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Title: The Paston Letters, A.D. 1422-1509. Volume 3 (of 6)

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The Paston Letters: Henry VI
The Paston Letters: Edward IV
Contents of this Volume

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No. . . 47 . . .

THE PASTON LETTERS
A.D. 1422-1509

Text of Title Page

Edinburgh: T. and A. Constable, Printers to His Majesty

THE PASTON LETTERS
Henry VI

260
WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN PASTON 1.1

To my rith wurchipfull brodir, Jon Paston, be this
delyveryd.
1454
SEPT. 6

R
YTH wurchyfull brodyr, I recomande me to zow, desiryng to her
of zowr willefar. Byllyng 1.2 the serjant hathe byn in his contre,
and he come to Lundon this weke; he sent for me and ast me
how I fared; I tolde hym her is pestelens, and sayd I fard the better he
was in good hele, for it was noysyd that he was ded. A toke me to him
and ast how my suster dede, and I answeryd wyll, never better. He seyd
he was with the Lord Gray, 1.3 and they talkyd of j. jantilman qweche is
ward to my Lord—I remember he sayd it was Harry Gray that thei
talkyd of; and my Lord sayd, ‘I was besy with jn this fewe days to a
maryd hym to a jantyllwoman jn Norfolke that schall have 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 have his mariage mony hymself, and
therefore (quoth he) he schall mary hym self for me.’
This wurds had my Lorde to Byllyng, as he tollde me, he understod
that my Lord laboryd for his owne a vayle, and consaylyd to byd her
be wyse; and I thankeyd hym for hys good consayll.
I sent zow an answer of zowr letter of Sir Jon Fastolf comyng hom, as
he told me hem self; neverthe lesse he bode longer than he sayd
hymself he schull a do.

He tolde me he schulde make j. [one] ende be twix Skroop 2.1 and my
suster wulle he is in Norfolke. Many wulde it schulde not prove, for
thei say it is an onlykkely mariage.
In casse Cressener be talkyd of ony mor, he is countyd a jantyllmanly
man and a wurshepfull. Ze knowe he is most wurchipfull better than I.
At the reverens of Good, drawe to sume conclusyn; it is time.
My Lord Chanseler 2.2 come not her sone I come to Lundon, nether my
Lord of Yorke. 2.3
My Lord of Canterbury 2.4 hathe received hys crosse, and I was with
hym in the kynggs chamber qwan he mad hys homage. I tolde Harry
Wylton the demeanyng betwix the kyng and hym; it war to long to
wrythe.
As for the prist that dede areste me, I can not understand that it is the
pryste that ze mene.
Her is gret pestelens. I purpose to fle in to the contre. My Lord of
Oxforthe is come azen fro the se, and he hath geth hym lytyll thank in
this countre. Much more thyng I wulde wrythe to zow, but I lak lysore.
Harry Wylton sey the Kyng. My Lord of Ely 2.5 hathe do hys fewthe
[his fealty]. God have zow in his blyssyd kepyng.
Wretyn at Lundon on the Fryday be for owr Ladys day, the Natyvite, in
gret hast. I pray recomand me to my suster, and cosyn Cler.
Be yowr broder,
Wm. Paston.
1.1[From Fenn, iii. 220.] There is abundant evidence that the
year in which this letter was written was 1454. The
references to Lord Grey’s offer of a husband for Elizabeth
Paston, and to Sir John Fastolf’s going into Norfolk, of
which William Paston had before written by anticipation,
though a little prematurely, in No. 254, are in themselves
sufficient to fix the chronology; but the mention of fealty
having been done by a new Archbishop of Canterbury and a

new Bishop of Ely removes any possible doubt on the
subject.
1.2 Thomas Billing was made a serjeant in 1453, and about

1469 was appointed Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.
1.3 Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthyn.—See Letter 250.

2.1 Stephen Scroope.—See vol. ii. p. 108, Note 4.

2.2 Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, was appointed

chancellor in April 1454.
2.3 Richard, Duke of York, at this time Protector.

2.4 Thomas Bourchier, who was translated from the Bishopric

of Ely to Canterbury in April 1454.
2.5 William Grey. He received his temporalities by a patent of

the date of this letter, 6th September 1454, which shows that
he had by that time done fealty.

and I thankeyd hym for hys good consayll
text has “thanlkeyd”

261
ABSTRACT 3.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1454-9
SEPT. 19

Has searched among his evidence, and found a release of Nycolas
Bockyng of his messuage and lands in Castre, ‘sometime Fraunceys
and afterward John Barboures, and Cassandre his wife,’ which is

enrolled in Banco, Rotulo primo de cartis scriptis, de termino Sc. Trin.
anno r. R. Henr. Sexti, 23º. Send me the copy of it.
Castre, 19 Sept. (Signature not in his own hand.)

[The year in which this letter was written is uncertain, but it cannot be earlier than
1454, when Fastolf came to Caister, nor later than 1459, as he died in November of that
year.]

3.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 227.]

262
RICHARD SOUTHWELL TO JOHN PASTON 3.2

To the right reverent and worshippfull John Paston,
in haste.
1454(?)
OCT. 6

R
IGHT reverent and worshippfull Sir, and my right trusti and
welbelovid cosin, I recomaund me unto you, praiyng you
hertily to remembr me unto my Master Radclyff, so that by
your gode meanes I shall mowe have his gode mastershipp, the whiche
I have effectuelly to [m]y power sewed fore iij. yer, and never deserved
the contrarye to my knowlegge, by my trouth; and if it can or may be
founden that I have, I will obeye me, and offre me to abyde the rewle
of you and my cosin your brothir, &c.
Also my Lord of Caunterbury 4.1 Master Waltier Bl[a]kette will help
forthe, if nede be; and as to the remenant of the Lordes, if the case
requir that ye may understand by your wysdum thei be displeased with
me—as I trust to God thei be not,—I beseche you to remembr that I
have aforetyme b[en] accused unto the Kings Highnesse and the
Quenes for owyng my pore gode will and service unto my Lord of

York and other, &c. Wherof I suppose that Thomas Bagham is
remembred that I brought hym oones from my Lady a purs and v. marc
therin, and to Sir Phelipp Wenteworth an other and a Cs. [100s.] therin
for their gode will and advise therin to my Lady and all us that were
appelled for that cause, notwithstanding the King wrote to my Lord by
the meanes of the Duc of Somersette, 4.2 that we shuld be avoyded from
hym, &c. And within this ij. yer we wer in like wise laboured ageyns to
the Quene, so that she wrote to my Lord 4.3 to avoyde us, saiyng that the
King and she coude nor myght in no wyse be assured of hym and my
Lady as long as we wer aboute hym, with much other thing, as may be
sufficiently proved by the Quenes writing under herr own signett and
signe manuell, the whiche I shewd to my Lord of Caunterbury and
other Lordes, &c.
I prey you have me excused that I encombr you with thees matiers at
this tyme, for me thinketh ye shuld will and desire me to do any thing
to your honour and pleaser at any tyme, wherto I shal be redy and
welwilled to my power by the grace of God, who have you ever in his
keping, and all youres.
Writon at Norwiche, on Seint Feithes day, in haste.
Youres,
Ric. Suthwell.
3.2 [From Fenn, iii. 376.] This letter must have been written

during one of the periods of the Duke of York’s ascendency,
and on a comparison of possible years I am inclined to assign
it to 1454. The date 1460, to which Fenn ascribes it, would
have been highly probable but for the fact that John Paston,
who was returned to Parliament in that year, does not appear
to have arrived in London even on the 12th October, so that
probably he had not left Norwich on the 6th.
4.1 Thomas Bourchier.

4.2 Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset.

4.3 John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, in whose household R.

Southwell had an appointment.—F.

263
THOMAS HOWES TO [JOHN PASTON?] 5.1

1454
OCT. or NOV.

P
LEASE your maistreship to wete, for as mych as the wryt directed
to the exchetor cam not tyl in the Vigil of Symond and Jude, 5.2
at viij. of the clocke at evyn, whiche coude in no wyse profit us
that day; notwithstondynge we had a yoman of my Lords chamber, and
were at Cowhaw, havyng Bertylmeu Elys with us, and ther was Long
Bernard sytting to kepe a court. And we at the furst Noy come in the
court, and Bertylmeu havynge this termys to Bernard, seying, ‘Sir,
forasmych as the Kyng hathe grauntyd be hese lettres patent the
wardship with the profites of the londes of T. Fastolf duryng hese nun
age to you 5.3 and T. H., wherfor I am comyn as ther styward, be ther
comaundement, upon ther pocession to kep court and lete, whiche is of
old custum usyd upon thys day; wherfor I charge you, be the vertu
herof, to seas and kepe nouthir court nor lete, for ye have non
autoryte.’ Quod Bernard, ‘I wyll kepe bothe court and lete, and ye shal
non kepe here; for there is no man hath so gret autoryte.’ Than quod
Bertylmeu, ‘I shal sytte by you, and take a reconysaunce as ye do.’
‘Nay,’ quod Bernard, ‘I wyl suffre you to sytte, but not to wryte.’
‘Well,’ quod Bertylmeu, ‘thanne forsybly ye put us from our pocession,
whiche I doute not but shalbe remembryd you anothir day,’ &c. ‘But,
Seres,’ quod he, ‘ye that be tenaunts to this manoyr, we charge you that
ye do nowthir seute nor servise, no[r] paye ony rents or fermys but to
the use of John Paston and T.; fo[r] and ye do, ye shal paye it ageyn;
and as for on yeer past, we have sewyrte of Skylly, whiche hath resevid
it of you to ther use.’ And thus we departid, and Bernard kept court and
lete.
And ther was Ser P. Wentworth and hise brothir, yong Hopton, yong
Brewse, yong Calthorp, with xxiiij. horse; and we spoke with non of

hem, nor they with non of us, for we wold not seke upon hem. And we
have enteryd in all othir plasis undir this forme. I wold we had had the
wryte betymes lever than xxs. of myn owne, but it farith thus in many
othir maters, God amende hem.

Memorandum.—To sende hom wyn and ij. quart botelys.

5.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is anonymous, but
appears to be in the handwriting of Thomas Howes. It must
belong to the year 1454, when the wardship of Thomas
Fastolf of Cowhaw was granted to Howes and John Paston.
5.2 St. Simon and St. Jude’s day is the 28th October. The Vigil

is the 27th.
5.3 So in MS. The writer seems to be confusing the direct and

indirect mode of reporting a speech.

264
ABSTRACT 6.1

Sir John Fastolf to his right well-beloved Brother, Richard
Waller.

1454-7
OCT. 30

My Lord is and hath been always my good lord, especially now that he
is chief officer under the King. Commend me to his grace, and beg him
to favor my matters ‘as far as conscience will, . . . . . now in mine
old age.’ Desires his favor and credence for Henry Fylongley and John
[Pa]ston, whom he has desired to wait on Waller.
Castre, 30th Oct.

Endorsed.— ‘A John Paston et John Bokkyng ou William Barker.’

[This letter is written in Botoner’s hand. The date is probably between 1454 and 1457,
as in 1458 Botoner appears to have been in London,—at least he was so in November,
and in the summer also he was away from Norfolk; and in 1459 the 30th October
would have been within a week of Fastolf’s death, when he must have been ill inclined,
even if capable, to dictate letters, unless of very special urgency.]

6.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 273.]

265
WILLIAM BARKER TO SIR J. FASTOLF 6.2

To myn ryght worshipfull mayster, Sir John Fastolf.
1454
NOV. 3

P
LEASE youre maystership, the cause of myn terying is that I must
ben at Norwyche on Monday at the shyre to stoppe the
oughtlawrye of John Porter, wheche but if be holpen, he
shalben dowble oughtlawed bothe atte the sewt of the Kyng for a
reskuse, as for serteyn money he oweth to on Hewghe, a man of court.
And also the next day I shuld ben, if it please yow, at Saxthorp with a
certeyn person, as I shal telle youre maystership here after, of whom I
shuld have certeyn evydences of the maner of Saxthorp, and rentall,
and fyrmall as I am promysed. And, Sire, as for alle the maters that I
went fore in to Essex and Suffolk, I have spedde theym, as I shal
declare to youre maystership at myn comyng, and brought wryghtyng
from theym. And as for myn Lord of Norffolk, towchyng your money,
he seyth ye shal have hit with inne this xiiij. dayes. Hit was his fyrst
mater to me after I hadde delyvered his rynge. The money is redye, but
he seyd that he must have stoor with inne hym, for he loked dayly
whan the Kyng wold send for hym. But as sone as Barette, his tresorer,

come home—whom he hath sent for money,—ye shall in contynent
after have your Cli. [£100]. I made to his Lordship as I hadde no thyng
know in the mater for onely for the excuse of Sir Thomas, &c. And I
beseche the blessed Trinyte preserve yow, myn ryght wurshipfull
mayster, after his pleasaunce and youre herts desyre, &c.
Wreten in hast at Wroxham, the Sonday after Allehallwen day.
Youre bedeman and servaunt,
William Barker.
6.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] For the date of this letter, see

preliminary note to No. 258 (vol. ii. p. 333, Note 1). John
Porter, who was at this time in Fastolf’s service, seems to
have gone immediately after into that of the Duke of
Norfolk.—See Nos. 268, 278.

266
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 7.1

To the worshypfull and my ryght welbelovyd cosyn,
John Paston.
1454
NOV. 11

W
ORSHYPFULL and ryght welbelovyd cosyn, I comaund me to
yow. Lyke you to wete that I have resseyved a lettre at thys
tyme from John Bokkyng, wyth a copie of the patent
concernyng the wardeshyp that ye wote off, by whych y understand
that ye have both wrought and holpen by your grete wysdom to bryng
thys matier aboute, whych y desyred your frendshyp and gode avice
for the suertee of the seyd waarde; 8.1 and for expedicion of whych y
thank you ryzt hertlye, and pray you to contynew foorth your gode

labours in the same yn such wyse as it may be made sure ynall wyse,
thoy it cost me the more of my gode.
And where as it ys remembred me by the seyd lettres that y shuld
labour to ghete the seyd ward yn to my gouvernance, truely y can not
see how y coude do it to be doon, for y have none acqueyntaunce in
that contree that y coude trust too, wythoute the Shyreve myght be my
tender frende in thys cause, or othyr such as ye thynk best. Wherfor y
pray you hertlye to take thys mater tenderly to hert, and that ye lyke
seke a moyen of such frendys as ye can best avyse, and may verrayly
trust uppon, to gyde thys mater yn such wyse as myne entent myght be
sped for the possession of it; for now that y have go so ferre yn the
matier, I wold not it faylled for no gode, but it preved well, and toke to
a gode conclusion.
And where as y have understand late, by certeyn well willers to you
warde, whych have meoved me, that yn case the seyd warde myght be
had, that ye desyre an alliaunce shulde take atwyx a doughter of yours
and the seyd waard, of whych mocion y was ryght glad to hyre off, and
wylle be ryght well wylling and helpyng that your blode and myne
myght increse yn alliaunces. And yff it please yow that by your
wysdom and gode conduyt that ye wolde help beere owte thys mater
substaunciallie ayenst my partie contrarie and eville willers, that I
myght have myne entent, I ensure you ye and y shuld appoynt and
accorde yn such wyse as ye shuld hale you ryght well plesed both for
the encresyng of your lynage and also of myne. And y pray you be
ware whom ye make of your counsaille and myne yn thys mater, and
that it may be well bore owte er ye com thens, and yn a sure wey; and
yff y had knowe rathyr [i.e. earlier] of your entent, it shuld hafe cost
me more of my gode before thys, to hafe com to a gode conclusion,
whych y promysse yhyt shall bee, and the mater take, by the fayth of
my bodye.
Worshypfull and ryght welbelovyd cosyn, y pray God spede you yn
thys matier, and sende you your gode desyrs.
Wreten at Castr, the xj. day of November anno xxxiijº R. H. VI.
Your cosyn,

Item, cosyn, I pray yow when ye see tyme John Fastolfe.
that my Lord of Caunterbury 9.1 and my Lord Cromewell 9.2 may be
spoke wyth for the godes of my Lord Bedford, beyng yn dyvers men
handz, be compelled to be brought ynne, as ye shall see more along of
thys mater, wyth the wrytyngs that I have made mencion, and left wyth
John Bokkyng and William Barker.

7.1 [From Fenn, iii. 224.]
8.1 Thomas Fastolf of Cowhawe.—See vol. ii. p. 323, Note 1.

9.1 Thomas Bourchier.

9.2 Ralph, Lord Cromwell.

267
THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON 9.3

To the wurshepfull Sir, and my good Maystyr John
Paston, at London, in haste.
1454
NOV. 13

W
URSHEPFULL and reverent Sir, and my good maistyr, I
recomaund me to zow in as delygent wyse as on my part
apperteineth, and p[le]a[s]e yow to wete that my maistyr 9.4
was right well pleasyd with youre feithefull labour in fulfellyng the
patent for the warrd of A. B. C., and he wyll feithefully labour as ye
have avysed hym be wrytyng of John Bokyng. And putte my maistyr in
more corage, I meovyd to hym upon myn hed that encas be the child
wer wyse, that thanne it wer a good maryage be twen my wyff youre
doutir and hym; and, Sir, my maistyr was glad whan he herd that
moyen, cosetheryng that youre doutyr is desendyd of hym be the
modyr syde. And, Sir, I have enqwerid aftyr the seyd child, and no dout

of but he is lykly and of gret wyt, as I her be report of sondr personez.
And it is so, as I am credebly enformyd, that Jeffrey Boleyn maketh
gret labour for maryage of the seyd child to on of hese douterez. I wold
well to hym, but bettyr to yow. Wherfor that ye delygently labour for
expedecyon of this mater, that encas ye can fynde ony moyan ther to
have the seyd child, and we shal do feithefully owre delygens in lyke
wyse her, as ye avyse us, &c.
And, Sir, as ye thynke with avyse of my Maistyr Yelverton, Jenney,
and otherez my maisterez counsell therin, that the Shereff may be
rewardyd, and yif my seyd maisterez counsell thynke it be to do’n, that
thanne ye lyke to take an actyoun upon anenteynt [an attaint], 10.1
wheche ye most with them take upon yow at this tyme in my maisterez
absence; for as ye do in that mater, he woll hold hym content, for
Wyllyam Barker hathe an instruccyon of my maisterez intent upon the
same. And I send John Bokyng a copy of the panell, wheche I shewed
yow at Castr, &c. Almyghty Jesu have yow eternally in hese mercyfull
governaunce.
Wretyn at Castr, the Wednysday next aftyr Seynt Martyn, anno xxxiij.
Th. Howys.
9.3 [From Fenn, iii. 230.]
9.4 Sir John Fastolf.

10.1 This is an action against a jury that has given a false

verdict.

268
SIR THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON 10.2

To the wurshepfull and reverent Sir, my good Maystir
John Paston, in all goodly haste.

1454
NOV. 18

R
EVERENT and wurshepfull Sir, and my good maistyr, I
recomaund me to yow in as louly wyse as on my part
aperteineth. And please yow to wete that my maistyr is fully
purposed to sewe ateynte, whereupon he wrytethe a lettere directyd to
yow and otherez, for the wheche I beseke yow to be my good maystyr
in pursewyng the seyd ateynte; and also my maistyr is agreed what
reward ye geve the Shereff he holdeth hym content. Wherfor, that
youre reward may be the larger, so he woll 10.3 ther upon returne the
panell for the seyd ateynte; and thanne yef Jenney wold meove my
Lord of Norffolke that he wold be my good Lord, amyttyng me for
hese chapeleyn, and Jhankyn Porter for hese servaunt, wheche is hese
chek roll, it shuld cause the matere to have the redyer expedecyon, as
well be the Shereff as be the gret jury. And yef the processe may have
so redy sped that it myght be had be fore my Maystyr Yelwerton in this
vaccacyon tyme, it wer a gret counfort, &c. Beseking yow at the
reverence of God, and as ever my power servyse may be at your
comaundement, that ye effectualy labour this matere in the most
spedfull wyse, as youre descrecyon, with Jenneyez avyse, thinketh
most expedyent; for I ferre gretly to be outlawed or the seyd processe
shuld be brought to a conclucyon withoute redy processe in the seyd
ateynte. And I here no sewer tydinges of a parlement; but rather thanne
I shuld be outlawed, I wold yeld my self to preson, wheche shuld be
myn undoyng, and thanne to be with oute remedy. My refformacyon
and counforte in eschewyng that lythe holly in your helpe and
Jenneyez at thys tyme, be cause my maystyr hathe comytted the
governaunce of the seyd matere to yow, and what expense it draweth
he agreyth to bere it, &c.
I beseke Almyghty Jesu have yow, my good maystyr, eternaly in hese
me[r]cyfull governaunce, and inspyre yow with hese speryt of
remembraunce effectualy to precede in this matere.
Wretyn breffly at Castre the Monday next be fore Seynt Edmond the
Kyng, 11.1 anno xxxiij. Regis H. vjti.

Item, Sir, as for mony to the sped of this matere, Bokkyng hathe redy
in comaundement to make delevery to yow what that ye nede, so there
shall be no defaute in that, &c. T. Howys.

10.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]
10.3 Woll corr. from wold.

11.1 The day of St. Edmund the King was the 20th November.

Woll corr. from wold
. in “corr.” missing

269
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 12.1

To my right welbilovyd cosyn, John Paston.
1454-9
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . wise, and for asmoche as it is . . . .
. . . . . . . . the Lady Hastinges 12.2
doughter, as I undrestande . . . . . . is
lyneally descendid of my Lady Felbrig 12.3 is sustre . . .
. . . . . she was maried to Sir Hug’ Fastolf,
graunsir to this same Thomas; and the Lady Hastinges is comen of Sir
Robert Clyfton, which dwellid besyde Lynne. I prey yow, cosyn,
enquere of my Lady Felbrigge how nygh they bethe of kynrede, and
whethir they mow marie to ghedre or not, and how many degrees in
lynage they bethe a sundre, for I reporte me to yowr wyse discrescion
what the law wol sey ther ynne.

Item, it is so that Wyndam 12.4 came yesterday to Jernemouth, and is at
Stapletons; and this day a man of Stapletons came to me to wete if they
sholde come speke with me or not, and I have sent Sir Thomas to hem
to know ther entent and what they meane; and also he shal sey unto
theym that I woll not medle ther with but as law and consciens will.
This is the tydinges that I have; I pray yow send me some of yours. As
towching the North cuntre, Sperling hathe tolde yow. And God kepe
yow. Wretyn at Castre this same day. J. Fastolf.

12.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is mutilated and its
date is uncertain, except that, being dated at Caister, it must
have been written between 1454 and 1459.
12.2 Margery, widow of Sir Edward Hastings of Elsing, and

daughter of Sir Robert Clifton. After her first husband’s
death she married John Wymondham, who bought the manor
of Felbrigg from Lord Scales and the executors of Sir Simon
Felbrigg.—See Blomefield, viii. 112.
12.3 Catherine, widow of Sir Simon Felbrigg. She was the

daughter of Anketill Mallory, Esq. of Winwick, in
Northamptonshire.
12.4 John Wymondham or Wyndham.—See Note 2.

270
EDMUND CLERE TO JOHN PASTON 13.1

To my welbeloved cosyn, John Paston, be this
delivered.
1455
JAN. 9

R
IGHT welbeloved cosyn, I recomaund me to you, latyng you wite
such tidings as we have.
Blessed be God, the Kyng is wel amended, and hath ben syn
Cristemesday, and on Seint Jones day 13.2 comaunded his awmener
[almoner] to ride to Caunterbury wyth his offryng, and comaunded the
secretarie to offre at Seint Edwards.
And on the Moneday after noon the Queen came to him, and brought
my Lord Prynce with her. And then he askid what the Princes name
was, and the Queen told him Edward; and than he hild up his hands
and thankid God therof. And he seid he never knew til that tyme, nor
wist not what was seid to him, nor wist not where he had be whils he
hath be seke til now. And he askid who was godfaders, and the Queen
told him, and he was wel apaid.
And she told him that the Cardinal 13.3 was dede, and he seid he knew
never therof til that tyme; and he seid oon of the wisist Lords in this
land was dede.
And my Lord of Wynchestr 13.4 and my Lord of Seint Jones 13.5 were
with him on the morow after Tweltheday, and he speke to hem as well
as ever he did; and when thei come out thei wept for joye.
And he seith he is in charitee with all the world, and so he wold all the
Lords were. And now he seith matyns of Our Lady and evesong, and
herith his Masse devoutly; and Richard shall tell yow more tidings by
mouth.
I pray yow recomaund me to my Lady Morley, 14.1 and to Maister
Prior, 14.2 and to my Lady Felbrigge, 14.3 and to my Lady
Hevenyngham, 14.4 and to my cosyn your moder, and to my cosyn your
wife.
Wreten at Grenewich on Thursday after Twelftheday.
Be your cosyn,
Edmund Clere.
13.1 [From Fenn, i. 80.] There is no doubt about the date of

this letter. The King fell ill at Clarendon in the autumn of

1453, and remained in a state of utter imbecility during the
greater part of the year 1454, so that in March a deputation
from the House of Peers, sent to communicate with him on
the death of his Chancellor, Cardinal Kemp, was obliged to
report that they had been utterly unable to obtain from him
any answer or sign that he understood the least thing said to
him. It appears from this letter that his recovery was about
Christmas, when he heard for the first time of the birth of his
son fourteen months before, and of the death of Cardinal
Kemp nine months before.
13.2 Dec. 27.

13.3 John Kemp, Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury.

13.4 William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester.

13.5 Robert Botyll, prior of the Order of St. John of

Jerusalem .
14.1 See vol. ii. p. 84, Note 2.

14.2 Probably the Prior of Bromholm.

14.3 See p. 12, Note 3.

14.4 Sir John Heveningham married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir

John Reedesham. Unless he married a second time, this
Elizabeth was now his widow.

Robert Botyll, prior of the Order of St. John of
Jerusalem.
Final . missing or invisible

271
ABSTRACT 14.5

Sir John Fastolf to Henry Fylonglye and John Paston.

1455
JAN. 24

Must pay £40 to the Exchequer this term for the ward of Thomas
Fastolf, in part payment of £80, and other great payments at the same
time, amounting to £200 or more. Desires him, therefore, to speak with
my Lord of Canterbury, whose day of payment is long past, that he
may have ‘the rather ready payment’ of his duty; ‘for he is one of the
Lords earthly that I most trust upon.’ Hopes he will consider the great
loss Fastolf already sustains by ‘the great good the King oweth me, and
other divers Lords to my great discomfort.’
Castre, 24 Jan.
[This letter could not have been written before the year 1455, as Sir John Fastolf only
came to reside at Castre in the autumn of the year preceding. The wardship of Thomas
Fastolf was procured by Sir John for John Paston in June 1454, so that it is highly
probable he had to pay for it in the beginning of next year. In the year following, again,
Fastolf was endeavouring to make good those claims against the Crown, which he here
merely mentions as a ground of indulgence to himself.]

14.5 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 260.]

272
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON

To my right trusty and welbelovyd cosyn, John
Paston, in goodly haste.
1455
FEB. 7

YGHT trusty and welbelovyd cosyn, I comaund me to yow. And please
yow to wete that I am avertysed that at a dyner in Norwiche, wher as

R
ye and othyr jentylmen wer present, that that ther were certeyn
personez, jentylmen, whiche utteryd skornefull language of
me, as in thys wyse, with mor, seyeng, ‘War the, gosune
[cousin ?] war, and goo we to dyner; goo we wher? to Sir John Fastolf,
and ther we shall well paye ther fore.’ What ther menyng was, I knowe
well to no good entent to me ward; wherfor, cosyn, I prey yow, as my
truste is in yow, that ye geve me knowelege be writing what jentylmen
they be that had this report with more, and what mo jentylmen wer
present, as ye wold I shuld and wer my deute to do for yow in
semblabyll wyse. And I shall kepe yowr informatyon in this mater
secret, and with Godds grace so purvey for hem as they shall not all be
well pleasyd. At suche a tyme a man may knowe hese frendes and hese
fooes asonder, &c. Jesu preserve and kepe yow.
15.1 Wretyn at Caster, the vij. day of Feverer, anno xxxiij. R. H. vjti.
John Fastolf, Knyght.
15.1 [From Fenn, iii. 232.]

273
THOMAS HOWYS TO JOHN PASTON 16.1

To the right wurshepfull Sir, my good Maystyr John
Paston.
1455

R
IGHT worshepfull Sir, and my good maistyr, I recomaund me
louly unto you, thankyng youre good maystyrshep for your
good remembraunce for the cherche of Stokysby, wherupon I
have desyred my trusty frend, Wylliam Worcestre, to come be the
Abot 16.2 homward, besekyng you to avertyse hym youre good avyse
how he may be have hym best in this mater to the seyd Abot, etc. And,
Sir, en cas ye myght be at a leyser to be with my mayster upon

Thursday next comyng, forasmyche as Maistyr Yelvyrton and Jenney
shal be her, ye shuld do my maistir ryght gret pleasure. And I beseke
you the rather for my sake, for at that tyme the conveyaunce of al
materez shal be comounyd of; and I know verely your avyse shall
peyse depper in my maisterys conceyt thanne bothyn thers shal do. Ye
have dayly gret labour for me, God reward yow, and my pore preyer ye
shall have, &c. I beseke Almyghti Jesu have you in hese mercyfull
governaunce, and graunt you evyr that may be to your most herte
plessaunce, &c. Your chapeleyn and bedeman,
Thomas Howys.
16.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The rectory of Stokesby in
Norfolk was vacant in the year 1455. The right of
presentation ought to have belonged to Sir John Fastolf, as
John Fastolf—doubtless of Cowhawe—had presented in
1444; but it was allowed to lapse to the Bishop, who
presented Simon Thornham, LL.D. Afterwards it appears that
James Gloys was rector, who must have been presented by
John or Margaret Paston. This letter was probably written a
few days before that which comes next.
16.2 Of St. Benet’s, Hulme. His name was John Martin.

274
THE ABBOT OF ST. BENET’S TO JOHN
PASTON 17.1

To my ryght well be lovyd John Paston, Esquyer, be
this delivered.
1455
MARCH 17

W
URCHEPEFULL Sire, and right well be lovyd, I grete yow
well, desyryng to here of youre well fare, praying you
interlych to bie with me at dyner on Seynt Benett day, the
whiche xall be on Friday next comyng, or ell[es] in brief tyme
covenable to your ease, to th’entent that I may commoun wyth yow of
divers maters, the whiche I purpose to have a doo in be your good
advyse, and in on especyall as for the chirche of Stokesby, whiche I
understand xall moche be reulyd after your advyse and content;
tristyng our communicacion had in the seyd [matters] xall cause pees
and pleaser to all parties be leve of our Lord, the whiche Lord mote
preserve you in all goode.
Wreten in my Monastery the xvij. day of Marche.
Be your good frend,
The Abbot of S. Benetts.
17.1 [From Fenn, iii. 236.] This letter was written by John

Martin, Lord Abbot of St. Benet’s of Hulme. The heads of
this monastery were mitred abbots, and sat in Parliament.
The date may be assigned to the year 1455 for two reasons—
first, that in that year St. Benet’s day (the 21st of March) fell
on a Friday; and second, that in the same year the living of
Stokesby lapsed to the Bishop of Norwich.

275
ABSTRACT

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and —— Yelverton.

Between 1455-9
Thanks them for speeding his action against Thomas Fauconere. Begs
them to sue it out, as Fauconere is obstinate, and has wrought against
Byckwod right unjustly, who owes great sums to divers creditors, etc.

Castre, 20th March.
[The date of this letter must be during Sir John’s residence at Caister between 1455 and
1459.]

276
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON,
ESQ. 18.1

To myn ryght weel beloved cosyn, John Paston,
Squier.
1455
MARCH 29

W
ORSHIPFULL cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow. And lyke yow
to wete that at this tyme I sende to yow myn welbeloved
frende and servant, Sir Thomas Howys, to have youre good
councell and advyse how and in what wyse he may best be demened
there at this tyme in his yeldyng to the Sheref upon his exigend,
wheche is and shal be v. tymes called as on Monday next comyng, as I
understande; and, the same by good and discrete advyse concluded and
sette in a good weye by sewertes found to appere at London the day of
the retorn of the wrytte or otherwyse, that thenne if ye thenke hit be to
do’n [to do], ye lyke to take upon yow to comon with myne Lord of
Norwyche, 18.2 recomaundyng me to hys good and tender Lordship, and
declaryng to hym how and in what wyse the seyd Sir Thomas was
demened in the oyer and determyner, and sethe how he hath
wrongously and with ought cause be vexed by John Andrews and
other, and greetly trowbled, wherupon this atteynt now is grownded, in
such wyse as ye thenk best to be done; and that his Lordship by youre
medyacion here after geve not any favore to any persone or persones

on myne contrarye partye for any synystre informacion geven other
wyse than the trought in the mater shal require, as he shal weel
understande by youre good reporte, for ye know the same mater weel.
Wherfore, cosyn, I praye yow that ye wole tender the same for the weel
and good speed therof, as myne syngler trust is in yow. And the blessed
Trinyte preserve yow to his pleaser.
In hast, at Castre, the xxix. day of Marche. Youre,
John Fastolf, Chr.
Item, cosyn, I sende youre a lettre to delyver to myne seyd Lord with a
copye of the same, wheche I praye yow to se, and if ye thenk hit be to
do’n, delyveret [deliver it] youre self, &c., to th’entent he myght know
the disposicion of the pepul how they be sette, &c.; for he weel
advertysed in this mater shalbe a greet supporter of trought in this be
half, for the partye contrarye wole do’n that they can to labore the jure,
and don to have theym rewled after theyr entent and contrary to
trought; wheche mater I remytte ondly to youre ryght wyse discrecion.

18.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The reference here made to the
process of attaint, which Fastolf had resolved to sue in
November 1454 (see No. 268), shows that this letter must
belong to the month of March following. It is written in
Barker’s hand.
18.2 I suspect ‘Norwyche’ is here a slip of the pen, and that

‘my Lord of Norfolk’ was intended.

277
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF
NORFOLK 19.1

1455
MARCH (?)

R
IGHT hy and myghty Prynce, my right gode and gracyous Lord,
I recomaund me to your gode Lordship, etc. And please itt
your Hyghnesse to wete that Sir Philip Wenteworth purchasid
the Kyngs patentis of the ward of the heyer and londes of a por
kynnesman of myne called John Fastolf of Cowhawe, late passed to
God, to the grett hurte and distruccion as well of the inheritance of the
seyd heyer as interrupcion and breking of the last will of the seyd John,
and also to my grett troble and dammage; and for asmoche as it
fortowned be grase the seyd patentes to be mystake, so that they were
not laufull ne suffycyent, be avyce of conceyll, certeyn persones, 19.2 to
myn use, purchesid be the Kyngs letters patentes suffycyent and laufull
of the ward of the seyd londes. And the rigth of thes bothe patentes
hath be putte in juges and lerned men, affor hom the seyd Sir Philipp
ne his conceyll cowd never prove hes tytill lawfull be his seyd patents,
and this notwithstanding intendith be fors, as I understand, to take the
profytes of the seyd londes ageyns all lawe and concyence. Beseching
your Lordchip to tender me in myn age and sekenesse that may not
ryde ne help myself, and of your habundant grace to supporte me in my
right, that I be not be fors ageyns lawe and concyence kepte from the
possescion of the seyd londes in this contre, wher ye be Prynce and
Sovereyn next owr Sovereyn Lord.
The following memoranda occur on the back:—

Br[adwe]ll juxta Jernemut.
Kirley juxta Leystoft, viijli.
Foxhole
Cowhaw in Nakton xviijli.
on this side Yepiswich, iij. myl,
Langston in Brustall,
iijli.
ij. myle beyond Yepiswich,
Bentele, ij. mile beyond Brustall, xiiijli. (?)

19.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The MS. of this is a corrected
draft. Although the person addressed is not named, the style
in which he is addressed, and particularly the last sentence,
leave no doubt that it is the Duke of Norfolk. Indeed, this is
not unlikely to be the letter mentioned in the postscript to the
last, of which a copy or draft was sent along with the original
to John Paston that he might deliver the latter, only if he
approved of its contents. If so, it is probable that Paston
withheld it, as we find by the letter immediately following
that Fastolf addressed another memorial to the Duke on the
subject of his dispute with Wentworth four days later.
19.2 They were John Paston and Thomas Howes, and their

patent was dated 6th June 32 Hen. VI. (1454).—See Rolls of
Parl. v. 371.

278
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO THE DUKE OF
NORFOLK 20.1

1455
APRIL 2

R
IGHT high and myghty Prynce, my right noble and good Lord, in
my right humble wyse I recomaunde me to your good grace.
And for the noble lordship and supportacion shewid unto me at
all tymes, I beseche our Lord God guerdon yow, where as I may not,
but only as yowr daily and contynuell bedeman, now in myn age, pray
for the good prosperite of youre right highe and noble estate, as I am
gretly bounde to doo; prayng tendirly yowre Highnesse to contynue
yowre good lordship and supportacion in the materes touchyng your

servaunt John Porter and my pore Chappelleyn Sir Thomas Howes,
trustyng verily to God that, with the supportacion of your good
Lordship, there mater shall yette come to a good conclusion in
punisshyng of perjure and embracery that many yeris hathe ben and
yette is usid in this shire, whiche were grete merite, and to my
conceyte, in yow that ar soo noble a Prynce, a singler renoune, as for
the beste dede that may be doo for the weel of bothe shires.
And in like wise that it please youre right good grace to contynue
youre noble favour and supportacion to me in remedyeng the force
doon by Sir Philip Wentworth, kepyng now wrongful possession of
certeyn londes in Suffolk, nygh youre Castel of Framyngham; whiche
londs certeyn of my frendes, to myn use, have of the Kyngs graunte by
his lettres patent byfore ony patent that the seid Sir Philip hathe,
whiche is my singler matier in myn owen parte that I have now to doo,
as my cosyn Paston can enforme yowr Lordship, for he knowith the
mater and myn hole entente, to whom your good grace lyke to yife
credence. He cometh to awaite upon your Lordship at this tyme, as I
understande, by my cosyn youre servaunt Richard Suthwell, youre
Lordship desired.
Right highe and myghty Prynce, my noble and right good Lord,
I beseche the Holy Goste be with yow, and evere more sende yow the
accomplishment of youre right noble desires to his plesir and youres.
Writen at my pore place of Castre, the ijde day of Aprill.
Your humble man and servaunt,
J. Fastolf.
20.1 [From Fenn, iii. 338.] Although there is no direction upon

this letter, it was evidently addressed to the Duke of Norfolk,
as it speaks of ‘your Castle of Framlingham.’ The absence of
any written address Fenn accounts for by supposing the letter
to have been enclosed in a cover; but as it appears that the
original contained at least one passage which was crossed
out (see page 341 in Fenn), we may with greater probability
consider it to have been a corrected draft, like the last, sent to
John Paston for his approval. The dispute with Sir Philip

Wentworth and the matters of John Porter and Sir Thomas
Howes, here referred to, both point to the year 1455 as the
date of this letter.—See Nos. 265, 268.

279
ABSTRACT 22.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1455
MAY 3

Thanks him for his letters, and the answer he made to Bokkyng. Does
not know how to answer him concerning the ward, 22.2 the suit against
William Jenney and Sir Thomas, etc. If Paston could be at London this
term, even for three days, it would speed better than Fastolf’s writing,
and Fastolf will pay his costs. If he cannot, Paston must use his own
discretion, and Fastolf will abide by what he does. It would be a great
rebuke if the matter of the ward went against us, ‘for nowadays ye
know well that law goeth as it is favored, and after that the attorneys be
wise and discreet in their conduct.’
Castre, 3 May.
[This letter, being dated at Caister in the month of May, cannot be earlier than 1455,
and the references to the matter of the ward and the suit against Sir Thomas Howes
seem to fix it to that year.]

22.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 244.]
22.2 Thomas Fastolf.—See vol. ii. p. 323, Note 1.

280
ABSTRACT 22.3

Richard Calle to John Paston.

1455(?)
MAY 8

Thorne did not come to him, nor could he learn anything about him
from Sir Thomas Howes, except that Howes had informed him of what
Paston commanded Calle to tell his wife. Will not distrain till he hear
from Paston. Howys trusts to make sufficient reckoning of all things
touching Fastolf, so that neither he nor Paston be hurt. He will do
nothing in future without Paston’s advice. Desires him to remember
John Elger, Bocking, and others ‘for the rescues which was made for
Jankyn Porter.’ Remember James Gresham to withdraw the suit for
W. Magges. No News.
8 May.
[The allusion to John or Jankyn Porter in this letter makes it probable that it was written
in the year 1455.—See No. 278 .]

22.3 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

See No. 278.]
Closing bracket missing

281
ABSTRACT 23.1

‘Thomas Canon, the Helder, of Mekyll Pagrave,’ to John
Paston.

1455
MAY 16

Desires to hear of his ‘durat prosperite and welfare.’ Hopes he will
protect him as he has done, if any man will put him to any wrong. Has
land in Lytyl Pagrave and in Lytyldonham, called Strangys, which he
wishes to sell to Paston before any other, on condition that he will
‘keep it counsel’ from John Pagrave till he and the writer have
accorded.
At Sporle, Friday, after Ascension Day, 33 Hen. VI.

23.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 252.]

282
MEMORIAL TO HENRY VI 23.2

Tradatur J. P.
1455
MAY 21

M
OSTE Cristen Kyng, ryght hygh and myghty Prince, and our
mooste redoubted souverayn Lorde, we recomaunde ws as
humblye as we suffice unto your hygh excellence, where
unto please it to wete that for so moche as we hyre and understand to
our grettyst sorowe erthlye that our ennemyes of approuved
experience, such as abyde and kepe theym sylf under the whyng of
your Magestee Royall, have throwen unto the same ryght stedyousely
and ryght fraudulentlye manye ambyguytees and doubtes of the fayth,
lygeaunce, and dewtee that, God knowyth, we beere unto your

Hyghnesse, and have put theym yn as grete devoyr as they coude to
enstraunge ws from your mooste noble presonce and from the favour
of your goode grace; whych goode grace to ws ys and owe to be our
singuler and mooste desyred yoie and consolacion: We at thys tyme be
comyng wyth grace as your true and humble liege men, toward your
seyd Hygh Excellence to declare and shew therto at large owr sayd
fayth and ligeaunce, entendyng wyth the mercye of Jesu yn the seyd
comyng, to put ws yn as diligent and hertye devoyr and dewtee as onye
your lyege men on lyve to that at may avaunce or preferre the honnour
and wellfare off the sayd Mageste Royalle and the seurte of the sayd
most notable person; the whych [we] beseche our blessed Creature to
prosper [in] as grete honnor, yoie, and felicitie as ever had onye prince
erthlye, and to your sayd Hyghnesse so to take, accept, and repute ws,
and not to plese to geve trust or confidence unto the sinistrez,
maliciouse, and fraudulent laboures and rapportes of our sayd
ennemyes unto our comyng to your sayd moste noble presence; where
unto we beseche humblye that we may be admitted as your liege men,
to th’entent to show ws the same; wheroff yerstenday we wrote our
lettres of our entent to the ryght reverent fadre yn God, the
Archebysshop of Caunterburye, 24.1 your Chauncellr of England, to be
shewed to your sayd Hyghnesse, whereoff, forsomoch as we be not
acerteyned whethyr our sayd entent be by hys fadrehode shewed unto
your seyd goode grace or not, we sende thereoff unto thys closed a
copy of our said lettres of our disposicion toward your sayd Hygh
Excellence and the honnour and weele of the land, whereynne we
wolle persevere wyth the grace of our Lorde.

23.2[From Fenn, iii. 178.] This is a copy of the memorial
drawn up by the Duke of York and the Earls of Warwick and
Salisbury just before the first battle of St. Albans, which the
Duke of Somerset and his friends would not allow to be
presented to the King. Although this copy is without date, the
original was dated at Ware, the 21st May.—See Rolls of Parl.
v. 281, where the whole document is cited.

Fenn states that on the margin of the MS., in a hand nearly
24.1

coeval with the letter itself, is written, ‘Memorandum quod
dict’ literæ (?) Dominorum direct’ Archiepiscopo Cant. est
apud . . . . .’ What followed is lost, the paper being torn.
The letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, however, will be
found quoted at full length in the Rolls of Parliament, v. 280-
1.

283
THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS 25.1

Bellum apud Seynt Albons.
1455
MAY 21-22

B
E yt knowen and hadde in mynde that the xxj. day of May the
xxxiij. zere of the regne of Kyng Herry the Sext, our
sovereigne Lord Kyng toke his jurnay from Westmynster
toward Seynt Albones, and rested at Watford all nyght; and on the
morwe be tymes he cam to Seynt Albones, and wyth him on his partye
assembled under his baner the Duyke of Bockingham, the Duke of
Somersete, the Erle of Penbrok, the Erle of Northumburlond, the Erle
of Devynsshire, the Erle of Stafford, the Erle of Dorsete, the Erle of
Wyltsshire, the Lorde Clyfford, the Lord Dudley, the Lord Burneys, the
Lord Rose, wyth other dyversse knyghtes, squyeres, and other
gentilmen and yemen to the nounbre of ijml [2000] and moo. And upon
the xxij. day of the seyde moneth above rehersed assembled the Duyk
of Yorke, and wyth hym come yn companye the Erle of Salesbury, the
Erle of Warrewyke with diverse knyghtes and squyers unto ther partye
into the felde, called the Key Feld, besyde Seynt Albones.
Fyrthermore, oure seyd sovereyne Lord the Kyng, heryng and

knowyng of the seyde Dukes comyng with other Lordes afore seyde,
pygth his baner at the place called Boslawe in Seynt Petrus Strete,
whych place was called afore tyme past Sandeforde, and commaundeth
the warde and barrers to be kepte in stronge wyse; the for seyde Duyk
of York abydyng in the feld aforeseyde frome vij. of the clokke in the
morn tyl yt was al most x. without ony stroke smeton on eyther partye.
The seyde Duke sende to the Kyng our sovereyne Lord, be the avyse of
his councell, prayng and be sekyng hym to take him as his true man
and humble suget; and to consider and to tender at the reverence of
Almyghty God, and in way of charite the true entent of his comyng—
to be good and gracyous sovereyne Lorde to his legemen, whech with
al ther power and mygth wille be redy at alle tymes to leve and dye
with hym in his rigth. And to what thyng yt shoulde lyke his Mageste
Ryall to commaunde hem, yf yt be his worsship, kepyng right of the
Croune and welffare of the londe; ‘More over, gracyous Lord, plese yt
zour Majeste Ryall of zour grete goodnesse and ryghtwesnesse to
enclyne zour wille to here and fele the ryghtwyse partye of us zoure
sugettes and legemen; fyrst, prayng and besechyng to oure Lord Jesus
of his hye and myghty power to geve un to zou vertu and prudence,
and that thorugh the medyacyon of the glorious martyr Seynt Albon to
geve zou very knowleche to knowe the entent of oure assembleng at
this tyme; for God that is [in] Heven knoweth than our entent is
rightful and true. And there fore we pray unto Al myghty Lord Jesus
these wordes—Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostræ. Wherefore,
gracyus Lord, plese it your hyghe Majeste to delyvere such as we wole
accuse, and they to have lyke, as they have deserved and done, and ze
to be honorabled and worsshepyt as most ryghtffull Kyng and oure
governour. For and we shall now at this tyme be promysed, as afore
this tyme ys not unknowen, of promes broken whech ful fayth fully
hath ben promysed, and there upon grete othes made, we wyll not now
cesse for noon such promysse, surete, ne other, tyl we have hem whych
hav deserved deth, or elles we to dye there fore.’
And to that answered the Kyng our sovereyne Lord, and seyde: ‘I,
Kyng Herry, charge and comaund that no maner persone, of what
degre, or state, or condicyon that evere he be, abyde not, but voyde the

felde, and not be so hardy to make ony resystens ageyne me in myn
owne realme; for I shall knowe what traytor dar be so bold to reyse
apepull in myn owne lond, where thorugh I am in grete desese and
hevynesse. And by the feyth that I owe to Seynt Edward and to the
Corone of Inglond, I shal destrye them every moder sone, and they be
hanged, and drawen, and quartered, that may be taken afterward, of
them to have ensample to alle such traytours to be war to make ony
such rysyng of peple withinne my lond, and so traytorly to abyde her
Kyng and governour. And, for a conclusyon, rather then they shall have
ony Lorde here with me at this tyme, I shall this day, for her sake, and
in this quarrell my sylff lyve or dye.’
Wych ansuere come to the Duke of Yorke, the wheche Duke, by the
avyce of the Lordes of hys Counceill, seyde unto hem thise wordes:
‘The Kyng our sovereyne Lord will not be reformed at our besechyng
ne prayer, ne wylle not understonde the entent that we be comen heder
and assembled fore and gadered at this tyme; but only ys full purpose,
and there noon other wey but that he wole with all his power pursue us,
and yf ben taken, to geve us a shameful deth, losyng our lyvelode and
goodes, and our heyres shamed for evere. And ther fore, sythe yt wole
be noon othere wyse but that we shall ootterly dye, better yt ys for us
to dye in the feld than cowardly to be put to a grete rebuke and
asshamefful deth; more over, consederyng yn what peryle Inglonde
stondes inne at thys owre, therefore every man help to help power for
the ryght there offe, to redresse the myscheff that now regneth, and to
quyte us lyke men in this querell; preyng to that Lord that ys Kyng of
Glorye, that regneth in the kyngdom celestyall, to kepe us and save us
this day in our right, and thorugh the helpe of His holy grace we may
be made strong to with stonde the grete abomynable and cruell malyse
of them that purpose fully to destrye us with shameful deth. We ther
fore, Lord, prey to The to be oure confort and Defender, seyng the
word afore seyde, Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostræ.’
And whanne this was seyde, the seyde Duke of Yorke, and the seyd
Erle of Salesbury, and the Erle of Warrewyk, betwene xj. and xij. of the
clocke at noon, the broke into the toun in thre diverse places and
severelle places of the fore seyd strete. The Kyng beyng then in the

place of Edmond Westby, hunderdere of the seyd toun of Seynt
Albones, comaundeth to sle alle maner men of lordes, knygthtes, and
squyeres, and zemen that myght be taken of the for seyde Dukes of
York. Thys don, the fore seyde Lord Clyfford kept strongly the barrers
that the seyde Duke of York myght not in ony wise, with all the power
that he hadde, entre ne breke into the toun. The Erle of Warrewyk,
knowyng ther offe, toke and gadered his men to gedere and ferosly
brake in by the gardeyne sydes betuene the signe of the Keye and the
sygne of the Chekkere in Holwell strete; and anoon as they wer wyth
inne the toon, sodeynly the blew up trumpettes, and sette a cry with
asshout and a grete voyce, ‘A Warrewe! A Warrewyk! A Warrewyk!’
and into that tyme the Duke of York mygth nevere have entre into the
toun; and they with strong hond kept yt, and myghttyly faught to
gedere, and anoon, forth with after the brekyng in, they sette on them
manfully. And as of Lordes of name were slayn the Lord Clyfford, the
Duke of Somersete, the Erle of Northumberlond, Sir Bartram
Entuwysselle, Knynght; and of men of courte, Wyllyam Zouch, John
Batryaux, Raaff of Bapthorp and hys sone, Wyllyam Corbyn, squyers;
William Cotton, receyver of the Ducherye of Lancastre; Gylbert
Starbrok, squyer; Malmer Pagentoun, William Botelore, yomen;
Rogere Mercroft, the Kynges messanger; Halyn, the Kynges porter;
Raufe Wyllerby; and xxv. mo, whych her names be not zet knowen.
And of hem that ben slayn ben beryed in Sent Albonos xlviij. And at
this same tyme were hurt Lordes of name—the Kyng, our sovereyne
Lord, in the neck with an arrowe; the Duke of Bukingham, with an
arrowe in the vysage;* the Lord of Stafford in the hond, with an arowe;
the Lord of Dorsette, sore hurt that he myght not go, but he was
caryede hom in a cart; and Wenlok, Knyght, in lyke wyse in a carte
sore hurt; and other diverse knyghtes and squyers sore hurt. The Erle of
Wyldsshyre, Thorpe, and many other flede, and left her harneys
behynde hem cowardly, and the substaunce of the Kynges partye were
dyspoyled of hors and harneys. This done, the seyde Lordes, that ys to
wote, the Duke of Yorke, the Erle of Salesbury, the Erle of Warrewyke,
come to the Kyng, our sovereyne Lord, and on here knees be soughte
hym of grace and foryevenesse of that they hadde doon yn his
presence, and be sought hym of his Heynesse to take hem as hys true

legemen, seyng that they never attendyde [intended] hurt to his owne
persone, and ther fore [the] Kyng oure sovereyn Lord toke hem to
grace, and so desyred hem to cesse there peple, and that there shulde
no more harme be doon; and they obeyde hys commaundement, and
lote make a cry on the Kynges name that al maner of pepull shulde
cesse and not so hardy to stryke ony stoke more after the proclamacyon
of the crye; and so cessed the seyde batayle, Deo gratias.
And on the morwe the Kyng and the seyde Duke, with other certeyn
Lordes, come in to the Bysshops of London, and there kept resydens
with joye and solempnyte, concludyng to holde the parlement at
London, the ix. day of July next comyng.

This paper is reprinted from the Archæologia, vol. xx. p.
25.1

519, to which it was communicated by Mr. Bayley, keeper of
the records in the Tower, in 1822.
* ”. . . the Duke of Bukingham, with an arrowe in the vysage;”
Gairdner, following Bayley, omits the following line “the lord of
Dudle, with an arowe in the vysage;”

the place called Boslawe in Seynt Petrus Strete
text unchanged; correct name is “Goslawe”
alle maner men of lordes, knygthtes, and squyeres
text has “end”

284
THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS 29.1

1455
[MAY 22]

T
HE solecytouriz and causerys of the feld takyng at Seynt Albonys,
ther namys shewyn her aftyr:—
The Lord Clyfford.
Rauff Percy.
Thorpe.
Tresham and Josep.
The inony [enemy’s] batayle was in the Market-place, and the Kynges
standard was pight, the Kynge beynge present with these Lordes, whos
namys folwe:—
The Duke of Bokyngham.
The Duke Somyrcete. With many Knyghtes and
The Erle Devynshire. Squyeriz, to the noumbre in
The Erle of Northeombirlond. alle that faught that day iijml.
The Erle Stafford. [3000], and it was done on
The Erle Dorcete. Thursday last past atwyx xj.
The Lord Clyfford. and xij. at mydday.
The Lord Ros.
The namys of the Lordes that were on the othir party shewyn here
aftyr:—
The Duke of York.
The Erle of
Salysbury. With many otheriz, to the noumbre of vml.
The Erle of Warwyk. [5000] men.
The Lord Clynton.
Sir Robert Ocle.
And Sir Rober Ocle tok vjc. [600] men of the Marchis, and tok the
Market-place or ony man was war; than the larum belle was ronge, and
every man yed to harneys, for at that tyme every man was out of ther
aray, and they joynid batayle anon; and it was done with inne di. [i.e.
one half] houre, and there were slayn the men, whos namys folwyn:—
The Duke Somyrcete. With many othir men,
The Erle Northombirlond. to the noumbre of iiijc
The Lord Clyfford. [400], and as many or

The Lord Clynton. mo hurt. The Kynge
Sir Bartyn at Wessyll. was hurt with an
Babthorpe and hese sone. harwe in the necke.
Cotton, Receyvour of the Duchye. The Duke of
Gryphet, Ussher of Hall. Bukkyngham hurt, and
Herry Loweys. fled in to the Abbey.
Wyllyam Regmayde. The Erle Devynshire
John Raulyns. Asple. hurt. The Erle Stafford
Harpour, Yoman of the Croune. and Dorcetyr gretly
hurt. Fylongley faught
manly, and was shet
thorwe the armys in iij.
or iiij. placys.
The Duke of Norfolke come a day aftyr the jurney was done with vjmll.
[6000] men.
And the Erle of Oxinford also.
The Erle of Shrewysbury,
Lord Crumwelle, with xmll. [10,000] men were comynge.
And Sir Thomas Stanley,
The Kynge with all the Lordes come to London to Westmenstyr on
Fryday, at vj. of clocke at aftyr none, and London went a generalle
processyon the same day.

29.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 278.]

285
JOHN CRANE TO JOHN PASTON 31.1

Unto my worshipfull and welbeloved cosyn, John
Paston, be this lettre delivred in hast.

1455
MAY 25

R
IGHT worshipfull and entierly welbeloved Sir, I recommaunde
me unto you, desiring hertly to here of your welfare.
Furthermore lettyng you wete, as for such tydinges as we have
here, such [these] thre Lordes be dede, the Duke of Somerset, the Erle
of Northombrelonde, and the Lord Clyfford; and as for any other men
of name, I knowe noon save only Quotton of Cammbrigeshire. As for
any other Lordes, many of theym be hurt; and as for Fenyngley, he
lyveth and fareth well, as fer as I can enquere, &c.
And as for any grete multytude of people that ther was, as we can tell,
ther was at most slayn [x] 31.2 vj. score. And as for the Lordes that were
with the Kyng, they and her men wer pilled and spoyled out of all their
harneys and horses; and as for what rule we shall have yit I wote nett,
save only ther be made newe certayn officers.
My Lord of Yorke, Constabil of Englande; my Lord of Warweke is
made captayn of Calyes; my Lord Burgchier is made Treasorer of
Englande; and as yit other tydinges have I none.
And as for our soverayn Lorde, thanked be God, he hathe no grete
harme.
No more to you at this tyme, but I pray you send this lettyr to my
Maistresse Paston, when ye have sene hit; preyng you to remembre my
systir Margrete ageyne the tyme that she shal be made nonne.
Written at Lamehith, on Witsonday, &c.
By your cosyn,
John Crane.
31.1 [From Fenn, i. 100.] This letter relates to the first battle of
St. Albans and the principal changes which took place
immediately after it.
31.2 In the original letter, the x is struck out, and vj. placed

after it in the same line.—F.

286
ABSTRACT 32.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1455
MAY 28

Thanks him for his pains in speeding his causes at London this term.
Understands the Sheriff of Norfolk’s officers are at Norwich, and now
the writ of attaint is sent home by William Barker, which Fastolf sends
again to Paston that he may consult with the Sheriff or his officers
what to do. Both William Barker and Seffrey (sic) Spyrlyng are now at
Norwich, and one of them, if need be, shall wait on Paston.
Castre, 28 May.
‘And I trust to God, as the world goeth now, the said attaint shall do
right well.’
[The postscript of this letter seems to refer to the change of administration after the
battle of St. Albans. As to the action of attaint sued by Fastolf, see Nos. 268 and 276.]

32.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 255.]

287
WILLIAM BARKER TO WILLIAM
WORCESTER 32.2

To William Worcester, be this lettre delyvered in hast.

1455
JUNE

S
IR, I recomaunde me to yow; and as for tydyngs, ye may enforme
myn mayster, there is non but that he hath knowleche of, but
that the Kyng, the Quene, and the Prynce remeven to Hertford
to morwen withought faute; myn Lord York to the Fryres at Ware; myn
Lord Warwyk to Hunesdon; the Erle Salysburye to Rye; and there they
shall abyde to tyme the Parlement be gynne.
The Duk Buk is come inne, and sworn that he shal be rewled, and draw
the lyne with theym; and ther to he and his brethern ben bounde by
reconysaunce in notable summes to abyde the same.
The Erle of Wylts sent to the Lordes from a place of his, called
Peterfeld, a lettre desyring to know if he shuld come, and abyde
abought the Kynges persone as he dede be fore; and if he shuld not,
than that they wold lycence hym to goon in to Erland, and leve there
upon his landes, &c., and before this don, the Lordes were advysed to
have made hym to don as the Duk Buk hath don, and no more; but
what that wolle falle now therof, no man can telle as yet.
The Baron of Dudley is in the Towre; what shal come of hym, God
wote. The Erle of Dorsete is in warde with the Erle of Warrwyk.
Hit was seyd, for sothe, that Harpere and ij. other of the Kynges
chamber were confedered to have steked the Deuk York in the Kynges
chamber; but hit was not so, for they have clered theym therof.
But London upon the same tale areysen, and every man to harneys on
Corpus Christi even, and moche adoo there was.
Syr William Oldhall a bydeth no lenger in Seyntwery than the Chef
Juge come, for that tyme he shal goo at large, and sewe all his maters
himself, &c.
The Baron Dudley hath appeched many men; but what they ben, as yet
we can not wete. Sir Phillyp Wentworth was in the feld, and bare the
Kynges standard, and kest hit down and fled. Myn Lord Norffolk seyth

he shal be hanged therfore, and so is he worthy. He is in Suffolk now.
He der not come abought the Kynge.
Edmond Stendale was with Wenlok there in the feld, and ffowly hurt.
Fylongley is at home at his owen place with his wyf, and shal doe
ryght weel; but we have a greet losse of his absence this terme, for hit
wole be longe er he come this terme, I am a ferde.
Alle the Lordes that dyed at the jorney arn beryed at Seynt Albones.
Other thinges ben non here, but ye shal sene by Thomas Scales lettre
the rewle of the Frenshemen, &c.
God spede us weel in our matres this terme, I praye to God, who have
yow in his kepyng, &c. W. B.

[From Fenn, i. 104.] This letter relates entirely to
32.2

occurrences after the battle of St. Albans. The writer here
only signs with his initials, but from the facsimile given by
Fenn of his ‘W. B.,’ he can be clearly identified with William
Barker.

288
THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO JOHN
PASTON 34.1

To oure right trusti and welbelovid John Paston,
Esquier.
The Duchesse of Norfolk.
1455
JUNE 8

R
IGHT trusti and welbelovid, we grete you hertili weel. And for as
muche as it is thought right necessarie for divers causes that
my Lord have at this tyme in the Parlement suche persones as
longe unto him, and be of his menyall servaunts, wherin we conceyve
your good will and diligence shal be right expedient, we hertili desire
and pray you that at the contemplacion of thise oure lettres, as our
special trust is in you, ye wil geve and applie your voice unto our right
welbelovid cosin and servaunts, John Howard and Syr Roger
Chambirlayn, to be Knyghts of the shire, exorting all suche othir as be
your wisdom shal now be behovefull, to the good exployte and
conclusion of the same.
And in your faithful attendaunce and trewe devoyre in this partie, ye
shal do unto my Lord and us a singlere pleasir, and cause us herafter to
thank you therfore, as ye shal holde you right weel content and agreid,
with the grace of God, who have you ever in his keping.
Wreten in Framlyngham Castel, the viij. day of June.

[From Fenn, i. 96.] From the time of year at which it was
34.1

written, this letter must refer to the parliamentary election of
1455.

289
ABSTRACT 34.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1455
JUNE 11

Thanks him for his letter sent from London. Bokkyng writes that a writ
of ravishment de garde is taken, and Wentworth’s counsel ‘call sore

upon the action of 200 marks in the Common Pleas, and John Andreus
is ready there, and writs of capias ayenst John Porter as well as ayenst
Sir Thomas.’ Begs him to hasten to London, as there is great labour
against our intent. Wentworth has got Debenham, Radclyff, and others
in my Lord’s house against us. Would rather he were at London two
days too early than too late; for he trusts no man’s wit so much as
Paston’s.
Castre, 11 June.
[The references in this letter to the affair of the wardship, and to the actions against
John Porter and Sir Thomas Howes, all show that it belongs to the year 1455.]

34.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 269.]

290
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 35.1

1455(?)
. . . . . . .
. . . . . J. Fastolf.
More overe, cosyn, I pray yow concyder . . . that yff the plees for the
mater ye [wit off] may be engroced be tyme or the Courtys remefe, hyt
may stand yn more suertee; and ellys hyt wille stand yn a jubardye as
to alle that hathe be spended and doon heere before. And therfor,
savyng your better avice, I had lever ye were at London a weke the
rather and tymelyer then a weke to late. I pray yow doth somwhate
aftyr my councell as I wolle do by youres.

[From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is only the mutilated
35.1

postscript of a letter without any address, though it was
doubtless directed to John Paston. The anxiety expressed that

Paston should be in London in good time corresponds so
closely with the contents of the preceding letter that we may
refer this to the same period, especially as both the preceding
letter and this are in the handwriting of William Worcester.
The matter, which was to be engrossed before the Courts
removed, had reference probably to the wardship of Thomas
Fastolf of Cowhawe.—See No. 292 following.

291
WILLIAM PRYCE TO JOHN PASTON 36.1

The copy of a Letter sent to John Paston be the
Undir-Shreve 36.2 of Norff.
1455
JUNE 19

R
YGHT worchepfull Sir, I recomaund me on to you, &c. And, Sir,
as for the eleccion of the Knyghts of the shire here in Norffolk,
in good feyth her hath ben moch to do; nevir the latyr, to lete
yow have knowlech of the demenyng, my Master Berney, my Master
Grey and ye had grettyst voyse, and I purpose me, as I woll answer
God, to retorne the dieu eleccion, that is aftir the sufficiente, yow and
Mastir Grey; nevir the latyr I have a master.
Wretyn at Hederset, the Thursday next befor Midsomer.
By
Will’m Pryce.
[From Fenn, iii. 432.] The evidence of date in this letter is
36.1

the same as in No. 288. Notwithstanding Pryce’s efforts, not
one of the persons named in this letter was actually elected,
the knights returned for Norfolk in 1455 being the Duke of

Norfolk’s nominees, Sir Roger Chamberlain and John
Howard.—See Nos. 294 and 295 following.
36.2 Shieve in Fenn is almost certainly a misreading.

292
ABSTRACT 36.3

1455
JUNE 21

Writ to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer in pursuance of
patent, 12th December last, granting to John Bokking and William
Worcester the wardship, etc., of the heir of John Fastolf of Cowghawe.
Above in William Worcester’s hand:— ‘Bre. ad allocand. Vicecomitem
de proficuis terr. Thomæ Fastolf in custodia Johannis Bokkyng.’
Inrolled, Trin., 33 Hen. VI., rot. 3.
[Memoranda below in William Worcester’s hand as to certain statements of Hugh Fenn
about the form of the writ of livery directed to the Sheriff.]

36.3 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 261.]

293
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 37.1

To my ryght trusty cosyn, John Paston.

1455
JUNE 22

W
ORSHYPFULL Sir and cosyn, I commaund me to yow. And
lyke yow wete that accordyng to your desyre I sende John
Russe to yow to hafe your informacion of such materis as
shall be thought exspedient to be laboured yn your absence for the
mater of Wentworth, and hafe geve hym in commaundment to entend it
in all that he can or may. And, Cosyn, he hath a lettre of credence to the
baylly of Dedham because of doubt of syght of the baylly ys lettre ther
for disclosyng, &c., to do after the wrytyng of T. Denys. And y sende
yow ij. lettres com to me from London that maketh mencyon of grete
besynesse ayenst us, and an accion toke ayenst yow, Howys, Bokkyng,
&c., that most nedys be tendred; in case an essoyn 37.2 can be take, so
moche the better. And therfor, cosyn, at reverence of God, dispose yow
to London yn all the haste that ye can. For the atthacment can not be
tille ye com. And on partie adverse besyeth hem sore in your absence,
facies hominis facies leonis. And I have worde yn a nothere lettre that
my Lord Chauncellor ys yn the lyke wyse disposed yn owre one syde,
and therfor that ye kepe hym ynne to helpe bere the favour of thys
mater yn all wyse; And Byngham Justys ys full well disposed also.
Dyvers new processe ys ayenst Sir Thomas. And all othere materis I
commyt to your discrecion; yf nede be, I com thedre my sylf. Y pray
God kepe yow. Wryt hastly uppon Sonday before Seynt John Baptiste.
—Your cosyn, J. Fastolf.

Item, after that I have word from yow, so wolle I be gouverned, and
com to London yff ye sende me worde, and that I hafe word from yow
yf nede be bytyme from London.

37.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 171.] There can be no reasonable
doubt that this letter is of the same date as Nos. 289 and 290,
i.e. of the year 1455.
37.2 An excuse allowed for not appearing in Court.

294
JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON 38.1

To my wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Esquier.
1455
JUNE 24

M
I Maister Paston, I recomaunde me to you. And wher ye shulde
be enformed that I shulde sey to Howard 38.2 that ye labored
to be Knyght of the shire, I seid never soo to hym. I tolde my
Lord of Norffolk atte London that I labored diverse men for Sir Roger
Chaumberleyn, and they seid to me they wolde have hym, but not
Howard, in asmeche as he hadde no lyvelode in the shire, nor
conversement [i.e. acquaintance?]; and I asked them hom they wolde
have, and they seid they wolde have you, and thus I tolde hym. And he
seid on avysely, as he kan doo full well, I myght not sey ye labored
ther, for I herde never sey ye labored therfor, be the feithe I vowe to
God.
As for this writ of the Parlement of Norwich, I thanke you that ye will
labour ther in; as for my frendys ther, I truste right well all the
aldermen, except Broun 38.3 and sech as be in his dawnger. 38.4 I prey you
spekith to Walter Jeffrey 38.5 and Herry Wilton, 38.6 and maketh them to
labour to your entent. I prey you that yf ye thenke that it wull not be,
that it like you that to sey that ye meve it of your self, and not be my
desire. Sum men holde it right straunge to be in this Parlement, and me
thenketh they be wyse men that soo doo.
Wreten atte Intewode, 39.1 on Sceint John day, in hast.
Your servaunt,
John Jenney.
[From Fenn, iii. 240.] The parliamentary election to
38.1

which this letter refers is evidently the same as in Nos. 288
and 291. The election of Howard and Chamberlain actually

took place on the 23rd June, the day before this letter was
written, as I find by the original returns in the Record Office.
38.2 John Howard, the Duke of Norfolk’s cousin. He was

afterwards created Duke of Norfolk himself by Richard III.,
in whose cause he fell fighting at the battle of Bosworth.
38.3 Richard Brown was Mayor of Norwich in 1454, and

member for that city in 1460.—F.
38.4 This means in his debt, and therefore under his influence.

—F.
38.5 Walter Jeffrey was Under-Sheriff of Norwich in 1451,

1452, and 1459.—F.
38.6 Henry Wilton was returned with John Jenney in 1477.—F.

39.1 This estate came to Jenney by his marriage with

Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Wetherby, a rich alderman of
Norwich, who, after having twice served as Mayor,
quarrelled with the city about the election of his successor in
that office in 1433, and instigated various prosecutions
against them. He died in 1445.

295
JOHN JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON 39.2

To my wurshipfull maister, John Paston, Squier.
1455
JUNE 25

M
I wurshipfull maister, I recomaunde me to you; and I thanke
you that it plesith you to take seche labour for me as ye doo.
My servaunt tolde me ye desired to knowe what my Lord of
Norffolk seid to me whan I spake of you; and he seid in asmeche as

Howard 39.3 myght not be, he wolde write a lettre to the Under-Shreve
that the shire shulde have fre eleccion, soo that Sir Thomas Todenham
wer not, nor none that was toward the Duc of Suffolk; he seid he
knewe ye wer never to hym ward. Ye may 39.4 sende to the Under-
Shreve, and see my Lord lettre. Howard was as wode as a wilde
bullok; God sende hym seche wurshipp as he deservith. It is a evill
precedent for the shire that a straunge man shulde be chosyn, and no
wurshipp to my Lord off Yorke, nor to my Lord of Norffolk to write for
hym; for yf the jentilmen of the shire will suffre sech inconvenyens, in
good feithe, the shire shall not be called of seche wurshipp as it hathe
be.
Wreten atte Intewode, this Wednesday next after Sceint John, in hast.
Your servaunt,
John Jenney.
39.2 [From Fenn, iii. 380.] This letter clearly refers to the same
matters as the preceding, and was written the day after.
39.3 See p. 38, Note 2.

39.4 The modern version in Fenn reads, ‘The Mayor sent to the

Under-Sheriff, and saw my Lord’s letter.’

296
ALICE CRANE TO MARGARET PASTON 40.1

To my cosyn, Margeret Paston, be this letter
delyvred.
About 1455(?)
JUNE 29

YGHT worshipfull cosyn, I recomaund me unto you, desyryng to here of
youre welfare; and if it like you to her of my welfar, at the makyng of

R
this letter I was in good hele, loved be God. The cause of my
wrytyng to you at this tyme is this, praying you to send me
word of youre welfare, and how ye do of youre seknesse, and
if the medycyn do you ony good that I send you wrytyng of last;
thankyng you of the grete frenship that ye have do to my moder with
all my hert.
Also I pray you that ye wyll be good meyn to my cosyn youre
husbond, that he wyll se that my fader be well ruleyd in his lyvelode
for his worship and his profett.
Also prayng you to hold me exschusyd that I have wryten no ofter to
you, for, in good feth, I had no leysir; for my Lady hath be seke at
London, ner hand this quarter of this yere, and that hath be grete
hevinesse to me; but now, blesyd be God, she is amendyd and is in the
contre agayne.
Also thankyng you of the grete chere that I had of you when I was with
you laste with all my herte, prayng you of good contenuanse, for I had
never gretter nede than I have now, and if I had leyser and space,
I wolde write to you the cause.
No more at this tyme, but the Holy Trenite have you in his kepyng.
Wryten at Wyndesore, the xxix. day of June,
By youre pore bede oman and cosyn,
Alice Crane.
Also, cosyn, I pray you to sende me sum Norfoke threde to do a boute
my nekke to ryde with.

[From Fenn, iii. 146.] John Crane of Woodnorton, whom
40.1

we suppose to have been the writer of Letters 121 and 285,
had a wife of the name of Alice, who was apparently a
widow in 1457, when she presented to the living of
Woodnorton (see Blomefield, iv. 313). But the writer of this
was more probably a daughter, serving in the household of a
lady of rank according to the custom of the times. If so, the
date is before John Crane’s death, which must have happened
between 1455 and 1457.

297
WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON 41.1

To my Maister Paston.
1455
JULY 7

P
LEASE your gode maistership to wete, that as yerstenday came
lettres from London that the Parson 41.2 most nedys up to
London to safe the next amerciement; and so ys forth to
appiere, yff he nedys most, xv. Johannis, 41.3 as ye shall see by Barkers
lettre, and shall be to morne at London, and with Goddes grace he shall
be releved by the meene of the Parlement; by Sonday yee shall hafe
weetyng.
As for my maister, 41.4 he departyth not to London tille the next weke
after thys, and [i.e. if] he ryde.
As for tydyngs be none couthe [i.e. publicly known], but Ponyngs 41.5
ys qwyt and delyvered of all tresons; and Sir William Oldhale ys
process yn the Kyngs Bynche reversed; and the Priest that accused
Lordz Cromewell, 41.6 Grey, 41.7 and my maister wolle confesse who
caused hym to do it, so that he may have hys lyve, &c.
Assone as ye goodly may to see my maister, it shall be to hym a
singuler pleasir. Sir, a baylly of my maister ys yn Drayton. John
Eimond brought a lettre to yow, and he sent me wetyng he was shent
[abashed] uppon som mater, as he supposyth, conteyned yn the lettre.
Y pray you yn ryght be hys gode maister, and that y may wete the
cause, for y doubt he shall and most obbey, yff he hath offended.
At Castr, the noneday, 42.1 vij. day Jullet. Your,
W. Worcestre.
On the top of this letter, in a different hand, is written:—

Prove ontrouthe in the Undir-Sherif, or that he dede othir wise thanne your counsell
avysid hym, and Paston shall demene hym accordyng.

41.1 [From Fenn, iii. 128.] At the date of this letter, William
Worcester and his master, Sir John Fastolf, were both at
Caister, though the latter was thinking of going up to
London. This, being in July, cannot have been before 1455.
Fenn supposes the pardon to Poynings to have been on
account of his participation in Cade’s rebellion, and
accordingly dates this letter ‘about 1451.’ But Poynings was
accused of raising disturbances in 1453 and 1454. The
reversal of Sir William Oldhall’s outlawry was in 1455; for
we have seen in No. 287 that he was obliged to remain in
sanctuary for some little time after the battle of St. Albans. It
appears by an inspeximus on Patent Roll, 34 Hen. VI., m. 16,
that he presented a petition to the King in Parliament on the
9th July, 33 Hen. VI. (1455), setting forth how he had served
the King in France, and yet had been pronounced a traitor by
the Parliament of Reading in 31 Hen. VI., but that his
outlawry had been reversed in the King’s Bench.
41.2 Thomas Howes.

41.3 Quindena Johannis, or on the quinzaine of St. John, i.e.

8th July, the 15th day from St. John the Baptist’s day.
41.4 Sir John Fastolf.

41.5 Robert Poynings.—See vol. ii. p. 154, Note 3.

41.6 Ralph, Lord Cromwell. He was accused of treason by a

priest named Robert Colynson.—See Nicolas’s Privy
Council Proceedings, vi. 198.
41.7 Probably Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin; but there were at

this time also a Lord Grey of Codnor and a Lord Grey of
Wilton.
42.1 The day of the Nones.—F.

298
SIR J. FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 42.2

To the worshypfull and my ryght welle belovyd cosyn,
John Paston.
1455
JULY 10

W
ORSHYPFULL and ryghte welbelovyd cosyn, I comaund me
to you. Please you to wete that the pryour and convent of
Norwych have wyth holden certeyn rent for londes that they
holden of me wythynne my maner of Harlyston, and the ij. tapers of
wax of ijlb. wyghte by the space of xviij. yeers that mountyth . . . . .
. . xxjs. valued in money; and the lordes of the seyd maner beying
before me, and also y yn my tyme have be seisid and possessed of the
sayd rent. Praying you to speek wyth the pryour, recomaundyng me
unto hym, and that ye lyke to meave hym to make me payment, as hys
dewtee ys, so as y have no cause to stirre further, and to doo as justice
requyryth. He holdyth xxx. acres land or more by the sayd rent, and
yhyt ought to pay me othyr rents more by myne evidents of more ade.
Y pray you, cosyn, that y may speke wyth you or y ryde, and that on
Thrysday by the farthyst, and then y shall tell you tydyngs off the
Parlement, and that ye fayle not, as my trus ys yn you. Y pray God
have you yn Hys governance.
Wreten at Castre, the x. day of Julle. Your cosyn,
John Fastolfe.
42.2 [From a modern copy by Gough in Bodl. Library.] This

letter was evidently written in the year 1455, as appears by
the reference to the Parliament and to the intended journey of
Sir John Fastolf up to London (see No. 297).

299
HENRY WINDSOR TO BOKKYNG AND
WORCESTER 43.1

Unto my moost faitfull brethern, John Bokkyng and
William Worcestre, and to eyther of theym.
1455
JULY 19

W
ORSHIPFULL Sir, and my most hertely and best be loved
brother, I recommaund me unto you in more loly wise than I
can other thenk or write; and with al my service and trewe
herte thank you of your gentill lettres, full brotherly written unto me at
mony tymes of old, and especiall of late tyme passed. And trwly,
brother, I thank Almyghty God of your welfare, of the which the berer
of this my pour lettre certified me of, &c.
And, Sir, as touchyng al maner of newe tithinges, I knoo well ye are
averous; truly the day of makyng of this letter, ther were nonn newe,
but suche I herd of, ye shalbe served with all.
As for the first, the Kyng our souverain Lord, and all his trwe Lordes
stand in hele of there bodies, but not all at hertes ees as we. Amonges
other mervell, ij. dayes afore the writyng of this letter, there was
langage betwene my Lordes of Warrewikke and Cromwell afore the
Kyng, in somuch as the Lord Cromwell wold have excused hym self of
all the steryng or moevyng of the male journey of Seynt Albones; of
the whiche excuse makyng, my Lord Warrewikke had knolege, and in
hast wasse with the Kyng, and sware by his othe that the Lord
Cromwell said not trouth, but that he was begynner of all that journey
at Seynt Albones; and so betwene my said ij. Lords of Warrewikke and
Cromwell ther is at this day grete grugyng, in somoch as the Erle of

Shrouesbury hath loged hym at the hospitall of Seynt James, beside the
Mewes, be the Lord Cromwells desire, for his sauf gard.
And also all my Lord of Warrewikke men, my Lord of York men, and
also my Lord of Salesbury men goo with harnes, and in harnes with
strang wepons, and have stuffed their Lordes barges full of wepon
dayly unto Westminster. And the day of makyng of this letter, ther was
a proclamacion made in the Chauncerie, on the Kyngs behalf, that
noman shuld nether bere wepon, ner were harnes defensible, &c.
Also, the day afore the makyng of this letter, ther passed a bill 44.1 both
by the Kyng, Lords, and Comens, puttyng Thorp, Josep, and my Lord
of Somerset in all the defaute; be the which bill all maner of actions
that shuld growe to any person or persones for any offenses at that
journey doon, in any maner of wise shuld be extynt and voide,
affermyng all thing doon there well doon, and nothing doon there
never after this tyme to be spoken of; to the which bill mony a man
groged full sore nowe it is passed.
And if I myght be recommaunded unto my speciall maister and youres,
with all loliness and trewe service I beseech you hertely as I can.
And also to my brethern Th. Upton, 44.2 Lodowick of Pole, William
Lynd Calyn [Lincoln ?], and John Merchall. No more, but our Lorde
have you both in his perpetuell kepyng.
Writen at London, on Seynt Margarete Even, 45.1 in hast; and after this
is rede and understonden, I pray you bren or breke it, for I am loth to
write any thing of any Lord. But I moost neds; ther is no thing elles to
write. Amen. Your awn,
H. Wyndesore.

43.1 [From Fenn, i. 108.] As this letter refers to the disputes
which arose after the battle of St. Albans as to who should
bear the blame of that occurrence, the date is certain.
44.1 See Rolls of Parl. v. 280.

44.2 Upon in Fenn, but Upton in the modern version on the

opposite side of the page.
45.1 St. Margaret’s day is the 20th July, the eve the 19th.

300
JAMES GLOYS TO JOHN PASTON 45.2

To the right wurchepfull Sir, ana my goode mayster,
my Mayster John Paston, be this delivered.
1455
JULY 25

R
EVERENT and right wurchepfull Sir, and my gode mayster, I
recomaund me to you, prayng you to wete that ther is reysed a
slandrows noyse in this countre up on my Mayster Yelverton
and you and my Mayster Alyngton, which I suppose is do to bryng you
ought of the conceyte of the pepyll, for at this day ye stand gretly in the
countreys conceyte. It is seyde be Heydon and his disciples that my
Mayster Yelverton and ye and my Mayster Alyngton shuld have doo
oon Sir John Tartyssale, parson of the Estchurche 45.3 of Warham and
chapeleyn to the priour 45.4 of Walsyngham, to put in to the Parlement,

a bille of divers tresons don be my Lord of Norwich, 45.5 Sir Thomas
Tudenham, and John Heydon, and ye shuld have set to your seales; and
if that Heydon had be vj. howrs fro the Parlement lenger than he was,
ther had be granted an oyer determiner to have enquer of hem, &c.
This was told yesterday in right wurchepfull audience, and a mong the
thrifties men of this countre; and thei seyd right shrewedly, for my lord
of Norwich hath so flatered the lay pepill as he hath redyn a bought his
visitacion that he hath thers herts. Wherfor, and it plese you to lete me
have knowlech what ye wuld I shuld sey to it, wher as I her any such
langage, I wull do my parte, and have do hed toward as I have thought
in my conceytes best, &c. And if ther be any other servyce that ye wull
comaund me, I am and wull be redy at yowr comaundment with the
grace of God, how [who] ever have you in his blyssed kepyng.
Wretyn at Wighton in hast, on Sent James day,
Be your servaunte,
James Gloys. 46.1
45.2 [From Fenn, iv. 32.] This letter is attributed by Fenn to

the year 1461, but that date is certainly inaccurate, as it was
answered by John Paston at Norwich the very day it was
written, whereas in July 1461 Paston was in London.
Moreover, it certainly could not have been after 1461, as Sir
Thomas Tuddenham was beheaded in February of the
following year. It must therefore belong to the reign of Henry
VI.; and considering the time of the year, 1455 is the only
date at which it is at all likely that any one would have
ventured to attempt the impeachment of Tuddenham and
Heydon in Parliament, or could have been plausibly accused
of such a design against persons of so much influence.
45.3 There were three churches in the parish of Warham.

45.4 Thomas Hunt.

45.5 Walter Lyhert, Bishop of Norwich.

46.1 He was a priest, and a dependant of the Pastons.

To the right wurchepfull Sir, and my goode mayster
text has “ana” (italic “a” for “d”)

301
JOHN PASTON TO JAMES GLOYS 46.2

To Sir James Gloys.
1455
JULY 25

T
HER be dyvers thynges in your letter sent to me; one that a
slaw[n]derus noyse shuld renne ageyns Yelverton, Alygton and
me, to brynge us owte of the conceytes of the puple be Heydon
and his dyscyplis, of a bill that shuld have do put uppe in to the
Parlement ageyns my Lord of Norwich and odir. I lete yow wete this is
the furst day that I herd of any seche, but I wold wete the namys of
hem that utter this langage and the mater of the bill. As for my Lord of
Norwych, I suppose ye know I have not usid to meddel with Lordes
maters meche forther than me nedith; and as for Sir Thomas
Todynham, he gaff me no cawse of late tyme to labor ageyns hym, and
also of seche mater I know non deffaut in hym. And as for Heydon,
when I putte a bill ageyns hym I suppose he shall no cause have, ne his
discyplis nother, to avante of so short a remedy ther of, as ye wrygth
they sey now. As for that ye desyr that I shuld send yow word what I
shuld sey in this mater, I pray yow in this and all other lyke, ask the
seyeres if thei will abyd be ther langage, and as for me, sey I prupose
me to take no mater uppon me butt that I woll abyde by; and in lek wys
for Yelverton and Aligton. And that ye send me the namys of them that
ye wryte that herd this langage seyd shrewedly, and what they seyd;
and that ye remembre what men of substance wer ther that herde itt;
for if this can be dreve to Heydon or his dissyplis, as ye wryte, it wer a

gode preve that they fere to be appelyd of seche materes. And I thank
yow for your godwill. Wrete att Norwych, on Seynt James day.

46.2[From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, which is printed
from a draft in John Paston’s hand, was written in answer to
the preceding, to which the reader is referred for the evidence
of its date.

302
JOHN CHEDWORTH, BISHOP OF LINCOLN,
TO JOHN PASTON 47.1

To the worshipfull and welbeloved John Paston,
Esquyer.
1455
JULY 26

R
IGHT worshipful and welbeloved Sir, I comaunde me unto you,
and with all my hert thank you for the grete labours that ye
oftymes have diligently doon for my welbeloved servant John
Ode, to th’entent that he shuld mowe atteyne to entre and enjoy
peasible his enheritaunce, as I am enformed dew unto him; and pray
you of youre goode contynuaunce, certyfieng you that I have written
unto Yelverton, the justice, that he wol, at some sesonable tyme,
common with Sir Thomas Tudenham, knyght, and to offre him
asmoche reason as it shal be thought unto him and to you, that lawe
wol in that behalf require, prayng you that ye wol common with the
saide Yelverton, and to conceyve betwix you such lawful meones of
gyding of this matier that my said servaunt may have peasebly with
owten grete trouble his said enheritaunce, as I shal in case semblable

do my labour unto your pleasaunce. And pray you that of the
disposicion of the said Sir Thomas Tudenham in this behalf, I may be
certified. And Jesu preserve you.
Written at London, the xxvj. day of July.
J., Bysshopp of Lincoln.
47.1 [From Fenn, iii. 246.] The date of this letter is ascertained

by a contemporaneous memorandum at the bottom of the
original in these words, ‘Litt. direct. Joh’i Paston inter
Michaelem xxxiij. et xxxiiij. Henr. Sexti.’

303
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON 48.1

To my right worshipfull maister, John Paston, at
Norwiche, be this delyvred.
1455
OCT. 28

P
LEASE it your maistership to wete 48.2 . . . .
Here be many marvaylos tales of thynggs that shall falle this
next moneth, as it is seyd; for it is talked that oon Doktor
Grene, a preest, hath kalked [calculated ?] and reporteth, that by fore
Seynt Andreu day next comyng shall be the grettest bataill that was sith
the bataill of Shrewisbury, 48.3 and it shall falle bytwene the Bisshoppes
Inne of Salesbury and Westminster Barres, and there shall deye vij.
Lords, whereof iij. shuld be bisshoppes. Althis and meche more is
talked and reported. I trust to God it shall not falle so.
Also there is gret varyance bytwene the Erll of Devenshire and the
Lord Bonvyle, as hath be many day, and meche debat is like to growe
therby; for on Thursday at nyght last passed, the Erll of Denshyres

sone and heir come with lx. men of armes to Radford’s 49.1 place in
Devenshire, whiche was of counseil with my Lord Bonvyle; and they
sette an hous on fyer at Radfords gate, and cryed and mad an noyse as
though they had be sory for the fyer; and by that cause Radfords men
set opyn the gats and yede owt to se the fyer; and for with th’erll sone
forseid entred into the place and intreted Radford to come doun of his
chambre to sp[e]ke with them, promyttyng hym that he shuld no
bodyly harm have; up on whiche promysse he come doun, and spak
with the seid Erll sone.
In the mene tyme his menye robbe his chambre, and ryfled his
huches, 49.2 and trussed suyche as they coude gete to gydder, and caryed
it awey on his own hors. Thanne th’erll sone seid, ‘Radford, thou must
come to my lord my fadir.’ He seid he wold, and bad oon of his men
make redy his hors to ride with hem, whiche answerd hym that alle his
hors wern take awey; thanne he seid to th’erll sone, ‘Sir, your men
have robbed my chambre, and thei have myn hors, that I may not ride
with you to my lord your fadir, wherfor, I pray you, lete me ride, for I
am old, and may not go.’
It was answerid hym ageyn, that he shuld walke forth with them on his
feete; and so he dede till he was a flyte 49.3 shote or more from his
place, and thanne he was . . . softly, for cawse he myght not go fast.
And whanne thei were thus departed, he turned . . . oon; forwith
come ix. men ageyn up on hym, and smot hym in the hed, and fellid
. . . . of them kyt his throte.
This was told to my Lord Chaunceler 49.4 this fornoon . . . . . .
messengers as come of purpos owt of the same cuntre. This matier is
take gretly . . . . . . passed at ij. after mydnyght rod owt of London,
as it is seid, more thanne . . . . . the best wyse. Summe seyne it was
to ride toward my Lord of York, and summe . . . . . k, so meche
rumor is here; what it menyth I wot not, God turne it . . . . . . at
Hertford, 50.1 and summe men ar a ferd that he is seek ageyn. I pray God
. . . . . . my Lords of York, Warwyk, Salesbury and other arn in
purpos to conveye hym . . . . . . . . . &c. The seid N. Crome, berer

her of, shall telle you suche tydynggs . . . . . . . . . in hast, at
London, on Seint Simon day and Jude. Yowr poer
J. Gr.
48.1 [From Fenn, i. 114.] This letter was written in 1455, at the
time of the King’s second attack of illness, which happened
while he was under the control of the Duke of York and the
Earls of Warwick and Salisbury, as mentioned at the end of
the letter. In the latter part of the letter some words are lost
by the decay of the original MS.
48.2 Here, says Fenn, follows an account of some law

business, etc.
48.3 Fought in 1403 between King Henry IV. and the rebel

Percies.
49.1 ‘Nicolas Radford,’ says Fenn in a note, ‘was an eminent

lawyer, and resided at Poghill, near Kyrton.’ In Pole’s
Description of Devonshire, p. 219, we find that one Nicolas
Radford dwelled at Upcot in Henry VI.’s time, ‘after whose
death controversy arose betwixt John Radford of Okeford
and Thomazin, sister of the said Nicholas,’ who had married
Roger Prous.
49.2 A hutch was a coffer or chest standing on legs.

49.3 A flight was ‘a light arrow formed for very long and

straight shots.’—Halliwell.
49.4 Archbishop Bourchier.

50.1 The King was at Hertford, as appears by the Privy Seals,

in August and September 1455, and not improbably in
October also.

304
ABSTRACT 50.2

Sir John Fastolf ‘to my right trusty Brother, Nicholas
Molyneux.’

1455
OCT. 30

As I come not to London this winter, I beg you to see to my Lord’s
matters, and labour to my Lord of Canterbury and Master John Stokys
for the recovering of my Lord’s 50.3 [good]s. No man can say more in
the matter than you where his goods are, ‘and where they be disposed,’
especially those that Sir Rob. Whytynham 50.4 had. Also the Lord
Cromwell had ‘a certain number of plate.’ Your costs shall be paid out
of the first money received. Hears from John de Leawe, one of Lord
Willoughby’s executors, that they will labour to my Lord Beaumont to
advance the process for recovery of his part of the reward for the
taking of the Duke of Alençon. Fendykes, a learned man of the Temple,
will help with his advice. Commend me to my sister your wife.
Castre, 30 Oct.
In Worcester’s hand, and endorsed by him.— ‘A John Paston et John Bokkyng.’

[During the winter of 1455-56 we find several allusions to this claim put forward by
Fastolf to the goods of the late Duke of Bedford. Unless we are to infer from the
manner in which Lord Cromwell is mentioned that he was dead when this letter was
written, it is probably of the year 1455.]

50.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 228.]
50.3 The Duke of Bedford.

50.4 Sir Robert Whityngham died on the 4th November 1452.

—Inq. post mortem, 31 Hen. VI., No. 47.

305
WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON

AND JOHN BOCKING 51.1

To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, and to my
brothyr, John Bokkyng.
1455
NOV. 13

P
LEASE it yow to have yn knowlege that y veele well my maister
takyth gretely to hert the materes whych he hath wryt to you
uppon the execucion of my Lord of Bedford ys godes, and in
especiall for the recuveryng of hem, as well as of Sir Andreu O. 51.2
executors as of Sir Robert Whytyngham, &c. to th’entent that it myght
be opynly knowe yn hys lyve tyme that they be not yn his
gouvernaunce no part of it, and that hys factors after hym shuld not be
troubled ne charged for it. And seth the seyd mater ys of so grete wyght
and charge, and that he takyth it so gretely to hert, puttyng hys grettist
trust yn yow, to remembre thys seyd mater by avyse of hys councell
lerned, both spirituell as temporell, that ye wolle not delay it, but wyth
all your entencion remembred there, as ye by your wysdoms shall
thynk it moste expedient, that som fruyt may grow of it.
There ys ynowgh whereoff, and it myght be recuvered, John Bokkyng,
ye know ryght moch yn thys mater, and mooste of my maister ys entent
hereynne. And therfor, for myne acquytaille, y wryte to you to shew
the chieff wrytynges of the copy of endentures of Sir Robert
Whytyngham, and of othyr wrytynges concernyng that to Maister
Paston, that he may be more rypelyer grounded yn the seyd mater
when he shall comyn wyth my Lordz of Caunterburye, Cromewell, and
with onye of my maister councell. And our Lord kepe you.
My maister carpyth so oft on it dayly, and that meovyth me to wryte to
yow both. Att Castre, xiij. day of November. Your,
W. Wor-H.R.-cestre.
[From Paston MSS., B.M.] On the 11th November 1454 Sir
51.1

John Fastolf wrote to Paston about the goods of the Duke of

Bedford, but the subject recurred to his thoughts for more
than a year afterwards, and particularly in January 1456,
when all the other executors of the Duke were dead. This
letter is certainly before the death of Lord Cromwell, and
therefore not later than 1455; but it seems to indicate much
greater solicitude on the subject than Fastolf showed in the
preceding year.
51.2 Sir Andrew Ogard, who died on the 13th October 1454.—

Inq. post mortem, 33 Hen. VI., No. 25.

306
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON 52.1

To my right wurshipfull husbonde, John Paston, be
this delivered, in hast.
1455
NOV. 25

R
IGHT wurshipfull husbonde, I recomaunde me unto you. Plesith
you to witte that myn aunt Mondeforthe 52.2 hath desiryd me to
write to you, besechyng you that ye wol wochesafe to
chevesshe for her at London xxti marke for to be payed to Mastre
Ponyngs, outher on Saterday or Sonday, weche schalbe Seint Andrwes
Daye, in discharchyng of them that be bounden to Mastre Ponyngs of
the s[ei]de xxti marke for the wardeship of her doughter, the weche xxti
marke she hath delyvered to me in golde for you to have at your comyn
home, for she dare not aventure her money to be brought up to London
for feere of robbyng; for it is seide heere that there goothe many thefys
be twyx this and London, weche causeth her to beseche you to content
the seide money in dischargyng of the matre, and of them that be
bounden, for she wolde for no goude that the day were broken. And

she thankyth you hertely for the greet labour and besynesse that ye
have had in that matre, and in all others touchyng her and hers,
wherfore she seithe she is ever bounden to be your bed-woman, and
ever wolle be whyle she levethe.
My cosyn, her sone, and hese wife recomaundethe them unto you,
besechyng you that ye woll weche safe to be her goode mastre, as ye
have 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 withinne shorte tyme.
Ferthermore, as for the matre that my sone wrote to me for the boxe
wheron wreten Falce Carte Sproute that I shulde enquer 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 answer.
As towchyng for your leveryes, ther can noon be gete here of that
coloure that ye wulde have of, nouther murrey, nor blwe, nor goode
russets, undrenethe iijs. the yerde at the lowest price, and yet is ther not
j nough of on clothe and coloure to serve you. And as for to be purveid
in Suffolk, it wul not be purveide nought now a yenst this tyme, with
oute they had had warnyng at Michelmesse, as I am enformed. And the
blissed Trenyte have you in his kepyng.
Wreten at Norweche, on Seint Kateryn Day.
Be your,
Margaret Paston.
52.1 [From Fenn, iii. 252.] St. Andrew’s day fell on Sunday in
1455 and 1460. This letter must be written in one of these
two years, and the probabilities are greatly in favour of the
former, as John Paston and William Worcester were not on
good terms after the death of Sir John Fastolf.
52.2 Osbert Moundford, Esq. of Hockwold, married Elizabeth,

daughter of John Berney, Esq., and by her had Mary, their
daughter and sole heir, who married Sir William Tindale,
Knight of the Bath.

307
ABSTRACT 53.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

[1455]
DEC. 11

Thanks him for his pains in the advancement of his ‘chargeable
matters.’ Was never so much bound to any kinsman as to Paston, who
tenders so much his worship and profit. Sends Worcestre with
important letters to my Lord Privy Seal and the Abbot of Bermundsey,
and would like Paston to common with them. Thanks him for
informing him of the answer made to the bill of Wentworth, ‘which I
know had stand in great jeopardy had not ye be.’ Sends his evidences
concerning Bradwell, that the Judges and Parliament may have better
consideration of his right, and of the patents granted to Paston and
Howys in that behalf. Desires credence for William Worcestre.
Castre, 11 Dec.
[The date of this letter must be between the year 1454, when Sir John Fastolf settled at
Caister, and 1458, as he was not alive in December 1459. The reference to Parliament
fixes it more precisely, as 1455 was the only year during this period in which
Parliament sat in December.]

53.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 262.]

308
RICHARD BINGHAM TO SIR JOHN
FASTOLF 54.1

Copie of my fader Bynghames lettre to my fadre F.
About
1455

R
IGHT honorable and reverend maistre, after due and hertely
recomendacion, I thank yow als hertily as I can that it likith
your gode maisterschip, of your godnesse, to let to ferme to
my son Scrope the pouer enheritance that he schal enherit after your
decesse, if God will that he life therto. And I hafe for my saide son
comonde with my maistres of your counsell, that is to sey, Paston and
other, and I fynde them not straunge, bot right streyte to dele with in
the mater; and therfore my saide sone, and I for hym, must sue to the
well of mercy, that is to say, to your honurable person, where is special
refuge for my saide son in this cas. My saide son is and hath be, and
will be to hys lifes ende, your true lad and servaunt, and glad and well
willed to do that myght be to your pleaser, wirschip, and profit, and als
loth to offend yow as any person in erth, gentill and well disposid to
every person. Wherfore I besech your gode grace that ye will
vouchesafe remember the premissez, my saide sons age, his
wirschipfull birth, and grete misere for verrey povert, for he hath had
no liflode to life opon sithen my lady his moder deed, safe x. marc of
liflode that ye vouched safe to gife hym this last yer, and therfore to be
his good maister and fader. And thof he be not worthy to be your son,
make hym your almesman, that he may now in his age life of your
almesse, and be your bedeman, and pray for the prosperite of your
noble person. And if I durst, for your displesance, I wolde besech yow
that ye wolde vouchesafe lat my saide son hafe the saide lifelode to
ferme for terme of your life, payng to yow therfore yerely CC. marc at
ij. festes of the yere, that is to say, Cristemasse and Middesomer, and
ye schall be paied hit truly at London, in Hillary terme for the feste of
Cristemasse, and Trinite terme for the feste of Midsomer; and I will be
bounden for hym and [i.e. if] your maisterschip will vouchesafe to take
me, and he and I schall ever pray for yow. And thof the saide lifelode
be better to yow in availl yerely then I offer yow therefore, this summe
of CC. marc schal be truly paid to yow yerely; and God, that rewardeth

every gode dede, schal pey for hym the remenant to yow, for every
peny an C., in relesyng of yow in Purgatory, or ellys encresyng of your
merite in Heven. And how your maisterschip will that my saide son
schall do in this mater, I besech yow that he may be certified be your
writing.

54.1[From Castlecombe MSS., Add. 28,212, f. 26, B.M.] This
letter has been printed by Mr. Poulett Scrope in his privately
printed History of Castle Combe. From evidences contained
in other of the family muniments, Mr. Scrope supposes it to
have been written about the year 1455, which is probably not
far from the true date. Compare Letter 349 following.

309
FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN.
—I. 55.1

Billa de debitis Regis in partibus Franciæ Johanni
Fastolf militi debitis.
1455

T
HESE ben the injuries, losses, and damages that the seyd Fastolf
hath had, as well withynne this royaume of England as in othir
parties in maner and fourme as it ensewith.
First, it is to consider how that the seyd Fastolf
hath ben vexed and troubled seth he came last
into this lande by the myght and power of the
Duc of Suffolk, and by the labour of his
counseill and servaunts in divers wyses, as in
grete oppressions, grevous and outrageous

amerciemants and manye grete horrible
extorcions, as it may appere more pleynly by a
rolle of articles thereuppon made, the damages
of which entenden to the somme of
V. ml. marc.
Item, the seyd Fastolf hath be gretely damaged
and hurt by the myght and power of the seyd
Duc of Suffolk and his counseill, in disseising
and taking awey a maner of the seyd Fastolf,
called Dedham, in the counte of Essex, to the
value of C. marks of yerly rent which was
halden from the seyd Fastolf by the terme of iij.
yere day and more, to his grete hurt, with CC.
marks in costs exspended in recouvere of the
same, the some in all,
Vc. marc.
Item, there ys cast in to the Kyngs hands by
untrew forged offices and inquisicions,
supposed to be founde by dyvers eschetours in
the countees of Norffolk and Suffolk, iij.
certeyn maners of the seyd Fastolf, to the value
of C. marks yeerly, which seyd offices and
inquisicions were never dewly founde, but
forged by untrue imaginacions and meenys of
certeyn persones hys eville willers, as it hath be
confessed by thos that were appoynted and
named to be uppon the enquestys; and by the
maliciouse labour of his seyd evylle willers, the
seyd maners have ben troubled and put in plee
this iiij. yere day and more, to the damage and
costs of the seyd Fastolf, the somme
Vc. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hauying the yeft of the
Baronyes and Lordshipp of Sillie Guillem 57.1
and Lasuze, in the countee of Mayn, to hym
and to his assignes for ever, the which weren
goten by the seyd Fastolf, and no charge to the
King, for the value and denombrement
[number] of iiij. ml. saluz 57.2 of yerly rent, he
was commaunded by the Kinges lettres to
deliver upp the sayd baronyes and lordshipps to
the Kyngs commissioners, promyssyng hym,
by the Kyngs commaundement to have be
recompensed therefor, as the seyd Fastolf hath
to shewe, and he not recompensed nor
rewarded no thing for the levyng of his seyd
baronyes and lordship, to the damages of the
seyd Fastolf of the somme of
ml. ml. v.c [2,500]
marc.
Item, wher as the seyd Fastolf had a prisonner
of his owen taking, called Guill’m Remond, 58.1
which was raunsonned, and agreed to pay hym
for his raunson with the marks the somme of
xxxij. ml. saluz, the prisonner, withoute
knowelege or licence of the seyd Fastolf, was
take awey from hym by the Duc of Bedford,
then beyng the Kyngs Regent of Fraunce; and
with the seyd prisonner he caused the towne of
Compyn, than leyng in the Frensh partye ys
gouvernaunce, for to be yeldyn to the Kyng,
and to his seyd Regent in his name; and the
seyd Fastolf, after long pursewts made to the
Kyng and his conseill, was recompensed but to
the value of ml. vjc. saluz in lands in
Normandye, when they fortuned to falle into

the Kyngs hands, which lands he hath also lost.
And also the seyd Fastolf hath lost the residue
of the seyd raunson, besyde the seyd lands, to
the somme of
ml. ml. ml. ml. marc.
Item, the seyd Fastolf ys yhyt owyng for his
porcion and part for the recompens and reward
that shuld grow and be dewe to hym for the
takyng of John, callyng hym Duc of Alauncon,
at the batayle of Vernell, 59.1 which that payd for
hys raunson xl. ml. marks, which rewarde,
besyde the Lord Wyllughbye ys part, shuld
extend to the somme of
ml. ml. ml. ml. marc.
Item, ys dewe to the seyd Fastolf, by the
execucion of the last wylle and testament of
John, Duc of Bedford, whos soule God assoyle,
for prestys and othir charges for saufgarde and
keping of certeyn forteresses, castellys, and
townes, and for othir costs, prests, and charges
by hym born in his service, as it may appiere in
certeyn articles writen in a rolle partic’lerly of
the same, the somme of
iiijml. Dc. iiijxx. xix.
[4,599] marc, vs. 6d.
Summa totalis xxjml. iiijxxxix. [21,099] marc, vs. 6d.
Item, seth the last comyng over of the seyd Fastolf into this royaume,
as by the space of xv. yere and more, he hath born grete costs, charges,
and expenss, at alle tymes intending uppon the Kyngs highnesse and
the Lordes of his counseille, as he hath had in commaundement, and
was his part to doo; for the which and for all the service that he hath
doo to the right noble Prince Kyng Herry the iiijthe, ayle [grandfather]

to our Souvragn Lord that now ys, and to the most victorious Prince
and Kyng, his fader, whos soulys God assoyle, and also to our seyd
Souvereyn Lord, he hath had, nouther fee, wagys, reward, ne
recompense in this his royaume of England, but hath born it of hys
own propre godys, at all tymys to the Kyngs honour and prouffit as to
his power, which ys to hym right grevouse and chargeable, trusting to
have be considered and rewarded as othir men of suche deservyng
have be in the tymes of the right noble progenitours of our seyd
Souvreyn Lords, late Kyngs of this seyd reaume.
There is a corrected draft of the above paper, in William Worcester’s handwriting,
among the Paston MSS. in the British Museum, on the back of which are the following
additional memoranda:—

Thees been the prestys and sommes of money that the [sic] Sir John
Fastolf, knyght, hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lorde that now is, at
his commaundement in his grete necesitees, at divers tymes with in this
his reaume of England:—
Item, the seid Fastolf lent to oure seid Soverayn
Lorde, in the moneth of September, the xv. yer
of his seid regne, as it appereth at the seid
recept of Westminster, the somme of
ml li.
It is also to be remembred that the seid Fastolf
hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lord, in the
moneth of Feverer, the seid xv. yer of his noble
regne, as it appereth at the Kynges receyt of
Westminster, the somme of
ml marc.
Item, the seid Fastolf lent to our seid Soverayn
Lorde, for the viage of Sir Thomas Kiriel, and
of his retinue in to the Duchie of Normandye,
in the xxviij. yer of his noble regne the somme
of CC. marc. Also afore that tyme in the
Kynges grete necessite ageyn the coronacion of

the Quene, at his forseid commaundement, the
somme of Cli. Somme of bothe
iijc. xxxiijli. vjs.
viijd. 60.1
Item, the seyd Fastolf lent to the voyage that
Thomas Danyell made in to Breteyn, as it is
notorily knowen, of which he ys not yhyt payd,
the somme of
Cli.
Item, the seyd Fastolf hath born grete charge
and cost of a lone made for the spede and help
of a voyage whych the Erle of Shrewysbury
now last made in to the Kynges Duchee of
Gyen,
——— 60.2

55.1 [From Fenn, iii. 260.] The date of this paper is determined
by the last paragraph, showing that it was composed fifteen
years after Sir John finally left France in 1440.
57.1 Sir John took the castle of Sillie le Guillem in 1425, and

from which he was dignified with the title of baron.—F.
57.2 The salute was a gold coin of Henry VI. current in France

for £1, 5s. English.—F.
58.1 In 1423 he took the castle of Pacy, the governor whereof

was Guillaume Reymond.—F.
59.1 This battle was fought in 1424.—F.

60.1 So in MS. The total should be £100 less.

60.2 A blank.

310
FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE
CROWN 61.1

A Declaracion of the Costs which Sir John Fastolf
was at, ben without this royaume.

T
HE declaracions of certeyn prests, costys, and chargys don and
born by Sir John Fastolf, aswel in the tyme of the moste noble
and victoryouse Princes of blessed memorie, Kyng Herry the
iiijthe, Kyng Herry vth, as in the tyme of our Souvereyn Lord Kyng that
now is, in hys werrys by yend the see, as by the articles that folowen
more pleynly apperyth:—
First, it ys to be remembred that to the sayd
Fastolf ys owyng for divers costys and chargis
by hym born for the tyme that he occupied
th’office of the Constabulrye of Burdeux for
the saufgarde of the Kyngys Duchie of Guyen,
as it apperith pleynlye by accompt made of the
sayd office of Constabulrye, remaynyng in the
Kyngs Cheker at Westminster of record, wherof
he yet nouther had payement nor assignement
of, the somme of
ijc. xxvijli. xvs. iijd.
ob.
Item, in like wyse there ys owyng to the seyd
Fastolf for wagys for hys service don to the
Kyng, and to the Duc of Clarence, beyng the
Kyng ys Lieutenant in the seyd Duchie of
Guyen, as it may appere under suffisaunt
writing, the somme of

ijc ijli. xs.
Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf
for costys and chargys that he bare when he
was Lieutenant of the towne of Harflew 62.1 in
Normandie, as yt shewith by a debentur made
to the seyd Fastolf, with hym remaynyng,
Cxxxiijli. vjs. viijd.
Item, in lyke wyse ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf
for the keping and vytaylyng of the Bastyle of
Saint Anthoyne in Paris, as it apperith by
writing suffisaunt and by the creditours of Sir
John Tyrell, Knyght, late Tresourier of the
Kyngs house, remaynyng in the Escheker of
Westminster of record, the somme of
xlijli.
Item, there ys owyng to the seyd Fastolf for the
saufgarde of the toune of Fount Melank 62.2 in
the parties of Fraunce, as it apperith by
accompt therof made in the Kyngs Escheker of
England of record, the somme of
iiijxx ixli. xs. iiij d.
ob. q.
Summa xlij. marc ixs. q.
And in semblable wyse, over all this ys owyng
to the seyd Fastolf for prests and wagys of hym
and his retenues beyng in the Kings service in
his royaume of Fraunce and duchie of
Normandie, as wel abowte the saufgarde and
gouvernaunce of his tounys, castell, and
forteresses of Alaunson, Fresney Le Vicounte,
Vernell, Honneflete, as for othir grete causys
and charges born and payd in the Kyng our

Souvereyn Lord ys dayes that nowys, for the
avauncement of his conquest, the good and
utilite of hym, of his seyd royaume and duchie
forseid, as it apperyth oppenly by accomptys
made in the Chambre of Accompts of Paris and
Roon, wherof the vidimus remaynen with the
seyd Fastolf, and also by certeyn debentur
conteynyng the seyd sommes, redy to shewe,
wherof the seyd Fastolf hiderto hath had
nouther payement nor assignacion, the somme
of
v. ml. iiijxx ij. marc,
xiijs. iijd. ob.
sterling.
Summa totalis vj. ml. cxxv. marc, ixs. ob. q.
There are two drafts of the preceding statement among the Paston MSS. in the British
Museum, besides an imperfect draft hereafter mentioned. These appear to have been
drawn up as early as the year 1452. One of these is in William Worcester’s handwriting;
the other is a fair copy from it, with further corrections, in his hand. The document
printed above embodies all the corrections in the second paper, and corresponds with it
almost exactly in every point, except that the latter places the second item relating to
the Duke of Clarence at the very end of the account, and contains the following
additional entries:—

And beside all this, there is yet owyng to the
sayd Fastolf uppon the voyage that Thomas
Danyell made into Bretayn, as it is openly
knowen, the somme of
Cli.
Item, overe this the seyd Fastolf lent to the
voyage that Sir Thomas Kyryell made into
Normandye, in the xxviij. yere of the regne of
the Kyng our Souverain Lorde, the somme of
CC. marc; also lent to the Kyng afore that tyme
in his necessite the somme of Cli. The somme
of both,

ijc. xxxiijli. vjs. viijd.
And also the seyd Fastolf hath borne grete
charge and cost of alone made for the spede
and helpe of the voyage whiche the Erle of
Shrowysbury 64.1 now last made into the Kynges
duchie of Guyenne, to whom God graunte good
expedicion, as it shewith by suffisaunt writyng,
for whiche at the commaundement of my Lord
Cardynalle 64.2 the seyd Fastolf made a
chevyssaunce and leyd to wedd [i.e. pawned]
the substaunce of his pore juellys, in the
whiche chevyssaunce the seyd Fastolf hath lost
xxxvijli., and is like to lese more herafter, by
cause he is not of poer to quyte hem oute; the
seyd juellys lyne as yet to plegge for the
somme of
iiijcli.
Somme of the prestys and debtys abofe
rehersed,
ijml. xlv. markes, vjs.
vd. ob.
The following is written on a separate paper, on the back of which occurs the imperfect
draft above referred to.

Item, overe all thys grete debtes dew at thys day to the seyd Fastolf, he
desyryth and prayth that it may be pondered and concydered the grete
lossez and damages that he hath susteyned and born, as well in the
parties of Fraunce as in thys land; as at one tyme lost the somme and
value of iiijml. mark for Guillem Remond, hys prysonnere, that agreed
to pay for hys raunsom xxxijml. salux. The seyd prisonnere was take
awey from hym, and delyvered the toune of Compyne in to the
obbeissaunce of our Souvereyn Lord. Also the reward that the seyd
Fastolf shuld hafe hys part for the takyng of the Duc off Allaunson,
whych shuld mount for hys seyd part iiijml. [4000] markes, the grete

losse that he hath in delyveryng upp the baronye of Syllye Guillem, in
the counte of Mayn, be thout [without] recompense or reward, whych
was gevyn to hym and hys assigneez in the value of ml. ml. [2000]
salux off yerly rent. Also the lesyng of hys pore lyvelode in Normandie
that was of the yerly value of 65.1 mark. The grete importune lossez
and damages that he hath had seth he came into England, whych hys
evylle wyllers the officers and servauntes of the Duc of Suffolk have,
be thout [without] cause resonable, made hym leese, as in causyng hym
to be disseised wrongysly of iiij. of hys maners of Dedham, Beyton,
Bradwell, Hykelyng, and Tychewell, to the value of ijc. [200] mark of
yeerly rent; besyde othyr damages and lossez by colours of the lawe,
and by menys of extorcions, as it may shew by a rolle of articles to the
value of vjml. [6000] markes.

61.1 [From Fenn, iii. 268.] This appears to be a supplementary
paper to the preceding. Two other copies or drafts of this
paper exist among the Paston MSS. in the British Museum.
62.1 Sir John Fastolf was Lieutenant of Harfleur in 1415.—F.

62.2 Pont Meulent was taken in 1422.—F.

64.1 John Talbot, first Earl, sent to France in 1452 to recover

Guienne for the English; killed the following year in
endeavouring to relieve Castillon.
64.2 Cardinal Kemp.—See vol. ii. p. 160, Note 7.

65.1 Blank in MS.

iiijxx ixli. xs. iiijd. ob. q.
text has italic “a” for “d” in “iiijd.”

311
NOTE

‘Many of the letters in this collection,’ says Fenn (iii. 261, Note 1),
‘mention the disputes between the Duke of Suffolk and Sir John
Fastolf concerning different manors and estates.’ This remark is made
with reference to the complaints against Suffolk in No. 309 preceding.
Only two of these letters have been seen by the present editor.

312
ABSTRACT 65.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

Sends by his servant an instruction to be engrossed, corrected by
Paston’s advice, and a remembrance concerning Walsingham, which I
hope by your help ‘shall be corryged.’ Certain friends of yours and
mine have been here, and desire me to write to you ‘for your friendship
and good will, passing all other men’s.’
[The date of this letter is quite uncertain, but it was probably written some time during
those later years of his life when Sir John Fastolf resided at Caister. The signature, like
some others during that period, is not in Fastolf’s own hand.]

65.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 239.]

No. 239.
. after “No.” invisible

313
LORD CROMWELL TO JOHN PASTON 66.1

To my right trusty ffrend, John Paston, Squier.
Before
1456

T
RUSTY and welbeloved frend, I grete you wele. And for as much
as hit is don me to understande that there is a greet
straungenesse betwix my right trusty frend John Radcliff and
you, withoute any matier or cause of substaunce, as I am lerned;
wherfore, in as much as I love you wele bothe, I am not content hit
shulde so be.
Praying you hertly to forbere the said straungenesse on your partie to
suche tyme as I speke with you next my self, leting you wite I have
wreten to him to do the same; and that ye faile not herof, as I may do
any thing for you herafter. And our Lorde have you in His keping.
Wretin at London, the x. day of Fevrier. Cromwell.

66.1[From Fenn, ii. 290.] This letter was attributed by Fenn to
Humphrey Bourchier, who was created Lord Cromwell in the
first year of Edward IV., and it was accordingly placed by him
in that reign. The signature, however, of which Fenn gives a
facsimile, is not that of Humphrey Bourchier, Lord
Cromwell, but of Ralph, Lord Cromwell, who died on the
4th January 1456.

314
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON 66.2

To my maister, John Paston.
1456
JAN. 6

P
LEASE your maistershyp to wete that I had sent yow word of the
god chiere that the persons ye wote off had here uppon New
Yeer Day, and how well they toke it, but W. Barker coude
playnly enforme yow. And John Sadler of Ocle told me how they
avaunted of it when he of Lynne came by hym at nyzt lyeng, that he
had neider better chier, &c.
My maister demaundyth me sondry tymes when ye shall be here.
I coude not sey till thys day be passed. William Geney shall be here to
morn, so wold Jesus ye were her then. I asked licence to ryde yn to my
contree, and my maistr dyd not graunt it; he seyd hys wille was for to
make, &c. Y aunsuerd it fyt not me to know it. God gefe hym grace of
holsom councell, and of a gode disposicion; non est opus unius diei,
nec unius septimanæ.
My Lord Bedford wylle was made yn so bryeff and generall termys,
that yn to thys day by the space of xx. yeer can neider hafe ende, but
all wey new to constrew and oppynable; so a generallte shall ne may
be so gode as a particuler declaracion.
I wryte blontly. I had foryete to hafe told yow Maister Fylongley
meoved me to enforme my maister to hafe a generalle pease, so it myzt
be worshypfull. Y hafe seyd no word, for I can not medle yn hygh
maters that passyth my wyt; and therfor yff ye and W. Geney mete to
gheders, ye know and can devyne best what ys to be doon. Our Lord be
with yow.
Wryt hastly, vj. day Januar. W. Botoner, H.R.

[From Fenn, iii. 256.] By the reference to the Duke of
66.2

Bedford’s will as having been in dispute for twenty years, it
would appear that this letter was written in the beginning of
the year 1456. Bedford died at Rouen on the 14th September
1435.

315
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON 67.1

1456(?)
Please yow to wete that my maister 67.2 yn allwyse wille that I ryde to
Dedham to speke with Broke as well as wyth the stuard, and to gefe
aunsuer to Broke yn whate wyse he wille depart for the reuersyn; he
was ryd or I came home. And my maister wille comyn with yow for
the moyens of a chauntuarye to be founded of the place ye wote off;
y seyd hym such chargeable maters wold be doo betyme to know the
certeyntee. And a greter lak ys yn hym, he taryeth so long to put all
thynges of charge yn a sure wey; hyt ys for lake of sad councell to
moove hym. And I most be at Castre by Thursday next; and I pray yow
let me not be lete of my voyage yn to my contree, and I shall kepe
Yorkesshyre with Spyrlyng, or such as shall ryde. The parson 68.1 with
yow shall do well sort my maister evidences, and that ys one the
grettist thyng nedefull for the seurtee of hys lyfelode; and so it wold be
remembred hym, for now all thyng ys sett at appoynt, how it standyth
with hys debtys and officers, except that mater of grettist charge, and
also to provyde for the approwement of hys lyfelode.
W. Botoner.
And, syr, yff ye thynke to done (think it to be done), to meofe Cler of
the acre lond, but gefe hym no credence yn the contrarye, for I shall
preffe it trewe yn my seyng for onye man lyvyng. He that wille
dysseyve hys servaunt yn maryage for so litell a thyng, he wold
disseyve another frende yn a gretter thyng. He sekyth occasyons and
querell to colour hys brekyng off.

67.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the desire expressed by
the writer in this letter to visit his own country, we may refer
it to the same period as the last.
67.2 Sir John Fastolf.

68.1 Sir Thomas Howes.

316
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON 68.2

About 1456
Please yow to wete that as for ease of my maisters 68.3 tenaunts in
Dedham, yff a lettre were devysed by Maister Geney yn my maister
name or youres to Thomas Hygham, one of the justices of pease in
Suffolk that toke the veredyt, he myzt do grete ease, as yn disavowyng
of it or yn wythdrawyng it owte of the bokes. Robert Dene, clerk of the
pese, seyth that lete my maister councell avise that whych he may do
undammaged hymsylf, and he wille with all hys hert. John Bokkyng ys
well remembred that my maister caused the seyd Thomas Hygham, by
Maister Geney mocion, to be one of the justice of pease, and one
Jermyn of Suffolk also. Whych both Hygham and Jermyn hath suffred
my maister hafe, savyng your reverence, tweyn shrewde tornys seth
that they mizt hafe letted, as now the seyd Thomas Hygham myzt hafe
letted the presentment or a moderated othyrwyse, &c.
At reverence of God, beyth as sone as ye may with my maister to ease
hys spyryttes. He questioneth and desputyth with hys servauntes here,
and wolle not be aunsuerd ne satisfyed som tyme but after hys
wylfulnesse, for hyt suffysyth not our simple wyttes to appease hys
soule; but when he spekyth wyth Maister Zelverton, yow, or wyth
William Geney and suche othyrs as be auctorised yn the law, and wyth
haboundance of godes, he ys content and haldeth hym pleased wyth
your aunsuers and mocions, as reson ys that he be. So wold Jesus, one
of yow iij., or som suche othyr yn your stede, myzt hang at hys gyrdyll
dayly to aunsuer hys materes.
I had but litille thyng to done when I scrybled thys bille.

Your,
W. Botoner.
68.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] There is no address to this
letter, but it seems to have been intended for John Paston.
The exact time when it was written is uncertain, but we have
placed it after the last on account of the reference to
Deddam. The true date cannot be many years before or after
1456.
68.3 Sir John Fastolf.

317
ABSTRACT 69.1

Sir John Fastolf ‘to the worshipful Lady and my right
wellbeloved Sister, Whytyngham.’

1456
JAN. 20

As all the executors of my Lord Regent, except himself, are dead, and
as he would not have her troubled in her age ‘for execution of my said
Lord’s goods,’ nor for the evidences of his purchased lands, etc., which
were left in keeping ‘with my brother your husband,’ sends John
Paston and other his attorneys to common with her, and settle the
matter, which will be a great discharge for her husband’s soul.
Castre, 20 Jan.
[This letter must have been written after the death of Lord Cromwell, who was one of
Bedford’s executors, and who died on the 4th January 1456.—See his Epitaph in
Dugdale’s Baronage, ii. 46.]

69.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 266.]

318
ABSTRACT 69.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Bokking or William Barker, to
deliver to John Paston at London.

1456
JAN. 25

Copy of a letter of Fastolf’s to the wife of Sir Robert Whytyngham (the
copy examined by Botoner) to the same effect as the preceding No.,
but with some slight differences in the wording, and dated 25th
January instead of 20th.
On the back is written:— ‘Cousin Paston, I pray you take Nicholas
Molyneux, Thomas West, or Robert Waryn, whether ye may hafe at
leyser, with you, to go speke with the gentlewoman.’

69.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 275.]

319
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AND
OTHERS 70.1

To my right trusty frendes, John Paston, Nicholas
Molyneux, and Thomas West, Escuiers.
1456
JAN. 26

W
ORCHIPFULL Sirs, and my right trusty frendis, I commaunde
me to you. And lyke you to wite that I desire to knowe in
certayn, or evere I laboured to London, by whate menys in
the lawe spirituell or temporell I might labour, or ellys my frendes and
atturneys in my name and in myne absence myght laboure best, for the
recuvere of the goodes of my Lord of Bedford, whos soule God
assoyle, and that his purchaced londes might be sold to fulfille his
wille and pay his debtes. And if it were thought that the most spedyest
and seurest wey were to have it doon by act of Parlement, than I desire
and pray you, as my singuler trust is in you, that ye wille do make a
substanciall bille in my name upon the said mater and for the said
cause, to be grounded and devised by avis of substanciall lerned man,
as Thomas Yonge and othir suche, and of civille lawe, and the said
bille to be put up to the Kyng, whiche is chief supervisor of my said
Lordis testament, and to the Lordes Spirituelle and Temporelle, as to
the Comyns, of this present Parlement, so as the iij. astates may
graunte and passe hem cleerly. And the said bille may be grounded
with so grete resons by your wysdomes and good enformacion, and so
rightfull and of conscience that it shall not be denyed, ne letted to passe
amonges the Lordes Spirituell and Temporell, neythir amonges the
Comyns, whan it comyth before hem. And if this said bille, after it is
devised and made, and sent me a copie of hit, hit shold be to me a
singuler confort; for or evere I came to London, I wold that alle thing
shuld be made redy to my hande. And it were exspedient and according
that my Lord Chaunceller 71.1 were meoved that it might please his
good Lordship to write a lettre to me, in case I must come up for the
said cause, and that by as muche he is in the mater as souverain juge
and ordinarie principalle under the Pope in a cause testamentarie, and
also by cause the wille of my said Lord is aproved in his court before
his predecessour. And Alle myghty God kepe you.
Writ at Castre, the xxvj. day of Januar. Your,
J. Fastolf.
And I wolde this bille were devised by my Lord of Caunterbury is avis
and agreement, to th’entent that he may tender the mater the more
whan it shalle come in revolucion before hym. And I pray you hertely

to take this mater tendirlye to hert, for it shall be to me my most
singuler comfort, and for my discharge a grete record as of myne
acquitayle to my said Lordis soule. Also ye must make frendes of
suche as be nere aboute my said Lord of Caunterbury, and may do, as
Maister John Stokys and his styward, for to remembre his good
Lordship as ofte as nede is. And that Davy Breknok ne Sir Robert
Whitingham wyffe be not foryeete.

70.1 [The original of this letter is the property of W. A. Tyssen
Amhurst, Esq. of Didlington Park, Brandon.] As this letter
was written during Sir John Fastolf’s residence at Caister,
and Parliament appears to have been sitting at the time, the
date must be 1456.
71.1 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.

320
WILLIAM WORCESTER TO JOHN PASTON 71.2

To the worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier.
1456
JAN. 27

W
ORSHYPFULL, aftyr dew recomendacion, please your gode
maistershyp to wete that where as my maister wrytith to yow
so homelye of so manye materes to yow of hys, to be
remembred unto hys councell lerned by mene of yow and of hys frendz
and servauntz there, y pray yow and requyre yow not to wyte [impute]
it me that y am the causer of it that my seyd maister noyeth yow with
so manye materes, for, be God, hym sylf remembryth the moste part of
hem; albe it the particler rehersell of the materes be fressher yn my
remembraunce then yn hys. And, Sir, yn trouth he boldyth hym to

wryte to yow for the grete lofe and singler affeccion he hath yn yow
before all othyr yn hys causes spedyng, and that ye wille moste
tendyrlye of ony othyr remembre hys servauntes as well as othyrs to
whom belongyth to spede the materes. He desyryth my Lord
Chauncellor shuld wryte to hym speciallye yff he most nedes com upp,
and a bille to be made yn to Parlement for recuvere of my Lord
Bedford godes.
Sir, there ys one Haryngton of Doncastre, a besye soule, that damagyth
my maistre to gretely in Bentley. And Herry Sotehille ys of my maister
councell, but no thyng that ys profytable ys don to hym to remedye it,
ye shall see by one Sir John Vincentes letter sent to yow now, and
W. Barker can enforme yow. Yn the ende of thys terme y suppose to be
at London, and yn to west contre. My maistre wrytith to yow for a rent
of viijli. of annuite charged of a touneshyp called Batham Wyly, that
Maister Scrope he shall be beneficed yn the ryzt of it. Ye have nede
fare fayre with hym, for he ys full daungerouse when he wille. Y gate
hym gode evidensis of the seyd rent that my maister ne my lady had
nevere, and he can not know it, &c. Also my maister hath wreten to
yow for avice of a new feffement to be made for the maners of
Tychewell and Beytone, and betyme he desyryth to be sent hym.
Y pray yow, and ye se Maister Yng at a leyser to commaund me to
hym, and trustyng hys gode maistershyp that he wille be of my
councell ayenst one William Fouler of Bokyngham thath kepyth from
me a litelle lond. And yff he wille contynew hys gode maistershyp to
me, ye may sey hym that I cast duelle yn my contree, and wayt uppon
hym to help ghete ayen a pore gode of myn, for heere y thryve not, but
lose my tyme. Y pray our Lord have yow yn hys kepyng.
Wryt hastlye, the xxvij. day of Januare. Your,
W. Wyrcestre.
71.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter must have been

written the day after the last, as this also speaks of a bill
being presented to Parliament for recovery of the Duke of
Bedford’s goods. The passage in which the writer proposes
visiting the west country confirms the date of Letter 314.

321
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 73.1

To the worshypfull Sir, and my ryght welbelovyd
cosyn, John Paston; and in hys absence, to John
Bokkyng and William Barker.
1456
FEB. 5

W
ORSHYPFULL Sir and cosyn, I recomaund me to yow. And
lyke yow to wete that y have a taylle 73.2 with my cosyn
Fenne 73.3 of vc. [500] marc and more, for to be chaunged
uppon such places as a man myght have moste spedye payment; and I
pray yow hertlye to comyn wyth the seyd Fenne, that y myght be
ensured of the seyd taylle to be eschaunged; and for whate rewarde
competant to be yeven uppon the same, I wolle agree it.
Item, I desyre to know who ben the residew, the remenant of the co-
executors of the Lord Wyllughbye, 73.4 now the Lord Cromewell 73.5 ys
decesed; for thys cause. Hyt was so, that there was dew to the Lord
Wyllughbye and to me x. ml. [10,000] marc for a reward, to be payd of
my Lord Bedford ys godes, for the takyng of the Duc of Allauncon. 73.6
And the seyd Lord Wyllughbye had but one thowsand marc payd, and I
ml. [1000] mrc, soo viij. ml. [8000] levyth [remains] yhyt to pay; of
whych somme iiij. ml. [4000] most grow to the executors of the seyd
Lord Wyllughby to dispose. And therfor y desyre that the executors,
and such as most have intrest in the Lord Wyllughby goodes, may be
comyned wyth; that they may [make] purseute for payment of the seyd
iiij. ml. [4000] marc, for hys part to be had, and y shall make for my
part.
And [i.e. if] Maister Nevyle, 74.1 the whych hath wedded my Lady
Wyllughbye, have power or intrest to resseyve the Lord Wyllughby ys

debts, then he to be labured untoo. And my Lord of Salysburye woll be
a grete helper yn thys cause.
The Kyng, whych ys Supervisor of my Lord Bedford testament, hath
wreten and comaunded by sondry lettres, that the seyd Lord
Wyllughbye shuld be content for hys part. And so moch the mater ys
the furtherer.
And ther ys one Yon’, a servaunt of the Lord Wyllughbye, whych
pursewed thys mater; yff he were yn London, he coude geve gode
enformacion uppon thys mater.
Y pray yow wryte to me how my maters doth, and of such noveltees as
ye have there. And our Lord have yow yn hys kepyng.
Wreten at Castr hastlye, v. day of Feveryer, anno xxxiiijto Regis
Henrici VI. Your cosyn,
J. Fastolf.
73.1 [From Fenn, i. 120.]
73.2 A tally. This was a cleft stick, in both parts of which

notches were cut to represent sums of money due; on which
one part was given to the creditor, the other being retained by
the debtor.
73.3 Hugh Fenn.

73.4 Robert, Lord Willoughby of Eresby.

73.5 Ralph, Lord Cromwell.

73.6 John, Duke of Alençon, taken prisoner at the battle of

Verneuil in 1424.
74.1 Sir Thomas Nevill, a younger son of Richard, Earl of

Salisbury, married Maud, the widow of Robert, Lord
Willoughby.—Dugdale, ii. 86.

322
JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF 74.2

To the right reverent and worshipful Sir, and my right
good maister, my maister Sir John Fastolf, at Castre.
1456
FEB. 9

R
IGHT reverent and my right worshipful maister, I recomaunde
me to yow in my right humble wise. Please hit your right good
maistership to wyte that on Sonday laste I sent yow many and
divers lettres and writynges, by Lampet, of all matiers that I hadde
knowlege at that tyme redy to answere. And now suche tidinges as ar
here, but fewe that ar straunge, excepte that this day my Lordes York
and Warwik comen to the Parlement in a good aray, to the noumbre of
iijc. [300] men, all jakkid 75.1 and in brigantiens, 75.2 and noo lord elles,
wherof many men mervailed. It was seid on Saterday my Lord shuld
have ben discharged this same day. And this day was seide, but if he
hadde come stronge, he shuld have bene distrussid; and no man
knoweth or can sey that ony prefe may be hadde by whom, for men
thinken verily there is no man able to take ony suche enterprinse.
The Kyng, as it was tolde me by a grete man, wolde have hym chief
and princepall counceller, and soo to be called hise chef counceller and
lieutenant as longe as hit shuld lyke the Kyng; and hise patent to be
made in that forme, and not soo large as it is by Parlement. But soome
men thinken it wil ner can otherwise bee; and men speke and devyne
moche matere of the comyng this day in suche array to Westminster.
And the Lordes speken this day in the Parlement of a greet gleymyng
sterre that but late hathe be seen diverse tymes, merveilous in
apperyng. The resumpsion, men truste, shall forthe, and my Lordes of
Yorkes first power of protectorship stande, and elles not, &c. The
Quene is a grete and strong labourid woman, for she spareth noo peyne
to sue hire thinges to an intent and conclusion to hir power.

I have seid to the bringer here of more to declare yow alle a longe. And
as for hise comyng, ye like to understande that your nevew, my Maister
Filongley, hathe laboured and doon that he cowde or myght to hise
preferraunce; but as for to make hym freman and at hise ease, to hise
profite and worship, it can not bee with owte William Lyne be here,
that boughte hise prentishode of his maister, to hise grete hurte and
castyng of bakke by ij. or iij. yere of tyme loste; and ne were it that the
maister and wardeyns of the Taillours tendre hym, be cause of yow and
of Fynynglee, hise firste maister, that solde hym to William Lyne, as
weel as the seide Lyne and Richard, shuld alle lese ther fredoms, as ye
shall more pleinly understande by the reporte of the seid Richard, &c.
This day was my Lord Devenshire at Westminstre, and shuld have
apperid, but he was countermaundid. As to youre matier of
Wentworthe, the trety contynueth, and is putte by the arbitrours in
Fortescu and Yelverton, and we have day of newe til Friday come
sevenyght. God graunte it take a good ende. The lawe is with us clerly,
as weel in th’atteynte as therinne as yette, blessid be our Lord, hoo
have you in hise most noble governaunce.
Written in your place this Moneday of Fastyngange, 76.1 ml. cccclv.
Your humble servaunt,
J. B.
And that ye like to write a good lettre for Richard Fastolf to Sir Roger
Chamberleyn, and to Thornton, Chamberleyn of London, and to both
of hem, &c.

74.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 265.]
75.1 i.e. in coats of mail.—See vol. ii. p. 322, Note 3.

75.2 See vol. ii. p. 155, Note 2.

76.1 Fastingong was Shrovetide.—See vol. ii. p. 131, Note 1.

323
ABSTRACT 76.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston

1456
FEB. 12

Thanks him for the pains he takes in his ‘chargeable matters,’
especially the ward of T. F., and his advice for the recovery of my Lord
of Bedford’s goods. My servants Bokkyng and Barker have written to
me for writings making mention of the jewels and goods of my Lord
delivered to Sir Robert Whitingham that they cannot find there. I send,
therefore, W. Worcestre with a copy of Whitingham’s account, which,
however, is not a complete statement.
Castre, 12 Feb.
P.S.—Has just received a letter from Paston, for which he thanks him.
[This letter was evidently written in the same year as No. 317.]

76.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 270.]

324
HUGH A FENNE TO JOHN PASTON 77.1

To the right worchepfull Sir, John Paston, at
Norwich.
1456
MARCH 1

R
YGHT worchepfull Sir, I recumaunde me un to you. Leke you to
wete my Maister Fastolf compert 77.2 is spedde and demyd in
the Eschequyer for hym a yens the Kyng, wher in was crafti
labour and cloos to the seid spede, and laked no dylygence, for the
matter was defused and dubble intendementz after dyverse mennys
appynyons.
Her is Williem Brandon, late Eschetour, 77.3 and wold have a non
molestando 77.4 for Fulthorp; and be cause ye spake to me that no mo
shuld be sued owte, and I can gete no lybarate 77.5 in that case, therfore,
as it is tolde me, he wyll have oon up on Wenteworth is patente, and
that wer to my maister bothe velleny and hurte. I pray you send me
heryn your avyse. It is no grete maistre to gader up that mony, if it wer
wele labord. I have somwhat affrayed them, and made hem spend
mony, as I wot well ye shall her therof. Ye and I been discharged of our
maynprys.
Now, Sir, for Goddis sake, as I have meved you a fore, help to sette my
maister in a worchepful dyreccion of his maters to his honour, his
profyte, and his hertis ease, that which so doon he shall have the better
leysour to dysspose hym self godly, and be sette his londs and his
goodys to the plesour of God, and the wele of his sowle, that all men
may sey he deyeth a wyse man and a worchepfull. Yf ye wyste what
worchep shuld growe to you in favour and conseyte of all men thus to
do, I wot well ye wolde be right spedy therin, for I beleve fully ye ar
ryght well wylled therto; and if owte I cowde helpe therto at myn nexte
comyng, yf I knew your entent, I wold do that I cowde. Yf it like you
to wryte your avyse in a bylle that I myght have it by Good Fryday at
Seint Benettys, Williem Norwyche wol send it theder. The Holy
Trinyte conserve you in honour and prosperite.
From London, the furst day of Marche. Your,
Hugh a Fenne.
77.1 [From Fenn, iii. 332.] The first paragraph of this letter

seems to relate to Fastolf’s claims against the Crown set
forth in Nos. 309 and 310, and as these seem to have been
drawn up in the end of 1455, this letter probably belongs to

the year following. The reference to William Brandon as
‘late escheator’ confirms this date; and also, perhaps, the
mention, at the end, of William Norwich, who was Sheriff of
Norwich this year.
77.2 Compertorium is a judicial inquest in civil proceedings

made by Commissioners to find out, etc., the truth of a cause.
—F.
77.3 An Escheator was a county officer who certified into the

Exchequer the King’s escheats, i.e. lands which fell to the
King, either for a time or altogether, as by the death of
tenants in capite, minority of heirs, etc. William Brandon
was Escheator of Norfolk and Suffolk from 13th November
33 Hen. VI. to 4th November 34 Hen. VI., i.e. from 1454 to
1455.
77.4 A writ which lies for him who is molested contrary to the

King’s protection granted him.—F.
77.5 A writ of liberate is a warrant either for the payment of

annual pensions, etc., granted under the Great Seal, or for
delivery of possession of certain lands or goods in the
custody of a sheriff.

325
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON 78.1

To my right worshipfull Maister, John Paston.
1456(?)
[MAR. 24]

A
FTER due recomendacion had, please it your maistership to
wytte that William Yelverton was mevid by me to comene
with my maister his fadir, as I wrot to yow from Norwich. And

now he tellith me that he hath comened with his fadir; and he
undirstondith that his fadir seyth that he hath not knowelaged
Fennes 78.2 obligacion. And he seyth that Maister Fastolf undirstood that
Fen hadde title to the maner of Haryngby, and therfor wold he that Fen
shuld have it after Maister F. lyve; and, by liklynes, ther shall be labour
made by Fenn to have releses of Maister Yelverton, &c., but he hath
not yet relesed. He can no more undirstond of hym as yet. If he can
undirstond ony more pleynly this day, I shall have knowelage at
Norwich on Friday or Saterday next comyng. Please it you to have
pacience, though I write so brefly.
In hast, at Walsyngham, the Wednesseday next to fore Esterne.
Youre pouere servaunt,
James Gr.
78.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As this letter relates to money
matters of Fenn and Sir John Fastolf, it may most probably
be referred to the same year as Nos. 321 and 324.
78.2 Hugh Fenn.—See No. 324.

326
ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO SIR JOHN
FASTOLF 79.1

To the right worshipfull, and my right entierly
welbeloved Sir John Fastolf, Knight.
1456
MARCH 27

R
IGHT worshipful, and my right entierly welbeloved, I grete you
right hertly wele, thanking you specialy, and in full herty wise,

for the verray geantle goodnesse that ye have shewid unto me at all
tymes, praying you of good contynuance.
And as touching suche matiers as ye sente unto me fore, I truste to God
verraly, insomuche as the rule is amendid heer, and the wedder waxeth
seesonable and pleasante, to see you in thise parties within short tyme,
at whiche tyme I shal commune and demeene unto you in suche wise,
that ye shal be right wele pleasid.
And as for the matier concernyng my Lord of Bedford, thinketh nat
contrarye, but that ye shal finde me hertly wel-willid to doo that I can
or may for th’accomplesshment of youre desire, as wel in that matier
as in other, like as your servaunte John Bokking, berer hereof, can
clierlier reporte unto you on my behalve; to whom like hit you to yeve
feith and credence in this partie. And the blissid Trinitee have you
everlastingly in His keping.
Written in my Manoir of Lamehith, the xxvj. daie of March.
Your feithfull and trew,
Th. Cant.
79.1 [From Fenn, i. 124.] The date of this letter will appear

tolerably certain on a comparison with No. 319. In that letter
Fastolf talks of coming up to London, if necessary, about the
matter of my Lord of Bedford’s goods, but expresses a wish
that if he is to come, my Lord Chancellor—viz. the
Archbishop of Canterbury—should be got to write him a
letter about it.

327
DAME ALICE OGARD TO JOHN PASTON 80.1

To my right wurshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer.

1456
MARCH 30

R
YGHT worshippfull and enterly belovyd cosyn, I comaund me to
yow hertyly; latyng yow wete that there ys a contraversie
mevyd be twix my cosyn John Radeclyff 80.2 of Attylburgh and
me for the advoweson of the chirch of Attylburgh, the whech ys now
voide, wheroff the title is myn veryly as God knowith, the whech shall
be oppenyd unto yow; and upon Thursday next atte Wymondham,
there shall be take an enquerre de jure patronatus afore Master Robert
Popy and Master Symond Thornham, atte whech day I may nought be
my selff as God knowyth, and thow I myght, yt were not convenyent.
And therfore, ryght trusty cosyn, consideryng that I am a wedowe
impotent as of body, tendyrly and hertily I pray you, yf yt lyke yow, to
be there assistyng my councell in my right as reson and lawe will upon
Thursday next, be viij. of the clokke; and Fyncham, 80.3 Spelman, and
othir of my councell shall be than there waytyng upon yow. And,
jentyll cosyn, have me excused thowh I wryte thus brefly and homly to
yow, for in trouth I do it of a synguler trust and affection, the wheche I
have in yow, consideryng the goode nome and fame of trouth,
wysdom, and good conducte, the which I here of you. And therfor, and
ye may to youre well, I beseche you hertyly to be there, and ye shall
nought lese therby with the grace of Almyghty Jesu, the wheche evyr
preserve and promote you, gentill cosyn, in moche worship to youre
hertys ease.
Atte Bokenham Castell, on Teuysday in Pache weke, in hast.
D. A. Ogard. 81.1
80.1 [From Fenn, iii. 290.] This letter would appear to have
been written in the year 1456, as Thomas Fairclowe, D.D.,
was presented to the church of Attleborough on the 2nd
August in that year by Dame Alice Ogard as patron.
80.2 John Radcliff, Esq., married Elizabeth, daughter and heir

of Walter, Lord Fitz-Walter. He was in her right called Lord
Fitz-Walter, and was killed at Ferrybridge in 1461.

80.3 Simeon Fincham, of Fincham, Esq. His son John married
Agnes, daughter of John Spelman, of Beckerton, Esq.,
I suppose the person here mentioned. He died in 1460, and
Simeon in 1458.—F.
81.1 Dame Alice Ogard was the widow of Sir Andrew Ogard,

Knight, whose first wife was Margaret, the daughter of Sir
John Clifton, Knight, of Bokenham Castle. He died in 1454,
and Alice, his relict, in 1460.—F.

328
HUGH FENN TO JOHN PASTON 81.2

To the worchepfull sir, John Paston esquyer.
1456(?)
APRIL 25

W
ORCHEPFULL Sir, my reverent and right trusty maister and
cosyn, I recommaunde me to you. Lyke you to wyte that
wher I have made my fyne of Ikburgh with Nicholas
Waterman, thanne beyng feodary to my Lorde of Yorke, as the same
Nicholas wil recorde, wherof sufficient writyng is had; the which
payment, so made, is sufficient in the lawe; in the which caas noo newe
feodary is chargeable nor I demaundable, but the seide Nicholas owe to
answere therof in his accompt; and if he concele, my Lorde may have
good remedy ageyns hym, and so owe to do. The which not
withstandyng, oon I trowe called Osbarn, som tyme your servant, now
my Lordis feodary, hath often meved to do I wote not, and now late
hath distreyned my cattel, and seith he wil dryve hem awey, &c., and
wil have Cs. for fyne, wher my uncle paied xxvjs. viijd., Herry Somer
xxs., and so many other ded. Sir, he may do me a pety shame in
distreyning and dryvyng awey to make me hevy, and hym not glad I

hoop at the loong, but wroong shal he nor any other do me, wher I may
gete remedy by the lawe in any place throw Goddis mercy. Wherfor,
sir, if he be stille in your servyse, lyke you I myght have knowlech, and
thanne if your discreccion semith any thyng that I owe to do, by you I
wil be advertysed and ruled; and if I coude conceyve that I owe to pay
ageyn, as I understonde clerly the contrary, forsothe in right hasty
seson wold I provyde and send hym from my seid lorde a sufficient
discharge for myn more availl, that he shuld noght lose by me. And
that is reson aswele, for that I wil not, by Goddis grace be hurted by
hym, nor geve hym cause by my wil. I deserve my lordis good
lordeship as wele as any other of my simple poer her. I besech you that
by this simple bille I may be recommaunded to my worchepful
maistresse. The blissid Trinite have you in His holy governaunce.
Written, London xxv. day of Aprill. Youris owen,
Hugh a Fenne.
81.2 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 173.] The year of this letter is

uncertain, but it must belong to the latter part of Henry VI.’s
reign, and there is great probability that it was written in
1456, like No. 324, which is also written by Hugh Fenn from
London.

329
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 82.1

To my worchepfull Cosyn, John Paston, Esquyer, in
hast goodly.
1456
MAY 2

W
ORCHEPFULL Cosyn, I comaunde me to yow. Lyke yow to
wete that for als moche as my lord of Norwich shal the next

wyke visite the hous of Hykelyng, as on Thursday, as I understand,
I pray yow that ye lyke to informe my lord how it is appoynted atwix
the prior of the said hous and me that my title of xxv. marc of yerly
rente is put in the ordynaunce of yow and Fyncheham, and if any
variaunce fortune by twix yow that thanne we shall stand to the rule
and ordynaunce of my lord of Caunterbury and of my seid lord of
Norwich, they callyng to them ij. temporall juges suche as them please,
the ij. chef juges only except. Wherfor that it please his good lordship
to commaunde the seid priour to be bound by obligacion to stand to the
seid appoyntement in lyke form as I at all tymes lefull am redy soe to
do, to th’entent that my lord may verily knowe that the complysshyng
of the seid appoyntement is nat deferred ner delayed by me.
Forthermore, Cosyn, I understand that ye have a feodary concernyng
all the knyght fees in this shire, and for als moche as the lord Scalys
cleymeth an homage of my place called Essex in Hikelyng I pray yow
that ye lyke to sende me woord if it can be understand by the seid
feodary if suche an homage owe to be do or nay. Moreover like yow to
remembre that lateward I meved unto yow that I wold do kyt out a
litell fleet rennyng by twix the Comouns of your lordship of Maulteby
and Castre there it was of old tyme, and now is over grounded and
growen by reedes. Wherfor lyke yow to write on to your baly of
Mauteby to take your tenauntes with hym to have a sight of the seid
water and ground, and that they bere half costes for ther part, and I
wole bere the other part. And all though my wrytyngges put yow many
tymes to gret labour and besynesses, I pray yow to take it that I do it
for the synguler affiaunce and feythful trust unto yow. Besehyng All
myghty God have yow, my worchepful Cosyn, in his mercifull
governaunce. Writ at Castre, the ijde. day of Maij.
And that ye lyke to come in to these partyes byfore ye ryde to London,
I pray yow hertely that I may speke with yow for dyvers maters that I
have to comowne with yow, &c. J. Fastolf.

[Add. MS. 35,251, f. 24, B.M.] This letter seems to be of
82.1

the same year as No. 341.

330
JOHN BOCKYNG TO JOHN PASTON 84.1

To my worshipful maister, John Paston, Squier.
1456
MAY 8

S
IRE, please it your maistership to wyte that on Wednesday, the v.
day of Maij, I received a lettre from you by the prestis man of
Walsyngham, and the Ascencion Day, 84.2 in the mornyng,
I received a lettre from yow bi the handes of John Frays, my maisteris
man, in whiche bothe moche thinge is conteyned whiche alle at this
tyme I may not answere un to my comyng the nexte weke. And as to
our atteynte, 84.3 the Chief Justice hathe, sithe this day sevenyght, kept
the Gildehalle in London with alle the Lordes and Juges, sauf one in
eche place. My Maister Markham yesterday rode owte of London be
tymes. Notwithstandyng we called ther upon, and hadde at the barre
Chokke, 84.4 Letelton, 84.5 Jenney, 84.6 Illyngworth, 84.7 John Jenney, and
Dyne, and remembrid the longe hangyng and the trouthe of the matier,
with the grete hurte of the partie in the tyme; and we have rule the next
terme betymes, and non otherwise, for to morwe the juges sitten ayen
in the toune. Mayster Yelverton can not be myry for Wyrmegey, and as
for the distresse, it is a non omittas, and therfore Poley may and wil
retorne what isseus he will. If thei be smale, we shall suffre at this
time; if thei be grete, we must appere for Wyngfelde; and moche labour
we have to conceyve a goode warant of attorney. We shal plede the
next terme, for as at this tyme we wold on Monday enparle and we
may.
Ye must suerly entrete the shireve, for we have moche to doo with
hym, as yesterday hadde we a grete day also in th’eschequer. Myn
maister 85.1 is moche bounde to Haltofte, and there we ar assigned day
over to the next terme, and dwelle in law. Our counsail was longe or
thei come, but at the laste thei acquitte them weel. The bille was

thought not by all that stode at the barre that wer of nother partie. We
ar joyned in the sute of the obligacion in the Comon Place ayenst
Jenney and Howes. As for attachement, ye may none have withowte ye
or on of yow make your othe in propre persone before the barons.
I wolde have doon it; I cowde not be amytted. And as for other
processe, it is advised that by the cors of th’eschequer I shall take a
venire facias ayenst Wentworthe, Andrews, longe Barnard, and Deyvill
ad respondendum quare in possessionem, &c. ingressi sunt. And we
must telle where other Coughawe or Kirkeley, I suppose; and therupon
a distresse and an attachement; nevertheles by your othe, &c.,
hereafter. And it is thought good that the same men shal be in the writte
of ravyshment. Jenney hath advised us to ley it in Blithinge hundred,
and I have taken of hym names; for as for London it is to nyghe
enbracerye, as ye thought well, and soo is Middlesex. Maister
Yelverton conceyvith it weel to your entent. There are aboughte and in
Suffolk but fewe men as of gentilmen and men of substance, but if
[unless] it be in Blithing hundre, were Hopton is grete; but Jenney
dredeth it not we may have good men at large; and as for the hundre,
he wil doo inow thereinne.
As for the tailes of iiijxxli. [four score pounds], as yette we shal doo
weel inowghe and thei were contentid; or thei that shal have the
silvere, the noyse were the lesse, for it shall, in pledyng, alwey be
rehersid by our contrarie party that for x. marc we have alle that evere
ther is, &c. I can not here how Wentworthe takith this matier by no
meane; what he meneth I wote not. He is no thing pleasid with the
matier of the bille in th’eschequer. Thomas Denys come yesterday, and
none erste. I wolde Arblaster and he spoke with yow this vacacion.
I write noo more til my comyng.
As for tidinges, noon othere thanne I sent yow laste; but forthe on the
same, all is as it was with the Quene, 86.1 the Prince and myn Lord York
ar stille at Tutbury and Sandale, and my Lord of Warrewick at
Warrewick. My Lord Bukingham rode on Ascencion Even to Writell,
noo thing wel plesid, and sumwhat on easid of herte to his purpose; for
the King hathe ley in London Friday, Saterday, Sonday, Monday,
Teusday, and Wednesday remevid to Westminster agen. In alle whiche

tyme, men of London that wer chargid and sworne wolde not nor
hadde noo thing presentid sauf trespas; this day thei shal sitte ayen.
The peas is weel kepte, but the straungiers 86.2 ar soore a dradde, and
dar not come on brode. Here is alle that I knowe as yet. Our Lord Jesu
be with yow.
Writen at Suthwerk the viij. day of Maij.
I have paied to Dory Cs., and with moche peyne made hym to ghete
day of the other Cs. til the nexterme. Your owen
J. B.
Endorsed in a seventeenth-century hand.—L’ra Joh’is Bokking, Attorn. in Communi
Banco.

84.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is quite
certain, not only from the circumstance of the 5th May being
a Wednesday in 1456, as mentioned in the beginning, but
also from Ascension Day falling between that and the 8th,
the day on which this letter was written.
84.2 Ascension Day was the 6th May in 1456.

84.3 See Nos. 267, 268, etc.

84.4 Richard Choke, Serjeant-at-law, afterwards Judge of the

Common Pleas.
84.5 Thomas Lyttelton, the great lawyer, at this time King’s

Serjeant, afterwards Judge of the Common Pleas, famous for
his treatise on Tenures.
84.6 William Jenney.

84.7 Richard Illingworth, afterwards Chief Baron of the

Exchequer.
85.1 Sir John Fastolf.

86.1 A full stop after ‘Quene’ would improve the grammar of

this sentence, but the original is entirely without punctuation.
The writer evidently meant that the Queen and Prince were at
Tutbury, and the Duke of York at Sandal.

86.2The foreign merchants. A riot took place about this time
in London, in which the houses of foreigners were attacked.
—See Fabyan’s Chronicle; also Brown’s Venetian Calendar,
i. 81, 84.

331
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON 86.3

To my Maister Paston.
1456
MAY 15

W
ORSHIPFUL Sir, and my good maister, I recomaunde me to
yow. This day I come home; and as to our materes, I shall be
with yow on Monday and Teusday next, be my maisters
advys, and enforme yow of all, and of suche as I will not write. Your
cofre is at the Prinse Inne; sende for it whane ye like, be the token,
I hadde of Margret Goche a boke of lawe that Wigge brought me. As
for tidyngs, my maistys your brother faren weel, and recomaunde them
to my maistresse, there moder, to yow, and to all, &c.
As for tidings elles, the Kyng is at Shene, the Quene and Prince at
Tutbury, but if it be the latter remevyng. Tidings were that the Lord
Beaumont was slayn, and my Lord Warrewik sore hurte, ml. [1000]
men slayn, and vjxx. [six score] knyghts and squiers hurte, and no thing
trewe, blessed be God. As for the Lumbards, 87.1 ij. of the trespasers
were hanged on Monday, and there ar be this tyme proclamacions
made, or shall be, thorwe London, the pees to be kepte up on grete
peynes; and the Lumbards to occupie the merchaundizes as thei dide til
the Counsail or Parlament have otherwise determyned. And noo more
as yet.

The atteynte abidith unreuled til the next terme, as I shal telle yow, and
it shal doo weel with God is grace, hoe have yow in kepyng and all
youres.
Writen at Caster vigilia Pentecosten. Your owen
J. B.
86.3 [From Fenn, i. 130.] Whitsun Eve, the day on which this
letter is dated, fell on the 15th May in 1456, just a week after
the date of last letter; and no one can doubt that they both
belong to the same year.
87.1 See Note 2, preceding page.

332
HENRY WINDSOR TO JOHN PASTON 87.2

1456(?)
[MAY 16]

A
FTER humble and due recommendacion, please it your gode
maistership to understand that atte makyng of this my pour
letter ther were no noveltees with us, but suche as yee
understode full well afor your departyng, except the Kyng woll in to
Scotland in all maner wyse of werre, and that my Lord of Weltshire
shal be made Chaunceller. I suppose the better is but a sclaunder, and
therfore be ye avised howe ye delyver theym as tidynges.
Also I wotte ful well where I lefte you in suche matiers as it pleassed
you to make me of your counsell, as touchyng oon matier specially;
and howe that ye said unto me whenne I desired your goode
maistership to shewe favour in suche as ye best myght yf any thing
shuld be shewed ad lumen, my Maister F. except; and howe that ye
answered and said as it pleassed you that I was conquered, in trouth,
that shuld preve but a full grete unstabulnes in me with more, &c. But,

Sir, I pray you howe some ever my maister rekeneth with any of his
servaunts, bring not the matier in revolution in the open Courte, for and
it were ones opened afore the Juges howe that any lettre patentes shuld
be purchased of an ante date, 88.1 and the defaute faunde in me, ye wold
be a ml. [thousand] tymes avised, and my Maister F. both, or that ye
wold amend me soo much as I shuld be appered therbe. And therfor I
beseche you be well avised howe that matier be oponed for myn ease.
I was not desired to write unto you of no on persone, so God be my
help, yourself except; but I wold ye wold take avise and counsell of the
Preest that hadde you soo long under hand on Shorthursday, 88.2 whenne
I and my feleship, God thank you, hadde of you right grete chere to our
grete comfort and your grete coste, howe that the same Preest
understandeth this letter of the Gospell underwriten: ‘Jesus dixit
Simoni Petro, Si peccav[er]it in te frater tuus, vade et corripe eum inter
te et ipsum solum; si te audierit lucratus es fratrem tuum. Si autem te
non audierit, adhibe tecum adhuc unum vel duos, ut in ore duorum vel
trium testium stet omne verbum. Quod si non audierit, dic ecclesiæ; si
autem ecclesiam non audierit, sit tibi sicut ethnicus et publicanus,’ etc.
And in another place, ‘Tunc accedens Petrus ad Jesum dixit, Domine,
quotiens petevit [peccabit] in me frater meus, [et] dimittam ei? usque
septies? Dicit illi Jesus, Non dico tibi, usque septies, set usque
septuagesies septies.’ 89.1
My maister can doo no thing, the which shall come in open audience at
thise deies, but it shalbe called your dede. Hit is not unknoon that
cruell and vengible he hath byn ever, and for the most parte with aute
pite and mercy; I can no more but vade et corripe eum, for truly he
cannot bryng about his matiers in this word [world], for the word is not
for hym. I suppose it wolnot chaunge yetts by likelenes, but I beseche
you, Sir, help not to amend hym onely, by [but ?] every other man yf
ye kno any mo mysse disposed.
I canno more, but as I can or mey, I shal be his servaunt and youres
unto such tyme as ye woll comande me to sursese and leve of, yf it
please hym.

Sir, I pray you take this copy 89.2 of your statute, it is not examined be
me, for I found hit thise v. yeres pessed.
Writan in my slepyng tyme at after none, on Wytsonday. Also, Sir, yf I
have rehersed wyttyngly the text of the Gospell syngularly unto your
maistership, I beseche you to be had excused.
Your own,
H. W.
87.2 [From Fenn, iii. 278.] The date of this letter is doubtful.
The two pieces of intelligence at the beginning were
certainly both false rumours, as the writer, indeed, seems to
have suspected. Henry VI. never went to Scotland in manner
of war, and the Earl of Wiltshire never was made Chancellor.
But the time when those rumours seem most likely to have
arisen was in the year 1456, when the Duke of York had been
deprived of the Protectorate. The Earl of Wiltshire, being of
the opposite party to York, was not unlikely to have been
talked of as Chancellor, although the Chancellorship was
given on the 7th of March to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
As to the rumoured expedition against Scotland, we know
that in the preceding year James II., in defiance of the truce,
laid siege to Berwick, which offered a gallant resistance
(Nicolas’s Privy Council Proceedings, vi. 248). This,
however, does not appear immediately to have led to open
war between the two countries. Diplomatic relations were
still carried on till, on the 10th of May 1456, James II.
despatched Lyon Herald to the King of England to declare
plainly that the Truce of 1453 was injurious to Scotland, and
that he did not mean to abide by it (Lambeth MS. 211, f.
146 b). No reply was made to this message till the 26th of
July, when an answer was despatched by the Duke of York in
the King’s name (see Rymer, xi. 383); but there can be little
doubt the desire to punish the insolence of the Scots must
have been very general long before.
88.1 A law was passed in the eighteenth year of Henry VI. to

put a stop to the abuse of persons having interest about the

Court procuring antedated letters patent, by means of which
they were enabled to claim the emoluments of lands or
offices granted to them from a date anterior to the actual
passing of the grant.—See Hardy’s Introduction to the Patent
Rolls of King John, p. xxx.
88.2 Shere or Shore Thursday, Maundy Thursday, the day

before Good Friday.
89.1 St. Matthew’s Gospel, chap. xviii. ver. 15, 16, 17, and ver.

21, 22.
89.2 This relates to papers sent with this letter, and accounts

for there being no direction, as the whole was enclosed in a
parcel.—F.

333
JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON 90.1

To my Maister Paston, in haaste.
1456
JUNE 1

Please your good maistirship to wete that my Lord of Norffolk yaf in
comaundement to Cristofre and to the balif of Colneise to laboure with
us acording to your mocion. And as to Skilly, fermour of Cowhaugh,
we enteryd there, and seyd we wold have payment for the half yeer
past, and sewrete for the half yeer comynge, or ellys we wold distreyne
and put hym out of pocession, and put in a newe fermoure; and so oure
demenyng was suche that we toke no distresse, and yit we have hym
bounde in an obligacion of xviijli. payabil at Michelmesse without
condecion, and vjs. viijd. we receyvid of hym for opocession, for the
ferme as yit remayneth on gatherid in the fermourez handes. But I seyd
hym I wold be ther ageyn for the recedu of the half yeer ferme past

withinne this xiiij. dayes; and he seyd he wold do hise delygence to
gather it up. But he spak with Wentworth sethyn, whiche yef hym an
uttyr rebuke, as he swor to me, and seyd he wold have hys payment of
Skylly, and sewe hise oblygacion this next terme whiche he is bounden
in to Wentworth for the yeerly payment of the same ferme; and the
seyd Wentworth seyd he wyll takyn an accyon of trespas this next
terme ageyn us that were there; and Devyle seyd ye were hender the
londes at the begynning of your sute thanne ye be now, and that shalbe
knowe be Lammesse next comyng, for he hathe thynges to shewe ye
saw nevyr yit. Skilly offerid me xls. to have delyvered hym ageyn hise
obligacion, and he wold have put me in pocession of a distresse, and
[i.e. if] I wold have delyvered it hym; he seithe he dede nevyr so mad a
dede, for Wentworth wold no bettyr mean thane we had takyn a
distresse. He shuld sone have remedyed that; but now he seith Skylls is
withoute remedy, but he will be payd, &c.
Item, Sir, as to the fermourez of the manor of Langston in Brustal, we
have also sewyrte be oblygacion withoute condecion payabil at
Michilmesse, and toke no distresse but enteryd the londes; but we had
gret peyne to brynge hem ther to, for ther is one John Cook of
Braunford hath it in ferme of Wentworth all, and he leteth it out ageyn
be parcelles to iij. sondre persones. But he was not at home, where for
we have the same fermourez bounde for payment, and they had no
mony redy, but they have promysed to delyvere Herry Deye at
Yepiswiche this day xxs. in party of payment.
Item, Sir, as to the fermour of the maner of Bentley, clepid Bentley
Houses, we have hym bonde in lyke wyse for the ferme of the seyd
maner from Michilmesse last past tyl Mychelmesse next comyng, in an
obligacion of x. marks payabil at Michilmesse next comyng, without
ony condecyon; and in party of payment I have receyvid of hym xiijs.
iiijd., and he promyseth me iiij. markes at Lammesse next comyng.
And as for Bradwell, my maistir 91.1 hathe sewyrte; and as for Kyrley
Hawe, I was with the fermour yistirday, but he wyll paye no peny, nor
be bounde neithir. Wherfor my maistir shal sende us to take a distresse
tomorwyn, and I truste we shal fynde sum meanys to have hym
bounde, &c.

Item, John Andrewe hathe in fee yerly of the maner of Coughaugh
xxs., and Thomas Denys xiijs. iiijd. of the maner of Foxhole, but as
ferre as I can enquere, there is payd no more feez out of non of the
maneris to none othir men but to these tweyne.
Item, as for the endenturis, I sende here with a copy of Skyllyez
endenture and a copy of Deynis endenture, fermour of the maner of
Bentley, clepid Bentley Houses; and Herry Deye shal brynge a copy of
John Cooks endenture of the ferme of the maner of Langston in
Brustall; and as for Wareyn Bonde, he mad nevyr endenture for the
ferme of Kyrkley Hawe, for he hathe ocupyed it but sethin
Michilmesse last past; and so he holdith it but be promyse upon
compnaunt [covenant ?]. And we shal gete a copy of Sewalys
endenture, fermour of Bradwelle, and me semyth, savyng your bettyr
avyse, it war right expedient that ye shuld for the sped of this mater be
at London in al haste.
Primo die Junii anno xxxiiij. 91.2
Youre humble servaunt and bedeman,
John Russe.

90.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]
91.1 Sir John Fastolf.

91.2 The thirty-fourth year of the reign of Henry VI. This date

is added in a different hand, apparently that of John Paston,
to whom the letter is addressed.

334
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON 91.3

To my right good maister, John Paston, Squier, at
Norwiche, in haste.
1456
JUNE 7

S
IR, please it your maistership to wyte, I have my attachements
graunted in open Courte with helpe of Litelton 91.4 and Hewe at
Fen, and was bide to make redy the names, &c. before the
Barons, of which Haltoft 91.5 was one. . . . . . .
. . . 91.6
As for tidings, the Kyng is at Shene, the Quene at Chestre; the Duc of
Buk was, as I come hiderward, at Writell, the Erle of Warrewyke at
Werrewyke, and the Lords Chaunceller, 92.1 Tresorier, 92.2 and th’Erle of
Sar’ [Salisbury] in London, and noo more Lords at the begynyng this
day of the grete Counsail. Many men say that there shuld be, but thei
wote not what. The sege shall, as men say, come to Caleys and to

Guynes, for moche puple come overe the water of Somme, and grete
navies on the see.
Th’Erle of Penbroke 92.3 is with the Kyng, and noo more Lordis.
Th’Erle of Richemond 92.4 and Griffith Suoh (?) are at werre gretely in
Wales. The Comons of Kent, as thei werre wo[n]tte, er not all weel
disposid, for there is in doyng amongs hem what evere it bee. Of Scotts
is here but litell talkyng. My Lord York is at Sendall stille, and waytith
on the Quene and she up on hym.
I dide my maistress your moderis erands, as ye have herde of, for
Maister William hath writen his entente, and he and Clement faren
weel.
Writen at Horshighdone, vijmo die Junij.
Rokewode and Crane faren weel, and thei and I recomaunde hem to
my maistress your wif.
And as I understande, the Clerke of the Rolles is owte of charite with
Maister Yelverton, and my Lord Chaunceller a litell mevid, &c.
Your owen,
J. B.
91.3 [From Fenn, i. 134.] On comparing this with the previous

letters of Bocking, Nos. 330 and 331, it will be seen that they
must all three be of the same year.
91.4 Thomas Lyttelton.—See p. 84, Note 5.

91.5 Gilbert Haltoft.

91.6 Here, in the original, followed various passages relating

to law business, which Fenn has not printed.
92.1 Archbishop Bourchier.

92.2 Henry, Viscount Bourchier, was appointed Lord Treasurer

on the 29th May 1455 (Patent Roll, 33 Hen. VI., p. 2, m. 12),
and so continued till the 5th October 1456, when the office
was taken from him and given to the Earl of Shrewsbury
(Patent, 35 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 16).
92.3 Jasper Tudor.—See vol. ii. p. 298, Note 1.

92.4 Edmund Tudor.—See vol. ii. p. 297, Note 6.

335
ABSTRACT 93.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston, Esq.

1456
JUNE 18

As to the matters on which Paston sent to him by Will. Barker to desire
his advice, Paston knows that Fastolf has put his whole confidence in
him, and begs he will do with the advice of Fastolf’s learned counsel
whatever they jointly think for his weal; ‘for ye know well I am so
visited by the hand of God that I may not deal with such troublous
matters, without it should be to great hurt of my bodily welfare, which
I trust ye would not desire.’ If you find my Lady of York disposed to
visit this poor place, commend me to her, and tell her how it is with me
that I cannot receive her as I ought.
Castre, 18 June.
[As it will appear a little further on that the Duchess of York visited Caister in 1456,
this letter is probably of that year.]

93.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 242.]

336
ABSTRACT 93.2

Sir J. Fastolf to John Paston.

1456
JUNE 24

To-day my cousin Sir Miles Stapleton, Sir James Braylyes, Andrew
Grygges, ‘hyr resseyvor,’ and Grymston have been with Fastolf at
Castre, and brought him 253 marks, which they would have paid if he
had had the obligation here. Sends therefore a letter by his servant
Colyn how Sir S. and he are agreed for its deliverance, etc. Sir S. made
many strange insinuations that the money was paid before, partly by
assignment to Clyffton, etc. On the 18th and 19th inst. ‘long Bernard,
with a priest of Kent, to the number of 16 horse, hafe, at Nacton,
Bentley, and other places of F., and entered by colour of a deed of
feoffment made to the Lady Roos and others, and hafe right proud
language to the farmers, that they will obtain their intent.’ Russe has
written more plainly by Nich. Colman.
‘Item, I charge right greatly the matter of my Lord of Bedford for my
discharge, and for the recovery of my Lord’s goods.’ Begs Paston to
common with the Lord Chancellor and others about it; and desires him
to give ‘mine attorney, Raulyns, and my serjeants’ a warning ‘to take
more tenderness’ about the process of Hykelyng that has been so many
years and days driven off.
St. John Baptist’s Day.
[From the reference to ‘the matter of my Lord of Bedford,’ this letter was most
probably written in the year 1456.]

93.2 [Ibid., No. 263.]

337
ABSTRACT 94.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

‘First it is to remember that, upon St. John’s day, there was Sir Symond
Brayles, chaplain of my Lady of Suffolk, and in presence of Sir Miles
Stapleton and Edward Grymston, said that the 200 marks was paid
before in the Duke of Suffolk’s days.’ Can prove by writings that this
was not so, and that he ‘offered to put it upon my Lord Chancellor and
upon one or two of Lords of the King’s council as my said Lord
Chancellor will call unto him,’ that it may be known whether my Lady
is wronged or Fastolf. The £100 of the above sum was not paid by
assignment to Clyffton. Sir Simon complains that the suit was stolen
against Sir Thos. Tuddenham, and judgment given without my Lady’s
counsel knowing of it; which can be disproved.
Castre, St. John Baptist’s Day.
‘Item, I remembered Sir Simon for the restitution of my revenues of
Dedham 3 year day, and my damage of a mill put down,’ etc. I paid
500 marks for the ward of Sir Rob. Harlyng’s daughter for my Lord to
Sir John Clyfton, of which the Duke had no right to receive one penny,
for there was no land held of the King.
[This letter corresponds so closely with the last that it must have been written the same
day.]

94.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 238.]

338
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON 95.1

Honorabili viro Johanni Paston armigero ac
confratri suo Willelmo germano uterino. 95.2

1456(?)
[JUNE 29]

R
YTE reverent Syre, &c. I am informyd credybily of a secrete
frend that S. T. T. [Sir Thomas Tuddenham] and J. H. [John
Heydon], with J. A. [John Andrews ?] and other of cursyd
covy, wyl bryng with hem many gentylmen of here bende to compleyn
upon me at the next chapitle, &c. And there fore, by the grace of God,
I dispose me, with help of zour good maysterschip and my Mayster
Willyam, zour brother. Where fore, at the reverens of God, that ze do
speke with the clerk men clepyn Brayn, that kepyth the bokys of here
inditementes at the oyer determyner, anno xxixº regni Regis; and that
an extret or a copy myte schortly be wrytyn owt of as many namys as
dedyn indyte T. T. and J. H. for trespas, extorsyones, and oppressyonys
done to other men, as wele as to my Mayster Fastolff, etc., that I may
be redy to schew to my ordre, lyk a kalender, a legende of here lyvys
and here rewlyng of the cuntre, in destruccyon and gret myschef of the
cuntre in here dayes. At the reverens of Jesu, forzet not this mater, ne
the mater of Dedham, etc. I wolde ze askyd my good lord and mayster,
Yelverton, yf I sent hym ony letter in the same mater, &c. Dicente
Davitico Psalmo: 96.1 Ne obliviscaris voces inimicorum tuorum, nam
superbia eorum ascendit semper in psalmo; qui et si nunquam
ascendant in cœlos, utinam nunquam desendant ab [ad] abissos, &c.,
etsi anima eorum in malis tabescebat, &c. Scriptum festinacione (?)
feria 3a post festum Natalis Sancti Johannis Baptistæ. 96.2
Recommendetis me magistro meo W. Paston, confratri vestro, et
Thomæ Playter cognato meo, cui dicite quod faciat Willelmum Geneye
sibi benivolum quia Sampson filius et heres J. Sampson olim mariti
Katerinæ Fastolff apud Owlton mortuus, et ibi sunt duæ viduæ, major
et minor, senior et junior. Eligatur quæ sibi melius placet.
Magister Thomas Howys vobis amantissimus se cordialissime
recommendat vobis, etc. Item, Willelmus Wigorniensis recommendat
se vobis ex toto corde. Scribo vobis, utinam ad placitum.
Vester ad vota,
F. J. B., Minorum minimus.

I hafe a rolle redy of the inditements, that they were indityd for
trespase and extorsyon and oppressyon done to my Mayster Fastolff, in
the keping of W. Worceter, &c.
Visa frangatur et in ignem post jaciatur. Si dignemini loqui cum effectu
magistro Ricardo Fysscher, secretario domini mei comitis
Warwicensis, pro cujus nomine et amore promptissimus sum adhuc
plura pati, ut mittatur pro me litera magistro provinciali et
diffinitoribus.

95.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] Dr. John Brackley, the writer of
this letter, was a Grey Friar of Norwich, of considerable
celebrity as a preacher. Several letters of his are found in this
collection, written in the years 1459 and 1460. This,
however, must be a few years earlier, as in 1459 Brackley
writes of William Worcester in very different terms. The
handwriting also is not so close as that of his later letters. We
cannot, however, carry the date further back than 1455, as it
seems that Worcester and Howes were at this time together,
which must have been at Caister. Nor will the year 1455
itself suit all the circumstances of the letter, for it is evident
that John and William Paston were also together, and as the
writer asks John Paston to speak to Yelverton, it may be
presumed they were in London. Now, John Paston was
certainly not in London within a week after St. John the
Baptist’s Day in 1455. We have therefore placed the letter in
1456. It will be observed that, on the 1st of June in that year,
John Russe advised Paston to go up to London.
95.2 This address is in William Worcester’s hand. The letter

itself is in Brackley’s own.
96.1 See Psalm lxxiii. (or lxxiv.) 23.

96.2 St. John the Baptist’s Day is the 24th June. Feria tertia

means Tuesday.

339
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON 97.1

Magistro meo venerabili Johanni Paston Armigero detui.
Dixi enim magistro meo gardiano ante meum exitum quod magistri
mei generosi et amici alii vellent me juvare pro die Jovis pro pascendo
doctores, patres ac cæteros confratres nostri provincialis capituli; et in
exitu meo consentire noluit, quia Gurnay suus socius et procurator,
frater juvenis nostri conventus et unus sacerdos simplex, curatus de
Worsted, et Bukle, cocus, super se diem prædictum assumpserunt. Et
ego dixi, ‘Olim fuit modus quod unus ejusdem loci magister esset
præferendus in tali diei eleccione. Sed unum scitote, si magistri mei
certi generosi et ego cum eis habere non potuerimus diem quem
elegimus, certe pro hoc tempore nullum alium diem habere volumus.’
Utinam placeret vobis ut magistra mea, uxor vestra, vellet mittere pro
magistro gardiano, et dicere sibi quod ipsa quæsivit a me qualem diem
ego haberem pro fratribus pascendis in tempore capituli et quod ego
dixi me habiturum illum vel certe nullum aliter. Quæcumque ego
potero procurare de pecuniis seu victualibus ego singula venderem et
expendere vellem in reparacionibus, &c. Rogo vos ex caritate ut
magistræ meæ matri vestræ ac aliis amicis vestris vobis notis,
insinuetis nostram indigenciam pro faciliori relevamine capituli
provincialis. Sic enim ad vestri et mei magistri mei specialem
instanciam præsencialiter habere residenciam teneo, ut alia loca pro
præsenti negocio accedere non valeam, &c. Non plura pro præsenti
sunt calamo præsentanda, nisi quod vos, vestros et vestra Jesus
Christus graciose conservet in prosperis et graciosius dirigat in
agendis. Amen.
Recommendetis me, si placeat, uxori et matri et confratribus vestris W.,
&c. et domino meo Rectori de Blofeld, utinam de Hadle, &c.; cui
dicatis quod hac nocte jacuit Colinus Gallicus cum pulcherima Amasia
sua in camera conducta per eum, &c. Utinam nunquam vigeat, &c.

Ipse proponit in vestra præsentia dicere dicto rectori satis perversa
verba. Et spero quod dominus Rector faciat de sua speciali gratia
meum negocium per Ricardum famulum suum crastina die summo
mane expediendum, quia dies ista est dies ultima, &c. Ex manerio de
Castre, Sabbato circa tempus prandii festinantissime.
Magister meus 97.2 valde gavisus est quando audivit de vobis quomodo
scienter, audacter, viriliter et veraciter respondistis adversariis vestris
coram Domino Cancellario aliisque dominis, &c.
Vester præ cæteris orator,
F. J. B., Minorum minimus.
97.1 This letter was copied by the Editor from one of the

Royden Hall MSS. in 1875.
97.2 Sir John Fastolf.

340
HENRY FYLUNGLEY TO SIR JOHN
FASTOLF 98.1

To my ryght worshipfull unkle, and my ryght good
master, Syr John Fastalf, Knyght.
1456(?)
JULY 17

R
YGHT worshipfull unkull, and my ryght good master, I
recomaund me to yow wyth all my servys. And, Sir, my
brother Paston and I have comened togeder as touchinge to
your colage that ye wold have made; and, Sir, hit ys to gret a good that
ys axed of yow for youre lycens; for they ax for every C. marc that ye
wold amortyse D. marcz, and woll gefe hit noo better chepe.

And, Sir, y told my brother Paston that my Lady of Bargeveney 98.2
hath, in dyvers Abbeyes in Lecestershyre, vij. or viij. prestes singinge
for her perpetuell, by my brother Darcyes and my unkle Brokesbyes
meanes, for they were her executors; and they acorded for money, and
gafe a cc. or ccc. marc, as they myzt acord for a prest. And for the
suerte that he shuld synge in the same abbey for ever, they had maners
of good valew bounden to such persones as plesed the sayd barthern
[brethren] Brokkesby and my brother Darcy, that the sayd servyse
shulde be kept. And for lytell moore then the Kynge axed hem for a
lycence, they went thorgh with the sayd abbots. And y hold this wey as
sure as that other. Ye may comen with youre councell therof.
And yf there be any servyse that I can do for yow, hit shall be redy at
all tymes, with the grace of God, who have yow in his kepynge.
Wryten at London, the xvij. day of Juyll.
Your nevew and servaunt,
Henry Fylungley.
98.1 [From Fenn, i. 166.] This letter must have been written

about the time Sir John Fastolf first began to make inquiry
on what terms he could obtain a licence for establishing a
college at Caister,—a project which he had much at heart
during the latter years of his life. A letter from Sir John
himself upon this subject will be found a little further on,
dated the 18th November (No. 351), and we think it probable
that this is of the same year, 1456.
98.2 Edward Nevill, Lord Abergavenny, was twice married.

His first wife, to whom he owed his title, was Elizabeth,
daughter of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester. His
second was Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Howard. The
Lady here mentioned is probably the former, for though
Dugdale says he obtained a dispensation for his second
marriage in 1448, that date is inconsistent with the age of his
son and other facts mentioned.

341
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 99.1

To my worshipful cousyn, John Paston.
1456
JULY 31

R
IGHT trusty and worshipful cousyn, I recomaunde me to yow.
And like it yow to wyte, myn attorny, Raulyns, hathe enformed
me that the Jugis have ruled processe to goo owte ayenst the
priour of Hikelyng of distresse per omnia bona et catalla, of whiche
the writte and other ar not yet come fro London. I trust whan thei
come, be your good counsail and meane, the Shireve wil doo his
devoir; how be it, as I understande, thei have sente the Lord Scales all
there evidences, and he wil come and dwelle there hym silf. And I am
also enformed, for certeyn, that the Bushop of Norwiche, for all the
truste I hadde to hym, that by his meane I shulde have knowen there
fundacion, he hathe warned his officeres not to have adoo therinne, by
cause of the Lord Scales, &c. Cousyn, I pray yow, in as moche as the
matere, by agrement, was putte in you and Fyncham, and how that ye,
for the same cause, specially kepte your day at London, and toke not in
there defaulte and not myn, that ye wil soo in caas ye see Fyncham
remembre, and to othere there as ye seme it shulde profite to be
knowen, and that yet nevertheles my sute soo ferforthe I wole yet, as I
wolde thanne, and at all tymes am redy; and soo I wolde the priour
knewe, and all othere, as weel his weelwillers as otheres, as the bringer
herof shall declare you more pleinly. As for tidinges, my folkes ar not
yet come fro London. The abbot of Seint Benettes hathe ben with me,
and suche as he tolde me the bringer shall enforme you. And our Lord
Jesu have you in governaunce.
Writen at Castre, the last day of Julle. Your cousyn,
J. F.

99.1[From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is doubtless of the
same year as No. 336, in the end of which Fastolf wishes his
attorney, Rawlyns, urged to greater activity in the matter of
Hickling.

342
LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON 100.1

To my right trusty and intierly welbeloved frend,
John Paston, Squier.
1456
AUG. 10

R
IGHT trusty and entierly welbeloved frend, I grete you well, and
wull ze wite that Danyell 100.2 hath required me to write un to
you, praying you that ze wyll kepe the day upon Thursday 100.3
vij. dayes nexst comyng, which shal be for the best, as I trust; not with
standyng I suppose lerned men wyll not be easy for to gete be cause of
this besy tyme of hervest. Almyghty God have you in Hise
governaunce.
Writen at Mydelton, 100.4 the x. day of August.
Your frend,
Scales.
100.1 [From Fenn, i. 138.] This letter is dated by a
memorandum at the bottom of the original, in the
handwriting, as Fenn believes, of John Paston: ‘Lettera inter
Mich. xxxiiij. et xxxv.’
100.2 Thomas Daniel of Rising.—See vol. ii. pp. 79, 80, 103,

etc.
100.3 19th August.

100.4 In Norfolk.

343
LORD SCALES TO JOHN PASTON 100.5

To my right trusty and welbeloved frend, John
Paston, Squier.
About 1456(?)

R
IGHT trusty and welbeloved frend, I grete you hertly well. And
for as mych as I u[ndyrstond] a bill was made at Yermuth
ageyns my cousyn Bryan Stapylton and hise wy. . . . have
set up the said bill in the Kynges Bench, which bill is in your kepyng,
pray[ing] you that ye wyll sende me the same bill be the bringer herof,
to the entent I m[ay] se it. And as I am informed be my said cousyn, ye
shewed hym grete gentilnesse and benyvolence, wherof I thanke you
right hertely. I pray God have you in governance.
Writen at Midelton, the xx. day of Septembre.
Zowr frend,
Scales.
[From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is placed
100.5

immediately after another letter of Lord Scales, dated like
this from his seat at Middleton in Norfolk, as probably
belonging to the same period, though the exact year is
uncertain.

344
ARCHBISHOP BOURCHIER TO JOHN
PASTON 101.1

To our right truste and right welbeloved John
Paston, Esquier, and William Norwiche 101.2 and to
either of theym.
1456
SEPT. 7

R
IGHT truste and right welbeloved, we grete you hertly wel. And
where as Sir Nichol Bowet, Knight, sueth an appeelle in the
countee of Norffolk ayenst oon Robert Offord of Berking for
the deeth of oon Sir Henry Bowet, clerc, we being enformed that the
matier is pitevous, praie you hertly that ye wul in our behalve moeve
and entreete the Shirreve of the saide countee to surceese of the
execucion of any processe upon the exigent 101.3 to hym directed in that
behalve unto the next terme, so that resonable meanes maye be
founden to save the saide Robert harmelesse; lating hym wite that we
have written to the saide Sir Nichol for a convenient treetie to be taken
in that behalve, as shalbe thought according to right. And God have
you ever in his keping.
Written in our Manoir of Mortelake, the vij. daie of September.
T., Archbysshopp of Canterbury.
[From Fenn, iii. 276.] This letter may be presumed to
101.1

have been written during the time that Archbishop Bourchier
was Lord Chancellor, viz. between 7th March 1455 and 11th
October 1456, when the Great Seal was given to Bishop
Waynfleet. William Norwich, also, was Sheriff of Norwich in
1455, and is doubtless addressed in that capacity, but his year

of office would not have begun so early as September. The
letter therefore belongs to the following year.
101.2 Sheriff of Norwich, 1455; Mayor, 1461. Died, 1463-4.—

Blomefield.
101.3 See vol. ii. p. 248, Note 4.

345
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON 102.1

To my right worshipful Maister, John Paston.
1456
OCT. 8

R
IGHT worshipful Sir, and my good maister, I recomaunde me to
yow, and have receyvid a lettre from yow by Sir Thomas is
man, berer here of. And as for the accions, 102.2 bothe of
ravishement and th’attachement, the declaracions ar made tunc
solvend’ and not solut’, and as moche amendid as we can or may be
favour have amendid. We hadde be beguyled and they hadde not be sen
in Norffolk, for here til this day come noo counsaill; and to have per
manus Johannis Wyngfelde it wole not be, for we can not bringe it
inne, and also it is to late.
And as for iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds], 102.3 Fenn and I mette with
Worsop this day, and he spake soore to Fenn and me, and we put hym
overe, saying we wolde doo as moche as we myghte. I thinke verily
that Fenn wole deserve ther inne a thanke, but I can not understande
hym what he wolde be doon to, or how rewardid, for whanne I speke
of it he is desplesid, and seithe he desirith noo rewarde; but he farith as
a man wole sey he wold noo silvere, and lokith awaywardes and takith
a noble. And he hath written to yow of the matere of Sir Philip

Wentworthe touching this writte of liberate, 102.4 whiche is but a color
and noo warant sufficient, ner we owe not to doo no thinge that shuld
obeye it, ner the Shireve nother dothe but of favor that he dothe to
hem, and hym liste otherwise to doo, as Fenn writeth yow more
pleinly. And as for a supersedies [sic], there lithe noon, as he seith, up
on a liberate.
And as for entryng in Bradwell, thei doo opyn wronge, for after myn
patent opteyned, there was a writte to sease it into the Kynges hande,
and soo it was and is. And as to your patent, it is counsailled me to
have a writte to th’eschetor de custodia liberanda, whiche may not be
denyed. And if we myght have una cum exitibus a tempore mortis, it
were a sovereigne writte. It shalbe assaied, and doo thertoo what can
lete; the fermours be promised to be saved harmeles and chargid not to
paie ony thing to them.
And as for the iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds] to be sette on Olivere is taile,
I can not see it wole be, for there is noo suche worlde to bringe it
abowte. It is faire, and we can ghete it on Fulthorp is dette by grete
labor for agrement, for I drede it wole be moste agayn us that it is of
recorde soo longe unpaied. And Hue at Fenn sueth now to Nailer to
ghete owte moo liberates, suche as the last were to the last eschetor.
And this God graunte thei take good spede.
And as to your isseus, I shal accordyng to your lettre speke with
Gresham whanne he cometh, and the Juges and Barons bothe shalbe
enformed of the title of Wentworthe, as ye write, and how it is up on a
feyned dede upon surrender, and a patent cancelled, &c., which Fenn
hath promisid to doo.
And as to Sir Thomas matier, I write un to yow and hym joinctly what
hathe be doon therinne at this tyme. And Jesu have yow in kepyng.
Writen at Suthwerk, the viij. day of Octobre.
As to tidinges, the Kyng and the Quene ar at Coventre. 103.1 The
Counsail be ganne there yesterday, and my Lord Shrewyshbury, 103.2
Tresorier of England, and John Wode shalb [shall be] Under-Tresorer.
Thus thei say in the Chequer. Your owen,

J. B.
102.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The body of this letter relates
entirely to proceedings in the dispute between Sir John
Fastolf and Sir Philip Wentworth about the wardship of
Thomas Fastolf. The postscript alone relates to public
matters. The date will appear by the footnotes.
102.2 Against Sir Philip Wentworth.

102.3 This sum was to be paid by John Bocking and William

Worcester for a patent of the wardship of Thomas Fastolf.—
See Letter 347 following.
102.4 See p. 77, Note 5.

103.1 The Privy Seal dates show the King to have been at

Coventry between the 20th September and the 14th October
1456.
103.2 John Talbot, second Earl of Shrewsbury, was appointed

Treasurer on the 5th October 1456.—Patent Roll, 35 Hen.
VI., p. 1, m. 16.

346
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON 104.1

To my Maister Paston.
1456(?)
OCT. 12

P
LEASE yow to wete that I hafe remembred of the langage that I
hafe late lerned W. Barker had to yow and othyrs of his
accomptes apposyng, 104.2 and of that they be not hole bethyn
[between] ws, but yn division, &c. Sir, as I may sey yow, hyt was
nevere othyrwyse, ne nevere ys lyke to be; for now they hafe do with

Lowys, he that ys next shall be yn the same as he was yn gelosye; for
when my maister comaundyth such as of force, by reson of her
occupacion, most be nere hym, to do a message to hys felow, or
question of hym, hyt shall be ymagyned amonges our felyshyp that he
doth make maters to my maister. And so it ys ymagyned of me when I
wryte lettres to London, to Bokkyng or Barker, that yn such maters as
please hem not, then it ys my doyng; yff it take well to theyr entent,
then it ys her [their] doyng. And yn gode feyth, so it was ymagyned of
me and othyrs that wrote, by my maister comaundment, to Castre, to
the parson of Blofeld, Geffrey Spyrlyng, and othyrs, that of such
maters as was lykyng to hem and coude be sped by help of my maister
frendes as by theyr solicytyng, then it was seyd that it was theyr avice,
labour, and doyng. And yff the maters went not to my maister entent,
ne that they coude not bryng aboute the mater, then it was imagyned
and jangled that it was my wrytyng and doyng. I bare nevere my
maister purs, ne condyt nevere chargeable mater alone of hys yn lawe,
for my discrecion ne connyng know not whate such maters menyth. I
knew nevere of oyer ne terminer, ne rad nevere patent before, ne my
maister knew nevere the condyt of such thynges; and when he wrote of
hys grevonse to hys frendys, he commaunded no man to be endyted,
for he wyst not whate belonged to such thynges, ne the parson neyther,
but remitted it to his councell lerned. There was no man gretter at hert
with hym, as Andreus wyth Heydon, because of castyng Bradwell and
Tychewell yn the Kynges handes, and toke awey the waarde. And I
came nevere at the oyer and terminer.
By God, my maister lost c. marc by a seute of Margyt Bryg upon a
defence of atteynt, because a quest passed ayenst hyr of xij. penyworth
lond by yeer; and I dar sey and prefe it, my maister never spake of hyr,
ne knew hyr not, ne wrote to sew hyr at the oyer and terminer, as I am
remembred. Yhyt yt was well deffended, at my maister grete cost and
labour, and myne pore labour also. Yhyt ought not I, ne none such yn
my stede, beer the wyte [blame] wyth Sir Thomas, ne none othyr; he
that takyth the tolle most take the charge, hyt ys hys negligence that
wille take the labour more then he may awey. I wold the parson ys
wellfare asmoch as man lyvyng, to my wreched power; and yff, or

when, ye hyre onye froward ymagynacions, I pray yow gefe no
credence tille ye hyre it aunsuerd. I am eased of my spyrytes now that I
hafe expressed my leude [ignorant] menyng, because of my felow
Barker, as of such othyr berkers ayenst the mone, to make wysemen
laugh at her foyle. Our Lord kepe yow.
Wryt at Castre the xij. day of October. Your
W. Botoner.
I hafe and do purchasse malgre to remembre of evidenses lakkyng by
negligence, &c. And therfor I most be muet and suffre gretter losses
but [unless] it be othyrwyse concydered. I sende yow the copie of your
patentes, 105.1 in parchement, and I hafe remembred as well as I can both
the stuard and Bertilmeu Elys for execucion ayenst the pleggs of your
seyntuarye, carpenter (?) Snow, that evere ys disposed to breke
promysses. Foryefe me of my leude lettre wrytyng, and I pray yow
laugh at it.

104.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is
uncertain, but must be between the years 1454 and 1459,
when Botoner was at Caister. Bocking and Barker seem to
have been in London at the time, which we know was the
case in February 1456; and as we have evidence that
Bocking at least was still there in October, we may perhaps
attribute this letter to the October of 1456.
104.2 The apposing of accounts was the charging of an

accountant with the balance due by him to his employer.
105.1 Probably the patent of 6th June 1454, granting the

wardship of Thomas Fastolf to John Paston and Thomas
Howes.—See No. 248 (in vol. ii.), also the letter following.

347
SIR THOMAS HOWES TO JOHN PASTON 106.1

To my right goode maister, John Paston.
1456
or
1457

R
EVERENT Sir, &c. Please yow to wete that it [is] so that my
maister, of his owen frowardness, and of non other mannys
mevyng, hat sent a warent to Cristefor that he shuld delyver
me no mony tyll the iiijxxli. [fourscore pounds] where payed for
Bokkyng and Wurcestre patent; 106.2 and yf the seyd Cristefore
delyvered me any mony, that he shuld take a sewerte of me therfor,
nowthwithstandyng my maister preyed me that I shuld reherce alle
thynge in my name, where of I held me content. And now I fele this
traytour wrytyng under nethe, and I nowth prevy ther to, at my comyng
owt causet me to thynk the more hevynes, &c. Nevertheles, I prey yow
that a mene may be taken of trety by the mene of Clopton or Ellys.
Sende me word, and I shal seke menys of trety, for, be God, I shal trust
no more no fayre wordes; and there to I shall lete alle the Lords of this
lond knowe what wrytyngs I have, and his disposicion. Save yowre
reverens, Cristyfor sal (?) have swyche a maister, &c. I prey yow, as
ever I may do yow service or be yowre bedeman that ye wele sende me
yowre avise. I had lever paye xx. marke, or xli. in hande and xli. yerely
furthe, with myn enemyndz good love, than to yelde me to preson
ayens here entent, and sewe forth the tyncte. And no trost what my
maister wele do, for I can right evele beleve that he wele bere owt the
cost of the tyncte whan he maket straunge to ley dowun the
condempnacion, &c.
Wretyn brevely at Horseydown the Wenesday after messe, anno xxxvto.
T. Howys.
I shal nowt leve this mater to serve the most enemy that he hat in
Inglond. I wele non of his good. I have lever other men go to the Dille
[Devil ?] for his good than I do.

[From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is dated by the
106.1

writer in the 35th year of Henry VI., but he does not say in

what month it was written. The 35th of Henry VI. was
reckoned from the 1st September 1456 to the 31st August
1457. Taken in connection with the postscript of Botoner’s
letter immediately preceding (the date of which letter this
partly confirms), it is not unlikely that this was written about
October. Perhaps ‘Wednesday after messe’ should have been
‘Wednesday after Michaelmesse.’ If so, the exact date would
be October 6th.
106.2 The wardship of Thomas Fastolf was at first granted to

John Paston and Thomas Howes, by patent of the 6th June
1454, and for this they agreed to pay 100 marks into the
Exchequer. But, for some reason or other, a new arrangement
was made, and the wardship was granted by another patent,
dated 12th December 1454, to John Bokkyng and William
Worcestre, who offered the King 20 marks over what Paston
had offered, i.e. £80 in all.—See Patent Roll, 33 Hen. VI., p.
1, m. 10.

348
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON 107.1

To the right worshipfull and myn especiall maister,
John Paston, Esquyer, in hast be this delivered.
1456
OCT. 16

A
FTER al due recomendacion, like it you to wete, that the day of
your assise is die Lunæ proximo post tres septimanas Sancti
Michaelis, whiche is on Moneday come vij. nyght; at whiche
tyme I trost ye wole be here, or ellis can I do lytell or nought there
inne.

As touchyng your mater ageynst Gunnore, that dwelleth in lawe, I have
spoken to Lyttelton, 107.2 and comuned with hym there in, but it is not
yet spoke of atte barre. Gunnore hath waged his lawe 107.3 of that he
haade his day to wage it of, &c.
As touchyng your issues at Wentworth sute, it is ijs., and it was
retourned er I come here. My Maister Fastolfs councel taketh heed
thereto, &c.
As for tydynges, my Lord Chaunceler 108.1 is discharged. In his stede is
my Lord of Wynchestre. 108.2 And my Lord of Shrewisbury 108.3 is
Tresorer, and Broun 108.4 of your Inn is Undertresorer. If ye wold sende
to hym to graunte you the namyng of th’eschetorship of Norffolk, &c.,
it were weel do, for it is told me he wold do moche for you.
Maister Lawrence Bothe 108.5 is Prive Seall. And it is seid that my Lord
of York 108.6 hath be with the Kyng, and is departed ageyn in right good
conceyt with the Kyng, but not in gret conceyt with the Whene
[Queen]; and sum men sey, ne hadde my Lord of Buks 108.7 not have
letted it, my Lord of York had be distressed in his departyng.
On Moneday last passed was a gret affray at Coventre bytwene the
Duke of Somersets men and the wechemen [watchmen] of the toun,
and ij. or iij. men of the toun were kylled there, to gret disturbance of
alle the Lords there; for the larom belle was ronge, and the toun arose,
and wold have jouperdit to have distressed the Duke of Somerset, &c.,
ne had the Duke of Buks not have take a direccion therein.
Also it is seid the Duke of Buks taketh right straungely that bothe his
brethren 108.8 arn so sodeynly discharged from ther offices of
Chauncellerie and Tresoryship; and that among other causeth hym that
his opynyon is contrary to the Whenes [Queen’s] entent, and many
other also, as it is talked. Item, sum men seyn, the counseal is
dissolved, and that the Kyng is forth to Chester, 109.1 &c. Also summe
sey that many of the Lords shall resorte hiddir to London ageynst
Alhalwen tyde.
And as touchyng th’eleccion of Shirefs, men wene that my Lord of
Canterbury shall have a gret rule, and specyall in our countre.

I can no more, but Almyghty God send us as his most pleaser is.
Wretyn al in hast, the Saterday next after Seint Edwards day.
Your Servaunt,
James Gresham.
107.1 [From Fenn, i. 24.] This letter is assigned by Fenn to the
year 1449, but the true date is 1456, as will be seen by the
footnotes.
107.2 See p. 84, Note 5.

107.3 Wager of law was an ancient process by which a

defendant cleared himself in an action of debt. He gave
sureties that on a certain day he would ‘make his law,’ then
took oath that he did not owe the plaintiff anything, as
alleged, and called eleven compurgators to swear they
believed him.
108.1 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, afterwards

Cardinal.
108.2 William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, was appointed

Chancellor in Archbishop Bourchier’s place on the 11th
October 1456.
108.3 John Talbot, second Earl. He was appointed Treasurer on

5th October 1456.—Patent Roll, 35 Hen. VI., p. 1, m. 16.
108.4 John Brown.—See William Wyrcestre’s Annals under the

year 1468.
108.5 Afterwards Bishop of Durham, and finally Archbishop of

York.
108.6 Richard, Duke of York.

108.7 Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.

108.8 The two Bourchiers, viz. Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop

of Canterbury, and Henry, Viscount Bourchier, the former of
whom had been Lord Chancellor and the latter Lord
Treasurer (see Notes 1, 2, and 3 above), were the Duke of
Buckingham’s half-brothers by the mother’s side.
109.1 The Court had been staying at Coventry.

349
ABSTRACT 109.2

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston.

1456
NOV. 10

Begs him in the end of the term to come home by Dedham, along with
William Worcester and Barker, to see to the accounts of barley and
such husbandry as is used there. As to Wighton in Yorkshire, Bokkyng
reminds me you spoke to me that my son Scrope and his father-in-
law 109.3 should have all the lyvelode of my wife’s in farm, to which I
agreed, or else that Lord Vesey would have Wighton, as he once had, at
a rent of £34—much more than I make it worth yearly. Do as you think
best for me. I had rather my son Scrope had it with sufficient surety.
Castre, 10 Nov.

Begs him to common with William Worcester that by means of my
Lord of Canterbury, or otherwise, Master William Clyf and others of
the executors of John Wellis may be spoken to for the recovery of great
good that William Worcester knows Wellis owed to Fastolf.
[The date of this letter appears to be 1456. Of the years when Fastolf resided at Caister,
it is not 1454, because in that year Barker could not have been in London on the 10th
November (see No. 265). It is not 1455, because Worcester appears to have been at that
time at Caister (see Nos. 305 and 306). The same appears to have been the case in
1457, though we can only judge by a letter of the 29th October; and although Worcester
certainly was in London in November 1458, Sir John Fastolf was then in London with
him.]

109.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 241.]
109.3 Richard Bingham, Judge of the King’s Bench.

350
ABSTRACT 110.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston at the Temple.

1456
NOV. 15

Received certain letters by Henry Hanson on Thursday last, including
one from William Barker written in Lukett’s hand, and two bills of
supplication, one of which, in the name of the tenants of Cotton, he has
sent to Paston, as he has already written. John Russe and Geoff.
Spyrlyng have ridden to Cotton in consequence, and will inform
Paston how they speed. Thinks the bill ‘right good and well spoken
according to the truth of their riotous demeaning.’ Received at the
same time a bill written in his own name, of which he approves. Hears
that young Henry Wentworth, young Calthorpe, and young Brews were
at the distress-taking, among others. Has perfect confidence in Paston
as to the treaty, and hopes to obtain again the manor of Bradwell by
some means, as clear as he had it before his unhappy release. Hears
that the Chief Justice ‘rectid the matter’ in Parliament before the Lords,
and showed how Fastolf was wronged in that it was untruly found by
the office that he had disseised Sir Hue Fastolf of the manor, whereas
he has documents proving a true sale. My Lady of York has been here,
‘and sore moved me for the purchase of Castre.’ Begs him to devise
means for the licence of mortising of certain buildings for the
foundation of a college, ‘as ye and I have commoned of before.’
William Worcester can show him a copy of one passed by the King,
and signed ready to the late Chancellor Stafford. Desires him to make
himself acquainted with two chaplains about my Lord of Canterbury
and my Lord Chancellor. William Barker writes of a general treaty, to
which he can make no answer further than he has already done to
Yelverton and Paston.
Castre, Monday after St. Martin.

[In this letter, as in the last, we have Worcester and Barker both in London, which, we
have seen, points to the year 1456. It is clear also that this letter was written just before
that which follows.]

110.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 259.]

351
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON 111.1

To the worshipful and my right welbeloved cosyn,
John Paston, at the Temple, or to William Barker, at
Suthwerk, be this delvered.
1456
NOV. 18

W
ORSHIPFUL cosyn, I comaunde me to yow. And where as I
late wrote unto yow in a lettre by Henre Hansson for the
fundacion of my college, I am soore sette therupon; and that
is the cause I write now, to remembre yow agayn to meve my Lords of
Canterbury 111.2 and Wynchestre 111.3 for the licence to be opteined, that I
might have the morteisying withowte ony grete fyne, in recompence of
my longe servise contynued and doon un to the Kyng, and to his noble
fader, whom God assoile, and nevere yette guerdoonned or rewarded.
And now sithe I have ordeyned to make the Kyng founder, and evere to
be prayed fore, and for his right noble progenitors, hise fader, and
uncles, me thinketh I shuld not be denyed of my desire, but the rather
to be remembrid and spedde.
Wherfore, as I wrote un to yow, I pray yow acqueynte me and yow, for
the rather spede here of, with a chapelleyn of my Lord of Caunterbury,
that in your absence may remembre me, and in like wise with my Lord
Chaunceller; 112.1 for seyng the Kyngs disposicion, and also hise, un to

the edyfyeng of God is service, it myght in noo bettyr tyme be mevid,
&c.
My Lord of Norffolk is remevid from Framlyngham on foote to goo to
Walsyngham, 112.2 and deily I wayte that he wolde come hidre.
Your cosyn,
J. Fastolf.
111.1 [From Fenn, i. 164.] This letter, as printed by Fenn, bears
no date in itself, but in the editorial note at the foot it is
dated: ‘Caister, 18th of November.’ Probably this date is
expressed in the original, but has been accidentally omitted
in the printing. If so, the year in which it was written must be
either 1456 or 1457, and most probably the former. In 1455
the Archbishop of Canterbury and my Lord Chancellor were
one and the same person, which they evidently are not here;
and in 1458 it appears by the Castlecombe MSS. that Sir John
Fastolf was in London on the 26th November, so that he is
not likely to have been expecting a visit from the Duke of
Norfolk at Caister eight days before. On the other hand, if
this was written in the year 1456, it must be remembered that
Archbishop Bourchier had been just recently discharged of
the office of Lord Chancellor, which was given to Bishop
Waynfleet on the 11th October, and it is highly probable that
the Archbishop had been already spoken to on the subject in
his capacity of Chancellor.
111.2 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop.

111.3 William Waynfleet, Bishop.

112.1 William Waynfleet, the Bishop of Winchester before

mentioned.
112.2 On pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Our Lady at

Walsingham.

352
ABSTRACT 112.3

Proceedings in a Suit in Michaelmas Term, 35 Hen. VI.

1456
NOV.

I. Writ to the Sheriff of Suffolk to attach John Andrewe of Boylom, and
bring him before the Barons of the Exchequer on the morrow of All
Souls to answer, along with Sir Philip Wentworth and Thos. Deyvill of
Netlestede, to the suit of John Paston and Thomas Howys.
II. Pleadings. The King committed the wardship of Thomas, son and
heir of John Fastolf of Cowhawe, to Paston and Howes by patent, 6th
June 32 Hen. VI.; but on the 8th June 32 Hen. VI., Andrewe and Deyvill,
with force and arms, entered Sholond Hall, Suffolk, and Foxhole, and
Bentley Houses, etc., and took rents to the sum of £360, and
underwood to the value of £40. Imparlance granted till 26th Nov.,
when the parties were not agreed. Venire facias was then awarded a die
Sancti Helarii in xv. dies.

112.3 [Add. Charter 17,244, B.M.]

353
JOHN DORY TO JOHN PASTON 113.1

To my ryth wurchepfull sovereyn and master, John
Paston, be this delyveryd in hast.
About 1456(?)

R
YTH wurshepfull master and sovereyn, I recomaunde me to you,
besechyng you to pardon me that I cum not to awayte up on
you like as Barkere wrote to me. For I have notable and grete
causis syth the lettere cam from hym, the qweche hath chaungyd my
purpos, and be my master the Schreve is wrytyng, on to weche I must
aplie me, all excusis leyd apart. And as for the wrytyng Barkere wrote
to me, be the qweche he directyth a gret default in my deputys for
return of the habeas corpus with ducens tecum, ther as is none, I dar
seye, for John Rede spek to all my master Fastolfs councell to advyse
hym in the return, and to have returnyd hit after ther conceyt, and thei
wuld gyf hym non advys. Nevertheles I now understande ther entent be
Barkere is wrytyng; for thei wuld put alle juparte up on me to myn
utter ondoyng, and yit to do my trewe part in execucion of ther entent,
for ye knowell my master hath put the juparte and the losse, if any
growe, to me on his part. And ther for I may repent the tyme that ever I
promysyd my trewe and good wyll to that entent. For alle the malesse
and evylwill that is owyng to me in alle the Schere ys for that mater
and non other, the qweche hath grettely hurt me, and in tyme comyng
schall hurt more. But lete them hold me excusyd, thei schall not have
my goodwill so feythfully as thei have had, be my troweth, and I schall
helpe my sefl [sic] as I may. And, Sire, I be seche you, thynke not that I
pyke this be waye of qwarell, that I myth be this querell owe my good
wyll to the toder part, for thei schall never have yt in that mater, nor in
non other. And for good the qweche I have receyvyd yff be thowth I
have not deservyd yt I am abill to content yt a geyn. And on Friday
nexst foluwyng I schall be with you atte Norwich be Goddys grace,
and knowe your entent in this mater.
No more, &c., but &c.
—Be your man and servaunt,
John Dory under Schreve of Norffolk.
113.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 170.] The name of Dory occurs only

once elsewhere in these letters, and then without a Christian
name; but the person so referred to (at the end of No. 330) is
probably the under-sheriff of Norfolk; and this letter, which

is likewise concerned with Fastolf’s business, may have been
written about the same period.

354
JOHN BOCKING TO JOHN PASTON 114.1

1457(?)
APRIL 2

S
IRE, lyke it your maistership to wete that I sende you at this tyme
the rolle of the copies of all patentes, and the appoyntement
with Wentworth laste, and also a abstracte drawen as it come
simply to my remembrance. And I shalbe with you sumtyme the next
weke. All men ar owte at this tyme, as the Parson, 114.2 Worcester, and
Barker; and therfore til thei come, I may not owte. H. Wyndesor
departid on Monday, and will doo that he can. He telleth me Lumleys
patent is in his awarde, but it is of noo force. And also he hathe
Constable is ij. [second ?] patente, and that is moste ayenst us, &c. He
wil purveie therfore as ye knowe myn maister 114.3 comaundit hym to
yow.
Here hath ben Wilton with the dede of feffement yesterday, and all men
hadde ensealed sauf myn maister that now hathe ensealed, and
H. Inglose is right soory. I can no newe tidinges, but that myn maister
hath put his matier of Issabells in Scroudeby, and the rente of the
priour of Norwiche dieu to Heilesdon in your hande and Thomas
Grene. Ye shal the next weke have the evidences. And Jesu kepe you
and youres.
I sende myn Maistres Crane a lettre fro hir brother, but I have the
credence, whiche I can not say but if she appose me for certein materes
of hir brotheres.
Writen at Castre, the ij. day of Aprill.

Your owen servaunt,
J. B.
114.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is very
uncertain. In 1456 the writer dates from Southwark on the
8th of May, and in 1458 from London on the 14th of March,
so that there is rather a presumption against his being at
Caister on the 2nd of April in either of these years. But these
points, it must be owned, are little to be relied on, as
Bokking certainly passed to and fro a good deal between
London and Norfolk. The date must, however, be between
1455 and 1459. The letter has no address, but was doubtless
intended for John Paston.
114.2 Thomas Howes.

114.3 Sir John Fastolf.

355
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON 115.1

To my Maister Paston.
1457
APRIL 20

P
LEASE you to wete that, after dew recommendacion, hyt yt so
that my maister sendyth me to London for the mater of
Rochestr, as for dyvers of hys oune particuler maters which
concern not the lawe, &c.; and I am lyke to tarye till ye com, in case ye
com wythynne iij. wekys.
Sir, at reverence of God, seth my maister ys fully yn wille to renew hys
fefment, that it may be do be tyme by the surest grounde that may be
had, for, be it nevyr so suerly don, hyt shall be thought lytille ynowgh

to kepe hys lond owte of trouble; and to spare for no councell ne cost
to make sure, for a peny yn seson spent wille safe a pounde. I comyned
with my broyder Spyrlyng, which seyth he wille do hys attendaunce,
and to kepe it ryzt close of the namys. Taryeng drawyth parell.
And ye meved a gode mater to the Parson and to me at your last beyng
at Castr, that my maister shud be lerned whate hys housold standyth
uppon yerlye, seth he kept it holye to ghedr at one place; and that don,
then to see by the revenues of hys yeerly lyfelode whate may be leyd
and assigned owte for that cause to meynteyn hys seyd housold, and
over that, whate may be assigned to beere owte hys plees, and also do
pay for hys foreyn chargs 115.2 and dedes of almes to a convenyent
somme.
And seth the grettist ordynarye charge most be hys housold kepyng,
hyt were moste exspedyent that ye wold note well to remembre
specially my maister to do hys audyt[or]es cast up and make rollys of
hys accompts concernyng the seyd housold seth he came yn to
Norffolk thys ij. yer and half, whych was nevyr so long to doo thys xl.
wynter as ye now. And it ys pytee that hys audyt ys none ethyr wyse yn
that entended; ye must nedys, yff ye wille my maister know how hyt
stand with hym yerly of hys chargs, that thys be do fyrst, as it was
allwey accustomed. My maister wille acord it to be don, but it ys
forgete throwgh negligence of men yoven to sensualite, as Thomas
Upton, me, and othyrs. My maister can not know wheder he go
backward or forward till thys be doon.
I can not elles, but ye wille not foryete thys that the audyt[or]es go
verraily aboute it to an ende. And Haylysdon accompts be behynde for
ij. yeer to [too] grete pite ys, and it wer yours or yn any wyseman
gouveraunce.
At Norwich hastly, the Wenstay in Ester weke.
Boto-H.R.-Ner.
115.1[From Fenn, iii. 294.] It appears from the contents of this
letter that it was written two and a half years after Sir John
Fastolf came to live in Norfolk, which he did in the autumn
of 1454. The date therefore is certain.

115.2 Charges not connected with his household accounts.—F.

356
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON 116.1

To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Paston, Escuier,
beyng in Norwych, yn haste.
1457
MAY 1

R
YGHT worshypfull Sir, aftyr dewe recommendacion, please yow
to wete that I wrote a remembraunce to yow the day that I
departed owte of Norwich, by Rychard, the Parson ys servaunt
of Blofeld, concernyng certeyn maters to be remembred by your
wysdom for my maister ys avaylle, whych your grete wysdom can well
undrestand ys ryght nedefull, as one thyng yn especiall, that Shypdam
and Spyrlyng ought to labour, fyrst of onye thyng that belongyth, to
audyt the accompts of the resseyt and despense of my maister housold
at Castr seth he came last in to Norffolk, whych aswell for the
provisyons that ys had of hys oune grownyng as in money payd; for till
the seyd accompts be made ordynatlye, whych be of a grete charge
yeerlye, wete ye for certeyn my maister shall nevere know whethyr he
goth bakward or forward. And manye othere accomptants that maken
lyvere of provysyons of cornys and catell to the household by the
resseyvour and by the bayllyfs can not approve theyr liberatz just tille
the seyd housold bokes be made upp; and seth it hath be kept
ordynarylye seth my maister begen to kepe house thys l. yeer almoste,
and when he hath be absent beyond see, &c., hyt ought to be more
redelyer be doon and made upp whyle he is present, and well the
rathere that hys housold menye were not so hole to ghedr thys xl. yer
as be now at Castr. Also hyz minustrs of accompts of hys chieff maner

of Haylysdon for iij. yeer to make upp and to examyn; and I ensure
yow full simplye approwed hys wollys and hys fermys.
And the iijd ys that so wold Jesus my maister audytors wold faythfully
and playnlye enforme my maistr of the trouth of the yeerly grete
damage he beryth in debursyng hys money aboute shyppes and botes,
kepyng an house up at Jermuch [Yarmouth] to hys grete harme, and
resseyvyth but chaffr and waare for hys cornys and wollys, &c. and
then most abyde along day to make money; of such chaffr takyng he
shall nevere 117.1 be monyed, ne be aunsuerd clerly of hys revenues
yeerly but [unless] those thyngs abofeseyd be amended be tyme. Yn
Lowys days xij. yeer to gheder my maister was wont to ley upp money
yeerly at London and Castr, and now the contrarye—de malo in pejus.
I dar not be know of thys bille, but ye may question and vele of the
disposicion of thys maters of otheres, and then I undrstand yff I wryt
justlye or no; and ye, as of your mocion for my maister worshyp and
profyt, exortyng hym, the stuard, Shypdam, and Spyrlyng to take a
labour and a peyn that thys be reformed.
I pray yow, and require yow kepe thys mater to your sylf.
Yowr,
Botoner.
As for nouveltes none comth, 118.1 but yt ys seyd the sege shall com to
Calix. The Erle of Warwyk 118.2 ys yhyt at Caunterbury with the
Archbyship, 118.3 and the Erle younger brothere 118.4 maryed to Sir
Eadmund Yngylthorp doughter uppon Seynt Marks Day. The Erle of
Worcestr 118.5 broght aboute the maryage. The Queen and the Kyng at
Herford, 118.6 the Lordes Bokyngham, 118.7 Shrewsbury, 118.8 and otheres
ther. And now it ys seyd Herbert 118.9 shall com ynne, and apper at
Leycester before the Kyng and the Lordes, hys lyfe graunted and
godes, so he make amendys to theym he hath offended. Manye be
endyted, som causelese, which makyth Herbert partye streng, and the
burgeys and gentlemen aboute Herford wille goo wyth the Kyng wyffe
and chylde, but a pease be made or the Kyng part thens, for ell[es]
Herbert and hys affinite wille acquyt them, as it ys seyd.

The Erle of Warwyk hath had the folks of Caunterbury and Sandwych
before hym, and thanked hem of her gode herts and vytaillyng of
Calix, and prayeth hem of contynuaunce.
I sende a bille of the namys endyted to my maister and yow, to see and
laugh at theyr Wellsh names descended of old pedegris. Our Lord be
with yow.
Wryt hastly at London, the fyrst day of May.
Botoner.
116.1 [From Fenn, iii. 298.] That this letter was written in the

year 1457 appears pretty clear from its agreement with the
last, in which Botoner speaks of the expediency of getting
the accounts of Fastolf’s household audited, and mentions
that his master was sending him up to London. A further
confirmation of the date may be found in the dates of the
Privy Seals of the 35th year of Henry VI., which show that
the King was at Hereford during April, though he had
removed to Worcester on the 4th of May.
117.1 The left-hand copy in Fenn reads ‘neide,’ but the modern

version ‘never,’ which is clearly the true reading.
118.1 So in Fenn, but qu. ‘couth.’—See p. 41.

118.2 Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.

118.3 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury.

118.4 John Neville, afterwards Marquis Montague, married

Isabel, daughter and heir of Sir Edmund Ingoldesthorpe of
Burgh Green, in Cambridgeshire, by his wife Jane, sister, and
at length co-heir of John, Lord Tiptoft, first Earl of
Worcester. He was slain in the battle of Barnet in 1471.
118.5 John Tiptoft.

118.6 Hereford.

118.7 Humphrey Stafford.

118.8 John Talbot, second Earl.

Sir William Herbert, afterwards Earl of Pembroke,
118.9

a steady Yorkist.

357
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON,
ESQUIRE 119.1

To myne worshipfull cosyn, John Paston, Squier.
About 1457
AUG.

Ryght worshipfull cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow, and thanke yow of
youre greet peyn and labores that ye daylye take for me in alle myn
causes, for wheche I am greetly holden to yow, God yelde hit yow.
And, cosyn, hit is so, as I am enformed, that a fermore of myn maner
in Saxthorp, called John Bennes, shuld come be fore yow for to
appoynte for suche dewte as he oweth to me upon his ferme. I sende to
yow the bokes of his accompt to th’entent that Spyrlyng may awayte
upon yow at his comyng, and declare hym his dewte, wheche, as myn
receyvore seyth, hit wole drawe to the summe of xlvli. [£45], and more
money at Michelmasse now next comyng. And the ferme is but xxli.
[£20] yerly, by wheche ye may understande that he hath hadde greet
favore in his payementes to his weel and myn greet hurt, as I reporte
me to youre greet wysdome. Neverthelesse, sethe hit is so that he hath
hadde this advayle upon me, I wold seen now that suche dewte as shal
ben dewly founde upon hym by accompt to be made at this day, that I
may ther of have payement in hande as reson wole, or of as moche as
the day is ronne of; and for the resydewe to have greable sewerte, that
is to sey, of xxli. growen at Mihelmasse next comyng, to have
payement therof at the Festes of Seynt Andrew and the Annunciacion
of our Lady next comyng by even porcions, as in his endenture made

of the seyd lees more pleynerly is conteyned. And this don, I am
content that he goo at large, and elles that Spyrlyng take a rekenyng of
hym, so as I may be aunswered accordyng to the statute, &c. And,
cosyn, that overe this ye lyke to yeve credence to the brynger her of of
that he shal declare yow in this be half be mouth. And oure Lord kepe
yow.
Wreten in hast, at myne manoir of Castre, the Saterday next after our
Lady Day the Assumpcion.

And, cosyn, I praye yow that he have none favore other wyse than
lawe wole, seyng he is so contraryows for any fayer promyse of his
behalf, &c. Youre cosyn,
John Fastolf, Ch’r.
119.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is a letter of pure

business, and the date is uncertain; but as John Paston had
been giving advice about money matters and the affairs of
Fastolf’s household in 1457, we may insert it here.

358
ABSTRACT 120.1

1457
OCT. 2

Copy of a charter granted by John Paston, [patron?] of the church of
Gresham, and Robert Miller, . . . . . allowing the
prior and convent of St. Sepulchre of The[tford] to distrain for a
pension on the vicarage.
2 Oct. 36 Hen. VI.
[This document is mutilated. In the margin is the following note in a modern hand: ‘E.
Coll. Fr. Blomefield, Hist. Norf. vol. i. fo. 436.’]

120.1 [Add. Charter 17,245, B.M.]

359
ABSTRACT 120.2

Sir John Fastolf to ‘my Brother’ William Yelverton,
Justice.

1457
OCT. 29

Begs him to continue his kindness especially, now that the Parson, Sir
Thomas, comes up to appear before him and other the King’s judges
‘by the cruel and hasty suit of Androus and his affinity.’ Hopes the
process sued by him so eagerly ‘upon the unjust condemnation shall be
reformed and holpen by the attaint in chastising of perjury that reigneth
so much now a days.’ It were a blessed deed if it were reformed by
Yelverton. Desires credence for ‘my cousin Paston’ and Sir Thomas in
the matter. (Signature not Fastolf’s own.)
Castre, 29 Oct.
[This letter is written in William Worcester’s hand. The suit of Andrews against Howes
appears to have been in 1457, as it is referred to afterwards in a writ of the 1st
September 1458, which will be found noticed under that date.]

120.2 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 268.]

360
SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO STEPHEN

SCROOPE 120.3

A Stevyn Scrope.
1457
OCT. 30

W
ORSCHEPEFUL and my right wel beloved Sone, I comaund
me to yow, and hertily thank yow for your good
avertismentys, and right well avysed lettres to me sent from
tyme to tyme, and so pray yow of your good continuance.
Plese it yow to wete that, for as mech as the parson Sir Thomas Howes
cometh up at this tyme by the grevous pursewte of John Andreus and
Heydon, to apere be fore the right worschepeful Sir, my right wel be
loved brother, your fadir, 121.1 and other the Kynges Juges of the Kynges
Benche,—I pray zow hertily that ye wille have in remembraunce for to
recomaund me to hym whan ye speke with hym, and for to thank hym
for his rightful favour shewed in Sir Thomas matier, and in alle other
maters that toucheth me, wheche ben attained in that hey courte; and so
it lyke yow, pray hym of his good continuance, and I shall doo serve it
unto hym to my symple power for his good wyl to me shewed, and to
myne; and I trust to God that he shal hold hym plesid. And that it like
yow to geve credence to the seid Sir Thomas of that he shal sey to zow
for my worschepe and profyte, and that this lettre may recomaund me
to my doghtir your wyf, be sechyng the blissed Trinite to sende yow
the acomplyshment of your good desyre.
Wretyn at Castre, the xxx. day of Octobr. J. F.

120.3 [From Fenn, iii. 42.] The date of this letter is clearly the
same as that of the last, with only a day’s difference.
121.1 On comparing this letter with the last, the person here

referred to would seem to be Justice Yelverton. Mr. Poulett
Scrope, however, in his privately printed History of
Castlecombe (p. 277), says it was Sir Richard Bingham,

whose daughter Joan Stephen Scrope had by this time
married. It is quite possible that Fastolf sent a similar
message to Bingham by Scrope, and to Yelverton by Paston
and Howes.

361
RICHARD, EARL OF SALISBURY, TO
VISCOUNT BEAUMONT 121.2

To the right worchipful and with al myn hert rigt
entierly welebiloved Brother, the Viscount Beaumont.
1458(?)
JAN. 24

R
IGHT worshipful, and, with al myn hert, right entierly wele
bilovede brothre, I recomaunde me unto yow. And for
somoche as by the Kings moste noblez lettrez brought me late
by Hagreston, oon of the gromes of his chambre, I am desirede to
come unto his Highnesse to London; wherunto for suche grevous
diseas and infirmitees as it hath liked oure Lord to visit me with,
wherof Robert Danby can at large declare unto yow, I can ne mowe
dispose me, without feynyng, by the trouth I owe unto the King, but
that therby I doubt not, I shulde not rekever, daies of my lyfe, suche
hurt as, by the reason of the said diseas, wolde grow unto me, the
which hath right fervently and sore holden me in many diversez
bihalvez, so that, sith my last comyng frome London I had not, by the
space of vj. daies togidiez, my helth.
Wherfore, brothre, I pray yow, with al myn hool hert, that it like yow
to cal tofore yow the said Robert Danby, and to take of him the vray
trouth in the premissez, and therupon to bee my good and tendre

moyen, as by your wysdome can best bee thought convenable, unto the
Kinges goode grace, for th’excuse of my nown comyng; prayng yow
hertly to certifye me, by comers bitwen, suche tidings as ye shal have
in thos partiez, with othre your good pleasir to be perfourmed at my
power, as knoweth oure Lord, to whom I biseche to ever have yow in
his blissed proteccion and keping.
Wryten at Shirrifhoton, the xxiiij. day of Januare.
Your trew brodir, wich prayth you hertely to
excuse me to the Kings Heghnesse.
R. Salisbury.
121.2 [From Fenn, i. 146.] Fenn considers this letter to have

been called forth by the summons sent by the King to the
Lords of both parties to come to London, in the beginning of
1458, with a view to a reconciliation. On this view, the
excuse of illness given by Salisbury is, of course, a mere
pretence, and, moreover, was not adhered to, for within a
week after it was penned Salisbury actually was in London
with a company of 400 horse and 80 knights and squires (see
Botoner’s letter of the 1st February). This sudden change of
tactics on the part of the Earl seems to me hardly probable,
and I see no reason why the letter should not refer to a
genuine illness upon a different occasion. Nevertheless, as
there is no positive evidence on the subject, I leave the date
suggested by Fenn, with a query, on which the reader may
use his own judgment.

362
AGNES PASTON 123.1

Erands to London of Augnes Paston, the xxviij. day
of Jenure, the yer of Kyng Henry the Sext, xxxvj.
1458
JAN. 28

T
O prey Grenefeld to send me feythfully word, by wrytyn, who
Clement Paston hath do his dever in lernyng. And if he hathe
nought do well, nor wyll nought amend, prey hym that he wyll
trewly belassch hym, tyl he wyll amend; and so ded the last maystr,
and the best that ever he had, att Caumbrege. And sey Grenefeld that if
he wyll take up on hym to brynge hym in to good rewyll and lernyng,
that I may verily know he doth hys dever, I wyll geve hym x. marcs for
hys labor, for I had lever he wer fayr beryed than lost for defaute.
Item, to se who many gownys Clement hathe; and the that be bar, late
hem be reysyd. He hathe achort [a short] grene gowne, and achort
musterdevelers 123.2 gowne, wer never reysyd; and achort blew gowne
that was reysyd, and mad of a syde gowne, whan I was last at London;
and asyde russet gowne, furryd with bevyr, was mad this tyme ij. yer;
and asyde murry gowne was mad this tyme twelmonth.
Item, to do make me vj. sponys, of viij. ounce of troy wyght, well
facyond and dubbyl gylt.
And sey Elyzabet Paston that she must use hyr selfe to werke redyly, as
other jentylwomen done, and sumwhat to helpe hyr selfe ther with.
Item, to pay the Lady Pole . . . xxvjs. viijd. for hyr bord.
And if Grenefeld have do wel hys dever to Clement, or wyll do hys
dever, geffe hym the nobyll. Agnes Paston.

123.1 [From Fenn, i. 142.]
123.2 See vol. ii. p. 155, Note 1.

363
AGNES PASTON TO JOHN PASTON 124.1

Tho my wele be lovyd son, John Paston, be this
delyvered in haste.

S
ONNE, I grete zow wele, and lete zow wete that for as myche as
zoure brothir Clement leteth me wete that ze desyre feythfully
my blyssyng,—that blyssyng that I prayed zoure fadir to gyffe
zow the laste day that ever he spakke, and the blyssyng of all seyntes
undir heven, and myn mote come to zow all dayes and tymes; and
thynke veryly non other but that ze have it, and shal have it, with that
that I fynde zow kynde and wyllyng to the wele of zoure fadres soule,
and to the welfare of zoure bretheren.
Be my conseyle dypose zoureselfe as myche as ze may to have lesse to
do in the worlde; zoure fadye sayde: In lityl bysynes lyeth muche reste.
This world is but a thorough fare, and ful of woo; and whan we departe
therefro, rizth nouzght bere with us but oure good dedys and ylle. And
ther knoweth no man how soon God woll clepe hym, and therfor it is
good for every creature to be redy. Qhom God vysyteth him he lovyth.
And as for zoure bretheren, thei wylle I knowe certeynly laboren all
that in hem lyeth for yow. Oure Lorde have zow in his blyssed kepyng,
body and soule.
Writen at Norwyche, the xxix. day of Octobyr.
Be zoure modir,
A. P.
[From Fenn, iii. 40.] As there is no distinct evidence of
124.1

the date of this letter, I have placed it after another paper
written by Agnes Paston, and making mention of Clement,
though I rather suspect it may be a little later. It certainly
cannot have been, as Fenn supposes, written within a short
time after William Paston’s death in 1444, as Clement Paston

was then only two years old. From some of the expressions
we might be led to suspect that John Paston was in trouble at
the time.

364
WILLIAM BOTONER TO SIR JOHN
FASTOLF 125.1

To my ryght worshypful master, Sir John Fastolf.
1458
FEB. 1

R
YGHT worshypfull Sir, and my ryght gode maister, I recomaund
me to yow yn my full humble wyse. Please yow to wete, as to
nouveltees here both 125.2 Christofr Barker wryteth to you more
along.
The Kyng came the last weke to Westminster, and the Duk of Yorke
came to London with hys oune housole onlye to the nombre of cxl.
hors, as it ys seyd; the Erle of Salysburye with iiijc. [400] hors yn hys
companye, iiijxx [fourscore] knyghts and sqwyers.
The Duke of Somerset came to London last day of Janyver with ijc.
[200] hors, and loggyth wythoute Temple Barre, and the Duc of
Excestr shalle be here thys weke with a grete felyshyp and strong, as it
ys seyd.
The Erle of Warwyke ys not yhyt com, because the wynde ys not for
hym.
And the Duke of Excester takyth a grete displesir that my Lord
Warewyke occupyeth hys office, and takyth the charge of the kepyng

of the see uppon hym.
Item, as for tydyng of beyend see, I hyre none certeyn, but that the
Frensh Kyng 125.3 shulde hafe maryed hys doughter to the Kyng of
Hungerye, 125.4 whych had the descomfytur uppon the Turks, and the
seyd Kyng ys decesed wythynne thys vj. wekes, or the spouselle was
made; but he ordeyned or he dyed that the Frensh Kyngs doughter
shuld be named Quene of Hungerye duryng hyr lyffe.
Rygt worshypfull Sir, I beseche the blessed Trinite hafe yow yn hys
gouvernaunce.
Wrete at London, the fyrst day of Feverzer, anno 36 R. H. VI.

Moreover, please you to wete that William Canyngs the merchaunt
wryteth an aunsuer of your lettre. I trust it shall be the better for your
wrytyng.
My brother promytted me a certeyn somme when I maryed, and I shall
hafe it of my sister yff I may.
Your humble servauntte,
W. Botoner, dit Worcestyr.
125.1 [From Fenn, i. 150.] Fenn states that he has omitted, as
of no consequence, the first part of this letter relating to the
holding of some courts and some other law matters wherein
Yelverton, Fylongley, and others were concerned.
125.2 The modern version in Fenn reads ‘here being.’

125.3 Charles VII.

125.4 Ladislaus V., who died on the 23rd November 1457,

when on the point of marriage with Magdalen, daughter of
Charles VII. of France. He is believed to have been poisoned.

365
ABSTRACT 126.1

William Botoner to Sir John Fastolf

1458(?)
[FEB.]
You shall know the governance here on Paston’s coming to you better
than I can write. The King is gone to Berkhamstead, ‘and it is said my
Lords Somerset, Exeter, Clifford, and Egremont, that rode upon
Thursday last to the King, they come again to London; and the Lord of
Northumberland is come to the King at this time after the Lords’
departing out of London with 3000 or 4000 people, as it is said, but all
toke (?) to a good peace, and reconysances made to keep the peace in
great sums till Michaelmas, that in the mean time to make a throw
peace final by means of all the Lords.’ John Vyncent of Bentley was at
the Priory of Lewes in Sussex this week, and says that sixty sail of
Frenchmen were sailing before the coasts, keeping the sea. The Lord
Fauconberg is at Hampton with his navy. Edmund Clere of the King’s
house has heard from a soldier of Calais that Crowmer and Blakeney is
much spoken of among Frenchmen. ‘The King’s safe conduct is not
holden but broken, as it is voiced here, and that will do no good to
merchants till it be amended.’ Figs and raisins are dear at 18s. the croc
(?), ‘wherte’ at 10s. the qr., malt 5s. Remains here awaiting for the
com[ing of your] officers of Castlecombe to bring up your money.
Expects to send £40 by Master Paston. . . . . (Mutilated
at the bottom; date lost.)
[The King was at Berkhamstead in the end of June and beginning of July 1450; also on
the 3rd March 1453 (from Reading, whither he returned immediately); also in February
and March 1458 (from 20th February to 13th March). This letter must have been
written in February 1458.]

126.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 274.]

366
JOHN BOCKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF 127.1

To my Maister Fastolf, at Castre, in haste.
1458
MARCH 15

L
YKE it your maistership to wyte that, as for tidings, the Counsell
is, the fornone, at the Blake Frires, for the ease of resorting of
the Lordys that are withinne the toun; and at afternone at the
White Frirers in Fletstrete, for the Lordis withowte the toun; and all
thing shall come to a good conclusion with God is grace, for the Kyng
shall come hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and
my Lord Buk, 127.2 and Stafford 127.3 with hire, and moche puple.
My Lord of Caunterbury takith grete peyne up on hym daily, and will
write un to yow the certeynte of suche tidings as falle; and shuld have
doon or this tyme, saf for that he wolde knowe an end of the matter.
Other tidings here are none, sauf my Lord of Excestre 127.4 is displesid
that the Erle of Warwyk shall kepe the see, and hath therfore received
this weke ml li. [£1000] of the Hanupere. 127.5
The messenger was on horsbak whanne I wrote yow this bill, and
therfore it was doon in haste; and our Lord Jesus kepe yow.
Writen at London the Wednesday after Midlenton.
And my Lord of Caunterbury tolde me that the Frenche men have ben
before yow, and that ye shotte many gonnes; and so he tolde all the
Lords. I have desirid hym to move the Counsell for refreshing of the
toun of Yermowth with stuff of ordnance and gonnes and gonne
powdre, and he seid he wolde.
Your humble servaunt,
J. Bokking.

127.1 [From Fenn, i. 154.] This letter relates to the temporary
reconciliation effected between the Lords of the opposite
parties in the spring of 1458.
127.2 Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.

127.3 Henry Stafford, Earl of Stafford, grandson of

Buckingham, who succeeded him in the Dukedom in 1460.
127.4 Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter.

127.5 The Hanaper of Chancery.

367
WILLIAM CALTHORPE TO JOHN PASTON 128.1

To my worshipfull Cosyn John Paston.
1458(?)
[MAY 11?]

R
IGHT worshipfull Cosyn, I recommaund me unto you, certifying
you that your man John Osberne of Walsyngham hath be with
me and lete me have knowlage of a commyssion chuld be
doun from my lord Chaunceler to Sir Robert Conyers, you other and
me, and that ye wold have your day upon Munday or Tewesday at
Crowemer, Blakeney or Walsyngham, &c. And after that he was
departed from me, ther cam a servaunt from my cosyn Twyer, and seid
that his maister hade a letter from you that ze have set to be at
Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng. And for as much as I stande in
nonn certeyn be cause of variaunce of the massangeres, therfore I send
a man of myne to you, praying yowe to sende me verray certeynte and
a copy of the commyssion, that my neybures may have knowlage of
the kingis entent if the case requyreth so, &c.

I hold Blakeney a resonable place, and if ye kepe youre purpose at
Blakeney uppon Munday next comyng I shall mete ther with you, with
Goddis grace, Wheche have you ever in His intyer kepyng, &c. Wretyn
at Brunham upon the Assencion day of our Lord, &c.,
By W. Calthorpe.
128.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 163.] The date of this letter is by no

means certain, but may be 1458, after the reconciliation of
parties. The reference to ‘the King’s intent’ shows at least
that it was not when the Duke of York was Protector; and it is
not likely to have been under Somerset’s rule or in the reign
of Edward IV. If 1458 was the year, the day (Ascension Day)
was the 11th May.

368
ABSTRACT 129.1

John Paston and T. Howys 129.2 to Fastolf at Castre

1458
MAY 24

Yesterday ‘I and other of yours’ were at your manor of Bentlay—a
right fair manor, in the shrewdest rule and governance. You have had
many officers there who, for ill-will, have put out the tenants, and let
the lands to your hurt. Some owe for six, some for seven years, etc.
Yesterday Harry Sotehill, of your learned counsel, was with us, and has
taken ways in the law, etc. As Barker sends word that the attaint held
not, we shall stay the longer. The Lord Egremont sent for my brother,
and told him ‘he would see you homeward, as he supposed.’ Take care,
therefore, you make no more grants, for you have made too many.
Could let Bentlay, with surety, for 500 marks a year; but will not

venture, because of the trouble of letting Wyghton, ‘and also till Scrope
hath spoken with you,’ who will be with you now, etc.
Doncaster, Wednesday in Pentecost week.
[It appears from an account of Paston’s expenses, of which an abstract is given farther
on, that he was at Doncaster in the 36th year of Henry VI.]

129.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 267.]
129.2 John Paston signs for both.

369
JOHN JERNYNGAN TO MARGARET
PASTON 129.3

Unto my ryght wurchipfull Cosyn, Marget Paston,
this lettre be delyvered in haste.
1458
JUNE 1

R
YGHT wurchipfull and my moste beste beloved maystres and
cosyn, I recommaund me unto you as lowly as I may, evermor
desyring to here of your gode welfar; the whiche I beseche
Almyzthy Jesus to preserve you and kepe you to his plesur, and to your
gracious herts desyre.
And yf it plese you to here of my welfar, I was in gode hele at the
makyng of this lettre, blessed be God.
Prayng you that it plese you for to send me word yf my fadyr wer at
Norwiche with you at this Trenite Masse or no, and how the matyr
dothe be twene my Maystres Blawnche Wychynham and me, and yf ze
sopose that it shall be brought a bowte or no; and how ze fele my fadyr,

yf he be wele wyllyng thereto or no; prayng you lowly that I may be
recomaund lowly unto my maystres, Arblastres wyfe, and unto my
Maystres Blawnche, her dowzther, specially.
Ryght wurchipfull cosyn, yf it plese you for to her of suche tydings as
we have her, the basset [embassy] of Burgoyne schall come to Calleys
the Saturday 130.1 eftyr Corpus Christi day, as men say v. hondred horse
of hem. Moreover, on Trenite Sonday, 130.2 in the mornyng, came
tydings unto my Lord of Warwyke that ther were xxviijte sayle of
Spaynyards on the se, and wherof ther was xvj. grete schippis of
forecastell; and then my Lord went and manned fyve schippis of
forecastell, and iij. carvells, and iiij. spynnes [pinnaces], and on the
Monday, 130.3 on the mornyng eftyr Trenite Sonday, we met to gedyr
afore Caleis, at iiij. at the clokke in the mornyng, and fawz thet gedyr
till x. at the clokke; and ther we toke vj. of her [their] schippis, and
they slowe of oure men aboute iiijxx [four score], and hurt a ij. hondred
of us ryght sore; and ther wer slayne on theyr parte abowte xijxx
[twelve score], and hurt a v. hondred of them.
And haped me, at the fyrste abordyng of us, we toke a schippe of iijc.
[300] ton, and I was lefte therin and xxiij. men with me; and thei
fawzthe so sor 130.4 that our men wer fayne to leve hem, 130.5 and then
come they and aborded the schippe that I was in, and ther I was taken,
and was prisoner with them vj. houris, and was delyvered agayne for
theyr men that wer taken beforne. And as men sayne, ther was not so
gret a batayle upon the se this xl. wyntyr. And for sothe, we wer wele
and trewly bette; and my Lord hathe sent for mor scheppis, and lyke to
fyzthe to gedyr agayne in haste.
Nomor I write unto you at this tyme, but that it plese you for to
recomaund me unto my ryght reverent and wurchipfull cosyn your
husband, and myn ownkll Gournay, and to myn awnte his wyfe, and to
alle gode maysters and frends where it schall plese yow; and eftyr the
writyng I have from you, I schall be at you in alle haste.
Wretyn on Corpus Christi day in gret haste, be your owne umble
servant and cosyn, John Jernyngan.

129.3 [From Fenn, i. 156.] The engagement at sea described in
this letter is dated by Fabyan on Trinity Sunday or Monday
1458.
130.1 June 3rd.

130.2 May 28th.

130.3 May 29th.

130.4 ‘for’ in Fenn; seemingly a printer’s error, as the word is

‘sore’ in the modern version.
130.5 Here, according to Fenn, the words ‘and go the’ occur in

the original, struck out.

370
HENRY WYNDESORE TO JOHN PASTON 131.1

To my full speciall gode Maister, John Paston.
1458(?)
[AUG. 27]

W
ORSHIPFULL Sir, and my full speciall goode maister, after
humble recommendacion, please it you to understand that
such service as I can doo to your plesir, as to myn
understandyng, I have shewed my diligence nowe this shorte season
sithen your departyng, and in especiall aboute suche a copie of a
foundacion as your maistership commaunded me to gete you a copie
of, of the which I sende unto you at this tyme, by my broder William
Worcestre, iij. copies writen by Luket, because I had no leisir, but
somoch besems in settyng forth my Maistr of the Rolles. 131.2 At this
tyme, and in all this Kyngs deies, ye can have noon oder accordyng
any thing to your entent.

And as for the names of the Poles, 132.1 William hath more wrytyng than
ye and I coude fynde, foundon by labor made by hym and me. And
also, Sir, he hath caused me to examyn olde and mony records, writen
by some Frenshman, concernyng the manour of Dedham; that was a
comborous labour, for these copies were full defectif, as it apereth by
the correctyng of them.
Item, Sir, I may sey to you that William hath goon to scole, to a
Lumbard called Karoll Giles, to lern and to be red in poetre or els in
Frensh; for he hath byn with the same Caroll every dey ij. tymes or iij.,
and hath bought divers boks of hym, for the which, as I suppose, he
hath put hymself in daunger to the same Karoll. I made a mocion to
William to have knoen part of his besines, and he answered and seid
that he wold be as glad and as feyn of a good boke of Frensh or of
poetre as my Mastr Fastolf wold be to purchace a faire manoir; and
therby I understand he list not to be commynd with all in such matiers.
Item, Sir, as for any tidings, William can tell you here at London ar but
full fewe; but Henry Bourgchier is ded sodenly at Ludlowe; my Lord
of Caunterbury and my Lord Bourgchier shall be this wyk at
Hunnesdon, and hunte and sporte theym with Sir William Oldhall.
At this tyme nothyng els to your maistership; but and it please you to
remembre my maister at your best leiser, wheder his old promise shall
stande as touchyng my preferryng to the Boreshed in Suthwerke. Sir,
I wold have byn at a noddr place, and of my maisters owun mocion he
said that I shold sett uppon the Boreshed, in the which matier I reporte
me to William Worcestre, Bokkyng, and William Barker, and most
specially to my maisters awun remembraunce.
I know full well ther cann noo conclusion be taken to myn asayle
[avayle ?] without help of your maistership, unto the which I utterly
submitte me in this, and in all oder. And our Lord Jesu preserve you
and all youres, and send you your herts desire with right.
Writen at London on Sonday next after Seynt Bartholomu Dey in hast.
By your servaunt, Henry Wyndesore.

131.1 [From Fenn, i. 170.] At the date of this letter Sir John
Fastolf must have been in Norfolk, and William Worcester in
London. From the time that the former went into Norfolk in
1454, till the end of the year 1457, Worcester seems
generally to have resided with him; but in the beginning of
1458 he was in London, and it appears by the Castlecombe
MSS. (Add. MS. 28,208, B.M. pp. 39, 42) that he was holding
courts at Castlecombe in Wiltshire in June and July of that
year, and that, in November of the same year, he and Fastolf
were both together in London. It is probable, therefore, that
he was in London in August, before Fastolf had come up.
Indeed, he appears not to have returned to Norfolk till
January following; so that in August he might quite well
have devoted himself to the study of French in the
expectation of a lengthened stay.
131.2 Thomas de Kirkeby.

132.1 Apparently William Worcester was examining the

pedigree of the De la Poles, ancestors of the late Duke of
Suffolk, who had disputed with Fastolf the right to the manor
of Dedham.

371
ABSTRACT 133.1

1458
SEPT. 1

W
RIT of pone procured by Thomas Howes, clerk, of Castre,
against John Wyndham, Thomas Danyell of Rysyng Castle,
Edmund Bukenham of Snyterton, Robert Lethum of Wytton
by Blofeld, Simon Gunnor of Estbekham, and sixteen others, for
maintaining a plea begun at Westminster without the King’s writ by
John Andrew of Beylom, Suffolk, against Howes, whom he had
maliciously procured to be indicted.
1 Sept. 37 Hen. VI.

On the back are the words: ‘Manutenencia facta fuit iiijto die Julii anno
xxxvto. 133.2 Dampna Cli. ’

133.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]
133.2 A.D. 1457.

Dampna Cli.’
close quote missing or invisible

372
BOTONER TO JOHN PASTON 133.3

To my Maister Paston.
1458

S
IR, as I went to my horsward by Lincoln Coke ys place, hyt
fortuned that Wymondham and H. Fenne talked to gedre, and
called me by my name, and both asked how my maister 133.4
fard, &c. Then Fen desyred me abyde to see astate taked yn Lyncoln
place by hym boght of Markham. In the meene tyme the seyd
Wymondham sent hys man to speke with hym, and yede yn talkyng of

Sir Thomas 133.5 how he wille help labour to an ende, and had spoke
with Heydon yersten efe for the seyd cause. I seyd the cruell
amerciementes by their labour, and the [they ?] not beneficed, shewed
to grete a malice to undo a preest innocent yn such a cause, &c. After
my takyng leefe, he called me ageyn, and seyd that he desyred Sir
Thomas to be gode meene to my maister to hafe affeccion to the
chylde, &c. I aunsuerd, yff my maister had before the maryage be
laboured [i.e. if my master had been applied to before the marriage],
hyt had [been] moche esyer to bryng aboute then now. And because
hys fadre was so maryed ayenst my maister wille, he nevere wold hafe
affeccion to hym all hys lyfe dayes. He seyd that Thomas 134.1 was with
hys modre ther she duellyth, and yff it please my maister to sende for
hym by Sir Thomas meene, &c.
I ensure yow by my soule I brake no mater to hym but of Sir Thomas
undoyng, and hys adversaries nevere the better, whych to my power
wold help make it knowen to Lordes and all othyrs of the cruell
amerciementes, the cruell juge to be knowen as he ys, for I am of hys
contrey, and know hys rysyng and maryages as well as hym sylfe. At
ix. at clok to hors bake. I pray yow breke my bille (?).
Your,
H. R.
133.3 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 249.] This letter clearly

relates to the subject of the preceding No.
133.4 Sir John Fastolf.

133.5 Howes.

134.1 Apparently Thomas Fastolf.

373
ABSTRACT 134.2

Roll of the Personal and other Expenses of John Paston
in the 36th and 37th years of Henry VI.

For dress and cloth, various.
‘Liberat’ hospitio,’ £57, 17s. 7d. ‘Item, uxori et pueris domi,’ £8, 19s.
1d. ‘Item, pueris Cantabrig’ cum v. marke (?) per Wekeys,’ 101s. ‘Item,
eisdem et sosiis (sic) suis in regard’,’ 4s. 2d. ‘Item, eisdem apud
London,’ etc.
‘Item, Henr’ Bolte, capellano pro stipendio usque Pascha, xxxvto.’ 13s.
4d. ‘Et 17 die Julii pro ij. quart’,’ 26s. 8d.
‘Expencæ forinsecæ.’—‘Pro fine Domino Regi facto quod Johannes
Paston non sit miles.’ Expenses with Munford at Thetford, 2s. 1d.
‘Item, in exemplificatione Ecclesiæ de Gresham, Magistro Bulman,’
3s. 8d. ‘Item, expenc’ equorum Fastolf Norwici ij. vic. et Alexand’
apud Forncet,’ 3s. 1d. ‘Item, præsentatio angnellorum data Radclyff,’
18d. To Alexander coming from Cambridge. ‘Item, in coltellis apud
Dancaster datis servientibus Fastolf et meis,’ 3s. 4d. Glazing Chapel at
Mauteby, 10s. ‘Pro arrestatione Carroli Nowell apud Bury septimana
Matthiæ,’ 3s. 8d. Expenses of Ball’s horse at Berkwey for six weeks,
10s. ‘Item, expenc’ meæ versus Snaylwell et redeundo de Bury,’ 5s. 4d.
‘Item, expenc’ Norwici ad cess’ hospic’ existent’ apud Heylysdon,’
18d. ‘Item, expenc’ meæ apud Sweynsthorp,’ 8d.
In Easter and Trinity terms.—Paid to William Wyrcester ‘equitanti
super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s. For wine and spice with Fortescu
and Wentworth, 23d.
Hilary term.—Lent to James Arblaster at London, 40s. ‘Item, exequiæ
Edmundi Paston,’ 2s. 4d. To divers poor people of Norwich for relief
of their charge ‘circa reparationem murorum civitatis,’ 7s.

134.2 [From Add. Charter 17,246, B.M.]

‘equitanti super negotia maritagii sororis,’ 10s.
“s.” printed in roman (non-Italic) type

374
ELIZABETH POYNINGS TO AGNES
PASTON 135.1

To my right worshypfull moder, Agnes Paston.
1459
JAN. 3

R
IGHT worshipfull and my most entierly belovde moder, in the
most louly maner I recomaund me unto youre gode
moderhode, besekeyng you dayly and nyghtly of your moderly
blissing, evermore desiryng to her of your welfare and prosperite, the
which I pray God to contynw and encresce to your herts desyre. And yf
it lyked your gode moderhode to here of me and how I do, at the
makyng of this lettre I was in gode hele of body tanked be Jesu. And as
for my mayster, my best beloved that ye call, and I must nedes call
hym so now, for I fynde noon other cause, and as I trust to Jesu non
shall; for he is full kynde unto me, and is as besy as he can to make me
sur of my joyntor, wherto he is ibounde in a bonde of mlli. to you
mother, and to my brother John, and to my brother William, and to
Edmund Clere, 136.1 the which neded no such bond. Wherfore I beseke
you, gode moder, as our most synguler trost is yn your gode
moderhode, that my maistr, my best beloved, fayle not of the C. marc
at the begynnyng of this terme, the which ye promysed hym to his
mariage, with the remanent of the money of faders wille; for I have
promytted faithfully to a gentilman, called Bain, that was oon of my
best beloved suertees, and was bounde for hym in CCli., of which he
reherseth for to ryseyve at the begynnyng of thys terme Cxxli., and yf
he fayle therof at this tyme, he wille clayme the hool of us, the which
were to us to grete an hurt; and he con not make an ende with noon of
hys other suertees withoute this seyd sylver, and that con my brother
John telle yow wel i nough, and it lusteth hym to do soo, and in all

other thyngs. As to my Lady Pool, 136.2 with whom I sojerned, that ye
wul be my tendr and gode moder that she may be payde for all the
costes doon to me before my maryage, and to Christofre Houson, as ye
wrote unto my brother John that I shuld have ben so; and that it plese
your gode moderhode to yeve credence to William Worcestr. And Jesu
for his grete mercy save yow.
Written at London, the Wendysday the iij. day of Janyver.
By your humble doughter,
Elyzabeth Ponynggs.
[From Fenn, iii. 328.] The writer of this letter is Agnes
135.1

Paston’s daughter Elizabeth, for whose marriage, as we have
seen, there had been a good deal of negotiating in past years
(see Nos. 93, 94, 236, 250, 252), and who has now become
the wife of Robert Poynings. As the 3rd of January, the day
on which this letter is dated, was a Wednesday, the year must
be 1459. The 3rd of January did not fall on a Wednesday
again till 1470, by which time Elizabeth Paston was no
longer the wife of Robert Poynings, but his widow, for he
was killed at the second battle of St. Albans on the 17th Feb.
1461.
Final sentence changed by editor in Errata; see also note 154.3
in Volume II. Original text:
. . . by which time Elizabeth Paston and Robert
Poynings must have been married several years, as
will be seen by No. 126 preceding (vol. ii. p. 154,
Note 3).

136.1 Edmund Clere was the second son of John Clere, Esq. of
Ormesby, and died in 1463.
136.2 See p. 123.

375
JOHN PASTON, THE ELDER SON, TO HIS
FATHER 137.1

To my ryght wyrschypful fadre, John Paston,
Esquyer, be thys letter delyveryd in hasty wyse.
1459
MARCH 5

R
YGHT worschypful Syr, in the most lowly wyse, I comaund me
to yowr good faderhod, besechyng yow of yowre blyssyng.
Mut it plese yowr faderhod to remembre and concydre the
peyn and hevynesse that it hath ben to me syn yowr departyng owt of
thys contre, here abydyng tyl the tyme it please yow to schewe me
grace, and tyl the tyme that by reporte my demenyng be to yowr
plesyng; besechyng yow to concydre that I may not, ner have noo
mene to seke to yow as I awght to do, and savyng under thys forme,
whych I besech yow be not take to no dysplesur, ner am not of power
to do any thynge in thys contre for worschyp or profyht of yow, ner
ease of yowr tenantys whych myght and scholde be to yowr pleasyng.
Wherfor I besech yow of yowr faderly pyte to tendre the more thys
symple wryghtyng, as I schal owt of dowght her after doo that schal
please yow to the uttermest of my power and labor; and if ther be any
servyce that I may do if it please yow to comaund me, or if y maye
understonde it, I wyl be as glad to do it as any thyng erthely, if it wer
any thyng that myght be to yowr pleasyng. And no mor, but Allmyghty
God have yow in kepyng.
Wretyn the v. day of Marche. By your older sone,
John Paston.
137.1 [From Fenn, iii. 336.] By Letter 377 following, it will be

seen that the writer of this letter had given displeasure to his

father in the early part of the year 1459. There can be no
doubt that this letter refers to the same occasion.

376
ABSTRACT 138.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston and Sir Thomas Howes,
Parson of Blofeld

1459
APRIL 13

As you desire me to write letters to certain lords, etc., on ‘such matters
as ye beth now to London for,’ and as you know best what it would be
most expedient for me to write, I send my servant Colyn Newman to
you with my signet sealed in a little leather bag, under a signet of a
ram, that you and William Jenney, or two of you, may make out letters
in my name as you think fit, keeping copies of those you write. When
Sir Thomas comes home again, let him bring back my signet sealed
under your signets and the copies you have sent. ‘And also
peradventure I might as well write to them that ben away as to those
that been present. And among others ye may say to my nephew, Henry
Filongley, I trust right greatly in my Lord Treasurer’s good Lordship
that he will be my good Lord’s supporter to me in my right.’
Castre, 13th April 37 Hen. VI.
(Signature not Fastolf’s own.)
138.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 254.]

377
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON 138.2

Tho my ryth worschopfful hossebond, John Paston,
in hast.
1459
APRIL 29

R
YTHE worchepfwl hosbond, I recommawnd me onto yow.
Plesyth you to wete that on Thorisday last was ther wer browt
unto this towne many Prevy Selis, and on of hem was indosyd
to yow, and to Hastynggs, and to fyve or sexe odyr gentylmen; and
anodyr was sent onto yowr sone, and indosyd to hym selfe alone, and
asynyd wythinne wyth the Kynggys howyn hand, and so wer bwt fewe
that wer sent, as it was told me; and also ther wer mor specyal termys
in hys then wern in oderys. I sey a copy of thoo that wer sent onto odyr
gentylmen. The intent of the wrytyng was, that they sshuwlde be wyth
the Kyngg at Leycester the x. day of May, wyth as many personys
defensebylly arayid as they myte acordyng to her degre, and that they
schwld bryng wyth hem for her expensys for ij. monythis. As for the
lettyr that was indosyd to yow and to odyr, it was delyveryd to Welyam
Yelvyrton, for ther aperyd no mor of the remwlawnt. Hastynggs is
forthe into Yorke schyr.
I prey yow that ye vowchesaf to send word in hast how ye wyl that yor
sone be demenyd herin. Men thynk her, that ben yowr wel wyllerys,
that ye may no lesse do than to send hym forthe. As for hys demenyng,
swn ye departyd, in god feythe, it hath ben ryth good, and lowly, and
delygent inn ovyr sythe of yowre servawntys, and odyr thinggys, the
whiche I hope ye wold abe plesyd wyth, and ye had be at hom. I hope
he wyl be well demenyd to plese yow heraftyrward. He desyryd
Alblaster to bemene 139.1 to yow for hym, and was ryte hevy of hys
demenyng to yow, as I sent yow word also be Alblaster, how I dede to
hym aftyr that ye wer go; and I beseche yow hartyly that ye wochesaf

to be hys god fadyr, for I hope he is schastysyd, and wil be the worher
[worthier ?] heraftyr.
As for alle odyr tynggys at hom, I hope that I and odyr schal do howr
part ther inne, as wel as we may, bwt as for mony it comyth bwt
slowly. And God have yow in hys kepyng, and sen yow good sped in
alle yowr matteris.
Wretyn in hast at Norwece, on the Sonday next before the Assencyon
Day.
Ser, I wold be ryte glad to he [hear] swmme gode tydynggys fro yow.
Be yorys,
M. P.
138.2 [From Fenn, i. 174.] The only years during the married
life of John and Margaret Paston (except when their eldest
son was a mere child), in which the Sunday preceding
Ascension Day fell some time before the 10th of May, were
1456 and 1459. In the former year the King could not either
have been or have intended to be at Leicester on the 10th of
May. In 1459 the Privy Seals show that he was at
Northampton on the 14th, 18th, and 19th of May, and it is
quite possible he may have been at Leicester on the 10th. In
1464 Edward IV. was at Leicester in May, and the Sunday
before Ascension Day was the 6th of May; but it is not
probable this letter was written in that year, for two reasons.
In the first place, Margaret Paston could hardly have hoped
for an answer from her husband—who may be presumed to
have been in London—in time to have sent his son to be at
Leicester on the 10th; secondly, Letter 375, which is
evidently of the same year as this, would probably have been
signed ‘John Paston, K.’ (i.e. Knight).
139.1 To be mean, i.e. to be a mediator. Fenn has not

apprehended the phrase, which he has modernised ‘to
bemoan.’

378
OSBERT MUNDEFORD TO JOHN PASTON 140.1

A mon treshonnoure Seigneur, Jehan Paston, Escuier.
1459(?)
MAY 25

T
RESHONNOURE Sire, je me recommande a vous tant que je
puis, et vous prie qu’il vous plaise me recommander a ma
maistresse vostre noble espouse et a tous voz enffans, et que ne
soit point mis en oubly mon petit homme d’armes. Et oultre vous
plaise me recommander a mon Maistre Yelverton et mon Maistre
Caulthorpe, et a touz mes autres maistres et amis de pardela ou sera
vostre bon plaisir. Et vous mercie des grans plaisirs et amitiez que avez
faitz et monstrez a moy et aux miens, lesquelz Dieu me doint deservir.
Treshonnoures Sire, plaise vous savoir que mon frere Jehan a Bernay
ma escript dune matere dont me touchastes, moy estant parde la,
a laquelle vostre desir vouldroit l’onneur des deux pars, et de laquelle
matere le porteur de cestes vous informera, et des nouvelles de pardeca
s’il vient a voz bons plaisirs. Et vouldroye bien que vous et mon dit
frere Jehan a Bernay voulsissez communiquer avecques la personne
aqui la matere touche, et que je peusse savoir son entente, affin dy
otemperer, car je luy vouldroye faire plaisir et service; car je y suis
tenu, et la chose sera en partie reglee par vous et par mondit frere, mais
je veil estre le tiers, et une autre personne sera le quart. Treschere et
treshonnoure Sire, je vous recommande tout mon fait de pardela, et sy
faiz je la petite Marie, pour laquelle je vous mercie, et especiallement
ma damoiselle vostre fame et noble espouse, et me desplaist de la grant
paine et charge que avez pour elle; mas Dieu me doint grace que je le
puisse aquicter. Priant nostre Seigneur qui soit garde de vous, et vous
doint bonne vie et longue, et joyeulx acomplissement de touz voz
desirs.
Escript a Calais, le xxvme jour de May.

Le tout votre serviteur,
Osberne Mundeford.
140.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The writer of this letter was

put to death at Calais on the 25th June 1460, having been
taken at Sandwich when about to go thither in aid of the
Duke of Somerset against the Earl of Warwick. The date
cannot be in that year, and how much earlier it may be is
quite uncertain, unless we suppose ‘mon petit homme
d’armes’ to be Paston’s eldest son, who, as we have seen,
was summoned to perform military service in 1459.

379
WILLIAM BARKER TO JOHN PASTON 141.1

To myn ryght worshypfull [m]ayster, John Paston, at
London, atte the Temple.
1459
JUNE 24

P
LEASE youre maystership that as to morwen a newe inquirendum
shal be taken at Wycham Markette for the parsonage of
Rendelesham for one Mayster John Clerke, a chapeleyn of the
Lady Roos; and Sir Thomas 141.2 shuld a ben there, but he is hurte of an
hors, and also hit was so late warnyng that we myght not ben there;
and, as Mayster Steven seyth, hit should not a avayled, thow one hadde
bene there, and elles I wold a labored theder myn self. But he seyth and
[i.e. if] ye wold speke to myn Lord Norwych, and enforme hym of the
trought of the mater, he shal never presente ner inducte non tyl the
ryght of the patentes be discussed, and also we may after wardes hald a
melius inquirendum. Mayster Steven hath wreten to Sir John Bulman
all the tytles and presentacions, and therefore, if hit please yow to

comon with hym, ye shall understande all the mater by hym how myn
Lord is disposed. And [if] Mayster Robert Eppeswell is now at
London, hit were shame that they shuld have ther entent. Sir Phillip
Wentworth groundeth not his presentacion by the patent, but by the
endenture a twyxt the wedewe and hym, &c. Myn mayster is as freshe
as ever he was this ij. yere, thanked be God. And youre mater that ye
have meved of to Sir Thomas for the porchase, &c., myn mayster is
weel agreed therto, but fyrst hit was taken strangely, &c. Almyghty
Jesu preserve yow, myn worshipfull mayster, to youre desyre after his
pleser and youre trewe entent.
Hastly at Norwyche, on Seynt John Day, at vij. of the clokke at even.
Youre owen man,
W. Barker,
Per mandat’ T. H.
141.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It appears by the Bishops’
Registers at Norwich that John Clerk was instituted to the
living of Rendlesham on the 20th June 1459 on the King’s
presentation. This letter must have been written four days
later in ignorance of the fact. Clerk’s predecessor was John
Sybton, administration of whose goods was granted on the
19th May 1450.
141.2 Sir Thomas Howes.

380
ABSTRACT 142.1

Sir John Fastolf to John Paston

1459
JULY 3

‘Hit is to remember my cousin, John Paston, that where as he desired
to have the names of the new feoffment of the manor of Dedham that
William Geney might see to ground such matter upon as might be for
the surety of the said manor, I sent a copy of the said feoffment by
John Daunson the last week.’ Gives other points of information asked
for. Has caused the patent to be written and sealed for Rauff Alygh’s
fee. Paston is to oversee the evidences of Fastolf’s tenement by St.
Olave’s Church, which one Laurence Donne has summoned. Philip
Grocer on London Bridge is a great maintainer of Donne. As to the
matters moved by Stephen Scrope and Richard Byngham has lately
written by Daunson ‘to my said cousin’ and to William Yelverton of his
intent, and given them full power to appoint with them.
(Signature not his own.)
Castre, 3 July 37 Hen. VI.

Would like Paston and Hue at Fenne to see a speedier mean for the
recovery of the 300 marks adjudged to Fastolf to be received of the
Lady Fulthorp for the ward of Thomas Fastolf.

142.1 [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 250. ]

[From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 250.]
closing ] missing

381
JOHN, LORD LOVEL, TO VISCOUNT
BEAUMONT 143.1

To my right worshipfull, and my moost best beloved Lord
Fadre, my Lord Beaumont.

Between 1454 and 1459
Right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre,
I recomaunde me unto youre good Lordship. Please it yow to wit,
I have consayvid your writyng right well; and for asmoche as ye desure
the stiwardship of Baggeworth for youre wilbeloved Thomas
Everyngham, which y trowe verely be right a good and a feithfull
gentilman. How be it, my Lord, youre desure shall be had in all that is
in me; and at the instaunce of your Lordship, y by th’avise of my
counceill, shall gyf it hym in writyng undre suche fourme as shall
please yow, wheryn y wold be glad to doo that at might please youre
good Lordship, prayng yow right hertly ye wold be myn especiall good
lord and fadre in all suche [matters] as ye can thynk shuld growe to my
worship or profite in any wise, as my synguler trust is moost in yow.
And y alwey redy to doo yowe servyse with Goddes grace, who have
yow, my right worshipfull and my moost best beloved Lord Fadre, ever
in His blessid kepyng.
Written at Rotherfild Gray, the xxiiij. day of Juyle, &c.
Furthermore, my Lord, and it like yow, my Lady my modre
recommaundid her unto your good Lordship, yn whom her moost feith
and trust is in, prayng yow, ye woll be good brother unto her, for she
hath taken yow for her chief counceill, &c.
John, Lord Lovell.
143.1 [From Fenn, i. 128.] The writer of this succeeded to the

barony of Lovel in 1454, and married Jane, the daughter of
John, first Viscount Beaumont, the person addressed. As
Beaumont was slain at the battle of Northampton on the 10th
July 1460, this letter cannot be later than 1459, but may be
some years earlier.

382
ELIANOR, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO
VISCOUNT BEAUMONT 143.2

To my right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin,
the Viscount Beaumont.
1444-
1460
Right worshipfull and right entierly welbelovid cousin, I comaunde me
to you with alle my herte, desiring to here, and verile to knowe of your
worshipfull estate, profite, hele and good prosperite, the whiche I
beseche our Lord Jesu ever to mayntene and preserve in alle worship,
to his plesaunce, and to your herts ease.
Please it you, cousin, to witte that your welbelovid servaunt, Roger
Hunt, and a servaunt of my moost dred Lord my husbond, on William,
yoman of his ewry, 144.1 have comend to gedre, and been fully thorgh
and agreed that the said William shall have his office, if it may please
your good Lordship. Wherfore, cousin, I pray you, as my speciale
truste is in you, that ye will, at th’instaunce of my proier and writing,
graunte by your lettres patents to the said William the forsaid office,
with suche wages and fees as Roger your said servaunt hath it of you;
trustyng verile that ye shall fynde the said William a faithfull servaunt
to you, and can and may do you right good service in that office.
And, cousin, in th’acompleshment of my desire in this mater, ye may
do me a right good pleaser, as God knowith, whom I beseche for His
merci to have you ever in His blessed gouvernaunce, and send you
good lyfe and long, with muche good worship.
Writen at Framlynham, the viijth day of Marche.
Elianore, the Duchess of Norfolk.

143.2 [From Fenn, i. 194.] Here we have another letter, of
uncertain date, addressed to the same person as the last. The
year when it was written is quite immaterial, but must have
been between 1444, when John Mowbray, the writer’s
husband, was confirmed in the dignity of Duke of Norfolk
(which had belonged to his grandfather in the time of
Richard II.), and 1460, when Viscount Beaumont was slain at
the battle of Northampton.
144.1 An officer who had charge of the table linen, etc.

383
FRIAR BRACKLEY TO JOHN PASTON 144.2

To my Mayster, Jon Pastone, Esqwyer, be this letter
presentid.
Jesu mercy.
1459

R
YTE reverent mayster, &c., as sone as ze may goodly, comyth to
Castre, and Zelverton 144.3 with zow, and ze think it to be done;
and sendyth home zowr men and hors, tyl ze haf do here, &c.
And by grace of God and zour polityk wisdham, ze schal conclude
more effectually in gret matyers of substans, to my maysterys 144.4 and
zour worschip and profyte. It is hey tyme; he drawyt fast home ward,
and is ryte lowe browt, and sore weykid [weakened] and feblyd, &c.
And ze must bryng with zow a forme of a supplicacyon made at
London in what maner wyse Mr. R. Popy, a cunnyng and a crafty man,
schal presentyn and purposyn to the Kyng for the inmorteysing of
Castre to Seynt Benet, &c., which he promittyd up [promised upon] a
certeyn mony, &c., and undirtoke it, &c., and fond that tyme no bonys

in the matere, &c. And now he seyth he wil labour and ryde and do
hise part, &c. And he wold haf me to help hym, &c., quod non fiet,
&c., or elles a man of credens of my masterys, &c., quod dubito fieri,
&c. God bryng zow sone hidyr, &c., for I am weri tyl ze come.
Sir Thomas the parson, zowr owne most trewe, &c., be myn trewthe,
and I zour bedeman and zowrs at zour comaundement, in zour letter
haf no more towchid of the mater, &c., to my mayster, &c. Every day
this v. dayes he seyth, ‘God send me sone my good cosyn Paston, for I
holde hym a feythful man, and ever on man.’ Cui ego, ‘That is soth,’
&c. Et ille, ‘Schew me not the mete, schew me the man.’ Hæc verba
replicat sæpius cum magno stomacho, &c. Colinus Gallicus dicit in
Jernemuta et aliis locis se esse executorem, &c. Dixit etiam heri coram
pluribus, si semel fuerit London’ nunquam vult videre Norfolchiam,
&c. Dicit etiam, ubi executores credunt se habituros claves, &c., post
mortem alii habebunt claves, ita bene sicut illi, &c. Falsissimus est, et
ego bene dixi in partem suam inter ipsum et me, &c. Propter Deum,
faciatis Spirlyng venire juxta promissum in f’cū [factum ?], &c.
Gallicus ipse maxime odit rectorem et vellet supplantare eum, &c.
Item, valde desiderat suum, quietus est quia absit, &c.
Henricus Todyham continue aspirat post mortem magistri cum mille
habeat oculos nocendi, &c., si quorum duos deperderit, nullus cæteros
timeret, &c.

144.2 [From Fenn, iii. 342.] No signature appears to be
attached to this letter as Fenn has printed it, but the style is
unmistakably that of Brackley, to whom he attributes it. The
original was endorsed in an ancient hand, according to Fenn,
‘Littera fratris Doctoris Brackley per quam patet Jo. Fastolf
valde desiderasse presentiam consanguinei sui Jo. Paston.’
The date seems to be shortly before Sir John Fastolf’s death,
which happened on the 5th November 1459.
144.3 William Yelverton.

144.4 Sir John Fastolf.

384
WILLIAM JENNEY TO JOHN PASTON 146.1

To my worshipful and right gode mayster, John
Paston, Squyer.
1459(?)
AUG. [22]

W
URSHIPFUL sire, and my right gode mayster, I recomaunde
me to zou, and hertely I thanke zour gode maystership that
ze liked to sende my mayster zour sone to Sporle with suych
felaship as ze dede, for which I am ever bounde to doo zou service,
prayeng zou of zour gode contenuaunce.
Sire, the cause why I kam not was this: I was falle seek with an axez
[ague], and truly that caused me that I and my felaship taryed; and so
be cause theroffe I caused my lady to wryte a specyall lettre to my
Lord Scales. But for al that Blake hath hoom the corn in my Lady of
Suffolkys name. And the cause why I sent no wurd of my seknes was,
that I wuld not myn enmy shuld be rejoysed be the knowlych of my
seknesse. So God help me, the felaship that was redy to goo was right
sory that thei myght not goo furth with me; and my lordes and my
ladyes wyl was that thei shuld have goon further. But if I had been heil
and not seek, there shuld have kome a wurshipful felaship out of
Suffolk of so litel warnyng; but truly I lay seek at Ipeswych of the
axcez bothe Sunday and Monday. But, sire, syn ze have shewed me so
kyndely zour gode maystership, I praye zou I may have your felaship
redy at a nothir tyme to help to execute a commyssion touchyng Blake,
and that thei may be redy withinne ij. dayez after ze have warnyng.
And, sire, my service is redy to zou at alle tymys, as ze shewe me gret
cause to doo zou service. Wreten at Thelton, 147.1 the Wednysday next
before Seynt Bertilmew Day in haste.
Your servaunt,
William Jenney.

146.1 [From Fenn, iv. 38.] This letter is referred by Fenn to the
beginning of Edward IV.’s reign, but on a careful examination
I think it must be earlier, as William Jenney’s proceedings,
even in the first year of Edward IV., were by no means
friendly to John Paston. The Lord Scales here mentioned
must therefore be the Lord Scales of Henry VI.’s time, who
was murdered in July 1460, and the letter, having been
written in August, cannot be later than 1459. In that year, as
will be seen by Letter 377, John Paston’s eldest son had
already begun active life, and I am inclined to think that it is
the precise year in which the present letter was written. John
Paston, the second, was at that time not more than nineteen
years of age, and we hear nothing of his doings earlier. The
manor of Sporle was inherited by John Paston, senior, from
his father the judge.
147.1 Thelveton, near Diss, in Norfolk.

The sections headed First Draft and Second Draft
were printed in facing columns. Asterisks and
brackets are in the original, as explained in the first
Footnote. Missing or misplaced brackets have been
left as printed. All sections originally labeled Second
Draft are shown on a shaded background.

385
WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF 147.2

1459
NOV. 3

In the name and the wurship of the holy, blyssydfull Trynite [in the
year] of our Lord Jesu Crist, MlCCCCLIX., and in the xxxviij. yeer of
[our souerayn Kyng] of Englonde and of Fraunce, Herry the Sexte, the
iij. day of the moneth [of] Novembre, 147.3 I, John Fastolf of Castre, be
Gret Jernemuth, of the counte of [Norfolk], Knyght, beynge in good
remembraunce, albeit I am sykly and thorwh age infeb[led], bryngyng
to mende and often revolvynge in my soule how this world is tra . . .
and how, amongs all e[r]thely thynges that is present or for to come,
there is noe thynge in this onstable world so serteyn to creature of man
kende as is departynge out of this world be dethe, the soule from the
wrechyd body; and noo thynge erthely so onserteyn as the oure and
tyme of deth—Therefore I, willynge and desyringe that of suche
goodes of substaunce worldly, mevabill and onmevable, that God of
hise bounteuous grace hathe sent me in my lif to dispose and ocupye,
that they be disposed as it may be thowght best for the helthe of my
soule and to the plessaunce of God, and also for the relyf, soccour, and
helpe of the soulez that I am most oblygid and bounde to purveye and
doo . . . for, as the soule of John Fastolf, my fadyr, Dame Mary,
doutyr of Nicholas . . . . . my modir, and the soule of Dame
Milcent, my wiff, the dautyr of [Sir Robert] Tibtot, knyght, and for the
soulez of othyr of myn . . . . . . . kynsefolke and speciall frendes
here undir wretyn,—I ordeyn and . . . . . this my last will in fourme
and maner folwyng:—
[Second Draft.]
[First Draft.]
* [Fyrst, I will and ordeyne Firste, Forasmyche as for the
that, if it plese oure welfare of my soule and of the
sovereynge lord Kynge Herry soules forseyd, and for ese,
the Sexte, or hese heyre support, and helpe of the pore
Kynges, for the longe inhabitantes in the cuntre of
contynwyd servise be me in Flegge, and for to avoyde that noo
the daye of strengthe and lord nor gret astat shuld inhabit in
helthe of my body, to hym and tyme comyng withinne the gret
to the noble Kynge Herry the mancion be me late edified and
Forthe and Herry the Fifte, motid in Castre forseid, I have of

hise progenitoris, and to hise long tyme been in purpose to
noble uncles John Duke of stablishe and founde a collage
Bedford, Thomas Duke of withinne the seyd gret mancion,
Clarence, whill they were in and soo to purveye that suche as I
the werrys of oure seyd lovyd and thought behoffefull for
sovereyng Lord and hise the seyd cuntre, and that noon
noble progenitorys forseid, in othyr, shulde inhabite in the seyd
Fraunce and Normandy as in mancion with the collagyens of the
cuntreez and othyr placis, seyd collage: Therfor, and for the
consederynge my many gret senguler love and trust that I have
labourys, peynis, and perilis in to my seyd cosyn John Paston,
the seyd servise of oure [abov]e all othyr, beyng in veray
sovereyn Lord and hise noble beleve that he will execute my will
progenitoris forseyd, and hise here in, I will and ordeyne, as he
pleyntyuous grace withoutyn and I have covinauntyd and been
ony other . . . . . of myn accordyd that he shall, with inne
executores namyd in my resonable tyme aftyr my deseas,
testament, or ellys for a founde or do founde . . . . and
resonable sume of [money] indewe withinne the seid mancion
whiche oure seyd sovereyn a collage of vij. religeous monkys
Lord owith me, or in othir or pristes, to preye for the soules
wise, or be ony othyr meane, above seyd in perpetuite, of whiche
so as myn executores therein one to be cheif governour of hem,
shall accorde with oure seyd and he to have xli., and iche othyr
sovereyn Lord and hise prist or monk [of the said co]llage
counsell, or with hise heire x. marks yeerly for here
Kynges and here councell, to sustenaunce and fynding, clerly
lycence and graunte to them paid in mony, and that the seyd
that be feffyd to myn use in collagyens shull be soo indewyd
my Lordshepis manerez, that be syde here seyd pencions for
londes, tenementes, rentes, here propir levynge to be grauntyd
servisez, with here hem, they . . . . . inmorteysid to
appurtenaunces, or to here hem to fynde vij. pore folke yeerly
assigneez aftyr the effecte and in perpetuite in the seyd mancion
forme of the lawe, by the of Castre to preye for the soulis
avyse of myn executores, to above seyd in perpetuite. Of

ordeyne, founde, and whiche pore folk iche of hem to
stablishe, withinne the gret have xls. a yeer or th . . . . ere
mancion or dwelynge place levynge, fynding, and sustentacion;
late be me newe edified and and that the seyd John Paston shall
motid in the town of Castre, ordeyne and make swyr to the seyd
be Gret Jernemuth, in the collagyens, and to the seyd pore
counte of Norffolk, whiche folke a suffecient summe, and a
mancion or dwellyng place I competent and an esy dwellynge
was born in, a collage of a place . . . . . seid collagyens nor
prioury of vj. religeous here successorys beryng no
personis, monks of the ordir reparacion there of, for whiche and
of Seynt Benett, and to for othyr consyderacionis above
inmorteise and graunte to the seyd, I will, graunte, and ordeyne
seyd priour and vj. religeous that the seyd John Paston shall
personis, or to here have in fee symple, to hy[m and his
successorys, the forseyd heirs] all the manerez, londes, and
mancion or dwellynge place, tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk,
with all the appurtenauncez and Norwiche in whiche the seyd
and othir suffecient and cleer John Paston or ony othyr to myn
lyflode of the forseyd use are or were feffyd in or have
lordshepis, maneres, londes, title to, and that all feffeez feffyd in
and tenementes, rentes, and the seyd manerez, londes, and
servisez, with here . . . er astat of the seyd manerez,
appurtenauncez, for the londes, and tenementes to suche
sustentacion of the seyd priour personys, and at suche tymes and
and vj. religeous personys and in suche fourme as the seyd Paston,
here successorys, and for here hise heyris or his assigneez, shall
othyr chargys and requyre hem, or ony of hem. And
reparacionis, and for vij. pore the seyd John Paston . . . . .
men in the seyd collage in seyd collage shal bere and paye to
perpetuite, be the avise and my behoff, towardes the paymentys
discrecion of myn executores of my dettes and othir thynges, be
forseid, to be foundyd and my present will assygnid to be do,
susteynid; and that thanne the mlmlmlml. [4000] mark, in suche
forseyd feffees or her fourme and at suche tyme as in this
assignees if they . . . .

grauntes of othyr havyng my present will . . . . . . . here
entresse in this be halve aftir folwyng:—
requisit lawefully shul make,
founde, and stablishe, or doo be made, founde, and stablishid in the
seyd collage, with the seyd priour and vj. religeous men, ever to
endure, for to prey for my soule and for the soulez of my fadir and my
modir, and of all my kynsefolk and good doeres, and for the soulez of
the blissyd memorye Kynges forseyd, Herry the Forthe and Herry the
Fifte, and the seyd noble Dukys, and for the good astat and prosperite
of oure sovereyn Lord durynge hese lyf tyme, and aftyr for hese soule,
and for all Cristeyn soules, therefor to synge and sey dayli devyne
servise and preyeris in perpetuite; and to be of the orderis, proffession,
obedyence, and governaunce of the ordyr of Seynt Benettes, and of the
same ordyr and profession as been the monkes of Seynt Benettes in
Holme, in the counte of Norffolk, and shalbe stablyshid be the good
avyse of myn executorys: And thoo feffeez forseyd, or here assygnez,
inmorteyse and graunte, or do been inmorteised and grauntid, feffe
sufficiently swyrly and lawfully to the seyd pryour and religeous, [and
to their] successores, the forseyd mancion and dwellynge place, with
the appurte[nances], . . . . sufficient, swyr, and cleer lyflode of the
for seyd lordshepis maneres . . . . rentes, servisez, with here
appurtenancez in Castre forseyd, and in all othir placis . . . . . lithe
next the seyd mancion or dwellynge place, for the sustenaunce [of the]
seyd priour and vj. religeous men and here successoris, here servauntis,
and the [seyd] vij. pore men: And for the chargys and reparacionis
forseyd, to the yeerly valew of thre hundryd markes starlyng over all
chargys; to have and to holde to the forseyd religeous men and to here
successoris for ever; providid alwey that the seyd priour and religeous
men and here successoris be bounden and compellabill suffeciently in
lawe be the discrecion of my seyd executoris, to susteyne the forseyd
vij. pore men contynwally, suffeciently, and convenyently in all thyngis
withinne the seyd collage for ever, and for to preye for the soulys afore
seyd.] *
* [Item, I will and graunte that if outhyr the forseyd licence and
graunte of oure seyd sovereyn Lord, or of hise heyre Kynges, or the

licence or graunt of ony othyr . . . . entresse in this behalve be not
lawefully, swyrly, and suffeciently . . . . . . . that thanne my seid
executorys shall geve or do be gove to . . . . . . of the monastery of
Seynt Benettes of Holme for seyd, lyflode or mony competent . .
. . . seyd abot and covent or here successorys, and my seyd
executores shal accorde there in be here wise discrecionis, for the
indewement and sustentacion of vj. monkes in the seyd monastery and
vij. pore men in the same monastery, to prey for the soulys forseyd in
perpetuite, to be foundyd, susteynid, and kept, providid that the vj.
monkes forseyd be aumentyd abovyn the noumbre of monkes of here
ferst fundacion, and over the noumbre that they now use to kepe in the
seyd monastery, and that lawefull and agreable swyrte perpetualy be
made be the avyse of myn seyd executores, aswell for the
augmentacion, susteyning, and kepynge of the seyd vj. monkys, as for
the convenyent and suffecient sustentacion, fyndyng, and kepyng of
the seyd vij. pore men in perpetuite, to preye as is afore seyd.
* [It]em, I will and ordeyne Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte
that all and singuler that all othir lorshepis, manerez,
lordshepis, maneres, londes, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and
and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce,
servisez, with here in whiche ony persone or personis
appurtenauncez, in whiche been feffid in, or have astat or
ony persone or personys are possession, or be in titlid to myn
feffid in or have astat and use be the lawe, except the seyd
possession to myn use, in manerez, londes, and tenementes,
whiche sum ever counteez or rentes, and servisez, with here
townez the said lordshepis, appurtenauncez, in the shirez of
maneres, londes, and Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche,
tenementes, rentes, and in the article next presedent
servisez bein withinne the specified, shull be sold be the seyd
ream of Englond; and that all John Paston and Thomas Howys,
the forseyd and senguler ij. of myn executoris. And I will,
lordshepys, manerez, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd
tenementes, rentes, and John and Thomas, and noon othir
servisez, with here while they leve, shall have the

appurtenaunce, in whiche ony sengler rewle, sale, and
person or personys been disposecion of all my londes
intitlyd to myn use be the forseyd, except before except, and
lawe, shull be sold be my seyd execucion of this my last will and
executoris, except manerez, of every article there in; and I will
londes, and tenementes, that the seid John and Thomas shall
rentes, and servisez, with here have all the profitez and avaylez
appurtenauncez, as shall be and emolwements of the seyd
morteysyd to the seyd collage, maneris, londes, and tenementes,
if the fundacion thereof take rentes, and servisez, with all othir
effecte: And that the mony of comoditeez thereof comyng, til be
the sale or salys comynge be them they be sold, and the mony of
disposed be my seyd the profites and salis thereof
executores in executyng of comynge, be them to be disposed
thys my last wyll and for the welfare of my soule and of
testament, and in othyr dedes the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of
of almesse as my seyd the seyd John and Thomas; and in
executores be here discrecion cas this my will be not executyd in
shal seme best to plese God theyre [liv]es, that thanne the
for the helthe of my soule and execucion be thereof doon be othyr
for the soulys forseyd: And myn executores that aftyr hem too
that happe the fundacion of shal have the mynistracion of my
the seyd collage to take to goodes.
noon effecte, nor the seyd
collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes,
rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid
to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the
mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng
and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of
mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for
the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.] *
* [Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have
all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler
lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd,
with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd

collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd
executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be
feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid
executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and
emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and
ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys,
profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l
. . . . . londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here
appurtenauncez, on to tyme . . . . . and vj. religeous men or here
successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion . . . . . . shull have and
take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or
ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid
executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and
avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the
seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd
executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez,
avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes,
manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here
appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd
executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be
feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores
thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and
emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and
ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler
issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule,
and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the
plesure of God.] *
Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse
desentes pretende . . . . . . at this day to be next heneritere
[inheritor] to me aftyr my deseas, where . . . . . . . . . . . . knowe
that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony . . . . . . . . . . .
londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony
persone or personys . . . . . . have to myn use; therfor I will and
ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey . . . me for no douteful
or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon

othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be ony
manner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes,
tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony
tyme.
Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before
namyd], or the more part of them 152.1 and noon othir, shall have the
decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris,
clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in
whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez,
dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be
founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys,
chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage
othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and
interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd] 152.2 executors.
Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge
[be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the
creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also
that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or
comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or
damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and
lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it
be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and
satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and
hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.
Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn
use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore
pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward
after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe
and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes,
and rentes, halfe to be departyd to . . [par]ishe cherchis for werkys,
ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and
half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes 152.3
of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be

disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd], 152.4
aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.
Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe
cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise
successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an
annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my
fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche,
with placebo and derige and messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese
obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a
cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that
be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd] 152.4 that londes or
teneme[ntes] . . . . . . . . . . ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xxs.,
and that to be inmorteis . . . . . . . . swyr to the seyd prioury or
parishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere . . . . . and chargys of
the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.
Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also
suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes,
garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell
of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes,
where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there
be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the
parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis,
manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and
a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and
govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be
the avise of myn executores be fore namyd. 153.1
Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred
whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be
relevyd of my goodes . . . . . havyng consederation to thoo that be
nerrest of my kyn and of . . . . . Also of here good disposecion too
God ward and to me in here . . . . . othir of my kyn, that a
consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my
cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon
and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.

Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to
myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will
ordeynid to be sold, 153.2 and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo
suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion,
fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right
heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession
or in my feffeez handes, and that for a . . . . . . is thanne ony othir
persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and
Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor
debarre of the tayle. 153.3
Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye
of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my
soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and
susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note the
derige and messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my
soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir
Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to
the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler
affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the
Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable
goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.
Item, I will and ordeyne that * and that oon of the monkis or
be the avise of myn pristes in the collage be me
executorys before namyd, that ordeynid in the mancion of Castre
prevecion and ordenaunce be forseid shall synge specialy in
made that the obit and perpetuite for the soule of my
annversary may be yeerly modir and all here auncestryez, and
inperpetuite kept with placebo good dooerys.
and derige and messe of
requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche
of Attilburgh, * [and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr
convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here
soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn
executorys.] *

Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before
namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the
Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to
have my soule recomendid amonges . . . . . with an annversary to
be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem with placebo and [derige
and] messe of requyem be note. 154.1
Item, I will, ordeyne, and * be the avise of myn executores
comaunde that myn before namyd
[executores and] 154.2 feffeez*
porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly
rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my
feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe
chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle,
with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden
and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on
lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise
lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of
Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid
trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence
woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full
entre doon . . . . . my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle
by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre
eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the
seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly
here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd
manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes
to be born.
Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the
tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be
London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be
preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd,
a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd
the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe
withine the sum of xxli.

Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr
the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in
laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon
hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of
Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese
auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the
day and yeer of hise obite.
Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me
. . . . . . . . . . made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary,
my modyr, in the . . . . . . . . foundid in the parishe chyrche of
Atilburgh, and that a figure . . . . . . . . . . of a jentilwoman with
here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on . . . . . . . iiij.
skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas
Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and
of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd
toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.
* [Item, I will that a provecion Item, that myn executores before
be made for swerte of the namyd helpe that the maner of
maner of Cowlynge in Cowlynge be disposed and guydid
Suffolk, accordyng to the last aftyr the will of Dame Marget
wyll of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my
Braunche, my sustir, in executoris thynke it be to doo.
whiche maner I stond enfeffed
in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame
Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry
Braunche, my neweu, here son . . . . seyd maner, provided that he be
oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir,
Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be
contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.] *
Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman
of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce
whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never
opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or
servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for

that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for
the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and
attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes
accordyng to the trouthe and concience.
* [Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be
doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the
chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for
my soule perpetualy.] *
Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for
to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the
werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen,
havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez
of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be
xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez . . . . .
many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn . . .
. . . . . . . . course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef
tenauntes and . . . . . officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied
undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes
of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez
of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or
sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not
delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes
ony monwements, chartrys, dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in
parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute
my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and
trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony
inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for
trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam
last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd
wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys
nor sygnet thanne * [with this * I have usyd this ij. yeer day last
same seal of armys and sygnet
passed.
. . . . . . . . . this my
present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd
no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal

nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis,
nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on
mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be
knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I
requyre . . . . . . all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to
ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor
to blanke chartrys sealyd in my . . . . . . . whereof I remembre me
well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in
kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and
never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse
confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he
deyde.
Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with
my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as
they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here
wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem
for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony
servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my . . . or ageyn myn
executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?]
remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel . . . . . . . .
. . trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn
ex[ecutores].
* [Item, I will and ordeyne Item, I will and ordeyne that
that amonges othyr lordes, amonges othir that I have put in
frendes, and kynesmen that I remembraunce be this my will to
desyre, [for] the discharge of be preyed fore that suche as shalbe
my concience, be put in bounden to preye for me, and be
remembraunce of preyeris for rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe
the [good] affeccion I hadde chargid be myn executoris be fore
on to them that I desyre shuld namyd to preye for the welfare of
be preyed fore, is the soule of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and
that blyssyd prynce, Thomas for the soulys of all my good lordes
Bedford, 156.1 late Duke of and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am
Excestre, the soulys of the b[ounden] to preye fore or doo
Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord

Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, preye fore, and for hem that I have
my brothyr-in-lawe, and hadde ony goodes of.
Dame Cisly, late hyse wiff,
my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche,
Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and
Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John
Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my
consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in
Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at
the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu;
Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd;
Dame [Dan] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the
monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in
Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas
Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and
servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my
right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more,
Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and
William Gunnour.] *
Item, I will, ordeyne, and * full wyll and assentynge of the
streyghtly charge myn seyd John Paston and Thomas
executorys that noon of hem Howys, clerk.
shall [give] quyetaunce nor
rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my
detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or
condecion that he be of, withoute the * [knowynge, plessaunce, and
assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.] *
Item, I will, ordeyne, and * the very will and assentyng of the
streightly charge that none of seyd Paston and Howys, and that
myn executorys, be him self, noon othyr attempte there in nor in
nor be noon othyr, in ony noon othir cause in this my will to
maner or condecion cautelous, doo the contrarye to hem in effecte
colour . . . . . . . shall sell, I require hem in Goddes be halve.
nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo
alyen, withdrawe, or do be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes,

jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of
sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr utensylez, to my persone or
houshold perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of myne, mevable or on
mevablys, quyk or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute * [the knowyng,
plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of
hem; and if it be soo that ony of myn executores attempte maleciously
the contrary in effecte, he fallith in the centense of excommunicacion,
doyng the contrary to my last will.] *
Item, I will, ordeyne, and * except before except, be me
streyghtly charge that all my grauntid to the seyd John Paston or
feffeez feffyd of trust on to hese assygnes.
myn use of and in all my
manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, and rentes, and servisez, and
profitez, be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd * [in all maner of
counteez, citeez, or burghes or townes with in the ream of Eng[lond] .
. . . . ] * they that have astat, pocession, or tythe to myn use, with all
the goodly haste, . . . . and withoute delay aftyr they be requyred be
myn executores* aftyr my
* before namyd.
deseas, that they shall feffyn
and make lawefull astat in fee symple * [of and in all maner
lordshipys, londes, tenementes, meswages, rentes, servisez, and
profitez forseyd, or of every parcell of the same] * to that persone or
personys to whom or to whiche * [my seid executores in
accomplisment of my last * the seid John Paston and Thomas
will, the said maneres,
Howys.
lordshepys, londes,
tenementes, mecis, rentes, and servisez, or ony parcell of the same,*
shall sell, or doo sell aftyr the
* except before except.
declaracion of this my last
will * for the helthe of my
* to dispose.
soule, * [Dame Milcent, my
wif, with all my progenitorys, * and for the soulis above seyd.
cosynes, and benefactorys,
and all my frendes.] *

* [Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of
God I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in
effecte to accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement
and of mynistracion of my last will, all the articlis there in conteynid
they shall ransakyn besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here
remembraunce, that both in will . . . . . . . . shal not omyttyn for to
complishe the seyd articles in . . . . . . . . . . Seynt Poule the
Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt . . . . . . . . God Almighty
shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion 158.1 . . . . . . this article to
otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in
hurtynge of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.] *
* [Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the
grace of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the
verteuous devocion of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn
owyn will, it happe ony good werkes and profitable to the helthe of my
soule necessarye or avayleable to come be favour or swetnesse in to
my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo wryte suche thyngs
worthy to be remembryd in ony codicill or codicilles for to be
conyoinid to my testament or to my last will, thanne I will and preye
with gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or
articlys be me expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or
codicillys that they may have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in
effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn in the code of my testement and my
last will.] *
* [Item, I will, I ordeyne, and * Item, I wyll and ordeyne that
I hertely desyre, sethe that John Paston and Thomas Howys,
every mortall creature is soget clerk, geve and dispose.
to the lymitez or merkys of
mutabelyte and chaungeableness, and mannys levynge in frelte and
condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on the behalve of Almyghty
God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte, beseche, and preye
all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst, and in the
vertwe of the aspercion of Hise holy blood, shed out graciously for the
savacion of all man kende, that for the more hasty delyveraunce of my
soule from the peynefull flawmes of the fyre of Purgatory, on suche

maner and wise they dele and departe my goodes feithfully be here
discrecion and prudence and polytik,] * the yeer of my buryeng, in
exspence of myn entyrement and othyr almesse, the same yeer, and
dedys of pyete (?) for the holsum estat of my soule amonges pore peple
and nedy to [be p]artyd and distributid plenteuously and hastely, the
sum of mll marke * [. . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the
. . . the space of v. or vij. salis of my londes and my goodes
yeer immediatly folwyng by be my will . . sygnid to be sold,
yeer Dxxxiijli. vjs. viijd. in be fully disposid for the well of my
almessefull deds and soule in almessefull dedes [and]
charitable wirkys, with all charitable werkes with all goodly
goodly possibelyte that they possibelite.
shall soo dispose my goodes
in effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in peynefull angwyshis, with
holy Job, be not compellyd to sey with gret lementacion and mornyng,
Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, namely yee that my frendes
shuld bee, for the hande of Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously
touchyd me. These be the articlys, xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the
intent and purpose of my last will be the handes of myn executores,
whiche I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and beseche hem enterly
feithefully to execute, as they will have helpe of God and of hise holy
Gospell. And soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice, and concience to
doo for me as they wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas lyche. In tokene
and witnesse whereof, to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, above 160.1
. . . . . . . . . . .] *
[The following new clause at the end.]
Item, I will and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston, for the payment of
iiij. mll. marke forseid, shal bere and paye to the seyd Thomas Howys,
clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them have the mynistracion of my my
goodes, the seid sum [of] viijc. marke iche othyr yeer of the forseyd
yeerrys in whiche that sum is ordeynid to be distributid til he . . . . .
be tho paymentes born and payd the seyd sum of iiijml markes, and that
soo paid to be disposed be the seyd [John Pa]ston and Thomas Howys,
or be hem that shal aftyr them have the mynistracion of my goods in

executyng [my] will in awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo
that my mevable goodes be mean of that . . . . . . . shall the lenger
indure in dedis of almesse.

147.2 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This document is printed from
the original draft, in which a great part of the text has been
crossed out, and other paragraphs substituted in the margin.
The passages thus cancelled are enclosed within brackets
with asterisks. Those substituted for them or inserted in a
later hand are printed in a parallel column on the right. The
passages bracketed without asterisks, and also the dotted
spaces, are lost by mutilation.
147.3 The date was originally ‘the xiiij. day of the moneth of

June.’
152.1 Or the more part of them.—These words are crossed out.

The words ‘before namyd’ are an interlineation substituted
for them by the second hand.
152.2 Interlineation by second hand.

152.3 ‘fermors’ inserted in a different hand.

152.4 Interlined by second hand.

153.1 be fore namyd.—These words are an interlineation by

another hand.
153.2 be this my will ordeynid to be sold, interlined by another

hand.
153.3 after the avyse—tayle.—These words are an

interlineation by the second hand.
154.1 with an annversary—note, erased.

154.2 Erased.

156.1 Beaufort.

158.1 See 1 Cor. xiv. 38. The translation of this verse in the

Vulgate— ‘Si quis autem ignorat ignorabitur’—conveys a
materially different sense from that of our English version.

The original draft ends with this word at the bottom of
160.1

the page. Apparently the last few words of the draft were
written on a flyleaf, which is now lost.

386
WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF 160.2

Anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono,
mensis Novembris, videlicet, die Sabbati proximo post Festum
Omnium Sanctorum, Johannes Fastolff, miles, de comitatu Northfolch,
Norwicen Dioc’, in manerio suo de Castre, dictæ Diocesis, quoad bona
sua immobilia suam ultimam declaravit voluntatem prout sequitur:
John Fastolff, Knyght, the secunde and the thirde day of the moneth of
Novembre, the yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte after the
Conquest, xxxviij. yers, being of longe tyme, as he said, in purpos and
wille to founde and stablissh withynne the gret mansion at Castre, by
hym late edified, a college of vij. religious men, monkes or seculer
prestes, and vij. pore folke, to pray for his soule and the soulys of his
wife, his fader and modir, and other that he was beholde to,
imperpetuite. And forasmuch as he had, as he rehercid, a very truste
and love to his cosyn, John Paston, and desired the performyng of the
purpoos and wille forsad to be accomplisshed, and that the said Sir
John shulde not be mevid ne sterid in his owne persone for the said
accomplisshing of the said purpoos and wille, ne with noon other
wordly maters, but at his oune request and plesire, wolde, graunted,
and ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle, withynne resonable
tyme aftir the dissese of the said Sir John, doo founde and stablisshe in
the said mansion a college of vij. monkes or prestes and vij. pore folke,
for to pray for the soulys above said imperpetuite; so that one of the
said monkes or prestes be maister, and have xli. yerely, and ich othir
monke or preste x. marc yerely, and ich of the pore folke xls. yerely;

and that the said John Paston shalle make sure to the said collegions a
sufficient roume and a competent and an esy duelling place in the said
mansion, the said collegions nor her successours bering no charge of
reparacion therof. For which, and for othir charges and labours that the
said John Paston hath doon and take uppon hym, to the eas and profite
of the said John Fastolf, and for othir consideracions by hym rehercid,
the said Sir John Fastolff wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said
John Paston shalle have alle the maners, landes, and tenementes in
North[folk], Southfolk, and Norwich, in which the said John Paston or
any other are or were enfeffed or have title to the use of the said Sir
John Fastolf; and at [that] alle the feffees infeffed in the said maners,
londes, and tenementes shalle make and deliver astate of the said
maners, landes, and tenementes to such persones, at such tymes, and in
such forme as the said John Paston, his heirs, and his assignes shalle
requere thaym or any of thayme. And that the said John Paston shall
pay to othir of the said Sir Johns executours iiijml. [4000] marc of
laufulle money of England in the forme that folweth, that is to say:
Where the said Sir John hadde apointed and assigned that his
executours shalle, the first yere aftir his disses, dispoos for his soule
and performyng his wille a ml. marks or a mlli. [£1000] of money, and
yerely aftir, viijc. [800] marc, tille the goodes be disposed, the said
John Paston shalle pay iche othir yere the said summe of viijc. marc till
the summe of iiijm. [4000] be paid; so that the said mevabill goodes
shall the lenger endure to be disposed, by th’avise of his executours,
for the said soulys: And also the said Sir John said, forasmuch as it was
the very wille and entent of the said Sir John that the said John Paston
shulde be thus be avauntaged and in no wise hurte of his propir
goodes, therfore the said Sir John wolde graunted that if the said John
Paston, aftir the dissese of the said Sir John, by occasion and unlaufulle
trouble in this reame, or by mayntenaunce or myght of Lordes, or for
defaute of justice, or by unresonable exaccions axid of hym for the
licence of the said fundacion, withoute coveyne or fraude of hym
selve, be lettid or taried of the making or stablesshing of the making of
the said fundacion, that thanne he fynde or doo finde yerely aftir the
first yere of thus dissese of the said Sir John, vij. prestes to pray for the

said soulys in the said mansion, if he can purvey so many, or els for as
many prestes as faile, yeve yerely aftir the said first yere, by th’avise of
his executours, to bedred men and othir nedy true pepille, as much
money in almose for the said sowlys as the salary or findyng of the
prestes so faillyng is worthe or amounteth to, unto the tyme he may
laufully and peasably founde the said college and doo his true devir for
the said fundacion in the meane tyme. And the said Sir John Fastolf
wolde, graunted, and desired faithfully alle the residewe of his
executours and feffees to shewe the said John Paston favore in the said
paymentes and daies, and help hym for the Kinges interesse and the
eschetours, and furthir hym in that they may in alle othir thinges as
they wolde doo to hym selve, and not vex ne inquiete hym for the said
fundacion in the meane tyme. Ande where the said Sir John Fastolf
made his wille and testament the xiiij. day of June in somer last passed,
he wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that this his wille touching thes
premissez, as welle as the said wille made the said xiiij. day, except
and voided out of his said wille, made the said xiiij. day, alle that
concerneth or perteyneth to the fundacion of a college, priory, or
chauntery, or of any religious persones, and all that concerneth the sale
or disposing of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, wherof this is
the very declaracion of his full wille, stand and be joyntly his very
enteir and last wille, and annexed and proved togedir. Also the said Sir
John Fastolf, Knyght, the Tuysday next before the fest of Alle Saintes,
and in the moneth of Septembre the said yere, and the iij. day of
Novembre, and diverse other tymes, at Castre aforesaid, wolde,
ordeynyd, and declared his wille touching the making of the said
college, as welle as the graunte of the said maners, landes, and
tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich, in fourme, manere, and
substance aforeseid. Also the said Sir John wolde and ordeyned that if
the said John Paston, by force or myght of any othir desiring to have
the said mansion, were letted to founde the seid college in the said
mansion, that thanne the said John Paston shulde doo poule down the
said mansion and every stone and stikke therof, and do founde iij. of
the said vij. prestes or monkes at Saincte Benettes, and one at Yermuth,
one at Attilbrugh, and one at Sainte Oloves Church in Southwerke.
Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the iij. and iiij. daies of the moneth of

Novembir abovesaid, desired his said wille or writyng, touching the
fundacion of the said college and the graunte of the said maners,
landes, and tenementes to the said John Paston, to be redde unto the
said Sir John; and that same wille redde and declared unto hym
articulerly, the said Sir John Fastolffe wolde, ordeyned, and graunted
that the said John Paston shulde be discharged of the payment of the
said iiijml. markes, and noght pay therof in case he did execute the
remenaunte of the said wille.
Also the said Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, aboute the tyme of hervest the
yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte, xxxvth yere at Castre faste
by Mikel Yermuth, in the shire of Norffolk, in presence of divers
persones that tyme called to by the said Sir John, did make astate and
feffement and liverey of the seasin of the maner of Castre aforesaid,
and othir maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, to John Paston,
Squier, and othir; and at that lyverey of season therof delivered, as
welle by the handes of the said Sir John as by other, the said Sir John
Fastolfe by his owne mouth declared his wille and entente of that
feffement and liverey of season made to the use of the said Sir John
asfor during his live onely, and aftir his decese, to the use of the said
John Paston and his heirs. And also the said Sir John said and declared
that the said John Paston was the best frende and helper and supporter
to the said Sir John, and that was his wille that the said John Paston
shulde have and enherite the same maners, landes, and tenementes and
othir aftir his decese, and there to duelle and abide and kepe
householde; and desired Daun William Bokenham, Priour of
Yermouth, and Raufe Lampet, Squier, Bailly of Yermuth, that tyme
present, to recorde the same. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the vj. day
of July next aftir the tyme of the sealing of his wille made the xiiij. day
of June, the xxxv. of King Henry the Sexte, and aftir in the presence of
Daun William Bokenham, that tyme Prioure of Yermouth, and other,
wolde, ordeyned, and declared by wille that the said John Paston
shulde have alle thynges as the said Sir John had graunted and declared
to the said prioure and othir at the tyme of the said [asta]te and
feffement made to the [said] John Paston, the said xxxv. yere of King
Henry the vjth, the said John seyng [saying] that he was of the same

wille and purpoos as he was and declared at the tyme [of the] said
astate takyng. Also the said Sir John wolde that John Paston and
Thomas Howes, and noon othir of his executours, shulde selle alle
maners, landes, and tenementes in whiche any persones were enfeffed
to the use of the said Sir John, excepte the said maners, landes, and
tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich; and the same John
Paston and Thomas Howes shalle take and receyve the profites,
ysshueys, and emolumentes commyng of the said maners, landes, and
tenementes, excepte before except, tille they may resonably be solde;
and that the said John Paston and Thomas, the money comyng of the
same sale, as welle of the said proufites, ysshuys, and emolumentes,
shulde dispoos in dedys of almose for the soule of the said Sir John and
the soulys aforesaid, and in executyng of his wille and testament: And
also the said Sir John wolde that alle the feffees enfeffed in the said
maners, landes, and tenementes assigned to be sold, whanne thay be
required by the said John Paston and Thomas Howes, shall make astate
to persone or persons as the said John Paston and Thomas shalle selle
to, the said maners, landes, and tenementes, or any parte therof, and
that noon othir feffe [feoffee] nor the executours of the said Sir John
shall make any feffement, relece, ne quitance of any londes befor
assigned to be solde that wer at any tyme longing to the said Sir John,
withoute the assente of the said John Paston and Thomas Howes.
Datum anno Domini, mense, die et loco supradictis.

160.2 [From Add. MS. 22,927, B.M.]

the said John Paston shulde be thus be avauntaged
text unchanged: superfluous “be” or error for
“he”?

387
SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S WILL 163.1

Anno Domini [millesimo] 163.2 quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono,
mensis Novembris, videlicet, die Sabbati proximo post Festum
Omnium Sanctorum, Johannes Fastolffe, miles, de com’ Norfolk,
Norvicen’ dioc‘, in manerio suo de Castre, dict’ dioc’, suum condidit
testamentum, et ipsius ultimam declaravit voluntatem, prout sequitur:
—In primis, commendavit et commisit animam suam Deo
Omnipotenti, Creatori suo, ac gloriosæ Virgini Mariæ, matri Domini
nostri Jesu Christi, et omnibus Sanctis. Item, legavit corpus suum,
postquam ab hac luce migraverit, sepeliendum in ecclesia conventuali
monasterii Sancti Benedicti in Hulmo, Norvicen’ dioc’, sub arcu novæ
capellæ per ipsum ibidem de novo constructæ, ex parte australi chori
sive cancelli, sub tumba marmorea, juxta corpus Milicenciæ olim
consortis suæ ibidem sepultæ; ac voluit quod abbas et conventus
monasterii prædicti, antequam corpus suum ibidem sepeliretur,
securitatem facerent quod dabunt et concedent Johanni Paston et aliis
per ipsum nominandis, licentiam dandi et concedendi septem monachis
vel presbyteris et eorum successoribus in quodam collegio apud Castre
prædict’ per prædictum Johannem Paston stabiliendo et dotando, terras
et tenementa quæ idem Johannes Paston et alii feoffati per ipsum
Johannem Fastolf seu suos feoffatos de dictis abbate et conventu
tenent, vel tantum inde quantum idem Johannes dictis monachis vel
presbyteris dare voluerit. Item legavit, ordinavit, et præcepit omnia
debita sua fideliter persolvi et quæcumque per ipsum forisfacta de
quibus constare poterit, emendari, restitui, 164.1 et satisfieri cum effectu.
Item legavit ad reparationem et sustentationem portus villæ Magnæ
Jernemuth’, ac ad renovationem et sustentationem murorum dictæ
villæ pro bono commodo reipublicæ, salva tuitione villæ prædictæ et
patriæ adjacentis, centum marcas sterlingorum, sub conditione quod
burgenses seu gubernatores dictæ villæ sine mora seu dilatione
perficiant 164.2 reparationem portus et murorum prædictorum quamdiu

dicta summa a se extendet, ut gentes ibidem commorantes habeant
animam suam in suis orationibus specialiter recommendatam. Item,
cuilibet ecclesiæ parochiali singularum villarum in quibus habuit, aut
aliquis ad suum usum habet, domum seu manerium, terras, et
tenementa pro speciali recommendatione animæ suæ, unum
vestimentum de serico panno pro missis ibidem celebrandis, et quod
fiat in eodem scutum armorum suorum brodinatum secundum
discretionem executorum suorum et indigentiam dictarum ecclesiarum.
Item, legavit et ordinavit servientibus 164.3 suis et familiaribus
domesticis remunerationem condignam seu competentem de bonis suis
mobilibus juxta statum suorum [sic] ad summam tres centum
marcarum, ita quod quilibet generosus habeat duplicem ad valentiam,
et sic descendendo successive juxta statum eorum seu exigentiam
meritorum ministrorum suorum ac fidelium laborum, habita tamen
consideratione ad certos servientes 164.4 circa personam suam
attendentes diebus et noctibus in laboribus, angustiis et vigiliis, tam in
sanitate quam in infirmitate, circa præservationem corporis sui ac
sanitatem celerius obtinendum. Item, legavit cuilibet ordini Fratrum
religiosorum et domorum Mendicantium, tam in villa Magnæ
Jernemouth quam in civitate Norwici, pro recommendatione animæ
suæ, summam competentem secundum discretionem executorum
suorum limitandum, cum nihil in proprio habeant unde sustentari
valeant nisi de caritate et elemosina devotorum Christianorum.
Residuum vero omnium bonorum suorum mobilium legata sua
excedentium, ac catallorum suorum vivorum et mortuorum, ac debita
singula quæ sibi debeantur, dedit et legavit executoribus suis
infrascriptis juxta modum, formam et potestatem eisdem per eum
superius limitatam, specificatam et ascriptam, ut ipsi eisdem modo et
forma, per inde omni pondere discretionis et sani consilii, ea
distribuant pro salute animæ suæ inter maxime debiles et pauperes,
claudos et cæcos, ac alios impotentes in eorum lectis decumbentes, se
et suos sustentare commode non valentes; habita consideratione
speciali ad pauperes de consanguinitate et affinitate sua intimos et
propinquos, et præsertim in locis ubi quondam possessiones, prædia,
redditus et sua dominia fuerunt situata, et præsertim in villis et locis
ubi habent, seu aliquis ad usum suum habet, dominia, maneria, terras,

tenementa, et etiam ad emendationem pauperum ecclesiarum villarum
prædictarum, viarum turpium et pontium communium reparationem, et
in aliis piis elemosinariis usibus et caritatis operibus, specialiter in
comitatibus Norfolk’ et Suffolk’; et quod circa funeralia et legata sua
ac elemosinas supradictas primo anno post decessum suum mille
marcæ seu mille libræ disponantur, et annuatim postea quingentæ
libræ, triginta tres libræ, sex solidi et octo denarii, quousque bona sua
mobilia et pecuniæ de venditione terrarum ac bonorum suorum
vendendorum provenientia modo et forma prædictis plenarie
disponantur, sicut coram Deo in die extremo Examinis voluerint
respondere; et ad hoc eos exhortabatur in Domino Jesu Christo taliter
pro 165.1 ipso singula fideliter peragere vellent cum pro eis in casu
consimili faceret juxta conscientiam, rationem, et justitiam. Et prædicti
testamenti ac ultimæ voluntatis suæ suos executores ad exequendum,
disponendum et ministrandum modo et forma per eum inferius
limitatis et subscriptis, constituit, ordinavit, fecit et elegit Willelmum
Wintoniensem episcopum; Johannem, Dominum de Beauchamp;
Nicholaum, abbatem de Langle; Johannem Stokes, legum doctorem;
Fratrem Johannem Brakley, doctorem theologiæ; Willelmum
Yelverton, unum justiciariorum Domini Regis; Johannem Paston,
armigerum; Henricum Filongley, armigerum; Dominum Thomam
Howes, presbyterum; et Willelmum Worcester; quos modum et
formam executionis et administrationis bonorum suorum per
executores suos fiend’ sic limitavit, voluit, disposuit, et modificavit;
videlicet, quod prædicti Johannes Paston et Thomas Howes solum et
ante alios executores prædictos subeant et habeant administrationem et
dispositionem omnium bonorum mobilium, catallorum ac denariorum
ex venditione omnium terrarum et tenementorum suorum
vendendorum et proficuorum eorundem terrarum et tenementorum
provenientum, ut ipsi duo soli ea disponant pro salute animæ suæ, et
quod alii executores supradicti abstineant se ab omni administratione
dictorum bonorum suorum, nisi pro modo, forma, causa, loco, et
tempore quibus per ipsos Johannem Paston et Thomam Howes ad
eorem juramenta pro dicta administratione fuerint evocati pariter et
rogati; et quod nullus dictorum aliorum executorum suorum sine
consensu et voluntate ac advisamento dictorum Johannes Paston et

Thomæ Howes capiat aliquid seu distribuat de bonis suis mobilibus et
catallis prædictis, nec venditionem eorundem neque terrarum nec
tenementorum prædictorum faciat, nec aliqua sibi debita recipiat,
neque aliquos creditores suos quovis modo acquiet et, neque, prædictis
Johanne Paston et Thoma Howes viventibus et administrare bona sua
volentibus, aliquis alius executorum prædictorum administrationem
bonorum suscipiat suorum, sed quod quantum dicti alii sui executores
ad [sic] eorem singuli prædict’ Johanni Paston et Thomæ Howes in
quibuscunque egibilibus [sic] quæ hujusmodi testamentum et ultimam
voluntatem concernentibus, favorabiliter assistant et succurrant cum
per eosdem fuerint ad hoc requisiti. Voluit tamen quod si alter
prædictorum Johannis et Thomæ recusaverit onus administrationis
bonorum hujusmodi subire, vel ante administrationem functam obierit,
quod tunc ille dictorum duorum executorum suorum administrare
volens eligat unum de executoribus prædictis sibi associandis quem
putaverit in hiis sibi magis idoneum, et ita voluit fieri de omnibus aliis
executoribus præscriptis; videlicet, quod uno moriente vel deficiente
de duobus, alter loco ipsius ad electionem administrationem
incumbent’ substituatur et assumatur. Si autem ambo executores
prædicti onus recusaverint subire administrationis prædictæ, vel ambo
executores administrationem incumbentes moriantur antequam
substituantur executores alii, voluit quod tunc illi duo executores
viventes prædictam administrationem subeant et habeant quos major
pars executorum viventium sui testamenti duxerit eligendos, et quod
illi duo administrationem subeuntes ad dictos Dominum Episcopum et
Dominum de Beauchamp, Nicolaum Abbatem de Langley, Johannem
Stokes, Fratrem Johannem Bracley, Willelmum Yelverton, Henricum
Filongley, et Willelmum Worcester recursum habeant pro eorum
consilio et advisamento obtinendo in causis arduis et materiis
requisitis. Supervisores vero dicti testamenti reverendissimum in
Christo patrem et dominum, Dominum Thomam Dei gratia
Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, Walterum Episcopum Norwicensem,
Magistrum Robertum Popy clericum, et Hugonem Fenn, Domini Regis
auditorem, ordinavit et constituit, et voluit quod dicti duo executores
onus administrationis subeuntes remunerarentur secundum merita
laborum suorum et diligentiam in præmissis expediendis juxta

discretionem dicti Domini Episcopi Wintoniensis et Magistri Johannis
Stokes, seu majoris partis aliorum executorum viventium. Supervisores
vero prædicti et cæteri executores remunerarentur secundum merita
laborum suorum per discretionem duorum executorum dictæ
administrationi incumbentium. Et voluit quod si quis prædictorum per
eum superius nominatorum dictos Johannem Paston et Thomam
Howes in officio suo hujusmodi seu circa administrationem bonorum
ejusdem defuncti quoquomodo impediverit, turbaverit, vexaverit,
molestaverit, vel inquietaverit, aut aliquid prædictorum facere
præsumpserit vel conatus fuerit, ab administratione bonorum suorum
omnino removeatur, et si quid præmissorum ante susceptionem
administrationis hujusmodi attemptaverit, ipsum ad administrationem
hujusmodi nullatenus admitti voluit et declaravit. Datum anno Domini,
mense, die, loco supradictis.

163.1 From a modern copy among the MSS. at Narford, in the
possession of Andrew Fountaine, Esq. The original of this
document has not been met with, and the copy from which it
is printed is unfortunately very corrupt; but no other text is
obtainable. The more obvious inaccuracies have been
corrected, but some obscurities remain, on which the reader
may exercise his own judgment. For a knowledge of this
document I am indebted to Mr. Tyssen Amhurst, of
Didlington Hall, Brandon, to whom it was lent by the owner.
163.2 Omitted in MS.

164.1 restum, MS.

164.2 proficiant, MS.

164.3 finentibus, MS.

164.4 finentes, MS.

165.1 per, MS.

388
INVENTORY OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S
GOODS 166.1

1459
Memorandum that here aftir foloweth an inventarye of the gold and
silver in coyne and plate, and othir godes and catelles that sumtyme
were Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, whiche the said Sir John Fastolf gaf to
John Paston, Squier, and Thomas Howys, clerk, of trust and
confidence, that the same godes shuld the more saufly be kept to the
use of the said Sir John duryng his lif, and aftir his decesse to be
disposed in satisfiyng of the duetees and dettes to God and Holy
Chirche, and to alle othir, and in fulfillyng and execucion of his legate
last wille and testament without eny defraudyng of the said Holy
Chirche or of eny creditours or persones.
First, in goold and silver, founden in th’abbey of Seynt Benet
aftir the decesse of the said Sir John Fastolf, mlml iiijxx
xiijli. iijs. iiijd.
Item, founden atte Castre, lxjli. vjs. viijd.
Item, receyved atte Bentlee by the handes of William Barker in
money by hym receyved of John Heryngton, xxli.
Item, receyved atte London, CCCClxixli.
Summa MlMlDCxliijli. xs. in coyne.

First, two peces of golde, weiyng xlviij. unces.
Item, two ewers of golde, weiyng xxvij. unces.
Item, j. flaget of silver, weiyng xxxviij. unces.
Item, ij. prikettys of silver, weiyng xxvij. unces et di.
Summa of golde, lxxv. unces, and of silver, lv. unces.

Item, iij. chargeours of silver, weiyng vijxx iij. unces.

Item, xij. platers of silver, weiyng ixxx ix. unces.
Item, xij. disshes of silver, weiyng vijxx viij. unces.
Item, xij. sausers of silver, weiyng iiijxx xv. unces.
Summa vc lxxv. unces.

Item, xij. flat peces bolyond in the bothom, weiyng viijxx ix.
unces.
Item, vj. bolles with oon coverecle [lid] of silver, the egges gilt,
my maister helmet enameled in the myddes, weiyng viijxx
iiij. unces.
Item, a candilstik, a priket and ij. sokettys of silver, weiyng
xvij. unces.
Item, ij. potell pottes of silver wrethyn, the verges gilt with
braunches enameled, with j. tree in the lyddys, weiyng vjxx
xij. unces.
Item, ij. galon pottes of silver wrethyn, the verges gilt,
enameled in the lyddes with iij. floures, weiyng xjxx ix.
unces.
Item, j. roste iron with vij. staves and j. foldyng stele of silver,
weiyng lxxiij. unces.
Item, ij. flagons of silver, with gilt verges, and the cheynes
enameled in the myddes, with j. hoke, weiyng ixxx unces.
Summa, ixc lxiiij. unces.

Item, a saltsaler like a bastell [a bastille or small tower], alle
gilt with roses, weiyng lxxvij. unces.
Item, a paire of basyns, alle gylt, with an antelope in the
myddes, weiyng xjxx unces.
Item, ij. ewers, gilt, pounsed with floures and braunches,
weiyng xxxix. unces.
Item, j. spice plate, well gilt like a double rose, my maister
helmet in the myddes, with rede roses of my maisters
armes, weiyng vxx x. unces.

Item, ij. galon pottes, all gilt, enameled in the crownes with
violet floures, weiyng xxx xiij. unces.
Item, vj. bolles, with oon coveracle gilt, with my maisters
helmet enamelled in the myddes, weiyng viijxx vj. unces.
Item, j. stondyng cuppe, all gilt, with a coveracle, with my
maisters helmet enamyled in the myddes, weiyng xlj.
unces.
Item, another cuppe of the same facione, all gilt, weiyng xlij.
unces.
Item, iiij. cuppes, gilt like founteyns, with j. columbyne floure
enameled in the myddes, weiyng iiijxx xvj. unces.
Summa, DCCCClxv. unces.

Item, j. grete flagon, with stuf theryn, weiyng xvijxx xj. unces.
Summa, CCClj. unces.

Item, vj. platers, weiyng vijxx unces.
Item, xiiij. disshes, weiyng ixxx unces.
Item, xij. peces of dyvers sortes, weiyng vijxx xiij. unces.
Item, ij. grete galon pottes, playn, with gilt verges, my maisters
helmet in the kever, weiyng xijxx xij. unces.
Item, j. paire basyns, the verges gilt, Harlyngs 168.1 armes in the
bottom, weiyng vxx xv. unces.
Item, ij. quart potts, with gilt verges, with the same armes in the
lydde, weiyng lxx. unces.
Item, ij. ewers, the oon demi gilt, and the othir the bordures
gilt, weiyng lj. unces.
Item, j. spice plate demi gilt, my maisters terget enamyled in
the myddes, weiyng lxxj. unces.
Summa, DCCCCCxxxij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cuppe gilt, with j. kever, with j. rose in the
toppe, weiyng xl. unces.
Item, anothir cuppe of the same facion, gilt, weiyng xlj. unces.

Summa, iiijxx j. unces.

Item, iij. grete chargeours, weiyng vijxx ij. unces.
Item, xij. platers, weiyng xjxx xij. unces.
Item, xij. disshes, weiyng ixxx viij. unces.
Item, xj. sausers, weiyng lxxvj. unces.
Summa, DCxxxviij. unces.

Item, j. paire basyns, with gilt verges and j. rose, with my
maisters helmet enameled and gilt in the myddes, weiyng
viijxx vj. unces.
Item, ij. ewers, gilt and enameled in like wise, weiyng lxxv.
unces.
Item, xij. flatte peces, pounsed in the bottom, the verges gilt
sortely, weiyng vijxx xvj. unces.
Item, j. spiceplate demi gilt, wrethyn, weiyng lxxij. unces.
Item, vj. bolles, with oon kever, the verges gilt, my maisters
helmet in the myddes, weiyng viijxx iiij. unces.
Item, ij. grete pottes, eche of a galon, wrethyn the verges of
bothe gilt with popy leves, with j. tre levedroses in the
lidde, enameled, weiyng xjxx xvj. unces.
Item, ij. potelers, with gilt verges, enameled in the liddes,
weiyng iiijxx ix. unces.
Item, ij. flagons, with gilt verges, and the cheyne enameled in
the myddes, weiyng viijxx j. unces.
Item, j. candelstik, with j. priket and ij. soketts, weiyng xvij.
unces.
Summa, xjc xxxvj. unces.

Item, j. saltsaler, with j. kever, well gilt, with many wyndowes,
weiyng iiijxx vj. unces.
Item, vj. bolles, all gilt, with j. kever and j. rose in the toppe,
eche enameled in the bottom with my maisters helmet,
weiyng viijxx vj. unces.

Item, ij. galon pottes, gilt playn, anameled in the lyddes with
my maisters target, weiyng vijxx xiiij. unces.
Item, j. stondyng cuppe, pounsed with floures, well gilt, weiyng
xlij. unces.
Item, j. gilt cuppe, stondyng covered, pounsed with j. rose in
the toppe, weiyng xlvij. unces.
Item, vj. gobelettes, wele gilt, with j. columbyne floure, weiyng
vijxx vj. unces.
Summa, DCxlj. unces.
Chapell.
Item, vij. prikettes, with gilt verges, weiyng iiijxx vj. unces.
Item, ij. stondyng candilstikkes, with gilt verges, weiyng iiijxx j.
unces.
Item, j. ship, with gilt verges, weiyng ix. unces.
Item, j. box for syngyng brede, 169.1 weiyng iiij. unces.
Item, j. haly water stop, with j. sprenkill and ij. cruettes, weiyng
xij. unces.
Summa, C iiijxx xij. unces.

Item, j. brode pryket, all gilt, weiyng xlv. unces .
Item, j. paire basyns, all gilt, enameled in the bottom with
roses, weiyng xl. unces.
Item, j. pyx, demi gilt, weiyng xxx. unces.
Item, j. crosse, all gilt, weiyng xlj. unces.
Item, j. ewer, all gilt, weiyng xvij. unces.
Item, j. chalice, alle gilt, weiyng xxvij. unces.
Item, j. lesser chalice, all gilt, weiyng xiiij. unces.
Item, ij. roses over gilt, weiyng xv. unces et di.
Item, j. ymage of Seynt Michell, weiyng viijxx x. unces.
Item, j. ymage of oure Lady and hir Childe in hir armes,
weiyng vxx x. unces.
Summa, Dcxxix et di unces.

Item, j. grete flagon, weiyng xviijxx viij. unces.
Item, j. almesse disshe, weiyng vjxx xij. unces.
Summa, Dc unces.

Item, j. sensour of silver, and gilt, weiyng xl. unces.
Item, j. ship, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, j. pece with j. kever, weiyng xx. unces.
Item, j. gobelet, gilt, weiyng xj. unces.
Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, weiyng xij. unces.
Summa, Cj. unces.

Item, iij. grete chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng xjxx xviij.
unces.
Item, j. chaufer, to sette upon a table for hote water, weiyng
iiijxx xiij. unces.
Item, iiij. holowe basyns, wherof oon is bolyons, weiyng all xxx
xiij. unces.
Item, iij. botelles, of oon sorte, weiyng vijxx xiiij. unces.
Item, vj. grete peces, of oon sorte, weiyng vxx xvij. unces.
Item, xij. peces, all of oon sorte, weiyng xjxx xiiij. unces.
Item, iij. smale peces, weiyng xxv. unces.
Item, j. grete bolle, with j. kever, weiyng lxij. unces.
Item, iij. gobelettes, pounsed, weiyng xiiij. unces et di.
Item, j. powder box, and j. kever to j. cup, weiyng xxij. unces.
Item, ij. basyns, the verges gilt with popy leves, enameled with
my maisters helmet in the bottom, weiyng viijxx ix. unces.
Item, ij. ewers, gilt, enameled in the same wise, weiyng iiijxx
unces.
Item, iiij. ewers, of the olde facion, weiyng lxxvij. unces.
Summa, xvc xxij. unc’ et di.

Item, j. litill flat pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxvij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng pece, all gilte, with j. kever, weiyng xxxviij.
unces.
Item, j. litill stondyng pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxj.
unces et di.
Summa, iiijxx vj. unc’ et di.
Apud Sanctum Benedictum.
Item, ij. basyns, with gilt verges, and my maisters helmet in the
botom, with ij. ewers, with gilt verges, and my maisters
helme on the lyddes, weiyng togider CCxxxj. unces.
Item, iiij. prikettes, with gilt verges, weiyng xxxj. unces.
Item, ij. lesser prikettes, weiyng v. unces.
Item, j. basyn and j. ewer, with my maisters armes in the
botom, weiyng lxiij. unces.
Item, ij. litill ewers, of ij. sortes, weiyng xxiiij. unces.
Item, j. spiceplate, with gilt verges, weiyng xliiij. unces.
Item, ij. galons, with gilt verges, with my maisters armes in the
liddes, weiyng iiijxx xvj. unces.
Item, ij. potellers, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx iiij. unces.
Item, ij. othir potellers, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx xiij. unces.
Item, j. potell potte, of anothir sorte, weiyng xxxv. unces.
Item, ij. quartelettes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xlviij. unces.
Item, j. litill botell, with j. cheyne and j. stopell, weiyng xxxviij.
unces.
Item, j. brode priket, with gilt verges, weiyng xxiiij. unces.
Item, ij. candilstikkes, ij. prykettes, and iiij. sokettes, weiyng
xxxvij. unces.
Item, vj. gobelettes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xxviij. unces.
Item, xiiij. peces, of dyvers sortes, weiyng vjxx xv. unces.
Item, j. old pece, with j. kever and j. knop, weiyng xxxij. unces.
Item, ij. chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng lxxviij. unces.
Item, vj. platers, of oon sorte, weiyng vijxx vij. unces.
Item, xviij. disshes, of dyvers sortes, weiyng xxx xvj. unces.
Item, vj. sawsers, of oon sorte, weiyng xxviij. unces.

Summa, xvc xvij. unces.

Item, j. saltsaler, alle gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxxvij. unces.
Item, j. pese, with j. kever, all gilt, with j. knop, weiyng xxxj.
unces.
Item, j. playne pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xxvj. unces.
Item, j. litill pece, gilt, with j. kever, weiyng xviij. unces.
Summa, vxx xij. unces.

Item, j. chargeour, weiyng xlv. unces.
Item, viij. platers, weiyng ixxx xj. unces.
Item, viij. disshes, weiyng vjxx v. unces.
Item, viij. saucers, weiyng xlix. unces.
Item, j. potell potte, with gilt verges, enameled in the top with
violet leves, weiyng xlix. unces.
Summa, CCCC iiijxx iij. unces.

Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, all gilt, weiyng xxxviij.
unces.
Item, j. founteyn, all gilt, with j. columbyne floure in the
bottom, weiyng xxiij. unces.
Summa, lxj. unces.

Item, ij. saltsalers, weiyng xxxix. unces.
Item, j. candilstik, with ij. sokettes, weiyng xxj. unces.
Item, iiij. flat peces, pounsed in the bottom, weiyng xl. unces.
Item, ij. gobelettes, pounsed, weiyng ix. unces.
Item, xiij. spones, wherof oon is gilt, weiyng xvij. unces.
Item, j. ewer, with j. knop, weiyng xiij. unces.
Item, ij. potellers, with my maisters armes on the liddes,
weiyng lxxji. unces.
Item, j. potell potte, with braunches on the lidde enamelid,
weiyng xlix. unces.

Item, iij. pottes, enameled with j. garlond, weiyng vxx vij.
unces.
Item, j. quart pot, weiyng xxix. unces.
Item, j. grete chargeour, weiyng lxxix. unces.
Item, iij. lesser chargeours, weiyng vxx xj. unces.
Item, v. platers, of oon sorte, weiyng vxx xv. unces.
Item, xij. disshes, of oon sorte, weiyng xxx ix. unces.
Item, ix. sausers, of oon sorte, weiyng lxiij. unces.
Summa, Ml iiijx xij. unces .

Item, j. gobelet, gilt, with j. columbyne in the bottom, weiyng
xxiiij. unces.
Item, j. stondyng cup, with j. kever, weiyng xxxv. unces.
Summa, lix. unces.
Castre.
Item, ij. prykettys, with gilt verges, weiyng xvij. unces.
Item, ij. cruettes, oon lakkyng a lydde, weiyng viij. unces.
Item, j. litill crosse, with j. fote, all gilt, weiyng vij. unces.
Item, j. sakeryng bell, weiyng xj. unces.
Item, j. chalice, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, j. saltsaler, weiyng v. unces.
Item, j. paxbrede, 172.1 weiyng 172.2unces.
Item, j. grete saltsaler, with j. kever, weiyng xxvij. unces.
Item, j. playn basyn, with j. ewer, weiyng liij. unces.
Item, ij. flat peces, of oon sorte, weiyng xxij. unces.
Item, xvij. spones, of ij. sortes, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, iiij. platers, weiyng iiijxx xiiij. unces.
Item, vj. disshes, weiyng iiijxx xiiij. unces.
Item, iiij. sausers, weiyng xviij. unces.
Item, j. candilstik, withoute sokettes, weiyng xviij. unces.
Summa, CCCCx. unces.

Md of xlvj. unces gold and ijml. Dxxv. unces of silver plate taken from
Bermondesey.
Sold by John Yong of London.
In primis, a peson 173.1 of gold, it fayleth v. balles, weiyng xxiij.
unces gold.
Item, j. paire basons, beyng 173.2 bothe weiyng vxx ij. unces.
Item, j. paire ewers, beyng 173.2 bothe weiyng xlv. unces.
Item, j. paire of newe flagons, cheyned, everyche weiyng lxxiiij.
unces—vijxx xiij. unces.
Item, iiij. platers, parcell of ix. platers not sortely, weiyng in all xxx
ix. unces; so iche weieth xxiij. unces. Soo the weight of the
same iiij. platers, iiijxx xij. unces.
Item, xij. disshes, weiyng in all ixxx ix. unces.
Item, xij. sausers, weiyng in all iiijxx xvij. unces.
Summa unciarum argenti, DClxxiij. unc‘, et de auro, xxiij.
unc’.

Item, j. cup of golde, with an ewer, weiyng xxiij. unces.
Item, ij. spiceplates, weiyng bothe iiijxx xij. unces.
Item, ij. olde chargeours, of oon sorte, weiyng iiijxx viij. unces.
Item, j. grete plater, weiyng xxxviij. unces.
Item, v. olde disshes, weiyng in alle lxxvj. unces.
Item, v. sausers, weiyng xxix. unces.
Item, ij. quart pottes, weiyng liiij. unces.
Item, ix. platers, weiyng xvjxx iij. unces.
Item, a flat pece, playne, of silver, weiyng xvj. unces.
Item, a quart pot, of silver, with gilt verges, weiyng xxvj. unces.
Item, an holowe basyn, of silver, weiyng xxviij. unces.
Summa unciarum de auro, xxiij. unc‘; et de argento,
DCClxx. unc’.

Item, ij. stondyng cuppes, gilt, of oon sorte, iche weiyng xxiiij.
unces—lxviij. unces.

Item, vj. gobelettes, uncovered, weiyng xxiij. unces et di.
Item, j. layer, weiyng xxiiij. unces.
Item, j. saltsaler, gilt, weiyng xxxiiij. unces.
Item, ij. lesse chargeours, weiyng lxx. unces.
Item, v. platers, not sortely, parcell of ix. platers, weiyng in all
xxx ix. unces; so iche plater weyeth by estymacion xxiij.
unces. So the weight of v. platers, Cxv. unces.
Summa, CCCxxxiiij. unces di.

Item, j. saltsaler, gilt, with a cover, weiyng xxxj. unces.
Item, iiij. peces, gilt, with ij. coveres, weiyng lxxiiij. unces.
Item, vj. Parys cuppes, of silver, of the Monethes, with lowe
fete, the bordures gilt, weiyng iiijxx x. unces.
Item, j. white stondyng cuppe, with a cover of silver, weiyng
xij. unces di.
Item, j. knoppe, for a covere, gilt, weiyng j. unce.
Item, j. flagon, of silver and gilt, accordyng with the olde
inventarie, weiyng xxx xviij unces.
Item, anothir flagon, of the same sorte and of the same weight,
xxx xviij. unces.
Summa, DCxliiij. unces di.

Item, j. paire of olde flagons, iij. pyntes, fayleth j. stopell,
weiyng iiijxx x. unces.
Item, j. grete sawser, weiyng vj. unces di.
Item, ij. olde cruettes, weiyng vj. unces.

[From Add. Charter 17,247, B.M.] The MS. from which
166.1

this document is printed is a roll which appears to have been
at one time in the possession of Blomefield, the historian of
Norfolk. At the end is the following note in his handwriting:
— ‘March 7, 1743.—A true coppy of this roll given to Sr.
Andr. Fountain, Kt., by me, Fra. Blomefield.’

168.1 Sir Robert Harling of East Harling, in Norfolk, was a
companion in arms of Fastolf, and was killed at Paris in
1435.
169.1 The round cakes or wafers intended for consecration in

the Eucharist.
172.1 A small tablet with a representation of the Crucifixion on

it, presented to be kissed during the mass.
172.2 Blank in MS.

173.1 An instrument in the form of a staff, with balls or

crockets, used for weighing, before scales were employed for
that purpose.
173.2 The word ‘beyng’ in these two places seems to have been

altered to ‘weyng,’ which was unnecessary.

Item, j. brode pryket, all gilt, weiyng xlv. unces.
Summa, Ml iiijx xij. unces.
final . missing or invisible in both
Item, ij. cruettes, oon lakkyng a lydde, weiyng viij.
unces.
text has “weiyhg”
Item, j. paire ewers
. after “j.” invisible

389
SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S WARDROBE 174.1

Memorandum.