LETTER CCCXXIX.-(VIII. vol. v. p. 41.)

[FROM John Paston to Sir J. Paston is very unimportant. He thanks his brother for a hat which he understands is coming "by John, the Abbot of St. Bennet's man;" and he says "my mother prays you to get a new licence of my Lord of Norwich that she may

have the sacrament in her chapel: I got a licence of him for a year, and it is nigh worn out; ye may get it for the bishop's life, an ye will." The remainder of the letter contains nothing but advice as to the furthering of the suit for Caister. Dated Nov. 1472.]

NUMBER CCCXXX.-(IX. vol. v. p. 45.)

[Is a petition from John Paston the younger on behalf of his brother Sir John, to the Duke of Norfolk for the restoration of Caister, "at the reverence of God and by way of charity;" although it asserts somewhat gently that the Duke's servants had taken possession of the same wrongfully, " and have taken the issues

and profits in the name of your said highness by the space of three years and more, to the great hurt of my said brother and me your said servant and orator." This last passage fixes the date about the end of 1472, as the Duke had had possession from September, 1469.]

LETTER CCCXXXI.—(LI. vol. ii. p. 121.)

These extracts are given from the original letter chiefly to show the easy and familiar style used by Sir John Paston, in his humorous address to his brother, when telling him of Rabekin's inquiries after him. Paston, his mother, be this letter delivered.

To John Paston, Esq., or to Mrs. Margaret WELL-BELOVED brother, (Here follows an account of letters sent to him from Calais-of farm barley in Flegg hundred, and of old stuff at Norwich, &c.)

As for tidings here there be but few, save that the Duke of Burgundy and my lady' his wife fareth well; I was with them on Thursday last past at Ghent. Peter Metteney fareth well and Mrs. Gretkin both, and Rabekyn recommend her to you, she hath been very sick, but it hath done her good, for she is fairer and slenderer than she was; and she could make me no cheer but alway my sauce was, "How fareth Master John your brother?" wherewith I was wrath, and spake a jealous word or two, disdaining that she should care so much for you when I was present.

Send me word to Hoxon's in writing, what good the bishop did for me at Framlingham, and how my lord, my lady, and all the court are disposed to me wards.

I hear also say that my lady and yours, Dame Margaret Vere 2 is dead, God have her soul! if I were not sorry for her I trow ye have been.

No more to you at this time, but Almighty God have you in keeping.

Written at Calais, the 3rd day of February, in the 12th year of the reign of Edward IV. JOHN PASTON, knight.

Calais,

Wednesday, 3rd of February,

1473. 12 E. IV.

2 Daughter and heir of Sir William Stafford, and wife to Sir George Vere; their son, John Vere, was afterwards Earl of Oxford.

LETTER CCCXXXII.-(X. vol. v. p. 47.)

[JOHN PASTON requests his brother to use his influence to procure the discharge of his cousin John Blennerhasset from the appointment of collector of the "task" or subsidy, on the ground that he has not a foot of land within the shire. Taxes and tax collecting seem to have been as irksome then as now, and the collecting probably was not sweetened by a salary, or a gentleman would not have been appointed against his will. He wishes to know, if possible, who had caused the

1

appointment, says the Heydons are suspected, and "if they were the causers it lieth in my cousin Harsset's [Blennerhasset`s] power to quyt [requite] them." He then just mentions the committal of a fortune-teller or prophet to Norwich jail; and concludes thus:"No more, but I pray God send you the Holy Ghost amongst you in the Parliament House, and rather the devil, we say, than ye should grant any more tasks." The letter is dated Friday, March 26, 1473.]

LETTER CCCXXXIII.—(LII. vol. ii. p. 123.)

he business referred to in the beginning of this letter is not mentioned; what is said of Blennerhasset seems to be meant as a pun upon the name, as written Blunder hare set; or perhaps it may only refer to its being a sounding name. [The business is clearly the release of Blennerhasset from the appointment of collector. We think Fenn's explanation of starting the hare very unsatisfactory, as also of "beware that 1d. purse:" but we have no better to offer; unless the latter may be Persey or Percy, whose name has already occurred. The original has "ware that jd perse."]

To his dear and well-beloved brother, John Paston, Esq.

WELL-BELOVED brother I recommend me to you; letting you weet that, at the request of Mrs. Jane Hassett [Blennerhasset] and you, I have laboured both the knights of the shire of Norfolk and the knights of the shire of Suffolk; I understand there had been made labour that such a thing should have been as ye wrote to me of, but now it is safe.

Ralph Blaunderhasset were a name to start an hare, I warrant there shall come no such name in our books nor in our house; might per case start twenty hares at once. Beware that penny purse.' I read there in the bill of Norfolk of oue John Tendall, Esquire, but I suppose it be not meant by our Tendall; and if it be, he shall not rest there if I may help it.

As for tidings, the worst that I heard was, that my mother will not do so much for me as she put me in comfort of.

Other tidings, I heard say for certain that the Lady Fitzwalter is dead, and that Master Fitzwalter shall have 400 marks (2667. 13s. 4.) a year more than he had: I am not sorry therefore.

1 It seems to mean-Beware of that covetous man, or of that poor man, which I know not.

As for the world I wot not what it meaneth men say here, as well as Hogan, that we shall have ado in haste; I know no likelihood, but that such a rumour there is. Men say the queen with the prince shall come out of Wales, and keep this Easter with the king at Leicester; and some say neither of them shall come there.

Item, of beyond the sea, it is said that the French king's host hath killed the Earl of Armagnac and all his merry men; some say under appointment, and some say they were besieged and gotten by plain assault.

Farthermore, men say that the French king is with his host upon the water of Somme, a sixty miles from Calais; I leave them where I found them.

I made your answer to the friends of Mrs. Jane Godnoston according to your instructions; as for me, I am not certain whether I shall to Calais, to Leicester, or come home into Norfolk, but I shall hastily send you word, &c.

Written the 2nd day of April, the 13th of

Edward IV.

Friday, 2nd of April, 1473.

13 E. IV.

2 Hogan is the conjuror mentioned in the previous letter.

LETTER CCCXXXIV.—(XI. vol. v.

[CONTAINS nothing of consequence. Sir J.
Paston tells his brother that " every man
saith we shall have ado ere May pass: Hogan
the prophet is in the Tower, he would fain
speak with the king, but the king saith he
shall not avaunt (boast) that ever he spake
with him." This proves that the public
affairs were somewhat troubled, and that
tumults were feared, though they did not
take place.
The severe rule of Edward IV.
and the known dissensions in the family gave
probable cause for apprehension. The re-
mainder of the letter is on his private affairs,
and he appears to be much displeased with
his mother because she would not lend him
money, and expresses himself in terms of

p. 51.)

66

harshness in extreme contrast with the usual
humility of children to their parents at that
period. He says,
My mother doth me
more harm than [the] good I weened she
would have done for me. Playters wrote to
me that she would have laid out for me 100%.,
and received it again in five years off the
manor of Sporle, whereto I trusted; if she
had performed I had not been in no jeopardy
of the manor of Sporle, nevertheless I shall do
what I can yet: I pray you call upon her for
the same, remember her of that promise."
Also, "remember her of my father's tomb at
Bromholm, she doth right nought; I am afraid
of her that she shall not do well." Dated
London, Monday, April 12, 1473.]

LETTER CCCXXXV.-(LIII. vol. ii. p. 127.)

The first part of this curious letter informs us of the unsettled state of the nation; and that the Duke of Clarence, pretending only to be getting his party together to oppose the Duke of Gloucester, was supposed to be meditating some treason against the state. These royal brothers had been for some time at variance, and most probably their disputes were heightened at this time, by the late marriage of the latter with Anne, the widow of Prince Edward, Henry VI.'s son, daughter and co-heir of the Earl of Warwick, and sister to the Duchess of Clarence, whose possessions the Duke was unwilling to divide with her sister, now his brother's wife.

To John Paston, Esq., at WORSHIPFUL and well-beloved brother, I commend me to you; letting you weet that the world seemeth queasy (unsettled) here; for the most part that be about the king have sent hither for their harness, and it (is) said for certain that the Duke of Clarence maketh him big in that he can, showing as he would but (only) deal with the Duke of Gloucester; but the king intendeth, in eschewing all inconvenience, to be as big as they both, and to be a stiffler atween them; and some men think that under this there should be some other thing intended, and some treason conspired; so what shall fall can I not say.

Item, it is said that yesterday two passagers (passage boats) of Dover were taken; I fear that if Juddy had no hasty passage, so that if he passed not on Sunday or Monday, that he is taken, and some gear of mine that I would not for 201.

I hope and purpose to go to Calais ward on

Norwich, be this delivered.

Sunday or Monday or nigh by, for I came not accompanied to do any service here; wherefore it were better for me to be out of sight.

(Here follow some money transactions relative to a Doctor Pykenham, his mother, and others.)

Item, Spring, that waited on my father 1 when he was in Gaol House, whom my father at his dying beset (bequeathed) 40s. he cryeth ever on me for it, and in way of alms, and he would be eased though it were but xxs. or xs., wherefore he hath written to my mother, and must have an answer again; I would that my mother send him as though she lend him somewhat, and he will be pleased, and (cr) else he can say as shrewdly as any man in England.

1 John Paston, Esq. was imprisoned by Edward IV. n 1466.

LETTER CCCXXXVI.—(LIV. vol. ii. p. 131.)

The historic facts mentioned in this letter contradict the dates of them as given by our historians, and place in the year 1473 those which they have given as happening in the year preceding. To John Paston, Esq., in Norfolk.

LETTER CCCXXXVII.—(LV. vol. ii. p. 137.)

This letter shows us the unsettled state of the nation, and the apprehensions of the king concerning the coming of the Earl of Oxford.-The man's confession seems to be founded on good authority, as the earl arrived in England soon after.

To John Paston, Esq., in Norwich.