LETTER CCCLXXX.-(LXXIII. vol. ii. p. 215.) J. Paston seems by this letter to have answered the last, but not to her satisfaction, respecting his being content to take her with the fortune her father proposed to give on her marriage. She acknowledges the pleasure it would give her to find that he would marry her with the fortune her father had fixed, and with great sensibility requests him, if he cannot acquiesce, not to come to Topcroft, but to let matters remain as they were. The letter, at the same time that it acknowledges her regard for J. Paston, shows that she had a proper attention to her own consequence and her father's determination. [It is indeed a most frank, kind-hearted, and right-minded letter. It makes one thoroughly ashamed of the brokering spirit of her Valentine, and fearful that her anticipation of being "the merriest maiden on ground" could in any case hardly be realised.] To my right well-beloved cousin, John Paston, Esq., be this letter delivered, &c. RIGHT worshipful and well-beloved Valentine, in my most humble wise I recommend me unto you, &c. And heartily I thank you for the letter which that ye send me by John Beckerton, whereby I understand and know that ye be purposed to come to Topcroft in short time, and without any errand or matter but only to have a conclusion of the matter betwixt my father and you; I would be most glad of any creature alive so that the matter might grow to effect. And thereas (whereas) ye say, and (if) ye come and find the matter no more towards you than ye did aforetime, ye would no more put my father and my lady my mother to no cost nor business for that cause a good while after, which causeth mine heart to be full heavy; and if that ye come, and the matter take to none effect, then should I be much more sorry and full of heaviness. God knoweth; and I let you plainly understand that my father will no more money part withal in that behalf, but an 1007. and 50 marks (331. 6s. 8d.), which is right far from the accomplishment of your desire. And as for myself I have done and understand' in the matter that I can or may, as Wherefore, if that ye could be content with that good and my poor person I would be the merriest maiden on ground; and if ye think not yourself so satisfied, or that ye might have much more good, as I have understood by you afore; good, true, and loving Valentine, that ye take no such labour upon you as to come more for that matter, but let (what) is, pass, and never more to be spoken of, as I may be your true lover and bead woman during my life. No more unto you at this time, but Almighty Jesu preserve you both body and soul, &c. Topcroft, 1476-7. By your Valentine, MARGERY BREWS. LETTER CCCLXXXI.—(LXXIV. vol. ii. p. 217.) This letter seems written by a common friend of both the parties, who appears solicitous for the marriage taking effect. He informs J. Paston that in addition to the fortune intended to be given by Sir Thomas Brews, the furniture of her chamber and her apparel should amount to the sum of 100 marks, or 66/. 13s. 4d. And he hints, as from Lady Brews, that they should be entertained at her table for three years after their marriage. [This is a striking instance of the want of currency. Here, as in many other instances, we see that persons possessing a superfluity of the products of their landed property, had great difficulty in converting it into money. The entertainment for three years of the married couple was thought less of than any the slightest increase of the dowry money.] Unto my right worshipful master, John RIGHT worshipful Sir, I recommend me unto you; letting you know, as for the young gentlewoman, she oweth you her good heart and love; as I know by the communication that I have had with her for the same. And, Sir, ye know what my master and 1 [Probably understood supported-acted in.] Paston, Esq., be this bill delivered, &c. my lady hath proffered with her, 200 marks (1331. 6s. 8d.), and I dare say, that her chamber and arayment (apparel) shall be worth 100 marks (667. 13s. 4d.), and I heard my lady say that and (if) the case required, both ye and she should have your board with my lady three years after. And I understand by my lady that she LETTER CCCLXXXII.—(LXXV. vol. ii. p. 221.) We find by this letter that J. Paston was as desirous of having all obstacles to the match removed, as the lady could be, and now writes from the house where she was, and to which I suppose he went on the receipt of her last letter. He takes great pains to explain the reason for the meeting at Norwich to have been fixed by his desire, fearing his mother might have been displeased with any alteration in the original plan. [To us it rather appears that, not being able to get a larger fortune, and having been so repeatedly disappointed, he had made up his mind to accept of this, and to trust to future expectations; hoping that his future father-in-law would be kind to him, "though he be hard to me as yet." What could induce Sir. J. Fenn to say that he " was as desirous of having all obstacles removed as the lady could be," we cannot conceive. His care for his mother is, however, a redeeming trait in his character.] To my right worshipful mother, Margaret Paston. RIGHT worshipful mother, after all duties of recommendation, in as humble wise as I can I beseech you of your daily blessing. Mother, please it you to weet, that the cause that Dame Elizabeth Brews desireth to meet with you at Norwich, and not at Langley as I appointed with you at my last being at Mauteby, is by my means; for my brother Thomas Jermyn, which knoweth nought of the mate (match), telleth me that the Causey ere ye can come to Bokenham Ferry is so overflown that there is no man that may on ethe [in ease] pass it, though he be right well horsed; which is no meet way for you to pass over, God defend (forbid) it. But, all things reckoned, it shall be less cost to you to be at Norwich, as for a day or tweyn and pass not [not beyond], than to meet at Langley, where everything is dear; and your horse may be sent home again the same Wednesday. Mother, I beseech you for diverse causes that my sister Anne may come with you to Norwich; mother, the matter is in a reasonable good way, and I trust with God's mercy, and with your good help, that it shall take effect better to mine advantage than I told you of at Mauteby; for I trow there is not a kinder woman living than I shall have to my 1 That is, deservedly praised you; for though she hath praised you much, her praise is not above your merit. mother-in-law if the matter take; nor yet a kinder father-in-law than I shall have, though he be hard to me as yet. All the circumstances of the matter, which I trust to tell you at your coming to Norwich, could not be written in three leaves of paper, and ye know my lewd (poor) head well enough, I may not write long, wherefore I fery over (defer) all things till I may await on you myself. I shall do tonnen (cause to be tunned) into your place a dozen ale, and bread according, against Wednesday. Sym might be forborn (spared) it were well done that he were at Norwich on Wednesday in the morning at market. Dame Elizabeth Brews shall lie at John Cook's; if it might please you, I would be glad that she might dine in your house on Thursday, for there should you have most secret talking. If And, mother, at the reverence of God beware that ye be so purveyed for that ye take no cold by the way towards Norwich. for it is the most perilous March that ever was seen by any man's days that now liveth; and I pray to Jesu preserve you and yours. Written at Topcroft the 8th day of March. Your son and humble servant, JOHN PASTON. Topcroft, Saturday, 8th of March, 1476-7. 17 E. IV. 2 John Cook was mayor of Norwich in 1484. LETTER CCCLXXXIII.—(LXXVI. vol. ii. p. 225.) This letter, I suppose, accompanied one from J. Paston, in which the exact terms were specified, to his brother Sir John. Sir Thomas Brews seemed to expect that Sir John Paston would likewise do something for his brother on this occasion. [Sir Thomas seems certainly to be a "hard" determined man, but John Paston appears to have wrung at least the loan of a considerable sum from him. Sir Thomas died in 1482.] To my right worshipful cousin, Sir John Paston, Knight, be this letter delivered, &c. RIGHT worshipful, and my heartily well-be- 100%. for the marriage of a younger daughter of mine, I have now lent the said 100%., and 201. over that, to my cousin your brother, to be paid again by such easy days as the obligation which I send you herewith specifies. And, cousin, I were right loath to bestow so much upon one daughter that the other her sisters should fare the worse; wherefore, cousin, if ye will that this matter shall take effect under such form as my cousin your brother hath written unto you, I pray you put thereto your good will, and some of your cost, as I have done of mine more largely than ever I purpose to do to any two of her sisters, as God knoweth mine intent, whom I beseech to send you your levest (dearest) heart's desire. &c. Written at Topcroft, the 8th day of March, Topcroft, Saturday, 8th of March, 1476. 17 E. IV. LETTER CCCLXXXIV.-(XXXVII. vol. v. p. 165.) [SIR JOHN PASTON here writes from Calais to his brother John about his marriage with Margery Brews, with which match he seems well content, saying, "Bykerton telleth me that she loveth you well; if I died, I had lever ye had her than the Lady Wargrave [Waldegrave], nevertheless she singeth well with an harp." The Lady Wargrave appears to have been another sought-for match of the indefatigable John Paston's, and even yet another is alluded to somewhat humorously in this same letter. Sir John Paston says, "as for this matter of Mistress Burley I hold it but a bare thing; I hold that it passeth not [here the number is torn from the letter] marks, I saw her for your sake; she is a little one, she may be a woman hereafter if she be not old now; her person seemeth thirteen years of age, her years men say be full eighteen ; knoweth not of the matter I suppose, nevertheless she desired to see me, as glad as I was to see her." The letter is dated Sunday, March 9, 1476-7.] she 1 Fenu has leaving in mistake, which he translates 'parting with.' Levying is used in the sense of raising. LETTER CCCLXXXV.-(XXXVIII. vol. v. p. 167.) [JOHN PASTON writes from Norwich to his brother Sir John at Calais, about his negociation for his marriage with Margery Brews, as to which he says, "I am yet at no certainty, her father is so hard; but I trow I have the good-will of my lady her mother and her:" he then proceeds to warn him of trusting J. Bykerton too far, as he is a man "at wild," and is sore endangered (in debt) to divers in this country; and that Perse Moody, one of 66 Sir John's old retainers, is at Caister in great distress, but he adds in conclusion that 'carpenters of my craft, that I use now, have not alderbest their wits their own." This seems to be some proverbial allusion to the distraction of thought in lovers, but we doubt if there was much fear of John Paston losing his wits through love. The letter is dated on the same day as the last, Sunday, March 9, 1476-7.] NUMBER CCCLXXXVI.-(XXXIX. vol. v. p. 171.) [THIS paper is headed "A determination of Sir Thomas Brews how much he would give with his daughter Margery in marriage." It contains several modifications of terms: first, if the dowry out of the manor of Sparham does not exceed ten marks, that then he will give 1331. 68. 8d. in hand and board free for two or three years; or else 2001. without their board, payable by fifty marks (331. 6s. 8d.) yearly; secondly, that he will give four hundred marks (2661. 13s. 4d.), 50%. on the day of marriage, and 501. yearly, and lend John Paston 1201. "to pledge out the manor of Swainsthorp," provided he procures security for its repayment, "not paid of the marriage money, nor of the proper goods of my said cousin John;" thirdly, if the whole of the profits of Sparham are settled on them for their joint lives, he will give the said four hundred marks, and their board for a year or two; but this last clause about their board is struck through with a pen. The paper is dated March, 1467.] LETTER CCCLXXXVII.-(LXXVII. vəl. v. p. 227.) Under the direction of this letter, and in a hand of the time (I believe in Sir John Paston's hand) is written "Jon Pympe," "xvj die Mar' Ao. E.4. 17" (16th day of March, 17 E. IV.), being the date when the letter was received. I have given this letter merely as a specimen of the humour of the time, which, though indelicate, may I fear be matched by many a modern correspondence. Some amour seems to be couched under the simile of the sparrow, the barley, and the door, &c. The latter part of this epistle shows us what were the qualities of a horse at that time most esteemed. The writer was a person of some consideration, as he was to have had Sir J. Paston's lodgings in London, and was cousin to Sir J. Scot, deputy governor of Calais. To Master Sir John Paston, be this letter delivered in Calais. HONOUR and joy be to you, my right good master, and most assured brother; letting you know that all your well-willers and servants in these parts, that I know, fare well, and better would if they might hear of your well being, and forthwith some of your French and Burgundy tidings; for we in these parts be in great dread lest the French king with some assaults should in any wise disturb you of your soft, sote (sweet), and sure sleeps, but as yet we nothing can hear that he so disposeth him. [Here follow some allusions to the women of Flanders, which, though possessing some humour, is of too coarse a nature to be given here.] But in one thing we praise your sadnesses (wisdoms) and discretions right much, that is, in keeping of your truce and peace with the king of France as the king hath commanded; and a great reason why, for it were too much for you to have war with all the world at once, for the war aforesaid keepeth you blameless, for every reasonable man weeteth well, that it is too much for any people living to do both at once. Sir, as for the more part of my thought, I pray you recommend me unto yourself, praying you that I may continue in such case as your goodness hath taken me of old, and if ye list to send any tidings or other thing to the parties that were wont to warm them by your fire, in faith I shall do your errand. As for barley, it is of the same price that it was wont to be of, and is the most sure corn and best enduring that may be; and, Sir, where that some time was a little hole in a wall, is now a door large enough and easy passage, whereof ye were the deviser, and have thank for your labour of some parties, but nothing lasteth ever; I mean that I trow my passage shall hastily fail me, and the door shall be shut up again; less then (unless) fortune be agreeable to have my counsel kept; for not long ago making my entry at that passage, I saw a sparrow that useth those eireys, and I saw her set so still that I could not endure but I must needs shoot her, and so God me help I smote her I trow even to the heart; and so dread me lest either the barley will eat the sparrow, or else the sparrow will eat the barley; but as yet all is well, but reason sheweth me that it must needs fail by continuance, less then (unless) I forsake both the sparrow and the barley also. Sir, I have thank for the shew that I once made of you and daily gramercy (great thanks), and ye their prayer. Sir, furthermore I beseech you as ye will do anything for me, that ye see one day for my sake, and for your own pleasure, all the good horse in Calais, and if there be amongst them any prized horse of deeds that is to sell, in especial that he be well trotting of his own courage without force of spurs, and also a steering horse if he be he is the better; I pray you send me word of his colour, deeds, and courage, and also of his price, feigning as ye would buy him yourself, and also I would have him somewhat large, not with the largest; but no small horse, as (q. no?) more than a double horse; praying you above all things to have this in remembrance, and that hastily as may be, for there is late promised me help to such an intent, and I wote not how long it shall endure; and therefore I beseech you send me word by time. I trow the French men have taken up all the good horse in Picardy, and also they be wont to be heavy horse in labour, and that I love not; but a heavy horse of flesh, and light of courage I love well, for I love no horse that will always be lean and slender like greyhounds. God keep you. 'NUMBER CCCLXXXVIII.—(XL. vol. v. p. 173.) [THIS paper is headed "Notes touching the marriage between John Paston, Esq., and Margery Brews." They are written by John Paston, and seem to be intended for himself only. They are by no means clear, but, for whatever purpose, his mother was not to be informed of the conclusion of the treaty. The conditions here stated are those mentioned in Sir J. Brews' "Determination." Dated March, 1476-7.] 1 Quære, a horse that obeys the rein? [We rather think an entire horse is meant. See also two passages at the end of Letter cccxci.] 2 Margaret, daughter of Sir John Scot, and wife to Edmund Bedingfield. |