lowly as ye can, beseeching him to be your good father; and send him such tidings as be in the country there ye beeth, and that ye ware [guard] of your expenses better and (than) ye have been before this time, and be your own purse-bearer; I trow ye shall find it most profitable to you.

I would ye should send me word how ye do, and how ye have shifted for yourself since ye departed hence, by some trusty man, and that your father have no knowledge thereof; I durst not let him know of the last letter that ye wrote to me, because he was so sore displeased with me at that time.

Item, I would ye should speak with Wykes, and know his disposition to Jane Walsham; she hath said since he departed hence but (unless) she might have him she would never (be) married, her heart is sore set on him; she told me that he said to her that there was no woman in the world he loved so well; I would not he should jape (deceive) her, for she meaneth good faith; and if he will not have her let me weet in haste, for I shall purvey for her in other wise.

As for your harness and gear that ye left

here, it is in Daubeney's keeping; it was never removed since your departing because that he had not the keys; trow it shall apeyer (grow worse) but if (unless) it be taken heed at betimes; your father knoweth not where it is.

I sent your grey horse to Ruston to the farrier, and he saith he shall never be nought to ride neither right good to plough nor to cart; he said he was splayed, and his shoulder rent from the body; I wot not what to do with him.

Your grandam would fain hear some tidings from you; it were well done that ye sent a letter to her how ye do as hastily as ye may, and God have you in his keeping, and make you a good man, and give you grace to do well as I would ye should do.

Written at Caister, the Tuesday next before Saint Edmund the king (20th of November). Your mother,

MARGARET PASTON.

I would ye should make much of the par son of Filby, the bearer hereof, and make him good cheer if ye may.

Caister, Tuesday, November,

between 1463 and 1466. 3 and 6 E. IV.

LETTER CCXXVIII.-(XLVIII. vol. iv. p. 173.)

It is very difficult to fix any date to this letter, as not only the writer of it, but the persons mentioned in it, are new to us. The injury sustained by T. Daverse from Pinchester is likewise inexplicable. Who is Lady Anne P.? and how are we to explain the expression "as white as whale's bone?" The mention of Ovid's works is curious, and the application humorous and witty. The subscription to this letter is T. D., which is explained by "T. Daverse" being written under the direction, I believe by the hand of the receiver. The family of Davers were of considerable standing in the county of Suffolk, and advanced to the dignity of baronet in 1682.

To my right good master, Sir John Paston, knight.

My right special good master, I recommend me to you, thanking you right heartily of your gentle letter late sent to me; and as to Pinchester's matter, &c. I would I were your nigh kinsman if it pleased God, and then should I know if it should grieve your heart as much as it doth other of my kin and friends to see me thus cowardly hurt by Pinchester causeless; and of mine intent in that matter William Rabbes shall tell you more; also I beseech you to recommend me to my lord's good grace, as to him whom of earthly estates next my duty I most love and dread, and that should he well know and it lay in my power, praying you heartily to declare (to)

his lordship such matter as William Rabbes shall inform you, and to send me my lord's

answer.

Also inasmuch as I understood by you that money should cause you conclusion in your matter this next term, and ye will be at London on Monday at night or Tuesday by noon, I trust that I have studied such a mean, that, upon surety as ye may make, to get you an hundred pounds or two hundred marks (1331. 68. 8d.) to be lent unto you for an half year, without any chevisance1 or loss of

1 [Chevisance-an agreement or composition, as an order set down between a creditor and his debtor. It seems here used for usury.]

goods by you, as William Rabbes shall tell you more, &c.

And as to Ovid De Arte Amandi,' I shall send him you the next week, for I have him not now ready; but me thinketh Ovid 'De Remedio' were more meet for you, but if (unless) ye purposed to fall hastily in my Lady Anne P.'s lap as white as whale's bone, &c. Ye be the best chooser of a gentlewoman that I know, &c.; and I pray you to recommend me to my Lord1 of Oxford, and to my good masters, Needham, Richmond, Chippenham,

Stavely, Bloxham, Stuard, and Ingulton in
special, and all other good masters and friends
in general, &c. And, Sir, Mistress Gaydade
recommend me (q. her) to you and said buss-
ing fare for charity, and she said (to) me she
would fain have a new fillet, &c.

Written at London the 29th day in January,
With heart and service,

Your THOMAS DAVERSE.

London, 29 January,
between 1463 and 1469.
3 and 9 E. IV.

LETTER CCXXIX.—(XLIX. vol. iv. p. 177.)

This letter was written in 1464, about the time that King Henry VI. was taken and committed to the Tower, an order having been issued in May for the subjects of this kingdom to take arms and attend King Edward. The Commission of Inquiry seems to relate to this order, which most probably was enforced for the more easy discovery of the unfortunate prince, who perhaps was by this time lodged in the Tower, as those gentlemen who had obeyed it were now dismissed and returned home.

To mine right worshipful husband, John Paston, be this delivered in haste.

RIGHT worshipful husband, I recommend me unto you; pleaseth you to weet that I sent yesterday Loveday to Norwich to speak with the vicar of Dereham 2 for the matter between Master Constantine and him, and he saith that as for that matter Master Constantine sued him for faith and truth breaking, and he sued Master Constantine in the temporal court upon an obligation of ten pounds; and there was made an appointment between them, by the advice of both their counsels, before Master Robert Popy, that each of them should release other, and so they did, and the sureties were withdrawn on both parties, and each of them acquittanced other and as for any copy of the plea he had never none, nor he, nor Master John Estgate, that was his attorney remembereth not that it was registered; and Master John Estgate saith, if it should be searched in the register it would take a fortnight's work, and yet peradventure never be

the nearer.

Sir Thomas Howes 3 hath been right busy this week at Blofield in writing and looking up of gear, and John Russe hath been with

[Fenn by mistake gives Lady.]

2 Constantine Dalby was instituted to the vicarage of East Dereham, in 1451, and was succeeded in 1456, by Robert Sheringham.

3 J. Paston and Thomas Howes had at this time disagreed about executorship of Sir J. Fastolf's will.

him there the most part of all this week, and this day was Robert Lynne there with him; what they have done 1 wot not, but I shall weet if I may.

It was told me that Sir Thomas desired of John Russe to make him a new inventory of Sir John Fastolf's goods; John Russe might not be spoken with yet for the letter that he should have written which ye sent me word of

Item, it is told that the Duke of Suffolk + is come home, and either he is dead, or else right sick, and not like to escape; and Sir John Howard is come home; and it is said that the Lord Scales and he have a commission to inquire why they of this country that were sent for came not hastilier up after they were sent for. It is reported that the king is greatly displeased therewith.

At the reverence of God arm yourself as mightily ye can against your enemies,5 for I know verily that they will do again you as mightily as they can with all their power.

It is told me that Sir Thomas shall come up in haste, and other such as he can make for his party.

Also for God's sake beware what medicines

4 John Duke of Suffolk did not die till 1491.

5 These may either mean those enemies which the affairs of Sir John Fastolf had caused him, or those which the national disputes had occasioned.

ye take of any physicians of London; 1 I shall never trust to them because of your father and mine uncle, whose souls God assoil!

The blessed Trinity have you in his keeping, and send you health and good speed in all your matters. Written in haste, on the Friday next before St. Barnabas.

By yours, MARGARET PASTON.

All the gentlemen of this country that went up to the king are countermanded, and are come home again. It is told me that Rous of Suffolk is dead;2 if John Gayn might have any release of his son, if it might do him ease, it were a good turn for him.

Friday, 8th June,
1464. 4 E. IV.

NUMBER CCXXX.-(L. vol. iv. p. 183.)

From this appointment of the king it appears that grants for foundations of religious establishments were made one mean of raising money for the service of the crown; and that the royal protection was likewise obtained by a present of money or plate. Whether the terms by which the king's favour was now to be procured were fulfilled by John Paston, or whether his majesty had any reasons for withdrawing his protection, does not appear, but in the following year the royal favour was forfeited, and J. Paston was a prisoner by the king's command. During this year the king was moving from place to place, and by condescension and affability acquiring popularity.

Appointment of the king for the foundation of a college at Caister, &c.

THE king, for the sum of 300 marks (2007.) of lawful money of England, or of silver plate to the value thereof, granteth to John Paston the elder, Esquire, to have licence lawfully made, to make and found a college of seven priests, and seven poor folk at Caister, in Flegg (hundred) in Norfolk, for the soul of Sir John Fastolf, knight; they to be endued with certain rent and otherwise, after the intent and effect as is specified in a bill thereof signed by the king; and that he shall show his good grace, favour, and assistance to have the said foundation enacted and authorized in the parliament next holden, and discharge the said John Paston and the said priests of any other fine or fee to be made in the Chancery for the said foundation, and that the king shall sign and grant warrants for said licence, and show his good grace and favour in the expedition thereof, what time he be sued to therefore by the said John Paston.

Also, the king granteth to be good and favourable lord to the said John Paston, and in especial in all things touching the execution of the will of the said Sir John Fastolf, and also to be good and favourable lord to the said John Paston in supporting and helping him in that the king's highness may lawfully do, in such matters as are in debate atwixt the said John Paston and William

1 How her father and her uncle had suffered from London physicians does not appear.

Yelverton, or William Jenney, or any other, concerning the lands and tenements, goods or chattels, that were the said Sir John Fastolf's; also the king granteth to help and support the said John Paston to obtain and have to the use of the said Sir John Fastolf, such goods as were the said Fastolf's, deceitfully aloyned (removed) out of the possession and knowledge of the said John Paston, and that the king shall grant the said John Paston such lawful writings and letters from the king, directed to such persons as shall be behoveful for the same, what time the said John Paston sueth to the king's highness therefore.

Also where Yelverton or Jenney, or any justice of the peace of the shire of Suffolk, hath recorded any riot, trespass, or offences to be done against the king's peace by the said John Paston, his servants, or tenants, or friends; or where any indictment or presentment is found against them, or any of them, before any of the said justices, for any such riot, offences, trespass, or for any other matter remaining of record in the King's Bench, or in any other place, the king granteth to the said John Paston, and all other persons named in the said records or indictments, or in any of them, and to all their boroughs (sureties) and pledges, and to each of them that will sue it,

2 Reginald Rous, Esq. of Dennington, in Suffolk, died in 1464.

LETTER CCXXXI.-(LI. vol. iv. p. 189.)

The exact year when this letter was written cannot be determined, but it must have been during J. Paston's troubles in the latter part of his life, between 1464 and 1466. To my right worshipful master, John Paston, in haste.

2

1

Isaid I hoped that ye should do right well therein; and he said he supposed that Dwould do for you; but he said he was no hasty labourer in none matter; he said by his faith he wist where a man was that laboured to him for a matter right a long time, and always he behested that he would labour it effectually; but while he sued to him he could never have remedy of his matter, and then when he thought that he should no remedy have to sue to him, he spake with Fynes, that is now Speaker of the parliament, and prayed him that he would do for him in his matter, and gave him a reward; and within right short time after his matter was sped; and the said sexteyn3 and other folks that be your right well-willers have counselled me that I should counsel you to make other means than ye have made to other folks, that would speed your matters better than they have done that ye have spoken to thereof before this time. Sundry folks have said to me that they think verily but if (unless) ye have my Lord of Suffolk's good lordship, while the werd (world) is as it is, ye can never live in peace without ye have his good lordship; therefore I pray you with all mine

heart that ye will do your part to have his good lordship and his love in ease of all those matters that ye have to do, and in easing of mine heart also, for by my truth I am afraid else, both of these matters the which ye have in hand now, and of other that be not done to yet, but if (unless) he will do for you and be your good lord. I pray you heartily send me word how ye do, and how ye speed in your matters; and I pray you as for such things as James hath a bill of, that I may have them as hastily as ye may; and that ye will vouchsafe to buy a piece of black buckram for to line with a gown for me, I should buy me a murrey gown to go in this summer, and lay in the collar the satin that ye gave me for an hood; and I can get none good buckram in this town to line it with. The holy Trinity have you in his keeping, and send you health and good speed in all your

matters.

Written at Norwich, on the Friday next after Crouchmas day.5

Yours, MARGARET PASTON.

Norwich Friday,

May, between 1464 and 1466.
4 and 6 E. IV.

This letter discovers to us some of the politics of the times, probably when the Earl of Warwick had taken displeasure at the king's marriage, and informs us that the Yorkists were fearful that too much lenity might be shown to the Lancastrians: to what good lord Margaret Paston and her husband wished her cousin Rookwood to be faithful is not mentioned, it probably was to the Duke of Norfolk. We find also that the exportation of wool was [considered] an hardship upon the poor, who by that means were deprived of work in that branch of the manufacture which affected their spinning, &c.

To my right worshipful husband, John Paston, be this delivered in haste.

RIGHT worshipful husband, I recommend me to you; pleaseth it you to weet that I received your letter that ye sent me by Nicholas Colman on Sunday last past; and as for the

Perhaps this may mean John Damme, a person often mentioned in these letters, and who was member of parliament for the city of Norwich in 1451.

2 It does not appear what relation this Fynes was to Sir Richard Fynes, who married Joan, daughter and heir of Lord Dacre of the south, by which title in her right he was summoned to parliament in 1459. The reward given to Fynes seems previous to his being elected Speaker. [He was doubtless a lawyer, like Damme, and the reward was his fee.]

matter that ye desired me to break of to my cousin Rookwood, it fortuned so that he came to me on Sunday to dinner, soon after that I had your letter, and when we had dined, I

3 The sacrist or sexton of the priory of Norwich, was the officer who had the care of the sacra or holy things, as the church plate, copes, &c.; he was likewise secretary, auditor, and chancellor of the convent, and had a subsacrist or deputy to perform the servile parts of his office. In 1444 Brother Richard de Walsham was appointed sacrist.

4 John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.

5 Crouchmas day, or the Invention of the Cross, was on the 3d of May.