The Paston Letters
Chapter 49 : [Footnote 232.3: A Cistercian monastery in Huntingdons.h.i.+re.][Footnote 233.1: A writ

[Footnote 232.3: A Cistercian monastery in Huntingdons.h.i.+re.]

[Footnote 233.1: A writ to inquire whether a jury gave a false verdict.]

[Footnote 233.2: This is written on the back.]

[Footnote 233.3: John de Tyrington. He was succeeded in 1449 by Richard Pentney.]

[Footnote 233.4: The sentence breaks off thus abruptly in the MS.]

186

ABSTRACT[233.5]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO SIR THOS. HOWYS, Parson of Castlecombe, at Castre.

[Sidenote: 1451 / APRIL 13]

Received a letter from them, 3rd April, with the last account of Sir Jo.

Kyrtelyng and Intewod. Understands Rob. Norwych will not occupy as undersheriff, because Jenneys had given him language not to his pleasure, and so Aleyn is to occupy, who is not F.'s wellwiller; but Howys has provided a remedy with the sheriff. When the _venire facias_ is made out, I will try and get it sent you, and I shall have Paston's advice. Knows well the obstinate will of false Dallyng, but Bokkyng must speak with him, and entreat him in his best manner.--Margaret Bryg's matter.

As to the oyer and terminer, it is certain Heydon and Tuddenham will be at Norwich with all the maintenance and fellows.h.i.+p they can. It is said Justice Prysot will be there. You must do your best to keep your friends steadfast; and I in the meantime will labour here, and send you word how the world is set. Men of the city of Norwich have good audience and favour among the Lords, and are waiting an answer of their matters. Has delivered up the s.h.i.+pmen, and left the s.h.i.+p here for causes which he will write; 'for the rayse hath been full costuys, except they came in saufftee.'

London, 13 April, 29 Hen. VI.

[Footnote 233.5: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 231.]]

187

MARGARET PASTON TO JOHN PASTON[234.1]

_To my right wurchepfull howsbond, John Paston._

[Sidenote: 1451 / APRIL 16]

Right wurchepfull howsbond, I recomand me to yow, prayng yow to wete that the Parson of Oxened[234.2] told me that Wyndham told hym that Sweynnysthorp[234.3] is hold of the Kyng be the therd part or the fourt part of a knyt fye, and ho so ever had the maner of Sweynsthorp, he shuld fynde an armyd man, in tyme of werre in the castell of Norwhic, xl. days to his owyn cost, and that ye shuld pay x.x.x^s. to the Kyng yerly owth of the seyd maner; and it is fond also that your fader shuld a died seysyd, and that ye shuld a entyryd ther in as heyr after your fader dysseys, and that ye shuld be now up on the age of x.x.x. wynter.

The Trinite have yow in hys kepyng. Wreten at Norwhic, the Friday next a fore Seynt George.

Yowrs,

M. PASTON.

[Footnote 234.1: [From Fenn, iii. 84.] The date of this letter depends upon the age of John Paston, who, in November 1444, was found to be twenty-three years old. As he is now 'upon the age of thirty winters,' this letter was probably written in 1451.]

[Footnote 234.2: His name was Laurence Baldewar.]

[Footnote 234.3: In 1444, according to Blomefield (_Hist. of Norf._ iv. 40), a rent-charge out of the manor of Swainsthorp was settled by John and Agnes Paston, the eldest son and the widow of William Paston, the Justice, to find a priest to sing for the soul of the said William in the chapel of our Lady the Great in Norwich Cathedral.]

188

ABSTRACT[234.4]

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO SIR THOS. HOWYS, at Castre in Flegg.

[Sidenote: 1451 / APRIL 21]

Sends two _venire facias_ for Beyton in Norfolk and Bradwell in Suffolk, returnable _in quindena Paschae_, which is a short day. You must deliver them in haste to the Sheriff by Paston's advice, by whom I send them.

Labour to the Sheriff for the return of such panels as will speak for me, and not be shamed, for great labour will be made by Wentworth's party. 'Entreat the Sheriff as well ye can by reasonable rewards, rather than fail,' for they have taken as false an issue as can be with me 'by H. [_i.e._ Heydon's] advice for cold love.' I had traversed the plea in the inquisition that I had disseised Sir Hue Fastolf; but they put it now that I had only a joint interest in the manor. The names you sent for Bradwell are like to do well, except Hopton, who has married with the Lady Wentworth. I am also in doubt of one Reppes of Heringflete, who is Heydon's man. Had purposed to have been at the oyer and terminer this time, but cannot, &c.

Hors.h.i.+ghdoun, 21 April, 29 Hen. VI.

_Signed._

[Footnote 234.4: [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 243.]]

189

DEBENHAM, TYMPERLEY, AND WHITE TO JOHN PASTON[235.1]

[Sidenote: 1451 / MAY 2]

Maister Paston, we comaund us to you, lattyng you witt that the Sheriff is noght so hole as he was, for now he wille shewe but a part of his frendes.h.i.+ppe. And also there is grete prese off pepill, and fewe frendes, as ferr as we can feel yitt. And therfore be ye sadly avised wheder ye seme best to come your self, or send or, &c., for we will a.s.say in as much as in us is to prevaile to your entente. And yett, if it neded, we wolde have a man to giffe us informacion, or shewe evidence after the case requireth. Also the Shereffe enformed us that he hath writyng from the Kyng that he shall make such a panell to aquyte the Lord Moleynes. And also he tolde us, and as ferr as we can conceyve and feel, the Shereff wille panell gentylmen to aquyte the Lorde, and jowroures to a quyte his men; and we suppose that it is be the mocion and meanes of the othir party. And yif any meanes of tretie be proferd, we know not what meane shulde be to your pleasir. And therfore we wolde fayne have mor knowlege, yiff ye think it were to doo.

No more at this tyme, bot the holy Trinite have you in his kepyng.

Wretin at Walsyngham, in hast, the secund day of May.--Be your trewe and feithfull frendes,

DEBENHAM, TYMPERLEY, AND WHITE.

And also, Sir, as we conceyve, the Lord Moleynes shall not be quyte before Thurseday; in as muche as he was indyted before the Justice, we undirstand he shall not be quyte but before the Justice. Wherfore we avise you, iff ye think it be to doo, to send your frendes in the meane tyme, and come your self to your place at Sperham, and there abyde unto tyme that we have knowlege how the saide mater will drawe, and till that we may have worde from you, and ye from us, &c.

[Footnote 235.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] As this letter speaks of the indictment and expected acquittal of Lord Molyns, the date must be 1451. This letter is written on parchment.]

190

W. LOMNOR TO JOHN PASTON[236.1]

[Sidenote: 1451 / MAY (?)]

Ryght worchipfulle Sir, yours goode cosynes and frendes avyse yow to come to Walsyngham, and that ye be there to morw betymes at vj. on the clok; for the Lord Moleyns offreth a trete for the goodes, and amendes to be made, or he goth ought of this contre, and if it be not taken, his men shulle justifie; wherupon your t.i.tle might be hurte. The Lord Skales, the Justis, and other knygtes and squyeres merveyle grettly ye come not, and thow they that have not so true and evident mater as ye have concelle yow to be absent; yet I wolde ye dede as ye be desyrd be that felas.h.i.+p, for many wolde yow right welle. Whanne ye come, I shalle telle yow more.

The Lorde Moleyns shulde not have be aquyte of his comaundement, hadde he not sworen on a boke, sweche evidens was ayens hym; and ther is no jentelman wolde aquite his men for no goode, &c.

W. LOMNOR.