jackets, murrey and tawney, and that it please you some of my fellowship may speak to one of the drapers for to ordain it against his coming home, for I trow it shall be this day sev'night ere he cometh home. Item, Sir, if please you Scrope hath sent to you to London by Bingham for the money that ye know of; yet I spake not with him, but I shall tell him that I suppose ye will be here in the last end of the term, and I shall send your mastership word what answer I have of him. Item, Sir, if please, such tidings as I hear of I send you word, my Lord of Warwick hath been in Scotland and taken a castle of the Scots, and upon this there came the Queen of Scots with other lords of her country, as ye shall hear the names, in basetry (in embassy) to my said Lord of Warwick, and a truce is taken betwixt this and Saint Bartholomew's day in August: these is the last tidings that I know. No more to your good mastership at this time, but Jesu have (you) in keeping. Written on the Saturday next after Saint Peter. By your poor servant, Saint Peter, J. DAUBENEY. Saturday, 2d of July, 1463. 3 E. IV. LETTER CCXVIII-(XLI. vol. iv. p. 145.) We have in this letter a further account of the proceedings relative to the commanding, manning and victualling of the barge of Yarmouth, and the means made use of to procure the different stores to fit her for her voyage, &c. To my master John Paston, the younger, be this delivered. SIR, I have received your letter, wherein I understand that my master desired that my master your brother might have the guiding and governance of the barge of Yarmouth; as to that, and (if) men of Yarmouth had known my master's intent a fortnight ago he had been sure of it, but now it is so that Debenham hath a commission of the king, expressed only for that ship named in his commission, and he hath been here at Yarmouth, and spoken with the bailiffs and with the owners of the said ship, and taken such a direction that they may grant it no man but him; and moreover he hath indented with the owners of the ship what day it shall be ready as well victualled as manned; and also he hath brought down letters from my Lord Treasurer to all persons,* 1 Dark red or purple, and yellowish colour. 4 2 This relates to the transactions in the north during the year 1463, when the Earl of Warwick commanded there after Edward's return to London, who was now attentive to the designs of France respecting Henry and Margaret. and gentlemen in this country to help him and assist him to victual and man the said ship, and his men is here daily, and goeth about and gathereth wheat, malt, money, and whatsoever any man will give, &c. The blessed Trinity preserve you. Written at Caister, the Friday next after I received your letter. Item, it is talked here that my master your brother and Debenham were at words at London, and that Debenham should have stricken him had not Howard a been (have been), &c. whereof I am right sorry, &c. nevertheless I trust to God all shall be well. Your servant, RICHARD CALLE. Caister, Friday, July 1463. 3 E. IV. 3 Mary, daughter of Arnold, Duke of Gueldres, and mother to James III. king of Scotland. She was a woman of heroic valour, and took an active part in the government with the regents during the minority of her son. She died during this year. In original, p'os;. Fenn translates it priors.] LETTER CCXIX.-(XLII. vol. iv. p. 117.) We see in this letter the hold which the clergy had on the laity for any omissions in payment of what was due to the church; the danger of Sir John Paston's soul is gently touched upon, and the fears for the peace of that of Sir John Fastolf is ingeniously introduced. From the account in this letter the arrears were of so considerable standing that Sir John Paston's memory seemed to want a little refreshing, and the bringer of this letter appears to have received his instructions accordingly. The Abbey of Langley was founded in the time of Richard I. about the year 1198. Nicholas occurs abbot in 1428 and 1463, and Nicholas Wamerton in 1467 and 1474; it was most probably the first Nicholas who was the writer of this letter, as Wamertou can scarcely be supposed to have been the abbot so early as 1428, unless he lived to a very old age. [But he might have become abbot in 1463.] To the right worshipful Sir John RIGHT worshipful Sir, and tenderly beloved in our Lord God, I commend me to you, sending you knowing (knowledge) that I did your errand to my brother the parson of Blofield on Wednesday was se'nnight, after the understanding that I had of you and from you by this bringer, which man I felt right well and favourably disposed to you ward, and more favourably will be than to any other gentleman living, the will of the dead performed, and his conscience saved; and more things said favourably for you, which I entitled in a scroll to have certified to your servant Calle, if he had come as ye sent me word he should have done, and should as ye behested [appointed]1 me, have brought me our farm for Heylesdon, which not done causeth me to write, praying your gentleness that I send no more therefore, for it is unpaid for the year afore the Hallowmass that my Langley, Sunday, 4th of September, 1463. 3 E. IV. Paston, knight, be this delivered. master Falstolf died, and for the same year that he died in, and since for two years, and five shillings unpaid of a year, and come Michaelmas next shall be another year unpaid, thus is four years unpaid and five shillings, and at Michaelmas next shall be five years and five shillings. This thus kept from holy church, that is, holy church's good, may not be without great peril of soul; where the peril is God knoweth. I pray God amend it, and give them grace that have his goods so to dispose them, that they and the dead both may be out of peril, and the Trinity have you in his merciful keeping. Written at Langley, on Sunday at even late, next after Saint John's day (the) decollation, (29th of August). By your well-will and [willer], ZB2 you We le wy Cland LETTER CCXX.-(XVII. vol. i. p. 273.) We have in this letter a most accurate and interesting account of the noblemen and others, employed in the sieges of three castles on the eastern shore of the county of Northumberland, taken by Queen Margaret, and now in the possession of the adherents and friends of Henry VI. We are informed whence they received their victuals and ordnance, and of the soldier-like care and attention of the Earl of Warwick, who commanded the forces of King Edward. We may here observe that though the troops were hired for a certain time, yet though that time was expired, they durst not leave the camp and return home; for if they did even get away by stealth, yet if discovered and taken they would be severely punished. Others who had not obeyed the king's orders, and attended him in person, would likewise suffer severely, unless they made proper excuses for their absence; and the writer of this letter kindly offers his services, from his connexion with men of consequence about the king, to have their excuses admitted. We here also see who were most in the royal favour. These sieges were undertaken, our historians say, soon after the battle of Hexham, which was [Fenn translates-promised.] fought and won on the 15th of May, 1463, by King Edward, but according to this account they were not undertaken till near eight months after. The castles of Bamborough and Dunstanborough were soon taken; but that of Alnwick, being relieved by the Scots, the garrison marched out, probably by treaty. To my right worshipful brother, John Paston, the elder son of John Paston, Esq., be this delivered in haste. RIGHT worshipful brother I recommend me to you; please it you to weet, that as this day we had tidings here that the Scots will come into England within seven days after the writing of this letter, for to rescue these three castles, Alnwick, Dunstanborough, and Bamborough, which castles were besieged as on yesterday; and at the siege of Alnwick lieth my Lord of Kent 2 and the Lord Scales, and at Dunstanborough castle lieth the Earl of Worcester and Sir Ralph Grey, and at the castle of Bamborough lieth the Lord Montague and the Lord Ogle, and other divers lords and gentlemen that I know not; and there is to them out of Newcastle ordnance I know, both for the sieges and for the field, in case that there be any field taken, as I trow there shall none be not yet, for the Scots keep no promise. My Lord of Warwick lieth at the castle of Warkworth, but three miles out of Alnwick, and he rideth daily to all these castles for to oversee the sieges; and if they want victuals, or any other thing, he is ready for to purvey it for them to his power. The king commanded my Lord of Norfolk for to conduct victuals and the ordnance out of Newcastle unto Warkworth castle, to my Lord of Warwick; and so my Lord of Norfolk commanded Sir John Howard,3 Sir William Peche, Sir Robert Chamberlayne, Ralph Asheton, and me, Calthorp, and Gorge, and others, for to go forth with the victuals and ordnance unto my Lord of Warwick, and so we were with my Lord of Warwick with the victuals and ordnance as yesterday. The king lieth at Durham, and my Lord of Norfolk at Newcastle; we have people enough here. In case we abide here, I pray you purvey that I may have here more money by Christmas eve at the farthest, for I may get leave for to send none of my waged men home again; no man can get no leave for to [Fenn in error prints how.] 2 William Nevile, Lord Falconbridge, now Farl of Kent. 3 Sir John Howard, afterwards the first Duke of Norfolk of that name. go home but if they steal away, and if they might be known they shall be sharply punished. Make as merry as ye can, for there is no jeopardy towards not yet, and there be any jeopardy I shall soon send you word by the grace of God. I wot well ye have more tidings than we have here, but these be true tidings. Yelverton and Jenney are like for to be greatly punished, for because they came not hither to the king; they are morkyn (marked) well I know, and so is John Byllingforth and Thomas Playters, wherefore I am right sorry. I pray you let them have weeting thereof, that they may purvey their excuse in haste, so that the king may have knowledge why that they came not to him in their own persons. Let them come, or send their excuse to me in writing, and I shall purvey that the king shall have knowledge of their excuse; for I am well acquainted with my Lord Hastings, and my Lord Dacres," which be now greatest about the king's person; and also I am well acquainted with the younger Mortymer, Ferrers, Hawte, Harpur, Crowmer, and Bosewell, of the king's house. I pray you let my grandam and my cousin Clere have knowledge how that I desired you to let them have knowledge of the tidings in this letter, for I promised for to send them tidings. I pray you let my mother have knowledge how that I, and my fellowship, and your servants, are at the writing of this letter in good hell (health), blessed be God. I pray you let my father have knowledge of this letter, and of the other letter that I sent to my mother by Felbrigg's man; and how that I pray both him and my mother lowly of their blessings. I pray you that you will send me some letter how ye do, and of your tidings with you, for I think long that I hear no word from my mother and you. I pray you that this bill may recommend 4 William Lord Hastings, beheaded in 1483. 5 Richard Fines, Lord Dacre. It appears from this letter, which contains many curious particulars, that the king interested himself in the election for the county of Norfolk, in behalf of those candidates who were recommended by the Duke of Suffolk. This parliament was summoned to meet in January 1463-4, and it appears that Paston, Berney, and Heydon, were the candidates, though Paston did not intend to be present, as his wife was to give him the earliest intelligence of what passed. To my right worshipful husband, John RIGHT worshipful husband, I recommend me to you; please you to weet that I received a letter from you on the Sunday next after Twelfth day, which was sent by a priest of St. Gregory's parish of Norwich; and whereas ye marvelled I sent you no writings of such letters as ye sent me before, I sent you an answer of the substance of such matters as ye have written of to me before (by Playters), the which he told me a [he] sent them to you to London. And as touching the errands that ye sent to me for to do to Richard Calle, I have done as ye commanded me to do, and called upon him, therefore, both before your writing and sithen (since); he therefore have none excuse for default of leisure, for he hath been but right little here since ye departed hence; he is out at this time, and when that he cometh home I shall make him make you a clear bill of the receipt of your livelihood, and Fastolf's both; and I shall send you a clear bill of my receipts, and also of my payments out thereof again; and as for such errands that should be done to Sir Thomas Howes, I have showed Richard Calle your writing, and told him your intent, as for such things as ye would he should say to him on his own head. Also I have done your errands to my mother and to my cousin Clere after your writing. Item, Paston, be this letter delivered in haste. I have spoken to John Adam and to Playters of your intent of the last bill that ye sent me, and they say they will do after your intent as much as they may, and ye shall have an answer thereof in haste. Item, Sir Robert Conyers dined with me this day, and showed me a letter that came from the king to him, desiring him that he should await upon his well-beloved brother the Duke of Suffolk, at Norwich, on Monday next coming, for to be at the election of knights of the shire; and he told me that every gentlemen of Norfolk and Suffolk that are of any reputation hath writing from the king in likewise as he had. I feel him by his saying, that he is right well disposed to you ward; he saith there shall no man make him to be against you in no matter. Skipwith shall tell you such tidings as beeth in this country, and of Thomas Gorney 1 and of 1 1 There was at this time a Thomas Gurney, Esq., of Norwich, who had married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Jernegan, of Somerleyton, and who died in 1471, but it does not appear to have been him that is here mentioned. The following extract from one of these old letters from Thomas Playters to John Paston, Esq., explains the crime committed by this person and his servant (Jan. 1463-4. 3 E. IV.). "Please yor maistrship wete, that as for my Lord of Norwich cosyn's deth, Thomas Gurnay's man hath confessed that he slewe hym by comaundmět of his his man; himself is clerk convict, and his man is hanged; ye shall hear hereafter what they and others were purposed to have done to their master. I thank you heartily of your writing to me before that John Paston came home, for God knoweth I thought right long till I heard from you; I shall send word in writing of such tidings as we have here on Monday in haste. Dawbeney desireth to weet what time that it please you that he should come again to you. My mother and many other folks maketh much of your son John, the elder, and (are) right glad of his coming home, and liketh right well his demeaning. Heydon's son1 hath borne out the side stoutly here this Christmas, and when that he rideth he hath four or five men with him in a clothing [livery]; but he hath but little favour in this country but if (unless) it be of the bishop2 and of the prior of Norwich; the said prior hath granted him the stewardship that his father had.....he Norwich, Your MARGARET PASTON.7 Wednesday, 18th January, LETTER CCXXII.—(XLIV. vol. iv. p. 157.) The king at this time was using every means to make himself popular, and for that purpose intended visiting different parts of the kingdom. To my right worshipful master, John Paston, at Caister, in Norfolk. AFTER due recommendation had, please it your mastership to weet that this day the plea between Ogan and you was sore (much) argued in the King's Bench by your counsel in letting [resisting] of the judgment, and tomorrow have they day to argue again. And for lack of copies of the plea I am fain to sue maistr, and confessed ovr, that ye same dager he slewe hym wyth he kest (cast) it in a sege, whiche is founden and taken up al to bowyd (bent together), for he cowde not breke it, and in prson is bothe he and his maistr." The same letter then goes on, and says, "Also on Thursday next aftr. Cristemasse was a man slayn by whom no man woot, nor what he is that was slayn, no man knowe, his face is so mangled." ["Clerk convict" means that he had been convicted, but had claimed benefit of clergy as being able to read; the master's life was thus spared and the man was hung.] 1 This must be Henry, son of John Heydon, Esq., recorder of Norwich. 2 Walter Lyhert [or Hart], bishop from 1445 to for new copies thereof for your counsel; your counsel hopeth to do well therein; these argued for you, Greenfield, Catesby, Pygot, Nottingham, and Starky, &c.; and yesterday was the matter between Debenham and you called by Jenney for an answer. I have spoken unto Catesby, and delivered him your by marrying Ela, daughter and heir of William de Narborough. 5 Bald batts seem to mean here ball batts, or batts to play at ball with. 6 Clot shoen, clouted shoes-shoes shod with thin plates of iron. 7A part of the original letter is torn off, which makes it defective in two or three sentences [these have been supplied in some cases by Fenn by the words in italic]. 8 I have given this letter as containing several law matters, and the names of many eminent lawyers. John Greenfield, John Catesby, and Richard Pygot, were made sergeants in November, 1464. Catesby afterwards became a judge in 1482. In 1480 William Nottingham was Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and in 1484 was succeeded by Sir Humphrey Starkey. William Jenney was made a sergeant in 1464, and a justice of the King's Bench in 1478. |