69.2 [From Tanner MS. 95, f. 82.] This is a draft in the handwriting of William Worcester, very illegible from the number of the corrections, and also from the ink being very much faded. Of its date I cannot tell except that it was clearly written in the reign of Henry VI. and after the death of Judge Paston in 1444.

70.1 Sic, pro custodiæ.

60
CATHERINE, DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, TO JOHN PASTON71.1

To our right trusty and hertily welbeloved John Paston, Squier.

Kateryn, Duchesse
of Norff.		  

After 1444 (?)

Right trusty and entierly welbeloved, we grete you wel hertily as we kan. And for as moche as we purpose with grace of Jesu to be at London within bryff tyme, we pray you that your place ther may be redy for us, for we wole sende our stuff thedir to for [tofore, i.e. before] our comyng; and siche agrement as we toke with you for the same, we shall duely performe yt with the myght of Jesu, who haff you in his blissed keping.

Wretyn at Eppeworth, ijde day of Octobre.

71.1 [From Fenn, iii. 16.] The writer of this letter was the widow of John Mowbray, second Duke of Norfolk, who died in 1432. After the Duke’s death, she married again no less than three times; and Fenn thinks this letter, which is dated from Epworth in Lincolnshire, a seat of the Duke of Norfolk’s, was probably written during her first widowhood. It must be remarked, however, that in 1432 John Paston was only twelve years old at the utmost, so that this letter could hardly have been written till at least ten years after. It is, besides, hardly probable that John Paston would have been addressed as the owner of a ‘place’ in London, before his father’s death in 1444. The exact year, however, is quite uncertain.

61
ABSTRACT72.1

Robert, Lord Wylughby [of Eresby], to John Paston.

Between 1444 and 1451

Desires him to favour Reginald Balden who ‘hath ado with you for certain lyflode which was his father’s, wherein your father was enfeoffed.’ Boston, 16th December.

[The date of this letter is probably after the death of William Paston in 1444, and cannot be later than 1451, as the writer died on St. James’s day (25th July) 1452.]

72.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

62
AGNES PASTON TO EDMUND PASTON72.2

To Edmond Paston of Clyffordis Inn, in London, be this Lettre take.

1445
FEB. 4

To myn welbelovid sone, I grete yow wel, and avyse yow to thynkk onis of the daie of youre fadris counseyle to lerne the lawe, for he seyde manie tymis that ho so ever schuld dwelle at Paston, schulde have nede to conne defende hym selfe.

The Vikare72.3 of Paston and yowre fadre,72.4 in Lenttyn last was, wher [were] thorwe and acordidde, and doolis72.5 sette howe broode the weye schulde ben,72.6 and nowe he hath pullid uppe the doolis, and seithe he wolle makyn a dyche fro the corner of his walle, ryght over the weye to the newe diche of the grete cloose. And there is a man in Truntche, hyzht Palmer to, that hadde of yowre fadre certein londe in Truntche over vij. yere or viij. yere agoone for corn, and trewli hathe paide all the yers; and now he hathe suffrid the corne to ben with sette for viijs. of rentte to Gymmyngham, wich yowre fadre paide nevere. Geffreie axid Palmere why the rentte was notte axid in myn husbonddis tyme; and Palmere seyde, for he was a grete man, and a wyse man of the law, and that was the cawse men wolde not axe hym the rentte.

I sende yow the namis of the men that kaste down the pittis, that was Gynnis Close, wretyn in a bille closid in this lettre.

I sendde yow not this lettre to make yow wery of Paston; for I leve in hoope, and ye wolle lern that they schulle be made werye of her werke, for in good feyth I dar welseyne it was yowr fadris laste wille to have do ryzht wel to that plase, and that can I schewe of good profe, thowe men wolde seye naye. God make yow ryzht a good man, and sende Goddis blessyng and myn.

Wrettyn in haste, at Norwich, the Thorsdaie aftir Candelmasse daie.

Wetith of yowre brothere John now manie gystis [joists] wolle serve the parler and the chapelle at Paston, and what lenghthe they moste be, and what brede and thykknesse thei moste be; for yowre fadris wille was, as I weene veryli, that thei schuld be ix. enchis on wey, and vij. another weye. And porveythe therfor that thei mow be squarid there, and sentte hedre, for here can non soche be hadde in this conttre. And seye to yowre brothir John it weer wel don to thinkke on Stansted Chirche;73.1 and I praye yow to sende me tydynggs73.2 from be yond see, for here thei arn a ferde to telle soche as be reportid. By yowr Modre,     Augneis Paston.

72.2 [From Fenn, iii. 32.] This letter must have been written in February 1445, as it appears from the contents that William Paston was dead, but had been alive in the preceding Lent.

72.3 John Partrick of Swathfield was Vicar of Paston, from 1442 to 1447. —F.

72.4 William Paston, the Judge.

72.5 Landmarks. ‘Dolestones’ are still spoken of in Norfolk in this sense.—See Latham’s Edition of Johnson’s Dictionary.

72.6 On the 6th July 1443 a licence was granted to William Paston to enclose a portion of the highway at Paston, and another at Oxnead, on his making two other highways in place thereof.—Patent Roll, 21 Henry VI. p. 1, m. 10.

73.1 Stansted Church in Suffolk.—Dame Agnes had possessions in that parish. —F.

73.2 These tidings relate to our foreign transactions, the giving up of Maine, Truces, &c. &c. on the King’s marriage, which had taken place in November. —F.

63
JOHN HAWTEYN TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY74.1

To the most reverent Fader in God the Archebisshop of Caunterbury, Chanceler of Englond.

1444–9

Besecheth mekely zour gracious Lordship, zour owne servant and oratour John Hauteyn, chapeleyn, that wher he hath dyvers seutees and accions in lawe to be sewed a zent A., that was the wife of W. Paston, of the maner of Oxenedes, in the countee of Northfolk; and for as meche as zour seid besecher can gete no counsell of men of court to be with hym in the seid matiers, by cause that the seid W. P. was one of the Kynges Justices, and John P., son and heir to the seid W. P., is al so a mon of court; that hit plese zour good Lordship to assigne, and most streytly to comaund John Heydon,74.2 Thomas Lyttylton,74.3 and John Oelston to be of counsell with zour seid besecher in the seid matiers, and oder that he hath to do azenst the seid Anneys and oder; and zour said besecher shal contente hem well for their labour. And that this be doo in the reverence of God, and wey of charite. John Hauteyn, Chapeleyn.

74.1 [From Fenn, iii. 36.] This is a petition addressed to John Stafford, Archbishop of Canterbury, as Chancellor, after the death of William Paston in 1444. Stafford was made Archbishop in 1443. His appointment as Chancellor was even earlier, and he held the office till the 31st of January 1450.

74.2 A lawyer and recorder of Norwich. —F.

74.3 Afterwards the famous Judge Lyttelton. —F.

64
SIR ROGER CHAMBERLAIN TO AGNES PASTON75.1

To my right worchepfull Cosyn, Agnes Paston.

After 1444

Right worchepfull cosyn, I comand me to you. And as for the mater that ye sent to me fore, touchyng the maner callid Walshams, in Walsham, the trouth is, youre husbond soldyt to my moder upon condition that she shuld never sel it but to youre sones, John or William; and for the suerte of the seid condition, youre seid husbond, as I conseyve, ded the seid maner be charged with a gret annuyte upon the same condition, or the tyme that my seid moder toke estate, of the whech I suppose ye shall fynde sufficiant evydens, if ye serge youre evydences therfor. And I be seche almyty God kepe you.

Wretyn at Geddyng, the xv. day of September. Your Cosyn,     Sir Roger Chamberleyn.

75.1 [From Fenn, iii. 38.] Nothing can be said as to the date of this letter, except that it is evidently after the death of William Paston.

65
THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO THE VISCOUNT BEAUMONT75.2

To the right worshipful, and with all myn herte right entirely belovid brother, the Viscounte Beaumont.

Between 1442 and 1455

Right worshipful, and with all myn herte right entierly beloved brother, I recomaunde me to you, thenking right hertili youre good brotherhode for your gode and gentill letters, the whiche it hath liked you to sende unto me nowe late; and like it you to knowe I perseeve by the tenor of the seid lettre, your gode desire of certein dubete that I owe unto you. In gode faith, brother, it is so with me at this tyme, I have but easy stuffe of money withinne me, for so meche as the seison of the yer is not yet growen, so that I may not plese youre seide gode brotherhode, as God knoweth my will and entent were to do, and I had it.

Nevertheless, and it like you, I sende you, bi my sonne Stafford,76.1 an obligacion wherof, of late tyme, I have rescevid part of the dubete therinne comprisid; the residue of whiche I prai you to resceve bi the seid obligacion, and that I may have an acquitance therof, and to yeve credence unto my seid sonne in such thing as he shall say unto your gode brotherhode on my behalve.

Right worshipfull, and with all myn herte right entirely belovid brother, I beseche the blissed Trinite, preserve you in honor and prosperite.

Writen at my Castell of Makestok,76.2 the xvij. day of Marche. Yowre trew and fethfull broder,     H. Bukingham.

75.2 [From Fenn, i. 16.] There appear to be no means of ascertaining the exact year when this letter was written; but as the writer was created Duke of Buckingham on the 14th September 1441, and his son, the Earl of Stafford, was killed at the battle of St. Albans on the 22nd May 1455, the date must lie between these two limits.

76.1 Humphrey, Earl of Stafford, the Duke’s eldest son, who was slain at St. Albans in 1455.

76.2 In Warwickshire.

66
WILLIAM YELVERTON TO JOHN PASTON76.3

To my ryght wurchepfull cosyn, John Paston, Esquier.

Between 1444 and 1460

Right worchepful cosyn, I recomaunde me to yow, thankyng yow as hertyly as I kan for my selff, &c., and specially for that ye do so moche for Oure Ladyes hous at Walsyngham, which I trust veryly ye do the rather for the grete love that ye deme I have therto; for trewly if I be drawe to any worchep or wellfare, and discharge of myn enmyes daunger, I ascryve it unto Our Lady.

Preyng yow therfore that ye woln ben as frendly to Our Ladyes hous as I wote well ye have alwey ben, and in especyall now, that I myght have of yow the report certeynly be your letter of that, that Naunton your cosyn informyd yow, and told yow be mouth of all maters towchyng Oure Ladyes hous of Walsyngham.

For me thynkyth be that I have herde be Oure Ladys prest of Walsyngham, if I understode weel that mater, that it shuld do moch to the gode spede of the mater; and dought yow not our Lady shall quyte it yow and here poer priour here aftyr, as he may, &c.

Preying yow also, cosyn, and avysyng for the ease of us both, and of our frendes, and of many other, that ye be at London be tymes this terme, and if we spede well now, all well all this yere aftir; for I knowe veryly ther was nevyr made gretter labour thanne shall be made now, and therfore I pray to Our Lady, help us, and her blissid Sone, which have you in His holy kepyng.

Wreten at your poer place of Bayfeld, on Sent Fraunces day,77.1 in hast. Your cosyn,     William Yelverton, Justis.

76.3 [From Fenn, i. 20.] The date of this letter is not earlier than 1444, when William Yelverton was appointed a Justice of the King’s Bench; and, as Fenn remarks, it is probably not later than 1460, when he was made a Knight of the Bath, otherwise he would have signed himself Knight as well as Justice.

77.1 St. Francis’ day is the 4th of October.

67
ABSTRACT77.2

1446
OCT. 30

Indenture, dated 30 Oct. 25 Henry VI., by which Agnes Paston grants a lease to John Downing, miller, and others, of the mill called Woodmill, in Paston.

77.2 [Add. Charter 14,819, B.M. (D. Turner’s Coll.)]

68
THE BAILIFF AND JURATS OF JERSEY TO VISCOUNT BEAUMONT78.1

A nos treshonorés et nobles Signours Visconte Beaumont, Connestable d’Engleterre et Seigneur de Sudele, grant mestre de hostel de nostre Souverayn Seigneur le Roy d’Engleterre et France.

1447

Treshonorablez et noblez seigneurs, nous nous recommandons tant que faire le povons a voz honnorablez seignouriez. Et vous plese savoir que le samedy xvme jour du moys de Aprille nous avons receu unez lettrez patentes de nostre Souverain Seigneur le Roy d’Engleterre et de France, contenant comme il vous a donné la guarde dez islez de Jersey et Guernesey durant le non aage de l’er de mon Seigneur de Warwyk, et unez aultrez lettrez a nous directes de par vous, presentées de par voz servitours John Morin et Robert Haxby. Et pour cause que eulx n’avoyent point de procuracions, ou feisions difficultey, et non obstant a voz ditz servitours a estey delivrée et baillie la pocession de la dicte isle de Jersey, et ont juré et promis par lours serementz de guarder le loys et coustumez et anciens usagez de la dicte isle, et nous envoier lettrez soubz lez seaulx de voz armez, comme voz promettez tenir en fermete ce que eulx ont promis, et de ce nous ont bailly plege Sire John Bernard, cappitaine desdictez islez, quer aultrement nous ne lez eussons point receus, comme il apparest par le certificat a eulx par nous donné, quer tous lez seigneurs, guardes, cappitaines, juges, et aultrez officers de audevant de cez hourez ont estey juréz a nous lois, coustumez et anciens usagez, lez queilz ont estey guardéz et seront en tempz advenir avecquez l’aide de Dieu, qui vous ayt en sa sainte guarde.

Escript en Jersey le xvijme jour du moys de Aprill.

De par lez vostrez le Bailiff [et]
Jurés de l’Isle de Gersy.

78.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The custody of the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, &c., during the minority of Ann, daughter and heir of Henry de Beauchamp, Duke of Warwick, was granted in 25 Henry VI. to John, Viscount Beaumont, and Sir Ralph Butler, Lord Sudley.—See Dugdale’s Baronage, ii. 54.

nous nous recommandons
text has “recommandous”

69
EDMUND PASTON TO JOHN PASTON79.1

Tradatur Johanni Paston, of the Inner In in the Temple, att London.

1447(?)

Ryth worschipfull brothir, I recomaund me to yow, &c. I preye write to myn modre of your owne hed as for to consell her howh that sche kepe her prevye, and tell no body ryth nowth of her counsell; for sche woll tell persones many of her counsell this day, and to morwe sche woll sey be Goddis faste that the same men ben false. I have seen parte of the evydence, and the maner79.2 hath be pourchasid be parcell, and certeyn feffement mad of the avowson, and certeyn pecis of lond enterlessant the maner; and I wote well ye have on collaterall rellesse wyth a warente of on of the wyffys of Hauteyn79.3 of all the holl maner.

Steward, the chiffe constable, told me he was enpanellyd up on the assise be twex yow and Frauncesse; he axyd me counsell what he myght do ther inne, for he told me it was take in Sir Thomas Tudham name. He wold fayne be chalengyd. I concellyd him swere the trewthe of the issue that he shall be swore to, and thanne he nedyd never to drede hym of noon atteynte. I yave him this counsell, and noon othir. He enqueryd me of the rewle of myn master Danyell80.1 and myn Lord of Suffolke,80.2 and askyd wheche I thowte schuld rewle in this schere; and I seyd bothe, as I trowh, and he that survyvyth to hold be the vertue of the survyvyr, and he to thanke his frendes, and to aquite his enmyys. So I fele by him he wold forsake his master, and gette him a newh yf he wyste he schuld rewle; and so wene I meche of all the contre is so disposyd. The holy Trenyte kepe yow.

Wrete at Norwiche, on the Wednysday after Seynt Peter80.3 in hast. Your Brother,     E. Paston.

79.1 [From Paston MSS., B.M.] From the conversation here reported touching the anticipated ascendancy of Daniel and the Marquis, afterwards Duke, of Suffolk, this letter may be referred to the year 1447. In April of the year following, the influence of Suffolk was paramount, and Daniel was said to be out of favour, as will be seen by Letter 75 following.

79.2 The manor of Oxnead.—See Blomefield, vi. 478.

79.3 Probably Robert, father of John Hauteyn, the friar.

80.1 Thomas Daniel.

80.2 William de la Pole, at this time Marquis, afterwards Duke, of Suffolk.

80.3 St. Peter’s day is the 29th June.

of the Inner In in the Temple, att London
text has “Lonaon” (italic “a” for “d”)

70
ABSTRACT80.4

1447
SEPT. 3

Deed by which William Pope, perpetual Vicar of Paston, confirms to Agnes, widow of William Paston, and John Bakton, their estate in a piece of land, particularly described; and also binds himself to celebrate mass every Friday for the souls of said William and Agnes, &c. &c., exhort his parishioners to put up prayers for them every Sunday, called ‘certeynys,’ and celebrate William Paston’s obit on the 13th August.

Dated at Paston, 3rd September 26 Henry VI.

80.4 [Add. Charter 17,235, B.M. (Paston MSS.)]

71
ABSTRACTS80.5

1447
OCT. 21, 26

21 Oct., at London.—Letter from Fastolf to Thomas Howys and John Grene, desiring them to procure information about one Robert Eccles, cousin and heir to John Eccles, whom the counsel for the prior of Hickling propose to call to give evidence about the rent of 25 marks.

1447, [26 Oct.] ‘Thursday byfore S. Symond and Jude,’ 26 Hen. VI. at Castre. Long letter from Thomas Howys in reply to the preceding, with the results of searches made in the Bishop’s registry for wills of the Eccles family, with particulars about various members of the family, etc.

[For these abstracts I am indebted to Mr. Macray, and also for those immediately following, which are from the same source.]

80.5 [From MSS. Hickling, 130, 140, in Magd. Coll., Oxf.]

72
ABSTRACTS81.1

The Prior of Hickling.

Hickling 71.

[14 .  . ] At Westminster.

Letter [on paper, in English] from two counsel, William Wangeford and William Jenney, to Sir John Fastolf, giving their opinion on his claim against the prior of Hickling. Sir John cannot recover the £20 forfeit, because the condition of the obligation only extended to the heirs of Sir Hugh Clifford, and not to his assigns, and Sir John is only an assign; but the rent of 25 marks is sure to him, and he can recover it, if denied by the prior, by process of law; they will consult with justices and serjeants whether he can recover it by distraint.

Hickling 74.

[14 .  . ] Friday in the 2nd week after Easter at Lenne.

Letter, [in English, on paper] from Henry Notyngham to Sir Henry Barton, Alderman of London. Has counselled with Paston, and finds him more friendly and ready to help in Barton’s matter than ever before; supposes that the cause is, that the prior that was obstinate is dead, and another appointed, who Paston trusts will be more easy to stir. Desires that Paston may be thanked. Sends a letter which he desires ‘a child of zours’ may carry to Mistress Jenkin Leventhorpe the younger; and ask at my lord’s inn of Doreham or of Ratclyff or some other which he may think best, if he (i.e. my Lord of Durham) shall be at this Parliament. Send to Thomelin Grys, spicer at Norwich, some ‘loder,’ as soon as he can goodly buy it, which comes each week to Rossamez Inn in St. Laurence’s Lane.

Hickling 75.

[14 .  . ] 14 Apr., at Norwich.

Letter, [in English, on paper] from H[enry] Notyngham to Sir Henry Barton, alderman of London. Delivered Paston the copy of the deeds; shewed his letter to the prior and convent, but gained nothing; they said they would please Barton full fain, but all their counsel are full against their binding themselves by any such confirmation; they were bound to the former owner and his heirs, but not to his assigns. Advises him to get good counsel, and thinks nothing can be done unless he gets Paston’s assent and grant to help the matter.

Hickling 89.

[1450 or 1451?] 18 Aug. Norwich.

Letter [in English, on paper] from ‘W. [Hart], Bisshope of Norwich,’ to Sir John Fastolf. Has put himself greatly in his devoir to put an end to the controversy between Fastolf and the house of Hykelyng, and has been so importunate that Lord Scales has advised him not to meddle in the matter, because he is taken as a suspect person; if he could do him more profit, he would not spare labour or cost, on account of Fastolf’s towardness and gentleness to condescend unto right and reasonable mean, the which he conceives not in the other party. Had hoped his good and devout purpose towards the place of St. Bennett’s would have grown to some good conclusion; was there the Sunday before St. Laurence’s Day, and greatly rejoiced at such work and cost as he has done there. Heartily desires him to come here to the air of his natural birth, where he will find my Lord of Norfolk and such attendance as the Bishop and other gentles of the country may do, ready unto him at all times; his coming would be to his health and heart’s ease, and the cause of much peace in the country.

Small seal, fastened on the letter; a stag; a straw round it.

Hickling 104.

[     ]

Letter, [in English, on paper] from Lord Scales to Sir John Fastolf, asking him to withdraw an outlawry which has been issued against John Dowebegyng, servant of the former, for a debt of £100 due to Fastolf by Thomas Danyell, Esq., for which Dowebegyng had become bound.

Signed by Lord Scales, who adds a postscript in his own hand that Fastolf has been as faithful and kind to him since he came into England as he was in France, and that there is no one of his estate for whom he would do so much.

Small seal, on the paper, with a straw round it.

81.1 [From MSS. in Magd. Coll., Oxf.]

Hickling 104. / [     ]
empty brackets in original

73
ABSTRACT82.1

1447
NOV. 29

Indenture, dated St. Andrew’s Eve, 26 Henry VI., between Agnes Paston and Waryn Baxter, the former agreeing that Baxter shall have, at the will of the lord of the manor of Knapton, the lands, &c. that were Richard Redys [Rede’s], with reservations.

82.1 [Add. Charter 17,236, B.M. (Paston MSS.)]

74
JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON83.1

To my right worshipfull mayster, John Paston.

1448
MARCH 11

Worthy and worshipful sir, and my right good maister, I recomaund me to yow. And do yow wete that this nyght at soper I was with my maistresse your wyff at my maistresse Cleres, and blissed be God thei fare weel and hopyn that [you83.2] shall sende themme good tidyng of your matier, Whanne ye knowe the certeynte therof, &c. And my maistresse your modir come thedir and fareth well and sendeth yow Goddis blissyng and heris, and she bad me write to yow that she hath verey knowelage by a trewe and trusty man, whos name she shall telle yow by mouthe atte your next metyng, that ther was purposed a gret meyne of a wondir gaderyng of shipmen abowte Conorhithe for to have come to Oxened, and putte me owt there in a wers wyse thanne ye were put owt at Gresham; and this was purposed for to have ben at Oxened and a ryfled and put in the preest83.3 there, but this purpose helde not, for thei were countermandet, by what mene I can not knowe yeet. And83.4 it is do hir to wete that thei be purposed to be at Ox[n]ede a bowt midlent, and I am promitted that I shall have ii. days warnyng by a good freend. And therfor she prayeth yow that ye aspie besily if the preest come into thir countre or noght. For if ought shall be doo I trowe the Frere wole be there atte doyng. And if ye can aspie that he come hider, send my maistresse word as hastily as ye may, and of your avyse and of all other thyngges as ye seme, &c. And God have yow in his kepyng. Wretyn at ix. on the clokke at evyn the noneday (sic) nex to fore Sent Gregory day in hast.

My brother Bekke and his felawship shall telle yow more by mowthe thanne I can telle yow now. —Your servaunt,     J. Gresham.

83.1 [Add. MS. 34,889, f. 178.] St. Gregory’s Day is doubtless that of St. Gregory the Pope (12 March), and this letter may be referred with certainty to the year 1448, just after Paston’s first expulsion from Gresham. The Monday before St. Gregory’s Day in that year would be the very day preceding.

83.2 Omitted in MS.

83.3 Friar John Hawteyn.

83.4 ‘and’ repeated in MS.

75
MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON84.1

To my ryth wyrchypful hwsbond, Jon Paston, be this lettyr delyveryd in hast.

1448
APRIL

Ryth wyrchypful hwsbond, I recomawnd me to zw, desyryng hertyly to heryn of zour wel fare, praying zw to wete that I was with my Lady Morley84.2 on the Satyrday next after that ze departyd from hens, and told here qhat answer that ze had of Jon Butt, and sche toke it ryth straw[n]gely, and seyd that sche had told zw, and schewyd zw i now [enough], qher by ze myth have knowleche that the releve owt [ought] to ben payd to her. And sche seyd sche wyst wel that ze delay it forthe, that sche xuld nowth have that longyth to her ryth. And sche told me hw it was payd in Thomas Chawmbers tym, qhan her dowther Hastyngs84.3 was weddyd; and sche seyd sythyn that ze wyl make none end with her, sche wyl sew therfore as law wyl.

I conseyvyd be here that sche had cwnsel to labore azens zw therin withyn ryth schort tym. And than I prayd her that sche wuld vwche save nowth to labowr azens zw in this mater tyl ze kom hom; and sche seyd nay, be her feyth, sche wuld no more days zeve [give] zw therin. Sche seyd sche had sett zw so many days to a kord with her, and ze had broke them, that sche was ryth wery therof; and sche seyd sche was but a woman, sche must don be her cownseyl, and her cwnseyle had avysyd her, so sche seyd sche wyld do. Than I prayd her azyn that sche wuld teryn [tarry] tyl ze kom hom, and I seyd I trostyd veryly that ze wuld don qhan ze kom hom, as itt longeth to zw to don; and if ze myth have very knowleche that sche awyth of ryth for to have itt, I seyd I wyst wel that ze wuld pay it with ryth gode wyl, and told her that ze had sergyd to a fownd wrytyng therof, and ze kwd non fynd in non wyse. And sche sayd sche wyst wele there was wrytyng therof inow, and sche hath wrytyng therof hw Syr Robert of Mawthby, and Sir Jon, and my grawnsyre, and dyverse other of myn awncesterys payd it, and seyd nevyre nay therto. And in no wyse I kwd not geyn no grawnth of her to sesyn tyl ze kom hom; and sche bad me that I xuld don an erand to my moder, and qhan I kam hom, I dede myn erand to her. And sche axyd me if I had spokyn to my lady of this forseyd mater, and I told her hw I had do, and qhat answer I had; and sche seyd sche xuld gon to my Lady Morles on the nexst day, and sche xuld speken to her therof, and a say to getyn grawnt of her to sesyn of the forsayd mater tyl that ze kom hom. And truly my moder dede her dever ryth feythfully therin, as my cosyn Clare85.1 xal tellyn zw qhan that he speketh with zow; and sche gete grawnt of my seyd lady that there xuld nowth ben don azens zw therin, and ze wold acordyn with her, and don as ze owyn to do be twyx this tym and Trinyte Sunday.

Laueraw[n]ce Rede of Mawthhy recommawndeth hym to zu, and prayt zw that ze wyl vwchesave to leten hym byn [buy] of zw the ferm barly that ze xuld have of hym, and if ze wyl laten hym have it to a resonabyl pris, he wyl have it with ryth a gode wyl; and he prayit zw if ze wyl that he have it, that ze wyl owche save [vouchsafe] to send hym word at qhat pris he xuld have the kowmb as hastyly as ze may, and ellys he must be purvayd in other plase.

As twchyng other tydyngs, I sopose Jon of Dam xal send zw word in a letter. As it is told me veryly, Heydon xal not kom at London this term.

It is seyd in this contre that Danyell86.1 is owth of the Kyngs gode grase, and he xal dwn and all hys mene, and all that ben hys wele wyllers; there xal no man ben so hardy to don nether seyn azens my Lord of Sowthfolk,86.2 nere non that longeth to hym; and all that have don and seyd azens hym, they xul sore repent hem. Kateryn Walsam xal be weddyd on the Munday nexst after Trinyte Sonday, as it is told me, to the galaunte with the grete chene; and there is purvayd for her meche gode aray of gwnys, gyrdelys, and atyrys, and meche other gode aray, and he hathe purcheysyd a gret purcheys of v. mark be zer to zevyn her to her joynture.

I am aferd that Jon of Sparham is so schyttyl wyttyd, that he wyl sett hys gode to morgage to Heydon, or to sum other of ywre gode frendys, but if [i.e. unless] I can hold hym inne the better, ere ze kom hom. He hath ben arestyd sythyn that ye went, and hath had moche sorw at the sewte of mayster Joh Stoks of London for x. mark that Sparham owt to hym; and in gode feyth he hath had so moche sorow and hevynesse that he wyst nowth qhat he myth don. I fell hym so disposyd that he wold asold and asett to morgage all that he hath, he had nowth rowth to qhom, so that he myth an had mony to an holpyn hym self wyth; and I entretyd hym so, thatt I sopose he wyll nother sellyn ner sett to morgage, nother catel ner other gode of hese, tyl he speke with zw. He soposeth that al that is don to hym is att the request of the Parson of Sparham and Knatylsale. I sopose it is almas to comfort hym, for in gode feyth he is ryth hevy, and hys wyf al so. He is nowth nw under arest, he hath payd hys feys, and goth at large; he was arestyd att Sparham, of on of Knatysales men.

Hodge Feke told me thatt Sym Schepherd is styl with Wylly,86.3 and if ze wyl I xal purvey that he xal be browth hom er ze kom hom. It is told me that he that kept zour schep was owth lawyd on Munday at the swth of Sir Thomas Todynham, and if it be so, ze arn nowth lyk to kepe hym longe. And as twchyng that that ze badeyn me spekyn for to Bakton, he seyth he is wel avysyd that sche seyd sche wuld never have to don with all, ner he kan not pek that sche seyd sche hath non ryth to have it, and he wyl say lyche as he hath herd her seyd; and if sche speke to hym therof, he wyll rather hold with zw than with her. I pray ye that ze wyl vwche save to send me word hw ze spede in zour matter twchyng Gressam, and hw Danyel is in grace. Harry Goneld hath browth to me xls. of Gressam syn ze zede, and he seyth I xal have more or Qhythson tyd, if he may pyk it up.

I sopose Jamys Gressam hath told zw of other thyngs that I have sped syn ze zedyn hens. If I her any strawnge tydyngs in this contre, I xall send zw word. I pray zw that I may ben recommawndyd to my Lord Danyel.

The Holy Trynyte have zw in hys kepyng, and send zw helth and gode spede in al zour maters twchyng zour ryth.

Wretyn at Norwyche, on the Wedenys day nexst after thatt ze partyd hens. Yors,     Margarete Paston.