God have you in his keeping, and send you health. Written at Oxnead, in right great haste, on St. Michael's even. Oxnead, Saturday, 28th September, 1443. 22 H. VI. Yours, M. PASTON. дфарой е My mother greet you well, and sendeth you God's blessing and hers; and she prayeth you, and I pray you also, that ye be well dieted of meat aud drink, for that is the greatest help that ye may have now to your healthward. Your son fareth well, blessed be God! LETTER VI.-(VI. vol. iii. p. 27.) From this letter we learn the time and place of holding the assizes in Sussex, one of the counties which now makes a part of the home circuit; and we likewise understand that the chief justice intended going by water to those places in Essex, Kent, and Surry, which lay along the river, no conveyance in any carriage being then thought of by him, though his illness was such as prevented his riding on horseback. John Hody was chief justice of the King's Bench from 1440 to 1462. To my right worthy and worshipful Lord William Paston, justice, in haste. PLEASE it your good Lordship to weet, that 2 shall purvey to be there by water; and Almighty Jesu make you heyle (healthy) and strong. Written right simply, the Wednesday next to fore the Feast of the Purification of our Lady, at London. By your most simple servant, London, Wednesday, LETTER VII.—(VII. vol. iii. p. 29.) [THIS letter is from John Gyney, probably father of Sir W. Jenney, a judge of the King's Bench in 1477, and contains an account of a dispute among some lawyers as to passing and signing some title deeds. It is written at North Walsham in Norfolk, in February, before 1443, and addressed to Sir W. Paston at West LETTER VIII.—(III. vol. i. p. 11.) [THIS is also a letter upon legal affairs, being from John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, to John Paston, appointing him, with W. Yelver This was probably Sir John Paston, born 1442. ton and W. Jenney, both subsequently judges of the King's Bench, to be arbitrators betwixt him and the heirs of Edmund Swathing.] 2 [Through the non-arrival of the justices.] LETTER IX.-(IV. vol. i. p. 13.) This Letter presents us with the effects of a private dispute, and gives us an instance of the dangerous though common ferocity of these unsettled times; it must have been written between 1440 and 1450, as in the former year Lord Beaumont was created a Viscount, and in the latter Sir Humphrey Stafford was killed. [It seems rather to be a street scuffle, "they fell in handes togyder," weapons were drawn, as in a contest they are almost certain to be when commonly worn; one was struck a" grette stroke on the hed," and the other endea voured to stab. Of course the retainers, alike armed, could seldom refrain from joining in the quarrel, and of course also in their master's favour as here. When at a recent period private soldiers were suffered to wear their bayonets, we know similar events to that here narrated were too frequently the consequence.] To my worshipful and reverend Lord John Viscount Beaumont.1 RIGHT worshipful, and my reverend and most special Lord, I recommend me unto your good grace in the most humble and lowly wise that I can or may, desiring to hear of your prosperity and welfare, as to my most singular joy and special comfort. And if it please your Highness, as touching the sudden adventure that fell lately at Coventry, please it your Lordship to hear, that on Corpus Christi even last passed, between eight and nine of the clock at afternoon, Sir Humphrey Stafford had brought my master, Sir James of Ormond,* toward his inn from my Lady of Shrewsbury5 and returned from him towards his inn, he met with Sir Robert Harcourt coming from his mother's towards his inn, and passed Sir Humphrey; and Richard his son came somewhat behind, and when they met together they fell in hands together, and Sir Robert smote him a great stroke on the head with his sword, and Richard with his dagger hastily went toward him, and as he stumbled, one of Harcourt's men smote him in the back with a knife; men wot (know) not who it was readily; his father heard (a) noise and rode toward them, and his men ran before him thitherward; and in the going down off his horse, one, he wot not who, behind him, smote him on the head with an edged tool; men know not with us, with what weapon, that he fell down, and his son fell down before 1 John Viscount Beaumont, so created in February, 1439-40, 18 H. VI., was the first of that title by patent in England; he was killed at the battle of Northampton, in July 1460, fighting for the House of Lancas ter. 2 The Thursday after Trinity Sunday. 3 He was a collateral branch of the family of the Duke of Buckingham; and, in June 1450, commanded a detachment of the royal army sent out against the rebel Jack Cade: his party fell into an ambush, and he was killed. 4 Query, whether James, son of the Earl of Ormond, him as good as dead; and all this was done, as men say, in a Pater-noster while.7 And forthwith Sir Humphrey Stafford's men followed after, and slew two men of Harcourt's, one Swynerton and Bradshawe, and more be hurt, some be gone, and some be in prison in the jail at Coventry. And before the coroner of Coventry, upon the sight of the bodies, there be indicted as principals for the death of Richard Stafford, Sir Robert Harcourt and the two men that be dead; and for the two men of Harcourt's that be dead, there be indicted two men of Sir Humphrey's as principals; and as yet there hath been nothing found before the justice of the peace of Coventry of this riot, because the sheriff of Warwickshire is dead, and they may not sit unto the time there be a new sheriff; and all this mischief fell because of an old debate that was between them for taking of a distress, as it is told. And Almighty Jesu preserve your high estate, my special Lord, and send you long life and good health. Written at Coventry on Tuesday next after Corpus Christi day, &c. Coventry, By your own poor servant, Tuesday after Corpus Christi day, between 1440 and 1450, 18 and 28 H. VI. who afterwards, in 1449, was created Earl of Wiltshire. 5 Wife of John Talbot, the famous Earl of Shrewsbury. 6 He signalised himself in the wars of Henry VI. and Edward IV., was a knight of the Garter; and, in November, 1470, 10 E. IV., was slain by the Staffords, perhaps in revenge for this murder of Richard Stafford. ? Proverbially, a short time; for our forefathers, who were to repeat a great number of Pater-nosters at once, performed the business very expeditiously. LETTER X.-(VIII. vol. iii. p. 33.) [Rights of way, trespasses, and claims of unknown rights, seem to have formed as large a share of the vexations of a landed proprietor at that time as at present. These, with threats of going to law, and providing for repairs, form the subjects of the present letter.] To Edmund Paston, of Clifford's Inn, To mine well-beloved son, I greet you well, and advise you to think once of the day of your father's counsel to learn the law, for he said many times that whosoever should dwell at Paston, should have need to con (to know how to) defend himself. 2 The vicar of Paston and your father, in Lent last was, were thorough and accorded, and doles [boundaries] set how broad the way should be, and now he hath pulled up the doles, and saith he will make à ditch from the corner of his wall, right over the way to the new ditch of the great close. And there is a man in Trunch hight (called) Palmer too, that had of your father certain lands in Trunch over seven years or eight years agone, for corn, and truly hath paid all the years; and now he hath suffered the corn to be withset (taken) for eight shillings of rent to Gimmingham, which your father paid never. Geoffry asked Palmer why the rent was not asked in mine husband's time, and Palmer said, for (because) he was a great man, and a wise man of the law, and that was the cause men would not ask him the rent. I send you the names of the men, that cast down the pits, that was (in) Genney's Close, written in a bill closed in this letter. in London, be this letter taken. I send you not this letter to make you weary of Paston, for I live in hope, and ye will learn that they shall be made weary of their work, for in good faith I dare well say it was your father's last will to have done right well to that place, and that can I show of good proof, though men would say nay. God make you right a good man, and send God's blessing and mine. Written in haste at Norwich, the Thursday after Candlemas-day. Weet of your brother John how many joists will serve the parlour and the chapel at Paston, and what length they must be, and what breadth and thickness they must be, for your father's will was, as I ween verily, that they should be nine inches one way, and seven another way, and purvey therefore that they may be squared there, and sent hither, for here can none such be had in this country; and say to your brother John it were well done to think on Stansted Church;3 and I pray you to send me tidings from beyond sea, for here they are afraid to tell such as be reported By your mother, AGNES PASTON. Norwich, Thursday, 4th of February, 1444-5, 23 H. VI. LETTER XI.-(IX. vol. iii. p. 37.) The manor of Oxnead had been in the Hauteyn family for many generations, and was sold by some of that family upon a bad title: it was afterwards purchased by Sir William Paston, on whose death, in 1444, John Hauteyn, clerk (having been licensed by the pope to leave his religious order and become secular,) set up his claim and recovered his inheritance; but, about 1449, he with others released his right to Agnes Paston. To the most reverend Father in God, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Chancellor of England.5 BESEECHETH meekly your gracious Lordship, your own servant and orator John Hauteyn, 1 John Partrick, of Swathfield, was vicar of Paston from 1442 to 1447. 2 Sir William Paston, knight, died 13th of August, 1444, aged 66. 3 Stansted Church in Suffolk :-Dame Agnes had possessions in that parish. 4 These tidings relate to our foreign transactions, the giving up of Maine, truces, &c. &c., on the chaplain, that where(as) he hath divers suit, and actions-in-law to be sued against Agnes king's marriage, which had taken place in Novem ber. 5 John Stafford, Archbishop of Canterbury, and a cardinal, was Lord Chancellor from 1443 to 1447. 6 [The words where and whereas were used at this period indiscriminately the one for the other. This usage continued so late as the time of Shakspere, in whose plays we find numerous instances.] This letter I should suppose was written not long after Sir William Paston's death in 1444, as it refers to the blessing which she asked of him to bestow upon his children, probably immediately after some sickness or misfortune which had befallen her son. The style of it is that of a most affectionate mother, and the introduction of his father's saying is a masterly stroke. Her own reflections are judicious, apposite, and well timed, and the whole of the discourse would do honour to a parent at this day, when our thoughts, manners, and language are so much more refined thau they were during the age in which this was written. To my well-beloved son, John Paston, be this delivered in haste. SON, I greet you well, and let you weet, that forasmuch as your brother Clement letteth me weet that ye desire faithfully my blessing; that blessing that I prayed your father to give you the last day that ever he spake, and the blessing of all saints under heaven, and mine mote [might] come to you all days and times; and think verily none other but that ye have it, and shall have it, with that (on condition) that I find you kind and willing to the weal of your father's soul, and to the welfare of your brethren. By my counsel, dispose yourself as much as ye may to have less to do in the world: your father said, "In little business lyeth much rest." This world is but a thoroughfare, and full of woe; and when we depart therefrom, right nought bear with us but our good deeds and ill; and there knoweth no man how soon God will clepe (call) him; and therefore it is good for every creature to be ready. Whom God visiteth, him he loveth. And as for your brethren they will I know certainly labour all that in them lyeth for you. Our Lord have you in his blessed keeping, body and soul. Written at Norwich, the 29th day of October. By your mother, AGNES PASTON. Norwich, 29th of October, LETTER XIV.-(XII. vol. iii. p. 43.) This letter is written in an easy yet respectful style, and the thanks of the writer are hinted in the most delicate manner, for the "rightful favours" conferred upon him. Sir William Yelverton was appointed a judge of the King's Bench, in 1444, 23 H. VI. and was continued in that high office by Edward IV. To Stephen Scroope." WORSHIPFUL and my right well beloved son, 1 This backwardness of the lawyers to be concerned against the widow of the late judge shows a particular degree of respect to his memory, and to the character of his son, then a lawyer. 2 A lawyer, and recorder of Norwich. you for your good advertisements, and right 3 Afterwards the famous Judge Lyttelton. 5 At the bottom, in a hand more modern than that of the letter, is written, "This Stephen Scroope was sonne to Dame Millicent, late wife to Sir J. Fastolf, time, and so pray you of your good continu ance. Please it you to weet, that forasmuch as the parson Sir Thomas Howys cometh up at this time by the grievous pursuit of John Andrews and Heydon to appear before the right worshipful Sir, my right well-beloved brother, your father, and other the king's judges of the King's Bench; I pray you heartily that ye will have in remembrance for to recommend me to him, when ye speak with him, and for to thank him for his rightful favour showed in Sir Thomas's matter, and in all other matters that toucheth me, which be attained in that high court; and so it like you pray him of his good Written at Caister, the 30th day of October. Caister, 30th of October, between 1444 and 1454. 23 and 33 H. VI. LETTER XV.-(V. vol. i. p. 17.) This letter has no date of the year, but it must have been written after 1444, 23 H. VI., in which year the Earl of Stafford was created Duke of Buckingham, and most probably before the breaking out of the civil war, as the duke makes no complaint of the distresses of the times, but only mentions that season of the year as not so convenient for him to procure money. The sentiments contained in the letter are those of a just man, and a man of honour, wishing to discharge his debt at the time appointed, and which, as he could not do in money, he performs by sending an obligation which he had from another, upon which Lord Beaumont might receive his demand. The direction and address of those letters, which are written from one Knight of the Garter to another, show us that in this age they esteemed one another as friends and brethren united by that most noble order, whose institution directs that the knights-companions should be "fellows and brethren united in all chances of fortune, co-partners both in peace and war, assistant to one another in all serious and dangerous transactions, and through the whole course of their lives faithful and friendly one towards another.' The letter itself is written by the duke's secretary, but the conclusion and signature are by his own hand, and it is most probably the only original letter extant of this great peer. To the right worshipful, and with all mine heart right entirely beloved brother, the RIGHT worshipful, and with all mine heart In good faith, brother, it is so with me at this time that I have but easy stuff of money within me, for so much as the season of the and, as seemeth by this Ire, maryed the daughter of Justice Yelverton, whereby the said Sir John called hym brother." It appears from a letter of William Paston, to his brother John Paston, dated 6th of September 1454, that Scroope was then either a bachelor or widower, a marriage being in contempla year is not yet grown, so that I may not please your said good brotherhood, as God knoweth my will and intent were to do and (if) I had it. Nevertheless and (if) it like you, I send you by my son Stafford an obligation, whereof of late time I have received part of the debt therein comprised; the residue of which I pray you to receive by the said obligation, and that I may have an acquittance thereof, and to give credence unto my said son in such thing as he shall say unto your good brotherhood on my behalf. tion at that time between him and their sister Elizabeth. From the expressions there used, I am apt to believe he was then a widower. If so, this letter was written before that year. 1 [See a notice of Viscount Beaumont in a note on letter ix. page 6.] |