Part 10
1470, 24 Dec., 49 Hen. VI., ‘and of the readepcione of his royall power, the first.’ Acknowledgment by ‘the highe and myghti Prynce, John, Duke of Norff.,’ of the receipt of 100 marks from the Bishop of Winchester, being part of 250 marks which the said Bishop has promised to pay upon knowledge of the delivery of the manor of Castre, and other lordships specified in a writing between the said parties, unto the feoffees of the said Bishop.
[Footnote 92-2: This abstract is from the same report as the two last.]
766
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[93-1]
_To John Paston the yonger, be this delivered in hast._
[Sidenote: 1470(?) / DEC. [28]]
I grete you wele, and send you Godds blyssyng and myn, latyng you wete that sith ye departed my Cosyn Calthorp sent me a letter, compleyning in his wrytyng that for asmych as he can not be payd of his tenaunts as he hat be befor this tyme, he purposith to lesse his howshold, and to leve the streytlyer. Wharfor he desireth me to purvey for your suster Anne; he seth she waxeth hygh, and it wer tyme to purvey her a mariage.
I marveyll what causeth hym to write so now; outher she hath displeased hym, or ell[es] he hath takyn her with diffaught. Therfor I pray you comune with my Cosyn Clere at London, and wete how he is dysposyd to her ward, and send me word, for I shall be fayn to send for her, and with me she shall but lese her tyme, and with ought she wull be the better occupied she shall oftyn tymes meve me, and put me in gret inquietenesse. Remembr what labour I had with your suster, therfor do your parte to help her forth, that may be to your wurchiep and myn.
Item, remembr the bill that I spake to you of, to gete of your brother of such money as he hath receyvid of me sith your faders disseas. Se your Unkyll Mautby, if ye may, and send me sume tydyngs as sonee as ye may. God kepe you.
Wretyn the Fryday next befor Sent Thomas of Caunterbury, in hast.
By your Moder.
[Footnote 93-1: [From Fenn, iv. 288.] This letter was probably written in or about the year 1470. Anne Paston, the sister of John Paston, here mentioned, was married to William Yelverton, a grandson of the Judge, in 1474 (Itin. W. Wyrc. 369), and the match had been already determined (as will appear in a future letter) before June 1472. At the date of this letter she was still staying in Calthorpe’s household, into which, after the manner of the times, she had been sent for her education; and Calthorpe desiring to reduce his establishment, suggested, somewhat earlier than her mother anticipated, that it was time to provide a husband for her.]
767
ABSTRACT[94-1]
[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 12]
Norfolk and Suffolk Deeds, No. 50. ‘John Paston, Knight, binds himself to performe all appoyntments made betweene him and W. Wanflet, Byshop of Winton, concerning certayne landes which were Sir John Fastolfes. Feb. 12, Hen. VI. 49.’
[Footnote 94-1: [From MS. Index in Magd. Coll., Oxford.]]
768
ABSTRACT[94-2]
[Sidenote: 1471 / FEB. 14]
Release by John Beauchamp, Knight, Lord Beauchamp, to John Paston and Roger Townesend, Esqs., of his interest in the manors of Castre called Redhams, Vaus, and Bosoms; and in the manors of Begviles in Wyntirton, Spensers in Heryngby, Reppes in Bastwyk, and a third part of the manor of Runham; and in all lands called Billes in Stokesby, Cattes in Haringby, a messuage called Dengayns in Yarmouth, and all lands and tenements in the hundreds of East Flegge and West Flegge in Norfolk; which premises Lord Beauchamp lately had in conjunction with Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, William Yelverton, Justice, William Jenney, Serjeant-at-law, and William Paston, now surviving, and John Radclyff of Attylburgh, John Paston, Hen. Fylongley, Esqs., Thomas Howes, clerk, and Thomas Grene, now deceased, of the gift and feoffment of Ralph Boteler, Knight, Lord Sudeley, Sir William Oldhall, Ric. Waller, Esq., Thos. West, Esq., William Wangford, and Nich. Girlyngton.
Dated 14th Feb., 49 and 1 Hen. VI.
[Footnote 94-2: [From a MS. in the Bodleian Library.]]
769
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO THOMAS VERE[94-3]
_To my right dere and welbeloved brother, Thomas Veer._
[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 14]
Right dere and welbeloved brother, I command me hertly unto you; certyfying you that I have receyved your writing, directed now laste unto me, by my servant William Cooke, by which I understande the faithfull gwydyng and disposicion of the cuntre, to my gret cumfote and pleaser; which I dowbte not shall redunde to the grethest presyng and worship that ever dide till eny cuntre; certyfying you ferdermore that by Nicheson of your other tydyngs laste send unto me; also thes by Robt. Porter. I have disposed me with all the power that I can make in Essex and Suffolk, Cambrygeshire, and other places, to be on Monday next comyng at Bury, which purpose I intende to observe, with Godds grace, towards you in to Norffolk, to the assistence of you and the cuntre, in case Edwarde with his companye had aryved ther, and yete I shall do the same noughtwithstandyng; for if he aryve northwarde, like as ye wete by likelyhode he shulde, I caste to folow and porsew hym. And where ye desire that I shulde send you woorde what disposicion shalbe take in the cuntre wher ye be, I desire you that ye, by theadvyse of the gentilmen which ben there, chese iij. or iiij., and send theym to me at Bury on Monday next; and than I and they, with my Counceyle, shall take a direccion for the suretie of all that cuntre, by Godds grace; by whome I shall send than to you relacion, wheder ye shall remayne still ther your selff, or resorte to me with all thos that be accompanyed with you. And Jhesu preserve you. At Hithingham [_Hedingham_], the xiiij. day of Marche.
By your lovyng brothyr,
OXYNFORD.
[Footnote 94-3: [From Fenn, ii. 54.] It is sufficiently apparent from the contents that this was written during the restoration of Henry VI., and in anticipation of the attempt by King Edward, which was very soon afterwards successful, to recover his throne. Edward in fact landed at Ravenspur the very day this letter was written.]
770
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO HENRY SPILMAN AND OTHERS[95-1]
_To my right trusty and welbelovyd Henry Spilman, Thos. Seyve, John Seyve, James Radclif, John Brampton the older, and to eche of them._
[Sidenote: 1471 / MARCH 19]
Trusty and welbeloved, I comende me to you, lettyng you witte that I have credible tydyngs that the Kyngs gret enemys and rebellis, acompanyed with enemys estraungers, be nowe aryved, and landyd in the north parties of this his land, to the utter destruction of his roiall persone, and subversion of all his realm, if they myght atayne; whom to encountre and resiste the Kings Highnesse hath comaunded and assigned me, under his seall, sufficient power and auctorite to call, reyse, gader, and assemble, fro tyme to tyme, all his liege people of the shire of Norff., and other places, to assiste, ayde, and strenght me in the same entent.
Wherfor, in the Kyngs name, and by auctorite aforesaid, I straitly charge and command you, and in my owne byhalf hertly desire and pray you, that, all excuses leid apart, ye, and eche of you in your owne persones defensibly araied, with asmony men as ye may goodly make, be on Fryday next comyng at Lynne, and so forth to Newark, where, with the leve of God, I shall not faile to be at that tyme; entendyng fro thence to goo foorth with the help of God, you, and my fryndes, to the recountr of the said enemyes; and that ye faill not hereof, as ye tendre the weele of our said sovereygne Lord, and all this his realme. Written at Bury, the xix^th day of Marche.
OXYNFORD.
[Footnote 95-1: [From Fenn, ii. 58.] This letter was evidently written five days after the last.]
771
JAMES GRESHAM TO SIR JOHN PASTON[96-1]
_To the right worshipfull and speciall singler maister, Sir John Paston, Knyght, be this delyvered._
[Sidenote: 1471]
After due recomendacion hadde with all my service, &c. . . . . . .[96-2]
As for tydyngs, here in this cuntre be many tales, and non accorth with other. It is tolde me by the Undirshireve that my Lord of Clarence is goon to his brother, late Kyng; in so moche that his men have the Gorget[96-3] on their breests, and the Rose over it. And it is seid that the Lord Howard hath proclamed Kyng E. Kyng of Inglond in Suff., &c.
Yours, and at your comandement,
JAMES GRESHAM.
[Footnote 96-1: [From Fenn, ii. 60.] The political news in this letter show that it was written after the landing of Edward IV. in Yorkshire.]
[Footnote 96-2: ‘Here,’ according to Fenn, ‘follow copies of indictments and appeals procured against Sir John Paston and his servants; and likewise other law business.’ The indictments and appeals in question are doubtless those referred to in the next No.]
[Footnote 96-3: A collar worn round the neck.--F.]
772
ABSTRACT[97-1]
A Register of Writs, etc., which was probably sent with the preceding letter. It is addressed on the back, ‘To Sir John Paston,’ and endorsed ‘James Gresham.’
* * *
_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston, late of Castre, for his appearance in the King’s Bench, Easter, 8 Edw. IV. ‘Per Contr. de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij.[97-2] Vynter.’
_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, late of Castre, with _capias_ against William Wykes, late of Castre; Edmund Brome, late of Redeham; and John Dawebeney, late of Castre; Thurstan Cokesson, _alias_ Starky, late of Castre; John Pampyng, late of Castre; and Henry Swete, late of Castre, yeoman, for their appearance in the King’s Bench in Easter to answer for offences against the statute _de ingressibus manu forti_. ‘Per Contr’ de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.’
‘Of these ij. writtes ar _supersedeas_ delyvered to the Undirshirreve.’
Writ of exigent against John Pampyng, late of Castre, gent., and Edmund Brome of Castre, gent., ‘Oct’ Joh’is,’ appealed by Cecilia, widow of John Colman, as principals in the death of her husband. Ro. 67. ‘Breve istud deliberatur de recordo, Hill. xlix. Sonde.’
Another writ of exigent against Pampyng and Brome at the King’s suit for divers felonies and murders. ‘Ro. xvj. Per Contr’ de Anno x^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xij^o Vynter.’
_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle for their appearance in the King’s Bench in Easter term, on an indictment for forcible entry. ‘Per Contr’ de Anno viij^o E. iiij^{ti}. Ro. xxix.’
_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ against John Wykes, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and Thurstan Cokesson, _alias_ Starky, late of Castre, for their appearance in the King’s Bench in Easter term, on an indictment of forcible entry. ‘Per Contr’ de Anno viij. E. iiij^ti. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.’
_Distringas_ against Sir John Paston and Ric. Calle, with _capias_ against John Wykes, Edmund Brome, John Dawebeney, and Thurstan, etc., for Easter. ‘Per Contr. de Anno viij. Ro. xxviij. Vynter.’
_Capias_ against John Pampyng, late of Castre, Edmund Brome, late of Redeham, William Bedford and Edmund Mason, late of Bychamwelle, laborer, and Alex. Cok of Norwich, yeoman, ‘xv. Pasch.,’ appealed by Christiana, widow of Thos. Mylys, in Easter term, as principals in the death of her husband. Also _capias_ against William Paston of Norwich and Ralph Lovell of Bychamwelle, gent., appealed as accessaries. Ro. lxix. Registrum Sonde.’
⁂ All the above writs are for the county of Norfolk.
[Footnote 97-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]
[Footnote 97-2: The Controlment Roll 8 Edw. IV. is now missing.]
773
ABSTRACT[98-1]
[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 10]
‘30. Relaxatio Johannis Paston facta episc. Winton, et aliis totius juris in maneriis vocat. Akethorp in Leyestoft, Spitlings in Gorleston, Habland in Bradwell, etc., quæ quondam fuerunt Johannis Fastolf.--April 10, Edw. IV. 11.’
[Footnote 98-1: This is another entry from the old index of deeds in Magdalen College, Oxford. There is probably some slight error in the date, as Edward IV. was not acknowledged as King on the 10th April, in what would otherwise have been the eleventh year of his reign. He was so acknowledged a few days later--_i.e._ after the battle of Barnet, which was fought on the 14th April--so that if the date had been, say, April 20, instead of April 10, it would have been quite consistent. It is impossible, however, to say where the error lies, so we place the document under the date actually expressed in it.]
THE PASTON LETTERS
_Edward IV._
774
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[99-1]
_To my Moodre._
[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 18]
Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette that, blyssed be God, my brother John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. Never the lesse he is hurt with an arow on hys ryght arme, be nethe the elbow; and I have sent hym a serjon, whyche hathe dressid hym, and he tellythe me that he trustythe that he schall be all holl with in ryght schort tyme. It is so that John Mylsent is ded, God have mercy on hys sowle! and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe, and hys other servants all be askepyd by all lyklihod.
Item, as ffor me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God; and in no joparte off my lyffe, as me lyst my self; for I am at my lyberte iff nede bee.
Item, my Lorde Archebysshop[99-2] is in the Towr; neverthelesse I trust to God that he schall do well i noghe; he hathe a saffe garde for hym and me bothe. Neverthelesse we have ben troblyd syns, but nowe I undrestande that he hathe a pardon; and so we hope well.
Ther was kyllyd uppon the ffelde, halffe a myle ffrom Bernett, on Esterne Daye, the Erle of Warwyk, the Marqweys Montacu, Sir William Terrell,[100-1] Sir Lewes Johns, and dyverse other Esquiers off owr contre, Godmerston and Bothe.
And on the Kynge Edwardes partye, the Lord Cromwell,[100-2] the Lord Saye,[100-3] Sir Omffrey Bowghsher[100-4] off owr contre, whyche is a sore moonyd man her, and other peple off bothe partyes to the nombre off mor then a m^l.
As for other tythynges, is undrestande her that the Qwyen Margrett is verrely londyd and hyr sone in the west contre, and I trow that as to morow, or ellys the next daye, the Kynge Edwarde wyll depart ffrom hense to hyr warde, to dryve her owt ageyn.
Item, I beseche yow that I may be recomendyd to my cosyn Lomner, and to thanke hym ffor hys goode wyll to me wardes, iff I had hadde nede, as I undrestoode by the berer heroff; and I beseche you on my behalve to advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng or langage as yit, ffor the worlde, I ensur yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall know with in thys monthe; the peple heer feerythe it soor.
God hathe schewyd Hym selffe marvelouslye lyke Hym that made all, and can undoo ageyn whan Hym lyst; and I kan thynke that by all lyklyod schall schewe Hym sylff as mervylous ageyn, and that in schort tyme; and, as I suppose, offter than onys in casis lyke.
Item, it is soo that my brother is on purveyed off monye. I have holpyn hym to my power and above. Wherffor as it pleasythe yow remembre hym, ffor kan not purveye ffor my selffe in the same case.
Wretyn at London the thorysdaye in Esterne weke. I hope hastely to see yow.
All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye not adoghtyd off the worlde, ffor I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe, I ame not all undon, nor noon off us; and iff otherwyse, then, &c. &c.
[Footnote 99-1: [From Fenn, ii. 62.] This letter, as shown by the contents, was written just four days after the battle of Barnet, by which Edward IV. recovered his throne. It is not signed, but the writer is Sir John Paston.]
[Footnote 99-2: George Neville, Archbishop of York. It was from the custody of this prelate that Edward escaped, after having been surprised and taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick, in 1470: perhaps the kind treatment of his then prisoner now procured his pardon.--F.]
[Footnote 100-1: Sir William Tyrell was cousin to Sir James Tyrell, the afterwards supposed murderer of Edward V. and his brother the Duke of York.--F.]
[Footnote 100-2: Humphrey Bourchier, third son of Henry, Earl of Essex, had summons to Parliament, in 1461, as Lord Cromwell, in right of his wife.--F.]
[Footnote 100-3: William Fienes, Lord Say.]
[Footnote 100-4: Son of John, Lord Berners.]
775
[THE EARL OF OXFORD] TO A LADY[101-1]
_To the ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady._[101-2]
[Sidenote: 1471]
Ryght reverent and wyrchypfull Lady, I recomande me to yow, lettyng yow wete that I am in gret hevynes at the makyng of thys letter; but thankyd be God, I am eschapyd my selfe, and sodenly departyd fro my men; for I undyrstand my chapleyn wold have detrayed me; and if he com in to the contre, let hym be mad seuer, &c. Also ye shall gyff credence to the brynger of thys letter, and I beseke yow to reward hym to hys costs; for I was not in power at the makyng of thys letter to gyff hym, but as I wass put in trest by favar of strange pepyll, &c.
Also ye shall send me in all hast all the redi money that ye can make, and asse mone of my men asse can com well horsyd; and that they cum in dyverse parcellys. Also that my horsse be sent, with my stele sadelles; and byd the yoman of the horse cover theym with ledder. Also ye shall send to my moder,[101-3] and let hyr wete of thys letter, and pray hyr of hyr blessyng, and byd hyr send me my kasket, by thys tokyn; that she hathe the key theroff, but it is brokyn.
Also ye shall send to the Pryor of Thetford,[101-4] and byd hym send me the sum of gold that he seyd that I schuld have. Also sey to hym by thys token, that I schewyd hym the fyrst Prive Seale, &c. Also lete Pastun, Fylbryg, Brews, come to me. Also ye shall delyver the brynger of thys letter an horsse, sadell, and brydell. Also ye schallbe of gud cher, and take no thowght, for I schall brynge my purpose abowte now by the grace of God, Qwhome have yow in kepyng.
O . . . D (?).
[Footnote 101-1: [From Fenn, ii. 68.] The signature of this letter is composed of flourishes which were probably devised on purpose to make it unintelligible. Fenn suggests that the first character may be taken for an O, and the last for a D; but to our thinking the resemblance is rather difficult to trace. There is, however, great probability in his conjecture that the writer was the Earl of Oxford, and the date just after the battle of Barnet.]
[Footnote 101-2: Margaret, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, sister to the late Earl of Warwick, and wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford.--F.]
[Footnote 101-3: Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir John Howard, Knight, who was the grandfather of John Howard, first Duke of Norfolk of that name. She was now the widow of John de Vere, late Earl of Oxford.]
[Footnote 101-4: John Vescey, Prior of Thetford, from 1441 to 1479.--F.]
776
JOHN PASTON OF GELSTON TO MARGARET PASTON[102-1]
[Sidenote: 1471 / APRIL 30]
Aftyr humbyll and most dew recomendacyon, in as humbyll wyse as I can, I beseche you of your blyssyng, preying God to reward you with as myche plesyer and hertys ease as I have latward causyd you to have trowbyll and thowght; and, with Godys grace, it shall not be longe to or then my wronges and othyr menys shall be redressyd, for the world was nevyr so lyek to be owyrs as it is now; werfor I prey you let Lomnor no be to besy as yet. Modyr, I beseche you, and ye may spare eny money, that ye wyll do your almesse on me and send me some in as hasty wyse as is possybyll; for by my trowthe my leche crafte and fesyk, and rewardys to them that have kept me and condyt me to London, hathe cost me sythe Estern Day[102-2] more than v_li._, and now I haue neythyr met, drynk, clothys, lechecraft, ner money but up on borowyng; and I have asayid my frendys so ferre, that they be gyn to fayle now in my gretest ned that evyr I was in. Also, modyr, I beseche yow, and my horse that was at lechecraft at the Holt[102-3] be not takyn up for the Kynges hawkys,[102-4] that he may be had hom and kept in your plase, and not to go owght to watyr, nor no whedyr ellys, but that the gat be shet, and he to be chasyd aftyr watyr within your plase, and that he have as myche met as he may ete; I have hey i new of myn owne, and as for otys, Dollys will purvey for hym, or who that dothe it I wyll paye. And I beseche yow that he have every wek iij. boshell of otys, and every day a penyworthe of bred; and if Botoner be not at Norwyche, and Syme kep hym, I shall geve hym well for hys labore. Also that Phelypp Loveday put the othyr horse to gresse ther, as he and I wer acordyd.
Item, that Botoner send me hyddyr the two shyrtys that wer in my casket, and that he send me hydyr xl_s._ by the next messenger that comyth to London.
Item, that Mastress Broom send me hedyr iij. longe gownys and ij. doblettes, and a jaket of plonket chamlett, and a morey bonet out of my cofyr. Sir Jamys hathe the key, as I sent hyr werd be for thys.
Item, that syche othyr wryghtynges and stuff as was in my kasket be in your kepyng, and that no body look my wryghtynges.
Item, that the horse that Purdy hathe of myne be put to some good gresse in haste; and if it plese yow to have knowlage of our royal person, I thank God I am hole of my syknesse, and trust to be clene hole of all my hurttys within a sevennyght at the ferthest, by wyche tym I trust to have othyr tydynges; and those tydynges onys had, I trust not to be longe owght of Norffolk, with Godys grace, Whom I beseche preserve you and your for my part.
Wretyn the last day of Apryll. The berer herof can tell you tydynges, syche as be trew for very serteyn.
Your humbylest servaunt,
J. OF GELSTON.
[Footnote 102-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter was printed by Fenn in his fifth volume, of which the original MSS. are now recovered. It was evidently written in April 1471, when the writer was recovering from the wound he had received at the battle of Barnet (_see_ No. 774). It is not addressed, but is endorsed in a later hand, ‘Litera Johannis Paston armigeri matri suæ.’]
[Footnote 102-2: The battle of Barnet was fought on Easter Day, 14th April 1471.]
[Footnote 102-3: A pasture so called, and means the groves, or lands full of wood.--F.]
[Footnote 102-4: This may signify, in jocular language, if he be not dead.--F.]
[[Footnote 102-1 ... (_see_ No. 774). _closing parenthesis missing_]]
777
THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY[104-1]
_Ded in the Feld._
[Sidenote: 1471 / MAY 4]