lyvelode, for he seyd my seyd lord was sett þer-up-on be þe informacion of a fals schrew. And I seyd to hym in lyke wyse is þe mater be-twyx þe Lord Moleynys and ȝou: I told hym I wost wele he sett neuer þer-vp-on be no tytyl of rytȝ þat he hadde to þe maner of Gressam, but only be þe informacion of a fals schrew. I rehersyd no name, but me thowt be hem þat þei wost ho I ment. Meche oþer langage we hadde qhyche xuld taken long leysyr in wrytyng, I rehersyd to hem þat it xuld a be seyd þatt I xuld not longe dwell so nere hem as I do, and þey for-swere it, as þei do oþer thyngys more, þat it was neuer seyd; and meche thyng þat I know veryly was seyd. I here seyn þat ȝe and Jon of Damme ben sore thrett alway, and seyn þow ȝe ben at London ȝe xul ben met wyth there as wele as þow ȝe were here; and þer-for I pray ȝou hertly beware hw ȝe walk þere and haue a gode felaschep wyth ȝou qhan ȝe xul walk owtȝ. The Lord Moleynys hathe a cumpany of brothell wyth hym þat rekk not qhat þey don, and seche are most for to drede. þei þat ben at Gressam seyn þat þey haue not don so moche hurt to ȝou as þei 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 þei here oþer tydyngys. I wold not Jon of Damme xuld com hom tyl þe cuntré be storyd oþerwyse þan it is. I pray Godde grawnt þat it mot sone ben oþerwyse þan it is. I pray ȝou hertyly þat ȝe wil send me wurd how ȝe don and how ȝe spede in ȝowr materis, for be my trowth I kan not ben wel att ese in my hert, ner not xal ben, tyl I here tydyngys hw ȝe don. þe most part of ȝowr stuff þat was at Gressam is sold and ȝovyn away. Barow and his felaw spak to me in þe most plesawnt wyse, and me semyth be hem þei wold fayn plese me. þei seyd þei wold do me servyse and plesans, if it lay in here powrys to don owth for me, save only in þat þat longyth to here lordys rytȝ. I seyd to hem, as for seche servys as þey hadde do to ȝow and to me I desyre nomore þat þei xuld do noþer to ȝow ner to me. þei 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 mytȝ an had my desyre I xuld noþer a departid owth of þe place nere from þe stuff þat was þer-in. þei seyd as for þe stuff, it was but esy. I seyd ȝe wold not a ȝoven þe stuff þat was in þe place qhan þei com jn not for a c li. þei seyd þe stuff þat þei sey þere was skars wurth xx li. As for ȝowr moder and myn, sche faryth wel, blissid be God, and sche had no tydyngys but gode ȝett, blissid be God. The blissyd Trynyté have ȝou in his kepyng and send ȝou helt and gode spede in al ȝowr materys. Wretyn at Sustede on þe Satyrday nexst after Seynt Valentynys day. Here dare noman seyn a gode wurd for ȝou in þis cuntré, Godde amend it. ȝowrys, M. P.

To my rytȝ wurschipful mayster Jon Paston be þis delyverid in hast, dwelling in þe Innere Tempill.

Rytȝ wurschipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to ȝou, praying ȝou to wete þat my kosyn Clere dynyd wyth me þis day, and sche told me þat Heydon was wyth here ȝisterevyn late. And he told here þat he had a letter from þe Lord Moleynys, and schewyd here þe same letter, praying hym þat he wold seyn to his frendys and wele-willerrys in þis contré þat he thankyth hem of here godewill and for þat þei haue don for hym, and also praying Heydon þat he wold sey to Rychard Ernold of Crowmer þat he was sory and evyl payd þat his men maden þe afray up-on hym, for he seyd it was not be his will þat his men xuld make afray on noman in þis contré wyth-owth rytȝ grett cawse; and as for þat was don to ȝou, jf it mytȝ ben prevyd þat he had don oþerwise to ȝou þan rytȝ wold as for ȝowr mevabyl godis, ȝe xuld ben content so þat ȝe xuld haue cawse to kon hym þank. And he prayd Heydon in þe letter þat it xuld ben reportid in þe kontré þat he wold don so if he had don oþerwyse þan he awth to don. The frere þat cleymyth Oxned was in þis town ȝustyrday and þis day, and was lodgid att Beris; and þis after-non he rod, but qhedder I wote not.He seyd pleynly in þis town þat he xal haue Oxnede, and þat he hath my lord of Suffolkys good lordship and he wol ben his good lord in þat matere. There was a persone warnyd my moder wyth-in þis to days þat sche xuld ben ware, for þei seyd pleynly sche was lyk to ben servyd as ȝe were servyd at Gressam wyth-in rytȝ schort tym. Also þe Lord Moleyns wrott in his forseyd letter þat he wold mytyly wyth his body and wyth his godis stand be all þo þat had ben his frendys and his wel-willerys in þe mater towching Gressam, and preyd Heydon þat he wold sey to þem þat þei xuld not ben aferd in non wyse, for þat was don it xuld ben abedyn by. My moder prayith ȝou þat ȝe wil send my broþer Willyam to Kawmbrege a nomynale and a bok of sofystré of my broþer Emundys, þe queche my seyd broþer be-hestid my moder þe last tym he spak wyth her þat he xuld a sent to my broþer Willyam. þe blisseful Trinyté haue ȝou in his keping. Wretyn at Norwyche in hast on þe Wedenysday nexst be-fore Palm Sonday. ȝowrys, M. P.

I prey ȝou if ȝe haue any old gownys for lynyngys and old schetys and old schertis þat may non lengere serven ȝou, I prey ȝou send hem hom in hast, for I must okupye seche thyngys in hast. Wymdam hath medyd þe jvryorys and ȝaf hem mony þat xuld passe on þe qwhest be-twyn ȝowr modyr and hym. If þer myt ben purveyd any mene þat it myt ben dasched in cas were þat it xuld passe aȝens ȝowr moder it were a good sport, for þan he wold ben wode.He sent wyth his men to þe afray iij gunnys, in very trowth. I haue jnquiryd veryly þer-after. He is wode wroth þat Danyel is amrel, for it is told me þat on of his men is indytyd in þe amrellys cort sythyn þat Danyel was made amerel. I pray ȝou beware in qhat felaschep ȝe ryd qhan ȝe com homward, for þer gon many fals shrewys and thevys in þe contré. 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 þe cawse is I wote nott. On sent me wurd here-of þat knowyth it for trowth.

To my ryth wurchepfull mayster Jon Paston in hast

Ryt wurschipfull husbond, I recommand me to ȝou, desyring hertyly to here of ȝowr wellfare, praying ȝou to wete þat I haue spoken wyth Strawngys wyf of þe mater þat ȝe spoken to me of. And sche seyth pleynly to me, be here feyth, þat 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 oþer þat sche þingkyth xuld haue knowleche of any seche sche xuld wetyn of hem and letyn me haue knowleche þer-of. And jf ȝe soppose þat any oþer be jn þis contré þat ye thyng xuld haue knowleche of þis 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 þat he woll don lyche as ȝe bad me þat I xuld sey to hym for to don. And I haue spokyn wyth þe sexteyn and seyd to hym as ye bad me that I xuld don, and he axid me ryt feythfully hw ye sped jn ȝowr materys. I told him þat ȝe haddyn fayre be-hestys, and I seyd I hopyd þat ȝe xuld don rytȝ well þer-jn; and he seyd he supposyd þat D. wold don for ȝou, but he seyd he was no hasty laborere jn non mater. He seyd be hys feyth he wost qhere a man was þat laboryd to hym for a mater ryth a long tym, and alwey he be-hestyd þat he wold labore itt effectualy, but qhyll he sewyd to hym he kowd never haue remedy of his mater; and than, qhan he þowth þat he xuld no remedy haue to sew to hym, he spak wyth Fynys þat is now Speker of þe Parlment, and prayid hym þat he wold don for hym jn his mater, and ȝaf hym a reward, and wyth-jnne ryth schort tym after his mater was sped. And þe seyd sexteyn and oþer folkys þat ben yowre ryth wele willerys haue kownselyd me þat I xuld kownsell ȝou to maken oþer menys þan ye haue made to other folkys þat wold spede yowr materys better þan they haue don þatt ye haue spoken to þer-of be-for this tym. Sondery folkys haue seyd to me that they þynk veryly but if ȝe haue my lord of Suffolkys godelorchyp qhyll þe 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 þat 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 materys the qhyche ye haue jn hand now, and of othere that ben not don to yett but if he wyl don for ȝou and be yowr godelord. I pray ȝow hertylye send me word how ȝe don and how ye speden jn ȝowr materys; and I pray you, as for seche thyngys as Jamys hath a byll of, þat I may haue hem as hastyly as ȝe may, and þat ȝe 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 þat E ȝeve me for an hodde, and I kan gettyn non gode bokeram jn þis town to lyn it wyth. The Holy Trinyté haue yow in his kepyng and send ȝou helth and good spede in all yowre materis. Wretyn att Norwyche on þe Fryday nexst after Crowchemesse Day. ȝowrys, M. P.

To my rytȝ worchypful maystyr Jon Paston be this delyveryd in hast.

Rytȝ worchipful hosbond, I recommawnd me to ȝow, desyring hertyly to here of ȝowr well-fare, thankyng for þe letter þat ȝe sent to me, praying ȝow to wete þat I haue sent Henry to Maltby þis weke to do seche thyngys as ȝe commawndyd in ȝowr letter. And as towching þe dyche aȝens the maner gate, ȝowr tenawntys haue nere made itt as ȝe desyryd þat it shuld ben made qhan ȝe were þere, and it is made up-on þe old dyche. And as for mony, I cowd haue þer at þis tym butt xxj s. viij d. And as for the flete, þe man is not in þis contré þat shuld make itt. ȝowr tenawntys and oþer men seyn þat it shal ben als gode makyng þer-of after Estern as it shuld ben be-fore Estern. I have spoke to Jon of Damme to do as ȝe sent me word in ȝowr letter, and he seyth he wol don his part as ȝowr desyre is wyth all his hert. Jamys Gloys was in þat contré sythyn he kom from London, and he spak wyth Henry Goneld; and þe seyd Henry told hym þat he herd seyn þat Partriche hath sent a lettyr to þe lym-brennere byddyng hym þat he shuld fell þe rede att Gressam, and so it is fellyd and karyid to Mariottys plase att Bekkam. And þe seyd Henry seyth how it is seyd in Gressam that Partryche sent hom word þat he shuld not com hom tyl he com wyth his lord, and þat he seyd shuld ben wyth-jnne short tym, and þat he shuld ben lodgyd at Jon Wynterys plase. And as for Capron, he dwellyth styl in Gressam, and he seyth, and oþer þat ben aȝens ȝow, thow ȝe entre in-to þe manere þat ȝe shuld nevyre haue it long in pesebyl wyse. Wyllyam Butt, the whiche is wyth Sere Jon Hevenyngham, kom hom from London ȝesterday, and he seyd pleynly to his mayster and to many othere folkys þat the Duke of Suffolk is pardonyd and hath his men aȝen waytyng up-on hym, and is rytȝ wel at ese and mery, and is in the Kyngys godegrase and in þe gode conseyt of all þe lordys as well as ever he was. There ben many enmys aȝens ȝErmowth 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 þe lond and pleyn hem on Caster sondys and in othere plases as homely as they were Englysch-men. Folkys ben rytȝ sore aferd þat they wol don moche harm þis somer but if þer be made rytȝ grett purvyans aȝens hem. Othere tydyngys know I non att þis tym. The blysseful Trinyté haue ȝow in his kepyng. Wretyn at Norwyche on Seynt Gregorys Day ȝowrys, M. P.

To my rith wurshepfull hosbond Jon Paston

Rith worchipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, preying you to wete that there is a gret noyse in þis town þat my lord of Oxforth and Yelverton and ye ben endytid in Kent for mayntenyng of þe oyrdetermyner, and Jon Damme is endytyd þere also of treson be-cawse þat he dede Heydon endytyn of treson for takyng down of þe quarter of the man. And the pepyll þat ben ayens Sere Thomas Todenham and Heydon ben sore aferd be-cawse of þis noyse and of oþer langage that is had boþe in þis town and in þe contré þat þese seyd Todenham and Heydon shuld ben as well at ese and haue as grett rewill as euer they hadde. Jamys Gloys tellith me þat he hath sent yow word of Heydonys hors, and of oþer thyngys more, of whiche I was purposid to a sent yow word of. The Holy Trinyté have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at Norwiche the Weddenysday next after Seynt Mathy. yowris, M. P.

To myn ryth worshipfull hosbond Jon Paston.

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 þat þey 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 þat he woll hold hem connawnt if he have powyre there-to. It is seyd here þat the Kyng shuld com in-to this contré, and Ser Thomas Todenham and Heydon arn well cheryshid wyth hym; and also it is seyd they shall have as grett rewill in þis contré as evyre they hadde, and many more folkys arn sory þerfore than mery. Ser Thomas Todenhamys men and Heydonys sowyn this sedde all abowte þe contré, þat here maysteris shull cum hom in hast in here prosperité and be als well att ese as euer they were. As for that ye desyryd þat I shuld enquyre where any stuff is of yowrys, I wot not how to don þer-wyth, for if on were aspyid þat hath of yowr stuff, and we had it from hym, oþer þat have more þer-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 þerof 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 þat 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 toþer party that it makyth þe 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 þat louyth yow ryth well told me how it was told hym so, and warnyd me þerof in secrete wyse. Itt is gode to ben ware of there falsed. I pray yow þat 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 þat ye woll do bey ij gode hattis for yowr sonys, for I can none getyn in þis town. More tydyngys can I not send yow yett. The Holy Trinyté have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn att Norwiche on þe fyrst Monday of Lent. Yowrys, M. P.

To my right wurchepfull husbond John Paston, beyng in the Innere Tempill, be this delivered in has

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 contré. 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 contré 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 contré assmych as euer thei had, or more. The Holy Trynyté haue you in kepyng. Wretyn at Norwhich vn the Tuesday next be-fore Mydlente Sonday. Yowre M. P.

To my rygth worshipfull hosbond John Paston be þis delyverid in hast.

Rygth wurchipfull hosbond, i recommawnd me to yow, desyring hertyly to here of yowr welfare, preying yow to wete that itt was told me þis weke that þer is a fayre plase to sell in Seynt Laveransis parysch, and stant nere the chirche and by þe watere syde, þe whiche place Toppis hath to sell. Pyte, a lystere, bowgth itt of Toppis, and now for defawt of payment Toppis hath enterid ayen þer-inne and shall selle itt in hast, as it is told me. The seyd lystere dwellyth þer-inne at þis 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 anoþer shuld. Als for tydyngys, we have none gode in þis contré; I pray God send us gode. Itt was told me that Rychard Sowthwell hath enterid in þe manere of Hale, þe whiche is þe Lady Boysys, and kepyth itt wyth strength wyth seche anothere felashep as hath be att Brayston, and wastyth and dispoylyth all þat þer is. And þe Lady Boys, as it is told me,is to London to conpleyn to þe Kyng and to þe lordys there-of. Itt semyth it was not for nowgth þat he held wyth Charlys and his felashep. I prey yow þat ye wol vowchesawf to speke to Jamys Gloys to bye þe vngwentum albumþat I spake to hym fore, and þat 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 Trinyté have yow in his keping and send yow gode spede in all þat ye woll spede well inne. Wretyn at Norwyche on þe Ascencion Day. Yowris, M. P.

To my rygth worshypfull hosbond John Paston be this delyveryd in hast.

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 noþer to lete þe Lord Moleyns ne non oþer to have ther intentys as for þat mater whyll þat she levyth. And she was rygth evyll payd wyth Sawtre that he shuld reporte as itt was told yow þat he shuld have reportyd, and she made rygth moche of yow and seyd þat she wold nowgth þat no servawnte of herys shuld reporte no thyng þat shuld be ayens yow oþerwyse þan she wolld þat yowr servawntys shud do or seyn ayens here. And jf oþer yowr servawntys dede ayens here, or any of here ayens yow, she wold þat itt shuld be reformyd be-twyx yow and here, and þat ye mygth ben all on, for she seyd in good feyth she desyryth yowr frendshep. And as for þe report of Sawtre, she seyd she supposyd þat he wold nowgth reporte so; and if she mygth know þat he dede she wold blame hym þer-fore. I told here þat itt was told me syth þat ye reden, and þat itt grevyd me more þat þe seyd Sawtre shuld reporte as he dede þan itt had be reportyd of anoþer, in als moche as I had awgth hym goodwyll before. And she prayid me þat 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 oþer jantyll-women desyryd to have hadde yow there; they seyd they shuld all a be þe meryere if ye hadde ben there.My cosyn Toppys hath moche care tyll she here goode tydyngys of here broþeris mater. Sche told me þat þer shuld kepte a day on Monday next komyng be-twyx here broþer 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 boþe, syth þat ye yeden hens. And on of þe tallest younge men of þis parysch lyth syke and hath a grette myrre; how he shall do God knowyth. I have sent myn vnkyll Berney the potte wyth triacle þat 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 þer-inne. Ser Herry Inglose is passyd to God this nygth, hoys sowle God asoyll, and was caryid forþ this day at ix of þe clok to Seynt Feyþis and there shall be beryid. If ye desyer to bey any of hys stuff I pray you send me word þer-of in hast, and I shall speke to Robert Inglose and to Wychyngham þer-of. I suppose þei ben executorys. The blyssyd Trinyté have you in his kepyng. Wretyn att Norwyche in hast on þe Thursday next after Seynt Peter. Yowrys, M. P. I pray yow trost nott to þe sheryve for no fayre langage.

To my rygth wurchipfful hosbond John Paston be þis delyverid in hast.

Ryth worshipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, desyryng hertyly to here of yowr welfare, praying yow þat ye woll send me word in hast how ye be agreid wyth Wychyngham and Inglose for þat mater that ye spake to me of at yowr departyng; for if I shuld purvey oþer wood or hey it shuld be bowgth best chepe be-twyx þis 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 þat I shall have knowleche; and when he comyth I shall do yowr commawndement. My moder bad me send yow word þat Waron Herman hath dayly fyshid hyre watere all þis yer, and þerfor she prayith yow to do þer-for whill ye be att London as ye thynk best. Chyrche of Byrlyngham was take and browte to þe castell yisterday be þe Beshopys men, and all his godys ben seysid for þat he owyth to þe Boshop. And þe seid Chirche seyth as for þat he hath seyd of hem þat he hath appelyd before þis tym, he woll awow itt and abyd þerby; and seyth þat he woll appele on þat hath more nobelys þan they have all þat he hath spoke of yett, and þat shall avayll þe Kyng mor þan þey have all þat he hath speke of yett; but whatt he is he woll not name tyll he know more. I trow but if þer be the gretter labowr made ayens hym he is lyke to have grett favowr of hem þat have be his supportorys. Men thenk þat have spoke wyth hym þat he hopyth to haue good helpe. I pray God that þe trowth mote be knowyn. I pray yow þat ye woll vowchesaff to send me an oþer sugowr loff, for my old is do. And also þat ye well do make a gyrdill for yowr dowgtere, for she hath nede þer-of. The blyssid Trinyté have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at Norwyche in hast on þe Tewysday next before Seynt Thomas Day. Yowrys, M. P. Paper is deynty.

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 nyȝt 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 mysgouernauns 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 Trinité haue yow in his kepyng. Writen at Norwhic the Friday next a-fore Seynt George. Yowres, M. Paston

To my right worchepful husbond John Paston be this delyverid in hast.

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 mornyngges, 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 Ternyté 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.

To my right wurshipfull hosbond John Paston be þis delyueryd in hast.

Right worshippffull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, praying yow to wete þat I spak yistirday wyth my sustere, and she told me þat she was sory þat she myght not speke wyth yow or ye yede. And she desyrith, if itt pleased yow, þat ye shuld yeve þe jantylman þat ye know of seche langage as he myght fele by yow þat ye wull be wele willyng to þe mater þat ye know of; for she told me þat he hath seyd before þis tym þat he conseyvid þat ye haue sett but lytil þer-by. Wherefore she prayth yow þat ye woll be here gode brothere, and þat ye myght haue a full answere at þis tym wheddere it shall be ya or nay. For here modere hath seyd to here syth þat ye redyn hens þat she hath no fantesy þer-inne, but þat it shall com to a jape, and seyth to here þat þer is gode crafte in daubyng, and hath seche langage to here þat she thynkyth right strange and so þat she is right wery þer-of. Wherefore she desyrith þe rathere to haue a full conclusyon þer-inne. She seyth here full trost is in yow, and as ye do þer-inne she woll agré here þer-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 þat þe 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. Oþer tydyngys haue we none yett. The blissefull Trynyté haue yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at Norwyche on þe Tewysday next before Candelmesse. I pray yow þat 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.

To my right wurshipfull maystere John Paston be þis delyueryd in hast.

Right wurshippfull hosbond, I recommand me to yow, praying yow to wete that þe man of Knapton þat owyth yow mony sent me this weke xxxix s. viij d.; and as for þe remenant of þe mony, he hath promysid to bring itt at Wytsontyd. And as for þe prest, Howardys sone, he yede to Canbryge þe last weke and he shall nomore come hom tyll itt be mydsomer, and therfore I myght not do yowr erunde. As for tydyngys, þe Quene come in-to þis 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 þe Quenys presens þe Quene made ryght meche of here, and desyrid here to have an hosbond, þe 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 þe best wyse, and seyth be here trowth she sey no jantylwomman syn she come into Norffolk þat she lykyth better þan she doth here. Blake, þe baylé of Swaffham, was here wyth þe Kyngys broþer, and he come to me wenyng þat ye had be at hom, and seyd þat þe Kyngys broþer desyrid hym þat 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 þat he wost wele þat he shuld send for yow when he come to London, boþe for Cossey and othere thyngys. I pray yow þat ye woll do yowr cost on me ayens Witsontyd, þat I may haue somme thyng for my nekke. When þe 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 þat tym. The blissid Trinyté have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at Norwych on þe Fryday next before Seynt George. Be yowrys, M. Paston.

To my ritht wurchipfull mayster John Paston be þis delyueryd in hast.

Rytht worchipfull hosbond, I recommawnd me to yow, praying yow to wete þat I haue spoke wyth Newman for his plase, and I am thorow wyth hym þerfore, but he wold not lete it in nowyse lesse than v marc. I told hym þat sekyrly ye shuld not know but þat I hyrid it of hym for iij li. I seyd as for þe noble I shuld payt of myn owyn purse, þat ye shuld no knowlech haue þer-of. And þis day I haue had jnne ij cartfull of hey, and yowr stabyl shall be made I hope þis next weke. I kowd not gette no grawnt of hym to haue þe warehows. He seyth if he may in anywyse forbere itt her-after ye shall haue itt, but he wull not grawnt itt in no connawnt. He hath grawntyd me þe hows be-twyx þe vowte and þe warehows, and þat he seyd he grawntyd not yow. And as for þe chamer þat 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 þe clok before none, and Ser John Hevenyngham passyd to God on Tewysday last past; hois sowlys both God assoyle. His sekenesse toke hym on Tewysday at ix of þe clok before none, and be too after none he was dedd. I haue be-gonne yowr jnventaré þat shuld haue be made or þis tym if I had ben well at ease. I hope to make an ende þer-of, and of oþer thyngys boþe, þis next weke, and ben in þat oþer place if God send me helth. I must do purvey for meche stuff or i come there, for þer is noþer bordys ne oþer stuff þat 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 þis day to Gresham, Besingham, and Matelask to gete als meche mony as he may. The blissid Trinyté haue yow in his keping. Wretyn at Norwych on þe vtas day of Peter and Powll. Yowrys, M. P.

To my right wurchipfull hosbond John Paston be þis delyverid in hast.

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 noþer to do ne sey that shuld cawse yow for to be displeasid, and if I haue do I am sory þer-of and will amend itt; wherefore I beseche yow to forgeve me and þat 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 þe 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, þer is promysid me somme, but I myt not gete it yett. I sent to Jone Petche to haue an answere for þe wyndowis, for she myt not come to me, and she sent me word that she had spoke þer-of to Thomas Ingham. And he seyd þat 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 þe lytys. And also he seyd itt was not his parte to do itt, be-cawse þe place is his but for yeris. And as for all oþer erondys that ye haue commandid for to be do, þei shall be do als sone as þei may be do. The blissid Trynyté haue yow in his keping. Wretyn at Norwyche on þe Monday next after Seynt Edward. Yowris, M. P.

To my right wurshipfull hosbond John Paston be this delyueryd in hast.

Right worchipfull hosbond, I recomand me to yow, praying yow to wete that I have receyvid the mony that Maystere Braklé had of yow, wherof he hath ageyn v marc. uppon pledgis of the too basonys þat 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 þat I send yow an exsample of, whiche me thynkyth to symple bothe of colowr and of cloth; wherfore I pray yow þat ye woll vouchesauf to do bey for me iij yerdys and j quarter of seche as it pleasith yow þat I shuld have, and what colowr þat 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 þat ye woll do bey a loff of gode sugowr and di. j li. of holl synamun, for þer is non gode in this town. And as for mony, þer is non of yowr tenantys ne fermorys bryngyth non as yett. As for tydyngys in this contré, Herry Ingloses men have slayn ij men of Tonsted on Thursday last past, as it is seyd, and all þat contré is sore trobelid þerwith; and if he had abedyn at hom he had be lyke to have be fechid owte of his owyn hows, for the peple þer-abowgth is sore mevod with hym. And on Saterday last past he come ryding thorow this town toward Framyngham, and if he had abedyn in this town he shuld haue ben arestyd; for men of Tonsted and of the contré pusewid after hym in-to þis town and made a grett noyse of hym and required þe 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 þer-of, and he hythid hym hens in hast, &c. The blyssyd Trynyté have yow in his keping. Wreten att Norwyche on the Weddenesday next aftere Seynt Martyn. Be yowrys, M. P.

To my right worchippfull hosbond John Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 þe browern, wherof he hath bought iij; and the forte, þat 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 þer-wyth. As for þe 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 þer as ye wold your coforys and your cowntewery shuld be sette for the whyle, and þer 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 þat they shall be sauff, I trost. Richard Charles and John Dow haue feched hom þe chyld from Rokelond Toftes, and it is a praty boy; and it is told me þat Wyll is att Blyklyng wyth a pore man of þe town. A yonge woman that was somtyme wyth Burton of this town sent me word þer-of. I pray yow send me word if ye woll þat any thyng þat ye woll be do to hym or ye come hom. richard Charles sendyth yow word þat 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 þat 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 þat ye shuld inquyre whedder it be so or no, and what hys lyvelode is, and if ye thynke þat it be for to do to lete hym be spoke wyth þer-of. I pray yow þat ye be not strange of wryting of letterys to me betwix þis and þat ye come hom; if I myght I wold haue euery day on from yow. The blyssed Trinyté haue yow in his kepyng. Wrete att Norwyche on þe Tesday next after þe Conuercion of Seynt Poull. Be yourys, M. P.

To my ryght worchippfull hosbond John Paston be this delyueryd in hast

Right worchipfull hosbond, I recommand me to yow, praying yow to wete that I haue receyved your letter this day þat ye sent me be Yelvertonys man. As for your signette, I fond itt uppon your bord the same day þat ye went hens, and I send it yow be Richard Heberd, brynger herof. As for your erondys þat ye wrete to me fore, Richard Charles is owte abought 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 þat 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 seyd he was well payd þat ye seyd and thowght þer-in as ye dede. Nerles I bad hym þat he shuld sey to the seyd Thomas þer-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 Trinyté haue yow in his kepyng. Wretyn att Norwyche in hast the Fryday next before Candelmesse Day. Be youre gronyng wyff, M. P.

Ryth worchepfull housbonde, I recomende me on-to yow. Plesyt yow to wete þat I sent Tomas Bon to Edwarde Coteler to haue on ansuer of the mater þat ye spak to hym of, and he sent me worde þat he hade spok to hys man þer-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 þat he receyvyd onys j c s. of þe same rent. But and he may haue cnowlage of ony man þat havyth ony wrytyng or ony thyng þat 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 þe 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 þat sche wolde spek to my cosyn Evenyngham þat 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 suereté to aquitt hyr housbondys dettys þe 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 þe mariage of hys son, for þe qwyche he scal have vij c marc; and of þat þe iij c marc schoulde be payd for þe forseyd dettys, and also he proforyth to yeue hyr þe maner of Felbryg to hyr joyntour, and odyr large proforys, as ye schal here eraffter. As for þe good wyll of my cosyn Heuenyngham, he seyth Wyndham he schall neuer have hytt, nott for to have hyr gode. Konyth he hys soull hevy ther of, for he js a-ferde þat and if þe large proforys may be performyd þat sche wyll have hym. My seyd cosyn preyith yow, att þe reuerens of Gode, þat ye wyll do yowyr part þer-in to brec it and ye can. He schall be here a-yen on Mychaell-mas Evyn; he was full sory þat ye were outt att þis tyme, for he hopyd þat ye schoulde have do myche goode att þis tyme. He hathe seyde as myche þer a-geyns as he dar do to haue hyr gode modyrchep. My lady of Southefolce sent j letter to hyr yester-day by Stanlé, þe qwyche is callyd j well cherysyd man wyth my seyd lady, and desyiryng hyr in þe letter þat sche wolde owe hyr godde wyll and favor to Wyndham in þat þat he desyiryd of hyr, and of more matterys þat ye schall here er-after, for I suppose sche wyll schew yow þe 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 petygré þat I may schew to hyr how worcheppfull it is, for in goode feythe sche is informyd bi hyr gentyll son Gros and Bokenham þat he is mor worcheppfull in berthe and in lyuelode þer-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 Heuenyngham tolde myche here-of in secret wyse, and of odyr thyngis qwyche ye schall haue cnoulage of qwan ye come home, &c. In hast, all jn hast.

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 þere 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 þis. 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 þere 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.

To my ryth worchepfull husbond Jon Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

Ryth worchepfull husbonde, I recomand me to yow. Plesyth it yow to wet that I receyuyd yowyr letter þat ye sent me by Nycolas Colman on Sonday last past; and as for the mater þat ye desyiryd me to breke of to my cosyn Rokwode, it fortunyd so þat he came to me on Sonday to dyner sone aftyr þat 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 þat he had to vs, þat he wold be as feythfull as he kowd or myte be to that good lorde þat ye wrot of, and to yow also, in onythynge þat he kowde or myte do in case wer þat he wer set in offyse so þat 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 þat 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 þat he schall neuer loue feythfully the todyr man that ye desyiryd þat he schuld do for when he remembryth the tyme þat 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-exchetor, for the mater of Syr Jon Fastolfys londys, and there was my cosyn Rookwod and my cosyn Jon Berney of Redham and dyuers odyr jentylmen and thryfty men of the contré; 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 þat God schuld sped yow at thys parlement, for they leue in hope þat ye schold helpe to set a wey þat they myte leue in better pese in thys contré thane they haue do befor, and þat wollys schold be purueyd for þat 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 swerté fownd to yow ther-for to be payid a Myhellmas next comyng; and it is solde ryth well aftyr þat 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 contré of the desyir of my lorde of York. The pepyll reporte full worchepfully of my lord of Warwyk. They haue no fer her but þat he and othyr scholde schewe to gret favor to hem þat haue be rewyllerys of thys contré be-for tyme. I haue done all yowyr erendys to Syr Thomas Howes þat ye wrote to me for. I ame ryth glade þat 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 þat ye desyiryd þat Playter schulde sende yow, Rychard Call tolde me þat 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 þat ther is no jentylman in Northefolk þat 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 þat Perse sent for hym for to come spek wyth hym, and he tolde me þat he was wyth hym and examynyd hym, but he wold not be a-knowe to hym þat he had no knowlage wher no goode was of hys masterys more thane he hade knowlageyd to yow. He tolde me þat 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 þat he seyd to hym a-yen þat he wold neuer labor for hym but he myth know þat 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 þat the trowthe may be knowe, and that the dede may haue part of hys owne goode. And the blyssyd Trinyté haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast at Heylysdon the Tuesday next aftyr Seynt Lwke. By yowyrs, M. P.

To my ryth welbelovyd brodyr Clement Paston, for to delyuer to hys + brodyr Jon jn hast.

Ryth worchepfull husbonde, I recomande me to yow. Plesyth yow to weet þat I receyvyd a lettyr on Seynt Symondys Evyn and Jwd þat came frome Jon Paston, in the wyche lettyr he wrot þat ye desyiryd þat I scholde do Jon Paston or Thomas Playter 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 þat was fownde in Northefolk, and for the kopy of the comyssyon þat 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 þat ye sent me þat ye wolde þat Playter scholde a sent hem vp to yow to London, and I schewyd hym yowyr wryttyng howe þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 Edmunde Clere of Stokysby, and as sone as I hade the seyd lettyr on Sonday I sent to Syr Thomas Howes for the mater þat ye desyiryd þat 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 þat they wer. Rychard Harbard recomawndyth hym to yow, and prayth yowe þat ye 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 þat it plese yow to do purvey þat 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 Trinité haue yow in hys keppyng. Wretyn in haste at Norwyche on the Wednysday next aftyr Seynt Symond and Jwde. By yowyr M. P.

To my right wurshipfull husbonde John Paston be this deliuerd in hast.

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 seide 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 carteSproute' 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 Trenyté haue you in his kepyng. Wreten at Norweche on Seint Kateryn Day. Be your Margaret Paston

To my ryth worchepfull husbond Jon Paston be thys lettyr delyueryd in haste.

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyth it yow to wet þat Jon Jeney was her wyth me thys daye and told me þat ye desyiryd þat 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 þat ye wole be hyr good mastyr and þat ye wole wychesaue to spek to Hwe of Fen for hyr; for it is so þat 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 þat he myth be dycharchyd ther-of. And Hwe of Fen promysyd hym verily þat he had mad an ende ther-in and dychargyd hym, and þat 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 þat ye wole puruey a mene þat Hwe of Fen may saue hyr harmeles, in as myche as he promysyd hyr husbond to puruey therfore in hys lyue. And if it plese not yow to spek to hym ther-of, þat it plese yow to do Jon Paston or Thomas Playter or sume othyr þat ye thynk þat 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 þat it be for to do, and sche woll ber the cost ther-of. As for the mater þat 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 þat he is owte when þat I send for hym. Yowyr fermore of Sweynysthorpe hathe fownde suerté for yowyr duté, as Rychard Calle tellyth me, so þat ye schall be plesyd when ye come home. And the blyssyd Trinité haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on the Monday next aftyr Seynt Andrew. By yowyr M. P.

Please it you to wytte that it is lete me witte by on þat owith you good wyll that þer is leid awayte up-on you in þis cuntré yf ye come here at large, to bryng you to þe 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 þis 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 þe lordes in the north to bryng þe 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 cuntré 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 þe more ware of your gydyng for your persones sauf-gard, and also that ye be not to hasty to come in-to þis cuntré til ye here þe world more sewer. I trowe the berar of this shall telle more by mowthe, as he shall be enfourmed, of the revell in this cuntré. God haue you in his kepyng. Wretyn in hast the secund Sunday of Lent by candel light at euyn. By yours, &c. M.

To my right worchepfull hosbond John Paston be þis letter deliueryd in hast.

Right worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete þat thys day in þe 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 þe seyd parson seythe that þe 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 þe seyd Thomas a hand þat he had a-wey a hors of John Coppyng of Bryslee and a-nother of Kyng of Donham, þe wyche hors wer stole be þe seyd ij personys; wher-fore þe seyd Thomas toke hem as a comyshaner, and delyueryd hem to þe exchetore Frances Costard, and on of them he bowt of the seyd Fraunces. And þe seyd parson hathe a-wey þe seyd hors and seyth þat he wolle þe seyd theuys shuld be recompenst be Thomas Denys. Thys I am enformyd of all thesse maters be hys wyffe, and sche prayythe yow in þe reverence of God ye wolle be hyr good maister and helpe þat hyr hosbond may have sum remedy be your labore in thys mater ...seythe syn that hyr hosbond ys þe Kyngys offycere that they owt to spare hym þe rathere. But they þat hathe hym take no... told me þat they hope to haue a newe chonge in hast. Item, Perys that was wyth my vnkyll Barney sent you a letter...er desyryng to have your good masterchep, and he woll fyynd sufficient suerté 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 þe suerté 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... they woll do harme on þe coste. I pray yow hertely þat ye woll send me word in hast howe þat 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 þe berer her-of. The blyssyd Trinité have yow in hys kepyng, and send you þe better of all your aduersarijs and good sped in all your maters. Wretyn in hast, þe same day that ye departyd hens. Item, I pray yow þat ye wolle remembre my vnkyll Barneys maters tochyng þe executyng of hys wylle, and howe ye wolle þat we be demenyd for kepyng of hys yerday; and þat it lekyth you to send me word be Maister John Smyth. Your M. P.

To my ryght worchepffull hosbond John Paston be thys deliuerid in hast.

Right worchepful hosbond, I recommand me to yow. Please yow to wete þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þe 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 þat she shuld get hyr a trosty frend þat ware a good trewe poore man þat 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 feffés in hys londys but ye and Rokwood, and she prayeth yow þat it please yow to speke to Rokwod þat he make no relesse but be your advice, as she trostyth to your good masterchep. Item, þe last tyme þat I spake wyth hyre she mad suche a petows mone, and seyd þat she wost ner howe to do for mony, and so I lent vj s. viij d. Item, I sent my cosyn Barney þe bylle þat 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 þe wors, for j feyth he standyth daly in gret fere for þe false contrary party ageyns hym. Item, at þe 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 þat I shuld not a-beyd here but yf þe 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 þe Thursday next after Seynt Thomas. By your M. P.

I recommand me to yow. Please yow to wete that I have sent to my cosyn Barney acordyng to your desyre in þe letter þat ye deed wright on Relec Sonday to me, whervpon he hathe wreten a letter to yow and a-nothyr bylle to me þe wyche I send yow. He tolde þe masanger þat I sent to hym þat þe vnder-shereve nedyth not to fere hym nor non of hys, for he seyd after þe aleccion was doo he spak wyth hym at þe Grey Fryers and prayyd hym of hys good masterchep, and seyd to hym þat he feryd no man of bodely harme but only Twyer and hys felachep. Item, Ser John Tatersalle and þe baly of Walsyngham and þe constabyll hathe take þe parson of Snoryng and iij of hys men and sett hem fast in þe 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 þe lawe wolle. Twyer and hys felachep beryth a gret wyght of Thomas Denys dethe in þe contry a-bowght Walsynham, and it is seyd ther yf John Osberne had owght hym as good wylle as he deed be-for þat 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, þat was wyth Maister Fastolff, and swyche other as he is wyth hym, goo fast abowght in þe contré 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 þe parson of Freton, and but for my cosyn Jarnyngham þe yonger, they wold a led hem forthe wyth hem. And he told hem pleynly yf they mad any suche doyngys ther, but they had þe letter to schewe for hem they shuld a-bey on her bodyys. It wer welle do þat they wer met wyth be tymys. It is told me þat þe seyd Will reportyth of yow as shamfully as he can in dyuers place. Jesu have yow in hys kepyng. Wreten in hast þe Wednysday after Relec Sonday. By your M. P. Yf þe 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.

To my worchepful hosbonde Jon Pastun þis letter be delyuerd in hast.

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomawnd me to yow. Plesyt yow to wete þat 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 þis cuntré to sit vppon þe parsun of Snoryng and on soche as was cause of Thomas Denyssys dethe and for many and gret horebyl robryys. And as for þe costys þere-of, þe cuntré wele pay þere-fore, for þey be sore a-ferd but þe seyd dethe be chastysyd, and þe seyd robryys, þey ar a-ferde þat mo folkys xal be seruyd in lyke wyse. As for þe prest and vj of hese men þat ben takyn, þey be delyueryt to Twyere and iiij be wyth hem of þe cuntreys cost for to be sent wyth to þe Kyng. And yf þey be browt vp, at þe reuerens of God do yowre parte þat þey schape not but þat þey may haue þe jugement of þe lawe and as þey haue deseruyd, and be comyttyt to preson, not to departe tyl þey be in-queryd of here forseyd robery be soche a comyssiun þat ye can get, þat þe Keng and þe lordys may hondyrstonde wat rewle þey haue ben of, not hondely for þe morderrys and þe robbryys but as wele for þe gret in-surrexsiun þat þey were lyke a made wyth-in þe schyre. þe prestys of Castyr þey be streytely take hede at be Roberd Harmerer and hoder, so þat þe seyde prestys may haue no thyng owt of þere owne ne of hodyr mennys but þey be ransakyt, and þe plase ys watchyd bothe day and nyth. þe prestys thynk ryth longe tyl they haue tydynggys from yow. At þe reuerens of God be ware how ye goo and ryde, for yt ys told me þat ye be thret of hem þat be nowtty felawys þat hathe be in-clynyng to them þat hath be yowr hold aduersaryys. The blyssyd Trenyté haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast þe Saterday nex be-fore Sent Margarete. Be yowrys, M. P.

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet that I receyvyd yowyr lettyr þat ye sent me by John Holme on Wednysday last past. And also I receyvyd a-nothyr lettyr on Fryday at nyt þat ye sent me by Nycolas Newmanys man, of the whyche lettrys I thanc yow, for I schold ellys a thowt þat 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 þat the meyir sent to me and sent me word þat he had knowlage for very trowthe þat ye wer delyueryd owt of the Flet and þat Howard was comytyd to ward for dyuers gret compleyntys þat wer mad to the Kyng of hym. It was talkyd in Norwyche and in dyuers othyr plasys in þe contré on Saterday last past þat 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 contré. Ye are ryth myche bownde to thank God, and all tho þat loue yow, þat 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 þe 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 þat 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, þat they hope he wole do well inow. The parson seyd ryth well and pleynly to hym. The parson tolde me þat he had spook wyth Syr Wylliam Chambyrleyn and wyth hys wyfe, and he thynkyth þat they wole do well j-now aftyr yowyr intent, so þat they be plesantly intretyd. The parson told me þat he wyst well þat Syr Wylliam Chambyrleyn cowd do more ese in swyche materys as ye wrot of towchyng my lord of Bedford than ony man kowd do þat leueyth at thys day. Also he told me þat he felt by hem þat they wold owe yow ryth good wyll so þat 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 þat 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 þat I wold not thynk hym the contrary. As for John Gros, he is at Slolé; ther-for he myth not be spok wyth. I pray yow þat ye wole send me word whedyr ye wole þat 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 þis wek, and he purposyth to come forward to yow on þe Monday next aftyr Seynt Leonardys Day. My brodyr and Playter schold a be wyth yow er thys tym, but þat 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, þat he hyryd ij horse ij dayis be-for þat ye redyn, þat he myth a ryde forthe wyth yow; and be-cause þat ye spak not to hym to ryde wyth yow he seyd þat he wend ye wold not haue had hym wyth yow. Thomas Fastolfys modyr was her on þe next day aftyr ye wer redyn, to haue spok wyth yow for hyr sone. Sche prayith yow, at the reuerens of God, þat ye wole be hys good mastyr, and to help hym in hys ryth, þat he may haue hys lyuelod owt of ther handys þat haue had it in hys nownage. Sche seyth þat they wold mak him a yer yonger than he is, but sche seyth þat he is more than xxj and vpon þat sche dare take an othe. And the blyssyd Trynyté haue yow in hys kepyng and send yow good sped in all yowyr materys, and send þe vyctory of all yowyr enmyis. Wretyn in hast on Sowlemas Daye. By yowyrs, M. P.

To my right wurchipfull husbond John Paston be this deliuerd in hast.

ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomande me to yow. Plesyth yow to weet þat Thomas Grene was wyth me as on Saterday last paste, and let me haue knowlage þat the scherre schold be as thys day at the gylde-hall in Norwyche; and he desyiryd me þat the swte þat ye have a-geyns Thomas Jeryng and othyr myth be sesyd as for thys schere. And I seyd þat I durste do ryth not ther-in, and he tolde me þat Thomas Jeryng was wyth yow in Flegge the laste tyme þat ye wer ther, and ye seyd to hym þat he scholde not be hvrte by the swte. And Thomas Grene tolde me þat if the seyd Jeryng and othyr in the same wryte mad not an end wyth yow by the nexte schere, þe whyche schall be thys day monyth, þat the seyd Thomas Grene wole purchese a new wryte of hys owne coste ayens þat daye. I woste not þat the scher schuld be so sone when I wrote to yow yowyr laste lettyr. And he remembyryd the trobulus werd þat is nowe, and also þat they wer nowtye felawys þat ye svyd, and ther-fore he thowte þat 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 þat ye sent to me fore, and he seyth þat he hathe none ther-of, for he seyth he lefte hem wyth yow when he was wyth yow in the northe contré, 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 þat 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 þat ye wole tendyr þat 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 þat ye wole help forto get hem a good baly of the hundyryd þat they be in, for they sey þat they haue be gretly hurte by swyche offyserys as they haue had ther be-for tyme. Folk wold fayne in thys contré þat Heydon scholde be purveyd for þat he goo not so at large as he dothe, for he is in thys towne ner euery wek, and hathe be euer syne ye yed hens. And also it is seyd in thys towne þat ye haue be good master thys terme to Yatys, and many be ryth sory ther-of, and þat he dothe so well as it is seyd her þat he dothe. It is seyd þat 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 þat ye haue more pleynly ther. And the blyssyd Trinyté 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 Edmunde the Kynge. By yowyr M. P. My modyr wold ryth fayne know how þat ye and my brodyr Wylliam wer a-cordyd; sche wold ryth fayne þat all wer well be-twen yow.

To my ryth worchepfull husbond John Paston be this delyueryd in hast.

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet þat I receyvyd yowyr lettyr þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat ye wole be hyr good mastyr, and þat sche fare neuer the werse for hys defawtys; and also I pray yow þat 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 þat he had spook wyth yow, þat 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 Trinité haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast on Seynt Edmundys Day the Kyng. By yowyr M. P. The pepyll was nevyr bettyr dysposyd to yow than they be at thys owyr. The byll þat Howard hathe mad a-yens yow and odyr hathe set the pepyll in thys contré a rore. God yeue grace it be no werse than it is yet.

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 þat we do for the lifflode that she had at Walcote, wheder ye wull þat 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 þer-to, and to se to þe rewle and gode gidyn þer-of; it hath be told me be-fore þat he can gode skill of such thynges. And if ye wull þat 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 þe vikere and othere þat 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 þat trost hym. And as it is reported here he may do myche wyth the Kyng and þe lordes, and it is seid þat he may do myche wyth hem þat be yowr aduersaryes. And þerfore, 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 contré 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, þat it were wele do þat ye sent a letter to Yepeswhich to them þat were John Pampyngges borwys, thankyng them for there gode will, letyng hem wete þat 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 þer-of. Asfor the wode at Mauby, I shall haue heder but litill till ye come home, þat 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 þis countré, Dawbeney shall tell you. I pray you þat ye wull vochesaf to be gode mayster to Loveday, and þat 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 þat 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 Trinyté haue you in his blissid kepyng. Wretyn the Thursday next after Sent Andrew. Be yowr M. P.

To my ryth worchepfull husbond Jonhn Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomande me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet þat I receyvyd the lettyr þat ye sent me by a man of Seynt Mychell parysche on Fryday next aftyr the Consepcion of Owyr Lady, and a-non as I had it I sent my modyr the lettyr be-cause of swyche materys as longyd to hyr in þat same lettyr; and sythyn þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat it is not well wyth yow þat ye be fro home at thys good tyme. And many of yowyr contré-men thynk the same, but they be hertty j-now to yow ward and full fayn wold her god tydyngys fro yow. Ther 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 contré. He demenyd hym full ... and jndeferently, as it was told me, and Yeluerton mad a fayir sermone at the sesschyonys and seyd þat it was so that the Kyng was informyd þat ther was a ryotows felawschep in thys contré, wer-for the Kyng was gretly dysplesyd; and þat the Kyng vndyrstood well þat it was not of ther owne mosyon boot of cownselyng of one or ij þat 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 contré to them they wer redy to receyue them and to make a-kord be-twyx hem; and if they cowd not mak the acord, þat than they shold 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 þat if he had forget onythyng that the Kynge seyd to hem at ther departtyng, þat he wold rehersyt ther. And than the scheryf seyd þat he had seyd all that he remembryd saue only the Kyng rehersyd 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 knowlage of the rewylle and demenyng of thys contré 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 þat 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 contré that they had not all gydyd hem well þat had the rewyill of thys contré 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 þat he wold let the Kynge haue knowlage of the trowthe and þat he wold do asmyche for thys contré as he cowd or myth do to the welfare ther-of, and seyd þat he lekyd the contré ryth well. And John of Dame seyd if the contré 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 abydyng; and he seyd he wold not be longe owt of thys contré. And also Yeluerton seyd opynly in the seschyons they to come downe for þe same cause to set a rewyll in the contré. And yet he seyd he woste well þat the Kynge myth full evyll haue for-bor ony of hem bothe, for as for a knyth there was non in the Kyngys howse þat myth werse a be for-bore than þe 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 þat 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 Trinyté 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 þe vndyr-scheryfe, and on-resnably as I herd sey.

To my ryth worchepfull husbond John Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet þat 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 þe ferthest. I pray yow hertly þat 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 contré begynyth to wax wyld, and it is seyd her þat 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 contré. And also it is seyd her þat ther is retornyd a newe rescwe vp-on þat that was do at the last scher. I suppose swyche talkyng comyth of false schrewys þat wold mak a rwmor in þis contré. The pepyll seyth her þat they had leuyr go vp hole to the Kyng and compleyne of siche fals schrewys 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 contré 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 þat 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 þat 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 contré in hast, for I herd nevyr sey of so myche robry and manslawt in thys contré 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 Trinité 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 contré, as it is told me. Wretyn in hast on the Thorsday nex aftyr Twelthe. By yowyr Margaret Paston

Ryth worchepfull husbond, I recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet þat 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 þat I wold be hys good mastres and to be mene to yow to be hys good mastyr, and swore sor þat he was nevyr defawty in þat ye haue thowte hym defawty in. He seyd þat if ther wer ony coyne in the cofyr þat was at Wylliam Tauernerys it was ther wyth-owt hys knowlage, for hys mastyr wold neuyr lat hym se what was in þat cofyr; and he tolde me þat 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 þe 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 þat 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 þat I do wyth hym; wher-for I pray yow þat ye wole let me haue knowlage in hast how ye wole þat 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 þat compleynyd to the Dwk of Sowthefolk of yow, and the seyd Playter schall tell yow of the demenyng and answeryng of þe 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 contré be ryth glad þat 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 Trynyté 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 þat ye wold shuld be do to Ser Thomas Howes. Ser Thomas Howis cam nowther to me nor sent syn þat he cam home from London. Will Worcetre was at me in Cristemes at Heylysdon, and he told þat he spak wyth you dyuers tymys at London þe last terme and he told me þat he hopyd þat 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, þat he wolle do well j-nowe so þat 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.

To my ryth worchepfull husbond John Paston be þis delyueryd in hast.

Plesyt yow to wet þat John Wellys and hys brodyr told me thys nyth þat 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 þe nyth the same day I departyd fro yow. I thank Pampyng of hys good wyll, and them þat 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.

To my ryght wurschipful maistre John Paston.

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 of 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 Trinité 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 þat he remembre you of it, for Dawbeney and Pampyng woll sone for-gete it.

To my right worchepful John Paston be þis letter deliueryd in hast.

Right worchepfull hosbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wete þat I receyvyd a letter frome you on þe 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 þe substauns of suche maters as ye have wretyn of to me be-fore, be Playter, þe weche he told me a sent hem to you to London. And as towchyng þe erandys þat 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 þat he comythe home I shall make hym make yow a clere bylle of þe 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 þat 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 þe last bylle þat 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 þat came frome þe Kyng to hym, desyryng hym þat he shuld a-wayt vpon hys welle be-louyd broder þe Duk of Suffolk at Norwich on Monday next comyng for to be at þe aleccion of knyghtys of þe chyer; and he told me þat euery jentylman of Norffolk and Suffolk þat arne of any repetacion hathe writyng frome þe Kyng in lyke wysse as he had. I felle hym be hys seyyng þat 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 þis contré, 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 þat 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 þat it please you þat he shuld come ageyn to you. My moder and many other folkys makyth moche of your son John þe older, and right glad of hys comyng hom, and lekyth reght welle hys demenyng. Heydon son hathe bore owght þe syyd stowtly here þis Cristemes, and whan þat he rydyth he hathe iiij or v men wyth hym in a clothyng, but he hathe but lytyll fafore in þis contré but yf it be of þe Bischop and of þe Priore of Norwich. þe seyd Priore hathe grauntyd hym þe stewardchep þat hys fader had ... he hathe it vnder þe covent seale, and Spylman his tutore to lerne hym howe he shuld be demenyd... it is seyd a-bowght Bakynstorp þat Herry Heydon shuld a seyd þat it were welle do þat 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 þat he shall be met wyth be-cause of hys lan... vs a good world and a pesybyll. I shall purvey for all thyngys þat ye have sent to me for so ... be pleasyd. The blyssyd Trinité have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast þe Wednysday ... Seynt Agnet. Your M. P.

Please you to wet þat 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 þat 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 þe rent and ferme.' 'Ser', quod Rysyng, 'I toke þe 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 þe berne dorys, and woll dryve a-wey þe catell, bothe of þe fermorys and of þe tenauntys, wyth-owt þe fermor and John Smythe woll fynd hem suerté 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 þat I shall knowe thys nyght or ellis to morowe what end they hathe mad. Item, as towchyng þe burges of Yermothe, they were chosyn on Wednysday. The baly Wydwell ys on, and as for the todyr þe Bischop sent to þe 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 þe 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 þat Fastolf hathe mad a cleyme ther-to. That is þe 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 þe trussyng cofyr ner in þe sprucheste nothyr. Jon Walsham toke me a quayere--I suppose it longythe to þe same boke; þat same I send you and þe byllis of Walcote wyth ale sealyd. Wretyn þis day. By your M. P.

To my ryght worchepfull hosbond John Paston be thys letter delyueryd in hast.

Right worchepfull husbond, I recommand me to you. Please you to wet þat 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 þat 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, þe wyche is Ser John Cley son that is chamberleyn wyth my lady of York; and he ys of age of xviij yer old. ȝyf ye thynk it be for to be spok of, my moder thynkyth þat it shuld be get for lesse mony nowe in thys world than it shuld be her-after, owthyr þat j or sum other good mariage. Item, I spake wyth Master John Estgate for Pekeryngys mater, after your entent of þe mater of þe letter þat 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 þe 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 þe Sonday next after Seynt Marteyne. By your M. Paston

To my welbelouyd son Ser John Paston be this deliueryd in hast.

I gret yow welle, and send yow Goddys blissyng and myn, latyng yow wet that I have receyvyd a letter from you þe 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, þat 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 þat in any thyng towchyng your fader þat shuld be hys worchep, profyte, or avayle, that ye do your deuer and dylygent labore to þe fortherauns therin, as ye wolle have my good wille; and þat shalle cause your fader to be better fader to you. It was told me ye sent hym a letter to London. What þe 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 þe contré 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 þe laste letter þat ye wrot to me be-cause he was so sore dyspleasyd wyth me at þat 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 þat he seyd to hyr þat ther was no woman in þe 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 þe 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 þe 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 þe body. I wot not what to do wyth hym. Your grandam wold fayne her sum tydyngys from yow. It were welle do þat 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 ȝyf yow grace to do as well as I wold ye shuld do. Wretyn at Caster þe Tewisday next be-for Seynt Edmond þe Kynge. Your moder M. Paston I wold ye shuld make meche of þe parson of Fylby, þe berer her-of, and make hym good cher yf ye may.

Tho my ryt worschopffull hossebond John Paston, in hast.

Rythe wourchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto ȝow. Plesyth ȝow to wete þat on Thoris-day last was þer were browt on-to þis towne many prevy selis; and on of hem was indosyd to ȝow and to Hastynggys and to fyve ore sexe odyre gentylmen, and a-nodyr was sent on-to ȝowre sone and in-dosid to hym-selfe alone, and asynyd wyth-inne wyth þe Kynggys howyn hand, and so were bwt fewe þat were sent, as it was told me, and also þer were more specyal termys in hys þan wern in oderys. I sey a copy of þoo þat were sent onto odyr gentylmen. þe intent of þe wrytyng was þat þey schwlde be wyth þe Kyngg at Leycestre þe x day of May, wyth as many personys defensabylly arayid as þey myte, acordyng to her degré, and þat þey schwld bryng wyth hem fore here expensys fore ij monythis. As for þe lettyr þat was indosyd to ȝow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam ȝElvyrton, for þere aperyd no more of þe remwlawnt. Hastyngys js forthe in-to ȝOrke-schyre. I prey ȝow þat ȝe vowchesaf to send word in hast how ȝe wyl þat ȝore sone be demenyd her-in. Men thynk here þat byn ȝowre wel-wyllerys þat ȝe may no lesse do þan to send hym forthe. As fore hys demenyng swn ȝe departyd, in god feythe it hath byn ryth good and lowly, and delygent in ovyrsythe of ȝowre servawntys and odyr thinggys þe weche I hope ȝe wold a be plesyd wyth and ȝe had be at hom. I hope he wyl be wel de-menyd to plese ȝow hereaftyrward. He desyryd Alblastere to be mene to ȝow fore hym, and was ryte hevy of hys demenyng to ȝow. I sent ȝow word also be Alblastere how I dede to hym aftyr þat ȝe were go, and I be-seche ȝow hartyly þat ȝe wochesaf to be hys god fadyr, fore I hope he is schastysyd and wil be þe warhere her-aftyr. As for alle odyr thynggys at hom, I hope þat I and odyre schal do howre part þer-inne as wel as we may; bwt as for mony, it comyth bwt slawly in. God have ȝow in hys kepyng and sen ȝow good sped in alle ȝowre materis. Wretyn in hast at Norwece on þe Sonday next be-fore þe Assencyon Day. Sere, I wold be ryte glad to here swmme gode tydynggys fro ȝow. Be ȝorys, M. P.

To myn ryght worshypful hosbond John Paston be thys delyueryd in haste.

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 þat, 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 þat 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, þat was hys aturnay, remembryth nat þat 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 þat 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 þat he shuld a wretyn whych ye sente me word of. Item, it is tolde þat 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 þat the Lord Skalys and he haue a comyssyon to enquere whye they of thys contré þat were sent fore kame noon hastylare vppe afftyre they were sent fore. It is reportyd þat 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 þat they wyl do ageyn yow as myghtyly as they kan wyth all there powere. It is told me þat 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 Trynyté 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 contré þat went vppe to the Kyng are contremaundyd and are com home ageyn. It is told me þat 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.

To my ryght worchepfull hosbond Jon Paston be þis deliueryd in hast.

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 þe menys of Dorlet. He told Dorlet that he had suche a deed as he supposyd that wold don ease in prevyng of þe tytyll that the Duk of Suffolk cleymythe in Drayton, for þe same deed that he sent me þe seale of armys is lyke on-to þe copy þat I send you, and noo thyng leke to the Duk of Suffolk auncesters. Item, þe seyd Edmond seythe yf he may fynd any other thyng that may do yow ease in þat mater he wolle doo hys part therin. Item, Jon Russe sent me word that Barker and Herry Porter told hym in councell that þe Duk of Suffolk hathe bowght on Brytyeff ryght, þe wyche makythe a cleyme on-to Heylysdon, and þe seyd Duke is purposyd to entere wythin shorte tyme after Esterne; for in so moche þe seyd Russe felte be þe seyd Barker and Porter that all þe feffees wolle make a relees on-to þe Duk and helpe hym þat they can in-to her power, for to have hys good lorchep. Item, yf it please you, me thynkythe it ware ryght nessessary þat ye send word howe þat ye wolle your old malte be purveyd fore, for and any hote weder come affter þat it hathe leyne þis wynter season it shall be but lost but yf it be sold be tymys. For as fore þe pryse here, it is sore falle. I have sold a c comb of malt þat came fro Guton to Jamys Golbeter, clenefyed and strek met and non jument ?, for ij s. ij d. þe 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 þe tenauntys be so pore that they are not a power to repare hem; whefor yf it leke you I wold that þe marche þat Bryge had myght be kept in your owne hand þis yer, that þe tenauntys myght have ruschys to repare wyth her howsys. And also ther is wyndfall wod at þe maner þat is of noo gret valewe, þat myght helpe hem wyth to-ward þe reparacion yf it leke you to late hem have it þat hathe most need therof. I have spoke wyth Borges that he shuld heyne þe price of þe mershe or ellis I told hym þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þe reuerence of God, be ye hys good fader and have a faderly hert to hym. And I hope he shall euer knowe hym-selff þe better her-after and be þe more ware to exchewe suche thyngys as shuld dysplease you, and for to take hed at þat shuld please you. Pecoke shalle telle you be mothe of more thyngys than I may write to you at þis tyme. The blysyd Trinité have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at Caster in haste þe Monday next after Palme Sonday. Your M. P.

To my ryght wyrshypffull husbond John Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 hole 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 sayd 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 demenyth 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....

To my maystere John Paston the oldest be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 þat 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 myȝt 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 myȝt 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 that a correccyon myȝt 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 comyȝt 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 ryȝt 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 nyȝtly 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 myght haue a supersedias owte of the Chaunceré 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 þat 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 ryȝt 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 syȝt 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.

To my ryght wyrshypfull mayster John Paston the oldest be þis delyueryd in haste.

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 Lypȝate 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 tydyngys from you.

To my ryght wyrshypfull husbond John Paston by thys delyueryd in hast.

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 myght 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 Duché, sayng that the bestys were taken vppon the Duché fee; wherfore he desyryd me to mak hym levery 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 Duché at there knowlych, saue only Pyrs Waryn the yongere and Payntere seyd that there catell was taken vppon the Duché, 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 Trynyté haue you in hys kypyng. Wryten at Haylesdon the xx day of May. By yourys, M. P.

To my ryght wyrshypfull husbond John Paston be thys delyueryd in haste.

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 þat 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 Trynyté 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 Trynyté 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 Lypȝeate and I send you a lettere by Henré 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 Trynyté haue you in hys kypyng. Wryten the Monday next aftere Assencyon Day. By yourys, M. P.

To my ryght wyrshypfull hosbond John Paston be thys lettere delyueryd.

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 myȝt 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 myȝt 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 shypherd 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 wyth 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 spyrytuall... 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 knew... thogh it were soo þat shold passe any such enquest it shol not... 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 that... 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 not... be ryght glad to haue youre gode wyll and to goo thorgh in all maner maters... eschewyng of wastfull expens of the dede ys godys and that the godys myȝt 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 myȝt 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 myȝt 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 myȝt 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 Trynyté 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.

To my ryght wyrshypfull husbond John Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 ther were endytyd v of youre men by the enquest of Fovrhoo hundere, as Crome can enforme you. And on Fryday last paste John Paston the yongere, Wykys, and Thomas Honeworth were endytyd at Dyram, by what menys the berour herof, Crom, shall enforme 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 Trynyté 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.

To John Paston the yongere.

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 þat 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 þerof and lete hym wete þat I am pleasid þat she shuld be there if he wuld. For I wuld be right glad and she myght be proferrid be mariage or be servyce so þat 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 þat I may haue ageyn the vj marc þat ye wote of, for I wuld not þat your fadere wust it. Item, if ye pas London send me ageyn my chene, and þe litill chene þat 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 þat 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 þat ye be comyn to London how your fader spedyth and your brothere in here materes. Be your moder

I grete yow wele, letyng yow wetyn þat I am informyd for certyn þe Duc of Suffolk reysyth grete pepyl bothe in Norffolk and Suffolk to comyn doune wyth hym to putte vs to a rebeuc and þei may; querfor I wold in ony wyse þat ȝe make yow as strong as ȝe can wyth-inne þe place, for I and other moo suppose that ȝyff they fynd ȝow not here they wyl seke ȝow þere ȝe arn. I wold John Paston þe ȝonger schuld ryde aȝyn to my lady of Norffolk and be wyth hyr stylle tyl we haff other tydyngys, and þer may he do sum good, after þat 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 þat þere ar come to Cossey omward more than ij hundred, and þer ys comyng, as yt ys seyd, more than a thowsand. I wold þat ȝe sende hyder lytyl John, that I mygth sende hym abowte on myn errandys. Sende me worde how that ȝe doo by summe of the tenantys þat 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, þe quych he sendt hom in diuers letters for to be sped here; and of þe fermours of Tychwelle. Item, ȝyf 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 þat ȝong Heydon reysyth mych pepyl in þe sokyn and in other place. Item, I wold ȝe schuld do Richard Calle hye hym of makeng of alle the acountys, and ȝyf nede lete hym gete help; and kepe Thomas Hunworth stille wyth yow, and be war of pykyng.

To my ryght worschipfull husbond John Paston, in hast.

Ryght worshypful husbond, I recomaund me to yow, preyeng you hertyly þat ye wyl seke a meen þat 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 þat where so euere they may gete them they schold dye. And affrayes have ben made on Rychard Calle thes weke, so þat 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 þat 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 þat ye shold speke wyth þe justicys or they com here. And yf ye wol þat 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 þat 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 þe 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 þat he schold com hyddyre; and yit hys men seyd here on Monday þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat hathe be don to vs by hys seruauntys, if ye wolde geue me leve. I pray yow sende me worde if ye wyl þat 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 þat he were qwyte of yowre servyce, for by my trowthe I holde the place þe more ongracyous þat he is in for hys dysposycion in dyuerce thyngys, þe whych ye schal be jnformid of here-affter. The Trynyté haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn the Fryday next after Seynt Thomas. By yowre M. P.

To my ryght worschipful husbond John Paston be this delyuerd in hast.

Right wurchepfull husbond, I recomaund me to you. Please it you to wete þat 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 þe seid Thomas Bonde, be-cause I suppose thei were a-ferd of the pepill þat shuld be there of þe Duke of Suffolk parte. The seid Thomas and James, as the Duke of Suffolk men, þat is to sey Harlesdon, þe parson of Salle, Mayster Phyllip, and William Yeluerton, þe 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 þe maner yard to kepe the court, met wyth them and told them that thei were comyn to kepe þe 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 þe kepyng of þe new baly of Drayton, William Dokket, seyng þat he shuld go to my lord and do his herand hym-self, notwyth-stondyng þat Ser James dede the erandes to them and had the wordes; where-fore thei toke þe seid Thomas wyth-ought occasion. Thei wuld haue mad the seid Thomas to haue had the wordes, and þe 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 þe Duke of Suffolk ner had be þat I had spokyn wyth the juges in the morwyn or þei 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 þe Duke of Suffolk councell beyng there present and all þe lerned men of Norffolk and William Jeney and myche pepill of þe contré; the juge callyng þe 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 þe pepill there, wyth weche pepill 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 þe seid Thomas Bonde to hym. And thei excusid hem and seid þei had send hym to the Duke of Suffolk; notwythstandyng afterward thei sent hym to Norwhich to hym, desiryng hym þat 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 þat 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 made, 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 wold enforme the Kyng and helpe that he schuld be punyschet. And wher as ye avyced me... 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 assises... 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 answerd þat Yeluerton cleymeth the properté, 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 properté, and aviced hym to be ware what retorne he made þat 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 contré 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, Wechyngham, 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 payment. 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

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.'

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 myȝt 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 myȝt doo there-in and as largely as he myȝt doo there-in, or in any othere matere twochyng you, sauyng hym-sylf harmlys, he woll doo for you and for yourys that he myȝt 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 myȝt 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 as 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 þe 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.

Right worchepful hosbond, I recommand me to yow and pray you hertely at þe reverence of God that ye be of good comfort and trost veryly be þe 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, þat ye apeyr not your-self, and thynk veryly that ye be strong j-nowe for all your enemys, be þe grace of God. My moder is your good moder and takyth your maters ryght hertely, and ȝyf ye thynnk þat 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 þe grace of God. And as for any othyr thyngys of sharge that be in þis contré, I hope I shall so ordeyn therfore þat 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 þe victory of your enemys. Wretyn in hast on Saterday. Yours, M. P. Item, I take your sonne of your faders ode mony þat was in þe lytyll trussyng cofyr x mark, for my broder Clement seythe þat xx mark was to lytyll for hym.

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 copés of them. And he seyd he wollde sende the writtys to hys vndreschryf and a letter 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 vndrechryf, 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 vndreschref, 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 þe vndreschryf wylle do þer-in I wot nere, for he is not yet spokyn wyth. Item, as for Cotton, I entryd in-to þe plase as on Sunday last was, and ther I a-bode tyll vn Wednysday last pasyd. I have left ther John Paston þe 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 streynth 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 þei 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 ded charge an other court ther þe Sunday next after to be holde ther þe 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 þe mornyng. And assone as thei were coume to Caster þei sent for men ther in þe contré, and so they gett them in-to a iijxx men; and Daubeney and Wekys and Bernay rod to Calcott þe same Munday at nyght wyth ther felechypp, and ther kept them prevye in þe plase so that non of alle þe tenauntys kneve them ther saf Rysyngys wyff and her howsolde tylle the Thevsday at x of þe cloke. And than Ser Thomas Brewys, Debunham þe fadre, and þe knyt hys soune, Jenney, Mykelfylde, younge Jermyn, and younge Jernyngham and þe baley of Motforde, wyth other to þe nombre of a iijxx persones, coum fro þe sessiounys at Becklys þe whech þei hade keppt ther on þe day byfore, coume to Seynt Olovys, and þer 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 þe 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 þe pese wer coum doune wyth Debunham and Jenney to se that þe pese choulde be kepte, and that þei choulde entre and kepe þe 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 purpose that day; and all þe 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 þe 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 pourpose 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 þe demenyng and parcialté of Master John Salatt and Ypswell, and also I informyd hym what disposission that they were of that were vpon þe 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 þe 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 þe seyd Master Johon ner the tother is not grettly in conseyt at thys tyme, and so tolde me Aschefylde in councell. What þe 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 þerin, 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 þerin 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 purposyth 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 þis 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 þis xx yere and more; he was brother to þe good parsone of Seynt Michellys that ye lovyd ryght well. And yf he myght havyt he woulde kepe an howsolde þervpon and bylde well þe plase, and þerof 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.

To my ryght worschipfull husbond John Paston, in haste.

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 þe 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 þe Fryday next afore Michellmes. Be yowr M. P. Yf it plese yow to send aney thyng by the berer herof, he is trusty jnough.

On Tuesday in the morwyn whas John Botillere, oþerwyse 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 autoryté 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 þat 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 þe nombre of v hundred men, and he sent after þe meyre and alderman wyth þe sherefes, desiryng hem in the Kynges name þat thei shuld take an enqueraunce of þe constablys of euery ward wyth-in the cyté what men shuld a go on your party to haue holpyn or socowryd your men at any tyme of þes gaderynges, and if any thei cowde fynde þat 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 þat he may for hym and his. And here-vp-on the meyre hath arestid on þat was wyth me callid Roberd Lovegold, brasere, and threte hym þat he shall be hanged be the nek, wherfore I wuld þat 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 þe 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 þat 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 þe old lady and þe Duke is set fervently a-geyn vs be the enformacion of Harlesdon, þe baly of Cossey, and Andrewys, and Doget þe 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 contré 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 Heuenyngham and enformed hym wyth the trough of þe matere, and of all owyre demenyng at Drayton, and he seid he wuld þat all thyng wer wele and þat he wuld enforme my lord as I seid to hym, but Harleston had all þe wordes and þe 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 þe Duke rode on Wednysday to Drayton and so for to Cossey whill þe logge at Heylesdon was in þe betyng down. And þis nyght at mydnyght Thomas Sleyforth, Grene, Portere, and John Botesforth the baly of Eye and othere had a cart and fetched awey fetherbeddes and all þe stuffe þat was left at þe 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 þat I be demened, wheder ye wull þat 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.

To my ryght wyrshypfull hosbond John Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 autoryté 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.

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.

To my ryght wyrshypfull maystere Ser John Paston, knyȝt, be thys lettere delyueryd in hast.

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

To Ser John Paston, knyght, be þis deliuered in hast.

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 þat 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 þat 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 Trynyté 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 þat I wrote to you fore in the lettere þat ye had be James Greshams man, and send me an answere there-of be þe next man þat comyth, &c. By your moder M. P.

To Ser John Paston, knyght, be this deliuered in hast.

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 oþer in there names, at there liberté 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 þer 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; therefore 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 þerfore 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.

To Ser John Paston.

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 þer-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 þerfore 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 þat 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 suerté 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 þat she myght be ferre and ought of the wey, and þe rathere feyne excuse be-cause of age or sikenesse if þat 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 þe 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 þer-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 contré, 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 þe good lady þat 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

To Ser John Paston be this deliuered in hast.

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 þat it shuld be vnderstand, for my lord hath mad hym on of the capteynes at Cayster of þe pepill þat shuld kepe the wetche abought the place þat 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 suerté to recompense you all wronges and ye wuld suffre hym to entre pesibilly and the lawe after his entré wuld deme it you. Be ye avysed what answere ye wull geve. Item, sith that þat I spake wyth hym and the same day a feythfull frende of owres came on-to me and mevyd me if þat my lord myght be entreted to suffre endifferent men to kepe the place and take the profites for bothe parties till þe right be determyned be the lawe, and my lord for his parte and ye for your parte to fynde sufficient suerté þat your nowthere shuld vex, lette, ner trobilled the seid endifferent men to kepe pesibilly the possession of þe seid place, and to take þe profightes on-to the tyme it be determyned be þe lawe to his behowe þat the lawe demeth it. And þo seid persones þat so endifferently kepe possession before there entré in-to the seid place to fynde also sufficient suerté to answere the parté þat the lawe demeth it to of þe profites, duryng there possession, and to suffre hym pesibilly to entre, or any in his name, whan so euer thei be required be the parté to whom the right is demyd. Of all þes 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 þat euer ye had, and if þei 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. þer-fore prend it in your mend and purvey þer-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 þe 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 þat I haue sent you so many massangeres and haue so febill answeres ageyn. Be your modere

I grete ȝow wel and send ȝow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng ȝow wete þat on Thurysday last was my moder and I where wyth my lord of Norwych, and desyerd hym þat he woold nomore do in þe matere towscheyng ȝowr syster tyl þat ȝe and my brothere, and othere þat wern executors to ȝowr fader, mythe beyn here to-geder, fore they had þe rule of here as weel as I. And he sayde playnly þat he had be requeryd so oftyn fore to exameyn here þat he mythe not, nore woold, no lengare delayyt, and schargyd me in peyn of cursyng þat sche schuld not be deferred but þat sche xuld a-pere be-forn hym þe nexte day. And I sayd pleynly þat I woold nowder bryng here nore send here; and þan he sayd þat he woold send fore here hym-sylfe, and schargyd þat sche schuld be at here lyberté to cume wan he sent fore here. And he seyd be hys trowthe þat 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 þat here demenyng had stekyd soore at owr hartys. My moder and I in-formyd hym þat we kowd neuer onderstond be here sayyng, be no language þat euer sche had to hym, þat neythere of hem were bownd to othere, but þat they myth schese bothe. þan he seyd þat he woold sey to here as wele as he kowde be-fore þat he exameynd here; and so yt was told me be dyuerse persones þat he ded as welle and as pleynly as sche had be rythe nere to hym, wych were to long to wrythe at thys tyme. Hereaftyr ȝe xalle wete, and hoo were laberers there-in. þe schanselere was not so gylty there-in as I weend he had ben. On Fryday the Bysschope sent fore here be Asschefeld and othere þat arn ryth sory of here demenyng. And þe Bysschop seyd to here ryth pleynly, and put here in rememberawns how sche was born, wat kyn and frenddys þat 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 foresakyng of here fore any good ore helpe ore kownfort þat sche xuld haue of hem; and seyd þat he had hard sey þat sche loued schecheon þat here frend were not plesyd wyth þat sche xuld haue, and there-fore he bad here be ryth wel a-vysyd how sche ded, and seyd þat he woold wndyrstond þe worddys þat 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 þat sche wold make yt suerhere ore þat sche went thens; fore sche sayd sche thowthe in here conschens sche was bownd, wat so euere þe worddys wern. Thes leud worddys gereue me and here grandam as myche as alle þe remnawnte. And þan þe Bysschop and the schawnselere bothe seyd þat there was neythere I nere no frend of hers wold reseyuere. And þan Calle was exameynd aparte be hym-sylfe, þat here worddys and hys acordyd, and the tyme and where yt xuld a be don. And þan þe Bysschop sayd þat he supposyd þat there xuld be fownd othere thynggys ageyns hym þat mythe cause þe lettyng there-of, and there-fore he sayd he wold not be to hasty to geue sentens there-vp-on, and sayd þat he wold geue ouere day tyl þe Wodynsday ore Thursday aftyre Mykylmes, and so yt tys delayyd. They woold an had here wyl parformyd in haste, but þe Bysschop seyd he woold non othere-wyse þan he had sayd. I was wyth my moder at here plase wan sche was exameynd, and wan I hard sey wat here demenyng was I schargyd my seruantys þat sche xuld not be reseyued in myn hows. I had ȝeuen here warnyng, sche mythe a be ware afore yf sche had a be grasyows. And I sent to on ore ij more þat 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 þat browthe here þat 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 þe day before sayd, God knowyth fule euel ageyn hys wyle and hys wyvys, yf they durst do othere-wyse. I am sory þat they arn a-cumyrd wyth here, but ȝet I am better payed þat sche is there fore þe whyle þan sche had ben in othere place, be-cause of þe sadnes and god dysposysion of hym-sylfe and hys wyfe, fore sche xal not be souerd there to pleye þe brethele. I pray ȝow and requere ȝow þat ȝe take yt not pensyly, fore I wot wele yt gothe ryth nere ȝowr hart, and so doth yt to myn and to othere; but remembyre ȝow, and so do I, þat we haue lost of here but a brethele, and setyt þe 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 þe devors þat ȝe wrete to me of, I suppose wat ȝe ment, but I scharge ȝow vpon my blyssyng þat ȝe do not, nere cause non othere to do, þat xuld offend God and ȝowr conschens; fore and ȝe do, ore cause fore to be do, God wul take vengawns there-vpon and ȝe xuld put ȝowr-sylfe and othere in gret joparté. Fore wottyt wele, sche xal ful sore repent here leudnes here-aftyre, and I pray God sche mute soo. I pray ȝow, fore myn hard ys hese, be ȝe 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 ȝe toke hed yf there were any labore mad in þe kort of Cawntyrbery fore the leud matere fore sayd. But yf the Duke be purveyd fore, he and hys wyse kownsel xalle lese thys cuntré. Yt tys told me þat he sethe þat he wul not spare to do þat he is purposyd fore no duke in Ynglond. God helpe at nede.

I grete you wele, letyng you wete that your brothere and his felesshep stond in grete joparté 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 þe 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 countré marvaylleth gretly that ye suffre them to be so longe in so gret joparté wyth-ought help or othere remedy. The Duke hath be more fervently set þer-vp-on, and more cruell, sith þat 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 þat came þer 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, þat wyth ther gret multitude of gonnes, wyth othere shoot and ordynaunce, ther shall no man dar appere in þe place. Thei shall hold them so besy wyth ther gret pepill þat 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 þat 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 þe Duke of Norffolk, þat he wull graunte them þat be in þe place here lyfes and ther goodes. And in eschewyng of insurreccions, wyth othere inconuenyens þat 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 þe 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 aggré 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 þe 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 þat shall come to þe Erle of Oxenford comyn wyth the letteres that shall comyn to þe Duke of Norffolk, þat if he wull not aggree to the ton, that ye may haue redy your rescuse þat it nede nomore to send þer-fore. God kepe you. Wretyn the Tuesday next before Holy Rood Day, in hast. Be your modere

To Ser John Paston, in hast.

I grete ȝow wele and send ȝow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng ȝow wete þat me thynke be þe letter þat þe sent me be Robeyn þat ȝe thynke þat I xuld wryte to ȝow fabyls and ymagynacyons. But I do not soo; I haue wrytyn as yt haue be enformed me, and wulle do. It was told me þat 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 þat yt mythe a be odere-wysse. Remembyre ȝow ȝe haue had ij gret lossys wyth-yne thys towylemonthe, of hym and of Ser Thomas. God wysythyt ȝow as yt plesythe hym jn sundery wyses. He woold ȝe xuld knowe hym and serue hym better þan ȝe haue do be-fore thys tyme, and þan he wule send ȝow þe 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 þan yt howte to haue ben be-fore thys, owthere in pryde ore in laues expencys ore in any othere thyng þat haue offendyd God, amend yt and pray hym of hys grace and helpe, and entend welle to God and to ȝowr neybors; and thow ȝowr poore hereaftyre be to aquyte hem of here maleys, ȝet be mersyfulle to them, and God xale send ȝow þe more grace to haue ȝowr entente in othere thynggys. I remembyre thys clawsys be-cause of þe last letter þat ȝe sent me. I haue sent to Hary Halman of Sporylle to helpe to gette as ȝe desyerd me, and he canne not gette passyd v ore viij at the most, and ȝet yt wule not be but yf he cume þat ȝe trust vpon þat xuld cume, fore they long a parte to hym. And Ryschard Scharyls hathe a-sayed on hys parte, and he cane not gette passyd v, fore thoo þat 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 þe todere parte. As fore þe jantylman þat ye desyerd me to speke wyth, I spake wyth hys wyfe and sche told me he was not in thys cuntré 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 ȝeuen vpe þe woord, &c. Item, as fore mony I kowde gette but x li. vpon pledgys, and þat is spent fore ȝowr materes here fore payeng of ȝowr men þat wern at Caster and othere thynggys, and I woot not were to gette non, nowthere fore suerté ner fore pleggys. And as fore myn owyn lyuelod, I am so symppely payed thereof þat I fere me I xale be fayn to borow fore my-sylfe ore ell to breke vp howsold, ore bothe. As fore þe ȝelddyng of the place at Caster, I trowe Wretyll hathe told of the powntementys how yttys delyuerd. I woold þat had be so here thys tyme, and ȝan there xuld not a be do so mykyle hurte as there is in dyuerse weyes, fore many 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 þat xale cause othere to do þe lesse fore vus here-aftyre. I woold ȝe xuld send ȝowr brothere woord, and sum othere þat ȝe truste, to see to ȝowr owyn lyuelod, to sette yt in a rule and to gader there-of þat may be had in haste, and also of Ser John Fastolffys lyuelod þat may be gadyrd in pesybyle wyse; fore as fore Ryschard Calle, he wulle no more gadyre yt but yf ȝe comaund hym, and he woold fayn make hys acowntte and haue ȝowr good maystyre-schepe, as yttys told me, and delyuere þe euydens of Bekkeham and alle othere thynggys þat longgyth to ȝow þat he trusttythe þat ȝe wylle be hys good maystere here-aftyre. And he sethe he wylle not take non newe master tyle ȝe refuse hys seruyse. Remembyre þat ȝowr lyuelod may be set in soche a rule þat ȝe may knowe how yttys and wat is owyng to ȝow, 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 ȝow and ȝeue ȝow grace to do as wele as I woold ȝe dede. And I scharge ȝow be ware þat ȝe sette no lond to morgage, fore yf any auyse ȝow there-to they arn not ȝowr frenddys. Be ware be tymes be myn a-vyse, &c. I trow yowr brothere wylle send ȝow tydyngys in haste.

To John Paston þe yongere be þis deliuered in hast.

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. þerfore do your parte to help here forth that may be to your wurchep and myn. Item, remembre the bill þat 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

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 profite 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

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 þat I shuld had a garneys, I had ner see neuer more than I send you; þat is to say, ij plateres, vj dysshes, and vj sawceres. The ij plateres weyn xliij vnce di., and þe 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 joparté 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 þat non of vs shall help othere, to owre elmys grete comfort. It is vnderstond right now in þis countré 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 þat I haue departed so largely wyth you þat 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 þis 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 þis town þat I shall do so, and it shuld not haue neded if I had restreyned whan I myght. þer-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 þat I may make any chevyssans wyth 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 þer, and how it shall profite me God knowyth. The fermour owyth me lxxx li. and more; whan I shall haue it I wote neuer. þerfore be neuer the boldere in yowre exspences for any help þat 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 þat I haue my goodes of. For till I do so I know for certeyn þat 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 ȝow ij scherte clothys, iche of iij ȝardys of þe fynest þat is in thys towne. I xuld a do hem mad here but yt xuld a be to long here ȝe xuld an had hem. ȝowr awnte ore sum othere good woman wule do here almes vpon ȝow fore þe makyng of them. I thank ȝow fore the gowne þat ȝe 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 ȝowr brothere þat the mony is not ȝet cownyd þat I xuld send hym fore the sarsenet and damaske þat I spake to hym foore. As fore the damaske, yt may be forebore tylle þe nexte terme, but as fore þe sarsenet, I woold haue yt and yt mythe be, fore I goo in my rentys. Late ȝowr brothere see thys letter. As fore ȝowr syster, I can send ȝow no good tydynggys of here. God make here a good wooman.

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 auctorité, 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 þat 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 þat 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, þat 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 þat ye may vnderstond be that þat 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 þat 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 þerfore it were wele do ye shuld haue summe wyth you þat 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, þat 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 þat 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

I grete ȝow well and send ȝow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng ȝow wete þat I merevel þat ȝe send me no answere ageyn of þe letter þat I send ȝow be Rychard Raddeley; I woold ȝe schuld send me answere there-of in hast. Item, remembyre I spake to ȝow þat ȝowr broder and ȝe schuld purvey a mene to haue a dysscharge of my lord of Cawntyrebery fore ocapyeng of ȝowr fadyres goodys. Yt is no jape. Yt woold be remembyrd and don, fore and þe seyde lord foretyn to dyssesse ere we haue a dysscharge othere þat schull cum aftyre hym I suppose wul be more hasty vp-on hus þan he hath ben. I woold he schuld be informyd wat scharge and lossesys we haue had þat hath causyd þe godys to be spent so þat we be not abyl to perform hys wyll, wherefore þat ȝe desyere a dysscharge. Yt is not on-knowyn to my seyde lord þe gret scharge and cost þat we haue had synb he dyssessyd, whom God assoyle. Yf my seyde lord be inforemyd there-of and remembyrd, I hope he schuld be þe better lord to vus and dysscharge vs þe more hastely. At reuerens of God, latte yt not be fore-ȝet; 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 þe 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 ȝeue an answere of þe seyde goodys; where-fore I woold thys were don in hast ore he calle vp-on yt. Item, I pray ȝow remembyre þe spysys and þe malmesey þat I haue send to ȝow fore. Grete well ȝowr brodthere, and Goddys blyssyng and myn mut ȝe haue bothe, and send ȝow good sped in alle ȝowr materes. I thynk long tyl I here ho ȝe do. I may haue no leysere to wrytgh no more at thys tyme. Wretyn on Sen Eddmond Day þe Kyng. Be ȝowr modyre

To John Paston, esquiere, be thys delyuerd in hast.

I grete ȝow welle and send ȝow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng ȝow wete þat I haue a letter from ȝowr brothere where-by I vndyrstand þat he cannot nere may make no purvyans fore þe c mark; þe wyche causythe me to be rythgh hevy, and fore othere thynggys þat he wrytht to me of þat 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 þat non of vus may welle help othere wyth-owte þat we schuld do þat were to gret a dysworeschup fore vus to do---owthere to selle wood ore lond ore soche stuffe þat were nessessary fore vus to haue in owr howsys. So mot I answere a-fore God, I woot not how to do fore þe seyde mony and fore othere thynggys þat I haue to do of scharge, and my worshup saued; yt is a deth to me to thynk vp-on yt. Me thynkkyth be ȝowr brotheres wrythtyng þat he thynkkyth þat I am inforemed be sume þat 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 þat in happe he demytheyt too, they haue put me in cownforth more þan I kowde haue be any jmajynasyon in my owyn conseythe. He wrythetyth to me also þat 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. ȝowr 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 þe mony vp-on them in so lytyl tyme, and hath do ryth well. At þe reuerens of God, avyse hym ȝet to be ware of hys expencys and gydyng, þat yt be no schame to vus alle. Yt is a schame, and a thyng þat is myche spokyn of in thys contré, þat ȝowr 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 þan schuld haue mad þat. Me thynkkyth be ȝowr brothere þat he is wery to wrythe to me, and there-fore I wylnot a-kumbyre hym wyth wrythtyng to hym. ȝe may telle hym as I wryth to ȝow. Item, I woold ȝe schuld remembyre ȝowr brothere of Pekerenggys matere, if he cum not hom hastely, þat ȝe and Townesend and Lumnore may examynyt and sette yt thorow. þe pore man is almost on-don there-by, and hys brothere suethe hym and trobylyth hym sore ȝet. And also fore þe plesure of my koseyn Clere and þe Lady Bolen I woold yt were sette thorow. As fore my rowndlet of wyne, I schuld send ȝow mony there-fore, but I dare not putyt in joparté, there be so many theves stereng. John Louedayes man was robbyd in-to hys schyrte as he cam hom ward. I trow and ȝe assaye Towneshend ore Playtere ore sum othere good kuntery man of owyrs to lend yt ȝow 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 ȝet. Judy tellythe me þat ȝowr brothere is avysed fore to sue hym. Fore Goddys sake, late non onkyndnesse be schewed to hym, fore þat 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 þat offyce vpon hym þat 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 ȝe 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 ȝe wyl sone kum hom, and there-fore I wryth the lesse. God kepe ȝow and send ȝow good spede, &c. Wretyn þe Fryday, Sen Andrue Eue. Be ȝowr modyre

To John Paston, esquyere, be þis deliuered.

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 þat ye do. And for Goddes love lete your brothere and ye be ware how þat 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. Thynke what gret sorow it shuld be to me and any ...you. I had leuer ye had neuer know þe lond. Remembre it was þe distruccion of your fader. Trost not mych vp-on promyses of lordes now a days that ye shuld be the suerere of þe favour of þer men; for there was a man, and a lordes sone, seid but late and toke it for an exampill, þat Ser Roberd Harecourt had the good will of the lordes after þer 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. þerfore be ware of symulacion, for thei wull speke right fayr to you þat wuld ye ferd right evyll. The blissid Trynyté 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 þe berere here-of how ye don, and remembre þe bylles and remembrauns for the maner of Gresham that I wrote to your brother fore. Be your modere

I grete you wele, letyng you wete that þer was told me a thyng in your absens þat 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 þe ontrowth þat is in seruauntes now a days but if þer maysteres take better heed to þer 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 wurchepfull man; and þat was right hevy þat 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 þat þis shuld be trought, the forseid person told me þat it was told hym of on þat was toward Ser William Yeluerton, to whom Richard Calle shuld haue seid in thes termes, þat Sporle wood shuld be sold and þat it shuld comyn now in-to Cristen mennes handes; which if it were knowyn shuld cause bothyn your elmyse and your frendes to thynk þat ye dede it for right gret nede, or ell þat 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 pollicé be-cause of þe onsuerté þat it stant in, to haue takyn þat ye had myght of it duryng your possession, to haue boryn ought the daungeres of it wyth the same; but for to do þus of your owyn lyffelode men shall thyng þat ye do it for pure nede. And in asmych as it is so ner your most elmyse ere it shall be to you þe grettere vylney and shame to all your frendes, and the grettest coragyng and plesere þat can be to your elmyse. For if ye be thus disposid ye shall make them and all othere certeyn of þat 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 þe greet slaundre and inconveniens þat may grow þer-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. þat it were vnderstond þat ye were of þat disposicion, ner that ye were comyn to so gret nede which shuld cause you to do so, for euery shuld thynk þat 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, þat he do all such as haue mad or takyn þat bargayn seasse, and felle non of þe wood vp-on peyn that may falle þer-of. And how so euer wull councell you the contrary, 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 þe 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 þe contrary disposicion. Be your moder

To John Paston, esquyere, be this deliuered.

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 countré 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 þat wull see you gretely vttered, and þat 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 þer may be fownd a meane þat 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 þat he promysed hym þat 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.

To Ser John Paston, knythe, be thys delyuerid.

I gret ȝow welle and send ȝow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng ȝow wet þat I spakke wyth frendys of myn wyth-yne thys fewe days þat told me þat I am lekke to be trobyld fore Ser John Fastolls goodys þe whyche were in ȝowr fadyrs possessyon; and as fore me, I had neuer non of them. Where-fore I pray ȝow send me a kopy of þe dysse-charge whyche ȝe haue of my lord of Wynschester þat ȝe told me þat ȝe had bothe fore my dyscharge and ȝowyrs, wat sum euer þat be callyd vpon of eythere of vus here-aftere. Item, yt ys told me þat Herry Heydon hat bowthe of þe seyd lord bothe Saxthorpe and Tychewelle, and hathe takke possessyon there-in. We bette þe busschysse, and haue þe losse and þe dysworschuppe, and othere men haue þe byrdys. My lord hathe falsse kownselle and sympylle þat a-vyseythe hym there-to. And as yt ys told me, Guton ys leke to goo þe same wey in hast; and as fore Heylysdon and Drayton, I trow yt is þere yt schalle be. Wat schalle falle of þe remnant God knowythe; I trow as evelle ore wheresse. We haue þe losse a-mong vus. Yt owythe to be remembyrd, and they þat be defawty to haue konsyens there-in. And, so mot I thryve, yt was told me but latte þat yt is seyd in kownselle of them þat ben at Castere þat I am leke to haue but lytylle good of Mauteby yf þe Dukke of Norfolke haue possessyon stylle in Caster; and yf we lesse þat , we lesse þe fayere-este flowere of owr garlond. And there-fore helpe þat 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 þat my lord arche-bysschoppe is ded; and yf yt be so, calle vp-on hys sueretés fore þe mony þat is owyng to vus in hast be myn avyse. And at reuerens of God, helpe þat I mythe be dyschargyd of þe c mark þat ȝe wot of, owder be þat mene ore sum other, fore yt is to myche fore me to ber wyth othere chargys þat I haue besyd þat. 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 þat ȝe wylle a-gre ther-to and be here good brother. Sche schalle haue to joyntor hys modyrs lyvelod after þe dyssesse of here and here husbond, and I to pay x lj. be ȝere to þe 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 ȝere, and þan lakkythe but iiij nobyls of xx mark be ȝere, þe wyche they hope ȝe wylle make vpe fore ȝowr parte. Wylliam Grey told me he schuld speke wyth ȝow here-in wan he kam to London thys terme. God kepe ȝow. Wretyn in hast on Fryday next aftere Sen Pernelle. Be yowr modyre

To John Paston þe yongere be þis deliuered in hast.

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 þat were put there-in to pasture, and thei ledde them a-wey so that euery man ferith to put any bestes or catell þer-in, to my grete hurt and discoragyng of my fermour þat 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, þat if he had not had a good hors he had be like to haue ben in joparté of his lyfe; so that be thes rewle I am like to lese þe profite of þat 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 þat 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 þat lyfelode abideth. Item, I lete you wete that Hastynges hath entred ageyn in-to his fee of þe constabyll-shep of þe Castell of Norwich be the vertu of his patent þat 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. þis was do be-fore þat ye sent me the letter be Pers. I had forgetyn to haue sent you word þer-of. God kepe you. Wretyn þe Friday next after Sent Luke. Be your moder

To John Paston, esquyere.

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 þat 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, wherefore 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 that she hath othere councell that avyseth here to labour to othere than to you. I wuld not þat ye were to besy in no such materes till the werd were more suere, and in any wyse that while my lord þe Chauncellere is in ocupacion 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 as ye haue ben be-fore this tyme. I haue vnderstand sith that ye departed that þer ... mad to subplant you. þerfore, for Goddes sake, in this onstabil werd labore er... materes that thei may haue summe good conclusion, and that shall make your elmyse fere you, and ell thei shall ... kepe you low and in trobill. And if any mater... be act of parlement and profight lete your bill be mad redy, and lese not your materes 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 contray wenyth that ye shuld now ouercomyn all your trobill, which if ye do not ye shall fall ought of conceyte. I write as wele this to your brothere as to you. þerfore 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 parté, that þer was mad labore, and like to be concluded, that the eleccion of the knyghtes of þe 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 suppose because 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. þerfore 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 debuté to wete how thei be disposid for certificate of þe knyghtes, and þer 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.

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 þat sikenesse caused that she absent here. Therfore I pray you help here, for so God help me I haue right gret peté 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

I recomaund me to you, and thanke you hertyly of youre letteris and delygente laboure þat ye haue had in thoes materis þat ye haue wretyn to me of, and in all othere to my profette and worschep, and jn esspeciall atte this sesons towchyng the matere þat I sent you þe jndenture of. Ye haue lyghtyd myne hert þerin by a pound, for I was in fere þat it wold not haue bene doo so hastyly with-oute dangere. And as for the letters þat Thomas Hollere son schuld haue brought me, I see nothere hym ne the letters þat he schuld haue brought; wherefore I pray you hertely, yeue it be no dysese to you, þat ye will take the laboure to bryng Walter theyr he schuld be, and to poruaye for hym þat 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 þan I haue of them þat 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 þat the letters come not to me, and whethere I may leye the defaute to the faudere or to the son þerof. And I wold Water schuld be copilet with a bettere than Hollere son is þer as he schalbe. Howe beit, I wold not þat he schuld make neuer the lesse of hym, by-cause he is his contré-man and neghboure. And also I pray you wryte a lettere in my name to Watere aftere þat ye haue knowne myne entent by-fore this to hym ward: so þat he doo welle, lerne well, and be of good rowle and disposycion, þer shall nothyng faylle hym þat I may helpe with, so þat it be nessessare to hym. And bydde hym þat he benot to hasty of takyng of orderes þat schuld bynd hym till þat he be of xxiiij yere of agee or more, thoff he be consaled the contraré, for oftyn rape rewith. I will loue hym bettere to be a good seculare man þan to be a lewit prest. And I am soré þat 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 þat 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 peté; 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 þat 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. þerfor I pray you doo ye als wele þerin 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 þe contré 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 þe next day-than schuld I comon with you in all materis. And I hold best, if ye haue not þe letteris þat Hollere son schuld haue brought me, þat ye send Sym ouer for them, this nyght þat I may haue them to-morowe, and yif ye may combe youreself I wold be þe better playsed. And I remembere þat 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, þer ye shall not fayill of the tone or of bothe. Sche haith othere wateris to make folkis to browke. God kepe you. Wrytyn on þe Monday next after Sent Hilleré. I haue no lengere leysere atte this tyme.

To Ser John Paston, knyght, be thys delyueryd in hast...Ao xiiijo.

Jesus Ryght welbelouyd son, I gret yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wete þat I marveyle þat I have had no wrytyng from yow sethyn ye sent me þe lettyr þat ye sent me be-for the Kyngys comyng to Norwych, in the wyche lettyr ye wrot to me þat ye shuld a wretyn a-geyn to me or ye shuld de-part owt of London. It ys so þat 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 þat 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 þat yf he wold a deliueryd them he myth an had þe 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 þe 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 þat ye have fownd hym swerté for alle; and yff ye have soo do, I wold ye shuld wryt to yowyr hunkyll ther-for þat 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 þe gret good þat the pepyll ys leyd to for þe 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 cuntré, yt cannot be sold a-bove x d. or xj d.; þat 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 þat, be than þat þe owt chargys be boryn and þe repracion of þe 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 cuntré as yet; the Kyng hath comaundyd þat ther shuld non gon owth of thys lond. I fer me þat we shall have ryth a straung ward, God a-mendyd whan hys wyll ys. I thank yow for the flakons þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þe todyr bokys be-syd that ys xx s. vj d., the wych I send yow a byll of. Yf ye lyk be þe 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

To John Paston, sqwyer, be thys delyueryd in hast.

Jesus I gret yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wet þat my cosyn Robard Clere was her wyth me thys weke and told me þat he was nowt payd of the mony þat ye know þat was borowd of hys modyr and of hym but iiijxx li. þe xx li. þat my pleagys ly for ys on-payd. He seyd þat he was desyryd to delyuere my pleggys and to have be payd þe xx li., but he wold not tyll he had spokyn wyth me be-cause of þe promys þat he had mad to me be-for þat he shuld not delyuer them to non wyth-owt my assent. I seyd to hym þat I suppose veryly þat yowyr brodyr hys a-greyd wyth yowyr hunkyll þat he shuld paye all the hole, for I suppose he hath a swerté for ale þat and more. I wold vndyrstond how yt ys, and how þat 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 þat ye shuld speke wyth yowyr hunkyll ther-jn and send me word in hast what he seet. I marvyll, be my trowth, þat I had no wrytyng fro yowyr brodyr er he departyd fro London, as he promysyd in the last lettyr þat 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 þat we alle shuld far the bettyr for hyr. Yt ys told me þat 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 þat I may have þe sacrement her in the chapell, be-cause yt ys far to þe chyrche and I am sekly, and þe parson ys oftyn owt. For all maner of casweltés 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 þe 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 þat ther was mor than vij li. of þe mony þat was payd hym þat was ryght on-rysty and he cowd nowt havyt chaungyd; he was on-goodly servyd ther-jn.

John Paston, I send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, letyng yow wete þat 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 þe lettyr þat ye sent to my cosyn Calthorpp and me of þe tydyngys; I wold ye shuld do soo mor. As ye may remembyr þat I spak to yow for þe xxti li. for my cosyn Clere, spek to yowyr hunkyll ther-of and send me an ansswer ther of in hast, and for þe lycens þat I spak to yow for to have þe sacrement in my chapell. Yf ye cannot getyt of þe Busshop of Norwych getyt of þe Busshop of Caunterbery, for þat ys most swyr for all plas. God kepe yow. Wretyn on Myd-lent Sunday.

Vn-to Syr John Paston be this delyuered in hast.

Ryght welbelouyd son, I grete you well and send you Cristes blissyng and myne, desyringe to know how ye faire. I mervaile þat I haue herd no tydynges from you sythe ye sent me þe lettyr off an answere off þe xxty li. the which I haue layde pleages fore to my cosyn Cleere, the which letter was wryten þe xxijty day off Februar. And as fore þat money, I can not gete no lenger day þer-off þan Mydsomer, or fourte-nyght affter. And towardys þat money, and þe xxty li. þat 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 þis letter. And as for any discharge þat I promysed at þe boroeng off þe xxty li. whan I leyde the pleages þer-fore, I thought not but þat your vncle shuld a boroed þem owte, and I to haue had my pleages as well as he his. Neuer þe less I shall be þe warere how I shall dele hereafftyr. By my trouth, I wote not how to do þer-fore. The Kyng goth so nere vs in þis cuntré, both to pooere and ryche, þat I wote not how we shall lyff but yff þe world a-mend. God a-mend it whan his wyll is. We can noþer 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 þer-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 þis tyme, and how he hath purveyde for þe remnaunte off your corne and also off oþer thynges þat be necessary þat shuld be purveyd fore in your absence. Send me word also whome ye wyll desyre to do for yow in this contré, 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 þat 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 þe 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 þis is all þat I haue receyuyd for yow ȝytt sen ye departyd hens. God bryng yow well a-geyn to þis contré, to his pleasans and to your wurshyp and profyȝt. Wryten at Mawteby þe xxiijty day of May and þe Tewsday next afftyr Trinyté Sonday. For Goddes loue, and your breþer go ouer þe 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 þat ye shuld noþer sell nor sett to pleage þat ye haue in Runnham, what som euer fortune off þe remnaund, for yt is a praty thyng and resonable well payde and nere thys towne. I wold be ryght sory þat ye shuld for-bere that; I had leuer ye for-bore þat your vncle hath to morgage than þat.

To the right worshipffull Ser John Paston, knyght, in haste.

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 þat 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 dewtés longyng to þat 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 þat I may do I wol do aswele as I can. And as for tidynges here in this contré, we haue non but that the contry is bareyn of money and þat 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

To þe ryght wurchypful and my very good lady and cosyn Dame Elyzabeth Brews.

Ryght wurchepful and my cheff lady and cosyn, as hertly as I can I recomaunde me to yow. Madam, lyeketh yow to vndyrstand that þe 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 þe 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 þat þe defawte schall be knowe where yt ys, and also that, wyth yowyr advyse and helpe and myn to-gedyrs, we schall take some wey þat 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 þat I may haue parfyte knowlage be my son Yeluerton, berar here-of, when thys metyng schall be, yf ye thynk it expedyent, and þe 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 þat 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 þat I may be recomawndyd by þis 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

Yt ys soo þat I vndyr-stonde be yowyr letter wretyn þe Thyrsday nexte be-fore Seynt Lauerons þat ȝe wulde haue knowlage how þat I wuld be demenyd in Cokettys matere, qweche I send yow here-vndyr wretyn. I putte yow in certeyn þat I wull neuyr pay hym peny of þat duty þat 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-ȝens my well; and thow I wuld, I may nat. Where-fore I a-wyse yow to see me sauyd harmelesse a-ȝens hym for yowyr owyn a-wavntage in tyme cumyng, for yf I pay yt, at longe wey ȝe xall bere þe losse. And where as ȝe wryte to me þat I gaue yow xx li. and promysyd odyr xx li., þat ys nat soo; for I wutte wele yf I had soo doon ȝe wuld nat assynyd me, be yowyr letterys of yowyr owyn hande-wrytyng þe whech I haue to schew, þat I schuld resseyue a-ȝen þe same summe of Wylliam Pecok and of yowyr fermorys and byars of yowyr wood of Sporle. And take þis for a full conclusyon in thys matere, for yt xall be noon othyr-wyse for me þan I wryte here to yow. I meruel meche þat ȝe haue delte aȝen soo symply wyth Sporle, consyderyng þat ȝe and yowyr frendys had so mech to doo for to geetyt yow a-ȝen onys, and ye hauyng noo gretter materes of charge þan ȝe 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 þis tyme to leue yow after my decesse, for I thynke veryly þat ye wulde be dysposyd here-aftyr to selle or sette to morgage þe lond þat ye xulde haue after me, yowyr modyr, as gladdly and rathyr þan þat lyfelood þat ye haue after yowyr fadyr. Yt greuyth me to thynke vpon yowyr gydeyng after þe greet good þat ȝe 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 þe laste tyme þat 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 þat whare necessary for hym to haue in haste. I wulde ȝe xulde remembyrt and purvey þere-fore; as for me, I wul nat. I thynke ȝe 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 þe day after Seynt Lauerons þe yere and þe renge of Kyng E. þe iiijte þe xvij ȝere. By yowyr modyr

I greet yow well and send yow Goddys blyssyng and myn, latyng yow wete þat I haue sent yow be Whetelé þe clothe of golde, chargyng yow þat it be not solde to non othere vse þan to þe performyng of yowyr fadyrs tovmbe, as ȝe send me worde in wrytyng. Yf ye sellyt to any othyr vse, by my trowthe I xall neuer trost yow wyll I leue. Remembyr þat yt coste me xxti marke þe pleggyng owte of yt, and yf I where nat glad to se þat 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 þis ij ȝere. Whan ȝe may better I trost ȝe whyll remembyr yt. My cosyn Clere dothe as meche coste at Bromhom as whylle drawe an c li. vpon þe deskys in þe quere and in othyr placys, and Heydon in lyke whyse; and yf þere xuld no thyng be don for ȝour 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 þat my cosyn Robert Clere thynkyth gret onkyndenesse in delyng wyth hym of Pecoke for certeyn pasture þat ȝe 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 þe pasture wyth hys catell, and Pecok hathe strenyd them. I thynk þis delyng is not as yt xulde be. I wolde þat 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 ȝe be. He ys a man of substaunce and worchyp, and so wylle be takyn in thys schyre, and I were lothe þat ȝe xulde lese þe good wylle of suche as may do for yow. Item, where as ȝe haue begonne your cleyme in Heylysdon and Drayton, I pray God send yow good sped and foderaunce in yt. ȝe haue as good a ceason as ȝe wulde wysche, consyderyng þat your aduersary standys not in best favyr wyth þe Kynge. Also ȝe haue þe voyse in þis contré þat ȝe may do as meche wyth þe Kyng as ony knygth þat ys longyng to þe Corte; yf yt be so, I pray God contynuyt. And also þat ȝe xuld mary ryght nygth of þe Qwenys blood. Qwat sche ys we are not as certeyn, but yf yt be so þat yowyr lond schuld come a-gayne by þe reason of your maryage, and to be sett in rest, at þe reuerence of God for-sake yt nowt yf ȝe can fynde in your harte to loue hyr, so þat sche be suche on as ȝe can thynk to haue jssv by; or ellys by my trowth I had rathere þat ȝe neuer maryd in your lyffe. Also yf yowyr matere take not now to good effecte, ȝe and all yowyr frendys may repent them þat ȝe be-gan your cleyme wyth-owte þat ȝe haue take suche a suyr wey as may be to your intent, for many inconuenyens þat may falle þere-of. God send yow good spede in all yowyr maters. Wretyn at Mawteby þe day after Seynt Austyn in May, þe xviij ȝere of Kyng Edward þe iiijte. Be yowyr modyr

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 deputé 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

To my rythg reuerent and worchypfoll fadere John Paston, esquyere, dwellyng jn Heylysdon, be thys lettere delyueryd jn haste.

Most reuerent and worschepful fadyre, I rekomawnd me hertylye, and submytt me lowlely to yowre good faderhood, besechyng yow fore cheryté of yowre dayly blyssyng. I beseche yow to hold me ascewsyd that I sente to yowe none erste no wrythgtyng, fore I kowd not spede to myn jntent the materys that ye sent to me fore. I laboryd dayly my lord of Estsexe, treserere of Ynglond, to haue meuyd the Kyng bothe of the manere of Deddham and of the byll copye of the corte rolle euerye mornyng ore he went to the Kyng, and often tymys jnquieryd of hym and he had meuyd the Kyng in these materys. He answeryd me naye, seyyng it was no tyme, and seyd he wold it ware osse fayne spedd os I my-selfe; so offte tymys de-layeng me that jn trowthe I thowt ta haue send yowe word that I felyd by hym that he was not wyllyng to meue the Kyng there-in. Neuerthe-lesse I lawboryd to hym contynually and prayed Baronners, hys man, to remembyre hym of it. I told offten tymys to my seyd lord that I had a man teryyn jn town that I schuld a sente to yow fore othyre sundry materys, and he teryid fore no thyng but that I mythg send yowe by hym an answere of the seyd materys; othyre tymys besechyng hym to spede me in thoys materys fore thys cawse that ye schuld thynke no defawte jn me fore rememberyng jn the seyd materys. And nowe of late I, rememberyng hym of the same mater, jnquiryd if he had meuyd the Kyngys hythgnes there-in; and he answeryd me þat he hadde felte and meuyd the Kyng there-in, rehersyng the Kyngys answere þer-in: how þat, when he had meuyd the Kyng in the seyd maner of Dedham, besechyng hym to be yowre good lord there-in, konsyderyng the seruyse and trewe hart that ye haue done and owthg to hym, and jn espesyal the rygth that ye haue there-to, he seyd he wold be yowre good lord therein as he wold be to the porest man jn Inglond. He wold hold wyth yowe jn yowre rygth; and as fore fauore, he wyll nogth he vndere-stand þat he schal schewe fauore more to one man then to anothyre, nowgth to on jn Inglond. And as fore the bille copye of the cort rolle, when he meuyd to hym of it he smylyd and seyd þat suche a bylle there was, seyyng þat ye wold an oppressyd syndrye of yowre contrémen of worchypfull men, and therfore he kepyd it styll. Neuer the lesse he seyd he schuld loke it vppe in haste, and ye schuld haue it. Baronners vndertoke to me twyes ore thryes þat he schuld so a remembrid hys lord and master þat I schuld an had it wythinne ij ore iij dayes. He is often tymys absent, and there-fore I haue it nowthg yyt. When I kan gete it I schall send it yowe, and of the Kyngys mowth hys name þat toke it hym. I scend yow home Pekok a-geyn; he is not fore me. God send grase þat he may do yow good seruyse, that be extymacion js not lykelye. Ye schall haue knowlyche aftyrward how he hathe demenyd hym here wyth me. I wold, sauyng yowre dysplesure, that ye were delyueryd of hym, fore he schalle neuer do yow profyte nere worchyp. I suppose ye vnderstand þat the monye that I hadde of yowe att Lundon maye not jndure wyth me tyll that the Kyng goo in-to Walys an kome ageyn, fore I vndere-stand it schall be long ore he kome a-geyn. Where-fore I haue send to Londun to myn onkyl Clement to gete an c s. of Cristofyre Hansom yowre seruaunt, and send it me be my seyd seruaunt, and myn herneys wyth it whyche I lefte at Lundun to make klene. I beseche yowe not to be dysplesyd wyth it, fore I kowd make non othyre cheysaunce but I schuld a boruyd it of a strange man, sum of my felawys, wheche I suppose schold not lyke yowe and ye herd of it a-nothyre tyme. I ame jn suerté where as I schall haue a-nothyre mann jn the stede of Pekoke. My lord of Estsexe seythe he wyll do as myche fore yowe as fore any esquyere in Inglond, and Beronners hys man tellyt me, seyyng 'Yowre fadyre js myche be-holdyng to my lord, fore he louyth hym well.' Baruners meuyd me onys and seyd þat ye must nedys do sum-whate fore my lord and hys; and I seyd I wost well þat ye wold do fore hym þat laye jn yowre poware. And he seyd þat þer was a lytyl mony be-twyxe yowe and a jantylman of Estsexe callyd Dyrward, seyyng þat þer is as myche be-twejn my seyd lord and the seyd jantyilman, of the wyche mony he desieryth yowre part. It is talkyd here howe þat ye and Howard schuld a streuyn to-gyddyre on þe schere daye, and on of Howardys men schuld a strekyn yow twyess wyth a dagere, and soo ye schuld a ben hurt but fore a good dobelet þat ye hadde on at that tyme. Blyssyd be God that ye hadde it on. No more I wryth to yowere good faderhod at thys tym, but Allmygthy God haue yowe in hys kepyng and send yowe vyttorye of yowre elmyse and worschyp jncressyng to yowre lyuys endyn. Wrytyn at Lewys on Seynt Bertylmweys Eue. Be yowre seruaunt and eldere sone John Paston

To myn ryth reuerent and worschypful fadere John Paston, beyng jn the Indere Temple.

Ryght reuerent and wyrshypfull fadere, I recommand me vn-to you, besychyng you of youre blessyng and gode faderhode. Pleasyt it you to vnderstond the grete expens that I haue dayly travelyng wyth the Kyng, as the berour here-of can enfourme you, and howe long that I am lyke to tary here in thys countray or I may speke wyth you a-gayn, and howe I am chargyd to haue myn hors and harnys redy and in hasty wyse; be-sykyng you to consydere theys causes and so to remembre me that I may haue suche thynges as I may do my maystere servys wyth and pleasure, trustyng in God it schall be to youre wyrshyp and to myn avayll. In esspeciall, I besyche you that I may be sure where to haue mony somwhat be-fore Estern, other of you or by myn vncle Clement when nede ys. Of othere causes the berour here-of can enfourme you. No more to you at thys tyme, but God haue you in hys kepyng. Wryten at Stamford the xiij day of March. By yowre sone and seruaunt John Paston þe oldere

To my ryght wurschipfull fadre John Paston.

Plesit you to wete that I am at Leyn, and vnder-stande be dyuers personys, as I am in-formed, þat þe Mayster of Carbroke wold take a rewle in the Mari Talbot as for capteyn, and to yeue jaketes of his leuery to dyuers personis qwych ben waged be oder men and nouth be hym, beyng in the said shep. Qwerfor, in as moch as I have but few sowdeors in myn dyuers personis qwych ben waged be oder men and nouth be hym, beyng in the said shep. Qwerfor, in as moch as I have but few sowdeors in myn leuery here to strenketh me in þat qwych is the Kynges cummandement, I kepe wyth me yowre too men Dawbenney and Calle, qwich I purpose shall seyle wyth me to Yermoth; for I have purueyed harneyse for hem, and ye shall well vnderstande, be þe grace of God, þat the said Maystere of Carbroke shall have non rewle in the sheppes as I had purposid he shuld haue had, be-cause of his besynesse, and for this is on of the specyall causes I kepe yowre said men wyth me, besechyng you ye takyt to non dysplesour of ther taryng wyth me. Nat wythstandyng þer herden at Wyggenalle shall ben don this day, be the grace of God, whoo haue you in kepyng. Wreten at Leyn the morow after my departyng from you. Item, as far such tydynges as ben here, Tht shall in-forme you. John Paston

To my ryght wyrschypful fadre John Paston, esquyere, be thys letter delyueryd in hasty wyse.

Ryght worschypful syre, jn the most lowly wyse I comaund me to yowre good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng. Mut it plese yowre faderhod to remembre and concydre the peyn and heuynesse þat it hathe ben to me syn yowre departyng owt of thys contré, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowre plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre þat I may not nere haue noo mene to seke to yow as I awght to do sauyng vndre thys forme, whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesure, ner am not of power to do any thynge in thys contré for worschyp or profyht of yow nere ease of yowre tenauntys whych myght and scholde be to yowre pleasyng. Wherfor I beseche yow of yowre faderly pyté to tendre þe more thys symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her-afftere doo þat schal please yow to þe vttermest of my powere and labore. And if there be any servyce þat I may do, it it please yow to comaund me or if I maye vnderstonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it were any thyng þat myght be to yowre pleasyng. And nomore, but Allmyghty God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn the v day of Marche. By yowre oldere sone John Paston

to hys ryght worschypful fadre John Paston, beyng in the Flete at London, be thys delyueryd.

Ryght worschypful syre, jn the most lowly wyse I recomand me to yow Pleasyth it yow to wete þat i sente yow a letter but late agoo, in whych letter I lete yow haue vnderstondyng þat, if it pleasyd yow to grante and assente there-to, Syre Thomas Howes wolde resyngne the benefyce of Mawteby to a ful prestly man of Norwych callyd Syr Thomas Lyndys, whom I suppose ye haue knolech of. Neuerthe-lesse I wote wele he hath not ben grettly aquentyd wyth yow. But I and he haue ben moch aquentyd to-gedere, and I vnderstond and knowe hys vertews leuyng and dysposicion ryght wele, whyche herafftere I wote wele scholde please yow ryght wele. And that letter whyche I sente yow, as I vnderstod syns, Nycholas Colman the berere ther-of cam not owte of Norwych iiij or v dayes aftere that the bylle was delyueryd hym, whefor I am jn dowte whythere it is come to yowre handes or not, whyche cawsyth me to wryght to yow ageyn jn thys wyse; besechyng yow, if it plese yow þat the seyd Syr Thomas Lyndys schal be of yowre promotyng jn þe wyse above wretyn, þat then it lyke yow þat I may haue answere by the berere herof, whych schal tary at London a day or ij and not passyng. Nomore to yow at thys tyme, but Alle-myghty God haue yow in guydyng. Wretyn at Heylesdon the Fryday next byfore Sceynt Mychell. By yowre oldere son John Paston

To my brothere John Paston.

Ryght worschypful and verrely welbelouyd brothere, I hertely comande me to yow, thankyng yow of yowre labore and dyligence that ye haue in kepyng of my place at Castre so sewerly, both wyth yowre hert and mynde, to yowr gret bisynesse and troble; and I ageynwarde haue hadde so lytell leysere that I haue not spedde bot fewe of yowre erendys, nere kannot before thys tyme. Asfore my lady Boleynes dysposicion to yow werdys, I kannot in no wyse fynde hyre a-greable þat ye scholde haue here dowter, for all the preuy meanes þat I kowde make; in so moche I hadde so lytell comfore by all the meanes þat I kowde make þat I dysdeyned in myn own person to comon wyth hyre there-in. Neuertheless I vndre-stande þat sche seythe, 'What if he and sche kan agré, I wyll not lette it; but I will neuer advyse hyre therto in no wyse.' And vppon Tewesday last past sche rood hom in-to Norfolke; wherfore as ye thynke ye may fynde the meane to speke wyth hyre yowre-selfe, fore wyth-owt that, in myn conceyt, it wyll nat be. And as fore Crosseby, I vndrestand not þat þer is no maryage concludyd betwen them; neuer thelesse there is get langage þat it is lyke to be. Ye be personable, and par auentur yowre beyng ones in the syght of þe mayde, and a lytell descuueryng of your good wyl to hyre, byndyng hyre to kepe it secret, and þat ye kane fynde in yowre hert, wyth som comfort of hyre, to fynde the meane to brynge suche a mater abowt as schall be hyre pleasur and yowrys, but that thys ye kannot do wyth-owt som comfort of hyre in no wyse---. And bere yore-selfe as lowly to þe modere as ye lyst, but to þe mayde not to lowly, nere that ye be to gladde to spede nere to sory to fayle. And I alweys schall be yowre herault, bothe here if sche com hydder and at home when I kome hom, whych I hope hastyly wyth-in xl dayes at þe ferthes. My modre hathe a letter whych can tell yow more, and ye may lat Dawbeny se it. John Paston, K. I suppose and ye kall welle vppon R. Calle he schall puruey yow mony. I haue wretyn to hym j-now.

This bille indentyd mad the first day of Maij the vij yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourthe bithwix John Paston, knyght, on the on partie, and Thomas Lomnour of London, mercer, on the othir partie, witnessith that the said Thomas Lomnour hath bargeyned, comenauntid and agreed wyth the seid John Paston in the forme folowyng, that is to say that the same Thomas hath sold to the said John an ambelyng hors vpon this condicion that if the day of mariage bithwyx the lord Charles, sone and heire to the Duc of Burgon and my lady Margret, sustir to oure souereyn lord the Kyng aboueseid, take effect, and the same lady Margret lawfully be maried to the said lord Charles wythinne ij yere aftir the date of thes present, thanne and at the same day of mariage the said John Paston grauntith to pay to the said Thomas Lomnour for the said hors vj marc. And if the said mariage take not effect wythinne the seid ij yere, yet the seid John Paston grauntith to pay to the said Thomas Lomnour at any day aftir the ij. yere aboueseid for the said hors xl s. and nomore. In witnesse wherof the parties abouesaid to these billes enterchaungeably haue set her seals the day and yere aboueseid. Jon Paston, K.

To my ryght welbelouyd brothere John Paston, esquiere, beyng at Caster, or to John Dawbeney þer be thys letter delyueryd.

Ryght welbelouyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wete þat I haue wagyd for to helpe yow and Dawbeney to kepe þe place at Castre iiij wel assuryd and trew men to do al maner of thyng what þat they be desyiryd to do in saue-gard ore enforcyng of þe seyd place. And moreouyre they be prouyd men and connyng in the werre and in fetys of armys, and they kan wele schote bothe gonnys and crossebowes and amende and strynge them, and devyse bolwerkys ore any thyngys that scholde be a strenkthe to þe place; and they wol, as nede is, kepe wecche and warde. They be sadde and wel advysed men, sauyng on of þem whyche is ballyd and callyd Wylliam Peny, whyche is as goode a man as gothe on the erthe, sauyng a lytyl he woll, as I vnderstand, be a lytel copschotyn; but yit he is no brawlere, but ful of cortesye, meche vppon James Halman. The othere iij be named Peryn Sale, John Chapman, Robert Jakys son; sauyng þat as yit they haue non herneyse comyn, but when it komyth it schall be sent to yow. And in the meane whyle I pray yow and Dawbeney to puruey them some. Also a cople of beddys they most nedys hue, whyche I pray yow by the help of my modre to puruey for them tyl þat I com home to yow. Ye schall fynde them gentylmanly, comfortable felawes, and that they wol and dare abyde be there takelyng. And if ye vndrestond þat any assawte scholde be towardys, I sende yow thes men becawse þat men of þe contré there abowt yow scholde be frayed fore fere of losse of ther goodys; wherfore if there were any suche thyng towardys I wolde ye toke of men of the contré but few, and that they were well assuryd men; fore ellys they myght discorage alle the remenant. And asfore any wryghtyng fro the Kyng, he hathe promysyd þat þer schall come non; and iff ther do hys vnwarys, yowr answere may be thys, how the Kyng hathe seyd, and so to delay them tyll I may haue worde, and I schall sone puruey a remedy. I vnderstond þat ye haue ben wyth my lorde of Norfolke now of late. What ye haue don I wote not; we se þat he schal be here ageyn thys daye. More-ouyre I trow John Alforde schall not longe abyde wyth my lorde. I schall sende yow tydyng of othere thyngys in haste, wyth the grace of God, who &c. Wretyn on Wednysday nexte before Seynt Martyn. John Paston I fere þat Dawbeney is not althere best storyd to contenew howsolde longe. Lete hym send me worde in hast, and I wyll releve hym to my powere, and ore longe to I hope to be wyth yow. Roger Ree is scheryf of Norfolke, and he schall be good j-now; th'excheter I am not yit assertaynyd of. Also þat thes men be at þe begynnyng entretyd as corteysly as ye can. Also I pray yow to sende me my flowre be þe nexte massangere þat comyth. Also, as fore my Lorde Fytz-water oblygacion, I know non suche in myn adward as yit. Also þe obligacion of the Bisshop of Norwychys oblygacion, I neuer sye it þat I remembre, wherfore I wolde and prey my modre to loke it vp. Also as fore the byble þat the master hath, I wend the vttermest pryse had not passyd v mark, and so I trowe he wyl geue it. Wet, I pray yow. Also as fore Syre Wylliam Barbore and Syre Wylliam Falyate, I wolde, if they kan puruey fore them-selfe, folfayne be dyschargyd of them.

To my well belouyd brothere John Paston, or to John Dawbeney in hys absence.

Ryght worschypful and well belouyd brothere, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wete þat Syr Thomas Howes hadde a free chapell in Caster, where-of þe gyfte longyth to me, whyche chapell as I vnderstande scholde bee in the olde tyme, ere the place at Caster were bylte, wyth-in the motte; wherfore I ame but the better pleased. And soo it is now þat at the speciall request of the Qwen and othere especiall good lordes of myn I haue geuyn it to þe berere here-of, callyd Master John Yotton, a chapleyn of þe Qwenys. Neuerthelles in tyme passyd I purposyd that þe master of the colegge scholde haue hadd it, and so ere longe to I hope he schall. Wherfore I thynke he most take possession, and that is the cawse of hys comyng; wherfore I pray yow make hym good chere. He is informyd that it scholde be worthe c s. be yere, whyche I belyue not; I thynke it dere jnow xl s. by yeere. He most haue it as it was hadde before. Item, thys daye I vnderstonde that there be comen letteris from my modere and yow and Dawbeney, wherin I schall send yow answere when I haue seyn them. No more at þis tyme, for wyth-in this iij dayes I schall lette yow haue knolech of othere materis. Wretyn þe xvij day of Marche. Whethere he nedyth indoccion ore institucion ore non I wot not. If it nede, brothere, ye may seale any suche thynge as well as I. Master Steuyn kan tell all suche thynges. John Paston, K.

To my moodre and to my brothere John Paston.

Brothere, it is so þat the Kynge schall come in-to Norffolk in hast, and I wot nat whethyre þat I may com wyth hym ore nowt. If I come I most do make a leueré of xx gownes, whyche I most pyke owt by yowre advyse; and asfore clothe fore suche persones as be in þat contré, if it myght be hadd there att Norwyche ore not I wot not, and what personys I am nott remembryd. Iff my modre be at Caster, as ther schall be no dowt fore the kepyng of þe place whyl the Kynge is in that contré, than I may haue the most parte at Caster; and whethere ye woll offre yowre-selfe to wayte vppon my lorde of Norfolk ore not, I wolde ye dyd þat best were to do. I wolde do my lorde plesure and seruyse, and so I wolde ye dyde if I wyst to be sure of hys god lordeschyp in tyme to kome. He schall haue cc in a lyuerye blew and tawnye, and blew on the leffte syde and bothe derke colorys. I pray yow sende me worde and yowr advyse be Juddy of what men and what horse I cowde be purueyd of if so be þat I most nedys kome, and of yowre advyce in all thyngys be wryghtyng; and I schall sende yow hastily othere tydyngys. John Paston, K. And asfore my materis my sariantys haue no dowt in it, wyth þe grace of God, that þis terme they schall do well j-now and haue an ende. Also sende John Russe worde þat he hathe don in the best wyse, and þat hys deposicion and þe examynacion in Canterbury cort acorde in the best wyse, and so hath Fryre Moghte don passynly wele. I haue wret to myn oncle þat my moodre kan tell hym more than I haue wret to hym. Late Sorell be well kepte.

To Mastyre Wryttyll.

Master Wryttyll, I recomande me to yow, besechyng yow hertely,as myn holl trust is in yow, that ye doo yowre devoyre to contynew trews tyll Friday ore Saterday in the mornyng, by whych tyme I hope the massanger shall come; and that ye be not dryuen to take an appoyntment iff ye kan vndrestand by any lyklyod that itt be able to be abydyn and recystyd, and that ye fele my brotherys dysposycion therin, as my trust is in yow; prayng yow to remembre that it restythe, as God helpe me, on all my well. Fore as God helpe me, I hadd leuyre the place were brennyd, my brother and seruantys sauyd, than the best appoyntment that euyre ye and I comonyd of scholde be my goode wyll be takyn, iff thys massage from the Kynge may reskwe it. And iff it be so that my lorde be remevyd by the Kynges comandement whyche restythe wyth hys honore, I may in tyme to kome do hym servyse as schall recompence any grodge ore dysplesure that he euyre had ore hathe to me ore myn. And ye, iff it the rathere by yowre wysdam and polesye the moene above wryten may be hadd, schall be as sewre of the servyce of my trewe brothere and seruantys and me as ye kan devyse, by my trowthe. Fore, in goode feythe, thys mater stykyth more nyghe myn hart and me than I kan wryght on-to yow, and to my brother and seruantys more nere than, as God knowyth, they wot off. Wherffor, Master Wryttyll, all owre welffare restyth in yow, besechyng yow to remembre it, for thys mater is to all vsse eyther makyng ore marryng. Item, asfore Arblaster ore Louell, I kan not thynke that they ore any of them may be wyth yow; wherffore in yow is all, and God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at London the day next afftre yowre departyng. I schall sende yow more knowleche to-morow, wyth Goddys grace. Yowrys, John Paston., K.

Ryght worshypfull syre, I recomaund me to you, thankyng you of youre grete laboure, whych I haue noȝt as yet but I shall deserue to my powere; and forthermore lyke you to wyte that I haue thoght ryght long aftere you. Neuyrthelesse I remembere well that ye delt wythe ryght delayous peple, my lord Archbyshop and othere of my lordys, and I dempte by-cawse of youre long tarryng that by youre sad dyscrescyon all hadde ben sett thorow. Neuer the lesse I vnderstond by youre wrytyng that my lord of Norffolkys concell thynketh that hys entent whych ye sertefyed me by youre wrytyng sholde be more to hys wyrshop than the appoyntementys and rewll made by the lordys of the Kyngys concell whych be to my seyd lord of Norffolk nere kyne, whych appoyntementys sythen youre departyng hath be largely remembryd a-mongys the seyd lordys here, thynkyng it in hem-selff so honorabyll to my lord of Norffolk that there shuld non off my lordys concell well avysed mevyd to the contrary. Jamys Hobart was sent fro my lord of Norffolk hedere, and spake wyth my lord Archbyshop, and awnswere he had of my seyd lord and howe my lord tendryd the matere yet, and wyll. I trowe he haue told you, and yf he haue not the bryngere her-of schall in-forme you. And he broght thys same appoyntement from my lord that my lord was well aggryed that I shuld ocupye. For my parte, jff I shud take no othere apoyntement but acordyng to youre letter it were hard for me and for my tytell to putte my lord in that possessyon, for there ys thyngys in erthe to myn esse in youre letter gode for me in that appoyntement, sauyng the suerty off my brothere lyffe and my seruauntys whych ye thynke dowtefull yf so be that they lakke stuff, shotte, and vytayll; mervaylyng sore and thynk it jnpossybell jn thys shorte season, or in iiij tyme the season hedere-towardys that thay shuld lakk, othere wythowte it soo be that my lordys men haue enterd owght the place and so had there stuffe from hem, whych I cannot thynk. Also, ser, for the tyme of youre comyng to my lord of Norffolk seruauntys of <...> my modere at Norwych, mouyng to send to my brothere hyre sone to delyuer the place vndere such a forme as youre lettere specefyeth and so I cannot vnderstand what regard myn lordys concell takyth to my lordys letter and to youre labour in thys behalf but that thay offeryd as largely afore. ȝe wryteth in youre lettere that ye durst nat passe youre credens. Please you to remembere that seyd youre credens affore the lordys was ryght large, and as large as myght well be in thys matere bothe to my lordys concell of Norffolk to wyth-drawe the seege, wyth moore othere matere as ye knowe, and to the justice of the peas and to the shyryff and hys offycers youre awtoryté was grete j-now to jche of them. Wherfor, Mayster Wretell, I neuer for thys nere ȝet wyll take appoyntement in thys matere but as my lordys wyll and my lord Archbyshop, whych as well as I my-selff haue holy putte oure tryst to youre dyscrete dyreccyon; and my seyd lord sythen youre departere, ȝoure goyng, thynkyng you allys mete a man in executyng there comaundement as cowde be chosyn. Neuer the lesse, for awnswere to you at thys season my lord Archbyshop ys north-wardys towardys the Kyng, how be it it ys seyd vppon a metyng wyth my lord of Clarens my lord shuld retourne a-yen; and as ȝester euyn he send a seruaunt of hys to me, wenyng to hys lordshyp that Ser Humfray and ye were in Castere as was appoynted, and ye shuld send to hys lordship answere of the gydyng there by wrytyng, comaundyng me that yff any such wrytyngys cam from you yf hys lordshyp wernot past iijxx myle from London to com to hys lordshyp; wyth the same vnderstandyng for sertayn that he ys nat yet so ferre. Wherefore I will in al the hast possybell ryde nyȝt and day till I see hys lordshyp, and aftere cominicacyon had wyth hys lordshyp, as sone as ys possybell that a man may go be-twext ye shall haue an aunswere of hys dysposicyon; for hys jntres is such that as I haue wryten I shall neuer do therin wyth-oute hym, as my cosyn, bryngere herof, more playnly shall enforme you. For I canne thynke ryght well that as ȝe wryteth to me my brodere wyll not delyuer the place to non erthly person but yf he see wrytyng fro my lord. It semyt be youre wrytyng that my lord of Norffolk consayll jntende not that my lord Archbyshop shuld dele in thys matere, for he ys not named in youre letter; wherof I mervayle, for it was movyd to you at youre departyng hens the Kyngys concell shuld haue take dyreccyon in thys matere or els my lord Cardenall, my lord of Clarens, my lord Archbyshop, and my lord of Essex. Neuer the lesse, Mayster Wrytyll, all profytht, maner, or lyfflod leyd apart, if it be so that thorow reklesnese my brothere and seruauntys be in such joparté as ye haue wryten to me, whych shold be half jnpossybell in my mynd that thay shold myssvse so moch stuff in iiij tymes the space, and that ye haue euydent knowlych by my seyd brothere hym-self thereof,i wold praye yow to se hym and them in suerté of there lyffys, what so euer shold fall of the lyfflode. How be it, I woldnot that my brothere and seruauntys shold gyff vpp the place, not for a ml li., yf thay myght in any wyse kepe it and save there lyves. And therefore, at the reuerens of God, sytht it ys so that my lord Archbyshop and my lordys all and I haue putte our trust in you that ye wyll do your deuoyere to haue the verrey knowlych of my brothere hym-sylf, and not of my lordys men, whedere he stante in such jopartye as youre letter specefyeth or nat, for I dowte not vppon the syȝth of thys letter and of the letter that ye had before that my brothere will put no mystrust in you, consyderyng that he knowyth that ye com from my lordys and my lord Archbyshop and haue my wrytyng. And as for my lord Archbyshop wrytyng an aunswere, such as it shalbe ye shall haue it in all the haste possybell; but I thynke veryly that my lord eschewyth to telle you any thyng wythout þat he myght speke wyth you allone, and me thynketh veryly that thay ought not to lette you to speke wyth hym allone, consyderyng that ye haue auctoryté and wrytyng from the lordys so to do. And as for the justificacyon of entryng the place and sege layng to the same, and the comaundement of the justice of the pease and the sherewe to assyste my lord in thys gydyng, I wote ye vnderstond that the lordys knowe all that matere, and ye herd it comened, and how thay toke it in there consaytys. There ys no more, Mayster Wrytell, but I commytt all thys wrytyng vn-to youre dyscrescyon; and as ye thynk best acordyng to such mennys desyre as haue entretyd you therin, and for my moyst avayle, I pray you, ser, soo doo, and I shall se vn-to youre besynes and labour that ye shall haue cause to do for me in tyme comyng and as the bryngere herof shall tell you. And I pray God haue you in hys kypyng. Wryten at London the x day of Septembre. By your frend for evere, John Paston, K.

Moodre, vppon Saterday last was Dawbeney and Bernay were on lyve and mery, and I suppose ther cam no man owt of the place to yow syn that tyme that cowde haue asserteynyd to yow of there dethys. And as towchyng the fyrsenesse of the Duke ere of hys peple schewyd syn that tyme that Wryttel departyd, I trowe it was concludyd that trews and abstynence of werre scholde be hadde ere he departyd whych shalle dewre tyl Monday next comyng. And by that tyme I trow þat trews schall be takyn tyll that day vij nyght afftre, by whych tyme I hope of a goode dyreccion schall be hadde. And where as ye wryght to me þat I scholde sewe for letteris from my lordys of Clarance and Yorke, they be not here; and iff they wrot to hym as þey haue don ij tymes, I trow it wolde nat advayle.And as fore to labore thois letteris and the rescu togedre, they ben ij sondry thyngys, fore when the rescu is redy that the cost there-of is don---for iff I be dreuyn therto to rescu it ere they com there that scholde do it, it shall cost a ml escutys and as moche afftre; whych wey were harde for me to take whyll þat i maye do it otherwyse. But as to sey þat they schall be rescuyd iff all the lande that I haue in ingelond, and frendys, maye do it, they schall, and God be frendly, and that as schortly as it may goodlely and wele be browt abut. And the grettest deffaut erthly is mony, and som frendys and neyborys to helpe; wherffore I beseche yow to sende me comfort what money ye coude fynde the menys to get ore cheuysche vppon suerté sufficient ere vppon lyfflod to be jnmorgage ere yit solde, and what peple by lyklyod, yowre frendys and myn, kowde make vppon a schort warnyng, and to sende me worde in all the hast as it is nedffull. But, moodre, I fele by yowre wryghtyng that ye deme in me I scholde not do my deuyre wyth-owt ye wrot to me som hevye tydyngys; and, modre, iff I had nede to be qwykynyd wyth a letter in thys nede I were of my-selfe to slawe a felaw. But, moodre, I ensure yow þat I haue herde x tymes werse tydyngys syn the assege by-gan than any letter that ye wrot to me, and somtyme I haue herde ryght goode tydyngys both. But thys i ensure yow, that they that be wyth-in haue no werse reste than I haue, nere castyth more jupperté. But whethyre I had goode tydyngys er ill, i take Gode to wittnesse þat I haue don my devoyre as I wolde be don fore in case lyke, and schall doo tyll ther be an ende of it. I haue sent to the Kynge to Yorke, and to þe lordys, and hope to haue ansswere from them by Wednysday at þe ferthest; and affter that answere shall I be rewlyd, and than send yow word, fore tyll that tyme kan I take non dyreccion. And to encomfort yow, dyspeyre yow not fore lak of vytayle ner of gonne-powdre, ner be natt to heuy ner to mery there-fore. Fore and heuynesse ore sorow wolde haue ben the remedy there-of, i knew neuyre matere in my lyffe þat I kowde haue ben so heuy ore sory fore. And wyth Goddys grace it schall be remedyed well j-now; for by my trowthe I hadde lever lose the maner of Caster than þe symplest mannys lyffe therin iff that may be hys saueacion. Wherfore I beseche yow to sende me worde wat mony and men ye thynke þat I am lyke to get in that contré, fore the hasty purchace of mony and men schall be the getyng and rescu of it, and the sauevacion of most mennys lyffys, iff we take þat weye. Also thys daye I propose to sende to Yorke to þe Kyng fore a thyng, whych same only maye be lyklyod be the savacion of all. Ye must remembre that the rescue of it is the last remedy of all, and how it is nat easy to get. And also ye sende me worde þat I scholde nat kome hom wyth-owt þat I kome stronke; but iff I had hadd on othere stronge place in Norffolke to haue comen to, thowe I had browt ryght fewe wyth me I scholde, wyth Goddys grace, haue rescued it by thys tyme, ere ellys he scholde haue ben fayne to haue besegyd bothe placys ore yit, and the Duke had not kept Yarmoth owthe. But, mother, I beseche yow sende me som mony, fore by my trowth i haue but x s. i wot not wher to haue more, and moreouyr I haue ben x tymes in lyke case ore werse wyth-in thys x wekys. I sent to Rychard Call for money, but he sendyth me non. I beseche yow to gyde the euydence þat Pekok can tell yow off, and to se it saffe, for it is tolde me þat Richard Call hath hadd right large langage of them; I wolde nat they com in hys fyngrys. I haue no worde from yow of them, ner whethere ye haue yit in yowr kepyng the euydence of Est Bekham owt of hys handys, ner whethyre ye haue sent to my manerys that they schold not paye hym no more mony, ore not. Also þat it lyke yow to geve credence to Robyn in othere thyngys. Wret the Fryday next affter Holy Roode Daye. John Paston, K.

To John Paston, and to noon othyre

I recomand me to yow, and promyse yow þat I haue and schall labore and fynde þe meane þat ye schall haue honore of yowre delyng, as ye haue hyddre-towardys, as all Ingelond and euery man reportythe. And moreouer I am in weye fore it by many dyuerse weys, wherof there schall be one exicutyd by thys day xiiij nyght at þe ferthest, and parauenture wyth-in vij dayes, and iff ye maye kepe it so longe I wolde be gladd. And afftre that, iff ye haue nott from me other wryghtyng, that than ye do there-in fore yowre saffgarde and yowre felaschep only, and to yowre worschypys; and asfore the place, no force therffore. Ye knowe thys hande, þerfore nedythe no mencion from whom it comythe. And more-ouyre, they that be abut yow be in obloquy of all men, and more-ouyre they haue ben wretyn to by alse speciall wryghtyng as myght be afftre the worlde þat now is, and i promyse yow þat the Dukes concell wolde þat they had neuyre be-gon it. And more-ouyr they be chargyd in payne of there lyvys that, thow they gate the place, they scholde not hurt on of yow. There is nowther ye ner none wyth yow but, and he knewe what is generaly reportyd of hym, he ore ye--and God fortewne yow wele- may thynke hym iiij tymes bettere in reputacion of all folk than euyre he was. Be ware whom ye make a consell to thys mater. Also, I lete yow wete þat I am in moche more comffort of yow þan I maye wryght, and they þat be abowt yow haue cawse to be more ferde than ye haue; and also beware of spendyng of yowre stuffe of qwarellys, powdre, and stone, so that iff they assawt yow ere we come that ye haue stuffe to dyffende yow of on, and than of my lyffe ye get nomore; and that yowre felaschyp be euyre ocopyed in renewyng of yowre stuffe. Wretyn the Mondaye next afftre Holy Roode Daye. I trow, thow ye be not preuy ther-to, ther is taken a trews new tyl thys day vij nyght

To Mestresse Margret Paston be thys delyueryd

Ryght worchypffull moodre, I comand me to yow and beseche yow of yowre blyssyng, and God thanke yow fore yowre tendrenesse and helpe bothe to me, my brothre, and servantys; besechyng yow to sende me worde what is yowre plesure and advyse how that ye thynke were best to do wyth my servantys there wyth yow. Neuerthelesse somwhat I vndrestande by a letter from my brothere John and more-ouyre that he hathe myn euydence of Bekham. Item, Dawbeney, God haue hys sowle, hadde in kepyng an oblygacion in whyche James Gressham was bonde to me in an c mark, selyd wyth James sele, osse I suppose of hys office, and wyth grene waxe. I haue lente James and payd for hym abut xl li., and haue non othere sewerté. I praye yow late it be lokyd vppe be tymes. I deme it is amonge hys gere at Norwyche. Item, that it lyke yow to speke to James Gressham that in any wyse he puruey hym mony to save me harmelez here thys terme ageyn Ser Thomas Mongomery. Item, myn oncle William scholde haue comen home euery daye thys vij nyght, and thys daye or to-morow he comyth homwardys. He and I be as goode as fallyn owt, for he hathe laten me pleynly wete þat he schalle haue alle my grauntdames lyfflod off here enherytance and of hyr joyntore also, wherin I trust to God that he schall helpe. I woll not yit speke of it, ner i praye yow doo not. Also I beseche yow sende me worde of the delyng of my sustre Margery and Rycharde Calle. I wolde nat þat they were maryed of a whyle, iff it maye be, fore dyuers concideracions. Iff it lyk yow to speke on my behalffe, and yowrys bothe, to þe Bysshop to tary it tyll Crystmesse, I hope by that tyme to fynde som remedye therffore; and to telle hym that I desyryd yow to speke to hym therin. And iff soo be that they sshall be maryed in haste, þat than ye sende me worde þer-of whether it be don or nott, and whoghe he purposythe to dele wyth hyre, and how he woll gyde hyre and wher he woll dwelle. Item, that it lyke yow to vndrestande what fellaschyp and what guydyng ys at Caster, and that ye haue alwey som spye that maye be grett wyth them and so to vndrestande it and to sende me worde. Item, iff Ebysham come nat hom wyth myn oncle w. þat than ye sende me þe ij Frenshe bookys þat he scholde haue wretyn, þat he may wryght them here. John Paston, K. The Kynge is comyn to London, and there com wyth hym and roode ageyn hym the Duke of Glowcestre, the Duke of Suffolk, þe Erle of Aroundell, the Erle of Northumbreland, the Erle of Essex, the lordez Harry and John of Bokyngham, the Lord Dakrez, the Lorde Chambreleyn, the Lorde Montjoye, and many other knyghtys and sqwyerys, the meyr of London, xxij aldremen in skarlett, and of the crafftys men of the town to þe nombre of cc all in blewe. The Kynge come thorow Chepe, thowe it were owt of hys weye, be-cawse he wold not be seyn; and he was acompanyed in all peple wyth ml horsse, som harneysyd and som nat. My lorde Arche- bysshop com wyth hym from Yorke and is at þe Moore, and my lorde of Oxenfford roode to haue mett þe Kyng, and he is wyth my lorde Archebysshop at þe Moore and com natt to town wyth þe Kyng. Som sey þat they were yisterdaye iij myle to þe Kyng wardys from the Moore, and that the Kyng sent them a massanger that they scholde come whan þat he sent fore them. I wot not what to suppose ther-in. The Kyng hym-selffe hathe good langage of the lordys of Claraunce, of Warwyk, and of lordys of York, of Oxenfford, seyng they be hys best frendys. But hys howsolde men haue other langage, so what schall hastily falle I cannot seye. My lorde of Norffolk schall be her thys nyght. I schall sende yow more when I knowe more

endentura Rogeri Towneshend de manerio de Est Bekham This indenture made the vjte day of Nouembre the ixth yere of the reigne of Kynge Edward the Fourth bitwene Sir John Paston, knyght, on that one partie and Roger Tounesende, gentilman, on that other partie, witnesseth þat þe seid Sir John Paston hath graunted, bargayned, and solde to þe seid Roger his manoir of Estbekham in the counté of Norffolk and all his londes and tenementes with þ'appurtenaunces in Estbekham, Westbekham, Bodham, Sheryngham, Beston iuxta mare, Routon, Shipden, Felbrigge, Aylmerton, Sustede, and Gressham in the seid countee, which þe seid Sir John purchased and hadde of the yifte and feffement of John Mariet the elder of Estbekham, for an c marke of lawefull money of Englond, wherof þe seide Sir John is payed in redy money in hande liiij li. by the handes of the seid Roger. And so remayneth due to þe seid Sir John at þe makynge of thise presentes of the seid c mark only xij li. xiij s. iiij d. to be payed to þe same Sir John or his assignees by þe seid Roger or his assignees by þe fest of Seint Luke next commyng after the date of thise presentes. And for the due execucion and accomplisshyng of þe seid bargayn and sale, þe seid Sir John hath made a dede of feffement of the date of thise presentes to þe seid Roger and other cofeffees of þe seid Roger named in þe seide dede by þe seid Roger, to ther heires and assignees to þe vse of þe seid Roger, his heyres and assignees, of þe seid manoir, londes, and tenementes with þ'appurtenaunces, and a warrant of attourney in þe same dede to make and deliuere an estate and season of and in the same manoirs, londes, and tenementes, with th'appurtenaunces, to þe seid Roger and his cofeffees after þe fourme and effect of the seid dede. And þervppon þe seid Sir John deliuered to þe seid Roger þe dede of þe seid purchase of the seid Sir John and þe endentures of covenaunt and bargayne hadde and made bitwene þe seid Sir John and John Mariett of and for þe seid manoir, londes, and tenementes, and a dede made by James Andrewe to þe seid John Mariett, and a-nother dede made by þe seid James and one William Jamys to þe seide John Mariett and John Mariett of Runton of the premisses. And by the seid last dede þer passed neuer liueré ne season,and þerfore þe dede made by þe seide James Andrewe alone after þe decese of þe seid cofeffees is good and effectuell, for therby passed liueré and season. And where þe seid Sir John, by þe seid indentures of covenaunt made bitwene him and þe seid John Mariett, graunted þat þe same John Mariett and Elizabeth his wyf shuld haue þer dwellyng with-in þe mote of þe seid manoir, and an annuité of x marke durynge þer lyves and þe lenger leuynge of theym, þe seid Roger is aggreabill to þe same; and ouer that the seid Roger is aggreabill þat, yf þe seid Sir John paye or do pay to þe seid Roger an an c marke of lawfull money of Englond by þe fest of All Seintes next commyng after þe date of þise presentes, þat þanne þe seid Roger and his seid cofeffees, after dewe and resonable warnynge yeven vnto him at þe labour and costes of þe seid Sir John, shall enfeffe þe seid Sir John and such as he thanne will name in his dede withouten ony maner of warrantize. In witnesse wherof þe parties beforneseid to these endentures euery to oþer haan sette þeire seals the day and yere aboueseid.

To the ryght worschypffull and hys best betrustyd frende, Rogere Townesende.

Right worshipfull sir, I comaunde me to yow, praying yow hertly to remembre that, by the award made by-twen yow and me by Roger Townesend for a tenement in Stratton in Norffolk callid Rees, I shuld delyuer yow all the evydens apperteynyng to the said plase, and not from thens forth to chalenge ner interupte my lady your wife ner yow of the said tenement; and that for thes said causes ye shuld and therto were agreyd to geve me an horse and x li. to an harneys. And moreovir,bifore Cristemasse in the Kynges chambre ye ther ageyn promysed me that at such tyme as I send to yow home to yowre plase by any seruaunt of myne er any man from me that ye wold delyver it hym and send it me by hym. My brothir John hath send me word that he remembird yow therof on my behalfe, and that ye answerid hym that ye wold gyfe hym or me a fayre harneys at your comyng to London. I deme in yow that ye thynke par case to bye a fayre harneys here for x mark; but, cosyn, as God help me, I bowte an harneys syn that tyme for my-self which cost me xx li. But I can not desire of yow so moch; wherfore, cosyn, wyth all myn hert I pray yow acordyng to yowre promyse that it like yow to send me by my seruaunt, berer herof, the said somme of x li., as my trust is in yow and as I wolde in like case haue don to yow, and as in the premysses I delt feithfully wyth yow and evir so shall dele, wyth the grase of God, who have yow in hys kepyng wretyn at london the xij day of Feveryer. Yowre John Paston,K.

To John Paston, esquiere, beyng at Norwyche, be thys letter delyueryd.

I comande me to yow, letyng yow wete that I haue receyuyd yowre letter in þe boxe, and the byllys also off yowre receytys where-in ye refferre yow to a rekenyng whyche ye made to me last, whyche I remembre nat, nere haue no byllys off it that I remembre. But thys was it that I desyred off yow to haue wreten ore asserteynyd me off in rekenyng off all the receyt, asswell olde as newe, off all that was be-hynde and owyng off the tenantys by the seyng and wryghtyng off Richard Call, and off whom and in what place and what daye and whyther off the olde arreragys ore ellys off the last yere. Item, ye wryghte to Osberne Berney vij li., refferryng yow to þe last rekenyng, and I haue not þat I knowe no suche rekenyng, nere I knowe nat wher that vij li. was payed nere where a-bowt spendyd. I praye yow iff ye haue any leysere to make bothe rekenyngys in on, and that I maye vndrestande what I owe in yowre conceyte in Norffolk, and what is owyng me. Item, I prey yow sende me the wryghtyng be-twen Townesende and me by the next massanger. Item, I haue not all the crosse bowez; I lak the tylere fore the mydell bowe, jtem a wyndase fore the bowe that was broken, and the Normandy byll. I praye yow sende them me in hast, fore I mervaylle that they come natt wyth þe othere gere. Item, I praye yow sende hydder a bowe þat wasse Dawbeneys, wyth a crokyd horn, how so euer ye doo fore Tom Stompys. Item, as fore Mestresse Kateryn Dudlé, I haue many tymez recomandyd yow to hyre, and sche is noo thynge dyspleasyd wyth itt. She rekkythe nat how many gentylmen love hyre sche is full of love. I haue betyn the mater for yow yowre onknowleche, as I tolde hyre. She answerythe me þat sche woll noon thys ij yere, and I beleve hyre, for I thynke sche hathe the lyffe þat sche can holde hyr content wyth. I trowe she woll be a sore laboryng woman þis ij yer for mede off hyre sowle. And Mestresse Gryseacresse is sure to Selengere wyth my lady off Exestre, a fowle losse. Item, I praye yow speke wyth Harcort off the Abbeye fore a lytell clokke whyche I sent hym by James Gressham to amend, and þat ye woll get it off hym, and it be redy, and sende it me; and asfore mony for hys labore, he hathe another clokk of myn whyche Syr Thomas Lyndez, God haue hys sowll, gaue me. He maye kepe that tyll I paye hym. Thys klok js my lordys Archebysshopis, but late not hym wete off it, and þat itt be easely caryed hyddre by yowre advyse. Also, as for orengez I schall sende yow a serteyn by the next caryere. And asfor tydynge, the berere heroff schall infforme yow; ye most geue credence to hym. Asfor my goode spede, I hope well I am offryd yit to haue Mestress Anne Haulte, and I schall haue helpe j-nowe, as some seye. Item, ther is a weye mevyd by the meane off my lorde off Wynchester betwen Syr William Yeluerton and me, and bothe Syr William Yeluerton and I agreyd to abyde hys awarde; wherffore I hope thys next terme ther schall be a weye taken and an ende; and, in concell be it, I fere not the adwarde. I may not wryght my goode hope ner suerté there-off, iff Syr William Yeluerton will abyde by that he hathe seyde; and iff he do natt he is begyled, for my lorde of Wynchester hathe take admynestracion off Syr J. Fastolffys testment and Syr William Yeluerton is excludyd. Syr William Yeluerton wotythe nat her-off, and I rek not thowe ye tell hym not ther-off. But thys ye may sey to Wylliam Yeluerton, whyche hathe by-foore thys tyme feynet that he ment well and wold that we hadd ben acordyd, that ye vndrestand that suche a tretye is hadd be-twen hym and me, and that ye preye God make an ende betwen vs, and than schall we all be goode felawez ageyn; and that ye vndrestand þat Heydon woll be a gret letter her-off, for he louythe nowthe Syr W. Yeluerton in conclusion, nor me nowther, and that a gret whyle lawhyd at vs bothe; and iff we tweyn wer agreyd that nowthere of vsse bothe hathe no nede in tyme to kome to dele wyth hym, for off olde malyse he louyth vs nowthe but hatythe vs bothe. And more ouyre he hathe reportyd hymselff off Syr Wylliam Yeluerton þat he hathe not delt wyselye and that he hathe auenturyd, for malyse of me, hys welffare; and he had kowde haue knowen what he hadde don, but he seyde he was not wyse, seyng that and I hadde recuueryd ageyn hym in the Chancerye that he wer verrely ondon. But I ensure yow I rek not whethyre the tretyse take effecte ere nott, fore ther schall be a lyfft at it ere owght longe to, wyth the grace off God. I may not wryght the secretnesse heroff. Thys mater maye not be wyst to noo body but to my moodre and yowe onlye, nowther to Syr James ner noo bodye. Item, I preye yow remembre the oblygacion that Dawbeney, God haue hys sowle, hadde off James Gresham how he was bonde to me in c mark. Item, I vnderstande þat Thomas Wyngffelde and ye were at Walsyngham to-gedre; God speede yow. Item, asfore them that were jndyghtyd wyth me off forcyble entré, ther schall no processe goo owt ageyn them, fore I haue purueyd an attorny for them in the Kynges Benche and haue jmparlyd for them tyll the next terme. Item, I praye yow to comon wyth myn oncle Wylliam and to haue a byll off hym what þat is betwen hym and me, and what I owe hym and vppon what pledgys, and to tell hym that thoys pledgys þat he thynkythe lest worthe þat he woll sende me worde, þat they may be fyrst pledgyd owt, for I may not well all at onez. But I preye yow sende me worde off hys dysposycion heryn, and also whethere he be off the same dysposicion in my grantdamez londe as he was at hys last beyng here, at whyche tyme he tolde me þat he scholde and wolde haue suche lond as I loked afftre, rehersyng moreouyre that myn oncle Clement had laboryd the same. Item, I praye yow to speke wyth the chancelere Doctour Pykenam so that I may haue the mony that was oweng me for Syr Thomas Lyndys, wheroff I toke a byll to Syr W. Marrys. It is a-bowt the some off v marke. Item, Doctur Pykenham tolde me at hys laste beyng here þat suche goodez as were Syr Thomas were yit reseruyd fore me, and noo thynge don for hym tyll that I be payd off my dewté; and sende me worde. Item, it is soo þat I am halffe in purpose to com hom wyth-in a monythe here-afftre, or a-bowt Med-lente ore beffore Esterne, ondyre yowre coreccion iff so be that ye deme þat my mooder wolde helpe me to my costys, x mark or ther-a-bowt. I praye yow feele hyre dysposicion and sende me worde. Item, I cannot telle yow what woll falle off the worlde, for the Kyng verrely is dysposyd to goo in-to Lyncoln-schyre and men wot nat what wyll falle ther-off nere there-afftre. They wene my lorde off Norffolke scholde brynge x ml men. Item, ther is comen a newe litell Torke, whyche is a wele vysagyd felawe off the age off xl yere, and he is lowere than Manuell by an hanfful and lower then my lytell Tom by the scholderys, and more lytell above hys pappe. And he hathe, as he seyde to þe Kyng hym-selffe, iij or iiij sonys chyldre, iche on off hem as hyghe and asse lykly as the Kynge hym-selffe. And he is leggyd ryght j-now, and it is reportyd that hys pyntell is asse longe as hys legge. Item, I praye yow schewe ore rede to my moodre suche thyngez as ye thynke is fore here to knowe, afftre yowre dyscression, and to late hyre vndrestonde off the article off the treté betwen Syre Wylliam Yeluerton and me. Item, my lorde off Warwyk, as it is supposyd, schall goo wyth þe Kynge in-to Lyncolne-schyre. Som men seye þat hys goyng shall do good, and som seye that it dothe harme. I praye yow euyre haue an eyghe to Caster to knowe the rewle there, and sende me worde; and whyther my wyse lorde and my lady be yit as sottyt vppon it as they were, and whether my seyd lorde resortythe thyddre as offte as he dyd or nott, and off the dysposycion off the contré. J. P., K.

The copy of the request to the Bishop of Wynchester by Ser John Paston, knyght

Fyrst, Syr J. P. compleyneth and desyrethe, as he hathe dyuerse tymes dessyred, my lorde to make hym an aquitaunce of mlmlmlml mark whyche myght haue been claymed by vertu of wordes rehersed in the bergayne be-twyen Syr J.Fastolf and John Paston, esquiere, fader, &c. And also off all goodes are any that weer Syr J.Fastolff, that come to hys handes, hys faderys, or anye other to the vse off J.Paston, esquier, acordyng to an endentur. Item, he desyrethe hys fefféys sholde be dyschargyd off any entresse in any londes þat weer Syr J. Fastolff in Flegge, in as moche as all they excede nott þe valure off l li. yerlye acordyng to þ'endentur, as þe seyd Syr John is redy to make goode and preeff as reason wyll and concyence, ore ellys, &c. item, he desyrethe that my lorde off Wynchester and othere feffyes schulde make astate off the tenement callyd Fayrchyldes, parcell off the maners, londes, or tenementys callyd Heylesdon, Drayton, Tolthorp, ore tenementys in Norwyche to Guy Fayrffax, Roger Townesend, William Dauerse, and other to þe vse off the seyd lorde and þe seyde Syr John. Also þe seyd Syr J.Paston desyrethe to be preuye and see the bullys off dyspensacion for the alteryng off the coledge to be fondyd nowe at Oxenforthe, wher it sholde and most ellys be at Caster. And þes be sufficienth bothe in lawe and conscience accordyng to þe promesse of þe said Busshop mad to hym. Also he desyrethe to be aserteyned and to se the letter off admynestracion whyche my lorde most gete on-to hym-selffe approuyd executur off þe wyll and testement off syr J.Fastolf. Item, as for the maner of Guton, Syr J. Paston thynkythe that he oweth not to assent as yit that W. Passton shold relese, for ij causis: on for hys penalté for Caster, and þe second fore the entresse off my lorde off Canterbury. Item, as for the maneris off Saxthorpe, Heynfforthe, Burnevyles in Nakton, Cotton, the seyd John Paston owythe to haue a prefferment and to haue theym or any parte off them byffor the amortysement for londys off lyke valew. As for the maneris off Calkotys, Browston, Spitelyngys, Hablond, Leystoffte in Suffolk, and off the maneris off Beyton, Tychewell, Esexe in Hyklyng, iff the lysense be hadde off dyspensacion to þe vse specefyed in the endentur, savyd on-to Syr J. Paston hys profferment off exchaunge, he is agreyd as the cort wyll awarde.

This indenture witnessith that Sir John Paston, knyght, being possessed of xx disshes and a sawser of siluer weying by Troy weight xxvij lb. ix vncis and di. in playn and open market in the Citee of London, hathe bargayned, sold, and deliuered the day of the date of thise indentures to Edmund Shaa, citezein and goldsmyth of London, the saide xx disshes and sawser for l li. sterlinges by the said Edmund to the forsaid Sir John Paston aforehand paid, wherof the same Sir John Paston knowlachith him-self truly contented and satisfied by thise presentes, to haue and to hold the forsaid xx disshes and sawser to the said Edmund, his executours and assignees as theire propre godes foreuermore; which bargayn, sale, and delyueree notwithstondyng, the same Edmund grauntith by thise presentes, if the said Sir John Paston pay or doo to be paid to the forsaid Edmund, to his executours or assignees, l li. sterlinges the xiijth day of Octobre next commyng after the date of thise indentures, or at any tyme byfore the same day, than the said xx disshes and sawser shalbe deliuered by the saide Edmund or his assignees to the forsaid Sir John Paston or to his attourney makyng the saide payment. And if defaulte be made in payment of the saide l li. in parte or in all at the saide xiijth day of Octobre, than the saide graunte made by the forsaid Edmund of reliueree of the saide xx disshes and sawser be void and of noon effect. But that than the saide Sir John Paston grauntith and byndith him by thise indentures and promiseth vpon his honoure and worship to warant the said xx disshes and sawser and the sale of the same to the said Edmund, his executours and assignees, ayenst almaner people foreuer. In witnesse wherof the parties aforsaid to thise indentures entierchaungeably haue sette theire sealles. Youen the third day of July in the xth yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourth.

This endenture made at London the viij day of Julij the xthe yere of the regne of Kyng Edward the iiijthe by-twyxt Syr John Paston, knyght,of the on partye and Sthephen Kelke, citeseyne and goldsmyth of London, on the other partye, bereth witnesse þat the said Syr John the day of this present wrytyng hathe bargayned, delyuered, and solde to the forsayd Sthephen xvj potengers, weying of Troy weyght xxij li. x vnc of seluer di. vnc., for xl li. of laufull money of Englond receyued by þe same Syr John for the same bargayne. And the said Sthephen graunteth by this presentes that and the said Syr John, his executors or assignez, pay or do to be payed to þe said Sthephen xl li. of laufull money of Englond by-fore þe feste of Witsontyde next comyng, þat than the same Sthephen shall selle and delyuer a-yen to the said Syr John alle the forsaid dysshes and potengers of seluer; prouyded that, and the same potengers be take a-wey by any open robberye, that than þe said Sthephen be not bounden her-by to þe latter sale or relyueré. In witnesse wher-of the partyes a-bouesayd to þis endentures enterchaungeabully haue set to theire seales þe day and yere a-foresaid.

Magna indentura conuencionum factarum inter dominum episcopum Wintoniensem et J. Paston militem de qua materia tamen dictus Johannes generaliter relaxauit.

This indenture made betwene the right reuerend fader in God William Wayneflete, Bisshop of Wynchestre, on the oone party, and John Paston, knyght, on the other party, wittenesseth that where John Fastolf, knyght, nowe dede, late beyng seised in his demene as of fee of dyuers maners, londis, and tenementes in the countees of Surré, Essexe, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and in the cité of Norwich, and beyng also possessed of right grete and notable summes of money, jowelex, plate, aras, and other godez and catallez qvyk and dede, caused a feoffement of the said maners, londes, and tenementez to be made to the seid reuerend fader and other, to haue to them and to theire heyres foreuermore to parfourme thereof the wille and entent of the seid Syr John Fastolf, the same Syr John Fastolf also made his testament and named and ordeyned the seid reuerend fader and other to be executoures of the same testament; which Syr John Fastolf, amonge othere pitueux and charitable dedes, willed and ordeyned vij prestys and vij poore folkes to be endowed perpetuelly to praye for the soulez of the same Syr John Fastolf and of Dame Millicent his wife and other of his frendes and benefactours. After the decesse of which Syr John Fastolf grete variance hathe growen betwene John Paston, sqwyer, fader of the seid John Paston, knyght, on the oon party, and dyueres of the seid feofféz on the other party,for a bargayne alleged to be made betwene the said John Fastolf, knyght, and John Paston, sqwyer, of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementez in the countéz of Norfolk, Suffolk, and in the citee of Norwich; by occasion of which variance dyvers of the seid feofféz of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementez haue thereof made estat, summe to oon persone and summe to other, and grete summes of money and also grete substaunce of the said goodes and catallex and of th'issues and profettes growen and commen of the seid maners, londes, and tenementez, and the wodez of the same, haue be wasted, decaied, and spent, the verey wille of the seid Syr John Fastolf in many grete parties thereof delaied and not parfouremed yet nor executed, and the seid troublez contynued neuer likly in tyme cummyng to be executed. Wherefor the seid reuerend fader, seyng that all the seid named executours nowe in life, excepted hymself oonely, what for renownecyng of administracion of the seid testament, what for other cawses, may not now take vpon them the administracion thereof, considered also of the seid grete substance of lond and goodez the grete waste, destruccion, and perplexité, havyng pité and compassion that of so blessed and charitable entent of the seid John Fastolf no commendable effect shuld ensue, remembryng the singuler trust which the same John Fastolf to hym had, bothe in the seid feoffament and in th' execucion of the testament and of the premyssez, hathe taken vpon hym th'execucion of the seid testament, entendyng by the grace of God, bothe of the seid londes as farforthe as he may and also of such goodez of the seid John Fastolf as yet remayne vnspent and shal com to the hondys of the seid reuerend fadere, that the wille of the same John Fastolf therof shalbe executed. Therefore in ceesyyng of variances, pleez, and trowblez which haue fallen and hereaftir by likliode shuld be contynued, and in accomplesment of party of the will of the said John Fastolf, it is aggreed betwene the said parties in maner and fourme foloyng: that is to witt that the said John Paston and all othere personez by hym or to his vse havyng any title, posses- sion, or interesse in any maners, londes, tenementez, or other possessions which were of the seid John Fastolf in the counteez and citee aforesaid, except certeyn maners, londes, tenementez, and possessions with thaire appurtenauncez vnder writen, that is to wite the maner of Castre with appurtenance in the counté of Norfolk, and all the londys and tenementez called Vaux, Redham, or Bosoms in Castre, the maner called Spencers in Haryngby, except also the maners of Hailesdon, Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementez in the citee of Norwich, shal relenxe before the fest of Cristmasse to the seid reuerend fadere and to his heires foreuermore all theire right and intresse which thei haue in all the seid maners, londes, and tenementez, or in ony of them, excepted before excepted, discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or ony charge by them or ony of them made, other than the same maners, londes, tenementez, and possessions or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the said John Paston or to ony person or persones to th'use of the said John Paston. Also the said reuerend fader shal, before the said fest of Cristmasse, do to be made to þe seid John Paston, knyght, or such personez as the same1 John wol assigne, and to theire heires foreuermore, a lawfull and sufficiant dymysse of estate of fee symple of the said maner of Castre and of the seid maner called Spensers in Haryngby and of all the londes and tenementez in Castre and also the londes and tenementes in Haryngby called Spensers which were of the seid John Fastolf, and which the seid reuerend fadere to-gedir with John Beauechampe, knyght, Lord Beauechamp, and other had of the feoffament of Rauf Lord Suydeley and other such, and the hole estat as the seid reuerend fader and Lord Bewchamp have or had by reson of the same feoffement discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or any charge by theym or either of them made, other than the same maners, londes, and tenementez or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the same feoffement made. Also the seid reuerend fader graunteth to doo his effectuell deuoure to cause William Paston to make dymyss of his estat of fee theryn to the seid John Paston, knyght, in the same fourme discharged, and that by sub pena if the case require. And forthermore the seid reuerend fader promitteth vpon his honoure to do his effectuell deuoure that before the feste of Witsontide next comyng John, Duke of Norfolk, and all other personez by the same Duke or to his vse beyng feoffed in the seid maner of Castre or in any of the seid londes and tenementes in Caster aforeseid, shal make laufull and sufficiant dymysse of theire estat, title, and interesse thereof to the seid John Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the same John Paston wol assigne and to theire heires foreuer- more, discheirged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or any charge other than the same maners, londes, and tenementes or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the seid Duke or to any person to th'use of the same Duke. And if William Yeluerton, knyght and justice, or William Geney, seriaunt, haue not relessed or graunted theire estat in the seid maner of Castre to the seid John, Duke of Norfolk, nor to none other persone to th'use of the same Duke, than the said reuerend fader shal doo his effectuell deuoure to cause the said William Yeluerton and William Geney to graunte theire said estat to the seid reuerend fader or to the seid John Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the seid John Paston wol assigne and to theire heires foreuermore, or relesse in-to theire possession before the seid fest of Cristmasse, discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion or any charge by theym or either of them made other than the same maners, londes, and tenementez or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the seid William Yeluerton and William Geney. And if th'estat of the seid maner of Caster to the seid John Paston, knyght, be not so made by the seid Duke and other to his vse possessed thereof, the said reuerend fader graunteth that withyn iij monethes next foloyng the said fest of Witsontide to do make a laufull and sufficient estat of fee symple of the maner of Guton with th'appurtenaunce to the said John Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the same John wol assigne and to theire heires, discharged as it was tyme of the feoffement made thereof to the seid reuerend fader, or elles to paye and content to the same John Paston, knyght, or to his assignez withyn the same iij monethes dccxl markez laufull money of Englond. Also it is aggreed that if the seid John Paston, knyght, haue not the seid maner of Guton to hym and to his heires as is aforesaid, than the same reuerend fader shal discharge the seid John Paston of promys of bargayne of the seid maner of Guton by the seid John Paston, knyght, made to Thomas, Archebisshop of Canterburye. Also, as to the said maners of Halysdon, Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementes in the cité of Norwich with theire appurtenaunces, it is aggreed betwene the seid parties that the seid reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, shal sue for the obteynyng thereof by laufull and resonable menes by aduyse of theire counseill and at theire owne cost; and suche thynge theryn as thei haue, or shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned by them or any of them, or by any other havyng therein title or interesse to th'use of any of them, shalbe equally dyvided betwene the said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, and theire bothe heyres, how be it that any of the seid reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, decesse before the same recoueryng, getyng, or obteynyng. And neither of the same partiez, heyres, or executours shal take advauntage by the survyuer, butt oonely haue the halfdele of such thyngez as shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned. Also neither of the same partiez shal theryn take nor make ende nor relesse withoute assent of other. And it is also aggreed that the seid reuerend fader of the said maners of Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementes in the citee of Norwych and londes, tenementez, and possessions in Drayton, Tolthorp, and Norwich with theire appurtenauncez which were of the said John Fastolf, knyght, shal thereof before the said fest of Cristmas enfeffe Guy Fairefaxe, serieant at lawe, John Paston, sqwyer, Roger Tounesend, Nicholas Hervy, and William Danvers, to haue to them and to theire heires, to th'use of the seid reuerend fader and John Paston in fourme abouesaid. And ouer this, as to the seid maner of Wynterton called Begvilez, the maner of Reppes in Bastwik, londes and tenementes called Cattes in Haryng- by, the thirde part of the maner of Rounham, londes and tenementez in Yernemouthe, londes and tenementez called Billez in Stokesby, with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentes, and appurtenauncez, it is aggreed betwene the said parties that the said reuerend fader shal there-of before the seid fest of Cristmas cause to be made to the said Guy Fairefaxe, John Paston, sqwyer, Roger Tounesend, Nicholas Hervy, and William Danvers a lawfull and sufficiant dymyss of estat of fee symple, aswell such and the hoole estat and partez of the same as the seid reuerend fader and the seid Lord Beauechamp now haue or at any tyme had by reson of the feoffement thereof made by the seid Rauf Lord Suydeley and other to the seid reuerend fader, Lord Beauchamp, and other, as such and the hole estat and partez of the same as the seid reuerend fader hathe or shal haue by relesse of the feoffés of the seid John Paston, knyght, or by the seid Duke or other to his vse, or by the seid William Yeluerton and William Geney or any of the feoffés of the seid John Fastolf. Also the seid reuerend fader graunteth to doo his effectuell deuoure to cause William Paston to make thereof dymyss of his estat of fee in the same fourme, and that by sub pena as the case requyreth, which feoffement of the seid reuerend fader thereof in fourme aboueseid shalbe made to th'entent that the seid John Paston, knyght, and his heires shal haue there-of as much londes and tenementez as to-gedir with the seid maner of Castre, londes and tenementez in Castre, the said maner, londes, and tenementez called Spencers in Haryngby, shal atteyne to the yerely value of l li. ouer all chargez and reprises at eleccion of the seid J. Paston. And the residue thereof aboue l li. yerely shalbe to th'use of the seid reuerend fader and his heires, to be disposed for the sowle of the seid John Fastolf. And that as wel the seid maners of Castre and Haryngby, the seid londes and tenementez in Castre and Haryngby, as the said maners of Wynterton, Reppes, the iijd part of the maner of Rounham, londes and tenementez called Cattys in Haryngby, londes and tenementes in Yernemouth, londes and tenementez called Billes in Stokesby, with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentes, and appurtenauncez, shalbe extended to an yerly value by the discrecion of Roger Tovnesend and William Danvers, the same extent to be made in writyng before the fest of Candelmas next foloyng; and if the seid Roger and William or any of them decesse before the seid extent made, than it is aggreed betwene the said partiez that euerych of þem shal for theire part name oone persone to make the same extent before the fest of Estre than next foloyng aftir the date of these presentez. And if the seid Roger and William, or if thei decesse before extent made the seid other personez named in fourme aboueseid, can not accord in makyng of the seid extent, than the seid partiez bethe aggreed that the same Roger and William, or if they decesse the seid other personez named, shal chese an vmpere to make the seid extent before the fest of Witsontide next foloyng; vnto which extent in any of the seid fourmez made bothe the seid parties shal stond. And if noone extent be made in any of the seid fourmez before the seid fest of Witsontid, than the seid feofféz shal suffre the seid John Paston, knyght, to haue thereof, and of Castre and Haryngby as is aforeseid, to the yerely value of l li., and the seid reuerend fader shal haue the residue there-of ouer l li. Also the seid reuerend fader is aggreed att his owne charge to obteyne of the Pope a sufficiant dispensacion for chaungyng of the place and fundacion of the seid perpetuel prestes and poore folkes fro the seid maner of Castre. Also, withyn vj monethes next foloyng the seisyn and possession of þe same reuerend fader obteyned and had of all the seid maners, londes, and tenementes, excepted before excepted,the same reuerend fader graunteth to exhibit and fynd perpetuelly in his college att Oxonford vij prestys and vij poore scolers to praye for the sowles of the seid John Fastolf and of Dame Milicent his wife, his frendys and benefactoures. Also the same reuerend fader graunteth to acquyte and discharge the seid John Paston, knyght, and th'executoure of John Paston, sqwyer, of mlmlmlml marcz which mought be claymed by the seid reuerend fader for the bargayne pretented to be made betwene the seid John Fastolf and John Paston, sqwyer; and ouer this the same reuerend fader graunteth to acquyte and discharge the same John Paston, knyght, of all summez of money, jowelx, plate, aras, and all goodes and catallex quyk or dede which late were of the seid John Fastolf and com to the hondes or to th'use of the seid John Paston, sqwyer, John Paston, knyght, or any of them, or any other persone to th'use of the seid John Paston, sqwyer, John Paston, knyght, or any of them. Also, if any of the seid maners, londes, and tenementes which shal remayne or be to th'use of the said reuerend fader lye to the pleasure of the seid John Paston, knyght, þe same reuerend fader graunteth byfore th' amortezement thereof þe said John Paston to haue them to hym or to his heires by wey of eschaunge for othere maners, londes, and tenementez of suere title and like value. Also the same John Paston vpon his feith, knyghthode, and honesté promytteth to delyvere before þe said fest of Cristmas to þe seid reuerend fader all dedes, chartres, euydences, and munimentz concernyng soolly any of þe said maners, londes, and tenementes which by vertu of this aggrement shal remayne toward þe said reuerend fader and which þe same John Paston, or any other person to his vse, now hathe or by the seid fest of Cristmas shal haue. And all such dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidencez which the same John Paston, or any other person to his vse, hathe concernyng aswel the seid maners, londes, and tenementes which as is foresaid shal remayne to the said reuerend fader, as to þe said maners, londes, and tenementes which by the seid aggrement shal remayne to þe said John Paston, knyght, the same John Paston as aboue promitteth to do bryng before the seid fest of Cristmas all the seid dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidences to þe Priory of Seynt Marie Ouerey in Suthwerk, there to be delyuered and putt in a chest lokked with ij lockes and ij keyes, whereof oon key shal remayne with the seid reuerend fader and a-nother key shal remayne with the seid John Paston, knyght, to th'entent that bothe þe seid partiez may haue recourse to the seid euidences whan any of theire possessions be putt in plee or trowble; vnto which recourse so to be had bothe the seid partiez shalbe aggreable, aftir the trwe entent hereof declared by writyng endented and triparted, whereof oone part shal remayne with þe seid reuerend fader and a-nother part thereof shal remayne with the said John Paston, knyght, and þe iij part thereof shal remayne with the Priour of Seynt Marie Ouerey. And in like wise the seid reuerend fader promytteth on his honoure to delyuere to the seid John Paston, knyght, before the seid fest of Cristmas all dedes, chartres, euidences, and munimentz conceryng soolly any of the seid maners, londes, and tenementez which by vertu of this aggrement shal remayne toward the seid John Paston, knyght, and which the seid reuerend fader, or any persone to his vse, nowe hathe or by the seid fest of Cristmas shal haue. And all such dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidences which the seid reuerend fader, or any persone to his vse, hath concernyng aswel the seid maners, londes, and tenementz which shal remayne to þe seid reuerend fader as to þe seid maners, londes, and tene- mentez which shal remayne to þe seid John Paston, knyght, the seid reuerend fader as aboue promitteth to do bryng before þe seid fest of Cristmas all þe seid dedes, chartres ,munimentes, and euidences to þe seid Priory of Seynt Marie Ouerey, there to be delyuered and putt in-to the seid chest to th'entent aforesaid. In witnesse whereof the seid partiez vnto thies indentures chaungeablé haue putt theire sealez. Date is the xiiijthe daye of jule the xthe yere of the reyne of Kyng Edward the iiijthe.

indentura inter dominum episcopum Wintoniensem et J. Paston militem de acquietancia et relaxacione. E. iiijti xmo.

This endenture made bitwene the right reuerent fader in God, William Wayneflete, Bisshop of Wynchestre, executour of the testament of Sir John Fastolf, knyght, on the oon parte and John Paston, knyght, son and heire of John Paston, squyer, and executoure of the testament of the same John Paston, squyer, named to be oon of th'executours of the testament of the said John Fastolff, on the other parte, witnesseth that where in other endentures made bitwene the same parties, wherof the date is the day of makyng of thiez presentz, of disposicion and departyng of alle the maners, londez, tenementz, possessions, and hereditamentes, with theire appurtenauncez whiche were of the said John Fastolf, knyght, in the counteez of Surré, Essex, Suffolk and Norffolk, and in the citee of Norwich, the said John Paston, knyght, hath oonly therof taken and shall have toward hym-self and his heires and other to his vse the maner of Castre with th' appurtenauncez and the londes and tenementz called Vaux, Redham, and Bosoms in Castre, the manere called Spencers in Haryngby, and the londes and tenementz called Spensers in Haryngby with theire appurtenauncez, and also to have to hym and to his heires and other to his vse of the said maners, londez, and tenementz, togider with the maner of Wynterton called Begvyles, the manere of Reppes in Bastwyk, the third parte of the manere of Rounham, londes and tenementz called Cattes in Haryngby, londez and tenementz called Billes in Stokesby, londes and tenementz in Yernemouth with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentz, and appur- tenauncez to the yerly value of l li. over all charges and reprisez at eleccion of the said John Paston accordyng to the saide other indentures, and of the manerez of Haylesdon, Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementz in the cité of Norwich with theire appurtenauncez the said reuerent fader and John Paston, knyght, to have as in the said endentures more playnly may appiere, the said John Paston, knyght, not to have more of any of the maners, londes, tenementz, possessions, and hereditamentes whiche were of the said John Fastolf, but vtterly to leve theym to the said reuerent fader, to parfourme therof the wille and entent of the said John Fastolf, but if the said John Paston like to have of theym by waye of eschaunge as in the saide endentures more playnly may appiere. Therfore the said reuerent fader relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said John Paston ml ml ml ml marc. by reason of the bargayne allegged to be made bitwene the said John Fastolf and the said John Paston, squyer. The said reuerent fader also relesseth, dischargeth, and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said John Paston, knyghte, and his heires the fundacion or makyng of a college and endowyng of vij preestes and vij poure men to praie perpetuelly for the sowles of the said John Fastolf and of Dame Milcent his wif and theire benefactours, whiche fundacion, makyng, and endowyng the said John Paston, squyer, by reason of the said allegged bargayn was bownde and sholde have made. The said reuerent fader also relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said John Paston, knyght, alle manere of accions, claymes, and demaundes whiche the said reuerent fader hath or may have ayenst the said John Paston, knyght, his heires or execu- tourz, or ayenst th'executourz of the testament of the said John Paston, squyer, or any of theym by reason of the testament of the said John Fastolff and of the godes or catelles whiche were of the said John Fastolf and whiche cam to the handes of the said John Paston, squyer, John Paston, knyght, or any other persone to the vse of theym or of any of theym. And the same John Paston, knyght, relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentez to the said reuerent fader alle maner accions, claymes, and demaundez of londez, possessions, or godes whiche were of the said John Fastolf whiche the same John Paston hath, or may have by reason of the said allegged bargayn, or by reason of any agreement bifore tyme had or made bitwene the said reuerent fader and the same John Paston, or by any other reason or cause growen bifore the makyng of the saide other indentures; alwey forseen that this present endenture nor no graunte nor relesse therin con- teyned extend not to the avoydyng or dischargyng of any promys, covenaunt, penalité, paiement of money, estate, or relesse of londez or tenementz, or liueree of evidences to be made , or graunte to be parfourmed or caused to be parfourmed by any of the saide partiez to oþer or any to their vse to be parfourmed herafter, conteyned in the said other indentures, but that all the poyntes and articles in the saide other indentures conteyned be truely parfourmed and kepte after the true intent of the same. In wittenesse wherof the said partiez vnto thies endentures have chaungeably putte theire seales the xiiij day of juyll the xth yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the iiijth. John Paston, K.

This indenture triparted made betwene the right reuerend fader in God, William, Bisshop of Wynchestre, on the oone part, and John Paston, knyght, Guy Fairfaxe, serieant at lawe, John Paston, sqvyer, Roger Tovnesend, Nicholas Hervy, and William Danvers on the other part, witn- esseth that where the said reuerend fader, by his chartre indented whereof date is þe daye of makyng of thies presentez, hathe enfeoffed þe said Guy, John Paston, sqvyer, Nicholas, and William of þe maners of Drayton and Tolthorp in þe counté of Norfolk and all þe londes, tenementez, possessions, and hereditamentez in Drayton, Tolthorp, and in the cité of Norwich with theire appurtenauncez which sumtyme were of John Fastolf, knyght, and which þe said reuerend fader, togider with other late ioyntly had to them, theire heirs and assignez, of þe dymysse and feoffement of Rauf Boteler, knyght, Lord Suydeley, and other as in the said chartre may appiere, th'entent of þe said feoffement is that such thyng as by the said reuerend fader and John Paston, any of them or theire heirs, shal thereof be recouered, goten, or obteyned shalbe equally dyvided betwene þe said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, and theire both heires, and nethir of þe said parties shal take advauntage by the survyver of other, but oonely haue the halfedele of such thynge as shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned. And forthermore, where the said reuerend fader by oon other chartre indented, whereof date is also the day of makyng of thies presentez, hathe enfeoffed the said Guy, John Paston, sqvyer, Roger, Nicholas, and William of þe maner of Wynterton called Begvilez, þe maner of Reppys in Bastwik, þe thirde part of the maner of Rowneham, londez and tenementez called Cattes in Haryngby, londes and tenementes called Billez in Stokesby, and all the londes, tenementes, possessions, and hereditamentez in Wynterton, Bastwik, Rounham, and Yernemouthe, with appurtenauncez, which sumtyme were of þe said John Fastolf and wich the said reuerend fader togider with other late ioyntly had to them, theire heires and assignes, of þe dymysse and feoffement of þe said Rauf Lord Suydeley and other as in the said chartre maye appiere, th'entent of the said feoffement is that of þe maners of Wynterton and Reppys, the iij parte of the maner of Rounham, londez and tenementez called Cattes in Haryngby, londes and tenementez called Billez in Stokesby, and all þe londez, tenementez, and possessions and hereditamentez in Wynterton, Bastwik, Rounham, and Yernemouth abouesaid, with th'appurtenauncez, the said John Paston, knyght, and his heirs shal haue as muche of maners, londes, and tenementez, togedir with the maner of Castre, londes and tenementez called Vaux, Redham, and Bosoms in Castre, the maner, londes, and tenementez called Spencers in Haryngby, shal atteyne to þe yerely value of l li. ouer all charges and reprises att eleccion of the said John Paston, and the residue thereof aboue l li. yerely shalbe to th'use of the said reuerend fader and of his heirs to be disposed for the soule of the said John Fastolf, alwey foreseen if any extent thereof be made in any fourme conteyned in other indentures thereof made betwene þe said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, or theire heyres that bothe the said partiez stond to the same extent so made. In witness whereof þe said partiez vnto thies indentures haue chaungeablé putt theire seales, the thirde part hereof ensealed with þe seales of the said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, remaynyng with the said Guy Fairefaxe. Date is the xiiijthe day of Juyll the xth yere of þe reigne of Kyng Edward the iiijth.

dominus de Bewchamp

And forasmoch as I am credibly enfourmed that my lord of Winchestre hath sent to you desiring that ye shold ensele dyuers writingys of graunt and relesse of your estat in alle such maners, londys, and tenementys as late wer of J. Fastolf, knyght, and wheryn ye, togider wyth other, be iointly enfeffed to th'use of the seid J. Fastolf I, considering the honorable disposicion and gret sadnesse of my seid lord of Winchestre, which is feffé of the seid therin and hath now taken vpon hym th'administracion of testament of the seid J. F., trusting verryly that my seid lord wol as conscience requireth consider my title and interese in that behalf, praie you right hertely that, not wythstonding any labour or mocion on my part or for me in tyme passed made to you to ensele any writyng of graunt or relesse of youre seid estat to me or to myn vse, that ye wol now ensele and parfourme the entent and desir of my seid lord Winchestre now made vnto you. Ser John Paston, K.

Brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wete þat I sende yow a letter in a boxe by Corby, and another by Gulmyn the gonnere whyche I wote well is nat comen yit to yow; wherffor I praye yow to remembre the letter broght to yow by Coorby, and in cheff that the euydence whyche ye wote offe be here in all the haste, for by my trowthe and they be not her by Saterdaye itt is to me a reproche, I haue so largely appoyntyd and promysed ther-in. Item, I thynke þat Mestresse Kateryn Dodlee hathe lettyd yow, wherffor iff it soo be þat Dauerse com in-to Norffolke ere than ye haue serchyd fore the seyde euydence, he woll parcase desyre to helpe yow, whyche nedythe nat to doo, for I haue seyde by the assent off Dauerse to my lorde off Wynchester that he scholde helpe yow; neuyre the lesse Dauerse seythe he woll nowther desyre it nor besy hym abowt it. He schall com thedyre for other cawsesse, noo-thyng ageyn myn aduantage,wherffor I praye yow make hym goode cheer and holde hym company in that ye maye. Also telle Johne Pampyng that the mayde at þe Bulle at Cluddys at Westminster sent me on a tyme by hym to the Moore a rynge off goolde to a tookne, whyche I hadde not off hym; wherffor I wolde he scholde sende it hyddre, for sche most haue itt ageyn, ore ellys v s., for it was not hyrrys. Item, I praye yow be redye, the mater qwykennythe bothe for yowe and yowres as well as for vs and howrys. As for tydynges,my lorde Erche- bysshop is at the Moore, but ther is beleffte wyth hym dyuerse off the Kynges seruantes, and as I vnderstond he hathe lysence to tarye ther tyll he be sente foore. Ther be many folkes vppe in the Northe, soo þat Percy is not able to recyst them; and soo the Kyng hathe sente for hys feeod men to koom to hym, for he woll goo to putt them down, and soom seye þat the Kynge ssholde come ageyn to London and that in haste, and as itt is sayde Cortenayes be londyd in Deuenschyre and therre rewle. Item, that þe Lordes Clarance and Warwyk wooll assaye to londe in Ingelonde euyrye daye, as folkes feere. I praye yow late not John Mylsent be longe from me, wyth as moche as can be gaderyd, and also that ye wryght to me off all thynges that I haue wretyn to yow fore, so that I maye haue answere off euery thynge. Other thynges Bachelere Waltere, berere here-off, schall informe yow. Wretyn at London the Sondaye nexte beffor Seynt Lawrence Daye. Also my brother Edmonde is not yit remembryd. He hathe not to lyff wyth; thynke on hym,&c. John Paston, Kn.

Richard Rawlyns

This endenture made at London the vijthe day of August in þe xthe yere of the regne of Kyng Edward þe iiijthe bytwene Syr John Paston, knyght, on the o partye, and Richard Rawlyn of London, grocere, on the other partye, witnesseth that þe said Syr John hathe þe day and yere afore said solde, bargayned, and delyuered to þe said Richard ij chargers, iiij potengers, weying xj li. Troy weyght on vnc. and iij quarter of seluer, for xx li. of lawfull money of Englond receyued by the said Syr John the day of makyng of this presentes. And the said Richard graunteth þat and the said Syr John, his executors or assigneez pay or do to be payed to the said Richard, his executors or assigneez xx li. of lawfull money of Englond by-fore þe feste of Wythsonday next comyng, that than he shall doo deluer to the said Syr John or his assigneez so paying the said xx li. all the forsaid dysshes of seluer. In wytnesse wher-of the partyes aboue said to this endentures haue set to ther seles the day and yere a-boue wreten.

To John Paston, esquyere, in haste.

Brother, I comand me to yow, prayng yow þat thys be yowr guydyng iff other folkys wyll agré to þe same: þat Master Roos, olde Kneuett, ye, and the worshypffullest þat wyll do for owre sake, as Arblaster, John Gyneye, Wodhows, and al other gentelmen þat at the daye wyll be in Norwyche, þat ye all holl os on bodye come to-gedre þat my lorde off Oxenfforde maye ondrestande þat som strenkethe restyth ther, by whyche iff it be well handelyd and proue in the handelyng I trow Heydonnes parte woll be but an easy comparyson. Neuer the lesse ye than most ye be ware off on payn, and that is thys:Heydon wyll off craffte sende amonge yow par case vj or more wyth harneyse fore to sclandre yowre felawschep wyth seying that they be ryotous peple and nott of substance. Requere the gentelmen aboue wretyn that iff any men be in Norwyche off the contré that bere any suche harneyse to do them leue it, ore any glysteryng byll. The meyre and siteseynes off Norwyche wher wonte to haue a sertayne in harneyse off men off the town to þe nombre off ij ore iij ore vc, whyche iff they now do in lyke case those woll owe better wyll to Master Roos and yow þan to othere folkys; and iff it be so þat the thowte nat to haue non suche at thys tyme I thynke the meyre woll do it at þe request off Master Roos and yow,iff lak off tyme cawse it not. Item, be well ware off Clopton, fore he hathe avysed my lorde to be all to-gydre rewled by Heydon, in so moche he hathe reportyd that all thyng and all materys off my lordes, and in all the contré, scholde be guydyd by Heydon. Iff Clopton ore Hygham ore Lowes John be besy, prese in to my lorde byffor them, fore ther be no Suffolk materys, and tell the raylyng, prayng them not to cawse my lorde to owe hys fauore fore there plesere to som folkes ther present, fore iff my lorde fauoryd, ore theye owthere, by lyklyod my lorde and they myght lose vj tyme as many frendes as he scholde wynn by there meanes. Also iff ye cowde fynde the menes, Master R. and ye, to cawse the meyre in my lordes ere to telle hym, thow he scholde bynde my lorde to concell, that the loue of the contré and syté restyth on owre syde, and that other folkys be not belouyd nere neuyre were, thys wolde do nonn harme, iff it be soo þat all thynge go olyuer currant; wyth more to remembre that there is owt off that contré that be nat at Norwych besyde me, that be ryght worshypfull and as worshypffull as few be-longyng to Norffolk that woll and schall do my lorde seruyse, the rather fore my sake and Master Rossys, and the rathere iff my lorde remytt nat moche thynge to Heydon guydyng. Also the goodely menes wherby ye best can entrete my cosyn Syr W. Calthorpe at the seyde day, wse them to cawse hym, iff itt wyll be,to come, ye in hys companye and he in yowr in cheff at yowr cheff schew, and Master Roos and he in company; latyng my seyde cosyn wete þat I tolde hym ones þat I scholde meue hym off a thyng I trostyd scholde be encressyng bothe to hys honore and well. I sende yow a lettyre com to Norwyche by lyklyod to yow on Monday last past; it come some-what the lattre, fore I wende haue dyed nat longe by-foore it. Also I receyued on from yow by Master Blomvyle yister euyn. Tell my cosyn W. Yeluerton that he may not appyre off a whylle in no wyse; I trow my cosyn hys fadre schall sende hym worde off the same. Do þat ye can secretly that my lorde be nat heuy lorde on-to hym. It is vndrestande þet itt is doon by the craffte off Heydon---he gate hym in-to that offyce to haue to be ageyn me, and nowe he sethe that he hathe done all þat he can ageyn me and now may doo no more, nowe he wolde remeve hym. The daye is comen þat he fastyd the euyn fore, as an holye yonge monke fastyd more than all the couent, afftre that fore hys holynesse and fastyng hopyd to be abbott, whyche afterwarde was abbot, than leffte he hys abstynens seyng the daye was come þat he fast the eeuyn fore. Brothere, I pray you recomand me to my lord of Oxfordes gode lordshyp, and where as I told my lord that I shuld haue awayted vppon hys lordshyp in Norffolk, I wold that I myght soo haue don leuer than a hundred li., but in godefeth thos maters that I told my lord i trowed shold lette me wer not fynyshed tyl yesterday, wherfor yef that cause. And also syn Halowmasse euery othere day myȝtnot hold vppe myn heed, nor yet may, insomoch that sythen the seyd day in Westminster Hall and in othere place I haue goon wyth a staffe as a goste, as men sayd, more lyke that I rose owte of the erth then owte of a fayre laydys bedd; and yet am in lyke case, sauyng I am in gode hope to amende. Wherfore I beshyche hys lordshyp to pardon me, and at a-nothere tyme I shall make dobell a-mendes, for by my trouth a man cowydnot haue hyred me for vc markis wyth so gode will to haue ryden in-to Norffolk as to haue at thys season, there to haue awaytyd un hys lordshyp; and also I wold haue ben glad, for my lord shold haue knowyn what seruys that I myȝt haue don hys lordshyp in that contray. Item, youre geere ys send to you, as Thomas Stompes sayth, sauyng Mylsentes geere and the shaferon, whych I cannot entrete Thomas Stompes to goo therefore thys iij or iiij days, wherfor I knokkyd hym on the crowne, &c. Item, loke that ye take hyde that the lettere wernot broken or that it com to youre handes, &c. Wryten at London on Thursday next aftere Seynt Erkenwoldes Day, &c. John Paston, K.

To my moodre.

Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette þat, blyssed be God, my brother John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. Neuer the lesse he is hurte wyth an arow on hys ryght arme be-nethe þe elbow, and I haue sent hym a sorion whyche hathe dressid hym, and he tellythe me þat he trustythe þat he schall be all holl wyth-in ryght schort tyme. It is so þat John Mylsent is ded, God haue mercy on hys sowle, and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe and hys othere seruantys all be askapyd by all lyklihod. Item, as for me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God, and in no joparté off my lyff if me lyst my-selffe, fore I am at my lyberté iff nede bee. Item, my lorde Arche-bysshop is in the Towre. Neuer the lesse I trust to God þat he schall do well j-noghe. He hathe a saffe-garde for hym and me bothe. Neuerthelesse we haue ben troblyd syns, but nowe I vndrestande þat he hathe a pardon, and so we hope well. There was kyllyd vppon the felde halffe a myle from Bernett, on Esterne Daye, the Erle off Warwykk, þe Marqweys Montacu, Syr William Terell, Syr Lowes John, and dyuerse other esquierys off owre contré, Godmerston and Bothe. And on the Kyng Edwardes partye, the Lorde Cromwell, þe Lorde Saye, Syr Omffrey Bowghshere off owre contré, whyche is a sore moonyd man here, and other peple off bothe partyes to þe nombre off more then a ml. As for othere tythynges is vndrestande here þat the Qwyen Margrett is verrely londyd, and hyre sone, in the west contré, and I trow þat as to-morow ere ellys þe next daye the Kyng Edwarde wyll depart from hense to hyre warde to dryve her owt ageyn. Item, I beseche yow þat I maye be recomandyd to my cosyn Lomnore, and to thanke hym fore hys goode wyll to me wardes iff I had hadde nede, as I vndrestoode by the berer heroff. And I beseche yow on my behalue to advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng ore langage as yit, for the worlde, I ensure yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall knowe wyth-in thys monythe. The peple heere feerythe it soore. God hathe schewyd hym-selffe marvelouslye, lyke hym þat made all and can vndoo ageyn whan hym lyst; and I kan thynke þat by all lyklyod schall schewe hym-sylff as mervylous ageyn, and þat in schort tyme, and as I suppose offtere then onys in casis lyke. Item, it is soo that my brothere in on-purveyed off monye. I haue holpyn hym to my power and above, wherffore, as it pleasythe yow, remembre hym, for i kan not purueye for my-selffe in þe same case. Wretyn at London the Thorysdaye in Esterne Weke. I hope hastely to see yow. All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye nat adoghted off the worlde, for I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe I ame not all vndon, nere noon off vs; and iff otherwyse, then, &c.

I, John Paston, knyght, haue do this writyng of reles hereto annexed to be writen. And also I haue sealed the same writyng and delyuered hit to Robert Anketill to kepe as a cedule, and nott my dede as yet, vnto tyme that Dauid Husband and William Gifford, named in the same writyng, or oone of them, requyre the said Robert to delyuere to them or to oone of them the said writyng; att which tyme I wol that the same Robert delyuere to the said Dauid and William, or to oone of them, the foresaid writyng as my dede,the same writyng att the same delyuerance so to be made by the said Robert first to take effect as my dede and not before.

To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, esquier, hyr sone, in hast.

Ryght well belouyd brother, I comande me to yow, letyng yow wete þat I am in wellffare, I thanke God, and haue ben euyre syns þat I spake last wyth yow; and mervayle sore þat ye sent neuer wryghtyng to me syns ye departyd. I herde neuyre syn þat tyme any worde owt off Norffolk. Ye myght att Bertelmev Feyre haue had massengerys j-nowe to London, and iff ye had sent to Wykys he scholde haue conveyd it to me. I herde yister-daye þat a worsted man off Norffolk þat solde worstedys at Wynchester seyde þat my lord off Norffolk and my lady wer on pylgrymage at Owre Lady on foote, and so they went to Caster; and þat at Norwyche on scholde haue had large langage to yow and callyd yow traytore, and pyked many quarellys to yow. Sende me worde ther-off. It were well doo þat ye wer a lytell sewrere off yowr pardon than ye be. Auyse yow; I deme ye woll her-afftre ellys repent yow. I vndrestonde þat Bastarde Fauconbryg is owther hedyd or lyke to be, and hys brother bothe. Som men seye he wolde haue deseruyd it, and som sey naye. I purpose to be att London the fyrst daye off the terme. Sende me worde whethyre ye schall be ther or nott. Item, I wolde wete whether ye haue spokyn wyth my lady off Norffolk or not, and off hyr dysposicion, and the howsoldys, to me and to yow wardes, and whether it be a possible to haue Caster ageyn and ther goode wyllis, or nott. And allso I praye yow vndrestande what felaschyp and guydyng is in Caster, and haue a spye resortyng in and owt; so maye ye know the secretys a-monge them. Ther is moche adoo in the Northe, as men seyn. I pray yow be ware off yowr guydyng, and in chyff off yowre langage, so þat fro hense forthe by yowr langage noo man parceyue þat ye fauor any person contrary to þe Kynges plesure. I vndrestonde þat þe Lord Ryuers hathe lycence off þe Kynge to goo to Portyngale, now wyth-in thys vij nyght. I pray yow recomande me to my moodre, and beseche hyr off hyr blyssyng on my be-halue. I herde not from hyre thys x wekys, nowther I wote not whether sche be payed off x li. at Sporle ore nott. I deme yis; neuerthelesse Harry Halman is a false schrew. For all my spekyng wyth hym my-selffe, and þer-to þe daye assyngnyd by hym-selffe, wher as he scholde haue payed at Candelmes to paye me, he hadd daye to paye Townesend tyll Fastyngonge; and at Mydsomer i vndrestonde he had not payed Townesende, as hym-selffe tolde me. He hathe don me an hurte þerby more than he wenythe. Iffe he haue not payed my moodre I praye yow see þat sche be payed, and scende to hym for it; and sende me worde how it is. Item, I praye yow scende me worde iff any off owre frendys or well- wyllerys be dede, fore I feer þat ther is grete deth in Norwyche and in other borowghe townese in Norffolk; for I ensure yow it is the most vnyuersall dethe þat euyre I wyst in Ingelonde, for by my trowthe I kan not her by pylgrymes þat passe þe contré, ner noon other man þat rydethe er gothe any contré, þat any borow town in Ingelonde is free from þat sykenesse. God sease it whan it pleasyt hym. Wherffor, for Goddysake, late my moodre take heede to my yonge brytheryn, that they be nat in noon place wher that sykenesse is regnyng, nor that they dysport not wyth noon other yonge peple whyche resortythe wher any sykenesse is. And iff þer be any off that syknesse ded or enffecte in Norwyche, for Goddes sake lete hyre sende them to som frende off hyrse in-to þe contré, and do ye þe same, by myn advyce. Late my moodre rather remeve hyr howsolde in-to þe contré. Euyn now Thyrston browt me worde fro Lundon þat it was Doctore Aleyn þat cawsyd yowre troble þat ye had at Norwych, and þat John Pampyng roode for a dyscharge fore yow and þat he hathe sped well; but hoghe, þat wot I nott. Iff ye be cleer owt off Doctore Aleyn danger, kepe yow ther and here-afftre ye maye schoffe as well at hys carte. I praye yow sende me worde of all the forme off hys delyng wyth yow. I had almost spoke wyth Mestresse An Hault, but I dyd not. Neuyre thelesse thys next terme I hope to take on weye wyth hyre ore othere. Sche is agreyd to speke wyth me, and sche hopythe to doo me ease, as sche saythe. I praye yow sende me worde hoghe ye doo wyth my lady Elysabeth Boghschere; ye haue a lytell chaffyd it, but I can not tell howe. Sende me worde whether ye be in better hope ore werse. I her seye þat the Erle off Oxenffordys bretheryn be goon owt off sceyntewarye. Syr Thomas Fulfforthe is goon owt off sceyntewarye and a gret felaschyp fettchyd hym, a iijxx, and they sey þat wyth-in v myle off London he was wyth cc men, and no man wotethe where he is become not yit. The Lordes Hastyngys and Howard be in Caleys and haue it pesebely, and Syr Walter Wretteslé and Syr Ieffrey Gate be comyn thense and woll be at London thys daye, as it is seyde. Wretyn at Waltham besyd Wynchester the daye nex Holy Roode Daye. J. P., K.

To hys well belovyd John Paston, esquier, at Norwyche, or to Mestresse Margret hys moodre.

I comande me to yow, letyng yow weet þat I vndrestonde þat þe Duchesse off Suffolk and þe Duke of Norffolk concelle jntend verrely thys terme in the begynnyng to comence a-geyn the appelys ageyn me and yow and other off owr seruantys, wherffor itt is full convenyent þat we take goode heede and ryght goode advyce how to guyde vs for itt, and whether it is convenyent for me to appyre or nott; wher-in I wolde, as well as in other materys, fayne knowe yowre advyce and comon wyth yow and other off my frendes er I joparte any sertayn weye, for in my conseyt I most thys terme take oon wey or other. Wherffor I praye yow, iff ye maye in any wyse, þat ye wolde be her at London wyth-in iiij dayes afftre Seynt Feythe, as well for the materys above wretyn as for a fynall conclusion to be taken wyth Mestresse An Hault and wyth all other folkys. Item, I vnderstande be Juddy þat he hathe spoken wyth yowre cosyn Sampson at þe Barse, and he promyttyd Juddy þat he scholde hym-selffe haue spoken wyth yow er thys tym. He seyde alsso þat he hathe wretyn to yow twyes or thryes; howe it is syns I wote not. I wolde fayne haue the mesure wher my fadre lythe at Bromholm, bothe the thyknesse and compase off the peler at hys hed and from that the space to þe alter, and the thyknesse off that awtre and jmagery off tymbre werk, and what hyght the arche is to þe gronde off þe jlde, and how hye the grovnde off the qwyre is hyer than the grownde off the jlde. Item, I praye yowe late the mesure by pakthred be taken, or ell mesured by yerde, how moche is from the northe gate ther the brygge was at Gressham to þe sowthe wall, and in lyke forme from the este syde to þe west; also the hyght off the este wall and the hyght off the sowthest towre from þe grownde, iff ye maye easely. Alsso what breede euery towre is wyth-in þe wall, and whych towre is moore than other wyth-in; allso how manye fote or what brede eche towre takythe, wythin jche cornere off þe quadrate ovyrethwert the dorys, and how many taylorys yerdys is from þe moote syde wher the brygg was to þe hyghe weye, or to þe heddge all a-longe the entré, and what brede the entré is be-twyen þe dykys. I praye yow, iff ye haue a leyser in any wyse, se thys doone yowr-selffe iff ye maye; or ellys iff Pampyng do it, or who þat ye thynke can doo it, I wolle spende xx d., or as ye seme, to haue the sertayn off euery thyng her-in. And as for my faderys tombe, I charge yow se it yowre-selffe, and when I speke wyth yow I woll tell yow the cawses why þat I desyre thys to be doon. As for tydyngys, the Kyng and þe Qwyen and moche other pepell ar ryden and goon to Canterbury, neuyr so moche peple seyn in pylgrymage her-to-foor at ones, as men seye. Alsso it is seyde þat þe Erle off Penbroke is taken in-to Brettayn, and men seye þat the Kyng schold haue delyueré off hym hastely; and som seye þat the Kynge off France woll se hym saffe and schall sett hym at lyberté ageyn. Item, Thomas Fauconbrydge hys hed was yesterdaye sett vppeon London Brydge lokyng in-to Kent warde, and men seye þat hys brother was sore hurte and scope to seyntwarye to Beuerlé. Syr Thomas Fulfforthe escapyd owt off Westminster wyth an c sperys, as men seye, and is in-to Deuenshyre, and ther he hathe strekyn off Syr John Crokkerys hed and kylt an other knyght off the Corteneys, as men seye. I wolde ye hadd yowre verrey pardon at onys, wherffor I praye yow fayle not to be at London wyth-in iiij daye afftre Seynt Feythe. Ye schall do goode in many thynges, and I praye yow sende me worde her-off by the next massenger, and iff it come to Mestresse Elysabeth Hyggens at þe Blak Swan sche schall comveye it to me, for I woll not fayle to be there at London ageyn wyth-in thys vj dayes. Mestresse Elysabeth hathe a son, and was delyueryd wyth-in ij day afftre Seynt Bertelmew, and hyre dowtre a.h. was þe next daye afftre delyueryd off an other sone, as sche seythe xj wekys er hyre tyme. It was crystened John, and is ded; God save all. Nomore tyll I speke wyth yow. Wretyn at London on Mychellmesse Euyn. J. P., K. Item, I praye yow late som wytty felaw, or ellys yowre selff, goo to þe townes ther as thes ij women dwelle, and inquire whether they be maryed syns and ageyn, or not; for I holde the hoorys weddyd, and iff they be than the appelys wer abbatyd ther-by. I remember not ther names; ye knowe them better than I. Alsso in þe schreffvys bookys ther maye ye fynde off them.

In þe sqare trussyng coffre A boxe wyth euydence off my place in Fletstrett. A lytell box wyth obligacions off þe Archbisshop off York and W. Jennyes oblygacion. A box wyth euydence off Tytlyshall. A box wyth þe letter off attorney off Fastolffys londes by Syr John Paston. I, a box de actis inter episcopum wyntoniensem et J. P. militem.Item, endentura de argento mutuato termino trinitatis ao xo et testamentum W. Paston justiciarij. Item, ij pixides de nouis cartis de terris Fastolffis. Item, a litell box wyth þe obligacion off T. Fastolff, and on off James Gresham. Item, a box wyth the dede off gyfft off J. P. and þe byll assyngnyd for þe dyamant. Item, the bagge de placitis in vsu. Item, the bagge wyth ger taken owt off my caskett. Item, a bagge wyth the bondell wher-on was wreten London, Item, a bagge wyth euydence off Est Bekkham. Item, a bondell de actis parlimenti et de excambia in Paston. Item, a bondell de actis cantuariensibus. Item, a bondell de fyrma Caster Berdolffis. The endentur off Snaylwell by Wylleys. A bondell off Gresham, Moleyns. A bondell off processe off þ'eschekyre, letter and byllys sirca festum Johannis, ao ixo. Item, th'endentur off W. Jeney. Item, a bondell off letteris and byllis, ao xo. A bondell wyth jnquisicions nott returnyd in-to þe Chanceri. copia voluntatis Fastolf vltima et probata. enventorium apud Caster per episcopum norwicensem et dominum de Scales, et alia ad redisesinam. apunctamentum regis et litera amici. endentura de Fennes per patrem Hugonis Fenne. The verray endentur off my mariage. Item, a bondell off letteris from my brother John. Item, iij billis, þe endenter off W. Jenney for Nacton, a byll off Wylleys, and on off J. Owen. Item, a bondell wyth þe names off them þat had stoff from Heylesdon. Item, a byll off Sweynesthorp. Item, a byll off Brok off Dedham off þe purchace þeroff. A quitance pro scaccario. A bonde towchyng the probatte off Fastolffis will, wyth mj olde testament. A copie off a generall releffe de terris Fastolffis.

To my most honorable and tendre moodre, Margrette Paston, be thys letter delyueryd.

Most worschypffull and kynde moodre, I comande me to yow and beseche yow off yowre dayly blyssyng and remembraunce. Please it yow to wete thatt I haue my pardon, as þe berere heroff can jnfforme yowe, for comffort wheroffe I haue been the merier thys Crystmesse, and haue been parte ther-off wyth Syr George Browen and wyth my lady myn aunte hys wyffe. And be-for Twelthe I come to my lorde Archebysshope, wher I haue hadde as greete cheer, and ben as welkom, as I cowde devyse, and iff I hadde ben in sewerté þat Caster weere hadde ageyn I wolde comen homewardes thys daye; wherffor I sende thys man home nowe to late yow haue knowleche theroff, and my brother bothe, in chyeffe for thys cause, that iff theer be any crafftye delaye by Sothewell or Brandon, thatt than my brother maye late them haue knowleche ther-off, soo that my lordes concell off Norffolk maye vndrestand thatt my lorde neer noon other maye haue it off þe Kynges ...as they haue been halffe ... off heer-to-foore; besechyng yow to hast my brother in laboryng ther-abowt iff ... be ... soo thatt itt maye ones ageyn come to Crysten mennes handes. And by the latter ende off thys terme, iffe itt be hadde ageyn, I purpose to come home and see yow thys Lente and sette my londe in better rewle than itt hathe been heer-to-foore and repayre vppe my howses. And I beseche yow to remember my brother to doo hys deueyre thatt I maye haue ageyn my stuffe, my bookes and vestmentys, and my beddyng, how so euyre hee doo, thoghe I scholde gyffe xxti scutes by hys advyse to my lady Brandon or som othere goode felawe. As for any tydynges, ther be noon heer saffe þat the Kynge hathe kepte a ryall Crystmesse, and now they seye þat hastelye he woll northe, and some seye þat he woll in-to Walys, and some seye þat he woll in-to þe west contré. As for Qween Margrett, I vndreston þat sche is remeuyd from Wyndeshore to Walyngfforthe nyghe to Ewhelme, my lady off Suffolk place in Oxenfforthe schyre. And men seye þat the Lorde Ryuerse schyppyd on Crystmesse euyn in-to Portyngale warde; I ame nott serteyn. Also ther schalle be a convocacion off the clergye in all haste, whyche men deeme wyll avayle the Kynge a dyme and an halffe, some seye. I beseche Gode sende yow goode heele and more joye in on yeer than ye haue hadde thys vij. Wretyn att the Moore the viij daye off Janeuer ao E. iiij xjo. By yowre soone John Paston, K.

A Jehan Paston, esquiere, soit doné.

Brother, I comande me to yow and praye yow to loke vppe my Temple off Glasse, and sende it me by the berer heroff. Item, as for tydyngys, I haue spoken wyth Mestresse Anne Hault at a praty leyser and, blyssyd be God, we be as ferfforthe as we weer to-foore, and soo I hoope we schall contenew; and I promysed hyre that at the next leyser that I kowd fynde ther-too þat I wolde come ageyn and see hyre, whyche wyll take a leysere as i deeme. Now syn thys obseruance is ones doon I purpose nott to tempte God noo moore soo . Yisterdaye the Kynge, the Qween, my lordes off Claraunce and Glowcester wente to Scheen to pardon, men sey nott alle in cheryté. What wyll falle men can nott seye. The Kynge entretyth my lorde off Clarance for my lorde off Glowcester, and as itt is seyde he answerythe that he maye weell haue my ladye hys suster in lawe, butt they schall parte no lyvelod, as he seythe; so whatt wyll falle can I nott seye. Thys daye I purpose to see my lady off Norffolk ageyn, in goode howre be it. Ther is proferyd me marchauntys for Sporle woode, God sende me goode sale whan I be-gynne; þat poore woode is soore manased and thrett. Yitt woote I nott whethyr I come home beffoore Esterne or nott; I schall sende yow worde. No moor, &c. Wretyn the fyrst Tewesdaye off Lenton. John Paston, K.

To Master John Paston, or to my mestresse hys moodre, be thys letter delyueryd in hast.

Brother, I comand me to yow, prayng yow þat ye late William Barker weet þat I wolde þat he made hys acompt, and that acompt I wolde that eythere Geffrey Spyrlyng or som other auditore off Norwyche, wyth John Pampyng, toke itt off hym. And as for any presedentys ther-off, but iff Spyrlyng ore William Berker haue any them-selff, ellys I cann non puruey as yitt. Neuerthelesse I suppose that Goodknape off Ormessby hathe owther be experyence or ellys in wrytyng mater j-nowe to charge hym wyth. And as for the rent in Rakhythe longyng to Runham, I had levere itt wer respigtyd than þat ther scholde as yitt be any troble for itt. I praye yow that thys maye be doon, and thatt Pampyng in alle hast goo her-abowt. And as for the costys or audytorys rewarde that schalle growe off the same, it maye be payed by Barker. Also that he delyuer the remenant off the mony that is fonde in hys hande, soo that itt maye be sent me hyddre. Also I praye yow remembre þe mony for Syr Thomas Lynde. The daye þat Master John Smythe assyngnyd is past; and sende me word by Juddy. I sende yow a letter by Corby wyth-in iiij dayes byffor thys, and therwyth ij pottys off oyle for saladys, whyche oyle was goode as myght be when I delyueryd itt, and schall be goode at þe reseyuyng iff it be nott mysse- handelyd ner mysse-karyed. Item, as for tydyng, the Erle off Northomberlonde is hoome in-to þe Northe, and my lorde off Glowcester schall afftre as to-morow, men seye. Also thys daye Robert off Racclyff weddyd the Lady Dymmok at my place in Fleetstrett, and my ladye and yowrys Dame Elysabeth Bowghcher is weddyd to þe Lorde Howardys soone and heyre. Also Syr Thomas Walgraue is ded off þe syknesse þat reygnyth, on Tewesdaye. Now theer for yowe. Also my lorde Archebysshope was browt to þe Towre on Saterday at nyght, and on Mondaye at mydnyght he was conveyd to a schyppe and so in-to þe see, and as yitt I can nott vndrestande whedyre he is sent nere whatt is fallen off hym. Men seye þat he hathe offendyd; but as John Foster seythe, som men sey naye. But all hys meny are dysparblyd, euery man hys weye, and som þat are greete klerkys and famous doctorys of hys goo now ageyn to Cambrygge to scoolle. As for any other tydyng, I heer noon. The Cowntesse off Oxenfford is stylle in Seynt Martyns; I heer no worde off hyre. The Qween hadde chylde, a dowghter, but late at Wyndeshor; ther-off I trow ye hadde worde. And as for me, I am in lyke case as I was. And as for my lorde chamberleyn, he is nott yit comen to town. When he comythe, than schall I woote whatt to doo. Syr John off Parre is yowre freende and myn, and I gaffe hym a fayre armyng sworde wyth-in thys iij dayes. I harde somwhatt by hym off a bakk freende off yowrys; ye schall knowe moore here-afftre. Wretyn the last daye off Aprylle.

A Johan Paston, esquyere, soit doné.

Worshypffull and weell belovyd brother, I recomaund me to yow, letyng yow weet þat I sente yow a letter and a rynge wyth a dyamand, in whyche letter ye myght well conceyue what I wold ye scholde do wyth þe same ryng, wyth manye other tydyngys and thyngys whyche I prayed yowe to haue doon for me; whyche letter Boton had the beryng off. It is soo nowe þat I vndrestond that he is owther deed ore ellys harde eskapyd, wheroff I am ryght heuye, and am not serteyn whethyre the seyd letter and rynge come to yowre handys ore nott. I wolde nott that letter were seyn wyth som folkys, wherffor I praye yow take goode heede hoghe thatt letter comythe to yowre handys, hooll or brokyn; and in especiall I praye yow gete it iff ye haue it nott. Also I praye yow feele my lady off Norffolkys dysposicion to me wardys, and whethyre she toke any dysplesure at my langage, ore mokkyd ore dysdeyned my wordys whyche I hadd to hyre at Yarmothe be-twyen the place wher I fyrst mett wyth hyre and hyre lodgyng. Fore my lady Brandon and Syr William also axhyd me what wordys I had had to hyre at that tyme. They seyde þat my lady seyde I gaff hyre ther-off, anf þat I sholde haue seyde þat my lady was worthye to haue a lordys soon in hyre belye, fore she cowde cheryshe itt and dele warlye wyth it. In trowthe, owther the same ore wordys moche lyke I had to hyre, whyche wordys I ment as I seyde. They leye to þat I seyde she toke hyre ease. Also I scholde haue seyde þat my ladye was off stature goode and had sydes longe and large, so that i was in goode hope she sholde bere a fayre chylde; he was nott lacyd nore bracyd jne to hys peyn, but þat she lefft hym rome to pleye hym in. They seye that I seyde my lady was large and grete, and that itt sholde haue rome jnow to goo owt att. And thus whyther my lady mokk me or theye I woote nott. I mente weell, by my trowthe, to hyre and to þat she is wyth, as any he þat owythe heere best wyll in Ingelond. If ye can by any meene weete whethyre my ladye take it to dysplesure or nowt, or whether she thynke i mokkyd hyre, or iff she wyght it but lewdnesse off my-selffe, I praye yow sende me worde, for I woot nott whethyre I maye trust thys Lady Brandon ore nott. Item, os fore tydynges, nowe heer be but fewe saff that, as I vndrestande, jmbassatorys off Bretayn shall come to London to-morowe, and men seye that the Lorde Ryuerse and Scalys shall hastelye come hom, and men seye þat ther is many off the sowdeorys þat went to hym in-to Bretayn been deede off the flyxe and othere jpedemye, and þat the remenant sholde come hom wyth the Lorde Skalys; and som seye þat thees jmbassatorys come for moore men. And thys daye rennyth a tale þat the Duke of Bretayne sholde be ded. I beleeff it nott. I sent yow worde off an hawke; I herde nott from yow syns. I do and shall doo þat is possible in such a neede. Also I canne nott vndrestond that my lorde off Norffolk shall come heere thys tyme, wherffore I am in a greet angonye howe js best fore me to sywe to hym fore rehauyng off my place. þat goode lorde woot full lytell how moche harme he doothe me, and how lytell goode ore worshyp it dothe hym. I praye yow sende me yowre advyce. No moore to yowe at thys tyme, but God haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at London þe iiij daye off Novembre ao E. iiijti xijo. I feere me þat jdelnesse ledythe yowre reyne. I praye yow rathere remembre Syr Hughe Lavernoys tyll yowre hauke come. John Paston, K.

A John Paston, esquyer, soyt doné.

Brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet þat wheer my moodre desyreth þat I sholde sende worde to my fermorys off Sporle that they sholde paye to my moodre x marke for my brother William, it weere nowe to short a warnyng, for I haue assyngnyd it to Townesende, the hoole as fore the yeer past. I haue alweyis offryd it hyre and she was neuyre ar nowe abowt to receyue it, and as yitt it nedyth not greetlye fore no charge þat she hathe moore than she was wont to haue abowt hym. Sche spendythe nott v mark by yeer on hym, as I conceyve. Neverthelesse, as for the next yeer I promyse yow she shall haue it for me, or ellys I shall purueye as weell for hym. Item, as for the aqwytance off the Bysshop off Wynchester, I shall doo for hyre as my part is to doo. I shall gete it iff I can, and iff I cannott, iff it be proffitable for hyre I wolde hyre consell had som other meene to gete it. Iff I gete it I am worthy thanke, and iff I gete it nott I am worthy no magrye. I shall doo as I can. Item, as for my suster Annys comyng hyddr, I shall puruey for hure wyth myn aunt iff I can, iff my moodre will depart wyth c s. be yere, wher-off I am not serteyn. Iff she wer heer at my settyng and my moodr had onys payed c s. for on yeer, I feer me she wolde be weery and lothe to paye an other c s. for the next. Neuerthelesse I woll purueye for hyre thoghe i sholde paye the c s. by yeer my-selffe, and yit she is nott my dowtre. As for the c li. to be payed in x yer, it is a strange proffre to a ientylwomanys mariage ward. By my trowthe, I offryd c marke wyth hyre, to be payed on a daye, besyde þat þat my moodre woll depart wyth, to haue had on that I soppose ye knowe, but it is not lyke to bee; it greuys me to remembre the onkyndnesse off the worlde. Neuerthelesse I hope to see a remedye ther-in . Folkys weene to be ther owne best freendys and are there owne moost fooys. Folkys be roonne so ferre ther-on that they woot not wher they be and growe paste shame. As fore the delyueraunce off the rynge to Mestresse Jane Rothon, i dowt nott but it shall be doon in the best wyse so þat ye shall geet me a thank moore than the rynge and I are worthe ore deserue. And wheer ye goo to my laydy off Norffolkys and wyll be theere att the takyng off hyre chambre, I praye God spede yow, and Owre Ladye hyre to hyre plesure, wyth as easye labore to overkom that she is abowt as euyre had any lady or gentyll-woman saff Owre Lady heer-selffe. And soo I hope she shall to hyre greet joye and all owres, and I prey God it maye be lyke hyre in worshyp, wytt, gentylnesse, and euery thynge excepte the verry verry thynge. As for the hawke þat I sende yow, thanke me for it, God save it, for I trow she woll neuer be nowght, as Cromer seythe. Neuerthelesse it is the best þat I can geet. wherffor prennes en gree, þer is noon othere remedee as yit, but iff I kan geet a better ye shall it habbe. I praye yow sende me worde off the ij letteris þat I sent yow. Item, I praye yow recomand me to Sampson. I am glad that he is ageyn in favore wyth my lorde and my ladye. Neuerthelesse I am sorye þat Rygge hathe bytyn hym soo by the bygge, and that lytell Qwayll pynchyd hys pendaunt so nyghe hys tayle. And as fore the pye that ye sent me worde off I remytt it to yowre dyscrecion. No moore to yow at thys tyme, but I woll sleepe an howre þe lengere to-morow by-cawse I wrote so longe and late to-nyght. Wretyn betwyen þe viij and þe ix daye off Novembre ao xijo E. iiijti. J. P., K.

To Mestresse Margret Paston, or to John Paston, esquiere, or to Roose dwyllyng affore ther gate to delyuer to them.

Please it yow to weete þat I have opteyned letterys from the Kynge to my lorde off Norffolke, to my lady off Norffolke, and to ther concell, whyche letter to there concell is nott superscrybyd for cawse we wyst nott serteyn whyche off the councell sholde be present when the massengere cowme, I therffor thynke þat thoos namys most be somwhatt by yowre advyce, and for-get nott Gornaye, nor yitt Brome, iff ye thynke so best, nor Sowthewelle. I trust to my cosyn Gornaye and on-to Brom and Barnard in cheffe, and as to Bernarde brothere I praye yow to take hys advyce, for I hope he is my welwyller, as ye know; and iffe he do me parffyght ease in thys mater I thynke verrely in tyme to come to gyff hym xx scutys, and yit a goode turne whan so euer it lythe in my power. The Kynge hathe specially doon for me in thys case and hathe pitte me, and so have þe lordys, in ryght greete comfort þat iff thys fayle þat I shalle haue ondelayed justyce; and he hathe sente a man off worshyp and in greet favore wyth hym on thys massage, whyche hathe nott offte ben seyne, whyche gentylman kan well do hys mastrys massage and brynge trywe reporte. I have gevyn hym v li. for hys costys; God sende hym and yow goode spede in thees werkys. I feere thatt he shall nott speke wyth my lady, for þat she hathe takyn hyre chambre. Iff she be my verry goode ladye, as she hathe seyde hertoffore þat she wolde be, I hope þat she wolle speke wyth hym. Neuerthelesse I praye yow by the meanys off Mestresse Jahne Rothen that ye will have my ladye mevyd fore me, and wher þat herre-to-fore I wolde have departyd wyth c marke to have hadde hyre goode helpe and to be restoryd to my place, whyche nott acceptyd I tolde my seyde lady þat I feeryd þat my power sholde natt be ther-afftre to gyff so large a plesyre; for at þat tyme I was in hope þat the Bysshop off Wynchester sholde have payd it, thoghe it hadde drawen a c li. Yit, for as moche as men may nott lure none hawkys wyth empty handys, I wolde yitt agré to gyffe my lady xx li. for an horse and a sadell so þat I be restoryd to my place, and thatt doone to have a relesse off my lorde and my gounys and bokys to be restoryd iff it maye bee. Neuerthelesse thys mony is nott yit redy wyth me. I remytte thys to yowre dyscressyonys. Item, iff it be soo þat itt be thowte behovefull, I thynke þat thoghe nowthere Slyfelde nore ye, brother John, maye come in-to my ladyes chambre, þat my moodre, iff she weer at Norwyche, she myght speke wyth hyre, for þat she is a woman and off worshyppe. I thynke þat my moodre sholde meve my lady moche. I thynke þat ther most be som body for me havyng auctoryté to conclude for me, or ellys knowyng myn entente; ellys they myght make delaye, and seye they wolle at þe Kyngys enstance comon wyth me, neuer the lesse I was nott ther present. Wherffor, rather than fayle yff neede be I wolle wyth-owte any abode iff I heere from yow come home, and Slyfelde is agreyd to tary ther a vij nyghte for my sake so þat the mater take effecte. I praye yow make hym goode cheere, and iff it be so that he tarye, I most remembre hys costys. Therffor iff I shall be sent for and he tery at Norwyche ther-whylys it wer best to sette hys horse at þe Maydes Hedde, and I shalle content for ther expencys. Item, ye maye largely sey on my behalve for suche servyse þat I sholde do to my lorde and lady hereaffter, whyche by my trowthe I thynke to doo. Neuerthelesse to sey þat I woll be hys sworyn man, I was neuer yitt lordys sworyn man, yit have I doone goode seruyce and nott leffte any at hys most neede nere for feere. But as Gode helpe me I thynke my lady shalle have my servyce a-bove any lady erthely, wheche she scholde weell have knowyn had I been in suche case as I hadde nott been alweye þe werse welkome for that on off myn herandys alweye was vndrestande þat it was for Caster, whyche was nott acceptable and I euyre the werse welkome. Item, brother, I ame concludyd wyth my lorde for yow þat ye shalle be at Caleys iff ye list, and have iij men in wagys vndre yow, wheroff my lorde seythe þat William Lovedaye most be on tyll tyme þat he have purveyd othere rome for hym. Iff ye be dysposyd to goo, as I tolde hym þat ye weer, yitt wer it nott best þat ye lete it be knowe tyll thys mater be doone, and than ye maye acordyng to yowre promyse lete my ladye have knowleche ther-off. Neuer þe lesse my lorde shall be here wyth-in xx dayes or ther-abowt; iff ye come thys weye ye maye speke wyth hym. Neuer the lesse ye shall nott lose no tyme iff ye weer at Caleys at thys owre, for my lorde promysed me þat he wolde wryght to Elkenhed, þe tresorer at Caleys, for yow by the next massenger thatt went. Item, ther hathe Perauntys wyffe wryte to me þat Bernaye seruyth hyre onkyndely. He owythe hyre xxxij s. and she is in noon hope þat euyre he woll come ther ageyn. Sende me worde iff he wyll. He shall nott lyff so weell and trywly to-geedr, I trowe, but iff he goo thyddre. I hadde comen home butt þat I ame nott yitt verrely purveyd for payment for my oncle William þe xxvj daye off thys monyth, and he dothe me harme he delythe so oncurteysly wyth Towneshende, for he wille nott yitt paye hym the c marke payeable att Halowmesse whyche he hadde a monythe affore; wherffor I feere þat Towneshende wille nott do for me ageyn. I shall doo as I kan. Wretyn on Sondaye next Seynt Clement. John Paston, K.

To John Paston, esqwyere, ore to Mestresse Margret Paston hys moodre, be thys letter delyueryd.

Weell belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet þat I wrote yow a letter þe xxij daye off Januare whyche was delyueryd to Thomas Elys at Caleys the seyde daye, wenyng to me þat he sholde haue ben in Norffolk wyth-in vj or vij dayes afftre, but now I vndrestand that thys letter is lyke to be wyth yow as sone as it. It is so now þat I suppose verrely to be at London by the xiij or xiiij daye off Feverere but iff wynde ore wedre cawse it; at whyche daye, acordyng as the other letter spekyth off, I beseche my moodre þat Playtere maye mete wyth me there, lyke as he and I comonyd towchyng the maner off Sporle, and I trust to God that that mater shall be easyd. Item, I praye yow take goode heed to þe letter þat yonge Thomas Elys hathe the beryng off, to weete whether it hathe been oponyd ore nott; þe worde is full false. As for tydyngys heer, ther bee but fewe saff þat þe Duke off Borgoyn and my lady hys wyffe farethe well; I was wyth them on Thorysdaye last past at Gawnt. Peter Metteney farethe weell and Mestresse Gretkyn bothe, and Babekyn recomand hyre to yow. She hathe ben verry seke, but it hathe doon hyre goode for she is fayrer and slenderer than she was. And she cowde make me no cheere, but alwey my sawse was 'how faret Master John yowre brother?', wher-wyth I was wrothe and spake a jalous worde are too, dysdeynyng þat she shulde care so moche for yow when þat I was present. I pray yow make a goode bargeyn for my ferme barly in Fledge, so that I myght haue mony now at my beyng in Ingelond, whyche shall not contynew past a monyth by lyklyhod. Item, I pray yow take goode heede to myn olde stuffe at Norwyche soo that it appeyre nott, and sende me worde to Hoxonys in wrygtyng what goode þe bysshop ded fore me att Framynham and how my lorde, my lady, and all the cort are dysposyd to me wardys. I herd also seye þat my ladye and yowrys, Dame Margret Veere, is ded, God haue hyre sowle. Iff I weer not sorye for herre I trowe ye haue been. No moore to yow at thys tyme, but All-myghty Good haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at Caleys þe iij daye off Februarye ao r.r. E. iiij xijo. .J P., K.

A soun treschere et ben amé freere, John de Paston, esquiere.

Weell belovyd brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wete þat at the request off Mestresse Jane Hassett and yow I haue laboryd bothe þe knyghtys off þe sheere off Norffolk and the knyghtys off þe shyre off Suffolk. I vndrestod theere had ben made labore þat suche a thyng shulde haue ben as ye wrotte to me off, but now it is saff. Raff Blaundrehasset were a name to styrte an hare. I warant ther shall come no suche name in owre bokys nere in owre howse; it myght par case styrt xxti harys at onys. 'ware that', quod Perse. I redde there in the bylle off Norffolk off on John Tendall, esquiere, but I suppose it be not ment by owre Tendall, and iff it be he shall not rest theere iff I maye helpe it. As fore tydynges, the werst that I herde was that my moodre wyll not doo so moche fore me as she pit me in comffort off. Othere tydyngys, I herd sey fore serteyn þat þe Lady Fytzwater is ded and þat Master Fytzwater shall haue cccc marke a yere more than he had. I am not sory therffore. As fore the worlde, I woot nott what it menyth. Men seye heere,as weell as Hogan, þat we shall haue adoo in hast. I know no lyklyhod but that suche a rumore there is. Men sey the Qwyen wyth the Prynce shall come owt off Walys and kepe thys Esterne wyth the Kyng at Leycetre, and som seye nowthere off them shall com there. Item, off beyond þe see it is seyd þat the Frense Kyngys host hathe kyllyd the Erle off Armenak and all hys myry mene, som seye vndre appoyntment and som seye they were besegyd and gotyn by pleyn assault. Ferthermoore men seye that þe Frenshe Kynge is wyth hys ost vppon the water off Somme a lx myle froo Caleys. I leve them wheer I fand them. I made yowre answere to þe frendys off Mestresse Jane Godmerston acordyng to yowre instruccion. As for me, I am nott serteyn whether I shall to Caleys, to Leysetre, or come hom in-to Norffolk, but I shall hastely send yow worde. I praye yow be nott hasty vppon William Berker for Syr John Stille ner for John Koke , for by my feythe I may not forber it. Wretyn þe ij daye off Aprill ao E. 4. xiijo.

To John Paston, esquiere.

Best belovyd brother, I recomand me on-to yow, letyng yow weet þat i receyuyd on Wednysday last past yowr angry lettre towchyng the troble þat Sandre Kok is in, wherin I haue largely comonyd wyth John Russe and advysed hym to take a curteys weye wyth Sandre for yowre sake and myn. He seythe he wold nott dysplease yow by hys wyll, and that he purposythe to entrete yow and wolde deserue it to yowe. He vndrestod þat ye had large langage to þe jurye þat passyd ageyn Saundre. I lete hym weete þat ye weere wrothe, and that he shall nowther please yow nere me but iff he dele curteyslye wyth Saundre. I tolde hym as fore the condempnacion vppon the accion off trespasse, I thoght it nowthere good ner worshypffull. Also I haue wretyn to þe person off Maultby to dele curteyslye wyth Sawndre iff he woll please yow ore me. Item, I sende yow herwythe the supercedyas fore Saundre so that, iff ye fynde any meane for the condempnacions, þat than ye maye ease therwyth the suerté off pease. John Russe, as I suppose, is att home thys daye. Item, as for tydynges heere, the Kynge rydeth fresselye thys daye to Northamton warde, there to be thys Esterne; and afftre Esterne he purposythe to be moche at Leysettre and in Leysettre shyre. Euery man seythe þat we shall have adoo ore Maye passe. Hogan the prophet is in the Towre. He wolde fayne speke wyth þe Kyng, but the Kynge seythe he shall not avaunt þat euyre he spake wyth hym. Item, as fore me, I most nedys to Caleyse warde to-morowe. I shall be heere ageyn iff I maye thys next terme. John Myryell, Thyrston, and W. Woode be goon from me, I shrewe them. My modre dothe me moore harme than good. I wende she wolde haue doon for me. Playter wroot to me þat she wolde haue leyde owt for me c li. and receyuyd it ageyn in v yere off the maner off Sporle, wherto I trustyd; whyche iff she had perfformyd I had nott ben in no juparté off the maner off Sporle. Neuerthelesse i shall do whatt I kan, yit I preye yow calle vppon hyre fore the same; remembre hyre off that promyse. Item, I preye yow remembre hyre for my fadrys tombe at Bromholme. She dothe ryght nott; I am afferde off hyre þat she shall nott doo weell. Bedyngffelde shall mary Syr John Skottys doghtre, as I suppose. Item, Janore Lovedaye shall be weddyd to on Denyse, a fuattyd gentylman wyth Syr G.Brown, nowther to weell ner to ylle. Item, as for me, iff I had hadd vj dayes leyser more than I hadd, and other also, I wolde haue hopyd to haue ben delyueryd off Mestresse Anne Hault. Hyr frendys the Quyen and Attclif agreyd to comon and conclude wyth me iff I can fynde the meanys to dyscharge hyre concyence, whyche I trust to God to doo. Item, I praye yow that ye take a leysere thys Estern halydayes to ryde to Sporle and sende for John Osberne, and I wolde ye sholde conclude a bergayn wyth on Bochere, a woode byere, whyche Mendham þat was my fermore there can fecche hym to yow. And thys is myn entent. I wolde haue the dykys to stonde stylle acordyng as John Osberne and I comonyd, I trow xij foothe wyth-in the dyke. Item, þat þe standardys off suche mesure as he and I comonyd off maye also be reseruyd; I suppose it was xxx inche abowt a yerde from the grownde. Item, that it be surely fencyd at þe cost off þe woode byere in any wyse wyth a sure hedge, bothe hyghe and stronge. Item, that there be a weye taken wyth the fermorys fore the vndrewood so þat I lesse nott the ferme therffore yerly. Item, John Osbern can telle yow the meanys howe to entrete the fermorys, for Herry Halman hathe pleyed the false shrowe and fellyd my woode vppon a tenement off myn to þe valew off xx marke, as it is tolde me. I praye yow enquire that matre and sende me worde, and dele wyth hym ther-afftre. Item, iff the seyde wood, clere above all chargys excep as is above, be made any better than cc marke I woll seye that ye be a good huswyff. John Osberne seythe þat he woll doo me a frendys turne ther-in and yitt gete hym-selff an hake-neye. Memorandum that he haue nott past iij ore iiij yere off vutraunce at þe ferthest. Item, that I haue payement off the holl as shortly as ye kan, halffe in hande, the remenant at halffe yeere ore ellys at ij tymes wyth-in on yere at þe ferthest by Mydsomere xij monyth. And that ye make no ferthere bergayn than Sporle woode and the lawnde, not delyng wyth noon other woode nowther in the maner nor ellys wher in non other tenement. Item, that ye haue sufficient sewerté for the monye, wyth penaltés iff nede be, som othere men bonden wyth hym for the payement. Item, I wolle well be bownde to waraunt it to hym. Item, I sende yow herwyth a warant to yow and John Osberne joyntlye to bergayn, comone, and conclude that bergayn. Item, I suppose he woll, iff he conclude wyth yow, desyre to felle thys Maye and I to haue mony soon afftre. I reke not thowe he fellyd not tyll thys wynter, but iff he woll nedys begyn thys Maye, therffor I wryght yow thus hastelye. Entrete hym iff ye can that he felle not tyll wynter. Item, be ware howe ye bergeyn so þat he felle nott butt in sesonable tyme and sesonable wood, for he maye felle no vndrewood thys Maye, as I trowe. Item, as for yowre costys late th.. newe fynde yow mete and I woll allow it them, ore ellys make me a bylle what it dra...nce yow. Item, I praye yow iff ye g... for me as ye can. I made my lady heer but easy cheer; neuerthelesse I gaff hyre ...ys. I promysed hyre to purueye hyre a... weselys, but I was deseyuyd; yit I wend to haue had on. My lord of Norffolk hathe ben mevyd for Caster by my lord Cardenall and the Bysshop off Wynchester, but it woll take non effecte ...y lady com. God gyff grace þat she brynge auctoryté when she comythe thys next terme to common ther-in and conclude, and so I prey yow advyse hyre. Itt may haply paye for hyre costys. Nomore to yow, but wretyn at London the xij daye off apryll ao E. iiijti xiijo. I sende yow herwyth ij letteris from John Osbern to me, wherby and by hys billes ye may vndrestond þe verry valewe off the wood. I praye yow sende me wryghtyng ageyn by the Mondaye vij nyght afftre Estern. Iff Hoxon ore the goode man off the Goot haue it they shall conveye it to me.

To John Paston, esquiere, in Norffolk. I prey yow iff W. Mylsent go froo yow þat he myght come to me to Caleys. I woll haue hym.

Wyrsshypffull and ryght hertyly belowyd brother, I recomande me on-to yow, letyng yow wete þat on Wednysdaye last past I wrote yow a letter wheroff John Garbalde had the beryng, promyttyng me þat ye shold haue it at Norwyche thys daye ore ellys to-morowe in the mornyng; wherin i praye yowe to take a labore acordyng afftre the tenure off the same, and þat I maye haue an answere at London to Hoxon iff any massenger come, as euere I maye doo fore yow. As for tydyngys, there was a truse taken at Brussellys abut the xxvj daye off Marche last past be-twyn the Duke off Borgoyn and þe Frense Kyngys jmbassatorys and Master William Atclyff for the Kyng heere, whyche is a pese be londe and water tyll the fyrst daye off Apryll nowe next comyng, betwyen Fraunce and Ingelond and also þe Dukys londes. God holde it for euere and grace be. Item, the Erle off Oxenfford was on Saterdaye at Depe, and is purposyd in-to Skotlond wyth a xij schyppys. I mystrust that werke. Item, there be in London many flyeng talys seyng that þer shold be a werke, and yit they wot not howe. Item, my lorde chamberleyn sendyth now at thys tyme to Caleys þe yonge Lorde Sowche and Syr Thomas Hongreffordys dowtre and heyre, and som seye þe yonge Lady Haryngton. Thes be iij grett jowellys. Caleys is a mery town; they shall dwell there, I wot not whyghe. No more, but I haue ben and ame troblyd wyth myn ouere large and curteys delyng wyth my seruantys and now wyth ther onkyndnesse. Plattyng, yowre man, wolde thys daye byd me fare-well to to-morow at Douer, not wythstondyng Thryston, yowre other man, is from me and John Myryell and W. Woode, whyche promysed yow and Dawbeney, God haue hys sowle, at Castre þat iff ye wolde take hym in to be ageyn wyth me þat than he wold neuer goo fro me; and ther-vppon I haue kepyd hym thys iij yere to pleye Seynt Jorge and Robynhod and the shryff off Notyngham, and now when I wolde haue good horse he is goon in-to Bernysdale, and I wyth-owt a kepere. Wretyn at Canterburye, to Caleys warde on Tewesday and happe be, vppon Good Frydaye þe xvj daye off apryll ao E. iiijti xiijo. Yowre J. P., K. Item, the most parte off the sowdyorys þat went ouer wyth Syr Robert Green haue leeff and be comyn hom, the hyghe-weye full. My cariage was be-hynd me ij howres lengere þan I lokyd afftre, but j-wysse I wende þat I myght haue etyn my parte on Good Frydaye, all my gownes and pryde had ben goon; but all was saffe.

To John Paston, esquyer, in Norwyche.

Ryght wershypffull brother, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow weet þat I receyuyd a lettre yisterdaye þat com fro yow, wretyn the viij daye off Maye, wherby I vndrestond þat the troble þat John Osberne has had hathe lettyd the bargeyn off the woode in Sporle, wheroff I make no grett forse so þat it maye be weell her-afftre. And as for John Osbernes beyng here, I heere no worde off hym. I wolde be glad to weet ones what I weer the rycher fore that woode. Item, I thynke, iff I haue leysere, to com and speke wyth my moodre. Bothe she and Playtere haue promysed me so largely þat it is shame for them to goo balke wyth it; and iff she wolde helpe me as she hathe promysed, þan all shall be weell. Sende me worde what wey ye haue taken for Saundre Cok. Ye weere at Yarmothe---on Nycoll, a man off R. Racclyffys, tolde me þat he spake wyth yow there, and þat ye promysed hym to haue sende me a letter by hym, but ye dyd nott. As for tydyngys, the Erle off Wylshyre and the Lord Sudelé be ded, and it was seyd þat Syr W. Stanlé was deed, but now it is seyd naye. As for W. Melsent, I woll nott haue hym but iff he had goon from yow, as it was tolde me that he was. As for Burgeys, iff I haue verry greet nede I shall sende yow worde; feell hys dysposicion and sende me worde by Juddy. Item, as for Master John Smythe, he delys harde wyth me. Late Juddy receyue off hym what he can geet; a marke is passyng lytell for vj marke. Item, the Fryres heer most be remembryd for there xx s. þat he bargayned for hys grownde there, also a stoon for hym. Take what ye maye and afftre thatt cometh more. Item, as for Fastolff, he is nott curteyse. I praye yow deell wyth hym ther-afftre. Axe it as on-curteysly iff ye mete wyth hym. Item, I preye yow remembre the mater off John Kendall, so þat I maye haue a goode astate and relesys in my lond in Fylbye. Inquire afftre goode amblyng horse. Item, as for yowre goyng to Seyn James, I beleve it but atwyen ij. Item, John Osbern com to town thys afftre-non, and ryght now I spake wyth hym. He promysed me to doo þat in hym lythe when he comythe hom, whyche shall be in all hast, as he seythe. He wyll depart homwardys to-morow.. I herd seye that a man was thys daye examyned and he conffessed þat he knewe greet tresore was sende to þe Erle off Oxenfford, wheroff a ml li. sholde be conveyd by a monke of Westminster and som sey by a monke off Chartrehows. Item, that the same man schulde acuse c gentylmen in Norffolk and Suffolk þat have agreyd to assyst the seyd Erle at hys comyng thyddre, whyche as itt is seyd sholde be wyth-in viij dayes afftre Seynt Donston, iff wynde and weddre serffe hym---flyeng tales. No more at thys tyme, but God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at London on Seynt Donstones Daye, þe xviij daye off Maye ao E. iiijti xiijo. John Paston, K.

To John Paston, esquiere, be thys delyueryd.

Ryght wyrshypffull brother, I comand me to yow, latyng yow weet þat thys daye I was in verry purpose to Caleys warde, all redy to haue goon to þe barge, saff I teryed for a yonge man þat I thoght to haue had wyth me thyddre, on that was wyth Rows whyche is in the cowntré. And becawse I cowde not geet hym, and þat I have nomore here wyth me butt Pampyng, Edward, and Jak, therffor Pampyng remembryd me that at Caleys he tolde me þat he purposyd to be wyth the Duchesse off Norffolk, my lady and yowrys; and Edward is syke and semythe nott abydyng---he wolde see what shold falle off thys worlde. And so I am as he that seythe, 'com hyddre, John, my men'. And as happe was yisterday Juddy went a-fore to Caleysward, wherffor I am nowe ille purueyd, whyche for owte þat i knowe yit is lyke to kepe me heere thys Wytsontyd. Wherffor, iff ye knowe any lykly men and fayre condycioned and good archerys, sende hem to me, thowe it be iiij, and I wyll have them and they shall haue iiij marke by yere and my leveré. He maye com to me hyddre to þe Gott, or yit to Caleys, wyth a riall iff he be wyse, whyche iff nede bee I wolde þat Berkere toke hym to com vppe wyth, iff it be suche on as ye tryst. Item, I suppose bothe Pytte and Kothye Plattyng shall goo from me in hast. I wyll neuer cherysshe knaves soo as I have don for ther sakys. Item, I praye yow sende me a newe vestment off whyght damaske fore a dekyn, whyche is among myn other geer at Norwyche, for he shall ther-too as ye woot off. I wyll make an armyng doblett off it, thow I sholde an other tyme gyff a longe gown off velwett fore an other vestment; and send it in all hast to Hoxon to send me. I hopyd to have been verry mery at Caleys thys Whytsontyd, and am weell apparayled and apoyntyd saff that thes folkys fayle me soo; and I have mater there to make off ryght excellent. Som man wolde have hastyd hym to Caleys thowe he had hadd no better erand, and som men thynke it wysdom and profyght to be theer now, weell owt off the weye. Item, as for the Bysshop and I, we bee nerre to a poynt than we weere, so that my part is nowe all the londes in Flegge holly, the maner off Heylesdon, Tolthorpe, and tenementys in Norwyche and Erlham excepte Fayrechyldys; but farweell Drayton, the devyll doytt them! Item, large and ferre comynycacion hathe ben bytwyen Syr John Fogge, Richard Hawlte, fore ther suster and me, byffore Doctore Wynterborne and ellys where, so that I am in better hope than I was by Seynt Lawrens that I shall haue a delyueraunce. Item, as for tydyngys heer, I trow ye have herde yowre parte howe þat þe Erle off Oxenfford londyd at Seynt Osyes in Esexe þe xxviij daye off Maye, saff he teryed nott longe; for iff he hadd the Erle off Essexe rod to hym wardys, and the lordys Denham and Durasse and other more, whyche by lyklyod sholde have dystrussyd hym. But yit hys comyng savyd Hogan hys hed, and hys profesye is the more belevyd, for he seyde that this troble sholde begyn in Maye, and þat the Kyng sholde northwardys and that þe Scottys sholde make vs werke and hym batayle. Men loke afftre they wot not what, but men by harneys fast. The Kyngys menyall men and þe Duke off Clarauncys are many in thys town; þe Lord Ryuerse com to-daye, men sey to purueye in lyke wyse. Item, how þat þe Cowntesse off Warwyk is now owt off Beweley seynt- warye, and Syr James Tyrell conveyth hyre northwarde, men seye by the Kynges assent, wherto som men seye þat the Duke of Clarance is not agreyd. Item, men seye þat the Erle off Oxenfford is abowt the jlde off Tenett hoveryng, som seye wyth grett companye and som seye wyth fewe. No more, but God kepe yow. Wretyn at London the iij daye off June ao E. iiijti xiijo. John P., K.

A Edmond Paston, esquyere, a Caleys soyt donné

Brothere Edmond, I grete yow weell, letyng yow weete þat abowt thys daye vij nyght I sende yow a letter by Nycholas Bardeslee, a sowdyore whyche is wont to be at borde at Perauntys, and also an hoseclothe off blak fore yow. I wende þat ye sholde haue hadde itt wyth-in ij dayes, but I am afferde þat he deseyued me. Item, I lete yow weet þat Plattyng is comen hyddre, and he seythe þat ye gaffe hym leve to fetche hys geere and Pittys, and that is hys erande hyddre and noon othere; nere he thowt neuer to goo fro me, nere he wyll nott goo fro me, as he seythe. Wherffor I praye yow sende me worde off hys condycions, and whyghe ye thynke þat he sholde neuer do me worshypp. He seythe also þat he and Pytte weer at þe takyng off the Esterlyngys, and that he was in the Pakkere and Pytte in the Crystoffre. I praye yow sende me worde howe bothe he and Pitte quytte them, by the report off som jndyfferent trewe man þat was there. Iff they quytte them weell I wolde love them the better, wherffore the next daye afftre the syte off thys letter I praye yow wryght ageyn, and sende it by the next passage. Item, I sende a lytell praty boxe herwith whyche I wolde þat Juddy sholde delyuer to þe woman þat he wotyth off, and praye hyre to take it to þe man þat she wotyth off; þat is to seye as moche as ye know all well j-now, bot ye maye nott make yow wyse in no wyse. Item, I praye yow sende me worde as ye were wont to do off heere well- ffare, and whether I weere owt and other jnne, ore nott; and whether she shall forsake Caleys as sone as ye sende me worde off, or nott. By God,i wolde be wyth yow as fayne as yowre-selff, and shall be in hast, wyth Goddys grace. Item, as for my brother John, I hope wyth-in thys monyth to see hym in Caleys, for by lyklyhod to-morowe or ellys the nexte daye he takyth shyppe at Yarmothe and goothe to Seynt James warde, and he hathe wretyn to me þat he wyll come homwarde by Caleys. Item, I suppose þat James Songer shall com wyth me to Caleys þe rather for yowre sake. Item, Mestresse Elysabett fareth well. but as yit Songer knoweth nott so parffytly all þat ye wolde weet þat he woll nott wryght to yow off thees ij dayes tyll he knowe moore. But iff she hadde ben bolde, and durst have abydyn styll at hyre gate and spoken wyth me, so God helpe me she had hadd thys same þat I sende nowe where ye woot off, whyche ye shall see woryn heer afftre. Itt is a praty ryban wyth praty aglettys and goodlye. Make yow nott wyse to Juddy, nowther not þat ye wolde weet any thynge, fore I maye sey to yowe at hys comyng ovre he browt goodly geere resonablye. Item, as for my byll þat is gylt, I wolde it weer taken heed too. There is on in the town þat can glaser weell j-nowe, as I herde sey. Also ther is on comythe euery markett daye fro Seynt Omerys to Caleys, and he bryngethe dagerys and fecchyth; also he maye haue it wyth hym and brynge it ageyn the next markett daye for xij d. or xvj at þe most; and ellys late it be weel oylyd and kepte tyll I come. No more. Wretyn at London þe v daye off jull ao E. iiijti xiijo.

To my ryght wyrshypful Moodre, Margret Paston.

Ryght wyrshypffull and my ryght tendre modre, I recomaunde me to yow, besechyng yow off yowre dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weet þat I herde nott from yow off longe tyme, whyche cawsythe me to be ryght hevye; nere at þe last tyme þat I sende to yow in wryghtyng I hadde from yowre-selffe noo wryghtyng ner answere ageyn saff by Playtere on tym and by my brother an other tyme, whyche answer off Playtere was noo-thyng acordyng but contraryaunt to other wryghtyng more comfortable þat he had sent me nott longe byffore thatt, on yowre behalve as he wrotte, whyche God amende. Neuerthelesse to my more heuynesse I herde seye þat ye sholde have been passhyng hevy for my sake, and in cheffe fore that I was lyke to late goo the maner off Sporle, wherin I was pytte in comffort to have had relyffe by the meanes off yow; and syns it was tolde me þat iff I leete it goo þat ye wolde therfore dysavauntage me more londe in tyme to come off syche as by poscybylyté myght com to mee off yowrys. Vppon whyche corage my grauntdame and myn oncle to-gedre gaffe me an answere on hyr part moche lyke, and so my fadre, God have hys sowle, leffte me scant xl li. londe in rest, and ye leffe me as pleasythe yow, and my grauntdame at hyre plesure. Thus maye I have lytell hope off the worlde. Neuerthelesse I beseche yow to be my good moodre, how so euer ye doo wyth yowre londe, fore I feell weell þat iff I have on losse I am lyke therffor to have three. But as for Sporle, it shall nott goo iff I maye nere by my wyll, and iff ther hadde ben performed me as largelye as was promysed me by Playtere I were sewre it sholde nott have goon nor yit sholde nat goo. Neuerthelesse, iff ye and all my frendys and yowrys in Norffolk myght haue lende me so moche monye, and to haue takyn it vppe in v yere, I suppose they sholde par auentur have ben payed ageyn in a yere ore ij iff I had solde any woode. Neuerthelesse, plese yow to weet þat I have provyd my fadres wyll and testement, wherin I maye nowt dele on-to þe tyme that all the executorys have reffused, wherffore ther most be sende sitacions to yow and alle other that weer namyd my fadris executorys, wherin iff ye lyst not to take admynystracion, as I woot well ye woll nott off olde, ye most than make a proctore that must on yowre behalve byffor my lorde off Canterbury, wyth a sufficiant warant and autoryté, vndre a notarys syngne ther in the corte reffuse to take admynestracion; and thys jnstrument and aultoryté I beseche yow maye be redy and at London by the fyrst daye off þe terme. And iff ye be not aqueyntyd wyth non suche at London, iff it please yowe to take and avowe for yowre proctore and sende hym auctoryté, on Master John Halsnothe, whyche was a clerke off Master Robert Centys and was so trusty to my fadre, God have hys sowle, and to sende me a letter off yowre wylle ther-in, I vndretake þat he shall nott do but as ye sende me worde. Plese it yow to gyff credence to Juddy her-in. No more to yow at thys tyme, but Jeshu have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn att Caleys the last daye saff on off Julle. Yowre sone J. P., K.

Item, Arblaster must mak a proctyr by yowre advyce, and iff he lyst to mak the seyd Master John Halsnothe he maye; ell he must sende vppe an other, and he must also make a letter off warant to þe seyde Master John Halsnothe vndre hys sell by yowre advyce in thys forme: Master John, &c., I recomande me &c., letyng yow weet þat I haue made yow my proctore towchyng the testement off John Paston, esquiere, wherffore I praye yow þat ye on my behalve reffuce the admynystracion off hys seyde testament, fure I woll nowt have ado ther-wyth. Wherffor loke þat ye on my behalve reffuce all admynestracion, entresse, ore besynesse þat I myght have there-by, and thys shewys yow my wyll her-in and shall be to yow a dyscharge att any tyme. No moore, &c. Yowre frend James Arblaster I wolde nat þat myn oncle William scholde cawse hym to take on hym as hys felaw, for iff myn oncle William doo thus moche in the corte I suppose it may her-afftre doo ease; for as God helpe me I cannot say verrely iff my fadre, God haue hys sowle, agreyd that he shold be on, but in my sowle he neuer thowt þat he sholde be, for he neuer namyd no moore butt my modre and me, and afftre yow whan I rehersyd myn oncle Clement, yow, and Arblaster, and than he chase yow, seyng he thoght þat ye were good and trewe. Kepe thys secrett. Iff myn oncle be noon executur it maye happely brynge ageyn a trussyng coffre wyth cc old peyse noblis whyche he toke from me as executur.

To John Paston, esquiere, at Norwyche be thys delyueryd.

Wyrshypffull and well belovyd brother, I comand me to yow, letyng yow weet þat the worlde semyth qweysye heer, fore the most part that be abowt the Kyng haue sende hyddre for ther harneys; and it is seyd for serteyn that þe Duke of Claraunce makyth hym bygge in that he kan, schewyng as he wolde but dele wyth the Duke of Glowcester. Butt the Kyng ententyth in eschyewyng all jnconvenyentys to be as bygge as they bothe, and to be a styffelere atwyen them. And som men thynke þat vndre thys ther sholde be som other thynge entendyd and som treason conspyred, so what shall falle can I nott seye. item, it is seyde þat yisterdaye ij passagerys off Dovre were takyn. I fere þat iff Juddy had noon hasty passage, so þat iff he passyd nott on Sondaye or Mondaye, þat he is taken and som geer off myn þat I wolde nott for xx li. I hope and purpose to goo to Caleys warde on Sondaye ore Mondaye, or nyghe bye, for I ame nott acompanyed to do any seruyse heer, wherffor it were better for me to be owt off syght. Item, I praye yow calle vppon Doctore Pykenham and Master John Bulman, Hubberd, and other fore to make redy þe c li. þat I sholde haue off them. They grantyd me onys by the advyce of Fowlere þat I sholde have had it, so þat I hadd delyueryd them the oblygacion and fonde them sewerté to save them harmeles, whyche suerté was redy, and I neuer the neere . I shall preue my fadrys wyll and have a letter off admynestracion, and nott beer grett perell; whyche I nedyd nott to have don iff Doctore Pykenham had ben kynde and just. Wherffor I thynke they shall paye for parte off my costys iff I sewe them. Neuerthelesse I preye yow entrete them that iff I sende them the oblygacion and heer-afftre fynde them sewerté to saff them harmlesse, þat than I maye wett where to have my mony herin. I pray yow sende me answer in all the hast. Item, Sprynge, þat wayted on my fadre when he was in jowelhows, whom my fadre at hys dyeng besett xl s., he cryethe euyr on me for it, and in weye off almesse he wolde be easyd thow it wer but xx s. or x; wherffor he hathe wretyn to my modre, and most have an answer ageyn. I wolde þat my moodre sende hym as thoghe she lende hym som whatt, and he woll be pleasyd, and ellys he can seye as shrewdely as any man in Ingelonde. Item, the Kynge hathe sent for hys greet seall. Som seye we shall have a newe chavnceler, but som thynke þat the Kynge dothe as he dyde at the last feldys: he wyll have the seall wyth hym. But thys daye Doctor Morton, Master off þe Rollys, rydethe to þe Kyng and berythe the seall wyth hym. Item, I had neuer more nede off mony than now, wherfore Fastolffys v marke and the mony off Master John Smythe wolde make me holl. item, I praye yow remembre alwey my moodre and Playtere bothe off ther promyse þat they made me off c ly. and to receyve it ageyn at Sporle off the ferme in v yere. Neuerthelesse iff I sell my wode I shall paye hyr in o yeere; jff I passe Mychelmesse I lose xx li., whyche wyll nott becom me in no wyse. I praye yow call on them. wretyn on Seynt Lenardys Daye ao r.r. E. iiijti xiijo. item, sende me my vestment acordyng to þe letter I sent yow by Symond Dam in all hast. J. P., K.

to John Paston, esquyere, be thys delyueryd.

Ryght wyrshypfull and hertyly belovyd brothere, I comand me to yow, letyng yow wet þat I receyuyd a letter that com from yow wretyn sirca viij Mychaelys, wherin ye leet me weet off þe decesse off Syr James, and þat my moodre is in purpose to be at Norwyche; and I am ryght glad þat sche wyll now doo somwhat by yowre advyce. Wherffor be ware fro hense forthe þat noo suche felawe crepe in be-twyen hyre and yow, and iff ye lyst to take a lytell labore ye may lyff ryght well, and she pleasyd. It is as good that ye ryde wyth a cople off horse at hyre cost as Syre James ore Richard Calle. Ye sende me worde also þat she in noo wyse wyll purueye thyre c li. for þe redemyng off Sporle. Late it goo. As towchyng that mater, John Osbern tolde me that he comonyd wyth yow at Sporle off that mater. Ferre, he devysed þat Kokett ore suche an other man sholde, to haue it the better cheppe, leye owt the valewe off vj yere for to haue it vij yere, wherto I wolde agré; and for Goddys sake iff thatt maye be browt a-bowt late it be doon. As ye woot off, it is laten for xxij li. by yere,yit þe fermorys graunt but xxj; but to Kokett it wolde be worthe xxv li., yea and better. Neuerthe lesse, iff Kokett wyll delyuer vjxx li. I wolde he had it for vij yeere, wyth thys that my moodre be agreable to þe same by-cawse off th'entresse that she hathe for my brother William , whyche shall nott be off age thys vij yeere. Neuerthe lesse, as ye know myn olde entent, I purpose to puruey for hym in an other plase better than theere, off whyche graunte off my moodre i praye yow to be my solycytore, in whyche iff it be browt abowt Sporle shall be in as goode case as euyre he was. John Osbern willyd me to make yow a sufficiaunt waraunt to selle and felle wood at Sporle, whyche I remembre ye have in as ample forme as can be. Neuerthe lesse iff thys meane above wretyn, off letyng to ferme, maye be hadde, it shall I hope nat nede to felle nere selle moche; but I remytte that geere to yowre dyscrescion. But iff ye haue suche comfforte I praye yow sende me worde. I maye seye to yow John Osbern flateryd me, fore he wolde haue borowyd mony off me. Item, jn retaylyng off woode theere it weere harde to tryst hym, he is nedye. Iff Kokett ore whoo so euyre had that maner to ferme for vij yere and payd therffor but vjxx li. he sholde, to lete it ageyn, wynne xxxvj li., whyche were moche; wherffore, iff it myght bee, yt were more resenable vjxx vij li. to be reseyuyd, and yit is there lost xxix li., ore ellys iff ye take lesse mony and fewere yerys so it be afftre the rate, so there be purueyd c li. at þe lest. Sende worde. Item, ye wroot þat lyke a trewe man ye sende me xviij s. by Richarde Radlé. Ye weere to trewe, but he semys to be a false shrewe, fore he browt me noon yitt. Whethyr he be owt off town ore nott kan I nott seye. Ye prayed me also to sende yow tydyngys how I spedde in my materis, and in cheff off Mestresse Anne Hault. I haue answere ageyn froo Roome that there is the welle off grace and salve sufficiaunt fore suche a soore, and that I may be dyspencyd wyth. Neuerthe lesse my proctore there axith a ml docatys, as he demythe, but Master Lacy, an other Rome-rennere heere, whyche knowyth my seyde proctore theere, as he seythe, as weell as Bernard knewe hys sheeld, seythe þat he menythe but an c docatys, ore cc at þe most; wherffor afftre thys comythe moore. He wrote to me also quod papa hoc facit hodiernis diebus multociens. Item, as towchyng Caster, I tryst to God þat ye shall be in it to myn vse ore Crystmesse be past. Item, yowre ost Brygham recomand hym to yow, and when he and I rekenyd I gave hym ij noblis fore yowre borde whyll ye weere theere in hys absence; but in feythe he wolde, fore nowth þat I kowde doo, take j d., wherffore ye most thanke hym ore charge me to thanke hym on yowre behalve in som nexte epystyll þat ye wryght to me to Caleys. He leete me weet þat he wolde do moore for yow than soo. Item, my Lady Bowgchere was almost deed but she is amendyd. I trowe they com in-to Norffolk. Item, as for W. Berkere, I heere no worde from hym. I praye yow comon wyth Berney ther-in; he knoweth myn conceyt. And also I praye yow hast Berney ageyn. I wold not þat he pleyed the fooll nere wastyd hys tyme nere hys syluer. Item, as for the brace of growndes, ore on verry goode ore in especiall þe blak off Germynys, I can nott seye but ye be a trewe man, but William Mylsent isse a false shrewe, so mote I thee; and I trow hys master is too. Item, I most haue myn jnstrumentys hydder whyche are in the chyst in my chambre at Norwyche, whyche I praye yow and Berney to-gedre, joyntly but natt seuerallye, to trusse in a pedde and sende them me hyddre in hast, and a byll ther-in how many pecys. Thys most be had to avoyde jdelnesse at Caleys. Item, I praye yow take heed among thatt my stuffe take noon harme, nere that myn euydence wher ye wott off be owt off joparté. Item, I praye yow doo for Berneye as ye kan so þat he maye be in sewerté for hys annywyté, and that it be nott costius fro hense forthe to hym any more to come ore sende for it. I praye yow wynne yowre sporys in thys mater. Item, I purposed to haue sent heere-wyth the testement off my fadre and the scytacions to my moodre, to yow, and Arblaster, but they be nott redy. Wyth-in ij dayes afftre the comyng off thys I suppose they shall be wyth yow, and than I shall wryght more to yow. As for other tydyngys, I trust to God thatt the ij Dukes off Clarans and Glowcester shall be sette att on by the adward off the Kyng. Item, I hope by the meanys off þe Duke of Glowcester þat my lord Archebysshop shall com hom. Item,as towchyng my sustre Anne, I vnderstand she hathe ben passyng seek, but I wende þat she had ben weddyd. As fore Yeluerton, he seyde but late þat he wold haue hyre iff she had hyre mony, and ellis nott; wherffor me thynkyth that they be nott verry sewre. But amonge all other thyngys i praye yow be ware þat þe olde love off Pampyng renewe natt. He is nowe fro me; I wott nat what he woll doo. No more. Wretyn at London the xxij daye of Novembre Ao r.r. E. iiijti xiijo. John Paston, K.

To John Paston, esquiere.

Ryght wyrshypffull and well belovyd brother, I recomaund me to yow, letyng yow weet þat I sende yow herwyth j sitacion where-in ben my moodre and yee, wheroff I praye yow þat I maye haue hasty answeere. The effeccte theroff is no moore bute ye bothe most sende answere and make yow a proctore heere, and that most come hyddre ondre a notaryes syngne affermyng that ye make suche a man Master John Halsnothe, ore ellis yff ye will do þe cost to sende som other hyddre yowre proctore to take admynystracion ore to reffuse, and what so he dothe ye to holde it for ferme and stable. Than most my moodre and ye wryght a letter vndre my moodrys seall and yowre syngne manuell to me and Master John Halsnothe jn thys forme: we gret yow well, letyng yow weet þat we haue made yow, Master John Halsnoth, owre proctore in the testament off John Paston, husbond and fadre to yow, wherin we wyll þat an owre behalff ye reffuse the admynestracion off the seyde testament; and thys wryghtyng is to yow warant and dyscharge, and also the verry wyll off vsse.' Thys most we haue for owre dyscharge. Item, I pray yow take good hedde to my soster Anne lesse the olde love atwyen hyre and Pampyng renewe. Item I pray yow sende me worde howe my moodre is dysposyd to hyr wardys, and iffe so weer that a good mariage myght be had, what she wolde depart wyth. Item, I praye yow þat ye remembre hyr for the tombe off my fadre at Bromholme, and also the chapell at Mavteby, and sende me worde how she is dysposyd her-in. Item, iff I have Caster ageyn whethyre she wolle dwelle ther or nott, and I wyll fynde hyr a prest towardys at my charge and geve hyr the dovehowse and other comodytés ther; and iff any horsekeper off myn lye ther I wolle paye for hys borde also, as weell as for the prestys. Item, iff my moodre sholde haue a new prest I thynk þat my brother Syr J. Goos weere a metly man to be ther. He wolde also doo as ye wolde haue hym. Nowe bere the cuppe euyn, as whatcalle-ye-hym seyde to Aslake. Be ware off mynerys fro hense forthe, and sende me worde how ye trist Doctore Pykenham. I wolde, iff he wolde doo owght for my moodre, that he hastyd the sonner to paye me the c li. so þat I myght pledge owt Sporle. Item, as fore other tydyngys, the Erle off Oxenforthe is stille besegyd. Neuerthelesse onys he issued owt and toke a jentilman and hant hym wyth-in, but now off late he was besye and on espyed hym and shott at hym and strake in the verry fase wyth an arowe. I sye thys daye þe same man, and theer I leeff hym. Iff Arblaster come to yow ye maye see hys letter sente to hym by me, wherin I have wretyn þat he scholde take yowre advyce; but I pray yow above all thyngys that ye make hast so þat I heer from yow ageyn by thys day vij nyght. At London the xxv daye off novembre. John Paston, K.

Ryght honorable and most tendre good moodre, I recomand me to yowe, besechyng yow to haue, as my tryst is þat I have, yowre dayly blessyng; and thanke yow off yowre good moderhood, kyndenesse, cheere, charge, and coste whyche I had and pvtte yow to att my last beyng wyth yow, whyche God gyffe me grace her-afftre to deserve. Please it yow to weet þat I thynke longe þat I heere nott from yow, ore from Pekok yowre seruaunt, fore the knowlege howe he hathe doon in þe sale off my ferme barlye, nere what is made there-off. Wherffore I beseche yow, iff it be not answeryd by that tyme þat thys bylle comythe to yowe, to hast hym and itt hyddrewardys, fore iff þat had nott taryed me I deme I had ben at Caleys by thys daye. For it is soo, as men seye, þat þe Frense Kynge wyth a gret hoste is at Amyas, but iijxx myle from Caleys, and iff he ore hys roode byffore Caleys and I nott theere, I wolde be sorye. Item, men seye þat the Erle off Oxenfford hathe ben constreynyd to sewe fore hys pardon only off hys lyffe, and hys body, goodes, londes, wyth all þe remenaunt at þe Kynges wyll, and soo sholde in all haste nowe com in to þe Kyng. And som men seye þat he is goon owt off þe Mownte, men wot not to what plase, and yit leffte a greet garnyson theere weell fornysshyd in vytayll and all other thyng. Item, as fore the hauyng ageyn off Castre, I trust to have good tydyngys theroff hastelye. Item, my brother John farethe weell, and hathe doon ryght delygentlye in my cosyn Elisabeth Berneys materys, wheroff hastely I trust he shall sende hyre tydyngys þat schall please hyre; and as to-morow he purposyth to take hys jurneye to Walys warde to þe Lord Ryverse. Nomore at thys tyme, but Jeswe haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at London the xx daye off Feuerere Ao E. iiijti xiijo. Yowre sone J. Paston, K.

to Mestrese Margrett Paston at Norwyche, er to J. Paston in hyre absence.

Ryght wyrshypfull and my moste kynd and tendre moodre, I recomaund me to yow, thankyng yow off the grete cost and off the greet chere þat ye dyd to me and myn at my last beyng wyth yowe; whyche cheere also hathe made me perffyghtly hooll, I thanke God and yow, in so moche þat where as I feeryd me þat for weykenesse, and so green recuveryd off my syknesse, þat I scholde have apeyryd by the weye, but, God thanke yow, I toke soo my crommys whyls I was wyth yow þat I felyd my-sylffe by the weye that God and ye had made me stronger than I wenyd þat I had ben, jn so moche þat i feell my-selffe euery daye hollere than othere. it was soo that I mett wyth myn onkle William by the weye, and there in the felde I payed hym the iiij li. whyche I had borowyd off hym, and he was passyng jnquisytyff howe þat I was purueyd fore recompensyng off Towneshend. I tolde hym I hopyd weell. He tolde me þat he vndrestood þat I had the c li. off the Bysshopys executorys,and he had herd seye þat I had also borowyd an other c li. off a marchaunt, and so I lakyd but an c marke. I deme he herde thys off T. Lovell, fore I tolde hym þat I was in hope to fynde suche a freende þat wolde lende me c li. He axed me who was that; I answeryd hym an olde marchaunt, a freende off myn; but myn oncle thowte þat sholde be by weye off chevyshanse and to myn horte, wherffore I was pleyne to hym and tolde hym that ye were sewerté therffore and purueyed it off suche as wolde doo for yowe. And as for the forte c mark, he seyde to me þat as for that he wolde, rather than joparté sholde be, purvey it by weye off chevyshaunce at London, jn so meche þat ere he come fro London he had for my sake leyde v c markys worthe off plate wyth Hewghe Fenne. The place at Warwykys Inne is large and my grawntdame is agyd; it had ben jopartous to leve moche plate wyth hyre, thoghe halffe were hyre owne. But iff I maye doo other wyse I purpose nott to chevyshe any mony by hys meane. Item, I have delyueryd yowre botell to Courbye þe caryere thys same daye, and he promysed me to be wyth yow on Mondaye nyghte ore ellys on Towesday tymely. He hathe also xl d. to paye fore the thryd hyryd horse, and he bryngythe the iij horse wyth hym and is contente for hys labore and for the mete largely. They be delyueryd hym in as good and rather better plyght than whan I had them forthe, and nott gallyd nore hurte. He hathe also ij sadelys, on off my brotherys and an other hyred, as ye woot off. Item, he hathe a peyre botys off Edmond Reedys þe shomakere, whyche Saundre borowyd off hym. I beseche yowe that William Mylsent ore Symme maye se þat euery man have hys owne. Item, as fore my brother Edmond, blyssyd be God he is weell amendyd. Item, as fore Hankyn owre dogge, I am a-ferde neuer to see hym but iff yowre good helpe bee. Item, as for the bookys þat weer Syr James, iff it lyke yow þat I maye haue them I ame not able to by them; but som-what wolde I gyffe, and the remenaunt, wyth a goode devowte herte by my trowthe I wyll prey for hys sowle. Wherffor iff it lyke yow by the next massenger ore karyere to sende hem, in a daye I shall have them dressyd heer; and iff any off them be claymyd here-afftre in feythe I wyll restoore it. Wretyn on Saterdaye. John Paston, K

To Mestresse Margrete Paston, ore to Roose dwellyng byffore hyre gate at Norwyche.

Afftre dew recomendacion, my most tendre and kynde moodre, I beseche yow off yowre dayly blessyng. Please it yow to weete þat I reseyvyd a lettre that come from yowe, wretyn þe xxvj daye off Octobre, non erst but on Wednysday last past; wherby I conceyvyd þat at þe wryghtyng off þat letter ye weere nott serteyn off the delyng betwyn Towneshende and me. It was so þat, God thanke yow, I receyvyd þe xx li. broght by Syme and also the mony browght by my brothere, wyth whyche mony, and wyth moore þat I had my-selff, I redemyd the maner off Sporle and payed Towneshend bothe þe cccc marke ther-fore and also x li. þat i owte hym besyde; and have off hym an aqwytaunce off all bargaynes and off all other dettys. Neuerthelesse, I assayed hym iff he wolde, iff nede hadde ben, gyvyn me a xij monyth lenger respyght, whyche he grauntyd to do. But in conclusyon I can nott entrete hym but þat he woll have the vttremest off hys bargayn, and thys xx li. payeable at Candelmesse and Esterne. I kan entrete hym noon other wyse as yit; wherfore I thynke iff I had passyd my daye it had ben harde to have trustyd to hys cortesye, jn so moche I fynde hym also ryght loose in the tonge. For Bekham, he spekyth no-thyng comfortably ther-in; what he wyll doo can I nott seye. Item, as for Castre, it nedyth nott to spore nore prykke me to doo owghte ther-in. I doo þat I can wyth goode wyll, and somwhat I hope to doo hastely þer-in þat shall doo goode. Item, as for the bokes þat weere Syre James, God haue hys sowle, whyche it lykethe yow þat I shall have them, I beseche yow þat I maye have them hyddre by the next massenger; and iff I be goon, yit that they be delyueryd to myn ostesse at þe George at Powlys Wharff, whyche wolle kepe them saffe, and þat it lyke yow to wryght to me whatt my peyne ore payment shall be for them. Item, it lyked yow to weet off myn heelle. I thanke God nowe þat I am nott greetly syke nere soore but in myn heele, wherin alle men know nott whatt peyne I feele. And wher ye advysed me to hast me owt off thys towne, I wolde full fayne be hense. I spende dayly more than I sholde doo iff I were hense, and I am nott well porveyed. Item, blessyd be Good my grauntdam is amendyd by suche tyme as myn oncle W. come hyddre, but my yongest cosyn Margret, hys doghtre, is ded and beryed er he come hom. I am as moche a-ferde off thys londe þat is in hys hande as I was off that þat was jn Towneshendys hande. I hope to wryght yow moore serteyntés wyth-in iiij ore v dayes. Nomore, &c. Wretyn þe xx daye off Novembre Ao E. iiij xiiijo. Yowre sone J. Paston, K.

To John Paston, esquyere, at Norwyche, ore to Roose dwellyng affore Mestresse Pastonys gate in Norwych.

Ryght wyrshypfull and weell belovyd brother, I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weet þat I have comonyd wyth yowre freende Dawnson and have receyvyd yowre rynge off hym, and he hathe by myn advyce spoken wyth hyre ij tymes. He tellythe me off hyre delyng and answerys, whyche iff they were acordyng to hys seyng a feynter lovere than ye wolde, and weell aghte to, take ther-in greet comffort, so þat he myght haply slepe þe werse iij nyghtys afftre. And suche delyng in parte as was by-twyen my Lady W. and yowre freende Danson he wrote me a bylle theroff, whyche I sende yow herwyth; and that þat longythe to me to doo therin it shall nott fayle, to leeve all other bysynesse a-parte. Neuerthelesse, wyth-jn iiij dayes I hope so to deele here-in þat I suppose to sette yow in serteynté hoghe þat ye shall fynde hyre fore evyre heer-afftre. It is so, as I vndrestande, þat ye be as besy on yowre syde fore yowre freende Dawnson wheer as ye be. I praye God sende yow bothe goode spede in thees werkys, whyche iff they be browte abowte, jche off yowe is moche be-holden to other. Yit weere it pyté þat suche craffty wowerys as ye be bothe scholde speede weell but iff ye love trewly. Item, as fore Stoctonys doghtre, she shall be weddyd in haste to Skeerene, as she tolde hyre-selffe to my sylkemayde whyche makyth parte off suche as she shall weere, to whom she brake hyre harte and tolde hyre þat she sholde have hadde Master Paston, and my mayde wende it had been I þat she spake off; wyth moore, þat the same Master Paston kome where she was wyth xx men and wold have taken hyre aweye. I tolde my mayde þat she lyed off me, and þat I neuer spake wyth hyre in my lyff, nere þat i wolde not wedde hyre to have wyth hyre iij ml marke. Item, as for Ebortonys dowghtre, my brother Edmonde seythe þat he herde neuer moore speche þer-off syns yowre departyng, and þat ye wolde þat he sholde nott breke nore doo no-thynge ther-in but iff it come off theere begynnyng. Item, I had answere from my lorde þat he is my speciall goode lorde, and þat by wryghtyng; and as for Bernaye, he sette hym in hys owne wagys for my sake, and þat whan so euer I come to Caleys I shall fynde all thyng there as I woll have it, and rather better than it was heere-tofor. Item, þe Kynge come to þis towne on Wednysdaye. And as for the Frenshe enbassate þat is heere, they come nott in þe Kynges presense, by lyklihod, for men seye þat þe chyeff of them is he þat poysonyd bothe þe Duke off Berry and þe Duke off Calabre. Item, there was neuer more lyklyhood þat þe Kyng shall goo ouyre thys next yere than it is nowe. I praye yow remembre þat I maye have þe pewtre vessell hyddre by þe next karyer by the lattre ende off thys weke. Item, I praye yow remembre so þat I maye have the bokys by the same tyme whyche my moodre seyde she wolde sende me by the next cariere. Wretyn at London þe Sondaye þe xx daye off Novembre ao E. iiijti xiiijo. John Paston, K.

to John Paston, esquiere.

Brother, I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete þat I have, lyke as i promysed yowe, I have doon my devoyre to knowe my Lady Walgraues stomake, whyche, as God helpe me and to be pleyn to yowe, I fynde in hyre no mater nere cawse þat I myght take comfort off. Sche wyll in no wyse receyve nere kepe yowre rynge wyth hyre, and yit I tolde hyre þat she scholde not be any-thynge bownde therby but þat I knew by yowre herte off olde þat I wyst weell ye wolde be glad to forbere the levest thyng þat ye had in the world whyche myght be dayly in here presence þat sholde cawse hyre onys on a daye to remembre yow; but itt wolde not be. She wolde nott therby, as she seyde, putte yow nere kepe yow in any comffort ther-by, and more-ovyre she preyed me þat I sholde neuer take labore moore heere-in fore she wolde holde hyre to suche answere as she hadd gevyn yow to-foore; wherwyth she thowght bothe ye and I wolde have holde vs contente had nott been the wordys off hyre suster Geneffyeff. When I vndrestoode all thys, and that ouer nyght she bad hyre þat weent bytwyen hyre and me byd me brynge wyth me hyre muskeball whyche, &c., than I aftre all thys axid iff she weere dyspleasyd wyth me for it, and she seyde naye. Than I tolde hyre that I had nott sent it yowe fore synne off my sowle, and so I tolde hyre all how I had wretyn to yow why that I wold nott sende it yow by-cawse I wyst weell ye sholde have slepyd the werse. But nowe I tolde hyre, as God helpe me, þat I wolde sende it yow, and gyffe yow myn advyse nott to hope ouyre moche on hyre whyche is ovyre harde an hertyd lady for a yonge man to tryst on-to, whyche I thowght þat for all my wordys ye cowde nott nere wolde nott do fore all myn advyce. Yitt ageynwardys, she is nott dyspleasyd nor forbad me nott but that ye sholde have the kepyng off hyre mvskball. Wherffor do ye wyth itt as ye lyke. I wolde it hadd doon weell. By Good, I spake fore yow soo that in feythe I trowe I kowde nott seye so weell ageyn; wherffor I sende yow herwyth yowre rynge and the onhappy muskeball also. Make ye mater off it herafftre as ye kan. I am nott happy to wow, nowther for my-selff nere noon othere. I tolde hyre all þe process off the Lorde Howarde and off yowre grewndys as I kowde; all helpys notte. Item, I praye yow late my brothere Edmonde vndrestonde þat as for þe chevysshaunce þat myn oncle W. spake off, as God helpe me itt canne nott be, I cannott chevyshe for my-selffe. I feer þat I am lyke to be deseyuyd by hym; by God I had lever than c noblys þat I weer qwyte off hym. I can se noon other as yit, but that I ame nott lyke to goo to Caleys byffore Crestmesse but iff I wolde jopart it at hys curtesye. I am in an agonye wyth hym þat vexithe all my spyrytys. I heer no woorde from my brother E. ner fro R. Lynsted howe they have sped wyth Towneshende. Iff ther be any answere sent to myn oncle W. he makyth me nott prevye ther-to, wherfor I have to grett an hurte jff I wote nott in all haste howe þat Lynsted hathe doon wyth Towneshend and also att Snaylwell; wherffor in hast sende worde to me or to myn ostesse at þe George. I here no worde off my vessell nere off my bokys. I mervayll. No more. Wretyn at London the xj daye off decembre Ao E. iiijti xiiijo. J. P., K.

To þe ryght worshypfull John Paston, esquiere, at Norwych ore to hys moodre Margreet Paston in hys absence, in haste.

I recomande me to yow, prayng yow hertely þat I maye have weetyng whan þat my lorde and ladye off Norffolk shalle be at London, and howgh longe they shall tery theere, and in especiall my lorde off Norffolk, for vppon there comyng to London were it for me to be guydyd. Neuerthelesse I wolde be soory to come theere but iff I nedys most. I thynke it wolde be to yow ouyre erksom a labore to solycyte the materys a-twyen them and me but iff I weere theere my-selffe; wherffore iff ye thynke it be convenyent that I come thyddre, I praye yow sende me worde as hastely as ye maye, and by what tyme ye thynke most convenyent þat I sholde be theere, and off all suche counfforte as ye fynde ore heere off the towardnesse ther-off, and whan also þat ye shall be theer yowre-selffe. Fore it is so þat as tomorow I purpose to ryde in-to Flaundrys to purveye me off horse and herneys, and parcase I shall see the assege at Nwse ere I come ageyn iff I have tyme, wherffor jff I so doo by lyklyhod it woll be a xiiij dayes er i be heer ageyn. And afftre as I heere from yowe and other, then vppon that at þe next passage, and God woll, I purpose to come to London warde, God sende me goode spede, jn cheff for þe mater above wretyn and secondly fore to appoynt wyth the Kynge and my lorde for suche retynwe as I sholde have now in thees werrys in-to Frawnce. Wherffore I praye yow in Norffolk and other places comon wyth suche as ye thynke lykly fore yow and me þat are dysposyd to take wagys in gentylmennys howsys and ellys where so þat we maye be the moore redy whan þat nede is. Neuerthelesse at thys owre I wolde be gladde to have wyth me dayly iij ore iiij more than I have suche as weere lykly, for I lakke off my retynwe þat I have heere so many. I praye yow sende me som tydyngys suche as ye heere, and howghe þat my brother Edmonde dothe , for as for tydyngys heere, theere be but fewe saffe þat the assege lastyth stylle by the Duke off Burgoyn affoore Nuse and the Enperore hathe besegyd also, not ferre from thense, a castell and an other town in lyke wyse wher-in þe Dukys men been. And also þe Frenshe Kynge, men seye, is comyn nyghe to þe water off Somme wyth iiij ml sperys, and som men trowe þat he woll at þe daye off brekyng off trewse, or ellys byffoore, sette vppon the Dukys contreys heere. When i heere moore I shall sende yowe moore tydyngys. The Kyngys jnbassatorys, Syr Thomas Mongomeré and þe Master off the Rollys, be comyng homwardys from Nuse, and as for me I thynke þat I sholde be seke but iff i see it. Syre John off Parre and William Berkeley com thys weys to Flaundrys ward to by them horse and herneys, and i made Syr J. Parre goode cheere as I cowde for yowre sake, and he tolde me þat ye made hym haulte cheere &c. at Norwyche. No moore. Wretyn at Caleys the xvij daye off Janeuer Ao Edwardi iiijti xiiijo

To hys brother John Paston, ore to hys oncle William Paston in Werwykk Lane, ore to Edmond Paston at þe George at Powlys Wharffe: to delyuer any of them.

Ryght worshypfull, I recomaunde me on-to yow, letyng yow weete þat i thynke longe þat I heere nott from yow syns Crystmesse nere have no serteyn knowleche whether þat Towneshend hathe performyd hys promysse ore nott, nere off my brothere Johnys beyng at London, nere off my lord ore lady off Norffolkys comyng to London, at whoys comyng sholde be þe cheffe labore and sewte þat I or any for me sholde labore. It was soo, God thanke yow bothe, þat iche off yow at my last beyng wyth yow grauntyd me to take labore vppon yow and iche off yow for the hauyng ageyn off my place in Castre. Now is it soo þat wher my verry purpose was to have comyn to London now, wyth the Master of the Rollys and Syr Thomas Mongomeré, demyng to fynde the Kyng at the parlement, and also þat my lorde and lady off Norffolk sholde nott by lyklyhod fayle to be theere also, wherffore me thoght the tyme was convenyent; but it happyd so þat suche tydyngys come hyddre off the Frenshe Kyngys hasty comyng in-to thees marchys off Pykardye whyche cawsyd my lordys deputé and cownsell heere to desyre and charge me soo streyghtly þat in noo wyse I maye, tyll I heere othere tydyngys, departe from hense. Notwythstondyng the marchall and counsell heere have wretyne to my lorde lywe-tenant for me , and moore-ouer desyryd both þe Master off þe Rollys and Syr T. Mongomeré to remembre my materys both to þe Kynge and to my lorde, in so moche þat iff the season be convenyent bothe þe seyd Master and Syre T. Mongomeré wille labore bothe the Kynge and my lorde to entrete my lorde of Norffolk, my lady hys wyff, and ther consell to do for me all that reason wyll, off whoys good willys and labore here-in I ame better ensuryd off than I kan,for lakke off leysere at thys tyme, wryght yowe wetyng off. Wher-for I praye yow and iche off yow, iff the season be convenyent, to take the labore that theese jentyllmen maye do for me and to my proffyght like as I feelle them dysposyd to doo; and moore-ouer I have somwhatt informyd them bothe ther-in. And also þat I maye hastyly heer from yow; and jff it come to þat any mony most be geuyn to my lorde ore lady off Norffolk for a plesyre herffore, I woll vppon as i heer from yow come to yow in alle hast possible, all thyngys leyde a-parte. Item, iff any letter be requeryth to be hadde, jn lyke forme as onys ther was from the Kyng to my lorde off Norffolk, Syr T. Mongomeré will by yowre advycys opteyne yow suche on off yowre ententys to my proffyghte in the premyssys, and by thys my wryghtyng I bynde me to repaye yowe iff any suche letter ore wryghtyng be opteynyd, what so euer it coste. No more for lakke off leyser. Wretyn at Caleys the v daye off Feuerere Ao E. iiij xiiijo. As for tydyngys heer, my masteris th'embassatorys, Syr T. Mongomeré and the Master off the Rollys, kom streyght from the Duke at hys assege at Nywysse, whyche wyll nott yit be wonne. Yowre John Paston, K.

To Mestresse Margret Paston at Norwyche be thys delyueryd.

Please it yow to weete þat I receyuyd a letter from yow wretyn þe Saterdaye next byffore Candelmesse, for answere wheroff lyke it yow to weete þat, as for the bokys þat weer Syr James, God haue hys sowle, I thynke best that they be styll wyth yow tyll þat I speke wyth yow my-selff. My mynde is now nott most vppon bokys. Item, as for xx li. þat ye sey þat yowre plate lythe fore, it is so þat i fownde my oncle William no sewerté therffore. As Playtere and my brother John bothe cowde enfforme yowe, it was neuer desyryd off me, nere the tolde me nott þat any suche pledge laye for it, but þat ye hadd dyschargyd me off xx li. and chevysshyd it, and þat ye sholde repaye it in hast: wherin I woll do as ye woll, and as it pleasyth yow to sende me wetyng. Item, I ame sory þat ye be no bettre payd off þe xx li. þat I had off yowe, whyche ye sholde haue receyuyd ageyn off my londys in Flegge; iff the markett be nott goode yit I hope jt shall be better. Neuer the lesse my wyll is that ye sholde have yowre holl xx li. ageyn and nott lose j d.; wherffor iff it be soo þat ye be mysse seruyd there, I beseche yowe off pacyence tyll the begynnyng off the next yeere, and iff aught be behynd ye shall receyue vppe the remenaunt then, for as God helpe me I wolde be sory þat ye lost moore for me. I have pytte yow to cost, charge, and losse j-nowge, God thanke yowe off it, thoughe ye lose no more; wherffor jff Sporle woode sprynge any syluer ore golde it is my wyll þat fyrst off alle ye be yowre owne payere off all þat is be-hynde, and next thatt to paye myn oncle William vijxx vj li. xiij s. iiij d., and besyd that xvj li. lost vppon the chevysshaunce offe iiijxx li.; and so I owe viijxx ij li. xiij s. iiij d. Wherfor I beseche yow to make hast in repayment heroff as fast as it woll growe, as my trost is in yowe. Item, wher it pleasyd yow to weete off myn heele and a-mendyng, I thanke Godde I ame in goode case, and as goode as full hooll bothe off the fevre agwe, off myn je, myn legge, and myn heele, saff þat I ame tendre off all theese and, were nott goode rewle, full like to feell off iche off them ryght soone. Neuerthelesse God thanke yow off yowre large profre, wheroff I wolde be ryght gladde iff I myght, fore trobles and other labore that I have takyn on me nowe in-to Fraunce warde. For the goode spede off me and þat jorneye I beseche yow off yowre preyerys and remembrance; and thatt jorney wyth Goddys grace onys doon, I purpose verrely wyth Goddys grace therafftre to daunce atendaunce most abowt yowre plesure and ease. And wyth Goddys grace soone vppon Esterne, ere euyre I goo forthe, I hope to se yow and fecche yowre blessyng. No moore at thys tyme, but Jesus have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at Caleys the xxij daye off Feuerere Ao E. iiijti xiiijo. Yowre sone John Paston, K.

To John Paston ore to hys brother Edmond Paston at + þe George at Powles Wharff. Brother Edmonde, it is soo þat I heer telle þat ye be in hope to come hyddre and to be in suche wagys as ye schall can lyve lyke a jentylman, wheroff I wolde be gladde. Wherffor for yowre better speede I lete yow weete þat Heugh Beamond is deed, wherffor I wolde ye had hys roome, nowe ore neuer iff ye can brynge it a-bowt. Ellys, iff ye dyspose yowe to abyde in Inglonde, syns it is so þat the Bysshop of Lynkolne is chauncelere, hys seruyse is the meter for yow---he is next neyghbore to Norffolk off any astate. God sende yow som good warde off hys. I praye yow iff yowre leyser be ther-afftre to remembre Towneshende þat he wyth the advyse and assystence off my Master off þe Rollys have on daye off Marche wyth þe slawe Bysshope off Wynchester, þat he maye kepe me hys promyse; þat is to seye to entrete þe Duke and Duchesse off Norffolk for Caster. He promysed to doo it, and to ley owt an c li. for þe same. Item, I praye yow sende me som tydyngys wyth-in v dayes afftre þat ye see thys bylle. Wretyn at Caleys þe xiij daye off June. John Paston, K.

To Mestresse Margret Paston, at Norwyche.

Ryght reuerend and my most tendre and kyynde moodre, I recomaunde me to yow. Please it yow to weete þat, blessyd be God, thys wyage off the Kyngys is fynysshyd for thys tyme, and alle the Kyngys ost is comen to Caleys as on Mondaye last past, þat is to seye þe iiij daye off Septembre, and at thys daye many off hys host be passyd þe see in-to Inglond ageyn, and in especiall my lorde off Norffolk and my bretheryn. Item, I was jn goode hope to have hadde Caster ageyn. þe Kynge spake to my lorde off Norffolk for it and it was full lyke to have comyn, but in conclusyon it is delayed tyll þis next terme, by whyche tyme the Kynge hathe comaundyd hym to take advyce off hys councell and to be sywere þat hys tytle be goode, ore ellys þe Kyng hathe asserteynyd hym þat for any favore he most do me ryght and justyce, &c. And iff Caster hadde comen, by my feythe I had comyn streyhte home. Notwytstondyng, iff i may do yow servyce or ease, as ye and I have comonyd heere-to-foore, afftre as I heere from yow, as God helpe me, I purpose to leeffe alle heere and come home to yow and be yowre hosbonde and balyff; wher-in I spake to my brothere John to telle yow myn advyce. I also mysselyke somwhat the heyre heer, for by my trowthe I was in goode heele whan I come hyddre, and all hooll, and to my wetyng I hadde neuer a better stomake in my lyffe; and now wyth-in viij dayes I am crasyd ageyn. I suppose þat I most be at London at Mychelmesse and ther to purveye for payment for myn oncle William, by whyche tyme I praye yow þat I maye heer from yow, and off yowr advyce and helpe iff any thynge be growyn off Sporle woode, For had nott yit that danger have been, I myght yit have ben at home wyth yow at thys daye or wyth-in vij dayes afftre. No more, but I beseche Jesus have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at Caleys the xj daye off Septembre. John Paston, K.

to þe King our souuerain lord

Sheweth vnto your highnesse your feythful liegeman and seruaunt John Paston, knight, that where Ser William Yeluerton, William Jenney, and Thomas Howes were infeffed in certain ...to þe vse of youre said suppliaunt, they of great malice, confetered with oon or ij of þe counsell of my lord þe Duc of Norffolk, caused the same Duc to clayme tytle vnto þe manoire of Caster and other landes of your said suppliant, wherinne þe said Yeluerton and his coofeffees were infeffed, contrary to þ'entent and wille þat þei were enfeffed fore; vpon whiche title the said Duc with great force assegid and entred þe said manoire of Castre and other landes of your said suppliant, putting hym from þe lawful possession and estate þat he had in þe same, and also take from him vjc shepe and xxx nete, and þe same with other stuf and ordinaunces longing to þe same manoire of þe value of c li. toke and caryed awey, and þe said manoire diffacid, hurt, and appeired, so þat it coude not be repaired with cc marc. Also þe revenues of þe said landes by þe space of iij yeres to þe value of vijxx li. þe same my lord the Duke receyued and þe owt rentes of þe same never payed; whiche great trouble was like to be þe vndoing of your said suppliant. Wherfore he was fayn to sue to þe said Duc and lord by þe meanes of his godsip þe Bisshop of Wynchestre, whiche was in his special favour; at whos contemplacion, and for vc marc whiche þe same your suppliant payed vnto the same Duc, he graunted him to haue ayen his said manoire and landes and to restore him to þe possession of the same, whiche was so doon. And your said suppliant being in peasible possession, my said lord þe Duc and his cofeffees, Ser William Brandon, Thomas Hoo, Rauf Ashton, and other, at þe desire of my said lord relessed þeire estate and interesse aswel vnder my said lordes sele as vnder þeire own seles; wherupon your said besecher continued in possession but half a yere, at whiche time he was chargid in reparacions to þe somme of c marc, and payed þe owt rentes dewe by þe space of þe said iij yere to þe somme of xl li. That doon, my said lord, by sinistre mocion and aduice with force ayen entred þe said manoire and other landes aforsaid, with alle stuf of howshold being in þe same manoire to þe value of c marc, and so long time hath kept and reioysed þe revenues of þe said landes, and in chief þe said manoire, to þe value of vjxx li, by þe space of iiij yere and more. For redresse wherof your said suppliant hath þis said space of iiij yere sued to my said lord and his counsell, and of alle þat time þe same my lord wold never suffre hym to comme in his presence ne here him, ne noon other for him, to declare or shewe his grief. And forthermore, whanne your said besecher hath sued to þe counsel of my said lord and desired þem to moue his lordship þerinne, and to ansuere him resonably and according to right, they ansuered þat þei haue shewed my said lord his request, and þat he was, and is alwey, so moved and displesid with þem þat þei dar nomore move him þerinne. And þus your said suppliant hath loste alle his coste and laboure, to his charge, by his feyth, this iiij yere in his sute þe somme of vc marc, and now is owt of remedye without youre habundant grace be shewed in þat behalue, in somoche as he is not of power t'attempte youre lawes ayenst so mighty and noble estate, nor t'abide þe displeser of him. Wherfore please it your moost noble grace, at þe reuerence of God, to move my said lord to withdrawe þe affeccion whiche he so hath to þe said manoire and landes, and to suffre your said besecher to haue and enioye þe possession of þe same according to right; and he at youre commandment shal relesse vnto my said lord alle þe dammages aboue wretyn, whiche amounte to þe somme of ml ccc liij li. vj s. viij d., and in time to comme, with Goddes grace, be þe more hable to do you seruice, and also specially preye to God for þe conseruacion of youre moost noble persone and estate royall.

Lyke it yow to weete þat not in þe most happy season for me jt is so fortunyd þat wher as my lorde off Norffolke yisterdaye beyng in good heele, thys nyght dyed a-bowte mydnyght; wherffor it is for alle þat lovyd hym to doo and helpe nowe that that may be to hys honoure and weell to hys sowele. And it is soo þat thys contré is nott weell purveyd off clothe off golde for the coveryng for hys bodye and herse, wherffor, euery man helpyng to hys powere, I putte the cowncell off my lorde in cownffort þat I hopyd to gete on for that daye if it weer so þat it be nott broken or putt to other vse. Wherffor please it yow to sende me worde iff it be so þat ye have or kan kom by the clothe off tyssywe þat I bowte for my faderys tombe; and I vndretake it shall be saffyd ageyn for yowe on-hurt at my perell. I deeme herby to gete greet thanke and greet assystence in tyme to come; and that owther Symme or Mother Broun maye delyuer it me to-morow by vij off þe clokke. Item, as for other meanys, I have sente my servant Richard Tornor to London, whyche I hope shall brynge me goode tydyngys ageyn; and wythin iiij dayes I hope to see yowe. Wretyn on Wednysdaye the xvij daye off Janyuere Ao E. iiijti xvo. John Paston, K.

To John Paston, esquiere, at Norwyche be thys delyueryd.

I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete þat I was jnfformyd by Richard Radlé þat on Scarlett, þat was vndrescheryff to Hastyngys, wolde sywe to me on yowre behalff fore thatt ye weere dyspleasyd wyth a returne off nichyll vppon yow in þe seyde Hastyngys tyme; wherffor Richard Radlé thoghte þat the seyde Scarlett wolde be gladde to gyff yow a noble or a riall for a sadell to amendys, so þat ye wolde sease and stoppe the bylle whyche ye entende to putt in to þe corte ageyn hys master Hastyngys. Wherffor the seyde Scarlett com to me and prayed me to helpe in the same, and so I have don my devoyre to feele off hym the most þat he can fynde in hys stomake to departe wyth to please yow; and in conclusyon I trowe he shall gyff yow a doblett clothe off sylke, price xx s. ore þer-abowte, whyche vppon suche answeere as I heer from yowe I deme þat Bysshop the atornye shall, iff I conclude wyth hym on yowre behalve, paye in mony or otherwyse to whom þat ye woll assyngne heere. I shall by the meanys off Raddelé weete at whoys sywte it was takyn owte. I deme it som-thynge doon by craffte by the meanys off them þat have entresse in yowre lond to þ'entent to noyse itt therys, or to make yow past shame off the sellyng ther-off. Item, I have receyvyd a letter from yowe, wretyn on Tywesdaye last. Item, wher þat som towardys my lady off Norffolk noyse þat I dyd onkyndely to sende so hastely to Caster as I dyd, þer is no dyscrete person þat so thynkyth; fore iff my lorde hade ben as kynde to me as he myght have ben, and acordyng to suche hert and seruyce as my grauntffadre, my fadre, yowre-selff, and I have owght and doon to my lordys off Norffolk þat ded ben, and yitt iff I hadde weddyd hys dowghtre, yitt most I have doon as I dydde. And moore-ovyre, iff I had hadde any demyng off my lordys dethe iiij howrys ore he dyed, I most nedys, but iff I wolde be knowyn a foolle, have entryd it the howre byffore hys dyscesse. But in effecte theygh that in þat matere have alweye ment onkyndely to me, they feyne þat rumore ageyn me; but there is noon thatt ment truly to hym þat dede is þat wolde be sory þat I hadde itt, and in especiall suche as love hys sowle. Item, wher it is demyd þat my lady wolde herafftre be the rather myn hevy lady for þat delyng, I thynke þat she is to resonable so to be, fore i dyd it nott onwyst to hyre cowncell. þer was no man thoght þat I sholde doo otherwysse, an as to seye þat I myght have hadde my ladyes advyce ore lyve, I myght have teryed yitt or I cowde have speken wyth hyre, ore yitt have hadde any body to have mevyd hyre on my be-halve. As ye wote, I dydde what I cowde. Moreouyre I taried by the advyce off Syr Robert Wyngffelde iij dayes þer for þat he putte me in comffort þat þe Lorde Howard and hys brother Syr John sholde have comyn to Norwyche, att whoys comyng he dowtyd nott but þat I sholde have a goode dyreccion takyn for me in thatt mater. They leyhe to me onkyndenesse for ouyrkyndenesse. Item, as for my mater heere, itt was thys daye beffoore alle the lordes off the cowncelle, and amonge them ale it was nott thowght þat in my sendyng off Whetley thyddre in-mediatly afftre the dyscese off þe Duke þat I dalte onkyndly ore onsyttyngly, but þat I was moore onresonably dalte wyth. Wherffor, late men deme whatt they wylle, grettest clerkys are nott alweye wysest men; but I hope hastely to have on weye in it ore othere. Item, I wende to have fownde a gowne off myn heere, but it come home the same daye þat I come owte, browght by Herry Berker, lodere. I wolde in alle hast possible have thatt same gowne off puke furryd wyth whyght lambe. Item, I wolde have my longe russett gowne off þe Frenshe russett in alle hast, for I have no gowne to goo in here. Item, I praye yow recomande me to my moodre, and late vs alle preye God sende my lady off Norffolk a soone, fore vppon þat restythe moche mater. For iff þe Kyngys soone mary my lordys dowghtre, the Kynge wolde þat hys soone sholde have a fayre place in Norffolk, thowhe he sholde gyffe me ij tymes þe valywe in other londe, as I am doon to weete. I praye yow sende me worde off my ladyes spede as soone as ye kan. Item, as for Bowen, I shall fele hym, and sholde have doon thowghe ye hadde nott sente. Item, ther is offryd me a goode mariage fore my suster Anne, Skypwyththys sone and heyre off Lynkolneshyre, a man v or vjc marke by yeere. No more. wretyn at London þe xxvij daye off Janyvere Ao E. iiijti xvo. Item, my lady off Excester is ded, and it was seyde þat bothe þe olde Dywchesse off Norffolk and þe Cowntesse off Oxenfforde weere ded, but itt is nott soo yitte. Item, I shall remembre Caleyse bothe for horse and alle. Item, Phylypp Lovedaye is heere comyn thys daye, and wyll be wyth yow in hast. He comythe home for goode and alle.

To John Paston, esquiere, ore to Mestresse Margrett Paston hys moodre, + in Norffolk.

I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wete þat , blessyd be God, vppon Saterdaye last past my lorde and wee toke the see and come to Caleyes þe same daye. And as thys daye my lorde come to Guynesse, and theere was receyvyd honourablye wyth-owt any obstaklys; wheer as I fownde Master Fytzwalter and other, whyche wer ryght hevye fore the dethe off þe noble man thatt was theere to-foore. Itt happyd soo þat my seyd Master Fytzwalter axid me ryght hertely fore yow, and I lete hym weete þat I demyd ye wolde be heere in haste, wheroffe he seyde he was ryght soory, fore soo moche þat he entendyth to come in-to Englonde; and as I conceyve he wyll come to Attylborogh and brynge my mestresse hys wyffe wyth hym, and theer to stablysshe hys howse contynuall. Wherffor he thynketh þat he sholde have as grete a lakke off yow as off any on man in þat contré, willyng me to wryght on-to yowe and to late yow weete off hys comynge. He also hathe tolde me moche off hys stomake and tendre fauur þat he owythe to yow, wherffore I asserteyn yow þat he is yowre verry especiall goode master, and iffe ye weere abydynge in thatt contré whylse he weere theere, he is dysposyd to doo largely fore yowe in dyuerse wyse whyche weere to longe to wryght; in so moche þat I feele by hym þat he thynkyth þat itt sholde be longe ere he scholde be wery off yowre expencys off horse ore man. Now I remytte alle thynge to yowre dyscresion. Ye woote best what is fore yow. As for my lorde, I vndrestande nott yitt whethyre he wylle in-to Ingelonde the weke to-fore Esterne ore ellys afftre. I pray yow recomande me to my moodre; I wolde have wretyn to hyre, but in trowthe I ame some-whatt crased, what wyth the see and what wythe thys dyet heere. Nomoore to yow, but wretyn at Gynes the xij daye of Marche Ao E. xvj. By John Paston, K.

To Mestresse Margrete Paston + at Norwyche, ore hyre sone John Paston, esquyere, and to euerych off them.

I recomande me to yow. Like it yow to weete þat I am nott sertayne yitte whethere my lorde and I shall come in-to Ingelonde þe weke byffoore Esterne ore ellys the weke afftre Esterne; wherffor, moodre, I beseche yow to take noo dysplesyre wyth me for my longe tarijnge, for I durst doo noon otherwyse fore dysplesyng off my lorde. I was noo-thynge gladde off thys jornaye iff I myght goodely have chosen. Neuerthelesse, savyng þat ye have cawse to be dyspleasyd wyth mee for the mater off Kokett, I am ellys ryght gladde, for I hope þat I ame ferre moore in favore wyth my lorde than I was to-foore. Item, I sende yow, brother John, a letter herwyth whyche was browte hyddre to Caleys from þe George at Powles Wharff; I deme it comythe from my brother Water. Item, iff ye entende hyddrewarde itt weere weell doon þat ye hyghed yowe, for I suppose þat my lorde wille take the vywe off alle hys retynywe heere nowe byffoore hys departyng, and I thynke þat he woolde be better contente wyth yowre comyng nowe than an other tyme. Doo as ye thynke best, and as ye maye. Item, wher Master Fytzwalter made me to wryght to yowe to advyse yow to tarye, I remytte thatt to yowre dyscrescion. As for tydyngys heere, we here from alle the worlde. Fyrst, the Lord Ryverse was at Roome right weell and honorably, and other lordys off Ynglonde, as þe Lorde Hurmonde and þe Lorde Scrope, and at there departyng xij myle on thyse halff Roome the Lorde Ryverse was robbyd off alle hys jowellys and plate, whyche was worthe ml marke or better, and is retornyd to Rome for a remedy. Item, þe Duke off Burgoyne hathe conqueryd Loreyn, and Quene Margreet shall nott nowe be lyklyhod have it; wher-for the Frenshe Kynge cherysshyth hyre butt easelye. Butt afftre thys conquest off Loreyn the Duke toke gret corage to goo vppon the londe off þe Swechys to conquere them; butt the berdyd hym att an onsett place, and hathe dystrussyd hym and hathe slayne the most parte off hys vamwarde and wonne all hys ordynaunce and artylrye, and more-ovyre alle stuffe thatt he hade in hys ost wyth hym exceppte men and horse þat fledde nott. But they roode þat nyght xx myle, and so the ryche salettys, heulmettys, garter nowchys gelte, and alle is goone, wyth tentys, pavylonys, and alle, and soo men deme hys pryde is abatyd. Men tolde hym that they weer frowarde karlys, butte he wolde nott be-leve it; and yitt men seye þat he woll to them ageyn. Gode spede them bothe! Item, Syr John Mydelton toke leve off þe Duke to sporte hym, but he is sett in pryson att Brissellys. I praye yowe sende me som worde iff ye thynke likly þat I maye entre Castre when I woll, by the nexte massenger. Wretyn at Caleys in resonable helthe off bodye and sowle, I thanke Good, the xxj daye off Marche Ao E. iiijti xvjo. J.P.,K

To Mestresse Margret Paston att Norwyche, ore to hyre sone John Paston.

Please it yow to weete þat as for my materys, and theye appeyre nott, the doo, blessyd be Godde, as weell as I wolde they dyd, saffe that it shalle cost me grett mony and it hathe cost me moche laboore. It is soo þat the Kynge most have c marke, and other costys will draw xl marke. And my mater is examynyd by the Kyngys cowncell and declaryd affoore all the lordys, and nowe lakkythe noo-thynge butt prevy sealys and wryghtyng to Master Colvill to avoyde. For the Kynge hathe promysed me as moche as I wolde he scholde fulleffille, and alle the lordys, jugys, seriauntys, have affermyd my title goode. Nott wythstondyng Sowthewell, James Hubberde, and Syr W. Braundon where at there owne desyrys offryd to afferme and advowe my tytell for goode, and þat my lorde off Norffolk þat ded is hadde noo tytell thatt they knywe, they tolde my tale as ille as they cowde, and yitt a lye ore too to helpe it, and yit it seruyth them nott. They be knowen as they are, in cowncell be it seyde, and so most all thys letter be. I have moche payne to gete so moche mony. Neuerthe lesse, but iff myn oncle schewe hym-selffe werse than euer he was, I shalle nott fayle iff he kepe me promyse, and thatt is but as he dyde last, þat is butt to be my sywerté and i to make hym sywerté ageyn. The Kynge departythe thys daye and wille nott be heer tyll Frydaye, whyche lettyth me, ore ellys by thatt daye I wolde have hopyd to have comen homewardys, and erst par aventur. Nomoore, but Jesus have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at London þe xxvj daye off Maye, the Mondaye next Holy Thurrysdaye þe Assencion. þe Kynge wolde have bowte it, but he was enfformyd off the trowthe and þat it was nott for a prynce, and off the greet pryse þat I wolde selle it att for þat I myght nott for-ber it, for he scholde have payed ml ml marke ore moore iff he hadde hadde itt. Yowre sone J. Paston, K.

To John Paston, esquiere, beyng at the syngne off the George at Powles Wharff.

I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete þat I hav receyvyd yowre letter wretyn the next daye aftre Mydsomer; for answer wheroff I thynke þat to be bownde in vc marke I thynke it is to moche, where-as I felt by yow ye sholde have wyth þe gentylwoman but iiijc. Neuer the lesse I agree. But ye shall vndrestande þat I wyll nott be bownde for yow þat ye shall make hyre joyntoure past xx li. by yere wyth-in a sertayne daye lymyted, be it j yere ore ij; þat is þe largest þat ye maye performe. For as fore the maner off Sparham, my moodre and ye acorde nott in yowre sayngys. She wyll nowght graunte yow ther-in whylse she levyth, saff, as she seythe to me, she hathe grauntyd yow x marke by yeere tyll xl li. be payed, þat is but vj yeere. And afftre hyre dyscease she woll agree wyth goode will, so þat it maye be yowre proferment þat ye sholde have þat maner in joyntur wyth yowre wyffe to þe lenger lyvere off yow bothe, payng x marke by yeere, soo ore there as she wyll þat it shall be. Therfore as for l marke joyntur, I pray yow bynde me in no suche clawse butt iff it be for xx li. by a resonable daye, and xx marke afftre the dyssease off my moodre. Take example at Derby. Item, ye make yow sywerere than I deme yow bee, for I deme þat here frendes wyll nott be content wyth Bedyngffeldys sywerté nore yowrys. I deme thys mater will ocopy lenger leysere than ye deme fore. Item, I remembre thatt thys mony þat she sholde have is nott redy, but in the handes off marchauntys off the Estaple, whyche at a prove ye shall fynde par case so slakke payerys þat ye myght be deseyvyd ther-by. I knowe dyverse have lost mony er they cowde gete ther dywtés owte off th' Estaple. God spede yow and sende yow þat ye wolde have. I sende yow þe obligacion her-wyth acordyng to yowre desyre, and a letter to Bedyngffelde thankyng hym for yow, and more-ouer letyng hym know off myn entent. Opyn it and close it ageyn iff ye lyst. Item, wher I tolde yow þat the gowne clothe off olde chamlott I wolde have it hoome for my suster Anne, ye for-gate it. I praye yow sende it home by the next massenger, and a letter wyth it off suche tydyngys as ye knowe. Item, blissed be God, I have Castre at my will. God holde it better than it was doone her-to-foore. No moore, but wretyn the next daye afftre Seynt Petre, Ao E. iiijti xvjo. J. Paston, K.

To Mestresse Margret Paston.

Please it yow to wete þat I was vppon Tywesdaye, the daye þat I departyd froo yowe, wyth my brothere John at Atelborow by viij off the clokke at euyn, and founde hym in suche case as iff ye had seyn hym than ye wolde nowe be as gladde of hym osse off a nywe sone. I wenyd nott þat he scholde not have levyd tyll þe mornyng, in so moche þat by my trowthe i dare seye þat iff it had nott fortunyd vs to have comyn to hym, he had not been on lyve on Wednysdaye; fore syns Saterdaye slepyd he nott iiij howrys, and yitt iij off them was syns I come thydyre, on-to thys nyght. And thys nyght, blessyd be God, he hathe slepyd well, and wyth Goddys grace I dowte nott but thatt he shall do weell, fore hys agywe is goone, and alle þat laye in hys stomake and vndre hys syde it weryth aweye. And wyth-in a daye ore ij I hope he shall be so stronge þat I maye come frome hym, and he hopyth to see yowe wyth-in fewe days afftre, as he seythe. On Wednysdaye I wysshyd to hym þat he and I hadde been at Norwyche; whervppon he harpyd all þat nyght, and fore cawse he hadde nott so goode rest as he wolde, it fylle in hys brayne to come to Norwyche, and he in an angre wolde nedys to horse - he wolde non horsse litter, he was so stronge. Neuerthelesse we wenyd nott þat he sholde have been able to have redyn a myle, and wenyd þat it had nott been possible to have passyd Wyndham. Bott whan he was vppe fore þat we seyde he roode so welle he ledde vss a dawnce faster than alle we cowde weell folowe. He was at Wyndham, by my trowthe, in lesse þan an howre, by a large quartere, and ther restyd hym an howre, and to horse ageyne and was heere in lesse than an howre and on halffe. And now he dowtyth nott to slepe weell, fore he seythe þat he neuer faylyd to slepe weell in that bedde þat he hathe chosyn now at Frenshys; and thusse I hope he be sauffe. And I ame in dowte whethyre I shall wyth-in ij dayes owther come home to yow ore ellis to goo forthe as ye woote off. No more, &c. Wretyn on Frydaye next the Decollacion off Seynt John Baptyst. Item, I have the wryghtyngys off Richard Calle. Yowre sone J. Paston, K.

To John Paston, esquyer, at Norwyche in hast.

I recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete þat yisterdaye beganne the grete cowncell to whyche all the astatys off þe londe shall com to, butt iff it be for gret and resonable excusis. And I suppose þe cheffe cawse of thys assemblé is to comon what is best to doo now vppon þe greet change by the dethe off þe Duke of Burgoyne, and for þe kepyng off Caleys and the Marchys, and for the preseruacion off þe amytéys taken late as weell wyth Fraunce as now wyth the membrys off Flaundrys; wher-to I dowt nott þer shall be jn all hast bothe þe Dukys off Clarance and Glowcestre, wheroff I wolde þat my brother E. wyst. Item, I feele butt litell effecte in the labore off W. Alyngton; neuerthelesse I deme it is nott for yow. She shall nott passe cc marke, as ferre as I can vndrestand aparte. Item, I will nott forget yow other-wyse. Itt is so þat thys daye I heer grett liklyhood þat my Lorde Hastyngys shall hastely goo to Caleys wyth greet company. Iff I thynke it be fore yow to be on, I shall nott for-geet yow. Item, thys daye the mater by-twyen Mestresse Anne Haulte and me hathe ben soore broken bothe to þe Cardynall, to my Lorde Chamberleyn, and to my-selffe, and I am in goode hope. When I heer and knowe moore, I shalle sende yow worde. It semythe þat the worlde is all qwaveryng. It will reboyle somwher, so þat I deme yonge men shall be cherysshyd; take yowre hert to yow. I feer þat I can nott be excusyd, but þat I shall forthe wyth my Lorde Hastyngys ouyre þe see; butt I shall sende yow worde in hast, and iff I goo I hope nott to tary longe. Item, to my brother Edmond: I am like to speke wyth Mestresse Dyxon in hast, and som deme þat þer shall be condyssendyd þat iff E.P. come to London þat hys costys shall be payed fore. I shall hastely sende yow worde off more thyngys. Wretyn at London þe xiiij daye off Feuerere Ao E. iiijti xvjo, þe Frydaye a-fore Fastyngong. John Paston, K.

To John Paston, esquyere, in hast.

I have receyvyd yowre letter and yowr man J. Bykerton, by whom I knowe all þe mater off Mestresse Brews, whyche iff it be as he seythe I praye Godde brynge it to a goode ende. Item, as for thys mater off Mestresse Barly, I holde it butt a bare thynge. I feele weell þat itt passyth nott...marke. I syghe hyre fore yowre sake. She is a lytell onys; she maye be a woman heere-afftre, iff she be nott olde nowe: hire person semyth xiij yere off age, hyre yerys men sey ben full xviij. She knowyth nott of the mater, I suppose. Neuerthelesse she desyryd to see me as gladde as I wasse to se hyre. I praye yow sende me som wryghtyng to Caleys off yowre spede wyth Mestresse Brewys. Bykerton tellyth me þat she lovyth yow weell. Iff I dyed I hadde lever ye hadde hyre than the Lady Wargrave; neuerthelesse she syngeth weell wyth an harpe. Clopton is aferde off Syr T. Greye, for he is a wydowere now late, and men sey þat he is aqueyntyd wyth hyre off olde. Nomore. Wretyn on Sondaye the ix daye off Marche Ao E. iiijti xvijo to Caleys warde. J. Paston, K. Iff ye haue Mestresse Brews and E. Paston Mestresse Bylyngford, ye be lyke to be bretheryn.

To my ryght worshypfull moodre Margret Paston.

Please it yow to weete þat I have receyvyd yowre letter wherin is remembryd the gret hurte þat by liklihod myght falle to my brother John iff so be þat thys mater betwyn hym and Syr Thomas Brewses doghtre take nott effecte wheroff I wolde be as sory as hym-selffe reasonably; and also þe welthy and convenyent mariage þat scholde be iff it take effecte, wheroff I wolde be as gladde as any man, and ame better content nowe þat he sholde have hyre than any other þat euyre he was hertoffoore abowte to have hadde - concyderyd hyre persone, hyre yowthe, and the stok þat she is comyn offe, þe love on bothe sydes, þe tendre fauore þat she is in wyth hyre fadre and moodre, the kyndenesse off hyre fadre and moodre to hyre in departyng wyth hyre, the favore also and goode conceyte þat they have in my brothere, the worshypfull and vertuous dysposicion off hire fadre and moodre, whyche prenostikyth þat of lyklihod the mayde sholde be vertuous and goode. All whyche concyderyd, and the necessary relyffe þat my brother most have, I mervayle the lesse þat ye have departyd and geuyn hym the maner of Sperham in suche forme as i haue knowleche off by W. Gornay, Lomnore, and Skypwyth; and i ame ryght gladde to se in yow suche kyndenesse on-to my brother as ye have doon to hym, and wolde by my trowthe levere than c li. þat it weere fee symple londe, as it is entaylyd, whyche by liklyhood scholde prospere wyth hym and hyis blode the better in tyme to come and sholde also neuer cavse debate in owre bloode in tyme to come, whyche Godde dyffende for that weere onnaturell. Item, an other jnconvenyence is, wher as i vndrestande þat the maner is gevyn to my brother and to hys wyff and to þe issywe bytwen them bygoten, iff the case weer soo þat he and she hadde yssywe togedre a dowtre ore moo, and hys wyffe dyed and he maried afftre an othere and hadde issywe a sone, þat sone sholde have noon londe. and he beyng hys fadris heyre. And for th'enconvenyence þat i have knowe late in vre in case lyke, and yit enduryth, in Kente by-twyen a jentylman and his sustre, i wolde ye toke the advyce off yowre concell in thys poynt. And that þat is past yow by wryghtyng ore by promyse i deme verrely in yow þat ye dyd it off kyndenesse and in eschywyng of a moore yll þat myght befall. Item, where as it pleasyth yow that i sholde ratefye, grawnt, ore conferme the seyde gyfte on-to my brother, it is so þat wyth myn honesté i may nott, and for other cawses. The Pope will suffre a thyng to be vsyd, but he will nott lycence nor grant it to be vsyd ner don; and soo i. My brother John knowyth myn entent weell j-now heer-to-foore in thys mater. I will be fownde to hym as kynde a brother as i maye be. Item, iff it be soo þat Syr T. Brews and hys wyff thynke þat i wolde troble my brother and hys wyff in the seyde maner, i can fynde no meene to putte them in sywerté þer-of but iff it weere to be bownde in an obligacion, wyth a condicion þat i shalle nott trowble ner inquiete them ther-in. Item, i thynke þat she is made sywer j-now in astate in the londe, and that off right i deme they shall make noone obstacles at my wryghtyng, for i hadde neuer non astate in the londe, nere i wolde nott þat i had hadde. No mor to yow at thys tyme, but All-myghty God have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at Caleys the xxviij daye of Marche Ao E. iiij xvjjo . By yowr sone J. Paston,K.

To John Paston, esquyere.

Ryght worshypfull and hertely belovyd brother, i recomaunde me to yow, letyng yow weete þat as by Pyrse Moody when he was heer i hadde no leysere to sende answere in wryghtyng to yow and to my cosyne Gurnaye off yowre letteris; butt for a conclusion, ye shalle fynde me to yowe as kynde as i maye be, my conciense and worshyp savyd, whyche when i speke wyth yowe and them ye bothe shall weell vndrestande. And i praye God sende yow as goode speede in þat mater as i wolde ve hadde, and as i hope ye shall have er thys letter come to yow; and i praye Gode sende yow yssywe betwyne yow þat maye be as honorable as euer was any off yowre ancestris and theris, wheroff i wolde be as gladde in maner as off myn owne. Wherffor i praye yow sende me worde how ye doo, and iff Godde fortune me to doo weell, and be off any powere, i woll be to Syr Thomas Brewse and my lady hys wyffe a verry sone in lawe for yowre sake, and take them as ye doo, and doo for them as iff i weere in case lyke wyth them as ye bee. No moore, but Jesus have yow in kepyng. Wretyn at Caleys the xiiij daye off Aprill Ao E. iiijti xvijo. As for tydyngys her, the Frenshe Kynge hathe gothen many off the townys off the Dukys off Borgoyne, as Seynt Quyntynys, Abevyle, Motrell, and now off late he hathe goten Betoyne and Hedynge wyth þe castell ther, whyche is on off þe ryallest castellys off the worlde; and on Sonday at euyn the Ameralle off Fraunce leyde seege at Boloyne, and thys daye it is seyde þat þe Frenshe Kynge shalle com thyddre, and thys nyght it is seyde þat ther was a vysion seyne abowte þe wallys off Boloyne, as it hadde ben a woman wyth a mervylowse lyght; men deme þat Owre Lady there will shewe hyre-selffe a lovere to þat towne. God forfende þat it weer Frenshe; it weer worthe xl ml li. þat it were Englyshe. J. Paston,k.

To hys weell belovyd brothere John Paston, esquyere.

I recomande me to yow, letyng yow weete þat i receyvyd a letter off yowrys by Edward Hensted ij dayes afftre þat Whetley was departyd from me, whyche he hadde forgetyn in hys caskett, as he seyde; wheroff i sholde have sente yow answere by Whetley iff i had hadde it to-fore he wente. Notwythstondyng i am ryght lothe to wryghte in that mater offte, fore for a conclusion i wrote to my moodre by Peerse Moody alle þat i myght and wolde doo ther-in. Ye have also nowe wretyn ageyn. Yow neede nott to praye me to doo þat myght be to yowre profyght and worshyp, þat i myght doo, offter than onys, or to late me weete theroff; for to my powere I wolde do for yow and take as moche peyne for yowre weell, and remembre itt when par case ye sholde nott thynke on it yowre-selffe. I wolde be as gladde þat one gaffe yow a maner off xx li. by yeere as if he gave it to my selffe, by my trowthe. Item, wher ye thynke þat i may wyth concience recompence it ageyn on-to owre stokke off other londys þat i have off þat valywe in fee symple, it is so þat Snaylwell, by my grauntefadrys will onys and by my fadris will sceconderely, is entaylyd to þe issyw off my fadrys body. Item, as for Sporle xx li. by yeer, i hadde ther-off butt xx marke by yere, whyche xx marke by yeere and the x marke ouyre i have endangeryd, as ye weell knowe off þat bargayne, whyche iff itt be nott redemyd i most recompence som other maner of myn to on off my bretheryn for the seyde x marke ouyr xx marke þat longith to me; wherffor i kepe the maner off Runham. Than have i fe symple londe þe maner off Wynterton, wyth Bastwyk and Billys, whyche in alle is nott xx marke by yeere, whyche is nott to þe valywe off þe maner off Sparham. And as for Castre, it weer noo convenyent lond to exchange for suche a thyng, nore it weere nott polesy for me to sett þat maner jn suche case, for alle maner off happis. I nede nott to make thys excuse to yowe but þat yowre mynde is troblyd. I praye yow reioyse nott yowre-sylffe to moche in hope to opteyne thynge þat alle yowre freendys may nott ease yow off; for iff my moodre were dysposyd to gyve me and any woman in Ingelande the best maner þat she hathe, to have it to me and my wyffe and to þe heyrys off owre too bodyes begotyn, i wold nott take it off hyre, by God. Stablysshe yowre-selffe vppon a goode grownde, and grace shall folowe. Yowre mater is ferre spoken off and blowyn wyde, and iff it preve noo better i wolde þat it had neuer be spoken off. Also, þat mater noysyth me þat i am so onkynde þat i lette alle togedre. I thynke notte a mater happy, nore weell handelyd, nore poletykly dalte wyth, when jt can neuer be fynysshyd wyth-owte an inconvenyence, and to any suche bargayne i kepe neuer to be condescentyng nere off cowncell. Iffe i weere att the begynnyng off suche a mater, i wolde have hopyd to have made a better conclusyon, iff they mokke yow notte. Thys mater is drevyn thus ferforthe wyth-owte my cowncell; i praye yow make an ende wyth-owte my cowncell. Iffe it be weell, i wolde be glad; iff it be oderwyse, it is pité. I praye yow troble me no moore in thys mater.

To John Paston, esqwyere.

I recomand me to yow, letyng yow weete þat i have spoken wyth Herry Colett and entretyd hym in my best wyse for yow, soo þat at þe last he is agreyd to a resonable respyght for þe xv li. þat ye sholde have payd hym at Mydsomer, as he seyth, and is gladde to do yow ease or plesyre in all þat he maye. And i tolde hym þat ye wolde, as i supposyd, be heere at London herre nott longe to, and than he lokyth afftre þat ye sholde com see hym, for he is sheryff and hathe a goodely hows. Item, my lady off Oxenfforth lokyth afftre yow, and Arblaster bothe. My lorde off Oxenfford is nott comen jn-to Inglonde þat i can perceyve, and so þe goode lady hathe nede off helpe and cowncell howe þat she shall doo. No moore at thys tyme, but God have yow in kepyng. Wretyn att London on Seynt Awdryes Daye Ao E. iiijti xvijo . Tydyngys, butt þat yisterdaye my lady Marqueys off Dorset, whyche is my Lady Hastyngys dowtre, hadd chylde a sone. Item, my Lord Chamberleyn is comen hyddre fro Caleys and redyn wyth þe Kynge to Wyndeshore, and þe Kynge wille be here ageyn on Mondaye. J.P.,K.

To þe ryght worshypfull Mestresse Margret Paston.

Please it yow to weete þat i have receyvyd yowre letter wretyn þe Tywesdaye nexte afftre Seynt James Daye, wherin ye desyre me to remembre Kokett, and also to be helpyng to my brother Johnys mariage. As fore Kokett, as God helpe me i knowe nott yitt the meanys possible þat i myght paye hym by thatt daye; for thoos materis þat be off grettest wyght and charge and þat stonde nerrest my weell, þat is to seye the sywerté off þe maner off Castre, and the mater bytwen Anne Hault and me, shall wyth Goddys grace thys terme be at a perffyght ende, whyche will charge me ferthere than i have mony as yitt, ore lyke to have byffore that tyme off myn owne, and as God helpe me i wote nott where to borow. Item, i most paye wyth-in thys iij yeere iiij marke to Towneshende ore ellis forffett the maner off Sporle, and thus my chargys be gretter than i maye a-weye wyth, concidryd suche helpe as i have. And iff it fortunyd þat i forffetyd the maner off Sporle, ye weere neuer lyke to se me myry afftre, so God helpe me. Ye gave me onys xx li. to it wardys, and ye promyttyd as moche, whyche i receyvyd; and synnys off my mony off seyde maner growyng þat come to yowre handys was receyvyd by yow ageyn the seyde xl li., whyche when Kokett scholde be payed was nott yowre ease to departe wyth. Neuerthelesse ye maye yitt, when yow lyketh, perfforme yowre sayde gyffte and promyse, and thys somme owyng to Kokett is nott so moche. Neuerthelesse i suppose þat ye be nott so weell purveyd; wherffore, iff it please yow at yowre ease here-afftre to performe yowre seyde gyffte and promysse, so þat i maye have it wyth-in a yere ore ij, ore yitt iij, i sholde par case gete yowre obligacion to yow ageyn from Kokett, and he pleasyd. Wherffor i beseche yow þat i maye have an assyngnement off suche dettys as been owyng yow, payeable at leysere off suche mony as is owyng for the woode at Basyngham ore ellys-wher, for so God helpe me i sholde ellys wylfully ondoo my-selffe; wherin i beseche yow to sende me an answere in hast. Item, as towchyng the mariage off my brother John, i have sente hym myn advyce and tolde hym wherto he shall truste, and i have grauntyd hym as moche as i maye. I wolde þat i weere at on comunycacion atwyen them for hys sake, whyche i sholde iff i myght. As fore my comyng home, i ame nott yitt sertayn theroff. I shalle hast me as faste as i canne, wyth þe grace off God, who have yow in hys kepyng. I beseche yow to remembre the premyssis and to helpe me, and wyth Goddys grace thes ij materis above wretyn, bothe off Castre and Mestresse Anne Hault, shall be endyd to my profyth and rest, and moore-ovyre ere awghte longe to, wyth Goddys grace, the maner off Sporle to be owte off dangere; promyttyng yow þat i shall doo jn Kokettys mater as moche as is possible for me to doo to yowre plesyre. It shall neuer neede to prykk nor threte a free horse. I shall do whatt i can. Wretyn the Thorysdaye next byffore Seynt Lawrence Ao E. iiijti xvijo. By yowre sone John Paston, K.

I, John Paston, knyght, in the last day of October anno Domini mlcccclxxvijo, will, graunte, and be-queth my sowle to All-myghty God and to the ... Marye, Seint John Baptist, Seint Gorge, Seint Cristofure, and Seint Barbara, and my body, yf i dyghe the cyté of London ..., of Owre Lady in the Whithe Frerys there, at the northe-est cornere of the body of the chyrche, and there to be made an oratory ...d or muche leke as ys ouer Syr Thomas Browne in the Frere Prechours, to the valour of xx li., so that it may cause ... there prayours there the rathere to remenbre my sowle and to pray therefore; and that there be geuyn to the behoff ...at plotte of grounde be made suere vnto me for euer the some of xx marc. ...dayly be the space of an holl yere by soumme well disposed brothere of the same howse, and that the seyd brother ...notwithstonding yf i decesse in the counté of Norffolk or there nye abouute, i wolde my bodye were buried at the priory of Bromholm ny vn-to the founders toumbe, which arche is vn-to the northsyde and ryght agayn my fadyre toumbe ...with an awtere and a toumbe for me to the value of xxli., and that the howse there have a rewarde ... to the Frerys of London, and that there be also a broder of that howse to synge for my sowle by one ...s salarye. ..a closette made at my cost ouer my faders body there to the value of xx li. so that owre cousyns ...y have the more deuocion to that place and the rathere reste there bodyes there the encresse of the ... encrese and profite of the howse and reste on the religeus thereof lyke as owre auncetours have ...and to the entent that i have disclosed but on-to fewe persons concernyng the fee ferme that is payed ...the Duke of Suffolk. ...brothere John, yf i dye with-owth yssue leffull of my bodye, have the maner of Swaywell to hym and ... accordyng to the willez both of myn graunfadere and of my fadere, on whos sowles God have mercye the ...esse. ... Bysshope of Wynchestere or his assygnes woll and fynde suerté to do founde at the lyste iiij prestys ... of John Fastolf and his frendys, &c., at Caster, and that there be bylded loggyng conueniant for those ...r adioynyng vppon the bakhous ouer the gardeyn withouuth the mote on the weste syde of my ...es in the seid maner or maners yn Caster graunt by chartour grounde, space, and londe conuenyant for such ... entré and yssue therunto and to that entent and byldyng or purchasyng of license of the Kyng ... profitez of the seid maners holly be expendid the terme of vij yerez next after my dissece, and moreouer ... resorte theder in his owne persone to ouer-see the werkys or byldyng or establyssyng of the seyd howse ...have playn lyberté to dwell with-jnne my seid maner and fortresse the seid terme of vij yerez and that t... ...prestys. ...chapell of Seint John Baptyst withyn the seyd towne of Caster, with all the profitez yerly of that same, be geuyn ...ed to the seyd college or howse for euermore. with lycence therunto had of the Kyng and of the Pope with ... in Castre beforeseyd, which londis with the seyd chapell schalbe of the yerly value of vij li. yerly ...ment of one prest aboue the charge that the Bysshope will do to pray for the sowles of my fadere ... Thomas Lyndys, clerk, and of Syr John Dawbeney, and that after this aboue wretyn be performed, yf that ...es make astate by fyne reryd and enrolled in the Kynges courte of the seid maner and maners in Castre ...the yssue of his bodye lauffully comyeng. And for defaute of yssue of his body lawfully ...remayne to the issue of my moders lawfully commynge. And for defaute of yssue of here body lawfully commyng ... myn vncle Edward Maudeby and the yssue of his body lawffully commynge. And that for defaute ...comyng that the seyd maners remayn to my cousyn Syr William Calthorpe and to the right eyrez ... for defaute of issue of his body lawfully commyng the seyd maners to reuerte to the ... ...chapell of the seyd collage be presented by the lordys of my seid maner ...gned by Syr John Fastolff. ...eryng de eadem villa vendatur per executores meos ad perimplendum et persoluendum ...em inuenerit securitatem ad redimendum manerium de Sporle predictum quod si ipse ... x acre terre de eisdem perquesite de Johanne Kendall tempore debito dentur predicto Johanni fratri ...legittime procreatis. Et defectu exitus legittimi de predicto Johanne fratre meo tunc predicte terre et tenementa remaneant ...y triaui mei legittime procreatis;et pro defectu exitus legittimi predicti triaui mei tunc remaneant Willelmo ...ipsius Willelmi legittime procreatis. Et pro defectu exitus legittimi predicti Willelmi tunc omnia predicta terre et tenementa ... assignatis imperpetuum, proviso quod executores testamenti Willelmi Pekering habeant x marcas pro ... habeat xxxvij acras terre de predictis terris sibi per volountatem patris eius assignatis siue legatis si tante ... terre que idem Johannes vendidit sint de numero illarum acrarum sibi limitatarum per Nicholaum patrem predicti Johannis ac... recompensacionem eo quod idem Johannes forte credidit quod ipse iuste potuit vendere queque terras et tenementa in feofamento ...patris, non obstante quod pater predictus non declarauit quicquid faciendum de dictis terris suis vltra certas acras ...na ipsius patris.

To John Paston, esquiere, ande to Osberne Berney and to eueryche off them be thys letter delyueryd.

I recomaunde me to yowe, and thanke yow off yowre labore þat ye hadde at Heylesdon and Drayton in seyng þe woodys there; and it is soo heere þat Richard Ferore seyde þat he repentyd hym þat euyre he dalte wyth any woode theere, and iff i hadde sente hym but þe leest chylde þat i hadde to have warnyd hym to leve he wolde notte have dalte ther-wyth. And he fonde noo comfforte in the Chancery but þat he is lyke to contente me for the harmes and hurte þat is doone, and moore-ovyre he hathe an injoncyon þat he shall felle noo moore. Item, wheere as he desyryd me to be freendly to hym, i dalte so wyth hym þat i trowe he wylle reporte þat i seyde and dalte moore cortesly wyth hym than he demyd þat i woolde doo. Yitt for alle inconvenyencys þat myght falle, i wolde be gladde to have a weell stomakyd felawe þat wolde for my sake euerye daye see the seyde woodys off Heylesdon and Drayton and to knowe iff any weere fellyd heer-afftre, and iffe there be any fellyd syns that Whetley was theere, and i can preve it by wytnesse, I sholde have better recompence for euery tree than iiij trees weere worthe. Item, it is so þat he hathe answeryd to my bille, wheryn he seythe þat he neuer knywe byfor the subpena delyueryd hym þat i hadde any clayme or entrest in the maner off Heylesdon, but þat it was peasyblé my lordys off Suffolk. Wherffor i suppose þat there be many men in Norwyche þat comonyd wyth hym off the byenge off that woode ere evyr he made hys fulle bergayne; and par aventur some freendys off hys gave hym warnyng ther-off and off myn entrest. Iff any suche credyble mane þat hadde hadde any suche langage to hym, or in hys companye, ere than he bargayned, or any man þat he laboryd to be halffe marchant or byere wyth hym, ar any man þat refusyd to bye the seyde woode bycawse off myn entrest in the presence off Ferore, any such credyble man maye, iff he wyll wytnesse ther-in wyth me or þat dare avowe it, sholde be to me a remedy off alle that is fellyd. I praye yow iff ye can heere any suche þat ye will in the presence off them make a bylle off remembraunce theroff. and off ther sayng, so þat they maye her-afftre wytnesse in þe mater. Neuerthelesse trowthe it is that he hadde knowleche theroff j-nowe, and soo hadde euery man off hys havore in Norwych, i dowt nott. And as for hym, i ame sure he hadde knowleche, for so moche as he desyryd at hys bargayn to have a sywerté to be savyd harmeles ageyn me, whyche was grawntyd hym butt nott executyd. No mor, butt i hope wyth Goddys grace to have hastely goode remedy for the hole maner, and off Drayton therto and alle the remenaunte. Wretyn at London the v daye off Maye Ao E iiijti xviijo.

To my ryght worshypfull moodre Margrete Paston be thys delyueryd.

Please it yow to weete þat, where as i entendyd to have ben at home thys Mydsomer, and purposyd wyth yowre goode helpe to have bygonne vppon my fadrys tombe so þat it myght have ben endyd thys somyre, it is soo þat fore suche cawsys as are nowe bygvnne by-twyen my lorde off Suffolk and me for the manerys off Heylesdon, Drayton, &c., for whyche materis i most nedys be heere thys nexte terme, therffor i deme jt wolle be afftre Mydsomer ere than i can see yowe. Please it yow also to weete þat i comonyd wyth Master Pykenham to weete iffe he wolde bye the clothe off golde fore soo moche as he desyryd onys to have bowte it, and he offryd me onys xx marke therffore. Neuerthelesse it coste me xxiiij li.; yit nowe when þat i spake to hym ther-off he refusyd to bye it, and seyde þat he hadde nowe so many chargys þat he maye nott. Butt it is soo þat the kynge dothe make sertayne copys and vestymentys off like clothe whyche he entendyth to gyve to the coledge at Foodryngeye wher my lorde hys fadre is nowe buryed, and he byethe at a grete pryce. i comonyd wyth the vestment maker for to helpe me forthe wyth xij yerdys, and he hathe grauntyd me to doo, as Whetleye can telle yow; wherffor, iff it plese yow that it be bystowyd for to make a towmbe for my fadre at Bromholme, iff ye lyke to sende it hyddre, iffe it be solde i vndretake or Mychelmesse þat ther shalle be a tombe and somwhatt ellys ovyre my fadris grave, on whoys sowle God have mersye, þat ther shalle noone be lyke it in Norffolk, and as ye shalle be gladde herafftre to see it. And Gode sende me leyser þat i maye come home; and iff i doo nott, yitt the monye shalle be pitte to noon other vse but kepyd by some þat ye trust tylle þat it maye be bystowyd acordyng as is above wretyn; and ellys i gyve yow cawse neuyre to trust me whylle ye and i lyve. When i was last wyth yow ye grauntyd þat the seyde clothe off golde sholde be bywaryd abowte thys werke þat is above wretyn, whyche iff ye wylle perfforme, i vndretake þat ther shalle be suche a towmbe as ye shalle be pleased wyth, thowghe it cost me xx marke off myn owne purse besyde, iff i onys sette vppon it. No more, but i beseche Goode have yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at London þe Wednysdaye in Whyghtsonweke Ao E. iiijti xviijo. Please it yow to sende me worde by Whetleye off yowre plesyre her-in. By yowre sone John Paston,K.

To John Paston, esquyere, be thys lettre delyueryd, ore to my mestresse hys wyffe at Norwych to delyuer to hym.

Brother John, i recomaund me to yow, and i thanke God, my sustre yowre wyffe, and yow off my fayre nevywe Crystofre whyche i vndrestande ye have, where-off i ame ryght gladde and i praye God sende yow manye iff it be hys plesyre. Neuerthelesse ye be nott kynde þat ye sende me no wetyng ther-off; i hadde knowleche by footemen ore euer ye kowde fynde any massanger on horsbak to brynge me worde ther-off. Syr, it is soo þat the Duke of Bokyngham shall come on pilgrymage to Walsyngham, and so to Bokenham Castell to my lady hys sustre, and then it is supposyd þat he shalle to my lady off Norffolk; and myn oncle William comythe wyth hym. And he tellyth me þat ther is like to be troble in the maner off Oxenhed, wherffore i praye yow take hede lesse þat the Duke off Suffolk councell pley therwyth now at the vacacion off the beneffyse as they ded wyth the beneffice off Drayton, whyche by the helpe off Master John Salett and Donne hys man ther was a qweste made by the seyde Donne þat fownde þat the Duke off Suffolk was verrye patrone, whyche was false yitt they ded it fore an euydence. But nowe iff any suche pratte scholde be laboryd it is, i hope, in bettre case, for suche a thynge most needys be fownde byffore Master John Smyth, whyche is owre olde freende; wherffor i praye yow labore hym þat iff neede bee he maye doo vsse a freendys torne ther-in. Item, bothe ye ande i most nedys take thys matere as owre owne, and it weere for noon other cawse butt for owre goode grawntdames sake. neuerthe lesse ye woote well thatt ther is an other entresse longyng to vsse afftre here dysceasse. Iffe ther be any suche thynge begune ther by suche a fryere or prest, as it is seyde, i mervayle þat ye sente me no worde ther-off; butt ye haue nowe wyffe and chylder, and so moche to kare fore thatt ye forgete me. Asfor tydyngys here, i her telle þat my cosyn Syr Robert Chamberleyn hathe entryd the maner off Scolton vppon yowre bedffelawe Conyerse, wher-off ye sende me no worde. Item, yonge William Brandon is in warde and arestyd fore thatt he scholde have by force ravysshyd and swyvyd an olde jentylwoman, and yitt was nott therwyth easyd but swyvyd hyr oldest dowtre and than wolde have swyvyd the othere sustre bothe, wher-fore men sey fowle off hym, that he wolde ete the henne and alle her chekynnys; and som sey þat the Kynge entendyth to sitte vppon hym, and men seye he is lyke to be hangyd, for he hathe weddyd a wedowe. Item, as for the pagent þat men say þat the Erle of Oxenfforde hathe pleyid atte Hammys, i suppose ye have herde theroff, itt is so longe agoo. i was nott jn thys contré when the tydyngys come, therfor i sent yow no worde ther-off; butt for conclusion, as i here seye, he lyepe þe wallys and wente to þe dyke and in-to þe dyke to þe chynne, to whatt entent i cannott telle--- some sey to stele awey and some thynke he wolde have drownyd hym-selfe, and so it is demyd. No more, butt i ame nott sertayne whether i shall come home in hast ore nott. Wretyn at London the daye nexte Seynt Bartelmewe Ao E. iiijti xviijo. John Paston, K.

To Mestresse Margrete Paston be thys delyueryd.

Please it yow to weete þat i sende yow by Barkere, the berere heroff, iij triacle pottes off Geane, as my potecarie swerytht on-to me, and mooreouyre that they weer neuer ondoo syns þat they come from Geane; wheroff ye shalle take as many as pleasyth yow. Neuerthe lesse my brother John sente to me for ij; þerfore i most beseche yowe þat he maye have at þe leste on. There is on potte þat is morkyn ondre þe bottome ij tymes wyth thyes letteris, "M.P.", whyche potte i have best truste on-too, and nexte hym to þe wryghe potte; and i mystruste moost þe potte þat hathe a krotte abovyn in the toppe, lesse þat he hathe ben ondoone. And also the other ij pottys be prentyd wyth þe marchauntys marke too tymes on the coueryngys, and that other potte is butt onys morkyn but wyth on prente. Notwythstondyng i hadde lyke othe and promyse for on as well as for alle. Item, it was soo þat i was yisterdaye wyth myn oncle Mautebyes wyffe, and delyueryd yowre letter, and lete her wete also þat ye had wretyn to me to speke wyth hyre and to have delyueré off suche euydencys as she hathe. And in effecte she is nott dysposyd to delyuer them on-to þe tyme þat she be in sywerté off her mony off the arreragys on-to myn oncle here husbonde, whyche she seythe is abowte þe somme off xx li.; and that doone she woll delyuer them, and ellys nott. And than i prayed hyre to se them, and soo at þe laste she grauntyd me to see them, and so yisterdaye i sawe them; and ther come iiij off her neyborys and wer ther present, whyche as i conseyuyd wer but shewyd and browte vppe for þat i sholde thynke þat she lakked noon helpe; and many suche soleyn toyes she hathe, and she hopyth þat ye sholde depart wyth her wyth a fee off x marke or xx marke by yeer. Bott as God helpe me i thynke, contrary to her promyse made to me, she hathe laten other folkys see thos euydencys, for she knywe euery dede weelle j-nowe and browte me forthe fyrst iij boxis wyth olde euydencys, i syghe neuer older, but as to seye þat ther be any þat will avayle, as God helpe me i deme nott there is nott paste x ore xij olde dedys þat i wolde gyffe for a grote, and yitt ther be abowte a houndred olde dedys in alle iij boxis. And than for a seconde corse she browte me iij other deedys endentyd off suche astate as was made to myn ij onclys off Sall, Wynterton, &c., and off them wolde she speke no worde tyll þat i tolde heer þat she most needys have suche; and soo she wolde graunte noo more, saff þat i bare hyre soo on hande þat i wost weell ther were more, so at þe last she seyde þat she shalle delyuer alle iff she have her monye. It is a peyne to deele wyth hyre. I sawe the wylle and testament off myn oncle her hosbonde, whyche is prowyd and vndre my lorde Kardynallys sealle, and she provyd sool executryse and hathe taken admynestracion; i syghe it vndre sealle. Wherffor i thynke beste þat ye purveye the on halffe off her arreragys and sende it hyddre, and at þe receyvyng off that halffe i hope þat she shalle delyuer alle the euydencys and truste yow for þe other halffe tylle Candelmesse ore Esterne, as i deme. But jn effecte she moste be sworyn, and other bothe whyche as i shalle devyse, whyche i deme hathe ouyre-lokyd the euydencys; and soo we shall make the best ther-off þat can be, and ellys, as she seythe her-selffe and as she lokythe afftre, þat ye scholde cause here to be hadde byffor the Chauncelere. She is in many thyngys full lyke a wyffe off London and off Londone kyndenesse, and she woll needys take advise off Londonerys, wheche i telle here can nott advyse her howghe she scholde deele weell wyth any body off worshyp. And i tolde here þat she owghte off ryght to truste better to yowre promyse than ye scholde on-to herys, but ther-in she woll compare wyth a better woman than her-selffe as off her promyse, and yit i deme it is broken. I praye yow sende me worde her-off by the next massengere. I tolde her also þat but iffe she pleasyd yow þat she wer neuer lyke to have peny ther-off, for she canne nott dystreyne ther-for, and as for yow, ye neuer receyvyd peny theroff. Neuerthe lesse yowre wryghtyng to her and yowre promyse is j-nowghe to her to be in suerté þat she shalle be payed. I hope to doo welle, and the better for that þat ye sente me, jn alle my materys.

Memorandum vppon the presse at þe ferther ende is a box wyth ij ore iij bondellis wyth euydence off Oxenhed and Hauteyn. Memorandum that ther is rollis tytelyd vppon them ' contra William Paston', and they be owther vppon the presse or on the cowntre or on the shelffe by the cowntre, or ellys in the cowntre on that syde next the shelffe. To enquire off myn oncle William, off Jane, off my grauntdamys wylle, and whoo wrot itt, and whether she be buried or noo, and who weer present at hyre wylle makyng, and iff she spake owte off her londes. Inquire off the Kynge the Chaunceler Milorde Chamberleyn Syr Thomas Mongomeré Mi lorde Cardynall Master Bele and hys clerke for my faderys wille.

To þe ryght worshypfull Mestresse Margret Paston be thys delyueryd.

Please it yow to weete þat i have ben heer at London a xiiij nyght, wheroff the first iiij dayes i was in suche feere off the syknesse, and also fownde my chambre and stuffe nott so clene as i demyd, whyche troblyd me soore; and as i tolde yow at my departyng i was nott weell monyed, for i hadde nott paste x marke, wheroff i departyd xl s. to be delyueryd off my olde bedfelawe, and then i rode be-yonde Donstaple and there spake wyth on off my cheffe wittnessis, whyche promysed me to take labore and to gete me wryghtyngys towchyng thys mater bytwyen me and þe Duke off Suffolk, and i rewardyd hym xx s; and then as i jnformyd yow i payed v marke jncontynent vppon my comyng hyddre to replegge owte my gowne off velwett and other geer. And then i hopyd to have borowyd some off Towneshend, and he hathe foodyd me forthe euyre synys, and in effecte i cowde have at þe most and at þe soneste yisterdaye xx s.; wherffor i beseche yow to purveye me c s., and also to wryght to Pekok þat he purveye me as moche, c s., whyche i suppose þat he hathe gaderyd at Paston and other placys by thys tyme. For wyth-owte i have thys x li., as God helpe me, i fere i shalle doo butt litell goode in noo mater, nor yitt i woote nott howe to come home but iff i have it. Thys geer hathe troblyd me so þat it hathe made me moore than halffe seke, as God helpe me. Item, i vndrestande þat myn oncle William hathe made labor to þ'exchetor, and þat he hathe bothe a wrytte off diem clawsyth extremum and also a supercedeas. I have wretyn to þe exchetor ther-in off myn entent. Iff myn oncle hadde hys will in that, yitt sholde he be neuer nerre the londe, butt in effecte he shold have thys avauntage whyche is behovefull for a weyke matere, to have a coloure ore a clooke ore a botrase. But on Tywesdaye i was wyth þe Bysshop off Hely, whyche shewyth hym-selffe goode and worshypfull, and he seyde þat he sholde sende to myn oncle William þat he sholde nott procede in no suche mater till þat he speke wyth hym; and moore-ouyre þat he scholde cawse hym to be heer hastelye. In whyche mater is no remedy as nowe, butt iff it were soo þat þe exchetor, iff he be entretyd to sytte by myn oncle William, whyche par case he shall nott, þat iff my brother John and Lomnore have knowleche off the daye, and they myght be there, Lomnore can geve euydence j-now in that mater wyth-owte þe boke. And more-ouyre þat they see bothe the letter and the other noote þat i sende to þe exchetor, and wyth helpe off th'exchetor all myght be as beste is. And iff my brother and Lomnor take labor her-in, i shall recompence ther costys. Wretyn in haste wyth schort advisement on the Frydaye next Seyntys Symond and Jude A0 E. iiijti xixo. Late my brother John se thys bille, for he knoweth mor off thys mater. John Paston,K.

I recomawnde me to yow, and lete yow wete þat notwythstandyng tydingges come downe, os ye knowe, þat pepill shuld not come vp tyll thei were sent fore, but to be redy at all tymes, this notwithstandyng mech pepill owt of this cuntré 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 cuntré that have waged hem shall thynk thei be dischargid. And therfore if this lordes above wayte aftyr more pepill in this cuntré, 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 cuntré, 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 broþer 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 cuntré 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 cuntré wold fayne take these fals shrewes that arn in oppynion contrary yo the Kyng and his counsell, if they had any auctorité 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.

To my most reuerent and worchepfull fadyr John Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 prosperyté, the whyche i prey God preserue and kepe to hys plesans and to yowyr hertys desyir. Plesyt yow to haue knowlage þat i haue spoke wyth Warwyk and Stwklé fore the plase and þe 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 Stwklé hathe promysyd me þat 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 Stwklé had promysyd me to purvey for the londys for thys yer, i cownselyd my modyr þat 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 þat 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 þe yonger

To my ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr John Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

Ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr, i recomand me on-to yow, besechyng yow lowly of yowyr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to haue knowlage þat my lord is purposyd to send for my lady, and is lyke to kepe hys Crystmas her in Walys, for þe Kyng hathe desyiryd hym to do þe same. Wherfor i beseche yow þat ye wole wychesaue to send me some mony by the berer herof, for in good feythe, as it is not onknowyng to yow, þat i had but ij noblys in my purse whyche þat 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 þat is my leueré gowne and we must wer hem euery day for þe 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 þe garyson of Bamborowhg, and is lyke to be hedyd, by þe menys of Syr Rychard Tunstale is owne brodyr. As sone as i her ony more tydyngys i schall send hem yow, by þe grace of God who haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn in hast at the castyl of þe Holt vp-on Halowmas Daye. Yowyr sone and lowly seruaunt J. Paston, junior

To my ryth worchepfull brodyr John Paston the older, sone of John Paston, esqwyer, be thys delyueryd in hast.

Ryth worchepfull brodyr, i recomand me to yow. Plesyt yow to wet þat 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 þe 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 þe 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 schall none be not yet, for the Scottys kepe no promes. Lord of Warwyk lythe at þe 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 þe 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 þat 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 joperté toward not yet; and ther be ony joperté 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, þat 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 þat i and my felawschep and your seruauntys are at þe wrytyng of þis lettyr in good hell, blesyd be God. i pray yow let my fadyr haue knowlage of thys lettyr and of the todyr lettyr þat 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 þat 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 þe Consepsion of Owyr Lady. Yowyr John Paston the yongest. i pray yow let Rychard Call se thys lettyr.

To my ryȝte reuerent and worchepfull fadyr John Paston, dwellyng in Castyr, be thys delyueryd.

Ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr, i recomand me on-to yow, besechyng yow lowly of youyr blyssyng, desyiryng to her of youyr wellfar and prosperyté, the whyche i pray God preserue on-to hys plesans and to yowyr hertys desyir; besechyng yow to haue me excusyd þat ye had no wrytyng fro me syth þat i departyd frome yow, 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 þat 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 þe Dwke of Somersettys goyng; and they wer apelyd of othyr serteyn poyntys of treson. And thys mater, and by-cause the Kyng sent my lord woord to keep thys contré, 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 þat be apechyd ar thes.John Hanmer and William hys sone, Roger Pulyston and Edward of Madok. These be men of worchepe þat 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 þat i supose ye haue herd be-for. i supose veryly þat it schall be so nye Estern er euer my lord come to London þat i schal not moue come home to yow be-for Estern, wher-for i beseche yow þat ye wole wychesaue that on of youyr men may send a byll to myn oncyll Clement or to some othyr man, who þat ye wole, in youyr name, þat they may delyuer me the mony that i am be-hynd of þis quarter syne Crystmas, and for the next qwarter in parte of þat some þat 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 lord hathe had gret cost syn he cam hedyr; wherfor i beseche yow that i may haue þis mony at Estern, for i haue borowyd mony þat i must paye a-yen at Estern. And i pray to All-myty God haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn in þe castyll of the Holte in Walys the fyrst daye of Marche. Youyr sone and lowly seruant John Paston þe yongest

Ryth reuerent and worchepfull fadyr, i recomand me on-to yow, besechyng yow lowly of youyr blyssyng. Plesit yow to haue knowlage how þat 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 Alyngton; 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 Alyngton 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 þe 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 Alyngton prayith yow þat 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 þer 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 þat 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 Alyngton and Loueday ther-of, and Loueday seyd he knew non þat 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 þat wold pase vpon þe mater at his desyir, but he asygnyd dyuers men þat loue not Jeney, whyche he kowd thynk wold pase vpon it at yowr desyir if ye spak wyth hem youyrselue or at þe 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 þe gape at Nakton, Rychard Call seyth that it was a thorn busche was leyd in wyth-owt a stake be-twyx ij thornys þat 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 Trinité Sonday. My cosyn Heuenyngham is at London, and he kowd asygne yow men that wold sey as he wold, mor than Syr John Wyngfeld, Alyngton, and all. youyr sone and lowly seruant John Paston þe yongest

To my mastras Margaret Paston be thys delyueryd in hast at London.

Aftyr all humbyll and most dwe recomendacion, as lowly as i can i beseche yow of youyr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to wet þat 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, þat i may haue an answer in þe 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 þat schall brynge me an answer of þe mater of Cotton. Also, modyr, i beseche yow þat ther may be purueyd some meane þat i myth haue sent me home by þe same mesenger ij peyir hose, j peyir blak and an othyr peyir of roset, whyche be redy made for me at the hosers wyth þe crokyd bak next to þe Blak Freyrs gate wyth-in Ludgate; John Pampyng knowyth hym well j-now. i suppose and þe blak hose be payid for, he wyll send me þe roset vnpayd for. I beseche yow þat þis 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 þe garyson of Heylysdon fare well, blyssyd be God, and recomand hem to yow euerychon. i pray yow vysyt þe 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 þat 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 Trinyté haue yow in kepyng, and my fayir mastras of þe Fleet. Wretyn at Norwhche on Holy Rood Daye. Youyr sone and lowly seruaunt J. Paston þe yongest

To my ryth reuerend and worchepfull fadyr John Paston be thys delyueryd.

Aftyr all humbyll and most dwe recomendacion, as lowly as i can i beseche yow of youyr blyssyng. Plesyt yow to haue knowlege þat, 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 þat came not to me, wherby i was ner deseyuyd; for when Debnam herd sey how þat i began to gadyr syluyr he reysyd many men wyth-in j daye and an halfe, to þe nombyr of iijc men, as i was credebly assartaynyd by a yeman of þe 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat he takyth vs bothe for hys men and so we be knowyn well j-now; vpon whyche jnformacion and dysworchep to my lord þat tweyn of hys men schold debat so ner hym, contrary to þe 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 þat 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 þat we schold neythyr gadyr no felawschep, but syche men as we had gadryd þat we schold send hem home a-yen and þat the coort schold be contenuyd in-to the tyme þat my lord, or syche as he wold asyngne, had spok bothe wyth yow and Yeluerton and Jenney, and þat on jndeferent man chosyn by us bothe schold be assynyd to kep the plase in-to þe tyme þat ye and they wer spook wyth. And then i answered my lord and seyd how þat at that tyme i had my mastyr wyth-in þe maner of Cotton, whyche was my modyr, and in-to the tyme þat 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 þe soner be-cause he trustyd to haue a good end of þis 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 þis mater abowt; for then he wold trust to haue youyr seruyse alle, whyche wer to hym gret tresour and auantage. And þis was the answer þat my modyr and i gaue hym, þat at þe instans of my lord and my ladye we wold do þus myche as for to put þe coort in contenuans and no more to receyue of þe profytys of þe maner than we had, and had dystresid for, tyll in-to þe tym that sche and i had word ayen fro my lord and yow if so wer þat þey 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 þe 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 þat 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 þe possessyon of þe plase, we told hym þat we wold kepe it, and Syr Gylberd agreyd so that Yeluerton and Jeney wold do þe same, for it was tyme for hym to sey so for my lord told hym þat he wold set hym fast by the feet ellys to be suyr of hym þat he schold make non jnsurreccions in-to þe tyme þat my lord came ayen fro London. I wene, and so dothe my modyr bothe, þat thys appoyntment was mad in good tyme, for i was deseyuyd of bettyr than an c men and an halfe þat 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 þat i cepyd Cotton, and he rod to Nacton and ther held a cort and receyuyd þe profytys of the maner. I beseche yow þat i may haue knowlage in hast fro yow how ye wyll þat 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 agré to thys appoyntment or not. I thynk he dar do non othyr wyse. Yowyr sone and lowly seruaunt John Paston

To my mastyr Syr John Paston logyng in Fletstret be thys delyueryd.

Syr, lyekyth it yow to wet þat thys day my modyr sent me your lettyrs, wer-by i vndyrstand, blessyd be God, all thyng standyth in good wey. Also i vndyrstand by your lettyr sent to my modyr and me þat 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 þat 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 þat it was fayne to tak couert in your bakhous systern at Caster Halle; and it was wet wyth-in an owyr aftyr þat 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 swerté to paye hym. And thys day the seyd Yeluerton and viij men wyth hym, wyth jakys and trossyng dobletys all þe felawshep of hem, wer redy to ryd, and on of the sam felawshep told to a man that sye hem all redy þat they shold ryd to tak a dystres in serteyn maners þat 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 contré, in ther trossyng dowbelettys. wyth bombardys and kanonys and chaseueleyns, and do what so euer they wyll in the contré. Ther dar no pore man dysplese 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 dwté 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 contré a-nothyr preué seall dyrect to me and and to som othyr good felaw, Syr William 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 preué sale shall be dyrect to to be chargyd vpon peyne of ther alegeans to execut þe Kyngys comandment. And thys done i warant your lyuelod þat my lord delys not wyth shall be gadyrd pesybylly. As to þat lyuelod þat 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

Syr, it is so þat thys Saterdaye John Rus sent me word by Robert Botler þat 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 þat it was Syr John F. wyll þat ther schold be morteysyd iijc mark by yer to þe colage, and also þat syche astat as my fadyr took her at Caster at Lames next be-for þat Syr John F. dyid was delyueryd to my fadyr to þe intent for to perform þe 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat i trost to haue þis 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 þat ye had in-to the Chancery.

Syr, plesyth yow to weet þat my modyr and i comonyd þis day wyth Freyr Mowght to vndyrstand what hys seying shall be in the coort when he comyth vp to London, wheche is in þis 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 þat hys sowle shold to, that the wyll þat 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 þe 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, wher 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 þat i may not askape but þat i must dye in hast, wherfor i desyir yow that ye wyll report aftyr my dethe þat i took it vpon my sowle at my dying þat that wyll þat 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 þat 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 þat i haue don wyth þe Lady Boleyn, by my feythe i haue don nor spokyn nowght in þat mater, nor not wyll do tyll tyme þat ye com hom, and ye com not thys vij yer. Not wythstandyng, þe 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 þat she had non othyr erend to the towne but for to sport hyr; bot so God help me i supose þat 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 þat 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 þe mony þat we pay for þe bare housold, besyd menys wagys. Daube nor i may no mor wyth-owt coynage.

Ryght worshepfull modyr, i recomand me on-to yow, lowly besechyng yow of your blyssyng. Plesyt yow to wet þat 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 þe menys to dyscharge yow of syche folk as ye kepe of my brodyrs. And þat must i do by myn owne menys, for as for my brodyr, by my trowthe he is not of power to do it; for þis 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 þat ye wyll send hym the plate by Jwdé, or ellys, so God help me, i wot not how he shall do; for by the feythe þat i ow to God he lokyth euery day to be arestyd, and so i wene he shall, so God helpe me. Jwdé 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 serteynté whedyr they shall go to-gydyr a-yen by the werre or not. When i here þe serteynté i shall send yow word. Ye may send mony by Jwdé for my sustyr Annys hood and for þe 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

To my mastyr Syr John Paston, knyght, in Fletstret.

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 peté that the tyll wer lost, and the lenger þat 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 þat 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.

To my ryght reuerend and worchepfull modyr Margaret Paston, dwellylng at Caster, be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 þat 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 contré, 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 þat my Lady Margaret was maryd on Sonday last past at a towne þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat they haue it by wyshys, by my trowthe i herd neuyr of so gret plenté as her is. Thys day my Lord Scalys justyd wyth a lord of thys contré, 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 þat 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 peté, for by my trowthe i trow God mad neuer mor worchepfull knyt. And asfor the Dwkys coort, as of lordys, 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 þat 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 þat 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 that 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 þat 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 þat ye wolbe good mastras to my lytyll man, and to se þat 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 þe 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 þat 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 þe yonger

To master Syr John Paston.

Syr, i pray yow recomand me to my Lord Scalys good lordshep, and to let hym weet þat in lyek wyse as hys lordshep gaue me in comandement i haue enqweryd what þe gentyllmanys answer was that my lord of Norffolk sent to, to awayte vp-on hym at the Kyngys comyng in-to thys contré. 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 þat ye send eny man hom hastely, i pray yow send me an hat and a bonet by þe 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 þe doorys wyth non þat 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

Syr, plesyth it to vndyrstand that i conceyue by your lettyr whyche þat ye sent me by Jwdé þat 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 þey falsly lye of it, for they neuer spake to me of þat mater, nor non othyr body in ther name. Louell axyd me onys a qwestyon whedyr þat i vndyrstood how it was betwyx R. C. and my sustyr. I can thynk þat it was by Callys menys, for when i axyd hym whedyr C. desyird hym to meue me þat qwestyon or not, he wold haue gotyn it aweye by hummys and by hays. But i wold not so be answeryd, wherfor at þe last he told me þat hys oldest sone desyird hym to spere whedyr þat R. C. wer swyr of hyr or nowt, for he seyd þat he knew a good maryage for hyr. But i wot he lyeyd, for he is hole wyth R. Cale in þat mater; wher-for, to þat entent þat he nor they shold pyek no comfort of me, i answerd hym þat 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 Framlyngham; and þus, 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 þat ye sent me not syche ger as i sent yow mony for, i crye yow mercy þat i was so lewde to encomber yow wyth eny so sympyll a mater, consyderyng the grette maters and weyghty þat ye haue to doo; but need compellyd me, for in thys contré 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 þat lytyll þat 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 þat 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 þat nedythe not, for ye com not wyth-in them, wherfor, so God help me, the felaushep her thynkys þat 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 serteyn, 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 þat 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, wherfor 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 þe 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 þat 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. Also, syr, i pray yow puruey what jne þat my brodyr Edmund shall be in, for he losyth sore tyme her, i promyse yow. I pray yow send me word by the next messenger þat 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, þat ye wyll send me woord, and i shall send yow the bowys þat be brokyn, whyche be your owne greet bowe and Roberd Jaksonys bowe and Johon Pampyngys bowe. Thes iij haue kast so many caluys þat 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 þat 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 begyn, God yeld yow for my hatys. The Kyng hathe ben in thys contré and worchepfully receyuyd in-to Norwyche, and had ryght good cher and gret gyftys in thys contré, 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 þat tym þat she com in-to þis contré. 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 þat they wold do nowt at the Kyngys reqwest, þat 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. þis 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 þat the mater shold do well j-now. Thomas Wyngfeld 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 abowt 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 þat i shold cast no dowghtys but þat ye shold haue your entent; and so dyd the Lord Scalys also. And when þat 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 towardys Walsyngham, and Thomas Wyngfeld promysyd me that he wold fynd the menys that my lord of Glowsestyr, and hym-sylf bothe, shold shew the Kyng the loge þat was broke down, and also þat they wold tell hym of þe brekyng down of þe plase. Contrary to thys maters and all the comfort that i had of my Lord Scalys, Syr John Wydvyll, and Thomas Wyngfeld, myn oncyll Wylliam seythe that þe Kyng told hym hys owne mowthe when he had redyn forby the loge in Heylysdon Waren that he supposyd as well þat it myght falle downe by the self as be plukyd downe, for if it had be plukyd down he seyd þat 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 þe dwkys by mene of treté, and he seyth þat 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 þat 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 contré hathe don good; wherfor be not ouyr swyft tyll ye be swyr of your lond, but labor sore þe 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 þe 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat ther was owt a preué 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, þat 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.

Caystre yelded J. P. the obligacion of J. Gressham of c mrk lefft wyth Dawbeneye.

Ryght worchepfull syr, i recomand me on-to yow. And as for the serteynté of the delyuerance of Caster, John Chapman can tell yow how þat 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 þat they had of yow and Dawbeney, and þat 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 þat 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 serteynté of the apoyntment. We wer, for lak of vetayll, gonepoudyr, menys hertys, lak of suerté of rescwe, dreuyn ther-to to take apoyntement. If ye wyll þat 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

To my master Syr John Paston in Flettstret.

Ryght worchepfull syr, i recomand me on-to you praying yow that ye wyll in all hast send me word how þat ye wyll þat Syr John Styll, John Pampyng, W. Mylsent, Nycolas Mondonet, T. Tomson shall be rwlyd, and whedyr þat they shall sek hem newe seruysys or not, and Mathewe and Bedford also, for he hathe be wyth me þis seson and is fro my modyr. And if so be þat ye wyll haue thes to abyd wyth yow, or eny of them, send word whyche þat 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 þat 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 þat mony þat i had of my modyr, whyche is abowt an viij li. God amend defawtys, but þis i warant yow, wyth-owt þat it be Mathew whyche ye sent woord by John Thressher that ye wold haue to awayt on yow, ther is no man þat 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 þe 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 þat haue the rwyll of your lyuelod her in thys contré, and in what forme þat 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 þat 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 þat he may haue swerté to saue hym harmeles for the anuyté that he standyth bownd for, and for the oder mony þat he is suerté 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 þat 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.

To master Syr John Paston, knyght,.

Ryght worchepfull syr, i recomand me to yow, &c. It is so þat 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 þe sege of Caster, and haue hem bowndyn in a gret some þat they shall swe a peell ayenst me, and syche as wer ther wyth me wyth-in the plase; and they be bownd also þat 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 þe 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. þat he hathe payid. And also he preyth yow þat he may haue þe mony at that day at the ferthest, for he thynkyth þat he hathe deserueyd it in othyr maters. Item, it is also let me wet þat my lord of Norffolk wyll send a man or two in pesybyll wyse for to entre the maner of Gwton, and if so be þat they that be ther of your men wyll not auoyd possessyon by them, then to send thydyr mor pepyll so þat 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 contré. Item, i pray yow send me some tydyngys how the world gothe, ad confortandum stomacum. Item, ye must puruey a newe atorny in thys contré 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 þat wyll do for me, tyll bettyr pese be. Wretyn thys Saterdaye at Norwyche. J.P.

To my ryght worchepfull brodyr Syr John Paston, knyght, be thys delyueryd.

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 þat 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 swerté 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 swerté wyth-owt arest for the forsybyll entré thys terme er eny more proses com owt ayenst yow or them, or ellys they that be in thys contré ar lyek to be trowblyd hastyly. Item, yerstyrday W. Gornay entryd in-to Saxthorp, and ther was he kepyng 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 þat 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 þe tenauntys of Gwton for ocupying of serteyn londys in Gwton callyd Bullys londys, and he hathe them at an exigent at thys terme, so þat 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 þat 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 þat I may gwyd me theraftyr. Item, as for Syr R. Wyngfeld, I can get no x li. of hym, but he seyth þat 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 passyngly well of me allweys. Notwythstandyng I trowe þat 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 þe 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 þe fyrst. J. P. Thys day Edmund 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.

Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow aftyr þe old maner, sertyfying yow þat I haue comonyd wyth my modyr for your comyng hom, but I can not fynd by hyr þat she wyll depert wyth eny syluyr for your costys, for she and hyr cwrate alegge mor pouerté 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 þat belongyd therto, and þat 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 þe wyndas wyth þe 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 þat 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 contré putt grett defawt in me þat 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 þat 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, as 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 þat it be exchetyd. Item, I prey yow send me swyr tydyngys 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 þat þe 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). 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. As for the yer of þe Kyng, let it be set in; but as for the daye and þe monyth, let it be owt, for the day must be aftyr þe 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 contré, 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.

To mastyr Syr John Paston, knyght, in hast.

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 þat ye shall tak a wey be-twyx yow so þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 anuyté 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 þat I haue receyuyd, that ye may haue a cler reknyng of all that ye owe in thys contré 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 lyberté. The Flet is a fayir preson, but ye had but smale lyberté 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 þe xiiij day of Maye. J. P.

Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow þat 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 þat John can take eny ther he shall bryng it yow wyth þis 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 þat reknyng þat 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 contré, for it drawyth vp-on a x li. that ye owe yet in thys contré 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þe Archebyshop, for ye ar not bond to vndo your-sylf for hym. Item, I pray yow se þat 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 not 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 þat he seyth he wyll stryp me fro the maner of Sweynsthorp. 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 þe world gothe. Wretyn þe xxv day of May. J. P.

To Syr John Paston, knyght, or to Thomas Stompys to delyuer to þe seyd + Syr John.

Ryght worchepfull syr and my specyall good brodyr, I recomand me to yow. And for as myche as I can not send yow good tydyngys, ye shall haue syche as I knowe. It is so þat on Wednysday last past ye and J. Pampyng and Edmund 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 agré 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat ye wer in London at þat season, or nye abowght London, so that I myght vndyr-stand at your plase wher þat 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 þat I be safe for Parker and Herry Colettys mater. Sothewell told me thys, that if so be þat 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 þat he menyth I can not sey. As for all othyr maters in thys contré, 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.

To Syr John Paston, knyght, or to Thomas Stomppys to delyuer to the seyd + Syr John.

As I sent yow woord by a lettyr that John Wymondham browght to London, J. Pampyng is endyghtyd of felony, and Edmund 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 þat 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 seuennyght 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.

Be it knowen by thies presentez that where the right reuerend fader in God William Wayneflete, Bisshop of Wynchestre, oone of þe feoffés 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 þe same testament, and also to parfourme þe wille of þe said Ser John as farforthe as it may be parfourmed of suche maners, londes, and tenementez in þe counteez of Surré, 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 þe hondys of þe said reuerend fader, I, John Paston, sqvyer, son of John Paston, sqwyer, which John Paston my fader was also named oone of þe feofféz of þe 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 þe maners, londes, tenementez, and goodez of þe said Ser John Fastolf which haue beene wasted, expended, and deuowred, the will of þe same Ser John in many parties and most substaunce thereof nott yet parfouremed, trustyng by the grace of God that þe said reuerend fader wol doo his effectuall deuoure to þe verry parfouremyng therof in discharge of þe sowle of my fader aforesaid, and for that þe said reuerend fadere hathe rewarded me to shew my verry gode will to my power to þe full parfouremyng of þe will of þe 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 þe said reuerend fader, and to be aydyng and assistyng to þe said reuerend fader, his heyres and executoures, and to his college of Saynt Marye Mawdeleyne sett withoute þe est gate of Oxon., and to all officers, stiwardes, receyuoures, bailliez, and other minystrers, fermers, and tenauntez of þe said reuerend fader, his heirs and executoures, or of þe 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 þe said college or theire successoures, in any of the said maners, londes, and tenementez, so that þe said maners, londes, and tenementez, and euery parcell of them, shal now be occupied and leten to theire grettest profitt and þe rentez and commoditeez of the same truly and dwly gedered and com to þe handys of þe same reuerend fadere, his heirs and executours, and to þe handys of þe ministres of þe said college for þe tyme beyng or to þe hondis of such persones or persone as the same reuerend fader wol thereto assigne accordynge to the prouysion and ordynaunce of þe 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 þe said reuerend fader, before þe feste of All Sayntez next foloyng aftere þe 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 þe said maners, londes, and tenementez which I, þe said John Paston, or any persone to my vse now haué; alway foreseen that þis promyss extende nott to delyuerance of any chartres, dedes, euydencez, munymentez, court rollez, rentallez, rollez of accomptes, or copiez of them concernyng sooly þe 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 þe said fest of All Sayntez any dedes, chartres, munymentez, court rollez, rentallez, rollez of accomptez, or copyez, other than soolly concernyng þe maner of Castre with th'appurtenauncez as aboue, com to the hondys of me þe said John Paston, or of any other to myne vse, I faithfully promytt and bynde me by thies presentez to make of þem delyuerance to þe 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 þe reigne of Kyng Edward the iiijthe. J. Paston

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 þat, 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 þat 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 þis 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 þey be ded. Syr T. Mongomeré and Jon Done be takyn; what shall falle of hem I can not sey. The qwen þat 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 þat Brome may be spokyn to to gadyr vp my sylluyr at Gwton in all hast possybyll, for I haue no mony. Also þat it lyek yow þat John Mylsent may be spokyn to to kep well my grey horse and he be a-lyue, and þat he spare no met on hym and þat he haue konnyng lechys to look to hym. As for my comyng hom I knowe no serteynté, for I terry tyll my lady of Norffolk com to go thorow wyth tho maters, and she shall not be here tyll Sonday.

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 not be to besy as yet. Modyr, I beseche yow, and ye may spare eny money, þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat 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 þat he send me hydyr xl s. by the next messenger þat 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 þat no body look my wryghtyngys. Item, that the horse þat 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 þe 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

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 þat was at Caster to be my brodyr Edmundys, for I had leueer þat 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 þat 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.

To my most worchepfull modyr Margaret Paston be thys delyueryd in hast.

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 þat I com hom; and þat 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 behold 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 next be-fore Mary Mawdelen. By your humblest sone J. P.

Ryght worchepfull modyr, as lowly as I can I recomand me to yow, besechyng yow of your dayly blyssyng, praying yow to take thys key, and Syr Jamys wyth yow and my broder E. or J. Pampyng, and to ondo þe kofyr þat standith at my bedys feet, and ther jn a lytyll sqware box ye shall fynd two dedys wher-of the seallys be wownd in whyght paper; my brodyr E. sye when I wond them vp. The ton ...begynyth sciant &c. quod ego Matilda Bigota, and the todyr begynyth ' sciant &c. quod ego Rogerus .... I prey 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 þat cofyr, then I prey yow take the key...teye of the same cofyr and opyn the cofyr that standyth in þe vtter chambyr, and ther ye shall fynd ...deedys. My brodyr Syr John recomandyth hym to yow, and besechyth yow of your blyssyng. And as for hys mater ther is yet no conclusyon of no poynt, but I tryst ther shall be wyth-in thes ij dayeys. Jenney W. trowblyth ...my brodyrs seruauntys wyth old accyons and all syche thyngys as he can renew to stoppe the oblygacions whyche 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 dyuers 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 preuelege of as soone as it is grantyd, whyche shall be a-bowght All Halow Tyed at the ferthest. I haue spok wyth my Lord Ryuers and wyth all myn old aqweyntance, and haue good cheer of theym, hold as it maye. When we be concludyd in eny poynte of ouyr maters ye shall haue knowlage howhe, to put yow in comfort er we haue eny ... but in veyn; when we haue comfort ye shall haue parte. Newe tydyngys, datys v ...svgyr 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

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 Jwdé shall delyuer yow rehers, and ther-ayenst ye shold loose iij li. of the ferme of þe 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 mark 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 þat 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 þis Crystmas whyll ye haue leyser to spek wyth your mastyr. Item, myn aqweyntans wyth þe Lord Reuers is non othyrwyse but as it hathe ben alweys, sauyng and he go now 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 þat 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, for 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.

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 þat it may be as tryst And to yow trew as euyr was hert, and pleyn, Tyll cruell dethe depert yt vp-on tweyn. Adew dysport, farwell good companye, In 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 þat 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.

To my ryght worchepfull brodyr Syr John Paston, knyght.

Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, sertyfying yow þat, as God help me, I wend þat William Barker had ben wyth yow thys Whyghtsontyd at London and browght yow monye, for so he promysyd bothe Judé and me þat he shold do, and also at hys comyng to London þat 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 Jwdé 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 þat Syr T. Lyndys goodys ar not abyll to paye a quarter of hys dettys þat be axyd hym, wherfor syche money as is be-left it most be devydyd to euery man a parte aftyr the quantyté, whyche dyuysyon is not yet mad; but when it is mad he hathe promyseyd me þat your pert shalbe worthe iij þe best. I meuyd hym to haue sent yow some monye befor the dyuysyon to haue pleasyd wyth the apotycary and þe 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 þat 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 þe 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 systerAnne, my modyr wyll not remeue fro W. Yelluerton for Bedyngfeld, for she hathe comond ferther in þat mater syn ye wer in þis contré, as it aperyth in hyr lettyr þat she sendyth yow by Thyrston. Tydyngys her, my lady of Norffolk is wyth chyld, she wenyth hyr-sylf, and so do all þe 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 þe 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 þe good lordshepe of þe 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 þe George in Lombard Strete. He hath a book of my syster Annys of þe Sege of Thebes. When he hathe doon wyth it he promysyd to delyuer it yow. I prey yow lete Portlond brynge þe book hom wyth hym. Portlond is loggyd at þe 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 Rysyng, I shall send hym woord to kepe hys day crastino Johannis. J. Paston

To my ryght worchepfull brodyr Syr John Paston, knyght.

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 þat jnventory onys had ye shall haue as comyth to your part, and more also. Ye must send þe serteynté 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 þe dettys may not be payeid, set þe beqwestys at nowght. He is agreid to pay the potycarye aftyr that he haue þe jnventory fro yow. Rysyng I trowe hathe be wyth yow. Item, as for John Maryot, I haue sent to hym for þe 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 þe 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 Jwdé when ye shall haue the chalys. Ax Jwdé of your crwetys allso. Item, the prowd, pevyshe, and euyll dysposyd prest to vs all, Syr Jamys, seyth þat ye comandyd hym to delyuer þe book of vij Sagys to my brodyr Water, an he hathe it. Item, I send yow the serteynté her-wyth of as myche as can be enqweryd for myn oncyll W. cleym in Caster. Those artyclys þat 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 þat 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 þe auyse of your consayll, and she wyll pay for the costys. Item, she preyith yow to spek to þe seyd Byshop for to get Master Clement Felmyngham 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 contré 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 þat 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 þe 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 þe 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 þe housold also. If ye wyll eny othyr thyng to be don in thys contré, 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 byll for losyng. Your J. P.

Ryght worchepfull syr, I recomand me to yow, letyng yow wet þat 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 Framlyngham 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 Framlyngham and knew the apoyntment 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 þat ye had mad labor to haue ben on, and þat 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 baylé of Maldon in Essex to haue you a borgeys ther. How Jwdé shall sped let hym tell yow when ye spek to-gedyr. Syr, I haue ben twyis at Framlyngham 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 Framlyngham 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 þat 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 þe 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 þey 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 preuy 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 þe 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 somwhat to bye hyr kouercheffys be-syd my lord. A soper þat I payd for wher all the consayll was at Framlyngham ij s. iij d., and my costys at Framlyngham, twyis lying ther by viij dayis, wyth ix s. j ob. for costys of þe contré 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 þat 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, Jwdé, 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 þat 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 deynté vytayll and as gret plenté 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 þen 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.

To my ryght trusty frend John Carenton, Baylye of Maldon.

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 also syche on as is in fauor of the Kyng and of þe 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.

A monser J. Paston, cheualler.

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 þat he wyll not seale to the lease þat 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 þat 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.

To master Syr John Paston, knyght.

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 other 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 Framlyngham thys seuennyght, 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.

To Syr John Paston, knyght.

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 lyueré 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 contré, 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 awtoryté 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 þe ferthest.

To my mastyr Syr John Paston, knyght, be thys delyueryd.

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 dyscouer it but to yow, and þat 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 þat he told me hym-sylff before Rychard Sothewell, Tymperley, Syr W. Brandon, and twenty more, so that they þat lowryd nowgh laughe vpon me. No mor, but God look. Wretyn at Framlyngham the Fryday next aftyr þat I depertyd fro yow. Thys day my lord is towardys Walsyngham, and comandyd me to ouertake hym to-morow at þe ferthest. J. P. I prey yow recomand me to mastyr Josephe in my best wyse, and Sampson dothe þe same.

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 conté 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 more, 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 charyté, that my seyd brodyr may by your hyghness be a-yen restoryd in-to the possessyon of the seyd maner accordyng to the lawe and good conscyence. And we shall prey to God for the preseruacyon of your most nobyll estate.

A mysyr John Paston, scheualler, soyt doné.

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, Jwdé 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 Edmund 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 þat 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.

To my master Syr John Paston, knyght, be thys delyuerd in hast.

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 þe syght of thys bylle þat it may please yow to take the labore to comon wyth Syr Rychard Harrecorte, and to let hym haue knowlage þat thys gentyllman hathe nowght wyth-in the shyer, and þat ye tweyne may fynd the meane to get hym owght of þat 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 þat 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 þat Heydons be þe causers þat he was set in. I prey yow enqwer of Syr R. Harcort who was the cause, and þat it may be wyst in þe next byll þat 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 þat our Frenshemen whyche kepte our costys her ar home in-to France, for lake of vytayll we saye. Hogan is put in þe 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 þe devyll, we sey, then ye shold grante eny more taskys. Wretyn þe day next aftyr Ouyr Lady Day the Anuncyacyon Ao xiij E. iiijti. Yonge Heydon laborythe all þat he can to mary on of hys doughtyr to yonge John Barney by þe mean of W. Calthorpp. J. P. *as I was wryghtyng þis 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.

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 knowe 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.

To Syr John Paston, knyght, or to hys brodyr Edmund in hys absence, + lodgyd at the George by Powlys Wharff in London.

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 þe 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 Edmund, 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 Edmund, I prey yow go to the same Crawethorn and tak the lettyr of hym and delyuer it hyr in all hast.

To my ryght worchepfull modyr Margaret Paston, at Mawtby.

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 Edmund Bowen of the Cheker, a specyall frend of myn, and he avysyth me to tery tyll the money be com lest þat 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 Walsyngham, 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 contré 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 beseche 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.

To the ryght worchepfull Syr John Paston, knyght, lodgyd at the George by + Powlys Wherff in London.

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 oþer 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 þe 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 Walsyngham 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.

To Syr John Paston, knyght, lodgyd at the George by Powlys Wherff in London

Aftyr all dwtés 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.

To my ryght worchepfull modyr Margaret Paston.

Aftyr all dewtés 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 swerté of the maner of Caster, consyderyng the dyeing seasyd of my lord of Norffolk. He trustyth to be in thys contré 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 agré. 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 yesterday 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

To Syr John Paston, knyght, at þe George at Powlys Wharffe.

Aftyr all dewtés 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 entré wyth-ought hyr assent. Wherfor in eny wyse gete yow a patent of þe 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 myght 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

To Syr John Paston, knyght, at the George by Powlys Wharff in London.

Aftyr all dwtés of recomendacyon, lyeketh yow to wette that wyth-in thys owyr past I receyuyd 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 entré 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 Edmund Jeney, for Darby and I ar brokyn of of our entreté 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 þat 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.

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 lordshepe 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

To the ryght worchepfull Syr John Paston, knyght, lodgyd at the George by + Powlys Wharff in London.

Aftyr all dewtés 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.

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 comandment 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 dysplesure wyth my ferther labore.

To my ryght worchepfull modyr Margaret Paston.

Ryght worschepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtés 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 mater, 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.

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.

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 serteynté, 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 suerté 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 þat 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.

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.

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 mark 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 agré 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, þat 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.

To my ryght worchepfull broder Syr John Paston, knyght.

Syr, aftyr all dutés 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 royalté 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

To my ryght worchepfull modyr Margaret Paston.

Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtés 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 Edmund, 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 Edmund Sweynsthorp, for non jntreté 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 plenté 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 meanyth. 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.

To Syr John Paston, knyght.

Syr, aftyr all dutés 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 contré 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 delyueré of the bylle of jnquisicyon to th'exchetour, my brodyr Edmund 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 Edmund 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 autorité, 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 casuelté 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 Edmund 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 þe wardshepp of John Clyppysby, son and heyer to John Clyppysby, late of Owby in the conté 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 moné, 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 Edmund 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 þat 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.

Receyuyd at Cressingham the Thursday nex aftyr Seynt Edmund 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 Cressingham anno supradicto, whych was iiij dayes in doing for the styward myght not be ther at þe day prefyxid. iij s. iiij d.

To my ryght worchepfull modyr Margarett Paston at Seynt Peters of + Hundgate.

Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dwtés of humle recomendacyon, as lowly as I can I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng and preyers. And, modyr, John Clement, berer heroff, can tell yow the mor pité 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 Edmund may ryd to Marlyngforthe, Oxenhed, Paston,Crowmer, and Caster and in all thes maners to entre in my name, and to lete the tenauntys of Oxenhed and Marlyngforthe 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 seruaunt J. Paston If myn vnkynd oncle make eny mastryes to gadre money, areragys or other, my Mastyr Fytzwater, Syr Robart Wyngfeld, Syr Thomas Brews, my brodyr Yeluerton, my brodyr Harecort, and other of my frendys I trust wyll sey hym naye, if they haue knowlage.

to my ryght worchepfull and most kynd modyr Margaret Paston.

Ryght worchepfull modyr, aftyr all dutés 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 serteynté 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 þe 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 serteynté of all the fordell that I haue in my besyness then I can as yett wryght. I am put in serteynté 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.

Copyes of draughtes of the wrongys don by W. Paston to J. Paston fadyr, Syr J. P. and J. P.

Thes be th'eniuryes and wrongys don by William Paston to John Paston hys nevew. Fyrst, the maners of Marlyngforthe, Stansted, and Horwellbery was geven... William Paston, justyce, and to Agnes hys wyff and to th'eyers of ther two 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 William Paston and of hys heyres, the whyche William mad hys wyll that the seyd Agnes hys wyf shold haue the seyd maner for terme of hyr lyff, and aftyr the seyd William dyed and the seyd Agnes occupyed for terme of hyr seyd lyff ... of the seyd feoffés the seyd maner; and aftyrwardes the seyd Agnes dyed, afftyr whoys dethe Syr John Paston, knyght, as cosyn and heyer to the 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 Marlyngforthe, Stansted, and Horwelbery befor rehersyd by the meanys of the seyd Wylliam.

To my ryght worchepfull modyr Margaret Paston.

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 serteynté 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

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 lybertés, 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 axith 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 cofeffés 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 performance 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 contrarye 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 Archebisschop 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 tenementis 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 poverté sythe the trowblows season of the v yer sauff a quarter befor rehersed, whyche extendith to the some of cc li. or above.

The copye of a lettre of Dame E. Browne ayenst William Paston.

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, whom God assoyle, duryng hys last syknesse and at the tyme of hys dissease at Seynt Brydis or nowght, nevew, I assarteyn yow vpon my feythe and poore honore 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 well that Jamys Gressham was wyth my fadyr at Seynt Brydys duryng 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 Elizabeth Browne

To Dame Margery Paston at Oxenhed.

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

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 deputé 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.

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 Attorné, 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.

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

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 handelyd 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 brother 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.

Tho my rytgh wurshfull brothere John Paston, jn hast.

Rytgh wurshupful brothere, I recummawnd me to ȝow, prayeng ȝow hartely þat ȝe wyl remembyre soche maters as I wryth to ȝow. I send ȝow now be the brynggare here-of mony, wyche mony I prey ȝow þat ȝe be-stowe yt as I wryth to ȝow. I wend a don yt my-sylf, but consyderyng costys and othere dyuers thynggys I maynot bryng yt abowthe; where-fore I pray ȝow hartely to take þe labore vp-on ȝow, and I trust to deservyt. I pray ȝow be-stow thys mony thus: to Crystofyre Hanyngton v s.; to þe Prynspall of Stapyl In v s. in parte of payment; also, I pray ȝow to bye me iij ȝerddys of porpyl schamlet, price þe ȝerd iiij s.; a bonet of depe murry, pryce ij s. iiij d.; an hose clothe of ȝelow carsey of an ellyn, I trow yt wyl cost ij s.; a gyrdyl of plunkket ryban, price vj d.; iiij lacys of sylke, ij of on colore and ij of an othere, price viij d.; iij doseyn poynttys, wythe, red, and ȝelow, price vj d.; iij peyere of pateyns-- I pray ȝow late Wylliam Mylsant purvey fore þem. I was wonte to pay but ij d. ob. fore a payere, but I pray ȝow late them not be left behynd þow I pay more. They must be lowe pateyns; late them be long j-now and brod vp-on þe hele. Among alle othere I pray ȝow recummawnd me to Masteres Elyzabet Hygouns. I may sey pouerté partys feleschepe; yf þat I had ben so well purveyde as I wend, I trowst to have ben wyth ȝow here thys. Also I pray ȝow recummawnd me to my brothere Ser John. I fere lesse he wyl take a dysplesure wyth me þat I send hym no mony; I pray ȝow excuse me as wel as ȝe can. I trust to send hym sum a-bowth Candylmesse. I had a promyse of Masteres Elyzabet of a typet of welvet, but and I myth haue a hatlase I woold thynk me well. I pray ȝow sey thus myche on ȝour owyn hed, and yf ȝe can not spede of þe hatlase I pray ȝow bye me on of xij d. ore xvj d. Also, ser, I send Parkare hys mony be the brynggare hare-of, and I haue desyered hym to lend me a gown of puke, and I haue send hym a typet of welvet to boredyre yt rownd a-bowthe; and I pray ȝow be at schesyng there-of. And yf þat he wyl not, be Cryst calkestokke on hys hed! þat is schoryle in Englyshe; yt is a terme new browthe vp wyth my marschandys of Norwyche. Ser, John Pamppyng recummawnd hym to ȝow, and pray ȝow þat ȝe wyl remembyre hys harnes, and yf þat ȝe can get þe mony he pray ȝow to delyuer Parkare x s. þat he howyth hym. Also, ser, my modyre gretys ȝow wel and send ȝow Goddys blyssyng and heres, and prays ȝow þat ȝe wyl bye here a runlet of malmesey owthe of þe galey; and yf ȝe haue no mony sche byd þat ȝe schuld borow of my brothere Ser John ore of sum othere frend of ȝowers, and send here woord as hastely as þe haue yt and sche schale send þow mony. And yf þat ȝe send yt home sche byd þat yt schuld be woond in a canmasse fore brochyng of þe caryars, fore sche sethe þat sche hath knowyn men serued soo be-fore. Also I pray þow, yf ȝe speke wyth Master Rogere, tell hym þat yf he cum in-to thys cuntré thys Crystemas he schal haue hys x s., and yf þat he cum not I schal send yt hym be xij day at þe fardest. I pray ȝow hartely remembyre my gere, and þat ȝe wyl desyere Wylliam Mylsant on my behalue to purvey fore þe caryage in as hasty wyse as yt can. Also I pray ȝow þat þe weluet þat levyt of my typet may be send hom a-geyn, fore I woold strype a dobelet there-wyth. As fore Masteres Blakeny, I trow sche be in ȝour quarters. I woold I had þe same entyrepryce vp-on hyre þat John Bramppton of Atylborowe had vp-on Mastere Bryston. Alle þe coorte recummawnddys hem to ȝow. I pray ȝow, and ȝe can get me any profytabyl servyce, a-saye. My brothere Ser John was meved of my hawnt Ponynggys to haue ben wyth here. I woold haue rytgh an hesy seruyse tyl I were owthe of detys. God haue ȝow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at Norwyche þe Munday nex be-fore Sen Edmond þe Kyng. Edmond Paston

To John Paston, esquyere.

Syre, I recummawnd me to ȝow. Please yt ȝow to wette þat my modyre hathe causyd me to putte Gregory owte of my servyse; as God help, I wrythe to þow the very cause why. Yt happyd hym to haue a knavys loste, in pleyn termes to swhyve a quene; and so dyd in þe konynere-closse. Yt foretunyd hym to be a-spyed be ij plowemen of my modyrs, whyche werene as fayne as he of þat matere, and desyerd hym to haue parte; and as kompany requereyd, seyd not nay, jn so myche þat þe plowemen had here alle a nythe in there stabylle and Gregory was clene delyuerd of here and, as he swhereys, had not a do wyth here wyth-in my modyres place. Not wyth-standdyng my modyre thynkkys þat he was grownd of þat matere, where-fore there is no remedy but he moste a-voyde. And in so myche þat at þe laste tyme þat ȝe were here ȝe desyerd hym of me yf þat he schuld departe from me, I send ȝow þe very cawse of hys departyng as my modyre sethe. But I am in serteyn þe contrary is true-yt is nomore but þat he can not plese alle partys; but þat jantylman is hys woordys lord: he hathe seyd þat he woold lyfte whom þat hym plese, and as yt scheweyt welle he lyftyd on xiiij myle in a morenyng, and now he hathe ben cawsare of hys lyfte I wot not how fare but yf þat ȝe be hys better master. But and we a-mong vus geue not hym a lyfte, I pray God þat we neuer thryve, and þat is hys in-tente I trowe to bryng vus to. Where-fore I requere ȝow, yf þat yt plese ȝow to haue hym, þat ȝe wylle be þe better master to hym fore my sake, fore I am he þat js as sory to departe from hym as any man on lyue from hys seruant; and be my trowthe, as farforethe as I knowe he is as true as any on lyue. I troste my foretune schale be better þan euer to leue thus here, but yf I were hens wardys I ensuere ȝow I woold not schange fore non þat I knowe. He is profytabylle on dyuers thynggys, as ȝe knowe welle. There has ben a gret breke be-twyx Calle and me, as I schal enforeme ȝow at my comyng, wyche schalle be on Wedynsday next, be þe grace of God, who preserue ȝow. Wretyn at Mawteby on Wyteson Eue. Edmond Paston

This endenture made the vij daye of Aprile the xvth yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the iiij, betwixt the right high and mighty prince Rychard, Duc of Gloucestre, Constable and Admirall of Englond, on the on partie, and Edmond Paston, squyer, on that othyr partie, wyttenessith that the sayd Edmond ys reteyned and withholden with the sayd Duc to do him seruice of werre with the Kyng oure souuerayn lord now in his viage ouir the see for an hol yere at his spere, weell and sufficyently horsed, armed, and arrayed as it apperteyneth to a man of armes, and thre archers, well and sufficiently horsed, herneised, habilled, and arrayed as it apperteyneth to archers, takyng for hym-self xviij d. a daye and for euery archer vj d. by the daye, of the whiche wages the sayd Edmond hath reseyued for the first quarter of the sayd hol yere the daye of the sealing of these presentes, at whiche day the sayd Duc hath yeven knowleche to the sayd Edmond that he shal make moustres of hymself and hys sayd retenue at Portesdown in Hampshire the xxiiijty day of May next commyng or the same daye at any othyr plase vpon resounable warnyng. At that day and tyme the sayd Edmond byndeth hym by thise presentes to appere in hys propyr personne with his sayd retenue. And if it happen the sayd Edmond, aftyr the reseyte of his sayd fyrst paiement, to dicesse or be in suche sykenesse or disease that he may nat be able to come to the sayd moustresse in hys propyr personne, that thanne he shal fynd an able man in his sted with hys sayd retenue to performe his sayd seruise accordyng to the tenure of this endenture, or ellys to repaye to the sayd Duc that money by hym reseyued for hym and hys sayd retenue for the sayd quartere. And for the seconde quartere of the sayd yere the sayd Edmond shalbe payed by the sayd Duc of the wage of hym and of yche of his sayd retenue at the makyng of the mostres of hym and the same his retenue afore such comissioners as shal be deputed ther by the Kyng oure souuerayn lord, at wiche tyme shal begynne the terme of the sayd hole yere and nat affore. And aftyr the sayd moustresse and payement, with Goddes grase, to go to shyp at suche tyme as the Kyng and the sayd Duc shal comaunde theim. And for the othyr half of the sayd yere the sayd Edmond shalbe payed by the sayd Duc for hym-self and hys said retenue on the yondyr syd on the see, monethly in Englyshe money or in money there rennyng to the valu of Englysshe money, so all-waye that the same wages be payed with-in x days aftyr the end of eueryche of the sayd monethes or ell the sayd Edmond to be quited and discharged ayenst the Kyng and the sayd Duc of eny covenaunt specifeyd in these endenture, the same endenture nat withstandyng. And the sayd Edmond shal dvely and truely obeye al the Kynges proclamaciouns and ordinaunces and fulfylle the comaundment of the sayd Duc to his power, and shal make wacche and warde of hym-self and his sayd retenue frome tyme to tyme, whene and as ofte duryng the tyme aboue sayd as he ther-to shall dvly be warned and required by the sayd Duc or hys comiser. And in cas that any moustresse to be mad be-yond the see by the sayd Edmond of hys sayd retenue lakketh any of his nombre of the same othyrwyse than by dethe or sikenesse proued, thane the sayd wages of theim that so shal fayle shalbe rebated vp-on the payement to be made to the sayd Edmond frome tyme to tyme as the cas shall require. Also the sayd Duc shal haue the iijde parte of wynnynges of werre aswell of the sayd Edmond as the iijde of iijdz where-of iche of hys retenue shalbe answeryng vnto hym of there wynnynges of werre duryng the tyme aboue said, be yt prysoners, prayes, or othyr goodes or catalles what-soeuer thei be. And the sayd Edmond , or he or thay that shal so take suche prisoners or prayes, shal shewe vnto the said Duc with-in vj dayes aftire the so takyng aswell the names of the sayd prisoners as theire estate, degré, or condicioun, and the quantité and valu of the said gettynges bi estimacion, vpon paynne of forfacture of the sayd prysoners and wynnynges aboue sayd. Also the sayd Edmond shal haue almaner prysoners to hys propre vse that shal happe to be takyn by him or by ony of his sayd retenue duryng the tyme aboue sayd, except the iijde of iijdz aboue sayd, the Kynge oure souuerayn lordes aduersary, and all kynges and kynges sonnes, his aduersariers of Fraunce, and also all lieuetenauntz and chifteyns hauyng the sayd aduersariers powere, whiche shalbe and abyd prisoners to our sayd souuerayn lord, for the whyche he shal make resounable aggrement with the takers of theym, except also all othyre kynges, kynges sonnes, prynces, dukes, erles, and chyef capitaynes nat hauyng the sayd aduersariers power, whiche shalbe and abyde prisoners to the said Duc, for the whiche he shal make resounable aggrement with the takers of theim. And if it happen the sayd Duc with-in te sayd yere to dicesse, then the sayd Edmond and hys sayd retenue shal serue out the yere aboue sayd vndyr suche a capitaigne as the Kynge shal assyne and appoynt to haue the rule of hym and hys sayd retenue; and if the sayd Duc be takyn, hurt, or diseased with-in the sayd tyme so that he shal nat be able to do the Kynge seruise of werre, then the sayd Edmond and his retenue duryng the tyme of hys enprisounment, hurt, or disease shal serue oute the same tyme vndir his lyeuetenaunt or comyser. And that all these covenauntz aboue sayd by the sayd Edmond wele and truly to be obserued and kepte the same Edmond byndeth hym-self, his heires and executours to the sayd Duc in the somme of c li. sterlynges by these presentes. In wittenesse where-of the parties aboue sayd to thise present endentures enterchaungeably haue put to theire seales the day and yer aboue sayd. R. Gloucestre

To my brothere Wylliam Paston be this delyuerd.

I hartely recomawnd me to ȝow. Here is lately fallyn a wydow in Woorstede whyche was wyff to on Boolt, a worstede marchant, and worth a ml li., and gaff to hys wyff a c marke in mony, stuffe of howsold and plate to þe valew of an c marke, and x li. be ȝere in land. She is callyd a fayere iantylwoman. I wyll fore ȝour sake se here. She is ryght systyre of fader and modyre to Herry Ynglows. I purpose to speke wyth hym to gett hys good wyll. This jantylwoman is abowght xxx ȝeres, and has but ij chylderen whyche shalbe at þe dedys charge. She was hys wyff but v ȝere. Yf she be eny better þan I wryght fore, take it in worthe I shew the leeste. Thus lete me haue knowlache of ȝour mynde as shortly as ȝe can, and whan ȝe shall movn be in this cuntré. And thus God send ȝow good helth and good auenture. From Norwyche þe Saterday after xijthe Day. ȝour E. Paston

To my ryght wurchypfull and especiall good mothere Margaret Paston.

Ryght worchypfull and moste especialle good modyre, jn my moste vmble wyse wyth alle my duté and seruyse I recomawnd me to yow, besechynge ȝow of ȝour blyssyng, whyche is to me moste joy of erthely thynge. And it plese ȝow to be so good and kynde modyre to forgeue me and also my wyffe of owur leude offence þat we haue not don owur duté, whyche was to haue seyn and ave waytyd vp-on ȝow ore now. My huswyffe trustythe to ley to ȝow here huswyferey fore here excuse, wyche I muste beseche ȝow not to accepte; fore jn good faythe I deme here mynde hathe ben othereweys ocapyed þan as to huswyfery, whyche semyth welle be þe latchesnes of þe tylthe of here landdys. I beseche God, fore þe forderawnce of them as now, rewarde ȝow and þe good parson of Mautby, and also Mastyre Baley, who I wende woold not haue balkyd this pore loggeyng to Norwyche wardys. I vndyrstand by þe brynggere here-of þat ȝe entend to ryde to Walsyngham. Yf it please ȝow þat I may wete þe seayson, as my duté is I shalle be redy to awayte vp-on ȝow. Plese it ȝow þat þe brynggare here-of cam to me fore x s. viij d. whyche I shuld ow hys fadyre. Trew it was at my laste departyng from hym I owte hym so mych, but sertaynly ore I cam at Thetfford homewardys I thowt of concyence he owte to haue restoryd me as myche. I had my horsse wyth hym at lyvery, and amonge alle on of them was putte to gresse and to labure, so þat he dyed of a laxe by þe wey. I payed fore hard mete euer to hym. Plese it ȝow to delyuer Kateryn v s. wyche I send ȝow in this bylle. I am not assartaynd how she is purveyde of mony towardys here jornay. Yf here fadyre cowde not a cleymed j d. of me I woold not se here dysporveyd yf I myght, nore þe poreste chylde þat is belonggyng to hys loggeyng. Modyre, my wyffe is boold to send ȝow a tokyn. I beseche ȝow pardon alle thynggys not don acordyng to duté. I beseche God send ȝow þe accomplyshment of ȝour moste woorchypfull desyers. At Owby, þe Saterday next before Candylmes. ȝour vmble son and seruant Edmond Paston

To the ryght wurshupfull Ser John Paston, knyght, be þis delyuerid.

Ryght wurshypfull ser, I recomawnd me to ȝow. As ȝesterday I was wyth my cosyn Clere. He lythe at Borow, and my mastres hys wyveffe, be-cause the plage reygnyth at Ormysby. And so of hys own mocyon he mevyd to me of the maryage of my nevewe ȝour soon, and as glad foolkys woold be to bargayn as euer ȝe wyste; and soo hathe shewyd me that ȝe shuld haue as myche as Ser E. Bedyngfelld, whyche was v c marke. Moore-ouer he shewyd that he woold depart wyth it to Ser Rogere T. ore to Harry Colett, whyche he shewyd ȝe woold not of but to haue the mony at ȝour dysposyssyon. And me semys be hys report that he knowyth well that yf ȝe delle wyth Ser H. H. he wyll be in a suerté that the mony that he shuld depart wyth shuld goo to the redemyng of ȝour landys and othere ȝour dawngeres. More-ouer he shewyd me that the mony whyche ȝe skyftyd of H. Colett was thought be Ser Harry H. that Ser R. Townesend shuld haue ben contentte wyth it, whyche is knowyn the contrary, and causyd hym to geue delaye in that be-halffe to ȝow. I know well this jantylman berythe ȝow as good mynde as any man alyve, my mastres hys mothere and allso my mastres hys wyve in lyeke wyesse; and me semys he makys not the dowghttys to delyuer ȝow hys mony that othere men do of the delyuerye of thers. Foore trowthe he shewythe me hys mynde, whyche is thus. Yf ȝe wyll putt lande in feffement fore ȝeres, to the full contentacyon of Townesend, Colett, and of my vncle, whyche he and all men thynke ȝe muste be charged to ore euer ȝe goo thorow, and that ȝour next frendys haue the receyte of it tyll it be full contente and payed, thus ore suche a suere weye to be had fore the well of all parteys, I darre say he is not alyve wyll indevoure hym wyth better wyll to deele wyth ȝow, and, as my mynde seruys me, streytte hym-sylffe as it may be booryn, be-syde my mastres hys modyres v c. My mastres hys wyffe on my faythe I darre say the moste harty body to ȝow wardys in this be-halffe that is alyve, and the fayneeste body woold be to haue it accomplyshyd. Ser, I thenke ȝe be to-wardys London, and well I woot ȝowur mynde is to ease ȝour-sylffe as hastely as ȝe may. I pray God ȝe do to ȝour honure and to ȝour moste well to-gederys. Marchandys ore new jantylmen I deme wyll proferre large. Noon othere dyspreysed, ȝe know the contynewance of this man and how he is alyed. Well I woott yf ȝe depart to London ȝe shall haue proferes large. Yf ȝour jornay be not but to ease ȝow in that be-halffe, be my poore avyce slake fore iij ore iiij days, fore euer me semys I shuld not haue ben brokyn to so largely but that they entend it hastely to say to ȝow. Sythe I was there I vndyre-stande yf it had not happyd me to haue seyne them as ȝesterday she woold this day haue made here cowntenance to haue seyn here nes, Bothes dowtere, whyche is at Pallyngys fore fere of the plage, and haue comyn seyne my wyffe, and specyallly to haue de-syred vus to meve ȝow towardys them; and in trowthe so she hasse. I pray God ȝe do as well to ȝour honure as I woold do my-sylffe. Yf ȝe wyll tery thys lytell season be-foore rehersyd, yf ȝe lyste, I woott well ȝe may haue the mater moore largely comyned; and yf ȝe tary tyll Monday I wull awayte on ȝow to Hynengham, wyth Godys grace, who euer preserue ȝow and ȝours. ȝour E. Paston

billa Edmundi Paston.

Edmund Paston, receyvour of the Scalys landes, askyth to be allowed of xij li. xij s. viij d. whiche hangith ouer his hede in his accompte made bifore Robert Sharp at the Feste of the Pureficacion of Our Lady laste paste for his costes and expenses for two yeres as hyt apperith in the sayd accomptes. Item, the sayde Edmund askyth to be allowed for his costes and expenses of this yere cxviij s. iiij d., beside his costes commynge and goynge to this accompte. Item, for his rewarde of the saide iij yeres ad placitum dominorum, whereof ys allowed for his costes by the comandement of my lorde=x li. Item, allowed by the

To his worchypfull moder Margaret Paston, dwellyng in Mawtby, be + þis letter delyveryd in hast.

Rytgh reverent and worchypfull moder, I recomavnd me on-to yowre good moderchypp, besechyng yow to geve me yowre dayly benedyiccyon, desyeryng hartyly to heere of yowre prosperyté, whych God preserve to hys plesure and to yowre hartys desyyre, &c. I marvel soore that yow sent me noo word of the letter wych I sent to yow by Master Wylliam Brown at Ester. I sent yow word that tym that I xold send yow myn exspenses partyculerely, but as at thys tym the berare here-of had a letter sodenly that he xold com hom, and there-fore I kowd have noo leysure to send them yow on that wys; and there-fore I xall wryt to yow in thys letter the hool som of my exspenses sythyns I was wyth yow tyll Ester last paste, and also the reseytys, rekenyng the xx s. that I had of yow to Oxon. wardys, wyth the Buschopys fyndyng. The hool som of reseytys ys v li. xvij s. vj d., and the holl som of exspenses ys vj li. v s. v d. ob. qua.; and that comth over the reseytys in my exspenses I have borowd of Master Edmund, and yt drawyth to viij s., and yet I recon non exspenses sythyns Ester; but as fore them they be not grete. And there-fore I besech yow to send me mony by Syre Richard Cotman, brynger of thys letter, ore ellys by the next masenger that yow kan have to me. I besech yow that he that I sent by thys letter to yow may have good schere yf he bryng yt hym-selfe, as he telth me that he woll, fore he ys a good lover of myn. Master Edmund Alyard recomavnd hym specyaly to yow, and to all my brodyrn and systyrs and to all yowre howsold, and I besech yow that I may be recomavndyt to all them also, and specyaly to my brodyre John þe yonger. No more to yow at thys tym, but Allmythy Iesus have yow in hys kepyng, amen. Wretyn at Oxonforth on Seynt Dunstonys Day and þe xix day of May. By yowre soun and scolere Walter Paston

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

After all dw reverens and recomendacions, likyth yt yow to vnderstond that I reseyvyd a letter fro my broder John wher-by I vnderstod that my moder and yow wold know what þe costys of my procedyng schold be. I sent a letter to my broder John certyfyyng my costys and þe causys why that I wold procede; but as I have sent word to my moder I purpose to tary now tyll yt be Mychylmas, for yf I tary tyll than sum of my costys schall be payyd for. I supposed whan that I sent þe letter to my broder John that þe Qwenys broder schold have procedyd at Mydsomer, but he woll tary now tyll Michylmas; but, as I send word to my moder, I wold be inceptor be-for Mydsomer, and ther-for I besechyd her to send me sum mony, fore yt woll be sum cost to me, but not mych. And, Syr, I besech yow to send me word what answer ye have of þe Buschopp of Wynchester for that mater whyche ye spak to hym of for me whan I was wyth yow at London. I thowth fore to have had word ther-of or thys tym. I wold yt wold com, for owr fyndyng of þe Buschopp of Norwych begynnyth to be slake in payment. And yf ye know not whath thys term menyth, 'inceptor', Master Edmund, that was my rewlere at Oxforth, berar her-of, kan tell yow, or ellys any oder gradwat. Also I pray yow send me word what ys do wyth þe hors I left at Totnam, and whyder þe man be content that I had yt of or nat. Iesu preserve yow to hys pleswr and to yowr most hartys desyyr. Wretyn at Oxforth þe Saturday next after Ascensyon of Owr Lord. Walter Paston

To hys ryth trusty and hartyly belovyd broder John Paston, abydyng at þe + Georg at Powlys Qwharfe in London, be þis letter delyueryd.

Rygth worchypfull and hartyly belovyd broder, I recomaund me on-to yow, desyeryng feythfoly to here of yowr prosperyté, qwhych God preserve; thankyng yow of dyverse letterys that yow sent me. In the last letter that yow sent to me ye wryt that yow schold have wryt in the letter that yow sent by Master Brown how that I schold send yow word what tym that I schold procede; but there was non such wrytyng in that letter. The letter is yet to schew, and yf yow com to Oxon. ye schal see the letter, and all the leterys that yow sent me sythynnys I cam to Oxon. And also Master Brown had that sam tym mysch mony in a bage, so that he durst nat bryng yt wyth hym, and that sam letter was in that sam bage, and he had for-gete to take owt the letter, and he sent all to-geder by London; so that yt was þe next day after that I was maad bachylere ore than þe letter cam, and so þe fawt was not in me. And yf ye wyl know what day I was maad baschylere, I was maad on Fryday was sevynyth, and I mad my fest on the Munday after. I was promysyd venyson a-geyn my fest of my Lady Harcort and of a-noder man to, but I was deseyvyd of both; but my gestys hewld them plesyd wyth such mete as they had, blyssyd be God, hoo have yow in hys kepyng, amen. Wretyn at Oxon. on the Wedenys-day next after Seynt Peter. W. Paston

vltima voluntas Walteri Paston, clerici.

In Dei nomine, amen. Ego Walterus Paston, clericus, in bona et sana memoria existens, condo testamentum meum apud Norwicum xviijo die mensis Augusti in hunc modum. In primis lego animam meam Deo Omnipotenti, Beate Marie, et omnibus sanctis, et corpus meum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Sancti Petri de Hundegate coram ymagine Sancti Johannis Baptiste. Item, lego summo altari prefate ecclesie iij s. iiij d. Item, lego reparacioni ecclesie supradicte ij s. vj d. Item, Fratri Johanni Somerton, bachalaureo, v s. Item, lego Magistro Edmundo vnam togam penulatam cum manicis de mynkys. Item, lego Roberto Wulff vnam togam viridem cum chamelet. Item, lego Roberto Holand, filio spirituali, togam meam curtam. Item, lego Magistro Roberto Hollar vnam togam penulatam cum gray. Item, lego Johanni Parkere mantellum meum rubeum. Item, lego Magistro Roberto Hollere vnum puluinar vocatum le bolstar. Item, lego Magistro Edmundo Alyard vnum puluinar. Item, lego Ricardo Richardson vnam togam penulatam ad manus cum menyver. Item, volo quod residuum bonorum meorum in Oxonia sit ad vsum Magistri Edmundi Alyard, sic quod soluat principali Johanni Skelton et Thome Coco. Item, volo quod oues mee quas habet Willelmus Bataly senior in villa de Mawteby diuidantur equaliter inter fratrem meum Edmundum Paston et sororem meam Annam Yeluerton et sororem meam Margeriam Paston vxorem fratris mei Johannis Paston. Item, lego terras et tenementa manerij mei de Cressyngham, si possum dare, fratri meo Johanni Paston, armigero, sibi et heredibus suis, sub condicione ista quod si contingat fratrem meum predictum Johannem paston esse heredem patris mei quod nullo modo habeat terras et tenementa predicta, sed quod frater meus Edmundus Paston habeat terras et tenementa predicta sibi et suis heredibus. Residuum vero bonorum non legatorum lego et do disposicioni executorum meorum vt et ipsi fideliter disponant pro anima mea. Huius autem testamenti mei executores condo per presentes fratrem meum Johannem Paston, armigerum, pro ista patria et Magistrum Edmundum Alyard pro bonis meis remanentibus Oxonie.

To hys worchepful brodyr John Paston be thys delyuered in hast.

Ryght reuerent and worchepful brodyr, I recomaunde me on-to yow, desyrynge to here of yowre welfare and prosperité, letynge yow wete that I haue reseuyd of Alwedyr a lettyr and a nobyll in gowlde þer-in. Ferthermore, my creansyr Mayster Thomas hertely recomaundyd hym to yow, and he praythe yow to send hym sum mony for my comons for he seythe ye be xxti s. in hys dette, for a monthe was to pay for when he had mony laste. Also I beseche yow to sende me a hose clothe, on for þe halydays of sum colore and a-nothyr for þe workyng days, how corse so euer it be it makyth no matyr; and a stomechere, and ij schyrtys, and a peyer of sclyppers. And if it lyke yow that I may come wyth Alwedyr be watyr and sporte me wyth yow at London a day or ij thys terme tyme, than ȝe may let all thys be tyl þe tyme that I come. And than I wol telle you when I schall be redy to come from Eton, by þe grace of God, whom haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn the Saturday next aftyr All Halown Day, wyth þe hand of your brodyr Wylliam Paston

To his worchepfull broder John Paston be thys delyuered in hast.

Ryght reuerent and worchepfull broder, aftyr all dewtés of recomendacion I recomaunde me on-to yow, desyryng to here of your prosperité and welfare, whych I pray God long to contynew to hys plesore and to your hertys desyre; letyng yow wete that I receyued a letter from yow, in the wyche letter was viij d., wyth þe whyche I schuld bye a peyer of slyppers; ferthere-more certyfyyng yow as for þe xiij s. iiij d. whyche ȝe send by a jentylmannys man for my borde, cawlyd Thomas Newton, was delyuered to myn hostes, and soo to my creancere Master Thomas Steuenson; and he hertely recomended hym to yow. Also ȝe sende me worde in the letter of xij li. fyggys and viij li. reysons. I haue them nott delyuered, but I dowte not I schal haue, for Alwedyr tolde me of them and he seyde þat they came aftyr in an other barge. And as for þe yong jentylwoman, I wol certyfye yow how I fryste felle in qweyntauns wyth hyr. Hir fader is dede. Ther be ij systers of them, þe elder... þe whych weddyng I was wyth myn hostes, and also desyryd by þe jentyl-man hym-selfe, cawlyd Wylliam Swanne, whos dwellynge is in Eton. So it fortuned that myn hostes reportyd on me odyrwyse than I was wordy, so þat hyr moder comaundyd hyr to make me good chere, and soo in good feythe sche ded. Sche is not a-bydynge ther sche ys now, hyr dwellyng is in London; but hyr moder and sche cam to a place of hyrs v myle from Eton, were þe weddyng was, for be-cause it was nye to þe jentylman whyche weddyd hyr dowtyr. And on Monday next comyng, þat is to say þe fyrst Monday of Clene Lent, hyr moder and sche wyl goo to þe pardon at Schene, and soo forthe to London, and there to a-byde in a place of hyrs in Bowe Chyrche-yerde. And if it plese yow to inquere of hyr, hyr modyrs name is Mestres Alborow. þe name of the dowtyr is Margarete Alborow, the age of hyr is be all lykelyod xviij or xix ȝere at þe fertheste. And as for the mony and plate, it is redy when soo euer sche were weddyd; but as for the lyuelod, I trow not tyl after hyr modyrs desese, but I can not telle yow for very certeyn ... but yow may know by inqueryng. And as for hyr bewté, juge yow that when ȝe see hyr, yf so be that ȝe take þe laubore; and specialy beolde hyr handys, for and if it be as it is tolde me sche is dysposyd to be thyke. And as for my comynge from Eton, I lake no-thynge but wersyfyynge, whyche I troste to haue wyth a lytyll contynuance. Queritur: Quomodo non valet hora, valet mora? Vnde dicitur: Arbore iam videas exemplum. Non die possunt Omnia supleri; set tamen illa mora. And thes too verse a-fore seyde be of myn own makyng. No more to yow at thys tyme, but God haue yow in hys kepyng. Wretyn at Eton the Euen of Seynt Mathy the Apostyll, in haste, wyth the hande of your broder Wylliam Paston

To hys right worchepfull brodyr Edmunde Paston be thys lettyr delyueryd.

Aftyr all dewtés of recomendacion I recomaunde me on-to yow, letynge yow wett that here is closid in thys same byll the wyll of my fadyr, suche as my brodyr hathe, and he seyth that it is the very wyll of my fadyr and that he had it owt of the regestyr. And as for towchynge of my mater, I can haue non other ende than I had whan I departyd fro yow, sauynge that my brodyr hathe gotyn a pardon for þe alyenacion þat the Bochop of Wynchestyr alyenyd. And as for the estate that I schold haue in it, I can gete non but acordynge to my fadyrs wyll, whyche is to me and to my heyers malys as is specyfyed in the wyll. And as for my brodyrs wyll is non other but that I schuld haue Runham, whyche is viij li. a ȝere ad minus, in recompense of the x merke owt of the maner of Sporle, so that I relessyd all my ryght that I haue in the maner of Sporle. And as towchynge yow in my brodyrs wyll, there is no-thyng; for I redde it ouer and woll wright it also, so that I woll haue the same for my copye that he wrote wyth hys owne hande. Also I beseche yow to recomaunde me hertely to my sustyr your wyff. No more to yow at thys tyme, but God haue yow in hys kepynge. Wretyn at London the xxij day of February, be yowre brodyr Wylliam Paston

Paston be thys ...yuered.

Syr, I recomaunde me on-to yow, latynge yow wete that, as for John Petyrsons mater, as ȝett it is nott spedde. I spake on-to Mayster Secretory of it, and promysyd hym that ȝe badde me; and he aunswerd me that he wold nott geue yowe non cowmfortt in it for wynnyng of your money other than ye schuld fyend trew, and so he wold nott vndyrtake it thow ȝe wold spende abowt it c merke. And so vp-on thys aunswere I went on-to my lord and toke hym on of the byllys, and so he aunswerd me that at the fyrst worde the Kynge asched hym l li. And where as ȝe reqwere to haue it grauntyd wyth-owt fyne or fee, I wold ȝe had it wyth the payment of þe fyne or fee, for it schall nott coste past xx s. or iiij nobyls more than þe offerd to þe secretory; and also in nowthyr of those byllys ther is non clawse in it wherby it scholde be grauntyd wyth-owt fyne or fee, and thow ther were it is tolde me it profyte nott, they of the Chauncery woll nott lose ther dewtés for Kynge nor other. And as for the generall lycens, I haue asked my lord of it, and he aunswerde me that he wott well ther schall be non grauntyd of a gode whyle, and it schall come fyrst to your handys, for I tolde hym how that ȝe were begylyd whan ȝe were at London. As for to speke wyth Mayster Schypton, or yet wyth my lorde Treserer, I cowd not brynge it a-bowt, for my lord entendyd to ryde the next morow aftyr the makynge of thys letter; but I aduysyd Edmond Dorman to speke wyth Mayster Shypton as he went homewarde. As for my lord Treserer, he was not wyth the Kyng of all the counsell tyme, þe whyche was endyd on the iijde day of Marche. And theder came my lorde of Northethomyrlond the fyrste day of Marche, and departyd the euen afore þe makyng of thys letter, and hathe endentyd wyth the Kynge for the kepynge owt of the Schottys and warrynge on them, and schall haue large money, I can nott telle þe some for certeyn. Also ther is an rover takyn at Brystowe, on Cowper as I wene, and he is lyke to be hanged, and he confessythe more of hys felawis. Also Edwarde Hecstowe of Douere is apechyd of treson of many straunge poyntys, and hys accusere and he were bothe afore the Kynge, and then they were takyn apert and he hym-sylfe confessyd it that hys accusere accusyd hym of, and many other thyngys more than he was accusyd of. And he had many lordys and gentylmen to aunswere for hys trowthe and hys demenynge afore-tyme, for as I hard sey bothe the Kynge in a maner, nor non of the tother lordys nor gentylmen, beleuyd not hys accuser tyl þat he confessyd it hym-selfe; and so he is in the Towre and lyke to be dede. As for the Kyngys comynge in-to the contré, on Monday come fortenyght he woll lye at the Abbey of Stratteforde and so to Chelmnsford, þan to Syr Thomas Mongehombrey, þan to Heuenyngham, than to Colchestyr, þan to Ipswyche, þan to Bery, þan to Dame Anne Wyngfeldys, and soo to Norwyche; and there woll he be on Palme Sonday Euyn, and so tary there all Ester and þan to Walsyngham. Wher-fore ȝe had nede to warne Wylliam Gogyne and hys felawes to puruey them off wyne j-now, for euery man berythe me on hande that þe towne schalbe dronkyn drye as Yorke was whan the Kynge was there. Syr, Mayster Sampson recomaunde hym on-to yow, and he hathe sende yow a rynge be Edmonde Dorman; and besydys that he requeryd me to wryte on-to yow þat it were best for yow to puruey yow of some gentyl-manys thynges ageyns the Kyngys comyng, for suere he woll brynge yow gestys j-now, and therfore puruey yow þer-aftyr. Also he sendythe yow worde that it is my lordys mende þat my syster, wyth all other godely folkys þer-abowte, scholde acompeny wyth Dame Elsebethe Calthrop, be-cawse there is noo grete lady ther-a-bowte, ageyns the Kyngys comynge, for my lorde hathe made grete boste of the fayre and goode gentylwomen of þe contré and so the Kynge seyd he wolde see them sure. Syr, my lorde hathe sente on-to þe most part of the gentyl-men of Essex to wayte vp-on hym at Chelmnysford, where as he entendythe to mete wyth the Kynge, and þat they be well apoyntyd þat þe Lankeschere men may see þat ther be gentylmen of so grete sobestaunce þat þei be able to bye alle Lankeschere. Men thynke that ȝe amonge yow wol doo þe same. Your contré is gretely bostyd of, and also the jnabytours of þe same. I beseche yow to remembre my hors that ye promysyd me. God kepe yow. Wretyn at Schene in haste þe vijte day of Marche wyth the hande of your brodyr Wylliam Paston

To the Baly of Mawlteby.

Mayster Baly, I recomaunde me on-to yow, praynge yow that ye woll sende me be Wylliam Kokkys, berer her-of, iiij nobylles in golde putt in to the same boxe that thys byll is in as thow it were euydens, for I haue tolde the masengere that he schulde brynge me nothynge butt euydens; for he is in a manere departyng owt of my seruyse, wherfore I wold nott he knew so myche of my counsell. And as for the remenaunte, I wollde ȝe schulde kepe it tyll I come my-selfe. And if Bayard be on-solde I pray yow late hym be made fatte ageyns the Kynge come in-to the contré, what so euer I pay for the kepyng of hym. And I schall wete how goode a corser I schall be my-selfe at my comyng in-to the contré, be the grace of God, who haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at Henyngham be your Wylliam Paston

To Syr John Paston be thys lettyr delyuered.

Aftyr all dewe recomendacion, pleasyt yow to vndyrstonde that my lorde hathe ben wyth the Kynge in Wyndesour at Seynt Georgys Feste, and ther at the same feste were bothe þe jnbacetours of Breten and of Flaundyrs as well fro the Kynge of Romayns as fro the yonge Duke. But I can not schew yow þe certeyn whedyr we schall haue wyth them warre or pease. But I vndyrstonde for certeyn that all suche capeteyns as wente to þe see in Lente, þat is to sey Syr Charlys Somersett, Syr Richard Hawte, and Syr Wylliam Vampage, makythe them redy to goo to the see ageyn as schortely as they can, to what jntente I can not sey. Also, where as it was seyde that my lord Woddevyle and other schulde haue gone ouer in-to Breten to haue eyded the Duke of Breten, I can not tell of non suche eyd. Butt vp-on that seynge ther came many men to Sowthehamton, where it was seyd that he schulde haue takyn schyppyng to haue waytyd vpon hym ouer, and soo whan he was countyrmaundyd thos that resortyd thedyr to haue gon ouer wyth hym taryde there styll, in hope þat they schuld haue ben lycensyd to haue gone ouer, and whan they sey no lykeleod that they schuld haue lycens there was ij c of them that gete them in-to a Breten schyppe þe whyche was late come ouer wyth salte, and bad the mayster sett them a lond in Breten. And they had nott seylyd not paste vj legys butt they aspied a Frencheman, and the Frencheman mad ouer to them, and they ferde as thow they wolde not haue medylde wyth them, and all the Englysche-men went vndyr the hetchys soo that they schewyd no more but those that came to Sowthehamton wyth the schype, to cawse the Frenche-men to be the more gladder to medyll wyth them. And soo the Frencheman burdyd them, and then they that were vndyr the hetches came vp and soo toke þe Frencheman and caryed þe men, schyppe, and all in-to Breaten. Also ther was ther an jnbacetour fro the Kynge of Schottys who is now put in grete trobyll be hys son and other of the lordys of hys londe. Syr, as I came homewerde be London I spake there wyth Emonde Dormand, and he seyd that he had wretyn onto yow but he had non aunswere; wherfor he prayd me that if I knew ony man comynge towerdys Norwhyche and I wolde wrythe on-to yow þat he ferythe if ye see non other dyreccion that he schall be comittyd to þe Flete. Also he schewyd me that Herry Wyott wholde fynde the mene to haue yow condemnyd and recouer þe obligacion of xl li. ageyns yow. And soo he seythe he whote nott how to doo, for he is halfe dysmayd. He ferythe lesse that he schall neuer come home; but he intendythe to plede the obligacion fulfylyd at Norwyche, for he seythe ther is non other remedy to saue yow fro the condemnacion tyl that he herythe otherwyse from yow, whyche he thynkethe longe aftyr. Wretyn at Henyngham ye xiijte day of May wyth the hand of your brodyr Wylliam Paston

To hijs brodyr Syr John Paston.

Syr, I recomaunde me on-to yow. And where as ye desyre that I schulde sende yow worde of suche tydyng as Phylyp Lewes and Wyndesor bryngythe fro the corte, they be come thens bothe; but we here of no tydyngys that they brynge but that yondyr folkys abyde stylle abowte þe place where as thys onhappy dede was done, and not wyth no grete nowmbyr, they sey not paste wyth v or vj c when they were moste. Howbeyt they haue made proclamacions in þe cuntrey to mete wyth oder of ther affynyté as on Tuesday last past, as it aperythe in the copy of ther proclamacion heraftyr folowyng. Also they schew the Kynge intendythe to holde on hys jurney, and Phylyp Lewes is redyn ageyn to the Kyng, and schall brynge wyth hym money for all ther wagys that schall be in my lordys retynew, as yow and vj of Syr Wylliam Bolens seruauntys and odyr. Syr, Mastyr Clopton sye yowre lettyr, and a seythe he knew my lordys mende suche that he durste not meue hym wyth it. Ther was Syr Wylliam Say, but Clopton wolde not it schulde be knowen of non other but yourselfe. He sent my lorde be a seruaunt of hys xl li. to haue excusyid hym, and it wolde not be takyn; and þat I mervell of. Howbeyt he brake thus fer to my lorde: he asched hym how many he apoyntyd yow to brynge wyth yow, and he answerde hym xxti, and than he schewyd hym yowre chargys þat ye haue had. My lorde seyd ye myght haue men a-nowe, and ther wagys schalbe payd for. Clopton aunswerde how that it wolde coste yow large money besyde þer wagys to hors them and harnes them, and how that to sey the trowthe ye were not well at ese. Not wythstandynge all thys my lorde wyllyd that ye shulde come to hym to Cambryge on Tuesday at nyght, wyth as many as yee myght, and ye and he schulde do well j-now. Soo Clopton thyngyth that and ye brynge a dosen wyth yow it is suffycyent, howbeyt þat Syr Emonde Bedyngfeld, Syr Thomas Tyrell, and Syr Rychard Lewes haue ben wyth my lorde, and yche of them haue offyrde to mete wyth my lorde at Cambryge wyth xxx men apese of them. So I wolde not ye schulde be to ferre vndyr them. Wherfor I thynke best that ye puruey yow so as and ye schulde goo forthe yor-selfe, for I can perseue non othyr wyse. My bedfelawe Cornwaleys is maryed in the northe, and he came as yesternyght to my lorde, streyt owt of the contré, and he scheythe non othyrwyse but as I haue wretyn here afore in thys lettyr. Ye schall haue for yor-self and for yche of your seruauntys horsyd and hernessyd xx s. in hande at Cambryge for a monthe. And I truste we schal haue done or xx days to an ende, wyth þe grace of God, who haue yow in kepynge. At Henyngham. Be your brodyr Wylliam Paston To be knowyn to all the Northe partys of England to euery lorde, knyght, esquyer, gentylman, and yeman, that they schalbe redy in ther defensable aray, jn the Est parte on Tuysday next comyng on Aldyrton More, and in the West parte on Gateley More the same day, vpon peyne of losyng of ther goodys and bodyes, for to geynsstonde suche persons as is abowtward for to dystroy owre suffereyn lorde the Kynge and the Comowns of Engelond for suche vnlawfull poyntys as Seynt Thomas of Cauntyrbery dyed for. And thys to be fulfyllyd and kept by euery ylke comenere apon peyn of dethe. And thys is in the name of Mayster Hobbe Hyrste, Robyn God-felaws brodyr he is, as I trow.

To the ryght worchepfull Syr John Paston, knyght.

Aftyr all dew recomendacion, lyke it yow to vndyrstond that Syr Herry Heydon schewyd me that it is agreyd be Syr Edmond Bedyngfeld that the mater betwyx hym and my brodyr Yeluerton schalbe comynd at Norwyche, and there a dyreccion to be takyn in the same mater mete for them bothe. Syr, þe Kyng sendythe ordynaunce dayly to þe see syde, and hys tentys and alys be a-makyng faste and many of them be made. And there is also grete prouysyon made be gentylmen þat scholde goo wythe hys grace for hors, harnes, tentys, halys, gardyuyans, cartys, and othyr thyngys that scholde serue them for thys jurney that the Kynge entendythe to take on hand, soo that be lykelyod hys grace wolbe goyng sone vpon Ester. And so I entende, aftyr that I here heraftyr, to goo to Caleys to puruey me of harneys and suche thyngys as I schall nede besydes hors, vndyr that forme þat my costys schalbe payd fore. Syr, I am as yet no bettyr horsyd than I was whan I was wythe yow, nor I wote not where to haue none, for hors flesche is of suche a price here that my purce is schante able to bye on hors; wherfor I beseche yow to herkyn for some in yowre contré. Syr, my cosyn John Heydon tolde me that þe Prior of Waburnes horse was rially amendyd, and that þe Abott of Seynt Benetys schewed hym ther was a bay hors off a parsons nygh onto Seynt Benetis and þat þe Abot wolde gete hym for my cosyn Heydon at a resonable price. Syr, my cosyn John Heydon woll geue me hys entrest in that hors if the Abot haue bowght hym, and so ye may lete þe Abot haue knowlege; and if he haue not bowght hym, I beseche yow sende to see hym, for I wote not how to do wyth-owt yowre help aswell in horsyng of me as in other thyngys. At the makyng of thys lettyr I canot acerteyn yow what parson it is that owythe thys hors. If I can know I wolle send yow worde in a bylle I sende to Thomas Jullys be the berer herof. Syr, as towardys my jurney to Caleys, the whyche I entende to haue tane at my laste beyng wyth yow, jt was so I was dysapoyntyd of Thomas Dey and an other man I scholde haue had be hys menys, as ye haue had knowlege of or now. And also I had went to haue had folkys a mette wyth me at Hedyngham whyche dednott. My lorde, seyng me dysesyd and also non otherwyse purueyd, wyllyd me in ony wyse to tary on-tyl hys comyng to London, and sent myn excuse to my Lorde Dawbeney vndyr thys forme, how that I was sore disesyd, notwythestondyng I was welewyllyd to haue come to fulfyll my promesse, but he cowde not sofyr me seyng me soo dysesyd. And so my Lord Dawbeney was sory of my dysese and content that I taryd. Syr, I beseche yow to holde me excusyd for kepyng of Thomas Lynsted, yowre seruaunt, and hym bothe. It is soo that he and I bothe haue ben in hande wyth my vnkyll for hys mater, and yet wee haue hym at noo good poynt, but I troste we schall haue. Syr, if I take thys jurney to Caleys I moste beseche yow to forbere hym lenger, and jf I goo not to Caleys, thow I be lothe to forbere hym yet I schall brynge hym wyth me schortly in-to Norfolke, ye to haue hym if ye lyste, wyth þe grace of God, who haue yow in kepyng. Wretyn at London þe xviij day of February wyth the hande of yowre pore brodyr Wylliam Paston

Vn-to my ryght welbelouyd Voluntyn John Paston, squyer, be þis bill + delyuered, &c.

Ryght reuerent and wurschypfull and my ryght welebeloued Voluntyne, I recommande me vn-to yowe full hertely, desyring to here of yowr welefare, whech I beseche Almyghty God long for to preserve vn-to hys plesure and ȝowr hertys desyre. And yf it please ȝowe to here of my welefare, I am not in good heele of body ner of herte, nor schall be tyll I here from yowe; For þer wottys no creature what peyn þat I endure, And for to be deede I dare it not dyscure. And my lady my moder hath labored þe mater to my fadure full delygently, but sche can no more gete þen ȝe knowe of, for þe whech God knowyth I am full sory. But yf that ȝe loffe me, as I tryste verely that ȝe do, ȝe will not leffe me þerfor; for if þat ȝe hade not halfe þe lyvelode þat ȝe hafe, for to do þe grettyst labure þat any woman on lyve myght, I wold not forsake ȝowe. And yf ȝe commande me to kepe me true where-euer I go Iwyse I will do all my myght ȝowe to love and neuer no mo. And yf my freendys say þat I do amys, þei schal not me let so for to do, Myn herte me byddys euer more to love ȝowe Truly ouer all erthely thing. And yf þei be neuer so wroth, I tryst it schall be bettur in tyme commyng. No more to yowe at this tyme, but the Holy Trinité hafe ȝowe in kepyng. And I besech ȝowe þat this bill be not seyn of non erthely creature safe only ȝour-selfe, &c. And thys lettur was jndyte at Topcroft wyth full heuy herte, &c. Be ȝour own M. B.

To my ryght welebelouyd cosyn John Paston, swyere, be this lettur + delyueryd, &c.

Ryght wurschypffull and welebelouyd Volentyne, in my moste vmble wyse I recommande me vn-to yowe, &c. And hertely I thanke yowe for þe letture whech that ȝe sende me be John Bekurton, wherby I vndyrstonde and knowe þat ȝe be purposyd to com to Topcroft in schorte tyme, and wyth-owte any erand or mater but only to hafe a conclusyon of þe mater betwyx my fadur and ȝowe. I wolde be most glad of any creature on lyve so þat the mater myght growe to effect. And ther as ȝe say, and ȝe com and fynde þe mater no more toward þen ȝe dyd afortyme ȝe wold no more put my fadur and my lady my moder to no cost ner besenesse for þat cause a good wyle afture, weche causyth myn herte to be full hevy; and yf þat ȝe com and the mater take to non effecte, þen schuld I be meche more sory and full of heuynesse. And as for my-selfe, I hafe don and vndyrstond in the mater þat I can or may, as Good knowyth. And I lete yowe pleynly vndyrstond þat my fader wyll no more money parte wyth-all in that behalfe but an c li. and l marke, whech is ryght far fro the acomplyshment of ȝowr desyre. Wherfor, yf þat ȝe cowde be content wyth þat good and my por persone, I wold be þe meryest mayden on grounde. And yf ȝe thynke not ȝowr-selfe so satysfyed, or þat ȝe myght hafe mech more good, as I hafe vndyrstonde be ȝowe afor, good, trewe, and lovyng Volentyne, þat ȝe take no such labure vppon ȝowe as to com more for þat mater; but let it passe, and neuer more to be spokyn of, as I may be ȝowr trewe louer and bedewoman duryng my lyfe. No more vn-to yowe at thys tyme, but Almyghty Iesus preserve ȝowe bothe body and sowle, &c. Be ȝour Voluntyne Mergery Brews

To my right worshipful master John Paston, in haste.

Right reuerent and worshipfull ser, in my moste vmble vice I recomaunde me vnto yow as lowly as I can, &c. Plese yow to wete John Howes, Alexander Qwharteyn, John Fille, wyth the parson and the newe myller of Marlyngforth, haue goten Thom at Welles carte of Estetodenham, fermor to myn vncle William Paston, Herry Herby of Meelton Magna, fermour and baly to my seide vncle, Richard Barkers carte of the seide towne of Meelton, late fermour and yette is in daunger to my seide vncle, and William Smythes carte of Brandon iuxta Bernham Broom, late fermour and baly and also in daunger to my seide vncle, on Monday and Twesday last past caryed awey from Merlyngforth in-to the place at Seint Edmondes in Norwich xij of your greete plankes, of the weche they made vj loodes, beryng a-bowte the seide cartes bowes and gleves for feere of takyng a-wey. Ser, as for your tenauntes of Marlyngforth, they wythholde her catell and hem-selfe bothe from the coorte and come not wythin the lordship nor make noon attornment, exept Thom Davy and John Water, weche absentyng of the tenauntes is to them a greet hurt and los for lak of sedyng of ther londes wyth ther wynter corn; besechyng you for Godes sake to remembre som remedy for them. My Lady Caltorp hath ben at Geppeswich on pilgry-mache, and came homward be my lady of Norffolk, and ther was moche cominicacion of your mater be-twix you and myn vncle, seyng to my Lady Caltorp ye nede not a go to London, ye myght haue had an ende at home, rememberyng to my seid Lady Caltorp of the mocion that he made towchyng the maner of Sporle, promyttyng to my lady to a-bide þat and to write and seale as largely as any man wol desire hym; and at hes departyng from my lady he was not mery, what the cauce was I wot not. My Lady Calthorp desireth me to write to yow to haue ende, for he intendes largely to haue a peace wyth you, as he seth, but truste hym not to moche for he is not goode. My mother in lawe thynketh longe she here no word from you. She is in goode heele, blissed be God, and al your babees also. I mervel I here no word from you, weche greveth me ful evele. I sent you a letter be Brasiour sone of Norwiche, wher-of I here no word. No more to you at this tyme, but Almyghty Jesu haue you in hes blissed kepyng. Wreten at Norwich on Allowmes Day at nyght. Be yowre seruaunt and bedewoman Margery Paston Ser, I prey you if ye tary longe at London þat it wil plese you to send for me, for I thynke longe sen I lay in your armes.

To my ryght wurchupfull mayster John Paston, esquyer, be this letter delyuerd + in hast.

Myne owyn swete hert, jn my most humyl wyse I recomaund me on-to you, desyryng hertly to here of youre welfar, the wheche I beseche Allemyghty God preserue and kepe to his pleser and youre hertys desyer. Sere, the cause of my wrytyng to you at this tyme: on Friday att nyght last past come Alexander Wharton, John Hous, and John Fylle, wyth ij good cartys well mannyd and horsyd wyth hem, to Marlyngford, and there at þe maner of Marlyngford and at the mille lodyn bothe cartys wyth mestlyon and whete, and betymys on Saturday in the mornyng they departyd fro Marlyngford towardys Bongey, as it is seyd; for the seyd cartys come fro Bongey, as I soppose by the sendyng of Bryon, for he goth hastyly ouer þe se, as it is seyd, and as I suppose he wyll haue the mestlyon ouer wyth hym, for the most part of the cart loodys was mestlyon, &c. Item, ser, on Saturday last past I spacke wyth my cosyn Gornay, and he seyd if I wold goo to my lady of Norffolk and besech hyr good grace to be youre good and gracyous lady, she wold so be; for he seyd that on word of a woman shuld do more than the wordys of xx men, yiffe I coude rewyll my tonge and speke non harme of myn vnkyll. And if ye comaund me for to do, I trist I shuld sey nothyng to my ladys displesure, but to youre profyt; for me thynkyth by the wordys of them, and of youre good fermore of Oxned, that they wyll sone drawe to an ende; for he cursyth the tyme that euer he come in the ferme of Oxned, for he seyth þat he wotyth well that he shall haue a grette losse, and yet he wyll not be aknowyn wheder he hathe payd or nought; but whan he seth his tyme he wyll sey trowth. I vnderstond by my seyd cosyn Gornay that my lady is nere wery of hyr parte, and he seyth my lady shal come on pylgremage in-to this towne, but he knowyth not wheder afore Cristmes or aftyr; and if I wold thanne gete my Lady Calthorpe, my moder in lawe, and my moder and my-selfe, and come before my lady besychyng hyr to be youre good and gracyous lady, he thynkyth ye shull haue an ende, for fayne she wold be redde of it, wyth hyr onowre sauyd, but yette money she wold haue. Nomore to you at this tyme, butte I mervell sore that I haue no letter from you. I prey God preserve you and send me good tydyngys from you, and spede you well in youre materys. And as for me, I haue gotyn me anothyr logyn felawe; the ferst letter of hyr name is Mastras Byschoppe. She recomaundyth hyr to you by the same tokyn that ye wold haue had a tokyn to my mayster Bryon. Att Norwych the Sonday next after the fest of All Seyntys. Be yowre seruaunt and bedewoman Margery Paston

To my mastyr John Paston be this delyvird.

Ryght reuerent and wortschepfull syre, jn my most vmbill weysse I recomaunde me to you, desyryng to here of your welfare, the wytche I beseche God to preserve to his plesur and to your hartys desyir. Syr, I thank you for the venyson that ye sent me. And youre schepe is seylyd owte of þe havene as this daye. Syr, I send you be my brodyr Wyllem your stomachere of damaske. As for youre teppet of velvet, it is not here; An seythe that ye put yt jn your casket at London. Syr, your chyldryn be jn goode helle, bellsside be God. Syr, I prey you sende me the gowild that I spak to you of be the nexst man that comythe to norwytche. Syr, your mast that laye at Yermowythe is letyn to a scheppe of Hull for xiij s. iiij d.; and if ther fawyll ony hurt ther-to ye schall have a new mast ther-for. No mor to you at this tyme, but Almyty God have you in his kepyng. Wretyn at Castyr Hawill the xxj daye of Janeuer jn the furst yere of Kyng Harry the vijth. Be your seruaunt Margery Paston I prey God no ladyis no more ovyr-com you that ye geve no lenggar respyt jn your materys.

To my rygth wurchypful maystyr Syr John Paston, knyth, þis lettyr be + delyveryd in hast.

Rygth reuerent and worchypfull syr, in þe most owmble wyse I recomand me vn-to yow, desyryng to here of yowre welfare, þe qwech God long contynew. Syr, myn brodyr Wyllyam recomawnd hym on-to yow, and as for þe lettyr þat ȝe sent on-to hym, he hath schewyd my lord þe entent þer-off and he thynkyth hym-self þat it is no part of hys duté to have any part of þe fysch ore any mony þat schuld grow þer-of. Never þe lasse my lord, acordyng as yowre desyre was in þe letter, had qwestyond John a Lowe of thys fych, a-for þe comyng of John Danyel, what he had doon wyth-all, and he aunswerd as for þe nedyre chavyll þer-of he had put it in sewrté and leyd it in a howse be-cawse yowre debyté seasyd it to my lordys vse tyll it myth be vndyrstond wedyre þe propyrté ware in þe Kyng or in my lord. And so my lord held hym well content it schud be so, in so moch as þe Kyng and my lord have comawndyd John a Lowe þat thys forsayd chavyll schuld be browth vp to þe Kyng in all goodly hast. Fardermore my brodyr Wyllyam perseyvyd be yowre wrytyng þat ye cowd make þe remnawnth of þe fych worth iiij li. to my lord. My lord wold ȝe schuld not trobyll yowre-self no more wyth-all be-cawse he thynkyth þat þe propyrté is not in hym. And also an odyre, my brodyre Wyllyam heryth sey in þe corte þat þe Kyng and my lord be content þat þe remenavnt of þe fych be to þe vse of them of þe cuntré, þe wech ȝe schall here þe more serteyn þer-of here-after. Also my broder Wyllyam seyth þat my lord wyllyd yow þat ȝe schuld send þe retorne of þe comyscion as hastyly as ȝe can, and mervell þat ȝe hath not sent it vp or thys. As tovardys þe brekyng vp of þe parlement, many lykelywoodys þer be þat it schuld contynew no wyle, and thes be they. My lord þe Archebyschop of Yorke departyd as ȝysterday, and my lord of Northethomyrlond schall goo as on Fryday, and also all schuch folkys as schall goo in-to Breten schall be at Portysmowth on Satyrday cum forthnyth, and þe Munday after on see bord, at wech seassun þe Kyng intentyd to be þer to take þe mustyrs. And as for thos jantylmen that toke schippyng to a gon over in-to Breten vp-on a fortnyth a-goo, þat is to sey Syr Richard Egecum þe cowntrollere, Syr Roberd Clyfford, Syr John Trobylvyll, and Johon Motton, sariant porter, be a-ryvyd a-geyn vp-on þe cost of Yngland, save all-only Syr Richard Egecum wech londyd in Breten and þer was in a towne callyd Morleys, wech a-non vp-on hys comyng was besegyd wyth þe Frenchmen, and so skapyd hardly wyth hys lyff; þe wech towne þe Frenchemen have gotyn, and also þe towne callyd Breest, how-be-it þe castell holdyth as we here say. And þer be apoyntyd serteyn captens as thys seasun, wech be Lord Bruke, Syr John Cheney, Syr John of Arundell, Syr John Becham, Syr John Gray, myn broder Awdley, myn vnkyll Syr Gylberd Debnam, and Thomas Stafford and many odyr knytys and esqwyrys. And, syr, I thanke yow for þe lettyr þat ȝe sent me. Also, syr, I have fulfyllyd myn pylgremage, thanke-it be God. Also, syr, we vndyrstond þat it is anactyd of euery x merke of mevable goodys xxd. to þe Kyng, be-syd þe tennyth of euery mannys londys. And, syr, my brodyre Heydon schall send yow þe serteyn of all odyre thyngys grawntyd at thys parlement, for he hath cawsed John Danyell to tery all thys day for hys letter, be-cawse he was wyth þe Kyng at Westmestre þat he myth not entend to wryth it tyl nyth. Also, syr, Master Calthorp hath payd j c merke to þe Kyng. Also, syr, I have delyuerd þe x li. to Master Hawes and reseywyd of hym þe oblygacion. Also I have delyuerd þe xxti merke to Edmund Dorman be my brodyr Heydons comawndment. No more to yow at thys tyme, but God and þe Holy Trinyté have yow in here kepyng; and myn syster Anne wyth all þe company recomawnd hem on-to yow. Wretyn at London þe x day of Februare. Be yowre seruaunt Margery Paston

To my most special good father Ser John Paston, knyght

After most humbyl wyse of recommandacion, jn my most lovyngly wyse I beseche yow of your dayly blyssyng, showyng yow þat I am at Ser John Fortescu place be-cause they swet so sor at Cambryg. Also I shew yow þat Master Thomas Clark ys desessyd, hows sowle God haue mercy. Also, I beseche yow that ye wol se a remedy for the comun of Snaylwel, for the bayly of Snaylwel and on of your fermors war wyth my tutor and me and shevyd me þat all the comun shuld a be takyn a-way butt for Master Cotton and the vecur of Fordan, hom I beseche yow to thank Fro Pamsborow, be your most humbyl seruant. William Paston.